Digital Commons Network^™

An Augmented Approach To Support Collaborative Distance Learning Of Unified Modeling Language, Keng Siau, Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah, Brenda Eschenbrenner, Ashu Guru

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Teaching in the classroom faces many challenges of providing a collaborative, interactive environment that effectively facilitates students’ learning. The challenges increase when the physical classroom converts into a virtual classroom. This difficulty is further exacerbated when the course is diagramming intensive, practice-oriented, and hands-on in nature. Technology has been sought after to help with these challenges. Web Conferencing software, when compared to Web Broadcasting software, can facilitate real-time interaction and collaboration in a distance learning context. For courses that are diagramming intensive and practice-oriented, Tablet PCs, when compared to desktop PCs, can support drawing and diagramming because of the ability …

Interface Design For Handheld Mobile Devices, Peter Tarasewich, Jun Gong, Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Mobile computing has attracted a lot of attention from both the industry and academia in recent years. While a number of mobile applications have been developed, there are no established guidelines on the design of mobile device interfaces. This paper presents our initial efforts to provide a set of practical design guidelines for mobile device interfaces.

A Lateral Symmetry Approach To Percentage-Based Hybrid Pattern (Php) Training, Sheng-Uei Guan, Kiruthika Ramanathan

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper, we investigate the application of lateral symmetry to supervised learning using genetic algorithms. The hypothesis is motivated by the presence of symmetry in the animal brain and by research results showing approximately equal task division between the two hemispheres of the brain. In this paper, each training pattern is considered a task. By applying the concept of lateral symmetry, we use global training (a typically right brained activity) to learn half the tasks and local training (a left brained activity) to learn the rest of the tasks. We verified the use of this Percentage-based Pattern (PHP) training …

Drying Behavior Of Fractionated Fibers, Hussam E. Alkahasawneh

Dissertations

This dissertation studies water removal from paper produced using fractionated fibers. One of the principal aims of fiber fractionation is to separate long fibers from fines and then to use these long fibers in paper grades that require high bulk and high water absorption. However, during the paper manufacturing process, the bulk of these materials may be reduced by mechanically pressing the paper to remove water. Also the drying rate of the high bulk paper may be lower than conventional paper due to changes in the resistance to heat transfer. The main objective of this dissertation is to further develop …

Validation Of A New Technique Of Production Data Analysis For Single And Multi-Layer Formations Under Controlled Environment, Domingo A. Mata

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Intelligent Production Data Analysis - IPDA, is a new methodology for Reservoir Characterization based only on monthly production rate data. This technique combines conventional methods of production data analysis (decline curve analysis, type curve matching and history matching) with intelligent systems. The study targets the validation of this methodology under a controlled environment, attempting three main objectives: Identifying Sweet Spots, Forecasting Reserves and recognizing under-performer wells.;The study investigates the behavior of five different reservoirs, modeled using a commercial simulator. The structure, parameters and heterogeneity of each configuration was inspired by existing formations. Records of production rate data were generated from …

Impacts Of T-Phylloplanin Gene Knockdown And Of Helianthus And Datura Phylloplanins On Peronospora Tabacina Spore Germination And Disease Potential, Antoaneta B. Kroumova, Ryan W. Shepherd, George J. Wagner

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

T-phylloplanin proteins secreted to aerial surfaces of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) by short procumbent trichomes inhibit spore germination and blue mold disease caused by the oomycete pathogen Peronospora tabacina. Many other plants were found to contain water-washed leaf surface proteins (phylloplanins), but the functions and properties of these are not known. Here we extend earlier evidence for the antifungal activity of T-phylloplanins using a reverse genetics approach. RNA interference of the T-phylloplanin gene in tobacco ‘T.I. 1068’ resulted in loss of T-phylloplanin mRNA and protein, loss of in vitro spore germination inhibition activity, and leaf infection …

Simulation, Visualization And Self-Assessment Tools For Enhanced Engineering Education The Stiffness Matrix Method Module For Structural Analysis, Ahmed Ali Mohammed

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Existing macromedia FLASH software which has extensive and exciting simulation and visualization capabilities is utilized to develop the "Stiffness Matrix Method" (SMM) module, which is one of the new topics ( offered for the first time in Spring 2007 semester) covered in a Structural Analysis I course, offered at the junior level at Old Dominion University. The developed software (under the FLASH environment), including tutorial lectures to explain all necessary theoretical backgrounds, formulas, step-by-step computerized procedures and numerical examples are presented in simple, user friendly, visualized, interactive fashion to enhance the student's learning capabilities. Through numerous graphical visualization and simulation …

The Role Of The Interteach In Interteaching, Thorhallur Orn Flosason

Masters Theses

Interteaching is a relatively new instructional method, based on behavioral approaches to education, that has been offered as an alternative to the traditional lecture format in the college classroom. The present study examined the role of the cooperative learning component of interteaching in an undergraduate statistics class. An alternating treatments design, with conditions counterbalanced across two sections of the course, was used to determine whether or not the effectiveness of interteaching depends on the interteach (cooperative learning) component. Weekly exams were administered to measure student learning and social validity was assessed via a questionnaire that required students to rate their …

Channel Management In Heterogeneous Cellular Networks, Mohammad Hadi Arbabi

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Motivated by the need to increase system capacity in the face of tight FCC regulations, modem cellular systems are under constant pressure to increase the sharing of the frequency spectrum among the users of the network.

Key to increasing system capacity is an efficient channel management strategy that provides higher capacity for the system while, at the same time, providing the users with Quality of Service guarantees. Not surprisingly, dynamic channel management has become a high profile topic in wireless communications. Consider a highly populated urban area, where mobile traffic loads are increased due to highway backups or sporting events. …

Nitrogen Heterocyclic Compounds As Receptors In Nanosensors For Nerve Gas Agent Analogs, Swapna Katram

Masters Theses

The research is focused on developing nanosensors consisting of different components that are chemically linked, namely, nanoparticle, fluorescent monomer, and receptor (NMR sensors) and nanoparticle, monomer, nanomolecule, and receptor (NMNR sensors) for the sensitive and selective detection of nerve gas agents. These sensors detect the target toxins by fluorescence change which is amplified by signal transduction. Model nerve gas toxins (DCP) and (DMMP) and HCl were employed as analytes, and the nitrogen heterocyclic compounds, 5-aminoindazole and dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) as receptors in the NMR and NNMR nanosensors. The monomers were (E)-4-(4- formylstyryl) benzoic acid (NMR sensor) and 2-mercaptosuccinic acid (NNMR sensor). …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of The Social Studies Teacher Training Program At Tabouk Teachers' College In Saudi Arabia, Awad Hamad Alhwiti

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of the study was to examine and evaluate the effectiveness of the social studies teacher training program in Tabouk Teachers' College in Saudi Arabia. This research addressed six questions concerning teacher perceptions regarding the effectiveness of the teacher preparation programs in Tabouk Teachers' College. These questions examined teacher perceptions of the effectiveness of preparation they received for teaching in schools in Saudi Arabia. This study included teachers who completed student teaching and who graduated with a major in social studies. The 40-item instrument used to gather data included demographics, internship, instructor effectiveness, curriculum, teaching skills, classroom management, and …

Factors That Influence The Effectiveness Of Assessment Plans In The Improvement And Sustainment Phase In Colleges And Universities, Christopher A. Mccullough

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Assessment in higher education has become increasingly important throughout the past 20 years. Institutions of higher education engage in student outcomes assessment for a plethora of purposes.;The researcher conducted this study to investigate current assessment practices at the undergraduate program level. The researcher determined the effectiveness of assessment plans within specific disciplines at institutions that have implemented and sustained their assessment plans. The researcher also identified the degree to which related institutional commitments and resources were provided to support assessment the assessment process. Faculty satisfaction with the assessment plan was also examined.

Control Of A Swept Wing Tailless Aircraft Through Wing Morphing, Richard W. Guiler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Inspired by flight in nature, work done by Lippisch, the Hortens, and Northrop offered insight to achieving the efficiency of bird flight with swept-wing tailless aircraft. Tailless designs must incorporate aerodynamic compromises for control, which have inhibited potential advantages. A morphing mechanism, capable of changing the twist of wing and that can also provide pitch, roll and yaw control for a tailless swept wing aircraft is the first step to a series of morphing techniques, which will lead to more fluid, bird-like flight. This research focuses on investigating the design of a morphing wing to improve the flight characteristics of …

Marine Paleoecology Of The Fivemile Member Of The Hinton Formation, Upper Mississippian, West Virginia And Virginia, Thomas R. Cawthern

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Fivemile and Eads Mill members of the upper part of the Hinton Formation are two significant marine zones that occur within the Mauch Chunk Group in southwestern Virginia and southern West Virginia.;Multivariate analyses of binary fossil data for the Fivemile Member were performed in order to determine any underlying paleoecologic signals. Analyses of the data sets indicate that this member is dominated by a euryhaline fauna in four of the five locations studied. Euryhaline fauna characteristic of the Fivemile Member include the brachiopod Lingula, the bivalves Modiolus and Septimyalina, and ostracods. The geographic distribution and richness of these dominant …

The Effect Of Moisture Addition With A Mold Inhibitor On Feed Manufacture, Pellet Quality, And Broiler Performance, John M. Hott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Commercial broilers are typically fed pelleted diets because of the resulting improvements in bird performance and ease of transportation. Feed and feed manufacturing costs account for 60--70% of the total costs incurred in a broiler production system. Feed manufacturers are constantly searching for ways to decrease production costs while maintaining high pellet quality. Moisture addition at the mixer has been shown to increase pellet quality and decrease pellet mill energy consumption. However, past literature has incorporated high moisture addition levels that may be impractical in an industrial setting. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of moisture …

College Students' Perceptions Of Dialects, Leigh Smitley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this investigation was to determine college students' perceptions of their own dialects and 4 specific dialects common to the English language. To determine this, the investigator developed a 3-part survey (Appendices H, I, J). On Part I, respondents completed identifying information. On Part II, they rated 9 general Likert Scale items related to dialect. On Part III, they completed the same semantic differential scale for speakers who represented 4 different dialects: Appalachian-American, Eastern-American, General-American, and African-American. There were 2 speakers for each dialect, i.e., 1 male and 1 female.;On Part I, respondents who completed a 3-part survey …

State Minimization Problems In Finite State Automata, Chris Tauras

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this thesis, we analyze the problem of state minimization in 2-MDFAs. The class of 2-MDFAs is an extension of the class of DFAs, allowing a small amount of nondeterminism; specifically two start states. Since nondeterminism allows finite automata to be more succinct, it is worthwhile to investigate the problem of minimizing such finite automata. In the case of unbounded non-determinism, i.e., NFAs, such automata can be exponentially more succinct than DFAs [1], but the corresponding minimization problem is PSPACE-complete [2]. Even in the case of 2-MDFAs, which are only polynomially more succinct than DFAs, the minimization problem remains non-trivial; …

Relationship Between Food Insecurity And Overweight In Preschool-Aged Children In Rural West Virginia, Melissa Webber

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The prevalence of overweight among adults and children continues to increase. The purpose of this study was to evaluate demographic factors that may be associated with an increase in a child's weight status. Subjects were children aged 2 to 6 years old in two southern West Virginia counties, McDowell and Mercer. Children were weighed and measured, and BMI was calculated. Parents or other caregivers were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding child's age, household food security, and parents' age, height and weight, education level, and hours worked per week.;A positive association between food insecurity and overweight among children was present …

Human Mst But Not Mt Responds To Tactile Stimulation, Michael S. Beauchamp, Nafi E. Yasar, Neel Kishan, Tony Ro

Publications and Research

Previous reports of tactile responses in human visual area MT/V5 have used complex stimuli, such as a brush stroking the arm. These complex moving stimuli are likely to induce imagery of visual motion, which is known to be a powerful activator of MT. The area described as “MT” in previous reports consists of at least two distinct cortical areas, MT and MST. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we separately localized human MT and MST and measured their response to vibrotactile stimuli unlikely to induce imagery of visual motion. Strong vibrotactile responses were observed in MST but not in MT. Vibrotactile …

The Istanbul Pogrom Of 6–7 September 1955 In The Light Of International Law, Alfred De Zayas

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

The Istanbul pogrom (sometimes referred to as Septemvriana) was a government- instigated series of riots against the Greek minority of Istanbul in September 1955. It can be characterized as a ‘‘crime against humanity,’’ comparable in scope to the November 1938 Kristallnacht in Germany, perpetrated by the Nazi authorities against Jewish civilians.

To Evaluate The Differences Of Risk Factors In Patients With Lower Extremity Venous Disease, Ganime Sadikoglu, Alis Ozcakir, Ilker Ercan, Guven Ozkaya, Yurtkuran M. Sadikoglu

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a difference between risk factors in patients diagnosed to have clinically documented lower extremity venous disease after confirming the diagnosis radiologically by ultrasonographic and venographic evaluation. METHODS: This study was performed from January 2002 to January 2005 in Bursa, the fourth biggest city of Turkey, situated in the west of the country in the Marmara Region. The study center is a private imaging center working in conjunction with the Department of Health, which performs diagnostic, and therapeutic vascular protocols in the region. Five hundred and fifty-three cases with clinically and radiologically documented diagnoses were …

Electron And Hole Dynamics Of Inas∕Gaasinas∕Gaas Quantum Dot Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers, I. O'Driscoll, T. Piwonski, C. F. Schleussner, J. Houlihan, G. Huyet, R. J. Manning

Physical Sciences Publications

Single-color and two-color pump-probe measurements are used to analyze carrier dynamics in InAs∕GaAs quantum dot amplifiers. The study reveals that hole recovery and intradot electron relaxation occur on a picosecond time scale, while the electron capture time is on the order of 10ps. A longer time scale of hundreds of picoseconds is associated with carrier recovery in the wetting layer, similar to that observed in quantum well semiconductor amplifiers.

School Deans, Department Chairpersons, And Program Directors 2007-2008, Saint Mary's College Of California

Chairs and Program Directors lists

No abstract provided.

Pricing In Dynamic Vehicle Routing Problems, Miguel Andres Figliozzi, Hani S. Mahmassani, Patrick Jaillet

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The principal focus of this paper is to study carrier pricing decisions for a type of vehicle routing problems defined in a competitive and dynamic environment. This paper introduces the vehicle routing problem in a competitive environment (VRPCE) as an extension of the traveling-salesman problem with profits (TSPP) to a dynamic competitive auction environment. In the VRPCE, the carrier must estimate the incremental cost of servicing new service requests as they arrive dynamically. The paper presents a rigorous and precise treatment of the sequential pricing and costing problem that a carrier faces in such an environment. The sequential pricing problem …

Design And Analysis Of Information Fusion, Dynamic Sensor Management Rules For Cyber Security Systems Using Simulation, Katie Mcconky

Theses

Computer networks are vulnerable to attacks from outside threats. Intrusion detection systems are used to monitor computer networks for attacker activity. Intrusion detection systems consist of a set of sensors placed strategically throughout a computer network. The large amounts of data produced by intrusion detection system sensors may be sent to and processed by information fusion engines. Information fusion engines correlate alerts and identify attack paths of attackers. Sensor management strategies are developed to minimize the time taken to process attack data, minimize the bandwidth used by the security system of a network, and maximize the number of attacks successfully …

Predictors Of Female Sexual Dysfunction, Julie M. Merrell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Tiefer, Hall, and Tavris (2002) described factors comprising four categories of female sexual dysfunction. They suggested that unique factors need to be examined to understand sexual dysfunction in women. Socio-cultural, political, or economic factors, partner and relationship factors, psychological factors, and medical factors described as aspects of women’s lives that can be the source of sexual dysfunction. The current study examined indicators of the above factors-body shame, relationship satisfaction, sexual self-schema, positive and negative affect, and overall health-as predictors of female sexual dysfunction. The hypotheses were: Body shame and negative affect will be negatively associated with sexual function; and relationship …

Microbial Nitrogen Limitation Increases Decomposition, Joseph M. Craine, Carl Morrow, Noah Fierer

Dartmouth Scholarship

With anthropogenic nutrient inputs to ecosystems increasing globally, there are long-standing, fundamental questions about the role of nutrients in the decomposition of organic matter. We tested the effects of exogenous nitrogen and phosphorus inputs on litter decomposition across a broad suite of litter and soil types. In one experiment, C mineralization was compared across a wide array of plants individually added to a single soil, while in the second, C mineralization from a single substrate was compared across 50 soils. Counter to basic stoichiometric decomposition theory, low N availability can increase litter decomposition as microbes use labile substrates to acquire …

Three-Body Recombination In One Dimension, Nirav P. Mehta, B D. Esry, Chris H. Greene

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Research

We study the three-body problem in one dimension for both zero- and finite-range interactions using the adiabatic hyperspherical approach. Particular emphasis is placed on the threshold laws for recombination, which are derived for all combinations of the parity and exchange symmetries. For bosons, we provide a numerical demonstration of several universal features that appear in the three-body system, and discuss how certain universal features in three dimensions are different in one dimension. We show that the probability for inelastic processes vanishes as the range of the pairwise interaction is taken to zero and demonstrate numerically that the recombination threshold law …

August 2007 Commencement Program, Bowling Green State University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Characterizing Sparse Graphs By Map Decompositions, Ruth Haas, Audrey Lee, Ileana Streinu, Louis Theran

Mathematics Sciences: Faculty Publications

A map is a graph that admits an orientation of its edges so that each vertex has out-degree exactly 1. We characterize graphs which admit a decomposition into k edge-disjoint maps after: (1) the addition of any ℓ edges; (2) the addition of some ℓ edges. These graphs are identified with classes of sparse graphs; the results are also given in matroidal terms.