Proof Of Finetuning Data, Bing-Jyue Chen, Mohammad Mohsen Minaei Bidgoli, Duc Le

Defensive Publications Series

Methods and systems for training or fine-tuning machine learning models (e.g., diffusion models) and generating zero-knowledge proofs are disclosed.  Such zero-knowledge proofs can demonstrate that a machine learning model was trained or fine-tuned using specified data elements (e.g., provided by a client).  A computer system (e.g., a server computer) can receive a request from a client computer to train a machine learning model using specified data elements.  The server computer can use a hash function to generate noise corresponding to the specified data elements, which can be bound to the specified data elements.  The computer system can train or fine-tune …

Caldwell Adaptive Ocular Transport Discovery Platform (Aotdp-1.0) A Modular Open-Hardware Multi-Physics Testbed For Discovering Non-Invasive Posterior Ocular Transport Mechanisms, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

The Caldwell Adaptive Ocular Transport Discovery Platform (AOTDP-1.0) is an open-hardware experimental research platform designed to investigate, compare, and optimize candidate non-invasive ocular transport mechanisms using standardized laboratory phantom eye models.

The platform does not claim to provide a clinically validated drug-delivery method. Instead, it addresses a fundamental engineering challenge:

How can researchers objectively evaluate competing physical mechanisms for transporting therapeutic agents toward posterior ocular regions without invasive injection approaches?

AOTDP-1.0 provides a modular multi-physics test environment where researchers can independently test and compare:

• acoustic transport methods,

• controlled micro-pressure gradients,

• electromagnetic-assisted approaches,

• optical stimulation concepts,

• fluidic transport mechanisms,

• mechanical interface …

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System And Method For On-Demand Generation Of Physics-Grounded, Verification-Gated, Competency-Driven Multi-Modal Technical-Training Content, Michael R. Glass

Defensive Publications Series

A system generates interactive technical-training artifacts — including circuit/equipment simulations, technical diagrams, "see-inside" equivalent-circuit views, injected fault scenarios, and step-by-step or narrated explanations — on demand and adapted to a learner's competency state. Unlike systems that script simulation behavior or that emit generative-model output without a correctness guarantee, the disclosed system computes artifact behavior from a numerical physics solver so behavior emerges from the solve, and passes every generated artifact through a verification gate that checks it against that same solved ground-truth model and rejects or regenerates any artifact inconsistent with the model before it is delivered. A …

Focused Retention: Goal-Conditioned Switched Decay As An Active Anti-Decay Force In Agent Memory (Loci), Arko Sanyal

Defensive Publications Series

Memory systems decay passively: strength falls with time, lifted only by rehearsal. We propose a memory spectrum in which decay is goal-conditioned: while a commitment is open, the item decays with a very long half-life (it holds, though it is not frozen); the moment the commitment resolves, decay switches to fast and the trace collapses. Focus, on this account, is not slower forgetting but a regime switch controlled by the fate of a goal. The model contributes: (1) a switched-decay retention law; (2) a release taxonomy — fulfilled, re-clamped, relinquished, nullified, abandoned — in which rejection is a choice node, …

A Separate, Fast-Decaying Memory Spectrum For A System's Own Thoughts, With Reflection-Gated Crystallization (Loci), Arko Sanyal

Defensive Publications Series

Memory systems for interactive agents store observations — facts about the world and the user. We argue the system's own reasoning traces ("thoughts") require a structurally different store: a separate spectrum with its own much faster decay law, and a gated bridge to long-term memory that only a confirmed outcome can open. A thought's retention follows an exponential decay with a roughly 4-hour half-life; cold thoughts are pruned. A thought is crystallized into a durable fact only when a later, externally-produced outcome confirms it — unconfirmed reasoning is never allowed to become long-term "truth," which makes the gate an anti-hallucination …

Generating Device-Agnostic Beating Haptic Effects, Shan Xu, Philip Quinn, Hong Z. Tan

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes techniques that enable a computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, wearable device, game controller, etc.) to generate device-agnostic beating haptic effects (e.g., low-frequency vibrations, breathing sensations, fluttery feedback, engine textures, etc.) using a piecewise linear envelope (PWLE) representation. The computing device may receive one or more beating parameters (e.g., beating frequency, carrier frequency, sharpness, amplitude scaling envelope, etc.) and calculate a high-resolution composite beating waveform envelope. To achieve compatibility across diverse actuator hardware (e.g., linear resonant actuators (LRAs), voice coil actuators, etc.), the computing device may simplify the high-resolution composite amplitude envelope into a PWLE representation using …

Bridging Solidarity: Mapping Pittsburgh’S Strikes In A Digital And Inclusive Context, Glenna Van Dyke

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Bridging Solidarity is a digital map that fosters exploration of Pittsburgh’s long labor history. This project introduces audiences to fourteen strikes or strike-related conflicts across Allegheny County from the early nineteenth century to today, by combining secondary literature, newspapers, digital and physical archival material, visual media, and historic maps. Hosted in the platform HistoryPin, Bridging Solidarity promotes engagement with strikes across time and space, inspires an appreciation for local places, and highlights many diverging experiences within Pittsburgh’s labor movement. This essay contextualizes my work within three historic subfields: digital humanities, place-based public labor history, and diverse local labor history. First, …

Best Practices For Classroom Seating Arrangements: A Narrative Literature Review, Sophia M. Williams

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Every K-12 classroom has a unique dynamic produced by students and managed by its teachers. The relationships between peers, as well as the relationships between students and their teacher play an integral role in how students work and behave each day. An important aspect of the classroom dynamic that teachers’ control is seating arrangements. Indeed, extant research has debated on the best practice for seating arrangements in classrooms to create optimal learning environments that benefit both pupil and teacher. Some studies suggest that students work better when they are working with people that they have positive relationships with. Contrarily, others …

A Phenomenological Study Of Parent Experiences During Transition From Early Intervention To School-Based Services, Kelly F. Gregoire, Halie Mayfield, Jeryl D. Benson, Johnna Estep

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Abstract

Importance: Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners and members of the Early Intervention (EI) to school-based transition should understand the barriers to a successful transition to better advocate for their clients and tailor their involvement in the transition process.

Objective: To explore the lived experience of parents of young children participating in the transition process.

Participants: Fourteen parents of young children (ages 2.5-6 years) with a developmental disability.

Outcomes and Measures: Semi-structured interviews focusing on parent and family experiences with the transition process.

Results: Seven resulting themes emerged from the data representing parent perceptions related to their experience of the system. …

Straw As A Potential Vegetable Fibre Insulative Infill In Framed Constructions - Material Testing\Tnotereftnote1, Patrick Daly

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The construction sector faces increasing pressure to reduce embodied carbon and adopt circular material strategies, with bio-based materials offering a promising pathway. Straw-based insulation, particularly in loose-fill form, has gained traction in Europe, where several products have achieved certification under EAD 040138-01-1201. This study investigates the potential of Irish-processed straw chip as a bio-based insulative infill for framed construction by evaluating its material properties and thermal conductivity–density performance relative to European ETA-certified reference products. A programme of laboratory testing was undertaken on commercially available Irish straw samples, including material characterisation (moisture content, particle morphology, and dust content) and thermal conductivity …

Development And Characterization Of Mycelium-Based Biocomposites From Ganoderma Lucidum Using Spent Yerba Mate And Residual Sunflower Oil For Sustainable Insulation In Construction, Paula V. Alfieri, Guadalupe Canosa

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The construction industry urgently requires sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based insulation materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and mineral wool. Mycelium-based biocomposites offer a promising solution by valorizing agricultural waste while delivering competitive thermal and acoustic performance. In this study, developed and characterized biocomposites using Ganoderma lucidum mycelium combined with spent yerba mate and residual sunflower oil (70 g/30 mL), both commonly generated as waste in Argentine institutions. Two formulations were evaluated: high density (HD: 280 ± 5 kg/m³) and low density (LD: 185 ± 5 kg/m³). Samples were cultivated for 90 days at 28 °C and 65% relative humidity and …

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Of Hemp Walls In Residential Construction In Morocco, Hicham Kaddouri, Rachida Elbarghmi, Firyal Latrache, Marwane Hammouti, Abderrahim Abidouche, Ismael Driouch

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This study analyzes the energy and environmental performance of hemp-based wall solutions applied to Moroccan residential buildings by combining dynamic thermal simulation and life cycle assessment (LCA). A reference building is assessed under four representative Moroccan climates (Al Hoceima, Oujda, Marrakech, and Ouarzazate), comparing a conventional wall retrofitted with hemp plaster and a wall incorporating hemp concrete. The results show that hemp concrete significantly reduces annual heating and cooling energy demands by 20–24% depending on the climate, with heating needs decreasing by up to 40% and cooling needs by approximately 15%, particularly in hot and arid regions. The LCA reveals …

Dual-Waste Integration For Geotechnical Improvement: Silica Fume And Eggshell Ash In Kaolin Soil Stabilization, Ng Jun Shen, Muzamir Hasan, Siti Sarah Eliyun, Md. Ikramul Hoque, Mohamad Afiq Jazrin Mohamad Sidek

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This study reveals the potential substitution of silica fume and eggshell ash in the technique of soil stabilization, varying across distinct proportions in the modification of geotechnical parameters. The untreated kaolinitic soil which has low soil bearing capacity in nature is frequently reflected in its mechanical instability, for instance, soil settlement and extreme compressibility. By associating the industrial and agricultural material, it is potentially to resolve the above-mentioned issues with explicit designs. A number of laboratory approaches have been implemented in the assessment of basic geotechnical properties, including grain size distribution, Atterberg limits, specific gravity, proctor properties, and shear strength …

Bioinspired Peek/Bioactive Glass/Β-Tcp Hybrid Composites With Nano-Ha Coatings: Interfacial Apatite Nucleation, Wettability Tuning, And In Vitro Bioactivity For Load-Bearing Bone Repair, Hala M Kadhim, Kadhum M. Shabeeb, Anwer Jumaa Al-Obaidi

Engineering and Technology Journal

This study addresses the longstanding challenge of balancing mechanical performance and biological activity in load-bearing bone regeneration. A multifunctional composite was developed based on polyetheretherketone (PEEK) reinforced with bioactive glass fibers and β -tricalcium phosphate (β -TCP), followed by surface functionalization using nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA) coating. Structural and spectroscopic analyses confirmed preservation of the PEEK molecular backbone and stable incorporation of ceramic phases. At the same time, the nano-HA layer formed a biomimetic hierarchical interface resembling natural bone mineral. Quantitatively, the modified composite exhibited a marked improvement in surface wettability, with a contact angle of 29.83°, indicating excellent hydrophilicity relative to …

Leaching Durability Of Eicp-Treated Collapsible Gypseous Soil, Samer J. Abdullah, Mohammed Y. Fattah, Aqeel Al-Adili

Engineering and Technology Journal

Gypsum dissolution and salt leaching make gypseous soils highly sensitive to seepage by weakening interparticle bonds and promoting fabric rearrangement. This study evaluated the seven day leaching durability of enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) treatment in a sand rich gypseous soil containing 29 wt.% gypsum. Specimens prepared at maximum dry density and optimum water content were used to evaluate nine formulations (A-H and J). Leaching tests were carried out in a modified Rowe cell for seven days under a vertical stress of 200 kPa and an upward hydraulic gradient of i = 20. Settlement, leaching strain, drainage volume, pH, electrical …

Groundwater Quality Mapping And Physicochemical Analysis In Badra District, Wasit Governorate, Iraq, Abbas J. Kadhem, Zahraa Zahrow, Muwafaq H. Al Lami, Moayed N. Muslim

Engineering and Technology Journal

The scarcity of water is a pressing issue in the semi-arid zone, largely due to climate change and the limited water resources available in the country. Groundwater is one of the subsurface sources of water during the arid seasons in Iraq. This study aims to evaluate the quality of groundwater in the Badra district, Wasit governorate. Twenty-four wells were selected, and three methods were used to analyze the water quality. Starting with the water quality index, which is a test of four subindices (salinity hazard, permeability risk, ion toxicity, and miscellaneous effects on sensitive groups). Then, the spatial distribution map …

Cafsos‑Seat V1.0 Caldwell Adaptive Aerial Fire Suppression Optimization System Seat Prototype, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

CAFSOS‑SEAT v1.0 is a builder‑ready prototype package designed for immediate engineering evaluation on Fire Boss / Air Tractor SEAT aircraft (800–1,600 gallons).

It focuses on three modules that can be built now using commercial hardware, composite fabrication, and simple mechanical retrofits:

1. Ground Pre‑Chill Skid (CAWCE‑G‑SEAT)

2. Insulated Tank Liner + Passive Mixing

3. Adaptive Gate + Swirl Plume Generator

These modules deliver 15–20°F colder water, better plume shape, better droplet distribution, and more effective suppression — without requiring new physics, new aircraft, or complex avionics.

This is the fastest, safest, highest‑viability path to improving aerial wildfire suppression today.

Gci #331 — Caldwell Adaptive Aerial Fire Suppression Optimization System (Cafsos V1.0) A Unified Open-Hardware Architecture For Adaptive Water Conditioning, Intelligent Drop Optimization, Plume Management, And Wildfire Suppression Enhancement, Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure presents the Caldwell Adaptive Aerial Fire Suppression Optimization System (CAFSOS v1.0), an integrated open-hardware engineering architecture intended to improve the effectiveness of existing aerial wildfire suppression fleets through physics-based optimization rather than unrealistic increases in payload or cooling capacity.

Instead of attempting to refrigerate thousands of gallons of water during flight—a task limited by thermodynamics, aircraft payload, and energy constraints—CAFSOS employs a layered engineering strategy combining:

• Ground-based pre-conditioning of suppression water.

• Lightweight insulated aircraft tank systems.

• Intelligent in-flight trim conditioning.

• Adaptive droplet-size control.

• Swirl-induced plume shaping.

• Boundary-layer thermal conditioning.

• Variable pulse-release technology.

• Gyroid thermal structures.

• AI-assisted telemetry integration. …

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Technical Disclosure Specification: Eliminating Late-Time Logarithmic Thermal Drawdown In Closed-Loop Geothermal Wells Via Soliton-Induced Boundary Layer Disruption, Christopher L. Eckes

Defensive Publications Series

This specification formalizes an advanced multi-physics engineering framework to eliminate late-time logarithmic thermal drawdown, localized stagnant fluid insulation, and long-term thermodynamic extraction decay in deep, closed-loop geothermal wells. Traditional geothermal energy extraction architectures encounter a severe physical limitation over extended operational runtimes: the continuous circulation of working fluid rapidly cools the immediate borehole rock face, establishing a stagnant thermal boundary layer that isolates the fluid from the core geological heat source and collapses extraction efficiency.

This framework resolves this bottleneck by treating the borehole rock-fluid interface as an active 2D viscoelastic fluid transport membrane operating at a strict coordinate baseline …

Cytotoxicity Of Bioactive Peptides From Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp) Against Breast Cancer Cells (Mcf-7), Dian R. Ningsih, Zusfahair Zusfahair, Ely Setiawan, Purwati Purwati, Kasta Gurning, Fitri A. Puspita Sari, Elya Widiawati

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Cancer is characterized by dysregulated metabolic signaling pathways, leading to uncontrolled cellular proliferation. Current cancer treatments, which involve surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, still cause adverse systemic toxicities. Accordingly, one possible effort that can be undertaken is to explore safe anticancer substances from protein sources such as peptides. Bioactive peptides can be isolated by hydrolyzing cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) protein with trypsin. The objectives of this study were to isolate and fractionate bioactive peptides from cowpea, to determine the anticancer activity of peptide fractions, to identify active peptide fractions as anticancer agents using Liquid Chromatography High Resolution Mass Spectrometry …

Exogenous Ribosome Incorporation Induces Lineage Transdifferentiation In Intestinal And Liver Cancer Cells, Haoxuan Gu, Nadia Wahyuningsih, Keisuke Yamashita, Shota Inoue, Fuchao Tan, Mani Sharaki, Muhaimin Rifa’I, Kunimasa Ohta

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

It has previously been shown that exogenous bacterial ribosomes added to somatic cells and various cancer cell lines generate ribosome-induced cell clusters (RICs) capable of transdifferentiating into multiple cellular lineages. However, the scope of ribosome-induced transdifferentiation in cancer cells remains poorly understood. This study aimed to analyze the effects of exogenous ribosome incorporation on human cancer cell lines, specifically the intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2 and the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. Caco-2 and HepG2 cells were cultured with purified bacterial ribosomes in human ES/iPS cell medium after trypsinization, resulting in the formation of ribosome-induced Caco-2 (RICs-Ca) and HepG2 (RICs-He) …

Selenoprotein P And Selenium As Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers For Breast Cancer Patients, Farah A. Rashid, Rawaa A. Ali, Hanaa A. Ali

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Breast cancer incidence increases in last decade. Oxidative stress increases during cancer development causes consuming of antioxidants. Selenium and its transporting protein, selenoprotein P have an important role in redox homeostasis. This study aims to investigate whether or not selenium and selenoprotein P could be diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer patients. This study was included 30 individuals in control group who is age- and BMI-matched with 60 breast cancer patients. Selenium was measured by colorimetric assay kit and selenoprotein P was determined by Sandwich ELISA kits. The results indicate significant decrease (p < 0.0001) of serum selenium and selenoprotein P in breast cancer patients compared to control. A positive significant correlation (r = 0.6214, p < 0.0001) was found between selenium and selenoprotein P in breast cancer patients. Selenium has an excellent diagnostic accuracy with area under curve 0.9831, sensitivity 95% and specificity 100% at cut-off less than 3.54 mmol/L. Furthermore, selenoprotein P has also an excellent area under curve 0.9958 with sensitivity 96.77% and specificity 100% at cut-off less than 4.15 ng/ml. These exploratory findings appear that selenium and selenoprotein P could be potential diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer patients. Further investigations in large-multicenter populations are needed to confirm results.

Mathematically Driven Enhancement In Information Security, Suhaib Badran, Asmaa Alqassab

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

A new mathematically based cryptographic method has been proposed to improve information security; it involves transforming data into a matrix and performing bit-level operations. This decryption then follows the basic mechanism of a deterministic, fully invertible algorithm, with this invertible algorithm having the same principle as the existing ones: the process of decryption is symmetrical, where the process is reversed based on the input of the ciphertext. The plaintext is transformed into a square matrix, which includes matrix rotation, permutation of rows, circular bit shifting, and finally an affine linear transformation followed by an additional Base62-like encoding layer to further …

Tapping Into The Ocean’S Hidden Energy: Feasibility Of A 5 Mw Otec Installation In North Bali, Widodo Setiyo Pranowo, Yani Permanawati, Gisela Malya Asoka Anindita, Agung Kurniawan, Albertus Sulaiman, Johar Setiyadi, Safri Burhanuddin, Ivonne Milichristi Radjawane, Hansan Park, Endro Sigit Kurniawan

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Indonesia is an archipelagic country surrounded by water and faces energy challenges due to the low use of renewable energy. Among the potential renewable options, marine energy is a particularly suitable resource given the country’s geographical nature. Based on this discussion, seawater temperature can be used as an alternative ocean thermal en-ergy known as ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) by using the difference in sea surface and deep-sea water temperatures. Therefore, this study aimed to examine OTEC installations in North Bali waters using closed-cycle OTEC calculations for a 5 MW system. Following this objective, we examined the water conditions by …

Application Of Cost-Effective High-Resolution Remote Sensing To Characterize Flooding In Mountain River Corridors, Ishwar Joshi, Ian Gowing, Brian M. Crookston

Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Research

This study evaluated a cost-effective UAV-based multi-sensor approach for characterizing river corridor conditions during and after moderate floods in two mountain river corridors in Northern Utah, USA: the Logan River and Blacksmith Fork River. These study reaches included urban, rural, and agricultural areas, hydraulic structures and bridges, and fish passage structures. A DJI Matrice 300 UAV was used with two separate payloads: an AgEagle Altum-PT multispectral camera and an R3 Pro V2 two-return LiDAR system. The workflow included UAV flight planning and data collection, post-processing of the multi-spectral and LiDAR sensor data, spatial resolution and accuracy assessment, and interpretation of …

The Book Of Old, Sarah Booth

Masters Theses

This thesis explores how fantasy and fantasy-related screenplays externalize the conflict between characters' desires (external goals) and their needs (internal transformation) through surreal imagery, symbolic worlds, and narrative design. While traditional screenwriting mainly emphasizes the difference between what a character wants and what they need, fantasy uniquely makes this tension visible by turning psychological struggles into physical settings, creatures, and story challenges. Through close analysis of Spirited Away (2001), Pan's Labyrinth (2010, and Black Swan (2006), this thesis argues that fantasy cinema not only portrays character transformation but also renders it materially and visually, translating the abstract tension between desire …

Murder Of A Creative: Mfa Thesis, Himani Sanjeevkumar Mehta

Masters Theses

In the creative industry, the phrase “fast-paced environment” is often treated as an essential ingredient for productivity and success. The contemporary design landscape operates within an output-driven system that prioritizes speed, visibility, and measurable worth, contributing to the growing commercialization of creativity. Within this framework, the creative process is often diminished or overlooked where it no longer serves efficiency, reducing creativity to a consumable outcome rather than a reflective and sustaining practice. As a result, creative professionals and students increasingly experience creative anxiety, burnout, and paralysis, alongside imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and self-doubt. These conditions are rarely examined as systemic outcomes …

Shattered Glass: Finding Anna In The Brokenness, Tracy A. Scoville

Masters Theses

This thesis began years ago when I started a novel about a woman that suffered with a mental illness. The story grew into part of a novel. Within the artist’s statement, I present a view of mental illness that I filter through my own experiences. I examine Anna’s struggles with how she thinks, acts and processes stress through a lens of bipolar II disorder. The critical paper examines the importance of dialogue and the need for it to fit the individual characters. The story of Anna, with the use of good dialogue, comes to life in the creative manuscript Shattered …

Slowing Down With The Archives: Reexamining An Archaeological Context From Pre-Columbian Coastal Ecuador, Madison Rieth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Archaeological excavations leave behind extensive paper trails and repositories of materials. When these materials are transformed into an archive it disjoints the archaeological process and increases the possibility for knowledge loss. The archive from Salango Site 141C showcases this. These materials have remained in storage or on display since their original excavation and over time the understanding and significance of the site has been lost. Utilizing the theoretical framework of slow archaeology, this thesis analyzes the various parts of the archive from 141C. Using both mortuary archaeology and skeletal analysis, these parts of the archive are reconciled, compared, and integrated. …

Association Between Resource Availability And Wellbeing Of Autism Patients In Ghana, Kwabena Aduse-Poku

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that presents significant challenges for children and families in Ghana, where resources remain limited. Grounded in the social ecological model, this quantitative cross-sectional study examined the associations between autism management programs and wellbeing, defined briefly as independent functioning in daily life and learning of autism patients enrolled in selected institutions in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. Data were collected from N=122 autism patients using structured questionnaires that were completed by caregivers and program staff. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess relationships between program type, regional location, and years of enrollment and …