Digital Commons Network^™

An Evaluation Of The Definition Of Exhaustive Foreknowledge In The Writings Of Richard Rice, Dennis E. Akawobsa

Master's Theses

Problem

This thesis addresses the conflict of interpretation between Richard Rice’s model of God’s exhaustive knowledge of the future as a realm of possibilities and the generally accepted traditional model of God’s exhaustive definite knowledge of the future. In harmony with the traditional perspective, Richard Rice has affirmed God’s exhaustive knowledge of the past and the present. However, in contrast to the traditional perspective, he has denied God’s exhaustive definite foreknowledge of future free choices. According to Rice, God can know everything there is to know. This implies that, on one hand, the future does not yet exist, so God …

Grief Management: The Divine And The Human Factor, Ransom Khanye

Master's Theses

Problem

When someone is bereaved, friends, comforters and sympathisers at times try to make sense of the situation. Some people theoretically deal with issues surrounding the death of someone and grief of the surviving ones without any personal experience of these events. Hypothetical and imaginative reasoning in comforting other people is insufficient for making a real impact and a significant and lasting difference to the bereaved. The current study was to try to identify the most effective way to help and console people who have lost their loved ones.

Method

The process of collecting data for this thesis was online …

Getting Students Employed: 21st Century Learning Competences And Career Competences, Kelly Cebold Sundberg

Master's Theses

This thesis explores the nexus between education and the economy in the 21st century knowledge-based economy to understand the relationship between the learning competences – as described in 21st century frameworks – and career competences – as recommended in the job descriptions of available employment opportunities. Theoretically, this study is grounded in human capital theory and it explores the indiscriminate nature of the data regarding a student’s required education level to achieve the prescribed learning competences. With the aid of a quantitative content analysis of selected employment opportunities, the research sought to explore: How are learning competences, as outlined by …

Utilizing Single-Molecule Fret Methods To Study Conformational Changes In Trim5Α, Margret Suzanne Bradley

Master's Theses

Single-molecule FRET (smFRET) is a method by which dynamic conformational changes can be monitored in a protein microscopically and in real time. smFRET relies on the creation of FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) between small molecule fluorophores conjugated to the biomolecules of interest. FRET efficiency allows calculation of interfluorophore distances. Changes in FRET efficiency represent changes in protein conformation which can inform further structural and molecular studies of the protein of interest. For example, in the Campbell Lab, we study the protein TRIM5α, an antiretroviral cellular protein which can cause premature dissociation of the HIV capsid core by an unknown …

Chicago Public Schools And The Creation Of Global Citizens, Rebecca L. Kijek

Master's Theses

This article examines the role different high schools in Chicago Public Schools play in providing students with the type of knowledge needed to better prepare them for success in a globalized society. As Chicago strives to solidify itself as a global city, its need to educate youth for a new economy are clear. The global economy demands that students are educated in science, technology, engineering, and math, world languages, expanded cultural perspectives, and attend a four-year college. Through a comparative analysis of the academic programming features at Chicago's selective enrollment and neighborhood high schools, this study will answer the question: …

Understanding The Level Of Achievement Bilingual Education Fosters In Students, Erica Mallett

Master's Theses

Traditional approaches to examining the effectiveness of bilingual programs typically compare them to monolingual programs and rarely discuss the meaning and complexity of the notion of achievement therein. A vertical case study framework is used to examine this local phenomenon at a bilingual elementary school in Chicago, Illinois across local, national, and global contexts. This vertical case study aims to answer the question; how does a bilingual program define the notion of achievement and work to facilitate that achievement for students? To do this, I conducted interviews and analyzed policy documents to examine how achievement is defined in bilingual education …

Dexamethasone Treatment Effects On H3k27me3 Chromatin Organization Is Related To Nk Cell Immune Dysregulation, Michael Sarafeno Misale

Master's Theses

It is well-established that psychological stress reduces natural killer (NK) cell immune function. This reduction is mediated by stress-induced release of glucocorticoids (GC), which can suppress immune function. Associated with suppression of a particular immune function are GC induced histone-epigenetic marks. Histone-epigenetic marks are responsible for the organization and compartmentalization of genomes into transcriptionally active euchromatin domains that are localized to the interior of the nucleus. Transcriptionally silent heterochromatic domains are enriched with methylated epigenetic marks and are localized to the nuclear periphery. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the influence of GC on H3K27me3 chromatin organization by …

Developing Integral Ecologists: Description And Analysis Of The State Of Environmental Education At Jesuit High Schools In Light Of Religious Ecological Commitments And Science Education Research, Philip Nahlik Nahlik

Master's Theses

This research responds to numerous calls to focus more immediately and deeply on environmental education in the context of local communities. Jesuit high schools offer a rich network to study this movement, as schools with long histories of scholarly and moral concerns for forming students to think about and act on worldwide problems. The key research question is: How can science education research inform environmental education in these schools? The research methodology includes data collection and analysis of publicly-accessible website data, phone interviews with teachers, and a literature review of science education research. Recommendations are given for vertically aligning the …

Real-Time Fall Detection And Response On Mobile Phones Using Machine Learning, Ilona Shparii

Master's Theses

Falls are common and often dangerous for groups with impaired mobility, like the elderly or people with lower limb amputations. Finding ways of minimizing the frequency or impact of a fall can improve quality of life dramatically. When someone does fall, real-time detection of the fall and a long-lie can trigger fast medical assistance. Such a system can also collect reliable data on the nature of real-world falls that can be used to better understand the circumstances, to aid in prevention efforts. This work has been to develop a real-time fall tracking system specifically for subjects with lower limb amputations. …

A Mobile App Illustrating Sensory Neural Coding Through An Efficient Coding Of Collected Images And Sounds, Xiaolu Zhao

Master's Theses

Sensory neuroscience in the early auditory and visual systems appears distinct not

only to outside observers, but to many trained neuroscientists as well. However, to a computational neuroscientist, both sensory systems represent an efficient neural coding of information. In fact, on a computational level it appears the brain is using the same processing strategy for both senses - the same algorithm with just a change in inputs. Insights like this can greatly simplify our understanding of the brain, but require a significant computational background to fully appreciate. How can such illuminating results of computational neuroscience be made more accessible to …

A Boundary-Based Measure For Gerrymandering, Carson Sprock

Master's Theses

This paper presents a new measure for quantifying legislative gerrymandering

based intuitive observation that in a non-gerrymandered district a randomly placed

observer should be able to walk in a straight line and only cross the boundary of the

district once, when the district is exited. We make this notion precise in terms of

the expected value of such crossings. The result is the Boundary Intersection

Number, or BIN. Properties of the BIN score are proven and its computational

properties discussed.

Doppler Lidar Measurements Of Boundary Layer Heights Over San Jose, California, Matthew Robert Lloyd

Master's Theses

There is a need for understanding boundary layer depth and climatology over the urban area of San Jose, California. In this paper, Doppler LiDAR data are observed from San Jose. The adopted methods of vertical velocity variance and skewness are used to determine the estimated height of the convective boundary layer and to analyze sources of turbulence. The use of these methods helped identify a few types of the boundary layer that are common in San Jose. Also examined in this paper is a brief climatology of the mean maximum convective boundary layer height in San Jose over the period …

Simulated Annealing-Based Optimal Proportional-Integral-Derivative (Pid) Controller Design: A Case Study On Nonlinear Quadcopter Dynamics, Kristofer Kevin Nemirsky

Master's Theses

In this thesis, the history and evolution of rotor aircraft with simulated annealing-based PID application were reviewed and quadcopter dynamics are presented. The dynamics of a quadcopter were then modeled, analyzed, and linearized. A cascaded loop architecture with PID controllers was used to stabilize the plant dynamics, which was improved upon through the application of simulated annealing (SA). A Simulink model was developed to test the controllers and verify the functionality of the proposed control system design. In addition, the data that the Simulink model provided were compared with flight data to present the validity of derived dynamics as a …

A Method For Detection Of Local Dimension In Point Cloud Data, Catherine Boersma

Master's Theses

We have invented a method that uses the mathematical idea of local homology to calculate the local dimension (one-dimensional, two-dimensional, mixed dimension of varying types) of an underlying object in two-dimensional space from a point cloud approximation.

Motivated by the need to find an efficient method for computing local homology, we define a new mathematical object -- the Local Complex, and some variations of this idea -- that we show to be exactly related to the Vietoris-Rips complex under some settings. This concept captures the essence of the local homology of point cloud data at any scale. We provide a …

A Complete Study Of N,N’ Bis(1 Phenylpropyl) 2,6 Pyridinedicarboxamide, Victoria Y. Chang

Master's Theses

Biological systems are often chiral or involve chiral compounds, e.g. L amino acids, the neurotransmitter L epinephrine. In some cases, two enantiomers of a chiral drug will have different activities, and in extreme cases, one form is therapeutic while the other form is toxic. Therefore, the development of reliable molecular probes for biological applications and chiral sensing is an important area of study. The unique spectroscopic and coordination properties of some lanthanide ions (Ln3+) and their complexes make them suitable for use as molecular probes. Chiral ligand systems have been developed that can coordinate with lanthanide ions to form complexes …

Knight's Tours And Zeta Functions, Alfred James Brown

Master's Theses

Given an m × n chessboard, we get an associated graph by letting each square represent a vertex and by joining two vertices if there is a valid move by a knight between the corresponding squares. A knight’s tour is a sequence of moves in which the knight lands on every square exactly once, i.e., a Hamiltonian path on the associated graph. Knight’s tours have an interesting history. One interesting mistake regarding Knight’s Tours was made by the famous mathematician Euler. His mistake led to the further study of knight’s tours on 3 × n chessboards. We will explore and …

The Effects Of Repeated Global Self-Adapted Testing On Online Statistics Performance, Gita Sierra Hodell

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a computerized academic testing format. Centered on the motivating and stress-reducing aspects of personal control, a modified form of global self-adapted testing (GSAT) was explored to help students who are challenged by test anxiety or low academic motivation. Forty-two students completed multiple GSATs throughout one semester of college-level, online statistics. Of those students, 20 volunteered to complete an academic motivation questionnaire at the beginning of the semester. The relationships between scores on the motivation questionnaire, GSAT use characteristics, and statistics performance were analyzed. Students who used the GSATs correctly …

Addressing The Gender Workforce Gap In The Scientific Journal Editorial Hierarchy, Nishelli Ishti Ahmed

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Gaussian Kernel Based Medial Zone Computation, Weiling Li

Master's Theses

The medial zone of a 3-dimensional semi-analytic domain Ω, denoted as MZ(Ω), can be thought of as a ``thick'' version of the shape's skeleton with important applications in design, motion planning and geometric reasoning. The utility of the medial zones stems from the fact that they theoretically are homeomorphic to and have the same dimension as the original domain, so in this sense they capture the topology of the domain. However, the original approach to compute them involved a discrete Laplace estimation commonly used in edge detection algorithms, which was used to extract the points belonging to the medial zones. …

Social Capital, Creativity And Cultural Vitality: Prioritization Factors For Sustainable Public Space Systems Design, Rachel D. Gilroy

Master's Theses

The real problems, needs and opportunities of urban neighborhoods are not being served by conventional models of urban planning and sustainable development. The city of New Haven, Connecticut will be studied to develop a framework for planning and design of the public realm (public space/place/landscape) which addresses urban neighborhood sustainability through a social lens, using a mixed-methods, transdisciplinarity research model. Geospatial data on social capital and cultural vitality indicators will be integrated with other sustainability indicators to create a quantitative analysis component. Development of a participatory design process to foster social bonding, creativity and sustainability inquiry will comprise a qualitative …

Game Theory Analysis Of Intra-District Water Transfers; Case Study Of The Berrenda Mesa Water District, Harry Riordan Ferdon

Master's Theses

California state officials have continued to warn and encourage preparedness for the growing threats of water scarcity. This puts pressure on water suppliers to develop technological and managerial solutions to alleviate the problems associated with scarcity. A recent popular management strategy for distributing water is encouraging water transfers. While there has been analyses on water transfers between large districts and agencies, little analysis has been completed for smaller scale trades, i.e. between individuals in the same water district. This analysis models an agricultural water district, based on the Berrenda Mesa Water District (BMWD). In the model, the growers in the …

Torsional Stiffness And Natural Frequency Analysis Of A Formula Sae Vehicle Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Chassis Using Finite Element Analysis, Manuel Herrmann

Master's Theses

Finite element is used to predict the torsional stiffness and natural frequency response of a FSAE vehicle hybrid chassis, utilizing a carbon fiber reinforced polymer sandwich structure monocoque and a tubular steel spaceframe. To accurately model the stiffness response of the sandwich structure, a series of material tests for different fiber types has been performed and the material properties have been validated by modeling a simple three-point-bend test panel and comparing the results with a physical test. The torsional stiffness model of the chassis was validated with a physical test, too. The stiffness prediction matches the test results within 6%. …

Creative Movement And Dance Integration: Their Connection To Learning Third Grade Math Concepts, Lashandria L. Redman

Master's Theses

In education, there are various methods of instruction used to engage students and strengthen learning of academic concepts. One method that can be used is arts integration. Arts integration is a pathway to learning that integrates an art form with another subject. Using movement and dance to help teach concepts that are part of an academic discipline is dance integration. This thesis involves dance integration and examines creating and presenting a movement and dance-integrated curriculum that teaches concepts that are part of the math discipline. The study explores how the movement and a dance-integrated curriculum affects student behavior and learning, …

Compounding Fire Disturbance History Encourages Coast Redwood (Sequoia Sempervirens) Regeneration And Community Dominance, Matthew R. Brousil

Master's Theses

Disturbance is fundamental to forest ecosystem function and overall health, but climate change is likely to increase both disturbance frequency and intensity in the future. Forests subject to increasingly frequent and intense disturbances are more likely to experience compounding disturbance effects. Compounding disturbances may exert unpredicted, non-additive stresses on ecosystems, leading to novel conditions that may exceed the capacity for local species to survive and regenerate. I further hypothesize that compounding disturbances could create conditions misaligned with species’ adaptations by altering physical and chemical growing conditions in forest soils, affecting forest composition, structure, and, subsequently, function for many years following …

Structure-Property Relationships Of Polyisobutylene-Block-Polyamide Thermoplastic Elastomers, Morgan Dunn Heskett

Master's Theses

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are a class of polymer fit for a wide variety of applications due to their customizability. In the synthesis of these types of materials, an elastically-performing polymer, deemed the “soft block,” is combined with a stiffer “hard block” polymer, each of which can be selected based on their own specific properties in order to achieve desired material behavior in the final copolymer. Recently, the use of polyisobutylene as a soft block in combination with a polyamide hard block has been investigated for use in TPE synthesis. While the material showed some promising behavior, many properties were still …

Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy In Nitrogen/Oxygen Mixtures In The Presence Of Alpha Radiation, Sidney John Gautrau

Master's Theses

This research was part of an effort to experimentally validate computational models under development for radiation-induced atmospheric effects. Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (CRDS) was used to measure the concentration of chemical products generated as a result of radiation interactions in a controlled atmosphere. Experiments were conducted in a vacuum chamber interfaced with a gas introduction system that controlled the initial atmospheric composition. A quadrupole mass spectrometer and tunable dye laser were integrated to confirm initial atmospheric composition, and provide wavelength flexibility for detecting a variety of chemical products generated by radiation interactions. CRDS measurements were made for ozone production resulting from …

Assessment Of Asymmetric Flight On Solar Uas, Eric Belfield

Master's Theses

An investigation was conducted into the feasibility of using an unconventional flight technique, asymmetric flight, to improve overall efficiency of solar aircraft. In this study, asymmetric flight is defined as steady level flight in a non-wings-level state in- tended to improve solar incidence angle. By manipulating aircraft orientation through roll angle, solar energy collection is improved but aerodynamic efficiency is worsened due to the introduction of additional trim drag. A point performance model was devel- oped to investigate the trade-off between improvement in solar energy collection and additional drag associated with asymmetric flight. A mission model with a focus on …

Design, Analysis, And Simulation Of A Jitter Reduction Circuit (Jrc) System At 1ghz, Run Bin Yu

Master's Theses

The clock signal is considered as the “heartbeat” of a digital system yet jitter which is a variation on the arrival time of the clock edge, could undermine the overall performance or even cause failures on the system. Deterministic jitter could be reduced during the designing process however random jitter during operation is somehow less-controllable and unavoidable. Being able to remove jitter on the clock would therefore play a vital role in system performance improvement.

This thesis implements a 1GHz fully feedforward jitter reduction circuit (JRC) which can be used as an on-chip IP core at clock tree terminals to …

Evaluation Of Efficiency Of Various Materials To Shield From Radiation In Space Using The Monte Carlo Transport Code Called Fluka, Roman Savinov

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to improve spacecraft shielding from radiation in space. It focuses on the evaluation of shielding efficiency of different materials. The efficiency of a shield is evaluated by the dose profile within the shield and the amount of dose absorbed by a target using the Monte Carlo transport code called FLUKA. The output of this code is validated by recreating the experiments from published papers and comparing the results. Once the FLUKA’s output is validated, the efficiency of sixteen materials, subject to SPE and GCR sources, are evaluated. The efficiency comparison is made by fixing …

Field Emissions Of (Hydro)Chlorofluorocarbons And Methane From A California Landfill, Alexander H. Sohn

Master's Theses

A comprehensive field investigation was conducted at Potrero Hills Landfill (PHL) located in Suisun City, California to quantify emissions of twelve (hydro)chlorofluorocarbons (i.e. F-gases). The specific target constituents for this study included CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114, HCFC-21, HCFC-22, HCFC-141b, HCFC-142b, HCFC-151a, HFC-134a, HFC-152a, and HFC-245fa. The majority of the F-gas emission studies have been conducted outside of the United States and very limited field landfill emission data are available in the United States. Because of historical usage of blowing agents in insulation foams including CFC-11, HCFC-142b, HFC-134a, and HFC-245fa, models reported in literature predicted high F-gas emissions from a landfill …