Preprocessing of Astronomical Images From the NEOWISE Survey for Near-Earth Asteroid Detection

Asteroid detection is a common field in astronomy for planetary defense which requires observations from survey telescopes to detect and classify different objects. The amount of data collected each night is increasing as better designed telescopes are created each year. This amount is quickly becoming unmanageable and many researchers are looking for ways to better process this data. The dominant solution is to implement computer algorithms to automatically detect these sources and to use Machine Learning in order to create a more efficient and accurate classifier. In the past there has been a focus on larger asteroids that create streaks in the telescope images, but this leads to less accuracy on classifying smaller and slower moving asteroids, which do not appear as often as streaks. We use image and source data from the NEOWISE survey telescope to create a preprocessing pipeline that allows for better training and testing data for a classifying Machine Learning algorithm. We were able to create a pipeline that finds sources on an image within .02 degrees as well as a collection of data on the known sources that can be used to set better parameters for finding specific sources in new images. These steps should aid in creating an algorithm focused on detecting smaller and slower moving asteroids, but our research also indicates that these may be more often mistaken for comets

Preprocessing of Astronomical Images from the NEOWISE Survey for Near-Earth Asteroid Detection

Asteroid detection is a common field in astronomy for planetary defense, requiring observations from survey telescopes to detect and classify different objects. The amount of data collected each night is continually increasing as new and better-designed telescopes begin collecting information each year. This amount of data is quickly becoming unmanageable, and researchers are looking for ways to better process this data. The most feasible current solution is to implement computer algorithms to automatically detect these sources and then use machine learning to create a more efficient and accurate method of classification. Implementation of such methods has previously focused on larger asteroids, but this leads to less accuracy in classifying smaller and slower-moving asteroids. We use the source data from the Near-Earth Object Widefield Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) survey telescope to create a preprocessing pipeline allowing for better training and testing data for machine learning algorithms. We were able to create a pipeline that finds sources on an image within 0.02 degrees as well as a collection of data on the known sources. Next, we used several machine learning classifying models, including a logistic regression classifier, a support vector machine (SVM), a naïve Bayes classifier, and a random forest. Finally, we present and discuss these results as a confusion matrix for each model, describing the ability to classify a source as an asteroid or not. This was done with only the numerical data collected. In the future, to create a better classifier, we would use this data along with classified images to develop a system that could predict the possibility of a detected source within a NEOWISE image being an asteroid or not

Sterile Tubing Changes to Prevent CLABSIs in the NICU

Purpose Statement: NICU patients have a decreased risk of CLABSI infections when two-person sterile central line changes are implemented into central line maintenance bundles compared to bundles that only use one-person clean line change techniques. Background: Neonates admitted to the neonatal care intensive care unit (NICU) often require the placement of central lines for the administration of medications, fluids, parental nutrition, and hemodynamic monitoring. Despite their many advantages, central lines can lead to serious infections, known as cental line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). These infections are not related to an infection from another site and develop within forty-eight hours of removal. CLABSIs are a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in the NICU population and are costly to hospital systems. According to Mobley & Bizzarro, infants who develop CLABSIs can cost up to an additional $50,000 and add as many as ten days to their hospital stay when compared to other infants without CLABSIs (2017). An evidence-based approach that has shown to improve patient outcomes and reduce CLABSIs is the use of a bundle, which is utilized upon insertion and during maintenance of the central line. Based on the available research, the most common CLASBI bundle elements include: using maximum standard barrier precautions, using a specific skin preparation & line dressing protocol, daily central line need assessments, a two-person line change technique, specific education and training for staff, and quarterly audits (Payne et al., 2018). The St. Cloud Hospital NICU currently utilizes these practices expect for a two-person line change with sterile technique.https://digitalcommons.centracare.com/nursing_posters/1162/thumbnail.jp

Brewology Research Project: identifying the consumer values and motivations implicated in the rise of microbreweries in the Midwest

•This mixed-method study is a collaborative effort that draws on faculty expertise in marketing, tourism and communication. The study seeks to identify the consumer values and motivations implicated in the rise of microbreweries in the Midwest. Over the course of a few decades, craft beers have gained significant market share relative to large-scale commercial brands. The study aims to identify salient factors underlying the popularity of craft beers, taking into consideration both individual consumer preferences as well as how these intersect with socio-economic megatrends such as the “buy local” movement and agri-tourism. •The popularity of microbreweries is further evidenced in an increasing number of beer festivals and associated regional events. As these have become fixtures on annual calendars, additional questions regarding group affiliation and how it informs conceptions of self among craft beer enthusiasts’ demands exploring. Thus the proposed study further aims to shed light on social dimensions of these trends in a regional setting. Overall, results will not only fill gaps in knowledge concerning regional consumers, but will provide an understanding of shifting socio-cultural trends as reflected in the microbrewery movement at local levels

Adolescent Sexual Health in Barre, Massachusetts

Like many public school systems across the country, cuts to funding have impacted the availability of sexual health education for youth in Barre, Massachusetts. Barre Family Health Center, a federally qualified community health center, in partnership with students from University of Massachusetts Medical School are attempting to fill the gap with Girl Talk!, a curriculum developed to promote empowerment, self-awareness and health to youth. Girl Talk! is a 10 week program for girls ages 10 to 12, focusing on sexual health while also promoting self-esteem, safety & communication through dynamic activities. We evaluated the efficacy of the program using qualitative interviews with participants and their parents. Based on initial data from the inaugural session, several topics have been added to the curriculum including bullying, self-harm, safe social media use, and eating disorders. We have also begun conducting a needs assessment for building a program to include boys, called Guy Talk!. This curriculum will parallel Girl Talk! with particular attention to the needs that boys have surrounding sexual health. To reach more of the community and make sexual health information more available to youth, we have developed a multi-faceted approach by building a partnership with the local high school, parents, and student groups. We feel this comprehensive approach to sexual health promotion in the community, which connects the local health center, high school, and youth is both sustainable and essential for the health of individuals, families, and community

Preliminary Results of Radiohalos from Four Sites of Precambrian Minnesota Granite

Radiohalo research is a relatively new area of scientific investigation, the significance of which has been shown by authors such as Snelling and Gentry. This study examines the prevalence of the radiohalos of polonium isotopes and uranium isotopes within biotite flakes generated by radioactive zircon crystals. The radiohalos result from damage caused by the emanation of hundreds of millions of alpha particles from the zircon crystals during the decay process. The samples were obtained from drill cores granted to us by the Drill Core Library in Hibbing, Minnesota. The Precambrian granite core sections were crushed and small biotite flakes picked out. The “Scotch tape” method was used to separate the many layers of biotite flakes which were then placed on glass slides and analyzed under the microscope. Center radiohalos were marked, taken a picture of using the petrographic microscope, measured, and logged. We prepared forty slides per sample with biotite flakes scattered across each slide. We found thirty-eight radiohalos total in MN-1; roughly thirty-five radiohalos total in MN-2A; five radiohalos total in MN-2B; and seventeen radiohalos total MN-3A. All of the radiohalos contain either holes or zircons at their center and majority appear to be made from polonium. These are initial results and further analysis will continue to be conducted. This study contributes to a larger study of Precambrian granite with a focus on Minnesota core samples

VEX-U Robotics

Every year, the ONU Robotics Team participates in the VEX U competition. The VEX U college and university competition has more than 300 teams competing annually. Based on the VEX Robotics Competition, VEX U teams are allowed more customization and greater flexibility than other grade levels while providing the effective costs and real-world limitations of a restricted development environment. The competition changes every school year (also referred as season) to provide new challenges for the teams. In the 2021-2022 season, the name of the competition is Tipping Point. Tipping Point is played on a 12’x12’ square field. Two Alliances – one (1) “red” and one (1) “blue” – composed of two Teams each, compete in matches consisting of a fifteen-second Autonomous Period, followed by a Driver Controlled Period of one minute and forty-five seconds. The object of the game is to attain a higher score than the opposing Alliance by Scoring Rings, moving Mobile Goals to Alliance Zones, and by Elevating on Platforms at the end of a Match. The project for the ONU Robotics Team will be to build the robots and participate in the regional qualifiers of the VEX U competition, which is held in the Spring of 2022

Influential Article Review - Omni-channel General Merchandise Fulfillment Networks

This paper examines logistics. We present insights from a highly influential paper. Here are the highlights from this paper: The growing importance of online sales means that traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers need to create new distribution systems to serve customers through multiple channels. Building an effective and efficient omni-channel (OC) distribution system, however, leads to multiple challenges. The questions arise for example, from where online orders should be fulfilled, how delivery and return processes can be organized, and which context-specific OC distribution systems exist. Answering these questions retail research and practice require an overall view of the distribution concepts for direct-to-customer and store deliveries in OC retailing, including the associated return processes. This overall picture is still missing in the literature. We conducted an exploratory study to close this observable gap in the literature. This exploratory study is based on semi-structured interviews with major OC retailers in German-speaking countries and was complemented by market data research and discussions with further experts in the field of OC retailing. Based on the results of the study, the forward distribution system in OC retailing is characterized by the sources (supplier DCs, retailer DCs, stores) and destinations (home, store) which describe the options for store delivery, home delivery, and store pickup. Return processes are likewise characterized by the sources (store, home) and destinations (store, DC, return center). This framework forms the foundation for analyzing contextual criteria, identifying when the different conceptual designs are applied, determining industry-specific characteristics, and illustrating ways to further advance OC retailing. The present paper, therefore, contributes to the literature in three main areas: (1) it identifies and systematizes the forward and backward concepts in OC retailing, (2) it reveals application and development areas for achieving excellence in OC fulfillment and logistics, and (3) shows the need for developing sector- and context-specific OC distribution systems. For our overseas readers, we then present the insights from this paper in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German