Digital Commons Network^™

Augmentation Of Quality Of Service, Security, And Trust In Edge-Enhanced Iot Networks Leveraging Blockchain, Kyle Matthew Whitlatch

Masters Theses

The meteoric rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has led to multiple architectural schemas to handle the data these devices create. Edge-enhancement is a technique where groups of IoT report to a median layer to aggregate the data before relaying to the endpoint. These edges also open opportunities to perform more operations to ensure devices are behaving properly before committing the data to long term storage. By interconnecting these edges with a technology like blockchain, it is possible to have an interconnected and responsive system to ensure the Quality of Service (QoS) of the IoT devices within the architecture …

Isolation And Characterization Of A Halophilic, Extremely Acidophilic, Iron-Oxidizing Bacterium, Connor Crites

Masters Theses

This thesis describes the isolation and characterization of a halophilic iron- oxidizing bacterium from sediments obtained from Lake Magic; an extremely acidic, saline lake located in Western Australia. The purpose for the isolation of novel, halotolerant/halophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria is to aid in metal-mining bioleaching operations. Currently used iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are extremely sensitive to chloride, which restricts their use in these industries.

A singular bacterial morphology was isolated from Lake Magic sediments that was roundly-rod shaped, 1-2 um in length, and stained Gram-negative. This organism was able to grow in a modified medium (DSM14174) using ferrous sulfate as an …

Power Flow Control Of The Triple Active Bridge Converter, Lauryn Reece Morris

Masters Theses

With the rise of renewable energies, electric vehicles, and microgrids, the development of power electronic topologies that can seamlessly integrate these systems into the grid is crucial. The triple active bridge is an extension of the dual active bridge topology and is capable of energy storage or renewable energy integration into a power electronic converter and thus the power grid. Consisting of three H-Bridge converters, the triple active bridge topology is an expanding area of research to meet these growing demands. With the addition of the third bridge, the system has additional nonlinear characteristics which introduce complexity in solving for …

Overall Tropospheric Noise Over The St. Louis Using Isce And Fringe Processing, Maryann Lee

Masters Theses

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is a satellite-based technique that is used to measure various aspects such as ground deformation, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and motions of glaciers. Although the technique has proved very useful, measurements errors such as ionospheric and tropospheric noise, and deformation often cause problems with making precise measurements. InSAR is a tool used in geodesy that is used to measure the change of surface deformation over time through a series of repeated SAR acquisitions. These errors in the acquisitions occur from factors of signal decorrelation, atmospheric delays, and phase unwrapping errors that affect the accuracy and precision …

Long Short-Term Memory (Lstm) -Based Neural Network Model For Optimizing Composite Manufacturing Process Using Autoclave, Sourav P. Bolar

Masters Theses

The combination of high pressure and controlled heat plays a critical role in ensuring the uniform curing of composite materials, leading to parts with superior mechanical properties. In this study, three composite samples of IM7/CYCOM 5320-1, each cut into 12x12-inch squares, were placed in an autoclave at three different locations, spaced 6 inches apart. Sixteen thermocouples were randomly distributed across the setup to monitor the curing process as the autoclave temperature was systematically ramped up and down while maintaining constant pressure, creating a fully controlled curing environment. The primary objective was to optimize the curing locations to reduce machine runtime …

Frequency-Tracker And Power Supply For Piezoelectric Lunar Dust Removal Actuator, Praneeth Uddarraju

Masters Theses

"This work presents a reconfigurable phase-locked loop (PLL)-based control system for the resonant excitation of piezoelectric actuators aimed at automated removal of particulate contaminants from photovoltaic (PV) surfaces—particularly in extraterrestrial environments such as the lunar surface. Regolith or lunar dust buildup on solar panels is a serious hazard to the effectiveness of energy harvesting on extended missions. By using high-frequency structural excitation and inertial forces the suggested system removes surface impurities. Tunable Sallen-Key low-pass filters for reliable feedback conditioning are used in conjunction with a digitally implemented PLL on an FPGA (XLR8 platform) to precisely lock the drive frequency to …

Enabling Drone-Integrated Active Microwave Thermography Via A Slot Antenna Design, Alec P. Fitzmaurice

Masters Theses

Civil infrastructure inspection quality and inspector safety may be enhanced from the advancement in the capabilities of nondestructive testing and evaluation of remote or otherwise hard-to-reach areas such as nuclear power plants, wind turbines, bridges, or other civil infrastructure using drone-based Active Microwave Thermography (AMT). AMT is a nondestructive testing technique that utilizes high frequency energy (often radiated from an antenna) to induce heating in a specimen. Following this thermal excitation, an infrared camera is used to measure the resulting surface thermal profile. From this, defect indications may be detected. To enable drone-based deployment of AMT, where the antenna size …

Investigation Of Arm Stiffness Modulation During Overground Physical Human-Human Interaction, Henry Tien

Masters Theses

The vision of advancing robots capable of direct physical engagement with humans begins with an understanding of how humans interact with each other. Even rudimentary interactive tasks, such as shaking hands, provides tremendous challenges for modern robotics and current research into the biomechanics of such interactions is limited. Thus, further analysis of physical Human-Human Interaction (pHHI) will bolster efforts to enhance collaborative robot capabilities. To this end, a custom Force Perturbation Handle (FPH) was developed, including the requisite mechanical, electrical, and software systems, to investigate the unique role of arm stiffness modulation in haptic communication between humans. The novel device …

Extraction And Separation Of Metal Cations From Synthetic Acidic Solutions Using Emulsion Liquid Membrane, Nouhaila Filali

Masters Theses

The work is organized into two main papers supported by experimental and comparative studies using Emulsion Liquid Membrane (ELM) systems. The first paper explores the individual extraction of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, As, Ni) from synthetic phosphoric acid using Alamine 336 and D2EHPA as carriers. Alamine 336 achieved the highest extraction efficiency (>90%) and stability, offering a promising route to reduce toxic impurities in fertilizer-grade acid. The second paper examines the selective separation of Ni2+ and Co2+ from various acidic solutions using the ELM configuration. Systematic variation of carriers, stripping agent and feed acidity, clarified transport mechanisms and stability, …

Testing The Life-History Dependence Of Dietary Restriction Effects On Oxidative Molecular Damage In Hornworms, Fahime Taheri

Masters Theses

DR and ambient temperature are two environmental factors widely implicated in shaping organismal maintenance and longevity through effects on metabolic rate and oxidative damage. This study tests whether DR and reduced body temperature independently or interactively reduce oxidative protein damage in the gut of tobacco hornworm larvae, a short-lived ectotherm whose life history may constrain typical DR responses. Larvae hatched from eggs were allocated to two feeding regimes (AL and DR) and to 20 °C and 30 °C. At a defined endpoint, guts dissected and homogenized, and analyzed for protein carbonyl content and total protein. Protein damage was expressed as …

Emi Mitigation, Material Characterization, Transformer Equivalent Circuit Modeling, Reza Vahdani

Masters Theses

Modern high-frequency electronic systems demand precise characterization and modeling techniques to ensure signal integrity and electromagnetic compatibility. This thesis presents three core studies focused on real-world challenges in high-speed and power electronics: EMI mitigation using 3D printed absorbers, wideband liquid dielectric characterization, and accurate transformer modeling.

The first study demonstrates a targeted approach to mitigating electromagnetic interference (EMI) in a commercial router. By using holography imaging to identify radiation hotspots, custom absorber structures were designed with commercially available materials, fabricated via 3D printing, and applied directly to emission sources. Radiated emission tests in a reverberation chamber showed up to 9 …

Hyper B-Ary Representations Of A Number, Mingway Wang

Masters Theses

In this work, we summarize combinatorial, analytical, and computational properties of Stern's diatomic sequence, and do the same for a generalization of a combinatorial property of this sequence to higher bases. We then construct special ``bit conversion'' functions $g_{b}$ that allows us to find a semi-explicit formula for the generalized sequences. Lastly, we analyze some of the properties of these $g_{b}$ functions.

Prevalence Of Insecticide Resistance Gene In Aedes Albopictus Populations Of Central Illinois, Merylann Akinyi Ochieng

Masters Theses

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is a significant vector for diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika. Its increasing resistance to insecticides poses a critical challenge for vector control efforts. This study investigates knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) genes, specifically V1016G and F1534C, which are associated with pyrethroid resistance. Aedes albopictus populations from Central Illinois were analyzed using allele-specific PCR techniques to address three primary objectives: (1) determining whether V1016G and F1534C mutations are present in these populations, (2) determining which mutation is more widespread, and (3) investigating how resistance gene …

The Effects Of Explicit And Systematic Phonics Instruction On Student Achievement, Teagan Dougherty

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine how explicit and systematic phonics instruction impacts student achievement, and to explore how instructional strategies are effectively implemented in the classroom. To guide the study, two research questions were developed: (1) How does explicit and systematic phonics instruction impact student achievement in vowel teams and r-controlled vowels? (2) What are teacher perceptions of explicit phonics instruction and how are they implemented in the classroom? This was a mixed-methods study. Data was collected from 18 second-grade students and one classroom teacher. Quantitative data was gathered using weekly pre and posttests addressing various phonics …

Buscando El Paraíso: Imposter Syndrome Amongst First-Generation Latino/A/X Students At Predominately White Institutions, Luis Fernando Paniagua

Masters Theses

As more first-generation Latino/a/x college students enter universities across the United States, it is essential to understand the various challenges this population may face. One major challenge these students may face is the psychological phenomenon known as imposter syndrome. This study was conducted to understand the causes of imposter syndrome in first-generation Latino/a/x college students as they attend a predominantly White institution (PWI). Using a semi-structured phenomenological design, data was collected from six participants at a medium-size PWI in the Midwest. Qualitative analysis revealed that there is a connection between Latino/a/x students and imposter syndrome being developed both prior to …

Investigating The Pathways Between Social Factors, Physical Activity, And Mental Health On Cognitive Efficiency In Young Adults, Emma Hurston-Gates

Masters Theses

Cognitive health is important across the life span and cognitive functions, particularly executive functions, are positively correlated with subjective well-being and success in adulthood (Loprinzi, 2013). The present study aimed to investigate how social factors, mental health, and physical activity impacts cognition in young adults. Young adults aged 18-30 (N = 134) answered questionnaires regarding levels of physical activity, social support, social participation, anxiety, depression, and overall well-being. Participants completed Trail Making Tasks A and B to measure their cognitive efficiency (i.e., combined processing speed, psychological flexibility, visual search, and attention). Across all samples, one of the most consistent …

Enhancing Sunflower Regeneration: Molecular And Genetic Insights From Helianthus Eggertii, Owen West

Masters Theses

In vitro plant regeneration, particularly through organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis, is essential for plant transformation and crop improvement, especially in recalcitrant species like sunflower. In this study, we explore the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying regeneration in Helianthus eggertii, a wild sunflower species with high regeneration potential. Global gene expression profiling, conducted using Oxford Nanopore sequencing across multiple time points and genotypes, identified sixty-three core differentially expressed genes (DEGs) critical to regeneration. These DEGs are associated with critical biological processes such as cell proliferation, transcriptional regulation, and photosynthesis. Among them, a sunflower WUSCHEL-related homeobox transcription factor (WOX4) showed preferential expression …

Thermal Thresholds Of The Green Sunfish Lepomis Cyanellus: Insights Into Fish Vulnerability To Changes In Environmental Temperature, Noah W. Wright

Masters Theses

As global temperatures continue to rise, understanding the physiological responses of aquatic organisms becomes increasingly important. Elevated temperatures can significantly impact behavior, metabolism, and other essential survival processes. One species of particular interest is the Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), a member of the Centrarchidae family known for its relative thermal resilience compared to other congeners across the Midwest, a region already experiencing rapid warming due to climate change. L. cyanellus are not invulnerable to thermal stress, and recent evidence suggests that both performance and thermal tolerance decline under sustained temperature increases. In this context, evaluating their response to …

Spatiotemporal Variability In Invasive Carp Spawning Activity In Two Midwestern River Basins, Braden A. Whisler

Masters Theses

Across the United States, fisheries managers and agencies continue to battle the spread of invasive bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.). Although previous research has identified environmental parameters such as temperature and flow to be triggers of spawning activity, many of these studies focus on larger rivers, rarely focusing on the specific thresholds or timing of when a spawning event takes place. I utilized the differing hydrology of the Illinois and Wabash Rivers and their tributaries to examine the differences in environmental parameters needed to trigger bigheaded carp reproduction. Three mainstem sites and three tributaries of both basins were sampled …

Evaluation Of The Impact Of Secondhand E-Cigarette Aerosols On Ros-Mediated Alterations Of Epigenetic Events: Implications For Copd Pathogenesis And Assessment Of The Efficacy Of Cold Atmospheric Plasma In Degrading Organophosphate Pesticides On Kevlar Materials, Ta-Chun Lin

Masters Theses

"We explored 1) the toxicological impacts of e-cigarette aerosols and 2) the decontamination efficacy of Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) technology over organophosphates. In examining the effects of firsthand and secondhand e-cigarette aerosol exposure on A549 and BEAS-2B lung cells, we observed significant cytotoxicity, increased ROS levels, and epigenetic modifications, including heightened DNA methylation and downregulation of histone deacetylases (HDACs). These molecular alterations may contribute to chronic respiratory conditions, such as COPD, underscoring the health risks of e-cigarette exposure.

We investigated CAP’s effectiveness in degrading organophosphate pesticide (OP) residues on fabric surfaces, revealing that CAP treatment effectively decomposes OPs such as …

Gfrp Reinforced Bridge Barriers: Experiment Testing, Manish Kumar Gadhe

Masters Theses

This study focused on evaluating the performance of concrete bridge barriers reinforced with Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) compared to those reinforced with conventional mild steel. Four full-scale barriers were constructed, three using GFRP bars as the reinforcement and one with mild steel reinforcement. These were cast on two concrete slabs to ensure consistent support conditions. The use of GFRP aims to address durability concerns associated with steel reinforced concrete (RC), particularly corrosion of these bars in harsh environments.

To simulate real-world impact scenarios, a weighted cart was launched at each barrier using a guided sled system. Sensors, including load …

Biological Computing From Microscopic To Macroscopic Evolution, Xiaofeng Ding

Masters Theses

A unified theory from microscopic to macroscopic DNA-based biological systems is explained in terms of the rule components used when the system size is increased. Even though the eight female rules in each ruleset are provided with an equal probability of the computation-state outcomes, the initial ensemble of the computation states will exponentially settle into one dominant rule that supports the nutrition needed for growth. The remaining seven rules form into two minority groups to provide the biological characteristics of the system's growth from a micro to macroscopic evolution. The object of this study is to prove that such a …

Sustainable Hemp Industrial Panels (Ship) And Its Industrial Possibilities For The Replacement Of Oriented Strand Board (Osb), Anthony Ollins

Masters Theses

This study explores the feasibility of using industrial hemp fiber to create composite panels—termed Sustainable Hemp Industrial Panels (SHIP) as a potential competitor for oriented strand board (OSB), a commonly used structural wood product. Given hemp's historical and environmental advantages, including rapid growth, carbon sequestration capacity, and material strength, this research investigates its performance when combined with Urea-Formaldehyde (UF) resin, and in a hybrid form with Southern Yellow Pine (SYP). Two hemp-based composites were produced and tested: one with hemp and UF, and another with hemp and SYP. Using a custom-built hydraulic press, composite panels were fabricated and subjected to …

Vertical Transfer Students: Experiences With Orientation Programs And Transition, Gulmira Abdyrahmanova

Masters Theses

Community college students are a growing student population in the United States, however their transition to four-year institutions remains complex and students face different challenges. This study explores the student’s orientation and transition experiences. While academic integration was generally positively supported by articulation agreements, personalized academic advising, and family support many transfer students reported difficulties with social integration, impacting their sense of belonging. The findings suggest that successful transfer requires three stages of support as pre-transfer planning; orientation and initial transition; and continued personalized support throughout the first semester. Recommendations include stronger partnerships between institutions, more individualized advising, and ongoing …

Emotion Regulation And Social Support As Protective Factors To The Associations Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Mental Health-Related Issues, Cassidy B. Mccarthy

Masters Theses

This study was designed to examine emotion regulation and perceived availability of social support as possible protective factors to the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mental health issues. The study explored both emotion regulation difficulties and perceived availability of social support (PASS) as mediators to the relationship between ACEs and mental health issues. Emotion regulation difficulties were also assessed as a mediator between PASS and mental health issues. PASS was tested as a moderator between ACEs and mental health issues by affecting emotion regulation.

Results indicated that emotion regulation and PASS each partially mediated the relationship between ACEs …

Mental Health Supports In The Public Schools, Elizabeth Walters

Masters Theses

Increasingly, young students experience mental health challenges, some as early as first grade. With mental health challenges reaching students at younger ages, teachers and school staff need to be ready to assist their students in need. Roughly a third of young people experience mental health challenges, and 70-80% are unable to receive mental health services. As a large portion struggle in school with mental health concerns, teachers and school staff are likely to be the first to see any potential signs of struggle. When teachers notice signs of a student struggling with mental health, the staff often do not know …

Evaluation Of Blue Catfish Populations In Four Midwestern Power Cooling Reservoirs, Tyler Joseph Murray

Masters Theses

Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are the largest catfish in North America and as such angler desire for trophy fisheries have grown in addition to harvest fisheries. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has stocked Blue Catfish into several reservoirs in the state including four that have powerplants that utilize the water for cooling and discharge it back into the reservoir at increased temperatures. This study explored the potential impacts of these warm water effluents on Blue Catfish population demographics, as well as whether management changes need to be implemented in these systems. I sampled Powerton, LaSalle, Springfield, …

Soils From Different Solidago Altissima Clones Mediate Intraspecific Interactions In Schizachyrium Scoparium, Sarah Alharbi

Masters Theses

While previous studies have examined plant intraspecific competition and soil microbial effects separately, fewer studies have investigated how these factors interact, particularly in the context of genotype-specific soil conditioning effects. Plant-soil feedbacks can significantly alter interspecific competitive outcomes, yet few studies have examined how local variation in soil conditioning influences plant responses to density-dependent competition. I investigated how soil inocula derived from four Solidago altissima clones that were previously shown to differ in their soil conditioning effects (Foster et al., 2022) affected the growth and root traits of Schizachyrium scoparium across a gradient of intraspecific competition (1, 2, or 4 …

Barriers To Leisure-Time Physical Activity Among College Students, Ben Andrew Winfield

Masters Theses

Obesity is an increasing problem worldwide. In general, people eat more and exercise less, with a lot of individuals not meeting World Health Organization recommendation of 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity weekly. At times, individuals may face barriers which prevent or inhibit their ability to participate in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), exercise completed in one’s free time. These barriers are known as leisure constraints and are comprised of three categories: intrapersonal, feelings and psychological aspects; interpersonal, relationship aspects; and structural, physical aspects. Body image, the perception individuals have about their bodies and …

Optimization Of Transformation And Regeneration In The Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus), Sara M. Kilar

Masters Theses

In addition to their value as prized ornamentals, sunflowers are important crop species due to the nutritional value and high oil content of the seeds. Sunflower oil is a significant contributor to global seed oil production, which can be used as a food additive and cooking agent as well as a raw material for biodiesel production. While traditional breeding efforts have led to the development of many unique cultivars, genetically modified variations have proven more difficult due to the recalcitrance of sunflower plants to genetic transformation. As a result, facile and efficient transformation methods for sunflowers have the potential to …