Digital Commons Network^™

Application Of Lean Six Sigma For Improving Quality Laboratory Process, Sarmad Al Hilli

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Oftentimes, manufacturing companies concentrate on improving the production processes and neglecting other processes like purchasing, IT, quality control, etc. Just like production processes, uncontrolled and non-optimized of any of these processes could be main reasons of product defects, late deliveries, and high costs. Recently, an automotive OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) in the southeastern United States faces difficulties in performing quality control operations in a way that matches the production pace. This inadequacy has increased due to changes in customer requirements and launches a new assembly line for a new customer. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to apply Lean …

Synthesis Of Gold Nanoparticles Via Pulsed Liquid Ablation For Use In The Photodynamic Therapy Of Bacteria, Justice Ben Yosef

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

With the ever-increasing threat of antibiotic resistant bacteria, alternative treatment methods have been developed including photodynamic therapy (PDT). Within the PDT process, photosensitizers are used to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and facilitate the cell termination process. This work lays the conceptual foundation for the functionalization of the photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and INF-55 as a potential inhibitor of the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump to enhance the effectivity of the PDT process.

AuNPs were synthesized using pulsed laser ablation in an aqueous citrate solution. Both nanosecond and picosecond pulse durations, as well as both 532 nm and …

Preassessment Data And Differentiation In Middle School Math Classrooms, Brittany Mitchell

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This research study investigates the use of preassessment data to guide differentiated instructional strategies in educational settings. Since there has been an increased awareness of diverse learning requirements among students, differentiated instruction has become a highly researched topic and proved to be an effective strategy used to address different learning modalities, interests, and levels of readiness. However, there has been little research aimed at differentiating for a middle school math classroom. In this study, qualitative methods are employed, and interview transcripts are the primary sources of data. Findings revealed that math teachers understand the benefits of preassessments and differentiation strategies, …

Non-Contact Wind Turbine Blade Crack Detection Using Laser Doppler Vibrometers, Ali Zabihi, Farhood Aghdasi, Chadi Ellouzi, Nand Kishore Singh, Ratneshwar Jha, Chen Shen

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering Departmental Research

In response to the growing global demand for both energy and a clean environment, there has been an unprecedented rise in the utilization of renewable energy. Wind energy plays a crucial role in striving for carbon neutrality due to its eco-friendly characteristics. Despite its significance, wind energy infrastructure is susceptible to damage from various factors including wind or sea waves, rapidly changing environmental conditions, delamination, crack formation, and structural deterioration over time. This research focuses on investigating non-destructive testing (NDT) of wind turbine blades (WTBs) using approaches based on the vibration of the structures. To this end, WTBs are first …

2024 Nsu Undergraduate Commencement Program, Nova Southeastern University

NSU Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Fundamental 2-Quandles Of The M(1/2, 1/3, 1/3; K) Montesino Knots, Alex Abrams

Mathematics Theses

Every oriented knot has an associated fundamental quandle. Except in two simple cases, these quandles have infinite order. For every integer n>1, there is a quotient of the fundamental quandle called the n-quandle of the knot. In some cases, these n-quandles may be finite. In the case of the M(1/2,1/3,1/3; k) Montesino knot family, the 2-quandle is finite. In this paper, we investigate the structure of the 2-quandle and prove its size.

Improving Parental Engagement For Kindergarten Readiness: An Improvement Science Study, Sarah Johnson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Every child deserves the opportunity to come to school ready to learn with the skills needed to take on the content in kindergarten. Students, who are not ready for kindergarten, have a higher chance of needing additional support services with academics and behavior (Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). In Kentucky, less than 50% of the kindergarten students were considered kindergarten ready based on the 2022 Kindergarten Readiness data (Kentucky Department of Education, 2023). In the district where this study took place, 43% of students were determined to be kindergarten ready (Kentucky Department of Education, 2023). Knowing the implications and long term …

Examining Higher Education Through Hyflex, Emily Howell, Sandra Linder, Joseph Ryan, William C. Bridges

Publications

This design-based research (DBR) study investigated the following research question: How can the HyFlex instructional model be leveraged to create more accessible and equitable education for graduate students? To address this question, the researchers explored two education doctoral courses in the USA, with 37 participants for one semester. The essential elements of the intervention included the following: digital, multimodal tools; equity of online and face-to-face learning environments; and engagement in community. A mixed methods approach to data collection and analysis was utilised in accordance with the DBR framework, including inhibiting and enhancing factors of the intervention, modifications made, unanticipated outcomes, …

Identification Of The Top Tess Objects Of Interest For Atmospheric Characterization Of Transiting Exoplanets With Jwst, B. J. Hord, E. M.-R. Kempton, T. M. Evans-Soma, D. W. Latham, D. R. Ciardi, D. Dragomir, K. D. Colón, G. Ross, A. Vanderburg, Z. L. De Beurs, K. A. Collins, C. N. Watkins, J. Bean, N. B. Cowan, T. Daylan, C. V. Morley, J. Ih, D. Baker, K. Barkaoui, N. M. Batalha, A. Behmard, A. Belinski, Z. Benkhaldoun, P. Benni, K. Bernacki, A. Bieryla, A. Binnenfeld, P. Bosch-Cabot, F. Bouchy, V. Bozza, R. Brahm, L. A. Buchhave, M. Calkins, A. Chontos, C. A. Clark, R. Cloutier, M. Cointepas, K. I. Collins, D. M. Conti, I. J. M. Crossfield, F. Dai, J. P. De Leon, G. Dransfield, C. Dressing, A. Dustor, G. Esquerdo, P. Evans, S. B. Fajardo-Acosta, J. Fiołka, R. Forés-Toribio, A. Frasca, A. Fukui, B. Fulton, E. Furlan, T. Gan, D. Gandolfi, M. Ghachoui, S. Giacalone, E. A. Gilbert, M. Gillon, E. Girardin, E. Gonzales, F. Grau Horta, J. Gregorio, M. Greklek-Mckeon, P. Guerra, J. D. Hartman, C. Hellier, I. Helm, K. G. Hełminiak, T. Henning, M. L. Hill, K. Horne, A. W. Howard, S. B. Howell, D. Huber, G. Isopi, E. Jehin, J. M. Jenkins, Eric L.N. Jensen, M. C. Johnson, A. Jordán, S. R. Kane, J. F. Kielkopf, V. Krushinsky, S. Lasota, E. Lee, P. Lewin, J. H. Livingston, J. Lubin, M. B. Lund, F. Mallia, C. R. Mann, G. Marino, N. Maslennikova, B. Massey, R. Matson, E. Matthews, A. W. Mayo, T. Mazeh, K. K. Mcleod, E. J. Michaels, T. Močnik, M. Mori, G. Mraz, J. A. Muñoz, N. Narita, K. Natarajan, L. D. Nielsen, H. Osborn, E. Palle, A. Panahi, R. Papini, P. Plavchan, A. S. Polanski, A. Popowicz, F. J. Pozuelos, S. N. Quinn, D. J. Radford, P. A. Reed, H. M. Relles, M. Rice, P. Robertson, J. E. Rodriguez, L. J. Rosenthal, R. A. Rubenzahl, N. Schanche, J. Schlieder, R. P. Schwarz, R. Sefako, A. Shporer, A. Sozzetti, G. Srdoc, C. Stockdale, A. Tarasenkov, T.-G. Tan, M. Timmermans, E. B. Ting, J. Van Zandt, Jp Vignes, I. Waite, N. Watanabe, L. M. Weiss, J. Wittrock, G. Zhou, C. Ziegler, S. Zucker

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Works

JWST has ushered in an era of unprecedented ability to characterize exoplanetary atmospheres. While there are over 5000 confirmed planets, more than 4000 Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) planet candidates are still unconfirmed and many of the best planets for atmospheric characterization may remain to be identified. We present a sample of TESS planets and planet candidates that we identify as "best-in-class" for transmission and emission spectroscopy with JWST. These targets are sorted into bins across equilibrium temperature T_eq and planetary radius R_p and are ranked by a transmission and an emission spectroscopy metric (TSM and ESM, respectively) …

Sites Of Planet Formation In Binary Systems. I. Evidence For Disk−Orbit Alignment In The Close Binary Fo Tau, B. M. Tofflemire, L. Prato, A. L. Kraus, D. Segura-Cox, G. H. Schaefer, R. Akeson, S. Andrews, Eric L.N. Jensen, C. M. Johns-Krull, J. J. Zanazzi, M. Simon

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Works

Close binary systems present challenges to planet formation. As binary separations decrease, so do the occurrence rates of protoplanetary disks in young systems and planets in mature systems. For systems that do retain disks, their disk masses and sizes are altered by the presence of the binary companion. Through the study of protoplanetary disks in binary systems with known orbital parameters, we seek to determine the properties that promote disk retention and therefore planet formation. In this work, we characterize the young binary−disk system FO Tau. We determine the first full orbital solution for the system, finding masses of 0.35 …

A Search For Pulsars And An Exploration Of Dispersion Measure Within The Milky Way Galaxy, Emily Ware

Physics Undergraduate Honors Theses

A pulsar is a rapidly rotating neutron star which emits electromagnetic radiation from its magnetic poles. Upon detection from Earth, these signals have been dispersed in phase due to electron interactions in transit. The extent of this dispersion indicates information about both the distance to and the location of the pulsar, with respect to Earth and the Galactic plane. This project makes use of radio data from the 100m Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT), presented in the form of prepfold plots assembled by the Pulsar Science Collaboratory (PSC). 1,007 of these plots were analyzed in order to determine …

The Analysis Of Mechanical Exfoliation Of Graphene For Various Fabrication And Automation Techniques, Lance Yarbrough

Physics Undergraduate Honors Theses

Mechanical Exfoliation

Factors Influencing Performance Of Students In Software Automated Test Tools Course, Susmita Haldar, Mary Pierce, Luiz Fernando Capretz

Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications

Formal software testing education is important for building efficient QA professionals. Various aspects of quality assurance approaches are usually covered in courses for training software testing students. Automated Test Tools is one of the core courses in the software testing post-graduate curriculum due to the high demand for automated testers in the workforce. It is important to understand which factors are affecting student performance in the automated testing course to be able to assist the students early on based on their needs. Various metrics that are considered for predicting student performance in this testing course are student engagement, grades on …

Illuminated Magazine, School Of Graduate Studies, East Tennessee State University

Illuminated: Graduate Student Research Magazine

From the Graduate School; Connecting Cultures and Overcoming Adversity through Art: One Artist’s Perspective, [Akintayo Akintobe, Studio Art, MFA]; Where Are They Now? [Featuring Emily Lu]; Bridging the Gap in Patient Self-Care: The Lived Experiences of Young Adults with Type 2 Diabetes, [Holly Berry-Price, Nursing, PhD]; Where Are They Now? [Featuring Oluwafisayo Ogundoro]; Examining the Causes of COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among People Living with HIV, [Charles Olomofe, Public Health, DrPH]; Where Are They Now? [Featuring Julianna Cole]; Uncovering East Tennessee’s History through a Material Lens, [Slade Nakoff, History, MA]; Where Are They Going? [Featuring Tess Ann Simpson]; Filling the Gaps: …

A Mixed Methods Evaluation Of Three Quantitative Approaches For Examining Persistence, Angela J. Rockwell

Dissertations

Institutional researchers use skills from their diverse backgrounds to collect, analyze and report data about their institutions to stakeholders representing various interests and levels of data literacy. However, there is little research into how these professionals process data and none into what aspects are important to institutional researchers when planning and executing these analyses. Given the importance of student persistence in higher education, this study used mixed methods to examine the factors institutional researchers consider when selecting a quantitative approach to exploring persistence and how they apply to selecting a quantitative approach. Three approaches (proportions, logistic regression, and discrete time …

Enhancing Chinese Language Learning Through Problem-Solving Gameplay, Weihsuan Lo

Dissertations

Integrating 21st-century skills into language education faces challenges in providing meaningful, skills-based activities beyond traditional vocabulary and grammar instruction. This study addressed the need for updated curricula that aligned learning goals with 21st-century labor market demands, emphasizing the development of creative thinking, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills (P21 4C skills). Teacher-centered approaches in Chinese language education further complicate the adoption of student-centered pedagogies. To overcome these challenges, the study proposed using game-based learning to create an inclusive and dynamic learning environment that fostered language proficiency and P21 4C skills. The FIXIT card game was introduced as an educational tool …

Random-Effects Substitution Models For Phylogenetics Via Scalable Gradient Approximations, A. F. Magee, A. J. Holbrook, J. E. Pekar, Itzue W. Caviedes-Solis, F. A. Matsen Iv, G. Baele, J. O. Wertheim, X. Ji, P. Lemey, M. A. Suchard

Biology Faculty Works

Phylogenetic and discrete-trait evolutionary inference depend heavily on an appropriate characterization of the underlying character substitution process. In this paper, we present random-effects substitution models that extend common continuous-time Markov chain models into a richer class of processes capable of capturing a wider variety of substitution dynamics. As these random-effects substitution models often require many more parameters than their usual counterparts, inference can be both statistically and computationally challenging. Thus, we also propose an efficient approach to compute an approximation to the gradient of the data likelihood with respect to all unknown substitution model parameters. We demonstrate that this approximate …

Green At Eye Level: From Measurement Approaches To Simulated Models And Inequality Assessments In U.S. Major Cities, Jingjing Yan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation delves into the multifaceted dynamics of urban greenness, addressing critical aspects of sustainable urban development. Providing urban green spaces has been widely acknowledged to offer numerous benefits to individuals and communities. Recently, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of evaluating urban greenness from a human-centered perspective, partly due to the rapid development of eye-level greenness measurement. First, to provide a comprehensive overview of measurement approaches and topics related to eye-level urban greenness, a systematic review of 77 papers was conducted in this research. This review revealed that street view images are the primarily utilized data …

Passages, Arden Carlson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Passages is a collection of wood sculptures and drawings by Arden Carlson, exploring a mesh of southern intimacies and queer musings; underpinned by the logics of belief, grief, and love. The result is a tender field of angelic birds fixed in flight over gnawed surfaces of grain and graphite. The following dissertation details the artist’s logic during the construction of the visual art thesis exhibition, Passages. The writing is composed in an autoethnographic format, backed by supporting anecdotes and creative methodologies that help to route the operational modes used. Near the end of this writing, you’ll find an additional addendum …

Addressing Data Limitations Of Commercial Waterways Via Machine Learning And Stochastic Optimization, Sanjeev Bhurtyal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Freight transportation is a crucial component of the US economy, with truck, rail, and water contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, challenges arise in maintaining infrastructure capacity to accommodate the growing tonnage and value of freight transportation. Waterways offer high efficiency and environmental friendliness, with the capacity to transport substantial cargo volumes. Utilizing waterways can alleviate bottlenecks in landside transportation, accommodating the rising tonnage of commodity flow in the US. Despite the advantages of waterway transportation, the data limitations hinder informed decision-making regarding port operation and infrastructure investment. The lack of granularity and timeliness in available data …

The Ai Effect: Rethinking Design Workflows For Enhanced Productivity And Creativity, Israel Adeleye

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming how designers work with computers. This thesis explores the developing relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and design processes, focusing on how it impacts the creation of digital experiences. This study examines the impact of AI on design, highlighting how AI can improve efficiency and creativity alongside ethical challenges and the need to preserve human uniqueness in digital creations. It investigates AI's effects on design workflows, creativity, and the designer's evolving role through interviews, content analysis, case studies, and surveys. The aim is to understand AI's influence on designer productivity, innovation, and …

The Framing Of Authority In The Acrl Framework On Information Literacy: Multidisciplinary Perspectives On Truth, Authority, Expertise And Belief., Lisa M. Rose-Wiles

Library Publications

Purpose This paper engages multidisciplinary perspectives on truth, authority, expertise and belief to unpack and better understand the underlying epistemology and implications of the ACRL frame “authority is constructed and contextual”.' Design/Methodology/Approach Following an overview of the issues confronting us in a “post-truth world”, the paper reviews critiques of the ACRL frame “authority is constructed and contextual” and examines the related concepts of truth, authority, expertise and belief from multidisciplinary perspectives. Findings While the frame acknowledges the limitations and biases of current scholarly publishing and implicitly supports social justice, it runs the danger of promoting relativism and is ambiguous regarding …

An Educational Resource For Particle Identification (Pid) In Experimental Particle Physics Data, Richard Dube

University Scholar Projects

Although particle physics research is typically reserved for advanced undergraduates, algebra-based physics students can readily develop the foundational skills necessary to conduct particle physics research. Despite this, there is a shortage of educational resources that introduce particle physics to algebra-based physics students. This project, Particle Identification Playground, is a collection of Python-based activities that teach students about several fundamental topics in experimental particle physics research. Through these activities, students will learn about the common detectors used in particle physics, how they work, and how we can use these detectors to identify particles. Students are able to interact with 3D models …

Murmurations And Root Numbers, Alexey Pozdnyakov

University Scholar Projects

We report on a machine learning investigation of large datasets of elliptic curves and L-functions. This leads to the discovery of murmurations, an unexpected correlation between the root numbers and Dirichlet coefficients of L-functions. We provide a formal definition of murmurations, describe the connection with 1-level density, and provide three examples for which the murmuration phenomenon has been rigorously proven. Using our understanding of murmurations, we then build new machine learning models in search of a polynomial time algorithm for predicting root numbers. Based on our models and several heuristic arguments, we conclude that it is unlikely for …

How Can We Explain Empirical Formulas For Shrinkage Cracking Of Cement-Stabilized Pavement Layers, Edgar Daniel Rodriguez Velasquez, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In pavement construction, one of the frequent defects is shrinkage cracking of the cement-stabilized pavement layer. To minimize this defect, it is important to be able to predict how this cracking depends on the quantities describing the pavement layer and the corresponding environment. Cracking is usually described by two parameters: the average width of the crack and the crack spacing. Empirical analysis shows that the dependence of the width on all related quantities is described by a power law. Power laws are ubiquitous in physics, they describe a frequent case when the dependence is scale-invariant -- i.e., does not change …

Understanding Student Perspectives On Higher-Level Mathematics Courses At A Higher Level Institution On The U.S.–Mexico Border, Diego Rivera

ANTH 4306/6306 Anthropology of Borders

This project explores students' perspectives on mathematics courses at a higher-level institution along the U.S.–Mexico border. Traditional mathematics instruction is often delivered from an objective standpoint, but this study investigates how students perceive courses like college algebra and calculus when taught using a practical approach that incorporates their cultural background and personal knowledge. The study involves interviews with three students from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), majoring in Statistics, Biomedical Science, and Engineering. The paper includes detailed descriptions of the students and their responses, concluding with insights derived from the interviews.

Commencement Program, May 2024, Bemidji State University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Understanding Perspectives Of Power In A College Mathematics Classroom, Laura Seeberger

Honors College Theses

Power is embedded in teacher and student actions within mathematics classrooms, whether that power is known or not. Incorporating equity and inclusiveness requires a deeper understanding of this power behind actions. In this study, we developed and administered a three part survey questioning college faculty and college students how they perceive power related to common actions within a college mathematics classroom. For example, participants were asked whether a college math teacher assigning homework increased, decreased, or did both to the teacher’s power; then whether this action increased, decreased, or did both to a student’s power. Analysis of 16 faculty and …

Lhs 475 B: A Potential Venus Analog Orbiting A Nearby M Dwarf, K. Ment, D. Charbonneau, J. Irwin, J. G. Winters, E. Pass, A. Shporer, K. A. Collins, K. I. Collins, Eric L.N. Jensen, R. P. Schwarz, K. Horne, Z. Essack, V. B. Kostov, M. Kunimoto, A. Levine, S. Seager, R. Vanderspek, J. N. Winn

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Works

Based on photometric observations by TESS, we present the discovery of a potential Venus analog transiting LHS 475, an M3 dwarf located 12.5 pc from the Sun. The mass of the star is 0.274 ± 0.015 M_☉. The planet, originally reported as TOI 910.01, has an orbital period of 2.0291010 ± 0.0000017 days and an estimated radius of 0.975 ± 0.058 R_⊕. We confirm the validity and source of the transit signal with MEarth and Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope ground-based follow-up photometry. We present radial velocity data from CHIRON that rule out massive companions. In …

Modeling And Analysis Of Neutron Flux Of A Vver 1200 Reactor Core Using Monte Carlo Code Openmc, K. M. Rakib Al Hasan, Dr. Debashis Datta, Altab Hossain

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Nuclear reactors and their associated facilities are complex systems that require accurate modeling and analysis to ensure safety, security, and efficient operation. This study aims to model and analyze the neutron flux of a generic VVER 1200 reactor core using the Monte Carlo code OpenMC. For the purpose of this analysis, a generic model of the VVER 1200 reactor core was developed using an OpenMC simulation environment. Furthermore, using this model, the neutron flux spectrum inside the reactor core was evaluated, from which neutron fluence was calculated accordingly. This study analyzed the effect of neutron flux on the developed model …