Digital Commons Network^™

A Hybrid Framework To Secure Iot Sensor Networks Based On Blockchain And Machine Learning, Shereen Ismail

Theses and Dissertations

With the advances in sensor network technologies, more and more networked things, or smart objects, are being evolved in cyber-physical-based systems including Internet of Things. In recent years, Internet of Things Sensor Networks is a significant subject to a variety of internal and external cyber-attacks, necessitating the development of robust countermeasures tailored to their unique characteristics and limitations. Various prevention and detection techniques have been proposed to mitigate these attacks. Classical security techniques, such as spread spectrum, cryptography, and key management, may not efficiently detect attacks, and can demand sophisticated software and hardware changes, rendering these solutions insufficient to address …

A Study Of Forecasted Electromagnetic Path Errors To Determine Potential Impacts On Detect And Avoid Systems For Unmanned Aircraft, Brianna Marie Kump

Theses and Dissertations

Temperature, atmospheric pressure, and vapor pressure affect electromagnetic propagation. ​For radars, variations in electromagnetic propagation can cause a radar target (e.g., aircraft) to shift in its apparent position, resulting in misrepresentation of the target’s position on the radar display​. These variations can be forecast using atmospheric profiles from Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and ray tracing software. Evaluation and quantification of differences between forecasted and analyzed electromagnetic propagation conditions using ray tracing techniques and atmospheric conditions derived from the Rapid Refresh (RAP) model will provide guidance regarding Detect And Avoid (DAA) performance requirements.

Stem Teacher Shortage In American Schools: A Case Study Exploring The Recruitment Of Stem Majors Into Teacher Education Programs, Adekunle Lawal

Theses and Dissertations

There has been a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) teacher shortage in K-12 schools across the United States (Klassen et al., 2021; Luft et al., 2005). To help provide a possible solution to the nationwide STEM teacher shortage, this study investigated the factors that influence STEM majors to change careers from STEM disciplines to teaching. In the current study, six American STEM teachers who have switched careers from the STEM profession to the teaching field were interviewed to find out the factors that led them to change careers; and how schools of education could use these factors in creating …

Performance Assessment Of Wastewater Treatment Processes: Evaporation, Microplastic Settling, Biosolid Air Drying And Gasification, Fangtian Li

Theses and Dissertations

The main contaminants in wastewater can be classified as suspended solid, dissolved inorganic and organic molecules. The dissolved inorganics in wastewater are salinity such as sodium chloride and sodium sulfate. Evaporation is one possible method to separate dissolved salt from high salinity wastewater, but the proper application of energy-saving evaporation depends on many conditions. Microplastic is a part of total suspended solids and can be effectively removed through settling process, and the removal efficiency can be predicted by settling model. Biological treatment eliminates organic matters and biosolids are the inevitable by-products. Air drying is a sustainable approach for reducing water …

Law Enforcement And Traumatic Experiences: A Qualitative Study With Administrators, Tami Jo N. Lieberg

Theses and Dissertations

The culture and work experiences of law enforcement lead to unique workplace trauma. The cumulative and complex trauma commonly faced by law enforcement officers can activate multiple stress-related illnesses, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These illnesses can have high personal costs to the individuals, lead to loss of departmental productivity and effectiveness, and incur higher expenses for taxpayers due to overtime and high turnover rates and potential lawsuits. Research over several decades has identified risk and resiliency factors for officers. One identified risk and resiliency factor is relationship with management. This research study explores how department leaders can assist officers …

Exploring Ambiguous Asteroid Taxonomic Classification, Tyler Linder

Theses and Dissertations

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Moving Object Catalog (MOC) shows color variations between asteroid observations, which were observed multiple times. This is a surprising result that was not identified in the literature. Therefore, a data processing pipeline was built to extract the asteroid observations to analyze new data collected with the SMARTS 1.0m and 4m Blanco with DECam. The results appear to confirm the color variations on short timescales. However, there is still a long series of steps required before such a result can be proven, such as ensuring the level of photometric accuracy in the processing is smaller …

Examining The Shared Knowledge And Collaboration When Working With Students With Sensory Disabilities, Lacey Jo Long

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the shared knowledge and collaboration between special education and itinerant teachers working with students with sensory disabilities (i.e., teachers of students with visual impairments, teachers of the deaf/hard of hearing, and teachers of students who are deafblind). This study addressed the following research questions: What do special education and itinerant teachers need to know about sensory disabilities? How does this shared knowledge affect the collaboration of special education and itinerant teachers? The study was conducted using an anonymous online survey of special education and itinerant teachers serving students with sensory disabilities, including …

Lstm Application To Mobile Robotics For Stuck Detection, Wilson Lysford

Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents a solution for determining if a wheeled robot is stuck that is operating without high fidelity localization sensors or operating in a sensor denied environment. Expensive sensors are often left off of consumer grade robotics in order to make them more widely available to consumers. This leaves the robot without effective means of perception. Research has shown that LSTM neural networks can provide insight that would normally only be available to a robot fitted with expensive sensor packages such as RTK GPS or LIDAR systems. Specifically, IMU data paired with controller data and wheel odometry data. By …

Modeling The Architecture And Water Content Of Exoplanet Systems By Pebble Accretion: The Ppols Model, Sean Mccloat

Theses and Dissertations

A key area linking frontier observational capabilities to theoretical questions of exoplanet system architectures is the transport and evolution of water in planet-forming disks and mechanisms that tune its incorporation into planets. This research develops a pebble accretion model of planet formation (“the PPOLs Model”) that self-consistently handles the drift and accretion of rocky/icy pebbles around stars ranging from late M-dwarfs to early A-stars. The model grows multiple protoplanet cores simultaneously and evolves the snow line position consistently with evolving disk conditions. The combination of growing multiple cores while evolving the snowline allows for a prolonged period of growth and …

Exploring Player-Coach Relationships Through Competitive And Healthy Environments In Collegiate Sports, Westin Michaud

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to suggest ways to help create healthier player-coach relationships in collegiate sports by collecting data from student-athletes in the NCAA transfer portal. The student-athletes who were selected to participate have successfully transferred through the 2021-2022 Men's ice hockey transfer portal, which allows players to move to a new school and hockey program once in their NCAA careers. The study seeks to highlight the reasons student-athletes enter and eventually decide to transfer. Through the fundamental procedural leadership approach in Artifact Three, the findings will point to a healthier player-coaching relationship in collegiate environments by seeking to understand …

A Statistical Model For The Surface Tension Of Microdroplet Surfactants And Multicomponent Mixtures, Douglas Mohr

Theses and Dissertations

The effects atmospheric aerosols have on climate are not fully understood due to the limited knowledge of the interaction between aerosols and clouds. This interaction, known as the indirect effect of aerosols, is an area of interest within the field of atmospheric science. The presence of surfactants in the atmosphere due to natural and anthropogenic sources is known to negatively affect cloud formation, and is a contributor to the indirect effect. Quantifying how surfactants affect atmospheric aerosols will improve the understanding of the indirect effect. This work explores a statistically mechanically derived surface tension model for surfactant aqueous solutions, which …

Advances In Smoke Retrievals Using Lidar: Techniques And Applications, Natalie Midzak

Theses and Dissertations

Smoke aerosols arise from a variety of regional sources and fuel types dependent on the properties of the fire, leading to spatial variability in smoke composition and optical properties. After emission, these aerosols age and mix in the atmosphere with other aerosol species, such as sulfates, altering the optical and microphysical properties of the smoke aerosols over time. Further, smoke particles originating from biomass burning events are typically assumed to be spherical, yet non-spherical smoke particles are also reported from in situ observations. Thus, lidar ratio (extinction to backscatter ratio) and depolarization ratio exhibit spatiotemporal variability for smoke. In this …

Physical Wellness Of The Collegiate Athlete, Richard Michael Morgan

Theses and Dissertations

Wellness among athletes has been studied, but it is still unclear what dimensions make up wellness and where the clinician should focus their efforts. It is known that wellness is a multifaceted definition and has many dimensions. This dissertation will look at the dimension of physical wellness of an athlete pertaining to prevention, return to sport/rehabilitation, and enhancing performance. The purpose of the study is to understand how a clinician may have a direct effect on the physical wellness of the athlete through prevention, intervention or rehabilitation, and performance training. This paper will discuss three different sub-dimensions of physical wellness, …

Additives Impact On Wet Strength And Size Development In Papermaking- Polyamide Epichlorohydrin (Pae), Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride (Asa) And Alkyl Ketene Dimer (Akd) Cases, Yao Parnell Ntifafa

Theses and Dissertations

Additives are ingredients used in papermaking to enhance fiber properties, introduce special properties to the paper and improve the efficiency of the paper making process. Wet strength agents, sizing agents, dry strength agents, fillers, retention aids, defoamers, dyes and pigments are common additives used in paper mills. Poor retention of wet strength additive such as PAAE (polyamide epichlorohydrin) and hydrophobicity loss due to ASA (alkenyl succinic anhydride) and AKD (alkyl ketene dimer) size reversion not only increase cost and reduce product quality in the mill but also increase customer complaints and rejections.In this study, a method was developed to quantify …

Contributing Factors To Low Airspeed On Climbout Events As A Precursor To Loss Of Control Within The National General Aviation Flight Information Database, Owen Dae Poborsky

Theses and Dissertations

The nature of aviation is not without inherent risk. Conducting flight training operations increases the overall risks due to inexperience of the student pilot and the challenges of the learning environment. Flight data seeks to reduce these risks; as seen in its success for commercial airlines. These successes are slowly coming to general aviation through programs like the National General Aviation Flight Information Database (NGAFID). This study seeks to determine if the type of takeoff performed by the flight crew led to a lower indicated airspeed (IAS) during a low airspeed on climbout event. Using 262 individual low airspeed on …

Using An Airship Design To Extend A Small Uncrewed Aircraft Flight Endurance, Joseph Reilly

Theses and Dissertations

One limitation of uncrewed aircraft is being unable to fly as long as needed for some operations, such as linear inspection. This research explores the flight endurance of an uncrewed aircraft using airship design. It investigates the benefits of using an airship design to increase the efficiency and extension of the flight of a small, uncrewed aerial system (sUAS). Thus, it is crucial to find ways to augment flight endurance. Two different airframes were built, and flight tested using a lifting gas to provide the lifting force and vectored thrust needed to move. Flight testing captured time in the air …

Assessment Of High-Performance Steels Through Additive Manufacturing And Ultrasonic Impact Peening, Md Touhidul Islam Rimon

Theses and Dissertations

This abstract focuses on the treatment of three distinct materials: 17-4 PH stainless steel, a nickelbased super alloy, and AISI 4140 stainless steel. The treatment process involves a combination of laser deposition and ultrasonic impact peening.

The study explores the effects of this treatment on the mechanical and microstructural properties of the mentioned materials. Laser deposition is utilized to enhance surface characteristics, such as hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Nickel-based super alloys are known for their exceptional high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for demanding applications in aerospace and power generation industries. AISI 4140 stainless steel is …

Vehicle Crashes In Minnesota: Spatial And Temporal Patterns And Contributing Factors To Crash Severity, Bastien Koralalage Pavithra Navodi Rodrigo

Theses and Dissertations

Vehicle crashes represent a critical global issue, resulting in numerous fatalities, injuries, and significant economic and societal impacts. In response, government officials worldwide are developing strategies and policies to enhance road safety and promote sustainable transportation systems, aiming for zero fatalities and injuries. Understanding the causes of crashes is essential for these efforts. This study focuses on identifying spatial and temporal patterns and contributing factors for the crash severity of vehicle crashes in Minnesota. Spatial distribution of crash hotspots is identified and visualized using spatial autocorrelation (global Moran I), hotspot analysis (Getis–Ord Gi*), and kernel density estimation in ArcGIS Pro. …

Inter-Comparison Of Lunar Reflectance-Based & City Light-Based Aerosol Optical Depth Retrievals Using Viirs Dnb, Aanan Schlief

Theses and Dissertations

Atmospheric aerosols play an important part in maintaining and altering Earth’s radiation balance and often pose a threat to human health. For this reason, atmospheric aerosols have been studied, typically, during daytime hours, through the use of space-borne instruments and ground-based observations. Currently, however, there are no operational nighttime aerosol retrieval methods available from passive-based satellite observations. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument, which is aboard the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (NPP) satellite, includes a Day/Night Band (DNB) that is sensitive to faint light signals at nighttime opening the door for nighttime aerosol studies. Using observations from the …

Victimization And Perpetration Of Sexual Violence In College Men: Factors Influencing Overlap And Prevention, Jasmine Ann Skorheim

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has demonstrated a relationship between victimization and perpetration of sexual violence, referred to as victim-offender overlap, and explained this relationship through theories such as the cycle of violence. The current study examined this relationship by grouping participants based on experiences of victimization only, perpetration only, and both victimization and perpetration (both group). Exploratory analysis also considered childhood sexual abuse. Interpersonal and psychological risk factors relevant to perpetration prevention programming were then analyzed between groups. Participants consisted of 486 college men recruited from Kent State University’s psychology subject pool who completed an online survey through Qualtrics. It was found …

Black Lives Matter: Protesting As A Form Of Communication, Tiffany Tara Sonterre

Theses and Dissertations

On May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on the neck of George Floyd for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, resulting in Floyd’s death; protests and riots broke out not only in Minnesota, but around the United States (Taylor, 2021). This was just the most recent event in the repeated police brutality against people of color. This dissertation is a case study examining protesting as a form of communication in regards to the Black Lives Matter movement. The deaths of 15 Black people which generated notable media attention are examined via a variety of news sources, starting …

An Exploration Of Education Strategies In National Board Of Health And Wellness Coaching Programs, Brenna Joy Swanson

Theses and Dissertations

Health and wellness coaching (HWC) is a vital and growing profession effective in preventing and managing chronic diseases. The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) established comprehensive training guidelines to advance and uphold the field. Each NBHWC-approved program develops a unique curriculum blending education strategies with NBHWC content requirements that prepare individuals to become aspiring health and wellness coaches (HWCs). Pedagogical approaches are well studied; however, education strategies utilized in NBHWC programs and across competency categories are not widely known. Thus, this three-article dissertation provides an understanding of educational strategies used within NBHWC programs. This study aims to …

Advancing Nutrition And Dietetics Students' Preparation For Clinical Practice Through Simulation-Based Learning Experiences, Danielle Marie Villano

Theses and Dissertations

The use of Simulation-Based Learning (SBL) has increased in Nutrition and Dietetic (N&D) programs, although the research supporting its usability in N&D students is lacking. There are limited quality SBL instruments available that have been validated and tested for reliability in N&D students preparing for clinical practice. This three-article dissertation was to test the reliability of three SBL instruments for N&D students completing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) during SBL activities. During the first phase of this study, two instruments were developed, and one instrument was modified from another SBL instrument that had been previously validated and used for nursing …

Determination Of The Water To Cement Ratio Of Fresh Concrete Using Nir Hyperspectral Imagery, Eric Edwin Wiken

Theses and Dissertations

The water to cement ratio (w/c) is the primary mix design parameter that will control the strength of a concrete mix. Although a specific w/c is usually stated in concrete mix specifications, there is currently no practical test available that can quickly measure this critical property from fresh concrete. Near-infrared (NIR) Hyperspectral Imagery (HSI) can identify a material by measuring the response of the material to the incident NIR light reflecting off its surface in a range of wavelengths. This measured response can be used to differentiate between unique materials and identify variations of similar materials. This thesis studies the …

Clinical Reasoning Development Following A Simulation-Based Learning Experience In Doctor Of Physical Therapy Education, Benjamin Wolden

Theses and Dissertations

Clinical Reasoning (CR) integrates thinking and decision-making in clinical practice (Huhn et al., 2019). CR is an established area of research in Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) education (Musolino & Jensen, 2019; Jensen & Mostrom, 2012) and has been acknowledged as a core competency of physical therapist residency education (APTA Residency Competency Work Group, 2020). Despite the established research, the assessment of CR has emerged as a topic of importance due to the need for standardized assessment of CR in DPT education that can lead to high-quality research and implementation of evidence-informed teaching and learning (Reilly et al. 2021; Furze …

The Application Of Machine Learning Algorithms On Co2 Eor, Chenyu Wu

Theses and Dissertations

CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) is increasingly recognized worldwide for its dual benefits of enhancing oil production and addressing environmental concerns related to greenhouse gas emissions. However, traditional methods for assessing the feasibility of CO2 EOR in a specific field, such as pilot tests and simulations, are often time-consuming and labor-intensive. A critical factor in determining the suitability of a field for CO2 EOR is the CO2 Minimum Miscibility Pressure (MMP), as miscible flooding is more feasible when the reservoir pressure exceeds the CO2 MMP. Traditional determination of CO2 MMP relies heavily on extensive experimentation, which, despite its accuracy, incurs …

Modeling Ash Deposition During Oxy-Coal Combustion Of A High Alkali Earth Metal (Powder River Basin) Coal: Insights From Turbulence Modeling, Mohamed Zamzam

Theses and Dissertations

Coal production has waned in recent years despite its historical significance, driven by mounting concerns over climate change and the escalating adoption of renewable energy sources. With coal production in the U.S. expected to continue its decline and stricter environmental regulations looming due to increasing greenhouse gases and SO2 emissions, there is a critical need to identify an economically viable and environmentally friendly coal type. Embracing carbon capture-based technologies such as oxy-fuel combustion without compromising boiler performance is essential in this endeavor. Sub-bituminous coal varieties like Powder River Basin (PRB) coal boast lower sulfur and nitrogen content compared to bituminous …

Water Quality Hotspot Analysis On Chlorophyll-A To Monitor Harmful Algal Blooms In Small And Medium Lakes Of North Dakota, Sae Young Lee

Theses and Dissertations

The water quality of recreational lakes degrades with Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). HABs can block sunlight, lower oxygen levels, and may produce toxins. Industrial and domestic waste and fertilizer runoffs can enrich nutrients for HABs. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) is a significant indicator for tracking HABs and has been monitored increasingly using remote sensing techniques. In search for significant trends in hotspots of Chl-a concentrations in small and medium lakes of northeastern North Dakota, Chl-a water samples were collected in summer and fall of 2023. The study lakes include: Fordville Dam Recreation Area, Larimore Dam RecreationArea, Homme Dam Recreation Area, and South …

Exploring The Detrimental Effects Of Sleep Deprivation, Brooklyn Shereck

Psychology Student Publications

No abstract provided.

Can Occupational Therapy Help Patients With Cancer?, Alanna Pritchard

Psychology Student Publications

No abstract provided.