Digital Commons Network^™

Research On Policy Representation In Deep Reinforcement Learning, Zhen Chen, Zhuoyi Wu, Lin Zhang

Journal of System Simulation

Abstract: Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has achieved remarkable success in various domains. Nevertheless, existing policy networks in DRL still face significant challenges in areas such as generalizability, multi-task adaptability, and sample efficiency. Policy representation, as a crucial research direction for enhancing DRL capabilities, aims to improve an agent's adaptability to environmental changes and novel tasks by constructing more efficient and generalizable forms of policy expression. This paper provided a concise overview of key research advances in the field of policy representation. It introduced diverse policy architectures, ranging from traditional multi-layer perceptron (MLP) -based policies to those based on pointer networks, …

Role-Playing For Learning: Enhancing Skills In Doctrinal Courses, Yael Efron, Nellie Munin

DRI Press

This book addresses the need that educators have to make theoretical concepts tangible. Teachers across various subjects and educational settings grapple with the challenge of communicating abstract ideas to diverse audiences while aiming to ignite curiosity and sustain engagement. The authors offer their insight into the method of role-playing in various law courses in a highly diverse class. The book contains thirteen simulations with teaching notes, along with the theoretical background for this method of teaching.

This is the first in a series of skills books published as part of Mitchell Hamline School of Law’s Laboratory for Advancing Dispute Resolution …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

Usa V. Lynell Guyton

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

In Re: In The Matter Of Ella Card

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Designing Context-Specific Physical Activity Interventions For English Primary Schools: Key Learning From A Four-Month Rapid Ethnography, Robert Walker, Danielle House, Simona Kent-Saisch, Alice Porter, Ruth Salway, Lydia Emm-Collison, Michael W. Beets Med, Mph, Phd, David Revalds Lubans, Frank De Vocht, Russell Jago

Faculty Publications

Background

Physical activity is essential for children’s health. Primary schools offer an opportunity to equitably promote physical activity. However, school-based interventions have been shown to have little to no effect, potentially due to a lack of consideration of school heterogeneity. This study reports on a rapid ethnography study that was used to capture insights into English primary schools physical activity. The data are intended to inform the design of a context-specific intervention to improve pupil physical activity.

Methods

Three researchers conducted a four-month rapid ethnography study within three primary schools in Bristol, UK, between March and July 2024. Several methods …

Designing Context-Specific Physical Activity Interventions For English Primary Schools: Key Learning From A Four-Month Rapid Ethnography, Robert Walker, Danielle House, Simona Kent-Saisch, Alice Porter, Ruth Salway, Lydia Emm-Collison, Michael Beets Med, Mph, Phd, David Revalds Lubans, Frank De Vocht, Russell Jago

Faculty Publications

Background

Physical activity is essential for children’s health. Primary schools offer an opportunity to equitably promote physical activity. However, school-based interventions have been shown to have little to no effect, potentially due to a lack of consideration of school heterogeneity. This study reports on a rapid ethnography study that was used to capture insights into English primary schools physical activity. The data are intended to inform the design of a context-specific intervention to improve pupil physical activity.

Methods

Three researchers conducted a four-month rapid ethnography study within three primary schools in Bristol, UK, between March and July 2024. Several methods …

Strengthening The Talent Pipeline Through Stamp: Regional Trends In Manufacturing Pathway Participation, Rouzbeh Rahai

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

No abstract provided.

Atopy-Related Immune Profiles Are Subject To Genetic Influence As Evaluated Using School-Aged Twin Pairs, Jonatan Leffler, James F. Read, Danny Mok, Michael Serralha, Anthony Bosco, Patrick G. Holt, Richard Saffery, Deborah H. Strickland

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The interaction of genetic and environmental contributions to immunological traits and their association with atopic disease remain unclear. Flow cytometry and in vitro cytokine responses were used to characterize immune profiles from 93 school-aged twin pairs. Using an established twin pair analytical strategy, the genetic and environmental influences on immunological traits were evaluated, along with their association with atopy. Our findings suggest strong genetic influence on several traits, particularly B cell abundance. In contrast, cytokine responses from in vitro stimulations appeared mainly shaped by environmental exposures. Regarding associations with atopy, greater abundance of both B cells and basophils were observed …

Impacts Of Permafrost Thaw And Methane Cycling In A Northern Peatland, Hannah Defelice

Theses

Climate change is disproportionately impacting high latitude regions, resulting in thawing permafrost, changes in vegetation, hydrology and greenhouse gas emissions. As permafrost thaws in peatlands, ground subsidence occurs, resulting in a transition from elevated palsa to lower, wetter bogs and fens. Changes in vegetation and hydrology with thaw result in increased methane (CH4) fluxes and distinctive shifts in the carbon isotope signature of porewater and emitted CH4. Previous research has established the differences between these landcover classes; however, we know little about how CH4 cycling processes change during land class transitions. To address this gap, we compared recently formed bogs …

Data Please!: Expanding The Role Of Libraries In Data Science Through Digital Scholarship, Halie Kerns

Library Scholarship

Objective: As data science becomes more integrated into research and teaching, libraries are well-positioned to support this work. This study examines how a digital scholarship team at Binghamton University enhanced engagement with data science by assessing faculty, staff, and graduate student needs. Through focus group interviews, the study identifies key support gaps and outlines strategic initiatives to strengthen interdisciplinary data science programming within the library.

Methods: A qualitative approach was used, involving 26 focus group interviews with faculty, staff, and graduate students across STEM and related fields. Participants discussed their data science work, tools, training, and perceived resource …

Semiparametric Learning Of Integral Functionals On Submanifolds, Xiaohong Chen, Wayne Yuan Guo

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

This paper studies the semiparametric estimation and inference of integral functionals on submanifolds, which arise naturally in a variety of econometric settings. For linear integral functionals on a regular submanifold, we show that the semiparametric plugin estimator attains the minimax-optimal convergence rate n—s2s+d-m, where s is the Hölder smoothness order of the underlying nonparametric function, d is the dimension of the first-stage nonparametric estimation, m is the dimension of the submanifold over which the integral is taken. This rate coincides with the standard minimax-optimal rate for a (d − m)-dimensional nonparametric estimation problem, illustrating that integration over the …

Usa V. Loren Clark, Jr.

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Evaluation Of The Energy And Timing Resolution Of Cerium Bromide Detectors For Nuclear Applications, Madyson C. Hickman

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

We tested the timing and energy resolution of cerium bromide (CeBr₃) detectors for use in the CeBrA array of gamma-ray detectors in the John D. Fox lab at Florida State University. Using different sources, we calibrated energy spectra and analyzed FWHM values to determine the energy resolution. Timing resolution from a ⁶⁰Co source was measured using coincident gamma rays from the sources. Our results showed the expected energy dependence and confirmed that the detectors meet performance standards.

Cerium Bromide Detectors: Measuring Efficiencies For Gamma Ray Detection, Ewan Chattin

Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows

This Summer we have had access to 9 Cerium Bromide Gamma Ray detectors, which we have conducted various tests on to ensure a smooth transition when they are integrated into the Cerium Bromide Array(CeBrA) at Florida State University. One of the goals we pursued was mapping out the Full Energy Peak Efficiency for each of the detectors, which is described below. While the results we have right now are not our final ones, we can describe the trends that we see in the detectors accurately. This work is supported by National Science Foundation Grant No. 2405485.

A Perovskite Nanocomposite And Self-Assembled Nanoparticle-Decorated Cathode For Low Temperature Sofcs, Chunyang Yang, Guoan Wang, Xingjian Xue

Faculty Publications

One-pot route synthesis of an A-site Sm-doped simple perovskite with nominal composition Sm_0.10Ba_0.90Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ leads to a novel perovskite nanocomposite containing ∼90% A-site cation deficient cubic simple perovskite Ba0.925(Co/Fe)0.962Sm0.038O_3−δ and ∼10% orthorhombic layered perovskite SmBa(Co/Fe)₂O_5+δ. The synergy of the two phases in the nanocomposite results in high electrochemical kinetic properties at low temperatures. With the novel perovskite nanocomposite, a surface nanoparticle-decorated nanocomposite cathode is self-assembled through a one-step sintering process. The corresponding anode-supported cell delivers a peak power density of 1271 mW cm^{−2 …}

July 18, 2025 Ereporter, University Of Alabama At Birmingham

eReporter (campus newsletter)

No abstract provided.

Indirect Excitons And Many-Body Interactions In Ingaas Double Quantum Wells, Christopher L. Smallwood, Rachel Owen, Matthew W. Day, Takeshi Suzuki, Rohan Singh, Travis M. Autry, Smriti Bhalerao, Fauzia Jabeen, Steven T. Cundiff

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Spatially indirect excitons in semiconductor quantum wells are relevant to basic research and device applications because they exhibit enhanced tunability, delocalized wave functions, and potentially longer lifetimes relative to direct excitons. Here we investigate the properties of indirect excitons and their coupling interactions with direct excitons in asymmetric InGaAs double quantum wells using optical multidimensional coherent spectroscopy and photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy. Analyses of the spectra confirm a strong influence of many-body effects and reveal that excited-state zero-quantum coherences between direct and indirect excitons in the quantum wells dephase faster than the much-higher-energy single-quantum coherences between excitonic excited states and ground …

Aviation Procurement And Sustainability, Kyle A. Paddack

Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This Study investigates the relationship of procurement practices on sustainability performance within the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations utilizing Aeroman - El Salvador's leading MRO provider - as the center of the case study. Utilizing the Triple Bottom Line framework, the research maps out the current sourcing model used, identifying pressures toward single sourcing agreements, expedited logistics, and vague supply chains. a qualitative approach combines data from industry leaders, direct company information, and ESG document analysis form a three-dimensional assessment matrix that evaluate the economic, environmental, and social indicators for the company. Throughout the TBL framework will be …

Life Cycle Assessment Of New Jersey Offshore Wind, Meghann Smith, Nawal Shoaib, Pankaj Lal

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

As offshore wind gains momentum within US (United States) renewable energy goals, New Jersey's ambitious targets for offshore wind development represent a significant opportunity to reduce emissions and transition towards cleaner energy sources. This study presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) of a planned offshore wind farm off of New Jersey's coast, emphasizing the implications of a domestic supply chain. Key findings suggest that the offshore wind farm is projected to produce 0.013 kg CO2 kWh−1 of electricity generated, reflecting a 98 % decrease in carbon emissions compared to natural-gas-derived electricity. Further, when compared to carbon emissions from other renewable …

Comparing And Evaluating Contralateral Breast Dose Relative To Median Ptv Tumor Bed Dose For Hypo-Fractionated Breast Treatments Using Import High Dose Constraints., Shannon J. Nordby

Masters Projects

This study is aimed to compare two different planning constraints for post-lumpectomy whole breast radiation treatments to evaluate whether or not the mean dose to the contralateral breast can be significantly reduced while maintaining plan quality for treatment. A total of 10 patients who had first undergone a lumpectomy were included into this study. Each patient’s initial treatment plan was created using a conventional approach with a mean dose constraint of < 600 cGy (Plan A) and then was replanned using the Import High protocol of a mean dose constraint, aiming to further push for a mean dose < 150 cGy (Plan B) to the contralateral breast. Both of these plans were analyzed for PTV coverage and dose to the surrounding critical structures. The results have shown that the contralateral mean dose was significantly reduced from an average of 216.32 in Plan A to 126.53 cGy in Plan B. All while meeting the target coverage of > 95% isodose line. Statistical testing showed a significant difference between the two planning techniques of lowering the contralateral dose (p < 0.0001), and normality testing supported the validity of the data analysis. In addition to a substantial dose reduction to the contralateral breast, Plan B maintained equal or improved dose constraint to other surrounding critical organs at risk, including the heart, lungs, spinal cord, and thyroid. The Import High protocol demonstrated consistent outcomes across diverse patient anatomies. These findings suggest that by using the Import High mean dose constraint, it is possible to maintain plan quality while reducing dose to the contralateral breast. This approach may help reduce the risk of long-term side effects and improve the patient’s overall outcomes in whole breast radiation treatments.

Allerville Arms Owners Corp V. Gjelil

All Decisions

The court denied the former tenant's motion to vacate a judgment for use and occupancy. The pro se tenant, a former superintendent, had a trial and lost, then moved out. After retaining counsel, he sought to "renew/reargue" the $3, 500/month U&O award. The court treated the motion as an untimely request to set aside a judgment under CPLR 4404(b). It found the tenant offered no "good cause" for his two-month delay and failed to provide sufficient evidence to challenge the U&O amount. The tenant's claims of poor conditions and improper termination were deemed to belong in a separate court.

Ai Project Facilitation Guidance For Research Computing And Data (Rcd) Professionals, Anna Alber, Laura Briggs, Paul Brunk, Manasvita Joshi, Atish P. Kamble, Amira Kefi, Timothy Middelkoop, Semir Sarajlic, Ana Maria Sokovic, Jeffrey N. Valdez, Ying Zhang

Administration and Staff Articles and Research

The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in research and education continues to rapidly grow, resulting in increased collaboration between researchers in AI and Research Computing and Data (RCD) professionals to meet the research and teaching demands. RCD professionals bridge the gap between research and technology by guiding and collaborating with researchers and educators through the process of selecting the hardware, software, and services best suited for executing their AI projects. This includes ensuring compliance with funding and regulatory requirements across the entire lifecycle of the project. In this paper, we present an overview of the AI project lifecycle and how …

Perspectives Of Childcare Center Directors Regarding Barriers To Naeyc Accreditation, Jessica Baffoe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

NAEYC accreditation is a hallmark of quality in early learning and lack of accreditation suggested a gap in practice. The problem that was the focus of this research is that only 12% of early childhood center-based programs in the United States are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The purpose of the study was to explore perspectives of childcare center directors regarding NAEYC accreditation. Knowles’s adult learning provided the conceptual framework for this study and guided 3 research questions about directors’ perspectives of barriers, benefits, and the necessary support they associated with NAEYC accreditation. …

W-Rag: Weakly Supervised Dense Retrieval In Rag For Open-Domain Question Answering, Jinming Nian, Zhiyuan Peng, Qifan Wang, Yi Fang

Computer Science and Engineering

In knowledge-intensive tasks such as open-domain question answering (OpenQA), large language models (LLMs) often struggle to generate factual answers, relying solely on their internal (parametric) knowledge. To address this limitation, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems enhance LLMs by retrieving relevant information from external sources, thereby positioning the retriever as a pivotal component. Although dense retrieval demonstrates state-of-the-art performance, its training poses challenges due to the scarcity of ground-truth evidence, largely attributed to the high costs of human annotation. In this paper, we propose W-RAG, a method that draws weak training signals from the downstream task (such as OpenQA) of an LLM, …

Using Artificial Intelligence To Improve Customer Engagement: User Experience With Chatbot Technology, Aicha Zemmouri, Salma Choufari

Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets

This study examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on improving customer loyalty through the use of chatbot technology, with a specific focus on the user experience of Moroccan consumers. The increasing integration of AI into customer service, especially through chatbots, represents a significant shift in how companies interact with their customers. Given Morocco’s growing digitalization and the strategic importance of customer loyalty, it is critical to understand how consumers perceive and interact with these technologies. To achieve this, the study used a qualitative research method of semi-structured interviews to investigate consumers’ perceptions, interaction behaviours, and challenges with chatbot usage. …

2025, 1(20)

Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets

Full Issue 2025, 1(20)

Detection Of Neuron Derived Cfdna In Blood Plasma: A New Diagnostic Approach For Neurodegenerative Conditions, Chad Alan Pollard

Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are characterized by the progressive loss of distinct neuronal subtypes, yet current diagnostic tools are either invasive, limited in resolution, or poorly suited for early detection and longitudinal monitoring. This dissertation began with a proof-of- concept study using bisulfite-PCR at a neuron-enriched locus to detect cortical neuron-derived cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in AD plasma samples, establishing the potential of cfDNA as a marker of neuronal injury. Building on these preliminary findings, a novel framework was developed utilizing Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) to profile genome-wide native DNA …

State-Level Immigrant Policies And Diabetes Prevalence In Latino And Asian American Groups: A Weighted Multilevel Analysis, Md Towfiqul Alam, Jennifer Toller Erausquin, Erica Payton, Elizabeth Vásquez, Sandra Echeverria

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Growing literature has shown that immigrant-related policies influence population health by limiting or enhancing immigrants’ rights. However, less is known about the role of state-level immigrant policies shaping chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This cross-sectional study examined the association between state-level immigrant policies (both criminalising and inclusive) and prevalence of T2DM among individuals of Latin American and Asian American origin.

Method: We included adults aged 18+years sampled in the 2014–2018 behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) (n=201 824), a survey design that allows the calculation of state-level estimates. Using existing policy measures, states …

A Web Application For Generating Argument Maps For Essays Using Llms, Alexis R. Chalmers

Theses

Argumentative writing is a critical skill that strengthens students’ reasoning, communication, and analytical abilities. However, maintaining a clear and organized argument structure while writing can be challenging. Argument maps — visual diagrams which explicitly show an argument’s structure — have been shown to improve students’ writing, but are rarely used outside of the planning stage of an essay due to the time and effort required to create them. Automatically generating argument maps from student essays helps students to evaluate the structure of their argument as they write and makes identifying unsupported claims visible. To evaluate whether large language models (LLMs) …