Digital Commons Network^™

Multitask Allocation To Heterogeneous Participants In Mobile Crowd Sensing, Weiping Zhu, Wenzhong Guo, Zhiyong Yu, Haoyi Xiong

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Task allocation is a key problem in Mobile Crowd Sensing (MCS). Prior works have mainly assumed that participants can complete tasks once they arrive at the location of tasks. However, this assumption may lead to poor reliability in sensing data because the heterogeneity among participants is disregarded. In this study, we investigate a multitask allocation problem that considers the heterogeneity of participants (i.e., different participants carry various devices and accomplish different tasks). A greedy discrete particle swarm optimization with genetic algorithm operation is proposed in this study to address the abovementioned problem. This study is aimed at maximizing the number …

Nupt St-Data Miner: An Spatio-Temporal Data Analysis And Visualization System, Zhiqiang Zou, Junjie Xiong, Xuerong He, Haihong Dai

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Given the increasing popularity and availability of location tracking devices, large quantities of Spatio-Temporal data (ST-data) are available from many different sources. For the ST-data, reflecting the mobile characteristic of the world, it is essential to build a functional system to perform quickly interactive analysis. In this paper, we present an analysis and visualization system, NUPT ST-data Miner, which facilitates users to visualize and analyze ST-data. It (1) provides a flexible and extensible framework based on cloud computing platform, (2) is able to quickly retrieve specified ST-data, (3) integrated multiple functions for the ST-data. To demonstrate its efficiency, we validate …

Pedagogical Contraband: A Phenomenological Approach To Understanding Student Engagement During Simulations, Stephen Austin Henderson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of students who are taught using simulations in survey history courses. Although simulations have been studied in a variety of domains, few studies have examined the use of simulations to teach history. Further, most of the previous research on simulations has been quantitative in nature, and one goal of the proposed study is to go into greater depth than typically allowed for by quantitative methodologies and examine the lived experiences of students in a college-level history class who are participating in simulations. Results suggest that the five phases of …

It Starts With "F": A Collection Of Short Stories, Arielle Irvine

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

It Starts with “F”: A Collection of Short Fiction consists of five short stories that share a family-centered theme while tackling tough topics such as death, separation, adoption, and personal fulfillment.

The Effectiveness Of A "Patient Discharge Information" Booklet In Patient Education Programs In Saudi Arabia, Amani Mohammed Al Rebeh

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effectiveness of the Patient Discharge Information (PDI) booklet on the knowledge, attitude, and behaviors of participants who were cesarean patients in local hospitals in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated the following two research questions: (1) does the participant have information, resources, and understand basic personal health information regarding her health conditions including diagnosis, treatment, self-care management, medication instructions, normal expected symptoms, dangerous signs and what to do, as well as lifestyle changes?; and (2) how does patient discharge information provided by the hospital make a difference in participants’ knowledge, attitude, and …

Spatial Disparities And Socio-Economic Conditions : A Food Desert Analysis Of Greater Des Moines, Iowa, David Jensen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Current research suggests that socioeconomic makeup of geographic areas within a city has implications on location and accessibility of food retail stores. Disadvantaged areas with relatively poor access to healthy and affordable food are what literature has identified as “food deserts”. The purpose of this research is to explore the relationships between geographic areas with relatively low socioeconomic characteristics and food stores within the greater Des Moines, Iowa area. By way of survey, grocery and convenience stores are measured on their healthy food quality, advertisements, and other factors. GIS techniques are then used to measure accessibility to stores by low …

Perceived Causes And Methods Of Examination Malpractice In The Malawian Education System: A Case Study Of Secondary Schools In South East Education Division (Seed), Fiddelis Blessings Makaula

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to examine perceived causes and methods of examination malpractice in the Malawian education system.

Waiting For The Mail: A Collection Of Short Stories, James Matthew Keane

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This collection of six pieces of original short fiction is, in general, a reflection upon my on-going questions concerning identity. In particular, these stories delve into the nature of masculinity through an exploration of male relationships—fathers, sons, husbands, and brothers.

They That Go Down To The Sea In Ships: Richard Henry Dana, Jr.'S Two Years Before The Mast And The Sublime, Laurie Anne Lee

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In this thesis I incorporated the use of a two-fold lens to investigate the character development of the author Richard Henry Dana, Jr., who I met in his autobiography and his book Two Years Before the Mast, the written record of his 1834-1836 voyage aboard the Pilgrim and the Alert. In an effort to understand Dana the sailor and Dana the lawyer, I viewed his life and work, in part, through the lens of Edmund Burke’s Philosophical Enquiry into the Sublime and Beautiful, paying special attention to Burke’s definition of the sublime as encompassing pain and suffering. Through Burke’s Enquiry …

Exploring The Academic, Social, And Cultural Experiences Of English Language Learners From Saudi Arabia At A Midwest University In The U.S., Sukainah A. Al Subia

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The world is experiencing an increasing number of international students who leave their countries to study abroad. The value and benefit of studying abroad influences many students to go on this educational journey. Research conducted over the past 20 years indicates that studying abroad provides both rewarding and challenging experiences. For example, studying abroad exposes students to exciting new cultures and places, developing academic/language skills and gaining social and cultural exposures which in turn enrich their global experience (Geeraert et al., 2014; Lillyman & Bennett, 2014; Wu et al., 2015). However, studying abroad can also pose certain challenges, including loneliness, …

Instructors' Attitudes And Perceptions Toward Critical Thinking: A Case Study Of Interior Design Instructors In Saudi Arabia, Afnan Al Ramis

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate how critical thinking is defined by interior design female instructors in Saudi Arabia. Also, it aimed to examine instructors’ perceptions and attitudes toward critical thinking. In addition, it served to illuminate potential obstacles and biases that prevent female instructors from teaching critical thinking skills at the schools and universities in Saudi Arabia. The research targeted female Interior Design instructors in particular, to examine their perceptions toward critical thinking. There were three research questions:

1- What are female Interior Design instructors’ perceptions toward critical thinking? Do they teach critical thinking skills in the …

Master's Recital: Chase Pebworth, Tuba, Chase Pebworth

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This recital is divided into two parts; two pieces prior to intermission and three afterwards. The first two pieces From Jewish Life and Concerto for Bass Tuba have more traditional connotations. From Jewish Life is originally a cello piece and has been adapted for tuba. The Concerto for Bass Tuba is one of the most standard pieces in the tuba repertoire. For the purposes of this recital, both are accompanied by piano. The last three pieces are more contemporary and personal. Polka.com is a short, high-energy work for unaccompanied tuba. Cuba and That’s a Plenty feature solo tuba with CD …

A Master's Recital In Voice, Lara Elizabeth Wasserman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

On November 15, 2013, Lara Wasserman, soprano, presented her graduate voice recital. In collaboration with Polina Khatsko on harpsichord and piano, and Megan Grey on cello, she performed works by Georg Frideric Handel, Richard Strauss, Claude Debussy, and Jake Heggie. The 53-minute program took place in Davis Hall in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. This abstract discusses musical and historical aspects of each selection in the order in which they were performed.

Christopher Phalen, Graduate Conducting Recital Abstract, Christopher Richard Phalen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Christopher R. Phalen planned and conducted a compilation recital during the Fall semester of 2017. All concerts took place on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa. On October 17, 2017, Phalen conducted the UNI Women’s Chorus and Varsity Men’s Glee Club in the Great Hall of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. On November 2, 2017, Phalen conducted the UNI Concert Chorale and UNI Singers in the Great Hall of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. On November 3, 2017, Phalen conducted UNI Cantorei and members of the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra as part of the Bach Cantata …

The Effects Of Book Club Participation On Reading Comprehension In Children With Disabilities, Elizabeth Ann Kosmicki

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Reading comprehension is a skill that effects future employment and income. However it is an ability that children with various disabilities struggle with. Researchers suggest that instruction in the use of reading comprehension strategies may improve understanding of texts. Furthermore, book clubs might serve as a vehicle to deliver this instruction in a natural setting. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of book clubs on the reading comprehension strategy use of children with disabilities. Two third grade children, one male with ADHD and one female with Down syndrome, participated in a book club. As part of …

Live Thy Neighbor, Milica Njezic

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This project explored the concept of neighboring from the cultural perspectives of the Bosnian refugees and the researcher who is Bosnian herself. The goals were to answer several research questions: (1) what kinds of tensions do we battle in liminal spaces and how do they, grounded in culture, shape the way we communicate our roles as neighbors, (2) how do Bosnian immigrants perform neighboring, (3) what constitutes a good neighbor, and (4) what are the researcher’s personal stories and are those experiences shared with others? The author argues that neighboring is something we perform, that Bosnian co-participants show unconditional hospitality …

The Moral Motivations Of Negative Attitudes Toward Transgender People, Hailey Annette Hatch

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Transgender individuals are at higher risk for experiencing sexual assault and police brutality than the general population (National Coalition for Anti-Violence Programs, 2013). These brutal acts are likely the result of negative attitudes. Negative attitudes toward transgender people are related to individual differences in psychological authoritarianism, political conservatism, religiosity, and low personal contact with sexual minorities (Norton & Herek, 2013). This study explored underlying moral mechanisms that may also contribute to negative attitudes toward transgender people – specifically mechanisms involving generalized disgust (i.e., purity) and harm. Moral foundations theory (Haidt & Graham, 2007) suggests that disgust is the underlying mechanism …

Applying Convolutional Neural Networks For The Source Reconstruction, He Ming Yao, Wei E.I. Sha, Li (Lijun) Jun Jiang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper proposes a novel source reconstruction method (SRM) based on the convolutional neural network algorithm. The conventional SRM method usually requires the scattered field data oversampled compared to that of target object grids. To achieve higher accuracy, the conventional SRM numerical system is highly singular. To overcome these difficulties, we model the equivalent source reconstruction process using the machine learning. The equivalent sources of the target are constructed by a convolutional neural networks (ConvNets). It allows us to employ less scattered field samples or radar cross section (RCS) data. And the ill-conditioned numerical system is effectively avoided. Numerical examples …

Performance Practice In Liszt’S Hungarian Rhapsodies: A Comparison Of The Liszt-Pupil Recordings Of Hungarian Rhapsody No.12, Nicholas Williams

Theses : Honours

Despite their enduring popularity as concert works, Franz Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsodies have never won favour with the critics. Played in a literal, score-bound fashion these works can indeed offer little more than fodder for the performing pony. Nevertheless, through performances that successfully capture the spirit of this music—many of which are captured on early recordings—these works are vibrant, powerful, and stirring.

This dissertation explores the performance style associated with these works. At the centre of this study is a comparative analysis of seven recordings of Hungarian Rhapsody No.12 made by the following Liszt pupils: Arthur Friedheim, Arthur de Greef, Alfred …

Bakkhai, Vahri Mckenzie

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Bakkhai built an ensemble using a somatic and collaborative studio method developed over nine months. To investigate embodiment in ensemble and innovatively address the tension between ensemble and character in performances of Greek theatre, the commissioned translation was deliberately introduced late in the development process. Potent metaphors were deployed to investigate and achieve effective collaboration, where a studio dynamic of ‘freedom and control’ reflects the plot of the play as well as modelling ensemble work; ‘Thebes of the South West’ structured my collaboration with the creative team of six emerging artists to translate the ancient Greek play across time and …

Becoming A Decolonial Feminist Ethnographer: Addressing The Complexities Of Positionality And Representation, Jennifer Manning

Articles

Abstract Organisation and management scholars are often preoccupied with developing, refining and advancing knowledge, and in so doing, the empirical process through which knowledge is advanced can be ignored together with the impact this process can have on participants and scholars. This article draws attention to how management scholars might negotiate the complexities of positionality and representation through an illustrative case: my experience of becoming a decolonial feminist ethnographer. Drawing upon my doctoral research, I share the experience of my ethnographic journey to become a decolonial feminist ethnographer. Developing a decolonial feminist approach to ethnography enabled me to identify positionality …

Informing Quality In Emergency Care: Understanding Patient Experiences, Esmat Swallmeh, Vivienne Byers, Amr Arisha

Articles

Purpose: Assessing performance and quality in healthcare organisations is moving from focussing solely on clinical care measurement to considering the patient experience as critical. Much patient experience research is quantitative and survey based. The purpose of this paper is to report a qualitative study gathering in-depth data in an emergency department (ED).

Design/methodology/approach: The authors used empirical data from seven focus groups to understand patient experience as participants progressed through a major teaching hospital in an Ireland ED. A convenience sampling technique was used, and 42 participants were invited to share their perceptions and outline key factors affecting their journey. …

Decrements In Neuromuscular Performance And Increases In Creatine Kinase Impact Training Outputs In Elite Soccer Players, Shane Malone, Bruno Mendes, Brian Hughes, Mark Roe, Simon Devenney, Kieran Collins, Adam Owen

Articles

The aim of the current investigation was to understand the impact of pretraining neuromuscular performance and creatine kinase (CK) status on subsequent training performance in elite soccer players. Thirty soccer players (age: 25.3 ± 3.1 years; height: 183 ± 7 cm; mass: 72 ± 7 kg) were involved in this observational study. Each morning before training, players completed assessments for neuromuscular performance (countermovement jump; CMJ) and CK levels. Global positioning technology provided external load: total distance, high-speed distance, sprint distance, accelerations, decelerations, average metabolic power, explosive distance, and high metabolic power distance (>25.5 W·kg). Mixed-effect linear models revealed significant …

Influence Of Team Rating On Running Performance In Elite Gaelic Football, Shane Mangan, Shane Malone, Martin Ryan, Jason Mcgahan, Joe Warne, Denise Martin, Cian O'Neill, Con Burns, Kieran Collins

Articles

It is currently unknown how team rating influences running performance in Gaelic football. Global positioning system technologies were used to quantify match-running performance within 5 elite Gaelic football teams over a period of 5 years (2012-2016). In total 780 player data sets were collected over 95 matches. Running performance variables included total distance, high-speed distance (≥17 km·h), and the percentage of high-speed distance. Team ratings were determined objectively using the Elo rating system for Gaelic football. Reference team rating had trivial effects on total distance (p = 0.011, partial η = 0.008) and high-speed distance (p = 0.011, partial η …

The Use, Integration And Perceived Value Of Performance Analysis To Professional And Amateur Irish Coaches, Denise Martin, Alan Swanton, Jonathan Bradley, Denise Mcgrath

Articles

Research into the perceptions, practices and engagement of coaches with performance analysis is fundamental to informing the continued development of the discipline and its practitioners. The aim of this study was to survey a large sample of coaches of varying profiles, regarding their use and integration of performance analysis, to explore its perceived value and barriers to its use. Survey data were analysed from 538 Irish coaches qualified at Level 1 and above (82% male), from 37 sports. A spectrum of coaches’ engagement with performance analysis, ranging from no formal performance analysis (49%), to coaches doing their own analysis (coach-as-analyst, …

Characterization And Treatment Of Unilateral Facial Muscle Spasm In Linear Scleroderma: A Case Report, Fabio Danisi, Emma Guidi

NYMC Faculty Publications

Background: Linear scleroderma has been associated with muscle spasms ipsilateral to skin lesions. Typically, spasms are located in trigeminal innervated muscles, leading to hemimasticatory spasm (HMS). Case Report: We report a case of linear scleroderma associated with spasm of muscles innervated not only by the trigeminal but also by the facial nerve. Discussion: We review the patient's successful treatment with incobotulinumtoxinA, a formulation of botulinum toxin that has not been reported for use in this condition.

Narrating Contested Pasts: Lessons Learned At Tall Hesban, Oystein S. Labianca, Elena Maria Ronza

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Finding God At Work In Our Family Roots, Keith Clouten

Faculty Publications

Follows the story of the Clouten family beginning in 1790 in England, then to Australia, then to Canada, and back to Australia.

Assessing The Impact Of A Faculty Book Club On Self-Reflection And Teaching Practice, Scott Moncrieff, Anneris Coria-Navia

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Ganesh Sitaraman’S Idealized American History, David B. Lyons

Faculty Scholarship

A popular theme among patriots is to celebrate America’s special virtues, which distinguish it radically from European models. Ganesh Sitaraman tells us that political constitutions have generally been designed to prevent socially destabilizing class warfare between the rich, who seek greater domination, and the poor, who would like to redistribute the former’s wealth. America’s Constitution is distinctive because it was consciously designed for a society in which the middle class is large enough to preserve social stability. That is why Sitaraman calls it a “middle-class constitution.”