Science and Technology Studies Commons^™

A Design Science Approach To Investigating Decentralized Identity Technology, Janelle Krupicka

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

The internet needs secure forms of identity authentication to function properly, but identity authentication is not a core part of the internet’s architecture. Instead, approaches to identity verification vary, often using centralized stores of identity information that are targets of cyber attacks. Decentralized identity is a secure way to manage identity online that puts users’ identities in their own hands and that has the potential to become a core part of cybersecurity. However, decentralized identity technology is new and continually evolving, which makes implementing this technology in an organizational setting challenging. This paper suggests that, in the future, decentralized identity …

Profiling Cybercriminals: Behavioral Analysis And Motivations Behind Cybercrime Activities, A'Shya Latrice Reynolds

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

The study of cybercriminal behavior and motivations is crucial for understanding and combating the evolving landscape of digital crime. This paper delves into the intricate realm of cybercrime profiling, employing a multidisciplinary approach to dissect the behavioral patterns and underlying motivations of cybercriminals. Drawing from psychology, sociology, and criminology, the research examines the intricate interplay of individual traits, social dynamics, and technological factors that shape cybercriminal activities.

Through analysis of case studies and research, this paper uncovers the diverse range of motivations driving individuals towards engaging in cybercrime. From financial gain and ideological extremism to thrill-seeking and revenge, cybercriminals exhibit …

The Ethical And Legal Implications Of Iot Data In Business Organizations, Kennedy Bellamy

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed how our day to day lives by implementing and evolving technology that allows data to be exchanged between interconnected devices without the need for human involvement. This paper investigates the implications of IoT expansion and development in corporate organizations, focusing on both the opportunities and challenges it brings. IoT encompasses a wide range of data kinds, from sensor readings to user interactions, across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. However, greater connection raises ethical and legal challenges, especially over data privacy, ownership, and control. Potential breaches of privacy and illegal data access …

Smoothing Out Smart Tech’S Rough Edges: Imperfect Automation And The Human Fix, Christian Katzenbach, Christian Pentzold, Paloma Viejo Otero

Human-Machine Communication

In this article, we take issue with an idea of autonomous and efficient automation that is upheld through the paradoxical conjunction of a flawed vision of the technological fix and the under-acknowledged human work required to fill in the gaps between machines and users. Our argument is based on two case studies that sit at opposite tails of automation processes: the front end of self-service checkouts and the back end of content moderation. This juxtaposition allows us to surface three themes on how the hype around automation is enabled by human interventions: the ad-hoc sociality in situated practices of automation, …

Laughter And Effective Presidential Leadership: A Case Study Of Ronald Reagan As The 'Great Communicator', Patrick A. Stewart, Reagan G. Dye, Carl Senior

Political Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Former United States President Ronald Reagan’s use of media and his charismatic connection with viewers earned him the moniker “the great communicator”. One aspect of his charisma, the influence of elicited laughter, during a highly critical 5-minute news story by CBS reporter Leslie Stahl during the 1984 US presidential election is examined here. Two experiments examining the effects of audience laughter on perceptions of charismatic leadership are reported. In the first experiment the effects of audience laughter in response to Reagan’s comments were investigated. Here, Reagan’s perceived warmth as an effective leader significantly diminished when strong laughter is removed, whereas …

Continuous Mowing Differentially Affects Floral Defenses In The Noxious And Invasive Weed Solanum Elaeagnifolium In Its Native Range, Alejandro Vasquez, Alexa Alaniz, Robert Dearth, Rupesh Kariyat

Entomology and Plant Pathology Faculty Publications and Presentations

In weeds, disturbance has been found to affect life history traits and mediate trophic interactions. In urban landscapes, mowing is an important disturbance, and we previously showed that continuous mowing leads to enhanced fitness and defense traits in Solanum elaeagnifolium, Silverleaf Nightshade (SLN). However, most studies have been focused on foliar defenses, ignoring floral defenses. In this study we examined whether continuous mowing affected floral defenses in SLN using mowed and unmowed populations in South Texas, their native range. We found flowers of mowed SLN plants larger but lighter than unmowed plants. Additionally, flowers on plants that were mowed …

Towards Learning Excellence In Universities: A Critical Review Of Information And Communication Technology Policies In Education In Kenya, Caroline Kiarie, Nicola-Jane Jones

Graduate School of Media and Communications

The current reality is that technological advancement has shaped how learning is being conducted in education. Communication technology has been embraced in education by both educators and learners. However, the embracement has been slow, and this was experienced during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, when teaching and learning had to shift and relied heavily on communication technology, but in actuality educational institutions were not ready. The virus continues to linger on and has served as a wake-up call for the education sector. This therefore makes Information and Communication Technology (ICT) an essential component in education today, not only to be implemented …

Nonprofits Should Adopt A User-Centric Change Model To Scale Corporate Environmental Action Faster, Doug Miller

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Pollution levels and ecosystem degradation continue to worsen, suggesting the insufficiency of current approaches to reverse these problematic trends. For environmental nonprofits, the current theory of change revolves around developing techno-economic analysis about environmental problems and available solutions, building public awareness around this analysis, and motivating decision makers to set goals. Given present environmental realities and the limited success of their current theory of change, environmental nonprofits should transform how they execute their work, what they produce, and how they coordinate with each other. Instead, nonprofits should begin putting the user—business decision makers as well as policymakers—front and center as …

Top Ten Scientific Advances In China, 2023

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Osint In Criminal Investigations: Leveraging Open-Source Data To Combat Cybercrime And Organized Criminal Activities, Azariah Vaughan

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

In today's modern age driven by digital innovations, the widespread adoption of technology has transformed criminal activities, leading to the emergence of cybercrime as a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies globally. Cybercrime acts have left a considerable dent on criminal activities and nowadays that we are halfway into the subsequent technological era stands as one of the most crucial issues for law enforcement agencies all around the globe. The aim of this work is to discuss the relationship between cybercrime and organized crime and the importance of OSINT within criminal investigations in supporting law enforcement itself. Particularly, due to …

Consumer Attitudes Towards Product Safety: Physical Consumer Goods Vs. Internet Connected Products, Noreen Y. Whysel, Lisa Levasseur

Publications and Research

2 Introduction In 2023, Internet Safety Labs (ISL) received a grant from the Internet Society Foundation to, among other things, conduct a quantitative study of consumers’ attitudes and awareness of product safety of internet-connected, software products. The study explored participants’ thoughts and opinions regarding the types of products they considered safe or unsafe to use and why. The researchers looked at consumer attitudes about the safety of consumer goods like cars, clothing, toys and beauty products and compared them to attitudes around the safety of internet- connected products, like websites, apps and smart home products. The research also explored consumer’s …

Sustainable Shift: Analyzing Drivers For Low-Carbon Transportation Adoption In California’S Heavy-Duty And Off-Road Sectors, Vuban Chowdhury, Farzana Mehzabin Tuli, Suman Kumar Mitra

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The transportation sector stands out as a major challenge for California’s transition to a more sustainable transportation system, as it accounts for most of the greenhouse gas emissions. This underscores the urgency for government agencies to take decisive action in promoting the adoption of low-carbon transportation (LCT) within the heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) and off-road equipment (ORE) sectors. This study employs content analysis to investigate the impact of behavioral factors, specifically awareness and impression, on LCT adoption within these sectors. The analysis results are refined using a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool. The results indicate that awareness about LCT, in conjunction …

Chinese Digital Platform Companies’ Expansion In The Belt And Road Countries, Yujia He

Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce Faculty Publications

The emergence of digital platforms is shifting the digital economy toward a platform economy, and Chinese platform-based businesses like Alibaba, Tencent, and JD are increasingly expanding in the Global South. Alongside this, the Chinese government has been promoting digital economy collaboration with emerging markets through high-level engagement under the banner of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its digital economy component the Digital Silk Road (DSR). Despite significant market interest and policy attention, grounded empirical analysis of Chinese digital platforms’ expansion within Belt and Road Initiative countries is scarce. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, drawing on both quantitative …

Market Assessment Of Fortified Parboiled Rice In Burkina Faso, Alvaro Durand-Morat, Ya-Jane Wang, Imael H.N. Bassole, Lilian Nkengla-Asi, Wei Yang

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Faculty Publications and Presentations

Micronutrient deficiency remains a daunting issue in many parts of the world. Effective interventions are needed to deal with the problem, which should consider production and consumption traditions and trends to improve their success. Parboil rice is a growing staple in Burkina Faso, where micronutrient deficiency remains high. This paper assesses the market feasibility of fortified rice through parboiling using a limited-water soaking method. Our findings suggest that consumers are willing to pay a premium for fortified rice versus conventional parboiled rice after they are informed about the importance of the problem and the potential benefits of fortified rice. A …

Steminism: Analyzing Factors That Improve Retention Of Women In Stem, Kira Carter, Jane Kelley, Jason Vasser-Elong, Rc Patterson

Dissertations

Our co-authored research ‘Steminism: Analyzing Factors That Improve Retention for Women as STEM Majors’ analyzed factors that contributed to the retention of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs at Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T). Women make up half of the US population, and while careers in (STEM) are an integral part of the US economy, women are underrepresented in these career fields. The purpose of our dissertation is to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM majors. Our methodology included homogeneous sampling to collect qualitative data. More specifically, we consulted with academic advisors and …

A Case For Hope In A Warming World, Noreen L. Herzfeld

Reuter Professorship of Science and Religion Publications

It is difficult to feel hopeful in a rapidly warming world. But hope is not just a feeling. It is an active verb, one that calls for courage, solidarity, a clear vision, and hard work. First, knowing that each fraction of a degree counts, humanity is called not to despair but to use every technology and means, technologies we already have. Second, we can be encouraged by a vision of a new world and society that works for everyone. Third, we can be heartened by nature’s resilience and an evolutionary theology that looks toward the future.

Computational Discovery Of Microstructured Composites With Optimal Stiffness-Toughness Trade-Offs, Beichen Li, Bolei Deng, Wan Shou, Tae-Hyun Oh, Yuanming Hu, Yiyue Luo, Liang Shi, Wojciech Matusik

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The conflict between stiffness and toughness is a fundamental problem in engineering materials design. However, the systematic discovery of microstructured composites with optimal stiffness-toughness trade-offs has never been demonstrated, hindered by the discrepancies between simulation and reality and the lack of data-efficient exploration of the entire Pareto front. We introduce a generalizable pipeline that integrates physical experiments, numerical simulations, and artificial neural networks to address both challenges. Without any prescribed expert knowledge of material design, our approach implements a nested-loop proposal-validation workflow to bridge the simulation-to-reality gap and find microstructured composites that are stiff and tough with high sample efficiency. …

Containerization Of Seafarers In The International Shipping Industry: Contemporary Seamanship, Maritime Social Infrastructures, And Mobility Politics Of Global Logistics, Liang Wu

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation discusses the mobility politics of container shipping and argues that technological development, political-economic order, and social infrastructure co-produce one another. Containerization, the use of standardized containers to carry cargo across modes of transportation that is said to have revolutionized and globalized international trade since the late 1950s, has served to expand and extend the power of international coalitions of states and corporations to control the movements of commodities (shipments) and labor (seafarers). The advent and development of containerization was driven by a sociotechnical imaginary and international social contract of seamless shipping and cargo flows. In practice, this liberal, …

Algorithmic Love: Twenty-First Century Organizations Of The Romantic, Sandra Moyano Ariza

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation investigates the highly computed and accelerated experiences of digital love as well as their cultural and artistic representations in order to shed light on the human and more-than-human entanglements producing the algorithmic love experience. The recent turn to love in critical theory and cultural studies examines how love circulates in neoliberal societies and in the subjective processes of the users, foregrounding the control of populations and the very much lamented “end of love” (Illouz 2019). My study of love supplements the neoliberalist critique of algorithmic love with a posthuman and media theory approach that attends to the material …

What Does One Billion Dollars Look Like?: Visualizing Extreme Wealth, William Mahoney Luckman

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The word “billion” is a mathematical abstraction related to “big,” but it is difficult to understand the vast difference in value between one million and one billion; even harder to understand the vast difference in purchasing power between one billion dollars, and the average U.S. yearly income. Perhaps most difficult to conceive of is what that purchasing power and huge mass of capital translates to in terms of power. This project blends design, text, facts, and figures into an interactive narrative website that helps the user better understand their position in relation to extreme wealth: https://whatdoesonebilliondollarslooklike.website/

The site incorporates …