Adversarial Deep Learning and Security with a Hardware Perspective

Adversarial deep learning is the field of study which analyzes deep learning in the presence of adversarial entities. This entails understanding the capabilities, objectives, and attack scenarios available to the adversary to develop defensive mechanisms and avenues of robustness available to the benign parties. Understanding this facet of deep learning helps us improve the safety of the deep learning systems against external threats from adversaries. However, of equal importance, this perspective also helps the industry understand and respond to critical failures in the technology. The expectation of future success has driven significant interest in developing this technology broadly. Adversarial deep learning stands as a balancing force to ensure these developments remain grounded in the real-world and proceed along a responsible trajectory. Recently, the growth of deep learning has begun intersecting with the computer hardware domain to improve performance and efficiency for resource constrained application domains. The works investigated in this dissertation constitute our pioneering efforts in migrating adversarial deep learning into the hardware domain alongside its parent field of research

Alien Registration- Clements, Joseph (Mexico, Oxford County)

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Diamondback Terrapin Population Distribution and Nesting Areas in Coastal Georgia

The terrapin population range is small and the research is scarce. Surveil of the entire Georgia coast is the overarching goal of the research and the past four years have already resulted in 60% percent of the state completed and 1500 records accomplished. Coverage of the coastline will be continued in 2019 in the southernmost county, Cambden, and in 2020 completing the research in the northernmost county, Chathman. Diamondback terrapins are the only turtle to prefer brackish water habitats and are the first to be affected by sea level rising. Crab pots are a main factor in terrapin mortality. When they are collected, it is too late for the terrapin because they have already drowned (Butler and Heinrich 2007). Shoreline hardening makes it impossible for terrapins to journey onto land because they cannot cross the large rocks or cement walls. The work will be carried out utilizing a 16 foot Carolina skiff to navigate into rivers and creeks searching for evidence of terrapin presence. Capturing a live terrapin is not necessary. Evidence is found in the form of surfacing heads, intact and depredated nests, terrapin remains, live terrapins, and crawls (trails). One of the primary goals of the main conservation body of turtles; The Diamondback Terrapin Working Group (www.dtwg.org), is to identify the remaining locations of nesting and terrapin population so accurate management and categorization of terrapin information is carried out. We will create ARCGIS maps that illustrate geolocations reflecting our findings, and aid future researchers

Employer Perceptions of Addiction Recovery and Hiring Decisions

Abstract Addiction to drugs and alcohol is a widespread, and ever-growing problem in American society today. Individuals who undergo treatment for their addiction often find it difficult to gain employment due to employers\u27 negative perceptions of addiction. Previous research has found that many employers have a stigma of those in addiction recovery. However, little research has been done to determine if these stigmas affect hiring decisions. Drug and alcohol misuse are prominent in the Appalachian area, which presents an issue for employers in the area who maintain a drug-free work place or who have a stigma of those in addiction recovery. The proposed study will assess employers’ attitudes towards applicants who have a history of substance misuse and/or are in treatment for substance misuse, with specific focus on self-reported likelihood of hiring an applicant who is in recovery. We hypothesize that employers will report a decreased likelihood of hiring individuals who are in recovery for substance misuse. Participants who are at least eighteen years of age and English-speaking will complete a survey on the REDCap web platform that includes a subset of questions from the Addiction Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (AABS). Items that will be used to assess employers’ attitudes were adapted from the Substance Use Stigma Mechanisms Scale (SU-SMS) and the Perceived Stigma Addiction Scale (PSAS). The proposed study is part of a larger study that is assessing attitudes and beliefs toward addiction among employers and within faith communities, as well as perceived stigmas experienced by those who are living with addiction or have a history of substance misuse, with particular emphasis on attitudes within the Appalachian Highlands community. Possible limitations of this proposed study include the lack of generalizability since employers in the Appalachian area may not be representative of the overall population. Another possible limitation is the use of self-report measures. Participants may not be willing to report accurately due to the sensitivity of the topic. If results of the proposed study support our hypothesis, further research should look at ways to reduce stigma and support employers in hiring those in addiction recovery. Existing research suggests that employment is vital for addiction treatment success and is associated with a decreased likelihood of relapse, making the need for the amelioration of this stigma imperative in dealing with the addiction crisis

Views of addiction etiology predict religious individuals’ willingness to help.

Abstract Views of addiction etiology predict religious individuals’ willingness to help. Emily Brady, Valerie Hoots, Joseph Barnet, and Andrea Clements, Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University. Addiction to drugs and alcohol is an accrescent societal problem. Individuals with substance addiction face stigma in their daily lives, specifically from religious individuals as explored in this study. The stigma these religious individuals might portray could be related to their ideas on addiction etiology. The purpose of this project is to evaluate if different views of addiction etiology predict religious individuals’ willingness to help individuals with substance addition. Our hypothesis for this sample consists of two parts. (1) Religious individuals who hold the belief of a moral etiology of addiction will be less willing to help individuals with substance addiction. (2) Religious individuals who hold the ideology of a physical etiology of addiction will be less willing to help individuals with substance addiction. A survey, which contained the Addiction Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (AABS) and the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other Substance use Tool (TAPS), was administered to a sample of 215 individuals recruited through social media advertising via Facebook and Reddit platforms, email, and East Tennessee State University’s SONA research portal. Results showed significance in beliefs of moral etiology and willingness to help across religious individuals. One limitation for this project is a lack of generalizability due to the majority of participants being female (73.6%) and white (92.1%). Another limitation is that the measure is based on self-report, and given the sensitivity on the topic, individuals may not be willing to report accurately

Employer Perceptions about Addiction Recovery and Hiring Decisions

Drug and alcohol addiction is a nationwide epidemic with an increasing number of Americans being affected. Individuals who seek treatment for their addiction often face barriers, such as costs, waiting time, and available support, and those who are able to receive treatment are likely to experience or anticipate stigma from others. Existing literature has found that many employers have negative perceptions of individuals in addiction recovery. However, there is limited research that has analyzed whether these negative perceptions affect hiring decisions. We predicted that employers would have negative perceptions of those in recovery, would be less likely to hire individuals in recovery, and that those with previous substance misuse would perceive stigma from employers. A survey was completed by 53 employers using the REDCap web platform. There were 23 respondents who had a history of substance misuse. The survey contained items from the Addiction Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (AABS) and the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other Substance use Tool (TAPS). The AABS contained modified items from the Substance Use Stigma Mechanisms Scale (SU-SMS) and the Perceived Stigma Addiction Scale (PSAS). Results indicated that the majority of employers had negative perceptions of people in addiction recovery, but employers were willing to hire those individuals. Results suggested that those with a history of addiction perceived stigma from their employers. Limitations of this study include lack of generalizability due to the small sample size and limited geographic area. Participants may have reported in a way that would make them appear socially desirable