Digital Commons Network^™

Stabilized Continuous Galerkin Methods For Heat Transport In Fully Coupled Nonlinear Thermo-Poroelasticity In Heterogeneous Porous Media, Payel Dey

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis focuses on the numerical approximation of a coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical (THM) model with advective heat transport in heterogeneous media. The governing equations consist of three coupled equations: the momentum balance, the fluid mass balance, and the energy balance. The primary unknowns are displacement, pressure, and temperature. In this system, the fluid pressure determines the Darcy flux, and this flux transports heat through the advective term in the energy equation. Since the Darcy flux is computed numerically from the flow equation, the conservation properties of the flow approximation can affect the temperature solution. This effect is especially important when thermal …

Drought And Diet Breadth: Does Insect Specialization Influence Herbivory When Plants Are Under Stress?, Jakob Palmer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Climate change will alter precipitation worldwide, causing more frequent and severe drought events worldwide. Drought affects many ecological processes, including plant-herbivore interactions, which are critical to biodiversity and ecosystem health. A variety of plant characteristics can influence herbivory – such as how hairy, nutritious, or toxic a leaf is – and drought has been shown to alter many of these traits. Unique characteristics of herbivore species are also important: herbivores can either feed on a variety of plants (generalists) or a group of closely related plants (specialists). Specialists can cope with traits of the plants they eat, while generalists are …

Fostering Safe Space For Children In Online Navigation And Parent-Child Interactions, Rizu Paudel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

As children and teenagers spend increasingly more time online, digital devices have become a major source of family friction. Disagreements frequently arise over privacy boundaries, and online activities. When these conflicts are unresolved, they often lead to broken trust and secretive behavior, leaving children vulnerable to digital harms like cyberbullying, toxic content, or account hacking. Therefore, it is important to create a safe and open environment for children where in order for them to share their feelings with parents. This dissertation investigates the human and technological dynamics of parent-child interactions, developing new ways to support collaborative conflict resolution and online …

Optimizing Urban Forestry Through Green Infrastructure: Tree Health And Water Retention In Ciudad Juarez Rain Gardens, Tomas Rogelio Lizarraga Ruiz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Urban green spaces (UGS) in arid regions face significant challenges due to water scarcity and extreme thermal demand. This study evaluates the efficacy of Nature Based Solutions (NBS), rain gardens and median strips, in enhancing the physiological resilience of urban trees in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Using a comparative framework, the research monitored a native evergreen (Dermatophyllum secundiflorum) and an introduced deciduous species (Morus sp.) across six planting treatments. Statistical analysis reveals that green infrastructure (GI) acts as a critical physiological accelerant. Trees situated within rain gardens and medians significantly outperformed those in restricted pot and sidewalk settings, maintaining higher stomatal …

Transnational Indigenous Environmental Justice: A Distant Comparative Study Of Nepali And U.S. Environmental Policies And Counter-Archives In Technical Communication, Shankar Paudel

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation investigates how institutional communication, state bureaucracy, and Indigenous sovereignty intersect within Rhetoric and Writing Studies (RWS) and Technical and Professional Communication (TPC). Current TPC research increasingly focuses on social justice; however, the field still lacks ethical frameworks to deal with the complicated dynamics of transnational Indigenous Environmental Justice Communication (IEJC). This study addresses this gap by examining how two distinct Indigenous communities - the Tharus of Chitwan, Nepal, and the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Tigua Indians of El Paso, Texas - communicatively navigate, contest, and resist state environmental policies.

Grounded in decolonial Distant Comparativism, Mestiza Consciousness, Rhetoric of …

An Analysis Of Mating Strategies In Rotifers Inhabiting Temporary Habitats, Ariel Bollinger

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Reproduction is critical for organisms inhabiting ephemeral aquatic habitats where desiccation risk favors rapid and successful mating. Monogonont rotifers rely on sexual reproduction to produce diapausing eggs that withstand harsh conditions. I investigated how mating behaviors vary among populations of five rotifer species based on the hydroperiod of their habitat: Epiphanes brachionus and E. chihuahuaensis were sampled from habitats with short (SH) and long (LH) hydroperiods; Euchlanis dilatata was collected from a short (SH) and a permanent habitat; and Plationus patulus and Sinantherina socialis were collected from a long (LH) and a permanent (Perm) habitat. I hypothesized that SH populations …

Clark Tailings Consolidated Waste Management Area Site Investigation Quality Assurance Project Plan (Qapp), Woodard & Curran

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Bpsou Grove Gulch Sedimentation Bay Draft Remedial Action Construction Completion Report (Ccr), Woodard & Curran

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Sludge-To-Sod: Sustainability In Action At Bull Creek Water Treatment Plant, Ava Baker

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

No abstract provided.

Community Detection In Bipartite Networks Using Bipartite Stochastic Block Models With Node-Level Covariates, Geraldine Elaine Percival

Dissertations

In this age, monumental webs of data demands for perpetual cultivation of ways to untangle these webs of information. One of the many curiosities is how to systematically group entities. When clustering, one avenue to take is ascertaining the interconnectedness between the data points, and gauging their influence to each other. This perspective is programmed to model the relationships between the data presented as a network. Many of the methods being used today are algorithm-based, which may pose limitations in understanding and explaining the uncertainty revolving around the data. Hence, it is proposed to steer towards a model-based approach that …

Approximation And Learning-Based Algorithms For Influence Maximization In Multilayer Social Networks, Xueqin Chang, Ruize Liu, Qing Liu, Baihua Zheng, Yunjun Gao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Motivated by the observation that users in the real world often engage across multiple social networks simultaneously, we study the problem of influence maximization in multilayer social networks (Mlim), aiming to select a small set of nodes that maximizes the total influence spread across all layers. To this end, we introduce a hybrid propagation model that jointly captures layer-specific diffusion dynamics and probabilistic cross-layer propagation. Based on this model, we formally define the Mlim problem and establish its NP-hardness, monotonicity, and submodularity. To address the Mlim problem, we first propose a greedy baseline Mlim-Greedy, which achieves a (1-1/e) approximation. Since …

Audeter: A Large-Scale Dataset For Deepfake Audio Detection In Open Worlds, Qizhou Wang, Hanxun Huang, Guansong Pang, Sarah Erfani, Christopher Leckie

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Speech synthesis systems can now produce highly realistic vocalisations that pose significant authenticity challenges. Despite substantial progress in deepfake detection models, their real-world effectiveness is often undermined by evolving distribution shifts between training and test data, driven by the complexity of human speech and the rapid evolution of synthesis systems. Existing datasets suffer from limited real speech diversity, insufficient coverage of recent synthesis systems, and heterogeneous mixtures of deepfake sources, which hinder systematic evaluation and open-world model training. To address these issues, we introduce AUDETER (AUdio DEepfake TEst Range), a large-scale and highly diverse deepfake audio dataset comprising over 4,500 …

Continuous Authentication For Industrial System Access: Evaluating Bluetooth Low Energy Direction Finding And Channel Sounding For Tailgating And Relay Attacks, Mitchell Mennelle

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In physical access control, authentication is often viewed as a one-time event, where, once an authorized user crosses a protected boundary, downstream systems assume the user remains physically present. Tailgating and relay attacks violate this assumption. In this thesis we propose a continuous authentication layer based on two Bluetooth Low Energy spatial signals. Angle of Arrival direction finding follows the trail of a worn credential to determine when an operator exits a work zone. Bluetooth Channel Sounding measures a physical property of the radio path and verifies distance during stationary periods. Limiting Relay Attacks with Event-Driven Distance Verification. A stream …

Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Forensic Psychology: An Umbrella Review Of Potentials And Pitfalls, Ysabel Thereze Ang Guevarra, Nur Eva Alisha Binte Mohamed Hisham, Andree Hartanto

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly embedded within forensic psychological practice, shaping how criminal risk, legal responsibility and public safety are assessed. AI tools are now used in recidivism prediction, behavioural analysis, deception detection and investigative support, high-stakes domains where errors can have profound consequences. Despite this rapid adoption, the existing literature remains fragmented, with most reviews confined to narrow subdomains and offering limited integrated synthesis of AI′s broader role in forensic psychology. Thus, this umbrella review addresses this gap by synthesising findings from 43 reviews obtained from five major databases, namely EBSCOhost ERIC, EBSCOhost PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus and Web …

Variability In Nutrient And Enterococcus Concentrations In Tidal Floodwater Across Watersheds With Different Land Uses, Alyssa Bucci

OES Theses and Dissertations

Tidal flooding is an increasingly pressing hazard in coastal Virginia due to sea level rise and land subsidence. The Hampton Roads region of Virginia has the second-highest rate of relative sea level rise in the United States and experiences frequent tidal flooding, but the water quality impacts of this flooding on the Chesapeake Bay are not being accounted for. High concentrations of dissolved nutrients and Enterococcus bacteria (a fecal indicator) have been observed in tidal floodwater of the Lafayette River, a tributary of the James River and the lower Chesapeake Bay. This study investigates variability in dissolved nutrient and Enterococcus …

Enhancing Stem Education With Modeling, Simulation, And Ai Technologies: From Virtual Laboratories To Intelligent Teaching Assistants, Yiyang Li

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Rapid advancements in modeling and simulation (M&S) and artificial intelligence (AI) present new opportunities to enhance various aspects of STEM education, from virtual laboratories that simulate physical lab environments in software to intelligent teaching assistants that provide on-demand, curriculum-aligned instructional support. Virtual laboratories offer a potential solution to the access and scalability challenges of laboratory courses by allowing students to conduct experiments without physical equipment or geographical constraints. AI-powered teaching assistants, particularly those grounded in course-specific materials, can help mitigate the instructional support gap that arises when students work independently in digital learning environments. This dissertation presents three-phase research into …

Experimental Investigation Of The Discharge Modes Of Nanosecond Pulsed Plasmas At Atmospheric Pressure, Md Ziaur Rahman

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The generation of repeatable and stable nanosecond pulsed atmospheric pressure plasmas is important to non-thermal plasma applications in various fields including medicine, material processing, food processing, and plasma ignition for combustion. This dissertation investigates the atmospheric pressure plasma initiation and formation under 10 – 200 ns pulsed power for electrode configurations applicable for transient plasma ignition (TPI) for combustion. The impacts of pulsed power parameters, gas condition, and electrode geometry on the discharge initiation and modes (i.e., streamer, transient spark and spark) are systematically evaluated for applying TPI for combustion. We evaluated the discharge modes driven by both longer and …

Towards More Realistic And Practical Graph Backdoor Attacks, Jiawei Chen

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) have demonstrated remarkable performance on graph-based learning tasks and are increasingly deployed in security-critical applications. However, recent studies have shown that they are highly vulnerable to graph backdoor attacks (GBAs), where adversaries implant malicious triggers to induce targeted misclassification during inference. Despite their effectiveness, existing GBAs are often developed under unrealistic assumptions, such as focusing exclusively on simple homogeneous graphs or assuming the adversary possesses privileged access to target nodes during inference. This dissertation aims to systematically investigate and design graph backdoor attacks under significantly more realistic graph settings and adversarial constraints.

First, we investigate the …

Exploring The Determinants Of User Discontinuance In Ai-Driven Usage-Based Insurance, Wenzhuo Li

Theses and Dissertations in Business Administration

While interest in algorithmic decision-making continues to grow, limited research has examined the post-adoption phase. This study examines how users evaluate their post-adoption experiences with algorithmic decision-making in the context of usage-based insurance (UBI), focusing on how expectation disconfirmation shapes satisfaction and the intention to discontinue use. It explores two key questions: What factors influence users’ discontinuance intention toward AI-based UBI systems? And how do specific algorithmic characteristics alter how users form these post-adoption evaluations? To investigate these questions, this study develops a comprehensive theoretical model that integrates the Expectation Confirmation Model and Reactance Theory, incorporating additional factors such as …

Evaluating Fish Assemblages At An Early-Stage Living Shoreline Project In Lake Pontchartrain, Collin Glaser

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Living shorelines are an increasingly popular restoration approach for reducing erosion while improving habitat quality. The Bucktown Living Shoreline Project is a large-scale restoration effort along the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain aimed at enhancing coastal resilience and restoring historic marsh habitat. This thesis evaluated early fish assemblage response to the Bucktown Living Shoreline Project over one year and placed those assemblages within the broader historical context of Lake Pontchartrain. Monthly sampling was conducted at the living shoreline and an adjacent riprap control site using seines, cast nets, and minnow traps. Fish assemblage structure was not significantly different between sites. …

Lessons From The Club Homeschool Capstone: Testing, Data Discipline, And The Computer Science Curriculum, Shane Brown

University Honors Theses

This thesis looks at the CLUB Homeschool Capstone project to argue that Portland State University's Computer Science curriculum should introduce testing and data quality discipline earlier and more intentionally than it does now. As team lead of a seven-person team, I coordinated sprint planning, communicated with the sponsor, and developed custom Discourse plugins that enhanced an existing forum platform instead of creating a separate application database, as requested by the sponsor. The project's requirements document called for a formal testing plan, but our team lacked the practical experience to implement one. This gap became evident through my internships as a …

Forest Cover Effects On Canopy Interception Loss, Evapotranspiration, And Soil Infiltration On Stormwater Detention Basins, Alexandria N. C. Perez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Developing cities and increased impervious surfaces has resulted in more surface runoff and severe flooding. Harris County, Texas has experienced major flooding events, such as Hurricane Harvey in 2017 which was estimated to be a 9,000-year flood event. The Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is dedicated to creating, maintaining, and finding new ways to reduce flooding damage such as the use of detention basins as green infrastructure. These basins are either populated by grass or are planted with various tree species. This study will identify the planted trees’ canopy interception loss, reference evapotranspiration, and enhanced soil infiltration effects within …

Visualizing Irrationality: Digit Mosaics In Okabe–Ito, Raven Quilestino-Olario

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Five visual mosaics translate 10,000-digit segments of well-known mathematical constants into color. For each constant, the digits are placed in a 100×100 grid read left to right and top to bottom, including the digit before the decimal point, and each digit (0–9) is mapped to a color in the Okabe–Ito palette. A matching bar chart shows the digit counts within the same window, allowing quick comparison of how evenly digits appear. The series includes π, e, √2, φ, and the Euler–Mascheroni constant γ. Together, the mosaics and counts turn numerical randomness into visual harmony while keeping the work readable for …

College Algebra: A Key Element To Degree Completion, Christopher Charlie Jett, Gregory Downing

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

College Algebra is often under scrutiny because it serves as a critical gateway to graduation for students enrolled in our nation’s undergraduate degree programs. In this paper, we problematize the authority typically ascribed to this course and discuss meeting students’ discipline-specific needs in core mathematics courses such as it. To help facilitate college student success with respect to mathematics course requirements, we recommend that educational constituents and leaders expand dual-enrollment opportunities, infuse culturally relevant practices, and leverage other core mathematics courses as alternatives to College Algebra. In doing so, we add to the ongoing conversation about addressing this issue in …

An Essay On Teaching And Learning Mathematics: Through The Lens Of Artificial Intelligence, Music, And Sports, James Diederich

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

This essay is aimed at a wide audience: anyone who has engaged in learning or teaching math. It provides a unique perspective drawn from a mathematician’s interests in working with K-12 teachers, familiarity with artificial intelligence (AI), and amateur pursuits of learning to play an instrument and of learning a difficult sport. While I delve into these topics, no special background is needed in the slightest. In particular, I draw lessons from some failures in AI that reflect on why the conventional procedural approach to teaching and learning math fails many students. I also provide insight into how we learn …

Prime Numbers Are Written On Your Hand: You Simply Have Not Been Counting Correctly, Nona Servais Kamdem Simo, Awa Traore

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Prime numbers have resisted systematic description for over two millennia. We propose that part of the difficulty may lie in an insufficiently attentive examination of one’s own hands. In particular, we assign the natural numbers to the joints of the human hand according to a cyclic traversal protocol, and make a handful of observations which can naturally be translated into number-theoretic properties of prime numbers. We show that these properties lead us to natural activation thresholds of a unified three-phase sieve algorithm — the resulting framework provides, for the first time, a zone-based partition of the admissible space with explicit …

Mathematicians Against The Tide, Nicola Ciccoli

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Mathematicians in popular culture are often depicted as people obsessed by their studies but with little connection to society, poor social skills, mental issues and narrow interests, and more generally a dull life. Adding to these explicit stereotypes, subtler and more implicit ones also abound, regarding mathematicians’ gender, ethnicity, age; they are all supposed to be white middle-aged men. In this paper I describe a project aimed at disrupting such stereotypes that culminated in a book containing short comics and biographies of twentieth-century mathematicians that were, with respect to the perceived image of mathematicians, against the tide.

Waiting For The Magic: A Historical And Mathematical Study Of Queues In Disney Theme Parks, Nina E. Becket

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

This paper, written as part of an honors research project in high school, provides an introduction to the line and queuing systems at Disney theme parks. We begin with a brief history of Disney World and its creators. We then introduce the basics of queuing theory and queuing notation. Finally, we examine modern line systems at Disney (as of 2023) and the future of its different queue systems.

Piracy, Terrorism, And The Law: Differential Equations In Hostage Situations, Gabriel Hallevy

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Pirates have taken the crew of an American ship hostage. They promise to release the hostages only if another pirate who is held in an American prison for commission of piracy crimes against American citizens, is released. Should the U.S. government enter into negotiations with them? Should they send armed forces and risk the hostages? Should they release the prisoner immediately and unconditionally? The article models and analyzes possible policies regarding sensitive situations involving hostages and other related risks using differential equations. The solutions are surprisingly simple, but not necessarily intuitive. Our analysis aims to demonstrate how powerful mathematics is …

Grationality, With A Spoon, L. Jeneva Clark

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

I introduced grationality at a 2025 sectional meeting of the Mathematical Association of America to install a handle on a concept akin to rationality of numbers, but in a geometric context. More specifically, we define a nice n-gon to be a regular n-gon with side lengths that are natural numbers; then a number n is grational if and only if there exists a nice n-gon such that its area equals the sum of areas of n congruent nice n-gons. In this paper I offer several examples of grational and non-grational numbers, followed by theorems about how the grationality of a …