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La Vigne Périssante?: Wine and Arak in French Colonial Lebanon, 1920-1946
This thesis explores the winemaking and arak industries in Lebanon, defined temporally by the direct colonial control of the League of Nations Mandate, 1920-1946. The wine producers explored in this thesis were highly influenced by French culture and responded to colonial imposition by producing wines in the European style and with imported European grape varieties, in an effort to create a Lebanese wine identity during a time of bourgeoning nationalism. In contrast, the arak producers formed a union, the Syndicat des Viticulteurs, and protected their heritage industry through legislation in first, the French, and then, the independent Lebanese government. Using archives from prominent winemakers as well as records of the French government, this thesis shows an unintended but beneficial result of the actions taken by the Syndicat: the preservation of indigenous Lebanese grape varieties, which are integral to the decolonization of the Lebanese wine industry in the present day
The Use of Whole Blood in Increasing the Survivability of Combat Wounded Troops From 1940 to 1953
Humans have been experimenting with new ways to kill each other for millennia, and for just as long, doctors have been experimenting with methods to improve survivability of those wounded. The 20th century was one of the bloodiest period in human history; war claimed over one hundred million lives. With the scourge of disease more easily managed, the medical communities came to address the one wound that historically cost most lives – bleeding to death. Shock and exsanguination can kill a person within thirty seconds to two minutes, and finding ways to mitigate that outcome has been the subject of study for some time. From rudimentary methods of transfusion in the 17th century to more serious consideration in the 1800s, the slow march to using whole blood was on its way. The newly industrialized nature of warfare forced medical personnel to utilize whatever means they could to save lives. War is the great crucible in which new technologies are forged, and the field of medicine was no different. Over time, the best method found to replace blood volume would be blood itself, pioneered by forward-thinking trauma specialists on the front lines
Investigation into Transition Metals Immobilized on Halloysite as a Recyclable Catalyst for Cycloaddition, Reductive Amination, and Hydrogen Autotransfer Reactions
A reliable method for the encapsulation of copper nanoparticles in halloysite nanoscrolls has been developed. The nanocomposite was prepared using a green wet chemical synthetic method involving the reduction of copper nitrate trihydrate with sodium borohydride in the presence of trisodium citrate and halloysite. The new copper nanocomposite was employed in the copper catalyzed azide-alkyne “Click” cycloaddition reaction to afford 1,2,3-triazoles. The nanocomposite was found to be a highly efficient room temperature catalyst for the synthesis of a diverse array of triazoles in water within one to three hours. The nanocomposite has remarkable stability in water and can be easily recovered.
The catalytic activity of iridium nanoparticles encapsulated in halloysite nanoscrolls was investigated as a heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of secondary amines via reductive amination. The nanocomposite was prepared using a previously developed environmentally friendly wet chemical synthetic method, involving the reduction of iridium chloride trihydrate with sodium borohydride in the presence of trisodium citrate and halloysite. The nanocomposite proved to be an efficient green catalyst for the reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with a variety of primary amines. A diverse array of secondary amines were synthesized in high yields using ambient conditions. The nanocomposite was used in catalytic amounts and demonstrated selectivity towards the reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones, without generating undesirable by-products.
The catalytic activity of iridium nanoparticles immobilized in halloysite was investigated as a heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of secondary amines through N-alkylation via hydrogen borrowing. The catalyst was prepared using dimethylformamide to stabilize and reduce the iridium nanoparticles in the presence of halloysite. The nanocomposite proved to be an effective heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of secondary amines from primary amines and alcohols. A broad array of secondary amines were synthesized in good yields using neat and base free conditions in twenty-four hours. High yields were observed for aromatic and aliphatic alcohol substrates and the catalyst was selective towards the synthesis of secondary amines
Blade Design and Validation of Hydrokinetic Turbine to Harvest Water Current Energy
The innovative aspect of this research lies in the careful integration of cutting-edge technologies throughout the entire process of designing, fabricating, and testing the carbon fiber propeller for the 3-bladed horizontal axis ocean current turbine (OCT). SolidWorks software played a pivotal role in the initial design phase, enabling a meticulous and precise modeling of the propeller\u27s geometry. The utilization of SolidWorks allowed for a detailed exploration of various design parameters, ensuring that the propeller\u27s structure and form were optimized for performance in ocean current conditions. Moving beyond the realm of virtual design, the choice of carbon fiber as the fabrication material marked a significant leap towards enhancing the structural integrity and efficiency of the propeller. Carbon fiber\u27s exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance make it an ideal candidate for marine applications, addressing the unique challenges posed by the harsh underwater environment. The decision to employ 3D printing technology further exemplifies the forward-thinking nature of this research. The additive manufacturing process not only allowed for the precise realization of the intricate propeller design but also showcased the adaptability of modern manufacturing techniques in the field of marine renewable energy. The ability to construct the propeller layer by layer, with high precision and customization, speaks to the potential scalability and versatility of this fabrication approach. The intersection of SolidWorks, carbon fiber, and 3D printing represents a synergy between computational design and advanced manufacturing, fostering a multidisciplinary approach that pushes the boundaries of traditional engineering methodologies.
The results obtained from the towing tank experiments not only affirmed the propeller\u27s efficacy but also demonstrated a remarkable agreement with the predictions derived from both the Blade Element Momentum theory and Ansys Fluent simulations. This harmonious convergence between theoretical models and real-world experimentation serves as a testament to the accuracy and reliability of the numerical simulations. The towing tank experiments delved into various aspects of the propeller\u27s behavior, including thrust generation, efficiency, and response to varying current speeds. The systematic data collected during these experiments provided valuable insights into the propeller\u27s operational characteristics and highlighted its ability to harness energy from ocean currents effectively. The alignment between theoretical predictions and experimental outcomes not only validates the designed propeller but also reinforces the confidence in the predictive power of computational models in the context of ocean energy extraction.
In retrospect, the comparison between the experimental results and the numerical models offers a nuanced understanding of the propeller\u27s dynamics. It allows for a critical examination of the strengths and limitations of each model, shedding light on discrepancies and providing guidance for future refinements. This analytical approach contributes to the ongoing discourse on the optimization of ocean current turbine designs, offering a blueprint for researchers and engineers seeking to enhance the efficiency and reliability of marine renewable energy systems. The successful integration of numerical predictions, experimental validation, and a thorough comparison of models establishes a comprehensive framework for evaluating the performance of novel turbine designs in a manner that extends beyond the confines of traditional theoretical analyses.
In conclusion, the holistic approach adopted in this research, from the virtual design phase using SolidWorks to the physical realization through 3D printing and experimental validation in the towing tank, reflects the dynamic landscape of contemporary engineering in the realm of marine renewable energy. The seamless integration of theoretical, computational, and experimental methodologies not only contributes to the specific field of ocean current turbines but also sets a precedent for future interdisciplinary research endeavors. The designed carbon fiber propeller, validated through a rigorous and multifaceted approach, emerges as a tangible solution with the potential to advance the frontier of sustainable energy extraction from ocean currents
An Investigation on the Aerodynamic and Vibration Characteristics of a Dielectric Elastomer Membrane
Dielectric elastomer membranes are materially electromechanical transducers wherein they convert mechanical energy into electrical signals and vice versa acting as both an actuator and a generator. In this study, the aerodynamic and modal characteristics of the membrane are investigated both experimentally and computationally. VHB 4910 with conductive material of carbon grease used as an insulator on both surfaces are the specimens examined. From the experimental testing of the material, the resonance properties of the membrane are found. Computational analysis using a structural finite element analysis is used to obtain the modal response and study the effect of voltage application. A wind-tunnel testing setup and data acquisition system is used to analyze the experimental aerodynamic characteristics of the membrane. Fluid-structure interaction analysis investigates the aerodynamic response of the membrane computationally. A shape sensitivity test is done to compare how different shapes maintaining a constant surface area affect the vibrations and aerodynamics of the membrane. The modal characteristics are constrained by modifying the true stress, applied voltages and the prestretch
Modeling Prices in Limit Order Book Using Univariate Hawkes Point Process
This thesis presents a time-changed geometric Brownian price model with the univariate Hawkes processes to trace the price changes in a limit order book. Limit order books are the core mechanism for trading in modern financial markets, continuously collecting outstanding buy and sell orders from market participants. The arrival of orders causes fluctuations in prices over time. A Hawkes process is a type of point process that exhibits self-exciting behavior, where the occurrence of one event increases the probability of other events happening in the near future. This makes Hawkes processes well-suited for capturing the clustered arrival patterns of orders that drive price movements. The fitted intensity function reveals insights into the dynamics of price fluctuations arising from the interactions of order flow and provides critical information to predict the new best prices in the near future
Principal Perceptions of District Supported Job-Embedded Professional Development
In a 2021 Wallace Foundation study, researchers concluded that effective school leaders may have a greater impact on student achievement than any single classroom teacher, primarily because of the principal’s scope of influence. Therefore, district leaders may consider how to support school leaders and build their capacity to effectively lead schools and school improvement initiatives. Job-embedded professional development has demonstrated promise in providing principals with opportunities to deepen their instructional leadership practice within an authentic school setting. Even though the current research on job-embedded support for school leaders is limited, this study builds on existing research to focus on the types of professional development and district support offered to school leaders and principal perceptions of district led efforts to build their instructional leadership capacity. In this qualitative, explanatory embedded single case study, data was collected through semi-structured interviews of both school and district leaders in a traditional public-school district and observations of principal professional development opportunities. Using New Institutionalism, specifically focusing on isomorphism and threat rigidity effect, as the theoretical framework for the study allows the context in which principals work to also be considered as it may affect perceptions of the professional development and support received. An examination of the school system’s structure and organizational culture, along with the isomorphic pressures that influence district decision-making, provides the context to better understand principal perceptions of district-led leader professional development and support district leaders offer to build principal’s instructional leadership capacity
The Slidell Museum: Rebuilding Overlooked and Disregarded Narratives in Small-Town America
The community of Slidell, Louisiana, sits across the lake from New Orleans on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Slidell quietly shrouds a multitude of fascinating historic narratives with roots that extend back to before the 1718 founding of New Orleans. The first documented European presence in the area near Slidell occurred in 1699 when Iberville camped at Goose Point a few miles west of present-day Slidell. This area would play a vital role in the survival, growth, and development of the early New Orleans settlement.
Slidell has a rich history of people, places, and events. In 2005, the devastation from Hurricane Katrina destroyed most of the files and records of the Slidell Museum and the Guardians of Slidell History (GOSH) civic group. As time passes, more of Slidell’s history may fade over time. Many life-long citizens and current residents have little to no knowledge regarding the community’s rich heritage.
This paper addresses the efforts of the Slidell Museum to find, safeguard, and share information with the public. It will focus on methods and results of programs undertaken since 2018. It demonstrates how small community museums play an important role in preserving the memory and history of small towns, and the impact they can have on the community