Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Insights Into Sulfonated Phthalocyanines; Insights Into Anionic Tetraaryl Porphyrins; Irradiation Of Cationic Metalloporphyrins Bound To Dna, Anila Fiaz Gill

Chemistry Dissertations

Sulfonated porphyrins and phthalocyanines have been under consideration as microbicides, compounds which, when used in a topical formulation, can prevent transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus. Our studies have been directed toward the characterization of members of these classes. For the sulfonated phthalocyanines, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry was helpful in determining the extent of sulfonation. We present the first report of spectroscopic characterization of a pentasulfonated phthalocyanine. Capillary electrophoresis data were sensitive to the concentration of the compounds (Chapter 1). Mass spectrometry was also very useful for establishing the extent of sulfonation in series of sulfonated porphyrins. Capillary …

Synthesis Of Boronic Acid Based Sensors For Glucose And Sialic Acid And Synthesis Of Novel And Selective Pde4 Enzyme Inhibitors, Gurpreet Kaur

Chemistry Dissertations

The boronic acid functional group is known to bind compounds with the diol group tightly and reversibly in aqueous environment and has been used as a recognition moiety for the design of carbohydrate sensors. The first chapter of the dissertation studies the synthesis and substitution effect on the affinity and selectivity of a known boronic acid-based glucose sensor. In such a sensor design effort, the availability of a signaling event, whether it is fluorescence or UV, is crucial. The second chapter studies the detailed mechanism on how a well-known fluorescent boronic acid compound changes fluorescent properties upon binding. A new …

Selective Recognition Of Quadruplex Dna By Small Molecules, Elizabeth W. White

Chemistry Dissertations

Structure-specific recognition of nucleic acids is a promising method to reduce the size of the recognition unit required to achieve the necessary selectivity and binding affinity for small molecules. It has been demonstrated recently that G-quadruplex DNA structures can be targeted by organic cations in a structure-specific manner. Structural targets of quadruplexes include the planar end surfaces of the G-tetrad stacked columns as well as four grooves. The significant structural differences between quadruplex DNA and duplex DNA make quadruplex DNA a very attractive target for highly selective, structure-specific drug design. We have used a variety of biophysical techniques including circular …

A Domain Based Approach To Crawl The Hidden Web, Milan Pandya

Computer Science Theses

There is a lot of research work being performed on indexing the Web. More and more sophisticated Web crawlers are been designed to search and index the Web faster. But all these traditional crawlers crawl only the part of Web we call “Surface Web”. They are unable to crawl the hidden portion of the Web. These traditional crawlers retrieve contents only from surface Web pages which are just a set of Web pages linked by some hyperlinks and ignoring the hidden information. Hence, they ignore tremendous amount of information hidden behind these search forms in Web pages. Most of the …

Dct Implementation On Gpu, Serpil Tokdemir

Computer Science Theses

There has been a great progress in the field of graphics processors. Since, there is no rise in the speed of the normal CPU processors; Designers are coming up with multi-core, parallel processors. Because of their popularity in parallel processing, GPUs are becoming more and more attractive for many applications. With the increasing demand in utilizing GPUs, there is a great need to develop operating systems that handle the GPU to full capacity. GPUs offer a very efficient environment for many image processing applications. This thesis explores the processing power of GPUs for digital image compression using Discrete cosine transform.

The X-Ray Variability Of Seyfert Galaxies, Kevin Marshall

Physics and Astronomy Dissertations

Strong and variable X-ray emission has long been known to be a universal property of active galaxies. However, despite years of study, the exact nature of the variability remains relatively unknown. We present here results of a multi-year monitoring campaign of a sample of Seyfert galaxies (3C 120, Mkn 509, 3C 390.3, and Akn 120), carried out using the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). For Mkn 509, we also present results of optical monitoring. Mkn 509 shows a strong correlation between X-ray and optical variations, with the optical leading the X-ray by 25 days. We also investigate the rms-flux relationship …

Spectrally Arbitrary Tree Sign Pattern Matrices, Krishna Kaphle

Mathematics Theses

A sign pattern (matrix) is a matrix whose entries are from the set {+,–, 0}. A sign pattern matrix A is a spectrally arbitrary pattern if for every monic real polynomial p(x) of degree n there exists a real matrix B whose entries agree in sign with A such that the characteristic polynomial of B is p(x). All 3 × 3 SAP's, as well as tree sign patterns with star graphs that are SAP's, have already been characterized. We investigate tridiagonal sign patterns of order 4. All irreducible tridiagonal SAP's are identified. Necessary and sufficient conditions for an irreducible tridiagonal …

Design An Object-Oriented Home Inspection Application For A Portable Device, Dion M. Collier

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Recent advancements in the personal digital assistant (PDA) Windows application programming methodology made it easier to develop PDA applications. The release of the Microsoft® Visual Studio 2005 .NET incorporated handheld programming support while the Microsoft® Mobile® 5.0 operating system dramatically improved the PDA's operation and hardware configuration. This paper researches and analyzes object-oriented languages, relational database and dynamic report generation technologies for the PDA as they apply to the development of a professional home inspection application. The focus of this paper is on the implementation of the most advanced PDA technologies for a high-end database PDA application design.

Spatial Analysis Of Substantiated Child Maltreatment In Metro Atlanta, Georgia, Yueqin Zhou

Geosciences Theses

Identifying high-risk areas for child maltreatment to ultimately aid public health agencies for interventions is necessary for protecting children at high risk. Rates of substantiated neglect and physical/emotional abuse in 2000-2002 are computed for the census tracts in the urban area of five counties in Metro Atlanta, Georgia, and analyzed using spatial regression to determine their relationships with twelve risk variables computed from the Vital Records births and the 2000 Census data. After accounting for multicollinearity among risk variables and spatial autocorrelation among observations for neighboring locations, it is found that high percentages of (1) births to non-married mothers, (2) …

Synthesis And Optical Properties Of Four Oligothiophene-Ruthenium Complexes And Synthesis Of A Bidentate Ligand For C-F Bond Activation, Joseph S. Bair

Theses and Dissertations

Photovoltaic cells and fluorescence sensing are two important areas of research in chemistry. The combination of photon-activated electron donors with electron acceptors provides a strong platform for the study of optical devices. A series of four oligothiophene-ruthenium complexes has been synthesized. Variation in oligothiophene length and bipyridine substitution allowed comparison of these variables on electronic properties. The longer oligothiophenes display lower energy absorption and emission compared to the shorter ones. Aromatic conjugation appears more complete with para-, rather than meta-, substitution. Oligothiophenes and Ru(bpy)32+ are highly fluorescent individually, but fluorescence is quenched when connected. Bonds of carbon to fluorine are …

Lyapunov Exponents For Small Aspect Ratio Rayleigh-Benard Convection, Janet Scheel, M. Cross

Janet D. Scheel

Leading order Lyapunov exponents and their corresponding eigenvectors have been computed numerically for small aspect ratio, three-dimensional Rayleigh-Benard convection cells with no-slip boundary conditions. The parameters are the same as those used by Ahlers and Behringer [Phys. Rev. Lett. 40, 712 (1978)] and Gollub and Benson [J. Fluid Mech. 100, 449 (1980)] in their work on a periodic time dependence in Rayleigh-Benard convection cells. Our work confirms that the dynamics in these cells truly are chaotic as defined by a positive Lyapunov exponent. The time evolution of the leading order Lyapunov eigenvector in the chaotic regime will also be discussed. …

Generalized Differentiation Of Parameter-Dependent Sets And Mappings, Boris S. Mordukhovich, Bingwu Wang

Mathematics Research Reports

The paper concerns new aspects of generalized differentiation theory that plays a crucial role in many areas of modern variational analysis, optimization, and their applications. In contrast to the majority of previous developments, we focus here on generalized differentiation of parameter-dependent objects (sets, set-valued mappings, and nonsmooth functions), which naturally appear, e.g., in parametric optimization and related topics. The basic generalized differential constructions needed in this case are different for those known in parameter-independent settings, while they still enjoy comprehensive calculus rules developed in this paper.

Optimal Control Of Nonconvex Differential Inclusions, Boris S. Mordukhovich

Mathematics Research Reports

The paper concerns new aspects of generalized differentiation theory that plays a crucial role in many areas of modern variational analysis, optimization, and their applications. In contrast to the majority of previous developments, we focus here on generalized differentiation of parameter-dependent objects (sets, set-valued mappings, and nonsmooth functions), which naturally appear, e.g., in parametric optimization and related topics. The basic generalized differential constructions needed in this case are different for those known in parameter-independent settings, while they still enjoy comprehensive calculus rules developed in this paper.

Spatial And Temporal Variation In Cores From Lake Titicaca, Bolivia/Peru During The Last 13,000 Years, Sherilyn C. Fritz, P. A. Baker, P. Tapia, J. Garland

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Faculty Publications

We compared the stratigraphy of sediment cores that span the last 13,000 yrs from three sites in the main basin of Lake Titicaca, Boliva/Peru as indicators of regional paleoclimate. The cores show similar patterns of change after ~6,400 calendar yrs before present (cal yr BP) but differ before that time. Site NE98-PC2, which is near the Rio Illave and its delta, shows differences in diatom species composition and in calcium carbonate concentrations relative to cores from the other two sites, particularly during times of inferred high precipitation. In contrast, the carbon isotopic stratigraphy of the three sites is relatively similar. …

The Effects Of Fast Secondary Electrons On Low Voltage Electron Beam Lithography, Mehdi Bolorizadeh

Doctoral Dissertations

In 1981 Prof. Sir Alec Broers suggested that the spatial limit of direct writing electron beam lithography (DWEBL) would be limited to ~10 nm by the laterally scattered fast secondary electrons (FSE) even in atomically thin resist. Experiments and simulations have been carried out to quantify the contribution of FSE to the energy deposition that results in exposure of the resist over high beam energies. One possible solution to this restriction would be to use low energy electrons.

To examine Broers' hypothesis in low voltage electron beam lithography (EBL), studies in the low energy range on the effects of FSE …

Linear And Nonlinear Chiroptical Effects, Watheq Ahmad Al-Basheer

Doctoral Dissertations

Chiroptical effects of linear and nonlinear nature are investigated by employing a variety of spectroscopic methods, such as linear and nonlinear circular dichroism, optical rotation, vibrational Raman scattering, infrared absorption and Vibrational Circular Dichroism. (2+1) Resonance Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization Circular Dichroism (REMPICD) is a direct demonstration of the nonlinear chiroptical effects of a sample of R-(+)-3-methylcyclopentanone. Solvent effects on circular dichroism is studied for 35 common solvents, which is significantly attributed to the solute- solvent electrostatic and Van der waals interactions for CD and ORD of R3MCP. Hartree-Fock and Density Function Theoretical calculations of R3MCP CD and …

Combined Study Of Reactor And Terrestrial Antineutrinos With Kamland, Mikhail Batygov

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents a combined study of antineutrinos of terrestrial and reactor origin detected by Kamioka Liquid scintillator Anti-Neutrino Detector (KamLAND). Of special physical interest are neutrino oscillation parameters and the terrestrial antineutrino flux, the former being of a profound importance for new physics beyond the Standard Model, and the latter having significant implications for geophysics. The analysis described here uses a comprehensive likelihood model to naturally combine terrestrial and reactor antineutrino studies within a single framework. The use of this likelihood model and better event reconstruction tools allowed to obtain narrower limits for the oscillation parameters and the terrestrial …

Interference Effects Among J = 3/2+ Resonances In 19Ne System & Searching For Resonances In The Unbound 6Be Nucleus, Kyung Yuk Chae

Doctoral Dissertations

The ¹⁸F(p,α)¹⁵O reaction plays a crucial role in understanding γ-ray emission from novae. Because of the importance of understanding the ¹⁸F + p reactions, a number of studies of the A=19 isobars have been made using stable and exotic beams. The interference effects among J ^π = 3/2⁺ resonances in the ¹⁸F + p system, however, have never been measured, but they can change the S-factor by a factor of 20 at nova energies. R-matrix calculations indicate that the cross sections above the Ec.m. = 665 keV resonance are sensitive …

Single-Molecule Detection With Active Transport, David Allan Ball

Doctoral Dissertations

A glass capillary is used near the focal region of a custom-built confocal microscope to investigate the use of active transport for single-molecule detection in solution, with both one and two-photon laser excitation. The capillary tip has a diameter of several microns and is carefully aligned nearby to the sub-micron laser beam waist, collinear to the optical axis, so that a negative pressure-difference causes molecules to be drawn into the capillary, along the laser beam axis. The flow of solution, which is characterized by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), can increase the single-molecule detection rate for slowly diffusing proteins by over …

Thermodynamic And Neutron Structural Studies Of Hydrocarbon Adsorption On Mgo Nanocubes, Richard E. Cook

Doctoral Dissertations

Presented is a series of thermodynamic and neutron scattering experiments used to probe the nature of the hydrocarbon - MgO (100) interaction. High-resolution volumetric isotherms are used to probe the wetting, layer transitions, heats of adsorption, two-dimensional compressibilities, and identify possible phase transitions of thin films of benzene, ethane, and n - pentane on MgO powders. Neutron diffraction experiments were used to probe the structure and identify any phase transitions within monolayer films of ethane, butane and n -pentane.

Benzene adsorption, while showing no visible layering steps, shows a shift in the shape of the isotherm for p/p_o > 0.7. …

Characterization Of Aβ Aggregates Using Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry, Maolian Chen

Doctoral Dissertations

The work presented in this dissertation aimed to localize the hydrogen-bonding interaction sites within Aβ aggregates associated with Alzheimer’s disease using hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) coupled with proteolysis. Toward this end, an on-line digestion system utilizing a triaxial electrospray probe as the front end to MS was developed. Using this approach, regions of Aβ(1-40) fibrils and protofibrils that are protected from HDX have been identified. The HDX data show that the C-terminal segment 35-40 and the N-terminal segment 1-19 are highly exposed to exchange in both fibrils and protofibrils, while the internal fragment 20-34 is highly protected from exchange …

Management Of Requirements Changes In Sequence-Based Software Specifications, Lan Lin

Doctoral Dissertations

The sequence-based software specification method was developed to convert ordinary, or typical requirements and requirements statements into mathematically precise specifications, at an acceptable level of abstraction, for deterministic systems. In view of the iterative nature of modern software developing process, requirements, once defined, are not frozen; changes are integrated continuously that need to be accommodated and validated.

The need for managing changes of requirements in sequence-based specifications arises both as a consequence of practicing this method and as a general topic in software requirements engineering. In this research we have explored the theoretical consequences of three major requirements changes in …

The Reaction Of Telechelic Polymers At Multicomponent Interfaces: A Molecular Loop Study, James Kevin Rice

Doctoral Dissertations

The work presented in this dissertation attempts to form an understanding of the reaction parameters that govern the reaction of telechelic polymers to form multiply bound polymer chains, resulting in polymer loop formation, at both soft and hard polymeric interfaces. Both theoretical and experimental studies offer evidence that blocky copolymers, as opposed to random or alternating morphologies, are the best compatibilizers of a given polymer blend system. This has been attributed to the fact that blocky copolymers spread across the interface, with each block lying in or near the homopolymer region in which it is miscible, effectively “stitching” the interface …

Measurement Of The 32S(P,D)31S Reaction And Its Astrophysical Implications, Zhanwen Ma

Doctoral Dissertations

The ³⁰P(p,γ)³¹S reaction plays a crucial role in the synthesis of heavier nuclear species, from Si to Ca, in nova outbursts on ONe White Dwarfs [26, 28, 35]. However, its rate is very uncertain as a result of the lack of spectroscopic information on the levels above proton threshold in ³¹S. The currently adopted rate of this reaction, based on statistical Hauser-Feshbach calculations [36], could have an uncertainty as much as a factor of 100 higher or lower under nova conditions [26].

To reduce these uncertainties, we have measured differential cross sections for the ³²S(p,d) …

Multiple Approaches To The Separation Of Amino Acids And Biologically-Relevant Compounds, Lance Andrew Riddle

Doctoral Dissertations

The branch of analytical chemistry known as separations has continued to grow and expand ever since its beginnings a century ago. With all the technological advances occurring to make separations a more powerful technique, the main goal continues to be the desired separation of the compounds of interest in a mixture. Although a desired separation may be achieved, there can always be room for improvement with regards to the time necessary for the separation as well as better resolution of closely-related species as well as enantiomers of the same analyte.

In this work, a variety of separation methods and variations …

Synthesis And Radiolabeling Of Potassium Trifluoroborate Benzylidene Anabaseine Derivatives, Aaron Landon Smith

Doctoral Dissertations

Anabaseine has demonstrated a high, non-selective, affinity for the α7- bungarotoxin sensitive neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding site found in small cell lung carcinoma. The benzylidene anabaseine derivatives of anabaseine have shown a selective affinity for these binding sites. These studies suggest that radiolabeled benzylidene anabaseine derivatives could act as potential imaging agents to aid in the early detection of lung cancer.

This dissertation outlines the strategy and methods employed in the synthesis of a family of potassium trifluoroborate derivatives of benzylidene anabaseine and their subsequent halogenation. Two of the trifluoroborate salts were converted to their radiolabeled analogues for potential …

Scheduling Tasks With Precedence Constraints On Heterogeneous Distributed Computing Systems, Zhiao Shi

Doctoral Dissertations

Efficient scheduling is essential to exploit the tremendous potential of high performance computing systems. Scheduling tasks with precedence constraints is a well studied problem and a number of heuristics have been proposed.

In this thesis, we first consider the problem of scheduling task graphs in heterogeneous distributed computing systems (HDCS) where the processors have different capabilities. A novel, list scheduling-based algorithm to deal with this particular situation is proposed. The algorithm takes into account the resource scarcity when assigning the task node weights. It incorporates the average communication cost between the scheduling node and its node when computing the Earliest …

Toral Algebraic Sets And Function Theory On Polydisks, Jim Agler, John E. Mccarthy, Mark Stankus

Mathematics

A toral algebraic set A is an algebraic set in Cⁿ whose intersection with Tⁿ is sufficiently large to determine the holomorphic functions on A. We develop the theory of these sets, and give a number of applications to function theory in several variables and operator theoretic model theory. In particular, we show that the uniqueness set for an extremal Pick problem on the bidisk is a toral algebraic set, that rational inner functions have zero sets whose irreducible components are not toral, and that the model theory for a commuting pair of contractions with finite defect …

Law Of The Sea Cruise To Map The Western Insular Margin And 2500-M Isobath Of Guam And The Northern Mariana Islands. Cruise Report, James V. Gardner

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

U.S. Law of the Sea cruise to map the western insular margin and 2500-m isobath of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

CRUISE BD06-1

October 13, to November 12, 2006

Naha, Okinawa, Japan to Apra Harbor, Guam

Adopt A Graduate, Verlyn R. Benson

Public Document Archive

An early draft of the #01 Dean's Letter for the College of Technology, Intended to go out December of 2006.