Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Federated Boolean Matrix Factorization Using Integer Programming, Quynh Anh Nguyen, Ngoc Nguyen, Nhat Phan

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Identifying the underlying structural patterns in data and extracting meaningful insights is a key challenge in data analysis. One effective approach to this problem is matrix factorization (MF), which approximates large matrices with lower-dimensional representations, making it effective for uncovering hidden patterns. MF techniques are widely applicable across various domains, such as recommender systems, cancer genomics, system identification, clustering, and image processing. Despite their effectiveness, existing MF methods often struggle with computational constraints and convergence challenges when tackling large-scale, nonsmooth, and nonconvex optimization problems, which are common in real-world applications.

This project aims to explore both the theoretical understanding and …

An Envisioned And Efficient Design Of Next Generation Decentralized Iot Bot Detection Model, Ahmed Abdullah Almalki

Doctoral Dissertations

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) are revolutionizing critical infrastructures, but their expansion has also introduced severe cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Traditional IoT Bot Detection Systems (IBDS) struggle to scale in environments characterized by high-dimensional, large-scale, and redundant network traffic. These challenges hinder the development of reliable cloud-based intrusion detection systems. The limitations of static and rulebased methods in detecting evolving IoT botnet attacks—such as those launched by Mirai and Gafgyt—underscore the need for intelligent, adaptive approaches. To address this, the present study proposes a machine learning and deep learning-driven IoT Botnet Detection Model, validated through …

Comparing Ordinary Least Squares And Quantile Regression: A Causal-Comparative Approach To Modeling Conditional Relationships, Samuel Nnorom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression has traditionally been the preferred quantitative method for estimating linear relationships. However, it assumes that the effect of a predictor variable remains constant across the entire outcome distribution, which can miss important insights when data are heterogeneous. Quantile Regression (QR), on the other hand, offers a more detailed analysis by focusing on the full response variable distribution, thereby revealing different relationship patterns at various quantiles within the outcome. This study compares how OLS and QR perform in modeling conditional relationships within a causal-comparative framework based on ex post facto research. Using the mortality data from …

Characterization Of L-Band Resonators And Relaxation Times Of Soₓ- Radicals At X-Band, Georgina Naa Odey Amassah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) analysis requires resonators optimized for specific experimental challenges. Volume resonators enclose samples, while surface coil resonators allow imaging of larger subjects. For in vivo studies, L-band frequencies are commonly used because they offer a good balance between signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and the ability to penetrate tissue. Rapid Scan (RS) EPR at L-band frequencies was chosen for my studies of resonators because of this balance but presents a challenge for sensitivity.

The spatial position dependence of signal intensity was evaluated for selected paramagnetic samples using 10 mm and 30 mm surface coils. The 10 mm coil, with …

Self Spin-Orbit Torques, Ryan Greening

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Spin–Orbit torques (SOTs) provide an energy-efficient pathway to control magnetization in nanoscale heterostructures. Recently, spin-orbit coupling within ferromagnets has been shown to generate self spin-orbit torques (SSOTs) on the magnetization itself. Previous work on self spin-orbit torques relies on thick ferromagnets with complicated film structures with chemical disorder or compositional gradients to generate inversion symmetry breaking. This dissertation advances experimental methodology and presents data on the quantification of self spin-orbit torques in magnetic thin films due to the spin-orbit coupling of standard 3d ferromagnets.

First, I develop an oblique-incidence magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) technique that exploits a mirror-assisted double reflection …

Equilibration And Transport Of Binary Mixtures On Planar And Porous Nanomaterials, Andrew Torres

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We present results of a Kinetic Monte Carlo investigation of the adsorption dynamics of binary gas mixtures on planar and porous sorbents, with a focus on identifying and characterizing kinetic processes involved in uptake evolution and how they influence equilibrium conditions. We also investigate varying thermodynamic simulation parameters such as interactions, alkane lengths, partial pressures and pore configurations to determine how they impact these kinetic processes as well as equilibrium properties. This study matters both for better understanding how kinetics and equilibrium are connected and for improving practical techniques in separation applications. For planar surfaces, weak species overshoot kinetic processes …

Behavioral Neuroscience Of Drug Addiction And Mental Disorder, Mona Muzammil, Muzammil Arshad, Washain Muzammil

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

This book explores the molecular, cellular, and neurocircuitry systems in the brain that are responsible for drug addiction. Common neurobiological elements are emphasized that provide novel insights into how the brain mediates the acute rewarding effects of drugs of abuse and how it changes during the transition from initial drug use to compulsive drug use and addiction. The book provides a detailed overview of the pathophysiology of the disease. The information provided will be useful for neuroscientists in the field of addiction, drug abuse treatment providers, and undergraduate and postgraduate students who are interested in learning the diverse effects of …

A Technical And Statistical Analysis Of Unleaded Aviation Fuel (Ul94) Adoption In A High- Volume Collegiate Aviation Environment, Nicholas D. Wilson, Ryan Guthridge, Brandon Wild, Jeremy Roesler, Daniel Kasowski, Nick Geinert, Aaron Terbest, Aaron Fettig, Robert Kraus

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The University of North Dakota (UND) adopted unleaded aviation fuel (UL94) for approximately a four-month period in the summer and early fall of 2023. The UL94 fuel was used in all reciprocating engine fleets based at the university’s primary training airport, Grand Forks International Airport in North Dakota. During the operational implementation of UL94, the UND flew 46,600 flight hours, consuming 386,778 gallons of fuel across all fleets powered by Lycoming engines. After approximately two months of using UL94, operational reports and maintenance inspections began to indicate potential for exhaust valve seat recession (EVSR), although early indications were limited in …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

From Infection To Restoration: A Case Study On Dental Extraction In The Maxilla Anterior, Melanie Ramirez

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

A dental implant is a restorative surgical procedure that serves as a solution to replace missing teeth that imitate the function, sensation, and appearance of natural teeth. The objective of this dental case study is to examine the diagnosis, treatment, and post-operation of a patient with a history of tooth loss and infection in the anterior maxilla. This case follows a 55-year-old patient, Jorge Marquez, name changed for confidentiality, who presented a severe tooth abscess on tooth #10 on the anterior maxilla which had previously undergone root canal treatment (Figure 1B). Radiographic evaluations illustrated the severity of the abscess the …

Impact Of Retrieval Augmented Generation And Large Language Model Complexity On Undergraduate Exams Created And Taken By Ai Agents, Erick S. Tyndall, Colleen Gayheart, Alexandre Some, Joseph Genz, Torrey J. Wagner, Brent T. Langhals

Faculty Publications

The capabilities of large language models (LLMs) have advanced to the point where entire textbooks can be queried using retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), enabling AI to integrate external, up-to-date information into its responses. This study evaluates the ability of two OpenAI models, GPT-3.5 Turbo and GPT-4 Turbo, to create and answer exam questions based on an undergraduate textbook. 14 exams were created with four true-false, four multiple-choice, and two short-answer questions derived from an open-source Pacific Studies textbook. Model performance was evaluated with and without access to the source material using text-similarity metrics such as ROUGE-1, cosine similarity, and word embeddings. …

Protecting Networks Against Entry-Point Attacks, Shivani Mishra

Theses - ALL

In many network applications, it is critical to protect sensitive nodes from discovery by malicious crawlers. This thesis addresses the network protection problem from the data protector’s perspective, focusing on strategically deleting edges to hide target nodes from entry-point attacks. Earlier work on this problem proposed node-level scores to identify key edges for deletion. We propose two novel edge-level scoring functions to identify critical edges for removal: the Shortest Path Change Score (SPCS), which quantifies the damage an edge’s removal causes to shortest paths, and the PageRank Edge Flow Score (PEFS), which estimates an edge’s usage in random walks from …

Co-Catalyst Modified Mn-Doped Semiconductor Hybrid Nanostructures For Enhanced Photocatalysis, Walker John Macswain

Dissertations - ALL

Semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) are sought after for their applications in photocatalysis and photovoltaics and due to their impressive optical and electronic properties. In photocatalysis, an important green energy transformation is sunlight utilization to produce hydrogen gas via photocatalytic water splitting. However, the photocatalytic performance of pristine semiconductors is low due to their inherent fast charge recombination. The use of co-catalysts with semiconductor NCs leads to enhanced photocatalytic product generation; noble metal co-catalysts, such as Pt, Au, Ag, and Cu and noble-metal-free metal hydroxide co-catalysts on either chalcogenide CdS or perovskite CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br) semiconductors were synthesized to study …

A Model Of Blind Quantum Diffusion, John Carver Vining

Dissertations - ALL

We introduce the Blind Quantum Diffusion Network (BQDN), a quantum computational framework designed for distributed systems operating under conditions of partial observability and asynchronous communication. BQDN generalizes the structure of Generalized Boolean Networks (GBNs) by replacing classical multivalued logic nodes with quantum registers, enabling the use of superposition, entanglement, and unitary evolution to model distributed computation and state propagation. Building on the properties of W-states and quantum teleportation protocols, the BQDN leverages entangled coin registers and a token-based control mechanism to implement blind diffusion across a graph. The system achieves synchronization-free evolution without classical coordination by embedding decision-making within quantum …

Lattice And Continuum Anomalies : Bridging The Gap, Arnab Pradhan

Dissertations - ALL

In this thesis, we explore anomalies both in the continuum and on the lattice, and attempt to establish a connection between the two frameworks. In the continuum limit, we work with Kähler-Dirac fields, while in the discrete setting, we focus on staggered fermions. To facilitate insights relevant to the growing field of quantum computing, we consider a Hamiltonian formalism in addition to the path integral. Anomalies offer a concrete bridge between ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) physics, understanding how anomalies manifest on the lattice versus in the continuum provides a powerful predictive framework. By numerically studying lattice gauge theories, we …

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Butte Treatment Lagoons (Btl) Groundwater Treatment System Quarterly Operation And Maintenance Report – Quarter 1 2025 (Dated June 30, 2025), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Designing A Data Collection And Visualization Toolkit For Scalable Tensor Algebra In Quantum Chemistry Applications, Epiya J. Ebiapia

LSU Master's Theses

Large-scale quantum chemistry computations, such as those executed with the Tensor Algebra for Many-body Methods (TAMM) framework, require careful configuration of runtime parameters to achieve high performance and cost efficiency in high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud environments. Without effective performance analysis tools, researchers risk inefficient use of computational resources, leading to longer runtimes and higher costs.

To address this challenge, this thesis presents the design and implementation of a performance profiling and visualization toolkit for TAMM, developed as part of the DOE TEC4 project in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Microsoft, and Louisiana State University. The toolkit collects detailed …

The Hydro-Geomorphic Response Of The Ephemeral Lower Nahal Tzalmon Stream To Experimental Flow Releases Towards Replenishment Of The Sea Of Galilee, Ne Israel, Nathaniel Bergman, Noam Greenbaum, Eyal Weinberg, Iyad Swaed

Geology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Study region:

The Sea of Galilee’s western watershed includes the Lower and Upper Galilee subregions in northern Israel. Nahal Tzalmon stream (110 km2) is one of the major gravel-bed channels draining those subregions into the lake. Study focus: The study focus was to monitor the immediate effects of introducing “hungry water” from the newly mega-project of the “Reverse National Water Carrier” (RNWC). The project was designed to convey desalinated water from the Mediterranean coastal desalination plants through a 5 km open channel into the lower Nahal Tzalmon stream in order to replenish the Sea of Galilee. During a 2-day experimental …

Marine Heatwaves Detected By A Network Of Buoys Along The Entire Us West Coast Shelf, Gavin Plume, Ryan K. Walter, Piero L.F. Mazzini, Michael Dalsin

Physics

Marine heatwaves (MHWs), prolonged periods of anomalously warm waters, pose an increasing threat to marine ecosystems globally. While satellite-based data offer insights into MHW patterns, coastal upwelling regions are prone to satellite biases and require long-term in-situ datasets for accurate characterization. Using two decades of temperature data from 22 surface buoys distributed along the US West Coast continental shelf (10–50 km offshore) spanning nearly 2000 km of coastline, we investigated, for the first time, coast-wide patterns of MHWs in this valuable region. The spatial extent of MHWs varied from 100% of buoys during the 2014–2016 North Pacific MHW, to less …

Engineering Protein Linkers For Optimized Telsam-Darpin Fusion And Crystallization With Electric Field-Based Polymer Orientation, Maria Jose Pedroza Romo

Theses and Dissertations

Fusing a variant of the sterile alpha motif domain of the human translocation ETS leukemia protein (TELSAM) to a protein of interest significantly enhances crystallization and diffraction quality. TELSAM is a pH-dependent, polymer-forming crystallization chaperone that, when covalently fused to a protein, forms a well-ordered crystal lattice. However, the success of this method depends on two factors: 1) the design of the linker connecting TELSAM to the target protein, which influences both crystal packing and target orientation, and 2) the prevention of TELSAM polymer flipping, a phenomenon that disrupts lattice periodicity and impairs structure determination. To address the first challenge, …

Decreasing Foraminiferal Flux In Response To Ongoing Climate Change In The Santa Barbara Basin, California, Emily Harvard, Katherine Cherry, Claudia R. Benitez-Nelson, Eric Tappa, Catherine V. Davis

Faculty Publications

The rapid response of foraminiferal assemblages to changing climate makes their shells an invaluable geological record of the past. However, the time frame over which foraminifera respond to climatic signals and the specific drivers influencing assemblage composition and abundance remain obscure. We focus on the impact of ongoing, anthropogenic climate change on planktic foraminifera in the California Current ecosystem, which would appear as a nearly instantaneous event in the sediment record. The Santa Barbara Basin sediment trap, located off the coast of California, USA since 1993, provides a record of more than 30 years of particulate and foraminiferal flux in …

Re: Comment Letter For Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Notice Of Intent To Abandon Bps07-05a And Bps07-05b (Dated July 14, 2025), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Superfund Operation And Maintenance (O&M) Request For Maintenance – Kelley Stormwater Channels (Revised On July 23, 2025), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Oxidation Resistance And Osmotic Energy Harvesting Applications Of Reduced Graphene Oxide Forward Osmosis Membranes, Michael Appiah-Kubi

Theses and Dissertations

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) forward osmosis (FO) membranes have emerged as promising candidates for efficient wastewater management and osmotic energy harvesting, due to their enhanced chemical stability and superior FO performance for low-energy waste brine treatments, such as volume reduction of oxidative chromium brine for cost-effective disposal. This dissertation first examines the oxidation resistance of RGO forward osmosis membranes against chromate Cr (VI). Our findings reveal that both the water flux and the reverse salt flux of RGO membranes are suppressed, accompanying an enhanced reverse flux selectivity after exposure to an acidic medium of Cr (VI) (pH 2.0-7.0). Meanwhile, the …

Assessment Of Bat Species (Mammalia: Chiroptera) In Canubas Cave, Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines, Jurriel Mari D. Alce, Jasmine Rouida M. Abenes, Leo Gabriel Cervantes, Matthew Eli K. Llacer, Von Zhyrus P. Oche, Ian Jay P. Saldo, Jhovel Roy D. Calo

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

Bats, flying mammals, are essential to ecosystems, playing vital roles in pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control. Despite their ecological importance, no prior bat research exists for Canubas Cave, Kibawe, Bukidnon. This study aimed to assess the bat species at the site, documenting their morphometric data, diversity and richness indices, and conservation statuses. A purposive sampling design was implemented by setting up mist nets inside and outside the cave. A total of 13 individuals were identified, comprising three species from two families: Rousettus amplexicaudatus and Eonycteris spelaea (family Pteropodidae, fruit bats), and Miniopterus schreibersii (family Miniopteridae, bent-winged bats). Based on …

Milkfish (Chanos Chanos) Bones As A Biosorbent For Mercury (Ii) Contamination In Water, Seth Uriel K. Neri, Ethan Kyle Mangao, Christian Kevin F. Redoblado, Anthony Cesar Y. Ponce, Roby Boy P. Riego, Jupiter O. Yap

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

Heavy metals, such as mercury contamination in water sources are a major environmental and public health issue in many countries. Traditional methods for removing heavy metals from water are effective but often costly and unsustainable and may produce secondary waste. Recent trends favor more sustainable alternatives, such as biosorbents in treating water with heavy metals. Milkfish (Chanos chanos), a common fish in the Philippines, contains hydroxyapatite in the bones that can bind with heavy metals through physical and chemical adsorption mechanisms. This study aims to evaluate the mercury (II) reduction capacity of biosorbent derived from milkfish bones in water, specifically …

Satellite-Based Identification Of Mesoscale And Submesoscale Eddies And Fronts In The Gulf Of Mexico, Ethan Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

Mesoscale and submesoscale processes in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) are fundamental in shaping the region’s physical and biogeochemical ocean dynamics. Advances in high-resolution satellite observations now allow detailed detection of submesoscale (< 25 km radius) and mesoscale eddies and ocean fronts, which drive heat, nutrient, and carbon fluxes. This dissertation integrates two complementary investigations: (1) a comparison of eddy-tracking algorithms: Contour Tracing (CT) and Temperature Thresholding (TT), applied to Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (OISST, 1/4°) and Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Ice Analysis (OSTIA, 1/20°) products; and (2) a comparative evaluation of three ocean front detection algorithms: Canny Edge Detection (Canny), the Cayula–Cornillon Algorithm (CCA), and the Belkin–O’Reilly Algorithm (BOA), across multiple satellite-derived parameters, including sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface salinity (SSS), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), and altimetry-derived absolute dynamic topography (ADT). The eddy-tracking analysis shows that the higher-resolution OSTIA consistently detected more eddies than OISST, with TT performing best during winter when SST gradients were strongest. The front detection analysis, incorporating datasets from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) and Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem (PACE) missions, was evaluated under diverse conditions, including flood and drought periods, Loop Current phase changes, and extreme weather events. A machine learning–based Gaussian Mixture Modeling (GMM) approach was also developed, providing a novel framework for dynamic front detection. By benchmarking traditional and machine learning methods, this integrated study identifies optimal algorithm–dataset combinations for resolving submesoscale and mesoscale features in the GoM, with applicability to other regions.

Betti Numbers For Modules Over Artinian Local Rings, Kaiyue He

Dissertations - ALL

We study the behavior of Betti growth of modules over Artinian rings under some $\Tor$ vanishing conditions. Let $(R,\fm)$ be a local Artinian ring with a fixed ideal $I$, and $M$ a finite module. We extend the framework developed in \cite{huneke2014vanishing} by introducing and analyzing a new invariant, $\gamma_I(M)$ (see Definition \ref{definition}), associated with the ideal $I$ of the ring $R$ and a finitely generated $R$-module $M$. It turns out that this invariant $\gamma_I(M)$ provides an upper bound for the ratio of certain consecutive Betti numbers of the finitely generated modules $N$ such that $\Tor_i(M,N) = 0$ for some $i …

Geochemical And Thermobarometric Constraints On Granite Crystallization, Glenn Tristan Thompson

Dissertations - ALL

Granite is ubiquitously recognized by many people due to its common use as a building material and its abundance in the Earth's continental crust. From countertops to library steps, and as a source of economically important elements, granitic rocks are deeply intertwined with human development. Defining the pressure and temperature (P– T) conditions under which granitic composition magmas crystallize is critical for understanding their petrogenesis. This dissertation explores granite petrogenesis across three chapters, utilizing detailed analysis of rock-forming minerals, associated fluids, and geochemical variations to understand how compositional variability influences the lowest possible crystallization conditions. Chapter 1 investigates the physical …

Holographic Scaling And Cosmological Correlators, He Li

Dissertations - ALL

It is well-established that the two-point correlator of a scalar field in AdS follows either of two scaling laws, ∆± =d/2 ± ν, where ν =Sqrt((d/2)^2+ m^2) is a function of the scalar bulk mass. The transition between these two scalings occurs in the renormalization group evolution from the UV to the IR of a dual 4D conformal theory deformed by a relevant double-trace deformation. In this thesis, we identify a new holographic scaling law, ∆UV = ν, in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence where there exists a UV cutoff brane. Specifically, when ν > 1, the ∆− scaling that …