17504 research outputs found
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Economics of Animation: Role of the Animation Industry in Promoting Development
No full textThis research highlights the role of the animation industry in economic development, showcasing it as a potential route for new job opportunities and technological advancements. To specify this relationship, as animations become popular, various theme parks attract individuals by showcasing well-known and familiar characters. This attraction can extend beyond the border, drawing tourists from around the globe and thus stimulating the economy of the hosting country. Panel data spanning 18 years (2004-2022) across 7 countries and 19 theme parks was used to analyze this relationship, encompassing data from reputable sources such as The Worlds Bank, The Theme Park Database, and Google Trends. After several stages of analysis, this research concluded that animation popularity increases theme park visitation trends, which later attract tourists to various locations. Therefore, the animation industry could be a tool for stimulating economic development
Are We Not Men? We Are Dada: Devo and the Intersection of Music and Performance Art
No full textThis critical Independent Study examines Devo—the seminal northeast Ohio new wave band which began in the 1970s and continues on to this day—and how they stood apart from their musical peers by using different elements such as costumes, music videos, elaborate stage shows, and manifesto-like songs to present the De-Evolutionary Philosophy they developed to the masses. In this work, I consider Devo’s artistic parallels to the Dada art movement, active during the 1910s and 20s, which discarded many artistic conventions that were dominant at the time in favor of robust experimentation and disruption of cultural norms. Dadaists disseminated their art and philosophy through paintings, journals, poems, and stage performances. Members of Devo have previously credited Dadaists as influences in their artistic development, so I sought to examine how the band used a similar approach to the Dadaists
Visualizing Economics: Design and Development of an Interactive Dashboard
No full textThis thesis explores the design and development of an interactive dashboard for visualizing and analyzing economic indicators. The research emphasizes user-centered design principles, drawing upon UX and UI design patterns to create an intuitive and engaging platform. The dashboard aggregates data from various sources, including the FRED API, and allows users to compare and interpret economic trends across different time periods and geographical regions. Implemented using modern web technologies like React, Next.js, and Flask, the dashboard offers dynamic data visualization through interactive charts and graphs. Future enhancements aim to expand the range of indicators, incorporate sector-specific analysis, and integrate advanced analytical tools for deeper insights. This research contributes to the field by providing a user-friendly and insightful platform for economic analysis in an increasingly data-driven world
Resilience in Food Agricultural Industries: Evaluating the Impact of Input Factors and Supply Chain Dynamics
No full textThe modern-day food industries operate within a complex agri-food supply network, where food production has become efficient but is also susceptible to supply chain risks. The COVID-19 pandemic serves as evidence of this vulnerability. Examining the impact of changes in labor, capital, supply chain diversification, and upstream industries on U.S. food industry vulnerabilities is important for an efficient analysis of resource utilization in the agri-food supply chain management. The objective of this research is to investigate the influence of these factors, mainly focusing on the supply chain exposure measures such as impact of diversification and upstream dependencies on the vulnerability of agricultural industries to disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For this purpose, the study uses cross section panel data of nine agricultural industries across all States for the year 2018 and 2021. Advanced econometric techniques are applied to carry out the empirical analysis, including pooled OLS with robust standard errors and Fixed Effects Model. These methods allowed us to account for state differences, unobserved heterogeneity, multicollinearity, and heteroscedasticity issues. The key findings of this study concludes that Labor and Capital are significantly and positively related with the value added of the output. While SDI indicated an insignificant relationship with value added for our models before the pandemic in 2018, the relationship between value added and supply chain diversification was found to be significantly negative for our models in 2021, when the supply chain faced vulnerability. Additionally, the outcomes indicate an insignificant relationship between the exposed upstream links and the value added of the output. The study suggests that following the COVID-19 pandemic, a more diversified supply chain may introduce complexities and inefficiencies that could negatively affect the value added
Charting the Conversational Cart: A Voice-Driven Adventure into Virtual Assistants for Grocery Shopping
No full textThis study presents an investigation into the development of Voice User Interface (VUI) as a sub-field of Natural User Interface (NUI) - interfaces that adapt to human’s natural communication patterns like speech, touch, or brain signals as opposed to keyboard and mouse interaction with traditional graphic user interfaces (GUI). This study delves into the history, design principles, and underlying technologies of VUI along with its power to bridge the accessibility gap between technology and its diverse users. Equipped with these knowledge, we built Dubee – a proof-of-concept for an in-app voice assistant to do grocery shopping. This demo and the overall research demonstrate the importance of voice-driven interaction in simplifying the grocery process, empowering users with an effortless and accessible shopping experience
Holocaust Memory through Operatic Performance: An Examination of the Evolving Representation of the Holocaust in Operas through the 20th and 21st Centuries
No full textFollowing the Holocaust\u27s horrors, the arts have become vital channels for addressing the lasting trauma, providing avenues for remembrance, reflection, and expression. Opera, distinguished by its grandeur and emotional depth, uniquely engages with the Holocaust, offering a blend of personal narrative and universal resonance. This thesis investigates Holocaust operas, recognizing them as significant contributions to musical expression, as they navigate themes of survival, memory, and resilience. Through a thorough examination of key works: Der Kaiser von Atlantis, The Passenger, The Diary of Anne Frank, Sophie’s Choice, and Eva and the Angel of Death, this Independent Study examines how opera intersects with historical memory. By synthesizing existing research and offering fresh insights into thematic trends, this study aims to deepen our understanding of Holocaust operas as a cohesive field of study within cultural and historical contexts. This interdisciplinary exploration enhances our appreciation of opera\u27s role in addressing, commemorating, and educating current and future generations on the Holocaust
Jesus from the Desk Drawer: Sacred Authorship in The Master and Margarita
No full textA talking cat, insane writers, and the devil himself walking the streets of Moscow. How do these surreal elements combine in Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel The Master and Margarita to create a resistance novel that left a lasting impression on the meaning of empowerment? This text has been examined in terms of its themes, allusions, the process of its creation, and its relationship to censorship, but not the intangible quality of empowerment. Bulgakov chose to resist oppression through deeply personal writing he knew could not be published in his lifetime. I will be examining the novel using different writings from German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) evaluating the significance and impact of the empowerment found in nonviolent resistance, authorship, and the idea of the strength that can be found in what appears to be weakness. Interpreting The Master and Margarita through Bonhoeffer’s lens reveals a new layer of meaning within the novel. By combining historical, referential, and Biblical elements, Bulgakov resisted oppression and censorship to seek a greater truth, despite knowing that it would not be published in his lifetime. This independent study argues that resistance is not found only in loud or violent action, but rather that the most lasting sources of empowerment are quiet, unassuming, and worthy of recognition
Analyzing the Impacts of Spectator Sports of Residential Location Decisions
No full textIn this study, I aim to investigate how individuals\u27 preferences for proximity to sports amenities influence their choice of residential locations. Utilizing an analytical framework rooted in the utility maximization theory and hedonic modeling, this project explores the complex relationship between spectator sports and residential location decisions. An essential element of this research is the utility maximization model, which asserts that people make decisions in order to maximize their overall happiness or utility. I start by discussing the utility maximization theory and how individuals employ the same thought process in their analysis of an area’s amenities. With the data collected, I employ two semi-log models to test the hypothesis and found no evidence that supports the hypothesis that spectator sports have a positive impact on residential location decisions for individuals
Do Instances of Fan Racism in Games Impact the Representation and Earnings of Black Players Compared to Statistically Similar White Players in the Top European Soccer Leagues?
No full textThis study examines the pervasive influence of fan racism on the wages and transfer decisions of soccer players within the European leagues. This study delves into the significant yet often overlooked impact of fan racism on the economic aspects of soccer in European leagues. It posits that racial biases from fans distort the market value of players, leading to economic inefficiencies that not only affect immediate financial outcomes but also shape long-term career prospects and club strategies. By applying human capital economic theory, the research highlights how a player\u27s skills and experience—elements central to their human capital—are ideally the determinants of their market value and wages. However, the presence of racial biases challenges this market principle, suggesting that players of equal skill and experience are valued differently based on race.
The central hypothesis of this study is that fan racism negatively impacts the wages and transfer opportunities of players, particularly non-white players, even when controlling for performance and experience. This hypothesis stems from the recognition that fan attitudes, reflecting broader societal biases, can influence club decisions, potentially leading to a systematic undervaluation of non-white players.
To explore this hypothesis, the research employs a robust empirical analysis leveraging regression models applied to a comprehensive dataset covering several years of player performance, wages, and transfer activities across the top European soccer leagues. The dataset includes variables that capture player performance metrics, racial background, club expenditure, and fan engagement indicators, among others. The use of multivariate regression techniques allows for a nuanced examination of the relationships between race, performance, and economic outcomes in soccer.
Key to the study is the exploration of how clubs navigate the isoquant and isocost model within the context of racial biases. This model illustrates the trade-offs clubs face when combining players of different races to achieve optimal team performance within given cost constraints. The analysis seeks to reveal if and how racial biases lead clubs to make suboptimal combinations of players, resulting in increased expenditures and compromised team performance.
The empirical findings reveal a statistically significant negative correlation between the racial background of players and their wages, even after controlling for performance, experience, and other relevant factors. Specifically, non-white players are found to receive lower wages compared to their white counterparts with similar performance levels, highlighting the economic penalties imposed by racial biases. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that clubs are less likely to invest in long-term contracts for non-white players, suggesting a hesitancy to commit substantial financial resources to players perceived to be less marketable due to fan racism
Static Energy Analysis of Low Level Programs
No full textThis work presents the theory and approach of a static energy analysis tool that semi-automatically predicts energy cost of compiled programs within the ARM v8 assembly architecture. It discusses various background information that is required to understand the methodology of modern software, including compilers, computer architecture, etc. It also presents the concept of cost relations and upper bound static cost analysis specifically, as well as sampling alternative semi-static approaches. A Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is used as a testbench for dynamic energy benchmarking and testing the validity of the static tool