Digital Commons Network^™

Family-Based Association Studies Of Autism In Boys Via Facial-Feature Clusters, Luke Andrew Settles

Masters Theses

"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a set of developmental disorders with varied attributes. Due to its substantial heterogeneity in terms of behavioral and clinical phenotypes, it is challenging to discern the genetic biomarkers behind ASD, even though the disease is known to be genetic in nature. This serves as a motivation to detect relationships between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and a causal autism disease susceptibility locus (DSL) within more homogeneous subgroups. Recently, clinically meaningful subclassifications of ASD have been discovered utilizing facial features of prepubescent boys. Therefore, through the employment of data from 44 prepubertal Caucasian boys with ASD …

Liquid Pulsed Plasma Thruster Plasma Plume Investigation And Mr-Sat Cold Gas Propulsion System Performance Analysis, Jeremiah Daniel Hanna

Masters Theses

"The plasma plume produced by a liquid pulsed plasma thruster is investigated using a Langmuir triple probe and a nude Faraday probe. The Langmuir triple probe failed to produce results which are suspected caused by the presence of ionic liquid in the plume resulting in shorting of the probe. The nude Faraday probe is able to record the ion current density which revealed a high level of inconsistency in the plasma plume. Ion current density recorded by the nude Faraday probe had a relative standard deviation of upwards of 100% of the mean value. Controlling the amount of propellant used …

Comparing Region Level Testing Methods For Differential Dna Methylation Analysis, Arnold Albert Harder

Masters Theses

”Finding possible connections and solutions to help fight progression of diseases is a major area of research. Genomics is a primary path of research in disease research. Through the DNA sequence, possible connections to diseases have been found. However, most methods for fixing issues within a DNA sequence are still out of reach. One potential path is to investigate epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation. DNA methylation occurs when a methyl group attached to cytosines on the DNA sequence. Statistical methods can be used to identify sites or regions of significant differences in methylation levels between groups ( e. g. …

Automatic Discrimination Of Basal Cell Carcinoma From Sebaceous Hyperplasia Based On Image Processing Of Dermoscopy Images, Jonathan Liao

Masters Theses

“This project focuses on discriminating basal cell carcinoma from sebaceous hyperplasia using image processing techniques. Basal cell carcinoma is a kind of malignant skin cancer that needs to be treated; however, if diagnosed as sebaceous hyperplasia, a benign lesion which is a mimic of basal cell carcinoma, then it may not be treated properly. Through observation, white pouch-like areas within the lesion appear in sebaceous hyperplasia images; whereas in basal cell carcinoma images, white areas tend to be formed in a smashed irregular figure shape. Hence, utilizing image processing techniques to segment these white areas from the images and using …

A Study Of The Potential Applications Of Am241, And Determining The Feasibility Of Using Gamma Spectroscopy For Future Physical Validation, Eric A. Feissle

Masters Theses

“Am241 is typically produced via Pu241 decay in a uranium fueled reactor. Presence of Am241 can be used as the age estimation tool for spent fuel, which is a focus of this thesis along with the interest of the measurement and the ratio of production rates of Am241’s activation products; Americium-242 and its first excited state of Americium-242m. MCNP models of the core and BEGe 3825 detector were built. These models were compared with established and physical measurements of gamma/x-ray standards that were available at the reactor. Thermal fluxes at 200 kW for potential foils centered in the source holder …

An Investigation Of Borax For Sealing Inflow From Berea Sandstone, Tri-Tris Bao Nguyen

Masters Theses

"Well inflow control is a major challenge for the oil and gas industry. Erle Haliburton revolutionized well inflow control with his patent for cementing oil wells in 1921. Soon after, cement became the accepted material to establish well integrity and has been ever since. Cement is used in all phases of the well life cycle, and it is expected to hold indefinitely once set. Yet based on the nature of cement and the placement techniques, flow pathways may develop from improper cementing jobs or from cement degradation over time. Well integrity is especially crucial for wellbore plugging and abandonment, since …

Entropy-Based Performance Analysis Of Jet Engines; Methodology And Application To A Generic Single-Spool Turbojet, Mohammad Abbas

Masters Theses

"Recently developed methodology that provides the direct assessment of traditional thrust-based performance of aerospace vehicles in terms of entropy generation (i.e., exergy destruction) is modified for stand-alone jet engines. This methodology is applied to a specific single-spool turbojet engine configuration. A generic compressor performance map along with modeled engine component performance characterizations are utilized in order to provide comprehensive traditional engine performance results (engine thrust, mass capture, and RPM), for on and off-design engine operation. Details of exergy losses in engine components, across the entire engine, and in the engine wake are provided and the engine performance losses associated with …

Spectrum Analyzer Based Phase Measurement For Emi Scanning Applications, Shubhankar Marathe

Masters Theses

"Often Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) scanning applications require phase and magnitude information for the creation of equivalent radiation models and for far-field predictions. Magnitude information can be obtained using a spectrum analyzer (SA), which is relatively inexpensive compared to phase resolving instruments such as oscilloscopes (scope) and vector network analyzers (VNA). The study focusses on the development of a near-field scanning method using a SA to measure the phase of the device under test (DUT) signals.

The first part deals with the development of the method in software simulation tools and testing it under standard test conditions. The second part deals …

Mold Flux Crystallization And Mold Thermal Behavior, Elizabeth Irene Peterson

Masters Theses

"Mold flux plays a small but critical role in the continuous casting of steel. The carbon-coated powder is added at the top of the water-cooled copper mold, over time it melts and infiltrates the gap between the copper mold and the solidifying steel strand. Mold powders serve five primary functions: (1) chemical insulation, (2) thermal insulation, (3)lubrication between the steel strand and mold, (4) absorption of inclusions, and (5)promotion of even heat flux. All five functions are critical to slab casting, but surface defect prevention is primarily controlled through even heat flux. Glassy fluxes have high heat transfer and result …

Cathodic Protection Measurement Through Inline Inspection Technology Uses And Observations, Briana Ley Ferguson

Masters Theses

"This research supports the evaluation of an impressed current cathodic protection (CP) system of a buried coated steel pipeline through alternative technology and methods, via an inline inspection device (ILI, CP ILI tool, or tool), in order to prevent and mitigate external corrosion. This thesis investigates the ability to measure the current density of a pipeline's CP system from inside of a pipeline rather than manually from outside, and then convert that CP ILI tool reading into a pipe-to-soil potential as required by regulations and standards. This was demonstrated through a mathematical model that utilizes applications of Ohm's Law, circuit …

Facebook And Value Congruence, Andrew James Eyberg

Masters Theses

"The current discussion on the use of social networking sites (SNS) in personnel selection is mixed at best. The present research utilized participant's Facebook profiles to determine if raters can correctly - and accurately evaluate work value dimensions as a measure of person-organization fit. Similar research was successful in capturing personality dimensions via SNS (Buffardi & Campbell, 2009). Additionally, the value dimensions of the current measure used -- the Organizational Culture Profile (OCP) (O'Reilly et al., 1991) has been correlated with aspects of personality. Rater participants (N=105). Every five raters were randomly assigned five profiles to rate, for a total …

Detection Of Mine Roof Failure Using Inexpensive Lidar Technology, Ali Abdullah M. Alzahrani

Masters Theses

"Slope, Roof, and mine wall stability problems are some of the main reasons for deaths at U.S. surface or underground mining. The safety instruments were not enough to prevent that failure or even predict it before it occurs. However, the cost of such a tool that can be helpful in detecting roof failures is very high and not reachable in most instances.

The present study investigates the feasibility of using the M16 Leddar Evaluation Kit to detect the roof failure in mines. The M16 Leddar Evaluation kit cost is between 300$-800$, so it is the reachable price if it provides …

Preformed Particle Gel Conformance Control Performance In Partially Opened Fracture And Fully Opened Fracture Systems, Ghith Ali Ahmed Biheri

Masters Theses

"Conformance problems, such as reservoir heterogeneity can result in a significant decrease in oil recovery, and an excessive water production. Millimeter particle gels (PPG) have been used as conformance control agents to plug open fractures, however, very little research has been conducted to study their ability to plug partially open fractures. This research studies the ability of the PPG to plug partially open fracture to improve conformance and increase recovery in oil reservoirs. Rectangular Sandstone cores were used to conduct the experiments. Fracture widths used include 2, 3.5, 5 mm. For each fracture width, four gel strengths were used; gel …

Well Log Interpretation And 3d Reservoir Property Modeling Of Maui-B Field, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand, Aziz Mennan

Masters Theses

"Maui-B is one of the largest hydrocarbon-producing fields in the Taranaki Basin. Many previous works have estimated reservoir volume. This study uses 3D property modeling, which is one of the most powerful tools to characterize lithology and reservoir fluids distribution through the field. This modeling will help in understanding the reservoir properties and enhancing the production by selecting the best location for future drilling candidates. In this study, 3D seismic, core, and well log data were used to build and define a structural model, facies analysis, and petrophysical parameters. After well log interpretation and petrophysical parameter calculations, each parameter was …

Development And Implementation Of Star Tracker Based Attitude Determination, Casey Grant Smith

Masters Theses

"As interest in nanosatellites grows within the university community, the demand for inexpensive, space-grade hardware grows as well. Star trackers can be a luxury item for some spacecraft and therefore are often not considered due to their cost. Ideally, a star tracker could be built using inexpensive parts so long as the software is available. Unlike many other attitude determination instruments, star trackers are renowned for their high accuracy, yielding accurate and precise attitude estimates. However, development of this software can be overwhelming for the university settling, especially when multiple missions are on hand. If these instruments were readily available …

Multiple Security Domain Nondeducibility Air Traffic Surveillance Systems, Anusha Thudimilla

Masters Theses

"Traditional security models partition the security universe into two distinct and completely separate worlds: high and low level. However, this partition is absolute and complete. The partition of security domains into high and low is too simplistic for more complex cyber-physical systems (CPS). Absolute divisions are conceptually clean, but they do not reflect the real world. Security partitions often overlap, frequently provide for the high level to have complete access to the low level, and are more complex than an impervious wall. The traditional models that handle situations where the security domains are complex or the threat space is ill …

A New Reinforcement Learning Algorithm With Fixed Exploration For Semi-Markov Decision Processes, Angelo Michael Encapera

Masters Theses

"Artificial intelligence or machine learning techniques are currently being widely applied for solving problems within the field of data analytics. This work presents and demonstrates the use of a new machine learning algorithm for solving semi-Markov decision processes (SMDPs). SMDPs are encountered in the domain of Reinforcement Learning to solve control problems in discrete-event systems. The new algorithm developed here is called iSMART, an acronym for imaging Semi-Markov Average Reward Technique. The algorithm uses a constant exploration rate, unlike its precursor R-SMART, which required exploration decay. The major difference between R-SMART and iSMART is that the latter uses, in addition …

Uface: Your Universal Password No One Can See, Nicholas Steven Hilbert

Masters Theses

"With the advantage of not having to memorize long passwords, facial authentication has become a topic of interest among researchers. However, since many users store images containing their face on social networking sites, a new challenge emerges in preventing attackers from impersonating these users by using these online photos. Another problem with most current facial authentication protocols is that they require an unencrypted image of each registered user's face to compare against. Moreover, they might require the user's device to execute computationally expensive multiparty protocols which presents a problem for mobile devices with limited processing power. Finally, these authentication protocols …

A Comprehensive Analysis Of Lost Circulation Materials And Treatments With Applications In Basra's Oil Fields, Iraq: Guidelines And Recommendations, Husam Hasan Alkinani

Masters Theses

"Lost circulation materials (LCM's) have been widely used to avoid or stop losses. Due to a large number of current available LCM's and their different applications, classification of LCM's is very important. The most recent LCM classification was published around 50 years ago, and this paper intends to fill this gap with an updated classification including conventional and new technologies. Lost circulation materials and treatments are re-classified into various categories based on their appearance, applications, chemical and physical properties.

Wells in Basra's oil fields are highly susceptible to lost circulation problems when drilling through the Dammam, Hartha, and Shuaiba formations. …

“Such Night Till This I Never Passed” : How The Dreams Of Adam And Eve Lead To The Decision To Fall In Paradise Lost, Robert B. Chapman

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the idea that the Fall in Paradise Lost by John Milton is not a sudden event, but rather Adam and Eve's adherence to temptations that begin long before, specifically in Eve's vision and Adam's thoughts on Eve. This project begins by challenging the ways in which readers of the poem often overlook Eve as they focus solely on Satan or Adam. By looking at Eve's depiction as truly Adam's equal in the poem, this thesis then moves to the idea that temptations are an individual experience that begins first in the mind. Often, readers and scholars explore …

Experimental And Numerical Study Of Dysphagia, Yash G. Potdar

Masters Theses

Dysphagia, meaning difficulty in swallowing, is a symptom of disease that occurs in young children and elderly people. It occurs particularly due to two reasons, weak neural network and/or deformities in oral section/s. The Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s Intensive Feeding Program takes care of children suffering from Dysphagia. In order to make the swallowing process easier and in some cases safer, thickener is added to the liquids. Depending on the requirement of thickness, the amount of thickener is varied. Although the directions to prepare the mixtures are given by the thickener product company, the required thickness is not achieved when …

Re-Optimization Of Radiation Therapy Dose To The Prostate Using Cbct: Reducing Dose To Organs At Risk, R. Charles Keider Jr.

Masters Theses

Cancer of the prostate is the second most common cancer among American males. The prostate is small gland, located in the pelvis, posterior to the bladder and anterior/inferior to the rectum. Due to this location when irradiating the prostate the normal tissue organs at risk are the bladder and rectum. Negative effects seen when these structures are irradiated can include; bladder stricture, dysuria, hematuria, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and proctitis.

In order to eliminate or reduce these negative effects more precise and accurate treatment techniques have been employed. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) has been successful in achieving greater precision when …

Reading Vice: The Christian Text In Geoffrey Of Monmouth's Historia Regum Brittaniae, Nancy S. Bell

Masters Theses

Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed his purpose for writing Historia regum Britanniae was to record a history of the British kings and their great deeds. On the surface, his book is indeed a chronicle detailing the reigns of several important kings and glossing over many more. However, below the surface, Geoffrey includes layers of Christian text to motivate his audience to avoid vice. To clue his readers into the Christian meaning, Geoffrey makes use of shared beliefs, such as that vices should be avoided, that a king’s behavior affects his people, that disease can be a manifestation of sin, and that …

Design And Realization Of A Nonlinear Vibration Energy Harvester For Cost Effective Additive Manufacturing, Rodrigo Barriuso De Juan

Masters Theses

Environmental energy harvesting has always been an attractive solution to the search for sustainable energy sources. Combined with the miniaturization and power consumption reduction of sensors and portable electronic devices, the possibility of powering using environmental energy, like vibration energy, instead of conventional batteries increases exponentially. Vibrational energy harvesting can be achieved using devices based on different physical phenomena. Electromagnetic based devices seem to be among the most effective when considering the power output levels within low frequency applications. However, these devices have always had inherent challenges including size and manufacturing cost reduction as well as limitations on the range …

Evaluation Of The Nutritional Options For Wellness (Now) Program: Mitigating Cardiovascular Disease And Type 2 Diabetes Through Food Pantries, Sarah L. Henning

Masters Theses

Individuals with a lower socioeconomic status are at higher risk for chronic disease diagnosis and complications (Gerteis et al., 2014). The NOW Program is a social service program that was created in order to relieve some of the burden placed on these individuals utilizing the charitable food system. The purpose of the study was to perform a quantitative program evaluation on the NOW Program which is administered by pantry coordinating organization. The NOW Program connects chronically ill, low income members of Kent County with local food pantries that offer diet specific food and health education about their specific chronic disease …

Networking And Connecting Creative Minds: Understanding Social Media’S Role In Today’S Visual Arts Instruction, Tonya Rose Kirby

Masters Theses

This study explores the use of social media in K-12 visual arts programs, focusing on why and how art educators choose to implement social media in their instructional practice. This study discusses benefits and disadvantages of social media as a pedagogical and creative tool in art education through analysis of the survey responses of 50 in-service teachers. Finally, specific social media platforms are recommended, with in-class examples provided for art teachers interested in using social media in their program.

An Equivalent Plate Model With Orthotropic Material Properties For Adjacent Box-Beam Bridge Superstructure, Timothy Alexander Schnell

Masters Theses

Reflective cracking over the longitudinal joints of adjacent box-beam bridges is a welldocumented and recurrent problem; it is a concern because it leads to poor durability performance. These cracks develop during early stages of bridge construction and have not been eliminate by the design revisions implemented so far.

This study is aimed at developing a rational load demand analysis model for calculating the moment acting at the longitudinal joints in order to determine the impact of post-tensioning on mitigating reflective cracking.

The scope of the study includes calculating moment demand at the shear keys using a rational analysis model based …

Analysis Of Transit Accessibility For People With Disabilities, Rostam Khalid Mohammed Ameen Qatra

Masters Theses

The inconvenience of public transit systems and unavailability of bus stops in the United States has resulted in a heavy reliance on the private automobile. One of the main issues in transit services is accessibility, particularly for people with disabilities. This research is intended to compare estimated job accessibility measures by transit in Kalamazoo county for workers with reduced physical mobility and without. Using OpenTripPlanner (OTP) software, General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS), Open Street Map (OSM) and Longitudinal Employer-Housing Dynamics (LODES) data were analyzed to estimate job accessibility for people with mobility constraints. By using the shortest tree path method, …

Impact Of A Positive Behavior Support System On Staff Behavior At The Boys And Girls Club, Brian Molina

Masters Theses

The present study sought to increase correct staff utilization of a positive behavior support system at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo. The intervention consisted of implementing a new club-wide positive behavior support program. The main components of the positive behavior support program were (a) training for staff on how to use the positive behavior support system, (b) staff teaching of the positive behavior support system to members, (c) the implementation of a token economy system for reinforcing positive behavior, and (d) a data collection/feedback system to inform supervisors on the progress of members and staff.

This study …

Modeling, Optimizing And Testing Thermoelectric Generators For Liquid-To-Liquid Low Grade Waste Heat Recovery, Ali Eyddan Hamil

Masters Theses

The use of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for producing electricity from low grade waste heat is thought to be a great solution in the future to reduce the power generation cost because of their advantages of reliability and environmental friendliness. Therefore, the current project aims to study thermoelectric generators for low grade waste heat recovery. In this work, a single unit cell of liquid to liquid thermoelectric generator attached with heat exchangers (heat sinks) is modeled using an internal flow. Its optimum design is obtained based on heat sink optimization and the optimal design method. An analytical model of four unit …