Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Of Data Science Professionals, Corey S. Seliger

Open Access Theses

The feld of data science is growing at break-neck speeds. More industries are looking towards data science professionals to fnd, compile, explore, and model data from numerous areas of interest. Currently, there are over 130,000 data science positions open. Professional training and institutions of higher education are unable to train enough individuals to place into these positions. Initial research in this space has started reviewing some of the data in this space, including determining the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) employers seek in data science candidates and what institutions are providing in the means of preparation in this space. With …

Modeling And Characterization Of High-Power Electronic Devices: System Analysis Of Laser Diodes With Flash Boiling And Gan Hemt Reliability Modeling, Evan L. Schlenker

Open Access Theses

Modern electronics are increasingly more capable of high-power density operation, which presents important thermal challenges. High-power laser diode bars have proliferated in recent years, and while they can generate high optical powers, slope efficiencies are theoretically limited, resulting in high excess heat loads and consequent temperature shifts that can impair many applications. As a result, managing the ensuing heat flux and temperature changes has become increasingly important. Although traditional single-phase cooling solutions are limited by their convection coefficient to a certain temperature difference, two-phase solutions have potential for significantly higher convective coefficients. Flash boiling is a cooling method that can …

An Experimental Diminished Reality Implementation For Augmented Reality Furniture Shopping Applications, Zhengda Shi

Open Access Theses

This study focuses on implementation and user satisfaction assessment of a newly designed diminished reality method. To improve customers’ experience in previewing the result of replacing large furniture at home, an experimental method which covers a background rendering overlay cube on the target furniture was designed. An application implementing this method was developed, and a user experience survey was conducted. We were expecting our method would help customers find appropriate furniture and make decisions, but the result showed the reversed effect. However, some conclusions of this study can be useful for other future research.

A Multi-Objective Design Optimization Approach For Suas Fleet Design & Allocation In Meteorological Sampling Operations, Brandon E. Sells

Open Access Theses

Many potential small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) applications require or would benefit from deploying a fleet of aircraft to perform a mission. Fleet operations present advantages to maximize mission success by using additional sUAS; however, an additional advantage exists in the ability to design a bespoke sUAS and capitalize on the innovation in rapid prototyping and collaborative control. If this fleet includes new, yet-to-be-designed sUAS, the problem of both designing the new sUAS and allocating the fleet becomes a challenging optimization problem. Starting from promising work in similar applications, this work will investigate how a decomposition approach will allow a …

Physiological Changes In Hippocampal Ca3-Ca1 Network Following Pilocarpine Induced Status Epilepticus, Alexandra L. Sommer

Open Access Theses

Status Epilepticus has been shown to increase the risk of developing epilepsy later in life. Anatomical changes such as dendritic instability and reduction in neurotransmitter associated vesicles have been found within the hippocampus. In this study, local field potential recordings in hippocampal slices were measured to determine how the anatomical variation between control and status epilepticus induced animals correlated to function changes in synaptic efficacy and plasticity. Rats and mice induced with status epilepticus were found to have decreased synaptic efficacy, but appeared to demonstrate varying plasticity compensation at different stimulation intensities.

Landscape Transitions And Socioeconomic Drivers As Predictors Of Fire Frequency, Mariam Gabriela Valladeres Castellanos

Open Access Theses

Fire prediction systems rely on meteorological descriptors and fuel characteristics to determine fire risk at national scales. However, at a regional scale, anthropogenic dynamics play an important role in determining fire ignition, as well as spatial and temporal distributions. Under an increasing fire activity scenario projected for the next century, Mediterranean ecosystems are particularly fragile regions. Fire variability driven by human stressors is the main threat to the native vegetation and human populations in these regions. The inclusion of anthropogenic indicators on fire prediction systems, especially within Mediterranean ecosystems, is key to developing accurate predictions and effective fire management efforts. …

Embedding Sustainability Into The Wine Sector Through The Application Of Life Cycle Management Tools, Andres Eduardo Valero

Open Access Theses

According to the United Nations, by 2050, if we keep the current natural resources usage trend, we will require three planets to support the lifestyle of 9.6 billion people, [1]. Undoubtedly to overcome this challenge is necessary we change not only our consumption pattern but also how the production system works. In one hand a systemic approach is required to reduce natural resources demand and degradation while increasing social welfare along the whole lifecycle of each of our economic activities. On the other hand, the member of the society needs to acknowledge the environmental, social, and economic impact of their …

Waste Materials And Management: Lessons From The Flint Water Crisis In Michigan And Blast Furnace Slag Usage In Indiana, Tianqi Wang

Open Access Theses

Two aspects of solid waste management were investigated for this thesis. The first effort focused on better understanding solid waste management before, during, and after the large-scale 2015 drinking water lead crisis in Flint, Michigan. When large drinking water systems are unable to deliver safe water, the provision of emergency water supplies becomes a necessity. The author investigated waste management challenges associated with the large-scale drinking water disaster. In October 2015, more than 90,000 people were directed not to use their lead contaminated water, but instead use emergency drinking water and in-home filters. Discussions with organizations that responded to the …

Understanding Undergraduate Chinese International Student Perceptions And Usage Of Facebook, Yushan Wei

Open Access Theses

The study tried to understand undergraduate Chinese international student perceptions and usage of Facebook. Ten undergraduate Chinese international students from a Midwestern university were recruited in this study. Half of them were senior and half of them were freshmen. Semi-structured interviews and survey were used in collecting data. Based on the analysis of data from all data source, several themes emerged and were categorized under purpose, adoption and usage. Moreover, data also provided explanation of the decline of Facebook usage among undergraduate Chinese international students as they stayed in the U.S. Findings of this study included the usability issues of …

Optimized Angles Of The Swing Hyperspectral Imaging Tower For Single Corn Plant, Libo Zhang

Open Access Theses

During recent years, hyperspectral imaging systems have been widely applied in the greenhouses for plant phenotyping purposes. Current imaging systems are mostly designed as either top view or side view imaging mode. Top-view is an ideal imaging angle for top leaves which are often more flat with more uniform reflectance. However, most bottom leaves are either blocked or shaded from top view. From side view, most leaves are viewable, and the entire structure can be imaged. However, at this angle most of the leaves are not facing the camera, which will impact the measurement quality. At the same time, there …

Pre-Service Teachers' Understanding Of Geometric Reflections In Terms Of Motion And Mapping View, Murat Akarsu

Open Access Dissertations

In this manuscript, I describe a study of pre-service secondary mathematics teachers’ (PTs) understanding of geometric reflection in terms of a motion and a mapping views. PTs often have a motion view of geometric reflection based on their understanding of reflection line, domain, and plane. A motion view is a preliminary perspective developed prior to the construction of a mapping view. PTs need a mapping view of geometric reflection, and to be conscious of sub-concepts of a mapping view involved reflection line, domain, and plane. However, there is no clear evidence documenting how a learner’s motion view evolves to produce …

She Is A Computer Scientist: A Quantitative Comparison Between The Effectiveness Of Game Design Studios And Robotics At Enhancing Women's Learning Of, Self-Efficacy In, Attitudes Toward, And Domain Identification With Computer Science, Ali Nazil Alshammari

Open Access Dissertations

The underrepresentation of women in computer science is a serious issue with ramifications that affect not only women working in the field, but also the field at large and the national economy. While the problem is attributed to several interconnected causes, such as computer knowledge, experience, and familiarity; they do not tell the entire story, nor do they point to a global trend. Studies indicate that these factors did not stop the computer science field from achieving a balanced male-female ratio in non-western countries. Since no single factor can be attributed as the primary cause of this complicated problem, and …

Interparental Conflict As A Context For Early Child-Parent Attachment Relationships, Laura Yanett Anaya

Open Access Dissertations

The present study explored the concurrent relations between interparental conflict strategies and early child-parent attachment relationships, while considering potential mediating (i.e., parental sensitivity) and moderating (i.e., involvement of child in conflict) variables in the relations. A nonclinical sample of mostly non-Hispanic Caucasian triads (i.e., mother, father, child) were recruited. Parental sensitivity and children's attachment security were observed across four visits: one visit was in the home with mother, one visit was in the home with father, one visit was in the park with mother, and one visit was in the park with father. In a fifth visit, in the research …

Avian Immunogenetics And Evolution Of A Passerine Bird In The Face Of Malarial Parasites, Jennifer D. Antonides

Open Access Dissertations

A key goal of evolutionary biology is understanding the complex mechanisms underlying adaptive evolution, and the study of the co-evolution of hosts and parasites is a primary tool. The work in this dissertation involves exploring the evolution of avian immune genes in the context of phylogeny and malarial parasitic infection using next generation sequencing approaches. The bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) is a Caribbean passerine bird and a common host of haemosporidian parasites which cause avian malaria (Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp.). The genes of a host’s immune system, including those of the Major Histocompatability Complex (MHC) of the adaptive immune system …

An Overall Policy Decision-Support System For Educational Facilities Management: An Agent-Based Approach, Haya Bader Albader

Open Access Dissertations

Although K-12 public school facilities infrastructure investments are second only to highways, schools continue to suffer from an approximately $38 billion annual funding gap. Massive reductions in funding are forcing school districts to make tough decisions to optimize maintenance expenditures. Over the last three decades, a huge body of research has determined that the condition of school facilities do affect student health and performance, and some have further demonstrated that schools are overwhelmed by deteriorating facilities that threaten the health, safety, and learning opportunities of students. The currently available educational facility management approaches oversee the influence of the complex and …

Data-Driven Resource Allocation In Virtualized Environments, Lianjie Cao

Open Access Dissertations

Modern advances in virtualization technologies have revolutionized the way we build and manage computer systems. Virtualization technologies, however, adversely impact the predictability of system performance. This introduces several challenges in balancing performance and resource utilization.

In this dissertation, we explore and address performance challenges introduced by virtualization in two application scenarios: network functions virtualization and distributed network emulation.

First, we investigate the performance of virtualized network functions (VNFs) and propose a framework, NFV-VITAL, that characterizes performance impacts of hardware and software options and determines the optimal configuration for initial deployment of a VNF. Then we propose a system, Elastic resource …

‘Makingthings Happen’ In Cross-Sector Partnerships: A Multiple Case Study, Priyanka Shah Brunese

Open Access Dissertations

Cross-sector collaborative partnerships aim to bring resources and knowledge from their particular sectors to provide innovative solutions in response to current social, economic and environmental problems, and for developing policies and processes for emergent issues. However, cross-sector partnerships involving public (i.e., institutions of higher education), private, and nonprofit organizations are complex and dynamic systems that are extremely difficult to manage once they have been established. Organizations spanning different sectors not only have dissimilar operating models, working cultures, values, and leadership styles, but are driven by different motives in joining the partnership thereby making the act of collaborating very challenging. When …

Assessment Of Urbanization Impacts On Surface Runoff And Effects Of Green Infrastructure On Hydrology And Water Quality, Jingqiu Chen

Open Access Dissertations

Urbanization is one of the most important anthropogenic modifications of the global environment. It has significant impacts on hydrologic processes and water quantity and quality. Research related to urbanization impacts on surface runoff has focused on changes up to the watershed scale. However, quantitative assessment at a national scale is scarce. Parallel to urbanization impacts, climate is also one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today and its effects are already being felt from strengthened storms and rising sea levels to changing temperature and weather patterns. The adverse impacts of urbanization and climate can converge in synergistic ways, which may …

A Solidarity Economy On The Border: Examining Historical And Contemporary Case Studies In El Paso, Texas As De Facto Contributors To A U.S.-Based Movement, Michelle E. Carreon

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation examines a contemporary U.S.-based solidarity economy movement, which emphasizes economic practice and ideology that prioritize people and planet over profit. In a neoliberal era that is characterized by economic injustice and continued cutting of social services and programming, a solidarity economy framework offers an alternative. Situated within a growing scholarship, this study examines historical and contemporary examples of solidarity economy-related efforts and praxis in the border city of El Paso, Texas.

The historical case of the Houchen settlement house and the contemporary case of the women-led grassroots community organization, La Mujer Obrera (LMO), illustrate significant ways in which …

The Human Dimensions Of Invasive Plant Management On Family Forestlands: A Case Study In Indiana, Mysha K. Clarke

Open Access Dissertations

Invasive plant management is an increasing concern in socio-ecological systems. Ecologically, invasive plants can displace native species, reduce forest health and productivity, and degrade recreational areas. From a socio-economic perspective, the United States spend approximately USD 137 annually in damage and control costs from invasive plants and animals. Despite these impacts, invasive plants continue to spread in forest ecosystems because of various anthropogenic factors like trade, transportation, climate change, and limited regulation in many states. It is pivotal to consider the role of family forest owners (FFOs) in invasive plant management in forest ecosystems because collectively they own 36% of …

Secular Discourse In Postcolonial West African Narratives: Problems And Perspectives: A Comparative Study, Malick Coly

Open Access Dissertations

The making of modern African nations and their attendant secularistic establishment have not only altered traditional socio-political structures, this shift has equally affected the relations between individuals as well as communities. In the process leading to modern sociocultural transformations, tensions and discourse have arisen. Toyin Falola’s Violence in Nigeria: Crisis of Religious Politics and Secular Ideologies, and Ousman Murzik Kobo’s Unveiling Modernity in Twentieth-Century West African Islamic Reforms highlight respectively the political and religious divide in post-Independence Nigeria and the impact of Islamic reform in Ghana and Burkina Faso. These two historical studies show the complexity of modern West African …

Conventions Of The Commons: Technical Communication And Crowdsourced Digital Publishing, Amelia Chesley

Open Access Dissertations

This project traces the digital publishing history of the audiobook archive LibriVox.org, examining how its volunteers manage, control, and negotiate procedures and policies for their ongoing collaborative work. Examples of public knowledge work like LibriVox illustrate the value of professional and technical communication in accessibly digitizing knowledge and culture for use now and in the future. I investigate and theorize how groups of diverse and transient volunteers create and engage with the tools and documentation they use to manage their crowdsourced audio digitization work. The example of LibriVox can help us better recognize and value the invitational care work embedded …

On The Front Line: Locating Mentorship In The Composition Practicum, Sherri Elaine Craig

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation is a qualitative study of fifteen WPA instructors of the composition practicum. Driven by the primary research question, how do WPAs enact mentorship within composition practicum?, the study sought to better identify how WPAs enact and perceive mentorship within the composition practicum through an activity-theory framework in three distinct phases: a collection and analysis of twenty-six pedagogical materials, twelve structured interviews, and one case study. Through these phases, it was determined the difficulty of locating mentorship of TAs required distinguishing between performing mentoring acts and establishing mentoring relationships first, and second, a construction of the practicum course materials …

Social Brokerage, Psychology, And Innovation In Intra-Organizational Networks, Hongzhi Chen

Open Access Dissertations

As an important organizational phenomenon, brokerage is common in any group of three or more. A recent meta-analysis shows that brokerage is one of the most influential network properties to individual innovativeness (Baer, Evans, Oldham, & Boasso, 2015). This dissertation investigates the impacts of social brokerage on the micro-foundation of corporate innovation, i.e., generating new projects and getting new things done. In addressing the social psychological foundations of brokerage (Tasselli, Kilduff, & Menges, 2015), this dissertation investigates the influential contexts around the broker and revisits the “human agency” issue in brokerage phenomena in the setting of corporate innovation.

Chapter One …

Metaethical Mooreanism, Jonathan Fuqua

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation is an attempt to apply the Moorean response to radical skepticism to moral skepticism. In a nutshell, I argue as follows. Assume that the following Moorean response to, say, BIV skepticism (the worry that I don’t know I’m not a brain in a vat) is roughly correct: “I know I have hands, so I’m not a BIV; any argument to the contrary must have a flaw somewhere.” If so, then such a Moorean should respond as follows to moral skepticism: “I know that recreational genocide is wrong, so it’s false that there are no moral facts, and that …

Design And Development Of Adaptive Intrusion Management For Cyber-Based Systems, Muhamad Felemban

Open Access Dissertations

With the growing Cyber-security threats to governmental and organizational infrastructures, the need to develop high resilient Cyber-Based Systems (CBSs) that preserve the security of data is becoming increasingly important. A prominent type of Cyber-attacks is intrusion attacks that aim at data tampering, which can impair the confidentiality and the integrity of data. Therefore, it is imperative to design a holistic intrusion management approach for CBSs.

In this dissertation, we address the challenges of designing and developing a resilient intrusion management system. In particular, we propose an adaptive data Partitioning-based Intrusion Management System (PIMS) that can endure intense malicious intrusion attacks …

Acute Effects Of Contractile Activity On Skeletal Muscle Exosomes, Ron T. Garner

Open Access Dissertations

Introduction: Skeletal muscle functions as an endocrine organ, and a key way to accomplish that is through exosomes. The internal budding of a multivesicular body (MVB) forms exosomes and contains mRNA, miRNA, and proteins. Through a multifaceted approach, the following three experiments were designed to better understand the effect of contractile activity on skeletal muscle MVB/exosome biogenesis and release.

Study 1: Exosome-related pathway response to acute exercise. Sedentary, lean, healthy male subjects (n=12) performed 45 min cycling (AEx), followed by single leg knee extensor exercise (A+REx). A biopsy was obtained prior to exercise and 1 hr post-exercise from each leg. …

Gnss/Ins-Assisted Multi-Camera Mobile Mapping: System Architecture, Modeling, Calibration, And Enhanced Navigation, Magdy Elbahnasawy

Open Access Dissertations

To date, due to some financial and technical constraints, camera-based mobile mapping systems with GNSS/INS unit onboard the platform are still the optimal option for most mapping applications. Therefore, a great deal of research has been conducted on developing an operational GNSS/INS-assisted single/multi-camera mapping system. However, to satisfy the needs of various mapping applications, there are still challenges that have to be addressed. Such challenges start with the selection and integration framework of sensors (cameras and GNSS/INS units) onboard different types of mapping platforms (i.e., UAV and wheel-based platforms). Another challenge is modeling and calibrating the GNSS/INS-assisted single/multi-camera mapping systems. …

Understanding The Adoption, Maintenance, Diffusion Of Urban Stormwater Management Practices, Yuling Gao

Open Access Dissertations

Urbanization increases stormwater volume and decreases infiltration capacity due to the impact of added impervious surfaces and reduced vegetation. Urban stormwater management practices (SMPs) employ control and treatment measures to mitigate water runoff and break down pollutants using a natural approach, which has proven to be effectively protecting the hydrological process of streams. Though a significant number of empirical studies identified the effectiveness of urban SMPs, a few studies have investigated individuals’ perceptions about the approach and factors that influence decision-making on its implementation. This dissertation is intended to investigate the adoption, maintenance, and diffusion of urban SMPs through mail …

The Theory And Practice Of Rhetorical Gaming For Composition Instruction, Jeffrey M. Gerding

Open Access Dissertations

In recent years videogames scholarship has grown from a small interest group within rhetoric and composition to a burgeoning interdisciplinary subfield. This growth has not been without problems or controversies, however, and on the whole there seems to be little consistency in either theory or practice when it comes to integrating games into composition curriculum. The purpose of this thesis is to examine a number of theories, concepts, procedures, and issues in the history of games and composition in order to suggest a possible direction for the future. To be clear, this is not an attempt to standardize a rule-governed …