Digital Commons Network^™

Comparing Standards-Based Grading And Traditional Grading Practices: The Influence Of Two Grading Practices On State-Standardized Test Scores And High School Grades, Brooke Daugherty

Student Theses and Dissertations

Standards-based and traditional grading practices were compared in this research by the analysis of state-standardized test scores and classroom grades. The problem described in this quantitative comparative study is that state-standardized test scores do not always match a student’s knowledge. Students, teachers, and parents are affected because learning must be communicated to all parties. The purpose of this study is to compare state-standardized test scores through traditional and standards-based grading practices in elementary and high school mathematics. Using the four stages of Kolb’s experiential learning theory, the grading experience was examined. Approximately 700 students’ state-standardized test scores and 350 classroom …

Comparative Analysis Of Belt-Slider Pan Configurations On The Power Consumption Of Belted Conveyor Systems, Asib Ridwan

Student Theses and Dissertations

Conveyor systems are widely used in industrial applications for material handling, but their high energy consumption remains a significant challenge. This study investigated the influence of different belt-slider pan configurations on conveyor power consumption, aiming to optimize efficiency while minimizing energy losses. Three types of slider pans; mild steel, galvanized steel, and powder-coated steel, were analyzed under controlled experimental conditions to determine the motor torque and power consumption of a test conveyor system under various loading conditions. Torque and power values were derived, plotted, and comparatively analyzed across all configurations to determine performance differences. Static friction coefficients of each type …

The Effects Of Technology On Engagement Among Stem-Based Students At Historically Black Colleges Or Universities, Matthew Evan Bellinger

Student Theses and Dissertations

This study is meant to address the positive or negative instances of student engagement through technology use among STEM students at HBCUs. The intended demographic from this includes STEM students at HBCUs, but also administrators who have a role in enrollment or retention. The wider range of relevant parties is due to the purpose of this study which is to investigate the different forms of technology on STEM students and faculty as they are implemented in higher education at HBCUs. This was accomplished by connecting the technology used by students or faculty to either a Technology-Enhanced Learning environment (engagement) or …

The 3d Double Spherical Pendulum: Modeling, Analysis, And Simulations, Alexander Gofen

CODEE Journal

This paper presents an inquiry-based research project that develops and analyzes the system of ordinary differential equations governing the motion of the 3D double pendulum, blending computational experiments with applied and theoretical mathematics. We formulate the Lagrangian for the three-dimensional double spherical pendulum and use Maple to derive the four coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in angular variables; for completeness, we also present an equivalent Cartesian formulation. We then compare and visualize the models using the Taylor Center high-order Taylor-series solver, which delivers high-accuracy trajectories and real-time animations in 2D and anaglyph 3D (red/blue). We place the system in context …

Ncti Is The New Gilti, And States Should Still Conform, David Gamage, Darien Shanske

Faculty Publications

This essay continues our series on corporate profit shifting by analyzing how states should respond to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which transformed GILTI into the new Net Controlled Foreign Corporation Tested Income (NCTI) regime. We argue that states should conform to this new federal provision as a reasonable and legally sound approach to combatting the persistent profit shifting that erodes state tax bases. The 60 percent inclusion rate for NCTI effectively serves as a practical, "rough justice" estimate of income that was economically generated domestically but improperly shifted offshore — an estimate supported by empirical research. We …

Global Transport Emissions 1850–2020: Historical Drivers And Lessons For Transport Decarbonization, Bernardo Tostes, Sofia T. Henriques, Matthew Kuperus Heun, Paul E. Brockway, Tânia Sousa

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

This study analyzes global transport CO2 emissions from 1850 to 2020 using the LMDI method, offering, for the first time, a decomposition over such a long timespan and global scope. Emissions are split into technological and demand-related drivers using a new dataset. Transport efficiency is divided into final-to-useful efficiency and useful energy intensity, a novel distinction. Key findings include: (1) efficiency improvements avoided 9067 Gt CO2 by 2019, with peak impacts in 1950–1973 (-1.62 %/yr) and 2008–2020 (-3.63 %/yr), respectively; (2) these gains were insufficient to counter rising demand, which led to 8252 Gt CO2 in cumulative emissions; (3) demand …

Chimes: September 22, 2025, Calvin University

Chimes

Parking prices increase: How are students feeling? by Addy Offutt & Ian Tjoelker

"Famous last words": Calvin Theatre Company's latest 24-hour theatre by McKenna Wilkilson

Student Senate's bright hopes for a new year by Jorie Cho

Dining in looks different this year: Ex-ploring dining hall changes by Evangeline Anga

Constitution Day celebration sparks dialogue on campus by Ella Vanden Berg

To cut language is to cut identity: A call to Calvin's conscience by Sarah Sparling

Retracted: Idea Density And Grammatical Complexity As Neurocognitive Markers, Diego Iacono, Gloria Feltis

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Language, a uniquely human cognitive faculty, is fundamentally characterized by its capacity for complex thoughts and structured expressions. This review examines two critical measures of linguistic performance: idea density (ID) and grammatical complexity (GC). ID quantifies the richness of information conveyed per unit of language, reflecting semantic efficiency and conceptual processing. GC, conversely, measures the structural sophistication of syntax, indicative of hierarchical organization and rule-based operations. We explore the neurobiological underpinnings of these measures, identifying key brain regions and white matter pathways involved in their generation and comprehension. This includes linking ID to a distributed network of semantic hubs, like …

Enhancing Students’ Self-Confidence From Disharmonious Families Through Group Guidance With Sociodrama Technique, Drajat Edy Kurniawan, Almadia Qosita Janah Saputri

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Adolescence is a developmental phase full of challenges, particularly for students from disharmonious family backgrounds who are vulnerable to low self-confidence. This study aims to enhance students’ self-confidence through group guidance services using the sociodrama technique at a public junior high school in Yogyakarta. The research employed a quantitative approach with a one-group pretest–posttest design. The subjects consisted of six eighth-grade students identified as coming from disharmonious families and having low self-confidence. The instrument used was a self-confidence scale that included indicators of belief in one’s abilities, courage to express opinions, and ability to face challenges. Data were analyzed using …

Nomina Ignota: Dinosaurios, Dinosauroides Y Otros Animales Del Pasado Que Nunca Existieron, Charlie Charmer, Iván Narváez

Alambique. Revista académica de ciencia ficción y fantasía / Jornal acadêmico de ficção científica e fantasía

Aunque desaparecieron hace 66 millones de años, los dinosaurios no avianos y otros grandes reptiles con los que convivieron son un reclamo habitual en las historias de ficción del cómic, cine, literatura u otros medios de expresión artística y/o entretenimiento. A menudo, sirven también de inspiración para introducir criaturas inexistentes cuya imagen y denominación parten de referentes conocidos. En el presente trabajo se analizan los diferentes métodos utilizados para bautizar a estas criaturas, así como las características y funciones que sus nombres pueden tener en los mundos de ficción, acuñando una nueva categoría para la nomenclatura científica, aplicable exclusivamente en …

Season Of The Lights, Erik Johnson

Natural Science Faculty

"Aurora season" has just begun, but that doesn't guarantee everyone can see them.

The northern lights are the aurora borealis, and the southern hemisphere has the aurora australis. There is an auroral oval circling each pole of Earth, moving roughly over the Arctic and Antarctic Circles most of the time. Since most people live in the northern hemisphere, the northern lights are more well-known.

Gateway To Business Analytics With Microsoft Excel, Humberto Barreto

Economics and Management Faculty publications

Business analytics is a new, expanding subfield with fuzzy edges that overlap into a variety of other established disciplines, including economics, econometrics, computer science, data science, finance, statistics, mathematics, and even psychology. Business analytics includes such traditional techniques as regression and data visualization, but also newer methods such as web scraping, big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Its key distinguishing feature is using data to make and communicate business decisions. This textbook utilizes Microsoft Excel to present a mix of topics appropriate to an undergraduate level introduction to business analytics course with an engaging delivery style.

Assessing Inclusion Within Naaee Affiliate Ee Associations And Where To Go From Here, Connor Chilton

Theses and Dissertations

Environmental Education (EE) has a history that has been typically defined by traditionally dominant identities (White, male, able-bodied, etc.). The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) offers a unique position as frontrunners for the field of EE and have the duty to provide an inclusive-minded education for and about the environments throughout the world. Through NAAEE’s affiliate network within the United States, this paper details a glimpse into the work towards inclusion by surveying its leadership position holders about the broad subject and several interconnections of inclusion. Upon completion of the survey, participants who opted to participate in a …

Engineering And Technology, Fred Haan

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

9/21/2025 for the event, Integration of Faith and Learning, at University Pelita Harapan in Jakarta, Indonesia

Annie Maude Spells

African American Funeral Programs

Funeral program for Annie Spells. Service held on September 21, 2025 in Statesboro, Georgia

Imsa 2025 Profile, Office Of College And Academic Counseling

IMSA Profile

The nationally-ranked Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students in its tuition-free residential Academy for grades 10-12. Students are challenged with a rigorous curriculum designed to develop them into problem solvers and critical thinkers. Notable IMSA alumni include YouTube Co-Founder Steve Chen, PayPal Co-Creator Yu Pan, Yelp Co-Founder Russell Simmons, SparkNotes and OkCupid Co-Founder Sam Yagan, and Hearsay Social Founder, Clara Shih.

Existence And Stability Theory Of A Neurologically Inspired Parabolic Pde Model With A Nonlinear Time-Delayed Boundary Condition, Gangadhara Boregowda, Michael R. Lindstrom

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

In this paper, we establish the existence of a positive, bounded solution for a class of parabolic partial differential equations with nonlinear boundary conditions, where the boundary conditions depend on the solution on the boundary at a time 𝜏≥0 in the past. These equations model the production dynamics of a protein species by a single cell, where a feedback mechanism downregulates the protein’s production. Furthermore, we analyze the stability of a nontrivial steady-state solution and provide sufficient conditions on the nonlinearity parameter, boundary flux, and time-delay that ensure the occurrence of a Hopf bifurcation.

Investigating Potential Alzheimer's Disease Therapies Through An Agent-Based Model Of Impaired Microglia Metabolismmodeling Impaired Microglia Metabolism, Cheyenne Ty, Abigail Penland, John Gerving, Martin Mendoza-Ceja, Megan Pratt, Kamila Larripa

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia globally and is marked by amyloid-β plaque accumulation, decreased brain pH, disrupted metabolism, and increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, are essential for maintaining brain homeostasis and are critically involved in the progression of AD. While microglia can initiate protective immune responses to injury and disease, dysregulated microglial metabolism may contribute to the exacerbation of Alzheimer's pathology. To investigate potential therapeutic strategies, we developed an agent-based model simulating the effects of exercise and metabolic enhancement on dysfunctional microglia. Our findings suggest that …

Hands-On Stem In Ghana: Inspiration For Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Globally, Alhassan Issifu, Mawuena A. Hanson, Heather R. Beem

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Many educators are increasingly seeking culturally relevant pedagogies they can employ to effectively engage their students. In Ghana a substantive set of hands-on STEM content has been created, incorporating locally available materials and cultural approaches while maintaining alignment to the national curricula. Against a backdrop of almost no public primary or junior high schools in the country containing any lab equipment, this approach leverages and celebrates the abundance of what is available within the locality. This challenges narratives of what is considered “good” and recenters power back with those in the classroom. Three sample activities and three firsthand stories are …

Playful Learning Journeys: Exploring The Perceptions And Knowledge Of Lecturers/Tutors And Student Teachers, Frank Twum, Samuel Kweku Hayford, Dandy Dampson, Johnnie Kojo Hayford

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

This paper investigated the perceptions and knowledge of play-based learning (PBL) by lecturers/tutors and student teachers. Ninety lecturers/tutors (68 males, 22 females) and 363 student teachers (191 males, 172 females) participated in the study. While both lecturers/tutors and student teachers favored PBL, they had some concerns. Lecturers/tutors acknowledged the benefits of PBL, including its enhancement of memory, conceptual development, and motor skills in children. However, nearly two-thirds found it time-consuming. Student teachers were of the view PBL promoted positive student experiences. However, more than half felt PBL offered limited opportunities for their own learning during lessons. Both groups demonstrated knowledge …

Teacher Perceptions Of The Mental Health And Socio-Emotional Challenges Of English Language Learners, Nilufer Guler, Dincer Guler, Kyle Bush

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

A fast-growing percentage of students in K–12 classrooms are English language learner (ELL) students, and a large number of these students are experiencing a vast array of academic and non-academic challenges at school. Many ELL challenges involve inadequate socio-emotional learning (SEL) skill development, as well as mental health obstacles, and many schools are not equipped with the resources needed to address and resolve these challenges for ELLs.

In this study, we focus on teacher observations of the SEL and mental health challenges that K–12 students face. In the initial survey, 120 teachers participated regarding ELLs and these challenges. Following the …

Total Synthesis Of The Marine Cytotoxic Mansouramycin And Derivatives, Aditya Dantu, Gabriella L. Madrigal, Neel Gondi, David Osazee, Ahmad Amro, Whard Alsabbagh, Shizue Mito

Research Colloquium

Purpose: Isoquinolinequinones are a group of organic compounds which are composed of an isoquinoline fused to a quinone ring. This class of molecules is known to exhibit a wide variety of biological activities, including cytotoxic and antitumor properties. Among the many families of isoquinolinequinones are the Caulibugulones and Mansouramycins, which exhibit anticancer properties and are thus desirable subjects for cancer-related research. They are obtained by isolation from marine bryozoan Caulibugula intermis and marine Streptomyces sp respectively, however these compounds are difficult to extract. Thus, organic synthesis is being explored as a method of obtaining them; this project focuses on the …

An Estimation Study Of The Co2 Emissions In Saudi Arabia Using Machine Learning, Mohammed A. Albalawi, M.M. El-Halwany, Mahmoud H. Mahmoud, Mohamed Gar Alalm

Mansoura Engineering Journal

As part of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) pledged to implement policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The 2030 Vision, which KSA unveiled with the goal of building a more sustainable and diverse economy, led to a number of projects, such as the national renewable energy program, the Saudi green initiative, and the circular carbon economy. Additionally, KSA just revealed a bold plan to achieve net-zero status by 2060. The Kingdom pledged to cut its carbon emissions by 278 million tons of CO2eq (equivalent) yearly by 2030 in its revised nationally determined contribution …

Isocratic Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Approach To Quantify Flutamide In Pharmaceuticals, Siddaraju Chikkalingaiah, Prathima Chikkegowda, Rajendraprasad Nagaraju

The Thai Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background: A non-steroidal antiandrogen, flutamide (FA), has been used often to treat advanced prostate cancer. It blocks testosterone’s tendency to bind to androgen receptors inside cells in some of the target organs, such as hair follicles, the prostate gland, skin, and testicles.

Objective: The main focus of the work is to produce an economical and reliable reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography technique for the quantitative study of FA in bulk materials and pharmaceuticals.

Materials and Methods: The elution of FA was done by running a mobile phase prepared by mixing 10 mM ammonium formate-formic acid buffer (pH-4) with methanol in the …

From P-Values To Practical Relevance: An Introduction To Effect Sizes Through A Legal Psychological Example, Paul Riesthuis, Henry Otgaar, Tery Setiawan, Nathanael Sumampouw, Charlotte Bücken

Psychological Research on Urban Society

Null-hypothesis significance testing and p-values are frequently criticized for their focus on detecting non-zero differences and their inability to provide evidence for the null hypothesis. In this article, we highlight how effect sizes, when meaningfully interpreted, can address these issues. Specifically, we argue that researchers should consider the smallest effect size of interest (SESOI) - the smallest effect size that yields practical or theoretical relevance. We propose several methods for estimating the SESOI and present a consensus study among Indonesian professionals which can be used to estimate the SESOI for child eyewitness testimony research. Results suggest that most Indonesian professionals …

Machine Learning Approach For Fake Image Forensics, Abdullah Mujawib Alashjaee

University of Bisha Journal for Basic and Applied Sciences

Digital forensics is crucial in investigating and analyzing digital evidence, including images, to uncover potential crimes and identify manipulated or fraudulent content. A significant challenge in digital forensics is distinguishing between authentic and manipulated images. This paper applies a popular pre-trained deep learning model, VGG16, for feature extraction in real vs. fake image detection and various machine learning (ML) models as classifiers. The feature extraction part until the flatten layer of the VGG16 model is utilized to extract discriminative features that capture high-level image representations comprising local and global patterns. ML models, including Random Forest, Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, and …

Novel Convolution Neural Network For Enhanced Network Attack Pattern Recognition, Salahaldeen Duraibi

University of Bisha Journal for Basic and Applied Sciences

Intrusion detection plays a critical role in safeguarding computer networks from malicious activities and unauthorized access. Traditional machine learning (ML) models have been widely employed for intrusion detection, but their effectiveness can be limited due to the complex and evolving nature of network attacks. An efficient Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that utilizes one-dimensional convolutions, batch normalization, and max pooling layers is designed to capture the attack patterns in network traffic data. By leveraging the inherent feature extraction capabilities of CNNs, the proposed architecture demonstrates improved performance in identifying network intrusions compared to traditional ML models. The effectiveness of the novel …

Nonlinear Dynamics Of Dust Acoustic Waves In A Dusty Plasma In Presence Of Two Opposite Polarity Dust Species, Omer A. Magzuob, Nauman Raza, Muntaha Khalid, Evren Hincal, Kottakkaran Sooppy Nisar

University of Bisha Journal for Basic and Applied Sciences

In a non-linear dynamical structure, this research presents a new analytical framework for examining the Zakharov-Kuznetsov equation in the realm of dusty ion-acoustic waves. Our objective is to produce a wide range of optical solitons at a reduced cost and time scale for evaluation by employing specific integration techniques. To achieve this, we are using two analytical approaches: the unified Ricatti equation procedure and the new extended auxiliary equation strategy. These methods help us to discover a variety of exact solutions for the governing model, including solitary, rational, elliptic functions, and periodic waves. Using numerical simulations and graphical representations, we …

Timss 2023 – Infographic: Future Pd Needs Of Science Teachers, Jo Earp

Teacher infographics

The IEA’s Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is a global assessment measuring student achievement in years 4 and 8. Teachers from participating schools also complete a questionnaire. Today’s infographic looks at the topics that science teachers reported needing professional development on in the future.

Is Italy On Track? A Data-Driven Forecast For Road Transport Decarbonisation By 2030, Monica Bonacina, Romolo Consigna Tokong

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Working Papers

The European Union’s decarbonisation strategy necessitates profound shifts across all sectors, with road transport presenting a particularly formidable challenge due to its sustained emissions growth since 1990. Given that Italy’s road transport sector is the third-largest consumer of fossil fuels in Europe, its role is pivotal in achieving these collective climate objectives. This study employs grey forecasting models to assess the projected contribution of alternative fuels – specifically biodiesel, bio-gasoline, biomethane, and electricity – to Italy’s 2030 decarbonisation pathway. The results suggest that consumption of these energy carriers will reach around 5 Mtoe (million tons of oil equivalent), representing a …