Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Mediations Of Cogenerative Dialogues Between High School Students And Scientists, Chelsea Elizabeth Lucas

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Research shows that working with scientists is a great way to help high school students learn science more authentically. However, communication barriers might exist because of their different background. This study introduces how an exemplary mediator used cogenerative dialogues to facilitate their communications. The goal of cogenerative dialogues is to help participants communicate with respect and equity to improve collective practices. We drew on Riskin's mediation framework to analyze dialogues to illustrate the mediation styles. Results indicate that this exemplary mediator was more elicitive when discussing problems, directive when discussing solutions, and focused on broad topics of the issue that …

Testing The Reliability And Flexibility Of Digitizers Adapting The Rf/If Signals Over Ip Applications Using A Testbed Platform, Jose Carlos Sandoval

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

As physical constraints can be challenging for Radio Frequency (RF) telemetry, a new solution has been exploited to support the demand for RF transmissions. As frequency spectrum gets crowded with more technologies, a solution to a reliable transmission is needed. Digitizers can mitigate many of the physical constraints in order to achieve a successful RF transmission. The method includes the conversion of the RF signals to be sent over IP networks, transmit and de-convert the signal. IP networks will mitigate many disadvantages over a regular signal transmission. The authority in charge to allocate frequency bands is the Federal Communications Commission …

Improving Invertebrate Welfare, Heather Browning, Walter Veit

Animal Sentience

Mikhalevich & Powell (2020) argue that it is wrong, both scientifically and morally, to dismiss the evidence for sentience in invertebrates. They do not offer any examples, however, of how their welfare should be considered or improved. We draw on animal welfare science to suggest some ways that would not be excessively demanding.

Intuition And The Invertebrate Dogma, Jonathan Balcombe

Animal Sentience

Just as intuition, fueled by hubris, led us to exclude insects from moral consideration, so intuition can lead to the opposite conclusion. Observed insect behavior, combined with scientific support for insect consciousness summarized in Mikhalevich & Powell’s target article, and bolstered by the Precautionary Principle, all militate against completely denying moral status to insects.

Cognition, Movement And Morality, Thomas R. Zentall

Animal Sentience

Each of the criteria for determining which should be given moral standing has its shortcomings. The criterion of cognitive is especially weak. That research on comparative cognition may default to the simplest account is not grounds for abandoning this scientific practice. Instead, we should dissociate scientific evidence of cognitive ability from moral obligation. In addition to the criteria suggested by Mikhalevich & Powell for including species in welfare protections, I would suggest a very old one — the ability to physically move.

Green Public Spaces In The Cities Of South And Southeast Asia: Protecting Needs Towards Sustainable Well-Being, Marlyne Sahakian, Manisha Anantharaman, Antonietta Di Giulio, Czarina Saloma-Akpedonu, Dunfu Zhang, Rupali Khanna, Srikanth Narasimalu, Abigail Marie T. Favis, Cherie Audrey Alfiler, Sumana Narayanan, Xin Gao, Chenxin Li

Sociology & Anthropology Department Faculty Publications

The significance of green public spaces is well documented in relation to social inclusiveness, human health, and biodiversity, yet how green public spaces achieve what Gough (2017) has termed "sustainable wellbeing" is less understood. This contribution presents preliminary results from a study of green public spaces in four mega-cities of South and Southeast Asia: Chennai (the Republic of India), Metro Manila (the Republic of the Philippines), Singapore (the Republic of Singapore), and Shanghai (the People's Republic of China), cities that have climates ranging from tropical, to subtropical and temperate. The conceptual framework brings together social practice theories with human development …

A Linear Optimal Feedback Control For Producing 1,3-Propanediol Via Microbial Fermentation, Yangping Ma

Mathematics, Statistics and Data Science Faculty Works

In this paper, we consider a multistage feedback control strategy for the production of 1,3-propanediol(1,3-PD) in microbial fermentation. The feedback control strategy is widely used in industry, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first time it is applied to 1,3-PD. The feedback control law is assumed to be linear of the concentrations of biomass and glycerol, and the coefficients in the controller are continuous. A multistage feedback control law is obtained by using the control parameterization method on the coefficient functions. Then, the optimal control problem can be transformed into an optimal parameter selection problem. The …

Intensity Of Resistance Training Via Self-Reported History Is Critical In Properly Characterizing Musculoskeletal Health, Hawley Almstedt, Joseph W. Labrie, Todd Shoepe

Health and Human Sciences Faculty Works

Background: Intensity of resistance training history might be omitted or poorly ascertained in prescreening or data questionnaires involving musculoskeletal health. Failure to identify history of high-versus low-intensity training may overlook higher effect sizes with higher intensities and therefore diminish the precision of statistical analysis with resistance training as a covariate and bias the confirmation of baseline homogeneity for experimental group designation. The purpose was to determine the degree to which a single question assessing participant history of resistance training intensity predicted differences in musculoskeletal health. Methods: In the first research aim, participants were separated into groups with a history (RT) …

Heart Rate Variability And Cardiovascular Adaptations Among Cancer-Survivors Following A 26-Week Exercise Intervention, Heather P. Tarleton

Health and Human Sciences Faculty Works

Cardiotoxicity as a result of cancer treatment contributes to autonomic dysfunction and decreased cardiorespiratory fitness among cancer survivors. These deleterious cardiovascular outcomes reduce the survival prognosis for cancer patients and contribute to poor quality of life among survivors. Exercise interventions have been shown as effective in mitigating treatment-related side effects. However, previously published interventions have not explored the potential for improvement in autonomic dysfunction (heart rate variability, HRV). This study examined cardiovascular adaptations in cancer survivors (n = 76) who participated in a 26-week intervention consisting of combined aerobic and resistance training (CART). The most noteworthy improvements occurred during the …

On The History And Future Of Heidegger’S Literary Estate, With Newly Published Passages On Nazism And Judaism: A Review Of Klaus Held’S Marbach-Bericht, Ian Alexander Moore

Philosophy Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Philosophy And Theology: Transgender Issues, Christopher Kaczor

Philosophy Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Philosophy And Theology: Gamete Donation, Christopher Kaczor

Philosophy Faculty Works

Moschella's thesis is that "gamete donation is inherently wrong insofar as it involves acting in a way that is highly likely to result in the acquisition of a non-transferable obligation to another person, without being willing to fulfill that obligation should it arise" (423). © 2021 The National Catholic Bioethics Center 829 Philosophy and Theology Some people think of gamete donation as a morally neutral act or even a praiseworthy act, like blood donation. In examining the ethics of gamete donation, Moschella looks to the nature of the relationship between children and parents, as compared with the relationship between biological …

Spring Migration Of Blackpoll Warblers Across North America, Kristen M. Covino, Sara R. Morris, Mark Shieldcastle Shieldcastle, Philip D. Taylor

Biology Faculty Works

The awe-inspiring seasonal migrations of birds between breeding and wintering grounds has long attracted the interest of casual naturalists and professional ornithologists alike. Although new technologies improve our ability to follow individual migrants throughout their annual cycle, the scale and detail provided by banding records remain incredibly valuable. The focus of avian migration studies is often the most physiologically challenging migratory feats that sometimes leaves certain species or seasons relatively understudied. The Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) is well-known for its transoceanic migratory flight during fall migration, the season in which it is best studied, yet the details of its spring …

Investigating Los Angeles' Urban Roadway Network From A Biologically-Formed Perspective, Sophia Deen, Tatiana Kuzmenko, Demian A. Willette, Hossein Asghari

Biology Faculty Works

The evolution of networks is constrained by spatial properties of the environment; a characterization that is true in both biological and built networks. Hence built networks such as urban streets can be compared to biological networks to reveal differences in efficiency and complexity. This study assessed foraging networks created by the slime-mold Physarium polycephalum on proportional 3D-printed topographic maps of metropolitan city of Los Angeles, California. Rapidly-generated isomorphic solutions were found to be consistently and statistically shorter than existing roadways in system length. Slime mold also allocated resources to supporting key nodes, analogous to how heavy traffic flows through major …

The Kids Are Airight: Teen Sexting, Child Pornography Charges, And The Criminalization Of Adolescent Sexuality, Blaire Bayliss

University of Colorado Law Review

"Sexting" is a term that refers to the exchange of sexually explicit or sexually suggestive messages or images between individuals using electronic messaging. Teenage sexting is a controversial legal topic because the act of taking nude or semi-nude pictures of a minor technically constitutes child pornography under federal law, even when those pictures were self-portraits taken by the minor in question. This Comment argues that the prosecution of sexting under federal child pornography law constitutes the criminalization of adolescent exploration of sexuality and that states should adopt their own sexting-specific laws to address teenage sexting in a manner that respects …

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Revisited: Law, Science, And The Pursuit Of Ecosystem Management In An Iconic Landscape, Robert B. Keiter

University of Colorado Law Review

Thirty years ago, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) concept and ecosystem management surfaced as key to preserving this legally fragmented region's public lands and wildlife in the face of mounting development pressures. Yellowstone's grizzly bears were in sharp decline and wolves were absent from the landscape, while bison and elk management issues festered. The GYE's national forest lands were subject to extensive logging, energy leasing, and other commercial activities that cumulatively threatened the region's ecological integrity. In the face of extreme jurisdictional complexity and a strong commitment to agency discretion, a high-profile federal "Vision" effort to improve and better coordinate …

Research And Graduate Studies Annual Report, 2020, Office Of Research And Graduate Studies, Illinois State University

Research and Graduate Studies Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Solar-Powered Exploration Of The Venus Atmosphere, Marc Migliozzi, Cory Everman, Rebecca Buerhle, Umar Muhammed, Steven Abbate, Chase Champagne

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective of this study was to design a solar powered, unmanned aircraft to orbit in the upper Venus atmosphere and search for signs of alien life. Topics of flight conditions, signs of life, basic mission plan, source of power, design process, instrumentation, and final designs are covered. Solar energy is ideal for this type of mission because it is the only reliable and abundant energy source accessible for long term space travel. The target altitude, being 60 to 70 km, has winds of up to 95 m/s. The aircraft will need to remain stable under such conditions. Due to …

The Presence Of Food Likely Has No Influence On Substrate Use Of Tokay Geckos (Gekkonidae: Gekko Gecko), Timothy Zatkos

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Geckos and their adhesive capabilities have been thoroughly examined for the past two decades, especially in terms of adhesion and its mechanics. However, few studies have focused on how the adhesive performance of geckos influences ecologically relevant behaviors (e.g., habitat/substrate use). The limited work on the topic in the laboratory suggests that geckos spend more time on substrates in which their adhesive capabilities are superior, such as glass. In their natural habitat, however, multiple factors besides adhesive performance alone is likely to collectively impact the substrate use of geckos. The presence of food is one such factor. Here I examined …

Optimization Of E-Textiles For Lactic Acid Detection, Andrew Laboy, Mallory David

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The overall goal of the project is to develop an e-textile that will be able to determine different characteristics of an athlete's health through multiple sensors. The goal of these sensors is to monitor physiological parameters for health and fitness uses in real time. Building from the existing sodium concentration sensor, these new sensors will detect lactate levels within sweat to monitor instantaneous health which allows customization of workout and overall health regimen.

Fcs: The Living Curriculum, Sydni Brown

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

My honors project will be a literary review arguing why schools should be promoting Family and Consumer Sciences courses for their students. My project will cover the foundation of learning through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) that sets the tone for lifelong health for both the mind and body. The questions I will be asking in my honors proposal will include How Family and Consumer Sciences is a living curriculum. What is the body of knowledge and how does that relate to FCS? My goal is to show how the Family and Consumer Sciences body of knowledge is ever-changing and …

Examining Traumatic Bone Fracture Healing Versus Surgical Osteotomies In Canines And Resulting Rates Of Infection, Grace Gsellman

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The development of osteomyelitis after surgical osteotomies and fracture repair in canines can propose serious health risks, ultimately leading to additional intervention from veterinarians that can become costly for pet owners and effect prognosis for the patient. Preventive measures are currently implemented during surgery and postoperatively. However, infection rates still range from 3.0% to 7.9% (Clark et al., 2018). By examining traumatic bone fracture healing versus surgical osteotomies in canines through the collection of both clinical and radiographic medical records, our primary objective was to further understand the physiological mechanism by which osteomyelitis develops. Limitations related to the collection of …

Music On The Brain, Skyler Bortz

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Music surrounds us in our daily lives through the radio, social media, and our own personal playlists. Taste in music varies across individuals and cultures, but it is a singular, uniting aspect of society. Music creates connections and meaning that would be lost if the first string of an instrument had not been heard. Creativity is sparked with music which adds to the artistry of cultures and other forms of art.

As music develops artistry, so does dance. Music led movement to begin as dance developed through the centuries. While movement can occur in silence, it becomes more impactful when …

Prosthetic Foot/Ankle Inversion & Eversion Enhancement, Jason Wiebrecht, Maddison Grimes

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Modify a prosthetic foot/ankle, that currently has power at the ankle joint, for dorsiflexion/flexion so that it supplies power across a simulated subtalar joint, making the joint capable of inversion/eversion.

Brown Booby Family Units: Comparing Mothers, Fathers, And Chicks Through Stable Isotopes, Erin Taylor

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Seabird behavior and diet is important to study in order to determine where to focus conservation efforts in a rapidly changing climate. A primary aim of my project is to understand how brown booby family members from a breeding colony on Islas Marietas, Mexico relate to each other isotopically and in terms of their diet. Comparing the family units (mother, father, and chick from the same nest) of these seabirds and sex trends overall will help develop the big picture to determine the best conservation efforts for this species. I also aim to improve our ability to compare seabird plasma …

Using Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) With A Thermal Sensor To Map And Count Deer Population, Maxwell C. Ott

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The number of deer in an area is an important statistic for land managers to know, as overabundance has many negative effects. There are many methods that have been used to count deer in the past, such as using manned helicopters and airplanes, walking on foot, and conducting controlled hunts. UAS (unmanned aerial systems) is a growing field that provides many benefits over traditional methods of counting deer, such as lower cost and missions being less time consuming. Using a thermal sensor attached to a UAS makes it simple to spot any deer during a flight. Two main methods of …

Exploring Tensile Mechanics Of Cribellar Hypochilus Pococki, Morgan Waggoner

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The two major types of silk seen, are cribellate and viscid silk. Cribellate silk is produced by the behavioral trait of combing the silk with the spiders hindlegs to achieve the adhesion property needed to capture prey in a web. This study aims to classify the most primitive cribellate capture thread, from a species not studied thus far- Hypochilus pococki. Previous studies on cribellate silk, have produced extraordinary tensile results, increasing the need to study more cribellate species (Michalik et al, 2019). The results found suggest that Hypochilus pococki, does not exhibit extreme values of tensile mechanics, but more …

Ai And Machine Learning Usage In Actuarial Science, Joanna Riley

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Some people in the world work hard and do whatever it takes in order to get a job that they love. There are others that don’t care about their jobs and solely perform them in order to make money. So, there are individuals or groups that wouldn’t care if a machine or computer were to replace them in their job, but others would be devastated. The question for this paper is: Can actuaries be completely replaced by computers, or do we need the human mind in order to make proper decisions and judgements?

Key words and phrases: actuarial science, artificial …

Non-Invasive Method For Leptin Supplementation In Zebrafish (Danio Rerio), Regan Mcnamara

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

I tested the hypothesis that recombinant leptin protein can be introduced to zebrafish in vivo through non-invasive soaking in a solution containing the protein. One way to study various molecules’ effects in vivo is through intraperitoneal or intracerebroventricular injections during the embryonic or larval stage, which is invasive, difficult to administer, and can have a high mortality rate. 48 hours post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish were soaked in a His-tagged recombinant leptin protein solution at 10 nM and 100 nM concentrations (produced by Genscript). After soaking, zebrafish larvae were washed extensively to remove all recombinant protein on their exterior before homogenization. …