Digital Commons Network^™

Unsettling Home: Traces Of An Unrepaired Settler-Colonial Past In "Redding, California," 1846-1924, Celeste Hegy

University Honors Theses

This thesis critically reads primary documents from the settler-colonial past of "Redding, California," my hometown. In this paper, I sketch out a series of moments of historical trauma which continue to cry out for repair. Through a series of episodes from the mid-nineteenth through the early-twentieth centuries, I examine how original settler thirst for land wrought a contested hegemony in principally genocidal flows of power between the settler-state and its settler inhabitants and the pre-existing local Indigenous nations and peoples. In the first chapter, I argue for an understanding of the dispossession of the northern valley as genocidal. In the …

Potentials Of Informal Household-Practiced Urban Farming As A Contributor To Sustainability And Resilience In Emirati Neighbourhoods, Hadia Al Haddad

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has integrated local agendas aimed at achieving urban sustainability and resilience, particularly in alignment with UAE Vision 2030. However, official initiatives in this domain often lack genuine community participation—a critical pillar for the success of sustainable urban development. Meanwhile, urban farming has garnered increasing recognition both globally and locally as a significant contributor to urban sustainability and resilience. In the UAE, official focus has largely centered on professional vertical farming, demonstrated through various high-profile projects. In contrast, informal, household-based urban farming is actively practiced within semi-public, semi-private, and private spaces across many Emirati public housing …

Incorporating Propensity Score Weighting And Nonresposne Adjustments Into Complex Survey Data With Survival Outcomes, Xinrui Shi

Theses and Dissertations

Propensity score weighting (PSW) plays a key role in minimizing confounding in observational research, especially when estimating treatment effects for time-to-event outcomes. However, its integration into survey data with complex design – particularly data with multiple stage sampling and censoring – remains underexplored. One significant challenge in such settings is the presence of nonresponse, which can introduce additional bias and complicate the use of standard weight adjustments. Moreover, there has been limited study on how PS weights can be effectively combined with nonresponse weighting adjustments in complex survey data that include survival outcomes. This dissertation aims to extend current methodologies …

A Provably Secure Coercion-Resistant E-Voting Scheme With Confidentiality, Anonymity, Unforgeability, And Cai Verifiability, Yun Xing Kho, Swee Huay Heng, Syh Yuan Tan, Ji Jian Chin

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Ensuring both cast-as-intended (CAI) verifiability and coercion-resistance in e-voting remains a critical challenge. The e-voting scheme proposed by Finogina and Herranz in 2023 represents the first notable advancement in reconciling these conflicting requirements. CAI verifiability allows voters to confirm that their intended vote has been correctly recorded, even without a secure channel to the election committee, while coercion-resistance prevents external influence and vote-selling. However, essential security properties such as confidentiality, anonymity, unforgeability, and double-voting prevention fall outside the scope of Finogina and Herranz’s e-voting scheme, leaving significant gaps in its security guarantees. To address this limitation, we propose a novel …

Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia Illucens, Larvae Meal Improves Intestinal Health And Growth Performance Of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis Niloticus, Juveniles, Sahya Maulu, Ben Eynon, Sherilyn Abarra, Mark Rawling, Daniel Merrifield

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

This study investigated the effects of dietary black soldier fly (BSF) larvae, Hermetia illucens, meal on growth performance, feed utilization, intestinal health, and immune response in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, juveniles. The fish (initial weight: 7.28 ± 0.09 g) were reared in a recirculatory aquaculture system (RAS) and fed diets containing different levels of defatted BSF larvae meal: 0% (control diet), 20% (BSF20), and 40% (BSF40). At the end of the feeding trial, the final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly (p < 0.05) improved with increasing BSF meal inclusion levels in the diet. Histological analysis of the intestine revealed that mucosal fold length (MFL), muscularis thickness (MT), and goblet cell density (GCD) were significantly elevated by the BSF meal compared with the control. In addition, intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and the enterocyte microvilli length were significantly elevated in BSF40-fed fish compared with the control. Gene expression analysis showed that intestinal chitin digestion-related (endochitinase A) and amino acid transporter (Slc6a18) genes were not significantly affected by the BSF meal. However, the expression of peptide transporter Slc15a1a was upregulated in the fish fed BSF40 compared to the control. Moreover, posterior intestine and head kidney cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10) gene expression levels were not significantly affected by the inclusion of the BSF meal. Therefore, these results suggest that the BSF meal up to a 40% inclusion level can be used as an alternative protein source in the diets of Nile tilapia juveniles to promote growth and intestinal health.

Semantic Sensors: Multimodal Language Model Powered Sensors Capable Of Reasoning, Alex Olwal, Michael Xieyang Liu, Savvas Petridis, Vivian Tsai, Alexander Fiannaca, Michael Terry, Carrie Cai

Defensive Publications Series

While sensor-driven systems such as motion detection, home security systems, etc. are capable of preconfigured tasks, such systems offer limited customization. Large language models are capable of performing reasoning tasks based on data provided to them. This disclosure describes a comprehensive semantic sensing system that is configured to understand user intent and to perform reasoning tasks based on different streams of sensor data (e.g., obtained from low-level sensors) to fulfill that intent. Reasoning tasks can be performed using a foundational AI model. Semantic sensors - sensor-systems that utilize a multimodal language model that interprets sensor data - are described that …

Xorcompactor: A Zero-Copy, Reversible Memory Defragmentation Technique For Operating Systems, Mostefa Sayeh Mr

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure introduces XORCompactor, a novel, reversible, zero-copy memory defragmentation technique for operating systems. Unlike traditional memory movers such as memmove() or memcpy(), XORCompactor performs in-place compaction by leveraging a mathematical XOR-based transformation to swap and relocate memory segments without auxiliary buffers or double-copy overhead. This method ensures lossless reversibility, enabling safe rollback, debugging, and deterministic state recovery. The technique improves memory utilization, reduces fragmentation latency, and supports deterministic behavior in embedded and real-time systems.

XORCompactor includes the proposal of a new instruction-level operation, XOR_MOV, and outlines potential hardware integration for high-throughput memory management. The algorithm has …

Dlfp: A Deterministic Instruction Fetch Architecture For Safety-Critical Electronics, Mostefa Sayeh Mr

Defensive Publications Series

DLFP (Dual-Layer Fetch Pathway) is a novel deterministic instruction fetch architecture tailored for safety-critical systems requiring strict execution timing and resilience. It introduces the Instruction Heatmap Engine (IHE), a lightweight classification mechanism that segments instructions into Hot, Warm, and Cold zones based on execution behavior. By combining this classification with layered fetch queues (L0–L3), DLFP enables deterministic scheduling, thermal-aware promotion, and reduced fetch latency variability. This approach strengthens system predictability, mitigates speculative execution vulnerabilities such as Spectre and Meltdown, and enhances safety in real-time environments including SCADA, avionics, medical electronics, and autonomous robotics. DLFP offers a foundational architecture …

Solid State Forms Of (S)-(2-(5-Chloro-4-Methyl-1h-Benzo[D]Imidazol-2-Yl)-2-Methylpyrrolidin-1-Yl)(5-Methoxy-2-(2h-1,2,3-Triazol-2-Yl)Phenyl)Methanone Hydrochloride And Processes For Preparation Thereof

Defensive Publications Series

The present invention provides solid state forms of (S)-(2-(5-chloro-4-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-2-methylpyrrolidin-1-yl)(5-methoxy-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl) methanone hydrochloride represented by the following structural formula-1a and processes for preparation thereof.

Promethia 2024-2025

Promethia

No abstract provided.

Archaeobotanical Remains From Ashqelon, Afridar, Nili Liphschitz

'Atiqot

No abstract provided.

Netgen: Network Traffic Generator, Arya Pefourque, Cole Fettkether, Johnathon Maschler

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

This project will investigate the development of a transformer-based machine learning model (NetGen), with the purpose of generating realistic and usable synthetic network traffic from natural language inputs. Network research and testing in the cybersecurity field depend on publicly available packet data (PCAP). Many of these datasets are either outdated or fail to represent more modern traffic patterns. We attempt to address this issue by preprocessing available network data into structured and tokenized sequences, suitable for training a transformer model. The transformer architecture allows us to translate user-provided descriptions—“simulate a TCP handshake from IP A to IP B”—into structurally accurate …

Medpez Dispenser, Hannah Hoeptner, Brian Lee, Liam Reese

Computer Science and Engineering Senior Theses

MedPez is a compact, portable device designed to improve medication adherence for individuals who struggle with remembering to take their pills. The device features a modular design, including a universal housing that is paired to a compatible cartridge. The housing is the top half of the device where users insert and store their medication. The main hardware components, such as the microcontroller are housed here. The cartridge is the bottom half of the device that contains the internal mechanisms to dispense the user’s pills and stores the main pilltracking components. A built-in alert system notifies users when it’s time to …

Reimagining Pressure Injury Prevention: A Smart Sensor Solution, Sam Smith

URGENT Matters

No abstract provided.

Ergonomic Human Robot Handovers Using Surface Electromyography (Semg) Sensors, Maya Murphy, Michael Mishkanian

Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Theses

For decades, robots have been kept in cages in industry. With the advances of collaborative robots and Artificial Intelligence (AI), there is a shift towards humans and robots working together. In this research, we propose an ergonomically friendly collaborative robotic cell that enables a human and a collaborative robot to work synergistically to assemble a mobile robot. The collaborative robot provides the parts while explaining the process through a computer, and the human co-worker follows the instructions to complete the assembly. The proposed collaborative robotic cell is evaluated in a user study to ensure that the handovers of the parts …

Temporal Modeling And Forecasting Of Blood Glucose Dynamics In Individuals With Diabetes Mellitus, Mj Ruff

University Honors Theses

People living with Diabetes Mellitus face significant health risks, including an increased likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and fluctuations in blood glucose levels. The unpredictable nature of glucose levels can lead to dangerous conditions such as ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia. This study employs advanced time series analysis tools to forecast the glucose levels for an individual diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Geothermal Energy And The Possibility Of Narrative Unity In Environmental And Energy Law, Jarrod Ingles

Pace Environmental Law Review

As the United States seeks to address concerns about climate change and energy affordability through the deployment of renewable energy and natural gas, the tensions between energy law and environmental law have come into sharper relief. These two related fields are converging as never before because solutions to rising energy costs and the “wicked problem” of climate change often pit the impulses of energy and environmental agencies against one another. Applying a narrative theory approach, I contend that energy law and environmental law will continue to be in tension because they are grounded in different narratives, which in turn communicate …

A Versatile Platform For Designing And Fabricating Multi-Material Perfusable 3d Microvasculatures, Nathaniel Harris, Charles Miller, Min Zou

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Perfusable microvasculature is critical for advancing in vitro tissue models, particularly for neural applications where limited diffusion impairs organoid growth and fails to replicate neurovascular function. This study presents a versatile fabrication platform that integrates mesh-driven design, two-photon lithography (TPL), and modular interfacing to create multi-material, perfusable 3D microvasculatures. Various 2D and 3D capillary paths were test-printed using both polygonal and lattice support strategies. A double-layered capillary scaffold based on the Hilbert curve was used for comparative materials testing. Methods for printing rigid (OrmoComp), moderately stiff hydrogel (polyethylene glycol diacrylate, PEGDA 700), and soft elastomeric (photocurable polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) materials were …

Comprehensive Insights Into The Cholesterol-Mediated Modulation Of Membrane Function Through Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Ehsaneh Khodadadi, Ehsan Khodadadi, Parth Chaturvedi, Mahmoud Moradi

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cholesterol plays an essential role in biological membranes and is crucial for maintaining their stability and functionality. In addition to biological membranes, cholesterol is also used in various synthetic lipid-based structures such as liposomes, proteoliposomes, and nanodiscs. Cholesterol regulates membrane properties by influencing the density of lipids, phase separation into liquid-ordered (Lo) and liquid-disordered (Ld) areas, and stability of protein-membrane interactions. For planar bilayers, cholesterol thickens the membrane, decreases permeability, and brings lipids into well-ordered domains, thereby increasing membrane rigidity by condensing lipid packing, while maintaining lateral lipid mobility in disordered regions to preserve overall membrane fluidity. It modulates membrane …

Simple And Complex Phonic Tics In Tourette Syndrome, José Fidel Baizabal-Carvallo, Joseph Jankovic

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Tourette syndrome (TS) is the most common cause of tics. Tics are classified as motor and phonic tics. The latter (previously also referred to as “vocal tics”) are manifested by simple sounds (simple phonic tics) or complex, often semantically meaningful utterances (complex phonic tics). Methods: We compared the clinical and demographic features of consecutive patients with TS who exhibited simple and complex phonic tics. Results: There were 149 patients, 117 (78.5%) of whom were males; the mean age at evaluation was 19.61 ± 12.97 years. In total, 35 (23.5%) of these manifested complex phonic tics, and 26 (17.4%) had verbalizations. …

Simulation Of Multi-Receiver Solar Power Tower By Enhancement Of Solarpilot Software And A Review Of Absorber Coating Materials For The Receivers, Yasser Mirza Baig

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Central receiver concentrating solar power (CSP) towers offer significant potential for cost-effective renewable electricity but face increasing optical losses with larger heliostat fields. This thesis introduces enhancements to NREL’s SolarPILOT software through a Python-based API named CoPylot, which enables comprehensive optimization of heliostat field layouts for multi-receiver systems. The enhanced methodology incorporates per-heliostat ray tracing, receiver orientation optimization (tilt angle β), and an incidence-angle-dependent absorptance (α(θ)) model to evaluate optical performance, thermal losses, and techno-economic metrics within an integrated simulation framework.

A case study for Daggett, California demonstrates that transitioning from a baseline single-receiver system (180 m tower, 5×5 m …

Multi-Neutrosophic Ayni Method Based On Ancestral Logic And N-Alectic Reasoning For Ethical Ai And Sustainability, Maikel Y. Leyva Vázquez, Noel Batista Hernandez, Edwin Alberto Callejas, Florentin Smarandache

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This article presents the Multi-Neutrosophic Ayni Method, a novel framework that integrates Latin American Indigenous philosophies with neutrosophic logic to guide ethical and sustainable AI development. Grounded in ancestral principles such as Ayni, Buen Vivir, In Lak’ech, ch’ixi, and nepantla, this approach models plural, ambiguous, and context-dependent ethical judgments through Multi-Neutrosophic Sets (MNS). A key contribution is the introduction of the Euclidean Multi-Neutrosophic Consensus Measure, which quantifies the degree of alignment among diverse stakeholders' evaluations without erasing epistemic differences. This measure enables the detection of convergence thresholds in intercultural deliberation, offering a rigorous yet flexible tool for decision-making. The method …

Estimation Of Intangible Quality Costs Using Neutrosophic Ahp-Topsis, Yaité Pérez Mayedo, Yadira Velázquez Labrada, NéStor Miguel ÁLvarez ÁLvarez, Leonardo Rafael Pérez Molina, Maikel Leyva Vázquez, Shakila Devi G T

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study addresses the challenge of quantifying intangible quality costs (IQCs), which are inherently subjective and often overlooked in traditional quality cost management. We propose a novel hybrid framework that integrates the Neutrosophic Analytic Hierarchy Process (NAHP) with triangular neutrosophic numbers and Neutrosophic TOPSIS (NTOPSIS) with single-valued neutrosophic sets (SVNS) to evaluate and prioritize IQCs. The framework enables the aggregation of expert inputs, transforming qualitative risks—such as supplier mistrust and communication gaps—into quantifiable cost metrics. Applied to a steel mill’s, the methodology allowed to cuantificate the IQCs of the scrap reception activity. The study concludes that the framework’s structured yet …

Results Of A Physical Exercise Program With Music Therapy In Ecuadorian Patients Affected By Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus To Increase Muscle Strength In Upper Limbs From A Neutrosophic Evidence Theory Perspective, María Eugenia Lucena De Ustáriz, Lisbeth Josefina Reales Chacón, Eliana Del Consuelo De La Torre Núñez, Francisco Javier Ustáriz Fajardo, Rosa Elisa Cruz Tenempaguay, Adriana Monserrath Monge Moreno, Silvia Del Pilar Vallejo Chinche, José Andrés Zaporta Ramos

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This research, conducted at the Technical University of Ambato in Ecuador, addresses the impact of an innovative therapeutic plan that combines upper limb muscle strength exercises with music therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This multidimensional approach seeks to improve the quality of life and functionality of patients through an accessible treatment tailored to their needs. The primary purpose of the study is to im-plement and evaluate a therapeutic plan designed to improve upper limb muscle strength in 28 older adults di-agnosed with T2DM. The program included specific exercises and music therapy, structured in 48 sessions for …

A Neutrosophic Multi-Objective Optimization Framework For Sustainable Design Of Water Supply Systems, Jesús Rafael Hechavarría Hernández, Maikel Yelandi Leyva Vázquez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The study addresses the challenge of optimizing water supply systems (WSS) under conditions of uncertainty, variability, and multiple. In a context where sustainability is a key criterion, traditional Multiobjective optimization approaches are often insufficient to handle the imprecision and indeterminacy inherent in data and models. This work proposes a Neutrosophic Multi-Objective Model (NMM) that integrates Neutrosophic Logic to capture uncertainty in decision variables, objective functions, and constraints. Unlike conventional methods, NMM allows considering degrees of truth, indeterminacy, and falsity, offering a more robust and flexible framework for decision-making in WSS. The relevance of this study lies in its ability to …

Evaluating English Oral Production In University Students Through Google Meet Using Neutrosophic Z-Numbers, Arihaschna Joyce Berrospi Zapata, Justo Pérez Soncco, Rosita Elvira Alcantara Poma, Lourdes Graciela Lurquin Valdivieso, José Regulo Ramírez Del Águila, Dante Manuel Macazana Fernández

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The present study investigates a central problem in the field of virtual education: how it influences the use of Google Meet in the Oral Production Competition of University Students at a public university in Lima. The research issue focuses on determining whether this platform, widely integrated into current educational environments, effectively contributes to the development of oral communicative skills in a foreign language. In a context where digital technologies are essential for teaching, understanding their real impact is essential to optimize learning processes in non-face-to-face modalities. Therefore, this investigation adopts an innovative approach based on neutral Z numbers, which allows …

Evolution And Application Of Lean Manufacturing In The Production Industry: Advances And Trends (2015-2025) Through Neutrosophic Cognitive Mapping Analysis Of Crit-Ical Success Factors, Eluard Alexander Mendoza Zenozain

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This article examines how Lean manufacturing evolved between 2015 and 2025—a decade marked by rapid technological disruption and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). The research identifies critical success factors of Lean and analyzes how AI has reshaped its implementation. To address the uncertainty and complexity of expert evaluations, Neutrosophic Cognitive Mapping (NCM) is used as a methodological tool. NCM not only maps interrelated success factors but also incorporates the ambiguity inherent in human and technological as-sessments. Results show that AI boosts Lean’s effectiveness through predictive analytics and inventory optimi-zation but reveals limitations when workforce training is insufficient. This intersection …

Quality Management In The Faculty Of Business Sciences At The José Faustino Sánchez Carrión National University: A Study Based On The Neutrosophic Linguistic 2-Tuple Model, Carlos Máximo Gonzales-Añorga, Julia Cecilia Yon-Delgado, Medalit Nieves Salcedo-Rodríguez, Mónica Rosario Yon-Delgado, Tito Edinson Quispe-Campos, Daniel Alberto Oswaldo Valenzuela-Narváez, Timoteo Solano-Armas, Viviana Inés Vellón Flores

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This research study is the product of a comprehensive, profound, and objective diagnosis of the academic and administrative situation of the Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Tourism of the José Faustino Sánchez Car-rión National University in Peru, which has allowed us to examine its management, the degree of efficiency, quality of training of academic schools and the factors that influence the quality of management. Quality in high-er education is an important aspect to measure to guarantee the best results for our graduates in their profession-al lives within society. This paper aims to measure the quality of education in the aforementioned …

Current Situation Of The Use Of Neutrosophy To Improve Medical Decision Making And Preventive Healthcare In Ecuador, Franklin Parrales-Bravo, Lorenzo Cevallos-Torres, Leonel Vasquez-Cevallos, Zulemma Bazurto-Blacio, Diana Minda-Gilces, Víctor Gómez-Rodríguez, Rosangela Caicedo-Quiroz, Pedro García-Arias

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study systematically examines the applications of neutrosophic logic in Ecuadorian medicine, focusing on its role in improving medical decision making and preventive healthcare. By conducting a structured literature review selected articles, the research highlights how neutrosophic methods—such as Single-Valued Neutrosophic Sets (SVNS) and Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps (NCMs)—address uncertainty, indeterminacy, and contradictions inherent in clinical and public health data. Key contributions include improved diagnostic accuracy in maternal health, risk assessment for chronic diseases, and ethical decision making in telemedicine, demonstrating neutrosophic logic’s superiority over traditional binary approaches. The findings advocate for a broader implementation of neutrosophic frameworks in Ecuador’s healthcare …

Identification Of Aspects And Barriers To Implementing Branding Strategies In Female Entrepreneurship In The City Of Guayaquil Based On Plithogenic Neutrosophic Vague Statistics, María Fernanda Béjar-Feijoo, Nancy Ricardo-Domínguez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Branding is one of the marketing strategies that a business must follow to contribute to its prosperity. It is not just about giving a name with a logo; it is about spreading a seal of identity that makes customers identify with the company's products. If creating a successful branding strategy in the market is difficult for any entrepreneur, this is even more difficult for women entrepreneurs. As is known in business, in the labor market, and in everyday life, women face more significant challenges than men. Added to this is the fact that Ecuador is a developing country where there …