Engineering Commons^™

Disambiguation Of Large-Scale Educational Network Data For Social Network Analysis, Adam Weaver

Fall Student Research Symposium 2021

Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a research method which quantitatively maps qualitative social interactions between individuals who comprise a ‘network’. Delineating these social networks yields highly valuable data, including SNA measures like centrality, which can be used to measure social influence, connectivity, and more. Further, these networks can also be visualized by graphing individuals as ‘nodes’, and then by drawing ‘edges’ (the lines that connect them) to produce sociograms. With these sociograms, researchers can concurrently conduct visual and statistical analysis of relations between node and network traits of interest. As a result of these capabilities and the growth of social …

Establishing A Framework Of Nitrogen Acquisition For Martian Agriculture, Tyler Wallentine

Fall Student Research Symposium 2021

Nitrogen (N) forms a crucial part of DNA, proteins, and other biomolecules and is an essential element to life. Luckily, N is abundant in Earth’s and Mars’ atmospheres in its atmospheric form (N₂); however, plants and humans are unable to metabolize it in this state. N₂ gas is only able to be consumed by undergoing nitrogen fixation, an intensive process that breaks the extremely-stable N ≡ N bond in order to form bioavailable ammonia (NH₃). Many prokaryotes are capable of nitrogen fixation. Plants may uptake fixed N from these, which are then consumed by other …

Pan Variant Sars-Cov-2 Common Interactions And Drug Candidates, Kolton Hauck

Fall Student Research Symposium 2021

As the SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread, multiple strains have appeared. Research has investigated potential drug candidates for COVID-19, but without consideration for the multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2. A domain-based and interolog-based method were implemented to predict protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between the SARS-CoV-2 variants and human proteins. A common set (conserved among all strains) and a unique set (distinct for each strain) of interactions were made. These sets of interactions were characterized via subcellular localization, tissue expression, pathway enrichment and gene ontology. Lastly, drug candidates were identified for the common set. The combined domain and interolog methods resulted in 8963 predicted …

Airfoil Flow Optimized Control With An Upstream Cylinder, Nicole Steiner

Fall Student Research Symposium 2021

The purpose of this research is to optimize the aerodynamic performance of an airfoil with an upstream cylinder by neural network artificial intelligence. The effects of an upstream oscillating cylinder on the aerodynamic performance of an airfoil are also studied. This paper reports the effects oscillating frequency of the cylinder and the Reynolds number on the lift/drag ratio of the airfoil. The frequency has a complicated correlation with the lift/drag ratio, while the Reynolds number is found to have a positive correlation with the lift/drag ratio. The optimized case is found to have a lift/drag ratio of 1.7319, which is …

Designing An Electric Vehicle Wireless Charging System, Conner Sabin

Fall Student Research Symposium 2021

USU researchers at ASPIRE NSF Engineering research center are developing power electronic systems including wireless charging systems to increase EV charging accessibility. EV wireless charging systems include two charging coils, one on the ground and one on the bottom of the car. Current is driven through the charging coil as a car drives over the top of or parks on top of this coil. High current creates a magnetic field which induces current in the car coil. The alternating magnetic fields can charge the car as the car is simply parked on the top of this coil. Designing a wireless …

Effectiveness Of Cannabidiol And Resveratrol Against Diesel Exhaust Particle-Induced Lung Cell Cytotoxicity, Emily Brothersen

Fall Student Research Symposium 2021

Environmental air pollution poses a significant health risk to individuals across the world. Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), a major component of air pollution, have been shown to cause lung damage leading to cancer, respiratory infections, and premature death. Antioxidants, such as resveratrol, have previously demonstrated protective properties against DEP-induced cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species. Cannabinoids extracted from hemp species have also been found to have powerful antioxidant properties, though these properties have not been thoroughly explored. In this study, A549 human lung carcinoma cells were used as a cellular model to determine the effectiveness of cannabinoids’ antioxidant properties against DEP-induced …

Smart Solar Microgrid Inverter, Conner Sabin, Mckay Waite, Dakota Goodrich, Tucker Skinner

Fall Student Research Symposium 2021

With a major increase in the integration of renewable and distributed energy resources along with the use of solar inverters in microgrid applications, the need for advanced power electronics, specifically smart inverters, is higher than ever. It is desirable for these smart inverters to operate with maximum efficiency as well as provide grid services such as voltage and frequency regulation. A smart inverter design can improve the reliability and resilience of the grid, reduce the cost of energy, and ease grid maintenance. This is done through the management of active power generation and reactive power compensation between the solar inverter …

Smooth Muscle Cells Affect Differential Nanoparticle Accumulation In Disturbed Blood Flow-Induced Murine Atherosclerosis, Hunter Miller, Morgan A. Schake, Badrul Alam Bony, Evan T. Curtis, Conner C. Gee, Ian Mccue, Thomas J. Ripperda Jr., Yiannis S. Chatzizisis, Forrest Kievit, Ryan M. Pedrigi

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Atherosclerosis is a lipid-driven chronic inflammatory disease that leads to the formation of plaques in the inner lining of arteries. Plaques form over a range of phenotypes, the most severe of which is vulnerable to rupture and causes most of the clinically significant events. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of nanoparticles (NPs) to differentiate between two plaque phenotypes based on accumulation kinetics in a mouse model of atherosclerosis. This model uses a perivascular cuff to induce two regions of disturbed wall shear stress (WSS) on the inner lining of the instrumented artery, low (upstream) and multidirectional (downstream), which, …

Source Apportionment And Health Risk Assessment Of Nitrate In Foothill Aquifers Of Western Ghats, South India, Banajarani Panda, S. Chidambaram, Daniel D. Snow, Arindam Malakar, Dhiraj Kr Singh, L. Ramanathan

Nebraska Water Center: Faculty Publications

The present research reports the level of nitrate (NO₃^-), associated health risks and possible sources of contamination in groundwater from south India. Many samples (32%) are above or approaching the recommended level of NO₃^- for safe drinking water. The correlation analysis indicates different sources of NO₃^- contamination in different regions rather than a common origin. The isotopic measurements provide information about potential nitrogen sources contributing NO₃^- to the groundwater. Based on isotope analysis, the sources of NO₃^- in the groundwater of this region are likely to be from (a) …

Pittsburg Ordinances And Resolutions Collection, 1945-1979, Special Collections, Leonard H. Axe Library

Finding Aids

This is a collection consisting of personal correspondence, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, appraisals, and other miscellaneous items related to several Pittsburg civil engineering projects.

Anglo-American Nursing: A Historical Timeline Of The Field From The Renaissance To World War Ii, Carlyn Homann

Honors Projects

This timeline stands as an extensive- although not comprehensive- review of the evolution of Anglo-American nursing as a profession, but it will also explore the contributions of other nations where it is appropriate. It seeks to summarize the field and its limitations from the early 15th century to World War II, as well as the capability for upward movement within an existing hierarchy while also considering the education required of a nurse during the selected time period in order to provide context for current nursing students.

A Simplified Stress Analysis Of Functionally Graded Beams And Influence Of Material Function On Deflection, Elias Ali

Faculty Scholarship

This paper aims at providing a simplified analytical solution for functionally graded beam stress analysis and optimized material gradation on the beam deflection. The power-law (P-FGM) and exponential (E-FGM) material functions were considered for an exact solution of the normal and shear stress distributions across the beam thickness. Optimization of material function on the FGM beam deflection, which is new of its kind, was also investigated considering both simply supported and cantilever beams. It was observed that the non-dimensional normal stress and shear stress are independent of the elastic moduli values of the constituent materials but rather depends on both …

Inter-Subject Correlation While Listening To Minimalist Music: A Study Of Electrophysiological And Behavioral Responses To Steve Reich’S Piano Phase, Tysen Dauer, Duc T. Nguyen, Nick Gang, Jacek P. Dmochowski, Jonathan Berger, Blair Kaneshiro

Publications and Research

Musical minimalism utilizes the temporal manipulation of restricted collections of rhythmic, melodic, and/or harmonic materials. One example, Steve Reich’s Piano Phase, offers listeners readily audible formal structure with unpredictable events at the local level. For example, pattern recurrences may generate strong expectations which are violated by small temporal and pitch deviations. A hyper-detailed listening strategy prompted by these minute deviations stands in contrast to the type of listening engagement typically cultivated around functional tonal Western music. Recent research has suggested that the inter-subject correlation (ISC) of electroencephalographic (EEG) responses to natural audio-visual stimuli objectively indexes a state of “engagement,” demonstrating …

Enhancing Situational Awareness For Rotorcraft Pilots Using Virtual And Augmented Reality, Ardit Pranvoku

Theses and Dissertations

Rotorcraft pilots often face the challenge of processing a multitude of data, integrating it with prior experience and making informed decisions in complex, rapidly changing multisensory environments. Virtual Reality (VR), and more recently Augmented Reality (AR) technologies have been applied for providing users with immersive, interactive and navigable experiences. The research work described in this thesis demonstrates that VR/AR are particularly effective in providing real-time information without detracting from the pilot's mission in both civilian and military engagements. The immersion of the pilot inside of the VR model provides enhanced realism. Interaction with the VR environment allows pilots to practice …

Energy Efficient Configuration Or Perforated Solar Screens For Residential Desert Buildings, Rasha Arafa

Archived Theses and Dissertations

In hot arid desert environments, the solar radiation passing through windows increases the cooling loads and energy consumption of buildings. Shading of windows can reduce these loads. External perforated wooden solar screens were traditionally used for windowsâ shading. However, there is a lack in understanding their performance in a quantitative manner and unavailability of scientific means that could be used for developing new efficient designs that suit the harsh desert conditions. This thesis investigates the impact of changing screen configurations such as perforation percentage, depth, perforation openings aspect ratio and reflectivity on the energy loads, hence defining the most efficient …

Prediction Of Gas Cap Performance Using Fetkovich Model In Kharir Field, Salem Mubarak Bin-Gadeem, Ali Salem Bin-Gadeem

Hadhramout University Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences

Correlation Fetkovich is Estimate reservoir properties and compare it with that reported from the test for each well, determine ultimate gas cap recovery, determine the remaining reserves. In our paper we use an Excel sheet was developed based on the method used to match the production data and predicting the future production of Kharir-1 and Kharir-2. The best decline curve fit for the history of Kharir-1 is b = 0.00 and Kharir-2 is b= 0.2. as well as all estimated reservoir properties are in good fit with that reported from the test for each well. Ultimate gas recovery (EUR) for …

Pd Doped Sno2 Resistive Film As A Non-Enzymatic Glucose Sensor, Salim F. Bamsaoud, Sandhya Rani, R. N. Karekar Prof., S. W. Gosavi

Hadhramout University Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences

A new sugar sensor based on metal oxide is presented here. The variation on the sensor resistance is studied against different glucose and fructose concentrations (1 - 360 mg/dl). The study is done for three different resistive films (i) pristine palladium oxide (PdOx); (ii) tin oxide (SnO2) and (iii) palladium doped tin oxide (Pd-SnO2). The chemical reactions of glucose and fructose with surface species were studied. Pd-SnO2 films show an excellent and reliable response to glucose and fructose solution in comparison with the bare films (PdOx and SnO2). Sensor performance was checked for the blood of normal (120 mg/d) and …

Effect Of Feed Amount And Composition On Blaine And Residue In Cement Mill, Ahmed Mubarak Alsobaai

Hadhramout University Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences

This study investigates the effect of the amount and composition of cement ball mill feed on Blaine fineness and cement residue. The collected data were obtained using a ball mill for grinding clinker and additive materials (pozzolana and gypsum) at different amounts and composition of feed. The fineness of cement was measured as a specific surface by the air permeability method (Blaine Method) and the residue was calculated as cumulated residue on a 45 microns sieve. It was found that the cement residue increased with an increase in the amount and composition of feed while the Blaine fineness decreased. The …

Using Groundwater Flow Model (Modflow) As A Management Tool For Targeted Sub-Basins In Sana’A Basin, Zamzam Abdu Yahya Mubarak Dr, Moneer Qarhash, Mohammed Al Saloul, Saleh Al Dubby, Abdullah Saif

Hadhramout University Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences

The numerical modelling (MODFLOW) has emerged as an effective tool for managing groundwater resources and predicting future responses, especially when dealing with complex aquifers systems and heterogeneous formations. MODFLOW model has been used herein as a management tool for the targeted sub- basins (Wadi Bani Hawat sub-basin , Wadi Dhahr & Al-Ghayl sub-basin , Wadi Hamdan & As Sabrah sub-basin and Wadi Ghayman sub-basin); the most important groundwater resources for domestic and agricultural sectors in Sana’a basin . Groundwater extraction from this basin has already exceeded the safe yield of the aquifer, a sharp drop in the water table, and …

Activity Performance And Stability Of Functionalized Sba -15 Mesoporous Silica For Lipase Immobilization, Ahmed Mubarak Alsobaai Dr

Hadhramout University Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences

SBA -15 Mesoporous Silica was synthesized and functionalized with aminopropyl-, phenyl- and chloropropyl- using post-synthesis method. The esterification of citronellol with lauric acid in batch mode at 37 ◦C was used to measure the performance of the immobilized enzymes. Characterization of the supports revealed the satisfactory development of mesoporosity with uniform internal channels distribution. Pure SBA-15 showed the typical hexagonal pore and straight channels while the functionalized SBA-15 with triethoxysilane caused pore size to decrease and the distortion of internal channels occurred to subsequently improved the degree of immobilization. The best support among the four was the 3-aminotriethoxysilane functionalized SBA-15 …

Clustering Methods For The Efficient Voltage Regulation In Smart Grids, Brook Abegaz

Engineering Science Faculty Publications

In this paper, clustering methods are presented to enhance the stability of automatic voltage regulators using the efficient adjustment of their respective gains. The results show that implementations of some of the clustering algorithms provide better reliability and stability for the feedback-based voltage regulators as compared to the other methods, namely, a model predictive controller (MPC), a gaussian mixture model (GMM), a self-organizing mapping (SOM) and hierarchical clustering (HC) methods. Specifically, the K-Means clustering approach (KM) provided superior stability but a slower rise time of the output voltage of the voltage regulators as compared to the other methods. Furthermore, coordination …

Evaluating And Enhancing Iron Removal Via Filterable Iron Precipitates Formation During Coal-Waste Bioleaching, Prasenjit Podder, Zongliang Zhang, Rick Q. Honaker, Michael L. Free, Prashant K. Sarswat

Mining Engineering Faculty Publications

Iron removal via jarosite precipitate formation is a commonly used technique in various hydrometallurgical processes. Excess iron removal often becomes essential to an overall metal recovery circuit. This is particularly important to processes involving iron-bearing minerals. A technique, which involved the use of pyrite to generate acid for leaching, for iron removal is critical to enabling the process. Iron removal using CaO or similar reagents is expensive and often results in lost product. In the present study, various compounds that facilitate jarosite formation, namely Na₂SO₄, NH₄OH, KCl, and KOH, were utilized and their effect …

Development And Evaluation Of An Improved Microbial Inactivation Model For Analyzing Continuous Flow Uv-Led Air Treatment Systems, Cole Holtom Thatcher

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the development of an improved microbial inactivation model for analyzing continuous flow UV-LED air treatment systems and use of the model to evaluate the impact of several treatment system design parameters on inactivation. Model development includes three submodels: a radiation submodel, a fluid flow submodel, and an inactivation kinetics submodel. Radiation modeling defines the UV irradiance throughout the system. Fluid flow modeling provides the residence times that microbes spend exposed to the UV irradiation while passing through the system. Inactivation modeling combines irradiance and residence times with inactivation kinetics to calculate species-specific inactivation in a treatment system. …

Microfabricated Platforms To Investigate Cell Mechanical Properties, Amir M. Esfahani, Grayson Minnick, Jordan Rosenbohm, Haiwei Zhai, Xiaowei Jin, Bahareh Tajvidi Safa, Justin Brooks, Ruiguo Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Mechanical stimulation has been imposed on living cells using several approaches. Most early investigations were conducted on groups of cells, utilizing techniques such as substrate deformation and flow-induced shear. To investigate the properties of cells individually, many conventional techniques were utilized, such as AFM, optical traps/optical tweezers, magnetic beads, and micropipette aspiration. In specific mechanical interrogations, microelectro- mechanical systems (MEMS) have been designed to probe single cells in different interrogation modes. To exert loads on the cells, these devices often comprise piezo-electric driven actuators that attach directly to the cell or move a structure on which cells are attached. Uniaxial …

The Distributed Trust Model Applied To The Energy Grid Of Things, Narmada Sonali Fernando

Dissertations and Theses

Electric power system operators can manage distribution system utilization and usage by coordinating end customer usage of distributed energy resources. The end customers in this regard are Service Provisioning Customers, who provide their energy resources to a Grid Service Provider, which in turn dispatches large aggregations of distributed energy resources to provide reliable service to the power system. The security of this system relies upon information protection mechanisms, as described in IEEE 2030.5. However, in addition to preventive security measures, a monitoring function is required to ensure trustworthiness.

Trust models are a method to detect and respond to both expected …

Global Analysis Of Differential Gene Expression Within The Porcine Conceptus Transcriptome As It Transitions Through Spherical, Ovoid, And Tubular Morphologies During The Initiation Of Elongation, Sophie C. Walsh, Jeremy R. Miles, Brittney N. Keel, Lea A. Rempel, Elane C. Wright‐Johnson, Amanda K. Lindholm‐Perry, William T. Oliver, Angela K. Pannier

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

This study aimed to identify transcriptome differences between distinct or transitional stage spherical, ovoid, and tubular porcine blastocysts throughout the initiation of elongation. We performed a global transcriptome analysis of differential gene expression using RNA‐Seq with high temporal resolution between spherical, ovoid, and tubular stage blastocysts at specific sequential stages of development from litters containing conceptus populations of distinct or transitional blastocysts. After RNA‐Seq analysis, significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways were identified between distinct morphologies or sequential development stages. Overall, 1898 significant DEGs were identified between distinct spherical and ovoid morphologies, with 311 total DEGs between developmental stages …

Injectable Decellularized Nucleus Pulposus Tissue Exhibits Neuroinhibitory Properties, Logan M. Piening, David J. Lillyman, Fei San Lee, Alvaro Moreno Lozano, Jeremy R. Miles, Rebecca A. Wachs

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Background: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability, but treatments for LBP are limited. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc due to loss of neuroinhibitory sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs) allows nerves from dorsal root ganglia to grow into the core of the disc. Treatment with a decellularized tissue hydrogel that contains sGAGs may inhibit nerve growth and prevent discassociated LBP.

Methods: A protocol to decellularize porcine nucleus pulposus (NP) was adapted from previous methods. DNA, sGAG, α-gal antigen, and collagen content were analyzed before and after decellularization. The decellularized tissue was then enzymatically modified to be …

3d Permeability Characterization Of Sheared Fiber Reinforcement For Liquid Composite Molding Process Simulation, Collin William Childs

Theses and Dissertations

Resin transfer molding (RTM) is an infusion-based closed-mold manufacturing process where resin is injected into a preform of dry reinforcement to create a net shape part. Often, when a preform is draped over a mold with complex geometry, such as the double curvature of a dome, a reorientation of the fibers takes place in the form of in-plane shear. This deformation of the reinforcement structure has the potential to adversely affect the resin flow and the filling of the mold during RTM if the manufacturer fails to properly account for the shear effects. Various process simulation tools are being developed …

Method For Creating Subject-Specific Models Of The Wrist In Both Degrees Of Freedom Using Measured Muscle Excitations And Joint Torques, Blake Robert Harper

Theses and Dissertations

Two-thirds of repetitive strain injuries affect the wrist joint. Although force is believed to be one of the major factors, the forces involved in wrist movements have not been thoroughly characterized in vivo. Computer simulations with a musculoskeletal model of the wrist have been used to estimate wrist muscle forces, but only at maximum voluntary contraction and only involving a single degree of freedom (DOF). In this study we present a method for creating a subject-specific model that can be used to estimate muscle forces and joint torques in both degrees of freedom of the wrist over a range of …

Thermal Transport To Impinging Droplets On Superhydrophobic Surfaces, Jonathan C. Burnett

Theses and Dissertations

An analytical model is developed to quantify the heat transfer to droplets impinging on heated superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces. Integral analysis is used to incorporate an apparent temperature jump at the superhydrophobic surface as a boundary condition. This Thesis considers the scenario of both isotropic and anisotropic slip, as would be realized on post-cavity style and rib-cavity style SH surfaces. This thermal model is combined with a hydrodynamic model which incorporates velocity slip at the surface. Use of the two models allows determination of the overall cooling effectiveness, a metric outlined in contemporary work. The effect of varying velocity slip and …