Situating Native American Studies and Red Feminisms: Sustaining Ethnic Studies
This essay aims to show that serious and robust engagement with Native American Studies and Red feminist research, methods, and theories contribute to the epistemological core of Ethnic Studies and produce new and important understandings of phenomenology, resistance, coloniality, and structures. Native American Studies and Red feminism are situated in relationship to Ethnic Studies and Feminist Studies to question the ongoing necessity of Native American scholars to occupy academic spaces. Ultimately, this paper illustrates how Native American Studies and Red feminism offer inroads to understanding the matrix of coloniality and the systematic efforts of Native American scholars, including Red feminists, to arrive at an Ethnic Studies that works for the people and serves in efforts to achieve social justice and Native American sovereignty simultaneously.
Sign Language Gesture Recognition Using Doppler Radar and Deep Learning
In this paper, we study American sign language (ASL) hand gesture recognition using Doppler radar. A set of ASL hand gesture motions are captured as micro- Doppler signals using a microwave X-band Doppler radar transceiver. We apply joint time-frequency analysis and observe the presence of the micro- Doppler signatures in the spectrogram. The micro- Doppler signatures of different hand gestures are analyzed using Matlab. Each hand gesture is observed to contain unique spectral characteristics. Based on unique spectral characteristics, we investigate the classification of ASL essential short phrases including emergency signals. For recognizing and characterizing the presence of micro-Doppler signatures in spectrogram we explore deep convolution neural network (DCNN) algorithm. We show that the DCNN algorithm can classify different sign language gestures based on the presence of micro- Doppler signatures in the spectrogram with fairly high accuracy. Experimental results reveal that utilizing 80% of data for training, and the remaining 20% for validation purposes in DCNN algorithm a validation accuracy of 87.5% is achieved. To further improve the recognition system, we apply a very deep learning algorithm VGG-16 using transfer learning, which improves the validation accuracy to 95%.<br /><br />Prakshi Sharme is a Fresno State graduate.
Low-Complexity Detection for Faster-than-Nyquist Signaling Based on Probabilistic Data Association
In this letter, we investigate the sequence estimation problem of faster-than-Nyquist (FTN) signaling as a promising approach for increasing spectral efficiency (SE) in future communication systems. In doing so, we exploit the concept of Gaussian separability and propose two probabilistic data association (PDA) algorithms with polynomial time complexity to detect binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) FTN signaling. Simulation results show that the proposed PDA algorithm outperforms the recently proposed SSSSE and SSSgb <span class="MathJax" id="MathJax-Element-1-Frame" tabindex="0"><nobr><span class="math" id="MathJax-Span-1" style="width: 1.114em; display: inline-block;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 0.889em; height: 0px; font-size: 120%;"><span style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1.428em, 1000.89em, 2.444em, -1000em); top: -2.278em; left: 0em;"><span class="mrow" id="MathJax-Span-2"><span class="mi" id="MathJax-Span-3" style="font-family: MathJax_Math; font-style: italic;">K<span style="display: inline-block; overflow: hidden; height: 1px; width: 0.04em;"></span></span></span><span style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; height: 2.278em;"></span></span></span><span style="display: inline-block; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: -0.067em; border-left: 0px solid; width: 0px; height: 0.953em;"></span></span></nobr></span> SE algorithms for all SE values with a modest increase in complexity. The PDA algorithm approaches the performance of the semidefinite relaxation (SDRSE) algorithm for SE values of 0.96 bits/sec/Hz, and it is within the 0.5 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) penalty at SE values of 1.10 bits/sec/Hz for the fixed values of <span class="MathJax" id="MathJax-Element-2-Frame" tabindex="0"><nobr><span class="math" id="MathJax-Span-4" style="width: 3.836em; display: inline-block;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 3.167em; height: 0px; font-size: 120%;"><span style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1.406em, 1003.12em, 2.638em, -1000em); top: -2.278em; left: 0em;"><span class="mrow" id="MathJax-Span-5"><span class="mi" id="MathJax-Span-6" style="font-family: MathJax_Math; font-style: italic;">β<span style="display: inline-block; overflow: hidden; height: 1px; width: 0.007em;"></span></span><span class="mo" id="MathJax-Span-7" style="font-family: MathJax_Main; padding-left: 0.278em;">=</span><span class="mn" id="MathJax-Span-8" style="font-family: MathJax_Main; padding-left: 0.278em;">0.3</span></span><span style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; height: 2.278em;"></span></span></span><span style="display: inline-block; overflow: hidden; vertical-align: -0.299em; border-left: 0px solid; width: 0px; height: 1.212em;"></span></span></nobr></span> .
A Network-Centric Analysis for the Internet of Vehicles and Simulation Tools
The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) is an emerging research framework, with network and graph theories as two of the major fields. Researchers in these topics use a variety of tools and approaches to simulate and perform experimentation on their proposed methodologies. A comprehensive study to facilitate the selection of such simulation tools is lacking from the literature. In this work, we provide a systematic review of the different simulation platforms. More precisely, the contributions of this paper are fourfold: firstly, we propose a two-tier hierarchical taxonomy based on the trends in the literature; secondly, we investigate the strengths and limitations of different simulation platforms; and thirdly, we take a network theoretic approach to identify the patterns in IoV research. To this end, we create a network of the publications and populate the edges among them. Community detection is performed using Louvian and Clauset-Newman-Moore algorithms. To the best of our knowledge, this is a novel approach to reviewing the literature which provides a more in-depth analysis of the trends in the literature. Finally, we review the common datasets for IoV experimentation.<br /><br />Sumanjit Gill and Robert Wong are Fresno State students. Fletcher Trueblood is a recent Fresno State graduate.
Novel Trace-Based Construction of the Parallel-In-Serial-Out Multiplication for Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm Like Binary Extension Fields
The Gaussian normal bases (GNBs) recommended by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the five binary extension fields of the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), are self-dual. Multiplication, is a complex, and critical, field operation for the hardware-oriented implementations of field inversion - an important operation in the elliptic curve based algorithms - in the GNB representation. This paper, introduces a novel construction for the bit-serial parallel-in-serial-out (BS-PISO) multiplication over the "NIST-like" fields, based on the Trace mapping. The new formulations, are presented for the first time in literature as far as we know, and provide a new and simple understanding of the Trace-based mathematical model behind such a BS-PISO multiplication. In addition, derivation of existing formulations for the PISO GNB field multiplication, based on the new Trace-based construction, is presented. A digit-serial most-significant-digit first PISO field multiplication architecture is constructed, based on the new Trace-based BS-PISO formulations, and the corresponding theoretical space and time complexities are derived and compared to other counterparts. Moreover, post synthesis space and time readings are reported, based on Application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) realizations, using the NANGate 45nm open cell libraries.
Cupcakes and beefcakes: Students’ readings of gender in superhero texts
Given the growing interest and representation of superheroes in comics and other media, we are interested in the ways young people read superhero texts and how those readings influence their conceptualisations of gender within and outside educational spaces. In this article we explore students’ responses to (re)presentations of gender in superhero texts (which include graphic novels, comic books, films, YouTube, and more), and examine how they reproduce and/or challenge assumptions about gender identity. This ethnographic study focuses on six seventh-graders across a school year in the United States. Our findings suggest that (1) students employ superhero texts as a multimedia resource for inquiring into gender, (2) superhero texts contribute to students’ complex and evolving understandings of gender, and (3) students both critique and reify gender ideologies that are surfaced through their transactions with comics and related media.
Bridge Monitoring Using a Digital Camera: Photogrammetry-Based Bridge Dynamic Deformation Monitoring
<p>Monitoring the health of bridges uses various sensors and techniques and provides quantitative and reliable data on the condition of bridges. Among measurable quantities, vibration induced by traffic loads has been known as a good indicator of the condition of bridges, serviceability to pedestrians, fatigue analysis, etc. Here we use non-metric, off-the-shelf, Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera (DSLR) as a sensor and apply a photogrammetric approach to measure three bridges live load traffic vibration.</p>
<p>We first tested our approach with shake-table equipment and showed the reliability of the methodology we use through measuring magnitude and frequency of the shake-table, which was then applied to two highway and one local bridges. The results show that vibrational magnitudes are well within the design recommendations of the American Association of State highway Transportation (AASHTO) and that frequencies are in the range of similar bridges that previously published. Furthermore, by providing velocity and acceleration computed from camera derived displacement, we showed that the proposed method is cost-effective and feasible as well as having a good potential for bridge health monitoring.</p>
Enhancement of UAV-based Spatial Positioning Using the Triangular Center Method with Multiple GPS
Recently, a technique for acquiring spatial information data using UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) has been greatly developed. It is a very crucial issue of the GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping system that passes way point in the unmanned airframe and finally measures the accurate image and stable localization to the desired destination. Though positioning using DGPS (Differential Global Navigation System) or RTK-GPS (Real Time Kinematic-GPS) guarantee highly accurate, they are more expensive than the construction of a single positioning system using a single GPS. In the case of a low-priced single GPS system, the stability of the positioning data deteriorates. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement the uncertainty of the absolute position data of the UAV and to improve the accuracy of the current position data economically in the operating state of the UAV. The aim of this study was to present an algorithm enhancing the stability of position data in a single GPS mode of UAV with multiple GPS. First, the arrangement of multiple GPS receivers through the center of gravity of the UAV were examined. Next, MD (Mahalanobis Distance) is applied to detect instantaneous errors of GPS data in advance and eliminate outliers to increase the accuracy of previously collected multiple GPS data. Processing procedure for multiple GPS reception data by applying the center of the triangular method were presented to improve the position accuracy. Second, UAV navigation systems integrated multiple GPS through configuration of the UAV specifications were implemented. Using the unmanned airframe equipped with multiple GPS receivers, GPS data is measured with the TCM (Triangular Center Method). In addition, UAV equipped with multiple GPS were operated in study area and locational accuracy of multiple GPS of UAV with VRS (Virtual Reference Station) GNSS surveying were compared. The result showed that the error factors are compensated, and the error range are reduced, resulting in the reliability of the corrected value. In conclusion, the result in this paper is expected to realize high-precision position estimation at low cost in UAV using multiple low-cost GPS receivers.
A Comparative Assessment of the Photogrammetric Accuracy of Mapping Using UAVs with Smart Devices
This article evaluates <small>UAV</small> photogrammetry systems using smartphones and smart cameras. Image triangulation was conducted in accordance with interior orientation parameters, determined by camera self-calibration. Precise orthomosaic images and digital surface models were generated, and their accuracy was assessed using aerial and terrestrial lidar data. Digital surface models were used to estimate earthwork volumes and verify the suitability of <small>UAV</small> photogrammetry for use on construction sites. Georeferencing accuracy shows that the smart camera performs about twice as well as the smartphone with reference to checkpoints and polygon parts. Considering rolling shutter in the smartphone, it is possible to increase accuracy. Especially in inclined and rugged topography, the smartphone can benefit from applying the rolling-shutter method. Earthwork of volume error is often applied as a legal requirement for some countries, and our findings indicate that a smart camera with a drone can be effectively and economically used in earthworks.
Particle-Scale Path-Dependent Behavior of Li x Ni 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 Electrode in Li-Ion Batteries: Part II
<p>A mathematical model was developed to study the voltage behavior of Li<sub>x</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Mn<sub>1.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub>(LNMO) electrode at particle scale. The phase transition process of <i>Li</i><sub>1</sub> → <i>Li</i><sub>0.5</sub> → <i>Li</i><sub>1</sub> in spinel LNMO was modeled by Avrami equation, which was incorporated into lithium transport process in the particle. By simulating the charge and discharge process, numerical results indicated that phase distributions in the LNMO particle are different between charge and discharge at the same SOC condition, which can lead to different capacity utilization in practical battery operation. Results of average phase fractions also qualitatively demonstrated the existence of path dependent behavior of phase transformation inside LNMO electrode, which can be attributed to the competition between diffusion and phase transformation. The path-dependent behavior at different SOC conditions were then studied. Results show that longer phase change time can result in more capacity utilization. The relaxation impact was investigated at last. Numerical results showed that the path-dependence behavior can be reduced by long relaxation, and this is because phase transformation reactions take place during the relaxation period and eventually can reduce the path-dependence effect.</p>
Particle-Scale Path-Dependent Behavior of Li x Ni 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 Electrode in Li-Ion Batteries: Part I
<p>The voltage behavior of the Li<sub>x</sub>Ni<sub>0.5</sub>Mn<sub>1.5</sub>O<sub>4</sub> (LNMO) electrode was studied in this work. A thin-layer LNMO electrode was prepared for testing in a coin cell format where lithium metal was used as the counter electrode. A series of charge and discharge cycling experiment was designed to investigate LNMO rate performance and voltage behavior. Our results indicated that a phase transformation process in the LNMO electrode has significant influence on its voltage behavior. Results also showed that the LNMO electrode has path-dependent behavior on both discharge and charge, which is due to the lithium transport inside the LNMO electrode. Experiments revealed that this path-dependent behavior depends on the state of charge (SOC), and may result from limited phase transformation rates. Relaxation experiments were also conducted at different SOC conditions. Results showed that the voltage behavior of the LNMO electrode is time-dependent, where long relaxation can lead to the vanishing of the electrode path-dependent behavior.</p>
Combined measurements of Higgs boson production and decay using up to 80 fb − 1 of proton-proton collision data at s = 13 TeV collected with the ATLAS experiment
<p>Combined measurements of Higgs boson production cross sections and branching fractions are presented. The combination is based on the analyses of the Higgs boson decay modes <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>H</mi><mo stretchy="false">→</mo><mi>γ</mi><mi>γ</mi></math>, <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>Z</mi><msup><mi>Z</mi><mo>*</mo></msup></math>, <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>W</mi><msup><mi>W</mi><mo>*</mo></msup></math>, <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>τ</mi><mi>τ</mi></math>, <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>b</mi><mover accent="true"><mi>b</mi><mo stretchy="false">¯</mo></mover></math>, <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mi>μ</mi><mi>μ</mi></math>, searches for decays into invisible final states, and on measurements of off-shell Higgs boson production. Up to <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><mn>79.8</mn><mtext> </mtext><mtext> </mtext><msup><mrow><mi>fb</mi></mrow><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></msup></mrow></math> of proton–proton collision data collected at <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><msqrt><mi>s</mi></msqrt><mo>=</mo><mn>13</mn><mtext> </mtext><mtext> </mtext><mi>TeV</mi></math> with the ATLAS detector are used. Results are presented for the gluon–gluon fusion and vector-boson fusion processes, and for associated production with vector bosons or top-quarks. The global signal strength is determined to be <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mrow><mi>μ</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>1.1</mn><msubsup><mrow><mn>1</mn></mrow><mrow><mo>−</mo><mn>0.08</mn></mrow><mrow><mo>+</mo><mn>0.09</mn></mrow></msubsup></mrow></math>. The combined measurement yields an observed (expected) significance for the vector-boson fusion production process of <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mn>6.5</mn><mi>σ</mi></math> (<math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mn>5.3</mn><mi>σ</mi></math>). Measurements in kinematic regions defined within the simplified template cross section framework are also shown. The results are interpreted in terms of modifiers applied to the Standard Model couplings of the Higgs boson to other particles, and are used to set exclusion limits on parameters in two-Higgs-doublet models and in the simplified minimal supersymmetric Standard Model. No significant deviations from Standard Model predictions are observed.</p>
Formation and Language: Hybrid Subjectivity in the Spanish American Bildungsroman
In the multiethnic, multicultural, and multilingual setting of contemporary Spanish America, the <i>Bildungsroman</i> has evolved to incorporate contestatory features necessary to address the tensions inherent in a region where hybridity and plurality are underlying characteristics. The degree to which the individual connects to the dominant society’s expectations varies, and the norm itself may be questioned. Language can thus be a marker of difference, or belonging. It can reveal class, ethnicity, hybridity (through code-switching), as well as the degree of marginalization or integration into local, national, or global communities. Spanish American novels such as Rosa Nissán’s <i>Novia que te vea</i> (México, 1992) and Alberto Fuguet’s <i>Las películas de mi vida</i> (Chile, 2003) afford us opportunities to analyze the complexities of hybrid subjectivity, and its corresponding linguistic diversity, in contemporary, global societies, and to connect with the universal process of formation through the lens of unique cultural and regional variants.
Keto–Enol Tautomerization of Acetylacetone in Mixed Solvents by NMR Spectroscopy
Keto–enol tautomerism is a fundamental concept that examines the migration of a proton between two constitutional isomers, the keto and enol tautomer. Many experiments have been proposed to understand the concept behind Meyer’s Rule, which states that the keto tautomer is favored as the solvent polarity increases. However, all the experiments have only been performed in a single solvent. A new physical chemistry experiment is introduced to determine tautomerization equilibrium in binary solvent mixtures using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, by systematically varying the molar ratio of the solvents. This approach allows the students to explore the variation of the polarity of the solvent system as a continuous variable. Furthermore, using an empirical method, the solvent polarity at any binary solvent condition can be converted to an effective dielectric constant of the sample. Because of this ability, the keto–enol tautomerization equilibrium constant can be directly related to the solvation Gibbs energy using the Onsager–Kirkwood theory. Detailed experimental procedures for the direct adaptation of the experiment using a high-resolution or desktop NMR spectrometer is provided in the Supporting Information.<br /><br />Candice H. Cortney is a Fresno State graduate student.
Intermarket sweep order trade size clustering around corporate announcements
Investors have different trade size preferences depending on their information advantage. Using intermarket sweep orders (ISOs), we find that investors appear to prefer using small, round lot trades around corporate events with higher announcement frequency and more predictable timing, such as earnings announcements. Around these corporate events, information is revealed, and analyst estimates are confirmed or rejected. Conversely, share repurchase announcements happen less frequently and the timing of these announcements are unpredictable. Relative to earnings announcements, share repurchase announcements create more uncertainty than they resolve. We find that when investors have less information, they tend to use costlier, larger trade size multiples. We further support the extant finding that trade sizes are smaller with the advent of high-frequency trading.
Interest Group and Political Party Influence on Growth in State Spending and Debt
Does more lobbying by more interest groups, especially groups representing a state’s largest business sector, lead to greater spending and debt? Or does the blame really rest with state lawmakers and their political parties, which compete to attract and retain the allegiance of these powerful organized interests so they can win control of state government? We test this question with data on annual state budgets from 2006 to 2015, the number of interest groups in each state for those years, the size of the constituencies in different economic and social sectors these groups potentially represent, and the degree of competition between the political parties. Our results reveal that while there is a positive interest group effect on spending, the effect becomes negative as parties compete more for control of the state. As the gatekeepers, lawmakers and their parties, more than interest groups, are ultimately responsible for a state’s fiscal condition.
Integrating Cryptocurrency into Intermediate Financial Accounting Curriculum: A Case Study
As the accounting profession is rapidly changing, faculty members are challenged with the task of incorporating emerging advances into the accounting curriculum in order to equip students for future success. There is little debate that cryptocurrency is prominent in the business world today, thus prompting attention for accounting professionals and educators is important. In this paper, we document our experiences in introducing cryptocurrencies to undergraduate financial accounting students with the goal of capturing their knowledge and measuring their perceptions of the impact digital currency holds in the current economic environment. To operationalize our research question, students were given a cryptocurrency assignment to complete outside of class and were asked a series of questions in the class period directly after the assignment was due. The results of our case study show that students became more aware of cryptocurrencies and accounting practices associated with them after their completion of this assignment and the vast majority of students found this knowledge would benefit them in their future careers.
Production planning with multiple production lines: Forward algorithm and insights on process design for volume flexibility
This paper considers the production planning problem of a firm that produces a single product using a process that has multiple production lines (or machines) in parallel, each with a finite production capacity. Specifically, the firm has <i>m</i> parallel production lines, each with capacity of <i>P</i> units per period. If needed, the firm can adjust the production rate in a period by adjusting the number of lines it operates in the period. The firm faces time‐varying demands. The objective is to find a production plan that meets the demands over the problem horizon and minimizes the sum of setup, holding and variable production costs. The paper develops an efficient forward dynamic programming algorithm and uses it to develop managerial insights on the effect of process design on “volume flexibility,” which is defined as “the ability to be operated profitably at different output levels.” Some forecast horizon results are also developed. The firm can use the results in the paper to optimize the process design for the demand it faces.
Utilizing kitchen steamers to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica on whole cantaloupe melons
Cantaloupes contaminated with <i>Listeria</i> and <i>Salmonella</i> have caused large scale of foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. Prior research has shown that heat treatment can be used to reduce microbial contaminates on fruit surfaces. However, no study has evaluated the use of kitchen steamers for inactivating foodborne pathogens on cantaloupes. The purpose of this study was to test the sanitization efficacy of three models of electrical kitchen steamers (steamer‐A, ‐B, and ‐C) for eliminating foodborne pathogens on cantaloupe surfaces. Fresh cantaloupes were spot‐inoculated with <i>Listeria monocytogens</i> or <i>Salmonella enterica</i> and kept at 4 or 22 °C for a day before steam treatment for ≤100 s. Test results show that the surface of nonrefrigerated cantaloupes can be decontaminated (with ≥5.0 log reduction) within 60 s using any of the tested steamers. For refrigerated fruits (4 °C), however, only two steamers (steamer‐B and ‐C) decontaminated the cantaloupes within 60 s and they were unable to render the pathogens undetected in enriched samples. <i>Salmonella</i> was more susceptible than <i>Listeria</i> to steam treatment. In conclusion, electrical kitchen steamers can be utilized by consumers to sanitize whole cantaloupes prior to consumption. However, fruit temperature and steamer selection can influence the heating time required for surface sanitization.
Using Inquiry to Develop Agricultural Education Preservice Teachers’ Disciplinary Literacy Pedagogy
In this study, we examined using a Disciplinary Literacy Project (DLP) to develop secondary agricultural education preservice teachers’ disciplinary literacy perspectives and practices. Our findings revealed that the three preservice teachers developed a deeper understanding of agricultural literacies and applied this knowledge in different ways to scaffold students’ engagement with discipline-specific practices. Implications include that disciplinary literacy inquiry projects can strengthen beginning teachers’ understanding of discipline-specific literacy practices and habits of thinking and encourage teachers to scaffold their students in authentic disciplinary practices.