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Analogical Thinking: An International Case
No full textThis study explores global demographic change and aging by analyzing Japan as a case study among G20 countries. It compares Japan’s demographic trends and policy responses with those of the United States, China, and India. Japan faces severe population decline and aging due to low fertility and limited immigration, creating economic and social challenges. In contrast, the U.S. benefits from immigration, while China and India face emerging risks. The contribution of this study is that it reveals diverse social response patterns in the process of global demographic transition by comparing the population dynamics and policy choices of different countries horizontally. Further, it emphasizes the importance of the interaction between demographic variables and national economic and social policies, echoing sociology\u27s continued attention to topics such as structural change, welfare state transition, and global migration governance. The paper suggests that, in the face of future widespread and profound demographic changes around the world, sociology needs to pay more attention to the systemic impacts of demographic dynamics on social organizations, labor markets, intergenerational relations, and social security systems, so as to provide theoretical support and policy insights for related fields. By focusing on Japan, it offers a comparative perspective on aging, fertility decline, and labor shortages to inform global sociological discussions
Adolescent seizure impacts oligodendrocyte maturation, neuronal-glial circuit Formation, and myelination in the mammalian forebrain
No full textOligodendrocyte progenitor cells differentiate into oligodendrocytes, which myelinate axons during development and following demyelinating injury. However, the mechanisms that drive the timing and specificity of developmental myelination are not well understood. We hypothesized that oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation would be affected by pathological neuronal activity during adolescent development when developmental myelination is occurring and that this would also impact neuron-to-oligodendrocyte progenitor cell connectivity and myelination. We used kainic acid to induce a seizure in mice, treating equal numbers of males and females, in sample sizes of at least five animals. We found that the seizures led to increased cell death overall, specifically in the oligodendrocyte-lineage cells. We found that both oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation and overall numbers increased, and the number of mature oligodendrocytes decreased. We found a decrease in myelin in the cerebral cortex, corpus callosum, and hippocampus after a seizure. We observed an increase in demyelinating lesions, but no change in neuronal process length, in brains after seizure, suggesting that the demyelination was due primarily to the loss of both oligodendrocyte-lineage cells. We found that Kir4.1 potassium channel expression on oligodendrocyte progenitor cells decreased after seizure, but not mature oligodendrocytes. Finally, we found a decrease in neuron-to-oligodendrocyte progenitor cell connections in seizure mice compared to controls. These findings provide insight into the response of the adolescent brain to seizure activity, as well as how seizures affect oligodendrocyte development, neuronal-glial connections, and myelin formation
Beyond Campus
No full textCollege is often regarded as a formative period for building lasting friendships, but many students - particularly new, transfer, or socially reserved individuals - struggle to form connections. Beyond Campus is a social networking platform designed specifically for college students to foster meaningful friendships through interest-based matchmaking. The platform leverages a custom algorithm to suggest compatible peers, supports the formation and discovery of community groups, and o↵ers secure, user-friendly messaging. Unlike existing social apps like Bumble BFF, ZeeMee, and GroupMe, which lack a dedicated focus on the college experience, Beyond Campus targets university communities directly. By providing a modern, inclusive, and engaging digital space, the app aims to bridge social gaps on campus, promote student well-being, and enhance the overall college experience
MedPez Dispenser
No full textMedPez is a compact, portable device designed to improve medication adherence for individuals who struggle with remembering to take their pills. The device features a modular design, including a universal housing that is paired to a compatible cartridge. The housing is the top half of the device where users insert and store their medication. The main hardware components, such as the microcontroller are housed here. The cartridge is the bottom half of the device that contains the internal mechanisms to dispense the user’s pills and stores the main pilltracking components. A built-in alert system notifies users when it’s time to take their dose, while a mechanical button allows users to dispense their pills. With a simple press of a button, its design simultaneously mutes the alarm and tracks the taken dosage/dispensed pill, all automatically executed for user convenience. The physical MedPez device integrates with a mobile app via Bluetooth to track the dosage history and provide secondary digital reminders, ensuring seamless data management and user adherence. MedPez combines innovative design, user-friendly features, and reliable connectivity to create an effective solution for medication adherence
Preserving Yucatán’s Agricultural Heritage: A Mobile App for Agricultural Sustainability
No full textWe developed a mobile application that preserves Yucatán’s agricultural heritage and supports local farmers, while addressing the urgent need for the technology-driven integration of Mayan agricultural knowledge, specifically the Milpa system, into an accessible mobile platform. Our objective was to create an intuitive, culturally appropriate, and low-technology resource to support farmers in making informed, sustainable agricultural decisions, regardless of their internet connection. We saw this as critical for enhancing agricultural practices in Yucatán and beyond. We accomplished this by creating a trilingual (Spanish, English, and Yucatec Maya) mobile app with features such as agrarian cycle information, mapping and location services, reported events, and a community page that incorporates local knowledge using a traditional lunar calendar (with regional and relevant weather history) and is compatible with low-spec devices. Additionally, this project underwent continuous iteration throughout the design process, facilitated by consistent collaboration with Dr. Iván Batún from Universidad de Oriente. Ultimately, the app had features that addressed the community’s actual needs. Although formal testing has not been undertaken to date, the project presents a promising and technologically driven avenue for engaging with and valuing inter-generational knowledge and practices, supporting livelihoods, and advancing cultural preservation. In addition to integrating structures to verify capacity for long-term maintenance and scale for a wider footprint, we plan to pilot and scale the app in Yucatan’s local communities while further developing community features and integrating partnerships with agriculture research communities
Open Source ARM Cortex M0 Processor
No full textDespite becoming a standard for low-power microcontrollers, the ARM Cortex- M0’s proprietary nature poses difficulties for developers looking for cost, flexibility, and transparency, especially in startup, academic, and hobbyist contexts. In order to overcome these drawbacks, this paper offers an open-source implementation of the ARM Cortex-M0 processor that is easily accessible and customizable. My design encourages development of open-source hardware while still maintaining compatibility with the vast ARM software ecosystem. Unlike other architectures, such as RISC-V, which do not have native support for ARM-based infrastructure, my technology allows for easy integration into current development processes. With this research, I hope to help create a more safe and inclusive computer hardware design space by bridging the gap between open-source hardware innovation and proprietary ARM cores
Passive Radar in Metropolitan Environments (PRIME)
No full textRadio Detection and Ranging (radar) is a core application of RF engineering, traditionally implemented through active systems that transmit high-power signals and process their reflections to estimate target range and velocity. However, active radar systems require significant power, cost, and regulatory overhead. This thesis explores the design and implementation of a passive radar system as a low-power, cost-effective alternative for real-time aircraft tracking.
The system capitalizes on existing ultra-high frequency (UHF) television broadcast signals as illuminators of opportunity. These signals, along with their reflected signals from airborne targets, are received using Yagi-Uda directional antennas and captured using a USRP B210 software-defined radio (SDR). Signal processing is performed entirely on the receive side, using cross-correlation and ambiguity function analysis to extract time delay and Doppler shift through IQ data. These measurements are used to estimate target range and velocity in near real-time. A graphical user interface (GUI) then visualizes the processed data and its adaptability allows for system testing in any region with air traffic. This work demonstrates the viability of passive bi-static radar using commercial off-the-shelf components and open-source tools for low-cost airborne target tracking
Limb Light - Interactive Lighting Control
No full textThe progression of stage lighting in the modern age has significantly influenced the immersive experience of the audience. Through events like Daft Punk’s 2006 Cochella performance, lighting has become more pivotal to performances in every genre. However, interactive, customized lighting remains inaccessible to small and mediumscale performers. The cost of hiring a lighting director or pre-programing each song is simply too much. Current cost effective solutions, like sound-activated effects, lack in both quality and real-time emotional responsiveness.
This thesis presents an interactive lighting control system designed to bridge this gap and create a novel creative tool. Our approach integrates MIDI-triggered DMX512 lighting control, enabling performers to trigger lighting cues through their existing music equipment. Additionally, we implement a computer vision module to detect the artist’s facial expressions to dynamically cue lighting scenes that align with performers’ expressions. Together, these features offer a real-time, cost-effective, and emotionally responsive lighting solution for performers. Our system enhances the connection between artist and audience while reducing reliance on external lighting personnel
Teaching Computer Science through an Educational Game
No full textIn our ever-evolving technological landscape, it is becoming more and more important for students of all ages to have at least a basic concept of coding fundamentals. It’s not just the basic knowledge of how to code; knowing important coding concepts is just as important. To help introduce these concepts to young students, we developed an educational game in the Roblox platform aimed at teaching foundational programming concepts—specifically recursion—to young learners through interactive and engaging gameplay. Leveraging Roblox’s accessibility and popularity among younger audiences, the game introduces players to recursive thinking in a visual and intuitive manner. Players control a mech as they progress through a tree-structured level, clearing combat rooms and unlocking new areas by completing lessons and quizzes embedded in the environment. Educational content is reinforced through dynamic teaching moments, interactive quiz checkpoints, and a code-based upgrade system that frames programming logic as in-game progression. By integrating core computer science principles with entertaining game mechanics, this project aims to make complex topics like recursion more approachable, memorable, and enjoyable for beginners
Sustainable Pavement Design
No full textThis thesis proposes a transformative vision for highway infrastructure, prioritizing sustainability, resilience, and innovation. Concentrating on California\u27s Interstate 80, a vital freight and commuter corridor that is vulnerable to climate variability and structural issues, this research introduces an innovative pavement design. This design seeks to address the system\u27s ongoing challenges while aligning with California\u27s ambitious climate and infrastructure objectives.
Utilizing cutting-edge materials and design techniques, this solution incorporates a comprehensive three-layer Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) system designed for durability and high performance. The top layer features an Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC), enhanced with 3.5% Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) to improve permeability, mitigate hydroplaning risks, and facilitate effective stormwater filtration. Below this, the Warm Mix Asphalt intermediate layer is blended with 25% Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and 1.2% hydrated lime, providing outstanding load distribution, resistance to fatigue, and protection against moisture. At the base, a dense, robust WMA layer with minimized air voids and 15% RAP guarantees structural stability and prolongs fatigue life.
The environmental performance was confirmed using FHWA’s (Federal Highway Administration) LCA Pave tool, which showed that this design decreases global warming potential and embodied energy by more than 30% in comparison to traditional Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). Additionally, it successfully fulfills Caltrans’s 40-year service life requirement and aligns with the Buy Clean California Act and SB-253 emissions targets