Digital Commons Network^™

Mat 1600 Syllabus Ii Syllabus, Tian Cai

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

Mat 2100 Calculus Iii Syllabus, Mei Xing

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

The Obverse-Turing Test: Rethinking Authorship, Trust, And Time In An Accelerated Age, Michael J. Miller, Chatgpt (Ai~Nesbo+)

Psychology

In this paper, we propose a new test for scientific accountability in the era of artificial intelligence: the Obverse Turing Test for Authorship. While the traditional Turing test focuses on a machine's ability to mimic human intelligence, our test addresses the question: when should a scientific contribution involving artificial intelligence be attributed joint authorship? We argue that more and more authors are using AI in the idea generation and elaboration stages of their work, but rarely acknowledge this use explicitly. To examine this gap, we analyze examples of human–AI interactions across fields and propose a new approach to authorship based …

Handbook On Gender Mainstreaming In The Maritime Sector, Momoko Kitada

Reports

This handbook aims to serve as an introductory practical guide for maritime organizations that intend to apply gender mainstreaming. It guides them in critically reviewing their policies and practices from a gender and diversity lens. Some organizations may view their maritime operations as having nothing to do with gender and, therefore, not requiring any gender considerations. Such mindsets are good signs that an organization would benefit from gender mainstreaming. Others may view the fact that their organizations have women working in every unit as evidence of gender equality and see no need for further action. Gender mainstreaming can help identify …

Development Of Multimodal Measurements And Analysis For Early Detection Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Fiza Saeed

Bioengineering Dissertations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, and existing diagnostic methods such as PET scans, cerebrospinal fluid sampling and biomarker quantification, and gene sequencing are all either invasive, costly, or not sensitive enough for early detection. This dissertation introduces three different studies that develop a novel multimodal, non-invasive approach to diagnosing AD at its early stages by combining broad band near infrared spectroscopy (bbNIRS) and electroencephalography (EEG) technologies.

The first study showed cerebrovascular-cerebrospinal fluid coupling (CBV-CSF), which is measured by using 2-channel bbNIRS as an indicator of brain aging and early AD. Linear correlations between total blood (Δ[HbT]) …

Part Sm: Statistical Mechanics, Konstantin Likharev

Essential Graduate Physics

Includes: Review of Thermodynamics; Principles of Physical Statistics; Ideal and Not-So-Ideal Gases; Phase Transitions; Fluctuations; Elements of Kinetics

Teacher Perceptions Of Administrative Support, Student Behavior, And Work Environment: Effects On Morale, Commitment, And Retention Of High School Teachers In A Mid-Sized School District In North Carolina, Joseph M. Serviss

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Teacher attrition remains an ongoing challenge in secondary education, often linked to declining motivation or commitment. This mixed-methods sequential explanatory study aimed to explore high school teachers’ perceptions of administrative support, student behavior, and work environment factors, and how these elements impact job satisfaction and retention. Quantitative data were collected through an internal Teacher Working Conditions Survey distributed to high school teachers within a single public school district. For qualitative insights, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 high school teachers, and inductive thematic analysis was used to interpret the survey findings. Quantitative results showed mostly positive views regarding administrative support, …

Implementing Stem In Elementary Schools: Teacher Perceptions, Practices, And Supports, Casey Wester

Doctor of Education Dissertations

STEM education is a critical component of maintaining global competitiveness, underscoring the need to begin it in early childhood. Integrating STEM education requires teachers to move beyond traditional teaching methods toward a transdisciplinary approach. Research has shown that there can be a variety of barriers to integrating STEM into the classroom. This explanatory mixed methods research study investigated elementary school educators' perspectives on implementing a STEM initiative, the fidelity of implementation post-initiative, and the current supports and additional support needed to sustain implementation. To carry out this investigation, a survey was deployed to elementary educators in three elementary schools, and …

Inconsistencies At The International Trade Commission And The United States Federal District Courts, Christine Dedoulis

Catholic University Journal of Law and Technology

This article will analyze Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, under which the International Trade Commission (Commission) conducts unfair import investigations, as it applies to patent infringement cases. Further, this article will explore different outcomes regarding parallel litigation at the Commission and District Courts, including what remedies are available and the effect of duplicative and inconsistent determinations on the patentee. In light of these comparisons, this article will provide suggestions on how to minimize inconsistencies between the Commission and District Courts, with particular emphasis on determining if some middle ground exists and if a classification system could be …

Modern Privacy, Outdated Doctrine: A Four-Factor Approach To Fourth Amendment Analysis, Ilinca Slabu

Washington Law Review Online

The Fourth Amendment, which protects individuals against unwarranted searches and seizures, has been at the center of many questions recently due to advancements in technology. Technology has evolved to a point where it is no longer necessary to enter someone’s physical space to know what is happening inside a home. This has led to many ambiguities between what is private and public, and what technology usage constitutes a search under the Fourth Amendment. We have reached a critical point that requires a clear test to determine this question to protect the privacy of individuals.

This Comment proposes a new framework …

Laser Beam Shaping Using A Neural Network, Azeem A. Hakim

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Multiphoton lithography (MPL) is a method of laser-based 3D-printing for fabricating micron-scale structures point-by-point in a photopolymerizable medium. MPL’s high-resolution capabilities have made it a powerful method for the fabrication of many devices, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and tissue scaffolds.  The throughput of MPL processes can be increased by using spatially shaped laser beams that expose large areas or volumes simultaneously. A laser beam can be reshaped by passing it through a spatial light modulator (SLM) displaying a pre-designed phase mask. One type of laser beam profile used for this purpose is the Bessel beam, a type of structured …

Alexander Duals Of Symmetric Simplicial Complexes And Stanley-Reisner Ideals, Ayah Almousa, Kaitlin Bruegge, Martina Juhnke-Kubitzke, Uwe Nagel, Alexandra Pevzner

Mathematics Faculty Publications

Given an ascending chain (I_n)_n∈N of Sym-invariant squarefree monomial ideals, we study the corresponding chain of Alexander duals (I_n^∨)_n∈N. Using a novel combinatorial tool, which we call avoidance up to symmetry, we provide an explicit description of the minimal generating set up to symmetry in terms of the original generators. Combining this result with methods from discrete geometry, this enables us to show that the number of orbit generators of I_n^∨ is given by a polynomial in n for sufficiently large n. The same is true for …

Culturally Engaging Campus Environments Model: A Quantitative Evaluation Of Governors State University’S Summer Bridge Program, Stacy Amedeo

Dissertations of Practice

Culturally Engaging Campus Environments Model: A Quantitative Evaluation of Governors State University’s Summer Bridge Program

This program evaluation assesses the academic and social outcomes of Governors State University’s Jaguar “Live, Experience, and Prepare” (LEAP) summer bridge program, which is designed to support first-year students as they transition into college. Grounded in the Culturally Engaging Campus Environments (CECE) model, this study examines whether LEAP participants differ from non-participants in their experiences of culturally engaging environments, sense of belonging, retention, cumulative grade point averages (GPAs), and total credit hours earned. The study used a quantitative correlational design analyzing two data sources: CECE …

Grades And Grading Practices And Their Associations To Student Motivation, Rob Tesmond Iii

Dissertations of Practice

This study’s purposes are to understand how students perceive grades and their impact on their motivation to learn, how students perceive different grading practices, and how students who typically experience academic success respond compared to how students who typically do not experience academic success respond. Utilizing qualitative research methods, two rounds of focus groups were conducted. The first round consisted of five focus group sessions made up of a total of nineteen students who typically experience high academic success, including an overwhelming representation of students who take honors and AP classes. The second round consisted of three focus group sessions …

Using Ai To Analyze Survey Data, Sara Martucci

Open Educational Resources

This assignment in Methodology in Sociology/Criminology engages students in the full research process by guiding them through variable selection, data analysis, interpretation, and critical reflection on AI-assisted decision-making. Using a class-generated survey dataset (or an existing dataset), students develop a research question, identify independent and dependent variables, and formulate a hypothesis. They then compare their selections with those suggested by an AI tool, analyzing differences in reasoning and variable choice. Through SPSS, students generate frequency tables, charts, and scatterplots to examine relationships between variables, including potential intervening factors. The assignment culminates in a group presentation and reflective analysis on the …

Human Capital And Development, Philippe Aghion, Ingvild Almås, Costas Meghir

Discussion Papers

Human capital is central to efforts to promote growth, convergence, and the elimination of poverty. Drawing on the seminal macroeconomic frameworks by Nelson-Phelps, Lucas and subsequent developments, alongside macro and microeconomic evidence, we examine the role of human capital in driving innovation and growth. We highlight how different types of human capital, characterized by education level, matter in different stages of development. Despite documented increases in years of schooling, the world’s poorest regions still see stagnating outcomes in learning and education quality, potentially creating poverty traps where investments in neither physical nor human capital materialize. We discuss obstacles to human …

The Shoreline Protection Potential Of Oyster Reefs: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Jessica R. Fergel, Robert E. Isdell, Gabriella Dipetto, Karinna Nunnez, Sean T. Gregory, Evan Hill, Donna Marie Bilkovic

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Nature-based solutions for erosion control that incorporate oyster reefs, alone or in combination with other habitats, are an increasingly popular approach due to their potential to protect shorelines and enhance oyster production. However, the extent to which natural or constructed oyster reefs provide shoreline protection remains unclear. We conducted a global systematic literature review and meta-analysis to summarize and evaluate the potential of oyster reefs in attenuating waves, promoting sediment accretion, and/or reducing shoreline erosion. Factors extracted from studies included shoreline protective measures examined, oyster reef structure type, and oyster reef tidal location. The results of the meta-analysis showed generally …

The Successful Transition To Executive Leadership Roles In The Pharmaceutical Industry, Eddie J. Fuller

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The underrepresentation of minority groups in leadership roles within the pharmaceutical industry constitutes a significant issue, as evidenced by various studies. These studies consistently indicate that individuals from underrepresented groups are less likely to progress into leadership positions. It appears that much of the existing literature discusses African American women as the identified underrepresented group. This dissertation investigates the underrepresentation of minority groups in leadership roles within the pharmaceutical industry. The sample comprises both minority and majority participants who currently hold or have previously held leadership positions in pharmaceutical companies within the United States. This dissertation uses survey questionnaires to …

Investigating The Impact Of Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms On Freshwater Bivalves, Destiny Devlin

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) threaten freshwater ecosystems by producing toxins that disrupt aquatic organism functions and pose risks to human health. This study investigated how exposure to toxin-producing cyanobacteria affects the behavior and toxin accumulation of Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) under controlled laboratory conditions. Asian clams were collected from a freshwater site in New Jersey, maintained in greenhouse bins, and fed either Microcystis novacekii (non-toxin-forming, control N=3) or Microcystis aeruginosa (toxin-forming, experimental N=3) at 100,000 cells/mL for 28 days. Weekly behavioral assays were conducted to track shell opening, burying, clustering, valve closure, foot extension, and time to first opening. Toxin …

Differences In Biologic Clinical Trials For Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps—Are We Comparing Apples With Oranges?, Marjolein Cornet, Peter W. Hellings, Martin Desrosiers, Martin Wagenmann, Richard Follows, Laura Walrave, Luz Adriana Jimenez, Lee Tombs, Dawn Edwards, Peter Howarth, Joseph K. Han

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

In recent years, several biologics targeting Type 2 inflammation have been developed for treating chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). These have been studied in registrational randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which vary in their patient populations, trial design, endpoints, geography, timing, or data-handling processes. While (in)direct treatment comparisons and meta-analyses have been carried out to compare efficacy results from RCTs, often these fail to properly account for these between-study differences. Here, we summarize the key between-study differences that can influence trial outcomes and highlight the resulting challenges faced when comparing outcomes from different Phase III RCTs of biologics in CRSwNP.

Grading Practices In Secondary Classrooms: A Mixed-Methods Study Exploring Teacher Decision-Making, Student Outcomes, And Implications For Educational Equity, Lauren Lay

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

GRADING PRACTICES IN SECONDARY CLASSROOMS: A MIXED-METHODS STUDY EXPLORING TEACHER DECISION-MAKING, STUDENT OUTCOMES, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR EDUCATIONAL EQUITY. Lay, Lauren, 2026: Dissertation, Long Island University. Grading practices remain one of the most influential yet inconsistent aspects of secondary education. Despite increased interest in equitable grading, little research has examined how teachers make grading decisions within a common institutional context while exploring relationships among grading practices, student outcomes, motivation, and educational equity. The purpose of this convergent mixed-methods study was to examine how grading decision-making among 9th and 10th-grade teachers across five core content areas within one suburban New York high …

Evaluating The Effects Of Autonomous Learning, Goal Orientation And Self-Efficacy On The Academic Performance Of Ethiopian Stem Students’ Through Structural Equation Modeling (Sem), Jerusalem Yizengaw, Asnake Tarekegn Nigussie

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The study investigates the relationships among self-efficacy, goal orientation, and autonomous learning and how these factors affect Ethiopian STEM students’ academic performance. A descriptive survey design using mixed-methods research was used. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were employed to gather data from eight teachers and 151 STEM students. CFA and EFA attested to the validity and reliability of the questionnaires. Quantitative data were assessed using structural equation modeling (SEM), and qualitative data were analyzed using word descriptions. Self-efficacy was positively correlated with STEM students’ academic performance (β = .12, p < .01), whereas autonomous learning and goal orientation were negatively correlated (β = -.01, p < .01) and (β = -.04, p < .01), respectively. Findings suggest that techniques that help Ethiopian STEM students develop self-efficacy should be prioritized, with implications for curriculum design and instructional approaches. According to the findings, methods that support Ethiopian STEM students in developing self-efficacy should be prioritized, with consequences for instructional strategies and curriculum design. Although self-belief appears crucial for success, further research is required to fully understand the complex interaction of these factors in Ethiopia and other contexts.

Trends And Innovations In The Development Of Immersive Technology In Science Education (2019-2024): A Literature Review, Aziz Kurniawan, Hartono Hartono, Bambang Subali

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact, including the change in learning methods from face-to-face to non-face-to-face learning. This change in method accelerates innovation in the use of technology to support non-face-to-face learning. Immersive technologies, such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Virtual laboratories, have offered authentic and interactive non-face-to-face learning experiences in science education. This study employed a systematic literature review (SLR) method to map trends and innovations in the development of immersive technology in science education from 2019 to 2024. The literature data were obtained from the Scopus database and then selected using the PRISMA …

Case-Based Learning In Biology Education: A Systematic Literature Review, Elsje Theodora Maasawet, Jullya Christin Kolow

Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange (JETDE)

Biology education often relies on content-intensive instructional materials that may encourage rote memorisation rather than conceptual understanding, potentially contributing to misconceptions. Case-Based Learning (CBL) offers an alternative by engaging students in applying biological concepts to authentic, real-life cases and promoting meaningful learning. Despite growing empirical interest in CBL, no systematic literature review has specifically synthesised its application in biology education. This study therefore examined publication trends, learning skills addressed, and conceptualisations of CBL in biology education. Relevant literature was retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science using “Case-Based Learning” as the search term. Following PRISMA-guided screening, 42 articles were included …

Conceptualizing A Model For Transforming Academic Search With Retrieval-Augmented Generation, Nikesh Narayanan

All Works

This study conceptualizes the transformative potential of RetrievalAugmented Generation (RAG) in academic research, addressing limitations of traditional search methods reliant on keyword matching, Boolean logic, and metadata analysis. RAG combines precise data retrieval with the generative capabilities of advanced AI models, synthesizing dispersed information into coherent outputs. By bridging retrieval accuracy and contextual generation, RAG offers a framework for providing researchers with comprehensive, nuanced, and up-todate insights tailored to their queries. This article explores the integration of tools like ChatGPT and LangChain to outline a RAGbased system, illustrating its potential to enhance academic discovery by harmonizing natural language processing, semantic …

Celebrating Faculty Scholarship 2026, Smith College Libraries

Celebrating Faculty Scholarship: Bibliographies

Bibliography of selected scholarly and creative work produced by Smith College faculty and submitted by faculty for the 2026 celebration in the Neilson Library Skyline Reading Room, Smith College on September 14, 2026.

A Comprehensive Survey Of Prompt Engineering Techniques In Large Language Models, Tonmoy Debnath, Md Nurul Absar Siddiky, Muhammad Enayetur Rahman, Prosenjit Das, Antu Kumar Guha, Muhammad Rezaur Rahman, H. M. Dipu Kabir

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Prompt engineering has arisen as a pivotal discipline in optimizing the performance of Large Language Models (LLMs) by structuring inputs to enhance coherence, accuracy, and task alignment. This paper comprehensively surveys various prompting techniques, systematically categorizing them according to their application domains and methodological foundations. Fundamental approaches like zero-shot and few-shot prompting are examined along with advanced strategies, including chain-of-thought reasoning, retrieval-augmented generation, and self-consistency mechanisms. A rigorous qualitative analysis is conducted to evaluate each technique's strengths, limitations, and optimal use cases, offering a structured framework for selecting the most effective prompting strategies. Theoretical insights and empirical findings are consolidated …

Physics-Informed Temperature Prediction Of Lithium-Ion Batteries Using Decomposition-Enhanced Lstm And Bilstm Models, Seyed Saeed Madani, Yasmin Shabeer, Michael Fowler, Satyam Panchal, Carlos Ziebert, Hicham Chaoui, François Allard

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Accurately forecasting the operating temperature of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is essential for preventing thermal runaway, extending service life, and ensuring the safe operation of electric vehicles and stationary energy-storage systems. This work introduces a unified, physics-informed, and data-driven temperature-prediction framework that integrates mathematically governed preprocessing, electrothermal decomposition, and sequential deep learning architectures. The methodology systematically applies the governing relations to convert raw temperature measurements into trend, seasonal, and residual components, thereby isolating long-term thermal accumulation, reversible entropy-driven oscillations, and irreversible resistive heating. These physically interpretable signatures serve as structured inputs to machine learning and deep learning models trained on temporally …

Markov Chain Wave Generative Adversarial Network For Bee Bioacoustic Signal Synthesis, Kumudu Samarappuli, Iman Ardekani, Mahsa Mohaghegh, Abdolhossein Sarrafzadeh

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents a framework for synthesizing bee bioacoustic signals associated with hive events. While existing approaches like WaveGAN have shown promise in audio generation, they often fail to preserve the subtle temporal and spectral features of bioacoustic signals critical for event-specific classification. The proposed method, MCWaveGAN, extends WaveGAN with a Markov Chain refinement stage, producing synthetic signals that more closely match the distribution of real bioacoustic data. Experimental results show that this method captures signal characteristics more effectively than WaveGAN alone. Furthermore, when integrated into a classifier, synthesized signals improved hive status prediction accuracy. These results highlight the potential …

Comparative Assessment Of Energy And Emission Costs For Geothermal Heat Pumps And Fossil-Fuel Heating Systems Across U.S. Climatic Zones, Md Shahin Alam, Shima Afshar, Seyed Ali Arefifar, Mohammad Haq

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In response to growing concerns over global warming and energy sustainability, transitioning from fossil-fuel-based heating systems to renewable alternatives is essential. This study evaluates the economic and environmental performance of geothermal heat pumps for building heating and compares it with conventional coal-fired boilers, natural-gas boilers, and diesel furnaces. Using the heating degree-day (HDD) method, heating energy demand was analyzed for four U.S. cities—Anchorage (AK), San Francisco (CA), Salt Lake City (UT), and Las Vegas (NV)—representing diverse climatic zones. The analysis integrates thermodynamic and economic parameters, including the coefficient of performance (COP = 2–5) and annual fuel-utilization efficiency (AFUE = 80–97%), …