Matching Items (548)
Description
In this paper the interest yield curve will be plotted at three points based upon three models that were found appropriate for each rate. Knowledge of the term structure of interest yield curves is helpful in the understanding of bond pricing, investment decisions, and public policy (ANG). This paper will examine the intricacies of the yield curve by developing three individual reference rates -a 2-year, 5-year, and 10-year- with the use of financial instruments and multivariate linear regression. Based upon the example of Nelson and Siegel (1987), Black, Derman, and Toy (1990), Mishkin (1990), Ang and Piazzesi (2002) and Diebold et al. (2005) the models will feature various financial assets as well as macroeconomic variables in order to gain an understanding of which factors have the most significant effect on interest rates.
ContributorsKim, A. Minyu (Author) / Mendez, J. Vincent (Author) / Tram, T. Dan (Author) / Gallais, Sylvain (Thesis director) / Budolfson, Arthur (Committee member) / Gopalan, Ramu (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2012-12
Description
Childbirth, an essential stage of human life, has been carried out and treated differently in numerous ways throughout time. Although the overall method of birth is biologically the same, women and medical professionals in the United States in particular have changed how they view and manage childbirth over the past 70 years. Some of said changes are extensive and occurred more rapidly than one might typically expect for such a delicate and important stage of a woman‘s, and infant‘s, life. As consumerism, capitalism, and the courts have changed America‘s lifestyles, politics, and society, so too have they drastically affected the way we are conditioned to approach childbirth. More importantly, as society changes over time, the medical field and
methods of specialists also change, and although the benefits of these changes are challenged by some individuals, these procedures and recommendations from professionals inevitably affect us all. Methods and procedures of modern, medicalized childbirth, and even the significance placed on the event, are products of historical and cultural factors influenced by scientific and social trends. However, there exists a small and steadily growing number of women and families who choose to have their birth take place outside of the present societal norm, and consequently outside of hospitals. This group‘s existence and growth has been attributed to several factors, including changes in societal values, differentiation between different financial classes, and the
medicalization of childbirth. Although statistically a small percentage of the majority, these women who choose to give birth outside of a hospital exist amidst an immense ongoing controversy between gynecologists, physicians, mothers, and midwives regarding what options should be available when childbirth is undertaken in the United States.
methods of specialists also change, and although the benefits of these changes are challenged by some individuals, these procedures and recommendations from professionals inevitably affect us all. Methods and procedures of modern, medicalized childbirth, and even the significance placed on the event, are products of historical and cultural factors influenced by scientific and social trends. However, there exists a small and steadily growing number of women and families who choose to have their birth take place outside of the present societal norm, and consequently outside of hospitals. This group‘s existence and growth has been attributed to several factors, including changes in societal values, differentiation between different financial classes, and the
medicalization of childbirth. Although statistically a small percentage of the majority, these women who choose to give birth outside of a hospital exist amidst an immense ongoing controversy between gynecologists, physicians, mothers, and midwives regarding what options should be available when childbirth is undertaken in the United States.
ContributorsHernandez, Dustin (Author) / Nguyen, Christy (Author) / Koblitz, Ann (Thesis director) / Budolfson, Arthur (Committee member) / Walker, Shell (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2012-12
Description
I use Arizona State University's rebranding initiative with Nike as a starting point for examining how partnerships between elite brands and universities affect different types of students. I draw from literature on self-completion theory and identity salience to suggest that there are differences between athletes and non-athletes in how they believe elite sportswear products may affect their athletic performance. I propose that athletes feel more "complete" than non-athletes because they are more proficient in their respective sport. As such, non-athletes are more likely to use sportswear products (Nike) to become more proficient in athletics and have stronger beliefs that elite sportswear products will help them arrive at their goals. I also propose and find that students who feel that ASU plays an important part of their life perceive even greater performance boosts from using Nike products. These findings suggest that particular attention should be paid to the athletes and non-athletes in initiatives that link specific institutions and organizations to performance brands.
ContributorsGoldman, Alexa (Author) / Eaton, John (Thesis director) / Samper, Adriana (Committee member) / Kohler, Michael (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2012-12
ContributorsFishman, Jacob (Author) / DeSerpa, Allan (Thesis director) / Hill, John (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2012-12
Description
When a friend approached me and asked me to join his team and apply to the Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative, a student business plan competition at Arizona State University, I accepted. Not only did I find his idea interesting, but I also believed that applying to the Edson program would give me a first glimpse into being an entrepreneur. The business, called Social Artworking, proposed to create an online platform to connect businesses, who need art, with artists through a unique bidding process. Through Social Artworking, businesses indicate the maximum amount they are able to pay while artists bid what they are willing to do the job for. Then a business or individual is able to pick the best artist that can meet his quality and price needs. In addition to the exchange platform, Social Artworking would jointly launch a social networking site and an online portfolio service for artists. Social Artworking was trying to address the problem of small businesses having a hard time finding affordable and high quality artist and designers while at the same time helping students gain paid experience to increase their portfolio before graduation. In the months leading up to the Edson application, I had a hard time catching up to my partner's knowledge of the business idea and the art, web and crowdsourcing industries. On many occasions, I felt like I was depending on him as an expert to write the application. After two months of working on the application, we submitted the proposal to Edson. The idea did not advance to the final round.
ContributorsDuran, Regina (Author) / Peck, Sidnee (Thesis director) / Essig, Linda (Committee member) / Garner, Benson (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / W. P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2012-12
Description
This project revolves around the enhancement of an existing data collection device utilized for patient monitoring within the framework of the leadership of Shad Roundy's team. The initial deployment involved a 10-Axis Internal Measurement Unit (IMU) sourced from MetaMotionS (MMS) for comprehensive data acquisition from patients at University of Utah’s Downtown Behavioral Health Clinic (BHC). The primary objective transitioned towards optimizing the device's functionality, particularly addressing challenges related to limited battery life, device size, and data transfer efficiency. A systematic approach was undertaken to address these challenges, involving meticulous research into alternative batteries, with the CL 582728 identified as a promising solution capable of extending the device's operational lifespan to around one month. Additionally, the initiative aimed at refining data collection processes through real-time transmission facilitated by Raspberry Pi devices at BHC via Bluetooth, leveraging the energy-efficient Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 Bluetooth chip. The project also entailed intricate circuit design endeavors utilizing Autodesk Eagle, with reference to a model provided by MMS. Despite encountering programming challenges for the microcontroller, the groundwork was laid for a conceptual solution, with plans to delegate the programming task to a team member possessing advanced expertise. Though the device has yet to be fabricated, the design is near completion.
ContributorsJust, William (Author) / Andersen, Erik (Thesis director) / Roundy, Shad (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The thesis explores the avenues of machine learning principles in object detection using TensorFlow 2 Object Detection API Libraries for implementation. Integrating object detection capabilities into ESP-32 cameras can enhance functionality in the capstone dragster application and potential applications, such as autonomous robots. The research implements the TensorFlow 2 Object Detection API, a widely used framework for training and deploying object detection models. By leveraging the pre-trained models available in the API, the system can detect a wide range of objects with high accuracy and speed. Fine-tuning these models using a custom dataset allows us to enhance their performance in detecting specific objects of interest. Experiments to identify strengths and weaknesses of each model's implementation before and after training using similar images were evaluated The thesis also explores the potential limitations and challenges of deploying object detection on real-time ESP-32 cameras, such as limited computational resources, costs, and power constraints. The results obtained from the experiments demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing object detection on ESP-32 cameras using the TensorFlow2 Object Detection API. The system achieves satisfactory accuracy and real-time processing capabilities, making it suitable for various practical applications. Overall, this thesis provides a foundation for further advancements and optimizations in the integration of object detection capabilities into small, low-power devices such as ESP-32 cameras and a crossroad to explore its applicability for other image-capturing and processing devices in industrial, automotive, and defense sectors of industry.
ContributorsMani, Vinesh (Author) / Tsakalis, Konstantinos (Thesis director) / Jayasuriya, Suren (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The vast majority of matter found within the universe is from the dark sector composed of 75% dark energy and 20% dark matter. While the accelerated expansion rate of the universe is attributable to dark energy, dark matter is fundamentally defined as an unknown substance that interacts gravitationally with its surroundings. The research presented here investigates the methods derived from observational signatures to construct theoretical models of dark matter.
ContributorsFigueroa, Natalie (Author) / Shovkovy, Igor (Thesis director) / Lebed, Richard (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2024-05