Digital Commons Network^™

An Investigation Of Alternative Aviation Fuel Spray Characteristics At Lean Blowout Conditions Using Hybrid Air-Blast Pressure-Swirl Atomizer, Dongyun Shin

Open Access Theses

Many efforts on reducing pollutant emissions from the aviation gas turbines have been to mitigate the climate change and air quality. The National Jet Fuel Combustion Program (NJFCP) was initiated to develop new alternative aviation fuels, which are composed solely on hydrocarbons (non-petroleum), and to understand better the impact of chemical/physical properties of the fuels on combustion. One of the major objectives of NJFCP is to study the spray characteristics of the alternative jet fuels compared to conventional jet fuels to ensure that the performance of the alternative jet fuels is comparable to conventional jet fuels.

In this study, spray …

An Empirical Analysis Of The Farm Bill And The Impact Of A Seat On The United States Senate Agriculture Committee, Shelby Ellen Swain

Open Access Theses

The purpose of this study is to do a thorough investigation of what influences farm program payments for a state by examining the United States farm bill and the impact of having a seat on the United States Senate Agriculture Committee. Specifically, this study explores the empirical aspects of the farm bill to determine the most influential factors in the creation of a farm bill, and investigates the impact a political position holds on farm program payments at the state level. This thesis can be used as a foundational understanding of the farm bill, as well as provide insight into …

Kalman Filtering For Lti Systems With State Dependent Packet Losses, Omanshu Thapliyal

Open Access Theses

Due to recent advances in networked control systems and wireless networked control systems, most systems of interest operate in environments susceptible to sensor malfunctions. The increased dependency on communication channels to transfer measurement data due to the geographical separation of sensors from actuators and plants further contributes to the issue. Most existing methods that deal with the problem of estimation under packet losses assume the packet arrival process to have stationary statistics. In this work we relax this assumption and address the problem of state estimation under state dependent packet losses. This problem presents inherent modeling of practical applications of …

Numerical Simulations Of Turbulent Pulsed Jet Flame, Jie Tao

Open Access Theses

In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations for a turbulent pulsed jet flame are performed coupling Reynolds Average Navier-Stokes (RANS) k− model, Probability Density Function (PDF) with particle method and a 19-species reduced GRI chemistry reaction mechanism. In the first part of this study, a base flame of the turbulent pulsed jet flame, Sydney Flame L, is simulated for parametric studies to obtain optimal numerical and modeling settings, and these settings can be used in the turbulent pulsed jet flame to perform simulations accurately. The effect of mixing models and mixing parameter is emphasized in the parametric study since …

Tmc Biodesign: The Design And Implementation Of A Product Development Framework For Successful Innovation In The Healthcare Industry., Jessica Traver

Open Access Theses

It is not uncommon to see both academic and industry institutions speed through, or even outright skip, the different stages of innovation. Industry often considers early stages of innovation, such as needs identification, to be too risky, or a waste of time and resources. They tend to focus more on improving validated solutions and creating incremental changes, resulting in products that lack innovation. Academia often considers aspects of the innovation process to be too commercial to consider during their research initiatives, which often results in the development of great technologies that cannot be implemented due to their lack of commercial …

Swi/Snf Chromatin Remodeling Complexes In Porcine Embryos, Yu-Chun Tseng

Open Access Theses

Gene expression is under precise regulation during early mammalian embryonic development. Epigenetic modifications are a major aspect of studying gene expression. SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes are large multiprotein complexes, which can reposition nucleosomes and alter transcription factor accessibility to DNA. Subunits of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes play essential roles in development by guiding the complexes to specific loci. The aims of this study were to 1) determine the function of ARID1A, a SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex subunit during cleavage development in the porcine embryo and 2) determine the intracellular localization of four SWI/SNF subunits, ARID1A, ARID2, BRD7, and SNF5, in …

Sensor Fusion To Detect Scale And Direction Of Gravity In Monocular Slam Systems, Seth C. Tucker

Open Access Theses

Monocular simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is an important technique that enables very inexpensive environment mapping and pose estimation in small systems such as smart phones and unmanned aerial vehicles. However, the information generated by monocular SLAM is in an arbitrary and unobservable scale, leading to drift and making it difficult to use with other sources of odometry for control or navigation. To correct this, the odometry needs to be aligned with metric scale odometry from another device, or else scale must be recovered from known features in the environment. Typically known environmental features are not available, and for systems …

A Study Of Flame Spread Measurements Of Aviation Fuels, Yerbatyr Tursyn

Open Access Theses

The study of a fire spread has always been very challenging and complex subject. Several properties of fire such as its flame spread rate, burning rate and radiation feedback should be known prior to any fire extinguishment operation. In this study, the flame spread rates of different liquid fuels are investigated at different initial temperatures using a novel temperature controlled experimental apparatus. Flame spread rates and different flame spreading regimes have been measured and analyzed for the conventional fuel Jet-A and three other alternative aviation fuels based on the processes such as Fischer-Tropsch-S8 (FT-S8), synthetic iso-paraffin (SIP) and hydro-processed esters …

Metabolic Engineering For Aromatic Amino Acids In Cyanobacteria, Jeremiah Vue

Open Access Theses

Phenylalanine and tryptophan are valuable chemicals in the beverage, pharmaceutical and animal feed industries. Currently, engineered heterotrophic microorganisms produce phenylalanine and tryptophan from carbon sources, such as sugars. As an alternative production strategy, we are investigating photosynthetic cyanobacteria to produce aromatic amino acids from CO2. We are combining directed and evolutionary approaches. Initially, we performed chemical mutagenesis on the cyanobacteria strains Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and selected colonies for resistance to tryptophan (Trp) or phenylalanine (Phe) analogs. The resistant colonies were subsequently screened for overproduction of the aromatic amino acids. The mutants resistant to phenylalanine …

Digimesh Reliability In High Speed Vehicular Applications, Bogdan A. Visan

Open Access Theses

In a fast-paced technological society, advances in wireless networking show potential to save lives. Communication is key to notifying Emergency Medical Services of a potentially deadly accident in near real-time. This paper will discuss the use of low powered wireless devices transmitting life-saving information autonomously. Current and planned technologies used in vehicles are built-in, costly, and vulnerable to physical destruction. Using an independent system can offer both old and new vehicles primary and secondary communication. The results from this research study show that vehicles can use DigiMesh as a viable solution, although relative velocity affects its performance.

Polyamines Regulate Chilling Response In Ripening Tomato Fruits By De Novo Transcription, Wan Mohn Reza Ikwan Bin Wan Hussin

Open Access Theses

Plants response to various abiotic stress, including chilling injury, by differentially regulating genes responsible for protection against these stresses. Polyamines (PAs); putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd), and spermine (Spm), are ubiquitous metabolite in all organisms and have been implicated in abiotic stresses in plants. Dr. Handa laboratory has previously developed high Spd/Spm tomato fruits genotypes by expressing yeast S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC). In present investigation, the role of Spd/Spm in chilling injury was evaluated by using two independent transgenic lines with high Spd/Spm (556 and 579) and isogenic parental Ohio 8245 (WT) genotypes. Fruits at onset of ripening (Breaker, BR) and fully …

Generational Shadow, Conflict, And Succession Planning In Farming Businesses, Youzhi Wang

Open Access Theses

The goal of this thesis is to examine the relationship among succession progress, generational conflict, and generational shadow and concentrate on the effects of the latter two on succession planning progress in small and medium sized family farms. Generational shadow refers to “the prior generation’s excessive and inappropriate involvement in a farm” (Davis & Harveston, 1999) – essentially, it reflects the incumbent’s unwillingness to transfer the business. Because of the suspected simultaneity, I employ a multivariate probit model and test for endogeneity. I found that the level of generational shadow is exogenous to the level of conflict and the succession …

Leveraging Uas For 3d Orthomosaid Aircraft Images To Support Maintenance Activities, William Weldon

Open Access Theses

As high ultra-high resolution aerial imaging becomes inexpensive and easily acquired through unmanned aerial systems, UAS, inspection industries are presented with the opportunity to reduce cost without reducing inspection quality. UAS technology allows for images to be taken at a relatively low cost with accuracy equivalent to laser scanning systems. A UAS equipped with a camera can be used to create a three dimensional orthomosaic model of an aircraft. This model has the potential to: increase the speed of visual inspections, increase the safety of visual inspections, improve maintenance training practices, and allow for aircraft condition tracking. The creation of …

Aging In Place In America: User Needs And Related Perceptions Concerning Showering Spaces, Denise Mcallister Wilder

Open Access Theses

The issue this study addresses is the apparent lack of curbless showers with grab bars and shower seats being displayed in builder’s model homes. Claims are they are excluded because consumers do not like to envision themselves as getting older or infirm. The purpose of the study is to query consumers of all age groups on their perception of photographed showers with and without curbs, grab bars and shower seats regarding safety, comfort and visual appeal. Data was collected using a survey instrument which featured several photographs of four different showers. Respondents were asked to rate their perceptions using a …

Flexible Methods To Support Sustainable Energy And Water Use, Ellen Wongso

Open Access Theses

The increase in populations and urban development has driven demands for energy as well as fresh and ground water in agricultural, industrial, commercial and residential sectors. According to United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report in 2014 [1], with the current average water usage, 40 out of 50 states would expect water shortages in parts of their states over the next decade. However, the problem of water shortage is not due to its limited supply in the nature, but that of mismanagement of how it is used and distributed [2]. In addition, shortages of water effects energy generation since 40% …

Direct Extraction Spray Analysis Of Lipid Biomarkers In Injury Rat Spinal Cord, Pengqing Yu

Open Access Theses

Lipids are crucial components of our bodies, not only as the building component of the cell membrane, but also as signaling molecules and an energy storing unit. The study of lipids may bring great improvement for life science. Moreover, lipids may also be a key factor in many diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and neural diseases.1 Qualitative and quantitative lipid analysis of infected tissue is very important when uncovering the cause and mechanism of disease, and can therefore bring great success for the development of diagnosis and treatment of disease.

In this research, we used a photochemical reaction to help …

Unsteady Aerodynamics And Blade-Row Interactions In The Embedded Stage Of An Axial Compressor, Douglas Ryan Matthews

Open Access Theses

In a mature engineering field like compressor aerodynamics, the most accessible advances in machine technology, translating to performance and efficiency, have been discovered and have found industry design applications. As the community continues to make progress, increasingly challenging aspects of the involved physics must be exploited. Modern turbomachinery operates with larger bypass ratios, smaller cores, and lighter, thinner, and more flexible materials resulting in the maintenance of higher operating pressures and temperatures. As the performance and efficiency of these machines continues to climb, the same technological advances reinforce challenges like forced-response vibration, high-cycle fatigue of engine components, and large relative …

Efficacy Of Halauxifen-Methyl For Management Of Glyphosate-Resistant Weeds And Soybean Crop Safety, Marcelo Zimmer

Open Access Theses

Halauxifen-methyl is a new synthetic auxin herbicide for broadleaf weed control prior to planting of corn, cotton, and soybean. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of herbicide programs containing halauxifen-methyl for control of glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed and other problematic weed species in comparison to existing herbicides programs utilized in no-till GR soybean systems. Halauxifen-methyl-, dicamba-, and saflufenacil-based herbicide programs controlled GR horseweed, while glufosinate and 2,4-D herbicide programs resulted in lower GR horseweed control. The addition of ALS and PPO inhibitor herbicides with soil residual activity increased GR horseweed control of herbicide programs with halauxifen-methyl and glufosinate.

Halauxifen-methyl applied …

Low-Cost Printer For Prototyping Circuits On Flexible Substrates Using Conductive Inks, Taylor J. Zigon

Open Access Theses

The purpose of this project was to design a low-cost printer for prototyping circuits on flexible substrates using conductive and dielectric inks. Computer numeric controlled (CNC) machines are capable of conducting precise movements quickly and are commonly used for additive and subtractive manufacturing. A CNC machine is developed to add conductive ink to substrates utilizing an extrusion-based printing method. Usage of this extrusion method has the possibility of printing flexible electronics and being used for rapid electronic prototyping. This research will further expand on the capabilities of conductive inks and the substrates in which they can be applied.

Optimized Command Shaping With Constrained Peak Input Acceleration For Minimizing Residual Vibration, Bowen Wu

Open Access Theses

The fast point-to-point motion of a robotic system can be greatly affected by its joint flexibilities, which introduce vibrations during and after motion. While numerous techniques were developed to minimize the residual vibration of the flexible robotic system, this work studies the command shaping method. This method constructs an input profile that aims to reduce excitation energy around the natural frequencies to minimize residual vibration. This work modifies the command shaping method by applying a numerical optimization technique with a constraint on peak input acceleration. A framework has been constructed for the combination of these two modifications, which proved their …

Novel Polymer/Bioactive Glass Composites For Bone Regenerative Engineering, Jessica Zuponcic

Open Access Theses

Bone-grafting procedures are necessary when injury to the bone, due to trauma or disease, surpasses the bone’s ability to auto-repair. These injuries are known as critical-sized defects. Using graft material from the patient’s own body, autografting, risks donor site morbidity and is size-limited [1, 2]. Using graft material from a donor or cadaver, allografting, carries some risk of disease transmission and availability is insufficient to meet demand [1]. These challenges have necessitated the development and use of bone graft substitutes which, ideally, can match the structural and mechanical properties of native bone and promote osteogenic differentiation of host cells – …

Mentoring Experiences In Medical Education: A Phenomenographic Study Among American Indian Medical Students And Those In Residency, Naomi M. Bender

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to better understand how currently enrolled American Indian (AI) medical students and recently graduated physicians in residency experienced mentoring during medical school. This study consisted of 19 participant-recorded interviews that were later transcribed, analyzed, and coded for thematic outcomes. Participants were all current AI medical students in the same Northern Midwest Medical School (NMMS) in years one, two, three, or four, or they were recent AI graduate physicians from the same institution and were in years one or two of residency. The theoretical frameworks that guided this research were Kalbfleisch’s Mentoring Enactment …

Faculty Experiences With Instructional Innovations: A Phenomenological Study Of Faculty Use Of Instructional Video, Timothy Patrick Oneal

Theses and Dissertations

Colleges and universities create learning environments that strive to optimize strengths and minimize weaknesses of learners. Media rich environments have changed the current generation of learners just as it is now changing higher education. There is currently a need to examine the experiences and perceptions of instructors when adopting innovations such as instructional videos for use in their media enriched curriculum delivery. This study used a phenomenological approach to discover why and how faculty at a 4-year public university use the innovation of instructional video in their classrooms. The phenomenon studied was the adoption process and the motivation of the …

Alternations In Murui: A Morphological Approach, Amy Havlicek

Theses and Dissertations

Murui is a Witotoan language spoken in Colombia and Peru. This thesis focuses on alternations of voiced and voiceless alveolar and velar stops in Murui that occur at some morpheme boundaries in verbs. The alternations of the voiced and voiceless alveolar stops occur in the active indicative suffix allomorphs [‐dɯ] ~ [‐tɯ] ~ [‐d] ~ [‐t] and the alternations of the voiced and voiceless velar stops occur in the passive indicative suffix allomorphs [‐ka] ~ [‐ɡa]. These stops may also become voiced or voiceless when other suffixes are present in the verb. I focus my analysis on the inflectional morphology …

Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury And Subsequent Susceptibility To Parkinson's Disease, Glen G. Acosta

Open Access Dissertations

The prevalence of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is steadily increasing due to escalated terror activities and constitutes the signature injury associated with the current military conflicts. Specifically, a mild-bTBI is the most common injury encountered by our military personnel. This type of injury presents a problem because the individual is initially asymptomatic and functional. Increasing studies have suggested that this type of injury may produce long-term neurological consequences that affect the resilience and the performance of soldiers both on and off the battlefield. One such example is an increased susceptibility to Parkinson’s disease (PD) by as many as three …

Turning A Multivalent Lens Toward Depictions Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Film, Ashley Ann Albrecht

Open Access Dissertations

With innovations in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) advancing at an exponential rate, it is ever the more pertinent to interrogate the ramifications and potentialities of these developments. Luciano Floridi, known as “the Google philosopher,” considers this phenomenon an integral part of the digital information age or the “Fourth Revolution.” We are now forced to confront the following problems: What is the relationship between humans and AI? What does it mean to be “human”? What futures are possible given our current coevolution with AI? Such questions motivate close philosophical consideration. Here, the theoretical polarization of the doomsday neo-Luddite versus …

Elucidating The Biosynthetic Routes And Biological Mechanisms Involved In The Release Of Phenylpropanoid/Benzenoid Volatiles From Plant Cells, Funmilayo Adebesin

Open Access Dissertations

Sessile organisms, such as plants, have developed intricate means of responding and interacting with their environment in order to grow, reproduce, and survive environmental stresses such as attacks by other organisms and competition for resources with neighboring organisms. Plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play vital roles in resolving these evolutionary constraints associated with the sedentary nature of plants by attracting pollinators and seed dispersers necessary for reproduction. VOCs also mediate plant-plant interactions and provide defense against biotic stresses (pathogens, predators, and herbivores) and abiotic stresses (oxidative stress, high temperature stress, drought). Beyond the importance of VOCs to plants, humans have …

Game On: Massively Multiplayer Online Games (Mmog) As Tools To Augment Teaching And Learning, Papia Bawa

Open Access Dissertations

The study investigated the use of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG) in English and Business classrooms in Higher Education from the context of learners’ performance outcomes, as well as stakeholders’ (learners, administrators, and faculty) perceptions pertaining to their experiences when using an MMOG based curriculum. The findings strongly suggest that MMOGs helped enhance learner performances in statistically significant ways, and provided valuable insights into elements of interest and concerns of stakeholders about MMOG usage in classrooms. Based on these insights, I designed a practitioners’ guide to assist future scholars interested in this curricular approach. This guide provides innovative tips on …

Fish Consumption And Accessibility And The Implications For Household Nutrition And Food Security In Ghana And Tanzania, Akua Sakyiabea Akuffo

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation empirically investigates aquaculture adoption on food security, fish demand and fish accessibility in Ghana and Tanzania. There are three separate chapters, each discussing a specific issue relating to food security and fish consumption. Data for chapters two and three are from the round 6 of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS6) while chapter four uses the Household Budget Survey (HBS) for Tanzania.

The second chapter of this dissertation applies the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) approach in logit and probit frameworks to a cross section of 4,011 Ghanaian households, to analyze how fish farming is associated with household food …

Chemical Reactions In The Gas Phase, Solution Phase And At Interfaces To Facilitate Mass Spectrometric Analysis And Rapid Synthesis, Stephen T. Ayrton

Open Access Dissertations

Chemical derivatization is the act of taking an analyte and transforming it into something with more desirable properties, typically for analytical purposes. In the cases presented here, the desirable properties are those which increase the ionization efficiency of the species of interest or those which facilitate the discrimination of isomers. Nanoparticles are often utilized in biological assays, but unless they are made of metal such that they can be ionized directly by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) ionization, they are undetectable by mass spectrometry. Surface functionalization of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) facilitates the reversible binding of highly ionizable molecules which can serve …