Digital Commons Network^™

An Examination Of Educators’ Approaches And Strategies When Facilitating Field Study Science Observations, Steph Dean, Devin A. Jones

Publications

The untapped potential of field study science is not being fully recognized or explored within the United States despite the recorded benefits of outdoor learning within K-12 settings. This research study contributes to the broader understanding of the affordances of field study science as an essential component of science education by investigating the approaches teachers adopt when facilitating scientific observations in an outdoor setting as well as specific strategies that support implementation. Engaging in qualitative content analysis allowed us to consider the descriptive concepts represented within K-12 teachers’ narratives as we determined patterns within the transcript documents. Seven themes were …

Cognitive Manufacturing: Definition And Current Trends, Fadi El Kalach, Ibrahim Yousif, Thorsten Wuest, Amit Sheth, Ramy Harik

Publications

Manufacturing systems have recently witnessed a shift from the widely adopted automated systems seen throughout industry. The evolution of Industry 4.0 or Smart Manufacturing has led to the introduction of more autonomous systems focused on fault tolerant and customized production. These systems are required to utilize multimodal data such as machine status, sensory data, and domain knowledge for complex decision making processes. This level of intelligence can allow manufacturing systems to keep up with the ever-changing markets and intricate supply chain. Current manufacturing lines lack these capabilities and fall short of utilizing all generated data. This paper delves into the …

Investigating Community Of Inquiry And Cognitive Load, Emily K. Faulconer, Darryl Chamberlain, Beverly Wood

Publications

This project will design and research a pilot program for infusing best practices into online discussion forums in STEM courses to reduce extraneous load, improve instructional presence, instructor social presence, student social presence, and student cognitive presence.

Securing Tomorrow: Synergizing Change Management And Cybersecurity In The Digital Era, Sharon L. Burton

Publications

In the rapidly evolving business environment of 2024, organizational change management (OCM) leaders face unprecedented challenges driven by technological advancements, digital transformation, the integration of remote work, and a heightened focus on sustainability. This study examines the efficacy of traditional OCM models in addressing these modern complexities. Through a qualitative methodology employing an extensive literature review, the research identifies vital issues such as resistance to change, digital transformation imperatives, the shift to remote and hybrid work models, and the imperative for sustainable and ethical business practices. The study posits that while classical OCM frameworks offer foundational insights, there is a …

Ri2ap: Robust And Interpretable 2d Anomaly Prediction In Assembly Pipelines, Chathurangi Shyalika, Kaushik Roy, Renjith Prasad, Fadi El Kalach, Yuxin Zi, Priya Mittal, Vignesh Narayanan, Ramy Harik, Amit Sheth

Publications

Predicting anomalies in manufacturing assembly lines is crucial for reducing time and labor costs and improving processes. For instance, in rocket assembly, premature part failures can lead to significant financial losses and labor inefficiencies. With the abundance of sensor data in the Industry 4.0 era, machine learning (ML) offers potential for early anomaly detection. However, current ML methods for anomaly prediction have limitations, with F1 measure scores of only 50% and 66% for prediction and detection, respectively. This is due to challenges like the rarity of anomalous events, scarcity of high-fidelity simulation data (actual data are expensive), and the complex …

Duality Of Ensemble Systems Through Moment Representations, Vignesh Narayanan, Wei Zhang, Jr-Shin Li

Publications

Controlling large-scale dynamic population systems, known as ensemble control, is a pervasive and essential task in many emerging applications from diverse scientific domains. Previous focuses in the area of ensemble control have been placed on seeking open-loop control strategies due to unavailability of state feedback information for each individual system in the ensemble. In this paper, we develop a foundational framework for analysis and control of ensemble systems with closed feedback control loops. We introduce the notion of ensemble moments and construct moment systems associated with the ensemble systems. By extending the classical moment problem in mathematical analysis and statistics, …

Jane Jacobs, Cyclist, Peter L. Laurence

Publications

No abstract provided.

Survival After Ditching In Motorized Aircraft, 1989-2022, Douglas D. Boyd, Volker C. Schick, Catherina Hippler, Jochen Hinkelbein

Publications

INTRODUCTION: Although an unintended aircraft landing on water (referred to as ditching) is a rare event, the potential for occupant injury/fatality increases immediately following the event due to adverse conditions. However, to date, few studies have addressed the subject. Herein, ditching events and post-ditching survival were investigated.

METHODS: Ditchings (1982–2022) in the United States were identified from the National Transportation Safety Board database. Occupant injury severity, aircraft type, pilot experience, flight conditions, and number of occupants were extracted. Poisson distribution, the Chi-squared test (2-tailed), Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance were employed.

RESULTS: A total of 96 …

Farm Electricity System Simulator (Fess): A Platform For Simulating Electricity Utilisation On Dairy Farms, F. Buckley, J. Upton, R. Prendergast, L. Shalloo, Michael D. Murphy

Publications

The objective of this paper was to define, validate and demonstrate a model capable of accurately simulating dairy farm electricity consumption across varying herd and parlour sizes, to facilitate research investigating renewable energy systems (RES) and demand side management (DSM). The Farm Electricity System Simulator (FESS) was developed using grey-box modelling techniques utilizing empirical data for parameter tuning. Empirical data were gathered from nine spring calving, pasture based dairy farms located in the Republic of Ireland. A k-means clustering analysis was conducted, separating the farms into three, near homogenous groups, from which representative farms were selected. FESS was trained using …

Optimal Environmental And Economic Performance Trade-Offs For Fifth Generation District Heating And Cooling Network Topologies With Waste Heat Recovery, Michael D. Murphy

Publications

Network topology greatly influences both the economic and environmental performance of fifth generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC) systems. In this study the optimal trade-offs between the environmental and economic performance of 5GDHC network topologies for a five-building district with waste heat recovery were explored. A life cycle assessment method was used to calculate the total life cycle CO2 emissions (LCCO2) associated with the installation and operation of various network topologies. Twelve months of empirical data from a data center cooling system were analyzed to assess its suitability for integration into a 5GDHC system. The most suitable method for utilizing …

Review Of Methodological Decisions In Life Cycle Assessment (Lca) Of Biorefinery Systems Across Feedstock Categories, James Gaffey, Maurice N. Collins, David Styles

Publications

The application of life cycle assessment (LCA) to biorefineries is a necessary step to estimate their environmental sustainability. This review explores contemporary LCA biorefinery studies, across different feedstock categories, to understand approaches in dealing with key methodological decisions which arise, including system boundaries, consequential or attributional approach, allocation, inventory data, land use changes, product end-of-life (EOL), biogenic carbon storage, impact assessment and use of uncertainty analysis. From an initial collection of 81 studies, 59 were included within the final analysis, comprising 22 studies which involved dedicated feedstocks, 34 which involved residue feedstocks (including by-products and wastes), and a further 3 …

Strength And Stiffness Optimization Of Coated Structures With Lattice Infill, Ali Tamijani, Zhichao Wang

Publications

A machine-implemented method for establishing optimized parameters defining a model of a coated structure with a lattice infill can include receiving constraints for the model of the coated structure. The machine-implemented method can also include initializing a lattice infill defined by respective lattice cells according to the constraints for the model of the coated structure. The machine-implemented method can also include optimizingthe lattice infill and a shape of the coated structure by iteratively modifyingthe lattice infill and the shape of the coated structure and evaluating a strength-based criterion. The machine-implemented method can also include generating, usingthe optimized lattice infill and …

Stiffness And Strength-Based Concurrent Shape And Fiber Path Optimization Of Continuous Fiber Composites, Zhelong He, Ali Tamijani

Publications

A computer-implemented method of optimizing a computer model including a shape and a fiber path for a continuous fiber composite can include initializing a fixed finite element mesh. The method can also include creating an updated version of the shape and the fiber path by iterating updates of the shape and the fiber path using the fixed finite element mesh. The method can also include initializing an adapted finite element mesh on the updated version of the shape and the fiber path. The method can also include creating an optimized version of the shape and the fiber path by iterating …

Neonatal Autonomic Regulation As A Predictor Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Very Preterm Infants, Jessica Bradshaw, Christian O'Reilly, Kayla C. Everhart, Elizabeth Dixon, Amy Vinyard, Abbas Tavakoli Drph, Robin B. Dail

Publications

Infants born preterm are at a significantly higher likelihood of having autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with reports of a 10-fold increase in the rate of ASD for very preterm infants (VPT, born <32 weeks gestation) [1] and a 20-fold increase for extremely preterm infants (born <28 weeks gestation) [2]. Yet, the etiological link between preterm birth and ASD remains unknown. Preterm birth and ASD are both associated with neurological differences, notably autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. ANS dysfunction can be measured using abnormal heart rate characteristics (HRCs) and thermal gradients (TGs), and previous research has linked ANS dysfunction to neurodevelopmental impairment and autism-specific outcomes. …

Interferometric Imaging With Eiscat_3d For Fine-Scale In-Beam Incoherent Scatter Spectra Measurements, M. Zettergren, Devin Huyghebaert, Björn Gustavsson, Juha Vierinen, Andreas Kvammen, John Swoboda, Ilkka Virtanen, Spencer Hatch, Karl M. Laundal

Publications

The 233 MHz EISCAT_3D radar system currently under construction in northern Fennoscandia will be able to resolve ionospheric structures smaller than the transmit beam dimensions through the use of interferometric imaging. This capability is made possible by the modular design and digitization of the 119 91-antenna panels located at the main Skibotn site. The main array consists of a cluster of 109 panels, with 10 outlier panels producing unique interferometry baselines. In the present study synthesized incoherent scatter radar signal measurements are used for interferometric imaging analysis with the EISCAT_3D system. The Geospace Environment Model of Ion-Neutral Interactions (GEMINI) model …

The Effects Of Social Media On Investment Decisions Within An Online Community, Hector Vasquez, David Cross

Publications

This case study examined the effects of social media on investment decisions within an online community. The problem was the use of misinformation by inexperienced investors to make investment decisions, with investors making investment decisions based on misinformation. Data was gathered through an online questionnaire administered through one-on-one interviews with members from an online financial community. Twenty participants were gathered; responses were analyzed for recurring themes. Results validated a relationship between social media and investment decisions exists. A strongly recurring theme was that individual investors use social media as a resource to seek out potential investment ideas and make investment …

Investigating The Accuracy And Comparability Of Various Lime Prediction Methods For Irish Grassland Mineral Soils, F. Mackessy, E. Mccarthy, E. Broderick, B. O'Donnell, Patrick Quille

Publications

Soil pH is a foundational element of agronomy, profoundly influencing biological, chemical and physical soil processes. Adjusting soil pH is a paramount factor for enhancing soil health and productivity with far-reaching environmental benefits. Over time soil naturally tends towards acidity, a process expedited by intensive agriculture practices. To determine the extent of necessary pH corrections, precise soil pH testing is imperative. Various methods including buffer systems, titrations, lime incubations and algorithms considering soil texture are used to assess a soil's lime requirement and each method carries distinct advantages and disadvantages. The Shoemaker–McLean–Pratt (SMP) buffer method is extensively used in Ireland …

Farmer Perceptions Of Land Cover Classification Of Uas Imagery Of Coffee Agroecosystems In Puerto Rico, Jose Cabrera, Blake Neal, Kevin Adkins, Ronny Schroeder, Gwendolyn Klenke, Shannon Brines, Nayethzi Hernandez, Kevin Li, Riley Glancy, Ivette Perfecto

Publications

Highly diverse agroecosystems are increasingly of interest as the realization of farms’ invaluable ecosystem services grows. Simultaneously there has been an increased use of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in remote sensing as drones offer a finer spatial resolution and faster revisit rate than traditional satellites. With the combined utility of UAS and the attention on agroecosystems, there exists an opportunity to assess UAS practicality in highly biodiverse settings. In this study, we utilized UAS to collect fine-resolution 10-band multispectral imagery of coffee agroecosystems in Puerto Rico. We created land cover maps through a pixel-based supervised classification of each farm and …

Everyone And No One In The Detroit Techno Experience, Angela R. Whitlock

Publications

This project employs phenomenological and poststructuralist modes of inquiry to examine the relationship between techno’s utilization of abject experiences and the cultivation of a synergetic community embracing hope and inclusiveness. Drawing on Mikhail Bakhtin, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, Julia Kristeva, and Rosalind Krauss, I emphasize parallels between community and track structure, investigating interconnectedness between participants (including the DJ) within techno experiences and the interplay of samples within techno tracks. This analysis reveals tensions and dualities that shape both. This approach fills an underexplored gap within current scholarship, which commonly approaches the subject through the lenses of deviance, drug abuse, or …

Where’S The E In Oe? A Critical Analysis Of Irish Outdoor Education, John Pierce, Simon Beames

Publications

Very little empirical research has been conducted on Irish outdoor education practice(s). This inquiry aims to critically explore outdoor education practices in public Outdoor Education and Training Centres in the Republic of Ireland. First, an overview of the development of Irish outdoor education from the mid-twentieth century onwards is provided to locate the study within its unique cultural and historical background. Data were generated through document analysis, participant observation, and informal conversation with practitioners and management through multiple field visits. Creative non-fiction was used as a method to organise and present the data in a coherent and anonymised manner. Thematic …

Using Trees To See A Forest: Leveraging Machine Learning To Classify Student Thinking, Darryl Chamberlain, Patrick Mcguinness, Emily Faulconer, Beverly Wood

Publications

ChatGPT has caught the world’s attention and has researchers considering the ways artificial intelligence can be integrated into human endeavors (Kasneci et al., 2023). This methodological poster will present a systematic method to apply a particular machine learning classification model, Decision Tree (Song & Lu, 2015), to perform and extend the scale of qualitative analysis in mathematics education research.

Human Factors In Aviation Maintenance: Understanding Errors, Management, And Technological Trends, Rajee Olaganathan

Publications

Aircraft maintenance and inspection are complex systems that work on a time-based schedule and require teamwork of different professionals to maintain the airworthiness of aircraft. Errors in maintenance and inspection processes cause in-flight engine shutdowns, flight delays, flight cancellation, sometimes resulting in accidents and incidents that cause significant economic consequences. Due to the substantial impact on both safety and financial aspects of an air carrier, this paper focuses on hangar maintenance as the work is carried out across several shifts by different technicians, addressing various human factor issues that contribute to errors. The paper will also briefly discuss shift work …

Consumer-Brand Heuristics In Luxury Hotel Reviews, Maria Petrescu, John Gironda, Kathleen Bay O'Leary

Publications

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate and structure the basic heuristics consumers use in evaluating word-of-mouth (WOM) about luxury hotel brands while analyzing the impact of deception in online consumer reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a two-study mixed-methods approach, using interpersonal deception theory and social proof theory as lenses to conduct our analysis. For the first study, a qualitative conceptual mapping analysis was conducted, examining online consumer reviews to identify key concepts and their relationships in the context of luxury hotel brands. In the second study, the themes were further examined using a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to analyze their …

Women In Aviation – My Journey, Mentors, And Other Advice, Sarah Nilsson

Publications

Associate Professor of Applied Aviation Science Sarah Nilsson shares her professional experiences and insights in the areas of aviation and aviation law.

Narrative World Building: Creative Applications For Gamification In Study Abroad, Ashley Lear

Publications

This study examined a cohort of 12 study abroad participants taking a course on video game topography and narrative in Salamanca, Spain, to determine how inhabiting and co-creating narrative worlds as part of the coursework might impact the experiences of the students inside and outside of the classroom as they engaged in mandated and optional cultural engagement activities, such as museum tours and excursions to historical sites. Students completed two gameful learning activities: 1) they co-created their own narrative game world in a group game proposal assignment drawing upon research from storytelling through game environments, and 2) they created independent …

Yoga’S Journey From East To West: A Tale Of Adaptation, Wellness, And Healing The Balancing Act, Christine D. Walck

Publications

Prepare for a unique journey through the world of yoga with an opinionated, funny twist. Join a devout Catholic, a PhD-toting engineering professor, and an extreme athlete as they navigate the intriguing yet mysterious realm of yoga. Their initial skepticism, rooted in Eastern philosophy, quickly dissolves as yoga seamlessly melds with their Catholic faith, offering a universal path to physical and mental well-being. Buckle up for a humorous takedown of common misconceptions about yoga’s compatibility with Western religious beliefs. It’s all about respecting the body, which conveniently aligns with their active (with a dash of clumsy adventures thrown in). Yoga …

Badger Ecology, Bovine Tuberculosis, And Population Management: Lessons From The Island Of Ireland, Andrew W. Byrne, Adrian Allen, Simone Ciuti, Eamonn Gormley, David J. Kelly, Nikki J. Marks, Nicola M. Marples, Fraser Menzies, Ian Montgomery, Chris Newman, Maria O’Hagan, Neil Reid, David M. Scantlebury, Peter Stuart, Ming-Shan Tsai

Publications

The European badger, Meles meles, is an important wildlife host for Mycobacterium bovis and contributes to the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in cattle in several countries. The control of zoonotic diseases, such as bTB, is a central component of global One-Health strategies. Such strategies are complicated by human–wildlife conflicts, particularly where wildlife reservoirs are legally protected. The contrasting objectives of disease management and wildlife conservation, therefore, can require significant investment in research to support evidence-based policies. In Britain and Ireland, for example, badgers are a legally protected species but are also subject to lethal control and vaccination for …

Tweeting For Change: Social Media Narratives For Sustainable Service, Maria Petrescu, Anjala S. Krishen, Jesse L. Barnes, Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj

Publications

Purpose–This interdisciplinary study aims to analyze how service organizations communicate sustainable beliefs in their social media narratives and use them to generate brand awareness, customer recognition and ongoing demand for sustainable service.

Design/methodology/approach– A two-phase exploratory analysis of 10,342 tweets from 2019–2020 was conducted by sustainable global corporations to identify best practices for their social media teams operating within a service-based business model. First, the significant themes were identified using an unguided machine learning approach of three types of firms: services, goods and mixed. Next, the full set of tweets with linguistic sentiment analysis was analyzed followed by a deeper …

Commentary: A Patient-Specific Lower Extremity Biomechanical Analysis Of A Knee Orthotic During A Deep Squat Movement, Christine Dailey Walck

Publications

The recent study by Walck et al., titled “A Patient-Specific Lower Extremity Biomechanical Analysis of a Knee Orthotic during a Deep Squat Movement,” provides a novel insight into the biomechanical impacts of knee orthotics, particularly the non-linear spring-loaded (NLSL) knee joint orthosis (KJO)1 . This commentary aims to delve into the implications, interpretations, and evaluations of the findings, contextualizing them within the broader discourse on knee orthotics.

Immersive Framework For Designing Trajectories Using Augmented Reality, Joseph Anderson, Leo Materne, Karis Cooks, Michelle Aros, Jaia Huggins, Jesika Geliga-Torres, Kamden Kuykendall, David Canales, Barbara Chaparro

Publications

The intuitive interaction capabilities of augmented reality make it ideal for solving complex 3D problems that require complex spatial representations, which is key for astrodynamics and space mission planning. By implementing common and complex orbital mechanics algorithms in augmented reality, a hands-on method for designing orbit solutions and spacecraft missions is created. This effort explores the aforementioned implementation with the Microsoft Hololens 2 as well as its applications in industry and academia. Furthermore, a human-centered design process and study are utilized to ensure the tool is user-friendly while maintaining accuracy and applicability to higher-fidelity problems.