Digital Commons Network^™

Combinatorial Rigidity And Flexibility Of Simplicial 2-Complexes With Few Vertices, Serge A. Lawrence, Abdulkarim M. Magomedov, Olga I. Chelyapina, Valentina M. Rudenko

Theory & Applications of Graphs

We study the problem of reconstruction of a simplicial 2-complex from its 1- skeleton together with the prescribed quantities of 2-simplices at each 1-simplex, under the restriction that these quantities are bounded above by 2. It is a known fact that a 2-complex is uniquely reconstructible, or “combinatorially rigid”, if it has 5 or fewer vertices. In this paper “combinatorially flexible” 2-complexes (that is, non-uniquely reconstructible from their 1-skeletons) with 6 vertices are characterized in terms of necessary 2-subcomplexes.

Tracking And Increasing Digital Literacy Skills In Secondary Education, Joseph Elsen

Masters Projects

Some students in secondary schools struggle to perform at proficient levels in their digital literacy skills. These skills are grouped into multiple categories and can be applied to a wide range of interdisciplinary subjects. Students should understand and be analytical about the technology they use, be able to create new content in a creative way, and can collaborate with a global audience in an ethical way (Pangrazio, et. al. 2020). Because of the wide range of disciplines and rapidly changing technology, the definition of being digitally literate has changed in the last twenty-five years. Students with lower digital literacy skills …

Ensemble Learning With Explainable Ai For Improved Heart Disease Prediction Based On Multiple Datasets, Shahid Mohammad Ganie, Pijush Kanti Dutta Pramanik, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Predicting and detecting heart disease early is crucial, as it allows medical professionals to take appropriate and necessary actions at earlier stages. Healthcare professionals can diagnose cardiac conditions more accurately by applying machine learning technology. This study aimed to enhance heart disease prediction using stacking and voting ensemble methods. Fifteen base models were trained on two different heart disease datasets. After evaluating various combinations, six base models were pipelined to develop ensemble models employing a meta-model (stacking) and a majority vote (voting). The performance of the stacking and voting …

Studying Cultural Change With Transhistorical Semantic Directions, Travis Daichi Ashby

Theses and Dissertations

This study advances the use of diachronic word embeddings in cultural sociology, contributing both methodologically and substantively. Methodologically, it synthesizes best practices for constructing semantic directions and addresses challenges arising from diachronic embeddings, including missing data and semantic drift. Substantively, it examines historical changes in schemas and conceptual metaphors related to "processing." By analyzing the changing associations between processing-related words (e.g., "raw" and "refined") and evaluative categories like authenticity, valence, and aesthetics, the study examines whether word-level changes amongst schematically-related words indicate deeper cultural shifts at the schematic level. Findings indicate a growing association between processed states and inauthenticity, a …

Inquiry-Style Planetarium Activities, Emma Rasmussen Groberg

Theses and Dissertations

Introductory astronomy students often face challenges in exploring their own ideas and investigating astronomical phenomena due to the limitations of nighttime observation and weather conditions. Planetariums overcome these barriers by simulating the night sky, making it accessible during class sessions regardless of external conditions. This provides an opportunity to engage students in inquiry-based activities, where they are presented with a scenario and encouraged to use their own reasoning to reach conclusions. In this study, we implemented inquiry-based activities in PHSCS 127 using the planetarium as an investigative tool. We developed four activities designed to help students explore their ideas and …

Reconstruction Of Cad Models Into Single Trimmed Surfaces, Rebecca Rasmussen

Theses and Dissertations

Classical methods by which computer-aided design (CAD) geometries are represented for both design and analysis involve meshing. However, the current process of converting a CAD model into an analysis-suitable surface mesh for the automotive industry takes a significant amount of time and labor, results in a faceted representation of the original smooth geometry, and generates representations that are prohibitively expensive for use in high-order explicit dynamics computations. This research focuses on accurately and efficiently rebuilding given CAD surfaces or meshes, such as shell-like components of automotive vehicles, into smooth, single trimmed spline surface approximations (rather than typical piecewise-linear approximations), making …

Modeling The Kepler Systems With Multiple Transiting Planets, Daniel Kempton Jones

Theses and Dissertations

As the study of exoplanets, planets not in our solar system, has developed, new observational constraints have illuminated the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Among these observations, the true distributions of planetary mass, radius, and density are at the forefront. NASA's Kepler Space Telescope has provided an enormous wealth of data on the exoplanet radius distribution as well as a significant fraction of mass measurements through the detection of planet-planet dynamical interactions. The best method for studying these exoplanetary systems is with a photodynamical model which combines an n-body integrator with lightcurve model to generate synthetic lightcurves. To support …

Advancing Aerial Survey Techniques For Non-Breeding Waterfowl Populations: A Comprehensive Review And Application In Northeastern Louisiana, Victoria L. Drake

LSU Master's Theses

Aerial surveys play a crucial role in monitoring North America's waterfowl populations and habitat conditions, and consistency across geographies and years allows biologists to track trends through time. The goal of this project was to redesign the northeastern portion of the Louisiana wintering waterfowl survey to align with statistically robust transect surveys conducted in neighboring states within the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. To identify the optimal sampling method, we evaluated three transect weighting schemes: stratified random (unweighted), stratified by watershed, and stratified by expert opinion. Approximately 10% of the total sampling area was randomly selected for each survey period, adhering to …

Securing Edge-Iiot Networks: A Comprehensive Ensemble-Based Ddos Detection System, Fariba Laiq, Feras Al-Obeidat, Adnan Amin, Fernando Moreira

All Works

As the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices increases daily due to the rapid growth in technology, every device and network is vulnerable to attacks because it is exposed to the internet. Denial of Service (DoS) is a prevalent type of intrusion on the IoT network in which the server becomes down due to flooding requests. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) is a special type of DoS attack where the network of malicious computers called botnet consumes the target's system resources by flooding the requests. Edge computing is closely related to Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and industry 4.0. …

Understanding Flow: An Experimental Analysis Of A Magnetohydrodynamic Fluid Pump, Quintin Yates, Emily Hawkins

Honors Thesis

When a magnetic field and electrical current are perpendicular to each other, an ionized fluid will experience a force called the Lorentz force. This force can be applied to create a pump. These pumps have potential applications in desalination and fluid systems in space. The technology is new, and still not well understood but are a potential alternative to typical mechanical pumps. This thesis develops a comprehensive experimental understanding of the fluid flow through a 3D-printed magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pump. Lagrangian particle tracking (LPT) uses neutrally buoyant particles and a camera system to collect quantitative velocity information of a system. Particle …

An Intercomparison Of Wall Fluxes In A Turbulent Thermal Convection Chamber: Direct Numerical Simulations And Wall-Modeled Large-Eddy Simulations Enhanced By Machine Learning, Aaron Wang, Silvio Schmalfuß, Kamal Kant Chandrakar, Hadi Zanganeh Kia, Fan Yang, Mikhail Ovchinnikov, Raymond A. Shaw, Yunsoo Choi

Michigan Tech Publications

Thermal convection in a closed chamber is driven by a warm bottom, a cold top, and side walls at various temperatures. Although wall fluxes are the source of convection energy, accurately modeling these fluxes (i.e., the wall model) is challenging. In large-eddy simulations (LESs), many wall models are traditionally derived from the canonical boundary layer, which may be unsuitable for thermal convection bounded by both horizontal and vertical walls. This study conducts a model intercomparison of dry convection in a cubic-meter chamber using three direct numerical simulations (DNSs) and four LESs with different wall models. The LESs employ traditional wall …

Risk Factors Of Self-Reported Prediabetes Status In New York State, Kari Ann Hunter Thompson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prediabetes affects over 4 million people in New York State and increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Prior research identified risk factors such as poor diet, inactivity, obesity, hypertension, and smoking; but no studies examined these collectively or assessed their interactions. This quantitative, cross-sectional study analyzed a sample of 289 non-institutionalized adults aged 18 or older with landline or cellular phone, from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The study examined relationships between prediabetes and 16 factors in five categories: demographic (age, race, sex, education), socioeconomic (income, employment), behavioral (fruit intake, vegetable intake, physical activity, smoking), physiological (hypertension, BMI), …

Characterization Of Kcl-Activated Carbon Derived From Walnut Shells Of Tidore Island, Indonesia, I Dewe Ketut Anom, Chaleb Paul Maanari, Marianus, Johny Zeth Lombok, Saprizal Hadisaputra, I Dewa Gede Katja, Jefry Jack Mamangkey, Aisyiah Restutiningsih Putri Utami

Baghdad Science Journal

Activated carbon is highly valued for its versatility and extensive industrial use. Walnut (Canarium vulgare Leech), an indigenous Indonesian plant primarily found in Eastern regions like Maluku and Tidore islands, produces shells that can be converted into activated carbon. This study involved obtaining carbon from walnut shells through pyrolysis at 360°C for 6 hours, followed by activation in a 3M KCl solution for 24 hours. The activated carbon was analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). FTIR analysis revealed functional groups including N-H, Ar-H (aromatic), C≡N, carbonyl CO, and ester …

Ontologies For Smart Agriculture: A Path Toward Explainable Ai-A Systematic Literature Review, Rima Grati, Najla Fattouch, Khouloud Boukadi

All Works

Smart agriculture has grown significantly over the last few years, particularly with the integration of advanced technologies (e.g., the Internet of Things, robots, artificial intelligence, etc.), leading to the development of intelligent agricultural systems. However, these systems often lack data integration, interoperability, and semantic explainability. Various approaches have been proposed to address these challenges. This study provides a comprehensive literature review that addresses, on the one hand, the use of semantic resources (e.g., semantic web technologies and ontologies) to tackle data integration and interoperability in smart agriculture systems and, on the other hand, the integration of explainable artificial intelligence into …

Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Young Learners With Special Needs: Implementation Of The Resilience Based Interaction Model, Laura Knotts

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

No abstract provided.

Trenching And Compost Sustain Grain Yield Increases Over Nine Years On Deep Sands But At A Cost, David J.M. Hall, Tom J. Edwards

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

Context. Crops grown on deep sands on the south coast of WA are limited by soil physical and chemical properties including compaction and poor nutrition. Aims. Crops grown on deep sands on the south coast of Western Australia are limited by soil physical and chemical properties including compaction and poor nutrition. Our aim was to determine what effects deep-placed organic amendments have on soil properties and crop production in a deep sand and whether such amendments are profitable. Methods. A long-term field trial was conducted over nine years (2015–2023) to investigate soil amendments including lime (0 and …

An Approach To Model Uncertainty In Fluid Behaviour With Navier-Stokes Equations In Neutrosophic Environment, Muhammad Saeed, Attia Hameed, Neha Andaleeb Khalid, Muhammad Salman Habib

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

The complex discipline of fluid dynamics examines the behavior of fluids and their interactions with adjacent objects. The Navier-Stokes equations are very important for explaining how fluids move, but they are not linear and often give answers that depend on the starting point and the boundaries. Modeling fluid behavior is challenging due to the inherently chaotic and unpredictable character of fluid dynamics. To deal with unknown or uncertain values in this research, we used neutrosophic logic to look at the Navier-Stokes equations in a new way. Neosophic logic permits the existence of values that are partially true and partially false; …

Teacher Perceptions Of Factors Contributing To Special Educator Teacher Attrition, Carlesha Shanita King Douglas

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem investigated in this study was the high attrition rate for special education teachers. Attrition rates have been associated with a variety of adverse outcomes, including heavy workloads, behavior problems, reduced student achievement, and increased levels of stress. High attrition rates also create a financial burden on school districts. Using Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory as the conceptual framework, this qualitative study aimed to identify job-related factors that contribute to special education teachers leaving the profession. The research question guiding this study identified the factors that cause special education teachers to leave the profession. Data were collected by interviewing 12 current …

Speed Of Shear Waves As A Function Of Frequency In Micellar Fluid, Michael Basha

Honors Theses

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the frequency dependence of shear wave speed in a micellar fluid. A high-concentration CTAB-NaSal micellar fluid seeded with microspheres was used in the experiment. Shear waves were generated using a wave driver and a function generator, while a high-speed camera captured video recordings. Since the frequency of the wave driver producing the shear waves in the micellar fluid is a constant value set by the experimenter, changes in shear wave speed can be determined by measuring their wavelengths at different frequencies.The captured video was then broken down into frames using MATLAB. These …

Automating Course Scheduling With Linear Programming And The Python Pulp Framework: First Steps, George K. Thiruvathukal

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

This article presents a pragmatic approach to automating course scheduling in an academic setting using linear programming.

We explore how linear optimization via current open-source tools can efficiently handle scheduling constraints such as instructor preferences, teaching loads, course section requirements, and specific time slots. Using Python’s PuLP library and matplotlib for visualization, we built a flexible and accessible scheduling system.

Our research prototype balances course assignments while addressing department-specific needs, demonstrating how linear programming can simplify academic scheduling and improve efficiency.

Although this is a research prototype, our results already demonstrate the ability to generate a correct course schedule that …

Spherical Spiky Zno/Au Nanostructures For Efficient Photoelectrochemical Watersplitting, Kouroush Sali̇mi̇

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Spiky zinc oxide (ZnO)/Au nanostructures with spherical shape-defined morphologies were synthesized using polydopamine as a starting template for photoelectrochemical H2 production under visible light-emitting diode (LED) illumination. This low-temperature processing technique not only facilitated the fabrication of ideal plasmon-sensitive heterostructures, but also enhanced the electron mobility of the photoanodes, reaching 5.7 mA/cm² [at 1.0 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)] under visible LED illumination (30 mW/cm2). This notable value was 28 times greater than that observed under dark conditions, primarily attributed to the close Schottky contact between the Au and ZnO spikes. The highest applied bias photon-to-current efficiency value …

Synthesis Of Low Ph Stable, Highly Photocatalytic Alginate Hydrogels For Methylene Blue Removal From Wastewater, Emi̇rcan Uysal, Hali̇de Nur Dursun, Emre Can Uysal, Sebahatti̇n Gürmen

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Chemical compounds in wastewater, including dye molecules, have been identified as significant concerns for environmental integrity and human health. In this study, adsorbent materials were synthesized from biodegradable polymers to remove methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. Calcium alginate hydrogels were produced and coated with chitosan to enhance their pH stability. Furthermore, the calcium alginate gels were doped with silver nanoparticles to improve their photocatalytic properties, promoting MB degradation and enabling gel reuse. The adsorption behavior of the gels was comprehensively examined under dark conditions, considering factors such as time, solid-to-liquid ratio, temperature, and pollutant concentration, all of which significantly impact …

Synthesis Of Thiazole-Integrated Pyrrolotriazinones: Evaluations Of Cytotoxicity And Effects On Pi3k Levels In Cancer Cells, Eylem Kuzu, Ege Arzuk, Fuat Karakuş, Burak Kuzu, Hasan Genç

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

The synthesis of novel heterocyclic compounds, particularly those targeting critical signaling pathways in cancer, represents a promising approach to drug development. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of thiazole-integrated pyrrolotriazinone derivatives, aiming to combine the antiproliferative properties of thiazole with the PI3K inhibitory activity of pyrrolotriazinones. The PI3K pathway, which plays a critical role in regulating cell growth, proliferation, and survival, is frequently dysregulated in cancer, making it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. The synthesized derivatives were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, A549, and HepG2 cancer cell lines. Their effect on PI3K protein levels …

Ecofriendly Synthesis And Characterization Of Oxygen-Enriched G-C3n4 From Diverse Precursors For Efficient Organic Dye Decontamination, Muchammad Tamyiz

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Industrial wastewater from sectors such as textiles, printing, and pharmaceuticals contains harmful pollutants, including nonbiodegradable dyes, which pose significant challenges for environmental safety. Neutral red, a cationic dye commonly found in wastewater, obstructs photosynthesis in aquatic ecosystems and carries potential toxicity. Traditional methods of dye removal often prove ineffective due to the chemical stability of these compounds. In this study, oxygen-doped graphitic carbon nitride (O-doped g-C3N4) was synthesized as an innovative photocatalyst for the degradation of neutral red dye under visible light. The material was synthesized through a sustainable process involving the calcination of urea, dicyandiamide, and oxalic acid, and …

Investigation Of The Interaction Conditions Of As2s5 And Cucl2 Compounds In Water And Ethylene Glycol Medium, Huseyn Imanov, Mahnur Jafarli

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

The article presents the results of interaction conditions of CuCl2 and As2S5 in ethylene glycol and aquatic medium. Besides, results of the obtained samples' physicochemical properties are given by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermogravimetric (DTG), thermogravimetric (TG), elemental and scanning electron microscope (SEM) methods. It was found that when ethylene glycol and water are used as a solvent and CuCl2 and As2S5 as the initial components, Cu3AsS4 is obtained at a temperature of 323-353 K. According to the results of DTA analysis, it was found that the melting point of obtained samples was 964.4 K contrary to the reactions carried …

Fabrication Of Au–Pd Bimetallic Dendrites And Their Catalytic Application For4-Nitrophenol Reduction, Jun Liu, Xuanyan Liu, Hongguang Liao

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Bimetal nanocatalysts hold significant application potential in catalytic reactions due to their compositions, morphologies, and electronic structures. In the present work, a series of AuPd alloy dendrites were successfully prepared using sodium formate, without surfactants or templates. A systematic investigation was then conducted to analyze the composition of the AuPd bimetallic dendrites and the effects of preparation conditions on their structure and catalytic performance. The AuPd alloy dendrites were characterized through various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray energy scattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that the Au:Pd ratio in the AuPd …

Tobacco Smoking Functional Networks: A Whole-Brain Connectome Analysis In 24 539 Individuals, Yezhi Pan, Chuan Bi, Zhenyao Ye, Hwiyoung Lee, Jiaao Yu, Luba Yammine, Tianzhou Ma, Peter Kochunov, L Elliot Hong, Shuo Chen

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Nicotine addiction, a multifaceted neuropsychiatric disorder, profoundly impacts brain functions through interactions with neural pathways. Despite its significance, the impact of tobacco smoking on the whole-brain functional connectome remains largely unexplored.

Aims and methods: We conducted a whole-brain analysis on 24 539 adults aged 40 and above from the United Kingdom Biobank cohort. Subjects were categorized into individuals who use nicotine and those who do not use nicotine based on current and chronic tobacco smoking information. Functional connectivity was assessed using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We employed a network analysis method to assess the systematic effects of tobacco …

Re: Bpsou Superfund Stormwater Operation And Maintenance (O&M) Request For Maintenance – Kelley Stormwater Channels, Josh Bryson

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Prison Education On Prison Misconduct, Kelli Brooke Garrett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Prison education programs can be found in nearly every carceral institution and are the cornerstone of rehabilitative efforts. Prison education, ranging from basic adult education to college-in-prison programs, provides numerous transformative educational opportunities that can lead to successful desistance. While the benefits of participation in prison education programs are evident, including reduced recidivism, increased employment, and family impact, the impact on reducing prison misconduct is less clear. This study aimed to determine the association between prison education and misconduct while controlling for the demographic, educational, and social factors that impact participation in prison education programs. A secondary analysis was conducted …

A Comprehensive Guide To V2x Security: Protocol Analysis, Risk Assessment, And Emerging Innovations, Stefano Alessandro Blasoni

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

ABSTRACT As Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication becomes an integral component of intelligent transportation systems, ensuring its security is critical for maintaining safety, privacy, and reliability on the road. However, research on V2X security is often overly specialized and complex, limiting more broad collaboration and public scrutiny from the wider cybersecurity community and the public. This lack of understanding affects the further collaborative efforts that could enhance V2X security and the V2X ecosystem. This thesis bridges that gap by applying fundamental computer security principles to V2X protocols, specifically Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) and Cellular V2X (C-V2X). It analyzes their security mechanisms, assesses …