Digital Commons Network^™

Capturing Higher-Order Relationships Through Information Decomposition, Aobo Lyu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Mutual information between two random variables is a well-studied notion, whose understanding is fairly complete. Mutual information between one random variable and a pair of other random variables, however, is a far more involved notion. Specifically, Shannon's mutual information does not capture fine-grained interactions between those three variables, resulting in limited insights in complex systems. To capture these fine-grained higher-order interactions among variables, Williams and Beer proposed a framework called Partial Information Decomposition (PID) to decompose this mutual information to information atoms, called unique, redundant, and synergistic, and proposed several operational axioms that these atoms must satisfy. This conceptual …

And Food Justice For All: Advancing Access To Just And Sustainable Food Systems, Makenna Grace Landry

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

A collection of work exploring food justice and food access programming in Western Montana, as well as a critique of the Bayer-Monsanto merger.

Indigenous Leadership: Leading The Journey So Others Follow, Ophelia M. Sanchez

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Leadership is a ceremony. All leaders need to envision a sense of purpose as the journey begins. I examined interactions among attitudes, perceptions, and decisions through Indigenous female leaders’ personally identified leadership styles and how to integrate Indigeneity for positive change in their environment. The purpose of this study was to help guide school leaders through initiating educational change and to give courage to Indigenous female leaders to continue to lead or step into leadership. In exploring these interactions, I examined Indigenous women’s leadership experiences, values, and beliefs. This study provided valuable insight to women of all ages, educators, school …

Multi-Physics-Based Modeling Of Cracks In Asphalt Concrete, Md Amanul Hasan

Civil Engineering ETDs

Cracking is the most prevalent distress in an asphalt concrete (AC) pavement, and it leads to structural deterioration and premature failure, thereby costing taxpayers a lot of dollars. Accurately assessing AC's cracking performance is necessary for pavement longevity, yet current methods often fall short. For instance, relying solely on binder creep tests to determine low-temperature grade inadequately predicts the AC pavement's low-temperature cracking problem. Understanding AC's loading rate- and temperature-dependent fracture behavior is crucial for gaining insight into the crack propagation in AC. In the first part of this study, a new physics-based analytical methodology is developed utilizing the bending …

Exploring The Complex Landscape Of Proteins: From Intrinsically Disordered Proteins To Peptidomimetics Through Computational Approaches, Tongtong Li

Chemistry and Chemical Biology ETDs

Protein function is closely related to their three-dimensional structures. However, some proteins lack a well-defined structure, so-called intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). They prefer to interconvert among different conformations in isolation and undergo a disorder-to-order transition upon binding to a partner. IDPs or proteins with intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), constituting a large portion of the human proteome, are involved in many cellular activities and are therefore highly relevant to our health. In my dissertation, I used computational methods to systematically study systems including dynamic proteins, disordered proteins in complex with their targets, and synthetic peptidomimetics to reveal the unique physical properties …

Entanglement With Neutral Atoms In The Simulation Of Nonequilibrium Dynamics Of One-Dimensional Spin Models, Anupam Mitra

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Quantum entanglement is a key ingredient for quantum information processing with capabilities beyond that of classical computation. We study the generation and role of entanglement in the dynamics of spin-1/2 models, both for the design of quantum gates for general-purpose quantum computation and for quantum simulation of interacting spin models. We introduce the neutral atom Mølmer-Sørensen gate, involving rapid adiabatic Rydberg dressing interleaved in a spin-echo sequence. We show its robustness to quasi-static experimental imperfections and favorable scaling with the time-energy scales of Rydberg-mediated entanglement generation. In quantum simulation, we consider critical behavior in quench dynamics of transverse field Ising …

Paleoecology Of The Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway And Gulf Coastal Plain, Ceara Kathleen Quinn Purcell

Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

This dissertation presents research into the paleobiogeography and paleoecology of the Western Interior Seaway (WIS) and Gulf Coastal Plain (GCP) during the Late Cretaceous. The dataset utilized here includes an extensive record of marine invertebrates from over 200 years of fossil collecting and sedimentary data collated from over 45 different literature sources, representing approximately 17 million years of deposition. The high-resolution of this dataset, and its extensive geographic distribution and temporal duration, make it ideal for exploring various ecological questions. Using these data, I have attempted to reconstruct paleobiogeographic provinces as published in prior works, explore functional diversity patterns, and …

A Weather Radar Analysis Of The Effects Of The Albuquerque Urban Area On Thunderstorms From 2001 To 2020, Alexandra Jane Vivier

Geography ETDs

Urban areas have been found to affect the atmosphere locally through changes in emissions, thermal properties, the addition of moisture, and changes in airflow patterns. This study assessed the relationship between urban areas in central New Mexico and thunderstorm intensity and duration between 2001 and 2020. Weather radar data was used to derive thunderstorm events, as it is well-suited to fast-changing thunderstorm conditions. Regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between developed land cover and thunderstorm intensity and duration, while controlling for factors such as elevation, aspect, and near-surface temperatures. It was found that developed land cover was statistically …

Evaluation Of Error Sources In Dynamic Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (Mimo) Tests, Odey Yousef

Civil Engineering ETDs

Dynamic testing of systems is used to characterize the relationship between inputs and outputs using frequency response functions (FRFs). Multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) techniques are crucial for realistic representation. In MIMO tests, environmental conditions are replicated by inverting the FRF matrix for input estimation. Steps include system identification, FRF inversion, input estimation, and input application. Each of these steps are nontrivial and require careful attention. Error sources manifest as error between desired and experimental outputs. Significant efforts to minimize this error exist, yet literature lacks a formal understanding of their origins. This research focuses on 3 of these …

A Multiple Case Study Of Asl Mentoring For The Field Of Interpreting, Andy Lim

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

Drawn on the theoretical principles of sociocultural theory and constructivism, the aim of this multiple case study was to explore and understand the experiences of interpreting students, interpreter graduates, and pre-certified working interpreters after receiving ASL mentoring for at least 3 months to a year and to learn about the roles and impacts that ASL mentoring had on those groups of people as ASL mentees. Graduated from their respective 4-year universities for a bachelor’s degree related to the field of interpreting, participants included one interpreting student and one interpreter graduate, both of whom were from southern California, and one pre-certified …

Robust Prediction Of Charpy Toughness Of Additively Manufactured Kovar Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks, Nathan R. Bianco

Mathematics & Statistics ETDs

Understanding the reason for mechanical failures of manufactured parts in their operating environments is critical to prevention of future failures. However, in-situ post-mortem evaluation of physical properties, such as fracture toughness, is time consuming and alters the condition of the material, leading to potentially misleading findings. In this study, additively manufactured test coupons were produced over a wide range of process conditions to test the impact toughness of a material. The Charpy V-Notch toughness was measured on over 200 samples alongside corresponding optical images of both sides of the fracture surface. Convolutional neural network models were trained to correlate fracture …

The Performance Of Arima And Arfima In Modelling The Exchange Rate Of Nigeria Currency To Other Currencies, Adewole Ayoade I.

Al-Bahir

Economic performance of a nation depends majorly on the stability of foreign exchange rate; the economic viability hangs on the exchange rate of local currencies against other currencies across the globe. Box – Jenkins Approach was employed to model the Naira exchange rate to other major currencies using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and The autoregressive fractional integral moving average (ARFIMA) models. This studies aimed on measuring forecast ability of Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) (p,d,q) and autoregressive fractional integral moving average (ARFIMA) (p, fd, q) models for stationary type series that exhibit features of Long memory properties. Results indicate …

Manchester And The Lit And Phil, Nik Vigil

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

In writing his extensive History, Directory, and Gazetteer of the County Palatine of Lancaster, Edward Baines wrote, "When the increase of wealth and population lead to the establishment of societies for the improvement of the mind and the extension of science, they produce their legitimate influence; of this nature is the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society." The Lit and Phil, as it was most commonly known, was established in 1781 as a society intended for the discussion of topics as diverse as experimental chemistry and the commercial arts. The Lit and Phil was unique in that it was begun …

Full Issue, The Migrant

The Migrant - Tennessee Ornithological Society

No abstract provided.

Full Issue, The Migrant

The Migrant - Tennessee Ornithological Society

No abstract provided.

Reproductive Success And Post-Fledging Ecology Of The American Robin (Turdus Migratorius) In Suburban Areas Of The Arkansas River Valley, Brandon Maiersperger

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

Study of the nesting and post-fledging periods is necessary to properly evaluate avian reproductive success. Birds breeding in suburban areas are threatened by a high abundance of predators and limited habitat availability. American Robins (Turdus migratorius) are common birds in suburban areas across North America, but their breeding ecology is understudied. The goals of my study were to: assess robin nest survival and its relationships with nest characteristics, evaluate fledgling survival, movement, and behavior, and determine the fledging sex ratio and sex-based plumage characteristics of fledglings. I found that robin daily nest survival (0.920) was lower than previous …

Commencement [Program], May 10-11, 2024, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Commencement Programs

The program of the commencement ceremonies, including a list of institutional leadership, a list of the departments by college, awards given at the ceremonies, and a list of undergraduate and graduate degree candidates. This commencement program is not an official graduate list.

Contents:

Board of Regents ... 2
Institutional Leadership ... 2
The Academic Procession ... 3
Academic Honorary Organizations ... 4
University Ambassador Organizations ... 5
University Honors Program ... 6
Legacy Graduates ... 6
Military Science ... 7
Merchant Scholarship ... 7
Outstanding Student Leader ... 7
Commencement Student Speakers ... 7
Purple and Old Gold Awards ... …

The Santa Clara, 2024-05-10, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

A Teacher And Her Language Minoritized Students In A Translanguaging Mathematics Classroom: Activating And Suppressing Our Full Linguistic Repertoires For Increased Mathematical Reasoning And Sense-Making, Ana M. Bogota

Education Doctorate Dissertations

This study delves into translanguaging practices within a mathematics classroom led by a bilingual teacher and attended by language minoritized students. Grounded in translanguaging theory and practices, it investigates the dynamic language interactions between teacher and students, shedding light on the activation and suppression of linguistic features within purported “named languages.” Utilizing diverse data sources, such as audio-recorded lessons and student interviews, the study uncovers patterns in classroom language use. Results highlight the prevalent utilization of the full linguistic repertoire by both teacher and students, especially in elucidating mathematical concepts and fostering conceptual understanding. Furthermore, the study examines how translanguaging …

A Correlational Study Of The Relationship Of Nurses' Pain Assessment And Patients' History Of Substance Abuse, Valerie A. Esposito Kubanick

Dissertations

Patients experience physical pain for a myriad of reasons. The patients' expression of pain is often difficult to quantify and treat based on individuality of the patients and the viewpoint of the nurses. Therefore, the treatment of pain can become discounted or marginalized, especially in patients who use alcohol or drugs. The use of opioids is the gold standard for pain management, but current administering trends are to use less, or to use non-opioid treatments for fear of patient dependency. There is also an opioid epidemic and patients are sometimes categorized into this unfortunate situation as a precaution. Nevertheless, pain …

The Heavy Metal Survey: The Evolution Of Stellar Metallicities, Abundance Ratios, And Ages Of Massive Quiescent Galaxies Since Z ∼ 2, Aliza G. Beverage, Mariska Kriek, Katherine A. Suess, Charlie Conroy, Sedona H. Price, Guillermo Barro, Rachel Bezanson, Marijn Franx, Brian Lorenz, Yilun Ma, Lamiya A. Mowla, Imad Pasha, Pieter Van Dokkum, Daniel R. Weisz

Pacific Faculty Work

We present the elemental abundances and ages of 19 massive quiescent galaxies at z ∼ 1.4 and z ∼ 2.1 from the Keck Heavy Metal Survey. The ultradeep LRIS and MOSFIRE spectra were modeled using a full-spectrum stellar population fitting code with variable abundance patterns. The galaxies have iron abundances between [Fe/H] = −0.5 and −0.1 dex, with typical values of −0.2 [−0.3] at z ∼ 1.4 [z ∼ 2.1]. We also find a tentative log σ v -[Fe/H] relation at z ∼ 1.4. The magnesium-to-iron ratios span [Mg/Fe] = 0.1-0.6 dex, with typical values of 0.3 [0.5] dex at …

Is Calendar Math Worth It? A Research Study On The Student And Teacher Perceptions Of Calendar Math, Caitlyn Woodman

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

This study examined the student and teacher perceptions of calendar math when introduced in a classroom. This study also compared student perceptions of calendar math to their regular number sense routine, “number of the day.” Students in this four-weeklong study participated in calendar math for twenty minutes daily. By the third week of the study, students took a survey asking their thoughts regarding calendar math and number of the day. Six students were selected to be interviewed based on survey results. The qualitative data was analyzed using the constant comparative method, and the surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The …

Aristotle's Division Of The Sciences And The Impossibility Of A Science Of Everything, Christopher Lutz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aristotle’s division between practical, productive, and theoretical sciences is widely acknowledged, and it is uncontroversial to say that it organizes his texts. However, contemporary scholarship often treats the division of the sciences as a mere organizational structure without investigating its underlying principles. My dissertation seeks to correct this oversight by investigating the logical principles of Aristotle’s division of the sciences in the Posterior Analytics’ account of scientific knowledge (ἐπιστήμη). My central argument is that Aristotle sees the sciences as inherently divided, so that a demonstrative science of everything is impossible. By understanding why science is divided, we are better …

Self-Diffusiophoretic Propulsion Of A Spheroidal Particle In A Shear-Thinning Fluid, Guangpu Zhu, Brandon Van Gogh, Lailai Zhu, On Shun Pak

Mechanical Engineering

Shear-thinning viscosity is a non-Newtonian behaviour that active particles often encounter in biological fluids such as blood and mucus. The fundamental question of how this ubiquitous non-Newtonian rheology affects the propulsion of active particles has attracted substantial interest. In particular, spherical Janus particles driven by self-diffusiophoresis, a major physico-chemical propulsion mechanism of synthetic active particles, were shown to always swim slower in a shear-thinning fluid than in a Newtonian fluid. In this work, we move beyond the spherical limit to examine the effect of particle eccentricity on self-diffusiophoretic propulsion in a shear-thinning fluid. We use a combination of asymptotic analysis …

What Did I Learn At School Yesterday? Student Reflective Journaling As An Educational Practice, Audra Smith

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

This study investigated the occurrences of having students reflect on their learning by journaling, as well as the perceptions of this from students and their classroom teacher. Students received three mini lessons on reflective journaling before practicing reflective journaling independently at the beginning of their school day. While students completed their reflective journal entries, the investigator documented observations. Students completed a survey on their perceptions of this experience. Six student interviews were conducted in a one-on-one setting representing the demographic makeup of the classroom. In addition, the classroom teacher also completed a one-on-one interview. The qualitative data was analyzed using …

Soil Bacterial Community Shifts In A Montane Longleaf Pine Restoration Site: Effects Of Dominant Herbaceous Species Removal, Prescribed Burn, And Changes In Season, Isabella K. Vahle

Master's Theses

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystems are one of the most endangered and ecologically diverse systems in North America. The native herbaceous species serve as fuel for low-intensity, recurring fires this system relies on. The herbaceous species play major roles in maintaining ecosystem structure and diversity. Soil microorganisms like bacteria are known to aid greatly in many different plant and ecosystem processes. However, little is known about the dominant herbaceous species and soil bacterial compositions within montane longleaf pine ecosystems, especially before and after a prescribed fire. We completed a multiyear, seasonal analysis of the soil bacterial community in …

The Value Of Mentorship For Black Ballerinas, Anna Dunn

Dissertations

Much research has been done in other fields about the relationship of gender and race to the success of mentors to increase student confidence to pursue additional training or a career in certain fields. The purpose of this study was to articulate formally the importance of the relationship between Black ballet students and a mentor who has lived a similar life experience, having navigated the ballet industry as a Black ballerina. This research sought to answer the questions of what value do Black ballet students perceive in having a Black ballerina as a mentor and how white ballet teachers can …

Co-Teaching In The Classroom: Students’, The Clinical Teacher’S, And The Classroom Teacher’S Perceptions, Allison Nicole Dale

Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning

Co-teaching, where the clinical teacher and classroom teacher teach using different models, has become widely used in clinical teaching placements. This action research study, conducted in a second-grade classroom, had two purposes: to learn teachers’ and students’ perceptions towards co-teaching, and how different co-teaching models were used in different content areas. Through collecting surveys, interviewing students and the classroom teacher, and composing journal entries, qualitative data was analyzed to find common themes that emerged, while quantitative data from the surveys was calculated to find the mean and mode. The study found that co-teaching enriched the learning experience and provided more …

Danny The Diabetic Dinosaur: A Resource For Families Impacted By Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Emily E. Welch

Honors Theses

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic condition that impacts approximately a quarter of a million children in the United States alone. T1DM is a complicated diagnosis that requires specialized treatment and education. Research has shown that families of children with T1DM experience a burden related to a lack of education in the healthcare system. Educational resources such as children’s books can act as a bridge between the healthcare system and families as they allow parents and children to increase their knowledge about T1DM and open the doors for communication. Education is shown to decrease further complications related to …

Gifted Students With Physical And Health Disabilities: Characteristics, Identification, And Programming, Terence Friedrichs

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The public has long known about famous gifted persons with physical and health disabilities (P/HDs). However, many school-based gifted or special educators may not believe that such K-12 youth can be gifted or have these disabilities, or they may not know how to serve these students exceptionalities. This capstone paper, a 1995-2023 update of a 1977-94 literature search from gifted P/HD educational and psychology journals which led to the author’s Distinguishing Traits of Gifted Students with Disabilities (Friedrichs, 2001), strives like the preceding paper to illuminate reader understanding of gifted P/HD students. The new document specifically conveys to special and …