Digital Commons Network^™

Introducing Gridtrees For Streaming, Scalable Hierarchical Data Visualization, Nathan Tibbetts

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

File browsing in the consumer sphere has seen very little advancement in recent years, although attempts have been made to improve upon it. With the goal of multi-level visual file browsing in mind, we present a prototype GridTree, a dynamic, recursive, stable, spatial layout data structure based on subdividing grids, represented as a hierarchy of maps whose granularity increases with depth. We motivate this work with characteristics we have identified as important for viability of a multi-level file-browser, which have become our design goals. We touch on the underlying logic of a GridTree and identify its complexity. We briefly discuss …

Dispersive Shock And Rogue Waves In Two-Dimensional Quantum Droplets, Farhana Bristy

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Quantum droplets, are liquid type configurations stabilized by the balance between attractive mean-field interactions and repulsive quantum fluctuations. They provide highly flexible platforms for the quantum simulation of hydrodynamic phenomena using ultracold gases. Here, we explore the nonlinear quantum dynamics of two-dimensional quantum droplets under Riemann initial conditions. The steepness of the latter facilitates the emergence of radially symmetric dispersive shock waves (DSWs) when quantum fluctuations dominate. In particular, the ensuing DSWs travel from the potential edges toward the center where they collide and through their interference high amplitude spatially localized rogue wave structures emerge. In contrast, tuning the interactions …

Thermal Mirage: Towards Robust Thermal Perception Via Gan-Guided Diffusion, Nuzaer Omar

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Thermal object detection systems are critical for safety sensitive applications due to their reliability under adverse conditions. However, existing robustness evaluations in thermal domain primarily focuses on physical or sensor-level perturbations, overlooking vulnerabilities from semantically realistic scene and object manipulations. We introduce Thermal Mirage, a generative framework that leverages GAN-guided diffusion to expose weaknesses in thermal detectors through controlled object and context level perturbations. Our approach learns class-conditional thermal priors via a GAN and uses diffusion to transform object appearances into ambiguous or low-saliency patterns. Simultaneously, a context module degrades scene conditions by simulating harsher night environments. Integrated with a …

Distributed Control Plane For Cross-Silo Federated Learning, Rabin Pandey

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Cross-silo federated learning (FL) trains shared models across geographically distributed institutions without centralizing raw data, but its reliance on wide-area networks makes round completion time highly sensitive to heterogeneous link conditions, congestion, and straggler clients. Existing SDN-based FL frameworks address this through centralized traffic engineering, an approach that breaks down when silos span independent administrative domains where no single entity can maintain complete, timely network knowledge. We replace the centralized control plane with a fully distributed overlay in which each silo gateway operates as an equal peer, continuously probing local links, exchanging EWMA-smoothed metrics via bounded gossip, and computing least-cost …

Transition Metal Chalcogenide As Multifunctional Biosenser To Detect Neurochemicals, Amitav Sen

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

The development of highly sensitive real-time sensing platforms for selectively detecting dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) is of significant clinical importance since these are closely associated with several neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we report copper telluride (Cu₂Te) nanostructure as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for the simultaneous detection of dopamine and norepinephrine. Cu₂Te exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward both DA and NE oxidation, as demonstrated by detailed electrochemical measurements. High sensitivities of 24 and 40 µA cm⁻² µM⁻¹ for DA and NE, respectively, were obtained with a wide linear detection range of 10–200 nM and low limit of detection (LOD), 31 nM for …

Robust Federated Learning With Strategic Adversaries, Manoj Twarakavi

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Federated Learning (FL) leverages the intelligence of untrusted distributed devices through collaborative training. This makes the training process susceptible to malicious behavior. Existing defense mechanisms largely consider an adversary who attacks a proactive FL server without any adaptability. However, they overlook the presence of a strategic adversary. To address this challenge, our work proposes a Robust Game-theoretic framework where the adversary is both strategic and is equipped with the capability of performing large-scale poisoning attacks.

Variational Data Assimilation With Steepest Descent Method For Coupled Time-Dependent Stokes-Darcy Model With Bjsj Interface Condition, Yafang Hei

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Variational data assimilation (VDA) determines the initial condition of a dynamical system by minimizing the mismatch between model predictions and observed data. This work studies VDA for the time-dependent Stokes–Darcy system with the BJSJ interface condition. The problem is formulated as a PDE-constrained optimization problem, and the first-order optimality system is derived using the Gâteaux derivative and adjoint variables. A steepest descent method is applied for efficient computation. Spatial and temporal discretizations are carried out using the finite element method and backward Euler scheme, respectively. Numerical results confirm accuracy and convergence.

Human Intention Prediction Using Cnn And Lstm Networks In Physical Human–Robot Interactions, Khosro Ghorbani Zadeh

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Advances in robotics and artificial intelligence have increased expectations for interactive robots in eldercare and assistive applications. A key challenge in creating safe and effective systems is accurately recognizing human intent and translating it into meaningful commands for robots to follow. Traditional physics-based models often fail to fully represent human force interactions due to their dynamic nature, while neural networks provide a promising alternative for predicting force-movement intentions. Multi-layer perceptrons (MLPs) show potential, however, they struggle with temporal dependencies and generalization. Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) help address these limitations. This study compares these architectures …

Ai-Driven Frameworks For Mitigating Rockfall Hazards, Unstable Ground Condition And Improving Safety In Underground Mine Through Thermal Imaging, Akhrorbek Narmatov

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Scaling, the removal of loose rocks from excavation walls to prevent rockfalls is a critical safety procedure in underground mining operations. Approximately a quarter of fatal mining accidents are due to rockfalls. Detecting unstable rocks during scaling and assessing ground stability remain challenging due to limited visibility, dust, and environmental conditions.

Excavation disturbs the in-situ stress state, causing stress redistribution, fracture propagation, and the formation of discontinuities that lead to loose rock blocks. Ventilation airflow affects heat transfer at exposed surfaces, amplifying temperature contrasts between intact rock and fractured blocks associated with instability.

Current practices rely on manual inspection, requiring …

Against The Coloniality Of Sport For Development And Peace (Sdp), Isra Shahid Iqbal

Journal of Global South Sport Studies

This paper critically investigates how historical colonial practices and capitalist structures continue to influence the roles, relationships, and spaces related to gender and race within Sport for Development (SDP) initiatives in Global South contexts. While sport is commonly approached as an avenue to promote positive youth development and post-conflict reconstruction, these discourses often overlook how colonial capitalist imperatives are perpetuated through sport, influencing gender and race hierarchies, oppressive relations, and the direct “Othering” of actors in Global South contexts (Samie et al., 2015; Oxford, 2017). Indeed, SDP initiatives are not immune from capitalist and colonial imperatives nor the racial and …

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence For Transformative Education: Challenges And Recommendations, Papia Bawa

Journal of Research Initiatives

The sheer force with which GPT models are inundating business, education and economic fields speaks to its ability to not only transform the ways in which we interact and act but also disrupt these ways. This systematic literature review applies the PSALSAR method to synthesize findings from 72 articles on AI applications in education, emphasizing its transformative potential across various domains. AI is transforming personalized learning by customizing content and feedback to individual needs, addressing challenges like data privacy and ethical concerns. It enhances administrative efficiency through automation and data-driven decision-making, improving institutional performance while managing biases and maintaining human …

Application Of The Tridiagonal Representation Approach And The J Matrix Method Of Scattering In Theoretical Physics, Tunde Joseph Osunmusanmi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This dissertation investigates the application of the Tridiagonal Representation Approach (TRA) to linear systems and introduces, for the first time, an extension of the J-matrix method of scattering to nonlinear phenomena. The TRA provides an algebraic framework for solving second-order linear ordinary differential equations by combining algebraic structure with the analytical properties of orthogonal polynomials and special functions. Computationally, the method benefits from efficient numerical techniques for tridiagonal matrices. Within the TRA, solutions of differential equations, including the Schrödinger equation, are expressed as convergent expansions in square-integrable basis functions chosen to yield a tridiagonal representation of the differential operator. This …

County Of El Paso Et Al. V. Michael Chertoff, Secretary, Us Dhs, Case 308-Cv-00196-Fm

Border Wall / Border Security Documents

Filings relating to U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, El Paso Division, Case 308-cv-00196-FM

Six-Week Time-Restricted Eating Lowers Premature Mortality Risk In Overweight Early Elderly Adults: Evidence From A Body Shape Index, Przemysław Domaszewski, Mariusz Konieczny

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: A Body Shape Index (ABSI) is an anthropometric indicator combining waist circumference, weight, and height, providing a BMI-independent measure of central obesity and a recognized predictor of mortality. Despite its relevance, research on ABSI in early elderly populations remains limited. This study assessed the impact of a six-week time-restricted eating (TRE) intervention on ABSI z-scores in overweight adults aged 65–74, with attention to gender differences. Materials and Methods: A total of 116 participants were randomized into a TRE group (16:8 fasting window from 8:00 PM to 12:00 PM) or a control group maintaining habitual eating. ABSI z-scores were evaluated …

Documents Compiled By The No Border Wall Coalition, No Border Wall Coaltion

Border Wall / Border Security Documents

No abstract provided.

Scenario-Based Pareto Analysis For Multi-Objective Optimization Of Process Parameters To Improve Life Cycle Impacts: Case Study Of Ge Production, Dennis Dadzie

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Growing demand for critical minerals increases the need for clear evidence on the environmental burdens of their production. Life‑cycle assessment (LCA) quantifies impacts, but it does not by itself show how to navigate competing environmental performance improvement goals. We examine 63 process configurations for single‑crystal germanium made via chlorinated distillation using five indicators: global warming potential (GWP), water consumption (WC), fine particulate matter (FPM), terrestrial acidification (TA), and cumulative energy demand (CED). Across scenarios, WC is negatively correlated with GWP, weakly related to FPM, TA, and CED, while the other four indicators are strongly positively correlated. Pareto analysis highlights a …

Paying The Price Of The Border Wall In Human Lives, Scott Nichol

Border Wall / Border Security Documents

No abstract provided.

In Response To Judge Salinas’ Attempt To Sell Us The Border Wall, Scott Nichol

Border Wall / Border Security Documents

No abstract provided.

Virtual Fences And Border Walls: Billions Wasted On A False Sense Of Security, Scott Nichol

Border Wall / Border Security Documents

No abstract provided.

Walling Off Our Southern Deserts, Scott Nichol

Border Wall / Border Security Documents

No abstract provided.

Will Ciro Rodriguez Stop A New Round Of Border Walls?, Scott Nichol

Border Wall / Border Security Documents

No abstract provided.

Reproducing Advantage: Inequality In Ncaa Leadership Programming, Jessica K. Brougham, Elizabeth A. Taylor

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Leadership programming in NCAA Division I athletics is designed to support holistic athlete development, including career readiness, financial literacy, and personal growth. However, participation in selective initiatives like the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is often limited, raising concerns about equality and access. Through the theory of social reproduction, our study examines how these programs reflet and reinforce structural inequalities. Interviews with athletic staff reveal selection procedures (or lack thereof) privilege athletes who already possess social and cultural capital and therefore reproduce existing hierarchies rather than serve as a developmental tool. The findings highlight the importance of transparent selection criteria, intentional …

Chrononutrition: A Beginner’S Guide For Mental Health Professionals, Jerrod Brown Phd, Ma, Ms, Ms, Ms, Ms, Ms, Jeremiah Schimp Phd, Ma, Lpcc, Leanne Skehan Dcn, Msacn, Mph, Mba, Shelley Mydra Dmft, Lmft, Jonathan Ward Dc, Phd(C), Ms, Dibcn, Kelly Rain Collin Ed.M.

Nutritional Neurocriminology Today

Chrononutrition focuses on how nutritional timing influences biological rhythms (Castro-Mata et al., 2025; Kim et al., 2025; Raji et al., 2024). This includes examining how dietary patterns (e.g., timing, frequency, and regularity) affect the circadian system and metabolic health (Cart & Pauling, 2025; Juliana et al., 2023; Negri et al., 2025). Sleep schedule, shift work, substance use, malnutrition, and other external factors, which will be discussed in this article, can disrupt the circadian rhythm. This disruption increases the risk for serious mental health problems (Baron & Reid, 2014; Castro-Mata et al., 2025; Franzago et al., 2023). Alternatively, consistent and nutritious …

Ncaa’S Mental Health Best Practices Still Need Coaching: Perceptions Of Division I Student-Athletes On Strategies And Support Offered By Their Universities, Christopher C. Boyer, Jason Bocarro, Corey Johnson, Austin Thompson-Spain, Lulu Black

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

The NCAA has recognized the growing mental health crisis among student-athletes over the last decade and responded by publishing best practices, passing related legislation, and conducting surveys with student-athletes and coaches regarding mental health. This qualitative study explored the perceptions and insights of 22 Division I student-athletes on current strategies and resources designed to provide the best mental health support to them, along with what they perceive as the barriers or resource deficiencies related to seeking help. This applied research was done in the context of the best practices outlined in the NCAA’s Interassociation Consensus Document: Mental Health Best Practices, …

Game Without A Voice: College Athletes’ Symbolic Participation In Institutional Decisions, Eric G. Kramer, Karina Jolly, Chris Corr, Sarah Stokowski

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

This study examined decision-making by student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) members within a hegemonic characterization of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Findings revealed that athletes prioritized decisions with tangible, immediate impact – such as mental and physical health and peer support – over broader systemic issues like NCAA legislation. While athletes actively participated in select areas, their perceived influence remained low, particularly within athletic department policy decisions, where findings indicated the greatest gap between participation and desired influence. Such findings reflect a systemic power imbalance that limits athlete agency, reinforced by fears of retribution and structural exclusion from meaningful governance. …

2nd Annual Miners Solving For Tomorrow Research Conference - Graduate Schedule, Antai Dong, Connor Bell, Dennis Dadzie, Joshua Gary, Adebayo Olayinka Oke, Deeshani Mitra, Yejun Kim, Josiah Mcdermott, Samiksha Aryal, Nicholas Benner, Timothy Ennis, Maryam Sharifi Paroushi, Sujan Maharjan, Md Saiduzzaman, Hari Dhital, Manuela Isabel Arenas Alvarez, Eyuel A Getahun, Lucas Greiner, Amaneh Babaee, Shane Cairns, Nazish Khalid, Joseph Walton, Jie Shi, Ehsan Asheghianamiri, Mariam Elazhary, Makuach James Makeny Panther Athach, Rasman Mubtasim Swargo, Shiva Kumar Goud Kasani, Pablo Jara, Sara Mccauley, Hartzell Weston, Al Mojahid Afridi, Matik Heskin, Nima Mahmoudzadeh, Effat Eskandari, Amitav Sen, Rabin Pandey, Amirhossein Habibi, Nuzaer Omar, Mizanur Rahman Jewel, Nathan Tibbetts, Manoj Twarakavi, Farhana Bristy, Akhrorbek Narmatov, Mahnaz Asgari Sooran, Yafang Hei, Nathan Roberts, Khosro Ghorbani Zadeh

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Assessing Radon And Radon Progeny Deposition On Simulated Lung Filter System: Effects Of Cigarette And E-Cigarette Use Based On The Icrp Model, Manuela Isabel Arenas Alvarez

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

This project investigates the potential interaction between radon exposure and e-cigarette aerosols, focusing on how radon progeny deposit in the lungs under combined conditions. An experimental system was developed to simulate regional lung deposition based on the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) model. The setup uses a filter-based design and a custom modular atomizer to generate stable aerosols, with four commercial plastic filters evaluated. Initial results demonstrate reproducible filtration behavior and a total deposition pattern matching ICRP predictions within 21% error. Ongoing work aims to improve agreement with regional deposition curves and enable combined radon–aerosol exposure experiments. This platform …

Assessing The Effects Of Scale-Dependent Representation Of River Networks On Hydrologic Prediction, Hari Dhital

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Accurate hydrologic prediction at relevant spatial scales is essential for flood risk management. This study explores how spatial scale affects model parameters and simulation outcomes in the Hillslope Link Model (HLM). This was motivated by HLM implementation within the Next Generation Water Resources Modeling (NextGen) framework for the U.S. National Water Model. Since NextGen alters HLM's spatial scale from hillslopes to catchments, we assess how this change affects runoff generation and routing. We implement HLM at both scales using identical, predetermined parameters without calibration to isolate spatial discretization effects. Using approximately ten years of precipitation and streamflow data from watersheds …

Controlled Gelation Of Co₂-Resistant Polymer Systems For Improved Conformance In Co₂-Eor, Maryam Sharifi Paroushi

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

This presentation introduces a CO₂-resistant hydrogel developed to control fluid movement and improve CO₂ injection performance in subsurface reservoirs for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Conventional polymer gels often lose strength in CO₂-rich environments, resulting in weak plugging, early breakdown, and ineffective flow control. To address this limitation, a sulfonated HPAM-based gel system crosslinked with chromium was developed. The effects of polymer concentration, molecular weight, crosslinker ratio, ionic strength, and pH were investigated to better understand gelation behavior and performance. The formulation exhibited controlled gelation, strong resistance to temperature and CO₂, and minimal shrinkage over …

Structural Analysis On Iron Phosphate Glasses After Dechlorination Of Mixed Chloride Waste Forms, Lucas Greiner

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

Molten salt reactors (MSRs) require durable waste forms for immobilizing halide-rich salts. This study examines iron phosphate glasses derived from a simple salt mixture (SSM), focusing on the effect of Fe₂O₃ additions (2.5–10 wt%) on structure and phase stability. Intermediates were processed at 300–600 °C and vitrified at 1050 °C. Raman spectroscopy and HPLC show that increasing iron content depolymerizes the phosphate network, shifting from Q² toward Q¹ species and reducing chain length. XRD confirms amorphous behavior for ≤7.5 wt% Fe₂O₃, while 10 wt% shows crystallization, with KFeP₂O₇ observed in samples processed at 400 °C. Despite reduced connectivity, iron enhances …