Digital Commons Network^™

Nuclear Structure Of Neutron-Deficient Cesium-126 And Cesium-127, Connor M. Gautam

Theses and Dissertations

Lifetimes of seven excited states of ¹²⁷Cs, including the states populating the isomer, were measured through a combination of spectroscopic methods. The spin and parity of the states leading up to the 171-μs isomeric level of ¹²⁶Cs were assigned for the first time, new values were measured for the lifetimes of the two isomeric states, and new evidence was presented for the assignment of a detached sequence of gamma rays to the ¹²⁶Cs nucleus.

Designing The Protocol For An Experimental Flight Simulation Study Encouraging Fuel Efficient Behavior, Thomas S. Reardon

Theses and Dissertations

This study designed and tested an experimental instrument to examine how pilots respond to fuel efficiency feedback in a flight simulator. A standardized flight plan, script, and hardware setup were created using X-Plane 12 software and physical flight simulator hardware. The chosen sortie guided participants from Monterey Regional Airport to Moffett Federal Airfield using instrument flight rules (IFR). The flight script provided step-by-step guidance to ensure consistent behavior across participants. The simulator was mapped to match real cockpit controls and allowed for precise data collection including flight time, altitude, heading, and fuel use. The goal was to support a larger …

Implementing Lean Principles To Enhance Warehouse Operations At King Abdulaziz Air Base(Kaab): A Case Study Of Royal Saudi Air Force (Rsaf), Saleh A. Alghamdi

Theses and Dissertations

The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) relies on efficient logistics to sustain readiness. At King Abdulaziz Air Base, warehouse receiving inefficiencies caused delays and waste. This study used Lean principles and a six-month time–motion analysis, with Pareto and Fishbone tools, to identify 55% waste in dead pile and 75% in palletized shipments. Standard times of 5.98 and 6.55 minutes were set. Key recommendations include SOPs, cross-training, forklift certification, layout redesign, and RFID. Lean adoption could save 100+ labor hours and $4,000 annually, improving safety, accuracy, and mission readiness.

Trends And Predictive Modeling Of Real Estate Prices In Major Saudi Arabia Cities, Meshal S. Aldahas

Theses and Dissertations

his research examines historical trends and explanatory modeling of real estate prices in major Saudi cities, with a focus on Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study integrates quantitative data from 2010–2023, including housing and macroeconomic indicators, with qualitative insights drawn from over 320 survey responses that captured consumer sentiment on affordability, job security, and housing policies. A combination of descriptive statistics, ARIMA and Exponential Smoothing techniques was applied to detect long-term patterns, seasonal variations, and market shocks. Predictive modeling was conducted using Linear Regression, Decision Trees, and Neural Networks, with results showing that job security consistently …

A Review Of The United States' Long Term War Support Capabilities In The Indo-Pacific Command Region, Brian J. Mullin Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines U.S. maritime transportation readiness in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting fleet age, mariner shortages, shipyard decline, and port vulnerabilities. It also considers contested logistics and technological threats. Recommendations include fleet recapitalization, mariner pipeline growth, port diversification, and defensive upgrades. The study concludes that secure sea line assumptions are outdated and calls for greater resilience, with follow-on efficiency analysis proposed for ports and ships.

Electrical Characterization Of Germanium Tin Alloys And Devices For Space Reliability, Kevin K. Choe

Theses and Dissertations

GeSn (germanium tin) alloys are potentially well suited for near-mid infrared space optoelectronic applications. Alloys of GeSn have similar properties to group III-V and mercury-cadmium-telluride semiconductors and are compatible with cost-effective complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) manufacturing technology. Recent progress in non-equilibrium remote plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RPECVD) has enabled the crystalline growth of GeSn with Sn concentrations of up to 10% without Sn surface segregation. Several experimental studies in previous literature report CVD- or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)-grown GeSn alloys achieving a direct bandgap with 6%-9% Sn content. This novel growth technique opens opportunities for a cost-effective, next-generation optical …

Automation Of Lcmc Logistics Processes: A Delphi Approach, Kline M. Alt

Theses and Dissertations

As the U.S. Air Force confronts growing complexity in system acquisition, the implementation of digital models in system design and logistics process management allows the incorporation of digital tools and the possibility for automation of portions of logistics processes. This thesis investigates where these technologies can be most effectively integrated within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center logistics enterprise (AFLCMC). Using a three round Delphi study, AFLCMC logistics subject matter expert (SME) opinions were solicited from program-level senior logisticians, program managers to identify high-need areas, key success factors, and potential barriers to adoption. Quantitative consensus from Likert-scale and ordinal …

Tensile Creep Of A Hybrid Polymer-Matrix/Ceramic-Matrix Composite At Elevated Temperature, Waleed S. Alshehri

Theses and Dissertations

Advanced aerospace systems require structural materials that can perform reliably in high-temperature environments for long durations. The performance of standard polymer matrix composites (PMCs) in these conditions is often limited by their susceptibility to time-dependent deformation, such as creep. The objective of this research is to characterize the high-temperature creep behavior of a novel unitized material system comprising a polymer matrix composite (PMC) and a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) co-cured together. The PMC part consists of the polyimide matrix reinforced with laminated carbon fibers woven in an eight harness satin weave (8HSW). The CMC part consists of a zirconia-based ceramic …

Designing An Experiment To Create And Evaluate Behavioral Changes In Air Force Pilots' Fuel Efficiency, Jackson Macias

Theses and Dissertations

Fuel represents over 70% of the logistical resupply demand within the Department of Defense, with the United States Air Force accounting for most of that consumption. While prior fuel efficiency efforts have primarily focused on technical upgrades, this research explores how behavioral interventions can influence pilot decision-making and operational energy outcomes. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as a guiding framework, this study investigates the effects of targeted behavioral strategies on pilots’ attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intentions, and actual fuel-efficient behaviors. A quasi-experimental design was applied through a controlled pilot study using simulator flights. Six participants were …

Multi-Fidelity Machine Learning Modeling For Aerodynamic Response Prediction Of Aerospace Vehicles, Ethan S. Jackman

Theses and Dissertations

Hypersonic vehicle design requires understanding complex aerodynamic phenomena across the full flight regime. This study presents a novel MF surrogate modeling methodology that enables the prediction the full field response across a vehicle’s surface. A Space-Filling Curve (SFC) is used to convert unstructured data into 1D vectors. The a Convolutional Autoencoder is used with transfer learning to reduce the dimensionality of the data. An Emulator-Embedded Neural Network (E2NN) combines multi-fidelity data for fast, accurate predictions. A benchmark analytical example and hypersonic application are used to evaluate the methodology. Using various numbers of samples and sampling strategies it is found that …

Low-Cost Transfers For Cislunar Liaison Navigation, Ka'eo J. Swartzmiller

Theses and Dissertations

CubeSats have an inherent limitation on volume due to their small form factor. Naturally, this extends to the capacity of on-board ΔV, thus limiting the maneuverability of the satellites. This limited maneuverability makes it extremely important to be intentional when planning out mission trajectories. The cislunar region subjects these trajectories to the gravitational forces of both the Earth and the Moon, making it all the more necessary to deliberately plan out maneuvers. The Circular Restricted Three Body Problem (CR3BP) provides a simpler model for estimating the motion of spacecraft within the cislunar region, allowing for the gravitational forces to be …

Investigating The Impact Of Forest Vegetation On Nuclear Weapon Prompt Radiation Energy Deposition, Paul A. Clement

Theses and Dissertations

This work seeks to answer the unstudied questions “Does a layer of vegetation impact the prompt radiation energy deposition in the soil from an atmospheric nuclear detonation?” and “If yes, by how much?” A new methodology was developed to repeatably automate and streamline a process of generating a three-dimensional geometry for subsequent radiation transport simulations and statistical analysis. The methodology streamlined three diverse applications: a three-dimensional mesh generator, a radiation transport simulation code, and a sensitivity analysis & uncertainty quantification software. The methodology was tested by simulating the quantitative influence that vegetation has on changing the energy deposition into the …

Spin State Of Positronium In Two Dimensions, Emille Bryant

Theses and Dissertations

We investigate the spin state of the electron-positron system positronium to determine experimental criteria that can identify a positronium anyon. Anyons have been posited to be the basis for a truly fault-tolerant quantum computer, but they have not been indisputably observed in experimental systems. Through the analysis of the fully relativistic symmetry group of fermions and bosons in three dimensions, we investigate the symmetry of its subgroups to determine that positronium in two dimensions behaves as a scalar with respect to rotations. We conclude that positronium in two dimensions has an arbitrary relative spin orientation of annihilation photons and only …

From Homeland To Hostland: Language Ownership Of Heritage Dialect And Narratives Of Third Culture Kids Of The Gulf, Maryam Aref

Theses and Dissertations

The main purpose of this study is to examine Arab Adult Third Culture Kids’ sense of heritage language ownership and their identity constructions in relation to their transnational Arab Gulf context. The present study has three main aims: to ascertain their sense of ownership towards their heritage dialects, to understand the basis for their claimed or denied ownership, and to investigate the positions they ascribed to themselves and others in relation to their belonging and transnational and linguistic experiences. The study aims to fill the gap where there is a scarcity of sociolinguistic research around Arab Third Culture Kids in …

Modeling, Control, And Learning For Whole-Body Manipulation With Large-Scale Soft Robots, Curtis C. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the challenge of enabling soft robots to perform contact-rich manipulation tasks by overcoming limitations in hardware, modeling, control, and learning. First, we present hardware advancements with PneuDrive, a pneumatic control system for actuating soft robots. We also introduce Baloo, a hybrid soft-rigid robotic torso which achieves a single-arm payload capacity of 19.3 kg and robust whole-body grasping capabilities. We also develop a full-body tactile sensing system enabling piezoresistive sensor arrays to cover large areas (1 square meter) with over 8000 distributed sensing points. Second, we focus on developing tractable dynamic models based on the Recursive Newton-Euler algorithm …

An Antioxidant Approach To Ameliorate The Effects Of Radiation And Chemotherapy On Cognition, Raymond Anan Otoo

Theses and Dissertations

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is a hematologic malignancy that primarily affects children and young adults. While advancements in treatment—including chemotherapy and cranial irradiation—have significantly improved 5-year survival rates in children to nearly 90%, radiation-induced cognitive impairment (RICI) remains a persistent and debilitating side effect. The brain, particularly the hippocampus, is highly susceptible to radiation-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. In the treatment of ALL, the combined use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy contributes to a heightened oxidative burden, exacerbating the risk of cognitive dysfunction. Although previous studies have linked radiation exposure to neurocognitive decline, the molecular mechanisms underlying RICI and chemotherapy-induced cognitive …

Exploring The Effects Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy On Literacy Achievement, Sarah Fisher

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of culturally relevant pedagogy and how multicultural mentor texts could support a third grade student who has been identified as a struggling reader over the course of six weeks. This study was guided by these research questions: What happens when a struggling reader receives culturally relevant pedagogy? How does culturally relevant instruction impact engagement in literacy? What specific literacy skills improve based on culturally relevant instruction? The findings indicate that the student who participated in this study demonstrated growth in engagement and higher order comprehension skills.

Cultivating Climate And Culture: New Jersey Principals' Use Of Sel In Pk-12 Schools, Michelle Papa

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, intrinsic case study is to explore how PK-12 principals in New Jersey perceive their approaches to leadership through their own social and emotional learning (SEL). With growing demands placed on school leaders, the study examines how principals integrate the five SEL competencies (self-awareness, self- management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making) into their leadership practices to positively impact school climate and culture. Through semi- structured interviews and document analysis, ten principals revealed that SEL is not only essential for student and staff well-being but also central to their own leadership development. Findings indicate that …

Acoustic Characterization And Modeling Of Heated Supersonic Tactical Jet Aircraft And Launched Rockets, Logan Troy Mathews

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding and accurately modeling the acoustic sources and propagation of high-intensity tactical jet aircraft and rocket noise is essential for vehicle design, environmental impact assessment, and mitigation strategies. Despite progress in the understanding of these sources, significant challenges persist in both predictive modeling and noise mitigation. This dissertation advances both the characterization of full-scale supersonic tactical jet aircraft noise sources and the development of modern empirical prediction models for rocket launch noise. Across multiple measurement campaigns and modeling efforts, the work integrates advanced array signal processing, high-fidelity field measurements, and improved empirical methods to expand the physical understanding of source …

Evaluating Adjustment And Proficiency Disparities In Virtual Reality, Mohammad Jahed Murad Sunny

Theses and Dissertations

The rapid integration of VR in various application domains necessitates a deeper understanding of how levels of user experience impact user performance and task efficiency. This study investigates the relationship between experience with VR, expertise in 3d computer gaming, and physiological skills across multiple performance metrics, such as task-completion time, task load, accuracy, manipulation speed, and related spatial requirements. In a comprehensive analysis of multiple levels of VR experience and 3d computer-game expertise, we identified key trends that indicate increased experience in both domains significantly enhances task efficiency while at the same time reduces perceived workload and improves task accuracy. …

Registered Nurses' Autism Knowledge And Preparedness To Care For Autistic Patients, Bronte Elisa Weissman

Theses and Dissertations

Autistic individuals frequently report negative experiences during healthcare interactions and numerous provider-level barriers to accessing quality care, including stereotyping, perceived lack of autism knowledge, challenges with communication, and insufficient accommodations. Reports of healthcare providers’ experiences caring for autistic patients in the U.S. have largely come from physicians, who endorse inadequate training, resources, and practical guidelines. Although patients spend far more time with nurses than other healthcare providers, registered nurses (RNs)’ perspectives on caring for autistic patients in the U.S. are largely unknown and autism-focused trainings for nurses are minimal. In the current study, a survey was nationally disseminated to a …

Transition And Instability Characteristics Of The Separated Shear Layer Formed At Low Reynolds Number Over Three-Dimensional Irregular Rough Surface, Ganesh Kt Mr

Theses and Dissertations

The present experimental work investigates the effects of irregularly roughened surfaces and imposed streamwise pressure gradients on the topological, transitional, and instability characteristics of the laminar separated shear layer (SSL). Experiments are conducted in the low-speed wind tunnel for 𝑅𝑒𝑡=30000, based on the thickness of the airfoil model, t, and freestream turbulence intensity, fst = 0.8%. The airfoil model used in this study features a semicircular leading edge followed by a constant-thickness flat portion and a pitchable trailing-edge flap. Test conditions include two rough surfaces: sandblasted (SB) and sand-deposited (SD), and flap deflections: 𝛽=−30° and 𝛽=+30°, imposing adverse (APG) and …

Design And Development Of Deep Learning Based Generic Platform For Promoting Precision Agriculture, Srilakshmi A

Theses and Dissertations

Precision agriculture also referred as precision farming or smart farming, is an innovative approach to agricultural management that leverages technology and data to optimize various aspects of the farming process. This approach aims to make farming more effective, sustainable, and profitable by affording farmers with the application tools and information they need to make more informed decisions.

Precision agriculture combines elements of agriculture, technology, and data science to enhance crop production, and resource utilization. Precision agriculture techniques can be highly effective in leaf disease detection within crop fields. Machine learning has been developed incredibly across multiple domains and shown it …

Factors Influencing The Performance Of Farmer-Producer Organizations (Fpos) And Their Societal Impact In Tamil Nadu, Arjune S

Theses and Dissertations

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are formed mainly for the farmers to have better institutional access to acquire them. They are also under the inspiration of the director's abstinence and the incentive of getting more money. These are socio-psychological individual differences and thus of importance to markets, the perception of markets, and market relevance of group interaction. Self-esteem, attitude to participation in group activities, and willingness to participate in these types of activities are of some significance for his/her performance because they have an effect on their performance afterward.

Farmer social empowerment increased but not farmer economic empowerment did so much …

Hindcasting The Occurrence Time Of Major Earthquakes Using Machine Learning And Time Series Analysis, Rubidha Devi D

Theses and Dissertations

An earthquake is an intense shaking of the ground that typically occurs when tectonic plates move beneath the surface of the Earth. Scientists analyze historical seismic records and geophysical and atmospheric signs to build models estimating the probability of major earthquakes by detecting patterns and anomalies in data such as ground deformation and seismic waves. This study would help in predicting earthquakes to minimize risks of people and buildings.

The present study investigates the devastating earthquakes along the Chilean subduction zone in South America, linking non-seismic data to machine learning predictions of Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) and Relative Humidity (RH) …

Computational Studies On The Major Antioxidant Enzymes Of Wuchereria Bancrofti Towards The Development Of Anti Filarial Leads, Sureshan M

Theses and Dissertations

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), or elephantiasis, is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease affecting the lymphatic system, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. It is the second leading cause of long-term disability and a neglected tropical disease. According to WHO, LF threatens 882 million people in 44 countries, with over 9 billion treatments administered. The disease is caused by three nematodes: Wuchereria bancrofti (90% of cases worldwide, including India), Brugia malayi (10% in Southeast and Eastern Asia), and Brugia timori (found in Timor and nearby islands). Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an ancient disease that continues to challenge scientists and physicians. Current treatments include …

Management Concepts In Shishupalavadha, Sathyanarayanan V

Theses and Dissertations

Management of organizations, people, and entities has been a subject matter of great interest today. Schools of business and management were established in the West about 125 years ago, and countries in other parts of the world, including India, simply followed these practices. Consequently, there is a widespread feeling today that management concepts originated in the West. All Indian business schools teach management concepts propounded by Western scholars in the last 100 years or so.

Going by the first principles, whenever multiple people, resources, entities, and institutions are involved, there is a requirement for Management. This implies that management as …

Hindcasting The Occurrence Time Of Major Earthquakes Using Machine Learning And Time Series Analysis, Rubidha Devi D

Theses and Dissertations

An earthquake is an intense shaking of the ground that typically occurs when tectonic plates move beneath the surface of the Earth. Scientists analyze historical seismic records and geophysical and atmospheric signs to build models estimating the probability of major earthquakes by detecting patterns and anomalies in data such as ground deformation and seismic waves. This study would help in predicting earthquakes to minimize risks of people and buildings. The present study investigates the devastating earthquakes along the Chilean subduction zone in South America, linking non-seismic data to machine learning predictions of Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) and Relative Humidity (RH) …

Artificial Intelligence-Based Adaptive Data-Driven Techniques For Disruption Prediction In Tokamak, Priyanka M

Theses and Dissertations

Tokamaks are nuclear fusion reactors designed to generate sustainable energy by confining plasma, yet plasma disruptions remain a major obstacle as they can damage reactor components and interrupt fusion reactions. Addressing this challenge requires reliable models that can classify plasma discharges and predict disruptions in advance. This thesis develops machine learning and deep learning approaches to improve both classification and forecasting.The first contribution is a semi-supervised active learning framework, Nearest Margin-Ranked Batch Mode Active Learning (NM-RBMAL), integrated with an ensemble model.

Unlike traditional classifiers that operate on static training data, this approach continuously adapts to new plasma conditions, reducing model …

Ai Based Early Detection Of Hormonal Imbalance And Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome In Young Women, Reka S

Theses and Dissertations

A hormonal disorder, Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) usually affects women during the reproductive age. It is characterised by imbalances in hormones, particularly a rise in the female body's androgen level (male hormone) and enlarged ovaries with small cysts. PCOS can cause ovarian cysts, weight gain, acne, excessive hair growth, insulin resistance, and irregular menstrual cycles along with other health problems. While the exact origin of PCOS is uncertain and its symptoms are unclear, diagnosing PCOS in real-world conditions is a difficult task. Therefore, prompt and precise PCOS diagnosis is essential for efficient treatment and for averting long-term issues.

Clinicians typically …