Author Archives: Evelina Rosser

HOW ARE THE STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPLEMENT THE COMPREHENSIVE EVERGLADES RESTORATION PLAN

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The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is one of the largest environmental restoration projects in history. It involves coordination between numerous federal, state, and local agencies to restore the delicate South Florida ecosystem and restore natural water flows to the Everglades. The CERP was authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 with the goal to reverse the effects of drainage and development in South Florida over the last century that have seriously degraded the Everglades.

The core federal partner in implementing CERP is the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) which has primary responsibility for designing, constructing, and overseeing restoration projects. The lead state agency is the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) which is responsible for water management, land acquisition, and permitting for CERP projects. Other key federal agencies involved include the Department of the Interior (DOI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Agriculture (USDA), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). At the state level, other partners include the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Local sponsors and stakeholders such as water control districts, counties, environmental groups are also involved in providing input and support.

To facilitate coordination between these various partners, an interagency organizational structure was established. The Governor and Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Director co-chair an Executive Committee which provides overall leadership and strategic direction for CERP. An intergovernmental Task Force made up of representatives from all the involved agencies meets regularly to review progress, address issues, and make recommendations. Technical teams comprised of scientists and engineers from the agencies collaborate on developing restoration designs, monitoring plans, and adaptive management strategies. Stakeholder input is also received through public meetings and partnership programs.

Funding CERP projects requires a combination of federal appropriations managed by the Corps and state funding overseen by SFWMD. Congress typically appropriates several hundred million dollars annually through the Corps’ budget for preconstruction engineering and design, land acquisition, and construction of CERP projects. SWFWMD as the local sponsor is responsible for providing 35% of project costs under the cost share agreement. To help fund its share, Florida voters approved a $200 million Everglades Restoration Bond in 2014 and $624 million Everglades Restoration Investment Act in 2016. Full implementation of CERP’s 68 designated projects is estimated to cost over $16 billion, so securing adequate and consistent funding streams from federal, state, and private sources remains an ongoing challenge.

To execute restoration activities on the ground, the Corps and SWFWMD enter into Project Partnership Agreements (PPAs) for each individual CERP project. These PPAs outline the roles and responsibilities of each agency, division of costs, schedules, and regulatory compliance requirements. The Corps is responsible for carrying out detailed engineering and design work, acquiring lands, and overseeing construction. SFWMWD provides reviews and approvals at critical project milestones, handles state permitting, and contributes its cost share funding. Over time, completed projects are transferred to SFWMD for long-term operation and maintenance. Projects require ongoing monitoring and adaptive management by the agencies to ensure they achieve intended ecological benefits.

Some examples of significant CERP projects that have reached construction or are underway include the Picayune Strand Restoration Project, Indian River Lagoon South Project, Bandon Marsh / C-43 West Basin Storage Reservoir Project, Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project, Central Everglades Planning Project, and the Tamiami Trail Next Steps Project. To date, over 30 project components have been completed or are under construction representing over $2 billion dollars invested in Everglades restoration. Substantial work remains to fulfill the vision and timelines established in CERP for the revitalization of America’s Everglades and South Florida’s watershed. The ongoing cooperation between federal and state agencies will be crucial for long-term success implementing and adaptively managing this monumental ecological restoration effort.

Implementation of the ambitious Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan relies on extensive coordination and partnerships between numerous federal, state, and local agencies. This includes leadership through interagency committees, collaboration on project planning and design, agreements defining roles and responsibilities, coordinated review and approval processes, combined funding contributions, and working together to construct and manage projects aimed at recovering the Greater Everglades ecosystem. While progress has been made and lessons learned over the past two decades, full restoration of the Everglades remains a long-term challenge that will continue to depend on cooperation between government agencies charged with overseeing this critical environmental restoration program.

HOW CAN CAPSTONE PROJECTS IN THE FIELD OF DRIVERLESS CARS CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVING CYBERSECURITY IN AUTOMATED DRIVING SYSTEMS

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Capstone projects undertaken by students in fields related to driverless cars and automated vehicle systems present a significant opportunity to advance cybersecurity in this important and rapidly developing industry. As autonomous vehicles become increasingly connected and rely on various onboard and offboard computing and sensor systems, they become potential targets for malicious attacks that could seriously endanger passengers and other road users if not properly addressed. Through hands-on research and development work, capstone projects allow students to explore vulnerabilities in driverless car systems and propose innovative solutions to strengthen security protections.

Some of the key ways in which capstone projects can help improve autonomous vehicle cybersecurity include identifying new threat vectors, vulnerability testing systems to exposure weaknesses, developing intrusion detection methods, and building more robust access controls and authentication schemes. For example, a group of computer science students may choose to examine how well an autonomous vehicle’s sensors and perception systems stand up to adversarial attacks that aim to fool or compromise the sensors with manipulated input. They could generate synthetic sensor data designed to obscure obstacles or incorrectly identify the vehicle’s surroundings. By testing how the autonomous driving software responds, valuable insights could be gained around weaknesses and new defensive techniques explored.

Another potential capstone topic is penetration testing the various communication protocols and networks that connect autonomous vehicles and the backend systems that control or assist them. As vehicles become more connected, relying on V2X and cellular connections to infrastructure like traffic control centers, these network layers present expanded surfaces for hackers to infiltrate. Students could attempt to intercept wireless messages between vehicles and infrastructure, inject malicious commands or falsified data, and evaluate how well intrusion is detected and what damage could result. From there, recommendations for stronger authentication, encryption, and intrusion detection across vehicle networks could be proposed.

A third major area capstone projects could address is improving vehicle system and software access controls. As autonomous vehicles will rely on increasingly complex software stacks and vehicle control units running various operating systems and applications, students may choose to audit and penetration test how well these diverse onboard systems are isolated and protected from one another. They could explore techniques for hijacking lower-level mechanism like the vehicle’s CAN bus to gain unauthorized access to safety-critical control software. From such testing, better compartmentalization, access control lists, system integrity monitoring and root cause analysis tools may be designed.

Additional topics capstone groups could delve into include designing artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to recognize anomalous or malicious activities in real-time vehicle system telemetry and data feeds. This could help autonomous vehicles gain a self-aware, adaptive sense of security similar to how computer antivirus definitions are regularly updated. Cryptographic protocols and digital signatures ensuring over-the-air software and firmware updates remain unmodified and come from trusted vendors is another prime area. Simulation-based projects examining how well vehicles defend against coordinated multi-vehicle attacks swarming autonomous fleets are yet another relevant approach.

The hands-on, practical nature of capstone projects provides an environment for students to not just theorize about potential security issues but to directly experiment with vehicle and autonomous driving systems. This experience of confronting real challenges during the development process is invaluable for surface weaknesses that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. It allows future security engineers and researchers to gain a deeper, experiential understanding of both vulnerabilities and effective mitigation approaches within these complex, safety-critical systems. The testing and solutions developed through capstone work can then be published or shared with developers to immediately strengthen protections as the driverless industry continues to evolve rapidly. Capstone research makes a key contribution to improving the cyber-resilience of autonomous vehicles through an active, student-led process of identify-test-solve within a controlled, supervised environment.

As automated driving systems take to our roads in coming years, cybersecurity must be a top priority to ensure public safety. Capstone projects allow students to play an active role in surveying the cybersecurity landscape within this emerging field and devising innovative solutions through hands-on practical research and development. The testing performed identifies weaknesses while the solutions proposed help secure these advanced systems from the earliest stages of development. Capstone work is thus an impactful method for enhancing cyber protections for driverless vehicles and mitigating threats to promote responsible, safe innovation within this important new mobility revolution.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR PRE SERVICE TEACHERS WHO COMPLETE CAPSTONE PROJECTS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

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There are numerous benefits for pre-service teachers who complete capstone projects as part of their elementary education degree programs. Capstone projects provide opportunities for pre-service teachers to creatively demonstrate their cumulative learning throughout their studies. They also allow pre-service teachers to directly apply the pedagogical knowledge and skills they have gained to an authentic, strategic teaching project.

One major benefit is that capstone projects allow pre-service teachers to gain valuable hands-on teaching experience before entering the workforce as a fully certified teacher. Through their capstone projects, pre-service teachers are able to design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive teaching experience from start to finish. This could involve developing full lesson plans and curriculum, teaching a series of lessons to elementary students, and assessing student learning outcomes. Going through this process gives pre-service teachers an immersive teaching experience they can draw from as they transition into their first years of professional teaching.

Capstone projects also benefit pre-service teachers by allowing them to focus their studies on a self-directed area of interest within elementary education. Pre-service teachers select their own capstone project topics based on grade levels, subjects, or educational approaches that most engage them. Working on a self-guided project tied to their personal passions and strengths helps pre-service teachers feel invested in their learning. It also enables them to cultivate expertise in a focused area of elementary education that they may want to pursue further in their careers.

The capstone research, design, and reflection components of these projects benefit pre-service teachers by enhancing their critical thinking, problem-solving, self-assessment, and lifelong learning skills. Through capstone projects, pre-service teachers engage in an independent and in-depth inquiry process similar to action research. They must formulate research questions, investigate literature, draft and revise plans, collect and analyze data, and draw evidence-based conclusions. This systematic approach to addressing an issue helps pre-service teachers develop important dispositions and habits of mind required for continuous professional growth as in-service teachers.

The presentation of capstone project findings is also beneficial, as it allows pre-service teachers to practice important skills for professional collaboration. Pre-service teachers may present their projects to peers, faculty members, and school administrators via formats such as research posters, oral presentations, digital exhibits, or written reports. Having to clearly and engagingly communicate project insights and implications to audiences helps pre-service teachers gain confidence in their ability to inform colleagues or stakeholders about their teaching ideas and practices. This benefit is invaluable as they enter the field and may need to propose projects, share results, or advocate for educational initiatives.

Many pre-service teachers have reported that their capstone projects were powerful learning experiences that strongly influenced their development as future educators. Through taking on a capstone teaching project from start to finish, many pre-service teachers gain deeper clarity around their teaching philosophy, strengths, areas for improvement, and ideal teaching contexts or roles. The self-exploration made possible through capstone projects can help affirm pre-service teachers’ career choice or guide them towards teaching specializations or grade levels where they are best suited to successfully support student outcomes. This process of professional identity cultivation certainly benefits pre-service teachers as novice educators.

The benefits of capstone project experiences often extend beyond the pre-service teachers themselves. Since capstone projects often directly engage P-12 students through curriculum design and implementation, the projects can positively impact student achievement and learning. After conducting their teaching through capstone projects, pre-service teachers frequently report their students demonstrated subject area growth, enhanced engagement, proficiency with new skills, or nurtured abilities like collaboration, creativity and problem-solving. This student-centered process helps validate pre-service teachers’ emerging abilities while also providing value to the P-12 populations they serve. School administrators also recognize capstone projects can supply schools with innovative teaching resources they may integrate into ongoing programming.

Capstone projects within elementary education degree programs comprehensively benefit pre-service teachers. Through authentic teaching experiences, opportunities for self-directed inquiry, professional skill development, self-exploration and identity cultivation – capstone projects help ensure pre-service teachers maximize their studies and feel well prepared to successfully begin their careers enhancing student outcomes. Both pre-service teachers and the future students they teach widely benefit from the meaningful learning made possible through high-impact capstone experiences in teacher preparation programs.

WHAT ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN INDUSTRY 4 0

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GE – GE is one of the leading industrial companies that has embraced Industry 4.0. It has focused on integrating connectivity, data analytics, and artificial intelligence/machine learning across its industrial assets and processes. GE has developed an Industrial IoT platform called Predix that connects industrial machines and assets. It collects massive amounts of operational data which is then analyzed using advanced analytics to generate insights. These insights help GE in predictive maintenance of assets and equipment, improving overall equipment effectiveness, reducing downtime, and optimizing operations. GE has deployed Predix across its gas turbines, wind turbines, aviation, healthcare, and other businesses to drive digitization. It has digital twin simulations to test new designs virtually before production. The availability of real-time data and analytics is helping GE achieve considerable productivity gains and cost reductions.

Siemens – As a major player in automation and industrial equipment, Siemens has implemented Industry 4.0 solutions across several industries and domains. It offers an integrated digital enterprise platform called MindSphere that collects and analyzes equipment, process, and operational data. Similar to GE’s Predix, MindSphere helps industrial companies monitor assets remotely, conduct predictive maintenance, improve quality control, and optimize processes. Siemens has integrated MindSphere with its industrial controllers, drives, robots, and other hardware. It is working with several automotive, pharmaceutical and other manufacturing customers to digitally transform their factories using Industry 4.0 technologies. For example, Siemens has helped automaker BMW collect data from over 1,000 machines to conduct remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance, increasing equipment uptime.

John Deere – John Deere is one of the leading manufacturers of agricultural and construction equipment. It has undertaken multiple Industry 4.0 initiatives to enhance productivity and optimization in farming and construction operations. John Deere has developed agricultural equipment and vehicles with advanced sensors and connectivity that can collect field data during operations. Using analytical tools, it helps farmers make data-driven decisions on soil health, optimal seed and fertilizer usage, irrigation needs etc. This is improving yield and reducing wastage. John Deere also provides construction equipment like excavators with IoT/AI capabilities. Data from these assets helps optimize routes, fuel usage, predictive maintenance and more. Overall, John Deere’s Industry 4.0 solutions are helping improve resource efficiency and productivity in agriculture and construction domains.

ABB – ABB is a major player in industrial automation, robotics, and power grid equipment. It has incorporated digital capabilities across its automation solutions portfolio in alignment with Industry 4.0 goals. For example, ABB Ability is an IoT-enabled suite of software and services focused on connectivity, analytics and cybersecurity for industrial customers. Using sensors and edge computing, ABB Ability collects real-time operations data from industrial equipment. Advanced analytics are then used to drive improvements in productivity, asset performance, energy management, and predictive maintenance. ABB has also integrated its robotics and automation equipment with digital twin simulations for virtual commissioning and testing. Several automotive manufacturers, bottling plants and other process industries are benefiting from ABB’s Industry 4.0 initiatives in modernizing factories and improving production efficiencies.

Rockwell Automation – As a leader in industrial automation and control systems, Rockwell Automation has rolled out multiple Industry 4.0-aligned digital transformation programs. Its FactoryTalk innovation suite provides robust connectivity, cloud infrastructure, data analytics, augmented reality, and cybersecurity solutions to industrial customers. Rockwell collects real-time data using edge gateways from industrial controllers, HMIs, safety systems and other automation equipment on the plant floor. This data is analyzed on the cloud for gaining insights into process optimization, quality improvement, predictive maintenance and remote asset monitoring. Rockwell has deployed its FactoryTalk digital solutions across food & beverage, life sciences, mining, oil & gas and other heavy industries. It is helping customers achieve considerable productivity gains through data-driven decision making and optimization of manufacturing processes using advanced IIoT capabilities.

Leading industrial companies like GE, Siemens, John Deere, ABB and Rockwell Automation have successfully incorporated Industry 4.0 principles and digital technologies across their operations to drive transformation. Connecting physical assets with digital systems, collecting and analyzing vast amounts of real-time data, developing digital twins and simulations, and using advanced analytics are enabling these companies to optimize processes, reduce downtime, improve asset performance and productivity substantially. Their Industry 4.0 initiatives are aligned with the goals of modernizing manufacturing infrastructure and making industries and processes smarter through technologies like IoT, cloud, edge computing, AI and data analytics.

WHAT ARE SOME POTENTIAL RISKS OR SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH TRIGGER POINT DRY NEEDLING

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Trigger point dry needling is generally considered a safe procedure when performed by a licensed healthcare provider with proper training in the technique. Like any medical procedure, however, there are some potential risks and side effects that patients should be aware of before undergoing dry needling treatment. Some of the more commonly reported risks and side effects associated with trigger point dry needling include the following:

Increased Pain – While the goal of dry needling is to reduce pain by deactivating trigger points, it is common for patients to feel a temporary increase in pain or soreness at the needling site during or immediately following a treatment session. This is a normal physiological response as the muscles relax and is not generally a cause for concern. The pain or soreness should subside over the next 24-48 hours as the muscles heal and relaxed further. In rare cases, some patients have reported pain persisting for longer than 2-3 days.

Bruising – It is not uncommon for patients to experience minor bruising at the needling site as dry needling involves the insertion of very thin filiform needles into tight muscle bands. Bruising results from small capillaries rupturing under the skin. Bruises are usually minor and resolve within a few days without complications. On rare occasions, patients with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medications have experienced more extensive bruising.

Bleeding – Minor bleeding can sometimes occur at the needling site if a small blood vessel is accidentally punctured. Any bleeding is usually minor and stops quickly on its own. The healthcare provider should apply pressure to stop any bleeding. Significant or prolonged bleeding requiring medical attention is very rare. As with bruising, those with bleeding disorders or on blood thinners are at higher risk.

Fainting – A small percentage of patients may feel faint, dizzy or lightheaded during or shortly after a dry needling treatment session. This usually results from sensation of needle insertion or change in body position rather than any medical issue. Ensure you are well hydrated before treatment and listen to your practitioner’s instructions to avoid moves that cause drops in blood pressure like suddenly standing up.

Nerve Injury – Very rarely, there is a small risk of accidentally puncturing or injuring nerves near the needling site. Nerves are usually well protected by muscles and fascia making direct trauma uncommon when treatment is performed properly. Minor nerve injuries like temporary numbness, tingling or pain usually resolve within days. Long-term or permanent nerve damage is exceptionally rare but possible if protocols are not followed.

Infection – Bacteria normally present on the skin can potentially cause infection if transferred too deeply by acupuncture needles. Infection after dry needling is considered very rare due to the use of only solid filiform needles which do not remain in the body long-term. Any post-treatment infection would normally manifest as local inflammation around a needling site and respond readily to oral antibiotics. More serious infections requiring hospitalization have not been reported.

Organ Puncture – While exceedingly unlikely when treatment is performed properly in appropriate muscle locations, there is a theoretical risk of inadvertently puncturing an underlying organ like the lungs (pneumothorax) or liver if protocols are breached. This requires advancement of the needle well beyond safe depths. No cases of organ puncture from properly administered trigger point dry needling have been documented.

Allergic Reaction – Allergies to needle metals like stainless steel are considered very rare. Mild allergic skin reactions like redness, itching or rash could potentially occur but would not usually cause health issues. Anyone knowing of metal allergies should notify their practitioner before treatment. Serious systemic allergic reactions or anaphylaxis have not been associated with dry needling.

As with all medical procedures, proper dry needling technique, practitioner competence, and adherence to established safety protocols are key to minimizing risks. Patients should feel comfortable discussing any medical history or concerns with their healthcare provider prior to treatment. Potential side effects are usually mild and short-lived when trigger point dry needling is administered appropriately. As a generally low-risk procedure, dry needling provides effective pain relief for many musculoskeletal issues when incorporated as part of a broader treatment plan including exercise, manual therapy, and lifestyle modification.

While trigger point dry needling is considered very safe when performed correctly by a licensed practitioner, patients should be aware of potential risks like possible increased pain, minor bruising or bleeding at needling sites, fainting, temporary nerve reactions, or very rare infection or organ puncture. Serious health issues are exceedingly uncommon and mild side effects are usually self-limiting if appropriate protocols are followed. The procedure provides significant musculoskeletal pain relief for many individuals when administered skillfully as part of comprehensive clinical care.