In this dissertation I will demonstrate a novel application of self-exciting point process models to mass shooting data. I will also introduce two adaptations to the traditional nonparametric Hawkes process modeling framework. One such modification allows for the estimation of the additional productivity introduced by an event that is not...
The purpose of this case study is to explore a mentoring program designed for African American male community college students at a Pacific Northwest community college. Community college practitioners can use the knowledge gained from this study as a best practice to increase the persistence and success of African American...
To become a competitor for fossil fuels such as coal, solar installations will need to be produced and installed at a price equal to or below grid parity. This price can be approached by either reducing the overall system cost or increasing system efficiency. The focus of this paper is...
Metal organic Frameworks (MOFs) that experience stimuli induced structural transformation could enable a whole new class of materials with remarkable properties. Photoactuating moieties in the structure could effect changes in the pore space or macroscale shape change enabling light driven gas separation and actuators. Here, we present a novel approach...
Our confidence in software systems depends on our confidence in the exhaustiveness of our testing. As software systems get more complex, the task of exhaustive testing becomes more complex and even infeasible in some cases. In order to build less error prone systems, we therefore need to not only focus...
K-12 teacher retention is an enduring concern in the United States as teachers are vital for educational achievement and change. National trends demonstrate how widespread an issue teacher retention is, yet teacher labor markets remain highly localized and highlight the complexity of teacher retention decisions. We need an improved understanding...
In this work, we study network coding technique, its relation to random matrices, and their applications to communication systems. The dissertation consists of three main contributions. First, we propose efficient algorithms for data synchronization via a broadcast channel using random network coding. Second, we study the resiliency of network coding...
Simultaneous translation, which translates concurrently with the source language speech, is widely used in many scenarios including multilateral organizations. However, it is well known to be one of the most challenging tasks for humans due to the simultaneous perception and production in two languages. On the other hand, simultaneous translation...
This ethnographic study explores the social aspects of agricultural land-use in the Marys River region. The study seeks to understand how farmers define sustainability and how their views on agricultural issues help to define a sense of place and identity in the Marys River region, within the context of the...