Digital Commons Network^™

An Analysis Of China’S Perceived Geographic Locations Of Interest By Use Of Value Informed Facility Location Models, Layton C. Hedge

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines China and derives insights specific to it and the First Island Chain and the Second Island Chain. In doing so, this research demonstrates a methodology to examine other competitors and their geostrategic interests. In the first phase of analysis, it develops a value hierarchy to depict objectives within subregions of the area of interest and considers four alternative weightings of the value hierarchy. In the second phase of analysis, it applies four location-covering models to assess how the competitor would emplace a range of limited resources to deter and/or control points of interest. Results indicate that land-based …

Simulating Human-Autonomous Aircraft Teams In An Anti-Access Area Denial (A2ad) Environment, Michael Kaminski

Theses and Dissertations

The role of autonomy has evolved recently, demanding tighter integration between human and autonomous systems, particularly in highly contested A2AD environments. Near-peer adversaries have modernized their integrated air defense systems (IADS), diminishing the current advantages of the United States Air Force. To regain air dominance, efforts like the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program are underway, aiming to deploy unmanned autonomous alongside manned next-generation fighter aircraft. This research assesses various operational concepts, focusing on autonomous tactics post-manned fighter loss, strike timing of independent teams, and weapon configuration observability. Using the Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration and Modeling (AFSIM), an agent-based model …

Optimizing Hub And Spoke Selections For Adaptive Basing In Agile Combat Employment, Alan Heng

Theses and Dissertations

Advancing technologies and emerging competitors within the Indo-Pacific region have rendered the use of fixed installations for United States Air Force (USAF) operations less than optimal for generating airpower. The adoption of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) is imperative and emphasizes a hub-and-spoke model. However, the methodology for selection of contingency locations remains undecided. Current selection of optimal sites hinges on an optimization framework, employing either rank-based or mathematical approaches that consider various criteria to assess and quantify each location. These criteria are then addressed through objectives and constraints, forming the basis for an effective decision-making process. This paper introduces two …

Predictive Analytics For Military Construction Overruns: A Machine Learning Approach, William D. Hunter

Theses and Dissertations

This research focused on analyzing cost and schedule overruns in a specific set of Air Force MILCON projects. Using data from the Built Infrastructure Common Operating Picture (BICOP), several advanced machine learning techniques, including LASSO regression and Random Forest, were applied to uncover patterns and build predictive models. The work sought to enhance the decision-making capabilities and efficiency of project managers within the Air Force through data-driven insights. A key finding from the models indicated that location was the most important factor in influencing a project’s tendency toward cost and schedule overrun. The best model for predicting schedule overrun achieved …

Personal Dosimeter Testing For High Altitude Air Crew, Seth D. Bacon

Theses and Dissertations

In 2014 the Thermo Scientific N2 electronic personal dosimeter became the aircrews’ sole means to record ionizing radiation dose. The production of this dosimeter was discontinued in July of 2021, motivating the Air Force to seek a flight-certifiable replacement. The Thermo Scientific Trudose NG, Mirion DMC 3000, and Fuji NRF-51 electronic personal dosimeters, as well as the Landauer InLight optically stimulated luminescent dosimeter, were subjected to mixed gamma and fast neutron fields simulating a high-altitude flight environment. Dosimeters are evaluated on their consistency and accuracy in reporting dose and compared to the current N2 dosimeter’s reported dose.

Development Of An Empirical Ground-Motion Model For Post-Mining Induced Seismicity Near Gardanne, France, Pierre Gehl, Pascal Dominique, Hideo Aochi, Mickael Delatre, Jannes Kinscher, Isabelle Contrucci

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Since the closure of mining activities in 2003, the coal basin of Gardanne in South-East France has experienced thousands of small-magnitude earthquake events, mostly triggered by the flooding of mine workings. Some of these events have been powerful enough to be strongly felt by the population, generating nuisance and concern about potential damage to buildings. The aim of this study is to improve the characterisation of the level of ground motion at the surface, by developing a ground-motion model for post-mining induced seismicity, based on several years of recorded data. A Bayesian-based method is applied to the data in order …

Blood Lead, Cadmium And Hair Mercury Concentrations And Association With Soil, Dust And Occupational Factors In E-Waste Recycling Workers In Bangladesh, Sarker Masud Parvez, Farjana Jahan, Jaynal Abedin, Mahbubur Rahman, Shaikh Sharif Hasan, Nafisa Islam, Nirupam Aich, Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Zahir Islam, Masatake Fujimura, Rubhana Raqib, Luke D. Knibbs, Peter D. Sly

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Background: Electronic waste (e-waste) recycling activities release toxic metals, which pose substantial hazard to the environment and human health. We evaluated metal concentrations in biological and environmental samples, and examined the associations between biological lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) with soil and dust metals, and other possible determinants, among populations exposed and non-exposed to e-waste in Bangladesh.

Methods: A total of 199 e-waste workers and 104 non-exposed individuals were recruited. We measured blood Pb (BPb) and Cd (BCd) concentrations and total Hg (THg) from hair samples. Data were collected on occupational, and behavioral factors. We fitted …

Containerization Of Seafarers In The International Shipping Industry: Contemporary Seamanship, Maritime Social Infrastructures, And Mobility Politics Of Global Logistics, Liang Wu

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation discusses the mobility politics of container shipping and argues that technological development, political-economic order, and social infrastructure co-produce one another. Containerization, the use of standardized containers to carry cargo across modes of transportation that is said to have revolutionized and globalized international trade since the late 1950s, has served to expand and extend the power of international coalitions of states and corporations to control the movements of commodities (shipments) and labor (seafarers). The advent and development of containerization was driven by a sociotechnical imaginary and international social contract of seamless shipping and cargo flows. In practice, this liberal, …

Beneath I-280: Excavating A Neighborhood Lost To San José Freeways, Leila Ullmann, Gordon Douglas

Mineta Transportation Institute

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, thousands of people in San José, California were displaced from their homes as the state used eminent domain to purchase land and uproot neighborhoods for the construction of Interstate freeways. This report presents a multifaceted research and public knowledge effort that uncovers some of the communities buried beneath these freeways, in the area where I-280 and CA-87 meet today near downtown San José. The project builds primarily from previously unprocessed California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) archival documents, which this project studies for the first time. The records are rich in detail about valuation and sale …

Profess 12: Project Report 2: Priority Skills For Engineers On The Island Of Ireland: Key Stakeholder Perceptions, Rosalind M Henry, Margaret Morgan, Una Beagon, Ruchita Jani, Janet Mckennedy, Brian Bowe

Reports

Life on a shared island, in particular the island of Ireland (comprising Ireland and Northern Ireland), presents both challenges and opportunities, including for engineers tasked with addressing problems to help solve the SDGs that are indifferent to boundaries. Research demonstrates that (relative to current engineers) the engineer of the future will require a more diverse range of skills to navigate an increasingly complex work environment. Given this context, identification of relevant priority skills would therefore prove useful in focusing engineering educational initiatives.

Building on a European study (Beagon et al, 2022a) which identified at a European level the professional skills …

Ai And 6g Into The Metaverse: Fundamentals, Challenges And Future Research Trends, Muhammad Zawish, Fayaz Ali Dharejo, Sunder Ali Khowaja, Saleem Raza, Steven Davy, Kapal Dev, Paolo Bellavista

Articles

Since Facebook was renamed Meta, a lot of attention, debate, and exploration have intensified about what the Metaverse is, how it works, and the possible ways to exploit it. It is anticipated that Metaverse will be a continuum of rapidly emerging technologies, usecases, capabilities, and experiences that will make it up for the next evolution of the Internet. Several researchers have already surveyed the literature on artificial intelligence (AI) and wireless communications in realizing the Metaverse. However, due to the rapid emergence and continuous evolution of technologies, there is a need for a comprehensive and in-depth survey of the role …

Characterization Of Functionalized Nanoparticle Coatings Subjected To Soiling And Cementation, Fuad Behbudov

Student Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the efficacy of functionalized nanoparticle coatings in reducing soiling and cementation on solar panels. Employing cementation cycles with Arizona Test Dust (ATD) and Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO) dust, the study examines the impact of these coatings under simulated environmental conditions. Key analyses include water contact angle (WCA), transmittance, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Results show that methylated coatings significantly enhance hydrophobicity and maintain higher transmittance, suggesting less frequent cleaning and sustained effectiveness. The study noted a considerable variation in WCA post-cementation, particularly a marked decrease for the lighting sample, signifying a notable chemical alteration on the …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Cellulose Microfibril-Reinforced Polyvinyl Alcohol Biodegradable Composites, Fatemeh Mahdiyeh-Boroujeni, Gabriella Fioravanti, Ronald Kander

School of Design and Engineering Papers

The pursuit of an environmentally sustainable manufacturing process requires the substitution of less damaging and recyclable solutions for harmful reagents. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of using cellulose microfibrils synthesized via different hydrolysis reactions as reinforcing agents in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at varying concentrations. The investigation explores the morphology, thermal properties, and chemical behavior of the cellulose particles. The cellulose microfibrils (CMFs) produced using citric acid exhibited the highest yield and aspect ratio. Notably, particles from organic acids demonstrated greater thermal stability, with oxalic acid-derived particles displaying the maximum thermal degradation temperature. Subsequently, cast films of PVA reinforced …

Biophilic Urbanism As A Tool To Conserve Urban Waterfront Of Submerged Heritage Cities, Fatma Ahmed Alashwah, Ayman Abdel Tawab Professor, Ingy Eldarwish Professor, Wesam Mehanna

Journal of Engineering Research

The Urban waterfronts of submerged heritage cities hold significant cultural and natural value that necessitates preservation. However, these sites suffer from a disconnection between nature and culture in heritage conservation practices, negatively impacting heritage sites, ecosystems, and human well-being. Biophilic urbanism offers a valuable tool to address this gap, creating healthier cities. This paper explores how to implement biophilic urbanism elements in conserving urban waterfronts of submerged heritage cities. Through a comprehensive literature review, the study discusses the gap between heritage and nature in conservation practices and explores the perception of biophilic urbanism elements in conserving the urban waterfront of …

Priority Skills For Engineers On The Island Of Ireland: Key Stakeholder Perceptions, Rosalind M Henry, Margaret Morgan, Una Beagon, Ruchita Jani, Janet Mckennedy, Brian Bowe

Reports

Executive Summary

Life on a shared island, in particular the island of Ireland (comprising Ireland and Northern Ireland), presents both challenges and opportunities, including for engineers tasked with addressing problems to help solve the SDGs that are indifferent to boundaries. Research demonstrates that (relative to current engineers) the engineer of the future will require a more diverse range of skills to navigate an increasingly complex work environment. Given this context, identification of relevant priority skills would therefore prove useful in focusing engineering educational initiatives.

Building on a European study (Beagon et al, 2022a) which identified at a European level the …

An Automated On-The-Go Unloading System Reduces Harvest Operator Stress Relative To Manual Operation, Travis A. Burgers, Kusha Kamarei, Mukund Vora, Matthew Horne

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

On-the-go unloading improves harvest operational efficiency, but it requires skilled labor because it is challenging and stressful to balance numerous concurrent tasks. Harvest automation reduces workload, stress, and fatigue. The objective of this study was to determine if using a commercially available, automated on-the-go unloading system (Raven Cart Automation TM , RCA, Raven Industries) would reduce operator stress com- pared to manual operation. Nine grain cart tractor operators and six combine operators participated in this study. Operators performed their typical harvest operation, except to alternate on-the-go unloading using RCA or operating manually. Skin conductance (elec- trodermal activity) was measured with …

Species Distribution Modelling Using Bioclimatic Variables On Critically Endangered Endemic Species (Macrocephalon Maleo) In Sulawesi, Septianto Aldiansyah, Khalil Abdul Wahid

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The island of Sulawesi isolates migratory fauna from Asia and Australia and creates animal combinations such as the Maleo (Macrocephalon Maleo). The Maleo population is experiencing a downward trend due to habitat fragmentation, deforestation and threats by humans. This study aims to model the potential distribution of Maleo using several famous current and future models as a result of climate change throughout the island of Sulawesi, not only in its natural habitat, but beyond its natural habitat. Bioclimatic variables and in situ attendance data were used in this study. The method used is Maximum Entropy by evaluating the GLM, SVM …

The Trouble With Technology, John O'Connor

Conference Papers

In contemporary education, technology is either hailed as the panacea for affordable mass education or dreaded as a threat to our humanity. At the European Culture and Technology Laboratory, technology is understood in the context of the Ancient Greek origin of the word: technē—meaning a system or a method of making or doing, an art or a craft; a technique or a practice, even a way of thinking. The tools humans use are not merely a means of intervention in our environment but also a way of becoming human and thus, technology has a fundamental impact on our identity and …

Meta-Learning-Based Model Stacking Framework For Hardware Trojan Detection In Fpga Systems, Mani Rupak Gurram

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

In today's technological landscape, hardware devices are integral to critical applications such as industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, and medical equipment, relying on advanced platforms like FPGAs for core functionalities. However, the multi-stage manufacturing process, often distributed across various foundries, introduces substantial security risks, notably the potential for hardware Trojan insertion. These malicious modifications compromise the reliability and safety of hardware systems. This research addresses the detection of hardware Trojans through side-channel analysis, utilizing power and electromagnetic signal data, combined with meta-learning techniques, specifically model stacking. By employing diverse base models and a meta-model to consolidate predictions, this non-invasive approach effectively …

Enhancing Groundwater Quality Assessment In Coastal Area: A Hybrid Modeling Approach, Md Galal Uddin, M M. Shah Porun Rana, Mir Talas Mahammad Diganta, Apoorva Bamal, Abdul Majed Sajib, Mohamed Abioui, Molla Rahman Shaibur, S M. Ashekuzzaman, Mohammad Reza Nikoo, Azizur Rahman, Md Moniruzzaman, Agnieszka I. Olbert

Publications

Monitoring of groundwater (GW) resources in coastal areas is vital for human needs, agriculture, ecosystems, securing water supply, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability. Although the utilization of water quality index (WQI) models has proven effective in monitoring GW resources, it has faced substantial criticism due to its inconsistent outcomes, prompting the need for more reliable assessment methods. Therefore, this study addressed this concern by employing the data-driven root mean squared (RMS) models to evaluate groundwater quality (GWQ) in the coastal Bhola district near the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh. To enhance the reliability of the RMS-WQI model, the research incorporated …

System Of Systems Engineering: A Literature Review And Research Frontiers, Charles B. Keating, Polinpapilinho F. Katina, James C. Pyne

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

System of Systems Engineering (SoSE) has existed and been developing for well over 2 decades. The time is appropriate to take a reflective look at the past and examine the future evolution of this nascent field. To address this challenge, this paper is focused on two primary objectives. First, a literature review of the SoSE field is conducted. This literature review (1) organizes the SoSE body of knowledge and provides a synthesis of major crosscutting themes, and (2) provides a scholarly critique and identifies gaps in the current state of the SoSE field. The second objective is focused on providing …

A Study Of Multimodal Accessibility Equity And Spatio-Temporal Relationships Between Transit, Job Density And Modal Split, Seyedsoheil Sharifiasl

Planning Dissertations - Archive

In North American cities, the land use and transportation systems are associated with low-density, suburban-type urban development, where the built environment contributes to a mobility pattern that is extremely reliant on automobiles. Several studies in the past decades have documented noticeable and concerning patterns of unjust and unsustainable transportation in this context. As a result, for those population groups with limited access to private transportation, this form of urban structure is equivalent to limited access to opportunities, leading to various environmental and social problems. These problems exacerbate inequities in access to transportation, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. From a sustainable development …

Multivariate Model Of Road Crashes For Vulnerable Users, Jonathan Agüero-Valverde, Darío Vargas Aguilar

Kentucky Transportation Center Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Dissolved Organic Matter On Photodegradation Rates, Byproduct Formations, And Degradation Pathways For Two Neonicotinoid Insecticides In Simulated River Waters, Josephus F. Borsuah, Tiffany L. Messer, Daniel D. Snow, Steven D. Comfort, Shannon Bartelt-Hunt

UK CARES Faculty Publications

The influences of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on neonicotinoid photochemical degradation and product formation in natural waters remain unclear, potentially impacting the sustainability of river systems. Therefore, our overall objective was to investigate the photodegradation mechanisms and phototransformation byproducts of two neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, under simulated sunlight at the microcosm scale, to assess the implications of DOM for insecticide degradation in rivers. Direct and indirect photolysis were investigated using twelve water matrices to identify possible reaction pathways with two DOM sources and three quenching agents. Imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and potential degradants were measured, and reaction pathways identified. The photodegradation …

A 3-Step, Open-Data, Ride-Hailing Ridership Model With Pricing Applications, Richard A. Mucci

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Researchers and practitioners studied the effects ride-hailing had in cities before the covid-19 pandemic. Previous research found ride-hailing to produce negative externalities, such as reducing transit ridership and increasing congestion in various cities. Since the pandemic, ride-hailing ridership has nearly recovered to pre-pandemic levels in Chicago. Ride-hailing ridership has grown steadily since the pandemic while a rider’s willingness to share their trip stagnated. Ride-hailing ridership nearly recovering to pre-covid levels in Chicago suggests that transportation planners, and policy makers, will need to continue assessing the impacts ride-hailing trips have in their cities.

Pickup and drop off locations in the Chicago …

A Metaverse Of Chinese Traditional Folk Villages And Houses With Great Aesthetic Pleasure: A Virtual World Dedicated To The Enthusiasts Of Life With Art, Culture, History And Architectures, Xiaobin Lin

MA Projects

Rapid growth of 3D visualisation technology has led to the maturation of metaverse, bringing innovative and immersive experiences to travellers and representing tremendous potential for revolutionising the tourism industry. Advantages of metaverse, plummeting cost of technology and emerging supportive policies are jointly building up a very promising future of metaverse in tourism. Big companies worldwide are heavily investing in metaverse. In China, Tencent SSV Digital Culture Lab has initiated the annual project “Explore Metaverse Plan”, providing a communication platform and exhibition opportunity for the small and midsize players working on the digitalisation of cultural and artistic heritage. Google Art & …

Analysis Of Factors Associated With The Frequency Of Turning Vehicle-Bicycle Crashes At Signalized Intersections, Faria Raha, Brendan J. Russo, Anthony M. Eschen, Steven R. Gehrke, Edward J. Smaglik

Kentucky Transportation Center Presentations

No abstract provided.

Pedestrianization Al- Azhar Street As A Method To Preserve The Urban Fabric Of The Historic Cairo, Ahmed Mohammed Emam Hammad

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The public urban open space is the container that contain human activities, expressing their vitality and distinctive identity. It facilitates various functions, such as providing accessibility to buildings, natural lighting, ventilation, and creating an urban environment (social, urban, and economic). Therefore, it is considered one of the most important components of the urban fabric of any region. Its importance and value increase in heritage and historical areas, where it is regarded as a tangible heritage no less significant than the valuable buildings found in those areas.

Hence, it should receive popular and official attention over time, and its character and …

Does The Foreign Direct Investment In Emerging Asian Countries Get ‘Greased’ Or ‘Sanded’ By Corruption? Evidence From Gets Model, Rainah Ginsad, Imbarine Bujang, Abdul Aziz Karia, Emelia Girau, Siti Rahayu Beli

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) considerably boost industrialization and economic growth in emerging economies. Corruption, human capital, and the economic environment are just a few factors mentioned in the literature as influencing FDI inflow. The impact of corruption on FDI, whether FDI is greased or sanded by corruption, has received greater interest in recent empirical study. This study analysed the impact of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) on foreign direct investment (FDI) in selected Asian emerging economies. Utilising annual panel data covering 22 selected Asian emerging economies, this study uses the General-to-specific (GETS) model to analyse the impact. The …

Nutritional Quality Of Cultured Giant Freshwater Prawns (Macrobrachium Rosenbergii), Nurul F.M.S. Rizal, Najeebah A. Tashim, Zuhairi Azahari, Aida M. Basri, Tiong H. Lim, Aqilah Junaidi, Suriayati Chuprat, Seno A. Putra, Hanif Fakhrurroja

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Macrobrachium rosenbergii, or the giant freshwater prawn has high market demand due to its exceptional nutritional value for the human diet. Often, most nutritional studies focus on the edible prawn parts, rather than the prawn discarded components. The nutritional evaluation of different prawn parts can provide insights into the nutrient composition and guiding for the development of value-added products. Three groups of prawn samples were collected from 3 different ponds, representing different prawn sizes. The water quality analysis of each pond was also conducted to determine the extent to which it can affect the nutritional composition. The conventional and biochemical …