Turbine airfoils are exposed to the hottest temperatures in the gas turbine with temperatures typically exceeding the melting point of the blade material. Cooling methods investigated in this computational study included parasitic cooling flow losses, which are inherent to engines, and microcircuit channels. Parasitic losses included dirt purge holes, located along the blade tip, and platform leakage flow, which result from gaps between various turbine components. Microcircuits are a novel cooling technique involving small air passages placed near the airfoil surface to enhance internal cooling. This study evaluated the benefit of external film-cooling flow exhausted from strategically placed microcircuits. Along the blade tip, predictions showed mid-chord cooling was independent of the blowing from microcircuit exits. The formation of a pressure side vortex was found to develop for most microcircuit film-cooling cases. Significant leading edge cooling was obtained from coolant exiting from dirt purge holes with a small tip gap while little cooling was seen with a large tip gap. Along the blade platform, the migration of coolant from the front leakage was shown to cool a considerable part of the platform. Several hot spots were predicted along the platform, which were circumvented through the placement of microcircuit channels. Ingestion of hot mainstream gas was predicted along the aft portion of the gutter and agreed with distress exhibited by actual gas turbine engines. / Master of Science

Flaviviruses are a genus of vector-transmitted viruses that are nearly globally distributed, and flavivirus infections can result in life threatening diseases. Many flaviviruses such as Dengue, West Nile, yellow fever and Zika viruses are globally distributed. Zika virus (ZIKV) is a single strand positive-sense RNA virus, and its disease has been linked to Guillain Barré Syndrome (i.e., a debilitating autoimmune disorder that affects the nerves) in adults and congenital birth defects including microcephaly (i.e., a neurodevelopmental disorder due to impaired neural cell proliferation) in newborns. Insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFVs) are understudied given their apathogenic characteristics to humans and animals. However, given their close genetic relationship to vertebrate infectious flaviviruses, ISFVs can serve as a delivery system (i.e., vector) for flavivirus antigenic proteins. Aripo virus (ARPV) is a recently discovered ISFV isolated in Trinidad. We developed a chimeric Zika vaccine, Aripo-Zika, by substituting the pre-membrane and envelope genes of ZIKV into the ARPV genome. Here, we explored (i) the efficacy of Aripo-Zika (AZ) vaccination by evaluating passive transfer of maternal antibodies, (ii) the optimal dosage regimen, (iii) anti-vector immunity to the ARPV backbone, and (iv) the effects of boosters on vaccine efficacy. We also evaluated AZ safety via a co-infection study. Our results show a near linear relationship between increased dose and immunogenicity, with 1011 genome copies being the most effective minimum dose administered. Inclusion of boosters further increased the immunogenicity of AZ. Additionally, prior immunization with AZ showed minimal effects on subsequent immunization with an ARPV-West Nile virus (AWN) vaccine candidate, confirming the applicability of the ARPV backbone to multiple flavivirus vaccine candidates. In vitro co-infection of ZIKV with ARPV, and ZIKV with AZ in African green monkey kidney cells (i.e., Vero-76) indicated ARPV and AZ remain incapable of replication in vertebrate cells, even in the presence of active ZIKV replication. Altogether, our data suggests that the ARPV platform is a safe and effective strategy for the development of flavivirus vaccines. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Vaccines are one of the best tools available since their initial conception. Vaccines have collectively increased human lifespan and reduced the burden of disease in humans and animals worldwide. Vaccine research aims to create vaccines that have a perfect balance of safety and efficacy. The goal is to produce a vaccine that can generate a strong immune response against the virus(es) of interest, while causing the least harm or side effects from the vaccine. Insect-specific viruses are viruses that infect insect cells, but are unable to replicate in humans or other vertebrate cells. The Auguste Lab has created a chimeric vaccine using the genome of an insect-specific virus called Aripo-Zika virus (AZ) that is genetically related to Zika virus. A person vaccinated with AZ is expected to develop an immune response against Zika but would not have any disease or side effects associated with a Zika infection or virus replication. In order to determine if this vaccine would be safe and effective enough to advance to clinical trials in humans, we must first determine if it is safe in smaller animal models. My studies have five central aims. First, determine the lowest dose of AZ that can be given and still be protective against Zika disease in mouse models. Second, determine if boosters are necessary and if they increase protection. Third, determine if immunity derived from vaccination can be passed down from mother to pups. Fourth, determine if Zika virus and AZ can co-exist in the same cell line without AZ replication occurring. Lastly, determine if mice can be vaccinated with AZ and subsequently with another similar Aripo virus-based vaccine (i.e., Aripo-West Nile) without changing the effectiveness of the subsequent immunization. Our results showed that AZ is able to be passed from mother to pup, 1011 genome copies is the minimum protective dose, and boosters can increase the effectiveness of AZ. We also found that AZ does not replicate in vertebrate cells when it co-exists with ZIKV and subsequent vaccination with Aripo-West Nile does not seem affect the effectiveness of either vaccine.

Commercial buildings consume more than 40% of the total energy consumption in the United States. Almost 90% of these buildings are small- and medium-sized buildings that do not have a Building Energy Management (BEM) system. The reasons behind this are – lack of awareness, unavailability of inexpensive packaged solutions, and disincentive to invest in a BEM system if the tenant is not the owner. Several open source tools and technologies have emerged recently that can be used for building automation and energy management. However, none of these systems is turnkey and deployment ready. They also lack consistent and intuitive navigation, security, and performance required for a BEM system. The overall project - of which this thesis research is a part - addresses the design and implementation of an open source secure web based user platform to monitor, schedule, control, and perform functions needed for a BEM system serving small and medium-size buildings. The focus of this work are: principles of intuitive graphical user interface design, abstracting device functions into a comprehensive data model, identifying threats and vulnerabilities, and implementing a security framework for the web platform. Monitor and control solutions for devices such as load controllers and sensors are abstracted and their decentralized control strategies are proposed and implemented using an open source robust scalable user platform accessible locally and remotely. The user platform is open-source, scalable, provides role-based access, dynamic, and modular in design. The comprehensive data model includes a user management model, device model, session model, and a scheduling model. The data model is designed to be flexible, robust and can be extended for any new device type. Security risks are analyzed using a threat model to identify security goals. The proposed security framework includes user authentication, device approval, role-based access, secure information exchange protocols, and web platform security. Performance of the user interface platform is evaluated for responsiveness in different screen sizes, page response times, throughput, and the performance of client side entities. / Master of Science

Nerve agents are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and among the most toxic chemical warfare agents ever synthesized. Detection of these chemicals is critical for the protection of populations and strategic resources. G-series nerve agents are volatile compounds. V-series nerve agents are persistent phosphonothioate compounds. Persistent nerve agents do not readily volatilize and can contaminate environmental resources for extended periods. While nerve agents are inherently non-electroactive, they can be hydrolyzed to electroactive products compatible with electrochemical sensing. Zr(IV) MOFs are next-generation nanoporous materials, which have been shown to rapidly catalyze nerve agent hydrolysis. In this work, the catalytic processes of MOF-808, a specific Zr(IV) MOF, towards nerve agents are leveraged to develop novel Zr(IV) MOF-enabled electrochemical sensors capable of sensitively detecting both G-series and V-series nerve agents. Initially, a Zr(IV) MOF-enabled potentiometric sensor was developed for G-series nerve agent detection. The potentiometric sensor was tested using G-series nerve agent simulants, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) and diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DIFP). The potentiometric sensor had a limit-of-detection (LOD) of 185 and 20 µM for DMMP and DIFP, respectively. Following the potentiometric sensor, a Zr(IV) MOF-enabled voltammetric sensing strategy using sequential hydrolysis and detection for low-concentration detection of V-series nerve agents was developed. The full range of operation for the V-series nerve agent sensor was demonstrated using MOF-808 and a V-series nerve agent simulant, demeton-S methylsulphon (DMTS). MOF-808 was shown to rapidly, selectively, and completely hydrolyze DMTS into electroactive products. A LOD of 30 nM for DMTS was measured for this preliminary sensor. A sensor platform was developed to improve sensor applicability with smaller sample sizes and concurrent hydrolysis and detection. Furthermore, various alkaline buffers were studied to minimize background currents. The response of the developed sensor was evaluated for both DMTS and VX and demonstrated an LOD of 4 µM and 10 µM, respectively. The sensor also detected the presence of DMTS and VX from environmental samples in a simulated warfare scenario. This work demonstrates the feasibility of sensitive, rapid, and robust electrochemical sensing of both G-series and V-series nerve agents for in-field applications.

Modern Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) can accommodate complex system-on-chip designs and require extensive intellectual-property (IP) support. However, current IP protection mechanisms in FPGAs are limited, and do not reach beyond whole-design bitstream encryption. This work presents an architecture and protocol for securing IP based designs in programmable platforms. The architecture is reprsented by the Secure Authentication Module (SAM), an enabler for next-generation intellectual-property exchange in complex FPGAs. SAM protects hardware, software, application data, and also provides mutual assurances for the end-user and the intellectual-property developer. Further, this work demonstrates the use of SAM in a secure video messaging device on top of a Virtex-II Pro development system. / Master of Science

In this thesis, I want to analyze the Amazon Prime series “Antonia” to shed the light on the representation of the embodied subjectivity of a woman affected by endometriosis in Italy. Through a semiotic film analysis, I will explore the representation of endometriosis and the experience of a person affected by endometriosis.

Purpose - This study addresses the gap concerning the barriers of integrating actors and digital assets into digital platforms (DPs) within an existing business ecosystem. To achieve this, the following two research questions: What are the barriers when integrating business ecosystem actors into a DP? and What are the barriers when integrating digital assets into a DP? are answered.  Method - A qualitative single case study was conducted on a Swedish goods transport ecosystem (GTE) where informants of 12 different firms were interviewed. This was followed by a thematic analysis, utilizing the data obtained from 15 semi-structured interviews that engaged various actors within the GTE. The actors either possessed firsthand experience in successfully integrating a DP or expressed an interest in such integration. Findings - The analysis resulted in 14 different issues categorized within 6 barriers in the 2 main areas based on RQ1 and RQ2. The identified barriers included Competition and Conflicts of Interest, Organizational and operational differences, Regulation, Integrity, and Compliance, Need of digital infrastructure, Data transparency and Data sharing and Data Standardization and Data quality. Despite the clear need for standardized data, there is a lack of incentives for investment in this. Additionally, the fear of losing data integrity outweighs the benefits of increased data availability between the actors of the GTE.  Implications - This study adds to existing literature by identifying the barriers to integrating actors and digital assets into DPs within a business ecosystem. It maps out these barriers as perceived by business ecosystem actors during the integration process. The study also offers 3 focus areas for managers to utilize in the integration process, providing insights to overcome barriers and improve actor and digital asset integration. Limitations and future research - The case study investigated a logistical ecosystem in Sweden, highlighting the need for future research to explore other business ecosystem settings. Further investigation is required into the focus areas identified in this study and their implications for barrier mitigation. / Syfte - Denna studie behandlar gapet gällande hinder för att integrera aktörer och digitala tillgångar i digitala plattformar (DP) inom ett befintligt affärsekosystem. För att uppnå detta besvaras följande två forskningsfrågor: Vilka är hindren vid integration av aktörer i ett affärsekosystem i en DP? och Vilka är hindren vid integration av digitala tillgångar i en DP? Metod - En kvalitativ fallstudie genomfördes på ett svenskt godstransportekosystem (GTE) där informanter från 12 olika företag intervjuades. Detta följdes av en tematisk analys, som använde data från 15 semistrukturerade intervjuer som engagerade olika aktörer inom GTE. Aktörerna hade antingen direkt erfarenhet av att framgångsrikt integrera en DP eller uttryckte intresse för sådan integration. Resultat - Analysen resulterade i 14 olika problem kategoriserade inom 6 hinder i de 2 huvudområdena baserade på RQ1 och RQ2. De identifierade hindren inkluderade Konkurrens och intressekonflikter, Organisatoriska och operativa skillnader, Regelverk, Integritet och efterlevnad, Behov av digital infrastruktur, Datatransparens och Datadelning samt Datastandardisering och Datakvalitet. Trots det tydliga behovet av standardiserade data saknas incitament för investering i detta. Dessutom överväger rädslan för att förlora dataintegritet fördelarna med ökad data tillgänglighet mellan aktörerna i GTE. Implikationer - Denna studie bidrar till befintlig litteratur genom att identifiera hindren för att integrera aktörer och digitala tillgångar i DP inom ett affärsekosystem. Den kartlägger dessa hinder så som de uppfattas av affärsekosystemets aktörer under integrationsprocessen. Studien erbjuder också 3 fokusområden för ledare att använda i integrationsprocessen, vilket ger insikter för att övervinna hinder och förbättra aktörs- och digital tillgångsintegration. Begränsningar och framtida forskning - Fallstudien undersökte ett logistiskt ekosystem i Sverige, vilket påvisar behovet av framtida forskning för att utforska andra affärsekosystem. Vidare forskning behövs kring de fokusområden som identifierats i denna studie och deras implikationer för att mildra de funna hindren.

This research comprises three interconnected studies, all anchored in the usability evaluation of mobile education applications, with guidance from the well-established Jakob Nielsen factors to heuristic evaluation. The first study delves into the analysis of mobile application reviews using a deep learning model and machine learning to unearth usability issues. In the second study, we examine the usability of two prominent educational applications, Canvas and Blackboard, integrated within Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU) and at the University of North Texas (UNT) from a student-oriented perspective. Through the synthesis of findings and insights from antecedent studies, we seek to augment the current body of knowledge and offer realistic recommendations for the enhancement of mobile education application usability. Our findings have the potential to improve the efficacy of platforms, offering developers a roadmap to refine application features and optimize the learning experience for both educators and learners.

No / This paper presents a discussion based on a literature review and a case study on the suitability of using an intranet as a platform to implement Knowledge Management System (KMS). A description of Knowledge Management (KM) and the current research carried out in this area, with examples of web-based KMS systems currently implemented in organisations, are presented. Further, this paper then describes how knowledge mapping of an organisation's intranet as a form of a KMS can be used to promote the re-utilisation of knowledge, which will contribute to the competitiveness of the organisation. A case study that illustrates and presents evidence of the need and suitability of such a system is provided. The paper ends with a proposal for future research to be carried out in this area.

Yes / Sharing economy is flourishing and increasingly customers are shifting towards “using instead of owning” products and services. The objective of our research is to empirically prove that low organizational trust can trigger strict organizational practices such as ethics training and audits but excessive use of both of these practices can negatively impact the relationship quality in sharing economy. In doing so, it has detrimental effects on co-creation and co-innovation particularly when the goals are related to emotional cognitive, material support and relationship building. This study, therefore, targets to scrutinize the dark side of B2B sharing economy platforms using the ethical theory of organizing. The unique contribution of this study is first, showcasing the relationships between ethical climate, ethical practices and consequences. Second, it highlights that B2B alliances that perceive strictness in ethics audits have a low level of willingness to enhance relationship quality. However, the effect of strictness in ethics training does not lead to the development of a low level of willingness to enhance relationship quality. This is an interesting finding and generates a theoretical debate. The findings of the study will promote the development of an ethical model that addresses the negative aspects of the B2B sharing economy. / The full-text of this article will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo on 06 Oct 2024.