Digital Commons Network^™

Ivyapc: Auditable Generalized Payment Channels, Ming Li, Yuxian Li, Jian Weng, Yingjiu Li, Jiasi Weng, Junzuo Lai, Robert H. Deng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Payment channels are a cornerstone of a scalable blockchain infrastructure that enables transacting parties to lock assets on the blockchain and perform rapid off-chain updates with minimal latency and overhead. These protocols dramatically reduce on-chain interaction and improve throughput, with blockchain consensus only invoked in the event of disputes or final closure. While widely adopted in single-chain settings—such as in the Lightning Network for Bitcoin—existing constructions have several limitations, in particular they suffer from at least one of the following limitations: 1. No cross-chain. They do not enable fast trading of assets that reside on multiple isolated blockchains. 2. Non-optimal …

How Developers Interact With Ai: A Taxonomy Of Human-Ai Collaboration In Software Engineering, Christoph Treude, Marco A. Gerosa

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Artificial intelligence (AI), including large language models and generative AI, is emerging as a significant force in software development, offering developers powerful tools that span the entire development lifecycle. Although software engineering research has extensively studied AI tools in software development, the specific types of interactions between developers and these AI-powered tools have only recently begun to receive attention. Understanding and improving these interactions has the potential to enhance productivity, trust, and efficiency in AI-driven workflows. In this paper, we propose a taxonomy of interaction types between developers and AI tools, identifying eleven distinct interaction types, such as auto-complete code …

One-For-All: Towards Universal Domain Translation With A Single Stylegan, Yong Du, Jiahui Zhan, Xinzhe Li, Junyu Dong, Sheng Chen, Ming-Hsuan Yang, Shengfeng He

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper, we propose a novel translation model, UniTranslator, for transforming representations between visually distinct domains under conditions of limited training data and significant visual differences. The main idea behind our approach is leveraging the domain-neutral capabilities of CLIP as a bridging mechanism, while utilizing a separate module to extract abstract, domain-agnostic semantics from the embeddings of both the source and target realms. Fusing these abstract semantics with target-specific semantics results in a transformed embedding within the CLIP space. To bridge the gap between the disparate worlds of CLIP and StyleGAN, we introduce a new non-linear mapper, the CLIP2P …

Dual Operation Aggregation Graph Neural Networks For Solving Flexible Job-Shop Scheduling Problem With Reinforcement Learning, Peng Zhao, You Zhou, Di Wang, Zhiguang Cao, Yubin Xiao, Xuan Wu, Yuanshu Li, Hongjia Liu, Wei Du, Yuan Jiang, Liupu Wang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

With the widespread adoption of Internet Protocol (IP) communication technology and web-based platforms, cloud manufacturing has become a significant hallmark of Industry 4.0. Integrating graph algorithms into these web-enabled environments is crucial as they facilitate the representation and analysis of complex relationships in manufacturing processes, enabling efficient decision-making and adaptability in dynamic environments. As a key scheduling problem in cloud manufacturing, the flexible job-shop scheduling problem (FJSP) finds extensive applications in real-world scenarios. However, traditional FJSP-solving methods struggle to meet the efficiency and adaptability demands of cloud manufacturing due to generalization issues and excessive computational time, while reinforcement learning-based methods …

Minimum Multi-Service Fleet Size Problem: Shareability Graph And Network Flow Approach, Dingtong Yang, Yubin Liu, Hai Wang, Jinhua Zhao, Hamsa Balakrishnan

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

On-demand, vehicle-based services—such as ride-hailing, food, grocery, and parcel delivery—have become ubiquitous over the past decade. These services can be categorized into four types (Sun et al., 2023): passenger mobility, goods delivery, information acquisition (e.g., probe vehicle for traffic conditions), and mobile server (e.g., vehicle displaying advertisements). Passenger mobility and goods delivery are typically fulfilled by separate fleets, each dedicated to a single service. However, if various services can be pooled and handled simultaneously by a multi-functional fleet while maintaining service quality, the total number of required vehicles and overall vehicle mileage could be significantly reduced. This exciting potential motivates …

Alphaedit: Null-Space Constrained Knowledge Editing For Language Models, Junfeng Fang, Houcheng Jiang, Kun Wang, Yunshan Ma, Jie Shi, Xiang Wang, Xiangnan He, Tat‑Seng Chua

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Large language models (LLMs) often exhibit hallucinations, producing incorrector outdated knowledge. Hence, model editing methods have emerged to enabletargeted knowledge updates. To achieve this, a prevailing paradigm is the locatingthen-editing approach, which first locates influential parameters and then edits themby introducing a perturbation. While effective, current studies have demonstrated that this perturbation inevitably disrupt the originally preserved knowledge within LLMs, especially in sequential editing scenarios. To address this, we introduce AlphaEdit, a novel solution that projects perturbation onto the null space of the preserved knowledge before applying it to the parameters. We theoretically prove that this projection ensures the output …

Scuzer: A Scheduling Optimization Fuzzer For Tvm, Xiangxiang Chen, Xingwei Lin, Jingyi Wang, Jun Sun, Jiashui Wang, Wenhai Wang

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The concept of Deep Learning (DL) compiler was proposed to deploy DL models more efficiently on diverse hardware through optimization techniques. As one of the most popular DL compilers, TVM incorporates three levels (high-level, schedule, and low-level) of optimizations, which can inadvertently introduce code logic bugs and build failure bugs. Among these optimizations, scheduling optimization is the core component of DL compilers, which ensures the acceleration of models on all devices. However, the existing works only focus on the testing of high-level and low-level optimizations in TVM, fail to take the most important and challenging intermediate scheduling optimization layer into …

April 2025 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Measurement Of Groundwater And Contaminant Fluxes In Fractures Using A Combined System Of Passive Flux Meter And Multiport Sampler, Qasim Raza Khan

Dissertations

Groundwater and contaminant movement in fractured rock aquifers is highly variable. Its dependence on fracture apertures and orientation as well as fracture network interconnectivity is not well understood. This poses a challenge to the measurement of groundwater and contaminant fluxes, especially when using open-hole techniques, which significantly alter natural flow conditions by connecting different fractures along an open borehole or a well. Hence, downhole techniques to directly measure groundwater fluxes and map fractures' locations, orientations, and apertures are considered valuable tools. In this work, the use of Fractured Rock Passive Flux Meter (FRPFM) with invisible tracer and visible dye component …

Overcoming Motor Imagery Bci Illiteracy: Adaptive Decoding And Knowledge Transfer In Eeg-Based Brain-Computer Interfaces, Zaid Shuqfa

Dissertations

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), also known as brain–machine interfaces (BMIs), enable direct communication between the brain and external devices without the involvement of peripheral nerves or muscles. Among various BCI paradigms, motor imagery (MI)–based BCIs are particularly appealing due to their intuitive, cue-independent nature, allowing users to issue control commands at will. MI–BCIs hold substantial promise for improving the quality of life of individuals with motor impairments, as well as enhancing hands-free control for healthy users. However, their widespread adoption remains limited by challenges such as low signal-to-noise ratio, inter- and intra-subject variability, and the need for frequent calibration. These challenges …

Implementing Biomimetic Technology In Today’S Architectural World, Emily Behm

Honors Projects

An interdisciplinary project exploring the correlation between nature and the built environment. This project provides a comprehensive overview of biomimicry principles and their application to architecture. D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson, the pioneer of mathematical biology, will emerge as a central research figure in the exploration of biomimetic technology. With inspiration drawn from Thompson’s accomplishments, contemporary architects have been more thoroughly integrating these approaches into their own architectural designs. The following research addresses a fundamental limitation in contemporary architectural practice: the insufficient integration of biomimetic principles into architectural design approaches. This project proposes a systematic methodology to more effectively integrate biomimetic technology …

Drowning In The Patent Pool: Is Statutory Invention Registration A Lifeguard?, Henry H. Perritt Jr.

West Virginia Law Review

Patents for inventions, available since the first Congress enacted the Patent Law of 1790, have been controversial. Defenders justify patents on the grounds that they are necessary to protect inventors from free riding—copying that would deprive the inventors of an opportunity to recover the costs of development. Detractors attack patents as unnecessary monopolies, thwarting innovation. The debate continues, even as the law itself has remained remarkably constant. Technology and industry structure have not remained constant, however. Patents have proliferated, resulting in patent thickets that make it impossible to create and market any innovative product without infringing hundreds of patents. Patent …

Exophonic Literature: Why And How Authors Write In A Second Language, Jonathan M. Bost

Senior Honors Theses

Milan Kundera, Julio Cortázar, Joseph Conrad, Rigoberta Menchú, and James Joyce are just some of the multitudinous authors who wrote in languages that are not their mother tongue. This phenomenon is called “exophony,” and it is more common than many would expect. There are various reasons why authors write exophonic literature: James Joyce wrote to a friend that he was at the end of English (1957), and Menchú’s editor Elizabeth Burgos-Debray claims Menchú wrote in Spanish to use the language of her oppressors against them. This thesis will investigate case studies of various exophonic authors, relate advice such authors have …

Autonomous Vehicles: Security And Privacy Concerns, Christopher Z. Shiu

Senior Honors Theses

The rapid development of self-driving vehicles provides many benefits. Even then, there are various security and privacy concerns that must be addressed. Autonomous vehicles are dependent on advanced machine learning systems in order to communicate. However, concerns about cyber threats and the misuse of data are not studied adequately enough. With the integration of technical and human factors, these developments can address communication and regulatory compliance weaknesses to offer safer implementations to autonomous vehicles. It is only after understanding these challenges, can strategies be developed to counteract threats. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, autonomous vehicles have the potential to …

Code Of Faith: Programming Spirituality In The Digital Age, Caleb Martin

Senior Honors Theses

With the increasing pervasiveness of technology in our daily lives, it is critical to consider the potential effects on an individual's religious practices and beliefs from software applications developed within a religious framework. This thesis delves into the relationship between software development and religious experiences, examining the manner in which the creation, operation, and application of religious technology can mold and impact an individual's spiritual development. This thesis aims to inform the implementation of technologies with a nonsecular application, ensuring that they are developed with a deep respect for the nuances of religious experience. The findings of this study will …

A Review Of The National Partnership For Student Success (Npss) Voluntary Quality Standards: A Resource For Community-Based Organizations In Southern Nevada, Benita R. Brooks, Omolola A. Odejemi,, Carolina Clavel, Amy Wolfe

National Institute for the Advancement of Education (NIAE)

This literature review examined how three nonprofits—Saga Education (high-impact tutoring), MENTOR (high-quality mentoring), and Communities In Schools (wraparound/integrated student supports)—aligned their programs with the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS) Voluntary Quality Standards. By leveraging empirical research and data analysis, these organizations have developed evidence-based practices that improve academic outcomes, enhance student well-being, and create more supportive learning environments. The review evaluated the impact of each program on student outcomes, offering insights into how research-driven approaches in tutoring, mentoring, and wraparound student support contribute to student success. The NPSS initiative and its Voluntary Quality Standards provide a comprehensive framework for …

Increasing Annual Rainfall As Recorded At Five Weather Stations In The Cedar River Watershed And Adjacent, Eastern Iowa, Lee S. Potter

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

Monthly and annual rainfall totals were examined from five weather stations in and near the Cedar River watershed in eastern Iowa. The basin has headwaters in southern Minnesota and trends northwest to southeast across the eastern part of the state. Graphical presentation highlights noisy signals within these, with annual values showing increase of about 4 to 7 inches over the most recent 100 years. This information is presented without reference to correlation with broader climate signals to inform residents and policy makers of the increasing trend. Monthly totals show consistent increase April and June, with lesser increases in May, July, …

Uni Science Education Update Conference, Save The Date Flier, Spring 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Science Education Program.

Science Education Update Conference Documents

No abstract provided.

Black Mothering And Environmental Justice Activism: A Black Ecofeminist Framework, Kayla N. Miller , '25

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

No abstract provided.

Material Point Method Computer Simulations Of The Tharsis Region Mars Forming From An Impact-Driven Antipodal Event: Program Development And Validation, Timothy L. Nikoley, Daniel Hunter, Michael W. Roth

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

The planet Mars has features that suggest uprisings could have been created by antipodal events driven by the focusing of seismic waves generated by impact. To investigate the feasibility of such a process resulting in observed features, we have developed a hybrid Newtonian dynamics-Material Point Method (MPM) computer program modeling impact to the surface of Mars, and have carried out extensive computer simulations and data analysis. In this first of two companion papers, we present the theoretical background behind the code development, remarks about program validation and typical visuals.

The Impact Of Ai Usage On Employee Work Outcomes: The Mediating Roles Of Personal Control And Job Insecurity And The Moderating Role Of Ai Trust, Tiantian Wang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The widespread application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the workplace offers significant potential for process optimization andperformance improvement. However, the psychological mechanisms throughwhich AI usage affects employee outcomes remain underexplored. To address this gap, the present study investigated a sample of 170 employees froma media company in China, utilizing a three-wave longitudinal survey design. Specifically, this study examined how AI usage influenced employee creativity and task performance improvement through two mediatingmechanisms: the enhancement of personal control in problem-solving and the elicitation of job insecurity. Furthermore, the moderating role of trust in AI inthe relationship between AI usage and job …

Ready, Set, No: Why Not All Successful Dual Credit High School Graduates Matriculate To Postsecondary Education, Jessica Deckard Mann

Dissertations

Dual-credit programs that allow students to earn college credentials in high school have become commonplace in the United States. Early College High Schools (ECHSs) were specifically developed to support equitable access to these programs, targeting groups that are historically underpopulated in postsecondary education (PSE). ECHSs aim to close the achievement gap, increase the number of college credentials earned by high school students, better train the workforce, and improve the life-time earnings potential of a diverse population.

The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative study was to gather data from graduates in one Midwestern state who earned a college credential in high …

Upper-Level Undergraduate Pre-Healthcare Students’ Journeys To Graduation And Health Professional Graduate Programs, Holly L. Sisson

Dissertations

Despite decades of research on undergraduate student retention and persistence, only a handful of researchers, such as Dumke et al. (2018) and Stull et al. (2021), have looked specifically at pre-health students preparing for graduate health professional programs and the complex challenges these students face while trying to achieve their goals. Very little research focused on upper-level undergraduate students pursuing graduate health professional programs, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, or similar graduate health professional programs excluding medical school. To help fill this gap, my study focused on the experiences of pre-healthcare students as they navigated their undergraduate …

Classroom Environment: How Seating Effects Student On-Task Behaviors, Meg Jackson

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Schools across the nation have seen an uptick in the number of students who struggle to stay on-task and focus during classes in which they are seated for long periods of time. With the increase in distracting behaviors, teachers are left looking for ways to help students engage in lessons and stay on-task. There are many tools that are advertised and claim to help students focus. However, to what extent are these tools effective? This study aims to determine the effect the classroom environment has on student on-task behaviors. The particular focus of this study is the effect different seating …

Improving Mathematical Achievement And Engagement Through Technology Integration, Jennifer Ham

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Engaging students effectively requires continuous effort from educators to improve their classroom learning experiences. Research has demonstrated the benefits of educational technology in enhancing student learning outcomes. Nonetheless, there is a lack of research in the United States on how the integration of technology affects students' engagement and comprehension of mathematical concepts in elementary education. This inquiry-based research aims to investigate the impact of technology integration on the understanding and engagement of fourth graders in mathematics. This study aims to address the following questions: How does integrating technology in fourth-grade mathematics impact students' understanding of math concepts? What impact does …

Using Digital Word Puzzles To Develop Executive Functioning Skills In Adolescent Males With Known Skills Deficits, Lisa K. Griffith

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

Research shows that game-based interventions can effectively help develop some executive functioning (EF) skills. However, the majority of the interventions previously studied involve specialized and/or expensive games. The author believes that using commonly available word-based digital puzzles to “warm up” students’ brains can lead to improved EF skills, leading to students being more motivated to engage in learning, which in turn promotes greater success in the classroom as well as in life in general. Two adolescent males were studied for five weeks (total of 17 school days) using Merriam-Webster’s Blossom (2025) as an intervention for EF skills at the start …

The Impact Of Self-Reflection On Teacher Growth And Effectiveness, Thatcher Goodale

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study explored how consistent self-reflection can support teacher growth and improve instruction. Over a four-week period in a 7th-grade computer science class, I used daily reflections, journal entries, and informal observations to see how reflection influenced my teaching and student engagement. Small, regular check-ins after each class helped me adjust lesson pacing, improve transitions, and respond more intentionally to student needs. Themes like time management, classroom flow, creativity, and collaboration came up often, but student engagement was mentioned the most. Without major changes to the curriculum, reflection helped me teach with more purpose and confidence. While this study focused …

Looping Classrooms, Kelly Fitzgerald

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This inquiry-based Capstone Project examines the effects of classroom looping, where students remain with the same teacher across consecutive years. One or more teachers looped with their students from fourth to fifth grade. The study focuses on a group of students from a low-income and rural elementary school setting. Using student surveys and reflections, the researcher examines the influence of peer connections, student-teacher relationships, and overall student satisfaction with looping. A majority of the students reported positive experiences with looping, including positive relationships with their teachers, increased emotional support, and improved classroom identity. However, some students reported challenges such as …

Desire To Improve Or Enrich Curriculum – Student-Centered Learning, Cailey Dolash

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

This study investigates the relationship between teacher efficacy and the implementation of student-centered learning in PreK-2 classrooms, supporting the need for teacher professional development to support effective practice. Due to growing interest in student-centered approaches, there are challenges, often due to teachers perceived self-efficacy in managing and adapting new instructional strategies. Using Bandura's Teacher Efficacy Survey, this research examines the self-reported efficacy levels of 16 teachers across various grade levels PreK-2nd Grade. The results indicate a significant correlation between higher teacher efficacy and the successful use of student-centered learning techniques. Teachers with lower efficacy ratings need professional development in this …

Effect Of Mental Math Instruction On Students' Problem-Solving, Noelle Dehaan

Master's Theses & Capstone Projects

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of incorporating daily mental math practice on students’ problem-solving and reasoning skills. This research was designed to address the issue of dropping mathematics test scores in the United States and the researcher’s observation regarding students commonly struggling with solving real-world problems. The researcher is a middle school math teacher who also teaches two high school courses. A quantitative study was conducted, and two assessments were used, taken as a pre-test and a post-test, to determine the effectiveness of the mental math intervention. One evaluation was designed to assess students’ mental …