Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Building The Next Cybersecurity Workforce: A Grades 7–12 Curriculum To Close The Cyber Talent Gap, Mohammed A. Salam, Iqbal Shareef, Rich P. Manprisio

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, cyberattacks pose increasing threats, yet a global shortage of cybersecurity and digital forensics professionals leaves industries vulnerable, similar to having too few law enforcement officers in a densely populated city. The judicial system faces rising digital crimes and fraud cases, further strained by the lack of experts to analyze and extract digital evidence. Despite high demand, millions of positions remain unfilled. This paper identifies the root causes of the cybersecurity workforce shortage and proposes a targeted solution: a curriculum for Grades 7–12 designed to foster cybersecurity awareness and interest. The methodology included a comprehensive …

Capturing An Electron In The Virtual State, Alok Nath Singh, Bibek Bhandari, Rafael Sánchez, Andrew N. Jordan

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We address a foundational question in quantum mechanics: can a particle be directly found in a classically-forbidden virtual state? We instantiate this conceptual question by investigating the traversal of electrons through a tunnel barrier, which we define in a triple quantum dot system where the occupation of the central dot is energetically avoided. The motivation behind this setup is to answer whether the central dot is occupied or not during a virtual transition when it is being explicitly monitored. We investigate this problem in two different limits of continuous measurements: the stochastic quantum diffusion and the quantum jump. We find …

Taxing Ai In The Wake Of The Emergence Of Agentic Ai, Reuven S. Avi-Yonah, Herbert Snitz

Articles

This article addresses taxation measures to regulate AI agents (i.e., AI that is not fully under the control of humans, including both ANI and AGI). In each case, the focus is on what the agent’s capabilities would be, not on how it becomes capable of successfully performing its tasks (though the latter would likely be relevant to important philosophical questions, e.g., might robots achieve sentience or consciousness, and if so, would they have rights?). Regarding mirroring what we human beings can do, the hallmark of AGI is that it will not be task-specific (like ANI), but will possess broad capabilities, …

Human-Driven, Autonomous, Or Hybrid? The Optimal Fleet Configurations For Ride-Hailing Platforms, Wenjing Li, Yali Zhang, Jun Sun, Zhaojun Yang

Information Systems Faculty Publications

The growing commercialization of autonomous vehicles (AVs) is reshaping consumer service preferences and prompting ride-hailing platforms to redesign fleet structures that accommodate the coexistence of human-driven vehicles (HVs) and AVs. This article develops a queueing game framework that incorporates vehicle heterogeneity and consumer preference differences to systematically compare three fleet configuration strategies: the pure HV (PHV) strategy (HVs only), the pure AV (PAV) strategy (AVs only), and the hybrid strategy (both HVs and AVs). The analysis highlights how consumer mismatch losses, AV operating costs, and service rates jointly shape equilibrium outcomes. Results show that when consumer mismatch losses are moderate, …

Ecological Footprint Assessment, Santina Benincasa

Open Educational Resources

This handout guides students through a structured ecological footprint assessment using the online Footprint Calculator. By following a series of steps—selecting their location, entering detailed lifestyle information, and reviewing personalized results—students evaluate how many planets would be required if everyone lived with their same resource consumption patterns. The activity prompts learners to identify the largest contributors to their footprint, quantify their impact in global hectares, and explore scenario-based changes that could reduce their environmental demand. Through reflection, students consider how everyday human behaviors influence Earth’s productive capacity and resource availability. Overall, the exercise encourages critical thinking about sustainability and personal …

Re: Conditional Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Quality Assurance Project Plan, Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Conditional Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Unreclaimed Sites Quality Assurance Project Plan, Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Experimental And Density Functional Theory Study Of The Structural, Optical, And Electronic Properties Of La2Nimno6 And Nd2Nimno6 Double Perovskite Ceramics, Mahmoud S. Alkathy, Anibal Thiago Bezerra, Person Pereira Neves, Mariama Rebello De Sousa Dias, Alexandre José Gualdi, Marco Daldin Teodoro, Valmo R. Mastelaro, José A. Eiras

Physics Faculty Publications

Despite extensive study of La₂NiMnO₆ double perovskites, a systematic understanding of the effects of A-site rare-earth substitution on coupled structural, electronic, and optical properties remains lacking. Here, we provide the first integrated experimental-computational comparison of La₂NiMnO₆ (LaNMO) and Nd₂NiMnO₆ (NdNMO), establishing quantitative structure–property relationships. Rietveld refinement demonstrates that Nd³⁺ substitution amplifies MnO₆ and NiO₆ octahedral distortions 5-fold (Δd_Mn: 4.69 × 10^–4 to 23.9 × 10^–4; Δd_Ni: 1.18 × 10^–4 to 5.91 × 10^–4), reduces Mn–O–Ni bond …

Re: Conditional Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Unreclaimed Sites Quality Assurance Project Plan, Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Narrowband Searches For Continuous Gravitational Waves From Known Pulsars In The First Two Parts Of The Fourth Ligo–Virgo–Kagra Observing Run, A. G. Abac, I. Abouelfettouh, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, Raul Alberto Espinosa Perez, J. Lawrence, Francisco Llamas Villarreal, Miriam Ramos Arevalo, Soma Mukherjee, Gaukhar Nurbek, Volker Quetschke, Wenhui Wang

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Rotating nonaxisymmetric neutron stars (NSs) are promising sources for continuous gravitational waves (CWs). CWs may, if detected, inform us about the internal structure and equation of state of NSs. Here, we present a narrowband search for CWs from known pulsars, for which a matched-filter search can be applied. Narrowband searches are robust to mismatches between electromagnetic (EM) and gravitational emissions, in contrast to fully targeted searches where they are assumed to be phase-locked. In this work, we search for the CW counterparts emitted by 34 pulsars using data from the first and second parts of the fourth LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA observing run. …

Gwtc-4.0: Population Properties Of Merging Compact Binaries, A. G. Abac, I. Abouelfettouh, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, Raul Alberto Espinosa Perez, J Lawrence, Francisco Llamas Villarreal, Soma Mukherjee, Volker Quetschke, Wenhui Wang

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We detail the population properties of binary neutron star, neutron star–black hole binary, and binary black hole mergers using 158 events from the cumulative Gravitational-Wave Transient Catalog 4.0. The black hole primary mass distribution consists of a power-law-like continuum that steepens above 35 M⊙ with overdensities at 10 M⊙ and 35 M⊙. Binary black holes with primary masses near 10 M⊙ are more likely to have less massive secondaries, with a mass ratio distribution peaking at  q=0.74+0.13−0.13, potentially a signature of stable mass transfer during binary evolution. Black hole spins are inferred to be nonextremal, with …

2026 July 9 - Tennessee Weekly Drought Summary, Tennessee Climate Office, East Tennessee State University

Tennessee Climate Office Weekly Drought Summaries

No abstract provided.

Signal And Substance: Why Methodological Sophistication Fails To Guarantee Inference, Aamir Rashid, Rizwana Rasheed

Publications and Research

Despite increasing analytical sophistication, empirical research in organization studies continues to suffer from fragile inference, uneven theoretical accumulation, and contested credibility. This paper seeks to explain why these problems persist by shifting attention from authors’ methodological choices to the evaluative dynamics of peer review. Adopting a conceptual and theory-analytic approach, the paper theorizes peer review as an inferential gatekeeping system. Drawing on research design, theory evaluation, and philosophy-of-science literatures, this study develops an analytical framework to examine how evaluative routines shape what constitutes empirical rigor during the review process. The analysis identifies five recurring reviewer blind spots: inferential scope inflation, …

Feasibility And Acceptability Of Automated Texts To Offer, Screen, And Enroll Patients In A Cancer Clinical Trial Financial Reimbursement Program: Mixed Methods Study, Ashley E Santaniello, Hena Patel, Sarah Milinski, Mohan Balachandran, Vivian Nguyen, E. Paul Wileyto, Robert H. Vonderheide, Dana Dornsife, Robert G. Johnson, Carmen E. Guerra

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND: Out-of-pocket (OOP) costs pose a significant barrier to participating in cancer clinical trials (CCTs). Financial reimbursement programs (FRPs) that reduce the burden of OOP costs can support participation in CCTs if the information is readily available to participants at the time of enrollment. Prior studies have shown the importance and impact of FRPs, but despite improvements, significant barriers still remain.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of automated texts designed to offer, screen, and enroll CCT participants in an FRP for OOP travel and lodging-related clinical trial costs.

METHODS: This study used a mixed …

How Can Accessibility In Computing Education Be Improved Through Hci Research?, Dr David Santandreu Calonge, Linda Smail, Firuz Kamalov, Dima Yousef, Melody Sylvain

All Works

Accessibility - accommodation of diverse sensory, motor, cognitive, and linguistic needs - remains critically underrepresented in computing education despite broad societal acknowledgment of its importance. This position paper argues that systemic inequities and persistent barriers to integrating accessibility and inclusion - ranging from curricular inertia to limited faculty capacity - require new methodological approaches drawn from Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research. HCI provides tested frameworks that pair participatory design with inclusive pedagogy, guided by empirical evaluation to drive systemic change. We identify three key areas where HCI can advance accessibility education: (1) embedding accessibility within core curricula through design-based pedagogies, (2) …

Compound Multi-Hazard Assessment Under Cmip6 Climate Scenarios: Tracking Seasonal Flood-Landslide And Drought-Fire Interactions Across Nepal, Kripa Shrestha, Karthik Reddy Duddukunta, Pankaj Lal, Md Mehedi Hasan, Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Neera Shrestha Pradhan

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Climate-induced hazards in mountain systems rarely occur in isolation, instead they interact through cascading and compounding pathways that single-hazard assessments fail to capture. In Nepal, extreme monsoon rainfall can trigger landslides that dam rivers and generate secondary flooding, while prolonged dry spells create drought, desiccate vegetation fuels, and elevate fire risk. Yet, most regional studies map hazards independently, providing limited insight into how compound zones emerge under climate change. We therefore, develop a seasonal multi-hazard framework that model drought, forest fire, flood, and landslide susceptibility for historical baseline (1991-2020) and future (2021-2100). Three machine learning algorithms (Explainable Boosting Machine, Random …

Decoding The Allosteric Grammar Of Protein Kinases: A Dual-Stream Framework Integrating Protein Language Models And Energy Landscape Frustration Analysis, Will Gatlin, Max Ludwick, Lucas Turano, Brandon Foley, Kamila Riedlova, Vít Škrhák, Marian Novotný, David Hoksza, Gennady M. Verkhivker

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The spatial and energetic encoding of allosteric regulatory sites remains a major challenge in structural biology, frequently representing a “blind spot” for sequence-based artificial intelligence (AI) models. We present a protein language model (PLM)-guided approach complemented by the energy landscape frustration analysis as a dual-stream framework to investigate the relationship between AI prediction of binding sites and biophysical organization of regulatory pockets across the human kinome. By probing a fine-tuned residue-level PLM classifier across 453 kinase structures, a clear performance gap is discovered between highly predictable orthosteric pockets (Types I, I.5, and II) and poorly resolved distal allosteric sites (Type …

Research On Image Feature Analysis Of Intangible Cultural Heritage Brocade Integrating Multi-Scale Visual Perception, Ruiyang Yuan, Hao Wang, Shu Zhou, Hui Zhu, Jingwen Qiu

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] Addressing the challenges posed by the complex semantic characteristics of intangible cultural heritage brocade imagery, the difficulty in extracting their profound connotations, and the inadequate utilisation of multi-scale features by traditional deep learning models, this paper aims to explore a method for analysing the characteristics of intangible cultural heritage brocade images that integrates multi-scale visual features. [Method/process] This paper constructs a multi-scale feature analysis framework for intangible cultural heritage brocade images (ICH_BC), integrating convolutional neural networks with Transformer architectures. The framework employs ResNet to extract local texture and detail features from brocade images, utilises VIT to capture global structural …

Urban Carbon Emission Early Warning Research Based On The Dpsir Framework And Deep Learning, Xiaochun Zhao, Lingyang Xu, Ying Zhou

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] In line with the national requirements for building a carbon emission early warning mechanism, conducting the urban carbon emission early warning research is of great significance for achieving the “dual-carbon” goals. [Method/process] This paper selected 16 prefecture-level cities in Anhui Province as research samples. A carbon emission early warning indicator system was constructed based on the DPSIR framework. By using data from urban statistical yearbooks, the LSTM model was employed with parameter optimization via genetic algorithms to forecast various early warning indicators for 2024-2025.On this basis, a combined subjective-objective weighting method was then applied to calculate the urban carbon …

A Multi-Dimensional Analysis Of China's Future Industry Development Policy Documents, Tianxiang Yao, Wang Xu

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] Future industries are important carriers of new quality productive forces which can play a leading role in the economic and social development. Quantitative analysis and evaluation of China's future industry policies can provide support and reference for the formulation, optimization and adjustment of subsequent policies. [Method/process] Taking a total of 84 policy texts at the central, provincial, municipal and county levels in China as the research objects, a three-dimensional analysis framework of "theme-tool-effectiveness" was constructed. By comprehensively applying LDA thematic analysis, content analysis and PMC index model, theme distribution, content characteristics and comprehensive effectiveness of policy texts were deeply …

Expert Interview: "The Mirror Of Ai" In The Domain Of Scientifc Information Research, Taitian Mao, Yulai Bao, Jianxiang Wei, Peng Wu, Chuanming Yu, Gan Tang, Dongyan Wei, Yifei Ma, Wei Wang, Yu Ma

Journal of Scientific Information Research

Professor Mao Taitian and colleagues argues elucidates the adaptation logic, practical pathways, and prerequisites of intelligent agents to empower the high-quality development of scientific information. Professor Bao Yulai and colleagues advocate that integrating the perceptual elasticity of domain-specific large models with the cognitive rigidity of ontology can establish a new paradigm for intelligence services in complex scenarios. The synergy between the two can not only expand the theoretical boundaries of information science and serve national strategies, but also advance intelligence services from assisted analysis to intelligent decision-making. Professor Wei Jianxiang and colleagues point out that generative artificial intelligence has triggered …

Experience Gained In Introducing Efficient Fodder Production In Iraq, Manfred Siebert

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cultivation of fodder plants is one of the most important measures for increasing the agri­cultural production of Iraq. Lucerne, Egyptian clover, maize, sorghum, and barley prosper excellently on the irrigation lands. They pro­duce high fodder yields if the plants are grown on suitable soil, if there is enough irrigation water available, and if the cultivation measures are realized in best quality. Fodder production guarantees sufficient and safe supply of the increasing stocks of cattle and sheep with green fodder, hay, and silage throughout the year, and contributes to improving the fertility of the soils of Iraq which are extremely poor …

Trials On The Improvement Of Deteriorated Natural Pastures In The Sahel Of Upper Volta, Bernard Toutain

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Overstocking and the recent drought have led to a severe deterioration of some Sahelian rangelands of Upper Volta, leading to a more or less acute disappearance of grazable vege­tation. Partial protection improves pastures located on the more fertile soils. On the poorer soils, light techniques such as harrowing and superficial tillage of the soil were tried with success, but yield improvement remained slight.

Problems And Possibilities Of Continuous Forage Production In Arid Subtropical Regions, Horst Patzold

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The low animal performance and stocking rate in arid subtropical regions mainly depend on the discontinuity of forage production. In winter-raining steppes of North Africa, the cultivation or sod-seeding of adapted grasses, especially for forage production in the dry season. (summer), is recommended. For the dry savannas of West Africa with summer­raining, proposals are made for three different stages depending on the intensity of land use. They include a better use of grazing areas by transhumance, proposals for a ranching system, especially for meat production, and possibil­ities for milk production by stabling of cattle, including forage production under irrigation.

Ecqnomics Of Nitrogen Fertilization Of Native And Introduced Grasslands In The Intermountain Area Of The United States, John P. Workman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

While numerous studies have shown that live­stock forage can be significantly increased by grassland fertilization, there is little mention in the literature of the economic considera­tions of this management practice. A Utah State University study was conducted to help alleviate this research deficiency. Forage pro­duction response of several Utah grassland sites to nitrogen fertilization was subjected to marginal economic analysis. When fertilized forage was harvested as hay, nitrogen appli­cation proved to be a profitable practice on semi-wet meadow and mountain loam sites. When valued as forage to be grazed directly by livestock, production increases due to fer­tilization were unprofitable. Significant …

Weed Control-Revegetation Systems, Raymond A. Evans, James A. Young

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Chemical weed control systems integrating 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid] or picloram ( 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) spraying for brush control and atrazine[2-chloro-4-( ethylamino-6-isopropylamino )-s-tria­zine] for Bromus tectorum L. control were investigated in a series of rangeland commu­nities. Applications of both weed control tech­nique greatly enhanced seedling growth and increased yield of perennial grasses seeded the year after the fallow. Available soil moisture during the growing period of the fallow and seedling years because of decreased weed com­petition was the major factor for the better stands of perennial grass from herbicidal weed control systems.

Some Effects Of Treading By Sheep On Pastures Of The Mediterranean Climatic Zone Of South Australia, Edwards D. Carter, Thambiappah Sivalingam

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In a treading experiment on a red brown earth soil at the Waite Agricultural Research Insti­tute in South Australia, various combinations of treading intensity (0, 12.5, 25 and 50 sheep equivalents per hectare) and treading frequency (0, 7, 14 and 28 days) reduced the establish­ment and productivity of subterranean clover, annual ryegrass and a mixture of these two species. With increasing intensity of treading, soil bulk density increased under the clover swards but not under the grass and mixture swards where apparently the ryegrass provided a cush­ioning effect between hoof and soil. Soil moisture percentage decreased with increasing intensity of …

Farmer Usage Of Annual Medics In A Ley Farming Area In South Australia, Murray V. Smith

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A survey of farmers in a ley farming ( cereal­livestock) area of South Australia with natu­ralized annual medics (Medicago spp.) showed a great potential for improved usage of annual medics in their farming systems. Most effective medic users expected dominant medic pastures 6 or more years in 10, whereas less effective medic utilizers expected dominant medic pas­tures 5 or less years in 10. Nearly 50% of farm­ers had not sown any medic seed over the last 10 years. While most of these had less effective medic use there were several examples of more effective use with no or minimal medic …

Persistence Of Perennial Ryegrass Under Grazing In A Mediterranean-Type Environment Of South Australia, P R. Gibson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pastures were continuously grazed by sheep for four years at six stocking rates on the Kan­garoo Island Research Centre, South Australia. Changes in botanical composition in a reno­vated pasture sown to Lolium perenne cv. Vic­torian and subterranean clover (Trifolium sub­terraneum) cvv. Mt. Barker and Woogenellup, are discussed in relation to the replacement of the oestrogenically-potent subterranean clo­ver cv. Yarloop. There was a consistent within-year and be­tween-year decline in the perennial ryegrass component and this was associated with con­current invasion by vigorous, exotic, annual species mainly of Mediterranean origin. The lack of persistence of the perennial ryegrass indicates little …

Optimal Combinations Off Our Large Herbivores For Short Grass Prairie, George M. Van Dyne

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Diets of four large herbivores grazing together on a shortgrass prairie rangeland were studied. Cattle and bison consumed mainly grasses; sheep and antelope consumed mainly forbs. To maximize forage use, optimal grazing deter­mined by nonlinear programming would be 67, 20, 12, and I% of the forage grazed to be taken by cattle, bison, sheep, and antelope, respectively. Historically, this range has been grazed primarily by cattle. This study suggests more animal production could be attained with a mixture of herbivore species.