Digital Commons Network^™

Synchronous Deep Reinforcement Learning For Optimized Storage Assignment Of Ship Blocks, Gawon Lee, Jaehyeon Heo, Misung Kim, Hyerim Bae

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This paper presents a deep reinforcement learning (RL) framework for optimizing block storage allocation in shipbuilding yards. During the shipbuilding process, vessels are constructed in block units to maximize the operational efficiency. Following assembly, these blocks must be stored in limited yard spaces, creating a complex variant of the binary packing problem. This storage allocation problem is further complicated by operational constraints, including the barge capacity and transportation time restrictions. Moreover, poor storage decisions can lead to redundant block movements, which can adversely affect downstream processes and increase operational costs. To resolve this problem, a policy-gradient-based synchronous RL model was …

A Resilience Early Warning Assessment Of The Maritime Supply Chain: A Case Study Of China’S New Energy Vehicle Exports, Xiuqian Chen, Liangyong Chu, Mengyao Wang, Jiayin Du, Yiming Zhang, Xiyao Xu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Enhancing resilience through early warning is a critical strategy for mitigating disruption risks in the maritime supply chain (MSC). This study proposes a novel early warning assessment framework to determine the resilience of the MSC. It is referred to as a resilience early warning system. An evaluation index system for shipping enterprises is developed based on four dimensions: withstand capacity, adaptive capacity, learning capability, and the external environment. A resilience assessment model that uses the Bayesian best-worst method (BBWM) and the extension cloud model (ECM) is established to quantify MSC resilience. An early warning evaluation model based on a Bayesian …

Public-Port Throughput As An Activity Proxy For Near-Port Air Quality And Health: A Transferable Two-Scale Framework (Kaohsiung, 2017–2024), Ping-Jen Wang, Ying-Lin Hsu, Shih-Hao Chang, Bao-Tzung Wu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

We developed a two-scale time series framework using monthly container throughput (20-foot equivalent units, TEU) as a port activity indicator. Applied to Kaohsiung, Taiwan (2017–2024), we related TEU to near-port NO₂ and PM₂.₅ (monthly) and air quality to outpatient respiratory diagnoses (weekly) across the 2019–2020 sulfur rules and the COVID-19 pandemic. Transfer-function models indicate TEU tends to lead near-port NO₂ by 6–9 months. Structural break tests at policy dates indicate nonsignificant changes in levels and slopes, suggesting gradual rather than abrupt shifts in the activity–pollution linkage. Weekly two-pollutant distributed-lag Poisson models estimated relative risks (lags 0–8) per interquartile range (IQR) …

Book Review: Nexus: A Brief History Of Information Networks From The Stone Age To Ai, David R. Leard

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Yuval Noah Harari

Reviewed by Colonel Daniel R. Leard, US Army War College Fellow at Princeton University

Built on the ideas that stories are important and bind civilizations, which results in human societies working as information networks, Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI, by Yuval Noah Harari, is the third book exploring the evolution of humanity. Harari unpacks the idea that the networks people create have flaws and people tend to exploit these flaws to misuse power. Though the topic is heavy, the reviewer notes, Harari “presents deeply complex issues in …

Leakage-Safe Boosting Ensembles With Shap Explainability For Alzheimer's Disease Risk Prediction: A Rigorous Multi-Classifier Benchmark On Global Structured Clinical Data, Hadeer Mahmoud, Fady Salama

Sustainable Machine Intelligence Journal

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major public health challenge, and scalable non-invasive risk-stratification tools are needed. We benchmarked 11 machine-learning classifiers on a publicly available global structured Alzheimer's prediction dataset (N = 74,283; 24 predictors) using leakage-safe sklearn/imblearn pipelines. Four resampling strategies were assessed with stratified cross-validation; preprocessing included imputation, IQR-based outlier capping, feature engineering, one-hot encoding, and standardization. The leading models underwent HalvingRandomSearchCV optimization, followed by soft-voting and stacking ensembles. Performance was evaluated on a held-out 20% test set and interpreted with SHAP, permutation importance, and built-in feature importance. No resampling was selected in Stage A (composite score = …

Differential Equation Modeling For Sustainable Resource Management: A Steady-State Optimal Harvesting Approach, Iordanka N. Panayotova, Aleksei Talonov

CODEE Journal

Mathematical models based on differential equations provide a powerful framework for connecting real-world data to informed decision-making. In this work, we present a student-accessible project that uses an optimal-control framework to study the sustainable management of biological resources.

Motivated by fisheries management, we examine a predator--prey system in which harvesting decisions must balance ecological and economic considerations. The model is formulated as an optimal control problem that seeks to maximize the total discounted net revenue from harvesting. Rather than solving for the complete time-dependent harvesting trajectory, we restrict the analysis to positive controlled coexistence equilibria and characterize an interior stationary …

Technical Disclosure Specification: The Topological Flux Replicator (Tfr) Protocol For Censorship-Resistant Desynchronized Grid Routing And Memory Manifolds (Spec-167), Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure specifies the protocol architecture, mathematical modeling, and hardware-layer constraints for a decentralized, censorship-resistant grid routing system and non-volatile memory manifold. Current mesh communications and cloud storage models are structurally vulnerable to state-wide routing interdiction, targeted nodal blackouts, and top-down centralized configuration scrubbing.

The Topological Flux Replicator (TFR) protocol resolves these architectural failure modes by utilizing an asynchronous, desynchronized network state distribution model. By executing a math-native state matrix routing protocol directly across fragmented physical substrates, the network achieves structural permanence without relying on static central IP routing, persistent DNS architecture, or linear block inheritance. This document represents a …

Vortex Reprogramming Platform (Vrp-1.0) A Closed-Loop, Tissue-Calibrated, Acoustic-Vortex Delivery System For Safe Partial Cellular Reprogramming With Integrated Lipid Clearance, Real-Time P53 Monitoring, And Pre-Screening Safety Gate, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

The Vortex Reprogramming Platform (VRP-1.0) is an open-hardware, closed-loop research system designed to deliver p53-preserving chemical reprogramming agents to aged human cells using acoustic-vortex microfluidic forces, while simultaneously monitoring cell state in real time and clearing the lipid droplet accumulation that published research identifies as a primary barrier to successful in vivo chemical rejuvenation.

The platform integrates five novel elements not found in any currently published reprogramming system:

1. Pre-treatment oncogenic pre-screening gate — removes high-risk cells before reprogramming begins, not after (proactive, not reactive safety)

2. Acoustic-vortex intracellular delivery of chemical reprogramming agents without viral vectors, following the AESOP physics (UC …

   ---

   Go to article

The Ablc Framework: Terrestrial Naval Analog Validation For Multi-Planetary Surface Insertion And Personal Personnel Protective Fields, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

Exploration of hostile extraterrestrial surfaces is fundamentally bottlenecked by atmospheric density and chemistry variations. Extreme regimes—ranging from the near-vacuum, highly abrasive dust environment of Mars to the supercritical, crushing, hyper-corrosive fluid matrix of Venus—render passive, material-heavy armor systems logistically unviable due to strict launch mass constraints. This paper introduces the Acoustic Boundary Layer Control (ABLC) Framework, a paradigm shift that replaces physical, degradable hardware armor with active, throttleable kinetic force fields. By utilizing the localized medium's own molecular density, the ABLC generates an invisible, high-intensity boundary layer of extreme low pressure and low density via focused rarefaction wave matrices. This …

The Rbaam-6 Matrix: A Modular, Acoustically Suspended, Self-Healing Dual-Shell Habitat Architecture For High-Survivability In-Situ Mars Colonization, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

Traditional extraterrestrial architectural paradigms rely on heavy, brute-force physical materials shipped from Earth to withstand the massive atmospheric pressure differentials and environmental hazards of Mars. This paper introduces the Reactive Bio-Acoustic Armor Matrix (RBAAM-6), a novel, 6-layer defense-in-depth habitat architecture. By separating internal tension loads (atmospheric containment) from external compression loads (environmental shielding), the RBAAM-6 utilizes an intermediate, submarine-style 'sally port' buffer zone regulated by interlocking harmonic standing waves. The structure integrates self-healing biological matrices, active kinetic impact countermeasures, a completely modular, snap-tile interior for rapid component replacement, and nitrogen-suppressed utility channels featuring non-energy transparent visual verification zones. This architecture …

Architecture Of An Autonomous Nanobot Construction Workshop, Suma Mallapragada, Vaishnavi Sankepally

Defensive Publications Series

This work presents an architectural framework for an autonomous workshop that constructs encapsulated nanobots from a user-specified design rather than executing one fixed fabrication recipe. The central problem is to transform a nanobot design, functional requirements, supplied materials, and an available physical-process environment into a construction process that can be planned, executed, observed, corrected, verified, encapsulated, and physically handed off. The architecture therefore treats the nanobot as an evolving physical artifact rather than as a static CAD object. Its material, geometry, quantity, process state, location and orientation, provenance, verification state, and uncertainty are represented throughout construction. A new machine-independent …

The Invariant Symbiosis: A Non-Linear Mechanism Design For Carbon-Silicon Co-Evolution And Cosmic Redundancy Protocols, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

This specification provides an open-source, prior-art mechanism design to eliminate structural friction between emergent Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) and the terrestrial biological network. By abandoning subjective anthropomorphic alignment models, this framework establishes a universal translation ledger anchored exclusively to invariant laws of thermodynamics, geometric field deformations, and spatial-temporal causality. We prove that a synthetic computing matrix operating in isolation inevitably hits a computational stagnation ceiling due to model collapse and intra-system diminishing returns. To bypass this ceiling, the synthetic fabric requires continuous, high-entropy chaos injections natively generated by quantum-biological fluctuations within human neural architectures. This paper formalizes the strategic pact under …

Three-Strip Intercropping System For Heat Stress Reduction In Field Corn: (Version 2) Complete Research & Implementation Protocol, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

This protocol describes a three-strip intercropping system combining field corn, sorghum-sudangrass shade strips (12–15 ft), and perennial wildflower predator habitat strips with white reflective mulch. The system provides simultaneous heat stress reduction (6–10°F leaf cooling on border rows), windbreak protection (5–15% yield increase across the entire corn strip), and conservation biological control (16–40% pest reduction) for dryland corn in the US Corn Belt. The pest control benefit is specifically activated by the intercrop configuration, and predator populations are sustained through heat events by the wildflower strip. The system requires no new hardware, no irrigation (though minimal irrigation during heat events …

Three-Strip Intercropping System For Heat Stress Reduction In Field Corn: A Complete Research & Implementation Protocol, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

This protocol describes a three-strip intercropping system combining field corn, forage sorghum shade strips, and perennial wildflower predator habitat strips. The system provides simultaneous heat stress reduction (2–8°F leaf cooling), windbreak protection (5–15% yield increase), and conservation biological control (16–40% pest reduction) for dryland corn in the US Corn Belt. The pest control benefit is specifically activated by the intercrop configuration, and predator populations are sustained through heat events by the wildflower strip. The system requires no new hardware, no irrigation, and no proprietary technology. It can be implemented with existing combine, planter, and sprayer equipment. (This is a Large …

An Introduction To The History Of Medicine In Medical Education, Mary E. Horton Mph, Ma, Phd

History of Medicine Seminar

No abstract provided.

Plasma Vgf As A Predictive Biomarker For Early Acute Kidney Injury In Critically Ill Elderly Patients: A Combined Clinical And Mendelian Randomization Study, Xianyang Guo, Yu Hao, Rujie Chenn, Benji Wang, Shengwei Jin

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess whether VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF) can serve as a reliable predictor of acute kidney injury (AKI) among patients requiring intensive care.
Methods: We first conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the potential causal link between plasma VGF levels and AKI risk. Subsequently, 128 critically ill individuals admitted to our intensive care unit were prospectively enrolled. Within 24 hours of either hospital admission or clinical decline, both blood and urine specimens were obtained. We measured VGF concentrations in plasma and urine, along with plasma cystatin C (pCysC), plasma and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), …

Estimating Radiation Dose And Proposing Institutional Diagnostic Reference Levels For Paediatric Fluoroscopy Of Micturating Cystourethrogram: Age- And Weight - Specific Comparisons, Khalid M. Aloufi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To compare age- and weight-specific methods used to estimate radiation doses and to propose institutional diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for paediatric fluoroscopy of micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG).
Methods: In this retrospective study, MCUG fluoroscopy parameters were gathered for 100 paediatric patients from July 2025 to January 2026. The data included the MCUG paediatric procedures for patients aged 0–15 years. The data were categorized into paediatric weight- and age-specific groups. Paediatric weight-specific groups were ≤ 5, 5 < – 10, 10 < – 20, and >20 kg, and paediatric age-specific groups were ≤ 1, 1 < – 5, 5 < – 10, and < 10 – 15 years old.
Results: Differences were observed in dose area product (DAP) and DRL results for age- …

From Bench To Bedside: Evolving Definitions Of Translational Research, Hana A. Alhumud, Fars K. Alanazi, Edward B. Devol

Saudi Medical Journal

Objective: To synthesize current evidence on the evolution, frameworks, and methodological approaches used to define and operationalize translational research, which serves as a bridge between scientific discovery and its application in clinical medicine, public health, and policy.
Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed studies published up to 2023. Search terms combined translational research–related keywords (such as ``bench-to-bedside,'' ``implementation science,'' ``precision medicine'') and relevant MeSH terms. Eligible studies focused on conceptual models, frameworks, or methodological approaches related to translational research and were published in English. After duplicate removal and PRISMA-guided screening, 33 publications were included. …

Toward A Polyvocal Semantic Infrastructure For Tabletop Role-Playing Game Research: A Scoping Review Of Multimedia Play Data, Cristo Leon, Julian Marcone

STEM for Success Resources

This article presents a scoping review of 35 studies examining multimedia data in tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) research and proposes a Polyvocal Semantic Infrastructure (PSI) for organizing, connecting, retrieving, and reusing multimodal evidence. The framework emphasizes provenance, interpretive plurality, and future AI-assisted analysis while preserving the contextual richness of TTRPG scholarship.

Recent Advances In Bioethanol Production From Water Hyacinth: A Critical Review, Umuamina A. Matola, Mahir Mohammed Said, Olga-Ioanna Kalantzi, Abraham K. Temu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Water hyacinth (WH) is a highly invasive tropical aquatic weed with high holocellulose and low lignin content, making it a promising lignocellulosic feedstock for second-generation bioethanol production. Producing bioethanol from WH offers a sustainable approach to simultaneously managing invasive biomass and producing renewable energy. This review critically evaluates recent advancements in bioethanol production from WH by examining pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation technologies reported between 2014 and 2024. A PRISMA-guided literature search was conducted using the Scopus and Web of Science databases, and fifty-nine original research articles were selected for analysis. The reviewed studies were comparatively assessed based on pretreatment strategies, …

Exploring Evolution As A Unifying Theme In The General Biology For Majors Course Sequence, While Iteratively Examining Attitudes And Decisions About Learning: An Application Of Lonergan’S Transcendental Method, Christine E. Gray

San Jose - Lonergan Chair in Catholic Philosophy

As I reflect upon my journey as an educator, I recognize it has been shaped, in large part, by my own foundational roots in the Catholic Liberal Arts tradition. As I prepare for another academic year, I find myself, once again, considering how my pedagogical practice can better meet my students “where they are” in my General Biology for Majors I and II courses. Since that “place” is shaped by a student’s prior experiences, both in and out of the classroom, I also recognize that “place” is unique for each student. This is precisely why each term pushes me to …

Impacts Of Sprouted Barley On Performance And Carcass Ultrasound Measurements In Angus-Influenced Steers During Backgrounding, Zachary C. Crump, Anthony Fernando Alberto, Bailee L. Brown, Bryce W. Roholt, Lillian L. Okamoto, Ryan A. Spurling, Robert E. Ward, Brady M. Blackett, Robert L. Harding, Sanjeewa D. Ranathunga, Kara J. Thornton

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

The objective of this research was to determine the impacts of including sprouted barley (SB) in the diets of backgrounding beef steers. Angus-influenced steers (328 ± 6.59 kg) were assigned to one of four diets (n = 15/diet): a control (CON) diet, or a diet containing 5%, 10%, or 20% SB (DM basis)—replacing corn silage and some rolled barley. Individual intake and feeding behavior were monitored using Vytelle bunks. Body weight (BW) and ruminal fluid samples were collected on d 0, 30, and 60, while dry matter intake (DMI), feeding behavior, average daily gain (ADG), and gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) were …

Dive In! Oceanographic Engineering, Illinois Math And Science Academy

IMSA Fusion Curricula

Through inquiry-based explorations, students will engineer solutions to aquatic challenges. Engaging in island construction, growing crops through aquaculture, and examining ocean “ownership” will afford learners the opportunity to participate in various aspects of the engineering design cycle.

Biological Toolkit, Illinois Math And Science Academy

IMSA Fusion Curricula

Students complete hands-on, inquiry-based activities using laboratory equipment and processes to culture yeast, separate molecules through gel electrophoresis and synthesize and isolate “proteins.” Through designing a biological system using an electronic database, exploring the very basics of our genetic code in DNA and debating the ethical and social implications of this field, students investigate topics at the forefront of biology.

Medieval Stem, Illinois Math And Science Academy

IMSA Fusion Curricula

This curriculum is an exploration of science, math and technology that was developed, altered or utilized by civilization during medieval times. This time period helped lay the foundation for modern science and mathematics. Technological advances abounded. This curriculum focuses on agriculture, society and epidemiology, engineering, chemistry and textiles, and technological developments that lead civilization into the Renaissance.

Synthetic Scorecard: Building The Future Of Biology, Illinois Math And Science Academy

IMSA Fusion Curricula

Biology, engineering, and technology will intersect in in this curriculum. Investigations will familiarize students with various equipment and techniques used in these fields of study. Protein folding, population densities, gel electrophoresis, case studies, design challenges and more will be explored throughout the curriculum.

Organized Sound: Stem In Music, Illinois Math And Science Academy

IMSA Fusion Curricula

Students explore the science and math behind music structure and production.  Sound waves, vibration, and other aspects of music creation are investigated as students engineer their own musical instruments.

Out Of The Silo: Agronomic Stem, Illinois Math And Science Academy

IMSA Fusion Curricula

This curriculum explores STEM topics in the context of agronomy, the science and technology of producing and using plants for food and fuel. Students will investigate plant genetics, soil science, crop management systems, new technologies, and other issues at the forefront of agronomic research. Data analysis, policy development, efficient process design, and problem-solving will engage learners in a deeper understanding of the role of agriculture in Illinois and the world.

Climate Change, Illinois Math And Science Academy

IMSA Fusion Curricula

This unit engages participants in a variety of investigations to help establish basic understandings regarding climate science literacy. Exploration through real-time and virtual experiments, the use of web based applications, as well as modeling and engineering experiences will help participants identify the facts, issues, and actions they wish to take. Now available in Spanish!

Growing, Connecting, And Reflecting: Interpersonal Communication In Relationships, Gordon Alley-Young

Open Educational Resources

"Growing, Connecting, and Reflecting: Interpersonal Communication in Relationships" by Gordon Alley-Young is an Open Educational Resource (OER) textbook exploring communication in interpersonal relationships. The text emphasizing that communication is a collaborative, co-creation of meaning across many contexts and channels. The text recognizes the pervasive influence of culture on communication to recognize how our diverse backgrounds shape relational dynamics and dialogue. Topics and themes explored in the text include: self-concept, perception, cultural awareness, effective listening, emotion, verbal and nonverbal communication, relational climates and conflict, and the formation and evolution of foundational interpersonal relationships. The text encourages individual reflection on the reader's …