JUPITER\u27S CHANGING OVAL BA

Oval BA is the second largest oval storm on Jupiter. It formed in 2000 when two white ovals named BE and FA merged. Since then, the writer has measured this feature\u27s position, size and velocity. From this information, the rate at which this oval\u27s position changes with respect to Jupiter\u27s magnetic field, can be measured. The writer also studied images of it made by Earth-based observers and spacecraft. Several conclusions can be made from these studies. Firstly, Oval BA\u27s mean speed increased in 2019. this increase continued through at least early 2024. This increase may have been caused by this oval moving to a more southernly latitude. Secondly, its area grew in the early 2000s but has since decreased back to its size in 2000. Thirdly, there is a correlation between the mean latitude of Oval BA and its speed. The speed increased as the latitude moved farther south. Finally, JUNO images show that the center of Oval BA underwent a color change between 2018 and 2022. Based on JUNO images, Oval BA started off as having a cream-colored interior in late 2018. Its central area started turning darker in 2019 and by late 2020, the interior was orange. A white core then developed in the orange interior in early 2021. The centeral white area continued to grow. By early 2022, Oval BA\u27s interior once again had a cream color

ENHANCEMENT OF DIELECTRIC CONSTANT – PARAMETRIC STUDY

The dielectric constant of a material is evolved from the microscopic charge polarizations inside an atom when exposed to external electromagnetic field. Free electrons of a metallic object are also polarized when external electromagnetic field interacts with it. Therefore, it could be hypothesized that metallic inclusions in a dielectric material should enhance the overall dielectric constant. In this research, circular metal patches of fixed diameter were printed with various periodicity on a particular host dielectric substrate and extracted overall dielectric constant with free space material measurement technique. Experimental results showed that the denser the metal patches, the bigger the overall dielectric constant of that material

A USER-FRIENDLY AI-DRIVEN SIMULATION MODEL TO ESTIMATE AND REDUCE DAILY MICROPLASTIC EXPOSURE

Microplastic pollution is an escalating global concern, with growing evidence of its widespread presence in food, air, and water. Despite extensive research quantifying microplastic contamination across various environments, translating these findings into practical tools for public awareness and individual health risk assessment remains a significant challenge. This study introduces a user-friendly simulation model designed to estimate daily microplastic exposure by integrating diverse data sources and human activity patterns. The model incorporates key factors, including airborne microplastic concentrations, dietary microplastic levels, human inhalation rates, and domestic dietary habits. Leveraging advanced AI techniques such as data harmonization, feature selection, and symbolic regression, the model synthesizes these inputs into an intuitive predictive equation. This equation allows individuals to estimate their microplastic exposure by inputting macro-environmental data (e.g., geographic factor) and personalized lifestyle data, such as dietary preferences and time spent indoors versus outdoors. This study bridges the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding by offering an accessible tool to quantify personal microplastic exposure. By providing actionable insights, the model not only enhances public awareness but also empowers users to make informed decisions to reduce exposure risks in their daily lives. This work highlights the importance of continued interdisciplinary collaboration to translate environmental research into practical solutions that benefit society

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PITCH CLOCK AND PITCHING VELOCITY IN COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PLAYERS

In baseball, velocity significantly impacts the arm, and many different mechanics affect the velocity, including implementing a pitch clock, resulting in more frequent pitches. A new pitch clock rule was added to baseball in 2023. This pitch clock rule states that the pitcher only has 20 seconds to get the ball back from the catcher and then start the motion to the plate. It is uncertain if the pitch clock affects the velocity of the baseball. This study sought to determine the impacts of the new pitch clock rule on velocity to better implement training and acclimatization protocols. In this study, four pitchers threw a 25-pitch bullpen without a pitch clock, and a week later threw another 25-pitch bullpen with the pitch clock. The velocities of each throw were measured via a radar gun and averaged. A paired t-test was conducted to determine if a statistically significant difference exists between the pitch clock and average pitching velocity. Results indicated that there was no relationship (p = .45) between the velocity and the new pitch clock rule. Therefore, no statistical difference between the unlimited-time pitching velocity and the pitch clock velocity was found, indicating that the pitch clock rule had no statistically significant effect on pitching velocity

MASTER COURSE TEMPLATE IMPLEMENTATION EFFECT OF DFW RATES AND STUDENT SUCCESS IN ONLINE INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY **

A study of the effect of the implementation of a collaboratively developed Master Online Course (MOC) in an online introductory astronomy course on overall student course grades shows improvements for the principal investigator’s sections but not for others at the same campus with low enrollment sections. However, concurrent MOC implementation with the inception of an online introductory astronomy course at a sister campus with large enrollment sections yields higher overall student course grades than face-to-face sections on the same campus. An analysis of subsequent targeted data pulls will reveal indications of potential explanations and how to improve student success

THE ROLE OF ARCHITECTURAL SPACE DURING THE MIDDLE PRECLASSIC AT PACBITUN, BELIZE

Investigations in Plazas A and B of the site core at Pacbitun indicate that initial occupation began in the early Middle Preclassic period (900-600 BC). At this time, a small agricultural community was established in Plaza B beginning with a few domestic structures built just above bedrock. These early domiciles would also function as workshops for the production of marine shell beads. During the late Middle Preclassic (600-300 BC), the size of the community in Plaza B expanded five-fold, with rectangular-shaped platforms replacing the early apsidal structures and the shell bead industry intensifying significantly. It is during this period that ceremonial architecture was erected on the north and south ends of Plaza A. While these platforms represent the first two monumental constructions in Plaza A, their unique physical and spatial attributes say much about their distinct identities as they relate to each another and to the domestic structures of Plaza B. The purpose of this presentation is to detail these distinct identities and discuss what each might tell us about the nature, structure, and extent of sociopolitical changes at the site throughout the Middle Preclassic period

LOCATING EXOPLANETS USING LIGHTKURVE**

Lightkurve software facilitates the analysis of time-series data of planets, stars, and galaxies collected by the Kepler and TESS space telescopes. Through the use of this software, as well as Python code, we can identify potential planetary transits from periodic dips in the brightness of stars. These periodic dips can be further refined and analyzed to determine other characteristics of the system such as the time of transit and approximate size of the planet. Data is gathered from the TESS space telescope using the MAST archive, and our research focuses on data from stars within about 20 lightyears from Earth. A variety of refinement techniques in Python are used to interpret and analyze this raw data. The lightkurve software and research like this expands our understanding of distant solar systems and provides an intuitive and user-friendly method of locating unidentified exoplanets. The specific star that I am analyzing is called TIC 283722336 and has about 0.8 times the mass of the Sun, located about 6.5 parsecs from Earth

INVESTIGATING THE CORRELATION BETWEEN REGULAR MODERATE-FLOW MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS BASED ON BRAND AND THE LEVELS OF ENDOCRINE-DISRUPTING CHEMICALS (EDCS)**

Endocrine-distributing chemicals can disrupt the body\u27s average hormone balance, as they can have adverse reactions when interacting with the estrogen receptors in the brain. The presence of endocrine-distributing chemicals (EDCs) in menstrual products can cause a range of health concerns for women. Hormone imbalance, infertility, and gynecological conditions are the primary concerns of EDCs in feminine products. Endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are a few examples of gynecological conditions that EDCs can cause. There is insufficient research on the long-term effects of prolonged exposure to EDCs in feminine care products. Different brands may contain higher levels of EDCs than others, and with this project, women can find which brands to avoid. Endocrine-distributing chemicals present in menstrual products cause a wide range of concerns since the urogenital region is a mucosa surface. Mucosal surfaces have permeable skin that is suspectable to absorption of harmful chemicals with limited filtration. EDCs mimic the natural hormones produced, causing various health problems. EDCs can disrupt the sex steroid hormones produced by the ovaries, estrogen, androgen, and progesterone. Alterations in the production of these hormones can affect puberty, the menstrual cycle, and reproduction. EDCs can also interfere with the body\u27s endocrine system by binding to different hormone receptors, which block the natural hormone process. The average female will have a menstrual period that lasts 3 to 7 days while changing menstrual products every 4 to 8 hours. Menstrual products are not the only items that contain EDCs; every individual is exposed to pesticides, pollutants, and certain plastics that also include them. Multiple exposure sources have become a global concern as each EDC has a different effect on the body. To identify the endocrine-distributing chemicals present in feminine care products, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry will be used

GIS ANALYSIS OF FORENSIC BODY DUMP SITES ACROSS GEORGIA OVER A TEN-YEAR PERIOD**

One goal of forensic anthropology is the successful recovery of the remains of individuals in clandestine locations; often dumped by perpetrators. While law enforcement can use investigative measures to help ascertain the location of missing persons, it can be a fruitless task, wasting resources and straining financially strapped local organizations. Prior geospatial studies show relationships between roadway proximity, physical limitations and possibility of discovery, and terrain with located bodies. To this date, there has yet to be an analysis of the geospatial patterns of body dump locations in Georgia. The state has diverse landscapes, ecological systems, topography, and human-made structures. The socioeconomic and demographic statistics have changed rapidly, particularly in urban areas. Because Georgia has its own unique human and geographic profile, it is critical that anthropologists and investigators be aware of any patterns in dump sites. This could not only decrease the time to discovery but prevent advanced decomposition of the body which decreases the chances of identification. In addition to geocoding, manual digitizing on top of the aerial photography was used for mapping the body dump sites in ArcGIS Pro. The location layer was merged with a detailed attribute data to prepare a complete geodatabase. Secondary data on topography, geomorphology, landcover, roads and transportation infrastructure, and various other environmental and socio-economic variables were derived from the USGS, Census Bureau and the ArcGIS Pro data archive. We applied various geoprocessing tools to analyze the patterns of site location in relation to these secondary variables. With over ten years of recovery site data, it was hypothesized that GIS analysis will not only demonstrate relationships between dump sites and factors previously identified in the literature, but also illuminate patterns distinct to Georgia’s landscape and demographic distribution

DOES STRENGTH TRAINING IMPROVE CLUBHEAD SPEED IN COLLEGIATE GOLFERS?

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a six-week strength training program on golf clubhead speed. Eight male collegiate golfers’ golf swings were analyzed for club head speed and driving distance before and after a 6-week strength training program. Clubhead speed was measured using a sensor, and all golfers hit the same ball three times with speed averaged at the end of the three hits. The control group (n = 4) continued a regular training routine as prescribed by the coach, while the experimental group (n = 4) performed three sessions per week of a researcher-designed strength training program that included 60 minutes of total work three times per week. The exercise sessions included three sets of eight repetitions of the following exercises: bench press, squat, single arm row, lunge, shoulder press, upright row, ab crunch, medicine ball slams, and abdominal twists. Results from a paired t-test indicated that the clubhead speed of the golfers who underwent weight training was significantly different from that of the control group. Golfers with a weight training program had a significant positive relationship between weight training and clubhead speed (p = .01). There is a significant difference in clubhead speed between weight-trained (M = 98.45 mph) and non-weight-trained (M = 86.7 mph) male collegiate golfers. Golfers who completed the 6-week weight training had faster clubhead speed than the non-weight training group. The results demonstrate that incorporating strength training positively impacts clubhead speed in golfers, serving as a reference for designing such training programs