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Common Data Set, 2013-2014, Planning, Research, And Policy Analysis

Common Data Set (2001-present)

Common Data Set 2013-2014 for Illinois State University

Performance Assessment Of Capture Zones Generated By Pv-Powered Pump And Treat Systems, Yovanna Cortes Di Lena

Doctoral Dissertations

"Pump and treat (P&T) is a technology that has been extensively used to remove and/or contain contaminated groundwater. Hydraulic containment of contaminants is accomplished by generating capture zones through pumping of groundwater. An appropriate delineation of capture zones is necessary to design an effective P&T system. P&T systems conventionally operate continuously to achieve steady-state capture zones, which require significant amounts of energy. The use of renewable energies to meet power demands of remedial systems may reduce a project's carbon dioxide emissions. The hydraulic effectiveness of a photovoltaic (PV) powered P&T system without energy storage was characterized using data collected at …

Speciation Dynamics Of An Agent-Based Evolution Model In Phenotype Space, Adam David Scott

Doctoral Dissertations

"This dissertation is an exploration of phase transition behavior and clustering of populations of organisms in an agent-based model of evolutionary dynamics. The agents in the model are organisms, described as branching-coalescing random walkers, which are characterized by their coordinates in a two-dimensional phenotype space. Neutral evolutionary conditions are assumed, such that no organism has a fitness advantage regardless of its phenotype location. Lineages of organisms evolve by limiting the maximum possible offspring distance from their parent(s) (mutability, which is the only heritable trait) along each coordinate in phenotype space. As mutability is varied, a non-equilibrium phase transition is shown …

Synthesis Of Radioactive And Nonradioactive Nanostructures Through Radiolytic And Wet Chemistry, Jessika Viviana Rojas Marin

Doctoral Dissertations

"In this work the synthesis of non radioactive and radioactive nanoparticles (NPs) through radiolytic and wet chemistry was studied. Non radioactive NPs of rhenium, iridium, and rhodium were synthesized from aqueous solutions containing the metal salt precursors by gamma irradiation. The solutions were irradiated to generate reducing species that led to the nucleation and growth of the nanoparticles. Amorphous rhenium oxide nanoparticles with average sizes ranging from 10 nm to 55 nm were obtained. Metallic iridium and rhodium nanoparticles were produced in polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP) having narrow particle size distributions and average particle sizes from 2 nm to 6 nm. The …

On Some Inferential Problems With Recurrent Event Models, Withanage Ajith Raveendra De Mel

Doctoral Dissertations

"Recurrent events (RE) occur in many disciplines, such as biomedical, engineering, actuarial science, sociology, economy to name a few. It is then important to develop dynamic models for their modeling and analysis. Of interest with data collected in a RE monitoring are inferential problems pertaining to the distribution function F of the time between occurrences, or that of the distribution function G of the monitoring window, and their functionals such as quantiles, mean. These problems include, but not limited to: estimating F parametrically or nonparametrically; goodness of fit tests on an hypothesized family of distributions; efficient of tests; regression-type models, …

The Effect Of Composition On The Viscosity, Crystallization And Dissolution Of Simple Borate Glasses And Compositional Design Of Borate Based Bioactive Glasses, Kathryn Lynn Goetschius

Doctoral Dissertations

"Borate glasses have recently been developed for a variety of medical applications, but much less is known about their structures and properties than more common silicate glasses. Melt properties and crystallization tendency for compositions in the Na₂O-CaO-B₂O₃ system were characterized using differential thermal analysis and viscosity measurements. Characteristic viscosity (isokom) temperatures varied with the ratio between the modifier content (Na₂O+CaO) and B₂O₃, particularly at lower temperatures, consistent with the changes in the relative concentrations of tetrahedral borons in the glass structure.

Similar glasses were used to study dissolution processes …

Femtosecond Laser Micro-Machined Optical Fiber Based Embeddable Strain And Temperature Sensors For Structural Monitoring, Armadeep Kaur

Doctoral Dissertations

"Structural monitoring technology is becoming increasingly important for managing all types of structures. Embedding sensors while constructing new structures or repairing the old ones allows for continual monitoring of structural health thus giving an estimate of remaining utility. Along with being embeddable, miniaturized sensors that are easy to handle are highly sought after in the industry where in-situ monitoring is required in a harsh environment (corrosive atmosphere, high temperatures, high pressure etc.).

This dissertation demonstrates the use of femtosecond laser-fabricated Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) based optical fiber sensors for embedded applications like structural health monitoring. Two types of Fabry-Perot interferometer sensors, …

Impact Of Slickwater Fracturing Fluid Compositions On The Petrophysical Properties Of Shale And Tightsand, Yongpeng Sun

Doctoral Dissertations

"A tight reservoir always requires hydraulic fracturing before production to increase production rate. The additives in hydraulic fluids are highly considerable for a successful stimulation. A friction reducer is often used to reduce the flowing friction in the wellbore during hydraulic fracturing. Extensive researches have been conducted to examine the extent it can reduce the fluid friction in tubings; however, no research has been reported on its behavior in a reservoir, which is related to the fracture extension. A breaker is also pumped into the formation to degrade the friction reducer. However, it is not clear that what is the …

Part I: In-Situ Fluorometric Quantification Of Microalgal Neutral Lipids Part Ii: Thermal Degradation Behavior Of Investment Casting Polymer Patterns, Hongfang Zhao

Doctoral Dissertations

"Research described in this dissertation covers two topics. Part-I is focused on in-situ determination of neutral lipid content of microalgae using a lipophilic fluorescent dye. The traditional Nile red stain-based method for detecting microalgal intracellular lipids is limited due to varying composition and thickness of rigid cell walls. In this study, the addition of dilute acid and heating of solution, were found to greatly enhance staining efficiency of Nile red for microalgal species evaluated. Oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsion stabilized by a non-ionic surfactant was employed as a pseudo-standard that mimics lipid-bearing microalgal cells suspended in water. The average neutral lipid contents …

Semiconductor Nanocrystals For Novel Optical Applications, Jong-Sik Moon

Doctoral Dissertations

“Inspired by the promise of enhanced spectral response, photorefractive polymeric composites photosensitized with semiconductor nanocrystals have emerged as an important class of materials. Here, we report on the photosensitization of photorefractive polymeric composites at visible wavelengths through the inclusion of narrow band-gap semiconductor nanocrystals composed of PbS. Through this approach, internal diffraction efficiencies in excess of 82%, two-beam-coupling gain coefficients in excess of 211 cm^-1, and response times 34 ms have been observed, representing some of the best figures-of-merit reported on this class of materials. In addition to providing efficient photosensitization, however, extensive studies of these hybrid composites …

Modeling And Simulation Of Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic Composites, Venkata Bheemreddy

Doctoral Dissertations

"Finite element modeling framework based on cohesive damage modeling, constitutive material behavior using user-material subroutines, and extended finite element method (XFEM), are developed for studying the failure behavior of continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CFCCs) by the example of a silicon carbide matrix reinforced with silicon carbide fiber (SiC/SiCf) composite. This work deals with developing comprehensive numerical models for three problems: (1) fiber/matrix interface debonding and fiber pull-out, (2) mechanical behavior of a CFCC using a representative volume element (RVE) approach, and (3) microstructure image-based modeling of a CFCC using object oriented finite element analysis (OOF). Load versus displacement behavior …

Aerogels As Diverse Nanomaterials, Abhishek N. Bang

Doctoral Dissertations

"Aerogels are 3-D light-weight nanoporous materials pursued for their low thermal conductivity, low dielectric constant and high acoustic attenuation. Those exceptional macroscopic properties of aerogels are dependent on the chemical nature of nanoparticles, complex hierarchical solid skeletal framework and porosity. Also, the free space can become host for functional guests such as pharmaceuticals. In chapter I, we investigated randomly mesoporous bio-compatible polymer-crosslinked dysprosia aerogels as drug delivery vehicles and demonstrated storage and release of drugs under physiological conditions. Comparative study with ordered and randomly mesoporous silica showed high drug uptake and slower release rate for random nanostructures (silica or dysprosia) …

Pulling On The Thread Of The Insanity Defense, R. George Wright

Villanova Law Review (1956 - )

No abstract provided.

Moocs And Legal Education: Valuable Innovation Or Looming Disaster?, Philip G. Schrag

Villanova Law Review (1956 - )

No abstract provided.

Biomineralization Of Carbonates In Modern Microbial Sediments And Its Implications For Co₂ Sequestration, Varun Gnanaprian Paul

Doctoral Dissertations

"Several bacterial species influence carbonate mineral precipitation by modifying pH, alkalinity, Ca²⁺ activity and by providing nucleation sites for mineralization. Two studies have been undertaken to explore microbial influence in the mineralization of carbonates. In the first study, the ability of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) to induce carbonate mineralization was investigated as a means to enhance mineral sequestration of CO₂. Sulfate-reducing bacteria enriched from hypersaline Storr's Lake, The Bahamas; Lake Estancia, New Mexico; and Great Salt Plains Lake, Oklahoma, were tested in reactors under varying CO₂ concentrations. Carbonate mineral precipitation was achieved only in reactors with Lake Estancia SRB community and …

Evaluation Of Pyramided Bt Corn For Management Of Corn Earworm And Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Fei Yang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, and corn earworm (CEW), Helicoverpa zea, are two target pests of pyramided Bt corn in the U.S. This study determined the susceptibility of the two pests to pyramided Bt corn and evaluated if a 95:5% seed mixture of Bt and non-Bt corn was an appropriate approach for providing refuge populations of CEW for resistance management. Firstly, susceptibility of 150 F2 two-parent families to three common pyramided Bt corn traits was examined using 7-day leaf tissue bioassays and whole plant tests. A few families survived the 7-day leaf tissue bioassays but progeny of the survivors …

Leptin Regulates Nutrient Reward Via Galanin And Orexin Neurons, Amanda Laque

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Obesity has become a widespread concern to human health largely over the past three decades. It is thought that obesity is associated with the over consumption of calorically dense diets. The rewarding value of food is mediated through the mesolimbic dopamine system, though is less understood how appetitive control circuits relay information to existing reward circuitry. The adiposity signaling hormone, leptin, is a critical mediator of food intake and fat storage. Leptin signaling, via the long form of the leptin receptor (LepRb), is predominantly carried out within the hypothalamus. Leptin action specific to the lateral hypothalamus area (LHA) modulates reward …

Development Of The Dynamic Evaluation Model To Significantly Advance Autism Research, Dana Cihelkova

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In my dissertation effort I suggested new directions in order to significantly advance Autism Research. I moved from identification of the problem (Stagnation of Autism Research) to offering one possible explanation for the problem (Conceptualization of Autism as a Complex Phenomenon) to one possible solution for the problem. I developed the Dynamic Evaluation Model which is a five dimensional evaluation system to (a) effectively evaluate Autism interventions, (b) uncover Autism symptoms dynamics, and (c) identify what child with what symptoms characteristics will benefit the most from what currently available treatments. And finally I tested the prototype of the Dynamic Evaluation …

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Degradation In Tidally Influenced Coastal Marsh Wetland Studied In Laboratory Mesocosm, Doorce S. Batubara

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The compact mesocosm which was designed for a laboratory scale was used for the kinetic study of refractory organic compounds in a tidally influenced coastal marsh wetland soil. The tidal cycles were controlled pneumatically using an air chamber inside the mesocosm tank. Phenanthrene as the test compound showed that its degradation in the intertidal wetland soil was faster than that in the subtidal wetland soil. Oxygen resupply during the tidal cycles to the intertidal wetland soil would enhance the degradation. Comparison of degradation rates of phenanthrene (Phe), pyrene (Pyr), and benzo[e]pyrene (BeP) were also studied using the mesocosm. The degradation …

Plasmonic Gold Nanohole Arrays For Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering, Peng Zheng

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Localized and periodic optical modes co-exist in plasmonic nanohole arrays leading to a unique mix of optical properties. In this thesis, a simultaneous experimental and theoretical investigation is used to investigate the origin of each optical mode, explaining the mix between extraordinary optical transmission, enhanced absorption, and local electromagnetic field concentration. Additionally, the hole array diameter, film thickness, and periodicity are systematically varied to explore the tuning and cross over between the multiple optical modes. The nanohole array to nanotriangle array transition is investigated, showing how the localized surface plasmon resonance evolves into the periodic surface plasmon polariton mode. These …

Queer Emplotment: Lesbian Caretaking In North American Canonical Fiction From 1980 – 2011., Penelope Gay Dane

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

My dissertation argues that lesbian caretaking in late 20th century and early 21th century North American fiction disrupts normative temporalities while repairing damage protagonists sustain from intra-familial trauma. Aligned with queer studies’ growing interest in representations of time, my project explores this paradox of lesbian representation. How can lesbian characters be both reparative and disruptive? Lesbian characters in Alice Walker’s The Color Purple (1980); Dorothy Allison’s Bastard Out of Carolina (1992); and Louise Erdrich’s Shadow Tag (2010) are reparative as they clean up the psychological and physical damage caused male violence, sexual abuse, and neglectful mothers. Yet their caregiving disrupts …

An Old Tool For A New Generation: Using The Star Power Simulation To Teach Social Inequality, Barbara Prince

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Students today are unique. They are the first generation to be "growing up digital" and are distinctly different from their baby boomer parents. As a result, this net generation does not fit well within the passive nature of the standard format of classes. One technique, employed by a growing number of faculty within the field of teaching and learning, to facilitate experiential learning is the use of simulations. One example is the simulation Star Power, which simulates the use/abuse of power, stratification, and inequality. Simulations such as Star Power can be a vital tool for teaching core sociological concepts, including …

With Xavier, However, There Will Be This Distinction: Mapping The Educational Philosophy Of Saint Katharine Drexel In The Intellectual Tradition Of Black Higher Education In New Orleans, Louisiana, Berlisha Roketa Morton

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Historical studies on higher education often utilize traditional historical methods. This practice has produced a body of literature, both historical and contemporary, which has a particular focus on (a) the histories and mythologies of institutions, (b) the individuals who function within the system at the administrative or student levels, and (c) the individuals who have been excluded from the system. In this research, I connected the foundational histories of Southern University and Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana by telling institutional narratives through people instead of telling the narratives of people through institutions. Therefore, using Southern Womanism as a theoretical …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Theoretical Studies Of Fluorescent Gumbos And Nanogumbos, Chengfei Lu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, novel fluorescent materials, which are referred to as a group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS) are synthesized, characterized, and studied for different applications. GUMBOS are solid state organic salts having melting points from 25°C to 250°C. Similar to ionic liquids, GUMBOS are highly tunable and can be designed for specific applications by incorporating multiple-functions into a single ion pair by selection of cation-anion combinations. Chapter 2 is a discussion of the synthesis and characterization of a PEGylated IR786 GUMBOS. These GUMBOS are prepared by a two-step synthesis procedure followed by a facile anion exchange …

“Trans-Positioning” Carbons Within Strained Caged Bicyclic(S): Rom/Rcm (Ring-Opening/Ring-Closing) Metathesis And Dieckmann/Retro-Dieckmann Condensation Routes To A Cis-Decalin Infrastructure, Stefan Malone Cooper Jr

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation describes methodology work involving a “Trans-Positioning” motif engaging strategically positioned carbons within a strained bi-carbocyclic core and on a tethered free-dangling hydrocarbon chain ultimately for skeletal rearrangement. Trans-alkenylation and trans-acylation processes are devised for investigation with bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl and bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl strained cores. Recent advances in olefin metathesis led to an independent proposal of the now applicable, RRM (Ring-Rearranging Metathesis) for trans-alkenylation purposes. A resourceful Dieckmann/retro-Dieckmann sequence is devised for trans-acylation motives. Finally, this dissertation includes atypical diastereoselective reductions and additions which were serendipitously found with trigonal carbon atoms appended to our pertinent strained systems while in pursuit of our …

The Effect Of Modifying The Higher-Order Structure Of Plant High-Affinity Phosphate Transporters, Elena Batista Fontenot

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient taken up by plants in the form of phosphate and is a component of key molecules, such as ATP, DNA, and RNA, and is one of the most frequently limiting macronutrients for plant growth. More than 80 % of phosphorus found in soil exists as non-inorganic forms and is unavailable for plant uptake, demonstrating the importance for genes induced to cope with phosphate starvation, including high-affinity phosphate transporters (Phts). Phts are membrane-localized transporters involved in the transport of phosphate and arsenate and have a high capacity for transporting phosphate in areas where phosphate concentrations are …

Elucidation Of The Early Steps Of Ergot Alkaloid Synthesis By Pathway Reconstruction In Aspergillus Nidulans, Katy Ryan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ergot alkaloids are pharmaceutically and agriculturally important secondary metabolites produced by several species of fungi in the Clavicipitaceae (order Hypocreales) and Trichocomaceae (order Eurotiales). Ergot alkaloid pathways vary among producers due to genetic variation within ergot alkaloid synthesizing (eas) gene clusters. However, the early steps of the pathway leading to the formation of chanoclavine-I appear to be evolutionarily conserved among producers. Chanoclavine-I synthesis occurs in at least five steps, and knockout and heterologous expression studies have demonstrated that four genes, dmaW, easF, easE, and easC, are required for pathway steps prior to chanoclavine-I formation. It was unknown whether these genes …

Energy-Efficient Wireless Interconnect Design For Non-Destructive Testing (Ndt) Applications, Lokesh Avala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A method for non-destructive, wireless testing of integrated circuits(ICs) is presented in this thesis. This system is suitable for applications which require testing after the manufacturing of ICs. According to Moore's Law the number of transistors in an IC doubles every two years, the current probing equipment will also have to reduce its size accordingly which will be difficult after a certain point. The proposed system relies on near field communication in order to transfer data between probe and device under test. The probe and IC will include small antenna and a transceiver circuit. The antenna and the transceiver circuit …

Holocene Paleoenvironmental Reconstruction From Mexico's Pacific Coast-A Paleotempestological Investigation, Thomas Bianchette

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines the paleoenvironments of four lagoons from Mexico’s Pacific coast, with the aim of retrieving sediment deposition from storm surge events to determine long-term tropical cyclone (TC) records. Lagoons Agua Dulce, Boquita, Mitla, and Nuxco are located along a 700 km stretch in states Jalisco and Guerrero. Roughly 70 meters of sediment were collected and subjected to multiple proxies, including loss-on ignition, a microfossil survey, and geochemical analysis. Nuxco’s dynamism is caused by intense and prolonged rainfall (largely from TCs), responsible for increasing water level, opening the tidal inlet, and draining the site (termed “blowouts”). High amounts of …

Synthesis Of Novel C-4 Disubstituted Β-Lactams Through Staudinger Cycloaddition Reaction, Robert Rodriguez, Anjali Nambiar, Ram N. Yadav, Bimal K. Banik

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

Synthesis of novel C-4 disubstituted beta-lactam that has N-methyl pyrrole system has been achieved through Staudinger cycloaddition reaction of acid chloride and imine. Interestingly, this reaction has produced a single stereoisomer.