Digital Commons Network^™

Cataloging Public Art In Lewiston And Auburn, Haley Crim, Rebecca Ferguson, Katharine Knight

Community Engaged Research Reports

This project explored the significance of public art to the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, Maine. It examines existing public art in the two cities, addresses issues of awareness and accessibility of public art in this community, and reviews the value of public art with respect to culture, history, sense of place, and community. This project involved the development of various devices (a database, walking tour, map, and literature review) to convey the information we collected with regards to the previous aims.

To increase awareness of L/A’s public art within and outside outside of the local area, we compiled information …

Increasing Crop Quality And Production On A Sbcmala's Farm In Lewiston, Maine, Julia Nemy, Drew Perlmutter, Dylan Thombs

Community Engaged Research Reports

The Somali Bantu Community Association of Maine Lewiston / Auburn (SBCMALA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2005 (SBCMALA, 2017). The goal of the association is to empower Somali Bantu families to lead successful and healthy lives in the United States. The organization runs several programs to benefit Lewiston’s Somali Bantu community such as the Community Farming Program which began in 2014.

Currently the program lease farming sites in New Gloucester, Auburn, and Lewiston which allow Somali Bantu families to grow their own produce. The program also helps farmers gain familiarity in Maine’s landscape. Currently, thirty families farm on the …

Assessing Renewable Technologies At Wild Mountain Cooperative, Kyra Bleicher, Connor Gray, Korbin Houston

Community Engaged Research Reports

This report is a renewable energy analysis for an intentional community, Wild Mountain, who would like to decrease their dependence on fossil fuel sources for energy. The homestead’s goal is to further move toward targets of environmental sustainability and eco-justice. Our methods involved a partial energy audit recording the energy usage at the homestead, focusing on the electricity usage, and energy consumption used for heating. Three renewable energy sources were researched and evaluated to assess their viability for offsetting estimated fossil-fuel based energy usage. These three technologies are solar electricity production, methane digestion, and compost heap heating. Calculations and data …

Why Rectified Linear Neurons Are Efficient: Symmetry-Based, Complexity-Based, And Fuzzy-Based Explanations, Olac Fuentes, Justin Parra, Elizabeth Y. Anthony, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Traditionally, neural networks used a sigmoid activation function. Recently, it turned out that piecewise linear activation functions are much more efficient -- especially in deep learning applications. However, so far, there have been no convincing theoretical explanation for this empirical efficiency. In this paper, we show that, by using different uncertainty techniques, we can come up with several explanations for the efficiency of piecewise linear neural networks. The existence of several different explanations makes us even more confident in our results -- and thus, in the efficiency of piecewise linear activation functions.

Z-Numbers: How They Describe Student Confidence And How They Can Explain (And Improve) Laplacian And Schroedinger Eigenmap Dimension Reduction In Data Analysis, Vladik Kreinovich, Olga Kosheleva, Michael Zakharevich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Experts have different degrees of confidence in their statements. To describe these different degrees of confidence, Lotfi A. Zadeh proposed the notion of a Z-number: a fuzzy set (or other type of uncertainty) supplemented by a degree of confidence in the statement corresponding to fuzzy sets. In this chapter, we show that Z-numbers provide a natural formalization of the competence-vs-confidence dichotomy, which is especially important for educating low-income students. We also show that Z-numbers provide a natural theoretical explanation for several empirically heuristic techniques of dimension reduction in data analysis, such as Laplacian and Schroedinger eigenmaps, and, moreover, show how …

Why Deep Learning Methods Use Kl Divergence Instead Of Least Squares: A Possible Pedagogical Explanation, Olga Kosheleva, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In most applications of data processing, we select the parameters that minimize the mean square approximation error. The same Least Squares approach has been used in the traditional neural networks. However, for deep learning, it turns out that an alternative idea works better -- namely, minimizing the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence. The use of KL divergence is justified if we predict probabilities, but the use of this divergence has been successful in other situations as well. In this paper, we provide a possible explanation for this empirical success. Namely, the Least Square approach is optimal when the approximation error is normally …

Why Triangular Membership Functions Are Often Efficient In F-Transform Applications: Relation To Interval Uncertainty\\ And Haar Wavelets, Olga Kosheleva, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Fuzzy techniques describe expert opinions. At first glance, we would therefore expect that the more accurately the corresponding membership functions describe the expert's opinions, the better the corresponding results. In practice, however, contrary to these expectations, the simplest -- and not very accurate -- triangular membership functions often work the best. In this paper, on the example of the use of membership functions in F-transform techniques, we provide a possible theoretical explanation for this surprising empirical phenomenon.

Beyond Integration: A Symmetry-Based Approach To Reaching Stationarity In Economic Time Series, Songsak Sriboonchitta, Olga Kosheleva, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

Many efficient data processing techniques assume that the corresponding process is stationary. However, in areas like economics, most processes are not stationery: with the exception of stagnation periods, economies usually grow. A known way to apply stationarity-based methods to such processes -- integration -- is based on the fact that often, while the process itself is not stationary, its first or second differences are stationary. This idea works when the trend polynomially depends on time. In practice, the trend is usually non-polynomial: it is often exponentially growing, with cycles added. In this paper, we shod how integration techniques can be …

Why Sparse?, Thongchai Dumrongpokaphan, Olga Kosheleva, Vladik Kreinovich, Aleksandra Belina

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In many situations, a solution to a practical problem is sparse, i.e., corresponds to the case when most of the parameters describing the solution are zeros, and only a few attain non-zero values. This surprising empirical phenomenon helps solve the corresponding problems -- but it remains unclear why this phenomenon happens. In this paper, we provide a possible theoretical explanation for this mysterious phenomenon.

How To Best Apply Neural Networks In Geosciences: Towards Optimal "Averaging" In Dropout Training, Afshin Gholamy, Justin Parra, Vladik Kreinovich, Olac Fuentes, Elizabeth Y. Anthony

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

The main objectives of geosciences is to find the current state of the Earth -- i.e., solve the corresponding inverse problems -- and to use this knowledge for predicting the future events, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In both inverse and prediction problems, often, machine learning techniques are very efficient, and at present, the most efficient machine learning technique is deep neural training. To speed up this training, the current learning algorithms use dropout techniques: they train several sub-networks on different portions of data, and then "average" the results. A natural idea is to use arithmetic mean for this …

Why Taylor Models And Modified Taylor Models Are Empirically Successful: A Symmetry-Based Explanation, Mioara Joldes, Christoph Lauter, Martine Ceberio, Olga Kosheleva, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In this paper, we show that symmetry-based ideas can explain the empirical success of Taylor models and modified Taylor models in representing uncertainty.

How To Store Tensors In Computer Memory: An Observation, Martine Ceberio, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

In this paper, after explaining the need to use tensors in computing, we analyze the question of how to best store tensors in computer memory. Somewhat surprisingly, with respect to a natural optimality criterion, the standard way of storing tensors turns out to be one of the optimal ones.

How To Make A Proof Of Halting Problem More Convincing: A Pedagogical Remark, Benjamin W. Robertson, Olga Kosheleva, Vladik Kreinovich

Departmental Technical Reports (CS)

As an example of an algorithmically undecidable problem, most textbooks list the impossibility to check whether a given program halts on given data. A usual proof of this result is based on the assumption that the hypothetical halt-checker works for all programs. To show that a halt-checker is impossible, we design an auxiliary program for which the existence of such a halt-checker leads to a contradiction. However, this auxiliary program is usually very artificial. So, a natural question arises: what if we only require that the halt-checker work for reasonable programs? In this paper, we show that even with such …

Statistics As Unbiased Estimators: Exploring The Teaching Of Standard Deviation, Nicholas H. Wasserman, Stephanie Casey, Joe Champion, Maryann Huey

Mathematics Faculty Publications and Presentations

This manuscript presents findings from a study about the knowledge for and planned teaching of standard deviation. We investigate how understanding variance as an unbiased (inferential) estimator – not just a descriptive statistic for the variation (spread) in data – is related to teachers’ instruction regarding standard deviation, particularly around the issue of division by n-1. In this regard, the study contributes to our understanding about how knowledge of mathematics beyond the current instructional level, what we refer to as nonlocal mathematics, becomes important for teaching. The findings indicate that acquired knowledge of nonlocal mathematics can play a role …

Intramural Activity Report Fy 2017, Yolanda Carr

Intramural Activity Reports

The Sponsored Programs Annual Reports collection contains reports for the Extramural and Intramural Activities of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University faculty and students. The collection currently covers the years 2014 - 2017. More reports will be included as they are available.

Extramural activities mean they were funded by organizations independent of SWOSU.

Intramural activities mean they were funded by SWOSU.

December 2017, Marci Grant

The CETL Correspondent

CETL, SWOSU, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Faculty Drivers And Barriers: Laying The Groundwork For Undergraduate Stem Education Reform In Academic Departments, Susan E. Shadle, Anthony Marker, Brittnee Earl

CTL Teaching Gallery

Background: Calls to improve student learning and increase the number of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) college and university graduates assert the need for widespread adoption of evidence-based instructional practices in undergraduate STEM courses. For successful reforms to take hold and endure, it is likely that a significant shift in culture around teaching is needed. This study seeks to describe the initial response of faculty to an effort to shift teaching norms, with a long-term goal of altering the culture around teaching and learning in STEM. While the effort was envisioned and led at the institutional level, dialog about …

Hallucinations Are Real To Patients With Dementia, R. C. Hamdy, Amber E. Kinser, J. V. Lewis, Rebecca Copeland

ETSU Faculty Works

In this case study, we present a patient with preexistent posttraumatic stress disorder and psychosis who has been recently diagnosed with Dementia with Lewy Bodies. He is experiencing vivid hallucinations. What went wrong between him and his wife as a result of these hallucinations is presented. Alternative actions that could have been used are suggested.

Antidepressant-Like Actions Of Inhibitors Of Poly(Adp-Ribose) Polymerase In Rodent Models, Gregory A. Ordway, Attila Szebeni, Liza J. Hernandez, Jessica D. Crawford, Katalin Szebeni, Michelle J. Chandley, Katherine C. Burgess, Corwin Miller, Erol Bakkalbasi, Russell W. Brown

ETSU Faculty Works

Many patients suffering from depressive disorders are refractory to treatment with currently available antidepressant medications, while many more exhibit only a partial response. These factors drive research to discover new pharmacological approaches to treat depression. Numerous studies demonstrate evidence of inflammation and elevated oxidative stress in major depression. Recently, major depression has been shown to be associated with elevated levels of DNA oxidation in brain cells, accompanied by increased gene expression of the nuclear base excision repair enzyme, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1. Given these findings and evidence that drugs that inhibit poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 activity have antiinflammatory and neuroprotective properties, the present study …

Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy, Maximal Strength, And Rate Of Force Development: Effects Of Resistance Training Loading Strategy, Kevin M. Carroll, Jake R. Bernard, Michael H. Stone

ETSU Faculty Works

Abstract available in the Annual Coaches and Sport Science College.

Lvhn Weekly-Hazleton, Lehigh Valley Health Network

LVHN Weekly-Hazleton

No abstract provided.

Determining Detection Limits Of Aqueous Anions Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Dane W. Scott, Yahya Alseiha

ETSU Faculty Works

Background: Pulsed amperometric detection is a relatively new method for detection of ions and especially non-electrolytes such as carbohydrates in aqueous solutions. Pulsed amperometric detection relies on a redox reaction while electrochemical impedance simply measures the real and capacitive resistant of the solution. There is a correlation between the real impedance of a solution and the ionic strength of the solution. Method: This work explores measuring real impedance of pure water as a function of temperature from 25.0 to 60.0 °C to determine the relationship between impedance and temperature. Maintaining temperature at 25.0 °C, solutions of sodium chloride, potassium carbonate, …

Associations Between General And Central Obesity And Hypertension Among Children: The Childhood Obesity Study In China Mega-Cities, Yaling Zhao, Liang Wang, Bo Xue, Youfa Wang

ETSU Faculty Works

In this study, we examined the associations of general and central obesity and hypertension among Chinese children. Data was collected from 1626 children aged 7-16 years and their parents in four mega-cities across China. Mixed effect models examined associations of general and central obesity with hypertension, and between body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-To-height ratio (WHtR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The prevalence of general obesity, central obesity, and hypertension among the children was 11.1%, 19.7%, and 9.0%, respectively. More boys had general and central obesity than girls (15.2% vs. 6.9%; 27.4% vs. 11.7%, …

Midbrain Circuit Regulation Of Individual Alcohol Drinking Behaviors In Mice, Barbara Juarez, Carole Morel, Stacy M. Ku, Yutong Liu, Hongxing Zhang, Sarah Montgomery, Hilledna Gregoire, Efrain Ribeiro, Marshall Crumiller, Ciorana Roman-Ortiz, Jessica J. Walsh, Kelcy Jackson, Denise E. Croote, Yingbo Zhu, Song Zhang, Leandro F. Vendruscolo, Scott Edward, Amanda Roberts, Georgia E. Hodes, Yongke Lu, Erin S. Calipari, Dipesh Chaudhury, Allyson K. Friedman, Ming Hu Han

ETSU Faculty Works

Alcohol-use disorder (AUD) is the most prevalent substance-use disorder worldwide. There is substantial individual variability in alcohol drinking behaviors in the population, the neural circuit mechanisms of which remain elusive. Utilizing in vivo electrophysiological techniques, we find that low alcohol drinking (LAD) mice have dramatically higher ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neuron firing and burst activity. Unexpectedly, VTA dopamine neuron activity in high alcohol drinking (HAD) mice does not differ from alcohol naive mice. Optogenetically enhancing VTA dopamine neuron burst activity in HAD mice decreases alcohol drinking behaviors. Circuit-specific recordings reveal that spontaneous activity of nucleus accumbens-projecting VTA (VTA-NAc) neurons …

Aspectos Metodológicos Para La Elaboración De Buenas Prácticas Orientadas Al Plan De Preservación Digital A Largo Plazo De Documentos Electrónicos De Archivo, Dora Emilse Martínez Martínez

Sistemas de Información, Bibliotecología y Archivística

No abstract provided.

El Pequeño Lector, Estrategias Para Promover La Lectura En Niñas Y Niños De La I.E.D. De Rincón Santo Del Municipio De Cajicá, Edgar Ricardo Chibuque Ruiz

Sistemas de Información, Bibliotecología y Archivística

La presenta investigación surgió a partir de los diagnósticos que se realizaron, con el fin de verificar el nivel de la lectura y la comprensión en Colombia, los precedentes investigativos y bibliográficos permitieron establecer falencias que van desde los hábitos por la lectura, la ortografía y la comprensión de textos, por ello, la necesidad y la importancia de todos los actores que intervienen desde todos los niveles, esto es, las familias, la comunidad educativa, los alumnos y el gobierno nacional, para que se haga un replanteamiento acerca de la calidad y el estado de la educación y en lo que …

Premier: The Magazine Of The Unlv Harrah College Of Hospitality, Matt Jacob, Jason Scavone, Shekinah L. Hoffman, Stowe Shoemaker, Maggie Hausbeck, Alexandra Liebman

Premier: The Magazine of the UNLV Harrah Hotel College

No abstract provided.

Digital And Media Literacy Com 150, Joanna Burkhardt

Library Impact Statements

No abstract provided.

Openpediatrics: Integrating Technology Into Pediatric Healthcare Education, Marisa Albert

Senior Honors Projects

In contemporary times, the dissemination of knowledge across specialties has become convenient through the use of computer technology and the internet. Technology has been integrated into educational systems worldwide and has become invaluable in the advancement of healthcare. Nursing practice and education has utilized modern technology as a resource for continuing education such as through the use of online RN-BSN programs and sharing improvements in healthcare practice. A great part of a nursing student’s education is understanding the importance of a nurse’s professional commitment to lifelong learning by utilizing critical thinking skills to support evidence-based practice to improve standards of …

A Review Of Epstein Barr Virus Immunity, Pathogenesis And Immunotherapies, Heather Stuart

Senior Honors Projects

Epstein – Barr Virus (EBV), a member of the Herpesviridae family, is commonly known as the cause of infectious mononucleosis. While EBV infection has acute effects, its primary significance in human health stems from its association with multiple cancers resulting from chronic infection. EBV first establishes infection in epithelial cells of the oropharynx, where it is lytic, and later establishes latent infection in B cells, where it exists in latency for remainder of the host’s lifetime. Dendritic cells and natural killer cells are first to control expansion of the infection followed by cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells. Through …