Digital Commons Network^™

Pandemic Transformation Of Teaching And Learning: Designing Pedagogy Using The Contents Of Instructors’ “Pedagogical Pantry,” Rather Than “Established Recipes.”, Sara Schley, Carol E. Marchetti

Articles

How can faculty successfully shift from a physical classroom environment to creating meaningful online learning experiences in the midst of a pandemic? Using a “kitchen pantry” metaphor, this essay suggests faculty use a “what’s in my pantry?” approach, rather than trying to replicate the in-class experience and following a previously identified “recipe.” Some faculty embrace new technology options with great gusto. Others are resistant; and still others wait until they’ve seen others use it first to consider incorporating it. This model allows for different entry points of interaction, and for different levels of experimentation, reflecting individual faculty’s strengths and capabilities. …

Motivations Of Following Beauty Instagram Influencers And Relationship Between Influencer’S Attractiveness And Follower’S Attitude, Clara Kim

Theses

Many research studies have studied how social media influencers can influence followers’ attitudes or behaviors. They showed how the users reflect themselves through the images on social media. Uses and gratifications approach explains that individuals have a choice to choose what media they use to satisfy their inherent needs and wants. Social influence theory explains how attitudes or behaviors of people are influenced by other people. Based on these theories and approaches, this research aimed to find out why Instagram users follow beauty influencers, and whether there is an attitude change towards products endorsed by beauty Instagram influencers. An online …

Locating Identities In Time: An Examination Of The Impact Of Temporality On Presentations Of The Self Through Location-Based Social Networks, Konstantinos Papangelis, Ioanna Lykourentzou, Vassilis-Javed Khan, Alan Chamberlain, Ting Cao, Micahel Saker, Nicolas Lalone

Articles

Studies of identity and location-based social networks (LBSN) have tended to focus on the performative aspects associated with marking one’s location. Yet, these studies often present this practice as being an a priori aspect of locative media. What is missing from this research is a more granular understanding of how this process develops over time. Accordingly, we focus on the first six weeks of 42 users beginning to use an LBSN we designed and named GeoMoments. Through our analysis of our users' activities, we contribute to understanding identity and LBSN in two distinct ways. First, we show how LBSN users …

Insights And Lessons Learned From The Design, Development And Deployment Of Pervasive Location-Based Mobile Systems “In The Wild”, Konstantinos Papangelis, Alan Chamberlain, Nicolas Lalone, Ting Cao

Presentations and other scholarship

This paper, based on a reflective approach, presents several insights and lessons learned from the design, development, and deployment of a location-based social network and a location-based game. These are analyzed and discussed against the life-cycle of our studies and range from engaging with the participants to dealing with technical issues while on the field. Overall, the insights and lessons learned illustrate that one should be prepared and flexible enough to accommodate any issues as they arise in a professional manner considering not only the results of the study but also the participants and the researchers involved.The aim of this …

Fraud Detection Using Data Analytics, Ayesha Karmustaji

Theses

At present, the biggest concern of every organization is to detect and control financial fraud. Tax frauds cause the loss of billions of dollars every year. As a result, data mining techniques are used to combat the growing problem of tax fraud. Tax evasions cause a reduction in revenue collection. It also has a bleak impact on government policies and budget. The goal of this study is to describe the use of data analytics tools to process and analyze tax data related to value-added tax evasions. This study is a conceptual perspective that provides a theoretical and methodological basis for …

An Enhanced Statistical Phonon Transport Model For Nanoscale Thermal Transport And Design, Michael P. Medlar

Theses

Managing thermal energy generation and transfer within the nanoscale devices (transistors) of modern microelectronics is important as it limits speed, carrier mobility, and affects reliability. Application of Fourier’s Law of Heat Conduction to the small length and times scales associated with transistor geometries and switching frequencies doesn’t give accurate results due to the breakdown of the continuum assumption and the assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium. Heat conduction at these length and time scales occurs via phonon transport, including both classical and quantum effects. Traditional methods for phonon transport modeling are lacking in the combination of computational efficiency, physical accuracy, and …

Using Linear Arrays Of Micro-Ring Resonators To Enhance The Hong-Ou-Mandel Effect For Quantum Optical Networks In Silicon Nanophotonics, Peter Kaulfuss

Theses

Quantum Information Processing (QIP) is a quickly evolving field, from basic research to next-generation, deployable technology. Its development is catalyzed by the inherent scalability and efficient packaging provided by working in silicon nanophotonics. The Hong-Ou- Mandel (HOM) effect is a versatile quantum photonic tool used in a wide variety of applications throughout QIP. In this thesis we examine new types of circuits using linear arrays of Micro- Ring Resonators (MRRs) to enhance the attainability of the HOM effect. We propose three new devices: a circuit exhibiting robust expansion to the HOM effect using small series of identical MRRs, a HOM …

A Spectral Component Analysis Of Repeating Frb121102, Zachary Diermyer

Theses

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) are extremely luminous, millisecond duration radio pulses of unknown origin. While many FRBs are transient events, a few sources are confirmed to be the progenitor of multiple bursts. These "repeaters" offer an extraordinary chance to study the properties of mysterious FRB signals. The FRB121102 source was the first repeater to have ever been discovered and it has since provided us with a wealth of data to be analyzed. A unique feature of repeaters, including FRB121102, is the presence of a multicomponent burst structure. This is a phenomenon where individual portions of the burst are separated in …

Development Of Highly Functional, Surface Tunable, And Efficient Composite Coatings For Pool Boiling Heat Transfer Enhancement, Aniket Mohan Rishi

Theses

Rapid growth and advancements in high-power electronic devices, IC chips, electric vehicles, and lithium-ion batteries have compelled the development of efficient and novel thermal management solutions. Currently used air and liquid cooling systems are unable to remove the heat efficiently due to significant pressure drops, temperature differences, and limited heat-carrying capacities. In contrast, phase-change cooling techniques can remove the larger amount of heat with higher efficiency while maintaining safer operational temperature ranges. Pool boiling heat transfer is a type of phase-change cooling technique in which vapor bubbles generated on the boiling surface carry away the heat. This pool boiling performance …

1d Conditional Generative Adversarial Network For Spectrum-To-Spectrum Translation Of Simulated Chemical Reflectance Signatures, Cara Murphy, John Kerekes

Articles

The classification of trace chemical residues through active spectroscopic sensing is challenging due to the lack of physics-based models that can accurately predict spectra. To overcome this challenge, we leveraged the field of domain adaptation to translate data from the simulated to the measured domain for training a classifier. We developed the first 1D conditional generative adversarial network (GAN) to perform spectrum-to-spectrum translation of reflectance signatures. We applied the 1D conditional GAN to a library of simulated spectra and quantified the improvement in classification accuracy on real data using the translated spectra for training the classifier. Using the GAN-translated library, …

1d Conditional Generative Adversarial Network For Spectrum-To-Spectrum Translation Of Simulated Chemical Reflectance Signatures, Cara P. Murphy, John Kerekes

Articles

The classifcaton of trace chemical residues through actve spectroscopic sensing is challenging due to the lack of physics-based models that can accurately predict spectra. To overcome this challenge, we leveraged the feld of domain adaptaton to translate data from the simulated to the measured domain for training a classifer. We developed the frst 1D conditonal generatve adversarial network (GAN) to perform spectrum-to-spectrum translaton of refectance signatures. We applied the 1D conditonal GAN to a library of simulated spectra and quantfed the improvement in classifcaton accuracy on real data using the translated spectra for training the classifer. Using the GAN-translated library, …

The Scene- Interactive Video Scene Controller, Haena Lee

Theses

In modern society, people spend much time watching videos to meet their emotional and social needs. Movies and TV shows increasingly contain violence and sexuality to catch the eye. In addition to this trend, the current age-based rating becomes more and more lenient than the one in the past. As a result, the content rating system does not provide a clear standard about the level of graphic intensity anymore. This situation prevents a particular group of viewers from fully enjoying the video contents: parents and highly sensitive people. Whenever these two groups watch movies or live TV, they need to …

Book Review: A River Called Time, Rochelle Spencer

Third Stone

No abstract provided.

Mapping The Sonic Imaginary: Stacey Robinson’S Visual Codex, Julian Chambliss, Stacey Robinson

Third Stone

The sound of Afrofuturism, like all things connected to black speculative practice, is not easily codified. In his effort to capture the meaning of black speculative practice, Dery’s definition of Afrofuturism relied on examples drawn from comics and hip hop. In some ways, Stacey Robinson’s work and career offer a living embodiment of the transformative power of both endeavors. Stacey Robinson completed his Masters of Fine Art at the University at Buffalo and currently serves as Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His art speculates futures where Black people are free from colonial influences. Stacey’s …

The State Of Practice For Security Unit Testing: Towards Data Driven Strategies To Shift Security Into Developer's Automated Testing Workflows, Danielle Nicole Gonzalez

Theses

The pressing need to “shift security left” in the software development lifecycle has motivated efforts to adapt the iterative and continuous process models used in practice today. Security unit testing is praised by practitioners and recommended by expert groups, usually in the context of DevSecOps and achieving “continuous security”. In addition to vulnerability testing and standards adherence, this technique can help developers verify that security controls are implemented correctly, i.e. functional security testing. Further, the means by which security unit testing can be integrated into developer workflows is unique from other standalone tools as it is an adaptation of practices …

Metatheme Analysis: A Qualitative Method For Cross-Cultural Research, Amber Wutich, Melissa Beresford, Cindi Sturtzsreetharan, Alexandra Brewis, Sarah Trainer, Jessica Hardin

Articles

In recent years, there has been a florescence of cross-cultural research using ethnographic and qualitative data. This cutting-edge work confronts a range of significant methodological challenges, but has not yet addressed how thematic analysis can be modified for use in cross-cultural ethnography. Thematic analysis is widely used in qualitative and mixed-methods research, yet is not currently well-adapted to cross-cultural ethnographic designs. We build on existing thematic analysis techniques to discuss a method to inductively identify metathemes (defined here as themes that occur across cultures). Identifying metathemes in crosscultural research is important because metathemes enable researchers to use systematic comparisons to …

Limitations Of Artificial Intelligence, Sahar Sultan

Theses

Artificial Intelligence is a groundbreaking technology that is now an established field. It is being used to mimic human capabilities such as speaking, listening, learning, and planning by using different algorithms to process data and produce results depending on the information provided by the user. Artificial Intelligence has been used in several industries when it comes to data processing and decision making. Artificial Intelligence has been invented to help decision and solutionmaking processes using a problem-solving approach. The development of Artificial Intelligence software provides efficiency and acceleration on different kinds of workflows, which will help organizations increase their profit and …

Centering Black Trans Lives: Social Network Exploration Of #Blacktranslivesmatter Content On Twitter, Jordan Brooks

Theses

May 27, 2020 saw the fatal shooting of Tony McDade, a Black transgender man. McDade is one of many lives underlying the Black Lives Matter movement which, in 2020, became the largest movement in United States’ history. Although the Black Lives Matter movement has successfully brought the reality of systemic racism in the United States to the forefront of media, there remains a lack of visibility for and conversation surrounding the most vulnerable members: the Black transgender community. Through an intersectional lens, this thesis broadly examines the sentiment surrounding tweets utilizing the #blacktranslivesmatter hashtag, and how the intersection of race …

Leading A Horse To Water: Investigating The Semiotic Motif Of Water And Drowning In Bojack Horseman, Zachery A. Sherman

Theses

This semiotic analysis examines the affect that trauma, in the form of metaphor or semiotic motif involving water, has on the titular character of BoJack Horseman in Netflix’s BoJack Horseman (2014-2020) as well as how the use of water mirrors generational trauma passed down via historical associations. The impact that this trauma has upon these characters is frequently paired with water imagery and symbolism. The show’s use of water draws particular attention to how its characters perpetuate aspects of their traumatic pasts in their day-to-day life and reveals the nuanced psychological impact inherent to trauma while simultaneously hinting at its …

Social Media Influencer Motivation: Exploring What Drives Micro-Celebrities To Produce Content Using Social Exchange Theory, Jennie Giardino

Theses

Social media influencers are online celebrities who have the power to shape the opinions of audience members due to their relatable qualities. Influencer sponsorships have changed the nature of social media platforms and the strategy by which the content is posted. But besides the potential to be sponsored, why do influencers post content? The purpose of this study was to understand what motivates influencers to post content through the lens of social exchange theory by identifying resources exchanged between the social media influencer and the audience and explain how this affects their motivation to post content. I interviewed 15 lifestyle …

Everything That Glitters, Zichen Liang

Theses

This paper discusses the preparation and creative process of my thesis feature screenplay Everything That Glitters, including the inspiration, proposal, re-proposal, shooting, and revising of the script. It also documents the background story from aspects of Chinese culture and tradition. The script revolves around a young Chinese woman’s journey to America. Unable to accept the marriage her parents have arranged for her, she comes to the United States as an international student to live her life on her own terms. It doesn’t work out well. This story is largely based on my own life experiences, except the part about the …

Unforeseen Connections, Miranda Mattson

Theses

Using floriography within my own work, I captured the essence of human emotion and used its familiarity to bring mental health issues to the foreground of conversation. The parallels of hidden emotion and social discordance between the Victorian era and the 21st Century inspired my introspective research into "invisible" illnesses: health issues that affect both the mind and the body, respectively. Utilizing knowledge in mixed media, as well as traditional metalsmithing techniques, these ideas manifested into a series of wearable art and sculpture with the intention of prompting in-depth discussions on mental health stigmas. Without compromising the ambiguity of floriography, …

Controls On Denitrification And Nitrous Oxide Flux In Created Wetlands, Sonia Huang

Theses

Freshwater wetlands are frequently created or restored with the goal of replicating valuable ecosystem functions lost elsewhere. However, studies in created wetlands have demonstrated production of greenhouse gases (GHG) may be enhanced during early establishment, potentially counteracting desirable ecosystem services such as nutrient removal. In this research, we investigated the impact of hydrology and carbon addition on denitrification and fluxes of N2O from two created wetlands that differ in antecedent land use and hydrology. Ten experimental zones were installed in both wetlands and compost (municipal leaf litter) was added to half of the zones as a soil amendment. Soil and …

Half A Heart, Maria Gesek

Theses

Half a Heart is a screenplay that follows a character’s journey to find happiness in her life and learn to be strong enough to stand on her own. Cara has spent a significant portion of her life in a relationship with Sal, and while this relationship has made her happy and could be considered true love, it is something she must learn to walk away from as it is not moving forward. Cara must learn to find other forms of happiness while also learning to stick up for herself. One of the most difficult struggles she needs to overcome is …

Settling For Efficiency: Power And The People Left In Its Wake, Theodore D. Forsyth

Theses

This study examines claims data, prepared by an insurance carrier and obtained through an open records request, of police-involved incidents in Rochester, New York from 2001-2012. The dataset includes information about the incidents and financial outcomes accepted by claimants. Eighteen independent variables are broken up into three categories: claimant characteristics, claim characteristics, and situational characteristics. The research question guiding this study is: What, if any, claimant, claim, or situational characteristics impact final settlement amounts for claims stemming from police-involved incidents? Four theories are utilized to explain the phenomenon examined in this study: social capital, power differentials using Donald Black’s behavior …

The Racked System: A Historically Based Interactive Roleplaying Experience, Will Truran

Theses

“History repeats itself” is a saying we are all too familiar with, but why is that true? As we look at our modern society we can see that pain persists and hate crimes are on the rise, particularly those of antisemitism and those holding anti-Asian ideologies. The Racked System aims to address this by introducing a new method of learning about our past so that we can apply its lessons to our future. Classroom settings require students to memorize dates and data that often capture hard to comprehend facts, like that six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. It …

Port-All: Reproduction Of The Sense Of Companionship In A Long-Distance Relationship, Xincan Yang

Theses

The long-distance relationship is a common phenomenon in contemporary society. Nowadays with the development of the Internet, we have various instant messaging software which gives us an effective way to keep communication with distant others. But it also brings a series of new problems.

Due to the lack of physical contact, time difference, and high dependence on the Internet, people often experience negative emotions in long-distance relationships from delayed communication, suspicion, and misunderstanding of messages. Research shows that most couples feel tired and anxious for a long time in a long-distance relationship, and one of the core reasons is the …

Chek And Hava, Komal Ashfaq

Theses

Chek and Hava is an absurdist romantic comedy about using your boyfriend to rebel against your parents. While remaining light and easy to watch, it is additionally meant to have three intentionally designed layers:

1. The surface level story revolves around Hava bringing home her boyfriend Chek- an unemployed artist, that she knows her wealthy demigod parents will disapprove of. Her parents ultimately force Chek out of his carefree life and into a corporate career, accepting him and deflating Hava’s rebellion. She finally breaks free by exiting the system of their beliefs and trying to form her persona independently rather …

Oit: A Ux Design Project For Better Decision Making In Generative Design, Yunsheng Zhou

Theses

New technology, such as AI and Machine learning, grows fast and plays a crucial role in improving efficiency and reducing the repeated working load in our daily lives. In the Architecture and Engineering area, AI is widely used in generative design. Generative design is a design exploration process. The software explores all the possible permutations of a solution, quickly generating design alternatives. However, the problem is that the intelligence systems can generate thousands of solutions that difficult for users to distill. This situation even reduces the efficiency of the working flow. The project's approach is to help users make better …

Human Augmentation: A System Engineering Conceptual Framework, Hazel Colleen R. Gamboa

Theses

In today’s literature, there is not one clear definition for ‘Human Augmentation’ and quite often, it is used interchangeably with the term ‘Human Enhancement’. Human enhancement is a field that has relatively more research and has a broader definition that encompasses both invasive and non-invasive procedures aimed at restoring or enhancing the capabilities of the human body. Medicine, implants, genetic engineering – there are some examples of procedures attributed to human enhancement. On the other hand, the word ‘augment’ is defined as the addition or making something better; this research will focus and narrow down the definition of Human Augmentation …