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2017

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The Ethics Behind Cosmetic Procedures: The Strive For Aesthetics, Francais Olexa Jan 2017

The Ethics Behind Cosmetic Procedures: The Strive For Aesthetics, Francais Olexa

Student Publications and Presentations

Although the Internet has provided people with nearly unlimited access to seemingly endless topics, the accuracy of this information is not guaranteed. A primary advantage of the Internet – that anyone can publish almost anything and that information spreads virally – is also a double-edged sword. Complex scientific topics are often simplified and diluted to a fault for non-scientists, or lay people, to understand. Research from subjects that directly relate to people’s everyday lives, like psychology, appear to experience the greatest misinterpretation on the Internet. In fact, an entire genre, coined "pop psychology," describes the antiquated, unproven, oversimplified, misunderstood, and …

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The Left- And Right-Brain Myth, Jaimee Marcus Jan 2017

The Left- And Right-Brain Myth, Jaimee Marcus

Student Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

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Use Of The Novel Derivatizing Agent 1,8-Diaminonapthalene With The Cip10 Sampler To Measure 4,4'-Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate Atmospheres, Silvia Puscasu, Simon Aubin, Philippe Sarazin, Lucile Richard, Mark Spence, Sébastien Gagné Jan 2017

Use Of The Novel Derivatizing Agent 1,8-Diaminonapthalene With The Cip10 Sampler To Measure 4,4'-Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate Atmospheres, Silvia Puscasu, Simon Aubin, Philippe Sarazin, Lucile Richard, Mark Spence, Sébastien Gagné

Études primaires

DAN is a novel derivatizing agent for isocyanate sampling which targets total reactive isocyanate group (TRIG). Field evaluations have been conducted for 4,4’-Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) sampling using DAN as the derivatizing agent in a CIP10. The perimidone formed, selective of TRIG, was analyzed in laboratory by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Workplaces using MDI-based polyurethane spray foam and MDI wood product binder were studied. Each study compared the data obtained between the CIP10/DAN, the CIP10/MP, and a reference method. As a first evaluation, the CIP10/DAN sampled simulated MDI spray foam atmosphere in parallel with impingers (reference method) …

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Beyond Zero-Sum Environmentalism, David Takacs Jan 2017

Beyond Zero-Sum Environmentalism, David Takacs

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

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Developments In Capture- Γ Libraries For Nonproliferation Applications, A. M. Hurst, R. B. Firestone, B. W. Sleaford, D. L. Bleuel, M. S. Basunia, F. Becvar, T. Belgya, L. A. Bernstein, J. J. Carroll, B. Detwiler, J. E. Escher, C. Genreith, B. L. Goldblum, M. Krticka, A. G. Lerch, David A. Matters, John W. Mcclory, Stephen R. Mchale, Zs. Revay, L. Szentmiklosi, D. Turkoglu, A. Ureche, J. Vulic Jan 2017

Developments In Capture- Γ Libraries For Nonproliferation Applications, A. M. Hurst, R. B. Firestone, B. W. Sleaford, D. L. Bleuel, M. S. Basunia, F. Becvar, T. Belgya, L. A. Bernstein, J. J. Carroll, B. Detwiler, J. E. Escher, C. Genreith, B. L. Goldblum, M. Krticka, A. G. Lerch, David A. Matters, John W. Mcclory, Stephen R. Mchale, Zs. Revay, L. Szentmiklosi, D. Turkoglu, A. Ureche, J. Vulic

Faculty Publications

The neutron-capture reaction is fundamental for identifying and analyzing the γ-ray spectrum from an unknown assembly because it provides unambiguous information on the neutron-absorbing isotopes. Nondestructive-assay applications may exploit this phenomenon passively, for example, in the presence of spontaneous-fission neutrons, or actively where an external neutron source is used as a probe. There are known gaps in the Evaluated Nuclear Data File libraries corresponding to neutron-capture γ-ray data that otherwise limit transport-modeling applications. In this work, we describe how new thermal neutron-capture data are being used to improve information in the neutron-data libraries for isotopes relevant to nonproliferation applications. We …

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Post 9/11 American Dramas: A Postmodern Postcolonial Study Of Wajahat Ali’S The Domestic Crusaders And John Shanley’S Dirty Story, Shaimaa M. Saeed Jan 2017

Post 9/11 American Dramas: A Postmodern Postcolonial Study Of Wajahat Ali’S The Domestic Crusaders And John Shanley’S Dirty Story, Shaimaa M. Saeed

English Language and Literature

The focal point of this study is the date 9/11 which history immortalized as it witnessed the sudden attacks on one of the world’s super powers, the United States of America. The repercussions of this date boomed in the world’s four corners leaving behind feelings of insecurity and fears from the unknown. Whereas 9/11 had many influences on the international and domestic economic, political and social arenas, such influences were reflected in the literary arena as well. Many American playwrights were influenced by the attacks to the extent that such attacks have become the raw material formulating the dramatic substance …

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Structure & Simulation: Growth And Evolution In Generative Music, Dane Filipczak Jan 2017

Structure & Simulation: Growth And Evolution In Generative Music, Dane Filipczak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes a series of original interactive computer music compositions that are structured around simulations of natural phenomena. The relationship between simulation and music composition is considered and found to be a likely site of high creative potential due to both domains’ concern with process and becoming as opposed to static artifacts. The medium of the web application is considered as an ideal site for contemporary musical experimentation and a portrait is given of the current affordances and constraints of browser-based applications. Five musical systems are described within the context of their simulation and design techniques and some reflections …

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Finite Element Simulation Of Large-Scale Confined Inflatable Structures, Iole Pecora Jan 2017

Finite Element Simulation Of Large-Scale Confined Inflatable Structures, Iole Pecora

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The protection of transportation tunnels is one of the top priorities of transportation and government entities. Transportation tunnels have been identified as particularly vulnerable to different threats such as propagation of toxic gasses, or smoke originated by human activities or flooding originated by extreme climatic events such as hurricanes and severe weather. Finding solutions to minimize the consequences of disastrous events has become critical to increase the resiliency of tunnel systems. The implementation of large-scale inflatable structures at specific locations of the tunnel system for containing the propagation of flooding or gases is now possible. When a threat happens, a …

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Three Essays On State And Federal Regulations, Shree Baba Pokharel Jan 2017

Three Essays On State And Federal Regulations, Shree Baba Pokharel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation consists of three essays on state and federal regulations in the US. Each paragraph below refers to the three abstracts for the three chapters in this dissertation, respectively.;Given the growing importance of the wine industry in the US, wine special interests are on the rise. Data shows that campaign contributions from the wine industry to officials running for state offices have increased over time. Given this reality, one can expect wine excise tax to remain low in states that receive higher campaign contributions. In addition, there are theoretical and empirical reasons to believe that these tax rates are …

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Developing And Implementing New Algorithms Into The Lamodel Program For Numerical Analysis Of Multiple Seam Interactions, Mehdi Rajaeebaygi Jan 2017

Developing And Implementing New Algorithms Into The Lamodel Program For Numerical Analysis Of Multiple Seam Interactions, Mehdi Rajaeebaygi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Analysis of incidents in underground mining reveals that ground falls, including roof and rib falls, is one of the major sources of injuries and fatalities, however the number of accidents has reduced significantly during recent years (MSHA 2015). For instance, in 2005, around 60% of total fatalities in underground mining were associated with ground falls. This percentage has dropped to 37% in 2015 (MSHA 2015). This significant reduction in underground incidents may be caused by several reasons such as: using advanced technology, advance in computer science, new policies on safety, etc. Development of mathematical methods such as finite element and …

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Electrochemical Method For Characterization And Ranking Of Corrosion Inhibitors, Brett Kelly Jan 2017

Electrochemical Method For Characterization And Ranking Of Corrosion Inhibitors, Brett Kelly

Coatings and Polymeric Materials

One of the most cost-effective methods in mitigating corrosion effects is through the use of corrosion inhibitors. This work studied the performance of eight organic inhibitors on mild steel substrate through electrochemical characterization techniques, with the primary goal of incorporating a screening process to sift through the large selection of potential inhibitors without having to fully characterize them. The test methodology developed was successful at screening the potential corrosion inhibitors through linear polarization resistance (LPR) testing in NaCl electrolyte, narrowing the collection of inhibitors to the three most-promising chemicals, adrenalone, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and dopamine. The screened inhibitors proved effective in …

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Radio Transients And Their Environments, Kaustubh Rajwade Jan 2017

Radio Transients And Their Environments, Kaustubh Rajwade

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The interstellar medium is the principal ingredient for star formation and hence, it is necessary to study the properties of the interstellar medium. Radio sources in our Galaxy and beyond can be used as a probe of the intervening medium. In this dissertation, I present an attempt to use radio transients like pulsars and fast radio bursts and their interactions with the environment around them to study interstellar medium. We show that radio emission from pulsars is absorbed by dense ionized gas in their surroundings, causing a turnover in their flux density spectrum that can be used to reveal information …

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Three Essays On Trade And Local Labor Markets, Sandeep Sharma Jan 2017

Three Essays On Trade And Local Labor Markets, Sandeep Sharma

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation studies the effect of trade on wage dispersion, crime rates and alcohol consumption at the local labor market level in the the U.S. The first chapter develops a new measure for skill to investigate the effects of offshoring on wages of three types of workers: high-skilled, medium-skilled, and low-skilled. I also look at the effect of offshoring on wages of offshorable occupations. Although the previous literature emphasizes the impact of offshoring on the skill premium, I find that job characteristics such as offshorability is critical in explaining the wage effect. Chapter 2 analyzes the effects of increasing import …

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Implementation Of Multilevel Thresholding Based Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm For Edge Detection Of Images, Spoorthy Kanajal Chandrakanth Jan 2017

Implementation Of Multilevel Thresholding Based Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm For Edge Detection Of Images, Spoorthy Kanajal Chandrakanth

Computer Science

Edges in an image characterize object boundaries in an image, which is helpful in image processing and feature extraction in a particular scene. One of the methods used to detect edges in an image is image thresholding, which replaces a pixel in an image with black pixel if an image intensity is less than some constant T. Edge detection is used to classify, interpret and analyze the digital images in various fields such as robots, the sensitive applications in military, etc. A hierarchical multilevel thresholding method for edge detection using the Ant Colony algorithm is used in this paper. Multilevel …

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Subspace Representations And Learning For Visual Recognition, Farzad Siyahjani Jan 2017

Subspace Representations And Learning For Visual Recognition, Farzad Siyahjani

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pervasive and affordable sensor and storage technology enables the acquisition of an ever-rising amount of visual data. The ability to extract semantic information by interpreting, indexing and searching visual data is impacting domains such as surveillance, robotics, intelligence, human- computer interaction, navigation, healthcare, and several others. This further stimulates the investigation of automated extraction techniques that are more efficient, and robust against the many sources of noise affecting the already complex visual data, which is carrying the semantic information of interest. We address the problem by designing novel visual data representations, based on learning data subspace decompositions that are invariant …

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A New Compactification For Celestial Mechanics, Daniel Solomon Jan 2017

A New Compactification For Celestial Mechanics, Daniel Solomon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This is an exposition of a new compactification of Euclidean space enabling the study of trajectories at and approaching spatial infinity, as well as results obtained for polynomial differential systems and Celestial Mechanics. The Lorenz system has an attractor for all real values of its parameters, and almost all of the complete quadratic systems share an interesting feature with the Lorenz system.;Informed by these results, the main theorem is established via a contraction mapping arising from an integral equation derived from the Celestial Mechanics equations of motion. We establish the existence of an open set of initial conditions through which …

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What Do Astronomers Do: A Survey Of U.S. Astronomers' Attitudes, Tools And Techniques, And Social Interactions Engaged In Through Their Practice Of Science, Timothy S. Spuck Jan 2017

What Do Astronomers Do: A Survey Of U.S. Astronomers' Attitudes, Tools And Techniques, And Social Interactions Engaged In Through Their Practice Of Science, Timothy S. Spuck

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Astronomy is one of the oldest STEM enterprises today. It is a discipline through which technology has been advanced, as well as our understanding of the universe. Further, astronomy is a gateway science that inspires the imagination of young learners, and can be used to promote STEM careers. In order to advance the astronomy enterprise, we must maintain an informed citizenry. The practice of astronomy has changed over time; astronomy today is much different than it was 50 years ago. In an effort to identify the current practice of astronomy, or what it is that today's astronomers do, 478 U.S. …

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Evaluating Fitness Of Patch-Based Terrains In The Use Of Video Games, Lohit Bhurale Jan 2017

Evaluating Fitness Of Patch-Based Terrains In The Use Of Video Games, Lohit Bhurale

Computer Science

This paper deals with current an existing evolutionary algorithm used in procedural terrain generation content for video games which is gaining interest to lessen the development costs and meet desired user requirements in creating levels, maps, and 3D terrain. Our approach demonstrates the advantages of a two-level interactive parent selection mechanism with seamless patching done during the generation process, using genetic algorithm and evolutionary strategies. Genetic algorithm is applied with crossover and mutation to evolve the layout of the patches. On the other hand, evolutionary strategy is also evaluated. We have conducted a series of runs, resulting in visually comparing …

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A Model For Permeability Reduction In Polymer Nanocomposites And Its Experimental Validation, Man Chio Tang Jan 2017

A Model For Permeability Reduction In Polymer Nanocomposites And Its Experimental Validation, Man Chio Tang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Environmental concerns have led to research interest in biodegradable plastics, especially polylactic acid (PLA). PLA, a bio-derived and biodegradable polymer which is readily available, is easy to process, and it can be a good substitute for conventional non-biodegradable polymers in food packaging applications. However, its poor gas barrier property has to be improved to make it competitive with more widely-used materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polystyrene (PS). This can potentially be accomplished by dispersing nanoplatelets in the polymer as these additives act as impermeable barriers around which the diffusing molecules are forced to take a longer, tortuous path. …

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Learning Is Not A Spectator Sport: Incorporating Active Learning Into High Risk Business Courses, Ashley Brooke Tasker Jan 2017

Learning Is Not A Spectator Sport: Incorporating Active Learning Into High Risk Business Courses, Ashley Brooke Tasker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This quantitative study examined courses that have incorporated active learning, including peer mentoring, into courses with high rates of Ds, Fs, and withdrawals, to determine if these techniques increase student success, measured by overall course grades. The study also focused on analyzing factors, such as gender, socioeconomic status, and ACT composite scores to see if there were statistically significant differences among those and student success. The intent is to contribute and build on to the current active learning research which lacks in the quantitative, non-laboratory courses such as business. The results indicated that there is a significant difference in success …

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Characterization And Flight Test Of A Multi-Antenna Gnss, Multi-Sensor Attitude Determination Algorithm, Nathan Tehrani Jan 2017

Characterization And Flight Test Of A Multi-Antenna Gnss, Multi-Sensor Attitude Determination Algorithm, Nathan Tehrani

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A multi-antenna Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), multi-sensor attitude estimation algorithm is outlined, and its sensitivity to various error sources is assessed. The attitude estimation algorithm first estimates attitude using multiple GNSS antennas, and then fuses a host of other attitude estimation sensors including tri-axial magnetometers, Sun sensors, and inertial sensors. This work is motivated by the attitude determination needs of the Antarctic Impulse Transient Antenna (ANITA) experiment, a high-altitude balloon-suspended science platform. In order to assess performance trade-offs of various algorithm configurations, the attitude estimation performance of various approaches is tested using a simulation that is based on recorded …

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Design And Control Of A Micro/Nano Load Stage For In-Situ Afm Observation And Nanoscale Structural And Mechanical Characterization Of Mwcnt-Epoxy Composites, Wyatt C. Leininger Jan 2017

Design And Control Of A Micro/Nano Load Stage For In-Situ Afm Observation And Nanoscale Structural And Mechanical Characterization Of Mwcnt-Epoxy Composites, Wyatt C. Leininger

Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics

Nanomaterial composites hold improvement potential for many materials. Improvements arise through known material behaviors and unique nanoscale effects to improve performance in areas including elastic modulus and damping as well as various processes, and products. Review of research spurred development of a load-stage. The load stage could be used independently, or in conjunction with an AFM to investigate bulk and nanoscale material mechanics. The effect of MWCNT content on structural damping, elastic modulus, toughness, loss modulus, and glass transition temperature was investigated using the load stage, AMF, and DMA. Initial investigation showed elastic modulus increased 23% with 1wt.% MWCNT versus …

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Hand-Waving As A New Standard Of Review: When Analyzing Matching Rights, Has The Delaware Court Of Chancery Abdicated Its Review Process?, Andrew Kindey Jan 2017

Hand-Waving As A New Standard Of Review: When Analyzing Matching Rights, Has The Delaware Court Of Chancery Abdicated Its Review Process?, Andrew Kindey

Penn State Law Review (2003 - Present)

No abstract provided.

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Environmental Components Of Phenotypic Variation Dietary And Trans-Generational Effects On Behavior, Courtney Garrison Jan 2017

Environmental Components Of Phenotypic Variation Dietary And Trans-Generational Effects On Behavior, Courtney Garrison

Biological Sciences

Phenotypic variation, or the total variation in a trait, and its components are of great importance in the fields of evolutionary and behavioral ecology. Phenotypic variation can be broken down into both environmental and genetic influences on that particular trait. However, due to an increasing trend of quantitative genetics in behavioral studies, researchers have begun to consider lesser studied components of phenotypic variation in addition to the commonly studied direct environmental and genetic influences. Some of these lesser studied components include maternal and paternal effects, or the effect that parental phenotype has on their offspring’s phenotype. In Chapter 1, I …

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Eat To Reproduce: The Role Of Diet Quantity On Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) Caste Determination, Garett Slater Jan 2017

Eat To Reproduce: The Role Of Diet Quantity On Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) Caste Determination, Garett Slater

Biological Sciences

The received wisdom is that diet quality drives this queen-worker dichotomy, even though diet quantity differs significantly between queen and worker diet. Diet quantity likely determines honey bee caste; yet it has never been explicated tested. In this paper, we tested the hypothesis of diet quantity induced caste determination by; first, determine the ubiquity of quantity induced caste systems among highly-related taxa; second, determining the relative contributions of diet quantity vs. diet quality on adult caste in honey bees; and third, determine the influence of diet quantity on important cellular and physiological pathways known during caste determination. I found that: …

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Study Of Parameter Estimation And Model Calibration Using Bayesian Analysis Of Noisy Data For A Virus Model, Alejandro Mejia Jan 2017

Study Of Parameter Estimation And Model Calibration Using Bayesian Analysis Of Noisy Data For A Virus Model, Alejandro Mejia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Numerous engineering problems are concerned with the challenge of representing real life systems through mathematical equations: modeling. Properly generated mathematical models can accurately predict the behavior of natural processes. The key objective of model development is to correctly build a set of equations or expressions that can reproduce the results observed from experimental measurements. By following this methodology, sources of error and uncertainty will arise as most natural processes have random factors that make the results stochastic, and therefore can never be exactly reproduced. A model can try to best approximate the actual outcome, but many times assumptions or simplifications …

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On Factors That Influence User Interactions With Social Media Spam: Empirical Exploration Based On A Survey And Experiment, Thomas J. Kyanko Jan 2017

On Factors That Influence User Interactions With Social Media Spam: Empirical Exploration Based On A Survey And Experiment, Thomas J. Kyanko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis explores various factors that influence whether or not users of social media platforms will interact with spam. The research is based on using survey and experimental approaches. The survey looked at several spam related behaviors: ability to identify spam, tendency to interact with spam, and tendency to report spam. In total 256 responses were analyzed, which were collected by an online survey system. Results of the survey show that education about spam did not correlate with changes in behavior, even when users reported that the education had an effect on them. Several other factors, commonly thought to be …

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A Photogrammetry Program For Physical Modeling Of Subsurface Subsidence Process, Yujia Lian Jan 2017

A Photogrammetry Program For Physical Modeling Of Subsurface Subsidence Process, Yujia Lian

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Safe and economic longwall coal extraction requires a good knowledge of overburden strata characteristics and understanding of overburden strata movement in response to the full extraction mining. Subsidence induced overburden movement will affect overlying mining, surface and subsurface water bodies, and methane emission and migration in the overburden strata. Therefore, an understanding of subsurface strata movement is essential for optimal layout of multiple seam mining, protecting water resources, and designing of gob hole patterns for longwall degasification.;Physical simulation experiments play an important role in mining engineering research by allowing visual observations of strata movement in the mining process. In recent …

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Charge Transfer Dissociation Mass Spectrometry Of Biomolecules, Pengfei Li Jan 2017

Charge Transfer Dissociation Mass Spectrometry Of Biomolecules, Pengfei Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recent advances in many biological disciplines are closely related to the development and application of new mass spectrometry techniques. The investigation of gas-phase ion activation techniques is one of the active research fields. Although researchers have developed a variety of ion activation techniques, they all suffer from certain intrinsic limitations---either limited in the types of fragment ions, or limited by the inefficiency with low charge-state precursor ions. Most of the ion activation techniques are not commercially available, and are at their developing stages.;As an attempt to explore new possibilities of fragmenting a gas-phase ion, charge transfer dissociation (CTD) was developed …

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Infield Biomass Bales Aggregation Logistics And Equipment Track Impacted Area Evaluation, Subhashree Navaneetha Srinivasagan Jan 2017

Infield Biomass Bales Aggregation Logistics And Equipment Track Impacted Area Evaluation, Subhashree Navaneetha Srinivasagan

Agribusiness and Biosystems Engineering

Efficient bale stack location, infield bale logistics, and equipment track impacted area were conducted in three different studies using simulation in R. Even though the geometric median produced the best logistics, among the five mathematical grouping methods, the field middle was recommended as it was comparable and easily accessible in the field. Curvilinear method developed (8-259 ha), incorporating equipment turning (tractor: 1 and 2 bales/trip, automatic bale picker (ABP): 8-23 bales/trip, harvester, and baler), evaluated the aggregation distance, impacted area, and operation time. The harvester generated the most, followed by the baler, and the ABP the least impacted area and …

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