Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Impacts Of An Adaptive Haptic Heartbeat Within A Socially Assistive Robot, Jade Thompson

Honors Theses

This research investigates the therapeutic effects of an adaptive haptic heartbeat within Therabot, a stuffed robotic dog. A simulated haptic heartbeat that adjusts its own speed based on user heart rate was developed for integration within Therabot. A user study evaluated the effects of various heartbeat behaviors on user experiences with Therabot, with respect to improvements in self-reported state anxiety, physiological improvements, and perceptions of the robot. A relationship was found between improvements in self-reported state anxiety and positive opinions of Therabot, regardless of condition. Additionally, differences were found between conditions with respect to improved aspects of state anxiety, with …

System And Method For The Prediction Of Runway Configuration And Airport Acceptance Rate (Aar) For Multi-Airport System, Yu Zhang, Yuan Wang

USF Patents

Numerical weather prediction data during a time period of interest for a multi-airport system is used to generate a three-dimensional (3-D) tensor data for the time period of interest. The 3-D tensor data is then used to predict hourly runway configurations for each of a plurality of airports of the multi-airport system during the time period of interest using the 3-D tensor data as input to a plurality of runway configuration convolutional neural networks (CNN) branches and to predict an AAR for each of the plurality of airports of the multi-airport system during the time period of interest using the …

Systems And Methods For At-Home Monitoring Of An Individual, Reese Kyle Starowesky, Carlos Eduardo Pena Duran, Autar Kaw, Ali Yalcin, Carla Vandeweerd

USF Patents

In one embodiment, a sensor unit includes an outer housing including a top plate and a base member that together define an interior space, the top plate being configured to directly receive and support the leg of the piece of furniture, a load cell provided within the interior space configured to measure forces imposed by the leg on the top plate, the load cell including a planar metal plate having a deformable element to which the top plate is mounted and a sensor element mounted to the planar metal plate at a location at which the deformable element extends from …

A Mean Field Theory For Pulse-Coupled Neural Oscillators Based On The Spike Time Response Curve, Carmen C. Canavier

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

A mean field method for pulse-coupled oscillators with delays used a self-connected oscillator to represent a synchronous cluster of N - 1 oscillators and a single oscillator assumed to be perturbed from the cluster. A periodic train of biexponential conductance input was divided into a tonic and a phasic component representing the mean field input. A single cycle of the phasic conductance from the cluster was applied to the single oscillator embedded in the tonic component at different phases to measure the change in the cycle length in which the perturbation was initiated, that is, the first-order phase response curve …

Autonomous Intelligence In Fashion: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Agentic Ai Across The Fashion Ecosystem, Andrew Burnstine

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

The fashion industry is undergoing a paradigm shift with the emergence of agentic artificial intelligence (AI), a sophisticated class of intelligent systems exhibiting autonomous decision-making, continuous learning, and adaptive action with minimal human intervention. Moving beyond traditional AI applications in fashion focused on predictive analytics, generative tools, and supervised automation, agentic AI introduces a transformative paradigm wherein intelligent agents proactively navigate the complexities inherent in design, manufacturing, supply chain optimization, and consumer personalization. This paper presents a comprehensive exploration of the evolving role of agentic AI across the multifaceted fashion ecosystem, offering an in-depth analysis of its technological underpinnings, operational …

Trends And Transport Of Tropospheric Ozone From New York City To Connecticut In The Summer Of 2023, Michele Iraci

Honors Scholar Theses

Tropospheric Ozone, or O3, is a criteria pollutant contributing to most of Connecticut and New York City’s poor air quality days. It has adverse effects on human health, particularly for high-risk individuals. Ozone is produced by nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds from fuel combustion reacting with sunlight. The Ozone Transport Region (OTR) is a collection of states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic United States that experience cross-state pollution of O3. Connecticut has multiple days a year where O3 values exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, requiring additional monitoring and standards because it falls in the OTR— partially due …

Academic Senate - Agenda, 4/29/2025, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Final Design Report: Smart Stethoscope, Ángel Gamarra, Aakriti Acharya, Dominic Patrizio, Harrison Fentress

Engineering Senior Design Reports

The Smart Stethoscope project integrates signal processing and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the diagnostic accuracy of heart abnormalities, especially in remote environments where access to skilled professionals may be limited. Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide, highlighting a need for innovative solutions in healthcare. This initiative seeks to address that need by developing a machine learning model capable of classifying 42 different heart abnormalities with an accuracy of 90%, using a dataset composed of stethoscope recordings. The proof of concept of this project was carried out during the Fall semester, using a 2D-Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) …

Exploring The “4-Trans” In Bi/Multilingual Teacher Education: Introduction To The Special Issue, Sandra I. Musanti, David Martinez-Prieto, Xiaodi Zhou

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

In this introductory essay, the editors of the special issue on the 4-trans in bi/multilingual teacher education, highlight the contributions of one or more of the “4-trans” lenses—transnationalism, transculturalism, translanguaging, and transdisciplinarity—to explain, question, challenge, or propose new ways of understanding bi/multilingual teacher education. Eight articles that challenge monolithic perspectives of teacher education are presented.

Dialogic Foundations Of The “4-Trans” Framework: Towards A Comprehensive And Dynamic Understanding Of Multilingual Teacher Education, David Martinez-Prieto, Sandra I. Musanti, Xiaodi Zhou

Bilingual and Literacy Studies Faculty Publications

In this article, we develop the “4-trans” framework by reflecting on the way current multilingual teacher preparation scholarship has addressed translanguaging, transnationalism, transculturality, and transdisciplinarity either in compartmentalized or integrative manners. While current literature has addressed some “trans” intersections, we propose the enunciation of the “4-trans” as permeable and complementary principles in multilingual education that can serve to better examine the experiences and challenges of multilingual pre-service teachers. To amalgamate the “4-trans” to examine the development of multilingual pre-service teachers, this article describes the construction of a multidimensional framework based on a dialogic conception of social …

Synthesis Of Organosilicon Substituted Fₓpczn For The Preparation Of Silica-Based Photo-Catalysts, Reagan E. Daly

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This study began with the synthesis, purification, and catalytic application of hexadeca fluoro phthalocyanine zinc (F₁₆PcZn) derivatives functionalized with organosilane consuming thiol groups. The F₁₆PcZn was synthesized by reacting tetrafluorophthalonitrile (TFPN) with zinc acetate (Zn(OAc)₂) in 1-chloronaphthalene as a solvent, under a controlled heating process at 185°C for 90 minutes. The resulting blue solid was purified via vacuum filtration and recrystallization techniques to remove residual solvents and by-products, yielding pure F₁₆PcZn. The purity of the product was assessed through UV-Vis spectroscopy, MALDI analysis, and a molar extinction coefficient was determined.

Subsequent nucleophilic substitution of the fluorine atoms on F₁₆PcZn with …

Bearcat Advantage: Year One Evaluation Report, Michelle Miller-Adams, Kevin Hollenbeck, Bridget Timmeney, Kyle Huisman

Reports

No abstract provided.

Cuju: The Ancient Chinese Game That Held An Empire Together, Enzo H. Smith

Young Historians Conference

This paper explores how cuju, an ancient sport known as the predecessor of modern football, evolved from the Han to Song dynasties (206 BCE–1368 CE) as a unifying force in imperial China. Calling upon primary sources such as ancient cuju manuals and various art pieces suggests this sport's importance went beyond a leisurely practice. Using academic journals about Chinese history and the development of cuju from different academic fields and, most notably, the FIFA museum’s online exhibit of cuju, the reason cuju had such a strong place of value in Chinese society was apparent. Beginning as a combat exercise in …

High Ability, Hidden Gaps: Building Quantitative Reasoning Amongst Singapore’S Mathematically Literate, Rebecca M. Nichols

Numeracy

In Singapore, where primary and secondary students routinely top standardized worldwide mathematics examinations, a paradox emerges: when reaching university, many struggle to apply their skills critically in real-world contexts. This commentary examines the challenges and strategies involved in teaching quantitative reasoning (QR) to mathematically literate students in a top-ranking Singaporean university. While these students arrive well-trained in computation and procedural problem-solving, they often lack confidence and flexibility in ambiguous, data-driven decision-making. This article argues that fostering QR education is crucial not only for Singapore but for education globally, as QR skills underpin evidence-based reasoning within and across disciplines. Such an …

The Roots Of Ethno-Political Strife In Ceylon: The Dividing Power Of British Colonialism, Audrey Francioch

Young Historians Conference

A bloody civil war has rocked Sri Lanka for decades, as the Sinhalese and Tamil populations fight each other for recognition, access, and control. Since the 1950s, each group has feared domination by the other, resulting in bitter battles on the ballots and in the streets to assert or retain power and subjugate the culture of the other. Each conflict perpetuates the vicious circle of retaliation and retribution through the generations, and the roots of this divide can be directly traced to the colonial occupation of the island in the 1800s. What began with the Dutch and became refined by …

Tax Trends, Nicholas J. Fiore

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Form Follows Function: An Analysis Of De Architectura And Its Influence, Weston Klein

Young Historians Conference

Over 2000 years ago, the Roman architect and engineer, Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, scribed De Architectura, a multi-volume work unearthed in the 15th century, in St. Gallen, Switzerland. As the only surviving architectural source from antiquity, the book has been indispensable in the study of Greco-Roman architecture, positioning Vitruvian and Greco-Roman architectural concepts in many ways as one in the same. Additionally, Vitruvian ideas, as expressed in De Architectura, regarding architectural form, materials, location, and process have been foundational to the evolution of Western architecture. This paper explores De Architectura’s impact on Western architectural theory and practice spanning the Early Middle …

The Compass, Issue 12

The Compass

No abstract provided.

Tax Clinic, William T. Diss

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Supporting Disruptive Behavior In The Classroom Resulting From Trauma, Spencer Johnston

Graduate Teacher Education

This paper examined past and recent research of the effects trauma has on a child’s brain, body, and behavior and how educators can support students experiencing these challenges by implementing mindfulness activities in the classroom and initiating praise. The research indicated that trauma can be the root problem of disruptive behavior in the classroom, because of a lack of self-regulation skills. The research continues by discussing how self-regulation skills can be taught through mindfulness practices, such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing. Furthermore, the research goes on to explain how praise can further reduce the amount of disruptive behavior in …

Waiting: A Case Study Of The Norristown Transportation Center, Colin Brier

Sociology Honors Papers

In his 1963 book Behavior in Public Places, Erving Goffman described the concept of civil inattention as the most proper form of public interaction with strangers. It takes the form of a simple nod or glance as we pass by a stranger on the street. Civil inattention strikes a balance between asking too much of strangers or ignoring them entirely. It allows us to acknowledge one another just long enough to establish politeness and trust that both parties are using the established place as intended and do not pose a threat to one another. Through an observational case study of …

2025 April 28 - Graduate Council Minutes, College Of Graduate And Continuing Studies, East Tennessee State University

Graduate Council Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Rider (2025-04-28), Rebeca Salinas

The Rider Archives

Vol. 10, No. 27

The Attitudes And Perspectives Of Laboratory Professionals On The Use Of Machine Learning Combined With Maldi For Viral Identification: A Qualitative Study, Grace Johnson

Honors Projects

The use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with machine learning (ML) has been proposed by numerous studies as a novel approach for viral identification. However, the development and implementation of this instrumentation is still in its early stages, and laboratory professionals' perspectives on its feasibility, accuracy, implementation, and effect on current laboratory operating procedures remain underexplored.

This study aimed to investigate laboratory professionals’ attitudes and opinions regarding the use of MALDI-TOF-MS coupled with machine learning for viral identification, focusing on perceived benefits, barriers, and factors that would affect participants’ opinions on implementation.

A qualitative descriptive research …

The Oaks Vs. Other University Dining Facilities: Does Architecture Affect Food Waste?, Sydney Bezich

Honors Projects

The purpose of this study was to find a connection between food waste and architecture and determine how food waste can be mitigated using architectural solutions and methods. Food waste is an important issue worldwide and is present in university dining facilities. This study focuses on university dining facilities’ preventable food waste at both the pre-consumer and post-consumer levels. Architecture, in this project, is defined as all aspects of the built environment. This includes, but is not limited to, design and layout, materials, systems, building operations, marketing displays, and sustainability. Methods for this study included researching sustainability, architecture, and food …

Jtc 25: Bridging East And West With Dual Degrees, Kayla Vonburg King

University of Mississippi News

This story is part of the 2025 Journey to Commencement series, which celebrates the pinnacle of the academic year by highlighting University of Mississippi students and their outstanding academic and personal journeys from college student to college graduate.

Rewriting War: Improving The Mlb’S Go-To Advanced Metric, Kolin Atwood

Honors Projects

Traditional Wins Above Replacement (WAR) metrics have long served as a cornerstone of player evaluation in Major League Baseball, offering a context-neutral summary of offensive, defensive, and baserunning contributions. However, this neutrality often overlooks critical factors such as game situation, lineup strength, and advanced baserunning impact. This project proposes an enhanced model, WAR-PC (Wins Above Replacement – Plus Context), that integrates three key improvements: context-dependent batting value (RE24), clutch performance (Win Probability Added, WPA), and Statcast-based baserunning metrics. Using R, player logs, and modern baseball data sources, WAR-PC was calculated for eight players from the 2023 MLB season. The revised …

ممارسات معلمات رياض الأطفال في تعليم العلوم والرياضيات بمساعدة الحيوانات الأليفة: ممارسات معلمات رياض الأطفال في تعليم العلوم والرياضيات بمساعدة الحيوانات الأليفة, آمنه حمدي, شذى الفايز

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Educational and Psychological Sciences

هدفت الدراسة إلى التعرف على ممارَسات معلمات رياض الأطفال في تعليم العلوم والرياضيات بمساعدة الحيوانات الأليفة، ومعرفة ما إذا كان هناك فروقًا في ممارستهن تبعًا لمتغيرات: (سنوات الخبرة، نوع الروضة)، ولتحقيق ذلك اعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج الوصفي المسحي، حيث أعدَّت الباحثة استبانة طُبِّقت على عيِّنة من معلمات رياض الأطفال بمنطقة جازان، بلغ عددهن (269) معلمةً، بواقع (226) معلمةً في الروضة الحكومية، (43) معلمةً في الروضة الأهلية، وتوصلت الدراسة إلى أن تعليم العلوم والرياضات بمساعدة الحيوانات الأليفة ككل يمارَس (دائمًا) من قِبَل معلمات رياض الأطفال، وبصفة خاصة جاء تعليم العلوم بمساعدة الحيوانات الأليفة يمارَس (دائمًا) من قِبَل المعلمات، فيما يمارَس (غالبًا) …

Project Management Coordination Optimization Within The Gwinnett County Department Of Water Resources, Eli Hampton, Luis Sanchez, Fromessa Isse, Rushang Patel, Osmani Albernas

Senior Design Project For Engineers

Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources (GCDWR) manages approximately 200 construction projects simultaneously, incurring significant annual engineering support costs—$6.6 million in 2023 alone. GCDWR has engaged our team to determine whether current contractor spending yields sufficient value. Using one year of invoice data provided by GCDWR, our project aims to:

• Evaluate and validate contractor invoices for consistency with original proposals

• Establish data-driven benchmarks to assess and predict appropriate engineering costs based on project characteristics

• Develop a system that streamlines invoice tracking and discrepancy detection

• Reduce overall engineering support spending for future projects

Ai-Advanced Optimal Operation And Management For Distributed Energy Resource Dominated Energy Systems, Patrick Mark Wilk

Theses and Dissertations

Electric power systems are undergoing a major transition from a centralized to a decentralized operation paradigm, driven by the rapid adoption of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). While increased DER penetration contributes to consumer empowerment, energy security, and system flexibility, it also introduces challenges involving grid stability, load variability, and infrastructure constraints. This dissertation addresses these challenges by exploring advanced Energy Management System (EMS) solutions including model-based and model-free optimization methodologies: first, a model-based optimization strategy is proposed to coordinate multi-energy sources, while balancing economic, emission, and operational goals for sustainable campus microgrid operations; second, a distributed multi-agent deep reinforcement learning …