Digital Commons Network^™

Analysis Of Production Control Methods For Semiconductor Research And Development Fabs Using Simulation, Vikram Ramamurthi

Theses

The importance of semiconductor device fabrication has been rising steadily over many years. Integrated circuit technology and innovation depends on successful research and development (R&D). R&D establishes the direction for prevailing technology in electronics and computers. To be a leader in the semiconductor industry, a company must bring technology to the market as soon as its application is deemed feasible. Using suitable production control methods for wafer fabrication in R&D fabs ensures reduction in cycle times and planned inventories, which in turn help to more quickly, transfer the new technology to the production fabs, where products are made on a …

Memory Fix, Christopher James Jordan

Theses

This thesis serves as the written accompaniment to the visual work comprising the exhibit: Memory Fix, examining notions of personal geography set within more generalized conceptions of place, memory and identity formation. Further, it explores the ambiguity between ways in which place is remotely documented versus intimately experienced. We live in a culture of displacement, where technologies paradoxically render far-away places more accessible, but also contribute to the distancing of the immediate and authentic. This displacement also extends to the world of image and depiction. Place-representations are emptied of original meanings and connotations through overexposure and mass circulation. Against …

A Correlational Study Of The Effect Of Per Pupil Expenditure On Standardized Third Grade Reading Scores In Missouri, John Arthur Dunahm Jr.

Theses

Funding of education has long been a major topic of discussion in both the public and political arenas. How tax dollars are spent in the area of education is now at the forefront of this debate with the advent of mechanisms which are designed to hold schools accountable for their funding. The chief mechanism of accountability is standardized testing achievement by students.

In this study, per-pupil expenditures for schools districts in the state of Missouri, for the years 1998 and 2002, will be examined as a correlation to high student achievement on the Missouri Assessment Program third grade communication arts …

The Impact Of Providing Teachers With Collaboration Time, During The School Day, On Student Achievement, Onofrio Francis Monachino Iii

Theses

Because many forms of professional development require teachers and others to work together (e.g., participation in formal mentoring programs and networking with teachers in other schools), skill building in collaboration is often the prescribed approach. Skills in working with others are especially important if the aim of professional development is change (Guskey, 1995). This ethnographic study examines the effect on student achievement by providing teachers with collaboration time during the school day. The study was conducted at a rural middle school. In order for student achievement to improve, schools must search for innovative methods. By restructuring the school day, this …

Perception Of Meaning And Usage Motivations Of Emoticons Among Americans And Chinese Users, Yujiao Wang

Theses

Do people of different cultures agree on the meaning and use of emoticons? This study addresses this question from an inter-cultural perspective and explores the use of emoticons in the American and Chinese Computer-mediated communication (CMC) communities. The research indicates that both the Americans and Chinese participants use emoticons for entertaining, informational and social interaction motivations but the Americans are more likely to use emoticons for information motivations than the Chinese and the Chinese participants are more likely to use emoticons for social interactions than the Americans participants. The results correspond to the cultural differences between the two countries in …

How Much Weight Is Too Much For Manual Lifting : Determining A Weight Limit Guideline For Team-Effort Lifting Tasks, Piyush G. Chapla

Theses

Manual material handling is the primary cause of musculoskeletal injuries, which includes injuries related to lower back, at the workplaces in the U.S. Of all the manual material handling tasks, lifting has been the leading contributor to lower back injuries. These injuries may be induced by several risk factors associated with lifting tasks, weight of the object being lifted being one of them.

Weight limit guidelines have been developed by various groups recommending the weights that workers can lift safely without sustaining injuries. However, these guidelines are aimed to serve individual lifting tasks. Even though team lifting is a common …

Slimsvm : A Simple Implementation Of Support Vector Machine For Analysis Of Microarray Data, Avik Karmaker

Theses

Support Vector Machine (SVM) is a supervised machine learning technique being widely used in multiple areas of biological analysis including microarray data analysis. SlimSVM has been developed with the intention of replacing OSU SVM as the classification component of GenoIterSVM in order to make it independent of other SVM packages. GenolterSVM, developed by Dr. Marc Ma, is a SVM implementation with an iterative refinement algorithm for improved accuracy of classification of genotype microarray data. SlimSVM is an object-oriented, modular, and easy-to-use implementation written in C++. It supports dot (linear) and polynomial (non-linear) kernels. The program has been tested with artificial …

Carrier Transport In Ge Nanowires And One Dimensional Si/Ge Heterojunctions, Eun Kyu Lee

Theses

Ge Nanowires (Ge NWs) on single crystal, (100) and (111) oriented n-type Si substrates were grown via the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism and studied with respect to their electrical properties.

Using different contact geometries, direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) electrical and photoelectrical measurements were carried out at room temperature to investigate electrical properties of Ge NWs and Ge NWs/Si substrate one-dimensional (1 D) heterojunctions (HJs). A rectifying junction behavior is observed at NWs/substrate interface, but many orders of magnitude greater AC conductance than DC in Ge NW volume is measured at high frequencies. The obtained experimental data are consistent …

Fluidization Of Agglomerates Of Nanoparticles Under Different Force Fields, Jose A. Quevedo

Theses

Nanoparticles are the focus of many research activities, and in the near future they will be handled in large amounts by industry. Fluidization is a very important unit operation which is applied in several industrial processes.

In the present work, fluidization experiments with agglomerates of nanoparticles were done under different force fields: (1) gravity force or conventional fluidization; (2) a magnetic force field, which uses magnetic particles under the influence of a magnetic field; and (3) a centrifugal force, generated by a rotating frame that simulates higher gravity conditions.

Among the significant results with agglomerates of nanoparticles, conventional fluidization was …

Spectrum Control And Iterative Coding For High Capacity Multiband Ofdm, Divaydeep Sikri

Theses

The emergence of Multiband Orthogonal Frequency Division Modulation (MB-OFDM) as an ultra-wideband (UWB) technology injected new optimism in the market through realistic commercial implementation, while keeping promise of high data rates intact. However, it has also brought with it host of issues, some of which are addressed in this thesis.

The thesis primarily focuses on the two issues of spectrum control and user capacity for the system currently proposed by the Multiband OFDM Alliance (MBOA). By showing that line spectra are still an issue for new modulation scheme (MB-OFDM), it proposes a mechanism of scrambling the data with an increased …

Ultra Wideband Communication Link, Preeti Singh

Theses

Ultra-wideband communication (UWB) has been a topic of extensive research in recent years especially for its short-range communication and indoor applications. The preliminary objective of the project was to develop a description and understanding of the basic components of the communication link at microwave frequencies in order to achieve the primary objective of establishing a communication setup at a bandwidth of 2.5 GHz for testing Ultra Wideband (UWB) antennas. This was achieved with the aid of commercially available optical system which was modified for the purpose. Beginning with the generation of baseband narrow pulses with energy spanning over a broad …

Thermal Analysis Of Poly(Desamino Arylates), Ali Cem Recber

Theses

The goal of this study is to better understand the thermal characteristics and molecular behavior of two poly(desaminotyrosyl arylates). These two polymers were chosen from a combinatorial library of polymers developed by changing the type and size of the two substitutable chain locations. TGA, DSC and TSC studies were conducted on Poly(12,10) and Poly(2,2) after the samples were exposed to various conditions. The TGA of Poly(12,10) shows low water uptake at 25° C, higher water uptake at 80°C. Water uptake for Poly(2,2) at 25°C is similar to Poly(12,10) at 80°C. The Thermally Stimulated Current analysis (TSC) results indicate a molecular …

Detection Of Denial Of Service Attacks Using Database Queries, Dmytro Zakhalyavko

Theses

In the current intrusion detection world, most intrusion detection systems output data into flat files. This project was conducted in order to improve intrusion detection data and alerts by writing them into a database system and analyzing them with SQL. A database plug-in was developed that helps to transition the data from an intrusion detection system to a database. Storing, analyzing, categorizing, and accessing data are major advantages and reasons for using databases in intrusion detection. Security analysts have to constantly perform the difficult task of sorting through a haystack of attack alerts, many of which turn out to be …

Characterization Of Mechanical Behavior Of Electrospun Non-Woven Mats, Ajitha Patlolla

Theses

Electrospinning is a simple and efficient method for the production of nanometer to micrometer fibers. While the process of electrospinning has been known for over half a century, current understanding of the process and those parameters that affect the properties of the fibers is very limited. Not much work has been done in the field electrospinning process to study the mechanical properties of nonwoven mats produced and to study parameters affecting their properties.

In the first part of this thesis electrospun nonwoven mats made of poly(lactides) solutions were characterized based on their mechanical behavior in biorelevant conditions. In the second …

Surface Treatment Of Ferrous Alloys With Boron, Naruemon Suwattananont

Theses

Boronizing is a thermo-chemical surface hardening treatment in which boron atoms diffused into the metal substrate form the metallic boride layer, providing high hardness, corrosion resistance, and 3-10 times increasing service life. This type of surface treatment is widely used in many applications.

The purpose of this work was to investigate the structures and properties of boronized ferrous alloys. Three types of steels, AISI 1018 (plain low carbon steel), AISI 4340 (high strength alloy steel), and AISI 304 (austenitic stainless steel), were used for this study. The boronized AISI 1018 and AISI 4340 demonstrated the saw-tooth structure with average 75-76 …

Singular Value Decomposition Of Analogs Of Gbr 12909, Anna Fiorentino

Theses

Analogs of GBR 12909 are drugs that could potentially be used to treat cocaine addiction. Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) is a multivariate analysis technique used to show relationships between the data and the variables associated with the data. The input data consists of the conformers of each analog (DM324, 728 conformers; TP250, 739 conformers) along with the eight torsional angles (Al, A2, B1-B6). A novel scaling technique was developed to address the problem of data circularity by subtracting the values of the torsional angles of the global energy minimum conformation from those of each conformer.

In SVD the original data …

But What Do They Think It Means? The Text/Image Relationship In Informational Communication, Nicole E. Bartell

Theses

To better understand how an audience processes information transmitted via image, text, or both, this study presented four different versions of the same message to four groups of RIT students. The message consisted of the following content: text only, text with images depicting evenly spaced years, text with images depicting irregularly spaced years, and text with irregularly spaced years. Subjects were instructed to look at the message for a set amount of time and then complete a questionnaire. Those who were given messages that had images and text felt less confused or misled than those who were given messages containing …

The Art And Business Of Medical Legal Illustration, Jeff Davis

Theses

Not Included

Occupational Decision-Making And Career Choice Among School-Leavers In Ireland 2002-2004 With Particular Reference To A Career In The Hotel And Catering Industry, Clement H. Ryan

Theses

No abstract provided.

Rendering Non-Pictorial (Scientific) High Dynamic Range Images, Sung Ho Park

Theses

In recent years, the graphics community is seeing an increasing demand for the capture and usage of high-dynamic-range (HDR) images. Since the production of HDR imagery is not solely the domain of the visualization of real life or computer generated scenes, novel techniques are also required for imagery captured from non-visual sources such as remote sensing, medical imaging, astronomical imaging, etc. This research proposes to integrate the techniques used for the display of high-dynamic-range pictorial imagery for the practical visualization of non-pictorial (scientific) imagery for data mining and interpretation. Nine algorithms were utilized to overcome the problem associated with rendering …

Distinguishing Metaphysical From Epistemological Randomness, Andrew Michael Johnson

Theses

The term 'random' is used both popularly and in science in different senses. Randomness sometimes refers to our subjective epistemological inability to discern structure and other times to objective lack of structure in an observed phenomenon. This thesis argues that the best understanding of 'random' should be as a profitable heuristic, similar to imaginary numbers and potential infinities, under the rubric of epistemological randomness (ER). It further argues that positive claims of metaphysical randomness (MR) must be justified by both internality and indeterminacy. Internality acts as a criterion that controls for external causal influences in a given phenomenon. Indeterminacy requires …

A Concept That Invites A Personal Definition, Christopher Kanyusik

Theses

Not Included

Genetic Algorithms In Cryptography, Bethany Delman

Theses

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are a class of optimization algorithms. GAs attempt to solve problems through modeling a simplified version of genetic processes. There are many problems for which a GA approach is useful. It is, however, undetermined if cryptanalysis is such a problem. Therefore, this work explores the use of GAs in cryptography. Both traditional cryptanalysis and GA-based methods are implemented in software. The results are then compared using the metrics of elapsed time and percentage of successful decryptions. A determination is made for each cipher under consideration as to the validity of the GA-based approaches found in the literature. …

Circle Formation Algorithm For Autonomous Agents With Local Sensing, Andrew Mario Michael

Theses

Research on cooperative robotics has increased radically over the past decade due to its simplicity and applicability in a variety of fields. Shape formation plays an important role in such cooperative behavior. Our work deals with the formation of a circle by a group of mobile agents (robots) that initially are randomly spread and randomly oriented in an unmapped terrain. The agents have simple characteristics and limited capabilities. They are autonomous, homogeneous, anonymous, and memory-less. They do not communicate with each other, but are able to measure the inter-agent distances and angels. The agents follow the same distributed algorithm synchronously …

Investigation Into The Current Statistical Distribution For Oxide Breakdown Versus The Oxide Thickness Used In Integrated Circuit Manufacture, Eoin James O Driscoll

Theses

A critical aspect of integrated circuit manufacturing is the reliability of the components, in particular the gate oxide of transistors and capacitors. Accelerated stress tests are used for reliability predictions of gate oxides. There are two statistical distributions, which can be applied to stress test failure data, namely the Lognormal or the Weibull distributions. The failure data can fit each distribution equally well. However the use of either distribution will give vastly different lifetime predictions and their correct use is crucial for accurate lifetime prediction. A statistical based test, developed with Monte Carlo data, which is designed to decide if …

Geochemical Studies To Assess Marine Oil Pollution Zakum Field, Abu Dhabi, Uae, Bakheet Saeed Al Katheeri

Theses

The present study aims at quantifying and assessing the organic and inorganic pollutants in the offshore sediments of the Zakum Field, Abu Dhabi, UAE. Twenty-six sampling stations were selected to cover the maximum area of the field. Sediments samples were subjected to a variety of analyses including mechanical analysis, Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analysis, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) analysis, twenty congeners of Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) analysis, sixteen different Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) analysis and eight heavy metals analysis. For a comparison purpose six old marine seabed core samples which collected from Zakum Filed between 1966 and 1978 were analyzed …

Crystallization Kinetics Study Of The Glasses In Se–Te System, Fareed Abdul Raheem Al-Gheyath

Theses

The aim of the present work is to study the crystallization kinetics of some chalcogenide glassy alloys in the Selenium-Tellurium system. Four glassy systems have been prepared: Se₈₀Te_20-xSb_x (x= 0, 4, 6, 8, and 10); Se₇₀Te_30-xSb_x (x= 2, 6, 8, and 10); Se₈₀Te_20-xCd_x (x= 2, 4, and 10); and Se₈₀Te_20-xSn_x (x= 2, 4, and 10). The starting materials of (99.999%) purity were weighted according to their atomic percentages and sealed in evacuated silica tubes, under a pressure of about 10 …

An Evaluation Of The Use Of Technical Conservation Measures Within The Inshore Mixed Fishery Of Dingle Bay, Co. Kerry, Ireland., Tony Holmes

Theses

Discarding has been identified as a global problem in fisheries. ICES, the EU and national governments have prioritised studying discarding as an area of research. In conjunction with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Marine Institute, Institute of Technology, Tralee and the Dingle Bay Inshore Management Development committee a study of the impacts of incorporating technical conservation measures (TCM’s) into trawls was undertaken. TCM’s under investigation included 80mm and 90mm square mesh panels inserted in the top-sheet before the cod-end, 100mm codends and a separator trawl. It was found that boats using 100mm cod-ends produced less discards than when towing standard …

(Beta)-Barium Borate Thin Film Formation On Silicon Through Metal Organic Decompostion Of Two Novel Precursors, Barium Dimesitylborinate And Barium (18-Crown-6) Cyclotriboroxane, Timothy M. Gross

Theses

Two novel precursors, barium dimesitylborinate and barium (18-crown-6) cyclotriboroxane, were synthesized to produce thin films of p-barium borate (P-Ba3B60i2) via the metal organic decomposition (MOD) process. The two precursor reagents were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and elemental analysis. The MOD process was initially used to produce P-barium borate powders. The powders were heated for 1 hour under oxygen flow at various temperatures. The formation of p-barium borate was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction of the products of thermolysis of both precursors, p-barium borate formation occurred at 800 C and …

Rehabilitation Of Concrete Structure Using Composite Materials, Ibtesam J.Saeed Al-Saifi

Theses

In the United Arab Emirates, most of the concrete structures including road, infrastructure and different types of buildings have been reported to be in need of rehabilitation. It is universally acknowledged that the environment of the countries in the Arabian Gulf is extremely severe and very aggressive to construction materials and operations. It is anticipated that the cost of rehabilitation of civil infrastructure will gradually increase over the next decade as a direct consequence of the increase in the number of structures reaching their expected service life.

Accordingly demand on rehabilitation methods will increase. In addition the severe climatic conditions …