Digital Commons Network^™

Usable Authentication: Are We There Yet?, Nathan Clarke, Steven Furnell

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

With technology increasingly embedded in everyday life, the demand for secure and usable authentication methods has never been greater. Traditional password-based systems continue to dominate, despite well-known usability and security challenges. This paper explores the evolution of user authentication technologies, from secret knowledge and tokens to biometrics and emerging approaches such as Passkeys. It critically evaluates the extent to which usability has been achieved, identifying both successes—such as biometrics integrated into smartphones—and persistent issues, including inconsistent guidance, ecosystem dependence, and accessibility barriers. Drawing on academic and commercial developments, the discussion highlights the growing burden on users who must authenticate across …

Rapid Electrochemical Biosensor With Enhanced Accuracy And Repeatability Using Pyrene Nhs Ester Modified 3d Graphene Electrodes, S. Nazir, D. Jenkins, G. Pan

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

A consistent and reproducible chemical modification of the transducer interface is essential to ensure effectiveimmobilization of bioreceptors, thereby improving the sensitivity and reproducibility of biosensors. Althoughnotable progress has been made in fabricating graphene-based biosensors, the effects of surface biofunctionalization on sensing performance remain not fully understood. This study shows that combining threedimensional (3D) graphene foam electrodes with a straightforward, single-step surface biofunctionalizationmethod is key to enhancing the performance of graphene-based biosensors. Specifically, it presents a single-stepapproach to functionalize the 3D graphene foam (Gii-Sens) with 1-pyrenebutyric acid N-hydroxysuccinimideester (Pyrene-NHS ester). Electrochemical techniques, including cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulsevoltammetry (DPV), confirmed …

From Predictions To Explanations: Explainable Ai For Autism Diagnosis And Identification Of Critical Brain Regions: 18th International Joint Conference, Biostec 2025, Kush Gupta, Amir Aly, Emmanuel Ifeachor, Rohit Shankar

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmentalcondition characterized by atypical brain maturation. However, the adaptationof transfer learning paradigms in machine learning for ASD researchremains notably limited. In this study, we propose a computeraideddiagnostic framework with two modules. This chapter presents atwo-module framework combining deep learning and explainable AI forASD diagnosis. The first module leverages a deep learning model finetunedthrough cross-domain transfer learning for ASD classification. Thesecond module focuses on interpreting the model’s decisions and identifyingcritical brain regions. To achieve this, we employed three explainableAI (XAI) techniques: saliency mapping, Gradient-weighted Class ActivationMapping, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis.This framework demonstrates that …

Diagnosing Long-Term Divergence In Build Back Better Outcomes In Low- And Lower-Middle-Income Communities, E. A. Opabola, M. Baiguera, A. Raby, T. Rossetto, A. Pomonis, E. Meilianda, Y. Idris, S. Nurdin, K. Adams, D. J. Mcgovern, N. Acikgoz, H. Mistry, F. Marafini

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Low-income communities in disaster-prone regions face persistent challenges in translating post-disaster recovery investments into sustained resilience, as they navigate trade-offs among engineering objectives, policy constraints, and evolving socio-economic needs. Despite the widespread adoption of Build Back Better (BBB) principles, evidence on the long-term sustainability of outcomes remains limited, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income contexts. This study examines the sustainability of BBB outcomes in two Indonesian case studies: Banda Aceh (approximately 18 years after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami) and Central Sulawesi (approximately 4 years after the 2018 earthquake, liquefaction, and tsunami). Drawing on structured housing assessments, household surveys, semi-structured interviews, …

Investigating The Potential For First Year Residential Field Courses To Facilitate The Establishment Of Teacher-Student Relationships In Biological Sciences Undergraduate Degrees, Anne Plessis, Alison Stokes

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Teacher-student relationships (TSRs) in higher education impact many aspects of the student experience, including engagement and performance. However, relatively little is known about the mechanisms of establishment of TSRs, and in particular how these are influenced by specific learning environments and contexts. Here, we undertake an exploratory investigation using first year biological sciences undergraduate residential field courses to examine how this teaching context affected the frequency and nature of teacher student interactions, and consequently the development of TSRs. Data were collected from teacher and student participants using questionnaires and focus groups. We found that interactions during fieldwork took place frequently …

Groundwater Spatial Variability Within An Atoll Island: Assessing Shallow Aquifer Heterogeneity With Geophysical And Physicochemical Measurements, N. I. Tobon-Velazquez, G. Masselink, T. J. O’Hare, R. Bates, F. K.J. Oberle, C. D. Storlazzi, D. C. Conley

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

This study examines the spatial variability of shallow groundwater on Dhigelaabadhoo Island using electromagnetic induction surveys, groundwater monitoring, and sediment analyses. The research reveals how variations in island morphology—such as differences in elevation, reef flat width, and sediment composition—affect the spatial distribution of groundwater lenses and the overall aquifer dynamics. Saltwater intrusion is especially pronounced in low elevated areas, with narrow reef flat plate and areas where higher hydraulic conductivity—driven by the presence of coarser sediments—is observed, whereas regions characterized by finer sediments, higher elevation, and wider reef flat plates tend to support more symmetric and less saline groundwater lenses. …

Front Pages

Oklahoma Law Review

No abstract provided.

Beyond Repeal Of Flsa Section 14(C): A Policy Path To Competitive Integrated Employment, Natalie Spear

Oklahoma Law Review

No abstract provided.

Marijuana, Marinol, And Chapter 11: The Federal Roadblock To Bankruptcy Protection, Grace Griggs

Oklahoma Law Review

No abstract provided.

Dental Age–Based Assessment Of Retromolar Morphology In Skeletal Class Iii Patients: Implications For Mandibular Third Molar Development, Thuy-Trang Thi Ho, Tu Manh Nguyen, Loc Minh Lu, Fang-Yu Fan, Ying-Sui Sun, Yang-Che Wu, Sheng-Wei Feng, Chien-Fu Tseng, Pao-Chang Chiang, I-Ta Lee

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: In skeletal Class III malocclusion, evaluation of mandibular third molar development is clinically important for orthodontic treatment planning, particularly in relation to posterior space conditions. This study aimed to assess the association between dental age of mandibular third molars and retromolar morphological characteristics in skeletal Class III patients.

Materials and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included panoramic radiographs from 157 patients diagnosed with skeletal Class III malocclusion based on clinical examination and lateral cephalometric analysis. Mandibular third molar development was evaluated using Demirjian mineralization stages (D–H), representing stages from crown completion to root maturation. Retromolar morphology was evaluated …

Synergistic Effect Of Combined Cisplatin And Rosmarinic Acid On Apoptosis And Migration Of Head And Neck Cancer Cell Lines, Suppanut Jongjitaree, Paopanga Kokilakanit

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Accuracy Outcome Of The Reconstruction Of A Total Maxillectomy Defect Assisted By Three-Dimensional Virtual Surgical Planning, Sih-Yi Wu, Cheng-Yeu Wu, Kai-Hua Lien

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Peripheral Odontogenic Keratocyst - A Case Report, Hung-Pin Lin, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Competency-Based Medical Education And Entrustable Professional Activities In Dental Education: Global Perspectives And Implications For Taiwan, Johnson Hsin-Chung Cheng, Sharon Hsuan-Jung Chen

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose:

Competency-based medical education (CBME) and entrustable professional activities (EPAs) have been adopted in medical education as frameworks to align training with real-world clinical practice. Although international dental education has begun to explore EPA-based assessment, the implementation of CBME in dentistry remains inconsistent and underdeveloped, particularly in Taiwan. This narrative review aimed to summarize global and local developments in CBME and EPAs, identify current gaps in Taiwanese dental education, and clarify the rationale for examining faculty readiness in future CBME implementation.

Materials and methods:

A narrative literature review incorporating international and Taiwan-specific sources

was conducted and thematically synthesized to …

Osteoblastogenesis Stimulation By Human Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Secretome During Maxillary Expansion, Alexander Patera Nugraha, Guang Hong, Firdaus Hariri, I Gusti Aju Wahju Ardani, Adya Pramusita, Nurul Aisyah Rizky Putranti, Nindya Rizky Anjani Marhendra, Naora Dewi Rahma Fadzila, Ananda Firman Putranto, Muhammad Luthfi, Wibi Riawan, Putri Cahaya Situmorang, Rony Abdi Syahputra, Thantrira Porntaveetus, Khairul Anuar Shariff, Nissia Ananda, Maudina Dwi Heriasti, Kotaro Tanimoto

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Maxillary expansion induced by mechanical force (MEMF) is a standard orthodontic approach for correcting transverse maxillary deficiency. The human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretome (HUCMSC-S) has the potential to stimulate accelerate bone remodeling. This study aimed to evaluate local HUCMSC-S application effect during MEMF on the expression bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2, BMP-4, BMP-7, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in a Wistar rat (Rattus norvegicus).

Materials and methods: Twenty-four healthy male Wistar rats (R. norvegicus) were randomly divided into four groups: …

Anemia, Hematinic Deficiencies, And Hyperhomocysteinemia In Gastric Parietal Cell Antibody-Positive And -Negative Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Patients, Yu-Hsueh Wu, Yi-Ping Wang, Yi-Pang Lee, Julia Yu-Fong Chang, Andy Sun, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Our previous study found the serum gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA) positivity in 12.8% of 430 recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients. This study assessed whether GPCA-positive RAS (GPCA⁺RAS) patients had significantly higher frequencies of macrocytosis, anemia, hematinic deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia than healthy control subjects or GPCA-negative RAS (GPCAˉRAS) patients.

Materials and methods: The mean corpuscular volume, blood hemoglobin (Hb), and serum iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, homocysteine, and GPCA levels were measured and compared between any two of three groups of 55 GPCA⁺RAS patients, 375 GPCAˉRAS patients, and 430 healthy control subjects.

Results: We found …

Anemia, Hematinic Deficiencies, Hyperhomocysteinemia, And Serum Gastric Parietal Cell Antibody Positivity In Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Patients With Iron Deficiency, Yi-Ping Wang, Yu-Hsueh Wu, Yi-Pang Lee, Julia Yu-Fong Chang, Andy Sun, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Our previous study found that 101 of 430 recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients have iron deficiency (ID). This study assessed whether all RAS patients with ID (so-called ID/RAS patients) had iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and evaluated whether the ID/RAS patients had significantly higher frequencies of anemia, hematinic deficiencies, hyperhomocysteinemia, and serum gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA) positivity than healthy control subjects.

Materials and methods: The blood hemoglobin (Hb) and serum iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, homocysteine, and GPCA levels in 101 ID/RAS patients and 430 healthy control subjects were measured and compared.

Results: We found that …

Experimental Investigation Into The Effects Of Air Staging On Fouling In A Fixed-Bed Biomass Combustor, Akram Elsebaie

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Biomass offers significant potential as a sustainable and renewable substitute for fossil fuels in energy generation, playing a critical role in the reduction of global warming. However, despite its environmental benefits, biomass combustion faces persistent operational challenges, particularly fouling, which reduces efficiency and increases maintenance costs. Although fouling mechanisms have been studied in various combustion systems, there is limited research which addresses its formation and behaviour in fixed-bed biomass combustors under different air staging conditions. This research investigates fouling behaviour in a counter-current combustor, focusing on the influence of design (secondary air location), operational (air staging flowrates between the primary …

Tools Used To Measure Fear Avoidance Behaviour In The Management Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (Concussion), Liam Sherwood

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Concussion can present challenges with respect to diagnosis and management. Fear avoidance behaviour and beliefs may be perpetuating factors in the clinical course of concussion. Understanding which patients may adopt such behaviours and beliefs can offer important information to allow tailoring of clinical management and implementing strategies to minimise the risk of progression to persisting post-concussion symptoms.

In this thesis, I:

-       systematically reviewed the current measurement tools used to assess fear avoidance behaviours and beliefs associated with concussion;

-       explored the experience of clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience of concussion in relation to fear avoidance behaviours;

- …

Detecting Habitat Use Of Three Endemic Freshwater Fish Of Far Southwestern Australia, Paige Rhiannon Wilson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The wetland ecosystems of far southwestern Australia face multiple threats including land clearing, historical cattle grazing, changed hydrology, extensive groundwater extraction, and changed fire regimes. Each is exacerbated by a drying climate, and together they provide a significant challenge to the on-going survival of the freshwater fish in this region particularly fish that are endemic, range restricted, and therefore, more likely to be more vulnerable. This study focuses on three such species: Galaxiella munda, Galaxiella nigrostriata and Lepidogalaxias salamandroides, the latter two of which are known to aestivate.

In order to make conservation decisions regarding management of wetlands for …

The Matusiflute: Exploring Intercultural Collaboration Through Timbral Dízi Emulation Within An Australian-Chinese Orchestral Performance Setting, Gabriel Mcmahon

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research investigates how the Matusiflute can potentially promote intercultural Sino Western collaboration within solo, chamber and orchestral settings by consciously applying technical and stylistic codes attributed to the dízi (traverse Chinese bamboo flute). Using an autoethnographic approach, I reflect on my engagement with the dízi, its morphology, timbre and stylistic interpretation, and how my pedagogical flute context impacted this approach. These learnings were then applied to the Matusiflute through two premiere performances of a commissioned intercultural work by Nicholas Ng, The Secret of the Golden Flower (2024) for Matusiflute and Chinese Orchestra. The latter being performed in a solo …

An Investigation Into The Mechanisms, Barriers, Degree And Sphere Of Risk Influence In Corporate Security, Nicola Lockhart

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study investigates the sphere of corporate security risk influence within organisations, addressing the conceptual and practical ambiguity surrounding the activity’s capacity to shape organisational decisions, behaviours, and risk priorities. While corporate security’s protective role is widely recognised, its broader organisational risk influence remains under-theorised. The study defines the sphere of risk influence as the range of organisational stakeholders and environments with which the corporate security activity interacts, and within which it may engage, persuade, and mobilise action. This sphere is analytically constituted through the intersection of three dimensions: the mechanisms through which influence is attempted, the barriers that constrain …

Getting Ready Right: The Impact And Influence Of The University Appointed Supervisor, Madlen Griffiths

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Initial Teacher Education professional experience is a valued component of teacher education courses, where preservice teachers can practise applying what they have learned at university in classroom settings. Key to these experiences are supervisors, who are employed by the university and support these aspiring teachers during their professional experiences. This supervisory role is complex, underrated, under-theorised and under researched. Consequently, this research sought to address this shortfall through an investigation into the perspectives of two of the major stakeholders in these experiences: the preservice teachers and the supervisors.

Adopting a social constructivist methodology, this research examined the stakeholders’ perceptions of …

Development Of Virtual Reality Learning Environments In Science To Engage Secondary Students In Hazardous Activities, Luke Spartalis

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research examines the need for change in including hazardous activities in education. As different learning technologies develop, platforms that retain authentic outcomes via virtual reality are needed. The main objective of this research is to examine the inclusion of Virtual Reality Learning Environments (VRLEs) to determine their value in areas that include hazardous conditions. The research considered the ways that VR tools could be optimised to support these activities, as well as considering the challenges of VRLE implementation. The study examined whether VRLE’s allowed for authentic experiences to sufficiently drive an acceptance of VR to complement existing teaching and …

The Development Of A Midwifery Specific Tool To Identify The Barriers And Enablers To Change Within The Midwifery Setting, Sara Davis

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Despite being well-positioned to identify service gaps and propose improvements, many midwives lack the knowledge, skills, confidence, or tools to effect practice change. Implementation science (IS) offers a structured approach to moving evidence-based innovations into practice; however, existing IS theories, models, and frameworks do not reflect the unique context of midwifery practice. The first step in the intentional implementation of an evidence-based practice innovation is to conduct a context assessment to identify factors that may facilitate or impede its uptake. There are numerous evidence-based checklists for this, but none capture all the influences on midwifery practice environments.

In this study, …

The Experience Of Homelessness Among Older Adults In Bhutan - A Narrative Inquiry Study, Phuntsho Om

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A shift in the demographics of homelessness started to occur in the 1900s, with a significant increase in the number of middle-aged or elderly men and women being recognised as a part of the homeless population. The rising urgent global concern of homelessness of older adults necessitates a deeper understanding of the lived experience and holistic well-being of these marginalised adults. This thesis aimed to explore the phenomenon of homelessness of older adults in Bhutan, which is an often neglected topic in both national and international gerontological research.

Employing narrative inquiry within the constructivist approach as articulated by Pino Gravidia …

The Development And Pilot Evaluation Of An Out-Of-Hospital Immersive Birthing Simulation Training Application For Paramedics And Ambulance Officers Using Virtual-Reality Technology, Michella Hill

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Out-of-hospital births (OOHBs) are births which occur outside a hospital setting. This includes planned home births attended by midwives, or unplanned OOHBs where the intention was to birth in a hospital or maternity centre, however, occurs in an unintended location. Prehospital clinicians, inclusive of registered paramedics and volunteer ambulance officers (VAOs) infrequently attend OOHBs, as most births occur in maternity wards as anticipated. OOHBs comprises < 1% of emergency ambulance requests and requires specialised skills for prehospital clinicians to competently manage birthing and potential complications. As exposure to birthing is so rare, these specialised skills and knowledge are underutilised and subject to rapid decay. Compounding the problem, obstetrics is infrequently taught across undergraduate education, in-service training, or within individual clinician’s continuing professional development. Placements shadowing midwives are scarce due to nursing and medical students receiving priority. Previous research regarding OOHBs is limited, nonetheless suggests prehospital clinicians are underprepared to manage an OOHB, which has serious patient safety implications. The present research sought to explore prehospital clinicians’ preparedness and confidence in managing OOHBs. It also investigates whether a digital training solution such as virtual reality (VR) simulation may reduce the theory-practice gap and assist in competency retention.

Publication one provides a comprehensive methodology outline which is applied to Study One; a scoping review of prehospital clinician and birth parent experiences with OOHBs. Risk factors, complications and interventions provided by prehospital clinicians, as …

Exploring Hybrid Chinese-Western Compositional Practices Based On Chinese And Western Film Soundtracks, Jie Hong Yang

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis explores the development of a hybrid Chinese-Western compositional practice for film scoring, combining a written dissertation (Volume I) with a folio of 80 minutes of original orchestral music (Volume II). Drawing on analyses of Tan Dun’s Crouching Tiger Cello Concerto (2000) and John Powell’s film score for How to Train Your Dragon (2010), the research investigates how Chinese (minzu yinyue) musical elements and Western scoring techniques can be integrated to create a culturally hybrid approach. The project unfolds in two phases: the first focuses on incorporating Chinese musical characteristics into Western frameworks, resulting in 40 minutes …

Enhancing Deep Reinforcement Learning With Expert Demonstrations For Mobile Robot Navigation In Unstructured Off-Road Environments, Dulitha Dabare

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Advancements in the field of Deep Learning has ushered in a boom in autonomous navigation research. Most of the work being conducted in this space, however, has focused on on-road urban navigation scenarios, with unstructured outdoor terrain navigation receiving much more limited attention. Given the wide range of applications that exist for legged and wheeled ground robots in off-road environments in areas such as agriculture, mining and disaster recovery, there is a growing need for research work to improve the navigational capabilities of mobile robots deployed in these challenging environments.

A promising candidate for application to these navigation challenges in …

Emotional Coding In Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’S Music: The Influence Of Text-Driven Musical Patterns, Antonio Toppi

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis investigates the phenomenon of emotional coding in the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), with particular attention to the ways in which text-driven musical patterns influence both vocal and instrumental works. The study draws on 18th-century theories of key characteristics, musical-rhetorical figures, and topoi, compositional devices that carried emotional implications for contemporary listeners. These codes are first examined in two of Mozart’s operas, Le Nozze di Figaro (KV492) and Don Giovanni (KV527), where the setting of text to music provides a framework for associating compositional choices with emotion. Findings from the analyses are then applied to three contemporaneous …