Digital Commons Network^™

Artificial Intelligence Empowering Remote Sensing: Challenges, Paradigms And Strategic Layout, Jiayuan Shen, Peirui Cheng, Zhirui Wang, Wei Liang, Xian Sun, Yirong Wu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Remote sensing science and technology, as a key discipline for Earth observation and global change research, faces systemic challenges in processing massive multi-source data, accurately extracting complex information, and delivering high-timeliness application services. The rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) provide a new opportunity to address the deep-seated dilemma in remote sensing of being “data-rich but insufficient in effective information mining”. Guided by a problem-oriented approach, this study first systematically analyzes the core challenges facing the development of remote sensing across four dimensions: data understanding, technical methods, scientific mechanisms, and application ecosystems. It then reviews the technical evolution of AI-empowered …

Artificial Intelligence For Deep Earth Science: Key Challenges, Major Application Scenarios And Development Pathways, Qingyun Di, Liang Zhao, Yikang Zheng, Zhi Geng, Zhichao Yu, Xiaocai Shan, Chao Li, Zhiyao Xu, Pengfei Lv

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Deep Earth science is central to understanding Earth’s internal architecture and the coupled evolution of its major spheres, while also underpinning energy security, the supply of critical mineral resources, and resilience to major geohazards. Nevertheless, the advancement of deep Earth science is currently hindered by insufficient in situ observations under extreme conditions, the difficulty of integrating multi-source heterogeneous data, and the limited capability to model complex multiphysics coupling processes. Recent advances in artificial intelligence offer a potential route beyond these limitations. By integrating data-driven learning with physical and geological understanding, AI is reshaping deep Earth science from empirical interpretation to …

Artificial Intelligence For Science: Connotations, Characteristics, And System, Kaihua Chen, Heyang Li, Hongxin Liu, Binbin Zhao, Shuo Yang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Artificial intelligence is profoundly transforming the fundamental nature of scientific research, reshaping its modes of knowledge production and organizational operation, driving the emergence of a new artificial intelligence for science (AI4S) research paradigm, and accelerating full-chain innovation paradigm transformation. This study defines the basic connotations of AI4S across three dimensions, namely, enabling applications, tools and methods, and epistemic knowledge, and systematically identifies five core characteristics: human-machine symbiosis, autonomous evolution, interdisciplinary integration, resource intensity, and open ecosystems. It further constructs a supporting system and operational architecture encompassing layers of infrastructure, data resources, model tools, task execution, and application scenarios. Building on …

Building Basic Research Ecosystem To Consolidate Foundation Of Strong Nation, Xin Fang, Ke Wen

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Basic research is the source of the entire scientific system and the master switch for all technological problems. This study systematically reviews the evolution of the connotation and functions of basic research, and explores the new characteristics of basic research development triggered by the paradigm shift of AI for Science (AI4S): the shift of activity subjects from human‑dominated to human‑machine collaboration, the comprehensive restructuring of organizational models, the increasingly prominent strategic value of public intelligent research infrastructure, and the growing urgency to coordinate security and governance institution building. Addressing the demands of the new era, the study proposes principles and …

Optimizing Institution Of Demand-Oriented Basic Research, Promoting Deep Integration Of Technological Innovation And Industrial Innovation, Wei Lyu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

From both theoretical and domestic and international practical perspectives, this study analyzes the connotation and classification of demand-oriented basic research. It examines the expenditure structure, main pathways, and major existing problems of demand-oriented basic research in China. Based on three levels—strategically guided systematic basic research, frontier-guided exploratory basic research, and market-oriented applied basic research—it categorizes and studies the funding mechanisms and organizational models of demand-oriented basic research in combination with practice, and provides relevant suggestions for improving the quality enhancement mechanisms of demand-oriented basic research.

Logic And Path Of Transformation Reform Between Old And New Research Evaluation Models, Fang Xu, Xiaoxuan Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The national 15th Five-Year Plan once again emphasizes breaking the four-only criteria. Why is it so difficult to dismantle the four-only criteria? This study argues that an in-depth analysis of the underlying logical relationship between the old label-based evaluation model and the new connotation-oriented quality evaluation model is required to address this question. The study finds that the label-based evaluation model is a rational choice under specific historical circumstances and it has delivered positive effects. During the transition toward connotation-oriented quality evaluation, problems concerning indicators such as academic papers have been well resolved. Nevertheless, national science and technology awards and …

Upholding Long-Termism In Basic Research To Shape Leading Advantage Of Automotive Industry, Yubo Lian

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that basic research is the origin of the entire scientific system and the master switch for all technological issues, emphasizing that it must be advanced with greater efforts and more concrete measures. Upholding long-termism in basic research means placing it at the foundation of the innovation chain and maintaining continuous investment with strategic patience characterized by a long-term horizon and high tolerance for failure. Drawing on the author’s industrial practice, this study systematically reviews the characteristics and roles of basic research throughout the development of China’s new energy vehicle industry. In light of …

Advancing Paradigm Of Quantitative Synthetic Biology And Strengthening Mission-Oriented Basic Research, Chenli Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Synthetic biology is an important frontier in the life sciences, yet its further development remains constrained by limited capacity for rational design. Quantitative synthetic biology, which iteratively integrates quantitative modeling with the construction and analysis of synthetic systems, offers a promising paradigm for addressing this challenge. In this perspective, the study discusses the background and motivations underlying the emergence of this field and summarizes recent developments and exploratory efforts. Considering the unique characteristics of quantitative synthetic biology, it is suggested that progress in the field may benefit from strategically organized collaborative research that balances mission-oriented goals with investigator-driven exploration. On …

Viewpoints On Elevating Capability And Appreciation Of Basic Research, Guojie Li, Wei Zhao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The overall capability and appreciation of a country’s basic research are not solely determined by the efforts of individual researchers, but also hinge on the country’s scientific and technological institutional mechanisms and policies. This article presents several viewpoints and suggestions from the perspectives of comprehensively and deeply understanding the connotation of basic research, increasing the proportion of investment in basic research, enhancing the stable support for basic research, and the paradigm shift of AI-driven basic research. These suggestions include: by 2030, adjusting the ratio of pure basic research to oriented basic research from 3.5∶6.5 to 4.5∶5.5, maintaining a balance between …

Problem Formation In Basic Research: Historical Evolution And Contemporary Transformation, Jialing Lyu, Ying Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

“Topic selection” in basic research has long been a central issue in S&T and innovation policy. Traditionally, it has often been understood as the processes of designating promising projects from an existing topic list through peer review and procedural evaluation. Nevertheless, major scientific problems do not always preexist within disciplinary systems, nor are landmark scientific discoveries artificially pre-planned in advance. Rather, they gradually emerge through the continuous interaction among national strategic demands, technological evolution, industrial transformation, and major real-world challenges. This study argues that important directions in basic research are often shaped by the sustained pull of real-world problems on …

Deep Learning Processor: Road To Fundamental Research On Ai Chip, Yunji Chen

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Deep learning processor chips serve as an important computation foundation for the artificial intelligence industry, thus has attracted widespread attention from the international communities. The Institute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences took the lead in initiating fundamental research on deep learning processor chips in 2008. At that time, this research direction had not yet entered the mainstream vision of the international communities, with its academic value and development laws yet to gain widespread recognition, and it was confronted with the challenges of three fundamental scientific issues concerning its significance, principle, and architecture.To address the above issues, the research …

Leading Big Science Initiative And Boosting Basic Research, Nianzhi Jiao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As a core model for conducting cutting-edge research through global collaboration, major international science initiative (ISI) has comprehensively reshaped the development scope, resource landscape, research paradigms, talent systems, and governance ecosystems of basic research (BR). ISI and BR are deeply integrated and iteratively coordinated, forming a vital strategy for humanity to tackle major global scientific challenges. Against the backdrop of deep intertwining between scientific and technological competition and global governance, China taking the lead in ISI has become a strategic imperative for the new era, with the UN Ocean Decade Program ocean negative carbon emissions (ONCE) serving as a successful …

On Crucial Role Of The Spirit Of Chinese Scientists In Basic Research, Xin Wang, Chuanxi Wang, Changpu Sun

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Basic research is the source of original innovation and the foundation for building a strong nation in science and technology. Compared with applied development research and engineering research, basic research is primarily concerned with exploring the frontiers, proposing new concepts, discovering new laws, and establishing new theories. Its outcomes are often difficult to predict in advance and are rarely subject to sufficient experimental and practical verification within a short time frame. These characteristics expose basic research to three inherent challenges in the philosophy of science. First, the experimental verification of fundamental theories often requires a long period of time. Second, …

Teaching Intercultural Communicative Competence (Icc) At The Afl Novice Level: Teachers’ Practices And Constraints, Nancy Fahmy

Theses and Dissertations

Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) is widely recognized as a core objective in language education; however, its implementation in novice-level Arabic as a Foreign Language (AFL) classroom remains insufficiently examined. This study explores what strategies do AFL teachers use to integrate ICC principles at the beginner level (A1–A2), the constraints that shape classroom practice, teachers’ assessment approaches, and perceived professional development needs.

Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected through a bilingual (Arabic–English) online survey completed by 54 AFL teachers working across instructional contexts in Egypt, Jordan, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Qualitative data were subsequently gathered …

Ucedd Innovations Lead To Idd Networks’ Driving Change: Envision, Empower, Employ, Suzzanne Freeze, Jean Winsor, Brittany M. Powers, Amy Huppi

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

State systems responsible for administering employment services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) must acclimate to changing demands, address new regulations, and continue to meet needs in an era of high workforce turnover and uncertain funding. While improvements have been made across the U.S., there are still far too many individuals seeking meaningful employment and contributory roles in the community who are not supported to achieve those goals. A key success factor is providing publicly funded state systems with the information needed to strategically pivot toward priorities and ensure smooth transitions of organizational change. Our country’s …

Factors Influencing Tourist Interest In Walking Tours In The Kota Tua Area, Novi Handayani, Adrian Hartanto

Journal of Indonesian Tourism and Policy Studies

This study aims to analyze the extent to which the variables of Attraction, Accessibility, Cost and Tarif, Facilities, and Information contribute to Walking tour Interest, both individually (partially) and collectively (simultaneously).  As previous research states that Indonesia has one of the lowest levels of mobility. The average Indonesian walks only 3513 steps per day, while the recommended daily step count for maintaining good health is 5000. This study uses Multiple Linear Regression Analysis as its analysis method using partial hypothesis testing (t-test) and simultaneous hypothesis testing (f-test).. Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed via Google Form to …

A Conceptual Model Of The External Costs Of Truck Overloading On Road Damage, Emissions, And Traffic Congestion: A Systematic Literature Review, Aleksius Sitepu, Sutanto Soehodho, Andyka Kusuma

Smart City

Freight transport services cannot be separated from the infrastructure and facilities involved, each of which faces its own challenges in delivering optimal performance in the logistics sector. A common challenge in Indonesia’s road sector is the presence of overloaded freight vehicles, which has become a national issue. This phenomenon has a negative impact not only on road infrastructure but also on the environment and traffic. This study aims to develop a conceptual model of the external costs caused by truck overloading practices in terms of road infrastructure damage, increased exhaust emissions, and traffic congestion through a systematic literature review. This …

Leveraging A Centralized Fleet Assignment Management For An Aviation Resilience, Inof Seno Acton Mr., Sutanto Soehodho, Nahry Yusuf

Smart City

Since deregulation in the aviation industry, competition among airlines has intensified. This competition is shown by the increasing number of routes, service times, aircraft, and airports served. This competition causes not all flight services to meet their targets, resulting in aircraft operating less efficiently. Passenger seats are not filled, and flight delays are becoming more frequent. Obviously, this will negatively impact consumers and the airline's finances. The study focused on assigning the fleet used to serve flights to maintain existing aviation services and improve aircraft operational efficiency. This study aims to maximize profits by optimizing fleet assignments through the Centralized …

Optimization Of Sea Transportation Services In The Kepulauan Seribu Using The Vehicle Routing Problem (Vrp) Model, Darmadi Darmadi, Sutanto Soehodho, Nahry Nahry

Smart City

The Kepulauan Seribu regency relies heavily on sea transportation for passenger mobility and goods distribution. However, current systems face efficiency challenges, high operational costs, and potential imbalances between demand and service capacity. This study proposes a framework to optimize sea transportation services in the Kepulauan Seribu using the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) method, especially the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem – Many Single Depot (CVRP–MSD) model with heterogeneous fleets and mixed cargo (passenger and goods). The main objective is to minimize total operating costs, which include fixed costs of using the vessel and variable travel costs, and unmet demand, both passenger …

Retirement At Risk: The Political Economy Of Public Pension Governance, Allen Mendenhall, Dan Sutter

Journal of New Finance

State public pension systems manage over $6 trillion in assets while facing approximately $1.3 trillion in unfunded liabilities, raising fundamental questions about governance effectiveness and fiduciary accountability. This Article examines these challenges through the analytical framework of governance, applying insights from public choice, principal-agent models, and corporate governance to argue that details in implementation significantly impact outcomes.  We offer Ohio’s State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) as a case study. Recent governance reforms in Ohio—including legislative restructuring of the STRS board and enactment of fiduciary standards legislation modeled on the American Legislative Exchange Council’s framework—suggest the potential for earlier governance problems. …

Analyzing Retirement Systems Through A Triad Framework: Lessons For U.S. Reform, Romina Boccia, Ivane Nachkebia

Journal of New Finance

As U.S. Social Security approaches insolvency, this paper analyzes the program’s challenges through a political economy lens and makes two new contributions. First, it introduces a normative triad framework for evaluating retirement systems based on individual autonomy, fiscal sustainability, and poverty alleviation. Second, it applies this framework to five advanced economies—Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, and the U.S.—to identify institutional features associated with differences in outcomes. Deriving implications for U.S. reform, we propose four recommendations: transition Social Security to a flat-benefit system, slow benefit growth, adopt automatic stabilizers, and expand flexible savings options.

Natural Behavior Vs. Subjective Experience In Fish Welfare Assessments, Ronald G. Oldfield

Animal Sentience

Several commentaries on the Oldfield & Bonano (2024) target article proposed that natural behavior should play a larger role in assessing the welfare of fishes in zoos and aquariums. However, the natural-behavior concept of animal welfare has been widely criticized because natural behaviors do not necessarily improve welfare, and unnatural behaviors do not necessarily reduce it. I review the three major concepts of animal welfare — physical health, natural behavior, and affect/feelings — and argue that behavior patterns, whether natural or otherwise, should be evaluated according to their effects on health and subjective experience. Using the affect/feelings concept and the …

Social Media And Health Information Sharing In Nigeria: Trends In Weight Loss And Cosmetic Procedures, Victoria Ochanya Agbo

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the role of social media in facilitating (mis)information on weight loss and cosmetic surgeries in Nigeria. Utilizing the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), the study examines information shared by influencers, audience engagements with such messages, and the factors influencing audience receptivity of the messages. Using a qualitative design, a thematic analysis was conducted on influencer posts and audience responses to such posts across major social media platforms. The findings show that influencers frequently framed cosmetic surgery and weight loss as aspirational lifestyle choices and downplayed the medical risks using means such as testimonials, visual transformations, and authenticity cues. …

"Using A Sledgehammer To Crack A Nut" A Proposal To Re-Frame The Media Industry's Perspective On Generative Ai, Reace Barnett

Student Theses and Dissertations

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) continues to be a divisive topic in the media industry and there are concerns about technical challenges that may affect GenAI’s trustworthiness and reliability. As such, fears of degraded public trust in media products and services have arisen, and while we have a tendency to trust machines, it is clear that public attitudes toward automated decision-making are contentious. Previous research on machine cues found that they are associated with increased perceived objectivity and willingness to disclose information. Conversational GenAI may reduce political polarization, yet many people remain worried about risks such as bias, hallucinations, improper attribution, …

Boundaries Of Belonging: The Role Of Christian Campus Climate In Lgbtq+ Student Suicidality, Madison L. Vaccaro

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

LGBTQ+ students at religiously-affiliated colleges experience unique stressors related to discrimination, campus climate, and stigma, which have been linked to negative outcomes including suicidal ideation. Drawing on sociocultural theories of suicide and minority stress, the present study examined whether internalized LGBTQ+ related stigma mediated the relationships between discrimination, negative campus climate, and suicidal ideation among college students attending religious institutions. Participants (N = 75) included college students who identified as LGBTQ+, recruited mainly within the Pacific Northwest. Participants were majority White, assigned female at birth (AFAB), and diverse in gender identity and sexual orientation. Measures assessed experiences of discrimination, campus …

The Political Culture Of Taxation, Steven M. Karceski, Steven Pfaff

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

In My Tax Dollars: The Morality of Taxpaying in America, Ruth Braunstein explores the political culture of taxation in contemporary America. Calling our attention to the origins of contemporary tax debates, she shows how morality and American civil religion influence how citizens understand taxation, citizenship, and the proper scope of government. In this article, we review Braunstein's main arguments and the evidence she presents in support of them. We take stock of the book's theoretical frame work and the applicability of the concepts it borrows from the sociology of religion. For all there is to like about Braunstein's book, …

Education For Sustainable Economic Development – Insights From Brazil, Ozéias Rodrigues Da Rocha

Doctoral

Purpose: This doctoral thesis examines the impact of Education for Economic Sustainable Development (ESD) in the municipality of Turmalina-MG, Brazil, with a focus on how primary education contributes to sustainable economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity. The research is guided by the central question: What is the impact of Education for Economic Sustainable Development (ESD)? The study also evaluates the extent to which local educational initiatives align with specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Methodology: Data were collected from one dominant primary school in Turmalina-MG through semi-structured …

An Untapped Resource: Exploring The Role Of Spirituality In The Psychological Healing Of African Asylum-Seekers From A Counselor’S Perspective, Brittany A. Duncan

Dissertations

This qualitative study explored how counselors perceive and integrate spirituality into the psychological healing of African asylum-seekers, a population facing compounded cultural, legal, and existential challenges. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, the study examined the lived experiences of eight counselors working with this population. Findings revealed that counselors’ personal sense of religion influenced their comfort and approach in broaching spiritual topics, with both positive (e.g., spirituality as a source of support and community) and negative (e.g., religion as a source of suffering) associations shaping clinical engagement. Many participants reported limited access to trainings geared towards increasing their cultural competence related to …

Interview With Orca Winner John Hibbing, Political Science; How Political Attitudes Correlate With Physiological Traits, Mark A. Griep, John Hibbing

UNL ORCA Interview Series

Dr. John Hibbing was awarded the ORCA in 1993. John was born in 1953 in Paullina, Iowa. He earned a bachelor's in secondary education from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, but then realized that teaching high school wasn't for him. Instead, he attended the University of Iowa, where he earned a master's and doctorate in political science. In 1981, he joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an assistant professor of political science and rose quickly through the ranks. Initially, he studied the reasons that members of the U.S. Congress retire. This led to a longer-term collaboration with Kevin Smith and …

Driving-Related Challenges For Autistic Youth, Jeong-Heun Kim

ETDs from 2020-2029

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face barriers to driving. Despite evidence that they have potential to drive safely, some unique challenges exist, manifested in a substantially lower licensure rate than typically developing (TD) peers and restricted driving patterns among this population. Therefore, the overarching goal of this dissertation project was to investigate driving-related challenges that young autistic people face. Both objective and subjective measures were used to comprehensively explore this research topic. The first two papers focused on investigating perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral factors underlying hazard response using data from a total of 34 licensed drivers (17 with …