Digital Commons Network^™

Foraging Load Size And Activity In Leaf-Cutter Ants In Rural And Urban Ecuador, Natalie Tollison, Anna Starman

Science Seminar

Leaf cutter ants are important ecosystem engineers in Neotropical forests, moving a significant amount of nutrients from the forest canopy to the soil. We were interested in understanding how time (day vs. night), weather, and level of human disturbance would impact foraging activity in leaf-cutter ants (Atta spp.). To investigate, we sampled activity levels and leaf size along leaf-cutter ant trails in Mera (urban, N=17) and Tamandua (forest, N=27). During the daytime, ants in Mera carried significantly more leaves that were larger in size as well as more total items than did ants in Tamandua. Factors such as the level …

Biodiversity And Diet Patterns: Environmental Impacts On Ecuadorian Birds, Holly Hylton, Fin Bolt, Gracyn Herbst

Science Seminar

The current biodiversity crisis is of great concern, particularly to bird species in temperate and tropical areas. We examined avian biodiversity patterns in Ecuador, one of the most bird-biodiverse countries in the world (1650+ species). In January 2026, birds were surveyed (visual and auditory) for 30 minutes on consecutive days in 4 different locations that differed in the degree of human development. As expected, species richness was much higher in undisturbed locations than disturbed locations. In addition, our comparison of dietary patterns between sites showed a much higher proportion of frugivorous and insectivorous species in areas with less human disturbance …

A Right With No Standard: The Crisis Of Adequate Counsel In Capital Cases, Luz M. Payán

Criminal Law Society Blog

“A Right With No Standard: The Crisis of Adequate Counsel in Capital Cases,” criticizes the persistent lack of uniform standards governing legal representation in capital cases and argues that these disparities undermine the criminal legal system as a whole. It highlights the various differences in state qualification standard which allow attorneys to represent a defendant in a capital case. Even further, this Article points to the lack of mitigation specialist requirements in a majority of states. To effectively safeguard a defendant’s constitutional rights, this Article urges that the American Bar Association revise its Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of …

Silent Persuasion In The Classroom: Rethinking Student Silence As Rhetorical Agency, Deepa Silwal

Frontera Retórica Symposium

In most educational settings, rhetorical participation refers to the recognized ways people communicate and persuade. It is measured almost exclusively through verbal contribution, a norm that frames silence as disengagement or deficit. This assumption overlooks the communicative work performed through the body itself, particularly among students navigating linguistic, cultural, or institutional constraints. I ask: how might embodied silence be theorized as a form of rhetorical agency among students positioned at the margins of institutional power? I propose the concept of silent persuasion, which refers to rhetoric enacted not through speech but through the body's presence, posture, stillness, and restraint. Drawing …

From Dilemma To Decision: Rhetorical Positionality As A Framework For Designing A Doctoral Dissertation Topic, Purna Bhusal

Frontera Retórica Symposium

Finding a dissertation topic for doctoral students in liberal arts education is one of the most difficult and defining moments of their academic journey. In my experience and observation, most graduate students struggle to identify a research topic that is both intellectually meaningful and aligns with their personal and scholarly commitments. To address this challenge, in this presentation, I propose rhetorical positionality as a framework for designing and formulating a doctoral research topic. To develop this framework, I draw on theoretical and methodological insights of the rhetorical situation as discussed by Scott Consigny, Richard Vaz, and Lloyd Bitzer, as well …

Using Action Research To Inform Graduate Research Theories, Methods, And Praxis Among Master’S And Phd Multilingual And International Students, Thomas Maldonado

Frontera Retórica Symposium

In an attempt to provide multilingual and international graduate students food for thought, this work-in-progress presentation examines a day in the life of a multilingual PhD student’s use of action research during the teaching of RWS 1301 in both Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 to better inform his data collection via student questionnaires.   Action research, “generally involves inquiring into one’s own practice through a process of self-monitoring that […] includes entering a cycle of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting on an issue or problem in order to improve practice” (Farrell, 2007, p.94).   My research question answers how using action research …

Building A Course-Specific Genai Chatbot: A Comprehensive Tutorial And Comparison, Elias Gil, David Han, Joseph Mendez

TxDLA Journal of Digital Learning

This practitioner article presents a step-by-step guide for designing and embedding a course-specific generative AI chatbot using the Botpress platform. Aimed at digital learning practitioners and instructional designers, the article demonstrates how curated knowledge bases, carefully crafted prompts, and seamless LMS integration can create AI-powered teaching assistants that support student engagement and learning. Drawing on recent scholarship, the work highlights opportunities and challenges in leveraging generative AI for higher education, including accuracy, trust, and ethical considerations. A comparative analysis of alternative platforms such as ChatGPT and Google Dialogflow, further contextualizes Botpress within the broader landscape of AI-enabled educational tools. By …

Spin-Label Probing Of Gp28 Elucidates Interactions With Lipid Vesicles Using Cw-Epr, Maxwell Sutherland, Binaya Baral, Gary Lorigan

ONU Student Research Colloquium

The phage protein gp28 is a bacterial membrane lysis protein that functions outside of currently understood canonical pathways for bacterial lysis. Primarily, lysis is done in conjunction with proteins called spanins, however about 15% of gram negative bacteria infecting phages have coding for spanins. This led to the discovery of the disruptins, a class of non-spanin outer membrane disrupting proteins which includes gp28 from the φKT phage. To understand the mechanism in which gp28 disrupts the outer membrane, we employ spin labeling of the protein in its synthesis and create samples of artificial membranes. Using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), we …

Targeting Chemical Pollutants Through Assimilation Of Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents With Metal-Organic Frameworks, Carbon Nanotubes, And Activated Carbon, Tanner William Baughman

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Water contamination by heavy metals has a harmful human threat to the environment and to human health. This is derived from their bioaccumulation and toxicity characteristics. The study directly looks at the assimilated of lignin-derived hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDES) with 3 different class of materials: Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), and Activated Carbon (AC). Four different HDES mixtures were assimilated into these porous materials through impregnation. Composites were evaluated by characteristic peaks through Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The morphology of the samples was assessed as well through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The colloidal stability …

Implementing A School Nurse-Facilitated Communication And Tracking Bundle To Improve Vision Care Follow-Up Rates, Natalie Autumn Johnston

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Abstract

Problem: Children’s cognitive, physical, and social development are influenced by vision. This means that early interventions in school-aged children are critical. While school-based vision screenings are standardized and effective in identifying visual deficits, post-screening follow-up rates with eyecare professionals remain low. This trend is especially prevalent in underserved school districts, perpetuating systemic healthcare gaps.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the rates of follow-up eye care among school-aged students who fail vision screening will improve following the implementation of school nurse facilitated follow-up communication and referral tracking bundle.

Methods: This study will …

Decentralized Multilateral Netting Engine For High Frequency Autonomous-Agent Transactions, Harshwardhan Tripathi Mr., Harsh Agrawal Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for decentralized multilateral netting of autonomous agent transactions. The method comprises receiving a signed IOU from a plurality of autonomous agent devices, where the IOU represents an obligation from a first agent to a second agent. The method further comprises publishing the validated IOU to an event stream upon validating a digital signature associated with the IOU. The method further comprises constructing a directed weighted graph based on validated IOUs. Further, the method comprises executing one or more cycle detection algorithms on the directed weighted graph to identify circular obligations. …

Five-Tunnel Inclined-Solar-Chimney Atmospheric Water Generator (5t-Isc-Awg), Vesa Olavi Lius

Defensive Publications Series

This defensive publication discloses a passive, megalitre-class atmospheric water generator (AWG) architecture in which humid coastal air is drawn through an array of five parallel bedrock tunnels, condensed on the cool rock walls, and discharged through a mountain-slope-integrated inclined solar chimney. The rock itself is used as the primary condenser, the bedrock tunnels are dimensioned at the diameter that matches standard utility-scale tunnel-boring-machine (TBM) production, and the inclined solar chimney is routed along the natural face of the inland ridge so that the bedrock carries all structural loads and the chimney's own upper surface acts as a combined solar collector. …

Llm Agent To Interpret Categorical Quality Feedback, Jacob Cunningham, Alan Yang, Ira Kemelmacher-Shlizerman, Chris Lee

Defensive Publications Series

Conventional supervised fine-tuning for specialized image generation models can be inefficient, potentially relying on manual, intuition-driven experimentation that may slow iteration and have difficulty systematically incorporating detailed quality feedback. An automated system can use a large language model (LLM) agent that may operate in a closed-loop optimization process. The agent can receive a high-level goal and structured metadata describing available datasets and tuning parameters to generate an executable training configuration. The system may also interpret detailed, categorical quality assurance reports that identify specific failure modes, for example, "shape change." By reasoning about the causes of these failures, the LLM can …

Orchestrator-Worker Llm Architecture For Mitigating Prompt Injection Via Separated Privileges, Jason Mayes

Defensive Publications Series

Agentic systems powered by a large language model (LLM) can be vulnerable to prompt injection attacks, where malicious instructions hidden in untrusted data may cause the system to perform unauthorized actions. An orchestrator-worker architecture can be implemented to mitigate this risk by separating system privileges. The design can feature an orchestrator component, comprising software logic and a privileged master LLM, that manages user commands and powerful tools, alongside one or more unprivileged, sandboxed worker LLMs that process untrusted data with a restricted toolset. When a worker LLM returns data, the orchestrator LLM can be configured to encapsulate the output in …

Test-Driven Generation Of Validated Llm Prompts Via Iterative Refinement, Artur Hibner

Defensive Publications Series

A system can assist large language model (LLM) outputs in adhering to specific coding styles, potentially reducing a need for manual prompt engineering or model retraining. This disclosure describes a system for automated, test-driven generation of prompts. The method may use a reference artifact, such as a source code commit, as ground-truth data. An LLM can be tasked to generate an initial prompt intended to reproduce the reference. The system can then enter an iterative loop of executing the prompt, programmatically comparing the output against the reference, and using any resulting differences to instruct the LLM to refine the prompt. …

Biologically Inspired Segmented Electric Traction Motor With Load-Adaptive Stator Recruitment And Thermal-Aware Control, Justin Miles Jorgensen

Defensive Publications Series

Abstract

This disclosure describes an electromagnetic traction motor architecture that mimics the distributed, modular torque production of biological motors (e.g., flagellar motors). The system utilizes a stator divided into independently energizable sectors (circumferential or axial). A supervisory controller dynamically “recruits” or “de-recruits” these sectors based on real-time torque demand, efficiency maps, and thermal headroom. This architecture enables improved part-load efficiency, 800V+ operation with reduced I²R losses, and “limp-home” fault tolerance by isolating degraded sectors without shutting down the entire machine.

Key Technical Keywords for Search Indexing

Electric Traction Motor; Segmented Stator Architecture; Load-Adaptive Stator Recruitment; Multiphase Inverter (6-phase / 9-phase); …

Clarifying User Information To Generate Context-Independent Large Language Model Memories, Florian Hartmann, Duc-Hieu Tran

Defensive Publications Series

Large language models store information from prior user interactions as natural language memories to improve future responses. However, these memories are often context-dependent, relying on specific timeframes or locations that may change. Such temporal or contextual limitations can lead to outdated information, suboptimal model decisions, or inaccurate tool calls as the conversation context evolves.

A method is disclosed to transform these entries into context-independent memories. The model identifies context-dependent information and generates clarifying questions or custom user interface elements, such as date pickers, to obtain precise data from the user. The initial memory is then rewritten into a universally valid …

Real-Time Large Language Model Refinement Via Machine Learning And Human Learning Architecture, Saloni Priya

Defensive Publications Series

Large language models face challenges in maintaining accuracy and relevance due to the emergence of new information and the limitations of offline training data. Existing methods, such as reinforcement learning from human feedback or standard retrieval augmented generation, often lack real-time correction capabilities or rely on static data sources.

A method is disclosed for real-time model refinement using a combined machine learning and human learning architecture. Vetted domain experts are integrated into a live feedback loop to provide grounded data for model outputs. A consensus-based review system is utilized to validate corrections through a required number of expert approvals. Contributions …

Adjusting Large Language Model Context Via User-Initiated Thread Renaming And Organization, Victor Carbune, Florian Hartmann

Defensive Publications Series

Large language model inference context often becomes inefficient or contains irrelevant information as conversational threads grow in length. This disclosure describes methods for adjusting inference context based on user-initiated organizational signals, such as renaming threads or grouping them into projects. When a thread is renamed, the conversation is segmented into topics and re-ranked to prune segments that do not align with the new title. Conversely, when threads are organized into a project or given similar names, relevant context from related threads is dynamically loaded to augment the current session. User feedback signals, such as manual ratings or interface interactions, are …

Eco Cell Ir Drop Signoff Using Machine Learning, Praphulla Pandey, Vaibhav Gupta

Defensive Publications Series

Traditional Engineering Change Order (ECO) cell verification may require a full‑chip Electro‑Migration and IR (EMIR) analysis to confirm that newly integrated cells do not induce excessive IR drop failures. For large‑scale integrated circuits, this comprehensive simulation creates significant bottlenecks due to high turnaround times and intensive storage requirements. A machine learning‑based methodology is disclosed to predict dynamic IR drop specifically for ECO instances. A partition‑specific model is trained using data from a preceding stable EMIR execution. Physical and electrical parameters, including resistance, slew, load, and peak current, are extracted for new ECO cells and processed by the trained model to …

On‑Chip Current Sensor For Resistance Calibration Of High‑Speed Input/Output Peripherals, Karthikeyan Subramanian, Kasi Chunduri

Defensive Publications Series

Resistance calibration in high‑speed input/output (HSIO) physical layers typically uses dedicated automatic test equipment (ATE) channels to force current and measure voltage at an external reference pin. This traditional approach increases testing overhead and limits the capacity for concurrent multi‑site device testing. This disclosure describes a method and system for performing resistance calibration using an on‑chip current sensor. The sensor’s differential voltage sensing pins are connected to the internal resistance network. A mixed‑signal transconductor converts the detected voltage drop into a current, which is then integrated, sampled, and digitized. Internal resistance is calculated from these measurements using Ohm’s Law, and …

Reducing Test Time Through Parallel Execution Of Analog And Digital Bist Sequences, Karthikeyan Subramanian, Kasi Chunduri, Achin Grover, Gurumoorthy, Suman Jayachandra

Defensive Publications Series

Traditional test methodologies for semiconductor devices typically execute Analog and Memory Built‑In Self‑Test (MBIST) sequences in a standalone, serial fashion. This sequential approach involves separate initialization and execution phases for each test block, which contributes to total tester time. Specifically, standalone sequences for components (e.g., Phase Locked Loops (PLL), Digital to Analog Converters (DAC), memory blocks) run independently through Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) or external interfaces. The disclosed method utilizes a concurrency algorithm based on the IEEE 1687 IJTAG standard and Procedural Description Language (PDL) to interleave these test sequences. Digital and analog initialization phases may be combined, followed …

Group Key Distribution And Group Master Key Rekeying Over Multi-Hop G3-Plc Networks, Jyothi Pesingi, Manish Sharma, Trupti Naik

Defensive Publications Series

The paper describes a Group Master Key (GMK) rekeying approach for Generation 3 Power Line Communication (G3-PLC) smart grid mesh networks, such as Beacon 3200, where the conventional state of the art uses bootstrap-based rekeying with Extensible Authentication Protocol - Pre-Shared Key (EAP-PSK) authentication during key renewal. This conventional approach can disconnect meters from a PLC network, causing some to reconnect to different beacons, increasing authentication delays in multi-hop paths, and reducing overall communication reliability. The method proposed in this paper caches all meter pre-shared keys (PSKs) in advance, prioritizes re-authentication by route cost from farthest to nearest meters, retry …

Cross-Surface Workflow Orchestration Via Shared Contextual Data Objects, Gabi Lanning, Peter Perceval

Defensive Publications Series

Current artificial intelligence features are often restricted to isolated contexts within specific software applications or entry points. When a user navigates between different tools or surfaces to complete a high-level goal, progress and contextual data are frequently lost, requiring the manual reconstruction of information.

This disclosure describes a method for orchestrating workflows across multiple surfaces using shared contextual data objects. Instead of relying on linear chat histories that may or may not be shared between entry points today, an intelligent data object is created to aggregate relevant information, history, progress states, and dependencies from various interaction points. These objects are …

Automated Acoustic Biomarker Analysis For Health Condition Screening In Conversational Interfaces, Molly Clancy

Defensive Publications Series

Traditional screening for conditions such as neurological disorders, respiratory diseases, and mental health issues often relies on manual assessments that can be time-consuming and expensive. Many conditions are frequently only identified after significant progression. This disclosure describes a method for automated health screening through the analysis of acoustic biomarkers within conversational interfaces. Voice samples are captured during natural interactions (with prior consent) or through specific user prompts requesting this and are processed by artificial intelligence models to identify vocal patterns associated with various medical conditions. The analysis may be performed on-demand or through continuous monitoring of voice data across multiple …

Visualizing Model Expression And Non-Verbal Communication In A Generative Application, Karen Kaushansky, James Zanoni, Ryan Pham, Dimitri Luedemann, Kinda Akash, Ricardo Escutia, Alison Cramer, Matias Duarte, Olivier Gillaizeau, Nathan Goodell, Ryan Kiley, Mike Guss

Defensive Publications Series

Modern generative applications often facilitate voice-based interactions where models are used to identify user tone and paralinguistics. However, non-verbal communication from the model is typically not reflected visually to the user, leading to a disconnect in the natural flow of dialogue. This disclosure describes a method for visualizing model expression and emotion through an animated interface affordance. Emotional intent and expressivity are captured as metadata tags, including intensity, confidence, and timing. These tags are then used to generate synchronized animations in a non-anthropomorphized visual shape. This visual representation occurs both while the user speaks and during the model's response. The …

Cost Analysis Formulation For Pv–Evcs–Dstatcom Integrated Distribution Systems Using Enhanced Hunter–Prey Optimization, Pappu Soundarya Lahari, Varaprasad Janamala

Mansoura Engineering Journal

With the rapid and significant growth of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Distributed Generation (DGs), such as Photovoltaic (PV) deployment, in the distribution system, it is essential to address the challenges of rising power losses, voltage fluctuations, and reactive power imbalances. Optimal DSTATCOM placement in PV-EV integrated systems to mitigate power quality issues is an effective solution. It is thus necessary to evaluate the economic considerations of such heavily compensated networks. This study proposes Enhanced Hunter-Prey Optimization (EHPO) to assess the net savings of the PV-EVCS-DSTATCOM integrated IEEE-33,69, and 118 bus distribution networks in both single and multi-objective modes. The multi-objective …

The Veil Of Jurisprudence: How International Law Masks Coercive Violence, Kenneth H. Mcmillen

Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement

Who enforces international law? The answer lies in the different countries that make up international treaties and bodies that legislate international law. These laws conceptually are supposed to serve the same purpose that laws domestically do. They are meant to preserve justice for the different nations, with a theoretical framework that follows liberal ideals popularized by theorists like H.L.A Hart. However, these conceptions are wholly inaccurate as they lack the historical context that any analysis and justification of a system must need to be valid. I begin with a historical analysis of how the legal system has been used under …

Behavioral Effects Of Cocaine After Activation Of Cb1 Cannabinoid Receptors In Male And Female Mice, Cade Baughman, Jejun Lee, Jessica Acheampong, Jihoon Choi, Sarah Seeley, Manoranjan Dsouza

ONU Student Research Colloquium

The goal of this study was to assess the behavioral effects of cocaine following activation of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in male and female mice. This study was undertaken because recently published data suggest sex-dependent behavioral differences after CB1 receptor activation. However, the sex-dependent effects of CB1 receptor activation on the rewarding and psychomotor effects of cocaine have not been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to address this gap in knowledge. The study will use adult male and female C57BL6 mice. CB1 receptors will be activated using synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55212. Behavioral effects assessed after CB1 receptor activation will include both …

Effects Of Limb Dominance On Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration In A 6-Ohda Rat Model Of Parkinson’S Disease Assessed By Immunoblotting, Jasin Aziz Porshia, Deanna Chaialee, Dipesh Pokharel, Kala Venkiteswaran, Thyagarajan Subramanian, Dilshan Beligala

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Effects of Limb Dominance on Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration in a 6-OHDA Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease Assessed by Immunoblotting

Jasin Porshia^a , Deanna Chaialee^a , Dipesh Pokharel^b,c , Kala Venkiteswaran^{b, c, d} , Thyagarajan Subramanian^{b, c, d}, Dilshan Beligala^a

^aDepartment of Biological Sciences, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, USA

^bDepartment of Neurosciences and Psychiatry, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA

^cDepartment of Neurology, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, USA

^dDepartment of Neurology, Howard University, Washington, DC, …