Digital Commons Network^™

Kalman Bucy Filtered Neuro Fuzzy Image Denoising For Medical Image Processing, Mohanapriya G., Muthukumar S., Santhosh Kumar S., Shanmugapriya M. M.

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Neutrosophic sets (NS) have referred to as interval fuzzy sets applied in minimizing the uncertainty and fuzziness in computer-vision and machine-learning communities and hence employed for several applications. As far as medical image processing applications are concerned NSs are obtained as an important technique for de-noising. Also, fuzzy segmentation with machine and deep learning is determined as a familiar procedure that splits input image into distinct regions for precise learning. Several research works conducted in different image-processing domains. However, less works was focused on denoising and segmentation of medical image processing with minimal time complexity and accuracy. In this work …

Identification Of Most Impact Factors Of Cibil Score Using Fermatean Neutrosophic Dombi Fuzzy Graphs, P. Chellamani, R. Sundareswaran, M. Shamugapriya, Said Broumi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Graph theory plays a vital role in modeling real-world scenarios like network security and expert systems. Various extensions of graph theoretical conceptions have been designed for addressing uncertainty in graphical network scenarios. The concept of Fermatean Neutrosophic Dombi Fuzzy Graphs (FNDFgraphs) represents a novel and innovative extension in graph theory, combining the principles of Fermatean Neutrosophic fuzzy graphs and the Dombi operator. FNDFGs enhances the representation and analysis of uncertain rela- tionships in a graph also it o ers a more comprehensive and exible approach to modeling uncertainty in graph structures. The main objective of this present research study focused …

Analyzing Interdisciplinary Education In General Medicine Using Smarandache's Multivalued Logic Hypothesis Theory And Plithogenic Probability, Dolores Hernandez De La Cantera, Rosangela Caicedo Quiroz, Mairim Lago Queija, Jeanntte Rodriguez Gonzalez, Maikel Y. Leyva Vazquez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Smarandache extended the concept of falsifiability to include hypotheses that involve multiple values. Smarandache's extension of classical logic introduces Partial Falsifiability within multi-valued logic, which allows for the inclusion of partial truth values, uncertainties, and false values, unlike traditional falsifiability which only classifies hypotheses as completely true or false. Using this approach this study investigates specifically the concept of interdisciplinarity in the field of integral general medicine, with a specific emphasis on the integration of nursing procedures. The method employs sentiment analysis of scientific questions using the Consensus tool and plithogenic statistics to assess complex hypotheses. The findings indicate that …

Neutrosophic Sets And Systems, Vol. 70,2024, Florentin Smarandache, Mohamed Abdel-Basset, Said Broumi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

the whole volume

Periodic Information Leakage Fault Detection On A Risc-V Microprocessor, Idris Somoye

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The execution behavior of a Microprocessor (μP) in the presence of a fault is difficult to predict because of the complex interactions across pipeline stages and between functional units within the architecture. Fault effects are known to not introduce any type of anomaly in the input-output behavior for 10s of thousands to millions of clock cycles. These characteristics increase the difficulty of evaluating μP architectures for resilience to information leakage events, i.e., scenarios where a fault causes sensitive data such as an encryption key to be inadvertently diverted to a primary output channel. This dissertation explores two promising strategies for …

Geospatial Analysis Of Environmental, Tick, And Host Interactions With Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever In The Southwestern United States, Al Ekram Elahee Hridoy

Geography ETDs

This study examines the spatiotemporal distribution and determinants of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) incidence in Arizona from 2006 to 2021. Utilizing climate variables, land cover types, and socio-economic indicators, we employed Negative Binomial Regression, Spatial autocorrelation, and Random Forest-based classification to identify key predictors and patterns of RMSF spread. Results indicate positive correlations between RMSF incidence and precipitation and shrub cover, while veterinary access, forest cover, and relative humidity show negative associations. Spatial analysis revealed significant case clustering, with limited veterinary access associated with higher RMSF incidence. A Random Forest-based predictive model was developed to identify potential tick-host interactions, …

Thermal Oxidative Degradation Of Polystyrene Plastics Used For Food Packaging During Incomplete Waste Incineration, Maycee Hurd

Civil Engineering ETDs

We identified the physical and chemical degradation of polystyrene (PS) plastic used for food packaging after thermal oxidative weathering. Open waste incineration is a widely used waste management practice in isolated and underserved communities. However, the generation of partially incinerated plastics and microplastics (MPs) from this practice is overlooked. Near surface XPS C 1s high resolution analyses show an increase in the intensity of peaks greater than 285 eV corresponding to C/O bonds after burning of PS. Bulk analyses using ATR-FTIR show that thermal oxidation decreased the alkene (3040-3000 cm-1) and alkane (3000-2850 cm-1) C-H stretch signals suggesting PS chain …

Understanding Longitudinal Top-Down Cracking To Enhance Asphalt Mix Design, Md Mehedi Hasan

Civil Engineering ETDs

This study focuses on developing a deformation rate-dependent bilinear constitutive equation for cohesive zone modeling of asphalt concrete's fracture process zone to accurately predict the longitudinal top-down crack initiation and propagation. A mathematical model has been developed for the AC materials' deformation rate-dependent cohesive zone fracture characteristics and incorporated into the ABAQUS software as a customized user element subroutine (UEL). The developed model has been validated by comparing the simulation results with the laboratory test results, which show good agreement with the results. In addition, an enhanced asphalt mix design approach, referred to as SP5, has been developed to mitigate …

Evaluation Of Machine Learning Algorithms And Statistical Analysis For Predicting Crash Severity And Determining Contributing Factors: A Comparative Study, Arian Golrokh Amin

Civil Engineering ETDs

Improving road traffic safety relies on the ability to accurately predict traffic crashes and understand the factors contributing to severe injuries. This study employs a dual approach, utilizing both statistical analysis and machine-learning methodologies. Initially, statistical analyses such as chi-squared tests and Cramer's V values are applied to a decade's worth of police report data from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to identify primary causal factors behind crashes. Subsequently, machine-learning models are developed and rigorously compared to predict the severity of traffic crash injuries. The selection of the most effective algorithm is based on comprehensive metrics including accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 …

Adaptive Immune Profiling Of Sin Nombre Hantavirus And Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection, Tonilynn M. Baranowski

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Hantaviruses are causative agents of potentially fatal respiratory illness and/or organ failure in humans worldwide. In the United States, the predominant hantavirus species, Sin Nombre hantavirus (SNV), causes a severe disease pathology, called hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). Infection with SNV and subsequent clinical manifestations of HCPS lends itself to case fatality rates approaching 40%, even under supportive care. This is partially due to the lack of FDA-approved vaccines and antivirals, in addition to a deficit in our knowledge regarding the human immune response to SNV. Further investigation of the adaptive immune response may reveal key targets to mediate disease outcome. …

Tuning Of Real-Time Optimization Of Heliostat Concentrated Solar Power, Zachary L. Bernius

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

This paper investigates a real-time optimization algorithm for autonomously calibrating the heliostats in a concentrated solar power plant with the goal of maximizing power generation. The current state-of-the-art uses human operators to provide feedback for the heliostats. We use real-time/online measurements to produce an autonomous closed-loop system that does not require human intervention. The paper investigates tuning the gain of the real-time optimization algorithm to quickly and robustly converge to the optimal alignment and stabilize the system. The exponential stability of the system is certified using a quadratic Lyapunov function and static output feedback methods to couple the Lyapunov functions …

Fabrication And Characterization Of A Monolithic Photonic Integrated Circuit With High-Aspect Ratio Photonic Device Structures, Sami A. Nazib

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

The focus of this work was to create a process to fabricate an InP-based Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC). The design of the PIC required the photonic components of this device to be created by deep etching of an epitaxially-grown multilayer structure. Therefore, a novel dry etching process was developed to produce very high aspect- ratio (HAR) features. This process not only involved the development of dry etch chemistry but also the engineering of a metal mask structure. The next step of the challenge was to use a polymer-based material that would have two functions: cladding for the etched photonic components …

Grievability And The Contingency Of Life Value In Twenty-First-Century Science Fiction, Emily A. Reiff

English Language and Literature ETDs

Using Judith Butler’s framework of grievability, this dissertation explores twenty-first-century science fiction by British, Irish, and Caribbean authors whose novels grapple with legacies of colonialism and imperialism that relied on dehumanization and subjugation. Beginning with Sarah Maria Griffin’s Spare and Found Parts (2016), chapter one explores neocolonial rationales—purportedly based on health—which recreate colonial divisions of class and labor and enforce systems of diminishing grievability in a post-apocalyptic Irish context. Chapter two contends that Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun (2021) illustrates the danger inherent to value systems that center “normative” embodiment in worlds that reconfigure hypercapacitated human beings as the …

Assessing Consequences And Relevant Thresholds Of Seismic Events In Puerto Rico To Aid The Future Creation Of Consequence-Driven Scenarios, Yahaira D. Alvarez-Gandia

Geography ETDs

Puerto Rico frequently experiences damaging earthquakes due to its location on the northeastern margin of the Caribbean Plate. Its unique combination of factors, including high population, informal construction practices, and environmental risks, such as tsunamis or landslides, create a heightened risk of loss of life and property. Within this context, earthquake scenarios are vital communication, mitigation, and preparedness tools. They provide the opportunity to think critically about possible alternatives to reduce the risks and impacts of these unpredictable events. As an initial step for integrated earthquake scenario development, this study uses semi-structured interviews and the analysis of government reports to …

Mixed Potential Sensor For Natural Gas Leak Detection Design, Manufacturing, And Simulation, Sleight Halley

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

There is a need for a low-cost robust sensor accurately detecting leaks from oil and gas infrastructure. This work presents the development of an electrochemical sensor based on an yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte with La_0.87Sr_0.13CrO₃, Indium Tin Oxide (In₂O₃ 90 wt%, SnO₂ 10 wt%), Au, Pt electrodes. Selectivity to target gasses of the three sensing electrodes in conjunction with machine learning allows for the accurate discrimination between possible methane sources as well as the quantification of methane concentration. Sensor sensitivity is improved through a low-ionic conductivity substrate of magnesia …

Labor Market Penalties For Foreign Degrees Among College Educated Immigrants: Update Using 2018 Data, Eunice T. Ajibade

Economics ETDs

This paper revisits the questions posed by Arbeit and Warren in their 2013 study, "Labor market penalties for foreign degrees among college-educated immigrants," using updated data from the 2018 National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG). The original study, which analyzed data from 2003, focused on the economic and employment disadvantages faced by immigrants with degrees from foreign institutions in an increasingly globalized workforce. This updated analysis includes data on 21,071 college-educated immigrants to explore whether the geographic origin of an academic degree continues to influence access to high-quality employment opportunities and whether such impacts differ by gender. My findings reveal …

The Feasibility Of An Acute Bout Of High Intensity Interval Vs Continuous Moderate-Intensity Exercise On Cognition In Chronic Stroke Patients, Anna M. Welch, Marissa Ramirez, Christine Mermier, Flavio De Castro Magalhaes, Jessia D. Richardson, Alyssa Bailly, Terence Moriarty

Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences ETDs

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to assess the feasibility of chronic stroke patients safely completing an acute 30-minute session of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) compared to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (MIE) on a treadmill, with a focus on cognitive outcomes. Design: This feasibility study utilized a randomized controlled crossover trial with two experimental sessions separated by at least 7 days to minimize practice effects on cognitive assessments. Subjects: Five chronic stroke survivors (m=4, f=1) participated in two randomly assigned experimental sessions (n=5, 60.4 ± 11.3 years, 39.8 ± 41.4% body fat, 32.7±6.3 body mass index [kg/m²])., either a …

Secondary Electron Yield Of Metals, Alloys, And Metal Oxides From First Principles Based Monte Carlo Simulations, Raul E. Gutierrez

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Density Functional Theory (DFT) based Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of the Sec-
ondary Electron Yield (SEY) of metals, alloys, and metal oxides are performed to
find material properties that could help reduce or influence the multipactor effect.
In order to accurately model the SEY of materials, knowledge of the frequency- and
momentum-dependent Energy Loss Function (qDepELF) is required. The qDepELF
is difficult to determine from experiment; however, it can be calculated from first
principles. The DFT-MC approach for simulating the secondary electron genera-
tion, propagation, and emission processes is described herein. Material properties,
which are calculated using DFT and used …

Distributed Energy Trading Models Utilizing Reinforcement Learning And Game-Theoretic Based Approaches In Smart Grids, Nicholas Kemp

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Community-driven energy initiatives have become crucial for effective energy management, particularly in trading and management. The rise of Distributed Energy Resources in smart grids demands a redesign of traditional Demand Response Management (DRM) models to account for prosumers' dynamic behavior in energy markets. Decentralization, including peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading, is vital for resilience and sustainability. This thesis introduces two coalitional DRM models: one based on hedonic community formation games, and the other combining matching theory with coalition games. These models empower prosumers to autonomously select energy trading communities using partially available data. To optimize energy consumption, two additional models are …

Sofast Cad Layout Tool, Felicia Brimigion

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Concentrating solar mirrors need to have correct geometry to accurately focus sunlight onto a receiver. SOFAST is a tool created at Sandia National Laboratories which measures a mirror’s surface normal at a dense sampling of points, enabling evaluation of a given mirror’s expected performance. SOFAST supports general mirrors, including concentrating solar heliostats, troughs, and dishes. The examples presented in this report predominantly focus on heliostats.

There are generally four major components of a SOFAST system – the mirror, camera, projector, and screen. For SOFAST to properly measure a mirror, the following geometric constraints must be satisfied:

1. The reflection of …

Trauma, Memory, Imagination, And Survivance: Uncovering Haunting Stories Within The Southwest Borderlands, Tania Paloma García

American Studies ETDs

This dissertation project explores hidden histories of the García/Espinosa/Sargent/Burns family in northern New Mexico/southern Colorado during the middle-to-late eighteenth/early nineteenth centuries, and continuing into the present. The project, in part, focuses on prominent rancher, lawyer, landowner, and territorial representative of New Mexico and Colorado, José Victór García. García’s life and legacy is examined regarding the lesser-known story of his “ownership” of several enslaved Indigenous youths on his property in Conejos County, Colorado. The methodology of haunting is employed to expose complex histories of Indigenous peoples in the Southwest borderlands, and within a broader context of colonialism. Indigenous enslavement is considered …

Assessing Dental Hygiene Students’ Perspectives: A Survey Of Curriculum Adequacy For Interdisciplinary Settings In U.S. Dental Hygiene Programs, Brittany Elaine Tripp

Dental Hygiene ETDs

This study investigated whether dental hygiene programs implement interdisciplinary care into their curriculum and assessed student preparedness for working in interdisciplinary settings. The study also aimed to identify student preferences for various interdisciplinary care settings. A survey was developed and distributed via email to program directors of accredited dental hygiene programs across the United States. Those programs directors were asked to forward the survey to currently enrolled final-year students. Out of eighty-two responses received, 16 were excluded because those respondents were not final-year dental hygiene students. Sixty-six participants were considered eligible for the survey (n=66). The results indicate that most …

Insight Into Complexity: Novel Information Theoretic Analysis Of Spatiotemporal Interactions, Humayra Tasnim

Computer Science ETDs

Complex systems are comprised of different components. Interactions and associations among these components define the functionality of the system. For example, T cells must directly interact with virally infected cells to kill them. This research characterizes the most relevant components of complex systems by analyzing interacting relationships using information theoretic measures. It emphasizes the importance of spatial and temporal dynamics, which occur when components share spatial proximities or temporal sequences. Novel information theoretic analyses are proposed for quantifying the degree of association among system components, which is key to defining the spatiotemporal dynamics. One focus of this work is the …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of Language Shift Of Ikalanga In Botswana: Implications For Language Revitalization, Annah Sephene Macha

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

This study explores the phenomenon of language shift among the Bakalanga community in Botswana, focusing on the gradual displacement of the iKalanga language by dominant languages such as Setswana and English that hold official status for education and broader communication. iKalanga faces significant challenges, as minority languages face extinction globally, the Bakalanga’s experience reflects broader trends where dominant languages supplant indigenous ones in education and wider communication. This research employed a phenomenological approach to investigate how the Bakalanga transmit knowledge amidst this language shift. Data was collected through focus groups, life history narratives, documents, and individual interviews, and analyzed using …

Effect Of Air Filtration On Water Quality During Atmospheric Water Harvest In The Southwest United States, A.J. Barney

Civil Engineering ETDs

Access to sustainable drinking water is a concern across the globe. Atmospheric water harvest (AWH) offers a potential supplemental drinking water source. However, the sources and processes affecting AWH water quality are not well understood and must be thoroughly studied to consistently utilize AWH for drinking water. The objective of this research is to assess how removing particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and PM10 in the air used to produce AWH with air-filters affects the water quality of AWH. AWH samples were collected simultaneously with three identical dehumidifiers, utilizing three different air-filter configurations (no-filter, MERV8, and MERV12) in Albuquerque, NM from …

The Borders Of Embodiment: Transgression, Transformation, And Corporeality In Chicanx Speculative Fiction, Chrysta Carson Wilson

English Language and Literature ETDs

This dissertation develops a clearer vision of Chicanx Speculative Fiction (SF) as its own genre anchored to the experiences and histories of the Chicanx community, with a particular interest in the avenues through which race and gender shape the experience of embodiment. SF resists hegemonic narratives that justify racial hierarchies and reveals both the cultural and concrete pressures exerted on Chicanx bodies in the United States as a minoritized and often exploited community. Furthermore, my analysis illustrates that Chicanx writers utilize elements of SF to defamiliarize traditional notions of race, class, and nationality. Through the use of defamiliarization, Chicanx SF …

Building A Trusted Relationship Among Project Participants In Construction Projects On Tribal Land, Dominica J. Bennett

Civil Engineering ETDs

There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, and these tribal communities differ by culture, language, history, and self-governance. Performing a tribal construction project is different than a non-tribal project due to tribal sovereignty, tribes are both legally and regulatory independent. The United States has recognized its trust with Indigenous tribes through treaties, statutes, and historical relations, however treaties and statutes have been broken over time. This paper aims to qualitatively and quantitatively identify relationships and trust built between contractors, designers, and owners on construction projects while identifying challenges. The methodology involves survey distribution to rank the level …

3d Printing Of Local New Mexican Soil Material: Improving Durability Properties By Assessing Traditional Methods Towards Alternative Sustainable Construction, Daiquiri Devon Zozaya

Civil Engineering ETDs

3D printing (3DP), or additive manufacturing, represents a dynamic and swiftly advancing manufacturing method in which diverse materials are deposited layer by layer through computer-controlled processes, creating intricate geometries. This technology has demonstrated success in various construction applications, including the construction of bridges, bus stop stations, and even residential homes. Nonetheless, the predominant application of 3DP in construction relies heavily on cement due to its robustness, convenience, and ease of use. Regrettably, the cement sector is a substantial source of greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for approximately 8% of worldwide CO₂ emissions. Investigating all facets of carbon emissions reduction is …

Exploration Of Semiconductor Gain Medium, Resonator, Pump, And Frequency Stabilization For Laser Guide Star Applications, Mingyang Zhang

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

Laser Guide Star (LGS) systems are essential for adaptive optics in ground-based astronomical observation. This dissertation demonstrates the feasibility of semiconductor-based LGS systems using the membrane external-cavity surface-emitting laser (MECSEL) platform, employing multiple quantum wells. Various laser cavity configurations were analyzed through simulations and experiments. The in-well pumping method was explored to reduce the quantum defect and address thermal limitations. Multi-pass pumping schemes were designed with Zemax modeling and demonstrated experimentally. To simplify multi-pass pumping, the hybrid-MECSEL (H-MECSEL) design was introduced. COMSOL modeling studied thermal management and thermal lensing effect.

The H-MECSEL achieved approximately 30 W of output power at …

Coupled Monte Carlo And Adjoint Depletion Sensitivity Coefficient Methods, Benjamin R. Murphy

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

Recent advances in adjoint-based, continuous-energy Monte Carlo generalized perturbation theory (GPT) sensitivity coefficients are combined with adjoint-based depletion perturbation theory (DPT) sensitivities to obtain fully coupled depletion sensitivity coefficients in OpenMC. These depletion sensitivity coefficients are compared with direct perturbation results and found to have generally good agreement, though discrepancies exist. Some shortfalls of the DPT method include the inefficient initial numeric integration scheme for calculating the DPT sensitivities and the lack of stochastic uncertainty estimates for the DPT sensitivities. However, despite these shortcomings, the methodology provides the means to obtain high fidelity depletion sensitivity coefficients. With refinements to the …