Latent Space Dynamics Learning For Stiff Collisional-Radiative Models, Xuping Xie, Qi Tang, Xianzhu Tang

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

In this work, we propose a data-driven method to discover the latent space and learn the corresponding latent dynamics for a collisional-radiative (CR) model in radiative plasma simulations. The CR model, consisting of high-dimensional stiff ordinary differential equations, must be solved at each grid point in the configuration space, leading to significant computational costs in plasma simulations. Our method employs a physics-assisted autoencoder to extract a low-dimensional latent representation of the original CR system. A flow map neural network is then used to learn the latent dynamics. Once trained, the reduced surrogate model predicts the entire latent dynamics given only …

Compton Scattering Of Mammographic Soft X-Ray Beams By Alkali And Transition Metal Salt Filters Produce X-Ray Interference Zones That May Have Treatment Potential For Localized Cancer Lesions, Subhendra N. Sarkar, Eric Lobel, Sabina Rakhmatova, Derbie Desir, Somdat Kissoon, Daler Djuraev, Katie Tam

Publications and Research

In breast x-ray imaging scattered radiation adds 50% of harmful radiation dose from anisotropic Compton scattering mechanism. We have been working with double layered inorganic salt materials that can induce Compton scattering to the incident mammographic x ray beams (in 20-30 kVp range) with adequate isotropy (angular control). Typically metal nitrates and alkali halide salt layers are shown here to cause low energy radiation interference zones with high and low photon intensities and local flux heterogeneity in terms of flux covariance. Spatial variation of low energy photon flux creates concentrated and sparse radiation zones that may be used to induce …

The Effects Of Bilateral Stimulation On Motor Learning, Shania Rehmudin

Dissertations and Theses

Motor learning is a set of complex processes aimed at learning and refining new skills by practicing them. There are three proposed stages of motor learning: cognitive, associative, and autonomous. While all stages are crucial, research suggests that the cognitive stage holds particular significance, laying the foundational groundwork for effective skill acquisition. Although research has explored many innovative ways to facilitate motor memory, to our knowledge, none has explored the optimization of motor skill learning through manipulating the focus of attention using bilateral stimulation. Therefore, this study explored the effects of bilateral stimulation on squat skill acquisition. Nineteen (19) subjects, …

Hardness Removal By A Continuous Flow Electrochemical Reactor From Different Types Of Water, Shahad Fadhil Alrubaye, Naseer A. Al Haboubi, Hussein A. Al-Amili, Aiman H. Al-Allaq, Dhuha Ahmed Mohammed

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

The present study focuses on the technique of hardness removal by using a novel reactor performing an electrocoagulation (EC) process. The variation of alkalinity is also recorded. Continuous flow experiments were conducted for Total Hardness (TH) removal using a transparent plastic reactor using aluminum plate electrodes that have holes so that the water flows through the plates in a zigzag way. The influence of various operating parameters such as the number of plates (two and four), flow rate (600, 1000 L/h), and water type (Tigris River & rejected water from Reverse Osmosis system RO) was investigated. The results showed that …

The Benefits Of Interdisciplinary Learning Opportunities For Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Students, Isaac Koduah Kumi, Stacie I. Ringleb, Francisco Cima, Orlando M. Ayala, Krishnanand Kaipa, Jennifer Jill Kidd, Kristie Gutierrez, Pilar Pazos, Danielle Marie Rhemer

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Two project-based learning approaches were implemented in a 100-level information literacy class in the Mechanical Engineering program at a mid-Atlantic university. One approach, the treatment group, partnered engineering students with education students to develop and deliver engineering lessons to elementary school students. In the second approach, the comparison group, engineering students were partnered with their engineering classmates to work on an engineering problem using the engineering design process. The two projects were designed to have similar durations and course point values. For both projects, teams were formed, and peer evaluations were completed using the Comprehensive Assessment of Team Member Effectiveness …

Deepwhalenet: A Climate Change-Aware Fft-Based Neural Network For Underwater Passive Acoustic Monitoring, Nicholas Ryan Rasmussen

Dissertations and Theses

In the face of escalating climate threats, the conservation of whale species has become increasingly critical. Traditional acoustic monitoring methods, burdened by extensive pre-processing and post-processing, need more adaptability and efficiency for effective marine mammal surveillance. This study introduces DeepWhaleNet, a novel deep-learning framework tailored for Underwater Passive Acoustic Monitoring (UPAM). DeepWhaleNet is designed to streamline whale detection by directly analyzing raw log-power spectrograms, thus extracting essential acoustic features to conserve these endangered species. The framework employs an extensive short-time Fourier transform (STFT) for input processing and a customized ResNet-18 architecture for classification, distinguishing whale vocalizations from ambient noise and …

Mivt: Medical-Informed Vision Transformer For Early Epilepsy Diagnosis, Md Masum Rana

Dissertations and Theses

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures, and early diagnosis is crucial for effective management and treatment. However, the diagnosis of epilepsy, particularly in its early stages, remains challenging due to the subtle nature of seizures and the complexity of brain activity patterns. In this research, we introduce the Medical-Informed Vision Transformer (MIVT), a deep learning architecture specifically designed to improve early epilepsy diagnosis from multimodal neuroimaging data. Our model integrates insights from both medical knowledge and state-of-the-art Vision Transformers (ViTs) to enhance the accuracy and interpretability of seizure detection and localization. The MIVT leverages the rich …

Balloon Model For Water Vapor Ablation Of Non-Muscular Invasive Bladder Cancer Cells, Jennifer Mussell

Dissertations and Theses

Bladder cancer has a considerable issue with multiple recurrences of tumors, and current treatments are unable to adequately address these concerns. This results in continuous surveillance. Ablation, or killing, of bladder cancer cells is often incomplete and results in a high probability of recurrence. This paper aims to evaluate a potential method of ablation using a model that simulates a bladder and what conditions are needed for optimal quality and depth penetration. This balloon model for water vapor ablation is intended to simulate bladder cancer cells and determine if this is a viable avenue for future research. A device from …

Development Of A Modular Lab Automation System With Applications To Animal And Bacteria Cell Culture, Timothy William Hartman

Dissertations and Theses

The challenges faced while executing wet lab protocols encourage the development of automation systems to come alongside human scientists. Today’s cutting-edge experiments involve complex protocols with precise measurements usually performed manually. Even simpler biological protocols can be tedious and prone to error, as was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and society’s demand for high-volume, rapid sample analysis. Moreover, reproducibility suffers when there is excessive variability and insufficient data. Here, we leveraged the Stanford Biodesign process to develop a modular lab automation system and image analysis workflow to address challenges like these. This flagship automation platform at The University of South …

Characterizing Climatic Socio-Environmental Tipping Points In Coastal Communities: A Conceptual Framework For Research And Practice, Julie Elizabeth Shortridge, Anamaria Bukvic, Molly Mitchell, Jesse Goldstein, Tom Allen

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

The concept of climate tipping points in socio-environmental systems is increasingly being used to describe nonlinear climate change impacts and encourage social transformations in response to climate change. However, the processes that lead to these tipping points and their impacts are highly complex and deeply uncertain. This is due to numerous interacting environmental and societal system components, constant system evolution, and uncertainty in the relationships between events and their consequences. In the face of this complexity and uncertainty, this research presents a conceptual framework that describes systemic processes that could lead to tipping points socio-environmental systems, with a focus on …

Evaluating The Performance Of Egemaps Features In Depression Detection Using E-Daic Subsets, Joshua Turnipseed

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This paper investigates the performance of the eGeMAPS (extended Geneva Minimalistic Acoustic Parameter Set) feature set in detecting depression from audio samples using subsets of the E-DAIC (Extended Distress Analysis Interview Corpus) database. With depression affecting a significant portion of the U.S. adult population, efficient detection methods are critical for timely diagnosis and treatment. Various classifiers in the WEKA machine learning toolbox are used to evaluate the performance of eGeMAPS features in distinguishing between depressed and nondepressed (D&ND) individuals. Our methodology involves creating balanced subsets of E-DAIC, extracting eGeMAPS features using openSMILE, and testing different machine learning models. This study …

Tunable Metasurface For Efficient Harmonic Generation And Amplitude Modulation, Steve Mares

Masters Theses

The manipulation of microwave signals is critical in the information and communication technology industry. This research investigates the application of time-coding techniques on metasurfaces to achieve tunable control of electromagnetic signal transmission. The integration of mounted PIN diodes facilitates dynamic modulation of signal behavior. Both passive (without PIN diodes) and active (with PIN diodes) metasurfaces were analyzed through simulations using Ansys HFSS and validated with experimental measurements. A major contribution of this work is the design and testing of active metasurfaces that leverage PIN diodes for harmonic generation and amplitude modulation. The study reveals a clear relationship between modulating signal …

Development And Evaluation Of A Retrofittable Variable Rate Applicator Controller, Ahmed Abdalla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The need to optimize resource utilization while increasing crop productivity is paramount. This research proposes a Low-cost Retrofittable Variable Rate Applicator Controller (VRAC) that aims to leverage the adoption of Variable Rate Technologies. The controller operates via the Raspberry Pi platform, a Global Positioning System (GPS), a stepper motor drive, and an anti-slip wheel encoder. The VRAC allows precise, on-the-fly control of variable-rate application of farming inputs. It utilizes GPS with 10 cm accuracy to pinpoint geographic coordinates in real-time. A wheel encoder measures traveling speed with a slip-resistant wheel design for precise RPM readings. The Raspberry processes the data, …

Design And Implementation Of Portable Power And Desalination Units Powered By Renewable Energy, Mo'ath A. Massad

Mechanical Engineering Theses

Freshwater scarcity is a critical global issue, especially in remote areas or areas impacted by natural disasters. Water desalination is one of the most effective methods to provide fresh water where it is needed. However, large-scale desalination plants cannot provide fresh water in the case of a natural disaster far from the plant's location. To address this, portable desalination units powered by renewable energy sources can be developed to supply potable water and power as a by-product for emergency situations. This work explored the application of different desalination methods, including reverse osmosis (RO) and electrodialysis (ED), in conjunction with renewable …

Unlv Title Iii Aanapisi & Mcnair Scholars Institute Research Journal 2024, Jesica Godinez-Paredes, Kian Hassankhan, Apia Hickman, Robin Ruth Kee, Kevin Ayala Pineda, Briana Melendez, Kalli Ramos, Saturn L. Reyes, Fabian Leija, Selena Pepe, Silva Topchyan, Celeste Ainsley, Mayra Arzate, Jessica Balistreri, Zantana Ephrem, Mirella Jasso, Karl Panou, Nichole Pelaez, Miklo Alcala, Akshay Dave, Mey Mey Heng, Michael Finkle, Janessa Montenegro, Reynafe Naol Aniga, Victor Mejia, Angelica G. Diaz, Anayeli Flores-Garibay, Kari Lee Joe Goold, Samantha Hernandez, Lianelys Cabrera Martinez, Caitlin Reynolds, Kimberly N. Usbeck, Abdulrahman Alahdal, Angelica Diaz, Willaine Mae Kahano, Raquel Jackson, Cecia Ruiz-Hernandez, Kers Ung-Watson, Yessenia Henriquez, Vanessa Marie Booth, Alexia Brown, Darlyn Magana, Bianca Navarro, Nicholas Pereira, Gia Renemae Calip, Lucky Heng, Ralph Sagun, Lucas Abreu, Alexandra Maria Acosta, Tristan Benally, Cosset Hernandez Pena, Adrian Montenegro, Cierra Paaaina-Daquioag, Nicole Torosian, Tracy Fuentes, Julissa Martinez, Medina Mcallister, Michal Newhouse-Van Vlerin, Tiria Carr, Nima Abkenar, Isabella Aceituno, Yuhan Bi, Victoria Campos, Melika Cummings, Zachary J. Johnigan, Alexis Sotolongo-Marin

McNair Journal

Journal articles based on research conducted by undergraduate students in the AANAPISI, LSAMP, and McNair Scholars Program.

Table of Contents

About AANAPISI

Dr. Chris Heavey, Interim President

Dr. Keith Rogers, Vice President for Student Affairs

Ms. Zhanna Aronov, Associate Vice President for Retention & Outreach

A Review Of Textmining Techniques: Trends, And Applications In Various Domains, Hiba J. Aleqabie, Mais Saad Sfoq, Rand Abdulwahid Albeer, Enaam Hadi Abd

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

Text mining, a subfield of natural language processing (NLP), has received considerable attention in recent years due to its ability to extract valuable insights from large volumes of unstructured textual data. This review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the applicability of text mining techniques across various domains and industries. The reviewstarts off with a dialogue of the basic ideas and methodologies that are concerned with textual content mining together with preprocessing, feature extraction, and machine learning algorithms. Furthermore, this survey highlights the challenges faced at some stage in implementing textual content mining strategies. Additionally, the review explores emerging …

Applications For The Groups , Where Prime Upper Than 9, Lemya Abd Alameer Hadi, Mahmood S. Fiadh, Niran Sabah Jasim, Jabbar Abed Eleiwy

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

The problem of finding the cyclic decomposition (c.d.) for the groups ), where prime upper than 9 is determined in this work. Also, we compute the Artin characters (A.ch.) and Artin indicator (A.ind.) for the same groups, we obtain that after computingthe conjugacy classes, cyclic subgroups, the ordinary character table (o.ch.ta.) and the rational valued character table for each group.

Large Retail Logistics Warehouse Execution System, Michael Broughton

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

In this study, integrated technical solutions designed for large retail logistics (LRL) material handling equipment (MHE) were integrated with advanced technical industry trends to create a warehouse execution/warehouse control system (WES/WCS) distribution center (DC) model. This model was executed using a distributor profitability framework. The resulting process metrics, financial elements, and forecasted financial drivers within the new model were tested against a standard warehouse management system (WMS) DC model without WES or integrated WCS technical solutions. The hypothesis was that using the WES/WCS DC model in automating store functionality would result in superior cost-effective solutions for the P&L/EBITDA lines of …

Warm Unit Stand Assembly And Testing For Proton Improvement Project Ii, Christopher Allen English

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The Proton Improvement Project II (PIP II), situated at Fermilab, signifies a critical advancement in the realm of high-energy physics. PIP II, a linear accelerator renovation endeavor, aspires to double the output of the existing proton beam, reinforcing Fermilab’ s position as a vanguard in this field. The proton beam's creation involves a series of high-frequency cryomodules, necessitating environmental temperature arrays of magnets and vacuum pumps henceforth described as ‘Warm Units.’ The Warm Units include design features of : 1. insertion between the cryomodules, 2. multi-stage adjustments in six degrees of freedom to ensure precise beam alignment; 3. Natural frequency …

Ai-Based Defect Detection In Aerospace Ultrasonic Signals, Rami Issac Lake

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Ensuring the safety and integrity of materials and structures throughout the manufacturing cycle is a critical concern across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, oiland gas, and civil engineering. Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) techniques allow for the examination of materials without causing damage or alteration, enabling the early detection of potential issues before materials are utilized in the field. The inspection of fuselage composites presents a particular challenge due to their complex structures, diverse materials, and differences in thickness, making defect detection a challenging yet crucial task. Moreover, defects of various types and causes can emerge across all depths of the material …

Magnetometer-Less State-Estimation Of A Mobile Robot Using Cascaded Kalman Filters, Tommy Le

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Localization, or state-estimation algorithms, are one of the most important aspects inthe development of autonomous mobile robots. Typical localization requires an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) along with an external reference, such as GPS (Global Positioning System) for outdoor applications. In indoor applications, the GPS data is not accessible so many mobile robot implementations turn to magnetometers to provide additional pose information. However, in the context of miniaturizing robotic systems, magnetometers are not always reliable due to their proximity to motors and other electronics, causing magnetic distortion and in turn, incorrect pose information. To address this issue, this thesis proposes a …

Perceptions Of Lightboard Videos On Engineering Students' Engagement For Learning: A Mixed-Methods Case Study, Rana Sanyal

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Purpose. Researchers have recommended using comprehensive visual materials in engineering courses, as visuals instill more information in students than auditory information and they have the ability to engage students more effectively than other types of content and to convey the nuances of non-verbal communication. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of engineering students on incorporating technologically advanced video course materials (TAVCM) created with lightboard technology on their engagement in learning. Theoretical Framework. The theoretical framework was based upon an integrative learning environment that incorporated many theories of cognitive learning. The Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML) …

Genetic Engineering Of Escherichia Coli For The Production Of Riboflavin, Adeyemi Adesanwo

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Riboflavin, a water-soluble vitamin B2, is essential for the growth and reproduction of living organisms. However, humans and animals lack a riboflavin synthesis pathway and must rely on diets derived from plants and microbes for this essential vitamin. To meet our needs for vitamin B2, industrial riboflavin production is currently being pursued using strains of Bacillus subtilis. The fermentation process is successful, but improvements are needed for better substrate-to-product conversion yield. To this end, it is imperative to develop alternative microbial strains for cost-effective riboflavin production.

Due to its simple growth requirement, well-understood genetic background, and widely available genetic tools, …

Active Uncertainty Representation Learning: Toward More Label Efficiency In Deep Learning, Salman Mohamadi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The primary goal of this dissertation is to investigate and improve the efficiency of deep learning algorithms, especially within computer vision problem domains, from the perspective of label-efficiency. This investigation showed that deep learning algorithms are mostly notorious for the lack of uncertainty representation. Accordingly, we aimed to develop an array of deep learning frameworks rich with uncertainty representation. These frameworks are mainly within two current pillars of machine learning, deep active learning and self-supervised learning. These frameworks include deep active ensemble sampling for efficient sample selection within deep active learning, a two-stage ensemble-based general self-training approach for existing visual …

Modeling, Control, And Fault Detection Of Energy Systems Under Limited High-Confidence Data Scenarios, Selorme K. Agbleze

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Modeling, Control, and Fault Detection of Energy Systems under Limited High-Confidence Data Scenarios

Selorme K. Agbleze

Utilizing process measurements for fault detection is an established approach for processes with adequate datasets. For systems with limited high-confidence data representing fault cases and some amount of low-confidence data, few quantitative hybrid techniques exist for performing fault detection. In real systems, it is time-consuming, expensive, and sometimes not productive to generate enough high-confidence data with fault characteristics of a specific process. The problem of limited high-confidence data scenarios may also arise due to process novelty, the need for new operating conditions, or …

Analyzing Viability Of Blue Indium Gallium Nitride Leds For Use In Space Missions Using A Low Earth Orbit Cubesa, Bertrand Edward Wieliczko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The payload capacity of spacecraft is constrained by the weight of the craft itself, including fuel and electronic systems. The protective measures used to shield onboard electronics from the harsh space environment, characterized by high-energy particles and significant temperature fluctuations, can further diminish the available payload capacity. This thesis explores the potential of naturally radiation-hard alternatives to commonly used electronic materials, such as Silicon, to reduce the need for shielding and other protective measures, thereby decreasing the weight and cost of space missions.

III-V semiconductor materials, such as Gallium Nitride (GaN), are known for their inherent resilience to temperature swings …

Enhancing 5g Fixed Wireless Access In Rural Settings Via Machine Learning-Driven Resource Optimization, Maryam Amini

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Providing broadband access to rural communities continues to be an important societal problem whose solution would help to break down the digital divide. While 5G wireless networks may be used for rural broadband, a key challenge is the placement of base stations, which is exacerbated by the use of high frequencies in the millimeter-wave band. Such technology requires an unobstructed line of sight, demanding meticulous planning of the number, height, and location of base stations for optimal coverage. Conventional methods, such as ray-tracing to simulate signal propagation across varied terrain, are computational costly and not feasible for vast coverage areas. …

Application Of High-Resolution Fiber Optic Data To Enhance Completion Design, Christian J. Pacheco

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

MS Dissertation Defense

By

Christian Pacheco

Title: Application of High-Resolution Fiber Optic Data to Enhance Completion Design Major: Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024 Time: 4:00 PM Place: 141 Engineering Science Building

Abstract

Well stimulation is a technique that has been used in the industry for decades, and with the ability to drill wells horizontally the practice has become more valuable and effective than ever before. Its use is consistently being optimized and completions design plays a crucial role in the recovery of hydrocarbons. Several different downhole tools and measurements have been used to optimize these …

Transparent And Conductive Gallium Oxide Electrode For Simultaneous Recording And Optogenetic Stimulation, Christopher Patrick Carey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Neural electrode technology has been around for centuries since the times of Galvani. In early electrophysiology experiments metal wires were used to induce contractions in dissected animals. The metal wire electrode has since been a standard tool to both stimulate and record neural activity. In the past two decades, a new strategy for neural stimulation has been formulated based on the emergent field of optogenetics. Optogenetics refers to the use of light-sensitive proteins genetically imbedded in the membrane of a neuron to elicit neural activity. This technique offers more selectivity in the stimulation of neurons. Typical optogenetic neural electrodes, or …

Reformed-Based Approaches To The Teaching And Learning Of Science, Sahar Vali

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This qualitative practice-based study explores the efficacy of reformed-based science teaching approaches in fostering meaningful student engagement within elementary science classrooms, framed within the science-as-practice paradigm. Utilizing three theoretical frameworks, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Ambitious Science Teaching (AST), and the Teacher Noticing, this research investigates how these frameworks influence student engagement in scientific disciplinary practices. The study draws on data from an NSF-funded project on teacher noticing in fifth-grade classrooms in West Virginia. Through a practice-based research approach, the relationship between teachers’ pedagogical practices and student engagement in science and engineering practices as outlined by NGSS and …