Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Gnss Technology, Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

SDL presentation on GNSS Technology

Arts-Based Sustainability: From New York To Malawi, Martha B. Lerski

Publications and Research

Recognizing that libraries serve multiple constituencies and subject areas, this chapter documents and advocates for development of transdisciplinary arts-based research (ABR) and culture-related projects linked to environmental challenges. Libraries contribute collections and spaces, as well as the research of library and information scientists. Libraries are currently among invisible contributors to sustainability planning and services. The chapter will link this invisibility to the value of what visual arts refer to as negative space elements in subjects ranging from traditional ecological knowledge to environmental science. Library collections, projects, and research contribute to education for sustainable development (ESD) as required to achieve the …

Having A Cow: Exploring The Economic And Mental Health Challenges Of Dairying In The Upper Valley, Ava J. Ori

Environmental Studies Senior Theses

Until late in the 20th century, the dairyman was an influential actor in the fabric of the Upper Valley consisting of Grafton, Orange, Sullivan and Windsor counties (Rozwenc, 1981 & Weld, 1905). Dairy farmers were critical to both the economic growth of the region and the construction of a local identity centered around distinctive high quality dairy products. However, the dairy farmers responsible for the bucolic feel and scrappy independence unique to the Upper Valley are being traded in for massive operations lacking both quality of milk and the cultural intricacy specific to local dairies. In 1905 there were 4,173 …

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis And Surface Characterization Of Graphene Oxide-Antimony Trioxide Nanocomposites For Ascorbic Acid Electrochemical Sensor, Samir Mallick

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

The detection and monitoring of Ascorbic Acid (AA) concentration is of crucial importance. Abnormal AA levels in bodily fluids have been reported to cause cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Nanoparticles have played a critical role in developing affordable, sensitive, and selective sensors. This work reports on the electrochemical detection of AA using glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs) modified with microwave-assisted graphene oxide-antimony trioxide nanocomposite and chitosan films. The developed sensor displayed enhanced electron transfer and a better electrocatalytic reaction towards AA compared to other fabricated electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used for electrochemical measurements. CV and Fourier …

The Ecophysiology Of The Enigmatic Namib Succulent, Lithops Ruschiorum, Garrett Macleod Althausen

Environmental Studies Senior Theses

Water availability is the primary constraint for plant survival and reproduction in hyper-arid ecosystems. In such environments, plant fitness depends on an alignment between physiological traits and limited water resources. The Namib Desert of Namibia exemplifies this extreme selection pressure. Within the Namib Desert, Lithops ruschiorum, a succulent endemic to the gravel plains, exhibits habitat specificity and numerous physiological adaptations to cope with the hyper-aridity.

This research explores the intersection of two fitness strategies for L. ruschiorum: habitat selection and exploitation of alternative moisture sources. The first chapter explores the population dynamics and micro-site habitat conditions preferred by …

Efficient Signal Synthesis For Data Augmentation Using Generative Ai, Yagna Veera Narayan Kaasaragadda

Theses and Dissertations

Modern signal processing AI applications face increasing demands for diverse training data while operating under computational constraints. State-of-the-art generative models, though effective, often require prohibitive resources, limiting their deployment in real-time or embedded systems. This thesis proposes a computationally efficient framework for synthetic signal generation using a two-stage architecture that combines a Vector Quantized Variational Autoencoder (VQ-VAE) with either a decoder-only transformer or a discrete diffusion model. The VQ-VAE encodes high-dimensional signals into discrete latent tokens, significantly reducing model complexity while enabling symbolic sequence modeling. These discrete representations are then modeled using transformer-based autoregressive models or Score Entropy Discrete Diffusion …

Advances In And Applications Of Capillary Scale Liquid Chromatography, Samuel William Foster

Theses and Dissertations

Analytical-scale high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is one of the most widely used analytical techniques in the world. Efforts have been made to reduce the mobile phase consumption of HPLC by reducing the inner diameter (I.D.) of the column. By using capillary-scale columns (< 0.5 mm I.D.), separations can be performed with orders of magnitude less solvent consumption. This work describes advances made to capillary scale instrumentation as well as applications enabled by these advances. A compact capillary-scale LC was used for the analysis of numerous pharmaceutical and illicit drug compounds for point of need analysis. A miniaturized mass spectrometer was coupled to this instrument for on-line reaction monitoring within a standard chemical fume hood. Kinetic profiles of commercially available capillary columns were developed in order to provide guidance to others during column selection. The implementation of a column oven improved the analysis of large biopharmaceuticals. Several critical quality attributes of monoclonal antibodies including fragmentation, charge variants, and glycosylation profiles were able to be determined on the capillary scale. These results will help to make capillary-scale liquid chromatography a more viable solution for chromatographic analysis.

Age, Provenance, And Geochemical Relationships Amongst The Great Valley Group, Coast Range Ophiolite, And Franciscan Subduction Complex At Del Puerto Canyon, Central California, Devon A. Orme, Natalee Weis, Kathleen D. Surpless, Andrew K. Laskowski, James L. Crowley, Nicole Stine, Ian Colliver, Carly Ross, Emma Sweet

Earth and Environmental Geosciences Faculty Research

The Great Valley Forearc (GVF) basin of California, USA, preserves an extensive rock record of the Jurassic–Paleogene tectonic development of the California segment of the North American Cordillera. We present new U-Pb geochronology, zircon and whole-rock geochemistry, and petrographic analyses from the Great Valley Group (GVG), Franciscan subduction complex, and Coast Range Ophiolite (CRO) in the northern San Joaquin Valley to better understand the timing and location of initial forearc sedimentation, and how sediment routing systems may have evolved during Cretaceous time. Basal GVG strata of the Knoxville Formation were deposited ca. 145–140 Ma and are separated by an ~40 …

From Lists To Infinite Scroll: A Comparative Analysis Of Youtube’S Two Recommendation Algorithms, Selimhan Dagtas

Theses and Dissertations

As social media platforms increasingly dominate information consumption, the role of recommendation algorithms in determining user experience has grown both in complexity and impact. This thesis investigates the behavioral patterns and algorithmic preferences embedded within YouTube’s recommendation systems, comparing long- form videos with the rapidly growing category of short-form content, YouTube Shorts. Through a combination of automated data collection, engagement metric analysis, emotional sentiment detection, and toxicity assessment, this study analyzes the evolution of content over successive recommendation depths. Using a controlled digital environment, the research explores how content recommendations change in response to user behavior, including varying watch times …

Short Communication: Multiscale Topographic Complexity Analysis With Pytopocomplexity, L. S.-H. Lai, Adam Booth, A. R. Duvall, E. Herzig

Geology Faculty Publications and Presentations

TopoComplexity is a Python package designed for efficient and customizable quantification of topographic complexity using four advanced methods: two-dimensional continuous wavelet transform analysis, fractal dimension estimation, rugosity index, and terrain position index calculations. This package addresses the lack of open-source software for these advanced terrain analysis techniques essential for modern geomorphology and geohazard research, enhancing data comparison and reproducibility. By assessing topographic complexity across multiple spatial scales, pyTopoComplexity allows users to identify characteristic morphological scales of studied landforms. The software repository also includes a Jupyter Notebook that integrates components from the surface-process modeling platform Landlab (Hobley et al., 2017), facilitating …

"Opting Out Of Ai”: Exploring Perceptions, Reasons, And Concerns Behind Faculty Resistance To Generative Ai, Aya Shata

Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies Faculty Research

Research on Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) in higher education primarily focuses on faculty use and experiences, with limited attention given to why some abstain from using it. Drawing from Innovation Resistance Theory, this study aims to address this gap by exploring the perceptions of both faculty users and non-users of GAI, identifying the reasons and concerns why they avoid GAI. A survey of 294 full-time higher education faculty from two mid-size U.S. public universities was conducted. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis, results show that over one-third of the faculty members opted out of using GAI for five primary reasons: not …

Molecular Insights Into The Role Of Estrogen Receptor Beta In Ecdysterone Mediated Anabolic Activity, Syeda Sumayya Tariq, Madiha Sardar, Muhammad Shafiq, Hendrick Heinz, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam, Aftab Ahmad, Zaheer Ul-Haq

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Ecdysterone, often dubbed a “natural steroid,” has garnered significant attention among athletes for its reputed growth-promoting and anabolic properties. Unlike synthetic anabolic steroids, which are classified as controlled substances, ecdysteroids remain largely unregulated in many countries and are widely marketed as dietary supplements. Notably, ecdysterone has been included in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) monitoring program, highlighting its potential impact on athletic performance and raising questions about its regulation. Emerging evidence indicates that, unlike traditional anabolic steroids that act primarily via the Androgen Receptor (AR), ecdysterone’s anabolic effects may be mediated through Estrogen Receptors (ERs), particularly Estrogen Receptor beta (ERβ). …

Harmful Algae In Nashville’S Urban Watersheds: Challenging Traditional Monitoring Programs, Devin Matthew Moore

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

As climate change intensifies, harmful algal blooms (HABs), specifically the species that produce microcystin-producing cyanobacteria, are becoming more frequent in urban environments. In the current state of HAB research, most monitoring and research is focused on agricultural areas. This study challenges traditional monitoring practices by evaluating the presence and abundance of microcystin in urban water bodies within Nashville, TN. Using field sampling, passive toxin tracking, ELISA testing, and GIS- based environmental and demographic analysis, data were collected at sites in densely populated areas. These sites were located at Tennessee State University, Ted Rhodes golf course and Shelby bottoms Park, and …

Deep Imputation Of Missing Values Using Feature And Sample Attention, Ibna Kowsar

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

The handling of missing values is a pervasive challenge in tabular data sets, particularly in electronic health records (EHR), where incomplete data can hinder predictive modeling. Data with missing values are unfit for machine learning, whereas the imputation of missing values affects data quality and data-driven outcomes. Traditional statistical and machine learning-based imputation techniques often struggle with high missing rates and complex missing patterns. This thesis investigates the deep learning of attention between features and between samples in missing value imputation. These two attention mechanisms jointly capture the row-column structure of tabular data. It presents a novel deep learning framework …

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, June 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- Stormwater compliance in Iowa: What your facility needs to know
--- Rural Midwestern Communities Announced for Compost Training Program
--- IGBC program recognized with Innovation Award
--- Introducing Bilal Baig, our new office intern
--- Free Assistance Available
--- Industry News

Financial Data Stewardship: A Librarian's Approach To Data Discovery And A Call For Coding As A Path To Data Comprehension And Verification, Lip Hwe Tee

Research Collection Library

This conference presentation calls to advocate and emphasise coding as a means to understand datasets, to be able to correctly interpret table structure and relevant fields to extract the correct data, to ensure accuracy and relevance.

Video Game Hacking, A General Problem With Generalized Solutions, Luke Rowe

Master's Theses

As video games continue to get more popular and lucrative, the number of malicious actors seeking to exploit them grows with it. As this industry expands, so does the importance of securing games against cheating and abuse. This thesis aims to educate developers to help mitigate the abuse of video games by these malicious actors. The goal of this thesis is to provide a foundational framework for thinking like a hacker and how to make games harder to abuse once a hacker bypasses conventional anti-cheat software.

This thesis outlines some of the most common cheating methods and provides general context …

Ai Assisted Literature Review Tools For Undergraduates: Restrict, Embrace Or Curate?, Aaron Tay

Research Collection Library

As AI-driven literature review tools become widespread, academic librarians must grapple with a fundamental question—should we ban these tools, selectively curate their use, or embrace them fully? This keynote explores the three competing schools of thought shaping AI’s role in undergraduate literature reviews.

The Restrict school argues that students who have not proven capable of writing quality literature review should be restricted from use of such tools. Much like handing a preschooler a calculator before they understand basic arithmetic will affect the learning of arithmetic, premature use of such tools has the potential to shortcut the research learning process. If …

Ceno: Non-Uniform, Segment And Parallel Zero-Knowledge Virtual Machine, Tianyi Liu, Zhenfei Zhang, Yuncong Zhang, Wenqing Hu, Ye Zhang

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, we explore a novel Zero-knowledge Virtual Machine (zkVM) framework leveraging succinct, non-interactive zero-knowledge proofs for verifiable computation over any code. Our approach divides the proof of program execution into two stages. In the first stage, the process breaks down program execution into segments, identifying and grouping identical sections. These segments are then proved through data-parallel circuits that allow for varying amounts of duplication. In the subsequent stage, the verifier examines these segment proofs, reconstructing the program's control and data flow based on the segments' duplication number and the original program. The second stage can be further attested …

Counterintuitive Particle Confinement In A Helical Force-Free Plasma, A. D. Light, H. Srinivasulu, C. J. Hansen, Michael R. Brown

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Works

The force-free magnetic field solution formed in a high-aspect ratio cylinder is a non-axisymmetric (��=1), closed magnetic structure that can be produced in laboratory experiments. Force-free equilibria can have strong field gradients that break the usual adiabatic invariants associated with particle motion, and gyroradii at measured conditions can be large relative to the gradient scale lengths of the magnetic field. Individual particle motion is largely unexplored in force-free systems without axisymmetry, and it is unclear how the large gradients influence confinement. To understand more about how particles remain confined in these configurations, we simulate a thermal distribution of protons moving …

(R2119) New Algorithms For Independent Component Analysis Based On A General Class Of Dependence Criteria, Fatemeh Asadi, Hamzeh Torabi, Hossein Nadeb

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

The objective function of numerous well-established Independent Component Analysis (ICA) algorithms calculate based on specific dependence criteria. This study introduces a distinctive dependence criterion based on the cumulative distribution function (CDF) for characterizing the independence between two random variables and some of its properties are examined. Then, we propose a class of ICA algorithms based on the introduced dependence criterion. The performance of the algorithm is systematically compared to some previous similar algorithms. The results indicate that the suggested algorithm have fruitful performance rather than some similar previous known algorithms. Subsequently, the proposed algorithms are applied to real-time series data, …

Wide Binary Orbits Are Preferentially Aligned With The Orbits Of Small Planets, But Probably Not Hot Jupiters, S. Christian, A. Vanderburg, J. Becker, A. L. Kraus, L. Pearce, K. A. Collins, M. Rice, Eric L.N. Jensen, D. Baker, V. Bozza, P. Benni, A. Bieryla, A. Binnenfeld, K. I. Collins, D. M. Conti, I. J. M. Crossfield, P. Evans, M. C. Johnson, E. Girardin, J. Gregorio, P. Lewin, T. Mazeh, F. Murgas, A. Panahi, F. J. Pozuelos, D. J. Radford, H. M. Relles, F. Rodriguez Frustaglia, R. P. Schwarz, G. Srdoc, C. Stockdale, T.-G. Tan, W. C. Waalkes, G. Wang, J. Wittrock, S. Zucker

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Works

Studying the relative orientations of the orbits of exoplanets and wide-orbiting binary companions (semimajor axis greater than 100 au) can shed light on how planets form and evolve in binary systems. Previous observations by multiple groups discovered a possible alignment between the orbits of visual binaries and the exoplanets that reside in them. In this study, using data from Gaia DR3 and TESS, we confirm the existence of an alignment between the orbits of small planets (R < 6 R_⊕) and binary systems with semimajor axes below 700 au (p = 10⁻⁶). However, we find no statistical evidence …

Educational Efficacy Of Private Well-Testing Workshops And The Surveillance Of Private Drinking Water Quality In Connecticut, Alec Janis, Michael Dietz, Meredith Metcalf

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

More than 820,000 Connecticut residents rely on groundwater from private wells, yet minimal regulations address well water quality. Extension programs across the United States have begun to provide private drinking water education and testing assistance to address this public health gap. Few studies have analyzed the efficacy of these programs.

We delivered four workshops across Connecticut, from November 2022 to November 2023, where participants were given an educational presentation on private drinking water and an opportunity to test their well-water quality at a subsidized cost. After participating in the workshops, participants believed they were more confident to begin annual testing, …

Enhancing Stability And Emissions In Metal Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals Through Mn2+ Doping, Thi Thu Trinh Phan, Thi Thuy Kieu Nguyen, Trung Kien Mac, Minh Tuan Trinh

Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Research

Metal halide perovskite (MHP) nanocrystals (NCs) offer great potential for high-efficiency optoelectronic devices; however, they suffer from structural softness and chemical instability. Doping MHP NCs can overcome this issue. In this work, we synthesize Mn-doped methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr₃) NCs using the ligand-assisted reprecipitation method and investigate their structural and optical stability. X-ray diffraction confirms Mn²⁺ substitution at Pb²⁺ sites and lattice contraction. Photoluminescence (PL) measurements show a blue shift, significant PL quantum yield enhancement, reaching 72% at 17% Mn²⁺ doping, and a 34% increase compared to undoped samples, attributed to effective defect passivation and …

Testing For Broad Alternatives In Stratified Contingency Tables, Nan Mi

Dissertations

In medical and social sciences fields, data are measured in terms of discrete categories. The primary question of interest involves the relationship between a set of factors and a set of response variables under studies. Moreover, the distribution of the response variables may be influenced by another set of variables called confounders. The data from such studies are summarized in 3-way tables. The hypothesis we are interested in can be expressed in terms of "no partial association" between the sub-populations and the response levels.

The methods for testing the association or independence in a 2x2 contingency table have been developed, …

Ecological Footprint Analysis Of Chatgpt (Gpt-3), Isabella Boulais

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Climate change is an escalating crisis that demands immediate action from all sectors, including the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence (AI). While AI offers climate solutions, its own environmental impact raises concerns. Unfortunately limited research due to rapid development, system complexity, and lack of standardized methodologies hinders our understanding of AI’s environmental consequences. This project aims to conduct a comprehensive ecological footprint analysis of OpenAI’s GPT-3 model that is used to power ChatGPT, establishing guidelines for assessing AI systems’ environmental impact and proposing a framework for improvement. Going beyond tracking carbon emissions, this project will outline the broader lifecycle …

Enhancing Fishnet For Wireless Network Simulation, Cameron J. Mcclure-Coleman

Computer Science and Software Engineering

This report documents the senior project focused on enhancing the Fishnet network simulation library used in Cal Poly’s CPE 464 (Introduction to Computer Networks) course. The primary goal was to implement features for simulating wireless networks and introducing discrete-event simulation (DES) capabilities to increase computational efficiency. These enhancements aim to better support the curriculum transition as Cal Poly switches from quarters to semesters. The project successfully established foundational components for wireless network simulation, including node positioning in three-dimensional space, signal propagation modeling, multiple interface nodes, and wireless collision domains. While the complete implementation of discrete-event simulation and YAML configuration features …

Anonymous Communication In Quantum Networks, Anish Majumdar

Master’s Dissertations

In this dissertation, we explore the protocols enabling anonymous communication in quantum networks i.e. transmission of qubits from sender to receiver by creating or distributing Entangled states between them without disclosing their identities as sender or receiver to the other parties in the network. Existing methods uses classical, as well as quantum subprotocols to achieve anonymity.The Quantum sub-protocols include protocols for anonymous entanglement distribution using GHZ states, verification (not device-independent) of GHZ state that requires secure private classical channels, techniques for ϵ-anonymity(i.e. the other parties can at most guess a little ϵ amount better than a random guess about who …

Comparison Of Gravity Waves Observed By Atmospheric Waves Experiment (Awe) And Simulated By High-Resolution Waccm-X, Jiarong Zhang, Han-Li Liu, Yucheng Zhao, Dominique Pautet, Ludger Scherliess, Michael Taylor

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Outline

Data: AWE and High-Resolution Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere and ionosphere extension (HR-WACCMX) simulation

• Quantify gravity wave (GW) activity
• Compare GW activity observed by AWE and simulated by high-resolution WACCMX
• GW activity over Western Europe

Pm2.5 Forecasting At U.S. Embassies And Consulates Worldwide Using Nasa Model Powered By Machine Learning, Junhyeon Seo, Alqamah Sayeed, Seohui Park, John Kerekes, Stephanie Christel, Mary Tran, Pawan Gupta

Articles

Air quality forecasting is crucial for public health, especially in rural, suburban, and developing areas lacking reliable monitoring data. Hybrid monitoring (surface, satellite, and models) offers a scalable, cost‐ effective solution for tracking pollution and trends. This work presents a machine learning model that integrates ground measurements with global model outputs assimilating satellite observations to forecast air quality. Ground measurements of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from over 60 U.S. embassies and consulates were used to calibrate global model outputs for local air quality forecasting. Multi‐channel input data was prepared using the Goddard Earth Observing System forward processing for meteorology and …