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Salen Aluminum Compounds In The Dealkylation And Detection Of Organophosphates, Rahul R. Butala

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

The focus of this dissertation is the use of aluminum Schiff base compounds, Salen(^tBu)AlBr (SAB), in the dealkylation and detection of organophosphates (OPs). Three SAB compounds, Salen(^tBu)AlBr (1), Salpen(^tBu)AlBr (2), and Salophen(^tBu)AlBr (3) were used to dealkylate a variety of trialkyl OPs. These reactions lead to unique organic-soluble aluminum phosphate compounds containing six-coordinate aluminum. Examples include [salen(^tBu)AlOP(O)(OCH₃)₂]_n (4), [salen(^tBu)AlOP(O)(OCH₂CH₃)₂]_n (5), [salen(^tBu)AlOP(O)(OPh)₂]_{n …}

Patterns Of Maximum Body Size Evolution In Cenozoic Land Mammals: Eco-Evolutionary Processes And Abiotic Forcing, Juha J. Saarinen, Alison G. Boyer, James H. Brown, Daniel P. Costa, S.K. Morgan Ernest, Alistair R. Evans, Mikael Fortelius, John L. Gittleman, Marcus J. Hamilton, Larisa E, Harding, Kari Lintulaakso, S. Kathleen Lyons, Jordan G. Okie, Richard M. Sibly, Patrick R. Stephens, Jessica Theodor, Mark D. Uhen, Felisa A. Smith

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

There is accumulating evidence that macroevolutionary patterns of mammal evolution during the Cenozoic follow similar trajectories on different continents. This would suggest that such patterns are strongly determined by global abiotic factors, such as climate, or by basic eco-evolutionary processes such as filling of niches by specialization. The similarity of pattern would be expected to extend to the history of individual clades. Here, we investigate the temporal distribution of maximum size observed within individual orders globally and on separate continents. While the maximum size of individual orders of large land mammals show differences and comprise several families, the times at …

When Push Comes To Shove : An Equity Analysis Of A Uniform Tax Rate And Equalized Assessed Valuation In Illinois, Susan L. Farrell

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The state of Illinois adopted a General State Aid per-pupil foundation level for the 2011-2012 school year of {dollar}6,119. The legislature failed to allocate enough funding to provide the adopted level to school districts. This study examines three alternative methods of attaining the 2012 Illinois adopted foundation funding level for the 864 school districts in Illinois. The three methods explored are consolidating EAV at a county level and utilizing a uniform tax rate, moving to a state support program, and applying an operational tax rate to districts as they currently exist.

Trust V. Law (In A Box): Do Organizational Forms Really Make A Difference?, Jeffrey M. Lipshaw

Suffolk University Law School Faculty Works

In this contribution to the University of Illinois College of Law’s 2013 Larry Ribstein Memorial Symposium, I assess Professor Ribstein’s approach to both to trust and the “uncorporation.” My thesis is that his disciplinary commitment to a transaction cost economics model resulted in an overstatement of the extent to which business association forms matter in the real world. In contrast to Professor Ribstein’s view that mandatory law (which includes corporate law) “crowds out” trust (implicitly making uncorporations more amenable to trust), I see the orderliness of modern and abstract business structures (of any kind) as distinct from, yet operating at …

Quartz Crystal Microbalance Investigation Of Cellulosome Activity From Clostridium Thermocellum On Model Cellulose Films, Shanshan Zhou

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

The cost of deconstructing cellulose into soluble sugars is a key impediment to the commercial production of lignocellulosic biofuels. The use of the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to investigate reaction variables critical to enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis is investigated here, extending previous studies of fungal cellulase activity for the first time to whole cell cellulases. Specifically, the activity of the cellulases of Clostridium thermocellum, which are in the form of cellulosomes, was investigated. To clearly differentiate the activity of free cellulosome and cell-bound cellulosome, the distribution of free cellulosome and cell-bound cellulosome in crude cell broth at different growth stages …

Layer-By-Layer Assemblies For Membrane-Based Enzymatic Catalysis, Andrew R. Tomaino

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

While considerable progress has been made towards understanding the effect that membrane-based layer-by-layer (LbL) immobilizations have on the activity and stability of enzymatic catalysis, detailed work is required in order to fundamentally quantify and optimize the functionalization and operating conditions that define these properties. This work aims to probe deeper into the nature of transport mechanisms by use of pressure-induced, flow-driven enzymatic catalysis of LbL-functionalized hydrophilized poly(vinyldiene) (PVDF)-poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)-poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH)-glucose oxidase (GOx) membranes. These membranes were coupled in a sealed series following cellulose acetate (CA) membranes for the elimination of product accumulation within the feed-side solution during operation. …

A Multidisciplinary Techno-Economic Decision Support Tool For Validating Long-Term Economic Viability Of Biorefining Processes, Sumesh Sukumara

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Increasing demand for energy and transportation fuel has motivated researchers all around the world to explore alternatives for a long-term sustainable source of energy. Biomass is one such renewable resource that can be converted into various marketable products by the process of biorefining. Currently, research is taking strides in developing conversion techniques for producing biofuels from multiple bio-based feedstocks. However, the greatest concern with emerging processes is the long-term viability as a sustainable source of energy. Hence, a framework is required that can incorporate novel and existing processes to validate their economic, environmental and social potential in satisfying present energy …

The Effects Of Music Instruction On Phonological Awareness In Children With Hearing Impairment, Chelsea Fitch

Masters Theses

Phonological awareness skills are essential for reading development. Children with hearing loss lack access to essential auditory information that allows development of phonological awareness (Dillon, John, & Pisoni, 2011). Music instruction is becoming a popular approach to teach reading for typically developing children, and studies have supported beneficial effects from this treatment methodology. However, there is limited research regarding the use of music to teach phonological awareness and reading skills to children with hearing impairment (Gromko, 2005).

The effectiveness of a music program on increasing phonological awareness skills in children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing was evaluated in this study. …

Mid-Level Student Affairs Professionals' Interpretations Of Obama's 2020 Educational Goals, Shane Thomas

Masters Theses

Utilizing qualitative methodology, participants' perceptions were examined to understand midlevel professionals' and their interpretations and understandings of Obama's 2020 Educational Goals utilized by the six participants. Through conducting one-on-one interviews with mid-level professionals at a Community College and Four-Year College, it was found that participants had some knowledge of Obama's Goals. Participant's found that Obama's Goals play a huge factor in Financial Aid, Accountability, Retention, and Access for students who chose to pursue a degree in higher education. Participants recommended further professional development to become better assets to their department and the students they serve, educate students about Financial Aid …

Incremental Validity Of The Learning Behavior Scale In Special Education Evaluation, Margaret Lakebrink

Masters Theses

The Learning Behavior Scale (LBS) was developed as a teacher rating scale to assess students' learning behaviors hypothesized to affect academic achievement. Research utilizing the LBS has primarily stemmed from the standardization sample. The present study attempted to examine the incremental validity of adding the LBS to standardized intelligence test scores in order to predict standardized academic achievement in students participating in initial evaluations for determining disability and eligibility for special education services. Due to difficulty obtaining a sufficient sample, reevaluation cases were also obtained in the sample of first to eighth grade students (N=40) in the study. Results provided …

Methods Development In Biological Mass Spectrometry: Application In Glycoproteomics, Sanja Trajkovic

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Proteomics refers to global characterization of the full set of proteins present in a biological sample. Various analytical disciplines contribute to proteomics but mass spectrometry became method of choice for analysis of complex protein samples.

Mass spectrometry allows for high throughput analysis of the proteome but, moreover, it has the ability to acquire higher-order information such as post-translational modifications (PTM). Glycosylation is the most abundant PTM on eukaryotic proteins.

This dissertation will focus on method development for structural proteomics that will be utilized to explain the glycoproteome of obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii as a model system.

Optimization of …

Laser Spectroscopy Of Radicals Containing Group Iiia And Va Elements, Robert A. Grimminger

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Radicals are interesting to study because of importance in so many processes such as semiconductor growth or stellar evolution. Laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and wavelength resolved emission spectra of jet cooled HPS, HAsO, AsD₂, H₂PS, and F₂BO have been measured using the pulsed discharge jet technique.

Several bands in the à ¹A′′ − X̃ ¹A′ transition of HPS were observed and assigned with the help of ab initio calculations. The ab initio geometries showed that HPS does not follow Walsh’s predictions for the angle change upon electronic excitation; Walsh predicts an increase …

Nuclear Structure In Transitional Regions: Studies Of ¹³²,¹³⁴Xe And Lifetimes In The Stable Zr Nuclei With The (N,N′Γ) Reaction, Erin Elizabeth Peters

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Nuclei at closed shells tend to be spherical and are well-described by the shell model, while those between closed shells are deformed and better described by collective models. The nuclei which are in transitional regions between spherical and deformed may be studied to gain insight into the nature of this transition. The stable isotopes of zirconium and xenon span such transitional regions and are the subject of this dissertation. Gamma-ray spectroscopy following inelastic neutron scattering has been performed on the stable isotopes of Zr as well as ^132,134Xe at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory. Level lifetimes have been …

Applications Of Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry And Capillary Electrophoresis For The Analysis Of Lignocellulosic Biomass Pretreatment, Dawn M. Kato

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

The focus of this dissertation centers on the development and applications of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis methodologies to quantify monomeric compositions of the β-O-4 linkages in lignin. Pretreatment is a required step in the utilization of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuels. Lignin is the target of pretreatment because it hinders the accessibility of enzymes and chemicals to cellulose. The effects of pretreatment are commonly assessed utilizing enzymatic saccharification and lignin assays. However, these techniques do not elucidate the effects of pretreatment on the monomeric make up of lignin.

The overarching hypothesis of this dissertation is that changes in individual …

Temperature-Dependent Tunable Photoluminescence Properties Of Carbon Nanodots Derived From Polyethylene Glycol, Sin Hea Yeom

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Fluorescent carbon dots (C-dots) are well known for their low cell-cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, low preparation cost, excitation dependent photoluminescence, and excellent photostability. Typically, raw C-dots have low quantum efficiency and thus researchers have been utilizing biocompatible polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a passivation agent in order to increase fluorescence signal. In this work, we report fluorescent self-passivated carbon nanodots (CNDs) synthesized from PEG by using it as a carbon source as well as a passivating agent. Importantly, the addition of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) during the synthesis of self-passivated CNDs can tune photoluminescence property. The results of bioimaging and …

Assessing Social Problem Solving And Frustration Tolerance In Early Elementary Students, Catherine G. Wang

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Due to the current national discourse on the social and emotional well-being of our youth, the examination of student progress and development in the area of social and emotional skills is a critical area of study. To date, limited research on social and emotional skill development in schools has been conducted. In addition, there is little documented research on the direct assessment of student skills in the specific social and emotional learning competencies. With the emergence of a new assessment tool from Rush NeuroBehavioral Center (RNBC), schools are now able to gather performance based student assessment data in key areas …

Assessing Social And Emotional Skill Development In Early Elementary Students, David K. Rongey

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Due to the current national discourse on the social and emotional well-being of our students, the examination of student progress and development in the area of social and emotional skills is a critical area of study. To date, limited research has been conducted in this area. For example, there is little documented research on the direct assessment of student skills in the specific social and emotional learning competencies. With the emergence of a new assessment tool from Rush NeuroBehavioral Center (RNBC), schools are now able to gather performance based student assessment data in key areas of social emotional skill development. …

Blaschke Products And Parameter Spaces, Katherine Plikuhn

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

In this thesis, we discuss certain aspects of complex dynamics. We will introduce the important concepts in iteration theory, discuss examples of families of holomorphic mappings, and their dynamics. In particular, we will discuss the family of quadratic functions, the family of Mobius mappings of the disk, and a certain sub-class of Blaschke products. We will show how the dynamics depend on the parameters.

A Classification Of Class Two And Class Three Nilpotent Table Algebras, Caroline Kettlestrings

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Table algebras are generalizations of adjacency algebras, and of the character ring of a finite group. Extensions of groups by groups have been well studied, and Hirasaka and Bang have generalized this to the study of extensions of association schemes by association schemes. In this dissertation, we study central extensions of table algebras by table algebras, in the case where the extension is either class two nilpotent (which means it is an extension of a group algebra by a group algebra), or class three nilpotent (which means it is an extension of a class two nilpotent table algebra by a …

Altering Shyness Mindset : Enhancing Treatment For Social Performance Anxiety, Michael J. Gillen

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The current study looked to extend previous research on the meta-cognitive variable of shyness mindset. The objectives were to demonstrate the ability to promote an incremental view of shyness in a clinical population, provide evidence for this change's ability to enhance the reduction of social performance anxiety symptoms via exposure therapy, and elucidate the possible mechanisms involved. Participants were recruited from an intensive outpatient program for the treatment of anxiety disorders, and assigned to either receive an intervention designed to alter shyness mindset, or treatment as usual. Results indicated that shyness mindset was malleable in a clinical population. The effect …

Exponential Random Graph Models For Multilevel Networks, Daniel Tattersall

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This master's thesis investigates the use of exponential random graph models for multilevel networks. It begins by describing some basic ideas in network analysis and then moves into the use of models to describe observed networks. After establishing modeling concepts for single-level networks, the discussion expands to modeling multilevel networks, which is a less common practice, and provides a brief multilevel modeling application. Focus is given to ERGM theory basics and highlights potential problems that researchers may encounter when employing these methods. Ultimately, the reader leaves with a sense of how and why network complexity can be modeled and some …

Characterization Of Table Algebras By Their Multiplicities, Angela Antonou

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The structure of a standard integral table algebra can sometimes be determined by the multiplicities of the irreducible characters for that table algebra. In particular, it has been shown that a standard table algebra whose multiplicities are all equal (except for the trivial one) must be commutative. This dissertation seeks to extend the technique of using multiplicities to determine the structure of standard table algebras. For a commutative standard table algebra, we show that there exists exactly one character with nontrivial multiplicity if and only if the table basis is the wreath product of a two-dimensional subalgebra and an abelian …

The Effect Of A Mentoring Intervention On The Teaching Self-Efficacy Of Pre-Service Special Education Teacher Candidates, Mary M. Lombardo-Graves

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a specific mentoring intervention on the teaching self-efficacy of pre-service special education teacher candidates. A Special Educators Efficacy Scale (SEES) was developed to measure self-efficacy for the initial skill set required for novice special educators. A two-group, pre-test/post-test design was used to compare the special education teaching self-efficacy scores between the intervention and comparison group.||The self-efficacy scores reported by 245 pre-service special education candidates from two universities were analyzed (intervention group, N = 43; comparison group, N = 202) before and after a 10-week mentoring intervention. ANCOVA findings indicated …

Sensing And Analysis Of Angular Vibrations Of Tremor, Divya Uppuluri

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Tremor is defined as the unintentional involuntary muscle movements involving rhythmic oscillations of any part of body like legs, hands, arms and limbs. This thesis deals with the most common tremor that occurs in hands. Tremor is not life threatening but greatly affects quality of life. The main purpose of this research is to identify a feedback control technique for the suppression of Essential Tremor. Tremor can be defined as the nonlinear and non stationary phenomenon which is the most common movement disorder affecting more than 4% of elderly people. In this research, a tremor is simulated using a stepper …

Using Sample Validation In Auditing, A. Ochigbo

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

A state government agency wants to determine if a sample verification procedure, used in auditing accounts to detect fraudulent charges, reduces the error of estimating the unknown mean amount of fraud per transaction. The procedure consists of checking whether the covariates of an audit variable, whose mean is known, is within a 100(1-alpha) % confidence interval computed on the observed sample. In this study we use computer based simulations to explore the effect that the procedure has on the error in estimating the mean. We concentrate on the bivariate normal distribution and on a normal bivariate normal mixture. Numerical results …

The Implementation Of A Hybrid Learning Environment At A Community College In The Mechanical Trades, Christopher Carlson

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The study was a case-based exploratory study providing data for the implementation of hybrid learning in the trade classes at a community college. The research focused on understanding the ability of students to perform in a hybrid environment, specifically measuring the students' abilities to monitor, predict and reflect on their own learning self-regulated learning behaviors. The study utilized a mixed methods approach to determine if the students in the newly implemented hybrid environment were academically capable of performing and if they would be receptive to the change which is required for success. The quantitative research provided results that indicated students …

Lagrangian Approach To Minimize Makespan Of Non-Identical Parallel Batch Processing Machines, Nurul Mubinah Binti Suhaimi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Batch Processing Machines (BPMs) are commonly used in electronics manufacturing, semi-conductor manufacturing, and metal-working - to name a few. Scheduling these machines are not an easy task; practical considerations and the exponential number of decision variables involved impede schedulers (or decision makers) from making good decisions. This research focuses on minimizing the makespan of a set of non-identical parallel batch processing machines. In order to schedule jobs on these machines, two decisions are to be made. The first decision is to group jobs to form batches such that the machine capacity is not exceeded. The second decision is to sequence …

Maximum Power Point Tracking Of A Solar Panel Using A Dc Bus, Rithvi Reddy Sathapur

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

A system is designed to extract the maximum power from a solar panel using SIMULINK software. The main objective of this thesis is to track the maximum power point from a solar panel by using a DC bus and to notice the changes in the voltage, current and power of the solar panel with the change in the irradiation level. The solar panel is designed by considering the standard current and voltage conditions. A maximum power point tracking algorithm is designed in a MATLAB code and the output gives the track of the maximum power point reached by the system …

Addressing Public Health Risks Of Persistent Pollutants Through Nutritional Modulation And Biomimetic Nanocomposite Remediation Platforms, Bradley J. Newsome

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Due to their relative chemical stability and ubiquity in the environment, chlorinated organic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) pose significant health risks and enduring remediation challenges. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) provide a novel platform for sensing/remediation of these toxicants, in addition to the growing use of NPs in many industrial and biomedical applications, but there remains concern for their potential long-term health effects. Research highlighted herein also represents a transdisciplinary approach to address human health challenges associated with exposure to PCBs and NPs. The objectives of this dissertation research are two-fold, 1) to develop effective methods for capture/sensing and remediation …

One-Directional Normally-On Vertical Silicon Carbide (3c-Sic) Mesfet On Silicon (Si) Substrate, Ramana Thakkallapally

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The main objective of this thesis is to design a one-directional normally-on vertical 3C-SiC MESFET on silicon substrate. The 3C-SiC material has higher carrier mobility, high saturation velocity and high critical breakdown field compared to traditional silicon devices. Epitaxial layer of 3C-SiC can be easily grown on the large area of silicon wafer. Vertical MESFET occupies less than 33% of the area compared to lateral MESFET with same dimensions, and this increases the integration density and reduces the cost. The drain current of vertical 3C-SiC MESFET is 100% higher than lateral structure MESFET with same dimensions. Vertical 3C-SiC MESFETs can …