Digital Commons Network^™

Foodlmm: A Versatile Food Assistant Using Large Multi-Modal Model, Yuehao Yin, Huiyan Qi, Bin Zhu, Jingjing Chen, Yu-Gang Jiang, Chong-Wah Ngo

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Large Multi-modal Models (LMMs) have made impressive progress in many vision-language tasks. Nevertheless, the performance of general LMMs in specific domains is still far from satisfactory. This paper proposes FoodLMM, a versatile food assistant based on LMMs with various capabilities, including food recognition, ingredient recognition, recipe generation, nutrition estimation, food segmentation and multi-round conversation. To facilitate FoodLMM to deal with tasks beyond pure text output, we introduce a series of novel task-specific tokens and heads, enabling the model to predict food nutritional values and multiple segmentation masks. We adopt a two-stage training strategy. In the first stage, we utilize multiple …

Sanitizable Cross-Domain Access Control With Policy-Driven Dynamic Authorization, Jianfei Sun, Guowen Xu, Hongwei Li, Tianwei Zhang, Cong Wu, Xuehuan Yang, Robert H. Deng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The increasing demand for secure and efficient data sharing has underscored the importance of developing robust cryptographic schemes. However, many existing endeavors have overlooked the following critical issues: (1) unauthorized access resulting from malicious information leakage by senders; (2) absence of constraints on write and read permissions for participants; (3) and inflexibility of strategies to dynamically designate ciphertexts to multiple recipients. In this paper, we present SCPA, a cross-domain access control scheme imbued with sanitization features and propelled by policy-driven dynamic authorization, tailored for cloud-based data sharing. This scheme not only facilitates access controls, including regulations for no-read and no-write …

Understanding The Bad Development Practices Of Android Custom Permissions In The Wild, Xiaohan Zhang, Zhiyuan Yu, Xinghua Li, Cen Zhang, Cong Sun, Ning Zhang, Robert H. Deng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Android system provides application developers with the ability to define custom permissions, which serve to moderate the sharing of resources and interactions with other applications. However, poor development practices of developers can render the permission mechanism ineffective, weakening the system protection. This paper presents a comprehensive examination of the problematic practices surrounding custom permissions employed by developers, referred to as Bad Practices of Custom Permissions (BPCP issues). To accomplish this, we conducted an empirical study and identified nine common BPCP issue patterns that can lead to various adverse consequences, such as installation failures, crashes, or even component hijacking. To automatically …

Academic Wellness In Health Professional Students: The Intersection Between Dietary Attitudes And Behaviors, Sleep Quality, And Mental Health, Kenya Shereece Moore

Theses and Dissertations

Academic success is strongly influenced by student well-being, with nutrition, sleep, and mental health emerging as critical and interconnected components. Health profession students often face significant mental and physical demands, as they navigate their educational training, which can challenge their ability to maintain healthy behaviors and access necessary support. Although these students are often trained to recognize, treat, and promote wellness in others, they may struggle to prioritize or seek care for themselves. This work aims to explore the health behaviors and care-seeking patterns of health profession students, with a focus on dietary habits, sleep, and barriers to mental health …

Process-Grounded Knowledge-Infused Learning And Decision Making, Kaushik Roy

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation introduces process-grounded knowledge-infused learning and reasoning, a novel framework for integrating domain-expertise-based process knowledge into the learning and reasoning mechanisms of artificial intelligence systems. This approach is designed to produce controlled, transparent, and reliable predictions in critical tasks such as medical diagnosis and recommendation. By focusing on the case study of mental illness diagnosis and recommendation—where decision-making must be grounded in processes such as disorder-specific diagnostic criteria—this work demonstrates methods to embed structured decision-making directly into the system architecture during both training and inference. This integration facilitates end-to-end training and reasoning while ensuring that outputs strictly adhere to …

The B2biers System: A Content-Based Perspective On Maximizing Influence And Subscription In Social Networks, Konstantinos Theocharidis, Hady Wirawan Lauw

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The popular problem of Influence Maximization (IM) asks for the k users who can maximize the influence of a fixed post in a social network. In contrast, the problem of Content- Aware Influence Maximization (CAIM) asks for the k features to form a viral tunable post in a social network starting its diffusion from a fixed set of initial adopters. CAIM paves the way for a number of novel problems to be studied that altogether can lead to the development of a system that would be valuable for advertisers who manage social network pages. This holds since features (brands) in …

Prompttutor: Effects Of An Llm-Based Chatbot On Learning Outcomes And Motivation In Flipped Classrooms, Yuhao Zhang, Eng Lieh Ouh, Chong Jee Adam Ho, Siaw Ling Lo, Kar Way Tan, Feng Lin

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This study explores the integration of a Large Language Model (LLM) based chatbot, PromptTutor, into flipped classrooms (FC) for undergraduate Computer Science (CS) education. PromptTutor is designed to provide personalized, immediate feedback to support student learning in FC by incorporating reflective learning and scaffolding strategies. The traditional FC typically lacks this immediate feedback during the pre-class learning phase, risking decreased student motivation according to existing literature. This study examines if students improve in learning outcomes and motivation after using PromptTutor. Through a controlled crossover experiment with 50 students, the study demonstrates statistically significant improvements in students' quiz performance and motivation …

Unified Neural Backdoor Removal With Only Few Clean Samples Through Unlearning And Relearning, Nay Myat Min, Long H. Pham, Jun Sun

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Deep neural networks have achieved remarkable success across various applications; however, their vulnerability to backdoor attacks poses severe security risks—especially in situations where only a limited set of clean samples is available for defense. In this work, we address this critical challenge by proposing ULRL (UnLearn and ReLearn for backdoor removal), a novel two-phase approach for comprehensive backdoor removal. Our method first employs an unlearning phase, in which the network’s loss is intentionally maximized on a small clean dataset to expose neurons that are excessively sensitive to backdoor triggers. Subsequently, in the relearning phase, these suspicious neurons are recalibrated using …

Efficient Prompt Tuning For Hierarchical Ingredient Recognition, Yinxuan Gui, Bin Zhu, Jingjing Chen, Chong-Wah Ngo

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Fine-grained ingredient recognition presents a significant challenge due to the diverse appearances of ingredients, resulting from different cutting and cooking methods. While existing approaches have shown promising results, they still require extensive training costs and focus solely on fine-grained ingredient recognition. In this paper, we address these limitations by introducing an efficient prompt-tuning framework that adapts pretrained visual-language models (VLMs), such as CLIP, to the ingredient recognition task without requiring full model finetuning. Additionally, we introduce three-level ingredient hierarchies to enhance both training performance and evaluation robustness. Specifically, we propose a hierarchical ingredient recognition task, designed to evaluate model performance …

Unveiling Knowledge Boundary Of Large Language Models For Trustworthy Information Access, Yang Deng, Moxin Li, Liang Pang, Wenxuan Zhang, Wai Lam

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Large Language Models (LLMs) have emerged as powerful tools for generating content and facilitating information seeking across diverse domains. While their integration into conversational systems opens new avenues for interactive information-seeking experiences, their effectiveness is constrained by their knowledge boundaries—the limits of what they know and their ability to provide reliable, truthful, and contextually appropriate information. Understanding these boundaries is essential for maximizing the utility of LLMs for real-time information seeking while ensuring their reliability and trustworthiness. In this tutorial, we will explore the taxonomy of knowledge boundary in LLMs, addressing their handling of uncertainty, response calibration, and mitigation of …

Collaboration With Dynamic Open Ad Hoc Team Via Team State Modelling, Jing Sun, Cong Zhang, Zhiguang Cao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Open ad hoc teamwork presents the challenging problem of designing an autonomous agent that can rapidly adapt to collaborate with teammates without prior coordination in an open environment. Existing methods primarily rely on fixed, predefined teammate types, overlooking the fact that teammates may change dynamically. To address this limitation, we propose a novel reinforcement learning approach, the Open Online Teammate Adaptation Framework (Open-OTAF), which enables a controlled agent to collaborate with dynamic teammates in open ad hoc environments. To achieve this, the controlled agent employs a dual teamwork situation inference model to capture the current teamwork state, facilitating decision-making under …

Evaluation Of Waste Plastic Addition Via Dry Method On Asphalt Mixture Performance, Isabella Madeira Bueno

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Incorporating waste plastic (WP) into hot mix asphalt (HMA) offers a promising approach to enhance recycling rates and improve asphalt concrete (AC) performance, particularly in moisture damage resistance. However, results vary widely due to differences in WP types, sizes, and mixing methods. The lack of standardized procedures, especially for the dry process, has led to inconsistent integration and unclear roles of WP in AC mixtures. Studies suggest that introducing WP to pre-heated aggregates at temperatures exceeding its melting point can enhance mixture resistance to rutting, cracking, and moisture damage. In this context, this study was conducted in two phases to …

Data-Driven Methods For Signal Analysis And Nonlinear System Identification, Cristian Felipe López Ruano

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In recent years, data-driven modeling has gained considerable attention in nonlinear system identification, offering a powerful alternative to traditional physics-based methods. This has been possible by advances in machine learning, sparse regression, and differential equations in a weak form, which allow the accurate capture of complex nonlinear dynamics, even when the measurements are in strong background noise. Moreover, integrating these models with physical knowledge further enhances their reliability and interpretability, making them suitable for a wide range of science and engineering applications.

In this dissertation, we investigate algorithms for data-driven nonlinear system identification to obtain ordinary differential equations that govern …

Biocomputing Approach To Modeling And Modulating Calcium Signaling, Sehee Sun

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Biocomputing is an emerging field that seeks to perform computational tasks using biological substrates and processes. Unlike conventional computing systems based on silicon hardware, biocomputing leverages the parallelism, energy efficiency, and complex dynamics of living systems. Among various cellular mechanisms, calcium (Ca2+) signaling stands out as a central regulator of diverse biological functions, offering a promising basis for programmable logic and control in living cells.

This thesis introduces a novel framework for modeling and modulating Ca2+ dynamics using biologically inspired Boolean logic circuits. Specifically, we propose the Ca2+ Boolean Logic (CaBL) model, in which Ca2+ fluxes and interactions are abstracted …

Action Research To Explore The Use Of Augmented Reality To Support High School Students In Understanding And Creating Art Work In A Drawing Course, Alicia Joanne Cobler

Theses and Dissertations

High school students in Drawing 1 at a high school in South Carolina struggle to understand meaning or make personal connections to their own artwork. The purpose of this action research was to evaluate the implementation of immersive reality technology, specifically augmented reality (AR), in art for high school Drawing 1 students to help them understand meaning in art and create their own meaningful artwork. Creating personally meaningful symbolic works of art is one of the first Visual Art National Core Standards (National Core Visual Art Standards, 2014). Creating meaning in artwork allows students to understand society, provide an opportunity …

Rapid Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries: Structure, Morphology, And Methodology, Sean Cade Wechsler

Theses and Dissertations

The initial commercialization and subsequent development of the lithium-ion battery (LIB) in 1991 has revolutionized the way that humans power devices, cars, and homes and led to the advent of many technologies that seemed impossible just half a century ago. As LIBs are integrated into more of daily life through handheld devices, wearable medical devices, transportation, and grid-level energy storage, the demand for fast charging and high energy density increases rapidly. To design a battery with these favorable qualities, an understanding of the effect of electrode crystal structure and electrode morphology on the ionic/electronic transport and failure modes must be …

William Hogarth's Portraiture: A Vehicle For Social Commentary, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Hoff

Theses and Dissertations

William Hogarth is often celebrated for the critiques of eighteenth-century England seen throughout his widely reproduced satirical print series and paintings, however his contributions to portraiture offer a compelling extension of his artistic vision and techniques. This research aims to explore Hogarth’s use of portraiture as a vehicle for social commentary and moral messaging, revealing broader themes of morality, nationalism, and identity among all of his works, comparing this approach to that of both his contemporaries and his own prints.

In examining Hogarth’s portraits alongside other formal portraiture, the socio-political landscape of the time, and existing scholarship, methods such as …

Adaptation Planning To Mitigate Flood Risk: Bellevue, Nebraska As A Case Study, Michael Nti Ababio

Community and Regional Planning Program: Theses

Flooding remains one of the most pressing natural hazards in the United States, with increasing frequency and intensity driven by climate change. This thesis explores the adaptation planning strategies employed to mitigate flood risks in Bellevue, Nebraska, a city significantly impacted by the 2019 floods in eastern Nebraska. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative analysis of flood vulnerability with a critical review of local planning policies using documents, zoning ordinances and institutional frameworks. Spatial analytical tools such as Global Moran’s I and Hot Spot Analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) were used to detect clustering of inundated buildings during the 2019 …

Reducing Disparities In Breast Cancer Screening: A Mobile Mammography Initiative In Middle Georgia, Latasha T. Hill

MSHS Student Capstones

This capstone project evaluated the implementation of mobile mammography units to improve access to breast cancer screening in Middle Georgia. The project aimed to reduce disparities in early detection and increase screening participation among underserved women aged 40 and older. Using the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework, the initiative deployed a state-of-the-art mobile mammography unit, engaged community stakeholders, and implemented culturally responsive outreach. Over 6 months, 1,000 screenings were conducted, exceeding targets and demonstrating significant improvements in first-time screening rates, patient satisfaction, and follow-up adherence. Findings suggest mobile mammography is an effective quality improvement strategy to advance health …

Radiography Clinical Instructor Training Program, Kayce S. Leon

MSHS Student Capstones

This capstone project focuses on the development and implementation of a comprehensive training program for clinical instructors (CIs) in radiography, designed to support technologists transitioning from clinical practice into educator roles. The program addresses a critical need for structured professional development in allied health education, where many instructors begin teaching with limited pedagogical training. Grounded in adult learning theories such as Knowles’ andragogy and Kolb’s experiential learning theory, the curriculum emphasizes learner-centered strategies, real-world application, and reflective practice. Core topics include effective student feedback, clinical evaluation, communication, and professional role modeling. The training aims to enhance instructional competence, promote student …

Revitalizing Post-Primary Mammography Education: A Quality Improvement And Outreach Initiative, Erica M. Smith

MSHS Student Capstones

This educational quality improvement project aimed to address declining enrollment in a post-primary mammography certification program and to respond to the growing shortage of certified mammography technologists. A needs assessment survey identified key student preferences, including hybrid course formats, weekday scheduling, and social media as the most effective marketing channel. In response, targeted outreach campaigns were launched, curriculum content was updated, and clinical partnerships were expanded to support enrollment and placement. As a result, the program met the minimum enrollment threshold for the first time since 2021, with five students completing the course. Post-course evaluations indicated high levels of satisfaction …

Thickness Of Devonian Shale, Kentucky-Tennessee Mineral District (Ktmd), John B. Hickman, Alex M. Washburn, Georgina Lukoczki

Research Data--KGS

The deposits of critical minerals have been found in metalliferous shales. To aid in critical mineral assessments of the Devonian Shales in the Kentucky-Tennessee Mineral District (KTMD), this research project produced a map (digital GIS dataset) of the thickness (isopach) of the combined New Albany Shale/Chattanooga Shale/Ohio Shale interval across the region. The subsurface input data are from oil/gas well records and exploratory mineral core. Well and core records for the KTMD were acquired from the state surveys of Tennessee and Kentucky. Along with the GIS files, a summary table of the 6,607 well and core data points used to …

Mines Of The Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District, Paul Puckett, Emily Morris, Georgina Lukoczki

Map and Chart--KGS

This map presents a unified compilation of mining and mineral resource information for the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District (IKFD), integrating two previously published maps: Denny et al. (2020) for the Illinois portion and Anderson and Sparks (2012) for the Kentucky portion. While the Illinois side remains unchanged, the Kentucky side has been updated using newly compiled data from the Kentucky Geological Survey’s Kentucky Mineral Resources Information map service (https://kgs.uky.edu/KYMineral/). This composite map offers an improved and more comprehensive view of the IKFD, highlighting mineral occurrences, historical mining activity, and structural features of the district.

Structure On The Top Of Knox Group, Kentucky-Tennessee Mineral District (Ktmd), John B. Hickman

Research Data--KGS

The deposits of critical minerals within the Kentucky-Tennessee Mineral District (KTMD) are hosted within the Late Cambrian to Early Ordovician carbonate rocks of the Knox Group. To aid in critical mineral assessments of the region, this research project produced a map (digital GIS dataset) of the subsurface structure of the top of the Knox Group: the Knox Unconformity surface. All the input data is from oil/gas well records and exploratory mineral core records because these rocks are not exposed within the study area. Well and core records for the KTMD were acquired from the state surveys of Tennessee and Kentucky …

The Greenbook, Faculty Handbook, 2025-2026, Marshall University Academic Affairs

The Greenbook

This book has been published for the faculty of Marshall University for the specified period of time. This book was created by Academic Affairs and is for the period of 2025-2026.

Annual Report For The Town Of Hebron, New Hampshire For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025 And 2026 Town Meeting, Hebron Town Representatives

Hebron, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Soil Health In Nebraska: Exploring Practitioners' Needs And Insights From A Long-Term Organic Farm, Ingrids Isabel Mata Vigil

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Soil health is foundational to sustainable agriculture, environmental resilience, and long-term food security. Yet, the adoption of soil health assessments remains limited, often perceived as too technical, costly, or difficult to implement in real-world contexts. To better understand these challenges, the first chapter presents findings from a statewide survey of 41 soil health practitioners in Nebraska, including farmers, extension educators, NRCS staff, and conservation professionals. Respondents highlighted the need for simpler, more accessible, and context-specific tools for soil health assessment that help practitioners make informed decisions aligned with their management goals. Complementing these insights, the second chapter includes an independent, …

Ken Rose Interview, Ken Rose, Gene Nichol

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Patient Journey And Cancer Pathology, Katie Contino, Ms

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a relapsing-remitting autoimmune disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It consists of Crohn’s disease, which can affect the entire gastrointestinal system, and ulcerative colitis, which is limited to the colon. Inflammatory Bowel Disease has various different levels of severity that have different treatment and medication options once the diagnosis is confirmed with an endoscopic procedure. The treatment options range from daily medication to invasive surgical procedures. Specific diets are also used as a preventative measure to remain in remission. The intestinal damage inflicted to the epithelium increases the risk of developing colon cancer, specifically those with …

She Speaks With Stars: Teacher Support For American Indian Students Who Are Gifted And Have Experienced Trauma, Tracy L. Olson

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

Olson, T.L. She Speaks with Stars: Teacher Support for American Indian Students Who Are Gifted and Have Experienced Trauma. (2025)

This qualitative study utilized grounded theory analysis through the use of survey and interview to research how teachers support American Indian students who are gifted and have experienced trauma. The study focused on survey results as well as interviews of a selection of teachers from various grade levels, years of experience working with American Indian students, and roles in the educational system. The themes that emerged from the data illustrate the imperative need for more research into Native American students …