PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2022, Arts and Sciences: Psychology

Background: Children with reading difficulty exhibit deficits in multiple cognitive areas (e.g., language skills, working memory, processing speed). Therefore, evaluation of reading difficulty typically includes assessment of both academic functioning and general intelligence (IQ). Although the IQ construct is considered robust in the general population, emerging evidence suggests that the structure of IQ may differ for children with reading difficulty. However, no study to date has examined the structure of intelligence in this group using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fifth Edition (WISC-V; Wechsler, 2014), which is a widely used measure of intelligence in children. Accordingly, the present study examines WISC-V performance in a sample of children referred for evaluation of reading difficulty. We hypothesize that children in our sample will have an average IQ but lower scores on verbal, working memory, and/or processing speed measures. We also hypothesize that, for children in our sample, the factor structure of WISC-V scores will not adhere to the presumed factor structure of the measure. Rather, we expect that a first-order factor model will offer better fit for the data than a higher-order factor model. Method: Participants were 109 children evaluated for suspected dyslexia in a clinic setting. Children who met the following criteria were included in the study: 1) English is first/primary language; 2) WISC-V Verbal Comprehension Index >= 70; 3) neurologically healthy (i.e., no history of TBI, epilepsy). IQ was assessed using the WISC-V, which comprises five cognitive Indexes reflecting five core factors of intelligence: Verbal Comprehension (VCI), Visual Spatial (VSI), Fluid Reasoning (FRI), Working Memory (WMI), and Processing Speed (PSI). Data Analysis: Independent sample t-tests were used to compare performance of children in the study sample with those in the WISC-V standardization sample. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test s (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Quintino Mano Ph.D. (Committee Member); Shari Wade Ph.D. (Committee Member); Kristen Jastrowski Mano Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2020, Psychology

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disorder associated with functional impairments in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Although externalizing behavior problems are the most common reason children are referred for ADHD diagnosis, disparities exist in when parents seek treatment. Differences between children who are referred for psychological evaluations in early childhood versus adolescence are not well understood. The purpose of this study is to explore the differences between children and adolescents that are referred for ADHD diagnosis and determine whether protective factors emerge for individuals referred at later ages. Participants included 1,331 youth referred for psychological evaluation at the ADHD Center for Evaluation and Treatment at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital. Prior to evaluation, parents completed questionnaires about the child's history (medical history, developmental history, family history), temperament, behavior problems and assets, and previous mental health services. In addition, parents and teachers completed rating scales on ADHD symptoms, stress, and impairment. Also in-person diagnostic assessment and intellectual assessment was completed. Structural equation modeling techniques were used to explore predictors of Age of ADHD diagnosis, including number of ADHD symptoms, parent and teacher ratings of impairment, and compensatory factors related to IQ, temperament, and behavioral assets. Severe behavioral problems at school, higher numbers of referrals concerns, and lower family and caregiver quality of life contributed to younger age of ADHD diagnosis. Older age of diagnosis was predicted by parents who rated low support in their relationships with their spouse. Examination of developmental assets revealed that easy temperament, better social functioning, and greater compliance at school predicted older age of ADHD diagnosis, whereas younger age of diagnosis predicted more positive attitudes toward scho (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Elizabeth Short PhD (Committee Chair); Sandra Russ PhD (Committee Member); Michael Manos PhD (Committee Member); Christopher Burant PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2017, Medicine: Epidemiology (Environmental Health)

There remains scientific uncertainty about the neurodevelopmental consequences of prenatal and postnatal exposure to low levels of methylmercury (MeHg). We examined the effects of low-level prenatal and postnatal mercury exposure from fish consumption on childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes in a longitudinal cohort. Neurodevelopment among 344 children at 1-8 years was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II (1,2,3y), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence-III (5y), and Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children-IV (8y). We measured whole blood total mercury in serial maternal samples during pregnancy, and in children's samples (cord, 1,2,3,4,5,8y). We surveyed maternal and child fish consumption and estimated intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Associations between prenatal and postnatal mercury exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes were examined using regression and structural equation modeling (SEM), adjusting for potential confounders. A majority of mothers (86%) reported consuming relatively small amounts of fish during pregnancy, mostly consuming fish with low MeHg content. Child fish consumption also included small amounts with low MeHg content. The geometric mean of maternal blood mercury was 0.64 ug/L. Children's blood samples had lower concentrations (geometric mean range: 0.18 – 0.26 ug/L). Higher prenatal mercury concentrations were associated with lower scores on the Bayley Psychomotor Development Index (PDI). For each doubling of average maternal mercury concentration during pregnancy, the PDI decreased by 1.48 points (p=0.01). In the SEM model examining the joint effects of prenatal and postnatal mercury, each doubling of the prenatal mercury concentration was associated with a 1.55 point decrease in child PDI scores (p=0.03), and each doubling of child concurrent mercury concentration was associated with a 0.83 point decrease in PDI scores (p=0.10). We did not observe a consistent association (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kim Dietrich Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Aimin Chen Ph.D. (Committee Member); Jane Khoury Ph.D. (Committee Member); Heidi Sucharew Ph.D. (Committee Member); Kimberly Yolton Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Epidemiology

Master of Science (M.S.), University of Dayton, 2014, Electro-Optics

In this thesis we assemble a type of Mach-Zehnder interferometer to measure the complex signal after passage through a device under test placed in one arm. The signal's phase is extracted from the complex signal dataset and is analyzed to study the phase noise added due to the device. We are studying a liquid crystal beam steering system, which is a combination of two optical devices; the first is a variable liquid crystal half-waveplate and the second is a liquid crystal phase grating. The variable liquid crystal waveplate is the active element that has voltages applied to achieve a specific birefringence, whereas the liquid crystal phase grating is a passive device. For the beam steering devices of interest the liquid crystal phase grating is passive and therefore unlikely to impart appreciable amounts of phase noise, so the focus of this research was on the potential phase noise due to variable liquid crystal waveplate. The phase noise using the variable liquid crystal waveplate is measured in three operational states: a non-energized off state, an energized state having zero-phase change,and an energized state with voltage set for a half-wave phase change. We examine the phase spectrum |Φ(ƒ)|2, obtained from the frequency analysis of the temporal phase. A comparison is made between the phase noise spectrums in several cases: pre-device insertion to a post-device insertion of the variable liquid crystal waveplate for the three different states. We examine the signal spectrum over frequencies spanning the range from 1 Hz to 107 Hz and tentatively conclude that the active devices add little additional noise to the system. Further data is needed to solidify this conclusion given the data being analyzed is from one data capture, and the system required readjustment between captures, and we observe a drift of the noise floor.

Committee: Joseph Haus Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Paul McManamon Ph.D. (Committee Member); Tim Finegan (Committee Member); David Rabb (Committee Member) Subjects: Military Studies; Optics; Technology

Master of Science, Miami University, 2013, Computational Science and Engineering

An Electronic Warfare (EW) receiver is part of an electronic intelligent (ELINT) receiver. It is under intensive development to adapt to the ever-evolving complex signal space. EW receivers are required to detect and characterize multiple incoming signals in real time and the receivers are designed without any prior information of possible incoming signals. It is therefore desired to have a wide working bandwidth. There are two parts in this thesis: Bandwidth improvement in EW receiver development and the creation of an encoder to detect unknown signals. One scheme to improve the wideband capacity is through the implementation of in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) module. With this implementation, the working bandwidth doubles. However, the low instantaneous dynamic range due to imbalance I/Q module prevents this from being useful. An algorithm to mitigate the imbalance effect was recently developed. Part of this thesis is to study the mitigation algorithm and implement it for real time processing using a field- programmable gate array (FPGA). The other part of this thesis is to create an encoder for multiple signal detection. Three different radar signal types, continuous-wave (CW), linear chirp and binary phase shift keying (BPSK) are considered in this study.

Committee: Chi-Hao Cheng Dr. (Advisor); Donald Ucci Dr. (Committee Member); Qihou Zhou Dr. (Committee Member); Lihyeh Liou Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Electrical Engineering

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Wright State University, 2012, School of Professional Psychology

The influence of non-reading language ability was studied in the context of estimating premorbid IQ among normal elderly individuals. Non-reading language performance was measured by the Controlled Oral Word Association (COWA) Test and the Animal Naming (AN) Test. Non-reading language disturbances were divided into three levels (i.e., no disturbance on COWA and AN, either COWA or AN disturbance, and both COWA and AN disturbances). Intellectual ability was primarily measured by the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI). Additionally, reading measures such as the New Adult Reading Test- Revised (NART-R) and the Wide Range Achievement Test- Fourth Edition (WRAT-4) Word Reading subtest were used to predict premorbid intellectual ability. Results indicated that the scores on the WASI Full Scale IQ (FSIQ), NART-R estimated FSIQ, and WRAT-4 Word Reading subtest decreased when the severity of the non-reading language disturbances increased. Results also suggested that non-reading language performance did not predict intellectual ability across the three levels of disturbances. Instead, the NART-R was found to account for more variance in WASI FSIQ scores when there were no non-reading language disturbances (83.4%) and COWA or AN disturbance (52.4%). The WRAT-4 Word Reading subtest was found to account for more variance (84.1%) in WASI FSIQ scores when there were disturbances on both COWA and AN. Limitations of the study, directions for future research, and diversity issues were also addressed.

Committee: Jeffery Allen Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Chair); Julie Williams Psy.D., ABPP (Committee Member); Rose Mary Shaw Psy.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Neurosciences

MA, University of Cincinnati, 2002, Arts and Sciences : Psychology

Recent research suggests that clinicians need to consider the impact of demographic and clinical variables when interpreting IQ scores. The present study examined the impact of sex, race, education, disability (physical, psychiatric, or both), and substance abuse history on IQ scores obtained from the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI). Regression analyses were performed to develop predictor models for Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQ scores in a sample comprised of individuals in a vocational rehabilitation program. Only race and education were found to be significant predictors of Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQ. Two-way interactions resulted in a significant race X physical disability interaction. However, this interaction did not significantly contribute to the proportion of variance accounted for by the main effects model. This study suggests a need for a demographic adjustment of race and education when interpreting individual WASI IQ scores in disability applicants.

Committee: Dr. Robert M Stutz (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1980, Physical Activity and Educational Services

Committee: Raymond Swassing (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Arts in Psychology, Cleveland State University, 2012, College of Sciences and Health Professions

The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence was not designed specifically for older adults. Many potential confounding factors occur with greater frequency in the elderly population and these may make the WASI a less appropriate measure of general cognitive functioning. This preliminary study aimed to develop the Geriatric Intelligence Test (GIT). Items were piloted on older adults (>80) who also completed two WASI Subtests. Preliminary results show that multiple GIT subtests are strong predictors of WASI subtest scores and showed good internal consistency. Results will be used to develop a more parsimonious version of the test.

Committee: Amir Poreh PhD (Committee Chair); Boaz Kahana PhD (Committee Member); Leslie Fisher PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Gerontology; Psychological Tests

Master of Science in Engineering, University of Akron, 2011, Electrical Engineering

Modern wireless transceivers use multiple transmit and/or receive antennas, higher order modulation and large bandwidth to satisfy the high data rate requirements of voice, data and multimedia applications. As wireless systems become more complex, the need to make wireless transceivers more efficient, compact and cost effective becomes challenging. It is partly due to the impairments resulting from imperfections in analog radio frequency (RF) components that reduce the efficiency of wireless transceivers. Two of the most common impairments that significantly limit the performance of wireless transceivers are in phase and quadrature (IQ) imbalance and phase noise. These are caused by the mismatch in oscillator output and random frequency fluctuations at the I and Q branches of IQ transceivers, respectively. Low-complexity estimation and compensation techniques that can jointly remove the effect of these impairments are highly desirable. The degrading effect of RF impairments is more pronounced in multi-input-multi-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) systems. As many of the modern and future wireless systems employ MIMO-OFDM, studying the effect of and addressing the techniques to mitigate RF impairments in these systems are essential to meet the stringent requirements of modern wireless applications. In this thesis, a simple joint estimation and compensation technique to estimate multi-path channel, phase noise and IQ-Imbalance parameters in MIMO-OFDM systems under slow fading is proposed. A subcarrier multiplexed (SM) preamble structure to estimate the channel and impairment parameters with minimum overhead is introduced and used in the estimation of IQ-Imbalance parameters as well as the initial estimation of effective channel matrix including common phase error (CPE). We then use a novel tracking method based on the second order statistics of the inter-carrier interference (ICI) and noise to update the effective channel matrix throughout (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Hamid Reza Bahrami Dr. (Advisor); Nathan Ida Dr. (Committee Member); Alexis De Abreu Garcia Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Electrical Engineering

Master of Science, University of Akron, 2006, Electrical Engineering

Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines (PMSM) are being increasingly used because of their advantages over other machines, which include compactness, high efficiency, and well developed drives. The control of sinusoidal PMSM is usually done in the synchronous frame, which requires the knowledge of the rotor position. The sensing of the position is done through optical encoders or synchro-resolvers that increases the cost of the drive and decreases the overall reliability of the system. The substitution of the position sensors by advanced algorithms embedded in the controls hardware and software has been investigated for the last couple of decades. This thesis presents a review of the most common position estimators, and a comparison has been made to determine which one is the best candidate for implementation in industrial applications. The sensorless method relying on back-EMF estimation has been found to be the most promising, and hence, is further investigated in detail. The sensorless drive is studied through simulations, from low speed to very high speed at different torque levels. Then, very low speed and starting of the PMSM is studied, and a non-intrusive method to select the direction of rotation is proposed, given some assumptions about the load. The sensorless starting and operation have been verified experimentally using a digital signal processor implementation. A solution to achieve speed reversal and four-quadrant operation has also been proposed. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of the impact of the position estimation error on the machine torque is presented. The implementation and associated analysis prove that the selected algorithm is highly suitable for position sensorless PMSM drives coupled to passive loads, with a decrease of less than 0.8% in the output torque compared to drives using a position encoder.

Committee: Iqbal Husain (Advisor) Subjects: