Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Cascading Optical Processes On Spectroscopic Quantification Of Absorption And Scattering Properties Of Samples, Pathum Dilshan De Silva Wathudura

Theses and Dissertations

Light absorption and scattering are fundamental properties of matter, particularly significant in nanoscale materials. This study explores how cascading optical processes affect the experimental measurement of absorption and scattering intensities, along with scattering depolarization, in samples containing absorbers and scatterers. The experimental UV–vis spectrum results from the combination of absorption and scattering extinction spectra. However, the maximum measurable extinction may be limited by forward scattered light. Light absorption decreases the intensity of scattered light and influences scattering depolarization. While scattering can reduce absorption along the optical path to the detector, sufficient absorption of the scattered light may counterbalance this effect, …

Analysis Of Cortical Evoked Auditory Response Detection In Adults Using Machine Learning, Pranavi Beerelli

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on the use of machine learning (ML) techniques to automate the detection of Cortical Evoked Auditory Responses (CEARs), which are key in understanding how the auditory cortex processes sound stimuli. Traditionally, analyzing these auditory responses has relied on manual interpretation by audiologists, a process that can introduce variability and human error, particularly in complex cases. To address this challenge, the research utilizes advanced deep learning models, including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) networks, and Bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM) architectures, to analyze Electroencephalography (EEG) data and classify the presence or absence of auditory responses automatically. …

Serving Students With Specific Learning Disabilities: Identifying Prevalent Eligibility Practices In Mississippi, Phyllis Marie Yucatonis

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the determination eligibility practices for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) within Mississippi school districts, framed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA) and Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) guidelines. A survey of 139 educational professionals in Mississippi offered insights into the methods preferred for determining SLD eligibility and the decision-making factors at the district level. The study examined commonly used methods for determining SLD, the challenges faced during the process, the need for professional development, the impact of educator demographics on SLD determination eligibility and general satisfaction with the SLD eligibility determination process. It also explored …

Evaluation Of The Physical And Mechanical Properties Of Hardwoods And Softwood Cross Laminated Timber, Richard Olakunle Omotayo

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is focused on the evaluation of cross laminated timber made from southern pine lumber and low-grade hardwood species (which included red oak, sweetgum, and yellow poplar) growing in the southeastern part of the United States. The properties of interest were density, modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and dynamic modulus of elasticity (dMOE). Mechanical testing using static bending technique was used to determine MOE and MOR and non-destructive technique (NDT) was used to predict dMOE. The results from mechanical testing showed that over 98% of low-grade hardwood CLT samples exceeded 8300 MPa. This proved the suitability …

Investigations Of Guayule Resin As A Wood Protectant, Queen Aguma

Theses and Dissertations

Wood products are subject to deterioration by numerous processes, as a biological material. Today, a significant area of preservative development is the utilization of existing plant residues that have water-repelling, antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal properties as components of wood protectants. Parthenium argentatum, known as guayule (wy-oo-lee), is a promising wood protectant due to its resin. However, the resin's complicated chemical, physical, and solvent-resistant properties make it difficult to use. The primary goal of this study was to eliminate the use of any solvent and rely on thermal modification only to fractionate usable compounds from guayule resin. Utilizing heated dialysis and …

Deep Learning - Based Automated Detection And Classification Of Foreign Materials In Poultry Using Color And Hyperspectral Imaging, Rohini Maram

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the use of Deep learning for detection and classification of small foreign materials (FMs) in poultry meat using color and hyperspectral imagery (HSI). The study employs You only look once (YOLO) object detection models on color images for precise localization, and one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D CNN), two-dimensional convolutional neural network (2D CNN) was used on HSI (600 – 1700 nm) for classification. Twelve different FMs commonly known as polymers including PVC, PET, LDPE and HDPE, were examined using 52 color and 52 hyperspectral images. Four YOLO models (v5x, v7x, v8x, v10x) were implemented, trained, tested and …

Survival Analysis In The Presence Of Independent Or Dependent Censoring, Sakie Jaladha Arachchige

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation has three parts. The first part proposes a two-stage estimation procedure for a copula-based model with semi-competing risks data, where the nonterminal event is subject to dependent censoring by the terminal event. Under a copula-based model, the marginal survival functions of individual event times are specified by semiparametric transformation models, and a parametric copula function specifies the between-event dependence. The parameters associated with the marginal of the terminal event are first estimated, and the marginal parameters for the non-terminal event time and the copula parameter are second estimated via maximizing a pseudo-likelihood function based on the joint distribution …

On Topological Measures And Network Vulnerability Patterns: A Review And Comparative Analysis, Saviz Saei

Theses and Dissertations

Despite much hope for climate change to slow down or even reverse, younger generations face a future overshadowed by extreme events. The indisputable reality is that unless the United Nations establishes comprehensive and sustained climate justice policies, children today will experience five times more extreme events than those that took place a century ago. On Monday, July 3rd of 2023, an unprecedented peak in global temperatures was documented, marking the highest global temperature ever recorded, as the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction reported. These increasing temperatures indicate the ongoing and intensifying phenomenon of climate change, which amplifies the frequency …

Improved Vector Pruning For Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes, Thomas Jonathan Bowman

Theses and Dissertations

Exact dynamic programming algorithms for planning problems that are represented as partially observable Markov decision processes rely on a subroutine that removes, or ``prunes", dominated vectors from sets of vectors that represent piecewise-linear and convex value functions. The classic vector pruning subroutine solves one linear program per vector, where the number of variables is equal to the size of the state space and the number of constraints is equal to the number of vectors shown so far to be undominated. Thus, its scalability is limited not only by the number of linear programs it solves, but especially by their size. …

Mapping Invasive Aquatic Plants Using Deep Learning Classification And Segmentation Models, Ruchitha Yadav Prakash

Theses and Dissertations

High-resolution imagery from Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) equipped with multispec tral(MSI) and RGB sensors can be used for mapping invasive aquatic species. This research employs classification models like CNN, AlexNet, VGG16, ResNet, and DenseNet, alongside segmentation models such as FCN, U-Net, SegNet, DeepLabV3+, and Mask R-CNN, to analyze and visualize four invasive aquatic species including Cuban Bulrush (Oxycaryum cubense), Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Juncus (Juncus effusus), and Cattail (Typha latifolia). Among the tested models, ResNet (97.44% for RGB)andDenseNet(96.20%forMSI)exhibitedthehighest classification accuracies. For segmentation tasks, FCN (75.5% for RGB) and SegNet (79.6% for MSI) excelled. The study also examines the computational complexity …

A Supervised Machine Learning Statistical Design Of Experiment Approach To Modeling The Barriers To Effective Snakebite Treatment In Ghana, Eric Nyarko, Edmund F. Agyemang, Ebenezer Kwesi Ameho, Louis Agyekum, José María Gutiérrez, Eduardo Alberto Fernandez

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background

Snakebite envenoming is a serious condition that affects 2.5 million people and causes 81,000–138,000 deaths every year, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. The World Health Organization has set a goal to halve the deaths and disabilities related to snakebite envenoming by 2030. However, significant challenges in achieving this goal include a lack of robust research evidence related to snakebite incidence and treatment, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to combine established methodologies with the latest tools in Artificial Intelligence to assess the barriers to effective snakebite treatment in Ghana.

Method

We used a MaxDiff statistical experiment design …

First-Principles Studies On The Electronic And Optical Properties Of Corundum Samples From The Tanga Region, Esther J. Tarimo Tarimo, Pulapa V Kanaka Rao, F.M. Stanley

Tanzania Journal of Science

The characteristics of corundum are significant as they provide accurate identification supporting its diverse applications, facilitating the development of advanced materials, and ensuring its optimal use across various fields. Corundum alumina (α-Al2O3) samples collected from the Tanga mining region were characterized for crystallographic information using XRD analysis. This crystallographic information was used to build the crystal system of the sample in Biovia Materials Studio modelling and simulation software. The electrical and optical properties of this sample were examined by applying first-principles density functional theory and Generalized Gradient Approximations. For the calculations, a sampling mesh of 6×6×2 k-points, with an energy …

Re: Comment Letter For Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Residential Metals Abatement Program (Rmap) Plan (Dated October 29, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Positive Solutions For Classes Of Nonlinear Boundary Value Problems, Bandar Alreshidi

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we study the existence and uniqueness of positive solutions for classes of nonlinear boundary value problems. In the first study, we the ��-superlinear case, we prove the existence of a large positive solution when a parameter is small and if, in addition, the reaction term satisfies a concavity-like condition at the origin, the existence of two positive solutions for a certain range of the parameter. In the ��-sublinear case, we establish the existence of a large positive solution when a parameter is large. We also investigate the number of positive solutions for the general ��-Laplacian with nonlinear …

An Open-Source, Student-Centric Approach To The Cyber Kill Chain, Justin Lane Wooten

Theses and Dissertations

The cybersecurity landscape demands professionals with practical skills and a deep understanding of attack methodologies. However, many institutions face significant challenges in providing comprehensive cybersecurity education due to the high costs associated with commercial tools and platforms. This thesis presents a student-centric, open-source curriculum for teaching the Cyber Kill Chain, designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application while addressing the financial constraints faced by many educational institutions. Our approach leverages freely available tools and hands-on exercises to cover each phase of the Cyber Kill Chain, emphasizing ethical considerations and collaborative learning. We detail the curriculum development …

Evaluation And Characterization Of Two Capacitive Sensors For Cotton Moisture Measurement In Static And Dynamic Modes For Real-Time Use In Cotton Gin, Sushma Perati

Theses and Dissertations

Two capacitive sensors, a commercial FP-32C and a custom design capacitor plate were evaluated for real-time cotton moisture content (MC%) measurement in ginning environment. The sensors were able to measure MC ranges of 3.56%–19.7% and 4.56%–21.04% MC for FP-32C and custom capacitor pate, respectively. In dynamic mode, the ranges were 4.9%–14.5% and 4.9%–14.7% respectively. Results showed that measurements of both sensors had strong correlations with results obtained from oven method. A comparison of moisture content measurement methods using a moisture balance (M5 Thermo 163M,) and oven method was conducted with the result showing that Lint-Only samples were the most closely …

Study The Effects Of Temperature On Laser Cladding Process With Two Different Geometries Using Comsol Multiphysics, Luban Hamdy Hameed Al-Qudsy

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

Due to the advancement of laser material processing and the high-demand of high-quality processing, COMSOL Multiphyiscs emerges as a powerful solution to the problem, offering multiple simulation in virtual environment with both 2D and 3D geometries. In this work, we aim to study the effects of thermal properties on the laser cladding using both 2D and 3D geometries with Nickle and Copper as promising candidates for rapid processing of materials. The work was done on a personal computer using commercially-available package of COMSOL Multiphysics 5.0. Results shows a notable increment of heat affected zone when the laser power increased. Additionally, …

Ecological Niches Applied To Socioeconomic Phenomena: The Case Of The Colombian Internal Conflict, Alexander Alegría, Laura Jiménez, Jhon Jairo Alvarado-Quintero

Peace and Conflict Studies

Recent studies of the Colombian conflict have shown that struggle for resource accumulation and territorial control, in a very competitive and violent environment in which the illegal armed groups are involved, is crucial to their survival and development. Here, we applied a highly successful methodology from ecology (Ecological Niche Modelling) to the problem of identifying the ideal socioeconomic conditions for the presence of a Colombian illegal armed group, named the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). We analyzed some determining factors of FARC´s presence and permanence within the Colombian territory that reflect aspects of the socioeconomic dynamics and productive capacity …

Wildlife Ambassadors, Carissa Lukac, Ibrahim Bhutta, Sunishka Deshpande, Amogh Jani

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

Students at Purdue University are largely unaware of conservation efforts and research being done by both their fellow students and local organizations. This is why under the guidance of our mentor and as a part of the HIFI Lab, our group, the Wildlife Ambassadors, has created a website meant to push ecological efforts at Purdue University. This is done through the use of animal ambassadors, including but not limited to a wolf at Wolf Park, a local organization with which this project has been conducted in correspondence. This website will integrate and display the work of over three dozen other …

Promoting Cultural Belonging Through The Arts: Community Partner Snapshot Of Latino Art Midwest, Kayla Vasilko

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

Kayla Vasilko just completed her Master’s degree in communication with a focus on semiotics and the impact of higher education on positive social change in the Purdue Graduate School and the PNW Department of Communication and Creative Arts. While earning her degree, she had the opportunity to complete a service-learning project to celebrate Spanish culture through the arts and work the community partner Latino Art Midwest. Latino Art Midwest works to promote understanding of the role of arts and creative expression among Midwestern Latina/o communities. Students can explore their site, “view the art, and interpret the unique qualities of Latina/o …

Profile Interview With Dr. Nadine Dolby, Ian Heinig, Nikhil Gloyeske

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

No abstract provided.

Jovial Family Farm Facilitates Intergenerational Learning Opportunities Through Urban Farming, Maera Williams

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

Maera Williams is a sophomore in Environmental and Ecological Engineering at Purdue University. She joined the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) Urban Farming team as a freshman and now serves as project manager of ten undergraduate students collaborating with Jovial Family Farm to design and develop three indoor hydroponics systems for a laboratory space on their property in Broad Ripple, IN. Jovial Family Farm is a nonprofit organization founded by Drs. Bobbie and Brian Jellison with the mission to provide senior citizens, their families, and their communities with meaningful engagement opportunities on an intergenerational scale through urban agricultural activities. …

Editorial, Elizabeth B. Brite

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

No abstract provided.

"Pedagogic Invasion": The Thomasites In Occupied Philippines, Dinah Roma-Sianturi

Kritika Kultura

The early education of the Philippines by American voluntary teachers (the Thomasites) is often hailed as a laudatory project. However, education can be a deceptive gift. The ethnographic writings of the Thomasite teachers, like Mary Fee’s A Woman’s Impressions of the Philippines, reveal that these well-meaning American teachers had their own colonial opinion of their Filipino students. Perhaps unwittingly, the Thomasite teachers were still part of the American colonial education policy. Most especially, the memoir writings reveal a perception of Filipino males as effeminate and childlike, an opinion that did much to legitimize the American colonial mandate.

Keep It Real! Introducing A Four-Part Framework For Real-World Math Teaching In The Secondary Classroom, Patrick Mcguire

Colorado Mathematics Teacher

Drawing upon research-based best practices and previous literature, this article introduces a four-part “REAL” framework (Relevance, Equity, Application, and Leveraging Technology) to help secondary math teachers integrate real-world activities in their classrooms. The article provides an example of a REAL-world activity, “The 8^th Billion Baby” (Yummy Math; https://yummymath.com/post/the-8th-billion-baby/) further demonstrating how secondary mathematics teachers can move from theory to practice. The article concludes with a curated list of recommended resources designed to support real-world teaching and learning in secondary mathematics classrooms.

Michigan Academician, Volume 49, Issue 1

Michigan Academician

2024 Conference Abstracts

Investigation Of Real-Time Gaseous Thermal Decomposition Products Of Representative Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas), Kateřina Litvanová, Bethany Klemetstrud, Feng Xiao, Alena Kubatova

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The thermal decomposition of per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is poorly understood. Here, we present an innovative, comprehensive analytical method to investigate their thermal decomposition, including perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), alcohol, sulfonates, and GenX (acid dimer), focusing on identifying their breakdown products. In this study, evolved gas analysis–mass spectrometry (EGA-MS) was used for fast real-time screening to determine the significant temperatures to be investigated with the thermal desorption-pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD-Py-GC-MS), which provided detailed information about evolved PFAS and their breakdown products. This approach enabled a systematic study of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) ranging from C₃ to …

Special Education Teachers’ Perceptions Regarding The Inclusion Of Students With Learning Disabilities In Assistive Technology, George Edward Avent

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Special education teachers do not always include assistive technology (AT) in instructional practices to promote the academic success of students with learning disabilities. The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons special education teachers only sometimes include the use of AT in instructional practices. The conceptual framework was observational learning theory, also known as social learning theory, which focuses on human learning patterns based on observations of other human beings. A basic qualitative design with open-ended, semistructured interviews was used. The participants included 12 special education teachers from the school study site. The research questions framed the study’s …

School Principals’ Perception On Their Job Satisfaction, Arti Narayan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The school principal’s roles have become quite complex and strenuous causing an impact on school principals’ job satisfaction. The problem that was addressed through this basic qualitative study was the low job satisfaction of school principals at a school district in California. The framework used for the study was the job demands and resource theory. The purpose of this research study was to examine the perceptions of TK-12 school principals regarding their job satisfaction based on the job demands and resource framework. Using a basic qualitative research design, data were gathered through semistructured interviews with nine school principals out of …

2024 December 12 - Tennessee Weekly Drought Summary, Tennessee Climate Office, East Tennessee State University

Tennessee Climate Office Weekly Drought Summaries

No abstract provided.