Digital Commons Network^™

Analyzing Youth Empowerment Programs And Their Impact In Urban And Rural Liberia, Bartime Abel Learwellie, Bartime Abel Learwellie

Capstone Collection

Abstract

This study analyzes youth empowerment programs and their impact in urban and rural Liberia. It is motivated by the need to address the socio-economic challenges faced by young people in these settings. The research aims to understand how these programs can be tailored to suit diverse geographical contexts, thereby maximizing their effectiveness and relevance. Liberia's socio-economic landscape, significantly shaped by the civil war and the Ebola crisis, presents distinct challenges for youth empowerment. High unemployment, inadequate educational access, and limited social services are pressing issues for the country's youth. There is a noticeable gap in understanding how the implementation …

Worth Writing! Worth Reading! Edition Ix (Summer 2024), New York Law School

New York Law School Community Newsletter

No abstract provided.

How Do Teacher Perceptions And Biases Affect Or Influence Student Behavior, Benjamin K. Keohane

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The purpose of this research project and professional development series is to shed light on the influence and effect that teacher biases, perceptions, and interactions have on student behavior. Often, teachers become apprehensive when exceptional students attend their class. This notion is amplified if the student is accompanied with a behavior intervention plan or a disability that manifests as externalizing behavior. In many cases, teachers report a lack of proper training in behavior mitigation strategies that extend beyond common, general education practices. If schools are to promote an inclusive environment, all teachers require the background knowledge to properly implement and …

Perception Of School Governing Bodies About Decentralisation Of School Governance In Eswatini, Swaziland, Ibiwumi Abiodun Alade, Goodness X. Tshabalala

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

The adoption of decentralisation as a reform in the administration of education sector in Eswatini has been a subject of debate due to its attending challenges. This study therefore examined the perception of school governing bodies about decentralisation of school governance in Eswatini, Swaziland. The qualitative case study is embedded in the interpretative paradigm, and it employed the Subsidiarity Theory (ST) as a framework for understanding the decentralization of school governance in Eswatini. Four research questions guided the study while purposive sampling technique was used to select five school principals from the selected schools who had served as principals for …

Empirical Insights Into Ai-Assisted Game Development: A Case Study On The Integration Of Generative Ai Tools In Creative Pipelines, Andrew Begemann, James Hutson

Student Scholarship

This study conducts an empirical exploration of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools across the game development pipeline, from concept art creation to 3D model integration in a game engine. Employing AI generators like Leonardo AI, Scenario AI, Alpha 3D, and Luma AI, the research investigates their application in generating game assets. The process, documented in a diary-like format, ranges from producing concept art using fantasy game prompts to optimizing 3D models in Blender and applying them in Unreal Engine 5. The findings highlight the potential of AI to enhance the conceptualization phase and identify challenges in producing optimized, high-quality 3D …

Mapping Recent Timber Harvest Activity In A Temperate Forest Using Single Date Airborne Lidar Surveys And Machine Learning: Lessons For Conservation Planning, G. Bursh Fisher, Andrew J. Elmore, Matthew C. Fitzpatrick, Darin J. Mcneil, Jeff W. Atkins, Jeffery L. Larkin

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

Effective planning for natural resource management and wildlife conservation requires detailed information on vegetation structure at landscape scales and how structure is influenced by land- use practices. In many forested landscapes, the largest impacts of land use on forest structure are driven by forest management activities, which can include invasive species control, prescribed fire, partial harvests (e.g. shelterwood harvests) or overstory removals and clearcuts. Active timber management is often used to achieve forest conservation objectives, but to be used effectively, managers require knowledge of harvest frequency and extent in adjacent forests and at landscape scales. In this paper, we develop …

Effects Of Wall And Freespace Damping Levels On Virtual Wall Stiffness Classification, Emma Treadway, Kristian Journet, Andrew Deering, Cora Lewis, Noelle Poqiz

Engineering Faculty Research

Virtual damping is often employed to improve stability in virtual environments, but it has previously been found to bias perception of stiffness, with its effects differing when it is introduced locally within a wall/object or globally in both the wall and in freespace. Since many potential applications of haptic rendering involve not only comparisons between two environments, but also the ability to recognize rendered environments as belonging to different categories, it is important to understand the perceptual impacts of freespace and wall damping on stiffness classification ability. This study explores the effects of varying levels of freespace and wall damping …

Itihas Vol. 24 Issue No. 3, Sastra Univ

ITIHAS

NEWSLETTER FROM SASTRA DEEMED UNIVERSITY

Honors College Apr Spring 2024 Self-Study & Documents, Unm Academic Program Review

UNM Academic Program Review

UNM Honors College self-study & review team report for Spring 2024, fulfilling requirements of Higher Learning Commission.

Discrimination Of Deposit Types Using Magnetite Geochemistry Based On Machine Learning, Peng Wang, Shang Guo Su, Guan Zhi Wang, Yang Yang Dong, Danlin Yu

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The application of trace elements in magnetite for deposit genesis research is significant, highlighting its potential as a valuable mineral exploration tool. However, traditional low-dimensional analysis methods are not effective in revealing the genetic types of deposits using magnetite trace elements, as they fail to fully utilize the rich high-dimensional information provided by magnetite trace element analysis. To address this limitation, we implemented a supervised machine learning method, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), to correlate the multi-element composition of magnetite with deposit types. Our study encompassed 3,865 magnetite trace element datasets from six distinct deposit types (BIF, IOA, IOCG, magmatic, porphyry, …

A Geochemical Mechanism For >10 M Apparent Downward Offsets Of Magnetic Reversals Inferred From Comparison Of Two Scotia Sea Drill Sites, Brendan T. Reilly, Lisa Tauxe, Stefanie A. Brachfeld, Bridget Kenlee, Marcus Gutjahr, Andrew W. Dale, Iván Hernández-Almeida, Sidney Hemming, Ian Bailey, Xufeng Zheng, Daven Cheu, Reece Taglienti, Michael E. Weber, Maureen E. Raymo, Trevor Williams

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

We document an apparent downward displacement of the Matuyama-Brunhes magnetic reversal by ∼20 m at Scotia Sea International Ocean Discovery Program Site U1538 (Pirie Basin) by comparison with the well-defined paleomagnetic record at nearby Site U1537 (Dove Basin). Detailed stratigraphic correlation between the two sites is possible due to similar lithologic variations. However, the two sites have distinctly different porewater geochemistry. Notably, Site U1538 indicates a greater demand for electron acceptors to oxidize organic carbon and Fe²⁺ enrichment below the depth of SO4²⁻ depletion. Magnetic parameters indicate enrichment of an authigenic magnetic mineral with strong remanence properties around …

Olli Fall 2024 Catalog, Toniann Leavitt

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

No abstract provided.

Academic Year: 2023-2024, Mendik Library

Mendik Library: By the Numbers

No abstract provided.

Opt Out Or Pipe Down, You Traded Your Data Away: Balancing Computer Crime Prevention, Third-Party Data, And Individual Privacy Rights, Ken Sterling

UC Law Science and Technology Journal

This article explores the complex issue of governments’ access to thirdparty user data without search warrants in the detection, prevention, and prosecution of computer crimes. Topics under analysis include balancing data privacy and public safety, the application of the Fourth Amendment, and seminal court cases such as Riley, Carpenter, and Smith v. Maryland. Cybercrime poses a significant threat to society, businesses, individuals, and governments. While privacy advocates argue for warrant-based access to user data, individuals readily “opt in” and share their data with companies, raising the question of why stricter standards should apply to government use. This article proposes that …

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, July 2024, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- Farewell to Jordan Evans, Environmental Specialist
--- Keeping Tabs on PFAs
--- Library Compost Training Series visits Independence, IA
--- Important Reminders: Library Compost Training Series
--- Industry News

What Are The Odds? Integrated Stem And Student Conceptual Understanding Of Genetics Dihybrid Inheritance, Jessica Cooper

Dissertations

Integrated Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) education allows students to build conceptual understanding by connecting material to other content areas and real-world contexts. Strong conceptual understanding allows students to move beyond factual recall and instead synthesize and transfer their knowledge to new applications. In high school biology, students need to develop a strong conceptual understanding of genetic inheritance in the context of dihybrid inheritance. This qualitative case study was designed to understand the influence of an integrated STEM approach on student conceptual understanding of genetic dihybrid inheritance. The situated STEM learning and conceptual change theoretical frameworks guided the research design …

Black And Latiné Parents' Perspectives On Supporting Their Children's Emotional And Physical Health, Daniel K. Cooper, Jayxa K. Alonzo, Tracey Goldson, Isabel R. Jordan, Fatima Jatoi, Isabella Mallozzi, Francesca Lupini

Faculty Publications

Informed by integrative models of cultural resilience, the purpose of this study was to (a) explore how parents are promoting their children's emotional and physical health, with a focus on race and ethnic-racial socialization strategies, and (b) identify the barriers and challenges parents are experiencing in supporting their children's health. Ethnically racially matched qualitative interviews were conducted with 33 parents (82% women, 64% Black, 36% Latiné). Results of thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: (a) Strategies for Promoting Children's Physical and Emotional Health, (b) Challenges Promoting Children's Physical and Emotional Health, and (c) Impact of Racism on Parenting and Children's …

Being And Becoming Global Citizens: Measuring Progress Toward Sdg 4.7. Monitoring Teacher And School Readiness To Enact Global Citizenship In The Asia-Pacific Region. Phase Ii Report, Lao Pdr, Rachel Parker, Payal Goundar, Karena Menzie-Ballantyne

Global education monitoring

This report presents the Phase II findings of a collaborative study by APCEIU and ACER which aims to expand efforts to monitor Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.7 by addressing critical evidence gaps regarding country participation and educational settings. Phase I of this study included three countries in the Asia-Pacific region (Australia, Philippines and South Korea) and targeted primary school settings. Phase I answered research questions about the enabling conditions that support effective global citizenship education (GCED); how these conditions can inform instrument development to measure system, school, and teacher readiness to implement GCED; and recommendations for Phase II. Phase II …

Accessibility And Inclusion Of Students With Disabilities At Ui, Kincaid Moberly, Erik Luvaas

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Since 2006, the number of undergraduate students with disabilities has increased from 11% to 19.4 % across four-year universities nationwide (Pingry O’Neill et al., 2007; Tarconish et al., 2023). However, compared to students without disabilities, those with disabilities have lower rates of enrollment, retention, and graduation (Soria, 2021). They also report a lower sense of belonging and rate their campus climate worse than nondisabled peers (Soria, 2021). A 2020 University of Idaho survey reported perspectives on inclusivity and accessibility for students receiving academic accommodations, finding that University services were an important part of the positive experiences of students with disabilities …

Interactions Of Lysenin Channels With Sn2+ Ions, Emmanuel A. Vergelin, Shane Browen, Addison Hobson, Lizbeth Calvillo, Emma Rosiles

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Lysenin, a pore-forming toxin extracted from the red earthworm E. fetida, inserts large conductance channels in artificial and natural lipid membranes containing sphingomyelin. Based on prior reports showing that lysenin channels interact with many multivalent metals by employing a ligand-gated mechanism, we hypothesized that lysenin channels might similarly interact with Sn²⁺ ions in water-aqueous solutions. Our investigations were conducted on lysenin channels reconstituted in planar bilayer lipid membranes composed of Asolectin, Sphingomyelin, and Cholesterol and bathed by buffered electrolyte solutions. The electrical measurements were performed with an Axopatch 200B electrophysiology amplifier in a voltage clamp setting. The conductance …

Effect Of Cholesterol On The Kinetics Of Electropores In Red Blood Cell Membranes, Michael Muench, Thorin Honcik, Quintyn Wilson, John Elliot, Sevio Stanton, Helen Wensel, Daniel Fologea

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

The fluidity of cell membranes is a biophysical parameter with large implications on the functionality of cells in both health and disease. Adjustments to membrane fluidity modulates the interactions between membranes and drugs, the functionality of transporters and receptors, and cellular motility. The fluidity of the cell membrane has been extensively studied in respect to the above effects, but the influence of membrane fluidity on the dynamics of pore formation in membranes has not been intensely researched. To fill this gap in the literature, it was needed to investigate the kinetics of electro-induced pores with respect to transport of water …

Understanding Children's Safety Through Parental Views Of Risks And Strategies, Kayla Ramirez, Letizia Maukar, Michael Wendell, Jerry Alan Fails, Jessi Boyer, Kendall House, John Ziker, Hollie Abele

Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research

Children are introduced to technology when they are young, resulting in the need for parents to learn about child-interfacing technologies to ensure their children remain safe while using digital devices. In our research, we investigated parental perspectives of technology platforms and risks as well as how their strategic approaches to mitigate those risks vary based on how much they “trust” their children when using those devices. Our research was conducted using an online survey, initially analyzing data from a previously distributed survey of 99 families (with children ages 6-12), revising the survey instrument, and redistributing the survey to 100 additional …

Computational Study Of Protein Dynamics And Allostery Through Molecular Modeling And Machine Learning, Sian Xiao

Chemistry Theses and Dissertations

This thesis studies the complexities of protein dynamics and allostery, presenting methodologies that leverage combined computational approaches, including molecular modeling and machine learning, to investigate these phenomena.

Protein dynamics bridge conformational ensembles and their corresponding functional states. It further plays a critical role in a wide range of biological processes. Therefore, studying protein dynamics is essential for understanding how proteins fulfill their biological functions. Allostery plays a pivotal role in biological processes, acting as a fundamental mechanism through which proteins transmit signals and regulate their activity. Despite its critical importance in biology, the specific allosteric mechanisms governing most proteins remain …

Growing South Dakota (Summer 2024), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 2 Hayengas endow department head of animal science
[Page] 4 Reese named Klingbeil Endowed Educator
[Page] 5 SDSU Rodeo at Nationals
[Page] 6 Nwadike leading Department of Dairy and Food Science
[Page] 8 Hansen serving as 2024 Hobo Day Grand Pooba
[Page] 10 The scoop on the Davis Dairy Plant
[Page] 14 Research shows value in change
[Page] 16 Legacy of 'Yellow Ore, Yellow Hair, Yellow Pine'
[Page] 20 SDSU beef team grows
[Page] 22 SDSU Extension supporting local foods movement
[Page] 24 Bolstering rural child care needs
[Page] 26 Feeding kids great food
[Page] 27 Education Abroad takes …

Quantifying And Classifying Streamflow Ensembles Using A Broad Range Of Metrics For An Evidence-Based Analysis: Colorado River Case Study, Homa Salehabadi, David G. Tarboton, Kevin G. Wheeler, Rebecca Smith, Sarah Baker

Outreach

Using the Colorado River Basin as a case study, this research article highlights the need for streamflow ensembles that accurately represent potential future conditions rather than solely relying on historical data. The comprehensive set of statistical metrics introduced can be used to evaluate and classify these streamflow ensembles. This evidence-based framework can inform water resource management in the face of uncertain conditions.

Effects Of Simulated Climate Change On Native Southeastern Grassland Vegetation Using Open Top Chambers, Makaila Carpenter

Theses

The southeastern United States is a critical biodiversity hotspot once covered in prairie grassland ecosystems and now facing significant threats due to urbanization, habitat destruction, over-exploitation, biological invasions, pollution, and climate change. This study analyzes the response of Alabama’s native prairie ecosystem to climate change. We used open top chambers (OTCs) to simulate climate change-induced warming. We assessed the response of ecosystem function and structure to higher temperatures (1-3^oC). The indicators of ecosystem function included phenology, leaf surface area (LSA), specific leaf area (SLA), and aboveground and below net primary productivity (ANPP and BNPP respectively). Ecosystem structure was …

Full Issue - Spring 2024 - Volume 111, Issue 1, Colby College

Colby Magazine

05. Building on Traditional Strengths in the Sciences, Colby Plans for ‘New Ways of Knowing’
14. A Place Where Anything is Possible
38. Embracing Unmastery
60. News AI for Everyone
64. ‘A Compass for the Field’
70. Class Notes
92. In Memoriam

Drone-Based Airborne Vlf-Em In Detecting Groundwater Contamination Due To Landfill Leachate, Chanho Park, Mine Dogan

Waldo Library Student Exhibits

Modern landfills follow a strict state and federal regulation on their location, design, operation and monitoring practices. One of the key focus in the regulations is in terms of leachate. While the exact composition of the leachates depends on various factors such as waste composition and degradation processes, in general they contain groups of dissolved organic matter, inorganic cations and heavy metals.

Very Low Frequency-Electromagnetic (VLF-EM) has been widely used for delineating leachate plume direction and boundaries. Previous studies using VLF-EM were carried out as on-ground measurements due to limitations in technologies. With the advancements in Unmanned Airborne Systems (UAS), …

I’M Not A Writer, I’M An Alpaca: Preferences And Perspectives Of Emergent Writers, Shaya Helbig

Waldo Library Student Exhibits

This case study explored preschool children’s perspectives and preferences in writing. While the voices of children are valued in research, often it is the voice of the adult researcher that emerges through their interpretations of the children’s perspectives (Harcourt & Sargent, 2011). In addition, research focusing on children’s interest in writing is limited (Rowe & Neitzel, 2010). The focal study held three focus group sessions, framed by Write, Draw, Show, and Tell (Noonan et al., 2016) with four preschool-aged children in order to better understand their preferences in writing materials, and their perceptions and understanding of writing. Data sources included …

Measuring Uk Libraries User Satisfaction: Ukl Libqual+ 2024 Results, Julene L. Jones

Library Presentations

Presentation based on the University of Kentucky's 2024 LibQUAL+ implementation