Digital Commons Network^™

Preparing For V2x Deployment: Evaluating Current Anonymity Implementations, And Developing A Framework For Gauging Roadside Unit Networkability, Daniel Arnaudov Sharp

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis we answer two questions relating to the impending deployment of V2X. We answer, "What is the state of current privacy measures implemented to prevent tracking and promote anonymity?" We answer this by showing that tracking methods used to circumvent changing IDs are possible. We also show through conservative calculations that this problem will not go away on its own and requires direct effort. We also answer, "Is the available production V2X hardware ready for scalable deployment?" To do this we develop a framework for evaluating RSUs and many of their core functions related to deployment, scalability, and …

Designed For Better Control: Using Kinematic And Dynamic Metrics To Optimize Robot Manipulator Design, John R. Morrell

Theses and Dissertations

In the field of control theory, optimal performance is generally defined as the best possible controlled performance given a static, unchangeable plant system. However, principled design of the underlying system can make designing effective controllers easier and dramatically improve the final control performance beyond what any finely tuned controller could achieve alone. This work develops performance metrics for serial robot arms which help guide the design and optimization of the structure of the arm to achieve greater final performance. First, a kinematic (motion-based) metric called the Actuator Independence Metric (AIM) measures the uniqueness of the movement capabilities of the different …

Improved Boreal Vegetation Mapping Using Imaging Spectroscopy To Aid Wildfire Management, Interior Alaska, Anushree Badola

Geosciences

Wildfires are a natural and essential part of Alaska ecosystems, but excessive wildfires pose a risk to the ecosystem's health and diversity, as well as to human life and property. To manage wildfires effectively, vegetation/fuel maps play a critical role in identifying high-risk areas and allocating resources for prevention, suppression, and recovery efforts. Furthermore, vegetation/fuel maps are an important input for fire behavior models, along with weather and topography data. By predicting fire behavior, such as spread rate, intensity, and direction, fuel models allow fire managers to make informed decisions about wildfire suppression, management, and prevention. Traditionally used vegetation/fuel maps …

Coastal Hazard Analyses And Projections For Arctic Alaska Communities, Richard M. Buzard

Geosciences

Storms and a changing climate can cause disasters for coastal communities. This is particularly felt in the Arctic, where temperatures are rising faster than the global average and sea ice decline has led to a longer open-water period when storms can make landfall. Communities in western and northern Alaska have experienced decades of frequent flooding and erosion. Climate change is a significant contributor today and for the future, but the current prevalence of disaster loss is more closely related to the continued development within hazard-prone areas. This dissertation maps areas prone to erosion and flooding to provide decision-making products for …

Design, Calibration, And Experiments To Improve The Feasibility Of Student-Built Magnetometers For Heliophysics Research, Austin David Cohen

Physics

Dynamic interactions between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere can create strong geomagnetic field disturbances and trigger geomagnetically induced currents. Geomagnetically induced currents may cause damage to infrastructure such as damage to high-voltage power transformers and increased corrosion of pipelines. Ground observations of geomagnetic fields are widely used for geomagnetically induced current studies; however, there is insufficient information on the spatial extent of the localized geomagnetically induced current events due to a lack of spatial coverage. The Space Weather UnderGround is an education and outreach program, first initiated by Dr. Charles Smith at the University of New Hampshire and …

Perception Of Eco-Innovation Based On Educational Attainment, Erika Loučanová, Vladislav Kaputa, Miriam Olšiaková

European Management Studies

Aim: To evaluate the influence of educational attainment on the perception of ecological innovation was the main objective of the paper. The depth of attention paid to the interdisciplinary impact of innovations and education in society ultimately affects the level of the culture of education and whether the innovations that arise respect people and their environment. Design/methodology/approach: Input data gathered via survey of customers using the Kano questionnaire. The research applied the Kano model to data processing. The analysis allowed us to measure and explore the emotional reactions of Slovak customers to products. Findings: If multidisciplinary innovations positively affect the …

A Feasibility Study Of A Wearable Health Monitoring Device Powered By Thermoelectric Generators, Sarah Schneider

Masters Theses

Implementation of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) as a power source for embedded systems has increased with the push toward alternative and renewable energy sources. Thermoelectric generators produce electrical energy from thermal energy through the Seebeck effect. The Seebeck effect is a phenomenon seen when a temperature difference at a joint of two different metals generates a DC current and electromotive force [1]. This has made TEGs desirable for embedded system applications because it would allow for extended wireless operation. TEGs are based on solid-state technology which means they do not consist of any moving parts which reduces wear and tear with …

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Minutes, April 17, 2023, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order - John Ferguson
• University Business - Noelle Cockett, President | Larry Smith, Provost
• Faculty Senate Presidency Business - John Ferguson | Boyd Edwards | Maureen Hearns
• Information Educational Policies Committee – April 6, 2023 (no actions | nothing to report) - Paul Barr
• Reports
• Old Business
• New Business
• Adjourn: 4:55 pm

Graph-Based Learning Networks For Automatic Pigment Mapping Of Historical Artifacts, Bei Cao

Theses

Hyperspectral image classification can be a difficult task due to a lack of ground-truth labels and spectral variability. For hyperspectral images (HSIs) of historical artifacts, which are generally man-made objects, this is generally a significant challenge. Aiming to differentiate subtle spectral differences between varied pigments, we introduce graph- based learning networks and a powerful learning pipeline for realizing automatic pigment mapping on the maps. First, we develop a Graph Modularity clustering method for pro- ducing trustworthy ground-truth map for pigment classification task. We analyze the influence of graph structure on the Graph Neural Networks and propose Spatial-Spectral Graph Convolutional Network …

Impacts Of Tidewater Glacier Advance On Iceberg Habitat, Lynn M. Kaluzienski, Jason M. Amundson, Jamie M. Womble, Andrew K. Bliss, Linnea E. Pearson

Faculty, Staff, and Students

Icebergs in proglacial fjords serve as pupping, resting and molting habitat for some of the largest seasonal aggregations of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) in Alaska. One of the largest aggregations in Southeast Alaska occurs in Johns Hopkins Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park, where up to 2000 seals use icebergs produced by Johns Hopkins Glacier. Like other advancing tidewater glaciers, the advance of Johns Hopkins Glacier over the past century has been facilitated by the growth and continual redistribution of a submarine end moraine, which has limited mass losses from iceberg calving and submarine melting and enabled glacier thickening by …

Detailed Characterization Of Material Deformation, Alexander J. Farnsworth

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a comprehensive exploration of material deformation at the atomic level, investigating key findings and contributions through three fundamental methods: Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy (SFG), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD). The research commences by uncovering the material dependency of nonresonant responses in both SFG and Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) signals. This redefinition of the nonresonant component as an information-rich carrier, rather than mere background noise, leads to novel insights into the potential applications of SFG. The study then delves further into the influence of mechanical stress on materials, establishing a connection between dislocation density on …

Warnings Against The Exploitation Of Children In Young Adult Dystopian Literature, James Henry Lambert

English Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

The works of Suzanne Collins, Koushun Takami, and Neal Shusterman present a unique subset of young adult literature in which young adults are forced to kill one another. My thesis argues that the presentation of child gladiators in these stories is a form of weaponization conducted by the fictional governments as deterrent weapons against the parents of these fictional dystopias. This weaponization is accomplished through the creation of spectacular events that are meant to draw the attention to the power of the government, also as a form of deterrence against rebellion. Next, my thesis demonstrates how the human body is …

Aud176.3 Foundations Of Recording And Mixing: Final Audio Production Example 2, Sae University College

Exemplars

An original piece from the band Double Berth.

New Research Equipment At University Of Dayton Serves Students On And Beyond Campus, University Of Dayton

Blog: The Dayton Engineer

Funding from the National Science Foundation and Ohio Department of Higher Education will allow University of Dayton and Central State University researchers to enhance learning opportunities for students on and beyond campus.

On The Design And Power Output Response Of Hydraulic Wind Turbines, Helber Antonio Esquivel-Puentes, Andrea Vacca, Venkatesh Pulletikurthi, Ali Doosttalab, Jose Garcia-Bravo, David M. Warsinger, Leonardo P. Chamorro, Luciano Castillo

School of Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Standard horizontal axis wind turbines typically use gearboxes for large-scale applications and direct coupling for small-scale designs to connect the rotor to the generator. However, gearboxes pose challenges due to their weight, cost, and exposure to dynamic loads and vibrations within the nacelle. A promising alternative is replacing mechanical transmission with a hydrostatic counterpart, offering advantages such as reduced nacelle mass, generator placement at the tower base, and elimination of the gearbox. It can potentially lead to cost savings of up to 20% in the levelized cost of electricity for offshore wind turbines. This study compares regulated hydrostatic transmission with …

Reliability Of Trans-Generational Genetic Mark-Recapture For Enumerating Pacific Salmon, Samuel W. Rosenbaum

Fisheries

As Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) continue to decline across much of their range, it is imperative to further develop reliable tools to quantify trends in population abundance. Estimating the number of spawning adult Pacific salmon (escapement) is a fundamental but challenging objective for fishery managers. Escapement monitoring of Pacific salmon typically requires intensive sampling across the return migration, often in remote locations, and is subject to changing environmental conditions that can reduce data quality. Alternative methods that increase the efficiency, accuracy, and precision of escapement monitoring are desirable, particularly during times of shrinking budgets for fisheries management. With the advent …

The Effect Of Sedimentation On Spore Settlement And Recruitment Of The Endemic Arctic Kelp, Laminaria Solidungula, Jaide Phelps

Marine Biology

The Arctic is experiencing rapid rates of environmental change due to ramifications of a warming climate and human development. Environmental changes can enhance the impact of abiotic stressors, such as sedimentation from enhanced river discharge, permafrost melt, coastal erosion, or construction activities on Arctic nearshore ecosystems. Diverse habitat types, such as kelp beds that populate nearshore systems, are especially vulnerable to these environmental impacts. High sedimentation rates can be detrimental to kelp abundance and distribution, possibly due to increased mortality at the spore dispersal and settlement stages. This study aimed to examine sedimentation effects on spore settlement and viability of …

Mitigation Of Ground Control Issues Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques, Temitope Adebanjo

Engineering

Ground hazards are a major safety concern in underground mines, causing deaths, injuries, and lost work time to miners. Although ground hazards such as roof fall accidents have steadily and significantly declined over the last decade, the safety hazards associated with ground hazards still account for a significant portion of the total number of accidents in the underground mining industry. One of the main reasons behind ground hazards in underground mines is abrupt changes in geological conditions that may decrease the competence of the rocks surrounding an excavation, resulting in ground failure. The changes in geological can be detected in …

Improving The Efficiency Of A Flooded-Bed Dust Scrubber Using A Modified Demister, Darshil Asawa

Engineering

Dust generation is a significant issue in the U.S. mining industry, particularly the underground coal mining industry. It causes health and safety issues for the miners working underground. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of respirable dust (dust of aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm) causes various diseases, including pneumoconiosis, also known as Black Lung, and silicosis. These diseases lead to an airflow blockage in the lungs, causing lung failure or death. Several techniques have been used to capture respirable dust particles, and a flooded-bed scrubber integrated into a continuous miner is one of them. This research focuses on increasing the efficiency of a flooded-bed scrubber by modifying the geometry of one of its components, known as a demister. A demister consists of a series of sinusoidal plates that separate water droplets from air and contribute to the capture efficiency and pressure drop across the scrubber. The geometry of the demister was modified by adding aerodynamic devices, called Vortex Generators (VG), on its plates. Several computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of a modified demister were created, and CFD simulations were performed. An analysis of results indicated an improved water droplet capture efficiency for the modified demister. The study also discovered a potential to reduce the size of the demister which will reduce the pressure drop and eventually the energy consumption of the scrubber.

Geophysical Investigation Of Permafrost Conditions In A Thermokarst-Prone Area In Fairbanks, Alaska, Abdallah Basiru

Engineering

Permafrost degradation is a significant environmental concern for cold regions, posing risks to communities and infrastructure. The warming of near-surface permafrost leads to diverse topographic variations in the Arctic and sub-Arctic communities. The varying rates of thawing permafrost, influenced by ground ice content, give rise to geologic hazards like thermokarst, which causes ground subsidence. This gradual or sudden subsidence endangers existing infrastructure and economic activities in cold regions. A subsurface 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography survey was conducted in the West Ridge area of the University of Alaska Fairbanks upper campus to advance our understanding of frozen ground conditions. The objective …

Machine Learning-Enabled Regional Multi-Hazards Risk Assessment Considering Social Vulnerability, Tianjie Zhang, Donglei Wang, Yang Lu

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The regional multi-hazards risk assessment poses difficulties due to data access challenges, and the potential interactions between multi-hazards and social vulnerability. For better natural hazards risk perception and preparedness, it is important to study the nature-hazards risk distribution in different areas, specifically a major priority in the areas of high hazards level and social vulnerability. We propose a multi-hazards risk assessment method which considers social vulnerability into the analyzing and utilize machine learning-enabled models to solve this issue. The proposed methodology integrates three aspects as follows: (1) characterization and mapping of multi-hazards (Flooding, Wildfires, and Seismic) using five machine learning …

Interaction Of Natural Convection And Real Gas Radiation Over A Vertical Flat Plate, Nathan Hale

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores natural convection heat transfer and fluid flow from a vertical plate in a radiating gas accounting for real gas spectral behavior. Finite volume techniques are used to solve the coupled nonlinear partial differential equations for mass, momentum, and energy conservation, while radiation transfer is modeled using the Discrete Ordinates finite volume finite angle method. Real gas spectral behavior is accounted for using the Rank Correlated Spectral Line Weighted-sum-of-gray-gases method. It is found that gas temperature and velocity are higher in the boundary layer, thickening the thermal and hydrodynamic boundary layers compared to the limiting case of pure …

Using Camera Traps To Advance Wildlife Monitoring In The Arctic, Scott S. Leorna

Biological Sciences

Landscape-level wildlife monitoring in the Arctic is technically and logistically challenging. The Arctic is experiencing rapid and unprecedented climate-related changes as well as increased industrial development. Understanding how environmental change and anthropogenic activity impact wildlife populations is essential to informing responsible management and policy decisions. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are a wide-ranging, highly mobile species in the Arctic with important socio-economic, cultural, and ecological value. Most caribou herds across the circumpolar north are in decline or at historic lows. These conditions create an urgent demand to assess conventional wildlife monitoring strategies and inform opportunities to advance them by integrating new techniques …

Development Of Sulfidogenic Bioremediation Technology For The Treatment Of Acid Mine Drainage In Alaska, Qifan Yang

Engineering

When it comes to the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD), sulfate-reducing bioreactors are more sustainable and inexpensive compared to traditional alkaline treatment methods. As a passive system, sulfate-reducing bioreactors require not only less energy, but also less labor for operation. Sulfate reducing microbial community present in the bioreactor utilizes ����42− as electron acceptor and supplemented organic matter, such as glycerol, as terminal electron donor, and generates alkalinity and sulfides. This process not only neutralizes the acidity, but also removes soluble sulfate. The sulfides can further react with dissolved metal ions in the wastewater and produce precipitates. In this research, …

High Voltage Power Supply For A Small Plasma Spectrometer, Quetzal Luebke-Laroque

Engineering

This thesis describes the design, manufacturing, and testing of a high voltage power supply for an electron spectrometer to be used on a small spacecraft. The challenge was reducing complexity, size, and power consumption enough to be useful for a CubeSat or a sounding rocket sub-payload. The power supply has two purposes: i) it produces DC at roughly 2000 V for a microchannel plate detector and ii) it produces exponential voltage sweeps from about +4000 V to below 5 V for an electrostatic analyzer. This power supply uses solid state relays for a charge pump and for producing voltage sweeps …

Development Of A Versatile Ground Station For Satellite Communications, James Miller

Engineering

The purpose of this project is to create a communication link from a Student Ground Station at the NOAA facility in Fox to the Cubesat Communication Platform (CCP) Cubesat . The Student Ground Station will send Commands (Uplink) and receive Telemetry (Downlink). The radio onboard of the CCP Cubesat is the GOMSpace AX100, which is a Commercial off the shelf system. The GOMSpace AX100 uses Cubesat Space Protocol and AX.25 standards for their packet structure. The GOMspace AX100 uses Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) for modulation. My project will use a Software Defined Radio (SDR) that was coded in Matlab to …

Watch: A Distributed Clock Time Offset Estimation Tool On The Platform For Open Wireless Data-Driven Experimental Research, Cassie Jeng

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

The synchronization of the clocks used at different devices across space is of critical importance in wireless communications networks. Each device’s local clock differs slightly, affecting the times at which packets are transmitted from different nodes in the network. This thesis provides experimentation and software development on POWDER, the Platform for Open, Wireless Data-driven Experimental Research, an open wireless testbed across the University of Utah campus. We build upon Shout, a suite of Python scripts that allow devices to iteratively transmit and receive with each other and save the collected data. We introduce WATCH, an experimental method to estimate clock …

Aud176.3 Foundations Of Recording And Mixing: Final Audio Production Example 1, Sae University College

Exemplars

Cover of the Meat Puppets song ‘Oh Me’.

China Maritime Report No. 30: A Brief Technical History Of Plan Nuclear Submarines, Christopher P. Carlson, Howard Wang

CMSI China Maritime Reports

After nearly 50 years since the first Type 091 SSN was commissioned, China is finally on the verge of producing world-class nuclear-powered submarines. This report argues that the propulsion, quieting, sensors, and weapons capabilities of the Type 095 SSGN could approach Russia’s Improved Akula I class SSN. The Type 095 will likely be equipped with a pump jet propulsor, a freefloating horizontal raft, a hybrid propulsion system, and 12-18 vertical launch system tubes able to accommodate anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles. China’s newest SSBN, the Type 096, will likewise see significant improvements over its predecessor, with the potential to compare …

Mechanochemical Esterification Of Cellulose Nanofibers Lyophilized From Eutectic Water–Tert-Butanol Mixtures, Miran Mavlan, Taehoo Chang, Rudan Feng, Jake R. Wilkinson, Robert J. Nicholas, Nosa B. Idahagbon, Jeffrey Youngblood, Alexander Wei

Department of Chemistry Faculty Publications

Freeze-dried CNFs can be modified by mechanochemical (MC) processes with minimal use of auxiliary solvents, however aggregation of nanofibers during lyophilization compromises their granularity and reaction efficiency. Adding 10 wt% tert-butanol (TBA) to aqueous slurries of wood-derived CNF creates a eutectic mixture that reduces hornification during lyophilization, resulting in well-formed aerogels with minimal shrinkage in volume. CNFs lyophilized from mixtures containing at least 10 wt% TBA exhibit an order of magnitude increase in specific surface area relative to CNFs freeze-dried from water alone. The amount of TBA and input energy needed for lyophilization can be reduced considerably by dewatering …