Applying Variable Projection Methods to Nonlinear Least Squares Problems

Description
This thesis focuses on solving separable nonlinear least squares (SNLLS) problems and explores how the so-called Variable Projection (VarPro) method can be used to solve this particular type of problem. First, there is a brief discussion on curve fitting methods

This thesis focuses on solving separable nonlinear least squares (SNLLS) problems and explores how the so-called Variable Projection (VarPro) method can be used to solve this particular type of problem. First, there is a brief discussion on curve fitting methods and SNLLS models. Then, an overview of the VarPro algorithm is discussed, along with the optimization concepts that facilitate the method's success. We examine how to derive the Jacobian for the nonlinear solvers and consider different ways to approximate it numerically. This leads into a section focusing on a variety of numerical experiments that illustrate the effectiveness of the VarPro method. The tests demonstrate how different initial guesses, noise levels, and Jacobian approximations affect the accuracy and efficiency of the computations. The thesis also briefly talks through some of the many applications of VarPro across a wide spectrum of topics, which include numerical analysis, biomedical imaging, spectroscopy, and chemistry.

Details

Contributors
Date Created
2024-05
Resource Type

Additional Information

English
Series
  • Academic Year 2023-2024
Extent
  • 20 pages
Open Access
Peer-reviewed

Gender and Sexuality in Classical Ballet

Description
This paper researches and studies the experiences of queer and transgender ballet dancers in classical ballet. While men in classical ballet are typically considered to be gay due to gendered stereotypes, women in classical ballet are assumed to be heterosexual.

This paper researches and studies the experiences of queer and transgender ballet dancers in classical ballet. While men in classical ballet are typically considered to be gay due to gendered stereotypes, women in classical ballet are assumed to be heterosexual. This causes a lack of visibility of queer women in classical ballet. Furthermore, strict gender roles in traditional classical ballet affect nonbinary and transgender ballet dancers, impacting their experiences. Misogyny and body shaming play a role in the experiences of female ballet dancers, and these issues combine with homophobia and transphobia for queer and transgender dancers. This paper considers the intersection of gender and sexuality and researches how that impacts the experiences and mental well-being of classical ballet students. It compares the experiences of classical ballet dancers of all backgrounds, genders, and sexualities to determine how their experiences relate and differ.

Details

Contributors
Date Created
2024-05
Resource Type

Additional Information

English
Series
  • Academic Year 2023-2024
Extent
  • 25 pages
Open Access
Peer-reviewed

Isolation of Treponema pallidum from Wild Chimpanzees and Gorillas

Description
Treponemal disease in primates is caused by the spirochaete bacteria Treponema pallidum. Three subspecies of T. pallidum are currently recognized; pallidum, pertenue, and endemicum. In humans, these are generally associated with the diseases syphilis, yaws, and bejel, respectively. Syphilis is

Treponemal disease in primates is caused by the spirochaete bacteria Treponema pallidum. Three subspecies of T. pallidum are currently recognized; pallidum, pertenue, and endemicum. In humans, these are generally associated with the diseases syphilis, yaws, and bejel, respectively. Syphilis is located worldwide and spreads through sexual contact, while yaws and bejel are geographically limited and spread by skin-to-skin contact. Despite different clinical presentations, these subspecies are very similar genetically and are unable to be serologically distinguished. Reports of symptoms resembling treponemal disease in non-human primates (NHPs) date to the 1960s, though few studies have been executed to isolate and study T. pallidum from NHPs on a molecular level. Obtaining whole-genome sequences of T. pallidum from a variety of NHPs will help efforts to determine evolutionary relationships of strains within and between species. Currently, no whole-genome sequences of T. pallidum have been sequenced from chimpanzees or gorillas. In this thesis, I will determine if T. pallidum is detectable in fecal samples from NHP’s with visible signs of treponemal infection using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

Details

Contributors
Date Created
2024-05
Resource Type

Additional Information

English
Series
  • Academic Year 2023-2024
Extent
  • 26 pages
Open Access
Peer-reviewed

The White Lotus: A New Season Proposal Inspired by Homeric Allusions in the Television Series

Description
The White Lotus is an award-winning television series about characters staying and working at a fictional hotel and resort chain. In this project, I identified numerous literary allusions present in The White Lotus and took their existence as an invitation

The White Lotus is an award-winning television series about characters staying and working at a fictional hotel and resort chain. In this project, I identified numerous literary allusions present in The White Lotus and took their existence as an invitation to analyze thematic parallels between the television series and Homer’s Odyssey. Through this process, I discovered a shared theme of hospitality, and thus explored the Greek concept of xenia (guest-friendship) in Homer’s work. I also discussed the social commentary about economic privilege in The White Lotus and identified key criteria for a season of the show. Ultimately, all of these measures informed my creation of a new prospective season of the television series which is directly inspired by aspects of Homer’s Odyssey. Completing this project allowed me to think critically about how ancient Greek literary works are applicable to modern society and led me to contemplate both direct and indirect influences of ancient Greek culture in the present day.

Details

Contributors
Date Created
2024-05
Resource Type

Additional Information

English
Series
  • Academic Year 2023-2024
Extent
  • 43 pages
Open Access
Peer-reviewed

Shapeshifting through Words: A Guide to Nonhuman Narrative

Description
"Shapeshifting through Words" investigates the history of literature from nonhuman perspectives to determine how people understand animal experiences of the world. I gauge this history through a taxonomy, compiling around 500 stories from nonhuman vantage points to mark trends in

"Shapeshifting through Words" investigates the history of literature from nonhuman perspectives to determine how people understand animal experiences of the world. I gauge this history through a taxonomy, compiling around 500 stories from nonhuman vantage points to mark trends in publication frequency, as well as number and types of perspectives extracted from the data. A trope and genre analysis follows, along with the hallmarks for what constitutes a nonhuman narrative. Finally, this knowledge is adapted to a framework in the form of a booklet in how to construct a nonhuman perspective based on its cognitive and sensory understanding of the world.

Details

Contributors
Date Created
2024-05

Additional Information

English
Series
  • Academic Year 2023-2024
Extent
  • 143 pages
Open Access
Peer-reviewed

Mark Macluskie Capstone Recording Project

Description
I will coordinate, schedule, and lead a recording session with three separate artists each performing one song each. These artists will be fellow ASU students and close personal friends who will be involved throughout the process of their songs u

I will coordinate, schedule, and lead a recording session with three separate artists each performing one song each. These artists will be fellow ASU students and close personal friends who will be involved throughout the process of their songs up until release. The recording session will be done in one day during the fall 2023 semester using the ASU Popular Music Recording Studio.

Details

Contributors
Date Created
2024-05

Additional Information

English
Series
  • Academic Year 2023-2024
Extent
  • 3 pages
Open Access
Peer-reviewed

Exploring the Effects of a Two-to-One Mapping Structure on Cross-Situational Word Learning in Children

Description
In cross-situational word learning, individuals associate words with their meanings by observing their use across multiple encounters. This is considered to be a crucial mechanism involved in early childhood language acquisition. However, whether learners can track multiple words for referents

In cross-situational word learning, individuals associate words with their meanings by observing their use across multiple encounters. This is considered to be a crucial mechanism involved in early childhood language acquisition. However, whether learners can track multiple words for referents cross-situationally, such as when learning synonyms, remains poorly understood. The present study investigated the effects of age on children’s cross-situational word learning (CSWL) from a two-to-one structure, where objects are given two names. Younger (4 to 5.4 years, N = 29) and older (5.5 to 7.9 years, N = 48) children completed a cross-situational word learning task in which, during the first half of training, objects were labeled with one label (First words) and in the second half of training, objects were given a new second label (Second words). Results showed that age interacted with learning: younger children learned second labels but not first labels, whereas older children learned first labels but not second labels. These findings indicate the limitations of children’s capacity to learn complex word-referent mappings in CSWL.

Details

Contributors
Date Created
2023-12
Resource Type

Additional Information

English
Series
  • Academic Year 2023-2024
Extent
  • 28 pages
Open Access
Peer-reviewed

Analysis and Development of Cognition Tests for Pre-Diagnostic Strategies for Alzheimer’s Disease

Description
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the progressive loss of cognitive function and memory, and is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer's disease targets the brain and is associated with the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates that disrupt neural

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the progressive loss of cognitive function and memory, and is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer's disease targets the brain and is associated with the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates that disrupt neural network communication and lead to various facets of cognitive decline. Current problems in AD research originates from the inability to identify individuals that are at risk. With the limitations of patients already displaying signs of neurodegeneration, strategies for prevention are not effective. Through developing a comprehensive cognitive test that tests a range of mental abilities, data can be collected, and a longitudinal study can be proposed to track cognitive decline in a multifaceted approach over a period of time. Previous literature indicates that functional decline is present years before the manifestation of symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease. Identifying pre-diagnostic cognitive and functional changes could lead to an improved and wider selection for preventive treatment trials. By designing a comprehensive cognitive experiment, an initial data set was obtained, and trends related to time and answer response were analyzed. The scope, applications and limitations within this experimental design is discussed, and future directions are proposed.

Details

Contributors
Date Created
2023-12
Resource Type

Additional Information

English
Series
  • Academic Year 2023-2024
Extent
  • 20 pages
Open Access
Peer-reviewed

West End Theatre: A Review of the 2023 Season

Description
Written reviews and rankings of fifteen shows that played in the West End during the 2023 season.

Details

Contributors
Date Created
2023-12
Resource Type

Additional Information

English
Series
  • Academic Year 2023-2024
Extent
  • 59 pages
Open Access
Peer-reviewed

Meloscape: a Music Therapy App for Older Adults’ Mental Wellness

Description
Meloscape, an innovative music therapy iPad app, addresses the challenge of providing an authentic therapeutic experience virtually to older adults. Meloscape offers a user-friendly platform that goes beyond existing apps by providing standalone simulations of music therapy sessions that can

Meloscape, an innovative music therapy iPad app, addresses the challenge of providing an authentic therapeutic experience virtually to older adults. Meloscape offers a user-friendly platform that goes beyond existing apps by providing standalone simulations of music therapy sessions that can also be used as a tool between in-person sessions. Developed with a focus on research, accessibility, lifelong learning, and the unique needs of older adults, Meloscape features follow-along video sessions, guided meditations, personalized music selections, and journaling capabilities, creating a holistic and immersive music therapy experience. Meloscape strives to empower older adults to independently engage in music therapy, fostering cognitive and physical well-being and enriching their lives in profound ways.

Details

Contributors
Date Created
2023-12

Additional Information

English
Series
  • Academic Year 2023-2024
Extent
  • 52 pages
Open Access
Peer-reviewed