Digital Commons Network^™

Alternative Treatment Systems To Increase The Drying Rates Of Green Forage Crops, W E. Klinner, O D. Hale

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forms of conditioning treatment are being developed that aim to minimize the barrier effect of the crop cuticle without sacrificing too much of the structural strength of the herbage. Effective surface abrasion and favorable windrow structure can be achieved with steel-spoked rotors, which are now beginning to be offered commercially. More recently, plastic brushes have been developed because the higher population density and yielding ability of the crop-engaging elements, plus the absence of metal components, appeared to offer additional advantages. Four different brush conditioner systems have been evaluated in the laboratory and in replicated field experiments. Tufted brushes using trilobar …

Hot Jupiter Atmospheres Through Time, Annabelle E. Niblett

Physics and Astronomy Undergraduate Senior Theses

Transmission spectroscopy of hot Jupiters enables mass and atmospheric composition measurements, providing insight into population dynamics and evolution when other methods are hindered by stellar activity. To effectively plan observations and interpret transmission spectra, we must have a robust understanding of how atmospheres evolve over time. To that end, we present a suite of hot Jupiter transmission spectra models with ages ranging from 3 Myr to 11 Gyr. We incorporate the cooling and contraction of the planet, which impacts the atmospheric profile, and the evolution of the stellar UV spectrum, which moderates photodissociation and photoionization. Using PICASO,  VULCAN, and FastChem …

Re: Comment Letter For The Draft Final Butte Mine Waste Repository Operations And Maintenance (O&M) Plan (Dated May 8, 2026), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Comparative Analysis Of Leaflet Materials, Stent Materials, And Stent Cell Density For Bileaflet Transcatheter Mitral Valve Design, Joseph Chibuike Nwokeafor, Joshua D. Hofmeister, Breandan B. Yeats, Lakshmi Prasad Dasi, Charanjit S. Rihal, Juan A. Crestanello, Leigh Griffiths, Mohamad A. Alkhouli, Hoda Hatoum

Michigan Tech Publications

Background: The biomechanical performance of bileaflet transcatheter mitral valves (TMVs) depends on complex interactions between leaflet material behavior and stent design. However, the contributions of leaflet materials and constitutive models, stent materials, and stent geometry to valve function and durability remain poorly understood. Methods: A parametric finite element study was conducted using a CAD model of a bileaflet TMV subjected to physiological pressure loading. Five leaflet material models were evaluated: 3 glutaraldehyde-fixed tissues—bovine pericardium (BP; FBP1, FBP2) and porcine pericardium (PP; FPP)—and 2 unfixed tissues—bovine (UBP) and porcine pericardium (UPP). BP was modeled as a linear elastic (FBP1) and Ogden …

Enhanced Uav Surveillance With Rf-Based Drone Identification Using Transfer Learning, Prajoy Podder, Maciej Jan Zawodniok, Sanjay Madria

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

With the development of technology and the decrease in costs, drones are now becoming easily accessible to the public. As the accessibility of this technology continues to grow, the concerns of security and surveillance increase, and to ensure a sense of security, the need to have reliable drone detection and identification systems is more urgent than ever. Besides, many civilian applications have been found for drones, which play a huge role in modern security and warfare. Unauthorized drones can be very dangerous regarding security issues, as they can be used for spying, smuggling, or even attacks against critical infrastructure. We …

A Study On Culturally Sensitive Ai-Based Conversational Interfaces To Enhance Digital Service Accessibility For Senior Citizens In The Uae, Salma Eisa Alkhyeli

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The UAE is steadfast in its digitalization process due to the Vision 2031, but the aging population encounters several barriers in its efforts to use essential services like subsidized food and fodder markets through an online platform. This thesis developed and validated an AI-based conversational system that focused on helping the elderly group to acquire digital services. The challenges here are associated with lack of knowledge on digital interfaces, language barrier because of dialects and lack of digital literacy in a majority of older adults. The Study addressed these challenges by considering the diverse dialect, cultural and technological needs of …

Next-Generation Dns Rpz For Automated Threat Intelligence, Risk-Aware Filtering, And User-Centric Security, Jinu S, Kishore V. Krishnan, Rajarshi Middya, Annasamy Bagubali

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The Domain Name System (DNS) remains a critical attack vector exploited by adversaries for command-and-control (C2) communication, data exfiltration, and phishing campaigns. DNS Response Policy Zones (RPZ) have emerged as an effective defense mechanism by enabling the redirection or blocking of queries to malicious domains. However, current RPZ implementations encounter significant challenges related to scalability, adaptability, and user awareness, often resulting in static policies, delayed updates, and a high incidence of false positives. To address these limitations, this paper proposes an enhanced RPZ framework that integrates adaptive threat intelligence, machine learning-driven dynamic policy updates, and user-context-aware security controls. The proposed …

Tracing The Seam: Machine Learning Models Of The Open–Closed Boundary From Upstream Solar Wind Drivers, Arnav Singh

Physics and Astronomy Undergraduate Senior Theses

The open–closed magnetic field line boundary (OCB) demarcates closed terrestrial field lines from those threaded into the interplanetary medium, and its latitude encodes the instantaneous balance between dayside and nightside reconnection that governs much of the high-latitude space-weather hazard. No single instrument resolves it globally in real time. In this thesis I close that gap empirically. Pairing nearly three decades (1983–2012) of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program particle-precipitation boundaries with the 5-minute OMNI solar-wind and geomagnetic-index record yields ∼9.1×10⁵ causally matched crossings, partitioned into six hemispheric/MLT sectors after a |MLat| ≥ 40° physics cut.

On this corpus I train three …

Describing Hidden Curriculum In An Undergraduate Computing Context, Joseph R. Teahen, Briana C. Bettin, Leo Ureel

Michigan Tech Publications

Hidden Curriculum (HC) is the set of essential knowledge, skills, and norms students are expected to know, but never explicitly taught. HC is disproportionately experienced across identities and communities. In computing education, most research addresses immediately identifiable HC within the researcher's context. While such work is important, without proper HC descriptive studies, we could miss more subtle HC that affects student success. This work presents results from interviews with undergraduate computing faculty, students, and peer mentors on their HC experiences. The results demonstrate several categories of HC including development tools, professional skills, institutional navigation, social well-being, and physical well-being. These …

The Intersection Between Mindfulness And Cybersecurity: A Tool To Reduce Burnout And Improve Operational Effectiveness, Ivo Ricardo Dias Rosa

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Abstract: This paper offers a conceptual discussion of how mindfulness, understood as present moment awareness and deliberate attention regulation, can support cybersecurity professionals. Drawing on a narrative synthesis of workplace mindfulness, burnout, and high pressure decision making literature, we map plausible self regulation mechanisms to typical cyber defense tasks. Rather than presenting new empirical data, we develop an explanatory framework linking attention, reactivity, and recovery to decision quality, team communication, and adherence to incident playbooks. We focus on two connected outcomes: reducing burnout in roles with sustained cognitive and emotional demands, and improving operational effectiveness during critical situations such as …

Cyber-Ready Libraries, Building Digital Fortresses For Tomorrow, Adeyinka B. Tella, Oluchi Precious Ogbonna Dr, Adebola Aderemi Olatoye Mrs

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Background and Purpose: Libraries are evolving into highly networked information ecosystems in this age of fast digital transformation, which increases their susceptibility to cybersecurity risks. The study "Cyber-Ready Libraries: Building Digital Fortresses for Tomorrow" looks into how prepared libraries are to face cyber threats and considers methods for creating information systems that are safe, robust, and ready for the future. To safeguard digital assets and user data, the study aims to assess existing cybersecurity practices in library settings and offer a roadmap for combining technological, human, and governance solutions.

Design/Method: The existing literature, case studies, and policy frameworks pertaining …

Parent Cultural Wealth: How Beliefs, Curriculum Familiarity, And Community Awareness Facilitate Home-Based Cs Conversations, Nicol Howard, Leiny Y. Garcia, Jean Ryoo, Julie Flapan, Michelle Choi, Paula Nazario, Wei Wei

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Parents are critical influences on children's computer science (CS) pathways, yet families’ involvement remains understudied. Guided by parental involvement and community cultural wealth frameworks, this work-in-progress examined survey data from 53 parents representing families historically underrepresented in computing within California (71% women; 54% Hispanic/Latin/x/e). Findings revealed that CS school curriculum familiarity and awareness of CS community events significantly predicted parent-child CS conversations, while parent CS confidence and attitudes did not, suggesting that curriculum transparency and community connections can promote equitable involvement. Future work will integrate qualitative interviews to examine how families draw upon their cultural wealth.

The Method Of Periodic Averaging Applied To Reduced Coupled Mode Theory Models For Fiber Laser Amplifiers, Rebecca Nicole Bryant

Dissertations and Theses

Fiber laser amplifier (FLA) models are often implemented without rigorous mathematical justification or thorough numerical validation. Without a proper theoretical basis for assumptions and approximations, or a technical analysis of model performance, there is significant uncertainty about the limitations of any given reduced model and its suitability for an application. This research aims to address the lack of comprehensive assessment of FLA models by directly comparing distinct models and recommending a mathematical alternative to replace heuristic model-reduction techniques. The work in this dissertation is divided into two projects: a comparative study that uses existing FLA models to assess the validity …

A Comprehensive Review Of Optimization Techniques For Healthcare Using Cancer Datasets, Dina Tbaishat, Mohammad Tubishat, Sharif Naser Makhadmeh, Mohammed Azmi Al-Betar

All Works

This study presents a systematic review of metaheuristic optimization techniques applied to healthcare problems using cancer datasets. A structured search of recently published peer-reviewed literature was carried out, focusing on five major application areas: feature selection, classification, image segmentation, hyperparameter tuning, and early detection. For each eligible study, the optimization strategy, dataset characteristics, data modality, learning model, validation protocol, and reported outcomes are provided. The reviewed works were organized into a taxonomy of original, modified, and hybridized algorithms, and a descriptive analysis was performed to assess algorithm prevalence and dataset utilization. The findings highlight that feature selection remains the most …

Assessment Of The Readiness Of Architectural Design Companies To Adopt Eco-Friendly Nanotechnologies In Sustainable Building Design, Ashwaq Essa Al Khalil

Dissertations and Theses

Nanotechnology is emerging as a promising innovation in sustainable architectural design, although its adoption remains slow. Research highlights the advantages of incorporating nanotechnologies in architecture, including improved material performance, enhanced thermal efficiency, reduced energy consumption, improved durability, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These advantages make nanomaterials a promising solution for sustainable building design, particularly in hot-climate regions where energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with conventional building design practices remain major concerns.

Despite this potential, nanotechnology adoption in architecture faces several challenges, including limited real-world applications, slow diffusion in practice, and persistent organizational, economic, and regulatory barriers. …

Optimization Of Cyanide Leaching Process Based On Grain Size And Slurry Density In Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining In Tatelu Area, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Dadan Mohamad Nurjaman, Harmin Sulistiyaning Titah, Adji Kawigraha, Ipung Fitri Purwanti, Wahyu Hidayat

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Tatelu Village, North Sulawesi, has shifted from mercury amalgamation to cyanide leaching. However, gold recovery remains inefficient, requiring process optimization. This study uses multiple linear regression analysis to evaluate the influence of grain size and slurry density on gold dissolution. The results indicate that grain size plays a dominant role in leaching efficiency, while slurry density, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and cyanide concentration have statistically insignificant effects (p > 0.05). Laboratory tests show that finer grain sizes enhance dissolution, with the highest recovery rate of 89.08% achieved at 75% passing through 44 …

Rape Pregnancies And Consequent Ptsd Resulting From The Overturn Of Roe V. Wade, Emma Lindenfelser, Yulia Garaeva, Nenette Nti-Agyemang, Ellen Davis, Anna Kabwa, Alexandra M Calaman

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

Prior to the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, access to safe legal abortions was limited and often restricted along racial, economic, and geographic lines. Nearly fifty years later, women’s health policy evolved again following the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturning Roe v. Wade. This court ruling decimated federal protections of abortion. This paper presents the research that the 2022 Dobbs judicial decision may contribute to and exacerbate rape-related PTSD on 1 out of 20 American who are unable to access a safe abortion after a rape-related pregnancy. Pregnant women living in conservative states that have outlawed …

Investigation Of Portland Limestone Cement Blended With Biochar From Downdraft Gasification: Hydration Kinetics, Microstructure, Rheology, And Performance Mechanisms, Ugochukwu Ewuzie, Paul C. Ani, Abdulkareem O. Yusuf, Joseph D. Smith, Monday Uchenna Okoronkwo

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The widespread adoption of Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) in U.S. concrete production has necessitated research into commercially available supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for formulating high-performance, low-carbon blended binders with PLC. This study investigated the influence of biochar (BC) in biochar-PLC composites (CBCs), focusing on hydration kinetics, microstructure, rheology, pore-solution chemistry, compressive strength, and the underlying mechanisms. Biochar was produced via downdraft gasification at 850 °C and incorporated into PLC at 5, 7, and 10% substitution by mass. Isothermal calorimetry and hydration data modeled using the Knudsen equation revealed that BC retarded early hydration but improved hydration degree and later-age heat …

Edge Ai And Iot-Based Intelligent Smart Irrigation System For Sustainable Agriculture, Afra Alshamsi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Traditional agriculture faces several challenges, including excessive water consumption, inefficient irrigation practices, and the increasing demand for sustainable food production. The rapid advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides opportunities to develop intelligent agricultural systems that improve resource management and support precision farming. This thesis presents an Edge AI and IoT-based smart irrigation system designed for real-time environmental monitoring, automated irrigation control, and intelligent irrigation prediction to support the optimal growth of arugula plants. The proposed system continuously monitors key cultivation parameters, including soil moisture, temperature, humidity, light intensity, pH, nutrient levels (NPK), and water …

Matching Two Long Interferometric Pathlengths Using Low Temporal Coherence Light For Finding Hong–Ou–Mandel Dip, Keith A. Wyman, Noah S. Everett, Anil K. Patnaik

Faculty Publications

Hong–Ou–Mandel (HOM) dip from a biphoton source in a two-photon interferometer provides a myriad of quantum tools for quantum communication and sensing. But the stringent requirements for spatial coherence between the photon pair makes it prohibitively difficult to observe high-fidelity HOM dip in long-distance free-space implementations, e.g., for the photon pairs involved in quantum communication need to match the two path lengths within a few 10 s of micron because of the short coherence width of the two-photon wave-packet. While many techniques for the pathlength balancing of two interferometric arms have been studied and applied extensively, such balancing is further …

Interview With Orca Winner Xiao Cheng Zeng; Unl Chemistry; Computational/Theoretical; Nebraska Ice & Gold Nanocages, Mark Griep, Xiao Cheng Zeng

UNL ORCA Interview Series

Xiao Cheng Zeng became a chemistry professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1993, quickly rose through the ranks, and was in the department for 29 years. In 2022, he left to become head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the City University of Hong Kong. Xiao was born in Beijing and earned a bachelor’s in physics at the University of Beijing in 1984. Next, he traveled 6800 miles east to Ohio State University in Columbus where he earned his doctorate in condensed matter physics. He followed that up with two postdoctoral experiences, first at the University …

Rehabvr: A Virtual Reality System For Upper-Body Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Rehabilitation, Winnie Brenda Wanjiru Waiya

Computer Science Senior Theses

Physical therapy is a central component of rehabilitation for musculoskeletal conditions, yet adherence to prescribed treatment remains persistently poor. Jack et al. identified pain, boredom, and insufficient feedback as key barriers to treatment adherence in physiotherapy outpatient settings,¹ and Rucinski et al. confirmed that non-adherence rates in orthopaedic populations remain between 50 and 70%, with patients who disengage facing elevated risk of reoperation, progressive functional decline, and poor clinical outcomes.² According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.71 billion people globally live with musculoskeletal conditions,³ with shoulder pain specifically carrying a community prevalence ranging from 0.67 to 55.2% worldwide and …

A Machine Learning Framework For Contractor Scope Matching Using Profile Characteristics And Work Package Vector Similarity, Pedro Fonseca, Sergei Chuprov

Computer Science Faculty Publications

This paper presents a machine learning-based framework for predicting contractor performance in the construction industry by integrating contractor profile information with work package characteristics. The proposed approach addresses procurement challenges arising from the misalignment between contractor expertise and assigned scopes, a key contributor to cost overruns and schedule delays. Unlike existing models that rely on aggregated project-level indicators, the framework enables scope-aware performance prediction by leveraging the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to capture similarity among work packages. Contractor profiles are encoded using historical performance data, while WBS elements are vectorized to quantify scope similarity and contextualize predictions. Experimental results demonstrate …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Synergistic Bioactive– Organometallic Condensation Polymers, Francesca Isabel Mosca

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This research focuses on the synthesis and structural characterization of polymers with anticipated anticancer and antiviral properties by combining metal-containing Lewis acids, organotin dichlorides (R2SnCl2), Group 4 metallocene dichlorides (Cp2TiCl2, Cp2ZrCl2 and Cp2HfCl2), and triphenyl Group 15 metal dichlorides (Ph3AsCl2, Ph3SbCl2 and Ph3BiCl2), with biologically active Lewis bases, lamivudine, a synthetic nucleoside, and camphoric acid, a dicarboxylic acid, to achieve synergistic effect.

Five classes of polymers were synthesized using interfacial polymerization: lamivudine and organotin dichlorides, lamivudine and Group 4 metallocene dichlorides, camphoric acid and triphenyl Group 15 metal dichlorides, camphoric acid and organotin dichlorides, and camphoric acid and Group 4 …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Organometallic Polymers And Their Cytotoxicity Towards Human Cancer Cell Lines, Paul Peter Slawek

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This research aimed to synthesize organometallic polymers from dialkyl (methyl, ethyl, butyl, cyclohexyl, and octyl) and diaryl (phenyl) tin dichlorides and three organic monomers, dipicolinic acid (DPA), chloramphenicol (CH), and isomannide (IS), using interfacial polymerization. Structure-activity relationships were investigated through physicochemical characterization (light-scattering photometry, proton NMR, and IR spectroscopy) and cytotoxicity was evaluated against six human cancer cell lines (AsPC-1, PANC-1, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, HT-29, PC-3), with cisplatin serving as the reference standard.

Five DPA/tin polymers were synthesized, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.60–0.71 μg/mL. Their cytotoxicity was significantly lower than that of cisplatin (0.0023-0.044 μg/mL), suggesting that …

Quantitatively Hyper-Positive Real Rational Functions Iii, Daniel Alpay, Izchak Lewkowicz

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Hyper-Positive Real, matrix-valued, rational functions are associated with absolute stability (the Lurie problem). Here, quantitative subsets of Hyper-positive functions, related through nested inclusions, are introduced. Structurally, this family of functions turns out to be matrix-convex and closed under inversion. A state-space characterization of these functions through a corresponding Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov Lemma, is given. Technically, the classical Linear Matrix Inclusions, associated with passive systems, are here substituted by Quadratic Matrix Inclusions.

Developing An Assessment Framework To Support Critical Evaluation Of Ai-Powered Academic Search Engines, Huajin Wang

FORCE 2026

As AI-powered tools are emerging in all aspects of research, it’s challenging for researchers, students, and librarians alike to assess the benefit, usefulness, and risks associated with a new AI-powered tool or AI-enhanced features of an existing one. To address this challenge, Carnegie Mellon University Libraries is developing a Tool Evaluation Framework to help users understand how AI-powered tools work, initially focused on AI-enhanced academic search engines. By evaluating criteria such as mechanisms for document retrieval, processes for content generation, and the quality of outputs, this framework guides users to carefully consider the strengths and weaknesses of a tool before …

Ab-Initio Investigation Of 2d Materials For Voc-Based Cancer Biomarker Detection And Hydrogen Storage Application, Ibrahim J.M. Alghoul

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This dissertation is motivated by two driving forces:
(i) the need for biosensors for early cancer diagnosis, and
(ii) the need for hydrogen storage materials to support a future energy hydrogen-based economy.
Throughout this thesis, both challenges were addressed using computational methods based upon density functional theory (DFT), as implemented in the Vienna Ab-initio Simulation Package (VASP), ab-initio molecular dynamics (AIMD), and thermodynamic analysis.

On the side of cancer biomarker detection, exhaled breath containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been shown to offer the analysis of a promising non-invasive diagnostic strategy. This thesis explored the functionalization of two distinct 2D …

Genai In Qualitative Data Analysis: Framework-Guided Prompt Engineering In Library Research Practice, Debby R. Wegener

FORCE 2026

As Generative AI (GenAI) tools become increasingly integrated across the research lifecycle, researchers need practical, reproducible methods for the responsible use of these technologies. This presentation will demonstrate a systematic approach to using GenAI for qualitative data analysis through a case study of thematic coding in a library website usability study at the Singapore Institute of Technology.

Drawing on prompt engineering frameworks like CLEAR, this session will illustrate how structured prompts can maintain academic rigour and enhance the reliability of GenAI-assisted analysis. The presentation will walk through the complete workflow, that is, from initial data preparation and tool selection to …

Rfc - Request For Information - Waste Rock Dump Stormwater Runoff Collection System Substitution, Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.