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Booked Up Behind Bars: The Impact of Fiction on Incarcerated Individuals
Get PDFWhile prison education programs primarily emphasize vocational skills and functional literacy, the role of fiction in fostering personal growth remains very under-researched. This research paper explores the impact of reading fiction on incarcerated individuals, focusing on its potential to impact emotional intelligence, empathy, and behavior. Research in psychology and correctional education suggests that fiction improves cognitive empathy, emotional regulation, and social skills (Mar & Oatley, 2008; Green & Brock, 2000). I argue that it would be useful to utilize these findings for rehabilitative programming in corrections.
This study critically evaluates findings from psychological and correctional literacy research. Evidence from studies with the general population suggests that fiction readers demonstrate improved emotional awareness, social cognition, and abilities involving being able to understand other people’s perspectives (Mar et al., 2011; Sweeny 2010). Literacy programs in prisons have not been linked to reduced behavior infractions, thus direct evidence of fiction’s influence on incarcerated individuals’ behavior is limited.
The findings support expanding access to fiction in prison libraries and implementing structured reading programs. Future research should focus on studies measuring fiction’s direct impact on incarcerated individuals
Increasing Women in Political Careers
Get PDFWomen are underrepresented in political careers and through a series of questions, female, college-aged participants were asked to rank their answers to various questions in regard to inequalities women face on a scale of one to ten. The participants ran through two interventions where they learned about political careers as well as the struggles of women in political careers, the importance and impact. After the interventions, the exact same questions with the same scales were offered to participants to observe whether education on the topic could increase desire to seek careers in politics. The findings show that a small majority scored higher on the second round of questions than the first showing a small increase in desire to work in politics
High Voltage Junction Box for Demonstrator Vehicle
Get PDFSchaeffler, our industry sponsor for this project, is designing a battery pack for a demonstration vehicle that requires a high voltage junction box to route power to the vehicle. The project type is a unique design of a mechanical component, mechanism, and process. Our objective for this project is to assemble provided electro-mechanical components into an enclosure following a provided electrical diagram. The expected deliverables are the following: 3D CAD assembly of final product, FEA analysis of designed components, 2D print of final product, fabrication and assembly of designed parts, technical report documenting design process and installation. The skills required for this project are: 3D modeling for assembly, handy with using tools and shop work, baseline understanding of electricity and electrical, safety, FEA, MS Excel, technical report writing, ability to follow design guidelines and stack-up, clearances. The timeline of this project will be the remaining Academic Year
Astrocyte Specific Enhancers in the Cortex and Striatum of Mice
Get PDFAmong glial cells, astrocytes have a prevalent influence on supporting neuronal function and overall brain health. Specifically targeting this cell type for disease treatment is an existing issue. Other cell types tend to express the desired treatment, which is not always wanted and can lead to unintended, negative consequences. Astrocytes contribute largely to maintaining the blood brain barrier, which is disrupted in Parkinson’s disease. Certain genes are thought to be the reason for this disruption, so if they can be specifically targeted in astrocytes with a specific enhancer, the disruption of the disease could be reversed. In our experiment, we will use Golden-Gate cloning to insert separate enhancer genes, Slc28 and Stom2, into a plasmid with a DL5 reporter gene. In our analysis of specificity results, SOX9 will be used to identify the nuclei of the astrocytes and DAPI will be used to identify all nuclei present in that tissue sample. Specifically, the cortex and striatum will be the brain regions of interest. Our results will show that Slc28 was not evident to be astrocyte specific in either brain region; Stom2 is relatively astrocyte specific in the striatum’s astrocytes but not for the cortex. The result of the research will be whether the enhancers of interest would be beneficial in potential future treatment options that involve astrocyte gene expression. We suspect that by enhancing expression in certain cell types in the nervous system, potential treatments for neurodegenerative disorders can be utilized
To Be or Not To Be Controlled: The Making of Thespians in Nineteenth-Century Asylums
Get PDFThroughout the 1800s, superintendents of insane asylums incorporated the works of Shakespeare into their medical practices. Shakespearean plays became a conduit of power for the asylum superintendents, providing them with a literary model of sanity that they imposed on patients while simultaneously becoming a mode of communication for asylum patients to perform as ‘sane’ in accordance to the superintendents’ definitions. While the superintendents imposed a Shakespearean model of social normalcy onto the patients, the asylum patients used Shakespeare’s plays as a conduit for verbal expression. Essentially, asylums became Shakespearean plays as both the medical staff and the asylum patients employed the poet in their daily lives, so much so that each cast assimilated their respective performances to fit Shakespeare’s literary societies. This project will use publications such as The Opal, Harper’s Weekly, and Gleason’s Pictorial, all of which detail the usage of Shakespearean literature in asylums, as support for its findings
Smart Material Actuated Flap
Get PDFThe objective of this project is to develop and evaluate a smart material actuated aerodynamic control surface to determine the viability of these new systems as alternatives to conventional electromechanical and hydraulic systems. The research will begin with the selection of a control surface and actuator design. The concept will then be tailored to create an experimental model for the purposes of this project. Smart materials that suit the model requirements will be selected and procured. Next, the actuators will be shape trained and characterized to meet the model requirements. Then, a benchtop model will be produced for design verification, and iterated until it functions desirably. Finally, a wind tunnel model will be manufactured and experimentally tested to indicate the potential utility of smart materials in aerospace control actuation applications
Synthesis of Noval Hydroxy Chalcone and Study of Fluorescent Properties
Get PDFChalcones are a class of naturally occurring compounds found in plants, which have a general structure of Ar–CO–CH=CH–Ar’. They have shown significant potential as tunable organic fluorophores due to their extended π-conjugation and structural simplicity. In this study, a 2-hydroxy-substituted chalcone featuring a terminal dimethylamino group was synthesized via a pyrrolidine-catalyzed aldol condensation and characterized for its photophysical properties. The electron-donating and -accepting ends of the molecule establish an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) pathway, while the hydroxyl group enables excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), leading to complex emission behavior. Room temperature fluorescence analysis revealed broad, featureless emission, while low-temperature studies unveiled a well resolved vibronic structure consistent with distinct tautomeric states. Selective excitation at specific wave lengths could give two different emission bands, attributable to either enol or keto forms. The observation highlighted the role of excited-state proton dynamics and molecular geometry in modulating fluorescence. These findings suggest that this chalcone derivative serves as a valuable model compound for exploring vibronic coupling, ICT, and ESIPT processes in small-molecule organic fluorophores
GameGPT
Get PDFGameGPT is a proof-of-concept project aimed to show how large language models (LLMs) can be used to enhance video games by allowing the user to have intelligent and adaptive interactions with non-playable characters (NPCs), each presenting their own personality, which adds aesthetics to the game. This was completed by using Groq Artificial Intelligence (AI) cloud-computing service to host the AI models to power the NPCs and engage with the user. Using AI to power NPC’s presents a way to lean away from traditional hard-coded and scripted dialogues, and strive towards intelligent and versatile conversations. GameGPT currently has 3 playable characters: a cowboy named John, a city girl named Sasha, and a beach guy named Ken. Each of them presents their personality in their respective responses. The goal is to enhance in-game NPC interactions using LLM, similar to games like Skyrim, but with limitless conversational potential. In the end, GameGPT brings the idea of AI in video games to life with the interactive ChatGPT-inspired general user interface (GUI). This project points out some key benefits of historical and current incorporations of AI within games for storytelling, player engagement, and adaptive gameplay
All-in-One Security System
Get PDFThe proposed All-in-One Security system is a security system capable of automatically or manually arming and disarming the building it is installed in. When armed, the system rolls down the window shades and locks the front door. When disarmed, the system unlocks the front door and rolls up the window shades. The system will have a keypad by the front door for arming and disarming the system. Additionally, there will be a smartphone app that can arm and disarm the system via bluetooth
Delivery Method for Dissolvable Staples
Get PDFSurgical staples play a vital role in modern medicine by enabling efficient wound closure and tissue repair. However, traditional metal staples often require removal, increasing patient discomfort and the risk of infection. Dissolvable staples offer a promising alternative, eliminating the need for removal while maintaining secure wound closure. Despite their potential, current delivery systems for dissolvable staples face significant challenges, including inconsistent deployment, lack of precision, and inadequate integration with surgical workflows.
Developing an optimized delivery system is critical to maximizing the benefits of dissolvable staples. Such a system must ensure reliable performance, precision, and ease of use while maintaining sterility and cost-efficiency. Additionally, the device must be compatible with surgical environments and meet rigorous biocompatibility standards.
The problem lies not only in creating a mechanically sound device but also in addressing surgeon and patient needs. Effective design requires a user-centered approach to understand the limitations of existing solutions and the unique demands of surgical procedures. Solving this challenge could revolutionize wound closure methods, improving patient outcomes and streamlining surgical practices. This project aims to address these issues by developing a delivery system that combines innovation, practicality, and adherence to medical standards