Quantifying the Effect of Stable Stratification on Low-Reynolds Number Flow Past a Horizontal Cylinder

In this research, we study the behavior of flow around a cylinder in the presence of stable stratification, which refers to variations in density throughout the fluid. This phenomenon is observed in natural and industrial settings. We use computer simulations to analyze how stratification affects the flow patterns created by the cylinder. Specifically, we investigate situations where the stratification is perpendicular to the flow direction, and the wake exhibits two-dimensional characteristics. We use spectral-element method based computational fluids dynamics to simulate the phenomena. During the simulations, we vary two important parameters: the Densimetric Froude Number (Fr) and the Reynolds Number (Re). Fr characterizes the strength of the stratification, while Re represents the flow’s intensity/speed based on the cylinder’s size. We consider a wide range of Fr values from very small to infinity (high density gradient to no change in density), and Re values from 10 to 180. By analyzing the simulations, we measure the drag and lift forces acting on the cylinder, and calculate Strouhal Number of the wake describing the frequency of vortex shedding (the formation and shedding of vortices behind the cylinder). To further classify and understand the flow structures, we employ a technique called Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD). DMD identifies the most dominant flow patterns present, with a focus on the shedding rate of vortices when they are observed. Overall, we aim to explore how different flow structures are influenced by the presence of stratification, and how they are suppressed or formed depending on the values of Reynolds Number and Froude Number. This research helps us gain insights into the effects of stratification on flow behavior around cylinders in two-dimensional, stratified flows

Recreational Use of Montane Streams of the Puerto Rican Rainforest

As the population of the small island of Puerto Rico increases, so do the number of recreationists in natural areas. With increasing pressure on finite resources, managers must understand how humans are using these resources in order to conserve without limiting visitor satisfaction

Development of Ecologically-Based Invasive Plant Management Curriculum for University Audiences

The Great Basin is considered one of the most endangered ecoregions in the United States. One threat facing Great Basin rangelands is the invasion of harmful, non-native plants. These invasive weeds outcompete native plants, degrade wildlife habitat, decrease valuable forage for livestock, and cost millions every year in weed control efforts. In order to restore degraded ecosystems of the Great Basin, it is essential that effective weed management programs are integrated in rangeland management strategies. Traditional management approaches have focused on killing invasive weeds with limited regard to the underlying processes that contributed to the invasion. Ecologically-based invasive plant management, or EBIPM, is an alternative holistic management approach that aims to understand and manipulate the ecological processes influencing weed invasions, and works to prevent further invasions as well as to treat areas that are already dominated by invasive weeds. EBIPM combines rangeland health assessment, successional theory, ecological principles, tools and strategies, and adaptive management in a 5-step, decision-making framework for a proactive approach to treating and preventing the spread of invasive weeds. The EBIPM method is arranged in a five step framework. Outreach and education is an important part of a weed management program like EBIPM, as it helps to create awareness and acceptance among managers, policy makers, and the public. EBIPM outreach and education efforts include: a field school that has been held the past 4 years, field tours to demonstrate new techniques and research, manager guidebooks to teach professionals about the EBIPM process, a high school curriculum, and a website. In order to inform future land managers about EBIPM, a university curriculum has been created to fit into a wide variety of undergraduate courses. This curriculum is compromised of six modules. The first module provides an overview of the EBIPM decision-making framework. The subsequent five modules are aligned with the five steps in the framework. Each module contains a synoptic reading describing the linkages between ecological concepts and management practices, case studies, in-class and field activities, review questions, additional resources, and a Power Point presentation. Each of the modules was reviewed and assessed by a weed ecologist, outreach education specialist, and a media specialist. The curriculum is posted online for access by university students and educators

Student Veteran Innovation Workshop: Exploring Purpose-Driven Camaraderie

There 1 million veterans enrolled in higher education in the U.S., and we know relatively little about them. In this work, the term student veteran refers to both former and current military service members. Most of the small body of literature on student veterans is focused on perceived issues found within this population, rather than the strengths they bring to their academic experience. In recent years, academic work has emerged that advocates a shift to looking at the positive traits of the student veteran community. Building on the emerging strength-based perspectives, the concept of purpose-driven camaraderie among student veterans introduces a different approach to supporting and understanding student veterans. Purpose-driven camaraderie is rooted in the mission-focused, team-driven environment found in the military that builds a sense of camaraderie. The purpose of this study was to explore the application of purpose-driven camaraderie among student veterans in higher education. This happened through an innovation workshop, where student veterans participated as a team to address challenges within the student veteran community at their institution using a problem-solving process known as design thinking. The workshop was analyzed using Communities of Practice (CoP), which focuses on how individuals learn and interact as a community, and the emerging strength-based perspectives with a focus on purpose-driven camaraderie in the experiences of student veterans. The study identifies the role of teamwork and a common goal in promoting community and camaraderie among the workshop participants. It further addresses the lack of interest that the participants demonstrated in working with other veterans, and the role of CoPs in overcoming this hurdle to purpose-driven camaraderie. Finally, the study identifies factors influencing how the veterans felt about themselves as veterans and how the workshop influenced their perspectives

J.L.\u27s Time Bomb Still Ticking: How Navarette\u27s Narrow Holding Failed to Address Important Issues Regarding Anonymous Tips

The conflict is clear and the stakes are high. The effect of the rule below will be to grant drunk drivers one free swerve before they can legally be pulled over by police. It will be difficult for an officer to explain to the family of a motorist killed by that swerve that the police had a tip that the driver of the other car was drunk, but that they were powerless to pull him over, even for a quick check

The overhaul of four common optometric instruments

Many practitioners put off the maintenance of their equipment due to the high cost of service and the long periods of time that a poor quality loaner instrument must be used while waiting for the instrument to come back. This paper deals with a step-by-step process to overhaul your own instruments and save all that time and money. It will allow the average practitioner to service his own equipment and keep it in top-operating condition

Does balance training improve balance in physically active older adults?

Falls among older adults are a growing public health problem. Previous research suggests that the regular practice of physical activity in older adults improves balance and reduces falls. The objective of this study was to determine whether balance-specific training, in addition to regular physical activity, could improve balance in older adults, and whether there would be a dose-response to frequency of balance training.;A six-week balance-training program was conducted with 60 older adults (60-87 years) who were already participating in a regular program of physical activity. All participants continued with their regular exercise program while adding balance training in one of three doses: three 20-minute balance-training sessions/week (3-Day); one 20-minute balance-training session/week (1-Day); and no additional balance training (Control).;Participants were tested pre-and post-training and a repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant intervention effects of training for (1) single-leg-stance on the left (p=.019) and right (p=.026), (2) limits-of-stability 95% area ellipse (p=.036) and anteroposterior maximum excursion (p=.01), (3) foam eyes closed/foam eyes open mediolateral difference score (p=.008), and 4) a trend toward significance for alternate stepping (p=.053). Both 3-Day and 1-Day groups saw more improvement than controls, with the 3-Day group achieving the greatest improvements overall. The results of this study suggest that physically active older adults who exercise regularly can benefit from the addition of balance training to their current exercise program. Three 20-minute sessions per week led to the greatest improvement; however it appears that even one 20-minute session of balance training per week may lead to improvement of balance