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A Seat at the Table: An Autoethnography of Interpersonal Relationships and Leader Development
No full textAssistant principals are the underserved leaders in K-12 education. With limited research highlighting the lived experiences of these leaders, there is still much to be learned about assistant principals. More specifically, there is more to learn about their relationships with their principals and their development as leaders. Utilizing leader-member exchange (LMX), this autoethnographic study highlights the interpersonal relationships between a principal and assistant principal team at a small, suburban middle school in Georgia. The results of the study indicate a relationship characterized by a variety of low-LMX outputs which impact the leader development of the assistant principal. This study will provide university leader development programs, school districts, and principals with the levers to support positive interpersonal relationships among principal and assistant principal teams
A novel Quadtree-Based Genetic Programming for Security and AI Applications
No full textGenetic programming (GP) is one of the techniques of the field of genetic and evolutionary computation. Its major task is to evolve computer programs, where each individual is represented as tree structures. Despite its success in multivariate expressions, a different method is needed when the objective has region-by-region properties. In this research, we present a novel Quadtree-based Genetic Programming (Quadtree-GP) for optimizing spatial areas on customized requirements of different grid structures. Instead of using binary trees, the concept of quadtrees are represented as individuals. Three applications of cybersecurity, Machine Learning (ML), and Reinforcement Learning (RL) are introduced for Quadtree-GP: (1) Searchable Encryption in Location-based Alert Systems (2) Pooling in Convolutional Neural Networks, and (3) Reward Shaping in uncertain goal assistance. We denote our methods as Quadtree-GP+, Evolutionary Quadtree Pooling (EQP), and Evolutionary Quadtree-based Reward Shaping (EQRS), respectively. In the first part, we demonstrate that Quadtree-GP+ is able to find
searchable encryption candidates that outperform GP search, random search, and Gray Encoding in terms of user response time, token remaining percentage, and execution time. In the second part, we show that the best candidate network of EQP outperforms state-of-the-art max, average, stochastic, median, soft, and mixed pooling in accuracy and overfitting reduction while maintaining low computational costs. In the the third part, we prove that the shaping-reward function generated by EQRS is able to ensure efficient convergence to high-performance policies for the agent and outperforms state-of-the-art Potential-based reward shaping algorithms on uncertain goal environment
Integration of Lean and Industry 4.0 for Smart Manufacturing
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of integrating Industry 4.0 (I-4.0) technology with Lean Production (LP) systems to increase manufacturing productivity. LP has been in use for over four decades and has resulted in the development of a range of Lean tools and principles that have been proven effective in improving productivity and performance in different manufacturing sectors. However, since 2011, I-4.0 has also been increasingly utilized to enhance productivity. While both paradigms share the goal of enhancing productivity, Lean is a people-centered, while I-4.0 is a technology-centered approach. As a result, some researchers have raised concerns about the integration of I-4.0 into LP systems and the potential for a synergistic relationship between the two approaches. To analyze these concerns systematically, we conducted a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) investigating the relationship between Lean and I-4.0, identifying existing frameworks for combining the two, and identifying key factors that drive the successful integration of I-4.0 into LP systems. We also explored potential challenges that may arise during the integration process. The SLR findings revealed a lack of understanding of the relationship between Lean tools and I-4.0 technologies, particularly the one-to-one relationship. In addition, there is a lack of empirical studies exploring how these two paradigms can be integrated to enhance productivity. By addressing these gaps, we were motivated to conduct this dissertation research. The entire research work is divided into three studies. In the first study, we aimed to propose a conceptual framework for the successful integration of I-4.0 into the LP system. Besides the research gaps derived from the SLR in designing the framework, we employed basic principles of system thinking. The proposed framework is designed with a clear direction of the relationship between Lean and I-4.0, while also taking into account potential key driving factors and challenges. In the second study, we attempted to implement the proposed framework in a Lean Educational Automotive Manufacturing Lab. We demonstrated it as a small manufacturing floor to delineate the different phases of the proposed framework. To measure its performance, we defined the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) as the primary key performance indicator (KPI). To explore the synergistic impact of Lean and I-4.0, we defined four treatments, namely `Control,' `Lean,' `Industry 4.0', and `Lean \& Industry 4.0'. In this study, 48 research subjects assembled SUV model cars using Lego parts to test the framework's performance based on the research protocol. The subjects assembled the cars individually under each treatment and also in combination. After conducting a comprehensive analysis, we found that the `Industry 4.0' approach resulted in significantly higher OEE compared to the other treatments. However, the study is limited to a small sample size. To overcome the limitation of a small sample size and to evaluate the effectiveness of workflow layout followed by subject, we were motivated to conduct the third study. In the third study, we explored whether the workflow layout impacts productivity or efficiency. To conduct our investigation, we randomly selected 12 research subjects to observe their performance during the car assembly process. We analyzed their performance based on recorded videos from our second study. Next, we created a discrete event simulation (DES) model to validate the observation using the empirical data of 12 research subjects. Through the observation, we found subjects followed eight different workflow sequences. Through the DES analysis, we discovered the significant impact of workflow on productivity and efficiency. In this study, we employed Throughput (TP) and Time In System (TIS) performance metrics to test our proposed hypotheses. Overall, it is worth mentioning that the study makes three contributions. Firstly, it presents a conceptual framework for integrating I-4.0 technologies into LP systems. Secondly, the performance of the proposed framework is validated by using human subjects in a prototype environment. Finally, effective utilization of DES in determining an efficient workflow sequence for picking and placing parts during the assembly of SUV cars
Training Pharmacists to Implement Depression Screening Services
Get PDFBackground: Depression is the leading cause of disability in persons over 15 years old. It is estimated that over 7% of people have depression but only 40-50% of those actually receive treatment. Inadequate treatment has sweeping negative effects, including school dropout, decreased work productivity, and suicide. Rural areas are affected to a greater degree due to the increase of the “mental health care gap”: the phenomenon of increasing mental health conditions that are not being kept up with by the number of mental health providers. Pharmacists offer a solution here by being more accessible to rural patients than other mental healthcare providers. Studies have demonstrated the feasibility and patient acceptance of pharmacists offering depression screening services in urban pharmacies; however, the rate of implementation of such services is low. Thus, this project seeks to inform an effective depression screening training program for rural community pharmacies, thus improving implementation of depression screening services in underserved areas by incorporating current practices, strategies to address barriers, and preferred implementation strategies.
Hypothesis 1: Knowledge, intention, confidence, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control of a depression screening service will be improved from pre-training to immediately post-training in pharmacists after participating in a depression screening training webinar.
Hypothesis 2: Knowledge, confidence, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control of a depression screening service will continue to be increased from pre- to 3-months post the depression screening training webinar.
Hypothesis 3: Implementation of depression screening services will increase from pre- to 3-months post after the depression screening training webinar.
Methods: A survey was developed and pre-tested with a stakeholder panel to identify current community pharmacist depression screening practices, unique barriers/facilitators, stigma towards patients with mental health, and preferred implementation strategies that rural pharmacists may encounter when implementing a depression screening service. This survey was sent to rural pharmacists in Alabama and Mississippi identified with the Hayes directory and RUCA codes 4-10. Subsequently, a live webinar training program was developed using data from the initial survey and a second stakeholder panel to fill in knowledge gaps, address barriers, improve confidence and beliefs, and disseminate preferred implementation strategies to implementing a depression screening service in rural pharmacies. This webinar was delivered to rural and urban pharmacists in Alabama and Mississippi who were identified using the Hayes directory and a continuing education office listserv. Knowledge, intention, confidence, and beliefs were assessed pre, post, and three months post the webinar.
Results: Eighty-five rural pharmacists completed the survey for a response rate of 14%. Rural pharmacists reported they have several barriers towards implementing a depression screening service: primarily low confidence, lack of time, and lack of knowledge for themselves and their staff. The training webinar significantly increased pharmacist confidence, knowledge, and beliefs pre-post and maintained the increase 3-months post webinar for every variable except subjective norms. Intention to implement and implementation behaviors did not significantly increase. Barriers towards implementation were primarily lack of time and lack of staff.
Conclusion: While the interventional educational webinar increased pharmacists’ knowledge, confidence, and attitudes towards depression screening services, intention to implement as well as actual implementation of these services remained low to non-existent. Further research should be undertaken to gain a better understanding of systematic barriers pharmacists face when implementing depression screening services so that potential solutions may be found
Bridging the Gap: Developing and Studying the Effects of Educational Resources to Increase Environmental Awareness, Science Proficiency, and Sustainability in Alabama’s Schools and Communities
No full textThis study addresses the critical need for sustainable practices amidst rising global temperatures and increasing environmental risks. Recognizing human behavior as a primary contributor to these challenges, it emphasizes the necessity of harmonizing economic, social, and environmental objectives. The United States, particularly the Southeast, faces significant environmental challenges compounded by historical educational, economic, racial, and geographical inequities. Alabama confronts unique educational hurdles while also holding potential for developing sustainable solutions. This research aims to explore the inequities in science education within Alabama and proposes solutions to enhance science proficiency and environmental awareness through equitable and relevant resources.
This study is structured into four key investigations. The first study assesses the science proficiency gap by analyzing demographics, educational achievement, funding, and geographic locations across Alabama's public-school districts. The second study develops, implements, and assesses a classroom lesson on sustainable bio-based materials, focusing on active problem-based learning related to forest products and water remediation. The third study organizes and evaluates a community event to boost public understanding and practice of sustainability. The fourth study provides a qualitative assessment of a mentorship program for minority students, examining its impact on science proficiency and interest. Overall, this research aims to propel Alabama towards sustainability by addressing historical educational inequities and developing impactful, relevant learning materials. The findings have the potential to inspire further research and educational interventions across the United States and the Southeast, contributing to a broader movement towards equitable and effective science education and sustainable development
Wellbeing: An Outcome of Mentoring
No full textResearch regarding stress and burnout suggests the pressures of life as a principal are becoming more intense each year. School principals are leaving their jobs. The purpose of this study was to explore mentoring as a way to combat the stress of the principalship. This phenomenological study focused on mentoring principals for well-being using Seligman’s (2011) positive psychology framework, PERMA, and the Mertz (2004) mentoring framework. It explored principal well-being as reflected in mentoring practices. Nine school principals from different communities in Alabama were interviewed. Twelve themes emerged, and aligned with the five PERMA domains: positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. The findings of this study showed principals had improved hard and soft skills. They had improved confidence along with personal and professional growth. The progressed toward independence. The deep connections with the mentors improved their well-being and decreased their stress
Early Stages of Brown Rot Fungi Detection: NIR Spectroscopy Integrated with Chemometrics
No full textThe southern U.S. is an important region for the forestry industry, playing a crucial role in the economy and the environment, being an important region of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L) timber production in the U.S. Unfortunately, the occurrence of natural disasters like a hurricane can not only increase costs associated with salvaging operations of storm-damaged timber but also increase the vulnerability of forests to pests and diseases. One of these is the brown rot fungi (BRF), which are well known to attack cellulose, leaving behind a residue composed of lignin. It is the most common and damaging type of fungal decay of wood in-service. Hurricanes often cause a large amount of timber and damaged wood, creating an ideal environment for fungal decay. Landowners are interested in salvaging their timber, but the utilization of this downed timber is going to rely on the grade of the timber that is damaged and decayed, as well as the length of time between the disturbance and harvest. Current methods used to determine fungal decay in wood can be expensive, time-consuming, and ineffective for detecting early stages of decay.
One alternative that has gained attention in recent years is near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology, which can rapidly and simultaneously measure the properties of wood affected by fungal decay without destroying the sample. The NIRS can be used in combination with chemometrics to establish the relationship between near infrared (NIR) spectra and a tedious traditional method, that usually involves chemistry and enables the prediction of a key property of interest. Principal component regression (PCR) and partial least squares regression (PLS) are two popular approaches used in the chemometric field. Several models have been created to predict chemical properties of loblolly pine, but little research has been focused on using NIRS to evaluate the chemical changes in loblolly pine caused by BRF using degradation.
The NIRS coupled with chemometric models might work as a powerful tool that could benefit the forestry sector enabling managers to make salvage decisions based on real-time decay statues and prioritize healthy timber. This work explored the feasibility of defining the relationship between chemical composition of loblolly pine wood with NIRS to predict brown rot decay. Two decay experiments were conducted with seven weeks and fifteen weeks durations. Wet chemistry analysis was performed on each sample to determine acid-soluble lignin and acid-insoluble lignin. The calibration of the chemometric models were performed with the sum of these two fractions using the Spectrum Quant+ software. Finally, a validation step was performed for each model to evaluate its predictive performance.
Results indicated that the reference data explained more than 70% of the variation in the estimated values during the calibration process. Validation results demonstrated that the models could predict changes in wood lignin with an SEP of ± 3.32% for PCR model and ± 1.29% for PLS model. In the future, the NIRS chemometric models could serve as a valuable quality control tool, benefiting the forestry sector by enabling landowners to make salvage decisions based on real time decay status and prioritize healthy timbe
Herbicide resistance screening in Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum) and sustainable weed management strategy for peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in Alabama
No full textAlabama has a diverse agriculture with corn, cotton, soybeans, peanuts, and wheat being the major row crops. Weed management is a very
important aspect in the successful production of all crops and given the rise in cases of herbicide resistance it is becoming more challenging. Italian ryegrass [Lolium perenne L. ssp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot] is a significant weed in winter wheat, corn, soybean, and peanut crops in Alabama. In response to reports of herbicide failure, field surveys were conducted in these cropping systems across Alabama in 2023. The objectives were to document the distribution of herbicide resistance, assess seed morpho-physiological diversity—such as seed length, awn length, seedling length, 100-seed weight, and seed dormancy—and explore the relationship between herbicide resistance status and seed morpho-physiological traits in the collected populations. Populations were evaluated in a greenhouse for sensitivity to herbicides representing three modes of action: an acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor (pyroxsulam), two acetyl-coenzyme-A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors (fluazifop and clethodim), and a 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) inhibitor (glyphosate). Herbicide screenings were followed by dose-response assays of the most resistant ryegrass population for each herbicide at eight rates (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64x) compared to a susceptible population at six rates (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2x). Out of 44 populations evaluated, 21%, 11%, 25%, and 2% were found resistant to glyphosate, fluazifop, pyroxsulam, and clethodim, respectively. Resistance levels were confirmed to be 192-, 14-, 90-, and 738-fold for glyphosate, fluazifop, pyroxsulam, and clethodim, respectively. Mutation detection studies revealed specific mutations—D2078G in the ACCase gene, P106S in the EPSPS gene, and R421T in the ALS gene. A significant positive association was observed between seed dormancy and the number of survivors following glyphosate (r = 0.17, P < 0.01) and clethodim (r = 0.16, P < 0.01) treatments. Herbicide-resistant Italian ryegrass poses a serious threat to sustainable crop production in Alabama, necessitating immediate changes and diversification in conventional management practices. The observed diversity in morpho-physiological traits enhances the adaptability of Italian ryegrass, and its correlation with herbicide resistance offers valuable insights for developing effective management strategies. Additionally, Alabama was the third-largest producer of peanuts in the U.S. in 2023. Historically herbicides have been the primary source of weed control in peanuts however increasing cases of herbicide-resistant weeds and lack of commercially available herbicide-tolerant trait technology in peanut cultivars have limited the choices in terms of chemical weed control for growers and therefore two-year peanut study laid out in split-split plot design focused on investigating integrative and individual effect of row spacing, mulch and row orientation on weed control and yield has been conducted at Wiregrass research and extension center, Alabama. Crop rows, oriented north-south in the northern hemisphere, in the summer season up to 55° latitude may receive higher light interception and shade weeds growing in interrow spaces. In this study, crop rows-oriented northeast-southwest yielded 34% greater compared with rows-oriented east-west also early season weed density was greater in rows-oriented north-south and was lowest in east-west orientation which was closely followed by northeast-southwest orientation. Spacing does not have any significant effect on yield or weed density, however, it does improve canopy closure revealed by LAI and NDVI. Plots with mulch do have lower weed density up to 4 weeks after planting (WAP) in 2023 and 2WAP in 2024 compared with plots without mulch. Based on the current study northeast-southwest orientation along with mulch or cover crops may provide yield advantage and better early season weed management in peanuts in Alabama
EVALUATION OF INFILTRATION SWALE MEDIA USING SMALL- AND INTERMEDIATE-SCALE TESTING TECHNIQUES
Get PDFWhen impervious surfaces such as paved roadways are constructed, the volume of water infiltrating into native soil decreases, leading to an increase in surface water runoff. This phenomenon results in higher peak flows, elevated erosion rates, and the transport of total suspended solids and pollutants. Hydrocarbons and other pollutants from paved surfaces find their way into receiving water bodies, posing environmental challenges. Regulations mandate water runoff control to minimize erosion and prevent sediment deposition. Low impact development (LID) practices aim to maintain the pre-development hydrological cycle through processes including evapotranspiration, infiltration, water reuse, and filtration. The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) relies on implementing infiltration swales, a type of LID practice, alongside roadways to manage water runoff quantity. These practices function by promoting surface water runoff to enter through an engineered media within roadside channels. By having a high permeability rate, the media serves to promote groundwater infiltration. Currently, ALDOT infiltration swale media is made up of a matrix consisting of topsoil, sand, and No. 57 stone wrapped with geotextile. Infiltration swales have been used throughout the state by ALDOT, however, their performance has not been evaluated and thus research is needed to understand how this standard media performs and to optimize its performance.
The purpose of this research was to design a methodology for evaluating and optimizing the performance of infiltration swale media. Testing methodologies and apparatuses were developed to assess their capacity to infiltrate water on a small and intermediate scale. Three types of apparatuses were built for this research: a permeameters structure, consisting of 18 permeameters with a diameter of 6 in. (15.2 cm) and a length of 3.0 ft (0.9 m), a clear infiltrometers structure, consisting of six infiltrometers with a diameter of 6 in. (15.2 cm) and a length of 3.0 ft (0.9 m), and an infiltration swale chamber, monitored by a moisture content system, with internal dimensions measuring 8.0 ft (2.4 m) in length, 2.5 ft (0.8 m) in width, and 4.0 ft (1.2 m) in height. Constant head permeability tests conducted on the permeameters revealed that the current ALDOT infiltration swale media design yields a very low permeability ranging from 0.0017 in./min (0.0043 cm/min) to 0.019 in./min (0.0495 cm/min). This is attributed to the low permeability of the topsoil, which yielded 0.002 in./min (0.004 cm/min).
As a result, designs containing topsoil as the top layer could not achieve the minimum infiltration rate of 1.0 ft/day (0.38 m/day) required by the Alabama LID Manual. To improve the infiltration rate through the topsoil layer, alternatives with amended materials were investigated. Several mixtures of amended topsoil, consisting of topsoil and pine bark fines at different proportions, underwent falling head infiltration rate tests. The amended topsoil mixture containing 80% topsoil and 20% pine bark was selected as the top layer for future alternative designs because it yielded an average infiltration rate under falling head conditions of 5.6 ft/day (1.6 m/day), 8.8 times higher than topsoil alone, which yielded 0.63 ft/day (0.19 m/day).
Throughout the process, the testing methodology to evaluate the performance of infiltration swale media design in the infiltrometers was refined to establish a consistent testing regimen comprising three constant head infiltration tests lasting six hours each, followed by three falling head infiltration tests. Constant head infiltration tests simulated the prolonged use of infiltration swale media, providing insights into their long-term performance. Falling head infiltration tests allowed for understanding the time required by the designs to infiltrate the ponding water, enabling comparisons of their performances with the minimum required infiltration rate of 1 ft/day (0.38 m/day). Initially, five infiltration swale media designs were proposed and subjected to this testing regimen. In an iterative cycle of evaluation and improvement, the results of previous tests were analyzed to identify causes of low performance and potential enhancement options. During this testing and optimization process, it was evident that designs including a geotextile layer wrapped up around the No. 57 stone exhibited a continuous decrease in their infiltration rate due to the gradual clogging of geotextile pores by sand particles. This cycle of evaluation and improvement was iteratively repeated until finally achieving the F3 design, composed of 6 in. (15.2 cm) height of amended topsoil (80% topsoil and 20% pine bark fines by weight), 10 in. (25.4 cm) height of field sand, 6 in. (15.2 cm) height of pea gravel, and 9 in. (22.9 cm) height of #57 stone. The F3 design exhibited a performance of 13.73 ft/day (4.18 m/day) in constant head infiltration tests, 15.1 times higher than the 0.91 ft/day (0.28 m/day) obtained by the ALDOT standard matrix, and 11.66 ft/day (3.55 m/day) in falling head infiltration tests, 37.61 times higher than the 0.31 ft/day (0.09 m/day) obtained by the ALDOT standard matrix.
Finally, the ALDOT and the F3 design were tested in the infiltration swale chamber under constant and falling head conditions. The F3 design yielded 87.06 ft/day (26.54 m/day) in constant head conditions, 13.37 times higher than the 6.51 ft/day (1.98 m/day) yielded by the ALDOT design, and 75.79 ft/day (23.20 m/day) in falling head conditions, 15.28 times higher than the 4.96 ft/day (1.51 m/day) yielded by the ALDOT standard matrix. The tests conducted in the infiltration swale chamber were monitored by a moisture content system, showing that the F3 design has a drying rate 111 times higher than the ALDOT design. The results of this research showed that with the F3 design, infiltration swales will achieve higher infiltration rates in the short and long term, as well as superior drying rates, leading to a larger available storage volume after each rainfall event. The F3 design and the ALDOT design will be evaluated on a field-scale by the Auburn Stormwater team, and the results will be compared with those obtained in this research
Effect of Poultry Litter and Biochar Application Methods on Nutrient Loss
No full textHigh levels of phosphorus (P) and trace metals, such as copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), can cause significant water quality issues when delivered to water bodies. This study investigated the impact of different poultry litter application methods on P and metals leaching in pastures using rainfall simulation on soils containing macropores. The major objectives of this study were to examine the effectiveness of different application methods (surface vs subsurface) of poultry litter and pine wood pristine biochar on the leaching of dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) and trace metals via preferential flows. Intact undisturbed soil cores were used for column-based successive rainfall simulation experiments. Treatments were surface-applied poultry litter, subsurface-banded poultry litter, surface-applied poultry litter + biochar, subsurface-banded poultry litter + biochar, and control (no biochar and nor poultry litter). Results showed that treated columns leached significantly greater amounts of dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) than control columns. However, DRP leaching decreased with successive rainfall events. Subsurface application proved to be more effective than surface broadcasting in controlling DRP losses. Additionally, the pristine biochar used in this study did not help reduce DRP leaching.
Further, treated columns leached significantly higher amounts of copper and zinc than controls columns, likely due to the presence of metals in the soluble fraction in poultry litter and changes in soil conditions such as pH and dissolved organic matter. There was no significant difference in the leaching of aluminum and iron between treated and control columns, as most aluminum and iron were not present in the mobile fraction in both poultry litter and soil. With successive simulations, the leaching of copper, zinc, and aluminum decreased, while the subsurface leaching of iron increased in columns treated with poultry litter, likely due to reducing conditions and the flow interruption technique. Incorporating pristine biochar with poultry litter reduced the leaching of iron and aluminum more effectively than copper and zinc. This study provides an overview of the effectiveness of manure and biochar application on the leaching and deposition of P and metals in soil columns and prompts further in-depth research on nutrient and metal management in agricultural ecosystems