PHD, Kent State University, 2024, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration

This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study aimed to investigate how undergraduate students' everyday texting experiences related to their social connectedness. This research was conducted through a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews. The quantitative phase involved a survey distributed to a sample of undergraduate students, assessing their texting frequency, demographic variables (age, gender, race/ethnicity, and living arrangements), and levels of social connectedness using the Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (SCS-R; Lee et al., 2001). The subsequent qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants selected based on their survey responses to gain deeper insights into their texting behaviors and perceptions of social connectedness. The study's findings indicated that while texting frequency significantly predicted social connectedness among undergraduate students, demographic variables do not show a substantial impact. Additionally, students' perceptions of texting as a tool for maintaining social connections varied, with some viewing it as a convenient means of communication and others finding it insufficient for meaningful interaction. Key motivations for using texting included convenience, immediacy, and the non-intrusive nature of asynchronous communication (Liu et al., 2014; Hall et al., 2018). Texting was generally viewed as less effective than face-to-face interactions for developing deeper social ties (Derks et al., 2008; Uhls et al., 2014). This study contributed to the limited research on digital communication and social connectedness among undergraduate students by highlighting the significant role of texting frequency in predicting social connectedness (Ehrenreich et al., 2019; Harley et al., 2007). It also underscored the need for educational institutions to develop programs that leveraged texting to enhance peer connections while promoting the balanced use of digital and face-to-face interaction (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Enrico Gandolfi (Committee Chair); Richard Ferdig (Committee Co-Chair); Frank Ryan (Committee Member) Subjects: Adult Education; Communication; Curricula; Curriculum Development; Education; Educational Technology; Instructional Design; Mass Media; Mental Health

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.), Franklin University, 2025, Health Programs

This study examined the impact of electronic prescription generation and transmission, patient access, and secure electronic messaging on health information exchange (HIE) utilization during healthcare transitions. Leveraging longitudinal data from the 2018 CMS EHR Incentive Program, this research tested hypotheses concerning the influence of these variables on HIE utilization using a quantitative method. Findings from logistic regression analyses indicated that electronic prescription practices (B = 2.265, OR = 9.628, p < .001) and patient electronic access capabilities (B = 1.108, OR = 3.027, p < .001) significantly increased HIE usage, aligning with previous studies that underscored the importance of digital prescription systems and patient empowerment in HIE enhancement. Additionally, secure electronic messaging showed a significant association with HIE utilization (χ²(1) = 126.982, p < .001), further reinforcing the role of secure communication in effective healthcare information exchange. A combined predictive model revealed that electronic prescriptions and patient electronic access drastically improved the likelihood of HIE adoption (B = 4.546, OR = 94.284, p < .001), highlighting a synergistic effect. These findings underscored the need for integrated technological frameworks within healthcare systems to optimize communication and care coordination, ultimately improving patient outcomes. The study advocated continued investment in digital health tools to strengthen HIE systems and enhance healthcare delivery.

Committee: Crissie Jameson (Committee Chair); Sunddip Aguilar (Committee Member); Alexander Akulli (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Care Management

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2005, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Food and Nutrition (MFN), Bowling Green State University, 2024, Food and Nutrition

This thesis addresses new methods to communicate the nature of upcycled foods with consumers. Food waste is a detrimental issue to both the environment and global economy. Upcycled foods, which revert food from the waste system, are a proposed solution that are safe for human consumption, to decrease this; however, consumers lack understanding of the identity of these products. The use of food production side streams to make new foods creates disgust and fear when consumers are aware of the upcycled food's association with waste. The goal of this study was to identify messages that would increase consumer acceptance and improve sensory perception of upcycled products while decreasing waste association. An online pilot study was first used to determine the messages most widely accepted by participants, which was frugal framing. This message was then compared against the industry standard (rescued framing) in a secondary consumer sensory evaluation. Participants examined overall liking and taste liking, purchase intention, willingness to pay, waste association, and perceived safety upcycled bread and cookies. Frugal messaging was found to increase consumer acceptance and decrease waste association of upcycled foods among participants while improving experienced sensory qualities of upcycled foods. Moral satisfaction and trust, as person-related factors, predicted consumer acceptance of upcycled foods.

Committee: Wan Shen PhD. (Committee Chair); Carrie Hamady PhD. (Committee Member); Fei Weisstein PhD. (Committee Member); Jonathan Kershaw PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Food Science; Marketing

Bachelor of Arts, Wittenberg University, 2023, Communication

This study aimed at determining if self-identification with a particular industry or group (in this case, the agriculture industry) affected the way messages about that industry or group were perceived, processed, and interacted upon. The Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) of persuasion predicts how we process and understand content which aims to be persuasive, based on a number of individual differences and situational factors. The model explains when we first see content, we process it in one of two ways: through a central or peripheral route. The peripheral route of processing required little extra consideration and time are given to the message or content versus the central route of processing requiring additional time and reflection with the message or content. In this research, focus was placed on the agriculture industry and attention was particularly paid to identification, credibility, and content and if in any instances these affected participants' route of processing. Participants were shown messages published by either large corporate agriculture organizations like Future Farmers of America (FFA), Soil and Water Conversation Society, or National Soybean Association or those published by singular individuals such as farmers, FFA members, solar farms, and other agriculturalists or environmentalists both of which are easily for and against the agriculture industry. The first hypothesis of the study was aimed at determining if a relationship exists between individuals' self-identification with specific industries and groups and persuasive outcomes based on the sender of messages being an individual or an organization. The data collected revealed a significant relationship between participants' likelihood to like, quote, and retweet messages that were released from organizations in comparison to messages released by individuals. The second hypothesis of the study was to determine if a relationship is present between higher self-identification with the agricul (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kelly Dillon (Advisor); Sheryl Cunningham (Committee Member); Erin Hill (Committee Member) Subjects: Agriculture; Communication; Mass Communications; Mass Media; Rhetoric

MA, Kent State University, 2022, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Psychological Sciences

Prior time perspective research suggests being future-oriented has beneficial health implications. That research has focused primarily on prevention health behaviors and less so on detection health behaviors. Two studies in the context of dental hygiene examined the relationship between time perspective and health outcomes. Messages concerning plaque-preventing and plaque-detecting mouth rinses were designed and individuals were either randomly assigned to (Study 1) or viewed both (Study 2) messages. Time perspective was assessed via temporal orientation (Study 1) and consideration of future consequences (Study 2). Attitudes, intentions, and preferences for the mouth rinses were primary outcomes. Hypothesis 1 predicted time perspective would positively relate to outcomes and both studies provided some support for this hypothesis. Hypothesis 2 explored the interaction between time perspective and behavioral function (prevention vs. detection). A consistent interaction was found in Study 1 showing future-orientation was associated with more positive outcomes with the detective mouth rinse and present-orientation was associated with more positive outcomes with the preventive mouth rinse. Study 2 data did not support this interaction but did find information avoidance mediated the relationship between time perspective and preference between the mouth rinses; future-orientation led to less information avoidance, which in turn led to greater preference for the prevention mouth rinse and immediate-orientation led to greater information avoidance, which in turn led to greater preference for the detection mouth rinse. Inconsistent findings in the present work may be due to measurement differences of time perspective, differences in study designs, or the use of young adult samples. Even so, this work provides initial evidence that time perspective and behavioral function may create an interactive effect on health outcomes, and that information avoidance may explain this relat (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: John Updegraff (Advisor); Judith Gere (Committee Member); Jennifer Taber (Committee Member) Subjects: Health; Psychology; Social Psychology

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Public Health

Many behavioral interventions involve text messaging strategies for promoting behavior change or management. However, the dose of the text messaging intervention is nearly always considered fixed, and no experimentation is done to improve dose selection. Dose refinement is important because the frequency of text reminders and amount of time spent per text message may affect how well the intervention works for an individual, as well as whether the dose is likely to induce “psychosocial” toxicity. Extensive statistical methods exist for dose-finding in pharmaceutical applications; however, the relevance of these designs to dose-finding in the context of text messaging interventions is limited. Historically, the primary objective of Phase I dose-finding trials for therapeutic agents was to determine the highest dose that can be safely administered without producing an unacceptable number of toxic responses, while the primary objective of dose-finding for behavioral interventions is the simultaneous assessment of efficacy and toxicity responses for therapeutic optimization. Further, many dose-finding designs for the optimization of two or more therapeutic agents based on bivariate binary outcomes are complex and rely on parametric models that may not be easily understood and implemented by non-statisticians. Thus, this study aimed to develop a utility-based nonparametric adaptive dose-finding method for the optimization of text message frequency and amount when both efficacy and toxicity responses were available. A simulation study of the proposed algorithm was conducted, and the algorithm's performance was assessed in terms of its probability of successful identification of the true optimal dose combination and its misclassification error. The results of this study showed that the algorithm generally performed well in most clinically plausible scenarios. Using the recommended 3 starting doses, it was able to identify the true optimal dose combination at least 56.5% of (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Abigail Shoben (Advisor); Patrick Schnell (Committee Member) Subjects: Biostatistics

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), Franklin University, 2022, Business Administration

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) need to stay abreast of advances in communication technologies to be student centric, but institutional adoption of Short Messaging Service (SMS) text varies widely and research on incorporation for advising is limited (Arnold et al., 2020; IPEDS 2020; Santos et al., 2018). This quantitative study explored advisor use and perceptions on values, motives, and institutional support of SMS texting as a communication channel with students and the possible variables impacting those factors. Theoretical concepts in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and adaptive leadership guided the study as well as existing survey research on Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) in higher education (Duran et al., 2005). Survey responses from 402 advisors nationwide were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. SMS use was reported among all genders, experience levels, and programmatic formats and advisors overall had a positive view of the communication channel. Motives for use varied between subgroups within the sample and SMS was predominantly used to gain access to richer mediums. A statistically significant association between learning environment and SMS incorporation indicated that online advisors were more likely to use SMS texting for student communication. A statistically significant difference was also identified between median institutional support scores for SMS users and non-users with the directionality indicating users were more likely from SMS supportive institutions. Furthermore, advisors reported using SMS texting for both transactional and relational communication, even when their institution did not support the channel with training, policies, or technology. The study sheds light on the prevalence of SMS use and calls for leadership to gain greater awareness of their local-level policies, industry-wide practices, and system integrated options in managing the university-to-student connection. For HEIs (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Brenda Jones (Committee Chair); Yuerong Sweetland (Committee Member); Patrick Bennett (Committee Member) Subjects: Adult Education; Business Administration; Business Education; Communication; Continuing Education; Education Policy; Educational Evaluation; Educational Leadership; Educational Software; Educational Technology; Higher Education; Higher Education Administration; Management; Mass Communications

BA, Oberlin College, 2021, Comparative American Studies

This thesis draws on interviews with voters and organizers to disrupt preconceived popularized notions of the Deep South, arguing for a reimagining of the region's value through the lens of electoral politics and the Democratic Party's campaign efforts. There is plenty of room for revision in the apathetic approach that national Democrats and progressives treat the South with. This historic and contemporary disdain, paired with common guilt in the promotion of a limited and exclusionary idea of what the South is, contributes to the marginalization of Southern communities of color, queer and trans people, working class folks, and more. However, through attention to voter access, revised organizing tactics, and more, the Democratic Party can be a part of the solution.

Committee: Shelley Sang-Hee Lee (Advisor); Wendy Kozol (Other); Caroline Jackson-Smith (Committee Member); Charles E. Peterson (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; African Americans; American History; American Studies; Black History; Black Studies; Communication; Demographics; Economic History; Environmental Justice; Ethnic Studies; Gender; Glbt Studies; History; Journalism; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Political Science; Regional Studies

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2020, Instructional Technology (Education)

This research study was inspired by the quest to use technological strategies to enhance maternal and child healthcare delivery in Kogi State. Given the technological innovation that the human race has witnessed in every sphere of life in the contemporary world, this study focuses on mobile text messaging as an aspect of that revolution that could improve maternal and child healthcare in Kogi State. With mobile phones commonplace among both rural and urban dwellers, the study looked at the possibility of using the device to construct culture-sensitive messages that would motivate pregnant women and new mothers to keep regular hospital appointments. The World Health Organization's (WHO) approval for the exploration of ehealth strategies in healthcare has become the incentive to governments and non-governmental organizations to leverage its offerings. This qualitative research study was undertaken within the contemplation of Creswell and Creswell's (2018) postulation that health science researchers begin with the theoretical framework of adoption of health practices for improved quality of life. Data were collected from community and religious leaders, maternal and child healthcare providers, as well as pregnant women and new mothers in the state. A thematic coding of data was adopted while textual analysis was used for data synthesis. Results show enthusiastic support of all participants for the strategy.

Committee: David Moore Professor (Committee Chair); Dwan Robinson Associate Professor (Committee Member); Greg Kessler Professor (Committee Member); Benjamin Bates Professor (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Education; Technology

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2018, Anthropology

African Americans have the highest rate of infant mortality in the U.S., making them the target of public health messaging emphasizing safe sleep practices. Problematic is the lack of data on sleeping arrangements of African American infants and reasons for parent's choices. In this thesis, I report results from 11 semi-structured interviews with African American mothers living in Columbus, Ohio neighborhoods with high infant mortality rates. I focused on two research questions: 1) in terms of infant sleep positions, why have African American mothers adopted their current practices 2) how do African American mothers perceive current public health safe sleep messaging. Using grounded theory and profile analysis to analyze the interview data, I identified four major themes regarding mothers' justifications for their infants' sleeping patterns. These were convenience, comfort, active sleeper, and child individuality. In terms of maternal perceptions of safe sleep messaging, I identified three major themes, which included modification, skepticism, and what women referred to as “of age”. Importantly, I learned that African American mothers' criteria for infant sleep positions were not easily integrated into the current public health messaging agenda. I suggest that addressing this disconnect is critical for the development of effective public health messaging aimed at reducing infant mortality.

Committee: Barbara Piperata (Advisor); Anna Willow (Committee Member); Douglas Crews (Committee Member) Subjects: Cultural Anthropology

MA, University of Cincinnati, 2018, Arts and Sciences: Communication

The pressures and expectations that young adults in romantic relationships face become increasingly complex with the incorporation of various information communication technologies (ICTs). The purpose of this project is to investigate normative relational behaviors and expectations via smartphone use for developing romantic partners and to better understand how these couples manage normative behaviors. This study utilizes a qualitative approach, specifically semi-structured interviews for data collection. There were a total of 20 participants in the age range of 18 to 24 (M = 19.35, SD = 1.31). Through an inductive iterative approach to analysis, there were three main findings. First, mobile technologies, specifically text messaging, afford everyday talk for romantic couples, which introduces an autonomy-connection dialectical tension that couples must manage. Second, smartphone features, like read receipts and Snapchat streaks, afford continuous communication for couples, consequently adjusting expectations for synchronous and asynchronous forms of communication. Third, there are implicit normative behavior expectations (i.e., response times) and patterns of expectancy violations that frequently occur across couples. Taken together, these findings highlight specific affordances and features of mobile technologies that are pertinent within the developmental phase of romantic relationships, which consequently affect relationship communicative dynamics.

Committee: Pamara Chang Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Stephen Haas Ph.D. (Committee Member); Tony Liao Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

MDES, University of Cincinnati, 2018, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Design

This research aims to explore how to create the emotional connection in instant messaging tools. To respond to this question, I analyzed existing problem solving-oriented design methods. Later on, I synthesized the findings and used them to develop a new framework by making subtle changes in the define phase. Then, I used my new framework to design the new emotional connection functions in instant messaging tools. The goal of this project is to provide a set of possibilities in instant messaging tools that help with emotional connections. Considering emotional connections as a starting point for working in the area of instant messaging products helps designers translate the emerging technology into a format on the emotional level, enjoy the process of creating the product, find a way to users' minds and heart, and create a better emotional connection experience.

Committee: Craig Vogel M.I.D. (Committee Chair); Matthew Wizinsky M.F.A. (Committee Member) Subjects: Design

MS, Kent State University, 2016, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Health Sciences

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if a 30-day period of delivering beverage related daily text messages via SMS had an effect on the beverage consumption of college students (N=8). An email invitation to participate in the study was sent to 3,527 undergraduate students at a Midwestern university; recruitment flyers were also posted on the university's campus encouraging students to participate. Students were instructed to complete an online survey prior to the study that consisted of demographic information and a 24-hour beverage recall. Participants received one text message per day for 30-days through an app called Remind, which displayed nutrition information, tips, facts, and debunked myths of various non-alcoholic beverages. After the intervention, participants completed a post-study survey that consisted of the same demographic information and 24-hour beverage recall as the pre-study survey. A satisfaction questionnaire was added to this post-study survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired samples t-test. There was no significant difference found in all beverage consumption between pre- and post-study except for milk intake. Participants reported drinking a significantly greater amount of milk at the time of the pre-study period than at the time of the post-study period. Results also indicated that participants favor text messaging above all other modes of communication when receiving health related information. Data showed that college students had a positive attitude towards text messaging interventions and thought the messages presented in this study were effective motivators for influencing beverage choices.

Committee: Eun-Jeong Ha (Advisor); Karen Lowry-Gordon (Committee Member); Natalie Caine-Bish (Committee Member) Subjects: Health Sciences; Nutrition

Master of Fine Arts, Miami University, 2016, Art

The research paper is about maintaining social connectedness through hanging out using Facebook Messenger. This research explains how young adults and adults, age 18-29 years, connect with friends by hanging out. The definition “hanging out” does not mean speaking the entire time when friends meet up. Hanging out means being and establishing familiarity through a series of “chit chats” while engaged in other activities. The paper is mainly focused on how people define hanging out and how young adults are currently utilizing Facebook Messenger to maintain those social connections digitally. A total of 51 young adults participated in the survey to discover how people are hanging out physically and digitally. 6 survey participants were interviewed. Both methods are created to discover design opportunities the Facebook Messenger. The research outcome is a prototype conversation generator. Usability tests are conducted with the prototype to confirm its capabilities to identify the feature usefulness in messenger hangout settings.

Committee: Silas Munro (Advisor) Subjects: Communication; Design; Technology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2014, Communication

Gain-loss framing has produced inconsistent results in communication (O'Keefe & Jensen, 2006, 2007, 2009). Yet, studies from psychology demonstrate consistent gain-loss message effects (Higgins, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2005). Regulatory focus theory suggests the lack of operational clarity in communication applications may be the one of the reasons for inconsistent results. It is proposed that communication scholars use approach-gain and avoid-loss frames to create effective messages. The dissertation extends regulatory focus theory by arguing (a) frames' relationship with perceived effectiveness is mediated by attention to the frames, (b) the combination of approach-gain and avoid-loss frames will receive the most attention, when the message has low to moderate arousing content, and (c) the combination of approach-gain and avoid-loss will be most effective. Two within-subjects experiments were conducted, using visual fixations to operationalize attention. Study 1 examined the combination of approach-gain and avoid-loss frames, without manipulating arousing content. Study 2 examined the combination of frames and manipulated arousing content. The two studies revealed that individuals looked the most at approach-gain information, and attention to information did not influence perceived message effectiveness. As predicted, when arousal was controlled for, messages with the combination of approach-gain and avoid-loss frames were perceived as more effective than messages with only one type of frame.

Committee: Zheng (Joyce) Wang (Advisor); Michael Slater (Committee Member); Brad Bushman (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Marketing

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2013, Psychology/Clinical

There has been a major increase in cell phone ownership among children and adolescents in the past eight years (Rideout, Foehr, & Roberts, 2010) and many adolescents now prefer texting to calling on their cell phones when communicating with their peers (Haste, 2005; Skierkowski & Wood, 2012). While there are advantages and drawbacks to all new technological advancements, because text messaging is a fairly new phenomenon, there is limited research examining the behavior, including the risks and benefits involved in texting. Although texting in and of itself may not be problematic, opportunities arise in which participating in texting behaviors may be considered risky. However, research has shown that there are often mitigating factors for engaging in risky behaviors (e.g., parental monitoring, perception of risk, peer pressure) (e.g., Johnson et al., 2002; Lac & Crano, 2009; Teese & Bradley, 2008). Using the risk and protective factors model, the current study considered overall parental knowledge of their child’s behavior, including knowledge specifically related to texting, and adolescent perception of harm from texting to be protective factors for engaging in problematic texting behaviors. The present study found that 93% of participants reported having ever used text messaging and 71% of those who reported having ever texted indicated that they text every day. Correlation analyses indicated that higher frequency of texting significantly correlated with higher levels of compulsive texting (r = .53, p < .001) and significantly correlated with higher levels of overall engagement in risky texting behaviors (r = .55, p < .001). Additionally, perceived harm of texting and parental knowledge were negatively related to both compulsive texting and engagement in risky texting behaviors. Additionally, perceived harm of texting also had a moderating effect on risky texting behavior. For participants who reported low levels of perceived harm of texting, there was a str (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Eric Dubow PhD (Advisor); Carolyn Tompsett PhD (Committee Member); Marie Tisak PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Behaviorial Sciences; Psychology

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2009, Medicine : Epidemiology (Environmental Health)

Background: Adherence is a critical component to achieving successful outcomes in chronic illnesses like cSLE. Previous studies have indicated worse outcomes among non-adherent patients. Poor adherence to routine clinic visits is a significant problem in the management of SLE. Regular clinic appointments provide ideal opportunities for early intervention to avoid disease flares and maximize therapeutic regimens. Purpose: Our aim was to improve visit adherence using cellular text messaging reminders (CTMR) and assess its impact on disease outcomes in cSLE. Methods: An individualized CTMR was sent 7, 3, and 1 day(s) prior to each scheduled clinic appointment. Scheduling of subsequent follow-up clinic visits was also aided by CTMR as needed. Overall visit adherence was monitored prospectively over 8 months and compared to the historic visit attendance for each participant over the preceding 30 months (following standard of care [SOC]). Acceptable visit adherence was defined as attendance of >80% of the recommended visits as per the managing physician. Disease outcomes (SLEDAI- SLE Disease Activity Index and number of unplanned emergency room visits and hospitalizations) during the 8-month CTMR intervention period were compared to each subject's previous information during the SOC time period prior to the use of CTMR. Results: 70 cSLE subjects (ages 13-28 years old, 93% female, 51% African American) agreed to participate by providing cell phone numbers and cellular service providers. Of the 66 participants with complete data, 64% (42/66) had poor visit adherence (<80%) during the SOC time period. Overall, the proportion of subjects with good attendance improved from 36% to 56% (p=0.04). With CTMR, 52% (22/42) of non-adherent subjects had newly acceptable visit attendance (> 80%). In addition to positive attendance trends, rates of visit no-shows significantly decreased (p=0.004), while self-requested visit cancellations increased (p=0.0001). No important changes i (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Paul Succop PhD (Committee Chair); Hermine Brunner MD (Committee Member); Dennis Drotar PhD (Committee Member); Daniel Lovell MD (Committee Member) Subjects: Health

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2005, Engineering : Computer Science

The object of this thesis is to develop a collaborative tool for interactive communication and file sharing among peers in a peer-to-peer (p2p) network where collaborations are established and maintained using the MyBook Desktop System application. The collaborative tool we develop, the MyBook Instant Messenger, allows groups of peers to collaborate on topics of common interest and organize and compile the information they have contributed in a visually effective organizational structure called a MyBook. MyBook Instant Messenger is different from existing instant messengers in the following ways. It allows for the creation of topic-focused communities. Peers who do not know each other, but have a common interest, can find each other by searching for a MyBook on the topic of interest and then interacting with other peers in the collaboration associated with the MyBook using the MyBook Instant Messenger. The features for MyBook Instant Messenger are multi & private messaging, file sending, file logging, various text formatting, and creation of new communities of common interest topics. User authentication is performed using salted one-way MD5 hashing algorithm. Experiments and testing for MyBook Instant Messenger were performed on test data; such as text messages and file transfer testing. Test results were mostly obtained from benchmarking as well as human factor testing. Every task module is coded and subsequently all the modules are put together to form the final MyBook Instant Messenger application. The software package is developed using Microsoft C#.NET language and Java. Index Terms: Collaboration among peers, Instant messaging, MyBook software

Committee: Dr. Kenneth Berman (Advisor) Subjects: Computer Science

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2010, Computer Science and Engineering

Multi-cores are coming to have a significant impact on all forms of computing and the financial sector is no exception. This sector relies heavily on message passing over networks for market data dissemination and transaction processing. However, its reliance on the traditional Ethernet standard has the potential to limit the ever increasing demand for more data at higher speeds. Furthermore, the message oriented middleware in use throughout much of the financial sector uses a centralized "broker" architecture in a hub-spoke configuration. Our previous studies with this architecture have shown the centralized "broker" to be a performance bottleneck. This thesis demonstrates how the High Performance Computing (HPC) technology called MPI (Message Passing Interface) interacts with financial messaging. Features of our group's MVAPICH2, a middleware linking MPI with network and shared memory communication, are used to configure a simulated financial market across a multi-core cluster. This configuration avoids the centralized "broker" bottleneck while still delivering high performance. Our results show that replication of the market simulator, one instance per cluster node, outperforms a single instance of the simulator's order generation process, servicing many instances of the simulator's trade engine using inter node, networked communication. This high performance is obtained at the limit of one trade engine per node core. However, at the low order generation rates typical of many NASDAQ stocks, up to 12 instances of the simulator's trade engine may be multiplexed per CPU core, thereby further increasing the number of trades a cluster node can simulate.

Committee: D.K. Panda PhD (Advisor); P. Sadayappan PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Computer Science