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Education Policy Committee Agenda February 6, 2025
Get PDFApproval of Minutes - January 2, 2025 Subcommittee Reports Curriculum Subcommittee Academic Standards Subcommittee General Education Subcommittee Other Business Adjourn: 4:00 p
Digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adults With Chronic Health Conditions: Results From a Waitlist-Controlled Trial
No full textDigital mental health interventions (DMHIs) provide a promising avenue for addressing the mental health needs of adults with chronic health conditions (CHCs). Transdiagnostic DMHIs, which apply to a range of conditions by focusing on common core processes of change (e.g., acceptance and commitment therapy; ACT), are particularly needed to address the various ways a wide range of CHCs impact quality of life. The present study evaluated an ACT DMHI designed to improve quality of life and mental health transdiagnostically for adults with CHCs. A sample of 100 adults with CHCs were randomized to ACT or waitlist, with baseline, 6-week, and 10-week assessment points. Recruitment (100 participants in 3 months with a wide range of CHCs), retention (84% at follow-up), and adherence rates (M = 4 of 6 sessions) indicated feasibility, with high program satisfaction ratings for acceptability. Only psychological flexibility improved more in ACT versus waitlist at post-intervention (6-week follow-up), with no differences on other outcomes until 10-week follow-up. Participants in ACT improved significantly more than waitlist at 10-week follow-up on the primary outcome of quality of life as well as functional impairment from CHCs and psychological flexibility. An exploratory moderation test suggested participants with elevated mental health symptoms at baseline improved more on these symptoms in ACT relative to waitlist at 10-week follow-up. Overall, results support the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a transdiagnostic ACT DMHI to improve quality of life and mental health for adults with a wide range of CHCs
“Synchronized Parenting is Like Mixing Oil and Water”: Reimagining Parental Control for Co-parenting in the Divorced Households
Get PDFChildren from divorced households are granted access to devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets), helping them to maintain meaningful contact with both parents. However, regulating their device usage across two households presents unique co-parenting challenges, which are little studied in the existing literature on parental mediation. As we begin to address this gap, we used low-fidelity prototype designs, guided by the principles of fostering open communication and instilling self-regulation. We evaluated those designs (presented in the form of storyboards) through semi-structured interviews with 23 divorced parents, whose children are active Internet users and aged 13 years or below. Based on our analysis, we identified six distinct personas under four coparenting types: conflicted, cooperative, parallel, and uninvolved. We then validated these personas through three focus group sessions with seven divorced parents. Within the context of these personas, we delve into diverse co-parenting challenges, shed light on the perceived benefits of the design in addressing those challenges, and outline design modifications suggested by parents to suit various co-parenting situations. The insights from our studies offer recommendations and guidelines for future research in the sphere of dynamic co-parenting
Lifting-Line Predictions for the Ideal Twist Effectiveness of Spanwise Continuous and Discrete Control Surfaces
Get PDFModern materials and manufacturing technologies have allowed the construction of morphing wings that are able to continuously vary certain airfoil parameters such as twist, camber, or control surface deflection as a function of span. This work presents a twist effectiveness parameter as a means of comparing the ideal aerodynamic efficiency of spanwise continuous control surfaces (morphing wings) and spanwise discrete control surfaces (standard wings). A numerical algorithm is used to compute the twist effectiveness of both continuous and discrete control-surface designs over a wide range of planform shapes with evenly spaced actuation for inviscid, incompressible flow. Results included here show that using continuous control surfaces instead of discrete control surfaces reduces induced drag by less than 5% for most applications
Stabilizing a Bio-Inspired Rotating Empennage Fighter Aircraft in Multiple Trim Scenarios
Get PDFThis paper considers the problem of stabilizing a bio-inspired fighter aircraft at its Air Combat Maneuver Condition in steady level and coordinated-turning flight. The aircraft equations of motion are linearized, and an infinite-horizon linear quadratic regulator design is conducted. The open-loop system is unstable in the short period and Dutch roll modes. This is mitigated in the closed-loop system, which is analyzed in the time and frequency domains. Included in the simulation dynamics are first-order actuator models, actuator deflection limits, and actuator rate limits. These are particularly important for this bio-inspired aircraft because control actuation requires rotation of the empennage, which has relatively large inertia. Simulation responses to initial condition dispersions, aerodynamic model error, and atmospheric turbulence are analyzed to characterize time-domain properties: settling time, region of attraction, control saturation, and robustness. Due to poor singular values for the throttle setting and rotating tail inputs, analysis is dedicated to control designs with these inputs fixed at trim values. Within the scope of these analyses, fixing the rotating tail at trim does not significantly degrade system performance
Creep Rupture Behavior of Laser Powder Bed Fusion Haynes 282 Alloy for Concentrated Solar Power Systems
No full textIn concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, certain parts, called receivers, need to experience extremely high temperatures and stress during its operation. Accurately predicting how long these parts will last is very important to ensure the system runs efficiently for a long time. One key area of concern is how well the materials used for the receivers and their welded joints withstand over time. Welding is essential as it connects the receiver to the pipes that carry heat, and it also helps with repairs and maintenance. With more industries using 3D printing (or additive manufacturing), this research focused on testing a material called Haynes 282 (H282), which was made using a specific 3D printing method known as laser powder bed fusion. H282 samples were created in two different directions—horizontal and vertical—to determine if the printing orientation affected their ability to handle heat and stress. The durability of the welded AM and wrought material under the same conditions was also tested. The results showed that H282 made with 3D printing performed just as well as traditionally manufactured materials, regardless of how it was printed. The welded joints also showed strong performance, meaning that the welding process didn’t reduce the material’s ability to withstand high temperatures and stress. These findings suggest that 3D-printed H282 could be a good option for use in high-temperature systems like CSP receivers
UV-A Light and Heat-Activated Antimicrobial and Biodegradable Materials for Food Packaging and Preservation
Get PDFCurrent food packaging materials are often non-biodegradable and harmful for ingestion, which poses a threat to the environment and public health. Thus far, the dangers of microbial contamination of food on human health have outweighed the risks associated with using these conventional packaging plastics. A possible solution to these issues is to use a combination of innovative materials and microbial inactivation methods that can potentially both reduce plastic waste and combat harmful microorganisms. In this study, two antimicrobial, biodegradable composites were developed and tested for their ability to inactivate two types of bacterium, Escherichia coli K12 and Listeria innocua, in apple juice in combination with either mild heat or ultraviolet light exposure. Efficacy of each composite was evaluated alone and in combination with either mild heat (50 °C) or ultraviolet (UV-A) light. The partially biodegradable composite reduced L. innocua by over 99.998% when used with either mild heat or UV-A, and reduced E. coli by up to 99.8% and 99.99%, for UV-A and mild heat, respectively. Surface analyses confirmed that the composite remained physically and chemically stable despite these treatments. The fully biodegradable composite reduced E. coli populations by up to 99.8% under UV-A and 99.9% with mild heat, while L. innocua decreased by more than 99.998% for both. Water vapor permeability and mechanical testing showed this material had properties comparable to conventional plastics, however, its oxygen permeability was higher which may affect its usefulness in some practical food packaging applications. It exhibited lower thermal property values compared to the commonly used biodegradable plastic, PLA, which indicates lower temperatures required for processing of the material, reducing energy requirement and cost. These findings demonstrate the potential of combining biodegradable antimicrobial materials with other preservation techniques to improve food safety while reducing negative environmental impact
Exploring the Effect of Three-Dimensional Microenvironment on Human Brain Cortical Development
No full textBrain organoids—tiny, lab-grown models that mimic certain features of the human brain—are an exciting tool for studying these questions. However, creating organoids consistently with similar features has been difficult, often leading to variable results. My research aims to improve the way brain organoids are made, ensuring they are more reliable and effective for research.
Thus, in my dissertation research, first, I created a unique culture system using high-resolution 3D-printed microwells. This system produced brain organoids that were more uniform and mature, featuring key structures like inner cavities (lumens), folds, and layered cortical structures. This method provided an alternative to traditional methods that rely on embedding in Matrigel. Next, I addressed the limitations of traditional systems that rely solely on stem cells\u27 natural self-assembly, which limits their shape and control. To overcome this, I developed a new magnetic assembly system. By using magnetic fields in specific shapes (rings, dishes, and squares), I was able to guide how the cells came together and shaped the organoids. The ring magnetic pattern showed the best results, producing organoids with distinct brain regions that closely mimic the human brain\u27s development by day 28. This innovative magnetic approach ensures organoids develop consistently with the right shapes and features, enhancing their reliability for studying brain development and related diseases. Lastly, I developed a method where two organoids are fused together using precisely measured microwell distances (ranging from 850 to 1000 micrometers). The results were intriguing: at 8650 and 900 micrometers, the organoids developed expanded neuroepithelial structures, while at 950 micrometers, they formed more complex, cortex-like structures. This platform also allowed me to model how brain tumors invade healthy brain tissue, providing a detailed view of the tumor spread at the single-cell level
Quantifying Buoyancy-Driven Exchange Flows Over Obstacle at the Great Salt Lake Using RANS CFD
Get PDFThis study examines how barriers, such as berms, affect the movement of water in the Great Salt Lake in Utah. The lake experiences two types of water flow: one, called a unidirectional gravity current, where denser water flows in a single direction, and another, known as buoyancy-driven exchange flow, where water flows in two opposite directions due to differences in both water density and surface elevation. These flows are important for understanding how water mixes and moves between the northern and southern parts of the lake. Using computer models, we simulated how these two types of water flows behave when they encounter an obstacle. The results showed that a taller barrier is required to stop the unidirectional flow than to stop the denser water in the exchange flow. This research enhances our understanding of water flow in natural systems like the Great Salt Lake and provides valuable insights for designing future projects that protect the lake’s ecosystem while managing water movement