Digital Commons Network^™

Ai-Driven Collision Risk Prediction And Debris Optimization In Low Earth Orbit, Emad Alkhazraji, Mohamed E. Yahia, R. E. Tolba, N. S. Alharthi

All Works

Debris congestion and collision in low Earth orbit have become a major point of concern due to the rapid expansion of activities in that region. In this work, an AI-driven framework is developed and deployed to predict, analyze, and optimize collision risk across the altitude inclination space. Local debris object population, mass density distribution, and conjunction derived risk are computed. Then, an AI surrogate model, viz., gradient-boosted decision trees, was trained to predict collision conjunction relative probabilities and risk. Thereafter, data analysis and explain ability techniques are utilized to uncover underlying risk drivers and reveal how altitude, inclination, mass loading, …

Utilizing The Invasive Fruitwood Pyrus Calleryana As Substrate For Mushroom Cultivation, An Experimental Study In Practical Sustainability, Matthew D. Helton

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study evaluated the feasibility of using woodchips from the invasive Pyrus calleryana (Callery pear) as substrate for mushroom cultivation. Pleurotus ostreatus, Hericium erinaceus, and Ganoderma lucidum were grown on a pear wood substrate and on a conventional oak substrate to compare, yield, sensory attributes, and metabolite production. P. ostreatus showed no significant differences in yield or biological efficiency (p > 0.05), only sweetness (p = 0.022) differed significantly. H. erinaceus yield and efficiency were similar (p > 0.05), with greater second-flush yields in oak controls (p = 0.034) but no sensory differences (p > 0.05). G. lucidum performance was comparable across treatments …

More Than Just Play: The Impact Of Campus Recreation On Retention In Modern Higher Education, Corbin D. Hedges

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Student retention remains a central concern in higher education, particularly as the demographic composition of college populations shifts toward a growing number of contemporary students. While extensive research has examined retention strategies for traditional students, there is a notable gap in understanding how institutional resources, such as Campus Recreation, support contemporary student success. This study explores the impact of Campus Recreation participation on student retention, with a specific focus on contemporary students at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Using a convergent mixed-methods design, this research investigates participation trends, perceived benefits, and barriers to engagement in Campus Recreation programs. Quantitative …

Stimuli-Responsive Proton Transfer: Photoacid Design, Co2 Sorbent Regeneration, And Polymer Applications, Melyse Ava Laud

Theses and Dissertations

Control over proton transfer enables the regulation of many pH-dependent chemical and material processes. Stimuli-responsive functional materials provide a means of achieving this control. Functional materials such as Metastable-state photoacids (mPAHs) reversibly release large amounts of protons when stimulated by light from a weakly acidic site within their structure. However, the dark acidities of previously reported mPAHs limit their use under basic conditions. To address this limitation, a benzimidazole-type mPAH was developed with an improved ground-state pKa of 11.9 and a metastable-state pKa of 9.8, enabling reversible proton transfer under mildly basic conditions. Additional mPAHs were examined to determine how …

Historical Piccolo Concerti And Works By Women Composers, Repertoire Catalogue, And A New Concerto For Piccolo And Orchestra, Mikaela Storm

Doctoral Scholarly Projects & Capstones

The following document is an overview of historical piccolo concerti with an emphasis on works by women, a repertoire catalogue of the piccolo concerti, and an analysis/performance guide for my own Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra: The Dreamer. The primary goal of this document and subsequent score is to provide a resource for future composers, music theorists, conductors, and performers. The piccolo has limited repertoire in comparison to many of the standard instruments in our modern Western musical canon, and the number of piccolo concertos (particularly by women) is even smaller. The concerto that I have written, subtitled “The Dreamer,” …

The Hidden Heatwave: Thermal Hazards In The New York City Subway System, Abdou Rachid Bah, Maimuna Muntaha, Lenny L. Metlitsky, Cesar Pascal Vasquez, Tyler Ayala, Isaac Morel Lopez, Shaquan A. Larose, Kingston Ditsch, Kip Nielsen, Shaunak Sharma, Reginald U. Avila-Ortega Blake, Hamidreza I. Norouzi

Publications and Research

Underground transit systems (Subway) are susceptible to frequent heat waves, which pose serious health and safety risks to commuters and transit workers. Yet, the patterns and extent of temperature changes within the subway system remain insufficiently understood. To address this gap, we conducted a study of thermal variability across 112 subway stations in New York City. Temperature and relative humidity were measured at both platform and street levels. Results show that during the summer, 70% of subway stations had platform heat index higher than street level heat index. We also developed a machine learning forecasting model to predict platform-level temperatures. …

Effect Of Creatine Supplementation On Anaerobic Power By Running Anaerobic Sprint Performance Test (Rast) In Young Football Players, Heitor P.N. Amorim, Suellen B. Sant’Ana, Steven B. Machek, Juan Mielgo Ayuso, Abby E. Lewis-Fulbright, Dailson Paulucio, Thomas D. Cardaci, Rafael Pereira, Marco Machado

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Creatine supplementation commonly facilitates lean mass-associated weight gain and concomitantly enhances short-term, high-intensity activity such as repeated sprint ability, but lacks sufficient evidence in athletic youth. This investigation thereby aimed to examine how 28 days of creatine monohydrate supplementation may influence body weight and running anaerobic sprint performance (RAST) time in youth soccer players. Sixteen male youth soccer players were randomized in double-blinded fashion to either 28 days of creatine monohydrate (CRE; 15.9 ± 0.35 y) or dextrose placebo (PLA; 15.5 ± 0.54 y) supplementation. Subject body weight (BW) and RASTs measurements were performed both before (PRE) and following (POST) …

From Solitons To Chaos: Nonlinear Dynamics Of The Time-Fractional Modified Regularized Long-Wave Equation, Samsun Nahar Ananna, Chunhui Lu, Abdulla Al Mamun, Md Al Amin Meia, Nur Hasan Mahmud Shahen

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This study investigates the nonlinear wave structures and complex dynamical behavior of the time-fractional modified regularized long-wave (mRLW) equation through an integrated analytical, numerical, and dynamical framework, with particular emphasis on connecting localized wave formation with perturbation-induced nonlinear dynamics. Within the adopted fractional framework, a Hirota-type bilinear approach is employed to construct one-wave, two-wave, three-wave, lump, one-lump–one-soliton, and one-lump–one-stripe structures, whose numerical consistency is subsequently examined using the Modified Variational Iteration (MVI) method through graphical comparisons and L 2 and L ∞ error norms. The periodically perturbed mRLW system is further investigated using phase portraits, Lyapunov exponents, bifurcation diagrams, Poincaré …

Soil-Science Expertise In An Ai-Exposed World: Competencies, Curricula, And Careers For Soil Security, Gian Franco Capra, Thiago Assis Rodrigues Nogueira, Arun Dilipkumar Jani

Biology, Agriculture and Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the world of knowledge-based work, with highly qualified professions appearing more exposed to substitution than routine manual ones. Soil science occupies a hybrid position, being a field that requires extensive knowledge and at the same time a strong dependency on field and laboratory activities, time-consuming and intrinsically “embodied.” This review examines what AI entails for soil science, asking which competencies are more or less exposed, how curricula should respond, and what actions institutions should undertake in the current AI-dominant academic environment. The analysis rests on two axes, namely the AI exposure of a task …

In-Hospital Mortality Patterns And Readmissions In Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Analysis Of The Role Of Pulmonary Hypertension, Saad Afzal Khan, Trishna Parikh, Adishwar Rao, Akriti Agrawal, Aarohi Parikh, Sarah Shin, Maulin Patel, Kha Dinh, Bela Patel, Bindu Akkanti

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be complicated by pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to understand the impact of PH on in-hospital mortality and quantify the 30-day readmission rate among patients with COPD. For this cross-sectional study, we used the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2017-2020 to identify adults ≥18 years with COPD. Patients were stratified according to PH diagnosis. Baseline characteristics between groups were compared using the Pearson chi-square test and two-sample t-test. Predictors of in-hospital mortality were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for demographics and confounders. The 30-day readmission rate and prevalence of PH subgroups by baseline …

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Variability In Prediction Of Target Organ Injury: The Ship Ahoy Study, Coral D Hanevold, Jang Dong Seo, Stephen R Daniels, Bonita E Falkner, Michael A Ferguson, Joseph T Flynn, Julie R Ingelfinger, Philip R Khoury, Marc B Lande, Kevin E Meyers, Mark Mitsnefes, Joshua Samuels, Elaine M Urbina

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Ambulatory hypertension is associated with elevated left ventricular mass index (LVMI), cardiac dysfunction, and increased arterial stiffness in adolescents. Whether the addition of measures of BP variability improves the prediction of subclinical cardiovascular target organ damage (TOD) over mean BP measures is not known.

Methods: We assessed clinic and ambulatory BP (ABP), anthropometrics, and TOD in 397 adolescents. ABP means standard deviation (SD), BP, and heart rate (HR) dipping were calculated; coefficients of variability (CV) were calculated (SD/mean) to assess ABP variabilities. Measures of TOD included LVMI, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), LV systolic shortening, LV diastolic function (e'/a'), and …

Unraveling Urban Inclusion: A Study On Accessibility To Place Types And Social Satisfaction For Individuals With Disabilities, Minoo Abrishami

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This research explored how access to everyday destinations influences neighborhood and social satisfaction among individuals with disabilities. It examined how factors such as sociodemographic characteristics, accessibility, and frequency of visits to places contribute to how people experience their neighborhoods and social lives. The study also investigated how satisfaction with one’s neighborhood can mediate the connection between accessibility and overall social satisfaction. First, the study compared different ways of measuring access to places and found that some simpler methods provide similar results to more complicated ones. Next, a survey of 262 Utah residents with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities showed that …

Pieces Solving A Puzzle: Emerging Roles And Cross-Field Analogies During A Distributed Epistemic Game, Jenna Matthews

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In an effort to describe why some problems can’t be solved, a character compared them to a cubic meter of platinum - a block so dense that all the people who could squeeze around it still couldn’t lift it off the ground. In the same way, these problems simply can’t have enough people gathered around and communicating about them - and so they remain unsolved.

This research looks at the first Polymath Project (2009) as an example of a distributed epistemic game to examine how groups engage with complex problems. and without a locally omniscient individual. In this setting of …

Scalable Quality Assessment Of Ground Motion Records Via Interpretable Deep Learning Architectures, Ali Montazeri Namin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Earthquake engineers rely on accurate recordings of ground shaking to design safe and resilient buildings. However, sorting through thousands of these recordings to find the reliable ones and throwing out those ruined by sensor errors or background noise is traditionally done by hand. Because modern seismic networks collect massive amounts of earthquake data every day, this manual checking process is much too slow. To fix this, researchers are turning to artificial intelligence to automatically check the quality of these recordings.

While artificial intelligence offers a fast solution, there are limitations. These computer models can become massive and expensive to run, …

The Willing And The Compelled: How Power And Place Shape Human-Bison Coexistence In Poland And The United States, Patrick Orville Kelly

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Wildlife recovery programs depend not just on animals, but on how people feel about living with them. The degree to which people accept the disruptions wildlife brings to their lives, known as social tolerance, can determine whether a recovery program succeeds or fails, yet it remains understudied and underapplied in management plans. This dissertation studies how people in Poland and the western United States feel about living with the two living species of bison, the largest land animals in Europe and North America. In Poland, we surveyed 242 residents living at different distances from European bison habitat. Surprisingly, the most …

Digital Act Intervention For Adults With Misophonia: A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial, Emily M. Bowers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Misophonia is a condition where certain everyday sounds, such as chewing or breathing, can trigger intense emotional reactions and interfere with daily life. Although research on treatments for misophonia is growing, many people still have limited access to effective care. This study tested whether acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) could be helpful when delivered through a fully self-guided online program. A total of 102 adults with significant misophonia symptoms participated in the study. Half received access to an eight-session online ACT program, while the other half were asked to wait before starting the program. Participants completed questionnaires before, during, and …

Prioritizing Fuel Treatments To Reduce Post-Fire Debris Flow Risk In Utah, Kipling B. Klimas

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Wildfire is a natural part of many forest ecosystems, but in the western United States, wildfires have become larger, more frequent, and more severe in recent decades. There are serious problems after severe wildfire, including erosion, flooding, and debris flows that threaten water quality, roads, and communities. Because of this, land managers need better ways to decide where fuel treatments, such as prescribed burning or thinning, can most effectively reduce wildfire damage and post-fire risks.

In this dissertation, I studied how fuel treatments might reduce wildfire severity and lower the risk of post-fire debris flows in Utah. First, I built …

Genomic Markers Of Performance Within An Organic Pasture-Based Dairy Heifer Development Program, Connor Douglas Waldron

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Pasture-based dairying is important to organic milk production, but young heifers differ in how well they eat, grow, and adapt to grazing. This study tested whether commercial genetic information could help identify which heifers would perform best on pasture. Genetic samples from 139 Holstein, Jersey, Holstein-Jersey, and ProCross heifers raised on organic pastures in northern Utah were analyzed with the Neogen Igenity Select test and compared with measurements of feed intake, growth, and grazing performance. Genetic scores clearly separated the breed groups, but they were not strong predictors of how individual heifers grew on pasture. Pasture quality, especially forage nutrient …

Switching Configurations For Reconfigurable Battery Packs: A Review, Kenneth Tetteh Akiti, Quoc Viet Phung, Iftekhar Ahmad, Daryoush Habibi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Conventional Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are designed with fixed cell topologies, where the electrical connection between cells remains unchanged throughout their life. Although Battery Management Systems (BMS) and conventional cell-balancing techniques are employed to monitor and maintain performance, they often fail to address key challenges such as uneven cell aging, capacity mismatch, and fault isolation that arise especially during the second life of a battery pack. These limitations can result in reduced efficiency, reduced reliability, and shortened battery life. As large-scale battery packs become increasingly common in Electric Vehicles (EVs), smart grids, robotics, and renewable energy systems, the limitations …

Sociodemographic And Clinical Factors In Nmosd And Mogad: Disability, Psychiatric Burden, And Disparities, Neha S. Patil

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Clinical, Geographic, And Administrative Factors Associated With Onset-To-Groin Puncture Time In Mechanical Thrombectomy, Affan Priyambodo Permana, Yoga Arif Syah Hidayat, Khairunnisa Farina Ilato, Nur Afianti Hasanah, Asri Chasanah Adisasmita

Kesmas

Acute ischemic stroke requires timely reperfusion, yet treatment delays remain a challenge in urban referral systems. This retrospective cohort study evaluated factors associated with onset-to-groin puncture time among 204 patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy at a national brain center hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. Clinical, geographic, administrative, and time-related variables were analyzed using non-parametric tests and multivariable linear regression. The median onset-to-groin puncture time was 455 minutes, with an interquartile range of 236.8 minutes. Hospital referral was independently associated with longer delays, with an adjusted delay of approximately 111 minutes compared with non-referred patients. Private insurance payment …

Evaluating The Role Of Perineural Invasion In The Risk Of Local Recurrence Of Cutaneous Melanoma After Adjuvant Radiation Therapy, Riya T. Patel

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Biomechanical Gait Analysis To Classify Neurological Gait Scores In A Spina Bifida Sheep Model, Shreya Pandiri

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Annual Conference 2024 Workshop Report, Rahat Ullah, Adhban Farea, Joe Harrington, Ted Mc Kenna

Reports

This report presents the findings from industry workshops held during the Build Digital Annual Conference on 17 October 2024 in Cork.

The workshops brought together stakeholders from national infrastructure, local authority infrastructure and housing to discuss challenges, priorities and opportunities associated with digital transformation in the Irish construction sector.

The report identifies common themes including leadership and organisational support, digital skills and training, information exchange, resource allocation and the management of asset information.

The findings provide insights into the practical supports required to advance digital adoption across public sector organisations.

Improving Adhd Screenings Through Quality Improvement, Workflow Optimization, And Evaluation Of A 6-Item Short Form Screening Tool, Paris A. Nix

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Structural And Electrochemical Characterization Of Na2co3/ Γ- Al2o3 Electrodes For Supercapacitor, Wiwin Dwiana, Jeniva Dinta Nanda Fahreza, Anissa Chairani Alfin Nadhira, Fatimatuz Zahra, Erma Surya Yuliana, Muhammad Safwan Abd Aziz, Nandang Mufti

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The development of electrode materials with suitable structural and surface properties is crucial for improving electrochemical energy storage systems. Gamma alumina (𝛾-Al₂O₃) has attracted considerable interest in electrochemical research due to its unique structural and surface properties. However, its charge-storage capacity is still limited, highlighting the need for structural and compositional modifications to improve its electrochemical performance. In this study, Na₂CO₃ was introduced into 𝛾-Al₂O₃ as a sodium precursor to induce phase modification and enhance the electrochemical activity. The systematic incorporation of Na₂CO₃ also provides an opportunity …

A Systematic Review Of Alkali-Treated Polylactic Acid Biocomposites Relevant To Pineapple Leaf And Water Hyacinth Hybrid Design, Muhammad Rizky Adrianto Subandi, Tri Hartutuk Ningsih, Hanna Zakiyya

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The increasing demand for sustainable materials has accelerated the development of biodegradable polymer composites. Polylactic acid (PLA)-based natural fiber composites have attracted significant attention due to their renewable characteristics; however, their performance remains limited by weak fiber–matrix compatibility, moisture sensitivity, and inconsistent interfacial behavior. Alkali treatment has been widely applied to modify lignocellulosic fibers by removing non-cellulosic components and improving surface characteristics, although its effectiveness remains dependent on treatment conditions and fiber properties. This systematic review evaluates the influence of alkali treatment on PLA-based natural fiber composites and assesses the available evidence supporting future pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) and water …

Environmental Or Occupational Heavy Metal Exposure In The Development And Progression Of End Stage Kidney Disease: A Systematic And Network Meta-Analysis, Lauren Nguyen

Summer Research Program Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Preheating Palm Oil Biodiesel Fuel On The Performance And Emissions Of Diesel Engine Common Rail Direct Injection, Nanang Romandoni, Achmad Aminudin, Hari Setiapraja, Bima Randi Wardiasaputra, Kelvin Dwi Wardana, Ahmad Yusril Aminullah, Deni Nur Fauzi, Kholis Nur Faizin, Nur Ihda Farikhatin Nisa

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Fossil fuel consumption continues to increase while its reserves continue to decrease and produce high emissions that trigger global warming. Therefore, more environmentally friendly alternative energy is needed. Biodiesel is a sustainable choice because it is biodegradable, low in sulphur, and can replace fossil fuels. This study investigates the influence of biodiesel fuel preheating temperature on engine performance, fuel consumption, and emissions in a Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDI) diesel engine. The experimental method was carried out by heating B40 and B50 fuels at temperatures of 40°C to 60°C at intervals of 10 °C. Engine performance was evaluated using a …

Mgrre_Thinsections_Mgrre_11_26, Mgrre

Thin Sections

No abstract provided.