Digital Commons Network^™

Application Of Fusion Based Deep Learning Models To Improve Millimeter Wave Beamforming, Abishek Subramanian

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This study addresses the challenge of selecting millimeter Wave (mmWave) beamforming pairs for vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, to mitigate latency in highly dynamic vehicular environments. We investigate the use of out-of-band sensor data as side information to model mmWave ray tracing paths and predicting a subset of top-K optimal beamforming pairs for efficient and low-latency searches. Unimodal-Fusion Deep Learning (F-DL) networks was applied to enhance mmWave beamforming process. We started by first investigating the centralized architecture, and then explored a novel distributed architecture through federated learning to minimize resource and latency overheads. The distributed architecture incorporates two biased client selection strategies: …

Aluminum Critical Mineral Production Feasibility Via Landfill Mining: Preliminary Study Of Potential Project Locations And Co-Benefits, Anabel M. Needham

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In 2022, aluminum was named a critical mineral by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the global demand for aluminum is projected to increase by 40% from 2020 to 2030 (Aleksić 2023). There are currently no large-scale bauxite mines in the United States to contribute to aluminum production, and this study aims to investigate the feasibility of aluminum landfill mining in the United States to produce secondary aluminum. The feasibility of landfill mining for the purpose of recovering materials and energy is a relatively new technology, and often co-benefits are required to make these projects economically viable. Publicly available …

Understanding Subtle Gender Bias Recognition Among Witnesses In A Stem Undergraduate Context, Darnishia Lashalle Morris

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This dissertation builds on knowledge of how witnesses recognize subtle gender bias (often referred to as gendered microaggressions) in a STEM undergraduate context. This body of work provides a better understanding of the implications of observing these events of subtle bias and the role that recognition plays in providing opportunities to adopt stereotype defying behaviors. The impressions and influences on both witnesses who belong to the marginalized group (target witnesses) and those in majority groups (non-target witnesses) were examined. Three interrelated studies explored how recognition might disrupt the cyclic impact of subtle gender bias when participants witness collaborative STEM team …

Using A Reverse Visually Guided Reaching Task To Distinguish Between Healthy Aging And Early Alzheimer’S Disease, Brandon Woolman

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Changes in motor behavior may function as a proxy for cognitive decline. While Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with impairments in learning and memory, recent studies suggest that subtle changes in motor task performance may reflect early cognitive changes. For example, the visuomotor rotation task that manipulates visual feedback about hand position during reaching movements, can be used to examine cognitive changes in aging populations. The current study used the reverse visually guided reaching task (rVGR) which rotates visual feedback of participant’s hand position 180⁰ relative to the actual hand position. We sought to expand on previous literature by recruiting …

Exploring The Molecular Pathways Of Cell Death Induced By Pde3 Modulators, Aqsa Ahsan

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Metabolic dysregulation, a critical hallmark of cancer, predisposes potential vulnerabilities for the development of targeted therapy. LKB1, a pivotal metabolic regulator and tumor suppressor, is often lost in many cancers. Our laboratory has unveiled that LKB1 suppresses phosphodiesterases (PDEs), and PDE3 modulators can selectively eradicate LKB1-deficient tumor cells. Through metabolic gene sgRNA library screening, Sarcolipin, an inhibitor of Sarcoendoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase (SERCA), emerged as essential for cell death in this context. However, the precise molecular mechanisms by which PDE3 modulators exert their effects remain elusive. This study aims to uncover these mechanisms via RNA-Seq profiling and differential gene analysis, …

Gravity Fed Hopper Flow Of Bulk Solids For Lunar Isru, Jason Bendixen Noe

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

With the return to the moon in the decade of the 2020s, there has been a renaissance of lunar technology development and innovation. This has been particularly true for the area of lunar ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization). One key area in ISRU that has been neglected is lunar regolith storage hopper research. Many lunar regolith ISRU researchers use storage hoppers in their work but do not document the properties when designing the hoppers or do not have the information at hand. Because of this, hopper design and documentation are poorly understood, and more research is needed. Hoppers are vital for …

Confronting The Wildfire Crisis: Understanding Equity And Decision-Making In Wildfire Management Strategies, Katherine Huerta Sanchez

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This study investigates how fuel managers incorporate equity and social vulnerability considerations into wildfire fuel reduction treatments on National Forest land and explores the resulting impact on the implementation of wildfire risk reduction policies. Through interviews, managers revealed differing perspectives on prioritizing social vulnerability characteristics and challenges such as insufficient information and resources to inform equitable fuel treatment decisions. These findings illuminate the complexities of integrating considerations of social vulnerability into decision-making processes for wildfire management at the wildland-urban interface, suggesting potential divergence from nationally supported policies aimed at equitably implementing wildfire risk reduction measures. The study findings underscore the …

Restoration Is Repairing Relationships: Bridging Indigenous And Western Sciences To Assess The Socio-Ecological Restoration Of Wild Rice (Zizania Palustris) On Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Homelands, Cassandra M. Reed-Vandam

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Manoomin (wild rice, Zizania palustris) is an ecologically and culturally significant plant relative for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). Historically, manoomin was present across much of the Great Lakes, however, their presence has declined since the early 1900s and, by 1990, virtually disappeared within KBIC homelands. Employing ethnography, surveys, focus groups, and conversations with Ojibwa knowledge holders, this research defined successful manoomin restoration for KBIC and developed socio-ecological attributes and indicators to assess restoration presented in the Medicine Wheel Framework for Manoomin Restoration. Surface water, sediment, and pore water samples at six different manoomin sites were analyzed to …

Mechanical Properties And Cycling Fatigue Of Zn-Based Alloys: Effects Of Thermal Treatment, Henry D. Summers

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Zinc (Zn)-based alloys are attractive candidate materials for constructing bioresorbable coronary stents because of their near-ideal corrosion properties and biocompatibility. These alloys are primarily strengthened through alloying and thermomechanical processing by solid solution strengthening, grain refinement, and precipitate strengthening. The microstructural features responsible for these strengthening mechanisms are controlled through the thermal treatment of the alloys. While the static mechanical properties of Zn alloys have been studied, a gap in the literature remains related to their mechanical stability under dynamic loading conditions (fatigue) and creep, especially while subjected to physiological conditions. This work aims to characterize the effects of thermal …

Assessing Wave Dynamics Induced Coastal Flooding Along The Southern Shores Of Lake Superior, Saumik Mallik

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This study provides a comprehensive assessment of coastal hazards along the southern shores of Lake Superior, encompassing the interplay of static water levels, surges, and the amplifying effects of wave dynamics. Employing 51 years of historical water level data from five gauge stations in the US portion of Lake Superior, the study conducts extreme value analysis to estimate return levels over various return periods (25, 50, 100, and 500 years) for static water levels and surges. In parallel, Significant Wave Heights (SWH) data generated from the Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) model is calibrated through a multi-step procedure based on historical …

Transient Simulations Of Power Systems With Inverter Interfaced Resources, Gaurish Shreedhar Gokhale

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Renewable energy sources are interfaced with the electrical grid using power electronic inverters. These inverter-interfaced resources have been deployed for nearly 20 years. Still, NERC only recently highlighted the vast gap between the actual behavior of these inverters during power system transients and those observed in simulations. Simulation models need significant improvements, mainly for developing accurate inverter current controls, phase-locked loops, and fault response during different power priority modes. Additionally, only time-domain electromagnetic transient simulation tools can fully represent the fault response of the inverter-interfaced resources.

The developed simulation model of the inverter-interfaced resource is based on the recommendations made …

From Technical Resolution To Agile Evolution: A Blended Role At Humane Interface Design Enterprise (Hide), Ketansingh Anil Patil

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This report provides a comprehensive overview of my journey through two distinct roles at the Humane Interface Design Enterprise (HIDE) - as a Technical Consultant in Spring 2023 and an Agile Process Analyst in Fall 2023. My tenure as a Technical Consultant was marked by the application of academic knowledge and technical skills to tackle real-world challenges at HIDE, leveraging experiences from my capstone projects and my roles in the industry as an IT Analyst Intern at Milwaukee Tool and a Data Engineer at UST. This role at HIDE enhanced my problem-solving skills and contributed to the progress of the …

An Incremental Multiscale Non–Linear Manifold Approximation Method, Praveen T.W. Hettige

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Analyzing high-dimensional data exposes the challenge associated with the "curse of dimensionality", making data analysis computationally intensive. To tackle this, dimension reduction techniques play a pivotal role in simplifying high-dimensional data. These methods can be categorized into two groups: linear and non-linear dimension reduction, with the latter accommodating complex data structures.

Our focus is on the development of an incremental non-linear dimension reduction method for streaming data based on the Geometric Multi-Resolution Analysis framework. The primary goal is to assess the incremental GMRA's effectiveness compared to the batch GMRA approach and overcome key challenges specific to streaming data scenarios.

Key …

Dependence Of Energy Transfer On Curvature Similarity In Collisions Involving Curved Shock Fronts, Justin Cassell

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In high-speed collisions of projectiles, pressure exerted by a resulting shock wave is so high that even solids begin to flow and hydrodynamics becomes relevant. Jetting results from hydrodynamic instability driving the evolution of an interface following shock loading. Our emphasis in this dissertation is mitigation of instabilities via several shocks and, specifically, the transfer of energy from a shock wave to another object. To that end, in 2022 and 2023 while on-site, we adapted Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to explore the effects of shock front geometry on the transfer of energy during shock collisions via numerous computer simulations. …

On Graph Decompositions And Designs: Exploring The Hamilton-Waterloo Problem With A Factor Of 6-Cycles And Projective Planes Of Order 16, Zazil Santizo Huerta

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This dissertation tackles the challenging graph decomposition problem of finding solutions to the uniform case of the Hamilton-Waterloo Problem (HWP). The HWP seeks decompositions of complete graphs into cycles of specific lengths. Here, we focus on cases with a single factor of 6-cycles. The dissertation then delves into the construction of 1-rotational designs, a concept from finite geometry. It explores the connection between these designs and finite projective planes, which are specific geometric structures. Finally, the dissertation proposes a potential link between these seemingly separate areas. It suggests investigating whether 1-rotational designs might hold the key to solving unsolved instances …

The Integration Of Neuromorphic Computing In Autonomous Robotic Systems, Md Abu Bakr Siddique

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have come a long way in many cognitive tasks by training on large, labeled datasets. However, this method has problems in places with limited data and energy, like when planetary robots are used or when edge computing is used [1]. In contrast to this data-heavy approach, animals demonstrate an innate ability to learn by communicating with their environment and forming associative memories among events and entities, a process known as associative learning [2-4]. For instance, rats in a T-maze learn to associate different stimuli with outcomes through exploration without needing labeled data [5]. This learning paradigm …

Exploring Usability In Exercise Interventions: From Conceptualization To Measurement And Application, Anne Inger Mørtvedt

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Exercise interventions hold promise for preventing and treating numerous conditions, diseases, and injuries. However, these interventions will only be effective if they are being used. Unfortunately, uptake and adherence to prescribed exercise and physical activity guidelines are insufficient. Some reasons for this include lack of knowledge, resources, flexibility, and enjoyment. Exercise program developers need to not only consider the effectiveness of the program during the development phase, but also involve end-users and receive feedback on program usability to determine likelihood of uptake and adoption. Usability testing can be used to detect barriers to use and implementation likelihood but has not …

Discontinuous Galerkin Methods For Compressible Miscible Displacements And Applications In Reservoir Simulation, Yue Kang

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This dissertation contains research on discontinuous Galerkin (DG) methods applied to the system of compressible miscible displacements, which is widely adopted to model surfactant flooding in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques. In most scenarios, DG methods can effectively simulate problems in miscible displacements.
However, if the problem setting is complex, the oscillations in the numerical results can be detrimental, with severe overshoots leading to nonphysical numerical approximations. The first way to address this issue is to apply the bound-preserving
technique. Therefore, we adopt a bound-preserving Discontinuous Galerkin method
with a Second-order Implicit Pressure Explicit Concentration (SIPEC) time marching
method to …

Integrating Arcgis And Redux Using Middleware, Vishnu Vardhan Reddy Rapuru

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The integration of ArcGIS with Redux through middleware presents a novel approach to managing state in geospatial applications. This report outlines the process and benefits of combining ArcGIS’s robust mapping and analytics capabilities with Redux’s predictable state container for JavaScript apps. It begins with an introduction to both technologies, followed by a detailed discussion on the architecture design, focusing on the role of middleware as the linchpin in this integration[1]. The paper highlights the benefits, such as improved state management and application performance, and addresses the challenges encountered during the integration process. Implementation details are provided, including the setup of …

Optimizing Php Api Calls With Pagination And Caching, Parsharam Reddy Sudda

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The Keweenaw Time Traveler (KeTT) project is devoted to mapping the historical and social landscapes of the Keweenaw Peninsula. During the project, it was discovered that the server-side performance needed improvement. To address this issue, the "Optimizing PHP API Calls with Pagination and Caching" initiative was launched. This initiative focused on refining API calls, implementing server caching and pagination, and fortifying security against common vulnerabilities. The project successfully mitigated risks associated with SQL Injection and XSS through meticulous code enhancements while improving error handling. Additionally, the introduction of Scroll-Induced Pagination optimized data delivery, significantly reducing response times, and elevating the …

Gis-Based Landscape Prioritization To Guide Invasive Species Survey, Erin R. Mauk

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Utilizing prioritization models gives invasive species managers the capability to systematically target surveying and management toward priority areas, therefore maximizing limited financial resources by increasing the value that management can have on the landscape. In this report, Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were utilized to produce an invasion risk model and a quality land model. Combining these two models produced a landscape-level prioritization model, which denoted the land quality and associated invasion risk across the study area. High-quality land was commonly distributed within Isle Royale National Park, along Lake Superior’s coastline, and within coastal wetlands and riparian habitats. Areas of …

Matrix Stiffness Sensing By Nascent Adhesions And The Role Of Riam In Adhesion Assembly, Nikhil Mittal

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Mechanical stiffness of the extracellular matrix (ECM) impacts many cellular functions such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation. ECM stiffness is sensed by a cell via integrin-based focal adhesions (FAs) by changing conformation and biochemical activities of molecules within FAs by the exchange of the force between the ECM and filamentous actin (F-actin). Cells in turn respond to this stiffness by generating traction force that plays an important role in many biological events such as tissue morphogenesis, stem cell differentiation, wound healing, and cancer cell metastasis. The stiffness of the extracellular matrix induces differential tension within integrin-based adhesions. Understanding stiffness sensing …

Anomaly Mapping Of Heavy And Light Rare Earth Elements In Central Upper Peninsula Of Michigan Using Geostatistics And Fractal Analysis, Sunday Joseph

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Rare earth elements (REEs) have gained significant global importance due to their critical role in supporting the transition towards reduced carbon emissions through industrial applications. REEs serve as essential raw materials for various critical components in modern infrastructure, defense systems, and technological advancements. Geochemical and geophysical data are pivotal in assessing the potential of REEs. Geochemical data provide direct insights into the elemental composition of rocks and soils, offering valuable information on the potential presence and dispersion of REEs. However, the complex geological processes that influence the distribution of REEs often exhibit intricate spatial patterns that may not be fully …

Study Of Particle Accelerators In The Universe With The Hawc Observatory, Rishi Babu

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

HESS J1809-193 is an unidentified TeV source discovered in 2007 by the High Energy Stereoscopic System(H.E.S.S.) Collaboration. The emission originates in a region that is rich in cosmic-ray accelerators, including several supernova remnants and pulsars, including SNR G11.1+0.1, SNR G11.0-0.0, and the young radio pulsar PSR J1809-1917. Originally classified as a pulsar wind nebula candidate, recent studies show the peak of the TeV region overlapping with a system of molecular clouds and revising the original classification for other scenarios, including a pure hadronic scenario. This dissertation presents the morphological and spectral study of HESS J1809-193 using 2139 days of data …

Developing Robust Autonomous Vehicles With Ros, Dylan J. Kangas

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The demand for autonomous vehicles (AVs) is rising across both military and civilian sectors. These unmanned systems offer numerous advantages, such as improved efficiency, safety, and adaptability. Addressing this demand requires the development of resilient and versatile autonomous vehicles crucial for the transport and reconnaissance markets.

The sensory perception of autonomous vehicles of any kind is paramount to their ability to navigate and localize in their environment. Factors such as sensor noise, erroneous readings, and deliberate attacks should all be considered when developing a robust autonomous system. This work aims to quantify the degradation of sensor data which causes mapping …

Anaerobic Reductive Bioleaching Of Manganese Ores, Neha Sharma

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Manganese extraction by biological methods is a green and economical way to produce manganese from low as well as high grade manganese ores. This is especially important for US ores, which are primarily either small in extent, low-grade with a high iron content, or both. They are therefore not suitable for conventional mining, which is very capital-intensive and requires a large up-front investment and are therefore imported at high costs. The goal is therefore to develop a process that can be applied at small scales, with minimal startup costs, and low equipment and labor requirements. It is also critical to …

Wave Energy Converter Wave Force Prediction Using A Neural Network, Morgan Kline

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Due to the unpredictable nature of large bodies of water, wave energy can be a difficult renewable resource to rely on. One way to make Wave Energy Converters (WECs) more efficient is to apply a control strategy. In many control solutions, it is assumed that the wave excitation force is known into the future. In many instances, especially with complex waveforms, this is simply not the case. Simulation studies have shown the promise of wave force prediction using neural networks. This study demonstrates this experimentally and aims to characterize the important factors when designing such a network. Several wave elevation …

Assessing The Nutritional Quality And Fate Of Saginaw Bay Dreissenid Mussel Veligers, Mitch R. Kehne

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The introduction and establishment of dreissenid species including zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga (D. bugensis) mussels into the Laurentian Great Lakes has resulted in significant biological and ecological change over the past 30 years. Much of the current research completed to date on understanding dreissenid mussel impacts in the Great Lakes has primarily focused on the adult life stages with less known about the larval veliger form. The goals of this thesis were to; i) investigate veliger energy densities and fatty acid profiles to compare and contrast these nutritional metrics against pelagic zooplankton and; ii) determine …

Assessing Tropical Mammal Diversity And Distribution Using Noninvasive Methods, Tiff L. Degroot

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Central African tropical forests are rich in biodiversity and home to some of Earth’s most threatened mammals. However, mammals in the region are under increasing threat from habitat loss and degradation, coupled with an increased demand for wild meat. To conserve mammals, wildlife managers and community-led conservation efforts must understand the distribution and diversity of mammal communities. However, funding and logistical challenges make contemporary survey methods, e.g. ground surveys, difficult and expensive. Noninvasive methods allow efficient mammal diversity surveys with minimal field effort. Here, we use camera trapping and invertebrate-derived environmental DNA (“iDNA”) to assess mammal diversity and distribution in …

Epi- And Genomic Assessments Of Stamp Sand Toxicity And Population Structure Of Lake Superior Lake Trout (Salvelinus Namaycush) And Whitefish (Coregonus Clupeaformis), John C. Mccall

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Native Lake Superior salmonid conservation is a notable success, as the only Great Lake with stable lake trout (LT) and whitefish fisheries (LWF). To quantify toxicity to LT and LWF from legacy pollution by mine tailings at Buffalo Reef in the Keweenaw Peninsula and assess their genetic structure across U.S. waters, I used reduced representation bisulfite sequencing and genotyped ~750 fishes from Buffalo Reef and Lake Superior. ~200-300 epigenetic marks in Buffalo Reef LT and LWF indicated dysregulation of pathways related to DNA damage, immune response, stress, and metabolism, relative to Lake Huron and Michigan outgroups. Population genomic analyses showed …