Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films possess a combination of attractive properties and have been largely employed to modify the tribological behavior of materials. Nanocomposite, metal-containing DLC films are the new generation of these coatings providing tremendous potential to modify and tailor their properties expanding their applications in the field of nanotechnology. The present study investigates nanoscale effects on the tribological behavior of composite nanostructured DLC-based films and functional coatings. Three aspects were studied: (i) effect of Cr interlayer on a functionally gradient substrate; (ii) nanoparticulate Cr-containing DLC (Cr-DLC) films; and (iii) nanocomposite multilayered Cr/DLC coatings. Intensified plasma assisted nitriding produced a functionally graded interface and Cr layers exhibited best tribological behavior in their presence validating the theoretical concept. Nanocomposite Cr-DLC films were synthesized with Cr content in the range of about 0.1 at% to about 17 at%, on Si100 substrate. TEM studies showed defect free, dense and continuous film containing crystalline nanoclusters embedded in amorphous matrix. X-ray absorption spectroscopy showed that the chemical state and environment around Cr in films with ¡Ý1.5 at% Cr is similar to that in Cr-carbide. However, the environment around Cr in films with Cr ¡Ü0.4 at% is distinctly different with atomic clusters of Cr dissolved in the DLC matrix. Nanoindentation experiments showed that Cr-DLC films possess high hardness. Also, Cr-DLC films exhibit low friction (up to 12 at% Cr) and excellent wear resistance (up to ~5 at% Cr) with a low stable wear rate (10-7 mm3/N-m). In the multilayered nanocomposite films, DLC layers were found to be amorphous whereas Cr layers exhibit a nanocrystalline structure. Cr/DLC interfaces were found to be dense and continuous. Presence of DLC and a decrease of Cr layer thickness increases the hardness. This behavior was found to be consistent with the Hall-Petch formalism. Multilayered nanocomposite films with a significant volume fraction of DLC were found to possess low friction and low wear rate (10-7mm3/N-m). A common wear mechanism was found on both nanocomposite and multilayered systems. These nanocomposite and multilayered systems exhibited wear and friction properties comparable to those of DLC films, thereby expanding their scope in the field of nanotechnology.

Metal-containing, hydrogenated carbon films (Me-a-C:H) is a special class of nanocomposite films of particular interest since they can be multifunctional through the synergistic interaction of their individual components. Thus, nanocomposite thin films possess high potential in a wide field of engineering applications, especially in small scale devices. A series of multifunctional nanocomposite Co-a-C:H thin films have been synthesized by a hybrid chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) process to uncover the relationship between synthesis, microstructure and properties. The effects of deposition parameters on the microstructural evolution and properties have been systematically studied. The results showed that the microstructure can be controlled through proper adjustment of the processing parameters, to produce Co in the shape of: nano particles, elongated particles, wormlike columns, self-assembled multilayers, self-assembled nano columns embedded in an amorphous a-C:H matrix. Self-assembly of Co nano columns in a-C:H is discovered. As-deposited Co-a-C:H thin films are composed of defect rich ε-Co encapsulated in a-C:H matrix. Regarding the properties, raising C content (reducing Co content) in the films improves their hardness and corrosion resistance and decreases friction and wear rate. All the Co-a-C:H films exhibit a low surface roughness. Nano columnar Co-a-C:H films show size-dependent magnetic behavior, such as superparamagnetic and perpendicular magnetism. Annealing studies reveal that the phase transitions of Co in Co-a-C:H film follow the sequence of Co-a-C:H film → (300 °C) ε-Co + δ ′Co2C → (343 °C) hcp-Co + δ ′Co2C → (407 °C) hcp-Co + graphite → (459 °C) fcc-Co + graphite. A mechanism and a zone diagram are presented to describe the microstructural evolution of Co-a-C:H films. Knowledge gained from this research allows the design and synthesis of nanocomposite Co-a-C:H films and other multifunctional systems of interest for new applications in the field of nanotechnology.

Sexual assault disproportionately affects female college students, more so than any other group of women in the general population. Therefore, consideration for the safety needs of this particular group of women constitute a great concern for university administrators. Safety measures currently utilized at universities for decreasing sexual assault rates have been insufficient. Some researchers have turned their attention to the role of campus sexual assault policies as a means in which to alleviate this crisis. The present investigation analyzes the prevalence and quality of sexual assault policies at 102 public Doctoral/Research extensive universities in the United States. The majority of institutions in this study, or 55.9% did not have a sexual assault policy in place, indicating an overall lack in the existence of sexual assault policies. Of those 45.1% of schools that do have a policy in place, the majority of these institutions, (67.4%) met at least 60% of the criteria for determining a high-quality policy as defined by the researcher. Overall, the majority of sexual assault policies that are in place are of good quality.

Cage molecules reversibly block the bioactivity of a target substrate molecule by a photolyzable covalent bond formed at a functional site of the target molecule. The attachment of cage molecules to DNA oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) to transiently block bioactivity, and site-specific restoration of bioactivity using targeted light exposure, would enable a new method of control for use in gene therapy, molecular/DNA computing, molecular biology, and drug delivery. The reaction of the cage molecule 1-(4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrophenyl)diazoethane (DMNPE) with DNA ODNs in an batch reaction yields a mixture of products with varying degrees of caging. Purification and verification of the hypothesized site of DMNPE attachment are necessary for future applications of this technology to control DNA bioactivity with light. Size exclusion chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were performed on caged DNA samples. Alternatives to manganese dioxide (MnO2) as a DMNPE activator were investigated because MnO2 was found to interfere with NMR. Nickel peroxide (NiO2) was found to be an effective alternative. Increased caging was found to correspond with a broadening and small upfield shifts of 1-D ³¹P NMR resonances. 2-D heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) NMR experiments successfully matched previous characterizations of the DMNPE site of attachment on caged ATP, and show crosspeaks between the ribose ring and phosphate moiety of ATP and DNA structures, but did not show a crosspeak between the DMNPE benzyl proton and DNA phosphate moiety. This may be due to bond angle or relaxation effects of the cage adduct. Because no phosphate attachment was discovered, base alkylation was evaluated by reaction of deoxynucleosides and DNA dimers with DMNPE. 2′-deoxynucleosides showed no caging under similar reaction conditions (pH 5.5). DNA dimers dTpT and dApA in those reaction conditions showed a caged product on thin layer chromatography plates, and dGpG and dCpC results also suggested some minimal product formation. Thus, the initial hypothesized site of DMNPE attachment at the phosphate backbone was retained. These results demonstrate useful techniques for future efforts in purification and characterization of caged nucleic acid species.

This work adopts Langacker's cognitive grammar approach and addresses the cognitive significance of result in Mandarin Chinese, as expressed in resultant construals in the Mandarin Chinese bă construction: X bă Y Z. I identify the semantic prime of result in Mandarin Chinese, and discuss its role in the resultative verbal compound construction, the V-de-EXT resultative construction, and the bèi construction, with particular focus on the bă construction. I provide evidence for the resultant nature of segment Z in the bă construction in (1) aspectual markers, (2) resultative suffixes, (3) resultative verbal compounds, (4) locative complements, (5) directional complements, (6) the double object gěi 'give' construction, (7) inalienable possession; (8) durative and frequentative markers; and (9) the regard predicate. I consider the semantic category of result in the Mandarin Chinese bă construction to be grounded in the conceptualization of the morpheme bă 'to take, to hold.' The manipulative sense of holding an object is transformed into a metaphorical resultative sense of holding a grammatical event. Comparisons with the English "get/have + p.p. construction" and the German inseparable prefixes reveal the shared cross-linguistic nature of agency and result. I utilize Grosz, Joshi, and Weinstein's (1995) centering discourse approach to analyze the Mandarin Chinese bă construction X bă Y Z, and determine that segment Y is the backward-looking center. Prince's assumed familiarity accounts for the cognitive constraints of segment Y. I ascribe the cognitive significance of result to the claim of construal differences. I apply cognitive relativism to pedagogical implications for SLA instruction of the Mandarin Chinese bă construction.

A theory-based perspective is essential to a full understanding of infinitive clauses in early Latin. Some previous work focusing on syntactic theory has failed to include appropriate Latin data or has not explained it adequately. More recent theoretical perspectives have taken the approach of Functional Grammar, dismissing much of the variation in word order and embedded clause types as driven merely by pragmatics. This study examines the syntax of early Latin from a Government and Binding viewpoint, with the aim of fully marrying the theory with the data to account for the infinitival variations. A corpus was created from the complete extant works of Accius, Caecilius, Cato, Ennius, Livius Andronicus, Lucilius, Naevius, Pacuvius, and the anonymous Senatus Consultum de Bacchanalibus as well as five selected plays from Plautus and three from Terence (comprising a total of over 200,000 words with 3,828 infinitives). One of the main findings is that certain structures such as passivization are a strategy to avoid the syntatic ambiguity that would otherwise result from the confluence of multiple accusative-case assignments. The results show that infinitival complements with more than one overt accusative noun phrase are relatively rare (occurring in only 14% of contexts), while structures that avoid ambiguity, such as finite clause variants, passivization, and null noun phrases, are more frequent (occurring in about one fourth of possible contexts). The study also provides a baseline for examining grammaticalization and other language changes in the history of Latin.

In the natural process of wet deposition, gas-water interfaces play an important role in the transport of chemical contaminants in the atmosphere via fog, rain and cloud drops. Evidences from several other works point out deviations in gas-liquid partitioning as predicted by Henrys law. Uptake and mass transfer of benzene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene was chosen to study in a falling droplet train apparatus. Higher droplet-to-vapor partition constant (KDV) was noted for diameters less than 200ìm and was attributed to surface adsorption and accumulation. Mass transfer of phenanthrene was dependent on gas-phase diffusion and mass accommodation at the interface, while the mass transfer of benzene was dependent on liquid phase diffusion and mass accommodation. Mass accommodation coefficients showed a negative dependence on temperature, resulting in lower partitioning at higher temperatures. In order to understand the influence of atmospheric oxidants such as ozone on mass transfer and uptake of organic vapors in water droplets, ozone was introduced into the modified droplet train apparatus. Ozone reacted with PAH vapor at the air-water interface, thereby decreasing the mass transfer resistance and increasing the rate of uptake of naphthalene into the droplet. A Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction mechanism at the air-water interface satisfactorily described the surface reaction, where the surface reaction rate constant increased with decreasing droplet size. The presence of organic matter in the liquid phase resulted in a higher droplet-to-vapor partition constant due to both presence and absence of ozone in the reactor. Knowledge and observations from the laboratory scale setup were extended to field fogwater characterization. Various chemical properties and characteristics of fogwater were determined. Most of the chemical composition and make-up of fogwater was characterized due to near-surface local atmosphere. Concentration of certain pesticides and organic compounds were found in the fogwater far exceeding their aqueous solubility. The calculated KDV for the field samples were several orders of magnitude higher than bulk phase Henrys constant prediction. Higher organic compound concentrations were observed in smaller-sized fogwater than in larger-sized droplets. These conclusions support our laboratory observation of higher partitioning due to surface adsorption and due to presence of organic matter in the aqueous phase.

This thesis explores how arguments about gender and labor roles have determined women's exclusion from or acceptance to the academy throughout the history of the United States. Race, gender, and class are identified as interlocking identities that shape experiences and women's gendered relationship to labor is demonstrated through the use of a materialist feminist framework. By tracing the distinct eras of colonial and United States history, the thesis illustrates the debates and public mindset of each time period and how they relate to women and higher education. The thesis concludes that popular social conceptions of the female body and women's labor have dictated women's involvement in higher education throughout the centuries, and, to some degree, these ideas still define women in the academy today.

Exile is a phenomenon probably as ancient as humanity itself, and one of the oldest topics in universal literature. The great majority of its variants (political, economical, social,) are founded on the idea of "forced displacement." Consequently, most often exile is reflected in literary creations in discourses dominated by a sentiment of loss. However, in some cases exile is not seen as a tragic event, but rather as an opportunity for intellectual growth - as attested by a number of authors who have chosen voluntarily to exile themselves. The rationale behind this occurrence is a mental process I called "severance." The first chapter of this study is an overview of the phenomenon of exile from historical and theoretical perspectives, followed by a number of examples where the subject's stance vis-à-vis their exile diverges from the "classic" definition of the subject. Based on these examples, "severance" is defined as a distinct issue among the various forms of exile, and the term is analyzed from linguistic and psychological perspectives. The following three chapters are case studies of instances of severance reflected in the works of Tristan Tzara, Gregor von Rezzori, and Vintilă Horia. The comparative analysis of these author's texts provide an extensive examination of the phenomenon, highlighting its importance and supporting the idea about the necessity of marking out "severance" as a new and distinct subject matter in exile studies. Tzara's works are arguably the ideal illustration of the concept; Gregor von Rezzori's creations reflect a similar intellectual evolution, with the added benefit of several extremely lucid self-analyses directly related to the phenomenon in question. Finally, the study of Vintilă Horia's case allows the discussion of an additional number of issues related to the concept of severance. The last chapter begins with a brief re-evaluation of the phenomenon, based on a retrospective, comparative overview of the analyzed writings; its closing section focuses on two prior works related to the idea of "severance," their main points being contrasted with the conclusions of the current inquiry in order to highlight the original elements contributed by this dissertation to the field of literary criticism.

A methodology that combines high-resolution topographic mapping, field observations, subsurface evaluation, and geodetic data analysis has successfully located several fault-related geomorphic steps in an area of southwestern Louisiana once thought to be relatively devoid of such features. Comparison of height differences of benchmarks straddling these suspected fault-related steps shows that vertical displacement rates on faults in the study area ranged from about 2 mm/yr to as much as 6 mm/yr during the 1960s and 1970s. However, leveling data obtained as recently as January 2005 reveals that the majority of these faults are currently moving at rates of less than 1 mm/yr. This study identifies the presence of several previously mapped fault-related steps as well as some unidentified geomorphic features with the use of LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) digital elevation models and aerial photography. The majority of these topographic steps correlate well with upward projections of known subsurface faults, which suggests that they are of tectonic origin. Also, field observations have located offsets of roadways and damage to built structures due to the differential motion caused by active faulting. These lines of evidence, combined with the leveling data, suggest that the geomorphic features in the study area are the surface expressions of active faults that have moved during the past half-century. A possible cause for the accelerated fault slip rates computed for the 1960's and 1970's could be the substantial lowering of the piezometric surface that occurred due to increased subsurface fluid withdrawal. This suggests that in addition to the natural causes of faulting, anthropogenic activities may have also affected fault motion in this area of Louisiana.