Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing The Perception Gap: Mining Impacts From Community And Company Perspectives In Nigeria, Ikechukwu Mbachu

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The study intends to evaluate how mining companies and their host communities perceive the impacts of mining operations and to ascertain if there are significant differences in how both parties perceive the impacts of mining in Nigeria. The study was carried out in twelve states in Nigeria and covered the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Data was collected through a questionnaire and interviews carried out separately with community members and company representatives. The study investigated ten categories of mining impacts such as socioeconomic, environmental, health, physical and so on. To gauge the perceptions of the respondents on the different impact …

Effect Of Depth And Particle Size On Spontaneous Combustion Of Coal In Deep Underground Mines Of Jharia Coalfield, Debashish Mishra, D.P. Mishra, N K Mohalik, S K Ray, J K Pandey

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Since their inception, the deep mines have faced the challenges of spontaneous heating and fire. The study examines the impact of coal seam depth and particle size on the spontaneous combustion of coal. A spontaneous heating study of seven coal samples shows moisture, volatile matter, and ash do not exhibit any clear trend except for fixed carbon, which shows a direct relationship. However, crossing point temperature (CPT) and thermo-gravimetric (TG_ignition) temperature reveal an inverse relationship between spontaneous combustion and the depth of the coal seam. Five size ranges: < 106, 106–212, 212–425, 425–2000, and 0–212 µm are studied, which displayed an increase in mean specific surface area (SSA) by 87% and a decrease in …

Potential Impact Of Coal Mining And Use For Electricity Generation In Brazil On Global Warming., Marisa Nascimento, Paulo Sergio Moreira Soares

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The study aims to evaluate the potential contribution of coal production for electric power generation in Brazil to greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, applying life cycle assessment (LCA). The product system studied consists of mining, transportation of the coal to the power station, and power generation. The LCA was first developed only for coal mining in Brazil. Secondly, it was enlarged to include transportation of the coal domestically produced, the hard coal imported, and power generation (Integrated System BR). In the mining stage in Brazil (Brazilian coal), the contribution to the global warming potential was estimated at 237 kg of CO …

Leveraging Intrinsic Properties For Classification Of Coal Seams Towards Spontaneous Combustion Proclivity And Predicting Susceptibility Using Machine Learning: Smart And Sustainable Mining Approach, Siddhartha Agarwal, Pradeep K. Gautam, Yuhao Zou, Rishabh Dwivedi, D.C. Panigrahi, C. Dagli, Atul Singh

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Mine fires and other hazards caused by spontaneous coal combustion are a pervasive and longstanding issue in Jharia coalfields, India. This study proposes a novel approach to classify coal seams based on their propensity to spontaneous combustion using the intrinsic properties of 30 coal samples from different seams. This method eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming experimental determinations of susceptibility indices (SI) such as crossing point temperature (CPT), critical air blast (CAB), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). All clustering models, viz. hierarchical, k-means, and multidimensional scaling, aptly classify coal seams into three categories: highly risky, medium risky, and low …

Using Structural Similarity And Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks For Anatomical Embedding Of Cortical Folding Patterns, Minheng Chen, Chao Cao, Tong Chen, Yan Zhuang, Jing Zhang, Yanjun Lyu, Xiaowei Yu, Lu Zhang, Tianming Liu, Dajiang Zhu

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

The 3-hinge gyrus (3HG) is a newly defined folding pattern, which is the conjunction of gyri coming from three directions in cortical folding. Many studies demonstrated that 3HGs can be reliable nodes when constructing brain networks or connectome since they simultaneously possess commonality and individuality across different individual brains and populations. However, 3HGs are identified and validated within individual spaces, making it difficult to directly serve as the brain network nodes due to the absence of cross-subject correspondence. The 3HG correspondences represent the intrinsic regulation of brain organizational architecture, traditional image-based registration methods tend to fail because individual anatomical properties …

Brain-Adapter: Enhancing Neurological Disorder Analysis With Adapter-Tuning Multimodal Large Language Models, Jing Zhang, Xiaowei Yu, Yanjun Lyu, Lu Zhang, Tong Chen, Chao Cao, Yan Zhuang, Minheng Chen, Tianming Liu, Dajiang Zhu

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Understanding brain disorders is crucial for accurate clinical diagnosis and treatment. Recent advances in Multimodal Large Language Models (MLLMs) offer a promising approach to interpreting medical images with the support of text descriptions. However, previous research has primarily focused on 2D medical images, leaving richer spatial information of 3D images under-explored, and single-modality-based methods are limited by overlooking the critical clinical information contained in other modalities. To address this issue, this paper proposes Brain-Adapter, a novel approach that incorporates an extra bottleneck layer to learn new knowledge and instill it into the original pre-trained knowledge. The major idea is to …

Exploring The Trade-Offs: Unified Large Language Models Vs Local Fine-Tuned Models For Highly-Specific Radiology Nli Task, Zihao Wu, Lu Zhang, Chao Cao, Xiaowei Yu, Zhengliang Liu, Lin Zhao, Yiwei Li, Haixing Dai, Chong Ma, Gang Li, Wei Liu, Quanzheng Li, Dinggang Shen, Xiang Li, Dajiang Zhu, Tianming Liu

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recently, ChatGPT and GPT-4 have emerged and gained immense global attention due to their unparalleled performance in language processing. Despite demonstrating impressive capability in various open-domain tasks, their adequacy in highly specific fields like radiology remains untested. Radiology presents unique linguistic phenomena distinct from open-domain data due to its specificity and complexity. Assessing the performance of large language models (LLMs) in such specific domains is crucial not only for a thorough evaluation of their overall performance but also for providing valuable insights into future model design directions: whether model design should be generic or domain specific. To this end, in …

Reproductive Costs In Female, Island-Dwelling Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus Adamanteus), Emily R. Gray

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus; EDBs) are a declining species endemic to the Southeastern Coastal Plain. Reproduction is costly for females, which are ovoviviparous, slow to mature, reproduce infrequently, and are often emaciated after parturition. Yet, we have a limited understanding of the trade-offs associated with their reproductive biology. Thus, I had three objectives: 1) assess reproduction-associated water stress and determine how female EDBs respond to altered water budgets in situ (Chapter 1), 2) evaluate the interactive effects of body condition and rainfall on female hydration, with a special focus on musculature as a condition index (Chapter 1), …

Integration Of Agile Approach Into The Implementation Of The Iso/Sae 21434 On Top Of The V-Model To Enable Continuous Secure-By-Design Automotive Cybersecurity Development, Pooja Patil

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The rapid evolution of technology is revolutionizing the automotive industry, with connected and autonomous vehicles at the forefront. These vehicles rely on complex digital ecosystems to enhance safety and efficiency but are increasingly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats. Addressing these challenges requires following robust development methodologies, while complying with cybersecurity standards. This study introduces a framework that merges the widely used agile methodology practices with the ISO/SAE 21434 standard to support secure-by-design automotive product development. Traditional development approaches like the V-model provide structured and linear project phases, but they often lack the flexibility and the ability to adapt to evolving security …

Analysis Of Phytochemicals In Watercress Leaves Using Chromatographic, Spectroscopic And In-Vitro Approaches, Bidisha Roy Sengupta

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Biofilm-Based Biomonitoring Of Treated Wastewater Using Bacillus Thuringiensis: Toward Sustainable Water Reuse, Bidisha Roy Sengupta, Kefa K. Onchoke, Olabisi O. Ogunlewe, Robert Friedfeld

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Artificial Intelligence In Health Care: Business Opportunities And Ethical Challenges, Ankita Srivastava,, Marco Marabelli, Jeffrey Moriarty

Ethics Publication

Artificial intelligence (AI), and in particular generative AI (GAI), are making incredible progress toward automation. The pervasive and invasive nature of these technologies are affecting every industry, and health care is no exception. This paper summarizes insights derived from a panel that the Hoffman Center for Business Ethics and the Center for Health and Business at Bentley University hosted in March 2024. The panel invited three qualified health care professionals: Evan Carey, Susan Persky and John Torous. The panelists are all active in multiple aspects of AI in health care but represent a focus on the key areas of policy …

Investigating Drivers In Phytoplankton Between Lentic And Lotic Ecosystems Within Twelvepole Creek Watershed, Devin Lee Farmer

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) threaten aquatic ecosystems, local economies, and water quality. While extensively studied in lakes (lentic systems), their impact on flowing waters (lotic systems) remains underexplored. This study examined algal drivers in both ecosystems within the same watershed, focusing on Beech Fork Lake (lentic) and Twelve Pole Creek (lotic). Key environmental factors, including pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient levels, were measured using in situ sensors and laboratory analysis. Water samples were analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, and algal biomass for comparison to environmental conditions. Phytoplankton was preserved for identification in future research. By comparing these environments, this study …

Estimation And Model Misspecification For Recurrent Event Data With Covariates Under Measurement Errors, Ravinath Alahakoon, Gideon K.D. Zamba, Xuerong Meggie Wen, Akim Adekpedjou

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

For subject i, we monitor an event that can occur multiple times over a random observation window [0, (Formula presented.)). At each recurrence, p concomitant variables, (Formula presented.), associated to the event recurrence are recorded—a subset ((Formula presented.)) of which is measured with errors. To circumvent the problem of bias and consistency associated with parameter estimation in the presence of measurement errors, we propose inference for corrected estimating equations with well-behaved roots under an additive measurement errors model. We show that estimation is essentially unbiased under the corrected profile likelihood for recurrent events, in comparison to biased estimations under a …

Impacts Of Irrigated And Non-Irrigated Land Use On Convective Environments And Related Diagnostic Variables During Grainex In Nebraska, Usa, Daniel Whitesel, Rezaul Mamood

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Mechanism Of Napthenic Acid Binding To Dissolved Organic Matter, Clarissa Jules

Theses and Dissertations

The oil sands in Alberta, Canada are being destroyed by oil extraction because remediation methods have proven largely ineffective. One toxic byproduct of oil extraction is a family of cyclical surfactant organic acids known as naphthenic acids (NAs). They are toxic to aquatic life, including fish, frogs, and aquatic birds. It is suspected that NAs bind to humic acid, a major organic component of soil, in dissolved organic matter in natural water, making them difficult to remove by conventional remediation methods. This problem prompts the following question: what is the binding mechanism between NAs and humic acid when dissolved in …

Protein-Metal Interactions Of A-Synuclein And Bioactive Transition Metals Via Molecular Dynamics, Gonzalo R. Vazquez

Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder which has been found to target the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. It is characterized by the formation of masses known as Lewy Bodies, formed by aggregates of the intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) -synuclein (asyn). Research suggests that alpha synuclein can undergo aggregation in the presence of heavy metals, which may accumulate in the body through a variety of mechanisms. To study how metals may play a role in wildtype (WT) asyn aggregation, MD simulation of the protein was performed in the presence of bioactive transition metals including Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu+, …

Electrochemical And Conformational Patterns Of S-Glycosides And The Synthesis Of Schistosoma Mansoni Antigens, Bhavesh Rajendra Deore

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis dives into two relevant fields in carbohydrate science: reactivity and conformation. We centered our attention on S-glycosides, a common class of glycosyl donors and glycomimetics, to study the influence exerted by the structural architecture over the conformational properties about flexible bonds and the reactivity towards electrochemical activation. Studying the conformational properties of sugars is key to understanding the molecular recognition mechanisms underlying their biological functions. Moreover, a well understanding of how the molecular components affect free rotation about bonds can be valuable information to design improved glycomimetic drug candidates. On the other hand, electrosynthesis is a promising application …

Heat Stress Induced By Irrigation Over The Us Great Plains And Related Uncertainties, L. Chen, I. C. Achugbu, Rezaul Mamood, K. Kintziger, J. Bell, G. Meredith

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Proximal Remote Sensing: An Essential Tool For Bridging The Gap Between High Resolution Ecosystem Monitoring And Global Ecology, Z. Pierrat, T. Magney, W. Richardson, B. Runkle, J. Diehl, X. Yang, J Gamon Et Al.

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Chalkboards To Chatbots: Helping Faculty Harness Ai For The Future Of Higher Education, Justin C. Grace

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into nursing education presented significant opportunities yet posed challenges due to varied faculty readiness. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement (QI) project evaluated an educational intervention aimed at enhancing nursing faculty's AI proficiency and confidence at Regis University’s Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions. Using a mixed-methods, pre- and post-intervention design, validated surveys assessed changes in faculty perceptions, knowledge, and skills related to AI. The intervention included a digital toolkit with nine instructional videos demonstrating practical AI applications using FreedAI’s large language model, ChatGPT, supported by voiceover narration and closed captioning. Data analysis involved descriptive …

Adsorption And Recovery Studies Of Cadmium And Lead Ions Using Biowaste Adsorbents From Aqueous Solutions, Liang Feng

Theses and Dissertations

The use of low-cost biowaste adsorbents for the removal of toxic metal ions from aqueous solutions offers significant environmental benefits and demonstrates strong potential. This study evaluated luffa peels and chamomile flowers as low-cost biosorbents for the adsorption and recovery of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions in both batch and column modes. To enhance adsorption capacity, the biosorbents were treated with 0.4 M HNO3 or 0.4 M NaOH. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterization showed that surface OH, C=O, CO and COO groups played a role in the adsorption process. Batch adsorption studies indicated an order of adsorption capacity as follows: …

Analysis And Authentication Of An Optical Method For Early Detection Of Harmful Algal Blooms, Cody Schumacher

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The proliferation and frequency of harmful algal blooms (HABs) attributed to eutrophication, storm events and a changing climate have been an increasing concern in both lotic and lentic freshwater ecosystems. Methods of detecting HABs have been explored through fluorescent measurement and sample analysis, but are often expensive and time-consuming. A novel smart device application is in development to detect HABs based on images captured and analyzed by machine learning algorithms trained to distinguish potential cyanobacterial blooms. The HABs App model accurately detected cyanobacteria in strong relationship with biovolume concentrations (R² = 0.996) within the Greenup Pool of the Ohio …

Pervasive Sensing To Correlate Vehicle Driving Behavior With City-Scale Traffic Dynamics, Debasree Das, Shameek Bhattacharjee, Sandip Chakraborty, Bivas Mitra, Sajal K. Das

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Individual driving behavior is a pivotal element that shapes the overall traffic dynamics in a city. In this work, we study and analyze the complex web of relationships between individual driving behaviors and their impact on the overall traffic dynamics of a smart city with two primary objectives: first, understanding the spatial interaction between individual vehicles and their impact on each other, and second, finding anomalous driving behaviors, which lead to congestion and traffic incidents. Specifically, we introduce an overarching modular framework investigating human factors of driver characteristics, vehicle attributes, geographical terrain surrounding the road infrastructure, and environmental conditions. Analyzing …

The Effect Of Two Common Herbicides On The Growth And Development Of Two Anuran Species (Boreorana Sylvatica And Dryophytes Chrysoscelis), Jerica Eaton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Amphibian populations have been declining globally since the 1950s. Many species that have experienced declines are viewed as 'environmental indicators' that reveal habitat degradation. Declines can be attributed to several factors, including chemicals used in agriculture, such as Roundup and Atrazine. Agrochemicals contaminate water bodies through runoff or leaching and cause alterations to aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluated the effects of herbicide usage on two wild anuran populations using wood frogs (Boreorana sylvatica) and Cope’s gray tree frogs (Dryophytes chrysoscelis) as a model. We determined the effect of the herbicides at two concentrations, a high concentration …

The Impacts Of Artificial Intelligence In Radiology, Misty Farmer, Wendy Trzyna

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: There has been significant growth in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the healthcare industry, especially in Medical Imaging. Radiology has been the clear frontrunner in the adoption of AI in medicine, due in part to the massive amount of digital data available for use in Deep Learning (DL) AI integration has the potential to solve multiple challenges in radiology, address workload issues and transform the field.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the research was to evaluate the impact of implementing Artificial Intelligence in radiology to determine if these technologies have had an impact …

A Survey-Based Quantitative Analysis Of Stress Factors And Their Impacts Among Cybersecurity Professionals, Sunil Arora, John D. Hastings

Research & Publications

This study investigates the prevalence and underlying causes of work-related stress and burnout among cybersecurity professionals using a quantitative survey approach guided by the Job Demands-Resources model. Analysis of responses from 50 cybersecurity practitioners reveals an alarming reality: 44% report experiencing severe work-related stress and burnout, while an additional 28% are uncertain about their condition. The demanding nature of cybersecurity roles, unrealistic expectations, and unsupportive organizational cultures emerge as primary factors fueling this crisis. Notably, 66% of respondents perceive cybersecurity jobs as more stressful than other IT positions, with 84% facing additional challenges due to the pandemic and recent high-profile …

2024 San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative Annual Report, San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative

San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative

The San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative is a network for public agencies that serves the San Diego region to share expertise, leverage resources and advance comprehensive solutions to facilitate climate change planning. By partnering with academia, nonprofits, and businesses, the SDRCC also works to leverage the profile of regional leadership. This is the 2024 San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative Annual Report.

Influence Of Biochar On Rooting And Establishment Of Chamaecyparis And Thuga Species, Megan Mudd

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study investigated the effects of biochar amendment on the rooting and establishment of evergreen propagules, thus addressing the critical need for improved nutrient use efficiency and water retention in containerized substrates within the horticulture and floriculture industry. Biochar, a product of biomass pyrolysis, offers promising potential due to its high porosity and surface area, which contribute to enhanced soil fertility and water retention. Two experiments were conducted, one in a greenhouse and the other in a cold frame, using cuttings from Chamaecyparis obtusa, Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Vintage Gold’, and Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’. Treatments included varying percentages of biochar …

Icipe Monthly Digest – Volume 1, Issue 1, January 2025, International Centre Of Insect Physiology And Ecology (Icipe)

icipe Newsletters

No abstract provided.