Digital Commons Network^™

Emerging Technologies For Forensic Genetic Identification, Lilly Llanos

Senior Honors Theses

There are many new innovations in forensic science that are being developed for the identification of biological evidence. These techniques include next-generation DNA sequencing, DNA phenotyping, and forensic genetic genealogy. This thesis will explore each, as well as newer applications of proteomics. The methodologies, reliability, practicality of cost and training, moral implications, and past research of each will be discussed. Finally, some ideas for future research and steps to drive growth and greater understanding will be suggested. This will encourage further innovations and the increased acceptance of forensic evidence in court. Each method was found to have both advantages and …

Urban Heat Dynamics In Pune: The Influence Of Land Cover And Local Climate, Arpit Tiwari, Preethi Nanjundan, Ravi Ranjan Kumar, Ananya Karmakar, Satyaban Bishoyi Ratna

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Urban areas with high population density and extensive infrastructure development have been experiencing an increasing strain on the local heat budget, leading to a surge in heat-related illnesses and discomfort. This study examined the impact of climate and land use as heat islands in Pune, India, from 2012 to 2023 at six different locations representing varying degree of urbanization. Satellite land cover observations revealed that 55.17% of the total area was urbanized in the city itself, which was limited to 44.8% in 2012. This urbanization has significantly impacted the increasing tendency of maximum temperature (T_max; 0.13℃ to 1.63℃ …

Analysis Of Systematic Trade-Offs Between Military And Healthcare Expenditure Alongside Gdp Growth Of Select Asian And Western Exporting Economies In The 21st Century, Rahul Balamurugan, Carlos Gershenson, Preethi Nanjundan, Hiroki Sayama

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

This study explores the complexity in the trade-offs between military expenditure, healthcare expenditure, and GDP growth across select Asian nations and major weapon-exporting countries, examining how nations allocate finite resources between national security and human well-being over the past two decades. Using a systems science approach, the research integrates Granger causality testing to analyze temporal and directional relationships among GDP growth, military expenditure, and healthcare expenditure, uncovering their dynamic interdependencies. The methodology includes trend and slope analysis, Granger causality testing, outlier detection, and clustering to identify heterogeneity in resource allocation strategies. Developed, weapon-exporting nations exhibit complementary trends, with strong causality …

Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics For Free-Surface Flows And Time Series Forecasting Approach For Computational Fluid Dynamics, Huali Ye

Doctoral Dissertations

With the increase in computing power, numerical simulation has become an essential approach to solving problems in engineering and science. Numerical simulations provide a platform for theoretical validation and facilitate novel discovery. Even though extensive mesh-based numerical methods are utilized, significant limitations exist, particularly in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Because of the grid distortion, issues related to large deformations, moving interfaces, and free surfaces may lead to considerable computational errors, constraining their efficacy in numerous applications. As a mesh-free method, Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) was introduced in 1977 and has been widely applied in many fields such as astrophysics and …

Explainable Neural Networks With Guarantee: A Sparse Estimation Approach, Antoine Ledent, Peng Liu

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Balancing predictive power and interpretability has long been a challenging research area, particularly in powerful yet complex models like neural networks, where nonlinearity obstructs direct interpretation. This paper introduces a novel approach to constructing an explainable neural network that harmonizes predictiveness and explainability. Our model is designed as a linear combination of a sparse set of jointly learned features, each derived from a different trainable function applied to a single 1-dimensional input feature. Leveraging the ability to learn arbitrarily complex relationships, our neural network architecture enables automatic selection of a sparse set of important features, with the final prediction being …

Maine Career Exploration: Final Evaluation Report, Julia Bergeron-Smith Mppm, Msw, Sarah Goan, Madison Burke, Becky Wurwarg, Amy Geren, Shannon Saxby

Publications

The Maine Career Exploration (MCE) Program was a two-year, $25 million pilot initiative launched in 2022 by Governor Janet Mills as part of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan. The program aimed to connect young people aged 16 to 24 with Maine’s economy through paid, age-appropriate career experiences that matched their interests, while also expanding career exploration opportunities in schools and communities and building long-term infrastructure to sustain these efforts. Managed by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, MCE distributed funding across three main streams: the Maine Children’s Cabinet Career Exploration Pilot Project, the Maine Department of Education’s …

Analysis Of Nuclear Security And Safety Integration Using Survey Responses And Pairwise Comparison Methods, Sheila V. Gbormittah, Theodore A. Thomas, Jason Timothy Harris

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Integrating nuclear security and safety is important for implementing and sustaining nuclear technology because it promises improved and effective management. This integration is an ongoing effort to ensure that both work together with minimal conflicts. This research aimed to determine the preferred level at which nuclear security and nuclear safety integrate by using the pairwise comparison methods of decision-making. This methodology used survey responses from women nuclear professionals to identify the most-desired criteria at three levels: strategic, operational, and cultural. The strategic level includes actions that government officials and regulators can take. The operational level encompasses actions that deliver the …

A New Measure Of Non-Parametric Correlation For Variables In The Likert Scale, Shubhabrata Das

Working Papers

We propose a new measure of nonparametric correlation that is especially suited for measuring association between variables measured in the Likert scale where data is ordinal and tied observations are extremely common. The proposed general structure of the measure is based on graded level of concordance and discordance between the pairs of metrics. The general form of the measure has all the desirable properties except the measure is not necessarily zero for independent variables. This limitation is acceptable given only ordinal nature of the metrics. Three versions of the measure are studied. The first is based on simple equi-distant weights. …

Optimal Time Series Forecasting Through The Garma Model, Adel Hassan A. Gadhi, Shelton Peiris, David E. Allen, Richard Hunt

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper examines the use of machine learning methods in modeling and forecasting time series with long memory through GARMA. By employing rigorous model selection criteria through simulation study, we find that the hybrid GARMA-LSTM model outperforms traditional approaches in forecasting long-memory time series. This characteristic is confirmed using popular datasets such as sunspot data and Australian beer production data. This approach provides a robust framework for accurate and reliable forecasting in long-memory time series. Additionally, we compare the GARMA-LSTM model with other implemented models, such as GARMA, TBATS, ARIMA, and ANN, highlighting its ability to address both long-memory and …

Modifiable And Non-Modifiable Risk Factors For Dementia Among Non-Hispanic White And Black Populations Aged 50-64 In The United States, 2006-2016, Jingkai Wei, Matthew C. Lohman Ph.D., Monique J. Brown, James W. Hardin, Chih-Hsiang Yang, Anwar T. Nerchant, Daniela B. Friedman

Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives

Research Design and Methods

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Resilience, And Syringe Services Program Attendance Among Persons Who Inject Drugs In Northeast Georgia, Usa: A Mediation Analysis, Mohammad Rifat Haider, Samantha Clinton, Monique J. Brown, Nathan B. Hansen

Faculty Publications

Background: Syringe services programs (SSP) are evidence-based venues offering harm reduction services to persons who inject drugs (PWID), such as sterile syringes, STI/HIV testing, and linkage to care to decrease drug use-related morbidities and mortalities. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked with reduced resilience, while increased resilience can help PWID attend SSPs. This study examined the potential mediating role of resilience between ACEs and SSP attendance among PWID.

Methods: Data were collected from adult HIV-negative PWID in northeast Georgia, between February-December 2023 (N = 173). Data were collected on SSP attendance (Yes vs. No), resilience, and ACEs. Covariates included …

Geographic Disparities In Unpaid Caregiving, Emma Kathryn Boswell, Monique J. Brown Ph.D., Mph, Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Nicholas Yell, Taryn Farrell, Peiyin Hung Ph.D., Elizabeth Crouch Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Purpose: An updated, nationally representative examination of rural–urban differences in the experiences, health, and well-being of caregivers is needed; previous research on this topic uses older data or has limited generalizability. This study examines rural–urban differences in the characteristics, experiences, and health of caregivers. Methods: The 2021–2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n = 44,274 unpaid caregivers) was used, with rurality defined according to the 2013 National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Urban-Rural Classification Scheme. Chi-square tests compared rural–urban differences in these caregivers’ characteristics, including demographic factors, caregiving intensity (e.g., weekly hours spent caregiving, reason for caregiving, past-month ADL/IADL assistance), …

Effect Of Pre-Adsorbed Species On High-Pressure Adsorption Of Methane In Zeolite 5a Using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (Gcmc) Simulations, Kanhamardi Lao, Brooks D. Rabideau

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

Natural gas upgrading, which removes impurities from methane (CH4), is essential for industrial applications, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and power generation, as well as for residential use. Removing non-hydrocarbon impurities such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), and water vapor (H2O), among others, along with separating heavier hydrocarbon gases from raw natural gas, is required to achieve high- purity methane and prevent pipeline corrosion. Zeolite 5A is a microporous aluminosilicate material with a pore size of approximately 5 Å, containing sodium and calcium cations that balance the framework’s negative charge. Its structure offers high thermal stability and a …

Generation Of Patient Specific Cardiac Chamber Models Using Generative Neural Networks Under A Bayesian Framework For Electroanatomical Mapping, Sunil Mathew, Jasbir Sra, Daniel B. Rowe

Mathematical and Statistical Science Faculty Research and Publications

Electroanatomical mapping is a technique used in cardiology to create a detailed 3D map of the electrical activity in the heart. It is useful for diagnosis, treatment planning and real time guidance in cardiac ablation procedures to treat arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation. A probabilistic machine learning model trained on a library of CT/MRI scans of the heart can be used during electroanatomical mapping to generate a patient-specific 3D model of the chamber being mapped. The use of probabilistic machine learning models under a Bayesian framework provides a way to quantify uncertainty in results and provide a natural framework of interpretability …

Exploring The Potential Of Strongly Coupled Lagrangian Data Assimilation In An Ocean–Atmosphere System, Luyu Sun, Amit Apte, Laura Slivinski, Elaine T. Spiller

Mathematical and Statistical Science Faculty Research and Publications

Precise measurements of ocean surface flow velocities are essential for refining forecasts in a coupled ocean–atmosphere system. While oceanic data are generally sparse, surface drifters present an opportunity by providing detailed and frequently observed sea surface currents, which are a critical component in the dynamics at air–sea interface. Such observations could potentially address the usual data gaps in a coupled ocean–atmosphere assimilation system. In this study, we investigate the implications of assimilating drifter data within a coupled system with intermediate complexity based on a quasigeostrophic model—Modular Arbitrary-Order Ocean–Atmosphere Model (MAOOAM)—using observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs). Two main strategies for assimilating …

Prevalence Of Low Back Pain Among Office Workers During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Various Countries: A Systematic Review, Yosephine Roma Intan, Ririn Arminsih Wulandari, Popy Yuniar

Kesmas

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the implementation of work from home policies in almost all parts of the world. This policy has increased the onset of musculoskeletal disorders in workers, such as low back pain (LBP). This study aimed to examine the prevalence of LBP among office workers during the COVID-19 pandemic after implementing WFH policies. This study was performed using data from various countries to determine the relationship between LBP and several risk factors, specifically age, sex, physical activity, ergonomic factors, as well as work environment factors such as temperature, humidity, lighting, noise, and work duration. A systematic …

Poisson Lindley-Quasi Xgamma Distribution For Count Data: Properties And Applications, Seth Borbye, Suleman Nasiru, Kingsley Kuwubasamni Ajongba, Sampson Wiredu

Al-Bahir

The literature contains innumerable probability distributions for modeling over-dispersion and under-dispersion count datasets from various fields of study. However, some of these proposed distributions are inadequate due to empirical or theoretical characteristics. Therefore, minimizing information loss during modeling has prompted the demand to modify the classical discrete distributions. A new two-parameter count distribution is proposed by combining Poisson and Lindley-quasi XGamma distributions via a continuous mixture technique. Some statistical properties have been derived and studied, including factorial moments, raw moments, probability generating function, moment generating function, characteristic function, mean, variance, dispersion index, skewness, and kurtosis. The shape of the PMF …

Leveraging Bayesian And Classical Techniques For Survival Analysis Using The Weibull-Rayleigh Distribution, Mahmoud Mansour, Rashad El-Sagheer, Nagwa Mohamed

Basic Science Engineering

This paper contributes to an extensive analysis of the Weibull-Rayleigh distribution (WRD), including Bayesian inference for randomly censored data. The WRD is a versatile model that fits various types of survival data, especially in situations including censoring, commonly found in biostatistics and engineering reliability research. The research investigates the derivation of the WRD’s probability density and cumulative distribution functions, employing maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and Bayesian estimating techniques to accurately infer parameters. Gamma priors are utilized in Bayesian analysis, and approximate Bayesian estimates are derived by Gibbs sampling and Lindley’s approximation methods. An actual dataset that represents leukemia-free survival times …

Static Performance And Stability Of A Multi-Span Hybrid Continuous Rigid Frame Bridge With High Piers, Huang Yu, Liu Guanyu, Yi Jianbo, Xing Xuan, Su Miao, Peng Hui

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In order to study the static performance and stability of a steel-concrete composite continuous rigid frame bridge in Suichang,Zhejiang Province,a single girder and girder lattice finite element model for the whole bridge was established by using Midas Civil,and a local solid finite element model was established by using Ansys.A detailed analysis of the structural displacement and stress state of the bridge in use and the local stress in the solid section of the pier and girder under different loads was carried out.The influence of the pile-bottom restraint stiffness and pier-girder connection form on the overall stability of the bridge was …

Influence Of Train Speed On Thermal Insulation And Anti-Thawing Length For Tunnel In Cold Region, Huang Huanan, Chen Yong, Wang Yibo, Wu Yaping

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To study the influence of train speed on thermal insulation and anti-thawing measures for surrounding rock of tunnels in cold regions,it is necessary to analyze the temperature field.By using the Kunlun Mountain Tunnel Project in cold regions as a case study,the effects of external atmospheric temperature,piston wind effects caused by varying train speeds,and the driving resistance on the distribution of the tunnel ’s internal temperature field were considered.A three-dimensional numerical calculation model including the surrounding rock,concrete lining,and tunnel air was established by utilizing the thermo-fluid-structure interaction (TFSI ) technique.The thermal environment variations caused by trains at different speeds were predicted.The …

Parametric Analysis Of Composite Slab With Steel Bar Trusses At Construction Stages, Zhang Junhao, He Jun, Tan Chao, Feng Sidong, Wang Zitong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To clarify the structural behavior of composite slab with steel bar trusses at key construction stages including hoisting and concrete post-pouring,a composite beam bridge with a main span of 60 m in Georgia ’s E60 Highway was investigated.A finite element model was developed by using ABAQUS to simulate the construction process and analyze the influence of parameters such as prefabricated bottom slab material,number of hoisting points,slab thickness,and number of steel bar trusses on the principal stress of concrete and mid-span deflection.The results indicate that ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC ) prefabricated bottom slabs prevent plastic damage and enhance slab stiffness.Normal concrete (NC) …

Cracking Characteristics Of Cement-Stabilized Macadam With Early Strength Agent Under Variable Temperature And Humidity Curing Conditions, Ge Dongdong, Liu Dingyuan, Lyu Songtao, Jiang Xiangyang, Xue Yanhua, Yu Yang

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In environments with large temperature variations and low humidity,the curing conditions of cement-stabilized macadam fail to meet the specifications,leading to slow early strength development and increased susceptibility to cracking.This study aimed to investigate the effects of actual environmental temperature,humidity,curing age,and addition of early strength agents on the cracking characteristics of cement-stabilized macadam.Variable temperature conditions were determined based on actual environmental temperature data.Four curing conditions were set by combining temperatures (variable temperature and standard temperature ) with relative humidity of 95%,80%,and 65%,respectively.Three types of specimens were prepared with 0%,10%,and 15% early strength agent contents and cured for 14 and 28 days,respectively.The …

Identification And Prediction Model For Traffic Blockage State Of Highways To Xizang, Wu Ling, Liu Jianbei, Zhang Zhiwei, Shan Donghui, Chi Gandu

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To identify the traffic blockage state on highways to Xizang in extreme environments,comprehensive evaluation indicators for traffic blockage state based on the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method were proposed by using the traffic blockage event parameters observed on four major highways to Xizang:Sichuan ‒ Xizang Highway,Yunnan ‒ Xizang Highway,Qinghai ‒ Xizang Highway,and Xinjiang ‒ Xizang Highway.The K-Medoids clustering algorithm was used to categorize the traffic blockage state into different levels.By considering factors such as hazard types,road types,traffic volume,and vehicle type ratios,a classification model for the traffic blockage state on highways to Xizang was constructed based on machine learning algorithms.The results show that …

Seismic Performance Of Bridge Pile Foundation Considering Effects Of Material Freeze-Thaw Deterioration And Permafrost Degradation, Zhang Xiyin, Yu Shengsheng, Wang Wanping, Wen Hairong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In cold and high-seismic regions,such as the Qinghai‒Xizang Plateau in China,the deterioration of material properties caused by freeze-thaw cycles and permafrost degradation due to climate change have become increasingly severe,posing significant challenges for the seismic performance assessment of bridge pile foundations.To systematically investigate the impact of permafrost degradation and material freeze-thaw deterioration on the seismic performance of bridge pile foundations and ensure proper seismic design,a finite element model was established,considering the dual effects of permafrost degradation and material freeze-thaw deterioration.A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence mechanisms of various factors on the seismic performance of bridge pile foundations …

Design And Simulation Evaluation Of Converged Toll Collection Schemes For Senegalese Highways, Lai Zengcheng, Zhang Ning, Yang Shichun, Ding Xueqi, Ji Yanjie

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The Senegalese highway toll collection system is inefficient,and significant congestion and delays frequently occur at toll stations in the face of sudden traffic surges during holidays.This paper examined the limitations of the existing toll collection methods on Senegalese highways and combined the image detection algorithm and electronic license plate recognition technology with the existing MTC and ETC toll collection methods to construct a converged toll collection method based on vehicle information recognition.The paper aimed to optimize the Senegalese highway toll collection system,reduce its cost of use,and improve the efficiency of toll collection.The BPV Thiès toll station in Senegal was selected …

Model Test On Bearing Capacity Of Gravity Anchor Foundation Considering Rock Socketed Effect, Yin Jingze, Guo Chao, Zhang Xinmin, Li Wei, Shi Haiyang, Fu Baiyong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The calculation of the bearing capacity of traditional gravity anchor foundation instructed by Code for Design of Ground Base and Foundation of Highway Bridges and Culverts (JTG D 63—2007 ) only considers the friction effects of the basement and neglects the rock socketed effect of bottom plate,which is simply regarded as a safety margin,on the improvement of bearing capacity.To study the influence of rock socketed effect on the bearing capacity of gravity anchor,this paper designed two groups of indoor scale model tests on non-rock-socketed and rock-socketed gravity anchors with a scale of 1∶50 to discuss the bearing capacity and load …

Theoretical And Experimental Studies On Adaptive Spatial Rotating Main Cable Saddle, Chen Yuanlin, Huang Anming, Chen Long, Xie Jun

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To ensure the accuracy of the main cable alignment during adaptive rotation,an adaptive spatial rotating main cable saddle suitable for spatial suspension bridges was designed.The main cable saddle had two adaptive rotating pair mechanisms with axes passing through the IP point.By using a specific suspension bridge as a case study,the design was validated through a combination of finite element analysis and model testing to assess the reliability and structural safety of the adaptive rotation mechanism.The results show that the adaptive spatial rotating main cable saddle can automatically adjust its orientation based on variations in the main cable load during construction,with …

Section Form Of Open-Cut Tunnel By Ultra-Large-Diameter Shield Empty-Push Technology, Sun Chao, Zhang Guangwei

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Based on the engineering background of the open-cut section by the shield machine with overall movement in the rapid transformation project of Wanghai Road,Shenzhen City,the structural stress and economy of three types of section forms under construction and operation conditions were analyzed to determine the optimal section design.The load-structure model was used to analyze the parameters affecting the internal force of the optimal section.The research results show that the top and bottom plates and side walls in the scheme with ribs set at the corner (scheme 3) have uniform force,and force during the construction period is close to that during …

Application Of Superelevation Detection Technology In Ship Collision Prevention System Of Cross-Sea Bridges, Song Xiaodong, Duan Min, Ren Quanli, Hu Jianan, Yang Naiheng, Chen Jingwen, Tong Jianrong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Cross-sea bridges are an important component of national infrastructure and an important regional transportation hub,which have a significant impact on economic development,regional integration,and cultural exchange.Ship superelevation is an important factor that threatens the safety of bridges.Therefore,superelevation detection is an important means to improve the service level of channel navigation,standardize the navigation order of ships in the water area near the bridge,and enhance the ship collision prevention ability of bridges.This paper conducted theoretical analysis and engineering feasibility research on superelevation detection by using laser alignment,laser ranging,optoelectronic detection,LiDAR detection,and machine vision.According to the superelevation detection requirements of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge,two technical …

Industrial Design And Economic Analysis Of Steel Box Girder Bridge With Conventional Span, Cui Bing, Chen Kun

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To improve the industrial construction level of steel bridges,a prefabricated continuous steel box girder bridge was designed in this study,which is suitable for bidirectional four lanes and six lanes with spans ranging from 40 m to 80 m.The overall dimensions and local structures of the steel box girder bridge were determined according to the specifications and engineering experience,and the load-bearing capacity was checked.Modular industrial products were designed by defining the vertical and horizontal modular divisions for the steel box girders,resulting in 21 standardized modular components.Based on the concept of life cycle,an economic analysis of the prefabricated steel box girder bridge …