Digital Commons Network^™

Stable Numerical Solution Of An Elliptic Pde Inverse Problem Subject To Incomplete Boundary Conditions, Qasim Abd Ali Tayyeh

Knowledge Engineering and Data Science

This study addresses the challenging problem of solving inverse elliptic Partial Differential Equations (PDE) with incomplete boundary data, data available only on a part of the domain boundary. The aim is to develop a robust, effective numerical framework that consistently recovers parameters and/or sources from incomplete, ill-posed data. In the case of a variational problem discretized by the Finite Element Method (FEM) and solved by an adjoint-based optimization strategy, the framework uses Tikhonov regularization. Morozov's Discrepancy Principle is used to determine regularization parameters that achieve the best balance between accuracy and stability. Even with 5% noise in the measurement data, …

A Bounded Custom Gpt Structures Operational Knowledge For Small-Industry Decision Support, Ikhwan Arief, Alizar Hasan, Nilda Tri Putri, Hafiz Rahmann

Knowledge Engineering and Data Science

Small manufacturing and craft-based firms increasingly use Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) through public chat interfaces, low-cost tools, and informal experimentation. However, these firms often make operational decisions with incomplete records, tacit owner knowledge, fragmented spreadsheets, and limited managerial capacity. Under such conditions, open-ended chatbots may generate fluent but unsafe recommendations by overlooking missing information, contradictory evidence, feasibility constraints, and implementation constraints. This study presents Asisten Cerdas Industri Kecil as a bounded Custom GPT artifact for operational diagnosis, priority selection, and short-horizon action planning in small industries. Using a Design Science Research approach, the study develops a documented artifact corpus comprising …

Risk Management For Authorising Railway Vehicles In The Eu Legal Framework, Jan Maciej Siudecki

internetowy Kwartalnik Antymonopolowy i Regulacyjny (internet Quarterly on Antitrust and Regulation)

Safe integration of rolling stock with railway system requires comprehensive hazard identification and application of safety measures. There are different cases when European Union regulations demand carrying out risk assessment before a vehicle may be authorised to be placed on the market for both Rolling stock and Command and control signalling onboard subsystems. Specificities of each case are outlined and conclusions as to their scope and interactions between them are discussed. Practical examples of hazards that should be managed in each case are provided. Subsequently it is described, how conclusions from risk assessment impact results of conformity assessment, the authorisation …

Characterizing Heat Transfer Performance In A Slurry Bubble Column Reactor Equipped With A Real Heat Exchanger, Dalia S. Makki, Hasan Sh Majdi, Amer A. Abdulrahman, Abbas J. Sultan, Bashar J. Kadhim, Muthanna H. Al-Dahhan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Abstract: This study examines the impact of equipping a real heat exchanger in a slurry bubble column SBC on instantaneous and local heat transfer coefficients IHTC and LHTC, as well as the overall heat transfer coefficient U, employing advanced heat transfer techniques. The experiments were conducted in a 0.15 m inner diameter Plexiglas SBC with varying gas flowrates Ug (0.14–0.35) m/s at several radial sites along the column's diameter (±0.18, ±0.46, and ± 0.74) and three axial locations (H/D = 2, 3 and 4). To simulate the industrial Fischer–Tropsch bubble column reactor FT-BCR, a real heat exchanger consisting of 18 …

Tumor Microenvironment Immunomodulation By Nanoformulated Tlr 7/8 Agonist And Pi3k Delta Inhibitor Enhances Therapeutic Benefits Of Radiotherapy, Mostafa Yazdimamaghani, Oleg V. Kolupaev, Chaemin Lim, Duhyeong Hwang, Sonia J. Laurie, Charles M. Perou, Alexander V. Kabanov, Jonathan S. Serody

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Infiltration of immunosuppressive cells into the breast tumor microenvironment (TME) is associated with suppressed effector T cell (Teff) responses, accelerated tumor growth, and poor clinical outcomes. Previous studies from our group and others identified infiltration of immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) as critical contributors to immune dysfunction in the orthotopic claudin-low tumor model, limiting the efficacy of adoptive cellular therapy. However, approaches to target these cells in the TME are currently lacking. To overcome this barrier, polymeric micellular nanoparticles (PMNPs) were used for the co-delivery of small molecule drugs activating Toll-like receptors 7 and 8 …

Workable Seams, Jackson Mills Smith

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In Jackson Mills Smith’s Workable Seams, readers encounter the stories, landscapes, and lives of rural Knox County, Indiana, from the oscillating vantage of a Hoosier boy raised with a Cajun sensibility. After relocating from Louisiana to the river bottoms of the crossroad state at a young age, the speaker gradually uncovers a local history only previously understood in fragmentary shards and fading glimpses.

Alternating between semi-lyrical embodied experiences and memories, documentary pieces in conversation with the state’s historical archive, and the retelling of exaggerated local yarns, poetry is a means of inquiry in Workable Seams. Topics range from …

Enhanced Biofuel Cells Based On A Hybrid Enzymatic/Bimetallic Composite For Complete Lactate Catalytic Electrooxidation, Jefferson Honorio Franco, João Victor Bonaldo, Shelley D. Minteer, Adalgisa R. De Andrade

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

We describe complete lactate electrooxidation in an enzymatic biofuel cell that combines the catalytic action of the bimetallic composite Ru@Pt-CNT and the enzyme oxalate oxidase (OxOx). The Ru@Pt-CNT/OxOx hybrid electrode was 2.0-fold more catalytically active than the electrode containing the bimetallic composite only. During chronoamperometric experiments, the hybrid electrode achieved a 35% higher maximum current density (2.65 ± 0.15 mA cm^-2) than the Ru@Pt-CNT electrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed that the hybrid electrode had lower charge transfer resistance than the Ru@Pt-CNT electrode, confirming that OxOx had a high affinity for lactate during the bioelectrocatalytic reaction on the electrode …

Machine Learning Modeling For Hydrolysis Recycling Of Pet Waste, Jie Li, Lanjia Pan, Hossein Abedsoltan, Hailong Wang, Taiyang Liu, Xiangzhou Yuan, Yong Sik Ok, Yin Wang

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The hydrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into terephthalic acid (TPA) can efficiently recycle waste PET, but achieving high conversion efficiency through smart reaction design remains challenging. To develop a robust and accurate machine learning (ML) model for the in-depth understanding and intelligent design of PET hydrolysis, we compiled a new dataset comprising 942 data points and comprehensive information of 44 variables involved in heating type, acid/base catalyst (ABC), organic solvent (OS), co-solvent (CS), phase transfer catalyst (PTC), and operational conditions. The developed Neural Network model demonstrated the best performance in predicting PET conversion, with a testing determination coefficient (R^{2 …}

Cultivating Confidence, Leila Halawi, Mark Miller, Sam Holley

Publications

Artificial intelligence (AI) is pervasive in scholarly publications, internet sites, and public discourse. AI is a term with broad scope that refers to machines that can learn and perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. The specter of AI intruding into many aspects of aviation has raised alarms, concerns, and prodigious misunderstanding of potential and contemplated applications in systems and processes. The EASA AI Roadmap (EASA, 2023 ), a linear projection with three levels EASA, 2023 extending into 2050, places the human-AI teaming period (through 2035) at Level 2. This suggests a ten-year span to develop the interactive issues to …

Embracing Ai In Higher Education: Redefining Teaching And Learning In The Digital Era, Najem Tala, Leila Halawi

Publications

This research explores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education, focusing on its ability to address emerging challenges and revolutionize teaching practices. We critically assess the current educational landscape, evaluate AI's role as a catalyst for educational reform, and examine implementation challenges. Our analysis emphasizes the evolving impact of AI on personalized learning, student engagement, and administrative efficiency and contributes to the growing body of literature on educational technology. The discussion highlights both the opportunities and limitations of AI in education, pointing to critical areas that remain underexplored.

Integrating Sustainability Into Aviation Training: Perspectives From Industry Professionals, Eva Maleviti, Sarah Talley

Publications

This paper is part of a broader research project aimed at identifying the most appropriate training materials, formats, and delivery methods for aviation sustainability content for future aviation professionals, starting from the early stages of their training. The current paper presents the data analysis and results of a short online survey targeting aviation professionals. Specifically, it provides preliminary data on sustainability perspectives from global aviation professionals. Through qualitative analysis, the creation of a baseline from a random sample of aviation professionals offers insight into their perspectives and how they could be influenced toward a more sustainable pathway. Additionally, the paper …

A Maintenance Repair And Overhaul Model For Operational Sustainability; Incorporating Processes And Risks., Linn Guinn, Mary M.H. Woody, Eva Maleviti

Publications

Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) companies are integral to the aviation industry, with the core responsibility of ensuring aircraft remain safe and airworthy. Their role is critical in maintaining the industry’s high standards of performance and safety. To remain competitive, MROs must provide a wide range of services—including inspections, periodic checks, engine overhauls, avionics repairs, fuselage and cabin modifications, and interior refurbishments— while consistently meeting regulatory and safety requirements. Beyond technical compliance, MROs must adopt a quality-driven, continuous improvement approach to manage risks effectively. This requires the integration of processes, programs, and systems aligned with international standards to strengthen resilience, …

Implementation Of A Pediatric Skills And Simulation Workshop Among Rural Nurses, Cassandra Grabiel

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Practice Innovation Projects

No abstract provided.

Lorawan-Enabled Iot Solution For Smart Farming, Talha Khan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The rising global demand for food, driven by population growth, alongside a declining rural workforce, presents a great challenge for agriculture. Precision agriculture, which relies on the widespread adoption of smart farming technologies, is anticipated to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability. Emerging technologies, such as machine vision, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), offer innovative and promising solutions to address these challenges. This study focuses on LoRaWAN, a prevalent Low-Power Wide-Area-Network (LPWAN) IoT technology, examining its application in crop and livestock farming as well as its associated cybersecurity challenges. LoRaWAN IoT systems were constructed for three application …

Comparative Semiotic Analysis Of Non-Verbal Communication: Apis Mellifera Waggle Dance And Human Kinesic Signaling Systems, Nishtha Tikalal

Honors Undergraduate Theses

There are many parallels between two seemingly disparate forms of non-verbal communication: the waggle dance of Apis mellifera (honeybees) and human kinesic signaling systems. Through a comparative semiotic analysis, this research aims to conduct a comparative semiotic analysis, investigating structural and functional similarities between these communication methods, challenging anthropocentric assumptions about meaning making in the natural world. This research employs a meta-synthesis approach, drawn from a methodological literature review to examine historical representations of bee-human relationships, semiotics of non-verbal communication, and the specific mechanisms of the waggle dance and human kinesics. This methodology involves systematic categorization and analysis of extracted …

Quantifying The Performance Of The Sparta Toolkit For Use In Planetary Regolith Characterization Missions, Abigail S. Glover

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This research investigates the use of the Soil Properties Assessment, Resistance, and Thermal Analysis (SPARTA) Cone Penetration Tester (CPT) to quantify bulk density in lunar regolith simulant LHS-1E. Twenty-five penetration tests were conducted across five density profiles to derive slope parameters (G), which represent the rate of increase in resistance with depth. Results showed a consistent, nonlinear relationship between G and bulk density, validating the use of G slope as a diagnostic parameter and supporting the primary hypothesis that SPARTA CPT measurements vary meaningfully with density. Compared to prior work by Lucas et al. (2024), G values from SPARTA were …

Users' Trust Perceptions Of Ai Search Results, Leilani J. Cordoves

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Utilizing a repeated measure design, this experiment analyzes users’ perceptions of artificial intelligence embedded within search engines compared to traditional linked search engines in various contextual situations. The purpose of this study is to find the differences in confidence for differing search methods and the variables of trust that lead to these perceived differences. Using screenshots of AI overview search results and linked search results, we asked participants questions of confidence and human-computer trust to gauge their perceptions of the varying search methods. We find evidence of a significant interaction effect in confidence scores between the search method and the …

3d Printing Of A Solid-State Battery, Maurizio A. Brozzi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Solid-state battery research has gained significant attention in recent years, as it provides a unique solution for several common issues in conventional Li-ion batteries. Additionally, as additive manufacturing technologies continue to advance, they have the potential to fabricate solid-state batteries with new materials. The objective of this study is to explore the feasibility of 3D printing of a solid-state battery. By creating an initial PEO-PSF hybrid polymer matrix dissolved in DMSO and adding a lithium salt, the base electrolyte ink was formed. With the addition of conductive additives and active material, electrode inks were also produced. Super P was used …

Salinity Effects On Cu(Ii) Bioremediation By Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii Microalgae, Jennifer Hughes

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Microalgae offer a sustainable approach to wastewater treatment by removing pollutants such as excess nutrients, CO₂, and heavy metals. Among various species, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii shows strong potential in removing Cu(II) ions from wastewater. In addition, salinity stress in C. reinhardtii has been linked to morphological and metabolic changes that enhance lipid and phytochemical production. While salinity stress has been studied for enhancing biofuel production, its impact on microalgal removal of heavy metals, particularly Cu(II), remains largely unexplored. Understanding how varying salinity conditions affect both algal growth and the efficiency of Cu(II) remediation could provide critical insights for improving integrated wastewater …

Multi-Criteria Gis Suitability Analysis For Sustainable Agricultural Tourism Site Selection In Peru, Jessica J. Mccord

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Agricultural tourism offers a mechanism to strengthen rural economies while preserving traditional practices and unique cultural identities. In the Peruvian Andes, rural communities confront increasing challenges in the face of a changing climate and reliance on industrialized agriculture. Rural communities attempt to strike a delicate balance between economic development and heritage preservation. This research utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS)- based analysis to identify areas best positioned for the development of agritourism initiatives. The suitability analysis integrates both local and global sustainability priorities by incorporating a set of defined criteria that together identify areas that are the most appropriate for …

The Loneliest Number: Implications For Using Single-Item Measures In Regression Analysis, Juliana Reis

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The current study examines the use of single-item measures to assess constructs used by occupational stress researchers. Surveys are fundamental tools for I/O Psychologist practitioners, and multiple-item measures are commonly used to fulfill that purpose. However, long surveys may offer challenges to both administrators and respondents. As an effort to mitigate those challenges, single-item measures have been receiving recognition as a promising alternative to the current psychometric measures due to their benefits, such as reduced cost and higher face validity. We will discuss the previous studies on single-item measures and why it’s relevant to explore its potential by performing a …

Identification Of Fiducial Points In Seismocardiographic Cycles Using Manual And Automated Annotation Methods, Jasmine-Vy T. Truong

Honors Undergraduate Theses

There is currently a need for complementary methods for non-invasive cardiac monitoring. Seismocardiography (SCG), the measurement of cardiac-induced vibrations at the chest surface, has shown potential clinical utility. Improving the reliability of detecting fiducial points of electrocardiography (ECG) and SCG, which collectively capture the electro-mechanical cardiac activities, could expand ECG/SCG utility as a low-cost, accessible tool for clinical assessment. This study identifies commonly accepted criteria for fiducial point detection in SCG and ECG through an extensive literature review and signal processing techniques. The previous criteria were evaluated to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Based on the findings, an improved set …

Apocalyptic Technical Communication From Clockface To Briefcase: Revealing The Spurious Coin Of Nuclear-Security Rhetoric, Ryan Cheek

English and Technical Communication Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article the Doomsday Clock and the Nuclear Football as interconnected technical communication artifacts that function as two sides of a "spurious coin" in the securitization of nuclear deterrence. While the Clock externalizes existential risk through apocalyptic rhetoric, the Football internalizes it within exclusive military command structures—together legitimizing perpetual nuclear crisis. Drawing on technical communication scholarship and critical security studies, the analysis argues that both artifacts sustain nuclearist ideology by reinforcing deterrence as common sense. The Clock's ominous countdown and the Football's ever-present launch capability are mutually validating and together normalize nuclear brinkmanship as the price of global security.

Co-Designing An International Nursing Course On Workplace Violence In Ethiopia, Sweden, And Tanzania: A Collective Autoethnography, Martin Salzmann-Erikson, Elisabet Eriksson, Tilahun Saol Tura, Tumbwene Mwansisya, Loveluck Mwasha, Malin Jordal

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

This study explores whether and how the co-creation of an international university course on workplace violence served as a site of transformative learning for us as nursing educators across Sweden, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Using collaborative autoethnography, our team of six faculty members critically reflected on pedagogical assumptions, educator identities, and experiences of cross-cultural collaboration. The data comprised written reflections, meeting transcripts, and observational notes. Through this process, our pedagogical approaches and professional identities were reshaped, shifting from content deliverers to reflective co-learners within the cross-cultural partnership. Our analysis highlights the interplay of cultural negotiation, logistical frictions, and unspoken yet influential …

Supporting Human-Ai Interaction From User Expectations To Mental Models, Harishankar Vasudevanallur Subramanian

Doctoral Dissertations

Explainable AI (XAI) aims to unravel the "black box" nature of AI systems and provide insights into the inner workings that lead to a prediction. However, the best XAI communication varies depending on the individual, task, and broader context. It is challenging to anticipate the best XAI for a particular use case. One strategy is for users to build an appropriate mental model of AI with both prediction and system level XAI. To date, little research has focused on quantitatively measuring users interacting with system-level XAI. This dissertation has three primary contributions. The first contribution is a scoping review paper …

Spin Mechanisms In Gd-Doped Gan Implanted With Oxygen Carbon At Room Temperature, Vishal Saravade, Amirhossein Ghods, Chuanle Zhou, Ian Ferguson

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Gadolinium-doped gallium nitride implanted with oxygen and carbon show carrier-mediated spin mechanisms at room temperature. As-grown Gd-doped GaN grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition using a tris(cyclopentadienyl) gadolinium precursor shows Ordinary Hall Effect and no ferromagnetism at room temperature. Upon O or C implantation in Gd-doped GaN, Anomalous Hall Effect that is indicative of carrier-mediated spin and ferromagnetism is observed. A good crystal quality is maintained even after implantation. O and C favor interstitial sites and occupy deep-level acceptor-type states in Gd-doped GaN. Room-temperature spin and ferromagnetism that is induced by gadolinium in Gd-doped GaN is activated by O and …

Quality Factor Estimation Of Additively Manufactured Frequency Selective Surfaces Via Active Microwave Thermography, Logan M. Wilcox, Alexander Hook, Emma T. Bohannon, Doyle T. Motes, Cody Morrow, Kristen M. Donnell

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Additive manufacturing (AM) has increased in popularity in recent years due to improvements in efficiency over traditional manufacturing methods. Furthermore, the availability of electrically conductive fused deposition modeling (FDM) filaments has opened the door to the manufacture of conductive structures, including frequency selective surfaces (FSSs). Traditionally, the performance of an FSS is verified experimentally through electromagnetic (EM) measurement of the FSS's reflection and/or transmission response. However, this verification approach is not ideal for rapid, in situ inspections due to the time-consuming measurement process, expensive and complicated equipment, and difficult to interpret results. To this end, active microwave thermography (AMT), a …

Mitigating And Preparing For Disasters At The Organizational Level: A Global Systematic Literature Review, Abdul-Akeem Sadiq, Ratna B. Dougherty, Rebecca Entress, Bikash Adhikari, Katherine Wilson Mccoy, Emilie Rott, Grace L. Chikoto-Schultz, Shannon Maharajh

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Organizations play significant roles in society by providing goods and services and contributing to the economies of communities, globally. Amid the predicted increase in the frequency and impact of disasters, which will invariably lead to higher disaster costs, there is an urgent need to ameliorate disaster impact on society and organizations. Disaster mitigation and preparedness are strategies for stemming disaster impact and losses within organizations. Cognizant of the importance of disaster mitigation and preparedness, researchers have conducted a myriad of studies on both concepts at the organizational level. To advance knowledge on this topic, this study conducted a comprehensive systematic …

Multi-Source Remote Sensing–Based Soil Moisture Prediction Using Machine Learning, Niraj Neupane

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soil moisture (SM) plays a central role in climatic and environmental processes, influencing shear strength of soil, agricultural productivity, land–atmosphere interactions, and hydrologic functioning. However, accurately estimating SM across diverse climatic regions remains challenging due to spatial heterogeneity, limited in situ measurements, and inconsistencies in sensor resolution. Machine learning (ML) and remote sensing offer promising avenues for improving SM prediction, yet many existing approaches struggle with generalization across climatic gradients and often fail to capture temporal variability. This study integrates multi-source satellite and climate datasets, including SMAP L4_SM, MODIS land surface temperature, Daymet meteorological variables, and in situ observations from …

Spatiotemporal Habitat Use, Sex-Specific Movement, And Site Fidelity Of Walleye In Lake Sharpe, Sd, Carter S. Dollen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Walleye Sander vitreus are a popular sportfish among anglers in South Dakota with large economic impacts to local communities. A popular destination for Walleye anglers is Lake Sharpe, a 25,000-ha reservoir on the Missouri River, in central South Dakota. Gill net catches in Lake Sharpe show high annual variation, prompting concern that gill net catch rates may be poorly related to population abundance. A better understanding of Walleye movement and distribution could lead to increased precision in annual abundance estimates and improved active management that increases angler success. The goals of this study were: 1) determine spatiotemporal movement patterns of …