Digital Commons Network^™

Exposing And Addressing Machine Learning Brittleness Through Constraint Solving, Muyeed Ahmed

Dissertations

Machine Learning (ML) implementations are fundamentally brittle: nondeterministic, inconsistent, and prone to overfitting; however, constraint solving can be used to systematically expose, quantify, and address this brittleness.

This dissertation first establishes that widely-used implementations of popular ML algorithms are nondeterministic (producing different outputs on the same input, across different runs) and inconsistent (different implementations of the same algorithm producing different outputs on the same input). This is more prevalent in Unsupervised Learning (UL) implementations where, due to the lack of a ground truth, subtle execution errors can go unnoticed and are difficult to verify. Nondeterminism and inconsistency also introduce security …

Development Of Ultrafast Protein Digestion And Standards Free Quantitation Methods For Mass Spectrometric Analysis, Praneeth Ivan Joel Fnu

Dissertations

A wide variety of biologically important molecules, such as enzymes, antibodies, hormones, transporters and receptors are proteins by composition and they play key roles in biological functions such as cellular regulation, communication, metabolism and physiological function. Protein dysfunctions and abnormalities are associated with numerous diseases, making proteins critical targets for understanding disease mechanisms and developing therapeutic interventions. Protein-based therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies, hormones and vaccines gained popularity due to their high specificity, efficacy, and ability to treat complex diseases that are often difficult to address with small-molecule drugs.

Given the important role of proteins in a variety of biological …

Geographic And Environmnetal Influences On Color Pattern Similarity Between Coral Snakes (Genus: Micrurus) And Their Lookalikes, Anthony Sena

Dissertations

Venomous coral snakes and their lookalikes are often regarded as a classic example of Batesian mimicry, whereby a harmless species imitates a harmful species. The existing literature regarding coral snake resemblance presents a divisive stance on whether Batesian mimicry is the primary driver of shared color patterns or if alternative factors are responsible. While recent literature largely favors the Batesian hypothesis, empirical support remains inconsistent, and the specific geographic and interpretation of the conditions required for mimicry lacks consensus within the scientific community.

To evaluate the mechanisms maintaining these phenotypes, a quantitative, multivariate framework was utilized to analyze 400 museum …

Geometric Convergence And State-Space Decompositions For Stochastic Gradient Descent Markov Chains, Philip Zaleski

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Solar Wind - Magnetosphere - Ionosphere Coupling Processes Through Small-Scale Magnetic Flux Ropes, Youra Shin

Dissertations

Small-scale magnetic flux ropes (SMFRs) in the solar wind are examined to determine their properties in the near-Earth upstream region and their effects on geospace. Although SMFRs are observed frequently in the solar wind, their statistical behavior near Earth and their role in solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling remain insufficiently constrained. In this dissertation, an automated Grad-Shafranov reconstruction technique is applied to magnetic field and plasma measurements from MMS and Wind, and ionospheric responses are investigated using geomagnetic indices and SuperDARN observations. During the survey period, MMS has an apogee of approximately 25-29 R_E. This orbital configuration allows the near-Earth …

Tracking Towards Zero: Implementing A Picc Team Tracker To Prevent Clabsis, Carolina Maria Gerodias Cayetano

Master's Projects and Capstones

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) remain among the most serious and costly healthcare-associated infections in acute care settings, with each event associated with significant excess mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and avoidable healthcare costs. At Hospital A, a 239-bed acute care facility, two of six total CLABSI events over a 12-month period were associated with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), representing 33% of all facility CLABSIs and exposing a critical gap in standardized PICC line surveillance and maintenance bundle monitoring.

Problem: The PICC team lacked a systematic, real-time tracking mechanism to monitor central line maintenance bundle adherence across seven adult …

Do Dynamic Capabilities Moderate The Effect Of Managerial Attitudes On E-Marketing Adoption? Evidence From Small And Medium Tourism Enterprises In Zanzibar, Hilal Maabad Ame, Omari Khalifa Mbura, Amani Gration Tegambwage

Business Management Review

This study examines the influence of managerial attitudes and dynamic capabilities on e-marketing adoption among Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs) in Zanzibar. Grounded in the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour (DTPB) and Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT), the study tests the effects of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, compatibility, and perceived security on e-marketing adoption, with dynamic capabilities examined as a moderating factor. Data were collected from 216 SMTEs operating in the Urban and South Regions of Zanzibar and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that perceived ease of use and perceived security …

The Effect Of External Auditors’ Competence And Independence On The Cost-Saving Of Audit Recommendations: Evidence From Tanzanian Local Government Authorities, Lenatusi Leonard L. Munyangabi, Henry Zeno Chalu, Keregero M. Chirongo

Business Management Review

This study examined the effect of external auditors’ competence and independence on the cost-saving of audit recommendations among Tanzanian Local Government Authorities (LGAs). Persistent non-implementation of audit recommendations in developing countries raises concerns regarding the extent to which audit reports contribute to fiscal prudence and resource efficiency. Grounded in the Theory of Inspired Confidence and Stewardship Theory, the study hypothesized that competent and independent auditors enhance the cost-saving potential of audit recommendations. A descriptive-explanatory design was employed, involving 345 respondents drawn from 126 selected LGAs. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed through multiple regression analysis. Both independent variables …

Contradictory Oppositions In The Poetry Of Al-Mu’Tamid Bin Abbad, Zahir Badar Al-Ghusaini

Journal of Arts and Social Sciences

This study examines the use of binary oppositions in the poetry of Al-Mu’tamid bin Abbad’s poetry, the last ruler of the ‘Tawaef’ kingdoms (Moulook At-Tawaef) in Al-Andalus with the aim of identifying their impact on the structure of the poetic text.The researchproblem lies in the turbulent stages of Al-Mu’tamid Ibn Abbad’s life—from sovereignty tohumiliation— which were reflected in his poetry, where binary oppositions emerged as a dominant feature in his poeticcollections. The study employed a descriptive-analytical method, subjecting Al-Mutamad’s collection to detailed analysis in order to identify these binary oppositions. The study also applied the statistical approach to produce findings …

Beyond The Binary: Strengthening Nursing Students’ Proficiency Of Equitable Health Promotion, Martha K. Findley

Theses

Background: Sexual and gender diverse (SGD) populations continue to experience significant health inequities, yet prelicensure nursing curricula often lack structured, evidence‑based training to prepare students for equitable care.

Purpose: This study evaluated whether a targeted, transgender‑focused simulation could improve nursing students’ clinical knowledge and preparedness for providing equitable health promotion to SGD populations.

Methods: A pre‑/post‑intervention design was used with senior‑level nursing students who completed a transgender patient simulation emphasizing communication, assessment, and equitable health promotion. Students completed a validated survey measuring knowledge and preparedness in caring for SGD patients.

Results: Significant improvements across most survey items demonstrated that the …

Two Paths Of Criminal Law Reform: From Shared Colonial Legacies To Divergent Legal Trajectories In Indonesia And Malaysia, Ade Adhari, Charisse Evania Tansir

Indonesia Law Review

Despite sharing colonial legacies in the development of their criminal law systems, Indonesia and Malaysia have pursued markedly different paths of criminal law reform, reflecting their distinct legal traditions and legislative philosophies. This article examines how these divergent reform trajectories are manifested through a comparative analysis of Indonesia's Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code and Malaysia's Penal Code (Act 574). Focusing on three analytical dimensions—the principle of legality, criminal responsibility, and sentencing policy—the study adopts a normative legal research method supported by statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches. Legal materials were collected through library-based research and analysed qualitatively …

The Eu’S Copyright Legislation For Generative Ai: Relevant To Indonesia?, Yolanda Simbolon

Indonesia Law Review

Tremendously copyrighted works are used to train Generative AI (Gen-AI) at the epicenter of current sectors. In many countries, there is a dilemma as to whether the amount of data used may infringe copyright. The EU is the one that has regulations on the use of copyrighted works as text and data mining (TDM) to train GenAI.  Meanwhile, Indonesia does not yet have a regulation, even though Gen-AI has been massively developed in Indonesia. Data has been used freely to train Gen-AI, even to modify works and damage the author’s reputation. This article investigates whether the EU’s copyright of Gen-AI …

Relationship Between Financial Performance And Healthcare Quality Outcomes, Ela C. Lena

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital leaders face increasing pressure to improve quality outcomes while controlling costs. The evidence is limited on whether hospital financial performance predicts overall quality star ratings. Grounded in the general contingency theory, this quantitative, correlational project examined the predictive relationship between operating margin, current ratio, and a composite of quality metrics represented by the overall hospital Quality Star Rating (QSR). Data included the population of acute care hospitals in Massachusetts with 25 or more beds, yielding a final analytic sample of 54. Four year-specific multiple linear regression models were performed from 2021 through 2024. The analyses did not indicate a …

Representasi Identitas Dan Gastronomi Budaya Kuliner Jawa Dalam Lima Lagu Karya Ki Narto Sabdo, Aditya Pratama, Darmoko -, Ari Prasetiyo, Dwi Woro Retno Mastuti

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Culinary is not just food and drink, but has transformed into a study of culinary gastronomy which focuses on aspects of history, values, philosophy, taste and components. The study of the problems discussed in this research is related to the cultural identity of Javanese culinary gastronomy in the five songs by Ki Narto Sabdo. Descriptive qualitative research methods with an objective approach were applied in this research. This research uses Santich's culinary gastronomy theory and Stuart Hall's theory of cultural identity representation with a constructionist approach. As a result, the representation of Javanese culinary gastronomic cultural identity is built on …

Shaping Disease: Colonial Stigma And The Politics Of Health In Banyuwangi, The Early Twentieth Century, Rifa'i Shodiq Fathoni, Skriptyan Noor Hidayatullah Syuhri, Vini’Matu Hikmah, Ardhita Zahra Namira

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This article examines the colonial stigma attached to Banyuwangi as an “unhealthy region” in the early 20th century, a label used to justify massive exploitation of its natural resources. Using a historical method, this research analyzes how this stigma not only served as a tool for colonial legitimation but also causatively created conditions that triggered ecological disasters and a public health crisis in a previously isolated area. Through an analysis of primary sources such as colonial reports, health journals, and newspapers, this article traces how large-scale plantation exploitation, enabled by the stigma, led to deforestation, uncontrolled labor migration, and poor …

Universalism And Exclusion: Immigrants Through The Lens Of French Law And Media, George Mikhael Taliak, Abellia Anggi Wardani

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This research examines France’s Immigration Law LOI n°2024-42 du 26 janvier 2024 and its representation in three mainstream media outlets across the ideological spectrum: Le Figaro (right), CCFD-Terre Solidaire (left), and France Info (center). Using Critical Discourse Analysis (Fairclough, 1995) and Maurice Halbwachs’s theory of collective memory, the study explores how legal and media discourses construct symbolic and administrative boundaries of national citizenship. Findings reveal that integration is framed not as civic inclusion, but as the internalization of a singular national identity and memory. Media reinforce this framework through divergent but convergent discursive strategies. At the macro level, the law …

Transmutation Of Psychological Phenomena (Academic Burnout And Fomo) Into Cyanotype Art Creation, Zulfan Ali Mujtaba, Adi Kuntoro

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

The pressure of hustle culture and the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) in the digital era have triggered an escalation of academic burnout among students, demanding alternative psychological recovery interventions beyond verbal clinical approaches. This research aims to explore the creation of alternative Cyanotype photography as a medium for catharsis and resistance against toxic productivity. Utilizing a Practice-Based Research methodology with an autoethnographic approach, data were extracted from the researcher's subjective experiences and transmuted into a visual artifact titled "Metamorfosis yang Lelah". The cultural studies approach and wabi-sabi aesthetics are specifically applied to analyze visual elements in the Prussian Blue …

Universal Child Development Accounts In Taiwan: Recent Policy Developments, I-Feng Chen, Jin Huang, Michael Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

On July 24, 2026, Taiwan’s legislature passed the Taiwan Future Account Special Act. If signed into law, the bill would create a national Child Development Account policy with many of the features that research has identified as key design elements for universal children’s account policy. This brief examines the bill and competing proposals, comparing the design elements with features in the Trump Account policy. The brief also details three recommendations for strengthening the policy.

The Npso Model Decreased Hospital-Acquired Infections And Sustained The Clinical Outcomes, Hsin-Mei Chen, Shannan Hamlin, Vaibhav Unhelkar, Lydia Kavraki

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

The study revealed that patients with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) experienced a length of stay (LOS) that increased from 3 days to 30 days (Stewart et al., 2021). Another study shows that a CAUTI case incurs an additional cost of $13,793, while a CLABSI case incurs an additional cost of $48,108 to the care (Forester et al., 2022).

In October 2021, our department received a request to mitigate the surge in CAUTI and CLABSI rates in Q3 2021. We reviewed the literature and designed standardized tools for skill validation. Then, we observed the nursing practice, identified the fallouts, and prepared an …

Uhsp Student Handbook 2026-2027

Handbooks

No abstract provided.

Home-Based Digital Exergame For Children With Developmental Disabilities: Protocol Of A Pilot Study, Jaeeun Kang, Yoomi Shin, Naeun Park, Youngeun Lee, Anna Lee

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Compromised sensory integration, reflecting disruptions in neuroplasticity and commonly observed among children with developmental disabilities (DDs), is associated with difficulties in daily functioning and motor and social skills (Rodríguez-Armendariz et al., 2024). Interventions including sensory integration and exergame approaches have demonstrated benefits for enhancing neuroplasticity and functional outcomes (Cardenas et al., 2022). However, clinic-based sensory integration therapy often limits family involvement. We aim to develop and evaluate a home-based digital exergame for children with DDs and their families.

Purpose: This study describes the procedures for developing and assessing the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the digital exergame.

Methods: This …

Boiling-Induced Changes In The Α -Amylase Inhibitory Activity Of Selected Brassica Vegetables In Sri Lanka: A Comparative Study, D. M. S. S. Dassanayake, B. C. K. Kumari, P. R. H. Perera, G. M. Yasasvi, L. M. Hettihewa, W. M. K. M. Ratnayake

Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology

Incorporating vegetables with α -amylase inhibitory properties into the diet is a natural and nutritious way to help regulate blood sugar levels, reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes mellitus, and promote overall health and well-being. However, during the cooking process, the chemical structure of active compounds, which are responsible for α -amylase inhibition, can change. Hence, this was aimed to evaluate the α -amylase inhibition potential of boiled and non-boiled aqueous extracts (BAE and NBAE respectively) of selected vegetables belonging to the Brassica oleracea L species, which are commonly consumed as in fresh salads as well as in …

Capacity Utilization In Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry In Sri Lanka: A Mixed-Methods Analysis Of Systemic Constraints, W. D. Welipitiya, L. M. Hettihewa, S. N. Samage

Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology

Background: Domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing is important for medicine security, accessibility and reduction of import dependence in Sri Lanka. However, installed manufacturing capacity may remain underutilized because of interacting regulatory, supply-chain, financial, workforce and market constraints. This study assessed capacity utilization among Category A pharmaceutical manufacturers and explored the systemic factors associated with underutilization.
Methods: A convergent mixed-methods design was used. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed descriptively using SPSS Version 26. Qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaire responses and analysed thematically using QualCoder. Capacity utilization was calculated as actual output divided by …

Schiff Base Synthesis, Characterization And Computational Analysis For Potential Antibacterial Agents, L. N. G. K. Suranjith, M. S. D. Fernando

Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology

Schiff bases are an important class of imine compounds known for their structural versatility and biological activities, particularly as potential antimicrobial agents characterized by the azomethine (–C=N–) functional group, are widely recognized for its diverse biological activities. This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of (E)-N-(3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ylidene)aniline to evaluate its potential as an antibacterial agent. The compound was synthesized via acid-catalyzed condensation of aniline and cinnamaldehyde under reflux for 2 hours in absolute ethanol. After purification through recrystallisation, the structure was confirmed using UV–Visible, FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. Thermal stability was assessed with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), while …

A Web-Based Machine Learning Application For Classifying Post-Covid Risk Among Middle-Aged Adults, Himasha Amarathunga, Dhishan Dhammearatchi, Nimesh Pollwaththage

Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology

Post-COVID syndrome (Long-COVID) represents a significant public health challenge, yet accessible tools for individual risk assessment among middle-aged adults remain limited. This study describes the development and evaluation of a web-based machine learning application for the classification of post-COVID risk in adults aged 30–60 years. A publicly available secondary dataset comprising 9,637 patient records was used, of which 5,871 (61%) were classified as high-risk and 3,766 (39%) as standard recovery, reflecting an imbalanced class distribution. The web application incorporates key demographic and clinical features including age, sex, vaccination status and comorbidities to produce a binary risk classification (High/Low). Five machine …

Ai-Based Tooth Decay Detection System Using Mobile Phone Images And Questionnaire-Driven Risk Assessment, G.N.P Madhurangi, S.M.H.M Koswatta, R.M.H.N Rajasinghe, R.D Jayasinghe

Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology

Dental caries (tooth decay) is one of the most common global oral health problems and remains a significant public health concern due to late diagnosis and inadequate access to dental care in many populations. This study proposes the design and development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based mobile application for early detection of tooth decay using smartphone-captured oral images combined with questionnaire-based analysis. The proposed system employs a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to analyze tooth images and determine the presence and severity of dental caries. Users also complete a structured questionnaire comprising 14 questions related to oral hygiene habits, dietary practices, …

Determinants Of Consumer Satisfaction And Financial Burden In Community Pharmacy Services: A Cross-Sectional Study In Sri Lanka, S. M. N. Hansanie, L. M. Hettihewa, J. C. G. Punchihewa

Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology

Introduction: Community pharmacies play a crucial role in primary healthcare delivery, particularly in improving access to medicines and healthcare advice. However, service quality and consumer perceptions may vary in resource-limited settings. This study aimed to evaluate consumer perceptions of medication management services, financial burden, and overall satisfaction with community pharmacy services in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over three months among 200 community pharmacy consumers. Adults aged 20–80 years who had visited a pharmacy within the past six months were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a validated, structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic …

Iot-Based Smart Leak Localisation And Auto-Shutoff System For Real-Time Water Loss Prevention, W.A.C. Fernando, R.M.H.N. Rajasinghe, S.M.H.M. Koswatta

Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology

Water leaks in pipe systems lead to loss of water, damage to infrastructure and increased operating expenses. Traditional leak-detection methods are slow, and they cannot detect leaks in real time. The existing Internet of Things (IoT) solutions are dependent on single-sensor technology, cloud processing and high-cost computational models, unsuitable for home use. In view of this, this study suggests an IoT-based Smart Acoustic Leak Localisation and Auto-Shutoff (SALAS) System for real-time water loss prevention in small-scale pipeline environments. The prime objective is to design and develop an IoT-based water-leakage detection, localisation, and valve-closure system. Development followed a prototype model and …

Signaura: An Ai-Based Real-Time Recognition System For Sri Lankan Sign Language, Pramudhi Hansi Wijesinghe, Nimesh Pollwaththage, Dhishan Dhammearatchi

Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology

The communication barrier experienced by deaf and hard-of-hearing in Sri Lanka is still a serious issue in society since there are few interpreters with Sri Lankan Sign Language (SLSL) and no automated translation technologies. The present paper introduces SignAura, an artificial intelligence-driven real-time SLSL sign-recognition system that provides multilingual lexical text and synthesized speech. The system uses computer vision and a fully connected neural network to identify isolated SLSL signs from live video streams.A fully connected neural-network classifier was used instead of the CNN-LSTM architecture, with 21 hand landmark keypoints extracted per frame using MediaPipe and represented as 63 numerical …

Medical Device Vigilance In Sri Lanka: Identifying Gaps And Developing National Guidelines, Mjf Riyasha, Lm Hettihewa, S Shanmuganathan

Journal of Innovation in Science, Engineering and Technology

Background: Medical Device Vigilance (MDV) systems are essential for ensuring patient safety through post-market surveillance. In low- and middle-income countries such as Sri Lanka, MDV systems remain underdeveloped despite increasing reliance on advanced medical technologies.
Objectives: This study aimed to identify gaps in MDV practices in Sri Lanka and develop context-specific national guidelines aligned with international best practices.
Methods A pragmatic mixed-methods design was used. A desk review of international frameworks (WHO, IMDRF, EU MDR 2017/745, FDA) was conducted alongside a cross-sectional survey of key stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, biomedical engineers, device importers, and regulatory staff. Quantitative data were analyzed …