Digital Commons Network^™

Detection Of Methane Leaks By The Use Of Mid-Range Infrared Camera, Jared Rosario, Oscar Salcido

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Timely detection of methane leaks from natural gas infrastructure, like pipelines and valves, is essential for mitigating environmental and safety risks. This research focuses on using mid-wave infrared (MwIR) cameras on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to detect leaks. By leveraging machine learning, the study aims to develop an efficient, real-time methane inspection system that operates directly on embedded processors on UAS platforms.

This project employs the FLIR G300a OGI camera for remote gas inspection, utilizing video preprocessing and optical flow to mask gas plumes in footage. The YOLOv8 deep learning model is used to detect gas pixels and segment the …

Transferred-Learning Intrusion Detection System For Internet Of Vehicles, Tan Nguyen

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

The growing connectivity of modern vehicles, particularly within the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), has significantly increased the need for robust cybersecurity solutions. Building upon the work of Yang and Shami (2022), who proposed a transfer learning and optimized convolutional neural network (CNN)-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for IoV, this research seeks to validate their results and explore potential enhancements. The original IDS demonstrated exceptional performance, with detection rates surpassing 99.25% on benchmark datasets. In this study, we first replicate their experiments using the Car-Hacking dataset to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed model and then evaluate its ability to detect …

Applications Of Computer Vision In Biomechanics And Orthopaedics, William Stewart Burton Ii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Machine learning has emerged as a key technology for enabling advanced computer vision systems. These systems now permeate many industries, and have enhanced traditional processes through autonomous interpretation of visual data. In the field of orthopaedics, the increasing prevalence of imaging highlights a need for similar tools. In many cases, however, direct translation of available frameworks fails to resolve the complex problems currently facing this field. Stringent performance requirements, complex visual environments, data scarcity, and implications for patient safety represent domain-specific factors which pose unique challenges to proven techniques. Novel approaches are needed to realize the full benefits of visual …

Hybrid Energy Systems: Synergy Margin And Control Co-Design, Mario Garcia Sanz

Faculty Scholarship

Extraordinary properties emerge from subsystems' interactions. Hybrid energy systems (HESs) are a promising concept that could change the renewable energy landscape. By co-designing generation, storage, and conversion technologies, HESs can provide new electrical power services, increase grid stability and control authority, and generate energy and/or nonenergy products such as electricity, hydrogen, ammonia, heat, digital data, or fresh water. This article discusses some conditions the co-design of HESs should follow to optimize the combined system (synergy), avoiding deterioration (dysfunction). It introduces some technoeconomic synergy conditions, develops a synergy margin, and analyses several case studies, exploring also the control co-design methodology to …

Phagolysosomes Break Down The Membrane Of A Non-Apoptotic Corpse Independent Of Macroautophagy, Shruti Kolli, Cassidy J. Kline, Kimya M. Rad, Ann M. Wehman

Biological Sciences: Faculty Scholarship

Cell corpses must be cleared in an efficient manner to maintain tissue homeostasis and regulate immune responses. Ubiquitin-like Atg8/LC3 family proteins promote the degradation of membranes and internal cargo during both macroautophagy and corpse clearance, raising the question how macroautophagy contributes to corpse clearance. Studying the clearance of non-apoptotic dying polar bodies in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, we show that the LC3 ortholog LGG-2 is enriched inside the polar body phagolysosome independent of autophagosome formation. We demonstrate that ATG-16.1 and ATG-16.2, which promote membrane association of lipidated Atg8/LC3 proteins, redundantly promote polar body membrane breakdown in phagolysosomes independent of their role …

Effects Of Surface Treatment On Adhesive Performance Of Composite-To-Composite And Composite-To-Metal Joints, Nikhil Paranjpe, Md. Nizam Uddin, Akm S. Rahman, Ramazan Asmatulu

Publications and Research

This study deals with the long-running challenge of joining similar and dissimilar materials using composite-to-composite and composite-to-metal joints. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of surface morphology andsurfacetreatments onthemechanicalperformanceofadhesively bonded joints used for the aircraft industry. A two-segment, commercially available, toughened epoxy was chosen as the adhesive. Unidirectional carbon fiber prepreg and aluminum 2021-T3 alloys were chosen for the composite and metal panels, respectively. Surface treatment of the metal included corrosion elimination followed by a passive surface coating of Alodine®. A combination of surface treatment methods was used for the composite and metal specimens, including detergent cleaning, plasma …

Analysis Of Dual, Onboard Storage And Separation Of Biogas In Carbon-Based Adsorbed Gas Systems, Kyle Newport, Carlos Wexler, Peter Pfeifer, Fateme Rezaei

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Direct utilization of "low-grade" biogas, as an important sustainable energy resource, provides a viable approach to avoid the energy-intensive upgrading step that is often required to separate CO₂ from CH₄ in order to produce a pipeline-grade fuel gas. This study investigated dual, onboard storage and separation of biogas in an adsorbed gas system (AGS) over two highly porous carbon sorbents, Br-318 and Nuchar, in the pressure range of 0-55 bar. The AGS was pressurized with a 50/50 vol % CH₄/CO₂ feed and working capacities as a function of charge-discharge pressures and temperatures were determined and …

Fostering Systems Thinking Through Engineering Study Abroad Programs, Desen S. Ozkan, Kirsten A. Davis, James C. Davis, Jessica Deters, Homero Murzi

School of Engineering Education Faculty Publications

Engineering study abroad programs are a novel setting for students to develop systems thinking, which has primarily been taught in formal learning environments. Through a situated learning perspective, we examined the impact of two engineering-focused study abroad experiences on developing students’ systems thinking skills. We conducted secondary data analysis to examine how first-year engineering students (n = 47) at a technical university in the United States (US) connect technical and contextual aspects of engineering in China and the UK/Ireland. The students on the China track drew connections more frequently (81% of excerpts) than those on the UK/Ireland track (49% …

Compliant Structures Facilitate Less Invasive And Biomechanically Improved Lumbar Spinal Implants, Daniel J. Orr

Theses and Dissertations

Implants used in lumbar spinal fusion and lumbar total disc replacement procedures have improved substantially over the years, however, the opportunity remains to improve either the adjustability, durability, motion, or minimally invasive characteristics which could aid in achieving optimal surgical outcomes. It is hypothesized that the inherent advantages of compliant mechanisms specifically Deployable Euler Spiral Connectors (DESCs) and a new mechanism known as the interior contact aided rolling element (I-CORE) are well suited for each of these applications and will be explored and utilized as the basis of these proposed designs. By addressing these challenges, the research endeavors to improve …

Sound Innovations For Biofabrication And Tissue Engineering, Mengxi Wu, Zhiteng Ma, Zhenhua Tian, Joseph Rich, Xin He, Jianping Xia, Ye He, Kaichun Yang, Shujie Yang, Kam W. Leong, Luke P. Lee, Tony Jun Huang

Faculty Publications

Advanced biofabrication techniques can create tissue-like constructs that can be applied for reconstructive surgery or as in vitro three-dimensional (3D) models for disease modeling and drug screening. While various biofabrication techniques have recently been widely reviewed in the literature, acoustics-based technologies still need to be explored. The rapidly increasing number of publications in the past two decades exploring the application of acoustic technologies highlights the tremendous potential of these technologies. In this review, we contend that acoustics-based methods can address many limitations inherent in other biofabrication techniques due to their unique advantages: noncontact manipulation, biocompatibility, deep tissue penetrability, versatility, precision …

Soc-Based Control System Performance Analysis For Trapped-Ion Quantum Computing, Tiamike Dudley

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Scatter-gather dynamic-memory-access (SG-DMA) is utilized in applications that require high bandwidth and low latency data transfers between memory and peripherals, where data blocks, described using buffer descriptors (BDs), are distributed throughout the memory system. The data transfer organization and requirements of a Trapped-Ion Quantum Computer (TIQC) possess characteristics similar to those targeted by SG-DMA. In particular, the ion qubits in a TIQC are manipulated by applying control sequences consisting primarily of modulated laser pulses. These optical pulses are defined by parameters that are (re)configured by the electrical control system. Variations in the operating environment and equipment make it necessary to …

Nonequilibrium Plasma Synthesis And Processing Of Iii-Nitride Materials, Dillon Patrick Moher

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Nitrogen is abundant on Earth as its diatomic form, and human activity has generated a significant demand for nitrogen-containing compounds. However, its triple bond energy of 941 kJ/mol makes it a poor reactive species in the ground state. Nitrogen-containing nonequilibrium plasmas are made up of background gas, electrons, ions, and a multitude of excited states of nitrogen or even atomic nitrogen. Many of these species have rather high reactivity. As such, the plasma medium is of great potential for driving chemical reactions that involve nitrogen as a reactant, i.e., nitrogen fixation into compounds like ammonia, high-energy-density polynitrogen compounds, and metal-nitride …

Nonequilibrium Plasma Synthesis And Processing Of Iii-Nitride Materials, Dillon Patrick Moher

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Nitrogen is abundant on Earth as its diatomic form, and human activity has generated a significant demand for nitrogen-containing compounds. However, its triple bond energy of 941 kJ/mol makes it a poor reactive species in the ground state. Nitrogen-containing nonequilibrium plasmas are made up of background gas, electrons, ions, and a multitude of excited states of nitrogen or even atomic nitrogen. Many of these species have rather high reactivity. As such, the plasma medium is of great potential for driving chemical reactions that involve nitrogen as a reactant, i.e., nitrogen fixation into compounds like ammonia, high-energy-density polynitrogen compounds, and metal-nitride …

Effect Of Workload And Trust On Automation Levels In Human-Robot Collaboration, Abhiram Maddula

LSU Master's Theses

Automation is becoming increasingly common in manufacturing and assembly plants. The future lies in hybrid workspaces where the strengths of humans and robots complement each other, with robots excelling in precision, speed, and strength, and humans excelling in creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex decision-making. Collaborative robots can foster a more efficient and productive work environment by bridging the gap between human and machine capabilities. This study examines how semi-automated and automated modes impact human-robot collaboration, focusing on mental workload, trust, and task performance.

In this experiment, 58 participants performed a primary task alongside a collaborative robot assembling a miniature lamppost …

Analyzing The Key Characteristics And Benefits Of Ccpr (Cold Central Plant Recycling) In Road Rehabilitation And Sustainability, Bassam Abou Yassine

Civil Engineering ETDs

Cold mix asphalt (CMA) technologies are being used in the United States and have environmental benefits. However, these technologies are not fully developed. We do not yet know their resilient and dynamic modulus, which are important for designing pavement thickness. They have not being used widely because we do not know also their performance. This study looks at three Cold Central Plant Recycling (CCPR) materials to help fill this gap. We conducted several lab tests, including the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT), Semi-Circular Bending Test (SCB), and Texas Overlay Test (TOT). We also tested the mechanical properties of the CCPR …

Modeling W/V-Band Satellite Communications In The Presence Of Noise Jamming, Ryan Michael Eckman

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Understanding the performance of wideband modulated signals under noise jamming conditions is important for advancing W/V-band military satellite communications. This research developed and validated models to predict performance degradation of a communication channel in the presence of wideband noise jamming. Channel models were developed that included both modulated communication signals and jammer signals. Integrated models included environmental link factors and practical implementation factors. Integrated models were verified and validated using outdoor radio frequency environments utilizing two W/V-band transceivers, a portable W-band jammer, and software defined radios. Experimental results demonstrated excellent agreement with integrated model predictions. Channel degradation due to the …

Enhancing Frp-Concrete Interface Bearing Capacity Prediction With Explainable Machine Learning: A Feature Engineering Approach And Shap Analysis, Yanping Zhu, Woubishet Zewdu Taffese, Genda Chen

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study introduces a novel approach to predict the shear bearing capacity of FRP-concrete interfaces using explainable machine learning. Eight algorithms are employed: three standalone models (Artificial Neural Network, Support Vector Regression, and Decision Tree) and five ensemble learning models (Bagging, Random Forest, Adaptive Boosting, Gradient Boosting, and Extreme Gradient Boosting). Four scenarios with varying input features, including engineered features inspired by mechanics-based bearing capacity equations, are examined. Notably, the inclusion of engineered features such as the stiffness of the FRP strip (Kf) significantly enhanced prediction accuracy and efficiency, although the width correction coefficient (bf/bc) did not yield significant benefits, …

Trust-Me: Resource Allocation And Server Selection Based On Trust In Multi-Access Edge Computing, Sean Tsikteris

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) is crucial for Internet of Things (IoT) applications by optimizing data processing and reducing latency. This thesis presents contributions to resource allocation and decision-making in edge computing environments. The TRUST-ME model is introduced, involving multiple edge servers and IoT devices (users) offloading computing tasks to MEC servers. A utility function is designed to assess latency and cost benefits for IoT devices using server resources. The core innovation is a novel trust model that evaluates IoT devices’ confidence in MEC servers by integrating both direct and indirect trust, based on interactions and feedback from other devices. In …

Antimicrobial Activity And Photostability Of Cationic Conjugated Polyelectrolytes, Mohammed Ismael Khalil

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health concern, driving the need for novel

therapeutic strategies. This study explores the antimicrobial efficacy of conjugated

polyelectrolytes (CPEs) and oligo-phenylene ethynylenes (OPEs) in bacterial and viral

inactivation. Quantitative analysis revealed that light-activated CPEs and OPEs

effectively reduced bacterial viability within minutes, with significant log reductions

observed under both light and dark conditions. Additionally, the antiviral potential of a

cationic conjugated oligomer was investigated, demonstrating rapid and near-complete

inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 under visible light, both in solution and on filter materials.

Further analysis of their photophysical properties revealed that, even after

photobleaching, the compounds …

Robust Data-Driven Run-To-Run Control Via One-Step Constrained Optimization For Automated Serial Sectioning, Rhianna M. Oakley

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

This Thesis develops a one-step predictive run-to-run controller (R2R-MPC) for automating a mechanical serial sectioning (MSS) system. MSS is a destructive material analysis process that iteratively removes slices of material and captures 2D images, reconstructing them into 3D representations. Commonly used in material science for characterizing materials and failure analysis, MSS typically operates in an open-loop fashion, which experiences high variability in material removal due to system disturbances. To address this, a robust closed-loop R2R-MPC is presented, modeling MSS process uncertainty using a linear differential inclusion identified from operational historical data. The R2R-MPC is posed as an optimization problem that …

From A Traditional City To A Smart City: The Measurement Of Cities’ Readiness For Transition, Egypt As A Case Study, Ahmed Hassebo, Mohamed Tealab, Mosaad Hamouda

Publications and Research

The transition from traditional legacy cities to smart cities represents a pivotal juncture in urban development and governance. As cities worldwide grapple with the challenges of rapid urbanization, resource constraints, and the need to enhance the quality of life for their citizens, the concept of a “smart city” has gained significant attention. This paper delves into the multifaceted process of urban transformation, shedding light on the essential criteria and considerations that guide a city’s conversion into a smart city. To provide a comprehensive framework for the conversion process, this paper outlines a computer program utilized to measure the readiness to …

Enhancing Cross-Cultural Communication In Low-Resource Language Conversational Agents, Hardi V. Trivedi

Master's Theses

Recent advancements in natural language processing (NLP) and large language models (LLMs) have facilitated the development of systems capable of generating human-like responses across a wide range of tasks. However, the majority of research has focused predominantly on English, overlooking the vast linguistic diversity globally. For true global inclusivity, extending research to other languages is crucial, particularly as it can significantly benefit various sectors such as business, healthcare, government, and education. A major challenge in this expansion is the scarcity of digital data available and the limited number of pre-trained models for low-resource languages. Our research specifically addresses these challenges …

Longitudinal Pedestrian Safety Trends By Vehicle Type And Model: A 2015-2022 Study Of Texas, Olivia Tafoya

Civil Engineering ETDs

We observed pickup trucks, SUVs, and passenger cars and their two most popular vehicle models across Texas from 2015 through 2022. For each vehicle type and model, we obtained all reported pedestrian crashes, counts of registered vehicles, and vehicle design characteristics. Results suggest that older vehicles are more likely to seriously injure or kill a pedestrian than newer ones. They also indicate that SUVs were more deadly, after controlling for exposure using the number of registered vehicles, than other vehicle types. Of the models studied, the full-size SUVs proved to be particularly dangerous for pedestrians, being 2.08 times more likely …

Use Of Electrical Bone Growth Stimulators In High-Risk Patients Following Spinal Fusion, Soumya Malhotra, Khavir Sharieff

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Title: Use of Electrical Bone Growth Stimulators in High-Risk Patients Following Spinal Fusion Authors: Soumya Malhotra, BA., MS1 & Khavir Sharieff, DO, MBA2 1Class of 2027, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, FL 2Assistant Professor of Surgery, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tampa Bay, FLNova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the advantages of EBGSs following high-risk spinal fusions. Background: Pseudarthrosis is a condition where bones fail to fuse after an injury or surgery. It causes significant …

Advanced Strategies For Improving The Robustness Of Deep Learning, Keyu Chen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) have achieved great success across diverse fields in the last decades, such as facial recognition, medical diagnosis, and language translation. The success, however, largely hinges on the assumption that the training and testing data share the same distribution or domain. In practice, real-world data often exhibits domain shifts, leading to notable degradation in model performance. Hence, the generalization capability of machine lea=rning models is of great importance, which refers to the domain generalization problem. In this dissertation, we present DADG, an effective algorithm for domain generalization, aiming to learn domain-invariant features from seen …

Impact Of Coverage And Guest Residue On Polyproline Ii Helix Peptide Antifouling, Rebecca S. Ahn, Henry T. Grome, Sogol Asaei, Geeta Verma, Christina S. Dang, Harihara Baskaran, Julie N. Renner

Faculty Scholarship

Polyproline II (PPII) peptide sequences are recognized as promising biomaterials because of their attractive antifouling properties. However, the mechanisms behind their antifouling behavior have not been fully characterized. In this work we show that PPII peptide coverage, controlled by adsorption time, significantly reduces the fouling of bovine serum albumin (BSA, a model foulant). In addition, guest residues introduced into the PPII sequence are shown to significantly impact BSA adsorption as well as human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) spreading. This research will help guide future PPII peptide designs for incorporation into novel biomaterials.

Design, Fabrication, And Characterization Of Electro-Optic Radio-Frequency Probes For High Field Environments, Michael D. Sherburne

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of Electro-Optic Radio-Frequency Probes For High Field Environments

The Impact Of Hearing Aid User Speech On Environment Classification And Own Voice Listener Preferences, Robert Andrew Budinsky Iii

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Hearing aids (HA) have improved over the past few decades with advanced signal processing, such as environment classification and background noise reduction, but are still limited by challenges related to when the user is speaking. These challenges include the potential interference a HA user’s voice has on device environment classification and the potential influence a HA has on own voice (OV) sound quality. However, the effects of OV on HA environment classification and signal processing are not well established, nor are the desired HA program settings regarding OV listening preferences. In this study, a combination of electroacoustic and behavioral methods …

Partnering With Communities To Understand Social Determinants Of Health (Sdoh) Impacts On Access To Shared Micromobility, Elizabeth K. Mcclain, Kaitlynn Walker, Ganesh Kumar, Ashley Bright, Clare Aziz, Ann W. Banchoff, Zacharia N. Doueiri, Abby C. King, Suman Mitra

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study explored the facilitators and barriers of community bike share use in a mid-sized city with high incidence of poverty and racial diversity using a community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) photovoice framework with the Stanford Our Voice (OV) Discovery Tool digital application. Community members participated in one of three community citizen science walks with follow up focus groups facilitated by osteopathic medical student researcher to address “What makes it easy or hard to ride a bike using the bike share?” Twenty-seven diverse community members partnered with four osteopathic medical students exploring vulnerable individuals’ lived experiences, beliefs/understanding of the Social …

Three-Dimensional Technique For Accurate Pavement Macrotexture Measurement Using Surface Volume Parameters, Alireza Pourhassan, Ahmed A. Gheni, Mohamed A. Elgawady

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study introduces a novel three-dimensional (3D) pavement macrotexture measurement technique using ISO 25178 Surface Volume Parameters (SVP). The method calculates pavement material volume and texture height using cutoff thresholds based on the cumulative probability density function of measured heights. The research aims to optimize these cutoff thresholds for accurate 3D analysis of pavement macrotexture. The study evaluates the performance of various 3D and 2D parameters—assessing their repeatability, reliability, and accuracy—across thirty pavement samples with diverse macrotexture conditions. Findings show that the 3D SVP method, with optimized cutoff thresholds, strongly correlates with sand patch mean texture depth (MTD) and exhibits …