Digital Commons Network^™

Analysis Of Functional Responses In Experimental Design, Matthew E. Scherer

Theses and Dissertations

The growth of sensor streamed data in recent years increases the demand for an analytical technique to properly address data measured continuously. The design and analysis of experiments (DOE) of U.S. Air Force assets are based off of sensor streamed data. Functional data analysis (FDA) is an approach of analyzing data existing over a continuum. This research aids in filling the intersection of FDA and DOE by examining a case study of an experimental design with a functional response in addition to insight on software capabilities in FDA. The case study considers a functional linear model of a whole-plot from …

Bayesian Augmentation Of Cnn-Lstm For Video Classification With Uncertainty Measures, Emmie K. Swize

Theses and Dissertations

The success of Department of Defense (DoD) missions rely heavily on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, which supply information about the activities and resources of an enemy or adversary. To secure this information, satellites and unmanned aircraft systems collect video data to be classified by either humans or machine learning networks. Traditional automated video classification methods lack measures of uncertainty, meaning the network is unable to identify those cases in which it predictions are made with significant uncertainty. This leads to misclassification, as the traditional network classifies each observation with same amount of certainty, no matter what the observation …

An Examination Of Civilian Retention In The United States Air Force, William F. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The backbone of the United States Air Force is undoubtedly the large civilian workforce that supplements the great work that is accomplished. Many research studies have been conducted on officer and enlisted personnel to ensure that the career fields are properly developed and managed to meet the ever growing demands of the military's varied missions, but no recent studies have focused on the civilian workforce. Striking a balance between new and experienced employees is paramount to success given the ever-changing economic and political landscapes where we find ourselves. The first part of the research uses logistic regression to determine the …

Neuromorphic Vision Sensors For Space-Based Applications, Jessica L. Horn

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the viability of event-based vision (neuromorphic) sensors for future use on satellites. Outputting single pixel events only when a change in intensity is detected, event-based vision sensors offer a potential low power, low latency, high temporal resolution, and high dynamic range solution as compared to traditional CCD or CMOS camera technology. The commercial off-the-shelf DVS240C sensor, is analyzed to determine if operability is affected by launch conditions and the low Earth space environment through vacuum, thermal vacuum, and vibration tests. No appreciable changes in sensor operation was observed throughout testing. Additionally, the sensor was able to detect …

Comparison Of Spatial Precipitation Forecasts With A Satellite Dataset, Andrew C. Siebels

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to analyze and compare global precipitation data from the Climate Forecast System Version 2 (CFSv2) with the Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks (PERSIANN)-Climate Data Record (CDR) to improve long term precipitation forecasting. The CFSv2 has a 0.5-degree resolution which will provide model data for precipitation forecasts. The PERSIANN-CDR is a satellite derived daily 0.25-degree dataset with 37 years of global precipitation coverage 60 N to 60 S. The 0-to-10, 15-to-25, 55-to-65, and 80-to-90 day forecast time frames will then be analyzed for accuracy, and a quantile mapping (QM) technique …

An Examination Of Potential Training Regression Recognition Algorithms For Pilot Training Next, Alex R. Gaines

Theses and Dissertations

The initiative to reduce the Air Forces serious pilot shortage lead to the Pilot Training Next (PTN) program. Under PTN, student pilots progress at an individual rate while making increased use of simulator-based training resources. A previous thesis used data from the first PTN class to conceptualize and prototype a student training flight scheduler. This scheduler did not consider training events required to bring students back to achieved levels of performance if in fact that student performance had regressed. This thesis examines three classes of PTN student data to determine whether student regression in training progression can be detected. A …

The Effect Of Amino Acids And Molar Peroxide Ratio On The Oxidation Of 2,4 Dinitroanisole In An Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diode/H2O2 Advanced Oxidation Process, Jeffry P. Hart

Theses and Dissertations

2,4 Dinitroanisole (DNAN) is an organic insensitive munition that is a likely candidate to replace trinitrotoluene (TNT) for a variety of purposes. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are a promising method that have the potential to reduce a variety of persistent chemicals, however, the performance of these systems may be degraded by co-contaminants in the influent. In this contribution, DNAN, with casamino acids as a co-contaminant, was oxidized with Ultraviolet (UV) Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in an AOP in a laboratory. The UV/ H₂O₂ AOP was capable of degrading DNAN …

Unsupervised Clustering Of Rf-Fingerprinting Features Derived From Deep Learning Based Recognition Models, Christian T. Potts

Theses and Dissertations

RF-Fingerprinting is focus of machine learning research which aims to characterize wireless communication devices based on their physical hardware characteristics. It is a promising avenue for improving wireless communication security in the PHY layer. The bulk of research presented to date in this field is focused on the development of features and classifiers using both traditional supervised machine learning models as well as deep learning. This research aims to expand on existing RF-Fingerprinting work by approaching the problem through the lens of an unsupervised clustering problem. To that end this research proposes a deep learning model and training methodology to …

Comparison Of Machine Learning Techniques On Trust Detection Using Eeg, James R. Elkins

Theses and Dissertations

Trust is a pillar of society and is a fundamental aspect in every relationship. With the use of automated agents in todays workforce exponentially growing, being able to actively monitor an individuals trust level that is working with the automation is becoming increasingly more important. Humans often have miscalibrated trust in automation and therefore are prone to making costly mistakes. Since deciding to trust or distrust has been shown to correlate with specific brain activity, it is thought that there are EEG signals which are associated with this decision. Using both a human-human trust and a human-machine trust EEG dataset …

The Effect Of Molar Peroxide Ratio On The Oxidation Of 2,4-Dinitroanisole In An Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diode Advanced Oxidation Process, Troy M. Searcy

Theses and Dissertations

Insensitive munitions (IMs) are increasingly employed by the U.S. military to prevent unintended detonations associated with conventional munitions. One IM used extensively is 2,4 dinitroanisole (DNAN). This research employed an ultraviolet light emitting diode (LED) and hydrogen peroxide advanced oxidation process (AOP) to treat DNAN-contaminated water at the laboratory scale. Five molar peroxide ratios (50:1, 100:1, 250:1, 500:1, 1000:1) were evaluated using the observed pseudo first-order rate constant as the performance metric. Both peroxide-limiting reactions and radical scavenging were observed over the range of ratios tested, with overall removal of DNAN decreasing above a ratio of 500:1.

Enumerating And Locating Bluetooth Devices For Casualty Recovery In A First-Responder Environment, Justin M. Durham

Theses and Dissertations

It is difficult for first-responders to quickly locate casualties in an emergency environment such as an explosion or natural disaster. In order to provide another tool to locate individuals, this research attempts to identify and estimate the location of devices that would likely be located on or with a person. A variety of devices, such as phones, smartwatches, and Bluetooth-enabled locks, are tested in multiple environments and at various heights to determine the impact that placement and interference played in locating the devices. The hypothesis is that most Bluetooth devices can be successfully enumerated quickly, but cannot be accurately located …

Evaluation Of Efficient Water Reuse Technologies For Sustainable Forward Operating Bases, Kelsie L. Crouch

Theses and Dissertations

A secure water source is essential to the resiliency and readiness of military installations and contingency operation locations, especially those located in the dry climates the US military operates in today. There are multiple issues of concern when identifying water sources, such as security, cleanliness, accessibility, and sustainability. Water resources pose a potential vulnerability to mission readiness in a remote, agile environment, such as a forward operating base (FOB). Having a secure water resource helps facilitate mission readiness in the contingency environment, offering the opportunity to be more resilient and cost-effective. Current water treatment technologies present the possibility to perform …

Examining How Standby Assets Impact Optimal Dispatching Decisions Within A Military Medical Evacuation System Via A Markov Decision Process Model, Kylie Wooten

Theses and Dissertations

The Army medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) system ensures proper medical treatment is readily available to wounded soldiers on the battlefield. The objective of this research is to determine which MEDEVAC unit to task to an incoming 9-line MEDEVAC request and where to station a single standby unit to maximize patient survivability. A discounted, infinite-horizon continuous-time Markov decision process model is formulated to examine this problem. We design, develop, and test an approximate dynamic programming (ADP) technique that leverages a least squares policy evaluation value function approximation scheme within an approximate policy iteration algorithmic framework to solve practical-sized problem instances. A computational …

The Reemergence Of Eradicated Disease Due To Ecological Impact Of Climate Change, Claudia Kolakowski

Theses and Dissertations

Global warming is radically changing aspects of the Earth. As scientists continue to research the effects, the ramifications of melting permafrost is coming to light. We build off of a previously existing Anthrax model in the hopes to include climate change as a factor in Anthrax spread. Chapter II develops a simplified version of an Anthrax model. Parameters for the model are found by using previous research and eigenvalues are analyzed in order to find thresholds and equilibria. Chapter III consider the general solutions of the model through eigenvalues and eigenvectors. This model is then extended to include a parameter …

The Globalgothic Vampire: Application Of And Benefits For The English Studies Model, David Lawrence Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation utilizes canonical vampire texts interlaced with pop-culture story-worlds and international cultural remediations to demonstrate the flexibility of the Globalgothic as a viable and valuable research lens to facilitate skills-based learning in undergraduate students by utilizing each of the four branches of the English Studies Model; literature, linguistics, rhetoric, and pedagogy. For this dissertation, I will be using the term Globalgothic as suggested by Glennis Byron. The focus of this literary lens is not merely to look at the conventions traditionally associated with the gothic genre, such as crumbling houses, a sense of foreboding, dark omens, and damsels in …

A Teacher Shortage And Lack Of Representation In The Classroom: A Neoliberal And Critical Race Study Of The Broken Teacher Pipeline And The Impact On Education Majors, Sara Piotrowski

Theses and Dissertations

Teacher education attrition is a largely understudied topic, especially from the perspective of the college student. What factors prevented education majors from graduating with a teaching degree? There are countless studies about teacher attrition within the first five years in the classroom (DeAngelis et al., 2013; Kopkowski, 2008; Office of Postsecondary Education [OPE], 2015), but the research is sparse when it comes to the retention rate of education majors. Why do students get accepted and enter college as education majors and then not graduate with a degree to become a teacher? The purpose of this study was to consider factors …

Physiological Consequences Of Neuromodulation And The Cellular Properties That Underlie Them, Margaret Louise Demaegd

Theses and Dissertations

Neuronal activity is a product of more than the underlying neuronal connections. Modulatory influences like changes in the animal’s environment, the animals physiological state, or the release of neuromodulators can dramatically alter neuronal activity. Modulatory influences can be beneficial for the animal because they are a source of neuronal and behavioral plasticity, and they can provide neuronal circuits with the robustness needed to continue to function in new conditions, states, or tasks.However, malfunctions of the modulatory system can disrupt neuronal activity and lead to pathologies. Predicting how modulatory influences will alter neuronal activity is challenging because the underlying cellular and …

Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations To Understand Receptor-Complex Communication And Signaling, Hannah Margaret Hoag

Theses and Dissertations

The overarching purpose of this document is to use Computer-aided drug design and Molecular dynamic simulations to better understand elusive drug-receptor interactions, as well as various types of inter-receptor signaling. Chapter One introduces the theory and importance of Computer-aided drug design and the methodology used in both Chapters Two and Three.

Chapter Two uncovers the relationship between the well-studied ABCB1 transporter and a newly identified drug known as Xanthohumol (XN). XN is compared to a commonly used drug, Doxorubicin (DOX), in this chapter. If the ABCB1 transporter can be properly inhibited, cancer-fighting drugs will be able to stay within the …

Dewetting Induced Lipid Bilayer Multicomponent Scaffold For Synthetic Cell Vesicle And Their Stability, Anjana Khanal

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis introduces a microfluidic method to generate monodisperse water-in-oil-in water double emulsions. The microfluidic method is able to produce double emulsions with high degree of controllability and flexibility on size and number of droplets. We demonstrate this by producing double emulsions containing 1-8 inner water droplets and studied their dewetting phenomena to lipid bilayer scaffold. Our study shows that for the dewetting phenomenon to occur the oil must be volatile, polar and should make low contact angle with the involved interfaces. The chloroform shows self-emulsification behavior in presence of surfactant F127. The topological droplets formation with multiple compartments is …

Establishing A Mechanistic Link Between Disturbed Flow And Aneurysm Formation In A 3d Cerebral Bifurcation Model, Nesrine Bouhrira

Theses and Dissertations

The effect of disturbed flow profiles on the endothelium have been studied extensively in systemic vasculature, but less is known about the response of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to these flow regimes. Here we investigate the effect of steady and pulsatile disturbed flow on the integrity of the BBB using a three-dimensional, perfusable bifurcation model consisting of a co-culture of endothelial cells with mural and glial cells. Experimental flow patterns predicted by computational fluid dynamics mimic in vivo flow regimes, specifically the presence of a recirculation zone immediately downstream of the bifurcation reveal periodic changes in the instantaneous shear stress …

The Effect Of A Text-Message Based Hydration Education Intervention On Hydration Knowledge And Behavior Of Division I Female Collegiate Soccer Players, Milaena Ferrarese

Theses and Dissertations

There is increasing evidence of athletes entering their training sessions in an already dehydrated state. It is crucial for athletes to properly replenish fluid and electrolytes lost via sweat in order to optimize their training and recovery. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of a text-message based hydration education intervention on the knowledge and hydration status of division I female collegiate soccer players.A total of 14 participants completed baseline testing, which included hydration knowledge and behavior questionnaires, and pre- and post-practice weights to calculate % weight change (%WC). The participants also provided a baseline urine sample …

Mean Square Displacement For A Discrete Centroid Model Of Cell Motion And A Mathematical Analysis Of Focal Adhesion Lifetimes And Their Effect On Cell Motility, Mary Ellen Furner Rosen

Theses and Dissertations

One of the characteristics that distinguishes living things from non-living things is motility. On the cellular level, the motility or non-motility of different types of cells can be life building, life-saving or life-threatening. A thorough study of cell motion is needed to help understand the underlying mechanisms that enhance or prohibit cell motion. We introduce a discrete centroid model of cell motion in the context of a generalized random walk. We find an approximation for the theoretical mean square displacement (MSD) that uses a subset of the state space to estimate the MSD for the entire space. We give some …

Mutations In Hiv-1 Vpr Affect Pathogenesis In T-Lymphocytes And Novel Strategies To Contain The Current Covid-19 Pandemic, Antonio Solis Leal

Theses and Dissertations

Background SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the current global pandemic, COVID-19. Because this virus is novel, little is known about its sensitivity to disinfection. Methods We performed suspension tests against SARS-CoV-2 using three commercially available quaternary ammonium compound (Quat) disinfectants and one laboratory-made 0.2% benzalkonium chloride solution. Findings Three of the four formulations completely inactivated the virus within 15 s of contact, even in the presence of a soil load or when diluted in hard water. Conclusion Quats rapidly inactivate SARS-CoV-2, making them potentially useful for controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread in hospitals and the community.

Autophagic Reprogramming Of Macrophages Polarization, Mayada Mahmoud Zaki Mohamed Mazher

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Macroautophagy is a highly conserved catabolic process among eukaryotes. Autophagosome is a piece of double-membrane machinery that fuses with lysosomes to form autolysosomes. Autolysosome degrades organelles and organizes the pathogen engulfment during phagocytosis in innate immunity. Macrophages are highly dynamic immune cells that orchestrate the host-pathogen interaction. Interestingly, autophagy is implicated in disease pathophysiologies such as Crohn’s disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, this work aimed to study the interplay between autophagy and macrophage polarization (activation) through two approaches, first to construct the genetic regulatory network and pathway analysis. And to predict the target proteins that mediate the interplay …

Cape Gooseberry Husk For The Removal Of Cecs From Wastewater: A Biosorption Study, Jehan Abdel Salam

Theses and Dissertations

Food and beverage industries produce large amounts of fruit wastes that are normally discarded every year. Meanwhile, these industries along with the pharmaceutical industries discharge wastewater effluents that are loaded with contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Recent research is directed towards finding alternative cost effective and sustainable solutions for treating wastewater. In this regard, we investigated cape gooseberry husk as a potential biosorbent for the removal of caffeine (CA) and salicylic acid (SA), as examples of CECs, from wastewater. Three different types of husk were investigated; un-activated husk (H), and chemically activated husks (H350 and H500) prepared by acid treatment …

Autophagic Reprogramming Of Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages, Mayada Mahmoud Zaki Mohamed Mazher

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT Background: Macroautophagy is a highly conserved catabolic process among eukaryotes. Autophagosome is a piece of double-membrane machinery that fuses with lysosomes during macroautophagy to form autolysosomes. Autolysosome degrades organelles and organizes the pathogen engulfment during phagocytosis in innate immunity. Macrophages are highly dynamic immune cells that orchestrate the host-pathogen interaction. Interestingly, autophagy is implicated in disease pathophysiologies such as Crohn’s disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, we studied the interplay between autophagy and macrophage polarization (activation) through two approaches: 1- Systems biology approach to construct the genetic regulatory network and pathway analysis. And to predict the target proteins that …

Discrete Element Modeling Of Hydrogel Extrusion, Rohit Boddu

Theses and Dissertations

Hydrogels are widely used in extrusion bioprinting as bioinks. Understanding how the hydrogel microstructure affects the bioprinting process aids researchers in predicting the behavior of biological components. Current experimental tools are unable to measure internal forces and microstructure variations during the bioprinting process. In this work, discrete element modeling was used to study the internal interactions and the elastic deformation of the molecular chains within hydrogel networks during the extrusion process. Two-dimensional models of hydrogel extrusions were created in Particle Flow Code (PFC; Itasca Co., Minneapolis, MN). For our model's calibration, hydrogel compression testing was used in which a cluster …

Roli I Kujdesit Infermieror Gjatështatzënisë Në Spitalin Regjional Në Ferizaj, Besiana Rexhepi

Theses and Dissertations

Shtatzënia është një periudhë delikate që kërkon një përkushtim mjaftë të veçantë dhe përkujdesje të vazhdueshme.

Shtatzënia ndahet në periudha tremujore për ta kuptuar dhe përcjellë më lehtë.

Njëkohësisht,secila periudhë (tresmestër) në vetvete përmban probleme pak a shumë “serioze”.

Poashtu roli i kujdesit infermieror ndaj grave shtatzëna,luan rol të rëndësishëm gjatë kujdesit mjekësor për zvogëlimin e komplikimeve si dhe sjelljes në jetë të fëmijës së shëndoshë.

Ky shqyrtim përmbledhë njohuritë aktuale rreth shtatzënisë dhe kujdesit infermieror gjatë kësaj periudhe.

Qëllimi i këtij hulumtimi është zgjerimi i njohurive për shtatzëninë,ndryshimet të cilat ndodhin në organizmin e shtatzënave dhe kujdesin shëndetësorë të …

Kujdesi Infermieror Tek Pacientët Me Pneumoni, Florentina Durmishi

Theses and Dissertations

Për ne si infermier shëndeti i çdo pacienti është gjëja primare që duhet ta kemi parasysh dhe të tregojmë një kujdes të veçantë për ta.

Pneumonia është infeksion i mushkërive që mund të shkaktohet nga bakteret, viruset ose këpurdhat. Pneumonia është infeksion i rrugëve të vogla respiratore dhe alveoleve. Qëllimi i këtij studimi është që ta kuptojmë se cilat janë faktorët që ndikojnë në shfaqjen e sëmundjes së pneumonisë, cilat janë simptomat, dhe si ofrohet kujdesi infermieror pacientëve me pneumoni. Unë si studente e degës së infermierisë jam munduar që përmes këtij punimi dhe studimi të ofrojë material sa më …

Shtatëzënitë Ektopike Dhe Trajtimi I Tyre, Njomza Mustafa

Theses and Dissertations

Shtatzënia ektopike zakonisht përcaktohet si një shtatzëni në të cilën implantimi ndodh jashtë endometriumi te zgavres se mitres, d.m.th., në qafën e mitrës, tubin e mitrës, vezoren, ne barkun ose zgavrën e legenit. Fjala "ektopike" do të thotë "pa vend".[1] Deri në shekullin e 19-të, shtatzënia ektopike ishte njohur vetëm si një aksident universal fatal. Referenca e parë e njohur për shtatzëninë ektopike shfaqet në shkrimet e mjekut të famshëm arab Abulcasis (936-1013). Përshkrimi i parë i njohur i një shtatzënie ektopike është nga Al-Zahrawi në shekullin e 11-të.[2]Duke raportuar trajtim të suksesshëm të shtatzënisë tubale me salpingectomy në 1884 …