Digital Commons Network^™

A Conductor’S Rehearsal And Performance Guide To Christopher Tin’S The Drop That Contained The Sea, Augusto Gil

Theses and Dissertations

This document serves as a research resource regarding composer Christopher Tin and provides a conductor’s analysis for his large choral-orchestral work, The Drop That Contained the Sea. Christopher Tin is an American composer of film, television, and video game soundtracks. Though he is most likely best known for his choral-orchestral piece, “Baba Yetu”, written for the video game Civilization IV, Tin has written several choral-orchestral works that have premiered on international stages over the course of recent years, such as his large-scale song cycles Calling All Dawns, The Drop That Contained the Sea, To Shiver the Sky, and The Lost …

Assessing The Feasibility Of Transportable Nuclear Reactors: A Radiological Risk Case Study, Robert John Demuth

Theses and Dissertations

The feasibility of a truly transportable nuclear reactor presents significant radiological challenges that must be addressed to ensure compliance with regulatory limits and operational safety. This study evaluates the radiological constraints associated with the transportability of the Transportable Helium-cooled One-megawatt Reactor (THOR), focusing on neutron activation, shielding performance, and external radiation exposure. Using advanced radiation transport and activation modeling within the SCALE framework, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to quantify dose rates during operation, post-shutdown, and transport. A key aspect of this work involved assessing activation products in core materials, auxiliary components, and surrounding environments to determine their contribution to …

Exploiting Structures In Reinforcement Learning: Multi-Agent Homogeneity, Euclidean Symmetry, And Natural Languages, Dingyang Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Reinforcement learning (RL) has emerged as a powerful paradigm for decision-making in complex environments. However, many RL tasks exhibit inherent structural properties—such as homogeneity, symmetry, and linguistic patterns—that are often underutilized, leading to inefficiencies in learning and generalization. This dissertation systematically exploits these structures to improve the efficiency, scalability, and robustness of RL algorithms across multi-agent and sequential decision-making settings. First, we investigate homogeneity in multi-agent systems, where agents share similar roles and objectives. By leveraging this structure, we develop communication-efficient actor-critic methods for homogeneous Markov games, enabling scalable learning with reduced coordination overhead. Second, we introduce Euclidean symmetry in …

Supercritical Water Oxidation For Removing Pfas Contaminants: A Numerical Study, Ashley Joy Poyner

Theses and Dissertations

Per – and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of stable pollutants known for their long lifetimes and resistance to treatment methods used traditionally to remove other contaminants. PFAS and their ability to accumulate in both aquatic and terrestrial environments present threats such as detrimental effects to people and ecosystems due to their ability to penetrate entire systems. Though many methods are being explored to treat PFAS contamination in different systems, Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) is a promising method for both removing and decomposing PFAS, with the ability to completely oxidize these persistent contaminants. This study is a numerical investigation …

Understanding Water Washing Needs Of Hydrochar Generated From The Hydrothermal Carbonization Of Food Wastes To Establish Minimum Post-Processing Needs For Soil Amendment Application, Neve Renee Steger

Theses and Dissertations

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is an advantageous and potentially environmentally beneficial approach for the conversion of wet biomass and waste streams into a value-added solid product referred to as hydrochar. Although hydrochar composition and properties generated from the carbonization of a variety of feedstocks have been well studied, there is a need for understanding whether hydrochar requires further refinement and/or treatment prior to being used in environmental applications, particularly when using the hydrochar as a soil amendment. Understanding the need for and extent of hydrochar post-treatment is critical in identifying environmentally beneficial and economically attractive strategies for hydrochar use. In this …

Experimental And Numerical Analysis Of Fluidization Of Pelletized Activated Carbon Columns: Effects Of Glass Bead Retention Layer, Amin Nemati Tamar

Theses and Dissertations

In pressure swing adsorption (PSA) processes there is always a desire to process as much gas as possible in the smallest beds possible. This necessarily leads to velocities that, especially during pressure-changing steps, may exceed the adsorbent particle fluidization velocity within the bed. To prevent the possibility of bed expansion and fluidization bed retention systems are usually employed at the top of the bed in the form of dense beads, bags of the same or springs, otherwise the mechanical integrity of the adsorbent might become compromised. PSA process simulation, based on Archimedes’ force balance involving weight, buoyancy and the drag …

Building Trustable Methods For Group Recommendations: Advancing Fairness And Robustness Across Domains, Siva Likitha Valluru

Theses and Dissertations

On the internet, where the number of available choices for information is exponentially growing, there is a need to prioritize and deliver relevant results to users efficiently, on demand. Recommendation systems (RSs) address that need by searching through and filtering large amounts of dynamically generated information and providing users with recommendations tailored to them. These systems have primarily focused on (1) single-user models, where recommendations are tailored towards a specific individual, or (2) single-item models, where items are recommended based on a broader appeal to users and similarities in item metadata, in the past. In many real-world scenarios, however, recommendation …

Automated Fiber Placement Laminate Level Optimization: A Physics-Inspired Method To Analyze Through-Thickness Defect Interactions, Nishan Patel

Theses and Dissertations

With the growing adoption of composite materials in industries such as aerospace, automotive, naval, wind energy, and even sectors like sports and consumer goods, there has been a strong push towards improving manufacturing reliability and productivity. One key method that has gained significant traction is Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), an additive manufacturing technique valued for its precision, efficiency, and adaptability in producing complex composite parts. As industries continue to shift from traditional metal-based structures to more advanced composite materials, the need for efficient and high- quality manufacturing solutions has become even more critical, prompting a focus on automation and optimization …

Multiscale Modeling Techniques For Electrodynamic Systems, Hunter Teel

Theses and Dissertations

In order to rapidly develop better electromagnetic and electrochemical systems, approaching these complicated topics from multiple perspectives is necessary. The use of mathematical models and numerical simulation offers the ability to evaluate and predict the performance of these systems based off the principles of electrodynamics in an ideal setting. Through the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), representative geometries of scales can be created and evaluated to provide insight into the behavior of these systems. Simulation offers a modifiable environment that can approach the relevant physics from both the microscale and macroscale. Conclusions, results, boundary conditions, or other information from …

Phytochemicals And Human Health, Erin Kelley Richards

Theses and Dissertations

This review explores the intricate relationship between phytochemical intake and human health. It first highlights the contrast between the phytochemical-poor Standard American Diet (SAD) and ancestral diets rich in diverse plant and animal foods. The classification, sources, and health benefits of various phytochemicals, including polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenes are described and discussed. The bioavailability of these compounds and their interactions with the gut microbiome are elucidated, emphasizing on their potential in modulating multiple pathways associated with aging and chronic diseases. The 12 hallmarks of aging and how phytochemicals may influence these hallmarks are reviewed. While exploring the potential benefits …

Investigation Of The Hdl Molecular Architecture Before And After Exercise Training., Prasun Kumar Dev

Theses and Dissertations

The functional characteristics of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles are influenced by their structure, including their molecular composition (e.g. HDL lipidome and proteome). However, the effects of exercise training on HDL molecular composition and its relationship with HDL-related traits are largely unknown. In this ancillary study, we investigated the HDL lipidome and proteome of 154 adults before and after 20 weeks of exercise training in the HERITAGE Family Study. The HDL-sized plasma fraction was isolated utilizing FPLC-SEC, followed by untargeted lipidomic and proteomic analysis using LC/MS. We identified 341 known lipid species while 409 HDL associated proteins. Clinical and functional related …

Hallucinations In Large Foundation Models: Characterization, Quantification, Detection, Avoidance, And Mitigation, Vipula Rawte

Theses and Dissertations

Deception is an inherent aspect of social interactions, with research indicating that most people engage in deceptive behavior at least once or twice daily . In parallel, advances in artificial intelligence have led to machines exhibiting deceptive tendencies. These deceptions can be categorized into two types: unintended and intentional. Unintended deceptions - often referred to as hallucinations - occur when generative AI systems produce plausible and convincing narratives yet are factually inaccurate. This phenomenon primarily results from the systems' architectural design, extensive parametric memory, and reliance on statistical assumptions. In this thesis, we provide a comprehensive discussion on the characterization, …

A Novel Geometric Modeling Kernel For Automated Fiber Placement, Rowen Burney

Theses and Dissertations

Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) is a key manufacturing technique for producing high-performance composite structures, yet existing geometric modeling frameworks lack the specialized functionality required for efficient toolpath planning and laminate optimization. This work presents Knots, a Geometric Modeling Kernel (GMK) developed specifically to address these limitations by providing a unified geometric foundation tailored for AFP. Unlike general-purpose Computer Aided Design (CAD) libraries, Knots is optimized for AFP, offering specialized geometric operations that streamline the transition from design to manufacturing. It directly manages the loading and computation of geometric data, ensuring structured laminate generation while supporting automation and scripting for improved …

Translating Theory Into Practice: Mediating Academic Advising Reform At Scale Through Improvement Science, Joshua Black

Theses and Dissertations

Improving student outcomes at community colleges is a difficult, multifaceted problem. While no single approach can be a panacea for such a challenging problem of practice, Guided Pathways (GP) research suggests a scalable reform model that may ultimately help to improve the underlying systems and structures colleges have designed to support their students, and in turn, may help colleges to achieve the goal of improved student outcomes more consistently. Because of the breadth of the GP model’s recommendations for reform, however, implementation is complex. To be effective, each of the reforms must be localized, adopted, and brought to scale within …

Explainable And Reduced-Feature Machine Learning Models For Shape And Drag Prediction Of A Freely Moving Drop In The Sub-Critical Weber Number Regime, Md Amanullah Kabir Tonmoy

Theses and Dissertations

Accurately predicting the shape and drag of a moving drop is crucial in many spray applications. However, due to the complex interaction between the drag force and drop shape deformation, accurate prediction of drop shape and drag from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation requires large computational resources and time. A novel data-driven approach using NARXNN (Non-linear Auto Regressive eXogenous input Neural Network) is proposed in this study, which recurrently predicts the drop shape and drag for a given Weber number (We) and Reynolds number (Re), in the sub-critical We regime where there is no drop breakup. The average error in …

Frequency-Based Rapid Structural Damage Detection Using Embedded Edge Computing On Resource-Constrained Devices, Ryan Yount

Theses and Dissertations

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is essential for ensuring reliability and longevity of useful structures. Traditional SHM approaches rely on manual or remote data transmission and external processing, which introduce latency and can depend on stable communication links. This work aims to advance SHM by integrating edge-computing techniques for rapid damage detection to enable faster and more autonomous structural assessments in resource-constrained environments. The research spans three key contributions including 1) frequency-based damage detection of civil structures using a sensor package with the addition of an edge processor, 2) additions to the computational efficiency of the edge-computing sensor package in a …

Cross-Layer Design And Optimization Of Analog In-Memory Computing Systems, Md Hasibul Amin

Theses and Dissertations

There has been a rapid growth in the computational demands of machine learning (ML) workloads in recent days. Conventional von Neumann architectures are not capable of keeping up with the high cost of data movement between the processor and memory, well-known as memory wall problem. In-memory computing (IMC) has been focused as a solution by the researchers, where the computation is performed inside the memory devices such as SRAM, MRAM, RRAM etc. Most commonly, the memory devices are arranged in a crossbar setting where the matrixvector multiplication (MVM) operation is performed through intrinsic parallelism of analog computations. The conventional IMC …

Evaluating And Improving U.S. National Water Model Evapotranspiration Estimates Through Eddy-Covariance Flux Tower Observations And Machine Learning Post-Processing, Abin Raj Chapagain

Theses and Dissertations

Despite ET's critical importance in the hydrological cycle, very little has been done to provide ET forecasts at a national level. This study comprises two research chapters examining the National Water Model's (NWM) evapotranspiration (ET) simulations. In Chapter II, we conducted the first comprehensive NWM ET model performance assessment by comparing simulations to eddy-covariance flux tower measurements across the Continental United States (CONUS) on a high-resolution, 1 KM square grid. We clustered results by National Weather Service (NWS) River Forecast Centers (RFCs), land cover classifications, elevation bands, and Köppen-Geiger Climate Zones. The NWM performs best in the Northeast and Ohio …

Modeling And Characterization Of On-Orbit Servicing Architectures For Efficient Mission Planning, Samantha Q. Vi Tang

Theses and Dissertations

As space-based systems become increasingly critical to global infrastructure, efficient satellite maintenance and resource management have become essential to ensuring operational longevity. On-orbit servicing has emerged as a key strategy for extending satellite lifespans, mitigating space debris accumulation, and enhancing the cost effectiveness of space operations. This study presents a comprehensive mixed-integer programming (MIP) model to optimize servicer task assignments and routing while minimizing propellant consumption. The model captures the operational complexities of servicing a network of satellites across multiple orbits by incorporating realistic constraints, such as fuel limitations and task completion time windows. Sensitivity analysis allows mission planners to …

Key Characteristics Of Long-Lived Portland Cement Concrete Airfield Pavements In The United States Air Force Enterprise, Cameron J. Palmer

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force maintains a $30 billion portfolio of airfield pavements essential for national security. Despite their importance, budget constraints have limited average annual repair funding to $260 million over the past decade, requiring pavements to last significantly longer than their typical life span. This project addresses the central question: What design features or characteristics contribute to the longevity of Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) airfield pavements? Utilizing data from AFCEC's Airfield Pavement Evaluation (APE) team and the PAVER sustainment management system, this study employed linear regression, logistic regression, and deep artificial neural network (ANN) modeling techniques to identify …

Imu-Mechanized Discrete Error-State Kalman Filtering With Lie-Group Pose Representations, Daniel P. Koch

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates methodologies for consistent Kalman filtering with Lie-group based representations of the vehicle pose. Early results are centered around the relative navigation framework, which maintains filter observability and consistency by only tracking the state relative to the latest keyframe of an odometry system such as visual odometry or laser scan matching. A detailed derivation of a relative multiplicative extended Kalman filter, using a quaternion parameterization of the attitude state, is presented for application to multirotor vehicles. The remainder of the dissertation focuses on Kalman filtering using a Lie-group SE(3) pose representation, which improves filter consistency by correctly modeling …

Data-Driven Fusion Of Earth Observation And Hydrologic Data To Forecast Flood Extents At Regional To Continental Scales, Kel N. Markert

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate and timely flood inundation forecasts are crucial for mitigating the devastating impacts of floods, which affect 1.47 billion people globally and cause significant economic losses. While traditional flood forecasting methods, such as hydrologic and hydrodynamic models, have limitations in providing comprehensive and spatially explicit inundation information, recent research has focused on leveraging Earth observation data and machine learning for enhanced flood prediction. This dissertation advances the state-of-the-art in data-driven flood inundation forecasting by exploring the capabilities and scalability of the Forecasting Inundation Extents using Rotated Empirical Orthogonal Function (FIER) framework. This dissertation focuses on investigating different aspects of FIER …

Enhanced Vapour Detection Through Electrospun Metal-Oxide Nanofibers, Sri Varshini K Ms

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this work is to fabricate metal oxide-based nanofibers, which helps in monitoring indoor air quality, which is deteriorating due to VOCs like Formaldehyde, Toluene, and Ammonia, commonly found in paints, plywood, and adhesives. Prolonged exposure to these VOCs can affect the respiratory and nervous system. They are classified as carcinogens by the IARC.

Based on the analysis, this work was framed to deposit Fe2O3, NiO, and ZnO/Fe2O3 as well ZnO/NiO and Fe2O3/NiO nanofibers on the glass substrate through horizontal electrospinning method. The obtained nanofibers are vacuum annealed at 50 ℃ for 30 mins to remove the water …

Climate Change Policies And Good Governance In Egypt, Mahmoud Elshourbagy

Theses and Dissertations

Egypt recognizes the impacts of climate change and is particularly vulnerable because of its high-density population, economic burden and geographical location. In response, Egypt established National Climate Change Council in 2016. In 2022, the council issued “National Climate Change Strategy 2050” to integrate and align the efforts of government bodies to adapt and mitigate climate change risks. One of the strategic goals of “National Climate Change Strategy 2050” is to enhance climate governance in Egypt as a critical tool. This study attempts to evaluate climate change policies in the context of good governance by using a tool developed by World …

Design And Realization Of Concurrent Cryptosystem For Medical Image Privacy On Reconfigurable Hardware, Vinoth Raj R

Theses and Dissertations

The protection of medical image privacy plays a crucial role in maintaining confidentiality for the secure storage and transmission of patient’s sensitive healthcare data. Medical images are the widely used data type in the e-healthcare sector. Traditional cryptographic algorithms have limitations when applied to large-scale medical image datasets due to their high computational requirements. The primary goal of this research work is to design and implement indigenous algorithms to provide confidentiality for grayscale and color DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) images through an encryption process. The research leverages the benefits of reconfigurable hardware, namely the Field-Programmable Gate Arrays …

Extraction Of Contact Resistivity For Transition Metal Oxide-Based Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cell, Shanmugam K

Theses and Dissertations

Contact resistivity quantifies the charge transport barrier, which is one of the key parameters for choosing the carrier selective contact for silicon solar cells. Optically transparent and electrically selective contacts such as Transition Metal Oxide (TMO)–based contacts are employed in solar cell applications. Therefore, extracting contact resistivity for such Schottky contacts requires apposite validation.

In this work, the contact resistivity of TiOx/LiFx/Al stack over an n-type c-Si wafer is extracted using two conventional techniques: i) Shockley’s Transfer Length Method (TLM) and ii) Cox and Strack Method (CSM). The extracted contact resistivity is validated by comparing it with the solar cell’s …

Efficiency Of Enzyme Induced Carbonate Precipitation (Eicp) By Crude Extract Urease For Geotechnical And Geoenvironmental Applications, Kaniz Roksana

Theses and Dissertations

Geotechnical engineering is currently facing challenges, including accommodating rapid urbanization, adapting to climate change impacts, and prioritizing sustainability, all while ensuring the safety and stability of critical infrastructure. Biocementation is a recently developed new branch in geotechnical engineering that offers innovative and eco-friendly solutions by leveraging natural processes to enhance soil properties. This dissertation examines the potential of soybean extract urease as a cost-effective substitute for analytical-grade enzymes in Enzyme Induced Carbonate Precipitation (EICP) applications for biocementation. This research examines its effectiveness in various aspects, such as coastal erosion control, desiccation crack remediation, and the removal of heavy metals. Essential …

Comparison Of A Terrestrial And Handheld 3d Laser Scanner In As-Built Building Information Model (Bim) Creation, Cedric Scott Jankowski

Theses and Dissertations

Advances in computer processing have allowed mobile 3D laser scanners to begin to rival terrestrial scanners in terms of accuracy and scanning speed. While terrestrial scanners are the established instrument used in BIM creation for existing buildings, their cost, immobility, and size warrants a comparison to mobile scanners. This evaluation used scans created with both scanner types, the resulting point clouds, and 3D models created by tracing these point clouds to compare the BIM models and resulting floorplans, which were checked against direct on-site measurements. Because terrestrial scanners are considered state-of-the-art, the evaluation focused primarily on comparing mobile scanner and …

Operational Energy Education: A Thematic Analysis Of Knowledge Area Needs And Educational Gaps, Nana Hene

Theses and Dissertations

Operational Energy (OE) education is vital for national security, military readiness, and fuel energy efficiency. This thesis analyzes the current landscape of OE education and identifies key gaps in awareness, energy knowledge, and curriculum structure. Through a reflexive thematic analysis of interviews with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), the study underscores the necessity of integrating OE concepts into both educational and professional training programs. A framework is proposed to enhance OE education across various levels in the Air Force, aiming to cultivate a more energy-conscious and strategically prepared force. The findings highlight the critical need for targeted training, curriculum enhancements, and …

Military Entrance Processing Station Location And Capacity Optimization, Micah A. Hurst

Theses and Dissertations

This research optimizes the number, placement, and capacity of Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) to minimize applicant and recruiter travel and improve recruitment efficiency. Using mixed-integer programming, it develops capacitated facility location (CFLP) and maximal covering location (MCLP) models, considering facility capacity, budget, and geographic coverage. Computational testing and scenario evaluations highlight opportunities to reduce travel and balance capacity. For example, the CFLP model adds three new MEPS, reducing annual applicant travel by 1.2 million miles in Florida and Texas and 1.0 million in California, while increasing accessibility within 60 miles of a MEPS. This data-driven approach provides USMEPCOM with …