Dissertation--Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaftliche Fakultät--Universität Bayreuth, 1997. / Bibliogr. p. 149-153.

Uncertainty is inherent in many novel and important applications such as market surveillance, information extraction sensor data analysis, etc. In the recent a few decades, uncertain data has attracted considerable research attention. There are various factors that cause the uncertainty, for instance randomness or incompleteness of data, limitations of equipment and delay or loss in data transfer. A probabilistic threshold range aggregate (PRTA) query retrieves summarized information about the uncertain objects in the database satisfying a range query, with respect to a given probability threshold. This thesis is trying to address and handle this important type of query which there is no previous work studying on. We formulate the problem in both discrete and continuous uncertain data model and develop a novel index structure, asU-tree (aggregate-based sampling-auxiliary U-tree) which not only supports exact query answering but also provides approximate results with accuracy guarantee if efficiency is more concerned. The new asU-tree structure is totally dynamic. Query processing algorithms for both exact answer and approximate answer based on this new index structure are also proposed. An extensive experimental study shows that asU-tree is very efficient and effective over real and synthetic datasets.

Uncertainty is inherent in many novel and important applications such as market surveillance, information extraction sensor data analysis, etc. In the recent a few decades, uncertain data has attracted considerable research attention. There are various factors that cause the uncertainty, for instance randomness or incompleteness of data, limitations of equipment and delay or loss in data transfer. A probabilistic threshold range aggregate (PRTA) query retrieves summarized information about the uncertain objects in the database satisfying a range query, with respect to a given probability threshold. This thesis is trying to address and handle this important type of query which there is no previous work studying on. We formulate the problem in both discrete and continuous uncertain data model and develop a novel index structure, asU-tree (aggregate-based sampling-auxiliary U-tree) which not only supports exact query answering but also provides approximate results with accuracy guarantee if efficiency is more concerned. The new asU-tree structure is totally dynamic. Query processing algorithms for both exact answer and approximate answer based on this new index structure are also proposed. An extensive experimental study shows that asU-tree is very efficient and effective over real and synthetic datasets.

abstract: Scholarship on the rhetoric of place and space provides ample precedent for the study of structures as rhetorical texts; real and imagined places which convey meaning or memory, particularly monuments, memorials, and museums have been extensively studied, but loci of identity and history in institutions of higher education are under- examined. The following analysis of Arizona State University's Old Main building seeks to fill a gap in the study of place and space. As an entity which produces its own powerful discourses, Arizona State University expresses its historicity and institutional goals through varied and numerous media, but Old Main is one of the most critical, for the structure acts as an ethical proof in ASU's argument for its character, endurance, and worth. This examination addresses how ASU's ethos is articulated through the experiences of Old Main's past and current users, the instructional historical texts and artifacts displayed in the structure, the way that the building is mediated by ASU discourses, and the agency of the edifice itself. This work endeavors to answer Henri Lefebvre's call to improve widespread understanding of spaces as texts and their dialogue with users, and builds on the work of Carol Blair, Richard P. Dober, Diane Favro, and Bruno Latour, as well as that of Henri Lefebvre. To provide full context, this analysis integrates scholarship from the disciplines of campus planning, architecture, classical rhetoric, and the rhetoric of place and space. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.A. English 2014

abstract: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) first response personnel treat urgent and immediate illnesses and injuries in prehospital settings, and transport patients to definitive care if needed. EMS originated during warfare. The practice of rescuing wounded soldiers started during the Byzantine Empire, and developed along with other medical advances to the present day. Civilian EMS in the United States grew rapidly starting in the 1960s. Following the landmark National Research Council white paper of “Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society”, the nation addressed the key issues and problems faced in delivering emergency medical services. Today, colleges and universities often sponsor EMS organizations to serve populations concentrated in complex campuses. These are collectively known as Collegiate-Based Emergency Medical Services (CBEMS). By September 2018, there were 252 registered CBEMS organizations in the United States. Most are affiliated with the National Collegiate Emergency Medical Services Foundation (NCEMSF), which advocates, encourages, and provides support for CBEMS organizations. A survey repeating prior work (1996 and 2005) was sent to all NCEMSF registered CBEMS organizations, and 24 responded. The survey included questions on demographics, response capacities, coverage, organization, and logistics information. Locally, Arizona State University Student Emergency Medical Services (SEMS at ASU) began as an all-student-run volunteer organization in 2008. In 2018, SEMS at ASU became ASU EMS, as an official subdivision of the ASU Environmental Health Safety (EH&S) Department. This study summarizes the history of EMS, investigates the current status of CBEMS organizations and traces the history of ASU EMS from a volunteer group to an official department. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Biology 2019

Cryogenic air separation units (ASUs) are the most widely used technology for industrialscale production of large amounts of high-purity air components. These are highly energyintensive processes, which have motivated the development of demand response strategies to adapt their operation in response to the increased volatility of the energy market. The startup of ASUs warrants particular consideration within this context. ASUs are tightly integrated, thermally and materially, and have slow dynamics. These result in startup times on the order of hours to a day, during which electricity is consumed with limited revenue generation. In the current environment of electricity price deregulation, it may be economically advantageous for ASUs to shut down during periods of high electricity pricing, increasing the occurrences of startups. This presents a promising research opportunity, especially because ASU startup has received relatively little attention in the literature. This thesis investigates the optimal startup of ASUs using dynamic optimization. First, this thesis focuses on startup model development for the multiproduct ASU. Startup model development requires accounting for discontinuities present at startup. Four main discontinuities are considered: stage liquid flow discontinuity, stage vapor flow discontinuities, flow liquid out of sumps and reboilers, and opening and closing valves. Other types of discontinuities accounted for include the change in the number of phases of streams. These discontinuities are approximated with smoothing formulations, using mostly hyperbolic tangent functions, to allow application of gradient-based optimization. The modeling approach was assessed through three case studies: dynamic simulation of a successful startup, dynamic simulation of a failed startup, and dynamic optimization using a least-squares minimization formulation. Following startup model development, this thesis investigates the development of a framework for optimizing ASU startups using readily interpretable metrics of time and economics. For economics, cumulative profit over the startup horizon is considered. Two events are tracked for the definition of time metrics: time taken to obtain product purities and time to obtain steady-state product flows. Novel approaches are proposed for quantifying these time metrics, which are used as objective functions and in formulating constraints. The / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

abstract: Arizona State University's (ASU) teacher education program has been restructured several times in the last two decades to train teachers to teach children more effectively by responding to their individual needs and learning demands. One of the reasons for restructuring was to respond to new licensing requirements by the State. To serve young children's needs, the state of Arizona required individuals working with young children to obtain either early childhood licensing or endorsement by January, 2009. Responding to these new requirements, ASU now requires student teaching in a preschool setting in addition to the existing Kindergarten to third grade student teaching and internship requirements. This study addressed the question of teacher preparation and self-efficacy based on this newly restructured teaching model used in the ASU Tempe teacher education program. The following questions guided this study: 1) What effects do beginning teachers perceive that their split-student teaching experiences have on their experience as a new teacher; 2) How do beginning teachers' prior schooling, educational, and personal background influence their current teaching; and 3) What role does home, family, and collegial support play as beginning teachers start their teaching career? A qualitative case study research method was utilized in this study. Two face-to-face, in-depth individual interviews and one focus group interview with three second-year and two third-year beginning teachers were utilized to understand their experiences in the program and in their beginning years of teaching. An analysis of interview data revealed beginning teachers' student teaching experiences partially fulfilled their need of having adequate in-classroom experience before starting their teaching careers; yet they highlighted some suggestions for student teaching assignments to better prepare prospective teacher candidates in the program. Moreover, they expressed both satisfaction and dissatisfaction toward courses taken in the program. Their statements also emphasized the importance of having effective mentorship in their student teaching and first year of teaching. Support from administration, experienced colleagues, friends, and family members were also acknowledged as highly valuable as they struggled with issues in their beginning career. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction 2010

This dissertation reports on the findings of a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study into the health beliefs and practices of urban Pares, living in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, in Tanzania. The study utilised aspects of the transcultural nursing framework. Semi-structured interviews were used for data gathering with a sample of nine urban Pare informants. Data were analysed thematically. The major findings indicate that health beliefs arise from magico-religious, holistic and scientific paradigms. It was also found that beliefs and behaviour patterns are changing. These findings are discussed in terms of the two major themes, namely, multiple world views and change and continuity. Recommendations arising from the findings are made which may assist health workers to provide culturally congruent care. / Health Studies / (M.A. (Health Studies))

This dissertation reports on the findings of a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study into the health beliefs and practices of urban Pares, living in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, in Tanzania. The study utilised aspects of the transcultural nursing framework. Semi-structured interviews were used for data gathering with a sample of nine urban Pare informants. Data were analysed thematically. The major findings indicate that health beliefs arise from magico-religious, holistic and scientific paradigms. It was also found that beliefs and behaviour patterns are changing. These findings are discussed in terms of the two major themes, namely, multiple world views and change and continuity. Recommendations arising from the findings are made which may assist health workers to provide culturally congruent care. / Health Studies / (M.A. (Health Studies))

Global energy demand is predicted to rise in the coming decades, necessitating a shift to renewable energy sources to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. However, due to the inability to supply renewable energy around the clock, it is estimated that only by adding an important technology, carbon capture and storage (CCS), it could be possible to reduce 80% of the 1990s greenhouse gas emissions. CCS aims to reduce anthropogenic carbon emissions by capturing CO2 from flue gases, transporting, and permanently storing or reutilizing industrially. The CCS approach includes three technologies: post-combustion capture, pre-combustion capture, and oxyfuel combustion, with the latter being the emphasis of this thesis. Based on the case study of Mälarenergi’s Refused-derived waste-fired CHP plant, this thesis investigates the viability of converting existing non-fossil fueled CHP plants to oxyfuel combustion. A thorough technical investigation based on analyzing the impact of oxyfuel combustion on system performance was conducted through system modeling using a process simulator, Aspen plus. The model in this thesis considers the development of an air separation unit (ASU), a CHP plant, and a cryogenic CO2 purification unit (CPU). All of which are validated through calibration and comparison with real-world data and similar work. To investigate the influence of employing oxyfuel combustion on the generation of both heat and electricity, two different scenarios were comprised, including recirculating flue gas before and after flue gas condensation. In addition, an analysis of the oxygen purity was conducted to assess the most optimal parameters with the least impact on system performance. Moreover, a detailed eco- nomic assessment comprising the costs of integrating oxyfuel combustion was also conducted. The findings of this thesis show that integrating waste incineration CHP plants with oxyfuel combustion for CO2 capture entails promising features under the condition of 97% oxygen purity and a flue gas recirculation system taking place after flue gas condensation. This is owing to (i) modest imposed energy penalty of approximately 8.7%, (ii) high CO2 recovery ratio, around 92.4%, (iii) total investment cost of approximately 554 M$ during a 20-year lifetime, and (iv) cost of captured CO2 of around 76 $/ton. Aside from system modeling, this thesis pre- sents an overview of the current state-of-the-art technology on the different separation and capture mechanisms. It is important to highlight that the goal of this thesis is not to provide a comprehensive review but rather to present an overall picture of the maturity of the different mechanisms. The findings point to the cryogenic separation mechanism as the most mature technology for both oxygen production and capturing of CO2 during oxyfuel combustion.