Digital Commons Network^™

Identifying Genomic Signatures For Predicting Breast Cancer Outcomes, Shruti Rathnagiriswaran

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Predicting the risk for recurrence in breast cancer patients is a critical task in clinics. Recent developments in DNA microarrays have fostered tremendous advances in molecular diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer.;The first part of our study was based on a novel approach of considering the level of genomic instability as one of the most powerful predictors of clinical outcome. A systematic technique was presented to explore whether there is a linkage between the degree of genomic instability, gene expression patterns, and clinical outcomes by considering the following hypotheses; first, the degree of genomic instability is reflected by an aneuploidy-specific …

Video Modeling Via Implicit Motion Representations, Yunfei Zheng

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Video modeling refers to the development of analytical representations for explaining the intensity distribution in video signals. Based on the analytical representation, we can develop algorithms for accomplishing particular video-related tasks. Therefore video modeling provides us a foundation to bridge video data and related-tasks. Although there are many video models proposed in the past decades, the rise of new applications calls for more efficient and accurate video modeling approaches.;Most existing video modeling approaches are based on explicit motion representations, where motion information is explicitly expressed by correspondence-based representations (i.e., motion velocity or displacement). Although it is conceptually simple, the limitations …

Effects Of Rate Of Feedback And Reinforcement On Novel Responding, Vennessa L. Walker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ten middle-school students were assigned to receive feedback and token reinforcement either every 1 min (HR) or every 15 min (LR). Subjects used a computer program to learn to perform 5 basic algebra skills at high rates and high accuracy. Subjects were yoked with a partner for practice so that each member of the pair completed the same number of items per skill. Subjects were provided with cumulative review worksheets and then were tested for distraction, adduction, and retention. Results suggest that HR facilitates faster acquisition of skills as well as better performance on cumulative reviews, distraction, and retention tests. …

Interactions Between Teachers And Students In Four Co -Taught, Inclusive, Middle School Classrooms, Nancy G. Burton

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Co-teaching in inclusive, content classrooms is becoming increasingly more popular as schools work toward the inclusion of significantly more students with special learning needs in the general education environment. Inherent in every classroom environment is the expectation of teacher-student interactions. It is often the relationship between the teacher and the student that provides opportunities for student achievement and success. The daily interactions that occur between teachers and their students set the tone for the successes and failures that may be realized as a result. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to explore and identify both the context and frequency …

Evaluation Of Machine Vision Techniques For Use Within Flight Control Systems, Marco Mammarella

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this thesis, two of the main technical limitations for a massive deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) have been considered.;The Aerial Refueling problem is analyzed in the first section. A solution based on the integration of 'conventional' GPS/INS and Machine Vision sensor is proposed with the purpose of measuring the relative distance between a refueling tanker and UAV. In this effort, comparisons between Point Matching (PM) algorithms and Pose Estimation (PE) algorithms have been developed in order to improve the performance of the Machine Vision sensor. A method of integration based on Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) between GPS/INS and …

Republican Mothers Of And Above Their Time: Abigail Adams And Theodosia Burr Alston, Joanna Lyn Reynolds

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Unique in their time, Abigail Adams and Theodosia Burr Alston possessed intellectual accomplishments, social prominence, and economic status. Also, both women enjoyed supportive marriages with influential husbands as well as proximity to leading male figures of the Revolution and the new nation. Yet, similar to other women of their era, Abigail Adams and Theodosia Burr Alston nurtured their children's educational and moral development, supported their husbands' public service, and kept informed about current events. While marked differences in lifestyle, geographic environment, familial dynamics, and the public and political affiliations of their male family members distinguished them from each other, as …

Development Of An Open Loop Fuzzy Logic Urea Dosage Controller For Use With An Scr Equipped Hdd Engine, Theodore R. Adams

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) has been shown to be the most promising exhaust aftertreatment system for reducing oxides of nitrogen in near term in-use applications. SCRs use the ammonia containing compound urea, as a reducing agent. In order to control the urea dosage during transient operation of the engine, sophisticated control strategies are needed. The goal of this study was to design a controller to achieve the maximum NO x emission reduction possible in the transient mode of engine operation, without causing ammonia slip. The development of an open loop, non-sensor based fuzzy logic urea dosage controller is discussed in …

Program-Assisted Analysis Of The Transverse Pressure Capacity Of Block Stoppings For Mine Ventilation Control, Timothy J. Batchler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Previously a new test procedure, based on rigid arching, had been developed to determine the true transverse pressure capacity of mine ventilation block stoppings. Using this test procedure, a parametric study of the design parameters was tested to determine the arching capability in block stoppings. Theoretical assessments of arching and design equations were developed creating design guidelines based on the physical properties of the block stoppings. Based on these design guidelines, a computer program was developed to simulate the transverse pressure capacity of mine ventilation block stoppings. Inputs from users will generate a set of representative scenarios simulating a particular …

Analysis Of Factors Affecting Wireless Communication Systems In Underground Coal Mines, David P. Mcgraw

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since recent disasters in the mining industry in 2006 the push for a reliable communication system has became a high priority. This thesis will discuss each "wireless" communication system available and/or being developed for underground mines as well as the frequencies that will be used for each system's operation.;The second part of the investigation will be on the factors affecting these frequencies as well as possible ways to model these factors analytically. It is important to understand these factors in order to make intelligent conclusions as to what communication systems will perform adequately in an underground mining environment.;The third area …

Optimization Of Magnetic Force Microscopy For Retrieval Of Data From An Erased Or Altered Audiotape, Chandar Prasad Palamadai Subramanian

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Magnetic force microscopy (MFM) has been used to investigate the potential for retrieving information from an erased or altered audiotape. The audiotape recording process, the reasons for the distortion of signals during the recording process are presented. An in-depth study has been conducted to investigate the effects of MFM operation parameters on the data retrieval process. Most importantly, these include interleave height and tip speed. Interleave height (i.e., the height of the MFM tip above the surface) has been optimized for maximum clarity of MFM images. Tip speed studies have been carried out to optimize the data retrieval time and …

Modeling Of Particle Trajectories Of Coal Size And Density Fractions In A Gasifier, Andrew A. Slezak Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A computational model of a generic commercial two-stage entrained-flow up-flow coal gasifier has been used in the present work to aid the researchers of the coal partitioning project at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Specifically, the level of variation in the predicted performance in a generic entrained-flow gasifier if both coal slurry density fractions as well as diameter fractions are properly modeled in the CFD simulation was determined.;Simulations were performed using the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software Fluent for a Pittsburgh #8 Bailey coal to analyze fixed carbon conversion, exit gas volume fractions, and particle trajectory patterns. The …

Sensitivity Analysis Of Reliability For Structure-Based Software Via Simulation, Jun Xu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Computer simulation is an appealing approach for the reliability analysis of structure-based software systems as it can accommodate complexities present in realistic systems. When the system is complex, a screening experiment to quickly identify important factors (components) can significantly improve efficiency of the analysis. The challenge is to guarantee the correctness of the screening results with stochastic simulation responses. Control Sequential Bifurcation (CSB) is a new method for factors screening using simulation experiments, when only main effects models are considered. By grouping factors, CSB can identify the importance of factors while reducing the simulation effort. With appropriate hypothesis testing procedures …

Do The Coefficients Of A Modular Form Really "Encode Arithmetic Data"?, Ken Mcmurdy, Hari Ravindran

Mathematical Sciences Technical Reports (MSTR)

Language and terminology are so critical to the understanding of modern math- ematics that it is often difficult for even very good mathematicians from different fields to discuss their work in any detail. As a result, common phrases often evolve within each discipline which attempt to capture the avor of some impor- tant idea while avoiding technicality and jargon. For example, when algebraic number theorists are asked why they are so interested in modular forms, it has become common to say with enthusiasm that the coefficients of a modular form "encode arithmetic data". If pressed further, one might go on …

Deafdigest: Blue Edition, November 30, 2008, Barry Strassler

DeafDigest Blue 2008

No abstract provided.

Real-Time Automatic Price Prediction For Ebay Online Trading, Ilya Igorevitch Raykhel

Theses and Dissertations

While Machine Learning is one of the most popular research areas in Computer Science, there are still only a few deployed applications intended for use by the general public. We have developed an exemplary application that can be directly applied to eBay trading. Our system predicts how much an item would sell for on eBay based on that item's attributes. We ran our experiments on the eBay laptop category, with prior trades used as training data. The system implements a feature-weighted k-Nearest Neighbor algorithm, using genetic algorithms to determine feature weights. Our results demonstrate an average prediction error of 16%; …

Education In The Environment: A Strategy For Continued Interagency Outdoor Education Programming: Quarterly Progress Report: Period Ending November 30, 2008, Environmental Education Strategy For Nevada

Reports (PLI Education)

Highlights of the university’s focused efforts during the past three months include the following:

• Fourteen people are near completion of the Fall Cohort workshop sessions toward partial achievement of the Nevada State Certification in Environmental and Interpretation Certification Program.
• Participation in the Michoacán Cultural Festival (500 people in attendance).
• Participation in the Day of the Dead: Life in Death Festival (over 11,000 in attendance).
• Development planning is near completion for the mobile exhibit program to support and deliver SNAP messages.
• Forever Earth was scheduled for 32 days and benefited 1077 individuals.
• Sixteen Discover Mojave Outdoor World events were conducted for …

Survey Of Wind Power Potential For Wind-Based Electricity At Makambako, Iringa Tanzania, Rmr Kainkwa

Tanzania Journal of Science

The potential for wind-generated electricity is examined using 22 months wind data collected from a prospective site located in the southern highlands of Tanzania. While the data for the year 2001 was from March to December that of 2002 was for all the twelve months of the year.Characteristics of monthly and annual wind speed and direction are systematically investigated based on hourly time-series data using Windographer software. The Weibull shape factors k corresponding to a height of 50 m were found to be 3.10 and 3.80 while the scale factors c were 11.06 and 12.27 m/s for the years 2001 …

Occurrence Of Digenean Larvae In Freshwater Snails In The Ruvu Basin, Tanzania, G. Nkwengulila, E. S. P. Kigadye

Tanzania Journal of Science

A survey was carried out on digenean larvae infecting freshwater snails in five habitats in Dar es Salaam, Ruvu and Morogoro. 9424 snails belonging to 12 species from five families were examined for digenean infection from July 1996 – June 1997. 20 morphologically distinguishable cercariae were recovered. Multiple infections were not recorded. While the general prevalence of digeneans in snails was low (3.5%), variations occurred between seasons, among habitats and snail host species. Prevalence was high during the dry season but low in the rain season. Among habitats, highest prevalence was recorded at Kinondoni pond and lowest at Ruvu ponds, …

The Performance Of Maize Crop During Acid Amelioration With Organic Residues In Soils Of Mtwara, Tanzania, Ae Majule, Jo Omollo

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study evaluated acid ameliorative potential and their effects on maize growth of four organic residues namely wild spikenard, cordia, cowpea and pigeon peas through incubations with or without sulphur. This was done in order to recommend potential organic residue source that could ameliorate soil acidity associated with sulphur dusting. Increased levels of sulphur in the soils reduced the growth and dry matter yields of maize due to intense acidification while maize growth and dry matter yields in soils which organic residues were incorporated was enhanced. Enhancement in maize performance may be a result of reduced soil acidity due to …

Geochemistry And Nd - Isotopic Composition Of High Silica Rhyolites In The Neoarchaean Musoma-Mara Greenstone Belt, Northern Tanzania: Evidence For The Presence Of Older Continental Crust, S Manya

Tanzania Journal of Science

The high silica rhyolites of the Kibasuka Hill, although volumetrically minor, constitute a part of the greenstone sequence in the northern Musoma-Mara Greenstone Belt (MMGB). They are characterized by high silica contents (63.38 – 81.65 wt %), very low CaO (! 0.05 wt %), variable to unusually high K2O (2.24 – 13.43 wt %) most likely attributed to strong sericite alteration, and their major element composition are similar to those of melts derived from partial melting of metapelites. The samples have very low concentration of the transition elements, Sr (3.13 – 48.4 ppm) and very large negative Europium anomalies (Eu/Eu* …

Absolute Migration Of Pacific Basin Mid-Ocean Ridges Since 85 Ma And Their Tectonic Implications For The Pacific Plate, Dcp Masalu

Tanzania Journal of Science

Mid-ocean ridges are major physiographic features that dominate the world seafloor. Their absolute motion and tectonics are recorded in magnetic lineations they created. The absolute migration of mid-ocean ridges in the Pacific basin since 85 Ma and their tectonic implications was investigated in this work and the results indicates that at about anomaly 21 (47 Ma) theEast Pacific Rise (EPR) and Juan de Fuca ridge experienced an abrupt change in their migration direction that persisted until about anomaly 6 (20 Ma), probably due to changes in subductionzone configuration in the northern Pacific. This may represent a period of tectonic instability …

In Memoriam

Studia UBB Geologia

No abstract provided.

Events, Bogdan P. Onac, Corina Ionescu

Studia UBB Geologia

No abstract provided.

Thermo-Mineral Waters From The Cerna Valley Basin (Romania), Ioan Povara, Georgel Simion, Constantin Marin

Studia UBB Geologia

In the south-west of the Southern Carpathians, upstream from the confluence of Cerna with Belareca, an aquifer complex has developed, strongly influenced by hydrogeothermal phenomena, acting within two major geological structures, the Cerna Syncline and the Cerna Graben. The complex consists mainly in Jurassic and Cretaceous carbonate rocks, as well as in the upper part of the Cerna Granite, highly fractured, tectonically sunken into the graben. As a result of the tectonic processes which occurred after the end of the Jurassic-Cretaceous sedimentation cycle, limestones may be encountered at 1100 m altitude in the Mehedinţi Mountains, at 150 ¬¬600 m in …

Examples Of Weathering And Deterioration Of Tertiary Building Stones At St. Michaels Cathedral In Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Roman Koch, Paul Calin Racataianu, Ioan I. Bucur

Studia UBB Geologia

St. Michaels Cathedral is one of the oldest Gothic architectural monuments in Cluj. It is built predominantly of Cenozoic (Eocene) limestones which were deposited on a shallow carbonate platform. They are composed of different facies and microfacies types with varying amounts of particles, matrix and cement. Limestones from the Baci quarry (Cluj Limestone), which is situated about 3 km from the centre of Cluj, were commonly used. The weathering features correspond to the microfacies types, to the position of the stones in the walls and to the exposure (east, south, west, and north), which controls the moisture/dry cycles. This interrelationship …

Microfacies Analysis Of Upper Eocene Shallow-Water Carbonates From The Rodnei Mountains (N Romania), Diana Sahy, Emanoil Sasaran, Tudor Tamas

Studia UBB Geologia

A Priabonian carbonate ramp developed in the NW Rodnei Mountains as a part of a Paleogene sedimentary cover which overlies the metamorphic basement of the Eastern Carpathians. Two sections were sampled at different locations along the carbonate ramp. The deposits accumulated in a shallow environment, in which relative sea level change is seen as the main controlling factor of facies distribution. A shoreface → middle ramp → inner ramp transition was recorded in both sections. Associations of large benthic foraminifers and high siliciclastic input are the dominant features in the northern part of the ramp, while in the south corals …

Lower Cretaceous Calcareous Nannofossils From The Southern Apuseni Mountains, Romania, Ana-Maria Vulc

Studia UBB Geologia

We investigated Lower Cretaceous calcareous nannofossils from Southern Apuseni Mts. The studied section from Bucium Cerbu quarry is characterized by flysch deposits (rhythmical interbedded marls and sandstones), which were assigned to the Căbeşti Formation. The studied nannofossil assemblages yielded a high diversity. The Early Aptian age of the studied deposits was assigned based on both the Tethyan and Boreal calcareous nannofossil zonations. Several reworked Valanginian nannofossils were also observed in the Early Aptian in situ nannofloras. The nannofloras are dominated by tethyan and cosmopolitan species. Besides Boreal species are also present. The presence of boreal taxa (e.g. Kokia borealis, K. …

Search For Anomalous Wtb Couplings In Single Top Quark Production, V. M. Abazov, Kenneth A. Bloom, Gregory Snow, D0 Collaboration

Kenneth Bloom Publications

In 0.9 fb^{-1 of pp collisions, the D0 Collaboration presented evidence for single top quark production in events with an isolated lepton, missing transverse momentum, and two to four jets. We examine these data to study the Lorentz structure of the Wtb coupling. The standard model predicts a left-handed vector coupling at the Wtb vertex. The most general lowest dimension, CP-conserving Lagrangian admits right-handed vector and left- or right-handed tensor couplings as well. We find that the data prefer the left-handed vector coupling and set upper limits on the anomalous couplings. These are the first direct constraints on …}

Behavior Of Copper Electrodeposition In Copper Electroplating Solution With Different Peg Molecular Weight, Lie Yin, Zeng-Lin Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The effect of the polyethylene glycol(PEG) molecular weight(MW) upon via-hole filling with diameter of 50 μm and aspect ratio of 1 in the acid copper plating solution was studied.The cathodic polarization in copper electroplating bath with PEG of different molecule weights was investigated by linear sweep voltammetry.The surface roughness,crystallography,and the resistivity of copper films were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),atomic force microscopy(AFM) and the four-point probe measurements.The results showed that the polarization on the cathode and the hole-filling capability of electroplating copper bath were increased evidently with an increase of PEG molecular weight from 600 to 8000.When the PEG MW was …

Voltammetric Determination Of Iodate Ion In Table Salt By Carboxylic Carbon Nanotubes Modified Carbon Paste Electrode, Jun-Hua Li, Fu-Xing Zhang, Jian-Qiu Wang, Zhi-Feng Xu, Rong-Ying Zeng, Yan Yu

Journal of Electrochemistry

A highly-sensitive and mercury-free method of determining iodate ion in table salt was established based on carboxylic carbon nanotubes modified carbon paste electrode.In 0.1 mol/L NaOH solution,there was a sensitive cathodic stripping peak on voltammograms.The stripping peak potential was-0.52 V when accumulation time of IO-3 at the modified electrode was 60 s and the potential scan rate was 300 mV/s.There was a good liner relationship between the peak current and IO-3 concentration in the range of 8.0×10^-10 ～ 5.0×10^-8 mol/L and 1.0×10^-7 ～ 3.0×10^-6 mol/L with the correlation coefficient of 0.999 and 0.998,respectively.The detection limit was …