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Faculty Senate Xxix 2024-2025 - September 16, 2024 Agenda, Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Agendas & Minutes

No abstract provided.

Reducible Operators, Irreducible Operators, And Generators In Von Neumann Algebras, Sukitha Adappa

Doctoral Dissertations

Let $\mathcal{H}$ be a complex Hilbert space, and let $\mathcal{B(H)}$ be the set of all bounded linear operators on $\mathcal{H}$. An operator $T\in\mathcal{B(H)}$ is said to be reducible if there exists a nontrivial projection that commutes with $T$. Otherwise, it is said to be an irreducible operator in $\mathcal{B(H)}$. Halmos showed that the set of irreducible operators is an operator norm-dense subset in $\mathcal{B(H)}$ and raised the question of whether the set of reducible operators is an operator norm-dense subset in $\mathcal{B(H)}$. In this dissertation, we extend the notion of reducible and irreducible operators in the von Neumann algebra setting …

Neural Retrieval Through Entities And Text Understanding, Pooja Himanshu Oza

Doctoral Dissertations

For various artificial intelligence systems, automatic text understanding algorithms that go beyond mere pattern recognition are helpful. For instance, understanding web pages is beneficial for Information Retrieval (IR) systems to retrieve relevant information. In the most common form, IR systems retrieve relevant information as entities or documents in response to keywords-based queries. Traditional IR models use lexical matching between the query terms and document terms to identify relevant documents. With the emergence of neural networks, Neural IR approaches utilize deep learning techniques to learn high-dimensional representations of documents and queries that go beyond term matching.

On the other hand, with …

Algebraically Doubly Stochastic Matrices Over Principal Ideal Domains, Eric Davis

Doctoral Dissertations

A doubly stochastic matrix over the real numbers is a matrix $A=[a_{ij}]$ such that $0\leq a_{ij}\leq1$ for all $i,j$ and all rows and columns sum to 1. The classical Birkhoff-von Neumann theorem states that every doubly stochastic matrix over $\R$ can be expressed as an affine combination of permutation matrices, matrices with a single 1 in each row and column and 0's elsewhere. Over a general commutative ring with identity $R$ we drop the condition that $0\leq a_{ij}\leq1$ and consider matrices with only the row and column sum condition; we refer to such matrices as \textit{algebraically doubly stochastic} and denote …

Evaluation Of Rockfall Trajectories Using Smart Rocks And Measurement While Drilling, Bruma Morganna Mendonca De Souza

Doctoral Dissertations

This doctoral research investigates rockfall movement under laboratory and field-controlled conditions as well as in situ natural field environments in an effort to better understand the movement described by falling blocks. Although previously published research identified several factors that affect rockfall movement (block characteristics, ground characteristics, and impact kinematics), the lack of a standardized methodology to evaluate rockfall behavior upon impact on different ground materials increases the difficulty of establishing realistic parameters in modeling approaches and ultimately in selecting representative model input parameters. In order to measure rockfall movement under different test conditions, concrete fabricated test blocks ranging in mass …

Innovative Approaches To Dna-Based Materials: Development Of Bottlebrush Polymers, Supramolecular Hydrogels, And Psoralen-Enhanced 3d Printing Of Dna Bioinks, Nicholas Pierini

Doctoral Dissertations

This thesis explores innovative approaches to enhancing the functionality and applications of DNA-based materials through the development of DNA bottlebrush polymers (BBPs), DNA-intercalating supramolecular hydrogels (DISHs), and psoralen-based 3D printing techniques. The first chapter presents the synthesis and characterization of linear and cyclic DNA BBPs using a grafting-to approach. Plasmid DNA (pDNA) is used as the polymeric backbone, grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) side chains of varying molecular weights (750 Da, 2000 Da, and 5000 Da) to improve stability and functionality. Achieving high graft densities, up to 24% for mPEG750-CEA, and purifying the PEG-DNA conjugates were significant challenges addressed through …

Assessment Of Synthetic Aperture Radar For Classification Of Exposed Coastal Soils In The Great Bay Estuary, Tess Priest

Master's Theses and Capstones

Coastlines around the world are composed of a wide range of sediments. The classification of coastal soil ranges from coarse-grained sediments (gravels and sands, 75 mm to 0.075 mm), to fine-grained sediments (silts and clays, 0.075 mm and smaller). In geotechnical engineering applications, the shear strength of soil is a key characteristic and is commonly influenced by the classification, grain size, and water content of the soil. While site-specific investigation is the best method for obtaining these parameters, information regarding soil type can often be readily accessed from existing literature as a general classification. However, soil type can vary at …

Instructional Technology Tetrahedron And Network Visualization: Conceptualizing Online Teaching Through A Lens Of Reflective Noticing, Jinqing Liu, Orly Buchbinder

Faculty Publications

Online learning and teaching, accelerated by the global pandemic and rapid advancement of digital technology, require novel conceptual and analytical tools to understand better the evolving nature of online teaching. Drawing on the classical model of the instructional triangle and previous attempts to extend it, we propose the Instructional Technology Tetrahedron (ITT)—a conceptual framework that integrates technology into the instructional triangle to represent the role of technology, as a learning tool and a mediator between teachers, students, and content. Combining the ITT framework with network visualization strategies allowed for representing the intensity of interactions within the tetrahedron. We illustrate the …

Instructional Technology Tetrahedron And Network Visualization: Conceptualizing Online Teaching Through A Lens Of Reflective Noticing, Jinqing Liu, Orly Buchbinder

Faculty Publications

Online learning and teaching, accelerated by the global pandemic and rapid advancement of digital technology, require novel conceptual and analytical tools to understand better the evolving nature of online teaching. Drawing on the classical model of the instructional triangle and previous attempts to extend it, we propose the Instructional Technology Tetrahedron (ITT)—a conceptual framework that integrates technology into the instructional triangle to represent the role of technology, as a learning tool and a mediator between teachers, students, and content. Combining the ITT framework with network visualization strategies allowed for representing the intensity of interactions within the tetrahedron. We illustrate the …

Syntheses, Characterizations And Reactions Of Acene-2,3-Dicarbaldehydes, Glen Miller, Qian Liu

Faculty Publications

Here, we report improved syntheses, detailed characterizations and reactions of a series of acene-2,3- dicarbaldehydes including tetracene-2,3-dicarbaldehyde. DFT calculations corroborate and complement the experimental results. Tetracene-2,3-dicarbaldehyde and the benchmark organic semiconductor pentacene have isoelectronic p-systems and similar HOMO–LUMO gaps. Tetracene-2,3-dicarbaldehyde is soluble in a host of organic solvents (e.g., DMF, toluene, THF, chloroform, dichloromethane) and shows excellent photooxidative resistance in solution phases exposed to light and air. Further, it is readily sublimed from the solid-state without decomposition, and can be functionalized using different chemistries. We have demonstrated the utility of acene-2,3-dicarbaldehydes as reactants in the syntheses of novel diaryl-2,3-acenedimethanols and …

The Radiative And Geometric Properties Of Melting First-Year Landfast Sea Ice In The Arctic, Nathan J. M. Laxague, Christopher J. Zappa, Andrew R. Mahoney, John Goodwin, Cyrus Harris, Robert E. Schaeffer, Roswell Schaeffer, Sarah Betcher, Donna D W Hauser, Carson R. Witte, Jessica M. Lindsay, Ajit Subramaniam, Kate E. Turner, Alex Whiting

Faculty Publications

In polar regions, sea ice is a crucial mediator of the interaction between Earth's atmosphere and oceans. Its formation and breakup is intimately connected with large-scale climatic processes, local weather patterns, and the use of sea ice in coastal Arctic regions by Indigenous people. In order to investigate the physical phenomena at the heart of this process, a set of targeted, intensive observations were made over spring sea ice melt and breakup in Kotzebue Sound, Alaska. These observations were planned and executed through a collaborative effort in which an Indigenous Elder advisory council from Kotzebue and scientists participated in co-production …

Exploring The Role Of Disciplinary Knowledge In Students' Covariational Reasoning During Graphical Interpretation, Nigar Altindis, Kathleen A. Bowe, Brock Couch, Christopher F. Bauer, Melissa L. Aikens

Faculty Publications

Background: This study investigates undergraduate STEM students’ interpretation of quantities and quantitative relationships on graphical representations in biology (population growth) and chemistry (titration) contexts. Interviews (n = 15) were conducted to explore the interplay between students’ covariational reasoning skills and their use of disciplinary knowledge to form mental images during graphical interpretation.

Results: Our findings suggest that disciplinary knowledge plays an important role in students’ ability to interpret scientific graphs. Interviews revealed that using disciplinary knowledge to form mental images of represented quantities may enhance students’ covariational reasoning abilities, while lacking it may hinder more sophisticated covariational reasoning. Detailed descriptions …

Olli Fall 2024 Catalog, Toniann Leavitt

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

No abstract provided.

Persistent Behavior In Solar Energetic Particle Time Series, N V. Sarlis, G Livadiotis, D J. Mccomas, M E. Cuesta, L Y. Khoo, C M S Cohen, D G. Mitchell, Nathan A. Schwadron

Faculty Publications

We investigate the long-term persistence of solar energetic particle (SEP) time series by means of four different methods: Hurst rescaled range R/S analysis, detrended fluctuation analysis, centered moving average analysis, and the fluctuation of natural time under the time reversal method. For these analyses, we use data sets from the Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun instrument suite on board NASA's Parker Solar Probe. Background systematic noise is modeled using cross-correlation analysis between different SEP energy channels and subtracted from the original data. The use of these four methods for deriving the time-series persistence allows us to (i) differentiate between …

Persistent Behavior In Solar Energetic Particle Time Series, N V. Sarlis, G Livadiotis, D J. Mccomas, M E. Cuesta, L Y. Khoo, C M S Cohen, D G. Mitchell, Nathan A. Schwadron

Faculty Publications

We investigate the long-term persistence of solar energetic particle (SEP) time series by means of four different methods: Hurst rescaled range R/S analysis, detrended fluctuation analysis, centered moving average analysis, and the fluctuation of natural time under the time reversal method. For these analyses, we use data sets from the Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun instrument suite on board NASA's Parker Solar Probe. Background systematic noise is modeled using cross-correlation analysis between different SEP energy channels and subtracted from the original data. The use of these four methods for deriving the time-series persistence allows us to (i) differentiate between …

Effects Of Single-Session Practice Structure On Motor Skill Acquisition And Alpha And Beta Eeg Oscillations, Aubrey Porter, Ronald Victor Croce, Wayne Smith

Faculty Publications

Background: Although it is known that practicing a motor skill updates the associated internal model, it is still unclear as to how cortical oscillations linked with the motor skill change under differing practice schedules. The current study investigated α- and β-power changes associated with motor skill acquisition. Objectives: Firstly, we investigated the behavioral effects of practice on motor learning and retention during repetitive (RP) and variable (VP) practice schedules on an anticipation timing task. Secondly, we investigated changes in cortical α (10 - 13 Hz) and β (15 - 30 Hz) event-related synchronization and desynchronization (ERS/ERD) under RP and VP …

Effects Of Single-Session Practice Structure On Motor Skill Acquisition And Alpha And Beta Eeg Oscillations, Aubrey Porter, Ronald Victor Croce, Wayne Smith

Faculty Publications

Background: Although it is known that practicing a motor skill updates the associated internal model, it is still unclear as to how cortical oscillations linked with the motor skill change under differing practice schedules. The current study investigated α- and β-power changes associated with motor skill acquisition. Objectives: Firstly, we investigated the behavioral effects of practice on motor learning and retention during repetitive (RP) and variable (VP) practice schedules on an anticipation timing task. Secondly, we investigated changes in cortical α (10 - 13 Hz) and β (15 - 30 Hz) event-related synchronization and desynchronization (ERS/ERD) under RP and VP …

Accurate Determination Of Camera Quantum Efficiency From A Single Image, Yuri Rzhanov

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

Knowledge of spectral sensitivity is important for high-precision comparison of images taken by different cameras and recognition of objects and interpretation of scenes for which color is an important cue. Direct estimation of quantum efficiency curves (QECs) is a complicated and tedious process requiring specialized equipment, and many camera manufacturers do not make spectral characteristics publicly available. This has led to the development of indirect techniques that are unreliable due to being highly sensitive to noise in the input data, and which often require the imposition of additional ad hoc conditions, some of which do not always hold. We demonstrate …

Boycotts, Race, Rankings, And Howard Law School's Peculiar Position, Michael Conklin

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

This Article seeks to explain the drastic, seventy-six spot ranking disparity that exists between Howard Law School’s overall ranking (based primarily on objective factors) and the purely subjective peer ranking. Potential explanations considered include location, law review quality, political ideological preference, use of promotional materials, notable alumni, professor quality, unwillingness to game the system, and random statistical noise. When all of these potential explanations come up short, Howard’s unique standing as the top HBCU law school is found to be the most likely explanation. This explanation is also consistent with the corresponding increase in racial salience and the increase in …

Unh: The Magazine Of The University Of New Hampshire, Summer 2024, Unh Magazine

UNH Magazine

No abstract provided.

Voiculescu's Theorem In Properly Infinite Factors, Minghui Ma

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation investigates Voiculescu’s theorem on approximate equivalence in separable properly infinite factors. We establish the norm-denseness of the set of all reducible operators and prove Voiculescu’s bicommutant theorem. Additionally, we extend these results to the multiplier algebras within separable type III factors.

Binary Neutron Star Mergers: Magnetohydrodynamics And Neutrino Physics Of General Relativistic Simulations Of Binary Neutron Star Mergers, Alexander Lee Knight

Doctoral Dissertations

Binary neutron star mergers are some of the most extreme events to happen in our universe. From observations of these mergers, we can obtain information about the properties of matter at densities much larger than those accessible within the solar system, as well on the origin of heavy elements. Studying these events poses challenges, so we use simulations to model the merger. State-of-the-art methods and models still have to make assumptions or simplifications, so new methods improving either the accuracy of the simulations, or reducing the computational cost are desired. My research contains three projects, aiming to improve simulations by …

Aspects Of Mirror Symmetry For Non-Fano Toric Varieties, Michael John Samuel Lathwood

Doctoral Dissertations

Correlation functions in the topological A-model can be computed with open Gromov-Witten invariants whereas the mirror topological B-model admits a simpler description in terms of period integrals. We first review preliminary material in Chapter 1. Then in Chapter 2 we use tropical geometry to construct the Duistermaat-Heckman measure for non-Fano toric varieties. This allows one to compute the asymptotic terms of period integrals. In Chapter 3 we solve the generalized Picard-Fuchs system for the Hirzebruch surfaces, and hence compute periods to all orders of the mirror complex structure moduli. Near the large complex structure limit point, we use toric degenerations, …

Mathematical Explorations Into The Inner Workings Of Neural Networks, Xiang Li

Doctoral Dissertations

Neural network applications are everywhere in our lives today. We can now design and train large neural networks with billions of parameters for a multitude of complex tasks. However, it is still extremely challenging for us to explain the theoretical underpinnings that have led to the successful use of neural networks for a wide range of applications. This dissertation focuses on the mathematical foundations of neural networks.

In Chapter 2, we investigate the error function of fully connected neural networks with the rectifier linear unit (ReLU) activation functions. We prove that for any linear neural network with a single hidden …

On Entropic Van Der Corput’S Difference Theorem, Weichen Gu

Doctoral Dissertations

We prove an entropic version of van der Corput’s difference theorem: the entropy of a sequence is equal to the entropy of its differences. This reveals a correspondence between the theory of uniform distribution mod 1 and entropy. As applications, we establish several entropic versions of other uniform distribution theorems.

Streamer Dynamics In Thunderstorm And Near-Ionospheric Environments, Jacob Koile

Doctoral Dissertations

Streamers are self-consistent ionization waves that are generated within an electric field. Since they were first proposed in the theory of spark breakdown developed in the 1930s by Raether, Loeb, and Meek [Raether, 1939; Loeb and Meek, 1940], they have demanded the attention of scientists across many different fields. They are crucial to the Earth environment because of their natural occurrence in the form of sprites, at near-ionosphere altitudes above a thunderstorm, and their proposed roles in the formation and propagation of lightning. % that can occur above a thunderstorm, or However, they also play a role in the human …

Asymptotic Spectral Analysis Of A Coupled Bending-Torsion Beam Energy Harvester, Chris Vales

Doctoral Dissertations

A piezoelectric energy harvester is a device that utilizes the properties of piezoelectric materials to convert mechanical strain energy into electric energy. The present work is concerned with the asymptotic spectral analysis of a piezoelectric harvester extracting energy from the mechanical vibration of a coupled bending-torsion beam. After placing the model in the appropriate operator setting, we prove that the addition of piezoelectric energy harvesting constitutes a weak perturbation of the underlying beam dynamics, in the sense that the model’s piezoelectric parameters do not appear in the first two orders of magnitude of the asymptotic approximation of the governing operator’s …

On The Kernel Elements Of Unimodular Vectors, Thomas Nocera

Doctoral Dissertations

For a commutative ring $R$ with identity, the set of unimodular vectors $Um_n(R)$ contains all column vectors $\alpha\in R^n$ so that $\alpha^T\beta=1$ for some $\beta\in R^n$. The set of completable vectors $Umc_n(R)$ is the set of unimodular vectors in $R^n$ that appear as the first column of an invertible matrix in $GL_n(R)$. Determining the conditions in which unimodular vectors are completable is fundamental to problems in algebraic geometry and module theory. In this work, we generalize the usual dimension $3$, real vector cross product to commutative rings and characterize all completable vectors in $Umc_3(R)$ in terms of the cross product. …

Filling The Bathymetric Gaps: Toward Quantifying And Characterizing Uncertainty In Interpolated Bathymetry, Elias Opeyemi Adediran

Master's Theses and Capstones

The oceans remain one of Earth's most enigmatic frontiers, with approximately 75% of the world's oceans still unmapped to modern standards. To overcome this, interpolation serves as the primary method for creating seamless coverage from incomplete coverage hydrographic data sets and is essential for creating a seamless digital bathymetric model (DBM) compiled from sparse bathymetric datasets and set-line spacing surveys. While methods for quantifying the uncertainty in depth measurements are well-researched, interpolation introduces unqualified depth uncertainties. This study aims to estimate and characterize these uncertainties which are essential to nautical charting, and navigational safety, and important in many other fields.Organized …

Bin Packing Problem - An Efficiency Analysis Between Commercial Container Loading And Open-Source Optimization Algorithms, Gabriel Mihu

Master's Theses and Capstones

Bin packing problem literally refers to bin packing: optimize fitting of a number of smaller containers into bins of equal volume, in order to occupy the smallest number of bins. It has various real-world applications, from stock cutting, container shipping to 3D transistor microprocessor design and computer files packing. Finding an optimal solution can easily become a very challenging task as the number of elements increases.Single algorithm application can be very effective in certain cases, but usually multiple algorithms are used in conjunction could be more effective for increased efficiency and for what is considered a highly optimized result. Developing …