17504 research outputs found
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The Theory and Application of Convolutional Neural Networks for Vehicle Body Style Recognition
No full textThe ensuing project delves into the theory and practical application of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) within the domain of image classification. The application of this study focuses on differentiating between the Sedan, SUV, and Truck vehicle body styles. The theoretical foundation of CNNs is explored, emphasizing relevant machine-learning topics, their architectural components, and how these components interact to enable CNN functionality. The project\u27s practical aspect involves the development, training, and hyperparameter tuning of a convolutional neural network model using a diverse, self-curated dataset comprising different vehicles. Through rigorous experimentation, the final CNN model achieves a satisfactory accuracy of 77\% on the test dataset, showcasing its efficacy in classifying car images into predefined categories. Furthermore, the project utilizes Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM) to examine how the CNN model makes decisions. This technique enhances interpretability and understanding of the behavior of the model by revealing the areas of the input images that have the greatest influence on the classification decision. Overall, this project serves as a comprehensive investigation of convolutional neural networks, demonstrating their usefulness in image classification tasks and offering insights into their inner workings through sophisticated visualization techniques such as Grad-CAM
Hero, Villain, Victim Policy Narratives on Automatic Voter Registration: Which Narrative is the Most Persuasive?
No full textThis study examines the relationship between policy narratives and individuals\u27 opinions and preferences on Automatic Voter Registration. The theoretical argument for this relationship is that narratives that contain a character portrayal such as a hero, villain, or victim are more persuasive than a technical narrative. Specifically, a hero portrayal is the most persuasive, then the villain, then the victim, and the technical narrative is the least persuasive. A survey, administered through Microsoft Forms was fielded to College of Wooster students, staff, and faculty. Descriptive statistics were used from the survey\u27s data collection to analyze the hypotheses. The results of this study showed that the narrative containing the victim portrayal was the most persuasive on individuals\u27 opinions and preferences. The hero and villain narratives were very similar in terms of persuasiveness. The hero narrative was slightly more persuasive though. Lastly, as hypothesized the technical narrative was the least persuasive on individuals\u27 opinions and preferences on Automatic Voter Registration
Posidaeja
No full textThis research project is an exploration of the trauma of women in the Greek mythic tradition. In the primary sources, the trauma of women was not a focal point, as it was often told in relation to men and little discussion of the aftermath and recovery of the trauma was given. Secondary sources have also focused more on the trauma of men in myth than that of women. Through a creative retelling and the lens of trauma theory, I have offered different ways that trauma for women may have been created, experienced, and recovered from in myth as well as how the factors of trauma could have been overcome. Such an approach has allowed me to connect the Greek mythic tradition to the present in a more personable way on the basis of common experiences and emotional release. The story is told as it is being relayed from the titular character, a female version of Poseidon
Garos: A Displaced Community’s Fight for Epistemic Justice
No full textGaro people are a cultural minority group in South Asia (SA), who were previously known as a “tribal group.” In this paper, I define them as indigenous/ethnic minority (I/EM). Indigenous or ethnic minority are categories that SA governments use to legally recognize so called former tribal groups, which continue to bear the problematic connotations of the colonial term “tribe.” Due to one of the significant connotations being “primitive/savage,” I/EM groups like Garo people are not recognized as rational agents. I use Miranda Fricker’s term epistemic injustice (EI) to investigate this issue. In SA societies influenced by colonial and postcolonial productions of knowledge or epistemology, Garo and the broader I/EM epistemologies are marginalized, and thus, EI rises as a result. I argue in this paper that by reinventing Garoness whether through actions or resistance or words, while keeping a part of the traditional identity alive through evolving rituals, Garo people bring agency to their marginalization, decolonizing indigeneity in the process and creating new epistemology that fights the broader epistemic injustice against I/EM groups in South Asia. I provide a historicist analysis of Garo people combating EI from colonial period to today. I analyze both primary and secondary etic sources such as works of colonial officials and contemporary scholars on Garo people. For emic sources, I utilize scholarly works of Garo authors as well as my field research reflections from conversing with Garo villagers in Bangladesh. This project is significant because there are many conflicts regarding indigeneity within the discourse of SA identities, which ultimately reinforces the mainstream “Hindu/Muslim” narrative where I/EM identities or their epistemologies have no place. Looking at the Garo decolonial project of combatting EI, we can see how I/EM groups like Garo people navigate and find their place in this reality
Ozonolysis of Squalene, Squalane, and Diphenylamine: Reaction Rates and Environmental Implications
No full textOptimizing Neural Network Architecture in Artificial Intelligence
No full textThe world is becoming extremely technologically advanced as a result of artificial intelligence. Most may know artificial intelligence as the intelligence behind our everyday technology, including cell phones, computers, and more. However, artificial intelligence is much more. One of the most important concepts within artificial intelligence is neural networking. Neural networks send information from an input, through a network of nodes, to an output. This thesis will follow neural networks and artificial intelligence through a description of their history and purpose. Additionally, the mathematics behind neural networks will be covered as well as optimization methods. An example of optimization will be incorporated through a neural network architecture problem resulting in upwards of 80% accuracy – with little complexity. Finally, the future of artificial intelligence will be touched on
I Know Where That Happened! : How Local Museums Interact with Their Communities
No full textMy research looks to explore how local museums interact with their surrounding communities. I take a particularly close look at how the museum interacts with schools and especially school groups who visit the museum as a part of a field trip. I use the Museum of Historic Annapolis in Annapolis, Maryland as my case study. I conducted interviews with two different staff members who both work heavily with the general public and schools. I also performed content analysis on sections of text taken from three different web pages on the Historic Annapolis website as well as fifteen randomly selected labels that are found in the first of four exhibit rooms within the museum. I argue that expanding the social networks of both the museum and the visitors is a key element of these interactions between these two parties. These can be created in the form of visitors going on a group tour with a member of the museum staff, or a specific person coming in and acting as a presenter for a visitor program. I also argue that, while education is highlighted in both the web pages and the exhibit labels, the material that might be taught or emphasized during a museum tour differs between the two. The web pages, which are what most teachers and parents would first encounter, showcases questions and activities about specific moments in history that are seen as appropriate to discuss with particular age groups. The exhibit labels on the other hand contain a variety of more general themes which are not necessarily in line with what the web pages discuss
Wooster Magazine: Spring 2024
No full textThe Wooster magazine spring 2024 issue features alumni who translated campus exploration at The College of Wooster to empowered leadership in their next communities. Whether they are musicians performing as an ensemble, teammates on an athletic field, neighbors in the international house, study partners in the science labs, moot court team members, or otherwise connected, Wooster students find and create community on campus. Constructing these relationships and exploring all the opportunities that contribute to a Wooster education sends forward alumni with strengths that guide them as they serve their next communities around the world. The spring 2024 issue of Wooster magazine tells the stories of alumni who developed leadership, critical thinking, and collaborative skills from their involvements at the College that shaped their future including Lauren Grimanis ’12, Ben Read ’23, Kelly James ’97, Erika (Fischer) Floreska ’93, Margaux Day ’06, Rehmat Ali Hasnie ’91, Eran Maina ’21, and Scott Perkins ’20. Also read about how Kiki Giles study abroad experiences have shaped her views of languages and culture. In addition to College news and achievements of students, faculty, and staff, the Oak Grove section includes “Why Wooster” with Camille Mallett ’13, case manager for student support and outreach and a story about donor support for APEX Fellows that supports students with internship opportunities that guide their next steps in their field of interest. Tartan Ties includes class notes shared by alumni ranging from the Class of ’67 to ’19, including nearly two dozen photos, and new books from alumni authors.https://openworks.wooster.edu/wooalumnimag_2021-2030/1009/thumbnail.jp
Using History to Understand Tejano Identity: An Examination of Using History to Teach Identity in K-5 Education
No full textThis project explores the development of the historical narrative surrounding the history of Mexico U.S. relations and the creation of Texas and the accompanying K-5 state curriculum covering the beginnings of the United States. In my introductory essay, I open by discussing my own educational experience, or lack thereof, surrounding the topic. Then, I analyze Ohio and Texas state social studies standards and discuss the ways in which significant gaps have been left in addressing the creation of Texas as a critical part of United States history before further addressing gaps in the historiography around the topic. I conclude by further explaining the implications of this topic in the current political climate as well as for current and future students to be fully prepared to participate in modern society. The introductory essay is followed by a unit overview, a series of seven lesson plans, and accompanying visual materials
Waves of Absurdity: Investigating Real-Time Ocean Renderings and Their Relationship with Absurdism
No full textDeveloping accurate and real-time ocean water renderings is a convoluted process that is exacerbated by ocean water\u27s inherently dynamic nature and scale. As such, the evolution of real-time ocean simulations frequently coincides with improvements in computer graphics. In the same vein, representations of ocean water frequently serve as a stage for showcasing the newest developments in computer graphics. This Independent Study is designed to answer two specific yet interconnected research questions: Firstly, it seeks to explore the common methodologies employed in real-time ocean rendering and to conduct a comprehensive comparative analysis thereof. This encompasses, though is not confined to, the formation of waves, the intricate interplay of light reflections and refractions, buoyancy mechanics, and sophisticated optimization techniques. Secondly, it aims to investigate the intricate interplay between natural ocean bodies, simulated counterparts, and the philosophical concept of absurdism through purposeful game design and implementation. In connection, an ocean shader is developed to demonstrate many of the techniques discussed in this paper, while a video game is developed to not only showcase the ocean shader but also to explore the interplay between vast computer-generated bodies of water and the philosophy of the absurd