Digital Commons Network^™

Development Of A Mixed-Radiation Directional Rotating Scatter Mask Detection System, Bryan V. Egner

Theses and Dissertations

Previous work demonstrated gamma-ray directional detection through the integration of a radiation detection system and an additively manufactured rotating scatter mask (RSM). This work advances the RSM directional detection system through improvements in the system's design, validation of a new scatter mask, and the novel ability to directionally detect both neutrons and gamma rays, a desirable feature for many nuclear safeguard and counterproliferation applications. The mixed-radiation RSM system developed for this research utilized the Spartan I mask design coupled with a 1" EJ-309 liquid scintillator. A GEome-try ANd Tracking (Geant4) model is developed and quantitatively compared to experimental measurements for …

Operations Research Methods For Multi-Domain Campaign Phase Planning, John A. Schlicht

Theses and Dissertations

In "Antiaccess Warfare as Strategy," Tangredi posits the question and need to consider multiple domains and governmental and warfighting functions in various phases of campaign execution. Multi-domain integration within and across various phases of the joint campaign presents a host of non-linear factors that are compounded and amplified by uncertainties. Colonel Blotto is a simple game that is suited to compare traditional force-on-force military engagements where mass wins the day, but have had limited application to more complex military planning. This thesis explores the formulation schema, data-driven parameters, methods of calculation, and scenarios applicable to a generalized Colonel Blotto (General …

Secure Attachment With Parents As A Moderator Between Child Sexual Abuse And The Development Of Borderline Personality Features, Febrian Moten

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this study was to examine the association between child sexual abuse (CSA) and borderline personality (BPD) features and examine attachment security with parents as a moderator on that among college women. A total of 453 participants completed the study, of which 29 had experienced CSA. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire measuring a history of CSA and felt stress from it, attachment security measured through attachment anxiety and avoidance and parental bonding, and BPD features. CSA victims showed higher level of BPD features than non-CSA victims. Among CSA victims, attachment insecurity with the mother and BPD features were …

Self Organized Multi Agent Swarms (Somas) For Network Security Control, Eric M. Holloway

Theses and Dissertations

Computer network security is a very serious concern in many commercial, industrial, and military environments. This paper proposes a new computer network security approach defined by self-organized agent swarms (SOMAS) which provides a novel computer network security management framework based upon desired overall system behaviors. The SOMAS structure evolves based upon the partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) formal model and the more complex Interactive-POMDP and Decentralized-POMDP models, which are augmented with a new F(*-POMDP) model. Example swarm specific and network based behaviors are formalized and simulated. This paper illustrates through various statistical testing techniques, the significance of this proposed …

Social Emotional Learning Through Depression Education In A High School Setting, Antonette Minniti

Theses and Dissertations

Education on depression is an important part of social emotional learning. Lacking emotion regulation skills tend to lead to larger problems, such as academic struggles, disconnect from peers, strife at home and trouble in interpersonal relationships. Research in depression education or educational programs connected to mental health literacy are minimal, especially at the high school level. The purpose of this research will focus on examining the impact of one depression education program, John Hopkins Hospital’s Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP). ADAP is a three-day program that informs students about the facts of depression, how it is treated, and what to …

Fiber Intake In Hemodialysis Patients And Its Effects On Symptoms, Jennifer Langner

Theses and Dissertations

On average 30 million adults are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United States (National Kidney Foundation, 2017). Patients in late stage kidney disease and on dialysis are placed on a restrictive diet to aid in the treatment of their disease. There are adverse symptoms associated with dialysis including nausea, constipation, diarrhea and fatigue. Fiber has been shown to decrease gastrointestinal symptoms such as reducing constipation and inflammation in the body in healthy populations. This study examined 19 hemodialysis dialysis patients and their fiber intake in relation to a variety of symptoms such as constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, …

Labeling Intimacy: Examining Attitude Differences About Romantic And Sexual Intimacy In Sexual And Asexual People, Alyssa N. Clark

Theses and Dissertations

Although asexuality is a vastly understudied sexual orientation, some researchers have explored how asexual people navigate romantic and intimate relationships in order to see how and why they vary from typical cultural norms. There is a consistent lack of comparisons between sexual and asexual people, and no research has explored the frequencies of sexual attitude subgroups (i.e., sex-positive, sex-neutral, and sex-averse). Little quantitative data has been gathered on romantic partner label usage, as well as views on polyamory. The current study asked participants to complete the Experiences and Attitudes about Sexual and Intimate Behaviors questionnaire, the Engagement in Sexual Intimacy …

Deciphering The Consequences Of Yolk Testosterone Metabolism In Birds, Nicole A. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

Maternal steroids transferred to eggs can elicit permanent effects on various aspects of offspring phenotype. Although, testosterone was thought to be a key mediator of maternal effects in birds, we now know that vertebrate embryos actively regulate their exposure to maternal testosterone through steroid metabolism, suggesting testosterone metabolites may elicit the observed phenotypic effects. To address the role steroid metabolism plays in mediating yolk testosterone effects, we used European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) eggs to characterize the timing of testosterone metabolism and determine whether etiocholanolone, a prominent testosterone metabolite in avian embryos, is capable of influencing early embryonic development. Tritiated testosterone …

Wasatch Front Atmospheric Deposition Reflects Regional Desert Dust And Local Anthropogenic Sources, Michael Max Goodman

Theses and Dissertations

Dust originating from dry lakes contributes harmful and toxic elements to downwind urban areas and mountain snowpack that is compounded by local contaminant inputs from anthropogenic sources. To evaluate dust contributions to an urban area from regional playas, we sampled playa dust sources, urban dust deposition, and snow dust deposition in central Utah, USA. Samples were analyzed for grain size, mineralogy, and chemistry. Bulk mineralogy between playa, urban, and snow dust samples was similar, with silicate, carbonate, and evaporite minerals. Grain size distribution between fine playa, urban, and snow dust particles was also similar. Elements found at high concentrations in …

“Muzeu Dhe Kopshti Botanik”, Rianë Xharavina

Theses and Dissertations

Kosova, për të zhvilluar më tej kapacitetet e saja turistike si sektor i rëndësishëm i zhvillimit ekonomik dhe social duhet të ruaj, konzervoj dhe promovoj trashëgiminë e saj të pasur natyrore. Në këtë drejtim, krijimi i Muzeut dhe Kopshtit Botanik në Pejë do të mundësonte një zhvillim të qëndrueshëm urban dhe social dhe do të vendoste qytetin e Pejës në listën e qyteteve me zhvillim të qëndrueshëm, duke zbutur efektet e ndryshimeve klimatike me mundësi të reja të edukimit mjedisor dhe hulumtimit shkencor. Ky projekcion, është përpjekje për të dëshmuar se ndërlidhja e burimeve natyrore, orografike, kushteve klimatike si dhe …

Total Synthesis Of Anticancer Agent Deoxypodophyllotoxin And Antiviral F4-4 Demonstrating The Utility Of The Intramolecular Styryl Diels-Alder (Isda) Reaction, Diana Isabel Saavedra Nova

Theses and Dissertations

The intramolecular styryl Diels – Alder (ISDA) reaction is a rare and unique [4+2] cycloaddition with potential in the syntheses of polycycles. Its utility is based on the formation of two rings and one stereocenter in a single step, making it an efficient method for the construction of lignan-type natural product targets. Detailed mechanistic studies with complex esters and the application to natural product synthesis has been limited due to drawbacks including the loss of aromaticity, producing slow reactivity, a potentially problematic thermal [1,3]-hydrogen shift, and electronic mismatch related to the substituents on the aryl functional groups. In this research, …

Conversational Agent: Developing A Model For Intelligent Agents With Transient Emotional States, Angie Dowdell

Theses and Dissertations

The demonstration of aggressive behaviors in the workplace can usually lead to negative professional consequences. However, combat-related professions may involve life and death decision making on an almost daily basis. This is one occupational area in which major duties may invoke or even require aggression. Today’s Army leaders face a different set of challenges than those faced by leaders of the past. Leaders of today must be trained to be both assertive and aggressive at the appropriate times while also displaying empathy. While this is not a new task for an Army leader, it is one that is approached differently …

Annual Survival And Harvest Vulnerability Of Elk (Cervus Canadensis), Maksim Sergeyev

Theses and Dissertations

Across the western United States, most populations of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis) are managed through hunter harvest (Sandrey 1983). In hunted populations, human harvest is the leading source of mortality (Ballard 2000). With the exception of elk in national parks, populations are primarily managed through hunter harvest. Other sources of mortality include disease, automobile collisions, and predation from mountain lions, coyotes, wolves, and black bears (Childress 2003, Hornocker 1970). As a species of management concern and high economic value (Pickton 2008), hunted populations of elk are carefully managed to target population sizes to guarantee a sustainable supply and ensure …

Pas Kinase And Tor, Controllers Of Cell Growth And Proliferation, Brooke Jasmyn Cozzens

Theses and Dissertations

Nutrient sensing kinases lie at the heart of cellular health and homeostasis, allowing cells to quickly adapt to changing environments. Target of Rapamycin (TOR) and PAS kinase (PASK, or PASKIN) are two such nutrient kinases, conserved from yeast to man. In yeast, these kinases each have paralogs. The two TOR paralogs in yeast mimic the mammalian TORC1 and TORC2 complexes, except both Tor1 and Tor2 may contribute to TORC1 or TORC2 function. The two PAS kinase paralogs are paired with the TOR paralogs, meaning that both Psk1 and Psk2 regulate TORC1, while Psk2 suppresses a temperature-sensitive allele of Tor2. Herein …

Aviary Of The Reverend William J. Long, Shae Lewis Warnick

Theses and Dissertations

Humans perceive the natural world in a subjective and sensual way, yet over time science has turned the study of nature into a progressively objective pursuit. The Aviary of the Reverend William J. Long is an installation of anthropomorphic bird dolls that examines the roles of science and sentiment in our interactions with the natural world.

Applications Of Pattern Recognition Entropy (Pre) And Informatics To Data Analysis, Shiladitya Chatterjee

Theses and Dissertations

The primary focus of my work is the application of informatics methods to the fields of materials science and analytical chemistry. The statistical analysis of data has become increasingly important in understanding the properties of materials and analytes. Statistical methods like principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate curve resolution (MCR) are widely used for analysis in chemistry and other fields given their ability to categorize spectra in an unsupervised way. PCA is relatively easy to apply and has appealing mathematical properties. However, the results can be challenging to interpret, even for experienced users. In contrast, MCR results can be more …

Ribosomally Synthesized And Post-Translationally Modified Peptides As Potential Scaffolds For Peptide Engineering, Devan Bursey

Theses and Dissertations

Peptides are small proteins that are crucial in many biological pathways such as antimicrobial defense, hormone signaling, and virulence. They often exhibit tight specificity for their targets and therefore have great therapeutic potential. Many peptide-based therapeutics are currently available, and the demand for this type of drug is expected to continue to increase. In order to satisfy the growing demand for peptide-based therapeutics, new engineering approaches to generate novel peptides should be developed. Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a group of peptides that have the potential to be effective scaffolds for in vivo peptide engineering projects. These …

Interactions Between The Organellar Pol1a, Pol1b, And Twinkle Dna Replication Proteins And Their Role In Plant Organelle Dna Replication, Stewart Anthony Morley

Theses and Dissertations

Plants maintain organelle genomes that are descended from ancient microbes. Ages ago, these ancient microbes were engulfed by larger cells, beginning a process of co-evolution we now call the endo-symbiotic theory. Over time, DNA from the engulfed microbe was transferred to the genome of the larger engulfing cell, eventually losing the ability to be free-living, and establishing a permanent residency in the larger cell. Similarly, the larger cell came to rely so much on the microbe it had engulfed, that it too lost its ability to survive without it. Thus, mitochondria and plastids were born. Nearly all multicellular eukaryotes possess …

Humans, Vegetation, And Drought In Late Holocene Amazonia, Christine Michelle Åkesson

Theses and Dissertations

The resilience and adaptation of past societies to climate change remain unclear, especially in the tropical cloud-forests of the Andes and the aseasonal forests of lowland western Amazonia. Long thought to have been too humid for significant human settlement, a new image of cloud-forests is emerging in which they supported human settlements for millennia. Anthropogenic disturbance, such as forest clearance, fire activity, and land-use has been suggested to have intensified during times of drier climates. Even so, the mid-elevational Andes and western Amazonia probably supported smaller pre-Columbian populations than settings with a distinct dry season. Uncertainties persist, however, regarding the …

Application Of Metamaterials For Multifunctional Satellite Bus Enabled Via Additive Manufacturing, Michael A. Macchia

Theses and Dissertations

Space systems require materials with superior stiffness to weight ratios to provide structural integrity while minimizing mass. Additive manufacturing processes enable the design of metamaterials that exceed the performance of naturally occurring materials in addition to allowing the integration of non-structural functions. This research explored the use of a high stiffness, high density, small melt pool track width AM material, Inconel 718, to enable the production of metamaterials with finer features possible than can possibly be created using a lower density aluminum alloy material. Various metamaterials were designed utilizing thin wall triply periodic minimal surface infilled sandwich structures. The performance …

Magnetic Field Aided Indoor Navigation, William F. Storms

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort examines inertial navigation system aiding using magnetic field intensity data and a Kalman filter in an indoor environment. Many current aiding methods do not work well in an indoor environment, like aiding using the Global Positioning System. The method presented in this research uses magnetic field intensity data from a three-axis magnetometer in order to estimate position using a maximum – likelihood approach. The position measurements are then combined with a motion model using a Kalman filter. The magnetic field navigation algorithm is tested using a combination of simulated and real measurements. These tests are conducted using …

Sustainable Utilization Of Desalination Concentrate, Amira Hesham Elbarmelgy

Theses and Dissertations

Lack of water availability is a global crisis. Many arid countries are turning to desalination technologies in order to fulfill their water needs. Hypersaline water, brine, is the byproduct of desalination and can be dangerous to the environment if disposed of in an unsustainable manner. Research surrounding brine management focuses on improved methods of direct disposal, strategies of volume minimization, and reuse strategies. However, the mentioned brine management methods revolve around chemical and mechanical techniques requiring high technological skills, know-how and energy. This thesis aims to find biological solutions that use brine, with minimum resources, in low-cost, low-energy conditions to …

Synthesis Of Novel Library Of Cyanopyrrolidinyl Beta-Amino Alcohols And Matrine Alkaloids, Xiaotian Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Cyanopyrrolidines and beta-Amino alcohols are molecular scaffolds that are highly found in commercially available drugs. We developed a multi-step synthetic method to form a novel library of compounds as inhibitors that share both scaffolds toward potent and selective diabetes therapeutics. Despite the ease for the synthesis of Cyanopyrrolidines, the difficulty of forming high selective beta-Amino alcohols is challenging. We successfully find the best condition for the preference of highly selective mono-alkylation and double-alkylation products and produce them with high yield.

Matrine is an alkaloid found in plants from the genus Sophora and can produce some pharmacological effects such as anti-cancer …

Teacher Perceptions Of Emergent Bilingual Students And Connection To Pedagogical Resources And Strategy Use, Sarah A. Rozny

Theses and Dissertations

This research considers what informs a teacher's dispositions towards his/her emergent bilingual students and in what way these dispositions influence the resources the teacher calls upon and strategies that he/she employs to teach these students. The findings for this study indicate that more positive dispositions towards their emergent bilingual students is connected to exposure to a foreign culture, attempts to learn a foreign language, experiencing teaching emergent bilingual students, and the way the teacher views his or her role as a teacher. More positive teacher dispositions were also connected to a greater use of Just Good Teaching and Linguistically Responsive …

Emergence Of Collective Behaviors In Hub-Based Colonies Using Grammatical Evolution And Behavior Trees, Aadesh Neupane

Theses and Dissertations

Animals such as bees, ants, birds, fish, and others are able to efficiently perform complex coordinated tasks like foraging, nest-selection, flocking and escaping predators without centralized control or coordination. These complex collective behaviors are the result of emergence. Conventionally, mimicking these collective behaviors with robots requires researchers to study actual behaviors, derive mathematical models, and implement these models as algorithms. Since the conventional approach is very time consuming and cumbersome, this thesis uses an emergence-based method for the efficient evolution of collective behaviors. Our method, Grammatical Evolution algorithm for Evolution of Swarm bEhaviors (GEESE), is based on Grammatical Evolution (GE) …

North American Data, Joseph A. Burwell

Theses and Dissertations

North American Data fractures and reconfigures pre-existing narratives into new, unauthorized forms of storytelling. Core samples extracted from various narrative sources are reassigned new roles according to their proximity to each other. This paper functions as an introduction to the essential actors and their dramatic inclinations within fluctuating scenarios.

An Incurable Malady? Representations Of Female Madness In Nineteenth Century-Twenty-First Century Literature, Kimberly Sooklall

Theses and Dissertations

From the mad heroines of classic Victorian literature to the depictions of female insanity in modern Western writing, women suffering from mental instability have been a common recurrence at the center of plotlines. This thesis will explore the historical context of madness as a gendered concept by examining several literary works published in different centuries.

Phylogenetic History Of The Amy Gene Cluster In Catarrhines, Christian M. Gagnon

Theses and Dissertations

This study phylogenetically analyzed 30 AMY-related genes from 11 primates. The results show the gradual expansion of the AMY gene family which could have allowed primates to adapt to various ecological landscapes and maximize energy intake from starch-rich foods in periods of food scarcity.

Climatic Variables Are Strong Predictors Of Allonursing And Communal Nesting In Primates, Alexandra Louppova

Theses and Dissertations

Allomaternal care (AMC) is widespread throughout the primate order, previous studies have focused on benefits and costs to individuals. However, our understanding of environmental impacts on AMC behaviors in primates is still limited. Our study examines how ecology and environmental factors can predict certain AMC behaviors more than others.

Female Leaders: A Re-Evaluation Of Women During The Viking Age, Sorayda Santos

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will re-examine the roles of women in the Viking world. Did Viking women dominate the home or did they participate in activities that have traditionally been associated with men? This thesis will bring together historical data and archaeological excavation data to demonstrate that Viking women were leaders.