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Analyzing Avalanche Dynamics in a Conical Bead Pile with Particle Image Velocimetry
No full textWe use a conical bead pile to study the critical behavior of avalanches in granular matter. Velocity measurements for 292 videos of avalanches in the H2I000BE run were obtained using particle image velocimetry (PIV). A new method of analysis using PIV velocity measurements was introduced to analyze the pile in regions and develop methods for categorizing avalanches. We divide the surface of the pile into regions under two pile division regimes: quadrants and rings. Analysis of the whole surface of the pile shows that avalanche duration, total distance moved by beads, avalanche speed, and the active fraction of the pile are all correlated with avalanche size, with all respectively showing an increase as avalanche size increases, in agreement with expectation. The probability distribution of avalanche size P(s) for the H2I000BE run was shown to be consistent with the previous research and the predictions of mean field theory, where P(s) ∼ s−τ and universal exponent τ was found to be ∼ 1.5. We propose simple categories for avalanches according to their size and number of active regions on the pile. Quadrant region analysis shows that avalanches with an average size of 43 ± 4 beads are localized to one quadrant while those with an average size of 382 ± 25 are non-localized and active in all quadrants. There does not seem to be a pattern or cycle to the most active quadrant in time, but recording all avalanches regardless of size may confirm this finding. Ring region analysis shows that the active fraction in rings is correlated with avalanche size and that most avalanches occur in the middle and top rings of the pile. We observe that ∼ 60% of recorded avalanches have the majority of their activity on the left half of the pile, indicating a possible bias in small pile regions or a physical imbalance in the bead pile apparatus. Additional research into active region thresholds may aid in more accurate avalanche categorization
Campus Collections: Status Building in Higher Education
No full textIn an academic world where higher education has become increasingly competitive, colleges and universities must build their reputation and prestige to maintain relevance and attract students and faculty. Studies identify parameters such as acceptance rates, qualifications of faculty, difficulty and diversity of courses, and post-graduation placement rates as indicators for the role of reputation and status in the success of higher education institutions. My research takes a different approach, focusing on the role of museum and archival collections in creating and maintaining reputation, prestige, and status for colleges and universities. Using three collections at the College of Wooster as case studies, I aim to identify if and how higher education institutions build and maintain status through collections. Incorporating ethnographic interviews with relevant faculty and staff, alongside content analysis of archival and institutional information, this research explores archival, statuary, and archaeological collections as status building tools. At the College of Wooster, Special Collections provide privileged access to rare materials and preserve the history and traditions of the College. Campus statues embody economic connections to donors, as well as the values and identities of the campus community. The Pella at Wooster archeological materials symbolizes shifts in institutional goals and educational missions. Overall, the use of collections to contribute to the prestige of their institution is limited by their accessibility, their fulfilment of institutional missions and goals, and their capacity and use of capital. Ultimately, collections have value, which can be limited or deployed through their use
My Views on Justice, Exploring the Intersection of Education, Sports and Morality
No full textThe document titled My Views on Justice, Exploring the Intersection of Education, Sports, and Morality by Wang Aoge examines the multifaceted concept of justice through both personal reflection and philosophical perspectives. The author delves into the moral and social dimensions of justice, especially in the context of Chinese society, offering an in-depth analysis of historical narratives and contemporary challenges. Central to the work is the story of Yang Lian, a historical figure whose commitment to justice in the face of tyranny serves as an emblem of self-sacrifice and moral integrity. This reflection inspires the author to define justice not as a static legal principle but as an evolving process of self-education and moral introspection. The paper contrasts various philosophical views on justice, particularly those of Confucianism and Western thinkers like Rawls and Aristotle, emphasizing the importance of internal moral development before external societal reforms can be achieved. The author critiques modern societal conditions, highlighting the decline of justice within educational systems and the sports industry in China, which is often overshadowed by politics, corruption, and institutional failures. By linking justice to individual responsibility, the paper advocates for the cultivation of justice through constant self-reflection, underscoring its role in shaping a more equitable society. The essay also draws on the rich legacy of Confucian thought, exploring how traditional ideas of justice intersect with contemporary issues in education and sports, particularly how justice has become a process of self-awareness rather than merely an external ideal
A House Divided: America, Masculinity, and the Vietnam War
No full textFor my IS I am writing a novella that is part of a larger book project about a soldier who comes home from the Vietnam war and must adjust to life back in the States. The story tackles masculinity and coming of age during a tumultuous time in American history. When his brother gets drafted, he decides to go against his father’s wish that his brother joins the war effort and helps him escape
Graph Theory Application in Social Network Analysis: Modeling the Dynamics of Academic Success and Well-being in College Students
No full textThis study investigates the impact of interpersonal connections on the academic success of students at The College of Wooster, utilizing graph theory and social network analysis. By analyzing survey data on student involvement in various college organizations, this research aims to determine how shared connections influence academic outcomes, particularly GPA. Exploratory data analysis, decision trees, and random forest models were employed in the thesis to identify key predictors of student success. The results indicate that students with stronger social networks, defined by involvement in multiple organizations and shared attributes with peers, exhibit improved academic performance. Network centrality measures such as degree and betweenness centrality were then used and found to correlate significantly with GPA outcomes. While the analysis suggests that a minimum of five shared attributes is necessary to establish a meaningful network connection, further investigation is required to refine this threshold. These findings from this thesis provide valuable insights for institutions seeking to enhance student success through fostering positive interpersonal connections
Speaking the Same Language? A Comparative Investigation into Professional Perceptions of Neurodiversity in Applied Behavior Analysis Intervention for Autistic Children with Communication Disorders
No full textThis study seeks to explore the extent to which Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) practices can be aligned with neurodiversity-affirming principles to prioritize acceptance, accommodation, and support for autistic children with communication disorders. This research explores professional perceptions on the effectiveness of ABA interventions for addressing communication disorders in autistic children, thereby providing clinicians, educators, and caregivers with valuable insights into the most effective and ethical therapeutic approaches. This study analyzes survey data from 377 respondents with experience providing services to autistic children in the fields of either speech-language pathology or applied behavior analysis. ABA practitioners rated the effectiveness of ABA significantly higher than SLPs. In addition, SLPs reported they were significantly less likely than ABA professionals to recommend ABA to an autistic child with a communication disorder. The differences in philosophy between the two fields, in addition to the often-negative views of ABA held by SLPs, may pose a barrier to successful collaboration in intervention with autistic children with communication disorders
Todas las que Sembraron : The Construction of Gender Roles by Maya K\u27iche\u27 Immigrant Women in Canton, Ohio
No full textDue to state violence, poor economic conditions, and neoliberal policies, many Maya K’iche’ people have been forced to migrate to the United States in recent decades. Here in the United States, these communities face other challenges, such as navigating the hostile and complicated U.S. immigration system and enduring growing anti-immigrant sentiments from the U.S. public. This study investigated how migration affects the construction of gender roles. In interviews with four Maya K’iche’ women in Canton, Ohio, I observed two areas where immigration impacted how gender roles were defined: the division of labor and the preservation of culture. In terms of labor, the findings reveal that, in the United States, the women and their partners have been able to cross the boundaries between traditionally gendered labor with minimal consequences. Furthermore, I found that Maya K’iche’ women continue to play a crucial role in cultural preservation, engaging in social and cultural reproduction within domestic spaces. By putting the interviews in dialogue with the poem: “Para recuperar nuestro aliento” by Maya K’iche’ poet Rosa Chávez, I argue that the Maya K’iche’ women’s practices of cultural preservation serve a broader purpose in the United States. They don’t just pass traditions and cultural knowledge to the next generation; they provide healing and comfort to the women and their families while they live in an unfamiliar and at times hostile environment
Investigating the Evolution of Quaternary Structure and Negative Cooperativity of Phosphagen Kinases Through Stichopus japonicus Arginine Kinase (SjAK)
No full textSynthesis Simplified: Developing a Python Driven Synthesizer Using wxPython and PYO
No full textComputer scientists and musicians alike can benefit from this thesis, which explores programming in SuperCollider and Python alongside foundational sound design principles and music theory. Using these topics as a foundation, we develop a polyphonic synthesizer and provide an abstracted, step-by-step guide for replicating the project. This work bridges the gap between code and creativity, offering both technical insight and artistic application
Rent vs. Own: A Net Present Value Analysis of Various-Term Housing Decisions
No full textThis paper explores the financial considerations involved in deciding whether to rent or own residential property by applying a detailed Net Present Value (NPV) analysis across various housing tenure periods. Beginning with a literature review, the paper summarizes current research, highlighting both established findings and notable gaps regarding financial outcomes and consumer behavior in housing choices. The theoretical section then discusses the financial principles underpinning the NPV method, including discount rates, opportunity costs, and the economic logic influencing housing decisions. The data analysis incorporates essential housing market variables such as local price indices, rental trends, mortgage conditions, and property appreciation rates. Findings from the NPV analysis provide meaningful insights into optimal housing decisions for short, medium, and long-term scenarios, considering regional differences and market conditions. This paper offers practical guidance for potential homeowners, renters, and real estate professionals, enhancing their understanding of the financial pros and cons associated with renting versus owning