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Integration of machine learning techniques with computational fluid dynamics for enhanced backward-facing step flow
No full textThis research presents a novel integrated framework combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with machine learning techniques to enhance the analysis of backward-facing step flows. A high-fidelity OpenFOAM CFD simulation was developed and validated against experimental data, accurately predicting the reattachment length (��/�� ≈ 6.18) and velocity profiles throughout the domain. Machine learning models, including Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and Support Vector Regression, were integrated through a robust data pipeline, with the ensemble approach demonstrating superior performance (RMSE of 1.18 m/s, ��2 of 0.951). Feature importance analysis revealed pressure (32%) and turbulent kinetic energy (28%) as the dominant physical parameters governing the flow behavior. Physics-informed feature engineering significantly boosted the model’s performance by incorporating knowledge in the domain, which illustrated the strength of hybrid approaches. The combined framework exhibited speedups of 140–240 times compared to traditional CFD while maintaining the error in the prediction at the level of 5%. The strategy overcomes long-standing CFD challenges, particularly for separated flows, by leveraging the strengths of physics-based and data-driven approaches. The framework efficiently accommodates rapid design iteration, parametric exploration, and optimization for aerospace, automotive, and energy systems engineering design
The importance of community: an investigation of stress, coping, and the value of social support for first responders
No full textPeople are designed to be in community with others, to work together and share the load and weight of life. First responders are a community that has not emphasized the importance of social support to mitigate and buffer against the stress inherent in their jobs. This study investigates the sources of stress, coping methods, and social support of first responders. Results from the first study show the impact of workplace and family stress on the first responder is impactful from the beginning. The secondary study finds that adaptive coping methods are the preferred method to cope with stress and that first responders are resilient in working to address their stress. In the final study, social support was found to be an active part of mitigating stress but the opportunity for expansion is available. By considering all the studies together, opportunities to strengthen the environment for social support to flourish as a mitigation and buffer for stress are revealed
Costs and challenges in the Mississippi log trucking industry
No full textChallenges impacting Mississippi log trucking businesses include escalating production costs, labor shortages, aging ownership, and rising liability insurance premiums. These concerns are transmitted back to loggers, landowners, and the entire forest products industry, reducing their contributions to the state’s economy. Lack of current knowledge concerning the adaptation of Mississippi log trucking companies under adverse business conditions necessitated a statewide mixed-mode survey to determine the industry’s structure, the nature of liability insurance premiums, and business owner perceptions about driver hiring and profitability. Mississippi log trucking business owners and drivers were predominantly middle-aged, with fewer individuals under the age of 40. Log truck driver training, safety practices, and safety technologies were not implemented uniformly across industry groups. Approximately one-third of responding businesses did not implement various safety practices, and more than 50% did not regularly implement truck driver education initiatives. Log trucking business characteristics significantly influencing liability insurance premiums were identified through a semilogarithmic hedonic regression model. Marginal implicit prices were calculated to reveal an average per unit monetary contribution of each significant attribute while holding the others constant. The largest marginal implicit prices associated with log trucking insurance premiums were related to safety violations (1,311 per violation). Implementing safety practices and equipment did not directly provide discounts, but failing to avoid citations resulted in increased insurance premiums. Mississippi log trucking business owners largely agreed concerning worsening labor markets and profit margins. More emphasis was placed on driver shortages and failed drug tests, but over 50% of respondents rated uncompetitive pay and lack of employee benefits as having important impacts on hiring qualified drivers. Mississippi log trucking business owners rated factors relating to production costs and trucking rates as having the highest impacts on profitability. The sustainability of the Mississippi log trucking industry can be improved through expanded cooperation with the forest products industry, initiatives to recruit qualified drivers, and uniform implementation of driver training and safety practices, which can indirectly lower costs by preventing safety violations and costly crashes
“Here for everyone” (?): how intimate partner violence service organizations address community needs and transgender inclusion in the Deep South
No full textTransgender individuals face disproportionately high rates of intimate partner violence (also known as IPV) when compared to other sociodemographic groups. Despite this prevalence, IPV service organizations in the Deep South (e.g., Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina), a region of the U.S. encompassing several rural communities and characterized by traditional gender norms and conservative Christian religious values, may have difficulties meeting the unique needs of transgender IPV survivors. This dissertation explores two key areas: (1) the perceptions of IPV service organization staff members in the Deep South concerning how their agencies assist members of the transgender community, and (2) how these agencies frame IPV during their community outreach efforts, particularly focusing on how they inform community members about transgender IPV. Using qualitative methods, this research study draws on interviews with 22 staff members from IPV service agencies across the Deep South, a review of social media postings made by IPV organizations in the region during 2023, and observations/informational handouts from 2023’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month programming to evaluate service provision and community engagement. During the interviews, almost all IPV service organization staff members reported their belief that their agencies would be willing to work with transgender IPV survivors and that a person’s gender identity is not a barrier to accessing their services. However, findings indicate there are discrepancies between identified best practices for working with IPV survivors and staff perceptions regarding how their organizations assist transgender individuals. As for IPV service organization outreach efforts, existing community outreach often fails to acknowledge transgender IPV survivors altogether, with many agencies relying on traditionally cisnormative and heteronormative frameworks of reference that reinforce systemic barriers to care. Lastly, conservative Christian values, deeply embedded within the Deep South’s cultural identity, present a complex dynamic that many IPV service organizations must contend with when assisting IPV survivors. This study underscores the need for systemic reforms to ensure that IPV services in the Deep South are accessible for transgender IPV survivors and that IPV service agencies in this region adhere to the best practices to assist and educate members of the community about transgender IPV
Advancing historic preservation through university research and education: A Proposal for the Mississippi Center for Historic Preservation
No full textThe field of historic preservation faces evolving social, environmental, and technological challenges that require innovative, interdisciplinary solutions. This thesis examines how a university-based research and education center can address contemporary heritage conservation issues by encouraging collaboration among academia, industry, and local communities. Such a center can bridge gaps in knowledge, practice, and policy while preparing preservation professionals to navigate the complexities of the modern built environment. Through an analysis of existing models, stakeholder engagement, and best practices, this research identifies essential components for a successful center, including curriculum integration, community partnerships, industry involvement, and emerging technologies. It also explores the potential impact of a center in advancing sustainability, resilience, and workforce development. Findings emphasize the vital role of universities in driving interdisciplinary collaboration and advancing preservation methodologies. Ultimately, this study provides a framework for establishing a center that professionalizes the field and ensures heritage conservation remains relevant amid ongoing challenges
Psycho-Sociodemographic and Substance-Related Correlates of Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior
No full textBackground: College students face challenging environments in which risky coping mechanisms, such as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and substance use may be used to mitigate psychological strain. The purpose of this research was to examine relationships between substance use, psychological distress, and various aspects of NSSI.
Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from students recruited from a large university in the southern United States (n = 502). Instrumentation included validated and reliable scales on substance use, psychological conditions, NSSI behaviors, demographics, and suicidality measures.
Results: In all, 21% reported engagement in some form of NSSI within the past year. A lower GPA, identifying as a sexual minority, engaging in marijuana and other drug use, screening positive for depression, anxiety, suicidality significantly increased the likelihood NSSI. Suicidal ideation and living on campus increased the likelihood of engaging in multiple forms of NSSI. Identifying as female, age at alcohol onset, presence of depression, and all forms of suicidality predicted more frequent NSSI. Following covariate adjustment NSSI outcomes were prominently associated with psychological dysregulation.
Conclusions: Identification of evidence suggestive of NSSI behaviors may be an important indicator of underlying psychological distress and substance related issues. Thereby, providing opportunities for early intervention that precedes suicide attempts
Growing Confidence: Women Forest Landowner Workshops in Georgia
No full textThe number of female forest landowners (FFLs) has been growing throughout the United States. This growth demands educational outreach for a demographic that is often behind their male counterparts in experience and education. The purpose of this exploratory study was to design and host educational workshops geared towards FFLs and to answer the following questions using quantitative and qualitative methods: (1) Are the workshops changing FFLs’ confidence in land management? (2) What are FFLs’ intentions after attending workshops? (3) Does confidence or participants’ intentions with their land vary with demographics? (4) Are workshops providing a platform to start FFL social networks? Lastly, (5) are workshops creating a space for peer-to-peer learning? A total of 41 questionnaires were collected, with 28 being participants surveyed for the first time. Confidence increased after attending workshops, and participants had exceedingly high intentions to engage in most land management activities. Qualitative data from focus groups and interviews indicated that participants built a network and grew through peer-to-peer learning. Empowering FFLs seems to be one of the first steps to increase their engagement with other FFLs, with their own land, and with forestry professionals
Designing a Combination Keyboard and Mouse Device for One-Handed Use
No full textThis paper proposes a device designed to allow a one-handed individual to effectively interface with a computer. The design aims to minimize the efficiency gap between one-handed and two-handed individuals by increasing typing speed and reducing transition time between keyboard and mouse. This paper outlines the rationale behind the design, the components and methods used in building the prototype, and the current state of the research. This design is a promising alternative to standard keyboard and mouse layouts that holds the potential to open up one-handed individuals to more job opportunities in computer dominated fields
FFF Process Parameter Identification with Machine Learning Models
No full textAdditive manufacturing (AM) has seen increasing popularity in recent times, owing to its efficiency and high speeds, particularly with processes such as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). Input process parameters have large impacts on the final part. Incomplete process parameters, which can occur for a variety of reasons, make tasks such as replicating AM studies difficult. A machine learning model can be trained on in-situ layer-wise images collected during a print to combat this issue, predicting process parameters with sufficient data. In this study, two parameters were tested: infill pattern orientation and extrusion width. Twelve parts were produced per parameter and layer-wise images were collected with a Raspberry Pi camera. Random Forest and Multi-Layer Perceptron classification models were tested, as well as Principal Component Analysis for data preprocessing, using these images as the dataset. The results were analyzed to demonstrate the viability of image analysis and machine learning for parameter prediction
Reporting Ergonomic Data from a Wearable Smart Sleeve on an Automotive Paint Line
No full textWearable technology offers a promising way to collect ergonomic risk data. This case study describes the integration of Liquid Wire smart sleeves into operations at an automotive paint line at Toyota in Blue Springs, Mississippi. Data from the wearable devices was used to calculate a modified RULA score and an asymmetry index for each operator to measure risk of ergonomic injuries to the wrist and arm. Options for communicating risk are also presented in this case study, such that results can be understood by both ergonomists and untrained stakeholders. Possible risk displays developed in Power BI are presented