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Lessons learned from a grassroots harm reduction effort to prevent drug overdose deaths
No full textClick on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).Inequities with access to naloxone and fentanyl test strips (FTS) due to cost and stigma have reinforced the necessity of community-based distribution of lifesaving harm reduction supplies. In Wichita and Sedgwick County, the epicenter of the opioid epidemic in Kansas, Safe Streets Wichita, a grassroots prevention and harm reduction coalition, started Project Wichita Overdose Recovery Kit Expedited Delivery (WORKED), a free volunteer-led intramuscular naloxone and FTS program. To assess the lessons learned from those involved with Project WORKED, interviews with 12 key stakeholders were conducted. These interviews focused on reflection, constructive criticism, and feedback. Individuals interviewed for this study included volunteers, former/current employees, and naloxone and FTS kit recipients, with special considerations for those with lived experiences of substance-related harms. Based on a reflexive thematic analysis, findings highlight the importance of meaningfully engaging community members most affected by substance-related harms, emphasizing a strengths-based perspective of harm reduction, and being cognizant of the barriers that undermine harm reduction supply distribution efforts and harm reduction in general. These findings help serve as the foundation by which interviewees envision a more holistic and comprehensive approach to harm reduction. Findings will be used to inform the fidelity, efficiency, accessibility, and longevity of community-based naloxone and FTS distribution and the implementation of harm reduction strategies in general across the state of Kansas. © 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
Parametric CAD design for lifecycle-based RC plane development
No full textPresented to the 24th Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) held in Woolsey Hall, Wichita State University, April 25, 2025.The research investigates if parametric CAD modeling can ease product development across lifecycle stages using an RC aircraft as a physical system. Traditional CAD methods are difficult to modify, often resulting in design drift and redesign. Parametric CAD offers an alternative since it links design parameters to geometry. In this research, the lifecycle model derived from INCOSE is utilized to guide design from Stakeholder Requirements Definition (SRD) to Critical Design Review (CDR). The activity is dedicated to the 2025 Boeing Bronze Propeller Competition context. With 3DEXPERIENCE 2025x, 59 key geometric and performance parameters were defined. These were utilized to design a fully parametric RC aircraft using Part Design, Assembly Design, and Generative Shape Design. Variants were explored by changing parameters, with effects measured in terms of weight, balance, and structure. Initial designs were checked through preliminary validations. The use of parametric modeling allowed for seamless updates across design stages and reduced manual rework. SRD to CDR transitions were easily made, with proper traceability of changes. Virtual testing of design alternatives before fabrication led to a well-supported final configuration. Parametric CAD in 3DEXPERIENCE enables lifecycle integration, streamlines iteration, and allows design decisions from concept to CDR. It is a demonstration of current digital engineering practices and provides constructive hands-on learning for undergraduate aerospace education
The impact of blood flow restriction and resistance training on functional outcomes and fatigue in people with Multiple Sclerosis
No full textThis is an open access article under the CC BY license.Purpose Resistance training (RT) can improve functional outcomes among people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) but is underutilized due to the use of heavy training loads. Low-load resistance training with blood-flow restriction (RT + BFR) may provide an alternative. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of low-load RT + BFR and heavy-load RT on functional outcomes among PwMS. Methods Seventeen PwMS (EDSS 0 to 6.5) completed 12 weeks (2x/week) of heavy-load (65% of one-repetition maximum [1RM]; n = 9) RT or low-load (30% of 1RM; n = 8) RT + BFR. Functional outcomes including gait speed (self-selected and fast 10-meter Walk Test [10mWT]), walking endurance (6 Minute Walk Test [6MWT]), leg strength/transfers (Five Times Sit to Stand Test [5xSTS], 30 Second Sit to Stand Test [30CST]), and fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale [MFIS]) were assessed every four weeks. Results Improvements in 10mWT (fast) occurred earlier for low-load RT + BFR (1.31 ± 0.24 to 1.79 ± 0.53 m/s from week 0 to 8; p = 0.005) than heavy-load RT (1.19 ± 0.31 to 1.63 ± 0.58 m/s from week 4 to 12; p = 0.005). MFIS was lower for low-load RT + BFR (16.25 ± 15.59 au) compared to heavy-load RT (32 ± 13.63 au) after 4 weeks (p = 0.042). 6MWT only improved in heavy-load RT from baseline to week 12 (309.1 ± 97.5 to 390.5 ± 100.4 m; p = 0.001), although baseline walking distance was higher in the low-load RT + BFR group (429.3 ± 42.1 m; p = 0.006). Improvements in 5xSTS and 30CST were similar for both groups. Conclusions Low-load RT + BFR and heavy-load RT elicited comparable improvements among indices of strength, endurance, and walking speed with greater improvements in fatigue from low-load RT + BFR in PwMS. Thus, low-load RT + BFR may be a valuable modality to improve functional outcomes among PwMS in situations where heavy-load RT is intolerable. © 2025 American College of Sports Medicine
Electric field analysis at triple-joints and localized defects on different composite insulators designs
No full textClick on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).Composite insulators have been extensively employed around the world due to their lighter weight, improved performance in harsh environments, and potential lower maintenance costs. However, brittle fracture caused by stress corrosion cracking may occur due to water penetration into metal end fittings during operation, even under lower mechanical loads, possibly leading to a complete failure of the composite insulator. Given that the electric field may play a role in brittle fracture of composite insulators in form of partial discharges, two of the most common existing designs that result in different locations of the triple-joint - interface consisting of metal end-fitting, air, and polymer - are studied. The electric field intensification at the triple-joints is modeled using finite element modeling and validated by analytical calculations. In addition, as another recurrent physical defect in composite insulators, air voids are assessed in different locations of the analyzed composite insulator designs to determine their criticality on brittle fracture mechanism. Results present the optimal design based on the location of the triple-joint in composite insulators, and the most critical locations where air voids may severely contribute to failure modes in the composite insulators. © 2024 IEEE.Wichita State University, WSUD.S. would like to acknowledge financial support from Wichita State University
Psychological characteristics associated with increased range anxiety in electric vehicle owners
No full textClick on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).A major barrier to the adoption of electric vehicle (EV) usage in the US is the current lack of charging infrastructure. This leads to concerns over running out of charge before a charging station can be reached, a phenomenon termed range anxiety. The purpose of the current study was to determine factors associated with range anxiety in a sample (N = 184) of EV owners. Participants completed an online survey which asked questions about their demographics and driving characteristics. Mental health and personality measures were also included. The outcome variable was self-reported range anxiety. At the univariate level length of daily commute, years of education, age, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and general level of psychological distress were all associated with range anxiety. When these variables were entered into a logistic regression only the general level of psychological distress and younger age were significant. These findings have several implications. The efforts of governments and industry towards reducing range anxiety have focused on infrastructure. This may not be sufficient to reduce range anxiety, as our findings indicate that range anxiety was not related to driving characteristics, but was instead best predicted by an individual’s overall psychological distress. Therefore, techniques to address characterological anxiety and general psychological distress should also be utilized. © NAJP
The future of software testing automation: Innovations, challenges, and emerging alternatives
No full textClick on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).Software testing automation is seeing fast evolution, propelled by innovative developments in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cloud computing technologies. These advances are transforming the software development environment, providing new opportunities to improve the effectiveness, precision, and adaptability of testing operation. This study investigates the future of software testing automation by analyzing the key advancements that are set to transform testing methodologies in the next years. Prominent advancements include AI-driven test generation methods that utilize machine learning algorithms to automatically produce test cases based on application behavior, as well as self-healing test scripts capable of autonomously identifying and adjusting to alterations in the application interface, thereby substantially minimizing maintenance burdens. Important developments include AI-driven test generation methods that utilize machine learning algorithms to automatically produce test cases based on application behavior, as well as self-healing test scripts that can independently identify and adjust to modifications in the application interface, thereby substantially decreasing maintenance burdens. The incorporation of continuous testing into DevOps pipelines is enhancing the agility and reliability of software delivery, enabling real-time feedback and expedited release cycles. Automation has many benefits, but implementing it is difficult. Maintaining automated test scripts may be complicated and resource-intensive, particularly for rapidly evolving codebases. Due to these constraints, low-code and no-code testing frameworks are becoming popular, democratizing automation by enabling testers without coding skills to build and execute automated tests. Combining these strategies with traditional automated techniques is improving software testing by offering a more complete and effective assessment framework. In research work focus on recent development in the area software testing also compare the different method which is involved in automated software testing. © 2025 IEEE
MTC Oscar Series: CONCLAVE
No full textPublished as part of Mid Theory Collective's 2025 MTC Oscar Series.
Mid Theory Collective is a volunteer-run digital magazine."In this installment of MTC Oscar Series, Martha Shearer, Charline Jao, and Jacy Pedersen offer their thoughts on Edward Berger's Conclave, a political thriller about the election of the next pope, starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini.
Assessing high schoolers' interest in audiology and their views on diversity in healthcare
No full textPresented to the 21st Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Rhatigan Student Center, Wichita State University, April 11, 2025.Research completed in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health Professions.INTRODUCTION: Audiologists are trained to diagnose hearing and balance disorders and often treat them through the use of amplification systems (e.g., hearing aids or cochlear implants) and vestibular rehabilitation. The audiology profession is projected to grow 11% in the next ten years, which is much faster than the average occupation (4%). Previous studies have indicated that the majority of high school students do not know what an audiologist does, thus hindering the influx of higher education students pursuing this degree. Additionally, only 9% of the profession is made of people of color. Studies have shown that, at least for their physicians, people tend to prefer that their doctors have the same racial/ethnic background as them. The field of audiology’s current demographics are not concordant with the diversity of our country, which may be due to various barriers to pursuing higher education that impede students of color from entering the profession.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate high school students’ knowledge and perceptions of audiology before and after experiencing a presentation and simulation, to seek their opinions on the importance of diversity in healthcare, and to identify potential barriers to pursuing a graduate degree.
METHODS: Four groups of high school juniors and seniors (n=75) enrolled in healthcare-related courses, all from racially diverse public high schools (between 63-84% minority), were given a presentation on audiology and were able to experience different audiological tests. These tests included tympanometry, video otoscopy, and the modified clinical test of sensory interaction and balance (CTSIB-M). Data from pre- and post-questionnaires were analyzed using MANOVAs, Welch’s T-Tests, and Chi-Square tests via IBM’s SPSS software.
RESULTS: Responses from the surveys showed that students were more interested in entering the field of audiology after they had experienced the presentation and simulation (p<.001). Eighty-five percent of high school students surveyed indicated that they agreed or strongly agreed that diversity in healthcare is important. When asked if they would pursue a career that required a graduate degree, 78% indicated “yes.” Of those who indicated “no” or “I don’t know,” the main reason reported was a desire to enter the workforce sooner or not wanting to be in school for that long (n=6). There were no statistically significant differences in financial class or family graduation status between these students of color and white students, which may be due to the overall economic disadvantage seen in inner-city public schools or the unequal sample sizes.
CONCLUSION: Regardless of ethnicity/race, the majority of the students believe that diversity in healthcare is important. This finding is noteworthy because it shows that these high schoolers value different backgrounds, cultures, inputs, and experiences in healthcare provision. Additionally, students who are exposed to audiology in a presentation/simulation format are more likely to have an interest in learning more about the profession and studying it in school.Graduate School, Academic Affairs, University Librarie