Digital Commons Network^™

Synthesis, Characterization, And Drug Delivery Applications Of Carbohydrate Based Low Molecular Weight Gelators, Kristen Elizabeth Bashaw

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

The main aim of the research focuses on the study of self-assembly and gelation by several classes of simple sugar derivatives and the potential applications of them as drug delivery vehicles. Since carbohydrates are naturally abundant renewable resources and are therefore readily available and many of them are inexpensive compared to other raw materials. They are also biocompatible which makes them suitable for a wide variety of applications. Combining the use of carbohydrates with low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs) we can introduce a new class of soft materials that are able to self-assemble into spheres, fibers, sheets, and micelles in …

Phylogenetic Reconstruction Analysis On Gene Order And Copy Number Variation, Ruofan Xia

Theses and Dissertations

Genome rearrangement is known as one of the main evolutionary mechanisms on the genomic level. Phylogenetic analysis based on rearrangement played a crucial role in biological research in the past decades, especially with the increasing avail- ability of fully sequenced genomes. In general, phylogenetic analysis aims to solve two problems: Small Parsimony Problem (SPP) and Big Parsimony Problem (BPP). Maximum parsimony is a popular approach for SPP and BPP which relies on itera- tively solving a NP-hard problem, the median problem. As a result, current median solvers and phylogenetic inference methods based on the median problem all face se- rious …

Study And Analysis Of A Gearless Mechanical Transmission, Arun Lee Malla

Master's Theses

We used a comprehensive geometric and kinematic analysis of the Gearless Mechanical Transmission (GMT) to produce a rigorous analytical model of the system. Given initial design parameters, this model enables accurate computation of the mating geometries and key system attributes over time. Component position, component velocity, and the contact points between components were the primary attributes computed and analyzed by the developed model. The model can also be used to represent transmissions of desired ratios and sizes by altering the design parameters. Therefore, the model enables the theoretical evaluation of any desired GMT system, providing a strong foundation for further …

Predictive Modeling And Risk Analysis Of Solar Hybrid Kiln, Mukul Parkhe

Theses and Dissertations

Increasing population equals increase in agricultural product consumption for which continuous food production is not a viable option. Solar drying, on the other hand is a promising method to preserve agricultural products for longer durations. This thesis focuses on calculating the predictability of the independent factors and a comprehensive risk assessment to improve the performance of Solar Hybrid Kiln. Biochar samples with different moisture content were selected for 3 tests. Principal component analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted on the gathered data using Minitab 18R platform. Risk response plans associated with the kiln were provided through failure mode …

How Virtual Reality Impacts The Landscape Architecture Design Process At Various Scales, Drew M. Hill

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In the field of landscape architecture, the use of virtual reality (VR) is increasing as a tool for visualization and presentation in the late stages of the design process. Many of the benefits that make VR valuable in the later stages of the design process suggest that VR may also be valuable when used in earlier stages such as analysis and concept development. However, existing research does not provide a detailed study of design within VR during those early stages. Recent advancements in technology allow the potential to bring significant changes in the way that design-related professionals collaborate and design. …

Krylov Subspace Spectral Methods With Non-Homogenous Boundary Conditions, Abbie Hendley

Master's Theses

For this thesis, Krylov Subspace Spectral (KSS) methods, developed by Dr. James Lambers, will be used to solve a one-dimensional, heat equation with non-homogenous boundary conditions. While current methods such as Finite Difference are able to carry out these computations efficiently, their accuracy and scalability can be improved. We will solve the heat equation in one-dimension with two cases to observe the behaviors of the errors using KSS methods. The first case will implement KSS methods with trigonometric initial conditions, then another case where the initial conditions are polynomial functions. We will also look at both the time-independent and time-dependent …

Disinfection By-Products: Method Optimization For Quantification, Unknown Analysis, And Calculated Toxicity, Amy A. Cuthbertson

Theses and Dissertations

Disinfected drinking water contains hundreds of disinfection by-products (DBPs) that are formed by the reaction of disinfectants with natural and anthropogenic organic matter, bromide, and iodide. Understanding what these DBPs are is important because millions of people worldwide consume drinking water every day, and human epidemiologic studies have reported cancer, miscarriage, and birth defects from consuming such waters. While more than 700 DBPs are reported in the literature, very few studies quantify complete classes of chlorinated, brominated, and iodinated DBPs. The following document contains five chapters in the format designated for specific scientific journals on this subject. Chapter 1 describes …

Financial Analysis And Valuation Of Daktronics Inc., Rakshya Shrestha

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Daktronics, Inc. and subsidiaries is the world’s largest supplier of large screen video displays, electronic scoreboards, LED text and graphics displays, and related control systems, services and products. The company was founded in 1968 and is based in Brookings, South Dakota.

Financial Analysis & Valuation Of The Buckle, Inc., Danielle Hanneman

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This paper attempts to provide a clear analysis and valuation of The Buckle, Inc. along with a current recommendation on the stock.

A New Theory Of Musical Semiosis, Matthew Stanley

Music ETDs

Musical semiotics is the study of the various ways in which musical structures become meaningful. This thesis is an attempt to create a logical, systematized, transformational theory of musical semiotics that can elucidate the various ways in which music conveys meaning. While the semiotic exploration of music is by no means novel, this thesis presents a unique, highly rigorous, and truly theoretical approach to musical semiotics that differs significantly from previous theories. By combining all aspects of the semiotic theory of Charles Sanders Peirce with the metaphor theories of George Lakoff, Mark Johnson, and Zoltan Kovecses, a theoretical apparatus is …

Sunday Dinners Creative Introduction & Poem Analyses, Sophie Clark

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

In tandem with my Writer’s Workshop poetry thesis, in which I will work with Dr. Lisa Fay Coutley to produce an original chapbook of 25-30 poems, my Honors thesis will analyze my use of poetic devices and forms throughout my chapbook. To do so, I will write a 250-page analysis of each poem and its overall contribution to the book as a whole. In addition, I will also provide an introduction to my chapbook upon its completion, in which I will summarize my responses to detail an overview of my thematic and structural concepts.

Using Social Media Analytics: The Effect Of President Trump’S Tweets On Companies’ Stock Performance, Eric A. Fenn

Accounting

With the recent political development in the United States I was presented with a unique opportunity to examine social media’s influences on the stock market. Specifically, I analyzed the impact of tweets from President Trump’s official Twitter accounts from his election to the office to February 1st, 2019 that targeted a publicly traded company. I find that these tweets have a very minimal effect on companies’ stock prices, but there is a significant effect on the stocks’ trading volumes.

Community Programs - Evaluating Benefits For Lgbtq Youth: A Program Evaluation Of The Pridelead Program At Youth Services Of Glenview/Northbrook, Michael Bandy

University Honors Program Senior Projects

The objective of this research is to determine how LGBTQ+ youth benefit from the series of programming created for them by Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook. This study specifically focused on the PrideLEAD group, which is made up of high school students who identify as LGBTQ+, who are there to learn leadership skills. This study focused on how the program impacts their self-esteem, their confidence, the way they view the world, the way they handle discrimination when they are faced with it, and how they view their own strengths and challenges as leaders. The survey sought to answer three specific questions …

A Linear Approach To John Adams' Recent Works, Olivia Maynard

Master's Theses

This paper presents and demonstrates a linear approach to works from John Adams’ most recent compositional period (1991–). Existing research into this period primarily focuses on specific surface-level events, with little examination of deeper large-scale structures within the works. Chapter 1 reviews the existing research, as well as relevant research into minimalist music and post-tonal analysis, and some existing approaches are then incorporated into the methodology presented in Chapter 2. The methodology is presented in three stages: identifying formal structure, identifying linear structures through salient pitches, and determining harmonic support for those salient pitches. The methodology is demonstrated in greater …

Charleston's Urban Outbuildings Within The Historic Walled City, 1884-1955, Kerri Michelle Ross

All Theses

This thesis investigates the architectural and micro spatial patterning development of outbuildings within the walled city of Charleston, South Carolina. The goal of this thesis is to study how accessory buildings in Charleston, South Carolina have evolved between 1884 and 1955. The study area is within Charleston’s historic walled city, a 30.4-acre area bounded by Meeting Street on the west, East Bay Street on the east, Cumberland Street on the north and Water Street on the south. The 1884, 1902 and 1955 Charleston Fire Insurance Maps illuminate the expansion of the nineteen blocks within the walled city of Charleston over …

Effects Of Perioperative Hyperglycemia In Patients With Diabetes Compared To Patients Without Diabetes: A Retrospective Study Of Treatment And Outcomes, Matthew Anderson

Capstone Experience

The main goal of this project was to examine the differences in perioperative hyperglycemia treatment received by patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and patients without a diagnosis of diabetes (NDM); and how these treatment differences can affect the length of hospital stay. Studies have revealed that, when comparing DM and NDM patients with the same degree of perioperative hyperglycemia, NDM patients suffer worse outcomes. It has been suggested in previous research that this may be because NDM patients receive treatment that does not measure up to the standard of care treatment that DM patients receive. In this …

Music In Motion: Interpreting Musical Structure Through Choreography In Gershwin’S "An American In Paris", Spencer Reese

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the relationship between the theoretic interpretation of music (through analysis of a score) and the kinesthetic interpretation of it (through dance). While compelling choreography often evokes the same expressive qualities as a score, music and dance each have expressive and structural components. This study examines how formal elements of a musical score are embodied in choreographic interpretation.

Gershwin’s symphonic poem An American in Paris, conceived as concert music, was almost immediately interpreted in dance. It also inspired larger narrative works, including a film choreographed by Gene Kelly and a musical helmed by Christopher Wheeldon.

Gershwin’s life …

A Descriptive Analysis Of Restrictive And Intrusive Procedures In Behavior Support Plans, Kelsey Webster

Masters Theses

Restrictive and intrusive procedures are used in the course of effective treatment to protect the safety of clients and others. Nonetheless, behavior analysts have an ethical obligation to implement the least restrictive procedures possible that are still deemed effective. However, when fading procedures for restrictions and intrusions are not a mandatory component of behavior support plans, these procedures may be in place longer than necessary. Extended utilization of restrictive and intrusive procedures could be viewed as limiting the client’s rights, especially if less restrictive procedures would also produce successful outcomes. One reason that these procedures are overused may be that …

Recipient Rights Guidelines: Assessment Of Practical Interpretation, Patrick Wieszciecinski

Masters Theses

Although the State of Michigan has passed legislation to ensure that the rights of mental health service recipients are protected, there has been no published research evaluating the accuracy and consistency with which these guidelines are applied in real world cases. Quite obviously, even well intentioned policy may fall short of its intended goal if it is not implemented consistently and with fidelity. The State of Michigan trains Recipient Rights Officers (RROs) who in turn provide training and oversight for local mental health service agencies (Community Mental Health Agencies and PIHPs) who are charged with educating practitioners and other service …

Kinetic Analysis Of Biosolid Pyrolysis, William Regan Kreutter

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Waste reduction and energy recovery have been an environmental focus. Many of these solutions involve the thermal degradation of waste, such as household garbage or organic waste. To help reduce the negative environmental impact associated with processes like incineration, methods have been developed to utilize the carbonaceous material and energy contained in waste. Wastewater treatment plants are responsible for collecting and cleaning billions of gallons of sewage and stormwater each year. The water collected goes through multiple cleaning stages before being discharged into surface water. Sewage sludge, commonly referred to as biosolids, are produced during the process. Biosolids are carbon …

Analysis Of Cellular Interactions Within A Collagen Hydrogel, Austin N. Worden

Theses and Dissertations

Evidence has arisen over the past several years that use of a three- dimensional (3D) culture system provides a distinct advantage over two- dimensional (2D) systems when cellular interactions are examined in a more natural environment. Changes in morphology, speed, and directionality of cells tested in both planar and 3D matrices have all demonstrated that using 3D system is advantageous. The changes to the cellular migration patterns were shown to be dependent on several variables within the surrounding substrate including cellular content, physical environment, and the matrix chemical milieu. We have taken advantage of using collagen hydrogels as a 3D …

Spatio-Temporal Analysis Of Precipitation And Flood Data From South Carolina, Haigang Liu

Theses and Dissertations

Spatio-temporal data are everywhere: we encounter them on TV, in newspapers, on computer screens, on tablets, and on plain paper maps. As a result, researchers in di- verse areas are increasingly faced with the task of modeling geographically-referenced and temporally-correlated data. In this dissertation, we propose two different spa- tiotemporal models to capture the behavior of rainfall and flood data in the state of South Carolina.

Both models are built using a Bayesian hierarchical framework, which involves specifying the true underlying process in the first level and the spatio-temporal ran- dom effect in the second level of the hierarchy. The …

An Instruction Embedding Model For Binary Code Analysis, Kimberly Michelle Redmond

Theses and Dissertations

Binary code analysis is important for understanding programs without access to the original source code, which is common with proprietary software. Analyzing binaries can be challenging given their high variability: due to growth in tech manufactur- ers, source code is now frequently compiled for multiple instruction set architectures (ISAs); however, there is no formal dictionary that translates between their assem- bly languages. The difficulty of analysis is further compounded by different compiler optimizations and obfuscated malware signatures. Such minutiae means that some vulnerabilities may only be detectable on a fine-grained level. Recent strides in ma- chine learning—particularly in Natural Language …

An Instructional Designer Competency Framework For Complex Learning Designs, David Alan Schubert

CCE Theses and Dissertations

Learning design competency frameworks published by professional organizations, exist for typical instructional design efforts. However, a review of literature revealed a lack of frameworks available for the creation of complex learning designs (CLDs). The goal of this research was to develop a competency framework for the creation of CLDs. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed in the four phases of the design and development research approach In phase one, a survey based on the Educational Technology Multimedia Competency Survey (ETMCS) was sent to instructional designers who self-reported as having experience creating CLDs. The purpose of phase one was to identify …

Thermal/Mechanical Analysis And Development Of A 2000 Lbf Liquid Oxygen/Liquid Methane Rocket Engine, Marissa Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The Center for Space Exploration and Technology Research (cSETR) is developing three rocket engines: a 5 lbf reaction control engine, a 500 lbf engine, and a 2000 lbf engine. All these engines utilize a liquid oxygen and liquid methane propellant combination. The reason methane was selected for the fuel is because methane is easy to store, is self-pressurizing, and readily available. There is also the possibility of creating methane on planets such as Mars through an electrolysis process on the ice water found on Mars.

The 2000 lbf engine, or the CROME-X, is a modular, steady-state pintle injector engine. It …

Unintended Consequences Of Dna Analysis Delays In North Carolina, Pamela Cook Woodard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The processing of DNA recovered from felony crime scenes often causes delays in trials of up to 3 years, calling into question defendants' rights to a speedy trial. Using Lewin's force field analysis as the theoretical framework, the purpose of this quantitative, comparative study was to compare the processing and reporting of results related to DNA testing in 4 states. Survey data were collected from state bar members (n=137), members of a professional law organization (n=149), and members of a state DNA laboratory (n=20). The purpose of this quantitative, comparative study was to determine whether these variables (interagency communications, staff …

Rigorous Analysis Of An Edge-Based Network Disease Model, Sabrina Mai

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Edge-based network disease models, in comparison to classic compartmental epidemiological models, better capture social factors affecting disease spread such as contact duration and social heterogeneity. We reason that there should exist infinitely many equilibria rather than only an endemic equilibrium and a disease-free equilibrium for the edge-based network disease model commonly used in the literature, as there do not exist any changes in demographic in the model. We modify the commonly used network model by relaxing some assumed conditions and factor in a dependency on initial conditions. We find that this modification still accounts for realistic dynamics of disease spread …

Ceramic Architectural Models From The Madaba Plains Region: A Selected Art Historical Analysis, Stefanie P. Elkins

Dissertations

Problem

Architectural models can be described as small, ceramic, house-shaped structures that come in an often bewildering array of shapes and sizes. They appear all over the ancient Near East, and although evidence shows that they were created as early as the Neolithic period, they seem to have peaked in popularity and proliferation during the Iron Age. A few studies and several typologies have been offered over the years, but none have addressed iconography or artistic motifs as well as shape. Furthermore, no in-depth typology of architectural models within the country of Jordan has been offered. This dissertation explores the …

The Green Web: Evaluating Online News Communities And Their Environmentalism, Stian Himberg Roussell

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

In the past news and media were disseminated through channels that were difficult for consumers to communicate with. Now a new form of news dissemination is taking place on the internet where communication between consumers and producers exists. Crowdsourced social media sites, where users elect and vote on articles and comments to represent a topic, are creating new forms of news dissemination, which heavily alters media content, and community discussions. This study was conducted in order to better understand how crowdsourced social media platforms affect users’ perception of environmental topics, issues, and problems. It focuses on the crowdsourced social media …

Depictions Of Genetic Research In Film Across Film Genres, Jennifer Lund

Undergraduate Honors Theses

When people do not have personal experience to draw on, the experiences of characters in film can serve in the mind as a substitute. This research sought to determine what kind of impression films depicting genetics research leave on the audience. These genres were romance (Code 46, 2004), horror (Splice, 2009), thriller (Children of Men, 2006), and drama (Gattaca, 1997). Scenes from the films were analyzed to determine their likely effect on the audience perception of genetics. The researcher hypothesized that the drama and romance films would portray genetics research as neutral, but the science …