URI_Research_Magazine_Momentum_Spring_2016_Melissa-McCarthy

What’s inside Making Sense of the Reams of Data Exit Polls Produce............................................................4-7 Deep Connection, Russia’s Politics and Culture. ...................................................................8-11 Debunking Periodization: Shining a Spotlight on Secularism..............................................................12-15

Acknowledgements THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND David M. Dooley, Ph.D., President, URI Gerald Sonnenfeld, Ph.D., Vice President, URI Division of Research and Economic Development Melissa McCarthy, MA ‘99, Editor-in-Chief, Director of University Research External Relations, URI Division of Research and Economic Development Editorial Board Melissa McCarthy, MA ‘99, Editor-in-Chief, Director of University Research External Relations, URI Division of Research and Economic Development Chris Barrett ‘08, Writer, URI Senior Information Technologist Amy Dunkle, Coordinator, Communications and Outreach, RI NSF EPSCoR Allison Farrelly ’16, URI Department of Journalism, Editor-in-Chief of The Good 5 Cent Cigar

Uncovering the Meaning of Architecture ...................16-19

Overcoming Statistics: The Dire State of Our Nation’s Youth Services...............................................20-21

Delivering Medication Value........................................22-23

Unraveling the Mysteries of the Brain.........................24-27

Human Robot Interaction. ...........................................28-31

Revolutionary Technology: Smart Cities......................32-35

Mass Extinction of the State’s Woodlands ................36-39

The Impact of Climate Change on Our Oceans ............................................................40-43 The Huge Impact of Explosive Volcanic Eruptions.......................................................44-47 A Guiding Star for Rhode Island Manufacturing: Polaris MEP..................................................................48-49

Contributing Writers Emma Clarke ‘15

Zoe Comingore ’18 Allison Farrelly ’16 Joseph Korzeb ’16 Bruce Mason Todd McLeish Susanna Pilny ’16 Kara Watts ’17

Small Business is Big: RISBDC. ..................................50-53

Calculating Business Success.....................................54-55

Layout & Design: DesignRoom.co Photography: Beau Jones

Momentum: Research & Innovation is published by the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, with editorial, graphic design, and production by the Office of University Research External Relations. For more information, contact: Melissa McCarthy, MA ‘99, Director University Research External Relations University of Rhode Island 70 Lower College Road Kingston, RI 02881, USA Telephone: 401.874.2599 E-mail: melissa@uri.edu Website: web.uri.edu/researchecondev

URI is an equal opportunity employer committed to the principles of affirmative action and values diversity.

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