Digital Commons Network^™

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 39. What About Wallace's 'Agnosticism'...?, Charles H. Smith

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Alfred Russel Wallace (1823−1913) seems to have distinguished his earlier years of agnosticism from his later period as a spiritualist, but a closer look at the situation suggests he actually remained an agnostic all the way through to the end of his life. The confusion is occasioned by a lack of terminology that can be applied to his position, which most closely resembles a Spinozian manner of thinking.

Identifying Priorities To Guide Extension Water Quality Programming In Utah, Clare Entwistle, Sarah Erwin, Stephanie Vaughn

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Utah State University Extension water quality faculty conducted a statewide water quality needs assessment to identify priority contaminants and resource gaps. The results found that elevated nutrient levels and sedimentation were the top concerns where additional resources would be beneficial. In addition, insufficient funding for improvements and low public engagement were identified as key challenges in addressing water quality issues. Results revealed current unmet needs with regional variation to inform Extension resource allocation and programming.

Using Ensemble Disagreement To Stabilize Conformal Prediction Under Distribution Shift, Patrick D. Murphy

Master's Theses

Semantic segmentation of eelgrass from drone imagery is crucial for coastal habitat monitoring, restoration, and management, as these habitats continue to see rapid changes due to climate change and human influence. However, the reliability of generalizing a deployed classification model relies on both high-accuracy segmentation as well as robust uncertainty quantification that holds up when conditions change over years or locations. Conformal prediction (CP) is a method that converts a classifier's output into prediction sets with a guaranteed average coverage level for in-distribution data. However, the “vanilla” conformal score can often under-cover in hard or out-of-distribution (OOD) regions under drift. …

A Unified Methodological Framework For Generating Digital Twins Of Multi Class Uncrewed Systems (Uxs), Sai Raghava Pathuri

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Presentations

No abstract provided.

A Knowledge Transfer-Based Membrane Evolutionary Algorithm For Solving Large-Scale Sorted Waste Collection Problem With Timeliness, Wenxue Zhang, Boquan Gao, Aldy Gunawan, Yunyun Niu, Jianhua Xiao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The sorted collection of municipal solid waste has emerged as an effective waste management strategy due to varying timeliness requirements across different waste types, giving rise to the critical research challenge of timeliness-based waste collection. While existing algorithms primarily focus on small-scale versions of this problem, solving large-scale timeliness-based waste collection problems remains particularly challenging. To tackle this issue, this paper proposes a knowledge transfer-based membrane evolutionary algorithm. Specifically, the original problem and simplified problem are constructed in different membranes respectively, and the knowledge transfer learning mechanism is incorporated into the membrane evolutionary algorithm, enabling effective information exchange between the …

Automated Machine Learning For High-Resolution Daily And Hourly Methane Emission Mapping For Rice Paddies Over South Korea: Integrating Modis, Era5-Land, And Soil Data, Jiah Jang, Seung Hee Kim, Menas Kafatos, Jaeil Cho, Gayoung Yoo, Sujong Jeong, Yangwon Lee

Institute for ECHO Articles and Research

Agriculture is a major global source of methane (CH4), and accurate emission estimates are essential for refining national greenhouse gas inventories and supporting climate-resilient policies. This study develops a high-resolution estimation framework for CH4 emissions from Korean rice paddies by integrating multi-source datasets, including Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation indices, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Reanalysis Version 5 (ERA5)-Land meteorological variables, and Harmonized World Soil Database (HWSD) soil properties. Using CH4 flux observations from four global rice ecosystems (Italy, Japan, South Korea, and USA), we constructed parallel daily and hourly machine learning models using an automated machine …

Watersmart Farms - Desalination: Summary Report, Wendell Ela, Abdulla Rasheed, Sharmina Begum, Vaibhav Patel, Goruck Soubans, John K. Ruprecht, V Ravisankar, S Aktar, B Husbands, L Li

Natural resources commissioned reports

In 2026, Murdoch University completed a series of investigations into farm and community scale desalination in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and Water Corporation. The key studies investigated farm scale desalination, community scale desalination, best practice techniques for desalination in agriculture and brine management review.

The key findings of the studies are presented here, followed by an overview of the considerations concerning the potential for desalination across the Wheatbelt. Readers are referred to the Technical Reports for more detailed information.

This report is an overview of the following reports:

Ela, …

Re: Conditional Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Butte Hill Revegetation Specifications (Dated August 15, 2025), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

2022 Bpsou Stormwater Evaluation And Maintenance Report Annual Stormwater Report For Bpsou Stormwater Structures, Butte-Silver Bow Department Of Reclamation And Environmental Services

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Development Potential Of The Ucg-Eg Industry In Guizhou Province, China, Wang Lingxia, Zhou Ze, Yi Tongsheng, Qin Yong, Yang Lei, Kong Weimin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods This study aims to promote the sustainable development of the underground coal gasification (UCG) industry and to extend the industrial chain of syngas development and utilization. To this end, this study analyzed the UCG-electricity generation (UCG-EG) potential of Guizhou Province based on the evaluation results of resources allowing UCG and the current status of energy and electric power structures of this province. A 3D analytical principle model for UCG-EG industry scenarios in Guizhou was constructed through scenario modelling. Using this model, the prospects of the UCG industry under low, medium, high, and ultra-high scenarios were quantitatively depicted. …

Factors Influencing Productivity And Production System Optimization For Deep Coalbed Methane In The Daning-Jixian Block, Ordos Basin, Zhao Haifeng, Jia Zhaojie, Chen Mengqi, Yang Ziyi, Wang Bin, Lin Hongliang, Yang Yanfeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Deep coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs are characterized by ultra-low porosity, ultra-low permeability, and super saturation, rendering it impractical to copy the productivity models of shallow coalbed methane and shale gas. Furthermore, the production performance of deep CBM varies significantly across different well sections. However, the impacts of different factors on the productivity of deep CBM remain poorly understood. This study conducted a numerical simulation analysis of the productivity of deep CBM in the Daning-Jixian block along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin based on the geological characteristics of the block, aiming to explore the impacts of various key …

Influence Mechanisms Of Cleats On Hydraulic Fracture Propagation In Deep Coalbed Methane Reservoirs, Wang Haiyang, Lu Chen, Su Xu, Wang Yufei, Zhou Desheng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Creating large-scale fracture networks through hydraulic fracturing serves as an important approach to the commercial development of deep coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs. However, these reservoirs contain extensively developed cleats. The significantly different cementation strengths of cleat fillings lead to complex interactions between cemented cleats and major hydraulic fractures during fracture propagation. Therefore, clarifying the mechanisms underlying the influence of cemented cleats on hydraulic fracture propagation is critical to improving the simulation effects of deep CBM reservoirs. Methods Using particle flow code (PFC) discrete element method, combined with quasi-triaxial mechanical test results of the No.8 coal seam within the Yichuan …

Seepage Dynamics And Damage Characteristics Of Shaft Lining Concrete Under Hydraulic Coupling, Xue Weipei, Zhou Yaya, Cheng Hua, Yao Zhishu, Rong Chuanxin, Wang Zhongjian, Wu Hao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Concrete serves as a lining material for support structures used in vertical shafts in coal mines, and its seepage performance and mechanical characteristics play a crucial role in ensuring structural safety. Furthermore, shaft lining concrete is placed under the groundwater level, subjected to a stress environment significantly different from that of surface concrete.Methods To investigate the impacts of groundwater seepage on the performance of shaft lining concrete under triaxial stress conditions, hydraulic coupling tests were conducted using a servo pressure testing machine equipped with a seepage apparatus, yielding data on permeability, elastic volumetric strain, crack volumetric strain, and …

Evolutionary Mechanisms And Control Strategies For Surrounding Rock Stability Of Inclined Shafts Under Groundwater Seepage, Zhang Cun, Zhao Xiangyu, Chen Yanhong, Ren Zhaopeng, Wu Runze

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background The western coal mining area has emerged as China’s primary coal production base. In this area, multiple ten-million-ton-scale coal mines are constructed using inclined shafts. Since inclined shafts run through multiple aquifers, many of them are subjected to shaft wall rupture and water inrushes to varying degrees.Methods This study aims to determine the impacts of groundwater seepage on the surrounding rock stability of inclined shafts. Using field survey, theoretical analysis, and numerical simulation, this study investigated the shaft wall stability of the main inclined shaft in water-rich sections in the Xiaojihan Coal Mine.Results and Conclusions Theoretical analysis …

Surface-Borehole Resistivity Tomography For Seepage Detection In Earth-Rock Dams, Tan Lei, Hu Xiongwu, Zhang Pingsong, Jiang Xiaoyi, Dong Ya, Liu Fuda, Li Chunyang, Xu Hu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Resistivity methods allow for effective detection of seepage in reservoir dams. However, when used to detect the hidden hazards of dams, the surface resistivity method fails to accurately identify vulnerable areas across an entire dam due to blind spots near both dam abutments and insufficient resolutions for deep parts. Methods This study proposed a seepage detection technique for earth-rock dams based on surface-borehole resistivity tomography, followed by the analysis of the distribution of surface-borehole resistivity under the lateral and vertical variations in a seepage zone through numerical simulations. This technique was applied to the Shibi reservoir dam. Using the …

Characteristics And Mechanisms Of Guar Gum Degradation By Indigenous Bacteria In Coal Seams, Li Bing, Guo Hongyu, Zhou Xiao, Wang Haichao, Jian Kuo, Chen Zhaoying, Zhang Bin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Hydraulic fracturing serves as a stimulation technique extensively used in the commercial development of coalbed methane (CBM), in which guar gum is commonly used as a fracturing fluid thickener. However, under the low-temperature conditions of coal reservoirs, conventional chemical gel-breaking methods often suffer from incomplete gel breaking and high residue content, resulting in formation damage and a decrease in the production efficiency of CBM wells. Methods Using indigenous bacteria in coal seams as functional strains, this study conducted microbial gel-breaking experiments. It systematically investigated the characteristics of guar gum biodegradation by these bacteria and determined the dominant microbial taxa …

A Method For Diffracted Wave Separation And Imaging Based On The Gwa-Vmd, Lin Peng, Liu Yulin, Peng Suping, Cui Xiaoqin, Guo Changbo, Yang Jie

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Small-scale discontinuous geobodies such as faults, collapse columns, and pinch-out points are widely present in underground spaces. They are closely associated with the safe production and development of underground resources such as coals, oil, and gas. As the wave field responses of small-scale discontinuous geobodies, diffracted waves can overcome the shortcomings of traditional reflected wave imaging, being capable of accurately identifying and localizing small-scale geobodies. Objective and Method This study aims to achieve diffracted wave imaging of discontinuous geobodies. Based on the differences in kinematic and dynamic characteristics between reflected and diffracted waves, this study leveraged the precise self-adaptive …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Mechanism And Prevention Of Rockburst In Deep Asymmetric Goaf Areas Coal Seam Main Roadway, Lu Xihui, Zhao Weiwei, Hao Yinghao, Cao Anye, Su Shijie, Lyu Guowei, Bai Gang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective With an increase in the utilization of main roadways in coal seams, rockburst have occurred increasingly more frequently in these main roadways. Investigating the mechanisms behind these rockburst under specific conditions, as well as differentiated prevention and control measures, holds great significance for the safe extraction of deep coal resources.Methods This study investigated the main roadways at risk of strong rockburst within a coal mine in Inner Mongolia. By integrating a range of methods, including field measurement, theoretical analysis, and FLAC3D-based numerical simulation, this study examined the evolutionary patterns of both the surrounding rock stress and the overburden …

Transformer-Driven Intelligent Prediction For The Time-Series Features Of Mine Pressure In Fully Mechanized Mining Face, Du Feng, Chen Bo, Wang Wenqiang, Pu Hai, Du Xueming, Li Guodong, Qiao Rui, Li Xinlei, Xu Jie, Cao Yu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Mine pressure prediction represents an important means for early warning and management of disasters in coal seam roofs, serving as the prerequisite and foundation for safe production in intelligent mines. However, the complex and variable conditions of fully mechanized mining face lead to significant variations in the distribution of support pressure data acquired using electro-hydraulic control systems, complicating mine pressure prediction. Methods This study developed a Transformer-based mine pressure prediction model. Specifically, missing mine pressure data were filled using linear interpolation, and the data structure of mine pressure was adjusted using a sliding window algorithm. Based on the time-series …

Sedimentary Evidence For The Connection Between The Southern Margin Of The Ordos Basin And The Paleotethys Ocean During The Permian To Early Triassic, Li Zonglin, Shi Yongsheng, Li Wenhou, Chen Long, Sun Jiaopeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Understanding the Permian-Early Triassic sedimentary environments along the southern margin of the Ordos Basin (also referred to as the SMOB) and their tectono-sedimentary responses to the Paleotethys Ocean plays a key role in determining the paleogeographic evolution and energy resource potential of the southern margin of the North China Craton. Methods This study investigated the Qinling Orogenic Belt (QOB) and the SMOB. Through systematic sedimentological examination based on drilling data and outcrop sections, along with a systematic review of existing paleontological findings, this study re-determined the Permian-Early Triassic tectono-paleogeographic frameworks along the SMOB. Furthermore, this study explored the paleogeography …

Mechanisms Behind Permeability Enhancement Of Coal Reservoirs Induced By Electro-Chemical Composite Energy Pulse Fracturing, Meng Bingbing, Cao Yunxing, Duan Hongfei, Zhang Xinsheng, Zhao Lijuan, Shi Bin, Yu Guofeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Electro-chemical composite energy pulse fracturing (ECCE-PF) technology (i.e., the electrical explosion of metal wires igniting energetic materials) can effectively change the pore structure of coal reservoirs and enhance coal seam permeability. Elucidating the mechanisms behind the influence of this technology on both the scales of modified coal pores/fractures and methane desorption pattern can provide a theoretical basis for the wide application of this technology to coal seam permeability enhancement. Methods This study investigated coal samples from the Zhangcun Coal Mine in the Lu’an coal mining area, Shanxi Province. Using a self-developed ECCE-PF experimental platform, an experimental study was conducted …

Synergistic Breaking Of Composite Key Strata And Energy Evolution Of The Overburden Under Mining Disturbances, Wu Boqiang, Wang Xiaodong, Zhu Shibin, Xu Ganggang, Zhang Yuehong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective This study aims to explore the synergistic breaking responses and energy evolution mechanisms of composite key strata under mining disturbances. These efforts will provide robust theoretical support for the prevention and control of disaster-causing accidents in the surrounding rocks of coal seams and hold great significance for ensuring safe mining operations underground. Methods The breaking and instability characteristics of composite key strata under mining disturbances were analyzed by integrating physical simulation using similar materials, numerical calculation, and theoretical analysis. Accordingly, the accumulation and release patterns of strain energy and gravitational potential energy in the overburden were investigated. Finally, the …

Advances In Research On Enrichment Of Major Metallic Elements Within Coals In Coal-Accumulating Basins Across Xinjiang, China, Ning Shuzheng, Wang Xiaoxia, Huang Shaoqing, Yan Xiaoyun, Xu Xiaotao, Zhang Jianqiang, Zhang Li, Hou Yuehua

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Xinjiang serves as an important coal production base in northwestern China. This region holds approximately 40% of China’s predicted coal reserves, with its coal resources primarily distributed in coal-accumulating basins such as Junggar, Yili, Tuha, and Santanghu.Methods Focusing on strategic metals (e.g., lithium, rare earth elements, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, and tantalum), hazardous metals (e.g., arsenic, mercury, and sodium), radioactive metals (e.g., uranium and thorium), and other heavy metals (e.g., iron and manganese), this study explored the enrichment mechanisms and metallogenic potential of these metallic elements in coals across representative coal-accumulating basins in Xinjiang.Advances The metallic element enrichment …

Research Progress And Prospects Of High-Salinity Mine Water Storage In Deep Strata, Xue Jiankun, Wang Shuangming, Zhang Pingsong, Wang Xiaodong, Zhou Zhenfang, Wang Tiantian, Zhang Quan, Xu Shi'ang, Wang Zhizhou

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background High-salinity mine water (HSMW) is widely distributed in mining areas in western China, while its discharge and treatment pose severe challenges to both the ecosystem and resource utilization. In recent years, HSMW storage in deep strata has gained widespread attention as an environmentally friendly and resource-saving approach for mine water treatment.Advances Focusing on the general characteristics of HSMW, this study systematically reviewed the key scientific issues and technical bottlenecks associated with HSMW storage in deep strata, highlighting its principles, technical classification, and engineering application. It comprehensively elucidated the applicability boundaries of this technology, involving the core links such …

Mechanisms Behind Water Inrush Disasters Induced By Tbm Tunneling Passing Through Deeply Buried Fault Fracture Zones, Li Zhi, Dong Shuning, Shi Zhiyuan, Tong Renjian

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objectives While passing through a deeply buried water-rich fault fracture zone, a tunnel boring machine (TBM) frequently faces an extremely high risk of water inrushes, seriously restricting the engineering safety and efficiency. Methods This study aims to reveal the evolution patterns of water inrush disasters in the case where the TBM roadway tunneling passes through faults zones and propose technologies for advance prevention and control to mitigate the water inrush risk. Against the engineering background of the tunneling of a main roadway in a coal mine within a North China-type coalfield, this study established a 3D numerical model using the …

Tle-Unet-Based Image Segmentation And Feature Extraction Of Water-Cooling-Induced Complex Cracks In High-Temperature Rock Masses, Fu Tianyu, Hu Mangu, Zhang Xiaojun, Yang Xiaobin, Lyu Fu, Lyu Xiangfeng, Peng Lei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Method Water cooling-induced macroscopic surface cracks in high-temperature rock masses are characterized by fine scales, pronounced length variations, and severe class imbalance in images, posing significant challenges for image segmentation. To address these challenges, this study proposed TLE-UNet, a semantic segmentation network for rock crack images. First, through thermal treatment and uniaxial compression tests of granite specimens, crack images under varying temperatures were acquired. Then, using a self-developed Lite Edge Fusion module, high-resolution shallow features were finely aligned with deep semantic features at varying scales. Furthermore, edge detection and channel-attention mechanisms were combined to enhance crack boundary perception. …

A Gaussian Process Regression-Based Denoising Method For Transient Electromagnetic Signals, Wang Peng, Shi Jiaxing, Lu Kai, Hu Jinru, Wen Guangyuan, Zhai Haojie

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The transient electromagnetic (TEM) method serves as a primary geophysical technique for groundwater detection in coalfields at present, with the detection results directly influencing the implementation of water hazard prevention and control in coal mines. Since it is difficult to avoid electromagnetic interference sources such as power lines during data acquisition, TEM signals are prone to be contaminated by electromagnetic noise. Given that primary denoising techniques such as wavelet transform and empirical mode decomposition (EMD) are yet to be further improved, this study developed a novel Gaussian process regression (GPR)-based denoising method for TEM signals. Methods First, time alignment …

A Reflected Radio Wave-Based Exploration Method For Goaves In Closed/Abandoned Mines And Its Application, Pang Yao, Wu Rongxin, Wang Jinguo, Hu Ze'an

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Method The redevelopment and reutilization of closed/abandoned mines hold great research significance and practical production value due to their substantial number. In China, the secondary development and utilization of energy and spatial resources in such mines started late, rendering foundational theories and key technologies relatively underdeveloped. To investigate the developmental characteristics of underground spaces within goaves in closed/abandoned mines, this study proposed a reflected radio wave-based exploration method. Specifically, an observation system with a fixed transmitter-receiver (TR) spacing was deployed in rock roadways above/below or on both sides of the mining face in a closed/abandoned mine. Then, a …

Multiscale Fusion Aot-Gan Intelligent Filling Of Blank Strip For Formation Microresistivity Imaging Logging, Huang Luyi, Wang Fei, Kong Lingsong, Jiang Qishu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Formation microresistivity imaging (FMI) images features incomplete borehole coverage and thus contain blank strips due to the gaps between electrode pads, as well as their pushing and attachment mechanisms. Traditional blank strip filling methods suffer from several limitations, including susceptibility to image distortion and difficulty in retaining information on fine-scale structures such as fractures. This study developed an aggregated contextual-transformation generative adversarial network (AOT-GAN) for blank strip filling, aiming to achieve high-precision and high-fidelity information reconstruction. Methods Initially, a high-quality dataset was prepared based on original FMI images, along with full-borehole images obtained through image inpainting using CIFLog. Then, …