Digital Commons Network^™

Universal Shape Replication Via Self-Assembly With Signal-Passing Tiles, Andrew Alseth, Daniel Hader, Matthew J. Patitz

Computer Science and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this paper, we investigate shape-assembling power of a tile-based model of self-assembly called the Signal-Passing Tile Assembly Model (STAM). In this model, the glues that bind tiles together can be turned on and off by the binding actions of other glues via “signals”. Specifically, the problem we investigate is “shape replication” wherein, given a set of input assemblies of arbitrary shape, a system must construct an arbitrary number of assemblies with the same shapes and, with the exception of size-bounded junk assemblies that result from the process, no others. We provide the first fully universal shape replication result, namely …

Enhancing Webtas: From An Atam Simulator To A Developmental Environment, Elizabeth G. Schmidt

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

As interest in a niche research area, like the abstract Tile Assembly Model (aTAM), grows it is crucial to ensure that simulation tools are accessible and user-friendly for a broad audience. Existing resources can pose challenges for less experienced users, highlighting the need for enhancements that improve usability and functionality. To address these issues, key upgrades to the current online simulation platform, WebTAS, were implemented, including breakpoint functionality and nondeterminism checks, alongside features such as XML file integration, image capturing, and simulation view resets. These enhancements collectively elevate the platform from a basic learning tool to a comprehensive environment for …

Polarimetry Terahertz Imaging Of Human Breast Cancer Surgical Specimens, Nikita Gurjar, Keith Bailey, Magda O. El-Shenawee

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose

We investigate terahertz (THz) polarimetry imaging of seven human breast cancer surgical specimens. The goal is to enhance image contrast between adjacent tissue types of cancer, healthy collagen, and fat in excised breast tumors. Based on the biological perception of random growth of cancer and invasion of surrounding healthy tissues in the breast, we hypothesize that cancerous cells interact with the THz electric field in a different manner compared with healthy cells. This difference can be best captured using multiple polarizations instead of single polarization.

Approach

Time domain pulsed signals are experimentally collected from each pixel of the specimen …

A Descriptive Case Study Of An Innovative, University-Based Coaching System For Resident Teachers, Matthew J. Wester

Dissertations

Teacher residency programs (TRPs) have emerged over the past two decades as an effective model of teacher preparation. Within this alternative pathway to teacher certification, pre-service teachers, known as resident teachers, engage in a lengthy clinical teaching experience under the guidance of a trained mentor teacher and field supervisor while concurrently completing closely aligned, graduate-level coursework.

A key element of successful teacher residency programs is the use of a structured coaching system to support resident teachers — defined in this study as the components that form the coaching framework for resident teachers within a defined educational context, operating together to …

Comparative Analysis Of Inference Performance Of Pretrained Deep Learning Models In Analog Accelerators, Mafizur Rahman

All Theses

Resistive crossbars using non-volatile memory devices have become promising components for implementing Deep Neural Network (DNN) in hardware. However, crossbar-based computations encounter a notable challenge due to device and circuit-level non-idealities. In this study, we explored three recent crossbar simulation tools, namely, AIHWKIT, CrossSim, and MemTorch, and evaluated four pre-trained DNNs for image classification on CIFAR-100 dataset using these tools. All three tools had strong analog simulation functionalities that effectively mimicked the actual hardware environment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study using all three simulation tools of analog accelerators, representing three distinctive hardware settings, to …

Assessing Reproducibility Challenges In Clinical Metabolics, Darcy Lin Cochran

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Current metabolomics research is expanding to be multiplatform and interdisciplinary. Metabolomic analysis has the potential to provide detailed insight into any biological system of interest to analyze the underlying molecular mechanisms of variables like environment, disease, and genetics. Human clinical metabolomics is a major research area that is often focused on finding biomarkers or panels of biomarkers for different diseases. However, results are difficult to compare across different laboratories since the field of metabolomics has yet to widely adopt best practices for sample preparation, data acquisition and data processing, results are difficult to compare across different laboratories.

This thesis focuses …

Controller Software: Evolution, Identification, And Implementation, Balaji Balasubramaniam

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

In the annals of automation history and advancement, one can find control technology is at the core. Modern-day controllers rely heavily on software capability to provide stability and improve the system's performance. In particular, drone flight controllers use autopilot control software to accomplish autonomous navigation from take-off to landing. However, we know very little about how the controller code modifications and its impact, particularly at the software level. No general framework has been developed to identify the control code changes and observe the real values of software control loops at the kernel layer.

In this thesis, we lay the foundation …

Examining The Use Of Problem Transformation Methods In Multi-Target Regression, Bradley Ryan Smith

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Although the impact of machine learning methods in the educational sciences has been limited, recent opportunities have emerged that can benefit from these flexible methods capable of predicting both linear and non-linear relationships. One emerging area of interest, multi-target regression (MTR), is concerned with the simultaneous prediction of multiple, continuous target variables and is an extension of traditional supervised learning. Problem transformation methods are a subset of MTR methods that seek to exploit the dependencies amongst targets using stacking, chaining, ensembles, or combinations of the three by expanding the Single-Target approach. This is accomplished by using one or more base-learners, …

Deep Learning Vision-Based Bridge Inspection With Resource-Constrained Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Ji Young Lee

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Bridge inspection is critical for ensuring structural integrity, extending the service life of infrastructure, and minimizing maintenance costs. As bridges age and endure increasing loads, regular inspections help detect early signs of wear, such as cracks or corrosion, that could impact safety and performance. However, traditional inspection methods are labor-intensive, requiring significant time, specialized equipment, and manual access to challenging areas, which can lead to costly disruptions. Additionally, reliance on human inspectors introduces subjectivity, with assessments varying by individual expertise. These factors highlight the inefficiencies and safety risks in current inspection practices, underscoring the need for more objective, efficient solutions. …

Examining Factors Of Variance In Energy Metabolism Of Dairy Cattle, Addison Lee Carroll

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Variation is thought to occur in the use of dietary energy for production in dairy cattle. First, variance can be observed when new methane mitigation strategies are fed resulting in increased H₂ output potentially resulting in downstream effects on estimates heat production via the Brouwer (1965) equation. Therefore, in chapter 3 a review was created to systematically describe the mathematics and theory behind the Brouwer equation, and rederive a heat production equation to integrate H₂ production. Results indicate heat production using the classical Brouwer equation (1965) relative to the rederived equation resulted in an overestimation of heat production …

Domain-Specific Machine Learning Approaches For Geospatial Problems, Shine Bedi

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation explores novel algorithms for complex geospatial problems at the intersection of environmental, social, and computational sciences. Emphasizing the unique challenges of the geospatial domain, particularly the deviation from the independent and identical distribution (IID) assumption, the research spans various methodologies across different domains, demonstrating the benefits of specialized approaches in spatial analysis.

First, we show that machine learning techniques can be effectively used in environmental modeling, which often has severe class imbalance challenges. Using artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machines (SVM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB) and techniques to address class imbalance provides insights into groundwater quality …

Mining Work Items To Streamline Software Maintenance Tasks, Salomé Perez-Rosero

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Software engineering maintenance tasks often require associating code changes into groupings of related units of work to have as much information as possible about the developments toward addressing a specific code task. A comprehensive understanding of how a code task has evolved helps developers make better decisions about changes in the overall codebase, where a commit represents the set of code changes made to the codebase at a specific time. While the concept of work items as logically related code changes has been primarily theoretical, its impact on software maintenance tasks, such as tracing the origins of bugs or fixes …

A036: Research On The Impact Of Physical Dance On Body Dissatisfaction Among Female College Students, Hanlu Yang

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: With the exacerbation of social phenomena such as "internal competition" and "labeling," mental health issues among university students, especially anxiety and depression among female students, are becoming increasingly prominent. “Body Dissatisfaction”, recognized as a key factor influencing mental health, has garnered widespread attention from various sectors of society. This study aimed to investigate the impact of physical dance on body dissatisfaction among female college students, with the goal of fostering positive body image and promoting healthy exercise habits.

Method: This study employed a combination of literature review, experimental methods, interviews, field observations, questionnaire surveys, and mathematical statistics. Three measurement …

Reflections On Han Kang’S 2024 Nobel Prize In Literature, John J. Han

KAUPA Letters

No abstract provided.

Leveraging Ai Tools In University Writing Instruction: Enhancing Student Success While Upholding Academic Integrity, Daisuke Akiba, Rebecca Garte

Publications and Research

The emergence of AI-powered Large Language Models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, presents both opportunities and challenges for higher education, particularly regarding academic integrity in writing instruction. This exploratory study examines a novel pedagogical approach that integrates LLMs as required feedback tools in a university-level psychology writing assignment. The exclusive online approach emphasizes improvement through revision, requiring students to obtain AI-generated feedback on ungraded initial drafts based on an instructor-provided rubric, with final assessment focused on the quality of subsequent revisions. Analysis of survey data from 39 undergraduate students, incorporating both quantitative measures and qualitative responses, revealed several …

Investigating The Contribution Of First-Order Streams To Floods In Downstream Water Bodies On The Central Appalachian Plateau., Luke Ott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Flash floods are the costliest natural disaster in Appalachia. The goal of this study is to better understand flood response in headwater streams and the role of these systems in the generation of downstream floods. We applied a process-based hydrologic model using data from the Robinson Forest environmental monitoring network to estimate the contribution of headwaters to downstream floods. We then used the model to understand the effects of landscape disturbance in headwaters on downstream floods. Finally, we developed empirical hydrologic models to identify useful data for predicting downstream peak flood discharge. Results indicate that headwaters in our study catchment …

Development Of Uranium Fluoride Microstructures, Harry Jang

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Uranium microstructured materials with controlled size and shape have found applications in several branches of the nuclear industry including as targets for medical isotopes production, fuels for nuclear reactors, standards for analytical measurements, and energy sources for space exploration. Morphological studies of actinide materials are also highly relevant to nuclear forensics-related work. Other potential applications include information storage, catalysis, sensors, and luminescent devices. Most studies on uranium microstructured materials have focused on binary oxides, nitrides, carbides, and fluorides, with the spherical shape being the dominant morphology. Prior to the work reported in this dissertation, aside from UF4 microspheres (ms) and …

Α-Quartz Plastic Strength Investigation Via Diffraction Experiments On Novaculite Using A D-Dia And Elastic Plastic Self-Consistent Interpretation, Denali Jivanjee Medina

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The plastic response of experimentally deformed quartz provides insight into the strength of ductile shear zones that has implications for tectonic, lithospheric, and ore deposit models. We present a suite of 15 uniaxial deformation experiments on Arkansas novaculite conducted in a DDIA apparatus with in-situ synchrotron x-rays. Experimental temperatures range from 25 C to 1334 C with pressures between 1.39 GPa and 3.1 GPa, and strain rates between 1x10-5 s-1 and 9x10-6 s-1. Macroscopic sample strain ranges from 3% to 24%. d-spacings from the (101), (110), (200), (201), and (112) lattice planes were measured, producing lattice strain up to ~5%. …

Investigation Ionic Polymer Metal Composite Capacitors Through Fabrication, Experimentation, And Modeling, Liya S. Napollion

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The increasing demand for greater energy storage capacity alongside the need to minimize the size of various devices, such as hybrid electric vehicles, medical devices, and pulsed power systems—has highlighted the necessity for advanced polymer film capacitors with high energy density. While traditional batteries and electronic devices have generally sufficed for many applications, their inherent size limitations hinder their ability to deliver the high levels of peak power required for certain demanding applications. This shortfall highlights the critical ongoing challenge within the energy storage sector to improve technology and more effectively meet these growing power requirements. Flexible Ionic Polymer Metal …

Control Of X-Delta Arm And Self-Leveling Robot Systems For Uav Applications, Prathibha Sobha

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The water droplet penetration test (WDPT) is an environmental assessment method for analyzing soil properties by measuring the penetration of water droplets into soil. This test provides insights into soil moisture retention and resilience, especially valuable in fire-prone or arid regions where soil recovery and erosion control are essential. Although this project does not conduct an actual WDPT, it investigates two key robotic systems designed to support such applications: an X-delta robot arm, which simulates precise droplet delivery patterns, and a self-leveling platform that ensures stability on uneven terrain, where the X-delta robot is mounted. Together, these systems examine the …

Fast Neutron & Gamma-Ray Scintillation And Broadband Photoluminescence From Gallium Nitride & Gallium Oxide: Developing Radiation-Hard Diagnostic Platforms, Daniel Jesus Valdes

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Integrated scintillation and electronics processing materials are of critical importance in environments exposed to high levels of radiation, such as nuclear fusion diagnostics and space missions. This dissertation focuses on the radiation detection capabilities of gallium oxide (Ga2O3) and gallium nitride (GaN), exploring their responses to fast neutrons and gamma rays. Using high-energy neutron beam facilities at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) Flight Path 4FP60R, we exposed both Ga2O3 and GaN crystals to neutron irradiation spanning an energy spectrum ranging from 1 to 400 MeV. A Pi-Max 4 fast-gated Intensified CCD (ICCD) camera captured the transient scintillation responses for …

Chatgpt In Higher Education - A Student's Perspective, Ahmed Shuhaiber, Mohammad Amin Kuhail, Sinan Salman

All Works

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of factors influencing students' adoption of ChatGPT within the context of higher education. With the rapid expansion of its user base and its increasing utilization across various fields, there is a pressing need to comprehensively explore students' interactions and experiences with this innovative technology, a topic largely unaddressed in existing literature. This paper aims to identify the factors contributing to ChatGPT's rapid proliferation and to highlight its potential for reshaping higher education. To achieve our research objective, we extend the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) with …

User Acceptance Of Ai Voice Assistants In Jordan's Telecom Industry, Mousa Al-Kfairy, Dheya Mustafa, Ahmed Al-Adaileh, Samah Zriqat, Obsa Sendaba

All Works

Purpose: This study aims to understand factors influencing consumer acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) voice assistants used in customer support within telecom companies in Jordan. Methodology: A survey was conducted involving 248 individuals who have experience with telecom support services. To evaluate consumer acceptance, the study incorporates the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework and extends it with attributes specific to AI, such as Perceived Reliability, Voice Quality, and Quality of Information. Advanced statistical methods, including structural equation modeling with SPSS AMOS 28 and SmartPLS, were utilized to analyze the collected data. Findings: The results revealed …

Human Vs. Ai Counseling: College Students' Perspectives, Mohammad Amin Kuhail, Nazik Alturki, Justin Thomas, Amal K. Alkhalifa

All Works

Transitioning to college life while navigating the complexities of emerging adulthood can be stressful. In some instances, it may even lead to the onset of mental health problems or the exacerbation of existing issues. While therapeutic resources are typically available in tertiary educational contexts, social stigma may lead to service underutilization. Additionally, high student-to-therapist ratios can create bottlenecks to access when such services are sought. Offering an adjunct to traditional campus counseling services, AI chatbots can potentially address such issues. Chatbots can provide flexible, accessible, anonymous, and cost-effective first-line support, improving access and extending traditional treatment methodologies. This study evaluates …

A Novel Approach To Sustainable Behavior Enhancement Through Ai-Driven Carbon Footprint Assessment And Real-Time Analytics, Ahmad Jasim Jasmy, Heba Ismail, Noof Aljneibi

All Works

This research introduces an Artificial Intelligence-driven mobile application designed to help users calculate and reduce their Carbon Footprint (CFP). The proposed system employs an Intelligent Sustainable Behavior Tracking and Recommendation System, analyzing users' carbon emissions from daily activities and suggesting eco-friendly alternatives. It facilitates sustainability discussions through its chat community and educates users on sustainable practices via an intelligent chatbot powered by a sustainability knowledge base. To promote social engagement around sustainability, the application incorporates a competition and reward system. Additionally, it aggregates behavioral data to inform government sustainability policies and address challenges. Emphasizing individual responsibility, the proposed system stands …

Sustainable Energysense: A Predictive Machine Learning Framework For Optimizing Residential Electricity Consumption, Murad Al-Rajab, Samia Loucif

All Works

In a world where electricity is often taken for granted, the surge in consumption poses significant challenges, including elevated CO2 emissions and rising prices. These issues not only impact consumers but also have broader implications for the global environment. This paper endeavors to propose a smart application dedicated to optimizing the electricity consumption of household appliances. It employs Augmented Reality (AR) technology along with YOLO to detect electrical appliances and provide detailed electricity consumption insights, such as displaying the appliance consumption rate and computing the total electricity consumption based on the number of hours the appliance was used. The application …

Students' Perspectives On Co-Creation Opportunities Within Bachelor's, Master's, And Doctoral Level Education Preparation Programs, Oana M. Manta

Dissertations

This study examines Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral students’ experiences with co-creation activities in education programs. Responding to voiced student concerns, it seeks to uncover ways in which students wish to share ownership of the learning process. Additionally, this study aims to contribute students’ thoughts to the existing co-creation literature. Incorporating evidence from a survey and multiple participant interviews, this study demonstrates that students across all three levels of study wish to experience an increase in co-creation activities, but the type and extent vary by level of study. It argues for instructors and overseeing institutions to negotiate, not prescribe, certain aspects …

An Exploration Of The Experiences That Influenced Black Males To Become Information Technology Professionals, Ronnie Mcmillian

Dissertations

Historically, the United States (U.S.) has led the world in the development of innovative high-tech solutions that increased employment opportunities, wages, productivity, and the economic growth of our nation. However, STEM workers are in great need to fill the millions of vacancies in the STEM workforce. Despite the increasing demand for STEM professionals, racial minorities, especially Blacks, continue to be disproportionately underrepresented in STEM. In order to adequately address the STEM workforce problem and remain competitive globally, the U.S. must motivate a much larger cross-section of its population to enter STEM fields. Since Blacks are disproportionately underrepresented in STEM, they …

Effect Of Fathers In Preemie Prep For Parents (P3) Program On Couple’S Preterm Birth Preparedness, Mir A. Basir, Siobhan M. Mcdonnell, Ruta Brazauskas, U. Olivia Kim, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed, Jennifer J. Mcintosh, Kris Pizur-Barnekow, Michael B. Pitt, Abbey Kruper, Steven R. Leuthner, Kathryn E. Flynn

Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

Evaluate the effect of fathers’ participation in the Preemie Prep for Parents (P3) program on maternal learning and fathers’ preterm birth knowledge.

Methods

Mothers with preterm birth predisposing medical condition(s) enrolled with or without the baby’s father and were randomized to the P3 intervention (text-messages linking to animated videos) or control (patient education webpages). Parent Prematurity Knowledge Questionnaire assessed knowledge, including unmarried fathers’ legal neonatal decision-making ability.

Results

104 mothers reported living with the baby’s father; 50 participated with the father and 54 participated alone. In the P3 group, mothers participating with the father (n = 33) had greater …

Demonstrating Feasibility Of Ultrasound-Sensitive Microbubbles Delivery To Treat Disruptions In The Blood Brain Barrier Endothelium, Rubens Jourdain

Theses and Dissertations

Vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) is one of the main causes of dementia. VCID is caused by age and other genetic factors that lead to disruptions in the blood brain barrier (BBB) and allow blood components to enter the brain. The currently available treatments of VCID include opening the BBB with high-frequency-ultrasound to deliver drugs to the brain. However, this only treats the already developed disease. Consequently, we developed a new drug delivery system whose goal is to restore the brain capillary endothelial cells (BCEC) lining the blood vessel. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility …