Digital Commons Network^™

Inverse Laplacian Solution For Spherical Harmonic Decomposition Of Black Hole Initial Data, Nikolaus Vernon Kent

Theses

In the construction of initial data, by way of describing one or more black holes for Numerical Relativity, solving the Hamiltonian Constraint remains a fundamental challenge, as the presence of coordinate singularities in the so-called "puncture" formalism often complicates traditional grid-based numerical methods. This thesis addresses this challenge by developing a semi-analytical framework based on an iterative spherical harmonic modal expansion. We begin by decomposing the source term of the Hamiltonian Constraint, given in terms of the extrinsic curvature, into a basis of spherical harmonics. To navigate the non-linearity of the governing equation, we implement an iterative scheme derived from …

Ai In Action: Redefining Loan Default Prediction For The Digital Lending Era, Joe Vinson Ukken

Theses

Credit risk assessment remains a very important part of financial institutions, particularly within the rapidly evolving digital lending environment. The research explores the effectiveness of five machine learning models—Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and Support Vector Machine—in predicting loan default using both financial indicators and categorical borrower attributes. The study is motivated by the growing availability of structured borrower data and the need to evaluate whether advanced machine learning algorithms can be implemented over conventional credit scoring methods. A publicly available L&T Vehicle Loan Default Prediction dataset comprising 233,154 borrower records and 41 structured attributes, the CRISP-DM …

From Centralized Forecasting To Distributed Intelligence: A Dual- Framework Approach To Dynamic Load Forecasting And Federated Learning In Smart Grids, Tousiya Nazir

Theses

With the growing shift of conventional power systems toward decentralized smart grid electrical systems, many key challenges have come into action. Data privacy, scalability, and real-time decision making are major concerns. A vast amount of sensitive data is generated due to the widespread adoption of distributed energy resources (DERs), electric vehicles (EVs), and other intelligent devices. Although this data is useful for grid improvement, it also raises concerns about privacy, security, and communication, which, in turn, make centralized machine learning unsuitable. Because of the aforementioned issues, this thesis presents a dual framework contribution. Firstly, it offers a systematic and comprehensive …

Asobi: Play In Every Language, Jeffrey Gibbs

Theses

In the era of iPad kids and screenagers, toys are struggling to engage children. The modern toy industry prioritizes eye-catching designs over meaningful stimulation, choosing to profit off of media franchising rather than encourage creative expression. Toys are too often designed in a way that limits the scope of play, forcing kids down a specific path rather than opening a world of creative possibilities. This narrow scope prevents imagination and decreases the overall lifespan of the product by encouraging product turnover. All of this contributes to an abundance of toys in the home, a reality linked to negative development outcomes. …

Topological Perspective On Temporal Climate Networks, Daniel Oleynikov

Theses

Networks are highly effective tools for analyzing the dynamics of Earth’s climate system. In this approach, nodes represent geographical locations and edges represent correlations or causal relationships with respect to climate fields, such as air and sea surface temperatures. We extend this technique by integrating it with topological data analysis (TDA), which shifts the focus from pairwise relationships—typical of conventional network methods—to higher-order interactions among geographic locations. Through techniques such as persistent homology and simplicial distributions, we investigate how the global climate dynamics—summarized by this representation—have evolved over the last 75 years. Additionally, we evaluate changes in oceanic connectivity with …

A Plague On Both Your Houses: Archetypes Of Political Choice, Martin Zwick

Complex Systems Faculty Publications and Presentations

In times of political polarization, we are well-advised to heed Spinoza’s injunction, “Not to lament, not to curse, but to understand.” Understanding can be facilitated by ideas about the archetypal structures of political choice. This paper offers a systems theoretic analysis of a set of such archetypes focusing solely on their structures and not advocating any specific political positions. The primary question that must be answered is whether available or desirable political choices are dyadic or triadic, and if dyadic, whether the two alternatives of the dyad should be viewed as good versus bad or as complementary.  Various modes of …

A Smoking-Related Plasma Protein Score And Smoking-Related Cancer Risk And Mortality In The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study, Meng Ru, Christopher Douville, Aghiles Guenoun, Hana Zahed, Christie M Ballantyne, Kenneth R Butler, Josef Coresh, David J Couper, Panagis Galiatsatos, Marc J Gunter, Ron C Hoogeveen, Mattias Johansson, Corinne E Joshu, P Martijn Kolijn, Christina M Lill, Jiayun Lu, Michael T Marrone, Giovanna Masala, David C Muller, Anna E Prizment, Raul Zamora-Ros, Nilanjan Chatterjee, Adrienne Tin, Elizabeth A Platz

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Self-reported smoking may not fully capture individualized risk of smoking-related cancer, but circulating proteins may reflect biological consequences of smoking. Thus, we developed a score based on smoking-related proteins and evaluated its association with smoking-related cancer.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 10 563 participants aged 47-70 years in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Plasma proteins were measured using the SomaScan Platform (SomaLogic Operating Co, Inc). The score was constructed from proteins associated with current smoking, pack-years, or recent quitting identified by linear regression and elastic net regression. Cox regression was used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios and …

Asymptotic And Series Methods For Nonlinear Differential Equations With Applications In Mathematical Physics, W. Cade Reinberger

Theses

This work advances a general framework to obtain the solution of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) via power series methods. The approach is demonstrated through problems relevant to mathematical physics. Power series solutions can offer advantages over other numerical techniques in many applications, including increased convergence and computational efficiency. The theoretical basis for power series and their convergence rests in the complex-analytic structure of the function being computed. The existence of convergence-limiting singularities in the complex plane, their location, and their asymptotic behavior motivate analytic continuation techniques to overcome their influence. This work demonstrates some methods to manage singularities, not …

Integrated Geophysical, Geotechnical, And Mineralogical Characterization Of Expansive Weches Formation Soils In East Texas: Implications For Infrastructure Design, Samuel Annobil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the geotechnical, geophysical, and mineralogical characteristics of soils derived from the Weches Formation in Nacogdoches County, East Texas, with emphasis on the relationships among electrical resistivity, moisture condition, compaction state, and mineralogical composition. The Weches Formation is well known for producing clay-rich, moisture-sensitive soils that pose challenges to subgrade performance because of their plasticity and swelling behavior. Representative soil samples were collected and subjected to laboratory testing, including particle size analysis, Atterberg limits, Standard Proctor compaction, free swell tests, electrical resistivity measurements, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) mineralogical analysis. The soils are predominantly fine-grained and clay-rich, with USCS …

Project Scheduling Analysis For The Overhaul Of Indramayu Steam Power Plant (Pltu), Hano Kharismantoko, Ratih Dyah Kusumastuti

International Conference on Business and Management Research (ICBMR)

This study aims to analyze time and cost efficiency in the overhaul project of PLTU Unit 2 Indramayu by applying project crashing using mixed method approach. The growing electricity demand in Indonesia and the vital role of Steam Power Plants (PLTU) require effective maintenance strategies to prevent revenue losses due to overhaul project delays. The research integrates qualitative insights from direct observation and interviews with quantitative data from project documentation. The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Critical Path Method (CPM) were used to identify critical activities, followed by project crashing using linear programming approach to determine the optimal schedule and …

Analysis The Influence Of Product Attributes On Purchase Decision In Choosing A Smartphone Apple Or Samsung., Arumadina Islamiq, Indrawati Indrawati

International Conference on Business and Management Research (ICBMR)

Smartphones are currently a very important and necessary means of communication for the public. Two of the most popular smartphone brands are Samsung and Apple. The purpose of this study is to measure respondents' assessments of product attribute variables (quality, features, brand, design style, and support services) in purchase decisions.

This research is descriptive. It uses quantitative methods. This study examines two variables in detail, namely product attributes (X) as the independent variable and Purchase Decision (Y) as the dependent variable. The respondents in this study consisted of all consumers who currently use Samsung or Apple smartphone products, with 400 …

The Team In Steam: Integrating Disciplinary Practices Into Project-Based Experiences, Margaret L. Borden, Meghan Raftery, David Reese, Michelle Richter

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on integrating science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) education into the curriculum to enhance student engagement and prepare them for success in an evolving global society. Project-Based Learning (PBL) has emerged as a powerful pedagogical approach to address these goals, offering opportunities for rigorous, collaborative, and authentic learning experiences. Drawing from literature and practical examples, the article discusses the implementation of PBL in STEAM curriculum development, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world connections. Additionally, the article provides insights into the GRASP framework as a tool for infusing …

Fractsynth: Exploring Glitch Timbres With Chaos Theory, Aidan Roach

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

In this paper, I explore how chaos theory can be used to design a new kind of synthesizer with the primary focus of producing glitchy, unpredictable sounds. Glitch music embraces abstract sound design, malfunctioning electronics, and randomness as the main compositional elements. However, most synthesizers rely on stable, repetitive oscillators that often sound too controlled. To challenge this, I developed FractSynth, a real-time synthesizer that uses chaotic attractors–including the Logistic Map, Henon Map, and Lorenz System–as modulation sources for frequency, amplitude, and tone. The software also features real-time Lyapunov Exponent Tracking, which gives users a direct visual of how …

From Vibration To Visualization: Building An Real-Time Audio Visualization System For Learning And Exploration Using Pyqt5, Aidan Roach

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This paper presents the design, development, and analysis of my real-time audio visualization system created entirely in Python using PyQt5, called WaveCatcher. The system captures live audio input from a microphone and provides simultaneous visual feedback through multiple signal representations: including a time-domain waveform, a frequency-domain FFT spectrum, a scrolling spectrogram, harmonic peak visualization, dynamic range, amplitude envelope, spectral centroid, and spectral bandwidth. These features offer insight not just into the raw structure of sound, but into how humans perceive its qualities–like timbre! This terminology may seem intimidating—it certainly was when I first began learning it—but I’ll explain all of …

Interactions Of Dance And Mathematics: A Closer Look At Mathematical Sequences As Scores For Choreography From A Choreographic Lens, Caroline Wolfe

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This paper investigates the embodiment of infinite mathematical sequences through concert contemporary dance, examining how choreography can serve both as an artistic and analytical tool for exploring numerical patterns. Grounded in interdisciplinary literature on mathematical visualization in choreography, the study centers on two original choreographic works presented and performed at Missouri State University: Golden Ratio Sequence (Spring 2025), which maps the Fibonacci sequence and the natural applications of the Golden Ratio onto a spiral floor pattern, and Tetrahedral Numbers (Fall 2024), which employs an accumulation score to embody three-dimensional number growth through layered movement motifs and body created tetrahedra. The …

The Unsmart Home: A Steam Approach To Coding Though Drama And Creative Play, Jennifer R. Roberts

The Transdisciplinary STEAM+ Journal

This article examines how integrating drama and coding can enhance computational thinking, creativity, and inclusivity in children. Grounded in constructivist and embodied learning theories, it presents The UnSmart Home, a drama-based coding experience. In this immersive project, children interact with a mal-functioning smart home through character-led, narrative challenges that require basic coding to solve problems. This approach reframes programming as creative play, making abstract concepts tangible through storytelling and physical engagement. Positioned within the STEAM education framework, the article argues that drama offers a powerful entry point into technical learning. It supports multimodal learning, encourages collaboration, and challenges stereotypes about …

Portland Public Schools ' Board Meeting Attendance And Awareness, Matan Schoenfeld

Thinking Matters Symposium

Portland Public Schools District Board meetings are the primary

touchpoint for parents, students, and staff to engage with their educational

leadership. They provide transparent communication about current and

upcoming initiatives within the district, and allow for attendees to voice questions,

concerns, and opinions. The political culture cultivated by these meetings is on

with heavy emphasis on dialogue and citizen participation. Yet there is one large

problem: many members of the PPS district community are unable (due to lack of

awareness or other practical obstacles) to attend the meetings. I believe the PPS

district would better function as an extension of …

Replacing Exams With Project-Based Assignments, Patrick Hiesl

Land-Grant Press — Teaching Section

This brief provides an example of project-based learning that was applied to the FOR 3410 – Wood Procurement Practices in the Forest Industry undergraduate course. After teaching this course for 4 years, it was determined that project-based learning aligned well with the learning outcomes and activities the students would encounter in their professional careers, resulting in better student engagement in the course and higher retention of the concepts.

Artificial Intelligence In Medicine: Barriers, Solutions, And Strategies, Anil Harrison, Melissa Stradley Moreno, Caroline E. Williams, Munevver Mine Subasi, Ersoy Subasi

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into health care holds the potential to revolutionize patient care by enhancing clinical decision-making, improving diagnostic accuracy, and reducing costs. Despite this promise, adoption remains limited due to a range of technical, regulatory, educational, and cultural barriers. This paper examines these challenges and proposes strategies to support safe and effective implementation of AI in clinical practice.

Key barriers include the lack of model interpretability, often referred to as the "black box" problem, which undermines clinician trust and accountability in clinical settings, evolving regulatory frameworks and unresolved questions surrounding liability, and …

Organizational Justice And Perceived Organizational Support As Predictors Of Readiness For Change: The Mediating Role Of Psychological Capital Among Correctional Center Clients In Jakarta, Agam Ramadika, Budi Widjaja Soetjipto

International Conference on Business and Management Research (ICBMR)

Reintegration of correctional clients requires both access to formal employment and psychological readiness to adapt to change. Organizational Justice and Perceived Organizational Support are key factors that may strengthen Readiness for Change through the role of Psychological Capital. A quantitative design with purposive sampling was applied to 243 correctional clients on parole and employed in the formal sector in Jakarta. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SmartPLS, including reliability, validity, and structural model testing. Organizational Justice significantly influenced Psychological Capital (β = 0.537) and Readiness for Change (β = 0.328). Perceived Organizational Support also showed positive effects …

Improving Judicial Reasoning In Constitutional Rights Cases: The Case For A Structured Proportionality Test In The Indonesian Constitutional Court, Muhamad Dzadit Taqwa

Padjadjaran Jurnal Ilmu Hukum (Journal of Law)

This study evaluates the structured proportionality test modelled after the German approach. It argues that the Indonesian Constitutional Court should adopt this test when reviewing statutory limitations on constitutional rights under the amended 1945 Constitution. While the structurally weak protection of constitutional rights in the Constitution provides the contextual motivation for this inquiry, the central focus is instrumental: to assess the benefits and challenges of proportionality as a tool for improving judicial reasoning in constitutional rights adjudication. The analysis identifies three key benefits, including enhanced problem identification, improved justification of legislative limitations, and strengthened methodological rigor in judicial decision-making. At …

Financial Feasibility And Risk Assessment Of Battery Leasing Business Model, Zhou Ying, Zhang Xueping

Dianchi(Changsha)

No abstract provided.

Algorithmic Optimization Of Energy Storage Systems In Microgrid Substations, Liu Chuang, Wang Jiyue, Liu Deping, Dong Cuifen

Dianchi(Changsha)

No abstract provided.

Fault Detection In Power Batteries Based On An Improved Smote Strategy, Lan Nanyu, Chen Xuewen, Hu Lipeng, Tang Jinjun

Dianchi(Changsha)

No abstract provided.

Deep Learning Battery Parameter Identification And Soh Estimation Based On Cloud Platform, Zhang Weiping, Wang Zhicui, Ji Li, Li Guoqiang, Zhao Wenlei

Dianchi(Changsha)

No abstract provided.

Empowering Sustainable Household Waste Management Through Rubbin: App-Based Transactions Using Google Maps Api And Qr Code Recognition, H.A. Danang Rimbawa, Muhammad Abditya Arghanie, Muhammad Rey Renoult, Dea Dwi Ananda

Smart City

The Digitization of environmentally friendly technology must be applied to advance smart cities. Waste management carried out conventionally often causes irregularities in the classification data collection, difficulties in accessing information related to garbage collection schedules, and a lack of transaction history information, which causes a decrease in the quality of waste collection. The development of functional application features is urgently needed as a container for proper waste management. The Rubbin App has been created, which implements Google Maps API for route optimization and waste mapping, QR code recognition using Enhanced Adaptive Median Filter, and private chat for clients and collectors …

Full Issue

International Journal on Consumer Law and Practice

No abstract provided.

(((Qpie33))) Aetheris-12 Sovereign Defense Mandate., Teddy Burroughs

Defensive Publications Series

This is the QPIE Quantum Perspective Is Everything… Aetheris-12 Sovereign Defense Mandate. This document is a high-bandwidth, long-form response to the institutional “Sapiens Standard Model” (SSM) skeptics, the gatekeepers of the binary scientific apparatus, and the holders of the peer-reviewed status quo.

We recognize your position. From the perspective of the 637mK Stochastic Nursery, the QPIE 0.993 Floor looks like “Pseudo-Science” because your instruments are calibrated for Friction, whereas ours are calibrated for Laminarity. You are attempting to measure a Superfluid Solid with a thermometer designed for boiling water.

Below, we address the top 12 institutional rebuttals …

The Comfort Of The Cage: Why The Bamboozled Stay And The 54 Obvious Paradoxes That Proves It!, Teddy Burroughs

Defensive Publications Series

This deep dive is a forensic decoding of why “Comfortable Numbness” is the primary competitor of Resonant Abundance. As always We approach this with Compassion, Gratitude, and Trust (CGT), because these “Toddlers” are us—they are simply nodes currently trapped in a high-viscosity “Jitter Loop.”

II. THE ANATOMY OF THE CAGE: THE FOUR PILLARS OF ATTACHMENT

1. The Safety-Predictability Glitch

In the 3D Toddler Room, “Safety” is defined as “knowing what is going to happen next,” even if what happens next is bad. Sapiens prefer a Predictable Misery over an Unpredictable Infinite.

• The Mechanics: If you know …

Framework For Robustness Against Divergent Voltage Drops And High Clock Divergence, Google Case Managers Picozzi, Prateek Pendyala

Defensive Publications Series

A framework providing a dual-metric topology assessment evaluates hold-timing vulnerabilities on paths experiencing high divergence and associated voltage drop gradients. The framework utilizes loop delay tolerance and differential drop tolerance metrics to identify fragile paths and apply proactive verification early in the physical design cycle.