Identifying and tracking individuals affected by this virus in densely populated areas is a unique and an urgent challenge in the public health sector. Currently, mapping the spread of the Ebola virus is done manually, however with the help of social contact networks we can model dynamic graphs and predictive diffusion models of Ebola virus based on the impact on either a specific person or a specific community. With the help of this model, we can make more precise forward predictions of the disease propagations and to identify possibly infected individuals which will help perform trace – back analysis to locate the possible source of infection for a social group. This model will visualize and identify the families and tightly connected social groups who have had contact with an Ebola patient and is a proactive approach to reduce the risk of exposure of Ebola spread within a community or geographic location. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

In graph theory graphs are mathematical objects that can be used to model networks, data structures, process scheduling, computations and a variety of other systems where the relations between the objects in the system play a dominant role.We will now consider graphs as mathematically self-contained units with rich structure and comprehensive theory; as models for many phenomena, particularly those arising in computer systems; and as structures which can be processed by a variety of sophisticated and interesting algorithms.For graph theory presentation, we need a very good graphical user interface(GUI) to approach the goal. X Window system is ideally suited for such a purpose. This package program is based on X Window system environment. With this package, we can manipulate graphs by special functions which can put nodes, put edges, delete nodes, delete edges, change the whole graph size, move graph location, and modify edge weights. / Department of Computer Science

The crucial role of representation in mathematical and statistical modeling and problem solving as evident in learners' arrangement and representation of statistical data were investigated with focus points data arrangement, data representation and statistical thinking levels. The representation tasks required learners to arrange and represent data through modeling, focusing on spontaneous representations. Successful transnumeration determine the ultimate success of a representation and the ability to organise data is regarded as critical. Arrangement types increased in sophistication with increased grade level and the hierarchical nature of arrangement types became apparent when regarded in the context of an adapted SOLO Taxonomy framework. A higher level arrangement strategy pointed to a higher SOLO level of statistical thinking. Learners in the two tasks produced a rich variety of representations which included idiosyncratic, unsophisticated responses as well as standard statistical representations. The context of the two tasks, the quantitative versus qualitative nature of the data in the tasks, and the statistical tools or representational skills learners have at their disposal, played an important role in their representations. Well-planned data handling activities develop representational and higher order thinking skills. The variety of responses and different response levels elicited in the two tasks indicate that the nature of the tasks rather than the size of the data set play a conclusive role in data tasks. Multiple representations by an individual were an indication of successful modeling, are effective in problem solving and are associated with good performance. The SOLO model which incorporates a structural approach as well as a multimodal component proved valuable in the analysis of responses. Using this model with accompanying acknowledgement of different problem solving paths and the contribution of ikonic support in the concrete symbolic mode, promote the in-depth analysis of responses. This study contributes to the research in the field of data representation and statistical thinking. The analysis and results led to an integrated picture of Grade 4-7 learners' representation of statistical data and of the statistical thinking levels evident in their representations. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

Given a hyperbolic surface, the set of all closed geodesics whose length is minimal form a graph on the surface, in fact a so called fat graph, which we call the systolic graph. The central question that we study in this thesis is: which fat graphs are systolic graphs for some surface -we call such graphs admissible. This is motivated in part by the observation that we can naturally decompose the moduli space of hyperbolic surfaces based on the associated systolic graphs. A systolic graph has a metric on it, so that all cycles on the graph that correspond to geodesics are of the same length and all other cycles have length greater than these. This can be formulated as a simple condition in terms of equations and inequations for sums of lengths of edges. We call this combinatorial admissibility. Our first main result is that admissibility is equivalent to combinatorial admissibility. This is proved using properties of negative curvature, specifically that polygonal curves with long enough sides, in terms of a lower bound on the angles, are close to geodesics. Using the above result, it is easy to see that a subgraph of an admissible graph is admissible. Hence it suffices to characterize minimal non-admissible fat graphs. Another major result of this thesis is that there are infinitely many minimal non-admissible fat graphs (in contrast, for instance, to the classical result that there are only two minimal non-planar graphs).

A mixed methodological approach with two different analytic procedures and multiple data sources was used to examine narcotics hot spots. The first phase compares two methods of hot spots identification; the prediction model and the actual crimes. The second phase involves an intensive study to better understand the phenomenon of drug hot spots areas consistently shown to be repeat hot spots.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Healthcare data visualization presents challenges due to its non-standard organizational structure and disparate record formats. Epidemiologists and clinicians currently lack the tools to discern patterns in large-scale data that would reveal valuable healthcare information at the granular level of individual patients and populations. Integrating geospatial and temporal healthcare data within a common visual context provides a twofold benefit: it allows clinicians to synthesize large-scale healthcare data to provide a context for local patient care decisions, and it better informs epidemiologists in making public health recommendations. Advanced implementations of the Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG), HyperText Markup Language version 5 (HTML5), and Cascading Style Sheets version 3 (CSS3) specifications in the latest versions of most major Web browsers brought hardware-accelerated graphics to the Web and opened the door for more intricate and interactive visualization techniques than have previously been possible. We developed a series of new geotemporal visualization techniques under a general healthcare data visualization framework in order to provide a real-time dashboard for analysis and exploration of complex healthcare data. This visualization framework, HealthTerrain, is a concept space constructed using text and data mining techniques, extracted concepts, and attributes associated with geographical locations. HealthTerrain's association graph serves two purposes. First, it is a powerful interactive visualization of the relationships among concept terms, allowing users to explore the concept space, discover correlations, and generate novel hypotheses. Second, it functions as a user interface, allowing selection of concept terms for further visual analysis. In addition to the association graph, concept terms can be compared across time and location using several new visualization techniques. A spatial-temporal choropleth map projection embeds rich textures to generate an integrated, two-dimensional visualization. Its key feature is a new offset contour method to visualize multidimensional and time-series data associated with different geographical regions. Additionally, a ring graph reveals patterns at the fine granularity of patient occurrences using a new radial coordinate-based time-series visualization technique.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The aim of this study was to use multivariate statistical techniques to: (1) determine the reproducibility of fiber evidence analyzed by MSP, (2) determine whether XRF is an appropriate technique for forensic tape analysis, and (3) determine if DART/MS is an appropriate technique for forensic tape analysis. This was achieved by employing several multivariate statistical techniques including agglomerative hierarchical clustering, principal component analysis, discriminant analysis, and analysis of variance. First, twelve dyed textile fibers were analyzed by UV-Visible MSP. This analysis included an inter-laboratory study, external validations, differing preprocessing techniques, and color coordinates. The inter-laboratory study showed no statistically significant difference between the different instruments. The external validations had overall acceptable results. Using first derivatives as a preprocessing technique and color coordinates to define color did not result in any additional information. Next, the tape backings of thirty-three brands were analyzed by XRF. After chemometric analysis it was concluded that the 3M tapes with black adhesive can be classified by brand except for Super 33+ (Cold Weather) and Super 88. The colorless adhesive tapes were separated into two large groups which were correlated with the presence of aluminosilicate filler. Overall, no additional discrimination was seen by using XRF compared to the traditional instrumentation for tape analysis previously published. Lastly, the backings of eighty-nine brands of tape were analyzed by DART/MS. The analysis of the black adhesive tapes showed that again discrimination between brands is possible except for Super 33+ and Super 88. However, now Tartan and Temflex have become indistinguishable. The colorless adhesive tapes again were more or less indistinguishable from one another with the exception of Tuff Hand Tool, Qualpack, and a roll of 3M Tartan, which were found to be unique. It cannot be determined if additional discrimination was achieved with DART/MS because the multivariate statistical techniques have not been applied to the other instrumental techniques used during tape analysis.

We have an opportunity not only to interact with 3D content but also to immerse ourselves in it via Virtual Reality (VR). This work is deeply inspired by my experience as a Ukrainian witnessing the recent turmoil in my homeland. I wanted people around the globe to experience the horrors that are unfolding. The Voice of the People, explores narrative storytelling through VR. Ultimately, the viewer will be able to put on a VR headset and become deeply immersed in the story. With this technology, the user intimately experiences the war and devastation created by Russian occupation first hand. The end of World War II is a critical time in my country’s history. Included in the 3D environment are video segments of those affected by the current Russian occupation; historical themes underscore the narrative and help the viewer understand the recurring aggression by Russia that is part of Ukraine’s history. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.F.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The results of mathematics level 3 have always been a problem at TVET colleges as this hampers the certification rate and the progress of the students to level 4. Students who did not do well in the current subject are not allowed to register that subject in the following level. Even though the students are allowed to progress to level 4 they won’t be certificated for both levels until they pass the remaining subject. The above challenges made the researcher to check during the marking and moderation of November / December examination the course of poor results for mathematics level 3. In the process of checking the researcher discovered that rectangular hyperbola is one of the topics that the students of mathematics level 3 are struggling with. This study therefore focuses on exploring the challenges faced by TVET Level 3 NCV students in understanding the hyperbolic function in mathematics. In addition to the literature review, an empirical investigation based on a qualitative approach and involving semi-structured interviews with the students of a TVET college in North West was conducted to collect data. The analysis of documents relevant to the study was also used as the other method. The study used participatory action research, where the researcher, collaborators and students work alongside each other to collect data and to improve practice and follow the spiral pattern of reflection, analysing the results and adapting the action. The research design and methodology was qualitative. This helped the researcher to understand the challenges students faced in the learning of rectangular hyperbola and also came up with ways to minimise those challenges. The data collection methods used was interviewing using semi-structured questions, pre-test and post-tests. During data collection different interventions (IN1 –IN3) was used depending on the understanding of the students. For ethical consideration, ethical clearance was obtained from UNISA. DHET, the principal of the college, collaborators, parents and students will also give written consent on forms which will be sent out explaining what we envisage. Since research was voluntary, an explanation was given that this was not compulsory and that participation was completely voluntary and that they could withdraw at any time. In this study, various methods to empower students were recommended. Recommendations are also made on what was found in this study, as are recommendations for further study. / Mathematics Education / M. Ed. (Mathematics Education)