Digital Commons Network^™

Nylon Artificial Muscle, Usu Department Of Electrical And Computer Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Project Concept

• An artificial muscle made from copper and nylon fishing wire
• Also known as soft robotics muscle actuators
• Soft muscles can aid in better prosthetics design
• Soft muscles also have potential in animatronics engineering

The Climber-Bot, Usu Department Of Electrical And Computer Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

My project idea was to create a quadrupedal wall-climbing robot. This robot, called the Climber-Bot, is remote controlled and sends video footage from its location. The legs of the robot have vacuum powered suction cups attached to them allowing it to climb walls and ceilings. These vacuum powered legs allow for fast, easy inspection and surveillance. The Climber-bot can survey and inspect areas that are small, dangerous, or otherwise difficult to access.

The Self-Spotter, Kayden Feichko, Ashton Sicilia

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• The purpose of this project is to eliminate the necessity of having a human spotter, allow assistance to improve results, and increase safety while performing a workout.
• The Self-Spotter is an automated squat rack designed to replicate the basic functionalities of how a human spotter would help you perform a lift at the gym.
• This system is capable of assisting a user with any barbell-based workout.
• The structural design is based off a standard squat rack with modifications to implement a motor-to-chain pulley system to lift the side rails.

The Smart Shower: The Shower That Completes Your Smart Home, Parker Burton, Jeremy Littlewood, Richard Lloyd

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Smart Shower allows users to control their everyday showers at the sound of their voice or the tip of their fingers. By connecting pre-existing showers to sophisticated smart home technology, homeowners can enjoy a showering experience like none other.

Development Of An Suas-Mounted Texel Camera, Trevor Welch

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Currently, there is growth in the demand for scientifically accurate terrain maps of the earth. One method to acquire these maps is fusing digital imagery and LiDAR sensor data to create a Textured Digital Elevation Map (TDEM). Due to current LiDAR capability and availability, obtaining accurate terrain maps can be greater than $100,000.

The Potential Use Of Seagrass Herbivory Patterns As An Indicator Of Herbivore Community Change After Tropical Marine Protected Area Establishment, John M. Carroll, Amber D. Stubler, Christopher M. Finelli, Bradley J. Peterson

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Throughout the Caribbean, fishing pressure has decreased the abundance of many species, including both large predators and larger-bodied herbivores. In an effort to reverse these trends and reduce harvest pressure on vulnerable fish populations, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been established throughout the Caribbean. Yet, the effort to monitor fish communities, is variable, and there are MPAs where no monitoring program exists. It is possible that other metrics may be used to determine whether the impact of MPA establishment. By comparing two seagrass herbivory experiments, one pre- and one post-MPA establishment, we provide evidence that the MPA established in Discovery …

Variability In Microphytobenthos Biomass And Carbon Isotopic Values In Shallow Coastal Waters Of The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Sharil N. Deleon, Jeffrey W. Krause, Ronald Baker

Gulf and Caribbean Research

No abstract provided.

Chromium Distribution In Water And Sediments In The Mobile River And Bay, Alabama, Ryan R. Roseburrough, Xiangli Wang

Gulf and Caribbean Research

No abstract provided.

Platooning Turtlebots, Sebastian Helzer, Terran Gerratt

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Self-driving cars are a rapidly emerging product in today’s market. Compared to ever more distracted drivers, these cars hold the promise of safer and more efficient travel. Platooning on the highway has been proposed as a means to improve efficiency and safety on the road. In everyday life, this means reduced traffic congestion and fewer accidents. In the armed forces, platooning can help convoys avoid IEDs.

Powered, Wearable, Reprogrammable (Pwr) Led Clothing, Blake Johansen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Many people today want to have an element of creative control over the products they want to use
• Clothing is an industry that people can’t design or customize for themselves
• This project incorporates a series of NeoPixel lights on the front of a piece of clothing that a user can create custom animations for
• To ensure ease of use, a bluetooth app was developed to transmit animations to the vest
• To allow users to customize their clothing animations, a design program was developed that lets users design animations for themselves

Remote Battery Testing System, Jeffrey Snow

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Large storage/backup batteries are used everywhere around us, from fire alarms to our automobiles. However, we often forget they are even there. This leads to failures going unnoticed until the time of need. Then, it’s too late. The Remote Battery Testing System addresses this with the following features:

• Tester installed at location of batteries
• Tests automatically on a schedule
• Results of tests are sent back over network
• Results indicate health of batteries (not just charge)

Design And Prototyping Of A Real-Time Millimeter Wave Imaging System, Zahra Manzoor

Doctoral Dissertations

"The goal of this work is to design, prototype and test an innovative millimeter wave imaging system that operates in the frequency range of 33-35 GHz and is capable of producing rapid images of various diverse scenes. In particular, the imaging system includes two main sections, one is related to the hardware design of the system, and the other focuses on the development of a novel comprehensive image reconstruction algorithm. The hardware design includes custom transmitter and receiver sub-systems, and a sparse switched array which was optimized for 320 mm x 220 mm aperture plane, and also included an improved …

Wavelength-Selective Metamaterial Absorber And Emitter, Zhigang Li

Doctoral Dissertations

"Electromagnetic absorbers and emitters have been attracting interest in lots of fields, which are significantly revitalized because of the novel properties brought by the development of the metamaterials, the artificially designed materials. Metamaterials broadens the approaches to design the electromagnetic absorbers and emitters, making it possible to obtain the perfect absorption or emission at the wavelengths covering a wide range. Metamaterial absorbers and emitters are promising for various applications, including solar thermal-photovoltaics and thermal-photovoltaics for energy harvesting, chemical and biomedical sensors, nanoscale imaging and color printing. This work focuses on three aspects (materials, structures and design methods) to improve the …

Deep Neural Network Learning-Based Classifier Design For Big-Data Analytics, Krishnan Raghavan

Doctoral Dissertations

"In this digital age, big-data sets are commonly found in the field of healthcare, manufacturing and others where sustainable analysis is necessary to create useful information. Big-data sets are often characterized by high-dimensionality and massive sample size. High dimensionality refers to the presence of unwanted dimensions in the data where challenges such as noise, spurious correlation and incidental endogeneity are observed. Massive sample size, on the other hand, introduces the problem of heterogeneity because complex and unstructured data types must analyzed. To mitigate the impact of these challenges while considering the application of classification, a two step analysis approach is …

Fault Imaging Enhancement In Taranaki Basin, New Zealand And Rock Physics And Inversion Based Reservoir Characterization In The Central Gulf Coast Region Of Texas, Tianze Zhang

Doctoral Dissertations

"Fault imaging technique and reservoir characterization based on rock physics analysis and pre-stack inversion has been widely used hydrocarbon exploration. For the fault imaging technique, the ant tracking has been widely used in fault interpretation. However, the reliability of the results is highly dependent on appropriately choosing a signal processing method and volume attributes. In our study area, which lies in the southern Taranaki Basin, we applied Graphic Equalizer as the processing tool and the Chaos attribute before running the ant tracking algorithm. Results show that the procedure provides a better result and can map both the major and minor …

Hands-On Learning In Primary Grades, Bridgette Marie Megears

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on the understanding of hands on learning in the setting of primary grades. Play and exploration is a natural form of learning that students have been doing all their lives. With the available different types of play, each one can be applied to the classroom setting as well. As kindergarten was first designed to be based around play, it is essential to get back to that form of teaching and learning so that educators are more confident about meeting the needs of all young learners. Play-based learning provides a space where students can grow cognitively as well …

The Implications Of Childhood Trauma For Education Professionals, Travis William Walls

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Students in all areas of the world have experienced trauma that has impacted both their educational and social development; this epidemic has become clear over the last 20 years. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study recognized seven negative exposures that were believed to have a detrimental effect on health and wellbeing later in life. After more research, the list of known traumatic experiences has grown to include other negative impactors like parental divorce, bullying at school, or abuse. In reality, any experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope and adapt properly can be considered traumatic. Thankfully, there are now many …

Naomi Kawase’S “Cinema Of Place”, Erin Schoneveld

East Asian Language & Cultures Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Concepts Of Caring: Uncovering Early Concepts Of Care In Practice For First Year Occupational Therapy Students, James Battaglia

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Caring for others is a central ideal of most health care professions. The ability to facilitate caring behaviors in occupational therapy students is essential to developing students who are well prepared to provide both technically and emotionally competent care. This study explored the early concepts of care of Master of Science Occupational Therapy students at the start of their graduate education through use of a questionnaire and follow-up interviews. The three most frequently identified student concepts of care were: (1) caring as it relates to time, (2) caring as a personal quality, and (3) caring through their communication with clients. …

Occupational Therapy Student Conceptions Of Self-Reflection In Level Ii Fieldwork, Susan L. Iliff, Gaylene Tool, Patricia Bowyer, Diane Parham, Tina S. Fletcher, Wyona M. Freysteinson

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Self-reflection is paramount to the development of professionalism and serves as the foundation of adult education and lifelong learning. Pedagogical approaches in health sciences programs that promote self-reflection are growing in popularity. Current literature identifies a gap in what and how students conceive self-reflection and whether self-reflection is creating professionals that meet the challenges of today’s healthcare climate. This qualitative study explores the conceptions of self-reflection for occupational therapy students in Level II Fieldwork. The use of phenomenographic methodology guided the collection of information-rich data through semi-structured interviews. Twenty-one occupational therapy graduates volunteered to participate in the interviews. Verbatim transcripts …

Development Of A Training Program To Increase Student Clinician Competency When Communicating With People With Aphasia, Meghan Doherty, Chevie Lay

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The Washington University in St. Louis Stroke Clinic is a student-run free clinic (SRSC) designed to enhance student learning and provide the community with no-cost evidence-based occupational therapy services. Aphasia is a common communication impairment after stroke that affects the ability to access services and give and get information, and impacts life participation and satisfaction. Conversation partner training is an evidence-based treatment approach to improve communication with people with aphasia (PWA). The purpose of this project was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of student clinician training about communicating with PWA using conversation partner training in the SRSC. This study …

The Perceived Value And Utilization Of Occupational Therapy Models In The United States, Rhonda Davis-Cheshire, Kailey Davis, Lindsay Drumm, Sydney Neal, Emma Norris, Melanie Parker, Christina Prezzia, Colleen Whalen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study investigated United States (U.S.) occupational therapy (OT) practitioners’ perceived value and utilization of OT models in practice. In addition, this research explored correlations that might impact practitioner value and choice of models as related to entry-level OT educational program, practice setting, and frequency of model utilization. The study utilized a cross-sectional research design. A convenience sample of 219 OT practitioners completed an 18-question online survey capturing participant demographics, perceived value, and utilization of models. Practitioners indicated they used models (79.45%, n = 174) in practice with 77.63% (n = 170) reporting they somewhat or strongly agreed that models …

Using Case-Based Learning To Facilitate Clinical Reasoning Across Practice Courses In An Occupational Therapy Curriculum, Lynne F. Murphy, Jennifer C. Radloff

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Although occupational therapy educators have historically used cases as a means to prepare students for clinical practice, there is little evidence that this instructional method actually facilitates clinical reasoning. This convergent, parallel mixed methods study examined how the use of varied case formats, built on the tenets of case-based learning, facilitated specific components of clinical reasoning, and explored how the cases contributed to readiness for professional practice. Case formats included text, video, role-playing, simulated patients, and a client. Case-based learning activities included application of models and frames of reference, conducting assessments, planning and implementing interventions, clinical documentation, and identification of …

Application Of Theory To Guide Development Of A Rehabilitation Service-Learning Project In Guatemala, Mary Zadnik, Suzanne Trotter, Cindy Mathena

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

International community-based rehabilitation service-learning projects in physical and occupational therapy education programs may impact underserved communities internationally. The intentional inclusion of learning in service activities has been identified as service-learning. Extending the impact and education beyond the service project is necessary in order to provide a sustainable outcome for the community. Faculty at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences partnered with Potter’s House Association International to develop an interprofessional program to address the rehabilitation needs and continuity of care following a one-week project serving the community members of the Guatemalan City Garbage Dump. The purpose of this article …

Online Terms As In Terrorem Devices, Colin P. Marks

Faculty Works

Online shopping has quickly replaced the brick-and-mortar experience for a large portion of the consuming public. The online transaction itself is rote: browse items, add them to your cart, and check out. Somewhere along the way, the consumer is likely made aware of (or at least exposed to) the merchant's terms and conditions, via either a link or a pop-up box. Such terms and conditions have become so ubiquitous that most consumers would be hardpressed to find a merchant that doesn't try to impose them somewhere on their website. Though such terms and conditions are pervasive, most consumers do not …

Job Retention Of Childcare Workers In A Military Child Development Center, Janet Marie Hooten

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the low retention rates of childcare workers at a military child development center in the northeast United States. The purpose of this case study was to explore the work experiences of childcare employees during their first year of employment at a child development center to discover the factors that influenced their decision to resign. The conceptual framework that guided this study was a 2-factor approach of motivator and hygiene factors associated with experiences and perceptions. Transcripts from interviews with 15 current and prior childcare workers and management team members were coded, triangulated, and thematically analyzed. The themes …

What Drives Underprepared Students From The First Year On, Shanetta S. Lillard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

College students often enter college academically unprepared, as evidenced by low high school cumulative GPAs or poor SAT scores. In response to this problem, administrators at a 4-year university in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Unites States implemented an intensive, semester-long program to introduce and acclimate conditionally admitted students to the rigors of collegiate life. The purpose of this study was to understand how to assist students in moving from Year 1 to full admission and beyond. In accordance with Bandura's reciprocal causation of social cognitive theory model, the research questions centered on conditionally admitted students' descriptions of their experiences …

Medication Reconciliation, Competency, Timely And Effective Care, And Hospital Readmissions, Perry Theodore Nichols

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge result in significant multimillion-€dollar penalties to thousands of Medicare-€eligible hospitals throughout the United States and are indicators of suboptimal patient healthcare leading to less than ideal health outcomes for previously hospitalized patients. The purpose of this correlation study was to examine the relationship between medication reconciliation, nursing workforce competency, timely and effective care, and Medicare-€eligible hospital 30-€day readmission rates. The sample of 269 hospitals came from the population of Medicare-€eligible hospitals throughout the United States. Complexity theory and the general model of readmission were theoretical frameworks grounding this study. Secondary data were from …

Upper Elementary Teachers' Use Of Pedagogical Content Knowledge With Nonfiction Reading Instruction, Silke Piper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

After a shift in upper elementary reading instruction that emphasized complex learning using nonfiction text, Texas schools showed low reading comprehension scores among upper elementary students. The purpose of this exploratory single case study was to examine the pedagogical content knowledge of Texas upper elementary teachers who teach nonfiction reading comprehension strategies to at-risk students who do not qualify for special education services. The central research question focused on how teachers view their pedagogical content knowledge while instructing students. The conceptual framework for this study was a combined Shulman's (1986) pedagogical content knowledge model and Thomlinson's (2000) differentiated instruction learning …

Influence Of Police Officer Fear And Use-Of-Force Outcomes, Michele D. Stafford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Police officer and community relations tensions have heightened with increases in publicized deadly use-of-force incidents on social media platforms. Though some deadly force encounters have been justified because officers stated they feared for their lives, little is known about the impact fear has on police officers' actions. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the impact fear plays when officers implement use-of-force continuum practices during encounters with civilians. Schacter and Singers' two-factor theory of emotion was used as the conceptual framework for this study. The key research question examined the influence of police officer fear as a factor …