Digital Commons Network^™

An Evaluation Of Features Extracted From Facial Images In The Context Of Accurate Age Estimation⋆, Malik Awais Khan, Aurelia Power, Peter Corcoran, Christina Thorpe

Conference papers

Age estimation by face image recognition can be used in numerous ways with regression models to manage access control, improve security, and guarantee the protection of children online. The approaches used for predicting age—including data selection, cleaning techniques, feature extraction, algorithm choice, and hyperparameter tuning—often struggles with generalization. Furthermore, a lot of methods neglect to specifically address how extracted face features might be used for prediction. To address the lack of racial diversity we acquired a dataset consisting of different races from literature. We also examined the ability of local, global and hybrid facial features to predict ages. Two variants …

Physics-Informed Transfer Learning For Process Control, Samuel Arce Munoz

Theses and Dissertations

In the realm of process control, managing complex systems with limited prior knowledge presents significant challenges, particularly in environments where traditional mechanistic models are either unavailable or computationally prohibitive. This work explores the integration of deep transfer learning with system identification and Model Predictive Control (MPC) to develop control strategies that are both data-efficient and computationally streamlined. Initially, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks are employed to create approximate MPC controllers by leveraging transfer learning from a source system to a target system, demonstrating that transfer learning can achieve comparable performance to traditional MPC methods with reduced training data. Building upon …

Securing Legacy Multivalue Pick Systems Modernized By Restful Web Service Apis, Jacob S. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

With more applications accessible on the Web, organizations with mission-critical legacy systems have had to find a way to stay relevant and competitive by modernizing with RESTful APIs. REST architecture, serving as a guideline rather than a strict protocol, offers significant advantages in terms of scalability, flexibility, and independence; however, its widespread adoption has also led to notable security vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Additionally, there is not one all-encompassing security testing methodology to follow when testing RESTful APIs. For this reason, a new security testing methodology was developed for legacy MultiValue Pick systems that implement the REST API component, MVConnect. The …

The Assessment Of Liquefaction Surface Ejecta Predictions On A New Large Dataset From The 2012 Emilia Romagna, Italy Earthquakes, Holten T. Flinders

Theses and Dissertations

The presence of a non-liquefied crust overlying a liquefied layer has been found to have a significant effect on sand ejecta and surficial liquefaction damage, as observed by Ishihara (1985). Following the 2010-2011 Canterbury seismic sequence in New Zealand, almost no foundation deformation occurred in areas with liquefaction susceptible soils overlain by at least a 3 m-thick crust [3]. In contrast, the 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake in Italy provided surface evidence of liquefaction despite 6- to 10 m-thick crusts. Several researchers have proposed liquefaction prediction models [e.g. LPI [6], Ishihara Curves [8], LSN [9], LPIISH [10] and the methods proposed by …

Mae Enewsbrief July-Sept 2024, Department Of Mechanical And Aerospce Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Civil Infrastructure Performance Through Lidar-Based Dynamic Monitoring And Phased-Construction Bridges, Khalid Hossam Alkady

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation aims to enhance the performance and structural integrity of civil infrastructure systems through two primary goals. The first goal is to develop and rigorously validate end-to-end frameworks for full-field monitoring of the dynamic response of civil structures via Ground-based Lidar (GBL) scanners. GBL can be employed to sample point clouds at a high sampling rate for dynamic data collection, which addresses the limitations of using contact-based sensors in structural health monitoring (SHM) applications used for early-detection of structural damage.

The second goal of this dissertation concerns the challenges associated with constructing bridges in phases, so they can remain …

Strategic Space Cooperation: U.S. Space Command And The National Guard’S State Partnership Program, David Moore, Jesse Morehouse, Patrick Mitchell

Space and Defense

In 2022, the U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) and the National Guard's State Partnership Program (SPP) began pursuing security cooperation objectives while integrating the space domain into greater deterrence efforts. As the newest combatant command (CCMD) with space as its Area of Responsibility (AOR), USSPACECOM has global strategic partnership interests and recognizes the value of the enduring relationships inherent in SPP. This cooperation allows the National Guard to offer its strong relationships, space expertise, and industry knowledge to USSPACECOM. This provides a foundation for USSPACECOM's security cooperation efforts. This article discusses the SPP's role in supporting USSPACECOM's engagement strategy and the …

Combining Project Management Methods For Faster Software Delivery, Subhradeep Biswas

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

The impact of the hybrid project management technique combined with lean principles in software organization is the main topic of the proposed thesis. The instability inherent in software projects has led to the rise in popularity of the agile approach. However, according to specialists in project management, an agile approach alone won't guarantee a project's success. When executing software projects, almost all project managers combine the agile approach with the waterfall methodology. Nevertheless, a number of investigations discovered that the hybrid strategy is frequently not failsafe. In this field of study, combining lean and hybrid project management is a topic …

Mems 411: Custom Surfacing Machine, Katherine Minielly, Gaelen Clayton, Estela Villacis

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

Our project is in partnership with DeepSight, a startup working to revolutionize medical imaging through proprietary ultrasound sensing technology. Our objective is to create a custom surfacing machine to finish a critical ultrasound component. DeepSight’s new ultrasound system includes an aluminum component that requires a high degree of perpendicularity and a sub-micron finish on one side. DeepSight provided us with an existing grinding machine to retrofit to surface the aluminum part. Our goals were a surface roughness ofmicron, a surface perpendicularity ofmicrons, and the ability to process 3 parts inpart’s surface and ensure even surface wear. The part spins on …

The Role Of Qa Automation In Eliminating Waste In Project Teams, Ejiro Esiri

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This study explores the impact of Quality Assurance (QA) automation on reducing waste in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) projects within enterprise organizations. Manual QA processes often result in bugs and defects that negatively affect project quality and business outcomes. Although automated QA testing promises improved accuracy and fewer errors, its implementation and effectiveness in SEO projects have yet to be thoroughly researched. This study uses qualitative research methods, including surveys of SEO professionals, QA specialists, and project managers in enterprise organizations, to examine how automated QA testing influences the performance and outcomes of SEO projects. The results show that companies …

Develop Secure Software Specifications For Android App Concealing The Information And Safeguarding Data, Huda Abdulaali Abdulbaqi, Ahmmad Mohamad Ghandour, Thekrayat Abbas Jawad

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

In the current landscape of technological advancement, data holds a pivotal role, shaping societal interactions and daily routines. The rapid escalation in digital data volume, driven by technological strides, has underscored the critical necessity for robust protective measures to safeguard its sensitive nature. This study aims to develop a secure software specification for Android application ensuring effective data protection through a specialized Android application tailored explicitly for data concealment, assuring utmost confidentiality and secure transmission. In this paper we revolve around the integration of multifaceted security and privacy protocols, employing advanced information concealment techniques, encryption mechanisms, secure key management, and …

Unveiling The Shadows: The Influence Of Anonymity And Fake Accounts On Cyberbully Intention In Social Media, Muzdalini Malik, Hapini Awang, Nur Suhaili Mansor, Mohamad Fadli Zolkipli, Khuzairi Mohd Zaini, Abdulrazak F. Shahatha Al-Mashhadani

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

Cyberbullying has arisen as a prevalent and worrying issue in the digital age, substantially influencing the well-being and mental health of social media users. Previous studies have identified several factors and theories of cyberbullying. Still more in-depth research is required to understand the key factors influencing cyberbullying intention in social media. This study aims to identify the factors influencing cyberbullying intention in social media and examine the moderating effect of fake accounts on cyberbullying intention. An extensive literature review has been conducted to examine the gaps in existing studies on cyberbullying intention. As a result, this study uses the Theory …

Effect Of Laser Textured Surface With Different Patterns On Tribological Characteristics Of Bearing Material, Paul Joshua S

Theses and Dissertations

This research work determines the wear rate and friction characteristics of bearing material under different laser textured surface conditions. Chrome steels are used in bearings since they possess high strength and wear resistance. However, when those parts are in service, failure happens due to sliding friction before the lifetime. To improve the durability of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 52100 chromium steel, in this work, the effect of laser surface texturing (LST) was analysed.

With the different pattern of circle, ellipse, groove and grid were produced on the sample surface, the wear behavior was investigated using the pin …

Unpacking Bias, Accountability, And Ethical Practices In Ai, Manya Chandra, Micol Hebron

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This study is based on understanding how text-to-image generative AI platforms perpetuate biases such as racism and sexism and decoding how this bias is programmed within large language models and datasets. In this study, the results of generative AI are analyzed through the lens of affect and affect theory, as they are applied to investigate the machine learning and computer theory behind generative AI algorithms. The purpose of the study is to explain why generative AI is biased and whether this bias is generated due to current trends or to deficits and biases within the database that it draws information …

Winter Solstice Phenomenon At Newgrange: Research Report 2024, Frank Prendergast

Articles

This report, commissioned by the National Monuments Service presents a comprehensive analysis of the high-resolution photographic and video recordings of the solar illumination inside the burial chamber at Newgrange passage tomb, located within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne – Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne.

Sustainability Assessment Of Photovoltaic Cells In Cross-Functional Applications, Achyuth Ravilla

Dissertations and Theses

Achieving the G7 countries' net-zero emissions target by 2050 requires integrating photovoltaic (PV) systems into diverse cross-functional applications that support sustainable energy transitions across multiple sectors. This dissertation explores the economic and environmental sustainability of three such applications: agrivoltaics, lower-dimensional materials in perovskite solar cells, and PV-electrochemical water-splitting technologies for hydrogen production. Employing life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA), we address the knowledge gap in comprehensive evaluations of PV-integrated solutions.

The first chapter assesses agrivoltaic systems (AVS), which combine PV systems with agriculture to mitigate land-use conflicts while enhancing food and energy production. Findings indicate that AVS designs, …

Applying Positive Unlabeled Learning Techniques And Using The Kullback-Leibler Divergence To Improve Geothermal Surveying Assessments, Martín Thomas Rodriguez

Dissertations and Theses

As we face the current climate crisis, the discovery of geothermal energy resources has the potential to greatly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels worldwide. However, the development of any new energy infrastructure is expensive and depends on the willingness of energy agencies and developers to make initial investments based on calculated risk measures. One such measure, called geothermal favorability, is the likelihood that a site has conditions favorable for geothermal systems containing recoverable energy potential. Its prediction from existing geophysical datasets proves to be a nontrivial task. The prediction of geothermal favorability can be framed as a binary classification …

Carbon Nanotube-Enhanced Nanolubricants: Stability And Performance Improvements For Automotive Use, Sherif Elsoudy

Mechanical Engineering

Nanotechnology has been a promising technology over the years. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the principal technologies that are developed in the nanotechnology sector. This study investigated the implementation of CNTs as additives in automotive lubricants, focusing on their impact on performance metrics. The dispersion of CNTs in lubricants is influenced by several factors, the most critical of which is the dispersion stability. Key findings include improved dispersion stability of CNTs in lubricants through adding surfactants like oleic acid, which effectively managed the aggregation issues. The CNT-enhanced lubricants exhibited superior tribological, thermophysical and rheological properties compared to the bare …

Understanding The Role Of The Heat Transfer Coefficient Between Tool/Workpiece Interface During Friction Stir Welding, Matthew Goodson

Theses and Dissertations

The heat transfer coefficient is a key parameter in modeling friction stir welding and has yet to be measured experimentally. The importance of this parameter was shown through validating friction stir models on both sides of the tool/workpiece interface. Both a transient plunge and a steady state model were validated by matching experimental temperatures. The steady state tool temperatures were matched (with in 2.5%), but the steady state workpiece temperatures were off by around 20%. The transient model of the FSW plunge showed the effect of varying the ℎ𝑊/𝑇 on workpiece temperatures and tool temperatures. Two methods were looked at …

Graph Neural Networks Powered Scientific Paper Recommendation, Junhao Shen

Computer Science and Engineering Theses and Dissertations

Scientific paper recommendation systems aim to help researchers discover relevant papers amidst the vast and ever-growing body of literature. With the exponential yearly increase in scientific publications, the demand for effective paper recommendation solutions has become both critical and increasingly challenging. In recent years, deep learning techniques have revolutionized recommender systems, and scientific paper recommendations have naturally integrated these advancements. In this dissertation, we address these challenges through three progressive contributions.

First, we enhance traditional content-based methods using Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) by introducing a Graph Convolutional Network-strengthened Topic Modeling (GCN-TM) approach. This method improves upon conventional topic modeling techniques …

Breaking The Yoke: A Systematic Unmasking Of Challenges To Sustainable Rural Development In South Sudan, Gai Chol Paul

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

South Sudan, a young nation grappling with the legacy of protracted conflict, faces significant challenges in fostering sustainable rural development. While the immense potential of its vast agricultural lands remains largely untapped, the persistent triple threat of insecurity, deficient infrastructure, and the absence of robust government policy actively hinders progress. The ongoing armed conflict, characterized by inter-communal violence and sporadic attacks, casts a long shadow over rural areas in South Sudan. Thus, I developed this mixed-method multiple-case study, grounded in the sustainable livelihoods framework, to explore challenges that hinder sustainable rural development in South Sudan. I collected data through document …

The Impact Of Student Engagement Activities On Future Climate Change Adaptation: The Case Of Student Simulation Models, Bassel Mostafa Elkalaf

Future Journal of Social Science

This paper explores the critical role of student engagement in addressing the growing challenges of climate change, with a focus on the Model United Nations (MUN) as a case study. As climate-related security threats increase globally, educational platforms that prepare youth for effective leadership in climate politics are more essential than ever. MUN, a widely practiced student activity simulating global policy-making, provides a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the interconnectedness between climate change, peace, and security. By participating in MUN simulations, students engage in debates, develop innovative solutions, and practice diplomatic skills, all while exploring the …

(R2090) Analysis Of Heat And Mass Transfer In Mhd Boundary Layer Flow Of Chemically Reacting Fluid, Dharati Sheth, Manisha Patel, Dilip Joshi

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

Analysis of the effects of heat and mass transfer on the chemically responding boundary layer flow of a Casson fluid across a porous stretched sheet in the existence of a crosswise magnetic field is the aim of the existing work. The partial differential equations that control the current flow problems can be converted into similarity equations by applying the right similarity technique. Our goal is to use the DTM-Pade approximation to analytically solve the derived similarity equations. The transformed similarity equations are a group of nonlinear ordinary differential equations for the present flow problem. The analytical approach of the differential …

Everyone Brings Something To The Table: A Culturally Sustaining Analysis Of Teacher Candidates’ Mixed Reality Teaching Simulations, Erin Scott

Faculty Publications

Discussions of HBCU students’ content knowledge have centered around developing high impact, asset-based approaches to learning (Williams et al, 2022). So, HBCU teacher preparation providers (TPPs) can also focus efforts on culturally sustaining approaches to developing candidates’ content knowledge and researching how high impact practices, like teaching simulations, can help prepare candidates for classrooms. This exploratory case study uses critical cases (n=2); findings suggest candidates have a developing understanding of content, which forms a solid basis for increasing their knowledge. MRTSs are addressed as a potential high impact, culturally sustaining practice for building candidates’ content knowledge. Further, HBCU TPPs can …

Assessing The Effect Of Material Properties On Full Depth Reclamation (Fdr) Mixtures Via Compressive Strength Characterization, Toluwanimi Ogundipe

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Enormous amounts of money to replace all poorly maintained roads with brand new construction or with rehabilitation options like the mill and overlay which neglects the address of underlying pavement issues. To reduce the cost intensity of new construction of dilapidated pavements, state departments of transportation are seeking cost-effective techniques to rehabilitate roads. One of the techniques that have been explored and implemented by state DOTs is full-depth reclamation. Full depth reclamation (FDR) as a pavement rehabilitation technique is the reclaiming and recycling of an existing pavement with a predetermined amount of existing base layer. The combination of the reclaimed …

Microwave Flow Cytometer For Single Cell Detection, Differentiation, And Drug Effect Study, Neelima Dahal

All Dissertations

New methods to rapidly detect and identify pathogens in patients’ blood are needed for timely disease treatment. In this work, a tunable microwave interferometer was used to measure single Candida cells of C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei at multiple frequencies between 0.265 GHz and 7.76 GHz. A Quadratic Discriminate Analysis was used to classify Candida species with an accuracy of 0.875. Likewise, a microwave device was used to measure single Escherichia coli cells of B and K-12 strains at multiple frequencies between 500 MHz and 8 GHz. A LightGBM model was developed to …

Hydraulic Boundary Conditions Determine Biofilm Growth Patterns And Permeability In Groundwater, Jason Tyler Mick

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Biofilms are naturally occurring consortia of bacteria that colonize porous media such as streambed sediments, soils, and aquifers. Biofilm growth leads to clogging (i.e., bioclogging), which reduces the porosity and permeability of the porous medium and directly influences how nutrients and contaminants are transported and transformed in groundwater. To improve our understanding of how bioclogging regulates nutrient and contaminant fluxes, we must better characterize how flow conditions influence the spatial and temporal progression of biofilm growth within natural porous media geometries, as well as understand how this progression alters fluid flow.

In this study, I conducted microfluidic experiments to test …

Deformation Mechanism In Gold Nanoparticles Under Compressive Loading: Insights From Atomistic Modelling And Unsupervised Machine Learning, Tanuj Gupta

All Dissertations

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) offer exciting possibilities due to their inertness, malleability, and tunable structures, making them valuable for applications ranging from nanomedicine to electronics. Their optical, mechanical, and other properties can be tailored by modifying shape and structure, underscoring the importance of understanding their deformation behaviour at the nanoscale. This study used classical molecular dynamics simulations with LAMMPS to investigate the deformation mechanisms of gold nanospheres (AuNS) under uniaxial compression. Employing the embedded atom method (EAM) potential to model atomic interactions, AuNS with 20 nm in diameter were compressed along the z-direction using planar indenters moving at a constant …

Life-Cycle Cost Analysis Of Fm4 Txdot Roadway Alternatives In Cleburne, Texas, Ethan A. Bright

2024 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

The Engineering senior design group proposed a three-span concrete bridge, merged lane intersection, and a single storm conduit system. The Honors contribution to this project was analyzing the design’s alternative’s life-cycle costs to compare the most economic design. The project’s cost consists of initial construction, maintenance, and decommission. Utilizing Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) bid code unit prices, each design alternative is calculated by multiplying each material amount by the unit price then summed. Although the parallel conduit system has a cheaper initial cost, it requires more maintenance during its lifetime, therefore the single conduit system was recommended. Notably, cost …

Engineered Microalgae Cultivations Systems: Conversion Of Wastewater Nutrients Into Biofuels And Bioplastics, Jacob Watkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Dissolved Nitrogen and Phosphorus in wastewater can contribute to harmful algae blooms if released into the environment. One technology that can be used to recover dissolved nutrients from wastewater is the Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor (RABR), which supports microalgae growth in an easily-harvested biofilm and produces nitrogenand phosphorus-rich biomass that can be used to produce slow-release fertilizers, biofuels, and compostable bioplastics. This thesis (1) examines the effects of several environmental factors on the biomass production rate and nutrient removal efficiency of RABRs treating municipal wastewater, (2) quantifies the composition and biofuel yields of microalgae biomass cultivated using a RABR at …