Digital Commons Network^™

A Machine Learning/Deep Learning Investigation On Remote Manufacturing Machine State Classification, Ajeet S. Parmar

Theses and Dissertations

Determining the extent of manufacturing capabilities with respect to adversarial or hostile nations is a topic of significant importance to the Department of Defense. Manufacturing capabilities can serve as indications of a nation's industrial power and its economy of force in warfare. Remotely detecting machine operations via electromagnetic sensors may be possible via Deep Learning (DL) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. To predict machine states, sensor data is collected externally from a machine shop on a college campus to monitor the operating states of lathes and mills in individual and concurrent operation. Furthermore, several sensors are placed in various positions, …

Jamming-Tolerant Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Network For Detection Sensor Networks, Michael A. Eddy

Theses and Dissertations

This research evaluates the impact of electronic warfare, particularly jamming, on an audio-based drone detection wireless sensor network (WSN) using Monte Carlo simulations. A six-node IEEE 802.15.4 network, with five edge nodes and a central sink, is tested against jamming probabilities ranging from 0-100% in 5% increments across 30 iterations per configuration. Results show that packet delivery ratio (PDR) degrades linearly at approximately 20% per jammed node, while detection performance often exceeds PDR. Even at 80% jamming, detection success rates remain above 57%, highlighting resilience despite network degradation. The study reveals that jamming effectiveness depends on node placement relative to …

Proximal Policy Optimization Applied To The Beyond Visual Range Air Combat Maneuvering Problem, Daniel B. Joseph

Theses and Dissertations

Artificial intelligence (AI) grows ever-more important in warfighting. Emerging technologies allow for the use of AI to control aircraft and weapons systems. This research investigates the application of reinforcement learning (RL) through the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm to a two-versus-two (2v2) beyond-visual-range (BVR) air combat maneuvering problem (ACMP). Implemented in the Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM), the methodology frames the engagement as a Markov decision process, wherein an autonomous RL agent learns continuous control decisions—throttle, pitch, roll, and yaw—under a cooperative communication scheme. A multi-phase curriculum-learning approach facilitates the progressive acquisition of flight stability, weapon deployment, …

Confronting Catastrophic Risk: The International Obligation To Regulate Artificial Intelligence, Bryan Druzin, Anatole Boute, Michael Ramsden

Michigan Journal of International Law

While artificial intelligence (“AI”) holds enormous promise, many experts in the field are warning that there is a non-trivial chance that the development of AI poses an existential threat to humanity. Existing regulatory initiatives do not address this threat but instead merely focus on discrete AI-related risks such as consumer safety, cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy. In the absence of regulatory action to address the possible risk of human extinction by AI, the question arises: What obligations, if any, does public international law impose on states to regulate its development?

At present there is no scientific consensus as to the …

Water Quality Contributions Of Selected Buffalo River Headwaters In Searcy County, Arkansas, 2019–2023, Patrick Michael Dyer

Student Theses and Dissertations

Regulated by the National Park Service since 1972, the Buffalo River faces nitrogen, phosphorous, sediment, and fecal coliform contamination. Research assessing tributary water quality began with collecting water samples weekly from November 2019 until January 2023 (n = 156) near Tyler Bend Campgrounds. Pairwise analysis measured minimal water quality change from upstream to downstream on four headwater creeks. Data revealed that Tomahawk Creek’s fecal coliform bacteria were elevated above background levels, frequently exceeding state standards. National Land Cover Dataset class data were extracted to index land use at different scales. Simple linear regression, stepwise multiple linear regression, and a random …

Maritime Industry Cybersecurity Threats In 2025: Advanced Persistent Threats (Apts), Hacktivism And Vulnerabilities, Minodora Badea, Olga Bucovetchi, Adrian V. Gheorghe, Mihaela Hnatiuc, Gabriel Raicu

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Background: The maritime industry, vital for global trade, faces escalating cyber threats in 2025. Critical port infrastructures are increasingly vulnerable due to rapid digitalization and the integration of IT and operational technology (OT) systems. Methods: Using 112 incidents from the Maritime Cyber Attack Database (MCAD, 2020-2025), we developed a novel quantitative risk assessment model based on a Threat-Vulnerability-Impact (T-V-I) framework, calibrated with MITRE ATT&CK techniques and validated against historical incidents. Results: Our analysis reveals a 150% rise in incidents, with OT compromise identified as the paramount threat (98/100 risk score). Ports in Poland and Taiwan face the …

Detection Of Data Leakage And Disruption Of Covert Timing Channel In Secure Drone Communication Using Machine And Deep Learning, Jonathan Walatkiewicz

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The utilization of recreational drones has experienced a substantial increase in both the United States and globally. However, it is noteworthy that most drones, classified as Internet of Things devices, are produced with a limited security lifecycle. This study's findings are of paramount importance, as traditional computing exploits can be applied to drones, designating them as high- value targets. This study examines the detectability and disruptability of covert timing channel traffic in secure drones. The investigation aims to ascertain the effects of multiple interarrival times, distances ranging from 1 to 330 feet, various detection algorithms, and stream sizes between 32-bit …

Anti-Jamming Attack Mixed Strategy For Formation Tracking Control Via Game-Theoretical Reinforcement Learning, Lei Xue, Bei Ma, Yongbao Wu, Jian Liu, Chaoxu Mu, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Communication plays a role in multi-UAV to perform formation tracking missions. In complex environments, UAV communication is often subject to jamming attacks, affecting the formation process. Therefore, studying the formation tracking control problem in jamming attacks is of great significance. Typically, the actions of the UAV consist of two fundamental modules: mobility strategy and communication strategy. In this paper, we design an anti-jamming attack mixed strategy for formation tracking control of the multi-UAV system. In practical scenarios, multi-UAV systems not only require the accomplishment of formation maneuvers but also necessitate effective mitigation of jamming attacks caused by other UAVs. Therefore, …

Instantaneous Hydrolysis Of Methyl Paraoxon Nerve Agent Simulant Is Catalyzed By Nontoxic Aminoguanidine Imines, Emmanuel Kingsley Darkwah, Puspa Aryal, Chi Zhang, Charles B. Musgrave, William A. Goddard, V. Prakash Reddy

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Exposure to organophosphate-based nerve agents and pesticides poses health and security threats to civilians, soldiers, and first responders. Thus, there is a need to develop effective decontamination agents that are nonhazardous to human health. To address this, we demonstrate that instantaneous hydrolysis of methyl paraoxon (Me-POX), a nerve agent simulant, can be achieved in the presence of aminoguanidine imines at pH 10: ● the pyridine-4-aldehyde aminoguanidine-imine (1) and ● the 2,3-butanedione aminoguanidine-imine (2). The hydrolysis of Me-POX under these conditions is substantially faster than that of the state-of-the-art decontaminating agent, Dekon-139 (2,3-butanedione oxime, potassium salt). Furthermore, Dekon-139 shows adverse effects …

A Colorimetric Sensor Array For Differentiating Emerging Material Contaminants Based On Surface Chemistry, Ifunanya Chiamaka Ede

All Master's Theses

Emerging materials contaminants, such as microplastics (MPs) and engineered nanoparticles (ENPs), are now recognized to contaminate oceans, seas, freshwater, and drinking water through many different exposure pathways. The extent of the materials' water contamination problem has only begun to be properly appreciated in the last decade. While comprehensive global data on the exact quantity of nano- and microcontaminants in drinking water is challenging to ascertain, studies have shown that microplastics and nanoparticles can now be found in drinking water sources worldwide.  Indeed, a well-publicized recent study has shown that 93% of bottled water around the world contains microplastic contamination.

Detecting …

Empirical Assessment Of Cybersecurity Competencies Through Human-Generative Artificial Intelligence (Genai) Teaming, Dariusz Witko

CCAC Theses and Dissertations

The critical shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals, with over 750,000 unfilled positions in the United States (U.S.), combined with rising practitioner burnout and the complexity of modern cyber threats, poses significant risks to national security. As Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) emerges as a potential tool to support cybersecurity operations, its role in assisting human analysts with high-demand tasks offers both opportunities and challenges. While GenAI can improve efficiency, it also introduces adversarial risks if manipulated by malicious actors. This study investigated how human-GenAI collaboration can address these challenges, focusing on the fundamental cybersecurity knowledge, skills, and task completion required for …

A Maintenance Repair And Overhaul Model For Operational Sustainability; Incorporating Processes And Risks., Linn Guinn, Mary M.H. Woody, Eva Maleviti

Publications

Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) companies are integral to the aviation industry, with the core responsibility of ensuring aircraft remain safe and airworthy. Their role is critical in maintaining the industry’s high standards of performance and safety. To remain competitive, MROs must provide a wide range of services—including inspections, periodic checks, engine overhauls, avionics repairs, fuselage and cabin modifications, and interior refurbishments— while consistently meeting regulatory and safety requirements. Beyond technical compliance, MROs must adopt a quality-driven, continuous improvement approach to manage risks effectively. This requires the integration of processes, programs, and systems aligned with international standards to strengthen resilience, …

High Throughput, Solid Sample Analysis With Cone-Based Mass Spectrometric Ionization Sources, Emily J. Wiggins

Theses and Dissertations

The widespread presence of environmental and consumer-product contaminants (e.g. trace metals, opium alkaloids) has underscored the need for rapid, reliable, and high-throughput analytical techniques that are capable of handling complex solid samples. While traditional mass spectrometric (MS) methods tend to have high sensitivity and accuracy, they often require labor-intensive and time-consuming sample preparation steps that limit throughput and field applicability. This thesis investigates the use of 3D-Printed Cone Spray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (3D-PCSI-MS) as an ambient ionization technique for the direct screening of contaminants from solid matrices, eliminating the need for traditional sample preparation and allowing for real-time analysis.

In …

Developing A Graphql Mesh Federated Api Gateway: Rapid Integration Of New Endpoints Into A Predefined Schema, Noah Kolczynski

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The Navy’s Undersea Warfare Decision Support System (USW-DSS) uses data from an ever growing number of sensors, accessible through an equally growing number of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Due to the lack of standardization among these sensors and APIs, as the system has continued to grow, the challenge of collecting and using these data has become increasingly prevalent. Previous work at Michigan Tech, in collaboration with engineers at ARiA (Applied Research in Acoustics LLC), introduced a GraphQL Mesh federated API gateway. The gateway would enable the combination of diverse API sources into a predefined hierarchical structure. This report follows the …

A Governance-Centric Framework For Strengthening Healthcare Cybersecurity: A Systems Perspective, Sujatha Alla, Sai Gireesh Komaragiri, Teresa Duvall, Satluk Karahan, Nagesh Bheesetty, Vijay Kumar Chattu

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Healthcare systems face unprecedented security and privacy challenges due to increasing digitization and interconnectedness. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of these challenges by examining various cyberattacks, defensive mechanisms, and governance frameworks within modern healthcare infrastructure. The research systematically categorizes prevalent security threats, such as ransomware, insider threats, and data breaches, identifying vulnerabilities specific to healthcare systems. Furthermore, the study evaluates current defensive strategies, including encryption techniques, access control systems, and intrusion detection tools, assessing their effectiveness against complex cyber threats. A key focus is placed on governance structures and their role in cybersecurity resilience. The research explores how regulatory …

Cyberattacks On Port Infrastructures: A Decade Of Trends, Incidents, And Mitigation Strategies (2011-2024), Minodora Badea, Olga Bucovetchi, Adrian V. Gheorghe, Gabriel Raicu

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Port infrastructures are critical to global trade, handling over 80% of the world's cargo by volume. However, their increasing reliance on digital technologies has exposed them to a wide range of cyber threats. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of cyberattacks targeting port infrastructures from 2011 to the present. We examine the types of attacks, geographical distribution, notable incidents, and underlying vulnerabilities. Additionally, we discuss mitigation strategies and future directions for enhancing cybersecurity in the maritime sector. Our findings highlight the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks, advanced technological solutions, and collaborative efforts to safeguard critical port operations.

Cyber Warfare And The Future Of Conflict, Victor A. Mercado

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis examines whether cyber warfare now poses a more immediate threat to U.S. national security than weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Cyber operations have become a dominant instrument of contemporary conflict, with malicious actors operating in a persistent “grey zone” that blurs traditional boundaries between war and peace. These operations target military and civilian entities, both directly and often as collateral damage due to the uncontrollable nature of cyber threats. WMDs, despite their catastrophic destructive potential, remain largely constrained by established deterrence frameworks.

The evolving nature of cyber warfare warrants comparison to WMD effects and impact, as cyber capabilities …

Meteorology, Weather And War In South East Asia: Malaya C. 1940-1960, Fiona Williamson

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

This article interrogates the positioning of British colonial meteorology in Malaysia and Singapore from the 1940s to 1960. This period spanned a global conflict and an internecine war, effecting profound sociopolitical changes from which neither Malaysia nor Singapore would emerge the same. The meteorological services were essential to Britain's armed conflicts, providing vital weather information to the army, navy and, especially, the air forces, as well as supporting the aviation and shipping industry often in difficult and dangerous circumstances. This article argues that British military policy in South East Asia and the specific concerns of the colonial government in Malaya …

Textual Sediments: Genre And The Planetary Novel, William Bowden

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation investigates how twenty-first-century prose fiction navigates the ecological and temporal dimensions of planetary crisis. In response to accelerating pressures - climate change, ecological collapse, and the intensification of capitalist modernity - literary studies has turned increasingly to the planetary as a conceptual frame. Yet this shift has often outpaced the development of adequate critical vocabularies and narrative methodologies. By drawing on ecocriticism, narrative theory, phenomenology, and related fields, Textual Sediments proposes a new framework for reading what it terms the planetary novel: a sedimentary genre characterized by temporal layering, formal hybridity, and a recursive engagement with scale. Through …

Design And Synthesis Of Organocatalyts For Efficient Decontamination Of Organophosphate-Based Nerve Agents And Pesticides, Emmanuel Kingsley Darkwah

Doctoral Dissertations

Exposure to organophosphate-based nerve agents and pesticides poses significant health and security threats to civilians, soldiers, and first responders. Despite extensive efforts to develop chemical detoxification agents for use in topical applications on exposed skin surfaces and for intravenous injections, there remains an unmet need for effective, non-hazardous decontaminating agents. The current state-of-the-art decontaminating agent, Dekon-139 (2,3-butanedione oxime, potassium salt), exhibits adverse effects when applied to the skin.

In this study, we designed and synthesized pharmaceutically relevant aminoguanidine-derived aldimines that are relatively non-toxic and substantially more effective at decontaminating nerve agents and pesticides compared to existing agents, and they act …

Metal-Free Photoredox Catalysis For The S-Trifluoromethylation Of Thiols And Investigation Of Ph-Dependent Decontamination Of Dimethyl Chlorophosphate, A Nerve Agent Simulant, Via Hydrolysis With Azoles, Raheemat Rafiu

Doctoral Dissertations

"Organofluorine chemistry plays a critical role in synthetic chemistry due to the unique properties of fluorine. However, the S-trifluoromethylation of thiols remains underexplored, with existing methods often relying on toxic and expensive organometallic catalysts. Given the advantages of S-trifluoromethylated compounds, including enhanced pharmacological activity and improved metabolic stability, we developed a green and cost-effective method for the synthesis of S-CF3 compounds using diacetyl as the organic catalyst and Langloi's reagent as the trifluoromethylating reagent. This reaction, which proceeds under mild conditions using visible light photoredox catalysis, works across various substrate scopes, including aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic thiols.

Chemical Warfare Agents …

Artificial Intelligence In Science And Society: The Vision Of Usern, Tommaso Dorigo, Gary D. Brown, Carlo Casonato, Artemi Cerda, Joseph Ciarrochi, Mauro Da Lio, Nicole D'Souza, Nicolas R. Gauger, Steven C. Hayes, Stefan G. Hofmann, Robert Johansson, Marcus Liwicki, Fabien Lotte, Juan J. Nieto, Giulia Olivato, Peter Parnes, George Perry, Alice Plebe, Idupulapati M. Rao, Nima Rezaei, Fredrik Sandin, Andrey Ustyuzhanin, Giorgio Vallortigara, Pietro Vischia, Niloufar Yazdanpanah

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The recent rise in relevance and diffusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based systems and the increasing number and power of applications of AI methods invites a profound reflection on the impact of these innovative systems on scientific research and society at large. The Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), an organization that promotes initiatives to support interdisciplinary science and education across borders and actively works to improve science policy, collects here the vision of its Advisory Board members, together with a selection of AI experts, to summarize how we see developments in this exciting technology impacting science and society in …

Afit Generative Ai Teaching Guidebook, Afit Faculty Learning Community, Mark G. Bateman, Brett J. Borghetti, Allen W. Dukes, Nicholas C. Francis, Mike Frick, Bobbie Oh, Kevin Patterson, Hiren J. Patel, Mark G. Reith, Erick S. Tyndall, Teresa M. Walton, Torrey J. Wagner, Timothy S. Wolfe, Jonathan Zemmer

AFIT Documents

AFIT is proud to highlight the Generative AI Teaching Guidebook, a resource designed to provide military educators with practical insights, strategies, and use cases for integrating Generative AI (Gen AI) into their teaching practices. Developed through a collaborative effort involving AFIT faculty across various departments within the Graduate School of Engineering and Management and the School of Systems and Logistics, this digital resource serves as a starting point for educators exploring how to leverage Gen AI in their classrooms. It offers accessible examples and best practices, ensuring utility for instructors of all technical backgrounds. The guidebook provides a comprehensive overview …

Enhancing Cyber Situational Awareness Through Dynamic Adaptive Symbology: The Dass Framework, Nicholas Macrino, Sergio Pallas Enguita, Chung-Hao Chen

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The static nature of traditional military symbology, such as MIL-STD-2525D, hinders effective real-time threat detection and response in modern cybersecurity operations. This research introduces the Dynamic Adaptive Symbol System (DASS), a novel framework enhancing cyber situational awareness in military and enterprise environments. The DASS addresses static symbology limitations by employing a modular Python 3.10 architecture that uses machine learning-driven threat detection to dynamically adapt symbol visualization based on threat severity and context. Empirical testing assessed the DASS against a MIL-STD-2525D baseline using active cybersecurity professionals. Results show that the DASS significantly improves threat identification rates by 30% and reduces response …

An Overview Of Video Game Biometrics Collection And Considerations For Cyberbiosecurity, Lucas Potter, Christen Westberry, Xavier-Lewis Palmer

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Over the past fifty years, the global cost of consumer electronics has significantly decreased, leading to greater accessibility to both biosensing systems and interactive entertainment platforms. This increased access has naturally resulted in higher usage of medical and entertainment electronics. However, the intersection of these technologies, combined with invasive data harvesting practices, has raised concerns about the potential misuse of biological signals to manipulate individuals' behavior both within and beyond the video game environment. Currently, biometric data in video games are employed in various ways, such as using Heart Rate Variability (HRV) as a performance metric and integrating eye tracking …

Repositioning Traditional Authority To Fight Illegal Gold Mining In Dunkwa-Offin In The Upper Denkyira East Municipal District Of The Central Region Of Ghana, Manaseh Mawufemor Mintah

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Ghana is endowed with valuable mineral resources, including gold, diamonds, and manganese. However, the country has struggled to manage these resources in a way that benefits the broader population. Illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, has become a persistent national concern. This practice involves the unauthorized extraction of mineral ore by individuals and groups operating without formal government authorization. The town of Dunkwa-Offin exemplifies the severe social and ecological consequences of galamsey, where livelihoods, public health, and environmental sustainability are increasingly compromised. This study examines the potential role of traditional authorities in Dunkwa-Offin in combating illegal small-scale mining, also …

Efficient Oxidation Of Methylene Blue Via Catalytic Activation Of Peroxymonosulfate Via An Engineered Δ-Feooh/Pili Nutshell Biochar Composite, Lorenz Borromeo

Applied Environmental Research

This study introduces a novel composite catalyst formed by anchoring delta iron oxyhydroxide (δ-FeOOH) onto pyrolyzed Pili nutshell biochar via a room-temperature coprecipitation technique, marking the first application of Pili nutshell waste in advanced oxidation processes for wastewater treatment. This innovative methodology enhances catalyst dispersion and stability, facilitating the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to generate reactive sulfate radicals (SO4•–) for the degradation of methylene blue (MB), a thiazine dye commonly used in the medical field and the dye industry. Different techniques have been used to characterize synthesized composites in terms of their morphology, elemental composition, surface functional groups, and crystalline …

Boden Lecture: Taxation Of Autonomous Artificial Intelligence, Reuven S. Avi-Yonah, Lucas Brasil Salama, Herbert Snitz, W. Robert Thomas

Articles

This Article proposes that tax can be a useful supplement to other measures to regulate Autonomous Artificial Intelligence (AAI) and limit its potential harmful effects. This proposal differs from command-and-control regulation of AAI along the lines of European Union legislation that may unduly limit the development of AAI. It also differs from existing proposals to tax AAI to generate revenue to help workers displaced by AAI programs, or to tax the data used by AAI The proposal is based on granting AAI programs like ChatGPT separate legal personhood, like corporate personhood, while incentivizing or requiring their corporate owner to place …

Peptides And Metalloproteins: Evolution, Catalysis And Material Design, Dona Imanga Upamadi Edirisinghe

Dissertations - ALL

Peptide hydrogels are an important class of biomaterials that have gained significant attention in recent years. The stimuli responsive materials change their properties in response to pH, redox, temperature and enzymes and this property allowed us to design the materials with tunable properties based on their end application. This dissertation reports the de novo design, synthesis and characterization of short chain peptide sequences and optimizations of those in order to develop them into potential candidates in wound care and drug delivery applications. The investigation of these novel peptide sequences will open up new possibilities to tailor the properties through simple …

Integrating Criminological Theories In Cybersecurity Risk Assessment: A Study Of The Traci Framework's Application To Critical Infrastructure, Connor S. Martin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores the application of the Taxonomy for Risk Assessment of Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure (TRACI) framework, a tool designed to systematically evaluate cybersecurity threats against critical infrastructure. TRACI integrates principles from Routine Activity and Rational Choice Theories to provide a detailed and comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity risks. This integration facilitates an in-depth analysis not only of how cyberattacks occur but also of the underlying reasons they are initiated, by categorizing and assessing risks based on factors such as attacker motivations and systemic vulnerabilities. By employing ANOVA to assess variations in risk assessment scores across TRACI's designated categories—Assets, Risk …