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Mechanisms of Twin Cyclones in 2009 Without the Influence of the MJO
Full text linkThis work examines the genesis of a twin cyclone event in December 2009 in the Indian Ocean during an inactive phase of the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO). Our analysis of large-scale background conditionsshows that this event was influenced by increased sea-surface temperatures, ideal upper-level wind, and increased moisture in the presence of strong El Niño conditions
Ethanol to Ethylene via CircleStar Catalyst
Full text linkEthanol-to-ethylene conversion via catalytic dehydration is optimized using the CircleStar catalyst, whose unique geometry improves heat distribution and site exposure. This enables lower operating temperatures, 99.5% selectivity, and reduced emissions. The process supports renewable feedstocks and yields $70 million in annual profit at scale
Novel Catalytic Production of Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol
Full text linkA sustainable synthesis of Furfural(C5H4O2) from corn stover and subsequent hydrogenation to Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol (THFA) over novel NiCu-Al catalyst
The Prototype of a Fully Automated Pressuremeter for Various Geotechnical Applications
Full text linkThe geotechnical engineering field requires high-quality in-situ testing equipment that ensures consistency in the test execution. This research focuses on developing and testing a prototype of a fully automated pressuremeter control unit to allow the industry to obtain reliable and controlled stress-strain data, thereby improving efficiency and reducing testing time.
The objectives of this work are to design and develop a system with the necessary components to perform the pressuremeter test, integrate the testing procedure into the state machine design, enable automated testing, and validate the results by comparing the stress-strain data with that obtained from the existing hand-operated pressuremeter test machine
Alternative Robust Design Formulation and Exploration Strategies for Managing Uncertainties in the Realization of Complex Engineering Systems
Full text linkThe design of complex engineered systems often relies on simulation-based models, which inherently introduce uncertainties. Managing these uncertainties is critical to ensure robust system performance. From a decision-based design (DBD) perspective, robust design metrics such as the Design Capability Index (DCI) and Error Margin Index (EMI) are employed to formulate and solve problems under uncertainty. However, existing formulations of these metrics rely on first-order Taylor series approximations for variance estimation, which are often inadequate in the presence of highly nonlinear or multimodal performance functions.
This thesis proposes alternate formulations of DCI and EMI, which use the multiple-point method of variance estimation to ensure robustness in the presence of highly non-linear performance functions. This approach uses the weighted average of three points for each design variable to obtain the correct variance at the local optimum. An updated robust Concept Exploration Framework (rCEF) is proposed by introducing the alternate DCI and EMI metrics in the compromise Decision Support Problem(cDSP) of the rCEF and using a machine learning-based visualization tool, the interpretable Self-Organizing Maps (iSOM) technique, to visualize and explore the high-dimensional robust solution space in two dimensions.
The proposed framework is validated using two examples: a simple non-linear polynomial function and a complex hot rod rolling problem. Results demonstrate the improved robustness and applicability of the updated metrics and framework in managing uncertainty in complex engineering systems
Provider’s Attitudes Towards Telehealth And Parenting Interventions During COVID‑19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Cross‑Sectional Study From Brazil And Mexico
No full textBackground The COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges for mental health providers all over the world, since they had to abruptly change from in person assistance to remote meetings. The adverse effects from social isolation were critical in Latinx populations such as Brazil and Mexico, since these countries faced a great amount of social, health, and economic burden during the pandemic, which affected families’ access to care and increased inappropriate parenting practices.
Objective This study aimed to understand the impacts of adapting parenting interventions to online sessions for Brazilian and Mexican providers, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods Sixty-two Brazilian and 49 Mexican mental health care providers that worked with parenting interventions (including psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, counselors, and others) took part in this study. The measures included two standardized questionnaires (the Questionnaire about Acceptability, Feasibility and Appropriateness of Telehealth, and the Epidemic-Pandemic Impact Inventory), demographic data, and complementary items developed specially for this study. All measures were translated from English to Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish, resulting in five sets of themes related to (a) service delivery, (b) barriers to mental health assistance, (c) acceptability, feasibility and appropriateness of telehealth, and (d) impacts of pandemic on providers´ professional and personal lives.
Results For all participants, adapting to online sessions presented challenges related to technology issues, time management, less healthy habits, and overload of chores between work and home tasks, besides concerns related to confidentiality and privacy. Kruskal–Wallis Rank Sum Tests revealed that Mexican providers reported less barriers regarding technology, while Brazilian providers mentioned less economic impact.
Conclusion This study describes a comparison between providers of two Latinx countries facing demands from COVID19 pandemic, showing common challenges and specific barriers. Suggestions are presented in order to improve the experience of telehealth (i.e., tailored sessions, guidelines for families that ensure privacy, and policies that can increase telehealth access for vulnerable populations)
Training ABA Service Providers to Use Phonemic Transcription: A Comparison of Two Alphabets
No full textApplied behavior analysis (ABA) service providers regularly develop speech and shape articulation when working with minimally vocal children with autism. However, these providers usually have not received training in related subject areas as part of their certification coursework. This results in a gap between their scopes of competence and practice. The present study aimed to lessen this gap by training ABA service providers to take phonemic transcription. The author, in consultation with a speech-language pathologist, developed and implemented a computer-based programmed instruction training package. Studies 1 and 2 employed a concurrent multiple-probe design with an embedded adapted alternating treatments design (AATD) and only an AATD, respectively. Through these designs, two alphabet systems for transcription were compared to see which was acquired faster and with fewer errors: the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which uses unfamiliar and familiar symbols from the alphabets of various languages, and the English Orthographic Alphabet (EOPA), which uses only familiar letters from the American English alphabet. There were six participants, five in Study 1 and one in Study 2. Results showed that the EOPA was acquired quicker and with fewer errors than the IPA. Moreover, three of the six participants mastered only the EOPA, and five of the six participants preferred the EOPA. Implications for future studies of transcription in the areas of staff training and clinical application are discussed
Oral History Interview with Bob Rowe
No full textThis is an interview with Bob Rowe: on October 20, 2025, discussing his nearly 40-year-plus career in the Admissions office at Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech).
Rowe, originally from upstate New York, came to Melbourne, Florida, in January 1979 and quickly found a job at Florida Tech. He highlights the university\u27s special atmosphere in the early days, characterized by personal relationships with faculty and staff across all departments—a stark contrast to the modern reliance on email. He recalls being able to directly discuss applications with department heads, successfully admitting students who had potential but didn\u27t strictly meet initial standards.
He shares memorable anecdotes about prominent university figures, including Dr. Jerry Keuper (the MG fiend ), Andrew Revay (who showed anger by raising an eyebrow), and especially Bill Jurgens (who called him during his leukemia diagnosis without asking for a favor). Rowe describes two favorite success stories: a student he recruited named Jonathan, who became a chemistry major, published research, and later served on the Board of Trustees, and another student named Tim, a basketball recruit whose low grades were overcome by his commitment and high test scores, leading him to graduate with a degree in electrical engineering and work for NASA.
Rowe notes the significant physical changes on campus, from the unpaved parking lot to the continuous construction of new academic and residential facilities. He has served under five presidents and shares humorous moments related to each, including the current president, Dr. Nicklow, whom he affectionately calls Sheldon Keuper.
The COVID-19 pandemic made the job more difficult due to the loss of face-to-face interaction, but Florida Tech\u27s enrollment has continued to see record numbers, driven by the university\u27s specialized majors and Florida location. Rowe details how the Admissions office has grown from two people in 1979 to 13-14 domestic counselors today and explains the admissions funnel from prospect to enrolled student. He also recounts the unique process of buying and installing a section of the old Hedgecock Gymnasium floor in his house.
Rowe concludes by identifying direct entry into the major on day one as one of Florida Tech\u27s most defining and valuable qualities, contrasting it with other universities\u27 impacted programs that delay official entry into competitive fields like engineering. He emphasizes the employability of Florida Tech graduates, noting that the average student\u27s degree is comparable to or better than those from prestigious universities. Finally, Rowe expresses his deep passion for his work at Florida Tech, describing the university community as a family and stating that he has no plans to retire
Population Density and Recorded Unmanned Aerial Systems Sightings in Southeastern Cities
No full textThe increase in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) sightings within the National Airspace System (NAS) has introduced many safety concerns, regulatory complications, and operational challenges, especially with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) future removal of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). As UAS become more integrated, understanding the relationship between UAS sightings and city population density is of great importance for ensuring safety. This quantitative correlation examined the relationship between Southeast cities’ population density and reported UAS sightings in 2020. The data was obtained through the FAA’s UAS sightings report (2022) and the U.S. Census Bureau’s population data (2020) from the states Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. RStudio analysis of the data resulted in 94 cities indicating a moderate, statistically significant positive correlation (r = .58, p \u3c .001) with outliers, and ( r =.24, p = .025) without outliers, between population density and reported UAS sightings, suggesting that higher population densities are associated with more frequent sightings of UAS. The findings support the hypothesis that cities of higher population density experience more frequent UAS activity and reporting, which increases the potential of risk to the NAS. Results highlight the need for changes in the current regulations to mitigate the risks associated with UAS operations. Insights gained from this study may be able to assist the FAA and other policymakers when they are developing strategies to safely and effectively integrate UAS operations into the NAS