Digital Commons Network^™

Hardware Implementation Of Jpeg-Ls Codec, Michael Piorun

Theses

The primary goal of this thesis is to implement a hardware version of the JPEG-LS, or JPEGLossless, image compression algorithm in VHDL. The JPEG-LS algorithm is currently the designated standard for lossless compression of grayscale and color images by the JPEG committee. Although lossy image compression is widely used when dealing with grayscale images, there are some applications that require lossless image compression so that the original image may be recovered. This is often the case for historical and legal document image archives, medical and satellite imagery, and biometric images. The JPEG-LS algorithm is much less complex than other current …

A Bridge's Link, Stephanie Lanphier Collins

Theses

Not Included

Computationally Efficient Search For Large Primes, Wieslawa E. Amber

Theses

To satisfy the speed of communication and to meet the demand for the continuously larger prime numbers, the primality testing and prime numbers generating algorithms require continuous advancement. To find the most efficient algorithm, a need for a survey of methods arises. Concurrently, an urge for the analysis of algorithms' performances emanates. The critical criteria in the analysis of the prime numbers generation are the number of probes, number of generated primes, and an average time required in producing one prime. Hence, the purpose of this thesis is to indicate the best performing algorithm. The survey the methods, establishment of …

Intermittent Noise Sampling And Control Strategies In The Hospital Environment, Rosarito M. Guerrero

Theses

Noise in the hospital environment can have negative effects on both patients and hospital staff. Unwanted noise can be disturbing and often annoying thus, interfering with patients' sleep and obstructing work performance of the hospital staff. A research study was conducted in the hospital unit to identify and develop methods of intervention for intermittent noise and their source. Routine staff work activity generated noise levels above EPA hospital noise recommendations. A sound level meter and video camera was used to capture noise between the work-shifts. The video camera captured digital readings generated by the sound level meter which, helped identify …

Initial Hertzian Characteristics Of The Human Tooth As A Damage Tolerant Bio-Ceramic/Bio-Composite Bi-Layer, Ivory Camille Kilpatrick

Theses

The objective of this thesis was to investigate the Hertzian Contact response of human teeth and how the response behavior is related to that of model ceramic bi-layers (high modulus brittle ceramics on compliant substrates). Hertzian Contact is a blunt indentation method, which uses a hard spherical indenter to apply a normal compressive load. Clinical variables of masticatory (occlusal) force and cuspal curvature identify closely with the independent Hertzian variables of contact load and sphere radius [1]. This method offers insight into the role of microstructure and microstructure- sensitive mechanical properties. It was hypothesized that tooth damage modes and patterns …

Dynamic Friction Of Uhmwpe Angular Compliant Bearing For Joint Implants And Machinery, Max Roman

Theses

The feasibility of a unique design of orthopedic- joint implant is investigated. The work focuses on the dynamic friction characteristics of a new joint. This unique design can be also useful in machinery involving oscillating motion similar to that of the hip joint during walking. An elastomeric layer bonded behind the rigid acetubular cup can be beneficial in improving the durability of prosthetic implants. Angular compliance offered by the elastomeric layer reduces relative sliding between the surfaces, lowers contact stresses by distributing pressure more evenly, and reduces the possibility of incongruent loading conditions caused by misalignment. The application of a …

Characterization Of Alpha And Beta Phases Of Tantalum Coatings, Anto Yohannan

Theses

Sputtered tantalum forms two phases - α and β. The α and β phases have distinctly different crystalline structures and properties. The structure and the causes of formation of the β phase are still being studied by researchers. This is a study to distinguish and characterize these two phases. Samples from Bennet Labs and NJIT were characterized using techniques such as SEM, EDX, XRF, XRD, TEM and XAFS. Samples deposited at NJIT were used for an experimental study on the conditions favoring the formation of the phases, by depositing tantalum on heated steel and silicon substrates, additionally TEM analysis was …

Encoding And Storage Components Of Verbal Working Memory As Revealed By A Factorial Design, An Fmri Study, Jason Steffener

Theses

In this fMRI study, the contributions of frontal and posterior brain regions to verbal working memory were investigated. A two-factor design with low and high memory load (2 and 5 letters) and short and long delay (4 and 12 secs.) as factors were used. Based on reports in the literature, we expect activity in the following frontal and parietal brain regions of interest (ROIs): Brodmann areas (BA) 6, 9, 46, 44, 45, 7 and 40. The analysis of collected flvM data involved image processing and statistical analysis methods including realignment, spatial normalization, spatial smoothing, temporal filtering, intensity normalization, statistical tests, …

Mechanical Design Of The Heater Used In Near Infrared Filter, Jun Ma

Theses

This thesis presents a design and analytical process in the application of the heater used in a near infrared filter working in Big Bear Solar Observatory, CA. The objective of the project is to achieve the physics parameters for the filter, which will be used in the observation of the solar activity.

The most important part of this design is to keep a relatively fixed temperature inside the oven-like heater. The reason is that optical properties of calcite (kind of filter in telescope) are pretty sensitive to a tiny disturbance on inside temperature. This was the biggest issue in this …

Sculpture To Wear (Metaphorically); Sculpture To Wear As Jewelry; Sculpture That Wears Jewelry, Juan Caballero-Perez

Theses

None provided.

Collection And Analysis Of Multispectral Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data Using A Clinical Imaging System, Thomas G. Servoss

Theses

As most radiologists would attest, the accuracy of pathology diagnosis is greatly increased by acquiring more information about the tissue in question. An innovative data acquisition technique has been developed that will do just that - gather more information about the tissues being studied. As each tissue type is composed of a unique arrangement of chemical components, each tissue exhibits a characteristic nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) frequency spectrum. Unfortunately, current clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems integrate the characteristic spectra of the tissue within a voxel to create a single signal for the voxel, thus throwing away what could be …

Drudgery To Grace: A Philosophy Of Aesthetics, Daniel Jennings

Theses

Not Included

Heavy-Atom Quenching Of 9-Ethylcarbazole In Heterogeneous Matrices: Micelles And Latexes, Paul Conrow

Theses

The fluorescence quenching of 9-ethylcarbazole was studied in solution and heterogeneous dispersions. A heavy-atom quencher, 4-iodotoluene, was used to quench the fluorescence of 9-ethylcarbazole. Polymer analogs of 9-ethylcarbazole and 4-iodotoluene were incorporated into separate latex solutions, and quenching experiments were carried out with non-polymer and latex-bound analytes. Quenching in micellar solutions and latex dispersions was 20-1000 times more efficient than in homogeneous solutions. The diffusion of analytes into the dispersed phase of heterogeneous matrices created high local concentrations of the fluorescing species and quencher, while the global concentrations remained relatively low. The fluorescence quenching in latex solutions of poly[(methyl methacrylate)-co-vinylcarbazole] …

Effect Of Surface Roughness On Heat Transfer And Fluid Flow Characteristics At Low Reynolds Numbers In Small Diameter Tubes, Shailesh Joshi

Theses

The effect surface roughness on pressure drop and heat transfer in circular tubes has been extensively studied in literature. The pioneering work of Nikuradse (1933) established the sand grain roughness as a major parameter in defining the friction factor during laminar and turbulent flows. Recent studies have indicated a transition to turbulent flows at Reynolds number values much below 2300 during single-phase flow in channels with small hydraulic diameters. In the present work, a detailed experimental study is undertaken to investigate the roughness effects in small diameter tubes. The roughness of the inside tube surface is changed by acid treatment. …

Dynamic Torsional Modeling And Analysis Of A Fluid Mixer, Joel Berg

Theses

Mixers and agitators are used in a variety of processing industries. Each application has its own uniqueness requiring a high degree of customization in process design and mechanical design. Many of the processing and mechanical performance characteristics of mixers are derived from torque cell and tachometer measurements usually located between the motor and speed reducer. This thesis deals with the development of a dynamic modeling and analysis procedure to simulate the torsional response of mixers. This procedure will allow for the characterization of the torsional response at any point within the system, as well as relate the response as observed …

By Now You Know, Mary Johnstone

Theses

None provided.

Two And Four Component Polyimides Based On Oxydiplithalic Anhydride, 1,3-Aminophenoxybenzene, Mellitic Acid Dianhydride, 3,4'-Oxydianiline, And Their Zirconium Pendent Polymers, Wei Cheng

Theses

The goals of this research are to synthesize novel two and four-component pendent polyimides by attaching the zirconium complex to the respective polymer backbones, and then to compare their characteristics, e.g. thermal properties, atomic oxygen resistance, and film properties, with those of previous students of Dr. Illingsworth, Derek Chow and Wei Wang. Our work focuses on increasing the atomic oxygen resistance of polyimides by increasing their pendent group concentrations. This result can best be achieved by increasing the flexibility of the polymer backbone, which also lowers glass transition temperature (Tg), improves polyamic acid solubility, and, thus, improves processibility. The novel …

Stuff I Like, Janet Strzelec

Theses

The written portion of the thesis will explain the process of the production. The first chapter will follow the show from conception to realization. It will include how and why the particular shows, scenes, songs, and actors were chosen. Chapter Two will illustrate the research done for the production. Chapter Three will be my personal rehearsal journal. Script analysis and script notes will comprise Chapter Four. This will include side notes that were written during the rehearsal process. Chapter Five will be a brief self-evaluation.

Text Segmentation Of The Archimedes Palimpsest Using Remote Sensing Techniques, Charles Dickinson

Theses

Digital imaging methods have been developed and adapted to analyze the so-called "Archimedes Palimpsest", which is a 10th century overwritten manuscript including the oldest known copies of seven of the treatises of Archimedes. Multispectral digital images of five of the leaves of the palimpsest have been collected, processed, and analyzed using principal component analysis and orthogonal subspace projection techniques. These methods have been applied to "strip off the later overwriting to reveal the original text.

A "Black-Point Adaption" Model For Color Reproduction, Sun Ju Park

Theses

Based on the current state of CIECAM97s, there is a missing adjustment associated with a black-point unlike a white-point. As an attempt to improve the performance of CIECAM97s for color reproduction, six algorithms focusing on "black-point adaptation" were generated based on previous work on white-point adaptation methods and gamut mapping methods. The six algorithms were used to reproduce four original images targeted to four simulated hard-copy viewing environments that were only differentiated by their black-point settings. Then, the six algorithms were tested in a psychophysical experiment with 32 observers. As a result, linear lightness rescaling under the luminances of white …

Reductive Amination Of (Alpha) - Amino Acids: Solution - Phase Synthesis, Rohini D'Souza

Theses

Preparation of a small library of secondary amino acids was achieved by solution-phase organic synthesis using reductive amination reactions with selected cc-amino acids and aromatic aldehydes. Reductive amination employing sodium triacetoxyborohydride instead of sodium cyanoborohydride was found to give shorter reaction times and much safer byproducts. With less sterically hindered a-amino acids, direct reductive amination generally yielded the bisalkylated product. However, monoalkylation was achieved by adopting an indirect reductive amination route. Reaction mixtures were characterized by HPLC and LC-MS, resulting in the synthesis of a 21 compound library.

Smartrav: A Digital Handheld Device For Travelers, John Chang

Theses

None provided.

How Parent's Concerns Relate To Their Children's Social Competence, Vikki Negron

Theses

Social competence in children is correlated to their success in interacting with adults and peers throughout their life (McCabe, 1998). Social incompetence is associated with peer rejection, poor academic performance, grade retention, juvenile delinquency, school drop-out, and substance abuse (Ladd & Asher, 1990; McCabe, 1998; Ramsey & Ramsey, 1992). This study investigated the relationship between parental concerns about future expectations, child development, parent-child interaction, discipline and social competence in urban preschoolers 2.9-4.8 years of age who attended the Rochester Preschool Parent Program (RPPP). The Parental Questionnaire was used to measure parental concerns (PMHP, 1998). Social competence was measured by parent …

Reading Progress And Inclusion: Are They Related?, Kristi Bullwinkle, Tracy Thomas

Theses

in an inclusion program. The Degrees of Reading Power Test was used to measure growth of non-classified and classified students both prior to and a year after participation in an inclusive program. Average growth per year for each student, over a two-year period prior to inclusion was determined and compared to average growth after a year of participation in an inclusive program. Data for classified and non-classified students was analyzed separately to determine whether growth in reading changed with participation in an inclusive program as compared to a segregated program. Results indicated that no significant differences were This study investigated …

Assessment Of The Recycled Concrete Aggregates Structural Suitability For Road Construction, Abdulla Yousef Ali Al-Ali

Theses

In most aspects of modem life, there is a consensus among practitioners and decision makers of the importance of preserving the environment, and to find alternatives to the scarce natural materials. This can be accomplished by better utilization of the natural materials and/or recycling or reclaiming their waste, specially, if they are of finite resources. The recycled material could be an attractive alternative (both environmentally and economically) if its characteristics are proven to be close to those of the natural material.

Utilizing recycled mineral aggregates in the construction field in general and in highway pavement in specific is somehow governed …

The Effect Of Rhodium Reagents Upon The Hydroboration And Thermal Isomerization Of Quadricyclane, Dana Didonato

Theses

Simple hydroboration of a cyclopropane ring is not a reaction that is easily carried out. Attempts to hydroborate the three membered ring of quadricyciane, however are encouraged by the high strain energy (96 kcal/mol) of this tetracyclic system. Observation of nortricyclanol product would be taken as a sign of a successful oxidative hydroboration of quadricyciane. Some minor successes in earlier hydroborations of quadricyciane with a Rh (I) reagent, Wilkinson's catalyst, encouraged us. Wilkinson's catalyst was however better at inducing isomerization to norbornadiene than hydroboration of quadricyciane. The main focus of our research is the hydroboration of quadricyciane using RhCl3 since …

Hydroboration Of 4-Phenyl-1-Butene With Rhodium Trichloride, A Catalytic Approach, Ahmad Al-Dheiby

Theses

None provided.

Transition-Metal-Promoted Hydroboration Of Alkenes: A Unique Reversal Of Regioselectivity, Christopher D'Souza

Theses

A unique reversal of regioselectivity was observed during the RhCb-nHbO catalyzed hydroboration/oxidation of 1-octene. While 4-octanol and 3-octanol were the major products, small amounts of octane and octanones were also obtained. Our experiments with isomeric alkenes revealed that the ratio of the isomeric alcohols was independent of the starting isomeric alkene. Under identical experimental conditions a similar reversal of regioselectivity was also observed with allylbenzene, but not with styrene and 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene. A highly efficient isomerization catalyst (Morrill's catalyst) generated in situ by the addition of catalytic amounts of a hydroborating reagent into a solution of RhCl3-nH20 in a suitable solvent …

Firewall Strategies Using Network Processors, Matthew Mariani

Theses

The emergence of network processors provides a broad range of new applications, particularly in the field of network security. Firewalls have become one of the basic building blocks of implementing a network's security policy; however, the security of a firewall can potentially lead to a bottleneck in the network. Therefore, improving the performance of the firewall means also improving the performance of the protected network. With the ability to direcdy monitor and modify packet information at wire speeds, the network processor provides a new avenue for the pursuit of faster, more efficient firewall products. This paper describes the implementation of …

Evaluation Of Some Organic Inhibitors For Stainless Steel Corrosion Using Different Electrochemical And Surface Techniques, Maryam Hassan Saeed Al-Hassan

Theses

Stainless steels have been extensively used in automotive, industrial, electronics, etc., applications. Iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr) are the main elements with weight percentage contribution of 60-75% and 10-25% respectively. Other elements, such as Ni, Co, Mo, Mn, C etc. are also present with variable concentrations. The purpose of this work is to use different electrochemical and surface techniques to study the corrosion behavior of stainless steel type 316 (percent composition of different chemical elements are listed in table 1) in acid media in presence and absence of different thiophene derivatives (list of inhibitors in figure 1). Moreover, other important …