Digital Commons Network^™

The Echo: October 20, 2025, Taylor University

2025-2026 (Volume 113)

No abstract provided.

Examining Children’S Intuitive Understanding Of Mechanical Systems With A Gears Assembly Task, Nicole Taboada

Theses

Children’s causal reasoning about machines and their components is crucial for acquiring knowledge about science and math. Mechanistic understanding involves knowing how parts can be effectively connected to work together as a functional mechanical system. Little is known about how children’s understanding of mechanical systems develops across the lifespan. Legare and Lombrozo (2014) developed a gears assembly task to assess children’s understanding and learning of mechanics but did not track this skill across ages. The present study adapted the gears assembly task to measure mechanistic understanding in children between the ages of 4 to 11 years and adults. The goal …

Simulation Of Three-Degree-Of-Freedom Internal Mode Sliding Mode Control For Non-Ideal Single-Inductor Dual-Output Boost Converter, Bingli Liu, Jiarong Wu, Lin Yang, Dinglin Yan

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: To reduce the cross-interference in the single-inductor dual-output (SIDO) Boost converter and to enhance the output accuracy and stability of the system, the parasitic resistances of the circuit components were considered, and a three-degree-of-freedom internal model sliding mode control strategy was proposed for the non-ideal SIDO Boost converter. An affine nonlinear mathematical model of the non-ideal SIDO Boost converter was established, and the nonlinear system was linearized and decoupled into two linear subsystems based on the differential geometry theory. The linear subsystem was designed as a three-degree-of-freedom internal model controller and a sliding mode controller, respectively. The robustness …

Navigating New Technology: A Phenomenological Study Into Technology Coaches’ Experiences During Ai Expansion In Schools, Elizabeth K. Wrzesinski

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly influencing instructional practices in K–12 education, yet most states have not issued clear, binding policies to guide its integration. As a result, local school systems and support staff must interpret emerging guidance and determine how AI should be used in classrooms. This study examined how system-level technology coaches in the Deep South experience and support AI adoption in contexts where state guidance is advisory rather than mandatory. This qualitative phenomenological study used questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with technology coaches, and a content analysis of AI-related state and local policy guidance. Participants included technology coaches who …

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Minutes October 20, 2025, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes - September 22, 2025
• University Business
• Faculty Senate Business
• Information
• EPC Report - October 2, 2025
• Report
• Athletics Council Annual Report
• Library Advisory Council Annual Report
• Academic Freedom and Tenure Annual Report
• Old Business
• New Business
• Adjourn: 3:55 pm

Characterization Of Chemoresistant Cell Populations Improves Risk Stratification And Therapy Prediction In Pediatric Aml, Mohammad Javad Najafpanah, Alexandra M Stevens, Michael J Krueger, Max Rochette, Sohani Sandhu, Lana Kim, Hua-Sheng Chiu, Jessica Epps, Sonal Somvanshi, Barry Zorman, Maria Rodriguez Martinez, Marianna Rapsomaniki, Susanne Unger, Burkhard Becher, Joanna S Yi, Tsz-Kwong Man, Michele S Redell, Pavel Sumazin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Most pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (pAML) patients achieve complete remission after chemotherapy, yet relapse is common, with nearly 40% ultimately dying of the disease. Prognosis is currently assessed using cytogenetic biomarkers and measurable residual disease after the first chemotherapy cycle, with the highest risk patients referred for stem cell transplantation (SCT) at first remission. Because aggressive therapies such as SCT are highly toxic, yet cures after relapse are rare, accurate early risk prediction is essential for improving outcomes. To address this need, we analyzed paired diagnosis-relapse samples from 33 pAML patients at single-cell resolution and identified chemoresistant cell populations whose …

A Comparison Of Mathematics Intervention Methods: Overcoming Learning Loss Caused By Covid-19, Adam Goosby

College of Education

The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented disruptions to the educational system and exposed weakness within the structures that resulted in measurable regression in student achievement across all academic domains, but most notably mathematics. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of two distinct methods of mathematics interventions provided to middle-grade students with the intent to begin to overcome the learning loss. Through the lens of the Expectancy-Value theory, the study emphasizes the importance of mathematics achievement and its role in building student capacity and establishing a growth mindset. The study employed a series of repeated-measures ANOVAs and a …

Healthy Academic Work Environment: Creating And Sustaining A Culture Of Civility, Bettina Kay Cobb Shank, Amy Camille Conner Black, Mary Eve Rice

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Learn about our nursing school’s deliberate attempt to foster nurses who are civil and caring in practice. We will share our ongoing journey promoting and sustaining a civil and caring academic work and learning environment. Leave with key actionable ways to implement this shared decision-making process in your academic setting.

Detailed abstract attached.

Dynamic Order Scheduling For Pick-And-Pass System Considering Workload Balance And Learning Effects, Weihong Liu, Sixiang Zhao, Dali Zhang, Zhenhui Jiang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: In e-commerce logistics, the hybrid pick-and-pass systems offer both complexity and flexibility, enabling adaptation to a wider range of order picking scenarios. Therefore, they have been widely used. However, this also complicates the order scheduling problem, particularly when both workload balance and pickers' learning effects need to be considered. Efficiently scheduling orders to reduce picking time under these conditions poses a significant challenge. This study began by constructing a mathematical model for the static scheduling problem with known orders. Based on this model, a simulation model of hybrid pick-and-pass zones was developed, and a scheduling rule incorporating multiple system …

Simulation And Optimization Of Continuous Motion Control Based On Spiking Reinforcement Learning, Xiaode Liu, Yufei Guo, Yuanpei Chen, Jie Zhou, Yuhan Zhang, Weihang Peng, Zhe Ma

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: To improve the model robustness for multi-degree-of-freedom continuous motion control, an intelligent motion control algorithm was proposed based on the Actor-Critic reinforcement learning framework and spiking neural networks. This algorithm integrateed the Actor network with spiking population coding and enhanced model training performance by introducing feature transformation methods. The Critic network was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the motion control. The results show that, compared to other reinforcement learning algorithms, the average reward value of this method increases by more than 10%. The simulation results validate the effectiveness of the model in improving multi-degree-of-freedom continuous control performance.

Decarbonization Is Happening In U.S. Higher Education, But Carbon Neutrality Goals Alone Are Not Delivering It, Alexander R. Barron, Nubraz F. Khan, Greta Anesko, Emma S. Larsen, Junwen Ding, Shey P. Sanges, Aaron L. Strong

Environmental Science and Policy: Faculty Publications

Carbon neutrality emerged as an overall framework for climate action several decades ago, with the assumption that institutions would follow a carbon management hierarchy - reducing their own emissions (i.e. decarbonization) and relying on high-quality offsets to address any residual emissions. In practice, offsets and other accounting-based emissions reductions have often dominated both discussion and action. However, sector-wide studies examining the balance between decarbonization and offsetting have been limited. Here, we examine 23 U.S. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that have declared carbon neutrality and contrast their direct (Scope 1) greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts with a broader universe of U.S. …

A Novel Joint Training Simulation Evaluation Framework And Its Key Techniques, Rusheng Ju, Dongdong Chen, Yunxiu Zeng, Jiyuan Liu, Sihang Qiu, Peng Zhou

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: To address the challenges of traditional evaluation systems, such as internal module coupling, lack of reusability, and poor adaptability to multi-domain evaluation needs, a three-tier decoupled technical evaluation framework of "data + service + application" was designed. A strategy was proposed for extracting high-value information from massive audio and video data based on key events, resolving the problem of unstructured evaluation data processing. A design method combining general and dedicated evaluation model templates was proposed, improving the general applicability of the evaluation model. An expert knowledge-driven comprehensive integrated discussion and evaluation environment was constructed using qualitative and …

Phase Transitions In An Ising Model Of Agent Expectations In Financial Markets: Analytics And Numerical Results In One And Two-Dimensional Network Topologies, Marko Raseta, Steven D. Silver, Alina Bazarova

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

We cite correspondences between dynamics in competitive markets and information theory in the objective of recovering signal from noisy information sequences. In financial markets, this objective has been examined as recovering signal on phase transitions between ordered and disordered states of agents in the market. These transitions have been indicated to denote critical points in time series of market price. Although there is a noteworthy background in information theory in the study of the dynamics of the Ising model in this manuscript, we pursue a different modeling approach. Whereas phase transitions in a multicomponent model of market states have previously …

Green Synthesis Of Silver Nanoparticles Using Sumac Fruit By Microwave And Traditional Methods: Characterization, Anticancer, And Antimicrobial Activities, Melek Hinis, Tuğçe Karaduman Yeşi̇ldal, Demet Erdönmez, Ayfer Menteş

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) was carried out with sumac fruit extract using a microwave-assisted (MWA) method and a traditional method (TDM). The properties of nanoparticles synthesized by both methods were characterized and compared.Although both methods are environmentally friendly, the MWA method was faster, more efficient, and economical. When creating Ag-NPs, variables like temperature, pH, reaction duration, extract concentration, and silver ion concentration were considered. The production of Ag-NPs was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible spectra that displayed the surface plasmon resonance band centered at 433 and 436 nm in the MWA and TDM techniques, respectively. The results of the scanning …

Medtronic And The Interminable Problem Of Transfer Pricing Litigation, Reuven S. Avi-Yonah

Articles

On September 3 the Eighth Circuit issued its decision in Medtronic II, rejecting both the unspecified method that the Tax Court applied in its 2022 decision and the comparable uncontrolled transaction method preferred by the taxpayer, and remanding the case to the Tax Court for the second time. The decision means that a final determination of Medtronic’s tax liability for the 2005 and 2006 tax years will be delayed once again, and a Medtronic III decision might be appealed again, which could take several more years. The original Medtronic decision was rendered by the Tax Court in 2016 and reversed …

Impact Of Information Security Awareness Training On Knowledge, Attitude, And Behavior: A K-12 Case Study, Michael S. Robbins, Christopher Robbins

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

Abstract— Information security breaches remain a serious threat across all sectors, often exploiting human factors rather than technical flaws. This study examines how a structured Information Security Awareness (ISA) training program influences employees’ knowledge of security policies, attitudes towards those policies, and self-reported security behaviors within a K-12 educational environment. A quantitative pre-test/post-test design was employed with 201 staff members (administrators, teachers, and support personnel) in a public school district. Participants completed the Human Aspects of Information Security Questionnaire (HAIS-Q) before and after undergoing an interactive cybersecurity training program. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in information security knowledge, attitudes, …

Atomistic Insights Into Dual Mechanisms For Nacl-Driven Dissolution And Polymerization Of Tricalcium Silicate, Wei Zhang, Jia Sun, Juntao Dang, Bo Tao Huang, Biqin Dong, Hongyan Ma, Dongshuai Hou

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this study, experimental characterization and reactive molecular dynamics simulations were integrated to reveal the effects of NaCl on the early hydration of tricalcium silicate (C3S). The results demonstrate that NaCl significantly accelerates the early hydration of C3S by promoting Ca dissolution and silicate tetrahedra polymerization. Specifically, Cl^–ions coordinate with surface Ca, weakening the Ca–O bonds in C3S and reducing the energy barrier for Ca dissolution. Meanwhile, Na⁺ions compete with Ca²⁺for the O atoms, creating localized charge imbalance and attracting protons, which destabilize Si–O bonds and facilitate the polymerization of silicate tetrahedra. These effects …

Genome Editing Approaches To Harness Cytokinin–Salicylic Acid Crosstalk For Plant Protection, Muhammad Naseem, Khalid Muhammad

All Works

No abstract provided.

Lidt For Femtosecond Laser Optical Components, Viviana K. Vladutescu, Mikhail Polyanskiy, Dismas Choge, Tahsinur Rahman, Tianyi Zhao, Marcus Babzien, William Li, Antonio Verderesa, Igor Pogorelski

Publications and Research

Optical technology is pushed to the upper limits of damage with the advent of ultrafast high-power (UFHP) lasers. UFHP are at the forefront of particle accelerators, being used in interaction with electron beams to produce high-gradient electron acceleration, generation of compact radiation sources like inverse Compton scattering and free electron lasers. The UFHP laser levels, repetition rates, and operating environmental conditions lower the damage threshold of the optical components of femtosecond lasers uttering them useless if not used in the given parameters. In this regard, the present study provides the threshold levels for various optical components used in 800nm femtosecond …

Socio-Scientific Issue-Based Challenge To Students' Chemical Literacy, Suratman S. Naim, La Kolo

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

Chemistry has an important role in global challenges. Chemistry learning has not integrated an interdisciplinary approach to improving students' chemical literacy, enabling them to provide solutions to socio-scientific and environmental problems through the application of chemical concepts. This study aimed to determine the effect of the socio-scientific issues-based challenge strategy on students' chemical literacy. This study used a quantitative methods design with an embedded model. The sample consisted of tenth-grade students of SMA Negeri 1 East Halmahera in the 2025/2026 academic year from two sample classes. The experimental class was taught with the socio-scientific issues-based challenges strategy, while the control …

The Big Bang Theory’S Blurred (Tele)Vision Of Scientific Ethics: Some Thoughts For Educators Who Want To Change The Channel, Lee-Anne Broadhead, Sean J. Howard

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

This article investigates the way the popular American television program The Big Bang Theory represents the pursuit of scientific knowledge and reflects on the cultural and educational implications of the show’s contradictory problematization and valorization of the reductionist method at the core of modern Eurocentric science. Drawing on story-lines relating to military research, animal experimentation, and pharmaceutical drug trials, we consider the show’s precarious balance of implicit critique (the consistent exposé of systematically violent, often unethical research) and overt celebration (the presentation of science as “cool,” and its practitioners as flawed but endearing). This tension, we argue, enhances the show’s …

Home Coming Vistor Guide, Prairie View A&M University

Homecoming

No abstract provided.

Tax Clinic, William L. Raby

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Tax Trends, Harry Z. Garian

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Tax Clinic, Mario P. Borini

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Tax Forum, Walter C. Frank

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

The Tax Adviser, Volume 4, Number 7, July 1973, American Institute Of Certified Public Accountants

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Inventory Costing Regulations: Tax Division’S Comments, Joel M. Forster, American Institute Of Certified Public Accountants. Federal Tax Division

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

25 Conference Program - Enzyme Engineering Xxviii, John Woodley, Ditte Hededam Welner, Jens Erik Nielsen, Technical Liaison

Enzyme Engineering XXVIII

No abstract provided.

Washington Report: Tax Reform 1973: Words From The Wise, Gilbert Simonetti Jr.

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.