Digital Commons Network^™

On The Computation And Composition Of Belyi Maps And Dessins D'Enfants, Jacob A. Bond

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation centers on computing with dessins d’enfants, in the form of constellations, and on the monodromy group of compositions of Bely˘ı maps. To begin, a discussion of known e ective and eÿcient algorithms for computing constellations, Bely˘ı Maps, and dessins d’enfants from one another is presented. Following this is an analysis of how to use double cosets in an optimal way to count equivalence classes of constellations. In addition, class multiplication coeÿcients are used to count trees with certain passports, culminating in a new proof of a result of Mednykh. The method given by Wood for computing the constellation …

Minimal Models Of Rational Elliptic Curves With Non-Trivial Torsio, Alexander J. Barrios

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation concerns the formulation of an explicit modified Szpirobconjecture and the classification of minimal discriminants of rational elliptic curves with non-trivial torsion subgroup. The Frey curve y2=x( x+a) ( x-b) is a two-parameter family of elliptic curves which comes equipped with an easily computable minimal discriminant which helped pave the mathematical bridge that led to the proof of Fermat's Last Theorem. In this dissertation, we extend the ideas of the Frey curve by considering two- and three- parameter families of elliptic curves which parameterize all rational elliptic curves with non-trivial torsion. First, we use these families to give a …

Using Tangible Interaction And Virtual Reality To Support Spatial Perspective Taking Ability, Shen-Kuen Chang

Open Access Dissertations

According to several large-scale and longitudinal studies, spatial ability, one of the primary mental abilities, has been shown as a significant predictor for STEM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and career success. Frameworks in HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) and TEI (Tangible and Embodied Interaction) also indicated how the spatial-related aspects of interaction are a common design theme for interfaces using emerging technologies. However, currently only very few interactive systems (using TEI) are designed around a target spatial ability. TEI’s direct effects on spatial ability are also not well-investigated. Meanwhile, a growing body of research from cognitive sciences, such as embodied …

Validation Of Object Identification And Tracking In Radar Imagery, Daniel T. Dietz

Open Access Theses

Analysis of storm cells and tracking thereof in radar imagery requires substantial effort if done manually. An automated technique for performing cell identification and tracking can greatly ease the burden of performing the work by hand. For analyzing post-event cases automated techniques are a time-saver for the investigators and when analyzing real-time radar data or NWP output, applying automated techniques is necessary because the products must be made available in real-time to be useful. Evaluating the performance of such techniques is also a time consuming task because the comparative truth must be found by hand. A method of simulating storm …

Teaching The Next Generation Of Researchers: An Inquiry Into Aviation Research Education, David C. Ison

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Research in aviation fields has become increasingly important to institutions and their faculties. Expectations to conduct such research have escalated, with tenure and employment decisions often hanging on evidence of research skill and advanced educational attainment. Considering the importance of research to aviation higher education, this study investigated how research skills are conveyed to undergraduate and graduate aviation students. Further, the subjects and methods of instruction were evaluated. This inquiry was guided by content analysis. To bolster the findings of this study, a series of interviews with program directors and faculty teaching research courses were conducted to explore faculty perceptions …

Understanding How Engineering Identity And Belongingness Predict Grit For First-Generation College Students, Dina Verdín, Allison Godwin, Adam Kirn, Lisa Benson, Geoff Potvin

School of Engineering Education Graduate Student Series

Increasing the participation of underrepresented students, including first-generation college students, in engineering plays a central role in sustaining the U.S. research and innovation capacity. Diversity continues to be recognized as an asset in engineering. However, we also know that the culture of engineering has an implicit assumption about who can be and who is recognized as an engineer. There is also a complex relationship between participation in a community of practice and identity. Diverse students must not only author an identity as an engineer but also must grapple with how that identity, historically constructed as white and masculine, becomes a …

First-Generation College Students Identifying As Future Engineers, Dina Verdín, Allison Godwin

School of Engineering Education Graduate Student Series

This paper seeks to understand factors that influence how first-generation college students identify as engineers now and in the future. Data used in this study came from four U.S. institutions obtaining a total first-generation college student sample of 596 participants. We used future possible selves as a lens to understand how first-generation college students’ current views of themselves as engineers shape their future identities as engineers. Two separate analyses were conducted. First, a multiple regression analysis was used to determine which career future satisfaction variables predicted first-generation college students current and future identification as engineers. Second, a hierarchical regression analysis …

Engineering Education Research, Michael C. Loui, Maura Borrego

School of Engineering Education Faculty Publications

This chapter describes several aspects of engineering education research with an emphasis on how they might relate to computing education research. We briefly summarize the history of engineering education as a scholarly field, and we describe the current structures that support engineering education research: academic departments, scholarly journals, annual conferences, and professional societies. We identify the theories that often inform engineering education research studies, including theories of cognition, motivation, and identity. We explain how quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods have been used. We summarize the results of an illustrative selection of empirical studies across a broad range of topics, including …

Predicting Urban Reservoir Levels Using Statistical Learning Techniques, Renee Obringer, Roshanak Nateghi

School of Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Urban water supplies are critical to the growth of the city and the wellbeing of its citizens. However, these supplies can be vulnerable to hydrological extremes, such as droughts and floods, especially if they are the main source of water for the city. Maintaining these supplies and preparing for future conditions is a crucial task for water managers, but predicting hydrological extremes is a challenge. This study tested the abilities of eight statistical learning techniques to predict reservoir levels, given the current hydroclimatic conditions, and provide inferences on the key predictors of reservoir levels. The results showed that random forest, …

Efficiency Driver In Nigerian Airports: A Bootstrap Dea–Censored Quantile Regression Approach, Obioma Reuben Nwaogbe, Peter Wanke, Innocent Chukwuka Ogwude, Carlos Pestana Barros, Abul Kalam Azad

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This paper reports on the use of a novel two-stage approach for assessing the efficiency of 30 major Nigerian airports from 2003 to 2013 based on bootstrapped data envelopment analysis (DEA) and censored quantile regression. In the first stage, bootstrapped efficiency estimates are computed. They enable bias correction and testing for significant differences in efficiency levels among airports. Subsequently, bootstrapped DEA results are combined with censored quantile regression to assess the impact of contextual variables—related to the airports’ ownership, location, and network connectivity—on different efficiency percentiles. The results reveal that the intensity of significant impacts regarding airports’ contextual variables may …

Engineering Women’S Attitudes And Goals In Choosing Disciplines With Above And Below Average Female Representation, Dina Verdín, Allison Godwin, Adam Kirn, Lisa Benson, Geoff Potvin

School of Engineering Education Graduate Student Series

Women’s participation in engineering remains well below that of men at all degree levels. However, despite the low enrollment of women in engineering as a whole, some engineering disciplines report above average female enrollment. We used multiple linear regression to examine the attitudes, beliefs, career outcome expectations, and career choice of first-year female engineering students enrolled in below average, average, and above average female representation disciplines in engineering. Our work begins to understand how the socially constructed masculine cultural norms of engineering may attract women differentially into specific engineering disciplines. This study used future time perspective, psychological personality traits, grit, …

Use Of Excel Spreadsheet Calculators In Handling Data Generated From Uv- Spectrometer, Mercy Okezue, Kari Clase, Steve Byrn

BIRS Symposium

To ease the complexities of handling data generated from different analytical procedures, validated excel spreadsheet containing relevant formulas are developed to ensure the process of data handling will consistently produce the expected results. This paper introduces the use of Excel spreadsheets in handling data generated from using a UV-Spectrometer in determination of analyte concentration in various dosage forms

Instituting Process Control Mechanisms In A Quality Control Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Mercy Okezue, Kari Lynn Clase, Stephen Byrn

BIRS Symposium

Statistical Process Control by means of using control charts was a means of monitoring performance of analytical equipment. Quality control checks on test items using these equipment generated data used for plotting X-bar charts. The charts generated had warning and control limits which helped monitor system performance

Extreme Precipitation Events, Impacts, Trends And Projections For Indiana, Sam Lashley

Purdue Road School

The National Weather Service is working with core partners to build a Weather Ready Nation for present and future generations by taking advanced action against the devastating impacts of extreme weather events, including extreme precipitation and flooding. One way in which this can be accomplished is by studying trends in historical weather data and applying what we learn to future mitigation efforts. The goal is to gain a better understanding of the magnitude and impacts that future extreme precipitation events may have on local infrastructure.

This presentation will review extreme rainfall and flooding events that have occurred across Indiana along …

Roadside Integrated Vegetation Management Bmps: Right Tool For The Right Job, Cheryl Daniels, Davey Resource Group, Inc.

Purdue Road School

Based on a 3-year ODOT IVM research project, lessons learned and techniques for innovative and adaptive IVM for diverse midwestern landscapes will be presented that can increase Indiana DOTs’ efficiency and cost-effectiveness and simultaneously improve worker safety, foster safe highway use, improve roadside aesthetics, and promote environmental stewardship.

Problem-Based Learning In The Life Science Classroom, K–12, Theresa Cullen, Cat D. Jackson

Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning

No abstract provided.

A Cultured Learning Environment: Implementing A Problem- And Service-Based Microbiology Capstone Course To Assess Process- And Skill-Based Learning Objectives, Rachel M. Watson, John D. Willford, Mariel A. Pfeifer

Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning

In this study, a problem-based capstone course was designed to assess the University of Wyoming Microbiology Program’s skill-based and process-based student learning objectives. Students partnered with a local farm, a community garden, and a free downtown clinic in order to conceptualize, propose, perform, and present studies addressing problems experienced by these partners. Instructor assessments enabled understanding of student competencies, and according to external subject matter experts students demonstrated mastery of all learning objectives on the final research presentation. Community partners were completely satisfied with the students’ solutions, professionalism, and communication. Instructional diagnosis and student course evaluations showed satisfaction, engagement, and …

Indiana’S Past & Future Climate: A Report From The Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment, Melissa Widhalm, Alan Hamlet, Kyuhyun Byun, Scott Robeson, Mike Baldwin, Paul Staten, Chun-Mei Chiu, Jill Coleman, E. Hall, Kim Hoogewind, Matthew Huber, Chanh Kieu, Jinwoong Yoo, Jeffrey Dukes

Climate Change Reports

Indiana’s climate is changing. Temperatures are rising, more precipitation is falling and the last spring frost of the year has been getting steadily earlier. This report from the Indiana Climate Change Impacts Assessment (IN CCIA) describes historical climate trends from more than a century of data, and future projections that detail the ways in which our climate will continue to change.

The Iterative Development And Use Of An Online Problem-Based Learning Module For Preservice And Inservice Teachers, Peter Rillero, Laurie Camposeco

Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning

Teachers’ problem-based learning knowledge, abilities, and attitudes are important factors in successful K–12 PBL implementations. This article describes the development and use of a free, online module entitled Design a Problem-Based Learning Experience. The module production, aligned with theories of andragogy, was a partnership between the recipients of a grant using PBL to enhance English language learner education and the Sanford Inspire Program. A multistage evaluation design was used in the iterative process of module creation. Starting with an initial white paper, the module’s conceptualization, development, pilot testing, and refinement are described, along with the current use statistics. The URL …

Choosing Stem College Majors: Exploring The Role Of Pre-College Engineering Courses, L. Allen Phelps, Eric M. Camburn, Sookweon Min

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Despite the recent policy proclamations urging state and local educators to implement integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curricula, relatively little is known about the role and impact of pre-college engineering courses within these initiatives. When combined with appropriate mathematics and science courses, high school engineering and engineering technology (E&ET) courses may have the potential to provide students with pre-college learning experiences that encourage them to pursue STEM college majors. Our central research question was: What is the nature and extent of any relationship between high school E&ET course completion and subsequent selection of a STEM major in a …

Perspectives On Science And Culture, Kris Rutten, Stefaan Blancke, Ronald Soetaert

Purdue University Press Book Previews

Edited by Kris Rutten, Stefaan Blancke, and Ronald Soetaert, Perspectives on Science and Culture explores the intersection between scientific understanding and cultural representation from an interdisciplinary perspective. Contributors to the volume analyze representations of science and scientific discourse from the perspectives of rhetorical criticism, comparative cultural studies, narratology, educational studies, discourse analysis, naturalized epistemology, and the cognitive sciences. The main objective of the volume is to explore how particular cognitive predispositions and cultural representations both shape and distort the public debate about scientific controversies, the teaching and learning of science, and the development of science itself. The theoretical background of …

Perspectives On Science And Culture, Kris Rutten, Stefaan Blancke, Ronald Soetaert

Purdue University Press Books

Edited by Kris Rutten, Stefaan Blancke, and Ronald Soetaert, Perspectives on Science and Culture explores the intersection between scientific understanding and cultural representation from an interdisciplinary perspective. Contributors to the volume analyze representations of science and scientific discourse from the perspectives of rhetorical criticism, comparative cultural studies, narratology, educational studies, discourse analysis, naturalized epistemology, and the cognitive sciences. The main objective of the volume is to explore how particular cognitive predispositions and cultural representations both shape and distort the public debate about scientific controversies, the teaching and learning of science, and the development of science itself. The theoretical background of …

Living On The Edge Dependably: New Challenges And Solution Directions, Saurabh Bagchi, Jitesh Panchal

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technical Reports

Edge computing is the practice of placing computing resources at the edges of the Internet in close proximity to devices and information sources. This, much like a cache on a CPU, increases bandwidth and reduces latency for applications but at a potential cost of dependability and capacity.

Simulation-Based Approximate Policy Gradient And Its Building Control Application, Donghwan Lee, Seungjae Lee, Panagiota Karava, Jianghai Hu

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technical Reports

The goal of this paper is to study the potential applicability of a stochastic approximationbased policy gradient method for optimal office building HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) control systems. A real-world building thermal dynamics with occupant interactions is the main focus of this paper. It is a complex stochastic system in the sense that its statistical properties depend on its state variables. In this case, existing approaches, for instance, stochastic model predictive control methods, cannot be applied to optimal control designs. As a remedy, we approximate the gradient of the cost function using simulations and use a gradient descent …

On The Removal Of Motivation And Structural Barriers In The Classroom And Across The Mathematics Curriculum, Benjamin Wiles, Chantal Levesque-Bristol

IMPACT Presentations

Presentation at the research roundtable discussion at the 2018 Critical Issues in Math Education Workshop, Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, in Berkeley, CA.

Presents data on the ability of active learning methods to impact motivation and promote learning outcomes in mathematics courses.

From Your Editor, Katina Strauch

Against the Grain

No abstract provided.

Deadlines

Against the Grain

No abstract provided.

If Rumors Were Horses, Katina Strauch

Against the Grain

No abstract provided.

Letters To The Editor, Katina Strauch

Against the Grain

No abstract provided.

A Simple Mathematical Model For The Nonlinear Compliance Of Arteries, Charles F. Babbs

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Working Papers

No abstract provided.