Digital Commons Network^™

What We Build In Its Place: Police Abolition And Alternative Responses To Drug Overdoses And Mental Health Crises In Canada And The United States, Sean Coady

Social Justice and Community Engagement Major Research Papers

This project examines the idea of police abolition and presents tangible alternative responses that more comprehensively address the complex issues arising from drug overdoses and mental health crises. Through secondary data analysis, this major research project explores police resource allocation, history, and theories of abolition, drawing parallels between initiatives in both Canada and the United States that present alternative responses to police involvement. This research helps to demonstrate the feasibility of non-police solutions to drug overdoses and mental health crises, highlighting their effectiveness in delivering compassionate, non-violent responses that prioritize the health and well-being of those in need of help …

From Cornrow To Hedgerow: The Nebraska National Guard In Peace And War, 1919-1945, Nicholas Andrew Tuma

History Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

This thesis examines the Nebraska National Guard from 1919-1945 and demonstrates how interactions between the troops and their communities were effectively leveraged by Guardsmen to increase the morale of their soldiers in peacetime as well as wartime. The thesis consists of an introduction, five chapters, and a conclusion. The introduction contextualizes the Nebraska National Guard in U.S. military policy and the reasons for its reorganization after World War I. Chapter one describes the reorganization and structure of the Nebraska National Guard. Chapter two examines the Nebraska National Guard in its communities: its personnel; how they were involved in their communities …

Public Services Annual Report 2022-2023, Peter Larsen, Amanda K. Izenstark, Mary C. Macdonald

Public Services Reports

No abstract provided.

Bioinspired Polymers: Transformative Applications In Biomedicine And Regenerative Medicine., Hossein Omidian, Renae L. Wilson, Niloofar Babanejad

HPD Articles

Bioinspired polymers have emerged as a promising field in biomaterials research, offering innovative solutions for various applications in biomedical engineering. This manuscript provides an overview of the advancements and potential of bioinspired polymers in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and biomedicine. The manuscript discusses their role in enhancing mechanical properties, mimicking the extracellular matrix, incorporating hydrophobic particles for self-healing abilities, and improving stability. Additionally, it explores their applications in antibacterial properties, optical and sensing applications, cancer therapy, and wound healing. The manuscript emphasizes the significance of bioinspired polymers in expanding biomedical applications, addressing healthcare challenges, and improving outcomes. By highlighting these …

Site-Specific Glyco-Engineering Of Recombinant Thrombomodulin, Joseph M. Keil

ETD Archive

Thrombomodulin (TM), a membrane glycoprotein predominately expressed on endothelium, plays essential roles in regulating local hemostatic balance. Particularly, TM modulates the activity of thrombin from a procoagulant to an anticoagulant protease. When bound to TM, thrombin activates plasma protein C, which selectively inactivates coagulation factors Va and VIIIa. At the same time, TM-bound thrombin is unable to cleave fibrinogen or to activate platelets diminishing its procoagulant activity. recombinant TM456 is a promising anticoagulant candidate, but it has a very short half-life. TM is a proteoglycan and its O-linked glycosaminoglycan (GAG), chondroitin sulfate (CS), on the D3 domain contributes to TM’s …

Machine Learning Based Average Pressure Coefficient Prediction For Isolated High-Rise Buildings, Shiva Sai Reddy Marapakala

ETD Archive

In structural design, the distribution of wind-induced pressure exerted on structures is crucial. The pressure distribution for a particular building is often determined by scale model tests in boundary layer wind tunnels (BLWTs). For all combinations of interesting building shapes and wind factors, experiments with BLWTs must be done. Resource or physical testing restrictions may limit the acquisition of needed data because this procedure might be time-and resource-intensive. Finding a trustworthy method to cyber-enhance data-collecting operations in BLWTs is therefore sought.

This research analyzes how machine learning approaches may improve traditional BLWT modeling to increase the information obtained from tests …

Verification Of Astm Centrifugation Equations For Soil Suction Determination, Esteban Maclein Miranda Pinzon

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The unit correction constant (B) in the ASTM D6836 standard needs to be evaluated. The B-value was proposed to be 0.00548 instead of 0.00553. This apparent discrepancy led to an investigation comparing the predicted and measured suction values for high air entry (HAE) ceramic disks. A Beckman-Coulter Model J6-MI six-bay centrifuge and a WP4C Dewpoint Potentiameter were used in the testing program. HAE ceramic disks rated with bubbling pressures of 3-bar and 5-bar were used as analogue soil specimens. The HAE ceramic disks were spun in the small-scale centrifuge to apply prescribed suction amounts and then placed in the WP4C …

Estimation Of Gross Primary Productivity Of Rice In Arkansas Using The Vegetation Photosynthesis Model, Riasad Bin Mahbub

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

An estimate of the gross primary productivity (GPP) of rice fields can be instrumental to understand their harvest yield and to fulfill an array of agricultural monitoring needs. One of the most common satellite-based models to estimate GPP is the vegetation photosynthesis model (VPM). In this study, we use the VPM model for rice cropland in Arkansas and validate our findings against 16 site-years in-situ data (eddy covariance (EC)). At the site scale, results validated against 16 site-years have shown that the VPM with site information (R2 = 0.71, MAE = 2.90 g C m-2day- 1, and RMSE = 4.04 …

Raised Field Agriculture On The North Coast Of Peru: Environmental Investigations In The Casma Valley, Seth Price

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Casma Valley, located on the central-northern coast of Peru, is home to a system of raised agricultural fields unique to the region. Relicts of pre-Hispanic culture, these fields are unusually well-preserved and primarily unaffected by modern agriculture. Multiscalar investigations of the Casma Valley raised fields revealed distinct anthropogenic soil alteration and landscape modification patterns. This dissertation assesses why Late Chimú (1300-1470 CE) societies in the Casma Valley converted ca. 2 km2 of land into raised agricultural field systems. This project is designed to investigate the composition and operation of raised fields, the short and long-term effects of field operation, …

Analyzing The Adoption, Cropping Rotation, And Impact Of Winter Cover Crops In The Mississippi Alluvial Plain (Map) Region Through Remote Sensing Technologies, Zobaer Ahmed

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the application of remote sensing technologies in conservation agriculture, specifically focusing on identifying and mapping winter cover crops and assessing voluntary cover crop adoption and cropping patterns in the Arkansas portion of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP). In the first chapter, a systematic review using the PRISMA methodology examines the last 30 years of thematic research, development, and trends in remote sensing applied to conservation agriculture from a global perspective. The review uncovers a growing interest in remote sensing-based research in conservation agriculture and emphasizes the necessity for further studies dedicated to conservation practices. Among the 68 …

Alkali Silica Reaction Mitigation Using Glycerin, Ana Laura Errigo Chanis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The use of glycerin as a concrete additive to reduce alkali silica reaction (ASR), was evaluated and is presented in this study. Specifically, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) ultra-accelerated alkali silica reaction testing procedure by means of autoclaving was employed to examine the use of glycerin for ASR mitigation or reduction by analyzing mortar bar expansion data. The fine aggregates used in this investigation consisted of highly reactive Jobe Sand or Los Lunas Sand with an autoclave expansion of 0.5 and 0.4 percent, respectively. The laboratory investigation was performed by recording the amount of expansion of the …

Civilizational Security: Why The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine Shows That ‘National Security’ Is Not Enough To Understand Geopolitics, Greg (Grzegorz) Lewicki

Comparative Civilizations Review

This paper argues that the idea of “national security” is sometimes overwritten by “civilizational security” in security-related considerations. Civilizational security, as understood in this paper, refers to a country's security stemming from its belonging to a cultural zone or a civilization. The author clarifies the terms “a civilization,” “civilizational identity,” and “civilizational security.” Citing the examples of Poland, Ukraine, and Russia when considering the parameter of civilizational security allows us to better analyze and predict some processes, including geopolitical dilemmas and civilizational trends. It is argued that prior to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia misunderstood its own civilizational security …

Resuscitating E-Commerce's Transnational Promise With Out-Of-Court Processes, Oladeji Tiamiyu

Sturm College of Law: Faculty Scholarship

E-commerce is increasingly taking a central role in conducting commercial transactions. This burgeoning industry has shaped how, when, and even why consumers transact. While catalyzed by the pandemic, increased use of e-commerce platforms is a multi-decade historical trend. Yet regulators throughout much of the world have been slow in how they regulate these platforms. In recognition of the growing importance of digital transactions, regulators have increasingly explored what should be the appropriate amount of oversight for platforms that have relied on substantial self-regulation. Regulation has increased the difficulty for private and public enforcement of antitrust laws, compromising a variety of …

Nebline, August/September 2023

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Understanding the “WHY” of Challenging Behavior in Young Children Can Help With Strategies by Hayley Jackson

5 Reasons to Support Your Farmers Market by Tara Dunker

Recipes of the Month: Chocolate Zucchini Muffins and Fresh Salsa by Kayla Colgrove

Time for Fall Lawn Seeding by Sarah Browning

Garden Guide: Things to Do This Month

Using Water Resources More Efficiently by Becky Schuerman

Parasitoids: Nature’s Biocontrol by Kait Chapman

Lancaster County Super Fair, Aug. 3-12, 2023

Webinars Addressing Biting Pests in Early Childhood and School Settings

Ag Landlord/Tenant Workshop

4-H Announcements for 4-H'ers or 4-H Volunteers

Heart of 4-H Volunteer Award: …

The Gender And Race Intersectional Disproportionality-Tool (Grid-T): An Exploration Of Practitioners’ Access To And Use Of High-Quality Data For Special Education Placement, Audrey J. Ford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Disproportionality in special education (SPED) is upheld by systems and individuals, policies, and practices that both reflect and shape the local communities within which it exists. Even with many proposed solutions for disproportionality, it persists. This two-manuscript dissertation explores two characteristics that make disproportionality difficult to solve (e.g., inconsistent findings and persistence) and proposes a tool to inform data-based decision making in interventions for disproportionality in SPED.

Manuscript One (M1) includes a literature review and development of the Gender and Race Intersectionality Disproportionality- Tool (GRID-T). Based on the findings of the literature review about inconsistence and persistence, I crafted three …

Manufacturer’S Product Line Selling Strategy And Add-On Policy In Product Sharing, Yu Zhang, Min Huang, Lin Tian, Gangshu (George) Cai, Delong Jin, Zhiping Fan

Information Systems and Analytics

During the sharing boom, product lines and add-ons are significant for manufacturers who have established sharing platforms to provide sharing and rental services. In this paper, we consider a manufacturer that provides two products of different quality in the rental channel (i.e., the B2C sharing platform) and the sales channel. We investigate the manufacturer’s product-line selling strategies: either the manufacturer sells low-quality products and rents high-quality products (i.e., the LH product line), or the manufacturer sells high-quality products and rents low-quality products (i.e., the HL product line). We also examine whether to offer the add-on for rental products. The results …

Resource Provisioning For Data-Intensive User-Facing Applications, Huiyang Li

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Data-intensive, User-facing Services (DUSes) such as web searching, digital marketing, online social networking, and online retailing are critical workloads in clouds and datacenters. Meeting stringent query tail-latency Service Level Objectives (SLO) for DUS queries is essential for optimal user experience and business success. However, achieving these objectives is challenging due to the scale-out nature of DUese workloads and the varying resource demands of queries with different fanouts. Additionally, the design and configuration options for clusters significantly impact query performance. In this dissertation, we present solutions of DUSes performance online and offline optimization. We highlight the importance of reducing query tail …

Optimal Sizing And Safe Management Of Lithium-Ion Batteries In High Voltage Power Systems, Hayden Lee Atchison

Electrical Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Lithium-ion batteries have gained widespread use in various applications, but safety challenges persist due to errors in assembly and faulty electronics management. Ensuring safety and reliable operation in large batteries containing numerous series/parallel cells demand innovative monitoring technologies. Elevated temperatures resulting from normal or abnormal operation are a major cause of battery failure, necessitating effective temperature monitoring techniques. Similarly, abnormal stress/strain signatures offer valuable diagnostic information. In the study discussed here, the application of a Optical Distributed Sensor Interrogator (ODiSI) employing high-definition fiber optic sensors (HD-FOS) for measuring surface temperature and case deformation of 18650 cells under normal and abnormal …

Deep Learning For Molecular Property Prediction, Hehuan Ma

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Drug discovery has always been a crucial task for society, and molecular property prediction is one of the fundamental problem. It is responsible for identifying the target properties or severe side-effects, so that certain molecules can be selected as the candidates of drugs. Traditional methods usually conduct a series of biochemical experiments to test the molecular properties, which may take up to decades. Nowadays, this process can be facilitated due to the rapid growth of deep learning methods. I present my work toward solving this critical problem by utilizing deep learning techniques. My research study can be summarized in three …

Hardware In The Loop Test Stand For Battery Management System Validation In Shipboard Controls, Cole Dawson Tschritter

Electrical Engineering Dissertations - Archive

ABSTRACT: Traditionally, large-scale power systems have relied on power generation always exceeding the total load demand. Though this is most often the case, there are rare occurrences where failures in the generation, distribution, or even planning, that have led to situations where load demand quickly surpasses the generation capacity. In such cases, uncontrolled shedding of loads occurs, leading to brownouts or blackouts that can have catastrophic impact to both people and property. Advanced architectures, such as microgrids, offer a variety of improvements that are aimed at mitigating or even preventing these failures. Improvements include distributed power generation, active source and …

High Magnification Surface Topography Based Digital Image Correlation (Dic) For Identifying Damage Accumulation And Crack Growth In Polycrystalline Nickel, Arash Valiollahi

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Damage index parameters that have been formulated to identify damage localization in plastically deformed materials typically require all six stress or strain components. Recently, simulations through Crystal Plasticity Finite Element Method (CPFEM) have been widely used to extract damage initiation parameters. However, these models are rarely verified due to the challenges in measuring the out-of-plane deformation/strain experimentally. A damage index combining the effective plastic strain and surface roughness change is investigated for identifying damage accumulation sites and predicting crack propagation path in polycrystalline pure Nickel. A novel Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique is developed to measure both in-plane and out-of-plane …

Investigation Of Thermal Performance Enhancement And Thermo-Mechanical Assessment Of Ite Using Single-Phase Immersion Cooling Technology, Pratik Bansode

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The use of air-cooling as a thermal management technique in data centers has consistently maintained its importance, however its efficacy is limited to CPUs with lower power requirements. The expenses and energy use related to the air circulation process for high-power density racks are deemed excessively costly. The limits of air cooling have aroused concerns owing to its low specific heat capacity and poor thermal conductivity, which result in reduced effectiveness. Consequently, a substantial discourse has emerged about alternate and effective cooling methods that provide supplementary advantages, such as the recuperation of waste heat. In light of the limitations associated …

Optimal Aggressive Constrained Trajectory Synthesis And Control For Multi-Copters, Tsung-Liang Liu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Multi-copters have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their availability, mobility, agility, and flexibility. They serve as excellent platforms for control experiments and various applications. Their characteristics also make them an attractive choice for high-speed aerial navigation in complex environments. Numerous studies have been conducted on aggressive trajectory generation and maneuver tracking. However, the level of aggressiveness achievable depends on the optimality of the trajectory plan and the dynamic capabilities of the vehicle. It would be valuable if one can generate a trajectory that fully utilizes the dynamic capabilities of the multi-copter while accommodating specific maneuvers at predetermined …

Enhancing Experiential Learning Through Virtual Reality: A Case Study In System Design And Hazard Analysis, Rafia Rahman Rafa

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Theses - Archive

ABSTRACT: The recent advancement of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies leads to an extensive need for an industrial workforce. Training in AM requires expensive capital investment to install and maintain this technology and proper knowledge about potential safety hazards. Experiential, immersive training platforms like Virtual Reality (VR) can overcome this challenge by providing opportunities for effective learning in a safe and controlled environment. VR can teach students through active participation and immersive, hands-on experiences, which is especially important for manufacturing processes involving high-risk conditions. VR can expose students to manufacturing hazards and allow them to learn through trial and error without …

Analyzing The Thermomechanical Performance Of Tg400g Material Substrate Core Under Immersion Cooling, Venkateswar Vishnu Tirupati Venkatachal

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

The relentless surge in demand for seamless information exchange through consumer electronics, driven by the indispensable role of the Internet, has given rise to an unprecedented need for data centres. Yet, the energy consumption of conventional data centres, where a significant one-third of energy usage is attributed solely to cooling, has triggered an urgent quest for energy-efficient solutions. Immersion cooling technology appears as a promising contender due to its exceptional prowess in managing thermal energy. However, its potential impact on the reliability of IT equipment needs a more profound exploration before widespread adoption can be realized. This study embarks on …

Quantification And Identification Of Neuro-Electrophysiological Markers And Brain Network For Biomedical Applications, Shu Kang

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Electroencephalogram (EEG) can detect and monitor neuro-electrophysiological signals in the human brain, including assessing brain function in newborns at risk of neurological injury and healthy adults undergoing intervention with prefrontal transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM). Moreover, EEG-based brain functional connectivity can be assessed in either resting-state or task-based measurements using graph-theoretical network modeling. However, the management of newborns with mild hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is controversial, and no study has investigated the EEG-based brain network and information flow resulting from HIE. Also, the underlying electrophysiological mechanism of tPBM is still unclear, and further research is needed to determine optimal parameters for tPBM …

Comparison Of Condition Prediction Models To Prioritize Sewer Pipe Inspections, Madhuri Arjun

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Over time, wastewater collection systems deteriorate, necessitating ongoing adjustments and the development of asset management frameworks by utility proprietors to maintain the performance of their assets. Any asset management framework should emphasize the importance of asset inspection and condition assessment for system-efficient operation and maintenance. In the United States, closed-circuit television (CCTV) is the most common method for inspecting the interior of sewer pipelines. This procedure is expensive and time-consuming due to a city's extensive inventory of pipes. Due to the immense quantity of these pipes, every municipality can only inspect some sections of sanitary sewer pipes promptly. Therefore, the …

Artificial Intelligence-Based Evaluation Of Pipeline Structures Using Multi-Sensor Robots, Mohammad Shaher Moh'd Rababeh

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

ABSTRACT: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-BASED EVALUATION OF PIPELINE STRUCTURES USING MULTI-SENSOR ROBOTS Mohammad Shaher Rababeh, Ph.D. The University of Texas at Arlington, August 2023 Supervising Professor: Ali Abolmaali All around the world, pipeline systems are safe, efficient, and cost-effective for transporting liquids such as stormwater and wastewater. However, different defects develop in pipeline structures with aging and use. Leaks and significant failures might create severe danger for the environment, and for humans in urban areas. This deterioration in pipelines happens under the influence of different factors. In general, observing and evaluating pipelines will allow us to understand its behavior under various conditions …

Breaking The Lignin Barrier With Termite Tav5 Treatment Technology (T4): Biopower And Biofuel From Agricultural Waste, Hussain Ali

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Bioenergy obtained from anaerobic digestion of lignocellulose biomass is one of the promising candidates to help move towards a fossil fuel free future. Agriculture waste has up to 90% lignocellulose content, and the eight leading US crops produce over 500 million tons of residue each year. Unfortunately, lignin is resistant to microbial attack under low oxygen conditions which normally occur in anaerobic digesters, and it often shields lignocellulose components (cellulose and hemicellulose) from decomposition as well. Traditional physical/chemical methods for destroying lignin are typically costly due to energy and chemical requirements and can create toxic intermediates (Rahimi et al., 2020). …

Coastal Home Elevation For Flood Mitigation: Structural Safety And Benefit/Cost Analysis, Cedric Ling

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

construction practice along the Texas Gulf coast under uniform floor live load. The first specimen had four panels with monolithically poured grade beams around each panel, while the second specimen had two panels with monolithically poured grade beams supported by additional steel beams. The second specimen also included carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminate retrofitting under one of the panels. The slabs were supported by concrete block masonry piers with various contact conditions. It was found that the typical contractor-determined elevation layout can withstand the building code-mandated floor live load. Increased column spacing decreased slab load capacity as expected. The …