Digital Commons Network^™

Atmospheric Science On Titan From The Dragonfly Rotorcraft, Ralph Lorenz

ISARRA 2026

NASA's Dragonfly rotorcraft lander is under construction for launch in 2028 to Saturn's moon Titan.  The ~900kg vehicle takes advantage of Titan's dense nitrogen atmosphere and low gravity to effect mobility using 8 rotors. The vehicle will make meteorological measurements on the surface, as well as during the ~20 minute flights it will make every Titan day or two (thus, once or twice per month). Flights will reach several hundred meters altitude, profiling most or all of the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL), depending on the time of day.  Additionally, measurements are made at Titan arrival, where the vehicle descends by …

Field Evaluation Of Remote Identification Broadcast Performance: Discrepancies Between Manufacturer Specifications And Operational Results, Walaa Alqwider, Bouteina Driouche

ISARRA 2026

Remote Identification (RID) is a regulatory requirement for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operating in the National Airspace System, and the data it provides serves as a foundational input for a range of future UAS operations and services. To date, the real-world performance of commercially available RID devices has not been thoroughly characterized under operational flight conditions. This study presents the results obtained from a series of RID field tests in which multiple commercial off-the-shelf RID broadcast modules were evaluated for positional accuracy, broadcast continuity, and reception reliability. Testing was conducted using both stationary and dynamic flight profiles at varying horizontal …

Turbulence Modeling Effects On Wall Shear Stress For A Dragonfly Rotor In Ground Effect, Michael Marques, Jackson Asiatico, Ralph Lorenz, Michael Kinzel

ISARRA 2026

11th Conference of the International Society for Atmospheric Research using Remotely-piloted Aircraft 25–28 August 2026 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, United States

Evaluation of Turbulence Modeling Effects on Ground Shear Stress and Tip Vortex Dynamics for the Dragonfly Rotor in Ground Effect

Michael Marques1, Jackson Asiatico1, Ralph Lorenz2, Michael Kinzel1

1Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, 32114, USA
2Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA

∗Corresponding email: [email protected]

NASA Dragonfly rotorcraft is designed to perform leap-frog flights across dune fields of Titan, requiring low-altitude operations during takeoff, landing, and hover. This study examines the aerodynamic behavior of the …

Integrating Quasi-Operational Coptersonde Wxuas Operations Into The Oklahoma Mesonet, Tyler M. Bell, Chris Fiebrich, Cynthia Luttrell, Antonio Segales, Joshua Gebauer, Lydia Bunting

ISARRA 2026

The University of Oklahoma (OU) and the Oklahoma Mesonet have achieved a significant operational milestone: the initiation of quasi-operational weather-sensing UAS (WxUAS) flights at a Mesonet station. Since early 2026, OU teams have collected hourly WxUAS atmospheric profiles at the Washington, OK Mesonet site at least once per week for an 8-hour period, with data transmitted in real time to the National Weather Service via the National Mesonet Program. This effort represents a meaningful and replicable step toward the routine integration of UAS-based measurements into existing operational surface networks.

This presentation will cover: (1) key lessons learned from quasi-operational flights …

Propellor Wake Decay And Crosswind Interactions, Kerrick Ray, Jamey D. Jacob

ISARRA 2026

This research explores the temporal wake decay of a propeller for small uncrewed vehicles focusing on the rate it takes for the perturbed air to return to ambient conditions, the extent that the far field wake reaches to better quantify rotary wake dissipation rates, and the effects that a crosswind has on these spatial propellor induced flow qualities. These preliminary results are intended to better optimize in situ measurements for multi-vehicle campaigns such as swarm flight applications to better understand minimum required spacing to not have the wake influence onboard sensors and flight path planning for the minimum time between …

Learning-Based Flow Prediction For Autonomous Soaring: From Physics-Informed To Graph Neural Networks, Sweety Sarker, Brendon Cavainolo, Michael P. Kinzel

ISARRA 2026

Real time estimation of local atmospheric flow can be useful for gliders to improve flight performance. Traditional methods for atmospheric state estimation rely on costly sensor arrays, computationally expensive CFD simulations, or estimations based on experience. All of these approaches can be successful, but present challenges. An emerging methodology from the Machine learning (ML) front involves Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), which are a data efficient machine learning methods that reconstruct the flow field (velocity, pressure, and turbulence) from a combination of constraints from the governing equations combined with sensor data. Through combining physical governing equations with sparse measurements, the neural …

African American Soldiers In Germany

Gordon McGinnis Papers

Newspaper clipping from the "The Stars and Stripes Magazine" dated August 12, 1945. The article summarizes the treatment received by African American soldiers in Germany.

Crfg‑1r — Caldwell Resonant Field‑Gate A Solid‑State Thermoacoustic–Vortex Heat Pump For Cooling And Heating Using Arachne Gyroid Stacks And Radiative Hot‑Side Dumping, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

The CRFG‑1R is a refrigerant‑free, compressor‑free solid‑state heat pump capable of both cooling and heating by using a vortex‑optimized resonant cavity, a 3D‑printed Arachne gyroid thermal stack, a high‑frequency acoustic driver, and a radiative or fin‑based hot‑side exchanger to generate a stable temperature gradient inside a sealed gas chamber. Depending on configuration, the cold end can be used for space cooling while the hot end provides useful heat, or the system can be reversed or ducted to deliver heating. This disclosure provides the complete mechanical blueprint, materials list, build instructions, test protocol, and physics justification required to construct and evaluate …

Architecture Of An Ai Coaching Platform For Cohort-Based Executive Education, Peter Hirst

Defensive Publications Series

We describe the architecture of a deployed AI coaching platform for cohort-based executive education. A large-language-model coach conducts longitudinal, curriculum-grounded coaching conversations with program participants, while the platform converts those conversations into structured, persistent learning records — commitments, insights, confidence self-assessments, points of resistance, application plans — without forms or explicit data entry. We present the platform's design philosophy (dialogue over dashboards; measuring learning outputs rather than content consumption), its memory and context architecture, the curriculum grounding and pacing engine, peer-learning mechanisms including AI-staged consent-gated introductions and conversational peer review with reviewer-side coaching, a learner-owned synthesized "playbook" artifact, and a …

Modeling And Analysis Of Restoration Control In Parallel Microsource Inverters: A Case Study, Sameer Bhambri, Vivek Shrivastava, Manoj Kumawat

Yanbu Journal of Engineering and Science

The paper suggests a method/strategy to compensate the deviations in the system frequency and output voltage, caused by an inverter output impedance, droop coefficients terms and amplifier gain in the RDC (robust droop control) model of single phase inverter. The compensation is acquired through adopting a TDC (transient droop characteristics) enabled droop control. The suggested technique, to achieve proportionate power sharing, nominal output voltage and frequency at steady state, is applied to a communication-less system of two parallel microsource inverters. The small signal model and eigenvalue analysis are used to characterize the virtual resistor selection criteria in the inverter control …

Urban Resilience To Environmental Displacement: Sustainable Design Strategies In Samarra And Najaf, Ghufran Rassam Hade, Khalid Hammood Mudhahe

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

This research investigates the critical role of urban resilience as a strategic framework to mitigate climate-induced environmental displacement in hot-arid regions, specifically focusing on the historical Iraqi cities of Samarra and Najaf. As global temperatures rise, these cities face intensifying thermal stress and desertification, acting as primary ``push factors'' for involuntary migration. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of sustainable urban design and traditional planning morphologies in enhancing the adaptive capacity of these urban centers. The methodology employs a Variable-based Digital Spatial Analysis utilizing Landsat 8 TIRS and Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. Through advanced geospatial processing, original …

Mae Enewsbrief January-March 2026, Department Of Mechanical And Aerospace Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Printing Press Renewal, Ashley Mcguire, Margaret Wood Balch, Anna Kaetz, Timothy M. Wick

Libraries Professional Work

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Libraries are home to a Chandler & Price printing press, originally built in 1885. Unfortunately, this press was not whole or fully operational when it was acquired by the UAB Libraries in the 1970s. Among its defects, the press lacked the treadle, Pittman arm, and crankshaft to power the press, a functioning rotating ink plate, a chase for holding the type in place, and the pin that keeps the large wheel turning in time with the gears that lead the machine to function. Members from the UAB Libraries Historical Collections and Reference and …

Tidal River Flood Risk Highest During Intermediate Rather Than Peak River Discharge, Leicheng Guo, Adam T. Devlin, Ton Hoitink, Ian Townend, David A. Jay, Zheng Bing Wang, Chunyan Zhu, Hamed R. Moftakhari, Qing He, Fan Xu, Multiple Additional Authors

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Tidal rivers are defined as the tide‐influenced, salinity‐free inland reaches of estuaries. Understanding the occurrence of peak water levels (PWLs) is critical for flood risk management, yet the timing and magnitude of PWLs in tidal rivers have been little studied. We address this gap by investigating PWLs during two catastrophic floods (1954 and 2020) in the tidal Yangtze River, which reveals that PWLs are higher during perigean spring tides under intermediate discharges following peak flow. Three factors modulate the PWLs in tidal rivers: river‐enhanced tidal damping, flow‐elevation hysteresis that raises the falling flow limb of the hydrograph, and low‐frequency subharmonics. …

Technology Implementation Strategies In Employees’ Work Processes To Increase Employee Engagement, Canaan Perry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Predicting Urban Heat‐Related Illness Across U.S. Climate Regions And Demographics, S. E. Brown, Vivek Shandas

Geography Faculty Publications and Presentations

We still know relatively little about how climate, demographics, built environment, and behaviors interact to drive hospitalizations during extreme heat events (EHEs). To address this paucity in understanding, we draw on extant literature to develop a transdisciplinary discrete event system dynamics (SD) modeling approach to address two research questions about the relationship between EHEs and heat‐related illnesses (HRIs): (a) How will changes in EHE frequencies, intensities, and durations in major Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) across the contiguous United States (CONUS) Climate Regions drive HRI morbidity across demographic, health‐status, and household groups over the coming decades? and (b) What are the …

China Maritime Report #55: Loading The Well Deck: The Pla Navy's Maturing Role In Projecting Joint Ground Forces, Joshua Arostegui

CMSI China Maritime Reports

Main Findings

• Since 2023, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has established an annualized rhythm of loading PLA Army (PLAA) combat, engineering, and support units onto PLA Navy (PLAN) amphibious ships for international exercises. This integration signals a maturation in Chinese expeditionary logistics, providing Beijing with the proven framework to project sustained, multi-domain combat mass well beyond its regional periphery.
• Overseas military exercises in locations like Cambodia, Malaysia, and Tanzania serve as vital proving grounds for the PLA to stress-test complex port embarkation, loading, and well-deck management. The successful deployment of PLAA ground forces via PLAN lift proves that the multi-branch …

An Ensemble Learning-Based Approach To Quantify Post-Earthquake Functional Recovery Of A Steel Moment-Resisting Frame Inventory, Mohsen Zaker Esteghamati, Shiva Baddipalli

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The quest for seismic resiliency requires designing for performance objectives beyond life safety. Functional recovery is an emerging objective often defined as the time required to restore a building’s basic functionality to the pre-event level. Nevertheless, quantifying functional recovery is a complex, computationally intensive process that is challenging to integrate into a standard design workflow. This study develops a machine learning (ML) model to map design and geometric features of steel special moment-resisting frames (SMRFs) to their functional recovery under two hazard levels: design-basis (DBE) and maximum considered (MCE) earthquakes. First, functional recovery time was quantified for an inventory of …

Data Governance In Local Government: Evidence From Spatial Data Initiatives, Maame Efua Q. Arthur

Capstone Projects – Politics and Government

The adoption of modern digital applications and tools enables community development organizations to improve public services and community well-being. In response to the data surge, several local governments in the U.S. are converting spatial data into user-friendly geospatial products, including maps, dashboards, web, and instant apps. Research suggests that while these tools enhance operations for municipalities, they also increase public accountability and data transparency. However, developing data-driven tools is dependent on structured data governance practices that ensure data accessibility, accuracy, reliability, and security. Using the City of Bloomington, Illinois, as a case study, this study assesses the city's data-driven initiatives, …

Qualitative Analysis Of Solutions To A General Class Of Nonlinear Difference Equations With Applications, Osama Moaaz, Mohamed F. Abouelenein, Mona Anis

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation with Applications

This work examines the qualitative behavior of a general class of difference equations. We establish criteria guaranteeing the stability, periodicity, and boundedness of the solutions of the equation under consideration. In addition, we identify its invariant intervals. The theoretical results are subsequently applied to various special cases, among them the May--Host model. Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the dynamics of the solutions and to validate the theoretical analysis.

Examining The Referral Pathway For Black Families Evaluated Through The Early Steps Program, Zelda Fleming

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research indicates that for children with or at risk for developmental delays, early intervention services are associated with improvements in academic and cognitive skills by the time they reach kindergarten (Atkins et al., 2020; Litt et al., 2017). Untreated developmental delays are linked to early school failure and social and emotional problems (Sher et al., 2020). Black children are 5 times less likely to receive early intervention services when compared to their White peers (Barnard-Brak et al., 2021; Feinberg et al.,2011). Thus, they often do not have the opportunity to receive early intervention services. The literature in this area suggests …

Portable Trace Gas Analysis With Multipass Cavity Raman Scattering, Charuka Muktha Arachchige

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The continual increase in the production and utilization of chemicals across a growing range of industrial, environmental, and medical applications necessitates accurate and efficient measurement of molecular composition. Trace gas detection is particularly critical in industrialized settings, where the identification of colorless and odorless gases is essential for ensuring operational safety and regulatory compliance. Recent advances in optical instrumentation have positioned spontaneous Raman scattering as a promising analytical technique for trace gas analysis, with multipass cavity enhancement providing a cost-effective pathway to high detection sensitivity. However, existing implementations remain confined to laboratory-scale optical table setups, limiting their applicability in field …

Exploring Ninth–12th Grade Teachers’ Experiences And Supports Needed When Using Trauma-Informed Practices, Kimberly C. Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Strategies Health Care Leaders Use To Align Financial Sustainability With Quality Patient Care, Emmanuel Nyamboga Maseno

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Automated Greenhouse Climate Control System For Monitoring Agricultural Productivity Using Iot-Based Technologies, Mohamed Ismail Lafta, Ahmed Yaseen Mohammed, Omar Mohammed Dhayef, Shihab A. Shawkat, Khalid Saeed Lateef Al-Badri, Wael Mohammed Mahdi

Mesopotamian Journal of Computer Science

Limited natural resources, particularly water, combined with climate change and rapid population growth, have created a need for modern agriculture. By 2050, the population is expected to reach 9.6 billion, placing a heavy burden on food production systems. Traditional farming methods are no longer able to meet demand in light of environmental constraints and dwindling resources. To address this problem, smart technologies have been adopted to improve agricultural efficiency, reduce resource waste, and enhance crop quality. The Internet of Things (IoT) stands out among these technologies for its ability to automate agricultural activities, allow for continuous and accurate monitoring, and …

Process For Preparation Of Resmetirom, Anonymous

Defensive Publications Series

Present authors/scientists surveyed the literature and optimized the process for the preparation of Resmetirom.

Generating A Syntax-Aware Knowledge Graph From Heterogeneous Codebase Artifacts, Leonid Kuligin, Marcello Steiner

Defensive Publications Series

Generative artificial intelligence systems, such as large language models, may face limitations when applied to large codebases because finite context windows can struggle to represent complex code structures. A syntax-aware knowledge graph may be generated from heterogeneous codebase artifacts, including, for example, source code, documentation, and infrastructure definitions. An ingestion pipeline can use specialized parsers to identify code entities as nodes and their relationships, such as calls or uses, as edges to form a unified graph. This knowledge graph can serve as a data structure for artificial intelligence-powered coding assistants, which allows for querying a compact, structurally-aware context. This approach …

Risk-Adaptive Autonomy For Artificial Intelligence (Ai)-Driven Network Automation Systems, Robert Barton, Yathi Udupi

Defensive Publications Series

The techniques presented herein implement an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven, risk-adaptive network automation system that determines how network configuration changes should be executed based on potential operational impact. The system interprets and classifies a natural language change request submitted by a human or generated by an autonomous agent. The system further evaluates real-time network context to calculate a composite risk score and a sphere of impact. Moreover, the system compares the score against user-defined risk tolerance thresholds to decide whether to execute the change autonomously, select a lower-risk alternative such as off-peak scheduling or staged deployment, or route the change to …

Box-Behnken Design-Based Response Surface Modelling For The Optimized Greener Spectrophotometric Methodology To Determine Betahistine In Pharmaceutical Formulations, Shaikh Manirul Haque

Yanbu Journal of Engineering and Science

Betahistine is a novel drug used to treat vertigo. The research focuses on developing and optimizing a simple, environmentally sustainable spectrophotometric approach for the analysis of BH in tablet formulations. The present investigation is based on the reaction between BH and potassium iodide and potassium iodate, monitored by Ultraviolet-Visible spectrophotometry at 352 nm. The most influential variables were optimized using response surface methodology via Box–Behnken design, resulting in reduced chemical, energy, and analysis time, and ultimately the analysis cost. Environmental sustainability was assessed using Analytical Eco-Scale (92), Analytical Greenness (0.72), Blue Applicability Grade Index (72.5) and Environmental and Practical Performance …

Strengthening The Properties Of Clay Soil With Crushed Oysters, Hadeel Ammar Mohammed, Najwa Wasif Jassim, Hanan Adnan Hassan Afaj, Mohammed Yousif Fattah, Noor S. Al-Hassnawi

HBRC Journal

When problematic clayey soils are used for engineering purposes without treatment, they can lead to structural cracks in roads, buildings, and underground infrastructure. The use of oyster shell powder in geotechnical applications has been the subject of little research, which is why this study looked into it. Examining the stabilization of different percentages (6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 21 percent) of oyster shell (OS) treatment of clayey soil is the aim of this study. Compaction, strength, CBR, and Atterberg tests are among the experiments used in this study. The study's importance lies in turning oyster shell waste into a …