Digital Commons Network^™

In Situ Shear Exfoliation Of Layered Materials And Fabrication Of Multifunctional Composites, Md Abdur Rahman Bin Abdus Salam

Theses and Dissertations

To harness the extraordinary properties of 2D nanomaterials across a range of applications, including but not limited to device fabrication (such as sensors and transistors), energy storage and conversion systems (like batteries and solar cells), as well as biomedical applications (such as drug delivery and tissue engineering), it is imperative to achieve proper synthesis to single-layer form from bulk material, ensuring defect-free synthesis. Recognizing the criticality of defect-free synthesis and high yield for nanocomposite production, our focus centered on developing a facile, contamination-free, single-step, in situ shear exfoliation process for bulk materials (such as graphene, hBN, coal) within elastomers, which …

Feature Extraction From Vibration Signature Acquired From Railroad Bearing Onboard Condition Monitoring Sensor Modules, Kevin Quaye

Theses and Dissertations

The University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) has designed an onboard monitoring system that tracks vibration waveforms over time, to obtain a direct and more accurate indicator of bearing health. The data collected by these sensors is used for vibrational analyses of the bearings. The speed of the bearing is a fundamental parameter needed to carry out the analysis. GPS data can be used to determine bearing speed if available; however, due to size, cost and power constraints GPS is typically not available at the sensor location. This means that analysis must be delayed until the data is uploaded …

Rabi Oscillations And Entanglement Between Two Rydberg Atoms In An Optical Cavity Studied By The Jaynes-Cummings Model And Quantum Circuits On Qiskit, Francisco D. Santillan

Theses and Dissertations

Rydberg atoms are highly excited atoms in which one electron has a large principal quantum number. Due to their unusual atomic properties, Rydberg atoms are promising building blocks of two-qubit gates and light-atom quantum interfaces in quantum information processing. For two atoms at close distance (< 10 mm) the Rydberg blockade prevents the two atoms to be simultaneously in the excited state whereas this blockade is absent for atoms far apart. Recently, this effect was used to engineer a quantum processor based on two-dimensional arrays of neutral atoms which are trapped and transported by optical tweezers. Motivated by these experiments, we study the light-atom interaction and entanglement of two Rydberg atoms interacting by the Rydberg blockade in an optical cavity using the Jaynes-Cummings model. We find a rich variety of Rabi oscillations and entanglement as a function of initial conditions and interaction time, which may be used to generate two-qubit gates. Furthermore, we develop and simulate a quantum circuit of this system using Qiskit, an open-source software development kit designed to emulate the operation of a real Quantum Computer.

Bridging Human Emotion And Autonomous Vehicle Control: Reinforcement Learning Enhancements In The Carla Simulator, Timothy Marion Jude Lyons

Theses and Dissertations

Autonomous vehicles are a key component for an evolution in transportation as they may lead to increased safety and productivity. As autonomous vehicles advance industries will look to further increase customer satisfaction through personalized experiences for autonomous vehicle passengers. Reinforcement learning may be the key to success for autonomous vehicles. The development of autonomous vehicles, utilizing reinforcement learning, which consider the emotions of the passenger, will be a breakthrough for the automotive industry. This thesis presents a unique approach to autonomous vehicles developed with reinforcement learning which consider the human emotions of the passenger. It is a stepping stone to …

Investigating The Relationships Among Explicit And Implicit Language Bias, Reading Motivation, And Reading Comprehension Among Bilingual College Students, Erika Vanessa Garza

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the relationship between language attitudes in reading motivation and reading comprehension in 243 voluntary English-Spanish bilingual college students. The current study focused on addressing two primary research questions: investigating the relationships between explicit and implicit language bias and reading motivation in English and Spanish and the relationships between explicit and implicit language bias and reading comprehension in English and Spanish. A multivariate multiple regression analysis revealed the dscore and Spanish Explicit Attitude to be significant on multiple outcome variables, English Explicit Attitude did not. Subsequent univariate analyses identified numerous individual effects that were statistically significant.

Density Functional Theory Calculations On Electronic And Optical Properties Of Mos2/Metal Heterojunction, Mos2/Graphene/Metal Vertical Heterostructure Interfaces And Sulfur Vacancies On Mos2/Au, Shishir Timilsena

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on computational simulations and analyses of heterostructures formed by two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and graphene (Gr) on various metal coated substrates, including gold (Au), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and platinum (Pt). The frequency-dependent dielectric function (ɛ(ω)), refractive index (n), and reflectivity (R) are determined using light polarization parallel and perpendicular to the c axis of the 2D layers. Our findings reveal that MoS2/Au, MoS2/Cu, and MoS2/Pt heterostructures exhibit a direct bandgap at the K-point of the Brillouin zone, whereas their corresponding MoS2/MoS2/Metal structures present an indirect bandgap. The reduced interlayer spacing …

Vessel Delay Detection And Pattern Mining From Ais Data, Naznin Ara

Theses and Dissertations

The maritime industry relies on the Automated Identification System (AIS) for real-time vessel tracking and navigation. This thesis focuses on detecting vessel delays and mining delay patterns from AIS data, which are crucial for improving shipping schedules, port operations, and global trade logistics. The research begins with rigorous data preprocessing, including noise reduction, data interpolation, and anomaly detection, to ensure high-quality AIS data as well as focuses on detecting vessel delays and mining delay patterns from AIS data to enhance maritime operations. Advanced machine learning models analyze temporal and spatial features to detect delays, considering vessel type, speed, and route. …

Attachment Of 2d Nanomaterials Onto 1d Nanofibers For Separation And Sensing Applications, Elmmer A. Vera Alvarado

Theses and Dissertations

Advancing materials for water desalination and sensing is essential for tackling global issues related to clean water and efficient energy systems. This thesis explores the application of 2D nanomaterials, specifically graphene, integrated onto 1D poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers to enhance their effectiveness in these areas. Utilizing innovative techniques such as Forcespinning® and plasma treatment, PVDF nanofibers were strengthened with graphene and conductive polymers like poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS). The research involved thorough assessments using direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) systems, oil-water separation tests, and various mechanical and electromechanical evaluations. Heat-pressed membranes consistently delivered a flux of 0.33 kg/m²/hr and …

Thermodynamic Feasibility Of Potential Nano-Energetic Systems Based On Metal Oxynitrides, Manoj Chhetri

Theses and Dissertations

A computational study was undertaken with the objective of identifying the nano-energetic systems containing aluminum as fuel and metal oxynitrides as oxidizer, aiming to achieve an exothermic reaction characterized by the maximum values of gas generation, adiabatic combustion temperature, and energy release. For the thermodynamic calculation, nine systems based on metal oxynitrides were taken using the THERMO software that works based on the Gibbs free energy minimization, together with HSC Chemistry 7 to calculate the thermodynamic equilibrium concentrations of reactants and products corresponding gas generation, temperature and energy release by varying the fuel to oxidizer ratio. Among all the chosen …

Benchmarking Machine Learning Algorithms For The Prediction Of Gas Adsorption In Metal-Organic Framework Materials, Juan G. Benitez

Theses and Dissertations

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are nanoporous materials with a structure and chemistry that can be tailored with precision to support a variety of applications, such as gas storage, drug delivery, catalysis, and sensing. Central to the realization of these applications is the need to model adsorption in MOFs. However, if the goal is to screen a large number of the hundreds of thousands of MOFs discovered, conventional high-throughput molecular simulations are prohibitively demanding in terms of computational resources. Therefore, efficient approaches are required to efficiently identify suitable MOFs for specific applications. In our work, machine learning (ML) models to predict adsorption …

Saudi Acceptance Of Digital Communication And Satisfaction With Mobile Government Services (M-Government), Samah Alotaibi

Theses and Dissertations

Governments throughout the world are using developments in mobile technology to enhance electronic governance (e-government) by digitally providing government information and services. This is often known as mobile government (M-government), which caters to the needs of individuals, corporations, and governmental institutions. The main objective of this dissertation is to examine the integration of mobile government services into the government's digital communication revolution. It specifically aims to investigate the level of satisfaction and acceptance among Saudi citizens regarding the mobile applications developed by the government. The dissertation delves into their perspectives and assessments of the digital communication channels offered by the …

The Experiences And College Readiness Of Native American Students Who Participated In Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment And Transitioned To Higher Education, Krystal Marie Caldwell

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative research study employed the Diverse Learning Environment Model to examine how dual credit/dual enrollment course participation by Native American students impacts their college readiness and transition to college. Literature shows that students who take dual credit/dual enrollment in high school are more likely to graduate from high school and transition to college and have less time to degree completion. Furthermore, dual credit/dual enrollment course participation also increases students’ college readiness and improve student’s self-efficacy. The guiding notion of this paper are the overwhelming benefits to students who participate in dual credit/dual enrollment coursework in high school and how …

Uas Teaming For Search And Rescue Applications, Conner Carriere

Theses and Dissertations

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations,combined with teaming configurations and optimized path planning algorithms, enhance efficiency in locating and assisting disaster victims. Flooding accounts for 90% of natural disasters in the USA, necessitating rapid scouting and supply drops in affected areas. Current UAS path planning lacks proper start and end point selection and does not use multiple aircraft collaboratively.

This study introduces a UAS teaming strategy with high-altitude leader drones for area coverage and lower-altitude follower drones for detailed data collection and supply drops. The focus is optimizing follower drone path plan- ning using the Open-Loop …

Development Of Multifunctional Biobased Lubricants From Soybean Oil And Their Tribological Behavior, Piash Bhowmik

Theses and Dissertations

Depletion of mineral oil leads the researchers to look for renewable oils recently. Soybean, which is one of the most produced crops globally, has been identified as a potential source for such oil. The problem with vegetable oils is, they consist of unsaturated fatty acids which leads to oxidation of the oils. With proper modification and the use of suitable additives, these oils can be adapted for use in various sectors. High oleic oils are becoming increasingly popular due to their high oleic acid content, which is a monounsaturated fatty acid. These oils are gaining attention for their improved stability …

Protective Factors For Suicidal Ideation In Transgender Adults Living In Rural Communities, Genel Gronkowski

Theses and Dissertations

Transgender adults living in rural communities within the USA may be at an increased risk for suicidal ideation compared to their cisgender peers. Meyer’s Minority Stress Model postulates that this may be due to unique stressors that result from a minoritized identity that may lead to poor mental health outcomes, such as suicidal ideation; individual and community level protective factors may buffer or protect from poor health outcomes. The purpose of this study is to identify protective factors that may be unique to transgender adults experiencing suicidal ideation in rural communities. Utilizing a grounded theory approach, a homogenous group of …

Mcmi-Iv And Pid-5 Antecedents To Self-Reported Sexual Perpetration, Katya Maureen Mickelson

Theses and Dissertations

Sexual perpetration is a pervasive public health concern with various theoretical models used to account for the developmental trajectory of this form of behavior. Personality traits have been incorporated into both etiologic and violence risk assessment predictive models. Contemporary personality inventories have not been examined extensively as risk indicators of self-reported sexual aggressiveness. The current study examined links between self-reported sexual perpetration and selected scales from the Millon® Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI®-IV) and Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5). Data from an initial pool of respondents (N = 1,408) was segregated after protocol interpretability exclusions into men who self-reported past sexual …

Evaluating Pressure Distribution Of Surgical Support Surfaces For Pressure Injury Prevention: Small-Cell Alternating Pressure Mattress, Standard Foam Mattress, And Gel Overlay, Victor Moreno Lozano

Theses and Dissertations

Pressure injuries are a significant problem in the health care system for patients undergoing long surgeries due to the prolonged time they spend on the surface without moving under the anesthesia effect [6]. This can lead to the occurrence of pressure injuries and can negatively affect patient outcomes and the healthcare system [3]. Current methods for preventing pressure injuries in the operating room include repositioning the patient, using sponges or small gel pads at pressure points, and the use of support surfaces [2]. There is not enough conclusive evidence that states that the use of support surfaces is effective in …

Engaging Telepsychology As A Culturally Appropriate Communicative Approach For Mental Health Intervention For Women In Ondo State, Nigeria, Toyosi Motilola Olola

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Assessing the mental health issues among Nigerian women is complex due to cultural norms, stigmatization, and traditional beliefs, which often lead to the concealment of mental health problems. Mental health issues are frequently seen through a spiritual or supernatural lens, exacerbating stigma and preventing proper medical care. There is also a lack of comprehensive data on help-seeking behaviors, with many women relying on religious leaders and traditional healers for support. Telepsychology can solve these communication challenges by offering a confidential and accessible platform that bridges traditional beliefs and modern mental health care. This study explores cultural influences on help-seeking …

On The Design Of Novel Bioplastics-Based Materials Using Advanced Blend Design And Solvent Casting, Edner Oloo

Theses and Dissertations

The development of bioplastic composites holds significant importance in addressing theescalating environmental concerns associated with conventional plastic materials, also referred to as traditional plastics. Traditional plastics are derived from fossil fuels. The utilization of fossil fuels to produce these plastic materials, and at the alarming rate they are currently being produced, contributes to several issues such as climate change, resource depletion, and plastic wastes accumulation. Therefore, development of bioplastic composites has emerged as a promising solution along with recycling. Bioplastics composites offer a sustainable alternative by utilizing degradable and renewable resources such as bioplastics (plant-based polymers) or agricultural biomass wastes. …

A Student Co-Creation Lab As A Sustainable System For Oer Development, Sarah Ann Stokes

Theses and Dissertations

Open educational resources (OER) are digital and non-digital resources for teaching, learning, and research that are available for no cost and licensed with various open licenses, permitting their widespread modification and use. While these resources afford benefits to post-secondary students in terms of reduced cost, ease of access, and potential for customization, faculty members in Ontario, Canada face many barriers to creating these resources for their classes. While many post-secondary institutions have engaged in some form of OER-development initiative, the initiatives are typically not sustainable in the long term. This study explores the model, including the tools, techniques, and workflows, …

Ads-B/Gps Integrity Identification And Evaluation Using Machine Learning Models, Anton Reider Skurdal

Theses and Dissertations

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is part of the Federal Avi-ation Authority’s (FAA) NextGen position, navigation, and timing (PNT) system, but its packets are unauthenticated and vulnerable to attack by bad actors. This re- search aims to develop methods to detect and mitigate GPS and ADS-B risks for aircraft systems. First, a Random Forest Classifier (RFC) model was trained to clas- sify categories (erroneous, noise, dropouts) of data, achieving an accuracy of 87%. Following this, many single-stage and two-stage forecasting models were tested to forecast Navigation Integrity Category (NIC) values, with the two-stage Random For- est Regressor (RFR) achieving the lowest …

A Document Analysis On The Role Of Innovation In The Strategic Plans Of Small Private Liberal Arts Institutions, Jillain Kaye Veil-Ehnert

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study provides interpretations of the nature of strategic plans at small private liberal arts institutions. The study explored the concepts of innovation, entrepreneurship, and transformation detailed in the plans. This study included a specific cohort of eight United States small private liberal arts colleges with similar characteristics regarding academic programs, enrollment, and fiscal stability. The research was conducted through document analysis of the institutions’ publicly available strategic plans. The data collected illustrates what the documents indicates about innovation, entrepreneurship, and transformation at small private liberal arts colleges. Key findings on innovations in the plans included a focus on …

Using Libensemble To Enhance Numerical Ice-Sheet Flow Simulations, Kuang Hsu Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Here, we interface an ice sheet flow model, FastIceFlo v1.0, with the Python toolkitlibEnsemble to enable dynamic ensembles of computations. We test the interface’s capability to perform dynamic ensembles of computations by conducting a sensitivity analysis. The results indicate the interface’s ability to perform dynamic ensembles of computations. Future work could extend the interface to include mass balance to run prognostic simulations. The eventual goal is to run simulation ensembles of large-scale ice sheets forward in time to better assess its sea level contribution sensitivity to uncertainties in climate forcing parameterization.

Healing Through Decolonized Learning: The Transformative Journeys Of Online Indigenous Health Ph.D. Students, Stephen Wyatt

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the transformative and healing experiences of doctoral students enrolled in the first fully online Indigenous Health Ph.D. program at the University of North Dakota. The research aims to understand the unique experiences and supports influencing the success of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in this program. The qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 23 Indigenous Health Ph.D. students (N = 23) to explore their lived experiences. By fostering a sense of community, incorporating cultural relevance into the curriculum, and providing robust support systems, the Indigenous Health Ph.D. program facilitated significant personal and academic growth …

Encompassing ‘Himdag’ (Indigenous Way Of Life) To Address Cardiometabolic Disease In American Indian And Alaska Native Communities Through Research, Policy And Action, Heather Medicine Bear

Theses and Dissertations

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMD), encompassing conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, present a significant health burden within American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. This dissertation, through the culmination of three products, including a scoping review, policy brief and strategic planning toolkit, seeks to understand and address CMD in tribal communities through an Indigenous lens. Product #1, Interventions for Cardiometabolic Health in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities: A Scoping Review, entails a thorough review of implemented CMD interventions targeting AI/AN communities to understand programmatic, clinical, and community-based prevention strategies. By synthesizing available evidence, …

The Effect Of Context Diversity In Virtual Reality Environments On Speech Motor Learning In A Person With Aphasia And Apraxia Of Speech, Shelby Keeler Holloway

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the effect of contextual diversity on speech motor learning in an individual with apraxia of speech (AOS) using virtual reality (VR). One 62-year-old participant with severe AOS participated in the study where he practiced monosyllabic CVC words in both consistent and diverse VR environments. Kinematic, acoustic, and perceptual data were collected and evaluated for evidence of learning. Kinematic data were collected using electromagnetic articulography where sensors were glued to the participant's upper lip, lower lip, tongue blade, and tongue tip and were tracked with high precision. In addition, acoustic and perceptual data were collected using a microphone …

La1-Xsrxcoo3 Perovskite: Antimicrobial Properties And Pvdf Based Piezoelectric Nanogenerator For Energy Storage Through Self-Induced Polling, S M. Anyet Ullah Shohag

Theses and Dissertations

Piezoelectric Nanogenerators (PENGs), which can produce electrical energy from mechanical energy via ferroelectric effect, are one of the ambient sources of green energy. PENGs have gathered a huge attention due to cost-effectiveness, mechanical stability, and easy installation process. In this experiment, different weight percent of Sr2+ doped Lanthanum Cobaltite (La1- XSrXCoO3) perovskite, a ferroelectric material, was synthesizes by using a simple combination of sol-gel and molten-salt process and then characterization by X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy ensures the uniform morphology of nano cubes. Poly (vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF), N,N-dimethylformamide and acetone solution were used to make a flexible film using …

Exploratory Analysis In Rio Grande Valley Real Estate Development, Mathew C. Sosa

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this thesis is to apply exploratory data analysis and machine learning (ML) to answer critical questions in real estate development within the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). The real estate development sector is highly dynamic and relies on multiple integrated systems and planning to bring new homes to the market. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and real estate listing services, such as Redfin, are utilized to manage the customer lifecycle and analyze the local market, respectively. Two of the most crucial aspects of the customer lifecycle are the first home tour and deal closing. This paper explores the …

Redefining Spaces Of Resistance Against Capitalism And Patriarchy: A Study Of Females In Society And The Family As Presented By Mrs. Warren’S Profession (1893) By Bernard Shaw And A Raisin In The Sun (1959) By Lorraine Hansberry, Jennifer L. Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

These plays show how conflicts concerning race, gender, and class stem from economic distress, racial discrimination, and patriarchal oppression. Within such intersections lie distinct realities of capitalism which simultaneously upholds patriarchal ideals that can only be best understood through a Marxist-Feminist lens. This thesis pays attention to how racism and discrimination functions to isolate certain groups of people from reaching social mobility. The first chapter analyzes Mrs. Warren’s Profession to demonstrate how Mrs. Warren decision to enter into prostitution cannot simply be reduced to a question of morality, but rather a question of society’s conditions that place women into certain …

Application Of Electrical Impedance Tomography To Cementitious Composites, Hugo Zazueta

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the feasibility of using Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) for detecting damage in cementitious composites. Cementitious composites, such as concrete and cement mortar, are insulating; any conductive properties arise from the moisture within their pores and capillary structures. The proposed concept herein is that formed internal damages in cementitious composites consequently alter their pore and capillary structure, which can then be detected through EIT imaging. To construct tomographic images, the Gaussian Newton (GN) reconstruction algorithm, enhanced with priors, was employed. The results were then compared across different reconstruction processes. Cylindrical cement pastes and cement mortar samples were prepared, …