Digital Commons Network^™

The 1/C Expansion Of General Relativity In A 3+1 Formulation, Revisited, Mahmut Elbi̇stan

Turkish Journal of Physics

We study the 1/c expansion of general relativity within a formulation that is compatible with both the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner and the Kol-Smolkin decompositions. The Einstein-Hilbert action takes a common form for those decompositions as they are dual to each other. We first develop a method to expand this generic form and then push the expansion up to c−3 order within this novel approach. Next, we apply our technique to the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner decomposition and expand it up to c−3 order explicitly. In order to demonstrate the applicability of our method and to highlight the duality at the level of expansion, we also …

Optical Textures Of A Uniform Liquid Crystal Lattice: Monte Carlo Simulations With Newton Colors And Mueller Matrix Analysis, Yakup Emül

Turkish Journal of Physics

The optical textures of a uniform liquid crystal (LC) molecule lattice structure were explored through Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, combined with Mueller matrix (MM) formalism and Newton’s color theory. These simulations utilized a Lebwohl-Lasher (LL) type interacting LC lattice under periodic boundary conditions, generating ensemble-averaged configurations at two temperature regimes (kBT = 0.9 and 1.2), corresponding respectively to nematic and isotropic states. These configurations were then incorporated into the MM framework to evaluate the polarization states of transmitted light. To visually interpret the resulting interference phenomena, we propose a new visualization method based on a modern interpretation of Newton’s color …

A Possible Renaissance For Christian Higher Education, Derek Schuurman

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

The early Greeks saw the essence of education as Paideia: the process of forming a whole person into an ideal citizen. They emphasized the formation of virtues like prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance in preparation for active citizenship. Later, in the Medieval era, the Christian tradition saw education as formation for the glory of God, adding Christian virtues of faith, hope and love along with character traits like humility, gratitude, generosity and chastity. But something shifted after the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution. Knowledge became increasingly instrumental, valued for its practical application primarily as information needed to “get a job.” …

George Sturgeon, Metal Fluorides & Vice Chair, Mark A. Griep, George D. Sturgeon

Department of Chemistry: Faculty Interviews

Dr. George Sturgeon was a chemistry professor at the University of Nebraska -Lincoln for 39 years, from 1964 to 2003. During his time at UNL, he spent 15 years as the vice chair. Something in his youth must have sparked an interest in chemistry because he earned a bachelor’s in that subject from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Then, he traveled 870 miles east to Michigan State University in East Lansing where he earned his doctorate. Immediately after graduating, he joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1964 as an assistant professor but was soon promoted to associate …

A. Introduction To The Archive Of The 1980 Flathead Lake Seismic Survey, Robert W. Lankston

1980 Flathead Lake Seismic Survey

This attempts to provide details of the hardware used during the 1980 seismic survey on Flathead Lake beyond the references in the master's thesis that described the survey and the initial use of the data.

Limit Theorems For Andrews’ Restricted Overpartitions, Tapas Bhowmik, Alex Cao, Jack Frew, John Lehman, Wei-Lun Tsai

Faculty Publications

The study of overpartitions in recent years has been used to great effect in various fields, including hypergeometric series, q-series identities, and mathematical physics. We investigate the limiting distributions of the number of parts in a family of overpartitions of n,  introduced by Andrews, where parts are counted with two different weights. Using Andrews’ identities and the saddle-point method, we establish two central limit theorems (CLTs) for the number of parts as n → ∞, corresponding to these weightings. We also derive explicit formulas for the mean and variance in each case.

Vegetation Enhances Nitrogen Removal In Stormwater Ponds In Coastal South Carolina, Darcy Perin, Annie Bourbonnais

Faculty Publications

Coastal development and the increase in impervious surfaces lead to greater stormwater volumes, a key contributor to nonpoint source pollution. Stormwater ponds are generally highly efficient in eliminating particle-bound nutrients, such as phosphorus, but are often much less effective at removing dissolved nutrients, like nitrogen. Excess inorganic nitrogen can lead to coastal eutrophication, harmful cyanobacterial blooms, and coastal hypoxia. However, inorganic nitrogen can be removed from the environment through several different microbially facilitated processes. This research aims to estimate the rates of nitrogen removal (i.e., by denitrification), the net N₂ fluxes, and internal recycling (DNRA) across the sediment-water interface …

A Photosynthetic–Respiratory Electron Transport Chain Chimera Based On Photosystem I And Cytochrome C Oxidase On Graphene Oxide, Xiaoping Zhu, Matthew J. Kummer, Carolyn E. Lubner, Vasily Kurashov, William Carr, John H. Golbeck, Robert A. Niederman, Lev G. Mourokh, Shelley D. Minteer, Paul G. Falkowski, Michele Vittadello

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Te self-assembly of enzyme proteins on 2D nanomaterials has enabled the construction and functional control of viable biochemical pathways. However, enzymatic cascades, which combine essential components of the photosynthetic and respiratory electron transport chains in tandem, have thus-far remained elusive. Herein, we have investigated a galvanic biohybrid nano system coupling photosystem I and cytochrome c oxidase on the surface of graphene oxide nanosheets in colloidal suspension. Te oriented immobilization of the enzymes was facilitated by Ni-coordination sites tethered to the carbon basal plane, with negligible parasitic O2 consumption. Transient absorption and electrochemical measurements provided evidence of electron transfer between donors …

Effects Of Varying Ph, Temperature, And Sucrose Concentration On The Activity Of Invertase Enzyme, B. Rainwater, S. Pratihar

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The purpose of this research is to study the factors that affect the enzymatic activity of invertase, extracted from baker’s yeast, on hydrolysis of sucrose in aqueous medium. Invertase, a glycoprotein, is an enzyme in the glycoside hydrolase family. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose producing equimolar mixture of a-D-glucose and b-D-fructose. Invertase shows high affinity for the substrate, and is capable of both cleaving the glycosidic linkage in sucrose and transferring ab-D-O-fructofuranoside residue to an acceptor substrate. (Toledo et al. 2019). A detailed mechanism of the action of invertase was postulated by Shall et al. (Shall et al. 1971). …

Satellites, Urban Heat, And Environmental Justice: Community As The Bridge Between Analysis And Action, Joshua B. Fisher, Ambar Rivera, Ava Cison, Ashley Agatep, Kainani Tacazon, Sophia Spiegleman, Alison Mckenery, Rio E. Fisher, Reginald Archer, Jason A. Douglas

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Heat waves are increasing in frequency, intensity, magnitude, and duration, causing a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities exposed to urban heat islands. Newly emerging spaceborne thermal sensing instruments, such as ECOSTRESS and Hydrosat, now have the capabilities to measure urban surface temperatures accurately at the block level (< 100 m) and with enough frequency to capture transient heat waves (daily to subweekly). Such data are critical for monitoring and informing policy and mitigation efforts, such as resurfacing, green space, cooling stations, and medical mobilization. These serve to advance environmental justice and reduce health risks—and deaths—among the most vulnerable: minority, low-income, elderly, those with physical- and mental-health preconditions, unhoused, children, and outdoor workers. While scientists have increasingly used satellite data to quantify urban heat islands and risks to communities, there remains a significant gap in action resulting from such analyses—a figurative and literal “valley of death.” Reviewing over 500 scientific publications, we identify a critical lack of engagement with the communities being analyzed (10.9%; n = 58); yet, community engagement is key to bridging such analysis with subsequent action. Here, we demonstrate how participatory community engagement directly with data and analysis leads to increased policy changes and mitigation efforts. Our framework has immediate implications for how scientists may augment their work and thought processes to achieve …

Re: Conditional Approval Letter With Comments For Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final 2026 Interim Site-Wide Surface Water Monitoring Quality Assurance Project Plan (Qapp) (Dated February 4, 2026), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Empowering Neurodiverse Talent In Cybersecurity Through Fair And Inclusive Ai Education, Sheikh Rabiul Islam, Yansi Keim, Mohiuddin Ahmed, Maanak Gupta, Ingrid Russell, Mahmoud Abdelsalam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cybersecurity demands creativity, persistence, and sharp pattern recognition—strengths frequently reported among neurodivergent people (e.g., autism, ADHD, dyslexia). Yet AI-driven hiring pipelines can systematically disadvantage neurodivergent applicants by misreading communication styles or valuing narrow proxies of “fit.” Demand for cybersecurity talent is growing, and experts note that neurodiverse individuals are both underrepresented and highly valuable to security teams. However, progress remains uneven without targeted educational interventions [1]. We present a curricular module that simultaneously (a) centers neurodiversity as a strength in the cybersecurity workforce and (b) trains students to audit and redesign AI hiring systems using open-source fairness and explainability toolkits …

Artificial Intelligence In Nuclear Cardiology: Technical Perspectives, Strategic Directions, And Recommendations From An Iaea Expert Working Group, Christiane Wiefels, Luis Eduardo Juárez-Orozco, Pietro Selemo Craviolatti, Oleksandr Diahiliev, Amir Eskander, Raffaele Giubbini, Weihua Zhou, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly permeating nuclear cardiology and offers the possibility to enhance diagnostic accuracy, prognostic stratification, and operational efficiency. AI is demonstrating applicability across the imaging workflow—from individualized patient selection and adaptive image reconstruction to denoising of low-dose datasets, automated attenuation and motion correction, calcium scoring, and the integration of imaging with clinical and functional variables for enhanced diagnosis and comprehensive risk assessment. But the translational trajectory of AI in nuclear cardiology is challenged by the lag in fundamental AI knowledge among researchers and clinicians, the quality of the target data regarding heterogeneity in acquisition protocols, scanner platforms, …

Electrocatalytic Degradation Of Methylene Blue Using Rgo, Sb2o3, And Rgo-Sb2o3 Composite Ink-Based Electrodes, Maria Irene Myers Armas, Andrea M. Fletes, Thomas Eubanks, Arnulfo Mar, Jason Parsons, Helia Magali Morales

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Water pollution from industrial dyes is a critical challenge due to the resistance of these types of compounds to degradation and potentially harmful effects on living organisms and human health. In this study, the electrochemical degradation of methylene blue (MB) was investigated using ink-based copper foam electrodes with reduced graphene oxide (rGO), antimony trioxide (Sb2O3), and rGO/Sb2O3 composites. The materials used to synthesize the electrodes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), which showed the successful synthesis of GO, rGO, and the Sb2O3-rGO composite. Additionally, the synthesized electrodes were examined using SEM. The MB degradation was studied using kinetic behavior and …

Environmental And Social Strategies, And Sustainable Performance: The Mediating Role Of Management Control Systems, Zheng Siqi

Student Works (2020-2029)

This study investigates how environmental and social (E&S) strategies influence enterprise sustainability performance (SP), with a focus on the mediating roles of Environmental Management Control Systems (EMCS) and Social Management Control Systems (SMCS). Anchored in the Resource-Based View (RBV), the study conceptualizes E&S strategies, EMCS, and SMCS as internal organizational resources that support the implementation of sustainability-related strategic intent. Although Chinese manufacturing enterprises face increasing regulatory and societal expectations regarding environmental and social responsibilities, prior research has primarily examined the direct association between sustainability strategies and performance outcomes or has treated sustainability control systems as aggregated constructs, providing comparatively less …

A 682-Second X-Ray Periodicity In Ch Cygni: Evidence For A Magnetic White Dwarf, Manuel Pichardo Marcano, Thomas J. Maccarone, Liliana E. Rivera Sandoval

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Symbiotic stars are interacting binaries consisting of a red giant and typically a white dwarf (WD), which are important as potential Type Ia supernova progenitors. Despite theoretical predictions that WDs in symbiotic systems should often be magnetic, direct evidence has been elusive. We report the discovery of a 682.5 ± 7 s periodicity in the XMM–Newton X-ray light curve that we interpret as the spin period of the WD in CH Cygni. This detection provides strong evidence for a magnetic WD in CH Cygni, making it only the second WD symbiotic star with confirmed X-ray pulsations after R Aquarii. Our …

Molecular Detection Of Genes Encoded For Biofilm Formation In Bacteria Isolated From The Oral Cavity Of Patients, Tebarek Al-Taei, Ali A. Al-Hisnawi

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Background: A biofilm is a collection of the microbial cells attached to the surface that are encased in a matrix of extracellular polymers. Biofilm formation creates a physical and chemical barrier that prevents antibiotics from reaching bacterial cells, resulting in treatment failure and reinfection. The present study aimed to investigate the biofilm formation in bacteria isolated from the oral cavity of patients.

Methods: In this study, 150 bacterial isolates were obtained from tooth and gum surface swabs of male and female patients of different ages who visited specialized centers and dental clinics in Babylon City after they were clinically diagnosed …

A Virtual Community Math Circle, Skona Brittain, Sayonita Ghosh Hajra, Steve Heller, Daniel Hodgins, Peter Petto, Gabriella Pinter, Lauren Rose, A. Gwinn Royal, Asmita Sodhi

Journal of Math Circles

The Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival (JRMF) Community Math Circle is free, volunteer-run, and online. We collaborate with JRMF and use their activities in our events. Started during the pandemic, the Community Math Circle continues to thrive. We have about 40 participants attending every month, typically kids aged 6 to 13, teachers, facilitators, and other adults. This article describes how our event is organized, planned, and executed, and how we train facilitators. We will also offer reflections on our successes and challenges.

Whose Water Is It, Anyway? Federalism And Texas V. New Mexico, Bryon Louk

Arkansas Law Review

When a problem erupts between two states, interstate compacts provide a solution without the need for a nationwide decision. Rather than waiting for federal consensus, the states can, with Congressional approval, compact to solve their problems. However, the Supreme Court’s decision in Texas v. New Mexico (Texas II) has threatened interstate compacts, ignored principles of federalism, and overextended its original jurisdiction. It has allowed the United States to force Texas and New Mexico to keep fighting over a compact, even when the states have resolved their issues on their own.

First, this Comment will describe the legal background of compact …

Metal-Free Nitrogen-Enriched Graphitic Carbon Nitride Architectures For Advanced Supercapacitor Energy Storage: Design, Synthesis, And Electrochemical Performance Optimization, Loujain Gamal Mohamed

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This thesis addresses the urgent global requirement for efficient energy storage materials by developing and characterizing advanced graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based electrode materials for supercapacitors. A facile, low-cost thermal polymerization method produces 2D nitrogen-rich GCN nanosheets exhibiting excellent electrochemical stability and wide voltage windows, enabling symmetric devices with 19.33 Wh/kg energy density and remarkable cycling stability over 21,000 cycles. To overcome intrinsic limitations of pristine GCN, a 3D/2D metal free composite with bio-derived carbon (Bio-Cx) is synthesized, delivering high capacitance, wide potential windows, and ultrahigh energy density of 53.72 Wh/kg in asymmetric configurations paired with mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon (MPNDC). …

Re: Approval Letter For The Draft Final 2026 Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Mcdermott Basin Creek Water Treatment Plant Subsurface Fill Borrow Submittal #1, Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Conditional Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Potential Logan, Montana, Borrow Source Site Environmental Assessment Checklist, Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

On Cartan’S Examples Of Isoparametric Hypersurfaces And Their Focal Submanifolds, Thomas E. Cecil, Patrick J. Ryan

Mathematics and Computer Science Department Faculty Scholarship

This paper is a survey of Cartan’s examples of isoparametric hypersurfaces in spheres and their focal submanifolds that were described in his fundamental work on the subject, which appeared in four papers [2]–[5] published during the period 1938–1940.

Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Tissue Classification From Pathology Slide Images: Detecting Phenotypes Using Computer Vision, Chloe Martin-King, Ali Nael, Louis Ehwerhemuepha, Blake Calvo, Quinn Gates, Jamie Janchoi, Elisa Ornelas, Melissa Perez, Andrea Venderby, John Miklavcic, Peter Chang, Aaron Sassoon, Brian Rubio, Ghislaine Barrigan, Kenneth Grant

Food Science Faculty Articles and Research

Background and Aims

Methods

Results …

Constraining The Impact Threat From Small Bodies In Near Earth And Cislunar Space, Skylar G. Butler, Jarrett Dieterle, Henry Sanders, Aiden Kelleher

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Understanding and mitigating the impact threat posed by small bodies in near-Earth and cislunar space is vital for planetary defense, spacecraft safety, and sustainable space operations. This research integrates dynamical evolution modeling, synthetic observations, and reprocessed infrared data to assess the origins and potential hazards of debris from young asteroid families. By modeling the trajectories and orbital evolution of fragments from the Datura, Emilkowalski, 1992 YC2, Lucascavin (Nesvorný & Vokrouhlický, 2006), and Veritas (Nesvorný et al., 2003) families, we constrain how these sources contribute to near-Earth debris populations. Reprocessing Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) data with Fourier-filtering techniques reveals fine-structure variations …

Solar Wind–Magnetosphere Coupling During The September 2025 Cme: Multi-Spacecraft Analysis Using Mms And Omni Data, Skylar G. Butler, Margret Stanley

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

A sequence of two coronal mass ejections (CMEs) impacted Earth in early September 2025, producing consecutive geomagnetic disturbances. The first CME, launched on 31 August 2025 and observed as a halo in SOHO/LASCO imagery, reached Earth on 1 September (~20:45 UTC), generating a clear interplanetary shock. OMNI 1-min solar-wind data show a sudden rise in |B| from ≈ 5 nT to > 25 nT, proton density and velocity increases (≈ 350 → 600 km s⁻¹), and a southward IMF Bz interval that drove enhanced coupling. The Kyoto Dst index recorded a sudden storm commencement followed by a minimum of −75 nT …

How Hidden Companions Skew Stellar Ages: A Binary-Inclusive Analysis Of Ngc 2168, Skylar G. Butler

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

We expand upon our previous analysis of NGC 2168 (M35), which investigated the precision of isochrone-based age determination for individual main-sequence stars using photometric modeling. Building on that earlier framework, we now assess how inferred stellar ages change when each object is modeled under the assumption that it may possess an unresolved binary companion. Using post burn in posterior samples from the same dataset, we computed the mean Stage 3 ages for more than 3,000 cluster members with binaries turned on, allowing a direct comparison to our prior results with binaries turned off. The resulting age distribution peaks near 2.1 …

Modeling The Secondary Catastrophic Disruption Of The Veritas Family, Jarrett Dieterle, Skylar G. Butler, Aiden Kelleher

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

The Veritas asteroid family, located in the outer main belt, is believed to have formed from the catastrophic breakup of a parent body approximately 8.3 million years ago (e.g., Nesvorný et al., 2003). Larger fragments remained in the main belt, while smaller particles evolved inward under radiation forces, forming a toroidal dust structure observable in infrared data as paired bands. Previous studies (e.g., Dermott et al., 2001) have shown that these bands can be linked to their parent families and modeled from their initial disruptions. We propose that the 10° dust bands associated with Veritas may record evidence of a …

Building The Erau Solar Telescope: Advancing Heliophysics Research And Education Through Optical Innovation, Erin Abraham, Sarah Hoover, Skylar G. Butler, Margret Stanley, Gwynlyn Hannah

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

The new Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Solar Telescope represents a campus-wide collaboration to design and install a high-resolution solar observatory. The ERAU solar telescope, aiming for first light by Summer 2026, will integrate research-grade instrumentation, student training opportunities, and expand public engagement with the ERAU observatory. The telescope is housed within a 2.3-meter refurbished dome structure whose electrical and structural systems are being upgraded to support automated dome rotation and environmental stabilization. The optical design features a multi-element lens and mirror assembly optimized for a 1° field of view. The optical assembly includes a downport centered in the dome that …

Development Of An Artificial Immune System Based Intruder Detection Algorithm For Comparison With A Novel Intruder Detection Strategy., Jaden Caradine

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

"This project aims to develop an Artificial Immune System inspired intruder detection system based on current state-of-the-art strategies. Traditional intruder detection systems are not equipped to handle the evolving landscape of cyber security. Signature based detection systems require a database of known signatures and traditional anomaly detection systems are plagued with false positives. By contrast, Artificial Immune Systems can respond to threats never encountered. They are adaptive, proactive, and resilient to interference. This makes them ideal for determining when a system is behaving abnormally. Researchers are developing a novel intruder detection system, but they need a baseline to compare it …