Digital Commons Network^™

Mechanical Property Simulations Of Ploybenzimidazole Membranes., Blake Alexander Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work explores mechanical properties of membranes made of polybenzimidazole utilizing molecular simulations. These simulations researchers to narrow down polybenzimidazole membrane compositions to viable candidates. These simulations are quicker than current purely experimental methods. The increase in throughput would be achieved by eliminating compositions that have unfavorable mechanical properties through preliminary simulation work before moving onto experimental methods. Determining polybenzimidazole membranes’ mechanical properties experimentally would, therefore, allow for researchers to speed up research in areas such as fuel cells and electrolyzers that make use of polybenzimidazole membranes. This study uses Materials Studio and the COMPASS III forcefield to perform these …

Mems Optical Cavities For Low Power Communication., Jacob Schopp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the use of MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) optical cavities for use in low power communication. MEMS optical cavities are thin air gaps between an actuated MEMS mirror and a fixed glass encapsulation. By moving the MEMS mirror the reflectivity of the MEMS optical cavity can be changed. This change in reflectivity can be used to transmit information passively by modulating reflected light intensity instead of generating new light using a light source. These MEMS optical cavities are demonstrated using optical fibers for illumination delivery and reflected light collection. In addition to being reflected for communication, the illuminating light …

Smart Manufacturing Of Cement: From Lab-Scale Simulation And Testing To Industry-Scale Deployment., Juan David Tabares Tamayo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cement kilns are controlled by experienced process operators who follow experience-based industry guidelines using data collected and fundamental knowledge. The manufacturing process, which is equipped with sensors and equipment, transfers data/information to the operators to aid standardized decision-making operations. In contrast, companies have used such data to develop and implement digital solutions for predictive control systems; in effect, FLSmidth and Rockwell Automation. However, despite the availability of automated control systems and investigation in automation for process monitoring and optimization, opportunities to radically optimize cement manufacturing are still abundant and in need of implementation. Therefore, this research developed simulation models and …

Fly Ash Based Geopolymer: Water, Curing Temperature And, Cao Content Effects On Microstructure And Compressive Strength., Lujain Salem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Geopolymer, an emerging alternative to Portland cement-based concrete, relies on alumina and silica-rich precursors like fly ash for its formation. Geopolymerization is a chemical process that creates a three-dimensional polymer network by reacting with an alkaline activator. While fly ash's calcium oxide (CaO) content is crucial in its classification, it behaves differently in geopolymerization, where it competes with hydration. Therefore, a better understanding of the impact of CaO content in fly ash on geopolymerization is needed to effectively utilize fly ash. This study investigates the effects of CaO content, water, and curing temperature on geopolymerization. Using fly ash from a …

Life Beyond The Port Of Beirut, Album & Drum Triggering System., Ayman Abi Kheir

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Life Beyond the Port of Beirut is a project of two parts: an album of 8 instrumental tracks and a drum triggering system. The title is in dedication to my country, Lebanon, and specifically to its main historical seaport in the capital, Beirut. This port is the historical starting point of the Lebanese diaspora who have spread their culture across the globe and contributed to the world culture. The drum triggering system is a “do-it-yourself” system that enables drummers to trigger samples and virtual instruments through acoustic drum set and percussion. It was designed in Max for Live and Ableton …

Investigations Of Physical Properties Of Novel Magnetic And Non- Magnetic Two-Dimensional (2d) Alloys., Mohammed Ameen Irziqat

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research work reports investigations of structural and physical properties of novel magnetic and non-magnetic 2D alloys. Three techniques were utilized in this investigation: Angle-resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy (ARPRS), Electrical &Thermoelectric power measurements, Magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) spectroscopy. ARPRS and MOKE experiments were constructed during the course of this work. ARPRS was used to study the anisotropy of 2-dimensional black-arsenic phosphors (b-AsxP1-x) as a function of arsenic concentration (x). It was observed experimentally that all Raman modes of the studied samples with x=0, 0.4, 0.8 exhibit polarization dependence. More interestingly, the polarization dependence of Raman modes due to the vibrations …

The Evaluation Of Acute: Chronic Workload Ratios For Integration Into The Injury Mitigation Strategy Of A Sport Organization., Matthew K. Daunis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of the acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) is a strategy presented as a means of mitigating the injury risk athletes are exposed to from their regular participation in sport. However, the current literature is inconclusive towards its effectiveness at actually mitigating injuries. The purpose of this dissertation was to determine if ACWR should be integrated into an injury mitigation strategy of a sport organization and, if so, what input, computation, and injury-related methodologies should be used with it. Retrospective injury data and velocity-based distances from training and competition demands from collegiate women’s field hockey athletes were used to investigate …

Development And Evaluation Of A Modeling Platform For Evaluating Immunotherapeutic Efficacy In The Tumor Microenvironment., Dylan Andrew Goodin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents the complex outcome of numerous tumor, stromal, and immune interactions, and whose composition can significantly affect treatment response. Particularly, immunotherapeutic efficacy is subject to multiple tumor-specific TME interactions that may be difficult to evaluate/predict clinically. Mathematical modelling has been formulated to evaluate specific aspects of the TME, including vasculature, ECM deposition, and immune-tumor interactions. However, the computational challenge of simulating multiple TME interactions has led to sacrificing varying degrees of model generalizability and clinical relevance. This work describes increased computational performance of a 3D continuum model that simulates tumor tissue, ECM, and vasculature using a …

Novel Designs Of Soft Tactile Sensor And Robot Finger Manipulator Based On Optical Fibers., Seokyoung Han

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Robotic manipulation is one of the main types of automated labor that humans want to achieve in order to free ourselves from mundane and hazardous tasks. The range of realizations could be very broad, from massive industrial robots to highly advanced medical devices for human healthcare. Given the critical nature of these application spaces, they require robust, safe, and most of all versatile designs. In that direction, one of the most interesting topics is the anthropomorphic robotic manipulator. Since it is inspired by human hands’ function and structure, it is able to achieve the aforementioned system requirements. However, the perfect …

Using A Planetarium To Support Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Development Of Ngss-Aligned Science Teaching., Breanna Graven

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a case study of five elementary pre-service teachers within a science methods course who attended a planetarium-enriched experience. The experience was designed and taught by an instructor with both experience and education in astronomy and with K-12 students. The focus of the planetarium experience was to teach the science content these PSTs will have to teach to their future elementary students and teach how to teach science in an NGSS-aligned way, by incorporating the Science and Engineering Practices and Crosscutting Concepts. This is a qualitative case study that relied on interviews, open-response surveys, and video prompt responses …

Electrokinetic Particle Trapping Performance Of Conductive Nanofiber Mats In Microfluidic Wells., Jacob Hunter West

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The frequency dependence of electrokinetic particle trapping using large-area (>mm²) conductive carbon nanofiber (CNF) mat electrodes is investigated. The fibers provide nanoscale geometric features for the generation of high electric field gradients, which is necessary for particle trapping via dielectrophoresis (DEP). A device was fabricated with an array of microfluidic wells for repeated experiments; each well included a CNF mat electrode opposing an aluminum electrode. Fluorescent microspheres (1 µm) were trapped at various electric field frequencies between 30 kHz – 1 MHz. Digital images of each well were analyzed to quantify particle trapping. DEP trapping by the …

Emergency Vehicle Prioritization In Connected And Autonomous Traffic., Mohamadreza Haghani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reducing the response time of emergency vehicles (EV) is highly important due to the relationship between response time and fatality rate. Emerging technologies can help reduce response time by enhancing EV prioritization. On the other hand, EV prioritization can negatively impact general traffic especially in cross streets of signalized intersections. In this research, three main objectives were followed. Firstly, creation and dissipation of EVP disruption on arterial cross streets was studied to recommend solutions to prevent this disruption. Secondly, lane-changing and stopping behavior of CAVs were studied in EV prioritization to identify the best lane-changing behavior through minimizing delay. Thirdly, …

Rockin’ Rehab: Novel Rocking Chair For Children With Spinal Cord Injury To Enable Trunk Muscle Activation And Detect Muscle Activation Patterns., Johnathan Jay George

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Activity-based locomotor training improves trunk control in children with spinal cord injury (SCI), and there is need for additional activities to allow these children to activate trunk muscles. The purpose of this research was to design, fabricate, and evaluate a rocking chair for children with SCI, and to investigate the activation of muscles during use. Sensorization of the chair to confirm muscle activation is also explored. Methods: Quality Function Deployment (QFD) design methodologies identified and ranked needs and features for the rocking chair. A design was developed and evaluated via finite element analysis. The chair was fabricated and tested …

Multithreaded Applications On The Heterogeneous Research Computing Environment., Sungbo Jung

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bioinformatics is a domain that has experienced rapid research growth in recent years, as evidenced by the increasing number of articles in biomedical databases such as PubMed, which adds over a million publications every year. However, this also poses a challenge for researchers who need to find relevant citations for their work. Therefore, developing efficient indexing and searching methods for text data is crucial for Bioinformatics. One key technique for information retrieval is document inversion, which involves creating an inverted index to enable efficient searching through vast collections of text or documents. This Ph.D. research aims to design the research …

Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support In The Cardiovascular Icu: Investigating The Effects Of An Interactive Cardiovascular Dynamics Simulation Program On Nursing Clinical Judgment., Casey Saulman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Education on acute mechanical circulatory support (AMCS), a therapy used in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CICU) to manage cardiogenic shock (CGS) is limited for CICU nurses. There is a need to explore clinical judgment in CICU nurses and provide innovative learning experiences that foster judgment when managing AMCS. Methods: This mixed methods feasibility study investigated the effects of an interactive cardiovascular dynamics simulation program on CICU nurses’ knowledge, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment. Semi-structured interviews explored the participants’ perceptions of the learning experience. Results: Twenty-one nurses completed the cardiovascular dynamics simulation program. The majority were white (85.7%), female …

Optimization Of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (Vns) And The Use Of Cervical Vns As A Treatment For Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction, Misty Owens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a promising neuromodulatory therapy under investigation for a range of disorders, including heart failure, gastric dysmotility, and migraine. Two primary forms of VNS are currently investigated: cervical VNS (cVNS), involving surgically implantation to activate vagal afferents in the cervical branch in the neck and transcutaneous auricular VNS (taVNS) which subcutaneously stimulates the auricular branch in the outer ear. The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) serves as a relay-station receiving 90% of vagal afferents, enabling connections with higher-order brain regions and other brainstem nuclei like the spinal trigeminal nucleus (Sp5) and locus coeruleus (LC), facilitating …

Magnetic Properties Of Zgnrs With Nitrogen And Fluorine Adsorbates, A Computational Study, Justin Petit

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Imposing dimensional restrictions on graphene sheets and adding impurities can give rise to carbon nanostructures with magnetic properties. In this work, zigzag graphene nanoribbons, zGNRs, with nitrogen and fluorine adatoms are investigated for magnetic properties of interest for spin devices. Geometry optimizations were done determining which position along a zGNR electrode that N and F would favorably attach to. Edge positions were determined as the most stable attachment site. M-cell zGNR electrodes (M = 1-3) edge-functionalized by N and F adatoms were investigated with respect to their band structures and spin densities in antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic, AFM and FM, configurations. …

Social Networking Sites As A Form Of Viable Professional Development For Secondary English Educator, Virginia Joan Messinger

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Social Networking Sites or SNSs have been used as a form of self-guided professional development (PD) by educators of all grade levels. However, there are limited students regarding Secondary educators using SNSs as a form of self-guided PD and there is also a lack of an examination of how those educators are using what the learn from SNSs within an English classroom. The purpose of this research was to determine not only what Secondary English educators seek on SNSs for self-guided PD but also if that what they learn is applied to their classroom practices and if they are successful. …

Gifted And…: Teacher Reflection And Transformation In Response To Teaching Gifted Students, Patrick Gene Rabon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

12 teachers, representing five schools in a district, shared via individual interviews their insights regarding giftedness and the needs of gifted students. These interviews explored the characteristics of giftedness and gifted education, the needs participants identified through their experiences with their students, the choices participants made regarding these needs, and the various ways participants reflected on these choices. This study used reflexive thematic analysis and transformative learning theory to make sense of the data, and a reparative approach shaped the study’s approach to the collection and analysis of the data. This study found that participants tended to think in terms …

The Elephant In The Classroom: Understanding Teachers’ Implicit Biases In Grading Student Work In A Mathematics Classroom, Tina Marie Medina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on automaticity or the choices we make without conscious thought. Specifically, the study examined how math teachers improved their understanding of the practice and evolution of culturally responsive teaching by analyzing the lived experiences and metacognition of practicing middle school teachers as they assess student work in mathematics. The potential impact of implicit stereotypes, instructor expectations, assessment design, cultural considerations, and other variables on the grading process was investigated. The purpose of this case study was to uncover teachers’ implicit biases as it relates to grading student work in a middle school math class.

This qualitative study …

A Comparison Of Student Academic Variables In Mixed Teaching Methods And Traditionally Taught Biology Courses At Participating Community Colleges In Tennessee, Elesha Goodfriend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to compare academic variables from students participating in mixed teaching methods/course revitalization biology courses to those in traditional courses at two community colleges in Tennessee. A two-group comparison design using archived data was used, which evaluated differences in final grades, exam scores, and homework completion as indicators of the academic success between an urban institution and a rural college. A power analysis was performed using G*Power software to provide the needed sample size, indicating a size of 176. There were 227 students in the active teaching lecture classrooms, and 198 students in the …

A Multiple-Methods Assessment Of Faculty Attitudes Toward Inclusive Instruction., Kate A. Snider

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The enrollment landscape of postsecondary institutions in the United States has undergone significant demographic shifts, marked by increasing racial and ethnic diversity and a rise in enrollment of students with disabilities. Recognizing the importance of accommodating diverse learners, this study investigates faculty attitudes toward inclusive instruction, Universal Design for Instruction, and disability-related topics. This multiple-methods study aimed to identify differences across faculty groups to establish an initial measure of faculty attitudes toward inclusive teaching practices that can be used to design future training or professional development opportunities. Data was collected via an online distribution of the Inclusive Teaching Strategies Inventory …

In-Training Explainability Frameworks To Make Black-Box Machine Learning Models More Explainable., Asuman Cagla Acun

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite ongoing efforts to make black-box machine learning models more explainable, transparent, and trustworthy, there is growing advocacy for using only inherently interpretable models for high-stake decision-making. Post-hoc explanations have recently been criticized for learning surrogate models that may not accurately reflect the actual mechanisms of the original model and for adding computational burden at prediction time. We propose two novel explainability approaches to address these limitations: pre-hoc explainability and co-hoc explainability. These approaches integrate explanations derived from an inherently interpretable white-box model into the learning stage of the black-box model without compromising accuracy. Unlike post-hoc methods, our approach does …

A Qualitative Inquiry Into The Intersectionality Of Race, Gender, And Social Networks In Stem Education., La'ree Alexandria Shontee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the intersectional experiences of Black women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education by focusing on the strategic utilization of social capital to navigate systemic barriers and challenges. The unique struggles faced by Black women within predominantly white and male-dominated STEM programs are addressed in this study. Drawing on a growing body of literature, this research diverges from prevailing narratives of disinterest in or departure from STEM programs and instead illuminates proactive strategies employed by Black women. Through an exploration of social capital - encompassing networks, resources, and support systems - this study offers a comprehensive …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Social Capital And Its Influence On Baccalaureate Degree Completion Of First-Generation African American Men At The University Of Louisville., Joseph Marshall Goodman Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation was designed to examine influences which various forms of social capital have on post-secondary degree attainment of first-generation individuals who self-identify as African American men. Additionally, the sample population consisted of Black men who successfully matriculated to earn baccalaureate credentials across differing academic disciplines at a public historically White institution located in the mid-south region of the United States. The research data was extracted from one-on-one, semi-structured interviews using authentic dialogue through open-ended questions. Theoretical paradigms of the study involved a phenomenological approach and an ontological philosophical assumption, integrated with critical theory, critical race theory and social …

Digital Orchestration In Media Compositions, Jimmy Bartley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As composers gain access to better tools, digital mockups have increasingly grown in popularity. Composers often aim to emulate an idealized orchestral sound in their mockups. By understanding the nature of acoustic orchestration and instrumentation, specific techniques and approaches for virtual instruments and sample libraries, and methods to process and manipulate MIDI audio, composers can achieve this idealized sound. This thesis will focus on the common techniques and methods that composers can use to achieve this in digital mockups. Concluding the thesis is an original work that combines digital and live instruments while exploring different techniques to achieve an ideal …

Geologic Face Mapping Methodology Utilizing Global Positioning Systems And Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Luke Whitenburg

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Geologic field mapping has traditionally been a low-technology process, limited by time in the field and a delicate balance between data collection and coverage area. Advancements in Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and software packages offer new tools and techniques for collecting high volume, accurate geologic information. These tools can provide geologists with safe and efficient ways to collect and process greater volumes of field data.

Field data for this study was collected from three open pit mines using a Trimble Geo 7X GPS unit with Geo 7 Series Rangefinder module and a Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 …

Detection And Classification Of Diabetic Retinopathy Using Deep Learning Models, Aishat Olatunji

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare analytics leverages extensive patient data for data-driven decision-making, enhancing patient care and results. Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), a complication of diabetes, stems from damage to the retina’s blood vessels. It can affect both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients. Ophthalmologists employ retinal images for accurate DR diagnosis and severity assessment. Early detection is crucial for preserving vision and minimizing risks. In this context, we utilized a Kaggle dataset containing patient retinal images, employing Python’s versatile tools. Our research focuses on DR detection using deep learning techniques. We used a publicly available dataset to apply our proposed neural network and …

The Impact Of Biblical Women's Stories On Entrepreneurial Identity Formation:A Phenomenological Study Of Kenyan Women Entrepreneurs In The Diaspora, Lydia Githinji

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study examines how biblical narratives and stories of strong female role models shape the entrepreneurial identity of Kenyan and Kenyan-American women. Ten female entrepreneurs were interviewed to understand these influences on their development. Themes emerged around mentorship, leadership, resilience, communication, networking, and legacy. Participants interpreted biblical tales through an entrepreneurial lens, resonating with the experiences and qualities of figures like Lydia, Deborah, Ruth, Esther, and the Proverbs 31 woman. Two key differences arose: those with closer African ties referenced the Bible more, and some cited male rather than female mentors. To address diverse perspectives, recommendations include balancing biblical …

Comparative Analysis Of Surrogate Models For The Dissolution Of Spent Nuclear Fuel, Dayo Awe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a comparative analysis of surrogate models for the dissolution of spent nuclear fuel, with a focus on the use of deep learning techniques. The study explores the accuracy and efficiency of different machine learning methods in predicting the dissolution behavior of nuclear waste, and compares them to traditional modeling approaches. The results show that deep learning models can achieve high accuracy in predicting the dissolution rate, while also being computationally efficient. The study also discusses the potential applications of surrogate modeling in the field of nuclear waste management, including the optimization of waste disposal strategies and the …