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From Data to Donuts: Efficient Computation of Persistent Homology
No full textTopological data analysis presents a bridge from algebraic topology to applied mathematics. Over the last 20 years, the theory of persistent homology has supplied a particularly compelling application of topological methods to the study of data. This technique seeks to analyze the topological features of a space encoded in a point cloud using the tools of simplicial (co)homology. Research in persistent homology has found applications in areas as diverse as systems biology, robot motion planning, and sensor networks. However, the calculation of persistent homology can present steep computational costs, necessitating heuristics and approximation techniques for practical use. In this paper, we provide an accessible introduction to simplicial (co)homology and topological persistence, then study a variety of mathematical techniques for fast approximation of persistent homology
“Life is Like a Video Game:” The Impact of Violent Media on Moral Development
No full textMoral development is a prominent part of cognitive psychology; it includes how and why different ethical codes develop across various distinct groups. A growing field of research explores the impact of increasing exposure to media and video game violence on the development of these ethical codes (Anderson and Dill, 2000) (Funk et al., 2003) (Rothmund et al., 2015). New research indicates that heightened exposure to media violence may increase moral disengagement, that is, the convincing of oneself that one’s existing ethics do not apply to a certain context (Gabbiadini et al., 2014). These findings pose concerns for the healthy moral development of children growing up in a society with a high dependence on technology, raising questions regarding the growing influence of media on the next generation. This paper will first explore the basics of cognitive and moral development as informed by Jean Piaget (Flavell, 1963) and Lawrence Kohlberg (1981), respectively, laying the foundation for a deeper exploration of the effects of violent video games on these processes. Next, Moral Disengagement Theory (Bandura, 1990) and the mechanisms used to facilitate immoral behavior will be examined in relation to violent video game play. Possible interventions to minimize these harmful effects will be offered and research limitations will be acknowledged. The conclusion of this paper will offer evidence for potential intervention strategies to mitigate the detrimental effects of violent video games, as well as identify limitations and future directions of research Engaging voices from cognitive developmental psychologists and political scientists alike, this paper will provide an interdisciplinary perspective
“To Centralize, or not to Centralize–that is the Question:” Evaluating the Changes Proposed in the 1963 NYC Charter
No full textEmpowerment, Reversal, and Reunion: Examining Three Relationships in Supergiant Games\u27 Hades
No full textThis paper is an examination of three relationships, Orpheus and Eurydice, Hades and Persephone, and Achilles and Patroclus, in the game Hades. It looks at these relationships to see what is and is not changed from ancient depictions and why these changes are made
Justice: Political Structure’s Effect on Sentence Length
No full textThere is a glaring sentence gap between black and white criminals, yet there is little research on how this came to be. The little research that has studied this phenomena only looks at external factors that are affecting the sentence gap. In this paper, I proposed to look into the litigation process itself to see how the political structure might be directly or indirectly affecting the gap. In my research, I look at how economic gap, education gap, educational attainment, population density, representation in leadership roles on bench and congress, and partisan ideology affect the sentence gap. I found that the Republican identity of the bench and congress plus the education gap plays a significant role for explaining the sentence gap. Since this is one the first studies to look into this, there are many factors that I missed such as bail and prosecutor’s effect which I believe might help explain the sentence gap even more. However, this study is to be the first step in the direction of discovering the cause of sentencing discrepancies
Happy For Now: A New Cycle of the American Romantic Comedy Film
No full textThis senior comps paper argues for the emergence of a new cycle within the genre of the American romantic comedy, the Happy For Now (HFN) cycle, which includes films produced between 2016–present. The HFN cycle is characterized by a greater emphasis on modern feminist values, nontraditional masculinities, increasing racial and ethnic diversity, and a rejection of traditional happily ever after endings. 27 Dresses (2008), Set It Up (2018), and Always Be My Maybe (2019), are among the films discussed in the paper. A brief conclusion reflects on the increasing prevalence of queer characters in romantic comedies as well as the availability of these films on streaming services such as Netflix
The Impact of the Type of Loan Borrowed on Intrahousehold Financial Decision-Making: An Insight Into Female Entrepreneurship in India
No full textFemale entrepreneurs have to overcome many financial obstacles inside and outside the household to create successful businesses in comparison to their male counterparts. To gain better insight into this issue, this paper aims to understand how the type of loan taken - microfinance, bank, or informal - impacts financial decision-making power within the household based on the business owner’s gender. Using data collected by Banerjee et al. (2015b) in slum neighborhoods in Hyderabad, India, the results indicated that there is no clear winner despite their advertised different approaches to providing capital for female entrepreneurs. However, a weak argument could be made that microfinance is relatively better for female entrepreneurs than its formal and informal alternatives. Overall, these findings suggest that better financial infrastructure and support mechanisms need to be enforced to ensure equitable business opportunities for female entrepreneurs in India
Wonder is Wonderful : How Children Give Us License to See Nature Differently
No full textIn this research paper, I use nature preschools to explore visions of nature that do not give primacy to science but position it as one way of knowing, alongside imagination and emotion. I conducted semi-structured interviews with nature preschool teachers to investigate the unique way that humanistic and scientific views of the natural world are woven together in these programs. This weaving is made possible by a particular understanding of childhood in which the world is full of infinite, imaginative possibilities that do not fit binaries but instead are rooted in the entanglements of wonder. Wonder is a useful concept for navigating the tensions that emerge in scientific, humanistic, and sociocultural learning, expanding the possibilities for knowledge about the natural world in the Anthropocene
