Digital Commons Network^™

Echo: A Graphical User Interface Designed To Simulate, Study, And Mitigate Effects Of Interplanetary Communication Delays In Analog Missions, Dario Gabriel Schor

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the vast distances between Earth and other planets, future human interplanetary missions will experience significant communication delays. The literature suggests that a combination of training, protocols, procedures, and tools is required to mitigate the negative impact that the communication delay has on both stress and performance. This research introduces a tool called ECHO that combines known and novel features designed to make users cognizant of the delay and avoid misunderstandings. ECHO was tested as part of a mixed-methods study over the course of three analog missions at the University of North Dakota's Integrated Lunar/Mars Habitat where a total …

Holistic Advising And Student Success: A Qualitative Study On Student Advising Experiences And Perceptions At The University Of Wisconsin Stout, Camille Peterson Banger

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, single-case study investigated undergraduate students' perceptions and experiences of the academic advisement approach in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) academic program at the University of Wisconsin Stout. Focusing on holistic advising to address diverse and evolving needs, the study aimed to inform academic advisement practices within the ICT program by creating and implementing an ICT program academic advisement handbook and adding to the field of practice. Data collection involved on-campus and online focus groups with undergraduate ICT program students, questionnaires with ICT program advisors, and documentation analysis to triangulate the findings. Using Merriam’s (1998) approach to data …

Transcriptional Landscape Of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Under Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress: Implications For Inflammaging, Jappreet Singh Gill

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the intricate relationship between mitochondrial oxidative stress and the function of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), highlighting their essential roles in the aging immune system and the development of age-related diseases. The study delves into how mitochondrial impairments within Tregs contribute to widespread inflammation leading to pathological aging. One key analysis shows that mitochondrial oxidative stress undermines Treg functionality, intensifying inflammatory responses and increasing frailty in older adults. This dysfunction is associated with elevated inflammatory markers and presents a potential target for therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring mitochondrial health to alleviate these impacts. Another significant discovery connects …

Experimental Investigation Of The Suitability Of Soybean-Derived Surfactant (Sods) In Gas Well Deliquification, Abiodun Gbadegesin Adeyemi

Theses and Dissertations

Gas well deliquification is a crucial process in the oil and gas industry, focused on maintaining or restoring production rates by removing liquids that impede gas flow. This is a recurring challenge that is prominent in many gas wells across North Dakota. Surfactants play a vital role in this process by altering the interfacial tension between gas and liquid phases, alleviating liquid accumulation in these wells. However, due to their high production costs, non-biodegradability, and toxicity, the use of synthetic surfactants has raised environmental concerns. The pursuit of sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives has led to the exploration of natural …

Adaptation To The Impacts Of Climate Change On Water Availability In The Upper Red River Of The North (Urrn), Innocent Kelechi Anosike

Theses and Dissertations

In the Upper Red River of the North (URRN), climate change has appeared to impact water availability, causing several major floods in recent years, and raising questions about whether climate change is responsible for the frequent occurrence of flooding in this major agricultural region in the Midwest USA. This thesis centers on investigating adaptative measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the URRN. One of the methods used is to compare changes in the outcomes of flood frequency analysis (FFA) for “before (pre-industrial) and after (industrial)” time periods. The study uses a combination of data analysis and literature …

Techno Economic Assessment Of Gas Re-Injection To Reduce Gas Flaring In The Bakken Petroleum System Of The Williston Basin In North Dakota, Ala Eddine Aoun

Theses and Dissertations

Flaring of associated gas from oil wells and the excess gas from gas-processing units and oil refineries is one of the most prominent producers of greenhouse gas emissions. Flaring, by definition, is a method used to burn unwanted flammable gas, which produces significant amounts of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulfur oxide. The petroleum industry adds millions of tons of CO2 annually into the atmosphere by flaring gas, which presents a serious risk due to the environmental and economic impacts associated with it. In light of the increasing awareness of this threat, the industry is investigating economical means to …

Investigating Climate Change Impacts Of Surface Water Dynamics In A Cold Region Terminal Lake Basin Using Remote Sensing Technology, Alexis Lucy Archambault

Theses and Dissertations

The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) has an extremely variable climate and has pronounced impacts on wetlands as they are highly responsive to the variability in air temperature and precipitation. In recent years, the PPR has been in a wet climate condition since 1993 facilitating severe flooding in the Devils Lake Basin (DLB), North Dakota – costing the United States (U.S.) ~$1B USD. Many studies using remotely sensed imagery reported a substantial increase in the number of surface water bodies and expansion of the existing water bodies during 1988-2013. In addition to surface water area, the water storage of the potholes …

Mitigation Of Alkali-Induced Ash Aerosol Particles Impacts On Solid Fuel Combustion Systems, Temitope Folusho Bankefa

Theses and Dissertations

Low-rank solid fuels impact heat transfer efficiency and energy conversion in steam generation, with adverse operational and environmental consequences. Despite the attention coal-biomass co-combustion has garnered as a climate-aware power generation alternative, inorganic species in low-rank fuel types can lead to counterproductive outcomes in combustion systems. However, improved combustion technology and fuel quality enhancement can facilitate the safe utilization of these fuels. A review of scientific literature underscores the need for research in fuel quality improvement as a climate change mitigation strategy during the global transition to renewable energy sources. Identifying problematic species in solid fuels and understanding ash formation …

The Experiences And College Readiness Of Native American Students Who Participated In Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment And Transitioned To Higher Education, Krystal Marie Caldwell

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study employed the Diverse Learning Environment Model to examine how dual credit/dual enrollment course participation by Native American students impacts their college readiness and transition to college. Literature shows that students who take dual credit/dual enrollment in high school are more likely to graduate from high school and transition to college and have less time to degree completion. Furthermore, dual credit/dual enrollment course participation also increases students’ college readiness and improve student’s self-efficacy. The guiding notion of this paper are the overwhelming benefits to students who participate in dual credit/dual enrollment coursework in high school and how …

Uas Teaming For Search And Rescue Applications, Conner Carriere

Theses and Dissertations

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations,combined with teaming configurations and optimized path planning algorithms, enhance efficiency in locating and assisting disaster victims. Flooding accounts for 90% of natural disasters in the USA, necessitating rapid scouting and supply drops in affected areas. Current UAS path planning lacks proper start and end point selection and does not use multiple aircraft collaboratively.

This study introduces a UAS teaming strategy with high-altitude leader drones for area coverage and lower-altitude follower drones for detailed data collection and supply drops. The focus is optimizing follower drone path plan- ning using the Open-Loop …

Development Of Multifunctional Biobased Lubricants From Soybean Oil And Their Tribological Behavior, Piash Bhowmik

Theses and Dissertations

Depletion of mineral oil leads the researchers to look for renewable oils recently. Soybean, which is one of the most produced crops globally, has been identified as a potential source for such oil. The problem with vegetable oils is, they consist of unsaturated fatty acids which leads to oxidation of the oils. With proper modification and the use of suitable additives, these oils can be adapted for use in various sectors. High oleic oils are becoming increasingly popular due to their high oleic acid content, which is a monounsaturated fatty acid. These oils are gaining attention for their improved stability …

Optimizing Laser-Based Wireless Power Transfer: A Comprehensive Study Of A 4 Quadrant Pv Module System And Its Powering And Tracking Capabilities, Ahmed Elfarran

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates laser-based tracking systems for wireless power transfer (WPT) applications. Beginning with an overview of renewable energy and WPT technologies, the study establishes both theoretical frameworks and practical methodologies for laser-based power transmission. The experimental analyses encompass load testing with a four-quadrant module, examining the impact of laser power, load conditions, and beam diameter on power transfer efficiency, as well as the influence of target movement speed on voltage stability. Notably, we achieved a tracking speed of up to 20 mm/s, ensuring efficient power delivery even with target motion. The results demonstrate clear correlations between laser power levels …

Impacts Of Climatic Variability To Distributed Snow Observations In A Cold Region Agricultural Basin, Tyson L. Jeannotte

Theses and Dissertations

Seasonal dry and wet periods have been more frequently observed in the Northern Great Plains (NGP). Generally, in the NGP, short-term dry conditions are followed by long-term fluctuating wet periods. A recent NGP drought (1999‐2004) was followed in 2005 by a wet period. The impacts of dry and wet climate on snow processes and streamflow generations are poorly understood due to lack of field-based snow accumulation data. Most studies are limited to remotely sensed snow cover estimates or numerical modeling with very limited snow data. To gain an improved understanding of the hydrological processes to climatic variability in the NGP, …

Examining Barriers And Motivation Toward University Stem Faculty Research Success, Jordan A. Jaeger

Theses and Dissertations

All university faculty pursuing scholarly goals tackle complex tasks over long periods, yet some must overcome additional adversity and challenges to succeed. Recent studies have measured faculty research success according to their self-reported accomplishments in research activities, publications, and grant writing, and motivation was a predictor of success (Stupnisky, BrckaLorenz, et al., 2019; Stupnisky et al., 2023). This dissertation describes a three-study program of research that examined how faculty navigated barriers to research success through the lens of different theories of motivation.Faculty face barriers in completing research because it often involves a lengthy and emotion filled process, from research design …

Density Functional Theory Study Of Some Important Biological Molecules, Desmond Khan

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the performance of various quantum chemical methods, particularly density functional theory (DFT), in predicting noncovalent interactions in eleven unnatural amino acids. The research compares five DFT functionals (PBE-D3, B3LYP-D3, HSE06, M06-2X, and ꞷB97XD) and MP2 theory against the benchmark CCSD(T) method, using two Pople basis sets (6-31G* and 6-311++G**). Results highlight ꞷB97XD's superior performance in capturing strong dispersion interactions, especially when paired with the 6-311++G** basis set. Additionally, the study investigates interactions between biomimetic Fe and Mg co-doped montmorillonite clay and the amino acids. It reveals the necessity of employing PBE-GGA + U with U ≥ 4 …

An Evaluation Of Naaps During Canadian And U.S. East Coast Smoke Events In May And June 2023, Taylor Mchone

Theses and Dissertations

An unprecedented number of wildfires occurred across the Canadian mainland during May and June 2023 due to unusually hot and dry atmospheric conditions. As a result of these wildfires, smoke was transported over large areas of North America, posing significant threats to visibility, air quality, human health, and the economy. The global Navy Aerosol Analysis and Prediction System (NAAPS) model was the first model of its kind to predict global aerosol transport, including, among others, wildfire smoke. Operationally, NAAPS produces predictions of the horizontal and vertical distribution of smoke and how it diffuses through space and time. This study evaluates …

Evaluating Pressure Distribution Of Surgical Support Surfaces For Pressure Injury Prevention: Small-Cell Alternating Pressure Mattress, Standard Foam Mattress, And Gel Overlay, Victor Moreno Lozano

Theses and Dissertations

Pressure injuries are a significant problem in the health care system for patients undergoing long surgeries due to the prolonged time they spend on the surface without moving under the anesthesia effect [6]. This can lead to the occurrence of pressure injuries and can negatively affect patient outcomes and the healthcare system [3]. Current methods for preventing pressure injuries in the operating room include repositioning the patient, using sponges or small gel pads at pressure points, and the use of support surfaces [2]. There is not enough conclusive evidence that states that the use of support surfaces is effective in …

Co2-Storage Trapping In Deep Saline Aquifers: Numerical Modeling On The Broom Creek Formation, Christopher Nkansah

Theses and Dissertations

Carbon dioxide (CO2) storage in deep saline aquifers holds promise as a viable solution to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Bulk-CO2 injection and sequestration in deep saline aquifers is a complex geological process. Previous studies have shown that bulk-CO2 injection into deep saline aquifers provides sufficient aquifer storage efficiency. In North Dakota, the Broom Creek Formation exists in the subsurface as the upper unit of the Minnelusa Group.This study presents a simulation study of bulk-CO2 injection and storage in a saline aquifer belonging to the Minnelusa Group in the Broom Creek Formation by providing insights into and evaluating the efficiency …

Opencast: Cyanobacteria Growth And Correlations With Predictive Factors In Creation For Harmful Algal Bloom Formation, Devarshi Nikhil Patel

Theses and Dissertations

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, public health, and local economies due to their production of toxins and negative impacts on water quality. This thesis investigates the correlations between cyanobacteria growth and environmental variables, including wind conditions, surface temperatures, and nutrient levels. This research uses machine learning and statistical modeling to predict HAB occurrences by analyzing these variables' historical and near real-time data. The findings indicate that wind speed, surface temperature, and nutrient levels influence cyanobacteria dynamics, with specific thresholds identified for predictive accuracy. The developed HAB predictive models and the graphical user interface (GUI) …

Development Of A Comprehensive Ice-Phobicity Test Stand (Cipts) For Understanding The Fundamentals Of Ice Nucleation And Adhesion, Derrick Charles Seubert

Theses and Dissertations

From the formation of ice on the leading edges of aircraft and their wings, wind turbine blades, and even roadways and powerlines, it is clear that modern infrastructure suffers from ice formation and adhesion. Due to this fact the development of materials and surfaces to mitigate the effects of icing have gained much attention in recent years. While there are many different anti-icing and deicing techniques, the development of intrinsically ice-phobic materials and material surfaces shows the most promise as a passive anti-icing method. In this work an accurate Comprehensive Ice-Phobicity Test Stand (CIPTS) has been created to test two …

Verification And Validation Of Software System Class Models, Kruti Shah

Theses and Dissertations

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is a foundation in software development, providing standardized notation for visualizing, specifying, constructing, and documenting software systems. UML class models, in particular, offer a static view of a system's structure, capturing essential elements such as classes, attributes, operations, and relationships. Despite the widespread adoption of UML and its class modeling capabilities, challenges persist in ensuring the models' correctness, reliability, and effectiveness. This research presents a comprehensive study of UML's role in software development, delving into existing literature to examine the development of UML class models, its significance in various stages of the software development lifecycle, …

A Student Co-Creation Lab As A Sustainable System For Oer Development, Sarah Ann Stokes

Theses and Dissertations

Open educational resources (OER) are digital and non-digital resources for teaching, learning, and research that are available for no cost and licensed with various open licenses, permitting their widespread modification and use. While these resources afford benefits to post-secondary students in terms of reduced cost, ease of access, and potential for customization, faculty members in Ontario, Canada face many barriers to creating these resources for their classes. While many post-secondary institutions have engaged in some form of OER-development initiative, the initiatives are typically not sustainable in the long term. This study explores the model, including the tools, techniques, and workflows, …

Ads-B/Gps Integrity Identification And Evaluation Using Machine Learning Models, Anton Reider Skurdal

Theses and Dissertations

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is part of the Federal Avi-ation Authority’s (FAA) NextGen position, navigation, and timing (PNT) system, but its packets are unauthenticated and vulnerable to attack by bad actors. This re- search aims to develop methods to detect and mitigate GPS and ADS-B risks for aircraft systems. First, a Random Forest Classifier (RFC) model was trained to clas- sify categories (erroneous, noise, dropouts) of data, achieving an accuracy of 87%. Following this, many single-stage and two-stage forecasting models were tested to forecast Navigation Integrity Category (NIC) values, with the two-stage Random For- est Regressor (RFR) achieving the lowest …

Machine Learning-Assisted Materials Development: Molecular Solubility Prediction, Polymeric Membrane Fabrication, And Scale Formation, Arash Tayyebi

Theses and Dissertations

Experiments are generally time-consuming, expensive, and rely on exhaustive planning, analysis, and testing efforts. The limitations of the traditional experimental methods in materials development can be overcome by the use of machine learning (ML) algorithms to guide and assess the discovery and fabrication processes. This dissertation involves developing different ML models, focusing on their utilization in three distinct, yet overlapping areas: Prediction of organic compound aqueous solubility, guiding separation membranes fabrication and predicting scale formation in commercially produced water systems.Prediction of organic compound aqueous solubility: A reliable and practical determination of a chemical species’ solubility in aqueous systems continues to …

Numerical Investigation And Seismic Performance Evaluation Of Liquefied Natural Gas (Lng) Cylindrical Steel Storage Tanks Under Earthquake Loading, Shafqat Ullah

Theses and Dissertations

Cylindrical steel tanks are an important structural components of various industries, power plants, oil refineries, and other lifeline facilities. These liquid-filled reservoirs are prone to local instability (buckling) when exposed to lateral seismic forces. This thesis aims to study the seismic buckling performance of an empty and partially filled cylindrical steel storage tanks using finite element modeling (FEM) approaches. To validate the accuracy of the FEA ABAQUS software, the cylindrical tanks are considered for both static linear buckling, non-linear, as well as dynamic (seismic non-linear) analysis. A total of 3 cylindrical shells having 1 perfect model without carbon fiber reinforced …

A Document Analysis On The Role Of Innovation In The Strategic Plans Of Small Private Liberal Arts Institutions, Jillain Kaye Veil-Ehnert

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study provides interpretations of the nature of strategic plans at small private liberal arts institutions. The study explored the concepts of innovation, entrepreneurship, and transformation detailed in the plans. This study included a specific cohort of eight United States small private liberal arts colleges with similar characteristics regarding academic programs, enrollment, and fiscal stability. The research was conducted through document analysis of the institutions’ publicly available strategic plans. The data collected illustrates what the documents indicates about innovation, entrepreneurship, and transformation at small private liberal arts colleges. Key findings on innovations in the plans included a focus on …

Using Libensemble To Enhance Numerical Ice-Sheet Flow Simulations, Kuang Hsu Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Here, we interface an ice sheet flow model, FastIceFlo v1.0, with the Python toolkitlibEnsemble to enable dynamic ensembles of computations. We test the interface’s capability to perform dynamic ensembles of computations by conducting a sensitivity analysis. The results indicate the interface’s ability to perform dynamic ensembles of computations. Future work could extend the interface to include mass balance to run prognostic simulations. The eventual goal is to run simulation ensembles of large-scale ice sheets forward in time to better assess its sea level contribution sensitivity to uncertainties in climate forcing parameterization.

Perceptions Of Interpersonal Communication Skills In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Raquel Ann Zeidlik

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare is analogous to a team sport where effective communication is vital for the success of all members of the team. If communication is ineffective – or absent – between members of the healthcare team and their patients, then issues move beyond the concern of patient satisfaction, to matters of life and death. Patients who put their well-being in the hands of a healthcare team deserve to feel safe and to receive high-quality care, delivered by the most compassionate and qualified care team possible. Barriers to effective communication continue to challenge healthcare teams, further compromising the nurse-patient relationship. A total …

Nrel's Sam-Based Simulation Model And Techno-Economic Evaluation Of A Grid-Connected, Building-Integrated Solar Pv-Battery Storage System For Rural Residential Application In El Paso, Texas, Ismail Ajagbe

Theses and Dissertations

Severe weather-induced grid power outages pose significant challenges to households in Texas, impacting energy security and resilience. This study assesses the implementation feasibility of a grid-connected, building-integrated solar PV-Battery storage system in rural households of El Paso, Texas, aiming to improve preparedness, mitigate outage impacts, and enhance energy security and resilience in severe weather-prone areas. The study employs system advisory model software to conduct a comprehensive techno-economic and environmental evaluation of an 8.036 kWp PV-Battery system designed to meet a household's daily average energy demand. Simulations confirm key performance metrics, including 88% performance ratio, 2,197 kWh/kWp energy yield, and 25.10% …

Reimagining Non-Credit Higher Education: The Impact Of Non-Credit Short-Term Accelerated Postsecondary Workforce Training At Santa Fe Community College, Monique Anair

Theses and Dissertations

An estimated five million Americans participate in non-credit college and university classes annually. The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) does not require the reporting of non-credit student postsecondary enrollment, which means there is a lack of data about non-credit higher education. This qualitative case study provides a deeper understanding of 14 student experiences at Santa Fe Community College who participated in non-credit, short-term, accelerated workforce training programs. The findings reveal that students who engage in Santa Fe Community College’s non-credit postsecondary opportunities, are low-wage or unemployed working age adults who value short-term non-credit programs because they lead to higher …