Digital Commons Network^™

Design And Optimization With Quantum And Memristor Platforms, Yiwei Li

Dissertations and Theses

The complexity and diversity of modern computing challenges have made it difficult for traditional computers to efficiently handle tasks such as computer-aided design, design optimization, and combinatorial problems within a reasonable time frame. In applications such as bitcoin mining and robotic control, power consumption and circuit size are critical factors. To overcome these limitations, this dissertation examines alternative computing technologies such as quantum computers and hybrid memristive circuits. The research demonstrates that these technologies hold the potential to offer more efficient and effective solutions for particular problems, whether in terms of faster computation or reduced power consumption.

Srtsim: Spatial Pattern Preserving Simulations For Spatially Resolved Transcriptomics, Jiaqiang Zhu, Lulu Shang, Xiang Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Spatially resolved transcriptomics (SRT)-specific computational methods are often developed, tested, validated, and evaluated in silico using simulated data. Unfortunately, existing simulated SRT data are often poorly documented, hard to reproduce, or unrealistic. Single-cell simulators are not directly applicable for SRT simulation as they cannot incorporate spatial information. We present SRTsim, an SRT-specific simulator for scalable, reproducible, and realistic SRT simulations. SRTsim not only maintains various expression characteristics of SRT data but also preserves spatial patterns. We illustrate the benefits of SRTsim in benchmarking methods for spatial clustering, spatial expression pattern detection, and cell-cell communication identification.

Results Of Duet: A Web-Based Weight Loss Randomized Controlled Feasibility Trial Among Cancer Survivors And Their Chosen Partners, Laura Q Rogers, W Walker Cole, Harleen Kaur, David Farrell, Kelsey B Parrish, Hoda J Badr, Kathleen Y Wolin, Dori W Pekmezi

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Simple Summary

Effective and scalable diet, exercise, and weight management interventions are needed for primary cancer prevention in the general public, as well as for cancer control and tertiary prevention among the growing population of cancer survivors. A 6-month online intervention, entitled “Daughters, dUdes, mothErs, and others Together” (DUET), was designed to promote weight loss, a healthful diet, and increased physical activity among cancer survivors and their chosen partners. Fifty-six cancer survivor-partner dyads (n = 112 participants in total) were recruited into a randomized controlled trial that compared DUET to a waitlist control. The trial surpassed all feasibility endpoints …

Raman Spectroscopy - An Analytical Tool For Biologics, Cindy Mayorga, Shreya Milind Athalye, Mohit Verma

Graduate Industrial Research Symposium

Raman Spectroscopy (RS) is a non-invasive technique that analyses biomolecules qualitatively and quantitatively. Raman spectroscopy measures the inelastic scattering of light due to molecular vibrations. It can be applied to liquid, solid, or semi-solid forms of the biological sample reducing the sample preparation measures. The minimal sample preparation and non-invasive nature of Raman Spectroscopy can be applied in developing a Process analytical technology (PAT) tool and as a diagnostic tool. We demonstrated qualitative and quantitative measurements of biologics with Raman spectroscopy through our previous studies. Our results indicate that RS distinguishes various Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and a mixture …

Yield Stress And Flow Behavior Of Enzyme Liquiefied Slurries From Corn Cobs And Corn Stover Pellets, Diana Milena Ramiez Gutierrez

Graduate Industrial Research Symposium

With the increase in population, the world will depend on renewable sources to meet the increasing energy needs. The use of lignocellulosic biomass as a renewable source has been proven efficient for conversion to cellulosic ethanol and capable of contributing to thresholds for energy demand while reducing greenhouse gases by 90% when compared with fossil fuels. However, feeding and flow of biomass within biorefineries represent a constant challenge and needs to be addressed.

The purpose of this research is to understand the yield stress and flow behavior of enzyme liquefied slurries from Corn Cobs and Corn Stover Pellets and explore …

Design Of A Virtual Lab For Plate Heat Exchanger Sterilization System, Daniel N. Hauersperger

Graduate Industrial Research Symposium

Online learning has become a staple in contemporary education, requiring new ways to display and promote experiences. Virtual labs can be used to give learners a way to enter a lab environment without the need for expensive equipment or materials. One example is to give students a “hands-on” experience using a sterilization process to preserve biological materials. Sterilization systems incorporate heat exchangers to bring product up to temperature and then cool product down quickly to prevent excess degradation of nutrients. Data generated from virtual labs will allow learners to use the system responses and build their understanding of how the …

Thermally Treated To Perfection: Enhancing Wood Color And Properties With Surface Thermal Treatment, Jue Mo, Dipesh Tamboli, Eva Haviarova

Graduate Industrial Research Symposium

Darker-colored wood species usually have higher
values, many of which are endangered and under
protection. Chemical stains and finishes might also
achieve similar color shades, but customers prefer
non-chemical alternatives. Thermal treatment (TT)
is one of the low-toxicity choices. It could produce
darker shades and enhance some material
properties but requires a large initial investment
and is time-consuming. This study aimed to
evaluate a new type of TT: Surface Thermal
Treatment (STT). White Ash, Yellow Poplar, and Red
Oak were selected and treated on a heated press
at varying temperatures and times. Artificial Neural
Network (ANN) was employed to model …

Stellar Atmosphere Models For Select Veritas Stellar Intensity Interferometry Targets, Jackson Ladd Sackrider, Jason P. Aufdenberg, Katelyn Sonnen

Beyond: Undergraduate Research Journal

Since 2020 the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) has observed 48 stellar targets using the technique of Stellar Intensity Interferometry (SII). Angular diameter measurements by VERITAS SII (VSII) in a waveband near 400 nm complement existing angular diameter measurements in the near-infrared. VSII observations will test fundamental predictions of stellar atmosphere models and should be more sensitive to limb darkening and gravity darkening effects than measurements in the near-IR, however, the magnitude of this difference has not been systematically explored in the literature. In order to investigate the synthetic interferometric (as well as spectroscopic) appearance of stars …

A Survey Of K-12 Music Teachers’ Classroom Management Experiences In Music Teacher Preparation Programs, Jennifer Potter Gee

Visions of Research in Music Education

The purpose of this follow-up study was to explore classroom management sources and content in music teacher preparation programs. K-12 music educators, who self-identified as members of various professional music education organizations, were the participants in this study. Similar to the initial iteration of the survey with elementary general music educators, recurrent sources of classroom management reported by participants included mentoring from a licensed teacher and supervised fieldwork. Teaching procedures and pacing instructions were common examples of classroom management content included in a music teacher education program, which differed slightly from those identified by elementary general music teachers. Mentoring from …

Sociological Aspects Of Music Education In Higher Education In Brazil, Canada, Israel, Norway, And The United States During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Edward Richard Mcclellan, Stian Vestby, Jennifer Lang, Amira Ehrlich

Visions of Research in Music Education

The purpose of this study was to examine the sociological aspects of music education and perspectives of university music education professors in five continents in relation to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The concepts of community of practice and agency were used to investigate the social interaction, socialization, and collective impact of people and experiences observed in university-level music education in different parts of the world. As the global pandemic completely changed the conditions on university campuses and music education programs, each participant provided 1) an overview of the parameters of virtual and in-person instruction implemented by select institutions, …

Teaching And Creating Music: Lived Experiences Of Music Educators Throughout One Year Of A Global Pandemic, Karen Koner, Jennifer Gee, Brianne Borden

Visions of Research in Music Education

The COVID-19 pandemic affected educators around the world. The purpose of the study was to examine music educators' stress and stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. We previously examined these factors with participants approximately one year into the pandemic from March to May 2021 (Koner et al., 2022). The current study explored these same music educators' stressors one year later, from March to April 2022, specifically exploring the research questions: (1) how do music educators describe the impact on their students’ learning and creating music through the COVID-19 pandemic; and (2) how have music educators professionally navigated an academic school year …

Preservice And Beginning Teachers’ Perceptions Of Healthy Musicianship, Carla Salas-Ruiz, Ann Marie Stanley, Joshua Burgos

Visions of Research in Music Education

Research on instrumental music majors is an important subset of performance injury literature (Barton, et al., 2008, Brandfonbrener, 2009). Musculoskeletal problems, physical and mental stress, and performance anxiety are common (Bernhard, 2005, 2020; Guptil, et al., 2005; Steinmetz, et al., 2012). Consequently, “healthy musicianship” (Taylor, 2016) is a growing area of interest within schools of music. Preservice music teachers need tools to maintain mental and physical wellness. They also need to learn to guide future students in healthy practices. Understanding how preservice teachers acquire pedagogical content knowledge in healthy musicianship is important: their approach to musical performance issues will influence …

Editorial Volume 42, Joseph Michael Abramo

Visions of Research in Music Education

No abstract provided.

The Pursuit Of Peak Athletic Performance, Trevor Short

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Topics in Exercise Science and Kinesiology Volume 4: Issue 1, Article 3, 2023. Achieving peak performance in sports is a multifactorial phenomenon that spans several scientific disciplines. The optimization of human performance requires a comprehensive and systematic assessment that identifies potential performance-inhibiting factors. The result of such analysis allows for more individualized and accurate evaluation, athlete monitoring, and training interventions. Thus, there is a need for a multidisciplinary model of peak performance to guide practitioners when conducting a comprehensive analysis. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a brief but practical vade mecum for practitioners to consider in the …

An Intervention To Promote Growth Mindset And Stem Self-Efficacy Of High School Students: Exploring The Complexity Of Beliefs, Amy Kramer, Emily Dringenberg, Carter Morris, Darcy Mccarthy

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

The marginalization of women in engineering is a persistent problem. The overall goal of our collaborative project was to promote interest and participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), particularly for high school girls. We took an action research approach with a local high school science teacher to develop, implement, and research the impact of a classroom-based intervention designed to encourage growth mindset and STEM self-efficacy beliefs using mixed methods. We analyzed pre- and postsurvey data collected using a control-treatment design to determine the impact of the intervention on high school boys’ and girls’ self-efficacy and mindset beliefs. We …

Optimal Monohedral Tilings Of Hyperbolic Surfaces, Leonardo Digiosia, Jahangir Habib, Jack Hirsch, Lea Kenigsberg, Kevin Li, Dylanger Pittman, Jackson Petty, Christopher Xue, Weitao Zhu

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

The hexagon is the least-perimeter tile in the Euclidean plane for any given area. On hyperbolic surfaces, this "isoperimetric" problem differs for every given area, as solutions do not scale. Cox conjectured that a regular k-gonal tile with 120-degree angles is isoperimetric. For area π/3, the regular heptagon has 120-degree angles and therefore tiles many hyperbolic surfaces. For other areas, we show the existence of many tiles but provide no conjectured optima. On closed hyperbolic surfaces, we verify via a reduction argument using cutting and pasting transformations and convex hulls that the regular 7-gon is the optimal n-gonal tile of …

Strong Recovery In Group Synchronization, Bradley Stich

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

The group synchronization problem is to estimate unknown group elements at the vertices of a graph when given a set of possibly noisy observations of group differences at the edges. We consider the group synchronization problem on finite graphs with size tending to infinity, and we focus on the question of whether the true edge differences can be exactly recovered from the observations (i.e., strong recovery). We prove two main results, one positive and one negative. In the positive direction, we prove that for a sequence of synchronization problems containing the complete digraph along with a relatively well behaved prior …

The Determining Number And Cost Of 2-Distinguishing Of Select Kneser Graphs, James E. Garrison

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

A graph $G$ is said to be \emph{d-distinguishable} if there exists a not-necessarily proper coloring with $d$ colors such that only the trivial automorphism preserves the color classes. For a 2-distinguishing labeling, the \emph{ cost of $2$-distinguishing}, denoted $\rho(G),$ is defined as the minimum size of a color class over all $2$-distinguishing colorings of $G$. Our work also utilizes \emph{determining sets} of $G, $ sets of vertices $S \subseteq G$ such that every automorphism of $G$ is uniquely determined by its action on $S.$ The \emph{determining number} of a graph is the size of a smallest determining set. We investigate …

Smart Torque Wrench Control Using Machine Learning, N/A

Defensive Publications Series

The technology described in this paper relates to a torque wrench and accompanying device for automatically guiding a user of the wrench to properly install joint connectors, flange connectors, bolts, and other mechanical components of a mechanical system, using a machine learning model (“ML”). The ML-enabled torque wrench can automatically set proper torque values for properly tightening mechanical components relative to some guideline, design specification, and/or user-specified threshold. A camera, for example on a computing device, can collect images of the target components to be manipulated by the wrench. A model trained to receive the images can automatically identify the …

Additional Curricular Changes Proposed For 2023-2025 Morris Catalog Pt. 3, Curriculum Committee

Curriculum Committee Reports

No abstract provided.

Teachers’ Perceptions Of Policies And Practices Of Lgbtq-Inclusive Curriculum In Rural Appalachian High School English Language Arts Classes, Dawn J. Viles

Ed.D. Dissertations

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer students were a vulnerable population in rural Appalachian high schools. Minority high school students, specifically those who identified as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, who saw themselves reflected in practices and curriculum increased their academic performance, felt safe, and developed stronger empathy for others. Traditionally, English Language Arts teachers had power to select literary works and supplemental materials they deemed important for their students; however, local, district, and state stakeholders and policymakers influenced curricular choices in English Language Arts classrooms more directly than had occurred in the past. Further marginalizing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer …

George Kohrman And The Family Legacy At Wmu, University Libraries

East Campus Oral Histories

Campus School and WMU Alum George Kohrman sits with Cassie Kotrch at Heritage Hall to go over his binder of memories from his time as a student at Campus School and U High. He also shares stories of his father (whom Kohrman Hall is named after), his 46 year career at WMU, and his undergrad and grad student says on campus.

Reconversion Of Parahydrogen Gas In Surfactant-Coated Glass Nmr Tubes, Robert V. Chimenti, James Daley, James Sack, Jennifer Necsutu, Nicholas Whiting

College of Science & Mathematics Departmental Research

The application of parahydrogen gas to enhance the magnetic resonance signals of a diversity of chemical species has increased substantially in the last decade. Parahydrogen is prepared by lowering the temperature of hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst; this enriches the para spin isomer beyond its normal abundance of 25% at thermal equilibrium. Indeed, parahydrogen fractions that approach unity can be attained at sufficiently low temperatures. Once enriched, the gas will revert to its normal isomeric ratio over the course of hours or days, depending on the surface chemistry of the storage container. Although parahydrogen enjoys long lifetimes …

Making American Opera After Einstein, Ryan Ebright Dr.

ICS Fellow Lectures

In the wake of the avant-garde opera Einstein on the Beach in 1976, opera in the United States experienced a renaissance, one which has continued to the present. My book project, Making American Opera after Einstein, centers on contemporary attempts to remake opera in an American image. In it, I detail how American opera—as a genre, a sphere of cultural institutions, an expression of national identity—has transformed significantly over the past four decades. Whereas many composers embrace operatic convention, tailoring their operas to audiences through adaptations of cherished American stories, others attempt to test the genre’s aesthetic boundaries. By exploring …

The Need For Fathers As Role Models To Aid Family And Social Cohesion In Resource-Constrained Contexts, Tolulope Victoria Balogun, Leoba Nyathi, Kezia October, Athandiwe Skhuni, Nicolette V. Roman

Journal of Family Strengths

The impact of parents on their children, especially in the developmental years, must not be undermined. Each parent influences a child separately and in different ways, which may have long-lasting effects on adulthood. Paternal involvement in children’s lives plays a different but crucial role that leads to improved behavioural and psychosocial outcomes. This study identifies and explores the need for fathers as role models to aid family and social cohesion in resource-constrained contexts. Individuals older than 18 years were interviewed from four different communities in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Interviews were conducted in English, Afrikaans, and IsiXhosa …

Unveiling The Nexus: The Interdependence Of Animal Welfare, Environment & Sustainable Development, World Federation For Animals (Wfa)

Nexus – UNEP – Animal Welfare, Environment, Sustainable Development

On 2 March 2022, the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) adopted the Animal Welfare - Environment - Sustainable Development Nexus Resolution. In this resolution, UNEA acknowledged that "animal welfare can contribute to addressing environmental challenges". UNEA further acknowledged animal welfare's contribution to "promoting the One Health approach and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals." To understand these links, UNEA requested the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to analyse and produce a report for the next convening of UNEA on the nexus between animal welfare, the environment, and sustainable development. "Unveiling the Nexus: The interdependence of animal welfare, environment & sustainable development" illuminates the …

Board Of Directors Quarterly Meeting - Open Session Packet 03/02/2023, Uc Hastings Board Of Directors

2023 Board of Directors Agenda and Materials

No abstract provided.

The Student Movement Volume 107 Issue 17: "I Dreamed A Dream": Au One Day Closer To Spring, Solana Campbell, Grace No, Gloria Oh, Nathaniel Reid, Ysabelle Fernando, Amelia Stefanescu, Alannah Tjhatra, Alexander Navarro, Melissa Moore, Rachel Ingram-Clay, Wambui Karanja, Lexie Dunham, Terika Williams

The Student Movement v. 107 (2022-2023)

HUMANS

Joyful Resilience: An Interview with Artist Jasmin Hislop, Interviewed by Solana Campbell

Love is in the Air, Interviewed by Grace No

Working at the Writing Center: Interview With Camilia Howell, Interviewed by Gloria Oh

Arts & Entertainment

Blackventist Praise, Nathaniel Reid

Ceramics: Revival of the Art Elective, Ysabelle Fernando

Currently: The Romantics, Solana Campbell

Freedom: a Black History Month Playlist, Amelia Stefanescu

NEWS

Dinosaurs Under the Microscope: Mary Higby Schweitzer Visits Andrews, Alannah Tjhatra

Les Misérables at the Chicago Cadillac Palace Theatre, Gloria Oh

IDEAS

Engineering What We Eat: The Past, Present, and Future of Genetically Modified Food, Alexander …

Action-Logics Of Veterans Health Administration Magnet Nurse Executives And Their Practice Of Supporting Nurses To Speak Up, Bonnie R. Pierce

Dissertations

Health care organizations typically have a hierarchical structure, with physicians dominant and nurses subordinate. The challenge to open and honest communication between doctors and nurses is real, and communication errors contribute significantly to undesirable patient outcomes. Nurse executives (NEs) have a responsibility to help lead transformation of health care organizations to support nurses to speak up and communicate all critical information.

NEs are challenged to improve safety and quality, decrease costs and increase access to care. Combining health care expertise with business ability can support these goals. Rooke and Torbert found correlations between successful business leaders and postconventional action-logics, or …

Nurses' Experiences Of The Traditional Clinical Learning Environment For Nursing Students, April Rowe Neal

Dissertations

Nursing education is unique in its integration of theoretical and experiential learning and yet this integrated approach presents a number of challenges. One nuanced challenge in nursing education is the overlap of the students' clinical learning environment (CLE) with the clinical nurses' work environment. It is believed that the clinical nurse plays an important role in clinical learning, but it is not well understood how the clinical nurse understands and contributes to the CLE. The framework for this study was based on Benner's (1982) Novice to Expert model, transformative learning theory, and the AACN (2005) Healthy Work Environment framework. The …