Digital Commons Network^™

A Tool For Biometric Interpretation Of Forensic Str Dna Profiles, Ahmad Jamal Baroudi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rapid DNA biometric identification applications are becoming more essential and widely used in human identity validation processes. Despite their powerful identification capabilities, processing a sample to generate a forensic DNA profile still takes longer compared with other rapid biometric technologies. Methods used to speed up the analysis could lead to signal artifacts similar to those arising from low copy or degraded DNA samples, making the electropherogram unsuitable for forensic interpretation and analysis. The goal of this research effort is to apply biometrics and mathematical approaches to forensic STR (Short Tandem Repeat) profiles. To accomplish this goal, a multi-function software tool …

Performance Enhancement Of Organic Light-Emitting Diodes By Electronic Doping, David A. Shelhammer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Since the invention of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) nearly 40 years ago, significant effort has been put into realizing their full potential. OLEDs exhibit several properties that make them ideal candidates for applications in displays as well as solid-state lighting: low power consumption, high contrast ratios, mechanical flexibility, and wide viewing angles. However, the low electrical conductivity and poor stability of organic materials remain critical factors that limit device performance. The focus of this work is OLED performance improvement through the introduction of novel inorganic dopants into organic charge transport layers. The results show a significant reduction in operating voltage …

Functionally Magnetic Gradient Copper-Nickel Material Fabricated Via Directed Energy Deposition, Vy Tran Phuong Nguyen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Functionally gradient materials (FGMs) of CuSn10 and Inconel 718 were fabricated via a hybrid directed energy deposition (DED) system. The objective of the present thesis is to determine the feasibility of manufacturing CuSn10 and Inconel 718 FGMs via DED and investigate the physical and mechanical properties and the microstructures of the resulting FGMs. The physical tests comprised of conductivity and Seebeck coefficient measurements. The microstructure analysis and mechanical testing include microscopic imaging, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and hardness test. In addition, compressive strength test was performed to analyze the interface bonding behaviors.

An Efficient Ar Model-Based Method For The Detection Of Forced Oscillations In Power Networks: Implementation And Analysis, Maria Waleska Suarez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An active research topic is the detection of various oscillations that may lead to instability and potential disruption in the operation of a power network. Forced Oscillations (FOs) play a unique role in power system stability among various oscillations. They are perturbances that change the system’s state and are caused for many reasons, including but not limited to persistent load changes and oscillatory load or generation, fault, triplane, and other mechanical anomalies. These factors can hugely affect the power grid by either increasing or decreasing the amplitude, causing corrupt modes leading to blackouts, affecting the equipment involved, delivering poor power …

Representation Of Muslims In Time Magazine: A Corpus Linguistic Study, Constantia Rhinehart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis sought to explore the representation of Muslims in US-American

Press. In order to do this, the Time Magazine Corpus was used to observe words that collocate with the word “Muslim” in Time Magazine. The frequency of the word “Muslim” was observed for each decade and coded to determine the semantic prosody of each token. The 1960s-2006 were observed in order to provide a more comprehensive view of Muslim representation in Western media and how this representation has changed over time. The majority of collocations were considered to be neutral, however, a large number of collocations were considered …

Thermochemical Water-Splitting Using Novel High-Entropy Perovskite Oxides, Hector Alexis De Santiago Hernandez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this project, we designed, synthesized, and tested the transformative (La_0.8Sr_0.2)(Mn_[1-x]/3Fe_[1-x]/3Co_xAl_[1-x]/3)O₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) high-entropy perovskite oxides (HEPOs) as redox active oxygen carriers for thermochemical hydrogen production with improved stability, kinetics, and H₂ yield. The developed HEPOs form an R3c (hexagonal) phase and were successfully synthesized using both the Pechini and solid-state reactions with the latter synthesis being the primary source for testing. These innovative perovskites demonstrated an improved kinetics with oxygen surface exchange coefficient, k, greater than 7.5 x 10^-4 cm/s, …

Controlling The Thermal And Electrical Properties Of Camno3-Δ Based Perovskite Ceramics, Sergio Andres Paredes Navia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Most of the energy lost during the conversion process comes in the form of waste heat. The world's energy consumption loses over 60% of its energy after conversion. In order to increase the efficiency of the conversion process, it is essential to harness waste heat and reutilize this energy resource. Heat recovery technology as thermoelectric (TE) technology is one of the growing alternatives to harvest excessive amounts of energy lost as waste heat for a more efficient, safe, and sustainable future. Due to the Seebeck effect, TE materials have the potential to convert waste heat directly into electricity, improving efficiency …

Design And Development Of A Novel Launch System With Energetic Materials For Unstable Free-Flight Testing, Steven Christopher Mccallister

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Characterizing the behavior of highly unstable bodies in flight presents a variety of engineering challenges. Free-flight testing with scale models provides an efficient and economical solution to this problem. This test method requires a means of launching the test model, undamaged, at the desired velocity. The objective of this research was to develop a launch system which incorporates the use of energetic materials for free-flight testing of a model flight vehicle of predetermined mass and dimensions. A high-low pressure gun system was selected for the launcher design, as this system is capable of launching relatively high masses in the velocity …

An Analysis On Adversarial Machine Learning: Methods And Applications, Ali Dabouei

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Deep learning has witnessed astonishing advancement in the last decade and revolutionized many fields ranging from computer vision to natural language processing. A prominent field of research that enabled such achievements is adversarial learning, investigating the behavior and functionality of a learning model in presence of an adversary. Adversarial learning consists of two major trends. The first trend analyzes the susceptibility of machine learning models to manipulation in the decision-making process and aims to improve the robustness to such manipulations. The second trend exploits adversarial games between components of the model to enhance the learning process. This dissertation aims to …

Exploring Cyberterrorism, Topic Models And Social Networks Of Jihadists Dark Web Forums: A Computational Social Science Approach, Vivian Fiona Guetler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This three-article dissertation focuses on cyber-related topics on terrorist groups, specifically Jihadists’ use of technology, the application of natural language processing, and social networks in analyzing text data derived from terrorists' Dark Web forums. The first article explores cybercrime and cyberterrorism. As technology progresses, it facilitates new forms of behavior, including tech-related crimes known as cybercrime and cyberterrorism. In this article, I provide an analysis of the problems of cybercrime and cyberterrorism within the field of criminology by reviewing existing literature focusing on (a) the issues in defining terrorism, cybercrime, and cyberterrorism, (b) ways that cybercriminals commit a crime in …

Influence Of Saturation Nonequilibrium And Variable Operation Conditions On The Electromechanical Performance Of Ionic Polymer Metal Composite Actuator Architectures, Allison Maria Arnold

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) continue to gain attention for their potential to offer unique and versatile solutions in the soft robotic and flexible electronic industries. Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites (IPMCs) are a class of ionic-type EAPs which can be configured as capacitor actuators with very low voltage requirements (≤ 5 V AC or DC). Their compact, portable, and lightweight properties, coupled with a biomimetic bending actuation response make them ideal for human-machine integrated technologies such as medical implants, active skins, and artificial muscles. The Nafion-based IPMC can be described as a layered composite capacitor containing an ionic polymer core, sandwiched between chemically …

Feed Conditioning Effects On Enzymes, Amino Acids, And Subsequent Broiler Performance, Elizabeth Ann Lynch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There are many things that can be done to improve broiler performance including, but not limited to, pelleting, proper Lys inclusion, and exogenous enzyme supplementation. Pelleting has the ability to improve feed form, reduce wastage, improve bird performance metrics, and decrease pathogens within the feed. Pathogen reduction can be further reduced by hygienic pelleting practices which include an increase in temperature or retention time within a conditioner or hygieniser. However, hygienic pelleting can degrade valuable AA and enzymes (more specifically for the current thesis research Lys and phytase) and make them unavailable to the animal. Supplementing Lys to account for …

Fashion Compatibility Prediction Using Ensemble Learning, Nathan Utzman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fashion is important both financially and for self-expression. There are many tasks in the fashion domain which can be addressed with artificial intelligence. The task of fashion compatibility prediction is to determine how well a set of items work together to form an outfit. Two main tasks are typically used to evaluate the performance of a fashion compatibility prediction model – Outfit Compatibility Prediction and Fill in the Blank.

In this work, a compatibility prediction model, which is based on the graph autoencoder, is evaluated. This same model is then used in a homogeneous ensemble learning approach, proposed to improve …

Bayesian Methods For Multi-Messenger Analysis Of Supermassive Black Hole Binaries: Pulsars And Quasars And Gravitational Waves, Oh My!, Caitlin A. Witt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Supermassive black hole binaries (SMBHBs) can lurk, often unseen, in the centers of post-merger galaxies, and pulsar timing arrays (PTAs) are rapidly approaching the sensitivities required to detect nanohertz gravitational waves (GWs) from these giant pairs. Independently, numerous electromagnetic surveys are seeking evidence of these dynamic duos’ effects on their host galaxies by searching for periodicities in time-domain observations. Combining these two methods to use multi-messenger techniques allows us to learn more about these binaries than using one messenger alone. In this thesis, we have created Bayesian methods to search for SMBHBs using electromagnetic observations of quasars and through GW …

Learning Mathematics While Black In Rural Appalachia: Black Students' Counterstories And Freedom Dreams About Mathematics Education, Sean P. Freeland

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation aims to illuminate and uncover the experiences of Black students’ learning mathematics in rural Appalachia and specifically West Virginia. The focal theory for this study is Critical Race Theory (CRT) which centers the experience of Black students and their voices. The intersection of race, mathematics education, and the context of rural Appalachia contribute to the analysis of these experiences in specific ways. Participants for this study included six Black high school students from various communities throughout West Virginia. Through interviews and mathematical autobiographies, these students shared their experiences learning mathematics across their schooling experiences and also considering their …

Application Of Artificial Intelligence For Co2 Storage In Saline Aquifer (Smart Proxy For Snap-Shot In Time), Marwan Mohammed Alnuaimi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology have grown in popularity. Smart Proxy Models (SPM) are AI/ML based data-driven models which have proven to be quite crucial in petroleum engineering domain with abundant data, or operations in which large surface/ subsurface volume of data is generated. Climate change mitigation is one application of such technology to simulate and monitor CO2 injection into underground formations.

The goal of the SPM developed in this study is to replicate the results (in terms of pressure and saturation outputs) of the numerical reservoir simulation model (CMG) for CO2 injection into …

Factors Associated With Service Utilization In Injured Workers In West Virginia, Brandy Brown

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Minimal research has been conducted on healthcare utilization among injured workers residing in rural areas. These workers are often at high risk for work-related injury due to the industries in which they work and commonly experience barriers to accessing healthcare. The first study in this dissertation series explored general characteristics of injured workers receiving care at occupational medicine clinics in West Virginia (WV). The second and third studies explored the moderating effects of rurality, pain medication, and psychiatric medication on sociodemographic and health status factors and number of medical encounters.

Methods: Each study used a cross-sectional design with data …

Hot-Carrier Dynamics And Transport Mechanisms In Inas/Alassb Multiple Quantum Wells, Herath Pathiranage Janaka Chathuranga Piyathilaka

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Semiconductor photovoltaics convert light into electricity through the extraction of photo-excited charge carriers. Among the most important parameters for a photovoltaic cell are good optical absorption in the desired region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and sufficient excited-state lifetimes and mobilities of the photocarriers to allow for charge separation and extraction before recombination. For solar cell applications there are significant challenges to overcome to improve the efficiency of the light-to-electricity conversion. The cells are most commonly made of silicon, which has a nearly perfect bandgap for absorbing the most solar radiation, an indirect bandgap to give a long photocarrier lifetime and …

Characterization And Coherent Spin Selective Manipulation Of Quantum Dot Energy Levels, Tristan Anthony Wilkinson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are promising candidates to fulfill a wide range of applications in real-world quantum computing, communication, and networks. Their excellent optical properties such as high brightness, single-photon purity, and narrow linewidths show potential utility in many areas. In order to realize long term goals of integration into complex and scalable quantum information systems, many current challenges must be overcome. One of these challenges is accomplishment of all necessary computing operations within a QD, which might be enabled by coherent manipulation of single QD energy level structures. In the realm of scalability for quantum devices, a way to …

Landmark Enforcement And Principal Component Analysis For Improving Gan-Based Morphing, Samuel W. Price

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Facial Recognition Systems (FRSs) are a key target for adversaries determined to circumvent security checkpoints. Morph images threaten FRS by presenting as multiple individuals, allowing an adversary to swap identities with another subject. Although morph generation using generative adversarial networks (GANs) results in high-quality morphs without possessing the spatial artifacts caused by landmarkbased methods, there is an apparent loss in identity with standard GAN-based morphing methods. In this thesis, we examine landmark-based and GAN-based morphing methods to fuse the advantages of both methodologies. We propose a novel StyleGAN2 morph generation technique by introducing a landmark enforcement method. Considering this method, …

Microvascular Consequences Of Engineered Nanomaterial Inhalation Exposure And Subsequent Reproductive Outcomes, Krista Lee Garner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO₂) is a commonly utilized engineered nanomaterial found ubiquitously in consumer products. While benefits of ENM utilization in are undeniable, nanoparticle inhalation has been linked to cardiovascular consequences and altered microvascular responses. Given these outcomes, it is important to explore vulnerable timepoints, such as gestation, as robust vascular adaptations are essential for maternofetal health.

The first aim of this dissertation was to assess myogenic responsiveness following maternal nano-TiO₂ inhalation. Fetal aortic responses were evaluated on gestational day (GD) 20 to assess how exposure may impact the F1 generation. Myogenic responsiveness within the uterine radial arteries …

Understanding Perceptions Of Vulnerable Roadway Users On Autonomous Vehicles, Md Tawhidur Rahman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Public perceptions have been playing an important role in the development of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. Besides AV and non-AV users, the perceptions of vulnerable roadway users are critical, as AVs will become a part of multimodal transportation system. Pedestrians and bicyclists are among the vulnerable groups of roadway users, as they are relatively unprotected compared to the occupants of AVs or non-AVs. Although AV’s capability to monitor other vehicles has been documented in many studies, there are concerns about AV’s capability in monitoring pedestrians and bicyclists. The overarching goal of this dissertation is to investigate the perceptions of pedestrians …

Hydrocarbon Pay Zone Prediction Using Ai Neural Network Modeling., Darren D. Guedon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This paper captures the ability of AI neural network technology to analyze petrophysical datasets for pattern recognition and accurate prediction of the pay zone of a vertical well from the Santa Fe field in Kansas.

During this project, data from 10 completed wells in the Santa Fe field were gathered, resulting in a dataset with 25,580 records, ten predictors (logs data), and a single binary output (Yes or No) to identify the availability of Hydrocarbon over a half feet depth segment in the well. Several models composed of different predictors combinations were also tested to determine how impactful some logs …

Evaluating Effects Of Sediment On Microbial Loading In A Drinking Water Distribution System, Erika Osborne

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) are critical for protecting public health by ensuring safe water is transported from centralized treatment facilities to consumers. Sediment accumulation in DWDS is a common challenge that water utilities face that may pose some health risks when waterborne pathogens colonize biofilms formed on the sediment surface. Water utilities often establish flushing routines to help mitigate sediment accumulation in their system but the role that sediment plays in contributing to the total microbial loading in the system is unclear. The main objective of this study was to determine if sediment in a DWDS presents a significant …

Capillary Electrophoresis: Method Development And Application In Biomolecule Analysis, Lindsay Marie Veltri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Capillary Electrophoresis: Method Development and Application in Biomolecule Analysis

Lindsay Veltri

Biomolecule analysis is essential in disease diagnostics and the development of therapeutic agents. There is a vast array of methods available for biomolecule analysis, however, capillary electrophoresis is well-suited due to minimal sample consumption (~nanoliters of solution) and fast analysis times. In this report, capillary electrophoresis was used to analyze glycosylation of therapeutic proteins. Additionally, a capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry method is reported for the analysis of proteins.

Post-translation protein modifications like glycosylation, play an important in protein structure and function. Modifications of protein glycosylation can lead to improved …

Ethane Dehydrogenation For Light Olefins Production Over Stable Catalyst, Xiaoyan Wang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Accompanied by the development of modern industry, the demand for light olefins (e.g., ethylene, propylene, butene, butadiene) increases year by year. Light olefins are important intermediates in producing polymers (Polyethylene, Polypropylene, etc.) and rubber (Styrene Butadiene Rubber, Polybutadiene rubber, etc.). The primary process for the production of light olefins is steam cracking of petroleum liquids (naphtha and distillate fuel oil). It is an energy-intensive process, requiring high temperature (750-850℃) and pressure (1.0-4.5 MPa). Meanwhile, due to undesired side reactions, this process has lowered the efficiency of light olefins production and suffers from severe coking issues. Furthermore, as petroleum liquids become …

Design And Control Of Intensified Membrane Reactor Systems Through Module-Based Design Approach, Brent Bishop

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As interest in the modularization and intensification of chemical processes continues to grow, more research must be directed towards the modeling and analysis of intensified process units. Intensified process units such as membrane reactors pose unique challenges pertaining to design and operation that have not been fully addressed in the reported literature. This work aims to address the design and control challenges caused by the integration of phenomena and the loss of degrees of freedom (DOF) that occur in the intensification of modular membrane reactor units.

First, a novel first-principles approach for modeling membrane reactors is developed using the AVEVA …

Electronic Cigarette Dependence: User And Device Characteristic Predictors, Ashley E. Douglas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding the dependence potential of electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) is critical to informing prevention and regulatory efforts. Extant work on ECIG dependence is limited, in part due to the vast number of products that differ on their ability to deliver nicotine. Further, existing research is based largely on former/current cigarette smokers, and thus confounds dependence on nicotine via ECIGs versus cigarettes. This study evaluated ECIG device/liquid characteristics and use behaviors as predictors of ECIG dependence in a sample of experienced ECIG users who never smoked cigarettes. Participants completed an online survey that assessed ECIG device/liquid features, use behavior, and ECIG dependence. …

Ion Velocity Distribution Functions In Cutting-Edge Plasmas, Mitchell Cameron Paul

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cutting-edge plasma experiments continue to push the frontiers of plasma science. Two such groups of experiments, helicon sources and laboratory magnetic reconnection, are the focus of this thesis. The relatively high plasma density achieved for modest input powers makes helicon source plasmas ideal testbeds for fusion-relevant phenomena without the complexities associated with fusion devices. Examples include plasma-material interaction (PMI) studies, divertor region studies, and boundary physics studies. As advancements in helicon source design and technology make operation at higher power for longer times possible, understanding of the plasma dynamics, particularly ion dynamics, is vital.

Laboratory experiments are essential to advancing …

Carbon Monoxide Sensing Of Nickel Oxide At 1000 ℃ To 1200 ℃ For In Situ Combustion Control: Behavior, Mechanism, And Application, Yi Wang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An advanced smart sensor network is essential to a combustion system, which is in favor of in situ, locally placed, and low-cost gas sensors. However, most chemical/electrochemical sensors fail to work in a combustion boiler, due to the demanding working temperatures (> 1000 ℃). This work for the first time reports a well-functioning mixed-potential type CO sensor at 1000 ℃ - 1200 ℃ using nickel oxide (NiO) as the sensing material. The influence of feed gas flow rate, electrode thickness, and porosity on sensor behavior is investigated, delivering notable and fast responses to 1000 ppm in 3% O₂: …