Digital Commons Network^™

Chip-Based Physical Gift Card Redemption, Ravi Lakkaraju, Erik Duymelinck, Teruhisa Haruguchi

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a new approach to redeeming physical gift cards—also known as physical gift vouchers or gift certificates—using chip-based redemption technology to prevent common scams. Traditional gift cards rely on scratch-off private PINs, making them highly vulnerable to physical tampering and victim-assisted scams. To solve this, the proposed chip-based redemption system embeds a radio frequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC) chip directly into the physical gift card. Instead of manually typing a code, a user simply taps the card against a tap-enabled computing device for a quick, touchless transaction. The embedded chip securely stores the card’s private …

Context Aware Wlan To Cellular Handover Via Sensor Fusion And Local Footprint Database, Xuqiang Zhang, Yingqun Yu, Saket Patkar, Roy Lin

Defensive Publications Series

Data stalls and dropped communication sessions can occur when a mobile device transitions from a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) to a cellular network in environments with abrupt signal degradation, such as elevators. The disclosed system resolves this limitation by configuring network handover parameters prior to signal loss. Based on environmental detection using hardware sensors or historical network stability metrics retrieved from a local footprint database, an Application Processor (AP) framework sets a shorter hysteresis timer and a lower WLAN signal strength threshold. When a rapid WLAN signal drop is subsequently detected, the user equipment quickly switches the data connection …

Enhanced Code Reviews Through Intelligent Code Diff Ordering And Tagging, Florent Garit, Sindhuja Manickam, Rohan Pandey, Adrian Henle, Ahrenn Sivananthan, Akila Rajesh, Gaurav Tungatkar, Laurentino Sbors Neto, Lulu Bai, Michael Tran, Prakhar Tiwari

Defensive Publications Series

As more code is generated, much of it using artificial intelligence (AI), human code reviews are increasingly critical. Traditional code-review tools provide a description, comments, and a flat code diff but little guidance about review order or attention. This proposal introduces a system that guides a code reviewer by organizing a pull request (PR) as a "story," making it easier to build mental context while keeping the reviewer in control.

Privacy-Preserving Standard Communication With Network Elements (Scone) Hint Tokens For Traffic Classification, Authorization, And Central Processing Unit (Cpu) Reduction, Dennis Lanov

Defensive Publications Series

A technique is proposed herein for privacy-preserving Standard Communication with Network Elements (SCONE) hint tokens that allow trusted policy systems to pre-authorize and classify encrypted Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC) traffic without exposing user identity or raw policy details. A token carries only coarse, non-identifying attributes such as traffic class, entitlement level, validity, and flow binding, allowing downstream SCONE-capable network elements to verify the token quickly and generate appropriate throughput advice. By replacing repeated deep classification and policy lookups with lightweight token verification, the technique reduces central processing unit (CPU) load and improves operational scalability across enterprise, wireless-access, mobile, and …

A System And Method For Outcome-Consequence Weighted Scoring In Packet-Switched Communication Networks, Shubham Shivhare

Defensive Publications Series

The present disclosure discloses a system and a method for per-packet Outcome-Consequence Weight Scoring (OCWS) in packet-switched communication networks. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to: for each packet received at the system, compute a per-packet significance score as a weighted combination of five semantic factor values, the five semantic factor values including a meaning density value, a downstream consequence probability value, a synchronization criticality value, a time sensitivity value, and an irreplaceability value. The processor is configured to classify each packet into one of a plurality …

Roger Salvatora V. Xto Energy Inc

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Kudzai Shonhai V. Attorney General United States Of America

2026 Decisions

Agency

Ayman Mohamady-Abdelghaffar V. Attorney General United States Of America

2026 Decisions

Agency

Andre Boyer V. City Of Philadelphia

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Spatial Reconstructability Analysis: Information-Theoretic Modeling Of Categorical Raster Data, David Percy

Dissertations and Theses

This research focuses on the application of Reconstructability Analysis (RA), an information-theoretic machine learning (ML) methodology, to categorical spatial data in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). RA was developed in the systems community with applications including classification, prediction, pattern recognition, and decision analysis. RA is implemented in OCCAM (Organizational Complexity Computation and Modeling), a software suite developed at Portland State University that analyzes discrete data in tabular form, with observations in rows and variables in columns. While RA has been successfully applied to a variety of domains, no systematic application to georeferenced raster data arranged in regular grids has been previously …

The Dean's Edit, Faculty Of Arts And Sciences

Faculty of Arts and Sciences Archives

• A Message From the Dean
• FAS Orientation 2026 Welcoming the Class of 2030
• Fall Semester Is Underway
• Fieldnotes Returns
• Town Halls with the Dean
• FAS IS GROWING...
• Faculty Recruitment in Full Swing
• Happy Independence Day from FAS

Perfect Storm Impeding Strategic Leadership Decision-Making At Uc Berkeley, John Kraft, Arthur Kraft, Hank Adler

Business Faculty Articles and Research

Exogenous events have disrupted higher education and impacted the decision-making skills of university presidents. While all university presidents are affected, the problem is most acute at the thirty-six AAU members of the power four conferences. The exogenous events were the precipitous cancellation of federal research grants, the on again and off again restrictions on both new and current foreign students studying at US universities, the proposed 15% limit on indirect costs, the tax on university endowments, the changes in student loan programs, the annual $20.5 million NIL revenue sharing settlement for Division I (DI) athletes, and their share of the …

Temperature Predictions With Zncuins/Zns Quantum Dots, Reu/Fri Program Physics And Astronomy, Amber Banks

Student Works

For hundreds of years, humans have built thermometers based on the principles of thermal expansion and contraction. In the modern world, there is a need to scale down our thermometers to monitor cellular reactions, both within the human body and within artificial organ chips. Lewis et al. (2020) introduces a nanoscale thermometer based on the thermal expansion of CdTe quantum dots. When ex panded, these dots exhibit systematic changes in photoluminescence (PL) which are recognized by a neural network as an increase in temperature. Our research builds upon the framework of Lewis et al. (2020), testing its feasibility with ZnCuInS/ZnS …

"Unsung Americans Sung" List Of Songs, W. C. Handy

Documents

List of songs in Unsung Americans Sung, a volume of African American music edited by W.C. Handy. The volume's thirty-eight songs range from ballads about specific historical figures, such as Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, to arrangement of poems like Langston Hughes' "The Negro Speaks of Rivers."

"Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled", Russell Smith, Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc.

Documents

Sheet music for the sacred solo "Let Not Your Heart Be Trouble" with lyrics derived from the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of St. John. The sheet music was published by Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc. and signed by W.C. Handy on December 30, 1946

"Opportunity," Signed Sheet Music, Walter Malone, W. C. Handy, Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc.

Documents

Sheet music for "Opportunity" with music by W.C. Handy and lyrics based on the poem by Walter Malone. The sheet music was published by the Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc. and signed by W.C. Handy on December 30, 1946.

"How Like A Rose Is Love," Signed Sheet Music, Hal Hode, Peter Tinturin, Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc.

Documents

Sheet music to How Like a Rose is Love published by Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc. and signed by W.C. Handy on December 30, 1946.

"How The First Song Was Born," Signed Sheet Music, Alexander Hill, Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc.

Documents

Sheet music for the Alexander Hill Ballad "How the First Song was Born" published by Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc. and signed by W.C. Handy on December 30, 1946.

Obituary & Memorial Article, The Florence Times

Documents

Obituary and memorial article entitled "Father of the Blues: W.C. Handy, Famed Composer Dies; Florence Native" derived from The Florence Times. Handy passed way at Sydenham Hospital in New York following admission to the hospital with bronchial pneumonia. The article recounts memories from community members of Handy's youth in Florence and lasting influence on the community.

"Pasadena: Romanza Occidental," Signed Sheet Music, W. C. Handy

Documents

Sheet music for "Pasadena: Romanza Occidental" with lyrics and music by W.C. Handy. The composition was published by Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc. and signed by W.C. Handy.

"Shine Like A Mornin' Star," Signed Sheet Music, W. C. Handy

Documents

Sheet music arranged by W.C. Handy for the unrecorded spiritual "Shine Like a Mornin' Star" published by Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc. and signed by Handy on December 30, 1946.

"Twenty-Third Psalm," Signed Sheet Music, Lillian Evanti, Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc.

Documents

Sheet music for the "Twenty-Third Psalm" arranged by Lillian Evanti. The arrangement was published by Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc. and signed by W.C. Handy on December 30, 1946.

"There's A Red Glow In The Sky Above Vesuvius," Signed Sheet Music, Andy Razaf, William C. Handy, Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc.

Documents

Sheet music for "There's a Red Glow in the Sky Above Vesuvius: A Timely Plea for Universal Peace" published by the Handy Brothers Music Co. Inc. The title and arrangement are by W.C. Handy, who signed the copy.

Seventeenth Century Poetry And Music: A Syllabus (English 721), Carrie Hintz

Open Educational Resources

A syllabus for my fall English 721 class (Seventeenth Century Literature: Poetry and Music).

Scholarly Success By Design: A Coaching-Informed Framework For Early Career Nurse Scholars, Abby Grammer Horton, Carrie Henry, Brittany Woods

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Early career nurse scholars often enter academia with strong clinical expertise but limited preparation in the organizational, emotional, and cognitive skills required for sustainable scholarly productivity. This workshop introduces a research-informed, coaching-based framework to help emerging scholars develop clarity, confidence, and strategic structures for success during the crucial early years of their academic careers. Grounded in evidence from professional coaching, emotional CPR (eCPR), cognitive load theory, and scholarly productivity research, this interactive session provides participants with tools to manage workload complexity, reduce overwhelm, and build sustainable academic rhythms.

Using a blend of experiential learning and applied skill-building, attendees will explore …

Cognitive Resilience In Action: Evaluating Neurological Adaptive Functioning In Nursing Students, Darlla Thompson, Shunda Wilburn, Morgan Sewell, Brionne Perterkin

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Resilience is a critical competency for nursing students navigating academic stress and clinical uncertainty. This mixed-methods study evaluates the impact of a five-module neuroadaptive resilience training program on undergraduate nursing students’ stress regulation, cognitive flexibility, and clinical preparedness. The intervention integrates mindfulness-based resets, cognitive reframing drills, and executive function planning to promote neuroplasticity and emotional resilience in high-stress environments.

Reflective journaling and structured pre/post assessments will be used to measure changes in perceived stress, coping strategies, and professional identity formation. Quantitative data will be analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA to assess improvements in resilience and cognitive flexibility. Qualitative data from …

On The Double: Educating Veterans And Clinicians On Evidence-Based Ptsd Treatment Options, Jacquelyn Baldwin, Beth A. Pratt, Alan Peterson, Cheryl A. Krause-Parello

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may develop after a traumatic event and may impair cognition, mood, behavior, and increase risk of psychiatric illness and suicide (Mann et al., 2024). The lifetime prevalence of PTSD among United States (US) veterans can reach 29% depending on their period of military service (Judkins et al., 2020; Na et al., 2023). Many veterans still do not seek treatment. In a study of 13,824 veterans, less than 50% received PTSD treatment in the year after diagnosis (Grekin et al., 2021). Limited awareness of PTSD treatment options may be a cause. The aim of this dissemination initiative …

Mental Health Experiences Of Pakistani International Students In Canada: A Qualitative Study, Anila Naz Alisher, Salima Meherali, Tanya Park

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

International students, particularly those originating from Pakistan, a nation situated in South Asia, encounter distinctive sociocultural, academic, and emotional challenges during their studies at Canadian universities. These issues continue to be inadequately researched. This exploratory-descriptive qualitative study examines the mental health experiences of Pakistani international students in Canadian universities using photo-elicitation to understand how they navigate academic, social, cultural, and personal difficulties and how these shape their well-being. Seven students, from master’s to doctoral levels, participated in in-depth interviews.

Three major themes emerged. The first adjustment to a new environment included five subthemes: (1) personal characteristics; (2) religious and cultural …

Advancing Sdg 6: Nursing-Led Home Follow-Up On Water Filtration In Rural Ecuador, Stephanie Black

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Globally, many communities still lack safely managed drinking water, and preventable waterborne disease remains common in rural and low-resource settings. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 calls for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the sustained use of household water filters, perceived health outcomes, and the impact of nursing-led water education among families in rural Ecuador one year after an initial clean water implementation project.

Methods: This completed follow-up project used a simple descriptive design. Nursing faculty and students returned to 10 participating families in …

Decolonizing Peer Review: Dismantling Epistemic Gatekeeping In Nursing Scholarship, Kechi Iheduru-Anderson

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Peer review in nursing privileges Western knowledge systems while marginalizing Indigenous, Global South, and community-based traditions. This colonial structure limits who contributes to nursing science, which methodologies are legitimate, and constrains culturally responsive care. Current practices exclude nurse researchers employing non-Western epistemologies, working in non-English languages, or prioritizing community-based approaches essential to addressing health disparities.

Purpose: This presentation examines peer review as a colonial mechanism and advocates for reforms democratizing nursing knowledge production. It explores how linguistic hegemony, methodological gatekeeping, and citation politics perpetuate epistemic injustice, and identifies alternative models from Latin America, Africa, and Indigenous communities fostering collaboration …