This thesis examines the Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and how they relate to the late-Victorian Sensation Novel. First, a brief introduction to the Sensation novel is made. It makes a study the character of Sherlock Holmes, his habits, and his cases to show the sensationalism of his character. It considers the setting of late-Victorian England and its connections to the world created by Conan Doyle. Finally, it takes into account the significance of Victorian class structure within the stories. All these come together to confirm that the Sherlock Holmes stories belonged within the sensation genre. The research materials include critics such as Philip Davis, author of The Victorians, Russell Goldfarb, author of Sexual Repression and Victorian Literature, and Steven Marcus, author of The Other Victorians: A Study of Sexuality and Pornography in Mid-Nineteenth- Century England. Other sources also include the 1898 Poverty Map created by Charles Booth, works by Dr. William Acton, and articles from the Penny Illustrated Paper. These sources help to form conclusions about the Sherlock Holmes stories as sensational stories providing detailed descriptions and examinations of Holmes' character, sexuality, and lifestyle and how they pertian to the Sensation genre. The thesis will also take into account different interpretations of Holmes' character as it has evolved through the 20th and 21st centuries thus far. / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of English.

There have been researches that studied selfish data caching in ad hoc networks using game-theoretic analysis. However, due to the caching problem’s theoretical root in classic facility location problem and k-median problem, most of the researches assume: 1) The data is initially outside of the network; 2) The caching cost is either a constant or not considered at all. In reality, there are many applications, such as ad-hoc and sensor networks and peer to peer networks, in which data is initially collected or stored in the network and the caching cost depends on the network topology. This thesis addresses the problem of in-network data caching (referred to as in-caching problem) in multi-hop stationary ad hoc networks where the data is initially stored in the network and both caching and accessing costs are distance dependent. We first show that the problem is NP-hard. For selfish data caching game of the problem, we show that a pure Nash Equilibrium exists, in which a node will not deviate its caching strategy if others keep their own strategy. However, a Nash Equilibrium may not guarantee social optimal cost – due to the selfishness of each node, the price anarchy, which is the relative cost of the lack of cooperation among nodes, could be as large as O(n), where n is a number of nodes in the network. Using an external incentive mechanism based upon a payment model, we show a Nash Equilibrium and social optimal can both be achieved simultaneously via extensive simulations. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of death in the world. In this study, an attempt was made to model the flow dynamics of blood in abnormally narrowed artery. Finite volume solver FLUENT was used for the analysis with the aim of understanding the consequences of increasing the degree of stenosis using a two-equation turbulence model. The compliant nature of the artery was neglected, and Newtonian behavior of the blood flow was assumed for the larger arteries. Steady-flow simulations with 75% area reductions were used to establish the validity of the current models by employing the standard and transitional variant of the k  turbulence models. Subsequently, it was found that transitional k  model was suitable for the low Reynolds number internal flows associated with the transition to turbulence, although only a minor departure in terms of the turbulence intensity peak was observed. Unsteady blood flow was introduced by employing a sinusoidal pulsatile waveform at the inlet. The pulsatile nature of the blood flow was investigated in the range of the constriction ratio from 60% to 90%, with an inlet-specified pulse. It was hypothesized that the severity of the stenosis played a major role in the initiation of the turbulence, since no major turbulence was reported for the 60% and 75% area reductions, while increasing the constriction ratio of 90% significantly altered the flow dynamics and triggered the transition to turbulence much earlier than anticipated. The outcome of current numerical efforts was expressed in terms of wall shear stress, a hemodynamically relevant parameter. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Aerospace Engineering.

Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) is a good indicator of overall health and is commonly measured in the general population, but often goes overlooked in individuals with SMI. Previous studies involving exercise and SMI focus mainly on self-perception and mood. Only one study has measured the VO2max in this select population while promoting exercise and dietary changes. Purpose: To assess the maximum aerobic capacity, weight, and body fat percentage (BF%) in individuals with SMI. Methods: Weight, BF%, and VO2max were measured prior to wellness intervention (pre) and following wellness intervention (post). Forty-nine individuals (27=male, 22=female) with a mean age of 43±13.20 years of age and a diagnosis meeting the criteria for severe and persistent mental illness (SMI) were assessed. SMI classification among the subjects as follows: schizophrenia (n=11), bipolar disorder (n=17), schizoaffective disorder (n=14), major depressive disorder (n=7). Results: No significant difference was observed between baseline and endpoint measurements of BF% in all diagnoses except MDD. Males with MDD benefited from a wellness intervention with a significantly lower BF% (p(.036);p<0.05). A wellness intervention did not increase in the VO2max in individuals with SMI (p(.0358);p<0.05). Individuals with SMI continually rated in the very poor to poor section for VO2max. Conclusion: Individuals with SMI tend to have low aerobic capacity and high body fat percentage. Individuals in the current study did not benefit from a wellness intervention in terms of BF% and VO2max except males with MDD. Males with MDD significantly lowered their BF% following a wellness intervention. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--Wichita State University, College of Education, Dept. of Human Performance Studies.

Historically machine and mechanism design relied heavily upon analytical and graphical means to evaluate the performance a system. With increasing complexity, these methods have been modified for use with computational tools. General purpose solvers have been created such as Adams, DADS and Dap3d to analyze different machines and mechanisms. Although these tools are available, they allow limited access to source code or utilize a language that is not readily taught in academics. This thesis will focus on the creation of a general-purpose simulation enviroment using the currently used programming language Matlab. Four simulation programs have been created allowing simulation of kinematics and dynamics for planar and spatial mechanical systems. Discussed along with the program operation is the mathematics behind normal computational dynamics. A section is dedicated to the solution and its implementation of purely kinematic methods allowing the solution of planar and spatial systems. Constraints are heavily utilized in the formation of multi-body systems and their equations and formulations are detailed. For spatial kinematic simulations, Euler parameters are discussed in detail, and the related equations needed for multibody system simulations have been provided. The mathematics of the dynamic simulations is also discussed, along with addition of non-rigid elements such as springs and dampers. Example simulations of specific systems have also been included, showing the results of interest utilizing the graphical user interfaces that have been created. Along with these examples is a simulation that includes two dimensional beam elements injected into the dynamic solver, which illustrates how multiple fields of engineering can be included in the simulations / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

This study investigated the best approach to increase a student’s reading rate while using the computerized reading program Reading Plus. The participants were community college students enrolled in developmental reading classes. The experimental students completed guided reading lessons using a guided reading format versus the control students, who completed guided reading lessons using both independent and guided reading formats. Pre- and post-testing assessed reading levels, oral reading rates, and silent reading rates of both groups. While pre- vs. post-test scores showed increases in reading rates on three different assessment measures for both groups, these increases were not statistically significant. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--Wichita State University, College of Education, Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction.

This thesis is an attempt to untangle/clarify the modern theory of connections in Geometry. Towards this end a historical approach was taken and original as well as secondary sources were used. An overview of the most important historical developments is given as well as a modern look at how the various de nitions of connection are related. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Mathematics and Statistics.

Since the field of wireless technology is growing rapidly, security is becoming a major concern. A variety of security problems are being addressed, and much research work is taking place in order to provide adequate security to prevent hackers from disrupting network service. Wireless networks follow the IEEE 802.11 standard to transmit and receive packets. The IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol is designed in such a way to provide an equal share of throughput among all nodes in a network. Users who misbehave could modify the IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol, thus causing major security threats including substantial bandwidth degradation of other users. This thesis addresses the misbehavior of a node caused by altering the packet size. For a node to acquire higher throughput compared to other genuine nodes in the network, its packet size could be set higher than that of the genuine nodes. In order to protect against this sort of misbehavior, a special algorithm, which is a slight modification of the IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol, was developed. This algorithm is based on the notion of receiver-assigned backoff, which has already been used to deal with other types of misbehavior. The packet size-based misbehavior was modeled mathematically using queuing theory, and an appropriate reaction strategy was deduced from the analytical results. It was shown that the proposed approach reduces the effectiveness of misbehavior and leads to fairness in the network. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

This study reports on the results of a triangulated inquiry into the processes and outcomes of wind energy decision-making in Kansas. Specifically, key informant interviews were conducted with local stakeholders and decision-makers in three Kansas counties. In the same counties, focus groups were conducted with community members. Finally, state-level stakeholders, including government officials, wind industry representatives and advocacy group representatives were interviewed about their perceptions regarding community collaboration in wind energy decision-making. Data were analyzed using an inductive approach to thematic analysis. Results were discussed in terms of emergent themes within counties or groups and as a result of cross-cutting analyses. Thematic analysis led to the development of a communication grid with axes for consultation and information that impact satisfaction with wind energy decision-making and the sustainability of communities and Kansas‟ wind energy industry. Four paradigms, three actual and one theoretical, emerged from the data and prior research. Implications for sustainable wind development in Kansas are discussed. / Thesis (M.A.)--Wichita State University, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Elliot School of Communication

Composite materials have a wide range of applications in aerospace and automotive industries due to the advantage of their tailorability when manufacturing. These materials are manufactured near net shape but post-production machining is required where it cannot be avoided like holes, cutouts and doors to achieve dimensional accuracies and for further assemblies. Oblique machining is one of the important processes as to achieve the above. The machining of composites is different from that of metals due to the anisotropic and inhomogeneity of the material. Because of this nature the machining process becomes complicated. The fiber being abrasive in nature and matrix being soft and weak produce fluctuating forces and make difficult for the cutting process causing tool wear. This research hence concentrates on the oblique machining of Uni-directional carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (UD-CFRP). The oblique cutting of these UD-CFRP‟s are carried out at different rake angles and at different fiber orientations i.e. from 0 to 180 to predict the different forces. These results are compared with the numerical results where a finite element model is modeled for these different conditions and are compared with the experimental results. The oblique machining is a 3-dimensional process unlike the orthogonal machining which is a 2-dimensional process. The finite element model is modeled as a single-phase system by considering the material to be equivalent homogeneous material for analysis purpose, which simplifies for force prediction. The results from the experiments and the finite element analysis can be used for further analysis where multiple layers of composite laminates are used with different fiber orientations. The results can also be used to predict the forces for drilling process by considering the drilling process to be combination of the oblique cutting at each point. / Thesis (M.S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.