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The Role of Infant Age in Parental Attention-Shifting Patterns
No full textParents actively allocate their attention when communicating with their young children to support their children's social communication and learning. Previous studies have documented how the parents' attention allocation also changes as their children grow older - parents initially look less frequently at their infant's face and gradually shift their attention to their infant's hands as their infants age from 3 to 18 months. Despite the documented role of parental attention allocation and the age-related changes, the detailed description of how moment-to-moment parental attention allocation (how attention shifts in the visual environment) change over time remains unclear. The present study investigates the relationship between infants' age and parents' attention-shifting behaviors during parent-infant communication. We included data from 122 parent-infant dyads ages 3 to 29 months (M = 14.438, SD = 6.260) using head-mounted eye-tracking in a semi-naturalistic play setting. Parents' looking behaviors were annotated frame-by-frame to identify the frequency of attention shifts among selected target items - infant's hands, parent's hands, and infant's face - and analyzed the effect of their infants' age. The preliminary results indicate (1) the predominant involvement of toy objects in parental attention shifts (e.g., looking from object to object, object to child's face) in general and (2) a positive age effect with attention-shifting involving objects. Our findings highlight parental adaptability in their attention usage and the relevance to how parents offer age-appropriate scaffolding.Psychology, Department ofHonors Colleg
Downscaling and Gap-Filling GRACE-Based Terrestrial Water Storage Anomalies in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Using Deep Learning and Multi-Source Data
No full textThe Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP), a critical hydrological regulator for Asia through its extensive glacier systems, high-altitude lakes, and intricate network of rivers, exhibits amplified sensitivity to climate-driven alterations in precipitation regimes and ice mass balance. While the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and its Follow-On (GRACE-FO) missions have revolutionized monitoring of terrestrial water storage anomalies (TWSAs) across this hydrologically sensitive region, spatial resolution limitations (3°, equivalent to ~300 km) constrain process-scale analysis, compounded by mission temporal discontinuity (data gaps). In this study, we present a novel downscaling framework integrating temporal gap compensation and spatial refinement to a 0.25° resolution through Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) neural networks, an architecture optimized for univariate time series modeling. Through the assimilation of multi-source hydrological parameters (glacier mass flux, cryosphere–precipitation interactions, and land surface processes), the GRU-based result resolves nonlinear storage dynamics while bridging inter-mission observational gaps. Grid-level implementation preserves mass conservation principles across heterogeneous topographies, successfully reconstructing seasonal-to-interannual TWSA variability and also its long-term trends. Comparative validation against GRACE mascon solutions and process-based hydrological models demonstrates enhanced capacity in resolving sub-basin heterogeneity. This GRU-derived high-resolution TWSA is especially valuable for dissecting local variability in areas such as the Brahmaputra Basin, where complex water cycling can affect downstream water security. Our study provides transferable methodologies for mountainous hydrogeodesy analysis under evolving climate regimes. Future enhancements through physics-informed deep learning and next-generation climatology–hydrology–gravimetry synergy (e.g., observations and models) could further constrain uncertainties in extreme elevation zones, advancing the predictive understanding of Asia’s water tower sustainability
Magnesium in the Stability and Behavior of the αL-I Domain
No full textThe αL-insertion (αL-I) domain is a key component of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1/αLß2), an integrin expressed on antigen-presenting cells, endothelial cells, and lymphocytes. LFA-1 plays a role in binding ICAM-1, ICAM-2, and ICAM-3, facilitating immune cell adhesion and signaling. LFA-1 is a type-II integrin that consists of a 180kDa αL subunit and a 95kDa ß2 subunit. When in the extended open state, LFA-1 binds to ligands at the αL-I domain, which contains a Mg2+ ion essential for its function. LFA-1 is responsible for leukocyte recruitment to the site of inflammation, T-cell activation, and in mediating both the adaptive and innate immune responses. Recent literature has revealed that LFA-1 binds Mg2+ to co-stimulate and regulate the effector function of CD8+ T cells with low serum magnesium concentrations associated with poorer clinical outcomes in cancer immunotherapy (Lotscher, 2022). In this study, we investigated the biophysical and biochemical characteristics of the αL-I domain with a focus on the role of metal divalent cations in its stability and kinetics. We successfully expressed, refolded, and purified the αL-I domain and discovered that its stability was significantly enhanced in a Mg2+-supplemented buffer---highlighting the importance of divalent cations in the function of LFA-1. Further studies may explore the influence of varying concentrations of other divalent cations on the stability of LFA-1, with potential implications for therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment.Biology and Biochemistry, Department ofHonors Colleg
From Passive Consumption to Aiding and Abetting Terrorism: An Examination of AI-driven Recommendation Algorithms in Relation to the Intent-Consequence Gap
No full textThis thesis examines the ethical and societal implications of AI-driven social media recommendation algorithms, challenging the belief that these algorithms are content-neutral and passive tools. It introduces the concept of the “intent-consequence gap,” highlighting the disconnect between the neutral intent of recommendation algorithms as profit-maximizing tools and their unintended consequences, such as amplifying harmful content. This thesis critiques current regulatory approaches, particularly the focus on Section 230. It argues that the federal government reforming this statute alone is insufficient to address the broader issues raised by recommendation algorithms to close the intent-consequence gap. Instead, it suggests that social media companies must adopt a proactive approach to content amplification. To do this, the thesis presents three solution frameworks using an enterprise risk management model, focusing on social media companies, the federal government, and users. Social media companies should focus on creating a more normatively desirable discourse space. The federal government should focus on issues such as monopolies and data privacy. Users should focus on becoming more actively engaged in advocating for ethical platform changes. The thesis is structured into seven chapters, covering topics such as the history and implications of Section 230, content-neutrality of recommendation algorithms, social media company liability, the federal government's regulatory role, and self-regulation by social media companies. It then proposes the solution frameworks and discusses how the thesis is situated in the larger literature. New terms like the “intent-consequence gap,” “culture of passivity,” and “the three creation points” are introduced to advance discussions on social media ethics and risk management obligations. Limitations, such as assuming unchanged legal interpretations and not fully addressing technical complexities, will be addressed by suggested avenues of future research. These include a deeper technical analysis of algorithms and exploring the legal feasibility of the proposed frameworks. Ultimately, the thesis argues that societal progress depends on fostering open discourse, balancing freedom of expression with safeguards against harm, and evolving technological and regulatory frameworks to support a responsible digital space.Decision and Information Sciences, Department ofHonors Colleg
Investigation of Chiral Symmetry Restoration Using Ξ(1820) Reconstruction from p-p, p-Pb, and Pb-Pb Collisions at ALICE
No full textThe Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland, stands at the forefront of our current understanding of high energy physics. Several important measurements, including assisting in the discovery of the Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP), have been made in recent years thanks to the efforts of the LHC. Further study of the properties of matter in these systems proves to be instrumental in our understanding of the universe and the physics used to describe it. Recent lattice quantum chromo dynamic (QCD) calculations seem to indicate the phenomenon of chiral symmetry restoration, which would result in changes in the masses of some hadron species under extreme conditions of pressure and temperature. These lattice QCD calculations highlight the idea of parity doubling, where the masses of negative parity particles decrease when the system approaches a pseudo-critical temperature and phase transition. Investigation into the modification of the affected particle’s mass, width, and yield due to partial chiral symmetry restoration would prove instrumental to confirming some of the last remaining predictions of QCD. Measurements of the Ξ(1820)− and its antiparticle were performed with the ALICE detector in p-p, p-Pb, and Pb-Pb collisions at LHC energies √s = 13 TeV for p-p and √sNN = 5.02 TeV for p-Pb and Pb-Pb. The mass, width, and yield of Ξ(1820) are obtained and compared in various collision systems. The yield ratios of Ξ(1820) to Ξ(1530) and Ξ are shown and discussed. Analysis into the Ξ(1820)∓ in p-p, p-Pb, and Pb-Pb collisions at LHC shows several signatures of chiral symmetry restoration. Most notably, a 2.38 σ difference between the width of Ξ(1820)∓ signals from minimum bias p-p √s = 13 TeV and central Pb-Pb √sN N = 5.02 TeV data is observed. While very impressive, more statistics is required to reach a conclusive statement
The Spectral Sequence: An Exploration of Destiny, Nature, and Eulogy Through Aesthetic Topology
No full textMy research poster aims to articulate and summarize the endeavors and findings of my summer research experience. As I am working with material and epistemology that are not typically understood in my major department (such as the math involved with my research), I emphasized the definition of some terms in my poster's introduction. I followed this with an argument for my research style and the abstracted conclusion of it. References and acknowledgements were placed afterwards, to facilitate the natural flow of reading. The main photo I have placed on my poster is of 20th-century Japanese frontman, Takashi Mizutani, who led a heavy metal band that engaged with art and politics. As his songwriting supported the interests of my research, he became ultimately its mascot throughout the summer. Thank you.English, Department ofHonors Colleg
Structural Significance of Von Willebrand Factor in Mediating Thrombosis and Inflammation
No full textVon Willebrand Factor (VWF) is a multimeric glycoprotein that binds to collagen near damaged sub endothelium, and then recruits platelets, thus forming a thrombus. Originally, platelet adhesion and immune response were thought to be two independent processes, but VWF may be a link between them. VWF's ability to dimerize to form concatemers is vital for its ability to travel through the blood flow, and recruit leukocytes and platelets. Mutations in the prodomain of VWF affect its ability to form multimers, and correlates to von Willebrand disease (VWD). Elucidating the pathological mechanisms of VWD mutations, as well as leukocyte/platelet binding, holds promise for anti inflammatory drug development.Biology and Biochemistry, Department ofHonors Colleg
Postpartum support groups in reducing post-partum depression
No full textThis project plans to implement telehealth post-natal interventions for postpartum mothers to overcome accessibility difficulties, that are often faced with traditional in-person support groups (Van Lieshout et al., 2022).Nursing, Andy and Barbara Gessner College o
Character Virtues: Toward a Functionalist Perspective on Character Virtue Science
No full textContemporary psychology often reduces virtue to stable traits or observable behaviors, overlooking the motivational core that has long been central to classical virtue ethics. However, focusing narrowly on behaviors without considering intent is insufficient for virtue assessment because similar behaviors can stem from vastly different intentions, and both the behavior and its intention is definitional to what behaviors are considered virtuous. We draw on Aristotle’s five character types—beastly, vicious, incontinent, continent, and virtuous—in this paper. In doing so, we ultimately argue that a functionalist approach to character research is not only a useful alternative to the trait approach, but necessary to more fully capture the character virtues construct. At the same time, we recognize an epistemic boundary: psychology can only observe manifestations and reports of virtue, never virtue itself. We therefore distinguish carefully between descriptive evidence and the normative judgments required to label any act ‘virtuous’
Facility Exterior Layout Re-Design
No full textThis project focuses on a re-design layout for the North exterior area of the Siemens Energy Deer Park facility. The facility is responsible for building new tool kits tailored to the specific needs of turbine maintenance and repair. The facility has faced significant growth, straining its inefficient material handling systems and leading to poor space utilization. After inheriting 50% of inventory from the closed Atlanta facility, the site expanded its exterior storage but lacks organization for incoming kits, which are stored haphazardly. Although there are underutilized racks available, a project team has been formed to establish an organizational system and redesign the exterior storage area to improve efficiency.Industrial and Systems Engineering, Department ofHonors Colleg