Digital Commons Network^™

Integration Of Algae In Buildings: Challenges And Opportunities, Marwa Said Saad, Mostafa Refaat, Ashraf Nessim

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Buildings produce 40% of energy-associated CO2 emissions and 35% of worldwide energy use which makes it one of the main factors of global warming. The use of bioactive materials on building façades is a creative way to address the aforementioned problems. The biotechnical potential of microalgae architecture to achieve net-zero energy architecture while simultaneously advancing ecological sustainability and occupant well-being has drawn attention. This paper aims to analyzing and investigating techniques of integration of algae in architecture showing the challenges and opportunities of this implementation. Analytical and Comparative analytical method were used in this paper, Initially, a thorough literature review …

Nazi Weapons: Bad People, Good Technology, Fabian Grabski

Undergraduate Research Symposium

This project explores the integration and historical significance of three iconic World War II-era German weapons: the V-2 rocket, the STG-44, and the MG-42. Each of these weapons helped revolutionized military technology in its own right, reshaping the battlefield dynamics and influencing future weapon design. The V-2 rocket, as one of the first long-range guided missiles, marked the dawn of modern missile technology, while the STG-44 is recognized as a precursor to the modern assault rifle, blending the characteristics of both submachine guns and rifles. The MG-42, with its high rate of fire and advanced design, set the standard for …

Comparative Analysis Of Machine Learning And Statistical Models For Railroad–Highway Grade Crossing Safety, Erickson Senkondo, Deo Chimba, Masanja Madalo, Afia Yeboah, Shala Blue

Civil and Architectural Engineering Faculty Research

Railroad-highway grade crossings (RHGCs) are critical points of conflict between roadway and rail systems, contributing to over 2000 crashes and 250 fatalities annually in the United States. This study applied machine learning methods (ML) techniques to model and predict crash frequency at RHGCs, using a comprehensive dataset from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). The dataset included 807 validated crossings, incorporating roadway geometry, traffic volumes, rail characteristics, and control features. Five ML models—Random Forest, XGBoost, PSO-Elastic Net, Transformer-CNN, and Autoencoder-MLP—were developed and compared to a traditional Negative Binomial (NB) regression model. Results showed that ML …

Functional Characterization Of Abcc8 Mutations Potentially Linked To The Transition From Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia To Diabetes, Hao Zhang

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels, composed of the SUR1 and Kir6.2 subunits encoded by the ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes, are critical regulators of membrane excitability and insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. Gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in these genes cause neonatal diabetes mellitus through impaired insulin secretion and persistent hyperglycemia, whereas loss-of-function (LOF) mutations lead to congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) with hypoglycemia due to β-cell hyperexcitability. I have addressed a paradoxical form of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) arising from KATP mutations, in which patients transition from CHI to glucose intolerance later in life. My experiments indicate that many KATP mutations associated with …

Construction Of A Unified Knowledge Graph For Cyber Threat Intelligence, Moaz Usama Hassan Mr, Khaled , Nagaty, Noura Elmaghawry

Computer Networks

The rapid expansion and variety of cyber-threat information put enormous pressure on security operations centers (SOCs) that must convert unstructured data into understandable signals and make decisions upon it. This paper develops a Cyber-Threat-Intelligence (CTI) framework that integrates vulnerability information, product inventories, and weakness taxonomies into a domain-specific knowledge graph via automatic fusing. The proposed solution covers 284,296 CVEs, 101,644 CPE identifiers, and 965 CWE weaknesses, generating more than 800,000 typed edges linking threats, assets, tactics, and mitigations in an integrated CTI Knowledge graph. The graph was cross validated against four external standard datasets achieves full coverage of ATT&CK CAPEC, …

Integrating Large Language Models And Single-Cell Omics Analysis For Target Discovery In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Zixi Xu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

The elucidation of cell-type–specific signaling networks is central to understanding pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and to nominating mechanistically grounded therapeutic targets. We present a Text-to-Target framework that integrates large language models (LLMs) with single-cell omics to couple literature-derived hypotheses to cell-type–resolved expression evidence. Using publicly available datasets, we construct malignant ductal epithelial and lineage-matched acinar meta-cell cohorts from PDAC and perform differential expression analysis to obtain a robust catalogue of disease-associated transcriptional changes. In parallel, an ensemble of LLMs is prompted in a schema-constrained manner to retrieve cell-type–specific targets, pathways, and mechanistic annotations from the biomedical literature. After normalization and …

Tests Without Borders: A Global Approach To Measuring Visualization Literacy, Olivia A. Guess

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Visualization literacy assessments shape how we understand people's ability to interpret data, yet most existing instruments embed Western datasets and assumptions that limit their relevance for global audiences. This thesis argues that because data is personal, assessments must also be culturally grounded. We introduce a unified framework for adapting the Mini-VLAT into 22 regionally responsive short-form assessments, each retaining the structure of the original test while incorporating datasets and scenarios tailored to specific regions around the world. To demonstrate how such adaptations can be customized and validated, we present a detailed case study of a Ghana-adapted Mini-VLAT, developed in collaboration …

Expansion Limits Of Meshed Split-Thickness Skin Grafts, Haomin Yu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Split-thickness skin grafts are widely used to treat chronic wounds. Procedure design requires surgeons to predict how much a patch of the patient's own skin expands when it is meshed with rows of slits and stretched over a larger wound area. Accurate prediction of graft expansion remains a challenge, with current models overestimating the actual expansion, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Inspired by the principles of mechanical metamaterials, we developed a model that distinguishes between the kinematic rearrangement of structural elements and their stretching, providing a more accurate prediction of skin graft expansion. Our model was validated against extensive data …

Recent Advancements Of Applied Robotics In Construction Project Management: A Life Cycle Perspective, Yifan Wang, Xiaoyu Hou, Tan Chen, Bo Xiao

Michigan Tech Publications

Robotic applications in the architecture, engineering, construction, and operation (AEC/O) industry have advanced rapidly, driven by innovations in sensing, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation. Yet, despite notable progress, existing studies are often confined to isolated systems, specific technologies, or individual project phases. This fragmentation has resulted in a diverse but disjointed body of knowledge, underscoring the need for a comprehensive synthesis that connects emerging practices into a holistic perspective. This study presents a systematic review of 315 peer-reviewed publications from 2016 to 2025, examined through a life cycle lens. A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative analysis with qualitative discussion is employed …

Trustworthy Ai: Prohibited Practices, Ethical Principles, And The Identification Of Problems, Anna Karmańska

Journal of Global Awareness

The following considerations arise from the study of texts of documents of a legal nature and from the author’s judgments. They do not present the results of the author’s own empirical research; however, they constitute a factual study that is important for their undertaking in the next step. Having given concern but also hopes for AI, the author focuses her attention on issues that, not only in her opinion, have a strong bearing on the preservation of humanity in a digital environment and at the same time with technocratic features. These issues (prohibited practices, high-risk systems, and ethics) related to …

Return Of Ospree: In Situ Spectroscopic Measurements During Atmospheric Reentry, Ashwin P. Rao, Jack D. Crespo, Paolo Valentini, Vanessa J. Murray, Erin I. Vaughan, Zach Davis, Robert Alviani, Marat Kulakhmetov

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) measurements of the reentry shock layer can provide invaluable information about the dynamic aerothermal chemistry during atmospheric reentry and yield critical data needed to improve fluid dynamics modeling of reentry systems. On 28 February 2025, the Air Force Research Laboratory successfully executed the Optical Sensing of Plasmas in the ReEntry Environment (OSPREE) experiment using Varda Space Industries’ W-2 hypersonic test-bed vehicle, obtaining in situ shock-layer radiative emission measurements during reentry from an altitude of 105 km down through 50 km, encompassing a range of Mach numbers between 29.5 and 15.0. We present a summary of the …

Cyclic Testing Of Special Moment Frame Connections With Buckling-Restrained Fuse Plates, Jeremiah John Merrell

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents the development and evaluation of a new special steel moment frame connection that employs replaceable buckling-restrained fuse plates that can enhance seismic performance and post-earthquake repairability. A total of eight unique specimens were tested on two series of beam-to-column subassemblies (W36 and W24) to investigate connection behavior under cyclic loading. The experiments examined the influence of fuse plate geometry, bolt configuration, and buckling-restraints on strength, ductility, and deformation capacity. Results indicated that the buckling-restraint washers and bolts were effective at preventing out-of-plane buckling. Specimen M1.5 was successful in meeting the AISC 341-22 qualifications requirements for special moment …

Validation Of A Mesh-Based Computational Fluid Dynamics Model, The Generataion Of Reference Wake Mixing Data, And A Preliminary Comparison To A Lagrangian Vortex Based Model, Justin Don Hawkins

Theses and Dissertations

Three things are accomplished in this work. First, a verified wind turbine model is developed for both turbulent and non-turbulent flows. The verified model is created using AMR-Wind, a mesh-based CFD solver which uses an actuator line model to represent the turbine blades. Second, a database of turbine forces and wake data is compiled using the verified wake model. This data is collected for simulations of two turbines operating in close proximity to one another in various configurations. When the wake of one turbine interacts with another, wake mixing occurs. Wake mixing affects turbine performance and is important for predicting …

Enhancing Fuel Performance Of Molten Salt Reactors Through Improved Thermophysical Property Data, High-Fidelity Simulation, And Advanced Control Strategies, Jackson Seth Ivory

Theses and Dissertations

The deployment of molten salt reactors (MSRs) as next-generation nuclear technology requires accurate thermophysical property data, validated system models, and advanced control strategies to ensure safe and economically competitive operation. This dissertation, Enhancing Fuel Performance of Molten Salt Reactors Through Improved Thermophysical Property Data, High-Fidelity Simulation, and Advanced Control Strategies, integrates experimental measurements, thermal hydraulic simulation, and model predictive control (MPC) to enhance understanding of MSR fuel behavior under steady state and transient conditions. New density and heat capacity measurements of UF4-FLiNaK molten salts were obtained using Archimedean and differential scanning calorimetry methods, respectively, to address critical gaps for fueled …

Three-Dimensional Printing Of Calcium Phosphate-Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Scaffolds For Bone Tissue Engineering, Ana Beatriz Gomes De Carvalho, Lais Medeiros Cardoso, Igor Paulino Mendes Soares, Joyce Rodrigues De Souza, Arpita Roy, Prabaha Sikder, Et. Al.

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) and biomaterials, such as mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG), are critical for bone tissue engineering. This study aimed to 3D-print CPC scaffolds modified with MBG to enhance their osteogenic potential and regenerative ability. MBG powder was synthesized and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption techniques. A commercial CPC ink (hydroxyapatite/alpha-tricalcium phosphate) was mixed with 5% MBG (w/w; CPC/MBG), and, after rheological assessment, the mixture was used to obtain scaffolds via 3D printing. These scaffolds were then tested for chemical, morphological, and mechanical properties, as well as ion release analysis. Unmodified CPC …

Utah Lake From Space: Analysis Of Sentinel 2 And Modis Data Shows Spatiotemporal Trends And Patterns In Chlorophyll-A, Turbidity, And Temperature, Kaylee Brook Tanner

Theses and Dissertations

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a serious and growing risk to waterbodies around the world. Excessive algal growth, especially when it involves cyanobacteria, impairs the functioning of aquatic ecosystems and threatens the health of humans and animals using the water. There is currently great interest in developing effective prevention and mitigation strategies for these blooms, particularly in ecologically and economically vital freshwater lakes. Such development, however, requires detailed understanding of HAB drivers and dynamics, which can be highly complex and difficult to characterize. High-frequency, high-resolution imagery from earth observation satellites provides spatially and temporally comprehensive data on global lakes--data which …

Mae Enewsbrief July-Sept 2025, Department Of Mechanical And Aerospace Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Methods For The Discovery Of Antibodies Toward Junin Virus Utilizing Yeast Surface Display, Jonathon E. Corral

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The importance of this study is to perform antibody discovery as a means to derive novel preventative and therapeutic antibody countermeasures against the Junín virus, to alleviate the potential risk of a global pandemic. The purpose of this methodological study was to develop a protocol that utilizes yeast surface display to discover antibodies, from naïve human antibody libraries, that can bind the Junín Virus antigen. The methodology of yeast surface display employs the galactose-inducible GAL1 promoter to synthesize and express antibody proteins bound to the Aga2p and Aga1p and anchored to the cell wall by glycosyl phosphatidylinositol motif (GPI). The …

Leveraging High-Performance Cloud Computing To Model Underwater Acoustic Propagation And Scattering From Time-Evolving Rough Sea-Surfaces Using The Finite-Difference Time-Domain Method, James Alexander Higgins

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation presents a two-dimensional (2D) Finite-difference Time-domain (FDTD) model for simulating underwater acoustic propagation and scattering from a one-dimensional (1D) time-evolving rough sea-surface. The techniques discussed are extendable to three spatial dimensions. Traditional acoustic modeling techniques often rely on a "frozen" sea-surface assumption, which proves inadequate for long-duration signals interacting with the time-evolving boundary at many different wave height displacements during its transit. To address this, a new FDTD update equation incorporating a variable subgrid is developed, significantly enhancing spatial accuracy at the boundary without increasing computational cost or compromising stability.

The model's accuracy is rigorously validated against established …

Development Of An Iot-Based Energy Theft Detection System For A Single-Phase Smart Meter, Ojo Julius Oladele, Funso Kehinde Ariyo, Samson Oladayo Ayanlade, Ayooluwa Peter Adeagbo, Ismail Adeniyi Adeleke

Al-Bahir

Electricity theft causes annual global losses exceeding $96 billion, severely impacting distribution networks. This paper presents a novel IoT-based system integrating current differential sensing, physical tamper detection, and edge-cloud analytics to detect energy theft in single-phase smart meters. The design employs three ACS712 current sensors to monitor Kirchhoff-compliant current flow at the grid pole, meter input, and load output, coupled with a PIR sensor for cabinet intrusion. A SIM800L GSM module enables real-time theft alerts and remote disconnection, while closed-loop control autonomously restores power after tamper resolution — a feature absent in prior GSM-only systems. An Android application provides geotagged …

Information Management / Bim Technology Evaluation Methodology, Robert Moore

Tools

This technology evaluation method provides a structured and transparent approach for assessing digital tools that support Information Management and Building Information Modelling (BIM). It establishes consistent criteria for evaluating functionality, interoperability, usability, compliance with standards such as ISO 19650, and alignment with organisational needs. The method supports objective comparison, informed decision-making, and proportionate investment, ensuring that technology acts as an enabler of defined processes rather than a driver in itself. Overall, it helps organisations select and implement technology solutions that are fit for purpose, scalable, and supportive of long-term Information Management / BIM adoption and continuous improvement.

Information Management / Bim Technology Deployment Strategy, Robert Moore

Tools

This technology deployment strategy sets out a coordinated approach for implementing and rolling out digital tools to support Information Management and Building Information Modelling (IM/BIM). It focuses on aligning technology deployment with agreed processes, governance, and user capability, ensuring systems are configured, tested, and adopted effectively. The strategy emphasises phased deployment, risk management, training, and support, enabling organisations to embed technology in a controlled and sustainable manner. Overall, it provides a clear framework for turning selected technologies into reliable, value-adding enablers of consistent, standards-aligned IM/BIM delivery.

Equipment Criticality Analysis To Determine Asset Integrity Management System Scheme In Supporting Production Optimization Scenarios In The Aeging Field, Donny Andryanto, Donanta Dhaneswara

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

This research investigates the production decline and cost increase in the X&Y oil and gas fields from 2022 to 2023. Production fell by 34%, while production costs per barrel rose by 79%. To address these issues, a series of optimization processes are proposed. These aim to restructure and enhance the production facilities to reduce current production costs. The optimizations include reducing pressure at the PPP Platform in 2024. Additional steps include shutting down CPP-ORF 14” pipelines and most processes at CPP 2 Platform by 2027 to convert it into an accommodation platform. Further, the plan involves optimizing the release of …

Information Management / Bim Private Sector Adoption Business Case, Robert Moore

Tools

This business case sets out the rationale for adopting Information Management and Building Information Modelling (IM/BIM) within the private sector, aligned with ISO 19650. It explains how a structured, standards-based approach to managing information across the project lifecycle can reduce risk, improve coordination, and protect commercial margins by minimising rework, late changes, and delays. The document highlights that early and targeted investment in people, processes, and digital tools delivers the greatest return, supporting faster approvals, clearer decision-making, more competitive bids, and consistent project delivery. Overall, the business case positions IM/BIM as a practical enabler of productivity, resilience, and long-term competitiveness …

Information Management / Bim Adoption And Implementation Roadmap, Robert Moore

Tools

This roadmap sets out a clear, practical approach for organisations to adopt and implement Information Management and Building Information Modelling (IM/BIM) in line with ISO 19650 and the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF). It provides a phased pathway from early capacity to advanced capability, showing how organisations can progressively build skills, processes, and digital workflows while meeting the requirements of the Irish BIM mandate. The roadmap aligns organisational change with project-level delivery, emphasising the foundations of people, process, and technology, and the importance of collaboration, governance, and continuous improvement. Overall, it supports organisations in moving from basic information management to …

Information Management / Bim Technology Deployment Plan, Robert Moore

Tools

This technology deployment plan sets out the practical steps required to implement and operationalise selected Information Management and BIM (BIM) technologies. It defines activities, responsibilities, sequencing, and dependencies to ensure systems are configured, tested, and adopted in a controlled and coordinated manner. The plan supports effective change management, training, and transition to business-as-usual use, reducing risk and disruption. Overall, it provides a clear, actionable framework for moving from technology selection to consistent, reliable use that supports standards-aligned Information Management / BIM delivery.

Information Management / Bim Adoption Plan, Robert Moore

Tools

This adoption plan translates the Information Management and BIM adoption strategy into a clear, actionable programme of work. It sets out the specific activities, responsibilities, and sequencing required to build capability across people, processes, and technology, supporting consistent implementation in line with ISO 19650 and organisational objectives. The plan enables progress to be managed, monitored, and reviewed over time, ensuring adoption is proportionate, achievable, and aligned with project and business needs. Overall, it provides a practical mechanism for moving from intent to delivery, embedding Information Management and BIM as standard practice within the organisation.

Uniclass Irish Bim Mandate Guide, Robert Moore

Tools

This guidance document provides practical direction on implementing Uniclass within Irish public sector projects to support the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) BIM mandate. It explains how Uniclass, used alongside ISO 19650, IFC, and ICMS, enables consistent classification of information across the asset lifecycle, supporting the creation of a reliable golden thread of data from design through to operation. The document sets out how Uniclass works in practice, clarifying roles and responsibilities, common challenges, and mitigation measures, and includes a worked examples to support consistent application. Overall, the guide positions Uniclass as a key enabler of structured information management, improved …

Information Management / Bim Public Sector Adoption Business Case, Robert Moore

Tools

This business case sets out the value of adopting Information Management and BIM in line with ISO 19650 and the Irish CWMF. It shows how a structured approach to managing information across the asset lifecycle can improve collaboration, reduce risk and rework, and deliver measurable returns on investment. Evidence indicates that early adoption delivers the greatest benefit, supporting better cost control, compliance, and long-term asset performance. Overall, Information Management and BIM are positioned as essential enablers for efficient, sustainable, and future-ready delivery of public works

Information Management / Bim Adoption Strategy, Robert Moore

Tools

This adoption strategy sets out a structured approach for organisations to plan, govern, and deliver the adoption of Information Management and Building Information Modelling (IM/BIM). It focuses on aligning leadership intent with clear objectives, defined actions, and measurable outcomes, ensuring that people, processes, and technology are developed in a coordinated way. The strategy supports a phased and proportionate approach to adoption, enabling organisations to build capability over time, respond to client and market requirements, and embed continuous improvement. Overall, it provides a clear framework for translating strategic intent into practical, repeatable actions that support consistent, standards-aligned delivery and long-term organisational …