Digital Commons Network^™

Nanomagnet Based Straintronic Devices For Unconventional Computing: Simulation And Performance Analysis, Rahnuma Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

Nanomagnetic devices are of great interest in digital hardware because of their non-volatility and dynamic ability to change magnetization but suffer from high switching error rates and temperature sensitivity. Magnetostrictive nanomagnets that utilize strain to switch between stable magnetization states encoding bit information are of interest since they are extremely energy efficient as piezoelectric layers can be used to rotate magnetization that have switching energies in the range of attojoules. Their stochasticity can also be useful in probabilistic, analog, neuromorphic, and collective computing systems, where occasional switching errors are not devastating. The dissertation extends spintronics beyond conventional computing schemes by …

Ontological Runtime Monitoring For Mission Engineering, Alexander R. Will

Theses and Dissertations

The advent of the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) concept will bring low-altitude aviation to civilians through passenger and cargo transport. However, the prospective vehicles in UAM studies are predominantly autonomous, raising questions about their efficacy and stability in densely populated urban areas. At the same time, extensive work has been performed to define a new branch of systems engineering that focuses on runtime behavior, synchronization, communication, and task allocation.This field is known as "mission engineering". Mission engineering has been deployed in military scenarios to model human-autonomy cooperation. By applying the concepts from this field to UAM, full systems-of-systems can be …

Optimizing Energy Efficiency In Educational Buildings Through Facade Material Selection, Rania Rushdy Moussa, Malak Ayman, Khloud Khalid

Architectural Engineering

Facade material selection is crucial for improving building performance and reducing environmental effect, as evidenced by the growing demand for sustainable architectural solutions, especially in educational institutions. The use of typical, non-sustainable facade materials in Egyptian educational buildings is a major cause of the country's high energy consumption, poor indoor air quality, and rising carbon emissions. This research explores the possibility of using cuttingedge facade materials to promote sustainability in Egyptian university buildings in order to close this crucial gap. The study incorporates a mixed-methods approach and begins with a qualitative theoretical review that includes a thorough literature analysis. A …

Impact Of Therapeutic Design On Patients’ Satisfaction And Wellness In Healthcare Facilities., Dalia Moati

Architectural Engineering

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the signi3icance of designing healthcare environments that extend beyond functionality. These healing hospital environments are designed to promote patient satisfaction and well-being. However, despite increased awareness of their bene3its, the global adoption of healing-centred hospital designs remains limited. While the healthcare system has long focused on treating physical ailments, there is a growing recognition that to promote overall wellness, it must shift toward a more comprehensive approach to healing, addressing not only the body but also the emotional and psychological needs of patients. This paper aims to investigate the impact …

Cryogenic Sloshing In Aircraft Fuel Tanks, Stuart Colville

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Liquid sloshing in next-generation sub-cooled liquid hydrogen aircraft fuel tanks can induce rapid ullage pressure and temperature drops, potentially causing cavitation in cryogenic pumping systems and compromising fuel delivery systems. Sloshing events may be initiated during taxiing, take-off, landing, and turbulence, with large accelerations producing highly non-linear liquid motion and wave-breaking conditions. Understanding such phenomena is essential for cryogenic hydrogen fuel tank design and certification for next generation aircraft.A systematic experimental methodology was employed to investigate both the wave kinematic and thermodynamic aspects of sloshing. Initial water–air experiments in a simplified horizontal circular tank were conducted to validate measurement techniques, …

Digitalisation In The Voluntary Sector: An Empirical Study On The Determinants Of It Acceptance, Deniz Dogu

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Digitalisation represents a major societal trend that drives economic and social trans-formation by increasingly embedding digital information and communication techno-logies (ICT) into processes, interactions, and everyday activities across all domains of life. However, the voluntary sector has yet to fully embrace ICT. The extent to which volunteers integrate digital tools depends on factors such as technical infrastructure and willingness to adopt IT. Research in this area remains limited, and findings are often difficult to transfer across different national contexts. This PhD research addresses the gap in understanding IT acceptance in volunteering, using Germany as a case study. A comprehensive literature …

Optimisation Of Application Distribution For Heterogeneous Multi-Access Edge Computing Environments, Harald Frank

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Mobile networks have evolved from pure transport networks for voice, text andimage data to multifunctional data processing platforms. This goes hand in handwith the change from manufacturer-dependent, hardware-based systems tovirtual infrastructure environments based on standard systems.This paradigm shift creates completely new possibilities for functionalities andservices which was not able with the old architecture. On the other hand, theongoing development of the mobile networks with its virtual platforms generatesnew challenges which must be analysed and solved.While the demands on the new functionalities and services are increasing, theend-user device also become more powerful. The combination of end-userdevice mobility, limited resources at the …

Towards An Evaluation Of The Business Value Of Ai: A System Dynamics Approach, Ganesh Sankaran

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

In the early 2010s, when Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged from the latest "winter" of disillusionment, discussions about its use in decision-making tended to be dichotomous: humans or AI. More recently, consensus has shifted toward a complementary humans-and-AI perspective, recognising that augmentation, not substitution, is the more appropriate frame for AI's role in the foreseeable future. This shift foregrounds the challenge of evaluating outcomes in collaborative decision-making contexts.The thesis proposes a simulation-based framework, drawing on system dynamics, to evaluate whether complex, time-varying interactions between humans and AI agents result in collectively rational behaviour. The framework extends the observation of dynamic complexity …

Applications Of Evolutionary Algorithms In Wind Farm Layout Optimisation, Pawel Manikowski

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy is gaining momentum. Countries worldwide are investing significant funds and resources in this shift. The motivations for this change include political, environmental, and social factors, among others. In the UK, which is surrounded by the ocean and experiences strong winds, offshore wind farms are seen as the most viable source of renewable energy. It is anticipated that by 2030, all electricity in the UK will be generated by wind turbines. Hence, the optimisation of the wind farm layouts is the desired direction of research in the UK.In Chapter 3, we discussed the …

What Kind Of Democracy Is Energy Democracy? Reconsidering Energy Democracy Through Green Democratic Theory, Eric S. Godoy

Faculty Publications - Philosophy

This study examines an energy democracy framework for guiding a just transition to renewable energy, which incorporates democratic methods and values into energy policy decision-making. But as there are a variety of models of democracy (e.g. liberal, ecological, green republican, and socialist), energy democracy is a complex normative concept, which gives rise to ambiguities and confusions. Drawing from political theory, I argue that identifying with a particular kind of democracy provides the framework with a clearer definition, richer normative grounding, and resources for addressing some limitations its critics have identified, such as the reduction of democracy to participation.

Diverse C–C Bond Formation Reactions Catalyzed By Oxidized Palladium Nanoparticles Supported On Marine Shell Waste Powder Via Additive-Free Deposition–Precipitation, Jian Hou, Garrett M. Milligan, Zhicheng Cai, Jun-Hyun Kim

Faculty Publications – Chemistry

The formation of carbon-carbon (C–C) bonds is central to modern organic synthesis. Although the use of conventional Pd-ligand complexes as homogeneous catalysts results in highly effective yields, these systems often face some limitations including high cost, difficult recyclability, and thermal stability. Here, we demonstrate the utilization of palladium (Pd)-derived metals supported on finely ground marine shell waste as a reactive and recyclable catalyst for diverse C–C bond-forming reactions. Oyster shell powder (OSP) derived from problematic biowaste, primarily composed of calcium carbonate, provides abundant anchoring sites to immobilize Pd ions via an additive-free deposition–precipitation method, followed by thermally-induced conversion into oxidized …

Supporting Teachers’ Learning About Technology Accessibility: A Content Analysis Of Asynchronous Professional Development, Mutiara Syifa, Natalie L. Shaheen

Faculty Publications - College of Education

Accessibility is imperative to providing disabled students a free and appropriate technology-mediated public K-12 education. But according to the literature, teachers often lack the requisite knowledge to ensure the technologies they use are accessible. So, we conducted a study to understand what, if any, asynchronous professional development about technology accessibility was available to teachers and other K-12 professionals. The findings indicate that of the free technology accessibility professional development materials in the sample (a) fewer than 20% are designed for teachers, (b) most provide limited information, and (c) fewer than 9% specifically address science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. …

Structural Design Of Macroporous Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts: Alleviating Mass Transport Constraints In Bulkier Triglycerides, Nazrizawati Ahmad Tajuddin, Mohamad Hidayat Haider, Nazarudin Nazarudin

Baghdad Science Journal

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) serve as potential catalysts for biodiesel production through triglyceride (TAG) transesterification; nevertheless, mass transport limitations hinder their effectiveness, especially with larger TAG molecules. This study addresses this limitation by synthesizing macroporous MgAlLDH and ZnAlLDH using a polystyrene templating method. Thorough characterization reveals the successful formation of macroporous structures with significantly increased physicochemical properties and their structural design compared to conventional LDHs. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed the successful restoration of the LDH structure following calcination and rehydration, with enhanced crystallinity seen in the macroporous materials. The BET surface area analysis revealed a substantial increase (∼10x for MgAlLDH) …

Green Synthesis Of Tio2 Nanoparticles Via Graphene Oxide-Doped Malabar Spinach Leaf Extract For Perovskite Solar Cells, Nofrijon Sofyan, Ichsan Pandu Wicaksono, Fiona Angellinnov, Aga Ridhova, Akhmad Herman Yuwono, Donanta Dhaneswara

Baghdad Science Journal

This study investigates a green synthesis route for titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (NPs) using Malabar spinach (Basella rubra) leaf extract, with graphene oxide (GO) as a dopant, for application as an electron transport layer in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The synthesized TiO₂ NPs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), and field emission scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM/EDX). XRD results confirmed the presence of a pure anatase phase with a smaller crystallite size than that of commercial TiO₂, …

Influence Of Solvent Type On The Morphology And Mechanical Properties Of Electrospun Pmma Nanofibers, Mohd Khairulniza Mansor, Ahmad Faiza Mohd, Khairunnadim Ahmad Sekak, Norhanifah Mohd Yazid, Nurul Fatahah Asyqin Zainal, Yong Kok Chong

Baghdad Science Journal

Electrospinning is a versatile and widely used technique for producing nanofibers with controlled morphology and high surface area, essential for applications in filtration, biomedical engineering, and sensors. The choice of solvent plays a crucial role in determining the efficiency of the electrospinning process and the properties of the resulting fibers. In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning using four different solvents: tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylformamide (DMF), chloroform (CHCl3), and acetone at a 20% (w/w) polymer concentration. Surface tension tests revealed that DMF exhibited the highest surface tension, at 40.11 mN/m, which influenced fiber formation. Electrospinning …

Effect Of Demineralization And Physical Activation In Enhancing The Porosity And Adsorption Properties Of Recovered Carbon Black Pyrolyzed From Waste Tire, Siti Nuramirah Rabbani Muhammad Zaki, Nurul Fatahah Asyqin Zainal, Hartini Ahmad Rafaie, Suhaila Idayu Abdul Halim, Chia Chay Tay

Baghdad Science Journal

This research aims to improve the porosity structure and adsorption characteristics of rCB through demineralization and physical activation techniques. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) at various concentrations (1, 5, 6, and 10 M) was employed for demineralization, followed by the addition of 6 M potassium hydroxide (KOH). Physical activation was conducted at temperature ranges of 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500°C for durations of 1, 2, and 3 h. Characterization of rCB was conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), ash content analysis, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and iodine adsorption number (IAN). Demineralization decreased the ash content …

Double-Layered Tin-Polydimethylsiloxane (Pdms) Composites: Evaluation Of Porosity And Structural Morphology Of Polymeric Composites, Nurul Syafiqah Roslan, Nur Maizatul Azra Mukhtar, Ainorkhilah Mahmood, Nor Aimi Abdul Wahab, Rafidah Zainon, Hanisah Zainal Abidin, Aishah Zarzali Shah, Nor Iwani Nor Izaham

Baghdad Science Journal

The pursuit of advanced materials for radiation protection has highlighted the potential of polymer–metal composites. Porosity is a key factor influencing radiation attenuation, as fewer voids reduce pathways for radiation penetration. Recent studies emphasize the role of filler distribution in enhancing both mechanical properties and shielding performance. This work investigates the structural morphology and porosity of tin–PDMS composites prepared with pure tin (PS) and tin alloy (AS) fillers at 10–60 wt.% loadings, along with a tin–alloy mixture series (TM). Morphological features, particle distribution, oxygen content, and porosity were comprehensively analyzed. Results show that porosity strongly correlates with filler distribution and …

Low Temperature Ac Photoelectrochemical Etching Of Si-Doped N-Type Gan: Nanostructure Fabrication For Enhanced Msm Photodetector Performance, Nur Iwani Nor Izaham, Ainorkhilah Mahmood, Rosfariza Radzali, Alhan Farhanah Abd Rahim, Nur Maizatul Azra Mothtar, Mahayatun Dayana Johan Ooi, Naser Mahmoud Ahmed

Baghdad Science Journal

This study has investigated the fabrication of porous Si-doped gallium nitride (GaN) using low-temperature alternating current photoelectrochemical (ACPEC) etching at varying etching durations for MSM photodetector applications. The structural and optical characteristics of the porous GaN samples were examined using a 400 W high-pressure mercury-vapour lamp (Hg-HPVL) and 4% KOH electrolyte with 50 Hz of 100 mA alternating current (AC). Current-voltage (I-V) measurements were conducted to analyse the platinum-deposited GaN for MSM photodetector performance. FESEM micrographs of the etched samples revealed coral-like and nano-tunnel pore formations, while AFM topography showed a significant increase in surface roughness compared to in the …

Assessment Of Carbon Capture Potential In Rubber Plantations Via Landsat 9 Imagery Analysis, Ade Fitria, Rahmawaty Rahmawaty, Razali Razali, Jamin Saputra, Seca Gandaseca

Baghdad Science Journal

Indonesia is a significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter, contributing 12.3% of carbon dioxide (CO₂) of total emissions. Carbon dioxide (CO₂), a major GHG, is increasing in the Earth’s atmosphere. The CO₂ absorption can be increased through rubber plantations because rubber plants, such as forest plants, can process CO₂ as a carbon source for photosynthesis. This research aims to analyze carbon uptake in relation to tree density, biomass of rubber vegetation, and soil organic carbon (SOC) content, as well as to map the distribution of carbon potential using remote sensing. This research was conducted in …

Physico-Mechanical Properties And Streptococcus Mutans Biofilm Formation Of Bio‑Based Flexible Crowns Versus Stainless Steel And Zirconia Crowns For Pediatric Full-Coverage Restorations, Tzu-Yu Peng, Szu-Yu Lai, Yan-An Wu, Ya-Ting Yang, Yuichi Mine, Huei-Yu Huang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Bio‑based flexible (BFX) have recently emerged as a potential alternative to conventional pediatric full‑coverage restorations, but evidence regarding their properties and microbial behavior remains limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the physico-mechanical properties and microbial behavior of BFX crown compared with stainless steel crowns (SSC) and zirconia crowns (ZRC) for pediatric full-coverage restorations.

Materials and methods: Mandibular primary molar crowns from BFX, SSC, and ZRC were assessed. Weight was measured using an electronic balance, and surface roughness and topography were evaluated using a stylus profilometer and atomic force microscopy. The arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) and root mean square …

Hollow Fiber Assay Microtube Array Membrane (Mtam-Hfa) For Personalized Anticancer Drug Screening In Selection Of Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy In Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Shan-Ju Chou, Po-Chih Hsu, Chee Ho Chew, Wan-Ting Huang, Amanda Lin Chen, Chen-Yin Yong, Chia-Che Wu, Chia-Lun Chang, Chien-Chung Chen, Kuan-Chou Lin

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: In Asia, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are on the rise in part due to the consumption of betel nut in several regions. This clinical case study evaluated the application of the microtube array membrane-hollow fiber assay (MTAM-HFA) that was previously clinically demonstrated in the context of the selection of chemotheraputic agents as part of the treatment of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in OSCC.

Materials and methods: In this double-blind cohort study, surgical samples from OSCC patients were retrieved and sent for screening of tumor response against a panel of chemotherapeutic agents (5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin, carboplatin and docetaxel). …

Metabolic Mind: A Critical Literature Review On The Influence Of Mindset On Metabolic Health, Jordan Daniel M.A., M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Evidence has demonstrated that psychological processes can influence metabolic functions, which are essential to overall health, as impaired energy metabolism can compromise physiological systems (Bobba-Alves N et al., 2022). Metabolic health is defined as a state of well-being characterized by optimal levels of blood glucose, lipids, cholesterol, blood pressure, and adiposity and is the absence of metabolic dysfunction, which encompasses but is not limited to cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. A powerful psychological construct that has demonstrated its influence on health is a mindset. Defined as core beliefs or assumptions about oneself and the world, …

2025-2026 Library & Learning Annual Review, Library & Learning, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Library & Learning Annual Reviews

Digital version of the 2025-2026 Annual Review for Library & Learning at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Implementing A Competency-Based Cross-Training Program To Enhance Patient Flow, Jill E. Shanklin

DNP Projects

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a competency-based cross-training program on perinatal nurses’ preparedness to care for medical-surgical (med-surg) overflow patients and to support patient flow.

Design: Quality improvement project using a quasi-experimental pre–post design.

Setting: A 44-bed perinatal unit within a university-affiliated medical center in the United States.

Participants: Registered nurses employed in the perinatal unit for ≥6 months; 24 completed the preintervention survey and 28 completed the postintervention survey.

Interventions: A competency-based cross-training program consisting of e-learning modules, simulation-based competency validation, and structured policy and procedure review.

Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported comfort, …

The Concrete Picket Fence: Reconnecting Interstate-Straddled Urban Communities, Brian J. Koluch

Pell Scholars and Senior Theses

Within the ongoing dialogue on substantive equity, the circumstances regarding enduring issues faced by black urban neighborhoods are called into question. Cities across the United States typically have major automotive arteries that tend to cut through or past said neighborhoods. Advocates argue that it is increasingly apparent that these systems of infrastructure especially in regard to these neighborhoods have been constructed in racist manners. Urban Interstates majorly contribute to equity disadvantages, as well as environmental hazards such as increased rates of asthma and respiratory disease. By mixing and matching various forms of equitable infrastructure, such as with cap parks, public …

Robots Are Watching You Sleep: The Hidden World Of Sleep Trackers, Luke Latterman

Scientific Kenyon: The Neuroscience Edition

No abstract provided.

Seeing Is Believing? Deepfakes In Financial Markets, Hadar Y. Jabotinsky, Michal Lavi

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

An AI-powered tool recently mimicked Warren Buffett's image and voice so convincingly that even his own family could have been deceived. This striking example highlights the transformative potential of voice cloning and deepfakes. This innovative technology leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to create hyper-realistic audio and video content. By blurring the boundaries between authenticity and synthetic creation, deepfakes make it possible to fabricate moments that never occurred. Recent advancements in AI and user-friendly software have made deepfakes more accessible andfurther contributed to the proliferation of deepfakes, enabling even individuals with minimal technical skills to produce compelling deepfakes at little to no …

Power Play: The Battle For Copyright Control In Emulation, Ryan Borja

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note argues that the current legal framework prioritizes commercial interests and developer rights over the preservation of older video games. To reconcile the tension between copyright protection and the public interest in cultural preservation, the analysis proposes legislative solutions such as compulsory licensing schemes or the creation of a dedicated federal preservation agency.

Some Respect Reserved? Survey Experiment Insights On The Perception Of Creative Commons And Copyright Infringement, Thomas H. Rousse

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

Since its inception, Creative Commons has introduced new ways for creators to grant licenses to the public without cost or the need for negotiation by breaking up rights provided by copyright and making a subset of those rights available to anyone willing to abide by the conditions of the license. Its widespread adoption has democratized open licensing for creators beyond the software context these licenses originated within. Although the success of Creative Commons as a community is plain, relatively little information is available about its perception by the general public. Aggressive litigation by Creative Commons licensors has put the organization …

The Devil Is In The Det[Ai]Ls: Ai Agents, Ghost Students, And The Crisis Of Verified Presence In An Agentic Ai World, Aras Bozkurt, Helen Crompton, Caroline Fell Kurban

STEMPS Faculty Publications

The transition from reactive Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to agentic AI systems marks a categorical shift in digital education, moving beyond simple content generation to goal-oriented, autonomous execution. This paper explores the emergence of the “ghost student”: a digital surrogate created by the coupling of Large Language Models (the “mind”) and agentic AI browsers (the “body”). These entities are capable of navigating Learning Management Systems (LMS), engaging with content, and completing assessments with human-like mimicry, often rendering the actual learner’s presence optional. We argue that this phenomenon creates a verification gap that traditional proctoring and detection tools are structurally unable …