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Controversy in Consciousness: Is the Brainstem Sufficient for Sentience?
Get PDFOur understanding of consciousness is quite possibly in need of further discussion, elaboration, and updating. What was once principally the domain of philosophical inquiry has entered the era of advanced research methods and biomedical ethics – both of which have influenced the need to reconsider this most challenging of topics. The challenge for those interested in consciousness is at least twofold: 1) to further operationally define what is meant by consciousness, with a greater understanding of how consciousness can be manifest, and 2) to better identify the neural mechanisms subserving the diverse presentations/manifestations of consciousness, and reconcile the developing literatures addressing human clinical, experimental, and animal behavioral research. Advances in medical technology allows modern medicine to keep people alive despite a paucity of evidence to suggest they are sentient according to the traditional use of the word. And yet, prolonging and sustaining life has provided an opportunity to further study the human brain during these states of ostensible non-consciousness, thus offering additional insights into the functional consequences of severe neural trauma. And, it is here that researchers have discovered issues of concern with respect to how we make determinations of conscious awareness and evaluations of “life worth living”. Indeed, it is at this juncture of biology, phylogeny (i.e., trans-species perspective), neurology, and cognitive/affective psychology that researchers are most likely to find answers to questions – or at least more questions that demand answers
The Winding Path: Reflections on Preparing for a Career in Neuropsychology
Get PDFCareer decision-making can be a complicated process, particularly for Psychology majors who often find many areas of the discipline interesting. Students are often confronted with questions such as, “what do I really want to do?”, and “how much future education will I need to achieve my goals?” Moreover, there are often many uncertainties regarding how to take specific steps toward a particular professional direction in Psychology. In this article, neuropsychologist and university professor Derek McKay shares a unique perspective on his own process of finding his way toward a career as a neuropsychologist. He addresses a number of important steps in the transition from undergraduate education to graduate school and offers helpful guidance for selecting one’s own path toward a desired profession
NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge
Get PDFThe objective of this project is to design a system which prioritizes safety and efficiency that uses human power converted to hydraulic power to drive a bicycle. This project is being done to compete with other university teams in making the best vehicle that runs on fluid power. It will help the members of the team to gain design and testing experience, learn about fluid power systems, and gain experience with working as a team and sharing/distributing responsibilities
Social Determinants of Health: Evaluation Using Rates of Vision Screening and Follow-up Examinations
Get PDFVision care is essential to the quality of life of young children, impacting them over the course of their lives. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) affect the likelihood of a child having access to appropriate care specified by the Bright Futures. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of SDOH on the completion of vision screening and the rate of follow-up with an eye care provider when applicable. In addition, rates of instrument-based vision screening and recommended ophthalmology follow-up were compared with COI, a metric assessing the quality of resources available and the conditions that matter for the healthy development of children. Using two clinics with disparate populations (Locust Pediatrics and ACH Pediatrics Green), we collected data including language, ethnicity, race, and COI using retrospective chart review and analyzed using t-tests and logistic regression. Locust Pediatrics was found to serve a more demographically diverse population, but there wasn’t a statistically significant difference in the likelihood of having a vision screening. Patients at Locust Pediatrics were more likely to be referred to an ophthalmologist than Green patients. Race, ethnicity, and state-normed COI were not found to negatively affect rates of vision screening, but English-speaking patients were found to be less likely to receive a vision-screening than non-English speaking patients. No factors were associated with incomplete ophthalmology visits. Therefore, one can reasonably conclude that the Akron Children’s Hospital network currently has effective strategies in place to mitigate disparities in access to vision screening and follow-up
Inpainting Program
Get PDFImage processing is a quickly developing field of computer science, especially with the growth of computer vision and generative artificial intelligence. For my project, I focused on object removal, where a targeted object or area can be removed from a digital image. I first accomplished this by implementing a seam carving algorithm, where rows or columns of pixels called seams are removed from an image, that prioritizes the removal of seams that include targeted areas. I next explored a digital inpainting algorithm that would replace targeted areas, rather than removing them, in order to maintain the exact image dimensions and to prevent distortion
Powerful Particulars as “Autodocuments” in Documentality
Get PDFThe purpose of this short paper is to sketch the problem of whether documentality, in the sense of the appearance of evidence, must always take the form of a type-token relationship. In contrast to a type-token epistemology common in the Library and Information Science tradition, the paper argues that there is precedence for a theory of documentality that views evidentiality as a product of the powers of particulars to make themselves present. To make this argument, it appeals to Robert Pagès theory of documents and, over a half century later, Bernd Frohmann’s proposal for a philosophy of information, “Documentality.” Such a theoretical framework as Documentality may center its analysis around the problem of the evidentiality of natural entities rather than sociocultural or bibliographic entities. The paper argues that Documentality offers a theory of evidence or information through functions, performances, and powers rather than through content representation. Such a contrast describes the epistemology of Neo-Documentation versus that of earlier Otletian Documentation and the Library and Information Science tradition that follows from it
Beyond the \u27Idols of the Marketplace\u27: Managing Semantic Change in Research
Get PDFSemantic change refers to the process by which words acquire new meanings over time or in different contexts, particularly as they transition between disciplines. This shift in meaning, especially when words are adopted as terms in multiple academic areas, often leads to confusion and ambiguity. This study focuses on the terms agent and ontology, tracing their semantic evolution over time and across disciplines to understand how their meanings differ between fields such as philosophy, law, and artificial intelligence. Drawing on insights from Boon and Van Baalen\u27s metacognitive framework, the analysis demonstrates how understanding these differences can help prevent miscommunication
On the Constitutional Requirement for Adequate Prenatal Care Post-Dobbs
Get PDFThis Essay argues that state abortion statutes codifying government interests in the health and welfare of the unborn trigger a constitutional right to prenatal care where adequate medical care is constitutionally required in the penal system. It explores the healthcare mandates required by the U.S. Constitution in the era before the passage of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs, specifically looking at abortion access and prenatal provisions in the penological system. It then dissects abortion-related legislation passed by various states in the wake of Dobbs—emphasizing language within the legislative findings that could trigger a constitutional obligation for prenatal health in jails and prisons. The Essay concludes with an assessment of Section 1983 claims to enforce this standard of care
Unity Two Dimensional C# Game
Get PDFMy project is a 2-dimensional game that is being developed in the unity engine. This project includes animating objects, having them interact with each other, and having a goal the player will want to complete in the game. It will be a game that involves the player character moving around, attacking enemies, and dodging enemies. There will also be some challenges that involve maneuvering between platforms and enemies to progress in the game. At the end of the level, the player will encounter a stronger boss character. This character will have movement and attack patterns similar to the other minor enemies, but it will have more health and will do more damage when attacking the player. If the player is defeated, they will have the option to retry the game or exit. If the player achieves the goal of defeating the final boss enemy, then they also will have the option to exit or replay the game. The code will be written using the C# language, and the objects will be developed in the Unity engine