Via Sapientiae: The Institutional Repository at DePaul University
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Get PDFDePaul alumni share news about their promotions, career moves, weddings, birth announcements, other accomplishments and more with the DePaul community. John Carruthers (CMN MA \u2709) makes pizzas to support nonprofits. Nyabweza Itaagi (LAS MA \u2718) helps grow a community-owned agro-eco district with a nature trail in a former rail corridor and conversions of vacant lots into urban farms
b-Chromatic Number of the Graph Power of the Star Graph
Get PDFIn this paper we focus on the newly introduced b-colorings of a graph G. A b-coloring is a proper coloring such that for each color class, there exists at least one vertex which is adjacent to every other color. The b-chromatic number of a graph G is the largest number k such that G admits a b-coloring with k colors. This paper will introduce the b-chromatic number of some interesting graphs. Several operations of graphs are defined, and the b-chromatic number of those operations are found. All graphs in this paper are simple, connected, non-regular graphs. In our main result we compute the b-chromatic number of the graph power of a star
Increasing the b-Chromatic Number of Complete Bipartites by Deleting Edges
Get PDFA b-coloring of a graph, G=〈V,E〉, is a proper coloring in which each color has at least one vertex that is adjacent to every other color. The b-chromatic number for G, denoted φ(G), is the largest number of colors you can use to make a b-coloring. For most graphs, φ(G), is around the m-index, an upper bound for φ(G) based on the graph\u27s degree sequence. However, for the complete bipartite graph Km,n, φ(Km,n)=2 even though the m-index can be arbitrarily large. In this paper we will delete edges from complete bipartites so we can increase their b-chromatic number. Specifically, we will delete the fewest amount of edges that it takes to maximize the b-chromatic number of complete bipartites
Spatial and Temporal Analysis of PM 2.5 Concentrations in Chicago Along the Lakefront Trail Using Wearable Air Quality Sensors
Get PDFMass urbanization and transportation practices have resulted in high amounts of air pollution. Air pollution can have detrimental effects on human health causing respiratory issues as well as other health complications. Certain areas of cities experience more exposure to air pollution which can also cause them to have more health issues and lower life expectancy. These areas are often associated with disinvestment and minoritized communities of color. This research explores patterns of air quality related to environmental justice areas using low-cost wearable air quality monitoring sensors attached to a bicycle. Data was collected along the Lakefront Trail stretching from Irving Park Road to 43rd Street. We hypothesized that pollutant concentrations would be higher further south due to larger presence of areas identified as having poor environmental justice metrics. Since wind direction could have an influence on pollutant concentrations along the Lakefront Trail, that variable was also considered. Data was collected at the same time of day on twelve different days over the summer into fall of 2023. The data were split into three zones along the Lakefront Trail: North, Loop, and South. CO2 levels were significantly higher along the north section of the trail and there was no significant difference between PM2.5 levels between the North and South sections of the trail. Both these findings did not support our hypothesis. Wind direction also did not have a significant impact on the pollutant concentrations. We speculate that other factors might influence lakefront pollution concentrations
Automated Customer Assistance is Not Customer Service
Get PDFFor development of the theory of service, the focus is on the constructs of service. The theory is expanded to encompass the various business models of service and the service encounter including but not limited to guest satisfaction, service quality, service and technology, service system design, and customer relationship management. Consideration is given to the aspects of the service transaction and what constitutes service, where a labor component of a firm’s product has been transferred to the customer. Lastly, self-service and automation are considered in the context of the user experience. A model of the theory of service is presented
Modular approach to soft mobile robots
Get PDFSoft robot locomotion is a highly promising but under-researched subfield within the field of soft robotics. The compliant limbs and bodies of soft robots offer numerous benefits, including the ability to regulate impacts, tolerate falls, and navigate through tight spaces. These robots have the potential to be used for various applications, such as search and rescue, inspection, surveillance, and more. The state-of-the-art still faces many challenges, including limited degrees of freedom, a lack of diversity in gait trajectories, insufficient limb dexterity, limited payload capabilities, lack of control methods, etc. To address these challenges, this research introduces a modular approach to designing, modeling, validating, and controlling of soft mobile robots. The modular design philosophy aims at simplifying the robot construction and improving its reliability by focusing on designing and developing simpler soft robotic units. The research is conducted in two phases; (i) designing and fabricating modular soft mobile robots with different topologies and validating their fundamental locomotion gaits, and (ii) enhancing their locomotion capabilities through effective control strategies, i.e., closed-loop control.
During phase (i), inspired by spider monkeys\u27 tails, a novel hybrid soft module is proposed. The soft module powered by pneumatics has an improved stiffness controllable range, and independent stiffness and shape control capabilities. As the first topology, soft modules are serially arranged to build soft robotic snakes (SRSs) that are wheelless, relying solely on spatial bending to achieve their movements. A kinematic model of the SRS is derived to achieve snake locomotion trajectories, namely sidewinding, serpentine, planar rolling, helical rolling, and curved surface locomotion. This is a significant improvement over the previous designs, which were either limited to planar movements or relied on wheels for locomotion. Additionally, a complete spatial dynamic model for the SRSs is proposed and experimentally validated. As the second topology, four soft modules are arranged in parallel to fabricate a soft-limbed robot that can mimic pinniped locomotion. A complete floating-base kinematic model of the proposed robot is derived to generate and experimentally validate a variety of locomotion gaits including a novel energy-efficient locomotion mode called tumbling. As the third topology, five soft modules are arranged serially and in parallel to fabricate a soft quadrupedal robot. Parameterized quadrupedal trajectories for crawling and trotting locomotion are derived utilizing the kinematic model of the robot. In crawling, gait models are derived to predict locomotion effectiveness, and experimental results confirm their prediction accuracy. A physics-enabled quadruped dynamic model is utilized to optimize and validate trotting locomotion trajectories. This modular approach provides a promising solution to the challenge of building high-dimensional soft robots capable of complex locomotion gaits and offers exciting possibilities for future research.
During phase (ii), closed-loop feedback control schemes are implemented to effectively manage the locomotion. Feedback control in mobile robots is important since it can track locomotion and perform dynamic locomotion adjustments necessary in real-world applications. Wireless sensors are integrated to measure the deformation of the SRS body and the quadruped limbs. The measured trajectory parameters are compared and adjusted in real-time using a Jacobian-based kinematic control system to match the intended locomotion trajectories. The results demonstrate that closed-loop controlled locomotion trajectories outperformed the previously tested open-loop control trajectories, significantly enhancing locomotion for field applications
Spirituality and Primal Beliefs Among Oxford House Employees
Get PDFThe emphasis on treatment for alcohol and substance use disorder (AUD/SUD) has shifted from short-term clinical stabilization to long-term recovery. Along with this shift comes a growing appreciation of the positive beliefs and behaviors recovering people use to maintain their well-being. The current study examined the role of spirituality as one such tool to improve well-being, as well as how deeply held beliefs, or primals, can influence the benefits of spiritual practices. Participants (baseline n = 132) were recovering employees of Oxford House Inc., a large international network of recovery residences. Participants completed measures of their spirituality, primal beliefs, and recovery capital at three timepoints over 9 months. Longitudinal linear mixed models (LMMs) were utilized to analyze relationships between three measures of spirituality (experience, practice, affiliation to spiritual 12-step groups) and recovery capital, as well as the interaction of primal beliefs on these relationships. Spiritual practice and spiritual experience were positively associated with recovery capital. The primal belief Alive appeared to enhance the relationship between experience and capital. Results underscore the importance of spirituality for many individuals with SUDs and reveal the positive benefits of engaging in meaning-centered practices during recovery. Implications for treatment and recovery initiatives are discussed
The Effects of Chronic Stress on Predictors of Academic Learning
Get PDFExecutive functioning, goal orientations, and intrinsic motivation in education have shown to predict outcomes in academic learning. Research has shown that for students in chronically stressed environments, the development of all three may be influenced by their ecological contexts. The current study examines how chronic stress at the systems level impacts the development of adaptive learning approaches, specifically mastery goal orientation and intrinsic motivation, among diverse youth. Further, this study seeks to examine the role of executive functioning in the relationship between systemic stress—a conceptualization of chronic stress at the systems level—and mastery goal orientation and intrinsic motivation.
The study included data from 373 children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 18 (M=14.23; SD=4.5) recruited from three diverse urban schools (two K-8th; one high school). Participants were racially and ethnically diverse (34.7% Black/African American, 38.2% Latino, 36.6% White/European American, 10.8% Asian American, 1.1% American Indian, and 16.4% Multi-racial) and evenly split between genders (53.4% female). Survey data were collected during two all-day sessions. Measures were completed by both students and their parents.
Pearson r correlational statistics were used to determine bivariate relationships among chronic stress, executive functioning, mastery goal orientation, and intrinsic motivation. Structural equation modeling (SEM) with bootstrapping was used to test two mediation models in which a) systemic stress predicts mastery goal orientation via a mediation path of executive functioning, and b) systemic stress predicts mastery goal orientation via a mediation path of intrinsic motivation.
Results showed that systemic stress, specifically in the form of chronic loss or deprivation, predicts mastery goal orientation and intrinsic motivation through increased challenges in executive functioning, especially planning/organization. Findings highlight the significance of supporting the development of executive functioning in contexts of high chronic stress to influence academic learning related outcomes
Exploring Advocates’ Perceptions of Rural and Urban Sexual Assault Survivors’ Experiences Seeking Civil Protective Orders
Get PDFCivil protective orders (CPOs) are one of the most utilized legal remedies that exist for sexual assault survivors. While they are available for every survivor in Illinois, a survivor’s community context can impact their experience petitioning for a CPO. Prior research with domestic violence survivors suggests that the rurality and urbanicity of a community may impact a sexual assault survivors experiences seeking a CPO, but little research has been conducted with sexual assault survivors specifically. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of rape crisis center advocates from rural and urban counties across the state of Illinois to determine how community context (i.e., rurality and urbanicity) impacts a sexual assault survivor\u27s experiences seeking a CPO. As part of a mixed methods participatory evaluation of survivors’ needs and experiences relating to the civil legal system nine focus group were conducted with 45 total rape crisis center (RCC) advocates to understand their perceptions of survivors’ experiences with the civil legal system. Utilizing analytic induction, this study found that advocates perceived that rural and urban survivors’ experiences attempting to obtain a CPO differed. Advocates described a variety of consequences rurality had on survivors’ experiences such as rural RCCs and advocates being stretched thin and unable to do as much advocacy at the courthouse as urban advocates, rural counties being slower at adopting and implementing laws related to CPOs and sexual assault, and rural courthouses not having CPO specific courts like their urban counterparts. Advocates also discussed the differences in barriers and facilitators for rural and urban survivors obtaining a CPO Advocates perceived urban RCC’s ability to assist clients with transportation and provide them with referrals to lawyers outside of legal aid as facilitating survivor’s ability to connect with the civil legal system and obtain a CPO. On the other hand, rural advocates felt that confidentiality concerns served as a barrier for survivors’ engagement with the civil legal system. Finally, both urban and rural advocates emphasized the importance of community outreach as a facilitator, but they describe different behaviors and goals for their outreach. The findings of this study suggest that rurality has a significant impact on sexual assault survivors’ experiences, and rural survivors may experience unique challenges to obtaining a CPO that urban survivors do not. These findings emphasize a need for continued research on the influence of community context on survivor’s help seeking experiences and a need for greater standardization of systems across community contexts