Digital Commons Network^™

An Adversarial Self-Invalidation Framework For Robust Reasoning, Johny Manuel-Devadoss, Deepthi Prasad

Defensive Publications Series

We propose a novel inference-time and training-time paradigm for improving the epistemic reliability of large language models (LLMs) and tool-augmented AI systems, termed Forced Epistemic Reset (FER). Unlike conventional self-consistency or critique-based methods, FER introduces a structured adversarial self-invalidation cycle in which a model is periodically required to challenge, falsify, and independently re-derive its own outputs using heterogeneous reasoning paths. The system explicitly treats intermediate conclusions as provisional hypotheses subject to internal falsification pressure. We formalize the architecture, training objectives, reset triggering mechanisms, and multi-path recomputation strategy. Empirical evaluation protocols are also outlined, focusing on contradiction recovery, robustness under reasoning …

Natural-Language Multi-Tenant Product Configurator Using Llm Tool-Calling Against A Curated Relational Database, Without A Constraint Solver, Christian Hinterdorfer

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure describes a multi-tenant Configure-Price-Quote (CPQ) software architecture in which a Large Language Model (LLM) configures complex technical products through natural-language conversation while guaranteeing that every selected option is valid for the relevant product line. Validity is enforced not by translating the conversation into a formal constraint language and running a constraint solver (SAT/CSP/MIP/MiniZinc), but by restricting the LLM's action space: the LLM can only invoke a small, fixed set of tools that operate against a curated relational database, and it can only pass option identifiers that the database itself has previously returned. Hallucinated or invalid identifiers are structurally …

Generative Data Refinement With Semantic Preservation, Minqi Jiang, João Madeira Araújo, William Ellsworth, Sian Heather Gooding, Edward Grefenstette

Defensive Publications Series

A computing system can obtain input data containing semantic information. The computing system can access conditioning data configured to cause a generative model to generate modifications to the input data which alter the input data to satisfy a data refinement constraint while preserving the semantic information. The computing system can process the input data with the generative model conditioned on the conditioning data to generate, as an output of the generative model, refined data. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the refined data can both satisfy the data refinement constraint and also contain the semantic information.

Jacksonian Democracy: Triumph Or Tragedy?, Gabe Blumer

Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects

This capstone paper analyzes Andrew Jackson's presidential impact on democracy and discusses its strengths and weaknesses as a whole. It goes over the impact on white men, black Americans, and Native Americans in particular.

Asiaconnect Newsletter, May 7, 2026, Asiaconnect, Illinois State University

AsiaConnect

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of A Traffic Enforcement Team: A Case Study, Jordan Cline

Criminology and Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

Traffic enforcement represents the most frequent form of police-initiated contact and serves as a convergence point where discretion and legal authority are enacted. Despite its prominence, little research examines how specialized traffic enforcement units themselves shape enforcement patterns. These units, typically staffed by officers with focused training and mandates, may influence stop frequency and outcomes differently than typical patrol officers. This study analyzes a unique case in which a traffic unit in a mid-sized Midwestern police department was effectively disbanded in the early 2020’s. Three intervention points were identified; a de facto (2021), de jure (2022), and later reported intervention …

Breaking The Cycle: The C.A.R.E. Manager Model To Address Intergenerational Incarceration, Amber Pelan, Miranda Jacobsen

Criminology and Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

Generational incarceration is a significant social problem in which criminal justice involvement is repeated across multiple generations of the same family. Children of incarcerated parents face elevated risks of trauma, poverty, educational disruption, mental health challenges, and later justice system involvement. These patterns demonstrate that incarceration often harms the entire family rather than only the individual offender. This project examines why generational incarceration occurs and identifies strategies to interrupt the cycle. The project uses a literature review methodology to integrate criminological 4 theory, sociological research, and policy analysis. These theories explain how parental incarceration disrupts child development, weakens family bonds, …

Proactive Violence Prevention: A Universal Bi-Annual Violence-Needs Assessment Tool For Grades K-12, Millie Fritzler, Emily Linehan

Criminology and Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

“Violence prevention begins in the high chair, not the electric chair” (Reiner, as cited in Davis et al., 2002). Two elements are essential to successful violence prevention: interventions that start early and interventions that are consistent (Davis et al., 2002; Dodge et al., 2015). The first five years are crucial for development; therefore, violence prevention needs to happen as early as possible to identify and address potential risk factors before harmful behaviors become reinforced (Davis et al., 2002). Despite this knowledge for the need for early violence prevention, schools still lack a truly proactive, universal system for identifying violence-related risk …

Crowding, Capacity, And Reform: Exploring The Dynamics Of Correctional Policy, John Ursino

Criminology and Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the dynamic mechanisms that drive correctional population change and evaluates strategies for sustainable decarceration. Despite widespread calls for evidence-based corrections, methodological tools such as time series analysis remain underutilized for understanding population management. This dissertation addresses this gap through a three-paper design that applies advanced time-series methods to key stages of the correctional continuum. Chapter Two uses interrupted time-series analysis to evaluate the impacts of both proactive (policy-driven) and reactive (COVID-19 and court mandate-related) decarceration events in Washington State on admissions, technical violations, and recidivism outcomes, clarifying how policy design affects prison admission flows. Chapter Three employs …

Biology Major Awarded Goldwater Scholarship For Stem Research Leaders, Dave Larsen

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Ashley Williams is UD’s seventh Goldwater Scholar and the fourth in biology.

Carrying The Dream Forward: Intergenerational Hope And Academic Persistence Among Historically Underserved Caregiving Graduate Students, Deborah D. Gaspard

Educational Leadership Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

This qualitative study examined the lived experiences of eight graduate students who serve as caregivers, including those raising children and supporting elderly family members, and how these responsibilities complicate traditional forms of academic engagement. Despite a growing proportion of students with overlapping academic and caregiving roles, institutional structures remain largely oriented toward traditional students with minimal external obligations. Drawing on in-depth narratives, this study explored how caregiving demands shape students’ academic and social integration as well as how institutional policies and practices influence their persistence. Other research has shown that caregiving responsibilities significantly impact students’ time, energy, and access to …

Agenda (Pdf), Department Of Surgery

Surgery Research Symposium

Agenda for the 4th Annual Surgery Research Symposium held May 7, 2026.

Physical, Environmental, And Psychological Determinants Of Sleep Among Long-Distance South Asian Caregivers Of Older Adults: A Mixed-Methods Approach, Srujana Chekuri

Gerontology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Long-distance caregiving is an increasingly common yet understudied form of family care, particularly among immigrant communities whose cultural expectations of flial responsibility remain strong despite geographic separation. Among South Asian caregivers of older adults, caregiving across borders is shaped by powerful norms of duty, emotional endurance, and family obligation, creating distinctive patterns of stress that may profoundly afect health. One of the most consequential but underexamined outcomes of this caregiving context is sleep. This mixed-methods dissertation examined the physical, environmental, and psychological determinants of sleep among long-distance South Asian caregivers of older adults living in the United States. Guided by …

A Multi-Layer Graph-Theoretic Framework For Understanding Electric Vehicle Adoption Across U.S. Counties, Fahad Alrasheedi

Computer Science Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

This dissertation develops a multi-layer analytical framework to understand electric vehicle (EV) adoption across U.S. counties by integrating (1) temporal correlation networks, (2) predictive modeling, and (3) similarity networks. Existing research often focuses on coarse geographic units, embeds charging infrastructure (CI) within broad multivariable models, or overlooks structural differences among counties. These limitations leave open key questions regarding the directionality of EV–CI relationships, the determinants of county-level adoption, and whether similar counties exhibit similar adoption patterns. The first component examines temporal correlations between counties for EV adoption and CI expansion, as well as Granger-causality relationships under two scenarios: Early Adoption …

“Gc Flight, Lock The Doors” How Communication Resilience Shapes Crisis Response In Human Space Flight, Jessica Hilt

Communications Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

A precursor to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) has been pushing the boundaries of space flight since 1915 (“NASA History – The NACA,” 2024c). Space flight as we know it today began in 1962, with an address given by President John F. Kennedy at Rice University. “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…” (Kennedy, 1962, p. 3). Words of which have inspired generations of children, men, and women who were courageous enough to …

Faculty Senate Meeting Agenda May 7, 2026, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Meeting Agendas

No abstract provided.

Staff Education To Improve Fall Prevention In A Behavioral-Health Urgent Care Setting, May Nnenna Akalemeaku

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Dissertation: Exploring Asian Mental Health Counselors’ Views Of Their Education After Studying Abroad, Linda Ai Kuramoto

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Exploring Male U.S. Veterans’ Experiences After Becoming Estranged From Their Children Following Divorce, Christy Lynn Amacker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Reducing Emergency Department Overuse Through Patient Education, Maddie Pieper, Joshua Heuertz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Background/Introduction

Emergency departments (EDs) are designed to provide rapid evaluation and management of acute, life-threatening, and time-sensitive conditions. However, EDs are frequently used for nonemergent or low-acuity concerns that could be managed in primary care or urgent care settings. This overuse contributes to rising healthcare costs, resource strain, longer wait times, and overcrowding. Underserved populations may rely more heavily on ED services because of barriers such as limited primary care access, language differences, low health literacy, restrictive work schedules, transportation challenges, and difficulty navigating the healthcare system. These factors can make the ED seem the most accessible source of care. …

Colorectal Cancer Screening: Implementation And Evaluation Of A Screening Algorithm In A Rural Family Practice Clinic, Mollie M. Tate, Whitney Dubas

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and disproportionately affects rural populations. Although more than 90% of cases occur in adults older than 50 years, increasing incidence among younger adults prompted an update to national guidelines recommending screening beginning at age 45. Rural residents face multiple barriers to colorectal cancer screening (CRCS), including limited access to care, transportation challenges, lack of insurance, and absence of standardized screening processes in primary care. These barriers contribute to lower screening rates, delayed diagnosis, and poorer outcomes. Evidence demonstrates that CRCS reduces CRC morbidity and …

Transition To Noninvasive Testing From The Gold Standard Of Liver Biopsy, Heidi Bien, Sabina Choudhry, Christine Pocha, University Of South Dakota Sanford School Of Medicine & Avera Health System

Scholarship Pathways Program

Purpose: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, represents a rapidly growing public health concern, affecting roughly 30% of the global population. MASLD encompasses a spectrum from simple steatosis to its more progressive form, metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Early and accurate assessment of liver disease is critical for risk stratification and management, yet the current gold standard-liver biopsy remains invasive, costly, and limited by sampling variability and interpretive subjectivity. Noninvasive imaging modalities, particularly magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), have emerged as promising alternatives, but their concordance with biopsy in real-world clinical practice remains underexplored.

 Methods: …

Can You Buy Success In Major League Baseball?, Jacob Rumberger

Honors Projects

The vast disparity in Major League Baseball team payrolls over the last decade has become a prominent issue of concern for fans, owners, and league management. The belief is that the teams that invest exorbitant amounts of money into their players are paying to win. Teams, such as the Oakland Athletics, have popularized the method of “Moneyball” to find and exploit undervalued players in order to compete with large market teams. This research study aims to uncover whether this claim is based in fact or is unsubstantiated. Using statistical prediction methods like linear regression, logistic regression, and k nearest neighbor …

2026 Spring Order Of Exercises Commencement: Winona State University, Winona State University

WSU Commencement Programs

This is the Winona State University Spring 2026 Order of Exercises booklet published for the commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8, 2026.

During the Commencement event, a complete list of graduates was provided online. This program was not published during the Commencement event. This digital copy is maintained in the repository for archival purposes.

Impact Of Dermatology Access On Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Outcomes, Joseph H. Kelly, Marcus L. Frohm

Scholarship Pathways Program

Impact of Dermatology Access on Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Outcomes

Joseph H. Kelly MD

Mentor: Marcus L. Frohm, MD

Introduction: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a locally aggressive rare dermal sarcoma with a relatively high rate of local recurrence. Incidence in the United States has been reported around 4 occurrences per million people per year, and recurrence rates have been reported between 2 to 19%. Recurrence poses a higher risk for sarcomatous transformation, increasing the risk for metastasis. Early and accurate diagnosis, coupled with appropriate management, is essential to minimize these risks. This study extended previous research by evaluating whether access to dermatology care …

So All Students Learn And Thrive: An Improvecrit Analysis Of A School’S Multi-Tiered System Of Supports, Rebekah Kang

LMU Theses and Dissertations

Multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) is an integrated K-12 educational framework that addresses the needs of all students in a systematic way by focusing on prevention and the implementation of evidence-based practices (California Department of Education, 2023). The “Guide to Implementing California’s Multi-Tiered System of Support” (Orange County Department of Education, 2023) promotes the maxim “All Means All” which paints a picture of schooling where all students are receiving the supports they need to learn and succeed. However, critical MTSS researchers have argued that MTSS failed to address the needs of all students, especially students of color, because it did …

Collins Aerospace Automated Pressure Switch Tester, Joseph C. La Barbera, Kevin Cordero, Brenda Sanchez, Molly Bramm

Honors Capstones

For aerospace companies like Collins, pressure switches are crucial for safety, precise control, and reliability. As such, thorough testing of these switches is an essential step in Collins’ manufacturing workflow. However, current testing regimes suffer from several critical drawbacks. Firstly, they require constant manual supervision, costing precious time and manpower. Existing systems are also only able to test one single switch at a time, which creates backlog and delays. Lastly, current testing equipment has poor integration with the Collins digital ecosystem, hindering the utility of these devices. To solve these design challenges, a new system is required that is self-operable, …

Lunar Regolith Sintered Brick Apparatus, Andrew Fasano, Noah Parayil, Darius Felix Karra

Senior Design Project For Engineers

This project describes the preliminary design and analysis of the Semi-Autonomous Lunar Regolith Sintered Brick Apparatus that will assist in developing permanent infrastructure on the Moon. An issue with permanent lunar operations is the transportation of materials to the Moon. To address this, the designed device uses lunar regolith as the source material for producing bricks. This design considers the constraints set for operation with the Griffin lunar lander: maximum payload mass of 200 kg, power consumption below 5 kW, and limited payload dimensions. The design uses a combination of a laser sintering motion system, a regolith layering subsystem, a …

A Restoration By Mangroves: Marilao And Pasig River Plan For Restoration, Julian Luis Flores

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper discusses the restoration of the Pasig Rivers of the Philippines using the wondrous magic of mangrove trees to bring back various aquatic, flora, and bird species. The Pasig River was once the Philippines’ most beautiful river, spanning the entire Metro Manila, with different floral species blooming, teeming marine life, and being a significant transportation route. However, throughout the years, urbanization has caused the state of the river to decline drastically. Improper waste segregation, disposal, and improper river maintenance have given it the title “Manila’s toilet.” This is why it is essential to restore the river to its status …

Measuring Effectiveness Of A Mobility Aide On A Medical-Surgical Unit, Jamie L. Granatowicz, Laura N. Rogers, Leeza A. Struwe

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a mobility aide on a medical-surgical inpatient unit to improve patients’ surgical outcomes, decrease hospital length of stay, and decrease the number of falls.

Design: A retrospective review was conducted to determine the effects of a mobility aide implemented on a medical-surgical unit. The intent was to ensure the utilization of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol for early mobilization before and after implementation. Two-month periods were analyzed before and after implementation.

Findings: The results demonstrated clinical significance for patients when implementing a mobility aide. The mean length of stay was 1.044 days …