Virginia Tech

Ethicality Analysis Framework for Active OSINT Research

Open-source intelligence (OSINT), a research method crucial to many security fields, has become a critical capability in cybersecurity investigations, missing persons reports, sex trafficking cases, and other domains. Most OSINT processes, particularly active approaches, require...

Advancing Near-Term Water Quality Forecasting with Explainable Machine Learning and Probabilistic Uncertainty Quantification

Abstract Phytoplankton blooms threaten drinking-water security, yet translating high-frequency monitoring data into timely, reliable, and interpretable forecasts remains challenging. Machine learning (ML) models can improve predictive accuracy but typically require intensive tuni...

Assessing the potential of biologically-activated carbon treatment, pasteurization, and particle filtration as pre/pro-biotic controls on premise plumbing microbiomes

The potential for “probiotic” and “prebiotic” controls for opportunistic pathogen growth in premise (i.e., building) plumbing has been hypothesized but not demonstrated in practice. Here, we employed convectively-mixed pipe reactors (CMPRs) to compare the effects of common buildi...

Drag and lift characteristics of near-wall multi–particle systems in linear shear flow

This study employs particle–resolved simulations (PRS) based on the immersed boundary method (IBM) to investigate the drag and lift characteristics of multi–particle systems on a solid wall under steady linear shear flow. Two configurations are examined: a single-layer of particl...

Real-World Emission Dynamics of Tire and Road Wear Particles: Impacts of Micro-Driving Behaviors and Roadway Characteristics

Abstract With the decline of exhaust emissions, non-exhaust sources─particularly tire and road wear particles (TRWP)─have emerged as a dominant contributor to vehicular pollution. This concern is amplified by projections indicating substantial increases in TRWP emissions due to t...

Effects of Biochar Feedstock and Co-Application with Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer on Soil Carbon Pools and Inorganic Nitrogen Availability

Biochar can increase soil carbon (C) and nutrient retention, but application of raw biochar may reduce inorganic nitrogen (N) availability and crop yields. As a result, biochar is sometimes co-applied with organic fertilizers, though the efficacy of this practice for preventing d...

BTX-A51 treatment modulates host innate immune responses via NF-κB and β-catenin signaling during Rift Valley fever virus infection in vitro

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic and mosquito-borne hemorrhagic pathogen of high pandemic potential, endemic to most countries in Africa. It most severely causes disease in small domestic ruminants and is transmitted to humans. RVFV has been declared a priority pathog...

Formalizing Competencies and Defining the Characteristics of a Digital Environment for Learning Human–Robot Collaboration in Construction: Insights from Industry and Academia

Abstract Human–robot collaboration (HRC) refers to the interaction between humans and robots in a shared workspace, combining human adaptability with robotic precision to execute tasks. This study formalizes HRC competencies and identifies the characteristics (training components...

The Evolution of Crystal Structure in Polypropylene as It Goes From Pellet to Powder to Print in Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing

ABSTRACT Polymer powder bed fusion (PBF/P) is an additive manufacturing technology that fabricates end‐use products for many applications. Thermal‐induced phase separation (TIPS) has been adapted to produce spherical isotactic polypropylene (PP) powders suitable for PBF/P. In thi...

Statistical and deep learning approaches for predicting degradation of polymeric materials in photovoltaics

Polymeric materials are widely used in photovoltaic (PV) systems, making it essential to understand their service life to ensure reliable PV performance. The primary failure mechanism of polymeric materials in PV systems is photodegradation caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. D...

Constructing and Validating New County‐Level Cultural Capital Indices for Applied Policy Analysis: Evidence From SNAP Take‐Up

ABSTRACT Cultural capital influences a wide range of social and economic outcomes, yet quantitative measures suitable for policy analysis remain limited. We develop county‐level cultural capital indices for the US based on Bourdieu's framework of objectified, embodied, and instit...

Energy function approximations for differential algebraic polynomial systems of Stokes-type

Abstract Energy functions are generalizations of controllability and observability Gramians to nonlinear systems and as such find applications in both nonlinear balanced truncation and feedback control. These energy functions are solutions to the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equ...

Design for Human Variability: Reflections from the HFES Council of Affinity Groups (COAG)

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) is dedicated to recognizing human variability and understanding how it shapes interactions between people and systems. Building on previous panels, this discussion panel examines human variability through the lens of HFES Affinity G...

Physical characterization and detection of process instabilities in wire arc additive manufacturing through arc-cycle feature extraction

Abstract This research concerns the characterization and detection of process instabilities of the wire arc directed energy deposition (WA-DED) additive manufacturing process, popularly known as wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), through a multi-sensor approach resorting to...

Pilots and other predictable elements of the Starlink Ku-band downlink

We identify and characterize dedicated pilot symbols and other predictable elements embedded within the Starlink Ku-band downlink waveform. Exploitation of these predictable elements enables precise opportunistic positioning, navigation, and timing using compact, low-gain receive...

Comparative Sentiment Analysis of Campaign and Third-Party Communications in the 2024 U.S. Elections

In an era defined by constant digital interaction, personal information is frequently collected, shared, and repurposed in ways that raise serious concerns about privacy and transparency. As part of a broader project, which investigates how individuals’ personal information is us...

Operations-Driven Strategy for Safely Approaching the Lunar Gateway Throughout Its Orbit

Cislunar stations in near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO), like the Lunar Gateway, once a part of NASA’s Artemis program architecture, pose a unique challenge for rendezvous and proximity operations. The dynamics of this orbit vary greatly over each revolution, and currently develo...

A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Moringa oleifera in Sheep and Goat Production Systems in the Scopus and Web of Science Databases (2000–2025)

The multifunctionality of Moringa oleifera is widely recognized; however, its application in small ruminant production remains limited. This study aimed to analyze research trends, scientific structures, and knowledge gaps related to the use of Moringa oleifera in sheep and goat...

Prospective outcomes of adults with speciated Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease, 2021-2026

Abstract Rationale Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease (MAC-LD) is clinically heterogeneous and carries diverse outcomes. Objectives To describe predictors of clinical progression of MAC-LD in a state-wide cohort. Methods We enrolled adults with MAC-LD from across Virginia,...

The art of war is to avoid fighting: an analysis of entry deterrence in the context of an innovation shock

Purpose This study tests the theory of entry deterrence in the context of an innovation shock. Specifically, this article investigates the extent to which within-niche product proliferation implemented by incumbents (firms already established in a submarket), their organizational...