Digital Commons Network^™

Neural Retrieval Through Entities And Text Understanding, Pooja Himanshu Oza

Doctoral Dissertations

For various artificial intelligence systems, automatic text understanding algorithms that go beyond mere pattern recognition are helpful. For instance, understanding web pages is beneficial for Information Retrieval (IR) systems to retrieve relevant information. In the most common form, IR systems retrieve relevant information as entities or documents in response to keywords-based queries. Traditional IR models use lexical matching between the query terms and document terms to identify relevant documents. With the emergence of neural networks, Neural IR approaches utilize deep learning techniques to learn high-dimensional representations of documents and queries that go beyond term matching.

On the other hand, with …

Flexibility And Accountability: Lessons On Accessibility From Pandemic Learning, Ashley Barry

Doctoral Dissertations

While the COVID-19 pandemic, starting in 2020, disrupted the writing education of many students, students with disabilities were particularly impacted. During this same period, college writing instructors worked to adapt and make their pedagogies more accessible in new educational contexts. This IRB-approved qualitative study utilizes principles of Universal Design for Learning to cultivate a methodology that is flexible enough to meet a wide variety of participant needs. The datasets consist of a pilot survey and focus groups of college instructors along with classroom artifacts and a series of interviews with short journal entries from four undergraduate students with disabilities. In …

Environmental Change And Population Dynamics Of Small Mammals In Northern Alaska, Jess K. Steketee

Doctoral Dissertations

Rodent populations at northern latitudes undergo cyclic dynamics characterized by high amplitude interannual fluctuations every 3-5 years. Population cycles have puzzled mammalogists for over a century and disentangling their drivers remains a central goal. Understanding which factors drive rodent populations and how these dynamics might change with warming is essential for predicting the impacts of climate change on arctic ecosystems as herbivore pressure shapes plant community composition, soil nutrient availability and carbon concentrations. My research focused on potential drivers of brown lemming (Lemmus trimucronatus) and tundra vole (Microtus oeconomus) population fluctuations in Arctic Alaska. I combined field techniques with laboratory …

Molecular Re(I) Catalysts On Semiconductor Surfaces For Solar Co2 Reduction, Esraa Ahmad

Doctoral Dissertations

Utilization of CO2 by photocatalytic reduction to generate energy-rich fuels is a rapidly growing area of interest. Diimine-tricarbonyl Re(I) complexes are well-known CO2-reduction catalysts with excellent selectivity toward CO production. In this thesis, various strategies for coupling molecular Re(I) catalysts with semiconductor surfaces are investigated.In Chapter II, four molecular Re(I) catalysts are evaluated in photocatalysis. The effect of immobilizing these catalysts on TiO2 is studied. These Re(I) catalysts showed excellent activities in photocatalytic CO2 reduction in the presence of Ru(II) photosensitizer giving turnover numbers (TONs) ranging from 368 to 738 in 2 hours. In Chapter III, a Re(I) complex with …

Algebraically Doubly Stochastic Matrices Over Principal Ideal Domains, Eric Davis

Doctoral Dissertations

A doubly stochastic matrix over the real numbers is a matrix $A=[a_{ij}]$ such that $0\leq a_{ij}\leq1$ for all $i,j$ and all rows and columns sum to 1. The classical Birkhoff-von Neumann theorem states that every doubly stochastic matrix over $\R$ can be expressed as an affine combination of permutation matrices, matrices with a single 1 in each row and column and 0's elsewhere. Over a general commutative ring with identity $R$ we drop the condition that $0\leq a_{ij}\leq1$ and consider matrices with only the row and column sum condition; we refer to such matrices as \textit{algebraically doubly stochastic} and denote …

Three Essays On Disability Policy And Employment Of People With Disabilities, Xueting Sun

Doctoral Dissertations

The employment of people with disabilities is substantially and persistently lower than the employment of people without disabilities (Burkhauser et al., 2002; Houtenville & Bach, 2024; Livermore & Honeycutt, 2015). In 2022, using American Community Survey data, the employment-to-population ratio of people with disabilities ages 18-64 was 44.5 percent, compared to 78.9 percent for their counterparts without disabilities (Houtenville & Bach, 2024). This dissertation consists of three essays on disability policy and employment of people with disabilities. The first essay (Chapter 2) explores the effect of the Medicaid expansion, authorized by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, on employment …

Development Of A Layered Unsupervised Classifier Of Plasma Regions And A Bootstrap-Ensemble Neural Network Bow Shock Mode, James Andrew Edmond

Doctoral Dissertations

The use of supervised methods in space science have demonstrated powerful capability in classification tasks, but purely unsupervised methods have been less utilized for the classification of spacecraft observations. We use a combination of unsupervised methods, being principal component analysis, self-organizing maps, and hierarchical agglomerative clustering, to classify THEMIS and MMS observations as having occurred in the magnetosphere, magnetosheath, or the solar wind. The resulting classification are validated visually by analyzing the distribution of classifications and studying individual time series as well as by comparison to the labeled dataset of a previous model, against which ours has an accuracy of …

Evaluation Of Rockfall Trajectories Using Smart Rocks And Measurement While Drilling, Bruma Morganna Mendonca De Souza

Doctoral Dissertations

This doctoral research investigates rockfall movement under laboratory and field-controlled conditions as well as in situ natural field environments in an effort to better understand the movement described by falling blocks. Although previously published research identified several factors that affect rockfall movement (block characteristics, ground characteristics, and impact kinematics), the lack of a standardized methodology to evaluate rockfall behavior upon impact on different ground materials increases the difficulty of establishing realistic parameters in modeling approaches and ultimately in selecting representative model input parameters. In order to measure rockfall movement under different test conditions, concrete fabricated test blocks ranging in mass …

Sustainable Energy Transition In Grid Connected And Off-Grid Communities, Roozbeh Ghasemi

Doctoral Dissertations

Decentralized energy systems, such as solar PV and wind, are often seen as key to improving the sustainability and resilience of energy systems in both urban and remote communities. This research aims to enhance the sustainability of adopting these systems in both grid-connected and off-grid contexts. In urban communities, a choice experiment model was developed for Boston, MA, and Atlanta, GA, and the results were analyzed using latent class analysis to understand household preferences for two decentralized renewable energy systems. For islanded communities, a process-based dynamic model was developed to simulate the operation of the decentralized energy system on Appledore …

Innovative Approaches To Dna-Based Materials: Development Of Bottlebrush Polymers, Supramolecular Hydrogels, And Psoralen-Enhanced 3d Printing Of Dna Bioinks, Nicholas Pierini

Doctoral Dissertations

This thesis explores innovative approaches to enhancing the functionality and applications of DNA-based materials through the development of DNA bottlebrush polymers (BBPs), DNA-intercalating supramolecular hydrogels (DISHs), and psoralen-based 3D printing techniques. The first chapter presents the synthesis and characterization of linear and cyclic DNA BBPs using a grafting-to approach. Plasmid DNA (pDNA) is used as the polymeric backbone, grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) side chains of varying molecular weights (750 Da, 2000 Da, and 5000 Da) to improve stability and functionality. Achieving high graft densities, up to 24% for mPEG750-CEA, and purifying the PEG-DNA conjugates were significant challenges addressed through …

Oscillatory Boundary Layer And Sediment Dynamics Over And Within Mobile Rippled Beds, Savannah Devoe

Doctoral Dissertations

In nearshore environments, small-scale bedforms, or ripples, are important contributors to net morphologic change by means of bedload and suspended load sediment transport. In this dissertation, new characterizations of boundary layer and sediment dynamics are made using high-resolution observations of mobile, rippled beds subjected to oscillatory flow for the purpose of evaluating existing parameterizations of bedload transport. The spatiotemporal distribution of shear stress at and within a mobile, rippled bed is obtained via the derivation and application of a new Momentum Integral Method (“MIM”) expression for bed shear stress to data from a two-phase Large Eddy Simulation and Discrete Particle …

Unlocking The Permafrost Nutrient Bomb: Determining Plant And Microbial Transformations In Response To Manipulative Arctic Experiments, Natalie Kashi

Doctoral Dissertations

High latitude ecosystems are characterized by permafrost (perennially frozen ground), short growing seasons, and slow decomposition, and these characteristics of arctic ecosystems make them particularly sensitive to climate change. Alterations to arctic ecosystem functions are responding to recent climate disturbances such as increased active soil depths caused by thawing permafrost, transformation of dry ombrotrophic ecosystems to wetland communities, increased occurrence of wildfires in areas where wildfires are historically scarce, increased vegetation productivity, and shifts in plant phenology. Despite major ecosystem transformations and extreme climatic events in the Arctic during the previous decades, uncertainties persist largely because of nuances with climate …

Two-Way Coupling Of The National Water Model (Nwm) And Semi-Implicit Cross-Scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model (Schism) For Enhanced Coastal Discharge Predictions, Hongyuan Zhang, Dongliang Shen, Shaowu Bao, Pietrafesa Len

Marine Science

This study addresses the limitations of and the common challenges faced by one-dimensional river-routing methods in hydrological models, including the National Water Model (NWM), in accurately representing coastal regions. We developed a two-way coupling between the NWM and the Semi-implicit Cross-scale Hydroscience Integrated System Model (SCHISM). The approach demonstrated improvements in modeling coastal river dynamics, particularly during extreme events like Hurricane Matthew. The coupled model successfully captured tidal influences, storm surge effects, and complex river–river interactions that the standalone NWM missed. The approach revealed more accurate representations of peak discharge timing and magnitude as well as water storage and release …

Open Repository @ Binghamton Monthly Additions And Top Downloads - August 2024, Caitlin Holton

Library Created Resources

Newly added work in the Open Repository @ Binghamton (ORB) from 8/1/2024-8/31/2024. Top downloads from same time frame.

Open Repository @ Binghamton Monthly Additions And Top Downloads - July 2024, Caitlin Holton

Library Created Resources

Newly added work in the Open Repository @ Binghamton (ORB) from 7/1/2024-7/31/2024. Top downloads from same time frame.

“Facilitate Then Curate: Highlighting Student & Bipoc Voices In The Library Collection With The Reading Resilience Project”, Kelly Blanchat

Library Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Willingness To Pay For Internet Speed And Quality, Maysam Rabbani, Cari A. Bogulski, Hari Eswaran, Corey J. Hayes

Department of Economics Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This paper adds to a growing literature on the willingness to pay (WTP) for internet services. We surveyed 5,200 respondents across four demographically diverse United States (US) states, and developed a curve-fitting WTP estimation technique that builds on existing conjoint analysis models. We find that users are willing to pay an extra $1.13 per month for a 1 megabits per second (Mbps) faster internet and $45.52 per month for better connection quality. We document a strong non-linearity: a given speed increment generates the most value for users with the slowest internet but confers negligible value on users with the fastest …

An Examination Of Artistic Expression Through Honoré Daumier's Le Fardeau, Sarah Isak-Goode

Theses

Honoré Daumier, renowned for his career as a political cartoonist in 19th-century France, created a substantial body of personal works that have received comparatively little scholarly attention. This thesis focuses on Daumier's paintings, particularly those created during his midlife (1848-1864), examining their distinctively serious qualities and emotional depth. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining art historical analysis and psychobiography, this research explores the previously unrecognized connection between Daumier's paintings and his private life experiences. Central to this study is an in-depth analysis of Le Fardeau, a painting that exemplifies Daumier's artistic evolution and emotional expression during a period marked by personal …

Exploring Experience Design In The Art Deco Restoration Of Indianapolis Bottleworks Hotel, Jennifer A. Mott

Theses

This thesis investigates the interaction between emotional resonance, the Decorative Arts, and historical significance in creating a curated emotional experience. Focused on the case study of the Bottleworks Hotel, a restored Art Deco gem within the former Coca-Cola Bottling Company plant in Indianapolis, this research provides an interpretative analysis, synthesis of the literature, and primary source surveys and reviews to show that the Art Deco restoration and the historical significance of the bottling plant work together to create stimulating experience design. As urban landscapes undergo transformation and the tourism industry becomes increasingly competitive and significant, this study not only enriches …

Stronger Practical Game-Playing Ai For Duelyst Ii, Bryan Mckenney

Master's Theses and Capstones

Duelyst II is an online collectible card game (CCG) that features a 9 × 5 grid board,making it a cross between the popular CCG Hearthstone and chess. It is a partially- observable stochastic game (POSG) with a large branching factor and the ability to take several actions in a time-limited turn, making it a challenging domain for game-playing AI. On top of that, successor generation is very slow, limiting the effectiveness of traditional planning approaches such as Monte Carlo tree search (MCTS).

In this thesis, I build on my previous work on Duelyst II AI, creating a stronger game-playing agent …

2024 Book And Author Event, Katie Prentice

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

The Friends of the Texas Medical Center Library invite to the 2024 Book & Author Event featuring Jennifer M. Ross-Nazzal, PhD author of Making Space for Women: Stories from Trailblazing Women of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Dr. Ross-Nazzal, winner of the 2023 Liz Carpenter Award for Best Book on the History of Women will challenge perceptions and opens STEM fields—including space medicine—to new generations of women by bringing forth twenty-one engaging interviews conducted for the NASA Oral History Project in this compelling volume.

Avoid Predatory Publishers, Joanne Romano

TMC Library Newsletter (2015-)

Your paper has been accepted for publication! The next step is to verify the legitimacy of the publisher. Predatory publishers often mimic reputable ones, so it's crucial to do your due diligence. Our library offers resources to help you identify reliable publishers and spot red flags associated with fraudulent ones.

First, check out our LibGuide called: Where To Publish Your Research.

Mapping Internationalization Of Curriculum Onto School Psychology And Related Fields: A Systematic Review Of Literature

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Full Issue 16(4) 2024

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Journal, Volume 13, William & Mary Law School

Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Journal

Property and Propriety (or A Well-Ordered Society)

October 26-27, 2023

Panel 1: Property and Propriety (or A Well-Ordered Society): A Tribute to Gregory S. Alexander

Panel 2: Equity's Role in Defining Property Rights

Panel 3: Roundtable: Emerging Issues

Panel 4: The Restatement's Impact on Property Rights

Panel 5: The Scalability of Property Rights

Note

Biol 201-H01: Foundations Of Biology: Cell & Molecular Biology-Honors, Mary Konsolaki

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biol 432-101: Introduction To Computational Neuroscience, Horacio Rotstein

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biol 200-H01, H03: Concepts In Biology-Honors, Caroline Devan

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biol 328-001: Ornithology: Life Of Birds, Daniel Bunker

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Biol 352-001: Genetics, Michael Nelson

Biology Syllabi

No abstract provided.