Digital Commons Network^™

Uc-072 “Command Center, Do You Copy?”, Sawyer Strickland, Ezavier Miller, Max Hardy

C-Day Computing Showcase

“Command Center, do you copy?” is a sci-fi themed survival horror game where players must sneak around and fend off an alien like enemy using their flashlight while also trying to find the parts needed to fix their communications system to call for help.

Ur-086 Whole Slide Image Analysis, Pranav Kartha, Jazwaur Ankrah

C-Day Computing Showcase

Whole Slide Images are used to capture details of patient cells. Hospitals and clinics have different processes and methods to create WSIs resulting in WSIs not being standardized. Different file formats are used and different colors are used to represent different features. The normalization process helps set up the WSI into a format that the current model can easily process.

Uc-130 Some Kind Of Tundra Escape, Tiffany Field, Patrynna Mensah, Tahjir Beene, Daniel Worrel

C-Day Computing Showcase

Some Kind of Tundra Escape is an action-adventure game where you play as a penguin trying to escape a vast, walled-in tundra. As you explore, you’ll rescue other penguins scattered throughout the area. Your goal is to gather all the penguins and escape together, but the journey is far from easy. The tundra is full of danger, including snowmen who ambush you and ice golems who patrol certain areas. You'll need to avoid these monsters and set traps to stay safe while rescuing your fellow penguins. As your group grows, so does the challenge—more penguins means more obstacles to overcome. …

Leveraging Attention Mechanism To Unlock Gene And Protein Attributes, Ala Jararweh

Computer Science ETDs

Advancing personalized medicine depends on effectively integrating and interpreting the vast, heterogeneous landscape of biological data, from genomic sequences and transcriptomics to the insights embedded in scientific literature. Current machine learning models often focus on single data modalities, limiting their capacity to capture the multifaceted nature of biological systems. We address this gap by developing three attention-based machine-learning models integrating diverse data modalities. Firstly, DeepVul is a multi-task model that leverages cancer transcriptome data to predict genes critical for cancer survival and their corresponding drugs. Subsequently, LitGene refines gene representations by integrating textual information from the scientific literature. Finally, Protein2Text …

The National Cybersecurity Teaching Coalition: Expanding Cybersecurity Education Opportunities, Paul Wagner, Melissa Dark, Robert Honomichl, Filipo Sharevski, Sandra Leiterman

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The increasing prevalence of cybersecurity threats and the shortage of qualified professionals necessitate innovative solutions for cybersecurity education at all levels. Despite the expansion of post-secondary cybersecurity programs, employer dissatisfaction with graduates and a lack of standardized introductory curricula highlights the need for structured secondary education pathways. The National Cybersecurity Teaching Coalition (NCTC) and its National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy (NCTA) address this gap by equipping high school educators with the necessary knowledge and credentials to teach cybersecurity effectively. NCTA offers an 18-credit cybersecurity graduate certificate program to ensure teachers are competent and confident to develop and teach cybersecurity curriculum with …

The Impact Of Ai Use In Programming Courses On Critical Thinking Skills, Christian Jay St Francis Clarke, Abdullah Konak

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Proficiency in computer programming extends far beyond memorizing syntax; it depends on the cultivation of critical thinking. Computer programming requires multiple interconnected competencies, including systematic problem analysis, algorithmic reasoning, mastery of programming languages, debugging capabilities, a comprehensive understanding of software development methodologies, rigorous testing practices, and systematic troubleshooting approaches. These skills are also essential for cybersecurity experts; cybersecurity programs require several programming courses to enhance students’ technical and critical thinking skills. Generative AI (GenAI) technologies have fundamentally changed the process of developing applications and approaches to teaching coding. The growing use of GenAI technologies by students in writing computer code …

Ai & Xr Explorations To Support Social Interactions: Speculative Design For Ubiquitous Workplace Space By And For Neurodivergent Employees, Dominique Michaud, Alejandro Reyes, Jonathan Proulx Guimond, Fafadzi Akpene Agbe, Valérie Payen, Diane Gabrielle Tremblay, Marie Claude Leblanc, Claude Vincent, Geoffreyjen Edwards, Caroline Brassard, Marie Helene Parizeau, Valéry Psyche, Martin Caouette, James Hutson, Piper Hutson, Julie Ruel, Julien Voisin, Jocelyne Kiss

Faculty Scholarship

This study explores the potential of interdisciplinary theories and advanced technologies, such as augmented realities and artificial intelligence, to address the socio-professional integration challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum. It investigates the design of personalized, functional spaces that integrate interconnected living environments and intelligent systems tailored to support communication needs. Using speculative design methodology, the research adopts an experiential framework to examine alternative solutions, starting with a central hypothesis and testing it through debates with researchers, experts, neurodivergent individuals, and knowledge users. The premise is rooted in the recognition that neurodivergent individuals encounter significant barriers …

Integrating Ai-Driven Neurofeedback With Brain-Computer Interfaces: A Paradigm For Effortless Learning And Workforce Transformation, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This editorial discusses the merging of AI-driven neurofeedback with brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) to create a new model for effortless, unconscious learning. By interpreting and reinforcing specific neural patterns, these technologies can enable users to acquire skills without traditional instruction, making them especially valuable in fast-evolving industries. They also offer powerful tools for individuals with physical impairments by enabling control through thought alone. However, the author emphasizes the importance of ethical oversight, particularly around cognitive autonomy, data privacy, and consent. As the field matures, ongoing research and regulation will be essential to ensure responsible development and widespread, beneficial use.

Phishing Attacks And Prevention, Ruth Johnson

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

Phishing attacks have been the number one leading cause of identity theft and financial theft since 1990. The internet is one of the leading places where individuals’ identity is stolen. Many businesses and government agencies have been at risk of cyber phishing attacks from foreign countries. Attacks on Several U.S. federal government agencies have been hit in a global cyberattack by Russian cybercriminals that exploit a vulnerability in widely used software, according to a top us cybersecurity agency (Lyngaas, Government hit cyber-attacks, 2023).

Phishing attacks are cybercrimes where one or many individuals steal sensitive information like passwords, credit card information, …

Securing Biometric Data, Alyssa F. Carroll

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

Biometric data has been widely adopted across various sectors, including digital identity, artificial intelligence (AI), border control, digital wallets, and national identification systems. While biometric identifiers—such as fingerprints, retina scans, and facial recognition—offer reliable and convenient authentication, they also raise significant concerns regarding privacy and security. This paper examines how biometric data is stored, the vulnerabilities it faces, and the most effective methods for safeguarding it. By highlighting the critical importance of biometric data protection, this study reviews current research on approaches, strategies, and policies that enhance security while preserving the functionality and efficiency of biometric systems.

Ai-Based Accessibility Widget (Aibaw) Shortcomings For Blind Web Users, Joshua A. Rovira

LSU Master's Theses

With legal, ethical, and financial motivations to make their websites more accessible, many businesses and sites have begun to employ the use of artificial intelligence (AI) based widgets to automatically make necessary modifications to their sites' pages and subdomains. In this work, we conduct a qualitative case study to determine the efficacy of these AI tools as they pertain specifically to blind users. We analyze pages from twelve websites using accessiBe's AI accessibility widget and provide a taxonomy of their violations against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 level AA compliance. We found each website to bear numerous violations …

Dictating The Divine: Revisiting Authorship, Intention, And Authority From Sacred Texts To Generative Ai, James Hutson, W. Travis Mcmaken

Faculty Scholarship

This article interrogates the historical practice of mediated authorship in religious texts to draw critical parallels with contemporary debates surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI), specifically large language models (LLMs). By juxtaposing the mediated authorship of sacred texts, such as the Hebrew Bible and New Testament—where figures like the Apostle Paul dictated theological concepts to scribes who infused these directives with their interpretive insights—with the generative processes of LLMs, this research underscores the shared dynamics of co-constructed authorship across historical and technological contexts. Employing interdisciplinary methodologies from art history, textual studies, and reception theory, as well as theological and biblical studies, …

Learning Parent Strategies: A Trajectory-Based Approach To Analyzing Parent Child Interactions With Llms, Chelsea Joe

Computer Science Senior Theses

Recent advancements in large language models (LLMs) have demonstrated their ability to leverage its immense world knowledge to excel in traditional reinforcement learning tasks. Building on these capabilities, we introduce a framework that uses LLMs to learn from human behavior video data and generate insights that serve as guidelines for predicting how individuals are likely to act. Our framework focuses on parent- child dialogic reading, with an emphasis on understanding each parent’s unique parenting strategies. The system identifies meaningful interaction episodes within analyzed video data. The learning component of the framework utilizes a long-term memory system, which stores and retrieves …

The Fear Of Replacement: How Ai Panic In Journalism Mirrors Existential Crisis In Industry, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This study systematically examines the portrayal of artificial intelligence (AI) errors, such as hallucinations and deepfakes, in journalistic contexts, evaluating whether these narratives reflect a broader existential anxiety about AI's role in reshaping journalism. Using a systematic literature review combined with a qualitative content analysis of recent AI-focused news reports, this study identifies recurring themes in media coverage to assess the accuracy and context of reported AI errors relative to actual technological limitations and affordances. Findings suggest that while AI errors are comparatively rare, they receive amplified coverage, often fueling public mistrust in AI technologies. Nevertheless, a balanced examination reveals …

Ai Foundations And Applications: Summary Of A Panel Discussion At Loyola University Chicago, George K. Thiruvathukal, Dmitry Dligach, Shilpika, Michael B. Burns, Joseph Vukov, Fraser Turner, Mary Usher

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

This document summarizes the panel discussion titled "AI Foundations and Applications," held at Loyola University Chicago as part of the "Forum on Global Affairs: Artificial Intelligence in a Globalized World" series. The panel brought together interdisciplinary experts to discuss the foundational aspects of artificial intelligence (AI), its applications, ethical considerations, and implications for education and society.

From Adversarial Attacks To Robust Classifiers - A Study In Social Media Spam Detection - Black Box & White Box, Jonathan Jose Penaloza Rumie

Undergraduate Theses

Adversarial attacks pose a significant threat to the reliability of machine learning-based spam detection systems in social media. This undergraduate thesis, "From Adversarial Attacks to Robust Classifiers: A Study in Social Media Spam Detection – Black Box & White Box," systematically examines the impact of both black-box and white-box adversarial attacks on a range of spam classifiers, including Logistic Regression, Decision Trees, Random Forests, K-Nearest Neighbors, Bagging, Gradient Boosting, and Support Vector Machines. Leveraging a novel dataset derived from Twitter spam messages and enhanced with adversarial perturbations such as synonym replacement and character-level modifications, this study evaluates classifier performance under …

An Approach For Hybridizing N-Subalgebra With Quantified Neutrosophic Set Using G-Algebra, Neha Andaleeb Khalid, Muhammad Saeed

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Neutrosophic sets are a generalized form of fuzzy sets as well as intuitionistic fuzzy sets, as they address the uncertainty factor as an independent component along with truthfulness and falsity. However, traditional neutrosophic approaches often struggle with effectively managing and quantifying indeterminate elements in complex algebraic structures. To address this limitation, this paper employs an expanded version of the neutrosophic set, incorporating a subalgebra. The proposed research is multifaceted: firstly, the new concept of N-Subalgebra (NSU) is proposed. This is the modified setting in the family of subalgebras whose proposed name is the representation of the author's initial name. Secondly, …

A Reconsideration Of Advanced Concepts In Neutrosophic Graphs: Smart, Zero Divisor, Layered, Weak, Semi, And Chemical Graphs, Takaaki Fujita, Florentin Smarandache

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

One of the most powerful tools in graph theory is the classification of graphs into distinct classes based on shared properties or structural features. Over time, many graph classes have been introduced, each aimed at capturing specific behaviors or characteristics of a graph. Neutrosophic Set Theory, a method for handling uncertainty, extends fuzzy logic by incorporating degrees of truth, indeterminacy, and falsity. Building on this framework, Neutrosophic Graphs [9, 84, 135] have emerged as significant generalizations of fuzzy graphs. In this paper, we extend several classes of fuzzy graphs to Neutrosophic graphs and analyze their properties.

Einstein Aggregate Operators Under Q-Rung Orthopair Fuzzy Hypersoft Sets With Machine Learning, Muhammad Gulistan, Muhammad Abid

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Thailand with its impressive 15.5% global share of renewable energy production, has a small 1% share of bitcoin mining. At the same time, the country is dealing with the severe effects of climate change, which emphasizes the necessity of taking proactive steps to solve environmental issues. This research integrates machine learning techniques and Einstein Aggregate Operators under q-rung orthopair fuzzy hypersoft set (q-ROFHS)-based multi-criteria decision-making technique to present a new method for analyzing CO₂ impacts and mitigation solutions in Thailand. We evaluate the environmental impacts of bitcoin mining and the incorporation of renewable energy sources using an interdisciplinary framework, …

Strategic Placement Of Branding Elements In Digital Marketing: Insights From Eye-Tracking Data, Mohamed Basel Almourad, Emad Bataineh, Mohammed Hussein, Zelal Wattar

All Works

In today's media landscape, where consumers are overloaded with information and have shorter attention spans, digital marketers face significant difficulty in grabbing and holding customers' attention. This research examines how visual attention affects the processing of advertising stimuli. It does this by using eye-tracking technology to determine where branding components should be placed in digital ads to maximize processing efficiency and perceptual salience. The research shows that placing branding features strategically in the top central part of the advertisement can greatly increase visual attention and subsequent recall by analyzing fixation patterns and saccadic behavior. This result is consistent with well-known …

Optimizing Llm X86 Assembly Code Comprehension Through Fine-Tuning, Darrin Michael Lea

LSU Master's Theses

Reverse engineering is a cybersecurity process that focuses on understanding the underlying functionality of software or malware. This is an arduous process that demands large amounts of time and effort from cybersecurity practitioners. Large Language Models (LLMs) offer a potential solution to this problem. LLMs have worked their way into various fields of cybersecurity in recent years, including incident response and malware classification. However, LLMs have historically struggled with low-level code comprehension: a necessary part of reverse engineering. While LLMs can generate code and explain its function on the surface level, they struggle to grasp the wider context. In this …

Reframing Information Seeking In The Age Of Generative Ai: A Critical And Humanistic Approach, Joseph Kevin Sebastian

Library Faculty Research

Information-seeking has long been the subject of theoretical modeling, often drawing from cognitive, behavioral, computational, and even evolutionary perspectives to explain how individuals navigate, filter, and utilize information. Several dominant frameworks—Carol Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process, Marcia Bates’ Berrypicking Model, Peter Pirolli & Stuart Card’s Information Foraging Theory, Kiyohiko Nakamura’s Information Criteria framework, and Ian Ruthven’s Information Shaping Theory —have provided structured ways of understanding how people interact with information environments. However, while these frameworks offer valuable insights, they often operate within mechanistic or efficiency-driven paradigms, which risk overlooking the complex, embodied, and socioculturally situated nature of human information behaviors. These …

Stealthy Query-Efficient Opaqueattack Against Interpretable Deep Learning, Eldor Abdukhamidov, Mohammed Abuhamad, Simon S. Woo, Eric Chan-Tin, Tamer Abuhmed

Computer Science: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Deep neural network (DNN) models are susceptible to adversarial samples in white-box and opaqueenvironments. Although previous studies have shown high attack success rates, coupling DNN models with interpretation models could offer a sense of security when a human expert is involved. However, in white-box environments, interpretable deep learning systems (IDLSes) have been shown to be vulnerable to malicious manipulations. As access to the components of IDLSes is limited in opaquesettings, it becomes more challenging for the adversary to fool the system. In this work, we propose a Query-efficient Score-based opaque attack against IDLSes, which requires no knowledge of the target …

Ceker: A Generalizable Llm Framework For Literature Analysis With A Case Study In Unikernel Security, Alex Wollman, John Hastings

Research & Publications

Literature reviews are a critical component of formulating and justifying new research, but are a manual and often time-consuming process. This research introduces a novel, generalizable approach to literature analysis called CEKER which uses a three-step process to streamline the collection of literature, the extraction of key insights, and the summarized analysis of key trends and gaps. Leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs), this methodology represents a significant shift from traditional manual literature reviews, offering a scalable, flexible, and repeatable approach that can be applied across diverse research domains. A case study on unikernel security illustrates CEKER's ability to generate novel …

Impact Of Data Snooping On Deep Learning Models For Locating Vulnerabilities In Lifted Code, Gary Mccully, John Hastings, Shengjie Xu

Research & Publications

This study examines the impact of data snooping on neural networks used to detect vulnerabilities in lifted code, and builds on previous research that used word2vec and unidirectional and bidirectional transformer-based embeddings. The research specifically focuses on how model performance is affected when embedding models are trained with datasets, which include samples used for neural network training and validation. The results show that introducing data snooping did not significantly alter model performance, suggesting that data snooping had a minimal impact or that samples randomly dropped as part of the methodology contained hidden features critical to achieving optimal performance. In addition, …

Ethical Work Cultures & Ai, Andrew Brei

Presentations - 2025

With the help of moral theories, several case studies, and insights from the world of behavioral ethics, my project aims to provide engineering professionals with the means to deal properly with moral issues that commonly arise in their chosen fields.

Development And Evaluation Of The Da Vinci Ai Tutor: Enhancing Accessibility And Personalized Learning In Art History Education, James Hutson, Tiffani Barner

Faculty Scholarship

This study examines the implementation of the Da Vinci AI Tutor, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-based tutoring platform designed specifically for enhancing personalized and accessible learning in art history within higher education. Launched in Fall 2024 at a private liberal arts institution in the Midwest, the system integrates a conversational AI avatar modeled after Leonardo da Vinci, incorporating immersive virtual reality environments and multimodal interaction capabilities to engage students across undergraduate survey courses, advanced Renaissance classes, and graduate comprehensive exam preparations. Addressing significant gaps in existing humanities education research, the current study explores two primary research questions: (i) How AI-driven …

Mi Lock Pros, Feras Rabee

Posters - 2025

Locksmith businesses often rely on inefficient communication and outdated job management methods, leading to delays, missed opportunities, and customer dissatisfaction. Mi Lock Pros was created to solve this problem. It is a mobile app designed to streamline job assignment, technician tracking, and customer communication. The solution includes secure login, job tracking, real-time messaging, GPS based navigation, and technician performance monitoring—all accessible via a simple interface on both Android and iOS. Powered by ASP.NET Core Web API and .NET MAUI, it ensures smooth backend integration with a user-friendly frontend.

A Survey On Unauthorized Uav Threats To Smart Farming, Peng Chen, Shihao Yan, Helge Janicke, Arash Mahboubi, Hang Thanh Bui, Hamed Aboutorab, Michael Bewong, Rafiqul Islam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in smart farming has revolutionized agricultural practices by enhancing monitoring, automation, and decision-making to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. However, the widespread use of these technologies has also introduced new security challenges, particularly the risk of interference from unauthorized UAVs. This survey provides an analysis of the threats posed by unauthorized UAVs to smart farms, highlighting potential vulnerabilities such as data interception, communication jamming, and physical damage. This paper first explores recent advancements in IoT and UAV technologies, which are integral to the functioning of smart farms. Then, …

“Synchronized Parenting Is Like Mixing Oil And Water”: Reimagining Parental Control For Co-Parenting In The Divorced Households, Prakriti Dumaru, Audrey Flood, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen

Computer Science Student Research

Children from divorced households are granted access to devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets), helping them to maintain meaningful contact with both parents. However, regulating their device usage across two households presents unique co-parenting challenges, which are little studied in the existing literature on parental mediation. As we begin to address this gap, we used low-fidelity prototype designs, guided by the principles of fostering open communication and instilling self-regulation. We evaluated those designs (presented in the form of storyboards) through semi-structured interviews with 23 divorced parents, whose children are active Internet users and aged 13 years or below. Based on our analysis, …