Digital Commons Network^™

Playing To Engage: Fostering Engagement For Children And Teachers In Low Socioeconomic Regions Through Science And Mathematics Play-Based Learning, Stephanie Smith

Theses

Commitment to improving the literacy and numeracy results of children from low Socio Economic Backgrounds (SES) has long been a priority of the Australian Federal and State Governments. Upon entering formal schooling these children frequently start on a back foot compared with their middle and high SES counterparts. Often this is because of differences in their upbringing, including limited access to educational toys, more limited vocabulary as they engage with adults and other children and infrequent attendance at early learning facilities.

Over the past decade, as identified by the Australian Chief Scientist, the number of children selecting career pathways into …

Inventory Management Modeling With Markov Decision Process (Mdp) For Equitable Distribution Of Supplies Under Uncertainty, Fianu Sefakor

Theses

Food insecurity is defined as the situation where people are not able to access enough food at all times for an active, healthy life. The 2012 food security report stated that 49 million Americans including children lived in food insecure households. Many individuals suffering from food insecurity obtain assistance from governmental programs and nonprofit agencies. Food banks are one of many non-profit organizations assisting in the fight against hunger. They serve communities by distributing food to those in need through charitable agencies. Many of the food distributed by the food bank comes from donations. These donations are received from various …

Assessment Of Uranium-233 Sample For Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence Measurements, Adrian Beard

Theses

The main goals of this work are an assessment of a specific Uranium-233 target to determine if it is suitable for Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence measurements; to advance fundamental nuclear-physics knowledge important for developing the nuclear materials detection capabilities using γ-rays; to provide experimental data needed for building computer models to evaluate concepts of systems for detecting special nuclear materials in cargo containers; and to educate students and young scientists in basic nuclear-physics and the experimental techniques relevant to the mission of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence (NRF) measurements …

Maritime Exposure And Economic Prosperity: Why Location Matters, Jesse M. Lane

Theses

No abstract provided.

Spatial Incidence Of Adult Obesity In The State Of Alabama, Mary G. Odhiambo

Theses

No abstract provided.

Are Employee Assistance Programs An Effective Mechanism For Preventing, Managing And Alleviating Stress In The Workplace?, Carol O'Keeffe

Theses

According to the EAP Institute (2015), the rise in litigation related to occupational illnesses in the 1980’s has spurred companies to take employee health and well-being more seriously, which, subsequently, led to a growth in Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). In particular, the employers' liability for workplace stress continues to be one of the growth areas in Irish employment law (CIPD, 2012), ultimately placing very substantial obligations on employers (Gorry, 2015). This includes the employer’s obligation to identify risk factors, and put in place remedial mechanisms for, preventing, managing and alleviating stress in the workplace.

This dissertation focuses on examining whether …

An Adaptive Physical- And Link Layer For Narrowband Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks, Mathias Dehm

Theses

Search and Rescue (SAR) missions require robust ad-hoc networks especially in situations where existing wired or cellular networks have been damaged or are not available. Here, a promising SAR communications technology is a Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs). However, development of systems is challenging due to bandwidth constraints, various application services, high mobility and harsh environments leading to unstable wireless connections.

Throughout this thesis, a prototype of a physical- and link layer is developed which satisfies the criteria for communication services in SAR missions.

This work includes three major contributions:

The first contribution is a single-carrier narrowband physical layer. The transmission …

A Study Of The Electronics And Software Industry In Ireland 1960-2010, Sarah Davis

Theses

This study explores the origins of the Electronics/ Software industrial sector in the Republic of Ireland and its subsequent development from 1960 to 2010 inclusive. A key focus of the study is to identify and explore the sectoral drivers/inhibitors. The influence of government policy and technical education on this development is explored. This research study was sponsored by the Irish American Partnership.

A critical realist philosophical approach is chosen to deal with the time-frame and the subject area breadth. An evolutionary research design process is used. An ongoing literature review and access to historical documentation provides other contextual data. Roadmapping …

Hyperglycemia And Inhibition Of The Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 (Mct1) Enhances Growth Arrest In Cancer Cells, Aleksandra I. Pivovarova

Theses

Many cancer cells rely predominately on glycolysis for their energy production, even in the presence of oxygen. They proceed further and reduce the glycolysis product pyruvate to lactate, by means of fermentation, for continued ATP production. This phenomenon is called the Warburg effect, and is associated with an upregulation of glycolysis and increased lactate production. A persistent increase in glycolysis and ATP turnover leads to an intracellular proton accumulation, which could eventually lead to cell damage and death by cytosolic acidification. However, cancer cells avoid acidification and maintain an appropriate intracellular pH by employing monocarboxylate transporters for the coupled export …

Simulation Of The Propagation Of An Electromagnetic Wave In Dielectric Medium With A Time Varying Dielectric Constant, Sai Chandu Radavaram

Theses

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of A Radar Using A Converted Measurement Kalman Filter To Track A Hypersonic Reentry Vehicle, John Markow

Theses

This thesis presents the design of a missile defense system with a Converted Measurement Kalman filter (CMKF) for tracking a maneuvering, hypersonic reentry vehicle. The thesis focuses on the design process, including selecting radar system parameters that notably vary system performance, and implementing a 9-state CMKF to track the target. The radar parameters studied are beamsize, range resolution and track update rate and attention is paid to the development of the Kalman filter's Q matrix. Development of the mathematical relationship between these parameters and system performance is given. The target model is an adaptation of a model developed by Ashish …

Hough Based Strategy For Detecting Magnetic Field, Lulu Zhao

Theses

In this thesis, a new Hough-based method to automatically detect dipole- shaped structures is presented. The new method uses a set of three-piecewise- parabolic arcs to detect dipole structures in imagery (e.g., coronal images). The mathematical characteristics of the dipole structures are studied and utilized in the new method. For a given dipole curve, the coefficients of the first order term for all the piecewise parabolas are identical. Moreover, the products of the zeroeth order and second order terms are constant. Furthermore, the concentric properties of dipole curves are also discussed. The new method is tested in different images including …

Impulsive Control For The Short Time Convergence Of The Second Order System, Svetlana Green

Theses

This paper proposed impulsive control algorithm for dynamic systems in the presence of unknown bounded disturbance. The impulsive control functions instantaneously (or in a short time) drive the system’s states to the origin (or to its small vicinity). The proposed sequential impulsive algorithm is comprised of the series of impulses described by Dirac delta function and its derivative. In order to apply these solutions to physical systems, the approximations of delta-type impulses are described in terms of physically realizable functions given by a piecewise-constant approximation. The efficacy of proposed control technique is confirmed via simulation of a case study, specifically, …

Impact Of Multiple Stakeholder Preferences On Design With A Focus On Demand Models And An Application Of Electric Vehicles, Taylan G. Topcu

Theses

The essence of systems engineering lies in enabling rational decision-making that is consistent with the preferences of the system’s stakeholders. Traditionally, stakeholder preferences have been communicated through requirements imposed on the design space of the system. The traditional approach’s primary drawback is due to capturing what the stakeholders do not want, usually in the form of inequality constraints, rather than what the stakeholders prefer. The alternative systems engineering approach of Value-Driven Design conveys the true desires of the stakeholders through the mathematical means of a value function. Value functions transform system attributes or characteristics into a singular value, enabling the …

Early Stages Of Methane Combustion In An Atmospheric Cylindrical Chamber With On-Axis Or Off-Axis Shear Co-Axial Injector, Brian K. Holcombe

Theses

Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the early stages of methane combustion in an atmospheric cylindrical chamber were studied for both on-axis and off-axis swirl injector. The goal of these computations was to shed some light on the early development of combustion instability by analyzing the dynamic pressure field in the chamber after the onset of combustion. The CFD code used was Loci-CHEM and the initial conditions in the chamber, as well as the injector geometry and parameters, were obtained from earlier experiments. The combustion kinetics of atmospheric methane-oxygen burning were simulated using a one-step overall reaction with all the kinetic …

Advanced Digital Methods For Solid Propellant Burning Rate Determination, Daniel A. Jones

Theses

The work presented here is a study of a digital method for determining the combustion bomb burning rate of a fuel-rich gas generator propellant sample using the ultrasonic pulse-echo technique. The advanced digital method, which places user defined limits on the search for the ultrasonic echo from the burning surface, is computationally faster than the previous cross correlation method, and is able to analyze data for this class of propellant that the previous cross correlation data reduction method could not. For the conditions investigated, the best fit burning rate law at 800 psi from the ultrasonic technique and advanced cross …

An Intrinsic Case Study Into The Appropriateness Of A Bespoke Training Model As An Approach To Supporting The Postgraduate Demonstrator In Developing Pedagogical Skills Suitable For Undergraduate Scientific Laboratories., Barry Ryan

Theses

Postgraduate demonstrators (PGDs) are crucial to the smooth running of undergraduate teaching laboratories; however, they are oftentimes exiled to superficial duties such as enforcing health and safety and procedural instruction. The aim of this intrinsic case study was to characterise the support required by postgraduate demonstrators (PGDs) to develop the key pedagogical skills that would assist them in effectively demonstrating undergraduate science teaching labs. Through supporting PGD development, it is hoped to centralise the PGD in the undergraduate teaching lab and set in place the foundations for a move towards undergraduate teaching labs that encompass aspects of tailored research in …

Participatory Action Research: Effect Of Emphasising Graduate Attributes On Work-Placement Reflection, Julie Dunne

Theses

This project aimed to investigate what the effect of activities to promote awareness of graduate attributes development introduced during 2014/15 would be on the quality of reflection displayed in student pharmacy technicians’ workplacement blogs. The project was undertaken in response to a deficit in critical reflection shown in earlier years. The work-placement blogs from 2013/14 were used as a comparison for this study. The theoretical perspective included a constructivist ontological position and an interpretivist epistemological position. The methodology was participatory action research involving the Pharmacy Technician students as co-researchers. The cycles of action and research aligned to three research objectives, …

A Structured Reality, Jeremy Berke

Theses

Science has become an arbiter of truth in today's society. For example, think of how people say "It's a scientific fact" to imply that their position is infallible. As such, we should understand what science can tell about the universe. In this thesis I argue that science is telling us about the structure of reality, and that science only illuminates the relations among things, and not the things themselves.

Sustainable Packaging Design Visually Explained Guidebook Prototype, Sara Almudhaf

Theses

As the fields of graphic and packaging design continue to evolve, it is important to keep their applications sustainable and green. Unaware graphic and packaging designers need to have an easy-to-comprehend source of information about sustainability. Developing an educational information graphics guidebook prototype has potential to serve as a unique tool for understanding the need for sustainable packaging design. The purpose of it is to eases the understanding of a complex system and enables users to discover relationships and connections among design, economy, environment, and society.

This prototype project involved designing a comprehensive sustainability symbol set where no satisfactory symbol …

Progress In Energy Storage Technologies: Models And Methods For Policy Analysis, Schuyler W. Matteson

Theses

Climate change and other sustainability challenges have led to the development of new technologies that increase energy efficiency and reduce the utilization of finite resources. To promote the adoption of technologies with social benefits, governments often enact policies that provide financial incentives at the point of purchase. In their current form, these subsidies have the potential to increase the diffusion of emerging technologies; however, accounting for technological progress can improve program success while decreasing net public investment.

This research develops novel methods using experience curves for the development of more efficient subsidy policies. By providing case studies in the field …

Silicon Doping Profile Measurement Using Terahertz Time Domain Spectroscopy, Chih-Yu Jen

Theses

Doping profiles in silicon greatly determine electrical performances of microelectronic devices and are frequently engineered to manipulate device properties. To support engineering studies afterward, essential information is usually required for physically characterized doping profiles.

Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), spreading resistance profiling (SRP) and electrochemical capacitance voltage (ECV) profiling are mainstream techniques for now to measure doping profiles destructively. SIMS produces a chemical doping profile through the ion sputtering process and owns a better characterization resolution. ECV and SPR, on the other hand, gauge an electrical doping profile from the free carrier detection in microelectronic devices. The major discrepancy between …

Aligning Carbon Fibers In Micro-Extruded Composite Ink, Chaitanya G. Mahajan

Theses

Direct write processes include a wide range of additive manufacturing techniques with the ability to fabricate structures directly onto planar and non-planar surfaces. Most additive manufacturing techniques use unreinforced polymers to produce parts. By adding carbon fiber as a reinforcing material, properties such as mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity can be enhanced. Carbon fibers can be long and continuous, or short and discontinuous. The strength of carbon fiber composite parts is greatly increased when the fibers are preferentially aligned. This research focuses on increasing the strength of additively manufactured parts reinforced using discontinuous carbon fibers that have been …

Implementation Of Cross-Training For Multi-Shift Worker Allocation, Aditya Gandhi

Theses

In workforce allocation, gaps between workers available and workers needed at various operations result in production delays and a loss of profitability for the manufacturer. These gaps can be reduced by overtime assignments of workers from other shifts. However, for a multiple shift planning horizon, a mix of cross-training of workers over different tasks along with overtime assignments may be a good strategy. This work develops an industry-motivated cross-training framework that identifies workers and operations for normal, overtime, and training assignments. A mixed integer programming model that integrates all three assignment tasks is formulated and solved. The production scenario consists …

Assembling 3d Objects With Artificial Spatial Intelligence, Eugene Koon

Theses

The focus of this thesis is to provide an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can develop spatial intelligence. A MATLAB application of a genetic algorithm AI system has been implemented. The AI system will incorporate three dimensional (3D) objects that can learn to maneuver in 3D space so that they may be assembled with each other. As an example, two rectangles with holes and a nut will maneuver itself onto a screw. The performance of the AI system will then be recorded as video results.

Efficient Camera Selection For Maximized Target Coverage In Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks, Abdullah Abdulrahman Albuali

Theses

In Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks (UWASNs), cameras have recently been deployed for enhanced monitoring. However, their use has faced several obstacles. Since video capturing and processing consume significant amounts of camera battery power, they are kept in sleep mode and activated only when ultrasonic sensors detect a target. The present study proposes a camera relocation structure in UWASNs to maximize the coverage of detected targets with the least possible vertical camera movement. This approach determines the coverage of each acoustic sensor in advance by getting the most applicable cameras in terms of orientation and frustum of camera in 3-D that …

A Transformation-Based Foundation For Semantics-Directed Code Generation, Arthur Nunes-Harwitt

Theses

Interpreters and compilers are two different ways of implementing

programming languages. An interpreter directly executes its program

input. It is a concise definition of the semantics of a programming

language and is easily implemented. A compiler translates its program

input into another language. It is more difficult to construct, but

the code that it generates runs faster than interpreted code.

In this dissertation, we propose a transformation-based foundation for

deriving compilers from semantic specifications in the form of four

rules. These rules give apriori advice for staging, and allow

explicit compiler derivation that would be less succinct with partial

evaluation. …

Statistical Methods For Signal Processing With Application To Automatic Accent Recognition, Zichen Ma

Theses

The problem of classification of people based on their phonetic features of accents is posted. This thesis intends to construct an automatic accent recognition machine that can accomplish this classification task with a decent accuracy. The machine consists of two crucial steps, feature extraction and pattern recognition. In the thesis, we review and explore multiple techniques of both steps in great detail. Specifically, in terms of feature extraction, we explore the techniques of principal component analysis and cepstral analysis, and in terms of pattern recognition, we explore the algorithms of discriminant function, support vector machine, and k-nearest neighbors. Since signal …

Gesture Recognition Using Hidden Markov Models Augmented With Active Difference Signatures, Himanshu Kumar

Theses

With the recent invention of depth sensors, human gesture recognition has gained significant interest in the fields of computer vision and human computer interaction. Robust gesture recognition is a difficult problem because of the spatiotemporal variations in gesture formation, subject size, subject location, image fidelity, and subject occlusion. Gesture boundary detection, or the automatic detection of the onset and offset of a gesture in a sequence of gestures, is critical toward achieving robust gesture recognition. Existing gesture recognition methods perform the task of gesture segmentation either using resting frames in a gesture sequence or by using additional information such as …

Virtual Mobility Domains - A Mobility Architecture For The Future Internet, Hasan Tuncer

Theses

The advances in hardware and wireless technologies have made mobile communication devices affordable by a vast user community. With the advent of rich multimedia and social networking content, an influx of myriads of applications, and Internet supported services, there is an increasing user demand for the Internet connectivity anywhere and anytime. Mobility management is thus a crucial requirement for the Internet today.

This work targets novel mobility management techniques, designed to work with the Floating Cloud Tiered (FCT) internetworking model, proposed for a future Internet. We derive the FCT internetworking model from the tiered structure existing among Internet Service Provider …