Digital Commons Network^™

Carbon-Based Nanocomposite Membranes For Membrane Distillation: Progress, Problems And Future Prospects, Chhabilal Regmi, Yuwaraj K. Kshetri, S. Ranil Wickramasinghe

Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The development of an ideal membrane for membrane distillation (MD) is of the utmost importance. Enhancing the efficiency of MD by adding nanoparticles to or onto a membrane’s surface has drawn considerable attention from the scientific community. It is crucial to thoroughly examine state-of-the-art nanomaterials-enabled MD membranes with desirable properties, as they greatly enhance the efficiency and reliability of the MD process. This, in turn, opens up opportunities for achieving a sustainable water–energy–environment nexus. By introducing carbon-based nanomaterials into the membrane’s structure, the membrane gains excellent separation abilities, resistance to various feed waters, and a longer lifespan. Additionally, the use …

Impact Of Non-Thermal Plasma Generated Using Air And Nitrogen On Functional Properties Of Milk Protein Dispersions, Nikitha Modupalli, Md Mahfuzur Rahman

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study focuses on improving the functionalities of milk protein concentrate (MPC) using a nonthermal plasma jet and plasma-activated water (PAW) with atmospheric air and nitrogen as source gases. The 5% and 10% MPC dispersions were directly treated with a plasma jet, and PAW was used to make the MPC dispersions. The dispersions were analyzed for changes in protein structure and functional properties. The treatment altered the secondary structure of MPC protein structure by increasing β-components and changing the order of random coils. The solubility of the PAW-treated 5% protein dispersions doubled due to plasma-induced modification of hydrophilic and covalent …

Patient-Specific Hemodynamic Modeling For Optimizing Left Ventricular Assist Device And Right Heart Health, Holly Felice Grant

Theses and Dissertations

LVAD speed optimization is essential for efficient LVAD therapy and to minimize complications. However, the ideal LVAD speed is unknown and must be tailored for each patient. The interplay between the LVAD, systemic, and pulmonary circulations is critical and should be considered during optimization. A computational hemodynamic model that can be tailored for each patient may provide clinicians with useful guidance and reduce the need for repeated invasive studies. This study sought to customize and evaluate a patient-specific LVAD hemodynamic optimization model.

We conducted a retrospective analysis on 25 patients implanted with HM3 and who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) …

Characterizing The Quorum Sensing (Qs) System In The Model Eukaryote Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii, Kirstin Donnette Cutshaw

Theses and Dissertations

Group behaviors in microorganisms are often regulated by low-molecular weight molecules that enable them to sense population density, a signaling system known as quorum sensing (QS). QS in prokaryotes has provided insight into the role ‘social’ behaviors play in the bacterial world and refined our models of virulence, bacterial motility, and more. While less common, similar behaviors are observed in certain fungi, primarily yeasts, in which QS controls cell morphology, biofilm production, and other phenotypes. We have recently pursued the potential for QS to be more broadly distributed among unicellular eukaryotes, which could significantly alter our understanding of social behaviors …

Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Uas) To Assess Body Condition Of Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus Truncatus) In The Indian River Lagoon, Florida, Jessica Jane Provenzano

Theses and Dissertations

Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus truncatus) in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) have experienced four Unusual Mortality Events (UMEs). This stock is considered immunocompromised and is routinely subjected to persistent anthropogenic stressors such as fishing gear entanglement, vessel strikes, contaminants, and harmful algal blooms. Previous body condition assessments of this stock have involved invasive capture-release examinations or subjective methods using lateral body images. To improve precision, we investigated the use of photogrammetry data collected from noninvasive unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) combined with models developed from capture-release data to estimate morphometric parameters and subsequently determine the body condition of …

Reality In Motion: An Audio Documentary Exploring The Fluid Essence Of Life, Alessandro Bonaiuto

Theses and Dissertations

Reality in Motion is a science communication project that aims to create an audio documentary based around the theme of movement in various aspects of life, both human and non. The project is a 30-minute podcast that explores the topic of life and movement through the lens of smaller stories. Guided by a main narrator, with the intervention of experts, Reality in Motion seeks to provoke thought and inspire curiosity about the intricate dynamics that shape our world.

On The Nature Of Low-Frequency Power Spectra In Solar Wind Turbulence, Mason Alden Dorseth

Theses and Dissertations

An important challenge in the accurate estimation of power spectra of plasma fluctuations in the solar wind at very low frequencies is that it requires extremely long signals, which will necessarily contain a mixture of qualitatively different solar wind streams. This unavoidably affects the structure of the power spectra by conflating all these different properties into a single power spectrum. This work develops a conditional statistical analysis to accurately estimate the power spectrum at arbitrarily low frequencies for ``pure'' slow solar wind stream, based on estimated autocorrelation functions of signals excluding portions that do not satisfy the required conditions. The …

Assessing The Gut Content Of Styela Plicata: A Benthic Filter Feeder In The Indian River Lagoon, Honor Lily Triumph Edmands

Theses and Dissertations

The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) has experienced declining water quality due to human activities involving nutrient input, leading to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). The Living Docks program affixes oyster mats to dock pilings to promote the settlement and recruitment of benthic filter feeders for water quality improvement. However, questions remain about filtering efficiencies of organisms that make up the mat communities, and whether organisms remove harmful species from the IRL. The pleated sea squirt, Styela plicata, is a common oyster mat resident. The goal of this thesis was to investigate what phytoplankton and bacteria S. plicata consumes, and if …

Student Perceptions Of Integrated Stem Education In A High School Geometry Class, Alyssa Noland

Dissertations

Integrated Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education provides students with opportunities to solve integrated real-world problems. Integrated STEM instruction aims to develop 21^st-century skills in students and promote interest in STEM subjects through authentic real-world tasks. Student perceptions can help educators and administrators to understand the benefits and constraints of integrated STEM instruction. This qualitative case study was designed to understand student perceptions of integrated STEM instruction and student perceptions of the value or applications of mathematics. The situated STEM learning and social constructivism theoretical frameworks guided the design of the lessons and methods of the study. High …

Wind Plant Wake Losses: Disconnect Between Turbine Actuation And Control Of Plant Wakes With Engineering Wake Models, Ryan Scott, Nicholas Hamilton, Raul Bayoan Cal, Patrick Moriarty

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Wake losses from neighboring plants may become a major factor in wind plant design and control as additional plants are constructed in areas with high wind resource availability. Because plant wakes span a large range of physical scales, from turbine rotor diameter to tens of kilometers, it is unclear whether conventional wake models or turbine control strategies are effective at the plant scale. Wake steering and axial induction control are evaluated in the current work as means of reducing the impact of neighboring wind plants on power and levelized cost of electricity. FLOw Redirection and Induction in Steady State (FLORIS) …

Do We Know What The "Russian World" Is? Some Remarks On A Disputed Term, Thomas Bremer

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This draft law has many aspects. It proposes different ways of banning a religious organization which is either “affiliated” with a religious community in Russia, or which meets other conditions. Some of its phrasing and formulations have been criticized for being so unclear that applying their criteria would be tricky. Among them is the “Russian World ideology.“ In the latest draft of the law, a religious community can be banned if it is used for the “promotion of the propaganda of the ideology of ‘Russian World’.” Given that there has been a debate on the “Russian World” idea in the …

Establishing Metrics To Encourage Broader Use Of Atomic Requirements – A Call For Exchange And Experimentation, William L. Honig

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

There are seemingly many advantages to being able to identify, document, test, and trace single or “atomic” requirements during system development and maintenance. Ongoing work with Agile development has focused on “user stories” that can capture individual features for implementation. However, it is still difficult to evaluate the quality of such requirements and teaching their creation is difficult.

Based on a working definition of atomic requirement, this paper proposes a set of metrics for their evaluation. Ten metrics designed to measure atomic requirements are presented here: five used on individual requirements statements and five applied to a requirements document or …

Hardening Interpretable Deep Learning Systems: Investigating Adversarial Threats And Defenses, Eldor Abdukhamidov, Mohammed Abuhamad, Simon S. Woo, Eric Chan-Tin, Tamer Abuhmed

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Deep learning methods have gained increasing attention in various applications due to their outstanding performance. For exploring how this high performance relates to the proper use of data artifacts and the accurate problem formulation of a given task, interpretation models have become a crucial component in developing deep learning-based systems. Interpretation models enable the understanding of the inner workings of deep learning models and offer a sense of security in detecting the misuse of artifacts in the input data. Similar to prediction models, interpretation models are also susceptible to adversarial inputs. This work introduces two attacks, AdvEdge and AdvEdge + …

Application Of Ncms And Multialism In Indigenous Art Analysis, Allison J. García-Guano, Victoria S. Ruiz-Pinto, Bertha A. Paredes-Calderón, Manuel E. Lanas López

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study utilizes Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps (NCMs) to investigate cultural interactions in Tigua, an indigenous vil-lage in Ecuador known for its rich artistic heritage. The approach evaluates five crucial factors: ancestral traditions (A), external influences (B), cultural synthesis (C), artistic creativity (D), and education and cultural transmission (E). The ac-tivation of cultural synthesis (node C) is crucial for merging traditions with new influences, leading to the development of cultural and artistic breakthroughs. By integrating MultiAlism notions into the discourse, the comprehension of Tigua artworks is heightened since it establishes a correlation between indigenous and postcolonial art. This synthesis not only …

Analysis Using Treesoft Set Of The Strategic Development Plan For Extreme Poverty Municipalities, Edwin Collazos Paucar, Jeri G. Ramón Ruffner De Vega, Efrén S. Michue Salguedo, Agustina C. Torres-Rodríguez, Patricio A. Santiago-Saturnino

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The analysis of the Strategic Development Plan for extreme poverty municipalities in the Province of Huancayo, Peru in 2019 using Treesoft Set and neutrosophic sets represents an innovative and rigorous approach to evaluate development strategies in challenging socioeconomic contexts. In this study, advanced data analysis and uncertainty management tools are used to thoroughly examine the actions proposed in the strategic plan and their potential impact on the most vulnerable communities. The combination of Treesoft Set, a comprehensive platform for data analysis, and neutrosophic sets, which allow the modeling of imprecision and ambiguity in collected data and opinions, offers a robust …

Plithogenic Analysis Of The Psychosocial Perceptions Of Call Center Operators In Quito, Martha P. Silva-Guzmán, Bryan M. Barragán-Pazmiño, María J. Hernández-Mesa

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study focused on evaluating the perceptions of a group of call center operators in Quito regarding their work envi-ronment using Plithogenic statistics to address the complexity and ambiguity of the responses. The sample included 114 workers from three companies, assessed using the Battery of the Ministry of Social Protection of Colombia and a work stress questionnaire. The results revealed high job demands, perceived as stressful by employees, although satisfaction with the rewards received was shown. However, significant uncertainty was identified regarding control over work, lead-ership, and social relationships, suggesting critical areas for improvement. The use of Plithogenic logic allowed …

Composite Sustainability Indicator For The Conservation Of Ashigua Páramo: Integration Of Neutrosophic Logic And The Promethee Todim Method, Patricio Clavijo Cevallos

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The project was conducted in the Ashigua páramo, Mulaló, Latacunga, Cotopaxi province. Its objective was to develop a composite environmental sustainability indicator for the conservation of the páramo. Neutrosophic logic and the PRO-METHEE TODIM method were used to select and evaluate sub-indicators in a context of uncertain and complex envi-ronmental data. Neutrosophic logic facilitated the management of ambiguities and contradictions in the data. The find-ings highlighted the relevance of sub-indicators linked to carbon storage and ecological productivity. Indicators of regu-latory compliance and sustainable management were evaluated, emphasizing the importance of adjusting environmental policies to regulations and social expectations. This study …

Neutrosophic Hypothesis To Validate The Efficacy And Safety Of Propolis In The Treatment Of External Bacterial Otitis In Canines, Nancy M. Cueva-Salazar

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Propolis, known for its antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-parasitic properties, has been the subject of this study to evaluate its efficacy and safety in the treatment of bacterial external otitis in domestic canines. Through questionnaires administered to veterinary experts and the use of neutrosophic logic for hypothesis test-ing, perceptions based on clinical experiences and scientific literature were analyzed. The results indicate strong agree-ment that propolis is effective and safe, surpassing some aspects of conventional antibiotic treatments and demonstrating high tolerability without serious side effects. This acceptance underscores its potential as a natural alternative in veterinary treatments, particularly valuable …

Proceedings Of The International Conference Called Neutrosophy And Plithogeny: Fundamentals And Applications, 8-9 July 2024, Universidad Cesar Vallejo, Lima, Peru, Florentin Smarandache, Mohamed Abdel-Basset, Maikel Y. Leyva-Vázquez, Said Broumi

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

We are pleased to present this special issue dedicated to the Neutrosophic approaches in research, on the occasion of the international and multidisciplinary conference Neutrosophy and Plithogeny: Fundamentals and Applications (Spanish) held at the Universidad César Vallejo in Lima, Peru, on July 8 and 9. This event marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time that the Andean region and Latin America host scholars and researchers dedicated to studying various theoretical and applicative issues in the expansive and diverse field of Neutrosophic approaches. Since its conception, Neutrosophic theory has proven to be an interdisciplinary and innovative field, notably …

Evaluation Of The Challenges And Opportunities Of Artificial Intelligence Applied In Current Latin American Education With The Help Of Neutrosophic Swot And Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps, Katia N. Flores Ledesma, Rafael W. Cánez Palomino, César R. Vilcapoma Pérez, Pedro B. Gutiérrez, Ana M. Vallina Hernández, Elier A. Nieto Rivas, Abrahán C. Neri Ayala, Santos L. Guanilo Gómez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many areas, including education, by improving teaching methods and ad-dressing challenges such as equity of access, data privacy, quality of algorithms, and adaptation of traditional education systems. This paper aims to analyze and understand the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence in Latin American education today. For the proposed evaluation we use the criteria of five experts on the subject. Specifically, we use Neutrosophic SWOT and static analysis of Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps techniques. The use of tools in the field of Neutrosophy allows us to incorporate indeterminacy into the calculations carried out, which allows greater …

Using Plithogenic Statistics To Determine Optimal Guinea Pig Manure Dosing In Prickly Pear Cultivation, Jorge F. Troya-Sarzosa, Cristian Oña

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study applied plithogenic statistics to evaluate how different doses of guinea pig manure affect the cultivation of Opuntia ficus-indica (commonly known as prickly pear) and soil quality. It was determined that 7.5 tons/ha, referred to as treatment T3, is the optimal dose, as it maximizes the growth and production of the plant, improves plant height, and increases the production of buttons and berries. T3 also optimized organic matter and adjusted the pH to ideal levels, maintaining a nutritional balance that ensures the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This balance enhances agricultural production without sacrificing soil sustainability. In conclusion, …

Neutrosophic Clustering Analysis With Data From Cysticercus Tenuicollis Dna Samples, Blanca Mercedes Toro Molina, Rafael Alfonso Garzón Jarrin, Mauricio Rafael Aguilera Vizuete, Christian Geovanny Ávila Rocha, Luis Favian Cartuche Macas, Edilberto Chacón Marcheco

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Parasitic diseases caused by Cysticercus tenuicollis significantly impact the livestock industry. The quantification of such impacts presents challenges due to the handling of data obtained through modern molecular techniques. This investigation explores the application of neutrosophic cluster analysis to the study of Cysticercus tenuicollis DNA. Neutrosophic clustering and the use of linguistic terms help interpret analyses, employing a five-step neutrosophic clustering algorithm: selection of the clustering algorithm, definition of distance metrics, data preparation, algorithm execution, and examination of results. Samples from 20 sheep exhibiting liver cysts were collected in Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. The analysis resulted in a neutrosophic cluster where …

Neutrosophic Analysis In The Evaluation Of The Use Of Beauveria Bassiana Against The Potato White Grub, Edwin M. Chancusig-Espin, Paulina Imbaquingo Cachipuendo, Doris Guil-Camaigua

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Beauveria bassiana is an entomopathogenic fungus that has been shown to have the potential to control the potato white grub (Premnotrypes vorax), a pest that significantly affects potato production, especially in Ecuador. Therefore, the present study has focused on evaluating the effectiveness of Beauveria bassiana in the control of the potato white grub under laboratory conditions. To this end, neutrosophic statistics have been used to analyze larval mortality, by applying concentrations of 〖10〗^4, 〖10〗^6 and 〖10〗^8 conidia of Beauveria bassiana by spraying and immersion. Among the results, it was determined that treatment at a concentration of 108 conidia per spray …

Model Of Tax Culture Impact On The Financial Sustainability Of Small And Medium Enterprises In Ecuador Based On Neutrosophic Hypersoft Sets, Gloria Angelica Valderrama Barragán, Edwin Favio Valderrama Barragán, Víctor Manuel Viteri Miranda, Dessire Amandiz Castro Valderrama, Italo Del Carmen Palacios Anzules

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The tax culture of a country consists of several factors to take into account. Tax evasion is a widespread problem in the world today. Ecuadorian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as a whole have a great impact on the country's economy and have a weight to consider. This is why it is important to measure the tax behavior of Ecuadorian SMEs. This paper aims to propose a neutrosophic model to measure the tax culture of SMEs in Ecuador. To do this, we base on a model de-signed from the Neutrosophic theory and HyperSoft Sets. Hypersoft Sets extend Soft Sets from …

Neutrosophic Statistical Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Biostimulants In Amaranth Varieties, Carlos Torres Miño, Christina Lozano, Emerson Jácome, David Carrera Molina, Murat Gins

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study evaluated the effects of biostimulants on two varieties of amaranth, Valentina (Amaranthus tricolor) and Ne-zhenka (Amaranthus hybridus), in terms of germination, growth, and biomass production. Using neutrosophic statistics allowed for the measurement of indeterminacies and the analysis of variables such as days to germination, stem length, number of leaves, and biomass production. The results showed that seaweed extract was the most effective biostimulant, accelerating germination, increasing stem length and the number of leaves, and maximizing biomass production. Mean-while, Nezhenka stood out for its superior biomass production, especially with seaweed extract, while Valentina was no-table for its rapid germination. …

Cognitive Mapping In The Study Of Agricultural Orality In The Apagua Community, María Florinda Ushco Ayala, Alisson Abigail Criollo Quiroga, Ricardo Francisco Ureña López

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This research explores the application of neutrosophy to understand and address the inherent complexity in the oral transmission of knowledge in family agriculture. It leverages its ability to handle contradictions and ambiguities, facilitat-ing a richer analysis of agricultural practices and social interactions. Orality, as the primary form of communication in these communities, is essential for the transmission of agricultural and cultural knowledge. This research highlights how orality acts as a vehicle for the preservation of collective identity and the transmission of ancestral knowledge. The study used Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM) to describe the causal relationships between different variables of interest. …

The Rheological Analysis Of Ancestral Beverages, Neutrosophic C-Means (Ncm) Clustering Algorithm Of Data, Ana M. Trávez-Castellano, Gabriela B. Arias-Palma, Renato A. Romero-Corral

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study focuses on the rheological analysis of cassava and chonta chichas (Manihot esculenta Crantz and Bactris gasipaes) produced in the Province of Pastaza, aiming to preserve and disseminate the cultural and nutritional heritage of these traditional beverages. The research emphasizes the integration of ancestral knowledge into modern production prac-tices, exploring sensory characteristics that could influence consumer preferences and production standardization. In Pas-taza, it has been observed that traditional production methods, such as chewing cassava and chonta to initiate fermentation, expose the product to microbial risks, making it potentially unpalatable and unsafe for consumption. To address these is-sues, this work …

Comparison Of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps And Sem In Estimating The Perception Of Corporate Social Responsibility, Roberto Arias Figueroa, Evelyn Tovar Molina, Angelita Romero Poveda, Darío Díaz Muñoz

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study examines the impact of the perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the perceptions of clients, em-ployees, and managers in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ecuador. Utilizing a combination of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM), the research addresses how CSR policies influence the various internal stakeholders of companies, identifying complex structures of interaction and perception dynamics that could impact organi-zational performance. This neutrosophic framework not only enhances the understanding of CSR but also promotes the de-velopment of workplace welfare policies that effectively cater to a diverse range of staff needs and expectations. SEM …

Application Of Neutrosophic Statistics In The Integrated Management Of Ceratitis Capitata In Ecuador, Emerson J. Jácome-Mogro, Álvaro Alarcón Chuque, Cristian Jiménez Jácome, Pablo Carhuapoma, Heidi Gamarra, Jan Kreuze

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study has addressed the management of Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fly) in Ecuador, focused on mitigating the impact on fruit crops under the influence of climate change and variations in agricultural practices. By using neutrosophic statistics, the study has modeled uncertainty in climatic and agricultural variables to improve the prediction and adaptabil-ity of management strategies. Integrated strategies have been proposed, which have included biological control, cultural management, and the use of insecticides, highlighting the effectiveness of adapting management practices based on neu-trosophic analysis. The results indicated that the adaptations of strategies, provided by neutrosophic statistics, allowed an effective response to …

Optimizing Pest Management In Sugarcane Cultivation: An Integrative Approach Using Neutrosophic Statistics And Plithogenic Analysis, Dania D. Valencia-Yaguana, Sergio F. Moreno-Faconda, Marco A. Rivera-Moreno

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Pest management in modern agriculture, particularly in sugarcane cultivation, faces the challenge of balancing efficacy, costs, and environmental sustainability. Among the notable pests, the spittlebug (Mahanarva andigena) emerged as a significant threat that reduced yields of sugar and other derivatives. Traditionally, it was controlled with chemical pesticides, which posed environmental and human health risks. Consequently, the study conducted analyzed alternatives by using neutrosophic statistics and plithogenic analysis. The results included evaluating factors such as product concentration, application frequency, environmental conditions, and pest resistance to determine the efficacy of treatments with entomopathogenic microorganisms. Eficax stood out as the best treatment, showing …