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Aerodynamic Dimpling For The Nose Cone Of A High-Power Competition Rocket, Graham Geoffrey Monroe

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

This thesis investigates nose cone dimpling for the reduction of the aerodynamic drag of a Level 3 High-Power amateur rocket. Two rocket launches were conducted. The first used a COTS nose cone with a smooth surface. A dimple distribution was created according to dimensions calculated by Sandia National Laboratories’ proprietary Right- Size Dimple Evaluator. A dimpled nose cone, designed with geometry matching the COTS component, was 3D printed. Axial acceleration and barometric pressure data, recorded by an onboard flight computer, were used to calculate and plot the drag coefficient as a function of the Reynolds number for the smooth and …

Main Effects Screening Study Of Fe/Kclo4 Thermal Battery Heat Pellet Resistive Activation, Bryan T. Steiner

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Thermal battery iron-potassium perchlorate (Fe/KClO₄) heat pellets are often ignited by explosive igniters or heat paper. An alternative direct electrical ignition method via resistive heating is explored, which could improve thermal battery manufacturability and design flexibility. A main effects screening experiment was performed with the goal of confirming prior observed trends under more realistic test conditions and ranking the importance of design factors, to optimize future experiments and develop knowledge of the performance space. Relevant literature is examined to advance a theoretical understanding of resistive activation. Ignition sensitivity (go/no-go and time to ignition) and ignition energy are primary …

Control Of Fully-Actuated Aerial Manipulators And Omni-Directional Multirotors, Riley M. Mccarthy

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

This thesis details the system modeling, design, control, simulation, construction, and
testing of both a fully-actuated and omni-directional multirotor aerial system created
for the primary purpose of performing active tasks with their environment. This work
verifies the capabilities of both systems through empirical testing, and demonstrates
how through the use of new control methods and physical designs multirotors can
expand their purpose from passive inspection based tasks to active contact based
tasks. These systems take advantage of newly implemented control allocation features present in the PX4 flight control software, version 1.14. The use of which makes designing controllers for such …

Design, Fabrication And Characterization Of Zero Power Sensor/Harvester For Smart Grid Applications, Zeynel Guler

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

This study presents a flexible sensor/harvester device to be used in both electromagnetic sensing and energy harvesting applications for smart grids. When a current passes through a wire, the sensor detects the magnetic field created by that current. The sensor magnet interacts with the wire magnetic field resulting in a transfer of energy through the piezoelectric cantilever. Piezoelectric, conductive, magnetic, and magnetostrictive composite thin films were prepared to fabricate this device.

Initially, the magnet of the cantilever was optimized considering its shape, thickness, length, taper angle etc. via both simulations and experiments. Peak to peak voltage versus cantilever position graph …

Radio Insights Into Gamma-Ray Mysteries, Seth M. Bruzewski

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

In the time since its launch, the \textit{Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope} has provided new and unparalleled views of the $\gamma$-ray sky, dramatically increasing our understanding of sources of high-energy radiation. During that same time, however, its ``unassociated'' sources have provided a consistent mystery: approximately one third of the modern gamma-ray sky remains completely unaccounted for in other electromagnetic regimes. While some of the fainter sources simply pose challenges in achieving the necessary signal-to-noise ratio, others are well constrained and have resisted traditional investigations for years, and in some cases, for over a decade. Radio astronomy has traditionally been the best …

Modeling Lithographic Quantum Dots And Donors For Quantum Computation And Simulation, Mitchell Ian Brickson

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Our first focus is on few-hole quantum dots in germanium. We use discontinous Galerkin methods to discretize and solve the equations of a highly detailed k·p model that describes these systems, enabling a better understanding of experimental magnetospectroscopy results. We confirm the expected anisotropy of single-hole g-factors and describe mechanisms by which different orbital states have different g-factors. Building on this, we show that the g-factors in Ge holes are suciently sensitive to details of the device electrostatics that magnetospectroscopy data can be used to make a prediction of the underlying confinement potential. The second focus is on designing quantum …

Volumetric Imaging Using The Pupil-Matched Remote Focusing Technique In Light-Sheet Microscopy, Sayed Hassan Dibaji Foroushani

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

ABSTRACT

The dissertation explores innovative techniques in light sheet microscopy, a pivotal tool in biomedical imaging, to enhance its speed, resolution, and efficiency in capturing dynamic biological processes. Light sheet microscopy allows for quick 3D imaging of biological specimens ranging from cells to organs with high spatiotemporal resolution, large field-of-view, and minimal damage, making it vital for in vivo imaging.

The first project introduces a novel optical concept designed to optimize Axially Swept Light Sheet Microscopy (ASLM). This technique is crucial for imaging specimens ranging from live cells to chemically cleared organs due to its versatility across different immersion media. …

A Bio-Inspired Alternative Positioning, Navigation, And Timing Approach Based On A Potential Game-Theoretic Model, Md Sadman Siraj

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

This thesis addresses the challenge of designing of alternative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions. Inspired by the evolution of biological ecosystems, we introduce a novel symbiotic PNT solution, based on the principles of Game Theory and the exploitation of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RISs). A set of actors, consisting of anchor nodes and RISs with known coordinates, collaborator nodes having a rough estimate of their positions, and targets of unknown positions, are cooperating to accurately determine the targets’ positioning and timing. The key objective is to minimize the estimation error of each target and collaborator node, as well as of …

Location Aware Task Offloading Framework For Edge Computing Empowered By Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces, Md Sahabul Hossain

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

In this thesis, an energy efficient task offloading mechanism in a multi-access edge computing (MEC) environment is introduced, based on the principles of Contract Theory. The technology of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) is adopted and serves as the enabler for the energy efficient task offloading, from the perspective of location-awareness and improved communication environment. Initially a novel positioning, navigation, and timing solution is designed, based on the RIS technology and an artificial intelligent method that selects a set of RISs to perform the multilateration technique and determine the Internet of Things (IoT) nodes’ positions in an efficient and accurate manner …

An Inquiry Into Urban Schooling And The Social Justice Nexus: An Agency Case Study For Transformative Change, Eduardo E. Peña Jr.

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

In an era of accountability and censorship in public schooling, teaching for social justice is a difficult proposition for K-5 teachers. This inquiry explored the pedagogical principles of five elementary school teachers who navigate the rigors of standardization while also providing an education with a social justice orientation. Using a critical lens, this study v i was guided by the following questions: (1) how do elementary teachers approach topics of social justice in their curriculum? (2) what are the pedagogical considerations for teachers in urban schooling? and (3) what structures prohibit or provide proliferation for the integration of social justice …

A Study Of Preservice Teachers' Preparedness To Teach Reading, Kelli Williams-Page

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Only 35% of fourth graders in the United States can read at the proficient level, and only 34% of eighth graders can read proficiently (National Assessment of Educational Progress [NAEP], 2022). The purpose of this study was to determine how preservice teachers (PSTs) describe their experience of the methodology of teaching reading in their literacy courses. In addition, what specific strategies for teaching reading do PSTs describe as the focus for their teaching reading preparation, and how do PSTs describe the potential of the strategies learned in their coursework to help them teach reading in their future positions? This study …

"I Know The Dream Mine Is True": Mormons, Mining, And The Making Of "Bad Religion" In Early Twentieth-Century Utah, Christine V. Shell

American Studies ETDs

In 1894, folksy Mormon farmer-turned-prophet John H. Koyle, Jr, dreamed that an angel from the Book of Mormon showed him where and how to mine for golden ore and Book of Mormon treasures. Shortly afterwards, Koyle and a handful of friends established the “Dream Mine” at the revealed location, and as word spread additional workers joined the cause—for this was a mine destined to save the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members from financial and spiritual ruin during the long-foretold apocalyptic “Last Days.”

Koyle’s followers took delight and solace from their participation in the Dream Mine’s …

"Un Pedacito De Nuestro Pais": Salvadoran Rootedness In Central Los Angeles, Ericka Arias

Latin American Studies ETDs

How has the Salvadoran Market contributed to a sense of cultural rootedness in Central Los Angeles? This thesis project examines the ways in which an informalized street vendor market has employed Latino Urbanism and Placemaking practices to foster a sense of cultural rootedness and belonging for the local Salvadoran community. Through community- based approaches and analysis, this thesis addresses the sociocultural importance of street vendors for immigrant communities and analyzes the ways in which this Salvadoran market facilitates placemaking practices that (re)unite Salvadorans with their cultural roots. This research contributes to subfields of Latino Urbanism and Informality, within Urban Studies, …

Physical Properties Of Copper Niobium Nanolamellar Composites Fabricated By Accumulative Roll Bonding, Jared Justice

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

Nanolamellar composites with high interface density have increased strength due to interfaces serving as barriers to dislocation movement and high radiation damage resistance. However, these interfaces also serve as barriers to electron motion, reducing the electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity. This work seeks to understand the inherent tradeoff between strength and physical properties of nanolamellar composites produced by accumulative roll bonding with layer thickness ranging from 25 nm to 193 nm. The electrical resistivity was investigated over temperatures ranging from 2 K to 300 K. The effect of longitudinal rolling and cross rolling was also investigated. Electrical resistivity results were …

Bitcoin Price Modeling Using Machine Learning Algorithms, Azadeh Golduzian

Mathematics & Statistics ETDs

Forecasting in financial markets with various technologies is critical nowadays. The Bitcoin cryptocurrency has grown in popularity in recent years, and as a result, many people all around the world have attempted to forecast its price. To improve forecast accuracy, we must employ multiple types of data and diverse approaches. This thesis combines textual and financial data and employs statistical methods and machine learning to forecast Bitcoin's price as precisely as possible. We show the performance of each strategy using Bitcoin data at the end of each chapter.

Assessing Risk For Complications In Acute Hematogenous Osteomyelitis In Children: Validation Of 2 Predictive Scores, Adriana Sarmiento Clemente, J Chase Mcneil, Kristina G Hultén, Jesus G Vallejo, Michael E Scheurer, Sheldon L Kaplan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO) can be associated with severe complications which can be difficult to predict in the clinical setting. The previously published predictive acute complication score ("A-SCORE") and chronic complication score ("C-SCORE") show promise, however, further external validation is needed.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 418 children with AHO and analyzed the performance of A-SCORE (variables included bone abscess, fever after 48 h of starting antibiotics, suppurative arthritis, disseminated disease, and delayed source control) to predict risk for acute complicated course (treatment failure, prolonged admission, and/or need for ≥2 bone debridements) and C-SCORE (includes disseminated disease, …

Roadside Lidar Data Processing For Intelligent Transportation System, Md Parvez Mollah

Computer Science ETDs

Roadside LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors are recently being explored for Intelligent Transportation System aiming at safer and faster traffic management and vehicular operations. However, massive data volume, occlusion, and limited viewing angles are significant obstacles to the widespread use of roadside LiDARs. In this dissertation, we address three major challenges to enable applications of Intelligent Transportation System through roadside LiDAR data: (i) real-time transmission of the massive point-cloud data from the roadside LiDAR devices to the cloud using 5G network, (ii) mitigating sensor occlusion problem to increase coverage and detect events occurred in occluded regions of a sensor, …

Computational Study Of The Effect Of Geometry On Molecular Interactions, Sarika Kumar

Computer Science ETDs

The specificity and predictability of DNA make it an excellent programmable material and have allowed bio-programmers to build sophisticated molecular circuits. These molecular devices should be precise, correct, and function as intended. In order to implement these circuits, the challenge is to build a robust, reliable, and scalable logic circuit with ideally minimum unwanted signal release. Performing experiments are expensive and time-consuming, so modeling and analyzing these bio-molecular systems become crucial in designing molecular circuits. This dissertation aimed to develop algorithms and build computational tools for automated analysis of molecular circuits that incorporate the molecular geometry of nanostructures. Molecular circuits …

Smart Applications And Resource Management In Internet Of Things, Zeinab Akhavan

Computer Science ETDs

Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are currently the principal solutions driving smart cities. These new technologies such as Cyber Physical Systems, 5G and data analytic have emerged to address various cities' infrastructure issues ranging from transportation and energy management to healthcare systems. An IoT setting primarily consists of a wide range of users and devices as a massive network interacting with different layers of the city infrastructure resulting in generating sheer volume of data to enable smart city services. The goal of smart city services is to create value for the entire ecosystem, whether this is health, education, transportation, energy, …

Parsons, Edgar Athletics Oral History, Cindy Spiro

General Athletics

Ed Parsons was a 1934 graduated of Pacific and athlete

Prevalence And Perceived Efficacy In The Treatment Of Rheumatoid And Psoriatic Arthritis With Curcumin And Cannabinoids, Neha Bhanusali, Richa Purohit

Research Data and Datasets

Introduction

Rheumatoid (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are autoimmune conditions that progressively destroy joints, causing chronic, often debilitating pain and drastically affecting the quality of life. Though cannabis has been legalized for medical use in most states in the United States (US), the safety and efficacy of its use in inflammatory arthritis have still not been satisfactorily established. It is also suggested that curcumin possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Methods

This study utilized an observational, cross-sectional design to survey patients with RA and PsA presenting to a rheumatology clinic to establish the prevalence and perceived efficacy of curcumin and cannabinoids in …

Machine Learning With Multi-Source Data To Predict And Explain Marine Pilot Occupational Accidents, Gokhan Camliyurt, Youngsoo Park, Daewon Kim, Won Sik Kang, Sangwon Park

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Marine pilot occupational accidents during transfer to/from ships are the primary concern of the International Marine Pilots’ Association (IMPA) and industry professionals. There are multiple transfer methods for marine pilots, with the most common being the pilot boat. To reach the mother ship bridge, the following stages must be safely completed: car transfer, walking on the pier, pier to pilot boat, pilot transfer by boat, cutter to pilot ladder, mother ship freeboard climbing, and ship deck to the bridge. Each stage has its own risk. Previous accident records and expert opinions are commonly used to conduct a risk analysis and …

Is Digital Altruism The Same As Offline Altruism?: An Exploration Of Strength-Based Determinants Among Generation Z During Covid-19 Pandemic, Nair Shravya Sunil, Surekha Chukkali

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Digital altruism is a new form of altruism on social media platforms. Social media has been a vital tool for sharing and seeking information for day-to-day situations, enabling people to seek and render help. Engaging in helping behaviour could be purely out of altruism or can be traced back to their professional requirements. Social media platforms have brought out people’s altruistic side on multiple occasions. The present study looked at the altruism levels of Indian Generation-Z social media users and how it is influenced by the users’ strength-based determinants, i.e. empathy, compassion, social justice, optimism, social intelligence, and personality, compared …

The Object Play Of Young Children On The Autism Spectrum: A Narrative Review Of Strengths-Based Literature, Sharon Eva

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The play in young children with autism has been historically seen as deficits-based, with a focus on the limitations of autistic object play. More recently, there has been a shift towards a strengths-based view of autistic object play, where their play preferences and skills are viewed as vehicles for meaningful engagement and as having potential for learning. The aims of this narrative review are two-fold: to identify themes in the existing literature regarding the object play of young children with autism; and, to summarize the existing literature specifically examining object play in young autistic children from a strengths-based point …

Stressed Fracture: The Relationship Between Coping Strategies And Workload In Secondary School Athletic Trainers, Andrew Gallucci, Katherine M. Lee, Leslie W. Oglesby, Anna Porter, Leslee Funderburk, Jeff S. Forsse

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The work environment for an athletic trainer (AT) working in a secondary school is typified by heavy workloads and job-related stress. Occupational stress can have negative effects on productivity, absenteeism, employee turnover, and quality of life. Research suggests that personal and situational factors can influence the coping process adopted by an individual. The approach-avoidance framework suggests that people cope with a stressor by either attempting to reduce it or removing oneself from that stressor. Previous research on other healthcare professionals suggested that use of avoidance coping was correlated with higher levels of job stress and those who perceived greater …

Hearing Loss As A Risk Factor For Cognitive Decline In The Elderly: A Rapid Review, Natalie Large, Nannette Nicholson

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The aim of this rapid review was to identify and evaluate evidence exploring hearing loss as a risk factor for cognitive decline in the elderly population. Methods: A literature search was performed in three databases: CINAHL, Cochrane Central, and PubMed. The PRISMA template was used to record the search and selection process. Search criteria included older adults aged 65 and up with diagnosed or self-reported hearing loss and no previous diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Participants were excluded if they had been diagnosed with dementia or tested for it before the study began. Hearing loss was categorized using …

Student Athletic Therapists' Knowledge Of Pain-Relieving Medications: A Nationwide Study, Jackie Vandertuin, Dalya Abdulla, Stephanie Lowther, Joshua Collins

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: Misuse of pain-relieving medications (PRMs), including opioids, is high among injured athletes. Athletes are increasingly relying on PRMs and as a result, it is likely that student athletic therapists (SATs) have managed athletes who have misused PRMs and may have potentially missed important symptoms placing athletes in harm. While dispensing PRMs is not within the scope of practice of the SAT, recognition and referral are. Previous research has found that SATs feel ill prepared to recognize PRM misuse and feel tremendous pressure to provide correct health information to the athlete. The purpose of this study was to expand on …

Recent Advances In Combined Avant-Garde Technologies (Thermal-Thermal, Non-Thermal-Non-Thermal, And Thermal-Non-Thermal Matrix) To Extract Polyphenols From Agro Byproducts, Isaac Duah Boateng

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Because food byproducts (waste) are rich in phytoconstituents, valorizing them is crucial for global food security. However, conventional extraction (CE), including decoction, maceration, Soxhlet, etc., for agro byproducts’ polyphenol extraction are time-consuming and rely significantly on vast volumes of potentially aggressive solvents. Hence, Avant-garde extraction technologies, including non-thermal (high hydrostatic pressure (HHPE), pulsed-electric field (PEF), high voltage electrical discharges (HVED), etc.) and thermal extraction (supercritical fluid (SCF), subcritical water extraction (SWE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), etc.), as well as their thermal combinations (SCF-PLE, SCCO2-SWE, SCCO2-MAE, etc.), non-thermal combinations (HHPE+UAE, PEF+UAE, HVED+UAE, etc.) and combined thermal-non-thermal (MAE-UAE, etc.) are increasingly replacing CE. …

Fall Commencement Program, December 15, 2023, Coastal Carolina University

Commencement Programs

Program of Commencement Exercises at Coastal Carolina University.

Mindfulness Based Self Care Toolkit For Psychiatric Healthcare Staff, Harkirat Kaur Bajwa

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Abstract

Background: Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at high risk of stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue (CF). Up to 50% of physicians and 33% of nurses experience burnout in the United States. Higher rates of burnout were noted during the recent SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic due to the increased need for mental health services among patients and HCP.

Problem: Stress, burnout, and CF are associated with increased medical errors, poor patient safety, and higher staff turnover rates. One-third of nurses report they intend to leave the profession because of burnout which contributes to financial burden for hospitals. A higher nurse turnover rate …