Synthesis, evaluation and machine learning integration of fire-retardant fiber composites for aviation industries

Thesis (Ph.D.)-- Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical EngineeringFiber-reinforced polymeric composites have been widely employed in a variety of industrial applications due to their superior properties. However, these composites often have limited tolerance for fire, lightning, and bird strike damage. One of the unique ways to address this problem is to develop a flame-retardant fiber-reinforced composite using modified resins and metallic copper (Cu) film surface coatings. In the first part of this report, a thorough investigative review was conducted to better understand the various flame-retardant additives properties, as well as the synergistic effects of additives on mechanical, thermal, chemical, and structural integrity. In the second part of this research, the development process for manufacturing flame-retardant composites by synthesizing Loctite resin via 9,10-dihydro-9-oxo-10 phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) inclusion and with metallic surface coatings, as well as the testing and characterization of the mechanical and thermal properties of the resulting structures, are covered. Composite panels were manufactured using a standard hand wet layup process, with flame retardant properties determined before and after resin modification and surface metal film coatings. The developed composite passed UL-94 flame testing with V0 rating and achieved high flexural, tensile, and shear strength. Microscopic images, C-scan, and SEM results confirmed good bonding between matrix and fiber. Smoke density and toxicity test results were encouraging, demonstrating nearly no smoke formation and very little release of harmful gases because of the improved fire-shielding and heat-dissipation capabilities. The research has further explored the use of machine learning algorithms as a novel tool for predicting composite mechanical properties. This study may open new opportunities for enhancing the characteristics of fiber composites for various manufacturing industries under diverse environmental conditions

Improved hip flexibility and gluteal function following a daily lunge-and-reach stretching intervention

This is an open access article under the CC BY license.Background A sedentary lifestyle contributes to hip flexor tightness. Some evidence suggests that tight hip flexors may contribute to impairments in gluteal function. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a daily lunge-and-reach stretching program on hip flexor length and gluteus maximus strength, power, and endurance in healthy college-aged adults. Study Design Cohort Study Methods Twenty-three participants with hip flexor tightness (15 females, 8 males; average age 24.0 ± 2.58 years) totaling 46 limbs were tested. Twelve participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group, while the remaining eleven were placed in the control group. Hip flexor length was measured with the Modified Thomas Test using an inclinometer. Gluteal power was measured on each lower extremity using a single-leg broad jump for distance with a tape measure. Gluteal strength was measured with prone hip extension using a handheld dynamometer and luggage scale. Gluteal endurance was measured with a single-leg bridge using a stopwatch. Participants in the intervention group performed five minutes of a lunge-and-reach stretch daily for six weeks. Results Statistically significant changes were found for the Modified Thomas Test (mean change 5.92 ± 3.73 deg, p=0.01) and single-leg broad jump for distance (mean change 12.39 ± 11.23 cm, p=0.02) for the intervention group. No significant change was found for gluteal strength or single-leg bridge endurance (p=0.23 and p=0.26, respectively) for the intervention group. All measurements demonstrated high reliability (ICC=0.92-0.99). Conclusion These results suggest that the lunge-and-reach stretch can be used to improve hip flexor length and gluteal power in a young, healthy population. Clinicians, coaches, and athletes may find these improvements beneficial for rehabilitation or performance. © The Author(s)

Access in nursing education: The interactive process for determining disability accommodations

Click on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).Nurses with disabilities provide unique perspectives to the nursing field because of their lived experiences as patients and workforce members of the health-care system. Although there is potential to enhance workforce diversity by including nurses with disabilities, barriers to inclusion in nursing education persist. This article aims to address these issues through three mechanisms: clarifying the interactive process for determining accommodations; defining the roles of disability resource professionals, students, and faculty in the accommodations request process; and highlighting the importance of a legally grounded and collaborative approach to accessibility. Promoting access for disabled nursing students requires challenging widespread ableist misconceptions, adopting inclusive teaching strategies, creating proactive policies, developing well-informed faculty, and cultivating an institutional culture that recognizes disability as an essential dimension of diversity. By strengthening these aspects, nursing education can support the full participation of disabled students and ensure a more inclusive and effective health-care workforce

For Passion's Sake

2025 Library Research Award Undergraduate WinnerProject for COMM 255 Intro Web Design and Analytic with Jessica NewmanMy essay demonstrates how Ablah Library's resources and staff supported my Sherlock Holmes textual research, combining traditional library methods with modern tools to create a web project making research resources more accessible

Concepts for a new cyber-physical system: Addressing national defense challenges in UAV operations

Published in SOAR: Shocker Open Access Repository by the Wichita State University Libraries Technical Services, October 2025.This research introduces a Cyber-Physical System for defense UAVs. Based on DOD research priorities, the solution can improve UAVs. The solution integrates KEEN concepts, aligning the system design with operational and strategic needs. Costs, suppliers, equipment, and compatibility with existing UAVs were analyzed. The Gantt Chart deploys in phases considering manufacturability and cost. This research explores financial and operational benefits to DoD UAVs. Combining systems engineering and KEEN, this research baselines the innovative CPS challenges in defense UAVs

Boiling heat transfer enhancement of submerged water jet impingement on wick structures

Click on the DOI link to access this article at the publishers website (may not be free).In this study, the boiling heat transfer characteristics of a submerged water jet impingement on a plain surface, a monolayer wick, and a columnar post wick were experimentally investigated. The effects of Reynolds numbers of 0, 846, 1270, and 1693 on the critical heat flux (CHF) were evaluated for the three different impinged surfaces. The wicks were fabricated using a multi-step sintering process with 200 μm copper particles, and boiling experiments were conducted using water at ambient pressure. The results show significant increases in CHF when monolayer and columnar post wicks were used in the boiling setup. This improvement is attributed to the reduced hydrodynamic instability wavelength, which decreased vapor generation and delayed surface dry-out. CHF enhancements were further amplified by employing an impinging jet. An important new finding in this study is that when the impinging jet is injected into the porous medium surface where boiling occurs, the CHF increases. Compared with the full boiling experiment, the CHF for the flat surface, single layer wick, and columnar post wick are 323.1%, 244.3%, and 266.6%, respectively. The wick and jet impingement design provides fundamental insights into simultaneous CHF enhancements, offering potential applications in advanced thermal management systems. © 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Nursing: Class of 1978

Personal and not-profit use only. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.On photo: left to right - top row: Joanne Smith, Susan Ott, Cindy Carlton, Charlotte McKee, Michael Withrow, Teresa Hess, Vicki Barackman, Diane Whitaker, Sharon Kline, Dawn Marchant, Michelle Elliott, Janet PeaceSecond row (left to right): Tona Veh, Laura O'Donnell, Amy Nishimura, Carol Van Gundy, Valorie Borders, Debra Schuler, Tauni Moorman, Jacintha MuellerThird row (left to right): Shirley Roe, Ann Whitmore, Sara Wendler, Gwen Davies, Pat De Vos, Harold Hogan, Candace Kounovsky, Sherry HubmanFourth row (left to right): Kandi Hudson, Elnora Unruh, SR. Cheryl Sylvester, Susan Springer, Carol Reisig, Roxann Cassity, Pamela Albers, Lynn Brasfield, Betty Baker, Susan Krehbiel, Eleanor Howell, Susan Hopkins, Mary Kuhnel, Kent BabcockFifth row (left to right): Elaine Jones, Eileen Dodge, Kathy Love, Gary Milan, Susie Deardorff, Sharon Sanderson, Kerry Barnes, Julie Schreiner, Iris Gladd, Tamara Dorsett, Susan Shellenberger, Nancy Wright, Kim Turner, Cindie GaedeSixth row (left to right): Diane Robson, Lori Hodnefield, Linda Neal, Sharon Wycoff, Toni Lindley, Sara Gates, Brigitte Wiesendanger, Carla Steinbuchel, Cinda Stiffler, Margaret Schmidt, Donna Spare, Patricia Jones, Sara Holland, Ruth WettaSeventh row (left to right): Esther Jones, Kathy Lamb, Karen Mohn, Deborah Mathison, Patritia (last name unknown), Sharon Crabtree, Penny Walker, Lisa Worl, Mary Wilde, LuAnne Faubion, Paula Patton, Bernice De Forest, Mary Patzel, Cynthia BoyleBottom row (left to right): Judy C. Miller, Jenni Edwards, Sarah Lamb, Dana Lucas, Nancy Roop, Margaret Bales, Ginny O'Brian, Lisa Winchester, Diane Nutter, Catherine Loger, Susan Trepoy, Joy Myers, Marcy Shutt, Lynda SchlenderDigitized by University Libraries' Technical Services Institutional Repository & Digitization group

Department of Dental Hygiene Class of 1985

First row (left to right): Mary Martha Stevens, Chairperson; Diane Huntley, Associate Professor; Mary Ann Clark, Assistant Professor; Denise C. Maseman, Assistant Professor; Susan Shannon, Instructor; Mary J. Nigg, Clinical Instructor; Marla Weaver, Clinical Instructor; Dr. Lana Anderson, Supervising Dentist; Dr. Mark A. Moxley, Supervising Dentist; Dr. Gary Sickles, Supervising DentistSecond row (left to right): Dr. Thomas Lahey, Supervising Dentist; Susan Andrews, President; Sherri Krier, Secretary/Treasurer; Kellie Hopkins, Social Chairman; Paula Bolander, Marlene BuehlerThird row (left to right): Cathleen Cannady, Laura Gerst, Marilyn, Giefer, Kristine Harper, Lori Herrman, Angela HerynkFourth row (left to right): Sheila Hinckle, Patricia Jones, Kimberly Kaiser, Suzanne Kaspar, Sharon Krehbiel, Joanie Ledgerwood, Kathy Lonergan, Karen Loughborough, Susan McCoy, Christa MottFifth row (left to right): Jill Quelch, Stephanie Raines, Lydia Scott, Charlene Stephens, Marcy Vahsholtz, Tammie Watson, Pam Weibert, Pat WellsDigitized by University Libraries' Technical Services Institutional Repository & Digitization group.Personal and non-profit use only

SPIRSS impact on rural high-need LEA's

Presented 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 Intervention Services & Leadership in Education, College of Applied Studies.INTRODUCTION: The field of school psychology has grown in recent years, however, there is still a shortage of school psychologists in rural high-need local education agencies (LEA's) across Kansas. In these districts, there are inadequate resources to address students' mental health needs. This study evaluates the impact of the School Psychology Partnerships to Increase Rural School-Based Services (SPIRSS) initiative. Under SPIRSS, graduate students deliver evidence-based mental health services to students in rural high-need LEA's as part of their field experience semester. Funded by the U.S Department of Education and now in its third year, SPIRSS has made significant strides towards reducing the mental health needs of children across rural Kansas. PURPOSE: To increase the quantity of mental health service providers and address the mental health crisis in high-need rural LEA's across Kansas. METHODS: The study included 47 participants aged 8 to 15 years old, with a gender distribution of 17 females and 30 males. Participants completed the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Third Edition (BASC-3) Self-Report to evaluate Anxiety, Depression, and Internalizing Problems scales at two time points: pre-intervention and post-intervention. Scores were recorded withing three tiers to reflect severity levels. Data were analyzed to assess changes between pre- and post-test scores using paired t-tests, effect size calculations (Cohen's d), and subgroup analysis based on gender differences. RESULTS: A paired-samples t-test was conducted to compare Tier 3 pre-test and post-test scores for Depression, Anxiety and Internalizing Problems. The results indicated a statistically significant decrease in Tier 3 scores from pre-test (M = 13.67, SD = 4.16) to post-test (M = 6.00, SD = 2.00), [t(2) = 4.35, p = .049, d = 4.35]. These findings suggest that the intervention had a significant effect on the most affected individuals (Tier 3), as evidenced by a large effect size (Cohen's d = 4.35), which indicated a very strong practical impact. Analyses of Tier 2 data set yielded no statistically significant results between pre-test and post-test scores. To explore gender-based differences in the intervention's effectiveness, estimated Tier 3 change scores were analyzed separately for females (n = 17) and males (n = 30). The results suggested that males experienced greater reductions in symptoms across all categories: Scale Females Males Depression M = 2.53 M = 4.47 Anxiety M = 1.81 M = 3.19 Internalizing Problems M = 3.98 M = 7.02 CONCLUSION: The SPIRSS initiative has shown promising results in reducing mental health challenges among students in rural, high need LEAs throughout Kansas. Further expansion of the SPIRSS program could prove to further address the mental health crisis amid rural districts across Kansas.Graduate School, Academic Affairs, University Librarie