Digital Commons Network^™

The Negative Impact Sleep Loss Has On Mental Health, Kaden Sayler

Psychology Student Publications

Many teenagers struggle with chronic sleep deprivation due to busy schedules, social media, and late-night habits. Research shows that lack of sleep severely affects adolescents’ mental health, increasing risks of depression, anxiety, poor attention, and impaired brain development. This paper highlights how modern factors like screen time and “social jetlag” worsen the issue, warning that sleep deprivation is a hidden but serious threat to teens’ well-being.

How Do Childhood Experiences Influence Risk-Taking Behavior In Adolescence?, Sidney Zimmerman

Psychology Student Publications

This paper explores how positive and adverse childhood experiences influence adolescents’ risk-taking behaviors. It explains that positive experiences often lead to healthy, growth-promoting risks, while adverse experiences can increase impulsivity and unhealthy risk-taking. Overall, it emphasizes that early life experiences shape how young people approach challenges and make decisions during adolescence.

Seasonal Performance Of Mrms Qpe In Urban Hydrologic Modeling Using Epa-Swmm, Randall Kirk Bagwell

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate rainfall estimation is essential for effective hydrologic modeling, particularly in urban environments where infrastructure must withstand extreme precipitation. This study evaluates the EPA Storm Water Management Model (EPA-SWMM) using MRMS RadarOnly Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (QPE) 1-hour Accumulation as the primary rainfall input for a watershed in Little Rock, Arkansas. The region was selected due to its urban character and the limited availability of radar-based hydrologic studies in Arkansas. 21 storms were analyzed from 2022-2025: 10 in Winter, 7 in Spring, and 4 in Summer. Storms were selected due to their effect on flow. The model was calibrated using February …

Thermodynamic Evaluation Of The Thermal Methane Pyrolysis Process, Chinaecherem S. Okwuonu

Theses and Dissertations

Natural gas flaring is a persistent challenge which undermines global sustainability and decarbonization efforts as it leads to the waste of valuable energy resources alongside the release of harmful greenhouse gases into the environment. Even when natural gas is utilized through commonly adopted pathways, significant emission of carbon dioxide tends to be realized. Methane pyrolysis offers a promising route in which methane can be decomposed into solid carbon and hydrogen gas with no direct CO2 emissions. However, despite extensive studies of the methane pyrolysis process, a fundamental thermodynamic rationale of the process behavior remains insufficiently explored. This study 1) develops …

Dynamic Techno-Economic Analysis Of Advanced Configuration Of Chemical Absorption Carbon Capture Technology Integration With Natural Gas Combined Cycle, Akinwale Akinwunmi Akinmoladun

Theses and Dissertations

CO2 emissions from the power sector continue to increase annually owing to global economic growth and the electrification of end-use energy consumption. Natural gas power plants are recognized for their flexibility in ensuring grid stability. The rise in the share of renewable energy sources in the grid has led to part-load operation and reduced capacity factors for fossil fuel power plants. The importance of carbon capture technology (CCT) in reducing CO2 emissions is generally recognized. This study investigates the integration of post-combustion carbon capture (PCC) technology in the power sector as a means of addressing three closely related challenges: first, …

Impacts Of Intensifying Wildfires On Boreal Forest Ecosystems: Exploring Forest Regeneration, Wildlife Habitats, Carbon Storage, And Engineering Solutions, Mckenzie Belle Schewe

Theses and Dissertations

Wildfire activity across Alaska’s boreal forests has intensified in severity and frequency in recent decades, altering one of Earth’s most significant sources of carbon sequestration (Pan et al, 2011). This thesis examines how wildland burns influence post-fire carbon sink capacities and vegetation recovery near Fairbanks, Alaska. Three fire sites were selected to represent distinct successional stages: the 2006 Parks Highway Fire, the 2013 Stuart Creek 2 Fire, and the 2022 Clear Fire. Each site was evaluated through a combination of remote sensing analysis, LiDAR-derived canopy height data, and field measurements collected within each burn perimeter, developing a replicable framework for …

Integration Of Fluorescence Imaging And Advanced Analytical Techniques For Reliable Contamination Detection, Mahsa Aliee

Theses and Dissertations

Effective surface contamination detection in food processing and healthcare environments is hindered by the limitations of visual inspection and ATP bioluminescence testing, both of which struggle to identify thin, transparent, or spatially irregular organic residues. These constraints contribute to inconsistent hygiene verification and create a need for objective, scalable, and real-time detection methods capable of operating under variable environmental conditions.

This dissertation develops an integrated framework that combines UV-induced fluorescence imaging with advanced analytical techniques to improve contamination detection reliability. A UV/UVC fluorescence imaging system was engineered with synchronized pulsed excitation (275 nm, 365 nm, 405 nm), adaptive exposure control, …

A Stochastic Framework For Hosting Capacity Analysis Of Residential Distribution Systems With Solar Photovoltaic And Electric Vehicle Adoption, Sina Ibne Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

The rise of distributed generation and the electrification of transportation are driving fundamental changes in the electric grid. The growing adoption of electric vehicles and solar rooftops introduces significant uncertainty in demand patterns, posing new challenges for the operation of distribution systems. Residential distribution systems are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of residential solar photovoltaics (PV) generation and electric vehicle charging, as they introduce significant variability and localized stress on the grid. To ensure reliable and efficient operation, utilities must account for the long-term growth of these technologies in their planning processes. While substantial progress has been made in assessing …

Control Strategy, Multi-Objective Optimization, And Economic Viability For Utility-Scale Wind-Solar-Based Hybrid Power Plant, Shree Om Bade

Theses and Dissertations

Hybrid Power Plants (HPP) that combine wind power plants (WPP), solar power plants (SPP), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) have recently emerged to provide dispatchable renewable electricity, improve the stability of the power grid, maximize use of infrastructure assets, and minimize carbon releases. Nevertheless, regardless of their technical potential, the large-scale application of HPP still encounters many barriers, such as operational complexity, inadequate sizing, and financial viability. To mitigate these issues, this study incorporates three research questions. First, this study introduces a four-layer hierarchical control architecture for coordinating WPP, SPP, and BESS to ensure dispatchable power. Second, a multi-objective …

Integrating Cognitive And Visual Scanning Strategies In Flight Instruction: Effects On Student Pilots’ Learning During Approach And Landing, Hyungwoo Jo

Theses and Dissertations

This interdisciplinary study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to advance innovation in aviation education by incorporating eye tracking technology with enhanced performance traceability through visual modeling and comparative feedback. Specifically, the study investigated student pilots’ scanning behavior, cognitive strategies, and proficiency development on a normal approach and landing task by modeling flight instructors’ cognitive behavior. The first research phase revealed statistically significant differences in scanning ratios between 10 flight instructors and 10 student pilots along with substantial performance variation. The result showed that student pilots exhibited excessive outside fixation, often failing to monitor or respond to energy management in …

Cross Cancer Toxicogenomic Modeling Of Arsenic Exposure Identifies A Four Gene Signature For Lung Cancer Risk, Joshua Kennedy

Theses and Dissertations

Arsenic is a naturally occurring carcinogenic element linked to DNA damage via reactive oxidation and epigenetic alteration that is ubiquitous throughout nature and has been associated with oncogenesis in the lungs, bladder, skin, and liver. Lung Cancer is both the most diagnosed cancer worldwide and the deadliest, comprising approximately 12.4% of all cancers globally and contributing to more human cancer death than any other condition, with roughly 90% of cases arising due to tobacco smoking, which exposes the user to arsenic trioxide and synergistic carcinogenicity when exposure includes both smoking and consumption of arsenic-contaminated drinking water. A novel set of …

Dynamic Wellbore-Integrity Framework For Post-Blowout Capping Of Offshore Wells, Abdelhakim Khouissat

Theses and Dissertations

In the aftermath of a blowout, a well undergoes a period of unrestricted fluid discharge (de facto primary recovery) followed by pressure buildup after its shut-in, which can adversely impact wellbore integrity. The quintessential example is Union Oil’s 1969 “A-21” well blowout in California’s Santa Barbara Channel, where seafloor-broaching incidents (oil “boilups”) kept taking place from the sides of the well following several failed well-capping attempts, until reservoir depletion eventually allowed a successful shut-in.Analytical and numerical reservoir depletion models are coupled with near-wellbore geomechanics to quantify yardsticks related to the post-blowout discharge utilized to indicate dangers for underground blowouts, in …

Methane Infusion Improved Oil Recovery In The Bakken Formation, Demetrius Maxey

Theses and Dissertations

This research establishes methane infusion improved oil recovery (MI IOR) as a technically viable and economically attractive early-stage intervention for unconventional reservoirs. Integrated multi-scale investigations included quantum molecular theory, nanoscale characterization, NMR experimentation, and field scale reservoir simulation. FEG-SEM analysis of core samples enabled development of a peer-reviewed pore size classification system informing MI operational design parameters. Integrated well logging quantified petrophysical properties across the Bakken stratigraphy. NMR relaxometry identified the lab-scale pore-level sweep efficiency of MI at 3,750 psi in Bakken core samples. Mobilization of hydrocarbons from Np1, Np2, and Np3 pores yielded recovery factors of 45-60%. Field-scale reservoir …

Integrated Machine Learning For Predicting Reservoir Properties And Experimental Approach For Evaluating Co2-Brine-Rock Interactions In Carbonate Formations, Luc Yvan Nkok

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding subsurface properties is fundamental for optimizing hydrocarbon recovery and ensuring the long-term integrity of carbon capture and storage (CCS) operations. Conventional methods such as empirical correlations, advanced logging, and laboratory measurements, though widely used, are costly, time-consuming, and often limited in accuracy within formations. This study develops an ML framework to enhance the prediction of petrophysical and geomechanical properties and experimental investigation to evaluate time-dependent alterations in petrophysical and geomechanical rock properties under CO₂-brine exposure.In the first phase, six ML algorithms Decision Tree, Random Forest, Extra Trees, XGBoost, LightGBM, and K-Nearest Neighbor were applied to predict key petrophysical parameters …

Optimizing Virtual Reality User Experience With Balanced Integration Of Quality Attributes, Ananth Ramaseri

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a real-time adaptive framework for mitigating cybersickness and enhancing user experience in virtual reality (VR) environments by dynamically adjusting key visual rendering parameters in response to users’ head movements. Conventional VR systems typically rely on fixed or manually configured settings that do not account for individual motion patterns or varying susceptibility to discomfort, leading to suboptimal usability and degraded immersion. In response, this work integrates software architecture tactics with data-driven machine learning models to proactively manage cybersickness while preserving rendering performance.

The proposed system employs a client–server architecture based on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern. We conducted a …

Experimental And Computational Insights Into Reservoir Rock Mechanics And Petrophysical Properties, Prasad Pothana

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the influence of stress, mineralogy, and microstructure on the elastic and transport properties of reservoir rocks. A multi-scale framework integrating laboratory measurements, petrophysical inversion, and discrete-element simulations is developed to quantify the stress-dependent behavior of heterogeneous sedimentary formations relevant to hydrocarbon production and CO2 sequestration.

Core-scale experiments quantify velocity–effective stress and permeability–effective stress relationships in tight siliciclastic and mixed lithologies. Results demonstrate that pore-throat collapse and microcrack closure under confining stress cause systematic reductions in permeability and acoustic velocities. The derived empirical functions provide predictive capability for estimating in-situ stress effects on reservoir performance and time-lapse seismic …

Degradable And Tunable Silyl Ether And Silyl Ester Containing Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, Hyperbranching, And Applications, Vladimir Vladimirovich Zotov

Theses and Dissertations

The development of degradable polymers has emerged as a significant focus within academic research, driven by increasing concerns over non-degradable waste. Previous studies showed the ability to degrade the Si-O-C bond in mild conditions, which was further taken into medical applications. The slow degradation time of the linear polymers and their nanoparticles in mild conditions led us to pursue two different solution paths. In this work we looked at hyperbranched poly(silyl ether)s A2+B3 and A2A’+B3 methodologies and silyl ester containing polymers. Hyperbranched polymers show potential in drug delivery applications as they are capable of loading more of the drug and …

Road Surface And Subsurface Monitoring Using Machine Learning, Koduah Amoako

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a comprehensive, non-invasive framework for real-time monitoring of road surface and subgrade conditions using acoustic sensing and machine learning. Traditional Tire-Road Coefficient of Friction (TRCF) estimation techniques often rely on intrusive sensors, offline data analysis, or laboratory measurements, making them impractical for real-time applications. The present research introduces an alternative approach that utilizes the acoustic emissions generated by tire-road interaction to infer both surface friction and subsurface integrity dynamically.Measurement microphones were mounted beneath a test vehicle to record tire-road noise signatures across different pavement textures and vehicle speeds. The collected acoustic signals were processed using Fast Fourier …

Culture-Dependent Characterization Of Microbial Succession And Persistence In The Integrated Lunar/Martian Analog Habitat (Ilmah), Haley Olivia Boles

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines culture-dependent microbial monitoring in a closed lunar/Martian analog habitat, focusing on viable community dynamics relevant to long-duration missions. A standardized sampling and cultivation pipeline was implemented in ILMAH to track microbial succession and persistence under realistic operational conditions. Surface samples were collected across eight habitat zones at five mission timepoints (Days 0, 5, 10, 15, 20) during a 21-day crewed mission. Samples were concentrated post-collection and plated on chromogenic film media to quantify total aerobic bacteria (AC-R), fungi (YM-R), E. coli (EC), and S. aureus (SA). Plates were imaged and enumerated digitally; representative colonies were isolated and …

Spaceflight Safety Regulations: The Case For Implementing Safety Management Systems In The Developing U.S. Commercial Human Spaceflight Industry, Carly Davidson

Theses and Dissertations

Accidents have historically accompanied the development of new transportation systems, often due to technical failures; but human factors – such as organizational culture and management decisions – are increasingly recognized as significant contributors. A strong safety culture, prioritizing safety at all organizational levels, effective management procedures, and open reporting of violations, is believed to improve outcomes by proactively reducing risk in highly technical organizations. These elements form the basis of Safety Management Systems (SMS), which include safety policy, risk management, assurance, and promotion. As commercial spaceflight expands public access to space, US regulators must develop flexible safety regulations that protect …

Geochemical Characterization For Underground Hydrogen Storage (Uhs) In North Dakota's Red River Formation, Friday Obuzor Ebere

Theses and Dissertations

Hydrogen is advancing as a low-carbon energy carrier, necessitating storage to buffer supply-demand variability. Previous Underground Hydrogen Storage studies have not integrated experimental, geochemical, and numerical modeling approaches in a single investigation. This study integrates laboratory mineralogy, geochemical modeling and compositional simulation to assess underground hydrogen storage feasibility in North Dakota. Two settings were evaluated: depleted Red River carbonate reservoirs and an Inyan Kara sandstone aquifer. Thirty-seven core plugs underwent X-ray Diffraction/X-ray Fluorescence/Scanning Electron Microscopy characterization. Batch geochemical models (3,600 days) quantified hydrogen-rock-brine interactions. Field-scale simulations for Red River (~220 °F, ~3,000 psi) applied cyclic injection-withdrawal over 1,827 days (three …

A Space Propulsion Concept Based On Inertial Confinement: Exploring Nuclear Fusion Utilizing Polywell Geometry, Preeti Nair

Theses and Dissertations

Nuclear fusion propulsion represents a promising solution for future interplanetarymissions due to its high energy density and potential for continuous power generation. However, existing fusion propulsion systems face significant limitations, particularly in achieving stable plasma confinement. The Polywell concept, introduced by physicist Robert Bussard in 1985, offers advantages through its compact, polyhedral geometry that is wellsuited for spacecraft applications where mass and volume constraints are critical. Despite these advantages, Polywell designs have encountered stability challenges in maintaining the electric potential well over time. Plasma instabilities induced by magnetic fields disrupt containment and reduce fusion efficiency, limiting overall performance and scalability …

Data-Driven Evalutation And Optimization Of Fishbone Well Configurations For Geothermal Energy Recovery In The Red River Formation, Cedar Creek Anticline, Candace Proksch

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates the geothermal potential of the Red River C interval at the Cedar Creek Anticline and develops a workflow for screening fishbone multilateral designs in a heterogeneous carbonate reservoir. Regional heat-flow and depth maps delineated Cedar Creek as a thermally favorable site and the lower dolomite as the primary reservoir target, supporting construction of a 3D Petrel model that captured the five-member C-interval architecture, petrophysical properties, and temperature field. A multi-stage Particle Swarm Optimization and fast-marching framework used this model to generate and rank fishbone injector–producer configurations, and a line-source approximation combined with a fixed-efficiency Organic Rankine Cycle …

Examining The Utility Of Haptic Feedback To Improve Pilot Situational Awareness & Performance: A Psychophysiological Approach, Jessica Van Bree

Theses and Dissertations

Pilot situational awareness (SA) has been deemed to be a critical component of flight efficacy, efficiency, and overall mission success. Studies have shown that several incidents and accidents have been the result of level-one SA errors, meaning that members of the flight crew have failed to accurately perceive the elements in their environments. As such, several strategies have been investigated to improve pilot SA. One potential avenue of research is the addition of haptics in to the flight deck. In some studies, the implementation of haptics have shown to improve piloting tasks, pilot safety, and aircraft control. The current study …

Understanding Ai Literacy: Implications For Practice​, Devon Olson, Janet Anderson, Sara Westall

Librarian Publications

Presentation from the 2025 Mountain Plains Library Association Tri-Conference, held in Grand Forks, ND. This presentation provides an overview of basic AI concepts and frameworks for AI literacy, discussing the impact of different patron and learner demographics on learner needs, competencies, and instructional strategies.

Open Access In The Age Of Ai: Rights, Access, And What Comes Next, Brittany Fischer, Meaghan Farrell

Librarian Posters and Presentations

This workshop aims to explain the evolving role of Open Access (OA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in scholarly publishing, including how publishers and platforms are using AI technologies. Attendees should afterwards be able to understand author rights in the context of OA and AI and recognize the importance of reviewing publishing contracts. We will also discuss how to use AI tools to discover and evaluate Open Access content, with awareness of the opportunities and challenges posed by AI-generated material.

Large-Scale Online Science And Engineering Professional Learning For Rural Elementary Teachers, Tugba Boz, Min Jung Lee, Meghan Macias, Ryan Summers, Maria Zaman, Martha Inouye, Julie Robinson, Rebekah Hammack

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Faculty Publications

Online professional learning (PL) is widely used to help rural teachers overcome geographical isolation and access quality teacher professional learning. Although there are a handful of studies examining the effectiveness of online PL, much of the existing research includes rural teachers without specifically focusing on what effective online PL means for them. In particular, the research offers limited guidelines on designing effective large-scale online PL programs for rural teachers. Therefore, this study captures the experiences of rural teachers with a large-scale online PL program for teaching science and engineering in their contexts and suggests guidelines for designing effective online PL …

Examining Student Resource Choice, Perception, And Self-Regulation In A Flipped Undergraduate Microbiology Lecture Course, Sarah Sletten

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

This study examines student resource choice, perceptions, and self-regulated learning (SRL) in preparation for a flipped undergraduate microbiology course. Drawing on Expectancy-Value Theory, the investigation explored whether students prefer video lectures or complete note sets for pre-class preparation, how SRL strategies evolve over time, and the relationship between flipped classroom perceptions and in-class engagement. Data were collected across multiple course units using surveys—including a modified Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire—and analysis of resource selection and classroom participation. The results indicate a strong and increasing preference for slides over video lectures. Additionally, significant increases in higher-order cognitive strategies were observed alongside …

Technology Demonstration, University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Fact sheet about the Energy & Environmental Research Center’s technology demonstration abilities. Includes information on combustion systems, gasification and gas cleanup systems, and chemical and liquid processing.

Additively Constructed Plain Concrete Pipes: Structural Performance And Site Implementation, Alireza Hasani, Boshra Besharatian, Sattar Dorafshan

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Worldwide, extrusion-based additive construction of cementitious materials or 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) has gained significant momentum for large-scale construction in recent years. This technology has advanced building construction across the world; however, it is rather underdeveloped in transportation infrastructure construction. This paper addresses major hurdles hindering the wider adoption of 3DCP for unreinforced/plain pipe culvert construction. More specifically, the authors investigated the load-bearing capacity of large-scale pipes under the three-edge bearing (TEB) test. Additionally, the effects of printing discontinuities or seam sections on the structural behavior of 3DCP pipes, and their site implementation considerations as culvert structures were studied in …