Digital Commons Network^™

A Low-Frequency-Stable Higher-Order Isogeometric Discretization Of The Augmented Electric Field Integral Equation, Maximilian Nolte, Riccardo Torchio, Sebastian Schöps, Jürgen Dölz, Felix Wolf, Albert E. Ruehli

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This contribution investigates the connection between Iso geometric analysis (IGA) and integral equation (IE) methods for full-wave electromagnetic problems up to the low-frequency limit. The proposed spline-based IE method allows for an exact representation of the model geometry described in terms of nonuniform rational B-splines (NURBS) without meshing. This is particularly useful when high accuracy is required or when meshing is cumbersome, for instance, during the optimization of electric components. The augmented electric field IE (EFIE) is adopted, and the deflation method is applied, so the low-frequency breakdown is avoided. The extension to higher-order basis functions is analyzed and the …

Simultaneous Measurement Of Early-Stage Corrosion And Strain Levels In Steel Rebar Based On Graphene Oxide-Coated Ncf-Fbg Fiber Optic Sensor, Fujian Tang, Baihe Qu, Hong Nan Li, Jie Huang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Rebar corrosion significantly reduces the lifespan of reinforced concrete structures. The value of rebar strain, especially for some key structural components, indicates the safety margin of structures. In this study, a graphene oxide (GO) coated no-core fiber-fiber Bragg grating (NCF-FBG) fiber optic sensor is proposed for simultaneously measuring strain values and early-stage corrosion of steel rebar for the first time. The impact of GO coating thickness on the monitoring sensitivity is considered. A setup was manufactured to simultaneously perform tension, optical, and corrosion tests. The strain was applied up to 1200 μϵ. The rebar corrosion was assessed using electrochemical method …

Component Level Em Emission Assessment And Management For Rf Desensitization, Xiangrui Su, Wenchang Huang, Junghee Cho, Joonki Paek, Chulsoon Hwang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Radio frequency (RF) desensitization is a common issue caused by high-speed components in modern electronic devices. Consequently, numerous studies have focused on characterizing and quantifying electromagnetic (EM) emission sources by using near field scanning to detect EM noise sources. However, before near field scanning, no predetermined threshold is available to quickly assess whether an EM noise source will pose RF desensitization risks in the receiving antenna. This article presents a method to optimize near field scanning settings through EM emission management analysis. Drawing on experience from numerous EM emission studies, we introduce an EM emission management procedure for two common …

Explainable And Safety Aware Deep Reinforcement Learning-Based Control Of Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems Using Neural Network Gradient Decomposition, Behzad Farzanegan, S. Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents an explainable deep-reinforcement learning (DRL)-based safety-aware optimal adaptive tracking (SOAT) scheme for a class of nonlinear discrete-time (DT) affine systems subject to state inequality constraints. The DRL-based SOAT utilizes a multilayer neural network (MNN)-based actor-critic to estimate the cost function and optimal policy while the MNN update laws are tuned both using the singular value decomposition (SVD) of activation function gradient in order to mitigate the vanishing gradient issue and safety-aware Bellman error at each layer. An approximate safety-aware optimal policy is developed using Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) conditions by incorporating the higher-order control barrier function (HOCBF) into the …

Large-Range And High-Sensitivity Displacement Sensing Based On Extrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometer Assisted Microwave Photonic Filter, Shiyu Li, Ruimin Jie, Osamah Alsalman, Jie Huang, Chen Zhu

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Displacement is a pivotal physical parameter, and advancements in displacement sensor technology have enabled the creation of a diverse array of physical and mechanical sensors through seamless integration with mechanical transducers. In this study, we introduce a displacement sensing technique leveraging an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer (EFPI) assisted microwave photonic filter. By translating displacement-induced variations in the EFPI's optical reflection into peak frequency shifts within its frequency response, we achieve large-dynamic-range displacement measurements with outstanding signal quality and demodulation ease. Proof-of-concept demonstrations showcase a substantial 5 mm range with a remarkable sensitivity of 1.148 GHz/mm, achieved using a basic single-mode fiber-based …

Microwave Photonic Fiber Ring Resonator For Optical Sensing Based On In-Ring And Out-Of-Ring Modulation, Shiyu Li, Chen Zhu

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Intensity-modulated optical fiber sensors (IM-OFSs) have garnered significant research interest due to their advantageous characteristics, including simplified fabrication procedures, cost-efficient systems, and straightforward signal demodulation, leading to their widespread application across diverse fields. Nevertheless, the multiplexing technique for IM-OFSs remains underexplored, primarily because isolating the contributions of individual sensors within the system using traditional power measurements poses a significant challenge. In this study, we introduce and experimentally validate a novel approach leveraging a simple microwave-photonic fiber ring resonator (MWP-FRR). This approach enables the concurrent interrogation of two IM-OFSs based on an in-and-out-of-ring-modulation (IORM) strategy. The transmission losses of both IM-OFSs …

Advancing Temperature Monitoring Of The Bottom Anode In A Direct Current Electric Arc Furnace Operations With Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors., Ogbole Collins Inalegwu, Rony Kumer Saha, Yeshwanth Reddy Mekala, Farhan Mumtaz, Nicholas Dionise, Zane Voss, Jeffrey D. Smith, Ronald J. O'Malley, Rex E. Gerald, Jie Huang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The bottom anode in the Direct Current Electric Arc Furnace (DC EAF) is critical for completing the electrical circuit necessary for sustaining the arc within the furnace. For pin-type bottom anodes, monitoring of the temperature of select pins instrumented with thermocouples is performed to track bottom wear in the EAF and inform the operator when the furnace should be removed from service. This work presents the results from a plant trial using distributed temperature monitoring of bottom anode pins in a 165-ton DC EAF over a two-month service period utilizing two optical fiber sensing techniques: fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and …

Training Neural Networks With A Self-Adaptive Ant Colony Algorithm, Ashraf M. Abdelbar, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

ACOR is a well-established ant colony optimization algorithm that has been applied to neural network training. We present an approach for the dynamic adaptation of the ACOR algorithm's search intensification/diversification parameter q, based on using several pre-specified parameter configurations, which we call personalities. Before an ant begins to generate a candidate solution, it stochastically adopts a personality based on the relative past success of the different personalities. The success of a personality is measured, in turn, by the relative quality of previous solutions generated by ants adopting that personality. The premise of our approach is that some personalities will be …

Annotated 3d Point Cloud Dataset For Traffic Management In Simulated Urban Intersections, Elham Binshaflout, Chaima Zaghouani, Nawfal Guefrachi, Charalampos Antoniadis, Hakim Ghazzai, Ahmad Alsharoa, Gianluca Setti

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Ensuring accurate traffic perception and road safety in complex urban environments remains a significant challenge. Advanced traffic monitoring increasingly relies on deep learning, which requires large data volumes. However, existing datasets are often limited to CCTV video footage or focus on dynamic scenarios captured by sensors mounted on ego vehicles. This narrow perspective reduces the effectiveness of comprehensive traffic monitoring, particularly for LiDAR sensors, which typically capture only the vehicle's viewpoint and miss critical areas such as intersections and pedestrian crossings. To address these limitations, we propose a holistic strategy for rapid data collection in urban settings using simulated 3D …

Design And Numerical Investigation Of Surface Plasmon Resonance–Based Refractive Index Sensor, Inamullah Sario, Ghulam Abbas Lashari, Abdul Aziz Memon, Farhan Mumtaz

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A photonic crystal fiber–surface plasmon resonance (PCF-SPR)-based refractive index (RI) sensor with a novel design is presented in this paper. This sensor detects the anomalies in the sample analyte by detecting the change in its RI. Silver (Ag) is used as a plasmonic material with a unique terracotta structure to sense the RI variations in the surrounding medium, also called an analyte or sample. A thin layer of titanium dioxide (TiO2) measuring 10 nm is applied on top of the plasmonic material to prevent the oxidation of silver. The designed sensor detected a good range of analyte RI from 1.31 …

Rare Case Of Osteomyelitis Caused By Achromobacter Xylosoxidans, Christopher P. Girgis, Tyler L. Coye, Elizabeth Ansert, Amanda L. Killeen, Peter A. Crisologo

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a rare opportunistic aerobe that has rarely been documented in the literature as a causative agent for osteomyelitis. It can present with antibiotic resistance, making treatment without operative management challenging. We present the case of a 51-year-old male with a past medical history of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. The patient presented to a clinic with a grade 2 infection to the right fifth digit, as defined by the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot, and was subsequently admitted for intravenous antibiotics and operative management. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal signal of the phalanges of the fifth …

The Effects Of Capsaicin On Vascularization In Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Literature Review, Karen Hernandez, Leslie Guerrero, Myra Mudassar, Amanda L. Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder affecting 11.6% of the United States population and 43.95% of the population in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. A common complication of diabetes mellitus is neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that affects as many as half of the people with this condition. Vascular factors and metabolic interactions are major influencers of the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. This literature review evaluates the therapeutic role of capsaicin, a known component of capsicum pepper, commonly used as a treatment for neuropathic pain. However, several studies show that in addition to pain management, capsaicin counters …

Demographic And Clinical Characteristics Of Patients With Charcot Neuro-Osteoarthropathy In People With Diabetes Mellitus In Six Countries: A Multicenter Observational Study From 1996 To 2022, E. B. Jude, C. Siafarikas, A. Rastogi, R. Bem, T. Tankova, M. -F. Kong, Javier La Fontaine, J. Pappachan, N. Tentolouris

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Aim: To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy (CNO) and to examine for differences between participants with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) (T1DM) and Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Materials and Methods: Multicenter observational study in eight diabetic foot clinics in six countries between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2022. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were obtained from the medical records. Analyses were performed using parametric or nonparametric statistical tests for variables with normally or nonnormally distributed values, respectively. Comparisons of the qualitative data were performed using the chi-square test.

Results: Seven hundred seventy-four …

A Transferable Approach For Quantifying Benthic Fish Sizes And Densities In Annotated Underwater Images, Peter C. Esselman, Shadi Moradi, Joseph K. Geisz, Christopher Roussi

Michigan Tech Publications

Benthic fishes are a common target of scientific monitoring but are difficult to quantify because of their close association to bottom habitats that are hard to access. Advances in image-acquisition technologies, machine vision and deep learning have made capturing and quantifying fishes with cameras increasingly feasible. We present a method and open-source software called ‘FishScale’ to estimate benthic fish lengths, numeric abundance and biomass density in underwater environments assessed with down-looking monocular images. ‘FishScale’ estimates fish abundances and size frequencies from near-nadir monocular images where fish have already been semantically segmented. The software accounts for lens distortion, underwater magnification effects …

Performance Evaluation And Multiphysics Process Modeling Of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoset Composites Using Microwave And Autoclave, Nayan Pundhir, Patrick Schwartzkopf, K. Chandrashekhara, Logan Wilcox, Kristen M. Donnell, Jim Lua, Rui Li

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this study, IM7/Cycom 5320-1 unidirectional prepreg has been utilized to manufacture 16-layer laminated composites: a symmetric cross-ply ([0°/90°]4s) and a quasi-isotropic ([45°/90°/−45°/0°]2s) configuration. Microwave and autoclave curing processes have been employed to manufacture the laminated composites. The manufactured composite cure was assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The quality and porosity of the microwave-cured parts were juxtaposed to those of autoclave-cured parts through optical microscopy and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning. Mechanical characterization of the microwave-cured panels was conducted using uniaxial tensile and flexural tests, with results juxtaposed to autoclave-cured samples. Experimental characterization revealed that the microwave-cured parts exhibited nearly …

Physics-Constrained Generative Artificial Intelligence For Rapid Takeoff Trajectory Design, Samuel Sisk, Xiaosong Du

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The urban air mobility (UAM) industry is rapidly growing to alleviate regional transportation congestion. Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft plays a critical role in this growth due to their efficiency and reduced operating cost. However, excessive energy demands by the takeoff phase impact the practicality of the aircraft. Conventional multidisciplinary analysis and optimization (MDAO) identifies a minimum energy trajectory but can be computationally intensive due to iteratively evaluating high-fidelity simulation models. In addition, complex constraints in practical MDAO pose crucial challenges to the already demanding process. Surrogate models enable efficient design optimization, but complex constraints could prohibit surrogate-based …

Versatile Injector Platform: A Modular Design For Supersonic Flow Research, Connor Bell, Davide Viganò

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Fuel–air mixing remains a critical challenge in the development of high-speed air-breathing propulsion due to the extremely short residence times in supersonic combustors. Experimental studies are essential to investigate the underlying mixing mechanisms, but they require injection systems that can deliver repeatable and controlled flow conditions. In this work, we present the design of a modular strut-type injection platform developed for the Missouri S&T Supersonic Wind Tunnel. In its initial configuration, the platform features a planar trailing-edge slit to generate a two-dimensional jet and includes interchangeable trailing-edge modules to support a wide range of geometries and flow-control strategies. Designed with …

In-Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy Investigation Of Grain Size And Temperature Dependent Irradiation Behavior Of 304l Stainless Steel, Anish Ranjan, Matthew Luebbe, Nastaran Motaharinia, Wei Ying Chen, Frank Liou, Haiming Wen

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The influence of grain size, irradiation temperature, and dose on the evolution of irradiation-induced defects in austenitic 304L stainless steel (SS) was systematically investigated. Coarse-grained (CG), ultrafine-grained (UFG), and nanocrystalline (NC) specimens were exposed to irradiation doses up to 10 displacements per atom (dpa) at room temperature (RT), 300°C, and 500°C. Dislocation loop size and density were quantitatively analyzed using transmission electron microscopy, and results showed that the dislocation loop size remained comparable across different grain sizes. However, loop density was strongly dependent on the grain size. The CG specimens exhibited the highest loop density due to a limited fraction …

Few-Shot Learning-Enhanced Tiered Path Planning For Mars Rover Navigation, Ziyi Wang, Di Yu, Mina Khalilzadeh Fathi, Chaoying Pei

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Path planning for Mars rovers presents significant challenges due to the diverse terrain, ranging from easily navigable areas to hazardous zones. Traditional methods typically classify terrain simply as passable or impassable, failing to account for the nuances of more moderately challenging areas. In this paper, we introduce a tiered terrain-aware path planning strategy, employing few-shot learning to classify and segment Martian terrain into levels of difficulty. The few-shot learning model, trained on Earth, is sent to the rover, enabling real-time processing of images from satellites or helicopters. The flexibility of few-shot learning, which requires minimal data and training time, enables …

Causality Of Circular Supply Chain Management In Small And Medium-Sized Enterprises Using Qualitative Information: A Waste Management Practices Approach In Indonesia, Ming-Lang Tseng, Shu-Xian Li, Ming K. Lim, Tat-Dat Bui, Muhamat R. Yuliyanto, Mohammad Iranmanesh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Circular supply chain management (CSCM) is a promising way to achieve economic and environmental sustainability and address the waste problem. However, developing a fully circular supply chain system is costly and time-consuming, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs need to achieve better CSCM by implementing waste management practices. This study aims to (1) critically validate the hierarchical structure of CSCM for SMEs; (2) identify the causal interrelationships among the attributes; and (3) determine the practical attributes for SME improvement in Indonesia. An approach consisting of the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM), best worse method (BWM), and fuzzy decision-making trial …

The Effect Of Robot Anthropomorphism On Employee Recovery Of Robot Service Failures: The Mediation Of Employee Empathy, Jiangchi Zhang, Chaowu Xie, Songshan Huang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This study aims to investigate employee responses to robot service failures. It examines how employees recover from such failures at varying levels of robot anthropomorphism, considering the mediating role of employee empathy and the moderating role of service failure type. Design/methodology/approach: Three scenario-based experiments were designed and implemented. The statistical analysis techniques adopted were independent samples t-test, multivariate analysis of variance and regression. Findings: Findings reveal: a curvilinear relationship exists between employee proactive/reactive recovery and robot anthropomorphism; employee empathy mediates this relationship; and physical affordance failures prompt low proactive and high reactive recovery for low-anthropomorphism robots, while cognitive affordance …

Utilizing Artificial Intelligence As A Strategic Risk Management Tool For Public Sector Operations And Auditing Processes, Oğuz Ümit Tamer, Bruce D. Mcdonald Iii, Farouk Hemici, Georgia Kontogeorga

School of Public Service Faculty Publications

Symbolizing a significant turning point in the historical landscape, AI is becoming an effective tool in today's public administration, not only for increasing capacity, quality, and speed in services, but also for strategic risk management. Regulators and algorithmic auditing play a central role in implementing fairness, transparency, and persistent controls against risks in AI systems. Discussing modern applications of AI, such as anomaly-based fraud detection, resource estimation, and continuous auditing, and their respective strengths and weaknesses, this study concludes that AI significantly enhances efficiency and oversight but also poses the risk of enshrining bias, opacity, and accountability gaps. By considering …

Battle-'N Home-Fronts: Digital Humanities And American Civic Engagement, Sara J. Hart, Roman E. Sotomayor

Humboldt Journal of Social Relations

"That the United States military enjoys the support of the civilian population is perhaps an understatement. Combat-jet flyovers at major sporting events, Veterans Day parades, and memorials to the nation’s wars and war dead..."

Walking (Virtually) Within The Past: A Video Tour Of Eureka's Historic Chinatown, Anne Howard, Katie Buesch, Sarah Godlin, Tim Miller, Vicki Ozaki, Sheri Woo

Humboldt Journal of Social Relations

"This piece reflects on the process of creating a place-based digital product aimed at expanding the educational reach of the Eureka Chinatown Project to an online audience. The authors explore the important role of sharing technical and historical knowledge, stories, and resources..."

Impact Of High School Racial Composition On Intercultural Competence Of Undergraduate Students, Ryuto Hashimoto

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Since the US population continues to become more diverse, it is important to foster students' intercultural competence (ICC) so that they can work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds. The existing studies have examined the impact of socialization at school on youths' development in their attitudes and behaviors in the context of classroom. However, we know little about whether or not the organizational and individual characteristics have an impact on students' ICC development. This study explored the impact of high school racial composition and individual factors such as gender on the ICC of undergraduate students. The study used the course …

Utilitzing A Nurse Triage Model To Decrease The Administrative Burden Of Emr Messaging, Pamela B. Schneider

DNP Projects

Abstract

Background: The volume of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) messages from patients to providers continues to rise, yet clinic workflows have not been adequately restructured to accommodate. Increased EMR, especially the inbasket, is associated with provider burnout and decreased job satisfaction, contributing to provider turnover.

Purpose: To improve the triage and distribution of the EMR messaging workload

Method: A Nurse Triage Flowchart was implemented in the Gastroenterology Clinic at the University of Kentucky to help RNs/MAs triage patient messages for improved workflow. Surveys were completed by RNs/MAs and providers before and three months post-implementation. Data from EPIC over six …

“What We Say Matters”: Reducing Drug Use Stigmatization By Healthcare Professionals Through A Narrative-Based Awareness Campaign, Adam M. Traugott

DNP Projects

Background: Stigma towards substance use has been identified as a contributor to poor care and health outcomes amongst people who use drugs (PWUD), a vulnerable population. Healthcare worker stigma negatively affects the outcomes of individual patients and may have greater public health implications. Methods of addressing drug-use stigma have previously been implemented in a variety of clinical settings. Presenting the lived experience of PWUD to healthcare workers via emotionally compelling narratives has been found to be an effective means of stigma reduction.

Purpose: This study utilized two psychometrically validated tools to measure (1) the baseline prevalence of drug use stigma …

Evaluating A Public Health Program Using The Cdc Framework: A Case Study Approach, Brooke A. Poe

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

In Bourbon County, Kentucky, where rural health challenges and chronic disease burdens persist, a coalition of public health partners set out to improve population-level physical activity through an innovative, community-centered initiative. The Bourbon County Physical Activity Program emerged through collaboration between the Bourbon County Health Department, the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, and UK HealthCare. Together, these partners designed a six-month intervention that combined discounted YMCA memberships, partnerships with employers, a physical activity tracking app with behavioral incentives, and community-wide events to promote accessible and sustained engagement.

Guided by the CDC’s framework for program evaluation in public health, …

Impact Of Bourbon Continuous Column Operations On Ethyl Carbamate Levels, Brad J. Berron, Jon Brown, Jason Gambrell, Travis Cantrell, Meghan Mcintosh, Sarah A. Wilson, Jarrad Gollihue, Harmonie M. Bettenhausen

James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits Faculty Publications

European and Canadian regulators enforce strict limits on the ethyl carbamate content of alcoholic beverages. North American distillers’ malt have high glycosidic nitrile levels which amplify the ethyl carbamate level of whiskey. Guidelines are required to produce low ethyl carbamate whiskey from North American distillers’ malts. This work challenges several strategies for reducing ethyl carbamate levels in bourbon and American whiskey products. New make spirit was produced using a bourbon mash bill on a continuous beer still with doubler. The low wines alcohol content and beer feed tray were systematically varied while the caustic cleaning schedules were monitored to generate …

The International Law Of Land (Grabbing): Human Rights And Development In The Context Of Racial Capitalism, Gabriele Wadlig

Chicago Journal of International Law

This article investigates the concept of tenure security within international law, emphasizing the global legal architectures that influence and shape land tenure governance at the intersections of international human rights law and development. By tracing the evolution of tenure security from colonial practices to modern development paradigms, the article contends that international development and human rights frameworks often perpetuate dispossession and inequality. It critiques the convergence of human rights and development narratives around the formalization of land tenure, demonstrating how this practice reinforces Western legal frameworks and ontologies of land. The article examines a range of instruments including various UN …