Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Outvoice: Bringing Transparency To Healthcare, Autumn Clark

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Industries are not incentivized to price reasonably and spend responsibly if consumers do not have the ability to shop around within that industry, and shopping around is not possible without pricing transparency (knowing how much a good or service costs before purchasing it). But in the healthcare industry, we typically default to whichever clinic or hospital is closest, with no prior knowledge of what costs we can expect to incur at that particular institution. According to a poll published by Harvard University, nine out of ten Americans feel the healthcare industry is too opaque and greater transparency is needed.

We …

Realium: Building The Future Of Real Estate On The Blockchain, Demitri Haddad

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper discusses the prospective challenges, limitations and opportunities in the real estate sector for blockchain. It outlines the idea of Realium, a financial technology application that aims to assist in the purchase, sale, and legal compliance of real estate assets. For more information see docs.realium.io

A Functional Framework For Content Management, Robert Emer Broadbent

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis proposes a functional framework for content management. This framework provides concepts and vocabulary for analysis and description of content management systems. The framework is derived from an analysis of eight content management systems. It describes forty-five conceptual functions organized into five functional groups. The functionality derived from the analysis of the content management systems is described using the vocabulary provided by the functional framework. Coverage of the concepts in the existing systems is verified. The utility of the framework is validated through the creation of a prototype that implements sufficient functionality to support a set of specific use …

An Infrastructure For Performance Measurement And Comparison Of Information Retrieval Solutions, Gary Saunders

Theses and Dissertations

The amount of information available on both public and private networks continues to grow at a phenomenal rate. This information is contained within a wide variety of objects, including documents, e-mail archives, medical records, manuals, pictures and music. To be of any value, this data must be easily searchable and accessible. Information Retrieval (IR) is concerned with the ability to find and gain access to relevant information. As electronic data repositories continue to proliferate, so too, grows the variety of methods used to locate and access the information contained therein. Similarly, the introduction of innovative retrieval strategies—and the optimization of …

A User-Centric Tabular Multi-Column Sorting Interface For Intact Transposition Of Columnar Data, David B. L. Miles

Theses and Dissertations

Many usability features designed in software applications are not procedurally intuitive for software users. A good example of software usability involves tabular sorting in a spreadsheet. Single-column sorting, activated with a mouse click to a column header or toolbar button, often produces rearranged listings that reduce cognitive organization beyond the sorted column. Multi-column sorting, generated through menu-driven processes, provides derived organization, however, locating feature options through menu-based systems can be confusing. A means to overcome this confusion is prioritized selection of database arrays issued to columnar displays for the purpose of intact transposition of data. This is a unique process …

A Software Development Environment For Building Context-Aware Systems For Family Technology, Jeremiah Kenton Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to utilize existing technologies to create a development environment suitable for creating context-aware applications and systems specific to home and family living conditions. After outlining the history of context-aware applications and the challenges that face family-centric systems in this field, a development environment was implemented that solves the unique challenges that face application development for family-centric, context-aware applications. In particular, research cited in this document indicates that a browser-based user interface is the most appropriate interface for a family environment. The flexibility of the interface, as well as the familiarity of the application structure …

Suitability Of The Nist Shop Data Model As A Neutral File Format For Simulation, Gregory Brent Harward

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the successful application in internet related fields, Extensible Markup Language (XML) and its related technologies are being explored as a revolutionary software file format technology used to provide increased interoperability in the discrete-event simulation (DES) arena. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed an XML-based information model (XSD) called the Shop Data Model (SDM), which is used to describe the contents of a neutral file format (NFF) that is being promoted as a means to make manufacturing simulation technology more accessible to a larger group of potential customers. Using a two step process, this thesis …

A Statistical Performance Model Of Homogeneous Raidb Clusters, Brandon Lamar Rogers

Theses and Dissertations

The continual growth of the Internet and e-commerce is driving demand for speed, reliability and processing power. With the rapid development and maturation of e-commerce, the need for a quick access to large amounts of information is steadily rising. Traditionally, database systems have been used for information storage and retrieval. However, with online auctions, rapid Internet searches, and data archival, the need for more powerful database systems is also growing. One type of distributed database is called Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Databases (RAIDb). RAIDb clusters are middleware-driven to promote interoperability and portability. RAIDb clusters allow for multiple levels of data …

Java Performance Of The Rijndael Encryption Algorithm Across Compilers And Virtual Machines, Gregory Leavitt Orgill

Theses and Dissertations

The Rijndael encryption algorithm has recently been published as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), a Federal Information Processing Standard, and is being accepted by developers and designers as the algorithm of choice where encryption is required. Java is becoming the language of choice for E-Business applications, many of which require cryptography. The performance of any Java application is dependent on the compiler and virtual machine used to compile and interpret. Prior research has provided performance information for the Rijndael algorithm in Java for specific virtual machines. This research includes the development of a Rijndael implementation in Java. Using Java system …