Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Investigation Of Real-Time Gaseous Thermal Decomposition Products Of Representative Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas), Kateřina Litvanová, Bethany Klemetstrud, Feng Xiao, Alena Kubatova

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The thermal decomposition of per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is poorly understood. Here, we present an innovative, comprehensive analytical method to investigate their thermal decomposition, including perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), alcohol, sulfonates, and GenX (acid dimer), focusing on identifying their breakdown products. In this study, evolved gas analysis–mass spectrometry (EGA-MS) was used for fast real-time screening to determine the significant temperatures to be investigated with the thermal desorption-pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (TD-Py-GC-MS), which provided detailed information about evolved PFAS and their breakdown products. This approach enabled a systematic study of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) ranging from C₃ to …

Closed Domain Question Answering With Language Models: Application Of Retrieval-Augmented Generation And Parameter Efficient Fine-Tuning In Healthcare, Aaron Cummings

Master's Theses

Dementia care presents significant challenges for informal caregivers, particularly in managing behavioral symptoms that affect over 90% of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) during the moderate-to-severe stages. These symptoms, including agitation, wandering, and repetitive activities, impose emotional and physical burdens on caregivers, often exacerbated by a lack of reliable, accessible, and personalized resources. Non-pharmacological interventions, while evidence-based, are underutilized due to knowledge gaps and the inefficiency of traditional training and information retrieval methods.

This research explores the adaptation of large language models (LLMs) to address these challenges by developing a framework for closed-domain Question Answering (QA) systems, …

Gpu Exploration Using Pycuda, Prudhvi Sai Akulapally

Masters Projects

This project investigates the implementation and optimization of parallel computing techniques using GPU acceleration frameworks such PyCuda. With the increasing demand for high-performance solutions in data-intensive applications, GPUs offer a compelling alternative to traditional CPU-based processing. The primary objective of this work is to harness the computational power of GPUs to achieve significant performance enhancements for complex workloads. The study focuses on two essential research questions: How effectively can PyCuda accelerate computational tasks, and what measurable performance gains can be achieved compared to CPU-based implementations? By addressing these questions, this project explores the applicability of GPU programming in tasks such …

Silver Bow Creek Butte Area Npl Site 3rd Quarter 2024 Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Interim Site-Wide Surface Water Monitoring Data Report. Consent Decree- Civil Action No. Cv 89- 039-Bu-She, Josh Bryson

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

A Survey Of Several Python Libraries Foe Computational Geometry, Meghana Kolluru

Masters Projects

This project delves into computational geometry, a crucial area of computer science, by

implementing algorithms to solve geometric problems using Python libraries like Shapely, SciPy,

and Triangle. It begins with foundational tasks such as creating geometric objects (points, lines,

polygons) and performing operations like calculating distances, intersections, and unions. These

basics lay the groundwork for tackling more advanced applications.

Key implementations include the Convex Hull, which computes the smallest convex

polygon enclosing a set of points, aiding in applications like collision detection and GIS. The

project also explores Voronoi Diagrams, which partition a plane into regions based on proximity,

and …

Analysis Of The Snake Cube Puzzle And Adjacency Criteria, Trey Matus

Honors Theses

The snake cube is a puzzle that consists of straight and turn pieces attached by a string that folds into a n x n x n cube. Finding solutions for large cubes is difficult, so finding necessary conditions for solutions is crucial. Using computational algorithms and mathematical proofs, I find improved bounds for the maximum number of straight pieces in a given puzzle size. In particular, I introduce and apply the adjacency criterion to identify groups of puzzles that are unsolvable. Additionally, I find a connection between the number of puzzles that adhere to the adjacency criterion and generalized Fibonacci …

Sulfhydryl-Containing Compounds And Iron Homeostasis: Mechanisms Of Labile Iron Pool Dysregulation And Consequences For Cellular Health, Steven Lowell Mann Christiansen

Theses and Dissertations

While iron's unique coordination chemistry and redox activity have resulted in its broad incorporation into biological systems, dysfunction in key iron-regulating mechanisms can transform these biochemical advantages into factors that contribute to several pathological conditions. This dissertation explores the complex interactions between iron and sulfhydryl-containing compounds (SCCs), with particular focus on glutathione's (GSH) role in stabilizing iron reactivity juxtaposed with homocysteine's (Hcy) ability to disrupt iron homeostasis and promote disease progression. Through rigorous biochemical analysis and experimentation, we demonstrate that Hcy disrupts iron regulation through several mechanisms: (1) Hcy competitively displaces protective iron-binding molecules in the Labile Iron Pool (LIP), …

The Uniform Triadic Transformation And Claude Debussy’S Music, Davielle Smith

Honors Theses

Beginning with Claude Debussy’s Berceuse Héroïque, I analyzed each triad using chord symbols along with their Roman numeral representation (where applicable).1 Next, I used integer notation and modular arithmetic, where each pitch name is given a number such that C is 0 and B is 11, creating a set, the integers (mod 12).

This leads to the development of pitch-class sets where the “mode” of a triad or arbitrary number of pitches is expressed in terms of interval spacings. In many cases, such as that of 12-tone or other serialized music, pitch class sets explain many of the composer’s artistic …

Re: Comment Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Blacktail Creek Groundwater Hydraulic Control System Pre-Design Investigation Evaluation Report (Dated September 16, 2024), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Silver Bow Creek Butte Area Npl Site 3rd Quarter 2024 Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Interim Site-Wide Surface Water Monitoring Data Report. Consent Decree- Civil Action No. Cv 89- 039-Bu-She, Josh Bryson

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Page Rank Algorithm In Java, Nikkil Bollman

Masters Projects

The PageRank algorithm is introduced by Google, It is used in search engine optimization, and ranking web pages based on their significance and importance based on a graph structure. This project focuses on implementing the PageRank algorithm using Java and Spring Boot, with Apache Spark as the core technologies for graph data processing. The project aims to compute PageRank scores for nodes in a directed graph, simulating real-world scenarios such as web page ranking and link analysis. The implementation is designed to handle large datasets efficiently by leveraging Spark's distributed computing capabilities and GraphFrames' robust graph processing framework. The workflow …

Creating A Colab Notebook Based On The Tutorial Of The Simpy Python Library, Mary Deepika Basani

Masters Projects

This project introduces an interactive Google Colab notebook designed to familiarize users with the core functionalities of the SymPy Python library, a powerful tool for symbolic computation. SymPy offers an extensive range of capabilities essential for mathematical modeling, algebraic operations, calculus, and matrix manipulations. The notebook serves as an educational platform, allowing users to experiment with small examples and explore practical applications of symbolic computation in real time. Organized into sections, the notebook focuses on key SymPy features such as simplification, equation solving, differentiation, integration, and matrix operations. Each section includes clear explanations, practical demonstrations, and interactive exercises, helping users …

Mri Alzheimer’S Disease Prediction, Vikram Ayyawari

Masters Projects

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a significant and growing global health issue, affecting millions of people around the world. Despite ongoing research, there is currently no cure or highly effective treatment for AD, making early detection essential to slowing its progression and alleviating its impact on patients and healthcare systems. This project explores the use of the "Augmented Alzheimer MRI Dataset V2," a specialized dataset developed to improve the precision and reliability of machine learning models for diagnosing and classifying different stages of AD from MRI scans. The dataset includes MRI images categorized into four classes representing different stages of cognitive …

Re: Comment Letter For Final Bpsou Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Belle Of Butte (Bres No. 8 & Ur-39) Remedial Action Work Plan (Rawp) Request For Change Ir-2024-Ra-01 (Dated December 3, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Real-Time Feedback-Driven Framework For Automated Cybersickness Mitigation, Md Jahirul Islam

Master's Theses

As technologies are becoming more advanced day by day, the embracement of virtual reality (VR) technology among users is also increasing in daily activities for various purposes, and subsequently, the barrier between the real and virtual world is fading. Despite the versatile uses, cybersickness (CS) is a major problem which is induced among users due to the immersive VR experience. There is a plethora of research findings and methods to measure the users’ CS such as virtual reality sickness questionnaire (VRSQ), simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ), fast motion scale questionnaire (FMS), and others. Recently, machine learning approaches have also been adopted …

Ge/Sige Quantum Wells: Material For The Post-Moore Era, Troy Alexander Hutchins-Delgado

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

This dissertation demonstrates high-quality germanium quantum wells on a 200 mm silicon wafer platform, enabling novel device possibilities. Partnering with a commercial silicon-germanium epitaxy supplier, we obtained shallow, undoped germanium quantum wells with high-crystalline quality, confirmed through x-ray diffraction, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Hall bar devices fabricated on single quantum wells revealed that surface preparation can tune transport properties while maintaining peak mobilities around 10⁵ cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹. Manganese-germanide spintronic contacts were integrated via solid-state reaction, with contact quality assessed through Schottky diodes, transfer length …

Exploring The Accuracy Of Interferometric Quantum Measurements Under Conservation Laws, Nicolò Piccione, Maria Maffei, Andrew N. Jordan, Kater W. Murch, Alexia Auffèves

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

A (target) quantum system is often measured through observations performed on a second (meter) system to which the target is coupled. In the presence of global conservation laws holding on the joint meter-target system, the Wigner-Araki-Yanase theorem and its generalizations predict a lower bound on the measurement’s error (Ozawa’s bound). While practically negligible for macroscopic meters, it becomes relevant for microscopic ones. Here, we propose a simple interferometric setup, arguably within reach of present technology, in which a flying particle (a microscopic quantum meter) is used to measure a qubit by interacting with it in one arm of the interferometer. …

Exfoliated Hydrotalcite-Transition Metal Complex Composite For Eco-Friendly And Efficient Catalytic Degradation Of 4-Nitrophenol, Sidra Khan, Najma Memon, Saima Q. Memon, Yilmaz Yurekli

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Nitrophenols are notorious aquatic organic contaminants found as degradation products of various parent compounds, including pesticides and industrial chemicals that persist in the environment and must be removed. Catalytic degradation is one of the feasible routes to clean the contaminated water systems, however, environmental contamination with catalysts is also widespread. Herein, we report an environmentally friendly catalyst based on composited Fe-Schiff’s base with exfoliated layered double hydroxides (LDH) of aluminum and nickel (hydrotalcite). The composite showed agglomerated pleated LDH structures sheathed with Fe(III)SB. Nitrogen adsorption isotherm data exhibited improved surface area and narrow pores patterns for composite as compared to …

The Complete Genome Sequence Of Splendidofilaria Pectoralis (Onchocercidae, Rhabditida, Chromadorea, Nematoda), Andrew Sweet, Robert E. Wilson, Jack Reakoff, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Colleen Hurst, Stacy Pirro

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

We present the complete genome sequence of Splendidofilaria pectoralis, a nematode parasite of grouse (Aves: Galliformes: Tetraonini). Illumina paired-end reads were assembled by a de novo method followed by a finishing step. The raw and assembled data are publicly available via GenBank: Sequence Read Archive (SRR28509439) and assembled genome (JBFSWT000000000).

Constructing And Testing Of Photomultiplier Tubes For Coincidence Experiments, Christepher Zamora

Physics Capstone Projects

Muons are particles that can be created by the collision and decay of cosmic rays with the upper atmosphere. Many detectors have been manufactured to detect these particles. This paper describes how muons can be detected. It details the process of constructing and testing of scintillation photomultiplier tubes. This paper also details what was observed during the construction and what was done by the experimenter to correct perceived issues.

Advancing S2s Precipitation Outlooks Through The Weather Regime-Gaussian Mixture Model Framework, Wei Zhang

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Cybersecurity Strategies Through Automated Cti Extraction, Risk Prioritization, And Privacy-Conscious Information Sharing, Spencer Rian Massengale

Theses and Dissertations

Cybersecurity operations require the ability to collect and analyze large amounts of cyber threat intelligence (CTI) to assess risks and formulate defensive strategies against emerging threats. This task has become increasingly complex due to the rapid evolution of cyber threats and the growing volume of unstructured, natural-language CTI sources. The scale of data and analysis needed to utilize CTI effectively far exceeds humans' manual capacity, especially for organizations with limited resources. This research focuses on leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs) and machine learning techniques to enhance CTI extraction, risk assessment, and data sharing. We utilized LLMs to automate the extraction …

New Insights Into Supradense Matter From Dissecting Scaled Stellar Structure Equations, Bao-Jun Cai, Bao-An Li

Faculty Publications

The strong-field gravity in general relativity (GR) realized in neutron stars (NSs) renders the equation of state (EOS) P(ε) of supradense neutron star matter to be essentially nonlinear and refines the upper bound for ϕ≡P/ε to be much smaller than the special relativity (SR) requirement with linear EOSs, where P andεare respectively the pressure and energy density of the system considered. Specifically, a tight bound ϕ ≲ 0.374 is obtained by perturbatively anatomizing the intrinsic structures of the scaled Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff (TOV) equations without using any input nuclear EOS. New insights gained from this novel analysis provide EOS-model-independent constraints on the …

How Does Augmentation Affect Feature Space: A Study Using Various Augmentation Methods In Distributed Learning, Nikil Sharan Prabahar Balasubramanian

Computer Science Theses

This thesis examines the impact of data augmentation techniques on model performance within a distributed learning framework, focusing on enhancing feature diversity and improving representation for under-represented classes. Data augmentation, commonly used to address data imbalance, significantly influences the feature space learned by deep learning models, with varied effects in distributed settings where data is split across nodes. Our study reveals that inconsistencies in feature learning across nodes reduce the benefits of local augmentation in capturing complex patterns, leading to suboptimal model performance. To address this, we propose a coherent augmentation approach that embeds consistent transformations in the central server, …

The Utilization Of Alcohol Dehydrogenase (Adh) Enzymes In Stereocontrolled Synthesis, Gaurav Pramod Kudalkar

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Clostridium acetobutylicum alcohol dehydrogenase (CaADH) has been shown to catalyze the stereoselective reduction of a broad array of carbonyl compounds. This study uses a Hammett linear free-energy relationship (LFER) analysis to gain insight into CaADH enzyme mechanism across three substrate classes: aryl aldehydes, aryl β-keto esters, and aryl trifluoromethyl ketones. Kinetic data were collected by monitoring NADPH fluorescence, and Michaelis-Menten kinetics were applied. Hammett plots reveal that hydride transfer is rate-limiting for aldehydes and β-keto esters (ρ > 0), while it is proposed that dehydration is rate-limiting for trifluoromethyl ketones (ρ < 0). ¹³C NMR confirmed significant hydration in trifluoromethyl ketones. The …

Raman Characterization Of Elastomeric Materials, Shane Michael Drake

Theses and Dissertations

Raman spectroscopy is often used for material identification but may be used for characterization. This document focuses on using Raman measurements to characterize polymers, specifically the curing and aging mechanism for hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). HTPB is a well-known elastomer used in sealants, non-slip surfaces, rocket repellants and plastic explosives. Raman spectroscopy was used to monitor urethane linkages that form from curing HTPB with a cyanate curing agent to suggest a curing mechanism for HTPB. Since this polymer is highly susceptible to oxidation, the methods used to characterize curing were also used for the aging process to see if urethane breakages …

Bioremediation Of Pb And Cd Contaminated Soil By Mycorrhiza And Biochar Treatment And Its Effect On Growth And Yield Of Shallot, Okti Herliana, Wilis Cahyani, Yugi Rahayu Ahadiyat

Jurnal Kultivasi

The contamination of shallots in the food chain by heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) is caused by chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The study aimed to determine the growth and yields of shallot cultivated on soil contaminated with Pb and Cd using mycorrhiza and biochar. The study was conducted in the screen house at Jenderal Soedirman University, Faculty of Agriculture, from April to September 2020, and it was carried out using a factorial Randomized Completely Block Design that involved three replications and two factors. The first factor of mycorrhiza dosage comprised 0, 1, and 2 g/pot, and …

Bioremediation Of Pb And Cd Contaminated Soil By Mycorrhiza And Biochar Treatment And Its Effect On Growth And Yield Of Shallot, Okti Herliana, Wilis Cahyani, Yugi Rahayu Ahadiyat

Jurnal Kultivasi

The contamination of shallots in the food chain by heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) is caused by chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The study aimed to determine the growth and yields of shallot cultivated on soil contaminated with Pb and Cd using mycorrhiza and biochar. The study was conducted in the screen house at Jenderal Soedirman University, Faculty of Agriculture, from April to September 2020, and it was carried out using a factorial Randomized Completely Block Design that involved three replications and two factors. The first factor of mycorrhiza dosage comprised 0, 1, and 2 g/pot, and …

Shifting Frontiers: Understanding Species’ Abundance Range Shifts For Informed Conservation Strategies, T.J. Clark-Wolf

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Growth And Yield Of Bok Choy (Brassica Rapa L.) Plants In Post-Rock Excavation Soils Provided With Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria And Manure, Cecep Hidayat, Yati Setiati Rachmawati, Dhea Rizqi Utami, Sofiya Hasani, Anna Aina Roosda, Windhy Chandria

Jurnal Kultivasi

Elevated sand and gravel mining to meet market needs causes negative impacts on the environment, soil, and biodiversity. The government issued a regulation that requires revegetation as reclamation of mineral and coal mining. The conversion needs to overcome the physical and chemical characteristics of post-rock excavation soil that can be utilized by economic value plants such as bok choy. This experiment aimed to determine the growth and yield of bok choy on post-rock excavation soil by providing phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and various manure types. The study was conducted in Margasari Village, Buah Batu District, Bandung at an altitude of …