Digital Commons Network^™

Real-Time Active Thermal Management And Degradation Forecasting Of Power Electronics Building Blocks In All-Electric Ships, Ali Moghassemi

All Dissertations

With advancements in semiconductor technology, power electronic devices play a critical role in modern power systems, enabling efficient energy conversion in applications such as renewable energy integration, electric vehicle drives, industrial automation, and Navy ship power systems. However, the increasing use of power converters presents challenges such as harmonic reduction, cost optimization, reliability improvement, and thermal management, especially in weight- and space-constrained environments like wind turbines and shipboard systems. High-frequency switching, while reducing passive filter size, increases thermal stress on semiconductor devices, impacting efficiency and longevity. Active thermal control, which regulates junction temperature through power loss management, and degradation forecasting, …

Synthesis Of Nanoparticles In Silicate Matrix And Stimuli Responsive Nanocomposite Polymer Films, Dimuthu Edirisinghe

All Dissertations

Interactions between aqueous metal ions and soluble silicates lead to the formation of insoluble metal silicate complexes that form nanoparticles via condensation polymerization. Metal silicates function as nanoreactors, effectively condensing metal ions into nano-sized particles that can undergo further chemical transformations. Core-shell nanostructures present an intriguing strategy for integrating materials with different properties. The silicate shell around the silver nanoparticles can be successfully infused with other metal ions, enabling subsequent reactions to tailor their properties. Silver nanoparticles exhibit strong interactions with light, surpassing other chromophores, including noble metal nanoparticles, due to their highly efficient surface plasmonic resonance. The unique optical …

The Effect Of Nuclear Isomers On S-Process Nucleosynthesis, Jaad Tannous

All Dissertations

s-Process nucleosynthesis is a process in which stars produce elements of mass range A = 57 to 210. Since the days of B2FH, immense work has gone into quantifying and computing s-process yields and pathways. We expand upon said work along two fronts. The first front sets up the framework for proper treatment of nuclear isomers in network calculations. We apply the framework to study 85Kr, which is a pivotal isotope in the s-process chain that affects the abundance yields of Strontium and Rubidium isotopes. In particular, we are interested in the ratio of 88Sr/86Sr and 87Rb which are important …

Effect Of Calculator Use On Algebra Progress Monitoring Slopes Among Students In Secondary Foundational Algebra Classes, Karon A. Burke

All Dissertations

Calculator usage has become commonplace in the secondary mathematics classroom, yet most progress monitoring studies using curriculum-based measurement tools have been completed without using calculators. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether using a calculator made a statistically significant difference in the depiction of students’ growth rates among student participants who were low performing in mathematics and were enrolled in a foundational algebra course. This study spanned the Fall semester and included 46 ninth-grade participants from five classes who were all considered at risk, including students diagnosed with a disability and/or as multilingual learners. To validate the …

Bridging The Gap In Rural Education: Exploring Solutions For Enhanced College And Career Preparedness Among Secondary School Students, Patricia Moultrie-Goldsmith

All Dissertations

This study investigates how to improve college and career readiness (CCR) among high school students in rural areas. The study focuses on creating effective strategies that cater specifically to the unique needs of rural students. Using a blend of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, the study examines the effectiveness of specific interventions designed to raise students' readiness for college and careers.

The interventions tested include teaching methods and increased engagement with students. These were developed to tackle the common challenges that hinder educational outcomes in rural settings, such as limited access to advanced courses and extracurricular activities.

Findings from …

Decomposition And Coordination For Multiobjective Optimization: A Framework And Methodology, Philip J. De Castro

All Dissertations

In this work, we consider finding Pareto efficient solutions for complex multiobjective optimization problems (MOPs). Complex MOPs are unique in the literature because they have many more objective functions than is typically considered. In fact, such complex MOPs will have 30+ objective functions. This large problem size presents computational and coginitive difficulties. Computationally, standard techniques for solving MOPs are often ineffective and cognitively it is difficult for a decision maker (DM) to handle all of the information provided in such a large problem. To address these challenges, we develop a decomposition and coordination framework. This framework will allow us to …

Charge And Spin Transport In Nanowires With Spin-Orbit Coupling, Ryan Perrin

All Dissertations

Nanowires exhibiting Fermi-level pinning have strong radial electron confinement and thus can be modeled as a two-dimensional electron gas wrapped around the core. In III-V semiconductor structures, two forms of spin-orbit coupling are generated by breaking inversion symmetries in the crystal (Dresselhaus) and the overall structure of the nanowires (Rashba). The first goal of this thesis is to understand the single-particle energy spectrum in nanowires with variable cross sections and the quantum oscillations that can be driven in them by the application of a magnetic field parallel to the axis of the wire. To this end, the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues …

Spatial Variaiton In Host-Associated Microbiota, Daniel Malagon

All Dissertations

Many organisms rely upon the internal and/or external microbial communities they harbor. Microbial communities which depend upon other organisms for survival are known as host-associated (HA) microbial communities. HA microbial communities differ in diversity and composition from surrounding environmental microbiota and are generally less diverse than surrounding soil microbiomes. Although distinct bacterial profiles exist between host and environment, microbial scale dispersal often links the two. For this reason, host and environmental microbial communities can be correlated (e.g., dominant taxa in HA microbiota are dominant in the host microenvironment or vice versa). Eukaryotic hosts act as islands for HA microbiota. Unlike …

Strengthening The Bonds Between Us: An Empirical Investigation Of Morale In Human-Ai Teams And The Socially Supportive Ai Teammates Who Empower It, Rohit Mallick

All Dissertations

This dissertation investigates how artificial intelligence (AI) can be designed to improve the collective emotion within a team. A team's collective emotion, or morale, describes how motivated, optimistic, and enthusiastic the group is in accomplishing its goals. We conducted four studies that compared different social support strategies that AI teammates can provide to the team. Study 1A found that AI teammates who communicate with emotions can better motivate human team members and promote awareness of team dynamics and environmental changes. Study 1B found that human teammates become more motivated and happier when their AI teammates express joy and are close …

The Role Of The Neutral Wind In Observations Of High-Latitude Ionospheric Energy Transfer, Andrew M. Pepper

All Dissertations

Joule heating results from the collisional interaction between ions and neutrals and serves as a crucial mechanism for energy transfer between Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere-thermosphere system, particularly at high latitudes. This dissertation investigates the modulation of Joule heating by altitude-resolved neutral winds, electric fields, and conductivity variations through multi-instrument observational analysis and modeling that incorporates both in-situ and ground-based sources to measure the main drivers of ion-neutral coupling. The observations presented consistently demonstrate a dual regulatory effect of the neutral wind on energy deposition that varies systematically with both geomagnetic activity level and proximity to auroral boundaries. In regions characterized …

A Holistic Case Study On Leaders In The Division Of Enrollment Services’ Experiences Implementing Interdepartmental Partnerships In Higher Education, Christopher A. Almond

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this holistic case study was to understand the experiences of higher education leaders in the division of enrollment services at a public research university who experienced departmental realignments or mergers because of performance-based funding initiatives. The study addresses the gap in the literature on the effect of change on interpersonal relationships in higher education. The theory guiding the study is Tierney’s theory on organizational behavior among college employees. The research methodology consisted of three phases. I conducted focus groups, individual interviews, and document analyses. The setting was a large research university in an urban city. There were …

Reframing The Message Of Jesus : For The Newer Generations Of Urban Latin American Youth, Rich Brown

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Thermal Performance Drifts Between The Egg Parasitoid Telenomus Remus And The Fall Armyworm May Threaten The Efficacy Of Biological Control Under Climate Change, Macdonald Mubayiwa, Honest Machekano, Brighton M. Mvumi, Winnifred A. Opio, Bame Segaiso, Frank Chidawanyika, Casper Nyamukondiwa

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith, is a significant global agricultural pest known for its rapid invasion and devastating impact on crops. While pesticides may be effective for controlling the pest in the short-term, they cause several socioeconomic and ecological costs that highlight the need for more sustainable management strategies. Telenomus remus (Nixon) is a promising egg parasitoid for its biological control. For the parasitoid to provide effective ecosystem services, it should be able to survive and coexist within the same ecological niches as its host. However, there is limited information regarding the potential responses of T. remus to …

Behind The Screen: Understanding The Human Firewall In Cybersecurity, Arun Venkitanarayanan

Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity

No abstract provided.

The Little Diagram That Could: Geometric Properties And Statistical Applications Of Persistence Diagrams In Topological Data Analysis, Eugene Kler

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Topological Data Analysis (TDA) is a collection of techniques for data analysis that leverages topological invariants of spaces formed from data points. These methods excel at extracting useful information from noisy or sparse data, making them attractive to many mathematicians, statisticians, and scientists. In this thesis, we explore TDA on three fronts: algebraic foundations, statistical applications, and metric properties. Throughout, the central object of study is the Persistence Diagram (PD), a summary of the changes in homology that occur as one builds simplicial complexes from the data by increasing a parameter.

Correcting Sampling Bias With Privacy-Preserving Synthetic Data: Inference Stability Under The Da-Mi Framework, Hannah Jiang

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

With the rapid advancement into the Data Age, synthetic data has emerged as a promising avenue for sharing scientific information while protecting the original data. While existing research has primarily focused on generating synthetic data to accurately replicate the characteristics of observed data, we explore the potential of synthetic data to adjust for unrepresentative sampling. This study explores how sampling bias—specifically unbalanced subsets—impacts statistical inference, and whether synthetic data can help correct such bias. Using a Data Augmentation–Multiple Imputation (DA–MI) framework, we generate synthetic datasets from biased samples and evaluate parameter recovery under different correction strategies. Simulations under a Missing …

Analyzing Sleep Staging And Cognitive Transitions Using Fmrl Time Series Analysis, Qingwen Zeng

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Understanding sleep stages and their underlying cognitive transitions is essential for advancing our knowledge of brain function. While sleep staging has traditionally relied on electroencephalogram (EEG), this study explores the feasibility of classifying sleep stages using only functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data. We investigate the use of Hidden Markov Models (HMM) and Hierarchical Dirichlet Process Hidden Markov Models (HDP-HMM) to capture temporal brain-state dynamics from task-free fMRI recordings. A series of pipelines—including sliding window, two-stage majority filtering, and prototype-based mapping via the Hungarian algorithm—were implemented to align model-inferred states with EEG-defined sleep stages. Among the twelve tested pipelines, the …

Achieving Professional, Effective Graphics Efficiently With Available Clemson Resources, Stacie P. Powell, Brad Landon Walters, Yaswanth Mulakala

Presentations

No abstract provided.

Empirically Exploring The Physical Realizability Of Adversarial Examples, Ruoyao Wen

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

The development of autonomous vehicles (AVs) has been accelerated by advancements in deep neural networks (DNNs), which power the complex perception systems necessary for safe and efficient real-world navigation. However, as AVs increasingly integrate into public transportation networks, the robustness of their perception systems against potential vulnerabilities is critical. Among these threats, adversarial attacks—particularly through the use of adversarial patches—pose significant risks. These patches are carefully crafted perturbations designed to mislead DNNs, potentially compromising AV safety by causing incorrect object recognition or misclassification.

While extensive research has demonstrated high attack success rates for adversarial patches in controlled digital environments, their …

2-Segal Sets And Pseudomonoids In The Bicategory Of Spans, Sophia E. Marx, Rajan Amit Mehta

Mathematics Sciences: Faculty Publications

In this survey article, we give an introduction to the notion of a 2-Segal set and prove that 2-Segal sets are equivalent to pseudomonoids in the bicategory of spans. The proof utilizes graphical techniques for 2-Segal sets and spans that should be useful in more general settings.
There are procedures for obtaining an associative algebra from a 2-Segal set (satisfying finiteness conditions). We describe these procedures and give several examples of algebras arising from 2-Segal sets.
Wherever possible, we avoid higher category theory so as to make the paper accessible to a wide audience.

The 1991 California 'Miracle March': Precipitation Myth Or Miracle?, Cody D. Poulsen, Rachel E.S. Clemesha, Ian M. Howard, Alexander Gershunov, Michael D. Dettinger, Zhenhai Zhang, Rosa Luna-Nino, David W. Stahle, Ralph F. Martin

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The term 'Miracle March' is colloquially used in California to describe an anomalously wet spring that alleviates drought conditions caused by a winter precipitation deficit. This study centers on the influential water year 1991, which is the standard reference point for this phenomenon. The spring precipitation impact on water year totals and the geographic extent of the spring precipitation anomaly during the 1991 'Miracle March' (MM91) is without equal in the observational record. This exceptional precipitation episode was initiated by a week-long sequence of extreme atmospheric rivers that started landfalling on February 27th. To this day, MM91 is routinely referenced …

The Musical Connection To Math, Zakiyah Word

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Research has shown that students who partake in musical activities tend to show significantly better test scores in the mathematics achievement. From creating musical lessons that incorporate math to examining the relationship between musical instructions and math scores, different studies have aimed to characterize the relationship between mathematical and musical skills. Spreading across 6 different articles/studies, this thesis examines the use of music and how the creative artform help students comprehend math. Readers of this thesis will learn about the connection between music and math. For prospective teachers, the thesis, also, shares the process one must undertake to become a …

Commutative Rings, Vilmaris Alvarado

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

A group ring, R[G], is the set of all elements of G together with a coefficient from R. Elements of group rings are classified similarly to rings. For example, an element, x, is classified as a unit if there exists another element, y, such that xy produces the multiplicative identity. In the integers, 1 is the trivial unit. Due to the variably large sizes of group rings, using excel sheets often allows for easier computation of group elements and multiplication.

The Universal Language Of Music In Architecture: Bridging Cultures Through John Cage And String Theory, Bronson Knight

Architecture Theses

Music has been a fundamental part of human culture for tens of thousands of years, shaping and reflecting societal values, language, and stories. Beyond its role as entertainment or ritual, music has historically influenced other art forms, notably architecture. Throughout history, architects have drawn inspiration from musical principles such as harmony and rhythm to create architectural experiences that evoke emotional and multisensory experiences. However, in the modern era, architectural design has often shifted toward pure functionality, usually at the expense of deeper meaning or narrative. This contrast with historic times when music and architecture were intertwined, enhancing each other’s expressive …

The Living Library Of Dune, Josey W. Wilson

Architecture Theses

This thesis investigates how language – as a natural, poetic force – can serve as a generative tool in architectural design. It argues that architecture must reclaim its mythopoetic roots, and that through the reintegration of narrative and literary language, built space can once again become a vessel for memory, cultural identity, and transformation.

As both a method and muse, Frank Herbert’s Dune becomes the central literary source for my resulting architectural design. This subjective translation takes form in The Living Library of Dune, a project located in Tacoma, Washington.

The final design of this thesis does not simply present …

Evergrow - Rooted In Connections: Designing Childcare Facilities For Cross-Aged Learning Experiences, Sophia S. Austvold

Architecture Theses

This thesis explores innovative design strategies for childcare facilities that encourage multigenerational and cross-aged learning. Recognizing the evolving needs of families, it reimagines traditional childcare spaces as dynamic environments that encourage collaboration, creativity, and well-being. The proposed design will integrate mixed spaces to support diverse age groups, while blending technology and an adaptable layout to accommodate various learning styles. A key focus is the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor environments, incorporating natural elements to promote sensory-rich experiences and holistic development. By prioritizing sustainability, inclusivity, and engagement, the design will enhance children’s creativity while supporting meaningful mixed-age interactions. Located in …

Building Hope: The Impact Of Culturally Sensitive Modular Architecture On Child Refugees' Education, Chloe Larae Bourdeau

Architecture Theses

This project explores the crossroads between education, architecture, and the growing refugee population. While modular architecture cannot be the sole solution to the issues regarding a lack of formal education for refugee children, architecture, specifically culturally sensitive modular architecture, can help how refugees access education. This research focuses on how design can improve the educational journey of refugee children under the age of 18 in Za’atari. Can culturally sensitive modular architecture positively impact the education of refugee children under the age of 18? The research focuses on both the global refugee statistics surrounding formal education and refugees that are specifically …

A Place To See: Recapturing The Historic Role Of Theatre Through Architecture, Timothy Wren-Bjugstad

Architecture Theses

This thesis examines how we can design theatres to start to encourage audience participation and reclaim the theatres purpose as a seeing place. Through the analysis of theatre’s history from Greece to present day, the works of various theatre thinkers, an examination of a variety of theatrical works, and a synthesis of all the above this thesis presents a theatre design that brings theatres function back to its origins.

The History And Adaptive Reuse Of Kirkbride Buildings, Thomas Otto Himmelspach

Architecture Theses

This thesis paper outlines the history and proposed adaptive reuse of the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center. The research of this thesis first focuses on the architectural characteristics of the Kirkbride Plan and the historical figures who created it. After establishing this baseline knowledge, the research then focuses on the specific Regional Treatment Center Located in Fergus Falls. This thesis also aims to take stock of the total number of Kirkbride buildings in the United States and a basic understanding of their existing conditions. Three case studies of existing Kirkbride buildings successfully adapted. These case studies are analyzed as useful …

Ecological Specialisation Of Reef Fishes Peaks In Global Biodiversity Hotspots, Zoé Delecambre, Renato A. Morais, Alexandre C. Siqueira, Emma Paul Costesec, Caroline E. Dubé, Sergio R. Floeter, Alan M. Friedlander, Fabien Leprieur, Yves Letourneur, Lucas T. Nunes, Jordan M. Casey, Valeriano Parravicini

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: The role of ecological specialisation in shaping biogeographic and evolutionary patterns remains unresolved. To date, few studies have quantitatively examined consumer niche breadth at a global scale. We describe global biogeographic and diversification patterns of specialisation, measured using trophic and thermal niches, for a highly diverse assemblage of consumers: reef fishes. First, we investigated the confluence of specialisation with global biogeographic patterns in species richness and reef area. Then, we tested whether these patterns could be explained by differences in diversification rates and geographic ranges. Location: Tropical reefs across the globe. Time Period: Present. Major Taxa Studied: Reef fishes. …