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Adventure Course - Hocking Hills Retreat Center
Get PDFHocking Hills Retreat Center located in Logan, Ohio tasked a senior engineering design group with the creation of a high and low ropes adventure course. The goal of this course is to increase the number of visitors to the retreat center. The course was designed to feature a kid’s area; a teamwork section; and beginner, intermediate, and expert courses. All course elements range from ten to thirty feet in elevation to allow for a variety of difficulty levels. The course has been modeled using both AutoCAD and Revit software. Additionally, structural analysis was performed to ensure the safety and strength of the chosen design. Stress tests on wood samples provided reassurance that the on-site milled wood was up to standard
An Evaluation of Environmental, Social, and Governance Standards on Fund Performance: Comparison of ESG funds in the United States and the European Union
No full textThe growing importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies in global industries has attracted special attention from investors seeking to evaluate companies beyond traditional financial metrics. This study aims to determine if there is a statistically significant difference in the returns of ESG funds between the United States and the European Union. ESG factors encompass environmental, social and governance standards, with each region exhibiting unique regulatory approaches and implementation levels. The project recognizes the current lack of universal standards in ESG assessment and the prevalence of issues of misinformation, greenwashing and transparency in reported data. By comparing randomly selected stocks of ESG index funds in the US and EU, the study aims to contribute to the understanding of the impact of regional regulatory variations on fund performance. Given the changing nature of ESG and its growing investment, this research seeks to provide insights into responsible and informed investment decision-making.
The global importance of this study lies in the conflicting stages of adoption and implementation of ESG initiatives in the US and EU. While the EU has moved forward with comprehensive rules, the United States is in the early stages of establishing unified regulations. The research emphasizes the need for standardized measurements and the potential risks associated with substantial investments in ESG funds. This project underscores the importance of examining ESG data from companies of all sizes and industries to understand the environments in which ESG is most effective. As ESG is developing rapidly, it aims to contribute to the current discourse on its credibility, implications, and suitability for different companies and environments. Ultimately, the study addresses clients’ responsibility in shaping the financial and environmental future, emphasizing the need for comprehensive analysis to discern the true impact of ESG funds on social and financial aspects
Exploring the Medieval Frontier: The Reconquista
Get PDFThis project focuses on material history, the study of objects and their role in history, and deriving meaning from artifacts in order to synthesize an applied historical thesis.
The objects studied in this research project are of particular importance to the study of the Reconquista, a unique frontier conflict in the Iberian Peninsula between Christians and Muslims that lasted from the eighth through fifteenth centuries.
The artifacts brought together in this digital exhibit bring into material focus the visible exchanges and borrowings between Christians and Muslims across the frontier of the Reconquista. In their material relationship, they demonstrate the unique blending of religion and culture that was a result of a prolonged period of conflict and exchange
Effects of a 12-Week, Guided Exercise Program in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
No full textEvidence suggests lower than average levels of physical activity among individuals with ID (Barnes et al., 2013). Fitness programs developed for adults with ID need to not only focus on increased physical activity levels, but also on how to create exercise programs that meet the recommended standards set to improve fitness levels as they relate to longevity and health. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 12-week, guided fitness program on adults with ID. Participants included 17 adults with ID (34.6 ± 10.4 years). Dependent variables, physical activity levels (IPAQ), body composition (BMI, BIA, WHR), cardiorespiratory fitness (6-minute walk test), and muscular strength (handgrip strength & 10-m walk test) were assessed before and after an exercise intervention. Results of a repeated measures MANOVA indicated no significant differences among any of the dependent variables (F (6, 5) = .816, p = .600; Wilk’s Λ = .505). Pearson Correlation Coefficient run between variables indicated significant, very strong associations between BIA and BMI (r = .888, p \u3c .01). Also, significant, strong associations between six-minute walk test and gait speed (r = .814, p \u3c .001). A linear regression showed a significant relationship between gait speed and the six-minute walk test (t = 3.77, p = .004). Results suggest the typical types of exercise programming being offered to adults with ID do not meet the minimum requirements to elicit health benefits. Creative solutions are needed addressing the current neglect in best practices for promoting healthier lifestyles among adults with ID
Tracking Simulated Somatosensory Deficiencies that Affect Postural Stability through Detrended Fluctuation Analysis
Get PDFFalls are a prevalent problem among elderly populations. Falls increase the cost of healthcare, frequently cause severe injuries, and negatively affect quality of life. Lack of postural stability is a major contributing factor to falls, with postural stability defined as the correct biomechanical execution based on sensory feedback. Types of sensory feedback include vision, vestibular, proprioceptive, and somatosensory. This study focuses on the lack of postural stability in quiet standing (standing upright and still) due to somatosensory and vision deficiencies. To track these deficiencies, fifty-one subjects stood for sixty seconds on two force plates, and their center of pressure (COP) time series were extracted. All subjects completed three trials with eyes closed or open while standing on five foam thicknesses that simulated various levels of somatosensory deficiencies at the feet, a common symptom in people with a high risk of falling (e.g., diabetic populations). To quantify these somatosensory deficiencies, Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) was performed on all COP time series. It is hypothesized that DFA on COP time series can track deficiencies in the somatosensory and vision feedbacks. Though this study does not cover actual somatosensory deficiencies, it could offer a validated measure to future studies comprised of participants who suffer from peripheral neuropathy (e.g., diabetic populations)
Approachable Narratives in Game Design
No full textThough video games have become mainstream in recent years, many game designers and developers continue to consider new players – unfamiliar with common game-design tropes and expectations – as an afterthought. The consequence is that people interested in trying video games may not be adequately introduced to the novel game design of a specific game, or the common gameplay elements of wider genres. Would-be players, frustrated by hastily constructed tutorials, might not complete a game and could miss out on the unique strengths of the medium.
This paper considers the goals behind a strong tutorial and reviews many tutorial strategies on how well they meet those goals. It also considers the unique techniques games can use to add narratives, both linear and nonlinear. Some of these tutorial and narrative strategies have been incorporated into an original game, and this paper explains in detail how these strategies were implemented.
Finally, a playtesting campaign was used to evaluate the game’s use of tutorial and narrative techniques through the feedback of multiple volunteers. Playtesting revealed the gaps between how players and developers perceive the game and how the game can be improved. This paper presents the techniques used in playtesting and discusses the effectiveness of the playtesting campaign in finding areas for improvement in the game’s design.
Keywords: Video games, tutorials, narratives, playtesting, game design.
Additional information about the game can be found on my website
AI Roundtable Session: A Discussion of the Promise and Perils
No full textThis session will focus on the topic of Artificial intelligence (AI) and specifically consider the question of if and how we can utilize technology while maintaining our human creativity. Join us for a round table discussion as we consider the ways and spaces in which technology can be utilized while being cautious not to supplant our own human critical thinking and progress
