6591 research outputs found
Sort by
Semi-Autonomous Trash Bot
Full text linkTitle: Semi-Autonomous Trash Robot
Authors: Benjamin Leon, Ethan Mashburn, Connor Olivera, Dillon Wood
Abstract: Environmental pollution is becoming more worrying every day as megatons of human waste persist in vast amounts in our ecosystems. The existing waste collection methodologies, with the labor, time, and cost components combined, make the process cumbersome. A potential solution could be an automated waste collection robot that incorporates AI into a cheap system that autonomously detects trash. This report proposes a machine that may be manufactured to adequate standards in terms of size and cost and deployed in various environments, with the ultimate goal of operating in a fully autonomous mode. Our project iteration outlines an AI model that recognizes 18 classes of litter in the environment, and its integration onto Raspberry Pi 4 to reduce the cost of the robot. The Ultralytics library is used to train a baseline YOLOv11 model on the TACO dataset, which contains more than 4,000 images covering various trash categories with diverse backgrounds such as rocky patches, grass, asphalt roads, etc. Subsequently, transfer learning is used to reduce the image set to a custom 150 images over several training sessions in order to further enhance the accuracy of the model with respect to the campus wastage of Arkansas Tech University. With an average inference time of 10 milliseconds, the trained model demonstrates near real-time performance at 80% classification accuracy over 18 classes of litter. All necessary components, including motors, arms, chassis, and a processor, have been acquired to create a fully functional semi-autonomous robot. The next iterations of the project should incorporate navigation algorithms, charging stations, wireless transmission of summarized data results, a mechanism to empty a full load into a receptacle, and an enhanced battery management system to eliminate human-induced pollution successfully and autonomously.
Key Words: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, YOLOv11, Transfer Learning, Raspberry Pi 4, Classification Accurac
Gardens through the ages: How public gardens impact the growth of society
Full text linkThroughout history, gardens held a vital role in the development of civilizations, often serving as spaces for food, reflection, and community. The aim of this study was to explore the progression of gardens parallel to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Additionally, the study aimed to determine whether gardens help fulfill those needs and, in doing so, influence human morality. To examine these possibilities, the researcher conducted a literature review of historical and contemporary accounts of gardening and its effects on physical and psychological well-being, analyzing these findings through the lens of Maslow’s framework. Additionally, crime rate data were compared across several U.S. cities with public botanical gardens to assess potential correlations between green spaces and moral behavior. Findings suggest gardening supports various aspects of human well-being across Maslow’s hierarchy, but no clear relationship was found between the presence of botanical gardens and lower crime rates. This indicates that gardens may contribute to individual fulfillment, however, their influence on broader social behavior remains unclear. Future research should focus on more direct community-based gardening efforts to better understand their potential impact on social cohesion and public well-being.
Key Words: gardens, influence, growth, fulfillment, societies, society, horticultur
Investigating Silicon as a Candidate for Plant Synthetic Biology
Full text linkThe physicochemical properties of silicon are closely related to carbon. Certain species of plants accumulate high amount of silicon, however, their physiological role and molecular mechanism of sequestration and distribution in plant tissues are poorly understood. The bonding potential of silicon is analogous to carbon and silicon is a key element propelling nanotechnology and digital revolution. Recent discoveries of silicon in Mars and the Moon along with metabolic engineering of enzymes that can incorporate and cleave silicon from organic compounds have consolidated the idea of silicon-based synthetic cellular lifeforms. Bibliometric analysis was used to evaluate the trend of research in plant synthetic biology
No Basset Horn? No Problem: Mozart’s KV 439b and its Adaptations
Full text linkRegardless of the ensemble, many musicians see value in honoring the intentions of a composer. The further in time one is removed from the composer, the harder this task can be. This is especially difficult with changes in what instruments are common and available. Mozart’s KV 439b, a collection of five multi-movement divertimentos, is believed to be originally written for a trio of the now-obsolete basset horn. This has led to a variety of arrangements and transcriptions for a wide range of ensembles of different sizes and instrumentations.
In my presentation, I will be analyzing and comparing select movements of arrangements for modern instruments. This will give me the opportunity to highlight the changes that have been made to adapt for the loss of prevalence of the basset horn. By comparing these changes, one can see the different approaches that have been taken to adapt and what parts of the original basset horn trio they attempt to recreate. By comparing and contrasting these versions in my presentation, I hope to demonstrate the value of the divertimento as a Classical-era genre.
My presentation will feature performances by myself and my peers, which will help audiences from both musical and non-musical backgrounds to understand the assets and liabilities of various arrangements. This comparative analysis has the potential to serve as a starting point for future students as they weigh these differences in determining which arrangement they would like to select when performing this piece
Empowering Novice School Leaders: The Impact of the Principal Mentorship Through the Beginning Administrators Induction Program in Arkansas
Full text linkThe role of principal mentorship is critical in shaping the success and retention of school leaders, yet the effectiveness of mentorship programs remains an area of ongoing exploration. This study examines the impact of the Beginning Administrator’s Induction(BAI) program in Arkansas, with a particular focus on principal mentorship. Grounded in theories of adult learning and leadership development, this research investigates how structured mentorship influences novice principals’ ability to navigate the complexities of school leadership, impact student achievement, and sustain long-term success in their roles. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, data were collected from principals who participated in the induction program. Their experiences were analyzed to identify key themes related to mentorship effectiveness, professional growth, and leadership challenges. The findings reveal that while mentorship provides essential guidance and support, gaps exist in the availability, consistency, and depth of mentor-mentee relationships. Many participants noted that overloaded mentors and limited resources hindered the program’s impact. This study highlights the need for enhanced mentoring structures, dedicated support systems, and policy improvements to ensure new principals receive the necessary tools for success. The insights gained contribute to the broader discourse on leadership preparation and retention, emphasizing the importance of strong mentorship in fostering resilient and effective school leaders
Exploring Effective Practices For Inclusive Education: Impact on Student Achievement in Elementary Classrooms
Full text linkThis study explores educators’ experiences with inclusive education, focusing on the strategies, challenges, and support structures that influence successful implementation in the classroom. Using qualitative interviews with general education and special education teachers, the study identifies key themes that shape inclusive practices: Collaboration and Teamwork, Challenges in Inclusion, Student Outcomes and Growth, Differentiation and Scaffolding, Administrative Support, and Resources and Professional Development. Findings indicate that effective collaboration between general education and special education teachers, especially through co-teaching and joint planning, is critical to fostering an inclusive learning environment. Despite the positive impacts on student academic and social outcomes, teachers face significant challenges, such as time constraints, resource limitations, and logistical barriers in coordinating services for students with disabilities. Differentiation and scaffolding were essential strategies for meeting the diverse needs of students, while strong administrative support was pivotal in overcoming these obstacles. The study also highlights the evolving nature of inclusive practices, with novice teachers relying heavily on guidance from experienced colleagues and special education staff as they develop their inclusive teaching skills. The findings underscore the importance of sustained professional development and leadership support in achieving effective and sustainable inclusion practices. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on inclusive education by providing insight into the real-world experiences of educators and the factors that influence successful inclusion
Beyond the Badge: Exploring Perceptions of School Resource Officers\u27 Self-Efficacy and Role in Arkansas Public Schools
Full text linkSchool and student safety remain urgent issues that school leaders and law enforcement face across the United States. This quantitative study examined the perceptions of School Resource Officers (SROs) and building-level administrators across public schools in Arkansas regarding their implementation of the Triad Model, which outlines SROs’ primary roles as educators, informal counselors, and law enforcement officers. This study also examined SROs’ perceived self-efficacy and the collaboration between SROs and building-level administrators. A Likert-scale survey was administered to 104 participants (including 65 building-level administrators and 39 SROs). The collected data were then analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test to identify any significant differences between the two groups. Key findings revealed perception gaps regarding the effectiveness of SROs in non-enforcement roles, particularly as educators and informal counselors. In comparison, both groups value the SROs and their contributions to school safety; however, perception gaps exist regarding the effectiveness of SROs in non-law enforcement roles. High self-efficacy among SROs did not always align with that of administrators, suggesting a need for improved communication and shared expectations. Overall, this study highlights the importance of clearly defined roles, role-specific ongoing professional development opportunities, and collaboration between the SRO and the building-level administrator
Method for Low-cost In Situ Measurement of Dissolved Total Volatile Organic Compound Concentrations in Surface Waters
Full text linkIncreases in volatile organic compounds (VOC) in developing areas poses risks to aquatic health. Water quality changes in surface waters, if measured, are often only for field parameters of pH, specific conductance, water temperature, and major ions, e.g. Ca2+, Mg2+, Na, Cl. Elevated VOC concentrations can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems even at low concentrations, but do not cause changes in commonly measured parameters and may go undetected based on monitoring these common parameters. Traditional sampling and benchtop analysis for VOC can be both time and cost prohibitive. Here we demonstrate the use of a low-cost in situ dissolved total VOC measurement platform consisting of a total VOC gas sensor in combination with a dissolved gas marble chamber system. Limitations of the current prototype include portability in remote areas and non-selectivity of specific VOC species. Measurement of total VOC in natural and engineered environments using the described platform, nonetheless, represents an affordable screening tool for potential organic contaminants. Combined with species specific VOC analysis, measurement of dissolved total VOC could provide as a VOC surrogate for high frequency monitoring
College Market
Full text linkEach year, according to planetaid.org, college students generate 640 million pounds of waste with items like clothes, furniture, books, and other belongings to avoid the hassle of moving them, contributing to unnecessary waste. Current marketplace applications are overloaded with listings, making it difficult for students to buy and sell items efficiently. For example, 250 million sellers worldwide user Facebook Marketplace. To address this, College Market offers a solution that reduces waste while facilitating seamless connections between students selling unwanted goods and those seeking affordable, local items. College Market is a secure, campus-centered application designed to address both environmental and economic challenges faces by students. It provides a platform for students to buy and sell used and handmade goods, with a special focus on supporting student entrepreneurs. The app is developed with a responsive front-end using Vue.js/ Vuetify and a secure back-end built with C#, ensuring an optimal user experience. Features include user verification to confirm participants are enrolled students, filtering tools for browsing by item type, direct messaging between buyers and sellers, and customizable user profiles. Additionally, an artificial intelligence model is integrated to provide personalized recommendations, enhancing engagement and usability. By offering a localized marketplace with features that promote sustainability and entrepreneurship, College Market provides an affordable, eco-friendly alternative for exchanging goods. Ultimately, College Market promotes sustainability, supports student entrepreneurship, and fosters campus connections, addressing environmental and economic needs through a practical, student-centered solution
The Perceptions of Junior High School Students and Parents on Parental Involvement
Full text linkThe purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in perceptions between junior high school students and their parents regarding the level of parental involvement in their child\u27s education using Goulet’s Student-Rated Parent School Involvement Questionnaire (SR-PSIQ). It was to educate them about the positive effects that their child’s education has, as well as the negative ones. Educational achievement is built by a team of members from the school district and the guardian working together for the child’s best interests. The study included Jersey Junior High Independent School District participants in Jersey, Texas, and Lizard Hill School District participants in Lizard Hill, Arkansas. A student-rated parental school involvement questionnaire was given to the students, and a parent-rated school involvement questionnaire was given to the parents. These responses were rated on a response scale of 1 = totally disagree, 2 = somewhat disagree, 3 = somewhat agree, and 4 = totally agree. They were categorized based on parental expectations, parent-child-teacher communication, homework support, and school-based involvement