A circumbinary disc model for the variability of the eclipsing binary CoRoT 223992193

We calculate the flux received from a binary system obscured by a circumbinary disc. The disc is modelled using two dimensional hydrodynamical simulations, and the vertical structure is derived by assuming it is isothermal. The gravitational torque from the binary creates a cavity in the disc's inner parts. If the line of sight along which the system is observed has a high inclination $I$, it intersects the disc and some absorption is produced. As the system is not axisymmetric, the resulting light curve displays variability. We calculate the absorption and produce light curves for different values of the dust disc aspect ratio $H/r$ and mass of dust in the cavity $M_{\rm dust}$. This model is applied to the high inclination ($I=85^{\circ}$) eclipsing binary CoRoT 223992193, which shows 5-10% residual photometric variability after the eclipses and a spot model are subtracted. We find that such variations for $I \sim 85^{\circ}$ can be obtained for $H/r=10^{-3}$ and $M_{\rm dust} \ge 10^{-12}$ M$_{\odot}$. For higher $H/r$, $M_{\rm dust}$ would have to be close to this lower value and $I$ somewhat less than $85^{\circ}$. Our results show that such variability in a system where the stars are at least 90% visible at all phases can be obtained only if absorption is produced by dust located inside the cavity. If absorption is dominated by the parts of the disc located close to or beyond the edge of the cavity, the stars are significantly obscured.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

Autism and the Foster Care System in Kentucky

According to the CDC, one in 59 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Centers for Diseases and Prevention, 2020). More than 10% of those in the foster care system also have an autism diagnosis. The purpose of this project was to understand the general public’s knowledge and beliefs about both subjects. I conducted this study to identify any misconceptions, assumed facts, and opinions about both foster care and autism. I collected these data through anonymous surveys. The data were then analyzed and examined to create an app to benefit current and future foster parents who foster individuals with autism

Evaluating Fitness-to-Drive Among Individuals with Sensory Deficits: A Retrospective Chart Review

Objective: To explore the diagnostic validity of clinical assessments for sensation in determining fitness-to-drive recommendations in active drivers with sensory deficits. Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted using a purposive sampling approach of patients’ medical records from the Vanderbilt Driver Evaluation and Rehabilitation Program in Nashville, Tennessee. Medical records for patients assessed from 12/01/2017 through 12/31/2019, ages 18 or older, with lower extremity sensory deficit(s) identified in the referring and/or treatment diagnoses, medical history, and/or the occupational therapy evaluation problem list were eligible for review. A total of 288 patient medical records were reviewed, but only 40 patient medical records were included as participants due to sensory deficit(s) identified within the right lower extremity. Clinical data, on-road performance, and recommendations for fitness-to-drive were collected on data abstraction forms. Variables were chosen based on literature and their suggested correlation with driving and analyzed via descriptive statistics. Results: Data showed a statistically significant difference among the groups in the number of physical intervention required to maintain roadway safety. There was also a statistically significant difference between the groups in the type and number of pedal errors noted during the road assessment. Additional significant trends in the data were between the driving-recommended group as they were younger and between the training-recommended group as they tended to have slower values for pedal reaction time tests. Conclusion: Findings of this study suggests that road assessments are significant measures for evaluating sensation in determining fitness-to-drive recommendations in active drivers with sensory deficits; however, there is a need for more research within this area, particularly with an increased sample. The fitness-to-drive recommendations should be highly specific to each individual case and their on-road driving performance. Furthermore, findings of this study are indicative of low sensitivity with current clinical assessment used within practice to detect foot sensation

Persistence to an Associate of Applied Science Registered Nurse Degree: The Impact of Placing Into Developmental Education Courses on Student Success

Student retention and success in nursing school has gained favor in educational research due to an increasing shortage of Registered Nurses. The purpose of this study is to measure the impact of student placement recommendation into developmental education courses on persistence to an Associate of Applied Science Registered Nurse degree. Using ex post facto research methodology rooted in the retention theories of Tinto, Bean and Metzner, and Jeffreys, this study aims to measure the effect of high school diploma type, age, race/ethnicity, and pre-requisite courses on student placement recommendation in developmental education and persistence to an Associate of Applied Science Registered Nurse degree. This inquiry attempts to fill a gap in the scholarly literature focused on community college Registered Nurse program student retention, specifically in studying the likelihood of success for under-prepared students in nursing programs

What We Dreamed To Become

For my honors thesis, I created a documentary film about my experience in India this past summer. What We Dreamed To Become depicts the journey of two people of the same African heritage: Dr. Pashington Obeng, an African Studies Professor at Harvard, and a native of Ghana; and a young Siddi boy named Budhesab Hussein. The Siddis are an Indian ethnic group descended from African slaves. Pash has worked extensively with the Siddis for more than a decade, and hopes to create self-sufficiency within the group. The young Budhesab has severe vision problems, and happens to join Pash on a trip to the eye doctors. In addition to his hope to receive proper medical attention, Budhesab also aspires to be a singer. Despite a disappointing diagnosis at the end of the film, both people are able to achieve their own form of self-actualization

Unfolding narratives of service learning: Reflections on teaching, literacy, and positioning in service relationships

Service learning is becoming a staple of U.S. public school requirements, and this research should help practitioners better appreciate the dynamics and complexity of the situation