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A Search for Correlations between Binary Stars and Carbon Chemistry in Planetary Nebulae
No full textPlanetary nebulae are one of the last stages of stellar evolution for low-mass stars, those that have a mass of less than about eight times the mass of the Sun. As the star ejects its outer layers at the end of its life, the high temperature of the remaining core, what we call the central star, can ionize the gaseous ejected layers and make them glow. Many complex carbon-based and oxygen-based molecules can form in these ejected layers, and their presence can be detected through spectroscopy. Also detected in some planetary nebulae are binary central stars, where another object is in orbit with the central star of the planetary nebula. We gathered previously published data about binary planetary nebulae, as well as previously published data about planetary nebulae with detection and measurements of carbon and oxygen. We are looking for correlations between pieces of data such as the amount of carbon and oxygen, the shape, whether the planetary nebula is a binary, and the masses of the two stars for these systems, and how they compare in the context of the overall sample
Binary Star System Modeling of a Double White Dwarf System in the Planetary Nebula PN G012.1-11.2
Get PDFPlanetary nebulae are the ejected outer layers of dying stars. At the center of these planetary nebulae remains the cores of the dead stars that created them. These remaining cores eventually become what we call white dwarfs. In order to understand planetary nebulae, white dwarfs, and their origins we can study the remaining core, or central star, inside the planetary nebula. We can do this by determining the physical properties of these central stars. One way to do this is if the central star has a companion—is in a binary star system. So I modeled the central star of the planetary nebula PN G012.1-11.2 which has a binary star system at its center. Using the PHOEBE modeling software I was able to create models that I qualitatively matched to the light curve (brightness variations) of this system. These models allowed me to find a range of radii, masses, and temperatures for the stars along with the inclination of the system’s orbit. I will present the results of my modeling as well as discuss what it tells us about this particular object and how it helps us understand planetary nebulae and white dwarfs more broadly
Action Research Project- Hands On Science
No full textMy research expands on the direct influence of incorporating hands-on, interactive science experiments into the elementary science curriculum. My research is based on student engagement and understanding of key scientific concepts. Through surveys and classroom-based observations, data was collected from three different elementary teachers and their students to compare outcomes between hands-on learning and directly lectured based instruction through a book. This study showed students who engaged in interactive science experiements demonstrated higher engagement and comprehension of science topics. Hands on lessons were reported by teachers to have increased test scores, morale, engagement, and understanding. It was also reported that this study showed collaboration with others, boosting students building off of each other during interactive science experiements. Teachers that filled out the survey stressed that they value hands on learning, and it directly showed within data collected
Are speech errors made by ELLs related to articulation differences between L1 and L2?
No full textAfter meeting with my cooperating ESL teacher and having a conversation with her, I became curious about the connection between speech errors and ELLS. Upon further research I found that there is often a misrepresentation of ELLs in special education programs due to errors they make when speaking. The purpose of this study is to find out whether the speech errors made by ELLs are a result of articulation differences between their first language (L1) and English (L2). Through the implementation of a series of phonics interventions in small groups, I collected written and audio data to analyze to see if the original articulation errors were related to natural differences between language articulation
Enhancing Guitar Sound Quality Through Vibrational Modulation and Listener Analysis
No full textA common issue with guitars is the variability in the sound they can produce as a result of their construction. Past research shows trends in listening-based studies, such as using the same brand of instrument, new strings, and pre-picked notes and chords played by a professional musician for repeatability of the recordings. This research aims to find specific keywords for describing a guitar’s sound and an outline for a questionnaire to give to a specific test group to coincide with future research regarding the quality of cheap and expensive guitars. This is achieved through the study of relevant prior research papers about the vibrational properties of guitars and previous listening-based experiments. Each of these papers has a predetermined test group and specific questions regarding important differentiations in the sound of instruments. This research presents comprehensive questions based on important factors in guitar acoustics, as well as the backgrounds that our test group should have. Research suggests that the test group should be split into two parts, one of them music majors and the other a mix of professional degrees. In addition, the best keywords to use in the questionnaire to get the most accurate response from individuals were “bright”, “balance of sound”, “rich”, “clarity”, and “sustain”
AI-Driven Sales Data Analysis for Family Express
Get PDFRetail businesses rely heavily on data-driven decision-making, yet extracting valuable insights from raw sales data can be quite challenging. In collaboration with Family Express, we created an AI-driven analytics platform that utilizes data science algorithms to convert sales data into valuable business intelligence.
We began the analysis with data preprocessing and cleaning, where missing values were handled using forward filling, backward filling, and interpolation methods. To further reduce any inconsistencies in the data, techniques like window smoothing were used. A correlation analysis was performed to examine relationships between gas sales and in-store purchases across all locations, providing insights on how fuel transactions effect inside-store sales.
Time series analysis was conducted on coffee sales, with forecasting implemented using ARIMA and Exponential Smoothing models to predict future demand for all stores. This analysis helps Family Express plan their inventory. Additionally, a store performance comparison was carried out, evaluating impact of CTO activations (opening of hot food items inside store) on sales across locations to identify high-performing stores and areas requiring operational improvements.
Large Language Models (LLMs) were run locally to not send any sensitive data to third-party organizations like OpenAI and to generate AI-ready prompts, enabling smart data interactions and simplifying complex business queries. This allows end-users without technical expertise to get insights through natural language interactions.
Finally, by integrating correlation models, time series forecasting, and AI-driven insights, this platform equips Family Express with data backed strategies to enhance operational efficiency, improve sales forecasting accuracy, and support informed decision-making
Social Isolation in Older Adults Transitioning to Assisted Living Facilities
Get PDFSocial Isolation in Older Adults Transitioning to Assisted Living Facilities
Background: Social isolation describes the objective state of being lonely, whereas loneliness is a subjective feeling based on relationships (Rohr et al., 2022). In a meta-analysis, 33% of an elderly population experienced social isolation (Ran et al., 2024). Based on the framework of loneliness, social isolation, and associated health outcomes (Barnes et al., 2020), the purposes of this study were to describe experiences of social isolation, loneliness, and strategies that decreased these experiences in older adults following a move to assisted living.
Methods: Using a qualitative approach, residents 65 and older (N=10), without cognitive deficits who moved to a facility within the past 3-12 months were interviewed. Participants completed the Mini-Cog© for inclusion prior to answering nine open-ended questions. After each interview, participants completed the UCLA loneliness scale. Constant comparison was used to identify major categories.
Results: Participants 70-92 years (M=82.20, SD=7.64) were female (80%) and a widow/widower (60%). Three main categories emerged: (a) resolved to leave home, (b) trust in a safe system to meet needs, and (c) having to accept a new normal. UCLA scores demonstrated a moderate degree of loneliness (M=38.25, SD=15.56).
Conclusions: Early detection of social isolation is essential to improve quality of life (Ran et al., 2024) and prevent illness in older adults (Jansson et al., 2021). While loneliness and the need to move impacted these older adults, their involvement in the choice and receiving a tailored experience improved their transition (Sun et al., 2021)
Maggots are Hot: Determining the Temperature Maggots Experience during Myiasis
No full textMyiasis, the infestation of living tissues by Dipteran larvae, is a key component in cases of abuse and neglect in humans in forensic entomology. Temperature is a key factor in maggot growth and development. In this study, we aimed to determine the temperature that maggots experience during myiasis. Specifically, we are interested in determining if the temperature is closer to ambient, or body temperature. Approximately 20 larvae were put on a piece of liver in a piece of foil shaped into a cup, that was placed inside a glass container in a water bath set to 37°C to simulate human body temperature. Data loggers were used to record hourly temperatures of the water, air, and inside the bait cups for the duration of the experiment. The experiment lasted approximately 6 days, and concluded when the larvae reached the migration stage of their life stage development. After three trials there were various results found. In the first trial it was found that between bait cup one and cup two were statistically significant from each other, as well as the ambient temperature (p\u3c 0.00001). This is potentially due to the placement of the temperature probe within bait cup one. The temperature probe was deeper in the bait cup and was touching the aluminum closest to the hot water bath. We changed how the temperature probes were placed for trials two and three, and both were statistically significant from the ambient temperature (p\u3c 0.00001), but not from the other bait cup (p=0.993, p=0.346). Future experiments will add additional bait cups as well as continue to troubleshoot issues such as escaping maggots and keeping the temperature probes in a consistent location
The Tides Of Time, The Tides Of Fate, And The Power Of Song
Get PDFThis paper studies the interaction of Song, Story, Time, and Fate in the context of the Elves\u27 resistance to change by means of song and enchantment, specifically in Lothlórien until the arrival of the Fellowship of the Ring. Once Galadriel renounces the Ring and the resistance to change and the fading of the Elves, the mythic power of the Great Tales transforms the ability of Frodo and Sam to meet the fate that awaits them in Mordor
Quantitative Comparisons of Three Colocated Air Samplers with Simultaneous PM2.5 [Particulate Matter] Measurements
Get PDFThe quality of the air that we breathe has tremendous impacts on our health; bad air quality can lead to short-term eye, nose, and throat irritation, and long-term chronic respiratory conditions. It is important to monitor air quality and understand what metrics indicate potential hazards, in attempts to better measure the healthiness of communities and indirectly its’ individuals. Not all air sensors are calibrated to measure metrics the same, and this study will compare values across air sensors via the PM2.5 air quality standard. In this study we focus on measuring particulate matter – which can come from dust kicked up on roads from cars, vehicle exhaust, wildfires, industrial site emissions, and more – using PurpleAir sensors located across Northwest Indiana. PurpleAir does not release proprietary information regarding the formulation of parameters included in the Air Quality Index that is posted on their publicly-available website. Due to potential discrepancies between standardized air sensors and PurpleAir instruments, we are evaluating the accuracy of our measurements against industry standard air sensors. In order to more confidently determine PurpleAir measurements’ validity for air quality metrics, we compared them to commercial-grade sensors such as the TSI DustTrak, Thermo Fisher pDR-1500, & DRUMAir cascade impactor using qualitative graphical and quantitative statistical tools. These sensors are of the caliber used by government agencies such as the EPA, and these research efforts provide a novel and necessary service to communities that depend on these sensors as their only local full time air quality measurement. We expect relative trends in particulate matter concentration to be well reproduced amongst the sensors and absolute comparisons to require scaling factors. As part of our community projects, we also study archived air quality measurements in our attempts to inform future community health and policy decisions