Constrained optimization problems are prevalent in all areas of science and engineering, and many well-known numerical methods have been developed to solve these problems. Yet, when there exists random quantities in the model under consideration, most of the deterministic methods are no longer effective. In this dissertation, we address parameter...
Current prediction instruments for violent recidivism lack accuracy as recidivism rates for violent offenses remain high (Fazel & Wolf, 2015). Part of the issue may be the conceptualization of violent offenders as a homogenous group as opposed to heterogeneous subgroups. Additionally, various studies suggest that cognitive abilities in violent offenders...
The three-dimensional (3D) nanoscale structure of III-As nanowires is correlated with optical and electronic property measurements to deconvolve the contributions of strain, composition, and crystal structure to characteristics of interest for future electronic and optoelectronic devices. Multiple advanced two-dimensional (2D) and 3D characterization techniques are employed such as atom probe...
This dissertation is a performance ethnography that chronicles the experiences of Black and Latinx transgender women in the ballroom scenes of Chicago, Illinois and London, England. The dissertation engages 65 Black and Latinx transwomen and offers a theory of embodied knowledge—that is, the harnessing of lived experiences of racial, gender,...
In nature, materials with complex architectures are formed through hierarchical self-assembly. Therefore, the study and design of hierarchically assembling materials is important in producing materials that mimic biological structures and is a key challenge in biomaterials science and engineering. In articular cartilage, hierarchical assembly of extracellular matrix (ECM) components provides...
The study of employee engagement and its consequences in the workplace has gained traction in the business world over the past decade, with dramatic claims of the direct consequences of engagement including lower absenteeism, higher sales, improved productivity, and increased profitability for organizations that are more engaged (The Gallup Organization,...
There is considerable technical interest in the improvement of battery technology, as it would allow for the enhancement and realization of many different applications, including the continued miniaturization of portable computational devices, plug-in electric vehicles, and intermittent power storage. Lithium metal represents a theoretical limit on the anode energy density...
Mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (mROS) are required for the survival, proliferation, and metastasis of cancer cells. The mechanism by which mitochondrial metabolism regulates mROS levels to support cancer cells is not fully understood. To address this, we conducted a metabolism-focused CRISPR/Cas9 genetic screen and uncovered that loss of genes encoding...
As demonstrated by efforts in graphene commercialization, scalable synthesis and high-quality material availability are primary limiting factors for the realization of technologies based on two-dimensional (2D) materials. Thus, in considering the fate of emergent 2D materials such as the metal chalcogenides, the challenge of scalable synthesis is a highly relevant...
In the first chapter, I present a theory of measurement of preference intensity and use this measure as a foundation for utilitarianism. To do this, I suppose each alternative is experienced over time. An individual has preferences over such experiences. I present axioms under which preferences are represented by an...