Thomas Jefferson, Scientist
Thomas Jefferson's passion for politics is rivaled only by his passion for science. Historic Interpreter Bill Barker shares his study of the third president.
An integrated system for computer-aided design and construction of reinforced concrete buildings usi
The study reported in this paper investigates the feasibility of automating the on-site construction of reinforced concrete residential buildings. The basic construction tasks are identified, analyzed and modified with a view towards potential for automation. Emphasis is placed on developing modular forms that facilitate automation. The majority of work in the field of construction robotics has focused on the adaptation of existing industrial robots to automate traditional construction processes
Investigating the evolution of grain scale microstructure during large plastic deformation of polycr
Polycrystalline deformation and its modeling by currently used crystal plasticity
models has been investigated by means of experiments involving direct
measurement of deformation induced orientation changes. The experiments used a
polycrystalline aluminum sample with columnar grains, whose initial lattice
orientations were mapped using the Orientation Imaging Microscopy (OIM)
technique. The sample was then deformed under (i) simple compression by 40%
along the axis of the columnar grains and (ii
Learning and using requirements representation notations by information technology professionals
This dissertation describes a unified system modeling approach and notation that accommodates the user view and a pilot study of the ability of information technology (IT) professionals to learn and use requirements notations to represent user interface requirements. The study mapped a non-user view requirements notation into a user-view requirements notation. In so doing, it showed that the issues and concerns of non-technical users could be integrated into the overall requirements for a system
α [Greek small letter alpha]-Nitrosulfones: Synthetic and mechanistic studies
Three-α-substituted nitroethylene derivatives were prepared in situ from phenylsulfonylnitromethane, α-nitroacetophenone, and ethyl nitroacetate and allowed to react with a series of dienes to yield the corresponding Diels-Alder cycloadducts. The same nitroethylene derivatives were also prepared from the corresponding β-sulfoxides via elimination. The β-sulfoxides were prepared from the corresponding β-sulfides which were in turn prepared by trapping the nitroethylene derivatives with thiop
Novel associated PVA/PVP hydrogels for nucleus pulposus replacement
Degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine is marked by a dehydration of theintervertebral disc and loss of biomechanical function of the spinal unit. Since thecurrent surgical procedures are ineffective in restoring natural biomechanical functionback to the diseased disc, researchers have looked to replace the intervertebral disc.These designs are flawed in that they either donâ t restore natural movement back to thespinal unit, require surgeries that are highly invasive, or they further p
Biomechanical evaluation of the intact, injured and surgically reconstructed ulnar collateral ligame
The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow is a major passive stabilizer againstvalgus moments and is a frequent site of injury for the professional throwing athlete. Due to theimportance of the UCL in elbow stabilization, many clinical and biomechanical studies wereconducted in the past to understand its role; however, no study has evaluated the stabilizingfunction of the UCL when subjected to a pure valgus-varus moment at varying degrees of flexion.In addition, few comparative studies ha
Frequency domain blind multiple-input multiple-output system identification
Since commercial banks play important roles in the financial markets, it is important to evaluate whether banks operate efficiently. Moreover, given increased competition from non-bank financial institutions, commercial banks should operate more efficiently than they did previously. Commercial banks might operate more efficiently if they have superior information. If this is true, bank size should not matter to the operation of the bank. Thus, as long as the bank has superior information, it wil
Climate and Water in Ghana
shows the dramatic contrast between the rainy and dry seasons in West Africa and helps students define and identify the features of climate. They apply this knowledge to the study of how climate affects people and the environment.
Gauging the readiness of an institution of higher education to implement change in its distance educ
The democratization of finance, information, and technology has created a new global reality that affects every dimension of society and has transformed the competitive context. In this new reality, higher education is losing its monopoly as a credentialing agent, and it has become vulnerable to market forces from which it has been traditionally insulated. The majority of institutions of higher education have developed distance education programs to create market opportunities; however, in many
Oh Boy, Buoyancy!
This teacher developed Design Challenge unit weaves engaging inquiry lessons and design challenges into the physical science content of buoyancy to create a hands-on, content rich unit of study.
SIMply Prairie
SIMply Praire is a student research project that has the potential to link classrooms in areas where the prairie once flourished. Students develop research questions with a special focus on the prairie plant population. To answer these questions students conduct a research study collecting data from a prairie plot and comparing their data with data from other native and/or reconstructed prairie plots. Students publish their data and their research study on the SIMply Prairie Website. As the proj
SIMply Prairie: Prairie Advocates
In this multidisciplinary, inquiry-based project students prepare a plan and give a persuasive oral presentation to create a reconstructed prairie based on research. Teachers can use this unit with their students to justify enlarging or keeping an existing prairie. This project can serve as the organizing structure for prairie study where materials from units such as The Prairie – Our Heartland become research materials. It can be used in conjunction with the unit which is taught best in the f
Applying Ohm's Law to Semiconductors
This project allows students to apply concepts of momentum conservation and energy conservation from classical physics. However, here they are not enough: they must be combined with modern physics, using concepts from relativity and particle physics as well as modern units that put energy, mass, and momentum in terms of MeV and GeV. Most important, students will learn about both fundamental and cutting-edge physics by actually doing what physicists do.
France Since 1871
This course covers the emergence of modern France. Topics include the social, economic, and political transformation of France; the impact of France's revolutionary heritage, of industrialization, and of the dislocation wrought by two world wars; and the political response of the Left and the Right to changing French society.
Introduction to New Testament History and Literature
This course provides a historical study of the origins of Christianity by analyzing the literature of the earliest Christian movements in historical context, concentrating on the New Testament. Although theological themes will occupy much of our attention, the course does not attempt a theological appropriation of the New Testament as scripture. Rather, the importance of the New Testament and other early Christian documents as ancient literature and as sources for historical study will be emphas
PTC 624: Professional and Technical Editing
This seminar introduces students to contemporary editing strategies. As information managers within organizations, twenty-first century editors must be able to demonstrate proficiency in a wide range of areas, from working with writers to improve the tone of a manuscript to providing warranted evidence in support of copyediting changes. Topics will allow students to encounter a wide range of experiences, from production-oriented aspects of project management to document-based forms of electronic
Quantum Dots
Quantum Dots are man-made artificial atoms that confine electrons to a small space. As such they have atomic-like behavior and enable the study of quantum mechanical effects on a length scale that is around 100 times larger than the pure atomic scale. Quantum dots offer application opportunities in optical sensors, lasers, and advanced electronic devices for memory and logic. This seminar starts with an overview of wavelike and particle like properties and motivates the existence of quantum mech
The Structures of Life
This site takes us into the world of structural biology -- a branch of molecular biology that focuses on the shape of nucleic acids and proteins (the molecules that do most of the work in our bodies). Learn about the structures and roles of proteins, tools used to study protein shapes, how proteins are used in designing new medications (for AIDS and arthritis), and what structural biology reveals about all life processes. Find out about careers in biomedical research.
Living Pura Vida | University of St. Thomas
In early August 2010 Shelley Coughlin, a pre-med student at the University of St. Thomas, joined about 30 college students from across North America on a volunteer trip to Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
The students, with varying areas of study, provided medical, dental, or veterinary care to the under served communities they visited.
Read more online at http://www.stthomas.edu/magazine/2010/fall/pura.html
