2022 Faculty Research Poster Session and Research Fair
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Item Smart Resilient Cyber Secure Micro Grids(2022-03-03) Subburaj, Anitha Sarah; Subburaj, Vinitha HannahThere are different types of security attacks that are more common now in the technology world. Data gets exchanged all the time and passes through diverse channels that challenges the scientists with efficient ways of protecting them from the hackers. One specific application area that is highly vulnerable to such cyber-attacks in recent days is the electrical energy infrastructures. Securing such infrastructures from these cyber-attacks is very critical and challenging. In this research effort, one such energy infrastructure called the micro grid will be taken into study and analyzed for protecting them against different types of cyber threats. As per the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines, cyber-attacks are classified into three levels: attacks compromising availability, confidentiality and integrity. In this project, these three levels of attacks on micro grid network will be studied thoroughly. Looking at a typical micro grid infrastructure, the vulnerable points are the distributed energy resources, the micro grid controller, and the communication network which facilitates data exchange between the individual micro grid components. Each of these vulnerable areas will be taken into study and analyzed for proposing different ways to build smart resilient cyber secure micro girds. Following are three important phases involved in this research project.1. Study the different times of cyber-attacks (availability, confidentiality, integrity) on micro grids, 2. Analyze the after effects of such cyber-attacks on these micro grids, 3. Looking into different ways of building smart resilient cyber secure micro grids. The concept of machine learning will be involved to build systems that can learn from the different types of vulnerabilities, take own decisions to prevent the attacks, and self-heal or reverse back to their original state that they existed before the attacks was made. This multi-disciplinary research of building such smart resilient cyber to secure micro grids will unfold a lot of challenges involved in each of the different phases mentioned above.Item Evolution of Fermi Surface Properties of the Topological Crystalline Insulators SnxPb1-xTe/Se With Sn Doping(2022-03-03) Miertschin, Duncan; Nguyen, Thinh (John); Shrestha, KeshavThis work presents the Fermi surface studies of the topological crystalline insulators, SnxPb1-xTe/Se with Sn doping using torque magnetometry. The torque signal measured at higher magnetic fields up to 35 T show clear de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) oscillations. The dHvA oscillations are well-defined and consists of three major frequencies (19 T, 51 T, and 225 T) for the x = 0.35 Se sample, one major frequency (53 T) in the x = 0.4 Te sample, and one major frequency (240 T) for the x = 0.2 Te sample. To better understand the Fermi surface properties, we rotated the samples with respect to the applied field direction and measured dHvA oscillations at different tilt angles. We will present analyses of temperature dependent dHvA data using the Lifshitz-Kosevich (LK) formula and Berry phase calculations.Item Integrated Science Teaching in Atmospheric Ice Nucleation Research(2022-03-03) Hiranuma, Naruki; Wilbourn, Elise K.; Williams, Holly; Alrimaly, Sarah; Hurst, Jacob; McGovern, Gregory P.; Anderson, Todd A.To integrate research and education in atmospheric ice nucleation, which is an important phenomenon potentially influencing global climate change, we developed a lab experiment-based module and problems. Our primary goal was to promote meaningful laboratory exercises to enhance the competence of students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by applying an appropriate methodology to laboratory ice nucleation measurements. To achieve our goal, we tested our modules with >15 STEM interns in 2017-2021 and trained them on how to experimentally simulate atmospheric ice nucleation and cloud droplet freezing. For practical training, we used a simple freezing assay device called the West Texas Cryogenic Refrigerator Applied to Freezing Test (WT-CRAFT) system. We provided hands-on lessons with students to let them calibrate WT-CRAFT with deionized ultrapure water and apply analytical techniques to understand the physicochemical properties of bulk water and droplet freezing. All procedures to implement our modules were typewritten during this process, and shareable read-ahead exploration materials were developed and compiled as a curricular product. We also examined potential artifacts in water freezing. As for the data analysis, students learned how to analyze droplet freezing spectra as a function of temperature, screen/interpret the data, perform uncertainty analyses, and estimate ice nucleation efficiency using some computer programs. Overall, we comprehensively achieved our goal by training students to 1) improve their problem-solving skills by combining information, 2) apply numerical approximations to exact mathematical solutions, and 3) disseminate data and results with variability and uncertainty. Our modules can be applied at any primary undergraduate (or any larger) institutes to advance a college curriculum in environmental science.Item Teaching Environmental and Climate Science to Various Age Groups in the Texas Panhandle(2022-03-03) Hiranuma, Naruki; Alrimaly, Sarah; Guy, JaclynnIntegration of research and teaching is one of the most important aspects of university activities. Here, we developed three science outreach modules and hands-on education activities (primarily appropriate to the grade 5-6 age group but can be age-adjusted) to teach chemistry and physics of Arctic warming and its impact on the ecosystem, which is a key subject with regard to the concurrent global climate change issues. Replicable curriculum and teaching materials were disseminated to students at local schools in the Texas Panhandle through after school programs and local non-profit organizations (i.e., interactive science center, boy scout, and zoo). We initially targeted providing underrepresented students with hands-on activities that will foster their interest in the environmental sciences. For this reason, we prioritized choosing the schools with the socioeconomically and ethnically diverse student body (especially the ones having a Title 1 disadvantaged status). To date, from September 2020 to December 2021, we taught 288 students at 11 schools. We shared read-ahead exploration material for local teachers and officers to introduce them to the scientific concepts. This process helped to ensure that the teachers have an understanding of the science that they convey via our prefabricated teacher modules. Outcomes of the student-participating modules were assessed. Furthermore, our lesson plans and materials as Kit were borrowed by a local non-profit educational organization (i.e., Don Harrington Discovery Center) to teach their visitors about the Arctic climate during the winter camp events. In the future, local school districts also plan to facilitate the development and loaning of our Kit, ensuring that learning objectives align with the state instructional materials allotment program. Loans of this type would have a direct impact on approximately 10,000 students in grades K-12 (1,600 in middle schools) and >70 K-12 and high school science teachers.Item PM 2.5 and Increased Aeroallergen: Use of Nanotechnology and AFL-Mask to Combat COVID-19(2022-03-03) Ghosh, Nabarun; Howard, Aubrey; De Leon, Lyanna; Nguyen, MarytrinhWe have used domesticated canines like dogs as the animal model to study the efficiency of the AFL Mini Sanifier II®. The objective of our study was to determine if the pollen concentration in the air has any relationship with the incidence of inhalant allergies in dogs. Dogs suffer from the same type of inhalant allergies as people such as pollen, mold, and other allergens. The data on dogs admitted to an animal hospital in Amarillo for allergy treatment were collected and compared to the aeroallergen indices of respective years. We analyzed the data to determine if there is any correlation between the increase of aeroallergen concentration and patients receiving treatment at the animal hospital. We also analyzed the effect of the AFL Mini Sanifier II® on aeroallergen in the indoor air of the clinic by setting slides with double sticky tapes and observing with a BX-40 Olympus microscope with a digital camera. Analyzed data indicate that there exists a significant correlation between the aeroallergen indices with the incidence of allergy in dogs.Item Additive Manufacturing of 316L Steel: Investigation of Thermal Stability and Crystalline Properties(2022-03-03) Bognich, Gabrielle; McGaugh, Jay; Aria, Saman; Jackson, Matt; Jones, Steve; Howell, Nathan; Bhattacharia, SanjoyAdditive Manufacturing (AM) technology is a growing industry in the world of engineering. Similar to 3D printing, AM technology allows designers to create metal parts without the limitation of geometric restrictions of traditional methods, like machining. AM can be applied in industries such as biomedical and aerospace. The AM research conducted at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) uses laser technology for powder-bed infusion (PBLF) using an SLM 125 to print 316L stainless steel parts. Although AM offers a wide variety of application, AM technology cannot produce consistent parts due to unknown factors that create defects in the part and impact the resultant material properties. In this study, a thermal analysis was conducted on printed 316 L Stainless Steel samples using a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to record phase change, melting points, other transitions like oxidation and decomposition and mass loss/gain. Thermal analysis demonstrated a comparative thermal stability of the printed steel. Additionally, the samples were analyzed with an X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) machine for crystallinity of printed steel and a baseline elemental analysis. Results of the XRD analysis indicate the printed material is not entirely crystalline in structure and further analysis is needed to develop a standard XRD profile for AM 316L Stainless Steel. The findings of this study indicate the PBLF process changes the thermal properties of power material and the need for future studies to understand the impacts of material properties.Item Pounding the Pavement: A Media Sales Experiential Learning Project(2022-03-03) Brooks, Mary Liz; Garcia, NancyThe sales industry in the United States is an economic powerhouse and is often where recent college graduates obtain their first real-world jobs. However, there is a need to understand students' perceptions and knowledge of sales and their experience selling advertising space. This study applied experiential learning theory to a mass media sales course in spring 2021. The purpose was to explore barriers, successes, and helpful sales tools that students could incorporate should they obtain a career in advertising sales. Results indicate students' openness to joining the sales industry upon college graduation and an overall positive perception of a sales career.Item Mama Drama: A Textual Analysis of Single Mothers as Female Protagonists in Dramedies(2022-03-03) Brooks, Mary Liz; Garcia, NancyRepresentations of women in media is rife in academic literature ranging from how women are portrayed in sports (i.e., Bowes & Kitching, 2018) as criminals (i.e., Coleman, 2016) and as scientists (i.e.,Chimba & Kitzinger) among other studies that place their emphasis on how women are featured in mostly male-dominated fields. Yet, regarding entertainment media and how women are represented as part of any given storyline in the role of female protagonist is lacking in the academic research literature. A quick Google search of the phrase "female protagonists in media" generates list upon list of the top female characters from decades worth of television shows and movies. Some lists are based on scientific evidence, while other lists are based on anecdotal evidence. Through a textual analysis, this study aims to examine two popular television shows, Gilmore Girls and Jane The Virgin, that prominently feature at least one central female character that is portrayed as the protagonist. Additionally, because some television shows are often considered "edutainment" this study aims to understand how popular dramedies teach viewers about motherhood, culture, female relationships, sex, socioeconomic status, and religion which all intertwine to form the female protagonist role. Both television series feature storylines about how two central female characters are navigating life as a single mother. Both shows tackle issues related to work, friendships, dating/sex, and mother-daughter relationships, among other relatable topics. Two obvious differences between the shows relate to culture and class. Whereas the primary female protagonist in Gilmore Girls is white and has access to great financial resources, Jane The Virgin's primary female protagonist is Latina and from a lower socioeconomic status. Gilmore Girls aired 154 episodes over seven seasons from 2000-2007 and returned nine years later in 2016 for a four episode update on the lives of the characters. Jane The Virgin aired 100 episodes over five seasons from 2014-2019. Both shows were part of The CW network (although Gilmore Girls began on The WB). Previous research has been conducted concerning both shows. For example, Petersen (2018) interviewed more than 25 fans of Gilmore Girls to understand how their lives and the show intertwine to form new perceptions of relationships and life changes. Estlick (2021) examined Gilmore Girls from a feminist approach to uncover the manifestation of intersectionality. Regarding research about Jane The Virgin, Rose (2019) argues that the show was "heavily influenced" (p. 1096) by 19th century novels in that "both genres share similar style elements, such as melodrama, but more importantly, they both educate women who were previously ignored or undervalued during their respective eras" (p. 1097). Using framing theory to explore how the primary female protagonists are portrayed in these two dramedies, the following research questions are posed: RQ1: What frames emerge in the overall representation of female protagonists in dramedies? RQ2: What similarities and differences are apparent in the representation of female protagonists in dramedies related to mother/daughter relationships, female friendships, sex, religion, socioeconomic status, and culture?Item Evaluation of Rapid Wort Color Method for Dark Malts, Temperature and pH(2022-03-03) Flynn, Nick; Nguimatsa, ArthurThe rapid wort color method is an American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) method used to evaluate the color contribution of malts to beer color measured as the Standard Reference Method (SRM). SRM is important to brewers as it helps them predict the relative color of beer that they manufacture and evaluate how close the final product color is to the style of beer being produced. This method involves the heating of a solution of malt and deionized water followed by filtration and analysis of the resulting solution using a spectrophotometer. This study evaluated the effect of water pH and initial water temperature on color extraction in malts using this method. Use of an inclusion method based on the Hot Steep Sensory method is also evaluated. Results and recommendations for method modification will be presented.Item Wheat Consumption Determinants and Food Security Challenges: Evidence from Pakistan(2022-03-03) Shaheen, Sania; Almas, Lal; Usman, MuhammadGlobally, wheat is one of the most widely cultivated staple crop and extensively consumable staple food. It plays a vital role in overcoming food security. Wheat is one of the primary food source of Pakistan. In the beginning of time-period from 1975 to 2020 Pakistan had achieved near self-sufficiency in wheat production. It has been observed that during this period, Pakistan was somewhere a net importer and somewhere a net exporter. This trend shows an irregularity in the food policy of Pakistan. The wheat production and consumption gap is expected to further increase in the coming years due to higher population growth that will exert continuous pressure on wheat consumption that would be a reason for food insecurity issues in Pakistan in the upcoming years. A sustainable food security policy is required to overcome the upcoming food security issues in Pakistan. This study is conducted to explore the determinants of wheat consumption in Pakistan as well as to analyze the own price, cross-price elasticity, and income elasticity of wheat demand. For estimation purpose, annual time series data were used covering the period from 1972-2020. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach (ARDL) econometric technique was applied to investigate the presence of long-term association between wheat demand and wheat consumption determinants. The estimated findings of wheat prices, real GDP, and population highlight that wheat is the basic necessity commodity in Pakistan. Further, the results of rice prices and corn consumption reveal that rice and corn commodities are substitutes to wheat with less elastic demand in Pakistan. The estimated result of wheat imports exhibits a direct and significant impact on wheat consumption. Forecasting graphical analysis shows that in 2020, wheat consumption in Pakistan was 26 million metric tonnes (MT) and increasing at an increasing rate. In 2050 wheat consumption would be 38 million MT (Production 32 million MT) because of the pressure of population. The forecasting analysis results highlight that Pakistan needs 57 million MT of wheat to feed the 491million population of Pakistan in 2100. However, in 2100 the forecasted wheat production is 43 million. Overall, the results suggest that domestic efforts required to reducing the expected gap between wheat demand and supply, which may be decreased through the application of latest innovative production techniques, advanced varieties of wheat, land expansion, and exploring the additional water resources for irrigated agriculture. Based on empirical findings, it is recommended that policymakers, Pakistan government, and stakeholders required to concentrate on inclusive policy for parallel wheat, rice, and corn consumption. Additionally, this study suggested that policymakers, Pakistan government, and stakeholders must pay attention on exploring the ways to raise domestic production of wheat in order to decrease imports of wheat, saving of effective foreign exchange, and to resolve the upcoming food security issues in Pakistan. Keywords: Wheat Consumption Determinants, Own Price Elasticity, Cross Price Elasticity, Income Elasticity, Wheat Supply and Demand Gap, Food Security, Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL).Item Material Characterization of Cotton Gin Waste Biochar for Use in Panhandle Soils(2022-03-03) Howell, Nathan; Bhattacharia, Sanjoy; Bednarz, Craig; Aria, Saman; Garcia, OmarCotton gin waste (CGW) is a large quantity byproduct from cotton fiber and cotton seed oil production in the Texas Panhandle (700 lbmass/bale, 1.7 million tonnes/year of CGW) and many large cotton growing regions globally. As there is little economic value for CGW, it is can be churned into soils to increase organic carbon, composted, fed as a low nutrition supplement for animals, burned or gasified for energy/heat, or simply landfilled as a waste. In general, most “beneficial†uses are more properly described a more elaborate form of disposal. We sought to examine CGW for biochar production (CGW-BC) on a small scale with an eventual application for soil amendment. As a soil amendment, many plant-based biochars have the potential advantage of acting as slow release fertilizers, aiding soil health, increasing soil water holding capacity (WHC), increasing long-term soil organic matter, and sequestering carbon which would other be mineralized to CO2 in a short timeframe. Biochar is highly variable in its production yield and quality according to production and post-production decisions. Using previous experience with cotton seed waste biochar, we determined to produce sixteen (16) CGW-BC variants according to the two temperatures (450°C, 600°C), four pyrolysis times (10, 20, 40, 60 min), and two types of post-treatment (crush-sieve with mild acid wash, crush-sieve with DI wash only, 2 x 4 x 2 = 16). We made all CGW-BC in small batches of approximately 15 g dry initial dry mass which results in nominal final mass of 5 g dry mass biochar. We then examined these biochar variants using the material characterization techniques that will have import for CGW-BC use in soil—XRD, SEM-EDS, TGA and surface characterization by a Micromeritics 3Flex physisorption analyzer. The use of XRD reveals the amorphous nature of biochar, and the SEM-EDS reveals surface morphology and the predominant presence of carbon (>75%) and TGA data demonstrates the thermal stability of biochar. The use of the 3Flex allows us to use multiple adsorptive gases. We used CO2 at a range of low relative pressure (P/Po = 0.00-0.30) and cold temperature (T = 0°C) to determine total and pore-size dependent surface area (m2/g biochar) and volumes (cm3/g biochar) in biochar at the micropore scale of 3.30-7.70 Ã…. We also used water vapor isotherms (adsorption-desorption) to examine the potential for attraction and retention of water when CGW-BC is deployed in soil environments. The results of this work are on-going. The current range of total micropore surface areas found are on the order of 200-400 m2/g, a relatively high surface area considering the modest amount of energy and materially used to create the biochar. On-going work will suggest the general performance of biochar when added to soils and will provide more optimal conditions for producing biochar according to that which has the lowest bulk density, greater surface area, increased microporosity, or enhanced mineral/nutrient solid phase concentrations. This early work in CGW-BC material characterization will provide promising candidates for inclusion in soil+biochar mix and incubation experiments in root and non-root systems.Item To Mask or Not to Mask? Public Opinion Factors in Mask-wearing Behavior in a Pandemic A Research Note(2022-03-03) Rausch, John D., Jr; Rausch, Mary ScanlonThe present research seeks to understand who wears a mask in a pandemic. Two surveys of students at a regional public university in the American Southwest were administered in October 2020 and October 2021. The online survey, distributed to students in both traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms and online classes, asked about mask-wearing habits. Respondents also were asked about their ideology and political party identification as well as traditional demographic questions. Comparing two years of survey responses adds an element of change, especially since COVID regulations in Texas changed during that time. Party identification clearly is the most important factor in mask-wearing behavior in 2020. By 2021, an examination of mask-wearing behavior becomes more complex and nuanced.Item Applying New Frameworks to Vocal Fatigue(2022-03-03) Collom, Zeth EverickOccupational voice users are particularly susceptible to voice problems and voice disorders associated with vocal hyperfunction. Vocal fatigue can be particularly troublesome to teachers and performers as an independent symptom or an element of more significant voice disorder. Vocal fatigue lacks a specific, empirical definition although numerous attempts have been made. One approach attempts to define vocal fatigue as a physiological consequence. Exercise principles and related topics have been applied to define vocal fatigue. In addition, numerous studies have been conducted to identify specific laryngeal function measures that correlate with reports of vocal fatigue with mixed results. Other reports have implied that vocal fatigue is primarily a patient-reported phenomenon, relying heavily on self-report and perception of various degrees and elements. Recently, Hunter and several experts collaborated to develop new descriptions of relevant terms and concepts pertaining to vocal fatigue. Based upon literature review, expert opinion, and linguistic modeling, terms were proposed and defined. In this new description of vocal fatigue, a clinical framework consisting of "vocal demand", "vocal demand response", "vocal effort", and "vocal fatigue" emerged. As vocal fatigue remains prevalent in multiple cases of voice disorders in several populations, this new description and framework can be applied to clinical cases to better assess and treat patients in clinical practice. This presentation discusses past definitions of vocal fatigue, introduces Hunter et al.'s (2020) new definitions and framework pertaining to vocal fatigue, and applies these concepts to two case studies from clinical voice practice at the WT Speech and Hearing Clinic.Item Preparation of Bio-based Resins from Soybean oil and Orange Peel(2022-03-03) Gresham, Taylor; Spidel, Tavia; Shrestha, Maha L.The main objective of the research is to replace petroleum-based raw materials with agricultural, bio-based materials for preparation of epoxy cast resins. Epoxy cast resins are polymers containing epoxy or oxirane group that are generally prepared by reacting petroleum-based raw materials with toxic chemicals such as isocyanate. Utilization of alternate resources; i.e., bio-based, agricultural products significantly alleviates health, safety and environmental hazards. Hence, we utilized plant based starting material obtained from soybean oil and orange peel in presence of a Lewis acidic catalyst, tris(pentaflorophenyl)borane or BCF for preparation of epoxy cast resins. Study of various thermal and mechanical properties of the bio-based epoxy cast resins prepared in our lab showed promising results. Major application of these epoxy cast resins includes coatings, adhesives, electrical insulation, 3 D printing, wind turbines, automobile parts, etc.Item A Story Well Told: Developing Journalism Competencies Through an Experiential Learning Multimedia Project(2022-03-03) Garcia, Nancy; Brooks, Mary LizThe journalism experiential learning project presented in this study results from an innovative, collaborative approach to experiential learning designed to develop the students' understanding of current trends in content production using various media, including audio, video, photography, data visualization, and text. Two professors, teaching two different journalism courses, developed a semester-long project that required students to produce a multimedia package in partnership with a student from the opposite course. This research explores the implications of incorporating experiential education as a pedagogical approach in journalism education at the university level to develop journalism competencies. This study also extends on Guo and Volzâ's theoretical framework of Professional Competencies in Broadcast Journalism and the Pyramid of Journalism Competence developed by Poynter's Institute Roy Peter Clark by proposing a Competency-Based Framework for Journalism Education with four dimensions of competencies- knowledge cognitive, functional competence, personal/behavior competence, and values/ethical competence-and ten competencies expected from journalism education-news judgment, reporting and evidence, language and storytelling, analysis and interpretation, numeracy, technology, audio-visual, civic literacy, cultural literacy, and mission and purpose-outlined under each dimension. The study is under the data interpreting stage. The researchers have collected all the data and transcribed the audio from the focus group. The next step is to conduct a thematic analysis to determine how participants perceive their journalism competencies resulting from the experiential learning project and how the experience has informed the student's understanding of journalism. The researchers expect the results to indicate that students mention competencies under the knowledge/cognitive and practical dimensions. The researchers also expect that the experience has led students to gain news understandings of the field of journalism. The results of this study will contribute to the research in journalism education by presenting a model of experiential learning focused on developing journalism competencies.Item The Lived Experience of New Graduate Nurses Successfully Completing NCLEX-RN(2022-03-03) Loftin, Collette; Devkota, Shravan; Jeffreys, HollyAbstract Background and objective: The NCLEX pass rate is considered the primary indicator of program quality. Much literature exists regarding pre-graduation efforts aimed at aiding students to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam, while there is little available on post-graduation efforts. This project was conducted to identify the post-graduation experiences of successful NCLEX-RN test takers as they prepared to complete the exam. Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study utilizing a phenomenological framework to determine the lived experience of new graduates preparing to complete the NCLEX-RN exam. Results: Four main themes were identified as relevant to post graduation experiences including: (a) Finding Motivation, (b) Study Tactics, (c) Taking a Break, and (d) The Testing Experience. Additionally, few of the participants took it for granted that they were going to pass the exam, they reported wishing they had spent more time preparing, and with regard to studying, several described wishing they had started earlier. Conclusions: It will be beneficial for faculty to discuss potential strategies for success to utilize after graduation, including expectations of testing day, setting a realistic timetable to test, overcoming lack of motivation to preparation for the exam, and careful scheduling of coaching and study sessions.Item Investigation of Fermi Surface Properties of Type-II Dirac Semimetal NiTe2 Using High Field Torque Magnetometry(2022-03-03) Nguyen, Thinh (John); Miertschin, Duncan; Shrestha, KeshavTopological phases of materials have attracted enormous attention recently due to their potential applications in quantum computing and fast electronic devices. In this project, we have studied NiTe2, which is one of the topological compounds, using torque magnetometry. The torque signal measured under an applied field of 35 T shows clear de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) oscillations. The oscillations are well-defined and consist of two major frequencies at F1 = 100 T and F2 = 400 T. Both frequencies vary as the angle between the sample surface and the magnetic field increase. Additionally, the amplitude of the oscillations decreases at higher temperatures. The Berry phase calculations and analyses of temperature-dependent dHvA data using the Lifshitz-Kosevich theory will also be presented.Item The Role of Social Comparison on Burnout, Anxiety, and Satisfaction for Facultly who Taught during the COVID-19 Pandemic(2022-03-03) Salazar, Leslie Ramos; Garcia, Nancy; Huntington, Heidi E.; Brooks, Mary LizThe global COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in faculty who taught using video conferencing software such as Zoom across different modalities in higher education. Drawing from social comparison theory, this study examines upward and downward social comparison as mediators of the interrelationships between faculty burnout, teaching anxiety, and teaching satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic using a cross-sectional sample of 219 faculty. Findings reveal the mediating effect of upward social comparison on the relationship between faculty's burnout and teaching anxiety. Additionally, upward social comparison had a mediating effect on faculty's burnout and teaching satisfaction. Implications for teaching and learning using videoconferencing tools are also offered.Item Escape the Typical Classroom Humdrum: An Innovative Approach to APRN Education(2022-03-03) Phillips, Angela; Neely, Shaina; smoot, TeresaEscape rooms originally developed for entertainment have been modified and used as a didactic tool in teaching and learning (Taraldsen, Haara, Lysne, Jensen, & Jenssen, 2020). Game-based learning offers opportunities related to active learning, creativity, problem solving and social interaction and is well suited for use within nursing education (Taraldsen et al., 2020). Learner centered design theory moves beyond didactic instruction and illustrates alternate modalities of scholarship (Soloway, Guzdian, & Hay, 1994). Escape room scenarios allow graduate nursing students to participate in active learning and creative thinking to transfer the use of acquired knowledge in the clinical setting. In the fall semester of 2021, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program faculty began the use of escape rooms as an activity during class time. Due to the hybrid format delivery of the FNP program, class time is utilized for accelerated learning experiences. Active learning was evaluated through student surveys. One hundred percent of students achieved a moderate to great gain in knowledge within both types of escape room activities. All FNP students believed educational objectives were met. The goal of this poster is to increase awareness of escape room use within graduate nursing education and to report data collected during use in fall, 2021.Item Thermal Stability and Degradation of Batteries(2022-03-03) Pal, Anirban; Bhattacharia, SanjoyLi-ion batteries often run the risk of explosion via thermal runaway caused by internal short circuits. Such internal short circuits can be caused by mechanical, electrical or thermal means. Another cause of concern is the ageing of the battery that can limit its capacity, performance, lifespan and safety. In this work, we wish to investigate the thermal stability and degradation of batteries using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), battery analyzer and computer simulations. Specifically, the goal is study two aspects of commercial Li-ion coin cell batteries: (a) kinetics and mechanisms of thermal runaway mechanisms in coin-cell batteries, (b) degradation of battery components across various cycling rates and temperatures.