Digital Commons Network^™

The Next Phase Of Public Health: Innovations From The Private Sector To Build Health Equity, Collaborations, And Resilience, Susan Garfield, Amy S. White, Frances Garfield, Rick B. Siegrist, Natasha Eslami

Publications and Research

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted foundational challenges in managing the public's health and the persistent health inequities in our communities. Within the private sector, companies witnessed how adverse health events impact the economy at large, their employees, and their customers. As a result, many companies have begun to see that they have a critical role in improving the long-term well-being of the communities in which they work and how health equity can build resilience. This recognition has driven many to action. Either on their own or in collaboration with established public health players, companies are deploying private sector points of view …

Teaching Engineering Design-Based Integrated Stem In Rural Contexts: Nurturing Future Designers, Jung Han, Euisuk Sung, Todd Kelley, John Geoffrey Knowles

Publications and Research

There is a notable shift towards prioritizing the teaching of engineering design within K-12 education, coupled with a strong recommendation for engineering design-based integrated STEM education. This approach underscores the sharing of science and engineering practices as a means to facilitate the learning of various STEM disciplines. Nonetheless, the implementation of integrated STEM education in rural schools poses challenges due to constrained resources and a shortage of high-quality programs. To present a tangible instance of design-based integrated STEM education within a rural setting, this study presents a model lesson that showcases the integration of interdisciplinary problem-solving skills within a genuine …

The Role Of Linguistics In Education, Laiba Zia

Publications and Research

This research aims to uncover the critical nuances that shape global learning experiences by delving into multifaceted dynamics of linguistics in education. This investigation includes the analysis of language barriers, preservation efforts, policy challenges and organizational obstacles, illuminating the complex relationship between language and education. A fundamental question guiding this inquiry is how linguistics fundamentally shapes educational landscapes, focusing on understanding the diverse ways language impacts different aspects of education. Using a thorough approach with articles, surveys, and case studies, this research gathers insights from different sources. It delves into the perspectives of final-year medical students, recognizes the role of …

Secondary Electrons And Compton X-Ray Generation In Solid And Heated Biological Sample In The Presence Of Radiologic Contrast Media, Vanessa Robinson, Daler Djuraev, Fatima Ahmed

Publications and Research

Our goal is identification of secondary electrons and Compton photons when externally infused radiological contrast from iodine and gadolinium interferes with calcium and iron in tissues. This could help develop next generation of x-ray methods as well as mechanistic understanding of toxic effects of radiology contrast materials on living tissue and agriculture. Changes in tissue minerals over time, aging and heat stress are manipulated in our experiments by infusing imaging contrast agents that consist of large atoms like Gadolinium and Iodine. These have chelation properties to alter electron distribution of proteins and carbohydrates of biological matrix. Our experiments try to …

Mimar Sinan, Aleesha Hafeez

Publications and Research

Topic Modeling On Reddit Data For Analysing Mental Health Issues Among College Students, Qing Chen, Dezjeron Dorsey, Mia Mcguire, Patricia Medina, Mark Hughes

Publications and Research

Mental health issues among college students have become a prevalent concern, and understanding the main struggles and factors that correlate with poor mental health is essential for institutions to provide better support. This project aims to analyze mental health issues among college students using data from the Reddit platform. By leveraging the Reddit API and employing advanced natural language processing techniques, including BERTopics, we seek to gain insights into the emotional well-being and challenges faced by college students. Incorporating techniques such as embedding, Clustering, and Topic Creation enhances the depth and sophistication of our analysis of mental health issues among …

Unmasking Shadows: Unraveling Crime Patterns In Nyc's Boroughs, Jack Hachicho, Muhammad Hassan Butt

Publications and Research

New York City's crime dynamics have been on the rise for decades. Brooklyn and The Bronx have been disproportionately affected. This research aims to understand the crime landscape in these boroughs to formulate effective policies. Using crime data from official sources, statistical analyses, and data visualizations, the study identifies patterns and trends. The data encompasses over 400,000 reported incidents collected over the past 10 years, meticulously categorized by borough, crime type, and demographic information. Brooklyn has the highest overall crime rate, followed by The Bronx. Most shooting victims are Black. This highlights the need for holistic community programs to address …

Energy Harvesting Sensors And Their Role In Fostering Sustainable Air Quality Monitoring, Tomas Valentin, Li Geng

Publications and Research

This research presents a comprehensive investigation into Energy Harvesting Sensors and their role in fostering sustainable air quality monitoring. The primary objective is to explore the viability of energy harvesting technologies in energizing sensor networks devoted to the real-time collection of air quality data, emphasizing the reduction of environmental impact and maintenance demands. The study delves into the integration of energy harvesting mechanisms, including solar and piezoelectric kinetic energy, to power advanced sensor nodes capable of detecting pollutants, particulate matter, and gas concentrations. The findings of this research highlight the significant benefits of energy harvesting sensors, including enhanced sustainability, long-term …

Climate Change Impact On Bridge Scour Risk In Ny State: A Gis-Based Risk Analysis Model, Muhammad Hassan Butt

Publications and Research

Bridge scour, the primary cause of bridge failure in the United States, escalates post-severe storms, necessitating effective mitigation. This study employs a GIS-based risk analysis model to assess climate change's impact on bridge scour and associated risks in New York State. Data from the National Bridge Inventory, climate hazard maps, and geospatial data are integrated.

Revolutionizing The Stage: The Impact Of The Revolving Stage In 'Hamilton', Amanda L. Padilla

Publications and Research

This research delves into the captivating features of the revolving stage in the Broadway musical "Hamilton," examining both its significance in modern theater for the American Revolution, dynamically mirroring the ever-evolving political landscapes of the time. Focusing on design and engineering, the study sheds light on the motor-driven control of the central pivot point, enabling a unique 360-degree view that significantly heightens audience immersion. The research underscores the stage's role in enhancing visual clarity, unraveling complex scenes, and enriching the comprehension of choreography and narratives. Beyond its narrative function, the revolving stage plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual …

Implicit Bias Among Health Professionals, Kimora H. Toussaint, Javiela Evangelista

Publications and Research

Racism and implicit bias are prevalent in healthcare, which may affect patient well-being. One way implicit bias is most evident is in language. Negative descriptors, such as “sickler”—a term used for those diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), influence how health providers view their patients and determine pain medication prescriptions (Goddu et al.). Patient experience, such as prior use of opioids or using words that imply substance abuse, may block patients from accessing prescriptions and proper care. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are disproportionately affected by such negative descriptors (Sun et al., 2022). Among other adverse impacts, treating …

How Will Implementing ‘Green Buildings’ As The Standard For Newly And Already Built Buildings Help Mitigate Climate Change?, Somdat Kissoon, Guadalupe Gonzalez, Richard Rohann, Matthew Huiracoche, Leron Hinds, Shabik Sherchan

Publications and Research

A phenomenon that we are now facing is climate change, which could alter the earth's weather pattern and have long-term catastrophic impacts. Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap the heat in the atmosphere leading to a gradual increase in global temperatures and are released into the atmosphere primarily due to the cause of human activity, This is Global warming. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), “many places have experienced changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, drought, or intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat waves.” The current phase of climate …

Industrial Design, Husnain Khan

Publications and Research

Universal design is important because it helps with diverse disabilities. What is universal design and why do we need it? People design buildings, products or environments to make them accessible to people in need. Also, it minimizes the need for assistive technology, results in products compatible with assistive technology, and makes products more usable by everyone. Where can universal design be found? It's practical everywhere you go, such as public transport, parks, shops and services, and sidewalks. Universal design is affected by Several categories: people with disabilities, who are perhaps the most visible group affected by universal design, and parents …

The Utilization Of Repurposed Whole Textiles To Modify The Mechanical And Hydrogeological Soil Properties: Green Media, Angelis Almanzar-Chevalie, Yehya Elfgeeh, Calvin O. Walters Jr.

Publications and Research

The utilization of repurposed whole textiles to modify the mechanical and hydrogeological soil properties investigates the impact of adding repurposed textiles to lightweight engineered soil, documenting changes in unit weight, water content, and hydraulic conductivity. This study builds upon prior findings, which demonstrated significant alterations in hydrogeological properties when incorporating textile fabric (3% by weight at an aspect ratio of 1:1). Functioning as reinforcement, these fibers enhance the soil's strength, stability, and structural integrity—especially advantageous in erosion-prone areas, regions susceptible to landslides, or locations requiring heightened load-bearing capacity. The outcomes of this parametric study lead to green roof farms playing …

Language Bias On Campus: Dealing With English Language Bias Towards International Students, Masuma Begum

Publications and Research

Language bias poses a significant challenge for international students. Researchers focused on one group in particular, the students from China, and looked at the effects of language bias on their mental health, academic experiences, and interactions with visual question answering systems. This research analyses the multifaceted impact of language discrimination on campus, drawing attention to its implications on teachers' perceptions and students' well-being.

Data Science And The Ethics Of Private Information, Faria R. Promi

Publications and Research

This research focuses on the moral questions linked to modern data technologies like Big Data and the Internet of Things. These technologies can be, but they are also about privacy and keeping data secure. We've looked at what experts say about these concerns and discovered that most agree we need to safeguard people's privacy and data. Our research encourages everyone to use these technologies, finding a balance between technological progress and responsible, ethical behavior. This way, we can enjoy the benefits of these technologies while also respecting individuals' privacy and data rights. The study reviews what experts have said about …

Code To Combustion: Cnc Rotor Replication Using Cam, Luis Luna

Publications and Research

In the current landscape, computer-aided design (CAD) and computer numerical control (CNC) technologies have greatly enhanced manufacturing processes, allowing rapid and high-precision production. This project will focus on recreating a Wankel engine rotor, using SolidWorks for design and Mastercam for Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) simulations. The process begins with SolidWorks, which is used for a template of a high-precision rotor model. Mastercam is then utilized for the CAM programming, allowing for the creation of intricate tool paths and tool usage simulations. This approach is vital for complex objects like the Wankel engine rotor, which demands high precision. The primary objective of …

Mapping The Theaters Of Brooklyn's Past (1825-1925): A Gis Project, Elena Shefsky

Publications and Research

Despite its rich performance culture, Brooklyn remains underrepresented in theater history, eclipsed in fame by the well-known theaters of Manhattan. One of the most populous areas in America, Brooklyn has been an artistic home to actors, playwrights, directors, and impresarios for centuries. That said, there is a dearth of accessible information and scholarship on Brooklyn theaters. My objective was to update an ongoing mapping project, The City Performs, to include information and images of theater buildings from Brooklyn. The project is an interactive, open-source digital map that uses ArcGIS software to georeference data about NYC theaters. I collected data …

At Noon: (Post)Nihilistic Temporalities In The Age Of Machine-Learning Algorithms That Speak, Talha Issevenler

Publications and Research

This article recapitulates and develops the attempts in the Nietzschean traditions to address and overcome the proliferation of nihilism that Nietzsche predicted to unfold in the next 200 years (WP 2). Nietzsche approached nihilism not merely as a psychology but as a labyrinthic and pervasive historical process whereby the highest values of culture and founding assumptions of philosophical thought prevented the further flourishing of life. Therefore, he thought nihilism had to be encountered and experienced on many, often opposing, fronts to be fully consumed and left behind. Thus, just as Nietzsche captured the subtle reinventions of nihilism in new forms …

Μakka: Mutation Testing For Actor Concurrency In Akka Using Real-World Bugs, Mohsen Moradi Moghadam, Mehdi Bagherzadeh, Raffi Khatchadourian, Hamid Bagheri

Publications and Research

Actor concurrency is becoming increasingly important in the real-world and mission-critical software. This requires these applications to be free from actor bugs, that occur in the real world, and have tests that are effective in finding these bugs. Mutation testing is a well-established technique that transforms an application to induce its likely bugs and evaluate the effectiveness of its tests in finding these bugs. Mutation testing is available for a broad spectrum of applications and their bugs, ranging from web to mobile to machine learning, and is used at scale in companies like Google and Facebook. However, there still is …

Peer Leader Perspectives From A Pltl Implementation In A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Madhavan Narayanan, Kasey Powers, Dhananjaya Premawardena, Kelly Colby, Janet Liou-Mark, Nagaraj Rao, Davida S. Smyth, Mary Knopp-Kelly

Publications and Research

Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) is a pedagogical approach that has been shown to benefit all students, especially underrepresented minority students and peer leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. In this work, we present results from our study of the impact of PLTL on our peer leaders from a controlled implementation in general biology, general chemistry, and statistics courses at a Hispanic-serving, minority-serving institution. More specifically, we have measured our PLTL program’s impact on our peer leaders' skill development, engagement with the subject material, and sense of belonging as peer leaders. Weekly peer leader reflections analyzed using the …

Possible Futures For Colonial Collecting Institutions: A Study Of Historical Societies In The United States, Jen Hoyer

Publications and Research

This article explores how collecting institutions with deeply colonial roots can move into a decolonial future existence, through an in-depth study of historical societies in the United States. Examining their historic roots in colonialism of the United States and the persistence of these colonial identities in spite of a variety of evolutionary trends over the 20th century, this article asks: what decolonial possibilities exist for their future? If institutional shifts have not undone the colonial identities of some collecting institutions, what can? Turning to Sarah Ahmed’s theory on queer use and Saidiya Hartman’s method of critical fabulation, I suggest practical …

Wettability Dynamics Of Kerogen: Insights From Molecular Dynamics Simulations On Thermal Maturity And Reservoir Temperature Impact, Wei Liang, Xin Chen, Rajat Sharma

Publications and Research

This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted role of kerogen in organic-rich mudrock reservoirs, focusing on its impact on porosity, hydrocarbon storage, and transport pathways. The dominance of kerogen-hosted pores is underscored as a critical determinant of reservoir dynamics, with an emphasis on the wettability of kerogen as a pivotal parameter. The intricate relationship between kerogen wettability and petrophysical properties, including water saturation and electromagnetic characteristics, is elucidated, emphasizing the broader implications for reservoir management and hydrocarbon recovery.

The study delves into the thermal maturation of kerogen, unraveling the chemical evolution from hydrogen-rich organic matter to hydrogen-poor residual carbon. The Van …

Cloud Computing In The World Of Generative Ai, Yassine Chahid, Patrick Slattery

Publications and Research

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the progress of cloud computation and generative artificial intelligence, and how the improvements in these respective technologies could be combined for future uses. Cloud computation and generative AI have rapidly developed in their capabilities. By analyzing the ways in which cloud computing and generative AI have been implemented thus far, a better understanding can be established regarding how they may influence current tech solutions within the information technology sector and beyond. The first portion of research consisted of researching the current capabilities of the two technologies respectively. By reviewing relevant publications and …

An Intersectional Approach To Quantifying The Impact Of Geographic Remoteness And Health Disparities On Quality-Adjusted Life Expectancy: Application To Australia, Peter Lee, Steven J. Bowe, Lidia Engel, Erica I. Lubetkin, Nancy Devlin, Lan Gao

Publications and Research

Objectives

Methods

The Information Literacy Class As Theatrical Performance: A Qualitative Study Of Academic Librarians’ Understanding Of Their Teacher Identity, Mark Aaron Polger

Publications and Research

This qualitative study examines how academic librarians understand, conceptualize, and describe their teacher identity. The role of the academic librarian has greatly changed due to the advent of information technology. Traditionally, they were generalists, who were responsible for selecting and maintaining library collections. Academic librarian roles have evolved into web developers, information literacy (IL) instructors, emerging technology innovators, marketing and outreach coordinators, open education resources (OER) advocates, and scholarly communication experts. This research investigates the academic librarian as teacher phenomenon, how they describe their professional identity as teachers, the skills, knowledge, and competencies they teach, and their beliefs of how …

Robust Zero Modes In Non-Hermitian Systems Without Global Symmetries, Jose D. H. Rivero, Courtney Fleming, Bingkun Qi, Liang Feng, Li Ge

Publications and Research

We present an approach to achieve zero modes in lattice models that do not rely on any symmetry or topology of the bulk, which are robust against disorder in the bulk of any type and strength. Such symmetry-free zero modes (SFZMs) are formed by attaching a single site or small cluster with zero mode(s) to the bulk, which serves as the “nucleus” that expands to the entire lattice. We identify the requirements on the couplings between this boundary and the bulk, which reveals that this approach is intrinsically non-Hermitian. We then provide several examples with either an arbitrary or structured …

Education And The Epistemological Crisis In The Age Of Chatgpt, Casandra Silva Sibilin

Publications and Research

The emergence of ChatGPT and its ability to imitate student work has precipitated a crisis in education. Responses range from practical efforts to detect or prevent ChatGPT use to existential reflection about learning and assessment. However, the crisis is also epistemological, with educators struggling to determine what students know and fearing that student knowledge is diminishing. The educational philosophies of Socrates, Dewey, and Freire suggest that recognition of ignorance of different kinds (inquisitive, predictive, and practical)on the part of educators is uncomfortable but essential for improving the aims and methods of education. In this way, ChatGPT and the philosophy of …

Achieving Sustainability Through Multifaceted Green Functions In Manufacturing, Aamir Rashid, Rizwana Rasheed, Abdul Hafaz Nagah

Publications and Research

Purpose – Green practices are essential for sustainability. However, it is challenging due to the socioeconomic and environmental concerns. Similarly, after the induced SDG-12 and SDG-13 by United Nations, the pressure groups forced manufacturers to consider sustainability. Therefore, this research aims to examine the sustainability through multifaceted green functions in manufacturing is examined. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from 293 supply chain professionals of manufacturers from a developing economy. Hypotheses were tested through a quantitative method using partial least squares-structural equationmodelingwith the help of SmartPLS version 4 to validate themeasurementmodel. Findings – The findings revealed that all six direct hypotheses …

Exploring The Line Between Creation And Creator In Mabou Mines’S Glass Guignol: The Brother And Sister Play, Annette Saddik

Publications and Research

During the last ten years of his life, Lee Breuer, who passed away in 2021, had been interested in framing Tennessee Williams’s canon, particularly the late plays, through the perspective of the grotesque and the Grand Guignol. Mabou Mines’s Glass Guignol: The Brother and Sister Play (2017), directed by Breuer and conceived by Breuer and Maude Mitchell, views Williams’s work alongside Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) in order to expose the grotesque truth of the messy and complex creative process. On one level, Glass Guignol is a multilayered exploration of the relationship between Williams and his sister Rose, whose story of …