Digital Commons Network^™

Modeling Factual Claims With Semantic Frames: Definitions, Datasets, Tools, And Fact-Checking Applications, Fatma Arslan

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

As social media sites have become major channels for the quick dissemination of news, misinformation has become a significant challenge for our society to tackle. Today fact-checking rests primarily on the shoulders of human fact-checkers who laboriously sift through various trustworthy sources, interview subject experts, and check references before reaching a verdict regarding the degree of truthfulness of a factual claim. Compounded with the speed and scale at which misinformation spreads, the demanding process may leave many harmful factual claims unchecked. In the fight to curb the spread of misinformation, researchers from various disciplines have come forward to assist fact-checkers …

Rotor Performance Model (Rpm), Chadwick Scott Balfantz

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

Rotorcraft performance modeling is of high interest with multiple industry codes in existence, many of which are high-fidelity and are comprehensive in the analyses that are achievable. Along with the high-fidelity and the comprehensive nature of the industry codes comes an equally high level of complexity in the inputs required to extract meaningful results. The ever-increasing fidelity in the existing codes creates a need for an analysis code that is built to be highly flexible, designed from the top down and implemented from the bottom up in a structured format. The Rotor Performance Model (RPM) was developed to provide high-fidelity …

Compressive Deconvolution Of Mri Imaging Via ℓ1 − ℓ2 Regularization, Talon Johnson

Mathematics Dissertations - Archive

The evolution of technology has drastically impacted the imaging field, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Compared to other imaging technologies, MRI offers multiple contrasting mechanisms to distinguish tissues and fat, is radiation-free, and provides anatomical and molecular information about the tissue in question. However, data acquisition times to produce those images require a patient to lie still for a relatively long time. Consequently, it may lead to the voluntary or involuntary movement of the patient due to discomfort. Combined with the underlying issue of inherent noise, MRI is often blurry and contains artifacts. Mathematically, one can describe this behavior as …

Deconvolving Kernel Regression Function Estimation Based On Right Censored Data, Erol Ozkan

Mathematics Dissertations - Archive

In this study, we propose a new regression function estimator when the observa- tion is contaminated in the convolution model with error in independent variable. We want to examine the e ect of the error variables when the data is right censored. The tail behavior of the characteristic function of the error distribution is used to describe the optimum local and global rates of convergence of these kernel estimators. We show that depending on the error is either ordinary smooth or super smooth, there are two sorts of convergence rates in adjusted mean square error for the regression function estimator. …

Using A Virtual Format To Support Student Learning Across Cultures, Countries And Disciplines, Vicky G. Spencer, Cindy A. Smith

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

Today, an increasing number of higher education institutions are recognizing the importance of preparing students to communicate, live, and work effectively with others from different cultural backgrounds (Appiah-Kubi, 2020; Eliyahy-Levi, 2020; Iuspa, 2019). Providing opportunities for students to travel abroad has been an integral part of the higher education experience for many years. However, with the global pandemic resulting in limited travel, universities are developing new and innovative ways to provide international experiences for students. The purpose of this project was to explore an international virtual student collaboration between two universities, one in the United States and one in Australia. …

Frequency And Development Of Collocations In Turkish Efl Learners’ Essays, Didem Koban Koc

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

The aim of the present study is to analyze the frequency and development of collocations found in the essays of Turkish learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) across different proficiency levels. The learners were enrolled in the English Preparatory School of the School of Foreign Languages at a government university in Turkey. The study compared 25 intermediate, 25 upper-intermediate, and 25 low-advanced level EFL learners in terms of using adjective+noun and verb+noun collocations in essays and determined whether or not there would be an improvement in using such collocations as the learners’ proficiency developed over time. The results …

Social Media Marketing In Rural Hospitality And Tourism Destination Research, Samuel Adeyinka-Ojo, Shamsul K. Abdullah

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

An increasing number of studies have been dedicated to the application of social media in the marketing of hospitality services and tourism destinations. However, there exists a lack of extant literature dedicated to exploring how social media can be used in the marketing of hospitality and tourism in rural destinations. In order to achieve the objectives of this paper, the methodology adopted, and samples used for the analysis of literature review composed of relevant papers published in hospitality and tourism journals on social media framework, social media marketing (SMM), rural hospitality and tourism (RHT) destinations. These existing literature works were …

The Evaluation Of S-D Orientation On Service Innovation And Performance Of Airline, Inci Polat, Ozlem Atalik

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

The aim of the study is to reveal the relationship between S-D orientation and service innovation and performance variables. The empirical data were collected from airline passengers in Turkey through an online survey. PLS-SEM method was used to test the relationship between variables of the study. The results of the study exposure that there is a significant relationship between S-D orientation and service innovation. There is also a correlation between service innovation and firm performance. However, this does not apply to the relationship between S-D orientation and firm performance. The major results indicated that S-D orientation has a critical role …

Saving Grace: Digitization To Stay Or Address Crisis?, Smitha Vasudevan

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

As the successive waves of lockdown brought the shutters down on all business, small and medium businesses have had to address acute loss of business. The disruptive changes occasioned by Covid 19 pandemic has resulted in the use of digital technologies to mitigate the challenges (Richter, 2020). This paper examines how small retail businesses have integrated digital tools to manage the crisis, and whether this will add long term value for their business. Digitization offers SMEs opportunities to improve efficiency of operations and effectiveness of their customer relationships. Covid-19 has been a shock to the sector, and had a rapid …

Economic Cooperation Between Central Caucasus, China, And Eu, Under Covid-19 Challenges, Vakhtang Charaia, Mariam Lashkhi

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

Study analyses the China’s Belt and Road Initiative perspectives for EU and Central Caucasus countries of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, with the special focus on covid-19 global pandemic reality. Trade, investments and transit is considered as main factors of the given paper. At the same time, global competition for leadership, open and hidden trade and investment wars are taken into account. Study also suggest different alternative ways of including Central Caucasian states into the project as a corridor for China – EU connection. Coronomic challenges are considered as a new wave of challenge and at the same time as a …

Survey On Purchasing Methods Of Food Products In Tarragona And Catania, Matarazzo Agata, Vazzano T. Alberto, Squillaci Carmelo

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

Marketing can be the strategical difference between two companies. It identifies the way to sell a product, emphasizing the characteristics of the product. The paper aims to examine the relationship between green marketing strategy by food companies and consumers shopping behaviour. In order to better analyse the two factors of green marketing tools, their use and advantages are described, highlighting benefits of their application by food companies. The European Organic standard certification process is fully described by a comparison between quality and ecological labels. The European law set different requirements that companies must follow for the implementation of that standard. …

The Facility Infection Risk Estimator™: A Web Application Tool For Comparing Indoor Risk Mitigation Strategies By Estimating Airborne Transmission Risk, Marcel Harmon, Josephine Lau

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic created needs for (a) estimating the existing airborne risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2 in existing facilities and new designs and (b) estimating and comparing the impacts of engineering and behavioural strategies for contextually reducing that risk. This paper presents the development of a web application to meet these needs, the Facility Infection Risk Estimator™, and its underlying Wells–Riley based model. The model specifically estimates (a) the removal efficiencies of various settling, ventilation, filtration and virus inactivation strategies and (b) the associated probability of infection, given the room physical parameters and number of individuals infected present with either …

Signal Fingerprinting And Machine Learning Framework For Uav Detection And Identification., Olusiji Oloruntobi Medaiyese

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Advancement in technology has led to creative and innovative inventions. One such invention includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). UAVs (also known as drones) are now an intrinsic part of our society because their application is becoming ubiquitous in every industry ranging from transportation and logistics to environmental monitoring among others. With the numerous benign applications of UAVs, their emergence has added a new dimension to privacy and security issues. There are little or no strict regulations on the people that can purchase or own a UAV. For this reason, nefarious actors can take advantage of these aircraft to intrude into …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Perceptions Of Co-Teaching Through The Lens Of Special Education And General Education Teachers., Erin Seale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Co-teaching has become one of the most popular service-delivery models that school districts use to incorporate students with disabilities in the general education settings. This phenomenological study reports how special education teachers and general education teachers at one Central Kentucky high school describes their perceptions and experiences with co-teaching. This study uses semi-structured interview to explore general education and special education teachers’ perceptions of their experiences with co-teaching and being a part of a co-teaching team.

Wetting And Drying Dynamics For Tio2 With Pbs Quantum Dots., Kelly M. Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Initial solar cells utilized silicon and alloys for their economic viability. Photoelectrochemical photovoltaic cells were discovered with technological advancement which increased solar efficiency and further improved economic feasibility leading to quantum dot sensitized solar cells. Lead sulfide quantum dots and titanium dioxide were studied for wetting and drying effects. Zeta potential, pH values, SEM, and optical microscopes quantified or observed the colloidal suspension and dried sample behavior. Combined mixtures of lead sulfide and titania were dried at 3.6 pH and 12.56 pH values. This due to the observed zeta potential isoelectric point of titania, and behavior showed increased stability occurring …

The Study Of Copper Corrosion Mechanisms Using Electrochemical Experimental Techniques., Evan Grimm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discover and thoroughly explain the corrosion mechanisms of copper in saltwater, tap water and deionized water, and to apply these methods and findings when testing the corrosion mechanisms of other materials. The experimental procedure consisted of measuring the open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry, and Tafel analysis.

The copper was found to corrode at a greater rate in saltwater, followed by tap water then deionized water, with a larger difference between saltwater and tap water than between tap water and deionized water. Each reaction was found to be both kinetically …

Passive Cavity Deflation After Water Entry Facilitated By A Vented Tube, Emma R. Fraley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

When an object enters water, a crater, or air cavity, can form around the object and remain attached as the object travels underwater. Cavities can be beneficial and reduce drag force but there may be times when the cavity needs to be removed. This research proposes a method to remove air cavities by letting air leave the cavity, deflating the cavity similar to how a balloon is deflated. To provide air a path to leave the cavity, a tube with vent holes is attached to the object. The vent holes are located near the object, where the air cavity forms, …

Concrete Maturity Method Applied To Rapid-Setting Calcium-Sulfoaluminate (Csa) Concretes For Pavement Repair Under Different Ambient Temperatures, Ryan Nicholas Langford

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

With more and more people using roadways the need for fast and efficient repair work is becoming increasingly important. Lane closures impede traffic flow and result in congestion. To further limit the amount of time lane closures are needed for repair work, calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement concrete has become an increasing popular construction material for its ability to reach adequate strength requirements within four hours. Because of this accelerated repair time, advanced testing methods are needed to verify that the replaced concrete does indeed meet or exceed the minimum compressive strength requirements.

The maturity method is one test used to …

Development And Application Of A Decision Framework To Support Improved River Basin Water Management, Leah Meeks

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Water management decisions made at local levels may have effects throughout an entire river basin. Water managers need better ways to help identify which decisions have broader implications and to quantify those effects to inform decision making. This dissertation presents a framework providing a basin-wide approach to water management using three studies. The first study developed a software tool to quantify how local changes within a water resources network affect the entire network. A case study was conducted on the Lower Bear River in Utah. The second study quantified the basin-wide effects of reducing return flows from irrigation areas to …

Understanding The Marginal Utilities Of Commute Time, Work Time, Travel Cost, And Income Using Stated Preferences Surveys, Niranjan Poudel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In transportation economics, measuring the willingness to pay (WTP) for a reduction in travel time–the monetary value of travel time savings (VTTS) –plays an important role in understanding the social benefits of various transportation projects. These monetary appraisals (WTP, VTTS) are better understood either through expensive daily activity-travel-expenditure diaries or using discrete choice experiments (DCEs). This study made use of data collected from two different stated preference surveys – a type of DCEs - (one from Portland, Oregon, US, and one from all over the US) to understand the marginal utilities of work, commute, income, and travel cost. The marginal …

Clothing Construction Curriculum: Exploring Gender Inclusivity, Shaelin M. Nilsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Female students have traditionally dominated enrollment in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) courses (formerly Home Economics). However, gender diversity has recently increased in many FCS areas due to changes in gender stereotypes and career opportunities. This trend is evident at Utah State University, where gender diversity in clothing construction (i.e., sewing) courses has increased drastically since the creation of the Outdoor Product Design and Development degree program. This study evaluated students’ experiences in traditionally female-dominant clothing construction courses.

Gender-inclusive courses are crucial for a productive and safe learning environment for all students. Avoiding personal biases and cultivating a relevant curriculum …

Understanding The Impact Of Covid-19 On Agriculture And Food Supply Chains: System Dynamics Modeling For The Resilience Of Smallholder Farmers, Busra Atamer Balkan, Andreas Nicolaidis Lindqvist, Kelechi Odoemena, Robert Lamb, Monique Ann Tiongco, Stueti Gupta, Arpitha Peteru, Hector Manuel Menendez Iii

Quantitative Methods and Information Technology Faculty Publications

COVID-19 has caused severe agriculture and food supply chain disruptions; significantly affecting smallholder farmers who supply most of the world’s food; specifically their changes in vulnerability; resilience; and food loss and waste. Therefore; the objective of this study was to understand the complex causal and feedback relationships for this system by developing a dynamic hypothesis and causal loop diagrams utilizing the System Dynamics methodology. Results provide a roadmap for dialogue and a framework for case-specific model development and help to guide policy decisions for smallholder farmers’ survival during health crises.

An Examination Of Graphic Design Skills Gaps: Academia Vs. Real World Needs, Jeffrey Scott Hughes

Masters Theses

Identifying and solving for the gap between university curriculum and the expectations of workplace hiring managers leaves graduates at a disadvantage when seeking employment in their field. What are those demands? What are the skills gaps? How can we solve to properly prepare graduates so that they are well-prepared for the demands of the industry?

Shape-Based Time Series Mining For Process Monitoring And Anomaly Detection, Li Zhang

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Due to the rapid development of computing and sensing technology, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled monitoring plays a crucial role for people suffering from cardiac problems. It is important to detect the abnormal ECG cycles during the cardiac monitoring for the early treatment. However, most existing methods focused on the full reading of time series, for the cycle-based time series, it is wasting time to read the whole time series while we can find the characteristic patterns instead. Characteristic patterns named shapelets are time series subsequences, which are explainable and discriminative features that can best classify time series. Shapelet-based classification that …

Understanding Curb Management And Targeted Incentive Policies To Increase Transportation Network Company Pooling And Public Transit Linkages, Susan Shaheen, Wesley Darling, Jacquelyn Broader, Adam Cohen

Research Reports

Transportation network company (TNCs) rides that are shared amongst users (i.e., pooled) can offer a variety of benefits including increased mobility and reduced transportation emissions. However, very few TNC users select pooled trips and not all pooled rides are matched with other riders. This report supports increased pooling by exploring different pooling strategies and incentives. TNC users were actively engaged to offer insights through the photovoice methodology (a participatory research method that allows community members to use photography to communicate their personal experiences and perceptions). The researchers gathered further information through interviews with four photovoice experts and 10 pooling stakeholders, …

Cutr Connections [August 2021], Cutr

CUTR Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Host Genetic Control Of Gut Microbiome Composition., Jason A. Bubier, Elissa J Chesler, George M. Weinstock

Faculty Research 2021

The gut microbiome plays a significant role in health and disease, and there is mounting evidence indicating that the microbial composition is regulated in part by host genetics. Heritability estimates for microbial abundance in mice and humans range from (0.05-0.45), indicating that 5-45% of inter-individual variation can be explained by genetics. Through twin studies, genetic association studies, systems genetics, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), hundreds of specific host genetic loci have been shown to associate with the abundance of discrete gut microbes. Using genetically engineered knock-out mice, at least 30 specific genes have now been validated as having specific effects …

Do Academic Characteristics Predict Chinese Private University Students’ Success In English Language Testing?, Feijun Yu

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Conventional language learning theory, which holds that learning outcomes are solely associated with learners’ competencies, has begun to be disputed in the dynamic learning environment. This study used English learners’ academic characteristics from the 2014 cohort in a private university in Shanghai, China, to explore the relationship between language learners’ academic characteristics and their learning outcomes in a national standardized English examination. Via the collection of extant data, 3,580 cases were included for logistic and multiple regression analysis. Results showed factors associated with English learning are the NCEE English score, the number of tests taken by students, provincial origin, gender, …

Transitioning From Vue 2 To Vue 3, Adele Kanley

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Frontend development is a field that is constantly changing because of the vast amounts of tools that are made available each year. One of the most popular frameworks being utilized to create fluid user experience is the Vue framework. Branching from the well-known Angular.js, Vue.js is an independent open-source project that is making its mark in the user interface community.

Regardless of the popularity of a framework, updates are inevitable to keep up with the innovations required by the IT Field. To ensure that UNO IS&T students are being offered opportunities to learn and develop in the most update to …

Exploring Behaviors Of Software Developers And Their Code Through Computational And Statistical Methods, Elia Eiroa Lledo

Computational and Data Sciences (PhD) Dissertations

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) increasingly penetrates all aspects of society, many obstacles emerge. This thesis identifies and discusses the issues facing Computer Vision and significant deficiencies in the Software Development Life-cycle that need to be resolved to facilitate the evolution toward true artificial intelligence. We explicitly review the concepts behind Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models, the benchmark for computer vision. Chapter 2 highlights the mechanisms that have popularized CNNs while also specifying significant gaps that could garner the model inadequate for future use in safety-critical systems. We put forward two main limitations. Namely, CNNs do not use lack of information …