Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Urban Search And Rescue Team Coordination Through Adaptive Context Awareness, Daniel Reyes Duran

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Modern multi-agent Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operations heavily rely on mobile geospatial Common Operating Pictures (COPs) to maintain team coordination and Situational Awareness (SA). However, the proliferation of high-frequency sensor telemetry at the tactical edge has introduced a data saturation paradox challenge: while information theoretically drives informed decision-making, unmanaged data surges induce increased operator cognitive overload and alert fatigue on mobile End-User Devices (EUDs), while downstream data-broadcasting models inherently strain edge processing and viewport environments.

To resolve these constraints, this dissertation presents a context-aware Value of Information (VoI) data-management framework integrated directly with a custom, event-driven Android Team Awareness …

Thiol-Based Neuroprotective Copolymers Acutely Restore Redox Metabolism And Mediate Vasogenic Edema In A Mouse Model Of Traumatic Brain Injury, Evan T. Curtis, Brandon Z. Mcdonald, Aria W. Tarudji, Aaron M. Priester, Anthony J. Convertine, Forrest M. Kievit

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Effective pharmaceutical interventions for treating the secondary damage associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are limited due to poor delivery into the brain, insufficient target engagement, and an incomplete understanding of the pathophysiological changes that occur post-impact. Thus, nanoparticles (NP), which have an enhanced permeation and retention-like effect within the perturbed blood-brain barrier, have grown as a potential candidate for treating TBI. We have investigated the antioxidant capacity of thiol-based NP, termed neuroprotective copolymers (NPC3), and their ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation products (LPOx). Here, we assessed the efficacy of NPC3 for alleviating the secondary …

Detection And Diagnostic Screening Of Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review And Future Frontiers, Lama Yassine, Amira J. Zaylaa

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

A comprehensive evaluation of current and novel diagnostic techniques is necessary since the diagnosis of breast cancer is essential for improving treatment efficacy and raising long-term survival. Evidence from conventional imaging methods including mammography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging is combined in this systematic review with advancements in liquid biopsies and current AI-based diagnostic tools. Using specific keywords related to breast cancer, early detection, imaging, biomarkers, and artificial intelligence, a thorough search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore. Reviews, case reports, and studies unrelated to breast cancer were excluded; only clinical, experimental, and computational research …

Generative Endurance Logic: An Axiomatic Framework For Reasoning About Outcome-Generating Objects Under Constraints, Hafiz Burhan Ul Haq, Muhammad Nauman Irshad

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

This paper introduces Generative Endurance Logic (GEL), a formal framework for studying objects through the outcomes they can produce. In many cases, an object cannot be judged only by a fixed truth value, score, or utility value. A rule, model, action, or strategy may behave well in one situation but fail when the context changes or when small perturbations occur. GEL addresses this issue by treating each object as a generator of outcomes. Each object a is linked to a generation map Ga:X×Ω→Y, where X is the context space, Ω is the …

An Interactive Multi-Objective Programming Approach For Optimizing Fully Trapezoidal Spherical Fuzzy Linear Programming Problem With Application, Sultan S. Alodhaibi, Hissah Ibrahim Almuzini, Hamiden Abd El-Wahed Khalifa

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

In this paper, a linear programming framework with completely uncertain parameters is investigated by employing trapezoidal spherical fuzzy numbers (TrSFNs). The proposed formulation incorporates a spherical fuzzy (SF) decision environment in which the optimization process simultaneously maximizes the degree of positive membership while minimizing the corresponding neutral and negative membership degrees. By utilizing the concept of the α -cut associated with TrSFNs, the original fully fuzzy linear programming problem is transformed into an interval-valued linear programming model with confidence levels. To rank and compare the resulting interval objective values, an interval ordering approach based on the decision maker's preferences—considering the …

Exploiting Uncertainty Of Computational Methodology In Optimizing User Interface In Human-Computer Interaction, Nada Mohamed, Alshaimaa A. Tantawy

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Human-computer interaction (HCI) evaluation and optimization of user interfaces (UIs) constitute a complex multi-criteria decision-making challenge, marked by conflicting evaluation dimensions, subjective expert judgments, and inherent uncertainty in user experience assessment. Traditional evaluation approaches, such as heuristic expert reviews and user satisfaction surveys, rely on sharp, binary classifications that fail to capture the gradual and overlapping nature of human cognitive and affective states. This limitation necessitates a more robust uncertainty-aware methodology that can model the true complexity of HCI evaluation. This paper proposes a hybrid mathematical model that integrates various Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques of Entropy, and Simple Additive …

Coupled Multiphysics Transport-Reaction Modeling Framework For Combustion Synthesis Of Cement Phases: Insights Into Β-C2s Formation And Wavefront Dynamics, Sayee Srikarah Volaity, Shubham Agrawal, Aditya Kumar, Narayanan Neithalath

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Biofuel-based combustion synthesis (BCS) processes offer low-temperature, low-carbon routes to lime and clinker production. However, they involve tightly coupled interactions between heat transfer, gas flow, and sequential solid-state reactions within reactive pellets. Experiments typically provide surface temperature evolution and final phase assemblages but give limited insight into the conversion process and the interaction between composition and process conditions. A coupled transport-reaction framework is developed here to resolve this limitation─the synthesis of β-C2S (belite), a major cementing phase, serving as an example. Transient conservation equations for energy, momentum, and species are solved for a porous pellet exchanging heat and mass with …

Li+/Na+ Hybrid Ion Conduction Mechanism In The Superionic Conductor Li3–XNaXZr2Si2Po12, Yi-Hong Wu, Xia Xie, Lei Zhu, Mu-Ran Yu, Guo-Tai Zhang, Jun-Chao Chen, Shu-Ying Sun, You-Wei Wang, Wei-Ping Tang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Hybrid ion conductors that transport multiple ionic conductive species provide a useful platform for understanding how mixed-ion transport governs ionic conductivity within a single phase. However, the controlled introduction of multiple mobile ions into solid-state electrolytes and a mechanistic understanding of their migration within the framework remain challenging. Herein, a skeleton-retained Li⁺↔Na⁺ cationic exchange was used to simultaneously induce Li⁺ and Na⁺ cations into the NASICON-type framework of Li_3–xNa_xZr₂Si₂PO₁₂ (0 < x < 3). We show that the interpenetration of NaO₆ and NaO₈ coordination polyhedra significantly influences the ionic conductivity of hybrid ion conductors. Computational …

Instructions To Authors, Academy Editors

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

Multiple Nuclear Configurations And Microtubular Arrangements In Spermatozoa Of The Western Siren, Siren Nettingi (Caudata: Sirenidae), S. E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

I examined the ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the Western Siren, Siren nettingi, using transmission electron microscopy. My primary objective in this study was to elucidate, for the first time, the unique morphological complexity of biflagellated sperm in this species. This study also represents my fifth addition in a series of investigations that highlight the novel nature of all aspects of spermatogenesis in this salamander I show the basic sperm transverse and sagittal design which includes a nucleus, 2 axial fibers supporting 2 undulating membranes which have 2 axonemes residing at their terminal ends, several circular mitochondria, and several electron-dense masses. …

Binucleation And Seasonal Cycle Of Sertoli Cells In The Western Lesser Siren, Siren Nettingi (Caudata: Sirenidae), S. E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

I examined binucleation and the seasonal cycle of Sertoli cells in the Western Siren (Siren nettingi) using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. My primary objective in this study was to report, for the first time, the presence of double nuclei in Sertoli cells in a salamander. This study also represents the sixth contribution in a series of investigations that highlight the novel nature of all aspects of spermatogenesis in this unique salamander. My findings add to a growing list of extraordinary morphological and reproductive features that distinguish this salamander from all other vertebrates.

Distal Urogenital Anatomy And Epithelial Morphology In The Male Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Frog, Gastrophryne Carolinensis (Anura: Microhylidae), S. E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

I investigated the microanatomy of the distal urogenital system in male Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Frogs (Gastrophryne carolinensis) from a small sample (n = 5) collected in central Arkansas in April, May, and July (2021) and May 2022. Specifically, my primary goals were to elucidate the histology of the following: (1) the paired Wolffian (urogenital) ducts caudally from the kidneys to their merging with the urodeum of the cloaca, (2) the structure of seminal vesicles, and (3) the epithelial morphologies among the distal urogenital tract, the posterior alimentary canal, and the cloaca. My histological analysis confirmed the presence of …

Laminarin-Loaded Solid-In-Oil Nanodispersion For Enhanced Non-Invasive Transdermal Immunization, Md. Shahin Ekka Sarker, Yoshirou Kawaguchi, Rie C. Wakabayashi, Noriho J. Kamiya, Muhammad Moniruzzaman, Masahiro Goto

Publications and Research

Simple and non-invasive transdermal vaccination is an attractive alternative to conventional injection-based immunization. However, the effectiveness of transdermal vaccines is often constrained by the stratum corneum barrier. Although the use of solid-in-oil (S/O) nanodispersion technology has successfully facilitated skin permeation to induce an immunological response, the antibody titers remain suboptimal. Herein, a dectin-1 selective ligand, laminarin, was used as an immunostimulatory adjuvant to enhance the immune response. S/O nanodispersions loaded with laminarin and ovalbumin (OVA) were systematically developed and characterized in terms of particle size, in vitro OVA release behavior, and skin permeation performance using excised mouse skin. In vivo …

Visionarium, June 2026, Full Issue

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

No abstract provided.

Calibration And Validation Of An Ogden Material Model For Thermoplastic Polyurethane In 3d-Printed Tensegrity Structures, Caleb C. Swain

Theses and Dissertations

This work is motivated by ongoing efforts within the Smart Materials, Adaptronics, and Shock Laboratory (SMASH Lab) at Brigham Young University (BYU) to develop variable-stiffness, external fixators using 3D-printed tensegrity structures. In the process of designing and evaluating these systems, the need arose to accurately model the nonlinear mechanical behavior of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), the primary material used in prototype fabrication. This thesis investigates how accurately a calibrated Ogden material model can predict the nonlinear mechanical response of TPU in 3D-printed tensegrity structures. Experimental data were used to calibrate the parameters of the hyperelastic constitutive model through nonlinear optimization. An …

Effect Of Rotating Cylinder On Boundary Layer Behavior And Aerodynamic Performance Of Naca 0015 Airfoil, K. Suresh, Inamul Hasan

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Flow separation over airfoils at moderate and high angles of attack leads to a significant degradation in aerodynamic performance. Active boundary layer control using moving surfaces provides an effective approach to delay separation and enhance lift. In this study, the aerodynamic efficiency of a NACA 0015 airfoil equipped with a rotating leading edge cylinder is numerically investigated using computational fluid dynamics. Simulations are carried out for a range of angles of attack and cylinder surface speed ratios at low Reynolds numbers like Re = 1.2 x105. The rotating cylinder injects momentum into the boundary layer, promoting flow attachment on the …

Processing Mechanism And Efficacy Maintenance Strategy Of Ginseng Active Ingredients Based On Spectroscopy Technology, Yang Hantong, Kong Linghui, Jiang Mengmeng, Wang Yingxiu, Li Xiangguo

Food and Machinery

Ginseng, as a medicinal and edible plant, has ginsenosides as its core active components, which are widely applied due to their physiological functions such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; however, their structures and activities are easily affected by food processing. During processing steps such as cleaning, steaming/boiling, and fermentation, temperature, pH, and microbial enzyme systems alter the types, contents, and stability of active components through reactions such as hydrolysis and oxidation. The intrinsic linkage mechanism of "component transformation-activity-bioavailability" constitutes a core focus and challenge in current research. This study, based on spectroscopic techniques including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), nuclear magnetic …

A Comprehensive Review Of 1d Deep Learning Approaches In Facial Analysis: Face Recognition, Landmark Detection, And Mesh Modeling, Duaa J. Al Hammami, Rehab F. Hassan

Journal of Soft Computing and Computer Applications

Facial Analysis has progressed rapidly with deep learning and its 2D image-based models, especially Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), which have been the most popular methods. In recent years, 1D deep learning models have gained traction in the search for efficient solutions for face recognition, facial landmark detection, and 3D face mesh modeling. 1D models encode the facial structure as sequences, curves, or temporal signals, resulting in high computational efficiency, a small memory footprint, and good interpretability, making them well-suited for real-time and edge devices. This review is a step-by-step, organized exploration of 1D deep learning analysis of the face, its …

Enhanced Thermal Energy Storage In Buildings: Impregnation, Leakage, And Environmental Performance Of Organic And Inorganic Pcm Composites, Gökhan Genç, Esra Yılmaz, M. Yusuf Yazıcı

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This study experimentally investigates the impregnation and leakage performance of various organic (tobacco, sawdust, bay leaf, black cumin) and inorganic (vermiculite, perlite, bentonite, sepiolite) carrier materials used for phase change material (PCM) integration in building applications. The commercial paraffin-based PCM RT-31 was used as the thermal storage medium. Impregnation and leakage tests were conducted to evaluate the PCM absorption capacity, form stability, and energy storage potential of each carrier. The results revealed that perlite (C = 80%) and bay leaf (C = 78%) exhibited the highest impregnation capacities due to their porous and fibrous structures; however, they also demonstrated significant …

Techno-Economic And Environmental Analysis Of Wind-Powered Green Hydrogen Production In Nigeria, Ignatius Kema Okakwu, Ayodeji Akinsoji Okubanjo, Samson Oladayo Ayanlade, Akintunde Samson Alayande, Solomon Olanrewaju Giwa, Abraham Olatide Amole, Etinosa Noma-Osaghe, Ajibola Oluwafemi Oyedeji

Al-Bahir

Green hydrogen is becoming a viable option for clean energy, and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has also become a popular sustainable energy source. In this paper, we evaluate the technoeconomic and environmental feasibility of green hydrogen production from wind energy in five Nigerian cities: Kano, Jos, Maiduguri, Ikeja, and Ikorodu. Energy potential from wind energy is estimated by using the Weibull distribution method, and six wind turbines are used to calculate electricity generation and hydrogen production. Economics of wind power are estimated through levelized cost of energy (LCOE), levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH), payback period (PBP), and …

Case Study On Operational Performance Improvement By Turbocharger Nozzle-Ring Modification In Shipboard Generators, Jong-Hun Im, Mukyeong Kang, Sang-Deuk Lee

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Owing to increasingly stringent emission regulations imposed by the International Maritime Organization and rising fuel prices, the demand for enhanced energy efficiency and emission control in marine power systems is increasing. This study presents a case study in which the performance of an aging auxiliary generator is restored by modifying the turbocharger nozzle ring. The vessel, a 12-year-old crude-oil tanker, experienced repeated operational issues with its No. 3 generator. This included elevated exhaust gas temperatures, reduced intake air pressure, and frequent turbocharger surges. To address these challenges, the nozzle-ring blade angle was reduced by approximately 2° using spare components, while …

Towards Sustainable Marine Education: Assessing High School Students’ Understanding Of Conservation Concepts, Cheng-Chieh Chang, Tsuyoshi Sasaki, Ya-Yin Liao, Ling-Ya Hung, Liang-Ting Tsai

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study assesses the concepts of marine resource conservation and sustainability among Taiwanese high school students by developing a Chinese version of the Marine Resources Conservation and Sustainability Scale. Grounded in the cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioral learning objectives outlined in UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development Goals (ESDGs), the scale targets students aged 16 to 18 to examine gender differences in marine knowledge and conservation concepts. The scale comprises 31 items across four dimensions: the first section evaluates marine knowledge, while the remaining dimensions utilize a four-point Likert scale to assess cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioral learning objectives, respectively. The results indicate …

Dynamic Governance Of Transboundary Fisheries Through Deep Learning And High-Frequency Vessel Tracking Data For Climate-Resilient Management: An Application To The East China Sea, Qin Lin, Yaqing Shu, Manel Grifoll, Hongxiang Feng

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Transboundary fisheries governance is increasingly challenged by jurisdictional conflicts, regulatory asymmetries, and climate-induced stock shifts in fish stocks, especially in contested regions like the East China Sea (ECS). This study capitalizes on China’s high-frequency BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) data (June 2021–May 2022) to pioneer a CNN-BiLSTM deep learning model to dynamically identify fishing hotspots and evaluate policy effectiveness. By integrating vessel trajectories, environmental variables, and regulatory events, we examine spatiotemporal patterns of fishing effort relative to seasonal bans, extreme weather, and quota systems. Key findings reveal: (1) post-moratorium (September–December) concentration of fishing intensity, peaking in November; (2) significant weather-driven …

Face-To-Face Versus Distance Education In Competence-Based Maritime Education And Training, Clara Borén, Marcella Castells-Sanabra, Manel Grifoll

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The COVID-19 pandemic created significant challenges for higher education, with universities being shut down and face-to-face teaching and assessment shifting to an online format. This presented an opportunity to focus on the continuity of learning through distance education, especially in the maritime context, due to the on-board training requirements, and even though five years have passed, this shift has reshaped the education landscape, proving that remote learning has come to stay.

At the Barcelona School of Nautical Studies, we have developed a weather routing software in the framework of distance education and teaching innovation. We conducted a teaching trial alternatively …

Adaptive Design Strategies For A Dual-Shaft Pvc Shredder, Gavin Balderas

University Honors Theses

This capstone project involved the design and development of a mid-size plastic shredder, created to process strong, ductile PVC sheets up to ½" thick. This application falls between the capabilities of consumer grade plastic shredders and heavy-duty industrial machines. Over 400 million tons of plastic produced annually and less than 10% of it is recycled; there is an ever-growing need for plastic recycling accessibility and infrastructure. This project aimed to create a compact dual-shaft shredder that can shred thick PVC sheets while being powered by a 120V outlet. Research into blade geometry and orientations aided an iterative design process driven …

Semantic Directing: A Human-Ai Workflow For Interative Virtual Cinematography, Lejie Liu

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

This thesis presents AI Director, a Unity-based prototype for semantic directing in virtual cinematography. The system enables creators to describe cinematic intent in natural language, receive editable shot-strategy plans generated by a large language model, and refine specific shots through text and visual references. By separating semantic planning from deterministic camera execution, the workflow keeps user authorship centered on shot intent while making the resulting camera plans inspectable, editable, and executable in real time. This work explores semantic directing as a human-AI workflow for iterative cinematic authoring in dynamic 3D scenes.

Fluorescence Cryotomography For Preclinical Validation: Applications In Gene Therapy And Fluorescence-Guided Surgery, Caleb Y. J. Kwon

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Fluorescence imaging has become a powerful tool in biomedical research and clinical practice, offering molecular specificity and high sensitivity for visualizing biological processes in real time, However, the successful translation of novel fluorescent probes or medicines from preclinical development to clinical applications requires rigorous validation of their biodistribution and target specificity. Traditional methods for assessing performance, such as bulk excised organ analysis or two-dimensional histology, provide limited information as they cannot capture the complete, organism-wide distribution of these probes or medicines. This thesis aims to improve this analysis pipeline through the application and optimization of fluorescence cryotomography for quantitative, high-resolution …

Oriented Electrospun Fibers Of Poly(Pro-Curcumin/Peg) Sequester Reactive Oxygen Species And Promote The Growth Of Schwann Cells, Jack W. Devlin, Payton R. O'Connor, Conrad H. Cheung, John T. Leman, Martin Oudega, Edmund F. Palermo, Ryan J. Gilbert

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the biological injury microenvironment, pathologically elevated oxidative stress hinders healthy cell migration. Aligned electrospun fibers are used as tissue engineering scaffolds to support and guide the directionality of cell migration. The ability of cells in the central nervous system to sequester and quench reactive oxygen species is limited, and most electrospun fibers do not exert any antioxidant activity on contact. Thus, the challenge remains in designing a scaffold that can both guide cells to the injury site as well as sequester and quench excess free radicals, allowing cells to thrive and potentially regenerate. Curcumin is a well-known, potent antioxidant, …

Interactive Social Game Design For Sustainability Learning, Kayla Mattson, Kayla Huffman, Megha Thottam, Shreeya Koritala

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

Our Roots is a community-centered, web-based social game designed to improve sustainability education by turning everyday environmental actions into shared, visible progress. While many existing tools provide information about sustainability, they often focus on individual tracking and short-term motivation, which can lead to disengagement over time. This project addresses that gap by reframing sustainability as a social practice: users log real-world sustainable behaviors, earn points, and see those actions represented as growth in both personal and community digital gardens. By combining friendly competition, peer visibility, and collective outcomes, the platform encourages users to view sustainability not as an isolated task, …

A Computational Micropatterning Approach To Study Caveolae And Protein Localization In Vascular Biology, Andrew B. Grespin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Caveolae are specialized, flask-shaped membrane invaginations highly expressed in endothelium and dysregulated in atherosclerosis. Caveolae play a central role in buffering membrane tension, yet the principles governing their spatial organization remain elusive. Thus, we sought to generate the most comprehensive and systematic analysis of blood vessel caveolar spatial organization. However, cell culturing, the backbone of human-focused biological research, does not standardly do well to model physiologically relevant cell behaviors such as migration or polarity-based tissue formation, particularly for punctate proteins and structures like caveolae. Micropatterns are cell-adhesive shapes that biophysically confine cell(s) to a user defined geometry which stereotype organelle …