Digital Commons Network^™

Active And Reactive Power Flow Control Of The Dual Active Bridge Converter, Lauryn Morris, Thomas W. Francois, Jonathan Saelens, Oroghene Oboreh-Snapps, Arnold Fernandes, Praneeth Uddarraju, Sophia A. Strathman, Jonathan W. Kimball

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Dual Active Bridge (DAB) is a reliable and efficient converter capable of providing bi-directional power transfer and galvanic isolation. An ac-ac DAB can control both active and reactive power flow. The present work introduces a combined feedback/feed-forward current control system, utilizing the calculated and measured converter currents translated into the dq reference frame, to control the output power. The system was simulated in PLECS to demonstrate the control algorithm's ability to track the dq currents and provide the necessary output power.

High-Frequency Accurate Dual-Side Equivalent Circuit Model For Transformers, Reza Vahdani, Junyong Park, Manish Kizhakkeveettil Mathew, Zhekun Peng, Chiuk Song, Hyucksu Kweon, Jiang Lijun, Donghyun Kim

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study delves into the modeling of a transformer in the frequency range of 100 KHz to 30 MHZ. The coupling coefficient was considered as a function of leakage and self-inductance and incorporated in the optimization process of transformer modeling in the proposed method. The equivalent circuit focused on the critical aspects of leakage inductance, parasitic capacitance, and winding effects. At first, the winding effect of an air-core inductor over wide frequency range with both single-layer and double-layer windings was shown. Then an equivalent circuit was proposed to model a transformer over this frequency range. The comparison between the measured …

Mapping Biomedical Ontology Terms To Ids: Effect Of Domain Prevalence On Prediction Accuracy, Thanh Son Do, Daniel B. Hier, Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study evaluates the ability of large language models (LLMs) to map biomedical ontology terms to their corresponding ontology IDs across the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), Gene Ontology (GO), and UniProtKB terminologies. Using counts of ontology IDs in the PubMed Central (PMC) dataset as a surrogate for their prevalence in the biomedical literature, we examined the relationship between ontology ID prevalence and mapping accuracy. Results indicate that ontology ID prevalence strongly predicts accurate mapping of HPO terms to HPO IDs, GO terms to GO IDs, and protein names to UniProtKB accession numbers. Higher prevalence of ontology IDs in the biomedical …

Substance Misuse And Suicidal Behaviors In An Lgbtqia+ Sample: Examining The Buffering Effects Of Psychological Flexibility And Emotional Regulation, Mariano Ottone

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Suicidal behaviors among LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly in the context of substance misuse, present a significant area of exploration for mental health research and intervention. It is particularly important to evaluate factors capable of moderating this relationship, to promote more culturally affirming prevention models. This study aimed to explore the moderating roles of emotion regulation (ER) and psychological flexibility in the relationship between substance misuse and suicidal behaviors within the LGBTQIA+ community. Data were collected from 537 LGBTQIA+ adults through an online survey platform. Participants were asked to self-report on measures assessing the constructs of interest. The analysis focused on understanding …

Perceived Credibility Of Allegations Of Sexual Assault Across Victim Race And Mental Health History, Liyah C. Morgan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Previous research examined the effect of victim gender and rape myth acceptance (RMA) on perceptions of victim credibility; however, little attention has been given to the impact of victim race and mental health history, and even fewer studies have explored the intersection of these two identities. The primary purpose of the current study was to identify factors affecting understanding of perceived credibility of victims of sexual assault, specifically in terms of victim race and mental health history. The study also examined the role of RMA on perceptions of credibility and explored participant attitudes related to color-blind racial attitudes and mental …

Impact Of Costume And Rape Myths On Perceptions Of The Need For Consent In Interactions With Cosplayers, Kiana Monique Perez-Jimenez

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Research on fandom communities is relatively understudied. Specifically, perceptions surrounding consent, rape myth acceptance, and other factors such as gatekeeping attitudes and experiences with discrimination are understudied and undertheorized (Hale, 2014). Historically, sexual harassment has been a pervasive issue in spaces like video gaming communities, especially toward women (Barak, 2005). It is important to further investigate these behaviors in different areas, such as conventions (i.e., cons), because, like in video gaming communities, sexual harassment has been an ongoing issue in con spaces (Zarin, 2017). The current study addressed how cosplayers' dress impacts key aspects of sexual harassment, including perceptions of …

Exploring Associations Between Health And Fitness Measures And Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors In Rural Firefighters, Isaiah Mews

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study investigates the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and muscular fitness measures in career rural firefighters. MetS is a cluster of conditions that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of death among firefighters. Previous research has shown that cardiorespiratory fitness is inversely related to MetS, but the role of muscular fitness variables remains unclear. This study aims to determine if fitness measures, such as cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and muscular power, can give insight into MetS in firefighters. Participants were recruited from a Southeastern rural fire department and underwent assessments of muscular fitness, …

Examining Exercise Self- Efficacy And Functional Mobility In Urban Law Enforcement Officers, Margo F. Jenkins

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Law enforcement officers perform various physically demanding tasks, but much of their daily activities are sedentary or light intensity. Quality movement patterns are vital for fitness, reducing the risk of injuries, and contributing to motivation for physical activity. PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between exercise self-efficacy (ESES) and functional mobility (FMS) among law enforcement officers. METHODS: 55 officers participated, with exercise self-efficacy measured using the ESES scale and movement patterns assessed with the Functional Movement Screening (FMS). Correlational analysis and linear regression were used to explore the relationships between FMS and ESES, years of service (YoS) and FMS, …

Exploring The Impact: Eating Disorder Treatment And Mortality In The United States, Brittany Tolbert

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study explores adolescent eating disorder trends in the United States between 1999-2013, identifies national eating disorder mortality trends, and analyzes data for in-patient adolescent hospital admissions. Additionally, this study uses public-facing data for residential eating disorder treatment centers to explore issues related to insurance coverage, gender inclusivity, and evidence-informed treatment practices. The findings will highlight gaps in data collection and policy, support advocacy, and contribute to the research into eating disorder prevalence, prevention, treatment outcomes, and economic impact, leading to greater visibility to promote change.

Correlates Of Body Image And Physical Self-Concept, Rashuna Middleton

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The growing overlap between social media and celebrity culture has played a significant role in shaping individuals' perceptions of body image and self-worth. This study explored the relationship between celebrity worship, problematic social media use, narcissism, physical self-concept, and body image among undergraduate psychology students. This study utilized the Celebrity Attitude Scale (CAS), the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), the Maladaptive Covert Narcissism Scale (MCNS), the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), the Body Influence Assessment Inventory (BIAI), the Self-Objectification Questionnaire (SOQ), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE). Findings indicated that vulnerable narcissism positively correlated with body image, whereas grandiose narcissism …

Walking On The Gray: An Existentialist Exploration Of The Possibility Of The Self In The System Of The School, Craig Pope

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores the system of the modern public school, particularly at the middle school level, and its deleterious effect on the process of being and becoming a person for students and teachers. The discussion of the self being and becoming an individual is grounded in the religious existentialist philosophy of Soren Kierkegaard and Paul Tillich. For both thinkers, being and becoming an individual involves finding equilibrium between various poles – finitude versus infinitude, and necessity versus possiblity. Michel Foucault’s exploration of the prison system is put in conversation with the discipline practices of middle schools to delineate how power …

Application Of Machine Learning And Large Language Models In Healthcare For Data Prediction And Summarization, Chiazam Chisom Izuchukwu

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study aims to examine the use of machine learning (ML) and large language models (LLMs) in healthcare to enhance disease prediction, clinical decision-making, and information management. Five supervised ML models—Logistic Regression (LR), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Decision Trees (DT), and Naïve Bayes (NB)—on three different computing platforms—Google Colab, Databricks, and Snowflake—were employed for disease classification. Data preprocessing included treating missing values, encoding categorical variables utilizing one-hot-encoding, feature scaling when needed, and tackling class imbalance with Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) before an 80-20 train-test separation. Models were created with Scikit-learn (Google Collab), Spark MLlib (Databricks), and …

Success Is A Journey, Not A Destination: The Student Library Assistants Of Georgia (Slags) At G. W. Carver School In Richmond Hill, Georgia, 1960-1968, Christopher C. Elkins

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines two chapters of Black education in Georgia that have been largely ignored in the study of curriculum and educational history, namely the George Washington Carver School located in Richmond Hill, Georgia and the Student Library Assistants of Georgia (SLAGS) that existed statewide in many Black schools. G.W. Carver School, built in 1939 and funded by automaker Henry Ford, is mentioned briefly in multiple works that either relate to Ford or cover the general history of Richmond Hill. Utilizing oral history and archival documents, this study emphasizes the significant contribution the SLAGS program made to students at G. …

Artificial Intelligence For Digital Deception: A Study On Detection, Generation, And Evaluation, Tasnim Akter Onisha

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has significantly influenced digital media, enabling both the detection and generation of synthetic content. This thesis, titled Artificial Intelligence for digital deception: A Study on Detection, Generation, and Evaluation, explores AI’s role in digital deception through three distinct studies focused on facial expression analysis for deepfake detection, machine learning-based spam classification on cloud platforms, and the evaluation of generative AI state-of-the-art text to video models. The first study investigates the effectiveness of facial expression analysis in distinguishing between deepfake and genuine videos. Using Noldus FaceReader 7, participant’s emotional responses were analyzed while viewing deep-fake …

Enhancing Ai-Driven Automation For Object Detection And Computer Vision, Nafeeul Alam Walee

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, AI-driven automation has revolutionized the field of object detection and computer vision, enabling sophisticated and efficient solutions across various industries. This research explores the latest advances and techniques in improving AI-driven automation for object detection and computer vision applications. We examine state-of-the-art deep learning models and frameworks that have contributed to significant improvements in accuracy and speed and highlight the generative results. The focus is on exploring the real-time processing capabilities that have expanded the applicability of these technologies in real-world scenarios. Furthermore, we investigate image integration and video data to improve precision detection and contextual understanding. …

Ease Of Product Disassembly Through A Systematic Structured Time-Based Design For Disassembly Methodology, Emeka S. Igwe

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This research introduces a systematic time-based design for disassembly (DfD) framework aimed at optimizing product disassembly by addressing important features like liaisons between components in product, component accessibility and the overall modularity of the product. This study specifically covers electromechanical and mechatronic systems in both household and industrial setup, identifying their disassembly challenges and high value pointers for improvement. The methodology involves using a design for disassembly framework called LeanDfD in carrying out a holistic disassembly process and evaluating quantitative metrics like disassembly time and complexity and suggesting further redesign strategies to minimize disassembly time and cost. Adopting this systematic …

Variations Of Hex Bar Deadlifts On Post-Activation Performance Enhancement In Collegiate Baseball Athletes, Samuel Sanders

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Single-session resistance priming protocols are used by strength and conditioning coaches to acutely improve neuromuscular mechanisms that are beneficial to athletic performance. This study aimed to examine if a concentric-only hex bar deadlift (CHBDL) would produce a similar post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) effect as a full-range-of-motion hex bar deadlift (THBDL) and mitigate perceived measures of fatigue and soreness in collegiate athletes. 19 NCAA Division I baseball athletes completed the study. A repeated measures design with randomized assignment and counterbalanced order was utilized. Over two weeks, the CHBDL and THBDL were added into a typical priming protocol used by the team’s …

A Critical Examination Of Scent Avoidance And Olfactory Development After Neonatal Predator Scent Exposure, Cynthia Ware

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The long-standing assumption that predator odor avoidance in rodents is an innate survival mechanism has shaped decades of behavioral neuroscience research and underpins translational models of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, developmental systems theory (DST) posits that behaviors emerge from dynamic interactions across physiological and environmental systems over time, rather than from fixed genetic programs. This study critically evaluates the developmental plasticity of predator scent aversion by examining whether early-life exposure to red fox urine (a natural predator odor) can attenuate avoidance behaviors in Long–Evans rats. Seventy-one rats were bred into three conditions: Control (no exposure), Partial (exposure from birth), …

Machine Learning Methods For Intrusion Detection And Response In Network Security, Ayomide Oyemaja

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) play a crucial role in computer network security by identifying malicious activities and potential cyberattacks. This thesis combines machine learning and cybersecurity by applying Reinforcement Learning (RL) in intrusion detection and response using the NSL-KDD dataset.

We designed and implemented a Q-learning framework where an agent learns to classify network traffic over time by interacting with the environment and receiving rewards based on detection accuracy. We also look at the importance of feature selection and classification techniques and how effective they are in improving model performance, reducing the complexity of computation, and producing more desirable results. …

Ranking Of Non-Destructive Testing Methods For Ductile Iron Castings For Industry 4.0, Michael W. Jones

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Non-destructive testing techniques provide a unique solution to provide quality assurance of parts rapidly and efficiently without altering the functional properties of the workpiece. The metal casting industry requires an elevated level of quality assurance, as castings are critical components to several industries. The wrong selection of non-destructive testing methods could increase production costs, quality costs, and potentially permit non-conforming castings to enter the market. The aim of this research is to develop a ranking model for non-destructive testing techniques for ductile iron castings within the context of the fourth industrial revolution. The ranking model analyzes the effectiveness of the …

Evaluating Multimodal Ai Systems: A Comparative Analysis Of Large Languagel Model-Based Models For Text, Image, And Video Generation, Azeezat O. Akinola

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In the era of rapid technological advancement, efficient content generation, application development, and data management are crucial for meeting the demands of dynamic digital environments. This thesis uses state-of-the-art models to explore three core areas: AI-driven video content creation, text-to-image-to-text consistency, and automatic text summarization. The first study investigates the potential of AI-powered text-to-video generation to democratize video production and enhance storytelling. By comparing the performance of three models—ModelScope, Text2Video (Zero), and Motion Consistency—this study assessed the quality of generated videos using CLIP scores. It evaluated statistical significance through t-tests and homogeneity tests. Results indicate that ModelScope outperformed the others, …

Comparative Analysis Of Eye-Metric Algorithms For Code Comprehension In Introductory Cs Course, Noushin Gauhar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Eye-tracking technology offers a non-intrusive way to study cognitive processes by tracking where and how long individuals look. In computer science education, it provides valuable insights into how students understand source code—a task that requires intense visual and mental effort. This study investigates how eye-tracking can reveal differences in code comprehension strategies among students in an Introductory Programming course. By analyzing three key metrics—dwell time, gaze entropy, and the K coefficient—the research explores how students engage with code. Dwell time indicates cognitive focus on specific code elements, the K coefficient measures attentional shifts between scanning and focused reading, and gaze …

Enhancing Adhd Diagnosis In College Students Using Multimodal Integration Of Nicats And Iva-2 Tools, Rushmila Shabneen

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study explores enhanced methods for accurately identifying Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) indicators in college students. ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder, impacts attention, impulse control, and emotional regulation, often leading to academic and social difficulties. Many students remain undiagnosed due to symptom overlap with stress and other factors. Traditional tools like the IVA-2 assess behavioral responses but may not fully capture ADHD complexity. This research integrates IVA-2 data with multimodal metrics from the Non-Intrusive Classroom Attention Tracking System (NiCATS), which monitors facial expressions, eye movements, and computer interactions. Preliminary results show that combining these tools improves ADHD detection, reduces false …

An Infrared Thermography Assessment For Monitoring Aging Mse Walls, Charles Lawal

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls play a vital role in ensuring the stability of transportation infrastructure, yet traditional inspection techniques often struggle to detect subsurface defects and demand significant labor. This research explores the application of Infrared Thermography (IRT) as a non-destructive, cost-effective approach for inspecting MSE walls across Southeast Georgia. By capturing thermal images under diverse environmental and operational conditions, the study aims to identify potential issues, including cracks, voids, delamination, and honeycombing, which can undermine integrity over time. Utilizing advanced image processing tools, the research implements specialized software to enhance the accuracy of defect detection, facilitating the generation …

Application Of Semantic Segmentation To An Automatic Target Recognition Problem, Bruce W. Rush Jr.

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is an active remote sensing system commonly used in aerial reconnaissance. SAR penetrates cloud cover and vegetation by recording reflected energy pulses. The resulting information content is difficult to interpret due to vast clutter data and sparse target data. The time-consuming process of analyzing SAR imagery can be greatly reduced by implementing an Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) algorithm. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) are capable of extracting identification features from SAR data content. Further research in this field indicates that high performing models are insufficiently robust due to high clutter correlation among classes in the Moving and …

Digital Modeling Of Temperature-Dependent Processes In Industrial Wastewater: Advancing Ultimate Oxygen Demand Prediction For Treatment Optimization, Fatima Iqbal

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The pulp and paper industry is the third-largest consumer of freshwater globally and faces mounting pressure to optimize water usage and minimize environmental impact. Aerated stabilization basins are extensively utilized in the pulp and paper industry and play a crucial role in treating wastewater from these operations. The existing management practices fail to effectively optimize treatment processes due to the prolonged time required for testing key quality parameters. The utilization of models developed for treatment facilities presents a viable solution; however, existing open-source models often fall short in accurately predicting treatment efficiency across varying conditions and lack comprehensive accounting of …

Effects Of Perinatal Exposure To Lipopolysaccharide And Acetaminophen On Learning In Adult Long-Evans Rats, Lucy A. Sivils

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The present study investigated the individual and combined effects of elevated perinatal inflammation, oxidative stress caused by acetaminophen (APAP) exposure, or elevated inflammation and oxidative stress on adult learning behaviors in Long-Evans rats. While prior studies have examined these factors independently, the combined effects of inflammation and oxidative stress via APAP exposure during early development on learning-related behaviors remain unexplored. The present research aimed to address this gap by the analysis of potential long-term neurodevelopmental consequences of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and APAP-induced oxidative stress. LPS, APAP, or LPS + APAP was administered during the perinatal period: postnatal days (PD) 9, …

Dynamic Modulus Of Sbs-Modified Asphalt Mixtures Added With Ground Tire Rubber Content, Azharul Islam

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The study investigates the improvement of the dynamic shear modulus in the base and styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) modified asphalt mixture by accumulating varying amounts of ground tire rubber through an Asphalt mixture performance tester (AMPT). This thesis specifically explores how different percentages of ground tire rubber (GTR) influence the mechanical properties and durability of the asphalt mixture articulated with two grades, PG 64-22 and PG 76-22. The experimental framework consisted of preparing asphalt mixtures blended with 10% to 15% of the binder for PG 64-22 and 3% to 8% of GTR for PG 76-22. The laboratory testing involved using …

Temporal Analysis Of Construction Safety Incidents In Southeastern U.S. Using Machine Learning Techniques, Mayowa O. Oladele

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Construction safety incidents remain a significant concern, particularly in the Southeastern U.S. due to the high-risk nature of the industry. Analyzing patterns in these incidents can help improve safety practices and reduce accidents. Machine learning (ML) techniques were employed in this study to identify temporal patterns in construction safety incidents, aiming to enhance proactive safety management. The machine learning methods used in this research included logistic regression, decision trees, random forest, support vector machine (SVM), and K nearest neighbors (KNN).

The objective of the study was to analyze temporal trends in safety incidents and identify the most effective machine learningtechnique …

What Is Reasonable? Effects Of Different Jury Instructions In A Fatal Police Use Of Force Case, Katherine M. Kaylor

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Since the Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor, police officers charged with misusing force on duty are judged against a hypothetical reasonable officer. Graham focuses on split-second decisions police officers must make and states police should not be judged with the benefit of hindsight. California goes beyond the subjective language of Graham and instructs jurors to look at the totality of circumstances, meaning they must consider all events and actions of an officer and citizen when assessing cases. The current study investigated whether type of instruction (Graham vs. California) affected mock jurors’ verdicts. Participants in the California condition …