Digital Commons Network^™

Impulse, Fall 2024, Jill Fier, Micayla Standish, Jerome J. Lohr College Of Engineering

Impulse (Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Publication)

2 | Math Teacher Counts Her Blessings
3 | New Roles for Burckhard
4 | Three New Department Heads
6 | New Faculty and Staff
8 | Taking Engineering on The Road
10 | Dennis Helder Named Distinguished Alum
12 | Mccomish Endowment Making an Impact
14 | Innovate Sodak Supports Local Projects
16 | R1 the SDSU Way
18 | Nation’s Top Civil Engineering Student Chapter
22 | Hunter Wallster Setting Records
24 | Jenna Currier: When Passion Meets Talent
28 | Student Teams Compete
30 | RASC-AL Team Overcomes Setback
32 | Break the Ice Team Comes Home …

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 65 Number 2, Fall 2024 [Print Issue 62:2], Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

12 - INCREASING ACCESS Discerning one’s dream requires a whole set of experiences based on community, opportunity, and, yes, cash. Leslie Griffy

16 - UNPACKING UTOPIA It seems like billionaire-backed utopias are popping up all over the map. What does it take to build a perfect city? Lauren Loftus

22 - A WEALTH OF WELL-BEING In his new book, Professor Meir Statman explores a holistic approach to financial and life well-being. Leslie Griffy

26 - A WOMAN'S PLACE Despite being denied access to the priesthood, Catholic women find new ways to lead. Leslie Griffy

Honor Govstate - Governors State University Annual Report Fiscal Year 2024, Governors State University

University Anniversaries & Historical Documents

Governors State University (GovState) is the only regional comprehensive public university in Chicago’s Southland. With that comes great responsibility to stay true to our mission “to provide an exceptional and accessible education that prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in a global society.” In the following pages, you will find evidence of faculty, staff, and administrative leadership providing outstanding academic and cocurricular experiences that inform the minds of GovState students and cultivate social mobility for them and their families for generations to come.

Among Friends Fall 2024 Vol 25 No 1, Ann Gannon, Ruth Nordquist, Matthew Thiessen, Rhonda Gilbraith, Angela M. Sabates

Among Friends Library Newsletter

Contents:

• Welcome Matthew!
• What Drives Us Forward
• The Importance of Remembering
• Refreshing Library Spaces
• AI and the Library
• Scholarship Awarded
• New Books
• Footnotes

Synthesis And Solid-State Characterization Of Copper(Iii) Periodate For Use As A Strong Oxidizing Agent In The Coxtl Process, Karma K. Cook, Jennifer M. Pyle, Jonathan D. Burns, Jeffrey Einkauf

Expo Student Presentations

2024 Fall Expo Poster Presentation

Drones And Ai In Modern Warfare: A Security Analysis, Tze Fung Kao

Switzerland: International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy

Artificial intelligence’s (AI) rapid development and integration into drone systems is reshaping modern warfare, with significant implications for international security. As seen in the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian and the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, AI-enabled drones are increasingly employed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), loitering munitions, and swarm formations. The use of AI for autonomous target identification and decision-making raises both operational advantages and ethical concerns, particularly concerning accountability and the potential for unintended escalation. This paper explores the capabilities of AI drones, focusing on their implication for global security and stability and the growing challenge of regulating such systems. The proliferation of …

Slm Impact Finance Sa: Financial Analysis, The Man And The Machine, Cole Amaya

Switzerland: Banking, Finance, and Social Responsibility

This paper details the insights and learning outcomes from my internship at SLM Impact Finance SA (SLM), where I gained hands-on experience in applying AI and machine learning to investment research. Throughout the internship, I worked on projects involving sentiment natural language processing (NLP) analysis, artificial intelligence (AI) model development, and data processing, directly contributing to SLM's innovative approach to market analysis and investment strategy. The experience allowed me to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, particularly in the areas of applying computer science to my financial knowledge.

One of the key lessons was overcoming cognitive biases related to the …

Geothermal Best Practices And Economic Development: The Case Of Iceland And São Miguel Island, Walker Briggs

Portugal: Sustainability and Environmental Justice

Throughout human history, geothermal energy has been used for practical purposes, religious purposes, as a form of community engagement and as a natural heating system. Since the industrial revolution, the global community has relied on fossil fuels for energy production. Not only is the large-scale use of fossil fuels widely accepted internationally, but it is also extremely profitable for fossil fuel companies. This has had catastrophic impacts on climate change and the environment. Nations have recognized the dangers and negative impacts of the reliance on fossil fuels for energy production. Nations have been funding extensive research regarding renewable energy infrastructure …

Moving Beyond Photovoltaics: Advancing And Scaling Concentrated Solar Power For The Future Of Energy, Tucker Donahue

Portugal: Sustainability and Environmental Justice

This paper examines solar energy technologies, starting with photovoltaic (PV) systems, and then thoroughly evaluates Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), a newer technology that uses mirrors to focus sunlight onto a receiver. The paper includes a breakdown of the four types of CSP: Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC), Solar Power Towers (SPT), Linear Fresnel Reflectors (LFR), and Solar Parabolic Dishes (SPD). Furthermore, the paper separates the CSP processes: collection, transfer, and storage of energy. Two case studies are included in this study: a small-scale CSP system in Portugal and a large-scale project in Italy. The paper discusses key recent improvements in parabolic …

Newsletter Fall 2024, University Libraries

Annual Reports & Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Efficient Real-Time Droplet Tracking In Crop-Spraying Systems, Troung Nhut Huynh, Travis Burgers, Kim-Doang Nguyen

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Spray systems in agriculture serve essential roles in the precision application of pesticides, fertilizers, and water, contributing to effective pest control, nutrient management, and irrigation. These systems enhance efficiency, reduce labor, and promote environmentally friendly practices by minimizing chemical waste and runoff. The efficacy of a spray is largely determined by the characteristics of its droplets, including their size and velocity. These parameters are not only pivotal in assessing spray retention, i.e., how much of the spray adheres to crops versus becoming environmental runoff, but also in understanding spray drift dynamics. This study introduces a real-time deep learning-based approach for …

Can Web-Based Ai Be Implemented In The Middle School Science Classroom? A Critical Review, Anetta Mutiara Azari, Diana Rochintaniawati, Rika Rafikah Agustin

Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan IPA

This literature review examines the effect of artificial intelligence (AI) on science education, particularly in middle schools, and addresses both its limitations and future directions. This review critically assesses the potential implications of AI on science learning in middle school. It does so by examining 17 Scopus-indexed studies. The review reveals significant positive outcomes regarding how web-based AI-powered education affects students' learning outcomes, technological skills, and better decision-making. Despite these promising results, this article recognizes the possible dangers and difficulties associated with implementing AI in the classroom, such as limited access to technology in the region, reliance on AI, and …

The Lumpkin Letter (Fall 2024), Lumpkin College Of Business And Technology

Lumpkin College of Business & Technology Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Global Issues And Research Trends On Science Learning Based On The Scopus Database From 2019 To 2023: A Bibliometric Analysis, Mei Indra Jayanti, Umar Umar, Syarifuddin Syarifuddin

Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan IPA

Previous research tends to examine science learning in general, but less focus on specific sub-topics, such as inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, or STEAM approaches. The research aims to map the trend of research development related to science learning. There are 987 metadata of Scopus-indexed journal articles from 2019 to 2024. They are analyzed bibliometrically using VOSviewer software combined with the R program and Biblioshiny to find trends in science learning research. The results revealed the development of science learning research from 2019 to 2024. The highest number of Scopus-indexed in 2022 reached 228 publication articles (23.10%). Huwer J's position is …

Ssi-Integrated Pjbl Model In Biodiversity Topics: Is It Effective For Increasing Students' Digital Literacy?, Amanda Syifa Maolida, Widi Purwianingsih, Taufik Rahman

Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan IPA

Educational institutions can utilize digital technology to engage students in various learning models. The presence of technology must be combined with 21st-century skills, including digital literacy. This research aims to determine the increase in digital literacy (communication and collaboration, critical thinking, ICT familiarity, data literacy, device security, dan personal security) of high school students in the application of project-based learning (PjBL) integrated with socio-scientific issues in biodiversity material. The method used in this research is the pre-experimental method with a one-group pre-test-post-test design. The population and sample are class X students from one of the high schools in Bandung City, …

Bi-Directional Transformers Vs. Word2vec: Discovering Vulnerabilities In Lifted Compiled Code, Gary Mccully, John Hastings, Shengjie Xu, Adam Fortier

Research & Publications

Detecting vulnerabilities within compiled binaries is challenging due to lost high-level code structures and other factors such as architectural dependencies, compilers, and optimization options. To address these obstacles, this research explores vulnerability detection using natural language processing (NLP) embedding techniques with word2vec, BERT, and RoBERTa to learn semantics from intermediate representation (LLVM IR) code. Long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks were trained on embeddings from encoders created using approximately 48k LLVM functions from the Juliet dataset. This study is pioneering in its comparison of word2vec models with multiple bidirectional transformers (BERT, RoBERTa) embeddings built using LLVM code to train neural …

Assessing Sustainability Literacy In Green School Through Citizen Science Project On Biodiversity Learning, Nur Hamidah, Topik Hidayat, Siti Sriyati, Ton Hadibarata

Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan IPA

The research aims to measure students' sustainability literacy after participating in a citizen science project. The subjects of this research were students at one of the state senior high schools (SMAN) in Bandung. The descriptive method with a quantitative approach was used in this research. The research was conducted over four weeks with a total of 12 hours of meetings in two classes with 72 students. Random sampling was used to establish the research sample. Data collection used assessment of students’ sustainability literacy questions after they completed citizen science projects. Descriptive analysis was used to conclude the data. The finding …

Ai Virtual Assistant For Student Disability Services: Implementing Rag-Enhanced Chatbots In Higher Education Support, Hannah Sussman, Jon Chun

IPHS 391: Interdisciplinary AI Frontiers

When students with disabilities enter the college arena they lose many of the resources that supported them throughout high school, and suddenly are responsible for advocating for their needs and rights themselves. For some, this is an easy transition, but for most the sudden shift in setting, expectations, and responsibilities leaves them unprepared to transition smoothly into college life. A chatbot with sufficient institutional data and information about disabilities and accommodations could help college students with disabilities by providing immediate and personalized guidance throughout their college experience. The proposed accessibility support system implements a hybrid architecture combining a Retrieval-Augmented Generation …

Estimating “Peak Water” Runoff And Power Production For Hydropower-Relevant Icelandic Glaciers Under Future Climate Scenarios, Anna Geldert

Iceland: Climate Change and The Arctic

Glaciers are important water resources in Iceland, in part because glacial runoff powers the country’s largest hydropower stations, which produce a large portion of the nation’s electricity. However, glaciers around Iceland are retreated at unprecedented rates due to climate change and are projected to continue to do so over the course of the 21st century. Glacial retreat plays a complex role in the water cycle, most often following a “peak water” curve marked by initial increases in total annual runoff as melt accelerates followed by eventual declines as the glacier continues to shrink. This holds important implications for the hydropower …

5 Bfts Association Newsletter No.29 - Autumn 2024, Jenifer A. Harding

Newsletters

Cadets came to America from all parts of the United Kingdom – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Irrespective of their home country, all the cadets thought of their families and things that made their homeland special. As we approach Remembrance Sunday (or Veterans’ Day), we remember those cadets who forever remain in America, those who lie in a foreign field and those with no known grave. We also remember those cadets who came home but now have ‘handed in their logbooks’. Each one had their own special memories of home as they embarked on the long journey to America …

Modeling Permittivity Measurements Of Thin Film Materials Versus Film Thickness, Jr Dennison, Cameron Eggleston

Journal Articles

Measured permittivity of thin film polymeric samples were substantially less for thin samples, asymptotically approaching bulk values above ~500 μm. For ~25 μm samples the observed permittivities were as much as 50% less than for bulk measurements. This behavior has been studied for four common homogeneous polymeric materials for sample thickness in the range of ~10 μm to > 1000 μm. To quantify these observations, an empirical single-parameter model was developed to correct measured permittivity of thin samples based on an effective stray capacitance in series with the samples to compensate for effects attributed to instrumentation.

Fake Drake? Ai Music Generation Implicates Copyright And The Right Of Publicity, Hope Juzon

Washington Law Review

Artificial intelligence has contributed to music composition since the 1950s. Its contributions evolved from machines that produced simple melodies to programs that generate accurate vocal imitations of singers. Modern artificial intelligence relies on pre-existing—and often copyrighted—songs to create new music, the most common of which include vocal imitations of popular singers. Copyright law in the United States has yet to address how copyright holders’ rights are implicated when artificial intelligence programs are trained on protected works. As a result, these rights holders across disciplines and sectors have filed complaints alleging infringement of their works. While copyright holders await their fate, …

Drones And Ai In Modern Warfare: A Security Analysist, Tze Fung Kao

Rwanda: Post-Genocide Restoration and Peacebuilding

Abstract

Artificial intelligence’s (AI) rapid development and integration into drone systems is reshaping modern warfare, with significant implications for international security. As seen in the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian and the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, AI-enabled drones are increasingly employed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), loitering munitions, and swarm formations. The use of AI for autonomous target identification and decision-making raises both operational advantages and ethical concerns, particularly concerning accountability and the potential for unintended escalation. This paper explores the capabilities of AI drones, focusing on their implication for global security and stability and the growing challenge of regulating such systems. The proliferation …

Contractors State License Board, Grant Marcketta, Marcus Friedman

California Regulatory Law Reporter

No abstract provided.

Fy2025 Salary Report - All Tabs, Clemson University

Salary Reports

No abstract provided.

Water Quality Of Silver Creek, A Buried Urban Stream, Nick Bultje, Valerie Krause, Rebecca Nulty

Student Papers and Reports

There are many sources of pollution that can affect a watershed. These pollutants can impact the water's pH, temperature, conductivity, and dissolved solids. Escherichia coli is a specific pollutant that comes from waste products of humans and animals. High levels of E. coli cause serious health problems. This study examines Silver Creek, a tributary within the Plaster Creek watershed. Silver Creek runs mostly underground and has storm drainage systems that flow into the creek. The goal was to explore the effects of the underground section of Silver Creek on water quality and E. coli levels. The water quality and levels …

Understanding Customer Loyalty In The Automobile Industry: The Case Of Ford Motors In The State Of Virginia, Jared Nichols

Research Awards

The automobile industry is marked by intense competition and relatively stable demand, making customer retention highly essential for business survival in the sector. This research explores the factors and contextual conditions influencing customer loyalty among Ford vehicle owners in Virginia. By exploring these factors and their impact on loyalty decisions, the study aimed to provide insights into the drivers of customer loyalty and propose a model that auto manufacturers can adopt to attract and retain loyal customers more effectively. A mixed methods approach combining qualitative interviews, a focus group, and a survey of 105 participants was employed to analyze loyalty …

Seeds Of Dependency: How Neocolonialism Acts‬ ‭ As A Barrier To Sustainable Agriculture In Cameroon’S Centre Region, Joseph Caltagirone

Cameroon: Development and Social Change

This paper aims to answer how neocolonialism has acted as a barrier to sustainable agriculture in the Centre region of Cameroon. This research draws on primary data from interviews with government officials, NGO employees, and farmers, as well as observations conducted in the village of Sa’a, and a review of literature on Cameroon’s colonial history and agricultural practices. It reveals that the barriers to sustainable agriculture are rooted in entrenched economic incentives driven by foreign investors and multinationals, with the complicity of the Cameroonian government, domestic NGOs, and producers. Findings uncovered that these financial incentives in turn encourage export driven …

An Illustrated, Experiential Field Guide To Melbourne, Elissa Steil

Australia: Sustainability and Environmental Action

This paper documents the creation of a field guide designed to promote sustainability by encouraging connection and understanding of Melbourne's native environment. The guide features illustrations, distribution maps, and descriptions of their physical traits and traditional Aboriginal uses. The guide emphasizes accessibility for diverse audiences, using simple language and a balance of visuals and text to appeal to both beginners and experts in plant identification. Grounded in respect for the Traditional Owners of the land, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, the project integrates traditional ecological knowledge to highlight Aboriginal approaches to environmental stewardship. These …

Crime, Corruption, And Construction: Exploring The Impact Of The “Construction Mafia” On Public Infrastructure Development, Sada Kalbach

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Recent government policies and a state-led focus on “radical economic transformation” have spawned a range of business forums, colloquially known as the “construction mafia,” seeking to capitalize on economic reform. However, competition for construction contracts have led to the widespread use of intimidation, violence, and government corruption within the eThekwini Municipality. This research seeks to understand how the construction mafia in eThekwini impacts the local government’s ability to develop public infrastructure, as well as the extent to which government responses enable or hinder organized criminal networks in the construction industry. Utilizing a qualitative method of semi-structured one-on-one interviews and notes …