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Trilateration-Based Robot Localization with Learned Visual Landmarks
No full textMany strategies for robot localization exist, such as trilateration and triangulation algorithms, that compute relative distance and orientation of robot to multiple landmarks. These algorithms require predefined knowledge of landmarks. In this paper we describe a trilateration algorithm for robot localization where new landmarks may be defined using deep learning algorithms. We use a single camera to learn new custom objects. This information is passed as input to the system together with the distance to the objects calculated by a previously calibrated distance detection algorithm. A deep learning algorithm is applied to the object detection model making use of TensorFlow’s Object Detection API to identify custom objects in the environment. The information from the detected object in the camera image is used to calibrate the distance detection algorithm. The relative position of the objects is then used as input data to the trilateration-based localization algorithm. Examples of new objects used as landmarks in our system include a chair, sofa, fridge, shelf, and coffee table. To train the model with custom objects, a dataset of 100 images were collected by taking photos with a laptop camera. These images were randomly separated into two partitions: a train partition with 90 images and a test partition with 10 images. These objects were then tested in experimental work. The paper provides results and discusses shortcomings and future work
East Tampa - Jazzy Seniors: Photo compilation of an oral history
No full textOn January 25th, 2023 the Jazzy Seniors in East Tampa shared their stories with students enrolled in the University of South Florida\u27s anthropology department’s Environmental Justice seminar. Students were tasked with collecting oral history interviews with the Jazzy Seniors, conducting research into the past, present, and future of stormwater ponds in East Tampa, and then creating narrative films to share with the Jazzy seniors, and on social media and the internet.
This book provides snippets of the interviews matched with the photographs taken during the event. The Environmental Justice seminar is led by faculty Dr. Christian Wells and American Society of Engineering Education postdoctoral fellow Dr. Michelle Henderson. Their efforts were supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, WeRISE...Working to Eradicate Racism in Science and Engineering (WeRISE) through the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Education and Human Resources (IUSE: EHR) program.
The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/werise_jazzyseniors2023/1000/thumbnail.jp
Global educational ramifications of COVID-19 on minorities and students living in poverty or extreme poverty: A literature review
No full textPublic education requires all stakeholders to collaborate as a community and focus on the essential factors that create a path for student progress, growth, and maturity. The result nurtures students from kindergarten to graduation and beyond and affords them opportunities to become efficacious members of their communities. Schools are a business operating on the premise of the service industry, working collectively with and for the communities they serve. Their operational parameters are to work with all stakeholders to successfully facilitate excellence in education for all students regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Recent COVID-19 school closures have opened dialogues concerning the ramifications of continued school closures, the slow reopening of schools, and the current chronic educational gap for minorities and students living at the poverty or extreme poverty levels. This literature review examines peer-reviewed articles, policy papers, editorials, and global research that examines how the COVID-19 school closures and slow reopening processes affect the equitable global education of minorities and children living in poverty or extreme poverty
Establishing the Validity and Reliability of the LOCUS Assessments
No full textThe development of assessments as part of the funded LOCUS project is described. The assessments measure students’ conceptual understanding of statistics as outlined in the GAISE PreK–12 Framework. Results are reported from a large-scale administration to 3,430 students in grades 6 through 12 in the United States. Items were designed to assess levels of understanding as well as components of the statistical problem solving process as articulated in the GAISE framework. We discuss details of how the model used to develop the LOCUS assessments guided the gathering of evidence for validity and reliability arguments. Three types of validity evidence are presented: Validity Evidence via Evidence-Centered Design, Validity and Reliability Evidence via Item Analysis, and Validity Evidence via Item Calibration
Mental Illness and Racial Disparities in Correctional Staff-Involved Violence: An Analysis of Jails in the United States
No full textIn this study, we draw on theories of opportunity and focal concerns to examine how mental illness and race correspond to correctional staff-involved violence, particularly within the transient and diverse context of jails. Using a sample of 3,936 people incarcerated in jails from the 2011 to 2012 National Inmate Survey (NIS-3), we analyze how an individual’s mental health status (number of mental illness diagnoses) and race relates to the risk of staff-inflicted victimization. Using a series of Firth’s logistic regression models, we find that Black and Hispanic individuals are much more likely to be victims of correctional staff assault than their White counterparts. Those with one and two or more mental illness diagnoses are also at greater risk for staff-involved violence, respectively. Supplementary models show that those who suffer from serious mental illness are at particularly high risk for staff victimization. In a subsequent moderation analysis, we find that race does not condition the influence of mental health diagnoses on risk for staff-involved violence. Our findings reinforce the need for more research on correctional staff-involved violence and the implications of this research support calls for enhanced training of correctional staff regarding mental illness and racial bias
Maternal Disparities regarding Physician Visitation Rates during Pregnancy
No full textCarepath is defined as personalized and comprehensive support for patients and their families for their healthcare needs. Its main goal is to optimize resource usage by integrating the different facets of healthcare to ensure the best care. Carepath can be applied to maternal health to reduce disparities. Maternal healthcare disparities exist for women in low socioeconomic conditions. There is a lack of healthcare equity and that is reflected in the amount of physician visitations during pregnancy. The low physician visitation rates may contribute to the higher mortality rates in poor and underserved communities. Even in countries where there is universal healthcare coverage, the highest rates of inadequate prenatal visitations were in areas in inner cities which are characterized by lower incomes than suburban areas. There are a variety of factors that contribute to lower physician visits in lower socioeconomic conditions. This includes lack of transportation to the clinic, physician neglect and burnout, lack of education or compliance by the patient, expensive healthcare costs, and lack of insurance coverage. Since maternal disparities are a multifaceted problem AI machine learning can provide women with personalized healthcare that considers their unique personal factors when deciding which plan of care best supports them and their unique situation. It can optimize available resources and increase physician visitation rates which could lead to decreased maternal mortality
Eye Tracking of Fixations Towards Parenting Behaviors
No full textResearch has consistently shown a link between internalizing symptoms and negative attention biases (Platt et al., 2015). For instance, eye-tracking studies have revealed that individuals with depression tend to display a gaze pattern in which they overlook positive stimuli while fixating longer on negative stimuli (Armstrong and Olatunji, 2012). Additionally, negative attention biases may affect how adolescents perceive parenting behaviors. Controlling for parents’ and observers’ perceptions of parenting behaviors, youth with greater internalizing symptoms report more parental shame- and guilt-induction during parent-child interaction tasks (Rote et al., 2021). Despite these findings, little research has investigated whether depressed youth specifically attend more to shame- and guilt-inductive aspects of parenting statements. Therefore, we employed eye-tracking technology to investigate associations between depressive symptoms and visual fixations towards written phrases containing negative affect, attacks on the self, or highlighting one’s self-efficacy. Eighty college students (Mage = 25.32, SD = 6.39, 76.3% female), completed an eye-tracking task in which they read vignettes involving parental shame- or guilt-induction, followed by a survey measuring their depressive symptoms (BDI; Beck et al., 1996). Our results reveal a negative correlation between levels of depression and fixation on phrases attacking the self. Other correlations did not achieve statistical significance. This finding contrasts with the initial hypothesis and can provide insights for future research. Specifically, further investigation is needed to understand why parental behaviors do not become a fixation for those with internalizing issues as the negative attention bias would predict
Does the freshness at the time of collection affect the DNA recovery from anoa fecal samples?
No full textThe Bubalus depressicornis, otherwise known as the lowland anoa, are an endemic mammal to Sulawesi, Indonesia and are listed by the IUCN as an endangered species. There are many threats that are contributing to the future extinction of the anoa, the main one being human impact. Conservation efforts have been taking place in order to attempt possible restoration of the species. Investigation of genetic diversity using molecular approaches such as microsatellites markers have been used to determine the low genetic diversity in the lowland anoa. Genetic diversity is important in populations as it encourages the survival of a species, however, it can be lost as the population decreases. Traditional sampling includes blood or tissue which could negatively impact this vulnerable species. Therefore, noninvasive genetic assessment through fecal analysis is a viable option. Non-invasive genetic assessments provide highly effective results without the need to capture or harm the species. DNA quality can be affected by several things including the freshness of the sample when collected. This study compares the recovery of DNA from fecal samples of varying freshness at time of collection. We hope to provide information to conservationists in Indonesia to apply in the wild and save the lowland anoa with these findings
Commercial Kit Comparison for DNA Recovery in Ethanol-Stored Fecal Sample
No full textAnoa are a species of mammal under the Bovidae family endemic to Indonesia; specifically the Sulawesi region. The species is subdivided into the lowland anoa and the mountain anoa. Classified as endangered, there are a reported 2,500 Anoas total in existence. Observations of Anoas in the wild have been scarce because of their solitary nature; a majority of data has been collected on captive groups. The biggest threats Anoas face are hunting and habitat destruction. Unregulated hunting for collection of trophies or hunting for cultural rituals combined with gradual habitat destruction has contributed to dwindling numbers over the years. Conservation efforts have led to regulatory hunting legislation and environmental conservation as well as attempts to garner support for the Anoa by the surrounding and outside communities. Sanctuaries and zoo facilities have also been vital to learning more about the species and initiating breeding programs. Part of the conservation effort includes determining the genetic diversity of the remaining populations. Genetic sampling of the anoa is particularly challenging given their small population sizes, solitary lifestyle, and relatively small body size. Fecal samples provide a noninvasive alternative for genetic sampling. Ethanol is a common storage method for genetic samples. However, if ethanol is carried over into isolated DNA, it reduces the quality. There are many commercial DNA isolation kits to choose from, but it is unknown whether kit type will influence DNA recovered from ethanol-stored fecal samples. The results of this study will provide information to better inform conservation strategies in Indonesia