Digital Commons Network^™

Differentiating Active And Passive Fatigue States With The Use Of Electroencephalography, Kyle Anthony Bernhardt

Theses and Dissertations

With advances in automation technology, it is becoming essential to understand how automation affects human operators. A concern for the implementation of automation technology is the interactive effects it has with operator cognitive fatigue. Desmond and Hancock (2001) proposed that two types of fatigue can arise depending on the nature of the task: active and passive. Active fatigue results when operators must make constant perceptual-motor adjustments during high task demands, while passive fatigue results from operators executing little or no perceptual-motor adjustments during low task demands, similar to when automation is employed. The purpose of this study was to use …

Interfacing The Cfd Code Mfix With The Petsc Linear Solver Library To Achieve Reduced Computation Times, Lauren Clarke

Theses and Dissertations

A computational bottleneck during the solution to multiphase formulations of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations is often during the implicit solution of the pressure-correction equation that results from operator-splitting methods. Since density is a coefficient in the pressure-correction equation, large variations or discontinuities among the phase densities greatly increase the condition number of the pressure-correction matrix and impede the convergence of iterative methods employed in its solution. To alleviate this shortcoming, the open-source multiphase code MFiX is interfaced with the linear solver library PETSc. Through an appropriate mapping of matrix and vector data structures between the two software, the access to …

Computational Studies Of Oxides Relevant To Clean Energy, Catalytic Processing Of Renewables, And Biological Systems, Jason M. Hicks

Theses and Dissertations

Computational chemistry has grown into a large field and is continuing to grow every year in both number and variety of applications. This dissertation will give a few such applications relevant to cleaner energy production from coal, catalytic degradation of renewable agricultural and forest waste into valuable chemicals, and extending the reach of electronic structure methods to systems of biological and macromolecular interest. The first two studies presented in this dissertation are concerned with the remediation of trace elements released into the environment through the combustion of coal for power production. In flue gases, arsenic and antimony exists most often …

Parting A Read Sea Of Images: An Exploration Of Field Dependent-Independent Responses To Minimalist, Pictographic And Infographic Data Displays, Debra Kaye Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations

Western society reflects an “eikoncentric era” when contemporary instruction has become image -centered. Textbooks, journals, popular media as well as computer-based and web- based instructional media are filled by pictures that are intended to accomplish learning. Imagery is widely believed to represent an efficient, understandable method for relaying information and clarifying instruction for nearly all learners. However, those who subscribe to the adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” often fail to acknowledge individual differences in visual comprehension and cognition. The field dependent-independent (FDI) cognitive style describes individual learner differences that can thwart visual learning. Information graphics are among …

Microstructures And Nanomechanical Properties Of The Bakken Shale, Kouqi Liu

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this thesis is to study the pore structures along with mechanical properties of the shale rocks from the Bakken Formation. The pore structures that are obtained from the SEM image analysis method showed that total surface porosity of the studied samples is less than 12% and that organic porosity is not the main contributor to total porosity for the samples analyzed. Clay minerals and feldspar have a positive influence on porosity while quartz, pyrite, and TOC has a negative impact. The results from the multifractal theory and lacunarity methods based on the segmented SEM images indicated that …

Temporal Trends In The Cardiorespiratory Fitness Of 2,525,827 Adults Representing Eight High- And Upper-Middle-Income Countries Between 1967 And 2016, Nicholas Rye Lamoureux

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To estimate international and national temporal trends in the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of adults, and examine relationships between CRF trends and trends in socioeconomic and health-related indicators.

Methods: Data were obtained from a systematic search of studies that explicitly reported temporal trends in the CRF of apparently healthy adults aged 18–59. Sample-weighted temporal trends were estimated using best-fitting regression models relating the year of testing to mean CRF. Post-stratified population-weighted mean changes in percent and standardized CRF were estimated. Pearson’s correlations were used to describe associations between linear trends in CRF and linear trends in socioeconomic and …

A Confucian Theory Of Crime, Nicholas Lassi

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is an analysis of pre-Qin Confucian philosophy as it pertains to crime and the crime related issues of personal control and social control. From this analysis of pre-Qin Confucian philosophy, a wholly new and distinct theory of crime is developed. Material relating to crime, and the crime related issues involving personal control and social control, is filtered out of an assortment of prominent pre-Qin Confucian texts (namely those of Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi), dissected and juxtaposed with historical and modern Western criminological thought, and ultimately systematized into a unified Confucian theory of crime. This endeavor works to enrich …

Enhancement Of Phoshorus Removal Via Bioretention Cells Amended With Low Cost Materials, Nick Lindstrom

Theses and Dissertations

As bioretention systems are becoming an increasingly popular low impact development (LID) application for stormwater mitigation, they lack mechanisms that demobilize phosphorus (P) especially dissolved phosphorus (DP). In many cases, these LIDs release more P than is input due to a high P index derived from the plant material inherent within bioretention systems. The objectives of this project are to utilize low-cost water treatment residuals (WTR) as bioretention amendments to capture P. The adsorption characteristics are observed by means of batch level experiments to observe the P adsorption potential without the influence of hydraulic parameters, and column experiments to observe …

The Effect Of Sexually Objectifying Media And Social Threat On Sexual Coercion, Carissa Ann Malevich

Theses and Dissertations

Sexual aggression researchers have struggled to find a specific profile of individuals likely to become sexually aggressive (Abbey, 2005). As most of the research has focused on internal personal characteristics, some researchers have called for more research into external or situational factors that may increase the likelihood for men to become sexual perpetrators (Farris, Viken & Treat, 2010). Thus, the current investigation sought to explore the impact of two promising external factors, sexually objectifying media and social threat, on sexual coercion proclivity. Sexual coercion is a much lesser studied form of sexual aggression but is very common and often normalized …

Using Citizen Scientists To Inform Machine Learning Algorithms To Automate The Detection Of Species In Ecological Imagery, Marshall Mattingly

Theses and Dissertations

Modern data collection techniques used by ecologists has created a deluge of data that is becoming increasingly difficult to store, filter, and analyze in an efficient and timely manner. In just two summers, over 65,000 unmanned aerial system (UAS) images were collected, comprising the several terabytes (TB) of data that was reviewed by citizen scientists to generate inputs for machine learning algorithms. Uncontrolled conditions and the small size of target species relative to the background further increase the difficulty of manually cataloging the images. To assist with locating and identifying snow geese in the UAS images, a citizen science web …

Determining The Correlation Significance Between S-Type Asteroid Orbital Inclination And Albedo Attributable To Space Weathering, Benjamin Wright Mcgee

Theses and Dissertations

Recent research suggests that ion bombardment is more effective than micrometeoroid bombardment in albedo darkening of mature lunar soils, whereas micrometeoroid bombardment may act on longer timescales and is more effective in modifying the spectral features of a surface. This, in turn, may be extrapolated to suggest the following: 1) Increased intensities of ion bombardment would correlate negatively with the surface reflectivity of airless, silicate-bearing bodies known to express lunar-style space weathering, such as S-type asteroids, and 2) beyond that of sputtering and ion implantation, there is a gradient of potential interactions between the two weathering processes that may be …

Tactical Implementation Of Strategic Guidance During The American Revolutionary War: Pedagogical Application For Classroom Use, Ryan Menath

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force Academy is a specialized institution of higher learning dedicated to producing military officers in the U.S. Air Force. Specialized graduation requirements, like a required Military History course, present the opportunity for the implementation of unique pedagogical methodologies. Further, as a technologically forward-looking branch of service designed to control air, space, and cyberspace in a contested environment, the Air Force places a premium on twenty- and twenty-first century military history. Unfortunately, pre-airpower American military history gets overshadowed compared to later conflicts to the point where cadets attending the Air Force Academy get relatively little exposure to …

Women Engineering Majors' Choice To Stay: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Persistence Experiences, Victoria Morrissette

Theses and Dissertations

The historical underrepresentation of women in engineering persists for women engineering majors in college and once they enter the workforce. While some engineering disciplines have seen an increase in women students, overall the numbers still have fallen well behind other STEM disciplines despite years of research. Most studies on this issue have been quantitative and have looked at factors associated with why women leave engineering. This qualitative study, in contrast, gave women engineering majors the opportunity to share their experiences in answer to the question of why women choose to stay in an engineering major. Phenomenological methods, including semi-structured interviews, …

The Relationship Between Perceived Competence Levels Of Student Affairs Professionals And Their Job Satisfaction, Alexander Pokornowski

Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between perceived competence levels of student affairs professionals and their level of job satisfaction is the central question in this study. The study explores this question through utilizing a non-experimental survey design. Participants in the study include student affairs professionals from participating institutions. The study utilizes an instrument combining the Job Satisfaction Survey developed by Spector (1985) and an adjusted version of National Survey of Student Affairs Professionals developed by Sriram (2014). The study examines the relationship between perceived assessment, evaluation, and research; leadership; and organizational and human resources competence and overall job satisfaction. The study found a …

Examining Rural To Urban Migration, Crime And Characteristics Of Rural Migrants Offenders -- An Exploratory Study On The Relationship Between Rural Migration And Criminal Offenses Utilizing The Online Judicial Dataset In Guangdong Province, Ziwei Qi

Theses and Dissertations

China has experienced massive internal migration in the past three decades. The rapidly growing urban population, especially the rural to urban migrant population, is the primary social concern with respect to public health and social stability that China is facing in recent decades. Both the public and private sectors have hastened to respond to the emerging needs of this socially, economically and politically marginalized group. In the current dissertation, the author utilizes judicial decisions from the Intermediate Level Courts in the Guangdong province, China, in order to examine the characteristics of rural migrant offenders, and to explore the relationship between …

Collective Efficacy And Police Homicides: Evidence From California In The 1990s, Jayme Reynolds

Theses and Dissertations

This paper examines certain factors relating to collective efficacy; loosely defined as the strength of a community, and the effect those factors have on police homicides in the respective communities. More specifically, this study analyzes three components that contribute to collective efficacy: linguistic isolation, residential stability, and educational attainment. Data utilized in this study include U.S. Census data as well as data from a unique dataset containing California state-wide homicides during the 1990s. Using a negative binomial regression on pooled zip code data shows that, in relation to the factors mentioned above, educational attainment is the most influential characteristic analyzed …

Review Of Genetic And Maternal Effects On Tsd In Reptiles And Identification Of Population Differentiation In Putative Tsd Genes In Chelydra Serpentina, Danielle Roush

Theses and Dissertations

Variation in sex ratio among clutches of eggs from different females is common in reptiles with TSD, but the mechanisms that cause this variation are unknown. In an effort to shed light on these mechanisms, we first critically review literature that examines variation in temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) within species. Genetic variation in TSD and maternal effects on TSD are two major mechanisms that have received attention. We outline the types of experiments and data required to demonstrate that a) genetic variation, b) maternally derived steroids, or c) both factors influence variation in sex ratio among clutches. Next, we compare …

Analysis Of Housing Price Fluctuations Across The Five Regions Of Us, Sukanta Sarbabidya

Theses and Dissertations

This paper studies the factors that cause difference in fluctuations of home price indices across the five regions of U.S. The factors that affect the home price index are not the same for all the five regions of the U.S.A. - West, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast. Additionally, not all the factors contributing to the home price index in a particular region remain significant contributors always. Finally, the extent of impact the contributing factors cast on the home price index fluctuations also change overtime. So, in this paper, I have determined which factors play role in determining the home price …

Trpc1-Mediated Ca2+ Entry Regulates Metabolism By Modulating Adipose Differentiation, Autophagy, And Adiponectin Secretion, Anne Schaar

Theses and Dissertations

A multitude of organs play a critical role in managing metabolism including the liver, pancreas, gut, brain, muscle, and adipose tissue. Abnormal function in any one of these can offset the metabolic balance and negatively affect whole body function thereby contributing to the development of metabolic complications and obesity. Although no single metabolic abnormality is responsible for obesity, understanding how normal cellular processes are regulated provides us with knowledge to reverse them during times of dysfunction. The main focus of this dissertation is on the regulation of adipose tissue due to its dual role of storing excess lipids and endocrine …

Implementation Of Computational Resources Focusing On Forecast Model Access For Universities, Timothy Wayne See Jr

Theses and Dissertations

This research combines recent technological advances (i.e. Docker software containers, and cloud computing) in conjunction with the WRF model to create a portable NWP educational module. Incorporating the educational module into a senior level numerical methods course at the University of North Dakota allowed for analysis of the economic, policy, and privacy issues associated with using new software/tools. It also allowed for documentation of the benefits of tool usage within the classroom, both positive and negative. Use of these new tools also allowed for greater computational power to be accessed within the university computer labs. While the university labs were …

Plastic Properties Of High Performance Self-Compacting Concrete, Kyle Seidler

Theses and Dissertations

As the world becomes more complex and people become more evolved the desire to build taller building and design more complex structures is on the rise. The major problem that occurs with larger structures are the forces associated with building bigger. One way to help solve the problem of large stresses in concrete structures is to include more reinforcing steel and design more complex reinforcing configurations. The down side to increasing the amount of reinforcing steel is that the steel creates smaller gaps for the concrete to flow through. This problem was realized in the early 1980’s and the concept …

A Study Of The Sensitivity Of Solar Power Generation To Varying Weather Conditions, Nathan Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Solar energy has seen ever-increasing implementation as a power source throughout the world since its introduction into the energy production market. Meteorological parameters including temperature, wind speed and albedo can have significant impacts on the amount of power that is produced at a utility-scale solar farm. This study sought to review the sensitivity of solar energy production to these varying weather parameters. The modeled sensitivity was tested by running simulations using modified weather data and comparing the power output to a baseline simulation. Results show that temperature has a significant effect in the efficiency of the solar panels, and by …

Characterization Of Infectious Isolates Of Borrelia Burgdorferi In North Dakota, Bb0399 And Bbb28 In B. Burgdorferi, And Borrelia Miyamotoi In Vitro And In Vivo, Brandee Lynn Stone

Theses and Dissertations

The Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex contains species carried by hard-shell ticks (Ixodes spp.) and causing Lyme disease and related non-pathogenic species. Relapsing fever Borrelia include both tick-borne (soft-shell, Ornithodoros spp.) and louse-borne species knowns to cause relapsing fever. A subgroup includes relapsing fever spirochetes carried by hard-shell ticks, including B. miyamotoi, an emerging pathogen. Despite bordering high-risk counties in Minnesota, little attention has been given to Lyme disease, B. burgdorferi, I. scapularis, or reservoirs in eastern North Dakota. Reports of B. burgdorferi and I. scapularis in North Dakota, however, prompted a more detailed examination. Through trapping Peromyscus and …

The Impact Of Stellar Convection Criteria On Population Iii Supernovae Nucleosynthesis, Jacob Teffs

Theses and Dissertations

Population III stars are the first stars formed after the Big Bang, comprised of primarily

hydrogen and helium and lack heavy elements from previous generations. Using the

one-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamics code BOOM, a grid of eighteen stellar models

with masses of 15-80 solar masses , are exploded under a low and high explosion energy criteria.

Three types of central compact remnants are considered. The 3208 isotope TORCH nuclear

reaction network is used to calculate the nucleosynthesis that occurs during the

supernovae. The two convection criteria, Ledoux and Scharzschild, produce vastly

different stellar structures and thus produce different nucleosynthetic trends. When

comparing …

To “Own Yourself A Little More”: Afropolitan Feminism In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah, Bridget Tetteh-Batsa

Theses and Dissertations

Afropolitanism, in part, accounts for itinerant and so autonomous Africans who shape the contours of a late-modern global history. If Afropolitanism describes the work and activism of 21st century Africans in Euro-America determined to challenge western discourses that malign Africa, it is important to witness the distinctive character and voice Afropolitan women bring to that history defining exercise. Otherwise, as critics and scholars interested in what Afropolitanism brings to the work of reframing master narratives hitherto encircled for western primacy, we risk reinforcing the injustice we address.

To fill this gap in the literature, I employ Selasi’s initial conception of …

An Investigation Of Particulate Matter Air Pollution Using Caliop Observations, Travis Toth

Theses and Dissertations

Particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) contributes greatly to air pollution and poses significant threats to human health. Space-borne passive aerosol measurements, with their large spatial coverage, have been applied for estimating surface-based PM2.5 concentrations. Specifically, column-integrated aerosol optical thickness (AOT) observations, like those from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) instruments, have been leveraged for this task. In this doctoral research study, the issues and limitations with estimating PM2.5 from passively-retrieved MODIS and MISR AOT over the contiguous United States (CONUS) were first explored. …

The Predictive Validity Of The Static-99r And Stable-2007 In A Community Sample Of Sex Offenders, Amy Veith

Theses and Dissertations

The current study explored the accuracy of Static-99R and STABLE-2007 risk evaluations in predicting sex offender recidivism (n = 136) over an average 7.8 year follow-up period. These protocols are differentiated on the basis of their reliance on actuarial versus

dynamic risk factors respectively. The present analysis tested their predictive validity both independently and in combination with one another. It was hypothesized that the Static-99R and the STABLE-2007 would provide moderate predictive accuracy that would be enhanced by their combination. Support was not found for either hypothesis in regard to sexual recidivism, but the Static-99-R did show fair accuracy (AUC …

Assessment Of Blood Pressure Regulatory Controls To Detect Hypovolemia And Orthostatic Intolerance, Ajay Kumar Verma

Theses and Dissertations

Regulation of blood pressure is vital for maintaining organ perfusion and homeostasis. A significant decline in arterial blood pressure could lead to fainting and hypovolemic shock. In contrast to young and healthy, people with impaired autonomic control due to aging or disease find regulating blood pressure rather demanding during orthostatic challenge. This thesis performed an assessment of blood pressure regulatory controls during orthostatic challenge via traditional as well as novel approaches with two distinct applications 1) to design a robust automated system for early identification of hypovolemia and 2) to assess orthostatic tolerance in humans. In chapter 3, moderate intensity …

Online Resources And The Transgender Community, Mason Maxwell Wehse

Theses and Dissertations

Transgender individuals are characterized by identifying as a gender other than the gender they were assigned at birth based on their biological sex (Meerwijk & Sevelius, 2017). Transgender identities can include being born female but identifying as male and vice versa. Identities can also include people who are non-binary meaning that they identify as a gender other than male or female, such as identifying as no gender (i.e., agender). Being transgender can be seen as controversial and there is a lot of misinformation and little formal research conducted on this topic. Because of this, transgender people often face discrimination and …

Cross-Country Comparisons In Health-Related Fitness Among European Children And Adolescents, Kevin Carver

Theses and Dissertations

Physical fitness is an important indicator of general health and sporting/athletic success. Several studies have highlighted large between-country differences in cardiorespiratory endurance, with little known about differences in other fitness components. A systematic review identified papers that reported descriptive Eurofit test results for apparently healthy (free from known disease/injury) 9- to 17-year-olds Europeans. An overall fitness index for each country was calculated as a population-weighted mean test-age-sex-specific z-score. Spearman’s correlations were used to calculate the association between country-specific fitness indices and broad socioeconomic/health indices. Performance indices were calculated for 18 countries using data collected on 2,779,165 children aged 9-17 years …