Digital Commons Network^™

Descending An Inclined Plane With A Large Language Model, Justin C. Dunlap, Ryan Sissons, Ralf Widenhorn

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

[This paper is part of the Focused Collection in Artificial Intelligence Tools in Physics Teaching and Physics Education Research.] We present a study in which a version of a common conservation of mechanical energy introductory physics problem, an object released on an inclined plane, is given to OpenAI’s GPT-4 large language model (LLM). We investigate how different permutations of object, action verb, and property of the incline impact the responses of the LLM. The problem setup and prompting was left purposefully minimal, requiring the LLM to state multiple assumptions to justify the final answer. We specifically studied how different keywords …

Clea Labs For Stellar And Cosmological Astronomy Bottled For Silicon Macintosh, Hansika Reddy Bandela, Yuktha Shetty, Jack C. Straton

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Project CLEA -- CONTEMPORARY LABORATORY EXPERIENCES IN ASTRONOMY -- develops laboratory exercises that illustrate modern astronomical techniques using digital data and color images.

These Labs were developed for Windows, but the authors have bottled them for Silicon Macintosh computers.

Clea Labs For Planetary, Stellar, And Cosmological Astronomy Configured For 64-Bit Windows 11+ Machines, Itan Altamirano, Jack C. Straton

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Project CLEA -- CONTEMPORARY LABORATORY EXPERIENCES IN ASTRONOMY -- develops laboratory exercises that illustrate modern astronomical techniques using digital data and color images.

These Labs were developed for 32-bit Windows machines but PSU student Itan Altamirano reconfigured installation programs to bypass steps that ask for DVDs and allowing these 32-bit programs to work on 64-bit Windows 11+ computers.

Clea Labs For Planetary Astronomy Bottled For Silicon Macintosh, Yuktha Shetty, Hansika Reddy Bandela, Jack C. Straton

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Project CLEA -- CONTEMPORARY LABORATORY EXPERIENCES IN ASTRONOMY -- develops laboratory exercises that illustrate modern astronomical techniques using digital data and color images.

These Labs were developed for Windows, but the authors have bottled them for Silicon Macintosh computers.

Citizen’S Rare Plant Watch, Nora Dunkirk, Gabriel Campbell, Kris Freitag

Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank and Plant Conservation Program

Rare species data for plants is lacking, hindering land management decisions and conservation outcomes. With Citizen's Rare Plant Watch, we empower citizen scientists to provide the “eyes on the ground” and collect data needed for conservation decision making in Oregon.

Largely Enhanced Out-Of-Plane Electromechanical Coupling Effects In Two-Dimensional Molybdenum-Disulfide/Boron-Nitride Heterostructures, Qiong Liu, Vijay Kumar Choyal, James E. Morris, Timon Rabczuk, Xiaoning Jiang, Xiaoying Zhuang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The electromechanical coupling effects in two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted great interest. However, for 2D TMDs, piezoelectricity is confined to the basal plane, and the flexoelectricity-derived out-of-plane electromechanical response is usually faint, limiting the applications of this material family using the out-of-plane electromechanical effects. Here, this work reports a facile strategy to greatly enhance the out-of-plane electromechanical response of hexagonal molybdenum disulfide (2H-MoS₂) nanoflakes by stacking monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) on 2H-MoS₂ nanoflakes to form MoS₂/BN heterostructures. The d^eff/₃₃ coefficient of MoS₂/BN can reach a value comparable …

Estimating Electric Power Consumption Of Grid-Enabled Residential Heat Pump Water Heaters, Dana Paresa, Robert Bass

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

We present two methods for estimating compressor electric power consumption of residential heat pump water heaters. Power is calculated using data from voltage and current instrumentation, which add costs and potential failure points to the unit. The two methods presented herein use thermal instrumentation or derived data that are typically included within modern residential heat pump water heaters. One method uses data from lower and upper tank temperature sensors. The other method uses an attribute that is commonly available within grid-enabled flexible load heat pump water heaters. For both methods, fit equations were derived, for which coefficients are tuned to …

A 14-Year Content Analysis Of School-Family Partnership Publications In Counseling: Trends, Gaps, And Future Directions, Yi-Wen Su, Dan Li

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This content analysis examined 55 articles on school-family-community partnerships published in counseling journals between 2010 and 2024, identifying trends in publication type, methodology, and population focus. Most articles (54.54%) were conceptual, with Professional School Counseling leading in publication volume. Limited empirical research and a lack of focus on diverse populations were noted, with only 18.18% addressing racial minorities (primarily Latino and African American) and 5.45% focusing on rural communities. Four primary strategies for strengthening partnerships emerged: Inclusivity, Leadership and Empowerment, Equity-Focused, and Consistent Communication—each aligning with the school counselor’s roles in fostering collaborative, equitable partnerships. Recommendations emphasize a need for …

Evading A Post-Truth World: Rorty’S Foundationless Philosophy For An Acculturating Education, Madhu Narayanan

Educational Leadership and Policy Faculty Publications and Presentations

A challenge for educators is how to teach in a “post-truth” world. Lies, fake news, and a gleeful disregard for facts – what I collectively term mis/information – all seem to undermine the very project of education. The pragmatism of Richard Rorty holds promise to address such issues. I first argue that Rorty’s philosophy of education is of limited use, whereas his broader thoughts on a philosophy without foundations are more relevant. I then suggest that a way forward is to evade the fight against post-truth dynamics altogether. An insistence on rational objectivity and foundational truth are at the root …

Overview Of The Head And Neck Tumor Segmentation For Magnetic Resonance Guided Applications (Hnts-Mrg) 2024 Challenge, Kareem A Wahid, Cem Dede, Dina M El-Habashy, Serageldin Kamel, Michael K Rooney, Yomna Khamis, Moamen R A Abdelaal, Sara Ahmed, Kelsey L Corrigan, Enoch Chang, Stephanie O Dudzinski, Travis C Salzillo, Brigid A Mcdonald, Samuel L Mulder, Lucas Mccullum, Qusai Alakayleh, Carlos Sjogreen, Renjie He, Abdallah S R Mohamed, Stephen Y Lai, John P Christodouleas, Andrew J Schaefer, Mohamed A Naser, Clifton D Fuller

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Magnetic resonance (MR)-guided radiation therapy (RT) is enhancing head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment through superior soft tissue contrast and longitudinal imaging capabilities. However, manual tumor segmentation remains a significant challenge, spurring interest in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automation. To accelerate innovation in this field, we present the Head and Neck Tumor Segmentation for MR-Guided Applications (HNTS-MRG) 2024 Challenge, a satellite event of the 27th International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention. This challenge addresses the scarcity of large, publicly available AI-ready adaptive RT datasets in HNC and explores the potential of incorporating multi-timepoint data to enhance RT …

Establishing Standardized Transthoracic Echocardiography Reference Ranges For Mouse Models: Insights Into The Impact Of Anesthesia, Sex, And Age, Manuela A Oestereicher, Christopher S Ward, Elida Schneltzer, Susan Marschall, Helmut Fuchs, Valerie Gailus-Durner, Ghina Bou About, Mohammed Selloum, Hamid Meziane, Michelle Stewart, Lydia Teboul, Clare Norris, Dale Pimm, Marina Kan, Federico López Gómez, Robert Wilson, Mayra Monroy, Sheraz Pasha, Eva Zabrodska, Jan Prochazka, David Pajuelo Reguera, Zuzana Nichtova, Yann Herault, Sara Wells, Helen Parkinson, Jason D Heaney, Radislav Sedlacek, Xiang Gao, Martin Hrabe De Angelis, Nadine Spielmann

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Mouse models play a critical role in cardiology research, offering valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms, genetics, and potential treatments for cardiovascular diseases. However, the ability to transfer findings in mice between studies is limited by the absence of standardized protocols and valid reference values for the assessment of normal cardiac function in mice. This study aims to establish comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) reference ranges for mice, particularly focusing on C57BL/6N wild-type controls.

Methods: The study, which includes data from over 15,000 mice through the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC), highlights how variables such as sex, age, body weight, …

Rising From The Ashes: Reading Impacts And The Effects Of Recovery Educational Services Following A Major Natural Disaster, Tiffanie Lousia Lambert

Educational Leadership Professional Doctorate Dissertations

This Improvement Science Dissertation examined solutions to improving literacy outcomes for students in an elementary school that experienced a wildfire during the pandemic. School data revealed lagging reading growth among students displaced by the wildfire despite educational recovery efforts. A root cause analysis to understand students' limited reading recovery led to more global concerns about school-wide literacy programming and the limited use of evidence- based approaches. School-wide data revealed that fewer than 30% of students in the school met literacy benchmarks since the wildfire. Though the fires disproportionally impacted low-income neighborhoods with higher representation of English Learners and students receiving …

Beyond Traditional Education: Graduation Rates At An Alternative High School, Kayla Dawn Marie Crook

Educational Leadership Professional Doctorate Dissertations

The study addressed the problem of practice of improving on-time graduation rates for students in alternative education settings. Traditional educational systems often fail to meet the unique needs of students in alternative education programs, which could lead to increased barriers towards on-time graduation. Based on improvement science principles, this research utilized Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to systematically test and refine prioritized change ideas to mitigate these barriers with the goal of increasing graduation rates at the focus school. These change ideas included improving social emotional learning through teacher coaching, personalizing attendance calls, and developing individualized student success plans. Through rapid iterative …

Addressing Disparities Among Latine Students In Special Education, Jesabel Jannette Centeno

Educational Leadership Professional Doctorate Dissertations

This study used Improvement Science to understand and address the overrepresentation of Latine students identified with specific learning disabilities (SLD) in elementary school settings. It highlighted the processes and systems that impacted Latine students' educational opportunities and services--emphasizing the need for culturally and linguistically aligned instructional practices. The study was set in a suburban school district in the Pacific Northwest, where many Latine students received special education services. It investigated the root causes of SLD over-identification among these students. It suggested that enhancing educational outcomes required a focused effort to reduce over- and under-identification in special education. The document now …

A New Interpolated Pseudodifferential Preconditioner For The Helmholtz Equation In Heterogeneous Media, Sebastian Acosta, Tahsin Khajah, Benjamin Palacios

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

This paper introduces a new pseudodifferential preconditioner for the Helmholtz equation in variable media with absorption. The pseudodifferential operator is associated with the multiplicative inverse to the symbol of the Helmholtz operator. This approach is well suited for the intermediate and high-frequency regimes. The main novel idea for the fast evaluation of the preconditioner is to interpolate its symbol, not as a function of the (high-dimensional) phase-space variables, but as a function of the wave speed itself. Since the wave speed is a real-valued function, this approach allows us to interpolate in a univariate setting even when the original problem …

Osa-Diff: An Origin Sampling Based Adversarial Attack Using Diffusion Models, Shayan Jalalipour, Banafsheh Rekabdar

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Diffusion models are becoming an increasingly popular emerging technology, however their use in adversarial attacks remains a scarcely explored topic. We show that diffusion models can be used to create end-to-end hidden adversarial perturbations with high rate of success, and propose a novel diffusion based adversarial attack that allows for substantially faster training time (through improved convergence on high quality images) and with substantially less computational overhead than typical diffusion model training

Foundation Models Boost Low-Level Perceptual Similarity Metrics, Abhijay Ghildyal, Nabajeet Barman, Saman Zadtootaghaj

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

For full-reference image quality assessment (FR-IQA) using deep-learning approaches, the perceptual similarity score between a distorted image and a reference image is typically computed as a distance measure between features extracted from a pretrained CNN or more recently, a Transformer network. Often, these intermediate features require further fine-tuning or processing with additional neural network layers to align the final similarity scores with human judgments. So far, most IQA models based on foundation models have primarily relied on the final layer or the embedding for the quality score estimation. In contrast, this work explores the potential of utilizing the intermediate features …

A Predator-Prey Population Model Of Multiple Species With Separated Competition Terms, Functional Differential Equations, Joon Hyuk Kang

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Bridging Sql Mastery And Career Confidence For Undergraduate Students Through Simulated Job Interviews, Dailin Zheng, Yu Chen, Leslie J. Albert

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Employers increasingly prioritize candidates who can solve real-world Structured Query Language (SQL) problems, particularly during technical interviews. However, many undergraduate students feel underprepared for these interviews because they have not engaged in the deep learning needed to apply SQL concepts confidently. Additionally, students often fail to recognize the career relevance of SQL skills. This Teaching Tip introduces an immersive SQL lesson designed to bridge the gap between conceptual learning and practical application. The lesson includes a mock SQL technical interview, where students apply their knowledge to solve real-world business problems, class discussions on SQL-related careers, and a post-interview debrief to …

Aquatic Invasive Species Survey And Treatment On Lake Umatilla And Lake Celilo 2023-2024 Report, Garbiel E. Campbell, Jacob Rose

Center for Lakes and Reservoirs Publications and Presentations

Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus) is an invasive aquatic plant in the Pacific Northwest that threatens salmon habitat. The Center for Lakes and Reservoirs staff surveyed for this and other aquatic species from 2023 and 2024 in the Columbia River in Lake Umatilla and Lake Celilo. This document summarizes their survey efforts including their protocols, data, and small-scale removal efforts.

The Association Of Human Milk Intake And Outcomes In Biliary Atresia, Mary Elizabeth M Tessier, Jeremy M Schraw, Stacey Beer, Sanjiv Harpavat, M Kyle Jensen, John C Magee, Vicky Ng, Michael E Scheurer, Sarah A Taylor, Benjamin L Shneider

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: Human milk intake has many benefits which could influence outcomes in biliary atresia (BA). However, the role of human milk in BA has not been examined. We hypothesized that human milk intake would be associated with improved outcomes in BA.

Methods: We assessed the impact of any human milk (AHM) as compared to formula only (FO) intake before Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) on outcomes in 447 infants with BA using the PROBE database (NCT00061828) post hoc. The primary outcome was clearance of jaundice (COJ = total bilirubin (TB) < 2 mg/dL by 3 months post-KP). Secondary outcomes included 2-year survival with native liver (SNL), bilirubin levels, cholangitis, ascites, and growth. We assessed the fecal microbiome (n = 8) comparing AHM versus FO.

Results: At baseline, 211 infants received AHM and 215 received …

Testosterone Plus Lifestyle Therapy Improves Skeletal Muscle Glycolysis In Older Men With Obesity And Hypogonadism, Viola Viola, Marlene Aguilar, Maria Liza Duremdes Nava, Alessandra Celli, Reina Armamento-Villareal, Yoann Barnouin, Nicola Napoli, Nagireeddy Putluri, Clifford Qualls, Dennis T Villareal

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objective: Weight loss in older men with obesity and hypogonadism accelerates musculoskeletal decline, yet the underlying metabolic mechanisms remain unclear. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), when added to lifestyle therapy (LT), mitigates this decline, but its metabolic basis has not been defined. We examined skeletal muscle metabolomic adaptations to LT with or without TRT, focusing on glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and carnitine metabolism to identify dominant pathways of metabolic adaptation.

Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (LITROS).

Methods: Eighty-three men aged 65 years or older with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), hypogonadism (testosterone < 10.4 nmol/L), and frailty (Physical Performance Test score ≤31) were randomized to 26 weeks of LT plus TRT (LT+TRT) or LT plus placebo (LT+Pbo). A metabolomic substudy was performed in 44 participants, who underwent serial biopsies of the vastus lateralis for targeted LC-MS/MS analysis of intermediates in glycolysis, PPP, TCA cycle, and carnitine metabolism.

Results: Among the …

Automated Methods For Estimating Blood Alcohol Concentration Level From Facial Cues, Ensiyeh Keshtkaran

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates different approaches for detecting alcohol intoxication in drivers by analysing facial video data. Tackling this issue necessitates the creation of a novel dataset to overcome the limitations of existing datasets. The dataset constructed in this study is the first to include RGB video recordings of individual faces at varying levels of alcohol intoxication during simulated driving, featuring 60 participants with BAC levels ranging from 0 to 0.165 g/100ml. The constructed dataset not only supports this thesis, but also offers the broader scientific community a valuable resource for further study and development.

Building on this, this thesis presents …

Machine Learning For Computer-Aided Diagnostics From Complex Medical Images, Afsah Saleem

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Machine learning has significantly transformed medical image analysis in the current age of artificial intelligence offering vast potential in improving disease diagnosis and management. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading cause of global mortality, emphasizing the need for early detection for effective intervention and prevention. Abdominal Aortic Calcification (AAC) is an early indicator and contributor to Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases (ASCVDs) and is commonly assessed through imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT), X-rays, and Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Among these, lateral spine DXA scans, commonly used for osteoporosis screening, offer a cost-effective and low-radiation opportunity for opportunistic CVD risk …

Modelling The Impacts Of Recreational Catch-And-Release Variability On Fish Stock Dynamics, Brett Crisafulli

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Recreational fisheries often lack sufficient data for robust stock assessments, and post-release mortality (PRM) of discarded fish, particularly demersal species, poses a significant threat to sustainability. Because demersal fish often experience higher PRM (often due to barotrauma and stress), the substantial global interest in their recreational fisheries (e.g., Australia, Gulf of Mexico, Western Baltic Sea) raises conservation concerns. This study employs three distinct modelling approaches, applied to four reef-dwelling demersal species, to support effective recreational fisheries management by addressing data uncertainty, unintended consequences of management changes, and PRM effects. Specifically, this thesis (1) evaluates variability in average weights of recreationally-caught …

Challenges In Adapting Fibre Optic Sensors For Biomedical Applications, Sahar Karimian, Muhammad Mahmood Ali, Marion Mcafee, Waqas Saleem, Dineshbabu Duraibabu, Sanober Farheen Memon, Elfed Lewis

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Fibre optic sensors (FOSs) have developed as a transformative technology in healthcare, often offering unparalleled accuracy and sensitivity in monitoring various physiological and biochemical parameters. Their applications range from tracking vital signs to guiding minimally invasive surgeries, enabling advancements in medical diagnostics and treatment. However, the integration of FOSs into biomedical applications faces numerous challenges. This article describes some challenges for adopting FOSs for biomedical purposes, exploring technical and practical obstacles, and examining innovative solutions. Significant challenges include biocompatibility, miniaturization, addressing signal processing complexities, and meeting regulatory standards. By outlining solutions to the stated challenges, it is intended that this …

Numerical Methodologies For The Analysis Of Horizontal-Axis Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (F-Hawts): A State-Of-The-Art Review, Naghmeh Akbari Zadeh, Peter Ryan, David M. Kennedy, Fergal O’Rourke

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

In recent decades, wind turbine installations have become a popular option to meet the world’s growing demand for energy. Both onshore and offshore wind turbines form pivotal components of the electricity sector. Onshore wind energy is now a mature technology, with significant experience gained by wind farm developers and operators over the last couple of decades. However, as a more recent enterprise, the offshore wind industry still requires significantly more development before the technologies and operations reach maturity. To date, floating platforms at sea have been utilised extensively for the oil and gas industry. While a lot of the expertise …

Radiobiological And Dosimetric Comparison Of Imrt And Sbrt For Prostate Cancer Treatment Planning, Najmun Naher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Radiation therapy is one of the most effective and widely utilized methods for treating prostate cancer, employing high energy rays or particles to eradicate cancer cells. Among the available techniques, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) are commonly used approaches that enable the delivery of a conformal radiation dose to the target tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This study presents a comparative analysis of these two treatment plans for prostate cancer based on radiobiological and dosimetric parameters. IMRT treatment plans for prostate cancer patients were collected, and corresponding SBRT plans were developed using …

Age-Group Differences In Friend Influence Over Academic Achievement And Physical Activity, Laury-Ann Bedard Leclerc

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Speculation about the developmental shifts in the magnitude of peer influence has outstripped empirical research. Friends are assumed to be particularly influential at the onset of adolescence, as adult oversight declines and the salience of peers increases. Few studies, however, have explored age-group differences in the magnitude of friend influence over academic achievement and physical activity. The present longitudinal study compares friendship dyads in late childhood (grades 4-5) versus early adolescence (grades 6-7), describing the strength of their mutual influence across peer- and self-reports of academic achievement and physical activity. Participants included 170 adolescents (99 girls, 71 boys) in 85 …

Meta’S Ai Bias To What Extent Do Meta's Algorithmic Processes For Classifying And Processing Information Related To Acts Of Racism Impact Fairness, Bias, And Social Justice Across Its Platforms?, Shanique Foster

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Algorithmic processing and classification of racism-related content have become increasingly prevalent across Meta's platforms. While these algorithms aim to create safer online environments, their effectiveness and impact on fairness remain understudied. This research examines how Meta's algorithmic processes for classifying racist content affect fairness, bias, and social justice across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Using qualitative research methodology, the study conducted focus groups with diverse platform users to understand their experiences with content moderation. The research also analyzed theoretical frameworks related to algorithmic bias, fairness metrics, and social justice in digital spaces.

Key findings revealed significant variations in algorithmic effectiveness across …