Development and Application of 3D Printed Detectors for Environmental Analysis

This dissertation describes the development of a novel 3D printed fluorescence detector and a 3D printed chemiluminescence detector. The 3D printed fluorescence detector is used as a component of the haloacetic acid rapid-response (HAA-RR), a commercial system for the analysis of haloacetic acids (HAAs) in drinking water. The 3D printed chemiluminescence detector was used in the development of a free-available chlorine (FAC) analyzer and a lead (II) analyzer.The 3D printed fluorescence detector was developed for the specific application of the nicotinamide chemistry used in the HAA-RR. The detector is simple, rugged and inexpensive. The detector was compared to a commercially available Waters 474 dual monochromator detector. An MDL, accuracy and precision study was performed using the fluorescent reagent nicotinamide with the detectors in series. In addition, signal-to-noise ratios for the detectors were compared. The 3D printed fluorescence detector performed comparably, if not better, than the Waters detector. The 3D printed fluorescence detector may be used for any application requiring quantitative fluorescence detection by changing the excitation and emission filters.The first commercial automated analyzer for HAAs analysis in drinking water was developed. The HAA-RR is a commercial version of a previously reported, laboratory-grade analyzer. Components of the HAA-RR are discussed such as the post-column reagent delivery system and a low-cost, low-pressure gradient system. The 3D printed fluorescence detector is used as a detector in the HAA-RR system. MDL, accuracy and precision studies for the HAA-RR are compared to the laboratory-grade analyzer. Results of HAAs analysis from a beta test at the Lebanon, TN water treatment plant are presented where multiple methods of calibration were performed and compared. A side-by-side comparison study of the HAA-RR and the United States Environmental Protection Agency method 552.3 is presented for the analysis of HAAs for the Lebanon, TN water treatment plants quarterly compliance monitoring. Also, parameters were investigated and established to be used as daily quality control (QC) monitors for the HAA-RR. The parameters selected for the QC monitoring were: retention time, capacity factor and peak width at 50 % maximum height for the internal standard, (2-bromobutanoic acid) and the retention time of the unretained component. A (FAC) analyzer was developed using gas-diffusion flow injection analysis and detection with a 3D printed chemiluminescence detector. The FAC analyzer is able to detect microgram per liter concentrations of FAC in the presence of milligram per liter concentrations of chlorine dioxide with a sample preparation step. Multiple different fits of the FAC calibration were evaluated, and a base 10 log-log fit was the most fitting. An MDL, accuracy and precision study was performed over FAC concentrations of 1.0 to 16.0 mg L-1, with a check standard at 2.0 mg L-1. The USEPA estimated MDL of the FAC analyzer is 0.07 mg L-1. The FAC analyzer was used for the analysis of real-world samples of commercially-available chlorine dioxide, reporting no detected concentration of FAC.Preliminary development of a flow-injection system for the detection of lead (II) in drinking water is presented. The lead (II) analyzer uses luminol-hydrogen peroxide chemiluminescence for the detection of lead (II) ion with a 3D printed chemiluminescence detector. Optimization of the reagent concentrations was carried out, along with a linearity study and a preliminary MDL, accuracy and precision study. The preliminary study of the method reported poor precision high mean percent recovery for the check standard due to the check standard of 15 g L-1 Pb2+ ion being near the MDL of 16 g L-1 Pb2+. The preliminary studies of the lead (II) analyzer are promising, and proof-of-concept was demonstrated

Puritan Versus Player in William Shakespeare\u27s Twelfth Night

William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night stands out among other Elizabethan era dramas in that it includes music. While music in entertainment is not a foreign concept to modern audiences, the use of music in Elizabethan drama was nearly unheard of. Through my research, I argue that Shakespeare’s use of musicality is not only defying theatrical tradition, but within Twelfth Night specifically, music serves as a vehicle to critique the sociopolitical turmoil of 16th century England. The nearly simultaneous rise of religious conservatism and rise of the arts (specifically theatre) created conflicts that permeated the written work of figures on both sides of the ideological argument. In the case of Shakespeare, Twelfth Night explores the tense, complicated relationship between Puritans and patrons of the arts that marked the end of Elizabeth I’s reign. The culture clash of Puritans and players is manifested in the play by the quick-witted clown Feste and the uptight steward Malvolio. The interactions between the two characters on stage, namely Feste’s jovial songs, create a satire of the rising Puritan movement and those indoctrinated by it. As the play progresses and Malvolio fails to adapt to a society without hierarchy, Shakespeare illustrates the flaws in Puritan doctrine as well as the benefits of the arts

The Elegance of Gower Champion: An Analysis of His Style of Direction in the Musical Hello Dolly!

After early success as a peiformer and choreographer in night clubs, vaudeville road shows, theatre, film and television, Gower Champion launched a career as a director of Broadway musicals. In 1960, he began his Broadway career with the musical Bye Bye Birdie, and at once, proved himself capable of employing every element of production to fashion his unique work of art. In the works that followed (Carnival 1961 and Hello, Dolly! 1964,1 Do, I Do. 1966, and Happy Time, 1968) he streamlined the American musical. This thesis will focus on characteristics of his directing technique and rehearsal style. In directing, he promoted the application of an overriding idea uniting all the disparate elements of production, added continuous choreography to create a connection between scene changes, and invented unobtrusive transitions from dialogue into music. His rehearsal technique may be described as focused, disciplined and very well-prepared. Though his rehearsal allowed no time for nonsense, he treated actors and dancers with the ultimate respect. This study analyzes Champion\u27s directing and choreography and his rehearsal process for Hello, Dolly! Sources for the research include dissertations, critical reviews, relevant scholarly and commercial publications, and the personal experience of the author as a cast member as well as interviews with members of the cast and production team for the original production of Hello, Dolly! The thesis aims to explain why Champion was the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful musical theatre directorchoreographer on the Broadway stage during the 1960\u27s

Some contributions to the interpretation of Gottfried von Strassburg's 'Tristan'

This study examines some of the major elements of Gottfried's form: chapters one and two concentrate on the metaphor of the hunt of love, outlined throughout the work by the words "wilde", "wilt" and "wildenaere", and on the play on the word "vremede", both of which trace the basic paradox of the hero's life, namely that the very characteristics which make him outstanding, an artist and a hero, are the determining factors in his ultimate inability to retain his place in society. Chapter three discusses the allegorical nature of "ritterschaft" in the work: unlike the traditional hero of Arthurian Romance, Tristan takes up arms against the hostility which rages within himself and deflects onto the figures of Morgan, Morolt, the dragon and the giant, the aggression which otherwise would be directed against his major rival, Mark. Chapter four attempts to demonstrate how the poet's search for form reaches a successful climax in the cave allegory and how, paradoxically, his success is coextensive with the failure of the lovers, become 'wildenaere", to achieve the kind of social regard for their "art" which is discussed in the literary excursus. The further separation of the fate of the poet from that of his creatures is discussed in the final chapters of the study: the narrow, amoral concern of the lovers is contrasted throughout the prologue, the stanzaic extensions to this and the excursuses, with the poet's preoccupation with the wider possibilities of life and considerations of different human values. Brangaene is the final link in the chain of moral consequence which the total form has forged; it is she whose function it is to bring about final retribution: she effects the closing of the circle which opened with a woman being stolen from Mark and closes with Tristan restoring one to him. The study is based on the assumption that in some meaningful way Gottfried's work is finished, and hopes to demonstrate this in the following examination of those aspects of his form already mentioned.<p

momHealth: A Feasibility Study of a Multi-behavioral Health Intervention for Pregnant and Parenting Adolescent Mothers

Introduction. In 2016, 209,809 babies were born to mothers 15 -19 years of age, for a live birth rate of 20.3 per 1,000 in this age group. Many health issues surround adolescent mothers and their infants, many  which can be addressed through behavioral change. We examined feasibility and acceptability of momHealth, a Multiple Health Behavior Change (MHBC) intervention focused on breastfeeding, healthy eating/active living, and depression prevention among pregnant and parenting adolescents. Methods. We used a one-group quasi-experimental longitudinal design. Nine iPad-delivered education modules, text messaging, and virtual group and individual support were provided for 12 weeks, beginning at 32 weeks of pregnancy with follow-up to 3 months postpartum. Data were collected at three home visits and ten postpartum weekly and biweekly online surveys. Results. Although recruitment and attrition presented challenges, six participants enrolled; all were pregnant with their first child, single, and had a mean age of 17.7 years (SD = 1.4). Intervention participation ranged from 59% to 91% for intervention components and three peer support groups were held. Intervention feasibility was supported by reports of clear and relevant content, reasonable time burden, iPad ease of use, and acceptable intervention length. Data collection was reported as convenient and non-burdensome, but diet recalls and activity monitoring challenged some.    Conclusions. This was the first MHBC research in adolescent pregnant women to improve breastfeeding outcomes, healthy eating/active living, and depression prevention. Findings demonstrated strengths and challenges of the interventions and methods, support feasibility and acceptability of momhealth, and informed a pilot randomized trial.

Causes of Mortality of Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Cavity Trees

Over a 13-year period we examined the mortality of cavity trees (n = 453) used by red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) on national forests in eastern Texas. Bark beetles (53%), wind snap (30%), and fire (7%) were the major causes of cavity tree mortality. Bark beetles were the major cause of mortality in loblolly (Pinus taeda) and shortleaf (P. echinata) pines, whereas fire was the major cause in longleaf pines (P. palustris). Cavity trees on the Angelina National Forest (NF) were dying at a higher rate than new, complete cavities were being excavated. Cavity enlargement by pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) on the Angelina NF was substantial, with 20% (49/ 249) of the cavity trees being enlarged over 7 years. To reduce cavity tree mortality, site disturbances in cluster areas (e.g., midstory control, prescribed burning, thinning) should be minimized during years when southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis) populations are elevated. Careful planning of timber cutting to avoid funneling wind into cluster areas might reduce wind damage to cavity trees