Digital Commons Network^™

Race And American College Testing (Act) Scores In Illinois, Wendy Shaw, Bin Zhou

The Geographical Bulletin

This paper explores links between race and ethnicity, and performance on the American College Testing (ACT) within Illinois. This paper utilizes information about the performance of Illinois’ 85, 480 year 2000 graduating seniors who took the ACT assessment. The ACT scores reported by county are broken down into various racial and ethnic groupings, and a Geographic Information System was used to map and explore the spatial dimensions of the data. The results of the analysis indicate that performance on the ACT varies by the type of county involved, and is linked to family income rather than to race per se. …

Multimedia Technology In The School Geography Classroom: A Case Study, Daniel P. Donaldson

The Geographical Bulletin

Today, educators are being called on to cultivate a more geographically literate body of students. Just as computer technologies have found use in nearly all aspects of North American society, they are now looked upon as a tool which will enhance students’ geography learning. Through the use of multimedia software packages, it has been suggested that students will gain a more intricate collection of spatial understandings. This work draws on results of direct intervention in two sixth-grade classrooms in Cleveland, Ohio. It compares two methods of teaching and learning geographic concepts: one employing the use of multimedia and the other …

Comparison Of Efficient Deep Learning Architectures For Lactobacillus Species Identification, Dea Aisyah Rusmawati, Ishak Ariawan, Afrinal Firmanda

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Identifying microorganism species, such as Lactobacillus, is essential in ensuring the food products' quality and safety. Traditional laboratory practice requires expert knowledge and experience, but the method is expensive and time-consuming due to complex sample preparation. Faster, more accurate, and cheaper computational methods, such as transfer learning technology, are needed for the Lactobacillus species classification. The technique has been effective in a variety of image recognition contexts. Deep learning architecture can also be applied as an innovative strategy for digital image-based identification. Therefore, this research aims to compare several deep-learning architectures in classifying bacterial strains of Lactobacillus. The four architectures …

Mathematically Modeling How Trapping Specific Crayfish Life Stages Impacts Removal Efficacy, Relena Pattison, Courtney L. Davis

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Improving Infectious Disease Predictions Through The Use Of Metapopulation Sir Modeling And Graph Convolutional Neural Networks, Petr Kisselev, Padmanabhan Seshaiyer

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Modeling Insurance Impact On Opioid Addiction, Ihlara K. Williamson, Eli E. Goldwyn

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Statistically Operationalizing Structural Racism: What Is The Impact On Health Inequities In The United States?, Loni Tabb Phd

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Experimental Forms And Identity Politics In 21st Century American Poetry, Ronnie Stephens

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

“Experimental Forms and Identity Politics in 21st Century American Poetry” explores the function of form in American poetry and its proximity to whiteness. Through an analysis of experimental and nontraditional forms I argue that poets Fatimah Asghar, Jericho Brown, Franny Choi, Natalie Diaz, Ilya Kaminsky, and Danez Smith challenge traditional notions of what a poem is; these authors use graphics and co-opt familiar text objects to challenge larger assumptions about gender identity, ableism, and the immigrant experience. These experimental forms are grounded in a larger poetic tradition that alters traditional forms, such as the sonnet, to disrupt and further dialogue …

To A Cabin In The Woods, Jacob Stanley

Floodwall Magazine

No abstract provided.

Ethical Responsibility In The Design Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Systems, David K. Mcgraw

International Journal on Responsibility

This article aims to provide an overview of the ethical questions surrounding the responsibilities of designers of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. First, the author delves into the philosophical underpinnings of this responsibility, examining various ethical theories to grasp the moral obligations individuals have towards others and society. The author contends that designers of technology bear the responsibility of considering the broader societal implications of their creations. Subsequently, the author scrutinizes the fundamental question of whether AI systems present unique ethical concerns compared to conventional technologies, pinpointing factors such as complexity, opacity, autonomy, unpredictability, uncertainty, and the potential for significant social …

Modeling Of Radio Array Distribution, Yahya Emran Abdelhadi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

In the quest to understand the mysteries of the universe through radio astronomy, selecting the right tools and methods is crucial. Just as radio astronomy provides a unique lens through which to study the universe, the adoption of open-source software, such as Python, similarly offers a distinct advantage in scientific research. Today most research is done on open-source code which reduces the limitation to have access to the science and research resources to improve the quality and the contributed researcher. For some people, access to software and tools is very expensive and limited. This work focuses on converting the IDL …

Developing A Framework For Digital Twin Data Quality And Security Controls, Ahmad Abdelbaset Hassan

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

This thesis is concerned with the data quality and security of the digital twin and how it is going to impact its adoption, trustworthiness, and potential for real-world applications. By addressing the potential vulnerabilities and ensuring the integrity of data, this research aims to contribute to the development of robust and trustworthy digital twin standards and policies that is going to complement the existing international standards across different domains. Moreover, it underscores the important need to establish robust standards to ensure the successful and secure deployment of digital twins across industries. Previous research, while valuable, may not have fully addressed …

Hybridizing Reinforcement Learning With Metaheuristics For Improved Traffic Signal Control And Optimization In Urban Transportation Networks, Jiyana Nikhil Jaisinghani

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Managing road traffic in metropolitan cities is a crucial aspect of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The rapid growth of population and vehicles has led to increasing traffic congestion, which negatively affects travel times, fuel consumption, and air quality in urban areas. Intersections and their traffic lights are key contributors to this congestion, making efficient and adaptable Traffic Signal Control (TSC) and Traffic Signal Scheduling (TSS) essential. TSC manages traffic flow at intersections, while TSS optimizes the timing and sequencing of traffic signals. The techniques, Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Metaheuristic Optimization (MO), have shown promising results in addressing traffic control challenges …

Gait Measurement Descriptions Of Human Tracks, Robert Speiden

International Journal of Missing Persons

Search and rescue missions use a variety of tools to find missing persons, one of which can be visual tracking. Trackers detect, interpret and document information about human contact with the ground. Humans typically move on two feet at various speeds. Movement as an obligate biped leaves a series of footprints that alternates from one side to the other. This pattern of footfalls is rather simple, and the footfalls can be easily divided into descriptive dimensions.

This work summarized published measurements of bipedal gait ground contact points in 70 resources. Four resource types were surveyed including 33 biomechanical gait analysis …

Hell You Talmbout: Mixtapes As Method For Online Environmental Justice Pedagogy, Elspeth Iralu, Caitlin Grann

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

This paper takes on the mixtape as a pedagogical method for approaching urgent and critical topics within the undergraduate online classroom. Drawing on two case studies from different sections of an introductory course on environmental and social justice taught in an American studies department, we demonstrate how mixtape-inspired assignments offer a method for theorizing and enacting the connections between popular culture and critical scholarship around injustice in the humanities and social sciences while also altering the space of the classroom to promote deeper student engagement, comprehension, and reflection. We argue that introducing popular culture as both content and method within …

Simplify Workflows: Ai As A Coding Companion, Tiffany Garrett

Library Scholarship

Artificial Intelligence is on everyone’s minds and has been the topic of the past two Matheson Lectures. But, what is the role of academic health sciences libraries? Moving the theoretical into practical, seven of our colleagues will present real-life case studies. What worked - what didn’t - what would they do differently?

This entry is from one of those case presentations on how a librarian at Roseman University of Health Sciences used AI to complete simple computer programming projects that optimized a few library workflows.

Competitive Conquest: Charting The Climb To Pokémon Supremacy, Robert Dilworth

BCoE Publications

This manuscript presents a comprehensive exploration of optimizing Pokémon gameplay through data-driven methodologies, aimed at enhancing competitive performance in high-stakes environments. In the first section, we introduce a robust Pokémon teambuilding algorithm that leverages statistical analysis of championship-winning compositions. By employing multiple linear regression techniques, we predict team performance based on critical factors such as Base Stat Totals (BSTs) and various coverage types. This integration of data science principles into Pokémon strategy underscores the importance of offensive capabilities over defensive considerations, ultimately contributing to advancements in teambuilding strategies. Our proficiency in R programming facilitated the development of an efficient codebase …

Uvcandels: Catalogs Of Photometric Redshifts And Galaxy Physical Properties, Vihang Mehta, Marc Rafelski, Ben Sunnquist, Harry I. Teplitz, Claudia Scarlata, Xin Wang, Adriano Fontana, Nimish P. Hathi, Kartheik G. Iyer, Anahita Alavi, James Colbert, Norman Grogin, Anton Koekemoer, Kalina V. Nedkova, Matthew Hayes, Laura Prichard, Brian Siana, Brent M. Smith, Rogier Windhorst, Teresa Ashcraft, Micaela Bagley

Pacific Faculty Work

The UltraViolet imaging of the Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey Fields (UVCANDELS) program provides deep Hubble Space Telescope (HST) F275W and F435W imaging over four CANDELS fields (GOODS-N, GOODS-S, COSMOS, and Extended Groth Strip). We combine this newly acquired UV imaging with existing HST imaging from CANDELS as well as existing ancillary data to obtain robust photometric redshifts and reliable estimates for galaxy physical properties for over 150,000 galaxies in the ∼430 arcmin² UVCANDELS area. Here, we leverage the power of the new UV photometry to not only improve the photometric redshift measurements in these fields, but …

Women's Council 2024 Legacy Award Honors Jim And Thomas Duff, Jonathan Scott

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Jim and Thomas Duff, two of Mississippi's most successful businessmen and generous supporters of the state's public universities, were honored at the University of Mississippi on Thursday (Nov. 7) with the 2024 Legacy Award from the Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy.

2024 November 08 - Tennessee Weekly Drought Summary, Tennessee Climate Office, East Tennessee State University

Tennessee Climate Office Weekly Drought Summaries

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Faculty And Students In Online Learning: Lessons From The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sumita Sarma, Sharmin Attaran, Mohsen Attaran

Marketing Department Faculty Journal Articles

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed how universities provide education -- teachers switched to online teaching methods, while students quickly adapted to the online learning environment. This study adopts the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework to examine differences in student and faculty perceptions of online learning due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Student and faculty perceptions can be used to evaluate and ultimately improve the quality of education. This study used survey methods and data collection instruments with a Likert scale sample of 150 students and 150 faculty from a US university. This study’s results indicate a significant difference …

Properties Of Relativistic Electron Precipitation: A Comparative Analysis Of Wave-Induced And Field Line Curvature Scattering Processes, Luisa Capannolo, Andrew Staff, Wen Li, Katharine Duderstadt, Nithin Sivadas, Joshua Pettit, Sadie Elliot, Murong Qin, Xiao-Chen Shen, Qianli Ma

Faculty Publications

We analyze the properties of relativistic (&gt700 keV) electron precipitation (REP) events measured by the low-Earth-orbit (LEO) POES/MetOp constellation of spacecraft from 2012 through 2023. Leveraging the different profiles of REP observed at LEO, we associate each event with its possible driver: waves or field line curvature scattering (FLCS). While waves typically precipitate electrons in a localized radial region within the outer radiation belt, FLCS drives energy-dependent precipitation at the edge of the belt. Wave-driven REP is detected at any MLT sector and L shell, with FLCS-driven REP occurring only over the nightside–a region where field line stretching is frequent. …

Properties Of Relativistic Electron Precipitation: A Comparative Analysis Of Wave-Induced And Field Line Curvature Scattering Processes, Luisa Capannolo, Andrew Staff, Wen Li, Katharine Duderstadt, Nithin Sivadas, Joshua Pettit, Sadie Elliot, Murong Qin, Xiao-Chen Shen, Qianli Ma

Faculty Publications

We analyze the properties of relativistic (&gt700 keV) electron precipitation (REP) events measured by the low-Earth-orbit (LEO) POES/MetOp constellation of spacecraft from 2012 through 2023. Leveraging the different profiles of REP observed at LEO, we associate each event with its possible driver: waves or field line curvature scattering (FLCS). While waves typically precipitate electrons in a localized radial region within the outer radiation belt, FLCS drives energy-dependent precipitation at the edge of the belt. Wave-driven REP is detected at any MLT sector and L shell, with FLCS-driven REP occurring only over the nightside–a region where field line stretching is frequent. …

Re: Approval Letter With Comments For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Revised Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) For Bres No. 181 – Mountain Con-3 Dump (Dated October 4, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou), Draft 2024 Residential Metals Abatement Program Investigation Summary Report (Non-Residential – Interior Dust) After The Bell Child Care Center (Dated April 25, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Residential Metals Abatement Program (Rmap) – Interior School Dust – Investigation Summary Report (Isr) – Kennedy Elementary School Post-Remedial Action Surface Dust Sampling (Dated June 12, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Comment Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Reclaimed Areas Weed Management Plan (Dated April 11, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Telu Activation Function For Fast And Stable Deep Learning, Alfredo Fernandez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

We propose the Hyperbolic Tangent Exponential Linear Unit (TeLU), a neural network hidden activation function defined as $TeLU(x)=x \cdot tanh(e^x)$. TeLU’s design is grounded in the core principles of key activation functions, achieving strong convergence by closely approximating the identity function in its active region while effectively mitigating the vanishing gradient problem in its saturating region. Its simple formulation enhances computational efficiency, leading to improvements in scalability and convergence speed. Unlike many modern activation functions, TeLU seamlessly combines the simplicity and effectiveness of ReLU with the smoothness and analytic properties essential for learning stability in deep neural networks. TeLU’s ability …

Exploring Llm Integration And Its Influence On Agent Behavior And Productivity In Insurance Call Centers, Gerardo L. Wibmer Gonzalez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the theoretical impacts of supportive AI tools, specifically Large Language Models (LLMs), on agent behavior and communication dynamics in call centers. While technological advancements have streamlined operations, limited research addresses the indirect ways these tools influence agent behavior. Using frameworks like context switching—the cognitive shift required when external stimuli prompt attention shifts—and the Hawthorne effect, where perceived observation modifies behavior, we examine how LLMs shape communication patterns. In call centers, this context switching occurs indirectly as agents adapt to AI note-taking features, whereas in industries like Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC), automation tools prompt more immediate changes …

Re: Comment Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) For Bres No. 120 – Bonanza Dump (Dated July 22, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.