Digital Commons Network^™

Strengthening The Cyber-Physical Resilience Of Active Distribution Systems, Xue Gao

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Inverter-based Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) have experienced a significant rise in popularity due to their distinct advantages, such as improved power quality, advanced functionalities, and rapid response capabilities. These attributes make them particularly well-suited for modern power systems, where the growing demand for efficiency, flexibility, and reliability is crucial. As a result, the integration of inverter-based DERs into distribution networks has been steadily increasing, as they play a critical role in enhancing system performance and meeting the evolving requirements of contemporary power infrastructures.

However, the integration of inverter-based DERs presents several challenges that must be addressed for effective implementation. One …

The Influence Of Natural And Anthropogenic Drivers On Estuarine Food Webs At Various Spatio-Temporal Scales And Levels Of Complexity, Michelle Shaffer

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Global coastal ecosystems support human life by providing critical services like food, water purification, and coastal protection, yet these ecosystems are among the most threatened due to natural and human-driven disturbances. The long-term maintenance and restoration of these ecosystems is a complex challenge for resource managers due to the wide range of factors affecting these ecosystems ecological condition over long timespans. Most studies in marine ecology evaluate ecosystem change over relatively short temporal scales (ago), often resulting in shifting baseline syndrome. To effectively manage and restore these ecosystems, resource managers must consider long-term ecosystem baselines.

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) …

Past And Present Communities Of Pottery Practice In Guatemala, Karla J. Cardona

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This research aims to identify pottery technological traits and attributes that suggest the presence of communities of pottery practice in archaeological contexts. Through the combination of ethnoarchaeological approach and archaeological ceramic analysis of vessels produced in present communities, we can identify communities of pottery practice in the past. The data obtained using diverse ethnographic methods and multiple archaeological analyses are relevant to archaeologists, as they allow the study of the organization of production in the absence of manufacturing contexts within the archaeological record. At the same time, as contemporary pottery-making practice is becoming scarcer in Guatemala it is relevant to …

Public Influence On Small Wars: Somalia And A Theory Of Constituent Discontent, Barry Smith

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Public opinion predicts American small war sustainment through institutional causal mechanisms of Congress and political-military relations. An increase in general public disapproval (not necessarily connected to a war) predicts the time when Members of Congress look to their constituents for policy changes to appease broad frustration. Constituent discontent toward a U.S. small war is absorbed by individual legislators, translated into legislative constraint, and projected onto the Department of Defense that is highly attentive to Congress. America abandons war aims, despite its military advantage over adversaries, when the ways and means available for military operations are constrained by a threat or …

Lithium Niobate Piezoelectric Transformers For Compact Electronics And Atmospheric Plasma Generation, Justin R. Phelps

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This work presents piezoelectric transformers for compact electronics and atmospheric plasma generation, utilizing thin-film microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and bulk machined suspended transformers based on 128˚ Y-cut lithium niobate. As electronic devices continue to miniaturize, scaling down magnetic components remains a challenge due to difficulties in generating and confining sufficiently large magnetic fields. The most common configurations exhibit efficiencies of approximately 70% and can cause interference in surrounding electronics. In this work, thin-film flexural mode piezoelectric transformers are developed for on-chip, low frequency passive voltage gain and impedance transformation. These devices exhibit efficiencies as high as 95% and voltage gain above …

Effects Of Premixing On Emissions And Flame Stabilization For A High-Pressure Reacting Jet In Crossflow, Penelope Torres Serrano

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The effects of fuel premixing on the emissions and flame stabilization characteristics of a high-pressure, axially staged combustion system are experimentally examined. The experimental facility is split into two major components. The main stage provides a high-pressure, high-temperature crossflow that is consistent for all test conditions, and the axial stage provides the reacting jet-in-crossflow, where the flame temperature is varied by equivalence ratio sweep. Methane is injected through the axial stage into a high-speed vitiated crossflow under varying conditions, ranging premixing states, for various equivalence ratios. Experimentally, it is observed that NOx emissions increase with equivalence ratio and decrease under …

Design And Development Of A Real-Time Autonomous Uav Swarm Control System, Berk Cetinsaya

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation focuses on advancing control systems and path planning techniques for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), particularly in drone swarm operations and real-time digital twin (DT) integration. The research addresses key challenges in scalability, real-time responsiveness, and system adaptability to improve the efficiency and situational awareness of UAV systems. A comprehensive review of existing methods highlights the importance of swarm intelligence and nature-inspired algorithms. The study introduces a real-time DT that integrates multiple drone video feeds into a unified 3D environment. Additionally, the Camera-based Adaptive Line Formation and Dynamic Leader-Following Optimization (CALF-DLFO) strategy enhances drone swarm coverage and reduces update …

Hydrogen Cryo-Adsorption In Silica Aerogel: Analytical Model Of Adsorption In Porous Media And Experimental Validation, Adil Riahi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Hydrogen has incontestably gained attention as one of the best alternative energy sources to fossil fuels due to its volatility, abundance and eco-friendly attributes. The classical methods for hydrogen storage in its gaseous or liquid forms such as high-pressure tanks or cryogenic temperatures display several challenges. Hence, the need to come up with innovative methods to store and transport it is imminent. Comparative studies have demonstrated that material-based hydrogen storage has proven promising in enhancing energy efficiency. However, material selectivity is the missing part of the puzzle to achieve optimal hydrogen storage performance. This dissertation introduces a novel material for …

High-Performance, Energy-Efficient, And Scalable Accelerator Design For Emerging Machine Learning Applications, Lingxiang Yin

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The use of machine learning (ML) is pervasive in numerous application domains, such as autonomous driving, scientific computing, robotics, and among others. However, the continuous growth of ML model complexity and data size is posing unprecedented computation and communication demands on current computing systems, especially in the era of large language models. The problem is further compounded by unstructured data and technology limitations.

To address these challenges, this dissertation research explores novel accelerator designs tailored for a wide range of machine learning applications. First, this research investigates a flexible communication fabric that can enable efficient training for deep learning applications …

Ritual Change And Sociopolitical Transformations At The Maya Center Of Pacbitun, Belize: Intra-Polity Interactions Between Epicenter And Periphery, George J. Micheletti

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation examines how peripheral communities at the ancient Maya site of Pacbitun, Belize, exercise agency through their ritual practices from the Middle Preclassic to the Late Classic periods. By focusing on public, semi-public, and private/domestic contexts, this study investigates how these peripheral households engaged with, maintained, or diverged from the elite ideologies emerging in the epicenter. Through a diachronic analysis of architecture and ritual deposits, particularly burials, this research traces the evolving interactions between the periphery and the epicenter across five major sociopolitical transformations. Fieldwork involved targeted excavations at select peripheral households and public ceremonial groups, supplemented by ceramic …

Exploration Of Augmenting Tower-Based Rf Equipment Visual Inspections With Infrared Cameras, Michael Sterkel

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This research examines the potential benefits and limitations of integrating infrared (IR) cameras into tower-mounted Radio Frequency (RF) equipment visual inspections. These inspections are critical for assessing risks posed by age-related degradation and environmental impacts to safeguard from failure or malfunction. The visual inspection method for tower installed RF equipment poses significant physical risks to the climber and inspection results prone to error due to assessments performed by unaided sight or with a visual camera. I propose using thermography and infrared (IR) camera technology to conduct these visual inspections. Thermography and IR cameras would capture detailed thermal imaging data that …

Analyzing The Perceived Increase In Anxiety Amongst Students At The Dalles Middle School, Ryan Ladouceur

Doctor of Education (EdD)

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory study is to gain a greater understanding of the root causes of the perceived increase of anxiety amongst middle school students at The Dalles Middle School (TDMS). Students, along with their parents/guardians, are reporting increased anxiety that is preventing them from attending school, completing homework, taking tests, being around peers, and much more. It is imperative to gain a deeper understanding of what is creating higher levels of anxiety amongst adolescents which would allow public schools to implement data-driven interventions at multiple different levels that will begin to hopefully mitigate these high levels of …

Dordt University 2024-25 Catalog, Dordt University. Registrar's Office

Academic Catalogs

Academic Catalog for 2024-25

The Sword And The Scale: Model Rule 8.4(G) As A Tool Of Racial Justice In The Legal Profession, Tiffany Williams Brewer

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

Lady Justice. Have you seen her? Standing regal and tall with blindfolded eyes. A sword in one hand and a scale in the other. Her image represents a symbol of hope and idealism in protecting and delivering her virtues. Lawyers enter this noble profession to do right by her and carry on her legacy. We serve our clients with the aim that she will ultimately be both our arbiter of facts and our judge. While the symbolism of her blindfold is often the subject of commentary on justice, consider the symbolism of the powerful tools she has chosen in her …

Iere Annual Report 2024, Erin Largo-Wight, Nicole Lowe, Kelly Rhoden, Abbey Townsend, Ruby Cox

Annual Reports

2024 Annual Report of the Institute for Environmental Research and Education

Birding Delaware During Hurricane Sandy, John P. Janowski

Delaware Ornithologist

No abstract provided.

Training Practitioners For Real-Time Product Development Using Generative Artificial Intelligence, Antoine J. Jetter, Ameeta Agrawal, Dahm Mongkol Hongchai, Charles Weber, Yufei Tao

Engineering and Technology Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

A workshop to train practitioners in real-time new product development (NPD) using generative artificial intelligence (AI) was conducted. Three teams of graduate students in Engineering and Technology Management (many with work experience as managers and engineers) were given minimalist instructions to develop a product concept and a preliminary marketing plan for a product of their choosing within six hours using ChatGPT, search engines, and other Internet-based tools. The product was to be novel, and the plan was to include customer identification, market analysis, generating personas, and a 15-minute presentation at the end of the workshop. The goal was to 'inspire …

Career Counselors Addressing Social Determinants Of Mental Health In Rural Communities, Kaprea F. Johnson, Alexandra Gant-Howrey, Bisola E. Duyile, Lauren B. Robins, Natese Dockery

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

Career counselors practicing in rural communities must understand and address social determinants of mental health (SDOMH). This conceptual article details the relationships between SDOMH domains and employment and provides evidence-based recommendations for integrating SDOMH into practice through a rural community health and well-being framework. Description of the adaptation of the framework for career counselors in rural communities, SDOMH assessment strategies and tools, and workflow adjustments are included. Conclusions suggest next steps for practice and research.

Self-Efficacy Of Undergraduate Human Services Students With Integrated Behavioral Health, Kristy Carlisle, Nic Schmoyer, Danielle Rodgers, Katherina Nako, Richie Kubilus, Zubede Akpakir

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

Human services professionals (HSPs) are poised to contribute to interprofessional collaboration (IPC) in Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) settings as care enhancers. Interprofessional Education (IPE) effective for training HSPs requires changes or addition to curriculum. The purpose of the current study was to present workshops adjunct to curriculum to HSPs targeting their engagement in IBH settings. The study explored their self-efficacy with IPC after such training using a pre- and post-test design. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy from before and after the workshop. Discussion includes implications for human services educators in using workshops to augment the IPE their …

Informed Traffic Signal Preemption For Emergency Vehicles, Ioana Silaghi, Zobaida Alssadi, Marius Silaghi

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications

Emergency vehicle traffic light preemption systems are extended by using more detailed predicted trajectories to provide favorable changes of signals. The location of the emergency vehicle is tracked and traffic signals on the requested travel route are contacted and switched to become green in time, before the emergency vehicle reaches the selected intersection. The resulting time to destination obtained by our simulation is compared to a control simulation without preemption. In simulations, when an emergency vehicle reaches a red light, a delay of five seconds is considered to happen naturally to the vehicle’s journey due to preventive driving. The switching …

Retrenching Speech Protective Thresholds In Trademark Law, Jake Linford

Scholarly Publications

In their article, Raising the Threshold for Trademark Infringement to Protect Free Expression, Christine Haight Farley and Lisa Ramsey argue in favor of a speech-protective fair use test that would replace multiple tests applied by the U.S. Courts of Appeals when a defendant's alleged infringement has either informational or expressive elements. This Response explains why this raised threshold test is unlikely to be adopted following the U.S. Supreme Court's retrenchment of speech-protective thresholds in Jack Daniel's Properties, Inc. v. VIP Productions, LLC. That prediction is bolstered by the Court's likely holding in Vidal v. Elster. Readers persuaded that current defensive …

The Role Of Psychological Capital In Shaping Leaders’ Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence: Mindset Meets Machine, Justin W. Carter, John A. Parnell, Steven Puckett

Journal of Business, Industry, and Economics

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the construction industry, yet the pivotal role of leaders’ attitudes in its successful adoption is undeniable. This study explores these attitudes' potential positive psychological drivers, leveraging the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Innovation Resistance Theory (IRT) to dissect the complex interplay of factors influencing AI adoption. We hypothesize that Psychological Capital (PsyCap’s) plays a role in shaping leaders' positive and negative attitudes toward AI. Results show that PsyCap was a significant driver of both positive and negative attitudes. Moreover, negative attitudes toward AI partially mediated the link between PsyCap and positive attitudes, underscoring …

Sensory Home Programming Handouts, Taylor Ann Koopmeiners

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: Sensory processing is the way the brain and nervous system receive sensory information (Star Institute, 2023). When there are difficulties with processing sensory information, it is called Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Consequently, the inability to process sensory input results in affected motor and behavioral responses (Star Institute, 2023. This creates difficulty in participating in necessary tasks such as activities of daily living (ADLs), social participation, and school (Lane et al., 2019; Star Institute, 2023). Occupational therapists address these challenges by providing sensory activities in therapeutic sessions and as part of home programming (Gabriele, 2020). The goal of this scholarly …

The Distinct Role: A Toolkit To Promote Occupational Therapy Services For Palliative Care Patients In Acute Care Hospitals, Kailey Ann Squier

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Each year, 56.8 million people receive palliative care services and experience significant impacts overall quality of life. Occupational therapy is well-equipped to maximize engagement in meaningful activities and improve overall quality of life for this population. Despite evidence supporting the unique value of OT, it has had many barriers limiting the ability to expand into palliative care effectively. There is a need to provide education and increase resources to occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) in palliative care. The purpose of this scholarly project was to increase the understanding of OTs’ role in palliative care and promote increased OT services within …

Breaking The Barrier To Leisure Engagement In Long-Term Care Facilities To Enhance Residents’ Health, Well-Being, And Quality Of Life, Callie M. Kleindl

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: Breaking the Barrier to Leisure Engagement in Long-Term Care Facilities to Enhance Residents’ Health, Well-being, and Quality of Life

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to promote leisure engagement for residents with dementia in long-term care (LTC) facilities to enhance their overall health, well-being, and quality of life (QOL).

Methodology: A thorough literature review supported the need for increased leisure engagement in LTC facilities for residents with dementia. Chronic conditions, such as dementia, impact a resident’s ability to engage in meaningful occupations which leads to occupational deprivation. In addition, a decline in leisure engagement has been found …

Primary Reflex Testing And Integration Guide For Parents And Providers, Abby Jessen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Parents are often unaware of the signs and characteristics of retained reflexes making it difficult to identify if there is a problem (Grigg et al., 2018). Once a problem is identified parents are frequently uninformed of the effects primary reflexes can have on a child’s development and how to foster integration (Grigg et al., 2018). Therefore, demonstrating a need for parent and provider education to support reflex integration amongst the pediatric population. The purpose of this project was to educate parents and providers on retained primary reflexes in children ages four to 11.

Methods: Prior to the start of …

A Resource Guide For Improving Participation In The Pediatric Casper Community, Rylie Garner

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Title: A Resource Guide for Improving Participation in the Pediatric Casper

Community Background and Problem: Regardless of ability level, all children should have the same rights, access, and opportunities to participate in leisure, social, physical, and recreational activities. Research shows that typically developing children participate more in social, physical, and recreational activities than children with disabilities (Solish et al., 2010). Identified barriers that can decrease participation for children with disabilities include the child’s functional limitations, high costs, accessibility, and lack of known nearby facilities, programs, and sports (Murphy & Carbone, 2018; Aytur et al., 2018). Participation in leisure, social, physical, …

Addressing Occupational Deprivation And Alienation In Rural Skilled Nursing Facilities Through An Activities Resource Guide, Stephanie Dullum

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: The purpose of this product was to collaborate with residents and the activities department in a rural skilled nursing facility (SNF) to create leisure activities to address common chronic conditions and the needs or wants of the residents. With aging comes more chronic conditions and less physical activity, socialization, and time engaged in activities, affecting quality of life (QOL) and well-being (Causey-Upton,2015; Cudjoe et al., 2020; Nedjeljeko et al., 2021; Portillo et al., 2023; Sen et al., 2022; Smallfield & Molitor, 2018; World Health Organization [WHO], 2022). Providing residents with more meaningful leisure activities will assist the SNF staff …

Peer To Peer: Implementing An Inclusive Program At A Midwestern School, Kaitlyn Rose Ekre

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Purpose: Transitioning to and between school settings (i.e., home to elementary, elementary to middle school, middle school to high school) can be a challenging experience for everyone. In middle school, there is an increase in academic, behavioral, and social demands (Chen et al., 2020; Fontil et al., 2020). While most students are able to navigate the different demands of middle school, students with disabilities struggle with building relationships and interacting with their peers along with academics leading to low involvement in extracurricular activities, inconsistent access to the general education classroom, and an absence of peer interactions throughout the day (Biggs …

Making Strides: An Occupational Therapy Program Developing Work Readiness Skills In Adolescents With Aces, Using Equine And Barn Tasks., Lauren Alexis Fischer

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Background: The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022) defines adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as any traumatic event that occurs from birth to 18 years. ACEs can lead to various issues in the child's future, such as health problems, mental illness, substance abuse, and challenges with education and employment (CDC, 2022). Associated barriers that inhibit at-risk youth when transitioning into the workforce include lack of work skills, habits, knowledge about labor rights, realistic job opportunities, and how to pursue employment (Ivzori et al., 2020). Increasing support in their pre-vocational skills can increase their success in employment. Rhew et al. …