Digital Commons Network^™

Vertical Free-Swinging Photovoltaic Racking Energy Modeling: A Novel Approach To Agrivoltaics, Koami Soulemane Hayibo, Joshua M. Pearce

Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications

To enable lower-cost building materials, a free-swinging bifacial vertical solar photovoltaic (PV) rack has been proposed, which complies with Canadian building codes and is the lowest capital-cost agrivoltaics rack. The wind force applied to the free-swinging PV, however, causes it to have varying tilt angles depending on the wind speed and direction. No energy performance model accurately describes such a system. To provide a simulation model for the free-swinging PV, where wind speed and direction govern the array tilt angle, this study builds upon the open-source System Advisor Model (SAM) using Python. After the SAM python model is validated, a …

Networking For Mid-Level Administrators In Higher Education: Increase Job Performance And Reduce Burnout, Laura Glasbrenner

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mid-level administrators occupy a complex position within higher education institutions, a role defined by “middleness” (Gleeson & Shain, 1999, p. 488), which characterizes their place in institutional hierarchies between superiors and subordinates. Mid-level administrators often feel isolated since they cannot be seen as having close personal relationships with those above or below them in the rankings. Consequently, mid-level administrators are subject to burnout, a psychological condition resulting from isolation compounded by working long hours reconciling the competing and conflicting needs of supervisors and subordinates, which leaves them emotionally exhausted, physically depleted, and feeling like they have reached a professional dead-end. …

Corridor-Wide Surveillance Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Yu Zhang, Achilleas Kourtellis, Joseph Post, Hualong Tang, Keerthana Yelchuri, Brian Porter

Research Reports

In the second phase of the project, the research team continued traffic data collection with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and dual sensors (RGB and thermal cameras) for roadways under normal operational condition and during incident clearance. The research team conducted a thorough literature review of incident detection methods. Based on the review outcomes, the research team extracted traffic features from learning the video data and trained several learning models for identifying non-congestion conditions caused by incidents. This method was tested on a two-minute video with data captured by a drone at a location at which traffic was passing through an …

Wonderstone And Its Connection To Liesegang, Microbes, And Beyond, Haden S. Mandery

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In the western and southwestern United States, the term wonderstone is used to describe volcanic, volcaniclastic, and sedimentary rocks with variegated banding produced by iron oxide mineralization or staining. This iron oxide mineralization is typically described as Liesegang banding. In this paper I will (1) test if the banding in wonderstone follows the spacing and width laws characteristic of Liesegang, (2) identify the source of iron that ultimately precipitated in the bands, and (3) examine the role that microbes played in the formation of the mineralization in these rocks. I conclude that the iron oxide mineralization is not Liesegang banding. …

The Perception Of Natural Resource Management In Nebraska: Efforts For Cross-Boundary Collaborative Management, Daniel Morales

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Nebraska’s agricultural landscapes are rapidly changing, affecting natural resources and their successful management. I utilized two surveys and scenario planning (Chapters 1: statewide survey, 2: local survey, and 3: scenario-planning workshop) to investigate attitudes and perceptions of natural resource management and cross-boundary collaboration. My first objective focused on determining what prevents Nebraskans from addressing natural resources challenges, considering demographics amongst generations and the type of areas they live in (rural versus urban). The second objective focused on whether landowners engaged with their community in managing natural resources. The third objective was to develop alternative future scenarios for the Denton Hills …

Electrodeposition Parameters Dramatically Influence The Morphology, Stability, And Performance Of N-Si/Pt Light-Addressable Electrochemical Sensors, Jocelyn B. Hernandez, Zackary D. Epright, Irina M. Terrero Rodríguez, Glen D. O'Neil

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Light addressable electrochemical (LAE) sensors have seen great utility in the past several years because they enable multiple localized electrochemical measurements to be performed on a single macroscopic electrode, opening up applications in imaging, biosensing, surface patterning, and multiplexing. In this study, we investigated the effects of electrodeposition on the formation of LAE sensors formed between n-Si and electrodeposited Pt. We prepared sensors by electrodepositing Pt onto freshly-etched n-Si under a variety of conditions, varying the Pt precursor concentration, electrodeposition time, supporting electrolyte, and potential waveform. We characterized the sensors using a combination of atomic force microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, …

Moving Forward To New Educational Realities In The Digital Era: Report Of Edusummit 2023, Michael Phillips, Petra Fisser

Graduate Research - College of Education

Report of the International Summit on ICT Education (EDUsummIT) 2022-23.

This is an Open Access report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en), which permits non-commercial reuse, distribution, and reproduction, provided the original work is properly cited.

Predictive Machine Learning And Its Future In Professional Basketball, Zachary Harmon

Honors College Theses

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an ever-evolving field, transforming various aspects of contemporary life. From language models to immersive gaming experiences, AI technologies have become integral to our daily existence. Among the most promising arenas for AI integration is the world of sports. This research delves into the application of machine learning models to predict NBA game outcomes, shedding light on the profound impact of machine learning in the realm of professional basketball. Beyond the scope of game prediction, this study explores the broader implications, such as optimizing the selection of televised games, assisting players in showcasing their skills, and much …

The Teacher, Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz, Jack Hutchens

Modern Languages and Literatures: Faculty Publications and Other Works

An English translation of the work 'The Teacher' by Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz, translated by Dr. Jack J. B. Hutchens.

Drying Of Mushrooms By Alternative Technologies, Zi̇nnur Yağmur Buğday, Kübra Ertan, Sema Zeren, Serpi̇l Şahi̇n, Servet Gülüm Şümnü

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This review addresses alternative technologies in edible mushroom drying. Principles of application and the literature are highlighted. The objective is to identify and discuss the potential advantages and drawbacks and to elaborate future applications of electrohydrodynamic, freeze, infrared, and microwave technologies in mushroom drying. The advantages of these alternative technologies can be listed as better quality, improved energy efficiency, and reduced processing time. Each method is promising in adding value to dried mushroom products. On the other hand, replacement of the conventional drying technique requires process optimization practices and feasibility analysis, especially for combined applications.

Exploring The Potential Of Osmotic Dehydration With Honey To Develop Value-Addedfood From Watermelon (Citrullus Lanatus) Rind, Jaspreet Kaur, Dilpreet Singh Brar, Vikas Nanda

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study demonstrates the viability of sustainably utilizing watermelon rind, a byproduct, by developing intermediate moisture food (IMF) through osmotic dehydration with honey as a sugar substitute. Response surface methodology and an artificial neural network were employed to optimize the process, and enhanced solid gain and water loss were achieved. The findings revealed that temperature exerted the most significant influence, followed by the solution-to-rind ratio, immersion time, and osmotic solution concentration, impacting water loss and solid gain in the IMF product. The optimized parameters for maximum water loss and solute gain were a temperature range of 330.15–331.15 K, immersion time …

Cereal–Vegetable Intercropping: Hindrances And Strategies To Increase Intercropping, Iqra Zaki̇r, Ahmad Abdul Wahab, Tahira Abbas, Sakeena Tul-Ain Haider, Sobia Irum, Samreen Sabir, Sajjad Hussain, Shakeel Ahmad

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Climate change is the major factor that affects crop yield and productivity in the long term. The changing climate scenario is now impacting farmers’ lands and their outcomes in both developed and developing countries. The intercropping of crop species or varieties that have high arable capability is a promising technique for increasing crop production without increasing agricultural inputs. In intercropping, the selection of varieties, optimum sowing time, method of plant arrangement, and sowing proportion are required to make the design suitable for an intercropping system. Intercropping is one of the most highlighted agronomic practices helping to improve soil health (structure, …

Treatment Of Combined Dye And Protein Wastewater By Coagulation Process, Siriwat Tanongsak

ETD Archive

The treatment of combined dye and protein wastewater is a major environmental concern, due to its complex composition and high organic content. In this study, the effectiveness of the coagulation process for the treatment of combined dye and protein wastewater was investigated. Results of the study showed that the coagulation process was effective in removing suspended solids, color, and organic matter from the combined dye and protein wastewater. The removal efficiency varied depending on the type and dosage of the coagulant used. Among the coagulants tested, alum and ferric chloride were found to be the most effective in removing suspended …

Methods For Objective Determination Of Musculoskeletal Coordinate Systems, Tara Francesca Nagle

ETD Archive

Joint mechanics research relies on joint kinematics and kinetics measurements, represented from relative relationships of local coordinate systems (CS) belonging to bones of the joint. It’s common to define these CSs from anatomical landmarks, which are sensitive to observer variability and often don’t result in CS that best represent the functional motion of the joint. This work is presented in three articles addressing the following aims: 1) to develop a method to objectively define coordinate systems through optimization of unique passive movement paths, 2) to develop an alternative method to objectively define coordinates systems for joints with non-unique passive movement …

Decoding Usage And Adoption Behavior Of The Low-Carbon Transportation Market: An Ai-Driven Exploration, Vuban Chowdhury

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The transportation sector stands as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, with its environmental impact steadily escalating over the past few decades. This has prompted government agencies to facilitate the adoption and usage of low-carbon transportation (LCT) options as alternatives to fossil-fuel-powered transportation. LCTs include modes of transportation that minimize the overall carbon footprint of the transportation sector by relying on energy sources that are environmentally sustainable. These sustainable transportation options have also garnered significant interest in the transportation research community. For government agencies and researchers alike, a comprehensive understanding of the adoption and usage …

Standing On The Edge Of A Dream, Parto Ahmadpour Mobarake

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Standing On the Edge of a Dream delves into the intricate tapestry of lived experiences shaped by relocation, emphasizing the nuanced space that exists between reality and imagination. As an individual who has undergone the transformative journey of immigration, I recognize that the concept of relocation is like standing on the edge of a dream. This notion becomes a living structure, intricately woven with threads from our past, present, and future. My artistic exploration extends beyond my artworks, yet it remains deeply rooted in my personal narratives. The artworks in the exhibition continue to draw inspiration from personal memories and …

Satellite-Based Estimation Of Seasonal Surface Water Change And Its Relationship To Climate Variability In A Tropical Open Basin Lake, Osnar Mondragon Grios

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the spatiotemporal dynamics of climate variability and water surface area in Lake Nicaragua, one of the largest tropical lakes on Earth. The significance of this study lies in its potential to provide valuable insights into the hydroclimatic patterns and water availability, vital for Nicaragua’s water supply. Monthly and seasonal time series of precipitation, land surface temperature, and evapotranspiration (ET), acquired from the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), were analyzed in Google Earth Engine using a non-parametric Mann-Kendall trend test and Sen's slope. The second aim of this …

Assessing The Evaporation Method For Soil-Water Retention Curve Development And Comparison Of Soil-Water Characteristics Across Different Tillage Practices In A Furrow-Irrigated Corn (Zea Mays L.) System, Jeferson Prass Pimentel

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The thesis comprises three studies. The first study in this thesis (Chapter I) focused on a six-year corn field experiment to assess the influence of conservation agricultural practices on soil properties and their long-term effects on water-use efficiency and yield. Non-tillage management did not significantly reduce soil bulk density compared to conventional tillage, as no differences were observed between non-tillage and tillage systems throughout the 6-year experiment. There was no difference in total water-use efficiency among soil management practices in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Even though in one year of the study, a significant 24 kg ha-1 mm-1 improvement …

Environmental And Agronomic Evaluation Of Struvite In Rice Production Systems, Diego Della Lunga

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Furrow-irrigation constitutes an alternative water regime that has been increasingly adopted in Arkansas. Among the management of nutrients in furrow-irrigated systems, phosphorus (P) represents a substantial challenge. The environmental sustainability of rice (Oryza sativa) production systems needs to be evaluated across different water regimes and fertilizer-P sources. Therefore, the objectives of the following studies were to: i) evaluate season-long carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions and global warming potential (GWP) under different tillage treatments [i.e., conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT)] and at different site positions (i.e., up-, mid-, down-slope) along the predominant slope of a production-scale, furrow-irrigated rice …

An Aristotelian Model Of Education, Cecilia Hunt

Aristos

This paper explores a model of education that draws primarily on Aristotle’s philosophy and that of Thomas Aquinas. I discuss the way in which Aristotle’s understanding of education has the broad aim of human flourishing. I argue that an Aristotelian approach to education aims to help students to cultivate moral and intellectual virtue and to love learning, thereby helping students to become critical thinkers who know how to think deeply and live well. In this view, since learning is proper to human beings as rational animals, education is intrinsically valuable, not merely instrumentally valuable. For this reason, I suggest that …

If We Add Axiom Of Choice To Constructive Analysis, We Get Classical Arithmetic: An Exercise In Reverse Constructive Mathematics, Olga Kosheleva, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

A recent paper in Bulletin of Symbolic Logic reminded that the Axiom of Choice is, in general, false in constructive analysis. This result is an immediate consequence of a theorem -- first proved by Tseytin -- that every computable function is continuous. In this paper, we strengthen the result about the Axiom of Choice by proving that this axiom is as non-constructive as possible: namely, that if we add this axiom to constructive analysis, then we get full classical arithmetic.

When Is A Single "And"-Condition Enough?, Olga Kosheleva, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In many practical situations, there are several possible decisions. Any general recommendation means specifying, for each possible decision, conditions under which this decision is recommended. In some cases, a single "and"-condition is sufficient: e.g., a condition under which a patient is recommended to take aspirin is that "the patient has a fever and the patient does not have stomach trouble". In other cases, conditions are more complicated. A natural question is: when is a single "and"-condition enough? In this paper, we provide an answer to this question.

Peer Leader Perspectives From A Pltl Implementation In A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Madhavan Narayanan, Kasey Powers, Dhananjaya Premawardena, Kelly Colby, Janet Liou-Mark, Nagaraj Rao, Davida S. Smyth, Mary Knopp-Kelly

Publications and Research

Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) is a pedagogical approach that has been shown to benefit all students, especially underrepresented minority students and peer leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. In this work, we present results from our study of the impact of PLTL on our peer leaders from a controlled implementation in general biology, general chemistry, and statistics courses at a Hispanic-serving, minority-serving institution. More specifically, we have measured our PLTL program’s impact on our peer leaders' skill development, engagement with the subject material, and sense of belonging as peer leaders. Weekly peer leader reflections analyzed using the …

Adolescent Well-Being And Exclusionary Discipline: A Resiliency Model, Rachel Ballard

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents, especially those with a mental illness, often behave in ways judged to be impulsive, overly emotional, and irresponsible (Gogtay et al., 2004; Lawrence et al., 2015; Tamnes et al., 2010). Many teen behaviors which concern adults can be related to underdeveloped skills or competencies, rate of brain development, or expressions of mental disorders (Casey et al., 2011; Serbin et al., 2011; Spear, 2000). Behaviors commonly associated with adolescence, such as impulsivity, risk-taking, and efforts to fit in with peers, are often seen as a serious threat to school harmony, learning, and student safety, necessitating a disciplinary response from school …

Development Of Back-Scatter And Pile-Up Identification For Ucna+, Amelia Greathouse

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The UCNA Experiment at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) uses

an electron spectrometer to observe angular correlations between the neutron spin and the momenta of beta particles emitted during the process of beta (β) decay. Combined with neutron lifetime measurements, these observations probe physics beyond the standard model. In recent years there has been an effort to modernize the equipment to reduce the physical limitations of the experiment. The new prototype helps to reduce error via use of silicon photo-multipliers (SiPMs) and the SiPMs also have a greater quantum efficiency than the photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). However, there is …

From Workshop To Wind Turbines: Inspiring Middle School Stem Education, Janet Stramel, Paul Adams

Teacher Education Faculty Publications

This initiative was the result of a grant provided by the Kansas NASA Space Grant Consortium (KSGC). Middle school teachers (grades 6-8) in western Kansas actively engaged in a workshop designed to broaden their understanding of wind energy, solar power, and the power grid, aiming to enhance their students' proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through the incorporation of the Next Generation Science Standards Disciplinary Core Ideas related to earth and space science, along with the integration of the Standards for Mathematical Practice, and the practical applications of science education activities developed by the NASA Science Mission Directorate, …

Enhancing The Classification Of Autism Spectrum Disorder From Rs-Fmri Functional Connectivity Data Using Temporal Information, Mihir Yashwant Ingole

Computer Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects the patient’s cognitive development which leads to difficulties in social functioning, daily tasks, and independent living. This necessitates intervention at an early age to take preventive measures and provide vital care. Manual diagnosis methods like Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) assessment adopts symptom-based criteria which typically manifest at a later age. To automate this process, correlations computed from BOLD (Blood Oxygen-level dependent) signals obtained through resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data of patients across sparse brain regions has been used recently as a measure of functional connectivity. The goal of this study is …

Easemarks: Using Secondary Sketch Marks To Author And Communicate Motion Interpolation, Hadrien Nguyen

Computer Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

Motion interpolation is a process where an animator transforms jerky frame transitions into rich motions that communicate anticipation, urgency, hysteresis, and even calmness. Animators leverage mathematical functions known as easing curves to modify the rate at which in-betweens are added to keyframes. While effective, easing curves are tedious to tune since they fundamentally lack the ability to encode spatial information. Inspired by timing charts and other standards from traditional cel animation, we introduce a motion animation technique where secondary marks, which we term EaseMark (e.g., hatches, loops), are used to denote motion interpolation decisions. We synthesize an EaseMark Sketching Language …

Hemln-Sd: Substructure Discovery In Heterogeneous Multilayer Networks, Kiran Bolaj

Computer Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

Graph mining analyzes the real-world graphs for finding core substructures in chemical compounds (e.g., Benzene), identify the structure that occurs frequently in a given graph or forest. These identified structures are important as they reveal an inherent feature or property in the given graph or forest. Substructures represent interesting and repeating patterns found within an application, offering insights into hidden regularities. Therefore, the process of finding these interesting and frequent patterns in an unsupervised manner is known as substructure discovery. SUBDUE was the first main-memory algorithm developed for substructure discovery. Since then, for scalability, the algorithm has been extended to …

Homln-Sd: Substructure Discovery In Homogeneous Multilayer Networks, Arshdeep Singh

Computer Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

Substructure discovery is a process in data analysis and data mining that involves identifying and extracting meaningful patterns, structures, or components within a larger dataset. These substructures can be of various types, such as frequent patterns, motifs, or any other relevant features within the data. The growth of the internet and the proliferation of mobile devices have led to the generation of enormous amounts of data. Companies like Facebook and Twitter can generate large datasets from user interactions on their websites, such as connections between users and user generated content. Moreover, advances in processing power and storage capacity have made …