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Reviewer Acknowledgements, Randy Wykoff, Emily Wilson

Journal of Appalachian Health

We at the Journal of Appalachian Health would like to thank the multitude of reviewers who have volunteered their time, talents, and attention to the journal. Reviewers help us consider the rigor and quality of the submissions we receive, and their willingness to read material ahead of publication ensures we can bring timely research to our readers in Appalachia and further afield.

Impacts Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Intimate Partner Violence And Child Maltreatment Services In Rural Northwest North Carolina, Elisabeth G. Galphin, Adam Hege, Amy Dellinger Page

Journal of Appalachian Health

The current study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on IPV and child maltreatment services in rural northwestern North Carolina. Qualitative interviews were conducted with eight professionals representing six service organizations across four counties. The findings highlighted challenges these agencies faced throughout the pandemic, new risks for the clients served, and positive outcomes. In addition, it has been a useful learning experience as public health and social service agencies learn to serve their communities more effectively moving forward. This is especially relevant for rural communities, as it has put public health preparedness at the forefront.

Assessing Chronic Pain Among Adults Diagnosed With Diabetes Residing In Rural Appalachia, Brittany L. Smalls, Adebola Adegboyega, Courtney Ortz, Ellen Combs, Md. Tofial Azam, Philip M. Westgate, Nancy Schoenberg

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Appalachian populations have some of the highest rates of overdose and comorbidity, all of which are considered risk factors for and contributors to chronic pain.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of comorbidity, disability (physical limitations), and depression with chronic pain among a community-based sample of Appalachian adults living with diabetes.

Methods: This study used baseline data to conduct a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data (n=356). Data included sociodemographic, disability (physical limitations), chronic pain, and depression measures. These data were collected and analyzed from 2017–2019. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate the association …

The Impact Of Primary Care Physician Capacity On Preventable Hospitalizations: Identifying Bright Spots In The Appalachian & Mississippi Delta Regions, Michael Topmiller, Peter J. Mallow, Hoon Byun, Mark Carrozza, Yalda Jabbarpour

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Several studies have documented that higher rates of primary care physicians are associated with lower rates of preventable hospitalizations. Counties with higher rates of preventable hospitalizations are found in the Appalachian and Mississippi (MS) Delta Regions.

Purpose: (1) To determine if the association of primary care capacity with preventable hospitalizations is different in the Appalachian and MS Delta regions compared to the rest of the U.S., and (2) to explore primary care capacity in counties with lower-than-expected preventable hospitalization rates.

Methods: This study modeled preventable hospitalizations with primary care physicians (PCP) per 100,000 (PCP capacity) while controlling for several …

Psychosocial Factors, Stress And Sleep Among Rural Appalachian Kentucky Residents With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Blake Dipaola, Zoe Taylor, Eric Hennemann, Brittany L. Smalls, Philip M. Westgate, Nancy Schoenberg

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Rural Appalachian residents experience higher rates of most chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Stress and sleep deficiency also are common in the region.

Purpose: To better understand these associated health burdens, the relationship among these conditions and psychosocial factors—such as depressive symptoms, distress, empowerment, and social support—was examined among Appalachian residents with T2DM.

Methods: Using data collected from a community-based sample of Appalachian adults with T2DM, the study examined whether psychosocial factors were associated with perceived stress (Cohen Perceived Stress Scale) and self-reported sleep deficiency (Epworth Sleepiness Scale). Multilevel linear mixed effects regression modeling was used …

Nutrition Education Needs And Barriers Of Uninsured Clients Who Utilize Free Clinics In Western North Carolina, Manan Roy, Alisha Farris, Erin Loy, Lauren Sastre, Danielle L. Nunnery

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Many uninsured adults rely on free health clinics for prevention and treatment of chronic disease. Little is known about the nutrition education needs of adults served by free health clinics, especially those living in counties within the Western North Carolina Appalachian Mountain Region.

Methods: An in-person survey was distributed to 202 clients of two free health clinics in western North Carolina. Descriptive analyses were conducted to determine frequency distributions for food and physical activity practices, acceptable topics and strategies for nutrition education, and the acceptance and barriers for various modalities.

Results: Depending on the clinic, 49-58% of participants were …

Using Public Funeral And Obituary Listings To Identify Spikes In Excess Mortality In One Appalachian County, Allen Archer, Melissa White, Megan Quinn, Randy Wykoff

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Delays (10-22 months) in availability of official state and county-level mortality data could have significant public health consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the need for health officials to access timely death data to identify unexpected increases in mortality in their communities.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if funeral home listings and/or newspaper obituaries could help identify excess mortality on the local level, prior to the availability of official death records.

Methods: To calculate excess mortality, four years (2017–2020) of data were collected from three sources: the state health department, online funeral home listings, and newspaper …

Aftermath: A Word To Appalachia Following Hurricane Helene, Emily Wilson

Journal of Appalachian Health

On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene caused massive and catastrophic flash flooding in the lower Appalachian Region, leveling towns and forever altering much of the landscape. This is an open letter to the people of Appalachia who were affected by the disaster that blindsided our region.

Rangeland Through Time: A Photographic Documentation Of Range Changes In Northern New Mexico, Usa, Christopher D. Allison

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Publlc rangelands and their condition have recently come under close scrutiny by the general public and professionals alike. In an attempt to document rangeland changes during the past SO years or more, old photographs were obtained from USDA Forest Service. Photo-journalistic trips were conducted in 1988 and 1990 in the Santa Fe National Forest for the purpose of locating, retaking and comparing recent photographs with the old landscape pictures. Changes in fire regimes and grazing pressures have drastically changed the productivity and condition of these areas with an obvious increase in woody vegetation.

Accurate Synthesis Of Dysarthric Speech For Asr Data Augmentation, Mohammad Soleymanpour, Michael T. Johnson, Rahim Soleymanpour, Jeffrey Berry

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Dysarthria is a motor speech disorder often characterized by reduced speech intelligibility through slow, uncoordinated control of speech production muscles. Automatic Speech recognition (ASR) systems can help dysarthric talkers communicate more effectively. However, robust dysarthria-specific ASR requires a significant amount of training speech, which is not readily available for dysarthric talkers. This paper presents a new dysarthric speech synthesis method for the purpose of ASR training data augmentation. Differences in prosodic and acoustic characteristics of dysarthric spontaneous speech at varying severity levels are important components for dysarthric speech modeling, synthesis, and augmentation. For dysarthric speech synthesis, a modified neural multi-talker …

Common Consumer Residual Insecticides Lack Efficacy Against Insecticide-Susceptible And Resistant Populations Of The German Cockroach (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), Johnalyn Gordon, Marla J. Eva, Sudip Gaire, Arthur G. Appel, Zachary C. Devries

UK CARES Faculty Publications

The German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.) (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), is a ubiquitous pest in affordable housing. They represent a major threat to human health due to their contribution of asthma-exacerbating allergens and the potential to transfer pathogenic microorganisms indoors. Despite well-documented pyre- throid resistance, pyrethroid-based broadcast residual insecticide products are often used by residents to con- trol cockroaches in their homes. Additionally, there is little empirical independent testing of these products. Thus, it remains unclear how effective these commonly used do-it-yourself products are at controlling German cockroaches. This study represents a comprehensive examination of the efficacy of these products with direct, …

Kentucky Geological Survey Landslide Inventory [2024], Matthew M. Crawford, Evelyn M. Bibbins, Hudson J. Koch

Research Data--KGS

The KGS landslide inventory provides the locations of known landslides and areas susceptible to debris flows. Various types of landslides are represented including slides, flows, rockfalls, and creep. The data are available as ArcGIS geodatabase feature classes. Landslide locations and associated attributes are compiled from Kentucky Geological Survey research, published maps, state and local government agencies, the public, and media reports. A confidence ranking system assigns a value to each feature. A description of the feature classes is here: https://kgs.uky.edu/kgsmap/helpfiles/landslide_help.shtm

The inventory viewed in a GIS with geology, soils, slope or other terrain-based data can serve as a basis for …

Looking Back: The Colored Reading Rooms In Kentucky Before 1900: Let Me Free!, Reinette F. Jones

Library Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Analysis And Design Of Synchronous Machines With Reluctance Rotor And Pm Stator Combined Excitation, Oluwaseun A. Badewa, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

This paper studies motors that are part of a general class of synchronous machines with stator-only excitation including those that may be referred to in recent literature as of the flux switching, variable flux reluctance, or hybrid excitation type. In the studied example machine, the active stator has circumferentially magnetized spoke-type PMs and concentrated toroidal coils for improved slot fill and shortened end turns. A systematic analysis of the mmf produced by the toroidal coils in the stator and open-circuit airgap flux is developed to define feasible polarities of this synchronous motor and to establish that the dominant pole pair …

Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts Calendar Year 2023 Report, Paul Ross, Eric Green, Chris Blackden, Kenneth R. Agent, Chris Van Dyke

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Traffic Crash Data In Kentucky 2019-2023, Paul Ross, Eric Green, Chris Blackden, Christopher Van Dyke, Teng Wang, Mohammad Majidi

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

New Loads And Service Factors For Distribution Transformers Following The Transition To High-Efficiency Heat Pumps, Solar Pv, And Ev Charging, Steven B. Poore, Rosemary E. Alden, Timothy Rooney, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

Replacement of conventional high-power appliances including heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and resistive electric water heaters (EWHs) with heat pumps is expected to be implemented long-term to increase energy efficiency. Even with efficiency upgrades, future residential power demand may rise due to increasing electric vehicle (EV) penetration. Extensive experimental data from field demonstrators and regional utilities as well as thousands of synthetically generated loads are utilized to investigate the effect of heat pumps, EV charging, and distributed solar PV on residential power demand and distribution transformers. Values are established for typical rating distribution and connection to multiple houses to study …

Solar Pv And Ev Controls For Reactive Power Support On Large Distribution Systems Modeled With Experimental And Synthetic Loads, Rosemary E. Alden, Malcolm Mcculloch, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

Changes to electric power distribution equipment may be needed to adapt to distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Within this paper, an optimization methodology for reactive power support (RPS) controls managed by utilities for EV bi-directional charger power factor and improve substation power quality and voltage across the system is proposed. An IEEE benchmark distribution system, the 123 node test feeder, is modified to include 1,765 experimental residential profiles at typical, high resolution of 15min from smart meters, solar PV generation calculated from weather data, and EV modules based on driver …

Parallel Electrophysiological Abnormalities Due To Covid-19 Infection And To Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementia, Yang Jiang, Jennifer Neal, Pradoldej Sompol, Görsev Yener, Xianghong Arakaki, Christopher M. Norris, Francesca R. Farina, Agustin Ibanez, Susanna Lopez, Abdulhakim Al-Ezzi, Voyko Kavcic, Bahar Güntekin, Claudio Babiloni, Mihály Hajós

Neurology Faculty Publications

Many coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive individuals exhibit abnormal electroencephalographic (EEG) activity reflecting “brain fog” and mild cognitive impairments even months after the acute phase of infection. Resting-state EEG abnormalities include EEG slowing (reduced alpha rhythm; increased slow waves) and epileptiform activity. An expert panel conducted a systematic review to present compelling evidence that cognitive deficits due to COVID-19 and to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) are driven by overlapping pathologies and neurophysiological abnormalities. EEG abnormalities seen in COVID-19 patients resemble those observed in early stages of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly ADRD. It is proposed that similar EEG abnormalities in …

Optimal Design And Comparison Of Synchronous Machines With Inner And Outer Reluctance Rotors And Pm Or Dc Stator Combined Excitation, Oluwaseun A. Badewa, Ali Mohammadi, Donovin D. Lewis, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

This paper presents an optimal design and comparative analysis for a toroidally wound reluctance rotor synchronous machine with either PM or DC excitation in the stator. The prototype of the PM version is experimentally evaluated, and its results are used to validate the model of the DC version as they share the same topology. The stator DC-excited synchronous (SDCES) motor is optimized at different outer diameters using large-scale multi-objective differential evolution (DE) and comparatively analyzed at power ratings typical for electric traction and propulsion applications. Its performance at reduced temperatures shows increased efficiency and goodness due to reduced losses, and …

Design Of High-Power Polyphase Pcb Coil Systems For Wireless Power Transfer, Donovin Lewis, Lucas Gastineau, Omer Onar, Malcolm Mcculloch, John F. Eastham, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

Printed circuit board (PCB) coils have been pro- posed prior for implementation as inductive wireless charging coils to minimize size and cost. Utilization of PCBs can allow for a reduced cost, improved manufacturability, and a wide range of geometric customization options. To circumvent material limitations on insulation and thermal performance, parallel paths can be implemented to divide the current per path accordingly. Within this paper, an unconventional high power PCB coil is designed employing all possible techniques for wiring with axial and radial parallel paths with equivalent transposition to minimize circulating currents. Design studies are simulated in 3D finite element …

Two-Level Design Optimization Of Ac Machines With Dc Stator Excitation And Minimal Torque Ripple Using Reluctance Rotor Profile Shaping, Ali Mohammadi, Oluwaseun A. Badewa, Yaser Chulaee, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

Torque ripple mitigation in electric machines is important for a smooth and stable operation, minimize mechanical vibrations, and enhance the overall performance. In this paper, a novel two-level optimization method is proposed for the design of synchronous flux-switching and hybrid excitation machines with an innovative multi-point spline shaping method to minimize the torque ripple. This study uses models that are validated by experimental tests from a prototype with similar topology, and exemplifies the aforementioned optimization process on a 28 pole machine. The analysis results indicate that the torque ripple can be substantially reduced with improved electromagnetic torque of the electric …

Design Of High-Power Polyphase Pcb Coil Systems For Wireless Power Transfer, Donovin D. Lewis, Lucas Gastineau, Omer Onar, Malcolm Mcculloch, John F. Eastham, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

Printed circuit board (PCB) coils have been pro- posed prior for implementation as inductive wireless charging coils to minimize size and cost. Utilization of PCBs can allow for a reduced cost, improved manufacturability, and a wide range of geometric customization options. To circumvent material limitations on insulation and thermal performance, parallel paths can be implemented to divide the current per path accordingly. Within this paper, an unconventional high power PCB coil is designed employing all possible techniques for wiring with axial and radial parallel paths with equivalent transposition to minimize circulating currents. Design studies are simulated in 3D finite element …

Model Predictive Control Of 5l-Anpc Inverter Fed Coreless Afpm Motor With Mitigated Cmv In Electric Aircraft Propulsion, Farzad Y. Notash, Matin Vatani, Jiangbiao He, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

This paper proposes a fast model predictive control (FMPC) method without weighting factors and mitigated common-mode voltage (CMV) for a five-level active neutral point clamped (5L-ANPC) inverter-fed electric aircraft propulsion system with a coreless axial flux permanent magnet (CAFPM) motor. This motor is specifically designed for electric aircraft propulsion through a combined electromagnetic and thermal evaluation, benefiting from a high specific power density, efficiency, and integrated thermal management system. The proposed method utilizes the deadbeat approach to calculate the reference voltage vector and compensate for the one-time interval delay between the predicted and applied switching commands. The angle and amplitude …

Analytical And Fe Modeling For The Design Of Coreless Axial Flux Machines With Halbach Array And Surface Pm Rotors, Matin Vatani, Yaser Chulaee, John F. Eastham, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

This paper introduces a rapid analytical modeling approach for coreless axial flux permanent magnet (AFPM) machines featuring surface-mounted and Halbach PM array rotors. The methodology employs a 2D model at an arbitrary diameter of the machine and converts AFPM machines into an equivalent linear machine. Initially, equations for PM flux density, accounting for harmonic content, are developed for both rotor types. Subsequently, a force equation is derived for the 2D equivalent machine based on the Lorentz force equation and the stator winding factor. In the final step, a torque equation at an arbitrary diameter—specifically, the average diameter in this paper—is …

Multi-Disk Coreless Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors With Surface Pm And Halbach Array Rotors For Electric Aircraft Propulsion, Matin Vatani, John F. Eastham, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

This paper presents multiple single- and multi-disk coreless axial flux permanent magnet (AFPM) motors, focusing on specific power density and reliability for electric aircraft propulsion. Several 3D finite element analysis (FEA) parametric studies were conducted to assess the geometric impacts on a single-disk coreless AFPM motor featuring two separate stators and a double-sided Halbach array rotor configuration. These studies form the foundation for the design of both single and multi-disk machines. Single-disk coreless AFPM motors with rotor back iron embedded between the stators, offering magnetically decoupled stators, are subsequently introduced. The paper concludes by presenting four multi-disk coreless AFPM motor …

Multi-Wound Axial Flux Generators With Halbach Array Rotors, Matin Vatani, Yaser Chulaee, John F. Eastham, Xiaoze Pei, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

This paper presents three coreless axial flux permanent magnet (AFPM) generator topologies that feature magnetically and electrically decoupled outputs using a single prime mover. The proposed topologies include: (1) two separate generators mounted on the same shaft, (2) a nested configuration with a smaller generator inside a larger one, and (3) a multi-wound generator with two sets of windings and different pole numbers for each rotor side. The multi-wound generator is selected for further investigation due to its superior power-to-volume ratio and the advantage of utilizing a single structure for stator cooling. The airgap magnetic flux density equation is derived …

Impact Of Maternal Moringa Oleifera Leaf Supplementation On Milk And Serum Vitamin A And Carotenoid Concentrations In A Cohort Of Breastfeeding Kenyan Women And Their Infants, Suzanna Labib Attia, Silvia A. Odhiambo, Jerusha N. Mogaka, Raphael Ondondo, Aric Schadler, Kristen Mcquerry, George J. Fuchs, Janet E. Williams, Michelle K. Mcguire, Carrie Waterman, Kerry Schulze, Patrick M. Owuor

Biostatistics Faculty Publications

Background: Childhood vitamin A deficiency leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Human milk is the only source of vitamin A for exclusively breastfed infants. Dried Moringa oleifera leaf powder (moringa) is a good food source of provitamin A and other carotenoids. Its effect during lactation on human milk vitamin A and carotenoid content is unclear. Objectives: Our objective was to investigate the effect of maternal moringa consumption on human milk retinol and carotenoid concentrations and maternal and infant vitamin A status. Methods: We conducted a 3-month pilot single-blinded cluster-randomized controlled trial in breastfeeding mother–infant pairs (n = 50) in Kenya. …

Bacillus Thuringiensis Cry14a Family Proteins As Novel Anthelmintics Against Gastrointestinal Nematode Parasites, Duy Hoang, Kelly Flanagan, Qian Ding, Nicholas R. Cazeault, Hanchen Li, Stefani Díaz-Valerio, Florentina Rus, Esther A. Darfour, Elizabeth Kass, Katherine H. Petersson, Martin Krarup Nielsen, Heiko Liesegang, Gary R. Ostroff, Raffi V. Aroian

Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Bacillus thuringiensis crystal (Cry) proteins have been expressed in commercial transgenic crops for nearly 30 years, providing safe and effective control of insect pests and significantly reducing the application of hazardous chemical pesticides. B. thuringiensis crystal proteins have also been shown to target parasitic nematodes, including plant parasitic nematodes. Recently, transgenic soybean crops expressing Cry14Ab have been shown to provide control against the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines, marking the first time a crystal protein is being commercialized in transgenic crops for control of a nematode pest. However, apart from H. glycines and the free-living nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, the breadth …

Arthropod Arbiters: Natural Enemy Communities Mediate The Effects Of Landscape And Local-Scale Complexity On Lygus-Induced Crop Loss In Organic Strawberries, Adrian Lu, David J. Gonthier, Amber Sciligo, Karina Garcia, Taiki Chiba, Gila Juárez, Claire Kremen

Entomology Faculty Publications

Sustainable pest management requires growers and regional land managers to consider the relationships among pest management practices, pest and natural enemy communities, crop loss, and multi-scalar habitat complexity. However, the causal links among these variables, in particular potential interactions between landscape and local-scale habitat complexity, remain underexplored. In the context of organically managed strawberry crops in California’s Central Coast, we tested the independent effects of landscape and local habitat complexity gradients on arthropod communities and crop loss using a piecewise structural equation model (PSEM). We found that landscape-scale woody habitat proportion indirectly decreased crop loss through its positive effect on …