CAG*-EDP: Chaos-enhanced Ant-Genetic, A* Algorithm hybrid with Error Detection and Patching

The works within this project aim to introduce a fine navigation system that accounts for both path planning and gait efficiency for quadrupedal robots. A chaotic ant-genetic-A* algorithm (CAG*) is developed to enrich the will-be-combined individual benefits of the A* Algorithm, Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), and a chaos-enhanced Genetic Algorithm (GA) whilst minimizing their detriments, a process to be done through an overhead monocular camera and motion capture which serve as stand-ins for UAVs and GPS data, respectively. Error Detection and Patching (EDP) will call for the correction of the Unitree Go1 Dog’s (the main unit of experimentation) gait sequence in the event it goes astray and/or adopts an inefficient walk cycle when moving autonomously, in tandem with enforcing an efficient, minimalist approach for path planning by only using CAG* to develop routes as needed rather than continuously

Developing Peptide Based Inhibitors Targeting Amyloid-Beta for Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is widely known as the most common precursor of dementia, cited as a progressive neurological disease that negatively impacts one’s cognitive functions over time. It’s identified as the seventh leading cause of death by the CDC, seeing an 145% increase in deaths since its discovery by Alois Alzheimer in 1906. Throughout the years of various potential treatment options for this disorder, scientists have been unsuccessful in both curing the disease and eradicating its merciless symptoms. One promising avenue is the use of targeted therapeutics via amyloid-beta, a peptide that is placed at the forefront of Alzheimer’s disease causes due to its accumulation that results in neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques. In this research, various peptides are developed, synthesized, and investigated to analyze their impact on binding affinity to Amyloid-beta. The aim is to improve potent analogues by modifying previously tested peptide sequences, display superior binding affinities in developed peptides to amyloid-beta and showcase a decrease in fibril formation through fluorescence testing. Solid phase peptide synthesis protocol was employed to synthesize the peptide and mass spectrometry experiment was conducted to verify the mass of these peptides. Cyclic peptide was synthesized by adding 10% DMSO and stirring for one or two days. Selected ion monitoring (SIM) assay was performed by liquid chartography and mass spectrometry by monitoring the intensity of related peaks of amyloid beta once peptide inhibitors were added at various concentrations. Dissociation constant (Kd) is used to measure the binding affinity between amyloid-beta and peptide inhibitors. The linear peptide (LP1) has shown excellent binding affinity with a Kd value of 0.037 micromolar (µM). Its cyclic counterpart (CP-1) also displayed similar binding affinity with a Kd value of 0.049 micromolar (µM)

Reviving Humanity Towards Rehuminizing Prisons

The surge in female incarceration rates in the United States has heightened concerns about the mental health challenges faced by women within correctional facilities. This thesis research explores the intersection of women\u27s incarceration, mental health, and sustainable architectural design aimed at improving outcomes for female inmates. Factors contributing to the increase in female incarceration rates, including changes in sentencing policies and socioeconomic disparities, are discussed. Research indicates a high prevalence of mental health disorders among female inmates, often linked to past trauma and exacerbated by the prison environment. Despite this, the prison system often fails to adequately address the mental health needs of women inmates. Sustainable architectural design principles, such as biophilic elements and prioritization of privacy and social interaction, offer promising solutions to promote mental well-being in women\u27s prisons. By creating transformative environments that prioritize healing and rehabilitation, sustainable design presents an opportunity to enhance the dignity and reintegration of female inmates into the community

Investigating the Relationship between HIV and Depression

Depression is a comorbidity for many chronic illnesses, yet its presence in people living with AIDS/HIV is often overlooked. With the many complications that come with an HIV diagnosis, it is important for medical providers to recognize signs of depression in their HIV patients so that they receive the necessary care. Factors such as substance abuse and access to HIV treatment may make an individual more vulnerable to depression. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the level of depression and how long an individual has been infected with HIV. This study aims to answer the research question, “How does the HIV infected duration influence the level of depression in individuals living with HIV/AIDS?” The data used for this study was collected from a group of individuals with HIV in Bangladesh. The hypothesis behind this study is that individuals who have been infected with HIV for a longer duration will have a higher level of depression. To investigate the relationship between the two variables of HIV infected duration and level of depression further, the data collected from the 150 participants was input into SPSS. The study’s research method included graphical investigation to better visualize the data, and the use of ANOVA and Pearson correlation tests were used to decide on the relationship between variables. In conclusion, regardless of the relationship between the variables, physicians should regularly screen HIV patients for depression. The integration of mental health treatments for patients living with HIV can be beneficial in diagnosing the condition to improve the patient’s health and quality of life

Editor\u27s Comments

This office does not receive much mail even though there has always been an open Invitation to our readers to comment on the quality of the effort. In general, the comment which does come is favorable. However, the letter on the opposite page arrived recently. All I know is that It was mailed in Silver Springs, Maryland on Dec. 20, 1977 and after reading it I wished the writer a Merry Christmas. Now, wasn\u27t that gracious? At least it is time to make a few things clear again. Some time ago the Executive Board of Gamma Theta Upsilon agreed that the best evidence of professionalism was the publication of a scholory journal. They selected the title and the editor

Volume 15 Complete Issue

Volume 15 Complete Issu

News from the Chapters1991-1992

The 1991-1992 school year for the Alpha Chapter of GTU was truly a successful one with 25 active members participating in quite a few events. During National Geography Awareness Week we sold world T-shirts at the student union, held a geography quiz contest, and had our annual Geography White Elephant Auction which brought in over $350.00. We had our Christmas Party at the local Best Western with great food and happy spirits. Throughout the year members participated in the Return to Prairie at Funks Grove where we cleaned out bushes and burned grass. We also had weekly Thursday Happy Hours at the local pizza parlor. The owners enjoyed our good manners and company so much that they gave us a pizza party on the house

Comments on Robert Ward\u27s Apathy

I am a firm believer in quality research and teaching. Thus I was very pleased to read Robert Ward\u27s comments regarding apathy on the part of the students to produce and submit quality research papers for publication. While I am in congruence with most of the comments, I do, however, feel that Dr. Ward is rather overly critical than one might expect. Dr. Ward fails to consider the many pressures under which most students must work, especially at the graduate level. I am not making .any excuses nor attempting to protect the student body, but I feel that this dimension should be considered and appraised with care. Additionally, my experience indicates that most faculty members are already hard pressed for time in carrying out their own research. Thus one finds very few faculty members willing to take the time and responsibility to help students prepare high quality papers for publication

The Impact of User-Generated Content and Online Reaction Videos on the Marketing of Video Games

Modern developments in social media, video streaming platforms, and user-generated online content from influencers have led to a growth in video game marketing. One of the prominent genres of user-generated content on video platforms is the reaction video. These videos are relied upon for spreading information and marketing in the video game industry. Providing a better understanding of the impact of this video game promotional outlet is beneficial for marketers, social media influencers, and businesses in this industry. We collected data from 623 Southeastern University undergraduate students to address this topic using a Qualtrics survey. The survey consisted of two sections and included a reaction video of a trailer for a recently released video game. Students were asked to watch this trailer and respond with their thoughts on the game and the content creator involved. Our research questions are examined before and after watching the reaction video. Results indicate changes in opinions and attitudes after watching the reaction video, including a significant positive shift in purchase intentions. Results show that the content creator’s reaction, interjection of personality, and perceived honesty positively affect the trailer, improving audience impressions. Additionally, results are analyzed across demographic variables of gender, age, and video game involvement to understand how they impact reaction video perceptions. The findings show older ages are more negative and less responsive to online video game content. Unsurprisingly, those with more video game involvement are more likely to engage in online content behaviors for video games

Managing cybersecurity in local governments: 2022

This paper, based on data from our second nationwide survey of cybersecurity among local or grassroots governments in the U.S., examines how these governments manage this important function. As we have shown elsewhere, cybersecurity among local governments is increasingly important because these governments are under constant or nearly constant cyberattack. Due to the frequency of cyberattacks, as well as the probability that at least some attacks will succeed and cause damage to local government information systems, these governments have great responsibility to protect their information assets. This, in turn, requires these governments to manage cybersecurity effectively, something our data show is largely absent at the American grassroots because, on average, local governments fail in to manage cybersecurity well. After discussing our findings, we conclude and make recommendations for ways to improve local government cybersecurity management