Gentes y maneras de hablar en el río Apaporis (Colombia): el caso de YAUNA, TANIMUCA y LETUAMA

El artículo ofrece una perspectiva histórica y lingüística sobre las relaciones entre las lenguas y pueblos conocidos como Yauna, Tanimuca y Letuama, enfocándose en el origen y significado de estos glosónimos y etnónimos. Hacemos un recorrido por el conocimiento académico sobre ellos y lo enriquecemos con el relato indígena de su historia sociolingüística, sus autodenominaciones y las denominaciones externas. Así, el artículo contribuye al desarrollo de una aproximación históricamente informada sobre los marcos de interpretación y categorización que se han consolidado para la comprensión académica del área cultural y lingüística del Noroeste Amazónico (o Gran Vaupés). Del mismo modo, ofrecemos un panorama de cambios sociales, políticos y sociolingüísticos en los siglos XX y XXI en el río Apaporis (Amazonas-Vaupés, Colombia) y su relación con las prácticas investigativas en antropología y lingüística en la región. Con este texto esperamos aportar, en especial, al conocimiento de la familia lingüística Tucano oriental, al igual que al lugar del pueblo Yauna y su lengua en el complejo cultural del Noroeste Amazónico

The Rise Of Artificial Intelligence AndThe Importance Of Media Literacy: Decoding AI-Generated News

With the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence, people around the world are growing concerned about the quality of the content they receive -- especially the information they read in the news. Artificial Intelligence, “the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as speech recognition, problem- solving, and pattern detection” (Climavision, 2024), are at the heart of these concerns. There are many forms of artificial intelligence. However, the study focuses explicitly on generative AI models, also referred to as Large Language Models (LLMs). A 2023 study surveying newsrooms nationwide reveals that Artificial Intelligence is used in 32% of content creation (Watson, 2024). As Artificial Intelligence becomes more and more prevalent in the journalistic sphere, it is imperative that people can correctly detect AI-generated text in order to better monitor the quality of the overall article. To test whether the average person can accurately and consistently distinguish between human and AI-generated news, this study asks participants to select from among articles authored by both humans and AI and identify their confidence level in this selection. The study also analyzes whether external factors such as education, socioeconomic status, and age impact their ability to distinguish between human and AI-authored news articles

A Deep Dive Into Integrals: From Riemann, Stieltjes, Lebesgue to Henstock–Kurzweil

Integration theory is broadly concerned with the existence of solutions to definite integrals over closed subintervals of the real line, and its power lies in the various techniques of integration, which enable integration of successively broader classes of functions. In this work, we establish a self–contained theory of integration in the sense of Riemann, Riemann–Stieltjes, Lebesgue, and Henstock–Kurzweil. Notably, our work utilizes the theory of Lebesgue integration developed by P. J. Daniell, which does not rely on measure theory and thus remains accessible at the undergraduate level. Our incentive for such an approach is to improve equitable access to advanced integration theory in undergraduate learning environments. This work remains grounded in the applications of integration theory, which span the disciplines of probability theory, complex analysis, quaternionic theory, and even quantum mechanics. Finally, we present the Vitali set indicator function and a novel proof that this function is not integrable in the sense of any of the integration techniques surveyed, thus crystallizing the limits of integration theory as it exists today.

Polymerization Kinetics and Polymer Characterization by Fluorogenic Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP)

Controlling reaction kinetics with precision is vital for tailoring polymer properties such as molecular weight and dispersity; thus, reactions which are able to control and optimize for these characteristics are becoming increasingly important. Current methods that are able to reliably and carefully monitor polymerizations involve highly specialized, costly, and low-throughput instrumentation which all sacrifice the ability to monitor reaction kinetics in real-time. As an alternative to these complex and expensive setups, fluorogenic atom transfer radical polymerization (fluorogenic ATRP) is explored as a simple and accessible method for the direct, in situ, monitoring of polymerization kinetics and for the purposes of polymer molecular weight characterization. The Cooley Group has previously demonstrated that a fluorogenic monomer probe, anthracene methacrylamide (AnMA), will yield a fluorescent polymer upon co-polymerization, even at low concentrations of this monomer. The trace incorporation of anthracene methacrylamide into a variety of preexisting reactions allows for simple fluorescence measurements to act as a non-invasive technique to monitor the degree of polymerization and polymer molecular weight. This work details the testing and efficacy of this approach through reactions which copolymerize anthracene methacrylamide (and other fluorogenic monomers) into a variety of both established and emerging ATRP reactions to understand and define parameters for the relationship between observed polymer fluorescence and polymer characteristics. Additional work is also being done to characterize the polymers formed from these reactions, and a proof-of-concept surface-initiated polymerization application has been developed and is currently the subject of ongoing experimentation

NIRSA Student Referees: Exploring the Connection between Sense of Community and Positive Health and Well-Being Outcomes

Despite working in complex environments, which require managing antagonistic and abusive relationships, sport referees are essential to ensure fair and safe competition. Evidence suggests officiating can positively impact well-being and officiating communities provide social support. Despite those positives, there remains a shortage of qualified officials, which is compounded by aging referee populations. These concerns emphasize the need to attract young people and examine well-being benefits resulting from involvement in officiating communities. As such, the aim of this study is to help NIRSA professionals better understand how the community or social networks made through officiating intramural sports could better support student employee well-being. Semi-structured interviews with 44 referees aged, 18-23, revealed themes describing the relationship between sense of community and well-being. Details about the three major themes, individual well-being, community well-being, and importance of campus recreation, and seven subthemes will be discussed. Practical implications to help campus recreation professionals understand factors impacting retention, feelings of community, and student referees’ well-being will be presented

Final Design Report: Smart Stethoscope

The Smart Stethoscope project integrates signal processing and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the diagnostic accuracy of heart abnormalities, especially in remote environments where access to skilled professionals may be limited. Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide, highlighting a need for innovative solutions in healthcare. This initiative seeks to address that need by developing a machine learning model capable of classifying 42 different heart abnormalities with an accuracy of 90%, using a dataset composed of stethoscope recordings. The proof of concept of this project was carried out during the Fall semester, using a 2D-Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) approach on a dataset of 10 different heart abnormalities. During the Spring semester, the team seeked to simplify and optimize the proof of concept by replacing the 2D-CNN approach for two approaches: 1D-CNN and Wavelet Transforms. As per these approaches, the same dataset was used for their implementation in its full length, consisting of 42 unique heart conditions, each represented by a 10-15 second sample of continuous heartbeats. To better simulate a real-world dataset of heart sounds collected from a wide range of patients, this data was procedurally expanded using MATLAB. This dataset was splitted into 70% training data, 15% validation, and 15% testing data for both implementations. The first model is a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN) implemented in Python, trained on the full length of each of the 42 audio samples. The second model, implemented with MATLAB, is a feedforward neural network trained on wavelet-transformed embeddings of the same 42 samples. In terms of results, both approaches showcased promising results above the accuracy threshold set at the beginning of the project (90%). The CNN implementation achieved a 99.7% without overfitting with a size of 3 Mb. At the same time, the feedforward implementation yielded an accuracy of 96.14%, using three fully connected layers, and three dropout layers, which helped optimize the model. The results and implementation of this project showed that it was possible to classify many heart sounds, and it has the potential to be expanded for other applications such as ECG analysis. Overall, the work done in this project sets a basis for the creation of a valuable tool for improving heart condition diagnoses in areas with limited resources

Final Project Report: Specialized Dog Wheelchair

This project aims to design, develop, and test a specialized prototype that will allow Calvin, a dog with mobility challenges, to engage in more advanced physical activities, specifically joining his owners, the Bacon family, on walks. As a puppy, Calvin broke his right front leg, which caused weakness and left it more susceptible to injury. Unfortunately, shortly after breaking his leg, Calvin contracted distemper, a neurological disorder. Because his right leg was already weakened from the fracture, the disease aggressively targeted and further damaged it. As a result, Calvin has severe difficulty moving and performing physical tasks. Over time, Calvin\u27s left front leg has also become less functional, leaving him to rely solely on his hind legs for mobility. While he can propel himself short distances by using his hind legs, this method is inefficient and severely limits his ability to participate in everyday activities. The goal of this project is to create a specialized wheelchair that will improve Calvin’s mobility and quality of life. We will develop several prototypes, refining the design with each iteration until we reach a final functional device. All work will be completed within a budget of $1,200, and if possible, materials will be sourced from the Trinity University Makerspace, where resources are available at no cost. The total weight of the device must be less than 15 pounds, similar to other wheelchairs available, and about half of Calvin’s weight. This is an appropriate constraint because Calvin will not bear the weight of the device when placed inside it; instead, the device will support him The initial PVC frame prototype was developed during the first semester. Its design draws inspiration from existing dog mobility devices, which are typically intended for hind-limb or single-limb disabilities. While our prototype is specifically tailored to support front-leg mobility, it follows similar structural principles. After fabrication, the first subsystem test focused on evaluating the PVC frame. The frame underwent a series of assessments, including weight, drop, and connection tests. It successfully passed all evaluations, with the testing process and results detailed in the following sections. Based on the success of the initial prototype, the team elected to use PVC for the final frame design. As the frame serves as the foundation for the prototype, playing a crucial role in its functionality and stability, the remaining two subsystems were idealized, fabricated, and tested after the final frame design was selected. For enhanced maneuverability and balance, the design incorporates a four-wheel system, featuring 6-inch diameter swivel wheels at the front and 3-inch diameter rigid wheels at the rear. This configuration allows Calvin to turn easily while maintaining stability. For the third and final subsystem, the harness includes a two-piece system. The internal harness features a mesh design for comfort and breathability while securely holding Calvin’s limbs close to his body. The external harness includes multiple attachment points, ensuring Calvin’s weight is evenly distributed and allowing him to wear the device comfortably for extended periods without discomfort or pain. Before testing the complete prototype, individual tests were conducted on each of the three subsystems. With safety as the primary concern, these tests evaluated specific performance aspects of each subsystem. Following subsystem testing, a series of comprehensive tests on the complete system were performed to ensure the prototype functions effectively. After testing was completed, it became apparent that the device successfully meets the project\u27s goals, as Calvin is now able to enjoy walks with the Bacon family. Although the device performs extremely well, one future consideration would be to incorporate a system that allows Calvin to be prepped for the device more easily

Baniwa Speculative Kinship

This article discusses the dynamics of Indigenous kinship in the Amazon, based on the autobiographical narrative of Mr. Júlio Cardoso, a ninety-year-old man of the Baniwa people. From his account, I develop an ethnographic discussion on the Baniwa, speakers of an Arawak language and inhabitants of the Upper Rio Negro, with a particular focus on the relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. Júlio’s life is highlighted due to his extended period living with patrões from the regional aviamento system between the 1950s and 1970s. One of Júlio’s most recurrent formulations regarding these non-Indigenous bosses is that they were “as if” they were his fathers, a notion that is not considered either metaphorical or fictitious. I also analyze two important markers of the conversion of relationships: “getting used to” analogous to consanguinity, which allows the patrão to be conceived as a type of father – and “getting tired of,” which expresses relationships analogous to enmity. I conclude that a type of speculative kinship is revealed among the Baniwa through Júlio Cardoso, where “as if” becomes a mode of performing kinship operations. These operations allow for the ontological encounter and the comparison of worlds, creating possible relations, inverting orders between the visible and invisible, between the innate and the constructed

Relatos corporales con ajustes epistémicos De cuando un cuerpo humano se transformaba en bufeo en el río Napo

Es inusual ver a un ser humano transformándose en delfín y mucho menos lo es el tener una conversación con este en el proceso. Este texto explora el momento de una transformación corporal en la Amazonía peruana desde una experiencia etnográfica en la que divergentes aproximaciones ontológicas contribuyeron a definir un espacio en un bosque de naturalezas múltiples. Mi reflexión se construye alrededor de una tímida, silenciosa y no menos común pregunta de si algunas transformaciones corporales u otras experiencias sensoriales durante labores etnográficas son reales o no. Sin pretender un ejercicio analítico sobre el cuerpo en el bosque amazónico, este texto propone la posibilidad de repensar la fenomenología de la transformación en espacios mixtos donde la materialidad del cuerpo y las perspectivas varias sobre este lo definen durante tareas etnográficas. Considerando estos elementos, este texto se desarrolla en un espacio donde un antropólogo y el bufeo se encontraron alrededor de un cuerpo en una remota comunidad napuruna en la cuenca media del Napo

Optimization of Soft-Sphere N-body Simulation through choice of Programming Language and Priority Queue

In this thesis I will describe my efforts to improve the performance of the current Rust softsphere N-body simulation. To do this I undertook two projects; validating the performance of our chosen programming language Rust along with comparing Rust to other languages, and implementing and testing a novel priority queue, the Parallel Bucket Queue, for object collision processing. In order to validate our programming language choice I benchmarked the parallel performance of C, C++, Go, Java, Julia, and Rust for N-body simulations. This benchmarking is based off the O(N2) simulation done each language in the Benchmark Game, with simulations modified to have larger number of objects simulated and be run in parallel. The benchmarking will show all compared languages have as similar performance and does not invalidate the choice to use Rust to implement the n-body simulation. Then I will describe the process of implementing a sequential bucket queue then adding parallel functionality to create a parallel bucket queue and comparing the performance of this novel queue to a sequential and parallel binary heap. The performance of a priority queue is done by having it play back and process collision events logs. Our testing shows that at large particle number counts that the parallel priority queue is almost four times as fast as the next fastest data structure