Digital Commons Network^™

Phys 141

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Phys 212

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Phys 343

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Water Current, Volume 55, No. 1, Spring 2023

Water Current Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Droughtscape, Spring 2023, National Drought Mitigation Center

DroughtScape: Quarterly Newsletter of the National Drought Mitigation Center (2007–2023)

DroughtScape, Spring 2023

Solar Feasibility At The Northeast Wastewater Treatment Facility, Kate Allen, Liam Baker, Madilyn Jaskae

Environmental Engagement in the Community (ENVR 319): Student Projects

Environmental Engagement in the Community projects, spring 2023

A poster titled Solar Feasibility at the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Facility for client City of Lincoln, Nebraska, Transportation and Utilities.

Norfolk Solar Installation: Water Processing Facilities, Jackson Ness, Evvie Yendra, Zoe Zingler

Environmental Engagement in the Community (ENVR 319): Student Projects

Environmental Engagement in the Community projects, spring 2023

A poster titled Norfolk Solar Installation: Water Processing Facilities for client City of Norfolk, Nebraska.

Understanding The Participation Gap At Predominantly White Institutions: Examining Institutional Practices That Prevent Black Students From Studying Abroad, Jamil Funnah

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Study abroad is an opportunity students in higher education increasingly participate in (Institute of International Education, 2022). However college Students of Color, particularly Black students, participate in study abroad at disproportionately lower rates when compared to their white peers. This case study seeks to understand the multiple influences that inform lower levels of Black student participation in study abroad. Using Gusa’s (2010) white institutional presence framework, I examine multiple data points within a singular site including institutional messaging, procedures, and students interviews. Findings showed that multiple reasons impact Black students' decisions to study abroad. Understanding the findings can lead to …

Spectroscopic Sensor Data Fusion To Improve The Prediction Of Soil Nutrient Contents, Bidhan Ghimire

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study aims to advance the understanding and application of spectroscopic sensor data fusion for improving soil nutrient content predictions. In addition to presenting an extensive review of studies on the spectroscopic sensor data fusion, a research investigation was conducted to assess the effectiveness of five fusion algorithms in predicting three primary nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium) and two secondary nutrients (Calcium and Magnesium) in soil using Visible and Near-Infrared, Mid-Infrared, and X-ray Fluorescence data. Among the five fusion algorithms, one was a low-level fusion involving data concatenation. Two were mid-level fusions, incorporating feature extraction by applying (i) Principal Component …

Estimating Crop Stomatal Conductance Through High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping, Junxiao Zhang

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

During photosynthesis and transpiration, crops exchange carbon dioxide and water with the atmosphere through stomata. When a crop experiences water stress, stomata are closed to reducing water loss. However, the closing of stomata also negatively affects the photosynthetic efficiency of the crop and leads to lower yields. Stomatal conductance (gs) quantifies the degree of stomatal opening and closing by using the rate of gas exchange between the crop and the atmosphere, which helps to understand the water status of the crop for better irrigation management. Unfortunately, gs measurement typically requires contact measuring instruments and manual collection in the field, which …

Characterization Of Physical And Biochemical Traits In Wheat And Corn Plants Using High Throughput Image Analysis, Kantilata Thapa

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Plant phenotyping has been recognized as a rapidly growing field of research due to the labor-intensive, destructive, and time-consuming nature of traditional phenotyping methods. These phenotyping bottlenecks can be addressed by advancements in image-based phenotyping like RGB and hyperspectral imaging for the assessment of plant traits important for breeding purposes. This study aims (1) to characterize the physical and biochemical traits of wheat and corn plants using RGB and hyperspectral imaging in the greenhouse, and (2) to estimate leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content using hyperspectral imaging and an analytical spectral device (ASD spectrometer) and compare the …

Jpl Robotic Avionics & Sensor Kit (Rask), John Helzer

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

No abstract provided.

A Strategic Audit Of A Company In The Alcoholic Beverages Industry: Anheuser-Busch Inbev, Ava Dunne, Patrick Malec, Andrew Shank, Elizabeth Foral, Hannah Rethmeier

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This strategic audit provides a comprehensive analysis of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest brewer. The audit examines the company's business model, competitive position, financial performance, and future growth prospects. It also assesses the impact of external factors such as changing consumer preferences, government regulations, and technological innovations on the company's operations. The audit identifies key strengths and weaknesses of Anheuser-Busch InBev, as well as potential opportunities and threats in the beer industry. Based on this analysis, the audit provides recommendations for strategic actions that the company can take to enhance its competitive position, achieve sustainable growth, and mitigate potential risks. …

Design Of Wythe Connectors For Concentrated Out-Of-Plane Loading Of Insulated Walls, Ammar Al-Maabreh, Fray F. Pozo, Marc Maguire

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Partially composite concrete insulated wall panels must be designed to handle different types of loading, including out-of-plane concentrated loads. Currently, there is a lack of information that describes and helps engineers analyze the mechanics of axial load transfer for insulated wall panels for concentrated out-of-plane loads that may occur from lifting, handling, or floor/roof reactions. Such loading generates axial and shear forces in the wythe connectors, making it important to choose the type and quantity of connectors in the design process. This paper aims to develop a better understanding of out-of-plane point load mechanics on concrete sandwich wall panels. A …

Werner Enterprises Strategic Audit, Leavitt K. Reno

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Werner Enterprises is a large trucking company based in Omaha, Nebraska, operating out of 15 terminals around the country. It is among the top five trucking companies in the United States. This report examines the trucking industry and where Werner Enterprises stands within it, as well as Werner Enterprises’ competitive advantages, and how future challenges of the trucking industry may affect the company. The report utilizes a PESTEL and Porter’s Five Forces analysis to closer examine the external environment and industry Werner Enterprises operates in. Following this evaluation, recommendations are provided based on Werner Enterprises’ current positioning and future challenges …

Agen/Bsen 112 Final Project: Moving And Temperament Of Cattle, Elly Vo, Taetum Baxa, Ved Patel, Brady Giles, Tami M. Brown-Brandl, Rossana Villa-Rojas

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Cattle movement and weather may affect the body temperature of cows which in turn affects their natural behavior and can influence their metabolism. Cattle take several days to resume their normal eating patterns after being overheated, and that can affect dairy production. This project was assigned to study the effect of temperament (calm vs excitable) and evaporative cooling on the body temperature of moving animals to optimize the environmental conditions around the cattle and consequently, dairy production.

The project began with processing of a data set from Tami Brown-Brandl who was the client/adviser for the group. The data contained the …

Drinking Water Contaminants: Bacteria, Bruce I. Dvorak, Becky O. Schuerman

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Testing drinking water for fecal bacteria or Escherichia coli (E. coli) is commonly used as an indicator of the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. The presence of pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms is a concern when considering the safety of drinking water. Pathogenic microorganisms can cause flu-like systems, intestinal infections, dysentery, hepatitis, typhoid fever, cholera, and other illnesses.

Crpl 400/800: Introduction To Planning—A First Project Benchmark Portfolio, Abigail L. Cochran

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

In this benchmark portfolio, I reflect on course design and assess student learning in a cross-listed course that serves as a core, introductory course for all undergraduate minor and graduate major students in the Community and Regional Planning (CRP) program, CRPL 400/800: Introduction to Planning. CRPL 400/800 is a survey course intended to introduce students to the discipline of community and regional planning. I taught this course fully online in the spring of 2023, which represented a new format for the class (it is typically taught in person) and a new format of instruction for me. Content wise, this course …

Alec 805 Teaching Portfolio: Exploring Students' Teaching Effectiveness, Becky Haddad

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This portfolio explores students attainment on InTASC Standards 1 & 3 through ALEC 805: Advanced Teaching Strategies. Students completed an initial teaching roots reflection and a final education philosophy that served as the basis for analyzing growth in effective teaching. Overall, students had more statements discussing teaching methods and strategies in their final education philosophies than they did in their initial reflections, but used their own experience to substantiate these methods much less. This provides opportunities for additional synthesis and reflection through the course, as well as opportunities for future scholarship in the course focused on students' connection to their …

Exploring Stem Teaching Assistants’ Self-Efficacy And Its Relation To Approaches To Teaching, Cody R. Smith, Deepika Menon, Annette Wierzbicki, Jenny M. Dauer

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

Undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants (TAs) play large roles in introductory undergraduate education despite having little to no teaching experience or professional development (PD). Self-efficacy and teaching approach have each been studied as independent variables that impact teaching performance and student learning in the absence of practiced skill or developed knowledge. This study explored relationships between TAs’ teaching approaches and teaching self-efficacy. Self-efficacy was measured using the Graduate Teaching Self-Efficacy Scale (GTA-TSES), and teaching approach was measured using the Approaches to Teaching Inventory (ATI). The following research questions guided the study: What is the relationship between TAs’ approaches to teaching …

A Look Into The Physiological Impacts Of Childhood Cancers And Modeling Of Tumor Growth Rate, Erica Steiner, Kimberly Hansen, Marissa Stanton

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases present in the world. Children have different reactions to diseases and treatments; thus, it is important to study those reactions specifically in children. Knowing how children are impacted by these factors can be helpful in diagnosis and treatment of cancer. I performed this study by researching the different types of cancer I was interested in and using MATLAB to code for and simulate a growth curve of a brain tumor. I found that there are many different physiological impacts of different cancers in children. As for the modeling, I was able to get …

A Device For Measuring Acoustic Output Intensity Of Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound Transducers For Comparison With Fda Regulations, Sarah Altman, Gregory Bashford, Benjamin Hage

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography (TCD) is a non-invasive methodology which can evaluate cerebral blood flow velocity in real time. Single-element focused circular transducers placed on the scalp produce ultrasound waves capable of penetrating the skull with minimal aberration, enabling measurement of the Doppler shift. As such, TCD can measure blood flow velocity in the internal carotid and vertebral arteries, as well as the arteries of the Circle of Willis: the Anterior Cerebral (ACA), Posterior Cerebral (PCA), and Middle Cerebral Arteries (MCA). Intracranial aneurysm and ischemic stroke are serious conditions in which ballooning or occlusion of cerebral vessels cause insufficient perfusion, leading …

United States Geological Survey Response To The Office Of Science And Technology Policy Memo, 2022: Public Access Plan (April 2023)

Copyright, Fair Use, Scholarly Communication, etc.

USGS response to OSTP memo, 2022: Public Access Plan (April 2023)

Facing Wicked Problems During A Pandemic And Beyond: A Case Study In Using Design Thinking For Ctl Development And Growth, Jenna Pack Sheffield, Devon Moore

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

In this article, the authors share the challenges we faced as we launched a center for teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we describe how we used design thinking as a strategy for working through these challenges. The article presents an overview of the design thinking process, a case study of our application of the process, and recommendations for how educational developers can leverage design thinking as a strategy for solving problems related to limited resources and low faculty engagement.

Learning Communities Promote Pedagogical Metacognition In Higher Education Faculty, Audrey J. Tocco, Lauren A. Mehrhoff, Haley M. Osborn, Lyda F. Mccartin, Molly M. Jameson

To Improve the Academy: A Journal of Educational Development

Pedagogical metacognition, or the reflective and reflexive actions associated with teaching practice, strengthens the planning, monitoring, evaluation, and adjustment of teaching in higher education faculty. Learning communities are optimal environments to foster this active teaching reflection. This study incorporated pedagogical metacognition into a faculty learning community curriculum and explored its impacts on higher education instructors’ reflective and reflexive practices. Faculty participants completed monthly metacognitive reflections for one academic year, each corresponding to a research-based principle of learning. Qualitative analysis indicated that faculty learning community participants recognized their lack of pedagogical training, successfully reflected on their teaching strategies, identified areas for …

Snowmass 2021 Computational Frontier Compf4 Topical Group Report Storage And Processing Resource Access, W. Bhimji, D. Carder, E. Dart, J. Duarte, I. Fisk, R. Gardner, C. Guok, B. Jayatilaka, T. Lehman, M. Lin, C. Maltzahn, S. Mckee, M. S. Neubauer, O. Rind, O. Shadura, N. V. Tran, P. Van Gemmeren, G. Watts, B. A. Weaver, F. Würthwein

Holland Computing Center: Faculty Publications

The Snowmass 2021 CompF4 topical group’s scope is facilities R&D, where we consider “facilities” as the hardware and software infrastructure inside the data centers plus the networking between data centers, irrespective of who owns them, and what policies are applied for using them. In other words, it includes commercial clouds, federally funded High Performance Computing (HPC) systems for all of science, and systems funded explicitly for a given experimental or theoretical program. However, we explicitly consider any data centers that are integrated into data acquisition systems or trigger of the experiments out of scope here. Those systems tend to have …

Establishment Of Wildflower Islands To Enhance Roadside Health, Ecological Value, And Aesthetics Phase Ii, Jackson Ebbers, Heidi L. Hillhouse, John A. Guretsky, Thomas J. Weissling

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Interface-Engineered Ferroelectricity Of Epitaxial Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 Thin Films, Shu Shi, Haolong Xi, Tengfei Cao, Weinan Lin, Zhongran Liu, Jiangzhen Niu, Da Lan, Chenghang Zhou, Jing Cao, Hanxin Su, Tieyang Zhao, Ping Yang, Yao Zhu, Xiaobing Yan, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal, He Tian, Jingsheng Chen

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Faculty Publications

Ferroelectric hafnia-based thin films have attracted intense attention due to their compatibility with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology. However, the ferroelectric orthorhombic phase is thermodynamically metastable. Various efforts have been made to stabilize the ferroelectric orthorhombic phase of hafnia-based films such as controlling the growth kinetics and mechanical confinement. Here, we demonstrate a key interface engineering strategy to stabilize and enhance the ferroelectric orthorhombic phase of the Hf_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ thin film by deliberately controlling the termination of the bottom La_0.67Sr_0.33MnO₃ layer. We find that the Hf_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ films on …

Mechanism Of Sphingolipid Homeostasis Revealed By Structural Analysis Of Arabidopsis Spt-Orm1 Complex, Peng Liu, Tian Xie, Xinyue Wu, Gongshe Han, Sita D. Gupta, Zike Zhang, Jian Yue, Feitong Dong, Kenneth Gable, Somashekarappa Niranjanakumari, Wanyuan Li, Lin Wang, Wenchen Liu, Ruifeng Yao, Edgar B. Cahoon, Teresa M. Dunn, Xin Gong

Center for Plant Science Innovation: Faculty Publications

The serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) complex catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step in sphingolipid biosynthesis in all eukaryotes. ORM/ORMDL proteins are negative regulators of SPT that respond to cellular sphingolipid levels. However, the molecular basis underlying ORM/ORMDL-dependent homeostatic regulation of SPT is not well understood.We determined the cryo–electron microscopy structure of Arabidopsis SPT-ORM1 complex, composed of LCB1, LCB2a, SPTssa, and ORM1, in an inhibited state. A ceramide molecule is sandwiched between ORM1 and LCB2a in the cytosolic membrane leaflet. Ceramide binding is critical for the ORM1-dependent SPT repression, and dihydroceramides and phytoceramides differentially affect this repression. A hybrid β sheet, formed …

Conversion Of Fat To Cellular Fuel—Fatty Acids 𝛽-Oxidation Model, Sylwester M. Kloska, Krzysztof Pałczyński, Tomasz Marciniak, Tomasz Talaśka, Marissa Miller, Beata J. Wysocki, Paul Davis, Tadeusz A. Wysocki

School of Computing: Faculty Publications

𝛽-oxidation of fatty acids plays a significant role in the energy metabolism of the cell. This paper presents a 𝛽-oxidation model of fatty acids based on queueing theory. It uses Michaelis–Menten enzyme kinetics, and literature data on metabolites’ concentration and enzymatic constants. A genetic algorithm was used to optimize the parameters for the pathway reactions. The model enables real-time tracking of changes in the concentrations of metabolites with different carbon chain lengths. Another application of the presented model is to predict the changes caused by system disturbance, such as altered enzyme activity or abnormal fatty acid concentration. The model has …