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GRM-0267 Learned Heuristics for Efficient A* Search: Improving Pathfinding in Combinatorial Pathfinding Problems
No full textThis work proposes a learned heuristic framework designed to improve planning efficiency in deterministic pathfinding tasks. Building on the classic 8-puzzle as an initial test domain, supervised models were trained to approximate heuristic values and guide node ordering during A* search. The proposed approach focuses on modifying and enhancing traditional heuristics such as Manhattan distance by incorporating learned corrections that reduce search depth and node expansions. Experimental results show that the learned heuristic consistently improves search efficiency over standard baselines. Although this evaluation began with the 8-puzzle, the framework establishes a foundation for scaling to significantly larger and more practical domains, such as multi-agent pathfinding. This work will demonstrate how data-driven heuristic refinement can extend classical search methods into more complex, real-world planning scenarios
GRM-0216 Towards Analyzing the Bridge Dataset with Quantum Machine Learning
No full textThis research presents a comparative evaluation of classical and quantum machine learning models applied to the Bridge dataset. Classical algorithms like Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and Neural Networks are benchmarked against Quantum SVM, Quantum Random Forest, and Quantum Neural Networks using identical preprocessing and training conditions. Results indicate a consistent quantum advantage, with quantum models achieving higher accuracy, stronger nonlinear feature separation, and improved minority-class detection. QSVM and QNN exhibit the most significant performance gains. Although quantum models require greater computational resources, the findings underscore the emerging effectiveness of quantum-enhanced learning for structural classification tasks in the NISQ era
GRM-0210 Distance Measures for Multi-Target Tracking
No full textMulti-object tracking (MOT) supports applications such as radar monitoring and autonomous perception, where multiple objects move, appear, or disappear over time. A central challenge is resolving which detections correspond to which tracks. The Hungarian algorithm is often used to solve this assignment problem. For ambiguous scenes, Murty’s algorithm extends this approach by generating multiple top-k association hypotheses. In this work, we study an alternative search-space formulation for top-k enumeration. Our results show that it can provide strong speedups over Murty’s method on small matrices. We also reviewed identity-focused MOT evaluation metrics such as HOTA and created a visualization tool to examine how different association choices affect tracking accuracy
UC-1269 Website Makeover - Loving Arms Cancer Outreach
No full textLoving Arms Cancer Outreach (LACO) provides financial, emotional, and community support to individuals affected by cancer, making an accessible and reliable website essential to its mission. Our team conducted a quality assurance audit using tools such as Google Lighthouse and axe DevTools, identifying issues with accessibility, navigation, readability, and mobile responsiveness. Using these findings, we redesigned key sections of the site, improved layouts and forms, and recommended updated plugins to enhance usability and long-term performance. We also developed a Website Architecture and Maintenance Guide to support sustainability. This project establishes the foundation for a modern, user-friendly website that strengthens LACO’s outreach and donor engagement
Exploring Employment Experiences and Perceived Trust: Attitudes Toward Short-Term Workers
No full textThis research focused on the relationship between employment experiences and the extent to which these individuals trust others to perform a job well. Our goal is to research how different employment experiences shape how we view employment, and the perceived trust towards short-term workers, or “gig workers”, who have become increasingly tied to our everyday lives (Heing, 2021). A sample of 292 undergraduate psychology students were recruited for the study. Participants rated profiles of hypothetical gig workers presented in Qualtrics as if they were on platforms like TaskRabbit. The independent variable in this study is the participants’ work experience which is split into two groups: Individuals who are likely to do gig jobs on a regular basis and those not likely to do so. The first group would consist of individuals employed full-time, in internships, or apprenticeships. The second group consists of individuals who are employed part-time, temporary/contract employees, and unemployed individuals. The dependent variable of this study is each participant’s mean score on the Perceived Trustworthiness scale (Ma et al., 2017). An ANOVA was conducted to determine if there is a significant difference in the mean scores on the Perceived Trustworthiness scale among the two participant groups. Through this research, we aim to identify whether there is a significant relationship between employment experiences of the participants and their perceived trust of others. These findings can ultimately be applied to real-world situations and inform us on how the growth of a “gig economy” may influence implicit attitudes towards others based on employment experiences. The research also provides evidence on how our personal experiences may shape our perceptions and attitudes of the social and professional world around us
Intergenerational Impact of Corporal Punishment: Correlating Childhood Experiences to Aggression and Future Disciplinary Intent
No full textThe study investigates the long-term psychological effects of Corporal Punishment (CP) administered during childhood. Specifically, the study will examine whether individuals exposed to CP are more likely to (1) display aggressive behavior in adulthood and (2) use Corporal Punishment on their own children, thus perpetuating a cycle of violence. Previous studies related to Corporal Punishment suggest associations between childhood maltreatment and emotional dysregulation, increased aggression, or reduced empathy. The current study is designed to be a cross-sectional survey using self-reported measures; data will be collected through voluntary and anonymous participation with the software Qualtrics. The study plans to recruit university-age adults (18 and up) from a diverse background through the Kennesaw State University student network, through professors, and online messaging. The statistical analysis will be conducted using SPSS to identify patterns and correlations between the variables. Thus, by examining these relationships, the study seeks to deepen understanding of intergenerational cycles of violence and emotional regulation in adulthood
Atlanta third spaces: how architecture can design spaces for at risk youth
No full textJuvenile crimes are rising in many US communities, amplifying stress, anxiety and safety concerns for teens, especially in high-crime neighborhoods where supportive spaces are scarce. This thesis tests whether the environment to design practice in teen focused third spaces, specifically lighting materials and restorative views can measurably reduce stress, anxiety, and violence among youth. Founded in environmental sociology, trauma enforced design and biophilic theory This evaluation centers on creative third space design that locates maker spaces for cooking, coding, woodworking and welding, and ceramics with a calm commons and an outdoor space the design centers on a creative third space prototype that integrates maker spaces such as skill studios, creative labs, and maker spaces, connected to a common space and outdoor learning gardens. Prior school research informs three core factors that guide the design process which are lighting quality, materiality, and views paired with flexible space. Glare controlled daylight supplemented by warm lighting supports calm , attentional focus, and perceived safety.Tactile, durable, youth safe finishes with meaningful acoustic absorption reduce ambient noise, enable de-escalation, and signal care and stewardship. Layered sightlines to nature, opportunities to spill outdoors, and rooms that reconfigure from quiet study to active making cultivate belonging encourage interaction.The intent is to provide a constructive, skill building alternative to destructive options by channeling after school hours into supervised making, learning, and belonging. Context mapping establishes City of Atlanta and Fulton County boundaries and compiles layers for candidate third spaces, high schools, and residential hubs to visualize teen catchments and access.
Keywords: third spaces, biophilic design, and juvenile crime
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SWIR SCOS for Deep Tissue Flowmeter
No full textMultiple optical techniques have been explored to non-invasively assess tissue blood flow using the principle of dynamic light scattering. Speckle contrast optical spectroscopy (SCOS) has been developed to exploit the advantages of Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) and Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS) and offer more than an order of magnitude improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with a lower price for cerebral blood flow (CBF) monitoring. Unlike DCS using a temporal dynamic of speckles, SCOS measures spatial speckle contrasts from the multiple camera pixels that detect photons undergone multiple scattering. However, at source–detector separations (SDS) \u3e2 cm, the SNR remains limiting for adult cerebral measurements lacking accurate quantification of cerebral blood flow. In this study, we aim to explore operating SCOS through the shortwave infrared (SWIR, 900-1700nm) range, particularly, 1064nm which can improve depth sensitivity and SNR due to the known advantages of reduced tissue scattering while retaining adequate tissue transmission and we will compare NIRs SCOS in 852nm using long-coherence length laser (iBeam Smart, Toptica 852nm, 150mW, \u3e 50m, ) versus 1064 nm and a SWIR camera (Balser a2A 1280 125um SWIR).Then, we will perform quantitative in-vitro studies through a two-layer microfluidic phantom. This study will provide the technical feasibility of SCOS at 1064 nm to offer a unique opportunity for deeper tissue flow sensing than the NIR region
An Overlooked Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study Examining Vehicle Firearm Storage to Reduce Youth Access and Injury
No full textVehicle firearm storage is an often-overlooked pathway for firearm injuries among children, one that complements and sometimes compounds the risks from in home storage. While firearm safety research has traditionally focused on in home storage, far less is known about vehicle firearm storage as a method for unintended access and exposure. Using data from a large survey (N=768), this study examined vehicle storage practices among parents, carrying incidents, and incidental encounters. We found that 56.2% of parents reported keeping a firearm in their vehicle and of those, only 66.5% of them kept the firearm locked. By bringing vehicle storage into the conversation on firearm safety, this research highlights a critical gap in parent health behavior that requires proactive public health innovation. Addressing this alternative setting has the potential to expand prevention efforts beyond the home, reduce preventable access, and ultimately save lives. This issue is particularly urgent in Georgia and across the South, where firearm ownership is common and unintentional injury rates exceed national averages, making vehicle storage a vital target for interventions that could reduce disparities and save lives
Non-foliar stomatal function in Glycine max
No full textUnderstanding how non-foliar tissues contribute to plant gas exchange can reveal hidden opportunities for improving water-use efficiency in crops. This study investigated the presence and function of stomata on foliar and non-foliar tissue, specifically leaf and pods, of Glycine max (soybean). The purpose was to determine whether pod stomata are structurally present, physiologically-active, and if they influence overall water loss and photosynthetic capacity in comparison to leaf stomata. This would be achieved by comparing wild-type soybean plants with variant soybean EPF2 plants, in which the epidermal patterning factor 2 gene results in the over-production of stomata. Microscopy was used to characterize stomatal density and size on both the leaf (adaxial and abaxial) and pod surfaces in wild-type and EPF2 over-expressing soybeans. Stomatal conductance (gₛ), chlorophyll fluorescence (ΦPSII), and gas exchange were measured with LI-600 and LI-6400 systems under well-watered and droughted conditions. Our study demonstrated that pods contained fewer but larger stomata than leaves, with abaxial leaf surfaces possessing the highest amount of stomata, in comparison to adaxial leaf surfaces and pod surfaces. Pod stomata were functionally active, with conductance and CO₂ assimilation increasing with light intensity. Droughted tissues showed lower gₛ and higher temperatures, reflecting reduced cooling and photosynthetic efficiency. Pod gas exchange showed a negative assimilation rate, but positive stomatal conductance. Thus, pods were found to be respirating more than photosynthesizing, which could impact crop yield. Further studies of variants that produce less pods and examination of water conservation could provide more insight into crop yield potential