Digital Commons Network^™

A Cohomological Perspective To Nonlocal Operators, Nicholas White

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Nonlocal models have experienced a large period of growth in recent years. In particular, nonlocal models centered around a finite horizon have been the subject of many novel results. In this work we consider three nonlocal operators defined via a finite horizon: a weighted averaging operator in one dimension, an averaging differential operator, and the truncated Riesz fractional gradient. We primarily explore the kernel of each of these operators when we restrict to open sets. We discuss how the topological structure of the domain can give insight into the behavior of these operators, and more specifically the structure of their …

Data Supporting Research On Personalized Learning Paths, Sean Mochocki, Mark Reith

Faculty Publications

Personalized Learning Paths (PLPs) are a key application of Artificial Intelligence in E-Learning. In contrast to regular Learning Paths, they return a unique sequence of learning materials identified as meeting the individual needs of the students. In the literature, PLPs are often created from knowledge graphs, which assist with ordering topics and their associated learning materials. Knowledge graphs are typically directed and acyclic, to capture prerequisite relationships between topics, though they can also have bidirectional edges when these prerequisite relationships are not necessary. This data package provides a primarily un-directed knowledge graph, with associated repository of open-source learning materials that …

The Shock Cone Instabilities And Quasi-Periodic Oscillations Around The Hartle–Thorne Black Hole, Orhan Donmez, Fatih Dogan

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To explain the observed X-ray data in a black hole–accreting matter system and understand the physical mechanisms behind QPOs, we have numerically modeled the dynamical and oscillation properties of the shock cone formed around both slowly and rapidly rotating Hartle–Thorne black holes, resulting from the mechanism of Bondi–Hoyle–Lyttleton (BHL). According to the numerical simulations, an increase in the quadrupole parameter leads to a decrease in the shock cone opening angle around the black hole. A larger quadrupole parameter results in more matter falling into the black hole within the cone. The combination of the quadrupole parameter and black hole rotation …

Branz, Stephen, San Jose State University

Emeritus and Retired Faculty Biographies

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Organic Chemistry, 1978 Ph.D.

Brandeis University, Chemistry, 1973 B.A

Syntex Corporation, Postdoctoral Research, 1980-1981

University College (London), Postdoctoral Research / Temporary Lecturer, 1978-80

New Ways To Improve Dispersibility Of Nanotubes: Approaching From The Formation Of Silicon Nanoparticles By High Energy Reactive Ball Milling (Herbm) In Polar Solvents, Julie P. Vanegas, Yolanda V. Gutierrez, Joaquin Rivera, Juan García Jr.

Research Symposium

Background: This research aims to synthesize stable silicon nanoparticles using different molar ratios of N-Cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone (CHP) and Silicon to demonstrate if there is any significance towards the production of effective nanotubes. To determine this, the synthesized nanoparticles will be characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV visible absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL).

Methods: 50 Mg of silicon wafer are added with differing ratios of ligand (CHP), 5mL of water, and 3 steel iron balls into a ball milling vial. Vials are then placed into a ball milling apparatus for 7 cycles or 3.5 hours. Once the cycles are complete, …

Machine Learning Prediction Of Photoluminescence In Mos2: Challenges In Data Acquisition And A Solution Via Improved Crystal Synthesis, Ethan Swonger, John Mann, Jared Horstmann, Daniel Yang

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) like molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) possess unique electronic and optical properties, making them promising materials for nanotechnology. Photoluminescence (PL) is a key indicator of MoS2 crystal quality. This study aimed to develop a machine-learning model capable of predicting the peak PL wavelength of single MoS2 crystals based on micrograph analysis. Our limited ability to consistently synthesize high-quality MoS2 crystals hampered our ability to create a large set of training data. The project focus shifted towards improving MoS2 crystal synthesis to generate improved training data. We implemented a novel approach utilizing low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) combined with …

Poleward Moving Auroral Forms And Magnetic Reconnection, Gasia Excel, Gerard Fasel, Julia Johnson, Jordana Xu, Parker Para, Amiel Silbol, Rachel Rodriguez, John Mann

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Magnetic reconnection on the dayside magnetosphere is one of the main mechanisms for the solar wind to transfer energy and momentum to the terrestrial environment. This process is assumed to be most effective when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is southward. Poleward moving auroral forms (PMAFs) have been identified in past studies as ionospheric signatures of magnetic reconnection on the dayside. The PMAFs occurring for the positive/(negative) IMF y-component first expanded westward(dawn)/eastward(dusk) before propagating poleward. This PMAF study presents a comprehensive set of events where the initial brightening moves through a pre-existing dayside auroral arc westward(dawn)/eastward(dusk) when the IMF y-component …

Dayside Pulsating Diffuse Aurora And The Interplanetary Magnetic Field, Thomas Lewer, Gerard J. Fasel, Maxwell Fargo, Ethan Swonger, S. Lee, Aidan Hulbert, Owen Bradley, Arman Manookian, Tommy Cleaveland, B. Yonano, John Mann, F. Sigernes, D. Lorentzen

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Changes in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation can affect pulsations in the dayside aurora. It has been reported that multiple dayside arcs(Pc 5 band) were replaced by diffuse pulsating aurora (Pc 3-4 band) when the IMF turned northward. Dayside green (557.7 nm emission) pulsating aurora had been reported to occur between 0800 and 1100 MLT (0500-0800 UT) in patches. The pulsations are normally associated with Pc 3-5 range. This statistical study examines pulsating green aurora using ground-based optical data are obtained from the Kjell Henriksen Observatory (KHO) in Longyearbyen, Svalbard (GEO: N, E; AACGM: N, E). All-Sky Camera images …

X-Currents And Extreme Brightening Events, Abrielle Tio An Mei Wang, Gerard J. Fasel, Audrey Daucher, Makena Swenski, Andrea Black, John Mann, Maame Osei-Tutu

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

The solar-terrestrial interaction is a dynamic process which manifests itself in the ionosphere. Interplanetary (IP) shocks or solar wind dynamic pressure pulses can generate enhanced brightening in dayside aurora. Foreshock transients are capable of inducing pressure changes, larger in magnitude than solar wind pressure pulses, which also contribute to intensifying dayside aurora. These pressure variations can accelerate particles into the ionosphere, generating field- aligned currents that produce magnetic impulse events and enhanced dayside auroral activity with periods of increased brightening. This study presents several dayside auroral brightening events which are not associated with IP shocks or solar wind dynamic pressure …

Coomassie Brilliant Blue Dye As A Method For Analyzing Fracture Markings In Bone, Abigail Hoffmeister, David Harutunyan, Matthew Aizawa, Everett Baker, Brandon Mendoza, Chase Freeman, Siran Iskanian

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Coomassie Brilliant Blue Dye is a dye commonly used to stain proteins. Because of its ability to adhere to proteins, this research has focused on perfecting a method of dyeing a fractured flat bone in order to most accurately observe and analyze fracture markings within the trabecular layer. Stereoscopic microscopy was the chosen technique of analysis for this research because of its proven effectiveness in glass and ceramic fractography to observe varying depths. In order to most effectively apply stereoscopic microscopy to this research, the following variables were manipulated to maximize color contrast in the trabecular layer in order to …

Network Evaluation Of Influential Sensors: A Proposed Approach, John Mello, Kamryn Kamps

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

In 2013, the White House issued Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21) on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience to advance a nationally unified effort to ensure a secure, functioning, and resilient critical infrastructure. In 2017, US Senator Dianne Feinstein expressed her concern that inspections conducted on critical infrastructure may not adequately consider the safety consequences of increasingly extreme weather patterns linked to climate change or considerable seismic hazards. Engineers responded to these opportunities by updating surveillance and monitoring programs designed to capture actual infrastructure behavior during operations. While advances in modern instrumentation and computer technologies make it easier to acquire behavior …

Mathematically Modeling How Trapping Regimes That Target Specific Crayfish Life Stages Impact Removal Efficacy, Rini Pattison

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

The red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is an invasive species introduced into several streams within the Santa Monica Mountains (SMM) in Southern California. Crayfish predation decimates native aquatic species. Thus, the Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) and Environmental Restoration Group have worked to remove crayfish through regular trapping in Malibu Creek.

To aid conservation efforts, former SURB students William Milligan and Dev Patel developed mathematical models of crayfish removal efficacy. Milligan created a differential equation model of how crayfish removal affects local newt populations. Patel expanded Milligan’s crayfish model by creating a discrete model of the crayfish life cycle that newly …

Deep Learning Can Be Used To Classify And Segment Plant Cell Types In Xylem Tissue, Reem Al Dabagh, Benjamin Shin, Sean Wu, Fabien Scalzo, Helen Holmlund, Jessica Lee, Chris Ghim, Samuel Fitzgerald, Marinna Grijalva

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Studies of plant anatomical traits are essential for understanding plant physiological adaptations to stressful environments. For example, shrubs in the chaparral ecosystem of southern California have adapted various xylem anatomical traits that help them survive drought and freezing. Previous studies have shown that xylem conduits with a narrow diameter allows certain chaparral shrub species to survive temperatures as low as -12 C. Other studies have shown that increased cell wall thickness of fibers surrounding xylem vessels improves resistance to water stress-induced embolism formation. Historically, these studies on xylem anatomical traits have relied on hand measurements of cells in light micrographs, …

Historical Perspectives In Volatility Forecasting Methods With Machine Learning, Zhiang Qiu, Clemens Kownatzki, Fabien Scalzo, Eun Sang Cha

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Volatility forecasting in the financial market plays a pivotal role across a spectrum of disciplines, such as risk management, option pricing, and market making. However, volatility forecasting is challenging because volatility can only be estimated, and different factors influence volatility, ranging from macroeconomic indicators to investor sentiments. While recent works suggest advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence for volatility forecasting, a comprehensive benchmark of current statistical and learning-based methods for such purposes is lacking. Thus, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive survey of the historical evolution of volatility forecasting with a comparative benchmark of key landmark models. We …

Mechanistic Investigation Of C—C Bond Activation Of Phosphaalkynes With Pt(0) Complexes, Roberto M. Escobar, Abdurrahman C. Ateşin, Christian Müller, William D. Jones, Tülay Ateşin

Research Symposium

Carbon–carbon (C–C) bond activation has gained increased attention as a direct method for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals. Due to the thermodynamic stability and kinetic inaccessibility of the C–C bonds, however, activation of C–C bonds by homogeneous transition-metal catalysts under mild homogeneous conditions is still a challenge. Most of the systems in which the activation occurs either have aromatization or relief of ring strain as the primary driving force. The activation of unstrained C–C bonds of phosphaalkynes does not have this advantage. This study employs Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to elucidate Pt(0)-mediated C–CP bond activation mechanisms in phosphaalkynes. Investigating the …

La1-Xsrxcoo3 Perovskite Nanomaterial: Synthesis, Characterization, And Its Biomedical Application, Adhira Tippur, Anyet Shohag, Luke Franco, Ahmed Touhami, Swati Mohan, Mohammed Uddin

Research Symposium

Early cancer detection is paramount for effective treatment and potential cures. This research explores the application of perovskite materials, specifically Sr2+-doped Lanthanum Cobaltite (La1-xSrxCoO3) nanomaterials, in cancer detection, with a focus on rats as an experimental model. The ferroelectric nature of these materials, synthesized through a combination of sol-gel and molten-salt processes, was examined at varying Sr2+ doping levels (1-20 wt%). Rigorous characterization, employing X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, confirmed the uniform morphology of nano cubes, laying the foundation for subsequent investigations. The magnetic properties of the perovskite nanoparticles were probed, suggesting their potential as a diagnostic tool for …

Experiences Of Minoritized Learners In Preparation For Graduate Medical And Health Care Education, Ashley M. White, Lindsey E. Eberman, Matthew J. Drescher, Justin Young, Kenneth E. Games

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Context: Disparities in the healthcare system persist in society today, affecting both minoritized patients and providers. A diverse healthcare workforce is ideal to treat a patient population that is also becoming increasingly diverse. We examined the experiences of minoritized students pursuing healthcare-related degrees, including athletic training, in pre-medicine and healthcare professions. Methods: We used a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of 10 minoritized pre-medicine and healthcare profession students (age=20±2 years). Participants engaged in an online semi-structured interview (Zoom, San Jose, CA). All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. We used a consensual qualitative research (CQR) approach with a 3-person …

Teaching Exercise Physiology With Flipped Classroom Method In The Era Of Covid-19: Experience Of A Remote Course, Valéria Panissa, Cláudia Lúcia De Moraes Forjaz, Bruno Rocha De Avila Pelozin, Gabriel Loureiro Martins, Ailma Oliveira Da Paixão, Raphael Ferreira De Paiva Barreto, Patricia Chakur Brum

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe the use of flipped classroom method in a forced remote Exercise Physiology course during the COVID-19 pandemic and assess the students’ motivation and learning throughout the course. METHODS: Undergraduate students received recorded asynchronous activities each week that should be done before a weekly synchronous meeting. During synchronous and asynchronous activities, strategies to emphasize students’ active participation were applied. Weekly, learning evaluation activities were applied, and the motivation was assessed. At the end of the course, students’ motivation and learning about each activity were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 14 course topics, 2 …

The Art Of Empathy: Visual Art Interpretation And Creation To Enhance Empathy In Dpt Students, Nora B. Collier, Leslie Taylor

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Purpose: To pilot the inclusion of a visual arts unit grounded in social constructivist theory and framed around Visual Thinking Strategy into an entry-level anatomy course and explore its influence on enhancing empathy in Doctor of Physical Therapy students. Methods: 37 students enrolled in the second semester of an 8-semester program participated in this exploratory study using a mixed methods, pre-test, post-test design. Prior to and after the 3-week unit, students completed the Jefferson Scale of Empathy – Health Care Provider Student version (JSP-HPS). After the unit, students provided written reflections on their learning experiences. The JSP-HPS was assessed via …

Where East Meets West: Phylogeography Of The High Arctic North American Brant Goose, Robert E. Wilson, W. Sean Boyd, Sarah A. Sonsthagen, David H. Ward, Preben Clausen, Kathryn M. Dickson, Barwolt S. Ebbinge, Gudmundur A. Gudmundsson, George K. Sage, Jolene R. Rearick, Dirk V. Derksen, Sandra L. Talbot

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Genetic variation in Arctic species is often influenced by vicariance during the Pleistocene, as ice sheets fragmented the landscape and displaced populations to low-and high-latitude refugia. The formation of secondary contact or suture zones during periods of ice sheet retraction has important consequences on genetic diversity by facilitating genetic connectivity between formerly isolated populations. Brant geese (Branta bernicla) are a maritime migratory waterfowl (Anseriformes) species that almost exclusively uses coastal habitats. Within North America, brant geese are characterized by two phenotypically distinct subspecies that utilize disjunct breeding and wintering areas in the northern Pacific and Atlantic. In the …

Analytics Without Borders Program Schedule, Bryant University Department Of Information Systems And Analytics

Analytics Without Borders

No abstract provided.

Within-Field Soil Moisture Variability And Time-Invariant Spatial Structures Of Agricultural Fields In The Us Midwest, Yi Yang, Bin Peng, Kaiyu Guan, Ming Pan, Trenton E. Franz, Michael H. Cosh, Carl J. Bernacchi

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Understanding soil moisture variability and estimating high-resolution soil moisture at subfield to field scales is critical for agricultural research and applications. However, systematic investigation of subfield scale soil moisture variability over cropland is still lacking from both measurement and satellite remote sensing. In this study, we aim to investigate (1) the characteristics of within-field soilmoisture distribution over typical cropland in the US Midwest and (2) the capabilities of satellite remote sensing in capturing the spatiotemporal variabilities of soil moisture at subfield scale. Specifically, we conducted soil moisture field experiments in three typical commercial agricultural fields (∼85 acres per field) in …

Enhancing Teachers’ Tpack And Self-Efficacy Through Content-Based Technology Professional Development, Chloe Wilson

Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative research study was to examine the impact of content-based instructional technology on teacher’s TPACK, specifically the technology related knowledge domains, and instructional technology self-efficacy. Demographic data was compared for correlations with TPACK or self-efficacy ratings. Additionally, the professional development model was evaluated by gathering teacher perceptions. A pre- and post-intervention survey was conducted to gather TPACK, self-efficacy, and perceptions of professional development. Findings were consistent and built upon previous research. Teachers experienced growth in all TPACK technology knowledge domains and displayed increased instructional technology self-efficacy ratings. Additionally, suggestions from previous research regarding best practices for …

A Mathematics Textbook Analysis Of Content And Representation, Salam R. Ahmad

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation study, I recognized the crucial role of mathematics educators’ utilization of instructional materials for effective teaching. I highlighted the significance of content that is taught to students through relevant mathematical tasks and representations. Through a detailed examination, I analyzed the similarities and differences in two editions of a precalculus textbook published by the same publishing company. Following a state-wide mathematics textbook ban in Florida, the precalculus textbook was placed on the Florida Department of Education’s (FLDOE) Instructional Materials Not-Recommended List in 2020. It was later revised and subsequently included to the FLDOE Instructional Materials Adopted List document …

Exploring The Use Of Enhanced Swad Towards Building Learned Models That Generalize Better To Unseen Sources, Brandon M. Weinhofer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Deep learning models, typically, take significant time to train. Classifier ensembles are areliable way to increase classifier accuracy and perhaps generalizability to unseen sources of data. These classifiers can be combined with a simple voting scheme. The problem is that having multiple models can very heavily increase training time. Snapshot ensembles have been shown to provide a boost in performance by creating an ensemble of classifiers with different weights during the training of a single deep learned model. This can somewhat solve the problem of the increased training time as you do not have to train separate models. As Machine …

Buckets Of Fun: Impacts Of Fraction Ball Activities On Students' Math-Related Emotions, Siling Guo, Drew H. Bailey, Katherine Rhodes, Kreshnik Nasi Begolli, Vanessa N. Bermudez, Luettamae Lawrence, Daniela Alvarez-Vargas, Lourdes M. Acevedo-Farag, June Ahn, Andres S. Bustamante, Lindsey E. Richland

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Rational number learning can cause frustration and negative emotions for elementary school students. Fraction Ball, a play-based math intervention, allows students to actively learn rational numbers through engaging and interactive activities. Based on a cluster-randomized trial with 16 teachers and 360 students, our pre-registered analyses showed moderate positive impacts of Fraction Ball on overall students' self-reported math-related emotions. Exploratory analyses indicated that students with higher negative emotions at pretest showed larger experimental impacts on decreasing negative emotions at posttest. Finally, we found that Fraction Ball evidenced no trade-off between rational number learning and emotional outcomes at the classroom block level, …

Embedding Information Literacy Practices In An Upper Division Chemistry Lab Class At A University In The United States Of America, Christopher Randles, Matilynn Lamm, Katy A. Miller

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This poster discusses the implementation of information literacy into an upper division inorganic chemistry lab and the strategies employed to develop students’ information literacy in the laboratory course.

Digital Twins For Health: A Scoping Review, Evangelia Katsoulakis, Qi Wang, Huanmei Wu, Leili Shahriyari, Richard Fletcher, Jinwei Liu, Luke Achenie, Hongfang Liu, Pamela Jackson, Ying Xiao, Tanveer Syeda-Mahmood, Richard Tuli, Jun Deng

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

The use of digital twins (DTs) has proliferated across various fields and industries, with a recent surge in the healthcare sector. The concept of digital twin for health (DT4H) holds great promise to revolutionize the entire healthcare system, including management and delivery, disease treatment and prevention, and health well-being maintenance, ultimately improving human life. The rapid growth of big data and continuous advancement in data science (DS) and artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to significantly expedite DT research and development by providing scientific expertise, essential data, and robust cybertechnology infrastructure. Although various DT initiatives have been underway in the …

Articuli Temporis: St. Augustine And Phenomenology On The Temporal Syntax Of God’S Self-Disclosure, Scott Roniger

Philosophy Faculty Works

In this essay, I articulate an Augustinian “philosophy of history” by highlighting some important texts sprinkled throughout St. Augustine’s writings, especially his City of God. I concentrate on Augustine’s claim that there are “joints of time” that structure God’s self-disclosure to us through sacred history, and I develop these Augustinian insights with the help of Edmund Husserl’s phenomenology. While Augustine enables us to see that God’s revelation is achieved in a sacred history that illuminates the deepest structure and order of the temporal flow of human events, Husserl’s phenomenology can be used to show that the structure and order of …

Shaping Character: The Role Of Mythology In Society, Jaclyn Weist

Masters Theses

Throughout history, man has told stories. Some stories were written on walls, tablets, or bits of parchment. Others have been passed down to posterity through oral tradition. Every culture worldwide has a rich tapestry of legends and myths. It is my intent to demonstrate that these stories use the tools of character development within their various plot lines to both express and shape beliefs, superstitions, and life lessons. Whether they are religious in nature or simply trying to make sense of the world, these stories, myths, and legends have played a part in shaping society into what it is today.