Digital Commons Network^™

China Airlines Flight 006, A Case Study Using The Hfacs Framework, Gavin Weinheimer, Brain Zhou

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is an accident analysis framework that helps accident investigators to systematically process information. The HFACS framework focuses on human errors both on the frontline IE pilots, flight attendants and maintenance personnel; and higher up in the organizational chain with management all the way up to the chief pilot and CEO. Using this framework the China Airlines flight 006 incident will be analyzed to better understand not just what happened but why the flight crew was unprepared for the engine failure and how to avoid possible future incidents of this nature. Findings of …

The Rhetoric Of Airline Safety After Major Incidents, Martyna Wojcik

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Airline accidents are pivotal events that not only test the safety frameworks of the aviation industry but also challenge how airlines manage their public image. Rhetoric by airlines in the wake of major incidents plays a vital role in setting public perception about airline safety and corporate accountability. Airlines respond differently to accidents and use different strategies to manage public perception, influenced by whether the crash stemmed from human error or technical failure. This research investigates three study cases: the Germanwings Flight 9525, Lion Air Flight 610, and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashes for interpreting how airlines frame crisis discourse …

Cerpa: A Cost-Effective Retarding Potential Analyzer For Cubesat And Sounding Rocket Platforms, Megan Soll, Johnathon Bizzano, Harley Goulet, Ethan Fajardo

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Understanding plasma dynamics in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is critical for atmospheric studies and space mission planning. Retarding Potential Analyzers (RPAs) provide valuable plasma diagnostics by measuring ion energy distributions, offering broader plasma state characterization compared to Langmuir probes, albeit with some trade-offs in precision. This senior design project aims to develop a cost-effective RPA (CERPA) that is rapidly producible and multi platform optimized for CubeSats, sounding rockets, and laboratory plasma chambers. This effort builds on the existing Mid-Area RPA from Plasma Controls, with a focus on developing a new electrical system and miniaturizing the sensor body to meet spaceflight …

Quantifying Lora Telemetry Performance: Best Practices For Long-Range, High-Speed Communication In Versatile Systems, With A Focus On Avionics, Samuil Nikolov

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This research aims to systematically quantify the performance of a custom-built RF flight computer utilizing the 433 MHz HAM radio band with the LoRa protocol. Having demonstrated reliable high-speed telemetry at 15 Hz in a real-world flight environment—far exceeding the capabilities of commercial alternatives—this system presents a unique opportunity to establish best practices for optimizing LoRa communication in extreme conditions. The study focuses on evaluating various antenna configurations and transmission parameters to determine their impact on range, bandwidth, and signal integrity. By conducting controlled range tests and flight experiments, we will assess how well the Free-Space Path Loss (FSPL) equation …

Comparative Analysis And Integration Of Sustainable Fire-Resistant Building Materials For Homes, Aubrey Fixen, Zachary Santiso, Toriahna Thomas

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The intensity of wildfires in California has increased and led to deterioration of the environment, loss of life and property, and economic concerns due to reconstruction costs and disaster relief efforts. Hence, further study into sustainable fire-resistant building materials for homes is becoming necessary. This research aims to develop a strategy for incorporating sustainable fire resistant materials into building practices in wildfire-prone areas in Los Angeles County, California, as this community has been greatly impacted by the wildfire. To explore this issue, the “Courthouse" sustainability model is used as a framework to analyze and understand the problem, providing insight into …

Cooperative Aerial And Ground Vehicles Experimental Testbed, Javier Robinson, Harrison A. Zimmermann

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Heterogeneous multi-agent systems is an emerging area of research in autonomous vehicles due to the unique potential of vehicles with distinct roles to improve efficiency and adaptability. While significant theoretical work exists, most experimental research focuses on cooperation among identical vehicles. The Cooperative Aerial and Ground Vehicle Experimental Testbed (CAGE) seeks to address this gap by developing a platform for testing cooperation between two distinct vehicle models: Bitcraze’s Crazyflie 2.1 quadcopters and K-Team’s Khepera IV ground robots. CAGE includes an enclosed physical environment for safe experimentation with the vehicles, and will grow to include a software library for managing coordination …

Inferring Compositions Of Marine Litter Windrows In Near-Coastal Florida Using Multispectral Indices, Alyssandra Lanese

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Marine litter windrows are accumulations of floating material at the sea surface that form under calm conditions. When these windrows become large enough, their presence can be detected in satellite imagery under clear-sky conditions. Windrows may be comprised of natural material including driftwood, algae, foam, or mucilage, anthropogenic pollution such as plastic, or some combination of these. Identifying and differentiating these types of floating debris is a challenge without in-situ observations. Here, we apply various multispectral indices such as the Adjusted Floating Algae Index (AFAI) to imagery of windrows near Florida that were identified with the Windrows Spectral Index (WSI). …

Brayton's Rejects' Uncrewed Aircraft Wildfire Transport, Karly Thrower, Barton Rice, J Kyle Barger, Mark Raia, James Jay, Thomas Daire

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This proposal presents the design of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) created by Brayton's Rejects' engineering students to enhance supply delivery in wildfire zones. The mission is to deliver critical supplies to frontline firefighting crews, such as food, water, and fuel, within six hours. The selected quadcopter design features four T-Motor U15II electric motors paired with Austar T6318 propellers to produce the necessary thrust for vertical takeoff and level flight, offering a balance of agility, payload capacity, and ease of maintenance. The UAS's hybrid power system incorporates lithium-sulfur batteries and superconducting technologies to optimize energy efficiency and extend operational durability. …

Building Capacity And Inspiring Change: The Impact Of Louisiana’S Ucedd Across The Lifespan, Alicia Kowitz, Constance Alphonse, Phil Wilson, Maria Blanco

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Human Development Center (HDC), as the state’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), serves as a catalyst for inclusive systems change through interdisciplinary training, community engagement, and evidence-based service delivery. This manuscript highlights the breadth and impact of HDC’s initiatives across early childhood, education, transition, and community inclusion. Through programs such as Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood, PAYCheck, and LEND, HDC builds capacity among professionals, empowers individuals with disabilities and their families, and strengthens systems to be more responsive and equitable. The stories and outcomes shared illustrate how intentional, collaborative efforts …

Nexa, Caleb Fakunle, Azhari Abbas

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

NEXA is an artificial intelligence software platform developed to enhance residential security and property monitoring through seamless integration with autonomous drone systems. This research application of advanced AI in surveillance aims to create a standalone solution capable of real-time threat detection and intelligent alert management. By processing visual and sensory data, NEXA facilitates autonomous drone operation with minimal human intervention. Secure communication channels ensure that instant alerts are delivered to property owners and, potentially, law enforcement, improving response times in security incidents, search-and-rescue operations, and perimeter surveillance. Additionally, NEXA is capable of interfacing with commercially available drone platforms and presents …

Advancing Laser Communication For Mars Orbital Missions, Om Acharya, Vedant Tyagi

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The increasing complexity of Mars exploration missions necessitates high-bandwidth, low latency communication systems. Traditional radio frequency (RF) communication is constrained by bandwidth limitations and high power consumption, making laser-based optical communication a promising alternative. This study examines the feasibility of implementing laser communication for Mars orbital missions, emphasizing key technological components such as pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) systems, relay satellite networks, and optical amplification techniques. We analyze challenges such as beam alignment, spacecraft jitter, and atmospheric interference while exploring mitigation strategies, including adaptive optics and precise beam-steering mechanisms. Case studies of NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD), ILLUMA-T, and …

Pa 146: What Is Clear, What Is Fuzzy, And What Should We Do Next?, Jenelle Williams, Nicole Peterson

Michigan Reading Journal

Michigan’s Public Act 146 (PA 146), the state’s K–12 Literacy and Dyslexia Law, establishes new requirements for screening, evidence-based instruction, structured literacy practices, professional learning, and strengthened multi-tiered systems of support to improve reading outcomes. While the law provides detailed and prescriptive guidance for elementary schools—particularly regarding decoding-focused instruction aligned to the science of reading, universal screening, and intervention planning—its implications for grades 4–12 are less clearly defined. This article examines what is explicit in the legislation, what remains open to interpretation in secondary contexts, and how districts can move forward strategically as they prepare for full implementation by 2027–2028. …

Elementary Students’ Perceptions Of Peers As Audience, Christina N. Lorelli

Michigan Reading Journal

Abstract

This pilot study, grounded in sociocultural theory, humanizing pedagogy, and dialogic theory, examines how fourth-grade students perceive their peers as their primary audience. It explores how writing becomes a social and relational act that enhances purpose, voice, and identity. As a teacher-researcher in a rural Pennsylvania district, I collaborated with other teachers to build a community of writers as students shared, discussed, and received feedback on their work. Responsive surveys with students revealed key themes: 1. Sharing writing with peers boosts student motivation and involvement; 2. their writing becomes more meaningful, fostering a sense of ownership; and 3. quality …

From Talk To Science Literacy: Using Structured Student Talk To Support Newcomer Multilingual Learners In High School, Matthew W. De Boer, Rui Niu-Cooper

Michigan Reading Journal

Newcomer multilingual learners (MLs) often experience significant barriers to oral participation in secondary classrooms, despite the central role of talk in language development, academic learning, and community belonging. Research indicates that while comprehension skills may continue to develop, opportunities for structured oral expression are frequently limited, particularly in teacher-led instructional settings. This article examines how intentional Structured Student Talk (SST) routines can support newcomer MLs in transitioning from classroom silence to meaningful participation. Drawing on interactionist theories of language development, cognitive load theory, and affective filter research, the article argues that oral language must be explicitly scaffolded within content instruction …

Full Issue: Volume 58, No. 3

Michigan Reading Journal

No abstract provided.

Classifying Equal Protection, The Ada, And Physical Disabilities: Why The Court Should Apply Heightened Scrutiny To Physical Disabilities And Reconsider Its Decision In City Of Cleburne V. Cleburne Living Center, Alek D. Hedlund

Liberty University Law Review

The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment provides a constitutional check on state governments when a state statute or action classifies a group of individuals based on certain characteristics. Courts typically scrutinize a discriminatory state statute based on the type of class that it discriminates against, weighing the statute against the government interest and the statute’s relation to the asserted government interest.

In City of Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Center, the United States Supreme Court applied rational basis review to a city ordinance that discriminated based on mental disabilities. Courts following Cleburne have used its rationale to apply …

Systems And Methods For Detecting Silent Backward-Incompatible Api Contract Drift Using Runtime Structural-Semantic Fingerprints, Harsh Agrawal, Isha Navanath Shinde

Defensive Publications Series

A computer-implemented method for detecting silent backward-incompatible application programming interface (API) contract drift includes receiving API interaction data from one or more sources in a production environment, where the API interaction data includes request and response payloads for one or more API endpoints. The method includes normalizing the request and response payloads into structured representations and generating runtime structural-semantic fingerprints from the normalized payloads, where each fingerprint encodes field presence, field absence, hierarchical path structure, type signatures, nullability indicators, enumeration membership, and cross-field relationships. The method includes learning endpoint-specific behavioral invariants from historical API traffic, where the behavioral invariants capture …

Graph Based Context Ingestion And Automated Risk Identification Engine, Kautilay Siingh, Sanjeev Murthy, Shreyas Kc, Brianna Rezler, Aishwarya Hariharan Athreya

Defensive Publications Series

Systems and methods are provided for a risk identification and generation engine that performs security architecture analysis in a standardized manner. The engine automatically populates security questionnaires within a security architecture workflow and determines whether a feature requires a minor assessment or a detailed analysis. The engine generates dataflow and architecture diagrams, provides editing capabilities through drag‑and‑drop operations, and enables creation of additional diagrams. Threat models are generated using application context to identify security flaws at the design stage. The system stores design and technical security requirements, application details including summaries, APIs, and implemented controls, as well as records of …

Elastomeric Cowling For Pcb Connectors, Robert Hrabchak, Alberto Cavallaro, Ethan Hoying

Defensive Publications Series

Traditional metal cowlings for board‑to‑board connectors in electronic devices may add mass and occupy internal volume. These assemblies often rely on foam compression and multiple screws, which may lead to unpredictable retention forces and increased assembly complexity. Elastomeric retention assembly hardware is disclosed to secure connectors between a flexible circuit and a printed circuit board. The assembly includes an elastomeric band anchored by rigid bars to retention brackets on the circuit board. A stiffener with a convex, parabolic profile is positioned between the elastomer and the connector. This curved geometry facilitates a uniform distribution of downward force across the connector …

Agent-Orchestrated Apparel Curation With Generative Ai-Based Visual Assessment, Sneha Kudli, Lakshmi Kumar Dabbiru

Defensive Publications Series

Some online fashion commerce experiences can be fragmented and labor-intensive, while certain human-led stylist services may lack scalability and real-time adaptability. A system and method are described for a personal shopper agent that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automate apparel curation. The agent can synthesize a user's explicit preferences and implicit behavioral data to create a style blueprint. It may then query one or more product inventories for candidate items and use generative AI to produce virtual try-on images of these items on a user's three-dimensional body model. The agent can programmatically assess these images for fit and style to …

Addressable User Interface Via Natural Language Mapping Of Graphical Elements, N/A, N/A

Defensive Publications Series

Traditional graphical user interfaces are characterized by complex navigation paths that require users to traverse multiple menus and elements to complete tasks. The implementation of natural language control for such interfaces typically requires the development of dedicated application programming interface (API) layers for every supported function. These layers are resource-intensive to build and maintain. This disclosure describes a method for enabling natural language control of existing web-based interfaces without new API development. A mapping of user interface journeys is first generated in a codified language that describes specific document object model (DOM) interactions. This mapping is provided to a large …

Assessing Media Literacy Competence In Secondary Education: Towards A Rubric Based On A Systematic Review, Steijn Jan Van Der Craats, Jason Simon, Romy Andrieu, Bo Sichterman, Stan Van Ginkel

Journal of Media Literacy Education Pre-Prints

Developing media literacy competence is an essential objective in secondary education. However, a validated instrument aimed to encourage the development of media literacy amongst students formatively is lacking hitherto. This review aims to identify relevant studies on media literacy competence or components thereof and their assessment strategies. Further, this study synthesizes these findings into a set of principles for constructing a formative assessment instrument fostering media literacy competence. Seventeen publications from the last 15 years were selected through a systematic search in scientific databases. All studies were categorized concerning crucial characteristics of assessment instruments. Furthermore, the synthesis of this study …

Intent Gravity Engines, Johny Manuel-Devadoss, Joanna Johnson, Jayden Jack Johnson

Defensive Publications Series

Contemporary recommendation architectures optimize short-horizon behavioral objectives such as click-through rate, retention, conversion probability, watch-time maximization, and engagement persistence. While these systems achieve high efficiency in immediate interaction optimization, they systematically fail to model longitudinal human development, identity continuity, aspiration stabilization, and temporally coherent cognitive evolution. Existing recommender systems operate under an implicit assumption that preferences are stationary or slowly drifting latent variables inferable from interaction sequences. This assumption becomes increasingly invalid in high-dimensional socio-cognitive environments where users are not static consumers but dynamically evolving agents whose identities emerge through recursive interactions between cognition, social exposure, emotional state transitions, epistemic …

May 2026 President's Corner, Jacqueline Brellenthin

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Bylaws Committee Mid-Year Report 2025-26, Cecilia Genereux

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Communications Committee Midyear Report 2025-26, Betsey Appleton

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Communications Committee Annual Report 2025-26, Betsey Appleton

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Conference Planning Committee Mid-Year Report 2025-26, Amy Carlson

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Conference Proceedings Mid-Year Report 2025-26, Marie Peeples

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Conference Proceedings Mid-Year Report 2025-26, Marie Peeples

NASIG Newsletter

No abstract provided.