Digital Commons Network^™

Reduced Kinetic Modelling Of Reactive Oxygen And Nitrogen Species Formation In Microwave Plasma Jets, Hayder M. Hadi, Abdul Hussain A. Khadyair, Hamid Al-Jibbouri

Baghdad Science Journal

Cold atmospheric-pressure microwave plasma jets are crucial sources of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in the fields of biomedicine, environment, and industry. A reduced kinetic model has been constructed to model RONS production in microwave-driven plasma jets at different process parameters in this paper. The model employs a simplified system of coupled ordinary differential equations representative of the dominant plasma-chemical reactions to characterize the time evolution of six high-interest species (OH, O, O₃, NO, NO₂, and H₂O₂). The influence of gas composition, gas flow rate, surface humidity, and microwave power on …

Novel Solitary Wave Solutions And Stability Analysis Of The Generalized (3+1)-Dimensional Chaffee–Infante Equation, Mostafa M. A. Khater

Baghdad Science Journal

The generalized (3+1)-dimensional Chaffee–Infante equation, a nonlinear evolution equation with dispersive, dissipative and nonlinear effects, is considered a member of the class of reaction–diffusion models. Applying the Khater III method, we obtain seventeen exact analytical solutions of hyperbolic, trigonometric and rational function forms. The accuracy of these solutions is verified by comparison with the numerical simulations obtained by He's variational iteration method. The satisfactory consistency at absolute error levels less than 10^ - 9 supports the reliability of the analytical results. The analysis shows different dynamical patterns: solitary waves, periodic structures and singular wave profiles and studies their stability properties …

Ai-Driven Project Management In Real Estate Private Equity: Impacts On Workflow Efficiency And Standardization, Alexander D. Van Den Bosch

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in project management, yet limited research has examined its relationship with workflow efficiency and process standardization in real estate private equity (REPE) acquisitions. This quantitative correlational study examined these relationships and identified which AI-supported functionalities respondents perceived as contributing most to project management performance. The study drew on project management principles and the Technology Acceptance Model. Data were collected through a cross-sectional QuestionPro survey of professionals involved in REPE and related acquisition workflows, resulting in 146 completed surveys. The study used descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and regression analysis to evaluate the data. AI implementation …

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda September 21, 2026, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

3:00 pm Call to Order

Approval of Minutes - August 24, 2026

3:05 University Business

3:20 Faculty Senate Business

3:35 Report

Honors Program Annual Report

3:45 Information

EPC Report - September 3, 2026

4:00 Additional Business

Faculty Authored Course Materials Policy

Adjourn: 4:30 pm

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Minutes September 21, 2026, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes - August 24, 2026
• University Business
• Faculty Senate Business
• Reports
• Honors Program Annual Report
• EPC Report
• Additional Business
• Faculty Authored Course Materials Policy
• Policy Discussions
• Policy 4001.2.12.6.2
• Adjourn: 5:05 pm

Chimes: September 21, 2026, Calvin University

Chimes

Calvin ends legacy, mosaic and first-generation awards by Jorie Cho

An overview of Calvin’s new AI policy by Ellery Johnson

Update: DHS policy blocked by judge, current immigration policy to remain in place by Ian Tjoelker

Pickleball club is an instant hit among Calvin students by Evangeline Anga

New solar array to deliver renewable energy to campus by Lucas Phelps

Calvin becomes a Coca-Cola campus and other changes to dining services by Alec DeYoung

Quality Improvement Project: Electronic Consent's Influence On Consent Error Rates, Alexis Fogle

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Surgical consent errors increase the risk of inaccurate documentation, compromise patient safety, and disrupt procedure times. Evidence indicates that adopting electronic consent can optimize workflow, support accurate and complete documentation, improve readability, and enhance record reliability. This project evaluated whether initiating electronic consent, compared with handwriting surgical consent forms, reduced the number of improper surgical consent forms completed over six weeks. Roy’s Adaptation Model guided the change process, and the Theory of the Person as an Adaptation System provided the theoretical basis. The Plan-Do-Study-Act model supported evidence-based implementation of the electronic consent intervention. The quality improvement project was conducted on …

Energy Market And Carbon Emission Spillovers In Critical Minerals Investment: A Dynamic Connectedness Approach, Haibo Wang, Lutfu S. Sua, Jaime Ortiz, Jun Huang, Bahram Alidaee

International Business and Entrepreneurship Faculty Publications

Purpose: This paper aims to examine the daily financial risk spillovers associated with investing in critical minerals. It examines the dynamic interconnectedness between seven critical mineral Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) portfolios and key economic-wide variables, including the energy market, carbon emissions, market sentiment and global infrastructure.

Design/methodology/approach: A time-varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP-VAR) model is used to quantify dynamic connectedness and directional volatility spillovers using daily data from May 1 2013, to May 2 2023. The study isolates the impact of extreme events by splitting the data into pre- and post-COVID-19 samples based on the February 2020 stock market crash.

Findings: …

The Rider (2026-09-21), Daniela Chapa-Reyes

The Rider Archives

Vol. 12, No. 5

Re: Comment Letter For Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Butte Reduction Works Smelter Area Intermediate 60% Remedial Design Submittal (Dated May 19, 2026), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Challenges Related To Science Vocabulary Instruction In Wyoming Elementary Schools, Alexis Barney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Science vocabulary supports conceptual understanding, engagement in scientific discourse, and achievement across content areas. The problem addressed in this study was Wyoming’s low literacy and science performance, as indicated by standardized and national test scores, highlighting the critical need for improved vocabulary instruction to close gaps in content-specific terminology that hindered elementary students’ understanding and achievement. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore Wyoming elementary science teachers’ perceptions of challenges, instructional strategies, and recommendations for improving science vocabulary instruction. Guided by Vygotsky’s (1978) constructivist theory and the concept of the zone of proximal development, the study included …

The Future Of Transit, Adam Cohen

Mineta Transportation Institute

Public transit agencies are adapting to a post-pandemic operating environment characterized by hybrid work, more dispersed travel demand, workforce constraints, and persistent fiscal pressures. This perspective paper examines how transit agencies, such as the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), can strengthen ridership while improving the financial sustainability and long-term resilience of its transit system. The analysis synthesizes peer-reviewed research, government and industry reports, publicly available data, transit agency case studies, and expert interviews with thought leaders. The findings indicate that reliability, travel time, frequency, and customer experience remain fundamental drivers of transit use, but that traditional peak-oriented service planning …

Average Performance And Performance Variability On A Brief Functional Fine Motor Test Reflect Distinct Behavioral Constructs In Aging, Chung-Fu Sun, Kyle B. Tomlin, Jennapher Lingo Vangilder, Andrew Hooyman, Alexandra M. Reed, Jessica L. Trevino, Sydney Y. Schaefer

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Prior work in older adults has developed a brief functional fine motor test, which involves repeated timed trials of an upper-limb task. Performance has been associated with global and domain-specific neuropsychological tests as well as putative markers of Alzheimer’s disease when scored using variability in trial time; however, the extent to which task performance depends on motor ability has not been established nor quantified. This retrospective study examined whether mean trial time and trial time variability (measured as intrasubject standard deviation in trial time) were differentially associated with standard assessments of motor and cognitive function. Forty-eight older adults with no …

Development Of China’S National Innovation System In The New Era: Practice, Key Issues, And Future Development, Yujie Zhang, Mingxun Xu, Kaihua Chen

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Advancing high-level self-reliance and strength in science and technology and accelerating efforts to build China into a leading country in science and technology have placed new demands on the development of China’s national innovation system and the enhancement of its overall performance in the new era. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China has continuously advanced the development of its national innovation system, with its actor structure, functional linkages, and operating mechanisms becoming increasingly developed and system-level capabilities and overall performance receiving growing attention. As the 15th Five-Year Plan period marks a critical phase in …

Main Challenges To China’S Scientific Research Instrument Innovation From Perspective Of The United States Export Controls, Jing Li, Daixie Chen, Qinghua Lin, Guohua Xiao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

China has long been heavily dependent on imports of scientific research instruments, making this sector particularly vulnerable to intensified technological containment by the United States and other Western countries and their efforts to maintain technological dominance. Since the Donald Trump’s tenure as the 45th president of the United States began in 2017, the United States has frequently used export controls to suppress China’s scientific and technological progress, posing great security risks to China. Based on a review of the development of scientific research instrument innovation in China, this article analyzes the updates and trends of the United States export controls …

Power Of Connection: China’S New Paradigm For Open S&T Cooperation Via Global Networks Of Young Scientists, Meng Wang, Shaoshan Liu, Siok Yee Chan, Chunbo Gao, Francesco Maurelli, David Govoni

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As China rises in the global innovation landscape, relying solely on attracting talent back home (“bringing in”) is no longer sufficient to meet the demands of the new stage of S&T development. Greater emphasis must be placed on “going out” to strengthen the influence in international rules and standards. Early-career scientists, at the peak of creativity and international mobility, are the pivotal group driving this transition. This study proposes a four-in-one framework, Talent–Open Source–Standards–Scenarios, which highlights leveraging global youth science networks to transform engineering practices into contributions to international rule-making. In terms of implementation, the study takes the Global Young …

Construction And Application Of Clinical Evidence Framework For Brain-Computer Interface, Wenxiu Qi, Cheng Zhou

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Brain-computer interface systems are emerging neurotechnologies that are gradually moving from laboratory research toward clinical application. However, their inherent features, including small sample sizes, heterogeneous technical pathways, and rapid product iteration, make it difficult to integrate safety and efficacy data across studies or to conduct meaningful cross-study comparisons. These challenges not only hinder the cumulative development of evidence in evidence-based medicine, but also complicate the assessment of clinical access and regulatory review. In addition, subjective evidence, such as patient experience, remains insufficiently captured in existing evaluation frameworks. It is therefore necessary to examine the structure of evidence for brain-computer interface …

Question Of Scientific And Technological Innovation: Theoretical Responses In The New Era, Yunping Huang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

China’s exploration of scientific and technological innovation in the new era has followed the path of positive interaction between theoretical innovation and practical innovation. The theoretical insights formed in this process constitute the scientific answers of contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism to the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times in the field of sci-tech innovation. It answers the questions of China by adhering to making scientific and technological self-reliance and self-strengthening a strategic support for national development. Based on this, it has formed a new understanding of the relationship between sci-tech innovation and national development, …

103rd Annual Inspire Bible Lectureship Program (2026), Harding University

Lectureship Programs

This document contains the printed lectureship schedule.

Effects And Mechanisms Of Carrageenan-Sodium Caseinate Interactions On Oil-Water Interfacial Properties, Huang Zequan, Cao Hongfang, He Jian, Wang Caiyun, Zhao Qiangzhong

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the effects of κ-carrageenan concentration on its interaction with sodium caseinate and the oil-water interfacial properties of the composite system. [Methods] Sodium caseinate composite systems with different κ-carrageenan concentrations were prepared. Protein structure, surface hydrophobicity, endogenous fluorescence, zeta potential, particle size, interfacial adsorption behavior, and interfacial dilatational modulus were determined. [Results] After the addition of κ-carrageenan, the secondary structure of sodium caseinate changed markedly, and the proportion of ordered structures showed a trend of initially increasing and then decreasing. Surface hydrophobicity and endogenous fluorescence intensity exhibited a similar trend. When the addition level of κ-carrageenan was 0.15‰, …

Correlation Between Thermal Characteristics And Fat Concomitants And Flavor Quality In The Refining Process Of Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Liu Zhaofan, Liu Jiabao, Li Hang, Huang Zonghai, He Xinyi, Li Yun

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the correlation between thermal characteristics, fat concomitants, and flavor quality during the refining process of Camellia oleifera seed oil, and to provide a theoretical basis for precise regulation of the refining process. [Methods] Oil samples were collected during the refining process (crude oil, alkali refining, decolorization, deodorization, and winterization). The dynamic changes in physicochemical indexes, thermal characteristics, fat concomitants, fatty acid composition, and volatile flavor substances were systematically determined, and their correlations were analyzed. [Results] The refining process reduced the acid value of C. oleifera seed oil from 1.79 mg/g to 0.26 mg/g and the peroxide value …

Structural Optimization And Material Separation Characteristics Of An Updraft Rice Mill Based On Cfd-Dem, Li Yuan, Zhou Long, Fan Jijun, Yu Nanhui, Yang Yong

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To enhance the separation efficiency of rice bran and broken rice in an updraft rice mill by optimizing the air duct structure and operating parameters. [Methods] A combined approach of CFD-DEM coupled numerical simulation and experimental verification was adopted to investigate the material separation characteristics of the updraft rice mill under different structural and operating parameters. Key parameters, including air duct width, air velocity, baffle width, and baffle spacing, were optimized through single-factor experiments and response surface methodology. [Results] The addition of baffles at the lower suction inlet improved the pressure and flow velocity distributions within the air duct …

Optimization Of Roller Tooth Parameters For Roller Mill Based On Rocky Dem, Liu Yifan, Zhang Chao, Guo Xing

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the effects of the surface technical parameters of the toothed roller in a 1B roller mill on the wheat grinding process and to optimize these surface technical parameters. [Methods] The grinding process of the toothed roller was simulated using Rocky DEM software. Tooth angle, sharpness angle, tooth tip width, and inclination were selected as variables to analyze their effects on wheat scraping rate and wear loss. Single-factor experiments and orthogonal experiments combined with matrix analysis were comprehensively applied to systematically evaluate the experimental results. [Results] The optimal combination of surface technical parameters for the 1B toothed roller, …

Inhibitory Effect Of Tbhq On The Deterioration Of Leisure Dried Tofu, Chen Durun, Huang Zhanrui, Hu Lianhua, Chen Hao, Zhao Dan

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To address key industrial challenges of leisure dried tofu subjected to mild sterilization, namely shortened shelf life (30~90 d) and susceptibility to photoenzyme -induced oxidative deterioration, this study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which tert -butylhydroquinone (TBHQ ) inhibits quality deterioration in leisure dried tofu induced by photoenzyme initiators. [Methods] Leisure dried tofu was prepared using marinade treated with TBHQ and photoenzyme initiators (chlorophyll and azodiisobutyronitrile ). During a 90 d storage period, dynamic changes in nutritional components, characteristic oxidation indices, textural properties, intermolecular forces, and microstructure of the dried tofu were systematically monitored.［Results］ During the early storage …

Effects Of Different Pretreatment Methods On Moisture Variation And Pore Structure Of Apple Slices During Microwave Freeze-Drying, Qu Zhanping, Zhang Xiaoyan, Zhang Jinglin, Gu Yujuan

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the effects of pretreatment methods on moisture variation and pore structure of apple slices during microwave freeze-drying. [Methods] Apple slices pretreated with four methods (ultrasound, blanching, freeze-thawing, and osmotic dehydration) are subjected to microwave freeze-drying. The effects of different pretreatments on drying characteristics, moisture migration, and microscopic pore structure of the samples are comparatively analyzed. [Results] All four pretreatment methods increase the effective moisture diffusion coefficient and reduce drying time by 11.1% to 44.4%, with osmotic dehydration requiring the shortest drying time. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis indicates that the pretreatments accelerate free water removal, consequently …

Preparation Of Agaricus Bisporus Chitosan Nanoliposomes And Their In Vitro Hypoglycemic Effects, Chen Yanzhi, Zhang Jiawen, Zhang Molan, You Lijun

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To address the limited oral utilization of metformin hydrochloride (MET) and the insufficient delivery efficiency of conventional liposomes, MET-loaded nanoliposomes modified with Agaricus bisporus chitosan (ACS) (ACS-modified liposomes, A-M-L) were developed, and their physicochemical properties, storage stability, cytocompatibility, and effects on glucose consumption by HepG2 cells were evaluated. [Methods] ACS was used as a substitute for crustacean chitosan to prepare MET-loaded nanoliposomes using the thin-film dispersion-ultrasonication method. The structural characteristics and microscopic morphology were observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, storage stability, cytotoxicity, …

Purification , Characterization , And Hypoglycemic Activity Of Peanut Coat Polyphenols, Zhou Wenda, Yin Yunhui, Fu Jingxuan

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To optimize the purification process of peanut skin polyphenols (PSPs), improve purification efficiency, and investigate their in vitro hypoglycemic activity. [Methods] Three types of PSPs (red, white, and purple) were extracted by ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction. Seven macroporous resins were used for static adsorption and desorption of PSPs, and the resin with the best performance was selected for single-factor experiments. The components of the purified PSPs were analyzed by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Using acarbose as a positive control, the inhibitory activity and inhibition types of PSPs against α-amylase and α-glucosidase were investigated. [Results] Purple peanut skins exhibited the highest contents of total …

Preparation , Structural Characterization , And In Vitro Hypoglycemic Activities Of Acetylated Elaeagnus Moorcroftii Wall . Polysaccharides, Xue Xue, Tang Hui, Liao Bingwu, Chen Lu, Zhao Wenbin, Wang Xinbing, Sun Yan, Wei Youhong

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To explore the preparation conditions, structural information, and in vitro hypoglycemic activities of acetylated Elaeagnus moorcroftii Wall. polysaccharides of Kashgar (A-EMP-K). [Methods] EMP-K is extracted by the water extraction and alcohol precipitation method, and modified by the acetic anhydride method. Then, A-EMP-K preparation conditions are optimized using Box–Behnken response surface methodology. Furthermore, structural characterization and in vitro hypoglycemic activity assays of A-EMP-K are performed. [Results] The optimal preparation conditions are a reaction time of 3 h, a reaction temperature of 61 ℃, and an acetic anhydride addition volume of 9.3 mL. Under these conditions, A-EMP-K exhibits a degree of …

Effects Of Re-Frying Processes On The Quality And Volatile Flavor Compounds Of Pre-Fried Coated Tofu, Nie Jingwen, Chen Hao, Zhao Dan, Zhou Xiaohu, Yang Dajun, Zhao Liangzhong

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the effects of deep frying process (DFP), microwave process (MP), and air frying process (AFP) on the quality and aroma characteristics of pre-fried coated tofu. [Methods] The optimal re-frying conditions are selected using slurry exudation rate, moisture content, color difference, and sensory evaluation as indicators. Subsequently, the re-frying method most suitable for consumers is comprehensively determined based on texture properties, oil content, malondialdehyde content, electronic nose analysis, and volatile compound composition. [Results] Under the three re-frying methods, the coated tofu exhibits an increase-then-decrease trend in slurry exudation rate and sensory evaluation, accompanied by a continuous decline in …

Effects Of Different Extraction Methods On The Chemical Composition And Antioxidant Activity Of Guangfoshou Essential Oil, Wang Youdi, Chen Wentao, Yan Bin, Xu Shuling, Lyu Yiting, Yang Yuyan, Xu Juanjuan, Ou Xiaohua

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To comparatively evaluate the effects of three extraction methods, i.e., steam distillation (SD), enzyme-assisted steam distillation (EHSD), and ultrasound-assisted steam distillation (UASD), on the extraction efficiency, chemical composition, and bioactivity of Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis (Guangfoshou) essential oil. [Methods] Guangfoshou essential oil was extracted using SD, EHSD, and UASD. The chemical constituents of the essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Cluster heatmap analysis was employed to compare differences in essential oil composition obtained by the three extraction methods. Antioxidant activity was assessed based on total antioxidant capacity, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and hydroxyl radical scavenging …