Digital Commons Network^™

Condition Assessment Of Bolted Connections In Steel Structures Using Deep Learning, Faezeh Jafari, Sattar Dorafshan

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Steel structure connections are prone to bolt loosening and subsequent loss of strength or stability if not inspected periodically. Use of noncontact sensing and artificial intelligence can substantially increase the safety and efficiency of these inspections; however, the existing defect detection models do not account for variability of defects in both missing and loosened bolt connections. Furthermore, the performance of available deep learning models can be substantially diminished due to the presence of background noise in images of real structures. Finding these defects could be even more difficult in highway steel structures due to the complex and continuously changing nature …

Vision Based Stockpile Inventory Measurement Using Uncrewed Aerial Systems, Faezeh Jafari, Sattar Dorafshan

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Monitoring a stockpile plays a vital role in material inventories at the State Departments of Transportation (DOTs). Various technologies, such as Total Stations (TST), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and Global Positioning Systems, are conventionally used to obtain stockpile volumes; however, DOTs seek a faster, safer way to obtain an object’s volume with minimal workforce training. Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), coupled with visual imagery, have the potential to address these limitations; however, UAS visual has not been effectively developed to account for flight parameters in measurements, such as Ground Sampling Distance (GSD). Images of regular and irregular objects were collected …

The Alternate Bios, Casey Fuller

Floodwall Magazine

No abstract provided.

Next-Gen Device For Uniform Cellular Migration Assay Execution, Nicholas M. Bittner

Theses and Dissertations

Cellular migration assays, particularly scratch assays, are pivotal in biomedical research for cell motility, wound healing, and metastasis. However, conventional scratch assays suffer from variability due to operator dependence, non-uniform scratch geometry, and a modified microenvironment that impacts reproducibility. This thesis presents the development and validation of a low-cost, 3D-printed device designed to standardize cellular migration assays. The device utilizes a spring mechanism and a biocompatible elastomer to create a uniform cellular exclusion zone without harming the surrounding cells. Through iterative prototyping and testing with MCF10A cell lines, the device demonstrated a significantly lower average standard deviation of length compared …

Comparative Study Of Robotic And Manual Welding For Energy Consumption And Efficiency In A High Mix, Low Volume Manufacturing Environment, John Ruprecht

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the comparative efficiency and energy consumption of manual versus robotic welding in high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) manufacturing environments. Traditional robotic welding systems have been predominantly used in low-mix, high-volume production due to their efficiency in repetitive tasks. However, the advent of collaborative robots (cobots) has democratized robotic automation for diverse manufacturing needs. Cobots allow flexibility in programming, enabling their deployment in HMLV environments characterized by hard product variety and smaller batch sizes. This research evaluates energy consumption, welding speed, and quality metrics across manual and cobotic welding systems. Data were gathered using energy meters and video analysis, focusing …

Design And Fabrication Of Tpms-Based Bone Scaffolds: A Cost-Effective Approach Using Plga-Nha And 3d-Printed Pva Molds, Yasser Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis introduces a new cost-effective method for fabricating bone scaffolds from triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) geometries—namely Gyroid and Diamond structure—using a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-nanohydroxyapatite (PLGA-nHA) composite and 3D-printed polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) molds. Current TPMS scaffold fabrication techniques depend on costly laser-based techniques like selective laser sintering and thus remain inaccessible. Herein, we reveal a cost-effective and repeatable indirect approach via fused deposition modeling (FDM) for printing water-soluble PVA molds, which are then iteratively cast filled with a PLGA-nHA solution. The protocol was optimized through concentration modulation and controlled evaporation of the solvent for optimum infiltration and uniformity in the …

Zaasijiwan: An Indigenized Health Communication Framework For American Indian And Alaska Native Communities, Jennifer Wolf

Theses and Dissertations

The Zaasijiwan Framework represents an Indigenized health communication model developed to enhance the cultural relevance, trust, and effectiveness of public health messaging for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. This qualitative study integrated Indigenous and Western public health knowledge to inform the development of the framework. A comprehensive literature review and two rounds of key informant interviews with health communication professionals informed the design of the framework. Findings emphasized the importance of community co-creation and strengths-based narratives, along with other framework elements, in overcoming medical mistrust and improving health outcomes. The final framework offers public health professionals, Tribal, and …

Machine Learning-Guided Discovery Of Metal-Ligand Catalysts For Affordable Green Hydrogen Produced Via Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers, Achouak Benarbia

Theses and Dissertations

The rising demand for clean and sustainable energy sources has underscored the critical role of hydrogen in the global energy transition. However, the widespread adoption of green hydrogen remains constrained by the high cost and scarcity of platinum-based electrocatalysts used in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. This dependence inflates production costs and poses long-term risks related to supply security and scalability. While numerous studies have explored alternative materials, the discovery of efficient and stable non-platinum catalysts remains a major bottleneck due to the vastness of chemical space and the resource-intensive nature of experimental screening. To address this challenge, this study …

Exploring Geothermal Energy Development In The Deep Reservoirs Of The Williston Basin: An Integrated Analysis Using Empirical, Probabilistic, Numerical Simulation And Machine Learning Techniques, Emmanuel Gyimah

Theses and Dissertations

Geothermal energy, a renewable, clean, and abundant energy source, is gaining global attention as a key contributor to the transition towards a low-carbon economy. However, uncertainties in reservoir characterization and development risks hinder its widespread adoption, particularly in the Williston Basin. This study focuses on the Williston Basin, particularly the Red River and Deadwood formations, to explore the potential of deep geothermal reservoirs in North Dakota. The study integrates a multi-disciplinary technique in empirical, probabilistic, numerical simulation, and machine learning to reduce uncertainties and risks associated with geothermal energy exploration and development. Probabilistic methods (Parametric and Monte Carlo), incorporating geo-statistics, …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Vision Rehabilitation In The Rural Outpatient Setting, Hailey Jo Mcguire

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Vision is a complex part of the sensory system that is often overlooked in patient care or mistaken for cognitive impairment (Aravich & Troxell, 2021). As visual disruption often comes secondary to a plethora of physical and cognitive health conditions, addressing the visual system is part of the role of occupational therapy in treating clients holistically. There is a lack of available resources to support practitioners in rural outpatient settings in working with patients who have vision-related complications. Oculomotor skills are one of the three foundational skills considering at the visual system (Warren, 1993) and has multiple subskills underlying …

A Holistic Program Manual For Permanent Supportive Housing: Integrating Housing First And Occupational Therapy Approaches, Melody Mackenzie

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Individuals experiencing chronic homelessness often face complex challenges including trauma, mental health conditions, and barriers to daily living. While permanent supportive housing provides long-term housing with supportive services, gaps exist in resources tailored for both residents and residential support staff. Many existing permanent supportive housing programs emphasize behavioral or mental health approaches, with fewer addressing the full range of occupational participation needs. Occupational therapy, with its holistic and client-centered perspective, offers a valuable lens to enhance service delivery in permanent supportive housing.

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop two compatible tools–a Permanent Supportive Housing Residential …

Rehabilitation Not Punishment: Adults In Custody Learning Skills Needed To Survive In Society, Kaitlyn J. Wanner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Introduction: The U.S has one of the highest populations of incarcerated individuals in the world and must shift from the use of punishment to rehabilitation for these individuals (Huynh et al., 2015; Muñoz, 2019; Phelps & Aldrich, 2022). While in prison, these individuals are limited in their ability to participate in meaningful activities and lose skills needed to function in society (Lares & Montgomery, 2020). Occupational therapy assists individuals of a variety of populations engage in activities that are meaningful to them. The set of skills that occupational therapy has to offer results in a broad area of settings that …

Moving Beyond What Pays The Bills: Implementing New Assistive Technology Outcome Measures, Connor Nathan Fuchs

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The World Health Organization states that measuring outcomes is paramount to understanding the efficacy of assistive technology (AT) intervention (World Health Organization, 2022). Over 1 billion people across the globe use assistive technology, which is expected to double over the next 50 years. Outcome measures such as the Functional Mobility Assessment (FMA) or Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS) provide practitioners with information regarding the efficacy of AT interventions. This product aims to provide practitioners with a comprehensive, quick, and straightforward resource that outlines 14 assistive technology outcome measures for frequent use in practice.

Methods: A needs assessment …

Psychosocial Perspectives To Client Care In Orthopedic Settings – The Role Of Occupational Therapy, Ainsley E. Ahrndt

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: The purpose of this scholarly project is to increase practitioner and client knowledge regarding the interconnectedness of the mind and body, specifically when it comes to physical healing. Currently, in orthopedic care, there is a large focus on the biomechanical aspects of healing. While this approach is appropriate, it can fail to acknowledge non-physical factors that influence physical healing. Orthopedic injuries and conditions are very common which emphasizes the need for comprehensive care to support individuals as they heal from an injury or manage a condition. Occupational therapists have a unique skillset in that they can address both physical …

Occupational Participation Through Harm Reduction, Allie Reiffenberger

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Individuals who have experienced homelessness face higher risks of physical disabilities, mental illnesses, and substance use disorders (SUD), which often co-occur, compared to the general population (Mosel, 2024; Parker & Scaffa, 2020; SAMHSA, 2023a). Due to past experiences and unmanaged chronic conditions, substance use, and negative health behaviors are common. The high prevalence of SUD, mental illness, and chronic health conditions in this group severely affects their ability to engage in daily activities, influencing overall health and well-being (Marshall et al., 2020a). While complete abstinence is often deemed ideal, it can be unrealistic for this population. Harm reduction seeks …

Coming To Your Senses: A Guide For Sensory Considerations In Higher Education, Aspen D. Delano

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Sensory stimuli bombard humans at every point during their day. Senses are the avenue through which humanity interacts with its world. Individuals have varying thresholds of sensory stimuli. When people face more stimuli than they can cope with, they struggle to interact with the world around them. This can pose a significant challenge for graduate-level college students due to the already strenuous mental load required for formal education. The association between sensory processing and stress has strengthened in recent years, with individuals reporting a positive feedback loop between these constructs (Harrold et al., 2024). Stress leads to greater sensory …

Response Surface Analysis Of Biopolymer Gel Performance In Fractured High Temperature Formations, Farhad A. Bina, Dongmei Wang, Yun Ji, Moones Alamooti, Olufemi Oni

Petroleum Engineering Student Publications

This study investigates the performance of a hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)–based biopolymer gel for fracture conformance control in high-temperature geothermal reservoirs using a statistically driven experimental framework. Laboratory core-flooding experiments were conducted on fractured limestone and sandstone samples from the Deadwood Formation under controlled thermal and chemical conditions, with temperatures reaching 160 °C. The effects of temperature, gel formulation salinity, and lithology on key performance indicators—including residual resistance factor (RRF), resistance factor (RF), gel extrusion pressure gradient (GEPG), and heat retention—were quantified. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied using Minitab to capture variable interactions and develop predictive models for gel behavior …

An Archaeology Of The Red River Of The North, Michael G. Michlovic

Digital Press Books

An Archaeology of the Red River of the North offers an expansive survey of the indigenous cultures and peoples in the region of the Red River from the recession of Lake Agassiz around 9000 years ago to the intrusion of the Europeans. Beginning with an overview of the practice of regional archaeology and a justification for its pursuit, Michael Michlovic uses a traditional culture-historical sequence as a framework to incorporate archaeological studies from the late nineteenth century to the present time. Relevant research in fields such as ethnohistory, ethnography, radiometric dating, paleoecology, and geomorphology are used throughout the presentation. Dozens …

Hillslope Degradation: Coarse Sands May Move Faster But Fines Dominate Flux, Robert Chance

Theses and Dissertations

Hillslopes are one of the most pervasive landforms on Earth yet the details of the processes that drive their evolution are not completely understood. Excluding boulders, the majority of mass and volume in soil-mantled hillslopes is composed of sand-sized and finer grains. Understanding the transport rates and governing transport mechanisms of these grains is therefore key to advancing our knowledge of hillslope evolution.This research investigates sand-sized sediment transport through field experiments at 20 sites tracking surface sediment motion and 11 sites measuring depth-dependent transport. These empirical results are compared against outputs from a novel grain-based hillslope diffusion simulation (GBHDS), which …

Support Vector Machine Optimization For Predicting Bio  Polymer Gel Effectiveness In Fracture-Dominated  High-Temperature Reservoirs, Farhad A. Bina

Petroleum Engineering Student Publications

This paper presents a data-driven framework for evaluating the effectiveness of bio-polymer gel treatments in fracture-dominated, high-temperature geothermal reservoirs. Laboratory core-flooding experiments were conducted on samples from the Deadwood Formation under reservoir-representative conditions, including temperatures up to 160 °C and salinity levels up to 17% TDS. Key physical, thermal, and flow-related parameters—such as porosity, permeability, fracture width, heat retention, and gel extrusion pressure—were integrated into a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification model to predict treatment success, defined by a residual resistance factor (RRF) threshold of 1000. To extend the applicability of the model beyond available core material, geologically informed synthetic …

Journey To Understanding — An Introduction To North Dakota Tribes (2025), Cheryl Ann Kary Née Red Eagle, Sunshine Archambault-Carlow, Emma Jean Blue Earth, Carol Davis, Linda Gourneau, Oliver Gourd, Eugene Hale, David Henderson, Marilyn Hudson, Angeline Fourth Iron Road, Demus Mcdonald, Jt Shining One Side, Scott Simpson, Sharla Steever, Nicholas Asbury, Sashay Schettler, Lucy Fredericks, Native American Training Institute, United Tribes Technical College

North Dakota Tribal History and Culture Series

Journey to Understanding: An Introduction to North Dakota Tribes is an introductory booklet intended to give a quick overview of Indigenous culture in North Dakota. It is a starting point for the rest of the North Dakota Tribal History & Culture series. The booklet explains the names and backgrounds of the nations that share geography with North Dakota. It also teaches basic cultural competency to facilitate interaction for people from a different background. The content is presented in the form of self-quizzes with provided answers. Journey to Understanding was originally used within the North Dakota Department of Human Services (NDDHS) …

Autonomous Corrosion Detection In Steel Structures Using Different Non-Contact Techniques, Amrita Das

Theses and Dissertations

Metallic corrosion is an electrochemical process that can occur due to the formation of aqueous adlayers on the metal surface. It is often described as reverse metallurgy, as corrosion drives refined metals back to their lowest energy state, namely an oxidized, ore-like form. Environmental factors that promote corrosion include precipitation, high humidity, and chemical condensation, which can result from the hygroscopic nature of pollutants deposited on the surface. There is a significant impact of metallic corrosion on the U. S. economy including infrastructure, transportation, utilities, production, and manufacturing. The total direct cost of corrosion in the United States has been …

Investigation In Using Kinesthetic Learning Of Electricity And Magnetism In Scale-Up, Joseph Charley Langenwalter

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the effectiveness of incorporating kinesthetic learning activities into a SCALE-UP (Student-Centered Active Learning Environment with Upside-down Pedagogies) physics course to improve students' conceptual understanding of electricity and magnetism. This study aims to explore the effects of adding kinesthetic activities to a first-year 2nd semester physics course on student learning that included 92 students in three groups, traditional, scale-up control, scale-up activity classrooms. Nine active learning activities were designed to promote learning. A unique pre-post instrument was used to gauge student learning. Three questions from an instrument showed statistically significant improvement in student scores from the semester that …

Precipitation Forecast And Verification For Suas Applications, Patrick Britt

Theses and Dissertations

Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) have become a fast-growing part of air traffic in the United States. This significant growth is due to the numerous uses these systems can provide, both recreationally and professionally. Due to the small nature of the sUAS, any weather, regardless of intensity, plays a vital role in flight operations and planning. In a survey of sUAS pilots, it was found that precipitation was the most significant hazard of concern, and the most time-sensitive hazard, as precipitation conditions are most often checked by operators in the immediate moments before flight. This project aimed to create, analyze, …

Assessment Of Medical Laboratory Science Student Motivation And Perceived Transfer Of Knowledge Towards Information Literacy, Shannon Jongeward

Theses and Dissertations

Information literacy skills are a cornerstone of higher education as they allow students to effectively locate, evaluate, and utilize information from various sources. Evidence-Based Practice, a process commonly used in healthcare for decision making, incorporates using the best available research, one’s clinical expertise, and the patient’s values. Information literacy is foundational to developing evidence-based practice skills. Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) utilize evidence-based practice to assist in making decisions about clinical laboratory tests and processes to ensure quality in testing and the appropriate use of resources; therefore, it is important for MLS programs to include elements of evidence-based practice into their …

Impact Of Resin Grinding On Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Adsorption In Rapid Small-Scale Column Tests, Tihitna Gezahegn Mulugeta

Theses and Dissertations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants with significant health risks. Among the different technologies for PFAS removal, adsorption is preferable due to low-cost, operational simplicity, and use of regenerable adsorbents. While pilot-scale fixed-bed columns are ideal for evaluating adsorption media, they are time- and resource-intensive. Rapid Small-Scale Column Tests (RSSCTs) offer a practical alternative, yet most studies have focused on granular activated carbon, with limited insight into ion exchange (IX) resins. Due to limited literature on the effect resin preparation on the performance of RSSCTs and their prediction accuracies are unexplored. This study investigates the effect of …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Silicon-Containing Ternary Transition Metal Borides For High Performance Applications, Godswill Ngige

Theses and Dissertations

Binary borides are well known for their exceptional mechanical and thermal properties, including high strength, high melting points, outstanding hardness, and excellent chemical stability, making them suitable for high-temperature structural applications such as components in hypersonic vehicles, jet engines, nose cones, and the leading edges of aircraft. Despite these advantages, they are inherently brittle and suffer from low fracture toughness, limiting their ability to absorb impact or resist crack propagation.

To this end, attention shifted to ternary transition metal borides which are materials composed of a transition metal, boron, and a third element. These ternary compounds exhibit a broader range …

Which University Faculty Are Successful Researchers? Developing And Testing Measures Of Research Competence To Predict Faculty Research Motivation And Success, Muhammad Salahuddin

Theses and Dissertations

University faculty play a pivotal role in producing research that leads to positive social change through the creation of new knowledge, enhancement of higher education quality, and improved university rankings. Faculty produce more when they feel competent, autonomously motivated, and acknowledged. Past studies have measured faculty research competencies using self-report scales that may contain biases, potentially leading to significant discrepancies in research outcomes. My program of research – a three-article dissertation – aimed to develop and validate the test-based measures of faculty research competence that can more reliably predict faculty research success. The three studies provide an enhanced understanding of …

Ecological Dynamics In Beaver-Engineered Boreal Wetlands: Amphibian Phenology, Occupancy, And Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Communities, Talon Stammen

Theses and Dissertations

Boreal wetlands are ecologically rich yet vulnerable ecosystems shaped by hydrological dynamics, cold climate regimes, and landscape-scale disturbances. Among the most influential agents of change in these systems are beavers (Castor canadensis), whose engineering activities create a mosaic of lentic habitats at varying stages of ecological succession. This dissertation investigates the structure and dynamics of amphibian and aquatic macroinvertebrate communities across a beaver-influenced wetland landscape in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA.The first study (Chapter II) examines breeding phenology and detection patterns of boreal anurans using a combination of passive acoustic monitoring and visual encounter surveys at 25 wetlands over four …

Evaluating Human Factors In Isolation And Confinement During Analog Spaceflight: A Decadal Survey Assessing Ilmah Crew Psychology, Travis Michael Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined 13 crews participating in analog Martian surface simulations to investigate psychological experiences within the first collegiate planetary surface habitat. The University of North Dakota (UND) Integrated Lunar-Martian Analog Habitat (ILMAH) was utilized with high-performing participant crews (n=42) who were recognized and recruited for their skills. Common environmental similarities that each crew faced included isolation, confinement, time-latent communications, demanding work hours, monotonous tasks, physically strenuous Extravehicular Activities (EVA), personal psychological adaptations, and interpersonal psychosocial challenges. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate self-appraised crew performance measures across continuous phases of isolation and confinement lasting up to …