Digital Commons Network^™

Novelty Detection And Cluster Analysis In Time Series Data Using Variational Autoencoder Feature Maps, Sophine Clachar

Theses and Dissertations

The identification of atypical events and anomalies in complex data systems is

an essential yet challenging task. The dynamic nature of these systems produces huge volumes of data that is often heterogeneous, and the failure to account for this will impede the detection of anomalies. Time series data encompass these issues and its high dimensional nature intensifies these challenges.

This research presents a framework for the identification of anomalies in temporal data. A comparative analysis of Centroid, Density and Neural Network-based clustering techniques was performed and their scalability was assessed. This facilitated the development of a new algorithm called the …

The Relationship Between Experiential Avoidance, Eating Expectancies, And Eating Psychopathology In University Students; A Preliminary Test Of An Adaption Of The Ap Model Of Eating Disorder Risk, Nicole Marie Della Longa

Theses and Dissertations

Avoiding unpleasant internal experiences may be associated with eating disorder symptomatology, and college students may be especially at risk. However, the process through which the avoidance of uncomfortable experiences relates to eating psychopathology is unknown. By evaluating experiential avoidance and learned expectancies of eating outcomes, the present study investigated the potential mechanism through which maladaptive avoidant strategies relate to eating psychopathology. Participants included 244 undergraduate students enrolled in psychology courses from a Midwestern university. The participants completed a battery of questionnaires through an online research system managed by the university. Preacher and Hayes’s (2008) bootstrapping method of mediation and structural …

Sex Offender Treatment And Legal Policy Perception In Relation To Information Presentation Style, Kirsten Sierra Engel

Theses and Dissertations

Sex offender treatment, policy, and perception are greatly intertwined in the numerous policies in place. Current policies tend to reflect negative perceptions toward both sex offenders and treatment and an inaccurate view of the effectiveness of current sex offender policies. The source of these inaccurate views, however, is not entirely clear, with some researchers linking it to a simple lack of exposure to accurate information. Additionally, the broadly negative perceptions, emotions, and beliefs may be leading individuals to utilize more superficial routes of processing, as explained by the Elaboration Likelihood Model. Given the potential for the public’s opinion to make …

Quantifying Cure In Industrial Composites Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (Ftir), Jason Robert Burns

Theses and Dissertations

A study has been taken to evaluate the utility of two Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic sampling methods in calculating the degree of cure in an industrial fiberglass-reinforced composite material. Methodologies examined include: attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and diffuse reflectance (DRIFTs), both which utilize the Agilent 4100 ExoScan FTIR platform. As the formulation of the unsaturated polyester resin used in the fabrication of the industrial composite is proprietary a cure model based on the plasticizer, styrene, is proposed. Results of the infrared tests show that neither the resolution of ATR FTIR or DRIFTs is sufficient to monitor cure of the …

Chronic Amphetamine Exposure Causes Long Term Effects On Dopamine Uptake In Cultured Cells, Nafisa Ferdous

Theses and Dissertations

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which belongs to the catecholamine and phenethylamine families of organic compounds, and plays an important role in the regulation of reward, movement, attention, behavior and cognition. Dopamine neurotransmission is marked by the initiation of its release from the pre-synaptic neurons and the signal is terminated by re-uptake of dopamine from the synapse. The synaptic concentration of dopamine and therefore, the level dopamine receptor stimulation is regulated to an extent by the activity of the dopamine transporter (DAT). DAT is responsible for the uptake of dopamine back into the presynaptic neuron from the synapse. DAT is known …

Ecocomposition As Writing Curriculum: An Ecological Approach For Writing Program Administrators And Composition Instructors, Erin Renee Lord Kunz

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation forwards an argument for an ecologically-based composition and rhetoric curriculum that also emphasizes the best practices established by the Council of Writing Program Administration, particularly the writing process. I concentrate on how a writing program administrator can utilize ecological literacy to navigate her own experience in a new place and also how themes of ecological literacy can be applied to the writing program itself. Based on personal experiences as well as literature that establishes the need for best practices in composition and rhetoric curriculum, I argue that ecological composition, or ecocomposition, can assist in implementing an ecological writing …

Gata4 Interacts With Hedgehog Signaling Pathway In Regulating Outflow Tract Development, Jielin Liu

Theses and Dissertations

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are among the most common type of developmental anomaly affecting 8 in 1000 live births. Approximately 30% of CHDs involve cardiac outflow tract (OFT) malformation which leads to significant morbidity and mortality in both children and adults. Development of OFT is regulated by a complex genetic network including Sonic-Hedgehog signaling pathway, TGF-β and BMP signaling pathway. Mutation of a transcription factor, Gata4, has been known to cause OFT defects including double outlet right ventricle (DORV) in both human and mice for decades. Several transcription targets of Gata4 have been identified such as Mef2c, Ccnd2 and Cdk4, …

Anomie In The Oil Patch? An Examination Of Durkheim’S Anomie Theory Through A Case Study Of The Bakken Region, Fred Matthew Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Emile Durkheim serves as one of the seminal contributors to the field of sociology; his contributions to criminology are numerous as well. Many authors consider Durkheim’s concept of anomie to be his most important contribution to the field of criminology (Lunden, 1972). Durkheim’s anomie theory has been subject to extensive empirical examination, these efforts have resulted in disparate findings. Graeff and Mehlkop (2007) insist this lack of coherence is due to improper operationalization of Durkheim’s anomie by some researchers. In particular, it is the utilization of cross sectional data in these previous studies which contributes to these disparate results. The …

Cfd Simulation Of Erosion Rates In Electrical Submersible Pumps, S M Mahdi Mofidian

Theses and Dissertations

Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) is an efficient and useful artificial lift method for lifting fluids to the surface. In oil production, sand is an inevitable part which causes ESPs to fail regarding to erosion of the equipment. Therefore, erosion simulation in ESP pump would be a great help for maintenance and life span of the system. In the present work, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation of erosion in an impeller is performed in order to give a better understanding. Meshing and CFD simulations are done using ANSYS Fluent software. Different scenarios are considered to find the effect of various …

Impact Of Seasonality On Agricultural Productivity In Bangladesh, Mohammad Gulam Mostofa

Theses and Dissertations

This paper studies the impact of seasonality on agricultural productivity in Bangladesh for the period of 1980-2013 for 7 regions. This study exploits regional fixed effect to estimate the impact of both observed and unobserved effects on agricultural productivity in order to control for regional differences. I used a panel dataset for the fixed and random effect regression model to control omitted variables bias and endogeneity. Findings from this study expressed that the effects of all the climate variables are not significant to rice, wheat, and pulse yield. Maximum temperature and minimum temperature wet for rice, minimum temperature dry and …

Sensitivity Of Two-Dimensional Stereo (2ds) Probe Derived Parameters To Particle Orientation, Joseph Robert O'Brien

Theses and Dissertations

Information on the size distribution, orientation and the axial ratio of ice particles is important for the improvement of precipitation retrievals by polarized radar. However, uncertainty in the natural particle orientation and axial ratios remains due to the difficulty in obtaining in situ observations of these parameters. This difficulty arises because of possible re-orientation of particles by airflow around aircraft sampling instrumentation. Due to this possible re-orientation, observations of ice particles become a function of the viewing angle of the sampling instrumentation. The two-dimensional stereo (2D-S) optical array probe (OAP) manufactured by SPEC, Inc. offers the capability for comparison between …

Improving Forecasts Of Winter Storm Tracks Using A Local Ensemble, Brittany A. Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

Winter storms can affect millions of people, with impacts such as disruptions to transportation, hazards to human health, reduction in retail sales, and structural damage. Blizzard forecasts for Alberta Clippers can be a particular challenge in the Northern Plains, as these systems typically depart from the Canadian Rockies, intensify, and impact the Northern Plains all within 24 hours. The purpose of this study is to determine whether probabilistic forecasts derived from a local physics-based ensemble can improve specific aspects of winter storm forecasts for three Alberta Clipper cases.

Verification is performed on the ensemble members and ensemble mean with a …

Major League Baseball Draft Pick Compensation: How To Evaluate The Marginal Revenue Product Of Labor Of Drafted Players, Matthew Peã±A

Theses and Dissertations

The Major League Baseball draft is virtually the only means by which US and US territory born players have access to becoming major league baseball players. As a condition of their initial contracts, players are subjected to initial contract terms, that limit their traditional free market ability to earn a salary commensurate with their actual worth. This research attempts to quantify the difference between what players would earn on the open market, as free agents, and what they earn by being controlled by baseball’s reserve clause, by analyzing the current compensation system established by Major League Baseball, how drafted players …

A Large Scale Inertial Aided Visual Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (Slam) System For Small Mobile Platforms, Ashraf Qadir

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation we present a robust simultaneous mapping and localization scheme that can be deployed on a computationally limited, small unmanned aerial system. This is achieved by developing a key frame based algorithm that leverages the multiprocessing capacity of modern low power mobile processors. The novelty of the algorithm lies in the design to make it robust against rapid exploration while keeping the computational time to a minimum. A novel algorithm is developed where the time critical components of the localization and mapping system are computed in parallel utilizing the multiple cores of the processor. The algorithm uses a …

Instructors’ Perspectives Of Giving Audio And Video Feedback: Can You Hear Me Now?, Jane Marie Sims

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated university instructors’ perspectives, values and processes of giving assignment feedback to students using written, audio and video formats and examined samples of feedback in these formats for differences in amount of content, language complexity and tone of feedback. The instructors represented different campus disciplines and a variety of campus, online and hybrid environments, and their classes included undergraduate and graduate students and ranged from small to large class sizes. This qualitative study applied Media Naturalness Theory to a phenomenological and discourse analysis of instructor interviews and feedback samples. The interview data revealed intentionality in selecting different feedback …

Space Solar Power Satellite Systems, Modern Small Satellites, And Space Rectenna, Corey Marvin Bergsrud

Theses and Dissertations

Space solar power satellite (SSPS) systems is the concept of placing large satellite into geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) to harvest and convert massive amounts of solar energy into microwave energy, and to transmit the microwaves to a rectifying antenna (rectenna) array on Earth. The rectenna array captures and converts the microwave power into usable power that is injected into the terrestrial electric grid for use. This work approached the microwave power beam as an additional source of power (with solar) for lower orbiting satellites. Assuming the concept of retrodirectivity, a GEO-SSPS antenna array system tracks and delivers microwave power to …

The Effect Of Pulsed Flow On The Heat Transfer Coefficient Of A Vertical Tube Suspended In A Fast Fluidized Bed, Tyler Curran

Theses and Dissertations

An experimental study was conducted to determine the effects of pulsing the fluidizing air on the heat transfer of a small vertical cylindrical heater suspended along the axis of a 101.9 mm diameter fast bed. Spherical aluminum metal power with a density of 2700 kg/m3 and dp50 of 107 μm was used in this investigation. Experiments were first conducted without pulsing the air supply. Solids fractions were observed as high as .0154 with superficial velocities from 1.98 m/s to 4.04 m/s and recirculation rates up to 27.6 kg/m2 s. The maximum heat transfer observed was 74.1 W/m2 K at a …

Gender Differences In Factors Contributing To Frequency Of Victimization Among Youth In Residential Placement, Chelsey Hukriede

Theses and Dissertations

Violence and victimization are common aspects of life for incarcerated individuals, even youth, with a large majority of offenders reporting experiences of some form of victimization during their stay in custody. Routine activities theory argues that most criminal acts require a convergence of motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the absence of capable guardianship. The purpose of this study is to explore quantitatively, facility and individual level factors that may affect experiences of robbery, physical and sexual assault victimization among youth in residential custody, and how these factors might vary by gender. To answer my research question, secondary data from The …

"Mad In Craft": Action And Melancholy In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Daniel Arthur Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis contains two parts. First, I will present a character analysis of Hamlet in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet; secondly, I will perform the role and conclude this project with a brief reflection on the experience. For the character analysis, I will examine Hamlet’s inner action and his melancholy.

Ice Fluctuations In Moraine Canyon, Antarctica Dated With Cosmogenic 26al, 10be, And 21ne, Emma Mirabelli Lord

Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge and understanding of past Antarctic ice sheet behavior is necessary to illustrate ice sheet response to our currently warming climate and the ice sheet’s contribution to global sea level change. Our knowledge of glacial fluctuations in the southern Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) is limited because few studies in this area have been done; therefore much information can be gained from further investigations in this region. Glacial deposits in Moraine Canyon, a tributary of Amundsen Glacier in the southern TAM, show numerous periods of ice thickening. Moraine Canyon responds to changes in the thickness of Amundsen Glacier, and Amundsen Glacier responds …

Academic Procrastination And Stimulating Substance Use Among College Undergraduates, Katlyn Moes

Theses and Dissertations

Today’s college students have a larger workload than past generations and are expected to work at a faster pace, all while adjusting to a new environment. Some students are able to successfully navigate these demands, while others become overwhelmed and engage in behaviors that allow them a diversion from academics and school life, such as avoidance and procrastination. When students procrastinate, they may find themselves with a lot to do in a short period of time. Past work indicates that stimulating substance use is on the rise among college students, particularly when they need to have focused periods of concentration. …

Relationship Of Pre-Season Functional Movement Screening On Injury In Division 1 Collegiate Athletes, Zebulon Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Injury has been seen to have many factors and mechanisms during each individual sport. The functional movement screening (FMS) is a tool that allows for an individual mobility and stability in a fundamentally dynamic movement patterns to show limitations and asymmetries in movement performance based of a seven functional movement patterns and three clearing screens. Researchers have found some evidence that show scoring less than 14 may be related to increase injury. Research Question: Does FMS provide a systematic tool to monitor progress and movement pattern development that identify individuals injury throughout a season? Method: Study design is descriptive …

Teachers Transform: Developing New Understandings And Competencies Following The Implementation Of The Common Core Writing Standards, Jennifer Wallender Wallender

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how elementary teachers have transformed and developed new writing understandings and competencies following the implementation of the English Language Arts (ELA) Common Core State Standards (CCSS). This was done by understanding teachers’ perceptions and experiences, as well as how they have developed their understandings, with classroom writing. Participants were four elementary teachers from two public school districts in North Dakota—one single-school district and one multi-school district. Data were collected with interviews, observations, and artifacts throughout the school year. The data analysis was completed using the qualitative research program ATLAS.ti and …

The Effects Of Resistance Training Programs On Physical Self-Perceptions In College Females, Kelsey Lauren Zachman

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of resistance training on females’ self-perception. Introduction: It is generally accepted that exercise enhances physical self-perceptions, but the impact of resistance training programs on females’ self-perceptions is unclear. Because exercise is an important public health behavior, and because physical self-perceptions have motivational implications, this study has potential to add knowledge that is relevant to exercise promotion. Purpose: The primary aim of the study was to explore the effect of two different types of resistance training programs on physical self-perceptions of college age females. Methods: Participants (n=30) were randomized to muscular strength, muscular endurance resistance training groups or a …

Creating A Link Between The Past And The Public : The Goals And Roles Of Public Archaeology, Dana Janette Mcveigh

Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects

No abstract provided.

Retention Analysis On The Sororities At The University Of North Dakota, Hadley Simonett

Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects

No abstract provided.

Inequality In North Dakota : An Investigation, Colin Mummery

Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Bb0447, A Fibronectin-Binding Protein, In The Invasion Of Fibroblasts By Borrelia Burgdorferi, Ellen Taylor Kiser

Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects

No abstract provided.

A Localized Autonomous Control Algorithm For Robots With Heterogeneous Capabilities In A Multi-Tier Architecture, Jeremy Straub

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation makes two contributions to the use of the Blackboard Architecture for command. The use of boundary nodes for data abstraction is introduced and the use of a solver-based blackboard system with pruning is proposed. It also makes contributions advancing the engineering design process in the area of command system selection for heterogeneous robotic systems. It presents and analyzes data informing decision making between centralized and distributed command systems and also characterizes the efficacy of pruning across different experimental scenarios, demonstrating when it is effective or not. Finally, it demonstrates the operations of the system, raising the technology readiness …

Using Long-Short-Term-Memory Recurrent Neural Networks To Predict Aviation Engine Vibrations, Abdelrahman Elsaid

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines building viable Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) using Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) neurons to predict aircraft engine vibrations. The different networks are trained on a large database of flight data records obtained from an airline containing flights that suffered from excessive vibration. RNNs can provide a more generalizable and robust method for prediction over analytical calculations of engine vibration, as analytical calculations must be solved iteratively based on specific empirical engine parameters, and this database contains multiple types of engines. Further, LSTM RNNs provide a “memory” of the contribution of previous time series data which can further …