Digital Commons Network^™

A Risk-Informed Approach To Performing The Pre-Closure Safety Analysis For The Deep Borehole Disposal Of Radioactive Waste, Jennifer Elizabeth Leute

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

Deep borehole disposal is an emerging concept which involves disposing of radioactive

waste in boreholes several kilometers deep then backfilling to minimize radionuclide

transport and distribute weight. Unfortunately, little documentation exists on borehole

safety case development, especially for pre-closure operations. This study aims to close

this gap by proposing a graded approach matrix based on consequence, maturity, and

complexity. Two case studies are used to demonstrate this application: Hanford CsCl

capsules and spent PWR assemblies. Simulations are used to predict potential for dose

exposure, revealing CsCl capsules have a much higher potential for being above the 5

rem public dose …

A Bump Hunting Approach To Finding Interpretable Data Pockets, Tushar Ojha

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

This dissertation approaches the problem of extracting simple interpretations from local regions of data. This is sometimes called bump hunting because the local regions of interest have a high concentration of a particular output value. This work develops a bump hunting method for discrete-valued tabular data where each bump is modeled by a rectangular region of the input data space so its rule-based description admits a simple logical interpretation that can inform decisions. This method is designed for labeled data where each input feature has a distinct meaning that may or may not be related to the output, and the …

Protein-Nucleic Acid Language Model-Assisted Design Of Precise And Compact Adenine Base Editor, Jingxuan Ren, Jiawei Yao, Qiuyu Cao, Yinuo Li, Yang Li, Ziyi Zhang, Xiyu Ge, Shengfang Wang, Yang Zhang, Xiaogang Wang, Xiaohui Zhang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Adenine base editors (ABEs) are powerful tools for gene therapy. However, efficient version of ABEs (e.g. ABE8e) always induce excessive bystander and off-target editing events and are large in size, hindering their potential in clinical disease treatment. Here, we develop a pre-trained Protein-Nucleic Acid Constrained Language Model to design ABE8e with high activity, reduced editing window and decreased size. By further engineering, the smallest ABE8e- PNLM-pcABE- with a 27% size reduction, exhibits high activity, precise 3-nt editing window, and reduced off-target events near background level in HEK293T cells. Compared to ABE8e, PNLM-pcABE has up to 133.5-fold precision improvement in pathogenic …

Lycopene, Race And Periodontitis: Disparities In Older Adults, Katherine Kwong, You Lu, Zhuo Huan Li, Susu Luo, Zhaoyu Huang, Zhong Chen, Na Zhao, Tung Sung Tseng

School of Public Health Faculty Publications

Background Periodontitis is a severe gum disease that can be an indicator of other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Lycopene has been suggested as an adjunct therapy for periodontitis. This study aims to investigate the association between insufficient lycopene intake and the risk of Periodontitis among non-Hispanic White (NHW) and non-Hispanic Black (NHB) older adults. Methods The study included 1,227 adults aged 65–79 years from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2009–2014). Total lycopene intake from daily diet was studied with age, race, marital status, smoking status, BMI, diabetes, sex, and education as independent variables in …

Pembuktian Sederhana Dalam Proses Kepailitan Terhadap Perusahaan Pengembang Pasca Surat Edaran Mahkamah Agung Nomor 3 Tahun 2023, Maya Iswandi

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Abstract

After the issuance of Sema No. 3/2023, there were various pros and cons to its implementation. This is because the sema has limited and in quotes has protected development companies from bankruptcy proceedings. Sema No. 3/2023 provides immunity to development companies from bankruptcy because they are deemed not to meet the simple proof that must be met in the bankruptcy process. This provision seems to deny the judicial system that should determine the evidence in a case. This certainly causes degradation of legal certainty and consumer protection. Therefore, this research will discuss simple proof in development companies after the …

Founder Worship, Effective Altruism, And Corporate Governance, Jennifer S. Fan, Xuan-Thao Nguyen

Kentucky Law Journal

No abstract provided.

In-Situ Determination Of Tension Zone Of Sediments By Using Dynamic Light Cone Penetration Test: Tropical Sediments In Tanzania, Francis K. Mutabazi, Gabriel D. Mulibo, Dalmas L. Nyaoro, Keneth Lupogo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Dynamic probing of the light hammer (DPL) has been analysed by plotting the penetration index (blows per 10 cm penetration depth). The information obtained provides vital insight into ground profile variation. However, the results presentation and analysis have not been sufficiently investigated in ascertaining more information on the ground properties; therefore, focus on additional analysis techniques are needed to reveal further ground information. This paper aims at exposing the potential of using total penetration blows plots for examining the ground characteristics, narrating procedure for such graphical analysis. The analysis of the results, using total blows on linear and log scales, …

Design And Testing Of Adaptable Piston Damping Mechanism For Rapid Compression Machine, Myeji C. Materego

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A Rapid Compression Machine (RCM) is, essentially, a piston housed inside a cylinder. Its main objective is to compress a combustible mixture as rapid as possible to a higher temperature and pressure at which its auto ignition characteristics can be studied. Such machines are useful in the study of engine fuels autoignition behaviour because they provide a good representation of a single stroke compression ignited engine. There are various designs and operation techniques of RCM, but they all have to possess a key characteristic of compressing the fuel mixture rapidly while producing minimum heat and mass loss, turbulence and pressure …

Steady Flow Over A Plate With Variable Fluid Properties In The Presence Of Magnetic Fields And Thermal Radiation, Jonas A. James, Makungu J. Ng'oga, Augustino I. Msigwa, Ahmada O. Ali

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The study examines a steady convective boundary layer flow model influenced by magnetic fields and variable fluid properties over the inclined plate. The governing model system of non-linear partial differential equations is transformed into a system of coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations through similarity transformations. These transformed equations are then solved numerically using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method combined with the shooting techniques using MATLAB package because it is efficiency, stable and converge to the expected solutions compared with other methods. The numerical results detail the fluid velocity, temperature, concentration, and the local Sherwood number, Nusselt number, and skin friction coefficient …

Affordability And Usability Of Digital Learning Resources In Higher Education: A Case Of Online Mathematics Tutorials For Engineering Students At The University Of Dar Es Salaam, Fatuma S. Ikuja, Idrissa S. Amour, Abdi T. Abdalla

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Effective learning requires engagements with both learning contents and instructor’s personalized support. Large class sizes often limit opportunities for personalized instruction and timely feedback. Digital resources offer a viable solution to enhanced engagement and independent learning. This study investigated the affordability and usability of online digital learning resources for mathematics tutorials, specifically targeting engineering students at the University of Dar es Salaam. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted, focusing on digitization of undergraduate course: Matrices and Basic Calculus for Non-Majors (MT161). The course was delivered through the Moodle Learning Management System integrating STACK to support Mathematics questions. Data was collected …

Denoising Low Dose Ct Images Using Enhanced Autoencoder Deep Learning Model: A Phantom Study, Ali O. Masoud, Khamis O. Amour, Ahmed M. Jusabani, Adithya Rajnaryanan, Manoj Kumar, Yasir M. Haji, Mwingereza J. Kumwenda

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Reducing radiation dose in Computed Tomography (CT) inherently leads to increased image noise, which can compromise clinical interpretation. To address this limitation in Low Dose CT images (LDCT), numerous computational techniques particularly convolutional neural networks (CNN) have been explored for CT image enhancement. Various CNN architectures with different convolutional layer designs have been developed to improve image quality. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a developed CNN-based autoencoder for denoising LDCT images while preserving diagnostic integrity. An end-to-end CNN autoencoder with information bottleneck (IB) pipeline was designed and trained using CT phantom images with varying noise levels, aiming to suppress …

Space Vectors Discretization-Based Direct Torque Control Scheme For High Performance Induction Motor Drives, Francisco Balenga, Francis Mwasilu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

In this paper, a direct torque controller (DTC) based on discretization of space vectors (DSV-DTC) for induction motor drives is proposed. By using this technique, the number of voltage vectors is increased, consequently it reduces the torque ripple compared to the conventional DTC control scheme. Specifically, the switching table of the proposed DSV-DTC scheme is comprised of thirty-six nonzero voltage vectors compared to the six voltage vectors in the conventional DTC scheme. Furthermore, it makes use of a five – level torque hysteresis comparator instead of three-level of the conventional DTC. The performance of the proposed control scheme is validated …

Dynamic-Based Assessment Of Shear Connectors In Composite Bridges With Data Taken From The Surface Of The Deck Slab, Emmanuel S. Leo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Most bridge management systems generally rely on visual inspections for condition assessment; this means that damage in inaccessible parts of the structure, such as shear connectors in concrete composite bridges, can remain undetected until failure occurs. Localised non-destructive techniques are limited to small areas, time-consuming, and require prior knowledge of the damaged zone. These limitations can be overcome by using dynamic-based techniques. This study aims to investigate experimentally the efficiency of dynamic-based techniques in assessing the condition of shear connectors based on measurements taken from the surface of the deck slab. The study involved the construction of five composite beam …

Lean Manufacturing Implementation Barriers For Micro, Small And Medium Industries In Tanzania: Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process, Juma M. Matindana, Francis D. Sinkamba, Mussa I. Mgwatu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

With rising global competition, manufacturing industries are adopting Lean Manufacturing (LM) to stay competitive. However, LM implementation in Africa, especially among micro, small, and medium industries (MSMIs), remains low, with research estimates at just 1%. This study examines the barriers to LM implementation in Tanzanian MSMIs. Data were collected from 243 respondents using survey research and purposive sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 27.0.1, along with the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP), were used for analysis. The top five LM barriers for micro industries are lack of training on LM tools, poor understanding of lean philosophy, high investment …

Estimation Of Crop Water Requirements And Irrigation Demand For Maize And Rice In Morogoro, Tanzania Using The Cropwat 8.0 Model, Regina Pasiani, Johnson Mangesho, Paul Ts Limbu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study assessed the crop water requirements (CWR) and irrigation demands of maize and rice in Mvomero District, Morogoro Region in Tanzania, under varying seasonal rainfall and soil conditions. Using the CROPWAT 8.0 model, agrometeorological parameters such as temperature, rainfall, evapotranspiration, and effective rainfall were integrated with crop-specific characteristics and soil properties to simulate irrigation demands and quantify water needs across different crop phenological stages. The analysis employed decadal climatic data and crop coefficients (K_c) to simulate both the net and gross irrigation requirements. The findings revealed that maize, cultivated predominantly on red loamy soils, had a seasonal …

Impacts Of Climate Variability On Hydrological Response And Water Resources: Case Of Little Ruaha Catchment -Tanzania Using Ground And Chirps Data, Florence H. Mahay, Patrick C. Valimba, Madaka H. Tumbo, Fides J. Izdori, Leonard Maketa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The Little Ruaha River catchment in Tanzania is increasingly affected by climate variability, with implications for agriculture, hydropower, and water supply. This study evaluates the effects of climate variability on rainfall and streamflow and assesses the usefulness of satellite-based rainfall data for hydrological modeling. Thirty-year records (1991–2020) of rain gauge and river flow data were analyzed using the Mann–Kendall test, and the HBV rainfall–runoff model was run with both gauge and CHIRPS satellite rainfall inputs. Annual rainfall exhibited no significant trends at most stations (p > 0.05), except for a notable decline at one eastern site. Seasonal rainfall and streamflow showed …

Numerical Simulation Of Corner Reinforced Concrete Column-Beam Joint With Differential Concrete Grades And Steel Fibres Under Monotonic Loading, Daudi S. Augustino, Emmanuel Safari Leo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Structural elements are composed of joints that are essential for force transfer. In particular, for concrete structures, the column-beam joint is an integral section that requires insight due to the traditional use of different concrete grades, forming a strong-column-weak-beam (SCWB) system. A numerical model of the joint was developed in Abaqus to explore the axial load performance and damage tolerance of corner column-beam joints with different concrete grades under monotonic static loading. A concrete-damaged plasticity model (CDPM) was used to model the damage behaviour of concrete, utilising the available strain-stress models in literature and EuroCode 2. Results show that concrete …

Cost Of Safety: Evidence From Building Construction Projects In Tanzania, Juma M. Matindana, Kamugisha J. Kajumulo, Fatma K. Mohamed

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Cost of safety is a condition where a project determines the magnitude to which its resources are used for activities that prevent poor safety outcomes, that appraise the safety quality of the project services, and that result from safety failures. Reducing the cost of safety remains a major challenge in Tanzania's construction industry and reflects trends in many developing countries. A positive safety environment in which projects reduce costs associated with safety performance is critical to project success. This study investigates the cost of safety of building construction projects in Tanzania. The questionnaire was distributed to 255 contractor companies managing …

In-Depth Review Of Animal Anatomy In Veterinary Medicine, Fatima Ayad Hasan, Sarah Kamal Naser

Al-Bahir

This review explores the significance of animal anatomy across different fields, emphasizing both microscopic and macroscopic structures. The text covers teaching methods in veterinary medicine, with a focus on diagnostics and surgery. It also delves into various anatomical and moral issues, alongside contemporary teaching approaches. The importance of anatomy in both biological and clinical contexts continues to be central in advancing veterinary education, even with the presence of various digital tools and cutting-edge imaging technologies.

Health Implications Of Heavy Metal Contamination In Commercially Available Deodorant And Antiperspirant Products Sold In Benghazi, Libya, Maysson Yaghi, Khaled Elsherif

Al-Bahir

The extensive usage of deodorants and antiperspirants raises concerns about the potential health risks posed by heavy metal content. This study quantified the levels of five heavy metals: Aluminum, Zirconium, Lead, Cadmium, and Chromium in 22 commercial products widely used in Benghazi, Libya, and assessed the associated health risks. Samples, categorized into gel, stick, and roll-on formulations, were analyzed using iCAP TQ ICP-MS. Al and Zr showed the widest concentration ranges, reflecting their intentional use as active ingredients. Al levels ranged from trace amounts (0.032 mg/kg) up to a maximum of 99.10 mg/kg, while Zr was found exclusively in gel …

Bridging The Gap: Exploring The Impact Of Graduate Preparation Programs On Undergraduate Stem Students, Faika Tahir Jan, Thomas Nelson, Travis Chan, Tremayne O. Waller, Cynthia Hampton, Sherif Abdelhamid

Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education

This study explores the impact of the "A Step to the Doctorate" (S2D) program on the academic trajectories of undergraduate STEM students, focusing on how it fosters academic success and prepares participants for graduate education. Drawing on data from pre and post surveys and semi structured interviews of 60 participants, the research addresses two primary questions: (1) Which program components do participants find most impactful? Moreover, (2) How has the program influenced their academic aspirations and preparedness for graduate school? The findings highlight that mentorship, peer networking, and targeted workshops are key in boosting academic self-efficacy and enhancing participants’ confidence …

The Success Equation: Scaling The Pivot Framework For Stem & Healthcare Student Success, Ryan Clark, Jarrod Lockhart

Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education

Student success in STEM and healthcare increasingly depends on intentional design of equitable, scalable pathways that integrate structured programming, immersive experiential learning, and modern workforce-aligned upskilling. This manuscript introduces the PIVOT Framework— Pathways, Innovation, Vision, Opportunity, and Transformation—as a comprehensive, evidencedriven model for reimagining student success strategies in STEM and healthcare education. The framework emphasizes early engagement, longitudinal support, and competency-based preparation, ensuring students develop the skills and professional identities necessary for success. Drawing from a range of high-impact practices—including paid internships, research-based learning experiences, mentoring structures, digital skills integration, and stackable credentialing—the manuscript demonstrates how coordinated institutional strategies improve …

Mentoring Through A Cultural Lens: Faculty Mentorship Experience In The Bunche Fellows Undergraduate Research Program, Audrey Devost, Passion Lord, Kiana Billot-Vasquez, Zeyna Faucette, Ketema Paul, Walter Allen

Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education

This manuscript explores the significance of faculty mentorship in underrepresented student success within a culturally engaged on-campus research program. Drawing on data derived from the Pathways Through Research case study, a mixed-methods empirical study of the Bunche Fellows Program at the University of California, Los Angeles, this paper centers student voices to better understand the manifestations of cultural engagement among faculty mentoring experiences, and how these cultural experiences shape student development among the program’s alumni. Guided by Critical Race epistemology and the Culturally Engaging Campus Environments (CECE) Model, this research highlights the effectiveness of mentoring relationships within a structured on-campus …

Editor's Note, John B. Craig

Journal of Access, Retention, and Inclusion in Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Development Of An Artificial Intelligence Web Based System For Classification Of Tomatoes Disease, Joshua Sokowonci Mommoh, Etinosa Noma-Osaghe, Vera Nimo Timai, Odike Arnold Uchechi, Solomon Obhenbhen Ibharunujele, Blessing Godday

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The development of this platform addresses the challenges associated with traditional tomato disease detection methods as well as the challenges of current machine learning and deep learning models in accurately detecting tomato diseases. Conventional methods of tomato disease diagnosis typically rely on expert evaluation but are time-consuming and susceptible to human mistakes. Incorrect diagnoses of certain diseases could lead to poor control measures, resulting in decreased agricultural productivity. In this research, the PlantVillage dataset, comprising 18,160 tomato leaf images distributed across 10 classes, was used to train two machine learning models, namely, Inception-ResNetV2 and Inception V3. The models were configured, …

Metamaterial-Based Microstrip Antenna For Safe Detection Of Tiny Breast Tumors, Shrouk E. El-Sawy, Mohamed G. Abdelfattah, Nihal F.F. Areed, Ahmed Shaban Samra

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study describes the construction of a compact microstrip patch antenna (MPA) with a triangular-shaped metamaterial layer for the safe detection of tiny breast tumors at 2.4 GHz. The metamaterial considerably improves the antenna's gain and directivity when compared to typical designs that do not include it, resulting in improved detection performance. The radiating patch of proposed antenna measures 29.3 × 38 × 1.6 mm and has been tested through simulations and experimental tests, exhibiting successful tumor identification in a realistic breast phantom. The results of both calculations and testing demonstrate a sensitivity of 6.643 dB/mm, allowing for precise detection …

Experimental Investigation On Thermal And Exergetic Performance Improvement Of A Half-Cylindrical Solar Still Using Pcm And Reflectors, Ahmed Saad Soliman, Ping Cheng, Ahmed A. Sultan, Osama Abdelrehim, Asmaa Khater, Mohamed A. Sultan

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study explores the potential of enhancing solar still performance by integrating a corrugated absorber with phase change material (PCM) and a reflector. The study aims to improve water yield, extend operation beyond sunset, and boost thermal and exergy efficiencies compared to a conventional flat absorber. Experiments were carried out on flat, corrugated, and corrugated-with-PCM absorbers, both with and without reflectors, to evaluate the effect of each modification. The results show that using a reflector with a flat absorber improved daily productivity by 22%. A corrugated absorber increased accumulated productivity by 38%, and when combined with a reflector, the improvement …

Womeninophthalmology: Gender Diversity In Ophthalmology Residency Program Social Media, Aretha Zhu, Jasmine Mahajan, Owais M. Aftab, Tyler P. Steidl, Daniela Yakobashvili, Priya Tailor, Rashika Verma, Catherine Ye, Rose S. Maisner, Miriam Habiel

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Purpose: Although women constitute a significant portion of medical students and physicians, representation of women in ophthalmology is relatively low. Residency programs are increasingly using social media to showcase and represent their program culture. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to assess representation of gender diversity in social media posts by U.S. ophthalmology residency programs.

Methods: Instagram, Facebook, and TwitterTwitter/X accounts of ophthalmology residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were identified. Social media posts from 2019-2021 were analyzed for representation of gender diversity and/or explicit statements regarding gender diversity. Program metrics, including geographic …

Pilot For A Virtual Regional Ophthalmic Health Disparities Journal Club For Pre-Medical And Medical Students: A Three-Year Analysis, Bridget Croniger, Ariane Kaplan, Anjali R. Shah, Chaesik Kim, Rachel Riddle, Tannia M. Rodriguez, Anju Goyal

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background: Social determinants of health influence ophthalmic health outcomes in the United States. Understanding these factors is crucial for current and future physicians, but there is no standardized curriculum to teach learners about this topic.

Purpose: This pilot study evaluated the impact of three virtual regional ophthalmic health disparities journal clubs on pre-medical and medical students’ understanding of ophthalmic health disparities, interest in ophthalmology, and comfort in appraising medical literature.

Methods: Three annual virtual journal clubs were held in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Each session featured a different peer-reviewed published article related to ophthalmic health disparities as well …

2025 Fall Commencement Program: Winona State University, Winona State University

WSU Commencement Programs

This is the Winona State University Fall 2025 commencement program. Commencement was on Friday, December 12, 2025. There were 2 ceremonies at 9:00am and 11:30am.

During the Commencement event, a complete list of graduates was provided online. This program was not published during the Commencement event. This digital copy is maintained in the repository for archival purposes.