Digital Commons Network^™

Improving The Prediction Accuracy Of A Model Using Svr With Genetic Algorithm, Rand Haitham Abdul Hussein, Suhail Najm Abdulla

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The enhancement of predictive accuracy of the first-order integer autoregressive (INAR 1) model is the focus of the study through the effective amalgam of machine learning techniques and classical statistics. INAR (1) model structures are key elements for the prediction of nonnegative integer-valued time series processes. Conventional estimation methods include Classical Least Squares (CLS), Conditional Maximum Likelihood (CML), and Yule-Walker (YW) as compared with advanced methods like Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Genetic Algorithms (GA). A new clustering algorithm was created (with SVR to GA) to determine optimal INAR (1) model parameters. Computer simulation studies confirmed the effectiveness of the …

Comparing Methods For Estimating Gamma Distribution Parameters With Outliers Observation, Taha Hussein Ali, Dlshad Mahmood Saleh, Qais Mustafa Abdulqader, Awaz Omer Ahmed

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

The purpose of our research is to work to maintain parameters for the Gamma Distribution within a better frame of precision in the context of other methods and dealing with outliers. Outliers are common and pose a threat to modelling because one little outlier scales a statistical model and brings about the estimations of parametric index validity. The objective of this study was to find useful applications for the detection and mitigating effect of outliers accomplished through the Hampel filter, the nonlinear fit of the Gamma distribution using the Median Rank Regression (MRR) method for the calculation of the shape …

Conflicted Help-Seeking: Vulnerable And Grandiose Narcissistic Traits In College Students, Daniel G. Lannin, Rachel Brenner, Jake R. Solka, Amanda Martin, Anthony Hermann

Faculty Publications – Psychology

This study highlights distinct patterns in help-seeking behavior among college students with narcissistic traits, focusing on grandiose and vulnerable manifestations of these traits. Two undergraduate samples (N₁ = 398, N₂ = 424) completed measures of narcissistic traits, stigma, psychological distress, and help-seeking intentions. Higher levels of vulnerable narcissistic traits were positively linked to help-seeking willingness, with indirect effects through heightened distress (positive) and stigma (negative). In contrast, grandiose narcissistic traits showed no consistent direct or indirect effects on help-seeking behavior. These findings reveal that students with elevated vulnerable narcissistic traits may experience conflicting motivations for seeking help – driven by …

The Role Of Childhood Stress In Inflammatory Skin Conditions: A Neuroimmune Investigation, Marissa Ruppe, Colin Burnette, Emily Deehan, Emily Woolhiser, Haily A. Fritts, Kelly Frasier, Aspynn Owsley, Savannah K. Fakhouri, Veronica Rodriguez

Student Publications

Emerging evidence indicates that childhood stressors, such as familial conflict, bullying, academic pressure, and traumatic events, can significantly worsen inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. This review explores the underlying neuroimmune pathways that link stress to skin inflammation in children, focusing on the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and stress-induced cytokine production. Studies have shown that chronic psychological stress leads to dysregulation of the HPA axis, resulting in elevated cortisol levels, which paradoxically impair skin barrier function and upregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β. Specific stressors, such as bullying, have been associated with …

Patterns Of Substance Use Among Street-Involved Children And Youth In Kenya: The Roles Of Street-Exposure, Migratory Factors, Family Deprivation, And Geographic Sub-Location, Aaron Godoy, Stanley Gitari

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Substance use among street-involved children and youth (SICY) in low- and middle-income countries is common. Using data abstracted from program intake forms (2016-2022) for an intervention to reintegrate SICY with their communities, we assess which individual, family, and geographic characteristics are predictive of substance use, and specifically inhalant use and non-inhalant use among a sample of 227 SICY in Meru County, Kenya. Assessed determinants include age, geographic location of home community, years on street, family deprivation prior to street-migrating, motivation for street migrating, abuse experiences on the street, and activities on the street. Number of years lived on the street, …

Sexual Behavior Stigma Among Cisgender Gay, Bisexual, And Other Men Who Have Sex With Men In Nine Nhbs Cities Across The United States: Burden And Associations With Prep Continuum And Hiv Care Continuum Outcomes, Yingbo Ma, Emily Higgins, Timothy W Menza, E Roberto Orellana, Stephanie Sanz, Nabeeh A Hasan, Alia Al-Tayyib, Jennifer Kienzle, Garrett Shields, Zaida Lopez, Paige Wermuth, Stefan D Baral

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In the United States (US), sexuality-based stigma continues to undermine HIV prevention and care efforts. We assessed sexual behavior stigma burden across family, healthcare, and social domains and determined associations with HIV-related outcomes among cisgender gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in nine US metropolitan statistical areas. MSM (N = 4,086) recruited at places of MSM social congregation via venue-based, time-sampling procedures completed a survey on sexual behavior stigma, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) continuum and HIV care continuum outcomes, sociodemographic characteristics, and other measures. We calculated prevalence and overall mean stigma subscale scores (range: 0.00–1.00) …

Amplifying Women's Voices In Menopause Research: The Importance Of Inclusive Perspectives, Camille Cronin, Sara Donevant Phd, Rn, Ccrn, Kerri Ann Hughes, Marja Kaunonen, Jette Marcussen, Rhonda Wilson

Publications

Menopause, a significant life transition for half the global population, intersects biological, cultural and social dimensions. Despite its universal occurrence, menopause research has historically been dominated by biomedical perspectives, often neglecting women's voices and diverse experiences. This article highlights the importance of including women's perspectives in menopause research to ensure relevance, accuracy and equity. It explores cultural variations in menopause experiences, the impact of socioeconomic status and the often-overlooked emotional and psychological dimensions. This article advocates for participatory approaches, emphasising that women's involvement enhances research design, implementation and policy development. Evidence-based interventions that are tailored to the individual can better …

Flow And Heat Transfer Experimental Study For 3d-Printed Solar Receiving Tubes With Helical Fins At Internal Surface, Fouad Haddad, Naznin Nuria Afrin, Jianzhi Li, Peiwen Li, Bharath Pidaparthi, Samy Missoum, Ben Xu

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

3D-printing technology was applied to fabricate novel solar thermal collection tubes that have internal heat transfer enhancement fins and external surfaces with high solar absorptivity and low emissivity due to the ability to use different materials in one tube. Helical fins were selected to introduce circumferential flow and thus minimize the circumferential temperature difference of the tube that receives sunlight on one side. The structures of the helical fins were previously optimized from computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis with the objective of low entropy production rate by looking for high heat transfer coefficient and relatively lower pressure loss. High-temperature alloy, …

An Erp Study Of Attentional Blink And Inhibition Of Return, Caesar Ekya

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Attention can be allocated over time and space and it has long been speculated whether these are a part of the same or different attentional mechanisms. Attentional Blink (AB) and Inhibition of Return (IOR) are cognitive phenomena that are used in experimental settings to study temporal attention (AB) and spatial attention (IOR) respectively. Though known for being representative of different types of attention, they nevertheless display similar characteristics, making them intriguing choices to study the interplay between temporal and spatial attention. For this study we chose a dual-stream rsvp paradigm that would elicit both AB and IOR within the same …

Chatgpt Didn’T Write This: Evaluating The Impact Of Llms With A Case Study In Grading Cuny Language Immersion Program Student Essays, Benjamin Inbar

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This study evaluates the capabilities and limitations of large language models (LLMs), specifically OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o, in grading essays from students in the City University of New York’s Language Immersion Program. The program serves English language learners with diverse linguistic and demographic backgrounds, offering intensive language instruction to prepare students for academic success in college. Using a dataset of 30 pre- and post-program essays scored by program instructors and ChatGPT-4o under three paradigms, this research explores the alignment between human and AI-generated scores across five rubric-based competency areas. Findings reveal that ChatGPT-4o aligns moderately with human grading, with the strongest agreement …

Quantifying Educational Impacts Under The Nypd's Stop-And-Frisk Era, Matthew T. Stanton

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This project examines the educational and economic impacts of the New York Police Department's "Stop, Question, and Frisk" (SQF) program, implemented predominantly under "Operation Impact" from 2003 to 2022. Using data from the NYPD and the American Community Survey, the study explores correlations between high rates of stop-and-frisk encounters and reduced educational attainment among targeted demographics, primarily Black and Hispanic young men. It contextualizes the socioeconomic consequences of SQF policies, including their effect on lifetime earnings and community trust. The project highlights the limitations of data correlation, advocates for further longitudinal and qualitative studies, and suggests frameworks for mitigating inequities …

3bb: Loss And Remembrance In The Anthropocene, Amanda J. Woolsey

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Undisputedly, we are living in a time of tremendous and unprecedented ecological loss. Various forms of life on earth are disappearing at a rate unheard of in human history, with a growing amount of evidence suggesting that we are in a period of mass biodiversity loss and extinction. This extinction event is marked by a series of environmental catastrophes that vary in acceleration, intensity, and impact, such as climate-change driven weather events wiping out an endemic island species, to habitat loss and fragmentation leading to the slow death of a once-common species. One such piece of supporting evidence is Rosenberg …

Freedom Pedagogy: Black Educators In The Urban North During The Nineteenth And Early Twentieth Centuries, Milagros Seraus-Roache

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Black educational history has been told through a predominantly Southern lens. This dissertation highlights the experiences of Black educators in the urban North during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Northern Black educators confronted the challenges of freedom—including the constant need to protect it—using a set of approaches influenced by the various intersecting social movements and intellectual currents of their day. While these educators represented a small minority of African Americans, their contributions were profound, leaving legacies that provide a lens for understanding and improving issues facing urban Black youth and their communities today.

In the absence of a comprehensive …

Investigating Dna Damage Caused By Reactive Oxygen And Nitrogen Species Via Guided-Ion-Beam Scattering And Computational Techniques, Jonathan Benny

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Among DNA nucleobases, guanine (G) is the primary target for one-electron ionization and oxidation, generating G●+ through various processes, including photooxidation, electrocatalytic oxidation, DNA-binding transition metals, ionizing radiation, and photolysis. This is due to the low adiabatic ionization potential and oxidation potential of guanine. Electron holes from other nucleobases can move to guanine, proving that G●+ production traps oxidative DNA damage. G●+ formation can exacerbate DNA damages and cause secondary reactions from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) during pathological processes. The following three projects were conducted using a customized electrospray ionization (ESI) guided-ion-beam tandem mass spectrometer, …

Testing Toxicity: Two Approaches To Toxicity Detection, Nelson E. Jarrin

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The current online environment is increasingly being polluted by polarization, echo chambers, and a lack of constructive dialogue between individuals with differing viewpoints. Social media algorithms, while intended to personalize user experiences and marketing areas, have been heavily criticized for inadvertently amplifying extremist content and contributing to the spread of toxic commentary. The current state of the internet hinders productive conversations, fuels misinformation, entices disinformation and contributes to online and offline societal division. This is fueled by algorithms that can create echo chambers and by the anonymity given by online platforms. While tools like the Perspective API exist to identify …

Neural Processes Of Emotional Conflict Detection And Prediction Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Clusters In Traumatic Injury Survivors, Kaley E. Davis, Carissa W. Tomas, Kate E. Webb, Ashley A. Huggins, Terri A. Deroon-Cassini, Christine L. Larson, Jacklynn M. Fitzgerald

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: Given the prevalence and significant burden of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), identifying early predictors of symptom development following trauma is critical. PTSD is a heterogeneous disorder comprised of distinct symptom clusters-reexperiencing, avoidance, negative mood, and hyperarousal-that contribute to the broad range of possible symptom profiles. Affective and attentional regulation processes, such as emotional conflict detection, are impaired in individuals with PTSD; however, the neural mechanisms underlying these alterations and their predictive utility for the development of PTSD symptoms remain unclear.

Method: Traumatic injury survivors (N = 49) without traumatic brain injury were recruited from the emergency department of …

The Common Law Of Constitutional Conventions, David E. Pozen

Faculty Scholarship

Professor Jill Lepore’s Jorde Symposium lecture paints a rich portrait of state constitutional conventions as engines of democratization during the 1800s and issues a dire warning about the United States’ ongoing amendment drought. Citing their unfamiliarity, however, Lepore declines to consider federal constitutional conventions as a possible corrective. In this response Essay, I argue: first, that Lepore’s marginalization of Article V’s convention mechanism is in tension with her own historical and normative account; second, that while Lepore’s wariness of conventions is entirely understandable given the state of our politics — and entirely commonplace among progressives — it carries significant risks …

Vaxbot-Hpv: A Gpt-Based Chatbot For Answering Hpv Vaccine-Related Questions, Danniel Rhee, Lara S Savas, Licong Cui, Cui Tao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

OBJECTIVE: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is an effective measure to prevent and control the diseases caused by HPV. However, widespread misinformation and vaccine hesitancy remain significant barriers to its uptake. This study focuses on the development of VaxBot-HPV, a chatbot aimed at improving health literacy and promoting vaccination uptake by providing information and answering questions about the HPV vaccine.

METHODS: We constructed the knowledge base (KB) for VaxBot-HPV, which consists of 451 documents from biomedical literature and web sources on the HPV vaccine. We extracted 202 question-answer pairs from the KB and 39 questions generated by GPT-4 for training and …

A Qualitative Assessment Of Changes In Occupational Exposures Among Healthcare Facility Workers, Laura E Mitchell, Inkyu Han, Jan-Paul Zock, Paul K Henneberger, Riddhi Patel, Joy De Los Reyes, George L Delclos

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Adult-onset asthma, notably prevalent among healthcare professionals, especially nurses, is often attributed to occupational factors such as exposure to cleaning agents. Studies consistently underscore the substantial role of such exposure in work-related asthma among hospital staff. We aimed to (a) identify and characterize current practices in cleaning and aerosolized medication administration; (b) assess changes in practices since a similar 2003 study of Texas healthcare workers; and (c) identify factors contributing to diverse exposures within healthcare job categories. We conducted focus groups with 38 participants in 6 healthcare settings, analyzing current practices, changes since 2003, and factors contributing to exposure diversity. …

Regulation Of Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (Clia) As A Model, Dean F Sittig

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: To assess the potential to adapt an existing technology regulatory model, namely the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), for clinical artificial intelligence (AI).

Materials and methods: We identify overlap in the quality management requirements for laboratory testing and clinical AI.

Results: We propose modifications to the CLIA model that could make it suitable for oversight of clinical AI.

Discussion: In national discussions of clinical AI, there has been surprisingly little consideration of this longstanding model for local technology oversight. While CLIA was specifically designed for laboratory testing, most of its principles are applicable to other technologies in patient care. …

Extended State Infrastructure Power In An Age Of Networked Competition: The Cases Of Thailand And Taiwan, Sol Andrew Stokols, Justin Kollar

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Scholars have highlighted the emergence of infrastructure as a key domain in the struggle over network centrality in what some call the ‘Second Cold War’ between the U.S. and China. We qualify this ‘infrastructural turn’ by drawing attention to the contingent nature of state infrastructural power as depending on key domestic firms that often serve as intermediaries between domestic infrastructure and global supply chains or international partners. Utilising empirical case studies based on field research conducted between 2021 and 2023 in Thailand and Taiwan, we analyse the ways in which state infrastructure power is exercised through strategic negotiation between national …

Orchestra Librarians’ Responses In The Time Of Covid-19: A Qualitative Study Of Symphony Orchestra Librarians Around The Globe, Patrick Lo, Hermina G.B. Anghelescu

School of Information Sciences Faculty Research Publications

The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the performing arts ecosystem worldwide, with an even more severe impact on classical orchestras. This study examines how 19 seasoned, established orchestra librarians and their parent organizations worldwide experienced and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study examines similarities and differences in their professional practices and experiences of coping with pandemic-related disruptions. The study sheds new light on how orchestra librarians' practices changed, along with their resilience, adaptability, sense of self-worth, and career fulfilment during COVID-19,in the context that none were furloughed or made redundant. The paper also discusses the impact of pandemic restrictions on …

A Pragmatic Legacy: Charles Wilson’S Politics And The Battle For His Archival Heritage, Jordan Coleman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Congressman Charlie Wilson served Texas and the United States with distinction throughout his political career, leaving a profound impact on East Texas and the global stage. Known for his progressive policies in the Texas Legislature and his influential role in U.S. foreign policy during his tenure in Congress, Wilson’s pragmatic political career and legacy is preserved in the Charlie Wilson Congressional Papers collection at the East Texas Research Center (ETRC). Despite its historical significance, the collection faced decades of delayed processing, disorganization, and neglect of archival best practices. This public history thesis confronts these challenges by detailing the efforts to …

Augustine’S Response To The Problem Of Evil, Matthew Dawson

Father Jack McGrath, S.M., Research Award Presentations

Matthew Dawson is a recipient of the Father Jack McGrath, S.M., Award for Research in Catholic Intellectual Traditions.

Jane Goodall’S Integration Of Science And Spirituality, Estella Elpers

Father Jack McGrath, S.M., Research Award Presentations

Estella Elpers is a recipient of the Father Jack McGrath, S.M., Award for Research in Catholic Intellectual Traditions.

Police Sexual Violence As Psychological Detention: Making Full Use Of Charter Rights, Sandrine Ampleman-Tremblay

Dalhousie Law Journal

This paper argues that individual responsibility has been overemphasized in cases of sexual violence by police. The fact that police officers are part of a state system calls for an examination of the role of the state in contributing to the risks of sexual violence by police. The paper thus contends that Canadian law requires methods to address state blame in such cases. It analyses psychological detention under section 9 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as a means to draw a connection between police powers, sexual violence, and state blame. The suggested section 9 interpretation builds on …

Application Of Convolutional Neural Network For Seismic Event Classification: Impact Of Dataset Quality, Distribution, And Human-In-The-Loop Feedback, Yanwei Zhang, Stephen S. Gao, Xiaoyi Fan, Shaohui Zhou, Junhao Qu

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have gained popularity in geophysical research due to their exceptional performance in various areas. However, achieving reliable results with CNNs typically requires a significant amount of high-quality data for training. In this study, we develop a CNN to classify natural earthquakes, mine collapses, and explosions using seismic waveforms from 287 stations in Shandong Province, China. The dataset comprises 1035 earthquakes, 159 mine collapses, and 586 explosions. To address the impact of unreliable measurements, we employ cross validation to screen, manually correct, or discard measurements with inconsistent labels assigned by human experts and CNN. By refining the …

Elevated Temperature Performance: Arc-Jet Testing Of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Zrb2 Bars Up To 2200 °C For Strength Retention Assessment, D. Sciti, A. Vinci, L. Zoli, P. Galizia, M. Mor, W. Fahrenholtz, S. Mungiguerra, R. Savino, A. M. Caporale, A. Airoldi

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

For the first time, ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composite bars were tested inside an arc-jet facility to investigate the impact of oxidation damage on strength retention. The composite bars, which were based on a ZrB2 / SiC matrix reinforced with 45 vol% carbon fibers, were produced by slurry impregnation and sintering. The first batch was tested under 3-point (pt) bending, and two additional batches were exposed to plasma of dissociated air up to a temperature of 2200 °C for 2 min or 2.2 min and then subjected to 3-pt bending. More than 75% of the initial strength was retained even …

Buyer, Beware Of Addiction, Erin E. Meyers, Clayton J. Masterman

Cardozo Law Review

Addictive products kill more than 700,000 people in the United States every year. Despite the large-scale risks that addiction poses, the law requires manufacturers of addictive products to disclose little-to-no information about the risk of addiction—the single most consequential characteristic of a class of products contributing to mass death every year.

While consumers understand that addictive products are, in fact, addictive, they generally do not understand the magnitude of the addiction risks that they face. Metaphorically, consumers understand that they are playing a game of “Russian roulette” when they consume an addictive product—but they play without knowing how many bullets …

Revisiting Reasonable Cybersecurity, Jeffrey L. Vagle

Cardozo Law Review

Prospective theories of cybersecurity liability have traveled over some well-worn paths over the past three decades, resulting in some successes, but also in at least as many cul-de-sacs and dead ends. Part of this problem can be found in the difficulty and complexity of the subject itself. Courts, legislators, and regulators all face comprehension difficulties when they attempt to fit our existing legal system around cybersecurity, often resulting in half-measures and generalized solutions that are challenging to apply to the widely different technical details behind each case. And in the background, we have a general reluctance to create legal regimes …