Digital Commons Network^™

In Defense Of Space Offense, Alexander R. Kleitz

Space and Defense

This article argues that in the unique physical and operational environment of outer space, offensive operations hold intrinsic advantages over defensive ones. Drawing upon classical military theorists such as Clausewitz and Corbett, the author contends that the traditional dominance of the defensive form of war—rooted in terrestrial conditions—does not extend to celestial conflict. The transparency and remoteness of the space domain neutralize key defensive benefits, such as proximity to supply bases, concealment, and fortified positions, while also diminishing the factors that typically cause terrestrial offensives to culminate. Consequently, space conflict favors the side that seizes and maintains the initiative through …

Raising Public Awareness On Space Themes: Analysis Of Brazilian Space Policy Using Data From Google Trends, Andrea Felippe Cabello, Michele Melo

Space and Defense

This study examines whether Brazil’s national space policy goal of increasing public awareness of space activities has been met, using Google Trends data as a proxy for public interest. While public perception surveys are scarce outside the United States, web-based data provide a cost-effective and timely alternative for gauging public engagement. The authors analyzed two decades (2004–2024) of Brazilian search activity related to space topics, institutions, technologies, companies, and missions. Results show no clear upward trend in public interest, suggesting that Brazil’s stated policy objectives of raising awareness have not yet translated into measurable outcomes. Although searches related to government …

Costly Signals In Space: Increasing Credibility Via Strategic Disclosure, Wendy N. Whitman Cobb

Space and Defense

As space becomes an increasingly vital domain for national security, debates persist about how much secrecy should surround U.S. military space programs. This article argues that the strategic declassification and disclosure of selected space capabilities can strengthen U.S. deterrence by enhancing the credibility of deterrent threats. Drawing from theories of costly signaling and audience costs, the paper introduces strategic disclosure as a novel form of costly signal. Such disclosure imposes bureaucratic and operational costs while exposing capabilities to potential adversary countermeasures—thereby demonstrating resolve and seriousness of intent. In tandem, greater public transparency about space programs cultivates informed domestic audiences capable …

Space And Defense Vol. 16 No. 2 Editor's Note, Damon Coletta

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Space And Defense Vol. 16 No. 2 Table Of Contents, Editors Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Space And Defense Vol. 16 No. 2 Front Matter, Editors Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Space & Defense Volume 16 Issue 2 Fall 2025 (Whole Issue), Editors Space And Defense

Space and Defense

No abstract provided.

Turboindex: Making A Page-Based Db Index Both Memory-Space And Disk-I/O Efficient, Sujit Maharjan, Shuaihua Zhao, Song Jiang

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications - Archive

Traditional Database (DB) systems use a DB buffer, a page-based cache management system, to load data and indexes from block storage devices into byte-addressable main memory. However, this approach is inefficient in terms of space and I/O when key-value pair sizes are significantly smaller than the page size. Inserting a single key-value pair results in reading and writing an entire page, consuming a full page's worth of memory in the buffer. Moreover, the entire page is immediately loaded even when just a single key-value pair is inserted into the page. Also, an infrequently accessed page is likely to be evicted …

Mechanisms Of Correlated Neuronal Activity In The Globus Pallidus, Hamza Albawaliz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the mechanisms of correlated neuronal activity in the globus pallidus externus (GPe), a key structure in the basal ganglia. Neuronal activity in the GPe is reportedly decorrelated in healthy subjects but can become highly correlated in Parkinson’s disease. However, high-density neuronal recordings in the GPe of healthy rats reveal a surprising degree of correlated activity. This raises the question of whether intrinsic properties or network connectivity alone can account for such patterns. To explore this, a computational model was developed in which GPe neurons are represented as coupled phase oscillators influenced by experimentally derived phase-response curves and …

Development Of A Non-Faradaic Impedimetric Biosensor Based On Reduced Graphene Oxide For The Detection Of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Bdnf), Mariana N. Martins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Neurological disorders affect millions of people worldwide. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the rising number of cases significantly increases global healthcare costs. Therefore, early detection of biomarkers at the onset of the disease is essential for early diagnosis. This study presents an electrochemical biosensor designed for the detection of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in human plasma, incorporating reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to enhance signal sensitivity. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) was employed to deposit rGO flakes on the electrode surface, improving conductivity and sensor performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to monitor changes in impedance associated with BDNF binding events, …

High Frequency Dc-Dc Converter Design Optimization, Modeling And Control Based-Wbg Technology., Salah Ahmed Abdullah Eltief

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The performance of DC-DC power converters is a cornerstone of modern electric vehicle (EV) powertrains, directly governing overall system efficiency, size, cost, and reliability. This dissertation presents a comprehensive performance analysis and optimization of DC-DC converter topologies to determine the most suitable design for high voltage EV applications. The evaluation rigorously compares efficiency, power losses, and physical size under a range of harsh operating conditions. A primary objective is to leverage Wide Bandgap (WBG) semiconductors, specifically Silicon Carbide (SiC), to push the performance boundaries of power conversion. While SiC devices are known for their superior material properties, a clear understanding …

Electronic Structure Prediction Of Medium And High Entropy Alloys Across Composition Space, Shashank Pathrudkar, Stephanie Taylor, Abhishek Keripale, Abhijeet S. Gangan, Ponkrshnan Thiagarajan, Shivang Agarwal, Jaime Marian, Susanta Ghosh, Amartya S. Banerjee

Michigan Tech Publications

We propose machine learning (ML) models to predict the electron density — the fundamental unknown of a material’s ground state — across the composition space of concentrated alloys. From this, other physical properties can be inferred, enabling accelerated exploration. A significant challenge is that the number of descriptors and sampled compositions required for accurate prediction grows rapidly with species. To address this, we employ Bayesian Active Learning (AL), which minimizes training data requirements by leveraging uncertainty quantification capabilities of Bayesian Neural Networks. Compared to the strategic tessellation of the composition space, Bayesian-AL reduces the number of training data points by …

Rail Anomalies Dataset For Semantic Segmentation Analysis, Saarah Majid, Arian Izadi, Paul Stanik

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Rail maintenance is a core necessity of upkeep, maintenance, deterioration, and safety implications of large rail systems. Doing so in an orderly and uniform way, however, has proven difficult with the thousands of miles that railways span. Use of computer vision on locomotives during normal operation can allow for a more streamlined process that would eliminate the need for costly specialized equipment and disruptions of normal operations. This project aims to efficiently detect vegetation overgrowth, mud-pumping, and standing water on railways. With the use of machine learning algorithms and dataset curation, models can be trained, allowing them to gain a …

Spatiotemporal Feature Extraction From Vertical Grf Signals For Parkinson’S Disease Severity Assessment Using Physionet And Gaitpd, Nitya Jadeja

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impairs motor coordination, often resulting in measurable gait disturbances. Vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) signals provide a quantitative means of capturing these abnormalities and monitoring disease progression. This study focuses on the extraction and analysis of spatiotemporal gait features such as stride variability, stance duration, and force imbalance, from the PhysioNet Gait dataset to better understand their correlation with PD severity. Using gait analysis and machine learning techniques, recent computational models are reviewed and evaluated for their ability to assess PD progression through VGRF data. The analysis compares data-driven approaches with …

Real-Time Ai-Enabled Therapeutic Device For Improving Peripheral Perfusion And Glucose Regulation In Type 2 Diabetes, Torryana Tanis

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is frequently accompanied by peripheral microvascular disease, leading to impaired lower limb perfusion, impaired healing, and vulnerability to ulcers and amputation. The existing medical devices are predominantly aimed at systemic glucose control and do not have local therapeutic intervention to improve circulation or allow muscular glucose delivery. To meet this crucial demand, we have developed a portable, two-in-one biofeedback device that combines non-invasive blood glucose monitoring and Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) therapy for the calf muscle. The glucose monitoring subsystem implements near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to measure skin light absorptance on the index finger. Real-time blood glucose …

Digital Twin Of The Unlv Campus For Safe Autonomous Vehicle Simulation, Carlos Funes

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

With the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, self-driving cars are becoming increasingly prevalent on our roads. By utilizing these technologies, we can reduce the number of accidents caused by distracted driving. Before implementing these systems in vehicles, however, it is essential to conduct numerous tests. Traditional evaluation of driverless cars on real-world roads can be both expensive and hazardous. To address this, creating a digital twin of an actual road minimizes unexpected hazards, allowing researchers to safely and efficiently test self-driving car programs in high-risk scenarios using computer simulations. This research outlines the process of generating a …

Diving Video Analysis Using Multitask Learning Action Quality Assessment (Mtl-Aqa), Taylor Gauthier

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

In many sports, videos are being used to assist in judging. For example, they are being used to review quick actions or confirm the actions being performed. For diving specifically, the videos of a dive can be at most 3 seconds long, and divers can perform a range of somersaults and twists within that time frame, all of which affect the score, classification, and dive number. Using these videos, a Multitask Learning Action Quality Assessment (ML-AQA) program, based on machine learning, from a vast dataset, is able to produce an Action Quality Score out of 100, Factorized Action Recognition (classifications), …

Capacity, Allocation And Update Dynamics Of Human Memory Systems, Shaoying Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Information is encoded and stored in three types of memory: sensory memory (SM), short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). SM has a large capacity but retains information for only a brief period. When information transfers to STM, only a limited amount can be stored. Information in STM can then be transferred to LTM, which has a much larger capacity and longer retention time. STM is often conceptualized as working memory (WM) to highlight its role in active information processing. Due to the limited capacity of STM, it is commonly believed that STM serves as the bottleneck for information processing. …

Preliminary Investigation Of Cislunar Disposal Reachability Via Electric Propulsion For Selected L2 Lagrange Point Orbit Families, Ryan M. Sargent, Robert A. Bettinger, Carl R. Hartsfield

Faculty Publications

This paper investigates the disposal of end-of-life spacecraft from selected orbit families in the Earth-Moon system, specifically the L₂ Lyapunov and Halo families. Rather than focusing on impulsive burns with chemical propulsion systems, this paper examines disposal using continuous thrust generated by Hall thrusters, a form of electric propulsion. Leveraging the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem (CR3BP) as the dynamical framework, various levels of ΔV are evaluated in single-maximum burn and multiple-burn concepts of operation to evaluate the potential for spacecraft minimizing their transit of cislunar space and reaching the Earth’s gravitational sphere of influence in order to enter …

Reproducibility In Modeling Of Knee Joint Mechanics, Maryam Nazem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Computational modeling of knee joint biomechanics can provide valuable insights into joint function, injury mechanisms, and patient outcomes, and can support surgical planning and informed clinical decision-making. However, achieving consistent and repeatable results, or reproducibility, is a significant challenge that affects the credibility of these models. This thesis addresses reproducibility through two studies related to the KneeHub Project, which is a multi-institutional collaboration designed to investigate reproducibility in finite-element modeling of the knee.

The first study involved model benchmarking, where predicted results of the calibrated models were compared with the experimental data to evaluate model reproducibility. While all models replicated …

Rehabilitation Of Reinforced Concrete Columns Pre-Damaged By Corrosion Using Advanced Composite Materials, Feras Farid Abu Obaida

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Reinforced concrete (RC) columns exposed to aggressive environments are highly susceptible to corrosion-induced deterioration, resulting in significant reductions in load-carrying capacity. This research investigates the structural performance of RC circular short columns with varying levels of corrosion damage and evaluates the effectiveness of two composite-based repair techniques, namely carbon fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (C-FRCM) and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (C-FRP) composites, combined with concrete cover replacement. The study aims to establish these methods as practical solutions for rehabilitating corrosion-damaged columns under concentric and eccentric loading conditions. The experimental program included 30 RC column specimens tested in two phases. Phase I involved thirteen …

A Novel Drug-Loaded Injectable Hydrogel System Using Oxidized Inulin And Pluronic F-127 With Β-Cyclodextrin Nanocrystals For Ocular Defect Treatment, Salama Al Dhaheri

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The human eyes have the most complex and advanced defence mechanisms. Due to this barrier, efficient treatment of ocular disorders is always a crucial issue, especially while treating the posterior segment of the eyes. Most of the diseases occurring in the posterior segment of the eyes include age-related macular degeneration, retinitis, diabetic retinopathy and uveitis. Topical and systemic administration of drugs, intravitreal injection, and insertion of non-biodegradable implants are several different approaches employed to treat ocular diseases. These methods have shown promising results in treating age-related macular degeneration but require higher dosage and multiple administration of the drug to the …

Bioactive Membrane System For Efficient Emerging Pollutants Treatment, Ayat El Telib El Tayeb

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Emerging pollutants (EPs), such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, are increasingly detected in municipal wastewater due to household discharge and improper industrial disposal. Their persistence and ecological risks pose major challenges to conventional treatment technologies. Among advanced options, membrane filtration, particularly microfiltration and ultrafiltration, has gained prominence for its efficiency and scalability. However, membrane fouling, especially biological and chemical fouling, remains a critical barrier, accounting for nearly half of total energy consumption and requiring frequent use of harsh chemical cleaning agents that further burden the environment.

This PhD research addresses these challenges by developing and evaluating hybrid bioactive enzyme-active …

Downdrag Defeated – The Neutral Plane Method, Kyle L. Zak, Min Sang Lee

Civil Engineering Professional Development Seminar

The neutral plane method for evaluating downdrag on deep foundations has been gaining popularity over the past few years. It is a powerful tool that, in many situations, can all but eliminate downdrag concerns on deep foundations. INDOT has allowed its use recently and adapted its forms to accommodate this method. The presentation will cover the theory behind the method and how it can be applied in bridge design. We will then demonstrate how to incorporate the method into the INDOT workflow, and we’ll show a couple real-life examples where the neutral plane method saved the day.

Curbless By Design: Revitalizing Downtown Infrastructure For Pedestrians, Alex Duran, Steve Cherry

Civil Engineering Professional Development Seminar

This presentation will discuss the design of a curbless, pedestrian-focused corridor as part of a small-town downtown reconstruction in Sylvania, Ohio. The project team will share how they balanced community goals, accessibility, and utility coordination, along with considerations for drainage, hardscape, lighting, and power. The session will also highlight early construction lessons learned from Phase 1.

Guardrail Design And Placement 101, Katherine Smutzer

Civil Engineering Professional Development Seminar

Not all “guardrail” is created equal. Within the last 10 years INDOT has adopted the MASH-compliant Midwest Guardrail System (MGS). While similar to the previous standard w-beam guardrail, there are nuances that aren’t well understood by designers. The presentation would reinforce the fundamentals of guardrail as a safety barrier, explain the function of various components of a guardrail system, and review important design considerations.

Mass Timber Construction: Products, Performance And Design, Anthony Harvey

Civil Engineering Professional Development Seminar

Due to their high strength, dimensional stability and positive environmental performance, mass timber building products are quickly becoming materials of choice for sustainably‐minded designers. This presentation will provide a detailed look at the variety of mass timber products available, including glue‐laminated timber (glulam), cross laminated timber (CLT), nail laminated timber (NLT), heavy timber decking, and other engineered and composite systems. Applications for the use of these products under modern building codes will be discussed, and examples of their use in U.S. projects reviewed. Mass timber’s ability to act as both structure and exposed finish will also be highlighted, as will …

Water Quality Assessment Of The Tigris River In Baghdad Using The Canadian Council Of Ministers Of The Environment Water Quality Index (Ccme-Wqi), Talib Kamil Abed, Muwafaq Hussein Al-Lami, Abass J. Kadhem, Moayed Nasser Muslim, Zainab Bahaa Mohammed

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

The objective of this study was to assess the water quality of the Tigris River in Baghdad and its northern areas through the application of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME-WQI). The study was conducted over two distinct periods representing dry (summer) and wet (winter) seasons over a 12-month period in 2021, encompassing nine strategic sampling sites along the river from Al-Karkh to Al-Wihda. Water samples were analyzed for sixteen physicochemical parameters including turbidity, alkalinity, total hardness, major ions, nutrients, and trace metals. The study revealed that water quality ranged from poor to marginal …

Simulation Of Rocket Response To Electromagnetic Environments Using Finite Element Modeling, Eden Powers

Fall Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry

The purpose of this project is to develop a rocket model in FEMAP with NX-Nastran to simulate how a rocket might respond when exposed to external electromagnetic conditions. A simplified model of the SpaceX Starship will be constructed and analyzed to explore how various electromagnetic conditions interact with the rocket’s materials and geometry.

Safety, Security, And… Beavers? An Engineer's Low-Tech Climate Strategy, Matt Mullins

University College: Environmental Policy and Management Capstones

Colorado’s headwaters are the source of drinking water to millions and are a key pillar of the state’s tourism industry. Consequently, they are some of the most vulnerable areas to natural disasters including wildfires, droughts and flooding. Climate change will increase the severity and frequency of these natural disasters. This project focuses on some of the most vulnerable areas from an economic and climate change perspective of Colorado’s headwaters including the Big Thompson River, and the Colorado River. These headwaters located in and around Estes Park, Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park are currently severely impaired. Low-tech process-based restoration …