Motivators and Preferences of Route Diversion During Roadway Incidents

When confronted with congestion and delay, drivers often divert their route. Depending on factors like purpose, urgency, destination, route alternatives, type of disruption, and mode options, common diversionary options can range from changing departure time, route, and mode to canceling a trip altogether. One of the foundational building blocks of travel forecasting is traffic assignment, which is used to distribute trips over a network using complex algorithms to aggregately represent the desire of drivers to minimize travel time. While these assignment models are backed by decades of research and observational experience, they are also limited by the fact that they do not account for the infinite number of factors and conditions that influence the routing of individual drivers. As the ability of transportation agencies to detect incidents and inform drivers of conditions has improved, there is increasing interest in knowing if drivers will divert and why. This thesis describes results of research using marketing-based survey techniques to evaluate driver diversionary behavior during roadway incidents. The survey was used to identify and assess diversionary choice-making based on a) travel behaviors and habits, b) under routine and adverse conditions, c) for different incidents and route options; and d) under varied guidance information available to them. Among the broad findings of the study that were consistent with prior research was the general preference of drivers to seek alternate routes around congestion and the importance they place on travel time as their primary motivator. Interestingly, younger males showed the lowest level of influence from guidance information, and route familiarity had a lower influence on diversionary routing among all groups, suggesting a higher level of trust and reliance in real-time mobile routing guidance than was originally anticipated in the beginning of the study. Another interesting finding, not seen in prior research, was the high importance placed on route safety and the time of day, particularly for female drivers. While the study was not able to address why, fundamentally such relationships exist, these findings can be used to improve the predictive accuracy of trip routing and assignment forecasts, particularly under disrupted network conditions

Estimating Mammalian Densities Using Automated Videography at the Firestone Reserve, Costa Rica

Camera trapping, a process in which images of organisms are captured through the use of motion and or infrared sensor cameras, is frequently used within the field of biology to estimate species density through the capture-recapture method. Classic physics models of density based on the ideal gas constant, however, can be used to estimate the density of an animal population without the need for recognition of individuals. This study adapts one of these models (Rowclife et al. 2008) to the unique data recorded through automated videography or video trapping, and uses it to estimate the population densities of three relatively abundant species on the Firestone Reserve in Costa Rica: Collard Peccaries, Central American Agoutis, and White-tailed Deer. Collard peccaries were found to have a density of 4.93 individuals/km2, Central American Agoutis were found to have a density of 1.01 individuals/km2, and white-tailed deer were found to have a density of 0.50 individuals/km2. The knowledge of species densities can be extremely useful in the context of a reserve. Changes in these estimates can serve as indicators of consequences from poaching, pollution, or climate change, and monitoring them could be very beneficial to the Firestone Reserve

Computer Modelling of the Interaction Between CeRme-8 J Domain and CeHsp70-1

Abstract: Rme-81 is a J domain-containing plasma membrane protein that is required for endocytosis in various cells2. The J domain is a characteristic structural motif found mainly in heat shock protein 40 (Hsp40 or DnaJ) and other proteins such as Rme-83. Within the J domain is a tripeptide, the HPD motif, that is required by the J-domain protein to interact with and stimulate the ATPase activity of Hsp70, a major cellular chaperone4. The Rme-8 protein in C. elegans, CeRme-8, has not been identified with a particular Hsp70 partner. CeHsp70-1 is the only cytosolic Hsp70 in C. elegans, therefore, we hypothesize that CeHsp70-1 is the binding partner for the J domain of CeRme-8. To test this hypothesis, we employed computer modelling to predict the interaction between CeRme-8 and CeHsp70-1 using the known DnaK-DnaJ protein complex as a template. In addition, we report the successful cloning and expression of the J domain of CeRme-8. AlphaFold, SwissModel, and Phyre2 modelling programs revealed that CeRme-8 possesses a J domain that contains the canonical HPD tripeptide motif. ClusPro docking program predicted similar binding interface to the DnaK-DnaJ complex, along with several nonconforming models. Complementary DNA of the J domain of CeRme-8 was cloned into the pGEX-Tev-KG plasmid, in-frame with the gene for glutathione-S-transferase (GST), to yield a GST-CeRme-8 fusion protein. IPTG-induced expression of the expected 37- kilodalton fusion protein was confirmed by both SDS-PAGE and western blotting using antibody against GST. Future work will involve purifying and testing the effect of the J domain protein on the ATPase activity of CeHsp70-1

Exploring the role of microbes in coral-algal interactions on the inshore Great Barrier Reef

Grace Al Moajil-Cole studied the effect of direct contact between common macrolagae and coral on their host microbial communities on Magnetic Island. She found that the bacterial community of the coral remained unchanged when in direct contact with macroalgae. Her results are important in understanding the effects of macroalgae on coral health

Junior Recital: Grace Johnston, violin

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Performance. Ms. Johnston studies violin with Helen Kim.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1069/thumbnail.jp

Senior Recital: Grace Kawamura, violin

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Performance. Ms. Kawamura studies violin with Helen Kim.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1488/thumbnail.jp

Senior Recital: Grace Johnston, violin

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Performance. Ms. Johnston studies violin with Helen Kim.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1947/thumbnail.jp

Senior Recital: Caleb Faille, tenor

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Mr. Faille studies voice with Oral Moses.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1437/thumbnail.jp

A Senior Recital: Chani Maisonet, soprano

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Performance. Ms. Maisonet studies voice with Eileen Moremen.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1479/thumbnail.jp

Analyzing the Outcomes of a Comprehensive Pain Management Program

An integrative and comprehensive approach to pain management seeks to advance patient outcomes with respect to quality of life, pain management, mindfulness, and physical function. This biopsychosocial approach is an evidence-based medicine modality that has been executed to be cost-effective and targeted to meet individual patient values. Participants can enroll in integrative pain intervention modalities to treat their chronic ailments; examples include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, PT, OT, nutrition, reiki, hypnosis and yoga. In a systematic evaluation of integrative health projects, Turk et al. concluded interdisciplinary programs yielded better outcomes than traditional pain treatments. This project tested the hypothesis that the UVMMC Comprehensive Pain Program produces beneficial patient outcomes with respect to pain management. We evaluated pre- and post- patient physical function, levels of anxiety, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and social role engagement. Based on our data, we believe further investigation into the benefits of Integrative Medicine is warranted for the advancement of patient outcomes with respect to pain management.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1318/thumbnail.jp