Systems Engineering Commons^™

Co-Evolving Multi-Agent Transfer Reinforcement Learning Via Scenario Independent Representation, Ayesha Siddiqua

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) addresses complex tasks involving cooperation and competition among agents, training them to develop optimal policies for collective goals. However, facilitating simultaneous learning for multiple agents is challenging because the complexity increases rapidly with the number of agents. Current methods encompass a variety of centralized, decentralized, semi-centralized, and hybrid approaches to balance the trade-offs between computational efficiency, scalability, and coordination in MARL. In this study, I employed a centralized training with semi-centralized execution (CTSCE) framework, utilize both local observations from agents and abstracted global observations to effectively train agents in cooperative environments. Additionally, earning complex, domain-specific tasks …

The Hazard Prediction Problem, Mary E. Helander, Brendan Smith, Sylvia Charchut, Erika Swiatowy, Calvin Nau, Gregory Cavaretta, Timothy Schuler, Adam Schunk, Héctor Ortiz-Peña

Social Science - All Scholarship

This work formulates the hazard prediction problem while addressing the research question: Can machine learning create a model to automatically recognize patterns that correspond to hazard state conditions during a mission-critical operation? Supervised learning models were trained and tested on data observed from mission simulators, which allowed for safe observation of dynamic system states and undesirable casualty events. The prediction task was formulated as a binary classification problem, producing the probability of being in a hazard state at time t and providing situational awareness of a possible imminent loss. Several modeling architectures were investigated: neural networks, logistic regression, a support …

Traveling The Pathway To A Culturally Competent Health Care Provider: Incorporating Study Abroad Into Your Curriculum, A L. Johnston Green, C J. Heffner

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Introduction: As athletic training employment settings expand and diversify, so does the patient population with whom these healthcare providers interact. This growth furthers the need to ensure that students enrolled in an athletic training program (ATP) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) are educated to provide culturally competent care. Culturally competent care is provided when decisions made diminish the inequalities that may be present in a system based upon a patient’s individual circumstances. Implementing cultural competency education may be integrated into athletic training education in various manners as necessitated by each institution’s unique circumstances. Programs …

Project Control System (Pcs) Implementation In Engineering And Construction Projects: An Empirical Study In Saudi's Petroleum And Chemical Industry, Sahar Jawad, Ann Ledwith, Rashid Khan

School of Cybersecurity Faculty Publications

Purpose

There is growing recognition that effective project control systems (PCS) are critical to the success of projects. The relationship between the individual elements of PCS and successfully achieving project objectives has yet to be explored. This research investigates the enablers and barriers that influence the elements of PCS success and drive project objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a mixed approach of descriptive analysis and regression models to explore the impact of six PCS elements on project outcomes. Petroleum and chemical projects in Saudi Arabia were selected as a case study to validate the research model.

Findings

Data from a …

Development Of Dynamic Mass-Energy-Thermodynamics Constrained Hybrid Neural Network Models For Process Systems Applications, Angan Mukherjee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

First-principles models can provide very good predictions even for cases when there are no data at all, or data are limited in certain range of operating conditions, or for cases where data collection is infeasible. However, the development of accurate first-principles models for complex nonlinear dynamic systems can be time consuming, computationally expensive, and may be infeasible for certain systems due to lack of sufficient knowledge (information). It is also challenging to adapt first-principles models for time-varying systems. Furthermore, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to develop accurate models for some complex phenomena that are poorly understood. On the …

Prediction Of Anomalous Events With Data Augmentation And Hybrid Deep Learning Approach, Ahmed Shoyeb Raihan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this study, we propose a novel anomaly detection framework designed specifically for Multivariate Time Series (MTS) data, addressing the prevalent challenges in analyzing such complex datasets. The detection of anomalies within MTS data is notably difficult due to the complex interplay of numerous variables, temporal dependencies, and the common issue of class imbalance, where one category significantly outnumbers another. Traditional deep learning (DL) approaches often fall short in simultaneously tackling these issues. Our framework is designed to address these challenges through a two-phased approach. Phase I employs Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Networks (CTGAN) to create strategic synthetic data, setting …

Milk Collection Problem: Integrating The Traveling Salesman And Set Covering Problem - A Case Study In West Virginia, Usa, Md Rabiul Hasan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Route determination for perishable products is complex due to its unique characteristics, such as limited shelf-life regulatory requirements, or possibility of getting damaged. This research investigates a novel problem of collecting raw milk from a rural network of dairy farms. The research problem is grounded in a real scenario of milk collection in West Virginia, USA. The milk in this scenario is produced by small farms incapable of realizing transportation economies of density out in mostly rural areas throughout the state. Maximum coverage area and milk processing overhead costs are used to identify suitable locations for intermediate milk collection centers …

User-Interaction With A Web-Served Global Ground Motion Relational Database, T. E. Buckreis, C. C. Nweke, P. Wang, S. J. Brandenberg, R. Shams, M. E. Ramos-Sepulveda, R. Pretell, S. Mazzoni

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

We present an application programming interface (API) which facilitates public access to a global relational database of earthquake ground motion intensity measures, associated metadata, and time-series data. Next Generation Attenuation (NGA)-East and NGA-West2 project spreadsheets have been adapted into a relational database format composed of multiple tables through a series of primary and foreign keys. The combined dataset has been expanded to include contributions from earthquakes, generally with magnitudes greater than M3.9, that have occurred since the conclusion of the data synthesis component of both projects in 2011. Currently the database includes 62,449 ground motions recorded at 9,092 stations for …

Efficient Connectivity Management And Path Planning For Iot And Uav Networks, Amirahmad Chapnevis

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores how to better manage resources in mobile networks, especially for enhancing the performance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)-supported IoT networks. We explored ways to set up a flexible communication architecture that can handle large IoT deployments by making good use of mobile core network resources like bearers and data paths. We developed strategies that meet the needs of IoT networks and enhance network performance. We also developed and tested a system that combines traffic from several mobile devices that use the same user identity and network resources within the core mobile network. We used everyday smartphones, SIM …

Mouralherwaqh Coastal Wetland Road Crossing Da'luk, Romel Robinson Ii

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The integration of Indigenous and Western science plays an essential role in Tribally led collaborations for land management. This process of woven sciences is rooted in reciprocal relations and partnerships guided by Tribal Nations. Our cohort was invited by Wiyot Tribal Representatives to investigate a culvert located within the wetlands of Mouralherwaqh— a parcel of land reacquired by the Wiyot Tribe in 2022. This document seeks to share our experience and analysis as part of the Wiyot Tribe’s broader journey in navigating ecocultural restoration projects within Mouralherwaqh. The four community interests we investigated for the wetland crossing included a resized …

Methods That Support The Validation Of Agent-Based Models: An Overview And Discussion, Andrew Collins, Matthew Koehler, Christopher Lynch

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Validation is the process of determining if a model adequately represents the system under study for the model’s intended purpose. Validation is a critical component in building the credibility of a simulation model with its end-users. Effectively conducting validation can be a daunting task for both novice and experienced simulation developers. Further compounding the difficult task of conducting validation is that there is no universally accepted approach for assessing a simulation. These challenges are particularly relevant to the paradigm of Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS) because of the complexity found in these models’ mechanisms and in the real-world situations they …

Automation Complacency On Humans And Cyber-Physical Systems In The Energy Sector, Shannon Olaveson

Cyber Operations and Resilience Program Graduate Projects

Cyber-physical systems (CPS) and the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) enable industrial systems and technology to work together to achieve increased connectivity and operational efficiency through the use of automation. Because automation requires less human interaction to run industrial tasks, a reliance may form on this integration to take over an otherwise manual process. This reliance can cause human behavior to affect operational safety and security, leading to unintentional outcomes or vulnerable areas of adversarial opportunity. The energy sector is one of the most critical infrastructure areas becoming a part of the rise to automation, resourcing gas, oil, and electricity …

Reliability Modeling And Improvement Of Critical Infrastructures: Theory, Simulation, And Computational Methods, José Carlos Hernández Azucena

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a framework for developing data-driven tools to model and improve the performance of Interconnected Critical Infrastructures (ICIs) in multiple contexts. The importance of ICIs for daily human activities and the large volumes of data in continuous generation in modern industries grant relevance to research efforts in this direction. Chapter 2 focuses on the impact of disruptions in Multimodal Transportation Networks, which I explored from an application perspective. The outlined research directions propose exploring the combination of simulation for decision-making with data-driven optimization paradigms to create tools that may provide stakeholders with optimal policies for a wide array …

Task Optimization Utilizing Digital Transformation Concepts - Automation Project Execution Via Agile Methodology, Anthony Steven Maiello

Theses and Dissertations

Task Optimization via the use of automated process improvements is becoming more widespread as more industries lean into the concepts surrounding digital transformation. This shift also necessitates a complementary adaptation in project management methodologies to support the rapid and ever-changing environment, requirements, and innovations. This thesis examines the effectiveness of Agile methodology in managing digital automation projects, with a specific focus placed on process improvements with systems engineering. It accomplished this by contrasting the original model, designed and derived utilizing traditional project management techniques, with the proposed model which is a direct result of the application of Agile project practices. …

Barriers To Integrating Magnetic Resonance Imaging Systems In Emergency Medical Service Ambulances For Stroke Care, Arvind Kolangarakath

All Theses

Stroke is a life-threatening condition that can cause permanent damage by stopping blood flow in the brain. Quick and precise intervention is imperative, as every second lost increases tissue deterioration and impacts patient outcomes. Several technological advancements such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), have revolutionized stroke care by enabling more accurate and quicker diagnoses in hospitals. Portable head MRI scanners with lower magnetic fields are a recent innovation capable of providing neuroimaging at the point of care within hospital settings. Integrating such a device into ambulances could potentially enhance stroke care during transit, facilitating prompt diagnosis and prognosis. However, few …

A System Theoretic Process Analysis Framework And Model Based Approach For Resilient Space Architecture Design, Eric T. Sommer

Theses and Dissertations

As the capabilities provided by space-based systems offer significant contributions toward defense applications, potential adversaries stand to gain significant value in disrupting them. Therefore, the United States must pursue the development and operation of resilient space architectures, capable of delivering capabilities in the face of disruptions. To support this development, systems engineering methods require innovation to effectively ensure design of complex space architectures to meet their objectives. This thesis recommends and demonstrates a System-Theoretic Process Analysis (STPA) framework to qualitatively analyze space architectures. The analysis outputs identify design considerations, requirements, and constraints required for resilience. To enable a model-based systems …

Kwad - Ksu All Weather Autonomous Drone, Nick Farinacci, Sebastian Gomez, Stewart Baker, Ed Sheridan

Symposium of Student Scholars

"KWAD" or "KSU all-Weather Autonomous Drone" project was sponsored by Ultool, LLC to the KSU Research and Service Foundation to create a lightweight drone capable of capturing HD video during all-weather operations. The conditions of all-weather operation include rainfall of one inch per hour and wind speeds of up to twenty miles per hour. In addition, a global minimum structural safety factor of two is required to ensure the system's integrity in extreme weather conditions. Potential mission profiles include autonomous aerial delivery, topological mapping in high moisture areas, security surveillance, search and rescue operations, emergency transportation of medical supplies, and …

Towards Agile Academia: An Approach To Scientific Paper Writing Inspired By Software Engineering, Tyler Procko

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The construction of scientific papers is performed in service of the greater scientific community. This iterative process is, in effect, an academic economy, where all members benefit from well-written papers. However, many published scientific papers are poorly written; they often lack sufficient detail to allow replication, there is improper usage of citations or a lack of regard to relevant work, reporting is vague or without linked empirical data to allow verification, figures do not correspond to text or are non-sensical, literary elements, e.g., bulleted lists, are used ineffectively, formatting renders certain sections unreadable, and grammatical errors abound. The issues of …

Variability In Anesthesia And Its Implications For Improving Patient Safety, Joshua Michael Biro

All Dissertations

Improving patient safety in anesthesia has proven to be an arduous and challenging task. Despite the many strategies and interventions to improve patient safety that have been employed, patient harm in anesthesia remains a problem. The struggle to reduce patient harm in anesthesia is both attributable to and representative of the complexity of the anesthesia system. In navigating this complex system, anesthesia providers have different approaches to how they accomplish their work, which results in variability in anesthesia practice. This variability provides an immense challenge to designing and implementing efforts to improve patient safety, as rigid interventions are often met …

Reinforcing Digital Trust For Cloud Manufacturing Through Data Provenance Using Ethereum Smart Contracts, Trupti Narayan Rane

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Cloud Manufacturing(CMfg) is an advanced manufacturing model that caters to fast-paced agile requirements (Putnik, 2012). For manufacturing complex products that require extensive resources, manufacturers explore advanced manufacturing techniques like CMfg as it becomes infeasible to achieve high standards through complete ownership of manufacturing artifacts (Kuan et al., 2011). CMfg, with other names such as Manufacturing as a Service (MaaS) and Cyber Manufacturing (NSF, 2020), addresses the shortcoming of traditional manufacturing by building a virtual cyber enterprise of geographically distributed entities that manufacture custom products through collaboration.

With manufacturing venturing into cyberspace, Digital Trust issues concerning product quality, data, and intellectual …