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Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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Piece-Wise Linear Support Vector Machine To Classify Distributed Data, Nafiseh Salmani Niyasar Jan 2015

Piece-Wise Linear Support Vector Machine To Classify Distributed Data, Nafiseh Salmani Niyasar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Support Vector Machines (SVMs) is a popular and highly performing classification model with a very good generalization ability for many classification applications. This method uses kernels to classify data that are not linearly separable. The added complexity of the kernels that map data to a higher dimensional space degrade the SVM classifier performance when dealing with large datasets. Moreover, classifying a dataset by choosing an appropriate kernel and finding the best set of its parameters is challenging. Failing in this process can easily cause to an overfit problem.;In this thesis we propose the Piece-wise Linear SVM (PWLSVM) using MagKmeans clustering …


Developing A Grid-Based Surrogate Reservoir Model Using Artificial Intelligence, Shohreh Amini Jan 2015

Developing A Grid-Based Surrogate Reservoir Model Using Artificial Intelligence, Shohreh Amini

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Reservoir simulation models are the major tools for studying fluid flow behavior in hydrocarbon reservoirs. They are now being used extensively in performing any kind of studies related to fluid production/injection in hydrocarbon bearing formations. Reservoir simulation models are constructed based on geological models, which are developed by integrating data from geology, geophysics, and petro-physics. This data comes from observation, measurements, and interpretations.;Integration of maximum data from geology, geophysics, and petro-physics, contributes to building geologically complex and more realistic models. As the complexity of a reservoir simulation model increases, so does the computation time. Therefore, to perform any comprehensive study …


Transformation Of A Pre-Algebra Developmental Mathematics Course That Led To The Redesign Of The Developmental Mathematics Program At A Rural Community College, Mary Beth Angeline Jan 2015

Transformation Of A Pre-Algebra Developmental Mathematics Course That Led To The Redesign Of The Developmental Mathematics Program At A Rural Community College, Mary Beth Angeline

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation documents the redesign of a developmental mathematics program at a rural community college and compares the course pass rates between the redesigned courses and the traditional lecture-based courses. A design and developmental methodology was used to chronicle changes to outcomes, learning environment, instructor role, and curricular practices over four course offerings that occurred over three semesters. Effectiveness of these changes was used to continually make corrections to the course structure, and make a case to expand the redesign of the course to the entire developmental mathematics program.


Growth And Properties Of Topological Insulator Thin Films Based On The Bi2se3 Compound, Sercan Babakiray Jan 2015

Growth And Properties Of Topological Insulator Thin Films Based On The Bi2se3 Compound, Sercan Babakiray

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation summarizes the growth, structural and electrical transport properties of topological insulators based on Bi2Se3 compound grown by molecular beam epitaxy. In the first three chapters, I review the theoretical background and experimental procedures necessary to understand the properties of topological insulators. The next three chapters cover the results of the structural characterization and electrical transport measurements. The final chapter summarizes the overall results and suggests future directions for research on Bi2Se3 compounds. Topological insulators (TIs) are a new class of quantum matter with a bulk band gap and gapless metallic surface states. The spin and momentum degrees of …


Spatial And Temporal Distribution Of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) Ovisac And Its Associations With The Environment, Sunghoon Baek Jan 2015

Spatial And Temporal Distribution Of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Hemiptera: Adelgidae) Ovisac And Its Associations With The Environment, Sunghoon Baek

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (Pinales: Pinaceae) is an important tree species in eastern North America ecosystems. During the past 65 years, eastern hemlock stands have been threatened by the hemlock woolly adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand (Hemiptera: Adelgidae). The goal of this research was to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of A. tsugae populations. First, the appropriate sample unit for A. tsugae was determined based on within-branch and -tree distribution of A. tsugae. The results of this study showed that A. tsugae ovisacs were more frequently found at the tip of a branch and no significant (P > 0.05) differences in …


Analysis Of Rna Degradation In Dental Pulp To Estimate Postmortem Interval, Amanda Balasko Jan 2015

Analysis Of Rna Degradation In Dental Pulp To Estimate Postmortem Interval, Amanda Balasko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There are several methods that are currently used to estimate a postmortem interval (PMI), including physiological, biochemical, entomological, and archeological approaches. However, these methods are not effective in estimating PMI's extending from several weeks to months. The study presented here was performed to create an independent, objective biological method to estimate PMI by analyzing the degradation of 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) from porcine and human dental pulp. If successful, this method would overlap and extend the current PMI estimation methods. With a concept similar to that of radioactive carbon-14 dating, this method analyzed two different sized segments -- one large, …


Theory And Simulations Of Incomplete Reconnection During Sawteeth Due To Diamagnetic Effects, Matthew Thomas Beidler Jan 2015

Theory And Simulations Of Incomplete Reconnection During Sawteeth Due To Diamagnetic Effects, Matthew Thomas Beidler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tokamaks use magnetic fields to confine plasmas to achieve fusion; they are the leading approach proposed for the widespread production of fusion energy. The sawtooth crash in tokamaks limits the core temperature, adversely impacts confinement, and seeds disruptions. Adequate knowledge of the physics governing the sawtooth crash and a predictive capability of its ramifications has been elusive, including an understanding of incomplete reconnection, i.e., why sawteeth often cease prematurely before processing all available magnetic flux. In this dissertation, we introduce a model for incomplete reconnection in sawtooth crashes resulting from increasing diamagnetic effects in the nonlinear phase of magnetic reconnection. …


Probing Pulsar Emission On Short Timescales: Rotating Radio Transients, Cyclic Spectroscopy, And Single-Pulse Studies Of Millisecond Pulsars, Nipuni Tharaka Palliyaguru Jan 2015

Probing Pulsar Emission On Short Timescales: Rotating Radio Transients, Cyclic Spectroscopy, And Single-Pulse Studies Of Millisecond Pulsars, Nipuni Tharaka Palliyaguru

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rotating radio transients (RRATs) are neutron stars are that characterized by the emission of strong sporadic bursts. We have analysed the long- and short-term time dependence of the pulse arrival times and the pulse detection rates for eight RRAT sources from the Parkes Multi-beam Pulsar Survey (PMPS). We find significant periodicities in the individual pulse arrival times from six RRATs. These periodicities range from ∼30 minutes to 2100 days and from one to 16 independent (i.e. non-harmonically related) periodicities are detected for each RRAT. In addition, we find that pulse emission is a random process on short (hour-long) time scales …


Sensor Placement Algorithms For Process Efficiency Maximization, Prokash Paul Jan 2015

Sensor Placement Algorithms For Process Efficiency Maximization, Prokash Paul

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Even though the senor placement problem has been studied for process plants, it has been done for minimizing the number of sensors, minimizing the cost of the sensor network, maximizing the reliability, or minimizing the estimation errors. In the existing literature, no work has been reported on the development of a sensor network design (SND) algorithm for maximizing efficiency of the process. The SND problem for maximizing efficiency requires consideration of the closed-loop system, which is unlike the open-loop systems that have been considered in previous works. In addition, work on the SND problem for a large fossil energy plant …


An Examination Of Households' Willingness-To-Pay For Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation In The United States: A Benefit Transfer Approach, Rajendra Prasad Poudel Jan 2015

An Examination Of Households' Willingness-To-Pay For Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation In The United States: A Benefit Transfer Approach, Rajendra Prasad Poudel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research paper provides a benefit transfer model of willingness-to-pay (WTP) for wetlands' biodiversity conservation in the United States. The validity of the estimated wetland's willingness-to-pay values is also examined. While valuation of the services provided by wetlands may be challenging due to their non-market nature, estimation of values is important. Conducting a primary study is the best option for precise results. However, researchers may recommend the benefit transfer approach in wetland valuation when there are limited time, budgetary constraints, and administrative urgency.;The benefit transfer approach involves transferring of value estimates from study sites (where research was already undertaken) to …


The Effect Of Direct Instruction On Spanish Language Acquisition In A Preschool Free-Play Environment: A Single-Case Design, Lucy Rose Scotti Jan 2015

The Effect Of Direct Instruction On Spanish Language Acquisition In A Preschool Free-Play Environment: A Single-Case Design, Lucy Rose Scotti

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The predicted increase in Spanish speakers within the United States brings to light a new direction for preschool curricula. There are multiple, on-going arguments about the best time for children to learn a second language and what role critical periods for brain development play in second language acquisition. Although there are individual differences in development, the current study demonstrates that children can learn Spanish vocabulary words with an average of 30 minutes of instruction per week. Using a combination of direct instruction with developmentally appropriate practices, hands-on, and engaging activities, the teaching of Spanish vocabulary, themed and age appropriate for …


Modeling And Controlling A Hybrid Multi-Agent Based Microgrid In Presence Of Different Physical And Cyber Components, Hessam Keshtkar Jan 2015

Modeling And Controlling A Hybrid Multi-Agent Based Microgrid In Presence Of Different Physical And Cyber Components, Hessam Keshtkar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation starts with modeling of two different and important parts of the distribution power systems, i.e. distribution line and photovoltaic (PV) systems. Firstly, it studies different approximation methods and develops a new approach for simplification of Carson's equations to model distribution lines for unbalanced power flow and short circuit analysis. The results of applying the proposed method on a three-phase unbalanced distribution system are compared with different existing methods as well as actual impedance values obtained from numerical integration method. Then steady state modeling and optimal placing of multiple PV system are investigated in order to reduce the total …


Partial Oxidation Of Hydrocarbons In A Segmented Bed Using Oxide-Based Catalysts And Oxygen-Conducting Supports, Mark W. Smith Jan 2015

Partial Oxidation Of Hydrocarbons In A Segmented Bed Using Oxide-Based Catalysts And Oxygen-Conducting Supports, Mark W. Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Two objectives for the catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons to produce synthesis gas are investigated herein: (1) the effect of oxygen-conducting supports with partially substituted mixed-metal oxide catalysts, and (2) a segmented bed approach using different catalyst configurations. Excess carbon deposition was the primary cause of catalyst deactivation, and was the focus of the experiments for both objectives. The formation and characterization of deposited carbon was examined after reaction for one of the selected catalysts to determine the quantity and location of the carbon on the catalyst surface leading to deactivation.;A nickel-substituted barium hexaaluminate (BNHA), with the formula BaAl 11.6Ni0.4O18.8, and …


A Consensus Based Decentralized State Estimation For Power Distribution Networks, Varun Garaga Jan 2015

A Consensus Based Decentralized State Estimation For Power Distribution Networks, Varun Garaga

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis presents a new Decentralized State Estimation algorithm using agents directed mainly to distribution power systems. This new algorithm solves problems that occur when one tries to estimate the state of the distribution power systems. By various reasons such as high levels of quality of service, automation capabilities and comparatively less size, those problems do not occur so frequently on the transmission systems. A consensus based static state estimation strategy for radial power distribution systems is proposed in this research. This thesis concentrates on the balanced systems.;There are buses acting as agents using which we can evaluate the local …


Three Essays On Remittances, Institutions, And Economic Development, Durga Gautam Jan 2015

Three Essays On Remittances, Institutions, And Economic Development, Durga Gautam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Does the inflow of remittances affect the quality of institutions in the recipient countries? This question is important because economists have stressed that good economic institutions, particularly those in the public sector, are instrumental for economic development and growth. The literature on remittances, however, does not document a thorough analysis and compelling evidence of the relationship between these private financial transfers and institutional quality. Unlike other kinds of international capital flows, remittances inflows are not mediated by the government of recipient countries. Remittances are not taxed directly and so are not a source of revenue for the government. Then a …


Dynamic Calibration Of Drifting Sensor Arrays For Real-Time Monitoring, Zongyu Geng Jan 2015

Dynamic Calibration Of Drifting Sensor Arrays For Real-Time Monitoring, Zongyu Geng

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Traditional sensor calibration is restricted to mathematically relating the steady-state sensor responses to the target analyte concentrations to realize environment monitoring. However, commonly-used chemical sensors usually require a relatively long time, on the order of minutes, to reach steady-state operation, and exhibit nonlinear drifting behaviors. To achieve real-time monitoring of rapidly-changing environments while accommodating drifting behaviors, this work develops statistical methods for both forward descriptive calibration and inverse dynamic calibration of sensor arrays.;Forward calibration is performed based on experimental data. In this work, multivariate Gaussian processes (GPs) were adapted to obtain the forward calibration model, which quantifies the sensor response …


"The Whistling Wife": Women And Popular Song In The Postbellum American South, Melanie J. Green Jan 2015

"The Whistling Wife": Women And Popular Song In The Postbellum American South, Melanie J. Green

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study discusses the practice of music-making by middle and upper class women in the nineteenth-century American South, and the ways in which the practice was continued in the decades following the Civil War amid changing class and gender politics. The study examines two sheet music collections, one from the South and one from the North, dating from the 1880s and 1890s. An examination of the content of these collections reveals differing attitudes over changing class and gender politics and acceptable practices for music-making in the North and South. A discussion of these young women and their families tells their …


Validation Of An Experimentally Motivated Predictive Model For The Spontaneous Clustering Of Receptors On The Cell Membrane, Emine Guven Jan 2015

Validation Of An Experimentally Motivated Predictive Model For The Spontaneous Clustering Of Receptors On The Cell Membrane, Emine Guven

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Membrane receptors are specialized membrane-bound proteins that facilitate communication be- tween the intracellular and extracellular membrane. They control signal initiation in many im- portant cellular signaling pathways. Cell signaling (or signal transduction) provides the logical inputs individual cells need in order to perform their role in the context of the organism. Signal- ing molecules such as hormones, neurotransmitters or growth factors, are secreted by cells in the organism as a result of certain conditions; the cells receiving the signal change (or maintain) their state in response to the signaling input. The incoming information is processed and the response is formulated …


Rotating Space Elevators: Classical And Statistical Mechanics, Steven Knudsen Jan 2015

Rotating Space Elevators: Classical And Statistical Mechanics, Steven Knudsen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

We investigate a novel and unique dynamical system, the Rotating Space Elevator (RSE). The RSE is a multiply rotating system of strings reaching beyond the Earth geo-synchronous satellite orbit. Objects sliding along the RSE string ("climbers") do not require internal engines or propulsion to be transported far away from the Earth's surface. The RSE thus solves a major problem in the space elevator technology which is how to supply the energy to the climbers moving along the string. The RSE is a double rotating floppy string. The RSE can be made in various shapes that are stabilized by an approximate …


Development Of Drilling Control Technology To Reduce Drilling Noise During Roof Bolting Operations, Mingming Li Jan 2015

Development Of Drilling Control Technology To Reduce Drilling Noise During Roof Bolting Operations, Mingming Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Noise induced hearing loss is a serious health issue among coal mine workers. The roof bolting operation is one of the noisiest underground mining operations. It is second among all equipment in underground coal mines whose operators exceed 100% noise dosage according to MSHA data. In roof bolting, the noise generated in the roof drilling normally contributes a major proportion to the noise exposure to this particular group of miners. This study is to develop a drilling control technology to reduce noise generated during roof bolting drilling.;Previous research shows that the specific energy consumed in drilling bolt holes is inversely …


The Influence Of Physical Activity On International Students' Cross-Cultural Adjustment: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study, Shuang Li Jan 2015

The Influence Of Physical Activity On International Students' Cross-Cultural Adjustment: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study, Shuang Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

International students face multiple challenges due to cross-cultural transition. Physical activity plays a significant role in maintaining health and well-being for college students. Little research has explored how international students' physical activity interacts with their acculturation. Using a longitudinal qualitative approach with individual interviews and non-participant observation, the current study explored how physical activity interacted with new international students' first-year transition to studying in the United States. Nine participants who engaged in regular physical activity were enrolled. Each individual was interviewed twice in the middle and at the end of their first year. Three-month of field work was applied to …


Thermal Stress Analysis For Early Age Mass Concrete Members, Yun Lin Jan 2015

Thermal Stress Analysis For Early Age Mass Concrete Members, Yun Lin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Research findings in the past have demonstrated that the heat of hydration can induce thermal cracking in early age concrete. The disproportionate thermal expansion can cause considerable tensile stresses at concrete surfaces. The minimum size of mass concrete has remained unsolved due to the complexity of the problem. In this study, a way to predict early age concrete temperature and associated thermal stresses is described, including the needed experimental testing and finite element modeling technique.;In thermal analysis, an adiabatic calorimeter was designed and built to measure the adiabatic temperature rise of the concrete. The measured adiabatic temperature rise was converted …


Semi-Supervised And Active Learning Models For Software Fault Prediction, Huihua Lu Jan 2015

Semi-Supervised And Active Learning Models For Software Fault Prediction, Huihua Lu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As software continues to insinuate itself into nearly every aspect of our life, the quality of software has been an extremely important issue. Software Quality Assurance (SQA) is a process that ensures the development of high-quality software. It concerns the important problem of maintaining, monitoring, and developing quality software. Accurate detection of fault prone components in software projects is one of the most commonly practiced techniques that offer the path to high quality products without excessive assurance expenditures. This type of quality modeling requires the availability of software modules with known fault content developed in similar environment. However, collection of …


Upscaling Of The Acidizing Process In Heterogeneous Porous Media, Vahidreza Bitarafhaghighi Jan 2015

Upscaling Of The Acidizing Process In Heterogeneous Porous Media, Vahidreza Bitarafhaghighi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coupled fluid flow, reaction and transport in porous media has been the topic of research in various disciplines for the past few decades. Conventional approach assumes a homogeneous and isotropic porous media, and simplifies the nature of coupling between fluid and rock interactions. However, including the reality of the process, i.e. assuming heterogeneous and anisotropic porous media with fully coupled rock fluid interaction, can lead to more advanced understanding of the fundamental physics behind the problem and developing efficient industrial applications. In the oil and gas industry optimization of different well stimulation techniques such as matrix acidizing in order to …


Development And Evaluation Of An Objective Method For Forensic Examination Of Human Head Hairs Using Texture-Based Image Analysis, Allyce S. Mcwhorter Jan 2015

Development And Evaluation Of An Objective Method For Forensic Examination Of Human Head Hairs Using Texture-Based Image Analysis, Allyce S. Mcwhorter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In response to criticism of traditional forensic methods of human head hair examination, the goal of this study was to develop and evaluate an objective method using texture-based image analysis. 120 individuals, including 20 from six different maternal groups, were sampled and their hairs evaluated using the developed method. Different variables were evaluated to develop the most efficient method to increase intra/inter ratio, as well as the percentage of well-classified hairs. The variables included different microscope systems, objective lenses, number of hairs examined per individual, hair shaft regions, focus methods, and normalization filter techniques. Statistical analyses included one-way analysis of …


Parameter Identification Of Induction Motor, Yousef Abdel-Rehim Jan 2015

Parameter Identification Of Induction Motor, Yousef Abdel-Rehim

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Numerous recent techniques of induction motor parameters calculating are hard to be done and expensive. Accurate calculations of the parameters of these motors would allow savings in different prospective like energy and cost. The major problem in calculating induction motor parameters is that it's hard to measure output power precisely and without harm during the operation of the machines. It will be better to find other way to find out the output power with certain amount of inputs like input voltage and current.;Particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithms (GAs) are often used to estimate quantities from limited information. They …


Investigations Of Surface Related Electronic Properties In Smb6 And Laalo3srtio3 Heterostructures, Sanjay Adhikari Jan 2015

Investigations Of Surface Related Electronic Properties In Smb6 And Laalo3srtio3 Heterostructures, Sanjay Adhikari

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation reports research performed on two types of two-dimensional systems: SmB6 and LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO). SmB6 has been proposed to be a topological Kondo insulator at low temperature. In order to understand carriers/ lattice dynamics and their interactions, femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy is performed in SmB6 single crystals and thin lms at variable temperatures. The collective oscillation modes in GHz - THz and the change of carrier relaxations is observed as a function of temperature. From the temperature dependent results for d hybridization, opening of the hybridization gap, \phonon bottleneck", and th possible topological surface state formation is revealed. The topological …


Coal Quality Management Model For A Dome Storage (Ds-Cqmm), Manuel Alejandro Badani Prado Jan 2015

Coal Quality Management Model For A Dome Storage (Ds-Cqmm), Manuel Alejandro Badani Prado

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coal quality (ash, sulfur, moisture and BTU) is one of the key aspects for both coal mines and power plants. Mines invest time as well as economic and technological resources in order to manage coal quality for final use in power plants. In order to deliver uniform coal quality to the power plant, there is a need for a real-time monitoring of coal quality from the mine to the coal stockpiles. The specific problem represents the process of stacking the coal inside the enclosed facility such as a dome. The process of stacking coal inside a dome generates the unique …


Design Of A Force Sensing System To Assist Robotic Space Servicing And Exploration Operations, Jason Brandon Battin Jan 2015

Design Of A Force Sensing System To Assist Robotic Space Servicing And Exploration Operations, Jason Brandon Battin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The focus of this research has been the design and fabrication of a rail sensor system (RSS) that employs an array of commercially available load cells to reconstruct contact forces by determining a centroid of force. The proposed RSS system can be divided into two coherent systems: a mechanical system and an electrical system. The mechanical system is composed of two load cells, two aluminum support structures, and a friction resistant shoulder screw. The electrical system consists of a commercially available USB interface board responsible for capturing and transmitting raw voltage values from each load cell to the data logging …


Plasmonic Nanostructures For Biosensor Applications, Akshitha Gadde Jan 2015

Plasmonic Nanostructures For Biosensor Applications, Akshitha Gadde

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Improving the sensitivity of existing biosensors is an active research topic that cuts across several disciplines, including engineering and biology. Optical biosensors are the one of the most diverse class of biosensors which can be broadly categorized into two types based on the detection scheme: label-based and label-free detection. In label-based detection, the target bio-molecules are labeled with dyes or tags that fluoresce upon excitation, indicating the presence of target molecules. Label-based detection is highly-sensitive, capable of single molecule detection depending on the detector type used. One method of improving the sensitivity of label-based fluorescence detection is by enhancement of …