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Nocap: Article Fact-Checking With Ai, Thomas Chamberlain, Anthony Ciero, Varun Doddapaneni, Joshua Pechan

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

Fact checking media is important for properly obtaining information

Create a website that uses AI knowledge to allow users to fact check an article

Give these articles an authenticity score and report on what is fact or fiction

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Program And Proceedings, The Nebraska Academy Of Sciences 1880–2026: 146th Anniversary Year, One Hundred-Thirty-Sixth Annual Meeting

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

Program and abstracts of the proceedings for the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 136th annual meeting, 2025

Sessions

Aeronautics and Space Science

Anthropology

Biological and Medical Sciences

Earth Sciences

Ecology, Sustainability, and Environmental Science

Physics and Engineering

General Poster Session

2026 Maiben Lecture: Shifting Extremes: Understanding Nebraska’s Changing Climate and Preparing for What Lies Ahead, Deborah Bathke

2026 Friends of Science Awards: Julie Shaffer and Irina Filina

2026 C. Bertrand and Marian Othmer Schultz Colleaguate Schoalrship Award: Piper Ryschon and Bryce Reeson

In Memoriam: Paul Royster

Plant Growth Promoting Phenotypes Of Fungal Isolates From The International Space Station, Shane Doyle, Frances A. Edmonson

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

• In situ (on site) space crop production is vital for sustainability and dietary health of astronauts. 
• We hypothesize that International Space Station (ISS) derived fungal isolates will stimulate plant growth and express PGP phenotypes.
• Eleven space-viable fungi were screened via phenotypic testing to identify plant growthpromoting (PGP) activity.
• Prior research has been conducted solely with ISS derived bacteria, while ISS fungi are unexplored, which could reveal new or improved symbiotic relationships and growth factors.

A Continuous Viral Vaccine Biomanufacturing Platform Utilizing Multiple Bioreactor Configurations, Justin Sargunas, Bradley Priem, Dylan Carman, Taravat Sarvari, Natalie Nold, Vaishali Sharma, Andrew Pekosz, Caryn Heldt, Michael Betenbaugh

Michigan Tech Publications

Scalable, continuous biomanufacturing processes have grown in importance to meet demand for smaller bioreactor sizes, lowered production costs, and improved quality attribute consistency. The Sf9/recombinant baculovirus (rBV) expression system demonstrates promise for virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine and gene therapy production. Here, we present a continuous rBV platform integrating an infection plug flow reactor (PFR) between stirred tank growth (gCSTR) and production (pCSTR) bioreactors. Cell expansion in the gCSTR included a ramp-up stage followed by continuous growth, reaching a steady state of 5×10 cells/mL and >90% viability. Péclet number-fit tracer studies confirmed near-ideal plug flow in the PFR, yielding a 10 …

Experimental Investigation Of Mode-Ii Interlaminar Fatigue Damage In Stitched And Unstitched End-Notched Flexure Carbon Fiber Composites, Madelyn Sloan Berry

Honors Theses

Composite materials are increasingly used in aerospace structures due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, but their susceptibility to interlaminar fatigue damage remains a critical concern, particularly under mode-II shear loading. This study investigates the fatigue behavior of stitched and unstitched quasi-isotropic carbon fiber composite specimens made of SAERTEX Class-75 non-crimp fabrics and Hexcel 1078-1 epoxy via vacuum assisted resin transfer molding. Global fatigue behavior was analyzed using displacement and crack length cycle relationships derived from compliance calibration methods (CCM), while local behavior was examined using digital image correlation (DIC). Unstitched specimens exhibited a single rapid crack growth associated with unstable …

Advanced Studies In Characterization Of Pyrolysis Products From Live Vegetation, Mahsa Alizadeh

Theses and Dissertations

Fire is a naturally occurring element in many ecosystems which can have both positive and negative effects. However, in recent years the frequency of the fires and the area they affect has increased. The rapid spread of wildland fires coupled with the limited resources available to forest services to manage wildland fires highlights the urgency for accurate prediction of fire spread. Fire prediction models enable the fire management services to predict the spread of fire and prioritize firefighting efforts more effectively. Understanding reactions and mechanisms occurring during wildland fires improves the fire prediction models. During wildland fires, the biomass covering …

Improving Electrochemical Measurements And Informing Future Reprocessing Of Advanced Nuclear Fuels, J. Marvin Torrie

Theses and Dissertations

This research promotes the application of molten salts through developing analytical tools in electroanalytical studies and in the data analysis of vapor pressure data. The electrochemical community lacks standardized, stable, and repeatable reference electrode designs which threaten the reliability of measured thermophysical properties and repeatability of published studies. This work confirms the application of a saturated reference electrode design for molten chlorides systems that outperforms traditional Ag+/Ag reference electrodes. In the field of thermal physical property measurements, vapor pressure data for chloride salts are diffused throughout the literature, uncertainty quantification is absent or limited, and all previous studies rely on …

Analyzing Proposed Unmanned Aerial System Regulations And Their Impact On Manned Aircraft Operations, Kordell Irish

Honors Theses

The purpose of the thesis is to investigate the current state of the proposed Part 108 regulations and to find possible solutions to the problems faced by Part 108 implementation, with a focus on the interactions between manned and unmanned aircraft. The thesis covers upcoming changes to federal aviation regulations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding unmanned aircraft systems and their integration into the national airspace system. Currently, most unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are regulated under Part 107 of the federal aviation regulation. A brief literature review will provide a background and timeline in the lead-up to the Part …

Investigating The Cost And Efficiency Of Two Chemical Pathways To Produce The Plant-Based Coagulants, Taylor Nixon

Honors Theses

Plant-based coagulants are promising sustainable alternatives for water treatment due to their biodegradability, low toxicity, and reduced risk of secondary pollution. Unlike conventional inorganic coagulants, they generate less sludge and avoid secondary contamination in the environment. This project examines two chemical modification strategies for producing cationic cellulose coagulants. The first involves direct amination of cellulose using CHPTAC, while the second employs periodate-oxidized dialdehyde cellulose, which enables reductive amination through reactive aldehyde groups. These approaches are expected to yield materials with differing charges, surface functionalities, and structural properties that may influence coagulation performance. The study evaluates the technical and economic feasibility …

Mild Thermal Treatment Of Lithium-Ion Batteries To Optimize Black Mass Production, Brooke Lillie

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explains the design of equipment and the experimental procedure for thermal treatment of lithium-ion batteries for the purpose of low-cost materials recycling. Conditions used were between 150 ℃ and 425 ℃, involving different atmospheric conditions and treatment durations. The battery samples were processed through a sieve shaker device. Mass loss during the heat treatment, and separation of the battery through sieving was used to analyze the effect of the treatments on separability of black mass from the batteries. Additionally, internal battery temperature was measured and compared to real average furnace temperature to monitor thermal runaway. Testing showed minimal …

Swosu Research And Scholarly Activity Fair 2026, Swosu Office Of Sponsored Programs

SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair Programs

On behalf of the University Research and Scholarly Activity Committee (URSAC) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, we are pleased to welcome you to the Thirty-Fourth SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair.

Biomass Fuel Processing, Mineral Matter Engineering, And Ash Phase Equilibria For Deposition Control In Coal To Biomass Boiler Conversion, Spencer Bandi

Theses and Dissertations

As the conversion of coal utility boilers to 100% biomass combustors gains traction, understanding the interconnected impacts of harvesting and storage methods, fuel preparation, and thermochemical ash behavior is critical. This study evaluates miscanthus, switchgrass, and corn stover, targeting a < 1000 µm particle size through minimal (shredders/hammer mills) and heavy (pelletizing) pre-treatment. While heavy pre-treatment failed in a coal mill, minimal pre-treatment succeeded. Miscanthus (forage-harvested/silage-bagged) proved optimal, exhibiting minimal exogenous mineral accumulation up to (1.26 w%) and the smoothest mechanical feeding (deviation < 9%) due to its low particle aspect ratio. Conversely, baled switchgrass and corn stover accumulated up to 9.23 w% mineral matter and exhibited severe feeding resistance (>17% deviation) driven by fibrous, high-aspect-ratio morphologies. During combustion, agricultural residues yield low ash fusion temperatures (AFTs), generating deposits two to three times stronger than coal. To mitigate this severe fouling, mineral additives (coal fly ash, lime, and cement kiln dust) were injected. These additives effectively raised bulk AFTs and reduced deposit tenacity by up to 73%. Specifically, 2 w% …

Evaluating The Impact Of Residential Landscape Audits Using 5-Second Water Use Data, Mahmud Aveek, Camilo J. Bastidas Pacheco, David E. Rosenberg, Jeffery S. Horsburgh, Kelly Kopp, Belize A. Lane

Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Research

We used 5-s water use data to evaluate the effectiveness of residential landscape water audits in summer 2022. Fifty-nine households in two northern Utah cities were monitored for 2–5 weeks before and 3–10 weeks after an audit. We found that the distribution of weekly irrigation volumes postaudit was statistically less than the distribution preaudit (significant at the 1.9E10-5 level). Collectively, the participants reduced their landscape irrigation water use by approximately 379,000 L per week (100,300 gal per week; 0.3 acre-feet per week). We also analyzed changes in irrigation event volume, duration, frequency, and the number of days between events at …

Techno-Economic Analysis Of Hybrid Systems As A Solution For Electricity Supply During The Dry Season At The Bakaru Run-Of-River Hydropower Plant, Zamharir Aditya Febri, Mohammad Akita Indianto, Sheila Tobing

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Within the South Sulawesi power system (Sulbagsel), the Bakaru Hydro Power Plant serves as a key facility expected to provide consistent and reliable electricity supply. However, since the Bakaru plant operates under a Run of River scheme, its energy output is highly dependent on river discharge rates. In 2024, a significant decrease in water flow was recorded between August and October, which led to a drastic reduction in power generation. To address this challenge, a hybrid energy system is proposed to ensure continuous load coverage, particularly during the dry season. The optimal configuration of this hybrid system was modeled and …

Assessing Passenger Electric Vehicle Growth Strategies And Their Impacts On Electricity Demand Load And Co2 Emissions In Aceh Province To Achieve Net Zero Emission Target By 2060, Taufik Hidayat, Widodo Wahyu Purwanto

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

The electrification of the transport sector is a crucial pathway for achieving Indonesia’s Net Zero Emissions (NZE) target by 2060. This study assesses the potential impact of passenger electric vehicle (EV) penetration on electricity demand and CO2 emissions in Aceh Province through a scenario-based modelling approach. Two policy-aligned scenarios are assessed: a low-penetration (LP) scenario and a high-penetration (HP) scenario. Using the Gompertz model and the ASIF framework, total CO2 emissions were projected from 2020 to 2060. Results show that although higher EV penetration reduces direct emissions from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, total CO2 emissions increase more significantly under …

Analysis Of Factors Enabling Organisational Governance Maturity For The Technical Audit Function In Tanzania, George C. Haule

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The study aimed to identify key factors contributing to Organisational Governance Maturity (OGM) of the Technical Audit Functions (TAF) in Tanzania.  The study employed a sequential approach as a research design.  The first step was to collect and analyse literature studies to identify factors enabling the OGM of the TAF.  Next, a questionnaire was administered to one hundred twenty-eight (128) respondents from seven (7) TAFs to rank the key enabling factors that were identified from the literature that influence the OGM of TAF in Tanzania.  Using data from a questionnaire administered to 128 respondents, a two-step strategy was employed to …

Silicon Dioxide Multimode Interferometer Spectrometers, James Harkness

Theses and Dissertations

Multi-mode interferometer (MMI) spectrometers are a type of reconstructive micro-spectrometer based on imaging light propagation patterns in MMI waveguides. This dissertation describes how the MMI spectrometer was implemented for the first time using a silicon dioxide core. This approach showed a 6 dB improvement in SNR over SU-8 core devices. To implement the silicon dioxide MMI spectrometer, a fabrication technique for selectively roughening the surface of the waveguide needed to be developed. SU-8, a photosensitive polymer, was etched with oxygen plasma to create grass-like nanostructures. SU-8 grass can then be used as a transfer mask to plasma etch a surface. …

Bio-Inspired Materials And Metamaterials For Tunable Biomimetic Properties In Diverse Engineering Applications, Sandeep Suresh Babu

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Nature has always played the role of a design cue for several targeted engineering applications, with designers attempting to mimic the characteristics of natural organisms to have significant advantages in the engineering performance cycle. This dissertation explores the relationship between bioinspired design parameters and material compositions in diverse engineering applications, ranging from mechanical energy absorption to tissue engineering applications. A two-fold objective was followed in the study, where the initial focus was based on the structural design of metamaterial lattices based on geometrical cues observed in the horn structure of bighorn sheep and cuttlebone microstructure of cuttlefish. The advances made …

Emergent Dynamics In Multiplex Social Networks: Agent-Based Modeling Of Information Diffusion For Misinformation Control, Harshvardhan Prabhakar Ghongade, Anjali Ashokrao Bhadre, Shivani Agarwal, Harjitkumar Uttamrao Pawar, Harshal Subhash Rane

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Information misrepresentation is widespread in multi-layered social networks which provide multiple avenues to communicate information. As such, it presents significant opportunities for both information integrity and public discourse to be undermined by disinformation. This paper outlines a new agent-based model, developed to capture emergent dynamics of multi-layered social networks and to help identify technical means to mitigate information misrepresentation in complex systems. A key component of this research includes a novel Multi-Layer Information Diffusion Model (MLIDM), integrating both cross-layer communication among agents, as well as heterogeneous agent behaviors and adaptive intervention strategies. Our methods employ a three-stage process to model …

Stack-Based Exploit Development Techniques In Mips Architectures, Justin Applegate

Theses and Dissertations

Memory corruption vulnerabilities in binary executables represent a serious threat to software security, particularly in embedded and IoT (Internet of Things) devices that commonly use the MIPS architecture. While exploit development techniques for x86 are well-documented in academic literature, little systematic work exists on how those techniques translate to other architectures such as MIPS. This research addresses that gap by evaluating thirteen stack-based exploit development techniques and subtechniques, originally designed in the context of the x86 architecture, for their applicability to MIPS architectures. For each technique, vulnerable C code was written and compiled into both x86 and a set of …

Developing Text-To-Video Ai Workflows Through Creative Practice, Nathan S. Jensen

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

This creative practice project investigates the extent to which Gen-AI text-to-video tools can maintain coherence across a short multi-shot sequence rather than a single generated clip. This includes continuity in recurring characters, visual style, and simple narrative flow. Using a Creative Practice Scholarship framework and practice-based methodology, I developed Bush Friends, a proof-of-concept children’s television intro, as the artefact of experimentation. This  project combined concept development, storyboard planning, iterative prompting, AI video generation, and editorial assembly using ChatGPT (OpenAI, n.d.) for ideation and prompt development, Kling 3.0 Omni (KlingAI, n.d.) for video generation, and DaVinci Resolve 20 (Blackmagic Design, n.d.) …

Conditioned Synthesis Of Spectra Using Matrix Decomposition For Spectral Library Augmentation, Anna Catherine Rollans

Theses and Dissertations

In hyperspectral imaging, identification and detection tasks are often done by comparing the spectrum of an unknown material to labeled spectra in a spectral library. However, it is intractable to populate a spectral library with measurements of all possible materials in all possible conditions. We propose modeling the weights resulting from matrix decomposition as functions of material condition(s) to generate synthetic spectra at unmeasured conditions to augment spectral libraries. Matrix decompositions considered here include principal component analysis (PCA), non-negative matrix factorization (NMF), and independent component analysis (ICA).We demonstrate this method by generating (1) synthetic long-wave infrared (LWIR) emissivity spectra of …

Evaluation Of Polyester Polymer Concrete Overlays On Bridge Decks In Utah, Landon Moore

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to evaluate the condition of polyester polymer concrete (PPC) overlays placed on both new and in-service concrete bridge decks in Utah. The procedures for this research included a desktop review of 80 bridges with PPC deck overlays; scanning of nine decks using rapid automated sounding and advanced deck imaging technologies to document delamination, cracking, spalling, and patching; and additional testing of two decks. This research involved evaluations of PPC overlays that were 2 to 8 years old and bridges that were 4 to 40 years old at the time of testing. The primary distresses …

Implementing The Safe System Approach For Speed Management In Utah, Kezia Isabelle Tripp

Theses and Dissertations

Speed management is central to reducing fatal and serious injury crashes. The Safe System Approach, an emerging roadway safety paradigm in the United States, recognizes human error and vulnerability and focuses on minimizing crash severity through coordinated policy, design, and operational strategies. This thesis examines how Safe System Approach principles can be applied to speed management, with a focus on identifying practical countermeasures and implementation strategies relevant to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT). A compendium of practice was conducted to evaluate speed management countermeasures and document how cities and state Departments of Transportation are implementing Safe System Approach-based strategies. …

Toward Human-Like Robot Behavior In Co-Manipulation: Learning From Human Dyad Performance, Adam Kenneth Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Co-manipulation requires two or more agents to coordinate through a shared object while exchanging information through motion and force. Although this capability is routine for humans, robotic systems still struggle to participate in such interaction naturally and effectively. This thesis addresses that gap by studying human co-manipulation behavior, developing methods to quantify performance, collecting a leader-follower dataset that isolates haptic communication, and training data-driven controllers from human demonstrations. First, cumulative and real-time metrics were developed to quantify human dyad performance. In particular, the behavioral modes "quickly" and "smoothly" were formulated as measurable performance objectives using completion time and squared jerk. …

3d Printed Microfluidic Nonlinear Structures For Implementing Lab-On-A-Chip Integrated Logic Control, Marshall J. Rawlins

Theses and Dissertations

Microfluidic devices are individual chips that manipulate small quantities of fluid to perform, for example, biomedical assays. They provide a compact apparatus for conducting chemical processes while using only micro-liter quantities of potentially expensive chemical reagents. Continued research in microfluidics has brought significant achievements in reducing microfluidic feature sizes, allowing for microfluidic systems to be more densely packed and designed for more complex chemical assays. However, this comes with the need for additional control inputs which require additional external equipment to generate the control inputs. This leads to crowding of external inputs, or an increase in chip volume to accommodate …

Physics-Based And Data-Driven Low-Order Modeling Of Centrifugal Compressors, Chase Oliphant

Theses and Dissertations

Centrifugal compressors serve as critical components across many applications, yet their design and performance prediction present significant challenges. While computational fluid dynamics provides high-fidelity predictions of compressor behavior, its prohibitive computational cost renders it impractical for preliminary design phases where rapid exploration of the geometric and operating space is essential. Conversely, existing low-order models have enabled efficient performance estimation but suffer from limited accuracy and poor interpretability, particularly when applied to novel geometries or off-design operating conditions. This dissertation addresses these limitations through three complementary contributions that bridge the gap between high-fidelity CFD and preliminary design tools. The first contribution …

Three Degree Of Freedom Wave Energy Converter Design For Resonant Motion, Greg Ballen, David G. Wilson, Rush Robinett, Shangyan Zou, Wayne Weaver

Michigan Tech Publications

As multiple-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) wave energy converters (WECs) have demonstrated the ability to produce more power than single-degree-of-freedom devices, the challenge of designing buoys for efficient energy harvesting has increased in complexity. In this paper, a cylindrical WEC is designed to naturally resonate in surge, pitch, and heave modes at a specific target frequency of 0.2 Hz. By utilizing a penalty-based optimization method to balance buoyancy requirements with natural resonance, the design achieves minimal control force input, thereby reducing fluctuations in energy output and local energy storage requirements. The performance is evaluated under irregular sea states using a Bretschneider spectrum. Results …

Space-Time Coded Pcm/Fm For Aeronautical Mobile Telemetry, Zachary B. Hilton

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes the application of a space-time block code for the legacy continuous phase modulation called "PCM/FM" in the IRIG 106 standard to solve the "two-antenna problem". This problem arises when two transmit antennas are used for full spatial coverage at the cost of self-interference caused by the different delays between the transmit antennas and the ground-based antenna. The space-time block encoder is described using bit-level operations on the input data stream. The space-time decoder uses coherent combining and maximum likelihood sequence estimation to produce an estimate of the data sequence. Simulation results for zero and various non-zero differential …

Public Understanding Of Ai-Enabled Cyber Threats And Its Impact On Cybersecurity Governance In The United States, Charlotte M. Barbrick

LSU Master's Theses

Artificial intelligence is spreading quickly in workplaces and everyday life, and that fast growth is creating cybersecurity and privacy risks that current laws and organizational practices do not fully address. This thesis asks whether AI-specific knowledge shapes public support for cybersecurity governance of AI-enabled systems in the United States. Using nationally representative survey data from the Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP) Wave 119, fielded December 12--18, 2022, I estimate weighted regression models to test how objective AI knowledge shapes support for cybersecurity governance. I also test whether concern about data misuse helps explain that relationship and whether AI …