17007 research outputs found
Sort by
Annie
Get PDFProgram for the Broadway Tour production of Annie at the Bicknell Family Center for the Artshttps://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/broadway/1000/thumbnail.jp
Ready.gov: Who’s Ready, Really? Examining Principles of Inclusivity and Universal Design in Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness Public Information Websites
Get PDFNearly 20 years ago, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched Ready.gov, a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies such as natural and technological disasters. To date, little is known about the accessibility and adaptability of this information for vulnerable populations including persons with disabilities (PwDs) and those with limited English proficiency (LEP). This computer-automated analysis seeks (1) to determine the general web, mobile and language accessibility of state websites which extend and/or amplify the Ready.gov national campaign goals, (2) to evaluate the document accessibility of downloadable emergency preparedness information, and, based on findings, (3) reflect upon improvement opportunities for disaster and emergency management preparedness messaging processes to vulnerable populations. An exploratory, quantitative content analysis relying on computer-automated software is used to assess the web, language, mobile and document accessibility of Ready.gov state-affiliated websites dedicated to providing public information for emergency preparedness and disaster response. Additional factors such as the use of CAPTCHA, adherence to the Matterhorn Protocol, disclosure of accessibility policy statements, and the presence of tailored information are evaluated. No significant differences among FEMA regions were found. The most frequent errors were likely to impact the POUR dimensions of perceivability and operability. In all, 76% of the Ready.gov state-affiliated websites had WCAG Level AA detectable accessibility failures on the home pages. Furthermore, 62% of the sites offered translational language formats for LEP users, while only 6% (n=3 role= presentation style= box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; line-height: normal; word-spacing: normal; overflow-wrap: normal; text-wrap: nowrap; float: none; direction: ltr; max-width: none; max-height: none; min-width: 0px; min-height: 0px; border: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; position: relative; \u3en=3�=3) explicitly provided PwDs an option to report accessibility-related user experiences to the agency. Document accessibility was deemed to be poor with 80% of the websites disseminating downloadable .pdfs such as emergency planning guides and preparedness kits in inaccessible digital formats. These findings identify opportunities for improvement specifically, in the web, mobile and document accessibility of information associated with the Ready.gov national campaign. We argue that improvement and compliance is expected to reduce the likelihood of litigation, increase the resilience of vulnerable populations, and improve user experiences
OPTIMIZING PROCESS CONDITIONS AND CHARACTERIZING ELASTOMERIC PROPERTIES OF IMMISCIBLE POLYMERS FOR 3D PRINTING APPLICATIONS
Get PDFWithin recent years, 3D printing within the plastics and polymer industries has becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing enables the creation of rapid prototypes for short production runs without the need for complex tooling. This allows for runs that are shorter and lower in cost than conventional processes. Polylactic acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic that is widely used in 3D printing for its mechanical properties and low cost. The qualities of PLA however are lacking in the areas of flexibility and toughness which is required in many prototyping scenarios. The solution to this is to incorporate TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) within the matrix of PLA to address the issue with flexibility. There is another issue that arises with incorporating TPU within the PLA matrix. These materials are immiscible which poses a problem with creating filament within the needed specifications. The goal of this work was to blend PLA and TPU to create a 3D printer filament that exhibits the desirable properties from each material. An additional goal was to optimize the filament diameter to increase compatibility with the feed throat of the 3D printer, which allows for increased consistency of parts.
During the extrusion process, parameters such as screw speed, winder settings, and barrel temperatures were adjusted to try and create circular filament within the set specifications of 1.75 mm (+/- 0.05 mm). Both PLA and TPU were extruded at various ratios by weight percentage. Single-screw extrusion was performed on a Yellow Jacket single-screw extruder in processing labs at Pittsburg State University. After processing, filament was analyzed for its thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties. The methods used for thermal analysis were
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and melt flow index rheology. TGA was performed to determine degradation onset of the blends and DSC was performed to determine glass transition temperatures and melting temperatures of the crystalline fractions. Mechanical properties were analyzed via Instron tensile testing. Blends increasing in TPU percentage exhibited a change in strength and flexibility. Morphological analysis was performed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the transition between thermoplastic behavior and elastomeric behavior with increasing TPU corporation was studied. In prior studies, glass transition temperatures and filament moduli shifted to values similar to TPU when the blend ratio was above 50% TPU. The filament was successfully produced and exhibited properties intermediate to PLA and TPU.
After filament was created successfully via single-screw extruder, filament blends were then created via twin-screw extrusion. This was done in order to determine if processing methods had a significant impact on filament blend properties. Various parameters, such as screw speed, hopper speed, zone temperatures, and winder speed were adjusted to achieve a filament within the desired specifications. Filament extruded via twin-screw extrusion was analyzed for thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties. Twin-screw filament was analyzed by the same thermal and mechanical methods as single-screw filament. The filament produced via twin-screw extrusion was within the specified diameter and was more dimensionally stable than filament produced by single-screw extrusion. Twin-screw extruded filament had less variation in melt pressure than filament produced by single screw extrusion. Thermal stability of filament blends was consistent regardless of processing methods. Mechanical analysis concluded that the modulus of twin-screw filament was slightly lower than single-screw filament. Melt flow index
of pellets was significantly higher in single-screw extruded pellet than twin screw extruded pellet.
Further work added an additional processing step: injection molding. Thermal, mechanical, and morphological analyses were also performed on specimens produced via injection molding. Injection molded samples were analyzed by the same thermal and mechanical methods as single-screw and twin-screw filament. Impact testing was added, as we were able to produce impact bars in addition to tensile testing dog bones in the injection molder. Finally, we were able to 3D print dog bones using the filament produced by single-screw and twin-screw extrusion. Dog bones were tested for tensile strength after printing and compared to injection molded dog bones
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYANILINE-BASED HIGH-PERFORMANCE CARBON FOR ENERGY STORAGE APPLICATIONS
Get PDFWith the increase in global population, the demand for the energy required for daily activities including household necessities, electronic and electric devices, etc. enhances at an alarming proportion. Under these circumstances, supercapacitors (SCs) have attracted great attention as electrochemical energy storage devices. Nowadays, most commercially available supercapacitors are composed of metallic compounds. Due to the high consumption, and limited availability of these elements, it is necessary to find an alternative, effective, low-cost materials in place of using it. With the purpose of achieving high electrochemical performance, this research work focuses on developing carbon derived from polyaniline (PANI) as an efficient electrode material for SCs. Here, chemical oxidative polymerization was used for the synthesis of PANI. Subsequently, the nitrogen-doped porous activated carbon (PAC) was produced through the chemical activation process of PANI nanotubes with potassium hydroxide (KOH). Herein, three different samples of PAC were synthesized by controlling the mass ratio of polyaniline to KOH ratios 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2. The changes in surface area and porosity were examined via BET analysis. It was observed that the surface area and pore volume from as-synthesized PANI to chemically treated samples were significantly improved from 18 to 3525 m2/g.The electrochemical performance of all materials was tested using both a three-electrode cell system and a symmetrical coin-cell supercapacitor (SCCS). Electrodes made from PANI to KOH, 1:1 wt. ratio showed better electrochemical performances in an aqueous electrolyte (KOH) in both systems. This material exhibited the highest capacitance of 378 F/g (at 0.5 A/g) and 143 F/g (at 0.5 A/g) in the three-electrode system and SCCS, respectively. The SCCS achieved a maximum energy density of 23 Wh/kg and a power density of 12 kW/kg. Further, this material has a higher stability, showing a good coulombic efficiency of about 99% with capacitance retention of 97% at 7 A/g after 10000 charge-discharge cycles. Like electrode material, the type of electrolyte also acts as the decisive factor in fabricating supercapacitors. By using aqueous, organic, and ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes, the electrochemical performance of the best sample (PANI: KOH= 1:1) was studied by fabricating coin cell supercapacitors. This sample was further analyzed through the heteroatom doping process. Herein, the N, P, S, and B-doped PANI samples were obtained by treating them with HNO3, H3PO4, H2SO4, and H3BO3 acids, respectively. B-doped PANI showed the highest specific capacitance of 269 F/g (0.5 A/g) and 97 F/g (0.5 A/g) in the three-electrode system and SCCD in aqueous electrolyte (KOH), respectively. Moreover, this SCCS achieved a maximum energy density of 14 Wh/kg with a power density of 3441 W/kg using B-doped PANI-based electrodes.
This research suggests that activated carbon derived from PANI material showed higher electrochemical performance in aqueous KOH electrolyte for supercapacitors which could be adopted for commercial applications. Considering the performance of the aqueous, organic, and IL electrolytes, SCs made with IL showed a higher energy density with a high-power density without disturbing the specific capacitance
A Reflected Chicago Along the Lake Michigan Waters
No full textChicago\u27s skyline is lit by the glowing sunrise along Lake Michigan. Some lights of the skyscrapers remain on at dawn, which reflect off the water splashes on North Avenue Beach.https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/openartexhibit/1013/thumbnail.jp
A Periodicals Librarian’s Role in Technical Services : Equalizing Access to Library Databases for the Disabled
Get PDFEqual access to library resources and services is vital to the successful learning of all students at higher education institutions. All academic libraries provide access to databases in support of the discovery and scholarship needs of the university or college. However, not all databases are equally accessible. Librarians at Pittsburg State University recognized the difficulties disabled students attending college have accessing resources and wanted to assist students and faculty by learning more and reducing barriers. An additional goal included aligning services with other campus resources geared towards disability services. The Student Disability Services department at PSU assists disabled students and their professors with a number of services, including locating accessible learning materials and providing testing accommodations. The Periodicals librarian looked at the library’s databases for accessibility features, accessibility statements, and created a LibGuide with the information. In meeting with Student Disability Services to discuss how the library could complement the efforts and resources of Student Disability Services, the librarian learned about new avenues for services to students. In addition, the library communicated the information to faculty at local conferences and by email. The efforts have paid off, as the LibGuide has gotten use and librarians have received student inquiries about accessing resources that meet their needs. Come hear about the accomplishments and lessons learned by one Periodicals Librarian increasing the access to library databases for all
McCullah family collection, 1986
Get PDFTypescript of an unpublished manuscript for a novel titled “The Eye of the Storm.”
Kenneth John McCullah was born in Kansas around the year 1916. He was married to Maurine Ruth McCullah and together they were avid researchers of the American Civil War. In 1986, they crafted a fictionalized story of a family named Layne and their history through the late 1700s up to the Civil War. This manuscript, titled “The Eye of the Storm” was never published. Kenneth passed away in 1991 and in Maurine in 2011. In 2013, the novel Oaklayne: A Civil War Saga was published, with authorship credited to Maurine. This is likely a reworking of the earlier manuscript. This manuscript was donated to Pittsburg State University by Mr. Gene Bicknell in 2016.https://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/fa/1429/thumbnail.jp
Wedding Dance
No full textA Poem on the Spot created by Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Kansas Poet Laureate 2009-2013
When the Spinning Stops (for Lisa)
No full textA Poem on the Spot created by Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Kansas Poet Laureate 2009-2013