Engineering Commons^™

Leveraging Network Science For Customer Segmentation And Product Recommendation, Ali Nasirzonouzi

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

The rapid growth in e-commerce has forced the development and implementation of enhanced customer segmentation and recommendation systems, improving business results and improving customer experience. Traditional approaches, such as RFM analysis and clustering algorithms like K-means, are very helpful in many situations but usually fail to catch complex interdependencies among customers and products. This paper proposes a new approach using network science methodologies, a bipartite graph model, toward the advancement of customer segmentation and product recommendation. It implements a bipartite graph of customers and products using the "Online Retail II" dataset and proceeds with community detection, segmenting customers into unique …

Inclusive Space For Everyone Door Sign (Printable 8.5 X 11 Inch), Joan H. Robinson

Open Educational Resources

This is a printable 8.5 x 11 inch door sign for faculty, staff, and administrators to let people know it is an inclusive space for everyone. For improved visibility, print with a color printer and cut along the dotted line.

See also: 11 x 17 inch door sign.

Internet Of Things Devices Users’ Privacy Adherence: A Case Of Digital Ignorance, Akrasia Or Exhaustion?, Philip Bazanye, Walter F. Uys, Wallace Chigona

The African Journal of Information Systems

Internet of Things devices, such as those used in home automation, commercial and retail business, and smart cities, are vulnerable to attacks that affect all aspects of daily life. The upsurge in the use of IoT devices has increased the likelihood of cyber-attacks on end users. This research investigates the factors that influence IoT device users to adhere to privacy standards. This interpretivist exploratory research was guided by a three-phased approach. The interview questions were derived from the conceptual model and the constructs of Activity Theory, and themes were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. The findings were elaborated with reference …

System Dynamics For Manufacturing: Supply Chain Simulation Of Hemp-Reinforced Polymer Composite Manufacturing For Sustainability, Gurinder Kaur, Ronald Kander

School of Design and Engineering Papers

Supply chain management (SCM) involves complexities and uncertainties in the flow of goods and services from raw materials to end users. Inaccurate estimation of raw materials, labor, or equipment can lead to financial losses and environmental impacts. This study explores the application of system dynamics modeling (SDM) in manufacturing hemp-reinforced polymer composites (HRPC) to optimize resource usage. Using SDM software STELLA^® (Version 3.7.3), selected for its affordability and features, the research demonstrates how system dynamics (SD) can enhance sustainability by minimizing materials, labor, and equipment, reducing energy consumption. A literature review identified a gap in existing research, as we …

One Heart, One Vessel: Unraveling The Mystery Of Truncus Arteriosus, Claudette C. Artiles

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

No abstract provided.

What’S New In Esophageal Atresia Treatment?, Alexandra N. Jimenez Gonzalez

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

No abstract provided.

Dunbar’S Number In Motion: Agent-Based Simulations Of Friendship Formation, Christopher R. Cooke, Cameron D. Lutz

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

By contrasting Lévy flight and random walk strategies in simulated agents, we discern the effect of movement behavior on the total duration of social interactions. Our agent-based simulation results approximate empirically observed Dunbar social circle formation using simple behavioral rules of interaction and compatibility to mimic exogenous attribute-based friendship formation. We simulate the complexities of social interactions among agents with unique attributes and a time budget for social engagement over a one-year period. Two distinct simulations were conducted to evaluate the behavioral contributions of Lévy flight and random walk movement patterns on cumulative interaction duration and the formation of Dunbar …

Predicting Hazardous Near-Earth Objects Using Machine Learning For Planetary Defense, John Costa (Student), Lily Popova Zhuhadar (Mentor)

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Predicting Hazardous Near-Earth Objects Using Machine Learning for Planetary Defense

This research develops a machine learning model to classify Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) as hazardous or non-hazardous based on their physical and orbital characteristics, leveraging NASA's dataset of certified NEOs. NEOs, including asteroids and comets, often pass within close proximity to Earth, and while most pose no threat, some have the potential for catastrophic impacts. By using predictive models such as decision trees and random forests, this study aims to prioritize resources for monitoring and mitigation of high-risk objects. The model incorporates key features like velocity, diameter, and proximity to Earth …

Pestle Analysis Of A Seaplane Transport Network In Greece, Dimitrios V. Siskos, Alexander Maravas, Jordan Karatzas

Publications

Seaplane operations connect remote areas, promote tourism, and provide unique transportation solutions. After many years of preparations, commercial seaplane operations on a network of 100 water airports and 200 waterways in Greece are about to commence. The network can serve the needs of 1.6 million permanent residents of the Greek islands, the inhabitants of the mainland, and over 35 million annual tourists. This paper aims to conduct a PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental) analysis to identify the factors that have delayed operations and those that will affect the success of future operations. As such, 26 factors are …

Lessons In Low-Tech: A Handbook For Sustainable Education, Ceri Almrott, Loann Astorino, Sébastien Bette, Benoit Delinchant, Philippe Fortemps, Ulysse Girard, Paul Hendrick, Sacha Hodencq, Fabian Lecron, Julie Lhuissier, Kévin Loesle, Luis Miguel Lopez Santiago, Santiago Perez Rodriguez, Gauthier Renard, Tatiana Reyes, Virginie Vandenbulcke, John Walsh

Other resources

LT4SUSTAIN, an Erasmus+ funded transnational project, is at the forefront of responding to the increasing awareness of environmental and climate challenges. This awareness, particularly among youth, has led to a demand for social justice. With the coordinated work among six institutions, ranging from higher education institutions to private companies and associations, LT4SUSTAIN aims to raise awareness of Lowtech across society.

LT4SUSTAIN is pioneering a unique approach to technology design. By developing “hackathons” and other “hands-on” events, we are engaging students and industry in a way that improves inclusiveness. Our objective is to equip individuals with the skills to embark on …

Can An Llm Use Work System Axioms When Describing Work Systems For Requirements Analysis?, Steven Alter

Business Analytics and Information Systems

This research-in-progress paper presents part of an ongoing project related to using LLMs for describing, analyzing, and designing work systems (including information systems). General axioms that apply to any non-trivial WS or IS might provide a path toward new tools and methods. This paper identifies 24 work system axioms that extend earlier research. They are organized in five categories: 1) system in context, 2) system operation, 3) system goals and goal attainment, 4) system uncertainties, and 5) system-related change. The axioms potentially address the challenge of helping business and IS/IT professionals understand and collaborate around systems in organization. This preliminary …

Swosu Research And Scholarly Activity Fair 2025, Swosu Office Of Sponsored Programs

SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair Programs

On behalf of the members of the University Research and Scholarly Activity Committee (USRAC) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) — welcome to the Thirty-Third SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair!

This year’s event features 99 poster presentations and 9 oral presentations, showcasing the work of over 170 student and faculty researchers, writers, presenters, artists, collaborators, and faculty sponsors. These presentations represent a wide array of scholarly and academic activity from across SWOSU’s academic community, including the Departments of Art, Communication, and Theatre; Allied Health Sciences; Biological Sciences; Business; Chemistry & …

Comparing Funders' Altruism Versus Self-Interest: Leveraging The Context Of Crisis, Dan Liu, Guangzhi Shang, Cynthia Fan Yang

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

While reward-based crowdfunding has widespread popularity, the motivations driving funders, balancing self-interest and altruism, have remained puzzling. Prior research has been constrained by examination methods and produced mixed findings regarding the weight of altruism versus self-interest among funders. Our study takes a fresh perspective, delving into funder behavior amid a major crisis—the tumultuous backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings reveal that funders not only display an increased willingness to contribute but also significantly amplify their contributions, particularly to projects in crisis-affected regions, irrespective of external incentives like rewards. This underscores the prevalence of altruistic motives among funders in challenging …

Understanding The Determinants Of Blockchain Adoption: An Empirical Study, Amarpreet Kohli, Nihar Kumthekar, Piyush Shah, Rebecca Jauch

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Blockchain technology (BT) has the potential to enhance security and robustness of transactions through a distributed ledger bookkeeping process. This study employs technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework and threat-rigidity theory (TRT) to examine whether perceived disruption caused by COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the adoption of BT, and inclination to adopt BT in the US. The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique backdrop, as it affected businesses across all industries, sizes, and geographies. Results show a non-significant effect of perceived pandemic disruption on the current stage of BT adoption and intention to adopt BT. However, disruption readiness positively influences the current stage of BT …

Comparing Vr And Tv In Nigeria And The U.S.: Impacts On Empathy, Engagement, And Enjoyment, Jinhee Yoo, Eugene A. Ohu, Radosław Mącik

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

This study (N = 170), involving participants from Nigeria and the U.S., investigated how different technologies (TV and VR) affect users' empathy (α = .93), engagement (α = .93), enjoyment (α = .93), preferences, and likelihood of technology use. Participants watched an animated documentary titled “Is Anna OK?” at two different time points, utilizing VR (Oculus Rift S) and TV, following which they completed measuring empathy, engagement, enjoyment, device preference, and usage likelihood. Analysis via one-way ANOVA and chi-square tests revealed that VR users reported significantly higher empathy and enjoyment compared to TV viewers, particularly on second viewing. Combining both …

Insights In Cybersecurity Of A Smart Campus - A Review, Mircea Ţălu

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The profound impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on various fronts, is driven by technological advancements, the ubiquitous spread of information, and the emergence of transformative events. IoT presents a diverse array of possibilities within university environments, fostering a more connected and enhanced educational experience. This research undertakes a comprehensive review of existing literature to provide context to the IoT and underscore its crucial significance in the realm of smart campuses. Additionally, the paper explores the intricate connections between IoT and key concepts such as cybersecurity and wireless sensor networks to present a holistic perspective. It delves into the …

Introducing Sustainable Development Goals In College Curricula: A Way Forward, Christy Ashley, Jason D. Oliver, Hillary Leonard

Markets, Globalization & Development Review

The commentary proposes a blueprint to help guide curriculum innovations, partnerships, and teaching interventions that incorporate the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) into the curriculum. It suggests the utilization of AACSB’s Societal Impact Canvas with Ancona et al.’s (2007) Leadership Capabilities (Sensemaking, Relating, Visioning, Inventing) to provide a blueprint for mission-aligned SDG integration at a local level. It provides an illustrative example from the University of Rhode Island (USA), where the focus is on the Blue Economy. It aims to provide practical guidance for how a college or university can efficiently organize to gain stakeholder input that helps enhance …

Adaptation For Whom? Understanding The Impacts Of Dyke Policies On Small-Scale Farmers In Ca Mau Province Of Vietnam, Nguyen Minh Quang, Nguyen Van Minh, Nguyen Vo Chau Ngan, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Low-lying deltas worldwide are extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise. As the risks of climate-induced flooding become increasingly clear, the thirst for infrastructure-driven adaptation increases. This highlights a patent need to understand the impacts of engineering adaptation solutions, especially those targeting built structures such as dykes and sluices, on farmers from a bottom-up, farmer-centred perspective. The study addresses this call by examining cases where dyke policies, while successful in some dimensions, have undermined small-scale farmer livelihoods in Ca Mau ― Vietnam’s southernmost rural province. It identifies areas in need of attention and adds empirical data related to this group of farmers. …

Future Of Bse Days 2025: Growing A Regenerative Bse, Derek M. Heeren, Santosh Pitla, Jennifer R. Keshwani, Mark Stone

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

The Future of BSE Days 2025: Growing a Regenerative BSE brought together over 150 faculty, staff, students, and partners to envision the next quarter-century of the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. The event emphasized regeneration—not only of resources and ecosystems, but also of ideas, learning models, and relationships. Across seven major sessions—three Spark Talks and four Pillar Workshops—participants explored how BSE can thrive amid technological disruption, demographic change, and societal transformation.

Key Outcomes

Redefining Impact: This session challenged participants to evolve from counting outputs to valuing relationships, collaboration, and community well-being.

Adaptive Learning Models: This discussion introduced design studios, micro-credentials, …

Optimal Control Of Queueing Systems With Error-Prone Servers, Junqi Hu, Sigrún Andradóttir, Hayriye Ayhan

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

Consider a Markovian tandem line with finite intermediate buffers and an equal number of stations and servers. Servers are flexible but noncollaborative, so that a job can be processed by at most one server at any time. When a job is being processed, it can be damaged and wasted depending on the proficiency of the server. We identify the dynamic server assignment policy that maximizes the long-run average throughput of the system with two stations and two servers. We find that the optimal policy is either a single or a double threshold policy on the number of jobs in the …

Confronting Indecision, Lane Allison Murray

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This course aims to increase students' understanding of indecision and how to confront it. The class provides insight into how the fear of the unknown holds people back from making decisions and about understanding one's values as a means to combat indecision. Students and teachers alike explore instances of indecision and evaluate their own impulses & thought processes by reflecting on the deeper reasons for their choices. Students will increase their comfort level of asking themselves and their peers questions about the values that guide them and, in doing so, strengthen their relationships with themselves and others.

Personalized Persuasion In The Digital Age: A Data-Driven Approach To Effective Communication, Annye Braca

Doctoral

This thesis investigates the potential of Machine Learning (ML) to personalize persuasive marketing messages. It explores the identification of individuals receptive to specific persuasion techniques based on their psychometric profiles. By developing ML models that incorporate these profiles, the thesis aims to predict the impact of tailored messages and improve the effectiveness of marketing communication.

Green Project Finance For Infrastructure And Building Construction: Instruments And Benchmarks, Yunping Liang

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

It is counterintuitive that both the practice and research on green project finance for infrastructure and building construction are ascendant and still have limited precedents, considering that individually, the two parts (i.e., project finance and sustainability in the built environment) are both familiar to the communities. To narrow the gap and facilitate the financing of the built environment’s sustainable transformation, this study systematically reviews the common instruments for financing green infrastructure and building projects. Benchmarking questions distinguishing the profile of green project finance from common construction project finance are developed based on the literature review and then are used for …

A Blueprint To Greener Shorelines: Advancing The Effectiveness, Sustainability, And Widespread Adoption Of Coastal Nature-Based Solutions Through Transdisciplinary Research, Taylor M. Sloey, Sierra Hildebrandt, Rebecca L. Morris, Matthew V. Bilskie, Aaron Bland, David Bushek, Gabriella Dipetto, Daniel Elefant, Vincent Encomio, Ramin Familkhalili, Christine Hladik, Danielle Kreeger, Avery B. Paxton, Cindy M. Palinkas, Latina Steele, Andrew Scheld, Daisuke Taira, Jason D. Toft, Armando J. Ubeda, Christine Whitcraft, Donna Marie Bilkovic

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Coastal nature-based solutions (NbS) have emerged as powerful tools to enhance sustainable development and ecological restoration goals. As a rapidly growing field spanning across social, political, ecological, economic, and engineering disciplines, it is critical that researchers working in coastal NbS regularly attempt to identify emerging focal areas for scientific inquiry. Following the 27th Biennial meeting of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation, we provide a transdisciplinary perspective (including biologists, engineers, oceanographers, geoscientists, economists, and facilitators of workforce training programs) of pertinent research questions that, if answered, will advance the effectiveness, sustainability, and widespread adoption of coastal NbS. These suggestions for …

Integrated Valuation Of The Ecological, Social And Economic Benefits Provided By A Multifunctional Nature-Based Solution, Laura Costadone, Shan Zhang

ODU Articles

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) offer multifunctional approaches to address climate change and environmental challenges, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional gray infrastructure. Despite their promise, widespread adoption remains limited, in part due to an incomplete understanding of their full costs and benefits relative to conventional infrastructure. Traditional benefit–cost analyses often overlook non-monetized benefits and the interconnected ecosystem services provided by NbS. This study introduces a methodological approach to quantify both the physical and monetary value of ecosystem services and co-benefits delivered by an NbS project. We applied an integrated valuation framework to a case study in Virginia Beach, VA, USA, where …

A Systematic Literature Review On Resilient Digital Transformation, Examining How Organizations Sustain Digital Capabilities, Thira Chavarnakul, Li Da Xu, Zhuming Bi, Achyut Shankar, Gaurav Dhiman, Wattana Viriyasitavat, Danupol Hoonsopon

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

In an era marked by relentless technological shifts and market volatility, digital transformation (DT) alone is insufficient. Organizations must develop Resilient Digital Transformation (RDT)—the organizational capabilities required to sustain DT over a medium-term horizon—to navigate these challenges effectively. This study primarily aims to propose a guideline for fostering RDT. Drawing on the PRISMA guidelines and a systematic review of 77 peer-reviewed papers, this study identifies and synthesizes key targets and drivers across three core pillars: Technology, Organization, and External Environment. These elements collectively foster organizational resilience. Specifically, this study highlights how adaptability, innovation, and scalability form the technological underpinnings of …

A Comparative Analysis Of Preprocessing Filters For Deep Learning-Based Equipment Power Efficiency Classification And Prediction Models, Sang-Ha Sung, Chang-Sung Seo, Michael Pokojovy, Sangjin Kim

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The quality of input data is critical to the performance of time-series classification models, particularly in the domain for industrial sensor data where noise and anomalies are frequent. This study investigates how various filtering-based preprocessing techniques impact the accuracy and robustness of a Transformer model that predicts power efficiency states (Normal, Caution, Warning) from minute-level IIoT sensor data. We evaluated five techniques: a baseline, Simple Moving Average, Median filter, Hampel filter, and Kalman filter. For each technique, we conducted systematic experiments across time windows (360 and 720 min) that reflect real-world industrial inspection cycles, along with five prediction offsets (up …

Pan-Caribbean Airlines: Unlocking Regional Aviation Potential, Dimitrios V. Siskos, Alexander Maravas, Jordan Karatzas

Publications

The Caribbean's air transport system is facing significant challenges, including operational fragmentation, excessive costs, and inadequate inter-island connectivity. These challenges limit its ability to support the region’s heavily tourism-dependent economies. This research evaluates whether consolidating small Caribbean airlines into a single or virtual Pan-Caribbean carrier could transform regional air travel. Based on financial analysis, historical traffic data, and case comparisons with airline mergers in South America and the US, the paper simulates the anticipated efficiencies resulting from route consolidation, fleet standardization, and common operational services. The research concludes that consolidation may create a regional GDP impact of up to $3.3 …

Modeling Ion-Specific Effects In Polyelectrolyte Brushes: A Modified Poisson-Nernst-Planck Model, William J. Ceely, Marina Chugunova, Ali Nadim, James D. Sterling

Business and Information Technology Faculty Research & Creative Works

Polyelectrolyte brushes consist of a set of charged linear macromolecules, each tethered at one end to a surface. An example is the glycocalyx which refers to hair-like negatively charged sugar molecules that coat the outside membrane of all cells. We consider the transport and equilibrium distribution of ions and the resulting electrical potential when such a brush is immersed in a salt buffer containing monovalent cations (sodium and/or potassium). The Gouy-Chapman model for ion screening at a charged surface captures the effects of the Coulombic force that drives ion electrophoresis and diffusion but neglects non-Coulombic forces and ion pairing. By …

Exploring The Stem Career Identity Development Of Black Women Across Their Lifespan, Veronica Hurd

Theses and Dissertations

Although STEM is the fastest-growing career sector, Black women are grossly underrepresented as they account for 2.5% of the workforce. Research highlights that this underrepresentation is due to racialized structures in K-12, postsecondary, and career settings that restrict Black girls’ and women’s STEM opportunities. While macrosystems such as hegemonic ideologies, attitudes, and social conditions shape Black girls’ and women’s opportunities in STEM, they continue to persist and achieve their career goals. To explore these barriers and Black women’s persistence in this industry, this study draws from the autobiographical memories of 10 Black women in the field or formerly in the …