Digital Commons Network^™

Optimizing K-Prototype Or Scalable Mixed-Data Clustering: A Vectorized Approach To Accelerate Convergence And Accuracy In Big Data, Faten Fagr Alkourdy

Al-Farahidi Expert Systems Journal

The exponential growth of data stored in databases and data warehouses has intensified the demand for advanced analytical tools capable of efficiently extracting actionable insights. Data mining has emerged as a critical methodology for transforming vast datasets into knowledge. However, traditional techniques often face scalability challenges, particularly due to prolonged computational times, which hinder their effectiveness in large-scale applications. This research aims to improve the K-prototypes clustering algorithm to optimize computational efficiency and enhance clustering precision, enabling more effective knowledge discovery. Key modifications involve implementing vectorization techniques to accelerate processing, redesigning the initialization strategy for cluster centers, and refining the …

Intelligent Control Of Wind Turbines: A Neural-Fuzzy Controller For Pitch And Yaw Angle Regulation Under Variable Wind Conditions, Salah Ali Daoud, Samir Ali Amin, Salah Sabeeh Abed Al Kareem

Al-Farahidi Expert Systems Journal

By modifying the pitch and yaw angles of the blades, the study presents a hybrid neural-fuzzy controller for wind turbines that enhances performance in variable wind conditions. The suggested system integrates fuzzy logic (for decision-making) and artificial neural networks (for learning), unlike conventional PID and fuzzy PID controllers, which have trouble with nonlinear dynamics. It employs two stages of control: pitch control at high wind speeds and yaw control at low wind speeds. The hybrid controller performs noticeably better than PID-based techniques, according to MATLAB/Simulink simulations, lowering pitch control error by 40%, stabilizing the system in 0.1 seconds instead of …

Harmonizing Technological Advancement With Ethical And Safe Ai Deployment By Bridging The Innovation–Regulation Divide, Majd A. Ali, Wadii Ali, Hussein Abbas Hameed

Al-Farahidi Expert Systems Journal

The development of technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), has revolutionized various fields like business, healthcare, and even security. Unfortunately, examining the ethical and legal ramifications associated with such sophisticated technology is often left behind. This paper delves into the most pressing issues related to AI and its innovation; specifically, it covers issues such as governance frameworks, the legal gap of coordination, international relations, and ethical problems like discrimination by algorithms, lack of clarity on who is being held responsible, and transparency deficiency. The study focuses on the global strategies for AI governance, from the stringent AI regulations of the European …

Study Of The Phenolic Content Of Methanolic Extracts Of Eryngium Maritimum Plant Parts In Lattakia City, Syria, Using Hplc Technique, Ahmad Kara Ali, Yaser Hammad, Hazem Krawi, Yamam Mouhammd

Al-Farahidi Expert Systems Journal

This study aimed to determine the total content of phenolic compounds in different parts of the Eryngium maritimum plant (Sea Holly), which grows on sandy and rocky beaches of the Sports City shore in Lattakia, Syria, during the autumn season. The phenolic content of each plant part was quantified using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The total percentage of polyphenols ranged from 3.44% to 17.69%. The results revealed that the roots contained the highest content of phenolic compounds in the methanol extracts compared to other parts of the Sea Holly plant, followed by fruits, leaves, seeds, and stems. Chlorogenic acid was …

Determination Of The Chemical Composition Of The Essential Oil Extracted From The Caper Berry Using Techniques Of Gas Chromatography (Gc/Ms) And Hplc, Imad Hwijeh, Muhannad Khalil, Ahmad Kara Ali

Al-Farahidi Expert Systems Journal

A sample of the caper plant (Capparis spinosa) was collected from an area in the countryside of Jableh in Lattakia Governorate in Syria, located at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level. The essential oil was extracted from the caper plant using the Clevenger device, where the weight percentage of the extracted essential oil reached 0.08%. The chemical composition of the essential oils was determined using the GC/MS device, gas chromatography associated with mass spectrometry, and HPLC. Three compounds were identified as a result of the HPLC analysis: caffeic acid 15.5%, vanillin 5.5%, and chlorogenic acid 15%. 31 compounds …

Battery Energy Storage Overview : Applications, Potential Challenges And Future Perspective, Haider Jouma Touma, Muhamadm Mansor, Ahmad Skaiky

Al-Farahidi Expert Systems Journal

In recent years, there has been a notable global increase in the adoption of Battery Energy Storage (BES). This trend is driven by significant reductions in battery manufacturing costs, improved battery performance, and the growing importance of sustainable energy generation systems, alongside global efforts to reduce harmful emissions. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and independent overview of BES, including battery classification. It also explores the diverse applications of BES across generation, transmission, and distribution levels. While emphasizing the significant benefits of BES, the article identifies a number of potential challenges, particularly those related to cost reduction for manufacturers, …

Finite Element Simulation Of Composite Rectangular Cantilever Plates, Muhsin J. Jweeg, Dhia Al-Azzawi, Mohammed Abbas, Mohsin Abdullah Al-Shammari

Al-Farahidi Expert Systems Journal

This work concentrates on the application of the finite element simulation and an experimental program for the composite cantilever plates. The mechanical properties of the models were used to manufacture plates with different aspect ratios and thicknesses. The used models include different aspect ratios of carbon fiber materials and Kevlar composites. In the numerical simulation, the ANSYS package was used to simulate the cantilever plates to obtain the natural frequencies and mode shapes using the mechanical properties obtained experimentally for both types of materials. The findings indicate a strong correlation between the plate geometry and the mode shapes. This gives …

Integrating Deep Learning And Expert Systems In Negotiation Support: A Framework For Body Language Recognition To Augment Decision-Making Via Non-Verbal Cues, Majd Ali

Al-Farahidi Expert Systems Journal

This study develops an AI-driven expert system to improve negotiation outcomes by analyzing body language, a key but often ignored aspect of human communication in decision-making. The proposed system integrates Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks to serve as a knowledge-driven inference engine. By analyzing skeletal keypoint data, it classifies ten negotiation-specific behavioral cues, including weak stance, strong stance, overconfidence, interest, and openness. This approach enhances traditional rule-based negotiation models by augmenting them with data-driven insights, demonstrating the system's potential to improve decision-making processes. Translating body movements into behavioral insights mimics human expertise to help resolve …

Conservative Management Of An Iatrogenic Left Ventricular Pseudo Aneurysm After Type A Aortic Dissection Surgery, Wiem Feki, Amal Kchaou, Rania Gargouri, Hichem Denguir

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Left ventricular pseudo aneurysm a rare but potentially fatal complication after surgery for type A aortic dissection, due to the fragile nature of the pseudo aneurysm wall. We present the case of a 69-year-old man who developed a pseudo aneurysm at the apex of the left ventricle following surgical repair of a type A aortic dissection. Initially under diagnosed on trans thoracic echocardiography , the lesion was clearly characterized by CMR . Given the patient’s stable clinical status and morbidities , a conservative approach was adopted. The patient showed favorable evolution over time.

A Study Of Rural Health Care For Chronic Care Management Using Machine Learning To Determine Costs, Joanna Maria Keeling

Doctoral Dissertations

Management of diabetes or heart disease may be uniquely challenging for older individuals with multiple chronic conditions[1]. Chronic Care Management would target patients living with comorbidities in Louisiana, who are not receiving sufficient healthcare services and help them receive the care they deserve[2]. This study is aimed at comparing the results of rural Louisiana Medicaid recipients with comorbidities to the National Averages. We will also use Machine Learning to predict Churn and Medical Costs. To help us identify these patients with comorbidities, we decided to use NCQA Quality Measures. We identified several measures from NCQA that we wanted to use, …

Emotional Armor: An Exploration Of Emotion Regulation On Race-Related Stress And Well-Being, Jibri Khalia Parker

Doctoral Dissertations

Scholars have examined at length the impact of stress on well-being. However, people of color experience an additional stressor called racism. Increased experiences with chronic discrimination and racism have been associated with increased hypertension, heart disease, anxiety and depression to name a few (Williams, 2018). Chronic experiences with racism leads to a phenomenon called race-related stress (Utsey & Ponterotto, 1996). The research has shown the impact of race-related stress on physical and mental health outcomes, particularly on individuals from an ethnic background (Williams, 2018). However, not much research has focused on potential moderators in this relationship. This study poses emotion …

Posture - A Framework With Measures And Mediating Effects In Support Of A Structural Model For Attitude In Identity Formation, Christopher Kyle Prather

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation develops a framework and new, valid, abbreviated instruments for researching engineering identity formation as an evolving relational and attitudinal development process rather than a fixed outcome. The framework centers on “posture”, a mediating effect analogous to physical posture in human factors engineering. The investigation was unique, and developed evidence for a structural model using an interdisciplinary, systems-oriented approach. Methodologically, a clinical measure of internal emotional states from the Marriage and Family Therapy literature was administered alongside existing scales for perseverance, perceived workload, and psychological ownership. This study used the broad coverage of the clinical instrument to search for …

Blenderized Tube Feeding Formulas: Attitudes, Barriers, And Clinical Benefits As Perceived By Registered Dietitians In Pediatric Care, Savannah Smiley Keeler

Master's Theses

Blenderized tube feeding formulas (BTFF) are increasingly recognized as a viable alternative to conventional commercial tube feeding formulas (CTFF) for pediatric patients requiring enteral nutrition. This cross-sectional, exploratory study aimed to assess the experiences, attitudes, and perceived clinical benefits of BTFF use among Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) working with gastrostomy-tube-dependent pediatric populations in the United States. A total of 146 RDNs completed a 45-item online survey, which gathered quantitative and qualitative data on BTFF familiarity, feasibility, clinical outcomes, caregiver factors, and institutional barriers. Findings revealed that while BTFF use remains variable across clinical settings, 55.8% of RDNs reported increased utilization …

Evaluation Of The Performance Of The Traveling Wave Differential Element In Protective Relays, Niranjan Kc

Master's Theses

This thesis evaluates the dependability, security, and limitations of the traveling wave differential protection function (TW87) in modern time-domain-based protective relays, using a combination of simulations and hardware testing in a laboratory environment. Fault transients are first generated using the electromagnetic transients program model of a real, 230 kV, 65.7 km long overhead transmission line, which are then played back on real time-domain-based protective relays. Various fault scenarios are chosen to evaluate the impacts of factors such as fault inception angle, distance to fault from line terminals, fault type, fault impedance, and external faults on the relay functions’ performance. Results …

Eating Habits, Eating Behavior Mediators, Body Composition And Physical Fitness Among Rotc Cadets, Kaitlin Renee Hanks

Master's Theses

The physical and mental demands of the military and the requirement to maintain body composition standards make healthful eating essential to military service. Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets are a unique subgroup of the United States military, and the combined demands of their military training and educational pursuits may increase their susceptibility to unhealthy eating patterns. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between eating habits, eating behavior mediators, body composition, and physical fitness among ROTC cadets. This study used a cross-sectional design that included an online survey, an inperson body composition assessment, and carotenoid measurements …

Analyzing The Relationship Between Diabetes Duration And Self-Management In Adults With Diabetes, Caroline Noel Stroo

Master's Theses

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease that affects 14.7% of adults in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Prevalence of diabetes increases with age, with rates for adults aged 65 and older reaching 29.2% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). Factors such as age, race, obesity, physical activity level, and genetics strongly increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, 2016). Diabetes requires complex and comprehensive management to reduce the risk of developing comorbidities (Al-Shabeeb et al., 2021). Factors such as education, familial support, …

The Design Of Coplanar Waveguide Traveling-Wave Kinetic-Impedance Parametric Amplifiers, Jordan Scott Savoie

Master's Theses

Astronomical observations and many physics experiments rely on cryogenic amplifiers for readout. Current sensitivity is limited by the noise figure of high-electronmobility transistor (HEMT) amplifiers, which have proven di!cult to decrease further in recent years. Traveling-wave kinetic-impedance parametric amplifiers (TKIPAs) are an emerging class of amplifiers which have the potential to substantially improve the sensitivity of microwave low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) while also accepting relatively high input powers and amplifying over a wide bandwidth. In this thesis, I present the design, modeling, and testing procedures for coplanar waveguide (CPW) TKIPAs developed by our group at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Using …

Structural And Computational Results On Equitably Dissectible Graphs, Ann Wells Clifton

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation introduces the class of equitably dissectible graphs — graphs whose vertex set can be recursively partitioned into two parts whose sizes differ by at most one where the two induced subgraphs are connected. In Chapter 2, we show that a graph is equitably dissectible if and only if it has a spanning tree that is equitably dissectible, and we use this result to establish connections between the class of equitably dissectible graphs and Hamiltonian graphs. We also fully characterize the equitably dissectible spiders of the form S3(a) and S3(a, b), identifying a family of unruly spiders that are …

A Backtracking Algorithm For Determining The Existence Of Regular Graphs Of Specified Girth And Excess, Stetson Ray Bosecker

Doctoral Dissertations

The study of cages focuses on finding (k, g)-graphs of minimal order. This dissertation generalizes the problem of finding cages to the determination of graphs with specified excess, thereby broadening the significance of the results. The (k, g, ε)-graph problem seeks to determine the existence or nonexistence of k-regular graphs with girth g and excess ε = n(G)−M(k, g) (where M(k, g) represents the Moore bound for cage graphs). Motivated by heuristic methods used to determine properties within the study of cages, we present a backtracking algorithm capable of constructing (k, g, ε)-graphs or determining their nonexistence. Chapter 2 provides …

Privacy-Preserving Structure Learning For Geospatial Data Using Information-Theoretic Dependency Measures, Ahmed Mudhish

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation proposes a privacy-preserving framework for structure learning in Bayesian networks (BNs) that addresses the challenges of distributed geospatial data face. Geospatial datasets often exhibit region-specific patterns such as sparsity and nonlinear dependencies. These patterns undermine the effectiveness of traditional machine learning models. Additionally, learned BN structures may reveal sensitive relationships in the generated graph by BNs. These relationships pose a significant privacy risk if reverse-engineered. To address these issues, three novel algorithms are introduced. First, the Selective Naïve Bayes with HSIC (SNB-HSIC) algorithm applies a kernel-based dependency measure to filter redundant and irrelevant features in sparse datasets, improving …

Personality, Self-Compassion, And Alcohol Use In College Students, Kristen Kay Ridgdell

Doctoral Dissertations

Substance use has been occurring throughout history, and most individuals have been impacted by substance use in one way or another (Durrant & Thakker, 2003). The individual using substances is not the only one who faces the consequences of their usage. Their families and communities also pay a price (Lander et al., 2013; McLellan, 2017). College students are in a unique role in their lives where they are fighting for autonomy, trying to fit in with their peers, and facing new stressors they have never experienced before. Previous research has demonstrated that certain personality traits, including conscientiousness and agreeableness, are …

Lactation Management Training In Graduate Nutrition And Dietetics Programs: A Preliminary Report, Laura Ashton Gillin

Master's Theses

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding (BF) for the first six months and continued breastfeeding for at least two years with complementary food. Despite this recommendation, only 24.9% of infants in the United States are exclusively breastfed at six months (Breastfeeding Report Card 2022). Breastfeeding support and lactation management are critical to promoting a successful breastfeeding experience. Specifically, qualified support from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is recommended, yet graduate students in Nutrition and Dietetics do not receive adequate training regarding breastfeeding intervention. This study aimed to evaluate graduate Nutrition and Dietetic programs to determine the amount of …

Sleep, Emotion Regulation, And Relationship Satisfaction: A Moderation Analysis, Lakyn Boone

Doctoral Dissertations

Sleep plays a pivotal role in overall health and well-being, influencing mental health, cognitive abilities, memory, emotional balance, and physical well-being (Luyster et al., 2012; Mukherjee et al., 2015). Emotions constitute a natural and indispensable element of human existence but necessitate proper regulation, as any disruption in emotion control has been associated with various mental health disorders (Gross & Jazaieri, 2014; Kring & Gordon, 1998; Phelps, 2006). Furthermore, human connections and relationships are fundamental aspects of the human experience, contributing to emotional support, personal growth, a sense of belonging, and even influencing one's physical health outcomes (Baumeister & Leary, 1995; …

Federated Boolean Matrix Factorization Using Integer Programming, Quynh Anh Nguyen, Ngoc Nguyen, Nhat Phan

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Identifying the underlying structural patterns in data and extracting meaningful insights is a key challenge in data analysis. One effective approach to this problem is matrix factorization (MF), which approximates large matrices with lower-dimensional representations, making it effective for uncovering hidden patterns. MF techniques are widely applicable across various domains, such as recommender systems, cancer genomics, system identification, clustering, and image processing. Despite their effectiveness, existing MF methods often struggle with computational constraints and convergence challenges when tackling large-scale, nonsmooth, and nonconvex optimization problems, which are common in real-world applications.

This project aims to explore both the theoretical understanding and …

Literature Review Of Coaching Within The Project Management Discipline, Matthew Gier

Organizational Leadership and Management Department Graduate Course Papers

No abstract provided.

Coaching Literature Review Assignment, Nikole Maculan

Organizational Leadership and Management Department Graduate Course Papers

No abstract provided.

Advancing Rfid Systems: From Head Orientation To Robotic Localization Using Passive Tags, Guilherme Ricardo Mendes Da Silva Barreto De Figueiredo

Doctoral Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Role Of Employees' Esg Perception On Turnover Intention: A Moderation Analysis, Michelle Leong

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines the relationship between employees’ perceptions of their organization’s ESG performance and turnover intentions by drawing upon Social Identity Theory (SIT). SIT suggests that individuals internalize organizational values and beliefs through organizational socialization, which strengthens their identification with the organizations, leading to support for organizations that embody those values. This study also investigated whether ESG awareness is a better predictor than ESG perception. The research employed a cross-sectional survey design to examine whether age and political affiliation moderate the relationship between ESG perception and turnover intention. The findings suggest that employees’ perceptions of their organization’s ESG performance are …

Hardiness, Coping, And Well-Being In Trauma-Exposed College Student-Athletes, Kiara Scott

Doctoral Dissertations

College student-athletes (CS-As) face many stressors, such as adjusting to a university setting, academic pressures, and the demands of an elite athlete (e.g., battling at a high level during training and competition and managing mental struggles in their sport) (Barbayannis et al., 2022; Barnard, 2016). Some individuals are exposed to events that may be classified as traumatic, such as physical and sexual assault, natural disasters, and other related forms of human suffering (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Around 50%-80% of college students have been exposed to at least one traumatic event throughout their lifetime (Frazier et al., 2009; Read et al., …

An Envisioned And Efficient Design Of Next Generation Decentralized Iot Bot Detection Model, Ahmed Abdullah Almalki

Doctoral Dissertations

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) are revolutionizing critical infrastructures, but their expansion has also introduced severe cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Traditional IoT Bot Detection Systems (IBDS) struggle to scale in environments characterized by high-dimensional, large-scale, and redundant network traffic. These challenges hinder the development of reliable cloud-based intrusion detection systems. The limitations of static and rulebased methods in detecting evolving IoT botnet attacks—such as those launched by Mirai and Gafgyt—underscore the need for intelligent, adaptive approaches. To address this, the present study proposes a machine learning and deep learning-driven IoT Botnet Detection Model, validated through …