16789 research outputs found
Sort by
Comparative Examination of Eastern Washington\u27s Mima Mounds Using GIS and Remote Sensing
No full textThe future site of an EWU-hosted archaeological field school at Escure Ranch/ Rock Creek Recreation Area, is home to both the traditional lands of several Inland Northwest Tribes, but also curious geological formations known as “Mima Mounds”. These mounds remain an interesting enigma for geologists and archaeologists alike. Their somewhat circular and regular spacing patterns have been the topic of much discussion since colonization began in the Americas, but more specifically in the scientific community, for the last 100 years. It is the aim of this presentation, to examine the accepted mound origin theories, give a comprehensive overview of their make-up, typology, variations, and locations across the U.S., along with a one-to-one examination of Mima mounds found on both the western and eastern side of Washington state. This examination will showcase some similarities and differences between the two groups but is not meant to be definitive or exhaustive. Rather, the comparisons will focus on whether or not LiDAR is an appropriate analytical tool to use when investigating these enigmatic structures, in relation to obtaining quantifiable diagnostic criteria that can be used as a rubric used to define shared characteristics of the mounds across geographic regions. Terrestrial Laser Scanning, photogrammetry, and multispectral scanning, have all been used to record contour, height, and variation. Using a number of geoprocessing features such as hillshade, slope, heat density and kernel density, we will look at some advantages and shortcomings of using this geospatial technique. A small sample area at the Rock Creek Recreation Area will serve as the examination’s focus AOI
The use of collagenase and Dispase does not increase or diversify the population type of macrophages when extracting bone marrow cells from mice
No full textOsteoclasts, responsible for bone resorption, differentiate from Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Stem Cells (BM-HSCs). Bone flushing is the standard method for isolating bone marrow macrophages, but some studies suggest that bone crushing with collagenase and dispase may yield a higher cell count and diversity. This study investigates whether this enzymatic method enhances macrophage population recovery compared to traditional bone flushing. Bone marrow was extracted using 10 mL of Alpha 10 medium, with 1.25 mL applied to each end of four bones. This yielded adherent BM-MSCs and stromal cells, as well as non-adherent macrophages and red blood cells. Some protocols utilize collagenase and dispase to digest bone in an effort to increase cell yield and diversity. Trypan blue counting assessed cell density, while flow cytometry analyzed cell size and organelle density for population differences. Collagenase and dispase did not significantly increase cell density or alter population diversity. Flow cytometry forward and backward scatter plots showed identical distributions between methods. The enzymatic digestion method does not provide a significant advantage in cell recovery or diversity. Given its additional two-hour processing time, it is inefficient. Bone flushing remains the most effective and time-efficient method for isolating bone marrow cells
Evaluating the Reliability and Accuracy of Three Sensor Prototypes for Enhancing Stair Mobility
No full textPeripheral neuropathy causes sensory deficits, impaired motor control, and instability. One challenge for individuals with neuropathy is stair navigation due to reduced sensory feedback and altered mechanics, increasing fall risk. Few commercial products mitigate sensory issues, creating a need for an affordable and easy to use product for individuals with neuropathy safely navigate stairs. PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability and accuracy of three sensor prototypes designed to provide assistive feedback through tactile and visual cues during stair navigation. METHODS: 15 healthy adults (22.33 ± 2.87 y) completed the study, consisting of stair ascent and descent with the prototypes placed in their own shoes. Each prototype involves a switch pad on the proximal heel, triggering feedback upon activation: Prototype A provides a vibration at the ankle, Prototype B emits a light cue at the ankle and wrist, and Prototype C emits a light cue on the shoelaces. For each prototype, participants completed 3 ascents and 3 descents onto a 17.8 cm stair with the dominant leg. High speed video (120 Hz) was used to visually identify sensor activation, which was compared with kinetic data from a force platform (1200 Hz). Activation delay (ΔT) between sensor and force platform data was calculated to assess timing accuracy, and miss rates were analyzed to assess reliability. A 3 (device) x 2 (direction) ANOVA compared ΔT between devices and ascent/descent and a one-way ANOVA examined differences in miss rates across devices (α = .05). RESULTS: Based on preliminary results, ΔT was 0.32 ± 0.47 s for A, 0.28 ± 0.42 s for B, and 0.24 ± 0.39 s for C. The two-way ANOVA indicated no interaction (p = .33) or main effects of device (p = .41). There is a main effect of direction (p = .004), with a greater delay during ascent (0.36 s) than descent (0.20 s). Miss rates were not significantly different among devices (A: 15.6%, B: 25.6%, and C: 8.9%, p = .06). CONCLUSION: Early results indicate all three prototypes exhibit notable activation delays (0.24 – 0.32 s) and miss rates (8.9% – 25.6%) without significant differences in accuracy or reliability. The observed delays exceed typical reaction time thresholds for real time gait adjustments, which may limit the feedback effectiveness for immediate correction. However, more data collection is needed to determine if these trends persist and to assess the potential benefits of these prototypes
Advancing AI-Driven 3D Reconstruction: Implementing and Refining NeRF Technologies with Neuralangelo
No full textNeural Radiance Fields (NeRF) have emerged as a groundbreaking technique in AI-driven 3D reconstruction, offering high-fidelity scene rendering from 2D images. This research focuses on the implementation and optimization of Neuralangelo, an advanced NeRF-based model, with an emphasis on workflow efficiency, computational accessibility, and real-world applications. A key challenge in utilizing Neuralangelo is its complex installation process and high computational demands, which can limit accessibility for researchers and developers with standard hardware. To address this, I have developed an improved dependency management system and streamlined installation process, making Neuralangelo more accessible without compromising performance. Additionally, this research explores NeRF’s potential applications in 3D asset generation, digital preservation, automotive design, and interactive media, while also examining the ethical implications of AI-driven 3D reconstruction. By refining installation workflows and evaluating Neuralangelo’s scalability, this research contributes to the broader adoption of AI-powered 3D modeling. The findings highlight the potential for NeRF-based models to revolutionize digital visualization and computational rendering, paving the way for future advancements in AI-driven 3D reconstruction
Early Aurignacian cultural adaptations to late-Pleistocene climate change
No full textWidely considered the first Homo sapiens population to persist in Europe, the Early Aurignacian culture of the Upper Paleolithic adapted to and interacted with a changing late-Pleistocene environment. Temperatures trending cooler with frequent fluctuations resulted in large expanses of tundra c. 40,000 years BP. For example, average July temperatures at this time near modern-day Paris were 41 degrees F/5 degrees C. Into this cooling and fluctuating environment appeared the Early Aurignacian culture characterized by: distinctive bone, antler, and stone bladelet tools; the hunting of reindeer, horses, and other mid-sized herbivores; and art and jewelry with symbolic dimensions. This project reviews and analyzes the literature on the late-Pleistocene climate and Early Aurignacian culture c. 40,000 years BP using a cultural ecological framework, demonstrating that Aurignacian material culture design and function was environment-specific
Cholesterol’s Role in Red Blood Cell Dysfunction
No full textRed blood cells (RBCs) are essential for the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and they also play a critical role in maintaining lipid homeostasis, particularly in cholesterol regulation. Cholesterol is a vital component of cell membranes, and its transport in the body is primarily mediated by plasma lipoproteins, which carry cholesterol as cholesterol esters. RBCs act as an important intermediate and temporary storage vehicle during the process of reverse cholesterol transport, which facilitates the removal of excess cholesterol from cells. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are key players in this process, assisting in the transfer of cholesterol from RBCs to the liver for excretion. We aimed to assess how cholesterol affects the structural and functional integrity of RBCs in pathological conditions. We found that cholesterol regulation is often disrupted in abnormal RBCs (target cells, burr cells, or stomatocytes), as seen in conditions such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and liver disease. In these conditions, altered RBC membrane composition and impaired cholesterol metabolism contribute to cellular dysfunction, compromising RBC integrity and promoting disease progression. Accumulation of cholesterol in the RBC membrane can alter membrane fluidity and permeability, plus impaired flexibility, increasing RBCs susceptibility to hemolysis
\u3ci\u3eSelf-Portrait Monochromatic\u3c/i\u3e, Oil On Canvas, 16 x 20 In, 2024
No full textThis piece tested my ability to really look at myself and the details of light and shadow. The background is left blank and edges of the portrait feathered contrasting with the realistic face touches on the relationship with human experience and art
Deep Learning with Kolmogorov-Arnold Networks
No full textIn this paper, we review the foundational literature on a type of neural network architecture called Kolmogorov–Arnold networks, and provide experimental results demonstrating where these networks outperform conventional Multi-Layer Perceptrons in specific modeling scenarios