Digital Commons Network^™

High-Ability Students With Emotional Behavioral Disorders: An Exploration Of Intelligence As A Protective Factor, Karen L. Cross Phd

Doctoral Dissertations

Given the increased numbers of students being served by disability services offices at the postsecondary level, a better understanding of how intelligence functions as a protective or risk factor is essential to inform services for adolescents in secondary education. Therefore, this study examined whether intelligence functions as a protective factor against the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences and their role in the onset of Emotional Behavioral Disorders (EBDs). Consequently, school service provision was also examined, as it has the potential to serve as a protective factor against long-term disorder prevalence. Finally, the personality characteristic openness was evaluated to determine …

Quantile Optimization In Stochastic Financial Planning Model, Jiatian Xu

Doctoral Dissertations

The traditional algorithmic approach of financial planning is based on Monte Carlo simulations of yield curves and mortality. Financial advisors determine the withdrawal amount under an acceptable level of failure (target ruin) in the simulated future cash flows by using trial and error methods. The number of iterations with full credibility has allowed financial advisers and software systems to be precise about calculating a withdrawal level that achieves a target ruin. However, it is always extremely time-consuming (several hours or days).

Rather than try and determine the optimal withdrawal level, this research creates a formulaic method to obtain a closed-form …

Methods And Algorithms For Inference Problems In Population Genetics, Jingwen Pei

Doctoral Dissertations

Inference of population history is a central problem of population genetics. The advent of large genetic data brings us not only opportunities on developing more accurate methods for inference problems, but also computational challenges. Thus, we aim at developing accurate method and fast algorithm for problems in population genetics.

Inference of admixture proportions is a classical statistical problem. We particularly focus on the problem of ancestry inference for ancestors. Standard methods implicitly assume that both parents of an individual have the same admixture fraction. However, this is rarely the case in real data. We develop a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) …

System Modeling, Performance Evaluation, And Control Of Battery System Charge Balance, Weiji Han

Doctoral Dissertations

As the major energy storage device and power supply source in numerous energy applications, battery systems often face the issue of charge imbalance among battery cells/modules/packs, which can accelerate battery degradation, cause more energy loss, and even incur fire hazard. This thesis is focused on the system modeling, performance evaluation, and control of battery systems with various charge balancing circuits. Specifically, based on the proposed mathematical models for battery charge equalization systems, computationally efficient methods are developed to estimate the evolution of battery state of charge and to evaluate critical system performance measures. Then, near-optimal battery cell/module reconfiguration algorithms are …

Statistically Efficient Target Tracking With A Single Stationary Optical Sensor And Measurement Extraction, Qin Lu

Doctoral Dissertations

Target tracking has been under extensive investigation for the past several decades. It has wide applications, such as defense, computer vision, robotics, etc. Optical sensors are widely used in tracking systems. In this dissertation, several issues related to statistically efficient target tracking with a single stationary optical sensor will be explored. The first part of the dissertation is {\it ``The Multidimensional Cramer-Rao-Leibniz Lower Bound for Likelihood Functions with Parameter-Dependent Support"}. This work derived the multidimensional Cram\'{e}r-Rao-Leibniz lower bound (CRLLB), which is a generalization of the Cram\'{e}r-Rao lower bound (CRLB) when the likelihood function (LF) has parameter-dependent support and it is …

Phylogeny, Taxonomy, And The Concept Of Lineage In The Presence Of Horizontal Gene Transfer, Matthew Fullmer

Doctoral Dissertations

Whole genome sequencing has opened enormous worlds of opportunity in recent years as the number of sequenced organisms has continued to skyrocket. Keeping track of what we have sequenced and added to our databases, as the cornucopia of data grows ever larger, is essential. Maintaining order in our classification of genomes and understanding how they relate to each other is probable to only continue to grow in importance as time progresses. A second major consequence of the explosion in genome sequencing is the ever-increasing opportunity to explore the distribution and role of rare genes in the pan-genomes of phylogenetic groups …

Birds And Berries: Projecting The Responses Of Seed Dispersal Networks To Climate Change, Manette E. Sandor

Doctoral Dissertations

Climate change has caused species range shifts, with more predicted in coming decades. Range shifts could result in secondary threats such as spatial mismatch with mutualist partners and movement out of protected areas. We found that due to range shifts, shrub species richness will be lost at higher elevations, and species turnover will peak at middle elevations. Areas of bird species turnover will only partially overlap with areas of shrub species turnover, which could result in broken interactions between partners. Our projections suggest that climate change will result in clear winners and losers with some species gaining and others losing …

Resurgence And Large N: The Gross-Witten-Wadia And Gross-Neveu Models, Anees Ahmed

Doctoral Dissertations

I present a detailed study of parametric resurgence in the U(N) lattice gauge theory, also known as the Gross-Witten-Wadia model. I show how trans-series expansions in different sectors transmute into each other as they pass through the large N phase transition. This transition is well-studied in the immediate vicinity of the transition point, where it is characterized by a double-scaling limit Painleve II equation, and also away from the transition point using the pre-string difference equation. Here I present a complementary analysis of the transition at all coupling and all finite N, in terms of a differential equation, using the …

Automatic Document Summarization Using Knowledge Based System, Andrey Timofeyev

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation describes a knowledge-based system to create abstractive summaries of documents by generalizing new concepts, detecting main topics and creating new sentences. The proposed system is built on the Cyc development platform that consists of the world’s largest knowledge base and one of the most powerful inference engines. The system is unsupervised and domain independent. Its domain knowledge is provided by the comprehensive ontology of common sense knowledge contained in the Cyc knowledge base. The system described in this dissertation generates coherent and topically related new sentences as a summary for a given document. It uses syntactic structure and …

Mutual Information In The Frequency Domain For Application In Biological Systems, Rui Liu

Doctoral Dissertations

Biological systems are comprised of multiple components that typically interact nonlinearly and produce multiple outputs (time series/signals) with specific frequency characteristics. Although the exact knowledge of the underlying mechanism remains unknown, the outputs observed from these systems can provide the dependency relations through quantitative methods and increase our understanding of the original systems. The nonlinear relations at specific frequencies require advanced dependency measures to capture the generalized interactions beyond typical correlation in the time domain or coherence in the frequency domain. Mutual information from Information Theory is such a quantity that can measure statistical dependency between random variables. Herein, we …

Fault Detection, Diagnosis And Prognosis In Hvac Air Handling Systems, Ying Yan

Doctoral Dissertations

As key sub-systems of HVACs, air handling systems are used to condition air to satisfy human thermal comfort and air quality requirements. Fault diagnosis is critical since it allows system operators to know which faults have occurred, how critical they are, and improve the system availability. Additionally, fault prognosis is critical since it allows system operators to know Remaining Useful lives of systems and their components, and prevents unexpected breakdowns. However, fault diagnosis of known and new fault types and fault prognosis are complex since 1) fault propagation across components is hard to capture; 2) measurement noise cause many false …

Development Of Microscopy Systems For Super-Resolution, Whole-Slide, Hyperspectral, And Confocal Imaging, Kaikai Guo

Doctoral Dissertations

Optical microscope is an important tool for researchers to study small objects. In this thesis, we will focus on the improvement of traditional microscope systems from several aspects including resolution, field of view, speed, cost, compactness, multimodality. In particular, we will investigate computational imaging methods that bypass the limitations with traditional microscope systems by combining the optical hardware design and image processing algorithm. Examples will include optimizing illumination strategy for the Fourier ptychography (FP), developing field-portable high-resolution microscope using a cellphone lens, investigating pattern-illuminated FP for fluorescence microscopy, demonstrating multimodal microscopic imaging with the use of liquid crystal display, achieving …

Investigating The Relationship Between Mathematics Education And Global Citizenship Education Through K-12 Mathematics Teacher Perspectives, Kyle Evans

Doctoral Dissertations

In an increasingly connected world, a higher demand exists for global (citizenship) education in all disciplines, including mathematics. Although researchers in Teaching Mathematics for Social Justice (TMfSJ) have not ignored the need for a critical use of mathematics in society and culture, a primary goal of this work is to promote mathematics as a tool that can be used to analyze and act upon issues of social justice.

Similarly, researchers in Global Education have developed frameworks over several decades identifying characteristics of individuals who can communicate effectively with others across cultural and language differences and act as responsible citizens of …

Computing Local Fractal Dimension Using Geographical Weighting Scheme, Shuowei Zhang

Doctoral Dissertations

The fractal dimension (D) of a surface can be viewed as a summary or average statistic for characterizing the geometric complexity of that surface. The D values are useful for measuring the geometric complexity of various land cover types. Existing fractal methods only calculate a single D value for representing the whole surface. However, the geometric complexity of a surface varies across patches and a single D value is insufficient to capture these detailed variations. Previous studies have calculated local D values using a moving window technique. The main purpose of this study is to compute local D values using …

Traveling Waves In A Suspension Bridge, Rebecca Moran

Doctoral Dissertations

Historical evidence shows that a traveling wave can traverse the length of a suspension bridge. Using a modified model of a beam, traveling wave solutions can be investigated. The model is a partial differential equation governing its deflection in space and time. Finding its traveling wave solutions converts it into an ordinary differential equation. The cables of the suspension bridge lead to a nonlinearity. Solutions of this model have been explored before, but the work is continued by adding an impulse traveling the length of the bridge. Additionally, the stability of the traveling wave solutions is studied.

A Markov Chain Random Field Cosimulation-Based Approach For Land Cover Post-Classification And Urban Growth Detection, Weixing Zhang

Doctoral Dissertations

The recently proposed Markov chain random field (MCRF) approach has great potential to significantly improve land cover classification accuracy when used as a post-classification method by taking advantage of expert-interpreted data and pre-classified image data. This doctoral dissertation explores the effectiveness of the MCRF cosimulation (coMCRF) model in land cover post-classification and further improves it for land cover post-classification and urban growth detection. The intellectual merits of this research include the following aspects: First, by examining the coMCRF method in different conditions, this study provides land cover classification researchers with a solid reference regarding the performance of the coMCRF method …

Topics In Stochastic Analysis And Riemannian Foliations, Qi Feng

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation contains three research directions.

In the first direction, we use rough paths theory to study stochastic differential equations and SPDEs. We first prove convergence and the rate of convergence of the Taylor expansion for the solutions of differential equations driven by $p$-rough paths with $p>2$. The main results are the Castell expansion and the tail estimate for the remainder terms. Our results apply to differential equations driven by continuous centered Gaussian process with finite $2D~\rho-$variation and fBm with $H>1/4$. We then give a new and simple method to get a priori bounds on rough partial differential …

Constructing Interpretable And Practical Subdomain Score Vertical Scales, Xiaoran Li

Doctoral Dissertations

Vertical scaling and subdomain score reporting are two important issues in the current accountability oriented educational environment. They are fundamental for test score reporting to provide evidence on student growth and diagnostic information about special academic needs for students. Even though there is substantial research on both topics, few studies have focused on subdomain score vertical scaling due to the debatable definition of subscales and technical challenges in psychometric models. This dissertation addresses the plausibility of defining subdomain scales from a perspective grounded in cognitive psychology, and employs a two-stage higher-order Item Response Theory (IRT) method for subdomain score vertical …

Continued Fractions In Cluster Algebras, Lattice Paths And Markov Numbers, Michelle Rabideau

Doctoral Dissertations

In this work we present results from three different, albeit related, areas. First, we construct an explicit formula for the F-polynomial of a cluster variable in a surface type cluster algebra. Second, we define lattice paths and order them by the number of perfect matchings of their associated snake graphs. Lastly, we prove two conjec- tures from Martin Aigner’s book, Markov’s theorem and 100 years of the uniqueness conjecture that determine an ordering on subsets of the Markov numbers based on their corresponding rational.

The common thread throughout this work is the interplay between cluster alge- bras, lattice paths, snake …

Life-Cycle Fatigue Performance Of Coastal Slender Bridges Subject To Multi-Hazards, Jin Zhu

Doctoral Dissertations

Serving as critical links in the transportation network for coastal regions, costal slender bridges could constantly experience complex dynamic interactions with strong winds and/or high waves during extreme weather conditions, in addition to moving vehicles, such as cars, trucks, or trains. Continuously repeated stress cycles as well as corrosive coastal environments could cause significant fatigue damage accumulations at complicated weldments of the orthotropic steel deck (OSD) during lifetime, which could be critical and might affect structural safety and reliability. Nevertheless, fatigue is a damage accumulation process that is subjected to various aleatory and epistemic uncertainties from ambient environment, model simplifications, …

Can Schools Be Reformed By Reforming Assessment?: The Effects Of An Innovative Assessment And Accountability System On Student Achievement Outcomes, Carla Marie Evans

Doctoral Dissertations

The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 authorizes a pilot program that allows up to seven states to develop innovative assessment and accountability systems. Prior to the official pilot program launch, the U.S. Department of Education approved one pilot program—New Hampshire’s Performance Assessment of Competency Education (PACE). To implement the PACE pilot, the New Hampshire Department of Education received a 2-year waiver (2014-2016) from federal statutory requirements related to state annual achievement testing and was granted additional waivers for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 school years. The purpose of this study is to investigate the average effect of the PACE pilot …

The Activity Of Becoming A Second-Career Teacher, Michael Hildebrandt

Doctoral Dissertations

This is a study of three second-career teachers’ experiences of self transformation and the processes of socialization and identity formation each undergoes during his or her first three to five years as a full-time teacher. Each narrative offers a means through which to explore how liminal identity is at play during the transition to a new career—an experience that reshapes the experiences and self-understandings of individuals in the process of becoming teachers. The narratives that emerge from in-depth interviews showcase individuals with multi-faceted lives who have engaged in a multitude of personal and professional activities throughout their life course and …

New Model For Bridge Management System (Bms): Bridge Repair Priority Ranking System (Brprs), Case Based Reasoning For Bridge Deterioration, Cost Optimization, And Preservation Strategy, Nasser Yari

Doctoral Dissertations

Most public transportation agencies (Such as, state department of transportations (DOTs) and department of public works for cities and towns.) in the United States are constantly pursuing ways to improve bridge asset management to optimize their use of limited available funds for rehabilitation, replacement, and preventive maintenance. Given the realities of available funding, there is a significant difference between available funds and funds required for maintaining bridges in good condition. The proper preventative maintenance and treatments should be performed at the right time to be cost effective and extend the life of bridges. Neglecting maintenance can cause higher future costs …

Interplanetary Transport Of Solar Energetic Particles, Gen Li

Doctoral Dissertations

Solar energetic particles (SEPs) are high-energy ions and electrons originating at or near the Sun. The energies of these particles extend from solar wind energies up to ∼10 GeV for ions and ∼100 MeV for electrons. This dissertation employs primarily analytical tools to accomplish three research tasks related to the propagation of SEPs from the lower solar corona to 1 AU: (1) developing a transport model based on the focused transport equation to illustrate and predict the spatial and pitch-angle distribution of the nearly scatter-free beam-like protons observed during the onset phase of the so-called ground level events; (2) constructing …

Performance Based Evaluation Of Cracking In Asphalt Concrete Using Viscoelastic And Fracture Properties, Mirkat Tamire Oshone

Doctoral Dissertations

Cracking is one of the major distresses encountered in pavements. Pavements that fail prematurely due to cracking precipitate lower ride quality, elevate the chance of road accidents, and cause agencies to spend considerable amount of public funds on pavement maintenance and rehabilitation. As part of the concerted endeavor to ensure high performing pavements, extensive research is being undertaken throughout the United States to develop more effective and efficient performance based materials selection and specification procedures as well as mechanistic-empirical (M-E) methods for pavement cracking performance evaluation. However, agencies have been hesitant to introduce the methods to their specifications, pavement evaluation …

The Effects Of Temperature And Dissolution Media On Crystallization Of Amorphous Drugs And Potential Effects On Predicting Bioavailability, Mary Kleppe

Doctoral Dissertations

Poorly soluble crystalline drug candidates are often made amorphous to increase their solubility with the intent to enhance oral bioavailability, thus improving the likelihood of becoming a commercial drug product. Currently, considerable time, material and effort are expended to determine whether an amorphous approach will provide the required bioavailability improvement. However, often the solubility enhancement of the amorphous form is not fully realized in vivo due to solution-mediated phase transformation (SMPT). This study investigated the effects of key factors, through experimentation and modeling, that affect SMPT and model the potential effects of SMPT on bioavailability.

Sparsely parameterized biopharmaceutical models were …

A Pathway To Scholarship: A Qualitative Study Of The Single African American Mother's Role In The Academic Development Of Their Sons For Kindergarten, Onda Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations

The voices of single African American mothers are critical to research on kindergarten readiness. This study examined maternal influence on the kindergarten readiness of African American male children of single African American mothers. Research on the topic of maternal academic support for sons indicated a deficit view of mother’s expectations for her son’s performance and cognitive ability in the year prior to entering kindergarten. Studies on the educational outcomes of African American male students suggested this subgroup significantly underperformed on standardized tests in mathematics and reading compared to their peers. The education community references the achievement gap as this difference …

Teaching Academic Concepts In A Play-Based Preschool Environment: A Case Study Of Guided Play Across Three Classrooms, Lisa M. Hansen

Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative study examined interactions between preschool children and teachers during guided-play activities. These interactions were studied through observations and interviews in a case-study format. Classrooms were observed for 1 hour per week over the course of 4 weeks. Teachers were interviewed following each observation. All three preschool classrooms were located in northern California and belonged to the same chain of schools. A total of six teachers and 75 students participated in the study.

Three main research questions drove the course of the study. The first research question examined the types of interactions between experienced preschool teachers and students during …

Improving Medication Calculation Competence In Nursing Students Through Schema-Based Dimensional Analysis Instruction, Laureen Turner

Doctoral Dissertations

This study was aimed at improving the medication calculation competence of nursing students through a schema-based workshop in which dimensional analysis was used as the calculation method. The overreaching goal of this work was to improve the teaching of medication calculation in nursing education and prevent future medication errors.

This two-group descriptive posttest study included a historical comparison between fall 2016 and spring 2017 students. Spring students had the option to attend a newly designed workshop while fall students did not. Primary comparisons were of (a) percentage of students achieving 100% on the first attempt, (b) number of errors, and …

Evaluating Outcomes Of An Immersive-Field-Study Program On Fifth-Grade Students’ Connectedness With Nature, Laleh Talebpour

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate to what extent an immersive-field-study experience influenced fifth-grade students’ connection to nature. Two instruments were used to collect data: Connection to Nature Index (CNI) obtained pre- and postfield study and students’ field journals with prompts.

The coding of the journals was based on the four components of CNI: Enjoyment of Nature, Empathy for Creatures, Sense of Oneness, and Sense of Responsibility. These components were built on the three basic components of nature connectedness described by Schultz (2002) as “cognitive (connectedness), affective (caring), and behavioral (commitment)” (p. 61).

Data were gathered from 317 …