Digital Commons Network^™

2d-3d Facial Image Analysis For Identification Of Facial Features Using Machine Learning Algorithms With Hyper-Parameter Optimization For Forensics Applications, Gangothri Sanil, Krishna Prakash, Srikanth Prabhu, Vinod C. Nayak, Saptarshi Sengupta

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Recognizing a face is a remarkable process that humans naturally use. Computer vision has tried to resemble this ability of human vision as a biometric tool to identify humans. Commercial and law enforcement applications are increasingly using face recognition technology to identify people. Currently, it is one of the most sought-after detection methods used in forensics for criminal identification purposes. Owing to similarities in the appearance of certain faces, especially in criminal cases, this problem poses a great challenge in forensic investigation and detection. The novelty of this work lies in the development of a framework for face recognition using …

A Step-By-Step Hhl Algorithm Walkthrough To Enhance Understanding Of Critical Quantum Computing Concepts, Anika Zaman, Hector Jose Morrell, Hiu Yung Wong

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

After learning basic quantum computing concepts, it is desirable to reinforce the learning using an important and relatively complex algorithm through which students can observe and appreciate how qubits evolve and interact with each other. Harrow-Hassidim-Lloyd (HHL) quantum algorithm, which can solve linear system problems with exponential speed-up over the classical method and is the basis of many important quantum computing algorithms, is used to serve this purpose. The HHL algorithm is explained analytically followed by a 4-qubit numerical example in bra-ket notation. Matlab code corresponding to the numerical example is available for students to gain a deeper understanding of …

Very Short-Term Solar Power Forecasting Using A Frequency Incorporated Deep Learning Model, Hossein Panamtash, Shahrzad Mahdavi, Qun Zhou Sun, Guo Jun Qi, Hongrui Liu, Aleksandar Dimitrovski

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This paper aims to forecast solar power in very short horizons to assist in real-time distribution system operations. Popular machine learning methods for time series forecasting are studied, including recurrent neural networks with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). Although LSTM networks perform well in different applications by accounting for long-term dependencies, they do not consider the frequency domain patterns, especially the low frequencies in the solar power data compared to the sampling frequency. The State Frequency Memory (SFM) model in this paper extends LSTM and adds multi-frequency components into memory states to reveal a variety of frequency patterns from the data …

What Makes Consumers Adopt A Wearable Fitness Device? The Roles Of Cognitive, Affective, And Motivational Factors, Jing Zhang, En Mao

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Wearable fitness devices are equipped with internet connectivity and capable of tracking, storing, and transmitting health data. A research model is proposed and tested, which shows how cognitive, affective, social, and motivational consumer factors affect the intention to adopt wearables, respectively. The antecedents of these factors are also studied, including perceived usefulness, ease of use, and effectiveness for cognitive factors; positive and negative feelings for affective factors; perceived number of users, number of peers, and social images for social factors. An online survey was conducted among 297 non-wearable-users in the U.S. to collect data. Structural equation modeling was used to …

“This Is Fine”: The Impact Of Blowouts On Subsequent Game Performance In The National Hockey League (Nhl), Ravi Chachad, Sean Pradhan, Arman P. Medina

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Blowouts in sports involve large margins of victory or loss between teams and have long been perceived as influencing subsequent performances by athletes, coaches, fans, and other stakeholders. Under the backdrop of the hot hand ph enomenon, the current study explores the impact of blowouts on subsequent game performance in the National Hockey League (NHL). Specifically, we examine the potential carryover of a “hot (or cold) hand” on the subsequent game following a large win or loss. In our study, we defined blowouts as outlying goal differentials for regular season games (i.e., a difference of approximately 6 goals between teams …

Well-Being, Changes To Academic Behavior, And Resilience Among Families Experiencing Parental Immigration Imprisonment, Caitlin Patler, Gabriela Gonzalez

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

While the deleterious impacts of parental incarceration are well documented, we know less about the experiences of children with parents imprisoned by immigration authorities. We draw from 62 multigenerational and multiperspective interviews conducted in California with school-age children experiencing parental immigration imprisonment (PII), and their nondetained caregivers. We find that children experiencing PII report feelings and behaviors suggestive of significant psychological distress, which leads to changes in engagement and behavior at school. While some children access academic support and counseling, often following advocacy from nondetained parents or interventions by teachers, others do not receive such support. Many children conceal their …

A Preliminary Framework For Managing Sleep Inertia In Occupational Settings, Katya Kovac, Grace E. Vincent, Jessica L. Paterson, Cassie J. Hilditch, Sally A. Ferguson

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Sleep inertia, the temporary period of impairment experienced upon waking, is a safety hazard that has been implicated in serious work-related incidents resulting in injuries as well as the loss of life and assets. As such, sleep inertia warrants formal management in industries where personnel are required to undertake their role soon after waking (e.g. emergency services, engineers, and health care). At present, there is a lack of practical, evidence-based guidance on how sleep inertia could be formally managed at an organizational level. We propose a preliminary framework for managing sleep inertia based on the translation of research findings into …

Analysis Of Methods For Assimilating Fire Perimeters Into A Coupled Fire-Atmosphere Model, Adam K. Kochanski, Kathleen Clough, Angel Farguell, Derek V. Mallia, Jan Mandel, Kyle Hilburn

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Correctly initializing the fire within coupled fire-atmosphere models is critical for producing accurate forecasts of meteorology near the fire, as well as the fire growth, and plume evolution. Improperly initializing the fire in a coupled fire-atmosphere model can introduce forecast errors that can impact wind circulations surrounding the fire and updrafts along the fire front. A well-constructed fire initialization process must be integrated within coupled fire-atmosphere models to ensure that the atmospheric component of the model does not become numerically unstable due to excessive heat fluxes released during the ignition, and that realistic fire-induced atmospheric circulations are established at the …

Establishing A Framework For The Ethical And Legal Use Of Web Scrapers By Cybercrime And Cybersecurity Researchers: Learnings From A Systematic Review Of Australian Research, Katie Logos, Russell Brewer, Colette Langos, Bryce Westlake

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The Internet has become an increasingly attractive location for collecting data about cyber threats, driven by the abundance of quality data available and accessible online. As such, researchers and practitioners have turned to automated data collection technologies (ADCT), including ‘web crawlers’ and ‘web scrapers’, to study these threats. The rapid proliferation of ADCT has meant directions for their ethical and legal operation have been slow to adapt, with no clear guidelines regulating their use for research. This article identifies the relevant ethical and legal frameworks guiding the deployment of ADCT in Australia for cybersecurity research. This is accomplished through a …

Intersections Of Disproportion: A Critical Quantitative Examination Of Dis/Ability And Gender In Black Students’ School Discipline Outcomes, Ceema Samimi, Noah Jefferson, Shelby Flanagan, Yolanda Anyon

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This study uses critical race quantitative intersectionality to examine the impacts of gender and dis/ability type on Black students’ school discipline outcomes. We use multilevel logistic regression models to analyze data from a large urban school district, considering the intersectional impact of gender and dis/ability type on school discipline outcomes among Black students (suspension, restorative justice, referral to law enforcement). We found that Black students identified as male, labeled with emotional dis/abilities, or identified as having ADHD were more likely to experience school discipline consequences than those who were not. These findings suggest that gender and dis/ability status are significant …

Restorative Practices And Exclusionary School Discipline: An Integrative Review, Ceema Samimi, Tyler M. Han, Amy Navvab, Jennifer A. Sedivy, Yolanda Anyon

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This study used integrative review methodology to synthesize research on the relationship between school-based restorative practices and exclusionary discipline outcomes in the United States. Exclusionary discipline outcomes were defined as out-of-school suspensions, expulsions, and referrals to law enforcement. A literature search produced 5,764 publications, and 11 studies were included in the final sample. Peacemaking circles were the most common restorative practice implemented, and secondary analysis of school records was the most common method utilized. Findings indicated that restorative practices are associated with reduced suspension rates, which suggest that school-based restorative practices are a promising approach to reducing exclusionary discipline outcomes.

Advancing College Food Security: Priority Research Gaps, Matthew J. Landry, Emily Heying, Zubaida Qamar, Rebecca L. Hagedorn-Hatfield, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos, Cara L. Cuite, Victoria A. Zigmont, Kendra Oonorasak, Susan Chen

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Despite over a decade of both quantitative and qualitative studies, food insecurity among United States college/university students remains a pervasive problem within higher education. The purpose of this perspective piece was to highlight research gaps in the area of college food insecurity and provide rationale for the research community to focus on these gaps going forward. A group of food insecurity researchers from a variety of higher education institutions across the United States identified five thematic areas of research gaps: screening and estimates of food insecurity; longitudinal changes in food insecurity; impact of food insecurity on broader health and academic …

Learning From The First Citizen Science Association Virtual Conference, Abigail Hils, Skye Kelty, Angel Hjarding, Linda Silka, Alison Cawood

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The Citizen Science Association (CSA) is a member-driven organization that connects people with interest in community/citizen science (c*science) from a wide range of backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bi-annual CSA conference pivoted away from an in-person format to a virtual format. CitSciVirtual: Local, Global, Connected occurred throughout May 2021 and brought together more than 700 attendees from 36 countries. The conference prioritized interactive experiences for attendees, including 16 collaborative poster sessions featuring 240 virtual posters, 55 workshops to learn and practice new skills, and 7 social events. This paper summarizes the impacts of the …

Investigating The Factor Structure And Measurement Invariance Of The Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (Ede-Q) In A Community Sample Of Gender Minority Adults From The United States, Jason M. Nagata, Emilio J. Compte, F. Hunter Mcguire, Tiffany A. Brown, Jason M. Lavender, Stuart B. Murray, Matthew R. Capriotti, Annesa Flentje, Micah E. Lubensky, Mitchell R. Lunn, Juno Obedin-Maliver

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Objective: The Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) is one of the most widely used self-report assessments of eating disorder symptoms. However, evidence indicates potential problems with its original factor structure and associated psychometric properties in a variety of populations, including gender minority populations. The aim of the current investigation was to explore several previously published EDE-Q factor structures and to examine internal consistency and measurement invariance of the best-fitting EDE-Q model in a large community sample of gender minority adults. Methods: Data were drawn from 1567 adults (337 transgender men, 180 transgender women, and 1050 gender-expansive individuals) who participated in The …

Homelessness And Water Insecurity In The Global North: Trapped In The Dwelling Paradox, Katie Meehan, Melissa Beresford, Fausto Amador Cid, Lourdes Johanna Avelar Portillo, Anna Marin, Marianne Odetola, Raul Pacheco-Vega

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

In this article, we introduce the “dwelling paradox” to explore how the state actively produces water insecurity for people experiencing homelessness in the Global North. We explain that the dwelling paradox is (1) produced by a modernist ideology of public service delivery that privileges water provision through private infrastructural connections in the home; (2) is reproduced by the welfare-warfare state, which has increasingly weaponized public water facilities and criminalized body functions in public space; and (3) is actively contested by some houseless communities, who challenge hegemonic ideals of the “home”—and its water infrastructure—as a private, atomized space. In advancing a …

Maximizing External Action With Information Provision Over Multiple Rounds In Online Social Networks, Masaaki Miyashita, Norihiko Shinomiya, Daisuke Kasamatsu, Genya Ishigaki

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Online social networks have increased their impact on the real world, which motivates information senders to control the propagation process of information to promote particular actions of online users. However, the existing works on information provisioning seem to oversimplify the users? decision-making process that involves information reception, internal actions of social networks, and external actions of social networks. In particular, characterizing the best practices of information provisioning that promotes the users? external actions is a complex task due to the complexity of the propagation process in OSNs, even when the variation of information is limited. Therefore, we propose a new …

Low-Density Star Cluster Formation: Discovery Of A Young Faint Fuzzy On The Outskirts Of The Low-Mass Spiral Galaxy Ngc 247, Aaron J. Romanowsky, Søren S. Larsen, Alexa Villaume, Jeffrey L. Carlin, Joachim Janz, David J. Sand, Jay Strader, Jean P. Brodie, Sukanya Chakrabarti, Chloe M. Cheng, Denija Crnojević, Duncan A. Forbes, Christopher T. Garling, Jonathan R. Hargis, Ananthan Karunakaran, Ignacio Martín-Navarro, Knut A.G. Olsen, Nicole Rider, Bitha Salimkumar, For Full Author List, See Comments Below

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The classical globular clusters found in all galaxy types have half-light radii of rh ~2-4 pc, which have been tied to formation in the dense cores of giant molecular clouds. Some old star clusters have larger sizes, and it is unclear if these represent a fundamentally different mode of low-density star cluster formation. We report the discovery of a rare, young 'faint fuzzy' star cluster, NGC 247-SC1, on the outskirts of the low-mass spiral galaxy NGC 247 in the nearby Sculptor group, and measure its radial velocity using Keck spectroscopy. We use Hubble Space Telescope imaging to measure the cluster …

The (Black) Struggle That Must Be: Black Masculinity, Black College Athletes, And Black Mental Health Through A Looking Glass, A. Lamont Williams

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

In this article, the author describes their mental health struggles tied to Black Masculinity as a (former) Black athlete. In particular, the author focuses on the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community and the ways in which Blackness, Black masculinity, and mental health battles emulate the (Black) struggle that must be. The author attempts to highlight the complicated nature of mental health struggles, specifically the ways in which suicide is handled in the world of sport and the ways in which the narrative can have juxtaposed racial frameworks. The author moves into and through their own personal experiences …

Algorithms And Their Affordances: How Crowdworkers Manage Algorithmic Scores In Online Labour Markets, Francesca Bellesia, Elisa Mattarelli, Fabiola Bertolotti

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

On online labour platforms, algorithmic scores are used as indicators of freelancers' work quality and future performance. Recent studies underscore that, to achieve good scores and secure their presence on platforms, freelancers respond to algorithmic control in different ways. However, we argue, to fully understand how freelancers deal with algorithmic scores, we first need to investigate how they interpret scores and, more specifically, what scores can do for them, i.e., perceived algorithmic affordances and constraints. Our interviews and other qualitative data collected with knowledge intensive gig workers on a major platform allow us to explain how the perceived affordances of …

Application Of Artificial Intelligence In Detection And Mitigation Of Human Factor Errors In Nuclear Power Plants: A Review, Meenu Sethu, Bhavya Kotla, Darrell Russell, Mahboubeh Madadi, Nesar Ahmed Titu, Jamie Baalis Coble, Ronald L. Boring, Klaus Blache, Vivek Agarwal, Vaibhav Yadav, Anahita Khojandi

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Human factors and ergonomics have played an essential role in increasing the safety and performance of operators in the nuclear energy industry. In this critical review, we examine how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can be leveraged to mitigate human errors, thereby improving the safety and performance of operators in nuclear power plants (NPPs). First, we discuss the various causes of human errors in NPPs. Next, we examine the ways in which AI has been introduced to and incorporated into different types of operator support systems to mitigate these human errors. We specifically examine (1) operator support systems, including decision support …

Comparing Enacted And Perceived Parental Communication As Predictors Of Adolescents’ Emotion Regulation In Families With Harmful Versus Non-Harmful Parental Alcohol Use, Marie C. Haverfield, Jennifer A. Theiss

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Emotion regulation is an important skill that adolescents typically learn through early interactions with their primary caregivers. Associations between parental communication and adolescent emotion regulation are well-documented however, it is unclear whether the parent’s actual communication behavior or adolescents’ perceptions of the parent’s behavior is a more robust predictor of emotion regulation outcomes. This study used Baumrind’s parenting styles typology as a theoretical foundation for examining parents’ enacted responsiveness and control and adolescents’ perceptions of their parent’s responsiveness and control during conversation as competing predictors of adolescents’ self-reported emotion regulation during two parent-child interactions. Sixty parent-adolescent dyads participated in an …

Disequilibrium River Networks Dissecting The Western Slope Of The Sierra Nevada, California, Usa, Record Significant Late Cenozoic Tilting And Associated Surface Uplift: Comment, Emmanuel Gabet

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Beeson and McCoy (2022) present several interesting methods for detecting uplift from river profiles; however, these techniques rely on conditions and assumptions that are not met in the Sierra Nevada. Moreover, one of the key predictions from their numerical model, the presence of migrating knickpoints along the Sierra’s trunk streams, is not supported by field observations or digital elevation model (DEM) analyses.

Racial-Religious Decoupling In The University: Investigating Religious Students’ Perceptions Of Institutional Commitment To Diversity, Saugher Nojan

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Muslims face racism based on their racialized religious identities, yet few address their experiences through critical race theory or campus racial climate. This paper addresses how religious students rate institutional commitments to campus diversity when considering racial and religious respect. This study examines undergraduate experience surveys across nine campuses and a Muslim student photovoice project through a mixed-methods design. I argue that racial and religious respect derived from interpersonal, discursive, and material sources influence Muslim students’ perceptions of institutional commitment to diversity. I introduce racial-religious decoupling to refer to how the separation of race and religion as distinct social experiences …

Sleep Health Education To Promote Public Health: Attitudes And Desired Learning Goals Among Social Work Students, Christine Spadola, Danielle B. Groton, Kerry Littlewood, Cassie Hilditch, Shanna Burke, Suzanne M. Bertisch

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Social workers are often front line behavioral health providers for underserved populations, many of whom experience sleep disturbances. Inadequate sleep presents a public health challenge and is associated with many adverse physical health and mental health consequences. Social workers are uniquely positioned to promote sleep health among individuals experiencing health inequities. However, sleep is rarely included as part of the curricula in social work programs in the U.S. We conducted qualitative formative research to investigate social work students’ perceptions of sleep education and desired sleep learning objectives. Twenty-five social work students were recruited via a listserv e-mail to participate in …

Information Seeking Behaviour Of Newspaper Journalists Of Karnataka State: A Study, Rajashekhar Mahadevagouda, Pavithrabai M S

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Journalists search, access, and make use of a variety of information sources, both in print and electronic media. Journalists have been increasingly reliant on internet tools in recent years. An attempt has been made through the study to identify the information-seeking behaviour of journalist working in 39 newspapers at the national, state, as well as regional levels. A total of 610 respondents have responded to the questionnaire. The data shows that data indicates that approximately 60% of the respondents are below 35 years. The study witnessed that more than 30% of respondents opined that the information required about all areas …

Lecturers’ Awareness, Perception And Utilization Of Institutional Repositories In Two Universities In Nigeria, Lawrence Akingbade

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the lecturers awareness, perception and utilisation of institutional repositories in two universities in Nigeria. The universities include the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Jos. The research design adopted for the study was correlational research design, while the questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The questionnaire was grouped into five sections and most of the questions were close ended. Also validity and reliability of the questionnaire was done in order to obtain the desired results. Out of 642 number of questionnaire distributed, 473 were completed, returned and found …

Information Retrieval Skills As Correlate Of Scholarly Research Among Postgraduate Students In Selected Universities In Oyo And Lagos States, Nigeria, Kolawole Oluwatola, Lawrence Akingbade

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to investigate information retrieval skills as correlate of scholarly research among postgraduate students in selected Universities in Oyo and Lagos States, Nigeria. Survey research methodology was used with a total sample size of 379 using single random sampling techniques to select postgraduate students. Data was collected mainly through questionnaire and analyzed using frequency distribution and regression analysis run on SPSS (2.0). The result revealed the types of information retrieval skills, the study revealed that information retrieval skills highly influence the postgraduate students’ scholarly research as it allowed them to easily recognition their …

Computer Ergonomics And Computer-Related Illnesses: The Experience Of Library Personnel, Olaide Akinbo, Damilare Andrew Omideyi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The deployment and frequent use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in carrying out library tasks had long been leading to computer-related illnesses among library personnel especially in academic libraries. The designing of computer ergonomics in most academic libraries were observed to be affecting the wellbeing and productivity of library personnel. This study was carried out to investigate computer ergonomics and computer-related illnesses: the experience of library personnel.

The study adopted the survey research design with a study population of 60 library personnel in University of Lagos (UNILAG) and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED) libraries, Lagos State, …

Influence Of Reading Habit On Perception And Use Of Reference Sources By Postgraduate Students In The Faculty Of Education Of Ibadan, Nigeria, Sunday A. Oluwaniyi, Lawrence Akingbade

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

Libraries play a critical role in promoting reading habits. If postgraduate students cultivate the habits of reading, their perception and use of reference sources will be enhanced. The main objective is to determine the influence of reading habits on the perception and use of reference sources by postgraduates in the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study and the study population consisted of 2503 postgraduate students of the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the sample size of 337 and tie questionnaire …

Estimating Abundance Of An Elusive Cetacean In A Complex Environment: Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena Phocoena) In Inland Waters Of Southeast Alaska, Alexandre N. Zerbini, Kimberly T. Goetz, Karin A. Forney, Charlotte Boyd

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) is common in temperate waters of the eastern North Pacific Ocean, including Southeast Alaska inland waters, a complex environment comprised of open waterways, narrow channels, and inlets. Two demographically independent populations are currently recognized in this region. Bycatch of porpoises in the salmon drift gillnet fisheries is suspected to occur regularly. In this study, we apply distance sampling to estimate abundance of harbor porpoise during ship surveys carried out in the summer of 2019. A stratified survey design was implemented to sample different harbor porpoise habitats. Survey tracklines were allocated following a randomized survey design …