Digital Commons Network^™

Web-Based Portfolio Assessment : An Open Source Solution For Platform Design, Regina Collins

Theses

Summative assessments of student writing performance have been instrumental in the evaluation of student ability and analysis of educational programs. One method used to perform summative assessments of writing performance in post-secondary education is through the evaluation of student portfolios. Using an evidence-centered design approach, NJIT faculty researchers have developed rubrics to measure the acquired skills of students. Classroom instructors from the department meet periodically to score the students' portfolios containing constructed responses to predetermined writing tasks. The paper-based assessments are then manually key-stroked into Microsoft Excel for storage, with the scores then analyzed in SPSS and SAS.

This thesis …

Type-1 Diabetes Risk Prediction Using Multiple Kernel Learning, Paras Garg

Theses

This thesis presents an analysis of multiple kernel learning (MKL) for type-1 diabetes risk prediction. MKL combines different models and representation of data to find a linear combination of these representations of the data. MKL has been successfully been implemented in image detection, splice site detection, ribosomal and membrane protein prediction, etc. In this thesis, this method was applied for Genome-wide association study (GWAS) for classifying cases and controls.

This thesis has shown that combined kernel does not perform better than the individual kernels and that MKL does not select the best model for this problem. Also, the effect of …

Design Of Drug Delivery Strategies Based On Well-Stirred Experiments, Kumud Kanneganti

Theses

Drugs are generally administered to the human body via injections (IV) or through other paths such as the buccal, nasal routes. The main consideration when designing a medication schedule is to maintain a therapeutic level of the drug in the body during the course of treatment. To achieve this goal, when IV drug therapy is selected, particular importance has to given to the dose to be injected and how to maintain the concentration of the pharmaceutical active ingredient (API) in the body between a Minimum Toxic Concentration (MTC) and a Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC). This therapeutic range varies with the …

A Study Of Probability Distributions Of Dct Coefficients In Jpeg Compression, Gopal Thirumalai Narayanan

Theses

The Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) used in JPEG compression has shown excellent energy compaction properties that rival that of the ideal Karhunen-Loève Transform. Lossy compression in JPEG is achieved by distorting 8x8 block DCT coefficients through quantization. It has been shown in literature that DC block DCT coefficients are Gaussian probability distributed and AC block DCT coefficients are Generalized Normal probability distributed.

In this investigation, three probability density models for individual modes of non- quantized AC block DCT coefficients are evaluated and are used as basis for the derivation of probability distributions for quantized block DCT coefficients. The suitability of …

Study Of Methods To Predict Voltage Collapse, Niki Patel

Theses

One of the problems that must be addressed for a secure power system operation is the voltage collapse problem. The ever increasing size and connectivity of the power grid have lead to making the problem more multifarious. Widespread blackouts, similar to the one that occurred in the northeast in August 2003, could result from failure to address the problem.

This thesis presents an overview of the voltage collapse problem and reviews some existing methods to calculate voltage collapse indicators.

Thevenin and Maximum Power Transfer Theorems are used to provide indicators of the proximity of the system to voltage collapse. The …

Automation Of Anatomic Torsion Monitor For Evaluation And Improvement Of Low Back Dysfunction, Vishal Kumar Singh

Theses

The existing Anatomical Torsion Monitor (ATM) to evaluate mechanical stiffness and viscoelasticity of the low back suffers from various inherent defects. This has to be replaced by an improved device. Also the existing ATM cannot provide oscillations to the low back.

The main objective is to automate the existing ATM for evaluating the low back immediately using objective methods. The specific objective is to provide oscillations for improving the low back dysfunction.

The laser platform and the target chart for recording the readings are dispensed with the existing ATM. Instead, the ultrasound transducers are attached to the pads to record …

A Comparison Of Software Engines For Simulation Of Closed-Loop Control Systems, Sanket D. Nikam

Theses

A wide array of control system design and simulation software engines is available in market. It includes MATLAB-Simulink, LabVIEW, Maple-MapleSim, Scilab-Scicos, VisSim and Mathematica-Control Professional Suite (CPS). Among all of them MATLAB-Simulink is dominant and widely used software engine. The main aim of this study is to implement different state space control methods for non-linear Furuta pendulum system in each one of them and to compare performance against MATLAB-Simulink.

Different parameters like learning curve, interoperability, flexibility, control design tools, documentation and tech support are considered for efficiency comparison. It is shown that MapleSim has multi-body intuitive physical modeling (acausal) approach …

Stochastic And Deterministic Dynamics Investigation Of The Microstructure Of Granular Materials, Vishagan Ratnaswamy

Theses

Granular materials are ubiquitous in one's daily life. They can be found in the cereal you eat, the sugar you put in your coffee or the sand you walk on in the beach. The study of granular materials has a rich history dating back to the 17th century where Kepler studied the packing of particles. The compaction of granular materials is a problem that is studied by using theory, experiments and simulations. While these studies have yielded some important results, there still are many details about the mechanisms of granular compaction that are unknown.

In this thesis, the density relaxation …

Njit Self-Study Design, Norbert Elliot

Middle States Accreditation 2012

No abstract provided.

Perturbed Spherical Objects In Acoustic And Fluid Flow Fields, Manmeet Kaur

Dissertations

In this study, the time averaged acoustic radiation force and drag on a small, nearly spherical object suspended freely in a stationary sound wave field in a compressible, low viscosity fluid is to be calculated. This problem has been solved for a spherical object, and it has many important engineering applications related to segregation and separation processes for particles in fluids such as water. Small but significant errors have occurred in the predicted behavior of the particles using the existing approximate solutions based on perfect spheres. The classical approach has been extended in this research to objects that deviate slightly …

Institutional Controls And Brownfield Redevelopment, Ronnachai Tiyarattanachai

Dissertations

Institutional controls (ICs) are used to reduce risks to human health and environment from exposure to contaminants at Brownfield sites. Regulators approve use of ICs in Brownfield redevelopment with the expectation that ICs will remain effective over the long-term under proper oversight mechanisms. However, a recent review of compliance statuses of Brownfield sites with ICs implemented in Massachusetts and New Jersey indicated a significant percentage of the sites are out of compliance status.

Implementation of ICs depends on compliance efforts by humans. Thus, consistency of implementation over the long-term is questionable because there are several potential problems due to human …

Generalized Discrete Fourier Transform With Non-Linear Phase : Theory And Design, Handan Agirman-Tosun

Dissertations

Constant modulus transforms like discrete Fourier transform (DFT), Walsh transform, and Gold codes have been successfully used over several decades in various engineering applications, including discrete multi-tone (DMT), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and code division multiple access (CDMA) communications systems. Among these popular transforms, DFT is a linear phase transform and widely used in multicarrier communications due to its performance and fast algorithms. In this thesis, a theoretical framework for Generalized DFT (GDFT) with nonlinear phase exploiting the phase space is developed. It is shown that GDFT offers sizable correlation improvements over DFT, Walsh, and Gold codes. Brute force …

Resource Assignment In Short Life Technology Intensive (Slti) New Product Development (Npd), Randy A. Reagan

Dissertations

Enterprises managing multiple concurrent New Product Development (NPD) projects face significant challenges assigning staff to projects in order to achieve launch schedules that maximize financial returns. The challenge is increased with the class of Short Life Technology Intensive (SLTI) products characterized by technical complexity, short development cycles and short revenue life cycles. Technical complexity drives the need to assign staffing resources of various technical disciplines and skill levels. SLTI products are rapidly developed and launched into stationary market windows where the revenue life cycle is short and decreasing with any time-to-market delay. The SLTI-NPD project management decision is to assign …

Virtual World Commerce Adoption (Vwca) : A Case Study Of Second Life Investigating The Impacts Of Perceived Affordances, Trust, And Need Satisfaction, Kamolbhan Olapiriyakul

Dissertations

Virtual worlds are computer-simulated worlds in which multi-players can simultaneously interact in a rich graphical environment. The development of virtual worlds, along with the massive growth of users, creates opportunities for business organizations. This dissertation involves many studies regarding virtual world adoption in business by virtual consumers.

Most of the research in Information Systems (IS) was conducted investigating factors influencing technology adoption, such as ease of use and usefulness, subjective norms and behavioral controls, self-efficacy, performance and effort expectancy, flow, etc. However, most of these research studies focused neither on design aspects related to affordances nor users' goal-oriented behaviors, such …

Modeling And Quasi-Monte Carlo Simulation Of Risk In Credit Portfolios, Bo Ren

Dissertations

Credit risk is the risk of losing contractually obligated cash flows promised by a counterparty such as a corporation, financial institution, or government due to default on its debt obligations. The need for accurate pricing and hedging of complex credit derivatives and for active management of large credit portfolios calls for an accurate assessment of the risk inherent in the underlying credit portfolios. An important challenge for modeling a credit portfolio is to capture the correlations within the credit portfolio. For very large and homogeneous portfolios, analytic and semi-analytic approaches can be used to derive limiting distributions. However, for portfolios …

Algorithms In Comparative Genomics, Satish Chikkagoudar

Dissertations

The field of comparative genomics is abundant with problems of interest to computer scientists. In this thesis, the author presents solutions to three contemporary problems: obtaining better alignments for phylogeny reconstruction, identifying related RNA sequences in genomes, and ranking Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Sequence alignment is a basic and widely used task in bioinformatics. Its applications include identifying protein structure, RNAs and transcription factor binding sites in genomes, and phylogeny reconstruction. Phylogenetic descriptions depend not only on the employed reconstruction technique, but also on the underlying sequence alignment. The author has studied and established a …

Optimal Train Control On Various Track Alignments Considering Speed And Schedule Adherence Constraints, Kitae Kim

Dissertations

The methodology discussed in this dissertation contributes to the field of transit operational control to reduce energy consumption. Due to the recent increase in gasoline cost, a significant number of travelers are shifting from highway modes to public transit, which also induces higher transit energy consumption expenses.

This study presents an approach to optimize train motion regimes for various track alignments, which minimizes total energy consumption subject to allowable travel time, maximum operating speed, and maximum acceleration/deceleration rates. The research problem is structured into four cases which consist of the combinations of track alignments (e.g., single vertical alignment and mixed …

Understanding Cognitive Differences In Processing Competing Visualizations Of Complex Systems, Madhavi Mukul Chakrabarty

Dissertations

Node-link diagrams are used represent systems having different elements and relationships among the elements. Representing the systems using visualizations like node-link diagrams provides cognitive aid to individuals in understanding the system and effectively managing these systems. Using appropriate visual tools aids in task completion by reducing the cognitive load of individuals in understanding the problems and solving them. However, the visualizations that are currently developed lack any cognitive processing based evaluation. Most of the evaluations (if any) are based on the result of tasks performed using these visualizations. Therefore, the evaluations do not provide any perspective from the point of …

Optimal Synthesis Of Planar Adjustable Mechanisms, Chong Peng

Dissertations

Adjustable mechanisms provide degrees of flexibility while retaining desirable features of one degree of freedom close-loop mechanisms, such as simplicity, stability, and high speed capabilities. By adjusting linkage parameters, additional phases of motions can be achieved using the same hardware. However, an adjustment to the mechanism adds only one or two additional design positions and divides desired positions into "phases", each of which contains only a few positions usually insufficient for industrial applications.

In order to extend the design position limitation of adjustable mechanisms, an optimal synthesis method based on link length structural error is developed and applied to kinematic …

Job Seeking And Job Application In Social Networking Sites : Predicting Job Seekers' Behavioral Intentions, Maria Marcella Plummer

Dissertations

Social networking sites (SNSs) are revolutionizing the way in which employers and job seekers connect and interact with each other. Despite the reported benefits of SNSs with respect to finding a job, there are issues such as privacy concerns that might be deterring job seekers from using these sites in their attempts to secure a job. It is therefore important to understand the factors that are salient in predicting job seekers' use of SNSs in applying for jobs.

In this research, a theoretical model was developed to explicate job seekers' intentions to use SNSs to apply for jobs. Two aspects …

Integration Of Electronic And Optical Techniques In The Design And Fabrication Of Pressure Sensors, Ivan Padron

Dissertations

Since the introduction of micro-electro-mechanical systems fabrication methods, piezoresistive pressure sensors have become the more popular pressure transducers. They dominate pressure sensor commercialization due to their high performance, stability and repeatability. However, increasing demand for harsh environment sensing devices has made sensors based on Fabry-Perot interferometry the more promising optical pressure sensors due to their high degree of sensitivity, small size, high temperature performance, versatility, and improved immunity to environmental noise and interference. The work presented in this dissertation comprises the design, fabrication, and testing of sensors that fuse these two pressure sensing technologies into one integrated unit. A key …

Nonlinear Evolution Of Annular Layers And Liquid Threads In Electric Fields, Qiming Wang

Dissertations

The nonlinear dynamics of viscous perfectly conducting liquid jets or threads under the action of a radial electric field are studied theoretically and numerically here. The field is generated by a potential difference between the jet surface and a concentrically placed electrode of given radius. A long-wave nonlinear model that is used to predict the dynamics of the system and in particular to address the effect of the radial electric field on jet breakup is developed, Two canonical regimes are identified that depend on the size of the gap between the outer electrode and the unperturbed jet surface. For relatively …

Relationship Between Photospheric Magnetic Fields And Coronal Activities, Changyi Tan

Dissertations

Coronal emission comes in two forms, a steady component where the corona is heated to million degrees and a much hotter transient component of solar flares. Both components are known to be related to the evolution of surface magnetic fields. This dissertation studies the evolution of photospheric magnetic fields and flow fields and their relation to the properties of these two coronal emission components.

The key issue in the study of the steady coronal emission is the coronal heating problem: how the corona is heated to millions of degrees while the underlying solar photosphere is only a few thousand degrees. …

Cooperative Retransmission Protocols In Fading Channels : Issues, Solutions And Applications, Igor Stanojev

Dissertations

Future wireless systems are expected to extensively rely on cooperation between terminals, mimicking MIMO scenarios when terminal dimensions limit implementation of multiple antenna technology. On this line, cooperative retransmission protocols are considered as particularly promising technology due to their opportunistic and flexible exploitation of both spatial and time diversity. In this dissertation, some of the major issues that hinder the practical implementation of this technology are identified and pertaining solutions are proposed and analyzed. Potentials of cooperative and cooperative retransmission protocols for a practical implementation of dynamic spectrum access paradigm are also recognized and investigated. Detailed contributions follow.

While conventionally …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Metal Oxide Semiconductors For Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production, Sudhakar Shet

Dissertations

The goal of this thesis is to investigate the properties of metal-oxide thin films on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO)-coated glass substrates, prepared by using radio- frequency (RF) reactive magnetron sputtering for photoelectrochemical (PEC) applications. Metal-oxide thin films as a photoelectrode are of special interest for PEC systems to produce hydrogen in an aqueous solution by solar energy due to their low cost and potential stability.

The following list represents some of the accomplishments and results of this work:

• Narrowing of N-incorporated ZnO (ZnO:N) was achieved by reactive sputtering in a O₂/N₂ mixture ambient, and ZnO:N films with …

Semantics And Efficient Evaluation Of Partial Tree-Pattern Queries On Xml, Xiaoying Wu

Dissertations

Current applications export and exchange XML data on the web. Usually, XML data are queried using keyword queries or using the standard structured query language XQuery the core of which consists of the navigational query language XPath. In this context, one major challenge is the querying of the data when the structure of the data sources is complex or not fully known to the user. Another challenge is the integration of multiple data sources that export data with structural differences and irregularities. In this dissertation, a query language for XML called Partial Tree-Pattern Query (PTPQ) language is considered. PTPQs generalize …

In Silico Prediction Of Non-Coding Rnas Using Supervised Learning And Feature Ranking Methods, Stephen J. Griesmer

Theses

This thesis presents a novel method, RNAMultifold, for development of a non-coding RNA (ncRNA) classification model based on features derived from folding the consensus sequence of multiple sequence alignments using different folding programs: RNAalifold, CentroidFold, and RSpredict. The method ranks these folding features according to a Class Separation Measure (CSM) that quantifies the ability of the features to differentiate between samples from positive and negative test sets. The set of top-ranked features is then used to construct classification models: Naive Bayes, Fisher Linear Discriminant, and Support Vector Machine (SVM). These models are compared to the performance of the same models …

Social Group Discovery Using Using Co-Location Traces, Steve Mardenfeld

Theses

Social information can be used to enhance existing applications and services or can be utilized to devise entirely new applications. Examples of such applications include recommendation systems, peer-to-peer networks, opportunistic data dissemination in ad hoc networks, or mobile friend finder. Social information can be collected from either online or mobile sources.

This thesis focuses on identifying social groups based on data collected from mobile phones. These data can be either location or co-location traces. Unfortunately, location traces require a localization system for every mobile device, and users are reluctant to share absolute location due to privacy concerns. On the other …

Development Of Pharmacophore And Comfa Study Of Rigid And Flexible Sigma 2 Receptor Ligands, Hemantbhai Patel

Theses

In the present study a pharmacophore and CoMFA model was derived for sigma 2 (62) receptors by using Sybyl 7.2 Software Package. The CoMFA studies used 22 bioactive molecules as a training set and 4 molecules as a test set for the o2 receptor ligands. The geometries and electrostatic charges of all molecules were calculated using various levels of calculations. The geometry optimization and electrostatic charges of all 26 molecules were performed by using semiemprical AM1, ab initio HF/6-31G* and density functional B3LYP/6-31G* in Gaussian 98. The pharmacophore model was derived by using Distance Comparisions (DISCOtech) from 4 partially to …

Njit Highlanders Men's Volleyball 2010 Media Guide, New Jersey Institute Of Technology Athletic Department

Volleyball - Men's

No abstract provided.