Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Effect Of Incentives On Disaster Mitigation Behavior: An Age-Based Analysis, Wenqian He, Jeffrey Wickliffe, Zhen Cong

Health Sciences and Kinesiology Faculty Articles

Background

As climate change accelerates, the frequency and severity of natural disasters are increasing. However, most individuals cannot get sufficient protective measures due to financial pressure or environmental barriers. This study aims to examine how different incentives influence people’s willingness to take mitigation behavior. Methods

Data were collected from 781 tornado survivors in Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee, as part of the ‘Vulnerability and Resilience to Disasters’ project. Participants were randomly assigned to 12 conditions based on cost coverage ratios (25%, 50%, 75%), improvement types (storm shelters, structural reinforcement), and incentive forms (cash rebates, insurance discounts). Multivariate logistic regression models were …

2025 - Tennessee Climate Snapshot, Tennessee Climate Office, East Tennessee State University

Tennessee Climate Office Monthly Reports

No abstract provided.

Semi-Supervised Learning For Annotation And Representation Of Single-Cell Rna Sequencing And Spatial Transcriptomics Data, Haoran Liu

Dissertations

Semi-supervised learning has emerged as a powerful paradigm for analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) data, where full annotation is often costly or impractical. scRNA-seq technologies measure the expression of thousands of genes across tens of thousands of cells, whereas ST additionally captures the spatial coordinates of gene expression within intact tissue sections. Annotation is a key step in both scRNA-seq and ST analysis pipelines, aiming to identify cell types, spatial domains, and latent biological structures. However, most existing annotation approaches rely on separate clustering methods that are typically fully unsupervised and fail to leverage side information …

Beyond Words: A Systematic Multimodal Framework For Text, Images, And Extreme Helpfulness In Online Reviews, Alvaro J. Aguado Marin

Dissertations

Online product reviews have become increasingly multimodal, combining text with media-rich elements such as images. However, academic research has largely examined textual features in isolation, overlooking how visual content and its interaction with text shape perceived helpfulness. This dissertation addresses that gap by developing and empirically validating a comprehensive framework capturing how textual, visual, and contextual features collectively influence review evaluation. Grounded in the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) and extended through the Text-Image Elaboration Likelihood Model (TI-ELM), the framework advances understanding of how consumers process content from both user- and business-generated sources. It also lays the foundation for examining emerging …

Computational Design Of Nanoporous Materials For The Adsorption Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Daniel D. Mottern

Dissertations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of chemicals that have seen wide usage due to their fluorinated carbon backbone. The presence of strong C-F bonds in the backbone lends PFAS molecules high thermal and chemical stability, as well as strong hydrophobicity and lipophobicity. This combination of properties has led to heavy use of PFAS as surfactants, non-stick coatings, and aqueous foam forming films and flame retardants. However, these properties bring their own consequences. The high chemical and thermal stability of PFAS renders them persistent, with the C-F bonds resisting naturally occurring forms of degradation. Existing forms of …

Computational Methods For Single-Cell And Multi-Omic Data Integration And Regulatory Network Inference, Jianlan Ren

Dissertations

Single-cell and multi-omic technologies have transformed the dissection of cellular heterogeneity and regulatory dynamics in health and disease. However, the high dimensionality, technical variability, and biological complexity of these datasets present significant challenges for integration, annotation, and interpretation. In this dissertation, a suite of computational approaches is introduced to address key problems in single-cell and multi-omic data analysis through model-based innovations and applied statistical frameworks.

First, a constrained deep learning framework for single-cell data integration, label transfer, and clustering is proposed. By incorporating biologically motivated constraints into the training process, robust performance is achieved across simulated and benchmark datasets spanning …

Data-Driven Analysis And Atomistic Simulations Of Next-Generation Materials For Energy Conversion And Storage, Yuliang Shi

Dissertations

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with their modular architectures and tunable properties, represent an especially rich domain for accelerated material design and discovery for a range of diverse applications. Within this class of multifunctional materials, two-dimensional (2D) electrically conductive MOFs (EC MOFs) are of particular interest, as their 7r-stacked layered structures combine permanent porosity with electronic conductivity, enabling potential breakthroughs in energy storage, energy conversion, and quantum sensing. But the discovery and design of new EC MOFs based on expensive experimental screening is increasingly impractical due to the infinite chemical space. Furthermore, the practical implementation of EC MOFs for specific tasks depends …

Environmental Science And Sustainable Development: Behavioral Transformation To Knowledge System Integration For Sustainability Action, Ahyahudin Sodri, Herdis Herdiansyah

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Sustainability issues are now a global concern. However, knowing the root causes of problems and the target is not the only factor that constantly motivates change for the better (Wamsle & Osberg, 2022) as such change also requires encouragement from actors, including individuals, organizations, and communities. Therefore, the human aspect is crucial for the successful achievement of sustainability (Hariram et al., 2023). In other words, questions on sustainability are not just about "what should be done?" and also on “how to get people to do it?” and “why are currently available interventions not yet fully utilized?” …

Information Processing In Quantum Thermodynamic Systems, Shou-I Tang

Graduate Masters Theses

This thesis extends the classical autonomous Hamiltonian framework of information thermodynamics to the quantum regime. In this formulation, a composite system consisting of a principal system, a heat bath, a memory, and a work source is described by fully quantum, time-independent Hamiltonian dynamics. By introducing the quantum speed limit (QSL) for the system and memory subsystems, referred to as the Quantum Thermodynamic Speed Limit (QTSL), I establish a connection between the QTSL and Landauer’s principle. This relationship reveals the fundamental constraints on quantum information processing in terms of dynamics and energy costs during the evolution. Furthermore, I present an interpretation …

A Novel Mathematical Model Of Hiv Transmission Incorporating The Effects Of Treatment And Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: Sensitivity Analysis And Numerical Simulations, Erick Manuel Delgado Moya

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation with Applications

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a public health problem in many countries of the world, and Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a preventive method for HIV, which has shown great efficacy and is in use worldwide. This work presents a new mathematical model for HIV transmission incorporating PrEP use and evaluates the impact of PrEP along with its increasing use in a population. The construction of the model takes into account three forms of diagnosis: diagnosis of individuals in risky sexual contact, diagnosis after risky contact (diagnosis in the undiagnosed infected compartment), and diagnosis associated with attempting to enter …

Real-Time Deep Learning Detection Of Toraja Carving Motifs Using Yolo11m For Cultural Heritage Preservation, Herman Herman, Farid Wajdi Mufti, Abdul Rachman Manga, Haidawati Nasir

Knowledge Engineering and Data Science

Toraja carvings are an important part of Indonesia’s cultural heritage, rich in symbolic, aesthetic, and philosophical meaning. However, the identification and preservation of carving motifs still rely on subjective, time-consuming manual processes, limiting scalability and inconsistent knowledge transmission. From a Knowledge Engineering and Cognitive Data Science perspective, this challenge highlights the need for mechanisms that can transform visual cultural artifacts into structured, machine-interpretable knowledge. This study investigates the use of the YOLO11m model as a data-driven approach for modeling cultural knowledge through automated detection of three Toraja carving motifs: pa_tedong, pa_kapu_baka, and pa_manu_londongan using original images collected directly from traditional …

(R2151) Error Estimates Of Barycentric Lagrange Interpolation, Alvira Yawar, Swarnima Bahadur

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

Barycentric interpolation, which comes from Lagrange interpolation, is a useful method in numerical analysis. In this research paper, we explain how the barycentric interpolation formula is derived and discuss its features. We compare its stability and performance with the traditional Lagrange formula. First, we show how to get the barycentric formula from the Lagrange polynomial and present it as a rational function. We also provide an estimate of the error. Then, we use numerical examples to show that the barycentric formula is more stable and works better, especially when the degree of interpolation is high. Our results show that the …

Analysis Of Students' Problem-Solving Skills In Work And Energy Based On Gender, Miftahuljannah Muslimin

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study analyzes students’ problem-solving skills on Work and Energy using a quantitative descriptive design, profiling performance across five indicators without causal claims. Participants were 85 students from SMA Negeri 1 Barru, South Sulawesi (30 males, 55 females) who answered five essay items scored on useful description, physics approach, specific application, mathematical procedure, and logical progression. Overall means were 57.73 (females) and 60.73 (males); an independent t-test showed p = .333 > .05 with Cohen’s d = 0.22 (small), indicating no meaningful overall difference. By indicator, ANOVA showed no gender differences (α > .05) except for logical progression (p = .029). …

Evaluating Stormwater & Carbon Benefits Of Urban Street Trees, Anthony J. Rodriguez Diaz

Theses

Urban areas experience a multitude of environmental challenges, including flooding and air pollution. In response to these pressures, urban forests have emerged as an essential nature-based strategy to enhance resilience and reduce climate-related risks. The implementation and expansion of urban street trees further contribute to this effort by mitigating stormwater runoff and reducing atmospheric carbon emissions.

Fortunately, advances in environmental modeling have made it increasingly possible to quantify these ecosystem services using specialized software. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service's i-Tree suite exemplifies this progress. The software provides a comprehensive set of tools designed to quantify environmental …

Quantum Readiness In Cybersecurity Education: A Framework For Preparing The Next Generation In The Post-Quantum Era, George Antoniou

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

This framework addresses the critical gap between post-quantum standards and workforce readiness. Shor's algorithm demonstrates that sufficiently powerful quantum computers can break the cryptographic foundations of internet security. While the cryptography research community has developed quantum-resistant algorithms, educational institutions have not prepared students to implement these solutions. Recent surveys show fewer than half of organizations have begun planning for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) transitions (Entrust Cybersecurity Institute, 2024; U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2023; (ISC)², 2024). The NICE Framework (Newhouse, Keith, Scribner, & Witte, 2017) outlines the knowledge and skills that cybersecurity professionals should possess. The framework omits post-quantum cryptography entirely. Organizations …

Patterns Of Llm Weaponization: A Comparative Analysis Of Exploitation Incidents Across Commercial Ai Systems, George Antoniou

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

This comparative study examines patterns of Large Language Model (LLM) weaponization through systematic analysis of four major exploitation incidents spanning from 2023-2025. While existing research focuses on isolated incidents or theoretical vulnerabilities, this study provides one of the first comprehensive comparative frameworks analyzing exploitation patterns across state-sponsored cyber-espionage (Anthropic Claude incident), academic security research (GPT- 4 autonomous privilege escalation), social engineering platforms (SpearBot phishing framework), and underground criminal commoditization (WormGPT/FraudGPT ecosystem). Through comparative analysis across eight dimensions: Adversary sophistication, target selection, exploitation techniques, autonomy levels, detection evasion, attribution challenges, defensive gaps, and capability democratization, this research identifies critical cross-case patterns …

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Draft Final 2022 Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Sampling: Bres No. 38 – Sister Dump Site Evaluation Summary Report (Dated September 30, 2025), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Construction And Data-Driven Analysis Of A Stochastic, Individual-Based Opioid Epidemiology Network Model, Leigh Bennett Pearcy, Owen Queen, Vincent Jodoin, Suzanne Lenhart, Christopher Strickland

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation with Applications

While substance use epidemiology has been an active area of mathematical research in recent years, the social and mental processes that are involved in the development of substance use disorders have presented challenges to advancing the epidemiological theory and how they differ from the contraction of pathogenic disease. Such distinction is especially pertinent in the context of the current United States opioid epidemic and its intersection with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, as both prescription drugs and social influence play major roles in the development of opioid use disorder. In this paper, we construct a stochastic network model capturing how individual …

Optimal Control Of Stochastic Systems: A Numerical Study Of The Stochastic Linear Quadratic Regulator Framework, Gülşen Orucova Büyüköz, Yaprak Güldoğan Dericioğlu, Tuğçem Partal

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation with Applications

Optimal control of stochastic linear systems is fundamental in control theory, with applications in robotics, finance, and engineering. The Stochastic Linear Quadratic Regulator (SLQR) derives optimal feedback laws via the Riccati equation but requires numerical discretization of the resulting stochastic dynamics. Despite extensive studies on numerical methods for stochastic differential equations, their performance within the SLQR framework remains insufficiently explored. This study compares two predictor–corrector schemes of different orders: the Order 1.0 Predictor-Corrector (PC) method and the Order 2.0 Weak PC method. A one-dimensional linear quadratic problem with a closed-form solution enables precise error evaluation against the analytical trajectory. Convergence …

Analysis And Numerical Investigation Of A Breast Cancer Treatment Model Incorporating Ketogenic Diet And Immune Boosters Via Optimal Control Theory, Kunnisai Muniroh, Ummu Habibah, Wuryansari Muharini Kusumawinahyu, Nur’Izzati Hamdan

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation with Applications

This paper develops a mathematical model to investigate breast cancer dynamics by incorporating tumor–immune interactions, ketogenic diet effects, and medical treatment. The model is formulated as a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations and analyzed within an optimal control framework. Time-dependent control variables are introduced to represent treatment strategies aimed at minimizing tumor progression while reducing therapeutic costs. The model’s well-posedness is established through positivity and boundedness analysis. The necessary conditions for optimality are derived using Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle, resulting in a coupled system of state and adjoint equations. Numerical solutions are obtained using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method combined with …

Re: Conditional Approval For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Unreclaimed Sites Ur-08 (Anderson Shaft) – Remedial Action Work Plan (Rawp) (Dated October 24, 2025), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Draft Final 2022 Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Sampling: Bres No. 32 – Corra 2 Dump Site Evaluation Summary Report (Dated October 24, 2025), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Draft Final 2022 Unreclaimed Sites Sampling: Ur-20 Site Evaluation Summary Report (Dated October 24, 2025), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Draft Final 2022 Unreclaimed Sites Sampling: Ur-13 Site Evaluation Summary Report (Dated October 22, 2025), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Draft Final 2022 Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Sampling: Bres No. 37 – Josephine Shaft Site Evaluation Summary Report (Dated October 16, 2025), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Draft Final 2022 Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Sampling: Bres No. 30 – Atlantic-1 Site Evaluation Summary Report (Dated October 24, 2025), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Bio-Papcz: Corn Starch-Based Composite Bioplastic Reinforced With Pineapple Leaf Fiber (Palf), Zinc Oxide (Zno), And Polyvinyl Alcohol (Pva), Marvin C. Caya, Shervin Austin C. Huang, Jovar Khalel J. Maghari, Ruel M. Levida

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Plastic pollution poses a serious global threat, as petroleum-based plastics persist for centuries, and their surging production of over 450 million tons overwhelms ecosystems (Ritchie et al., 2023). Using a quantitative experimental research design, the study examined the effects of varying concentrations of cornstarch-based bioplastic reinforced with pineapple leaf fiber (PALF), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and zinc oxide (ZnO) on the bioplastic’s tensile strength and soil degradability. Sample C2 (ZnO 3.0 %w/w; PVA 9.0 %w/w) demonstrated the optimal tensile properties with a tensile strength of 0.76 MPa and an elongation at break of 6.40%, which was attributed to the addition of …

Comparing Individual Vs Mixed Treatments Of Chicken Bone Meal And Crab Shell Meal On The Growth Of Capsicum Annuum (Bell Pepper), Allthur Rudy R. Arroyo, John Rafael V. Capinia, Ethan Jude R. Reyes, Elnathan Jethro B. Sumalbag, Karl Benedict E. Viri, John Ray Cordova Estrellado, Kerry P. Cabral

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

The recycling of nutrient-rich food waste reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers, enhances soil quality, and improves plant growth. Existing studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of food waste, such as bone meal (B) and crab shell meal (S), as fertilizers; however, their combined use has not been investigated. This study aims to evaluate the effect of varying proportions of B and S fertilizers on the growth of Capsicum annuum (bell pepper) employing a random complete block design with 10 treatments (pure B, pure S, and a 50:50 BS mix, each at 7 g, 14 g, and 21 g) plus a control …

Exploring The Metric Dimension Of The Graph Representing A Four-Ring Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon: Interstellar 1-Cyanopyrene, Andrei Matthew V. Robino, Sebastian Alex C. Traviña, Karl Benedict P. Narag, Mark Anthony B. Casao, Helix Raven C. Llanes, Azriel C. Alejo, Jonel C. Celamor

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

A graph's metric dimension is a parameter that denotes the minimum possible number of vertices in a subset that gives each vertex in the graph a unique representation. Despite extensive research on the metric dimension of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), there is currently no focused analysis on the metric basis and metric dimension of 1-cyanopyrene. In chemistry, graphs can be used to depict molecular structures. In this study, graph theory, specifically the concept of metric dimensions, is applied to the molecular structure of 1-cyanopyrene, which was detected in space for the first time in 2024. 1-cyanopyrene is a molecule made …

Experiences Of Bukidnon Farmers On The Use Of Carbonized Rice Hulls (Crh) Waste From Biomass Boilers As A Soil Conditioner, Dash Constantine S. Chamen, Queen Loraine D. Ban, Michael Justin O. Eluna, Pole Honson B. Gabitano, Ian Jay P. Saldo, Jhovel Roy D. Calo

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

The long-term use of agricultural products that adversely affect soil is a significant issue for farmers. This study explored the potential of carbonized rice hulls (CRH) waste from biomass boilers as a sustainable soil conditioner. The research investigated the specific soil conditioning properties of CRH and explored the lived experiences of nine (9) Bukidnon farmers to correlate their observations with the material’s chemical profile. The composition analysis identified a high silica content and essential micronutrients, such as calcium and magnesium, which act as nutrient restorers and pH regulators. The thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews, four themes emerged to summarize the …