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Tri Polar Analysis: Comparative Evaluation of Political Bias in Fake News Detection Using Three Identically Structured Machine Learning Models
No full textThe rapid spread of fake news and overt political bias in the media has prompted a need for robust detection systems. This study explores the impact of political bias on fake news detection by developing three identical machine learning models. A control model was trained on 40,000 pieces of non-biased news data, while two additional models were trained on 40,000 heavily biased news articles each—one with a left-wing (Democratic) bias and the other with a right-wing (Republican) bias. To assess cross-political performance, 20% of the left-wing data was used to test the right-wing model and vice versa, with each biased model also evaluated on a separate 20% non-biased dataset. Results indicate that the left-wing biased model achieved an accuracy of 73.0% on its primary test set but dropped to 58.0% when evaluated on right-wing data. Conversely, the right-wing biased model recorded 74.7% accuracy on its primary test set and 80.2% on left-wing data. In contrast, the control model attained a consistently high accuracy of 89.0% across both politically opposed and unbiased test sets. Precision and recall metrics further support these findings: the control model achieved a precision of 90.1% and a recall of 88.5%, outperforming the left-wing model (precision 87.2%, recall 85.0%) and the right-wing model (precision 79.0%, recall 77.5%). These outcomes suggest that while politically biased models perform well on data aligned with their training bias, their effectiveness diminishes with opposing data, underscoring the importance of unbiased training data for accurate fake news detection. However, the study was limited by constraints in computing power and the challenges associated with cleaning and sourcing high-quality biased news data, which may impact the overall scalability and generalizability of the approach
Thermoelectric Generators: Function, Applications, and Future Implementation
No full textThermoelectric generators have the ability to create electricity when a temperature gradient is created across a thermoelectric material that has high electrical conductivity, and low thermal conductivity. This process is known as the Seebeck effect which was discovered in 1821 by Thomas Johann Seebeck. Since then, thermoelectric generators have been used in various industries to convert excess heat into reusable energy. While thermoelectric generators have proven to be useful, they haven’t been utilized to their full potential due to high material costs and low efficiency. Potential areas that could utilize this technology are within our residential heating systems, industrial machining, and data centers to take advantage of energy lost to heat. With additional research and expanded manufacturing capabilities, we could significantly reduce the price of the materials used and make it economical to implement thermoelectric generators where excess heat is generated. This would enable our society to utilize this technology and reduce our overall energy consumption
Online Interactions and Men\u27s Well-Being
No full textOnline platforms offer men significant opportunities for social support and friendship, comparable to those found offline. However, the precise link between online social connections and men\u27s mental well-being remains unclear. While quantitative studies reveal a weak positive correlation between the number of online friends and well-being, they don\u27t explain the nuanced ways these connections affect men\u27s mental health. This study aims to address this gap by using a mixed-methods approach to explore how online social interactions influence men\u27s perceived mental well-being. The study hypothesizes that active engagement in meaningful online interactions—characterized by self-disclosure, emotional support, and shared interests—will correlate with higher well-being, regardless of the number of online friends. Data will be gathered through a survey incorporating standardized scales along with open-ended questions. This approach will provide both statistical data and rich qualitative insights into men\u27s experiences with online relationships. Ultimately, this research will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how online relationships impact men\u27s mental health, informing the development of targeted interventions and support systems to promote well-being in the digital age
Why Do People Choose Arranged Marriage or Self-Choice Marriage in Indonesia? An Exploration of Social Influences
No full textArranged marriage is a form of marriage that is common historically and still occurs in some regions of the world, like Indonesia. Little is known about why individuals/families choose arranged vs. self-choice marriage in contexts where both forms of marriage occur. This project explores three hypotheses to understand why people choose arranged marriage. Our first hypothesis explores intergenerational effects, predicting that adult offspring choose the same marriage pattern as their parents, particularly when their parents\u27 marriage was successful. Our second hypothesis explores the role of urban and rural residence on arranged marriage, with the hypothesis that rural residents, through reduced exposure to western ideology, are more likely to engage in arranged marriage. Our third hypothesis is that education influences the decision to engage in arranged marriage, where individuals who attend pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) are more likely to choose arranged marriage than individuals in secular schools. We utilize data from the Indonesia Family Life Survey to test our hypotheses through the use of chi-square tests and logistic regression models. The results of this study provide insights into how people make marriage decisions in Indonesia
Alternative Ceramic Insulators for Nuclear Thermocouples
No full textThe drive for more energy efficient nuclear reactors has spurred the need for advanced in-core temperature sensors to regulate reactor environments and fuel-cycle development. The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has developed high-temperature irradiation-resistant thermocouples (HTIR-TCs) to enhance temperature control and measurement stability in nuclear reactor cores. These thermocouples are composed of commercially available phosphorus-doped niobium (Nb-P) and lanthana-doped molybdenum (Mo-LaO) thermoelements, alumina (Al2O3) insulation, and a sheath made of either niobium or its alloys. However, the maximum service temperature of the HTIR-TCs is limited to 1700 °C due to the instability of alumina above this temperature. This study evaluated and characterized the stability of alternative refractory ceramic insulators with HTIR-TC relevant materials for application above 1700 °C. The thermodynamic stabilities of ceria (CeO₂), lanthana (La₂O₃), and praseodymia (Pr₂O₃) were compared to alumina because of their superior thermal properties. To assess the chemical stability of the down selected ceramics with niobium, diffusion couples between ceria, lanthana, and praseodymia with niobium foils were exposed to 1700 °C for six hours. A saturation region of approximately 75 micrometers formed at the lanthana-niobium interface, a lack of interaction between praseodymia and niobium was observed, and ceria will be further discussed in the poster
Digital Nucleic Acid Memory: Synthesizing DNA Scafold and Electrophoresis Optimization
No full textDNA origami offers a high-potential platform for long-term, high-density data storage due to DNA’s exceptional stability, information density, and ability to fold into precise nanostructures. The efficiency of this process depends on both the quality of the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) scaffold and the conditions used to analyze folded structures. This project combines two approaches to improve the DNA origami workflow. PCR amplification with multiple primer sets was used to characterize the P11453.1 ssDNA scaffold, revealing retained M13 phage genome segments. These contaminants likely contribute to unexpected agarose gel bands and misfolded L-shaped nanostructures. To optimize analysis, agarose gel electrophoresis conditions were tested with varying MgCl₂ concentrations and voltages to reduce run time while preserving structural integrity. Gels run at 80V with 6–8 mM MgCl₂ produced sharp bands and preserved structure, while higher voltages and MgCl₂ levels of 10 mM or more led to smearing and diffusion. These results highlight the importance of scaffold purity and gel optimization for accurate, efficient folding and visualization of DNA nanostructures. Together, these improvements strengthen the reliability and speed of digital nucleic acid memory (dNAM) workflows
Stakeholders\u27 Perceptions of Idaho\u27s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Delivery System for Children and Adolescents: Implications for Improvement
Get PDFOver the past 20 years, Idaho has consistently ranked at or near the bottom of 50 states for youth mental health, ranking last in 2022 (BCIF, 2024). Recent research on Idaho Youths Mental Health has suggested there are several unmet needs and gaps in the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services across the state. The proposed research is intended to assess key stakeholders’ perspectives on the current state of youth mental health resources in Idaho. This research aims to engage the communities of young adults, parents, and educators across Idaho to identify the greatest barriers to care and potential solutions for enhancing Idaho’s youth mental health and substance abuse services. By aiming to evaluate public awareness of mental health and substance abuse resources, specifically their accessibility, effectiveness, and possible areas of improvement we can potentially identify strategies to enhance the use of these resources and improve the overall mental health and well-being of Idaho residents compared to national standards
The Effects of Exogenous Factors on Quarterback Performance in the NFL
Get PDFQuarterbacks in the National Football League (NFL) are arguably the most important position players on their team, as they handle the football on most offensive plays. A common theme in labor economics is to examine the effects exogenous factors have on worker performance. Since production is a function of labor and capital, and since labor is integral for economic growth, the effects of exogenous factors on human performance should be taken into consideration. I propose to examine the effects of extreme temperatures (≥ 90˚ F; ≤ 32˚ F) and wind speed on quarterback performance (as measured by their passer rating) using multiple regression analysis, incorporating entity-fixed effects and time-fixed effects with clustered standard errors. To avoid omitted variable bias and to isolate the effects of temperature and wind on quarterback performance, the model will incorporate additional causal factors including the quality of the offensive line, receivers, opponents’ defense, and head coach. I hypothesize that if exposed to extreme temperatures and higher wind speeds, quarterbacks will be subject to mitigated performance. The results of the analysis can assist the NFL with creating an optimal broadcasting schedule, help teams and players develop optimal game plans, and guide sports bettors with optimal wagers
Parental Perceptions on the Importance of Children\u27s Education: A Comparative Study Between the US and Taiwan
Get PDFThe present study evaluated how cultural backgrounds influence parents\u27 perceptions of education, and how these perceptions vary across individualistic and collectivistic cultures. Interviews with US parents (n=30) and Taiwanese parents (n=32) examined parents’ perceptions on the importance of education for children’s future and the critical factors for children’s academic success. Qualitative analysis identified the prevalent patterns in the two cultures. Findings showed that across the two samples, education was highly valued for its holistic role in shaping character, life skills, and personal growth, such as responsibility and curiosity, rather than merely for career readiness. US parents, reflecting an individualistic culture, emphasized creating positive, interactive learning experiences tailored to children’s unique needs, focusing on fostering autonomy, personal choice, intrinsic motivation and persistence, self-esteem and self-maximization (Tamis‐LeMonda et al., 2008). In contrast, Taiwanese parents, influenced by a collectivistic culture, prioritized education as a means to secure jobs and build social networks, while promoting values of respect, obedience, relatedness and interdependence and connection to the family (Tamis‐LeMonda et al., 2008). Taiwanese parents also encourage special evening education schools to secure better quality and high ranking schools (Benjamin, 2006). These findings align with previous research suggesting that American parents believe that their children\u27s success or failure is due to natural abilities while Asian parents seem to be more concerned with their children\u27s efforts and the learning environment (Cheng, 2013). Western cultures encourage children to grow according to their specific needs and potentialities and see education as a way to empower them to go and respect themselves as individuals, while collective cultures see school as a tool for socialization, teaching kids how to adjust to the norms of a wider group (Cheng, 2013). Despite these differences, all groups emphasized the importance of meeting children’s basic needs and fostering their well-being to support academic performance as well as supporting the development of skills in children that are essential for adaptive functioning in their local communities (Tamis‐LeMonda et al., 2008). These results demonstrated how culture shapes parental values.
References
Benjamin, J. (2006). Cross cultural comparison of rural education practice in China, Taiwan, and the United States. Online Submission.
Cheng, K. M. (2013). Can education values be borrowed? Looking into cultural differences. In Leading Schools in a Global Era (pp. 11-30). Routledge.
Tamis‐LeMonda, C. S., Way, N., Hughes, D., Yoshikawa, H., Kalman, R. K., & Niwa, E. Y. (2008). Parents\u27 goals for children: The dynamic coexistence of individualism and collectivism in cultures and individuals. Social Development, 17(1), 183–209
Dissecting Discourse on Discord: A Linguistic Ethnography of a Discord Server
Get PDFTo deepen the understanding of communication in the evolving landscape of digital social spaces, this study conducts an ethnographic analysis of a private Discord server. Data collection methods include participant observation, field notes, interviews, and surveys, which are analyzed for patterns in notable discourse features within a Discord server containing multiple text and voice channels. Prior digital linguistic ethnography research, such as Lauren Collister’s work on World of Warcraft, has examined multimodal communication and mode-switching in live, in-game interactions. Unlike Collister’s study, which focused on real-time speech and text with immediate responses, this research explores asynchronous text-based discourse extending over minutes, hours, or even days, as well as voice interactions that frequently reference past conversations. The persistent nature of text chats allows participants to revisit and reflect on previous discussions, fostering a unique phenomenon of self and group retrospection not as easily achieved in real-time spoken communication. Additionally, the absence of strict temporal constraints enables retrospective commentary on completed conversations, resulting in complex meta-interactions that reveal shifting social dynamics and communication patterns over time. These insights contribute to the understanding of online discourse, digital ethnography, and virtual community dynamics, with implications for social media research, human-computer interaction, and discourse analysis