Digital Commons Network^™

Radiofrequency Interference Detection Using Lstmand Statistical Analysis Discriminator, Luke Smith

Masters Theses

"Wireless devices are becoming increasingly pervasive across all aspects of society. Examples of such devices include radios, routers, mobile phones, tablets, and more. As the number of radio frequency (RF) devices continues to rise, so does the amount of interference and noise increase. This is why an efficient approach to interference detection is explored. Most research within this area has been done strictly within the frequency domain as viewing a signal within this domain provides many insights into what makes the signal. This has, however, led to the time domain being underutilized for this area of research.

To explore the …

The Geodetic Strain Rates From Gnss In The North American-Carribean-Cocos Triple Junction In Guatemala And Implications For Seismic Hazard, Tanaya Kashyap

Masters Theses

"Geodetic velocity data are pivotal for deciphering seismic risks, providing initial constraints for crustal surface strain rates. Gaining an understanding of the 2D surface strain tensor across an entire area necessitates knowledge of the surface velocity field, yet geodetic data such as measurements from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) are dispersed across the Earth’s surface. In the current scope of study, we have employed various methodologies to estimate strain rates in Guatemala, utilizing GNSS velocity data and leveraging the open-source Python tool Strain_2D. Strain_2D facilitates the computation of strain rates through diverse methods applied to the same dataset and …

Processing & Properties Of Zirconium Carbide Manufactured By Ceramic On-Demand Extrusion, Clare Sabata

Masters Theses

"This research focuses on the development of a zirconium carbide (ZrC) paste for use in material extrusion direct ink write additive manufacturing (AM) followed by the pressure less densification of ZrC and the mechanical and thermal characterization of the resulting ceramics. A highly loaded, aqueous paste was developed using commercial ZrC powder ball milled to ~1 μm. Optimal dispersant, binder, and solids loading were found by rheological characterization. The paste composition consisted of 46-47 vol% ZrC, 43.5 vol% distilled water, 8.1 vol% dispersant, and 1.6 vol% binder. A yield stress of ~8 Pa allowed for shape retention upon removal of …

Cryptographic Algorithms, Cryptocurrencies, And A Predictive Model Of Bitcoin Value By Pls Regression, Paul Kenneth O'Connor

Masters Theses

"With the invention of Bitcoin in 2009, as a seemingly timed response to the ongoing financial crisis, the popularity of the cryptocurrency has since continued to grow. Just this year, the Security Exchange Commission approved Bitcoin for exchange traded funds, allowing major investment firms to begin product trading. With this approval, and during this very moment of writing, Bitcoin has entered a bull market and reached a record value of over 72,000 USD. In addition, the Bitcoin halving event in April of 2024 is expected to increase demand even further. It has been anticipated that Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies will …

Branching Fractional Brownian Motion, Reece Beattie-Hauser

Masters Theses

"Fractional Brownian Motion (FBM) is a Gaussian process whose increments are correlated over long times. FBM is an example of anomalous diffusion, and recently it has been used to model the distribution of serotonergic fibers in the brain [1, 2]. To better represent these fibers, branching FBM (bFBM), where FBM trajectories may randomly split into two, is introduced. One-dimensional bFBM is studied in both sub diffusive and super diffusive regimes, examining three potential behaviors of the correlations (memory) in a branching event: both trajectories retain the memory of previous steps, only one keeps the memory, and neither keeps the memory. …

Microwave Materials Characterization Of Geopolymers, Jared Sinkey

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this work was to develop a process for studying geopolymer materials using a microwave materials characterization approach. Such an approach is known to provide information about chemical and physical properties of materials. As such, in this work, the focus is on the role of water in the geopolymer curing process. To do this, specimens were prepared and cast and microwave measurements conducted throughout the curing process using a short-circuited rectangular waveguide (SC-RWG) measurement technique. In this technique, the complex reflection properties/coefficient of the sample are measured. The effect of sample length and dielectric properties on materials characterization …

The Exponential Function In Discrete Fractional Calculus Under The Delta Operator, Brayton James Link

Masters Theses

"Previously the exponential problem in discrete fractional calculus under the nabla operator was solved with the discrete Mittag--Leffler function. We now show the solution to the exponential problem in discrete fractional calculus under the delta operator, providing multiple derivations of the solution with recursion and Laplace transforms. We also share some computational and numerical results of experiments with different orders of difference to display the nature of the solution" -- Abstract, p. iii

Investigating Accident-Tolerant Cladding In A Molten Salt-Cooled Micro-Reactor Using Multi-Physics Analysis And Uncertainty Quantification, Alexander Niles Foutch

Masters Theses

"Renewed interest in nuclear safety has resulted in development of accident-tolerant materials, such as cladding. Although developed for light water reactors, their use in more advanced reactors would save time and development costs for other new materials. This paper performed a Multiphysics investigation into the power profile, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and tensor mechanics of four candidate materials (Haynes 230, Zircaloy-4, FeCrAl, and SiC-SiC), using the highly benchmarked Kilo power design as an example of a high-temperature, highly enriched, sodium-cooled microreactor environment.

From neutronic code MCNP, no significant difference in power profile was found among the four. Using finite element software …

Discrete Event Simulation (Des) In Swapping/Charging Of Battery Electric Vehicles In Underground Mining, Albert Einstein Amponsem

Masters Theses

"With climate change concerns escalating, international agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol, the US Presidential Policy, and the Paris Agreement aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, targeting significant reductions by 2050. The mining sector, a notable contributor to GHG emissions primarily through diesel-powered material haulage, emits approximately 68 million tons of CO₂ annually. Transitioning to Battery Electric Trucks (BETs) presents a viable mitigation strategy by replacing diesel trucks with electric alternatives, thus eliminating CO₂ emissions.

However, the effectiveness of BETs hinges on optimized battery swapping and charging procedures. This study employs Discrete Event Simulation (DES), a computational …

Development Of A Particulate Matter Sensor Network For Air Quality Monitoring In Indoor Settings And In Mines, Abdulrahman Bani

Masters Theses

"The importance of indoor air quality (IAQ), especially concerning particulate matter (PM), has become increasingly recognized due to its substantial impact on public health. Individuals spend a significant portion of their time indoors, where PM concentrations can exceed that of outdoors, leading to potential adverse health effects ranging from immediate irritation to long-term respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The dynamic nature of indoor environments, combined with the diversity of PM sources, presents considerable challenges for effective IAQ monitoring and management. Traditional approaches to IAQ assessment often fall short, lacking the granularity and immediacy required to address these challenges adequately.

This abstract …

Comparative Study Of Crypto Volatility And Price Forecasting Using A Mixture Of Time Series And Machine Learning Models, Abhishek Kafle

Masters Theses

"Forecasting financial product volatility and price is crucial for informed decision-making in investment and risk management. The models considered include GARCH, LSTM, GRU, BiLSTM, and hybrid models that incorporate various combinations of these models. We present a comparative analysis of forecasting volatility and price using the aforementioned models.

We also introduce a user-friendly dashboard for model training and evaluation, enabling users to upload datasets and customize model parameters. The dashboard allows users to select the type of model, specify the dataset range for training, determine the number of epochs, adjust the number of layers for deep …

Environmental Health And Impact Of Workload On Errors For Wildland Fire Personnel, Michael Bryan Held

Masters Theses

"This thesis offers an analysis of how environmental health and workload affect wildland fire dispatchers and firefighters, combining results from two studies. The first study, "Environmental Health of Wildland Firefighters: A Scoping Review," performs a scoping review of scientific literature that examines the unique environmental health challenges wildland firefighters face. The review points out the increased risks to safety, health, and well-being from more exposure to natural hazards, identifying key research gaps and priorities. It stresses the need to broaden the geographic and demographic scope of studies, improve analytical methods, and increase research funding and focus for wildland firefighters.

The …

The Graduation Walk: Pareto Optimization Of Degree Paths, Arianna Gail Sy Chaves

Masters Theses

"A student’s academic history, course availability at their institution, and the overall degree of difficulty of the schedule for each semester are all critical factors in their academic success and experience. This thesis proposes an advanced recommendation algorithm that considers these real and conflicting factors that are involved in identifying a prudent degree path - a semester-by-semester course schedule to graduation - for each student. The original contribution of this work is the use of weighted-sum multi-objective constraint programming to minimize an increased number of optimization criteria and identify Pareto-optimal degree paths to be recommended to the student. The conflicting …

Ontogenetically Driven Changes In The Endocranial Anatomy Of Maiasaura Peeblesorum And Its Implications For Sensory Functions, Emma Puetz

Masters Theses

"Hadrosaurids exhibited extreme morphological diversity and behavioral characteristics that can be compared with other, closely related members of Dinosauria – particularly through the study of neuroanatomy. X-ray CT generated endocrania of the Late Cretaceous saurolophine hadrosaur Maiasaura peeblesorum, known as the “good mother” dinosaur, offers a unique opportunity to compare complex ecological behaviors between non-avian dinosaurs and their modern archosaur relatives. The 3D reconstruction software ORS Dragonfly provided linear and volumetric measurements taken from the digital cranial endocast and endosseous labyrinths of three ontogenetically varied M. peeblesorum specimens from the Two Medicine Formation in Montana that were used to …

Learn From The Past: Using Peer Data To Improve Course Recommendations In Personalized Education, Colton Walker

Masters Theses

"This work describes a recommendation approach designed to enhance student success by identifying semester schedules and graduation paths. The primary objective is to provide personalized graduation path recommendations rooted in individual student performance and draw insights from the academic journeys of similar students who successfully graduated. The original research contribution of this work lies in the development of a graduation path recommender system that leverages a combination of Markov Decision Process, Q-Learning, and collaborative filtering techniques to pinpoint graduation paths with a higher likelihood of leading students to success based on their academic progress thus far. The effectiveness of the …

Metal-Ion Doped Borate Bioactive Glasses- A Novel Direction In Minimizing Nosocomial Infections And Antibiotic Resistance, Sarah Fakher

Masters Theses

"Nosocomial infections represent a formidable challenge and induce a substantial burden on patients and healthcare systems. These infections result from the interaction of numerous pathogenic microorganisms, particularly bacteria, and lead to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Extensive research has been carried out to devise innovative solutions, mainly focusing on antimicrobial natural and synthetic substances. However, the proclivity of bacterial strains to form biofilms complicates treatment and elevates antibiotic resistance, prompting research into pioneering more effective and versatile antibacterial strategies. Borate bioactive glasses (BBGs) are the latest, remarkable classes of biomaterials with a wide array of medical applications, owing to …

Evaluating Electromagnetic Interference On Gnss Receivers, Giorgi Tsintsadze

Masters Theses

"Due to high power and efficiency requirements of modern electrical drive system, inverters are utilizing fast-edge pulses as a drive signal. The high frequency pulses contain higher order harmonics can radiate electromagnetic interference above accepted levels. Modelling and understanding the mechanism that causes the radiation is studied, modelled and presented as gray-box model which contains circuit level modelling of coupling between electrical machine phase windings and low power sensor harness. The thesis consists of two main papers. In the first paper, radiated emissions from an electrical drive system is charac- terized thru gray-box modelling where coupling between electrical machine phase …

Human Arm Stiffness Estimation Method Developed For Overground Physical Interaction Experiments: Experimental Validation And Perspectives For Future Applications, Tarani Kanth Kamma

Masters Theses

"To build a physically interactive robot for overground applications, it is crucial to first understand the biomechanics of humans underlying overground physical human-robot interaction (pHRI) tasks. Estimating human arm stiffness during overground interactive tasks is a promising first step toward this goal. For this, an arm stiffness estimation technique was developed in our previous works that consider the unique challenges involving overground pHRI, such as the need to estimate the arm stiffness from a short duration of data with fewer repetitions. In this work, our stiffness estimation method is further validated with a passive spring setup with known stiffness values, …

Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis Of Thermal-Hydraulic Phenomena In Nuclear Reactor Systems, Mehedi Hasan Tusar

Masters Theses

"A computational analysis of thermal-hydraulic processes in nuclear reactor systems is performed, leveraging Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to advance the design and ensure the safety of nuclear reactors. Divided into two primary sections, the initial part examines thermal-hydraulic behavior in the Replacement Research Reactor (RRR) operating at 20 megawatts and evaluates potential enhancements for the Missouri University of Science and Technology Reactor (MSTR) to operate at an increased capacity of 2 megawatts from the existing 0.2 megawatts. Detailed simulations reveal insights into flow characteristics, temperature distributions, and pressure drops, highlighting the effective use of realistic and porous media modeling techniques …

Sub-Critical Crack Growth And Fatigue Behaviour Of Alkali Silicate Glass, Noah Weyrauch

Masters Theses

"Delayed failure in silicate glasses can be linked to subcritical crack growth (SCCG) where surface defects grow over time until catastrophic failure. This phenomenon originates from stress-enhanced chemical interactions between the environment (e.g. water) and the strained silicate bonds at the crack tip. SCCG must be accounted for to predict the long-term survivability of silicate-glass components. This study compares two methods to measure SCCG parameters for a commercial alkali silicate sealing glass and for a series of binary xNa₂O-(1-x)SiO₂ glasses, where 0.15 ≤ x ≤ 0.35. A constant moment double cantilever beam (DCB) technique was used to …

Protein Turnover Rate And Life History As An Explanation Of The Extreme Difference In Cost Of Biosynthesis In Cockroach Nymphs And Painted Lady Butterfly Larva, Kyara Nicole Holloway

Masters Theses

The cost of biosynthesis in painted lady caterpillars is far lower than that of a red runner cockroach. A promising explanation for this phenomenon is the protein turnover rate for the animal during biosynthesis and tissue maintenance. Previous research has shown that, per gram of body weight, the painted lady butterfly can synthesize a biomass using up to 15x less energy and resources than the cockroach, even under similar conditions. The resulting ratios, especially in respect to growth rate, show a wide disparity between species in such a manner that does support a protein synthesis and degradation rates as a …

A Gat-Bilstma Model For Weather-Aware Prediction Of Traffic Speed, Bikis Muhammed

Masters Theses

This thesis presented a method for incorporating the effect of weather conditions in the prediction of the average speed of vehicular traffic for each segment of a road network. The proposed approach utilized two different deep learning methods: graph attention networks and bidirectional long short-term memory with attention layers. The accuracy of predictions is increased by considering the real-world driving distance between road segments, in contrast to the Haversine distance used in several existing prediction methods. Categorization of input data as weekend or weekday further increased the prediction accuracy. The proposed approach was validated using two data sets published by …

Production Of Glass-To-Metal Seals Using Additive Manufacturing Techniques, Aaron Read

Masters Theses

"Glass-to-metal (GtM) seals are hermetic barriers between glass and metal components, often used in the electronic and vacuum industries. Creating the seals traditionally requires heating all the components to the glass melting temperature, where the glass will flow and bond to the metal. Due to the manufacturing constraints of the individual components and sealing conditions there are geometric and material restrictions. Additive manufacturing techniques were used to make GtM seals to reduce these restrictions.

Hermetic, single pin seals were produced using printed metal shells, by selective laser melting (SLM), and digital light processing (DLP) printed glass preforms. Glass preforms were …

Open-Ended Hollow Coaxial Cable Resonance Sensing Via Permittivity Fluctuations For Applications To Exhaled Breath Health Monitoring, Peter Henry Holtmann

Masters Theses

"We report a pre-diagnostics breath analyzer based on the open-ended hollow coaxial cable resonator (OE-HCCR) to achieve real-time differentiation of healthy and compromised lung function through electromagnetic analysis of exhaled breath matter. A two-phase amplification scheme of electromagnetic signatures metered via the S11 phase curve offers high sensitivity to permittivity fluctuations in exposed airflow. The mathematical model of the breath analyzer is explained, followed by experimental validation of numerical findings from previous work. The collection of breath transient signals is performed through monitoring the reflected power magnitude and phase of the scattering parameter (S11) at the resonance frequency. Material fluctuations …

A Binary Integer Linear Programming Model For Optimizing Underground Stope Layout, Theophilus Mensah

Masters Theses

"Underground mine planning engineers face significant challenges when determining what geometry provides the most profitable and safe stope for extraction. Several techniques and optimization algorithms have been developed in recent years, but most fail to find optimal solutions because they are heuristic or LP-based without efficient geometric constraints. This thesis work proposes a two-dimensional binary linear programming (BILP) model for determining the optimal combination of blocks in a stope that maximizes the economic value of the layout of stopes for a sublevel deposit. The work draws from Queyranne and Wolsey’s (2017 & 2018) formulations of tight constraints for bounded up/down …

Investigating Prodigy Math Program To Improve Students' Success In Mathematics, Justin A. Bledsaw

Masters Theses

This study investigates whether Prodigy improves student achievement in mathematics; whether Prodigy improves, specifically, math achievement of special education students, students of different ethnicities, and students of different genders. Further, the study wanted to explore student perceptions of Prodigy. The study was conducted in two fifth grade classrooms with a total of 31 participants. Two mathematics units were utilized to compare; one on multiplying whole numbers and the other on dividing whole numbers. In addition, participants completed a survey and a focus group interview to find out participant perceptions of Prodigy. Results reveal that the whole group scored higher in …

Teacher Acceptability Of Praise Across Grades (K-12), Laura Heuermann

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to expand the praise acceptability literature by examining K-12 teachers’ preferences for praise and whether their acceptability for praise, as a behavior management tool, declines as grade level increases. Teacher acceptability and preferences for praise and reprimand were collected through the Teacher Praise and Reprimand Preference Survey (TPRPS) which is a survey adapted from the previously existing Adolescent Preference for Praise Survey (APPS). A total of 140 teachers from rural, suburban, and urban school districts completed the TPRPS survey. Results of the study showed that as grade level increased, teachers reported to praise students …

Burnout In Resident Assistants Of Color, Lily Weaver

Masters Theses

Burnout among Resident Assistants is very common due to the physically and emotionally demanding nature of the position (Stoner, 2017). For RAs of color, experiencing racism on campus and the barriers to higher education BIPOC individuals face can push them towards burnout more quickly (Jackson, 2012; Hotchkins & Dancy, 2017; Harper et al., 2011). While a multitude of research has been done on RA burnout, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding the BIPOC RA experience of burnout. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to examine how burnout in BIPOC RAs could be connected to their race. The …

From Screen To Classroom: The Role Of Televised Narratives In Enhancing Educational Belongingness For Black American Students, Feyi Oshinyemi

Masters Theses

This creative thesis examines the influence of televised narratives on shaping the educational experiences of Black American students, exploring the interplay between media representation and educational belonging. It proposes how televisual narratives can better reflect and support the educational identities of Black American students, aiming to foster a greater sense of belonging and representation in educational media. This document serves as an accompaniment to the center of this work, a twelve minute pilot episode that explores the challenges and triumphs of students navigating their educational journeys. This work not only provides a detailed breakdown of the episode's narrative and production …

“What Planet Are You On” - Making Meaning Of Sustainability Through Storytelling, Nancy T. Ladeinde

Masters Theses

The term “Sustainability” has come to stay as it is deeply integrated into our everyday life, although it seems complex to understand and engage with. The purpose of this thesis is to know how Unilever, a global consumer goods organization, makes meaning of its sustainability efforts. The method used to achieve this is a thematic analysis of Unilever’s campaign “What Planet Are You On?” a brand campaign documenting their sustainability efforts. Building on storytelling as a theoretical framework, it delves into the strategic use of stories as a communication tool for sustainability efforts, emphasizing its impact on brand narrative, stakeholder …