Digital Commons Network^™

A Comparison Of Dual Heuristic Programming (Dhp) And Neural Network Based Stochastic Optimization Approach On Collective Robotic Search Problem, Nian Zhang, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An important application of mobile robots is searching a region to locate the origin of a specific phenomenon. A variety of optimization algorithms can be employed to locate the target source, which has the maximum intensity of the distribution of some detected function. We propose two neural network algorithms: stochastic optimization algorithm and dual heuristic programming (DHP) to solve the collective robotic search problem. Experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of noise and the number of robots on the task performance, as well as the expenses. The experimental results showed that the performance of the dual heuristic programming …

A Numerical Investigation Of Interior Resonances In The Hybrid Fem/Mom Method, Yun Ji, Hao Wang, Todd H. Hubing

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The interior resonance problem that can occur when using a hybrid finite-element method/method of moments (FEM/MoM) method to model electromagnetic scattering problems is investigated. Calculations of the bistatic radar cross section of a coated dielectric sphere are presented using different formulations, solution approaches, and solvers. The solutions using the electric-field integral equation have significant errors near an interior resonance frequency. When the combined-field integral equation is employed, satisfactory solutions can be obtained that do not depend on the particular solution approach or solver.

Icts As An Aid To Inclusivity?: Barriers To Benefits For Adult Learners In The Ennis Information Age Town, Anna Greenhalgh

Masters

The subject of this thesis is the potential role of ICTs as a means of addressing social exclusion. ICTs have been recognised for their double-edged promise: while they may open opportunities in work, education and social practices, their benefits may be inaccessible to disadvantaged members of society. This subject is explored by means of a case study of adult learners who have been exposed to a ‘social experiment’ involving technological endowment of an Irish community: the Ennis Information Age Town project. This large-scale private sector initiative, which ran between 1997 and 2002, has the potential to inform future ICT projects …

Review Of The Coast Of Utopia By Tom Stoppard, David Wohl

College of Visual and Performing Arts Faculty Publications

A Review of The Coast of Utopia by Tom Stoppard, performed by the Royal National Theatre, London, UK, July 2002.

Tgf-Beta-Induced Socs3 Expression Augments Tnf-Alpha-Induced Osteoclast Formation, Ac Lovibond, Sj Haque, Tj Chambers, Sw Fox

School of Biomedical Sciences

No abstract provided.

Supporting Biosciences In The Nursing Curriculum: Development And Evaluation Of An Online Resource, Ka Gresty, Dre Cotton

School of Biomedical Sciences

Aims. The aim of this project was to develop and evaluate an online resource designed to improve the biosciences knowledge of preregistration nursing students. Background. A number of studies have identified lack of biological subject knowledge and anxiety about studying biosciences as serious problems for nursing students. The availability of a contextualized biological information resource prior to and early in their studies might help to reduce this fear and anxiety. Methods. The project used an action research approach, involving an initial analysis of the extent of the problems with biosciences encountered by our nursing students, followed by the development and …

Sensor Networks: An Overview, Malik Tubaishat, Sanjay Kumar Madria

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Advances in hardware and wireless network technologies have created low-cost, low-power, multifunctional miniature sensor devices. These devices make up hundreds or thousands of ad hoc tiny sensor nodes spread across a geographical area. These sensor nodes collaborate among themselves to establish a sensing network. A sensor network can provide access to information anytime, anywhere by collecting, processing, analyzing and disseminating data. Thus, the network actively participates in creating a smart environment.

Involving Engineering With In-Service K-4 Teachers, Theresa M. Swift, Steve Eugene Watkins, Kristine Swenson, Evalee Lasater, Robert Mitchell

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A strong workforce in science and engineering and literate citizens in a technology-based society depends on an educational system that prepares students in science, mathematics, and engineering. Unfortunately, many K-12 students lose interest in such topics early in their school years. Engineering applications can capture the imagination of students and illustrate the concepts in science and mathematics. Level-appropriate resources are as necessary for primary teachers and our young scholars as for teachers and students in higher grades. A model for interaction between engineers and K-4 teachers is proposed. The State of Missouri defines curriculum standards in each subject area and …

Two Distributed Algorithms For E-Ticket Validation Protocols For Mobile Clients, H. Mohanty, Sanjay Kumar Madria, T. Suman Kumar Reddy, R. K. Ghosh

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

The e-ticket (electronic ticket) validation problem has relevance in mobile computing environment because of the multiple submission of a ticket that is possible due to intermittent disconnections and mobility of hosts. Here, we propose protocols that are not only sensitive to disconnection but also to location. One of the proposed protocols is the variant of the distributed protocol proposed by Pedone (2000) for Internet users. This shows that a distributed protocol for static network can be restructured for distributed computation in a mobile computing environment. We have also proposed another protocol that uses a hierarchical location database of mobile hosts …

Using Psychotherapy Techniques To Reveal Misconceptions And Improve Learning, Paul Michael Santi, Michele M. Santi

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

When students are aware that they do not understand a concept, the main impediment to developing an understanding is their willingness to ask questions of the instructor or of fellow students. When students think that they understand a concept, but really have some significant misconception lodged in their mental picture of the concept, they may not supplant this misconception for years, if ever. Both situations can be corrected if the students identify the need to ask questions, are brave enough to do so in the traditional academic settings, and if the answers adequately address the actual misunderstanding (which may be …

Fuzzy Logic In Collective Robotic Search, Nian Zhang, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

One important application of mobile robots is searching a geographical region to locate the origin of a specific sensible phenomenon. We first propose a fuzzy logic approach using a decision table. A novel fuzzy rule based was designed. And then a fuzzy search strategy is adopted by utilizing the three tier centers of mass coordination. Experimental results show that fuzzy logic algorithm is an efficient approach for the collective robots to locate the target source. In addition, noise and the position of the target affect the searching result.

Locating Moving Objects Over Mobile Sensor Network, Arvind Nath Rapaka, Sandeep Bogollu, Donald C. Wunsch, Ravindra Nath

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The purpose of our on going research would be to track entities, which enter their field of vision over the sensor network. Based on their sightings, they maintain a dynamic cache that can be queried by a base station- a stationary orfixed node. Since transmitting messages consumes a lot of energy, as against local processing and moreover the limited energy in sensor node does not allow heavy duty computing, we need to develop algorithms that will ensure efficient computing and minimal transmission without degradation of performance. and also data is stored locally, and memory is finite, the nodes must choose …

Pcb Emc Design Guidelines: A Brief Annotated List, Todd H. Hubing

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Some of the worst printed circuit board design choices are made by engineers who are trying to comply with a list of EMC design guidelines. Nevertheless, a short list of design guidelines can be helpful at times. This paper reviews some of the more general EMC design guidelines for printed circuit board layout.

Rapid Measurement Of Indoor Mass-Transfer Coefficients, Glenn Morrison, Zhao Ping, Deborah J. Wiseman, Maneerat Ongwandee, Hong Chang, Julie Portman, Shekhar Regmi

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Indoor air pollutant concentrations can be influenced by how rapidly species are transported to and from surfaces. Consequently, a greater understanding of indoor transport phenomena to surfaces improves estimates of human exposure to indoor air pollutants. Here, we introduce two methods of rapidly and directly measuring species fluxes at indoor surfaces, allowing us to evaluate the transport-limited deposition velocity, v_t (a mass-transfer coefficient). The deposition velocity sensor (DeVS) method employs a small microbalance coated with a pure hydrocarbon, preferably octadecane. We quantify flux (or evaporation rate) of the hydrocarbon into a room by observing the rate of mass loss …

Computational Enhancement Of Genetic Algorithm Via Control Device Pre-Selection Mechanism For Power System Reactive Power/Voltage Control, G. Krost, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy, G. A. Bakare, U. O. Aliyu

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, the application of a novel and computationally enhances genetic algorithm (GA) for solving the reactive power dispatch problem is presented. In order to attain a significant reduction in the computational time of GA, a systematic procedure of reactive power control device pre-selection mechanism is herein proposed to choose a-priori subsets of the available control devices, which maximally influence buses experiencing voltage limit violations. The GA reactive power dispatch module then accesses such judiciously pre-selected control device candidates to determine their optimal settings. A pragmatic scheme aimed at further curtailing the number of the final control actions entertained …

Development And Implementation Of The University Of Northern Iowa's “Students First” Capital Campaign: A Case Study, Cornelius Anthony Castain

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

A case study was conducted of The University of Northern Iowa's Students First 100 million-dollar comprehensive capital campaign. This study examined the predominant forces, activities, and participants associated with employing the capital campaign strategy at a public comprehensive university. When, how, and in what sequence did these major forces, activities, and participants converge to develop and implement the capital campaign? The study also describes major challenges incurred during the campaign cycle. The initial interview questionnaire was adapted from a study by Leonard Moisan (1986) of the University of Virginia's capital campaign. Seventeen people were interviewed including the President, development staff, …

Design And Evaluation Of A Pdf Print Estimating System, Mengtsung Tai

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research consisted of designing and evaluating portable document format (PDF) print estimating system to commercial systems. Taking into account functionality, reliability, standardization, and integration, the conventional design method (Pressman, 1997) was used to develop the print estimating system. Considering the printer's viewpoint, added features make the system function online and offline and compatible with all common computer platforms. After the system was developed, experts and entry-level users evaluated the system for software usability (Nielsen, 2000; Shneiderman, 1998). A total of 26 experts and 38 entry-level users responded to 14 questions about usability in a personal interview survey. Statistical analysis …

The Design And Evaluation Of A Plc-Based Model Predictive Controller For Application In Industrial Food Processes, Bryan T. Griffen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Model Predictive Control (MPC) is a viable control strategy for industrial processes that display relatively large variations in the process variable, have complex process variable interactions, or display a large amount of process deadtime. The objective of using MPC in manufacturing is to reduce overall process variability, the result being an increase in process accuracy, precision and efficiency. This study focused on the implementation of model predictive control techniques on an industrial sugar cooking process. The goal was to implement a successful MPC solution directly on a programmable logic controller (PLC) rather than on a personal computer (PC). Although there …

Power System Basics For Business Professionals In Our Industry, G. Gross, Peter W. Sauer, Mariesa Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The rapid changes in the business aspects of the electricity industry are making it necessary for engineers to communicate more frequently and more effectively with nontechnical people. With the heightened interest in electric power and energy systems, a broad range of "nonpower" people has expressed a need for a primer on power engineering fundamentals presented in a nontechnical manner. In response, the IEEE Power Engineering Society sponsored the preparation of such a course targeted towards the "business professional." The first offering of this course was in July 2002 as part of the IEEE PES Summer Meeting in Chicago. Power System …

Rate-Based End-To-End Congestion Control Of Multimedia Traffic In Packet Switched Networks, Mingsheng Peng, S. R. Subramanya, Jagannathan Sarangapani

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper proposes an explicit rate-based end-to-end congestion control mechanism to alleviate congestion of multimedia traffic in packet switched networks such as the Internet. The congestion is controlled by adjusting the transmission rates of the sources in response to the feedback information from destination such as the buffer occupancy, packet arrival rate and service rate at the outgoing link, so that a desired quality of service (QoS) can be met. The QoS is defined in terms of packet loss ratio, transmission delay, power, and network utilization. Comparison studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme over New-Reno TCP (a variant …

Internationalizing Higher Education: A Case Study Of A Midwest Comprehensive University, Irene Tan Ai Lian

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The international component of higher education has faced significant challenges over the past two decades due to the effects of globalization. The realization that international interdependence is not an abstract theory but a reality has prompted institutions of higher education in the United States to internationalize their campuses.

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to examine how and to what extent a Midwest comprehensive university has developed its internationalization process Special focus was placed on understanding and drawing conclusions from the perceptions of administrators and faculty members regarding the importance of internationalizing a campus and the factors that …

Teachers' Perceptions Of The Application Of Instructional Design Elements In The Distance Teaching Process, Lihua Zheng

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Educators use an instructional design process to improve instruction and to ensure learning. Faculty who teach at a distance must rely heavily on the instructional design process because of constraints in distance instruction. Thus, it is especially important for instructors to know, understand, and apply instructional design elements when planning to teaching at a distance. However, little research has been done in this field. Therefore, additional research has become the focus of this study. This study examines the perceptions of instructors at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), Cedar Falls, Iowa, regarding how they understood and applied instructional design elements …

Utilizing Professional Development With Kindergarten Teachers To Change Instruction And Student Outcomes, Donna Kelley Goode

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation implemented professional development activities with kindergarten teachers to improve teachers’ knowledge of instruction and assessment of early literacy. An emphasis was placed on using diagnostic testing to gather data on students' performance and then to provide differentiated instruction. The program was implemented in a rural elementary school with a student population of approximately 335. Sixty percent of the kindergarten students were identified as at risk in the area of reading. This applied dissertation produced results at one elementary school that reduced the number of at-risk kindergarten students in the area of literacy.

Professional development supported and guided …

A Plan For The Development, Implementation, And Evaluation Of A Global Entrepreneurship Adult Credit Program At Suffolk County Community College, Dorothy J. Laffin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

During an environmental scan Suffolk County Community College’s (SCCC) business faculty determined that employed, adult learners, seeking part-time, flexible academic schedules, were unable to enroll in the limited, traditionally delivered course offerings in entrepreneurship and international business. In order to meet the identified learning need, this project was designed to develop a curriculum plan for an innovative, credit-bearing, international business program for adult students engaged in a variety of small business activities. Additionally, proposed steps for implementing and evaluating the program were included in the project.

The Global Entrepreneurship Program plan was developed around the answers to six research questions. …

Development Of A Web-Based Distance Education Course For Scuba Divers With An Implementation And Evaluation Plan, Drew Richardson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to identify the elements of a Web-Based distance education program and apply that knowledge to the development of an organizationally specific course plan for the PADI Worldwide organization to sanction for training scuba divers. A plan for implementation and evaluation was also developed.

The problem under investigation was that the PADI Worldwide organization wished to offer a Web-Based distance education program for one of its courses; however, the existing curriculum and related educational tools were designed for a program in which students completed all of their cognitive course work development in a non-Web-Based environment.

Development …

Improving Student Behavior And Decreasing The Rate Of Violence-Based Suspensions Through The Use Of Peer Mediation, Anthony Threets

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve student behavior and provide a reduction in violence-based suspensions through the use of peer-mediation. Students at the secondary grade levels were being removed out of their regular classroom at an alarming rate because of their disruptive behavior. School administrators had few alternatives except to suspend or place these disruptive students in “In School Suspension”.

The writer implemented a peer-mediation program to provide another alternative to allow students involved in conflicts to remain in their regular classroom These students were given the opportunity to work through their own conflicts with the assistance of other …

Third Grade Struggling Readers And Fast Forword, Jeannie Gallo

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation utilized an adaptive computer training program known as Fast ForWord as an intervention to improve the literacy skills of struggling, below-level third grade readers at Smyser Accelerated School. The intent of the intervention was to improve students’ phonemic awareness, reading comprehension, and spelling skills on standardized tests and to improve classroom performance grades in reading and spelling.

A large number of students in third grade are not able to achieve at or above level on the reading comprehension test of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. It was believed that a high mobility rate in second and …

Block Scheduling Versus Traditional Scheduling: A Comparative Study Of The Academic Achievement Of Seventh Graders, Grace W. Reese

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study compared the academic achievement of 7th-grade students using a block schedule with the academic achievement of 7th-grade students using a traditional schedule. The goal was to determine what impact, if any, block scheduling had upon academic achievement. The sample included 7th-grade students at Semmes Middle School in the Mobile County Public School System in Mobile, Alabama.

The 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition (SAT-9) test results in reading, mathematics, and science, which are required of all students in Grades 3-8 in the Mobile County Public School System, provided the necessary data.

A t test was used …

Improving Fourth-Grade Students’ Success In Mathematics Using Multiple Strategies Proposed In The Literature, Benny Steve Lenderman

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The problem identified for this applied dissertation was that 4th-grade students were not achieving success in mathematics. The results of 3 diagnostic and achievement tests--the STAR Math Test, the Diagnostic Achievement Battery-3, and the Peabody Individual Achievement Test- Revised/Normative Update--confirmed that the problem existed. The goal for this applied dissertation was that 4th-grade students would achieve success in mathematics.

The attempt to solve the problem involved several solution strategies. Children worked in cooperative pairs and small groups as they participated in manipulativebased mathematics lessons and problem-solving lessons. They experienced reading for understanding the mathematics lessons in their reform-based textbooks. In …

Improving The Reading Ability Of First Grade Students Through School And Home-Based Literacy Support, Tara Mack

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to improve the reading level of 1st-grade students. Several methods of evaluation were used to assess the problem. Assessment of reading skills, instructional techniques, and the lack of parental involvement with literacy provided substantial proof that the reading program should be enhanced.

The writer developed a program to incorporate different reading strategies for students to help increase reading scores. The writer facilitated guided reading workshops to help teachers provide a balanced literacy program. Newsletters, family reading nights, sight word kits, and a book-lending program were established to get the parents more involved. A buddy reading …