Digital Commons Network^™

Temporal Dynamics In Spatial Random Field Theory: A Methodological Advance In Fmri Data Analysis, Theophilus Barnabas Kobina Acquah

Dissertations

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a noninvasive tool for studying neural correlates of cognition by measuring task-evoked brain activity. Accurate interpretation of fMRI data depends on modeling the hemodynamic response (HR), which varies across brain regions and conditions. Brain plasticity adds complexity as functional changes during development and aging affect cognition, emotion, and behavior. BOLD signals display complex temporal dynamics influenced by both neural and physiological factors, challenging conventional models. This highlights the need for adaptive frameworks that account for temporal dependencies and spatial heterogeneity in neural activity detection. This current study enhances fMRI data analysis by integrating temporal …

Monitoring The Qosh Tepa Canal Project: A Geospatial Timeline Of Taliban Water Diversion, Enerel L. Crosslin

Honors Thesis

The World Food Program states that “acute malnutrition in Afghanistan is above emergency thresholds in 25 out of 34 provinces and is expected to worsen”. Aiming to support agriculture, the Taliban began to build the 285 km “Qosh Tepa Canal” to divert 17% of the Amu Darya, which supports the livelihoods of millions of people in downstream Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The World Bank estimated that roughly 2.4 million Central Asians could become climate refugees by 2050. Our objectives are to create a timeline of satellite imagery of the canal’s construction. Our research questions are (1) Can we characterize water diversion …

On 2-Superirreducible Polynomials Over Finite Fields, J. W. Bober, L. Du, D. Fretwell, G. S. Kopp, T. D. Wooley

Faculty Publications

We investigate k-superirreducible polynomials, by which we mean irreducible polynomials that remain irreducible under any polynomial substitution of positive degree at most k. Let F be a finite field of characteristic p. We show that no 2-superirreducible polynomials exist in F[t] when p=2 and that no such polynomials of odd degree exist when p is odd. We address the remaining case in which p is odd and the polynomials have even degree by giving an explicit formula for the number of monic 2-superirreducible polynomials having even degree d. This formula is analogous to that given by Gauss for the number …

Enhancing Compton Telescope Imaging With Maximum A Posteriori Estimation A Modified Richardson–Lucy Algorithm For The Compton Spectrometer And Imager, H. Yoneda, T. Siegert, I. Martinez-Castellanos, S. Gallego, C. Karwin, H. Bates, S. E. Boggs, C. Y. Huang, A. Joens, S. Matsumoto, S. Mittal, E. Neights, M. Negro, U. Oberlack, K. Okuma, S. Pike, J. Roberts, F. Rogers, Y. Sheng, T. Takahashi, A. Valluvan, Y. Watanabe, D. Hartmann, C. Kierans, J. Tomsick, A. Zoglauer

Faculty Publications

We present a modified Richardson-Lucy (RL) algorithm tailored for image reconstruction in MeV gamma-ray observations, focusing on its application to the upcoming Compton Spectrometer and Imager (COSI) mission. Our method addresses key challenges in MeV gamma-ray astronomy by incorporating Bayesian priors for sparseness and smoothness while optimizing background components simultaneously. We introduce a novel sparsity term suitable for Poisson-sampled data in addition to a smoothness prior, allowing for flexible reconstruction of both point sources and extended emission. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated using simulated three-month COSI observations of gamma-ray lines of ⁴⁴Ti (1.157 MeV), ²⁶Al (1.809 …

Logic's Modern British Up-Enders, Defenders, And Extenders: Whately's Revitalization Of Logic, Calvin Jongsma

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

Logic developed dramatically during the last half of the nineteenth century. The baseline for these transformations in Great Britain was the revival of logic by Richard Whately around 1825. Whately successfully defended syllogistic logic as the science of valid reasoning against potent seventeenth and eighteenth-century detractors—Bacon, Locke, Reid, Campbell, Stewart, and others. In so doing, he made logic an intellectually respectable field of investigation for the next generation of logicians to explore and extend. This included John Stuart Mill (inductive logic), Augustus De Morgan (logic of relations), and George Boole (algebraic logic; propositional logic).

Elementary Teachers' Perception Of Preparedness For The Elementary Science Classroom, Julie Spino

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the perception of preparedness among elementary teachers to effectively teach three-dimensional science lessons as advocated by the Next Generation Science Standards. A mixed methods approach combining qualitative interviews with quantitative analysis was employed to gain a full understanding of variables that are related to teachers feeling prepared for the classroom and what aspects of teacher preparation and professional experience are areas of success or areas of growth in terms of implementing effective science instruction in a large school district in southeastern Tennessee. Findings revealed teachers completing a full semester of student teaching perceived themselves to be significantly …

Do Females Counter Against Costly Males In The Degu, Octodon Degus?, Jessica Morales Valenzuela

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Sexual conflict over reproduction may result in females incurring reproductive costs from males. Females may counter against costly males through social support from cohesive relationships with other females. In plural breeders, social support may promote communal offspring care, improving the number of offspring weaned and survival of offspring. We studied the common degu (Octodon degus), a plurally breeding rodent endemic to Chile, to evaluate (i) whether males negatively influence female reproduction, (ii) if cohesive female social relationships counter the influence of costly males, and (iii) whether females reproductively benefit from cohesive social relationships. Degu males delayed female offspring production and …

A Graph Convolutional Network Approach For Enhancing Set Covering Problem Solvers, Hagar Cobbinah

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The Set Covering Problem (SCP) is an NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem with applications in telecommunication, logistics, and transportation. Solving SCP is computationally challenging due to the combinatorial explosion of potential solutions, particularly for large instances. This study proposes a Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) to approximate optimal solutions for SCP. A bipartite graph representation of SCP is employed to predict node priority, serving as a warm start for the Gurobi solver. The GCN is trained on solutions from a classical greedy algorithm. The method integrates GCNs and Gurobi, unifying data-driven prediction and exact solver for better computation efficiency and scalability. Experimental …

Solar Thermochemical Conversion Of Co2 Into Fuels Using Ni-Ferrite Driven Redox Reactions: Thermodynamic Efficiency Analysis, Andrea Stevens

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The growing levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in our atmosphere are a significant driver of climate change, highlighting the need for innovative strategies to utilize this greenhouse gas. One promising solution is solar-driven thermochemical CO₂ splitting (CDS), which can convert CO₂ into carbon monoxide (CO)—a vital component for producing syngas and fuels. This study examines the thermodynamic performance of nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) as a redox material in solar thermochemical CO₂ splitting processes. To evaluate how different factors influence the efficiency of this process, a detailed thermodynamic model was created. This model looks at how variations in inert gas flow rates …

Synthesis And Characterization Of 3,5 Trifluoromethyl Tpm With A Metal Carbonyl Complex, Emily P. Berkman

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Tris(pyrazolyl)methane (Tpm) ligands have a central carbon with 3 pyrazole rings attached. These were discovered in 1970 and have since been synthesized with many substituents on the rings. Based on the parent structure, my goal was to synthesize a fluorinated Tpm derivative. By adapting existing procedures, I have synthesized a Tpm derivative with trifluorinated methyl groups in the 3 and 5 positions of the pyrazole ring. The fluorinated ligand is expected to be electron withdrawing and exhibit interesting chemistry when bound to a metal center. Future directions of the project will be discussed.

Disulfide-Cleavable Linkers In Antibody-Drug Conjugates For Targeted Cancer Therapy, Emily Hwang

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This project aims to discover a way to improve the safety of and reduce adverse side effects of disulfide-linked antibody-drug conjugates. Disulfide-cleavable linkers for antibody-drug conjugates function by exploiting the differential concentrations of dominant thiol species in the blood plasma and in the cytosol of malignant cells. This project aimed to identify a relationship between the stability of disulfide cleavable linkers in the blood plasma and disulfide linker structure, to prevent premature release of the cytotoxic drug. Three disulfide linker analogs with varying carbon chain lengths were synthesized through reaction with 2,2’-dipyridyl disulfide. Each analog was conjugated to a fluorescent …

The Playground: Redefining The Artistic Experience And Expression With Technology, Meghan Hutto

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Throughout the artistic community, many creators are exploring new ways to generate innovative works for growing audiences. With the emergence of endless technology, dance makers are searching for mediums to include new lighting techniques and music composition. Across this past year, I have researched and explored new frontiers of artistic mediums to further my project’s artistic expression. By developing and investigating new systems of lighting and musical composition, I created a fifteen-minute work called “Metaphysical Mindscape”. When solidifying the through-line that carried the expression of my piece, I uncovered a piece of myself. The themes that I explored were thoughts …

Cultural Health Benefits And Challenges Of Food Preparation And Consumption: A Comparative Study Of The United States, Italy, And Norway, Natalie G. Link

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This study aims to investigate the cultural health benefits and challenges associated with food preparation and consumption in the United States, Italy, and Norway, with a particular focus on citizens in lower socioeconomic levels. By examining the dietary habits, social structures, and health outcomes in these three countries, this research aims to uncover broader insights into the health status and well-being of their respective populations. The study will employ secondary data analysis approach examining existing research on cultural practices and social support systems. The findings of this research will contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between food …

Semiconductors In Space: Data Analysis Of Microgravity's Impact On Crystal Formation, Keegan Jo Jackson

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Comprehensive data analysis on crystal growth in microgravity is a requisite to inform understanding of prior work. Our research constructed and analyzed a database containing data gathered from research focusing on semiconductors grown in microgravity. Data curation spanned multiple decades, countries, and semiconductor materials. All relevant reported information was recorded in the database, notably data regarding the metrics used to determine the impact space had on crystal growth: size, structure, uniformity, and performance. After data cleaning and data processing, the database was organized and readied for analysis. Data analysis was performed using RStudio and SciKit-learn. RStudio was employed for data …

Linking The Past And The Future: Understanding How Pollutants Cause Corrosion During An Oddy Test, Kylie Blair Blake

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Artifacts and artwork continue to tell a story long after a time or culture has disappeared. Preventive art conservation science involves careful and responsible management of the objects entrusted in the care of the museum staff to ensure environmental and display conditions do not cause damage so future generations can observe and learn about past cultures. An accelerated metal corrosion test, the Oddy test, has been used to help determine the suitability of display and storage materials. The Oddy test is subjective, so newer methods are being developed involving the use of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify specific …

The Impact Of Bilingualism On Executive Functioning And Mathematical Abilities Throughout Development, Brenna Claire Mehringer

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Research suggests that a bilingual advantage is present for domain-general cognitive abilities, such as working memory (López, 2021), leaving it unclear whether an advantage exists for domain-specific abilities (e.g., mathematics abilities). Given the role of working memory and executive functioning in math achievement, this project explored the cognitive effects of bilingualism. It was hypothesized that participants who are bilingual, or who spoke a language other than English at home, would have enhanced performances on working memory and executive functioning tasks. It was further hypothesized that if an executive functioning bilingual advantage existed, then bilinguals would exhibit stronger math abilities. College …

Shakespeare, Storytelling, And Science: An Exploration Of The Relationship Between The Early Modern Scientific Movement And Shakespeare’S 17th-Century Works, Morgan Mead

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The 17th-century scientific movement generated a “death of the metaphor” that reverberated across the literary landscape. The creation of the Royal Society in 1660 shifted the ways in which literature and art were represented and respected in Western society. Shakespeare's works, believed to have been written from 1592-1615, show the growing relevance of the scientific and philosophical issues and queries that led to the formation of the Royal Society. A deep dive into Shakespearean metaphor and the scientific works that were causing shifts within Shakespeare’s world provides insight into the mind of an artist consumed and perturbed by matters of …

Career Aspirations And Gender Norms: How Socialization Influences Women’S Professional Choices, Emily Rose Hunt

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

While legal frameworks grant women equal rights and opportunities to participate in any occupation, gender inequality continues in part due to the persistent gender segregation within the workforce. Gender socialization places women into roles that limit their occupational opportunities, so this study explores women’s understanding of their career options based upon the potential constraints that come from their identity as a woman. This study uses a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews conducted with students at Butler University to gather information on women’s personal perspectives on how their gender impacted their perceived career options. A sample of nine undergraduate women were …

The Interaction Between Phonological Reading Skills And Executive Functioning In Adults With Cochlear Implants, Tierney Marie Maurer

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Little research has been conducted concerning the interaction between phonological reading skills (the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds of language) and executive functioning (a set of processes that are necessary for the cognitive control of behavior) in adults with hearing loss. The current study examined the potential association between phonological reading skills, hearing loss, and executive functioning in post-lingually deaf and hard of hearing adults who use cochlear implants. Two hypotheses were tested: 1) adult cochlear implant users have weaker executive functioning and phonological reading skills compared to their hearing peers; 2) adults with hearing loss who use …

A New Transition Metal Borate, Co6(B24O39(Oh)6(H2O) 6·2.21h2O, Synthesized Via A Mild Hydrothermal Synthesis, Alevtina Maksimova, Patrick Belt, Nilah Whitfield, Mark D. Smith, Gopabandhu Panigrahi, Gregory Morrison, Hans Conrad Zur Loye

Faculty Publications

A new transition metal borate hydrate, Co₆B₂₄O₃₉(OH)₆(H₂O)₆·2.21H₂O, was synthesized via a mild hydrothermal method using boric acid as the melt. The compound crystallizes in the trigonal space group P 3‾ with lattice parameters a = b = 13.17840(10) Å, c = 12.3287(2) Å, and a unit cell volume of 1854.27(4) ų (Z = 2). This borate hydrate crystallizes in a new structure type comprised of layers containing [BO3] trigonal planar units and [BO4] tetrahedra that are linked by CoO6 and Co(OH)2(H2O)4 octahedra via corner-sharing. The …

Impacts Of Cognitive Workload On Veteran Driver Reaction Time: Predictive Modeling Using Bayesian And Machine Learning Methods, Kenneth Ofosu-Kwabe

All Theses

In high-demand environments, the ability to manage cognitive workload can mean the difference between optimal or safe performance and critical failure or accidents. Veterans face an elevated risk of fatal motor vehicle accidents due to post-deployment stress, combat-related injuries, and challenges readjusting to civilian driving. This study explores how cognitive workload affects reaction time performance using a driving simulator by collecting and analyzing subjective workload ratings (using the NASA-TLX survey), physiological signals from eye-tracking and performance data from a sample of 28 Veterans.

We examined how task difficulty, cognitive indicators and personal attributes influence reaction times across an interactive driving …

Biodegradable Active Packaging: Exploring The Antimicrobial Efficacy And Compostability Of Chitosan-Based Films, Rachel Mchugh

All Theses

The overarching purpose of this experiment is to create an active packaging component that has both antimicrobial and biodegradable properties specifically designed for poultry food products. For the scope of this study, the packaging component created would theoretically be used in conjunction with another material, such as a poultry tray which are commonly used for fresh poultry products. Based on the scope and purpose of this experiment, biopolymer films and coatings were considered after the initial literature review. Due to the goals of the packaging component, chitosan, a polysaccharide shown to have antimicrobial properties and an inherent ability to biodegrade, …

Bim-Based Automated System For Carbon Emissions And Construction Costs Estimation (Bas-Cc) In Modular Design And Production, Roshan Bandiwadekar

All Theses

Modular construction adopts a manufacturing-like construction process, enhancing the management of embodied carbon emissions in production and construction phases. However, estimating these emissions presents challenges due to the involvement of diverse stakeholders across various lifecycle stages. Additionally, cost considerations often influence design choices and material selections in modular constructions, neglecting the impact of embodied carbon emissions. To address these challenges, we present a proof-of-concept for an automated Building Information Modeling (BIM)-based system to estimate both carbon emissions and construction costs. This system automates the calculation of embodied carbon and cost implications of different modular designs and materials, enabling informed decision-making. …

From The Bleachers To The Browser: Redefining Fan Experience With Ar And Ai In Smaller Teams, Jennifer Lee Wunder

Theses

This project documents the creation and deployment of HootyHoo, an interactive augmented reality (AR) mascot experience designed for the O’Fallon Hoots, a small-scale collegiate summer baseball team. Built using accessible, open-source tools such as WebXR, Mixamo, Meshy, Botpress, Claude and ChatGPT, this prototype merges AI-driven conversation with animated 3D avatar interaction—redefining how fans engage with sports organizations digitally. Unlike enterprise-level applications used by professional franchises, HootyHoo is entirely browser-based, eliminating the need for app downloads and ensuring maximum accessibility for families and new fans with smartphones. The experience centers on Hooty, the team mascot, who answers questions about baseball and …

A Neutrosophic Approach For Opponent Analysis And Game Strategy Formulation In College Volleyball, Bogang Huang

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Hα Variability Of Ab Aur B With The Hubble Space Telescope: Probing The Nature Of A Protoplanet Candidate With Accretion Light Echoes, Brendan P. Bowler, Yifan Zhou, Lauren I. Biddle, Lillian Yushu Jiang, Jaehan Bae, Laird M. Close, Katherine B. Follette, Kyle Franson, Adam L. Kraus, Aniket Sanghi, Quang Tran, Kimberly Ward-Duong, Ya Lin Wu, Zhaohuan Zhu

Astronomy: Faculty Publications

Giant planets generate accretion luminosity as they form. Much of this energy is radiated in strong Hα line emission, which has motivated direct imaging surveys at optical wavelengths to search for accreting protoplanets. However, compact disk structures can mimic accreting planets by scattering emission from the host star. This can complicate the interpretation of Hα point sources, especially if the host star itself is accreting. We describe an approach to distinguish accreting protoplanets from scattered-light disk features using “accretion light echoes.” This method relies on variable Hα emission from a stochastically accreting host star to search for a delayed brightness …

Unl Emeriti And Retirees Association Newsletter, May 2025

UNL Emeriti and Retirees Association: Newsletters and Other Materials

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Emeriti and Retirees Association Newsletter, May 2025

Expanding and enhancing the ERA President's message

Welcome to new members

ERA Board members

Wake up your well-being

Book review, Hello Beautiful

Service awards

A look ahead to programming

Recapping past programming

Memory moments

The Duality Of Perception: Unveiling The Hidden Through Visible Forms, Sharmeen Uqaili

Art Theses and Dissertations

This MFA thesis, The Duality of Perception: Unveiling the Hidden through Visible Form, involves layering paints on shaped wood panels and paper, using the traditional technique of tezhib (gold illumination) and geometric art. Through these layers, I aim to challenge the viewers’ perceptions by simultaneously revealing and concealing elements within the work. Symbols drawn from Islamic traditions such as pomegranates, birds, and ribbons are incorporated in the paintings to carry both cultural and personal significance, evoking my connections to spiritual and physical realms.

Rooted in the principles of Islamic art and informed by spiritual themes such as paradise, divine …

Multi-Domain Machine Learning For Biological Classification: Mallard Classification And Protein Function Prediction, Tolulope Samuel Adeyina

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Multi-domain machine learning applications have revolutionized how we understand and predict complex biological phenomena. This dissertation presents novel computational methodologies addressing two critical problems: mallard classification using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and protein function prediction via interpretable topic-aware peptide embeddings. The research focuses on distinguishing mallard populations through SNP data, which are inherently characterized by ultra-high dimensionality. The research uses advanced feature-selection and dimensionality-reduction strategies alongside machine learning classification algorithms to identify minimal, yet highly predictive SNP sets crucial for accurate breed differentiation. This framework demonstrates robust performance with optimal computational efficiency, significantly aiding conservation and breed management efforts. Furthermore, the …

Binary Solid/Liquid Equilibrium Of Mixtures Of Thermally Robust Salts And Molecular Compounds For Use As Heat Transfer Fluids, Jared Ridge Mathews

Honors Theses

Fossil fuels, contributors to climate change that may bear catastrophic consequences, power the entire world. The human species is almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels for energy, but other sources of renewable and environmentally friendly energy must be developed. Concentrated solar power (CSP) is a promising source of renewable energy with hampered potential—better heat transfer fluids (HTFs) are needed for it to be economically feasible. Currently, the HTFs in industrial use are predominantly either synthetic oils or nitrate-based molten salts. Synthetic oils are only stable up to 400 °C, and molten salts often have high melting temperatures, making them prone …