Digital Commons Network^™

A Review On Biochar As An Adsorbent For Pb(Ii) Removal From Water, Pushpita Kumkum, Sandeep Kumar

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Heavy metal contamination in drinking water is a growing concern due to its severe health effects on humans. Among the many metals, lead (Pb), which is a toxic and harmful element, has the most widespread global distribution. Pb pollution is a major problem of water pollution in developing countries and nations. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and plumbing fixtures. Adsorption is the most efficient method for metal removal, and activated carbon has been used widely in many applications as an effective adsorbent, but its high production costs have created the necessity for …

Federated Learning: Overview, Strategies, Applications, Tools And Future Directions, Betul Yurdem, Murat Kuzlu, Mehmet Kemal Gullu, Maliha Tabassum

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Federated learning (FL) is a distributed machine learning process, which allows multiple nodes to work together to train a shared model without exchanging raw data. It offers several key advantages, such as data privacy, security, efficiency, and scalability, by keeping data local and only exchanging model updates through the communication network. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of federated learning, including its principles, strategies, applications, and tools along with opportunities, challenges, and future research directions. The findings of this paper emphasize that federated learning strategies can significantly help overcome privacy and confidentiality concerns, particularly for high-risk applications.

A Project-Based Learning Activity For An Engineering Technology Heat Transfer Course To Design A Shell-And-Tube Heat Exchanger, Nathan Luetke, Orlando Ayala

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Thermofluids courses demand a strong grasp of mathematics and employ physics extensively to describe physical systems. Heat transfer, in particular, presents challenging topics, which can be even more daunting for engineering technology students. In this paper, we present the implementation of a project-based learning activity in the engineering technology heat transfer course. The students' task involves designing a shell-and-tube heat exchanger to meet specific minimum requirements. The objective is to provide students with a real-world assignment that enhances their heat transfer calculation skills. To accommodate instructors' busy schedules, we have developed an assignment that is user friendly. Detailed instructor guides …

Evaluating The Performance Of 5g Nr In Indoor Environments: An Experimental Study, Bikash Chandra Singh, Rafael Diaz, Sachin Shetty

School of Cybersecurity Faculty Publications

The 5G wireless standard has emerged as a trans-formative technology with the potential to revolutionize various industries by providing enhanced connectivity and communication capabilities. This advanced standard offers a diverse range of applications, including Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), and Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC). In this Scientific research paper, we present a comprehensive analysis of the performance and capabilities of a deployed indoor 5G network in a controlled laboratory environment. The experimental setup comprises an Amarisoft Callbox, serving as the 5G core, along with a Remote Radio Head (RRH) and user equipment (UEs). Our primary objective …

Macromolecular Gold: Navigating Biofuel Extractions In A High School Class, Claire Adrian-Tucci, Andrew Adrian, Sara Beam, Demetrice Smith-Mutegi

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Extracting and creating biofuels from algae is an exciting area of development for renewable energy. There is a lack of protocols for high school students that feature lipid extraction from algae, largely due to the safety considerations and equipment used in industry. Biology standards include the chemistry and function of macromolecules, and biofuels are an engaging, authentic case study for high school students. This paper describes the development of an imperfect lipid extraction method that is safe for the high school classroom. Through the lab and related activities, students develop their understanding of the characteristics of macromolecules, practice developing their …

"Ai's Pompous Vocabulary Sounds Like It's Trying To Impress Someone": Preservice Teachers' Respond To Ai Reviews Of Their Writing, Jennifer Kidd, Keri Parker, Samantha Myers

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

This study examines pre-service teachers’ (PSTs’) responses to using AI to review their writing. As part of a class activity, PSTs prompted an AI-chatbot for feedback and revisions on a short essay based on a provided assignment rubric. Afterward, they reflected on the pros and cons of using AI in this way. While some PSTs initially encountered functionality issues, all were able to obtain feedback and the majority reported finding it useful. In general, the PSTs appreciated AI’s speed and expertise and the potential to customize feedback based on their needs. However, many were skeptical of AI’s evaluation of their …

A Secure And Privacy-Preserving Signature Protocol Using Quantum Teleportation In Metaverse Environment, Pankaj Kumar, Vivek Bharmaik, Sunil Prajapat, Garima Thakur, Ashok Kumar Das, Sachin Shetty, Joel J. P. C. Rodrigues

VMASC Publications

The burgeoning concept of the metaverse as an interconnected virtual space represents the forefront of the next-generation internet. Quantum teleportation, known for its prowess in ensuring secure and reliable communications, stands poised to revolutionize interactions within this immersive digital realm. In this context, we propose a comprehensive interaction protocol tailored for the metaverse environment. The designed protocol entails two fundamental components: first, the interaction between a user and their avatar, facilitated by a secure seven-qubit entangled state; and second, the interaction between two avatars, enabled through an efficient two-qubit entangled state. To fortify the protocol’s resilience, quantum key distribution (QKD) …

Classification Of Instructional Activities In Classroom Videos Using Neural Networks, Jonathan K. Foster, Matthew Korban, Peter Youngs, Ginger S. Watson, Scott T. Acton

VMASC Publications

Classroom videos have become an integral part of classroom observation and instructional quality studies. Researchers encounter substantial financial and time-consuming costs gathering trained personnel to catalogue and analyze a large quantity (i.e., hundreds of hours) of classroom videos. In this chapter, we argue that deep-learning neural networks have potential to help with these tasks by detecting features of instruction in videos. We evaluated the performance of three neural networks in detecting instructional activities in classroom videos. The video dataset included a total of forty-six hours, which was evenly split between elementary mathematics and English language arts lesson recordings. Results showed …

Integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence With Systems Architecting Diagram Creation: Advancement, Challenges, Opportunities And Future Perspectives, Cansu Yalim, Holly H. Handley

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Generative AI (GenAI) serves as a powerful tool that can create a wide range of content, including but not limited to text, speech, images, code, videos, and 3D models. ChatGPT stands out as a particularly appealing Generative Pretrained Transformer (GPT) model that offers supplementary capabilities through GPTs and plugins. These extensions enable users to engage with the chatbot and improve its functionality, surpassing mere content generation. Our study delves into the potential of ChatGPT, specifically GPT-4, to expedite the creation of diagrams to support the system architecting process. To this end, we explored the use of ChatGPT's Diagrams Show Me …

Advancements And Challenges In Additively Manufactured Functionally Graded Materials: A Comprehensive Review, Suhas Alkunte, Ismail Fidan, Vivekanand Naikwadi, Shamil Gudavasov, Mohammad Alshaikh Ali, Mushfig Mahmudov, Seymur Hasanov, Muralimohan Cheepu

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

This paper thoroughly examines the advancements and challenges in the field of additively manufactured Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs). It delves into conceptual approaches for FGM design, various manufacturing techniques, and the materials employed in their fabrication using additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. This paper explores the applications of FGMs in diverse fields, including structural engineering, automotive, biomedical engineering, soft robotics, electronics, 4D printing, and metamaterials. Critical issues and challenges associated with FGMs are meticulously analyzed, addressing concerns related to production and performance. Moreover, this paper forecasts future trends in FGM development, highlighting potential impacts on diverse industries. The concluding section summarizes …

A Benchmark Framework For Data Visualization And Explainable Ai (Xai), Murat Kuzlu, Gokcen Ozdemir, Umut Ozdemir

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

This research introduces a benchmark framework, called EDUMX, designed for machine learning (ML)- based forecasting and XAI tasks, leveraging the Streamlit open-source Python library. The framework offers a comprehensive suite of functionalities, including data loading, feature selection, relationship analysis, data preprocessing, model selection, metric evaluation, training, and real-time monitoring. Users can easily upload data in diverse formats, explore relationships between variables, preprocess data using various techniques, and assess the performance of the ML model using customizable metrics. With its user-friendly interface, this framework offers invaluable insights for forecasting tasks in various domains, catering to the evolving needs of predictive analytics. …

Advancing The Manufacturing Engineering Technology Pathway: Innovating And Developing The Curriculum (Courses And Labs) From Associate To Bachelor's Level, Afi Anuar, Vukica Jovanovic, Nathan Luetke, Hamid Eisazadeh, Isaac Flory Iv, Mileta Tomović, Anthony W. Dean

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

The southeastern region of Virginia, specifically Hampton Roads, has a diverse manufacturing landscape encompassing a range of enterprises, from small businesses to large corporations. This sector includes shipbuilding, construction machinery, aeronautics, and food processing. However, both the region and the broader state of Virginia are struggling with a skilled labor shortage that fails to meet the demands of these manufacturing enterprises. This paper aims to provide insights into the recently established Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MFET) program at Old Dominion University, located in Norfolk, Virginia. The MFET program features a comprehensive curriculum, encompassing the development of new courses and the establishment …

Is The Gi Bill Enough? An Exploratory Analysis Of Student Veteran Borrowing In College, Kim E. Bullington, Kaycee L. Bills, David J. Thomas, William L. Nuckols, Joshua L. Howell

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

In the United States, many student veterans use their GI Bill benefits to help fund their postsecondary education; however, when the GI Bill is not enough, student veterans may turn to grants and loans to subsidize their financial needs. This study examines the degree and extent to which Pell Grants and student loans are being used by student veterans using data pulled from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Baccalaureate and Beyond dataset. We found that Pell Grant awards were higher for student veterans with disabilities as well as Blacks and that a student’s age contributed to the overall amount …

Relationship Between Technology Student Association Participation And Soft Skills Development, Lauren Lapinski, Mickey Kosloski, Philip Reed

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between student participation in Technology Student Association activities and soft skills development. This study specifically sought information on relationships between soft skills development and (a) time spent on Technology Student Association activities, (b) competitive event success, (c) assumption of leadership roles, and (d) gender. Data were provided by Pennsylvania Technology Student Association and consisted of survey responses from middle and high school students who are active Pennsylvania Technology Student Association members (n = 229). In addition to descriptive data, a multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the …

A Point Of Singularity For Technology And Engineering Education, Philip A. Reed

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

[First paragraph] I attended graduate school at Virginia Tech in the late 1990's and some of my fondest memories are from the side conversations with the faculty. The faculty at that time consisted of my mentor and program leader, Jim LaPorte, and other leaders in the field: Allen Bame, Sharon Brusic, Tom Jeffries, and Mark Sanders. Bill Dugger had recently retired from the university but maintained an office in Blacksburg to work full time on the Technology for All Americans Project (TfAAP, ITEEA, 2024) and he was very gracious about hosting students at the TfAAP office …

National Science Foundation- Experiential Learning For Emergent And Novel Technologies (Exlent): A Response To Emtech Workforce Shortages, C. Tomovic, M. Tomovic, M. Yang, S. Bawab

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Faculty Publications

This paper presents how critical workforce shortages in the emerging STEM fields of technology (EmTech), i.e., advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum information science, semiconductors, microelectronics, alternative energy, etc., are impacting the workforce in the United States. The demands for EmTech graduates have become so great that many employers have changed their hiring criteria; over 60% of today’s high-need EmTech employers no longer require new hires to have an earned bachelor’s degree. Instead, they are asking applicants to demonstrate that they can execute professional competencies or provide validated certificates as evidence of their expertise.

In an attempt to alleviate this …

A Comprehensive Review Of Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Motors: Classifications, Characterization, Fabrication, Applications, And Future Challenges, Sidra Naz, Tian-Bing Xu

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Piezoelectric ultrasonic motors (USMs) are actuators that use ultrasonic frequency piezoelectric vibration-generated waves to transform electrical energy into rotary or translating motion. USMs receive more attention because they offer distinct qualities over traditional magnet-coil-based motors, such as miniaturization, great accuracy, speed, non-magnetic nature, silent operation, straightforward construction, broad temperature operations, and adaptability. This review study focuses on the principle of USMs and their classifications, characterization, fabrication methods, applications, and future challenges. Firstly, the classifications of USMs, especially, standing-wave, traveling-wave, hybrid-mode, and multi-degree-of-freedom USMs, are summarized, and their respective functioning principles are explained. Secondly, finite element modeling analysis for design and …

Forced Displacement Technique For Measuring Blunt Body Aerodynamics In A Magnetic Suspension Wind Tunnel, Mark Schoenenberger, David Cox, Colin Britcher, Caleb Hull

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

The Old Dominion University/NASA Langley 6-Inch Magnetic Suspension Wind Tunnel has developed the ability to levitate blunt bodies which can oscillate freely about the yaw axis. This allows for the measurement of static and dynamic stability coefficients without sting interference. The magnetic suspension controller introduces other translational forces which affect the vehicle dynamics complicating data reduction. Exciting model oscillations in a reliable way has also been a challenge. A new test method has been developed that produces capsule oscillations from forced oscillatory translational motion at the resonant yaw oscillatory frequency of the capsule. After oscillations are excited, the translational forcing …

Teaching Analytics Online: A Self-Study Of Professional Practice, Andrew J. Collins, Brandon Butler, James F. Leathrum Jr., Christopher J. Lynch

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

As the COVID-19 pandemic caused severe disruption to education enterprises throughout the world, the main response by educational institutions was to move to online learning environments. The purpose of this study was to understand better how instructors could improve online learning for a professional-level week-long short course in a highly technical area (data analytics), which had, pre-COVID, been a hands-on computer, laboratory-based learning experience. The authors used self-study of professional practice to elicit and understand the major issues and concerns of the transition to an online learning environment. Under the guidance of a colleague in teacher education, three course instructors …

Abmscore: A Heuristic Algorithm For Forming Strategic Coalitions In Agent-Based Simulation, Andrew J. Collins, Gayane Grigoryan

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Integrating human behavior into agent-based models has been challenging due to its diversity. An example is strategic coalition formation, which occurs when an individual decides to collaborate with others because it strategically benefits them, thereby increasing the expected utility of the situation. An algorithm called ABMSCORE was developed to help model strategic coalition formation in agent-based models. The ABMSCORE algorithm employs hedonic games from cooperative game theory and has been applied to various situations, including refugee egress and smallholder farming cooperatives. This paper discusses ABMSCORE, including its mechanism, requirements, limitations, and application. To demonstrate the potential of ABMSCORE, a new …

Methods That Support The Validation Of Agent-Based Models: An Overview And Discussion, Andrew Collins, Matthew Koehler, Christopher Lynch

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Validation is the process of determining if a model adequately represents the system under study for the model’s intended purpose. Validation is a critical component in building the credibility of a simulation model with its end-users. Effectively conducting validation can be a daunting task for both novice and experienced simulation developers. Further compounding the difficult task of conducting validation is that there is no universally accepted approach for assessing a simulation. These challenges are particularly relevant to the paradigm of Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS) because of the complexity found in these models’ mechanisms and in the real-world situations they …

Advancing Household Robotics: Deep Interactive Reinforcement Learning For Efficient Training And Enhanced Performance, Arpita Soni, Sujatha Alla, Suresh Dodda, Hemanth Volikatla

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

The market for domestic robots—made to perform household chore, is growing as these robots relieve people of everyday responsibilities. Domestic robots are generally welcomed for their role in easing human labour, in contrast to industrial robots, which are frequently criticised for displacing human workers. But before these robots can carry out domestic chores, they need to become proficient in a number of minor activities, such as recognizing their surroundings, making decisions, and picking up on human behaviours. Reinforcement learning, or RL, has emerged as a key robotics technology that enables robots to interact with their environment and learn how to …

Political Prioritization For Digital Health And Health Equity Through Global Health Diplomacy, Vijay Kumar Chattu, Sujatha Alla, Bawa Singh

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

[Introduction] We have found the article "Digital health and health equity: How digital health can address healthcare disparities and improve access to quality care in Africa" published in the recent issue to be very relevant and interesting.¹ Qoseem et al have highlighted that there is a great need for continuous advocacy for strengthening the health systems through telehealth promotion and increasing access to healthcare services to achieve health equity.

Predicting The Need For Cardiovascular Surgery: A Comparative Study Of Machine Learning Models, Arman Ghavidel, Pilar Pazos, Rolando Del Aguila Suarez, Alireza Atashi

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

This research examines the efficacy of ensemble Machine Learning (ML) models, mainly focusing on Deep Neural Networks (DNNs), in predicting the need for cardiovascular surgery, a critical aspect of clinical decision-making. It addresses key challenges such as class imbalance, which is pivotal in healthcare settings. The research involved a comprehensive comparison and evaluation of the performance of previously published ML methods against a new Deep Learning (DL) model. This comparison utilized a dataset encompassing 50,000 patient records from a large hospital between 2015-2022. The study proposes enhancing the efficacy of these models through feature selection and hyperparameter optimization, employing techniques …

Role Of Occupational Therapy Assessment And Office Ergonomics To Support Students With Accommodations In Higher Learning: A Narrative Review, Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, Christi Tam, Raabia Khan, Bushra Alam, Sujatha Alla

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Postsecondary students with disabilities (SWDs) face significant challenges to their academic and personal well-being. There is a demand for more supportive strategies to facilitate fulfilling and equitable academic experiences for SWDs. This review aimed to (1) determine the effectiveness of various interventions, programs, and accommodations for enhancing the overall well-being of postsecondary SWDs and (2) evaluate the implications of these support strategies for disability service providers at postsecondary institutions. A narrative review was conducted, examining 13 studies aimed at enhancing the well-being of postsecondary SWDs. Studies were classified using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Model. Ergonomics, …

A Generative Approach For Document Enhancement With Small Unpaired Data, Mohammad Shahab Uddin, Wael Khallouli, Andres Sousa-Poza, Samuel Kovacic, Jiang Li

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Shipbuilding drawings, crafted manually before the digital era, are vital for historical reference and technical insight. However, their digital versions, stored as scanned PDFs, often contain significant noise, making them unsuitable for use in modern CAD software like AutoCAD. Traditional denoising techniques struggle with the diverse and intense noise found in these documents, which also does not adhere to standard noise models. In this paper, we propose an innovative generative approach tailored for document enhancement, particularly focusing on shipbuilding drawings. For a small, unpaired dataset of clean and noisy shipbuilding drawing documents, we first learn to generate the noise in …

Integrative Machine Learning Approaches For Enhanced Classification Of Genomic Sequences: A Next-Generation Sequencing Perspective, Sujatha Alla, Nagesh Bheesetty, Sai Gireesh Komaragiri, Prasanthi Chidipudi, Joshit Mohanty, Sathish Kumar Chintala, Jubin Thomas, Jayapal Vummadi, Hemanth Volikatla, Navin Kamuni

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

The advent of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques has revolutionized genomic research by enabling the rapid sequencing of DNA and RNA. This data can be used for various applications, including genome sequencing, transcriptome profiling, metagenomics, and epigenetics studies. For this study, DNA classifier dataset was extracted from UCI repository of machine learning databases. This vast amount of genomic data necessitates the development of sophisticated machine learning (ML) models for effective classification and analysis. This study presents a comprehensive comparison of various ML models, including Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forests (RF), and Neural Networks (NNs), approaches, in classifying genomic data. We …

Reinforcement Learning For Optimal Kicking Actions In Humanoid Robotics: Advancing Robotic Autonomy And Versatility, Suresh Dodda, Sathish Kumar Chintala, Sukender Reddy Mallreddy, Sharath Chandra Macha, Yashwanth Vasa, Sapan Bharadwaj Bonala, Navin Kamuni, Sujatha Alla

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Acquiring the necessary skills to perform a work effectively and efficiently requires a significant investment of time and computing power. Previous applications of Reinforcement Learning (RL) for action optimization in humanoid robotics have shown how promising this technology is for moving robotics towards true autonomy and versatility. Therefore, this study offers the first use of RL to create an entirely optimal kicking action for the Alderbaran Nao robot. Kicking motions that were steady, precise, quick, and able to kick farther than any existing RoboCup squad were generated by optimizing for a multi-objective reward function. We demonstrate that the ideal kicking …

System Of Systems Engineering: A Literature Review And Research Frontiers, Charles B. Keating, Polinpapilinho F. Katina, James C. Pyne

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

System of Systems Engineering (SoSE) has existed and been developing for well over 2 decades. The time is appropriate to take a reflective look at the past and examine the future evolution of this nascent field. To address this challenge, this paper is focused on two primary objectives. First, a literature review of the SoSE field is conducted. This literature review (1) organizes the SoSE body of knowledge and provides a synthesis of major crosscutting themes, and (2) provides a scholarly critique and identifies gaps in the current state of the SoSE field. The second objective is focused on providing …

Engineering Management And Industrial Engineering Industry And Educational Workforce Development Strategy, Robert J. Gies, Resit Unal, Charles B. Keating

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper provides an overview of the development and resulting product of a collaborative industry-academia engineering management and industrial engineering workforce development strategy. In the spring of 2017, Old Dominion University's (ODU) Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Department (EMSE) approached Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) with a concept to develop an educational initiative to support the preparation and development of the future workforce. The concept came to fruition over the next two years as a certification program in Engineering Systems and Industrial Engineering for NNS working professionals. This paper examines the primary aspects of the development of the certification program. Emphasis …