Individuals with various lower-limb neuromuscular and musculoskeletal impairments are often prescribed passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthoses (PD-AFOs) to compensate for impaired ankle muscle weakness. Several studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of PD-AFOs on pathological gait, but few studies have examined the influence of the AFO stiffness characteristics on gait performance. One challenge to performing such studies is the difficulty of manufacturing custom AFOs with a wide range of controlled stiffness levels. However, selective laser sintering (SLS) is a well-suited additive manufacturing technique for generating subject-specific PD-AFOs of varied stiffness. Therefore, the overall goal of this study was to use SLS manufactured PD-AFOs to identify the relationships between AFO stiffness and gait performance in patients with various lower-limb neuromuscular and musculoskeletal impairments. Six subjects with unilateral impairments were enrolled in this study. For each subject, one subject-specific PD-AFO equivalent to the subject’s clinically prescribed carbon fiber PD-AFO (nominal), one 20% more compliant and one 20% more stiff were manufactured using SLS. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected from each subject while ambulating with each PD-AFO at two different speeds to allow a comprehensive biomechanical analysis to assess the influence of PD-AFO stiffness on gait performance. The results showed that in the compliant AFO condition, the AFO limb vertical ground reaction force (GRF) impulse during loading and the non-AFO limb medial GRF impulse during push-off decreased. In addition, the AFO limb braking GRF impulse during loading and the non-AFO limb braking GRF impulse in early single-limb stance decreased. Furthermore, in the compliant AFO condition, negative knee work during early single-limb stance increased while positive hip work in early swing decreased in the AFO limb. Overall, as AFO stiffness decreased, the AFO limb contributed less to body support and braking. In addition, a decreased medial GRF impulse coupled with an increased vertical GRF impulse during non-AFO single-limb stance suggests that walking stability may be compromised as AFO stiffness decreases. Thus, a tradeoff may exist between preserving stability and increasing net propulsion, which should be considered when assessing the mobility needs of individuals prescribed PD-AFOs as a result of various neuromuscular and musculoskeletal impairments. / text

This dissertation seeks to improve our understanding of the process by which citizens' selective exposure contributes to attitudinal polarization and engagement in political activities. In this dissertation, I test two models that explicate the relationship between selective exposure and political polarization and participation. The knowledge model suggests that the effects of selective exposure on individuals' attitudinal polarization and political engagement are mediated by knowledge of candidate issue stances. The stereotype model proposes that selective exposure indirectly influences polarized attitudes and political participation via stereotypical perceptions of candidates (i.e., McCain's age and the prospect of a Black presidency). By posing issue knowledge and stereotypical perceptions as potential mediators, this study extends current literature to analyze why and how selective exposure leads to polarization and political participation. The results provide evidence that selective exposure influences individuals' stereotypical perceptions of the candidates' age and race, and these stereotypic perceptions influence attitudinal polarization and participation in campaign activities. There was no support for the knowledge model; selective exposure did not have a significant relationship with citizens' issue knowledge nor did it play a mediating role in the relationship between selective exposure and political polarization and participation. This dissertation thus challenges the argument that selective exposure is normatively desirable due to its contribution to citizens' greater levels of political participation. The findings of this study call into question such a contention because the results show that individuals who engage in selective exposure are motivated to participate in political activities by forming stereotypic perceptions of candidates rather than by gaining factual issue knowledge, which is in contrast to democratic theories' assumptions of informed citizenship. Turning to the role of exposure to dissonant media outlets, two contrasting roles were found. On one hand, results offer some evidence that dissonant media use contributes to gaining issue knowledge and inspiring citizen participation. On the other hand, some findings suggest that it reinforces, rather than attenuates, citizens' attitudinal polarization and stereotypical perceptions of candidates. Thus the findings from this study offer mixed support for encouraging citizen exposure to dissimilar viewpoints. / text

This thesis provides investigation into the interaction between quartz lamp emitters and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) powder. Calculations and experiments concerning the conductivity and emissivity of the powder at various temperatures are performed. The thermal profile of the emitter on a flat powder bed is captured using thermal imaging. The effect of exposing a pile of powder to the emitter and the subsequent thermal gradient through the pile is measured and analyzed. Based on these results, ramifications for the application of these emitters to selective laser sintering (SLS) machines for processing high temperature polymers such as PEEK are discussed. / text

Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) may suffer numerous cognitive impairments, including significant problems with executive functioning, language, attention, and memory [40]. It is estimated that two to five percent of children born in the U.S. are affected by FASD [34]. It has been shown that training improvements can be made in working memory and attention in children with ADHD [25]. Computerized training with game elements enhances not only motivation but training efficacy of these interventions [38]. This thesis examines the creation of two suites of serious games, Cognitive Carnival and Caribbean Quest, intended to improve working memory aspects of attention with the assistance of a trained psychology interventionist in a therapeutic setting. A game-based approach is chosen to provide motivation to children for sustained cognitive challenges presented by cognitive exercises built into the gameplay. Cognitive Carnival was shown by interventionists to have positive effects in neuropsychological studies of populations of children with epilepsy and FASD [33, 30]. / Graduate

Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit den aktuell bestehenden Herausforderungen der Technologie der additiven Fertigung in Form des selektiven Laserstrahlschmelzen (SLM). Es soll sich mit den Aspekten des Leichtbaus beim SLM-Verfahren beschäftigt werden. Dies geschieht mit zwei theoretischen Lösungsansätzen zur Gewichtsreduzierung von Bauteilen: 1. der Einsatz von Werkstoffen geringerer Dichte oder von neuen hochfesten Werkstoffen; 2. neue Bauweisen durch neue Konstruktions- und Werkstoffaufbauprinzipien. Praktisch erfolgt der erste Ansatz durch die Entwicklung von Prozessparametern und deren Einfluss auf das Gefüge von - für das SLM-Verfahren - neuen Leichtbauwerkstoffen, den Titanaluminiden (TiAl). Aus der großen Spanne von verschiedenen TiAl-Legierungen wurden für diese Arbeit folgende Vertreter Ti38,87Al43,67Nb4,08Mo1,02B0,1 und Ti48Al48Cr2Nb2 aufgrund ihres guten Eigenschaftsspektrums und der unterschiedlichen Erstarrungsvoränge gewählt. Aufgrund der hohen Anzahl von Einflussgrößen sollen verschiedene Ansätze, wie statistische Versuchspläne oder Einzelbahncharakterisierungen, verfolgt werden, um eine effiziente und schnelle Parameteroptimierung zu erzielen. Der zweite Ansatz verfolgt die Herstellung verschiedener Gitterstrukturen aus 1.4404-Stahl (X2CrNiMo 17-12-2). Durch das Fertigen von Gittern mit verschiedenen relativen Dichten, was über eine Variation der Durchmesser der Streben erreicht wird, sowie das mechanische Testen dieser, ist es möglich, eine Datengrundlage für zukünftige Konstruktionen zu erstellen. / This work deals with the currently existing challenges of technology of additive manufacturing in the form of selective laser melting (SLM). The aspects of lightweight construction with the SLM process will be highlighted. This is done with two theoretical approaches to weight reduction of components: 1. the use of materials of lower density or new high-strength materials; 2. new construction methods through new design and material construction principles. In practice, the first approach is performed through the development of process parameters and their influence on the microstructure of - for the SLM-process – a new lightweight material, the titanium aluminide (TiAl). Among the large range of various TiAl alloys the following two representatives Ti38,87Al43,67Nb4,08Mo1,02B0,1 and Ti48Al48Cr2Nb2 were chosen because of their good property spectrum and their different solidification behavior. The second approach pursued the production of various lattice structures made of 1.4404 steel (X2CrNiMo 17-12-2). By fabricating lattices with different relative densities, which is achieved by varying the diameter of the struts, and the mechanical testing of those, it is possible to create a data base for future construction principles.

ITC/USA 2013 Conference Proceedings / The Forty-Ninth Annual International Telemetering Conference and Technical Exhibition / October 21-24, 2013 / Bally's Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV / Systems using single carrier modulations for flight test transmissions perfectly fit noisy and time selective channels. However, the densification of the airport environment now makes the aero channel also frequency selective due to multiple reflections on surrounding buildings, especially while taxiing and taking off. Obviously, this has a direct consequence on hardware resources and user data rates. In such a context, COFDM represents an appealing solution thanks to its inherent robustness to multipath fading channels. But a direct application of an off-the-shelf COFDM standard is not straightforward as these standards are designed for specific channels whose characteristics are quite different from the aero one. That is why we made an experiment at Toulouse-Blagnac airport to jointly sound the channel and qualify a COFDM waveform. This paper then describes the construction of the waveform and the results of the channel sounding. From this, different standard paradigms are compared.

Individuals attend to a variety of various stimuli on a daily basis and their brains decide what to attend to and what to tune out. How the brain chooses what is most important to pay attention to is decided with threat level, novelty, emotion, and other criteria. The current study looked at responses from 41 participants who identified high or low with University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University, and/or Christianity. The participants where shown two images, the UK logo and either the WKU logo, an out-ofstate team logo, or a Christian symbol. Directly after the two images were presented, a dot appeared on the screen and the participants tapped a key on the keyboard to indicate on which side of the screen the dot was placed. The hypothesis stated that participants’ mean reaction time for identifying the side of the screen the dot was on when under a logo or a symbol with which the participants highly identify would be faster than the mean reaction time to a dot under logos or symbols with which the participant had low identification. However, results of this study did not show statistically significant differences in the mean reaction times of the participants.

L’objectif de ce travail est de proposer un mécanisme réactionnel pour l’oxydation sélective du monoxyde de carbone en présence d’hydrogène sur des catalyseurs à base d’or, supporté ou non, en déterminant les rôles de l’or, du support et de l’hydrogène. Les catalyseurs ont été préparés par voie chimique (échange anionique direct ou dépôt colloïdal) ou par voie physique (vaporisation laser) et systématiquement caractérisés par ICP-AES, XRD, TEM et XPS. Les tests catalytiques et les caractérisations par DRIFTS in situ montrent que l’or seul finement divisé est capable d’oxyder le monoxyde de carbone et l’hydrogène. Cependant, la vitesse d’oxydation du monoxyde de carbone est considérablement améliorée lorsque l’or est supporté, en particulier sur des oxydes réductibles, ou lorsque de l’hydrogène est introduit dans le milieu, même en faible quantité. Une étude cinétique sur un catalyseur d’or sur alumine laisse supposer que l’hydrogène intervient dans le mécanisme d’oxydation du monoxyde de carbone grâce à des espèces oxygénées du type : OOH, intermédiaires à la formation de l’eau qui oxyderaient plus facilement le monoxyde de carbone que l’hydrogène à basse température. / The aim of this work is to propose a mechanism for the preferential carbon monoxide oxidation in hydrogen rich-gas over gold based catalysts by studying the role of gold, support and hydrogen. Gold catalysts was prepared by chemical way (direct anionic exchange or colloidal deposition) or physical way (lazer vaporization) and characterized by ICP-AES, XRD, TEM and XPS. Catalytic tests and DRIFTS in situ characterizations showed that finely dispersed gold is able to oxydize carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Nevertheless, carbon monoxide oxidation rate is highly increased when gold is supported, especially over a reducible oxide, or when hydrogen is added in the reactant mixture, even with a small amount. A kinetic study over alumina supported gold catalyst suggests that hydrogen is involved in carbon monoxide oxidation mechanism thanks to oxygenated species like : OOH, which are water formation intermediates and preferentially oxidize carbon monoxide than hydrogen at low temperature.

The use of a patterned resistive sheet as an infrared-selective absorber, including the effects of a mechanical support dielectric layer is discussed. Also, modified dielectric coated Salisbury Screen can improve both the wavelength selectivity and the speed of thermal response for microbolometers. These patterned resistive sheets and Modified dielectric coated Salisbury Screen are a modified form of classical Salisbury Screens that utilize a resistive absorber layer placed a quarter-wavelength in front of a mirror. These structures can show a narrower detection bandwidth when compared to conventional microbolometers. For a Modified dielectric coated Salisbury Screen for multi-spectral system, wavelength selectivity can be varied by changing the distance to the mirror, and for patterned resistive sheet, wavelength selectivity can be varied by changing the lithographically drawn parameters of the array. Hence, different pixels in a focal plane array can be designed to produce a “multi-color” infrared imaging system. Also, the thermal mass of microbolometer is reduced using patterned resistive structure. / text

For pediatric amputees in developing countries, where characteristically rapid growth of children is compounded by a lack of medical services, maintaining proper socket fit is a challenging but necessary endeavor. A socket design that adjusts for radial and longitudinal growth will allow patients to wear the same socket for a longer period of time saving them the expense of subsequent fittings and hardware. Manufacture of such a socket poses a challenge for contemporary manufacturing processes. Due to its ability to rapidly manufacture complex part geometries, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is particularly suited to this application. Several preliminary design concepts for a volume adjustable transtibial SLS prosthetic socket for pediatric amputees in developing countries have been generated. These current design concepts utilize fasteners such as ratchet hooks and threads. Results from design and validation of theoretical models of these fastener concepts are the focus of this thesis. / text