Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Integrated Geophysical Examination Of A Former Refinery Site, Carson City, Michigan, Kennedy Opiyo Mwanda

Masters Theses

Integrated geophysical surveys, including electromagnetic (EM-31), magnetic, dc resistivity, and ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods and soil borings were used to investigate part of a former refinery site in Carson City, Michigan, which has more than a 50-year history of hydrocarbon contamination.

Although not readily evident on the magnetic anomaly maps, the EM-31 conductivity map clearly revealed many sections of buried pipes of various lengths and orientations. Also evident on the EM maps are extensive near surface conductivity anomalies. Soil borings in zones of anomalous conductivities to the west suggest the presence of shallow clays with pooled hydrocarbons at depths …

Inorganic And Organic Chemistry Of The Former Lakeside Refinery In Kalamazoo, Michigan, Kurt W. Carlson

Masters Theses

The focus of this investigation of the Lakeside Refinery site is the inorganic geochemistry because previous investigations concerned organics and heavy metals. Because little nitrate is in native groundwater, high dissolved ammonia immediately downgradient from a petroleum body suggests the source is the petroleum and/or associated byproducts. Iron reduction is most prominent immediately upgradient from the known and measurable petroleum while manganese reduction occurs mostly downgradient. Sulfate reduction occurs mostly towards the southern portion of the light petroleum LNAPL. Based on concentrations of nitrate, manganese, iron and sulfate along a groundwater flow path, there appears to be a sequential use …

Calculating The Conformal Modulus Of Complex Tori And An Application To Graph Theory, Jason Howard

Masters Theses

In 1985 William Thurston conjectured that conformal mappings could be approximated using infintessimal circles. With this, the area of mathematics called Cirle Packing was born. The advantage of this technique is that it gives a computational method of understanding manifolds. In particular, we attempt to gain some insight of complex tori via Circle Packing. In practice, it is difficult to imagine what these tori look like. Computational techniques of Circle Packing will help us visualise these tori as points in moduli space by beginning with an initial triangulation of the torus. We then experiment with triangulations on a set number …

Individual-Based Modeling: Comparing Model Outputs To Telemetry Data With Application To The Florida Panther, Dinesh Raj Sharma

Masters Theses

Mean distance of the locations of an animal from the boundaries of its home range was presented as a measure of its space-use preference. Methods for evaluating the predictive ability of an individual-based model were also presented. These methods were applied to data on the Florida panther and some interesting results were obtained.

A strong negative correlation was observed between age and home range size of the panther, indicating constrained mobility of the panther during its old age. Space-use preference was also highly dependent on age of the panther. A general trend was found for panthers, which indicates they stay …

Microbial Community Structure In Hydrocarbon Impacted Sediment Associated With Anomalous Geophysical Signatures, Joseph W. Duris

Masters Theses

The Crystal Refinery is a former refinery site in Carson City Michigan that has had historic releases of refined and unrefined crude oil dating back to the late 1940's. The contamination of soil with light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPL) has had a dynamic impact on the subsurface environment in adjacent Carson City Park. Very little is known about the complex interactions between microbial communities, geochemistry and geophysics. In order to investigate possible connections between these parameters a multidisciplinary study was undertaken to investigate the hypothesis that the degradation of LNAPL by resident microbial communities causes a local increase in organic …

2p Or Not 2p:The 14o(Α,2p) 16o Reaction Rate And Its Implications On Nova And X-Ray Burst Nucleosynthesis, Luc L. Dessieux, Jr.

Masters Theses

During explosive hydrogen burning, the catalytic CNO cycle suffers depletion by additional thermonuclear capture reactions on the members of the cycle. This "break out" from the β-limited CNO cycle has been suggested to occur in novae and X-ray bursts for temperatures greater than 0.4 GK [3,26,28]. At these temperatures α captures can occur on the CNO waiting point isotopes through the nuclear reactions

¹⁴O(α,p) ¹⁷F, ¹⁵O(α,γ) ¹⁹Ne, and ¹⁸Ne(α,γ) ²¹Na [3]. An additional reaction, ¹⁴O(α,2p)¹⁶O has been suggested as a possible break out path from the CNO cycle [49]. To investigate …

Implementationof Monte Carlo And Numerical Integration Techniques Within An Online Physics Laboratory Environment, Malachi Schram

Masters Theses

A robust and sophisticated online physics laboratory environment has been developed. This environment can handle large data sets and generate realistic experimental results by applying Monte Carlo and numerical integration techniques. The advantages and limitations of both the Flash 5 and Java development environments were explored. Java was chosen for it’s ability to handle large data sets and consequently used to create the Java Laboratory (JLab) environment. Within the online environment two JLabs were created, the ”Online Virtual Nuclear Decay Laboratory” and the ”Online Virtual Stern-Gerlach Laboratory”. These laboratories teach students how to manipulate experimental parameters, take data, and use …

Mechanistic Studies On The Antagonistic Effect Of Chromium On Bpde Mutant Frequency In Human Fibroblasts, Felicia Codrea

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible mechanisms involved in the decrease in mutant frequency when cells are treated with two different types of carcinogens: chromium (VI) in combination with benzo(a)pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE). Three of our working hypotheses are: Cr alone or Cr and BPDE synergistically activate detoxifying enzyme glutathione-S-transferase (GST), Cr alone or Cr and BPDE act synergistically to inhibit cell cycle at the G₁/S boundary thus allowing more time for DNA repair, and Cr alone or Cr and BPDE synergistically activate DNA repair systems which result in more efficient repair of DNA …

Reaclibalive! (Reaclib Rate Library Interactive Viewer): A Software Package For Graphical Analysis Of Nuclear Reaction Rates For Astrophysics, Eric J. Lingerfelt

Masters Theses

Nucleosynthesis occurs in such diverse astrophysical phenomena as ordinary stars, like our own Sun, supernovae, novae, X-ray bursts, and the Big Bang. Large sets of nuclear reaction rates for hundreds of seed isotopes are utilized in simulations of these nucleosynthesis processes. A cross-platform, Java software package called REACLIB aLIVe! has been developed with intuitive graphical interfaces and interactive controls to produce custom one-dimensional plots of reaction rates. The points used for these plots are calculated from exponential fits whose parameters, along with other quantities, make up the REACLIB Nuclear Reaction Rate Library. The software offers nuclear astrophysicists the capability to …

Neural Supernets: Structuring Artificial Neural Networks According To Cluster Analysis, Simon Lucas Winberg

Masters Theses

A typical feed forward neural network relies solely on its training algorithm, such as backprop or quickprop, to determine suitable weight values for an architecture chosen by the human operator. The architecture itself is typically a fully connected structuring of neurons and synapses where each hidden neuron is connected to every neuron in the next layer. Such architecture does not reflect the structure of the data used to train it. Similarly, in the case where random initial weight values are used, these initial weights are also unlikely to relate to the training set. Thus the job of the training algorithm …

Single-Molecule Imaging With A Custom-Built Fluorescence Microscope, David Allan Ball

Masters Theses

An apparatus for single-molecule imaging was constructed and used to examine nanomolar solutions of Bodipy Texas Red in water. The illumination source for this microscope is a synchronously pumped dye laser operating at a wavelength of 585 nm. The beam can easily be switched to give total internal reflection or wide field epi-illumination excitation of the sample. The instrument also has the capability of being used for single-molecule detection by confocal epiillumination and for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Movies of single molecules were analyzed using custom software written in Matlab. Molecules stuck to the surface revealed fluctuations in intensity, or blinking, …

Metal Ion Separation Mediated By Organized Molecular Assemblies, Hong Cao

Masters Theses

We have investigated the separation of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) by the ligands 8-hydroxyquinoline- 5-sulfonic acid and 7-iodo-8-hydroxy-quinoline- 5-sulfonic acid in the presence of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the cationic surfactant octyltrimethylammonium bromide (OTAB) . Baseline separations have been achieved by HPLC employing an octadecylsilanized silica (ODS) column. The underlying mechanisms of separation have been determined.

The significant new results of our studies are: (1) separation is not possible without the presence of surfactants and hence organized assemblies; (2) separations can be achieved under submicellar concentrations; (3) the separations are not driven by micelles; and …

Studies Towards Anti-Bredt Ring Systems Of Natural Products, Ulf Peters

Masters Theses

Different ways for the synthesis of anti-Bredt ring systems of natural products have been explored.

An intended Favorskii rearrangement-divinylcyclopropane rearrangement to lead to the bicyclo[4.3.1] decadiene ring system was not accomplished. An envisioned tandem cyclopropanation-divinycyclopropane rearrangement of 2,3-divinyhex-2-enol did not furnish the desired bicyclo[4.4.1]undecadiene system, either, because cyclopropane occurred on the exocyclic double bond.

In the course of cyclopropanation studies on various cyclohexenols, an α-silyl-α-diazoethyl acetate was employed as tether. It could be removed by protodesilylation or oxidative cleavage to give a 1-(carboxylic ester)-cyclopropane or a 1-(carboxylic easter)-1-hydroxy cyclopropane derivative, respectively. Cyclopropanation general occurred on the less substituted more …

The Role Of Groundwater And Surface Water Interaction In The Development Of A 1,4-Dioxane Plume In Scio Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan, James W. Brode

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that groundwater and surface water interaction resulted in the development a 1,4-dioxane plume in a glacial aquifer in Scio Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan.

An industrial solvent, 1,4-dioxane, was detected in the groundwater in the area of study in 1986. This area, referred to in this investigation as the Western Plume, is one of several 1,4-dioxane plumes associated with the Pall/Gelman Sciences Inc. (P/GSI) site, an extensively investigated site of groundwater contamination.

1,4-Dioxane in the Western Plume area was initially believed to be the result of contaminated groundwater transported from a …

Multiple Isotopic Investigation Of Lake Sediments From Northern India, Alice Mwanda

Masters Theses

Stable isotopes ratio of lake sediments can provide valuable environmental information. This possibility has been investigated using radiocarbon dated fossil lake sediments from the Himalayan region of Northern India. The chronology was established using Radiocarbon dating of both organic and inorganic fractions using (AMS). Inorganic ages are older than organic ages. Organic ages are expected to increase stratigraphically, however several anomalous old ages are found in the younger part of the sediments. Final chronology, determined using selected sensible ages identified two periods of sedimentation. The high sedimentation period is characterized by sedimentation rate of 0.8cm/yr and it fairly coincides with …

N-Person Cooperative Game Theory Solutions, Coalitions, And Applications, Ragan Nicole Brackin

Masters Theses

This study explores the topic of N-person cooperative game theory. The following paper begins with an introduction to the basic definitions and the- orems of game theory. These definitions and theorems are then used to in- troduce various solution methods and methods of coalition formation. These results are then applied to the airport game, to the supplier-firm-buyer game, and to evolutionary games.

Design And Simulation Of Self-Organizing Microbial Cellular Automata, Michael Patrick Campfield

Masters Theses

This paper discusses the design and implementation of cellular automata based on the alteration of genetic sequences in bacteria. The work is composed of five chapters covering the problem, the system’s design, the software simulation of the system and future issues on the problem. The section covering the problem explores the reasons for this work as well as issues that this work solves. The section covering system design details the modified genetic sequences and the algorithm that these sequences implement. The simulation section describes the layout of an experiment along with the test cases experimented on. Finally, the future work …

Using The Maple Computer Algebra System As A Tool For Studying Group Theory, Thomas Edmond Cooper, Iii

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to show that computers can be powerful tools for studying group theory. Specifically the author examined ways that the computer algebra system Maple can be used to assist in the study of group theory. The study consists of four main parts.

After a brief introduction in chapter one, chapter two discusses simple procedures written by the author to study small finite groups. These procedures rely on the fact that for small finite groups, the elements can all be stored on a computer and tested for various properties. All of the procedures are contained in …

Defining The Hayesville–Soque River And Allatoona Faults And An Ordovician Arc Assemblage Within The Central Blue Ridge Northwest Of Dahlonega, Georgia, David Jonathan Settles

Masters Theses

The goal of this research within the central Blue Ridge northwest of Dahlonega, Georgia, is to provide new information toward better understanding of the Allatoona(?)/ Hayesville/Gossan Lead fault and terrane boundary, and to provide convincing evidence of Ordovician arc-related igneous activity. The Hayesville-Soque River and Allatoona faults separate three distinct tectonostratigraphic assemblages in this area: the Coweeta Group, Great Smoky Group, and Dahlonega gold belt. The gold belt here contains metasandstone, pelitic schist, and mafic rocks of the Otto Formation and the Sally Free mafic complex, while the Great Smoky Group contains metasandstone and pelitic schist with abundant calc-silicate. The …

Third Order Opial Inequalities, Brandi Michelle Gierhart

Masters Theses

The purpose of the thesis was to find extremals y and constants K for a basic problem and for several variations of the problem. The basic problem was the third order opial inequality. We proved the existence of an extremal of this problem and other related problems. We conjectured that the extremal was a quintic spline with at most one knot, then found the quintic splines and constants for the basic problem and several variations. Maple was an important tool in finding these extremals and constants due to the complexity of the equations. We also proved that these extremals can …

Single-Molecule Detection, Wesley Carlton Parker

Masters Theses

Single-molecule detection (SMD) provides a practical method of examining the behavior of individual molecules. This has application both for fundamental studies of particle dynamics such as diffusion in solutions, and for bio-technology applications such as DNA sequencing.

In this thesis I discuss two confocal epi-illumination microscopes constructed at UTSI and used for single-molecule detection and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Examples of data collected from experiments using each instrument is presented in which solutions of the fluorescent dye sulforhodamine 101 are analyzed. An example of the use of the instrument to detect fluorescence quenching is also presented.

Design And Implementation Of The L-Bone And Logistical Tools, Edward Scott Atchley

Masters Theses

The purpose of this paper is to outline the design criteria and implementation of the Logistical Backbone (L-Bone) and the Logistical Tools. These tools, along with IBP and the exNode Library, allow storage to be used as a network resource. These are components of the Network Storage Stack, a design by the Logistical Computing and Internetworking Lab at the University of Tennessee. Having storage as a network resource enables users to do many things that are either difficult or not possible today, such as moving and sharing very large files across administrative domains, improving performance through caching and improving fault-tolerance …

On A Grid-Based Interface To A Special-Purpose Hardware Cluster, Jeanne Marie Lehrter

Masters Theses

Grid computing is an important and useful tool that enables resource sharing within a computational community. In the grid computing model, each node of the grid is a computational resource that may be used by applications residing on other nodes of the grid or on machines outside of the grid. To make grid computing more accessible to all users, the Innovative Computing Lab on campus at the University of Tennessee has produced a software package called NetSolve. NetSolve is a client-server application that defines interfaces for accessing and utilizing the software and hardware resources of the nodes in the grid …

Stratigraphic Analysis Of Diamicton Units In Southern Allegan County, Michigan, Shannon A. Wong

Masters Theses

Two diamicton units from the southern Allegan County, Michigan lakeshore bluffs were identified and differentiated through clay mineralogy by analysis of 7 /10A peak-height ratios and the 2-80 mm crystalline fraction from pebble count results. t-Tests indicate the two units are significantly different. These two units are correlated with the Saugatuck and the Ganges tills of southwest Michigan based on similarities in stratigraphic position and lithologic description as described by Monaghan et al. (1986). Other diamicton samples were collected throughout southwest Michigan, near Moline, Otsego, Bloomingdale, Gobles, and Decatur. In correlating the Saugatuck and the Ganges tills to their inland …

Determining Flow Type In A Carbonate Bedrock Aquifer, Presque Isle County, Michigan, Bonny Armstrong

Masters Theses

Presque Isle County, Michigan, has a long history of ground water quality problems. Aquifer contamination is most likely the result of large fractures in the bedrock allowing surface water to rapidly reach ground water. The purpose of the study is to l) perform a geochemical investigation of ground water in the bedrock aquifer, 2) suggest the type of ground water flow system present in the study area and characterize the aquifer type, and 3) suggest how the flow system might affect the behavior and transport of contaminants.

Water samples were collected from sixteen wells in the Genshaw Formation, three wells …

Electrical Resistivity Tomography And Induced Polarization Techniques With Paired Vertical Resistivity Probes, Adrian Ezeagu

Masters Theses

The aim of this research is to use electrical resistivity and induced polarization (IP) techniques to image in detail the vertical and lateral distribution of resistivity and chargeability in the subsurface region between two or more boreholes. The method involves installing electrodes mounted on PVC pipes in the boreholes. The distribution of resistivity and chargeability around the boreholes is then calculated. The large number of measurements taken is then inverted to produce tomographs or images showing subsurface distribution of resistivity and chargeability. Four cross-hole measurement arrays (pole-pole, dipole-pole dipole-dipole and pole-dipole) were employed in acquiring tomographic data. The tomographs produced …

Separation Of Enantiomers With Chiral Dendrimer, Jie Zhuang

Masters Theses

Chiral dendrimers with .unique ordered structures are especially attractive for the recognition of chiral molecules based on the three point contact model. We have successfully synthesized first generation chiral dendrimers containing L- and D- tryptophan methyl ester moieties and characterized them by NMR, IR, UV-Visible, MS, and optical activity. L-tryptophan methyl ester dendrimer was converted to its acid form in order to attach it to aminopropyl silica for the HPLC separation of enantiomers. The aminopropyl silica containing 1.52mmols/g of NH₂ groups binds about 0.3mmols of dendrimer per gram and has about 0.4mmols of free NH₂ groups per gram. …

A Web Content Management And Personalization Model Using One-To-One Strategy For Higher Educational Institutions, Yee Pong Ng

Masters Theses

This research explored a Web content management and personalization model for higher educational institutions. Through a review of literature and data collected from users, it formulated a conceptual model for Web content management and personalization. The study used the Web site of School of Technology at Eastern Illinois University as a typical case from which to develop the model for higher educational institutions. Understanding the factors influencing user attitudes about the adoption of new Web technologies is extremely important. Such an understanding can help Web developers develop a theoretical framework for a Web model as well as identify its components. …

Stratigraphy And Diagenesis Of The Paleoproterozoic Bushy Park Zinc-Lead Deposit, South Africa, William Daniel Baugaard

Masters Theses

“The Bushy Park zinc-lead deposit is located in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. The sulfides are hosted by karst-related breccias that were formed in carbonate shelf deposits of the Neoarchean (2.55 Ga) Campbellrand Subgroup. These rocks are dolomitized completely and silicified partially but have not undergone major metamorphism and thus display remarkable preservation of depositional fabrics. The stratigraphic interval includes the Papkuil and Klippan Formations (> 210 m), a sequence of cyclic microbial laminates interbedded with domed and columnar stromatolites. The Klippan is distinguished from other formations b intense silicification and brecciation. These strata are overlain by the Kogelbeen …

Glass Transition Behavior Of Thin Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Films On Silica, Moses T. Kabomo

Masters Theses

"Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC) was used to study the glass transition behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) adsorbed onto silica substrates from toluene. Untreated fumed amorphous silica and silica treated with hexamethyldisilazane were used for the adsorption to probe the effect of polymer- substrate interactions. To test the effect of molecular weight on the T_g of adsorbed polymers, low polydispersity PMMA samples of varying molecular weights were used. The results revealed a broadening of the glass transition towards high temperatures. The observed increase in the glass transition breadth varied with adsorbed amount and the type of silica used for …