A big data approach to modelling urban population density functions: from monocentricity to polycentricity

Urban studies have a long tradition of examining the regularity of urban structure by modelling urban population density functions and probing the theoretical or behavioural foundation behind it. Previous studies commonly used census data in areal units such as census tracts or census block groups, which varied a great deal in area size and shape and led to the zonal and scale effects, commonly referred to as the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). This study uses big data of individual vehicle trips in Tampa, Florida, to define the precise population and employment distribution locations, and then aggregates them with uniform areal units such as squares, triangles, and hexagons to examine and mitigate the scale and zonal effects. Both monocentric and polycentric models are employed in the analysis of urban population density functions. The results suggest that the exponential density function remains the best fitting monocentric function in most areal units including census units and designed uniform units. The polycentric model reveals two centres (downtown and University of South Florida) exerting influences on the areawide population density pattern. The zonal effect is not significant in the designed uniform units, but the scale effect remains evident in all areal units

Strategic Rivalries and Civil Conflicts: Analyzing US and Russian Strategies in the MENA Region\u27s Civil Wars

This dissertation examines the often-overlooked motive of strategic denial in major-power interventions in civil wars. It shows that states act not only to advance their own interests but also to prevent rivals from increasing theirs. While traditional realist explanations focus on the pursuit of national interests, whether expanding, consolidating, or maintaining regional influence, my core argument is that preventing an adversary from gaining a foothold or expanding their power can be a key reason for foreign involvement. With reference to realist theories, especially defensive realism, and with insights from liberal humanitarian perspectives, this dissertation demonstrates that major powers are likely to prioritize denying their rivals\u27 interests over simply expanding their own influence. Through a qualitative research design that integrates case studies and historical analysis, this dissertation explores U.S. and Russian interventions in three conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa: Syria, Libya, and Yemen. Each case represents a different level of strategic importance, from high to low. The findings reveal that the scale and type of intervention, whether it involves direct military action, support through proxies, or limited diplomatic moves, correlate with how critical each conflict is perceived to be. When their interests in a conflict are high, states tend to act more direct and forceful; when they are lower, their involvement is generally more measured. By exploring the idea of strategic denial and connecting it to different levels of interest, this dissertation offers new theoretical perspectives on foreign intervention. It also provides practical guidance for understanding and predicting how major powers might act in future conflicts around the world

Refreshment Break

A various assortment of refreshments will be available in 433 Hodge

HD-tACS over the left frontal aslant tract entrains theta activity associated with speech motor control

Transient disruption or permanent damage to the left Frontal Aslant Tract (FAT) is associated with deficits in speech production. The present study examined the application of theta (4 Hz) high-definition transcranial alternating current stimulation (HD-tACS) over the left SMA and IFG –as a part of FAT- as a potential multisite protocol to modulate neural and behavioral correlates of speech motor control. Twenty-one young adults participated in three counterbalanced sessions in which they received in-phase, anti-phase, and sham theta HD-tACS. In each session, 4 Hz stimulation was applied over the left IFG and SMA, and subsequently EEG data was recorded while participants performed a speech Go/No-Go task. Relative to sham and anti-phase, in-phase HD-tACS significantly improved speech reaction time. Neural data showed an increase in the power of frontal theta activity prior to speech initiation for the in-phase condition compared to sham. Moreover, in-phase stimulation increased the phase synchrony of theta activity between the left central and frontal electrodes. For speech inhibition, the power of theta activity increased following the in-phase condition over frontocentral electrodes. Furthermore, the in-phase condition enhanced the connectivity between the left central and frontal electrodes. Overall findings suggest that in-phase theta HD-tACS of FAT enhanced the neural markers of cognitive control required for motor preparation and inhibition during a speech task and have translational implications

The application of non-invasive neuromodulation in stuttering: Current status and future directions

Non-invasive neuromodulation methods such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), have been extensively utilized to enhance treatment efficacy for various neurogenic communicative disorders. Recently, these methods have gained attention for their potential to reveal more about the underlying nature of stuttering and serve as adjunct therapeutic approaches for stuttering intervention. In this review, we present existing research and discuss critical factors that might influence the efficacy of these interventions, such as location, polarity, intensity, and duration of stimulation, as well as the impact of combined behavioral training. Additionally, we explore implications for future studies, including the application of different neuromodulation methods to address various aspects of stuttering such as speech fluency and associated psychological and cognitive aspects in people who stutter

Acoustic characteristics of three English semivowels /l, ɹ, w/ and vowels in young children with and without speech sound disorders

Purpose: The aim of the current study is to examine if the relationship among three semivowel sounds (/l, ɹ, w/) and between the semivowel and the following vowel differs by children\u27s overall speech proficiency, and if this relationship affects listeners’ perceptual judgment of the liquid sounds (/l, ɹ/). The acoustic proximity among the three semivowel sounds and the acoustic characteristics of the following vowel sounds were examined by each child speaker\u27s overall speech sound proficiency and their semivowel accuracy. Methods: A total of 21 monolingual English-speaking children with and without speech sound disorders produced monosyllabic words that include target semivowel sounds in word-initial position in different vowel contexts. Participants were divided into three groups based on overall speech proficiency, as measured by diagnostic status and score on the Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation – 3rd Edition. Each semivowel and vowel production was transcribed for accuracy, and F2 and F3 values were extracted at the semivowel midpoints to calculate Euclidean distances (ED) between the three semivowel pairs (/l-w/, /l-ɹ/, and /ɹ-w/). F1 and F2 values extracted at the vowel midpoint were used to examine the characteristics of vowels following the semivowels. Results: Children with typically developing speech with the highest overall speech proficiency demonstrated the largest ED values between all the three semivowel pairs. Larger ED values were also related to a greater likelihood of semivowels /l/ and /ɹ/ being judged as perceptually acceptable. Acoustic characteristics of the following vowels did not differ across children of varying levels of speech proficiency, but did differ by the preceding semivowel context. Conclusions: Acoustic distinction of semivowels differs across children with varying levels of speech proficiency and is predictive of judgements of semivowel accuracy. Acoustic characteristics of the vowels were influenced by the preceding semivowel target, indicating the presence of coarticulation across the semivowel-vowel sequences. Findings support intervention approaches that pair semivowel targets to train children to produce acoustic differentiation between semivowels

Black audiences’ Black-oriented media consumption and attitudes toward Black Nationalism

Black audiences’ media consumption and its relationship to individual well-being are well documented. However, empirical investigations that have examined Black audiences’ media consumption and feelings toward Black Nationalism, or loyalty toward Black community members and community well-being, are limited. Using a cross-sectional sample of US Black adults (N = 2137) from the National Study of American Life (NSAL), the current study drew on social identity and uses and gratifications theories to investigate the relationship. Results suggested a favorable relationship between Black audiences’ increased Black-oriented media consumption and attitudes toward Black Nationalism. Likewise, relevant individual differences, including adherence to racial identity, gender identity, and feelings toward White individuals, were uniquely associated with increased support for Black Nationalism. Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of Black-oriented media consumption and well-being

Advances in tropical climatology–a review

Understanding tropical climatology is essential to comprehending the atmospheric connections between the tropics and extratropical latitudes weather and climate events. In this review paper, we emphasize the advances in key areas of tropical climatology knowledge since the end of the 20th century and offer a summary, assessment, and discussion of previously published literature. Among the key areas analyzed here, we explore the advances in tropical oceanic and atmospheric variability, such as El Niño–Southern Oscillation and the Madden-Julian Oscillation, and how those teleconnection events have helped us to better understand variabilities in tropical monsoons, tropical cyclones, and drought events. We also discuss new concepts incorporated into the study of tropical cyclones, such as rapid intensification, and how those studies are evolving and helping scientists to better prepare and predict hurricanes. Regarding tropical aerosols, we discuss how satellite-based dust detection has improved the comprehension of Saharan dust as a driver of drought in locations far from the dust source region while simultaneously altering tropical cyclone variability. Finally, our review shows that there have been significant advances in tropical hydroclimatic studies in order to better investigate monsoons, flooding, and drought, helping scholars of tropical climatology to better understand its extreme events

Contextualizing Inclusion and Connection in an Absurd World: An Analysis of Albert Camus’ The Plague

Scholars have extensively analyzed Albert Camus’s The Plaque, while interpreting its narrative through existential and absurdist lenses. However, little literature is recorded on how the novel contextualizes themes of inclusion and human connection amidst an absurd world. This study addresses this gap by examining the dynamics of solidarity and shared resistance among the characters within the framework of Camus’s philosophy of the absurd. The aim is to ex-ray how Camus reconciles the tension between the absurd and the human need for meaning through collective action and emotional bonds. A qualitative methodology is employed, involving a close textual analysis of the study’s sample text to identify instances of inclusion and connection. The study is guided by the theoretical framework of Camusian absurdism, which emphasizes the relationship between rebellion and solidarity as responses to existential uncertainty. Findings reveal that Camus portrays inclusion and connection not merely as acts of resistance against the absurd but as pathways to rediscover a semblance of meaning in life. The communal efforts to combat the plague in Oran underscore an important perspective on the human condition where shared struggles transcend the isolation imposed by absurdity. Contributing to extant academic debate, the study presents new viewpoints on the social and philosophical dimensions of Camus’s work. This reinforces discussions on absurdism and its implications for modern existential challenges in an otherwise indifferent world

A competitive learning approach for specialized models: An approach to modelling complex physical systems with distinct functional regimes

Complex systems in science and engineering sometimes exhibit behaviour that changes across different regimes. Traditional global models struggle to capture the full range of this complex behaviour, limiting their ability to accurately represent the system. In response to this challenge, we propose a competitive learning approach for obtaining localized data-based models of physical systems. The primary idea behind the proposed approach is to employ dynamic loss functions for a set of models that are trained concurrently on the data. Each model competes for each observation during training, allowing for the identification of distinct functional regimes within the dataset. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the learning approach, we coupled it with various regression methods that employ gradient-based optimizers for training. The proposed approach was tested on various problems involving model discovery and function approximation, demonstrating its ability to successfully identify functional regimes, discover true governing equations and reduce test errors