Digital Commons Network^™

Scalable, Secure, And Adaptable Perception Systems Through Adversarial Analysis And Federated Fine-Tuning, Arkajyoti Mitra

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Perception systems are fundamental to intelligent machines, enabling them to sense, understand, and interpret complex environments. However, as perception increasingly underpins critical applications such as autonomous vehicles, IoT healthcare devices, and smart trading platforms, challenges related to security, scalability, and environmental understanding have become more pressing. This work addresses three core research questions: (1) How can we identify, analyze, and mitigate adversarial vulnerabilities in perception systems to ensure reliable operation under adversarial conditions? (2.1) How can AVPS models be efficiently scaled and fine-tuned across decentralized and resource-constrained environments while preserving privacy and performance? (2.2) How can we scale generative models …

Reversal And Visualization Of Guitar Stomp Box Effects Using Digital Signal Processing Techniques, Zayaan Sharif Chowdhury

2025 Fall Honors Capstones Projects - Archive

This project presents an approach that develops a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) system that analyzes, and reverses audio effects produced by a custom-built multi-effect guitar stomp box. Using real-time input from the stomp box, the DSP system digitizes the audio signal through an analog-to-digital converter and processes it in Python using NumPy and SciPy libraries. It visualizes parameters such as frequency spectrum, modulation rate, depth, and total harmonic distortion (THD) to evaluate the quality of analog effects like tremolo, delay, vibrato, and reverb. Beyond visualization, the system explores reversing these effects through digital filtering and signal reconstruction, aiming to approximate …

Parsimony, Parallelism, And Presentation: The Impact Of Presentation On Evaluation, Peter Mclemore

Psychology Theses - Archive

In professional and academic settings, support for creative ideas often hinges on how effectively those ideas are communicated in writing. This study examined how two sentence-level rhetorical features—parsimony and parallelism—influence the evaluation, support, and recall of written proposals featuring creative restaurant concepts. Using a 2×2 within-subjects design, 211 undergraduates reviewed proposals manipulated to vary in parsimony (high vs. low) and parallelism (high vs. low). Participants rated each proposal on quality, originality, elegance, support, and completed a recall task. Contrary to expectations, proposals with low parsimony and low parallelism received the highest evaluations across all three creative indicators (i.e., quality, originality, …

Discrete Time Risk Processes With Stochastic Premiums And Dividends, Enoch J. Dangbe

Mathematics Dissertations - Archive

Risk processes typically emerge in insurance and finance and are concerned with stochastic representation of uncertainties of real-world events. Main objective amounts to quantifying the chances of both desirable and undesirable events and balancing their mutual impact for the purpose of developing models that in some sense optimize the outcome from the business perspective. Our research is concerned with studying the evolution of the surplus process in which time and assets are integer-valued. Initial capital, random premiums, random claims, dividend payments based on assets’ performance constitute the components of our model. Our findings established recursive formulas for the total expected …

Modified Core-Line Techniques For Vortex Identification Using Liutex, Bassam Albalawi

Mathematics Dissertations - Archive

Vortex dynamics govern critical processes in turbulent flows, yet conventional identification methods struggle to resolve individual structures' morphology and evolutionary pathways. Detecting and extracting vortex structures by objective algorithms may lead to a better understanding of turbulence regeneration dynamics through the automated and quantitative assessment of the structures. Although there are many vortex-identification criteria available, they pinpoint only the spatial regions belonging to vortices, with no information on the specific identity, topology, and shape of individual vortices. In this dissertation, we develop a new scheme based on Vortex axis tracking by iterative propagation (VATIP), called modified VATIP algorithm, for three-dimensional …

Examining Student Understanding Of Series Convergence Using Script Writing, Eduardo Torres Manzanarez

Mathematics Dissertations - Archive

This exploratory study investigates second-semester calculus students’ understanding of series convergence using both nonscripting and scripting-based tasks. Researchers recognize that students encounter difficulties with learning series, including series convergence, and that there is a need for more meaningful tasks that aid students’ learning of series. Script writing, used mainly with prospective mathematics teachers, can be used to explore mathematical understandings. Thus, this study examines how script writing, in the form of a scripting task, elicits students’ understanding of series convergence in contrast to nonscripting-based tasks to determine the potential of script writing in assessing this student understanding. We examine students’ …

Enhancing Inquiry-Based Science Instruction: The Role Of Professional Learning Communities And Instructional Coaching For Elementary Science Teachers, Marc T. Sager, Karen Pierce, Jessica Murillo

Publications

Inquiry-based science instruction fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific literacy by engaging students in exploration, questioning, and reflective learning. However, implementing inquiry-based practices presents significant challenges for elementary teachers, who often balance multiple subjects and may feel less confident facilitating open-ended investigations. This study examines how school-based coaching and professional learning communities (PLCs) support teachers in adopting inquiry-based science instruction. Grounded in distributed cognition theory of learning, this research draws on qualitative data from classroom observations and artifacts from coaching sessions and PLC meetings. Using a multiple case study design, this study identifies four case studies to illustrate varying levels …

The Genesis Of Constitutions: A Natural Language Processing Approach, Tejas Ramdas, Patrick Chung-Chia Huang, Nuno Garoupa, Martin T. Wells, Yun-Chien Chang, Tom Ginsburg

Public Law and Legal Theory Working Papers

The diffusion of constitutional ideas and models has been the subject of extensive scholarship. In this paper, we use natural language processing methods to examine the persistence of constitutional ideas and models, focusing on how 16 core and iconic constitutions influence 572 newer constitutions over a long period (1900–2020). Our findings indicate that “old” core constitutions (such as those of the U.S. of 1789, Spain of 1812, France of 1848, and to a lesser extent France of 1791) have maintained significant influence over those 121 years. Austria of 1920 and France of 1946 are the most influential among the 20th …

Resetting The Imposter Phenomenon Reality: A Mixed Methods Research Study Of An Immediate Cognitive Behavioral Intervention On Stem Practitioners, Peter D. Smith

Dissertations

Imposter Phenomenon (IP) remains an essential framework for understanding how professionals attribute success to chance or misconceptions rather than genuine abilities. IP is especially pertinent for individuals who feel like frauds when attaining higher positions, convinced the promotions resulted from luck rather than accomplishments and credibility. The misguided mindset cultivates feelings of inadequacy or deceit, even when accolades, experiences, and qualifications prove the contrary. The prevalence of IP is widespread, impacting numerous individuals who have faced or continue to endure episodes of varying intensity. The psychological state makes individuals vulnerable to feelings of inadequacy, leading to reduced productivity, increased procrastination, …

Explainable Diagnosis Prediction Through Neuro-Symbolic Integration, Qiuhao Lu, Rui Li, Elham Sagheb, Andrew Wen, Jinlian Wang, Liwei Wang, Jungwei W Fan, Hongfang Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Diagnosis prediction is a critical task in healthcare, where timely and accurate identification of medical conditions can significantly impact patient outcomes. Traditional machine learning and deep learning models have achieved notable success in this domain but often lack interpretability which is a crucial requirement in clinical settings. In this study, we explore the use of neuro-symbolic methods, specifically Logical Neural Networks (LNNs), to develop explainable models for diagnosis prediction. Essentially, we design and implement LNN-based models that integrate domain-specific knowledge through logical rules with learnable weights and thresholds. Our models, particularly Mmulti-pathway and Mcomprehensive, demonstrate superior performance over traditional models …

Photoionization Of Spin-Polarized Rydberg Atoms Out Of A Continuous Wave Optical Dipole Trap, Kevin Lee Romans

Doctoral Dissertations

"Recent research has demonstrated the need for a fully differential experiment on the photoionization of ⁶Li Rydberg atoms in a continuous wave (cw) laser field, as this would provide a new path forward for studying never before accessible atom-light interactions. Rydberg atoms are back in the focus of intense research due to their peculiar properties, which make them interesting candidates for quantum optics and information applications. In this work, we study the ionization of such Rydberg atoms, due to their interaction with a trapping laser field, by utilizing a reaction microscope (ReMi) capable of measuring photoelectron momentum distributions with …

Parallel Algorithms For Large Scale Dynamic Graph Analysis, Arindam Khanda

Doctoral Dissertations

A complex system of interacting entities in contemporary scenarios, be it biological, technological, or social, can be represented using graphs. Dynamic graphs, unlike their static counterparts, are ones in which the underlying topology changes over time. These networks act as a model for numerous systems, from transportation to social interactions, capturing the ever-evolving nature of real-world phenomena. However, the inherent temporality of these networks presents a unique set of challenges and the traditional static graph algorithms often fall short in efficiency and applicability. In our research, we delve into the complexities presented by large dynamic networks and suggest various methodologies …

Feature Comment: Institutional Amnesia And The Neglect Of The Federal Acquisition Workforce, Jessica Tillipman, Steven L. Schooner

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

Public procurement regimes may be constrained by rules, but people - procurement professionals - animate the process. Despite spending over $750 billion last year on federal contracts, the U.S. Government continues to deprioritize the professional capacity of its acquisition workforce. This article bemoans and critiques the persistent failure to recruit, develop, and retain procurement personnel, a failure exacerbated by politically driven downsizing, inadequate investments in workforce development, and misplaced reliance on procedural reform—most recently evidenced by the so-called “Revolutionary FAR Overhaul.” Drawing on historical data, case studies, and recent Government Accountability Office reports, the authors document how decades of underinvestment …

When The Math Matters: Finding The “Glue” In Class Action Commonality Determinations, Robin L. Juni

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

This Article is another offering in the “When the Math Matters” series, seeking to help readers understand use of mathematical and scientific concepts in legal contexts and unpack how to do things better. This Article focuses on the seminal case of Wal- Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes, 564 U.S. 338 (2011), describing how the analytical approach to identify whether a class could be certified for purposes of that litigation continues to resonate through recent cases in the federal courts. The Article explains the statistical analysis that lawyers must present to unpack a correlative analysis in similar cases, focusing on adverse …

Overcoming Racial Harms To Democracy From Artificial Intelligence, Spencer A. Overton

GW Law Faculty Publications & Other Works

While the United States is becoming more racially diverse, generative artificial intelligence and related technologies threaten to undermine truly representative democracy. Left unchecked, AI will exacerbate already substantial existing challenges, such as racial polarization, cultural anxiety, antidemocratic attitudes, racial vote dilution, and voter suppression. Synthetic video and audio (“deepfakes”) receive the bulk of popular attention—but are just the tip of the iceberg. Microtargeting of racially tailored disinformation, racial bias in automated election administration, discriminatory voting restrictions, racially targeted cyberattacks, and AI-powered surveillance that chills racial justice claims are just a few examples of how AI is threatening democracy. Unfortunately, existing …

The Impact Of A Synectics-Based Training Program On Enhancing Reflective Thinking Among Eighth-Grade Students In Jordan, Razan W. Mansour, Ahmed Y. Alziq

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of a training program based on Synectics’ strategy on developing reflective thinking of eighth-grade students in Jordon. The research design used in this study was the Quasi-experimental method. The sample consisted of (52) female students from eighth grade in Al-Feker educational school In Amman, during the second semester (2020/2021). Two classes were chosen randomly, one of them was assigned as an experimental group (n=26), and the second was assigned as a control group (n=26). The training program which was developed and applied in this study is based on the Synectics strategy. The Reflective …

Insights In Cybersecurity Of A Smart Campus - A Review, Mircea Ţălu

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The profound impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) on various fronts, is driven by technological advancements, the ubiquitous spread of information, and the emergence of transformative events. IoT presents a diverse array of possibilities within university environments, fostering a more connected and enhanced educational experience. This research undertakes a comprehensive review of existing literature to provide context to the IoT and underscore its crucial significance in the realm of smart campuses. Additionally, the paper explores the intricate connections between IoT and key concepts such as cybersecurity and wireless sensor networks to present a holistic perspective. It delves into the …

Book Review Of Philosophical Fragments As The Poetry Of Thinking: Romanticism And The Living Present By Luke Fischer, Michael Vater

Philosophy Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

F-Layer Parameters Derived By Airglow Emissions At Pituffik Sb, Greenland, Jessica Norrell, Ivana Molina, Michael Negale, Jeffrey Holmes

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Atomic oxygen airglow has long been used as tracer for the peak height and electron density of the F-layer (e.g. Sahai et al., 1981). Tinsley and Bittencourt (1975) described a method by which OI airglow is used to determine F-layer parameters. They found that the square root of the column emission rate of an optically thin layer created by radiative recombination emission was proportional to the peak electron density of the F-layer.

An all-sky imager (ASI) was recently installed at Pituffik, Greenland (76.51˚N, 68.74˚W), with four filters relevant to this study: 5725, 6300, 7715 and 7774 Å. We have used …

Software Management, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Agenda

1. Software Organization Methods
2. Example Software Workflow
3. Small Sat Specific Tips

Communications (Comm) Subsystem: Smallsat Antennas, Jim White

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

• A Practical Approach to SmallSat and Cubesat Antennas
• Antennas Designed Using Requirements
• Antenna Requirements
• Systems Engineering is Required
• What is a Radio Wave?
• What is an Antenna?
• Best Practices
• Testing
• Summary

Smallsat Pcb Engineering, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

• Concept
• Design
• Build
• Lessons Learned

Radiation Hardness Drivers For Mission Success – What We Have Learned, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

RHA consists of all activities undertaken to ensure that the electronics and materials of a space system perform to their design specifications throughout exposure to the mission space environment

Deep Learning Method For Image Processing In Cold Atom Experiments, Joshua Wilson, Robert Leonard, Jacob Morrey, Issac Peterson, Francisco Fonta, Spencer Olson

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

“Ideal” Absorption Imaging

Not always simple in practice

Structural Design & Analysis, Poti G. Doukas

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Agenda

• Structural Requirements
• Deployers
• Engineering Drawings
• Verification Testing

Requirements And C&Dh Design, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

• What is it?
• Processor Selection
• CDH Hardware
• OS Selection
• Memory - Radiation
• Memory - Radiation Mitigation
• Memory - Partitions
• Memory - File System
• System Startup
• Startup Stages
• Software Start-up
• Serial Protocol
• I2C / One Wire Communication Tips
• Fault Handling: Watchdog Timer
• CDH Watchdog (Simple)
• CDH Watchdog (Use Case)
• Watchdog Timer Tips
• Synchronizing and Managing Time

Atmospheric Waves Experiment (Awe) Mission Overview, Pedro Sevilla

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The AWE instrument images atmospheric gravity waves from the ISS, quantifying energy and momentum fluxes into the ionosphere-thermosphere system to better understand how tropospheric weather influences space weather

Background-Field Method And Qcd Factorization, Ian Balitsky

Physics Faculty Publications

One method for deriving a factorization for QCD processes is to use successive integration over fields in the functional integral. In this approach, we separate the fields into two categories: dynamical fields with momenta above a relevant cutoff, and background fields with momenta below the cutoff. The dynamical fields are then integrated out in the background of the low-momentum background fields. This strategy works well at tree level, allowing us to quickly derive QCD factorization formulas at leading order. However, to extend the approach to higher loops, it is necessary to rigorously define the functional integral over dynamical fields in …

Design Of A Shipping Fixture For A Compact Cryomodule Hermetic Assembly, J. Lewis, G. Ciovati, N. Huque, J. Armstrong, K. Harding

Physics Faculty Publications

Two conduction-cooled 915 MHz superconducting radio frequency hermetic assemblies must be safely transported from the Jefferson Lab in Newport News, VA to General Atomics in San Diego, CA for performance testing in a custom horizontal test cryostat. One hermetic assembly consists of a 2-cell 915 MHz cavity, a coaxial fundamental power coupler, and the warm-to-cold transition beam tubes. The second hermetic assembly consists of a 2-cell 915 MHz cavity only. The assemblies will be transported on a flatbed air-ride trailer over the approximate 4000 km distance. Design requirements included adequate attenuation of 4g vertical axis, 5g beamline axis, and 1.5g …

Polarization Spectroscopy Of The 5s ₁/₂-5d₅/₂ Two-Photon Transition In Rubidium, H. C. Busch, C. F. Busch, C. I. Sukenik

Physics Faculty Publications

We describe a one-color, two-photon polarization spectroscopy experiment on the 5S 1/2-5D5/2 transition in rubidium, suitable for implementation in an advanced undergraduate instructional laboratory. The proposed laboratory module synergistically combines polarization spectroscopy with established fluorescence detection at a wavelength different from the excitation wavelength. The curriculum provided in this paper allows students to compare experimental results with predicted theoretical lineshapes and to study the intensity dependence of the two-photon transition. The module also provides a springboard that enables instructors to expand the curriculum to incorporate additional measurements and theoretical analyses. These activities include collecting spectra on additional transitions, measuring the …