Research Symposium

BIO

Hello, my name is Andre van Grieken, I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. I am currently a prelaw student here at FSU. My major is political science, and my minor is business, I believe this will provide me with a well-rounded education and a strong foundation for my future career. My career goal is to become a corporate attorney, and I am working hard to achieve that objective, I believe that a career in corporate law will allow me to help businesses thrive while also making a positive impact on society. In addition to my coursework, I am also involved in research. My current research project focuses on the evaluation of warfighter personal protective equipment (PPE) in subarctic conditions. This project is important to me because it highlights the significance of protecting our military personnel while they serve our country. Overall, I am excited about my future and the opportunities that await me. I am grateful for the education and experiences that I have had so far, and I am eager to see where my passion will take me.

Evaluation of Warfighter PPE in Subarctic Conditions

Abstract

Temperatures in the arctic can dip below -35 °C (-31 °F) and wind speeds can reach up to 40 mph, creating a wind chill below -100 °Celsius (-148 °F) (Antarctica Conditions Fact Sheet,1997). Helicopter pilots are protected from with these subarctic temperatures by wearing restrictive, insulated, multi-layered clothing to keep warm. Not only is this uncomfortable for the pilot, but it also exacerbates the difficulty of flying the helicopter. In this study, a proprietary heated garment system with heating mechanisms running throughout the inside of the clothing is being assessed for its ability to heat soldiers and thereby reduce the need for such bulky, prohibitive clothing insulation.. This is especially important in the extremities such as the hands where finger dexterity is crucial to operating the helicopter. Therefore, the purpose of this testing was to measure the thermal and evaporative resistance of three cold-weather warfighter ensembles and a single heated base layer ensemble, without powered heat, to establish baseline resistance measures for each ensemble.

Keywords: Subarctic Warfare Testing

BIO

Emma is a South Florida resident and current undergraduate student at Florida State University. She is majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with a minor in Child Development. Emma has a passion for working with people of all ages with disabilities as well as augmentative and alternative communication devices (AAC) which inspired her to pursue a career as a speech language pathologist. In addition to research, Emma is involved in a nonprofit organization that fosters relationships between people of all abilities called the Friendship Journey, the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, Dance Marathon at FSU, and Phi Mu.

Measuring Teacher Communication with Children with IDD During Shared Story Reading

Abstract

This study focuses on preschool children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) and how teachers communicate with them during shared story reading. This project aims to identify the most common communication forms, functions, and strategies teachers use when communicating with children with IDD. Two whole-group shared reading activities that included 15 teachers and 15 children with limited speech ability and their classmates were video recorded and transcribed. We aimed to better understand how teachers communicate with students with disabilities and how it can be improved upon to better support kids who have a wide range of support needs. Videos were transcribed and coded using the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts (SALT) by adapting an existing validated measure of shared storybook reading, the Systematic Assessment of Book Reading (SABR). Preliminary data indicates that the most common type of communication form teachers use is speech, the majority of teachers choose to read verbatim, and common communication strategies documented included gestures/pointing, wait time, and modeling vocabulary. Full coding and transcription of shared reading videos will provide quantitative data to support these findings.

Keywords: speech, communication, disabilities, reading

BIO

Hello! My name is Taylor Barber and I am a graduating senior here at Florida State. I am from Ocala Florida and graduated high school already having my AA degree. Because of my accelerated path, I had to quickly adapt and figure out my interest quickly. Luckily, I was accepted into UROP and got the chance to expand my interests and collaborate with others to learn more about the health of other college students. I plan to continue researching as I continue into my Master of Public Health program!

Understanding the Differentials in College Students Health

Abstract

College is an area in young adults' lives where they explore their sexuality and begin to make important decisions for themselves. Our research aims to understand the most recent literature on college student sexual health practices and wellness by performing a systematic literature review. Our goal is to view how informative 4-year universities in the United States are at providing information regarding sexual health, such as STDs, pregnancy rates, and other topics of sexual health knowledge. We believe analyzing this data will bring awareness to real-life issues college students face, as well as highlight how their universities prepare them for this stage in their life.

Keywords: sexual health, college, STDs, STIs

BIO

I am a current freshman and Presidential Scholar studying Biological Sciences. I am from Miami, FL and have an interest in ecology and wildlife biology.

Effect of Harvest Treatment on Lipid Content in Hybridized Heterandria formosa

Abstract

The Least Killifish (Heterandria formosa) is a species native to the coastal plains of the Southeastern United States and is known as the world’s smallest live-bearing fish. Due to its fast reproduction and generation times, H. formosa are excellent model organisms and can show physical and genetic changes in a short time span. Two populations were interbred to create a genetically diverse H. formosa used for experimentation. By subjecting hybridized H. formosa to varying treatments, we assume that lipid content will differ across food availability and harvest type. Fish in size-selective harvest tanks are predicted to have higher lipid content due to reduced competition for food. These fish were dried and crushed and underwent lipid extraction. Fish in selective harvest tanks tended to be slightly heavier than those in non-selective harvest tanks, whereas fish undergoing variable food treatment were slightly lighter than those receiving constant food. As expected, heavier males tended to have higher lipid content than their lighter counterparts. After undergoing selective harvest, the remaining fish in these tanks are the smallest 40% in the population and have experienced a decline in population. These fish receive more food comparative to their body size, as both selective and non-selective tanks receive the same amount of food. This allows selective harvest fish to store more food as reversible mass. Though lipid content was a small percentage of overall weight, lipid content was shown to be higher in fish with higher length to weight ratios.

Keywords: Lipid Heterandria Harvest treatment fish

BIO

My name is Isabela Fernandez and I'm from Miami, Florida. I am a freshman here at Florida State University majoring in IMS Clinical Professions on a pre-medical track. My research interests include exercise physiology, clinical studies, psychology, and cardiovascular physiology.

The Effect of Nasal versus Oral Breathing on Heart Rate at Rest and During Exercise 

Abstract

Background: Previous research suggests that breathing through the nose can cause calmness and lower blood pressure compared to breathing through the mouth. This study focuses on the difference between nasal breathing and mouth breathing at rest, during submaximal exercise, and maximal exercise.
Methods: We expect 30 participants in this study within the age limit of 18-30, as well as a BMI between 18-30 kg/m^2. All participants completed a pre-screening with blood pressure measurements and a questionnaire. Participants then were recorded on heart rate, breathing rate, rate of perceived exertion and rate of perceived breathlessness during at rest and exercise.
Results: Across both samples of graphs with nasal and mouth breathing, there was an increase in heart rate during mouth breathing at rest and during submaximal exercise. This can be due to an increased workload of breathing when focusing on the mouth. When comparing breathing mechanisms at rest, there was a larger slope in the difference in heart rates with mouth breathing compared to nasal breathing.
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that there is a heavier workload when breathing through the mouth, which increases heart rate compared to nasal breathing. As the study is still continuing on, we hope more results will support our data.

Keywords: Nasal, Breathing, Exercise, Oral

BIO

I am a second year student graduating in the spring of 2024. I am from Tampa, FL. In the future, I want to go to medical school to become a neurosurgeon.

Learning a Second Language Subconsciously

Abstract

Second language learning is taught in the majority of schools across the globe in order to communicate and collaborate with one another. This study looks into one specific type: unconscious learning. In the data collection stage, participants in China, who have learned English in many different ways, were surveyed. The participants all looked at the same graphics put in front of them and then told the story they saw in their own words, in English. These results were then taken and rated on 2 factors: comprehensibility and accentedness. The results are then going to be analyzed and compared. The goal is to discover the influence that unconscious second language acquisition has on the language learning process and how these results differ from those in a traditional learning environment.

Keywords: Language, Unconscious, ESL

BIO

Hello! My name is Jaylin Tully, and I am a 4th year transfer student majoring in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. I moved to Tallahassee from central New Hampshire, coming from a little town called Gilmanton. My small and reserved town was what made me choose FSU, as I wanted nothing more than to experience a change of pace and a large school environment (not to mention the lack of snow was a huge plus!). My personal passions and research interests include conservation efforts, waste reduction, and sustainability, as they are some of the only hopes we have left to saving our environment. After I graduate in the fall, I plan on moving out to the west coast to law school the following year, hoping to utilize those very passions to pursue a career in environmental law.

Laboratory Animal Waste Management at FSU: A pilot feasibility research project

Abstract

Climate change threatens ecosystems and economies around the globe. There is an urgent need for climate mitigation strategies to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon cycling in plants and soil. One way to reduce emissions is to reduce disposal of organic matter into landfills. A way to increase carbon capture is to facilitate soil and plant health. Aerobic composting can accomplish both emissions reductions and carbon capture. Annually, 100-200 tons of compostable soiled animal bedding from research laboratories at Florida State University are sent to area landfills, contributing to methane emissions. This project will determine the feasibility of diverting animal bedding waste from the landfill to a passive aerobic composting process.
Specifically, this project utilizes a technology known as Johnson-Su Bioreactor, a type of low-maintenance,
self-aerated compost bin that allows for little manipulation through the process of decomposition. With this plan,
the goal is to produce a nutrient-dense, environmentally-friendly, bacterially safe, living soil amendment. Thus
far, we have established feasibility of retrieving some of this material from the waste stream and established a
bioreactor that achieves hot compost temperatures without manual turning. Currently, we are implementing
process improvements to increase the likelihood that this will result in a living soil amendment that will have
higher value and take less effort than standard composting methods. Future experiments will include
measuring the nutrient content and the species present in the finished product and functional testing of the
finished product on plant growth and in soil rehabilitation.

Keywords: compost waste soil Johnson-Su recycle

BIO

My name is Olivia Turner, and I am a second year undergraduate student. I am from Williamsport, Pennsylvania and am interested in pursuing a career in healthcare after graduating. From a young age, I have had an innate passion for science, medicine, and being of service to others. To that end, I began doing research in Dr. Debra Fadool's Molecular Biophysics and Neuroscience lab in the Fall of 2022 as a Directed Individual Study (DIS) student. The primary focus of our study is to determine the impact cannabidiol (CBD) has on an offspring following oral consumption of CBD during pregnancy. Many women use CBD during pregnancy for anxiolytic and antiemetic effects, despite the lack of studies addressing any adverse effects on the fetus. Our research aims to close this gap in knowledge. I have presented our findings at several other conferences, including the Beta Beta Beta Honor Society Poster Competition in Tallahassee and the Florida Undergraduate Research Conference in Miami. Having the privilege to be a DIS student in Dr. Fadool's lab has fueled my devotion to science and research.

Perinatal exposure to cannabidiol (CBD) alters obsessive compulsive-like behavior, anxiety, and object memory in mice when raised to adult.

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a derivative from the plant Cannabis sativa that has gained commercial popularity to mitigate anxiety and stress. Twenty-five percent of sampled uterus tissue has been found to contain Cannabis products, which raises concerns regarding its safety and effectiveness. Herein, we developed an oral route of CBD administration for pregnant dams to mimic CBD products consumed as edibles. Primiparous female mice were trained to eat jam containing solvent or 100 mg/kg CBD daily for two weeks, mated, and allowed a 3-week gestation period. Once CBD or control dams gave birth, pups were cross fostered to dams of the opposite treatment to isolate the effect CBD exposure in utero vs. that of lactation. Daily oral administration was halted upon weaning. At 3 months, adult offspring were examined for obsessive-compulsive-like behavior (marble burying), anxiety-like behavior (light dark box; LDB), and object memory (1 hour or 24 hour). We report that adults exposed perinatally to CBD show increased marble burying (1-W ANOVA, p<0.05) . Interestingly, the enhanced obsessive-compulsive behavior attributed to in utero drug exposure could be reversed for female mice with cross fostering during lactation, whereas it could not in males. CBD universally increased resident time in the light compartment of a LDB, but adult male mice administered treatments in utero fail to exhibit a location preference. Short-term memory (1 hour) was not impacted by CBD regardless of development age, route, or sex, but female mice showed diminished long-term memory (24 hour) succeeding CBD exposure in utero and lactation (p<0.01279).

Keywords: Cannabidiol, mice, behavior, pregnancy, neuroscience

BIO

My name is Olivia Csernecky and I am a Presidential Scholar from New York. I am currently a neuroscience major on the premed track. I am very interested in neuroscience research as I am in my third year as a neuroscience lab assistant. I studied Ketamine Addiction in the Kabbaj lab for two years and I am currently studying the Olfactory system in the Dewan lab. In the future I hope to pursue a career in medicine in either oncology, orthopedics or neurology.

The relationship between liquid- and vapor-phase concentrations for ketone odorants diluted in mineral oil using a photoionization detector-based approach.

Abstract

Ketones are characterized by a carbonyl functional group with two hydrocarbon substituents. These volatile chemicals are typically described as having fruity or solvent-like odors and are frequently used in olfactory research. These studies routinely utilize liquid dilutions to create different vapor-phase concentrations. Unfortunately, the relationship between liquid dilution and vapor concentration is dependent upon the solvent and can significantly deviate from predictions based on ideal solutions. In other words, a 10-fold liquid dilution rarely results in a 10-fold decrease in the amount of molecules in the vapor phase, particularly at higher concentrations. Thus, the relationship between liquid dilution and vapor-phase must be empirically determined. The goal of this study was to assess this relationship in commonly used ketone odorants using a photoionization detector (PID) based method. PIDs use high-intensity ultraviolet light to ionize the volatiles resulting from a liquid dilution, yielding a current that is proportional to the vapor-phase concentration. The data was fit with a power function, yielding a liquid-/vapor-phase equilibrium equation (e.g., 3-Heptanone: y=429.4x0.88) that can be used by olfactory researchers to obtain more accurate estimations of vapor-phase ketone concentrations.

Keywords: Olfactory, Photoionization Detector (PID), Ketones

BIO

Sophia Persichini is a Political Science major from Washington state planning on attending law school after her time at Florida State University. She is engaged on campus by being involved in psychology research as an assistant and holding the position as merchandise chair in the FSU Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity.

Group Cooperation and Punishment

Abstract

Punishment is useful for increasing group cooperation and reducing selfish behavior. However, many questions remain regarding the psychological and cognitive processes that drive punishing behavior. The current research tests two competing hypotheses regarding the processes behind punishment: (1) punishment relies on relatively automatic processes (2) punishment relies on relatively deliberate processes. To test these hypotheses, participants played the role of “punisher” and were placed in either a time pressure (prime intended to cause relatively automatic processing) or a time delay (prime intended to cause relatively deliberative processing) experimental condition. Results suggest that, during the first trial, participants in the time pressure condition punished more than individuals in the time delay condition. However, across all eight trials, this observed effect was no longer present. Secondary analyse examined the potentially moderating roles of individual differences in dominance and prestige. We found that the main effect of dominance orientation, not prestige orientation, on punishment decision-making was positive. Additionally, a significant interaction between prestige and condition, not dominance and condition, was recorded. These findings suggest that, when individuals are provided time to deliberate, the decision to punish may not be chosen, allowing the uncooperative behavior exhibited by a selfish individual to go unaddressed. While dominance-orientated individuals appear to punish a selfish individual regardless of the time allotted, prestige-orientated individuals may only make such a decision after deliberation. While punishment can be a costly behavior, it is a necessary decision as there may be circumstances that disincentivize individuals from punishment decision-making that must be addressed.

Keywords: Group Cooperation, Punishment, Decision-making in Groups

BIO

My name is Ashley Boudreaux, and I am a first-year student from Sarasota, FL pursuing a dual-degree in Creative Writing and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. On campus, I serve as the Director of the Mental Health Council, as well as being a member of the Presidential Scholars class of 2026. As my research interests pertain to mental health, this project stood out to me as a unique opportunity to aid those struggling with disordered eating and body image dissatisfaction.

The Adapted Body Project: Examining the Relationships Affecting Eating Disorders

Abstract

Guided by cognitive dissonance theory (Harmon-Jones., Mills, 2019) and family systems theory (Rothbaum et al., 2002), the current study investigates whether the quality of one’s relationships with others impacts one’s body image satisfaction levels and disordered eating symptomatology. Participants were originally intended to include college-aged individuals between the ages of 18-24, who had a history of body image issues but no history of disordered eating. A subclinical population was chosen in an effort to reduce risks in the study as well as investigate an understudied population subtype. Participants were instructed to bring a support person of their choosing with them to 4 weekly group adapted body project sessions. Due to difficulties with recruitment, this study was changed from a quantitative design to a mixed methods, feasibility study. 

The suggested implications of this study were that a support person often makes the ability to access treatment for a typically hard-to-discuss subject easier. We have since determined that accessing a subclinical population for eating disorder treatment is difficult. Participants who choose to enroll in a study such as this, often have a history of disordered eating behavior and/or difficulty finding a support person to accompany them in the treatment portion of the study. As enrollment is still open for this project, we hope to find further results on how to correctly recruit a subclinical population for this type of treatment as well as how to strengthen our study design as a whole.

Keywords: Adapted Body Project

BIO

I am a dedicated freshman honors student at Florida State University pursuing a major in finance. Hailing from Miami, Florida, I possess a strong passion for the intersection of business and law and am keenly interested in pursuing a career in this field. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am currently serving as a legislative intern for Senator Jason Pizzo in the Florida Senate, where I am gaining valuable experience in public service and legislative affairs.

Exploring the Relationship between ACA Enrollments and State-level Unemployment Rates: A Statistical Analysis

Abstract

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was implemented to expand access to health insurance coverage to millions of Americans, particularly those who were previously uninsured. While the primary focus of the ACA was to provide affordable health care coverage, it is also believed to have potential economic implications, particularly in relation to employment rates. This study aimed to examine the correlation between ACA enrollments and unemployment rates at the state-level. Using data from the United States Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we analyzed the relationship between the number of ACA enrollees and unemployment rates across all 50 states for the period between 2015 and 2021. We scrutinized for significant correlation between the two variables through regression analysis. Disregarding year, when examining total enrollments and unemployment rates across all fifty states, our results showed a statistically significant positive correlation between ACA enrollments and unemployment rates. Specifically, a 1% increase in the unemployment was associated with roughly a 0.075% increase in the total number of enrollments. But when analyzed over time, there is a positive correlation between state-level unemployment rates and ACA enrollments for that particular year. The Covid 19 pandemic also caused an increase in enrollments, which is shown alongside the significant increase in the unemployment rate. Our study provides evidence of a positive relationship between ACA enrollments and unemployment rates over seven consecutive years. This finding has important implications for policymakers seeking to enhance the effectiveness of the ACA and aide future legislative decisions.   

Keywords: Insurance, Affordable Care Act, ACA, Employment, Statistics, Public Policy

BIO

I am a Florida native from Ocala. I chose to major in STEM Entrepreneurship because it combines my two passions: business and medicine. I hope to return to my hometown where I will work as a physician and own my practice. I like to spend my free time playing pickle ball, spending time with friends and family, and being outside.

Do Breathing Patterns Affect Ratings of Perceived Exertion and Breathlessness?

Abstract

Breathing patterns influence the perception of physical effort and breathlessness. Nasal breathing can calm the nervous system, but it is unknown whether nasal versus oral breathing affects the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) or the rating of perceived breathlessness (RPB). Purpose: Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that RPE and RPB would be lower with nasal versus oral breathing at rest and during exercise. Methods: We tested 11 participants aged 18-20 years old with body mass index values of 19 - 26 kg/m2. We asked participants to report an RPE (6-20 scale; no exertion to maximal exertion) and RPB (1-10 scale; none to maximal breathlessness) for two 5-minute rest periods and two 7-minute exercise periods (75 watts on a semi-recumbent cycle). We randomized the order of nose-only and mouth-only breathing between participants. We conducted two-tailed, paired t-tests to determine whether breathing patterns affect RPE or RPB.  Results: We found that at rest, breathing patterns did not affect RPE (Nose: 6.10 ± 0.10 vs. Mouth: 6.50 ± 0.22, p=0.104), but did affect RPB (Nose: 0.05 +/- 0.05 vs. Mouth: 0.35 ± 0.11, p=0.005). However, during submaximal exercise, we found that breathing patterns did not affect either RPE (Nose: 11.11 ± 1.01 vs. Mouth: 11.00 ± 0.67, p=0.88) or RPB (Nose: 2.75 ± 0.86 vs. Mouth: 3.00 ± 0.38, p=0.83). Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that while nasal breathing at rest can reduce subjective ratings of breathlessness, it does not affect subjective ratings of effort or breathlessness during submaximal exercise.

Keywords: Breathing Patterns, Cardiovascular, Breathlessness, Exertion

BIO

Outside of the classroom, Anya is interested in a broad variety of research topics. As a student planning to attend law school, Anya's research interests primarily revolve around the legal system and policy and its intersection with various other topics, such as social media, ethics, religion, and philosophy. Aside from research, Anya is a competitor and tournament director for the Undergraduate Mock Trial Program and a writer and social media coordinator for the Undergraduate Law Review.

Critical Factors affecting Local Government Social Media Usage

Abstract

Social media has long been recognized as an effective way for governments to connect and engage their constituents. However, the success of local government social media accounts in engaging citizens varies. Existing research has explored successful social media use at the local government level through interviews and case studies, but quantitative and cross-context studies are scarce. This study aims to fill this gap by empirically investigating what critical factors influence local governments’ social media use and its reception by citizens. Relying on a novel city-level dataset that includes features from over 1,100 verified city Twitter accounts, as well as the institutional and demographic information, we apply a multivariate regression model to examine how population size, education level, and economic development can play an important role. Our preliminary results show that cities with larger population size and higher educated citizens tend to have more followers and publish more tweets. These relationships are statistically significant and consistent with our expectations. However, we also found that median household income has a significant but negative effect on the number of city Twitter followers, indicating that low-income citizens are more likely to follow city social media accounts. This might suggest that social media has provided a new and convenient channel for low-income groups who lack the economic or political capital to connect with governments in traditional ways. Our findings help local governments make better use of social media platforms in this digital era to connect, engage, and encourage collaboration with their constituents.

Keywords: social media, government, citizen engagement

BIO

Anthony Psulkowski is an accomplished third-year industrial engineering student at Florida State University. In his current role as a research assistant at the High-Performance Materials Institute, his focus has been on the cutting-edge additive manufacturing of electronic components and the implementation of error-prevention techniques. Anthony's unique intellectual abilities, characterized by his critical thinking and problem-solving skills, make him an invaluable asset to the professional lab setting. He aspires to deepen his knowledge through advanced studies in optimization, robotics, and electronic manufacturing, with the ultimate aim of pursuing a distinguished career in the defense and aerospace industry.

In-situ Electrical Characterization for Local Feature Segmentation and Material-Driven Control

Abstract

Demand for electronics and embedded systems augmented by Additive Manufacturing (AM) continues to increase across a multitude of industries, largely governed by, lower investment costs, a growing material library, and heightened flexibility in application. As the greater research community has gravitated towards knowledge-based design, IIOT driven in-situ monitoring provides real-time informatics to detect and classify errors that arise during fabrication. Within Material Extrusion (MEX), propagative errors including extrusion inconsistencies, bed adhesion failure, and layer shifting have the potential to cascade throughout the entire print, hampering wide-scale adoption in the industry as this lack of reliability of parts used in critical processes or applications. The following investigation showcases the implementation of a material-driven control method that enables real-time monitoring of printed electronics. Building upon volumetric ohmic models, in-situ electrical characterization of MEX structures enables forecastable features throughout the build volume of a 3D printed structure. The regime not only facilitates segmentation of local features throughout the build volume, but demonstrates a 90% accuracy to conventional methods, and repeatability to order of 85% as a statistically viable means to qualify part density. Collected at a rate of 100 kHz, these findings can reduce failure rates and improve the reliability of 3D printed systems to the precision of <1μm of the printed segment, broadening both the utility and application of MEX in intelligent-manufacturing industries.

Keywords: Additive Manufacturing, In-Situ Prognostics, Real-Time Defect Monitoring, Fabrication Anomalies, Material-Driven Control

BIO

My name is Leah Livin and I am a first year Florida State University student from New York City. I am currently a biology major on a pre-veterinary tract. I am part of the pre-veterinary club, animal society, enginFSU, slavic student association, member of the ritual committee in hillel, and part of the honors program at FSU. My current research for the undergraduate research opportunity program has been with Dr. McQuerry. In our research we analyzed the difference in range of motion fire fighters experienced among different turnout suits. I hope to continue my research career throughout the duration of college.

Turnout Gear Affect on Fire Fighters Range of Motion

Abstract

Firefighters are essential workers with an extremely important role in our society. Despite their crucial role in our society, their work conditions are not always safe. Many firefighters experience work-related injuries that can be partially attributed to the bulkiness and weight of their turnout gear. The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in range of motion in the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee, between three different sets of turnout suits (coat and pants). There were ten firefighters (eight males and two females) that participated in this study to test their range of motion and perception of restrictiveness in the four mentioned regions of each suit. Every firefighter that participated in the study went through the same range of motion exercises in the same conditions in order to keep consistent data. Each firefighter was of a different height and weight, which provides a more realistic account of the general firefighter population. Based on preliminary data analysis, slight differences are evident in the average range of motion between each suit. These differences could help improve the ergonomics in future suits with the goal of advancing the overall safety of firefighters while in their line of duty.

Keywords: Ergonomics Firefighters Turnout Gear Mobility

BIO

Victoria Reis is a second-year undergraduate pursuing a degree in Marketing. She holds a keen interest in the fields of Psychology, Marketing, and Family Science. In addition to her research pursuits, she has actively engaged herself in several extracurricular activities, including the Engage 100 program, Panhellenic, and The FSU Consulting Group.

Strengthening Families: The Impact of Couple Intimacy on Parent-Child Relations and Child Development in Pre-Adolescents

Abstract

With every argument between parents, there is potential for spillover into the parent-child relationship, leading to emotional distress and negative behavioral outcomes for children. This longitudinal study with a sample size of 1364 families explores the impact of couple conflict on parent-child relationships and child behavior in pre-adolescents, with the ultimate goal of promoting happier, healthier homes for families.

Drawing on data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD), the study measured interparental intimacy, father's perceived level of warmth in the relationship with the child, and child social skills development using three different scales. A correlation analysis among these variables was conducted.

The study found that mother-reported and father-reported couple intimacy were positively related to father's perceived level of warmth in the relationship with their child. Child social skills were positively related to higher mother-reported and father-reported couple intimacy and higher father's perceived warmth. These findings highlight the importance of strong couple intimacy and positive father-child relationships in promoting positive child development outcomes, particularly in the area of social skills.

Keywords: couple satisfaction, child social skills, father-child relationship

BIO

Austin Roberts is a computer engineering major with an interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital signal processing (DSP). He comes from a background of live sound engineering and computer programming. In September 2022, he joined the Machine Learning Lab (MLAB), coordinated by Dr. Jonathan Adams, to assist with several research projects in AI, including the one presented here. Austin hopes to attend graduate school after finishing his bachelors to continue research in the field.

Uses of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education

Abstract

This research investigates the distribution and focal areas of research being conducted on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education between the years of 2019 and 2023. The analysis examined 723 articles resulting from a structured search of three educational databases. Peer-reviewed publications published after 2019, that conducted either qualitative or quantitative reach, examined the use or application of artificial intelligence were included. A total of 113 articles met inclusion criteria and were coded as belonging to one of the following categories: adaptive systems, assessment and evaluation profiling and prediction, or intelligent tutoring. The results are consistent with prior works that appear to demonstrate a continued interest in applying AI agents to profile and predict student performance.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Higher Education, Intelligent Tutoring, Predictive Modeling, Learning, Student

BIO

Full time Biomedical Engineering Student at Florida State University. I am from Buffalo, NY. Currently, I am working on a research project analyzing data on experiments of bismuth oxide to a composite material for the fabrication of a 3D printed glove that shields radiation.

3D Printing of Ceramic Particle-Polymer Composites for Medical Radiation Shielding

Abstract

Currently, lead is used as a radiation shield in the medical field. Lead is a heavy-weight harmful substance that the medical community is trying to astray from. Cardiac Device Implant procedures have been trying to implement a bismuth drape to protect the patients as well as the surgical team. While performing cardiac device implants, fluoroscopy is used. The duration and complexity of this procedure leaves the surgeons at risk of exposure to radiation[1]. Our research is centered around using a 3-D printing technique to create an inorganic radiation-shielding material to replace lead for X-ray protection. Using a 3D printer allows us to produce various viscosities of this material on a smaller scale to determine which biomechanical properties will be best for radiation protection and flexibility of a glove. We specifically use a 3D printer to create ceramic particle-polymer composites using a standard weight of Polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene (SIS) and various ratios of Bismuth (III) oxide. The purpose of this mixture of SIS and bismuth oxide allows for both material’s properties to be illustrated in the product. We are testing the radioactive efficiency of this polymer material to later produce a lightweight, flexible, and comfortable x-ray protective gloves. Upon the success of this project, the production of this polymer-material will serve as an effective way of preventing radiation exposure.

Keywords: radiation shield, bismuth oxide, 3D

BIO

My name is Jonathan Rider, and I am a second year Chemical Engineering student from St. Augustine, FL. I am conducting research on Plasmonic Copper-Based Nanomaterials. I am more generally interested in research working towards optimized and sustainable chemical and biomedical processes. In the future, I hope to take my research to the next level in graduate school, and ultimately work on projects in a leadership or administrative role.

Exploration of Plasmonic Copper-Based Nanocrystals Through Various Synthetic Methods

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a young field of research with applications in electronics, medicine, and energy. In this study, we report different techniques for synthesizing plasmonic copper-based nanoparticles. Plasmonic materials scatter and manipulate light in unique ways which make them apt candidates for improved sensors, catalysis, imaging, and numerous biotechnical devices. The study centered around two techniques- microwave reactor and round-bottom synthesis. Both entail mixing chemical reactants under nitrogen to prevent ambient air side-reactions. The microwave reactor method involves irradiating the sample with microwave radiation at continuous wattage and programmed temperature, while round bottom uses a traditional, convection heat source with a thermocouple. The heated particles are cooled, rid of any unwanted material using organic solvents, and vacuumed to yield solid nanocrystals. Spectroscopic techniques are then used to reveal the structural and energetic characteristics of the material. X-ray diffraction (XRD), which identifies crystalline phases, serves as the initial indicator of whether the synthesis was successful. Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-VIS) extinction spectroscopy then tests for the presence of a localized surface plasmon. If a plasmon is present, a large, broad extinction is observed. Initial data suggests the round bottom synthesis technique to be most effective in producing high energy surface plasmons. UV-VIS data from the microwave method did not yield any characteristic extinction. Future work will be dedicated to studying materials made from different copper precursors with the hope of tuning particle size.

Keywords: Chemistry, Materials, Reactions