Digital Commons Network^™

Synthesis And Characterisation Of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers On Functionalised Silica Gel Designed For The Selective Extraction And Detection Of Nitroaromatic Compounds Coupled With Colorimetric Methods, Raymond Tang

Masters

HPLC and LC-MS are analytical instruments used to detect the trace explosives, however, the instrumental methods are expensive and require specially trained operators to prepare the samples and interpret the results, and these methods are not suitable for use in conflict zones. The overall aim is to deliver a method for the selective, sensitive and rapid detection of trace explosives in the field.

Virtual Reality & Pilot Training: Existing Technologies, Challenges & Opportunities, Tim Marron, Niall Dungan, Brian Mac Namee, Anna Donnla O'Hagan

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

The introduction of virtual reality (VR) to flying training has recently gained much attention, with numerous VR companies, such as Loft Dynamics and VRpilot, looking to enhance the training process. Such a considerable change to how pilots are trained is a subject that warrants careful consideration. Examining the effect that VR has on learning in other areas gives us an idea of how VR can be suitably applied to flying training. Some of the benefits offered by VR include increased safety, decreased costs, and increased environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, some challenges ahead for developers to consider are negative transfer of learning, …

Experimental Assessment Of Laser Scarecrows For Reducing Avian Damage To Sweet Corn, Sean T. Manz, Kathryn E. Sieving, Rebecca N. Brown, Page E. Klug, Bryan M. Kluever

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Background

Birds damage crops, costing millions of dollars annually, and growers utilize a variety of lethal and nonlethal deterrents in an attempt to reduce crop damage by birds. We experimentally tested laser scarecrows for their effectiveness at reducing sweet corn (Zea mays) damage. We presented 18 captive flocks of free-flying European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) with fresh sweet corn ears distributed on two plots where laser and control treatments were alternated each day and allowed each flock to forage over 5 days. In 16 trials, fresh sweet corn ears were mounted on wooden sticks distributed from 0 …

Different Visions From Biosview: A Brief Report, Lucas N. Potter, Xavier-Lewis Palmer

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In this collaborative research endeavor at the intersection of biological safety and cybersecurity for BiosView labs, the authors highlight their engagement with a diverse student cohort. The chapter delves into the motivation behind collaborations extending beyond traditional academic research environments, emphasizing inclusivity. The meticulous examination of student demographics, including gender, self-reported ethnicity, and national origin, is detailed in the methodology. A student-centric approach is central to the exploration, focusing on aligning teaching and management styles with unique student needs. The chapter elaborates on effective teaching methodologies and management practices tailored for BiosView labs. A dedicated section emphasizes the purpose of …

Social Media Marketing Audiences And Adaptive Behavior In Brunei: Sem Analysis Using Smartpls, Shahid Anjum, Asmah Ahmad, Jefri Basiuni, Najeeba Tazeen

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The social media and Internet technology penetrations and usage are quite high in Brunei Darussalam. The use of social media marketing among micro, small, and relatively medium businesses to promote their products has also grown as businesses desire to engage and build relationships with customers through social media. This has generated an interest in studying the adaption of social media marketing campaigns among customers, which indirectly determines the effectiveness of social media marketing itself, as well as in studying the facilitation factors for such an adaption. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) has been used extensively because of its simplicity and usefulness. …

Expanding Australia's Defence Capabilities For Technological Asymmetric Advantage In Information, Cyber And Space In The Context Of Accelerating Regional Military Modernisation: A Systemic Design Approach, Pi-Shen Seet, Anton Klarin, Janice Jones, Michael N. Johnstone, Violetta Wilk, Stephanie Meek, Summer O'Brien

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction. The aim of the project was to conduct a systemic design study to evaluate Australia'sopportunities and barriers for achieving a technological advantage in light of regional military technological advancement. It focussed on the three domains of (1) cybersecurity technology, (2) information technology, and (3) space technology.

Research process. Employing a systemic design approach, the study first leveraged scientometric analysis, utilising informetric mapping software (VOSviewer) to evaluate emerging trends and their implications on defence capabilities. This approach facilitated a broader understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of defence technologies, identifying key areas for further exploration. The subsequent survey study, engaging 828 …

Opportunities And Challenges Posed By Disruptive And Converging Information Technologies For Australia's Future Defence Capabilities: A Horizon Scan, Pi-Shen Seet, Anton Klarin, Janice Jones, Mike Johnstone, Helen Cripps, Jalleh Sharafizad, Violetta Wilk, David Suter, Tony Marceddo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: The research project's objective was to conduct a comprehensive horizon scan of Network Centric Warfare (NCW) technologies-specifically, Cyber, IoT/IoBT, AI, and Autonomous Systems. Recognised as pivotal force multipliers, these technologies are critical to reshaping the mission, design, structure, and operations of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), aligning with the Department of Defence (Defence)’s offset strategies and ensuring technological advantage, especially in the Indo-Pacific's competitive landscape.

Research process: Employing a two-pronged research approach, the study first leveraged scientometric analysis, utilising informetric mapping software (VOSviewer) to evaluate emerging trends and their implications on defence capabilities. This approach facilitated a broader understanding …

Shock-Wave Tolerant Phase Reconstruction Algorithm For Shack–Hartmann Wavefront Sensor Data, Thomas E. Defoor, Matthew Kalensky, Matthew R. Kemnetz, Timothy J. Bukowski, Mark F. Spencer

Faculty Publications

We develop a phase reconstruction algorithm for the Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWFS) that is tolerant to phase discontinuities, such as the ones imposed by shock waves. In practice, this algorithm identifies SHWFS locations where the resultant tilt information is affected by the shock and improves the tilt information in these locations using the local SHWFS observation-plane irradiance patterns. The algorithm was shown to work well over the range of conditions tested with both simulated and experimental data. In turn, the reconstruction algorithm will enable robust wavefront sensing in transonic, supersonic, and hypersonic environments.

Ai Empire: Unraveling The Interlocking Systems Of Oppression In Generative Ai's Global Order, Jasmina Tacheva, Srividya Ramasubramanian

Media Studies - All Scholarship

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to captivate the collective imagination through the latest generation of generative AI models such as DALL-E and ChatGPT, the dehumanizing and harmful features of the technology industry that have plagued it since its inception only seem to deepen and intensify. Far from a “glitch” or unintentional error, these endemic issues are a function of the interlocking systems of oppression upon which AI is built. Using the analytical framework of “Empire,” this paper demonstrates that we live not simply in the “age of AI” but in the age of AI Empire. Specifically, we show that …

Rising Threat - Deepfakes And National Security In The Age Of Digital Deception, Dougo Kone-Sow

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

This paper delves into the intricate landscape of deepfakes, exploring their genesis, capabilities, and far-reaching implications. The rise of deepfake technology presents an unprecedented threat to American national security, propagating disinformation and manipulation across various media formats. Notably, deepfakes have evolved from a historical backdrop of disinformation campaigns, merging with the advancements of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to craft convincing but false multimedia content.

Examining the capabilities of deepfakes reveals their potential for misuse, evidenced by instances targeting individuals, companies, and even influencing political events like the 2020 U.S. elections. The paper highlights the direct threats posed by …

How Chatgpt Can Be Used As A Defense Mechanism For Cyber Attacks, Michelle Ayaim

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

The powers of OpenAI's groundbreaking AI language model, ChatGPT, startled millions of users when it was released in November. But for many, the tool's ability to further accomplish the goals of evil actors swiftly replaced their initial excitement with significant concerns. ChatGPT gives malicious actors additional ways to possibly compromise sophisticated cybersecurity software. Leaders in a sector that is currently suffering from a 38% global spike in data breaches in 2022 must acknowledge the rising influence of AI and take appropriate action. Cybercriminals are writing more complex and focused business email compromise (BEC) and other phishing emails with the assistance …

Federated Active Learning For Network Intrusion Detection, Matthew D. R. Sauer

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses challenges with detecting attacks on computer networks within a Federated Learning (FL) framework, when labeled instances are few. We explore the integration of active learning (AL) and semi-supervised learning (SSL). AL efficiently uses data that would otherwise be wasted or require substantial time for labeling. SSL provides capacity to train models that have a limited amount of labeled data, by utilizing additional unlabeled data that is available. We show how FL combined with AL or SSL can realize a detection system that adapts and trains quickly to new networks, reducing the total amount of data labeling needed. …

Enhanced Content-Based Fake News Detection Methods With Context-Labeled News Sources, Duncan Arnfield

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work examined the relative effectiveness of multilayer perceptron, random forest, and multinomial naïve Bayes classifiers, trained using bag of words and term frequency-inverse dense frequency transformations of documents in the Fake News Corpus and Fake and Real News Dataset. The goal of this work was to help meet the formidable challenges posed by proliferation of fake news to society, including the erosion of public trust, disruption of social harmony, and endangerment of lives. This training included the use of context-categorized fake news in an effort to enhance the tools’ effectiveness. It was found that term frequency-inverse dense frequency provided …

Ur-409 Enhancing Aircraft Electronic Warfare Testing With Automated Rf Spectrum Analysis, Anthony De Santiago, Matthew T. Morgan, Geonhyeong Kim, Jalon L. Bailey, Camille Reaves

C-Day Computing Showcase

Military test ranges utilize a variety of Radio Frequency (RF) threat systems, to assess the effectiveness of Electronic Warfare (EW) systems during flight tests. A component of this process involves monitoring RF transmissions. Traditionally, system engineers at Robins Airforce Base have manually analyzed video from spectrum analyzers to confirm properties of specific threat systems. To streamline this analysis, our team's aim was to develop an automated solution for RF spectrum analysis. We employed a custom YOLO V8 model to isolate the analyzer screen and used a novel combination of frame differencing, summing, and agglomerative clustering techniques to extract relevant properties …

The Propagation And Execution Of Malware In Images, Piper Hall

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

Malware has become increasingly prolific and severe in its consequences as information systems mature and users become more reliant on computing in their daily lives. As cybercrime becomes more complex in its strategies, an often-overlooked manner of propagation is through images. In recent years, several high-profile vulnerabilities in image libraries have opened the door for threat actors to steal money and information from unsuspecting users. This paper will explore the mechanisms by which these exploits function and how they can be avoided.

Beyond The Boom: Integrated Approaches To Managing Weeds And Brush, M. L. Treadwell, D. Burson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

William Bray stated in his 1904 report, The Timber of the Edwards Plateau of Texas, "This struggle of the timberlands to capture the grasslands is an old warfare....it spreads like infection.” This trend is true today and especially pronounced in the Great Plains, where only 1/4 of the Great Plains’ original grasslands remains intact. Species like honey mesquite, honey locust, black locust, sumac, dogwood, post oak, winged elm, Siberian elm, salt cedar, huisache, Eastern redcedar, Ashe and redberry juniper, pricklypear, sericea lespedeza, and many other species represent alarming rates of spread and rapid establishment throughout Great Plains grasslands. Although, these …

Understanding The Non-Traditional Security Dimensions: Cyber Threat Landscape In Pakistan, Minhas Majeed Khan

CBER Conference

The research analyzes the vulnerabilities and consequences of cyber-attacks on essential infrastructure sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and finance, which are vital for the country’s stability and development. It also evaluates the economic, political, and social effects of cyber incidents on the country’s governance and society. Moreover, the research assesses the current cyber security measures and frameworks in Pakistan and identifies the gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Building A Diverse Cybersecurity Workforce: A Study On Attracting Learners With Varied Educational Backgrounds, Mubashrah Saddiqa, Kristian Helmer Kjær Larsen1 Helmer Kjær Larsen, Robert Nedergaard Nielsen, Jens Myrup Pedersen

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Cybersecurity has traditionally been perceived as a highly technical field, centered around hacking, programming, and network defense. However, this article contends that the scope of cybersecurity must transcend its technical confines to embrace a more inclusive approach. By incorporating various concepts such as privacy, data sharing, and ethics, cybersecurity can foster diversity among audiences with varying educational backgrounds, thereby cultivating a richer and more resilient security landscape. A more diverse cybersecurity workforce can provide a broader range of perspectives, experiences, and skills to address the complex and ever-evolving threats of the digital age. The research focuses on enhancing cybersecurity education …

Agency Theory And Audit Quality, Burim Isa Berisha Bb

International Journal of Business and Technology

Auditing plays a vital role in reducing both: information asymmetry by empirically confi rming the validity of fi nancial statements and agency problems. The principal- agent confl ict illustrated in agency theory, where principal (owner) lack reasons to believe their agents (managers) because of information asymmetries and contradictory motives. Information asymmetry deals with the study of decisions in transactions where one party has more or superior information than other. Agents (either directors or auditors) may be trustworthy without further incentives to align interest or monitoring strategies such as audit or increased regulation. However, the simple agency model would recommend that …

All Quiet On The Digital Front: The Unseen Psychological Impacts On Cybersecurity First Responders, Tammie R. Hollis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Driven by the increasing frequency of cyberattacks and the existing talent gap between industry needs and skilled professionals, this research study focused on the crucial human element in the domain of cybersecurity incident response. The objective of this dissertation was to offer a meaningful exploration of the lived experiences encountered by cybersecurity incident responders and an assessment of the subsequent impacts on their well-being. Additionally, this study sought to draw comparisons between the experiences of cybersecurity incident responders and their counterparts in traditional emergency response roles. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a cohort of 22 individuals with first-hand experience working …

Investigating Mobility In The Northern Balkans During The Fifth Millenium Bc Through Strontium Analysis Of Human Tooth Enamel, Aurélien Tafani

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates how individual mobility among ancient populations in Romania during the Eneolithic, between 5000 and 4000 BC, may be related to the spread of the material culture known as Kodjadermen-Gumelniţa-Karonovo VI (KGK VI) that extended over most of southern Romania and Bulgaria. This work seeks to combine results on individual mobility with other lines of archaeological evidence to provide a better understanding of the social context and kinship relationships that were in place when these events took place.

Strontium isotopic analyses were performed on 130 individuals from two sites located in the southern Romania: 49 from Sultana and …

Design And Simulation Of A Location Privacy Protection Scheme Based On Zero-Knowledge Proof For Military Iot, Mingjie Shi, Chengyu Xie, Chuanfu Zhang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: In the military Internet of Things (IoT) combat environment, the location privacy issue becomes a key challenge. An innovative location privacy protection scheme based on zero-knowledge proof is proposed to ensure that in unreliable communication channels, the location information of combat units can be verified without revealing their specific coordinates, so as to achieve the goal of protecting sensitive location information. Based on the idea of cryptography, by using zero-knowledge proof, through algebraic circuit, rank-1 constraint system(R1CS), quadratic arithmetic programs(QAP), and other steps, the position coordinate information proof problem is transformed into a point verification problem on a polynomial …

A Mixed-Method Study Exploring Cyber Ranges And Educator Motivation, Cheryl Beauchamp, Holly M. Matusovich

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

A growing number of academic institutions have invested resources to integrate cyber ranges for applying and developing cybersecurity-related knowledge and skills. Cyber range developers and administrators provided much of what is known about cyber range resources and possible educational applications; however, the educator provides valuable understanding of the cyber range resources they use, how they use them, what they value, and what they do not value. This study provides the cyber range user perspective of cyber ranges in cybersecurity education by describing how K-12 educators are motivated using cyber ranges. Using mixed methods, this study explored educator motivation associated with …

Like Treating The Symptom Rather Than The Cause - The Omission Of Courses Over Terrorism In Nsa Designated Institutions, Ida L. Oesteraas

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The National Security Agency (NSA) awards Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designations to institutions that commit to producing cybersecurity professionals who will work in careers that reduce vulnerabilities in our national infrastructure. A review of the curricula in the 327 institutions and their degree programs reveal that only two programs offer a required course about terrorism. Given the fluid nature of terrorism and its threat to national infrastructure, the omission is concerning. It is recommended that NSA-certified cybersecurity programs begin implementing educational content that aim to teach about this emerging crime and justice issue. One suggestion is to embrace the …

Malfe—Malware Feature Engineering Generation Platform, Avinash Singh, Richard Adeyemi Ikuesan, Hein Venter

All Works

The growing sophistication of malware has resulted in diverse challenges, especially among security researchers who are expected to develop mechanisms to thwart these malicious attacks. While security researchers have turned to machine learning to combat this surge in malware attacks and enhance detection and prevention methods, they often encounter limitations when it comes to sourcing malware binaries. This limitation places the burden on malware researchers to create context-specific datasets and detection mechanisms, a time-consuming and intricate process that involves a series of experiments. The lack of accessible analysis reports and a centralized platform for sharing and verifying findings has resulted …

Faster, Cheaper, And Better Cfd: A Case For Machine Learning To Augment Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes, John Peter Romano Ii

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, the field of machine learning (ML) has made significant advances, particularly through applying deep learning (DL) algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI). The literature shows several ways that ML may enhance the power of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to improve its solution accuracy, reduce the needed computational resources and reduce overall simulation cost. ML techniques have also expanded the understanding of underlying flow physics and improved data capture from experimental fluid dynamics.

This dissertation presents an in-depth literature review and discusses ways the field of fluid dynamics has leveraged ML modeling to date. The author selects and describes …

Deep-Learning-Based Classification Of Digitally Modulated Signals, John A. Snoap

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation presents several novel deep-learning (DL)-based approaches for classifying digitally modulated signals, one method of which involves the use of capsule networks (CAPs) together with cyclic cumulant (CC) features of the signals. These were blindly estimated using cyclostationary signal processing (CSP) and were then input into the CAP for training and classification. The classification performance and the generalization abilities of the proposed approach were tested using two distinct datasets that contained the same types of digitally modulated signals but had distinct generation parameters. The results showed that the classification of digitally modulated signals using CAPs and CCs proposed in …

Smart Homes And You: Iot Device Data Risks In An Ever-Changing World, Autumn Person

Theses and Dissertations

Social media applications are increasingly seen as a national security threat and a cause for concern because they can be used to create user profiles on government personnel and on US citizens. These profiles could be used for big data and artificial intelligence purposes of interest to foreign governments. With the rise of big data and AI being used, foreign governments could use this data for a variety of purposes that can affect normal everyday citizens, not just high value personnel. IoT (Internet of Things) devices that the population uses everyday can also pose the same threat. These devices can …

Research On Support Effectiveness Evaluation Method Of Equipment Systems Based On Pert And Abms, Shanzhi Ma, Hongliang Wang, Hua He, Weicheng Lun

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: The support of an equipment system directly affects its combat effectiveness, and the support effectiveness evaluation of equipment systems has the characteristics of large scope, multiple levels, complete elements, and long process. According to the systematic combat requirements of aircraft equipment, the difficulties in evaluating the support effectiveness of aircraft equipment systems are analyzed. The PERT-based modeling method of airfield support is proposed, and the PERT-based process model of equipment system support activity is established according to the modeling requirements and sequential characteristics of aircraft equipment support tasks. The operational model framework of combinable equipment systems based on ABMS …

Draft Genome Of Methanol-Oxidizing Methylobacterium Fujisawaense Strain Lac1, Jooho Chung, Jinha Kim, John C. Blazier, Myung Hwangbo, Kung-Hui Chu

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

We report the draft genome of Methylobacterium fujisawaense LAC1 isolated from an acidic aquifer in Indian Head, MD, USA. The genome contains 5,883,000 bp and has a GC content of 70% with 5,434 protein-encoding genes with functional assignments. This strain can grow on methanol with lanthanum, a rare earth element.