Digital Commons Network^™

Latent Classification Of Multi-Model Non-Homogeneous Continuous-Time Markov Chains, Joonha Chang

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

The continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC) model and latent clustering models are commonly used to study longitudinal measures of categorical outcomes. Because of its simple but powerful Markovian property, CTMC models have been widely used in medical and public health researches. Due to limitations in the standard CTMC model, there have been some studies on non-homogeneous continuous-time Markov chain (NH-CTMC) that utilized time-dependent rates, but the progresses have been limited. NH-CTMC can be more powerful than CTMC by its default nature of time-dependent rate that can be fitted to a wider range of applications in medical studies. In this study, we …

Context-Aware Affective Behavior Modeling And Analytics, Md Taufeeq Uddin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Affective computing (AC) is a sub-domain of AI that has the potential to assist people by assessing mental states and making appropriate recommendations to patients, loved ones, caregivers, and domain experts. Humans usually produce an enormous amount of data (such as face videos) every day. One of the major challenges for affective computer vision is to efficiently deal with high volumes of data to facilitate automated model development. To cope with this challenge, we developed computer vision algorithms that measure the expressivity of the human face from video data. More precisely, the developed algorithms can map complex affect information from …

The Comment, April 11, 2024, Bridgewater State University

The Comment

No abstract provided.

Kenyon Collegiate - April 11, 2024

Kenyon Collegiate

No abstract provided.

2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium Program, Coastal Carolina University

Undergraduate Research Symposium Programs

15th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 10-11, 2024.

How The Arts Benefit The Whole Child, Sophie Rose Fudim

Whittier Scholars Program

This literature review draws on insights from scholars and arts advocates, it delves into the significance of incorporating artistic practices in schools and advocates for including arts education in public schools. This literature review utilizes studies, peer-reviewed research papers, and governmental recommendations based on current research. Art has a highly transformative power. It benefits the development of complex thought processes and offers insights into children's abilities. By integrating art into education, educators can address the evolving challenges of early childhood education and cultivate environments where students can be engaged by enthusiastic, trained teachers and get excited about learning. Art prepares …

Protecting American Children: A Social-Ecological Analysis Of Pactp4, Julia Rossmiller

Student Works

The quantity of pesticides used annually in the United States exceeds one billion pounds every year, and the amount is only rising. The current law that governs the use of pesticides—The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), permits the use of 72 known pesticides that have been proven harmful and are banned in other countries. Research links the usage of pesticides to the health of individuals, families, and whole communities within the environment. Moreover, dangerous pesticides have been shown to disproportionately affect children, agricultural workers, people of color, and low-income communities. Despite the mounting evidence that confirms the adverse …

Shared Genomic Segments Analysis Identifies Mhc Class I And Class Iii Molecules As Genetic Risk Factors For Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Cecile N. Avery, Nicole D. Russell, Cody J. Steely, Aimee O. Hersh, John F. Bohnsack, Sampath Prahalad, Lynn B. Jorde

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a complex rheumatic disease encompassing several clinically defined subtypes of varying severity. The etiology of JIA remains largely unknown, but genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified up to 22 genes associated with JIA susceptibility, including a well-established association with HLA-DRB1. Continued investigation of heritable risk factors has been hindered by disease heterogeneity and low disease prevalence. In this study, we utilized shared genomic segments (SGS) analysis on whole-genome sequencing of 40 cases from 12 multi-generational pedigrees significantly enriched for JIA. Subsets of cases are connected by a common ancestor in large extended pedigrees, increasing the …

Identifying A Group Of Factors Predicting Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults, Longgang Zhao, Yuan Wang, Eric Mishio Bawa, Zichun Meng, Jingkai Wei, Sarah Newman-Norlund, Tushar Trivedi, Hatice Hasturk, Roger Newman-Norlund, Julius Fridriksson Ph.D., Anwar T. Nerchant

Faculty Publications

Background

Cognitive impairment has multiple risk factors spanning several domains, but few studies have evaluated risk factor clusters. We aimed to identify naturally occurring clusters of risk factors of poor cognition among middle-aged and older adults and evaluate associations between measures of cognition and these risk factor clusters.

Methods

We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III (training dataset, n = 4074) and the NHANES 2011–2014 (validation dataset, n = 2510). Risk factors were selected based on the literature. We used both traditional logistic models and support vector machine methods to construct a composite score …

Arts Integration In The Middle School Mathematics Classroom, Cameron Willis

Honors Projects

In this project, we explore the question "How can arts integration techniques be used in the middle school mathematics classroom to heighten student engagement and interest while also developing deeper conceptual understanding?" Through completing a lesson study over incorporating structured improvisation into a simple probability unit, seventh grade students were able to share their thoughts and feelings about using theatre to teach mathematics.

2024 April 11 - Tennessee Weekly Drought Summary, Tennessee Climate Office, East Tennessee State University

Tennessee Climate Office Weekly Drought Summaries

No abstract provided.

The Effectiveness Of Using Near-Peer Role Models And Mentoring: A Phenomenological Reflection On Stem For Success, Bruce G. Bukiet, Cristo Leon, James Lipuma

STEM for Success Resources

The proper study of communication from existing models opens the doors to scientific research that allows exploring language and coding as an integral part of effective communication to generate new models that include Trans-Disciplinary Collaboration. The authors analyze the communication factors to describe the application of Trans-Disciplinary Communication. This paper aims to define communication processes and their relationship with language, considering their impact on trans-disciplinary collaboration and innovation. After conducting a systematic literature review, the article explored the concepts of communication, functions, language, and Trans-Disciplinary Communication. This led to its application in the convergence research approach presented in the Collaborative …

Research On 3d Printing Resin Exposure Properties And Its Application On Centrifugal Microfluidic Platform Based On Fluorescence Detection, Zheng Qiao

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation encapsulates significant advancements in the field of SLA 3D printing and centrifugal microfluidics. Central to the research is the development of a novel mathematical model for predicting trapped resin thickness in SLA 3D printing, a groundbreaking contribution that addresses a critical aspect of printing intricate structures. This model, the first to establish a mathematical relationship for resin thickness, is rooted in a comprehensive study of the resin curing process. The research leverages the concept of 'critical dosage' for resin curing, leading to a more refined and theoretically grounded approach for calculating curing thickness. Experimentation further validates the model, …

Patterns, Drivers, And Implications Of Postfire Delayed Tree Mortality In Temperate Conifer Forests Of The Western United States, Sebastian Busby, Cody Evers, Andrés Holz

Geography Faculty Publications and Presentations

Conifer forest resilience may be threatened by increasing wildfire activity and compound disturbances in western North America. Fire refugia enhance forest resilience, yet may decline over time due to delayed mortality—a process that remains poorly understood at landscape and regional scales. To address this uncertainty, we used high-resolution satellite imagery (5-m pixel) to map and quantify delayed mortality of conifer tree cover between 1 and 5 years postfire, across 30 large wildfires that burned within three montane ecoregions in the western United States. We used statistical models to explore the influence of burn severity, topography, soils, and climate moisture deficit …

Machine Learning Techniques For Intermediate Mass Gap Lepton Partner Searches At The Large Hadron Collider, Bhaskar Dutta, Tathagata Ghosh, Alyssa Horne, Jason Kumar, Sean Palmer, Pearl Sandick, Marcus Snedeker, Patrick Stengel, Joel W. Walker

Michigan Tech Publications

We consider machine learning techniques associated with the application of a boosted decision tree (BDT) to searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for pair-produced lepton partners which decay to leptons and invisible particles. This scenario can arise in the minimal supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM), but can be realized in many other extensions of the Standard Model (SM). We focus on the case of intermediate mass splitting (∼30 GeV) between the dark matter (DM) and the scalar. For these mass splittings, the LHC has made little improvement over LEP due to large electroweak backgrounds. We find that the use of …

Latinx Science Students’ Sense Of Belonging In Rural Wisconsin, Patrick Robinson, Cynthia Baeza, Luis Gonzalez-Quizhpe, Abigail Robinson, Diego Román, Katherine Ward

Journal of Extension

This study explores the sense of belonging of rural middle and high school Latinx science students in Wisconsin. Between 2000 and 2015, the Latinx population was the fastest growing ethnic group in Wisconsin and increased by 95%. Yet, little is known about the experiences of these students in rural schools or their engagement in science learning. Our research contributes to addressing this knowledge gap and provides insights into Latinx student experiences relative to the science classroom and community. Our findings indicate that a primary determinant of Latinx science students’ positive sense of belonging is a positive relationship with their teachers.

Leveraging 4-H To Address Emergent Health Needs During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Epidemiology Pilot Project, Anne Marie Iaccopucci, Marcel Horowitz, Dorina Espinoza, Roshan Nayak

Journal of Extension

4-H academics responded to the Covid pandemic by rapidly adapting CDC and other resources for virtual delivery. A statewide epidemiology project was taught to 48 youth with the goal of minimizing fears and confusion, increasing prevention measures, leveraging current topics for education, and bolstering the social-emotional health of youth participants. Results indicated that youth enjoyed the project and adopted behaviors to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, such as increased mask-wearing.

An Instrument To Evaluate 4-H Cloverbud Stem Programming, Alisha M. Hardman, Donna J. Peterson, Mariah S. Morgan, H. Elizabeth Solace

Journal of Extension

Evaluation data is needed to demonstrate the impact of 4-H science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programming on children and youth. However, collecting evaluation data from cloverbuds (ages 5-7) is particularly challenging given their developmental age. We adapted an observational Cloverbud evaluation tool to measure basic life skills, essential elements of positive youth development experiences, and, unique to this tool, STEM specific experiences. We developed the STEM items using educational science standards allowing Extension to document STEM in addition to youth development outcomes. Doing so, may increase the adoption of 4-H STEM programming by teachers in the school setting.

Bacterial And Viral Co-Infections In Aquaculture Under Climate Warming: Co-Evolutionary Implications, Diagnosis, And Treatment, S Vega-Heredia, I Giffard-Mena, M Reverter

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Climate change and the associated environmental temperature fluctuations are contributing to increases in the frequency and severity of disease outbreaks in both wild and farmed aquatic species. This has a significant impact on biodiversity and also puts global food production systems, such as aquaculture, at risk. Most infections are the result of complex interactions be - tween multiple pathogens, and understanding these interactions and their co-evolutionary mechanisms is crucial for developing effective diagnosis and control strategies. In this review, we discuss current knowledge on bacteria-bacteria, virus-virus, and bacterial and viral co-infections in aquaculture as well as their co-evolution in the …

Simulating Ice Nuclei Under Atmospheric Electric Fields, Joseph Cooney

Student Research Symposium

Orographic clouds generally form over mountains when valleys are sunny. The unstable atmosphere can trigger clouds over the mountains, which can be convective. When this happens, the cloud particles (water droplets and ice particles) become charged, ultimately creating ice crystals. In this study, we want to evaluate the impact of electricity on the formation of ice crystals and used a simulation to do so.

Variable Drought Impacts On Stream Habitat Across The Northwestern Us, Sophia Withers

Student Research Symposium

The United States has been in a continuous drought since 2002. Stream quality, specifically in the context of fish habitat, depends on many variables, including vegetation quality. Drought conditions affect vegetation conditions, however it is unclear how drought conditions impact stream habitat quality for fish. Objectives for my project include:

• How does stream habitat quality relate to drought across National Forests of the Northwestern US?
• Has drought increased impacts on riparian vegetation over the past 20 years?

Assessing The Promise And Pitfalls Of Chatgpt For Automated Cs1-Driven Code Generation, Fawad Khan, Max Ramsdell

Student Research Symposium

Definition and Overview of Large Language Models:

• Large Language Models (LLMs) are advanced AI algorithms designed to understand, generate, and interact with human language at a vast scale.

The Evolution of LLMs:

• The development of LLMs has progressed
• 1960 - Basic LLM - basic predictive text functions
• 2017- Transformers - Core model powering ChatGPT introduced
• 2022 - ChatGPT context-aware systems

Coding And Math In Elementary School: Relationships Among Mathematical, Spatial, And Computational Thinking, Anahita Ashineh

Student Research Symposium

Research shows that spatial thinking (ST) is foundational to mathematics learning¹ and computational thinking (CT) and can help students learn math more deeply². Few studies look at how students use ST, CT, and math knowledge (MK) concurrently. This project is working with teachers to co-design integrated CT, ST, and MK lessons to study how students use ST, CT, and MK and how their knowledge develops over time.

Goal: To empirically develop, test, and refine a CT learning trajectory for elementary students (grades 1-2) that integrates ST & MK.

Preliminary Coding In Modeling Responsive Teaching In A Theory-Building Context: A Constructivist Grounded Approach, Ravi Sinha, Idris Solola

Student Research Symposium

• Theory-building practices such as modeling are central to the Next Generation Science Standards^[3]. This is a powerful context for responsive teaching (RT), where teachers elicit and refine students’ prior knowledge.^[5]
• While research has previously characterized teachers’ RT^[4] , the granularity of analyses has been large and the studies do not illuminate RT moves in a theory-building context.
• We draw on the constructivist theory of Knowledge in Pieces (KiP)^[1], which views knowledge as a complex system of elements drawn into networks based on the sense-making demands of a particular context and learning as the progressive …

Chemtrails: Deadly Skies Or Dangerous Misinformation?, Abigail Foust

Undergraduate Research Symposium

A common sight on a clear day is a thin strip of white across the otherwise blue sky: A contrail. Most people do not think anything of these contrails, and assume they have little to no impact on the world at large. Suppose for a moment, however, that they are not as harmless as some believe. Suppose these cloud trails are actually composed of dangerous chemicals, and are being used by sinister forces in a conspiracy to kill off the weak, mind-control the population, or simply dull our minds in preparation for a government takeover. As far-fetched as this may …

Assessing Chatgpt As A Programming Exercise Generator, Maxwell Ramsdell, Fawad Khan

Student Research Symposium

Motivation

• Proximal Zone of Development
• Teaching Efficiency
• Cross-Discipline Applications

For these to work, we need to evaluate the effectiveness with which chatGPT writes coding exercises

Teaching A Computer To Do Mechanics, Andrew Watson

Student Research Symposium

Classical Mechanics

- Used for determining motion of objects

- Three Main Formulations of Classical Mechanics

• Newtonian Mechanics: Revolves around Newton’s 2nd Law (F = ma)
• Lagrangian Mechanics: Revolves around the Lagrangian
• Hamiltonian Mechanics: Revolves around the Hamiltonian

- Hamiltonian Mechanics provides the most powerful view of mechanics – but it’s complicated!

• My goal is to get the computer to do Hamiltonian Mechanics.

Application Of T Gates For Anti-Concentration In Clifford Circuits, Matthew Dominicis, Mason Toombs, Gabriel Riddle, Parineeta Puja Saha, Himanth Bobba

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Our study examines the integration of non-Clifford T gates into randomly generated Clifford circuits to enhance their universal unitary capacity. We investigate the impact of T gates on circuit output randomness, focusing on generating random Clifford circuits and analyzing the effects of T gates. Through simulations and analysis, we assess the effectiveness of this modification in achieving outputs consistent with Anti concentration properties while minimizing the required number of Clifford gates. Our findings provide valuable insights into quantum circuits, with implications for quantum computing applications.

The History Of The Billboard Hot 100 And Its Process, Brileigh Cates

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

The Billboard Hot 100 has been around for decades, and it is believed without much accreditation. What really is Billboard, and why is it so popular? Why have other charting companies not taken up as much popularity? How does Billboard determine the popularity of artists? How has this changed with the introduction of the internet? This research project addresses all of these question, allowing the validity of the data collection to be addressed.

Numerical Studies On Bose–Einstein Condensates, Megan Benkendorf

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is a state of matter near absolute zero temperature for which all atoms lose their individual properties and condense into a macroscopic coherent "super-wave". The superfluidity of BEC has been the focus of active research since the first experimental realization of BEC in 1995. The recent launch of the Cold Atom Laboratory to the space station on May 21, 2018, has once again drawn spotlights to these fascinating properties of BEC. In this project, we will carry out numerical studies to understand the behavior of exciton-polariton BECs. A modified Gross-Pitaevskii equation is used to model the dynamics …