Digital Commons Network^™

Incorporating Intrinsic Structures Into Entity Matching And Representation Learning, Ween Jiann Lee

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The proliferation of internet-connected devices and online services has generated vast amounts of user-generated content in various formats, such as text, visual, and spatial information. Despite the potential of advanced deep learning techniques, challenges such as fragmentation, lack of cohesive structure, and the inability to capture intrinsic data structures persist, affecting data amalgamation and quality. Our research addresses these challenges by enhancing entity matching and representation learning across graph, semi-ordered, and spatial data. These advancements have significant implications for applications in transportation, recommendation systems, and urban planning.

In entity matching, we introduce Robust BiPoly-Matching and Semi-Ordered Bidirectional Poly-Matching. Matching records …

Creating And Delivering Audio Descriptions For Videos, Rosiana Natalie

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Despite anti-discrimination regulations mandating the provision of audio descriptions (ADs), the majority of online video content remains inaccessible to blind and low-vision (BLV) individuals. This is because these ADs are either absent or fail to adequately address the diverse and unique needs of the audience. Traditionally, content creators have relied on professionals to author ADs. However, this gold standard may not be accessible for some content creators because this method is still costly and has a long turnaround time. Moreover, when ADs are available, they tend to be static and unalterable, failing to cater to the unique preferences of BLV …

Essays On Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Management, Bowen Zhou

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This dissertation comprises three essays that investigate the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business.

Chapter 1 investigates the fundamental issue of how integrating AI within R&D activities influences a firm’s market value. We developed an "AI Index" using patent data and textual analysis. Interestingly, empirical results indicate a negative correlation between AI integration and market value. However, this does not suggest that AI is an unviable avenue for exploration. Further analysis of the boundary conditions reveals that complementary assets are crucial for successful commercialisation, highlighting that while AI adoption is costly, these assets significantly enhance its market value. …

Examining A Regulatory Flexibility Framework Of Psychological Distress: Integrating Distress Tolerance, Emotion Differentiation, And Emotion Regulation Flexibility, Germaine Yue Qi Tng

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Several theoretical accounts identify emotion regulation (ER) difficulties, including poor abilities to withstand or distinguish negative emotions, as a transdiagnostic risk factor for symptoms of psychological distress. Considering this, nascent evidence hints that ER flexibility may be a mediating mechanism that explains the relationship between specific ER abilities (i.e., distress tolerance, negative emotion differentiation) and distress symptoms. Across time-lagged (Study 1) and three-wave longitudinal (Study 2) investigations of college-aged adults, a regulatory flexibility framework of distress was examined in which ER flexibility mediates the respective pathways from distress tolerance and negative emotion differentiation to psychological distress symptoms. Furthermore, we explored …

Decentralized Consensus And Governance For Collaborative Intelligence, Huiwen Liu

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

The data economy today is becoming increasingly collaborative in nature. Take business intelligence, for example. To unleash the full potential of big data, it is essential to integrate multi-source data depicting entities from a multi-faceted and multi-modal perspective, which, not surprisingly, is not achievable by any company alone. In collaborative intelligence, there are two core issues, namely "trust" and "incentive". The core mechanisms to solve these two problems are consensus and tokenization separately.

To solve the trust problem more effectively, we propose a systematic consensus evaluation framework to investigate whether existing consensus algorithms can do so. After a lot of …

Essays On Estimating Firm-Level Production Function With Spatial Dependence, Bo Lin Ng

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

This dissertation consists of two chapters on the estimation of firm-level production functions when spatial effects are present. In joint work with Pao-Li Chang, chapter 1 focuses on the impacts of global value chains (GVC) on the firm-level outcomes of Singapore. First, we quantify Singapore’s participation in global value chains (GVC) using the export decomposition framework of Borin and Mancini (2019), before using these indicators to analyse how GVC participation affects sectoral-level valueadded and employment. We find that gross exports and foreign final demand have become more important for Singapore’s value-added, largely driven by the Services sectors. We then use …

The Impact Of Organizational Dynamic Capability On Collaborative Innovation: A Supply Chain Perspective, Xiangdong Wang

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Innovation capability is one of the most important competitive advantages of the firms, and fully collaborating with partners in the supply chain to form an innovation alliance has been proven can effectively promote the firm’s innovation performance. This research apply case study on China sportswear supply chain with a mixed method, aims to disclose the innovation Black-box and reveal the influencing factors and its mechanism. The study consists of two parts, Study 1 is semi-structured interviews with 32 industry experts, through the analysis of the interview records, we figured out what factors the industry experts believe it can improve the …

Horse-Racing Pooh-Bah: C.W. Williams And His Kite-Shaped Track, Roy R. Behrens

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Organized Activity Participation On Emotional Distress For Adolescents With Disabilities, Adam Langenfeld, Rebekah Hudock, Rebecca J. Dosch Brown, Marla Eisenberg

Journal of Youth Development

Adolescents who have been diagnosed with disabilities constitute a significant portion of the school population in the United States. For example, the National Survey of Children’s Health identified one in four children ages 12 to 17 as having special healthcare needs in 2019 (Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health, n.d.). These adolescents are often diagnosed with a wide range of conditions, ranging from specific learning difficulties to more global delays across developmental domains. In the school setting, adolescents with disabilities often have an individualized educational program (IEP). Mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) of 2004, …

Why Researchers Need To Hear Practitioners’ Voices: A Call To Action, Donna Zerr, David Wolff, Carissa Gober

Open Educational Resources - Teaching and Learning

This article encourages educators to embrace their role as researchers and contribute to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. It highlights how everyday classroom experiences can lead to meaningful inquiry, and it urges practitioners to share their findings through self-study and scholarly writing. By making their work public, educators not only validate their experiences but also help expand collective knowledge and improve practice across the field. The article serves as both a guide and an inspirational call for educators to let their voices be heard.

Status Epilepticus: Initial Management, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Foreign Body Ingestion, Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Antimicrobial Potential Of Bovine Lactoferrin Against The Neonatal Pathogen, Staphylococcus Capitis, Anna Desmond, Lesley Cotter, Des Field, Fiona O'Halloran

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

Lactoferrin is an antimicrobial glycoprotein that demonstrates a broad-spectrum of activity against a wide variety of clinical pathogens. This study investigated the potential of bovine lactoferrin (bLf) against multidrug resistant Staphylococcus capitis (S. capitis) strains. Growth curve analysis and time-kill curves demonstrated that at 750 µg ml−1 lactoferrin significantly inhibited (50.6%, P < 0.05) the growth of most isolates tested (90%), and this effect was based on a bacteriostatic mechanism. At the same concentration, bLf also significantly inhibited (30%, P < 0.05) biofilm formation in 40% of strains tested. Combinations of bLf with selected antibiotics were assessed for enhanced antimicrobial activity using growth curves. BLf combined with β-lactam antibiotics reduced the growth of S. capitis strains, however, the effects were not significant. BLf displays antimicrobial effects against multidrug resistant S. capitis isolates, but with strain-specific effects.

Mda At Your Service: How Can I Protect My Practice From Cybercrime?, Kristin Johnson Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Cybercrime poses a significant threat to dental practices. To safeguard against attacks, the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends educating employees on phishing, enforcing strong passwords, requiring multifactor authentication, and updating software regularly. Additional resources include Complete Dental IT for security assessments and MDA Insurance for cyber liability policies. Further support for dental practices includes the transferability of MDA Radiography Training vouchers, using specialized CPA firms for better financial insights, and guidance on insurance network decisions for hiring associates.

Identifying And Removing Barriers To Accessibility In Environmental Education And Outdoor Recreation, Patricia Bonnin

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

There are numerous mental, physical, and socio-emotional health benefits to spending time outdoors, and this is especially true for people with disabilities. However, outdoor spaces such as park systems, nature centers, and other natural places are typically not accessible for people with disabilities. Research shows there are numerous barriers they encounter when trying to attend outdoor areas. The capstone project, titled Nature Adapted: Guidebook for evaluating and modifying current programs and practices to increase outdoor accessibility, was created to assist environmental education centers and outdoor recreation organizations in becoming more inclusive. It includes information sections, pre-assessements, reflections, and places to …

Netiquette For Upper Elementary Multilingual Learners: A Curriculum Resource, Denise Price

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This capstone paper explores the research question: When teaching computer-mediated communication (CMC) skills to upper elementary students, how can teachers include politeness (netiquette) instruction tailored to meet the needs of multilingual learners (MLs)? After reflecting on her own previous difficulties trying to learn the netiquette rules of another language, the author conducted a literature review that revealed an important gap: despite the increasing prevalence of CMC at the elementary level, little research currently exists on how best to teach netiquette skills to this age group. In the accompanying project, the author wove together ideas from traditional linguistic theories about polite …

Translanguaging In Adult Education: Technology Curriculum Project, Jacqueline Phillips

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The use of technology in the classroom is constantly increasing. In the world of adult education, these skills are even more important for students to be successful both inside and outside the classroom. As a way to improve those skills while also accounting for the needs of English language learning students, this capstone project explores the following question: How can teachers support best translanguaging instructional practices in an adult basic technology curriculum? The literature review explores the practices of adult education, translanguaging, and digital literacy pedagogies that contribute to the formation and foundation of the curriculum support materials created. The …

Co-Teaching Secondary Dual Eligible Students, Heidi Macomber

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Students who qualify for both English Language services and Special Education services tend to be underserved and have high failure rates in secondary schools. This project investigates the details related to dual eligible students’ underachievement and strives to create a curriculum that appropriately integrates language learning into topics such as identity and mental health. Research relates to methods of assessment that lead to qualification for both English language services and Special Education services. It also evaluates the complicated nature of co-teaching and the many methods for co-teaching that have been developed through research. In addition, this research shows that dual …

An Examination Of The Effects Of Mindfulness Practices On Self-Regulation And Social-Emotional Skills Among Students In The Early Elementary Grades, Erica Sederstrom

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this study was: What are the effects of mindfulness practices on students' self-regulation and social-emotional skills in early elementary grades? The literature topics that were researched and analyzed included the benefits and challenges of mindfulness practices, main categories of mindfulness practices, and steps to implementation in school settings. The five-week mindfulness curriculum I designed for this project includes mindful breathing, movement, and listening activities that can be implemented in kindergarten through second-grade classrooms. The curriculum comprises 25 lessons with discussion prompts and writing responses, a printable parent letter, and pre/post assessments. The lessons are designed …

Guide To Establishing A Classroom Library - With Racially Representative Considerations, Julie Sieben

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The capstone project came from the educational space of equity in literature. Within the scope of using a new English Language Arts curriculum and a growing classroom diversity, the research question sought was: How can teachers establish a classroom library representative of a racially diverse student population? In order to locate research and educator journal articles within the literature review portion of the capstone, three main topic areas were explored: racial representation, multicultural education, and social justice. Diving deeper into racial representation, these themes emerged: misrepresentation, under-represented and selective inclusion. Considering the research question, the exploration continued with multiculturalism often …

Increasing Diversity In Advanced Placement Classrooms Through Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, Megan Volgren

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This thesis has been designed around the question: How can AP literature teachers use culturally relevant pedagogy to make changes to their curriculum to increase diversity in their classes? Most schools offer advanced classes for students, many of which offer opportunities for them to gain college credit while in school. Yet, these opportunities are not equitably distributed. Students of color are often absent from Advanced Placement (AP) classes. This thesis explores the reasons behind this inequality and considers some changes that can be made to promote equality in schools. The focus of the accompanying project is to create a unit …

School-Wide Policies To Support Ell Students With Lgbtqia+ Identities, Camille Verly

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

My research question is What school-wide policies can be implemented to support ELL students with LGBTQIA+ identities? LGBTQIA+ high school students face a myriad of challenges in achieving full integration within academic and school culture. These challenges are especially pronounced for students from an English Language Learner (ELL) background, who may also grapple with language barriers and cultural differences. This intersectional group is at higher risk of marginalization, and as such, they are in particular need of holistic support within their educational environment. This project is the development of a comprehensive website designed to serve as a resource for all …

Building Skills For Success: An Esol Job Readiness Curriculum For Adult Ukrainian Refugees, Shannon Daniels

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The growing number of Ukrainian refugees in North America has highlighted the need for English language learning resources focusing on employment content. This capstone project aims to fulfill this requirement by developing an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) curriculum on practical employment skills and communication. The curriculum considers the importance of cultural identity and the impact of trauma on the learner. It is based on Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) principles and Task-Based Learning (TBL). It is intended to assist refugees in making meaningful contributions to their families and communities through work. The curriculum emphasizes communication strategies relevant to …

Reading Through Music: A Unit Of Study Designed For Secondary English Language Arts Students, Sean Adams

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Research has shown that music can positively impact brain function, improving areas such as memory, attention, and language skills, which are critical for reading comprehension. This capstone explores the intersection of music and literacy, attempting to answer the following question: How can music inspire reading while enhancing reading comprehension and memory retention of the content for secondary students? In the curriculum designed for this project, students engage in a dynamic learning process integrating singing, piano practice, digital music creation using GarageBand, and reading poetry and a short story to promote robust comprehension and retention of content. The unit plan spans …

Pen Pal Programs As An Effective Tool For Elementary Writing And Intercultural Learning, Michelle Babb

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Research has demonstrated how writing can be a challenge for young students. Motivation, authentic use, and low stakes environments are beneficial methods to build student writing confidence. Pen pal programs are an effective way to provide those benefits to student writing. These programs can also assist in students’ ability to build intercultural connections, which holds important skills in the modern world. However, research on pen pal programs is limited, and teachers often lack the time and resources to begin such a program for their students. The project involved creating a website resource for teachers who are interested in developing pen …

The Integration Of Ipads In Secondary Schools: Improving Students’ Writing Proficiency And Learning Achievement During The Note-Taking Process, Josephine Borchert

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

The research question addressed in this study was: To what extent does the integration of iPads in secondary school classrooms impact students’ writing proficiency and learning achievement, especially during the note-taking process? The topics reviewed in the literature include the difficulties students face with writing, how poor writing skills impact overall proficiency as well as learning achievement, and the various methods of note-taking, starting with the pen-and-paper method leading to digital note-taking. The website created for the project focuses on informing teachers about different writing strategies and note-taking methods to help students increase their writing skills during the note-taking process. …

Healing Students’ Collective Trauma And Growing With School Gardens, Will Ashwood

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This paper examines the potential of school garden projects as a therapeutic intervention for addressing collective trauma among students. It investigates how such gardens can help students recognize, work through, and heal from trauma or PTSD, and explores the benefits of using a therapeutic garden as a setting for learning, healing, and personal growth. The significance of this work lies in its demonstration of how building, implementing, and maintaining a school garden can benefit educational institutions, families, and the broader community. It highlights how school gardens can integrate with existing curricula and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to enhance …

Integrating Language And Content Learning For Ells: The Role Of Functional Grammar, Anna Harding

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

With the ever growing population of English language learners (ELLs) in today’s schools, the implementation of effective instruction to meet their needs is paramount. This capstone explores the promise functional grammar has as a tool to support this instruction, while addressing the following research question: How can functional grammar be incorporated into English language development instruction in the mainstream elementary school classroom in order to meet ELD standards and develop students’ English language proficiency? Within this capstone paper, a literature review outlines what functional grammar is and how it has been shown to benefit ELLs in both their content and …

Using Group Work In Mathematics To Introduce Social Justice Concepts: Curriculum To Help Students Learn About Each Other Through Mathematics, Wyatt Ehlke

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This curriculum addresses the research question: What are the best practices for engaging with social justice topics and goals in a modern, constructivism-based mathematics course? The paper documents the reasons why the author chose to approach this question, then consists of a literature review into the topics of constructivism, social justice, and group work. The paper then includes a plan for the construction of curriculum for a precalculus class and ends with a reflection on the curriculum itself. The project consists of a unit planner alongside five lessons, each of which has problems and activities that address this question in …