41530 research outputs found
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Modernizing Poshmark
Get PDFCurrently, Poshmark, an app for users to buy and sell secondhand clothing and other goods is known for its good deals but also a platform that is difficult to navigate. Without many updates done to the app’s layout in the past decade, it has left it crowded and confusing for new users not already familiar with the platform. The main objectives of this project are to create a prototype, and redesign the app so that it is organized, easy to use for buyers and sellers, and has stronger personalization
Finite Element Analysis of the Bearing Component of Total Ankle Replacement Implants During the Stance Phase of Gait
Get PDFTotal ankle replacement (TAR) implants are an effective option to restore the range of motion of the ankle joint for arthritic patients. An effective tool for analyzing these implants’ mechanical performance and longevity in-silico is finite element analysis (FEA). ABAQUS FEA was used to statically analyze the von Mises stress and contact pressure on the articulating surface of the bearing component in two newly installed fixed-bearing total ankle replacement implants (the Wright Medical INBONE II and the Exactech Vantage). This bearing component rotates on the talar component to induce primary ankle joint motion of plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. The stress response was analyzed on this bearing component since it is made of the least strong material in the implant assembly (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). This bearing component commonly fails and is the cause for surgeon revisions. Six different FEA models for various gait percentages during stance (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%) were created. They varied in magnitude of the compressive load and the ankle dorsiflexion/plantarflexion angle. This study captured the variation in stress magnitudes based on the portion of the stance phase. The results indicated that the stress distribution on the articulating surface increased as compressive load increased, and the largest magnitudes occurred at high dorsiflexion angles (15-30°). The von Mises stress and contact pressure tended to occur in regions where the thickness of the bearing was the least. Additionally, high contact pressures were examined in areas near the talar component\u27s edge or at the bearing\u27s edges. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first study available to the research community that analyzes the Vantage implant with FEA. This study lays an essential foundation for future researchers in presenting a thorough literature review of TAR and for a simple model setup to capture the stress distributions of two TAR implants. This study provides valuable information that can be beneficial to medical company designers and orthopedic surgeons in understanding the stress response of TAR patients
Insights into Cellular Evolution: Temporal Deep Learning Models and Analysis for Cell Image Classification
Get PDFUnderstanding the temporal evolution of cells poses a significant challenge in developmental biology. This study embarks on a comparative analysis of various machine-learning techniques to classify cell colony images across different timestamps, thereby aiming to capture dynamic transitions of cellular states. By performing Transfer Learning with state-of-the-art classification networks, we achieve high accuracy in categorizing single-timestamp images. Furthermore, this research introduces the integration of temporal models, notably LSTM (Long Short Term Memory Network), R-Transformer (Recurrent Neural Network enhanced Transformer) and ViViT (Video Vision Transformer), to undertake this classification task to verify the effectiveness of incorporating temporal features into the classification through a comprehensive comparative analysis of these models compare to non-temporal models. This investigation not only benchmarks the efficacy of different machine-learning approaches in understanding cellular forms but also sets a precedent for future research aimed at enriching our comprehension of cellular developments through enhanced computational methodologies. The insights and methodologies derived from this study promise to contribute significantly to the advancement of computational techniques in the realm of biological research, paving the way for deeper insights into the intricacies of cellular behavior and evolution
Designing a Chicken Coop for the San Luis Obispo High School FFA Farm
Get PDFThis paper covers the design process by a team of students from Cal Poly to provide a chicken coop for the San Luis Obispo High School FFA Farm. The project, initiated in Summer of 2023, aimed to replace their existing temporary chicken coops with a larger, better functioning structure that could house their 10+ chickens comfortably. The paper focuses primarily on the design phase but touches briefly on material procurement and construction. Through meetings with the client, the team developed a design that met the school’s design criteria and educational needs. The design process involved collaboration and many iterations of feedback to refine the structure\u27s layout, features, and materials. Key features of the design included a raised, fully enclosed coop with nesting boxes and student access. Feedback from the school led to adjustments such as repositioning the entrance, enlarging the nesting boxes, and incorporating a perch. The paper concludes with lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of effective communication, detailed documentation, and a builder-focused mindset in construction projects. The team is satisfied with the design outcome and anticipates a successful construction phase set to be completed in Spring of 2024
Lemur Enclosure
Get PDFZoo-to-You, a local wildlife conservation zoo, proposed a project to construct a new shelter for their lemurs due to the inadequacy of protection for extreme heat or cold weather of their previous enclosure. With three lemurs in residence, the zoo sought to create a spacious and insulated shelter that would provide protection from the elements while allowing connectivity to the adjacent enclosures. Situated amidst two existing circular cages with a gap in between, the project presented unique site conditions on a concrete slab. The scope of the project encompassed estimating, design, material procurement, build-out, and owner turnover, with the objective of delivering a functional and environmentally suitable habitat for the lemurs. The construction process spanned 14 days, during which careful planning and execution were essential to meet the zoo\u27s requirements and ensure the well-being of the animals. By integrating insulation and ample space within the shelter, Zoo-to-You aimed to enhance the lemurs\u27 living conditions and promote their physical and psychological health. The completion of this project signifies the zoo\u27s commitment to wildlife conservation and providing optimal care for its animal inhabitants, fostering a sustainable environment for education and awareness
Turning Theory into Practice: An Application of Queer Family Theory for Graduate Students
Get PDFThis paper describes an original teaching activity for instructors of graduate students. Leveraging a critical, transformative, and intersectional pedagogical perspective applied to graduate education, this paper prepares instructors to effectively teach queer theory through an application of the Hegemonic Heteronormativity (HH) model, introduced by Allen and Mendez in 2018. The HH model identifies heteronormativity as a pervasive, three-pronged hegemony, each of which shifts and changes intersectionally and over time. The three-part assignment described in this paper asks students to read the Hegemonic Heteronormativity manuscript independently before reviewing the model with instructor facilitation. Then, students apply the model to real-life examples from videos, vignettes, or published research studies. We provide questions to guide students in their application of the model, and options for instructors to tailor the activity towards varied disciplines, content areas, class sizes, and class levels. Learners debrief through a full class discussion of the activity, including a review of specific examples/evidence from their responses and questions to encourage critical reflection. The learning objectives of this activity are to (1) identify and describe the phenomenon of social construction as it pertains to gender, sexuality, and/or family; (2) demonstrate an understanding of social structures, and their influence over individual agency, identity, and behavior; (3) describe how social structures and corresponding social statuses relate to both privilege and oppression; (4) articulate the connections between privilege, oppression, context, and time; and (5) apply the HH model to populations, case studies, and examples in the past, present, and/or future
Radio EP
No full textRadio EP is a year-long project consisting of three major parts: narrative, original music, and audio effects. The story is up to interpretation, following an unnamed protagonist as they switch through numerous channels on an old and vintage radio. As time passes, it becomes clear that disaster is near, especially with the increasing references to a nearby hurricane. As the connection becomes unstable, the radio stills, ending the EP. The music is made up of three original pieces: “Tango for Strings and Keys,” “Shifting Tides,” and “An Ordinary Radio Program.” “Tango for Strings and Keys” is a piano quintet that exemplifies an individualized touch on the standard tango style. “Shifting Tides” is an electronic piece that showcases the different levels in the ocean. Lastly, “An Ordinary Radio Program” is a solo piano piece that combines two juxtaposed sections, a slow yet unnerving A section and energetic B section. This piece, combined with the increased distortion, results in a bittersweet ending
Exploring The Relationships Between Food Insecurity, WIC Participation, Early Life Feeding Practices, Diversity Of Dietary Exposures, And Diet Quality In The First Two Years Of Life
Get PDFDiet quality during early childhood is a strong predictor of mental and physical outcomes, as well as future diet quality. Although many factors determine diet quality during childhood, food insecurity is a significant predictor of lower diet quality. On the other hand, participation in nutrition assistant programs, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a significant predictor of higher diet quality. In addition, specific feeding practices, including timing of complementary food and beverage (CFB) introduction, types of CFB introduced early, and diversity of dietary exposures (DD), in the first year may predict future diet quality, and all of these feeding practices may be affected by both food insecurity and WIC participation. A limited number of studies have explored associations between food insecurity, WIC participation, and early-life feeding practices with a focus on initiation of the complementary feeding and diversity of dietary exposures in the first year of life. The present study is a secondary analysis of the WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study 2 (WIC ITFPS 2) aimed at exploring associations between food insecurity, WIC participation, timing of CFB introduction, types of CFB introduced early, DD by 13 months, and diet quality at 2 years. The WIC ITFPS is a longitudinal, nationally representative study of mothers and children under 6 years old which examined feeding practices, associations between WIC services and feeding practices, and the health status of children participating in WIC. Data was collected via phone interviews and questionnaires. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether the presence of food insecurity predicted timing of CFB introduction and types of CFB introduced early. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess whether the diversity of dietary exposures (DD) score at age 13 months and diet quality at 2 years was predicted by the combination of food insecurity, timing of CFB introduction, and WIC participation. The results showed that food insecurity was not significantly associated with timing of CFB introduction or types of CFB introduced before 4 months of age. Food insecurity was not a significant predictor of DD score at 13 months, but significant interactions between food insecurity and WIC participation were noted. Among families participating in WIC, infants in families with low or very low food security had significantly higher DD scores compared to families with high or marginal food security. Food insecurity was not associated with diet quality at 24 months, but higher diet quality scores were predicted by the combination of later introduction of CFB (after 4 months), higher DD scores at 13 months, and WIC participation at 24 months. The findings of this study point to the benefits of supporting parents in participating in WIC, introducing CFB on-time, and maximizing diversity of dietary exposures during infancy. Future research should aim to verify causality, include longitudinal studies, focus on exploring WIC recruitment and retention, and continue to add the limited research on the preceding relationships between the above mentioned factors, specifically during the first two years of life
2-Channel EEG Neurofeedback System
Get PDFThis work describes the design of an EEG-based neurofeedback system which provides users with real-time feedback on their level of focus or relaxation. By analyzing the spectral content of the brain activity measured via scalp electrodes, focus and relaxation levels can be quantified. Based on these measurements, live feedback in the form of moving bar graphs is provided to users, allowing them to gain awareness of their mental-state and more efficiently learn how to consciously relax or focus. This project covers the design of the system, including amplification and filtering stages, digitization, and signal processing. The system interfaces with a PC, displaying the real-time brain activity and a visual representation of relaxation and concentration levels. This neurofeedback device serves as an accessible platform for improving and gaining non-objective insight into one’s mind