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Modeling Passive Solar Distillation Production In Las Vegas, Nevada, Noe I. Santos

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A study has been performed to examine the effects of daily weather on the performance of commercial solar distillation basins (solar stills). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the long term performance of solar stills, to instrument two solar stills and record sub-hourly thermal properties, to evaluate existing heat transfer modeling methods for hourly production, and to create new models to predict daily production using experimental distillate production and local weather data by utilizing artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, and multivariate regression. A system dynamics model was also created to determine the required basin area and storage volume …

Scaling Laws Of Key Predistribution Protocols In Wireless Sensor Networks, Wenjun Gu, Sriram Chellappan, Xiaole Bai, Honggang Wang

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Many key predistribution (KP) protocols have been proposed and are well accepted in randomly deployed wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Being distributed and localized, they are perceived to be scalable as node density and network dimension increase. While it is true in terms of communication/computation overhead, their scalability in terms of security performance is unclear. in this paper, we conduct a detailed study on this issue. in particular, we define a new metric called Resilient Connectivity (RC) to quantify security performance in WSNs. We then conduct a detailed analytical investigation on how KP protocols scale with respect to node density and …

Cultivating Readiness For Professional Learning Community Through Learning Teams In A Restructuring High School, Cassandra H. Hyacinthe

Education Doctoral

The traditional organizational structure of large comprehensive high schools: departmental divisions, teacher isolation, fragmented subcultures, student alienation, and competing group interests have undermined student and adult learning and have thwarted attempts at school reform. Professional learning communities (PLCs) are a promising strategy for advancing student achievement and school reform. Schools with strong PLCs foster a collaborative culture, focus on learning, promote shared responsibility, and pursue results-oriented goals and assessments to ensure student academic gains. The study investigated the use of learning teams as a preliminary strategy for PLC and to inform school-wide PLC implementation in a restructuring high school. Wenger’s …

The Effect Of Participating In A First-Year Learning Community On Student Engagement, Yvette Lapierre

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover whether participation in a first-year learning community is linked with increased levels of self-reported student engagement. The study compares the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) scores of students who participated in a first-year learning community with their peers who did not participate in a learning community. The data for this study come from the 2009 administration of the NSSE at a Midwestern university. Independent samples t tests were conducted between the mean scores of the learning community students and non-learning community first-year and senior students for individual items on the NSSE …

An Evaluation Of Coating Material Dependent Toxicity Of Silver Nanoparticles, Thilini Upekshika Silva

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using numerous types of coating materials may exhibit different toxicity effects. The study evaluated coating material dependent toxicity by selecting 3 types of AgNP synthesis methods with different coating materials (citrate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and branched polyethyleneimine, coated AgNPs as citrate-AgNPs, PVP-AgNPs, and BPEI-AgNPs respectively). Two acute aquatic toxicity tests were performed; 48hr D. magna and MetPLATE E. coli toxicity tests. Significantly different toxicity effects were observed in D. magna test exhibiting lethal median concentrations (LC50) for citrate-AgNPs, PVP-AgNPs, and BPEI AgNPs respectively as, 2.7, 11.2, and 0.57μg/L. Median inhibitory concentrations (EC50) for MetPLATE tests were 1.27, …

New Test Set For Video Quality Benchmarking, Joaquin Raventos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A new test set design and benchmarking approach (US Patent pending) allows a "standard observer" to assess the end-to-end image quality characteristics of video imaging systems operating in day time or low-light conditions.

It uses randomized targets based on extensive application of Photometry, Geometrical Optics, and Digital Media.

The benchmarking takes into account the target’s contrast sensitivity, its color characteristics, and several aspects of human vision such as visual acuity and dynamic response. The standard observer is part of the "extended video imaging system" (EVIS).

The new test set allows image quality benchmarking by a panel of standard observers at …

2011 December, Office Of Communications & Marketing, Morehead State University.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for December of 2011.

Investigations Of The Tribological Effects Of Engine Oil Dilution By Vegetable And Animal Fat Feedstock Biodiesel On Selected Surfaces, Sultana Mahbuba Shanta

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Biodiesels have become attractive alternative fuel to replace traditional fossil fuels. Biodiesels can be used in diesel engines with no major modification, but its use leads to some degree of engine oil dilution because of biodiesel leaking and scrapping to engine oil pan. Biodiesels can be made from vegetable and animal fat feedstocks. Therefore, the fatty acid methyl ester components of biodiesel may vary upon these sources of feedstock. In this thesis work, engine oil is diluted with vegetable (canola oil, peanut oil and soybean oil biodiesel) and animal (chicken fat) feedstock biodiesels at known percentages and these mixtures are …

The George-Anne, Georgia Southern University

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Development And Utilization Of Digital Image Correlation Techniques For The Study Of Structural Isomerism Effects On Strain Development In Epoxy Network Glasses, Stephen Robert Heinz

Dissertations

The specific aim of this dissertation is to present the findings regarding the effects of molecular structure on macroscopic mechanical performance and strain development in epoxy networks. Network molecular structure was altered through monomer isomerism and crosslink density/molecular weight between crosslinks. The use of structural isomerism provided a pathway for altering mechanical performance while maintaining identical chemical composition within the network. Isomerism was investigated primarily by the curing of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) using either the para- or meta-substituted derivatives of diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS). Additional insights into isomerism were gained through the investigation of networks composed of either …

Principals’ Perceptions Of Readiness For Their Evolving Roles In High-Stakes Environments, Angela Marie Huff

Dissertations

Principals are leading schools during an evolving time where preparation may not have prepared principals fully for the task of school leadership. The past decade has revealed an escalation in the disapproval of principal preparation programs and participants in these programs insist that these schools be held accountable (Levine, 2005). However, in revamping preparation programs, one must focus on student selection, curriculum and course content, pedagogical strategies, internships, and field experiences (Orr, 2006). Some have suggested that the job of principal may have become impossible for all but a few super leaders (Lashway, 2003). The requirements of the job may …

A Historical Perspective Of Testing And Assessment Including The Impact Of Summative And Formative Assessment On Student Achievement, Carole Sanger Brink

Dissertations

In 2007, Georgia developed a comprehensive framework to define what students need to know. One component of this framework emphasizes the use of both formative and summative assessments as part of an integral and specific component of the teachers' performance evaluation. Georgia administers the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) to every elementary student in Grades 1 though 8. Before 2008, the state tested eighth-grade students on a quality core curriculum. In 2008, the state began testing students on a Georgia Performance Standard curriculum. A direct comparison of the curriculum change should have contained items to test both curriculums. However, this was …

At Issue: Einstein Fellowship, Terrie Rust

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of The Benefits And Costs Of Sabbatical Leave For General Higher Education, Industry, And Professional-Technical/Community College Environments, Linda R. Otto, Michael Kroth

Journal of STEM Teacher Education

No abstract provided.

Renewable Energy Is Not Sustainable In The Current Economic Climate Of South Mississippi: Examining The Feasibility Of Electric Utilities Adopting Renewable Energy Production Mandates On The Mississippi Gulf Coast, Caroline Marie Randolph

Honors Theses

This study attempted to gauge the professional opinions of electric utility managers on their views of business risk regarding state and federal renewable energy generation mandates.

Cross-Layer Modeling And Algorithm Design For Mimo Ad Hoc Networks, Shan Chu

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

With the fast progress of MIMO technology and its growing applications in networks, it is important to develop techniques to enable more efficient MIMO network communications. However, in a dynamic ad hoc network with changing channel conditions and topology, it is very challenging to coordinate channel evaluations and data transmissions as well as fully exploit the advantages of MIMO technology. Having observed that most of the literature works lack realistic model of the interaction between physical layer and the upper layers, we are trying to model the realistic physical layer characteristics and constraints to assist the design of algorithms and …

Collimator Optimization For Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Using Detection And Localization Tasks, Yihuan Lu

Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions)

We use signal detection and estimation and simulation methods to optimize the collimator in SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) medical imaging systems. A SPECT system images a radiopharmaceutical in the body to produce raw data called the sinogram that is then reconstructed to form a viewable image. The important imaging component is the collimator which controls a noise/resolution tradeoff in the sinogram. A signal like a tumor can be lost in the blur and noise of the sinogram. We apply an ideal observer to the sinogram to find the best collimator. We address two tasks (1) detect and localize …

Contributing Factors In Piper Pa28 And Cirrus Sr20 Aircraft Accidents, Andrew J. Franza

Aviation Technology Graduate Student Publications

A large midwestern university has recently acquired Cirrus SR20 aircraft to replace an aging Piper PA28-161 fleet. This change to new and more advanced Cirrus aircraft has led to major changes in the flight program curriculum. New training techniques, guidelines, and operating procedures have been introduced to facilitate a successful transition. This study compared contributing factors to fatal accidents in SR20 and PA28-161 aircraft to determine if there are new risks associated with the subject fleet change. Using National Transportation Safety Board data, this study examined probable cause and other pertinent data from fatal accidents over the past ten years. …

Flight Training Success In Technologically Advanced Aircraft (Taa), Christopher J. Mccracken

Aviation Technology Graduate Student Publications

The introduction of glass cockpit aircraft to general aviation has received great interest from researchers over the past few years. However, little information is available on the actual effects of this transition on training syllabus completion. This study focuses on whether or not the transition from analog to glass cockpit aircraft in a university training fleet has affected instructor ability to properly train students as well as student success in flight training evaluations. Data analyzed included flight-training evaluations as well as a survey of current flight students. Findings suggest a relationship between successful flight training evaluations and the type of …

Improvement Of Data Integrity Using Different Encryption Algorithms, Serwan Waleed

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

Web services send and receive messages over standard Internet protocols such as HTTP. Plaintext messages can be intercepted by an attacker and potentially viewed or even modified for malicious purposes. By using message protection, we can protect sensitive data against threats such as eavesdropping and data tampering. Sensitive data transmitted over the Internet should always be encrypted to avoid potential intruders from eavesdropping on the communication anywhere along the route the data takes between the two machines. In this paper, we provide a feasible solution to enhance the integrity of sensitive data. Our approach is to use variant encryption algorithms …

Measurement Of Human Leg Joint Angle Through Motion Based On Electromygraphy (Emg) Signal, Yousif I.

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

Surface electromyography (SEMG) measurement technique for the signal was produced through the contraction of muscles in a human body. The surface electrode is connected on the skin of the muscle. This paper presents an off-line design for the estimation of the actual joint angle of a human leg obtained in performing flexion-extension of the leg at slow and high speeds movement. The design is composed of two phases. The first is measurement of real EMG signal of human leg performance by using SEMG technique and processing this signal with filtering, amplification and then normalized with maximum amplitude. The second phase …

Proposal Of Creating Entity-Relationship Table From English Sentences Groups, Maitham A.

Iraqi Journal of Computers, Communications, Control and Systems Engineering

The aim of this research is to provide a computerized technique to build Entity Relationship Table (ERT) instead of Entity Relationship Diagram(ERD). The ERT contains Source Node Type (SNT) and Destination Node Type (DNT) which are either Entity or Attribute. Also, it contains the source and destination node and their relationship type; Source Node Relationship Type (SNRT) and Destination Node Relationship Type (DNRT).The verb presents the relationship name between nodes. The program in this research splits the relationship from the subject item then the relation will map to relationships dictionary to get real word presentation to the corresponding relationship words. …

3d Surface Topography And Reflectivity Of Anisotropic Etched Silicon Micromirrors For Biomems, Re Mackay, N Lionis, Hr Le

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

This paper examines wet and dry fabrication of vertical micro-mirrors in (110) silicon for use in an innovative BioMEMS integrating gripping and micro force sensing functionalities. Wet anisotropic chemical etching in potassium hydroxide (KOH) and tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) with and without isopropanol alcohol (IPA) additive was examined. Deep Reactive Ion Etched samples were produced using inductive coupled process. 3D surface roughness of samples was examined using scanning electron microscope, interferometric profilometer and atomic force microscopy. An optic fiber displacement sensor was exploited to measure the reflectivity of uncoated or coated samples with evaporated metallic thin film. The research aimed …

Anxiety: An Evolutionary Approach, M Bateson, B Brilot, D Nettle

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses, with huge attendant suffering. Current treatments are not universally effective, suggesting that a deeper understanding of the causes of anxiety is needed. To understand anxiety disorders better, it is first necessary to understand the normal anxiety response. This entails considering its evolutionary function as well as the mechanisms underlying it. We argue that the function of the human anxiety response, and homologues in other species, is to prepare the individual to detect and deal with threats. We use a signal detection framework to show that the threshold for expressing the anxiety …

Simulation-Based Optimisation Model For The Lean Assessment In Sme: A Case Study, Amr Arisha, Amr Mahfouz, John Shea

Conference papers

Due to their space limitation and small production scale, small and medium enterprises (SME) are vulner-able to rapid changes. Lean principles are considered as effective improvement approach to eliminate sys-tem’s waste and inefficiencies. Although much of the academic materials have addressed the lean practic-es into large, global companies, they can still be adjusted to SMEs. Risks are usually associated with lean implementation process due to the drastic required changes in business policies and operations. Simulation can be successfully used to predict the impact of the proposed changes ahead of the implementation which helps to mitigate risks. Integrating simulation with optimization …

Songs From A Distant Memory: A Study Of Bright Sheng's Four Movement For Piano Trio And Tibetan Dance, Angela On Yee Wong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Bright Sheng (1955-) is a contemporary Chinese composer whose music spans Chinese and Western culture. The two piano trios chosen for this project, Four Movements for Piano Trio and Tibetan Dance, have not been thoroughly discussed and analyzed. Sheng's chamber music deserves academic attention because of his creative integration of Chinese and Western culture in his compositions. He fuses Chinese musical elements such as heterophony, pentatonic scales, and Chinese folksongs within the Western genres and structure. He vividly captures the spirit of Chinese music with a contemporary flavor, thus creating his own musical language. This paper will begin with an …

Perceptions And Use Of Cooperative Learning By Community College Faculty Members, Marcia Fay Hunter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The researcher of this study examined the perceptions and use of cooperative learning by community college faculty members. The researcher used the survey method as part of a quantitative, descriptive research. The participants for the study were 148 faculty members who taught at least one face-to-face class during the spring semester of 2011 at a southern urban community college. Cooperative learning brings students together to work in small groups to enhance their own learning and that of their peers. Research identifies it as a pedagogical and andragogical approach that increases the academic and social gains of students. There is limited …

A Method For Determining The Appropriate Spatial Resolution To Detect Ligustrum Sinense In Shelby Farms Park Using Worldview-2 Multi-Spectral Satellite Imagery., Rodney Quarles

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The purpose of this thesis is to determine the appropriate scale to detect Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense Lour.), an invasive plant species in Shelby Farms Park. To test predictions that accuracy of detection of Chinese Privet varies with the spatial resolution of WorldView-2 satellite imagery. Supervised maximum likelihood classifications are performed upon WorldView-2, 8-band multispectral image mosaics at 2, 4, 6, and 8 meter pixel resolutions. The appropriate scale for detection was selected by performing accuracy assessments of selected land use classes, which were shown to be the least spectrally separable from Chinese Privet, using confusion matrices to report user’s …

States Of Science: A Comparative Analysis Of Germany And Turkey, Sera Elizabeth Babakus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This study explores the nature of science in Germany and Turkey. Specifically, Iwant to know what science looks like in different settings, and how it interacts with other institutions of the state. Science is assessed within the two contexts at both an individual-societal and institutional level. Indicators of knowledge and attitudes are analyzed to identify individual orientations towards science. Discourse analysis is used to evaluate the nature of science within legislatures and national academies, as well as the overall state scientific bureaucracy. Iexpect observed patterns to translate into policy and, as such, apply my findings to an explanation of German …

Educational Policies Committee Agenda, December 1, 2011, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

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