Digital Commons Network^™

On The Scalability Of Anisotropic Mesh Adaptation On Distributed And Shared Memory Architectures For Numerical Approximations, Kevin Mark Garner Jr.

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Mesh generation is a critical component in numerical approximations of Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). One such example includes Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), as CFD simulations in turn are crucial for applications in many industries, such as personalized healthcare and the design of aerospace vehicles. Generating high quality meshes for large-scale CFD problems presents a significant bottleneck in the CFD workflow. This dissertation proposes “fast,” parallel 3D mesh generation methodologies that are designed to leverage the concurrency offered by emerging High-Performance Computing (HPC) architectures. First, a distributed memory method is presented that integrates a sequential state-of-the-art isotropic, advancing front local reconnection-based …

Design And Assessment Of A Single-Blade Rotary Wing For Use In Vertical Takeoff And Landing (Vtol) Aircraft, William C. Mcmasters

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A single-bladed propeller was designed to determine its efficacy in increasing efficiency of quadplane aircraft in the cruise configuration while still providing sufficient vertical lift for the vertical takeoff portion of flight. Aerodynamic theory predicts higher efficiency for single-blade propellers, resulting in a lower power requirement. A counter-weighted single-blade was modeled after a 10x5 model aircraft propeller used in small unmanned vehicles with a steel counterweight to balance centrifugal forces. The propeller was tested in the ODU wind tunnel to determine performance at various Advance Ratios (J). The research suggests that single-blade propellers show comparable performance compared to two-bladed propellers …

Comparative Analysis Of Emergent Behaviors Of Three Drone Swarm System Models For Targeting Using Agent-Based Modeling And Simulation, Arsenio T. Gumahad Ii

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation introduces a novel computational simulation framework for evaluating the emergent behaviors of three swarm drone models using Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS). The three swarm models are a Leader-Follower swarm model based on Bruckstein's antline theory, a Flocking model based on a simplified Reynolds 'Boids’ model, and a Stigmergic model with pheromone-based coordination. The primary objective of the simulation is to evaluate the performance of these models in delivering a user-defined number of drones of each type to a target area of interest in four separate scenarios, resulting in 50,000 separate simulation trials. Each scenario was structured to …

Human Identification And Action Recognition Using Small Data And Deep Domain Adaptation, Alexander M. Glandon

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Human identification and human action recognition problems are two important research areas for real-world security and surveillance applications. In both human identification and action recognition, it is necessary to operate by collecting small datasets in the field, possibly in a short time window of observation. This dissertation studies and develops computational modeling and high-performance machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models for human identification and human action recognition using small amounts of data. These methods and computational models may be useful for different security and surveillance applications.

This dissertation on human recognition develops a ML computational model to estimate …

Curvilinear Image Segmentation Using Multiscale Variational U-Net, Rebekah Fortes

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Segmentation of curvilinear structures such as water contours, cracks in cement, and vascular networks in biomedical imaging, poses unique challenges due to extreme class imbalance, irregular morphology, low contrast against complex backgrounds, and the need to preserve global connectivity while detecting fine-scale details. We propose a Multiscale Variational U-Net (MSVU-Net) architecture designed specifically to address these challenges. The model integrates multiscale convolutional filters to capture both global context and local detail, while embedding a variational model in the bottleneck layer to enhance structural representation. To mitigate class imbalance and improve fidelity, the network optimizes a hybrid loss function that combines …

The Impact Of Pine Resin-Epoxy Ratios On Fire Resistance And Acoustic Performance Of Banana Fiber Composites, Cokorda Istri Putri Kusuma Kencanawati, Dewa Ngakan Ketut Putra Negara, I Gede Andy Andika Parahita

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Because of their low environmental impact and biodegradability, composite materials derived from natural fibers and resins have drawn interest as sustainable substitutes for synthetic materials in thermal and acoustic applications. Two promising natural components are banana stem fiber and pine resin, but they need to be modified due to their mechanical limitations and flammability. Epoxy resin is commonly used to enhance structural performance; however, its effects on acoustic and fire resistance properties require further investigation. This study examined how different epoxy resin contents affected the sound absorption and fire resistance of composites made from banana stem fiber and pine resin. …

Surface Modification Of Local Natural Fibers Via Alkali Treatment For Improved Mechanical And Molecular Properties Of Bamboo Fiber, Pineapple Leaf Fiber, And Sisal Fiber, Jibril Maulana, Muhammad Ilman Nur Sasongko, Dewi Izzatus Tsamroh, Muchammad Yafis, Syekhan Maulana

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

A major development in materials science toward reinforcement materials in biopolymer composites has been caused by a worldwide trend toward sustainable manufacturing and the rise of the circular economy. However, their mechanical properties can often be affected by their hydrophilic properties, lack of surface compatibility, and their presence of molecular bonding, such as lignin and hemicellulose. Alkaline surface modification has been widely reported as an effective technique to increase structural stability and fibermatrix adhesion. This study evaluated the effects of alkalizing three types of local natural fibers—bamboo fiber (BF), pineapple leaf fiber (PALF), and sisal (SF)—with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at …

Analysis Of Engine Parameters Of High Composition Palm Oil Biodiesel In Crdi System, Achmad Aminudin, Kelvin Dwi Wardana, Nanang Romandoni, Ahmad Yusril Aminullah, Nur Ihda Farikhatin Nisa, Hari Setiapraja

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The heavy reliance on fossil fuels has serious consequences, particularly regarding increased greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. In order to obtain cleaner fuel resources and reduce fossil fuel dependence, palm oil biodiesel is added to fossil diesel by volume ratio resulting in B50 and B55 blends. Combustion characteristics, performance, fuel consumption, and emissions were performed in a diesel engine with a 4-cylinder common rail direct injection (CRDI) at different engine speeds (1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 rpm). Compared to fossil diesel, biodiesel blends exhibit higher density at 855.9 kg/m³ (B55), kinematic viscosity with a value of 5.1 …

Spray Angle On The Performance Of Split-Type Ac Condenser Installed On Concrete Rooftop In Tropical Climate, Kennedy Kennedy, I N Frenki Aryana, Basri Basri

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

This study investigated the influence of different water spray angles (0°, 15°, and 30°) on the thermal and energy performance of a split-type air-conditioning (AC) condenser installed on a concrete rooftop in a tropical climate. An experimental setup was designed to replicate actual concrete rooftop conditions, focusing on the condenser inlet temperature, compressor power consumption, and system coefficient of performance (COP). A 6-minute ON and 6-minute OFF intermittent spray cycle was employed to optimise water usage and minimise excessive humidity. Experimental measurements were conducted on a 9,000 Btu/h split-type unit equipped with a nozzle system connected to a 200 L …

Numerical Analysis Of The Effect Of Vortex Generator On The Aerodynamic Performance Of Naca 6412 Airfoils Using Large Eddy Simulation, Dedet Hermawan Setiabudi, Joan Bayuaji Nugroho, Eli Kumolosari, Lazuardy Rahendra Pinandhita, Okto Dinaryanto

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Aerodynamic performance of an airfoil is significantly affected by flow separation, especially at high angles of attack. One common strategy to control flow separation is adding a triangular vortex generator (VG), which creates small vortices that help keep the airflow attached. The present study investigated the impact of triangular vortex generators on a NACA 6412 airfoil using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) was applied due to its ability to show the vortices more clearly than other methods. It can also accurately capture the flow separation. To obtain the lift, drag, and lift-to-drag ratio (CL/CD) data, four …

Jhtdb-Wind: A Web-Accessible Large-Eddy Simulation Database Of A Wind Farm With Virtual Sensor Querying, Xiaowei Zhu, Shuolin Xiao, Ghanesh Narasimhan, Luia A. Martinez-Tossas, Michael Schnaubelt, Gerard Lemson, Hanxun Yao, Alexander S. Szalay, Dennice F. Gayme, Charles Meneveau

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper introduces JHTDB-wind (https://turbulence.idies.jhu.edu/datasets/windfarms), a publicly accessible database containing large-eddy simulation (LES) data from wind farms. Building on the framework of the Johns Hopkins Turbulence Database (JHTDB), which hosts direct numerical and some large-eddy simulation datasets of canonical turbulent flows, JHTDB-wind stores the full space-time (4D) history of the flow and provides users the ability to access and query the data via a web-based virtual sensor interface. The initial dataset comprises LES results from a large wind farm with 6 X 10 turbines, modeled using a filtered actuator line method, under conventionally neutral atmospheric conditions. This data comprises one …

Ai-Driven Innovations For Sustainable Healthcare Architecture In Developing Countries And Remote Areas: Enhancing Efficiency Through Futuristic Design, Esraa Elazab, Ahmed Eltawil

HBRC Journal

Access to healthcare in developing countries and remote areas remains a critical challenge due to geographic isolation, inadequate infrastructure, and limited medical resources. Communities in these regions face significant barriers in obtaining timely and adequate healthcare services, exacerbating public health issues. In response, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology, offering solutions that enhance healthcare systems by optimizing operational workflows, reducing human error, and improving resource management. When combined with sustainable design principles, AI-driven innovations provide a comprehensive approach to healthcare access and environmental sustainability. This paper presents a conceptual design proposal for a futuristic healthcare station aimed …

Best Practice Guidelines For Drafting Arbitration Clauses In Construction Contracts, Mohamed Abdel-Monem, Haitham Amer, Karim El Dash

HBRC Journal

Arbitration is a widely recognized method for resolving construction disputes, relying on the parties' mutual agreement and the enforceability of well-drafted clauses. This study examines the key elements that contribute to the effectiveness and validity of arbitration clauses in construction contracts. The aim is to provide practical drafting guidelines and a validated practitioner checklist. The research combined a comprehensive literature review, expert interviews, a pilot and final questionnaire survey involving 49 legal and engineering professionals, and real-world case study analyses. Data validation and thematic analysis were used to identify critical factors influencing the clarity, enforceability, and efficiency of arbitration clauses. …

Cycling Network Planning Through Urban Form Analysis: A Contextual Gis Model, Nora Osama Ahmed, Rania Adham Sayed, Mona Mahrous Abdel Wahed

HBRC Journal

Promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of urban mobility requires a deep understanding of how urban form influences cyclists’ route choices. This study investigates the influence of urban form on cyclists’ route selection in an attempt to enhance context-sensitive cycling network planning. Five factors of urban form density, transportation infrastructure, housing/building type, land use, and street layout are examined to determine if any of them have a contributing factor to route selection. Based on an extensive review of the literature, the research develops an Urban Form–Cyclist Route Priority Matrix (UF-CRP Matrix) that categorizes urban conditions into three levels of desirability …

Performance Evaluation Of Sustainable Hot Mix Asphalt Using Construction Waste Materials, Mohamed A. Zaid, Ahmed E. Abu El-Maaty, Mohamed S. Ouf

HBRC Journal

This study aims to enhance sustainability, reduce environmental impact, minimize rutting, and improve performance by evaluating the use of construction material wastes. Ceramic waste powder (CWP), brick waste powder (BWP), and glass waste powder (GWP) were used as alternative fillers to conventional dolomite powder (DP) in hot-mix asphalt (HMA). The research investigates the effectiveness of these waste materials in improving asphalt performance, with the filler percentage fully replaced by these alternatives. Marshall Stability (MS), Marshall Quotient (MQ), moisture susceptibility, indirect tensile strength (IDT), and wheel tracking tests (WTT) were conducted to evaluate the impact of these waste materials on asphalt …

Cost Analysis For The Application Of Recycled Materials In Road Subgrade Layer: A Case Study In Egypt, Norhan Sayed Zayed, Anwar B. Badawy Abo-Sena, Tarek M. Attia, Alaa Ahmed

HBRC Journal

Egypt’s construction industry has lately experienced rapid growth, particularly for infrastructure and road projects. This expansion has exacerbated a pressing issue: the accumulation of Construction and Demolish Wastes (CDW). To tackle this challenge, there is a growing proposal to recycle CDW in construction projects. This research aims to assess the economic and environmental implications of integrating recycled materials into road subgrade layers, contrasting their benefits with those of natural materials. The research methodology involved a comprehensive analysis of subgrade material characteristics based on Egyptian code requirements. A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the economic and environmental impacts …

The Squeezed Middle: Housing Affordability Challenges, Nazli Dongez, Almula Koksal

HBRC Journal

Neoliberalism has deepened economic inequality, which is now spreading globally. Even though this economic inequality affects mostly lower-income households, international reports show that inequality has spread to the middle-income group. The decline in the purchasing power of the middle-income group has led to the issue of housing affordability, referred to as the squeezed middle-income group. Despite the global scope of this problem, only a limited number of academic studies have conducted a comprehensive assessment. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the problem of housing affordability for the middle-income group. The study employed the systematic literature review method. The Web of …

Factors Affecting The Cost Of Dynamic Architecture During The Execution Phase, Lamiaa Mohamed Said Elsherif, Eman N. Shaqour, Abdullah Badawy Mohammed, Sherif Mohamed Sabry El Attar

HBRC Journal

This study is part of a larger study on the factors affecting the cost of dynamic architecture during three phases (design, execution and operation), A research paper on the design phase has been published. and we will specialize in this research by studying the execution phase.

This research study is based on identifying the main factors affecting the cost of dynamic, buildings by conducting a questionnaire and analyzing it statistically by using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. To get to the definition of dynamic architecture and Types of movement directions in dynamic buildings.

By studying each of the principles of movement …

Assessment Of Urban Resiliance By Using (Ahp) In Relation With (Anp), Sara Mahmood Al-Jawari

HBRC Journal

Urban resilience is an important part of the sustainable urban development agenda, providing a proactive approach to the growing challenges within cities and making them more responsive and safer for the future. Therefore, the research problem was to ask: How can the integration of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Analytical Network Process (ANP) be used to determine which cities have the most resilient systems in the event of an emergency? It is assumed that the use of integration between the AHP and ANP will facilitate the initial assessment of the resilience of city systems and the development of policies …

Users’ Expectations Of The Water Element As A Recreational Feature On University Campuses, Zubaidah Nadhem Mahmood Alzubaidi, Gökçen Firdevs Yücel Caymaz

HBRC Journal

Water is an important element in campus landscaping. Hence the importance of the lake opposite the Department of Architecture at the University of Mosul. However, the lake and its surroundings are currently neglected and in need of development. But any development must consider the expectations of the users, as the lake is there for them. Therefore, the research aims to identify users’ expectations of the lake as a recreational element on the campus, which can be used in any development of the lake. To this end, the literature review identified several characteristics related to the lake, such as size, movement, …

The Criteria For Identifying The Memory Of The City In Valuable Parks: Happy Land Park In Mansoura City, Esraa Ahmed Mansour, Esraa Mohamed Elazab, Sherif Ahmed Sheta

HBRC Journal

Urban memory is a complex phenomenon that develops gradually within the urban environment. However, the rapid physical changes required by today’s fast-paced world often led to the destruction of recognizable urban elements. These changes also create unfamiliar settings and erode many intangible experiences, including both positive and negative memories. Research shows that parks are among the most influential urban spaces in shaping collective memory. Even Egyptian parks designated as heritage sites suffer greatly. This status has not always ensured the preservation of their unique character. This highlights the need to review and strengthen protective laws to better maintain these parks …

A Classification Framework For Egyptian Governorates According To Strategic Plan Implementation Requirements, Noor El Hoda Hamdy, Sammy Amin Ammer, Walid Nabil Bayomi

HBRC Journal

The implementation of strategic plans varies across regions based on their developmental typologies and the distribution of economic, natural, and human resources. This study explores differentiated approaches to strategic plan implementation by identifying typologies of development management, their mechanisms, and criteria for application. Drawing upon theoretical frameworks and global experiences, the research employs a comparative methodology to align the requirements of each development management model with the socio-economic and administrative characteristics of various Egyptian governorates. It further examines the prerequisites and success factors of each model, highlighting the suitability of each region. Key findings include the development of a novel …

Assessment Of The Relationship Between Performance Attributes And The Social Sustainability Framework Of Construction Projects, Van Luy Tong, Truong Van Luu

HBRC Journal

The study addresses the missing aspect of assessing social sustainability in construction project performance evaluation. While environmental and economic aspects have been widely considered, social sustainability remains largely unexplored. The study seeks to analyze whether 11 performance attributes (including 5 short-term project performance attributes and 6 long-term project performance attributes) in the construction project performance model being implemented in Vietnam reflect social sustainability in construction projects. The study applies structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationship between these 11 performance attributes and the social sustainability criteria framework. A questionnaire was designed to collect data from stakeholders involved in construction …

High User Perception Of The Social Housing Of The State Intervenor In The South Suburban Zone, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Laura Del Carmen Moreno-Chimely, Yolanda Guadalupe Aranda-Jiménez, Carlos Alberto Fuentes-Pérez

HBRC Journal

Uninhabited social housing in the Southern Conurbation Zone of the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico (Tampico, Altamira) reflects 21.19%. Currently 11.32% is located in Altamira in subdivisions built by the private sector during the facilitator state. The social housing of the public sector of the intervenor state by governmental institutions such as INFONAVIT and FOVISSSTE, located in Tampico with more than 50 years old are almost entirely inhabited even with deteriorated constructive characteristics and economic depreciation. The objective of the research is to analyze the perception of the users of the housing state intervenor prior to 1992 and state facilitator 1993–2010 …

Blind Medical Image Watermarking Method Using Combined Nsct/2d-Dct Domains, Ali Kouadri, Ali Benziane, Abdelhalim Rabehi, Mohamed Lebcir

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

This paper presents a novel blind watermarking framework that combines Non-Subsampled Contourlet Transform (NSCT) and 2D Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) domains. The proposed method embeds the watermark’s data within low-frequency coefficients of sub-vectors extracted from a concatenated NSCT/2D-DCT transforms processing. The embedding procedure involves simple differential processing which ensures a straightforward watermark extraction. Extensive testing across medical imaging modalities (X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound) confirmed strong imperceptibility and robustness against attacks like JPEG compression, noise, filtering, and geometric manipulations. Compared to contemporary techniques, our NSCT/2D-DCT method shows stronger robustness against attacks without compromising diagnostic quality, proving its viability for medical image …

The Environmental Integration - An Introduction To The Sustainability Of The Urban Heritage Of Nubia (Applied To Gharb Suhail), Ahmed Mohamed Said Elsaadany

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The Nubia region is an important historical and cultural place, as it is distinguished by a unique architectural heritage. The influence of the surrounding environment on the designs of buildings and structures in this region is evident. Traditional architecture arose spontaneously over long periods of time, but it was essentially based on correct scientific concepts. The architecture of Nubia in southern Egypt, which is located on the banks of the Nile River, was a mud architecture that used natural building materials from the environment influenced by Ancient Egyptian architecture, some influences from Islamic architecture represented in privacy and courtyard in …

An Enhanced Cyber Security For Finger Knuckle Print Recognition System Using Rubik’S Cube With Rabbit Encryption Algorithm, Haitham Salman Chyad, Tarek Abbes

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

Cybersecurity in biometric systems is an urgent requirement due to their increasing use in identity verification, especially in smartphones, surveillance systems, and electronic transactions. These systems depend on distinctive and immutable biological features, such as fingerprints, Knuckles and facial features, making them potential targets for cyberattacks. In this context, the need to develop advanced security mechanisms, including encryption, forgery detection, and multi-factor authentication, has emerged to guarantee the confidentiality of biometric data and protect it from identity theft or manipulation. This trend emphasizes the need to integrate cybersecurity and biometric technologies to secure and ensure the reliability of systems in …

Fusion Of Simulation And Ai Methods For Understanding Hov/Hot Lane Operational Flow Dynamics, Deo Chimba, Therezia Matongo, Hellen Shita, Erickson Senkondo, Masanja Madalo, Afia Yeboah

Civil and Architectural Engineering Faculty Research

This study investigated the impact of converting High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes on fundamental traffic flow characteristics, focusing on speed, density, and flow relationships. A 25-mile HOV corridor along I-24 Westbound in Nashville, Tennessee was evaluated using both microscopic simulation via VISSIM and data-driven machine learning through a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural network. Four operational scenarios were assessed: (1) HOV lanes without enforcement, (2) HOV lanes with effective occupancy enforcement, (3) HOT lanes with limited access points, and (4) HOT lanes with intermediate access points. Flow-density and speed-flow relationships were modeled using Greenshields theory …

Retrieval Augmented Framework For Deepfake Audio Detection, Avinash Saxena

Master's Theses

The widespread use of AI-based audio deepfakes threatens severely to undermine media integrity and public trust. Speech synthesis techniques have improved dramatically in voice conversion (VC) and text-to-speech (TTS) in recent years, making forgeries sound highly realistic, and concerns are raised about possible malevolent uses. Existing state-of-the-art techniques for identifying fake speech have proven to be effective in some cases but are still limited in application and robustness when faced with novel attacking strategies, different acoustic conditions, or alternative linguistic domains. To address some of these limitations, the current research presents a novel deepfake audio detection system based on personalized …

Development Of A Digestion Procedure Using Fe2+ Ions For Electrochemical Detection Of Mno2 Particles In Drinking Water, Kayla Elliott, Sarah Jane Payne, Zhe She

Journal of Electrochemistry

Developing methods for detection contaminants in drinking water is essential to ensuring that safe and acceptable quality drinking water is delivered to consumers. While manganese (Mn) was previously known only as a mere aesthetic issue, recent epidemiological data has shown to have negative neurological effects on humans, especially on children, prompting new health-based guidelines by Health Canada and the World Health Organization. In drinking water, Mn exists predominantly as Mn(II) and Mn(IV), and is regulated based on total Mn levels. Interestingly, measurement of Mn particulate using electroanalytical methods has not yet been reported in the literature. Herein, a digestion procedure …