Digital Commons Network^™

Human Swarm Interaction Using Non-Verbal Communication, Arunim Bhattacharya

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This research presents experimentally validated strategies for human-swarm robotic interaction through nonverbal communication. Applications of this work are in large-scale coverage problems that include search and rescue operations and environmental monitoring missions. The non-verbal interaction becomes critical in situations where wireless communication methods may be limited by bandwidth constraints, privacy concerns, or environmental clutter. The research objective of this dissertation is to design and evaluate methods of nonverbal communication between a human teleoperator and robotic swarms towards a bidirectional human-swarm interaction framework. Towards this, we first establish a reliable measure of real-time cognitive load that can serve to close the …

Unlocking The Secrets Of High-Frequency Financial Data: Innovative Approaches To Modeling And Analysis, Lu Zhang

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

High-frequency trading (HFT) has emerged as a pivotal innovation in modern financial markets, characterized by rapid, data-driven decision-making processes that capitalize on granular, time-stamped market data. This dissertation examines the predictability of intraday stock price movements during the final 30 minutes of U.S. trading, employing a Bayesian regression model with Student-t error terms to address the limitations of traditional Gaussian-based methods. The analysis reveals a decline in established predictors and the emergence of new dynamics, such as post-Federal Reserve "tug-of-war" effects. The research further advances high-frequency financial modeling by introducing a comprehensive data engineering pipeline and applying cutting-edge deep learning …

Monte Carlo Modeling Of Spin Polarized Photoemission From Gaas At Low Temperatures And Positive Electron Affinity Surfaces, John Rison Callahan

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Research and development of new photocathode materials are essential to the continuing success and productivity of accelerator technology. High-quality photocathodes characterized by high quantum efficiencies, long lifetimes, low mean transverse energies, and robustness to vacuum environments and operation loads are becoming increasingly essential to the successful operation of the next generation of high brightness accelerator applications. For nuclear and high-energy physics experiments and other applications that rely on spin-polarized electron beams, photocathodes must also demonstrate high electron spin polarizations. The development of state of-the-art spin-polarized photocathodes will require both development of methods to improve the quality of already existing cathode …

Development And In Vitro Evaluation Of Novel Near-Ir Fluorescent Sensors For Egfr Kinase, Haniyeh Jadidi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This thesis presents the in vitro evaluation of a novel near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent small-molecule probe AB-139 that selectively binds to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase and operates through a turn-on fluorescence mechanism. The sensor addresses several limitations associated with conventional protein-based probes by offering small-molecule specificity, tunable modularity, deep-tissue imaging potential, and reduced background noise. AB-139 comprises four key components: A Zn-phthalocyanine fluorophore that serves as the NIR emission reporter; hydrophilic triethylene glycol chains that enhance aqueous solubility and reduce aggregation; cationic quaternary ammonium groups that facilitate cellular permeability; and a gefitinib-derived recognition anchor that targets the intracellular ATP-binding …

Point Of Care (Poc) - Compatible Detection Platform Based On Catalase Activity Of Dna G-Quadruplexes, Elzbieta Iwaniuk

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The goal of our project is to develop an equipment-free signal readout platform suitable for potential molecular diagnostics applications. In the development, we adhere to (RE)ASSURED (Real time, Ease of specimen collection, Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-Friendly, Robust, and rapid, Equipment free, Deliverable) criteria. As a proof of concept, we focus on oligonucleotide targets. Our detection system incorporates an activatable catalytic complex that causes the decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2); oxygen (O2) bubbles released in reaction serve as signal readout. The catalytic system comprises of DNA G-quadruplex and Hemin. The catalytic activity and, therefore, the signal are triggered in the presence …

Demographic Response Of Breeding Grassland Birds To Keystone Effects Of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, Richard Andrew Dreelin

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Grassland birds are the most rapidly declining group of birds in North America due to a host of historical and recent changes to the Great Plains (Rosenberg et al., 2019; Bernath-Plaisted et al., 2023). Grassland birds evolved in a mosaic of heterogeneous habitats created by disturbance from keystone species and Indigenous peoples, and the suppression of disturbance by European settlement has resulted in more homogenous habitat and population declines in grassland birds (Knopf, 1994; Samson & Knopf, 1996; Vickery, Peter D. et al., 1998). Restoring the historical disturbance patterns and habitat heterogeneity forms the basis of management activities for grassland …

Electric Vehicles Historical Sales, Minerals Demand Risks, And Supply Chain Dynamics, Md Saidur Rahman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is transforming the automotive industry as governments, businesses, and consumers seek sustainable transportation options. This thesis examines the Electric Vehicles Historical Sales, future demand, key minerals demand risks, focusing on critical supply chain dynamics and sustainability challenges that influence EV production scalability. Specifically, the research explores demand forecasts and resource needs under policy scenarios from the International Energy Agency (IEA): the Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS), Announced Policies Scenario (APS), and Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZES). Key materials analyzed include lithium, cobalt, and nickel, assessing potential bottlenecks in sourcing, refining, and logistics. …

First Portfolio - Alec 207: Communicating Science With Public Audiences, Heather Akin

UNL Faculty Course Portfolios

This portfolio investigates how collaborative group projects and structured peer reviews enhance undergraduate students’ science communication skills in ALEC 207: Communicating Science with Public Audiences. Drawing on mid-semester evaluations, peer review reflections, and overall course outcomes, the analysis highlights how group-based activities and peer critiques help students develop clarity, relevance, and confidence in their communication. ALEC 207 introduces core principles of strategic communication in food, agriculture, and natural resources contexts, and gives students opportunities to refine their writing through press releases, feature articles, visual communications, and audience-tailored messages. While the course predominantly emphasizes writing, it also leverages ongoing revisions to …

Dissipation-Based Clustering Of Landfalling Tropical Cyclones In Vietnam: Changes In Translational Speed, Intensity, And Direction Of Motion, Lyndon Mark P. Olaguera, Clint Eldrick R. Petilla, Leia Pauline S. Tonga

Physics Faculty Publications

This study analyzes landfalling Tropical Cyclones (TCs) in Vietnam (1979–2020) using k-means clustering. Two clusters were identified based on dissipation locations: Cluster I with 36 cases and Cluster II with 69 cases. The two clusters show distinct environmental characteristics. Differences in sea surface temperature, sea level pressure, and vertical wind shear influence whether TCs tend to move northward or southward. The westward extension of the western North Pacific Subtropical High near southern China appears to delay TC recurvature, increasing the likelihood of landfall in Vietnam. The TCs in each cluster were characterized at three key stages: approaching point (AP), landfall …

Institutions And Economic Development, Ezra Rosser

American Indian Law Review

No abstract provided.

3d-Printed Polylactide Structures Do Not Affect The Demography Of The Threatened Coral Acropora Cervicornis, Gabriela Baerga-Jiménez, Alex E. Mercado-Molina

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The development of artificial structures using emerging 3D printing technology has been proposed as a possible strategy to promote the recovery of degraded coral reef ecosystems. Current technologies allow 3D printers to faithfully replicate the morphology of coral reef attributes (e.g., substrate and coral colonies). Thus, 3D printing can be used to create artificial structures that replicate microhabitats resembling those found by reef organisms in nature. However, the use of 3D printing technology for reef conservation and restoration purposes is still in its early developmental stages. Consequently, the potential benefits or detriments of the technology on coral reef health and …

Prof Tao Tang 湯濤教授

Honorary Graduates 榮譽博士

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Pattern Of Cybercrime Abuse Of Individual Internet Users In Umuahia North Lga, Abia State Of South-Eastern Nigeria, Ogochukwu Favour Nzeakor, Rita Ngozi Okafor, Chibuike Ndubuisi Nwoke

International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence & Cybercrime

Although a number of studies exist on cybercrime and its abuses, little is known about the pattern of cybercrime abuses individual Internet users experience in Nigeria, especially the south eastern region. Using data collected via various methods, this study examines the pattern of cybercrime abuses of individual Internet users in Umuahia, Abia State, of South Eastern Nigeria. The result of the analysis of 1,067 samples drawn from 223,134 Internet users in Umuahia North LGA of Abia Sate showed that: while most users are victims of stolen ICT-gadgets (19%), fraud related offences (17%), and hacking (15%); they rarely fall victims of …

Anthropology In The Real World, Chastity B. Nix, Cheyenne Taylor

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

Anthropology is a field that likely isn’t the first to come to mind for many. Despite this, it has proven to be a great major for learning skills that are applicable to many different career paths. ANT 4861, Beyond the Anthropology Major, has not only taught us this but also made us realize just how much the general public as well as employers are missing by not being educated on Anthropological skills. Our project here is meant to highlight how little the average person is aware of what anthropology is and how employers, even those looking for anthropological knowledge, are …

Purification And Application Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Effector Ctl0398, Zachary E. Wagner, Kenneth Garcia

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterial pathogen which utilizes secretion of effector proteins which target host cellular processes, while evading the host immune system. Using the pUAST vector and the GAL4/UAS expression system, it is possible to enhance the expression of any select Chlamydia protein effector. We took steps to purify one of these effectors, CTL0398, through PCR amplification, Gel Electrophoresis, and Colony PCR. These procedures were done with the hopes of future studies uncovering the true function of the select effector, and if there is any manifested phenotypic change in drosophila.

The Education Foundation Of Sarasota County: Comitmment To Community, Eric Kallas, Gabriel Cordero Arrieche, Quinn Fitzgibbons, Julissa Medina, Karl Johnson, John Mcmahon

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

We are working with the Education Foundation of Sarasota County to assist them in getting students prepared for a future at college; while the organization has many other objectives and activities, this is the one we are focused on. We chiefly do this by acting as a volunteer for online workshops, as we are too far away to reliably provide in-house assistance. Our assistance was built upon providing students advice on what colleges are looking for in potential applicants, and to how to get into them as part of one workshop, and assisted with general ACT and SAT prep in …

Environmental Fate Of Trace Anionic Fission Byproducts: An Analysis Of Redox, Sorption, And Incorporation Pathways Of Iodine And Selenium, Ilana B. Szlamkowicz

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The environmental chemistry and mobility of iodine and selenium contaminants were investigated through redox interactions with manganese oxides and incorporation into carbonate minerals. The study examined iodide (I^-) and selenite (SeO₃^2-) oxidation under varying pH conditions using manganese oxide minerals, which are geochemical regulators. Using tandem ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS), the oxidation and speciation of iodine and selenium were quantified under environmentally relevant conditions. The results demonstrate that oxidation of I^- and SeO₃^2- by manganese oxides are highly concentration dependent. Acid birnessite, a common manganese oxide, exhibited significant reactivity toward …

Increasing Access Through Graduate Teaching Assistant Training: A Udl-Informed, Video-Based Professional Development Approach For Inclusive Chemistry Instruction, Kathleen Lugo Charriez

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

STEM courses pose concealed barriers to learning for students with disabilities, a demographic that constitutes a significant portion of postsecondary science and engineering undergraduate student populations. While extensive research has examined access and inclusiveness in K–12 education and, to a more limited extent, in higher education, there remains a critical gap in understanding how to proactively design undergraduate chemistry curricula that are both accessible and inclusive for a diverse range of learners. In particular, limited attention has been given to supporting Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) in adopting inclusive instructional practices in higher education chemistry courses.

In large academic institutions, GTAs …

Catalytic Interfaces Of Earth-Abundant Metals Copper And Nickel Chalcogenides For Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst, Manuel Alejandro Ramirez Ubillus

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation establishes design principles for earth-abundant catalysts used in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), showing that electroactivity is primarily controlled by structural features such as surface facet exposure, dopant content, and dynamic phase transformations. These factors influence conductivity, active site density, and stability, as demonstrated through three model systems: Cu₂O, NiSe₂, and Cu₂S. Cu₂O particles with controlled shapes were synthesized to explore the relationship between facet exposure and catalytic activity. Octahedra dominated by the facet 111 performed better than cubes rich in the facet 100. Combining Cu₂O with reduced graphene oxide further improved conductivity, dispersion, and stability, leading to …

A Greener Way To Synthesize Biodiesel: Mechanochemistry With No Added Catalyst, Amanda S. Tanner

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Biodiesel production is currently energy-demanding and produces large volumes of waste despite being marketed as a greener approach to fuel. Here, we report the development and analysis of a more environmentally friendly way of producing biodiesel via mechanochemistry. In as little as one hour, biodiesel can be produced by ball milling intact oilseeds with methanol and no added catalyst. The catalyst for transesterification of oilseeds and methanol via mechanical milling comes from within the seed shells, rather than needing to be added from a separate source. The metals found in the milling media interact with lignin in the seed shells, …

Development Of Degraders To Target Oncogenic Proteins And Efforts Towards The Total Synthesis Of Lycopodium Alkaloids Via Oxidative Dearomatization, Yujia Bian

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation focuses on the degradation of SOS1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor upstream of KRAS, as an alternative therapeutic target for KRAS‑mutant colorectal cancer (CRC). Guided by crystal structures of SOS1 and cereblon, we designed and synthesized a series of PROTACs based on quinazoline‑linker‑lenalidomide hybrids. Among these, the lead degrader induced up to 92% degradation of SOS1 in CRC cell lines and patient‑derived organoids (PDOs), with excellent specificity. In parallel, an AICAR‑derived PROTAC targeting the transmembrane oncoprotein MUC1‑CT in EGFR‑mutant lung cancer achieved time‑dependent and partial target degradation, establishing complementary chemical tools to probe intracellular signaling and …

Trash To Textiles: The Journey Of Recycled Plastic In Fashion, Abigael Rasmussen

Honors Theses - Providence Campus

Plastic is all around us in modern America and in the world. Plastic is found in our vehicles, clothing, houses—it’s even made its way into our food, our septic systems, our oceans, and even our rain (Seferian). Plastic waste is a very pressing issue that brings up many environmental challenges: microplastics, landfill buildup, air pollution, soil contamination, water contamination etc. The textile industry is a major contributor to plastic pollution with the rise of fast fashion (Bandera). To combat this, textile and environmental scientists are exploring ways to transform plastic waste into usable textile materials through upcycling, “transforming mixed plastic …

Terahertz Spin Pumping In Antiferromagnetic Crystals And Films, Gregory Fritjofson

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Antiferromagnetic spintronics is a budding field, promising applications for next generation computing and telecommunication, due to the inherent stability and terahertz frequency magnetic dynamics which antiferromagnets (AFMs) possess. However, due to the infancy and uniqueness of the field, AFM spin dynamics have yet to be studied to their full extent in the terahertz range. To this end, we describe a custom magnetometry system with continuous frequency operation from 60 GHz to 1.5 THz, complete quasi-optical polarization control, peak magnetic field of 9 T, temperature control from 5-300 K, and three-axis sample rotation. We provide initial results from uniaxial AFM MnF2 …

Sub-Cycle Nonlinear Optics In Solids, Dipendra Khatri

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The rapid advancement of digital electronics and telecommunication systems necessitates processing information at increasingly higher speeds. However, modern semiconductor technology faces fundamental physical limitations in transistor miniaturization and clock frequency due to quantum mechanical constraints. To overcome these barriers, ultrafast optoelectronics, leveraging light-matter interactions, offers a promising alternative. Light, as the fastest carrier of information, enables signal processing at frequencies far beyond conventional semiconductor technology. Advancements in laser technology have enabled stable and reliable ultrashort light pulse sources, lasting only a few femtoseconds at optical wavelengths. When utilized for signal processing, they could enable clock frequencies over 1000 times higher …

Optical And Tunneling Spectroscopy Of Single-Layer Van Der Waals Materials On Metals And Probe Tip Engineering Of High Resolution Stm And Afm For Imaging Of Molecules On Silicon Surfaces, Stephanie Lough

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This research investigates the electronic, structural, and ferroic properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials, focusing on transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and metal thio- and selenophosphates (MTPs). Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS), Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), this work explores how dimensional confinement, substrate interactions, and thickness-dependent effects influence material behavior. Advancements in STM probe fabrication for high-resolution molecular imaging are also presented, with implications for nanoelectronics and quantum materials.

The first study examines monolayer MoS₂ on metallic substrates (gold and graphite). Raman spectroscopy revealed substrate-induced strain and charge transfer in MoS₂ on Au. STM …

Spectral Properties Of Disjoint Unions Of Open Intervals Via Unitary Groups Of Local Translations, Bryan Ducasse

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The connection between spectral properties and tiling properties of domains can be explored by mimicking an early approach of Fuglede. This approach focuses on self-adjoint extensions of differential operators and associated strongly continuous, one-parameter unitary groups. We take this approach in this thesis, determining an explicit formula for such a unitary group and use this to create new connections between spectral and tiling properties of a domain. Dutkay and Jorgensen showed it is enough to consider the case when the domain is a disjoint union of open intervals, so we restrict the scope of this thesis to this case as …

Older Adult Centered Robot Assessment: Usability, Social Presence, And Acceptance. Building Towards A Better Robot., Jordan Sasser

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation investigated factors influencing older adults' perceptions of Misty, a voice-enabled social robot designed for caregiving interactions. Three sequential studies explored how voice characteristics (pitch and speech rate), robot persona (personable vs. robotic), and task guidance (Misty guiding through timed up and go and four stage balance task) influenced usability, social presence, acceptance, and perceptions of medical assistant competence. Study 1 employed thematic and quantitative usability analyses, identifying that lower-pitched, moderately paced voices optimized user satisfaction, while repetitive activation phrases ("Hey Misty") significantly reduced usability. Study 2 examined how persona framing (personable vs. robotic) influenced perceptions of social presence …

Digital Biomarkers Of Usability, Steven Ford

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Usability, the extent to which a product can be used with satisfaction and efficiency, is critical for its success, yet traditional assessment methods are often subjective or resource-intensive. This dissertation adapts the concept of digital biomarkers—objective, quantifiable data typically used to inform health outcomes—to summative usability assessment. By examining passively collected mouse and eye movement data, this research pinpoints reliable digital biomarkers that forecast subjective usability ratings, effectively assessing the 'health' of digital systems. Three studies were conducted to demonstrate that metrics based on eye and mouse-cursor movements can accurately predict standard usability survey scores across a wide array of …

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog, Morehead State University. Registrar's Office.

Morehead State Catalog Archive

2025-2026 undergraduate catalog for Morehead State University.

Aadej Comm 11 1 2025

AADEJ - The Communicator

The Communicator is the Journal of the American Association of Dental Editors. It is published quarterly and distributed digitally via email to members and posted on the Association’s website aadej.org.

This inaugural issue of 2025 for The Communicator, the official publication of the American Association of Dental Editors & Journalists (AADEJ), sets a forward-looking tone for dental journalism. It prominently features crucial topics such as expanding circulation and archiving publications through ADA Commons, a comprehensive guide to copyright law for protecting journalistic work, and an in-depth analysis of Generative AI's impact and ethical considerations in dentistry. The issue also serves …