Digital Commons Network^™

Negotiating Infrastructural Citizenship Beyond The State: Philanthropy, Non-Profit Organizations, And The Flint Water Crisis, Melissa Heil

Faculty Publications - Geography, Geology, and the Environment

The urban infrastructure literature has explored how infrastructure is tied to the politics of citizenship: states’ use of infrastructure to include/exclude populations and marginalized populations’ use of infrastructure to claim fuller citizenship. Often, this literature focuses on the relationship between governments and city dwellers, neglecting the role of other actors, like NGOs and philanthropic organizations, that influence infrastructural citizenship. A hallmark of neoliberalism in the Global North has been the transfer of responsibilities from the state to the non-profit sector, increasing these organizations’ power to shape urban citizenship. This paper examines how non-profit organizations participate in the politics of infrastructural …

A Geospatial Approach To Assessing The Impact Of Agroecological Knowledge And Practice On Crop Health In A Smallholder Agricultural Context, Daniel Kpienbaareh, Jinfei Wang, Isaac Luginaah, Rachel Bezner Kerr, Esther Lupafya, Laifolo Dakishoni

Faculty Publications - Geography, Geology, and the Environment

In the context of food insecurity in resource-poor settings, agroecology (AE) has emerged as an important approach promoted for improving crop productivity, yet few studies have demonstrated how a combination of agroecological methods can improve crop health and thereby crop productivity. Using a geospatial approach, this study investigated whether agroecological practices can improve crop health in smallholder contexts. We compared leaf area indexes (LAIs) of crops on AE and non-AE farms and prospectively predicted the impact of AE using vegetation indexes (VIs). We found that crops on AE farms produced higher average growing season LAIs for maize and pigeon peas …

People Move, Policies Don’T: Discursive Partition Against Climate-Impacted Dwellers In Urbanizing Bangladesh, Efadul Huq, Tanzil Shafique

Environmental Science and Policy: Faculty Publications

In Bangladesh, internal climate displacement will continue pushing millions to the urbanizing centres where migrants make homes in informal settlements. These settlements, too, are sites for climate hazards such as heat stress and flooding, affecting climate-displaced and economic migrants alike. The demands of growing migrant populations and long-term informal settlement dwellers converge around rights to secure land and housing, acknowledged in policies at both national and urban scales. Yet, settlements continue to face evictions, revealing a significant mismatch between policy aspirations and concrete urban planning strategies. Based on our ongoing research in the informal settlements of Dhaka, Bangladesh, we point …

Food Fan Academy: Boosting Informal Educators Abilities To Use Food As A Teaching Tool, Kelly Furr

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Introduction: Food, fitness, and nutrition (FAN) professional development (PD) for informal educators can serve to impact science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics, and medicine (STEAM+M) learning environments. Using food as a teaching tool in shaping the development of informal educators and education of students offers a unique opportunity for the acquisition of scientific knowledge and essential skills. The purpose of this study was to develop a Food FAN Academy for informal educators and evaluate the effectiveness of the PD. Methods: Case study method was utilized for the research study and the Food FAN Academy PD was a two-hour session designed in …

Effectiveness Of The Catch (Coordinated Approach To Child’S Health) Rainbow Program In Elementary Schools For Change In Fruit And Vegetable Intake, Ashley M. Valinskas

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Background: There is currently a lack of nutrition education programs that effectively increase fruit and vegetable (FV) intake among children. Not meeting the recommendations for fruits and vegetables increases the risk for poor academic achievement, obesity, and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, asthma, and more. Nutrition, cooking, and gardening lessons individually and together have shown to increase fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption in school-aged children.Methods: Two-Hundred Twenty-five 4th and 5th graders participated in six cooking and six gardening lessons between September 2021 and May 2022 at Genoa Elementary school. Each nutrition education session was 25-minutes long, …

Applications For Functional Data Analysis, Kacy D. Kane

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Functional Data Analysis is often used in the study of data that exists over a continuum, such as time. There are two datasets that will be considered here. For the first study we have a dataset on the efficacy of a lobectomy in reduction or elimination of epileptic seizures in patients. After an initial analysis of the dataset from a multinomial model perspective, we found that there were outliers in our dataset. From there, we considered a Multinomial Mixture Model to aid in the detection of outliers. In our second dataset we are considering a social robotics dataset where the …

Macroeconomic Factors Influencing Foreign Direct Investment In Some Selected Countries In Africa, Richard Essel Mensah

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This paper investigates the possible factors that influence foreign direct investment inflow rate to Africa after controlling for other macroeconomic factors. Using the heterogenous Toeplitz mixed method on a sample of 23 countries from 1998 – 2020, we find evidence of the statistical significance of a relationship between the amount of trade done in Africa and the FDI inflow rate in Africa. We also find a statistical relationship between the labor force participation rate and the FDI inflow rate to Africa. Although the Fixed effect and GLM method did not find the relationship between LFP rate and FDI inflow to …

Nigerian Fastest Growing Churches And Their Intersection With The Poor, With Poverty And With Poverty Alleviation, Chinyereugo Euphemia Adeliyi

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Calibration And Multiple Reliability Assessments Of A Scrum Machine Instrumented To Measure Force, Eric Alexander Martin, Steven B. Kim, George K. Beckham

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Coaches need reliable methods of quantifying rugby union scrum force performance in order to make data-driven decisions. The purpose of this study is to present the reliability of a replicable instrumented scrum machine. We performed 3 phases of deadweight calibration on 8 S-type load cells; during deadweight calibration, each load cell was loaded with ~20–200 kg. Phase 1 compared power sources (wall outlet vs. portable power station). Phase 2 tested the inter-session reliability of the load cells after 15, 30, 45, 60, and 420 min of run time. Phase 3 tested between-session reliability, comparing days 0, 1, 7, and 180. …

A Cross-Sectional Examination Of Wrist Wrap Use Prevalence And Characterization For Ergogenic Purposes In Actively Competing Powerlifters, Dillon Harris, Thomas Cardaci, Harry Cintineo, Richard Pham, Kristen Dunsmore, Leslee Funderburk, Steven Machek

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Purpose: Wrist wraps are regularly incorporated by competitive powerlifters, but several product-specific variations may influence any potential ergogenic benefits. In addition, the prevalence of athletic wrist wrap use is hitherto undescribed.

Methods: Seventy actively competing powerlifters (n=70; 27±6y) who competed in the last two years were randomly recruited at sanctioned meets, whereby wrist wrap use descriptive data (wrap style [F or S], wrap length, and events used), wrap tightness (assessed via pulse oximeter-detected oxygen saturation (SpO2) and subjective discomfort [Borg CR10+]), as well as post-meet bench press one repetition maximum (1RM) were collected. Wrist wrap use prevalence data (wrap style, …

Shinycore: An R/Shiny Program For Establishing Core Collection Based On Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Data, Steven Kim, Dong Sub Kim, Hana Moyle, Seong Heo

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Managing and investigating all available genetic resources are challenging. As an alternative, breeders and researchers use core collection—a representative subset of the entire collection. A good core is characterized by high genetic diversity and low repetitiveness. Among the several available software, GenoCore uses a coverage criterion that does not require computationally expensive distance-based metrics.

Results: ShinyCore is a new method to select a core collection through two phases. The first phase uses the coverage criterion to quickly attain a fixed coverage, and the second phase uses a newly devised score (referred to as the rarity score) to further enhance …

Estimating The Impact Of Environmental Management On Strawberry Yield Using Publicly Available Agricultural Data In South Korea, Steven Kim, Jung Su Jo, Vicky Luk, Sung Kyeom Kim, Dong Sub Kim

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Advanced information and communication technologies (ICTs) have made data collection more efficient for agricultural studies. Using publicly available database in South Korea, we estimated the relationship between the management of air temperature and relative humidity and the strawberry yield during two harvest seasons. Longitudinal data of multiple greenhouses were merged and processed, and mixed-effects models were applied to account both observed and unobserved factors across the greenhouses. The averages of air temperature and relative humidity inside each greenhouse do not take volatility of the time-varying variables into consideration, so we assessed the management of each greenhouse by the percent of …

Contemplative Medicine: A Practical Approach To “Well-Being 2.0” In Medicine, Anne Kennard, Tieraona Low Dog, Jennifer Clinkenbeard, Deirdre Pachman, David Iozzi

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective: To examine the relationship between Contemplative Medicine training and clinician burnout.

Methods: Clinicians underwent a 12 month training program in Contemplative Medicine, which addresses several of the “Well-being 2.0” framework elements. An uncontrolled pre and post test study design was used with the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) as the study tool to evaluate efficacy of the program.

Results: Participants demonstrated improvement in burnout levels after the intervention. There were significant differences at the 0.05 significance level or better on all three scales of the MBI instrument when comparing baseline to follow-up responses, including emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and sense …

Applying Organizational Learning Theories To Continuous Improvement Practices Through Self-Study Methodology To Better Reflect Upon And Understand Factors That Influence School Improvement Efforts, Morgan Daniel Gallagher

Dissertations

The purpose of this self-study is to better understand and address the factors that influence continuous improvement efforts led by the researcher/practitioner. To this end, this study applies Bolman and Deal’s 4-frame model of organizational learning lenses to school improvement indicators on the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. Through taking Bolman and Deal’s Online 4-frame Self-assessment, I am able to identify the organizational learning lens least integrated into my own leadership worldview. The organizational learning lenses that comprise Bolman and Deal’s 4-frame model are the structural, symbolic, human resource, and political lenses. I then apply core tenets of my least integrated lens …

Method Development For The Quantification Of Heavy Metals In Biological Matrices And Its Application To Clinical And Environmental Samples, Michelle Catherine Gende

Dissertations

A three-fold approach was taken to develop a method for the detection of heavy metals in different matrices and had to be performed sequentially. The first was to develop a method capable of quantifying lead in complex matrices by graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAA). The developed method needed to meet specific analytical requirements, namely, to be robust, sensitive, and accurate. Initially, four different sample preparation methods were explored for the quantification of lead using Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a sample matrix. The sample preparation procedures attempted were acidic dilution, matrix modification, conventional heating digestion, and microwave assisted acid digestion …

Reconstructing The Kantian Ends Of Reason: Holiness Analytically Entailing Beatitude In An Eternal Highest Good, Anthony Gudwien

Dissertations

This dissertation argues that an eternal highest good is the final end of sensible, rational agents. This final end occurs in a noumenal world – what I have labelled World Four – that has holiness analytically entailing beatitude. However, before meritorious moral agents are incorporated into this final noumenal world, they will exist in three prior worlds. World One is our current phenomenal world where sensible, rational agents can adopt a maxim to resolutely pursue holiness. World Two, which is made possible by the immortal soul postulate, is where sensible, rational agents continue their resolute pursuit in order to become …

Editorial: Personalism And Moral Psychology: Re-Humanizing Economies And Organizations, Kleio Akrivou, Caleb Bernacchio, Domenec Melé, Germán Scalzo

College of Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

A Scientific Method For International Taxation?, Luiza Leite De Queiroz

Emory International Law Review Recent Developments

Fractioning and fairly distributing parts of a whole is never quite straightforward. Whether we speak of justly portioning and dividing scrambled eggs between siblings or jurisdictional claims over the ocean space between nations, reckoning with the dilemmas of sharing is an integral part of the human experience. Acknowledging that, this essay contends that contemporary discussions on fairness in international taxation ought to be situated within this broader context. It is centrally argued that justly allocating taxing entitlements over cross-border wealth is a task contingent on the same subjective predicaments seen in the division process of any given valuable whole. The …

Mathematical Mobile Apps Via Rural Casting, Ma Louise Antonette N. De Las Peñas, John Chris T. Kwong, Peter Antonio B. Banzon, Philip A. Martinez, Wilbur Isaac G. Lapada, Julian N. Eballa, John Emil C. Sebastian, Miguel D. Asido, Jan Daryl M. San Juan, Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, Jumela F. Sarmiento, Agnes D. Garciano, Mark Anthony C. Tolentino, Maria Alva Q. Aberin, Juan Carlo F. Mallari

Mathematics Faculty Publications

This paper discusses the distribution, through a digital datacasting framework, of mathematical resources for Grades 1 to 7 to two schools in a community in the Philippines. Among the mathematical resources made available, are mathematical applications (apps), which run on mobile technologies, that have been created to help in the mathematical learning of students in a remote setting. The distribution is facilitated by the RuralCasting set-top box, a developed custom set-top box capable of receiving digital TV broadcasts and providing local content access through its Wi-Fi network. This paper presents the performance of the set-top box in distributing the mobile …

Practice Through Play Using Mobile Technology, Agnes D. Garciano, Debbie Marie B. Verzosa, Ma Louise Antonette N. De Las Peñas, Maria Alva Q. Aberin, Juan Carlo F. Mallari, Jumela F. Sarmiento, Mark Anthony C. Tolentino

Mathematics Faculty Publications

This paper discusses the Just Keep Solving apps that are designed based on deliberate practice model for developing mathematical skills. Features of deliberate practice include well-defined goals involving areas of weakness as determined by a knowledgeable other such as a teacher. The integration of game design features provides a positive environment wherein the learning goals critical in a deliberate practice model are emphasized. Possible strategies for integrating the apps in a classroom are also discussed using Hughes, Thomas and Scharber’s RAT (Replacement, Amplification, Transformation) framework. The games can replace traditional pen-and-paper classroom activities, amplify learning by personalizing a student’s experience …

Expanding Current Definitions Of Environmental Stewardship Through Organizational Mission Statement Analysis, Alyssa S. Thomas, Michele Romolini

Center for Urban Resilience Scholarship

In recent years, environmental stewardship has been emphasized as one solution to social-ecological sustainability concerns, especially at the local scale. The Stewardship Mapping and Assessment Project (STEW-MAP) is a national research program developed by the USDA Forest Service that has been implemented at numerous locations in the United States and internationally. This study compared the mission statements of environmental stewardship groups in the Los Angeles River Watershed to previously proposed definitions and frameworks of organizational environmental stewardship to see how well they were reflected. A thematic analysis of the mission statements was also carried out to identify locally important themes …

Educating For Good Thinking: Virtues, Skills, Or Both?, Jason Baehr

Philosophy Faculty Works

This paper explores the relationship between intellectual virtues and critical thinking, both as such and as educational ends worth pursuing. The first half of the paper examines the intersection of intellectual virtue and critical thinking. The second half addresses a recent argument to the effect that educating for intellectual virtues (in contrast to educating for critical thinking) is insufficiently action-guiding and therefore lacks a suitable pedagogy.

The Declaration Of Independence: Inalienable Rights, The Creator, And The Political Order., Christopher Kaczor

Philosophy Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Uncovering The Landscape Of Privacy Concern Research From 2011 To 2020: A Bibliometrics Study, Ruilin Zhu, Youyou Tao, Ace Vo

Information Systems and Business Analytics Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Reproducibility In Management Science, David Moore, Miloš Fišar, Ben Greiner, Christoph Huber, Elena Katok, Ali I. Ozkes, Management Science Reproducibility Collaboration

Finance Faculty Works

With the help of more than 700 reviewers, we assess the reproducibility of nearly 500 articles published in the journal Management Science before and after the introduction of a new Data and Code Disclosure policy in 2019. When considering only articles for which data accessibility and hardware and software requirements were not an obstacle for reviewers, the results of more than 95% of articles under the new disclosure policy could be fully or largely computationally reproduced. However, for 29% of articles, at least part of the data set was not accessible to the reviewer. Considering all articles in our sample …

Safe Kids Car, Nathan Keenan, Jackson Piper, Kyle Law, Anthony Meniru

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The main goal of this project is to retrofit toy vehicles, such as Powerwheels cars, with safety systems that can protect the driver and those around the driver. Such systems will include lights, including headlights and taillights, and an automatic braking system, which will activate in the face of an inevitable collision. The system will also work with the driver to prevent collisions, providing warnings of impending danger.

Keywords: toy vehicles, collision detection, collision avoidance, automatic braking system, DC motors, automatic headlights.

Exploration Of Digital Synthesis, Angelo Indre

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

“An Exploration of Digital Synthesis” is a comprehensive investigation into the world of digital audio and music production. The paper explores the fundamental concepts of sound synthesis, including MIDI, virtual instruments (VSTs), and the JUCE framework. The central focus of the paper is the implementation of a custom synthesizer, which serves as a case study for the practical application of digital synthesis. The paper addresses the key question of how to create a functioning synthesizer from scratch, providing detailed insights into the programming and design process. Overall, the paper represents a significant contribution to the fields of digital audio and …

Liquid Tab, Nathan Hulet

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Guitar transcription is a complex task requiring significant time, skill, and musical knowledge to achieve accurate results. Since most music is recorded and processed digitally, it would seem like many tools to digitally analyze and transcribe the audio would be available. However, the problem of automatic transcription presents many more difficulties than are initially evident. There are multiple ways to play a guitar, many diverse styles of playing, and every guitar sounds different. These problems become even more difficult considering the varying qualities of recordings and levels of background noise.

Machine learning has proven itself to be a flexible tool …

Dome Tester, Clark Bates, Nikolas M. Kulin

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

We are reconfiguring and modifying the previously built dome tester to be more user friendly and mechanically applicable. This has a long-term goal of being a usable teaching tool for manufacturing education within the college of engineering and polymer sciences. The dome tester pushes a metal dome into a clamped sheet of metal to test its forming limits and where necking occurs. We have implemented a better method of viewing the sheet sample as it is being deformed, and improved measuring methods for the distance a sample is deformed. By introducing these changes in conjunction with improved documentation of the …

Impacts Of Covid-19 On Industrial Growth In The United States, Emily G. Warthman, Charles J. Landis

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

COVID-19 has caused massive ramifications on all parts of life in the world and industry growth/decline is not immune to it. This report will analyze nine different industries’ profit and revenue from quarterly data during the years 2009-2022. Forecast models will be generated using various methods and different techniques of validating to predict the values from Q2 2020- Q4 2022 based on historical data. After which, a comparison will be conducted between those predicted values to the actual average revenue and profit generated by order of greatest error percentage made. Thorough research will then be completed to determine if there …