Soft Continuum Robotic Airbag Integrated with Passive Walker for Fall Mitigation

This thesis describes the prototype and development of a soft continuum robotic airbag system that is attached to a passive mobility walker. The system can deploy in multiple configurations: to the front, left, or right of the walker depending on the direction of a detected fall. The continuum component of the project is made of nylon fabric with thin cables, allowing it to be compactly stored before deploying. The airbag is inflated in real time during a fall using a novel compression system. Results of experiments with the prototype in each configuration are presented. The system deploys consistently across falls, significantly reducing the g-force of impact

Set-valued State Estimation for Nonlinear Systems Using Hybrid Zonotopes

This paper proposes a method for set-valued state estimation of nonlinear, discrete-time systems. This is achieved by combining graphs of functions representing system dynamics and measurements with the hybrid zonotope set representation that can efficiently represent nonconvex and disjoint sets. Tight over-approximations of complex nonlinear functions are efficiently produced by leveraging special ordered sets and neural networks, which enable computation of set-valued state estimates that grow linearly in memory complexity with time. A numerical example demonstrates significant reduction of conservatism in the set-valued state estimates using the proposed method as compared to an idealized convex approach

Concert recording 2016-11-29

[Track 1]. Concerto 2 in Eb major. Allegro / Carl Maria von Weber -- [Track 2]. Dance preludes. Allegro molto Andantino Allegro giocoso Andante Allegro molto / Witold Lutoslawski -- [Track 3]. 3 miniatures / Krzysztof Penderecki -- [Track 4]. Three pieces / Igor Stravinsky -- [Track 5]. Irish spirit / Bill Douglas -- [Track 6]. Fiesta de negritos / Lucho Bermudez -- [Track 7]. Tico tico / Zequinha de Abreu

Relationships Between Neuromuscular Function and Functional Balance Performance in Firefighters

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between neuromuscular function and functional balance performance in firefighters. Fifty career firefighters (35.1±7.5yr) performed isometric leg extension and flexion muscle actions to examine peak torque (PT), and absolute (aTQ) and normalized (nTQ; %PT) rapid torque variables at 50, 100, 150, and 200ms. A performance index (PI) was determined from the functional balance assessment completion time. Partial correlations were used to examine the relationship between the PI and the maximal and rapid TQ variables for each muscle and the composite value, while controlling for demographic data related to the PI. Multiple regression analyses examined the relative contributions of the maximal and rapid aTQ variables, and demographic data on the PI. After controlling for age and %BF, the majority of the later aTQ and nTQ variables (100– 200ms) and PT were associated with the PI (r=−0.501–−0.315). Age, %BF, and aTQ100 explained 42– 50% of the variance in the PI. Lower rapid strength, increased age, and poorer body composition were related to worse performance during the functional balance assessment. Strategies to improve rapid strength and %BF, especially in aging firefighters may impact dynamic balance abilities in firefighters

Concert recording 2017-04-18

[Track 1]. Fresa y chocolate / Rebeca Mauleon -- [Track 2]. Philly mambo / Cal Tjader arranged by Fernando Valencia -- [Track 3]. Sabor / Joao Donato arranged by Valencia -- [Track 4]. Guachi guara / Cal Tjader arranged by Valencia -- [Track 5]. Machito\u27s blues / Oscar Hernandez -- [Track 6]. Cuidate compay / Poncho Sanchez arranged by Valencia -- [Track 7]. No te vayas todavia / Andres Cepeda arranged by Valencia -- [Track 8]. Viaje / Doug Beavers -- [Track 9]. Bemba colora / Jose Fumero arranged by Valencia

Health & Nutritional Sciences Free Communication Day: Spring 2019 Plan B Abstracts

This document contains Plan B abstracts presented by graduate students at the Health and Nutritional Sciences Free Communication Day, held on April 30th 2019. Abstract titles include: Effect of supervised aquatic therapy and supervised land-based therapy on chronic low back pain. The College Football Recruiting Process and Ways to Improve It The Effects of Probiotics on Depression and Anxiety Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy versus Physical Therapy: Best Intervention to Improve Outcomes in Patients with Meniscal Tears? Does the inclusion of mental health education programs have an effect on the help seeking behavior of collegiate student-athletes? Establishing a Sustainable Nutrition Education Program for Young Children Detecting Cardiac Pathology to Prevent Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in Athletes: The Role of ECG Implementation. Does an increase in cervical muscle strength reduce the incidence of concussion in collegiate women’s soccer players? Teaching adults with disability to prepare healthy foods to increase independence and improve quality of dietary intake. Single-Sport Specialization and the Correlation of Athletic Success: A Literature Review. Eat Smart Live Strong: Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Physical Activity Among Older Adults Through Community-Based Intervention Validity Between International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) and Measured Physical Activity in US Adolescents Dynamic Pricing Strategy for South Dakota State University Athletic Facility Rentals Determined by Peak and Non-Peak Hours Barriers and Facilitators of Weight Management in Children with Down Syndrome Associations Between Child Perceptions of Physical Activity Supports and Barriers and Measured Physical Activity in Rural 3rd – 5th Grade Children Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Awareness, Knowledge, and Status in Young Adults Gut Microbiota: Emerging Research and Its Influence on Chronic Diseas

Concert recording 2016-11-15a

[Track 1]. Oriente / Rick Faulkner -- [Track 2]. La flauta magica / Antonio Maria Rameu -- [Track 3]. Linda mañana / Oscar Hernandez -- [Track 4]. Jack\u27s tune / Hilton Ruiz -- [Track 5]. Frenesi / Alberto Dominguez -- [Track 6]. Que manera de quererte / Albita Rodriguez -- [Track 7]. Blues for COS / Ruiz -- [Track 8]. Fiesta de negritos / Lucho Bermudez -- [Track 9]. A night in Tunisia / Dizzy Gillespie -- [Track 10]. Tico tico / Zequinha de Abreu

Concert recording 2014-03-06

[Track 01]. Canzon septimi toni no. 2 / Giovanni Gabrieli -- [Track 02]. Consort for ten winds. Jeux ; [Track 03]. Aubade ; [Track 04]. Sautereau / Robert Spittal -- [Track 05]. Serenade in D minor. Moderato ; [Track 06]. Andante con moto ; [Track 07]. Finale. Allegro molto / Antonin Dvorak