Digital Commons Network^™

Zero Dynamics Attacks On Unknown Bilinear Systems: Vulnerability And Detection, Mohammad Aminul Haq

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Critical infrastructure requires a safe and secure operating environment because of its significant impact on society. Its large-scale size and distributed sensors and actuators make it vulnerable to cyber-physical attacks. A zero dynamics attack is a type of cyber-physical attack where an adversary keeps the output of the target constant (classically zero), while forcing some of the internal states to deviate from their nominal values. Most of the existing work in the literature assumes the system dynamics are linear and available to an adversary. The first goal of this dissertation is to show that an adversary can successfully execute a …

The Impact Of Emotional Impulsivity On Emotion Regulation And Internalizing Disorders: Competing Latent Path Models, Alicia L. Milam

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Emotion regulation has been identified as a transdiagnostic risk factor in internalizing disorders. Previous literature has attempted to classify regulatory strategies by their temporal and functional characteristics to determine how to best implement emotion regulation interventions. However, these frameworks occasionally conflict, particularly in the presence of factors impacting regulatory strategy selection such as emotional impulsivity. This project examined competing theoretical models of emotion regulation strategy classification as related to internalizing psychopathology as well as explore the association between emotional impulsivity, regulatory classification and internalizing psychopathology. A community sample of 783 adults recruited through Amazon MTurk completed online questionnaires related to …

A Microservices Approach To Electroencephalography Research In The Public Cloud, Bathsheba Farrow

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

The rich information content of the brain is embedded in electroencephalography (EEG) data that instantaneously measures its electrophysiological activity. Expansion of EEG data usage for health risk predictions and other applications requires reliable and consistent methods for extracting features from raw signals. However, the intricate nature of EEG signal data analysis is further complicated by the magnitude of variability in current research practices, including data preprocessing strategies. The heavy reliance on antiquated, stove-piped applications and pipelines also highlights a need for improved solutions that enable efficient, distributed preprocessing of large EEG data collections.

To address these challenges, we propose a …

Gender Measurement Invariance Of The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory - Adolescent - Restructured Form (Mmpi-A-Rf) Internalizing And Externalizing Specific Problem Scales, Thomas Jay Augustin

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Due to social, psychological, biological, and cultural differences in adolescent development, it is important to evaluate measurement invariance in psychological measures. Although the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) assessments have a plethora of research to evaluate their utility in clinical practice, few published studies have examined the measurement invariance between males and females for any of the scales in the adolescent versions (MMPI-A/MMPI-A-RF). The present study examined the measurement invariance of the MMPI-A-RF Internalizing and Externalizing Specific Problem Scales between male and female adolescents. Data were obtained from an outpatient sample and from Pearson’s mail-in service resulting in 1,622 valid …

Hydrogen Sulfide As A Strong Ligand Affecting Trace Metal Cycling In The Pacific And Southern Oceans, Nicole R. Buckley

OES Theses and Dissertations

Historically, hydrogen sulfide was considered unimportant in the open ocean since it has primarily been associated with anoxic environments. Yet, in the late 1980s it was suggested that this sulfur gas is also being produced in the oxic, surface ocean through the hydrolysis of carbonyl sulfide (OCS). Since then, several studies have demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide is indeed found in oxic seawater at pico- to nanomolar concentrations due not only to carbonyl sulfide hydrolysis, but also assimilatory sulfate reduction by phytoplankton. Hydrogen sulfide’s importance in seawater is largely due to its high metal-ligand stability constants allowing it to affect the …

Use Of Ultrasound For Identification Of Musculoskeletal Injury In Active Populations, Kathleen Karen Hogan

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Lower extremity tendinopathies and fasciopathy conditions are prevalent amongst sedentary individuals,^1,2 athletes,^3,4 elite runners,^5,6and military personnel⁷ and can lead to chronic disability and reduction in quality of life. ^8,9 Both tendinopathy and fasciopathy are thought to be mechanical in nature and caused by acute or chronic overloading leading to a disruption in the uniformity of the soft tissue structure. Ultrasound imaging has gained popularity in the last decade among many sports medicine clinicians to gain information regarding tissue structure for musculoskeletal injury (MKSI) management. Ultrasound imaging allows for the evaluation of in-vivo structures and at …

The Years Of Embers In Mauritania: Ethnicity And Narratives, Hawa Saidou Barane Ba

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

The borders in Africa were drawn according to the interests of colonial powers and without consideration of the continent’s ethnic, cultural, and linguistic realities. Thus, roughly 80% of African countries borders were drawn without considering the crucial and pre-existing realities of pre-colonial African societies, splitting ethnically and culturally homogenous groups and grouping diverse others under the same political unit. (Beck, 1993; Lefebvre, 2011). Consequently, many African countries end up with an ethnically diverse population that faces the challenge of living harmoniously together in social cohesion, creating an environment prone to ethnic conflicts, political instabilities, and weak national identities. Mauritania, for …

Study Of Atypical Alarmone Synthesis In Clostridioides Difficile, Declan Nathaniel Butler

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Clostridioides difficile is a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium that causes infections in humans that costs healthcare systems billions per year. C. difficile infection has high rates of recurrence due to multiple antibiotic resistance. When bacteria are in stressful environments, they produce hyperphosphorylated guanosine ribonucleotide signaling molecules called alarmones. The accumulation of alarmones activates the stringent response (SR), in which bacterial cells induce transcription of stress survival genes to delay growth and replication. The C. difficile SR is regulated by enzymatic activity of a bifunctional synthetase/hydrolase, RelA/SpoT homolog (RSH), and a monofunctional small alarmone synthetase (RelQ). Additionally, the SR is potentially regulated …

A Criminological Analysis Of The “White Supremacy To Anti-Immigrant Violence Pathway”, Ida Oesteraas

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

White supremacy consists of intricate ideologies, systems, privileges, and personal beliefs that result in unequal outcomes based on race in various aspects of life, such as wealth, freedom, health, and happiness (Belew & Gutiérrez, 2021). This dissertation explores the manifestation of white supremacy across various societal levels and its consequent harm and violence against people of color, immigrants, and particularly immigrants of color from Latin America. Here, I coin the term “white supremacy to anti-immigrant violence pathway” to examine how white supremacy has intertwined with our institutions and society, demonstrating how the exclusion and policing of immigrants of color sustain …

Coherent Backscattering Under Conditions Of Electromagnetically Induced Transparency In Ultracold Rubidium, Joshua D. Carter

Physics Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation presents experimental results of coherent backscattering of light in an ultracold ensemble of rubidium atoms confined in a magneto optical trap under conditions of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) in a cascade-type system. Electromagnetically induced transparency was investigated experimentally in both a counterpropagating and orthogonal laser geometry and compared to theory. The experimental results were largely in good agreement with theory. Coherent backscattering was then measured with and without an EIT control field present to investigate the modification, if any, that EIT has on the enhancement of the coherent backscattering cone. The results indicated that the electromagnetically induced transparency …

A Mixed-Methods Study To Examine Protective Behavioral Strategies For Simultaneous Alcohol And Cannabis Use In College Students, Jennifer Lynn Shipley

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

State-level cannabis legalization is becoming more common in the United States. With the rise of cannabis legalization, cannabis use among college students has increased and young adults’ perceptions of the harms associated with cannabis use have decreased. Moreover, simultaneous use of alcohol and cannabis (so that their effects overlap; SAM) is prominent in the college student population. Negative consequences related to SAM use are greater than those for alcohol or cannabis single-substance use. Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are robust predictors of reduced harm, and critical components for efficacious interventions for reducing alcohol and cannabis use and their related harms. PBS …

Process Modeling Of Composites For Automated Fiber Placement, Von Clyde Jamora

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Fiber-reinforced composites are available in various material systems, each requiring specific manufacturing techniques to exploit their unique properties fully. Systems such as woven fabrics and preimpregnated fibers employ distinctive methods to harness these properties effectively. For instance, non-crimp fabrics (NCF) use high-pressure resin transfer molding and prepregs, like IM7-8552, use manufacturing method called automated fiber placement (AFP). However, these manufacturing processes often introduce deposition features that can evolve into defects. Their occurrence and impact on morphology must be predicted using experimentally informed finite element models. The research began with compaction experiments on NCF fabric, leading to the development of a …

Streaminghub - A Realtime Biosignal Processing Framework For Lab Scale Experimentation, Yasith Jayawardana

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

In human subjects research, biosignals such as eye movements, heart rate, and brain activity, are often collected and analyzed to find patterns with tangible real-world implications. Modern advancements in technology have sparked interest towards analyzing biosignals in realtime. When developing such algorithms, one may expect to find free, open-source tools that provide easy access to live, recorded, and simulated data streams. Yet, biosignal interfaces are often vendor-specific, making cross-vendor biosignal streaming non-trivial. Likewise, reading biosignal datasets is also non-trivial, as their content may be arranged quite differently.

To combat this divide, we provide the scientific community with a realtime biosignal …

Salt: A Tribute To Ghana's Fishers, Vanessa F. Jaiteh

Green Humanities: A Journal of Ecological Thought in Literature, Philosophy & the Arts

This poem is a tribute to my fieldwork on fisher safety, labour abuses and human rights violations in Ghana’s fisheries.

Powering Justice: Sketches For A New Ethos In Energy Policy, Erin Rizzato Devlin

Green Humanities: A Journal of Ecological Thought in Literature, Philosophy & the Arts

Energy politics lie at the heart of human activity. In a time of ecological and energy crisis, it is fundamental to realise that our reality systems are always open to change and that, in order to respond to the challenges of a changing energy landscape, we must explore the full possibilities of technology in a radical way. This research aims to consider the ethical implications of energy and technology, presenting an urgent case for cosmotechnical pluralism, that is the diversification of world-views, knowledges, technologies in the pursuit of energy justice in global politics. To reconstruct the world and its politics …

The Vulnerabilities Of Artificial Intelligence Models And Potential Defenses, Felix Iov

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into various commercial products has raised concerns about the security risks posed by adversarial attacks. These attacks manipulate input data to disrupt the functioning of AI models, potentially leading to severe consequences such as self-driving car crashes, financial losses, or data breaches. We will explore neural networks, their weaknesses, and potential defenses. We will discuss adversarial attacks including data poisoning, backdoor attacks, evasion attacks, and prompt injection. Then, we will explore defense strategies such as data protection, input sanitization, and adversarial training. By understanding how adversarial attacks work and the defenses against them, …

Chapter 10: Increasing Accessibility In Educational Simulations, Meaghan Mcleod

Instructional Message Design, Volume 3

Simulations are an important aspect of education and training. They provide the learner with situations that mirror real life situations or provide access to unobservable phenomena. The simulations provide the learner with a unique opportunity to master skills through the use of and practice in a safe environment. However, many simulations are not designed with accessibility and accommodations in mind. This chapter provides a general overview of simulations and provides suggestions on how to increase accessibility and enhance the learning experience for all learners.

Monarch Science Observer, Volume 18, College Of Sciences, Old Dominion University

College of Sciences Newsletter

Spring 2024, issue of Monarch Science Observer, ODU Colleges of Sciences Newsletter.

Chapter 08: Add Depth To Your Message - The Use Of 3d Printing In Instructional Message Design, Jennifer Tolley

Instructional Message Design, Volume 3

3D printing is an emerging technology used for the creation of physical objects. While it does not seem like a tool for instructional message design, 3D printing facilitates the development of many skills, such as creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving, as well as the development of content knowledge. It allows students to design and create real objects, or for teachers to show recreations of items from history. Tools, such as math manipulatives, can be designed and printed to help students learn abstract concepts. This chapter aims to provide a conceptual framework for 3D printing integration into instructional message design, …

College Of Health Sciences Newsletter, College Of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University

Ellmer College of Health Sciences Newsletters

April 2024 issue of Old Dominion University's College of Health Sciences Newsletter.

Study Of Deep Learning Models To Classify Nasa’S Kepler Light Curves, Heena Minnich

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

The search for exoplanets has been an ongoing effort since the first discoveries of planets beyond our solar system in the 1990s. Finding a potentially habitable planet outside our solar system could provide key insights on life elsewhere in the universe. NASA Missions such as the Kepler, launched in 2009 and completed in 2018, have provided a massive amount of data in this goal by using the transit method to discover repetitive and periodic dips in visible light around a star. The transit method has been used to measure flux, the brightness of a star over time. These flux time …

Exploring Cation Exchange: Unveiling Its Significance In Biochar And Bioenergetics Applications, Gyanendra Kharel

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Cation exchange, a cornerstone of soil chemistry and nutrient cycling, is a fundamental chemical process that occurs in soils, sediments, membranes, and other solid materials. It involves the interchange of positively charged ions, or cations, between a solid matrix and a surrounding solution. This process is crucial in various natural and engineered systems, leading to a range of applications across different fields.

This dissertation presents an extensive investigation into the applications of cation exchange in the fields of biochar and bioenergetics, encompassing three distinct aims. The first aim concentrates on the surface oxygenation of biochar through ozonization, aiming to achieve …

Considerations For Walking Adaptive Devices Used By The Older Adult Population For Functional Mobility, Amanda Beth Firoved

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Statement of the problem: Walking adaptive devices (ADs) are commonly used by older adults to increase stability and prevent falls, yet the effectiveness and safety of these devices remain uncertain. This dissertation study investigates the impact of ADs on older adult falls through evidence-based practice concepts of best research evidence, patient values and circumstances, and clinician expertise. Methods: Three distinct studies were conducted, each addressing an essential aspect of EBP. The first study, representing the best research evidence, explored the effect of AD on gait spatiotemporal parameters and motions at the center of mass of twenty-five healthy participants. The second …

Effect Of Lunar Magnetic Field And Lunar Regolith Simulant On The Growth And Bioactive Compounds Production Of Chlorella Vulgaris Microalgae, Jeries Philip Butros Abedrabbo

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Since humans last went to the moon on the Apollo missions, there has been a fascination with inhabiting and colonizing other planetary objects, starting with the Earth’s Moon, Mars, and recently Jupiter’s moon, Europa. However, there is still lack of knowledge and science behind many of the extraterrestrial environmental effects on biological organisms living on Earth. Therefore, there is a need to study how such environments would affect these organisms. Moreover, how can we attain sustainable living in such environments as well through self-providing life support systems (LSS), without the need to provide for additional necessities back and forth from …

First-Generation College Students And Sense Of Belonging At School: The Moderating Effect Of Remote Learning, Christina Su Ju

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the effect of first-generation college student status on students’ sense of belonging, and whether remote learning moderates this effect. Specifically, this study examines whether first-generation college students’ sense of belonging at university differs from their continuing-generation college student counterpart, and whether taking remote courses impacts that relationship. It was hypothesized that first-generation college students would report lower sense of belonging than continuing-generation college students, and that remote learning would moderate the relationship such that the negative effect of first-generation student status on sense of belonging is strengthened when the student takes more remote courses. Survey data from …

Identification Of Quality Indicators Of Visual Based Learning Material In Technology Education Programs For Grades 6th - 9th In Greek Schools In Cyclades Aegean Islands, Spyridoula Tsouganatou

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to identify quality indicators for visual based learning material for technology education classes for grades 6th to 9th. This is a three round Delphi study aimed in answering the following research question. RQ: What are the quality indicators that contribute to the successful selection of visual-based learning material that contribute effectively to transmitting pedagogical information in a technology education classroom for grades 6^th -9^th? The quality indicators were determined by the consensus reached by technology education expert panel/educators that have been identified for the contributions and expertise in the field of …

Appalachia In The Anthropocene: An Approach To Understanding Neo Appalachian Narratives As An Affective Ecology, Rachel Michel Bates

English Theses & Dissertations

Appalachia is all too often a commodified and mythologized place in the American consciousness. Yet the lived experience of Appalachia is one complicated by widescale ecological devastation, high poverty rates, and most recently, a devastating opioid crisis. Though much of Appalachian literature continues to dwell in an old vision of Appalachia, an endeavor Zackary Vernon terms post-Appalachian, I argue that a subset of texts published around the turn of the millennium, a time when many of the labor-dependent, exploitative industries such as logging, hydro damming, and coal mining were no longer at work in the region, reveal a shift in …

Innocence Through An Intersectional Lens: An Examination Of Women And Wrongful Convictions, Briana Paige

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

According to The National Registry of Exonerations (2022), nearly 40% of all exonerations involve a no-crime wrongful conviction. While women make up less than 10% of all exonerees, nearly 73% of exonerated women were originally convicted of crimes that never happened, compared to only 38% of exonerated men. Despite their prevalence, the topic of no crime wrongful convictions is extremely understudied in the wrongful conviction literature.

Additionally, since prior research on wrongful convictions has been primarily male centered, the likelihood that a woman’s case will be accepted to be reviewed for innocence is significantly lower than men (Free and Ruesink, …

Pulsed Electric Fields Sensitize Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus To Antibacterial Therapies And Stimulate Host Immune Responses, Alexandra E. Chittams-Miles

Biomedical Sciences Theses & Dissertations

This research explores the impact of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEF) on two fronts: their immune stimulatory effects and their potential as a novel strategy to enhance the sensitivity of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to clinically relevant antibiotics. While pulsed electric fields have been reported to have an immune stimulatory effect, the mechanisms responsible for these effects have yet to be determined.

Our investigation addresses the rising concern of MRSA derived skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Consistent with other publications, we found that nsPEF alone cause modest inactivation of planktonic MRSA. We then investigated the effects of nsPEF in …

More Than Representation Heartstopper: A Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis, Tracyann Josephine Harmer

Communication & Theatre Arts Theses

This thesis is a multimodal critical discourse analysis of Netflix’s Heartstopper, written with the goal of understanding its methods of representation and queer world creation. Through analysis of the ideology of heteronormativity as it relates to masculinity, internalized homophobia, homophobia, and mental health, I expand upon the significance of queer representation for queer audiences, heterosexual audiences, and producers of queer media. Through a nuanced analysis of these themes, I display how and why Heartstopper has had enormous success and expand upon the cultural phenomena surrounding this media. Finally, this thesis places these nuanced analyses into the real-world reaction to …