Digital Commons Network^™

R(W5 , K5) = 27, Joshua Stinehour

Theses

The two-color Ramsey number R(G , H) is defined to be the smallest integer n such that any graph F on n vertices contains either a subgraph isomorphic to G or the complement of F contains a subgraph isomorphic to H. Ramsey numbers serve to quantify many of the existing theorems of Ramsey theory, which looks at large combinatorial objects for certain given smaller combinatorial objects that must be present. In 1989 George R. T. Hendry presented a table of two-color Ramsey numbers R(G , H) for all pairs of graphs G and H having at most five vertices. This …

Development Of Single Nanoparticle Optical Assays For Imaging Single Living Cells, William John Brownlow

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Multi-drug resistance (MDR) has been reported in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes; the pathogenic gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa can extrude a variety of structurally and functionally diverse substrates via a number of membrane transport systems leading to MDR. We have developed a novel nanoparticle assay to characterize both the membrane transport system composed of the MexAB-OprM efflux pump and the membrane permeability induced by antibiotics. Gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles were investigated for use as probes to explore membrane transport in P. aeruginosa.

The surface plasmon absorption (color) of Au nanoparticle solutions was found to change in the presence …

Diverse Effects Of Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Fields On Mammalian Cells, Jody Anne White

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

The continuing effort to manipulate cell-signaling pathways for therapeutic benefit has lead to the exploration of electric field effects on cells. Current electric field applications include electroporation of the plasma membrane for introduction of drugs, genes, or other macromolecules into cells. Modeling of how these pulsed electric fields affect cells depicts the cell as an excitable circuit. In this model, the electric fields, administered in short pulses to a cell, charge the plasma and internal membranes, which act as dielectric layers, and between these the cytoplasm acts as a conductive medium. The pulse lengths of this treatment are traditionally in …

Streak Detection In Mottled And Noisy Images, Hector Santos

Theses

This thesis describes an algorithm for detecting streaks in printed images using adaptive window-based image projections and maximization of mutual information. To this effect, projections are computed across the entire image at different window sizes. The traces collected from the projections are correlated using maximization of mutual information to pinpoint streak locations and widths using a peak detection algorithm. Finally, for a given peak, the window size is changed adaptively to identify and locate the intensity and length of the corresponding streak while maximizing signal to noise ratio. Results on synthetic and real-life images are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness …

Cost-Effective, Structural Stay-In-Place Formwork System Of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer For Accelerated And Durable Bridge Deck Construction, Thomas E. Ringelstetter, Lawrence C. Bank, Michael G. Oliva, Jeffrey S. Russell, Fabio Matta, Antonio Nanni

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper describes research on the evolution of a cost-effective, structural stay-in-place (SIP) formwork bridge deck system with an integrated modular three-dimensional fiber-reinforced polymer (FRF) reinforcement cage. Recent research conducted at the University of Wisconsin is reviewed to show the evolution of the reinforcing system to include an integral FRP SIP form. the evolution occurred through laboratory testing, which was followed by the design and construction of two bridge structures owned by the State of Wisconsin. Each structure used different FRP reinforcement and formwork. These projects pointed out the need for a competitive SIP formwork to be used in conjunction …

Maxwell-Wagner Relaxations And Their Contributions To The High Permittivity Of Calcium Copper Titanate Ceramics, Wei Li, Robert W. Schwartz

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Calcium copper titanate ceramics were fabricated by cold isostatic pressing at various calcination and sintering conditions. Depending on fabrication condition, three electrical responses were observed in the combined modulus and impedance plots, indicating the presence of two Maxwell-Wagner relaxations. These electrical responses show different response to temperature and applied field. The activation energies, as well as the driving force factors, were calculated for these relations. The determined activation energy values are in the range of 0.57 to 0.65 eV. The contribution of Maxwell-Wagner relaxations to the high permittivity of CCTO and related materials is briefly discussed.

Plasma Modeling For Ultrashort Laser Ablation Of Dielectrics, Lan Jiang, Hai-Lung Tsai

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In ultrashort pulse (<10 ps) laser ablation of dielectrics, affected materials are first transformed into absorbing plasma with metallic properties and, then, the subsequent laser-plasma interaction causes material removals. For ultrashort-pulse laser ablation of dielectrics, this study proposes a model using the Fokker-Planck equation for electron density distribution, a plasma model for the optical properties of ionized dielectrics, and quantum treatments for electron heating and relaxation time. The free electron density distribution of the plasma within the pulse duration is then used to determine the ablation crater shape. The predicted threshold fluences and ablation depths for barium aluminum borosilicate and fused silica are in agreement with published experimental data. It is found that the significantly varying optical properties in time and space are the key factors determining the ablation crater shape. The effects of fluence and pulse duration are also studied.

Statistically Steady Measurements Of Rayleigh-Taylor Mixing In A Gas Channel, Malcolm J. Andrews, Arindam Banerjee

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel gas channel experiment is described to study the development of high Atwood number Rayleigh-Taylor mixing. Two gas streams, one containing air and the other containing a helium-air mixture, flow parallel to each other separated by a thin splitter plate. The streams meet at the end of a splitter plate leading to the formation of an unstable interface and of buoyancy driven mixing. This buoyancy driven mixing experiment allows for long data collection times, has short transients, and is statistically steady. The facility was designed to be capable of large Atwood number studies (At~0.75). We describe initial validation work …

Magnetically Filtered Faraday Probe For Measuring The Ion Current Density Profile Of A Hall Thruster., Joshua L. Rovey, Mitchell L. R. Walker, Alec D. Gallimore, Peter Y. Peterson

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The ability of a magnetically filtered Faraday probe (MFFP) to obtain the ion current density profile of a Hall thruster is investigated. The MFFP is designed to eliminate the collection of low-energy, charge-exchange (CEX) ions by using a variable magnetic field as an ion filter. In this study, a MFFP, Faraday probe with a reduced acceptance angle (BFP), and nude Faraday probe are used to measure the ion current density profile of a 5 kW Hall thruster operating over the range of 300-500 V and 5-10 mg/s. The probes are evaluated on a xenon propellant Hall thruster in the University …

Explaining Disparities In Asylum Claims, Ming Hsu Chen

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Vitamin E, L-Arginine, N-Nitro L-Arginine Methyle Ester And Forskolin On Endocrine And Metabolic Changes Of Rats Exposed To Acute Cold Stress, Laila Y. Al-Ayadhi, Aida A. Korish, Ali S. Al-Tuwaijri

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: It is a well documented fact that under stress conditions the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) are stimulated. This results in a series of neural and endocrine adaptations known as the stress response. The current study assessed the effects of acute cold stress on adrenomedullin (ADM) levels in plasma and peripheral tissues (kidneys and heart) of rats, as well as on blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), total proteins both before and after intraperitoneal administration of each of the following: vitamin-E, L-arginine, forskolin and L-NAME. METHODS: The current study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, …

Ramadan Fasting Induces Modifications Of Certain Serum Components In Obese Women With Type 2 Diabetes, Boumediene M. Khaled, Malika Bendahmane, Slimane Belbraouet

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of fasting during Ramadan on certain serum components such as fasting serum glucose (FSG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high density lipoproteins (HDL-C), and low density lipoproteins (LDL-C) parameters in obese women patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We conducted the study in Petit-Vichy Diabetology Center, Sidi-Bel-Abbes, Algeria from October 2003 to March 2004, on 60 obese outpatient women (BMI = 35.41 ± 3.64 kg/m2), aged 51 ± 10 years, who had diabetes for 5 ± 2.5 years. The patients followed no specific diet, on medications, and presenting no degenerative complications. We …

Echocardiographic Study Of Aortic Root Diameter In Healthy Children, Piraye Kervancioglu, Mehmet Kervancioglu, Cudi M. Tuncer

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: Echocardiography is commonly used to measure the internal diameter of aortic root, which provides the evaluation of aortic root dilatation. Aortic root dilatation provide information concerning prognosis of aortic regurgitation and predisposition to aortic root dissection or rupture. The purpose of the study was to create normal values for aortic root diameters by using echocardiography in healthy children. METHODS: We obtained the aortic root diameters in 229 normal children, aged one day to 15 years by using M-mode echocardiography. We performed the echocardiograms from the Department of Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory, Medical Faculty, Dicle University, Turkey. We divided the children …

Prevalence Of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases Among Enterobacteriaceae Isolated From Blood Culture In A Tertiary Care Hospital, Noura A. El-Khizzi, Saadia M. Bakheshwain

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase among Enterobacteriaceae isolated from blood culture in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: We carried out this study at the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period between January 2003-December 2004. We tested a total of 601 isolates of the family Enterobacteriaceae from blood culture for the prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production by the standardized disc diffusion method and confirmed by the ESBL E test strips. RESULTS: Ninety-five (15.8%) of the isolates were ESBL producers. Among these, 48.4% were Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) followed by15.8% of …

A Study Of Bacterial Isolates From Corneal Specimens And Their Antibiotic Resistance Profile, Nurun N. Begum, Abdulaziz S. Al-Khattaf, Samir M. Al-Mansouri, Edward A. Yeboah, Abdel-Mageed M. Kambal

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: We aim to examine the spectrum of bacteria causing corneal infections and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. This will serve as a guideline for empiric therapy of corneal infections. METHODS: We conducted the study over a period of 18 months from March 2001 through December 2002 in King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Corneal specimens taken from 200 patients were inoculated directly onto different types of media. The isolates were identified and then tested against the appropriate topical or systemic antibiotics. RESULTS: Sixty-seven (33.5%) of the total specimens were culture positive and 133 (66.5%) were culture negative. …

Effect Of Cyclophosphamide On The Course Of Candida Albicans Infection In Normal And Vaccinated Mice, Aziz Japoni, Davood Mehrabani, Abdolvahab Alborzi, Shohreh Farshad, Masumeh Hayati, Mohammad A. Dehyadegari

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunomodulating effect of cyclophosphamide (Cy) on the course of Candida albicans (C. albicans). METHODS: We performed this study in the Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz, Iran during April to November 2003. Five groups of 10 mice (vaccinated group) were immunized by 5 equal injections of 2x105, 2.5x105 and 3x105 of the organism intraperitoneally. Then, the group received Cy on day zero and was challenged with lethal doses of C. albicans (7.74x105 colony forming unit) on days zero, one, 3, 6 and 12 post-Cy injection. Another 5 equal groups of 10 mice (non-vaccinated group) received Cy on day …

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia In Surgical Emergency Intensive Care Unit, Bulent M. Ertugrul, Ayse Yildirim, Pinar Ay, Serkan Oncu, Atahan Cagatay, Nahit Cakar, Cemalettin Ertekin, Halit Ozsut, Haluk Eraksoy, Semra Calangu

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence, risk factors and the etiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in surgical emergency intensive care unit (ICU) patients. METHODS: We conducted this prospective cohort study in the surgical emergency ICU of Istanbul Medical Faculty between December 1999 and May 2001. We included 100 mechanically ventilated patients in this study. We diagnosed VAP according to the current diagnostic criteria. We identified the etiology of VAP cases by both quantitative cultures of endotracheal aspiration and blood cultures. To analyze the predisposing factors for the development of VAP, we recorded the following variables: age, gender, acute physiology and chronic …

Transfusion Transmitted Virus In Screened United Arab Emirates Blood Donors, Mubarak S. Alfaresi, Ayat M. Elnazer, Azza S. Alzaabi, Abida A. Elkoush, Adeel A. Islam

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the rate of infection caused by Torque teno virus (TTV) in United Arab Emirates (UAEs) healthy population as a pilot study in detecting TTV DNA in 100 healthy blood donors. METHODS: We randomly choose a total of 100 healthy blood donors who attended Zayed Military Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE from January 20 to May 30, 2005. We carried out a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect TTV DNA. RESULTS: Real-time for TTV was positive in 75 (75%) donors. Eight (73%) non-UAE donors were TTV positive while 67 (75%) were UAEs. Among these donors, 72 (77%) …

Associated Risk Factors With Ante-Partum Intra-Uterine Fetal Death, Lamia A. Shaaban, Rihab A. Al-Saleh, Buthina M. Alwafi, Rajaa M. Al-Raddadi

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To determine ante-partum maternal risk factors for intrauterine fetal death. METHODS: We carried out a case control retrospective study, at the Maternity and Children9s Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We included all pregnant women diagnosed as singleton intra-uterine fetal death in the third trimester with fetal weight of 1500 gm and more, admitted to the hospital over a 2-year (2001-2002) period (study group). We examined the following risk factors: diabetes, hypertension, abruptio-placenta, age, gestational age, parity, trauma, sepsis, booking, chromosomal abnormality, previous history of intra-uterine fetal death (IUFD) and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR). We compared the results to …

The Use Of Endovascular Stent-Grafts For The Treatment Of Common Carotid-Internal Jugular Fistula, Mohammed A. Bawazeer, Mohammed S. Al-Jared, Khalid A. Al-Brekeit, Wedad M. Al-Harbi

Saudi Medical Journal

We report a case of a fistula between the common carotid artery and the internal jugular vein due to a hemodialysis catheter insertion. We managed the fistula by the insertion of a covered-stent at the common carotid artery, and completely sealed the fistula without immediate complications. We present this case to highlight this new successful method of treatment.

Clinical Paradox. Man Versus Machine, Shabih Manzar

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Intraligamentary Solid-Cystic Neoplasia With Histomorphological Features Of Sclerosing Stromal Tumor, Zuhal Gucin

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

The Use Of Etoricoxib In Patients With Bronchial Asthma Associated With Aspirin Sensitivity, Ibrahim K. Nahar, Abdulaziz T. Muqim, Bassmah I. Al-Qhouti, Adeeba A. Al-Herz, Diaa K. Shehab, Singh S. Uppal, Mousa E. Khadadah

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Anti-Terrorist Finance In The United Kingdom And United States, Laura K. Donohue

Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works

This article adopts a two-tiered approach: it provides a detailed, historical account of anti-terrorist finance initiatives in the United Kingdom and United States—two states driving global norms in this area. It then proceeds to a critique of these laws. The analysis assumes—and accepts—the goals of the two states in adopting these provisions. It questions how well the measures achieve their aim. Specifically, it highlights how the transfer of money laundering tools undermines the effectiveness of the states' counterterrorist efforts—flooding the systems with suspicious activity reports, driving money out of the regulated sector, and using inappropriate metrics to gauge success. This …

The Fall Of Legal Ethics And The Rise Of Risk Management, Anthony V. Alfieri

Articles

No abstract provided.

Scientific Secrecy And "Spin": The Sad, Sleazy Saga Of The Trials Of Remune, Susan Haack

Articles

No abstract provided.

Jewish Law For The Law Librarian, David Hollander

Articles

Mr Hollander provides an introductory guide to the Jewish legal system with the intent of providing law librarians with the basic knowledge necessary to begin to help a patron conduct research in Jewish law.

Out Of Thin Air: Using First Amendment Public Forum Analysis To Redeem American Broadcasting Regulation, Anthony E. Varona

Articles

American television and radio broadcasters are uniquely privileged among Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensees. Exalted as public trustees by the 1934 Communications Act, broadcasters pay virtually nothing for the use of their channels of public radiofrequency spectrum, unlike many other FCC licensees who have paid billions of dollars for similar digital spectrum. Congress envisioned a social contract of sorts between broadcast licensees and the communities they served. In exchange for their free licenses, broadcast stations were charged with providing a platform for a "free marketplace of ideas" that would cultivate a democratically engaged and enlightened citizenry through the broadcasting of …

Principles Of Fairness For International Economic Treaties: Constructivism And Contractualism, John Linarelli

Scholarly Works

No legal system deserving of continued support can exist without an adequate theory of justice. A world trade constitution cannot credibly exist without a clear notion of justice upon which to base a consensus. This paper examines two accounts of fairness found in moral philosophy, those of John Rawls and Tim Scanlon. The Rawlsian theory of justice is well-known to legal scholars. Scanlon's contractualist account may be less well-known. The aim of the paper is to start the discussion as to how fairness theories can be used to develop the tools for examining international economic policies and institutions. After elaborating …

The Wto Agreement On Government Procurement And The Uncitral Model Procurement Law: A View From Outside The Region, John Linarelli

Scholarly Works

Two of the most significant efforts to bring municipal procurement institutions up to international standards are the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) and the UNCITRAL Model Law on Procurement of Goods, Construction and Services. Though the Model Law has had limited adoptions, it enjoys global influence as a source of norms and practices for good public procurement. The GPA, also reflective of international standards, seems to be on the rise, as more WTO members elect to become GPA contracting parties. This article explores two aspects of these instruments. First, the article explores how the Model Law promotes efficient public …