12466 research outputs found
Sort by
A pilot corpus acoustic analysis on the alveolar tap in Turkish
Full text linkIn Turkish, the ‘r’ is pronounced as an alveolar tap as in the word araba [ˈɑ.ɾə.bə] ‘car.’ Impressionistic descriptions of the Turkish tap say that word-initial taps may be fricated as in the word resim [ɾ̌e.ˈsim] ‘painting’ and that word-final taps are devoiced and fricated as in the word bir [biɾ̥̌] ‘one.’ Little previous research has been done to explore these acoustic characteristics and what may predict this frication. This pilot study uses the Turkish dataset from the Mozilla Common Voice corpus to examine if tap duration and segment position are predictors of frication and if the first three mel frequency cepstral coefficients are discriminative for frication on alveolar taps. The data will be analyzed using generalized additive mixed modelling, the results of which will be discussed with relation to the distribution of frication on the tap in Turkish
Graphene Oxide-Based Resistive Humidity Sensor for Non-Contact Monitoring of Human Breathing Patterns
Full text linkThis work presents a simple, low-cost, and effective resistive humidity sensor based on graphene oxide for monitoring human breathing patterns in a non-contact manner. The sensor was fabricated by drop-casting a graphene oxide suspension onto a commercial Zensor TE100 platform with printed electrodes. A voltage divider circuit paired with an op-amp was used to convert the sensor’s resistance changes into measurable voltage signals, which were recorded using MATLAB’s analog input interface. The sensor reliably detected various breathing patterns—mouth and nasal breathing, single and continuous cycles, and both low- and high-intensity airflow. Results show that exhaled humidity significantly decreases the sensor’s resistance, producing a clear signal during each breath. Notably, high-intensity exhalation led to baseline drift, likely due to deeper water molecule adsorption within the porous graphene oxide structure. This behavior highlights the material’s sensitivity and reveals both opportunities and challenges for long-term respiration monitoring. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of graphene oxide humidity sensors for wearable or ambient respiratory health monitoring applications
IMU Position Tracking Improvement Through Filtering
Full text linkWhen GPS, GNSS, or other position reporting systems cannot be used, position can be estimated through a process called dead reckoning. The position is calculated by taking a previously known position and using acceleration and velocity to determine the current position. Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) can be used for such applications. IMUs report the acceleration acting on the sensor. This measurement is then integrated once to give velocity and then again to give position. Due to the multiple layers of integration to get position data out of the sensor, noise and offset cause compounding error in the estimated position[2]. These adverse effects on the output of the IMU can be mitigated through filtering. This project implements three different types of filters and compares the position tracking results. The filters implemented are low/band-pass filtering, linear fitting, and Kalman filter as described in Robust M-M unscented Kalman filtering for GPS/IMU navigation [1]
COUPLE’S ADJUSTMENT TO PARENTHOOD IN THE CONTEXT OF CHILDHOOD MALTREATMENT
Full text linkBecoming a parent is one of life’s most significant transitions and can be a challenging period for many couples. One factor that may increase the difficulty couples experience in adjusting to parenthood is having a history of childhood maltreatment. This dissertation explored whether a history of childhood maltreatment in either partner is associated with couples’ relationship functioning as they adjust to parenthood. In study one, structural equation modeling was used to examine the association of childhood maltreatment with relationship and coparenting quality in both partners of 399 heterosexual couples having their first child. Relationship quality was assessed during pregnancy, and both relationship quality and coparenting quality were then assessed 10 - 12 months and 2 years after birth. Father’s childhood maltreatment was negatively associated with mother’s reports of relationship quality at both time points after birth, and both partners’ maltreatment history was negatively associated with mother’s reports of coparenting quality 10 - 12 months after birth. Follow-up analyses accounting for the interaction of both partners’ maltreatment history revealed that a combination of maltreatment in both partners was associated with poorer relationship quality reported by mothers during pregnancy and 10 - 12 months after birth and with poorer coparenting quality ratings by both parents 10 - 12 months after birth. Results suggest that a history of maltreatment in either parent can impact relationship and coparenting quality during the transition to parenthood, with mothers appearing more sensitive to such effects than fathers. In study two, 11 couples in which at least one partner had a history of childhood maltreatment were interviewed about their adaptation to parenthood and ways that they supported each other during this transition. Interviews were coded using interpretive phenomenological analysis, which aims to generate contextualized knowledge to provide insight into individuals’ lived experiences using double hermeneutics, or interpretation occurring at two levels: the participants making sense of their own experience and the researcher making sense of what the participants are sharing. Thus, interview questions were framed to encourage participants to make sense of their own experiences of maltreatment and how such experiences impacted their relationship during this period. The researcher then coded interview transcripts for broader themes across couples to understand how maltreatment impacted their relationships, and how they responded to this impact. Themes around maltreatment-specific challenges in relationships emerged primarily for partners with a history of maltreatment, such as feelings of inadequacy and fear of judgment by partners. Such partners also discussed changes in their understanding of their maltreatment history that occurred throughout their relationship and during the transition to parenthood. Couples also shared support strategies focused on helping partners throughout the perinatal period and ways that they showed resiliency despite their maltreatment history. Overall, the findings of study 2 showed that, while maltreatment histories can have negative impacts on couples during the transition to parenthood, there are many processes by which supportive partnerships during this period can improve outcomes for these vulnerable families
ACCURACY OF HUMAN SNP GENOTYPING FROM VARYING AMOUNTS OF DATA INPUT USING THE OXFORD NANOPORE MINION MK1B SEQUENCER AND THE DNA
Full text linkSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are valuable genetic markers that provide critical information for human identification in forensic science. The development of sequencing technologies significantly improves SNP detection compared to traditional DNA analysis methods. Oxford nanopore sequencing, capable has emerged as a potential tool for forensic applications, including SNP genotyping. Previous studies often use PCR amplification to target specific DNA regions, followed by sequencing with hybridization-based approaches performed on the Illumina system. This method can be complicated due to large number of SNPs spread across the genome, making DNA enrichment challenging. This research project evaluates the direct detection of SNP loci using the Oxford nanopore MinION Mk1b sequencing technology and aims to assess the accuracy of this sequencing platform to correctly identify human SNP genotypes across the human genome at varying data input. Nanopore sequencing was performed on a commercial positive control DNA sample (NA12878) which has been sequenced using other technologies and the data is publicly available. The sequencing data was analyzed using bioinformatic software provided by Oxford nanopore Technology (ONT). The study demonstrates that the accuracy of human SNP genotyping using the nanopore MinION platform is directly related to read depth, and that improvements to this method can be used to support an eventual application to investigative genetic genealogy (IGG)
Climate Change as a Human Rights Crisis in the United States: Evaluating Government Response and Accountability
Full text linkClimate change is not just an environmental crisis; it is a fundamental human rights violation issue. This paper examines the impact of climate change on the communities in the United States, highlighting violations of essential human rights such as the right to life, health, and an adequate standard of living. Through case studies of extreme weather events, including the 2025 LA wildfires and the 2024 hurricanes in Florida, the research underscores how climate-induced disasters harm low-income and minority populations. It critiques the U.S. government's climate policies and disaster response mechanisms, exposing systemic inequalities in resource distribution and emergency assistance (UN Human Rights Council, 2023).
Drawing from international human rights frameworks, this paper argues for stronger legal protections and climate policies that prioritize social equity and environmental justice. The discussion includes an analysis of the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA climate initiatives, and FEMA's role in disaster relief, assessing their effectiveness in mitigating human rights violations (Environmental Protection Agency, 2025). Additionally, the paper aligns policy recommendations with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to advocate for a more inclusive, rights-based approach to climate action (United Nations, 2025).
This paper is both an academic analysis and a personal commitment to advancing environmental justice, ensuring that climate policies serve all communities equitably, rather than exacerbating existing social injustices
Congressional Budget Scoring Reform: Improving Transparency and Accuracy
Full text linkThis paper addresses a persistent and dangerous loophole in the U.S. budget process: the lack of transparency and accountability in fiscal scoring. As the 2025 tax debate looms, we argue that current practices around budget estimates are not only misleading but structurally enable irresponsible policymaking.
Our research shows how selective use of assumptions, inconsistent methodologies, and partisan incentives have eroded public trust and undermined the credibility of fiscal policy. In response, we propose a targeted, rule-based reform package to strengthen fiscal transparency and restore democratic accountability. Specifically, we call for (1) the mandatory public disclosure of budget scoring assumptions, (2) the requirement of both static and dynamic scoring for all major legislation, and (3) the creation of a bipartisan oversight board to monitor and enforce compliance. By illuminating how opaque budget scoring practices distort economic debates and shield lawmakers from fiscal consequences, we make the case for urgent structural reform.
Without these changes, the 2025 tax negotiations risk repeating past failures—producing policies that are fiscally unsound, politically polarizing, and democratically unaccountable
UNDERSTANDING RELIGIOUS HELP-PROVISION: IDENTIFYING PATHWAYS, MESSAGES, AND IMPACT OF RELIGIOUS HELP PROVIDERS ON SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
Full text linkIntimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread social problem that impacts the safety, emotional and physical wellbeing of survivors. When individuals experience IPV in their relationship, they frequently turn to religious help sources (Ali et al., 2005; Chaudhry & Cattaneo, 2023; Rizo & Macy, 2011; Rotunda et al., 2004). However, research is clear that the impact of these sources varies; it can either pose an additional barrier to wellbeing or it can facilitate healing and growth (Levitt et al., 2015; Neergaard et al., 2007; Ringel & Park, 2008). There is no comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence the outcome of these help seeking/giving interactions between religious institutions and survivors of IPV. Paper 1 presents a scoping review describing the impact of religious help on survivors of IPV and identifying the mechanisms that influence this variable impact. This review applies an anti-deficit framework to understand the role of religious institutions in the help-seeking journey of survivors through the lens of power to help understand this nuanced interaction. Paper 2 presents an empirical analysis of the nature of interactions between religious help providers and individuals experiencing a wide array of relationship conflicts to better understand what messages religious help providers communicate, through which pathways they communicate it and what the impact is on the person seeking help. Results showed that help providers’ messages to help seekers prioritized (1) the individual, (2) preserving the relationship, (3) receiving support from others, and (4) cultural/religious norms. There were significant differences in the types of messages communicated and their impact by gender and religiosity of the help seeker. Analyses also examined gender as a moderator of the presence of fear on the impact of messages prioritizing religious/cultural values. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed to improve the impact of religious help on survivors of IPV