Digital Commons Network^™

The Sojourner, Adefolaju Edun

Master of Arts in Professional Writing Capstones

To me, a sojourner is a person who leaves his or her homeland in search of something only to return after a temporary period of staying in a foreign land. The search for something better led me to the United Kingdom, and shortly after, the USA. Initially, the reason for my travel was to find better opportunities. I have since discovered that my success and progress in life depend on my willingness to harness my greatness. During the process of writing this book, I discovered myself. I left Nigeria in my late teens, and I have been abroad ever since. …

Ranking Aspect-Based Features In Restaurant Reviews, Jacob Ling Hang Chan

Theses and Dissertations

Consumers continuously review products and services on the internet. Others have frequently relied on those reviews in making purchasing decisions. Review texts are usually free-form and associated with a star rating on a 5-point scale. The majority of restaurants receive a 3.5 or 4 star rating on average, so a standalone star rating does not provide adequate information for readers to make a decision. Many researchers have approached the problem with sentiment analysis to classify a sentence or a text as expressing a positive or a negative review. Sentiment analysis, even at the fine-grained level, can only provide classification of …

Can Statcast Variables Explain The Variation In Weighted Runs Created Plus?, Ryan Kupiec

Student Research

The release of Statcast data in 2015 was revolutionary for data analysis in the game of baseball. Many analysts have begun using this data regularly, but none have used it exclusively. Often older, less reliable statistics (on-base percentage) are still used in favor of the newer statistics (weighted runs created plus). In this paper, we attempt to explain the variation in weighted runs created plus (wRC+) using Statcast variables such as exit velocity and launch angle. We find that exit velocity along with other Statcast variables, can explain as much as 70% of the variation in wRC+. Launch angle can …

Nocebo-Hypothesis Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Nh-Cbt) For Persons With Functional Neurological Symptoms (Motor Type): Design And Implementation Of A Randomized Active-Controlled Trial, Matt Richardson, Maria Kleinstäuber, Dana Wong

Psychology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Functional Neurological Symptom Disorders (FNSD) are associated with high levels of disability and immense direct and indirect health costs. An innovative interdisciplinary rehabilitation approach for individuals with functional neurological symptoms of motor type–Nocebo-Hypothesis Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (NH-CBT)—combines CBT and movement retraining with video feedback embedded in a comprehensive explanatory model of the etiology of FNSD. Methods: This protocol describes the development and implementation of a phase II, parallel group, randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome assessors to compare the efficacy of NH-CBT with an active control condition (supportive counseling and movement retraining). Individuals meeting diagnostic criteria of an FNSD …

The Challenges With Internet Of Things For Business, I Kuzminykh, B Ghita, Jm Such

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

No abstract provided.

42 Update: F20 Survey Results On Draft Guidelines, University Of Northern Iowa. General Education Re-Envisioning Committee.

General Education Re-envisioning Committee Documents

The report on the campus survey to get feedback on the category descriptions of the general education program done in Fall 2020.

Visible Meibomian Gland Structure Increases After Vectored Thermal Pulsation Treatment In Dry Eye Disease Patients With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction., Arjan S Hura, Alice T Epitropoulos, Craig N Czyz, Eric D Rosenberg

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of vectored thermal pulsation treatment (VTP) on visible meibomian gland structure (VGS) in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

SETTING: Private group practice (A.T.E.).

DESIGN: Retrospective, single-blinded cohort study.

METHODS: Visible meibomian gland structure was evaluated at baseline and at 1-year in treatment (30 patients, 48 eyes) and control (13 patients, 22 eyes) groups. Meibography images were captured using dynamic meibomian imaging. Images were assessed using a novel morphometric analysis technique and analyzed for change in area of VGS (pixels). Additional outcomes measured include tear break up time, corneal staining, tear osmolarity, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), …

Development Of Mping-Based Activation Tags For Crop Insertional Mutagenesis, Alexander Johnson, Edward Mcassey, Stephanie Diaz, Jacob Reagin, Priscilla S. Redd, Daymond R. Parrilla, Hanh T. Nguyen, Adrian Stec, Lauren A.L. Mcdaniel, Thomas E. Clemente, Robert M. Stupar, Wayne A. Parrott, C Nathan Hancock

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Modern plant breeding increasingly relies on genomic information to guide crop improvement. Although some genes are characterized, additional tools are needed to effectively identify and characterize genes associated with crop traits. To address this need, the mPing element from rice was modified to serve as an activation tag to induce expression of nearby genes. Embedding promoter sequences in mPing resulted in a decrease in overall transposition rate; however, this effect was negated by using a hyperactive version of mPing called mmPing20. Transgenic soybean events carrying mPing-based activation tags and the appropriate transposase expression cassettes showed evidence of transposition. Expression analysis …

A Computational Investigation Of The Interstitial Oxidation Thermodynamics Of A Mo-Nb-Ta-W High Entropy Alloy Beyond The Dilute Regime, Adib J. Samin

Faculty Publications

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are promising candidates for high-temperature structural material applications. Oxidation is a major factor that must be accounted for when designing such materials and it is thus important to study the oxidation behavior of HEAs to enable the optimum design of next generation materials. In this study, the thermodynamic behavior of interstitial oxygen in a Mo-Nb-Ta-W high entropy alloy was explored beyond the dilute limit. This was accomplished by sampling configurations of the HEA and HEA-oxygen systems from an isothermal–isobaric ensemble using a series of first-principle-based Monte Carlo simulations. It was found that the interstitial oxygen had …

Performance Improvements For Next Generation Falling Particle Receiver Systems, Nathan R. Schroeder

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Falling particle receiver (FPR) systems are a rapidly developing technology for concentrating solar power applications. Solid particles are used as both the heat transfer fluid and thermal energy storage media. Through the direct solar irradiation of the solid particles, flux and temperature limitations of tube-bundle receives can be overcome leading to higher operating temperatures and energy conversion efficiencies. Particle residence time, curtain opacity, and curtain stability affect the performance of FPR designs. As the particles fall through the receiver the curtain accelerates, increasing its transmissivity thus decreasing the amount of energy absorbed. Multistage release trough structures catch and release the …

Achieving High Reliability Organizations Using Fuzzy Cognitive Maps - The Case Of Offshore Oil And Gas, Ahmed A. Alibage

Dissertations and Theses

The safety culture of so-called high-reliability organizations (HROs) encompasses values, routines, and work processes that allow an organization to prevent mistakes and quickly bounce back if unexpected events occur. It is said to provide a model for improving organizational resilience in the offshore oil and gas industry, where small errors can grow into accidents with devastating environmental, social, and economic impacts. To date, such a transfer of successful practices is impeded by a lack of system perspective that would allow researchers and practitioners to fully understand the safety dynamics in HROs, adjust them to the unique setting of offshore oil …

Clustered Hyperspectral Target Detection, Sean Onufer Stalley

Dissertations and Theses

Aerial target detection is often used to search for relatively small things over large areas of land. Depending on the size and signature of the target, detection can be a very easy or very difficult task. By capturing images with several hundred color channels, hyperspectral sensors provide a new way of looking at this task, both literally and figuratively. Hyperspectral sensors can be used in many aerial target detection tasks such as identifying unhealthy trees in a forest, searching for minerals at a mining site, or finding the sources of chemical leaks at a factory. The high spectral resolution of …

Crime Prediction With Historical Crime And Movement Data Of Potential Offenders Using A Spatio-Temporal Cokriging Method, Hongjie Yu, Lin Liu, Bo Yang, Minxuan Lan

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Crime prediction using machine learning and data fusion assimilation has become a hot topic. Most of the models rely on historical crime data and related environment variables. The activity of potential offenders affects the crime patterns, but the data with fine resolution have not been applied in the crime prediction. The goal of this study is to test the effect of the activity of potential offenders in the crime prediction by combining this data in the prediction models and assessing the prediction accuracies. This study uses the movement data of past offenders collected in routine police stop-and-question operations to infer …

The Third Side Of Bravery, Courtney Justus

Valparaiso Fiction Review

No abstract provided.

Sleuth, Ronna Wineberg

Valparaiso Fiction Review

No abstract provided.

Emergence Of Quantum Theories From Classical Probability: Historical Origins, Developments, And Open Problems, Luigi Accardi, Yun-Gang Lu

Journal of Stochastic Analysis

No abstract provided.

A Final Portfolio, David Chapman

Master of Arts in English Plan II Graduate Projects

This portfolio includes an example of English/Language Arts research, literary analysis, technical writing, and syllabi for teaching high school seniors.

Challenges And Suggestions Of Diesel Oil Cleaning System In Unmanned Surface Vessels, Liwei Zhang

Maritime Safety & Environment Management Dissertations (Dalian)

No abstract provided.

Increased Discharge Compliance Through Mental Health Follow-Up, Robert H. Kirby

MSN Capstone Projects

Emergency departments are being strained to their breaking points as a result of the recent COVID pandemic. These departments are in need of programs that can help to reduce stress on not only limited budgets but also reduce the strain on their overwhelmed staff. One such strain on emergency departments and their limited resources is the readmittance of mental health patients as a result of non-compliance of the discharge instructions. The change project looks to address whether following up 10 days post discharge can increase discharge instruction compliance and ultimately reduce readmissions. The aim of the project is through the …

Analysis And Countermeasures On Ship Failures During Navigation In The Cjk Fairway Based On The Fta Method, Xin Zhuang

Maritime Safety & Environment Management Dissertations (Dalian)

No abstract provided.

Maritime Sar For Emergencies Related To Fishing Boats In Qingdao Waters, Chuanzhu Shi

Maritime Safety & Environment Management Dissertations (Dalian)

No abstract provided.

Analysis On The Challenges Of Safety Supervision On Small And Medium-Sized Vessels In Waters Of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port And Sustainable Strategies, Jie Jiang

Maritime Safety & Environment Management Dissertations (Dalian)

No abstract provided.

Research On Risk Identification, Evaluation And Countermeasures Of Liquid Dangerous Cargo Ships In Yangpu Waters, Xiaofeng Han

Maritime Safety & Environment Management Dissertations (Dalian)

No abstract provided.

Research On The Method Of Seafarers’ Competence Assessment In China Based On Delphi Method And Swot Analysis, Lei Fan

Maritime Safety & Environment Management Dissertations (Dalian)

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of The Bwm Convention In Zhoushan Port, Keyi Cao

Maritime Safety & Environment Management Dissertations (Dalian)

No abstract provided.

A Study On Influence Of Putian Port Offshore Wind Farm Construction On Navigation Safety, Changwu Cao

Maritime Safety & Environment Management Dissertations (Dalian)

No abstract provided.

The Flipped Mastery Model In Secondary Mathematics Classroom: A Mixed Study To Determine The Effects On Student Satisfaction, Engagement, And Learning Achievement, Ziniah Beasley

Education Graduate Research

Although many studies are on the flipped classroom, they are currently gaps and limited research conducted on flipped-mastery models. This mixed study implemented the repeated-measures design with few qualitative and quantitative studies on flipped-mastery in the secondary mathematics classroom. The purpose of the study aimed to examine the flipped mastery model’s effects on student satisfaction, engagement, and learning achievement. The study site was the researcher’s private school with purposive sampling of twenty-one high school Algebra II students. Pre-posttest unit tests and weekly quizzes assessed student learning achievement. The independent-samples t test results yielded no significant differences between achievement performance for …

One Ring To Rule Them All: Individual Judgments, Nationwide Injunctions, And Universal Handcuffs, Paul J. Larkin Jr., Giancarlo Canaparo

Notre Dame Law Review Reflection

A large and growing body of literature criticizes nationwide injunctions, although a handful of scholars have come to their qualified defense. The literature has focused on whether universal injunctions comport with the historic scope of federal courts’ equitable powers and are good policy to boot. Largely missing from the debate is a fulsome analysis of whether the Constitution or the Judicial Code authorizes federal courts to issue such injunctions and whether they are permissible under existing Supreme Court precedent. We argue that the answer to each question is “no.”

Parts I and II explain that no positive law authorizes universal …

Tweeting About Sexism Motivates Further Activism: A Social Identity Perspective, Mindi Foster, Adrianna Tassone, Kimberly Matheson

Psychology Faculty Publications

Women, more so than men, are using social media activism to respond to sexism. However, when they do, they are also faced with gendered criticisms ('hashtag feminism') that may instead serve to silence them. Based in social identity theory, this research examined how women's social media activism, in response to sexism, may be a first step toward further activism. Two studies used a simulated Twitter paradigm to expose women to sexism and randomly assigned them to either tweet in response, or to a no-tweet control condition. Both studies found support for a serial mediation model such that tweeting after sexism …

Fit For The Stage: The Function Of A Pre-Performance Warm-Up Routine For College Theatre Students, Emily Sullins

Senior Honors Theses

College theatre programs require students to perform in stage productions that demand a high level of stamina, endurance, strength, and flexibility. This level of athleticism makes injury rates more prevalent with one dance study documenting a 74% injury rate among participants (Chmelar et al., 1987, as cited in Malkogeorgos et al., 2011). In sports programs, warm-up protocols are utilized as injury prevention techniques. Due to the physical demands on college performers, a specific warm-up routine should be designed and implemented for each production. A properly conceived warm-up will include aerobic exercise, dynamic stretching, and movement patterns resembling those in the …