Digital Commons Network^™

Catalyctic Reduction Of Nitric Oxide By Carbon Monoxide And Copper Loaded Granular Activated Carbon In The Presence Of Oxygen, Kaiwen Ma

Theses

The reduction reaction of nitric oxide (NO) by carbon monoxide (CO), and granular activated carbon (GAC) in the presence and absence of oxygen was studied in a fixed bed catalytic reactor. The conversion of NO as a function of reaction temperature was evaluated for various reductant to NO ratios and space velocities. The results show that oxygen enhanced the NO+CO reaction over copper (Cu) ion exchanged ZSM-5. About 60% NO conversion to nitrogen (N₂) was obtained at 400°C and 2,000 v/v/hr. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that CO is an intermediate in the soot-NO reaction. The …

In Vitro Cytotoxicity Study Of Glutaraldehyde And No-React Treated Bioprosthetic Heart Valves And The Aortic Wall, Roger Ongosi

Theses

Valvular failure due to calcification and leaflet disruption of artificial bioprostheses is still a major concern in valve replacement surgery. Previous studies have shown that Glutaraldehyde, a chemical used in the treatment of artificial valves promotes calcification. In this investigation glutaraldehyde and No-React® treated tissue samples of pericardium, cusp and the aortic wall were tested for cytocompatibility using live mouse fibroblast cultures. The samples were cut into 3 X 3 mm2 washed in phosphate buffered saline solution, transferred into cell culture flask containing cells that had been cultured for 24 hours and incubated at 37 "C in 5 % CO2. …

Demanufacturing Metrics For Industrial Fasteners And Disassembly Process, Narendra P. Raj

Theses

As the society progresses towards ecological maturity, the issue of reducing the environmental burden imposed by used products becomes increasingly important Environmental issues are becoming increasingly relevant for product designers and manufacturers. Public awareness of the value and fragility of an intact ecology is constantly growing, and the traditional assumption that the cost of ecological burdens to be shared by a society, as a whole is no longer accepted. Environmental protection legislation requiring manufacturers to "take back" and recycle used products will be a commonplace throughout Europe and the U.S. in the near future.

Demanufacturing involves separating and disassembling a …

Samuel Florman And Literature Of Technology, Paul F. Sharke

Theses

In 1996, engineer and author Samuel Florman asked why engineering and technology had been represented only lightly in literature. From a mere handful of books dealing with this topic, he named The Control of Nature (1989), by John McPhee, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (1974), by Robert Pirsig, and The Soul of a New Machine (1981), by Tracy Kidder, as being among the best examples of a literary expression of engineering. These three works are examined here in light of Florman's own four books on the subject of engineering, The Existential Pleasures of Engineering (1976), Blaming Technology …

A Microcosm Study In The Reductive Dechlorination Of Tetrachloroethylene Using Fermentation Acids And Alcohols As Electron Donors, Anthony Siccard Iii

Theses

Anaerobic microcosms of Arthur Kill (New Jersey) sediment were used to investigate the effects of several electron donors on tetrachloroethylene (PCE) dechlorination activity. The substates tested were methanol, butanol, butyrate, lactate and succinate both by themselves and in various combinations. Different levels of PCE dehalogenation were noticed in all of the microcosms regardless of the electron donor used. Vinyl chloride was the major dehalogenation product detected in the majority of the microcosms. The causitive organism or group that carried our the reductive dehalogenation was not identified. Only the microcosms admended with a mixture of butanol/methanol were able to fully reduce …

Quantitative Estimation Of Heparin Content On Biological Pericadium Tissue Using In Vitro Anti-Factor Xa Assay, Jean-Claude Simeon

Theses

Shelhigh Inc. (Millburn, NJ) has developed a new heparin binding technique to biological tissues. The technique seems to bind heparin to tissues in a more permanent fashion. Shelhigh's heparinized biological tissues are intended for use in long term implants. This investigation was undertaken to assess whether heparin leaching is prevalent when tissues are quarantine for long shelflife at room temperature, whether tissues maintained thromboresistance properties when in contact with plasma and to estimate heparin content of the tissues.

The study used anti-factor Xa assaying methods: clotting time and chromogenic factor Xa sensitive substrate in order to fulfill the aforementioned objectives. …

Investigation Of Pathophysiologic Trends In Caucasian And Afro-American Hypertensives By Means Of Heart Rate Variability Recording During Upright Tilt-Table Testing, Jose F. Torrealba

Theses

The incidence of hypertension is more prevalent among the Afro-American population than the Caucasians and there is not a satisfactory explanation for this discrepancy.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) has been demonstrated to reflect the relative activities of the sympathetic (SMP) and parasympathetic (PSMP) divisions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

This study consisted in comparing the HRV, as well as the blood pressure (BP) of four different groups during up-right tilt table testing. The subjects were grouped by age, gender, race and health condition. Analysis in time and frequency domain was applied to the data. In the frequency domain, the …

Application Of The Internet Technology And Client/Server Paradigm For The Implementation Of Repi, Chetankumar G. Patel

Theses

There are many problems associated with Requirements Engineering such as defining the system scope, developing understanding among the communities involved in the system to be built, volatility of requirements etc. These problems may lead to poor requirements and therefore cancellation of the system development, or else the development of a system that is unsatisfactory, has high maintenance cost or is unacceptable. By improving Requirements Elicitation, the Requirements Engineering can be improved, leading to a better requirements specification and eventually a better product.

Requirements Elicitation requires effective communication among the team members, as communication is the key factor. Easing communications between …

Bootstrapping Tsmars Models, Liangzhong Chen

Theses

We investigate bootstrap inference methods for nonlinear time series models obtained using Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines for Time Series (TSMARS), for which theoretical properties are not currently known. We use two different methods of bootstrapping to obtain confidence intervals for the underlying nonlinear function and prediction intervals for future values, based on estimated TSMARS models for the bootstrapped data. We also explore the method of Bootstrap AGGregatING (Bagging), due to Breiman (1996), to investigate whether the residual and prediction mean squared errors from a fitted TSMARS model can be reduced by averaging across the values obtained from each of the …

Psychodynamics Of Language, Pamela Ann Margerm

Theses

This work examines the origins of our existing principles of communication to observe patterns of language and their causes. The study surveys twenty-five hundred-years of Western language and writing and its evolution through cultural interaction. The nature of this evolution is the topic of this thesis. There are four periods of time that are studied for their influence on language and writing: the Late Classical Period, the Early and Late Medieval Period, the Early Renaissance, and the Twentieth Century. The study revealed that language and writing have always had a significant metacognitive function within Western culture. Language and writing have …

Design, Fabrication And Characterization Of Silicon Microlenses For Ir-Ccd Image Sensors, Dhiren Pattnaik

Theses

There is a growing trend in the study of Focal Plane Arrays(FPAs) of very small microlenses, used for a wide variety of imaging and sensing applications, to increase optical efficiency. Present day sensor technology might take a different direction altogether with the development of compact, high quality, high resolution imaging microlenses, which could make the fill factor >90%. A method to increase light sensitivity of Interline Transfer(IT) type image sensors is to position microlens FPAs on top of the image sensors. FPAs are structures of small lenses which focus the incoming light on the photo sensitive part of the image …

Collaborative Filtering In Tv Recommender, Elizabeth Podberezniak

Theses

The thesis describes different types of collaborative filtering methods to filter information from the large amount available and presents examples of such systems in different domains. It focuses on automated collaborative filtering to generate personalized recommendation of information.

Different variations of the automated collaborative filtering scheme are developed and analyzed in the thesis. An additional adjustment of the predicted score is implemented in order to improve precision of the recommendation. Different combinations of parameters are analyzed to maximize system effectiveness.

The data for the analysis was gathered through TV Recommender, a World Wide Web system developed for the thesis. The …

Rheological Characterization Of Unmodified And Chemically Modified Poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) Resins, Jorge Quintans

Theses

Intrinsic viscosity (IV) has often been misused for estimating both melt viscosity and elasticity of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). A rheological study was conducted to determine the variations between a virgin unmodified PET and a recycled and chemically modified PET, both having a reported nominal IV of 0.95.

The modified material had a larger melt viscosity (capillary and dynamic) than the virgin material (by an average of 61%). The extrudate swell, a better indicator of melt elasticity, of the modified was more than 110% greater than that of the unmodified material. Activation energies for melt viscosity and extrudate swell were found …

A Meeting Of Minds : Coalitions, Representations And American Non-Governmental Organizations In The Brazilian Amazon, Lise Fernanda Sedrez

Theses

American environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have created and spread in the last decade a particular representation of the Amazon rainforest among the public and policy-makers. This new representation contrasts with earlier American representations of the Amazon in that it has been more responsive to local (Amazon) concerns and agendas. This greater responsiveness is a direct result of strategic coalitions with Brazilian NGOs by must US NGOs. US NGOs may avoid charges of "environmental imperialism" and obtain larger legitimacy in their action in the Amazon by opting for the coalition strategy. However, this option also stresses the differences between two environmental …

An Experimental Study On Removal Cadmium From Wastewater By Emulsion Liquid Membrane, Jing-Chi Shiu

Theses

Research was conducted on cadmium, a heavy metal pollutant, extraction out of wastewater by means of an emulsion liquid membrane system. The emulsion liquid membrane was made of a carrier (di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid), a surfactant (ECA 4360J), and a stripping agent (sulfuric acid). The effects of using the following parameters on the membrane to optimize the operating conditions were investigated: type of buffer solutions, initial external phase pH, initial cadmium concentration, internal sulfuric acid concentration, impeller stirring speed, carrier concentration, surfactant concentration, and selectivity between cadmium and sodium ion.

The best performance for the system presented in this thesis was: …

Implementation Of A Geometric Hashing Technique And It's Application To 3d Molecular Structure Search, Jennifer Lynn Cerequas

Theses

This paper proposes the application of a geometric hash technique to the searching of 3D chemical structures. Chemical structures are represented in global XYZ coordinate format. An algorithm is applied to the substructures within the existing chemical structures to hash them into hash tables on disk. A query substructure is then hashed to find matches (hits) of the existing hash tables. The entries in the matching hash tables are compared to the query substructure to find the existing substructures that are an "approximate" match.

The result is a technique which allows existing substructures to be compared to a (new) query …

Southwest Photography Workshop Guidebook, Melissa Lagod

Theses

The Southwest Photography Workshop is a course at Rochester Institute of Technology which explores the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. The purpose of this thesis project has been to evaluate and redesign the existing guidebooks.

Motion In Graphic Design, Yuh-Yun Peng

Theses

This project analyzed how the psychological feeling of motion can be performed on a non-moving graphic design space. It focused on the visual expression, psychological interpretation and functional usability of motion in graphic design. It involved a methodological analysis of the structured interaction between motion approaches and graphic design elements. In order to represent the analysis and possible progression of this project, the Motion Card Pack was designed to supply the whole range of motion definitions including 64 strategies, which gave users detailed information about motion in graphic design. This pack also encourages users to use the cards as creativity …

Southwest Photography Workshop Guidebook, Melissa Lagod

Theses

The Southwest Photography Workshop is a course at Rochester Institute of Technology which explores the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. The purpose of this thesis project has been to evaluate and redesign the existing guidebooks.

Process Improvement For The Eastman Kodak Automated Paint Line Using Design Of Experiments, Suzanne Traynor

Theses

Design of experiments (DOE) is a systematic approach used to improve quality, increase profits, and decrease defects in a process in a cost effective and efficient manner. A DOE is important for getting a better understanding of the process and a better part to the customer. A DOE has been applied toward improving the electrodeposition process in Eastman Kodak's automated paint line (APL). A two level factorial model has been used as a screening design to help identify the important factors. The design was essentially broken up into sixteen small designs to account for different process parameters and different responses. …

The Value Of Time: A Comparative Visual Analysis, Dyanne Kim

Theses

None provided.

Aquanic: Personal Diving Assistant Tool, Watcharapong Treerattanaphan

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to propose an underwater device to be carried or worn by divers. This device would alleviate many problems that divers may encounter, supporting the divers as a communication, navigation, and body and environment monitoring unit.

A New Digital Calligraphic Font, Yeunsook Jeong

Theses

None provided.

Lake Ontario Supply Modeling And Forecasting, Joseph Genter

Theses

Lake Ontario's outflow and level have many effects on surrounding communities and down stream populations in northeastern United States. Since many people and industries rely on Lake Ontario for recreation, power generation, and navigation, to name a few, significant effort has focused on forecasting the water levels and water supplies. This analysis concentrates on forecasting the water supply into Lake Ontario. Independent time series models were developed for (1) Lake Ontario's supply from Lake Erie and for (2) the remaining "local" supply, also termed net basin supply, over the period from 1900 through 1992. These two models were combined to …

Graphic Arts Requirements For Electronic Image Management Systems For The Library And Corporate Information Center, Paul Butterfield

Theses

The value of legacy documents, important documents that exist only in printed form, is increased when those documents are transformed by an Electronic Image Management (EIM) System into digital form. The image quality observed from many of these systems is much poorer than that which is typical in the Graphic Arts field. This research has sought to understand whether the poor quality was due to the past constraints of slow computing power, high storage costs, and narrow network bandwidths. Users of EIM systems in Libraries and Corporate Information Centers were interviewed to assess their fundamental quality requirements relative to competing …

Imagesetter Output Resolution In Newspaper Color Image Reproduction, Sabine Süsstrunk

Theses

The use of color in newspaper printing has significantly increased over the last few years. To compete with other news media, advertising as well as editorial design had to become more visually attractive, using more color graphics and images. The concurrent development of integrated desktop pre-press systems facilitated the integration of color, having less cost associated with new technology purchases than the traditional high end systems. The purpose of the thesis is to compare different output resolutions of an imagesetter and to find the minimal output resolution necessary for acceptable quality in newspaper color image reproduction. The speed of an …

An Analysis Of Available Unsharp Masking Techniques Used With Mid-Range Pmt/Drum Scanners, Eric Neumann

Theses

Unsharp masking (USM), also known as detail enhancement, is a process of combining an unsharp representation of an original image with the original image to obtain the effect of greater detail. USM can be performed photomechanically with additional exposures, electronically with the color scanner, and digitally with the aid of a post-processing program. Electronic methods of USM per formed during the scanning process offer productivity benefits over both the photomechanical and post-processing methods. Mid-range PMT/drum scanners offer several methods of unsharp masking from which to choose. These meth ods, optical USM, digital USM, and hybrid USM each have advantages and …

An Investigation Into The Applications Of Color Proofing Technology In A Publication Printing Plant, Kim Collins

Theses

The prepress industry has witnessed unprecedented change over the last decade. Economic changes in the prepress industry have caused publishers of short run publications to depend on a variety of sources for color proofing materials. Color proofs can be supplied from as many as fifty different proofing systems. Advertisers now provide complete and partial advertisements directly to the publication printer. These changes have caused not only a reorganization of work flow in publication printers, but a need to examine more stringent rules concerning the variety of color proofs accepted for one publication. Color proofs, which are used for on press …

A Colorimetric Performance Comparison Of Gray Component Replacement Algorithms, Thomas Orino

Theses

An experiment was performed to compare the effect of gray component replacement on color separations created with the Hell 399ER scanner software compared to two desktop algorithms. Three different GCR methods were tested; the scanner method where the separations were performed and films output on a mid 1980's model Hell 399ER laser scanner using Hell's first generation GCR algorithm and two types of desktop methods where the scans were done in RGB, color separated on the desktop, and films generated on an Agfa Selectset 5000 imagesetter. The two desktop methods used were RIT Research Corporation's RGB-CMYK transform and Adobe Photoshop …

Empowerment Of A Uaw Workforce, Paula L. Hughel

Theses

This thesis will investigate whether empowerment of a workforce has a positive correlation on employee job satisfaction.

Research supports that the automotive industry is continuously focusing on the reduction of structural costs. One area that is commonly focused on is the reduction of manpower, specifically management. As the number of managers are reduced some of the work is being redistributed to the employees. Along with the additional work comes decision making responsibilities.

Although research supports that empowerment has a positive correlation on business results and working environments, it is inconclusive that empowerment has a positive correlation relative to job satisfaction. …