Search for: All records

We prove a function field analog of Weyl's classical theorem on equidistribution of polynomial sequences. Our result covers the case in which the degree of the polynomial is greater than or equal to the characteristic of the field, which is a natural barrier when applying the Weyl differencing process to function fields. We also discuss applications to van der Corput, intersective and Glasner sets in function fields. 

Historically, broad-spectrum antibiotics have represented a major component of the therapeutic armamentarium used to treat common oral diseases associated with a bacterial etiology. The fact that these diseases are due to the accumulation of multispecies biofilms composed of ever-increasing numbers of resistant organisms has dramatically affected the efficacy of many of these drugs. Furthermore, it is now appreciated that repeated use of broad-spectrum antibiotics also affects the composition of the host commensal microbiota, which can have both local and systemic implications. In recognition of the limitations of classical antibiotics, alternative chemical, physical, and mechanical strategies are either in use or development. These include novel narrow-spectrum antimicrobials such as antitoxins, bacteriophages, and antibody-conjugated drugs that can target specific microbes while minimizing the emergence of resistant organisms and preserving eubiotic microbes. Other approaches, such as new broad-spectrum non-antibiotic strategies and probiotics, are aimed at disrupting or altering the composition of oral biofilms and their extracellular matrices to facilitate the elimination of overt pathogens by the host response and/or adjunctive antimicrobials. This critical review describes the use and limitations of broad- and narrow-spectrum strategies currently being used to treat common bacterially induced oral diseases as well as alternative methods in development. 

Community-wide adoption of sustainable travel modes such as transit, walking, and biking can alleviate congestion and emissions while improving air quality and public health. However, promoting these modes in the U.S. is challenging due to the high reliance on personal vehicles, which contribute $260 billion annually in social costs. Information about health and environmental externalities of personal vehicle usage is often unavailable to travelers at the time of decision-making. This study explores whether mobile app-based information provision about the health and environmental benefits of sustainable modes can meaningfully change traveler preferences. In a sample of 3,470 U.S. car users aged 55 years and under, balanced by gender, income, and census regions, this study tested the effectiveness of information provision over a 90-day summer season, targeting bus transit, walking, and biking. Results show that participants who received information on environmental benefits related to emission reductions were four times more likely to choose bus transit, while those informed about active health benefits related to calories burned were nearly seven times more likely to choose walking, compared to the control group. However, due to barriers such as safety concerns and lack of infrastructure, health and environmental information was not effective at promoting biking. The results may be scalable to a large segment of travelers in the U.S., but the study did not test the effectiveness of these interventions for travelers 55 and over due to sampling limitations. Low-cost mobile app-based implementation strategies for possible deployment of these interventions in U.S. communities are discussed. 

This study investigates students’ perceptions of rehearsal (test preparation) and testing after the pandemic forced increased online teaching use and experimentation. Data was gathered from information and decision sciences (IDS) students in an underrepresented minority (URM) serving university. Responses from 136 participants were analyzed and revealed four major findings. The single most interesting finding was that students, on average, preferred graded rehearsal activities over optional activities. Second, rehearsal activities were more important in online than face-to-face settings. Third, students overwhelmingly prefer online exams, on which they feel they perform better and which they find less anxiety-producing. Finally, despite research showing the importance of online proctoring for major defined-answer testing, instructor use of proctoring and monitoring is split between those who do and do not use concrete methods, with lockdown browser being common and live webcam less common. These interconnected findings are discussed. 

Cities in coastal regions are particularly prone to experiencing environmental impacts arising from both natural and human causes. Additionally, climate change imposes stressors on communities along shorelines. Smart city concepts can assist communities in informed decision-making, building on technology-based approaches to measure and evaluate various aspects of everyday life in cities. While smart city concepts have gained significant momentum over past decades, this study presents an approach to integrate the human factor from the early stages of developing smart cities. The active engagement of residents underscores the pursuit of data accessibility and equity within urban governance. This study outlines a comprehensive participatory framework integrating local knowledge and stakeholder engagement into designing and implementing an environmental monitoring data dashboard for coastal communities. By leveraging insights from multiple disciplines – including urban design & planning, civil engineering, computer science, and public policy – this research seeks to create a sociotechnical network that effectively addresses the complex interplay between technology and human factors. To do so, this study follows the Participatory Action Research paradigm, deploying a mixed-methods approach for developing a data dashboard tailored to the specific needs of communities and their environmental challenges. The Texas Coastal Bend Region serves as a case-study to demonstrate the development and application of a six-step participatory framework, developing a sociotechnical monitoring network on flooding, air quality, and water quality. The outcomes of this study serve as a guide for engaged scholars and designers in developing participatory frameworks for designing data dashboards addressing academic and non-academic constituents, residents seeking informed insights, and decision-makers entrusted with the stewardship of urban development in a vulnerable context.