Digital Commons Network^™

Development Of A Pzt Fiber Sensor Rosette For Structural Health Monitoring Using Lamb Wave Responses, Bao Chi Ha

Theses

Because of their electro-mechanical coupling property, Lead-Zirconate-Titanate (PZT) materials have been widely used for ultrasonic wave sensing and actuation in structural health monitoring applications. In this thesis, a PZT rosette sensor concept is proposed to conduct Lamb wave based damage detection in panel-like structures by exploring its best directional sensing capability. First, a directivity study was conducted to investigate sensing of flexural Lamb wave propagation using the d33 effect in a PZT fiber. Then, commercial off-the-shelf PZT fibers were polarized in-house in order to construct the PZT rosette in a rectangular configuration, in which three PZT fibers were oriented at …

Optical Emission-Line Nebulae In Giant Elliptical Galaxies, Tim Edge

Theses

Galaxy clusters and groups are the largest gravitationally bound systems in the universe and have most of their baryonic mass in the form of hot X-ray gas called the intracluster medium (ICM). Many clusters and groups have dense ICM cores with short cooling time (e.g., < 1 Gyr) at the center. The dense ICM can in principle cool to form new stars, accompanied by cold and warm gas cooled from the hot ICM. The warm gas with temperatures of ∼ 10 4 K can be traced by optical emission lines like Hα, [NII] and [SII] in the optical wavelengths. My work has focused on analyzing the imaging and spectral data from optical telescopes to detect the warm gas traced by optical emission lines (particularly Hα and [NII]) at the central giant elliptical galaxies in nearby galaxy groups. I have analyzed the APO-3.5m and SOAR-4.1m data of a large sample (eighty) of giant elliptical galaxies and detected many interesting examples for detailed studies. I summarize my work in this Thesis and focus on optical emission-line nebulae with high equivalent-width. While all the galaxies in the sample host a strong X-ray cool core, only ∼ 15% of them have strong optical emission-line nebulae. My work is an important component of an ongoing multi-wavelength project on these giant elliptical galaxies led by my advisor Dr. Sun. My work has already contributed to one publication with me as a co-author (Liu, Sun et al. 2019) [12] and three more papers with me as a co-author are in preparation.

The Impact Of Cognitive Style, Affectivity, And Mental Toughness On Non-Clinical Symptoms Of Stress, Anxiety, And Depression In College Students, Cristina M. CabañAs Garcia

Theses

The current study aimed to determine whether cognitive style, positive affect (PA), negative affect (NA), and mental toughness (MT) were distinct but related constructs as well as to study the nature of the relationships between the three constructs, and their impact on non-clinical symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Participants completed a paper-pencil version of a measure that assessed cognitive style as well as three self-report questionnaires via Qualtrics that assessed positive and negative affect, individual’s MT, and symptoms of non-clinical depression, anxiety, and life stress. Results indicated that MT was positively related to PA and negatively related to NA. …

Testing The Forensic Confirmation Bias : Do Jailhouse Informants Contaminate Evidentiary Independence?, Baylee D. Jenkins

Theses

Research has shown that primary confessions influence forensic evidence examinations such as handwriting evidence. Additionally, previous research on secondary confessions from jailhouse informants has indicated that primary and secondary confessions are equally influential in jury decision making. The current study investigated the relationship between jailhouse informant statements and perceptions of forensic evidence. Participants read a case summary depicting a bank robbery along with confession evidence either from the suspect or a jailhouse informant before examining handwriting evidence. Result indicated that reliable jailhouse informant statements led participants to fall prey to the forensic confirmation bias. Jailhouse informant reliability significantly impacted perceptions …

Polarized X-Ray Sources For Calibration Of The Ixpe Polarization-Sensitive Telescopes, Samantha Johnson

Theses

The Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) is an X-ray telescope mission currently being built at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). IXPE will measure polarized X-rays in the 2-8 keV range and will reveal new information about astrophysical sources that produce polarized X-rays such as pulsars, AGN, magnetars, and supernovae remnants. Telescope calibration at MSFC's Stray Light Test Facility (SLTF) 100-m beamline requires a bright, highly polarized X-ray source. The design of the IXPE polarized sources for end-to-end telescope calibration allows for testing at three energies (Rh L_alpha at 2.7 keV, Ti K_alpha at 4.5 keV, and Fe K_alpha at …

The High Energy Lightning Emission Network (Helen) For Balloon-Borne Detection Of Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes, Christopher Helmerich

Theses

Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) are intense bursts of gamma-rays which are produced in the atmosphere and thought to be correlated with intra-cloud and positive cloud-to-ground lightning. The leading theories suggest strong electric fields inside of thunderstorms can become momentarily destabilized by a stroke of lightning, which causes the acceleration of electrons in the opposite direction of the electric field. However, the specifics of these theories, including the electric field direction and intensity, TGF beam profile, and TGF source location, are still unknown. The High Energy Lightning Emission Network (HELEN) project, designed and built at the University of Alabama in Huntsville …

Lew.1wr1 Rats Have Altered Hepatic Metabolism During Their Type 1 Diabetes Susceptibility Window, Madushika Wimalarathne

Theses

LEW.1WR1 (1WR1) rats have increased type 1 diabetes (T1D) onset with the administration of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PIC). The objective of this study was to compare the insulitis status and liver gene expression in both control and treated 1WR1 rats during disease induction with a T1D-resistant strain of rat, the LEW/SsNHsd (SsNHsd). Using immunohistochemistry we observed higher T cell infiltration in the 1WR1 treated rats compared to the control strain, the SsNHsd PIC-treated rat. Yet we confirmed that the 1WR1 rats were not undergoing significant insulitis at the time point we selected. Interestingly the 1WR1 treated rat had significantly increased insulin …

Surface Heat Transfer Characteristics Of A Transfer Turbine Blade With Pressure Side Film Cooling And Different Tip Gaps, Hallie Collopy

Theses

Investigated are spatially-resolved distributions of surface adiabatic film cooling effectiveness and surface heat transfer coefficients for a transonic turbine blade tip. The tip contains a squealer rim, and a single row of film cooling holes is located on the pressure-side of the blade very near to the blade tip. As such, a unique pressure side film cooling arrangement is tested to provide a better understanding of thermal protection of turbine blade tips, as they are exposed to a complex and challenging flow environment. A two-dimensional linear cascade, with four flow passages and five complete blades, is employed, which is designed …

Control Of Energy Storage Utilisation For A Building Integrated Microgrid Using Multi-Objective Metaheuristic Optimisation Methods, Quang An Phan

Theses

The aim of this thesis was to develop and analyse optimisation strategies for commercial buildings with integrated microgrids, in order to find optimal trade-offs between maximising profitability and facilitating renewable energy from the national power grid. The continued proliferation of microgrids, as well as the increase in electricity produced by renewable energy sources on the Irish national grid has necessitated the requirement for these strategies. Models to simulate the performance of a photovoltaic system, wind turbine and battery bank were developed and validated. The most suitable optimisation algorithm to generate an optimal charge/discharge rate schedule for a battery bank was …

The Impact Of Spatial Occlusion Training On Complex Motor Skills In Sport, Alan Bernard Dunton

Theses

Visual occlusion is classified as the process of temporally occluding the entire visual field or spatially eliminating the vision of an object, limb or information source from the visuomotor workspace. Research in visual occlusion has typically been conducted utilising a temporal, video simulation approach with participants responding in a verbal, computerised or written manner. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to examine the impact of spatial occlusion, as a training tool, on complex motor skills in sport. Spatial occlusion goggles, that eliminate vision of the low-grade visual field, were incorporated during sports relevant tasks. Experiments were conducted, using a …

Viability Analysis Of Tralee’S District Heating System, Ed O’Connor

Theses

At present a large proportion of domestic and commercial heating systems in Ireland are fossil fuel based. Decarbonisation of Irelands heating system would mean a shift away from traditional fossil fuels, and a step towards more renewable and sustainable thermal energy systems. This thesis outlines a viability analysis of one of the options available to assist in the achievement of Ireland’s thermal energy goals and carbon emissions targets. The option considered in this proposal is the development of a wood chip fuelled District Heating System (DHS) to cater for the thermal needs of the town of Tralee. Several alternatives DHS …

Conservation Grazing With Native Irish Cattle In High Nature Value Environments, Kilian Kelly

Theses

Marrying conservation objectives with farming practices is a challenging necessity in the current era of anthropogenically-driven biodiversity loss. Upland habitats created by traditional farming are havens for wildlife but face multiple threats, including overgrazing and abandonment. Extensive cattle farming in the uplands has been mooted as a useful conservation measure, but Irish evidence supporting this approach is lacking. This thesis examines home range, habitat preferences and activity budgets for Dexter cattle in an extensive upland setting in southwest Ireland. It investigates the effects of the grazing regime on EU-protected habitats and ground beetles. Free-ranging cattle grazed the site over three …

Encountering Grief: Exploring The Value Of Art Therapy For Bereaved Adults, Paul Moynihan

Theses

This extended literature review explores the value of art therapy interventions for bereaved adults, with a particular emphasis on its application for individuals with histories of insecure attachment. A review of literature in the areas of bereavement and attachment considers how attachment insecurities present as a risk factor for complications in the grieving process with a subsequent focus on the implications for therapeutic intervention. A review of literature in art therapy, related areas of psychoanalysis and creativity aims to highlight the distinct value that art therapy could offer this particular subgroup of bereaved adults in adapting to grief. An incorporation …

Micro Pipes – A Portable Integrated Platform For Electrochemical Sensing Using Essence Architecture, Hansin Kim

Theses

The field of microfluidics and lab-on-chip (LOC) technology has the potential to have a truly transformative effect in biological engineering. This includes areas such as single-cell analysis, environmental monitoring, regenerative medicine, and point-of-care diagnostics. Yet despite being the subject of intense research over the past two decades, LOC devices have not been widely adopted. It is increasingly evident that there is a need for an effective and adaptable integration strategy to realize the potential of this technology.

Presented in this thesis is a design for a chip-to-world interface that aims to improve integration while maintaining cost-efficiency and ease of fabrication. …

Predictive Modeling Of Influenza In New England Using A Recurrent Deep Neural Network, Alfred Amendolara

Theses

Predicting seasonal variation in influenza epidemics is an ongoing challenge. To better predict seasonal influenza and provide early warning of pandemics, a novel approach to Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) prediction was developed. This approach combined a deep neural network with ILI, climate, and population data. A predictive model was created using a deep neural network based on TensorFlow 2.0 Beta. The model used Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) nodes. Data was collected from the Center for Disease Control, the National Center for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the United States Census Bureau. These parameters were temperature, precipitation, wind speed, population size, vaccination rate and …

Dental Professionals Occupational Noise Exposure And Its Auditory And Non-Auditory Effects, Alexis Frees

Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess noise exposure and its auditory and non-auditory effects on workers in five clinical departments in the School of Dental Medicine at Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences Campus in Newark, New Jersey. The study included environmental noise level measurement, dental instrument sound level measurement, personal noise dosimetry and a questionnaire survey to assess non-auditory effects. Octave band analysis of environmental noise levels showed that they are slightly above the standard noise criteria for clinics, and measurements from six dental instruments confirm that they contribute higher sound pressure levels at the frequencies of 1000, 2000, …

Study And Modelling Of Lithium Ion Cell With Accurate Soc Measurement Algorithm Using Kalman Filter For Electric Vehicles, Kasthuriramanan Mahendravadi Sivaguru

Theses

Lithium Ion cells are preferred over lead acid cells for electric vehicles due to their energy density, higher discharge current and size. The cost of lithium ion cells is scaling down compared to ten years earlier, but as their performance characteristics increase, the need for safety and accurate modelling also increases.

The absence of a generic cell model is associated to the different makes of cells and different chemistries of Lithium ion cells behave differently under the testing conditions required for every unique application. The focus of this thesis will be on how to provide intelligence to the battery management …

Magnetic Field Effects On Lithium Ion Batteries, Kevin Mahon

Theses

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2019 was just recently awarded to John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino for the development of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have seen use in many different industries and applications such as in portable devices, power grids, and electric vehicles. As lithium-ion batteries become more commonplace they will need to be modeled more extensively. The magnetic field effect on lithium-ion batteries has not been studied significantly since they were first discovered.

Modeling these batteries is still difficult because of the many complexities of the operation of a battery. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly modeled …

Impact Of Stirrer Speed And Media Type-Loading On The Breakage Kinetics During Wet Stirred Media Milling Of Griseofulvin, Nathaniel Parker

Theses

The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of stirrer speed (2000-4000 rpm) and bead loading (~20-60%) on the breakage kinetics-energy consumption during milling of griseofulvin, a poorly soluble drug, and compare the performance of crosslinked polystyrene (CPS) beads with that of yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) beads. Laser diffraction, SEM, viscometry, and XRPD were used for characterization. A microhydrodynamic model was used to interpret the breakage kinetics. An increase in stirrer speed led to faster breakage due to more frequent and forceful CPS bead-bead collisions. Despite causing slight decrease in maximum contact pressure, an increase in CPS bead loading …

Lithium As A Possible Therapeutic Drug In Posttraumatic Brain Injury, Tulika Das

Theses

Lithium, a popular drug for treating mental health disorder has shown promising effect in recent research on traumatic brain injury (TBI). The mechanism of lithium for treating bipolar mood disorder is still not properly understood, but recent studies showed that lithium is neuroprotective in TBI. In my thesis, the neuroprotective effects of lithium were examined in primary neuronal culture and mild blunt injury using rodent model of Lateral Fluid Percussion Injury (LFPI). At first determination of the neuroprotective/toxicity effects of lithium in neuronal culture was done and observed that 0.5 - 1.0 mM concentrations were found to be neuroprotective as …

Effect Of 3d Printed Tablet Shape On Drug Release Profile, Christina Gedeon

Theses

There is a growing interest in utilizing additive manufacturing (AM) as a manufacturing tool to develop oral tablets for personalized medicine. This ultimate goal in mind, this study explores the feasibility of extrusion-based fused deposition modeling (FDM) to 3D print oral tablets with tunable design to control drug release profile. Tablets are printed using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) loaded with model drugs: acetaminophen and caffeine. Hot melt extrusion (HME) is used to fabricate PVA filaments loaded with acetaminophen and caffeine. These filaments are used to fabricate a range of tablets with varying designs to prepare immediate and delayed release tablets. Thermal …

Audience Engagement With The Marvel Studios’ Film Black Panther: Analyzing Fan Reactions Posted On An Online Forum, Jatin Vichare

Theses

This project examines audience response to the Black Panther movie by analyzing fan forums on SuperHeroHype website using a textual analysis approach. Grounded in film adaptation theory, (N = 200) comments posted by users were analyzed to identify fan reception of pre-release publicity of the film and post-release reactions. The results show that before the release of the movie, fans were excited about the adaptation of a comic book to a film. The analysis identified six themes in the comments posted on the website. Pre-release comments focused on a) casting, b) narrative arc, and c) music and locations. Post-release comments …

The Modular Approach To The Title Sequence, Nathan Sorrentino

Theses

Over the course of the past few decades, the role of opening title sequences has evolved from a simple objective to deliver top priority credits in the beginning of a film or show with basic to intermediate level branded graphics, to become a strong standing work of art within the feature itself. The old way of simply delivering a title has become something "anyone can do" on their home laptop computer with a consumer level NLE software. Today, it takes a high quality, intricately designed sequence to effectively hook and ensure the audience of the professional level of the film …

In Search Of Meaning, Fabiano Sarra

Theses

When I came across the book Baskets and Basket Makers in Southern Appalachia, I felt a deep reverence for the craft of basketry that marked the beginning of my thesis research. What started as a new discovery for generating volume led to a search for an intangible essence that emanated from these objects. The baskets in that book had a certain feel to them, they had a soul, a proof of existence and a life of utility. Their honest radiance transports the viewer to a different time and place, drawing visual connections with the maker who crafted the object with …

Solo Dining Restaurant: Environmental Interior Design & Interactive Ux Design, Kaiqi Jiang

Theses

Individualized dining can be anxious and awkward experiences for people. Especially when it comes to the sharing style of some foods (e.g., hotpot, barbecue, etc.) In addition to the form of food, the perception of social judgment creates discomfort for the individual. This project aims to incorporate the 3D interior design to model a restaurant that has embedded interactive UX design in the physical environment so that solo guests can enjoy the comfort of dining alone.

A case in point, imagine yourself sitting in a crowded restaurant, a giant pot with hot soup boiling in front of you. Every other …

Molly, Allison Zelle

Theses

“Molly” is a stop-motion animated graduate thesis short film completed at Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Film and Animation and screened in May of 2019.

The film tells a fictional story about a young boy named Elliott whose life has changed both very drastically and very quickly. In what seems like an instant, he loses both his mother and his childhood home and finds himself standing, overwhelmed, in the street in front of his new residence as his life is seemingly being unpacked from the back of a moving truck. He is shell-shocked and feels profoundly alone but soon …

Widen People’S Career Opportunities With Ar Technology, Yuedan Shi

Theses

According to some existing research, a lot of people regret about their career selection due to the lack of sufficient knowledge and research when they made the decisions. By exploring the reasons, process, and factors that influence people’s decision-making, I designed an mobile application that help people find more career opportunities beyond their own living experience by leveraging AR recognition technology, and provided a platform for people to get sufficient information so that they could make a better choice for their future career.

Funsigns - An Interactive Educational Tool To Learn Sign Language, Shiqi Fang

Theses

This thesis aims to provide an educational and interactive tool where deaf children and their hearing parents can learn, bond, enjoy and interact with each other.

More than 90% of children which severe to profound hearing losses are born to normally hearing families. When parents are told that their child is deaf, their dreams are crushed and a grief response may be triggered (Weaver, K. A., & Starner, T, 2011). Due to this lack of knowledge when faced with a deaf family member for the first time, parents tend to base their perceptions on obsolete stereotypes which can greatly affect …

Exploration Of Variable Importance And Variable Selection Techniques In Presence Of Correlated Variables, Sailee Rumao

Theses

Variable selection is of utmost importance in aviation safety where the data contains a large number of highly correlated predictors and flight safety has to be accurately predicted. Variable selection methods were not encouraged in medical research where the subject-matter knowledge is limited. For this reason, Genell, Anna Nemes, Szilard Steineck, Gunnar Dickman, Paul W. (2010) conducted simulated study to compare Bayesian Model Averaging and stepwise regression to motivate medical researchers to conduct automatic variable selection on their regression models and encourage them to take advantage of it. In this era of data science and Machine Learning, we have extended …

Goldfish, Maryam Farahzadi

Theses

Goldfish is a film about Maryam, an 8- or 9-year-old girl whose dream is to pursue her artistic talent of painting. She encounters a problem due to the strict influence of her mother, who prevents her from fully pursuing her dreams. Each time Maryam is able to engage in painting, her world is filled with color, and her joy is clear. Maryam is however unable or unwilling to stand up for herself and make the autonomous decision to paint, until she observes the goldfish, who feels trapped and constrained in the bowl in which it is kept. Maryam falls asleep, …