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AI Symposium Q&A
No full textMagdalene Moy answers a question from a local business owner during the Q&A session.https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/aisymp-photos-2025/1036/thumbnail.jp
AI Symposium Q&A
No full textDr. Susan Bon and student Angel Abshire at the podium during the Q&A session.https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/aisymp-photos-2025/1039/thumbnail.jp
Bio-Based Composite Materials with Enhanced Mechanical Strength and Good Flame Retardancy
No full textComposite materials are widely used in healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and construction due to their high mechanical strength. While petroleum-based epoxy resins are commonly used, researchers are increasingly turning to renewable resources for composite material development. Therefore, vegetable oils (VOs) are the promising alternative for epoxies and polyols derived from petroleum. VOs have an unsaturated double bond that is amenable to chemical modification. This study synthesized bio polyol using castor oil, a non-edible vegetable oil. A ring-opening reaction was used to modify castor oil, producing castor oil polyol (COP). Using FT-IR and GPC, the synthesized COP was described. Three distinct flame retardants (FRs), COP, and TiO2 as an inorganic filler were used to create composite materials. Melamine phosphate (MP), melamine (MA), and melamine phytate (MPHT) were employed as FRs. Here, bio-based phytic acid was used to create melamine phytate. Compared to all synthetic composite materials, MPHT 3wt% had a greater compression strength of 52 MPa. Additionally, the hardness and tensile strength were 70 and 22 MPa, respectively. Crucially, out of all the manufactured materials, the MPHT 5wt% sample showed the least amount of weight loss, just 2%. Although these composite materials are thermally robust, they degrade significantly at temperatures close to 400 C. Additionally, the composite materials\u27 chemical compatibility in toluene and water was assessed. With advantages including renewable sourcing, less environmental effect, and good mechanical strength, these bio-based composite materials provide a sustainable substitute for conventional petroleum-based products
Study of Different Isocyanates on the Properties of Limonene and Geraniol Based Polyurethane Films
No full textPlant-and animal-derived materials are gaining attention as potential substitutes for petroleum-based polymers. Growing environmental consciousness and the demand for greener and more sustainable materials are some of the primary causes of this change. A way to support the green and safe use of polyurethane is the thiol-ene click reaction, which is used to create biobased polyols. Limonene and geraniol are both plant-derived chemicals that contain unsaturated C=C (carbon-carbon double) bonds. Mercaptoethanol was used as a thiol compound in the thiol-ene click reaction to prepare bio-based polyols. Polyurethane films were synthesized by reacting polyols with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and cyclohexyl isocyanate (CHDI), followed by film casting. The resulting PU films were cured at 70C to ensure complete crosslinking. To understand the structural and morphological characteristics, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) will be used. Tensile and hardness tests are also conducted to determine the mechanical properties of the synthesized PU films. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential calorimetry (DSC) were employed to investigate the thermal properties of the PU films. The gel fraction analysis further supported the crosslinking efficiency in the PU networks. In this work, when comparing IPDI and CHDI in terms of mechanical properties in PU films, IPDI provides better mechanical properties than CHDI. The Tg\u27s of LM+IPDI, LM+CHDI, GM+IPDI and GM+CHDI were 34.58, 56.49, 75 and 56.49 ℃, respectively. The GM+IPDI demonstrated better mechanical properties (Tensile Strength of 36.02 MPa) than the others due to the higher cross-linking density and complete network
Mathematical Breakthroughs Driven by Wartime in the Twentieth Century
No full textMajor mathematical breakthroughs have occurred during times of war. Given the historical and geopolitical relevance of wars, a sample from World War I, World War II, and the Cold War was explored to highlight their contributions to mathematics. This was achieved through investigating published work originating from each war. Secondary sources are used to discuss the modern impact. The twentieth century was chosen due to its recency and modern applications that have exerted a significant influence in society. The research highlighted key innovative trends during and surrounding the time of war. World War I led to aeronautical development impacting all aviation. The research started with three equations describing a force accelerating in the and directions. From there, the research follows in the footsteps of George Bryan to derive the two equations which describe aeronautical stabilization. World War II spurred the development of encryption and decryption to ensure secure data transmission. The research followed the original questions posed and answered by Claude E. Shannon on secrecy, including both theoretical and practical considerations. Lastly, the Cold War fostered fast data analysis, condensing vast amounts of information. This is illustrated in calculating complex Fourier series through the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Therefore, wartime innovations have played an essential role in the advancement of mathematics
Prepackaged Curriculum: The Death of a Profession
No full textFor my academic honors this semester, I intend to complete a project on the reality of premade curriculum. I will answer the following questions: 1) Does prepackaged curricula undermine teacher\u27s sense of professional responsibility and professionalism? 2) Does prepackaged curricula actually meet student needs? 3) Who are prepackaged curricula for?
I will examine curriculums like Eureka Math, Common Core, and premade curriculum boxes. I will speak with educators across all ages (preschool to high school) about their experiences with premade curriculum and how it caters to their students, versus the student needs it does not meet. I will clearly discuss elements of the curriculum and its strengths and weaknesses.
In order to complete my project, I will interview at minimum five teachers total.
Preferably, two teachers at the elementary school level, two teachers at the middle school level, and one teacher at the high school level. Within the elementary school level curriculum, I would like to interview one teacher at the K-2 level and one teacher at the 4-5 level. Within middle school level, I would like to interview one sixth grade teacher and one eighth grade teacher. At the high school level, I would like to interview a sophomore teacher. My findings will be presented as an oral presentation of roughly 15 minutes accompanied by an essay of a minimum of ten pages. I will present my findings to my classmates and at the research emporium. The project is above and beyond class requirements as it requires extensive research outside of class and requires me to do much deeper and extensive work exploring curriculums than required by the class. I will be taking time outside of class to interview teachers, and writing/organizing my project outside of class time. Whereas in class we do not get real-world examples of premade prepackaged curriculum that is being used in the field, I will be able to examine curricula that are being implemented by teachers. I will also be able to get into the field and access multiple varieties of curricula
Determinants of U.S. Beef Prices
No full textThe beef industry is vital to the United States economy and directly affects what Americans choose to consume. However, this industry is constantly changing, and the factors influencing beef pricing are evolving. This study takes historical data and aims to analyze beef price determinants by examining variables like slaughter counts, byproduct prices, substitute prices, seasonality, income, inflation, and feed costs. Utilizing a time series regression model, the research evaluates the impact of these variables on the farm, wholesale, and retail levels. The preliminary findings indicate that the consumer price index (CPI) for food, slaughter volumes, feed prices, and byproduct values are very significant predictors of beef prices at all levels. Additionally, seasonal trends and the prices of substitute meats also affect price fluctuations. The study also highlights breakpoints in the data occurring over multiple spans in time
Soybean Oil-Derived Acrylate/Methacrylate Ether for High-Resolution Additive Manufacturing
No full textThe field of additive manufacturing (AM) has seen tremendous growth in its possible applications with the introduction of multi-material 3D printing, which may be used to prototype complex structures and sophisticated geometries which improves the performance and adaptability of printed components in various sectors. Despite these developments, the broad-spectrum of materials for AM are mostly derived from petroleum oil which limits the technologies and economic viability for widespread application. In this context, vegetable oil is a renewable alternate feedstock for 3D printing due to its broad spectrum of applications, affordable price, and potential biodegradability. In this piece of work, we demonstrate the development of soybean oil-based photo-curable resins (ESBO_HEA/HEMA) for application in digital light processing vat photopolymerization. At first, epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) was converted into acrylated/methacrylated soybean oil (ESBO_HEA/HEMA) by one-pot oxirane ring opening processas an alternative to conventional acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) generated via acrylation between ESO and acrylic acid. A series of 3D printable DLP inks have been formulated using synthesized resins (ESBO_HEA/HEMA) in the presence of photoinitiator (TPO) and or, reactive diluents (Trimethylolpropane triacrylate). Moreover, the resin\u27s viscosity of all formulated inks was investigated which are in good agreement with DLP 3D printing. Additionally, the impact of reactive diluents (TMPTA) on the thermal (DSC, TGA) and mechanical (DMA, tensile strength, and hardness) behavior of the 3D-printed object was also examined. After adding the TMPTA behavior of the materials is changed. It shows high mechanical properties, which are 4.17 MPa in ESBPO_HEA and 4.10 in ESBO_HEMA. Altogether, this work demonstrates the use of bio-based and inexpensive soybean oil which offered a simple method to prepare potential inks for DLP 3D printing that could be used in the additive manufacturing industry to make architectural models and automotive components which opens new avenues for sustainable 3D printing
Predictive analytics in Healthcare
No full textPredictive analytics is transforming the healthcare industry by helping doctors in informed decision-making. By analyzing the trends in health data, AI-powered tools can predict the patient\u27s risk factors, enhance diagnostics, and even forecast potential emergencies before they occur. These advancements bring great possibilities, but they may also raise pressing ethical and practical concerns.
One of the primary challenges is to make sure that Al-generated insights should support human expertise, rather than replacing it. While healthcare has majorly relied on clinical knowledge and ethical guidelines, Al brings new debates on accountability and decision-making. For instance, what it may lead to, when an algorithm makes a flawed prediction. How can we safeguard against biases in healthcare data causing unequal treatment? How do we monitor these technologies to ensure they stay transported and accountable? This paper discusses both the advantages and challenges of predictive analytics in healthcare, stressing the importance of well-crafted regulations, ethical governance, and accountable Al development
Trauma-Informed Care
No full textThe purpose of the evidence-based project is to express the importance of Trauma-Informed Care in the care of pediatric patients and the prevention of adverse complications in adulthood. The idea of Trauma-Informed Care is to communicate with all psychiatric patients as if they have experienced a trauma. Trauma-informed care or TIC is a communication approach to help avoid retraumatizing pediatric patients who have experienced a traumatic event, or who may not have expressed such an experience. TIC is a strategy for nurses to shift their perspectives of trauma, to understand that trauma is experienced differently for everyone, and to acknowledge that trauma is broad in its description. The long-term side effects of trauma can impact children into their adultlife. Some adverse effects of trauma include high cortisol levels from stress, anxiety and depression, diabetes, heart problems, and other potential health issues. Some interventions for TIC are mostly based on how a nurse can approach a patient who has experienced trauma. High-quality TIC involves trust, respect, and understanding. Implementing TIC on a pediatric level in mental health services can help prevent long-term adverse effects in adulthood