Digital Commons Network^™

Engineering Risk And Indigenous Resilience Toward Intelligent Decision Support For Mining In Ancestral Lands, Izech Brian O. Edwin, King Harold A. Recto

Electronics, Computer, and Communications Engineering Faculty Publications

Mining within ancestral territories reveals an ongoing conflict between technical viability and Indigenous consent. This collaborative study, conducted by an engineering scholar and a policy researcher of Indigenous heritage in Benguet among the Ibaloi and Kankanaey peoples, investigates how risk transparency and policy alignment can bridge existing divides, while formulating principles applicable to other Indigenous mining contexts. The study provides an initial evaluation of the feasibility of a proposed large-scale mining operation within a risk-informed, data-driven governance framework. Three elements of engineering risk were assessed utilizing literature-derived and proxy parameters: (1) Land degradation is indicated by a Soil Productivity Index …

Multi-Cater Pack Heat Sealer, Ivan Medina-Zepeda, Laurent Hirakata, Donovan Furtado, Cody Ngan

Mechanical Engineering

The Multi-Cater Pack Heat Sealer was developed to support Achievement House, a non-profit organization that employs adults with intellectual and physical disabilities and is facing increasing demand for sealed cater packs. Existing single-pack sealers limited both throughput and accessibility, which led to the creation of a 3D printed attachment for a 40-inch impulse heat sealer. The attachment allows nine packs to be sealed at the same time and includes a tray-style trapdoor that allows for quick unloading. The need for accessibility and usability guided the design throughout the process. Alignment guides improve placement consistency, and the ergonomic layout accommodates both …

Water Bottle Lid Co Detector, Zeke Bukovansky, Jake Siegel, Jack Wisegarver, Cody Rudman

Mechanical Engineering

This project introduces a portable carbon monoxide detector integrated into a water bottle lid to give users a simple way to stay aware of CO exposure in daily life. The design packages an electrochemical sensor, onboard electronics, and clear visual and audible alerts into a compact form that fits standard bottles. By embedding sensing into an object people already carry, the device offers a practical path toward reducing unrecognized CO risks and improving personal safety.

Communicating Change: A Visual Analysis Of American Political And Activist Posters, Hana Sage Morshedi

Graphic Communication

Across U.S. history, posters have helped movements inform, persuade, and mobilize the public, going beyond information to signal identity and values. In this project, I analyze 40 historically significant American political and activist posters, from wartime propaganda to civil rights and queer liberation, to explore how visual choices shape public opinion and drive social change. I focus on elements such as community/heritage colors, typography, composition, and cultural or movement-specific motifs to see how they signal identity, guide action, and contribute to a “successful” poster.

Geometric Deviation Prediction In Additively Manufactured Parts Using Conditional Generative Adversarial Networks Under Varying L-Pbf Process Parameters, Subigyamani Bhandari

Theses

The progress in metal AM technology has enabled printing parts with thin features and intricate geometries. Predicting and reducing metal AM part geometrical deviations to narrow down the difference between printed and designed structure still poses a problem. This work explores changes in laser speed, laser power, and hatch spacing affecting geometrical deviations in parts made using laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) and places an emphasis on how to predict geometrical defects in the AM parts. Sliced images obtained from CAD designs and printed parts to capture the effect of various L-PBF process parameters are utilized to create a dataset. …

Exploring The Adoption Of Quality 4.0: A Qualitative Study Of Industry Practices And Barriers, Tama Rani Sarker

Theses

The emergence of Industry 4.0 has revolutionized quality management, introducing Quality 4.0 as a framework that integrates digital technologies with established quality principles. Despite its potential to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making, many organizations face challenges in adopting Quality 4.0, including skill gaps, resource constraints, and cultural resistance. This qualitative study explores industry practices, barriers, and enablers of Quality 4.0 implementation through surveys and interviews with quality professionals in southern Illinois manufacturing companies. Using a phenomenological approach, five major themes emerged: employee skillset, training, technology integration, quality tools, and supply chain management. Findings reveal that successful adoption depends on workforce …

Investigating The Efficiency Of Ingan P-N-P-N Homojunction Solar Cells, Moath Alhejji, Mohammad Alavijeh, Jacob Kupernik, Mirsaeid Sarollahi, Abbas Jammali, Seyed Taghavi, Reem Alhelais, Md Hel Uddin Maruf, Morgan Ware

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

This research investigates the development of a novel p-n-p-n homostructure solar cell, through semiconductor simulations using the Nextnano software. InGaN was used as a model system in order to achieve a bandgap with optimized efficiency for a p-n homojunction solar cell. By increasing the uniform doping concentration from 1.5*10(16) cm(-3) to 1.5*10(17) cm(-3), the open circuit voltage (V-oc) increased while the short-circuit current density (J(sc)) decreased, as expected in simple p-n junctions. The p-n-p-n structure achieved a peak efficiency of 32.91% at a doping level of 6.5*10(16) cm(-3), a similar to 7% improvement over a conventional p-n junction's 25.31% efficiency …

Ai And The Fine Print Disruption Of Copyright, Nancy Kim

Penn State Law Review (2003 - Present)

No abstract provided.

After Amgen: Examining The Supreme Court's Impact On Patents For Therapeutic Antibodies, Noah Pollio

Penn State Law Review (2003 - Present)

No abstract provided.

Reinsuring Ai: Energy, Agriculture, Finance & Medicine As Precedents For Governance Of Frontier Artificial Intelligence, Nicholas Stetler

Southern Illinois University Law Journal

Federal reinsurance for advanced artificial intelligence offers a credible foundation for managing risk at scale. Traditional legal tools such as regulation, litigation, and voluntary guidelines, lack the institutional capacity to address deep uncertainty, widespread spillover effects, and low-probability but catastrophic harms. A public financial infrastructure distributes risk, incentivizes responsible development, and enables earlier detection of emerging threats. Precedent exists in nuclear energy, agriculture, healthcare, and finance, where federal reinsurance enabled markets to function despite underlying volatility. The same institutional logic applies to frontier AI.

Part I explains how general-purpose and frontier AI models work, and why they have become a …

Proverag: Provenance-Driven Vulnerability Analysis With Automated Retrieval-Augmented Llms, Reza Fayyazi, Stella Hoyos Trueba, Michael Zuzak, Jay Yang

Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology Scholarship

In cybersecurity, security analysts constantly face the challenge of mitigating newly discovered vulnerabilities in real-time, with over 300,000 vulnerabilities identified since 1999. The sheer volume of known vulnerabilities complicates the detection of patterns for unknown threats. While LLMs can assist, they often hallucinate and lack alignment with recent threats. Over 40,000 vulnerabilities have been identified in 2024 alone, which are introduced after most popular LLMs’ (e.g., GPT-5) training data cutoff. This raises a major challenge of leveraging LLMs in cybersecurity, where accuracy and up-to-date information are paramount. Therefore, we aim to improve the adaptation of LLMs in vulnerability analysis by …

Forecasting Coastal Hypoxia Using A Blend Of Mechanistic And Artificial Intelligence Models, Yanda Ou, Z. George Xue, Supratik Mukhopadhyay, Magesh Rajasekaran, Dylan Wichman

Faculty Publications

Daily fluctuations in coastal hypoxia significantly impact marine ecosystems, requiring forecasts that balance efficiency and accuracy. Statistical models are computationally efficient but often fall short in prediction performance, while mechanistic models are accurate yet resource-intensive. Here, we present a lightweight artificial intelligence (AI) model for daily hypoxia forecasting on the Louisiana–Texas shelf, trained and validated using a 14-year mechanistic ROMS hindcast. The AI model integrates observed riverine nutrient loads and 2-day hydrodynamic forecasts and achieves strong predictive performance: median (± 1 s.d.) accuracy of 0.85 ± 0.07 and F1 score of 0.72 ± 0.18 against the hindcast test set, and …

Reducing Classical Communication Costs In Multiplexed Quantum Repeaters Using Hardware-Aware Quasi-Local Policies, Stav Haldar, Pratik J. Barge, Xiang Cheng, Kai Chi Chang, Brian T. Kirby, Sumeet Khatri, Chee Wei Wong, Hwang Lee

Faculty Publications

Future quantum networks will have nodes equipped with multiple quantum memories, allowing for multiplexing and entanglement distillation strategies for long-distance entanglement distribution. In this work, we focus on quasi-local policies for multiplexed quantum repeater chains. In fully-local policies, nodes use the knowledge of only their own states, whereas more efficient global policies use knowledge of the entire network state. The classical communication costs of using this knowledge have not been explored in existing literature. We show that quasi-local policies not only obtain improved performance over local policies, but also reduce classical communication costs considerably. Our policies also outperform the widely …

Activity Of The Mammalian Dna Transposon Piggybat From Myotis Lucifugus Is Restricted By Its Own Transposon Ends, Alison B. Hickman, Laurie Lannes, Christopher M. Furman, Christina Hong, Lidiya Franklin, Rodolfo Ghirlando, Arpita Ghosh, Wentian Luo, Parthena Konstantinidou, Hernán A. Lorenzi, Anne Grove, Astrid D. Haase, Matthew H. Wilson, Fred Dyda

Faculty Publications

Members of the piggyBac superfamily of DNA transposons are widely distributed in host genomes ranging from insects to mammals. The human genome has retained five piggyBac-derived genes as domesticated elements although they are no longer mobile. Here, we have investigated the transposition properties of piggyBat from Myotis lucifugus, the only known active mammalian DNA transposon, and show that its low activity in human cells is due to subterminal inhibitory DNA sequences. Activity can be dramatically improved by their removal, suggesting the existence of a mechanism for the suppression of transposon activity. The cryo-electron microscopy structure of the piggyBat transposase pre-synaptic …

Position Sensor Offset Fault Calibration In Speed-Regulated Pmsm Drives, Ujala Anuradhi Maha Gamage

Masters Theses

Speed regulation of electro-mechanically actuated systems is common across broad application segments, including industrial and residential sectors. The increasing demand for efficient energy conversion has made permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSM) a preferred choice in modern applications. Vector controlled PMSMs in speed regulation mode being the dominant form of control, accurate speed and position measurement is crucial. However, a misalignment in the position sensor with respect to the true rotor zero position in speed regulated PMSM drives leads to inefficient energy conversion with the possibility of unstable motor behavior. The considered position sensor offset error fault, under severe fault modes, …

Students’ Perceptions Of Learning Activities On A South African Study Abroad Experience, Raquel Taylor, Nathan W. Conner, Savannah Hauxwell, Taylor Ruth, Bryan Reiling

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Study abroad experiences provide students with the ability to learn and achieve outside the bounds of academic learning. Participating in study abroad experiences allows students to learn more and be more inclusive of diverse groups and perspectives, which can ultimately be integrated into their future careers and daily lives. This qualitative study sought to better understand students’ perceptions of learning activities that took place prior to the study abroad, during the study abroad, and after the study abroad program. The following six themes emerged from data analysis: a) Created change in behavior and perspective, b) Reflection opportunities, c) Future application, …

A Graph Backdoor Detection Method For Data Collection Scenarios, Xiaogang Xing, Ming Xu, Yujing Bai, Dongdong Yang

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

Data collection is an effective way to build a better Graph Neural Network (GNN) model, but it also makes it easy for attackers to implant backdoors into the model through data poisoning. In this work, we propose a backdoor detection method of graph for data collection scenarios (CGBD). Different from most existing backdoor detection methods of Neural Network (NN) models, especially the Deep Neural Network (DNN) models, the difference in predictions of backdoor samples in clean and backdoor models is exploited for backdoor detection in CGBD. Specifically, in the backdoor model, the backdoor samples with modified labels are predicted as …

Water Circulation Beneath A Hovering Suas For Water Quality Monitoring Applications, Erin E. Hackett, Boone Fleenor, Jensine C. Coggin, Duvall Dickerson-Evans, Nikolaos Vitzilaios, Whitney E. Schuler, Paige K. Williams, Michael L. Myrick

Faculty Publications

Water quality has traditionally been measured via in situ sensors and satellites. The latter has limited applicability for smaller inland water bodies, while the former requires significant logistics, labor, and expense for routine sampling, and reactive/spurious sampling is often not feasible as a result (e.g., sampling pre-/post-storm). Consequently, small uncrewed aircraft system-based (sUAS-based) sampling has emerged as a potential solution to bridge these sampling gaps and challenges. But sampling from an sUAS is complicated by the need to pump water from depth, rather than suspending a sensor from the sUAS, due to concern over sampling sUAS-impacted waters. Here, we measure …

Thermodynamic Assessment Of The Li, Na, K, Cs | F, I Reciprocal Salt For Msr Applications, Clara M. Dixon, Mina Aziziha, Amir Mofrad, Jorge Paz Soldan Palma, Ronald E. Booth, Aiswarya Padinhare Manissery, Jack A. Wilson, Hans Conrad Zur Loye, Hunter B. Tisdale, Juliano Schorne-Pinto, Theodore M. Besmann

Faculty Publications

Gibbs energy models necessary to describe the thermochemical behavior of cesium and iodine in molten FLiNaK (46.5LiF-11.5NaF-42KF mol%), a proposed molten salt reactor coolant and fuel solvent, have been developed as they are of concern due to their high radiotoxicity and volatility. The six constituent pseudo-binary systems LiI-CsI, LiI-KI, LiI-NaI, NaI-KI, KI-CsI and NaI-CsI were evaluated using available phase equilibria and mixing enthalpy measurements. The models for the ternary reciprocal salt systems Li,Cs|F,I, Li,K|F,I, Li,Na|F,I, Na,K|F,I, Na,Cs|F,I and K,Cs|F,I were obtained by interpolation of the optimized pseudo-binary systems and parameters fit as necessary based on observed behavior. The additive (common …

Foundational Phases For Community Development: A Model For Enhancing Cooperative Extension’S Role Within The Community, George Grant, Kristina Hains

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The Cooperative Extension System (CES) plays a vital role in community education and development across the United States. The objective of this article is to demonstrate the historical and present-day significance of the CES as a catalyst for community development practice, while overlaying a community development model applicable to CES. A literature review is provided on the historical origins, organizational structure, and leadership responsibilities of agents and specialists relevant to community development research and practice. The researchers suggest a novel conceptual model, the Foundational Phases for Community Development, to assist agents and specialists across all areas of programming for engaging …

Bridging The Communication Gap In Natural Disaster Information: An Exploratory Study Of Extension Service Websites, Emmanuel Chisom Okolo, Rafael Landaverde, Laxmi Prasanna Kandi, Kim E. Dooley, Sarah Mccord, Kelsi Opat, Abdul Saboor Rahmany

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Natural disasters are expected to become more frequent and severe, increasing the need for effective disaster management. Governments are emphasizing community awareness and local self-reliance, with the Cooperative Extension Services (CES) playing a vital role in distributing science-based knowledge and supporting preparedness efforts. This qualitative content analysis (QCA), guided by Framing Theory, examined how CES disseminated weather-related disaster preparedness and response information from 2003 to 2023 on Extension Service websites. We explored: (1) the frequency of information on natural disaster preparedness and response published on Extension Service websites, (2) dissemination methods, and (3) the quality of disaster preparedness and response …

The Role Of Community Libraries In Repackaging Scientifically Researched Information For Rural Farming Communities: A Review, Jackline Estomihi Kiwelu, Patrick Ngulube

Libraries

Objective

Scientifically researched information is often found in journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers, which can be technical and challenging for those without training. Repackaging information into a simpler and preferred language can make it easier for undereducated rural communities to access. This narrative review investigates the strategies community libraries can adopt to repackage scientifically researched information for easier access by rural farming communities. This study contributes to the literature gap on research-based information repackaging by community libraries for rural development.

Methods

The literature search for this narrative review was conducted across several databases, evidence Based Library and Information …

Effects Of Exercise Timing On Circadian Rhythm And Functional Outcomes In Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment, Buck Williams Covington Ii

Dissertations

Poor sleep quality and circadian rhythm disruption are commonly reported among cancer survivors and may contribute to worsened health outcomes, including increased fatigue, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life. While some recent studies suggest that exercise can improve sleep and circadian regulation in cancer survivors, limited research exists on how the timing of this exercise affects these outcomes in cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 12-week supervised exercise intervention, performed either in the morning (AX) or evening (PX), on functional capacity, subjective and objective sleep quality, and peripheral markers of circadian …

Mechanistic Modeling Of Deformation Micromechanics In Commercially Pure Titanium Under Cyclic Bending To Post-Necking Regimes, Talukder Musfika Tasnim Oishi

Master's Theses and Capstones

This thesis investigates the deformation behavior of commercially pure titanium (CP–Ti) undercyclic bending under tension (CBT) through integrated experiments and multiscale modeling. Cyclic bending produces alternating tension and compression through the sheet thickness, delaying localization and enhancing ductility. Digital image correlation (DIC) measurements were used to quantify strain-path evolution and elongation-to-fracture (ETF). Finite-element simulations employing a continuum J2 plasticity model captured the macroscopic load–displacement response and width-dependent transition from uniaxial to plane-strain deformation. To incorporate micromechanical mechanisms, a dislocation-density-based crystal plasticity finite-element (CPFE) model with kinematic backstress was developed and calibrated using experimental data, accurately reproducing cyclic hardening and slip-system …

Adult Dispersal Of Field-Released Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), In Northern And Southern Philippines, Mario V. Navasero, Randolph N. Candano, Gelyn D. Sapin, Wilson N. De Panis

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The effectiveness of Bt corn in controlling the Asian Corn Borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée, is well recognized. However, concerns persist regarding the potential development of resistance to Bt toxins by this pest. This resistance could arise from surviving ACB individuals carrying homozygous resistance alleles, potentially leading to resistant offspring if mating between resistant individuals is not prevented or minimized. To address this issue, various studies have investigated the factors that limit or facilitate resistance development. These factors include adult dispersal and mating behavior in the field, as well as ecological conditions such as weather and landscape features. However, there …

Stocking Density Effects On Growth Performance Of Glass Eels (Anguilla Bicolor Pacifica) In Outdoor Tank Conditions, Frolan A. Aya

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Optimizing stocking density is necessary to maximize the production efficiency of farmed fish. This study examined the effect of stocking density on the growth performance of the Pacific shortfin eel Anguilla bicolor pacifica reared in outdoor tank conditions. Glass eels (0.72 ± 0.03 g mean body weight [BW]) were stocked at 50 and 100 individuals m⁻² in 6 4-m² outdoor tanks with a flow-through system set up in triplicate. Eels were individually measured for total length and BW, followed by blood sampling at the end of the 286-d trial. Glass eels stocked at a density of 50 m …

Temporal Decline And Spatial Heterogeneity Of Cry1ab Susceptibility In Asian Corn Borer, Ostrinia Furnacalis (Guenée), Populations In The Philippines: A Review And Synthesis Of Monitoring Data (2015–2024) [Review Article], Edwin P. Alcantara

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Transgenic corn expressing the insecticidal Cry1Ab protein has been widely utilized in the Philippines to control the Asian corn borer (ACB), Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée). Continuous, long-term monitoring is critical to detect shifts in baseline susceptibility and mitigate the risk of field-evolved resistance. This study evaluated the spatiotemporal dynamics of ACB susceptibility to Cry1Ab over nine years (2015–2024). Bioassay data were collected from 12 geographically distinct field populations across the Philippines, alongside a susceptible laboratory reference strain (UPLB). To account for spatial hierarchy and temporal variance, data were analyzed using a Bayesian hierarchical multilevel model with a logit link. Baseline assessments …

External Funding Bulletin July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025, Office Of Research And Creative Activity, University Of Nebraska At Omaha

Sponsored Programs Bulletins

No abstract provided.

Keeping The Ball Rolling: Enhancing The Lrw And Skills Curriculum By Incorporating Nextgen Bar Foundational Skills And Ai Innovations, Donna L. Eng

UF Law Faculty Publications

As of fall 2025, Legal Research, Writing, and Skills Professors nationwide are at a pivotal moment: determining whether and how to update their course curriculum to incorporate the NextGen Uniform Bar's (NextGen Bar) Foundational Skills and the latest advancements in AI. This article discusses how Legal Research, Writing, and Skills Professors might revise their curriculum to incorporate the NextGen Bar's Foundational Skills and advancements in AI.

Teachers Of Students With Visual Impairments (Tsvis) Assistive Technology (At) Competencies: An Update Study, Benjamin Kendall Lytle

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Assistive technology (AT) is essential for supporting access, independence, and learning among students with visual impairments. Teachers of students with visual impairments (TSVIs) are expected to integrate AT into instruction and ensure their students are prepared for academic, social, and workforce demands. The original list of 111 AT competencies for preservice TSVIs, developed by Smith et al. (2009), provided an important foundation but has not been revised despite significant technological advances over the past decade. Outdated competencies risk limiting teacher preparation programs and leaving educators underprepared to address the realities of today’s classrooms. A revised and streamlined competency framework is …