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Understanding Phosphorus Load Trends and Controlling Factors in Illinois Watersheds
No full textIn recent years, phosphorus concentration in watersheds in Illinois has been a major concern, where studies have shown an increasing trend in streams and rivers in Illinois. Phosphorus affects water quality and negatively impacts humans and the aquatic ecosystem. Results from the 2023 Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy biennial report showed that phosphorus concentrations in Illinois waterways increased in 2021 and 2022 compared to historical baseline data and the Illinois River basin is a major contributor of P load to the Gulf of America. Excessive P in waterbodies leads to nutrient enrichment and eutrophication and causes algal bloom, and this disrupts water quality. Living organisms in water grow rapidly, they turn to die and decompose. Decomposition can deplete oxygen in water and result in hypoxia and fish kills. It is important to understand the factors influencing P load in Illinois watersheds that eventually flow into the Gulf of America. Various measures are being put in place to reduce and control the conditions of the hypoxic zones in the Gulf of America.
This project investigates phosphorous trends and factors (e.g., watershed characteristics (e.g., area, perimeter), climate factors (precipitation, temperature), hydrology (discharge), human factors (e.g., point sources), landuse, and soil) influencing phosphorus load trend in Illinois river basin. We will use historical water quality data to analyze the trend and determine the factors influencing the trend. Non-parametric Mann-Kendal and Sen’s slope methods will be used to determine the trends in phosphorous data. A database constituting the factors will be created for each watershed, and a comparative analysis will be conducted to assess the controlling factors. A positive increase in trend is expected in areas showing high precipitation, runoff from urban areas, and agriculture dominated areas. Understanding the analysis from this study can help devise a strategy to control the increase of phosphorus in Illinois watersheds
The Moderating Role of Emotional Support on the Relation between Racial Microaggressions, Mental Health, and Self-Esteem for Black Men
No full textThe purpose of this study was to explore the effects of exposure to microaggressions on the mental health (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms) and self-esteem of Black college students enrolled at a historically white institution (HWI). Additionally, social support was examined as a moderator variable on the relation between exposure to microaggressions and mental health and self-esteem. The demand for the current study originates from the lack of psychological research highlighting the microaggressive experiences of Black men. Furthermore, despite the underrepresentation of Black men in research studies, Black men attending HWIs face significant mental health challenges, highlighting the necessity studies with practical application (Palmer & McMickens, 2024). Although the current literature on microaggressions suggest that microaggressive events contribute the decline in mental health and produce adverse effects, the overall results of this study indicated that exposure to microaggressions were not sufficient to predict mental health outcomes, and multiple factors of social support did not moderate the relation between exposure to microaggressions and mental health outcomes. However, the emotional support factor surfaced as a significant moderator for self-esteem. Future direction and implications of this study are discussed
Hydronic Parking Lots: A Solution for Urban Heat Island Mitigation
Get PDFThe Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect has emerged as a critical challenge in modern cities. It contributes to elevated local temperatures, placing significant stress on urban ecosystems and public health. One of the primary drivers of this phenomenon is the widespread use of impervious surfaces, such as dark-colored parking lots, which absorb heat during the day and gradually release it at night. This ongoing cycle results in persistently warmer urban environments. As cities continue to expand and densify, the need for effective, sustainable strategies to reduce urban heat becomes increasingly urgent.
This project aims to explore innovative interventions, particularly in the design and management of urban surfaces, to reduce heat retention, improve thermal comfort, and enhance urban resilience. One promising strategy is the use of hydronic parking lot systems. These systems feature a network of pipes embedded beneath the parking surface, through which a fluid circulates to absorb and transfer the accumulated heat from solar radiation. By capturing and removing this thermal energy, these systems can significantly lower surface temperatures and help mitigate local heat buildup.
Despite their potential, the thermal behavior, efficiency, and optimal design parameters of hydronic systems are not well understood. This knowledge gap limits practical application and broader adoption in urban infrastructure. Addressing this gap is essential to help building owners, urban planners, and engineers make informed decisions about integrating such systems into sustainable development practices.
This study investigates the key factors that influence the performance of hydronic pavement systems. It examines how variables such as pipe material (copper, PVC, and steel), inlet fluid temperature (low, medium, high), fluid flow rate (slow, medium, high), and pipe spacing (close, medium, wide) affect system performance under varying climatic conditions. A dual-method approach was adopted, combining numerical modeling with laboratory-scale experimentation to ensure comprehensive analysis.
For the numerical analysis, over 50 distinct simulation models were developed using MATLAB. Each model simulated the thermal behavior of a parking surface over a continuous 24-hour period, accounting for both daytime heating and nighttime cooling under different weather conditions. These simulations helped quantify the effect of each parameter on pavement surface temperature. The models also considered three levels of solar radiation—200, 600, and 1000 W/m²—to reflect a range of real-world solar exposure scenarios (low, moderate, and hot day temperatures).
To validate the simulations, a custom-built laboratory test setup was developed. It included copper pipes arranged in a serpentine pattern, placed inside an insulated chamber to replicate real-world parking lot conditions. The system was monitored using temperature sensors and a pyranometer, both connected to a data logger to track surface temperature and solar radiation. During testing at 600 W/m², the lab results closely aligned with the simulation predictions, showing minimal variation. This strong correlation confirmed the accuracy and reliability of the computational model.
The simulation results highlighted that cooling effectiveness is most influenced by a combination of lower inlet fluid temperatures, closer pipe spacing (around 4 inches or 10 cm), and moderate flow rates (approximately 10 gallons per minute). Of the three pipe materials tested, copper consistently outperformed steel and PVC, particularly under high solar radiation, due to its superior thermal conductivity (~385 W/m·K). Surface temperature reductions of 8.8°C (47.84°F) under low radiation, 16.8°C (62.24°F) under moderate radiation, and 23.6°C (74.48°F) under high radiation were achieved, compared to the uncooled baseline. These outcomes were statistically validated using an ANOVA test, which confirmed the significance of the findings (p = 0.002).
In conclusion, this research offers validated insights into the design and thermal performance of hydronic pavement systems. It successfully bridges the gap between theoretical modeling and practical implementation, providing a foundation for integrating these systems into climate-resilient urban infrastructure. The results are particularly beneficial for building owners, urban designers, architects, and policy makers, who can use this evidence to support more sustainable, comfortable, and heat-resilient cities
“Don’t Panic, it’s Just AI:” A Qualitative Study on Internal Communication Strategies for Managing AI-Driven Change”
Get PDFThis qualitative study investigated how organizations utilize internal communication strategies to navigate AI-driven change effectively. Through semi-structured interviews with eleven communication professionals and change leaders across various industries, the research identified key communication approaches that facilitate successful AI implementation. Findings revealed three primary strategies: framing AI as a tool that enhances rather than replaces human capabilities, connecting AI initiatives to organizational purpose and business goals, and demonstrating practical use cases through concrete examples. The study also highlighted the importance of establishing clear guidelines for responsible AI use, making initial adoption optional rather than mandatory, and directly addressing job security concerns. Additionally, results indicated that effective communication strategies evolve from centralized, top-down messaging toward more distributed, community-driven approaches as implementation matures, with communication content progressing from foundational education to strategic integration. These findings contribute to both theoretical understanding of AI-specific change management and practical guidance for organizations implementing AI technologies
THE BIOMECHANICS OF BRAKING SQUAT AND SPLIT BRAKING SQUAT: AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH
Get PDFAn experimental study was undertaken to investigate the biomechanics of braking and split braking squat among NCAA jumpers under three incremental loading conditions (BW, BW+50%, BW+100%). Fifteen males (age 20.6±2.61years, weight 80.36±10.52kg, height 183.06±5.22cm) performed both exercises. One-way RMANOVA, Bonferroni post-Hoc tests were conducted independently on each exercise. Braking squat showed 38% reduction in peak vertical ground reaction force from BW to BW+50%, 53% from BW to BW+100% (all p≤0.001); split braking squat, 34% reduction from BW to BW+50%, 63% from BW to BW+100%, 29% from BW+50% to BW+100% (all p≤0.001). Braking squat showed 53% increase in ground contact time from BW to BW+50% (p=0.010), 64% from BW to BW+100%(
Finding the Diaspora: Understanding U.S. Central American Students’ Narratives of Social Justice and Resistance at Four-Year Higher Education Institutions in Illinois
Get PDFThis qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of U.S. Central American students at four-year higher education institutions in Illinois. It focused specifically on how these students navigated notions of cultural, ethnic, and racial identity on campus and resisted imposed concepts of Latinidad. The study used Latino Critical Race Theory, the Community Cultural Wealth Model, and testimonio and plática methodologies to center students’ voices and experiences. Data were collected through individual narratives from eight self-identified U.S. Central American students using semi-structured interviews. The data highlighted how U.S. Central American students perceive dominant narratives of Latinidad in higher education, what aspects of identity they negotiate on campus, and acts of resistance to hegemonic cultural paradigms. Reviewing the data revealed several interconnected themes: Cultural and Ethnic Identity Exploration; First Generation and Navigating Campus; Resistance and Challenging Stereotypes; Support from Faculty and Staff; and Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Improving Campus Experiences. The findings from the study are intended to inform higher education practices in legitimizing Central American histories and knowledge and providing culturally responsive support. Exploring the intersections of labels and U.S. Central American identity can guide institutions toward more nuanced, ethnically conscious engagement with diverse Latine communities
A Comparison of Involved and Uninvolved College Students\u27 Stress and Coping During COVID-19
Get PDFIn this study, I compare the stress and coping of involved students and uninvolved students at liberal arts colleges during COVID-19. The study seeks to understand if there are differences between the two student populations. Three research questions guide the study. First, how has COVID-19 affected the stress levels of involved students compared to uninvolved students at liberal arts colleges? Second, how do involved students cope with their stress related to COVID-19 compared to uninvolved students at liberal arts colleges? And lastly, what is the relationship between how involved college students view COVID-19 and their levels of stress in comparison to uninvolved students at liberal arts colleges?
I use a descriptive mixed methods research design that includes close-ended questions from the adapted Fear of COVID-19 Scale and open questions in the same survey. The data is collected using a pragmatic epistemology lens.
The results show both student populations experienced stress from COVID-19. Involved students connect COVID-19 to hindering their college experience and also have more physical stress symptoms. The themes of importance of involvement, stress, coping, and resilience are identified from the study
Modeling, Analysis, and Prediction of COVID-19 Dynamics with Interacting Subpopulations and Implicit Behavior Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks
Get PDFIn this paper, we consider an extended SEIR compartmental model that incorporates young and old interacting subpopulations, allowing for cross-group transmission dynamics. Implicit behavioral changes are included to determine the influence of social behavior on coronavirus transmission dynamics. The basic reproduction number, the average number of secondary cases of infection produced by a single primary case, is derived for both the explicit and implicit model using the next-generation matrix method. We solve the associated differential equation systems and estimate useful parameters in the explicit model using physics-informed neural networks (PINNs). Our results point to how the PINNs approach offers an effective framework to predict the unique parameters of our model, forecast disease progression, and determine the impact of behavioral modifications on the reproduction number and transmission dynamics. Lastly, we have created an interactive dashboard where users can manipulate certain parameters and view the resulting graphs and the reproductive number
Normal Editions Workshop Newsletter, 2024-2025
Get PDFAnnual newsletter for the Normal Editions Workshop, School of Art, Illinois State University.https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/new/1031/thumbnail.jp
Determining the Effects that Deletion of i386 and i408 have on Sk-3-Type Spore Killing
Get PDFNeurospora crassa is a genus of fungus that exhibits a phenomenon called Sk-3 spore killing. Sk-3 spore killing occurs when an Sk-3 killer strain mates with an Sk-3 sensitive strain, and it results in the death of half of the offspring. A DNA interval called i350, located on N. crassa Chromosome III, has previously been identified as critical for spore killing. Here, to obtain a more detailed understanding of this DNA interval, the effects of the deletion of related DNA intervals i386 and i408 on spore killing has been studied. Deletion of i386 resulted in no disruption of spore killing while deletion of i408 disrupted spore killing. These results provide a better understanding of the DNA sequences required for the spore killing process