Digital Commons Network^™

Statistical Analysis Of Microarray Data In Sleep Deprivation, Stephanie Marie Berhorst

Masters Theses

"Microarray technology is a useful tool for studying the expression levels of thousands of genes or exons within a single experiment. Data from microarray experiments present many challenges for researchers since costly resources often limit the experimenter to small sample sizes and large amounts of data are generated. The researcher must carefully consider the appropriate statistical analysis to use that aligns with the experimental design employed. In this work, statistical issues are investigated and addressed for a microarray experiment that examines how expression levels change over time as individuals are sleep deprived. Over the course of 48 hours of sleep …

Part I: Increased Leaching Of Arsenic, Selenium, Molybdenum, And Vanadium From High Calcium Coal Ash Containing Trona Reaction Products. Part Ii: Using Agricultural Byproduct Rice Hull As Biosorbent To Remove And Recover Metal Ions In Water, Yongbo Dan

Masters Theses

"Part I. The trona is being injected to control SO_x emission from coal-fired power plants. The results showed that trona ash leached significantly more As, Se, Mo, and V than the control fly ash did, especially under the natural pH condition. In addition, trona ash had a significantly greater soluble fraction than the control ash. Further investigation indicated that greater amounts of the studied anionic elements in the trona ash were associated with the soluble, trona reaction products. Moreover, the insoluble fraction of the trona ash lost its capability to adsorb these elements under the natural pH condition. The …

Balanced Cross Section Of The Northeast Of Adiyaman, Turkey, Mustafa Tuncer

Masters Theses

"Deformation during closure of an ocean basin and continent-continent collision in southeast Anatolia Turkey during the Late Cretaceous to Middle Miocene was investigated by construction of a geologic map, structural cross-section and retrodeformed palinspastically restored cross-section. The area of study is a N-S transect across the Bitlis Suture Zone of Northeast of Adiyaman. The study area is situated in the southeast Anatolian orogenic belt which includes, from south to north, the Arabian platform, the zone of Imbrication, and the zone of Nappes. A geologic map of this region was prepared in order to construct balanced and restored cross sections from …

Utilization Of Booster Fans In Underground Mines, Arash Habibi Javanbakht

Masters Theses

"Booster fans are large underground fans that can increase the volumetric efficiency of ventilation systems by balancing the pressure and quantity distribution throughout a mine, reducing leakage and reducing the total power requirement. The objective of this study is to provide potential users of booster fans with the necessary information on the design, installation and operation of main underground fans. The guidelines listed in this paper were formulated based on current U.S. and international standards, safe operating practices developed by the mining industry, and recommendations provided by fan manufacturers. The principles involved in the design and installation of booster fans …

A Calibration Free Vector Network Analyzer, Arpit Kothari

Masters Theses

"Recently, two novel single-port, phase-shifter based vector network analyzer (VNA) systems were developed and tested at X-band (8.2 - 12.4 GHz) and Ka-band (26.4 - 40 GHz), respectively. These systems operate based on electronically moving the standing wave pattern, set up in a waveguide, over a Schottky detector and sample the standing wave voltage for several phase shift values. Once this system is fully characterized, all parameters in the system become known and hence theoretically, no other correction (or calibration) should be required to obtain the reflection coefficient, (Γ), of an unknown load. This makes this type of VNA "calibration …

Stochastic-Optimization Of Equipment Productivity In Multi-Seam Formations, Elijah Adadzi

Masters Theses

"Short and long range planning and execution for multi-seam coal formations (MSFs) are challenging with complex extraction mechanisms. Stripping equipment selection and scheduling are functions of the physical dynamics of the mine and the operational mechanisms of its components, thus its productivity is dependent on these parameters. Previous research studies did not incorporate quantitative relationships between equipment productivities and extraction dynamics in MSFs. The intrinsic variability of excavation and spoiling dynamics must also form part of existing models. This research formulates quantitative relationships of equipment productivities using Branch-and-Bound algorithms and Lagrange Parameterization approaches. The stochastic processes are resolved via Monte …

Development Of An Optimization Model To Determine Sampling Levels, Zlatan Hamzic

Masters Theses

"As the complexity of multi-component products increases the quality of these products becomes increasingly difficult to control. The first step to manufacturing a quality product is making sure that the components of the product meet specifications. Product quality can be controlled through sampling inspection of the components. Two models were developed in this research to determine the optimal sampling levels for incoming lots containing parts for production and assembly of multi-component systems. The main objective of the first model is to minimize the expected cost that is associated with a nonconforming item reaching assembly. In this model the time available …

A Study Of Clustering Rssi And Lqi From Wireless Network Communications, Yanwen Wang

Masters Theses

"In today's information world, different wireless sensor network topologies are permitted to exist in the same geographical region. For example, a city contains thousands of enterprise networks; a school might include different wireless network topologies used by students and faculties respectively. Even within a building, there might be multiple companies that use their own wireless networks. These networks might cause interference to other networks. How to detect, determine and locate the unknown wireless topologies in the same geographical area becomes quite significant in the wireless industry, especially in military use, such as spy-nodes detection and communication orientation systems. In this …

Sybil Detection In Vehicular Networks, Muhammad Ibrahim Almutaz

Masters Theses

"A Sybil attack is one where an adversary assumes multiple identities with the purpose of defeating an existing reputation system. When Sybil attacks are launched in vehicular networks, an added challenge in detecting malicious nodes is mobility that makes it increasingly difficult to tie a node to the location of attacks. In this thesis, we present an innovative protocol for Sybil detection in vehicular networks. Considering that vehicular networks are cyber-physical systems integrating cyber and physical components, our technique exploits well grounded results in the physical (i.e., transportation) domain to tackle the Sybil problem in the cyber domain. Compared to …

Rotary Displacement Piezoelectric Energy Harvester, Headman Sanei

Masters Theses

“This study proposes a novel piezoelectric energy harvester for rotary motion applications. It is based on an annular unimorph plate, mounted on a shaft rotating at a constant angular velocity, under constant amplitude point-wise force. The mathematical model and the analysis was proposed for the inverse problem of a rotating disk under a static stationary force. The disk, however, is assumed to be stationary subjected to a traveling force. The distributed parameter electromechanical equations governing the behavior of the system are provided in closed-form, incorporating both an AC and a simple rectifier circuit. The performance of the energy harvester was …

Anthropological Apologetics: A Proposal Of An Anthropological Compendium As Evidence For The Imago Dei, Jeffrey R. Dickson

Masters Theses

Evangelical scholarship has shown great admiration for the work of Gary Habermas and others in their contribution to Christian apologetics by validating the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ with a list of minimal facts generally agreed to by historical and biblical scholars. This thesis will explore the methodology of the minimal facts approach and appropriate it as a tool to explore the data within the field of anthropology which offers evidence for the biblical concept of the Imago Dei. This study will focus on Wolfhart Pannenberg in his critically acclaimed work demonstrating the importance of the theological perspective …

Assessing The Impacts Of Dams On Nutrient And Sediment Loading In The Kalamazoo River Using The Soil And Water Assessment Tool (Swat), Daniel Henry Serfas

Masters Theses

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was applied to the Kalamazoo River Watershed in order to evaluate the impacts that several dams within a superfund site "Area of Concern" have on the sediment, nutrients, and streamflow of the system. It was hypothesized that the SWAT model could be used to recreate the watershed in hopes of estimating the amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment that would result from the removal of the dams. The model would then be used to evaluate dam removal scenarios to come up with a best management practice (BMP).

The model was calibrated, however, during …

Power Transmission Line Fault Classification Using Support Vector Machines, Zhuokang Jia

Masters Theses

Electrical transmission lines are prone to faults and failures. When a fault occurs, it is impossible most of the times to fix it manually. Many methods have been adopted in the past in order to serve the purpose as fault diagnosing application. In this thesis, I discuss the method of Support Vector Machine (SVM) for fault diagnosis. SVM has the edge of good generalization over other fault diagnosing applications because it is based on pattern recognize algorithms. The aim is to classify the type of fault in the lines. Furthermore, in this work, the current and voltage of each phase …

Experimental Determination Of Colburn And Friction Factors In Small Plate Heat Exchangers With High Surface Enlargement Factors, Andrew H. Pike

Masters Theses

Experiments were conducted to measure the performance of several small brazed plate heat exchangers. A test apparatus was designed and constructed that allowed for the easy switching of the plate heat exchangers, as well as having the ability to electronically monitor and record the inlet and outlet temperatures, pressures, and flow rates. The flow rates and applied electrical power were controlled electronically by the same program which recorded the data. De-ionized water was used as the heat transfer medium to reduce the uncertainty related to fluid properties.

An existing mathematical model was used to create Colburn and friction factors based …

The Problem Of Evil, Modern Calvinism And The Doctrine Of Free Will: Is John Feinberg's Theodicy A Coherent Resolution To The Problem Of Tragic Moral Evil?, Michael Obanla

Masters Theses

The thesis examines and evaluates Feinberg's theistic defense against the problem of evil with a view to determining whether it represents a coherent and consistent resolution to the problem of tragic moral evil. The thesis relies on three criteria for the evaluation: the internal consistency of Feinberg's theistic defense, its exegetical accuracy, and epistemic adequacy.

The Effects Of Replacing Dispersed Trash And Recycling Bins With Integrated Waste Receptacles On The Accuracy Of Waste Sorting In An Academic Building, Katherine J. Binder

Masters Theses

Numerous researchers and theorists have attempted to explain the existence of the gap between the possession of environmental knowledge and awareness and the display of pro-environmental behavior (Glasser, 2007; Kollmuss & Agyeman, 2002). Behavior analysis is uniquely aligned to contribute to this discussion through its emphasis on the role of controlling variables in behavior change. A growing number of behavioral research studies address the challenges of group-contingencies in an effort to solve real-world gaps (Lehman & Geller, 2004). This study was designed as a continuation of the line of behavioral research designed to increase recycling rates and also as an …

Equipment Qualification Of Ion Mobility Spectrometry And Method Development And Validation For Pharmaceutical Equipment Cleaning Validation, Amy Lee Heiser

Masters Theses

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) instrumentation has been identified as a suitable technology for the detection and reporting of drug product and detergent residues from pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment. Ion mobility is not a new technology, but is entering the field of cleaning validation because of tightened requirements from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The purpose of this thesis is to outline a practical implementation of the analytical technique, Ion Mobility Spectrometry in a cleaning validation program. Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) is fast and specific for the analysis of small organic molecules and has been gaining popularity in the pharmaceutical …

The Effects Of Altering Response Effort During Data Collection On Observer Accuracy: Data Collection Procedures On Hand Hygeine Compliance, Krista Hinz

Masters Theses

When dealing with human observers and error, tight control in data collection and methodology is essential for accurate representation of compliance. Although observational studies are popular, little has been done to study the integrity of human observers and the data collection process. Incomplete analysis of data collection integrity threatens functional findings, leading to problematic interpretation and decreased replication. The purpose of the current study was to assess whether manipulating the response effort associated with data collection has an effect on the accuracy of data collection. Participants of the study were undergraduate psychology students at a Midwestern university who were enrolled …

Direct Analysis Of Hops By Leaf Spray And Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry, Kari Blain

Masters Theses

The objective of this research is to develop a new and innovative method of hops analysis, which is much faster than standard testing methods, as well as reduce the amount of consumables and solvent used. A detailed discussion on the development of an ambient ionization mass spectrometry method called paper spray (PS-MS) and leaf spray (LS-MS) mass spectrometry will be presented. This research investigates the use of PS-MS and LS-MS techniques to determine the α- and β- acids present in hops. PS-MS and LS-MS provide a fast way to analyze hops samples by delivering data as rapidly as a UV-Vis …

Stratigraphic Framework For Deposits Of The Saginaw Lobe, Barry And Calhoun Counties, Michigan, Usa, Stephanie K. Ewald

Masters Theses

Between 2006 and 2012, twelve rotasonic borings were drilled in Barry and Calhoun Counties, south central Michigan, as part of several Great Lakes Geological Mapping Coalition projects. Natural gamma ray logs were collected at every location and a detailed description and textural analysis was completed for seven of these cores. Five of the seven analyzed cores reached bedrock. Six of the seven borings were drilled north of the Kalamazoo Moraine of the Saginaw Lobe, which was constructed during retreat of the lobe after the Late Glacial Maximum. Five borings, drilled in tunnel valleys, indicate an increase in depth of tunnel …

Characterizing The Internal Architecture Of Upper Bone Spring Limestone Turbidites And Mass-Transport Deposits (Mtds) Utilizing High-Resolution Image Log Technology, Jason J. Asmus

Masters Theses

Characterization of reservoir scale (less than 1 meter thick) turbidites and mass-transport deposits (MTDs) using conventional subsurface data is complex, due to millimeter-centimeter scale architectural heterogeneity exhibited by these deposits.

Limited studies of the Bone Spring carbonate turbidites and MTDs within the Delaware Basin subsurface emphasized the use of conventional wire-line log and seismic data to evaluate reservoir potential of such strata. As a result, limited resolution offered by these data sets do not allow for accurate characterization of reservoir, and sub-reservoir scale, architectural and compositional variations.

The present investigation integrates high-resolution (centimeter scale) electrical borehole image logs with conventional …

Physics Faculty Use Of Example Solutions In Teaching Introductory Physics, William O. Mamudi

Masters Theses

This study investigates how physics faculty perceive and use features of example problem solutions. Thirty physics instructors from diverse institutions participated in semi-structured interviews. In addition to open-ended questions, three example problem solution artifacts were used to focus on specific solution features. Data were analyzed to identify instructors’ goals for the use of example solutions and whether their goals were consistent with the solution features that they valued and used. The study concludes that many faculty have three major goals: keeping students cognitively involved, helping students become better problem solvers, and supporting students in learning physics. The study also found …

Faunal Distribution And Relative Abundance In A Silurian (Wenlock) Pinnacle Reef Complex - Ray Reef, Macomb County, Michigan, Jennifer L. Trout

Masters Theses

Niagaran (Silurian) reefs are important sources of hydrocarbons in the Michigan Basin. In addition, some of these reservoirs have been used for gas storage and may be potential CO2 sequestration sites.

Despite extensive research on Niagaran reefs, most studies concerning faunal abundance and distribution have been qualitative studies conducted by paleontologists with an emphasis on taxonomy, paleoecology, and evolution.

This study is the first quantitative study of relative abundance and general distribution of fauna throughout a single Wenlock reef located in the southern trend of the Michigan Basin. This study will build on previous work done by WMU students and …

Privacy And Security Issues In Iot Healthcare Applications For The Disabled Users A Survey, Wassnaa Al-Mawee

Masters Theses

Aging of the population resulted in new challenges for the society and healthcare systems. Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) that depends on Internet of Things (IoT) provides assistance to the disabled people and supports their vital daily life activities. Affordability of and accessibility to AAL and the usage of IoT starts revolutionizing healthcare services. This Thesis is a survey of the privacy and security issues in IoT healthcare applications for the disabled users. Introduction includes definitions of privacy and security terms, and discusses their relationship. Then, it presents an overview of the IoT, including its architecture and components. Next, the Thesis …

Origin Of Great Lakes Brown Trout, Salmo Trutta: A Phylogeographic Analysis Using Mtdna Sequence Variation, David Baisch

Masters Theses

The brown trout, Salmo trutta, was first introduced to the Laurentian Great Lakes in 1887 from European broodstocks to found a recreational salmonid fishery; however, the origins of these progenitor lineages remain largely unknown. Trout from these regions are very specialized to their native habitats and matching North American stocks to similar watersheds may help increase survivability by introducing the stock to a more appropriate environment. The objective of this study was to determine the European origins of brown trout found in the Great Lakes. We analyzed 144 brown trout from ten watersheds across Michigan and Wisconsin and identified …

Meeting English Language Learners’ Academic Needs Through Teacher Training: A Multicultural Approach, Marjorie Ninoska Gomez Talavera

Masters Theses

Research has revealed that educators are often ill-prepared to teach culturally and linguistically diverse learners. Research suggests that in order to meet the challenges of working with diverse learners, development of multicultural education must include the promotion of sensitivity towards different aspects of diversity. This study explores K-8 teachers´ knowledge and understanding of their students´ learning needs, specific to language and culture, and teachers´ perception of preparedness to effectively deliver instruction to learners of diverse linguistic and cultural background. In this study, the researcher has hypothesized that teachers are ill-prepared to teach linguistically and culturally diverse learners. The study consists …

Fabrication Of Printed Substrate For Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy, Ali Eshkeiti

Masters Theses

A novel surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate was successfully fabricated on a silicon wafer using inkjet printing and on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using gravure printing. Silver (Ag) nanoparticle (NP) based ink, was used for roughening of the surface of silicon and PET. A thickness of 400 nm was measured for the printed Ag NP printed film on silicon and the thickness of the single and double layered films on PET were measured as 340 nm and 680 nm, respectively by using vertical scanning interferometry. The Ag NP printed SERS substrate was tested for application with heavy metal compounds like …

Computational Analysis Of A Wing Oscillator, Ryne Derrick Radermacher

Masters Theses

An analysis of a newly proposed wind power extraction device called a wing oscillator was performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A wing oscillator is a device that consists of two airfoils attached to a central pivot by means of a frame or shaft. Oscillatory motion is produced by controlling the angle of attack of the airfoils as a fluid flow is passed over the device. A robust mathematical scheme was developed to investigate the performance of the wing oscillator and was hooked to the CFD software package FLUENT through User Defined Functions (UDFs). Using the dynamic meshing analysis methods …

Synthesis Of 1,1-Dialkyhydrazines And Their Hydroxyl Radical Degradation In Aqueous Environments, Benjamin F. Strong

Masters Theses

Determination of hydroxyl radical rate constants are essential to ensure adequate degradation of contaminants in wastewater. Hydrazines are an important class of organic contaminants and are the focus of this research. Ten 1,1-dialkylhydrazines are synthesized by the zinc reduction of the corresponding N-nitrosamines. Their hydroxyl radical rate constants are determined using the linear accelerator at the Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory at pH 4, 7, and 10.

Their rate constants are found to depend on the protonation state of the molecule. At pH 4 the molecules are fully protonated and hydrogen atom abstraction is favored from the alkyl chains. At …

The Dissemination And Effective Use Of Physics Education Research In Undergraduate Instruction, Trevor Stefanick

Masters Theses

Based on the results of a national survey of physics faculty, a set of interviews was conducted of 70 physics faculty from a diverse set of institutions. The interviews included questions about the dissemination and effective use of curricula and instructional strategies based on Physics Education Research (PER), focused to obtain recommendations to the PER community that might help to spread the use of these PER-based materials. Approximately half of the interviews (those with faculty who indicated knowledge about or use of Peer Instruction) have been previously analyzed. This project is the analysis of the 38 interviews that were conducted …