Digital Commons Network^™

Inheriting Nietzsche: The Frankfurt School And Foucault On The Foundation Of Critique, George Shea

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

My dissertation examines the theoretical ramifications that rejecting a metaphysical foundation has for providing critical and normative resources. While commentators often dismiss post-metaphysical philosophies as contradictory variants of anti-metaphysics, I demonstrate using the work of Nietzsche that they proceed from a deliberate "methodological decision" to suspend metaphysical assumptions. For this reason, while the methodological commitments of post-metaphysical critical social theories establish a theoretical orientation for their inquiries, they must forgo analyses that attribute domination to the distorting effects of illusion, error, or illegitimacy, and would thus cast liberation from domination as a return to a metaphysical foundation. In this light, …

Role Of Greenhouse Gas Inventories In Climate Change Mitigation At Institutions Of Higher Education, Sadaf Tehmina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite hundreds of Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) pledging action against climate change, there is little research on how to effectively enable these initiatives. This study utilizes a survey to analyze the role of greenhouse gas inventories (GHGI) in climate change mitigation within IHE. Among 62 responses, 46 indicated GHGI was helpful in decisions regarding emission reduction measures; 54 reported having a climate action plan (CAP) or sustainability policy (SP); 49 used GHGI in forming the CAP/SP. 95% of the respondents signed the ACUPCC pledge. When GHGI was used the IHE was more likely to have higher emission reductions (above …

Women’S Health Priorities And Interventions, Marleen Temmerman, Rajat Khosla, Laura Laski, Zoe Mathews, Lale Say

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Over the past decades, governments have taken steps towards improving women’s health in line with commitments made in key international summits. Progress has been made in reducing maternal mortality,1 which accelerated with the launch of the United Nations secretary general’s Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health in 2010. Use of maternal healthcare and family planning has increased in some countries.2 Progress has also been seen on two determinants of women’s health—school enrolment rates for girls and political participation of women—but not for others such as gender based violence.3

However, societies are still failing women in relation to health, especially …

Navigating A Paradoxical Identity : The Experiences Of Mixed Race Individuals Who Are Perceived As White, Marcella Emily Galvez Wagner

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative exploratory study examines the experiences of mixed race individuals who are perceived as White by others based on physical appearance. Literature on the mixed race population has only more recently focused on the phenomenon of racial misrecognition, or the incongruence between racial identity and racial perception by others. This study seeks to advance this literature by exploring the experiences of individuals who have a particular form of racial misrecognition where they hold a non-dominant racial identity and yet are perceived as White by others. The study explored racial identity, racial markers, disclosure and passing, family context, experiences of …

A Seminar For Building Strong Marriages And Healthy Relationships In South Bend Hispanic Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Ronald Rojas

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Despite the high biblical ideals for marriage and the divine power that is available to enable marital commitments to endure, the Seventh-day Adventist church recognizes the possibility that some individuals will not survive in marriage. Over the past 35 years (1974-2009) there has been a decline in the percentage of couples still in their first marriage (from 81% in 1974 to 58% in 2009) among Adventists in North America, which is very similar to the decline in percentage of married couples (from 82% in 1970 to 48% in 2010) in the United States (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). As a …

Contextualized Biblical Preaching Program For Young Adult Lay Preachers In Kenya, Fenades Obinchu

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kenya has the highest membership in the East Central African Division (ECD) with an average of one pastor for 1,136 members. Not only is the membership high and increasing, but each pastor has an average of seven churches (as of 2013) (General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 2003-2013). The majority of the membership is comprised of youth (13-17 years) and young adults (18-30 years). Even though youth and young adults comprise the majority of the membership, there is minimal level of active participation and low commitments from them in the life of the church, especially …

A Discipleship Project For New Members At The St. John's Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Wayne Rupert Knowles

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

During the first decade of the 21st century, a review of the ministry structure of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in St. Johns, Antigua, was done. It revealed that there was a need for a systematic plan to nurture new members into leaders. Although there were new converts classes held and materials were available for study, there were few organized plans within the church that would assist new members to become spiritually mature and equipped for ministry. This lack of structure has resulted in very few people being prepared to serve in the ministries of the church. Something needed to …

Enhancing The Quality Of Friendship In Married Couples' Relationships In The Madison, Tennessee Hispanic Sda District, Nathan Delima

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to explore the possibility of enhancing the friendship of certain married couples in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Madison, Tennessee Hispanic District. This project resource should add to the academic field of study by possibly helping pastors, family educators, and church family life leaders to consider using this project to help enrich the relationships of married couples. It will likely provide resource information for those doing projects or working with married couples.

Justification for the Project

There is a need to nurture the friendship of the married couples within the churches of …

A Program For Increasing Personal Reflection From A Biblical Perspective For Spiritual Growth At The Topeka Wanamaker Seventh-Day Adventist Church, George Mclain Goddard

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Shortly after arriving as the new pastor of the Wanamaker church I noticed the appearance of spiritual immaturity and disunity among members and stress between members and leaders. People gave time and talent to the church, yet complained about each other’s actions. It seemed that misperceptions of self, others, and God among members blocked spiritual development toward the maturity and unity that Christ prayed for (John 17). The root of the problem seemed to be perceptual. A developmental program was needed that would be accessible to people across the broad spectrum of understanding and move them toward Christian maturity …

The Microtonal Guitars Of Harry Partch, John Schneider

Soundboard Scholar

Known as an "American Maverick," Harry Partch (1901–1974) was surely one of the United States's most colorful composers. His dissatisfaction with the scales and instruments of Western music inspired him to design and build an orchestra of over two dozen handcrafted "microtonal" instruments that were tuned to his notorious "monophonic" scale of forty-three tones per octave. Between 1934 and 1952, Partch created four different adapted guitars, using them in fifteen compositions ranging from solo song cycles (Barstow, December 1942, U.S. Highball, Three Intrusions) to chamber music, dances, and four of his five major …

Fundamentals Of Speech, Steelman Library, Sheila A. Skipper Apr

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

Photography, Steelman Library, Chad Neuman

Syllabus Repository

No abstract provided.

Synthesis And Characterization Of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Using Microwave Heating For Removal Of Heavy Metals / Mubarak Mujawar, Mujawar Mubarak

Student Works (2010-2019)

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are among the most eminent materials in the first rank of the nanotechnology revolution. The most eye-catching features of these structures are their electronic, mechanical, optical and chemical characteristics, which open a way for future applications. A new method is introduced for synthesis of CNTs by gas phase, single stage microwave assisted chemical vapor deposition (MA-CVD) using ferrocene as a catalyst and acetylene (C2H2) and hydrogen (H2) as precursor gases. A fast CNTs growth and ambient reaction condition, lowers the cost, and simplifies the procedure leading to a high yield synthesis of high-quality CNTs with minimal impurity …

Transcriptome Profiling Of Omental Adipose Tissues In Human Obesity By Rna-Seq / Ng Hien Fuh, Hien Fuh Ng

Student Works (2010-2019)

Recent scientific research has indicated that inflammation in adipose tissues plays a central role in the pathophysiology of obesity and related complications. However, despite extensive studies, the molecular mechanisms that trigger and aggravate the obesity-related inflammation remain unclear. In this study, transcriptome profiling of omental adipose tissues from three obese and four lean patients was performed using the RNA-Seq technology. Differential expression analysis identified 206 dysregulated genes (p-value < 0.05 and fold change ≥ 2) in obesity, that are known to be involved in a multitude of functions including stress response, inflammatory response and leukocyte adhesion. Furthermore, differential splicing analysis uncovered a possible role for TLR4 RNA splicing in obesity, which is further validated with an independent cohort of samples (five obese and six lean patients) using RT-qPCR. These findings suggest that, as a person experiences weight gain leading to obesity, the adipose splicing pattern of TLR4 transcripts changes in favor of activation of TLR4 signaling, which in turn, may contribute to the progression of obesity-related inflammation and complications. This study provides a glimpse at the transcriptome of disease-state adipose tissue in obesity, and demonstrates the potential importance of aberrant RNA splicing and expression in obesity-associated immune dysregulation.

A New Technique For Lubrication Control Based On Friction Conditions In Cnc Machine Linear Guideways Using Servomotor Current Signals In Feed Drive System / Mahdi Sparham, Sparham Mahdi

Student Works (2010-2019)

Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining is currently one of the most important machining processes for manufacturing in industry. This is because the CNC machine offers favorable accuracy and precise machining. However, the frictional behavior in linear guideways is one of the most crucial challenges with CNC machining, as higher friction produces motion and accuracy problems. Lubrication in CNC machine guideways is used to overcome such problems. Currently, a predefined lubrication system via CNC coding command is used to lubricate guideways in CNC machines. This lubrication process is performed based on fixed times and amounts of oil injection regardless of cutting …

Integral-Derivative (I-D) And Modulation-Index-Curve Prediction Control Techniques For Three-Phase Ac-Dc Buck-Type Converter With Simplified Voltage-Based Spwm /Azrita Alias, Alias Azrita

Student Works (2010-2019)

This thesis presents the design of a three-phase AC-DC buck-type converter with bidirectional capability using simplified voltage-based sinusoidal pulse-width-modulation (SPWM) switching technique. With its four diodes connected to the switch enable bidirectional power flow in each switch. The proposed topology is an extension of the conventional 6-switch three-phase AC-DC buck-type converter whereas the proposed switching technique is a simplification of conventional modified SPWM technique. It uses one reference signals (0-60° sine wave) and one type carrier signal, instead of two reference signals and two types of carrier signals to generate PWM signals. The proposed circuit configuration produces sinusoidal AC current …

Negative Bias Temperature Instability And Permittivity Dependent Delay Mitigation In High-K Metal Oxide Compatible Cmos Dielectric / Nissar Mohammad Karim, Mohammad Karim Nissar

Student Works (2010-2019)

Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) and oxide delay are considered as threats to Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) transistors. Improving these issues result in improved performance in terms of reliability. In this thesis, to ensure reliability in transistors, the results on the basis of NBTI and oxide delay have been reported by incorporating SiO2 dielectric with different aged samples of high-K metal oxides. ZnO, TiO2 and CuO are chosen for the incorporation. NBTI occurs due to negative biasing and high temperature. And, oxide delay occurs due to high resistance and high capacitance inside dielectric. In this thesis the objectives are: …

Ber-Driven Resource Allocation For Multimedia Communication Over Downlink Ofdma Networks / Tham Mau Luen, Mau Luen Tham

Student Works (2010-2019)

Recent years have witnessed the growing pervasiveness of multimedia services due to significant advancements of both wireless access and multimedia compression technologies. On one hand, orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) is the key enabler for high-speed multiuser communications. On the other hand, nonscalable and scalable multimedia coding standards offer superior compression gains as well as strong adaptabilities to channel variations. The inherent error-prone nature of channel environments, the wireless resource scarcity along with the variations in the importance among multimedia packets, however, render the quality-of-service (QoS) provisioning for multimedia communication over wireless networks a challenging task. Leveraging multiple target bit-error-rates …

Utilization Of Functionally Graded Materials In Femoral Prosthesis / Azim Ataollahi Oshkour, Oshkour Azim Ataollahi

Student Works (2010-2019)

Total hip replacement is a highly effective surgical operation that relieves pain and restores the function of a degenerated hip joint. However, with the increasing incidence of total hip replacements, particularly among young patients, and femoral prosthesis implantation, implant designs should consider long-term survival and better performance. Minimizing the mismatch between the prosthesis and bone stiffness to reduce stress shielding and retain interface stresses within acceptable levels, can increase the longevity of total hip replacement and enhance the performance of the prosthesis. A prosthesis with adjustable stiffness may enable prosthetists to match the prosthesis and bone stiffness. Functionally graded materials …

Energy, Heat Transfer And Economic Analysis Of Flat-Plate Solar Collector Utilizing Sio2 Nanofluid / Mohd Faizal Fauzan, Fauzan Mohd Faizal

Student Works (2010-2019)

Solar thermal energy can be a good replacement for fossil fuel because it is clean and sustainable. However, the current solar technology is still not efficient and expensive. The effective way to increase the efficiency of solar collector is to use nanofluid. This study is carried out to analyze the impact on thermal performance, heat transfer and economic of a flat-plate solar collector when SiO2 nanofluid utilized as working fluid. The analysis is based on different volume flow rates and varying nanoparticles volume fractions. From the numerical study, it can be revealed that CuO have the highest thermal efficiency enhancement …

Electrodeposition And Characterization Of Sn-Bi Lead-Free Soldier Alloys / Goh Yingxin, Ying Xin Goh

Student Works (2010-2019)

Tin-bismuth eutectic alloy (Sn-58 wt.% Bi) is emerging as a potential lead-free solder alternative. The low melting temperature (138oC) of this alloy makes it a suitable candidate for higher level interconnections and for soldering heat sensitive components. Demands for high density interconnections led to the development of electroplating technique in soldering. In this work, a methane sulfonic acid (MSA) based plating bath is developed for the electrodeposition of Sn-Bi solder alloys. Composition control of the alloy is hampered by the large potential gap between the two elements. Electrolyte additives were incorporated to assist the simultaneous deposition of Sn and Bi. …

Dengue Rapid Diagnostic Via Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor / Peyman Jahanshahi, Jahanshahi Peyman

Student Works (2010-2019)

The aim of this thesis is to introduce an optical technique which can be utilized in detection of dengue virus rapidly. This technique involves the application of analytical and numerical electromagnetic simulations led by physical insight and theoretical knowledge. As a part of this study, the most common permittivity function models are compared and the best model is identified for the proposed biosensor structure. The best model (Brendel-Bormann) is found to have an accuracy of ~94.4% with respect to experimental data. On the other hand, Finite Element Method (FEM) is found to be a valuable tool in the numerical solutions …

Power Management System For Smart Microgrid Considering Meteorological And Load Demand Data / Sam Koohikamali, Koohikamali Sam

Student Works (2010-2019)

Integration of utility scaled solar electricity generator into power networks can negatively affect the performance of next generation smart grid. Rapidly changing output power of this kind is unpredictable and thus one solution is to mitigate it by short-term to mid-term electrical storage systems like battery. For this purpose, the battery storage system should be dispatched properly by a power management system (PMS) and hence the main objective of this work is to propose a PMS for smart microgrid (MG) applications. Microgrid refers to a cluster of generation, load, and energy storage units which can operate in grid-connected and/or in …

Development Of Thulium-Doped And Co-Doped Fiber Lasers For 1.9 Micron Region Operation / Norazlina Saidin, Saidin Norazlina

Student Works (2010-2019)

1.9 μm fiber lasers offer numerous applications in the area of spectroscopy, military and medical field. Thulium doped fiber has been used in order to realize laser applications in this region. Various methods have been implemented to achieve high output power as well as low threshold pump power for the laser’s applications. Other than being used for continuous wave operation, pulse lasers are also important in various fields of applications including high-precision material processing, biomedicine and ranging. This thesis thoroughly describes the development of 1.9 μm fiber lasers based on thulium doped and co-doped fibers as the gain medium. Two …

An Integrated Approach For Techno-Economic And Environmental Analysis Of Power Generation From Paddy Residue In Malaysia / Shafini Mohd Shafie, Mohd Shafie Shafini

Student Works (2010-2019)

Malaysia is blessed with abundant biomass residue that can potentially be used as a source of electricity generation. One of them is paddy residues. Annually about 3.66 million tonne of paddy residue is left in the fields. Towards year 2020 this value is forecasted to increase to 7 million tonne per year due to emerging technology development in agriculture industries. Paddy residue can potentially be used as feedstock fuel for electricity generation in Malaysia. However, the techno-economic study on paddy residue based power generation for Malaysia condition is still limited. Therefore, this thesis explores the non-technical aspect regarding the potential …

Development And Application Of Technical And Economic Strategies In Upgrading Heavy Oil: The Case Of Iran / Nooshin Jabbari, Jabbari Nooshin

Student Works (2010-2019)

Nowadays, due to the increasing demand for energy at an alarming rate, the alternative resources of energy are being explored to compensate the depleting conventional energy resources. One such alternative, if the upgrading processes are effectively managed, could be heavy crude oil. Iran is endowed with large resources of both conventional and unconventional Oil. However Due to the decrease in the conventional resources in Iran, the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has been compelled to resort to the unconventional oil resources. However, the transition to heavier and sourer oil resources results in some technical, economic and environmental challenges for the …

Effect Of Ultrasonication On Colloidal Thermophysical And Rheological Properties Of Alumina-Water Nanofluid / Mohammed Mahbubul Islam, Mahbubul Islam Mohammed

Student Works (2010-2019)

Nanofluids are promising fluids for heat transfer applications. Low stability and high viscosity are two important drawbacks for practical applications of nanofluids. The aggregation and sedimentation of nanoparticles are related to the colloidal dispersion characteristics, which directly affect the stability and thermophysical properties. An ultrasonic homogenizer can break the aggregation of particles and disperse them into a fluid to improve the stability of the suspension. Therefore, sound energy is needed to improve thermal energy. However, the research question is whether the improvement achieved in thermal application is feasible for the amount of used ultrasound energy. The aim of this research …

Development And Validation Of The Technology Adoption And Gratification (Tag) Model In Assessing Lecturers’ Ict Use / A.Y.M. Atiquil Islam, Atiquil Islam A.Y.M.

Student Works (2010-2019)

In this age of exponential knowledge growth, where Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been playing a dominant role, the authorities of Higher Education concerned have to ensure that the ICT facilities remain within the reach of the lecturers for their teaching and research purposes. However, despite a decade of existence, the ICT facilities were found to be underutilized by lecturers. Constructs such as computer self-efficacy, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, use and gratification were hypothesized to be major barriers. In doing so, the prime objective of this study was to develop and validate the Technology Adoption and Gratification …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Polyaniline For Hydrazine Detection / Kavirajaa Pandian Sambasevam, Sambasevam Kavirajaa Pandian

Student Works (2010-2019)

Among the conducting polymers, polyaniline (PAni) is studied most extensively due to the ease of synthesis, high conductivity and low production cost. Hydrazine from fuels, pesticide and corrosion inhibitor industries are a toxic compound which can cause neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity. In this study, a series of PAni were synthesized and applied as a chemical sensor for hydrazine detection. The sensor responses of PAni were monitored by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) analysis in hydrazine detection. Besides, the sensor response was supported by conductivity study and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis to identify the chemical interaction between the PAni and the hydrazine. Doped-PAni were …

Chemical Constituents From The Rhizomes Of Curcuma Zedoaria And Curcuma Purpurascens And Assessment Of Their Biological Activities / Omer Abdalla Ahmed Hamdi, Ahmed Hamdi Omer Abdalla

Student Works (2010-2019)

Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Rosc. (local name: Temu putih) and Curcuma purpurascens are two medicinally important plants of the genus Curucma and grow abundantly in Asian countries including Malaysia and Indonesia. These two plants are extensively used in the traditional medicinal practice of Malaysia and many other countries of the world for the treatment of various ailments. Phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of C. zedoaria and C. purpurascens resulted in the isolation of 27 compounds. C. zedoaria afforded eighteen sesquiterpenes, including eight germacrane type (dehydrocurdione 19, curdione 20, furanodiene 21, furanodienone 22, germacrone 23, germacrone 4,5-epoxide 24, germacrone 1,10-epoxide 25, and …