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No / Extensive research has been performed for developing knowledge based intelligent monitoring systems for improving the reliability of manufacturing processes. Due to the high expense of obtaining knowledge from human experts, it is expected to develop new techniques to obtain the knowledge automatically from the collected data using data mining techniques. Inductive learning has become one of the widely used data mining methods for generating decision rules from data. In order to deal with the noise or uncertainties existing in the data collected in industrial processes and systems, this paper presents a new method using fuzzy logic techniques to improve the performance of the classical inductive learning approach. The proposed approach, in contrast to classical inductive learning method using hard cut point to discretize the continuous-valued attributes, uses soft discretization to enable the systems have less sensitivity to the uncertainties and noise. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been illustrated in an application of monitoring the machining conditions in uncertain environment. Experimental results show that this new fuzzy inductive learning method gives improved accuracy compared with using classical inductive learning techniques.

Combinatorial methods are utilized to examine preimage iterations of topologically glued polynomials. In particular, this paper addresses using finite subdivision rules and Hubbard trees as tools to model the dynamic behavior of mated quadratic functions. Several methods of construction of invariant structures on modified degenerate matings are detailed, and examples of parameter-based families of matings for which these methods succeed (and fail) are given. / Ph. D.

Nearly Euclidean Thurston maps are simple generalizations of rational Lattes maps. A Thurston map is called nearly Euclidean if its local degree at each critical point is 2 and it has exactly four postcritical points. We investigate when such a map has the property that the associated pullback map on Teichmuller space is constant. We also show that no Thurston map of degree 2 has constant pullback map. / Ph. D.

Injury risk reduction is an ever-evolving topic within an athletic environment. Consequences from an injury include participation time loss, financial, social, and personal costs. Coaching and medical staff strive to reduce the risk through various manners. Training load monitoring is one method that is utilized in injury risk reduction through global positioning systems (GPS) with statistical modeling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the external loads for training sessions and competition in starters versus non-starters; to determine if there were control chart violations associated with sustained injuries; and to determine whether in-season injuries were associate with one or more control chart violations. NCAA Division I female soccer players were recruited during the fall 2019 season. Participants were provided a STATSports GPS unit to wear during all practice and competition sessions to analyze the following variables: total distance, high metabolic load distance, sprints, accelerations, decelerations, and dynamic stress load (DSL). These variables were analyzed using statistical process control charts (SPC Charts) and Nelson Rules. Overall, there were 1,235 violations for the team, with the highest amount coming from DSL. Throughout the season, there were 16 time-loss injuries. Within the 3- and 7-day periods prior to injury, there were only two cases in which the injured athlete had more violations when compared to the team average. Therefore, SPC Charts were not a good indicator of injury risk prediction within this population. Future research includes reassessing these methods within a larger population and for a longer duration (i.e. several seasons). / Master of Science / Reducing the risk of injury in athletes is a focal point for many coaches, training, and medical staffs in collegiate athletics. The consequences of injury range from loss of playing time to financial and long-term health costs. Being able to reduce the risk of injuries not only has personal implications for the athlete but also relates to overall team success. Using global positioning systems (GPS) to track the amount of work done in training can possibly reduce injury risk. This study planned to investigate the workload in NCAA Division 1 collegiate female soccer athletes and if any injuries were sustained during both training and competition settings. The results suggest that statistical process control (SPC) charts and the Nelson Rules did not predict injury risk within this population. There is limited research that has used these tools. Future work can reassess these methods within larger collegiate athletic populations, over a longer period of time.

In this dissertation, we introduce combinatorial interpretations for three types of HallLittlewood polynomials (denoted Rλ, Pλ, and Qλ) by using weighted combinatorial objects called abacus-tournaments. We then apply these models to give combinatorial proofs of properties of Hall-Littlewood polynomials. For example, we show why various specializations of Hall-Littlewood polynomials produce the Schur symmetric polynomials, the elementary symmetric polynomials, or the t-analogue of factorials. With the abacus-tournament model, we give a bijective proof of a Pieri rule for Hall-Littlewood polynomials that gives the Pλ-expansion of the product of a Hall-Littlewood polynomial Pµ with an elementary symmetric polynomial ek. We also give a bijective proof of certain cases of a second Pieri rule that gives the Pλ-expansion of the product of a Hall-Littlewood polynomial Pµ with another Hall-Littlewood polynomial Q(r) . In general, proofs using abacus-tournaments focus on canceling abacus-tournaments and then finding weight-preserving bijections between the sets of uncanceled abacus-tournaments. / Ph. D.

Modern construction projects are delivered in complex, fast pace environments. Stakeholders are required to participate in dynamic project settings with resource constraints, information constraints, and time constraints. To overcome gaps in knowledge, to deliver decisions quickly, and to overcome human limits in cognitive ability, decision makers typically employ heuristics, or rules of thumb to arrive at relatively quick answers. Heuristics are cognitive shortcuts that an individual employs to arrive at quick decisions (Goodwin et al., 2004). These heuristics are used in a variety of ways, ranging from using the process of elimination (elimination heuristic) to applying different cognitive weights to options based on recent experience, reputation, or familiarity (Shah and Oppenheimer, 2008). This research aims to identify heuristics present in the implementation phase of construction. By summarizing the results of two studies conducted with a Mid-Atlantic Contractor, this thesis prescribes seven heuristics commonly used by construction stakeholders. / Master of Science / Modern construction provides a difficult decision making environment for workers. Construction stakeholders often work in environments with limited time, with limited information, and with limited knowledge. Decision makers in these environments typically use mental rules of thumb (formerly known as heuristics). These rules of thumb help decisions makers arrive at quick answers and often increase efficiency. They can be used in a variety of ways. An individual may use the process of elimination to find a solution. Others may base their decision off a company, person, or object ‘s reputation. Others may only choose an option that is recognizable. Rules of thumb take many forms and are used by all people. Studying rules of thumb can benefit an industry. This has already been proven in many industries, such as insurance (Handel & Kolstad, 2015), medicine (Martin et al., 2012), and economics (Grandori, 2010). The construction industry has begun to study rules of thumb that impact early stages of the construction process, but it still lacks rules of thumb that impact the process of physical construction. This paper aims to assist the construction industry in gaining a fuller view of decision making shortcuts used by its stakeholders. By summarizing the results of two studies conducted with a Mid-Atlantic Contractor, this thesis outlines seven heuristic used by construction workers.