Digital Commons Network^™

Faculty Attitudes And Perspectives About Community Engaged Scholarship At An Engaged Institution, Azuri Lizeth Gonzalez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Community engaged scholarship has become a method for higher education institutions to respond to public and societal needs. Decades into the establishment of the "engaged institution," studies reveal that higher education presents challenges for faculty to effectively succeed in academia while pursuing a community engaged scholarship agenda. This study employs the use of a constructivist grounded theoretical approach to explore faculty attitudes and perspectives on community engaged scholarship and the role the engaged intuition may have in their views. This study found that faculty were introduced to the term by their institutions but their views and understanding of community engaged …

Benchmarking Machine Learning Methods For Molecular Property Prediction, Govinda Bahadur Kc

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Machine learning (ML) techniques have been widely applied in a variety of areas ranging from pattern recognition, natural language processing, and computer games to self-driving cars, clinical diagnostics, and molecular structure prediction easing day to day life of human beings. Drug discovery is an expensive, complex, and time taking process. Currently, the pharma industry is hoping to leverage machine learning methods in expediting the drug discovery process. Molecular property prediction is one of the most important tasks in drug discovery. While developing a new drug relies on a proper understanding of molecular properties, there has been great interest in the …

Planar Motion Control Of A Cube Satellite Using Cold Gas Thrusters, Christian Lozoya

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This Thesis presents a mathematical model developed for the computational simulation ofCubeSat movement using four thrusters that permit uniaxial translation and rotation. Arbitrary functions are fit to boundary conditions to simulate the force, acceleration, velocity, and displacement of the CubeSat along a plane. The model is used to derive a motion control algorithm assuming constant pressure and mass. A single model describes both translation and rotation. This Thesis also explores the relationship between propellant consumption and the time required to complete a displacement implied by the model.

Intra-Trade Among African Economic Bloc: A Comparative Study Of East African Community (Eac) And Southern African Development Community (Sadc) 2008 - 2018, Mustapha Abdullahi Maikudi

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

ABSTRACTSince the at middle of 20th century when most African states begin to gain political independence from colonialist, one phenomenon that was over warmly accepted is that of regional integration, both political, social, and economic. Regional integration was believed to pertinent for attaining desired goals and objectives set, thus its acceptance by both policymakers, academic, experts as well as ordinary citizens all over the continent. Despite acceptance and existence of regional economic blocs, as put by the United Nations Commission for Africa (2010) Report, intra-trading within African continent is the lowest World over when compared to other regions, say Asia, …

Towards The Development Of A Cohesive Design-Driven Code Quality Metrics, Omar Masmali

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Software complexity is an indicator of expected future maintenance and sustainability. Excessive complexity suggests that software or a component of software has a design or implementation that is difficult to understand, modify, and maintain. Several complexity measures have been developed by researchers to identify and characterize degrees of complexity. Code smells are widely adopted as indicators for low code quality. Many studies have adopted fixed threshold values for code smells and other quality metrics. These fixed threshold values often ignore the uniqueness of each software system and the unique roles each component play. Moreover, these thresholds are largely fixed throughout …

The Framing Of Recycling Information Toward Behavioral Intention, Perla Celeste Perez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Most studies have measured the relationship between self-reported recycling behavior and attitudes. Very little research has focused on how the framing of recycling information moderates this relationship. Moreover, even less research has examined how communication messages directly impacts self-efficacy of recycling. Thus, the aim of this study is to further understand factors that influence self-reported recycling behavioral intention and information framing. We predicted that pro-environmental behavior would be positively associated with climate change beliefs and recycling efficacy. We also predicted that individuals that read a positive recycling article would be more likely to intend to recycle than individuals who read …

Brian Valdez - Dynamics And Control Of A 3-Dof Manipulator With Deep Learning Feedback, Brian Orlando Valdez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

With the ever-increasing demands in the space domain and accessibility to low-cost small satellite platforms for educational and scientific projects, efforts are being made in various technology capacities including robotics and artificial intelligence in microgravity. The MIRO Center for Space Exploration and Technology Research (cSETR) prepares the development of their second nanosatellite to launch to space and it is with that opportunity that a 3-DOF robotic arm is in development to be one of the payloads in the nanosatellite. Analyses, hardware implementation, and testing demonstrate a potential positive outcome from including the payload in the nanosatellite and a deep learning …

Spatially Adaptive Estimation Of Spectrum, Yi None Xie

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

When analyzing a stationary time series, one of the questions we are often interested in is how to estimate its spectrum. Many approaches have been proposed to this end. Most are focused on smoothing the periodogram using a single smoothing parameter across all Fourier frequencies. In this paper, we smooth the log periodogram by placing a spatially adaptive prior called the dynamic shrinkage prior, so that varying degrees of smoothing may be applied to different intervals of Fourier frequencies, resulting in less biased estimates of the spectrum. Further research will extend this approach to spectral estimation for nonstationary time series.

Using Visual Prompts In Research, Maura A. Smale, Mariana Regalado

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Libraries And Their Publics In The United States, Maura A. Smale

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Panpsychism As An Observational Science, Gregory Matloff

Publications and Research

The metaphysical concept of panpsychism defines a field of proto-consciousness that is present at all levels in the universe. An observational indication that this concept might be correct is self-organization on all levels from the molecular to the galactic. In 2011, an investigation into the validity of author Olaf Stapledon’s concept that a portion of stellar motion is volitional led to a consideration of an observational stellar kinematics anomaly dubbed Parenago’s Discontinuity. Data available at the time indicated that cooler, less massive stars (such as the Sun) revolve a bit faster around the center of the Milky Way galaxy than …

Four Legs Make A Table: Service And Identity In Academic Librarianship, Maura A. Smale

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Relationships Between Dress And Gender In A Context Of Cultural Change, Alyssa Dana Adomaitis, Diana Saiki, Kim K. P. Johnson

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

The Labour Of Austerity: Absurdity, Performative Resistance, And Cultural Transformation, Nora Almeida

Publications and Research

This essay explores the social-psychic toll of prolonged austerity on academic librarians and the range of strategies that have (or could) serve as tools of resistance. Using a combination of theoretical analysis and autoethnography, I examine the emotional impact of bottomless and invisible labour imposed by austerity and the ways institutions use emotional coercion to promote self-surveillance, meta-work, and hyper-productivity. Following this analysis, I discuss the ways that oppressive institutional cultures silence dissent and absorb common resistance tactics advocated by educators. Finally, I introduce several examples of performance-based resistance projects and explore how creative, personal, and absurd forms of protest …

Records Of The “Western Flycatcher” In Florida, With Emphasis On A Vocal Individual That Uttered Call-Notes Consistent With Pacific-Slope Flycatcher (Empidonax Difficilis), Bill Pranty, Donald Fraser, Valeri Ponzo

Florida Field Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Elucidation Of Putative Binding Partners For The Protein Encoded By Orf149 Of Cyprinid Herpesvirus 3 In Goldfish (Carassius Auratus), Simon Menanteau–Ledouble, Michael Gotesman, Ebrahim Razzazi‐Fazeli, Sven M. Bergmann, Mansour El‐Matbouli

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Teaching A Broad Discipline: The Critical Role Of Text Based Learning To Building Disciplinary Literacy In Architectural Education, Jason Montgomery

Publications and Research

Architecture is a demanding discipline with multiple, complex concerns and identities shaping the profession. The discipline requires analysis of complex and multifaceted issues and synthesizing broad knowledge through a focused creative process. While twenty-first-century education may leverage many sources to educate students of architecture, texts remain the primary repository par excellence of the rich and diverse body of knowledge and ideas that continue to inspire and ground architects, theorists, historians, planners, and policy makers tied to the discipline. Perusing and engaging with the diverse body of architectural literature is a strong approach to support one’s learning to think, speak, and …

A New Frontier Facing Attorneys And Paralegals: The Promise & Challenges Of Artificial Intelligence As Applied To Law & Legal Decision-Making, Marissa Moran

Publications and Research

Artificial Intelligence/AI invisibly navigates and informs our lives today and may also be used to determine a client’s legal fate. Through executive order, statements by a U.S. Supreme Court justice and a Congressional Commission on AI, all three branches of the United States government have addressed the use of AI to resolve societal and legal matters. Pursuant to the American Bar Association Model Rules of Professional Conduct[i] and New York Rules of Professional Conduct (NYRPC), [ii] the legal profession recognizes the need for competency in technology which requires both substantive knowledge of law and competent use of technology for …

The Incoherence Of Moral Relativism, Carlo Alvaro

Publications and Research

This paper is a response to Park Seungbae’s article, “Defence of Cultural Relativism”. Some of the typical criticisms of moral relativism are the following: moral relativism is erroneously committed to the principle of tolerance, which is a universal principle; there are a number of objective moral rules; a moral relativist must admit that Hitler was right, which is absurd; a moral relativist must deny, in the face of evidence, that moral progress is possible; and, since every individual belongs to multiple cultures at once, the concept of moral relativism is vague. Park argues that such contentions do not affect moral …

Protecting Public Health, Susan H. Davide, Christine Macarelli, Anty Lam

Publications and Research

In light of declining vaccination rates, oral health professionals need to be knowledgeable about current vaccine recommendations so they can best advise their patients and support public health.

Understanding The Digital Lives Of Transnational Students: A Case Study, Chowaing Chagra Belekeh

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The proliferation and the fast-paced evolution of digital information communication technologies (ICTs) in contemporary times have arguably raised concern for us to comprehend what we do with these technologies and what these technologies do for us. The experience of engaging these technologies may not necessarily be the same for everyone—especially students who come from around the world to attain post-graduate degrees in the United States. This research focused on understanding the digital lives, choices, and experiences of transnational students who navigate and negotiate geopolitical borders and boundaries (physical)– in their quest for education. Using a case study analysis and collecting …

Morphological Production Accuracy Patterns In Younger And Older Spanish-English Bilingual Children, Isabel Angelica Cano

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Clinicians require a model of typical bilingual language development. Morphological production accuracy patterns vary in Spanish-English (S-E) bilingual children considering differences in the exposure and use of their two languages compared to their monolingual peers. The purpose of the current study was to examine morphological production accuracy patterns in thirty younger (3- to 4-years old) and older (5- to 6-years old) S-E bilingual children utilizing English and Spanish Morphosyntax subtests from a bilingual language screener. Across development, older bilingual children were more accurate on all forms in both English and Spanish than younger bilingual children. Across languages, all S-E bilingual …

Development Of Advanced Statistical Methods For Multivariate Classification, Mario Cardenas Jr

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This work is on the development of an observation reduction technique based on the principal component scores, or loadings, intended for the classification of data.

Graduate School Application Accessibility For International Students, Estefania Castillo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The graduate school application is a time consuming, yet important, process that can often be complicated for students. However, this process is made even more complicated for international students who often face extra steps and other obstacles when applying to graduate programs in the US. Following my own experience of applying to a master's program as an international student, I set out to further explore how international students experienced and navigated this process. This research project explored the graduate school application process through the experiences of international students that were shared in testimonios through platicas, or open and friendly conversations. …

3d Printed Alginate-Based Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Scaffolds For Wound Healing, Carol Cleetus

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Effective treatment of chronic wounds is essential for the prevention of infection and scar tissue formation, requiring a novel approach to address the limitations of existing options. This study utilizes Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) crosslinked alginate, a common biomaterial widely used in wound dressing, and UV activated Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) for their potential hydroxyl radical mediated antibacterial applications. ZnO NPs were synthesized by combustion method from Zinc Nitrate Hexahydrate and Sucrose. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) characterization were used to verify composition and NP size. Terephthalic Acid, used as a fluorescent probe, confirmed the generation of …

Regulation Of Schlafen 11 Expression, Christian Waldemar Corona Ayala

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) is a member a family of proteins that can be found in mammals. Members of this family are involved in important functions. SLFN11 in particular has been identified as a restriction factor for several evolutionarily disparate viruses such as HIV-1 and Flaviviruses and to play an important role in DNA repair, sensitizing cells to chemotherapy. Despite its relevance SLFN11 remains largely uncharacterized. The aim of this research was to achieve a more comprehensive understanding the regulation mechanism of SLFN 11 expression. Before our research, it was only known that type I interferon (IFN) regulates SLFN11 levels. However, …

Development And Characterization Of Perovskite Solar Cells For Tandem Device Configuration, Angel Moiseis De La Rosa

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Photovoltaic devices based on perovskite materials are constantly progressing towards more applicability in large-area panels. In order for perovskite-based photovoltaics to reach reliable and stable commercialization, common issues with the use of perovskite still need to be resolved, including the need to identify fabrication processes that can yield optimal material parameters for better photovoltaic performance. Defining an optimal fabrication process requires that researchers and manufacturers alike come to an agreement regarding perovskite characteristics that result from device operation and material processing. This work focuses on characterizing physical, electrical, and electronic properties of a FAxCs1-xPb(IyBr1-y)3 perovskite, and how some of these …

Sensory Integration And Its Role In Behavioral Plasticity In Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Clarissa Diaz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Although commonly characterized by communicative and social impairments, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents a number of developmental deficits related to movement planning and action. The extent of these deficits to the entire neuromuscular system, as well as the individual input/output loops are still not well understood. Given the dynamic interplay between our plans, actions and outcomes lay the foundation for later mature motor behavior, it is critical to understand the unique motor learning processes these nervous systems face while a higher level of training plasticity may be present. A recent study examined the kinematics (acceleration, velocity, smoothness, etc.) of upper …

Juvenile Fluoxetine Treatment Mediates An Anxiogenic Phenotype That Is Ameliorated By Its Re-Exposure In Adulthood, Francisco Javier Flores Ramirez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Accumulating preclinical evidence indicates that early-life exposure to psychotropic medications induce an anxiogenic-like behavioral profile in later life. However, these preclinical approaches have been conducted primarily using male subjects. This is problematic since clinical data indicates that women are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders than their male counterparts, and thus, women are prescribed with psychotropic medications like fluoxetine (FLX), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), at significantly higher rates. Therefore, the goal of this Dissertation is to examine whether alterations in behavioral responses to anxiety-eliciting stimuli are exhibited in adulthood, as a result of early-life FLX exposure. …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Material Systems For 3d Printed Smart Structures, Hilda Fontes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The silica hollow spheres have demonstrated excellent results in multiple applications such as light-weight composites, and optical applications as a glass coating. This material also exhibits excellent thermal, shock impact, and hydrophilic properties extremely useful for industrial applications. However, a controllable size of the particle is desired to further increase the number of applications of the silica hollow spheres.

This Thesis aims a method to fabricate silica hollow spheres in a single step with a controlled diameter size. A study was developed to demonstrate the particle size change when adjusting the molecular weight of the medium by using different alcohol …