Digital Commons Network^™

Active Galactic Nuclie In Diverse Galactic Environments, Divya A. Patel

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

We examine how the presence of active galactic nuclei (AGN) correlates with location in large-scale cosmic structures using the Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey across the G09, G12, and G15 fields. Our sample contains 18,927, 9,273, and 1,148 galaxies {with} highly dense filaments, moderately dense tendrils, and highly underdense voids, respectively. AGN galaxies were identified using Baldwin-Phillips-Telverich (BPT) diagnostic diagrams based on [NII], [SII], and [OI]. We compare AGN fractions in filament, tendril, and void regions, and as a function of distance from the nearest filament centerline. Our results reveal a mild excess in filament compared to void, when …

Code As Counselor: How Robo-Will Platforms Are Productizing Estate Planning Services, John Speirs

North Carolina Journal of Law & Technology

No abstract provided.

When Deep Learning Meets Information Retrieval-Based Bug Localization: A Survey, Feifei Niu, Chuanyi Li, Kui Liu, Xin Xia, David Lo

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Bug localization is a crucial aspect of software maintenance, running through the entire software lifecycle. Information retrieval-based bug localization (IRBL) identifies buggy code based on bug reports, expediting the bug resolution process for developers. Recent years have witnessed significant achievements in IRBL, propelled by the widespread adoption of deep learning (DL). To provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art and delve into key issues, we conduct a survey encompassing 61 IRBL studies leveraging DL. We summarize best practices in each phase of the IRBL workflow, undertake a meta-analysis of prior studies, and suggest future research directions. …

Do Code Semantics Help? A Comprehensive Study On Execution Trace-Based Information For Code Large Language Models, Jian Wang, Xiaofei Xie, Qiang Hu, Shangqing Liu, Yi Li

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Code Large Language Models (Code LLMs) have opened a new era in programming with their impressive capabilities. However, recent research has revealed critical limitations in their ability to reason about runtime behavior and understand the actual functionality of programs, which poses significant challenges for their post-training and practical deployment. Specifically, Code LLMs encounter two principal issues: (1) a lack of proficiency in reasoning about program execution behavior, as they struggle to interpret what programs actually do during runtime, and (2) inconsistent and fragmented representation of semantic information, such as execution traces, across existing methods, which hinders their ability to generalize …

Consumers Stabilize Grassland Ecosystem Functions By Destabilizing Belowground Communities Under Abiotic Stress, Jane M. Lucas, Michelle L. Budny, Nathan P. Lemoine

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Consumers play a critical role in mediating plant and ecosystem responses to abiotic stress, yet their influence on belowground processes under changing environmental conditions remains underexplored. Insect consumers are vital components of grassland ecosystems that can shape ecosystem function and stability by mitigating how plant and microbial communities respond to abiotic stress, like drought. This study investigates how small-bodied consumers influence the magnitude and stability of grassland belowground functions across gradients of abiotic stress. We conducted a fully factorial field experiment manipulating consumer presence and induced drought over a growing season. Our results reveal that the presence of consumers stabilizes …

Harnessing Coherent-Wave Control For Sensing Applications, Pablo Jara, Arthur Goetschy, Hui Cao, Alexey Yamilov

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Imaging techniques such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy and diffuse optical tomography (DOT) achieve deep, noninvasive sensing in turbid media; however, they are constrained by the photon budget, as most of the injected light is lost to scattering before reaching the detector. Wavefront shaping (WFS) can enhance signal strength via interference at specific locations within scattering media, enhancing light-matter interactions and potentially extending the penetration depth of these techniques. Interpretation of the resulting measurements relies on knowing the optical sensitivity - the relationship between changes in the detected signals and perturbations at a specific location inside the medium; however, conventional diffusion-based …

Stable Isotope Paleoecology In The Bridgerian (Early Eocene): Investigation Of The Bridgerian Crash And The Canopy Effect, Aaron M. English

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The Early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO) was the warmest sustained interval of the Cenozoic. Its waning stages coincided with a marked decline in mammalian biodiversity known as the Bridgerian Crash, which was likely driven by increasingly cooler and drier conditions. Paleobotanical evidence suggests the early Eocene supported wet, subtropical to tropical forests at mid-latitudes, however the structure of these forests at the close of the EECO remains poorly understood. In this study, I measure carbon isotope values (d¹³C_E) from the enamel of early Bridgerian (~52.2 – 48.3 Ma) herbivorous mammals from the Greater Green River …

Dance As A Vehicle For Cultural Identity And Reparative Justice, Tina M. Mullone

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Bridgewater Review Volume 43 Number 2 2025

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

Championing Faculty Scholarship And Community: Writing Across The Curriculum (Wac) Summer Institute 2025, Jonathon Shirland, John Mulrooney, Elizabeth Veisz

Bridgewater Review

For one week in August, participants from academic departments across campus come together at the WAC Summer Institute to advance their own projects in a collegial environment of exchange, community, and mutual accountability. For eighteen years, WAC has played this vital role in supporting BSU faculty in their scholarly and creative endeavors. Small working groups facilitated by a WAC Coordinator commit to alternating focused periods of writing with peer review and discussion, with the aim of significantly advancing projects towards publication.

Living Shoreline Prioritization And Hydrodynamic Habitat Suitability Models For Restoration In The Indian River Lagoon And Lake Worth Lagoon, Florida, Kelly M. Kibler, Melinda J. Donnelly, Vincent Encomio, Madison Giuntoli, Manisha Thenuwara, Brice Bennett, Laura Andrade Barron, Mariam Sonbol, Wynter Raine Seppala, Namritha Ramakrishnan, Jennifer Jordan Báez, Beth Orlando, Irene Arpayoglou, Melissa Meisenburg

Indian River Lagoon Shorelines

The spatial dataset: UCF_shorelinemodel_IRL_LWL.shp, was created with support from the Indian River Lagoon National Estuaries Program and Florida Sea Grant. These projects cumulatively led to creation of a living shoreline restoration prioritization model and hydrodynamic habitat suitability models for 1,550 km (963 miles) of estuarine shorelines in Indian River Lagoon and Lake Worth Lagoon.

The dataset presented herein includes:

1. shoreline data from >15,000 transects collected in the field,
2. shoreline wave climate data created through hydrodynamic modeling and frequency analysis of historic data,
3. categorization of potential risk for shoreline boat wake impact,
4. persistence of seagrass within 210 m of the shoreline, …

Advancing Transportation Decarbonization Through Electrification: Insights From Transit And Rideshare Scenarios, Ajay Ghimire

Theses (2016-Present)

The transportation sector remains a major source of criteria pollutants globally, with passenger vehicles contributing significantly to energy demand. While electric vehicles (EVs) offer a promising path toward energy efficiency, few studies have evaluated their impact at the metropolitan scale using integrated, high-fidelity modeling frameworks. This study investigates the energy implications of rideshare electrification in the Houston metropolitan area using a multi-stage simulation workflow. Travel demand is modeled using POLARIS, an agent-based, activity-based framework; vehicle trajectories are translated into second-by-second speed profiles using SVTrip; and energy consumption and criteria pollutant emissions are estimated using the Autonomie vehicle simulation platform. The …

Efficient Integration Of External Knowledge To Llm-Based World Models Via Retrieval-Augmented Generation And Reinforcement Learning, Chang Yang, Xinrun Wang, Qinggang Zhang, Qi Jiang, Xiao Huang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

World models achieve remarkable success in predicting future states and planning in complex environments and Large Language Models (LLMs) serve as promising foundation to build general world models. However, their performances are usually constrained by the limited external knowledge to specific environments. Existing research attempts to enhance LLM-based world models through prompting or fine-tuning approaches, which are either requiring human knowledge or computationally extensive. Therefore, we introduce Retrieval-Augmented World Models (RAWM), a novel framework that leverages retrieval-augmented generation to efficiently integrate the external knowledge to LLM-based world models. Our main contributions are threefold: (i) We introduce a memory system and …

One Planner To Guide Them All! Learning Adaptive Conversational Planners For Goal-Oriented Dialogues, Huy Dao, Lizi Liao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Goal-oriented dialogues, such as recommendation and negotiation, often require balancing multiple, conflicting objectives. Existing methods typically involve training separate models for specific combinations of objectives, leading to computational and scalability issues. In this work, we aim to develop a new dialogue policy method that can adapt to varying objective preferences at inference time without retraining. This raises several challenges in terms of both (1) optimization strategy and (2) knowledge utilization. To address these, we propose a novel learning framework, Preference Adaptive Dialogue Policy Planner (PADPP), for multi-objective goal-oriented dialogues. Specifically, to tackle the former, we introduce a novel policy optimization …

Uncovering The Values Of The Metaverse For Leisure Use By Individuals: A Value-Focused Thinking Approach, Ruilin Zheng, Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The metaverse is a computer-mediated environment where users take the form of digital avatars when participating in activities and interacting with one another. Given the popularity of the metaverse, especially among the younger population, we identified the values offered by the metaverse for leisure use by its users. Using the Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) approach, we identified these values in the form of fundamental and means objectives. The VFT approach was applied in interviewing users who conduct leisure activities in the metaverse and in analyzing the data collected. A total of 27 metaverse users were interviewed, which generated 8 fundamental objectives …

Poetry: "Heart's Delight" And "Hope", Ward Heilman

Bridgewater Review

No abstract provided.

A Neutrosophic Algebraic Framework For Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Highway Asphalt Pavement Maintenance, Haocheng Xiong, Haowen Zheng

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

User Experience Measurement In Design-Based Research On Online Educational Platforms: Contextualization Of Real-World Environments Within Sustainable Development Goals For Computational Thinking, Rasikh Tariq, María Soledad Ramírez-Montoya, Tabbi Wilberforce Awotwe, V. Fernández-Castro, M. Martínez-Reyes

Artículos científicos

The importance of User Experience Measurement allows understanding how experiences can be optimized to meet functional and emotional needs, complemented with Design-Based Research to scale the redesign of educational platforms, four online educational platforms presented are powered by Artificial Intelligence and educational data mining to offer a tailored learning experience, combining computational thinking with Sustainable Development Goals. We present the analysis of responses of 1,573 users, which yield elements of improvement that will be implemented in the redesign. To measure User Experience of the platform, a nonexperimental quantitative analysis was carried out, using a Feedback survey based on a Likert-scale …

Guided Modes Of Helical Waveguides, Jay Gopalakrishnan, Michael Neunteufel

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper studies guided transverse scalar modes propagating through helically coiled waveguides. Modeling the modes as solutions of the Helmholtz equation within the three-dimensional (3D) waveguide geometry, a propagation ansatz transforms the mode-finding problem into a 3D quadratic eigenproblem. Through an untwisting map, the problem is shown to be equivalent to a 3D quadratic eigenproblem on a straightened configuration. Next, exploiting the constant torsion and curvature of the Frenet frame of a circular helix, the 3D eigenproblem is further reduced to a two-dimensional (2D) eigenproblem on the waveguide cross section. All three eigenproblems are numerically treated. As expected, significant computational …

Mechanisms Matter, Nicole L. Collins, Kenneth S. Campbell

Physiology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Gerunds In Irish Sign Language: An Exploratory Analysis, Zaid Mohammed

Doctoral

In sign languages (SLs), e.g., American Sign Language (ASL), gerunds help express the meaning of ongoing actions and activities conveyed by verbs (Klima & Bellugi, 1979, p. 295). In spoken languages, a gerund is a form of the verb that functions as a noun and expresses the state of being or an ongoing action (Maekelberghe, 2020). Gerunds are complex constructions as they have nominal-verbal nature (Travis, 2005, p. 321) and morphological similarity with present participle or progressive aspect (Siegel, 1998). This research is motivated by the challenging nature of distinguishing gerund constructions at the morphological level, and research in sign …

‘Earth System Engineers’ And The Cumulative Impact Of Organisms In Deep Time, S. A. F. Darroch, M. M. Casey, A. T. Cribb, A. E. Bates, M. E. Clapham, D. L. Contreras, M. Craffey, I. A. P. Duijnstee, W. Gearty, N. J. Gotelli, M. J. Hamilton, R. F. Hayes, P. M. Hull, D. E. Ibarra, V. A. Korasidis, J. Lee, C. V. Looy, T. R. Lyson, B. Muddiman, P. D. Roopnarine, A. B. Shupinski, F. A. Smith, A. L. Stigall, C. P. Tomé, K. A. Turk, A. Villaseñor, P. J. Wagner, Steve C. Wang

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Works

Understanding the role of humans as ‘ecosystem engineers’ requires a deep-time perspective rooted in evolutionary history and the fossil record. However, no conceptual framework exists for studying the rise of ecosystem engineering in deep time, requiring us to consider effects that fall outside the scope of traditional definitions. Here, we present a new framework applicable to both modern and ancient engineering-type effects. We propose a new term – ‘Earth system engineering’ – to describe biological processes that alter the structure and function of planetary spheres, and which combines core tenets of ecosystem engineering, niche construction, and legacy effects. We illustrate …

Is There Any Interactive Effect Between Competition And Risk Networks? Evidence From The Indian Banking System, Abhishek Poddar, Arun Misra

American Business Review

The study investigates the dynamics of interaction between bank competition and risk networks of the Indian banking system between 2010 to 2020. It has estimated bank competition using the Lerner Index through the translog cost function and bank risk using Z-Score. The study found that bank competition and risk networks are concentrated during the economic upcycle and dispersed during the downcycle. The article also found that big and profitable banks are the least competitive but riskier. The concentrated risk network structures reveal that systemic risk spillover is quite eminent in the Indian banking system. The distance-to-default model, panel vector autoregression …

Exploring Career Development Through Situated Learning Experiences Of Highly Skilled Business Postgraduate Migrants, Rasidat Adedayo Adeniji Oseni

Doctoral

This study investigates the career development journey of highly skilled Nigerian, Ghanaian, Kenyan and Tanzanian business postgraduate migrants in Ireland, focusing on the interplay among learning experiences, systemic barriers, and career shocks. Drawing on Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), Situated Learning Theory (SLT), and Career Shock (CS), the study examines how self-efficacy develops through participation in Communities of Practice (CoPs) and how resilience enables skilled migrants to overcome shocks as they progress from education to employment in a Global South to Global North context. It further explores the transfer of knowledge acquired in Ireland to the migrants’ home countries. The …

Pesticides, Pollinators, And Producers: The Epa’S New Herbicide And Insecticide Strategies And Illinois Farmers, Jonathan Jerkatis

Northern Illinois University Law Review

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced new herbicide and insecticide strategies to comply with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a move that will have significant implications for Illinois farmers and endangered species. Illinois, a leading producer of corn and soybeans, relies heavily on pesticides. Unfortunately, these chemicals have been identified as a key driver of monarch and other endangered species population decline. This note examines how the EPA’s new strategies aim to balance species protection with agricultural viability, addressing concerns over financial burdens of compliance, the complexity of the strategies, and a lack of enforcement provisions. While Illinois farmers …

A Systematic Review And Integrative Framework Of Psychotherapy Microprocess: Linking The Science Of Psychological Interventions With The Art Of Moment-To-Moment Practice, Xiaochen Luo, Alytia A. Levendosky

Counseling Psychology

Despite advancements in psychotherapy research on effectiveness and critical therapy processes, there remains a significant gap between the science and the art of psychotherapy, specifically on how to understand what to do moment-to-moment with each patient. A burgeoning research literature addresses this question by examining psychotherapy microprocesses, which typically referred to within-session changes of therapy processes, aiming to bridge psychotherapy research with clinical practice. In this pre-registered systematic review, we reviewed 86 empirical quantitative studies examining observational psychotherapy microprocesses over 35 years. We extracted 28 microprocess constructs across six categories (affective/emotional, behavioral, cognitive, relational/interpersonal, linguistic, and movement), four key methodological …

From Prohibition To Preparation: Reframing Academic Integrity In The Age Of Ai, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This study analyzes how U.S. universities reconfigure academic integrity during the 2024–2025 cycle in response to widespread generative AI adoption. The analysis foregrounds three loci: student ignorance and metacognitive blind spots; the expanded remit of Academic Integrity Officers prioritizing education over punishment; and deliberate AI-enabled misconduct that exposes the evidentiary limits of detection technologies. A mixed-methods design integrates a multi-site review at Arizona State University, Montclair State University, and Cornell University with synthesis of surveys, policies, and faculty development guidance. Findings show that detector outputs function as conversational prompts rather than adjudicative proof, necessitating dialogic resolution standards, process evidence, and …

Communicating The Green Transition - Practices And Competencies For Engineers, Paul Talbot, Una Beagon, Stephen Harper, Janet Mckennedy

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

The green transition is driving demand for engineering expertise in sectors such as renewable energy, construction, transport, and industrial decarbonisation. Projects are complex and interdisciplinary, and communication plays a central role. This report presents findings from 20 focus groups with 103 engineers across Europe examining how engineers communicate in green transition project contexts. Participants described a wide range of communicative tasks involving coordination, documentation, stakeholder engagement, and public communication.Engineers work across spoken, written, and digital modes, shifting between formal and informal styles, and adapting to varied audiences. They must navigate fragmented tools and workflows, unclear goals and roles, jargon pitfalls, …

A Schönberg Approach To Devillier V. Texas: Synthesizing Text, Structure, And History Of The Takings Clause, Jordan Fortunati

University of the Pacific Law Review

No abstract provided.

3d Printed Microscopes As A Low-Cost Alternative To Conventional Light Microscopes, Aidan W. Donelan, Hunter N. Lemer, Sudeshna Roy, Nicholas C. Butzin

iLEARN Teaching Resources

Many K-12 schools function on limited budgets in their science departments, making it difficult to acquire, maintain, and update microscopes. While modern light microscopes are often complex, expensive, and require specialized training, they are based on simple principles of light. Microscopes enable us to observe objects too small for the naked eye and reveal intricate details. Introducing affordable, easy-to-use microscope adaptations early in education helps foster a deeper understanding of science and encourages young students to pursue STEM fields. Using 3D printing, we developed two innovative microscope models and two lesson plans. Lesson 1: Using a smartphone microscope to visualize …