Digital Commons Network^™

Cluster-Based Trust Proliferation And Energy Efficient Data Collection In Unattended Wireless Sensor Networks With Mobile Sinks, Jesse Ray Whitehead

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Wireless sensor networks are relatively simple, scalable networks with many applications in the research field. They can provide benefits that a typical wireless network does not, such as ad-hoc distribution, lower costs, and higher flexibility. In a scenario where time is of the essence and dedicated base stations cannot be established, such as a storm or a volcanic eruption, mobile sinks must be used to gather data. We aim to introduce a fast cluster-based mechanism by which nodes can securely connect to one another based on trust and network clustering and begin transmitting data to a collection device while it …

An Equivalent Plate Model With Orthotropic Material Properties For Adjacent Box-Beam Bridge Superstructure, Timothy Alexander Schnell

Masters Theses

Reflective cracking over the longitudinal joints of adjacent box-beam bridges is a welldocumented and recurrent problem; it is a concern because it leads to poor durability performance. These cracks develop during early stages of bridge construction and have not been eliminate by the design revisions implemented so far.

This study is aimed at developing a rational load demand analysis model for calculating the moment acting at the longitudinal joints in order to determine the impact of post-tensioning on mitigating reflective cracking.

The scope of the study includes calculating moment demand at the shear keys using a rational analysis model based …

Design, Modeling And Simulation Of A Thermoelectric Cooling System (Tec), Pooja Iyer Mani

Masters Theses

Thermoelectric Devices are solid state devices which directly convert thermal energy to electrical energy and vice versa. In the recent past, a lot of effort has been made to improve the performance and also the power generated by a thermoelectric device. This is done by attaching heat sinks on either sides of the device. Optimizing heat sinks improves the overall efficiency of it but on the other hand the device also has to be optimized. TECs are mostly used for electronic cooling where the heated electronic devices serve as target that needs to be cooled while air acts as a …

The Crisis At Fort Sumter: The Symbolic Monument That Transformed Northern And Southern Opinions During The Start Of The Civil War, Olivia C. Cabanban

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Understanding the complexity of the Battle at Fort Sumter and the changing opinions of Northerners and Southerners acts as means of delving into the deeper roots of slavery, secession, and national discourse that laced our nation’s undeniable history. The first firings at Fort Sumter were the flashpoint of the entirety of the Civil War, triggering the four years of battle, death, destruction, and competing nationalisms that ensued between the North and South. Because the histories of the war—more specifically the battle of Fort Sumter—are biased because they are written from points of views laced with Confederate and Unionist undertones, comprehending …

Fear Of Missing Out (Fomo) And Personality: Their Relationship To Collegiate Alcohol Abuse, Kristen D. Webb

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This study serves to examine the effects Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and personality have on alcohol-related consequences in collegiate students. To investigate these relationships, a survey was distributed to Butler University students via their daily email listserv, and 101 students’ responses were recorded. Using multiple regression analyses, no relationship was found between an individual’s degree of experienced FoMO and alcohol related consequences; however, neuroticism was found to be strongly correlated with FoMO. Additionally, extroversion inversely predicted more alcohol-related consequences, and Greek affiliation was found to be a significant predictor of one’s consequences as well.

Measuring Community Adaptive And Transformative Capacity In The Arctic Context, Matthew Berman, Gary Kofinas, Shauna Burnsilver

ISER Articles

Adaptive capacity (AC) plays a prominent role in reducing community vulnerability, an essential goal for achieving sustainability. The related concept, transformative capacity (TC), describes a set of tools from the resilience paradigm for making more fundamental system changes. While the literature appears to agree generally on the meaning of AC and TC, operational definitions vary widely in empirical applications. We address measurement of AC and TC in empirical studies of community vulnerability and resilience, with special attention to the problems of arctic communities. We discuss how some challenges follow from ambiguities in the broader vulnerability model within which AC is …

The Promise Of Cooperatives Falls Short For Immigrant Women, Lisa Thomson

Capstones

A worker cooperative is a special type of business where the workers are also the owners, which allows them to share in running the day to day of the business as well as the profits. They are becoming popular way for immigrant women to gain economic independence and become entrepreneurs. As the city invests an increasing amount of money to support this initiative, the services available are scattered and disjointed, are often run by people who are new to cooperative development, while the promise of stable employment and higher wages go unmet.

The Inaugural Issue Of Dignity, Donna M. Hughes

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

No abstract provided.

Survey Of Likely Louisiana Voters For 2016 Senate Runoff, Edward Chervenak, Survey Research Center, University Of New Orleans

Survey Research Center Publications

The University of New Orleans’ Survey Research Center (SRC) sponsored an automated interactive voice response (IVR) telephone survey of 776 active registered voters in Louisiana on Tuesday, December 6, 2016. We asked likely voters who they preferred in the 2016 Senate runoff election and whether they thought Obamacare should be repealed. The poll shows that the Republican candidate John Kennedy has a comfortable lead over his Democratic challenger, Foster Campbell. We asked respondents whether they believed Obamacare should be repealed. Likely Louisiana voters back the idea of repealing the healthcare law by a two-to-one margin.

Unemployment In Iraqi Refugees: The Interaction Of Pre And Post-Displacement Trauma, A. Michelle Wright, Abir Dhalimi, Mark A. Lumley, Hikmet Jamil, Nnamdi Pole, Judith E. Arnetz, Bengt B. Arnetz

Psychology: Faculty Publications

Previous refugee research has been unable to link pre-displacement trauma with unemployment in the host country. The current study assessed the role of pre-displacement trauma, post-displacement trauma, and the interaction of both trauma types to prospectively examine unemployment in a random sample of newly-arrived Iraqi refugees. Participants (N = 286) were interviewed three times over the first two years post-arrival. Refugees were assessed for pre-displacement trauma exposure, post-displacement trauma exposure, a history of unemployment in the country of origin and host country, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Analyses found that neither pre-displacement nor post-displacement trauma independently …

Table Of Contents

West Virginia Law Review

No abstract provided.

Fructose Alters Cell Survival And Gene Expression In Microglia And Neuronal Cells Lines, Drew P. Seidel, Susan Denapoli, Thomas S. Maciulewicz, Melinda E. Lull

Pharmacy Faculty/Staff Publications

Purpose: Microglia are macrophages that are found primarily in the CNS and play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy brain by engulfing invading microorganisms, releasing inflammatory mediators, and pruning dead cells. Microglia can become activated in response to certain stimuli which causes them to transition into a pro-inflammatory state, and can sometimes become chronically activated which can result in neuronal damage. Studies have shown a causal relationship between this activation and sugars such as fructose and glucose. We sought to understand the role of sugars in microglial activation and the subsequent effects on neuron health.

Methods: Rat microglia (HAPI) …

Today - November / December 2016, Loma Linda University Health

TODAY

Inside this issue:

-- LLU Children's Hospital to open pediatric specialty clinic in Indio
-- Wil Alexander remembered: A trailblazer in whole person care
-- Surgical Hospital earns prestigious national award for excellence
-- School of Medicine receives top national ranking for graduates entering family medicine residencies
-- Community event focuses on healing
-- ‘San Bernardino Strong’ kicks off third season of ‘Life on the Line’
-- Allied Health students learn true meaning of service-learning
-- Law enforcement visits campus for a good cause
-- A heartfelt return to Loma Linda Former
-- Regional economist says Loma Linda University Health …

Front Matter And Table Of Contents

University of Miami Business Law Review

No abstract provided.

Uber V. Regulation: “Ride-Sharing” Creates A Legal Gray Area, Yanelys Crespo

University of Miami Business Law Review

Technological innovations are quickly re-shaping our world and even changing the way we travel from place to place. Although the concept of “ride-sharing” only just emerged in 2010, it has rapidly gained popularity and expanded across the globe, offering a new way to get around major cities via a mobile application that instantly links drivers and passengers through the phone’s GPS system. At the forefront of this movement is Uber—the multibillion- dollar company and pioneer of ride-sharing that has experienced unprecedented growth and success in its short existence. However, Uber’s expansion into most major cities across the United States has …

December 2016 Newsletter

Ergo

No abstract provided.

Gastroesophageal Stenting For The Management Of Post Sleeve Gastrectomy Leak: A Single Institution Experience, Noha Guzaiz, Mohammad Arabi, Azzam Khankan, Refaat Salman, Mohammed Al-Toki, Shahbaz Qazi, Abdulmohsin Alzakari, Mohammad Al-Moaiqel

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives To retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of gastroesophageal stenting for post sleeve gastrectomy staple line leaks using removable self-expandable stents. Methods Between April 2012 and June 2015, 12 consecutive patients (6 males) with mean age of 34 years: (21-38 years) presented with staple line leak 1-8 weeks after the operation (mean 2.8 weeks). Patients underwent gastroesophageal stenting by interventional radiology. A total of 23 stents were deployed with mean length of 17.8 cm (7-24 cm) and mean diameter 25.6 mm (18-36 mm). Stent re-insertion was needed in 7 patients (9 procedure), while 6 patients required percutaneous collection drainage and 3 …

Cochrane Review: Concl Usions About The Effects Of Electronic Cigarettes Remain The Same

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Introduction To The West Virginia Law Review Flawed Forensics And Innocence Symposium, Valena E. Beety

West Virginia Law Review

No abstract provided.

Exploration Of Dna Transfer In The Nyc Subway, Sannia K. Tauqeer

Student Theses

The ability to detect “touch” DNA has complicated the interpretation of DNA profiles in the field of forensics because it leads to the introduction of the concept of DNA transfer, persistence and background into casework. This project is geared towards understanding DNA transfer in the NYC subways and has relevance in groping and attempted sexual assault cases, where garments are submitted as evidence. The study involved 10 volunteers who were asked to wear a clean jacket during their trips on the subway for one week and the DNA from these jackets was collected, extracted, quantified, amplified and typed. The results …

Comparing Three Instructional Modes For An Engineering Economy Course, Farnaz Ghazi Nezami, M. B. Yildirim, G. Grossi Crema

Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Publications

This study compares three instructional modes in an “Engineering Economy” course: online, face-to-face (FtF), and flipped. Engineering Economy is a core course in this study and incorporates students with diverse backgrounds from different engineering majors. To discern the relation between student characteristics and teaching modality, an online questionnaire was designed for each mode and distributed over a two-year period. Data was collected and several statistical analyses were conducted to study the relationship between pedagogical delivery modes and various student-based factors such as gender, age, course load, living distance from campus, computer skills, work status, and first language. Students’ performance, persistence, …

Influence Of Ac Voltage On The Positive Dc Corona Current Pulses In A Wire-Cylinder Gap View Document, Zhenguo Wang, Tiebing Lu, Xiang Cui, Xuebao Li, Huseyin R. Hiziroglu

Electrical & Computer Engineering Publications

In the development of hybrid HVDC and HVAC transmission lines, the study of radio interference is an important issue. Positive corona current pulses from high voltage transmission lines are the main source of radio interference. In this paper, the design of a wire-cylinder gap electrode system is presented to study the influence of AC voltage on the characteristics of positive corona current pulses. The study shows that the mode of the current pulses is different from that of either DC or AC corona discharge. Waveform parameters of the pulses, such as rise time, half wave time, duration time, repetition rates, …

Nondestructive Evaluation Of Steel Bridges: Methods And Applications, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Christopher Goff, Jared Fairchild, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods can be used to assess in-service steel bridges for problematic conditions caused by factors such as design, manufacturing, fabrication, and the service effects of traffic and corrosion. This report discusses typical NDE test methods used on bridges, including penetrant testing, magnetic particle testing, eddy current testing, ultrasonic testing (including phased array testing), radiography, and acoustic emission testing. NDE operations such as flaw location, characterization, and sizing are covered as well. Results of a national survey of departments of transportation’s (DOTs) use of NDE are presented. A simple procedure for using NDE to address DOT bridge concerns …

Moving Forward By Looking Back: The Retroactive Application Of Obergefell, Lee-Ford Tritt

UF Law Faculty Publications

The recent Supreme Court decision of Obergefell v. Hodges has forever altered American jurisprudence. Not only did this decision make same-sex marriage legal in all fifty states, but it also required states to recognize same-sex marriages from other states in accordance with the 14th Amendment. The Court’s holding in Obergefell raises a fundamental question with serious legal and financial significance: when exactly do these once unrecognized marriages legally begin? And to what extent must courts apply Obergefell retroactively? The stakes are high and substantive financial effects are pending on the answer to this question — for, with marriage, comes wide-ranging …

Other Markets, Other Costs: Modernizing Antitrust, Jeffrey L. Harrison

UF Law Faculty Publications

Today’s antitrust law is characterized by stagnation and indeterminacy. The failure is so thorough that it is not clear that U.S. competition law actually leads to any outcomes that are defendable except at the most superficial level. Moreover, when enforcement does result in a desirable outcome, it not clear that it is the best outcome. The principal reason for this state of affairs is that antitrust scholars and courts cling to misguided goals and theories that have not evolved despite an avalanche of information now available that can modernize the discipline.

This Article has two main sections that necessarily overlap. …

Design And Evaluation Of Pediatric Gait Rehabilitation Robots, Cale J. Stolle

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Gait therapy methodologies were studied and analyzed for their potential for pediatric patients. Using data from heel, metatarsal, and toe trajectories, a nominal gait trajectory was determined using Fourier transforms for each foot point. These average trajectories were used as a basis of evaluating each gait therapy mechanism. An existing gait therapy device (called ICARE) previously designed by researchers, including engineers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was redesigned to accommodate pediatric patients. Unlike many existing designs, the pediatric ICARE did not over- or under-constrain the patient’s leg, allowing for repeated, comfortable, easily-adjusted gait motions. This design was assessed under clinical …

Prevalence And Predictors Of E-Cigarette Trial Among Adolescents In Argentina, Paola Morello, Adriana Perez, Lorena Peña, Paula Lozano, Jim Thrasher, James Sargent, Raul Mejia

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Over the last few years, the increasing use of electronic cigarettes has become a new public health problem. Since 2011, Argentina has had a complete ban on marketing and sale of e-cigarettes. However, e-cigarettes are marketed online and can be easily bought in stores. We conducted a longitudinal study to evaluate the determinants of e-cigarette trial among Argentinean early adolescents.

Methods: A school-based longitudinal study was conducted in 2014-15, in 3 large cities in Argentina. Among students who reported never smoking an e-cigarette at baseline, we assessed demographics, media use, sensation seeking, smoking behavior, network member smoking, use of …

A Marine Reservoir Effect ∆R Value For Kitandach, In Prince Rupert Harbour, British Columbia, Canada, Kevan Edinborough, Andrew Martindale, Gordon T. Cook, Kisha Supernant, Kenneth M. Ames

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Prince Rupert Harbour (PRH), on the north Pacific Coast of British Columbia, contains at least 157 shell middens, of which 66 are known villages, in an area of approximately 180 km2. These sites span the last 9500 yr and in some cases are immense, exceeding 20,000 m2 surface area and several meters in depth. Recent archaeological research in PRH has become increasingly reliant on radiocarbon dates from marine shell for developing chronologies. However, this is problematic as the local marine reservoir effect (MRE) remains poorly understood in the region. To account for the MRE and to better date the Harbour’s …

Condition Factor Calibration For Load And Resistance Factor Rating Of Steel Girder Bridges, Pranav M. Shakya

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The Load and Resistance Factor Rating (LRFR) is a reliability-based rating procedure complementary to the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD). The intent of LRFR is to provide consistent reliability for all bridges regardless of in-situ condition. The primary difference between design and rating is the uncertain severity and location of deterioration, including the potential future loss of strength for an element already evidencing deterioration. Ostensibly, these uncertainties are accounted for by applying an additional strength reduction factor: the condition factor, ϕ_c. Currently, condition factors are nominally correlated to the condition of the member, which can be Good, …

Characterization Of Molecular Communication Based On Cell Metabolism Through Mutual Information And Flux Balance Analysis, Zahmeeth Sayed Sakkaff

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Synthetic biology is providing novel tools to engineer cells and access the basis of their molecular information processing, including their communication channels based on chemical reactions and molecule exchange. Molecular communication is a discipline in communication engineering that studies these types of communications and ways to exploit them for novel purposes, such as the development of ubiquitous and heterogeneous communication networks to interconnect biological cells with nano and biotechnology-enabled devices, i.e., the Internet of Bio-Nano Things. One major problem in realizing these goals stands in the development of reliable techniques to control the engineered cells and their behavior from the …