Digital Commons Network^™

The Ftc And The Cpra’S Regulation Of Dark Patterns In Cookie Consent Notices, Danyang Li

The University of Chicago Business Law Review

Dark patterns are designed to confuse and manipulate users to select the option preferred by website owners. Dark patterns are especially prevalent in cookie consent notices, which are notices that websites display to inquire users regarding their cookie preferences. Cookies are often used by websites to track and store user information for functional and marketing purposes. Dark patterns exploit various psychological biases, and the interaction among the biases will likely exacerbate their effects. This Article examines 100 cookie consent notices from the most popular ecommerce websites in the United States and offers a set of empirical data on the current …

Tyson And Leviathan: Usda Rulemaking And The Psa Harm To Competition Requirement, Spencer James Parts

The University of Chicago Business Law Review

Facing concentration in meatpacking, farmers and ranchers are making increasingly urgent calls for protection from practices they claim make it difficult for them to earn a living. Among the statutes they have turned to for recourse is the Packers and Stockyards Act, a 1921 law that prohibits meatpackers from engaging in unfair, deceptive, or unjustly discriminatory practices. Courts, however, have made PSA cases more difficult to win by requiring that plaintiffs prove “harm to competition” to bring a successful case. Recently, the USDA has intervened in this debate, alternately supporting each side of the harm to competition question in controversial …

June 1, 2022 Faculty Senate Minutes, University Of South Carolina

Faculty Senate

Note: Awaiting Record of Attendance

Clinical Skills Of General Practitioners In Nairobi, Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study, Gulnaz Mohamoud, Robert Mash

Family Medicine, East Africa

Background: Quality service delivery in primary care requires motivated and competent health professionals. In the Kenyan private sector, GPs with no postgraduate training in family medicine offer primary care. There is a paucity of evidence on the ability of primary care providers to deliver comprehensive care and no such evidence is available for GPs practising in the private sector in Kenya.

Aim: To evaluate GPs’ training and experience in the skills required for comprehensive primary care.

Design and setting: A cross-sectional descriptive survey in 13 primary care clinics in the private sector of Nairobi, Kenya.

Method: A questionnaire, …

Shortness Of Breath In A Young Lady, Rare Case Report Of Thoracic Endometriosis, Willbroad Kyejo, Ally Zain Ismail, Davis Rubagumya, Rahma Bakari, Munawar Kaguta, Nancy Matillya

Family Medicine, East Africa

Introduction and importance: Endometrial glandular tissue can implant in the thorax of women suffering from endometriosis. The clinical presentation is depends on site of implantation. Complications include pneumothorax, pneumohemothorax or hemothorax.

Case presentation: A 31 year old woman with history of infertility presented with shortness of breath and was found to have a significant right sided pneumohemothorax. Drainage was done followed by chemical pleurodesis using bleomycin with resolution of symptoms on her follow up.

Clinical discussion: Thoracic endometriosis tend to present with chronic or sub-acute symptoms which are nonspecific symptoms leading to late diagnosis. Video Assisted Thoracoscopic surgery offer both …

Efficacy Of Chemical And Biological Stump Treatments For The Control Of Heterobasidion Occidentale Infection Of California Abies Concolor, Adrian Luis Poloni

Master's Theses

We conducted an experimental evaluation of treatments to limit Heterobasidion occidentale infection of white fir (Abies concolor) stumps and wounds in California mixed conifer forests. We tested the efficacy of urea, borate, and a mixture of two locally collected Phlebiopsis gigantea strains in preventing pathogen colonization of fir stumps and separately, urea and borate as infection controls on experimental stem wounds. These were paired with a laboratory test on ~100 g wood blocks with and without a one-week delay between inoculation and treatment. Urea, borates, and Phlebiopsis treatments all significantly reduced the stump surface area that was colonized …

Comparing Learned Representations Between Unpruned And Pruned Deep Convolutional Neural Networks, Parker Mitchell

Master's Theses

While deep neural networks have shown impressive performance in computer vision tasks, natural language processing, and other domains, the sizes and inference times of these models can often prevent them from being used on resource-constrained systems. Furthermore, as these networks grow larger in size and complexity, it can become even harder to understand the learned representations of the input data that these networks form through training. These issues of growing network size, increasing complexity and runtime, and ambiguity in the understanding of internal representations serve as guiding points for this work.

In this thesis, we create a neural network that …

Spacecraft Trajectory Optimization Suite: Fly-Bys With Impulsive Thrust Engines (Stops-Flite), Aaron H. Li

Master's Theses

Spacecraft trajectory optimization is a near-infinite problem space with a wide variety of models and optimizers. As trajectory complexity increases, so too must the capabilities of modern optimizers. Common objective cost functions for these optimizers include the propellant utilized by the spacecraft and the time the spacecraft spends in flight. One effective method of minimizing these costs is the utilization of one or multiple gravity assists. Due to the phenomenon known as the Oberth effect, fuel burned at a high velocity results in a larger change in orbital energy than fuel burned at a low velocity. Since a spacecraft is …

System Identification Of A Cantilever Beam With Interferometer Measurement Using Adaptive Filters, Jordan D. Kochavi

Master's Theses

Laser interferometry, commonly used in high-precision motion control systems, is rarely adopted in experimental vibration analysis because its installation and mounting is invasive to dynamical systems. However, metrology systems that already utilize laser interferometry, such as profilometry in semiconductor manufacturing, may benefit from interferometer feedback for signal processing. This study investigates the use of laser interferometry for system identification through a piezoelectrically actuated cantilevered beam.

The model of the beam including piezo actuators and optical measurement components are established through the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. From the method of separation of variables, the continuous system is transformed into a discrete system …

Rasm: Compiling Racket To Webassembly, Grant Matejka

Master's Theses

WebAssembly is an instruction set designed for a stack based virtual machine, with an emphasis on speed, portability and security. As the use cases for WebAssembly grow, so does the desire to target WebAssembly in compilation. In this thesis we present Rasm, a Racket to WebAssembly compiler that compiles a select subset of the top forms of the Racket programming language to WebAssembly. We also present our early findings in our work towards adding a WebAssembly backend to the Chez Scheme compiler that is the backend of Racket. We address initial concerns and roadblocks in adopting a WebAssembly backend and …

The Effects Of Atomic Oxygen On Silicone And Carbon-Based Contamination, Mayana W. Gordon

Master's Theses

Understanding the space environment and contamination concerns of a spacecraft is critical in designing a successful mission. The ability for a spacecraft to meet its science objectives relies on systems functioning as intended. A concern for maintain- ing performance while on orbit is molecular contamination. Silicones have previously been shown to form a silica layer on their surfaces when exposed to atomic oxygen. For silicone contamination, this translates to a silica film on the contaminated surface. Missions such as Long Duration Exposure Facility and Evaluation of Oxygen Interactions with Materials III have indicated that the silica film can trap deposits …

Exploring The Numerical Range Of Block Toeplitz Operators, Brooke Randell

Master's Theses

We will explore the numerical range of the block Toeplitz operator with symbol function \(\phi(z)=A_0+zA_1\), where \(A_0, A_1 \in M_2(\mathbb{C})\). A full characterization of the numerical range of this operator proves to be quite difficult and so we will focus on characterizing the boundary of the related set, \(\{W(A_0+zA_1) : z \in \partial \mathbb{D}\}\), in a specific case. We will use the theory of envelopes to explore what the boundary looks like and we will use geometric arguments to explore the number of flat portions on the boundary. We will then make a conjecture as to the number of flat …

Design Justice In Community-Oriented Engineering Pedagogy And Practice, Michael S. Reyna

Master's Theses

While engineering service-learning projects are seen as a favorable way for students to reinforce curricular learning while gaining cultural awareness, the outcomes of these projects center student benefits over partner community wellbeing. For these projects, and in other engineering contexts, various scholar-activists have conceptualized numerous principles and methods to center justice and equity in engineering outcomes. This research project and its associated intervention involved collecting scholarship and methods in engineering and social justice, and attempted to integrate these ideas into the practices of a local humanitarian service-learning engineering team. The collected scholarship centered around the topics of Design Justice, feminist …

A Nano-Drone Safety Architecture, Connor J. Sexton

Master's Theses

As small-form factor drones grow more intelligent, they increasingly require more sophisticated capabilities to record sensor data and system state, ensuring safe and improved operation. Already regulations for black boxes, electronic data recorders (EDRs), for determining liabilities and improving the safety of large-form factor autonomous vehicles are becoming established. Conventional techniques use hardened memory storage units that conserve all sensor (visual) and system operational state; and N-way redundant models for detecting uncertainty in system operation. For small-form factor drones, which are highly limited by weight, power, and computational resources, these techniques become increasingly prohibitive. In this paper, we propose a …

Ofdm Channel Estimation With Artificial Neural Networks, Joseph W. Bednar

Master's Theses

The use of orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) by wireless standards is often preferred due to its high spectral efficiency and ease of implementation. However, data transmission via OFDM still suffers when passing through a noisy channel. In order to maximize the abilities of OFDM, channel effects must be corrected. Unfortunately, channel estimation is often difficult due to the nonlinearity and randomness present in a practical communication channel.

Recently, machine learning based approaches have been used to improve existing channel estimation algorithms for a more efficient transmission. This thesis investigates the application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) as a means of …

On The Numerical Range Of Compact Operators, Montserrat Dabkowski

Master's Theses

One of the many characterizations of compact operators is as linear operators which
can be closely approximated by bounded finite rank operators (theorem 25). It is
well known that the numerical range of a bounded operator on a finite dimensional
Hilbert space is closed (theorem 54). In this thesis we explore how close to being
closed the numerical range of a compact operator is (theorem 56). We also describe
how limited the difference between the closure and the numerical range of a compact
operator can be (theorem 58). To aid in our exploration of the numerical range of
a compact …

Design And Analysis Of N-Path Filter For Radio Frequencies, Nathan M. Bergen

Master's Theses

Due to the growth of wireless communication many communication frequencies have grown increasingly dense. This density requires higher Q-factor to receive only the signal of interest. With the rise of smaller integrated circuits previous solutions used for filtering have become viable again. This paper explores whether the N-path filter is viable in the modern day for radio frequency receiver purposes. A non-differential N-path filter was created by utilizing Cadence Virtuoso with a working center frequency range of 750MHz to 1GHz while using TSMC technology. The desired quality factor of over 1,000 was reached while maintaining a total area of 800 …

Measuring Accessibility For Pedestrians, Bicyclists, And Transit Riders To Grocery Stores In The Excelsior/Outer Mission Neighborhoods Of San Francisco, Alexandra Lee-Gardner

Master's Theses

Grocery stores are an important amenity in neighborhoods and access to grocery stores is important for health and well-being. While grocery store accessibility is a popular topic of research, studies measuring access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders are extremely rare. When a new store opened in the Excelsior/Outer Mission districts of San Francisco on a street lacking basic infrastructure for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders, the importance of this study became apparent. The Excelsior/Outer Mission neighborhood has a shocking number of collisions (over 1,100 between 2015 and 2019), elevated levels of walking, biking, and transit ridership, and minimal safe …

Modeling And Control Of A Planar Bounding Quadrupedal Robot, Patrick John Ward

Master's Theses

Legged robots have the potential to be a valuable technology that provides agile and adaptive locomotion over complex terrain. To realize legged locomotion's full abilities a control design must consider the nonlinear piecewise dynamics of the systems. This paper aims to develop a controller for the planar bounding of a quadrupedal robot.

The bounding of the quadruped robot is characterized by a simplified hybrid model that consists of two subsystems for stance and flight phases and the switching laws between the two states. An additional model, the Multibody model, with fewer simplifications, is used concurrently to best approximate real-world behavior. …

The Effects Of Cofermentation Of Cider And Apple Pomace On Cider Attributes, Abigail D. Affonso

Master's Theses

Phenolics are critical to the sensory attributes and health benefits of hard cider due to their contribution to the flavor, mouthfeel, and antioxidant activity. With the increase in demand for cider, the use of dessert apple varieties has become more common leaving ciders lacking in phenolics. However, a promising method to increase their phenolic content is through maceration with apple pomace. This study evaluated the effect maceration with apple pomace during cider fermentation on the extraction of phenolic compounds, as well as its effect on the sensory properties of the final product. For this study, ciders were fermented with 0% …

Design Of A Proprioceptive Actuator Utilizing A Cycloidal Gearbox, Craig John Kimball

Master's Theses

Legged robotics creates the demand for high torque compact actuators able to develop high instantaneous torque. Proprioceptive actuator design theory is a design theory that removes the need for a torque feedback device and relies on the stiffness in the leg for absorbing the high Ground Impact Forces created by walking locomotion. It utilizes a high torque density motor paired with a gearbox with a high gear ratio for torque multiplication. Previously work has been done to design a proprioceptive actuator design that utilizes a planetary gearbox to create a modular low-cost actuator for legged robotics. The purpose of this …

Uni Political Science Newsletter, V17n1, June 2022, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Political Science.

Political Science Newsletter

Contents:

--- From the Department Head
--- Internships: Peter Johnson, Sandra Thiman, Lindsey Ingraham, Joe Link
--- Model UN
--- UNI Receives NEH grant for Civic Literacy & Engagement
--- #Panthersvote Leads UNI to High 20202 Voter Turnout
--- Conference on Election Administration and Integrity
--- Russia/Ukraine
--- SOTU Watch Party
--- Staff Updates: Katrinka Carpenter, Katie Sires
--- Faculty Awards: Evan Renfro, Chris Larimer, Donna Hoffman
--- Faculty Updates
--- Congratulations 2021-22 Graduates
--- New Alumni Spotlight
--- Ambassador John R. Dinger, '74, Receives Honorary Degree
--- Alumni News

"What’S Race Got To Do With It?”: A Virtual Participatory Action Research Study Of Community College Students Exploring Intersectionality In Queer Studies, Breana Hansen

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify and explore how curricula in queer studies at Community College of the Bay (CCB) reflect and ignore the lived experiences of Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (QTBIPOC) by engaging queer studies students as co-researchers in virtual participatory action research (VPAR). This research utilized the frameworks of Queer of Color Analysis (QOCA) (Ferguson, 2004; McCready, 2013), critical whiteness (Baldwin, 1984; Du Bois, 1903), anti-oppressive education (Kumashiro, 2001), and intersectional theory (Crenshaw, 1989), to examine the experiences of QTBIPOC within queer studies in community college classrooms. The following meta-question guided this research: …

Altered Collective Mitochondrial Dynamics In The Arabidopsis Msh1 Mutant Compromising Organelle Dna Maintenance, Joanna M. Chustecki, Ross D. Etherington, Daniel J. Gibbs, Iain G. Johnston

Department of Biochemistry: Faculty Publications

Mitochondria form highly dynamic populations in the cells of plants (and almost all eukaryotes). The characteristics and benefits of this collective behaviour, and how it is influenced by nuclear features, remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we use a recently developed quantitative approach to reveal and analyse the physical and collective ‘social’ dynamics of mitochondria in an Arabidopsis msh1 mutant where the organelle DNA maintenance machinery is compromised. We use a newly created line combining the msh1 mutant with mitochondrially targeted green fluorescent protein (GFP), and characterize mitochondrial dynamics with a combination of single-cell time-lapse microscopy, computational tracking, and network …

Examining The Effects Of Legalizing Marijuana In Colorado And Washington On Clearance Rates: A Quasi-Experimental Design, Cody Jorgensen, Alexis J. Harper

Criminal Justice Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective This study follows the lead of Makin et al. (Police Quarterly 22(1): 31–55, 2019) who found that marijuana legalization is associated with a marginal increase in clearance rates for some crimes but not for others.

Methods We build on their work attempting to replicate their findings by using the synthetic control method and fixed-effects models. A 50-state panel data set was constructed and analyzed. The dependent variables were aggregated violence and property crime rates. The independent variable was dichotomously measured recreational marijuana legislation.

Results Marijuana legalization is not a meaningful avenue of increasing clearance rates.

Conclusion The synthetic …

Job Application Letter And Résumé Sample #4, Ruijie Zhao

Employment Materials

This handout provides a sample of a job application letter and résumé to help students construct their own.

Commas, Angela Gulick

Punctuation

This handout provides examples showing appropriate use of commas.

Aclp - Overview Of Bead Nofo - June 2022, New York Law School

Reports and Resources

No abstract provided.

Is Enhanced Judicial Review The Correct Antidote To Excessive State Preemption?, Paul A. Diller

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.

Periodic Functions Related To The Gompertz Difference Equation, Tom Cuchta, Nick Wintz

Faculty Scholarship

We investigate periodicity of functions related to the Gompertz difference equation. In particular, we derive difference equations that must be satisfied to guarantee periodicity of the solution.