Digital Commons Network^™

A Study Of Wear Measurement And Life Prediction Of Insert Chute Liner On Gold Ore Processing, Ferry Ardika Natanael, Nony Maulidya, Dedi Priadi

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Chutes are critical materials handling assets to transport solid particles from one process step to another in mineral processing, coal mining and cement industries. The material transport, because of material characteristics, cause severe wear on internal lining of chutes or bins’ structure. The wear problem on internal lining of bins or chutes needs to be checked to keep production efficiency. Therefore, not checked wear rate causes liner replacement schedule becomes unpredictable. It leads to production loss and highly cost maintenance in industry. This study shows that condition-based maintenance through regular thickness measurement using Ultrasonic Transducer (UT) to predict life service …

Autonomous Uav Swarm Formation Utilizing Gradient-Driven Contour Mapping For Radiation Source Localization, Edgar Amalyan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis presents a drone swarm for radiation mapping to aid source localization. The Department of Energy advocates employing UAVs for this task, but existing approaches remain inefficient and impractical in real-world scenarios. Three custom drones are built and flight-tested. A control algorithm to follow a contour, a constant-intensity path, is designed using a gradient fit. By knowing the source’s direction, the drone swarm can fly in the optimal trajectory at every step, leaving nothing to assumption. A program is created that implements formation flight and autonomous navigation. It is tested via a software-in-the-loop simulation utilizing radiation sources and detectors …

Rna’S Symphony: Harmonizing Splice Junctions And Exon Counts For A Novel Approach To Differential Splicing Analysis, Jelard Aquino

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Alternative Splicing (AS) plays a critical role in transcriptome complexity and cell-type-specific gene regulation, yet its analysis remains methodologically fragmented, especially in the context of noisy and sparse single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. This dissertation addresses key computational challenges in AS detection by evaluating existing tools, developing integrative frameworks, and proposing new strategies for improving analysis accuracy in both bulk and single-cell contexts. In chapter 1, I present a comprehensive literature review of computational tools designed for detecting and quantifying AS from bulk and scRNA-seq data. This review outlines major methodological paradigms, including exon-based and splice junction-based approaches, and evaluates …

An Examination Of The Purity Culture Beliefs Scale And The Interaction Of Religiosity, Purity Culture Beliefs, And Pornography Use In A Census-Matched United States Sample, Kaelyn R. Griffin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The impacts of purity culture have been documented in the prevalence of abstinence-only sex education, perception of personal value tied to virginity, and shame and guilt related to sexual behavior. Similarly, models of moral incongruence often examine religiosity as a contributor of distress related to sexual behavior and pornography use, likely tapping into the influence of purity culture without directly naming its presence. This distinction is crucial due to the variety of religious beliefs and practices, some including purity culture and those without sexually restrictive beliefs and practices. Despite this, standardized measures for researching purity culture are limited. Ortiz (2018) …

Ecological Momentary Assessment Of Mood, Affect, And Perceived Criticism: Investigation Of Daily Patterns And Family Impact, Kayla Mcginty

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Perceived criticism (PC) is a component of expressed emotion (EE) that assesses an individual’s perceptions of the criticism that they are exposed to within their interpersonal relationships. PC is elevated among individuals with mood disorders, and mood and mood symptoms act as both a predictor and an outcome of PC. However, few studies have examined the relationship between PC and affect, a more momentary measure of emotion that can serve as a guide to underlying mood. Additionally, limited research has examined how PC within family relationships compares to other interpersonal interactions. Understanding the relationship between momentary affect and PC and …

Error Processing In Psychopathy: An Analysis Of Event Related Brain Potentials And Post-Error Task Behavior, Ananda Liz Peixoto Couto

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Performance monitoring and error processing are crucial for learning from mistakes, adjusting responses, and adapting to the environment. Individuals with psychopathy present with failures in performance monitoring, particularly a failure to learn from experience, and error processing deficits have been reported in this population. Error processing literature has investigated its underlying mechanisms via two prongs, namely behavioral measures and electroencephalography (EEG) indicators. Behaviorally, error processing literature has focused on post-error slowing (PES) and post-error accuracy (PEA). Meanwhile, EEG research has identified two components of error-related brain potentials (ERPs) in error processing: error-related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe). This study …

The Compositional And Dynamical Properties Of Exoplanets, Cody James Shakespeare

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The solid surface density profile of protoplanetary discs, and the composition of these solids, can be formed through sequential condensation models of dust precipitating from the cooling gas of the solar nebula. I continue developing a code that reproduces the chemical compositions of most chondrites as well as the bulk compositions of the rocky planets using our partial condensation model with an evolving disc. I extend this validated code to exoplanet systems with different initial elemental ratios, like the carbon-to-oxygen ratio and estimated stellar abundances over the age of the universe. I have improved this dust condensation code to include …

Understanding The Role Of Drug Offenses And The Death Penalty In Iran, Cyrus Zarganj

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Since the 1979 revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been governed by Islamic laws devised by Shia Muslim clerics, significantly influencing the nation's legal framework in both criminal and civil contexts. The death penalty in Iran covers a broad spectrum of offenses, many of which would not be considered capital crimes or even crimes globally. This extensive application of the death penalty is an instrument of social control during periods of political tension, indicating a direct relationship between the regime's stability and the enforcement of extreme punitive measures. Despite some reduction in the visibility of executions due to international …

Exploring Young Adults' Experiences And Beliefs In Asthma Medication Management: Pilot Qualitative Study Comparing Human And Multiple Ai Thematic Analysis, Ruth Ndarake Jeminiwa, Caroline Popielaski, Amber King

College of Pharmacy Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Young adults take their asthma maintenance medication 67% of the time or less. Understanding the specific needs and behaviors of young adults with asthma is essential for developing targeted interventions to improve disease self-management. Artificial intelligence (AI) has demonstrated its utility in summarizing and identifying patterns in qualitative research and may support or augment human coding efforts. However, there is pause literature to support this assertion.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to begin to explore the medication management-related needs of young adults with asthma via a pilot feasibility study. We aim to understand how to best assist …

Pilot Fatigue And Required Rest Period For Korean Air Force Pilots Flying High-Performance Aircraft, Mijin Hong

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Over the years, significant advancements have been made in aircraft technology and in understanding the detrimental effects of fatigue on flight performance. However, integrating these advancements into crew rest regulations, particularly for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) operating high-performance jets, requires further review. This study employs a systematic review with thematic analysis to assess whether ROKAF’s current rest regulations are sufficient. Relevant studies were identified from English-language databases (e.g., FAA, ICAO, Google Scholar) and Korean-language databases (e.g., RISS, KCI). Titles and abstracts were initially reviewed, followed by full-text assessments based on inclusion and exclusion criteria focusing on military …

Characterization Of Electrical And Optical Properties Of Europium Oxide, Mshari H. Alhsawi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Oxide semiconductors with high optical transparency hold significant promise for a broad range of optical applications. Among them, europium oxide (Eu₂O₃ ) has garnered considerable attention for its potential in transistor devices, resistive random-access memory (RRAM), white light-emitting devices, and erasable optical storage systems. Additionally, Eu₂O₃ is employed in nanoscale applications, such as photoactive coatings and high-k dielectrics. Its advantageous dielectric properties and high transmittance make it particularly well-suited for capacitor fabrication. The material also exhibits resistive switching behavior and notable optical absorption, further enhancing its relevance for optoelectronic devices.

In this study, Eu₂O₃ thin films were deposited using RF …

Machine Learning-Enhanced Optimization For The Real-Time, Secure, And Efficient Operation Of The Energy-Water-Hydrogen Nexus, Mostafa Goodarzi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Given the escalating urgency of climate change, our research addresses the imperative need to curb carbon emissions, particularly from the electricity sector, which accounts for a quarter of total emissions in the U.S. We propose integrated systems, such as the energy-water nexus (EWN) and an innovative concept known as the energy-water-hydrogen (EWH) nexus, which integrates renewable energy sources (RESs) with green hydrogen production through water electrolysis. These concepts align seamlessly with the nation’s commitment to global climate agreements, including the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, green hydrogen—a clean and efficient energy source produced via water electrolysis powered by renewable energy—emerges as a …

Advanced Deep Learning Algorithms For Medical Imaging Applications: Tumor And Organ At Risk Segmentation, Ilkin Sevgi Isler

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Accurate segmentation of tumors and organs at risk (OAR) remains a fundamental challenge in medical image analysis, directly affecting diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and patient outcomes. Although automated segmentation methods have advanced, they still face difficulties in anatomically complex regions and in cases with low tissue contrast. A major contributor to this variability is intra- and interobserver disagreement, introducing uncertainty into annotations and model predictions.

This dissertation investigates the role of segmentation uncertainty and its impact on model reliability, interpretability, and clinical integration, with a focus on lung, pancreatic, and head and neck cancers.

The first component introduces uncertainty-aware segmentation …

Gradient-Based Optimization And Control Of Systems With Two Decision-Makers And Delayed Information, Mohammad Safayet Hossain

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In today’s world systems are complex in nature, often involving two or more decision-makers (DMs) each attempting to optimize the performance of the system using an objective function that reflects its own preferences and is usually different from the other. Such systems are very common in power, microeconomics, and other systems. The focus of this research is how such systems are optimized and how the results of optimization are implemented in practice. Without loss of generality, we consider systems with two DMs, each attempting to optimize the system’s by minimizing its own objective function. The solution of these types of …

Pedestrian Monitoring And Crossing Intention Prediction At Intersections Using Computer Vision And Deep Learning, Ahmed Abdelrahman

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Ensuring the safety of Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs), including pedestrians, bicyclists, and E-scooter riders, at intersections is crucial for sustainable and efficient urban mobility. Despite recent advancements in transportation technologies, accurately understanding and predicting human behavior at intersections remains challenging, resulting in unsafe interactions, crossing violations, and diminished trust in traffic systems. This dissertation presents an integrated approach comprising three novel frameworks: VRUCrossSafe, VRU-CIPI, and the Video-to-Text Pedestrian Monitoring (VTPM) system, collectively addressing critical gaps in intersection safety, VRU behavior prediction, and privacy-preserving traffic monitoring. First, VRUCrossSafe introduces a real-time intersection safety solution utilizing computer vision and ensemble machine learning …

A Novel Au-Decorated Ni-Mof For The Photo And Electrochemical Treatment Of Mc-Lr, Stephanie Stoll

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Microcystins (MCs) are toxins produced by cyanobacteria commonly found in harmful algal blooms (HABs) threatening many surface waters. Conventional removal methods, including membrane filtration and activated carbon, are costly and only achieve phase separation. This study introduces a novel Au-decorated Ni-metal-organic framework (Au/Ni-MOF) as a platform for the multi-modal treatment of MC-Leucine Arginine (MC-LR), utilizing photodegradation (PD), electrochemical oxidation (EO), and photoelectrochemical oxidation (PEO) by evaluating and comparing their effectiveness.

A 4 cm² Au/Ni-MOF achieved complete photodegradation of 20 ppb of MC-LR in 7 mL of DI water with a degradation rate constant of 0.0599 min^-1 under 35,000 …

Continuously Variable Series Reactor Modeling And Application, Mohammadali Hayerikhiyavi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In today's rapidly evolving energy landscape, the Continuously Variable Series Reactor (CVSR) emerges as a vital tool for enhancing the stability and efficiency of power systems. This proposal presents a detailed investigation into the operational characteristics and performance optimization of CVSR through advanced modeling techniques. The Continuously Variable Series Reactor (CVSR) offers a unique capability to regulate the reactance of an AC circuit through the magnetizing characteristic of its ferromagnetic core. By utilizing both AC and DC windings, the CVSR effectively controls power flow, dampens oscillations, and balancing the voltage within the power grid. To effectively integrate CVSR into grid …

Tail-Imbalance Diffusion Equalizer For Class-Balanced Generation, Chinmay Dhanraj Nehate

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Real-world image corpora are often imbalanced. On long-tailed datasets, the head class can outnumber the tail by a large margin, and a vanilla diffusion probabilistic model (DPM) consequently loses fidelity and diversity on rare categories, undermining controllable generation. To address this gap, we present Tail Imbalance Diffusion Equalizer (TIDE), a training framework that restores class balance without discarding data or adding extra training stages. Our contribution is threefold: (i) score field rebalancing, where we embed class-prior knowledge into a mixing matrix that routes gradients toward minority classes, with this class-prior knowledge consisting of the empirical label frequencies in the training …

A Variable Resistance Suit (Vars) And An Extendable Prosthetic Arm (Expa) For Physical Rehabilitation And Assistance, Ibrahim F. Kadhim

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation presents the design, development, and evaluation of two novel wearable assistive technologies – Variable Resistance Suit (VARS) and the Extendable Prosthetic Arm (EXPA) – to improve rehabilitation outcomes and functional independence of individuals with musculoskeletal impairment. VARS is a modular, lightweight, and wearable resistance training system that applies bidirectional, speed-dependent, and variable mechanical resistance to the elbow and knee joints. It addresses the limitations of traditional resistance equipment by offering a portable, safer, and more accessible alternative. Importantly, VARS enables targeted engagement of specific muscle groups during training, minimizing the risk of overloading adjacent or compensatory muscles. VARS …

Interpretation And Control Of Ai Model Behavior Through Direct Adjustment Of Latent Representations, Austin Davis

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation investigates the structures and mechanisms underpinning the latent space representations that emerge within Generative Pretrained Transformer (GPT) models. Addressing the broader goal of enhancing AI trustworthiness through transparency, accountability, and controllability, we focus on techniques to understand, quantify, and manipulate these latent space representations. Through a series of analyses, we examine several chess-playing GPT models as controlled testbeds, leveraging their structured decision space to explore emergent representations and decision-making processes.

Key contributions include a mechanistic analysis of the attention heads and latent representations, the development of novel metrics for evaluating intervention outcomes, and the application of linear probe …

Cnn's Portrayal Of The Build Back Better Act, Alexander J. Toj-Moody

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of CNNs representation of the Build Back Better Act and its failure to pass senate reconciliation during the fall of 2021. The Build Back Better Act was a piece of legislation that intended to fix America’s social infrastructure, such as investing in education, the environment, expanded healthcare, etc. The bill ultimately failed and its replacement, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, cut numerous benefits that were proposed within the Build Back Better Act. Examination of broadcast transcripts during this period of time find an operationally liberal framing, though the focus …

Sex Estimation Using Linear And Geometric Morphometric Analyses Of The Adult Human Talus, Melissa N. Marks

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Estimating biological sex is an essential first step when analyzing human remains in both forensic and archaeological contexts. While the pelvis and skull are traditionally used for this purpose, they are not always present or sufficiently preserved to permit analysis. The talus is sexually dimorphic and can yield highly accurate sex estimates, making it a promising alternative skeletal element for sex estimation. As there is currently no accepted protocol for sex estimation using the talus, the present study attempts to replicate and validate existing methods using linear and three-dimensional landmark data, while comparing data from ancient Maya (n=16), ancient Egyptian …

Differential Interferon Synthesis And Signaling Between Parainfluenza Virus Acute And Persistently Infected Cells, Vonisha Kaigler

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

RNA virus infections can transition from an initial acute infection to a prolonged or persistent infection, in which infected cells survive and continue to produce progeny virus. This presents a major clinical problem as persistently infected (PI) cells extend viral shedding, maintain inflammation, and provide potential sources for new viral variants. The RNA virus, Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5), with mutations in the P/V gene region (P/V mutant) is a strong inducer of antiviral responses. Interestingly, over time, there is an emergence of cells that survive as P/V mutant PI cells. Given that changes in innate immune signaling pathways can occur …

'How To Mother': Televisual Reimaginings Of Black Matriarchy In The Real Housewives Of Potomac, Kalijah Rahming

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Since the initial launch of The Real Housewives of Orange County in 2006, Bravo’s The Real Housewives franchise has soared to previously unimaginable heights. With 11 American installments, 30 international adaptations, and 25 current spin-offs, it is clear that even viewers who are relatively unfamiliar with The Real Housewives franchise may find themselves inadvertently swept up in their world due to the popularization of their catchphrases and gifs on social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. In addition to carefully shaping popular culture, members of this franchise have even altered the conditions of the entertainment industry’s practices for the …

The Path Of Peace: Non-Violent Methods Of Play In Indie Video Game History, Ryu R. Yamamoto

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This research project investigates the cultural and historical significance of independently published Japanese bullet-hell/danmaku games from the 2000s and 2010s. This project highlights gaps in current game histories, particularly surrounding the influence of these games on heralded contemporary titles like Undertale (2015). The significance of independently published “doujin” Japanese digital media, notably the Touhou Project series, is often overlooked in American game studies contexts. Examining these underexplored games aims to enrich the understanding of cultural-historical games research, particularly in positioning lesser-known and lower-budget games, and contribute to the broader discourse on cross-cultural interactions within the gaming community. Comparative analyses of …

A Forgotten Kairos: Rhetorical Memory In 16th Century Europe, Phillip Martin

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

In 16^th century Europe the nearly 2000-year-old discipline of rhetoric, still a pillar of education, underwent significant change. One of the more curious changes occurred in rhetoric’s subdivision known as memory, memoria, that is, memory’s “artificial” cultivation. During the 16^th century rhetorical memory was paradoxically both maximized and marginalized as a discipline. And by the early 17^th century memoria was all but extinct as a branch of rhetoric. The causal mechanisms of this transformation remain underexamined, particularly by rhetoric and composition scholars, and most explanations remain unclear and uncompelling. Accordingly, this thesis attempts a new approach …

The Impact Of Alternatives To Incarceration And The Motherhood Identity On Mothers And Their Children: A Qualitative Study, Chloe Blau

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The U.S. prison system population increasingly includes women, a significant proportion of whom are mothers, often incarcerated for non-violent crimes. Some research suggests that alternative to incarceration (ATI) programs can help these women to continue supporting their children while serving their sentences and receiving services that may decrease recidivism. However, few studies have explored the lived experiences of women in these programs. This dissertation investigates the impact of participating in ATI programs on mothers and their relationship to their motherhood identity, their ability to mother, and their relationship with their children. Using a qualitative approach to better understand how women …

The Influence Of Remote Instruction On Middle School Ell Students' New Jersey State Learning Assessment English Ela And Math Achievement, Marie Chezuette Dort

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This correlational study explained the influence of remote instruction on English Language Learner (ELL) students' middle school grades on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) achievement in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. This study focused on data collected in two separate school years and analyzed middle school grades with the ELL Subgroup. It indicated the correlation between remote instruction and ELL students' ELA and mathematical performance in the NJSLA Grades 6, 7, and 8. This study also included controlled variables, Grades 3, 4, and 5, from 2018-2019 and other student characteristics, the percentage of economically disadvantaged students and …

The Effectiveness Of Pre-Packaged Literacy Curriculum: A Document Analysis Of The Culturally Responsive Tenets In Pre-Packaged Literacy Curriculum, Grace Ghazzawi

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The introduction of the Common Core State Standards in 2010 sought to standardize educational expectations across the U.S., aiming to promote equity by ensuring all students received a high-quality education. However, educational disparities persist, particularly for historically marginalized students, leading to a continued achievement gap in literacy, especially among low-income students of color. While pre-packaged curricula have emerged as tools to align instruction with the rigor of the Common Core State Standards, their effectiveness in addressing the diverse needs of students from marginalized backgrounds remains uncertain. This study explores the intersection of pre-packaged literacy curricula and Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) …

Parent/Stakeholder, Practitioner, And Teacher Perception Of Applied Behavior Analysis As Influenced By Social Media, Brittany Hahn

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The current study was conducted to investigate individuals’ perceptions of ABA as influenced by social media. A survey that included videos selected from TikTok, a social media platform, was provided to parents/stakeholders of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), practitioners/employees of ABA (BCBAs, RBTs, etc.), and teachers. Participants were acquired using recruitment posts on TikTok and Facebook, through email, and by word-of-mouth/referral. 58 participants in total fully completed the survey. The survey was conducted using Qualtrics and included 32 questions and eight TikTok videos. The results showed that parents/stakeholders’, practitioners’, and teachers’ opinions of ABA were not influenced by the …