Academic literature on the topic 'Dissertations, Academic [MESH]'

A Review of: Olson, Tod A. “Utility of a Faceted Catalog for Scholarly Research” Library Hi Tech 25.4 (2007): 550-61. Objective – To learn whether a faceted catalogue and word cloud aids in the discovery process. Design – User study. Setting – Large academic research library in the United States. Subjects – Twelve PhD candidates in the humanities, the majority of whom are engaged with researching, proposing, or writing their dissertations. Methods – The library’s entire catalogue of 5.2 million records was loaded into the AquaBrowser OPAC search interface. A pilot study was conducted using three humanities graduate students employed by the library. Following the pilot, the main study was conducted using graduate students in the humanities. Graduate students in the social sciences were desired for the study, but were not able to be contacted due to time constraints. Once selected, the test subjects were asked to use an interface that offered both facets and tag clouds for enhanced search quality. Test subjects were allowed to choose the topic they would like to research; all chose to research their dissertation topic. A moderator and recorder facilitated research conducted with the faceted catalogue. The moderator ensured that students commented on their findings, cleared up any confusion with using the interface, and kept the students on task. Only when students remarked that a new discovery had been made were those discoveries noted. The impact to the discovery process of faceted navigation and AquaBrowser’s word cloud was studied while the impact of relevance ranking was not. Main Results – The article asserts that results from both the pilot and main study were sufficiently similar to justify combining them for the paper, but the advantage that students employed by the library might have over other students is not discussed. Nine of the twelve students used in the study found new results using the faceted catalogue and word cloud. The responses of the user group to the faceted catalogue and word cloud were “overwhelmingly positive” (555). However, since students were allowed to move freely between the word cloud and faceted navigation tool, it is difficult to attribute new discoveries solely to one or the other. However, when a new discovery could be “attributed primarily to one factor or another” (555) it was noted. The faceted navigation tool aided discovery at least four times and the word cloud aided discovery at least six. Conclusion – A faceted catalogue interface with a word cloud feature clearly aids in the discovery process for more advanced researchers—those with specialized subject knowledge, familiarity with their library’s collection, and experience in researching their area. However, facets and word clouds have limitations: records with limited cataloguing have little to offer faceted navigation; catalogue records from diverse providers introduce controlled vocabularies beyond LCSH and MeSH into search returns, resulting in the same word potentially appearing multiple times in the same return albeit with different meanings; the word cloud may contain certain words that researchers feel to be irrelevant. Despite these issues, the use of word clouds and faceted navigation (and relevance ranking) appears to be beneficial to research conducted by experienced subject searchers in the humanities.

O artigo teve como objetivo geral analisar a produção científica da Geografia Física no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geografia da Universidade Federal do Piauí, entre 2013 e 2018. Os objetivos específicos contemplaram: (i) identificar os estudos com ênfase em Geografia Física; (ii) verificar os enfoques temáticos das pesquisas e (iii) indicar as demais particularidades e tendências da produção científica no PPGGEO. A metodologia pautou-se em pesquisa bibliográfica com foco nas dissertações. Os resultados apontaram que os estudos de Geografia Física perfazem aproximadamente 27% da produção científica do PPGGEO. Entre os enfoques temáticos abordados, destacam-se: (i) impactos socioambientais urbanos; (ii) degradação ambiental; (iii) vulnerabilidade ambiental; (iv) ambiente e saúde; (v) levantamento pedológico; (vi) mapeamento geomorfológico/cobertura das terras; (vii) morfodinâmica litorânea e (viii) patrimônio geológico-geomorfológico. O atual estágio desta produção acadêmica indica as seguintes tendências: (i) aplicação da abordagem sistêmica; (ii) concentração de estudos nas Mesorregiões Centro-Norte e Norte do Estado do Piauí; (iii) prevalência dos estudos em escala local; (iv) forte direcionamento dos estudos à questão ambiental; (v) recorrente emprego das geotecnologias.Palavras-chave: Geografia Física. Pós-Graduação. Temas e tendências. ABSTRACTThe aim objective of this article was to analyze the scientific production of Physical Geography in the Postgraduate Program in Geography of the Federal University of Piauí between 2013 and 2018. The specific objectives contemplated: (i) to identify the studies with focus in Physical Geography; (ii) to verify the thematic approaches of the researches and (iii) to indicate the other peculiarities and trends of the scientific production in the PPGGEO. The methodology was based on bibliographical research focusing on the dissertations. The results showed that the studies of Physical Geography account for approximately 27% of the scientific production of PPGGEO. Among the thematic approaches addressed, the following stand out: (i) urban socio-environmental impacts; (ii) environmental degradation; (iii) environmental vulnerability; (iv) environment and health; (v) pedological survey; (vi) geomorphological mapping/land cover; (vii) coastal morphodynamics and (viii) geological-geomorphological heritage. The current stage of this academic production indicates the following tendencies: (i) application of the systems approach; (ii) concentration of studies in the North and Central-North Meso-Regions of Piauí State; (iii) prevalence of local scale studies; (iv) strong focus of studies on the environmental issue; (iv) recurrent use of geotechnologies.Keywords: Physical geography. Postgraduate. Themes and trends. RESUMENEl objetivo general del artículo fue analizar la producción científica de Geografía Física en el Programa de Posgrado en Geografía de la Universidad Federal de Piauí, entre 2013 y 2018. Los objetivos específicos incluyeron: (i) identificar estudios con énfasis en Geografía Física; (ii) verificar los enfoques temáticos de las investigaciones y (iii) indicar las otras peculiaridades y tendencias de la producción científica en PPGGEO. La metodología se basó en la investigación bibliográfica centrada en disertaciones. Los resultados mostraron que los estudios de Geografía Física representan aproximadamente 27% de la producción científica de PPGGEO. Entre los enfoques temáticos abordados se encuentran: (i) impactos socio-ambientales urbanos; (ii) degradación ambiental; (iii) vulnerabilidad ambiental; (iv) medio ambiente y salud; (v) encuesta pedológica; (vi) mapeo geomorfológico/cobertura del suelo; (vii) morfodinámica costera y (viii) patrimonio geológico-geomorfológico. La etapa actual de esta producción académica indica las siguientes tendencias: (i) aplicación del enfoque sistémico; (ii) concentración de estudios en las Mesorregiones Centro-Norte y Norte del Estado de Piauí; (iii) prevalencia de estudios a escala local; (iv) fuerte enfoque de estudios sobre temas ambientales; (v) uso recurrente de geotecnologías.Palabras clave: Geografía física. Posgraduación. Temas y tendencias.

The investigation of numerical methods for modelling the mechanism properties ofinvolute spur gears in mesh, over the mesh cycle, forms the major part of this thesis.Gearing is perhaps one of the most critical components in power transmission systemsand the transmission error of gears in mesh is considered to be one of the main causes ofgear noise and vibration. Numerous papers have been published on gear transmissionerror measurement and many investigations have been devoted to gear vibration analysis.There still, however, remains to be developed a general Finite Element Model capable ofpredicting the effect of variations in rigid body gear tooth position, in which the criticalstage is the prediction of gear behaviour with profile modifications (including tip-relief).In this thesis, FEA results have been obtained by using various techniques including: (a)adaptive re-mesh with contacts using quad (2D) and brick (3D) elements and (b) theelement birth and death option. Tooth profile modifications can affect the behaviour ofthe gear meshing including the T.E., ratio of local deformation and load-sharing ratioresults, etc, providing an alternative method for gear design. In the high order end, theelastic strains of the gear-shaft system have also been investigated. The results in thisthesis have shown the potential for using strain-vibration relationships to monitor orcontrol the transmission system.The investigations have also included some analysis with non-metallic gears, anapplication area that is rapidly growing. The results achieved here are at a fundamentalstage, and further research would necessitate applying a coupled field analysis (structuraland thermal).

A new local method for finite difference/finite element mesh truncation in the frequency domain is investigated. The method is based on the Measured Equation of Invariance (MEI) concept recently proposed by Mei, et al. (1) for the numerical solution of electro-magnetic wave scattering by perfectly conducting targets in unbounded regions. An MEI is a numerically derived discrete, linear equation which relates the field at a given boundary node to the field values at neighboring nodes. For each boundary node, a different MEI is constructed. Given such a condition for each node, a computationally efficient and accurate FD/FE grid truncation can be achieved. Since the derivation of the MEI is not based on any far-field assumptions, unlike most other local methods, the mesh truncation condition can be applied just a few cells away from the scatterer's boundary. The method is extended to treat the case of penetrable scatterers. Three different approaches are considered. The first is based upon a direct application of Huygen's principle. The second relies on equivalent source concepts. The final method proposed employs a distribution of multipoles, referred to as multiple multipoles, to generate the MEI's. The MEI-based mesh truncation conditions are implemented for the first time in a finite element formulation and numerical results are presented for time-harmonic scattering by a variety of two-dimensional targets. The feasibility of constructing an accurate truncation condition for the mesh interior to a homogeneous penetrable scatterer is also examined. In addition to the study conducted for finite difference/finite element mesh truncation in the frequency domain, a time domain truncation scheme based on the principles of linearity and superposition is considered. The method is demonstrated for a guided wave structure.

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Bachelors
Engineering and Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering

The IEEE 802.16 standard popularly known as WiMAX is at the forefront of the technological drive. Achieving high system throughput in these networks is challenging due to interference which limits concurrent transmissions. In this thesis, we study routing and link scheduling inWiMAX mesh networks. We present simple joint routing and link scheduling algorithms that have outperformed most of the existing proposals in our experiments. Our session based routing and links scheduling produced results approximately 90% of a trivial lower bound. We also study the problem of quality of service (QoS) provisioning in WiMAX mesh networks. QoS has become an attractive area of study driven by the increasing demand for multimedia content delivered wirelessly. To accommodate the different applications, the IEEE 802.16 standard defines four classes of service. In this dissertation, we propose a comprehensive scheme consisting of routing, link scheduling, call admission control (CAC) and channel assignment that considers all classes of service. Much of the work in the literature considers each of these problems in isolation. Our routing schemes use a metric that combines interference and traffic load to compute routes for requests while our link scheduling ensures that the QoS requirements of admitted requests are strictly met. Results from our simulation indicate that our routing and link scheduling schemes significantly improve network performance when the network is congested.
ix, 77 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm

This curriculum project was developed to provide the teacher of a self-contained primary ESOL classroom with a workable integration of the critical elements of bilingual education. The project traces the history of bilingual education in the United States. It reviews some of the important legislation and judicial decisions that form the framework for current bilingual education. It examines some learning and language theories that educators translate into practice in instructing, guiding, and evaluating ESOL students. This design was developed for use in a self contained ESOL class in Duval County, Florida. Students in the class speak a variety of languages other than English. All are learning English as their second language. Their English proficiency level varies from nonspeaker to fluent. The curriculum is designed to recognize each child's abilities and needs while meeting the second grade objectives set forth by the Duval County School Board and complying with the Duval County Public Schools Limited English Proficient Plan. It is hoped that an examination of an integrated thematic unit will provide a useful model for the primary ESOL teacher.

Woven structures are steadily emerging as excellent reinforcing components in dual-phase composite materials subjected to multiaxial loads, thermal shock, and aggressive reactants in the environment. Metallic woven wire mesh materials display good ductility and relatively high specific strength and specific resilience. While use of this class of materials is rapidly expanding, significant gaps in mechanical behavior classification remain. This thesis works to address the mechanics of material knowledge gap that exists for characterizing the behavior of a metallic woven structure, composed of stainless steel wires on the order of 25 microns in diameter, and subjected to various loading conditions and stress risers. Uniaxial and biaxial tensile experiments, employing Digital Image Correlation (DIC) as a strain measurement tool, are conducted on woven wire mesh specimens incised in various material orientations, and with various notch geometries. Experimental results, supported by an ample analytic modeling effort, indicate that an orthotropic elastic constitutive model is reasonably capable of governing the macro-scale elasticity of the subject material. Also, the Stress Concentration Factor (SCF) associated with various notch geometries is documented experimentally and analytically, and it is shown that the degree of stress concentration is dependent on both notch and material orientation. The Finite Element Method (FEM) is employed on the macro-scale to expand the experimental test matrix, and to judge the effects of a homogenization assumption when modeling metallic woven structures. Additionally, plasticity of the stainless steel woven wire mesh is considered through experimental determination of the yield surface, and a thorough analytic modeling effort resulting in a modified form of the Hill yield criterion. Finally, meso-scale plasticity of the woven structure is considered, and the form of a multi-scale failure criterion is proposed and exercised numerically.
M.S.M.E.
Masters
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering; Mechanical Systems

Thesis (M. Tech.(Electrical Engineering)) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2010
This dissertation gives an overview of the research done in developing a protocol to synchronise information in a secure wireless mesh network. Alternative methods to control wireless devices were investigated in the non-controlled frequency spectrum. The aim of the research was to develop a protocol that can be loaded on a micro-controller with limited intelligence, controlling endpoints. The protocol minimises human interference and automatically negotiates which device becomes the master controller. The device is able to discover and locate neighbour devices in range. The device has the capability to be stationary or mobile and host multiple control endpoints. Control endpoints can be digital or analogue, input or output, and belongs to a group like security, lighting or irrigation. These capabilities can change according to the solution’s requirements. Control endpoints with the same capabilities must be able to establish a connection between each other. An endpoint has a user-friendly name and can update the remote endpoint with the description. When a connection is established both endpoints update each other with their user-friendly name and their status. A local endpoint can trigger a certain action on a receiving control point. The system was tested with a building monitoring system because it is static and a less expensive choice, thus making the evaluation more suitable. A simulator for a personal computer was developed to evaluate the new protocol. Finally, the protocol was implemented and tested on a micro-controller platform.

The following presents a method for determining topographic elevation error for overland unstructured finite element meshes derived from bare earth LiDAR for use in a shallow water equations model. This thesis investigates the development of an optimal interpolation method to produce minimal error for a given element size. In hydrodynamic studies, it is vital to represent the floodplain as accurately as possible since terrain is a critical factor that influences water flow. An essential step in the development of a coastal inundation model is processing and resampling dense bare earth LiDAR to a DEM and ultimately to the mesh nodes; however, it is crucial that the correct DEM grid size and interpolation method be employed for an accurate representation of the terrain. The following research serves two purposes: 1) to assess the resolution and interpolation scheme of bare earth LiDAR data points in terms of its ability to describe the bare earth topography and its subsequent performance during relevant tide and storm surge simulations.
M.S.
Masters
Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering
Engineering and Computer Science
Civil Engineering; Water Resources Engineering

Following a meso-contingency approach (Rousseau & House, 1994), this study examined the relationship between efficacy beliefs and effectiveness outcomes in a team context. Specifically, the interaction effects of self-efficacy and group efficacy as well as their direct effects on effectiveness outcomes at the individual level and at the group level were examined. Forty-two work teams (174 members and 42 supervisors) from several industries within Western Canada completed a survey assessing their efficacy beliefs, their attitudes at work, and their performance. The cross-level hypotheses revealed that self-efficacy positively related to individual effectiveness and to team attitudes but not to team performance. Group efficacy positively correlated with team effectiveness but not with individual effectiveness. Moreover, group efficacy as a shared belief and as a perception of individual team members was hypothesized to moderate the relationship between self-efficacy and team members’ effectiveness. However, these moderation hypotheses were not supported.
ix, 105 leaves ; 29 cm

D. Tech. Engineering: Electrical.
The remarkable evolution of wireless networks into the next generation to provide ubiquitous and seamless broadband applications has recently triggered the emergence of Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs). The WMNs comprise stationary Wireless Mesh Routers (WMRs) forming Wireless Backbone Mesh Networks (WBMNs) and mobile Wireless Mesh Clients (WMCs) forming the WMN access. While WMCs are limited in function and radio resources, the WMRs are expected to support heavy duty applications: that is, WMRs have gateway and bridge functions to integrate WMNs with other networks such as the Internet, cellular, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.16, sensor networks, et cetera. Consequently, WMRs are constructed from fast switching radios or multiple radio devices operating on multiple frequency channels. WMRs are expected to be self-organized, self-configured and constitute a reliable and robust WBMN which needs to sustain high traffic volumes and long "online" time. However, meeting such stringent service expectations requires the development of decentralized dynamic transmission power control (DTPC) approaches. This thesis addresses the DTPC problem for both single and multiple channel WBMNs. For single channel networks, the problem is formulated as the minimization of both the link-centric and network-centric convex cost function. For multi-radio multichannel (MRMC) WBMNs, the network is modelled as sets of unified channel graphs (UCGs), each consisting of interconnected active network users communicating on the same frequency channel.

This chapter surveys topical, methodological, and geographic trends in the production of knowledge about the Middle East in doctoral dissertations written over the decade 2000–2010. It assesses the extent to which the post-9/11 political and academic climate influenced knowledge production about the Middle East. It argues that while scholarship on the Middle East has undoubtedly been both constrained and inspired by geopolitics and the various political, popular, and media responses to 9/11, the relationship between the two is not necessarily coherent, unilinear, or predictable. Trends in Middle East studies (MES) are the product of changes in political climate, methodological currents within disciplines (themselves related to shifts in the post-Cold War geopolitical order), the peculiarities and engagements of MES as a distinct disciplinel, and the relationship between area studies and wider disciplinary norms, organizations, and institutions.