Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Oil Drilling Model And Iterative Deepening Genetic Annealing Algorithm For The Traveling Salesman Problem, Hoong Chuin Lau, Fei Xiao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this work, we liken the solving of combinatorial optimization problems under a prescribed computational budget as hunting for oil in an unexplored ground. Using this generic model, we instantiate an iterative deepening genetic annealing (IDGA) algorithm, which is a variant of memetic algorithms. Computational results on the traveling salesman problem show that IDGA is more effective than standard genetic algorithms or simulated annealing algorithms or a straightforward hybrid of them. Our model is readily applicable to solve other combinatorial optimization problems.

Collective Outsourcing To Market (Com): A Market-Based Framework For Information Supply Chain Outsourcing, Fang Fang, Zhiling Guo, Andrew B. Whinston

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This paper discusses the importance of and a solution to separating the information flow from the physical product flow in a supply chain. Motivated by the inefficient demand forecast caused by information asymmetry and lack of an incentive among supply chain partners to share valuable information, we propose a radically new framework called collective outsourcing to market (COM) to address many information supply chain design challenges. To validate the COM framework, we consider a supply chain with one manufacturer and multiple downstream retailers. Retailers privately acquire demand forecast information that they do not have incentive to share horizontally with other …

Critical Infrastructure Protection And The Domain Name Service (Dns) System, Mark Edward Snyder

Masters Theses

"Components of the critical infrastructure of any system are natural targets for attack. Any inherent weakness of such components can potentially expose the entire system to vulnerability. The Domain Name System (DNS) is one component of the proper functioning of the Internet. Although DNS is a relatively simple, isolated component, it serves as a straightforward example for the study of distributed systems in general, and as such, we have explored properties of DNS to examine how enterprise-scale, critical infrastructure components are vulnerable to attack, what protections are afforded to defenders of such components, the inherent weaknesses of such systems, and …

Polymer Reinforced Aerogels And Composites A. Polyimide Crosslinked Aerogels B. Silica-Polymethylmethacrylate Composites, Vishal U. Patil

Masters Theses

"Crosslinking of aerogels is a promising approach to combine the advantages of inorganic and polymeric materials. In the present study, two types of polyimide-silica hybrid aerogels, APTES-BTDA-MDA (mol ratio: 2:2:1) and APTES-BTDA-MDA (mol ratio: 2:3:2), were synthesized using a sol-gel process followed by heating in order to imidize the polyamic acid that is formed quickly and is covalently bonded to silica. The hybrid aerogels were made using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) endcapped polyamic acids and tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) as precursors. Polyimide crosslinked aerogels were characterized by TGA, SEM, FT-IR, BET, solid state NMR and gas pycnometry. These hybrid aerogels exhibit high thermal stability …

Improved Constrained Global Optimization For Estimating Molecular Structure From Atomic Distances, Terri Marie Grant

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

Determination of molecular structure is commonly posed as a nonlinear optimization problem. The objective functions rely on a vast amount of structural data. As a result, the objective functions are most often nonconvex, nonsmooth, and possess many local minima. Furthermore, introduction of additional structural data into the objective function creates barriers in finding the global minimum, causes additional computational issues associated with evaluating the function, and makes physical constraint enforcement intractable. To combat the computational problems associated with standard nonlinear optimization formulations, Williams et al. (2001) proposed an atom-based optimization, referred to as GNOMAD, which complements a simple interatomic distance …

Nutrient And Carbon Dynamics In The Chesapeake Bay Outflow Plume And Their Effect On The Coastal Ocean Environment, Katherine C. Filippino

OES Theses and Dissertations

Seasonally resolved nutrient and carbon fluxes from estuaries to the coastal ocean are poorly constrained. Nutrient and carbon cycling in highly productive regions like the Chesapeake Bay outflow plume and surrounding coastal environments greatly affect our global understanding of carbon cycling. The overall questions for the research described in this dissertation stem from the need to close global carbon budgets, and obtain a fundamental understanding of nutrient dynamics in a coastal region heavily influenced by seasonality and human impacts.

Within the framework of physical characteristics of the outflow plume and through the characterization of nutrient concentrations, primary productivity rates, and …

Massive Spatiotemporal Watershed Hydrological Storm Event Response Model (Mhserm) With Time-Lapsed Nexrad Radar Feed, Changqing Song

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Correctly and efficiently estimating hydrological responses corresponding to a specific storm event at the streams in a watershed is the main goal of any sound water resource management strategy. Methods for calculating a stream flow hydrograph at the selected streams typically require a great deal of spatial and temporal watershed data such as geomorphological data, soil survey, landcover, precipitation data, and stream network information to name a few. However, extracting and preprocessing such data for estimation and analysis is a hugely time-consuming task, especially for a watershed with hundreds of streams and lakes and complicated landcover and soil characteristics. To …

Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation Of Mono Azo Dye Orange Ii: Catalyst Selection, Reaction Kinetics, And Modeling, Pinar Ozdural

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Wastewaters generated as byproducts of dyeing processes are not treatable with conventional methods. It has been estimated that among the 900,000 tons of different dyes produced annually in the world, approximately 10–15% are lost in wastewater streams during manufacturing and processing operations. Once in rivers and streams, dyes cause major problems, such as reducing light penetration, or displaying toxic effects on aquatic life. Therefore, it is essential that dyes are removed from wastewaters before being discharged into the environment.

This study focuses on the catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of Orange II, a mono azo dye used in large amounts …

Rapid Prototyping For Virtual Environments, Emre Baydogan

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Development of Virtual Environment (VE) applications is challenging where application developers are required to have expertise in the target VE technologies along with the problem domain expertise. New VE technologies impose a significant learning curve to even the most experienced VE developer. The proposed solution relies on synthesis to automate the migration of a VE application to a new unfamiliar VE platform/technology. To solve the problem, the Common Scene Definition Framework (CSDF) is developed, that serves as a superset/model representation of the target virtual world. Input modules are developed to populate the framework with the capabilities of the virtual world …

Carlos Cisneros: His Life, Career, & Contributions, Susan Kelly, Jerold Widdison

Water Matters!

State Senator Carlos Cisneros links New Mexico’s past, present and future.

Fine-Grained Reputation-Based Routing In Wireless Ad Hoc Networks, Alma Cemerlic

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Ad hoc networks are very helpful in situations when no fixed network infrastructure is available. They are especially important in emergency situations such as natural disasters and military conflicts. Most developed wireless ad hoc routing protocols are designed to discover and maintain an active path from source to destination with an assumption that every node is friendly and cooperative. However, it is possible that the participating nodes are selfish or malicious. A mechanism to evaluate reputation for each node is essential for the reliability and security of routing protocol in ad hoc networks. We propose a fine-grained reputation system for …

Super Linear Algebra, Florentin Smarandache, W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

In this book, the authors introduce the notion of Super linear algebra and super vector spaces using the definition of super matrices defined by Horst (1963). This book expects the readers to be well-versed in linear algebra. Many theorems on super linear algebra and its properties are proved. Some theorems are left as exercises for the reader. These new class of super linear algebras which can be thought of as a set of linear algebras, following a stipulated condition, will find applications in several fields using computers. The authors feel that such a paradigm shift is essential in this computerized …

N-Linear Algebra Of Type Ii, Florentin Smarandache, W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

This book is a continuation of the book n-linear algebra of type I and its applications. Most of the properties that could not be derived or defined for n-linear algebra of type I is made possible in this new structure: n-linear algebra of type II which is introduced in this book. In case of n-linear algebra of type II, we are in a position to define linear functionals which is one of the marked difference between the n-vector spaces of type I and II. However all the applications mentioned in n-linear algebras of type I can be appropriately extended to …

Set Linear Algebra And Set Fuzzy Linear Algebra, Florentin Smarandache, W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy, K. Ilanthenral

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

In this book, the authors define the new notion of set vector spaces which is the most generalized form of vector spaces. Set vector spaces make use of the least number of algebraic operations, therefore, even a non-mathematician is comfortable working with it. It is with the passage of time, that we can think of set linear algebras as a paradigm shift from linear algebras. Here, the authors have also given the fuzzy parallels of these new classes of set linear algebras. This book abounds with examples to enable the reader to understand these new concepts easily. Laborious theorems and …

Special Classes Of Set Codes And Their Applications, Florentin Smarandache, W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

In this book the authors introduce the notion of set codes, set bicodes and set n-codes. These are the most generalized notions of semigroup n-codes and group n-codes. Several types of set ncodes are defined. Several examples are given to enable the reader to understand the concept. These new classes of codes will find applications in cryptography, computer networking (where fragmenting of codes is to be carried out) and data storage (where confidentiality is to be maintained). We also describe the error detection and error correction of these codes. The authors feel that these codes would be appropriate to the …

New Classes Of Codes For Cryptologists And Computer Scientists, Florentin Smarandache, W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

Historically a code refers to a cryptosystem that deals with linguistic units: words, phrases etc. We do not discuss such codes in this book. Here codes are message carriers or information storages or information transmitters which in time of need should not be decoded or read by an enemy or an intruder. When we use very abstract mathematics in using a specific code, it is difficult for non-mathematicians to make use of it. At the same time, one cannot compromise with the capacity of the codes. So the authors in this book have introduced several classes of codes which are …

Methods In Industrial Biotechnology For Chemical Engineers, Florentin Smarandache, W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

Industrial Biotechnology is an interdisciplinary topic to which tools of modern biotechnology are applied for finding proper proportion of raw mix of chemicals, determination of set points, finding the flow rates etc., This study is significant as it results in better economy, quality product and control of pollution. The authors in this book have given only methods of industrial biotechnology mainly to help researchers, students and chemical engineers. Since biotechnology concerns practical and diverse applications including production of new drugs, clearing up pollution etc. we have in this book given methods to control pollution in chemical industries as it has …

Reducing Bacterial Resistance Through Better Antibiotic Prescription Practices, Christine Ouma

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to find a regression procedure that can better explain the relationship between patterns of antibiotic use and proportions of bacterial resistance. The sample for the study is comprised of 44 University Health System Consortium (UHC) member hospitals, and the data for antibiotic use and proportions of resistance are from the years 2002 to 2005. The hospitals are spread across the Northeast, South, Southwest, Midwest, and Northwest regions of the USA. Based on statistical analysis, MRSA continues to have the highest proportion of resistance among the bacteria examined and has increased significantly since 2002. The …

An Scir Model Of Meningococcal Meningitis, Kalimah Vereen

Theses and Dissertations

A model for meningitis is developed by adding a class of carriers to the basic SIR model. This model is used to analyze the impact a vaccination program can have on the health of the population of epidemic prone countries. Analysis of the model shows the local stability of the disease free equilibrium, the existence of an endemic equilibrium and computation of the reproduction number, ℜ0 . Using a MATLAB program we simulate a time course of the model using parameters gathered from the World Health Organization. The numerical solution demonstrates that our reproduction number was correct. We thenconcluded that …

An Agent-Based Model To Study The Spread And Control Of Epidemics, Ashley Dawn Fuller

Theses and Dissertations

The world continues to face outbreaks of disease due to natural causes as well as the threat of biological warfare. Mathematical modeling provides an avenue by which to predict and ultimately prevent widespread outbreaks. A wide variety of modeling tools have been used in the study of the spread of diseases, including Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations, and Difference Equations. In this study, an agent-based model is used to study the spread and control of epidemics and is based on Sirakoulis, et al. [1]. The computer program NetLogo [2] is used for simulation. The development and set-up procedures for …

Probe Level Analysis Of Affymetrix Microarray Data, Richard Ellis Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations

The analysis of Affymetrix GeneChip® data is a complex, multistep process. Most often, methodscondense the multiple probe level intensities into single probeset level measures (such as RobustMulti-chip Average (RMA), dChip and Microarray Suite version 5.0 (MAS5)), which are thenfollowed by application of statistical tests to determine which genes are differentially expressed. An alternative approach is a probe-level analysis, which tests for differential expression directly using the probe-level data. Probe-level models offer the potential advantage of more accurately capturing sources of variation in microarray experiments. However, this has not been thoroughly investigated, since current research efforts have largely focused on the …

Characterization Of Microorganisms Of Interest To Homeland Security And Public Health Utilizing Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, Robert A. Everley

Theses and Dissertations

Liquid chromatography/quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC/QTOF MS) utilizing electrospray ionization was employed to monitor protein expression in Escherichia coli and Shigella organisms. Automated charge state deconvolution, spectral subtraction and spectral mirroring were used to reveal subtle differences in the LC/MS data. Reproducible intact protein biomarkers were discovered based on their unique mass, retention time and relative intensity. These markers were implemented to differentiate closely related strain types, (e.g. two distinct isolates of E. coli O157:H7) and to correctly identify unknown pathogens. Notable, was the distinction of multiple serotypes of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli which cannot be distinguished by clinical …

Tests For Correlation On Bivariate Nonnormal Distributions, Louanne Margaret Beversdorf

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Many samples in the real world are very small in size and often do not follow a normal distribution. Existing tests for correlation have restrictions on the distribution of data and sample sizes, therefore the current tests cannot be used in some real world situations.

In this thesis, two tests are considered to test hypotheses about the population correlation coefficient. The tests are based on statistics transformed by a saddlepoint approximation and by Fisher's Z-transformation. The tests are conducted on small samples of bivariate nonnormal data and found to perfom well.

Simulations were run in order to compare the type …

Routing Protocol Performance Evaluation For Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks, Pedro A. Lopez-Fernandez

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Currently, MANETs are a very active area of research, due to their great potential to provide networking capabilities when it is not feasible to have a fixed infrastructure in place, or to provide a complement to the existing infrastructure. Routing in this kind of network is much more challenging than in conventional networks, due to its mobile nature and limited power and hardware resources.

The most practical way to conduct routing studies of MANETs is by means of simulators such as GloMoSim. GloMoSim was utilized in this research to investigate various performance statistics and draw comparisons among different MANET routing …

Generalization Of The Hybrid Logistic Model For More Than One Rare Risk Factor, Mamunur Rashid

Mathematics Faculty Publications

Logistic models are commonly used to analyze case-control data. For case-control studies, if there tends be rare disease in the control group with the risk factors, then the estimation procedure using logistic regression model for such factors becomes difficult. To overcome such situation, Chen et. al. (2003) proposed a hybrid logistic model in which they first estimate the problematic risk factor assuming that proportions having disease of such risk factor are treated equal for all permissible strata of the other risk factors, and then the residual of the risk factors are modeled by using logistic regression model. The purpose of …

Characterization And Synthesis Of Nanoscale Materials, Jinfeng Wang

Doctoral Dissertations

"This dissertation focuses on the systematic study of techniques for characterization and synthesis of nanoscale materials. We have achieved several goals. Firstly, high number density uniform zinc oxide nanostructure growth has been achieved using thermal evaporation, through control of experimental parameters that include source material temperature, substrate temperature, substrate material, gas flow rate, and choice of catalyst. Aligned zinc oxide nanowires, randomly oriented zinc oxide nanowires, zinc oxide container-shaped structures, and zinc oxide nanobelts have been synthesized with high yield. Secondly, using a one parameter family of lattice fringe geometry curves, we show how to examine the epitaxial relationship between …

Synthesis And Characterization Of New Luminescent Late Transition Metal Complexes Containing The Tridentate 1,3-Di(N-Pyrazolyl)-4,6-Dimethyl Benzene Ligand, Brian Christopher Gruver

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The tridentate 1,3-di(N-pyrazolyl) benzene L 1 was synthesized from dibromobenzene and pyrazole. When reacted with K2PtC14 and IrCl3 the asymmetric complexes (µ-Cl)2(PtL1 )2 and (µ-Cl)2[lr L12]2 were obtained. The tridentate l ,3- dimethyl-4,6-(di-N-pyrazolyl) benzene ligand L2 , was synthesized from di-bromo-mxylene and pyrazole. The ligand was reacted with K2PtC14 to give L2 PtCl. Further reaction with phenylacetylene led to the air sensitive acetylide complex L2 PtC=C(C6H5). L2 PtCl could also be reacted with AgOTf in acetonitrile to give [L2 PtN=CCH3] OTf. Reaction with other late transition metals led to the di-chloro bridged iridium dimer (µ-Cl)2[L 2IrCl]2 and the square planar …

Energy Efficient Clustering And Secure Data Aggregation In Wireless Sensor Networks, Julia Albath

Doctoral Dissertations

"Communication consumes the majority of a wireless sensor network's limited energy. There are several ways to reduce the communication cost. Two approaches used in this work are clustering and in-network aggregation. The choice of a cluster head within each cluster is important because cluster heads use additional energy for their responsibilities and that burden needs to be carefully distributed. We introduce the energy constrained minimum dominating set (ECDS) to model the problem of optimally choosing cluster heads in the presence of energy constraints. We show its applicability to sensor networks and give an approximation algorithm of O(log n) for solving …

The Effect Of Free Chlorine And Monochloramine On Lead In Drinking Water And Epitaxial Electrodeposition Of Tin Sulfide, Sansanee Boonsalee

Doctoral Dissertations

"Electrochemical deposition is utilized in various electronic and photovoltaic applications and in the protective coating industries. This dissertation primarily addresses the environmental aspects of electrochemical deposition. In the first part of this study, Pb dissolution in drinking water was investigated in the presence of two disinfectants: free chlorine (in the form of HOCI/OCr) and monochloramine (NH₂Cl). In the second part of this study, epitaxial SnS nanodisks were electrodeposited onto a Au(100) substrate. Water utility systems use either free chlorine or monochloramine in their disinfection program. Whereas free chlorine reacts with natural organic matter in the water to produce halogenated organic …

Modeling And Synergy Testing Of Drug Combination Data: A Pharmacokinetic Analysis, Jacy Rebecca Crosby

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this paper, we present and implement a method to assess the mathematical synergy of two-drug combinations based on a stochastic model. The drugs in question are two isomers that are applied to the human eye via a liquid eye drop. Techniques applied to the data in this paper can be applied to other two-drug combination studies.

We derive the mean and the variance terms of the drug combination "effects" in closed form using Ito's method of stochastic differential equations. The model fit of the data to the individual subject is examined by both statistical and graphical methods. Two estimation …