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Y. M. C. A. Building in D\u27Lo, Mississippi
No full textA color illustration of the one story Y. M. C. A. building in D\u27Lo, Mississippi is depicted in this postcard. The building is brick with white molding on the porch and white dentil molding along the roofline. A chimney is in the center of the hip style roof. The title of the card is written in black along the bottom of the image.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-lampton-images-ms-capitol/1550/thumbnail.jp
Sequential and Parallel Algorithms in Influence Maximization: An Investigation
No full textInfluence Maximization (IM) involves identifying the most influential individuals within a network to maximize the spread of influence. This problem is critical for applications such as viral marketing, epidemic control, and social media, but it is a challenging NP-hard problem. Consequently, several approximation algorithms have been developed, both sequential and parallel. This investigation explores IM algorithms, categorizing them into simulation-based, proxy-based, and sketch-based approaches. We examine the theoretical foundations, computational efficiencies, and practical applications of these algorithms. Additionally, we explore recent developments in machine learning, reinforcement learning, and quantum computing-based methods. We compare the performance and efficiency of sequential, parallel (including multithreaded), distributed implementations, and GPU-accelerated solutions. Finally, we discuss potential future research directions, emphasizing the need for comprehensive benchmarking and the trade-offs between time and space complexity in IM algorithms
Assessment of Cardiometabolic and General Health Risks Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups in Texas
No full textCardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), which affect both cardiovascular and metabolic health, remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Texas, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death, and the prevalence of diabetes is significantly higher than the national average. This study investigates CMDs and general health risks both within and across racial/ethnic groups in Texas using survey-weighted linear and logistic regression models. We collected 76,456 individual-level observations of cardiometabolic measures and general health outcomes from the Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 2011 to 2021. To assess disparities in these health risks, we used stratified models with racial/ethnic groups as the primary grouping variable. Compared to White individuals, Black individuals had significantly higher BMI (β = 5.06, CI: 3.75–6.84), and greater odds of developing CVDs (OR: 1.44, CI: 1.15–1.80), diabetes (OR: 1.75, CI: 1.48–2.08), heart disease (OR: 1.35, CI: 1.08–1.69), and reporting poorer general health (OR: 1.33, CI: 1.16–1.53). Hispanic individuals also had higher BMI (β = 2.67, CI: 1.92–3.71), greater odds of diabetes (OR: 1.63, CI: 1.44–1.86), and poorer general health (OR: 1.38, CI: 1.23–1.54) compared to White individuals. Although older age, male, lower education and income, and smoking are risk factors for most CMDs and general health outcomes, disparities in these risks exist across racial/ethnic groups. These findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to address health disparities and the elevated risks faced by Black and Hispanic communities
Exploring the effects of drought and salt stress on physiology, leaf reflectance, and growth dynamics of Brassica carinata
No full textDrought and salt stress are two major abiotic factors that limit crop productivity worldwide. However, our understanding of the physiological mechanisms and growth responses that enable plant tolerance to these stressors is limited, hindering improvements in carinata (Brassica carinata A. Braun) production. To enhance our understanding of the physiological mechanisms governing stress adaptation in carinata, we evaluated 14 genotypes under early-season drought and salt stress conditions. We analyzed physiological, biomass, and reflectance traits three weeks after the onset of these stress conditions. Drought and salt stress resulted in significant declines of 76 % and 35 % in stomatal conductance, which were correlated with elevated canopy temperatures. Biomass production was severely affected, with total biomass decreasing by 73 % under drought conditions and 38 % under salinity conditions. Spectral reflectance-derived vegetation indices revealed shifts in canopy greenness, with indices such as the Wide Dynamic Range Vegetation Index showing a 67 % decline under drought and a 49 % decline under salt stress, respectively. Principal component analysis showed that these spectral indicators clustered with physiological traits, highlighting their potential as non-destructive tools for monitoring stress responses. Genotypic responses varied; AX19028 conserved water by reducing growth, whereas AX19026 maintained growth through water-conserving strategies. Stress response indices revealed that traits relating to physiological responses were associated with drought tolerance (R² = 0.66) and salt tolerance (R² = 0.85) followed by biomass and growth-related traits. This research addresses knowledge gaps regarding carinata\u27s physiological responses to drought and salt stress and provides a framework for selecting genotypes with optimized resource allocation strategies under stress
High night temperature disrupts the assimilate utilization and yield potential in soybean
No full textThe increasing high nighttime temperatures (HNT) during cropping seasons significantly impact soybean yields, highlighting the need to prioritize HNT tolerance in breeding. This study quantified the response of seventeen soybean genotypes to HNT during both reproductive and vegetative stages, offering a promising opportunity to improve HNT tolerance in soybeans. A 4.8 °C increase in nighttime temperature during the reproductive stage significantly reduced daytime transpiration (17 %) and stomatal conductance (30 %), resulting in a 21 % decrease in photosynthesis (A). This led to a complex physiological shift, with a 29 % increase in nighttime respiration (Rd) during the reproductive stage and an 8 % increase during the vegetative stage. The reproductive stage was more vulnerable than the vegetative stage, substantially increasing assimilate use to production (Rd/A). These changes resulted in a 2.8 % reduction in seed yield for every 1 °C rise in nocturnal temperature above 23 °C. At the reproductive stage, Rd/A showed a strong negative correlation with seed yield, while the reduction in seed yield was positively correlated with reduced seed oil (r = 0.55; P \u3c 0.05) under HNT. Genotypes tolerant to HNT during the reproductive stage maintained a low Rd/A with minimal to no change in seed yield compared to sensitive genotypes. Furthermore, our study revealed a unique hyperspectral signature, showing reduced reflectance, particularly in the water absorption spectral band associated with sensitive genotypes under HNT. Our findings pointed critical physiological checkpoints associated with higher yield and quality under HNT. These results also establish a foundation for developing new heat-proof soybeans for warmer environments
Enhancing Bending Performance of Engineered Wood Cellular Beams: Insights from Compressive Strength
No full textWood-based cellular beams are an emerging and promising research topic due to their high specific bending stiffness and bending strength, comparable to glulam which is primarily used in mass timber construction. This study evaluates the compressive behavior of these beams to further enhance their bending load-carrying capacity. Corrugated panels were fabricated using commercial wood strands obtained by processing small-diameter Southern Yellow Pine. The layout of the corrugated panels, determined by the orientation of the corrugation axis relative to the beam dimensions, results in cellular beams with different configurations. Common configurations were examined in terms of their compressive behavior. Establishing a clear and proportional relationship between the compressive strength and the bending load-carrying capacity proved challenging. However, insights from the compressive behavior of these configurations led to the development of a new beam design, which was evaluated under both compressive and bending loads. This new configuration, with improved compressive performance, resulted in a lightweight beam with higher bending stiffness and bending strength compared to a glulam beam. When normalized by density, the bending stiffness and maximum bending load were 16 % and 2 % higher, respectively, than a glulam beam of similar dimensions. These results underscore the potential of engineered cellular beams as lightweight, sustainable alternatives to traditional mass timber beams
Carbon Partitioning Effects on Martensitic Phase Transformation of Type 301 Steel Under Various Thermal Processing Conditions
No full textSimultaneous improvement of strength and ductility in steels has been a daunting challenge for materials scientists, as these properties are by nature mutually exclusive. One design approach that has the merit to use traditional steel processing technologies is the thermo-mechanical stabilization of the austenitic phase. Owing to its highly symmetric FCC crystal structure, if austenite can be maintained during processing, and then further preserved under mechanical deformation, the final microstructure can solve the Pareto design problem where the high strength does not compromise the ability of the material to resist strain localization/ incompatibility. The thermomechanical stability of austenite is achieved through compositional modification of the phase, thereby making the control of the elemental partitioning mechanism between existing phases during manufacturing as the main design metric. In this work, we have developed a phase field framework to model the partitioning mechanism of one of the cheapest austenite stabilizers, carbon, in a 301 stainless steel grade. The model uses a coupled framework between thermomechanical and latent heat effects to capture carbon partitioning during martensite nucleation, propagation, and growth kinetics as well as austenite stability and distribution during and after various heat treatment routines. Various microstructures were simulated for the quench state only as well as quench-and-temper heat treatment routines. The resulting microstructure and carbon distribution shed light on various evolutionary effects such as carbon segregation, grain boundary effects, stable martensite morphology, austenite distribution, and phase fraction. In particular, the model was able to reproduce the evolution of carbon-depleted martensite zones and carbon-enriched austenite regions as well as carbon distribution similar to experimental observation at austenite–martensite interfaces
Effect of Fall-applied Residual Herbicide Mixtures on Rice Growth and Yield
No full textThe recommended method of control for glyphosate-resistant (GR) Italian ryegrass in Mississippi is the utilization of fall-applied residual herbicides; however, these treatments may negatively impact rice performance. A field study was conducted at the Mississippi State University Delta Research and Extension Center to evaluate rice performance following fall-applied treatments of residual herbicides plus flumioxazin at different rates. Pooled over with and without flumioxazin and herbicide rates, clomazone and dimethenamid-P caused \u3c 10% injury 28 d after emergence (DAE). Acetochlor delayed rice maturity 2 d when compared to clomazone, dimethenamid-P, and flumioxazin. Rice density was reduced ≥ 4 plants m-2 following fall-applied acetochlor and dimethenamid-P compared to the nontreated. Rough rice yields were reduced ≥ 670 kg ha-1 with fall-applied acetochlor alone and dimethenamid-P compared to the nontreated. Acetochlor should not be utilized as a fall-applied treatment in areas scheduled for growing rice the following season. Given current label restrictions and rice injury caused by acetochlor and dimethenamid-P, clomazone remains the only viable option for controlling GR Italian ryegrass where rice is scheduled to be planted the following spring
Over and under identification of Emotional Disturbance (EmD) in minority students: Implications for best practices in EmD assessment
No full textEmotional Disturbance (EmD) remains one of the most inconsistently defined and assessed categories under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), leading to widespread misidentification that disproportionately affects minority students. This study investigates systemic biases in EmD assessment practices, highlighting how subjective criteria and a heavy reliance on clinical judgment perpetuate disparities in identifying African American and Latino students in special education. To better understand these biases, the study sought to identify which assessment components school psychologists most frequently utilized when making eligibility determinations for EmD. Quantitative analysis revealed that while race was not a statistically significant predictor of EmD eligibility, African American students were assessed using behavioral referrals nearly twice as often as Latino or White students. Overall, participants identified standardized assessment components, such as IQ tests and behavior rating scales, as the most frequently used tools in determining EmD eligibility. However, the disproportionate reliance on behavioral assessments for African American students underscores the influence of clinical judgment in driving bias, echoing existing literature that points to the limitations of non-standardized evaluation practices. The study’s limited generalizability, due to a relatively small sample size, calls for future research to engage larger, more diverse populations to validate and expand upon these findings. Despite this limitation, the research strongly advocates for the development of standardized, culturally competent assessment tools that ensure fair and equitable identification of EmD
Biomechanics of softball pitching and the relationship between functional field tests and pitching performance
No full textOver 2 million people in the United States play softball alone, yet softball literature in exercise science and biomechanics is still sparse. Research that exists for softball pitching has focused on injury mechanisms and prevention, with a small portion of the literature reporting on performance. Studies have reported evidence suggesting that vertical ground reaction forces of the stride leg are related to pitch velocity. However, no studies have investigated the role of the stride leg during the initial launch phase of the pitch. Research has investigated kinematics such as pelvic and thoracic rotation during the pitch, but no research has investigated the linear or angular impulses through and about the center of mass (COM) during the pitch. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the role of the stride leg GRF during the launch phase and impulses through and about the COM with pitching performance. A total of 43 participants were recruited and tested in a softball facility was outfitted with 8 Qualisys cameras and 3 AMTI force plates to measure the kinematics and kinetics of the softball pitch. Kinematics were measured using Theia Markerless Motion Capture while Qualisys Track Manager was utilized to combine force plate and motion capture data. Results showed several significant correlations between pitch velocity and stride leg GRF during the beginning and end of the pitch, linear impulse through the COM at the beginning and end of the pitch, and several strength and function measurements. Further, high velocity pitchers had significantly more stride leg GRF, linear impulse through the COM, isometric strength and performed better on medicine ball throws and jump tests than low velocity pitchers. This study showed that the stride leg generates forces not only to help propel the pitcher forward but also to stop the forward momentum of the pitcher, which allows the pitcher to utilize the kinetic chain efficiently and greater forward linear impulse during launch and posterior linear impulse after foot plant is important for generating pitch velocity. Further research should continue to investigate pitching performance variables to tease out the most efficient kinematics and kinetics