Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Application Of A Modified Analytical Derivatization Method To The Determination Of Microbial Metabolites In Aquifer Systems, Jie Lu

Masters Theses

The geochemical evolution of Low Molecular Weight Fatty Acids (LMWFA's) in various ground water samples and aquifer solid samples from both contaminated and uncontaminated sites has been studied. An improved analytical method has been established for both qualitative and quantitative determination of LMWFA's. The low molecular weight (LMW) organic acids are metabolic intermediates of the oxidative biodegradation of hydrocarbon contaminants. The hydrocarbons are believed to be the electron donors in these redox reactions. Formic and acetic acids were found to be the major LMWFA's in these ground water samples and aquifer solid samples. Their concentrations increase as the redox condition …

The Effects Of A Wetland On Ground-Water Quality In An Agriculturally Impacted Aquifer, Marilyn Ann Betts

Masters Theses

Nitrate concentrations in excess of U.S. EPA standards have been documented for farm wells in an area where hog production and row crops are the predominant forms of agribusiness. The aquifer serving this area is in glacial deposits of interbedded sand, clay, gravel and till. The upper, unconfined, sand and gravel unit of the aquifer is connected to a flow-through wetland. Five well nests, with wells at various depths, were installed in and around the wetland. Samples were taken from the wells in both winter and summer to establish temporal and spatial changes in ground-water quality parameters.

Concentrations of nitrate, …

Floorplanning For Mixed Block And Cell Designs, Arun G. Shanbhag

Masters Theses

Floorplanning is one of the important phases of the VLSI Physical Design cycle. The quality of a floorplan is usually not evident until the routing phase. A bad floorplan can lead to an unroutable design requiring another iteration of the floorplanning phase. Use of over-the-cell routing has led to zero routing footprints. Any further reduction in area of the layout is possible only by reducing the white space or the vacant space from the floorplan, that is by improving the floorplan of the layout.

Currently, the Mixed Block and Cell (MBC) design style is gaining popularity. This evolving design style …

Laser-Rf Double Resonance Measurements Of The Hyperfine Structure Of V Ii, Gregory Michael Matous

Masters Theses

We have measured the hyperfine structure of ⁵¹V II using the technique of collinear fast-ion-beam laser spectroscopy. The output of a dye laser was applied collinearly to an accelerated 50 ke V ion beam to produce laser induced fluorescence spectra for the metastable 3d³4s and 3d⁴ configurations. The technique of laserradio- frequency double resonance, which utilizes an optical photon to deplete a hyperfine state and an rf photon to repopulate the state, was used to measure the hyperfine intervals to a high precision. These measurements of the hyperfine intervals allowed the determination of the magnetic …

A Performance-Driven Routing Approach For Mcm-C, Qiong Yu

Masters Theses

In this paper, a new routing methodology for Ceramic MultiChip Module (MCM-C) is presented. In the proposed approach, the routing space is partitioned into several towers and the routing process is decomposed into three phases, namely, routing distribution, terminal assignment, and tower routing. During the routing distribution phase, the routing is uniformly distributed among towers. The locations of nets on the faces of each tower are assigned during the terminal assignment phase whereas the exact paths for the nets in each tower are determined during the tower routing phase.

The existing approaches to MCM routing are extensions of two-dimensional approaches …

Studies Of The Effect Of Hydrophobic Filter Packs In Free Product Hydrocarbon Recovery Wells, Stephen J. Shank

Masters Theses

Most free product hydrocarbon recovery wells are filter packed in order to prevent aquifer material from entering the well and to increase their effective diameter. Historically there are five factors in filter pack designs: grain size, grain shape, mineralogy, uniformity, and the filter pack diameter. Previous laboratory experiments found that filter packs treated with a water repellant chemical could dramatically improve well performance. This adds wettability as a sixth factor.

A desorption experiment was conducted to determine the feasibility of using a chemically treated filter pack in the subsurface. Analytical results of the leachate from the chemically treated sand indicated …

Approaches To And Synthesis Of Chalcone Amides, Gregory S. Marczak

Masters Theses

A series of "chalcone" amides have been prepared. These amides are unique in the position of the substituted hydroxy and methoxy functional groups. Early approaches to the synthesis of the amides proved difficult when preparing intermediates from the phenolic substituents. These phenols were then protected to lead to easier formation of the intermediates, and then deprotected to yield the corresponding chalcone amides. The approaches to the preparation of these compounds is presented, along with the physical data used to characterize the chalcone amides.

Quantitative Analysis Of Steroids By 13C Nmr Spectroscopy, Pei Wang

Masters Theses

Steroids are usually analyzed quantitatively by using HPLC with ultraviolet detection and are confirmed by FTIR, GC-MS. Quantitative ¹³C NMR method provide an alternative means to analyze steroids. Chromatographic separation and subsequent identification by match with a spectroscopic data base spectrum is not required for quantitative analysis of mixture components. Instead, equivalent information is obtained by creating subspectra from resonances with equivalent peak areas within a quantitative NMR spectrum. Techniques for eliminating Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement (NOE) effect is described.

Identification Of Aromatic Acids As Microbial Metabolites Of Fossil-Fuel Compounds Present In Aquifer Systems, Daniel Michael Tomczak

Masters Theses

The identification and quantitation of aromatic acids as transformation products present in contaminated aquifer systems was studied from selected sites. These acids are formed as microbial metabolites in the oxidative degradation of aromatic compounds. The microbial activity in the subsurface can be coupled to the oxidation of the aromatic compounds and the reduction of specific inorganic indicators. Inorganic indicators identified from the sample sites include the reduced forms of iron, nitrate, sulfate, and dissolved oxygen.

The highest concentrations of the aromatic acids were found in the plumes of the contaminated sites. These concentrations also correlated with specific changes in concentrations …

The Relationship Between Basement Structure And Overlying Sediments In The Michigan Basin: A Detailed Gravity Investigation, Mitchell Joseph Gutaj

Masters Theses

A detailed gravity study consisting of 945 measurements was carried out in Branch County, Michigan. The objectives of this study are to determine if: (a) structural trends interpreted from regional gravity data in southwestern Michigan are also observed in a more detailed survey in Branch County and (b) any relationship exists between observed geophysical anomalies, geological structures and overlying basin sediments.

The resulting gravity map indicates that NW-SE, NE-SW, and N-S trends are more clearly identified comprising several elliptical highs and lows. Variations in the isopachs of some of the overlying Phanerozoic formations area are also coincident with gravity anomalies. …

Studies Of Silica As A Polymer Support For Regioselective Reactions On Sucrose, Lei Cheng

Masters Theses

Sucrose is a material that has potential for replacing oil as an industrial feedstock, at least in some instances. A major difficulty in utilizing sucrose is the lack of regioselectivity in its reactions due to the many reactive sites on the sucrose molecule.

This research is part of an attempt to study the technique of molecular recognition in an effort to increase reaction regioselectivity. Molecular recognition by template imprinting should be a way to create a material that would "recognize" and bind to sucrose in such a way as to block certain of the hydroxyl groups on the sucrose. The …

Studies Directed Toward The Synthesis Of Germacranolides Via [2+2] Cycloaddition Followed By Ring Expansion/Elimination Of Β-Lactones, Bryan E. Yates

Masters Theses

Exposure of α-trimethylsilyl β-lactones to magnesium bromide or boron trifluoride etherate in diethyl ether solvent resulted in the smooth generation of β,γ-unsaturated acid derivatives in good yield and isomeric purity. It is believed that this reaction occurs via the formation of a stable tertiary carbocation at the γ-carbon resulting from cleavage of the carbon-oxygen sigma bond due to the complexation of the Lewis acid with the ring oxygen atom. Rapid loss of an adjacent electrofuge then furnishes the unsaturated acids. The β-lactone precursors were prepared by a [2+2] cycloaddition of an aldehyde and an alkyl trimethylsilyl ketene. This method was …

The Synthesis And Characterization Of Ruii(Bpy){(Bpyrm)Ruii(Nh3)4}2](Pf6)6 And [Ruii(Bpy)2(Bpyrm)Ruii(Nh3)4](Pf6)4, Rick Anthony Pavinato

Masters Theses

This thesis describes the synthesis of a trimetallic Ru^II complex [Ru^II(bpy){(bpyrm)Ru^II(NH₃)₄}₂](PF₆)₆ and its bimetallic analog [Ru^II(bpy)₂(bpyrm)Ru^II(NH₃)₄](PF₆)₄. The trimetallic species was designed to be the first in a series of complexes where the reduction potential of the "bridging" complex could be varied (relative to the "terminal" sites) through systematic variation in the metal (M) and/or ligand (LL) … Generation of the [Ru^II-M^II-Ru^III] "mixed-valence" complex would then allow …

Carbonyl Homologation Via Α-Trimethylsilyl Β-Lactone Rearrangement: A Nonbasic Wittig Alternative, Yong Zhang

Masters Theses

Our research group has been interested in β-lactones as useful synthetic intermediates. Transformations of β-lactones, generally ring expansion/opening processes initiated by Lewis acids via ionization/cation-rearrangement or elimination mechanisms, provide efficient protocols for the syntheses of biologically important butyrolactones, β,γ-unsaturated carboxylic acids, or butenolides.

α-Trimethylsilyl β-lactones, synthesized via the BF₃- catalyzed [2+2] cycloaddition of trimethylsilylketene to carbonyl compounds, spontaneously undergo ionization and trimethylsilyl group migration to form α,β-unsaturated trimethylsilyl esters. The trimethylsilyl moiety facilitates the ionization process because of its β-cation stabilizing ability. The two-carbon homologated α,β-unsaturated acids are formed in yields from moderate to high (41-99%) upon aqueous …

Effect Of Reservoir Function On Water Quality And Phytoplankton In Lake Taylorville, Christian County, Illinois, Scott Warren Phipps

Masters Theses

As is true for most reservoirs in agricultural areas, Lake Taylorville is currently impacted by excess sedimentation. A system of floodplain wetlands, holding ponds, and sediment basins is being constructed on the tributaries to the reservoir in effort to reduce sediment and nutrient loads. A comprehensive twelve-month assessment of water quality has been conducted to provide a baseline for evaluating the success of this restoration project and to allow predictions regarding future management strategies.

In reservoirs, a continuum of longitudinal gradients result in the establishment of three distinct zones possessing unique physical, chemical and biological properties. The function of these …

Kinetic And Chemical Modification Studies On Malate Dehydrogenase From E. Coli, Fang Jenny Zhao

Masters Theses

Malate dehydrogenase (MDH) is the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of malate to oxaloacetate in the TCA cycle. The object of this research was to discipher the mechanism of the reaction and the function of the enzyme. MDH from E. Coli was purified and analyzed by chemical modification studies using diethylpyrocarbonate. Results indicate the existence of a histidine residue at the active site necessary for catalysis. From kinetic studies, a group required for catalysis with a pK_a of 8.5 was observed, which we believe to be a histidine residue. These studies indicate that MDH from E. Coli has a …

Macroporous Polymer Synthesis And Characterization: The Role Of Molecular Recognition In The Regioselectivity Of Sucrose Reactions, Gilbert Joshua Matare

Masters Theses

Molecular recognition has recently emerged as a unique technique for making synthetic polymers with selective binding cavities which can stereoselectively and regioselectively bind to a template molecule in a fashion similar to natural enzymes and antibodies. Its industrial applications in chemistry and biomedicine have been recently exploited. Typical examples include the resolution of amino acids, enantio-separation of racemates and bioactive molecules, selective binding of metal ions and in HPLC investigations. Our research is focused on applying molecular recognition studies to improve the regioselectivity of sucrose reactions.

Sucrose is an abundant industrial raw material of immense industrial importance however, its full …

Skin Cancer Diagnosis Using Hierarchical Neural Networks And Fuzzy Logic, Hsi-Chieh Lee

Masters Theses

"Skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States that affects about 600,000 Americans every year, accounts for 1 % of all cancer deaths. Among all, Malignant Melanoma is the most virulent form of skin cancer that is responsible for 75% of all deaths from skin cancer. In 1992, approximately 32,000 people are expected to develop melanoma and about 6,700 will die. However, even malignant melanoma can be treated successfully if detected in the early phase. Therefore, our research goal is to diagnose skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma.

In this study, only the digitized images obtained from color tumor …

Design And Development Of A Heterogeneous Parallel Computing System, Eruch R. Rustomji

Masters Theses

A parallel and distributed processing environment can be defined as one where a set of workstations is configured in a certain topology (such as completely connected linear chain) to simulate the working of a particular parallel architecture. Such an environment provides an extremely useful means of experimenting with parallel algorithms, without the use of expensive dedicated parallel machines.

Several parallel and distributed processing environments exist, such as Parallel Virtual Machine, The Condor System and the Reactive Kernel System/ Cosmic Environment System. Each of these systems has some unique features and limitations. Other systems include p4, Hermes, Linda and Express.

This …

Separation Of Copper And Iron In Natural Waters By Solid-Phase Extraction, Charles Bui

Masters Theses

A separation scheme has been developed by utilizing Solid-Phase Extraction cartridges in order to isolate and characterize the charge of metals and their complexes in natural waters. These species can be analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), and Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry (UVVIS).

This separation scheme would permit the determination of the concentration of metals, as well as providing information about the forms in which the metals exist, e.g., charge of metallic complexes.

Synthetic metal complexes were prepared in the laboratory in order to study the separation scheme as well as trying to understand the binding stability of …

Thermodynamic Properties Of Mixtures Of Aqueous Solutions Of Hydrochloric Acid And Cadmium Chloride, Copper Chloride, Manganese Chloride, And Zinc Chloride, Samia A. Kosa

Masters Theses

The densities of mixtures of aqueous solutions of hydrochloric acid and cadmium chloride, copper chloride, manganese chloride, and zinc chloride have been measured at constant ionic strengths of 1.0 and 3.0 molal at 25 °C. In the case of HCl, CdCl₂ , and ZnCl₂ the literature data were refit using Pitzer' s apparent molal volume equation and the binary solution parameters were determined. Density data were used to determine the volume of mixing (∆V_m). Data from Torok and Berecs were combined with our data for the mixtures with CuCl₂ and MnCl₂. Pitzer's volume …

A Study Of Aquifer Sensitivity And Vulnerability In Kalamazoo County, Michigan Based On Hydrogeologic And Agricultural Factors, Steven Douglas Chidester

Masters Theses

Groundwater in Kalamazoo County, Michigan has been impacted by human activities. This study presents a statistical method for predicting aquifer sensitivity/vulnerability within a glacio-hydrogeologic system.

Computerized data including 3620 water well records with partial chemical analyses, soil surveys, land use maps, and hydrogeologic reports were used to quantify aquifer parameters, nitrate-N contaminant concentrations, soil factors, and agricultural practices. Statistical analyses included simple t-tests , correlation, ANOV A, and multiple regression analyses.

The results indicate that there are statistically significant relationships between nitrate-N concentrations and depth of well submergence, well depth, clay thickness, partial clay thickness, land use, and soil slope. …

Precipitation Dynamics In Kalamazoo, Sw Michigan: A Stable Isotope Perspective, Madhav V. Machavaram

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Optimizing Communication Routing In Parallel Computer Architectures, Nikolaos T. Liolios

Masters Theses

This thesis is a research effort to improve on existing algorithms for processor placement and routing on hypercube and 2d-transputer parallel architectures that perform communications through message propagation. Given a set of processors N, randomly distributed on the parallel computer network, the problem is to find an optimal communication routing that minimizes the number of required links and intermediate processors. It was concluded that the spanning tree is the best starting heuristic for the routing problem. For hypercubes an algorithm was developed that outperforms all algorithms in the literature. For 2d-transputers the method of overlap maximization used in VLSI routing, …

Size Imperfections In One-Dimensional Periodic Optical Arrays, Yan Zhong

Masters Theses

The concepts of band theory for electrons can also be employed to describe the behavior of electromagnetic waves propagating in periodic dielectric structures. These periodic structures can produce photonic band gaps in which the propagation of electromagnetic waves is strictly prohibited. The introduction of impurities in such system gives rise to donor and acceptor gap modes in electron system and to energy gap modes in photonic system.

In my thesis, the impurity modes in one-dimensional, periodic, dielectric system will be studied. These modes are introduced in the 1-d dielectric structure by altering the thickness of one slab in an otherwise …

A Study Of Automated Estimating Of Software Cost, Steven Shouli Wang

Masters Theses

The objectives of this thesis are to survey software cost estimation methods and to discuss how the methods can be applied as conceptual knowledge in a software cost estimation expert database system. The various applications of expert database systems are discussed. Consequently, a new method to approach the software cost estimation has been proposed.

This proposed method is based upon a dozen years of analyzing software cost models which have been done by some dedicated scientists in universities, research organizations, and industry. A CASE tool called IASCE has been designed to assist the project manager to estimate a proposed project …

On Clock Routing Techniques For Vlsi Synchronous Systems, Wasim A. Khan

Masters Theses

The clock signal is vital in maintaining proper dataflow, and thus the total throughput, of a high performance synchronous system.

In this thesis, we develop a clock distribution scheme for high performance systems which maximizes the operating clock frequency. We develop an algorithm which routes a planar clock tree with zero skew, minimum source to sink pathlength, and minimal total wirelength. The algorithm also provides a smooth tradeoff between maximum source to sink pathlength and total wirelength while keeping the clock skew at zero.

In many microprocessor designs, multi-phase clocks are used for improved system design. Routing a multiple clock …

Investigation Of Electron Transfer From Carbonylmetallate Anions To Electron Acceptors, Joseph Kofi Agyin

Masters Theses

This study investigated electron transfer potential of the carbonyl-metallate anions cyclopentadienylirondicarbonyl and methylcyclopentadienyliron-dicarbonyl anions to the electron acceptors 2,2-dinitropropane, 1,1-dinitrocyclohexane, $\alpha$,p-dinitrocumene, methyl cyclopentadienyl-mercury(II) chloride and iodide.

The findings from this study indicated that: (a) the expected products could not be obtained from reactions of the anions with the dinitro-substrates, and (b) the mercurials reacted with the anions but the expected products, (ferrocene and methylferrocene), was the minor product and an unexpected (methyl) cyclopentadienylirondicarbonylmercury(II)-chloride or iodide was the major product.

The Effects Of Composting Of Yard Wastes On The Ground-Water Quality: Wmu Farms Site, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Bryan Kirk Allen

Masters Theses

In the rush to find alternatives to landfilling of yard waste, federal and state agencies have identified composting as the main solution. There is therefore a need to address the possible environmental problems which could be associated with such composting operations. Compost may contain nutrients, organic acids, pesticides, and metals which could leach through soils to the ground water posing a potential contamination problem.

At the WMU Farms Site, two sites have been used for the composting of leaves by the City of Kalamazoo. The physical and chemical hydrogeology of these sites were characterized.

The results suggest that the presence …

Enhanced Retroreflection Of Light From Rough Metal Surfaces, Sivakumar Natarajan

Masters Theses

The optical constants n and k measured by Johnson and Christy (1972) for the noble metals (gold, silver and copper) are used to analyze the relationship between the surface characteristics and the peak height and half-width of the backscattering peak which is observed in the angular distribution of the intensity of diffusely reflected light at a vacuum-metal interface in a direction antiparallel to the original incident beam. Surfaces with surface roughness of heights less than 200 A to 300 A will be considered and a recently developed perturbation treatment will be used in these studies.

The backscattering of light from …