Digital Commons Network^™

Analyzing And Revivifying Function Signature Inference Using Deep Learning, Yan Lin, Trisha Singhal, Debin Gao, David Lo

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Function signature plays an important role in binary analysis and security enhancement, with typical examples in bug finding and control-flow integrity enforcement. However, recovery of function signatures by static binary analysis is challenging since crucial information vital for such recovery is stripped off during compilation. Although function signature recovery using deep learning (DL) is proposed in an effort to handle such challenges, the reported accuracy is low for binaries compiled with optimizations. In this paper, we first perform a systematic study to quantify the extent to which compiler optimizations (negatively) impact the accuracy of existing DL techniques based on Recurrent …

Better The Devil You Know: Improved Forecasts From Imperfect Models, Dong Hwan Oh, Andrew John Patton

Research Collection School Of Economics

Many important economic decisions are based on a parametric forecasting model that is known to be good but imperfect. We propose methods to improve out-of-sample forecasts from a misspecified model by estimating its parameters using a form of local M estimation (thereby nesting local OLS and local MLE), drawing on information from a state variable that is correlated with the misspecification of the model. We theoretically consider the forecast environments in which our approach is likely to offer improvements over standard methods, and we find significant forecast improvements from applying the proposed method across four distinct empirical analyses including volatility …

The Role Of Voluntary Descending Control In Enhancing Motor Function Via Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation, Yoon Kim

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-changing event that causes lasting motor impairments. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), a non-invasive form of neuromodulation in which electrodes are placed on the skin and used to stimulate the spinal circuits via an electrical current, has demonstrated positive effects on motor function recovery in individuals who have had SCIs. However, the precise mechanism of how tSCS interacts with voluntary descending drive remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the role of voluntary descending control in influencing reflex responses triggered by tSCS.

Electromyography (EMG) recordings were performed in ten unimpaired individuals while they …

Development Of A Wearable Short-Wave Infrared Photoplethysmography Device For Detection And Monitoring Of Hemodilution During Postpartum Hemorrhage, Hannah Gruensfelder

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS

A Thesis on the Development of a Wearable Short-Wave Infrared Photoplethysmography Device for Detection and Monitoring of Hemodilution During Postpartum Hemorrhage

by

Hannah Gruensfelder

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Washington University in St. Louis, 2024

Professor Christine O’Brien, Chair

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal death and morbidity, affects nearly 14 million people worldwide each year, disproportionally impacting racial minorities and people in low resource settings. A timely diagnosis of PPH is key in providing optimal patient care, as an estimated 90% of deaths due to PPH are preventable with early diagnosis and …

Conceptualizing "Systemically Important Technological Institutions" As Too Big To Fail Entities: Moving The Insolvency Goal Post, M. P. Ram Mohan, Sai Muralidhar K.

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

No abstract provided.

The Naked Truth: Policy On Tackling The Std Crisis Among Young Adults In Louisiana, Chijindu Eke, Matthew Kelley, Madeline Barclay

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

No abstract provided.

Adolescent Development Unconsidered - Facts Related To Youth In The Adult Criminl Legal System, Stephen Phillippi

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

After three administrations, including republican and democrat leadership, and over two-decades of bi-partisan justice reform, Louisiana has elected to likely return to a time when we were known as the incarceration capital of the world. There were numerous reasons for the reforms that happened, including federal lawsuits, supreme court rulings, new evidence of what works in juvenile justice, and a renewed focus on community programs to support youth and families (both victims and delinquent youth). These reforms focused on increasing public safety, improving outcomes, being more developmentally responsive, and responsibly lowering reliance on incarceration. The commentary that follows is solely …

Super Mario Evolution By The Augmentation Of Topology, Russell A. Autin

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This paper describes the creation and development of an implementation of the NeuroEvolution of Augmenting Topologies (NEAT) architecture to train an agent to play Super Mario Brothers. Building off of a basic implementation of NEAT, this thesis project shows the process of refining the fitness calculation that ranks the networks in the population and also defines the creation and application of a dataset to train the agent. The use of a dataset to train an agent is a novel idea in the world of reinforcement learning because, generally, reinforcement learning trains an agent to complete a singular task like the …

Chemical Composition, Fate, And Toxicity Of Dissolved Hydrocarbon Oxidation Products In High Latitude Aquatic Environments, Maxwell Louis Harsha

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Oil spilled in aquatic environments undergoes abiotic and biotic oxidation processes that produce hydrocarbon oxidation products (HOPs). HOPs rapidly diffuse in the water column, persisting and readily bioavailable to aquatic organisms. Characterizing HOPs is challenging because most of the mixture resides in the unresolved complex mixture (UCM). Understanding of the formation, fate, and toxicity of HOPs in high latitude environments remains limited. This research addresses these gaps through a comprehensive experimental approach, utilizing various analytical techniques including nonvolatile dissolved organic carbon (NVDOC) analysis, ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectroscopy. Additionally, …

Community Benefits Awareness Presentations, Marlene Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Socioeconomic disadvantage significantly impacts educational outcomes, with 81% of Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) Alternative Education program students facing economic hardships. Serving youth in grades 9-12 and adults in Monterey County, including those within the county jail and juvenile facilities, the MCOE Alternative Education program strives to facilitate high school diploma attainment. This project sought to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding the Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs benefit programs through presentations shared within the MCOE community and partner agencies. A partnership between MCOE and the Monterey County Department of Social Services (MCDSS) was established to further this goal. The anticipated …

Implementing An Enhanced Care Management Program Serving Post-Incarcerated Individuals, Brianna Tome

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The post-incarcerated population has poor health and social outcomes in San Benito and Santa Clara counties. Youth Recovery Connections is a nonprofit organization serving individuals with substance use disorders, gang, and justice involved individuals. The Enhanced Care Management program was implemented in the organization with the addition of serving post-incarcerated individuals. Contributing factors that lead to negative health outcomes include lack of case managers with lived experience, lack of self management skills, and instability of care transitions. Consequences that can arise from these factors include increased healthcare costs, recidivism, and lack of stable housing. The identified consequences cause negative health …

Benefits Of Alternative Assessment For College Students’ Academic Success And Mental Well-Being, Calista Gabriel

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Assessments play an imperative role in evaluating a student’s knowledge within the classroom. Traditionally, educators have relied on traditional assessments to measure students’ comprehension of course material. However, in contemporary education, there has been a shift towards alternative assessments for a variety of reasons. This senior capstone research project examines students’ and professors’ perspectives and how alternative assessments could affect them. Through the use of literature review, surveys with professors and students, and interviews, the findings underscore the importance of integrating alternative assessments in educational practices, not only for enhancing students’ academic success, but also for nurturing their mental well-being.

Food Literacy And Applying Learnings Towards English Literacy, Andrew Wirtz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Food Literacy promotes the way people should consciously think about the food we ingest on a day-to-day basis. This paper explores how teachers can positively teach students how to be literate when it comes to food and how students can apply these learnings towards their English subject matter skills. This paper also explores how children from all economic backgrounds seek out highly processed foods (such as fast food) which are filled with various chemicals and additives, which in turn, can affect students' performance within the classroom in an negative manner.

Fueling Performance: Tailored Nutrition Strategies For Female Athletes, Capri Pezzella

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project aims to explore the unique nutritional considerations for female athletes, with a focus on optimizing performance and addressing specific physiological needs. Through comprehensive research, the project will identify strategies for optimizing iron intake to prevent anemia, managing calcium and vitamin D for bone health, and addressing menstrual cycle-related changes in energy expenditure and nutrient needs. Practical recommendations will be made to help female athletes maximize their potential and support their overall health.

Parenting A Child Who Has An Autistic Sibling: Effects On Adjustment And Mental Health, Jess Del Mundo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on informing parents about the challenges and needs of siblings of children with autism. Parenting is a profound and meaningful responsibility, and having children with special needs adds to this daunting job. It is imperative for parents to nurture the development and awareness of all of their children, both neurodivergent and neurotypical. This workshop will give parents the tools to navigate this responsibility. I developed a workshop that first informs parents about the positive outcomes for children who have siblings with autism, such as higher levels of empathy and compassion. Second, I will address the challenges …

"Say What You Can't" By Nick Oliveri, Nicholas Oliveri

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

As a writer, Yeorbin both benefited from and competed against artificial intelligence. He shivered a bit but maintained a painful interest in what the video had to say. He thought it ironic that computer scientists were some of the first ones to suffer from artificial intelligence’s jet sweep of human labor. They’re supposed to be the anointed ones. Software engineers are supposed to be the ones with the guaranteed jobs. What’s happening?

Sonidos De Aztlán: A Historical Analysis Of Chicano Music, Alejandro Gomez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This paper analyzes music made primarily by Chicanos in the U.S. and social movements that the music was a part of. Case studies include the Zoot Suit Riots, the Delano Grape Strike, The Chicano Movement, Tejano/Conjunto and Tex-Mex, Narcocorridos, and the Chicanx Renaissance.

Effects Of Bullying On Elementary School Students, Deivid Joel Perez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In the United States there are many schools, no matter the grade level, who still to this day struggle with dealing with bullies in their schools. This is something that is very concerning especially at the elementary level due to the fact that they are experiencing very strong emotions at a young age. With this in mind, school members such as teachers and administrators need to come up with a solution to resolve or lower the chances students get bullied at their schools. Research has shown that bullying greatly affects students in many different ways that many wouldn't really think. …

Reimagining Inclusion: Shaping The Future Of Special Education Engagement, Sulema Fernandez-Castillo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

For this Capstone Project, the researchers investigated how special education teachers, general education teachers, and a behavioral technician at Landscape Elementary view student engagement and what they think could be done to improve it. This is important because students with special needs deserve quality education that revolves around equity. It is argued that special education teachers require increased support that empowers them to effectively engage students and promote their learning. The primary stakeholder perspectives chosen were three general education teachers, two special education teachers, and one behavioral technician, because they all have experience in working with students with special needs. …

Self-Care Techniques To Decrease Special Education Teacher Burnout, Carrie Frost

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focal topic of my capstone project is special education teacher burnout and how self-care techniques can reduce the likelihood of chronic stress and burnout. The challenges of being a special education teacher include but are not limited to, various disabilities and behaviors, lack of classroom and administration support, and overall management. Research conducted by Emery and Vandenberg (2010) stated that special education teachers often experience burnout, which commonly leads to employee attrition. Burnout and the personal stress that comes with it are the biggest contributors to the shortage of qualified special educators throughout the United States. Their challenges involve …

The Good, The Bad, And The In Between: The Effects Of Covid-19 And Remote Learning, Samantha Anastasio

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This Capstone Project delves into the perspectives of Bay High School teachers regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning on students' education. Through a thorough analysis of interviews and relevant research, the study aims to address and mitigate the learning setbacks experienced by students during this challenging period. With a focus on the two-year learning gap caused by remote learning and school closures, the researchers highlight the significance of understanding teachers' firsthand experiences and insights. They argue that the implementation of effective tutoring programs emerges as the most promising approach to bridge the education gap and support …

Bullying Prevention In A Preschool Setting, Audrey Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on anti-bullying and bullying prevention in early childhood education settings. Bullying is something that plagues schools across America. However, bullying in an early education setting can be difficult to distinguish because it can be misinterpreted as children discovering how to express negative emotions. According to Saracho (2016), preventing bullying in a preschool setting is important because it is a child’s first social environment outside the home. Educating children on bullying and how to prevent it in an early education setting is important because this is their first experience with peers and potential conflicts amongst these peers. …

Informing Adolescents About Potential Internet Risks And Tools For Safely Navigating Online Spaces, Rhiannon Jean Elliot

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on digital safety for adolescents who have already been or are accessing online spaces for the first time. Adolescents today have been growing up in the age of technology and are likely to have had access to digital devices, such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles, from a much younger age than previous generations. Today, 96% of teens in the U.S. say they use the internet daily, with about 95% of teens reporting having a smartphone (Faverio & Sidoti, 2024). With adolescents accessing the internet more often, they must understand the risks they may encounter …

Addressing Food Insecurity Among College Students, Serena Plares

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In this capstone project, the focal topic was food insecurity and food assistance with the target population being college students attending California State University Monterey Bay. This demographic includes a diverse group of young adults from various socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures. Food insecurity is rampant across our country, county, and college campuses. It impacts families and individuals of all backgrounds and there is a need for knowledge pertaining to this topic and affordable, nutritious food access and resources. One in three children and one in four adults are affected by food scarcity in Monterey County and thirty-four percent of county …

The Vital Role Of School Bus Drivers In Supporting Students With Special Needs, Georgina Solano Zepeda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project addressed the challenges faced by new and experienced bilingual school bus drivers who transport special education students. According to the California Department of Education, transportation must be provided at no cost to those special education students ages 3-21 who are eligible as part of related services. The training for school bus drivers typically covers safe driving, vehicle operation, and basic student management. However, they often receive minimal or no specialized training to work with students with special needs. California had an estimated 38,000 school bus drivers in 2020, making it one of the states with the highest …

The Need For Mental Health Resources In Migrant Farm Working Families, Juliana Cecilia Garcia

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of my capstone project is on providing mental health resources for migrant workers and their families. Language barriers and cultural differences are a big obstacle for these parents. Because of this, it is hard for parents to seek help. Language barriers can make communicating one’s struggles with healthcare providers difficult. These topics can be difficult for anyone to put into words, but it’s especially challenging for those who may not speak the same language as the healthcare professional. Per my experience cultural and language barriers are a big obstacle these families face. This could be because they can …

Emotional Self-Regulation In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Evan Moring

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this project is teaching 2nd and 3rd-grade children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) how to develop emotional regulation skills. Emotion regulation is the ability to evaluate and change one’s emotional state in the moment. The problem is that these students have difficulty with emotion regulation and frequently experience emotional outbursts. An emotional outburst could be a child throwing a toy across the classroom because the teacher asked them to stay seated at their desk over three times. The child does not realize they cannot throw toys across the classroom. This happens because children with ASD cannot always …

Mental Health And The Well-Being Of Adolescents, Janeice Pamuspusan

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project focuses on adolescents’ mental health and well-being. Before the age of twenty-five 70% of mental health disorders start to develop which is why it’s important to teach adolescents ways to improve their mental well-being along with the signs of mental disorders (Kutcher et al., 2008). According to the World Health Organization, many of those adolescents' mental health conditions go unrecognized or untreated. Those illnesses often go unrecognized and untreated because of the stigma that follows mental health including cultural differences. Because of those differences, many adolescents will go into adulthood still struggling with their mental well-being and …

Implementing Anti-Bias Curriculum In The Kindergarten Classroom, Ariana Gonzalez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The capstone project will be centered on teaching about diversity and inclusion to four to five-year-old children in a predominantly Latino elementary school. There is a lack of cultural, racial, and family representation in the early childhood curriculum which makes it difficult for some students to establish their identity and sense of belonging in school. The lack of diverse representations also makes it difficult to instill compassion, kindness, and empathy in multicultural and other diverse settings. To help with the problem, the installation of an anti-bias curriculum can lead to the creation of a community that supports all dimensions of …

Bullying Behaviors In Middle School Special Education Settings, Maria Teresa Reyes

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Middle school students with learning disabilities face a higher risk of being targets of bullying compared to their peers without learning disabilities due to challenges in developing social skills. Bullying behaviors peak at the age of 14, potentially inflicting lasting psychological harm and endangering the student's well being into adulthood. The lack of clearly defining bullying leads to uncertainty amongst students on identifying bullying behaviors thus many bullying incidents being unreported by the victims or their peers. For this study, the participants for this project consisted of middle school students aged 10 to 14 years old, grades 6 to 8, …