Digital Commons Network^™

Social Structure And Culture: Applying Cross-National Indicators Of Criminal Violence To Domestic Terrorism, Travis Shane Irwin

Theses

Despite the increase in terrorism research post September 11, 2001, little is known about domestic terrorism though it occurs at overwhelmingly higher rates as compared to transnational terrorism. Although the use of criminological theory and methods to study terrorism has increased recently, there are relatively few terrorism studies within the criminological literature. Drawing upon extant criminological theories of violence among countries, this study uses the recently created Global Terrorism Database to examine the distribution and correlates of domestic terrorism among 72 developed nations between 1970 and 1997. This study examined the following questions. First, do prior established predictors of criminal …

Medical Image Segmentation Using Gpu-Accelerated Variational Level Set Methods, Nathan Prosser

Theses

Medical imaging techniques such as CT, MRI and x-ray imaging are a crucial component of modern diagnostics and treatment. As a result, many automated methods involving digital image processing have been developed for the medical field. Image segmentation is the process of finding the boundaries of one or more objects or regions of interest in an image. This thesis focuses on accelerating image segmentation for the localization of cancerous lung nodules in two-dimensional radiographs. This process is used during radiation treatment, to minimize radiation exposure to healthy tissue. The variational level set method is used to segment out the lung …

Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry Analysis Of Healthy And Emphysemic Acinus Models, Emily Jean Berg

Theses

Inhaled particles reaching the alveolar walls have the potential to cross the blood gas barrier and enter the blood stream. Pulmonary dosimetry, however, is not well understood. Numerical and experimental studies shed some light on the mechanisms of particle transport, but realistic geometries have not been investigated. In order to accurately predict particle deposition, the characteristics that affect deposition need to be understood. This includes, but is not limited to, fluid flow, lung morphology, breathing conditions, and particle concentration. Various geometries have been used for research, but very few are close representations to in vivo geometry. Most studies have used …

Memory Box, An Interactive Teaching Application For Young Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Itai Shperber

Theses

This thesis presents an outline and fundamental design for the development of an interactive teaching application for young students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or (ADHD). The project proposes a visual teaching aid used by sixth to ninth grade middle school students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders. The author argues that the combination of various modern instructional methods, focusing on user experience and interactivity, can improve the learning experience for students with ADHD. He also argues that students can achieve higher marks and improve their overall educational experiences by adding visual and interactive elements to the written educational material. The …

Did Facebook Absorb Freewill?, Jason Soon

Theses

Previous studies on social networking sites have failed to address comprehensively the level of efficacy and role of peer influences in the rise in membership levels of this new communication innovation. This study assessed the level of social influences at play in college students` decision to participate on Facebook. Online and postal surveys were sent to undergraduate students of a Northeastern institution of higher education to obtain self-reported of levels of perceived peer pressure influencing their participation on Facebook. The data collected were used to test a new theory of social conformity. No relationship was found between time spent on …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Zinc Oxide Complex Nanostructures, Dinghao Tang

Theses

Zinc Oxide nanostructures are important for many applications, specifically for developing novel catalysts and sensors which our research group has been working on. The objectives of this thesis are: (1) synthesis and characterization of complex ZnO nanostructures; (2) development of synthesis protocols for high-yield and reliable synthesis of nanostructures. In this thesis, chapter 1 introduces the background of nanoscience and nanotechnology, with a focus on nanomaterials. In chapter 2, the fundamental knowledge of ZnO and relevant characterization techniques are introduced, specifically the crystallography of ZnO wurtzite structure and the scanning (transmission) electron microscopy. Several goals have been achieved and they …

Evaluation Of The Relationship Of Aiouea With Cinnamomum, Ocotea And Mocinnodaphne (Lauraceae) Using Epidermal Leaf Characters, Juan Carlos Penagos Zuluaga

Theses

The relationship of species of Aiouea (Lauraceae) to Cinnamomum, Ocotea, and Mocinnodaphne was evaluated using leaf epidermal characters. Representative species of these genera had been placed in two quite separate clades in a previous molecular study by Chanderbali et al. (2001). This study includes thirty-seven neotropical species of Aiouea, Cinnamomum, Ocotea and Mocinnodaphne. Epidermal characters, including the stomatal apparatus, were observed to evaluate the relationship of Aiouea with the other three genera. Samples were examined under light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and characters were scored from digital images. A stomatal rim made by the …

Optimizing And Benchmarking Returnable Container Processes Within An Automotive Distribution System, Camille Chism

Theses

An analysis of Reusable Packaging in automobile manufacturing facilities, as well as a comparison to other industries, shows that returnable container systems are not being fully utilized.

In this study, methods to return and track packaging materials for reuse are examined. Issues identified through surveys and interviews are summarized, and a recommendation to more fully utilize systems currently in place is proposed. An evaluation based on utilizing the current system will enable us to assign a cost to current operations, and may support an investment in improved systems and technologies.

Most of the companies surveyed gauge functionality based on whether …

A Revelation Of Thought, Katherine Parks

Theses

This work is about self-exploration, reinvention, and constant evolution that result from questioning the reason for being. Throughout the whole creation process I have tried to reinvent myself, and evolve by questioning the purpose of existence. I use my work to depict emotions and feelings. Sculpture, monotype, and paint are the techniques I used for this recent body of work. Each is an intuitive, aesthetic response to the subject, both in color and surface, thus leading to further investigation of form and space. Through the inner struggle that takes place during the creation of each work of art, I convey …

Perceptions Of School Psychologists Regarding Behavioral Interventions For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders And Co-Occurring Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Nicole Gilmour

Theses

This study surveyed school psychologists' experience and confidence working with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), as well as the amount and type of training received and importance of receiving additional training. Members randomly selected from the National Association of School Psychology (NASP) membership completed a survey. Significance tests conducted determined differences existed between doctoral and non-doctoral school psychologists across several demographic, caseload, training, and confidence variables. Doctoral level school psychologists were older, had a greater number of years in the field, assessed a greater number of students with ASD and EBDs, and had higher levels of confidence in …

Impact Of Traffic On Ambient Air Quality In Al Ain City – Uae, Saleh Mohamed Al Saqaf Bani Hashim

Theses

Road traffic is considered a major source of air pollution in congested areas. The number of vehicles in Al Ain city has increased over the last seven years due to population and economic growth. The rapid growth in motor vehicles in Al Ain could contribute to an increased level of urban air pollution that may threaten human health, damage ecosystems and influence climate. No study has been conducted to assess the effects of roadway traffic on air quality in the city of Al Ain. Such study will further be useful as a baseline for future planning and development of the …

Assessment Of Healthcare Waste Management In The Uae With Emphasis On Radioactive Waste, Maryem Ahmad Joan Al-Dahiri

Theses

During coastline cleaning campaign carried out in the UAE in 1993, various amounts of waste classified as medical waste were identified. As a result, public concern has been raised concerning the handling and disposal of medical waste in the country. Despite that, little work has been conducted to assess medical waste management in the UAE and no published work has been found that assesses the management of radioactive medical waste. The main objective of this research was to assess the process of implementation of medical waste management applied at major hospitals in the UAE in comparison with the guidelines established …

Music, Skill And Artifact: The Pursuit Of Physical Opportunities, Cindy Staton

Theses

As a musician being faced with the option to create music on a primarily digital and intangible level, I found this new digital experience to be problematic when compared to the experience of playing a physical instrument. This thesis explores this idea on a macro scale extending it to examine our everyday lives and the effects technology in the digital age have had upon us specifically in the United States. We live in a country where our jobs primarily involve sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Having once worked on farms or made a living as a …

Type-1 Diabetes Risk Prediction Using Multiple Kernel Learning, Paras Garg

Theses

This thesis presents an analysis of multiple kernel learning (MKL) for type-1 diabetes risk prediction. MKL combines different models and representation of data to find a linear combination of these representations of the data. MKL has been successfully been implemented in image detection, splice site detection, ribosomal and membrane protein prediction, etc. In this thesis, this method was applied for Genome-wide association study (GWAS) for classifying cases and controls.

This thesis has shown that combined kernel does not perform better than the individual kernels and that MKL does not select the best model for this problem. Also, the effect of …

The Effect Of Handle Characteristics Of A Hammer Stapler On Biomechanical And Physiological Response, Wayne Latta

Theses

Frequent and prolonged use of an improperly designed hand tool not only affects productivity but may also cause painful symptoms which, if left untreated, can develop into chronic musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study was undertaken to assess the effects of ergonomic guidelines related to grip characteristics of a hammer stapler. Specifically, surface composition, shape, and angle of grip were investigated. Three commercially available hammer staplers were selected for this study. Tool #1 had a basic grip design, Tool #2 had a somewhat improved grip design, and Tool #3 incorporated most of the ergonomic design guidelines in terms of grip surface, …

Exploiting The Concept Of Hysteresis In Ankle Dysfunction And Ankle Strengthening, Akshay Narendra Pujara

Theses

The ankle joint is an important part of the body which is responsible for normal gait cycle. Dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion and eversion are four types of movements controlled by the ankle joint. All these movements are controlled by the ligaments and the muscles associated with the ankle. Disorders of these ligaments and muscles leads to ankle dysfunction.

The hysteresis concept was employed to determine if there is any ankle dysfunction. A recently developed device, the Ankle Torsion Monitor (AnTm) was employed to evaluate the viscoelasticity and stiffness of the ankle joint. The greater the hysteresis loop area (HLA) the …

Minimum Agitation Speed For Solid Suspension And Mixing Time In A Torispherical -Bottomed Pharmaceutical Stirred Tank Under Different Baffling Conditions, Dilanji Bhagya Wijayasekara

Theses

The minimum agitation speed, NS, required to just suspend solid particles dispersed in water was experimentally determined in this work for a glass-lined type of mixing tank provided with a torispherical bottom and agitated with a retreat-blade impeller under different baffling configurations. Ns for the same tank but equipped with a different agitation system, namely an axial impeller, was also experimentally determined for the purpose of comparing of performances of the two systems. The effect of impeller off- bottom clearance and the vessel's liquid level on the minimum agitation speed were also experimentally studied. Njs, was experimentally determined …

Effectiveness Of Safety Training, Mayeanna Kamara

Theses

The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the effectiveness of safety training modalities which are specifically designed for the non unionized workers in the construction industry. The main hypothesis is to determine whether multimodal and extended training improves the effectiveness of the learning aspects and safety consciousness among the trainees. The study conducted a literature survey on the factors that affects safety outcomes in construction industry, especially for the non unionized workers. The study developed a survey instrument to evaluate effectiveness of safety training. This study intended to prove that a video training is not enough and that hands …

Automation Of Anatomic Torsion Monitor For Evaluation And Improvement Of Low Back Dysfunction, Vishal Kumar Singh

Theses

The existing Anatomical Torsion Monitor (ATM) to evaluate mechanical stiffness and viscoelasticity of the low back suffers from various inherent defects. This has to be replaced by an improved device. Also the existing ATM cannot provide oscillations to the low back.

The main objective is to automate the existing ATM for evaluating the low back immediately using objective methods. The specific objective is to provide oscillations for improving the low back dysfunction.

The laser platform and the target chart for recording the readings are dispensed with the existing ATM. Instead, the ultrasound transducers are attached to the pads to record …

Taking The Punch: Utilizing Unfortunate Circumstances To Reexamine Personal Identity, David Schnuckel

Theses

In this Thesis I will discuss my current body of work in regards to my interest in the essence of human fallibility and its role within personal transformation. In referencing historical glass, contemporary craft, and popular culture I discuss the virtues of crafting the mishap and of utilizing imagery within a sculptural context. The investigation questions what establishes personal identity and finds answers by reexamining my own within my studio practice.

The Experience Of A Peer Coaching Program On Student’S With Asperger’S Transition To Postsecondary Education, Kelly Eastman

Theses

This study used quantitative and qualitative methods to examine and explore the experience of a Spectrum Support Pilot (SSP) program (i.e., peer coaching intervention program) on students' with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) adaptation to college. Eight undergraduate students with AS (7 males and 1 female, 18-20 years old) completed the same norm-referenced questionnaire at the conclusion of 3 academic quarters. Quantitative analyses examined whether the students' self-reported adaptation to college improved over the course of their academic year as they participated in the SSP program. Results yielded 3 findings: (a) All students' ratings of adaptation to college were within normal limits …

The Nhanes Iii Database: Design And A Retrospective Study To Identify Associations Between Vitamin D And Hypertension, Brandon J. Marzullo

Theses

The results from government surveys are often available wholly or in part to the general public. However the format of this information is not always optimal for distribution or analysis, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, NHANES III, is one such example. This survey is released as data sets containing a Statistical Analysis Software (SAS) program, a column delimited data file, and documentation. This limits access to the data by requiring a license to read in and query the data. By taking the data in its available format and parsing it into a MySQL database the wealth of …

Economical And Environmental Aspects Of Spontaneous Combustion In Kosovo Open Mining Process : [Presentation Given May 18, 2010], Bashkim Lushtaku

Theses

Not provided.

Sustainability Of Ngos In Kosova: Challenges Of The Third Sector And The Ways Forward : [Presentation Given May 18, 2010], Dardane Nuka

Theses

This capstone project addresses the problem of sustainability of NGOs in Kosova as the vast majority of NGOs face serious difficulties in sustaining their work. Except for a small number of Kosova NGOs, that managed to achieve a desirable level of institutional and financial sustainability, the rest tend to be failing. According to the numbers provided by the NGO Registration and Liaison Office of the Government of Kosova, out of the around 5000 registered NGOs, about 10% are estimated to be still active or partially active.1 The research methodology of this capstone project was quantitative and qualitative based on surveys …

Low Power Body Sensor Network Design Based On Relaying Of Creeping Waves In The Unlicensed 2.4ghz Band, Adrian E. Sapio

Theses

Body Sensor Networks are an important enabling technology for future applications in remote medical diagnostics. Practical deployments of these systems have only recently edged closer to viability, due in part to advances in low power electronics and System-On-Chip devices. Wireless communication between these sensors remains a daunting challenge, and designers typically leverage existing industrial standards designed for applications with significantly different communications requirements. This Thesis proposes a wireless communications platform designed specifically for body mounted sensors, exploiting a phenomenon in electromagnetic wave propagation known as a creeping wave. Relaying of these waves leads to a highly reliable body sensor network …

Wink ; ), Annalisa Iannone

Theses

If you were a member of the Match.com community in 2005, you expressed interest in another member by sending them a "wink." If someone online reciprocated interest, they also had the option to "wink" at you. In Match.com parlance, "winking" online established personal connections similar to those achieved in the real world--a wink is a facial gesture used to communicate or connect with another person. My thesis, entitled Wink ; ), sought to engage both the online and real world power of this human signal, as a means to understand how I could be myself--a liberal feminist with a sexual …

Topological & Network Theoretic Approaches In Hyperspectral Remote Sensing, Ryan H. Lewis

Theses

Hyperspectral remote sensing is a valuable new technology that has numerous com- mercial and scientific applications. For example, it has been used to study crop health, mineral and soil composition, and pollution levels. Hyperspectral imaging also has im- portant military and intelligence applications such as the identification of man-made materials, and detection of chemical and biological plumes. The key mathematical challenges of hyperspectral imaging include image classification, anomaly detection, and target detection. Image classification is the process of grouping pixels into spec- trally similar clusters. This thesis describes a new topological and network-theoretic approach for classifying pixels in hyperspectral image …

Impact Of Image Personalization On Response Rate Of Direct Mail Advertising, Dandan Wang

Theses

With widespread adoption of full-color digital presses in the commercial printing industry, personalization has been enabled to create one-to-one marketing communication to enhance the effectiveness of print media advertising. Prior researches showed an increase in response rates with data-driven personalized direct mailings. However, the impact of image personalization on response rate of direct mail advertising is still unknown. This research used an experimental design to test the impact of image personalization on response rate of direct mail advertising. A direct mail postcard campaign was created with three levels of personalization (black-and-white name-only personalization, full-color name-only personalization, full-color name and image …

Nanophotonic And Nanoplasmonic Couplers: Analysis And Fabrication, Rami Wahsheh

Theses

Mode mismatch between waveguides of different geometries and propagation mechanisms causes radiation and back reflection, which results in significant loss of optical power. This is considered one of the obstacles that prevents multiple applications of the optical integrated circuits. In this dissertation, we design, fabricate, and experimentally demonstrate four novel photonic couplers that achieve mode matching between hybrid waveguides. These hybrid waveguides include conventional optical waveguides, photonic crystal (PC) waveguides, and plasmonic waveguides. First, we propose a novel method to enhance the coupling efficiency between a dielectric waveguide and a planar PC. This method is based on introducing structural imperfections …

The Environmental Concern Of Youth At A Ymca Youth Adventure Camp, Sarah A. Schneider

Theses

This study was conducted to examine and report on the environmental concern of the youth participants of the Teen Adventure program at YMCA Camp Jones Gulch to determine if those ideas altered over the course of the campers' chosen summer camp experience. Campers and their guardians were asked to provide consent and assent to participate. Forty-three participants completed both a pre and posttest survey which included 15 items on a Likert-type scale asking participants to rate their agreement with statements about the environment. Results indicated that neither activity nor age was significant in explaining differences. However, further examination showed a …