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Improved Analytical Analysis Of A Pressurized Water Reactor Secondary Loop, Megan J. Holba

All Capstone Projects

In the nuclear industry, the addition of poly-acrylic acid (PAA) as a dispersant to the secondary cooling loop in pressurized water reactors (PWRs) has been found beneficial in keeping the corroded Fe in solution. The purpose of this study is to measure the effectiveness of the addition of PAA to Braidwood Nuclear Power Station and other plants, to show the benefits of PAA implementation and to evaluate the current method for Fe detection. The current analytical method for the X-Ray Fluorescence Detector has an upper detection limit of 5,000 μg Fe, however, the results frequently exceed the upper limit. In …

Guidance, Navigation And Control Of A Fly-By-Wire Transport Category Airship Designed For Hover Cargo Delivery, Harshad H. Lalan

Master's Theses - Daytona Beach

The purpose of this thesis is to develop fly-by-wire pilot controls for a transport category airship propelled with six thrust vectoring engines, and to develop control laws to maintain position, heading, and attitude during hover and cargo operations. Owing to the large body area, most airships require that they be pointed into the wind to maintain their position. This research aims at controlling an airship attitude and position during hover cargo delivery, irrespective of the wind direction.

Control laws were developed for two primary modes of the airship: Flight (High Speed Mode) and Hover (Cargo Delivery Mode). Different sets of …

The Synergy Of Recombinant Xylanolytic Enzyme On Xylan Hydrolysis, One Asmarani, Bambang Prajogo Eko Wardojo, Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih

Makara Journal of Technology

Microbial xylanases or xylanolytic enzyme have received considerable attention over the last years owing to a multitude of possible applications. These enzymes have potential in the biodegradation of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels, chemicals, fruit juice, animal feed and in improving rumen digestion. More recently, the use of xylanases as bleaching agent in the pulp and paper industry has been suggested to replace of some of the chemicals presently used for this purpose. Such applications could have an important positive impact on the environment. The purpose of this research was determining the synergy of 3 recombinant xylanolytic enzymes (β-xylosidase, exo-xylanase and …

The Dominant Role Of The Hip In Multijoint Reflex Responses In Human Spinal Cord Injury, Tanya Onushko

Dissertations (1934 -)

Following a spinal cord injury (SCI), people often experience exaggerated reflexes, such that mild provocations can cause prolonged and uncontrolled muscle activity throughout the entire leg. These reflexes can be problematic and are known to interfere with functional tasks, such as transferring to and from a wheelchair, and they may interfere with locomotor function by prolonging muscle activity and/or inappropriately activating muscles during attempts to walk. While these multijoint reflexes have been shown to originate from several afferent cues, hip afferent input is a particularly potent sensory signal that readily triggers multijoint reflexes. The overall objective of this dissertation was …

Polygonal Spatial Clustering, Deepti Joshi

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Clustering, the process of grouping together similar objects, is a fundamental task in data mining to help perform knowledge discovery in large datasets.  With the growing number of sensor networks, geospatial satellites, global positioning devices, and human networks tremendous amounts of spatio-temporal data that measure the state of the planet Earth are being collected every day.  This large amount of spatio-temporal data has increased the need for efficient spatial data mining techniques.  Furthermore, most of the anthropogenic objects in space are represented using polygons, for example – counties, census tracts, and watersheds.  Therefore, it is important to develop data mining …

Producing Biodiesel From Microalgae Grown In Municipal Wastewater From Dover, Nh, Brian Mcconnell

Inquiry Journal 2011

No abstract provided.

Ceg 479/679-01: Computer Animation, Thomas Wischgoll

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

No abstract provided.

Three-Dimensional Security Barrier Impact Response Modeling, Ratul D. Sarmah, Christopher Y. Tuan

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The occurrence of terrorist vehicular bomb attacks has been frequently reported. Perimeter security barriers are designed and guilt to defeat vehicle penetration. Due to the complexity of designing a security barrier, the current practice is to physically crash test the barrier head-on with a threat vehicle, at a certain velocity as a validation of the design. As full-scale vehicular crash tests are costly, facility designers are often forced to use existing barriers without the benefit of designing new, innovative and cost-effective systems for a specific threat. With the present-day computing capability, conducting three-dimensional simulations of vehicular crash dynamics on a …

Evaluation Of A Novel Non-Penetrating Electrode For Use In Dna Vaccination, Amy Donate, Domenico Coppola, Yolmari Cruz, Richard Heller

Bioelectrics Publications

Current progress in the development of vaccines has decreased the incidence of fatal and non-fatal infections and increased longevity. However, new technologies need to be developed to combat an emerging generation of infectious diseases. DNA vaccination has been demonstrated to have great potential for use with a wide variety of diseases. Alone, this technology does not generate a significant immune response for vaccination, but combined with delivery by electroporation (EP), can enhance plasmid expression and immunity. Most EP systems, while effective, can be invasive and painful making them less desirable for use in vaccination. Our lab recently developed a non-invasive …

Evaluation Of Silver/Graphite Ink Blends For Use In Printed Electronics, Sagar Satish Joshi

Masters Theses

Many organizations around the globe are actively involved in the research and development of printed displays, circuits, printed batteries, RFID tags and other printed electronics applications. The requirements for using printing techniques in the manufacturing of circuits are much more demanding than for conventional printing.There are many challenges that have to be overcome for successful printing and functioning of the printed circuits. These challenges are not only for the printing process and the substrates, but also for the functional inks used for printed electronics manufacturing.

This work focuses on gravure printing of conductive inks, more specifically silver, graphite and silver-graphite …

Analysis Of Airport Security Screening Checkpoints Using Queuing Networks And Discrete Event Simulation: A Theoretical And Empirical Approach, Stephen Louis Dorton

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This study utilized discrete event simulation (DES) and queuing networks to investigate the effects of baggage volume and alarm rate at the Security Screening Checkpoint (SSCP) of a small origin and destination airport. A Jackson queuing network was considered for a theoretical assessment to SSCP performance. A DES model using Arena version 12 was utilized for an empirical approach. Data was collected from both literature and by manual collection methods. Manual data was collected during the peak operating time of 6am-7am local time at the airport being modeled. The simulation model was verified and validated qualitatively and quantitatively by statistical …

Ultimate Compression After Impact Load Prediction In Graphite/Epoxy Coupons Using Neural Network And Multivariate Statistical Analyses, Alexandre David Grégoire

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The goal of this research was to accurately predict the ultimate compressive load of impact damaged graphite/epoxy coupons using a Kohonen self-organizing map (SOM) neural network and multivariate statistical regression analysis (MSRA). An optimized use of these data treatment tools allowed the generation of a simple, physically understandable equation that predicts the ultimate failure load of an impacted damaged coupon based uniquely on the acoustic emissions it emits at low proof loads. Acoustic emission (AE) data were collected using two 150 kHz resonant transducers which detected and recorded the AE activity given off during compression to failure of thirty-four impacted …

Computational Genomic Signatures And Metagenomics, Ozkan U. Nalbantoglu

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Mathematical characterizations of biological sequences form one of the main elements of bioinformatics. In this work, a class of DNA sequence characterization, namely computational genomics signatures, which capture global features of these sequences is used to address emerging computational biology challenges. Because of the species specificity and pervasiveness of genome signatures, it is possible to use these signatures to characterize and identify a genome or a taxonomic unit using a short genome fragment from that source. However, the identification accuracy is generally poor when the sequence model and the sequence distance measure are not selected carefully. We show that the …

Experimental Investigation Of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composite, Irene Samy Fahim

Theses and Dissertations

There is a growing use of polymers in different applications worldwide. This phenomenon resulted in an enormous increase in the amount of plastic waste. These wastes have significant impacts on the environment including pollution and depletion of resources. Recycling plastic waste and reusing it helps in alleviating environmental degradation. The amount of recycled plastics all over the world not utilized is huge. U.S.A recycled 5.7% of the total plastics generated and Western Europe recycled 39% of total amount of plastics consumed [1]. This research studies the potential usage of virgin and recycled polymer reinforced with natural fiber such as rice …

A Framework For Incident Detection And Notification In Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks, Mahmoud Abuelela

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

The US Department of Transportation (US-DOT) estimates that over half of all congestion events are caused by highway incidents rather than by rush-hour traffic in big cities. The US-DOT also notes that in a single year, congested highways due to traffic incidents cost over $75 billion in lost worker productivity and over 8.4 billion gallons of fuel. Further, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that congested roads are one of the leading causes of traffic accidents, and in 2005 an average of 119 persons died each day in motor vehicle accidents.

Recently, Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANET) employing a …

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Collision Avoidance From Moving Obstacles, Atila Ozdemir

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The usage of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is becoming more diverse day by day in both military and civil applications. Specifically in military applications, they are becoming a "must-have" component in every arsenal. Low cost, and especially the importance of human life, makes these vehicles desired in any military situation. But in order to take advantage of the UAVs, these vehicles should be able to navigate safely and not collide with other air vehicles, especially ones that are manned and carry personnel. As a result, the importance of a collision avoidance system of the UA V arises and begins …

Characterization And Genetic Analysis Of The Cellulolytic Microorganism Thermobifida Fusca, Yu Deng

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, one of the hurdles hindering efficient production of cellulosic biofuel is the recalcitrant nature of cellulose to hydrolysis. A wide variety of cellulase enzymes are found natively in microorganisms that can potentially be used to effectively hydrolyze cellulose to fermentable sugars. Thermobifida fusca is a high G-C content, thermophilic, gram-positive soil actinobacterium with high cellulolytic activity. The phenomenological and mechanistic parameters affecting cellulase activity were studied in T. fusca and two mechanisms have been found: 1) transcriptions of cellulase-related genes were not closely associated with measured differences in cellulase activity and 2) cellular energetics (intracellular ATP) correlated more closely …

Life Cycle Assessment Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Ethanol And Biopolymers, Adam J. Liska, Xiao Xue Fang

Adam Liska Papers

Conclusions

• Regulatory LCA is not likely to be used for non‐fuel chemicals alone in the near future

• Significant GHG emission credits for corn‐ethanol can be obtained by using only roughly 6‐9% of initial starch for production of biopolymers based on previous LCA theory

• Pay close attention to values in calculating credits per kg—these have to stand up in litigation to ensure the credit

• Credits are proportional to the mass of polymer produced

• Many theoretical issues are uncertain and credits will only be determined in conjunction with EPA

• Indirect emissions are uncertain and are a …

Assessment Of State Composting Regulations In The United States, Nazli Yesiller, Samuel A. Vigil, James L. Hanson

Civil and Environmental Engineering

This investigation was conducted to identify the current "status of state composting regulations in the U.S. using an extensive survey administered to regulators from all 50 states. Questions were included regarding: background information on composting: status of regulations: regulatory details including feedstock specific provisions and regulatory framework with respect to MSW regulations: details regarding type, properties, and amount of materials handled by composting activities; outgoing materials and storage of materials; type of composting facilities: initial development of the regulations; level of rigor of regulations: enforcement and reporting requirements; efficiency and level of satisfaction with regulations: permitting fees; and modifications to …

Poster Session, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Fate of Stable Isotope Label During Predation of 15N-Tagged Wild-Type Escherichia coli by Protozoa, Ashley Barton and Alan Fryar, Dept Earth and Environmental Sciences, UK
• Cane Run Watershed Assessment and Restoration – Phase One Accomplishments, Amanda Gumbert and others, UK Cooperative Extension Service
• Improving Water Quality: Riparian Edge versus River Channel, Renee Kirtman and Kristy Hopfensperger, Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University
• Microscopic Population Dynamics and their Relationships to the Activated Sludge Process in a 30 MGD Wastewater Treatment Plant, Maria Lundin and David Price, LFUCG Division of Water Quality
• Southern Region Down-Well Camera Project, Glynn …

Session 2c, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Comparing the Kentucky Phosphorus Index with the P Loss Calculated with a Process-Based Model, Carl Bolster, USDA-ARS, AWMRU, Bowling Green, KY
• Kentucky Nutrient Criteria Development and Reduction Strategy, Clark Dorman, Water Quality Branch, KY DOW
• Genotypic Diversity of Escherichia coli Isolates from Environmental Sources and the Influence on Transport Behavior, Kimberly Cook and others, USDA-ARS, AWMRU, Bowling Green, KY
• A Multiparameter Approach for the Identification of Leaking and Overflowing Sanitary Sewers in the Wolf Run Watershed, Tricia Coakley and Gail Brion, Depts of Earth and Environmental Sciences and Civil Engineering, UK

Session 2b, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Building Support for Protecting and Restoring Plain, Frumpy, Dowdy Streams, Barry Tonning, Tetra Tech, Mt. Sterling, KY
• Monitoring Water Quality in Hinkston Creek: Providing Information for Action, Brian Reeder and April Haight, Center for Environmental Education, Morehead State University
• The Story of the Hinkston Creek Watershed Data, Gregory Sousa and others, Tetra Tech
• Implementation of Watershed Based Plans in the Dix River Watershed, Caroline Walz and Malissa McAlister, OSM/VISTA Dix River Watershed Coordinator and KWRRI

Session 1c, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Bush Honeysuckle Induced Aquatic Hypoxia, Stephanie Hayes and Richard Durtsche, Dept of Biological Sciences, NKU
• A Laboratory Scale, Continuous Flow Bioreactor for the Removal of Manganese in Water Supplies, Michael Snyder and Y.T. Wang, Dept of Civil Engineering, UK
• Flood Impact Due to Dam Failure: An Assessment of Current Studies and the Appropriateness of the Methodologies Applied to the Dix Dam, Allen Cantrell and Scott Yost, Dept of Civil Engineering, UK
• Development of a Comprehensive Sediment Transport Method in First Order Watersheds with Contour Coal Mining, Darren Martin and Jimmy Fox, Dept of Civil Engineering, UK

Session 1b, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Land-Use, Stream Channel Dynamics, and Macroinvertebrate Community Responses: A Northern Kentucky Case Study, Bob Hawley and others, Sustainable Streams, LLC
• Kentucky LiDAR Meets NAIP Multispectral Imagery: Toward Data Fusion in the Assessment of Watershed Change, Demetrio Zourarakis, Kentucky Div of Geographic Information, Frankfort
• Seasonal Variation in Water Quality and Dissolved Methane of Barren River Lake, John Loughrin and Carl Bolster, USDA-ARS, AWMRU, Bowling Green, KY
• Water Quality Investigation in the Eastern Kentucky Coalfields, Lisa Underwood and Lisa Hicks, USACE and KY DOW

Session 1a, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Pilot Study to Integrate Existing Karst Flow Data for Kentucky in the National Hydrography Dataset Created by the U.S. Geological Survey, Rob Blair and others, KY DOW
• An Evaluation of Physical and Chemical Discharge Parameters from a Spring that Drains the Epikarst, David Jackson, Groundwater Section, KY DOW
• Characterizing Health Risks in Privately Supplied Drinking Water Due to Agricultural Practices in Rural Western Kentucky, Leading to an Intervention Study, Karen Card and E. Glynn Beck, Dept of Epidemiology and KGS, UK
• Aqueous Geochemistry of a CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery Project in the Sugar Creek Oil Field, Hopkins County, …

Newsletter 44 Issue 1 - Spring 2011 - Nuts And Bolts

Friends of the Larsen Tractor Museum

No abstract provided.

A Gis-Based Data Model And Tools For Analysis And Visualization Of Levee Breaching Using The Gssha Model, Hoang Luu Tran

Theses and Dissertations

Levee breaching is the most frequent and dangerous form of levee failure. A levee breach occurs when floodwater breaks through part of the levee creating an opening for water to flood the protected area. According to National Committee on Levee Safety (NCLS), a reasonable upper limit for damage resulting from levee breaching is around $10 billion per year during 1998 and 2007. This number excludes hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 which resulted in economic damages estimated to be more than $200 billion dollar and a loss of more than 1800 lives. In response to these catastrophic failures, the U.S. …

A Proteolytic Process To Simulate The Mechanics Of Disc Dengeration In Bovine Cadaveric Tissue, Timothy A. Bishop

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose. The present work hypothesized that proteolytic dissolution of intervertebral discs could induce biomechanical change comparable to the change observed in natural disc degeneration. A method to do such could be utilized for in vitro research where intersample differences in geometry and chemical makeup render it difficult to compare and aggregate results into generalized conclusions.
Methods. Forty-one bovine coccygeal intervertebral discs were isolated with individual functional spinal units. Samples were loaded in three modes: compression/tension, flexion/extension, and axial rotation. The anulus fibrosus of each disc was injected with 200µl trypsin or fetal bovine serum (control) and incubated for an allotted …

Developing Methods To Assess The Potential Effects Of Global Climate Change On Deer Creek Reservoir Using Water Quality Modeling, Reed Earl Chilton

Theses and Dissertations

To evaluate the potential impacts of future climate change on a temperate reservoir, I used a calibrated water quality and hydrodynamic model validated using three years of data (2007-2009) from Deer Creek Reservoir (Utah). I evaluated the changes due to altered air temperatures, inflow rates, and nutrient loads that might occur under Global Climate Change (GCC). I developed methods to study GCC on reservoirs. I produced Average Water Temperature Plots, Stratification Plots, and Total Concentration Plots. Average Water Temperature Plots show the sensitivity of the water temperature to various parameters. Stratification Plots quantify stratification length and strength as well as …

Culvert Roughness Elements For Native Utah Fish Passage: Phase I, Lindsay D. Esplin

Theses and Dissertations

Culverts can increase stream velocities as a result of reduced waterway areas and prevent upstream passage of small non-salmonid fish such as the Native Utah Leatherside chub (Gila copei) and Longnose dace (Rhinichthyscataractae). To mitigate this problem, current culvert design standards for fish passage match sustained fish swim speeds with average cross sectional velocity through the culvert. Such policies dictate relatively large barrels and do not recognize the role of reduced velocity zones near culvert boundaries. Obstacles and streambed substrate create turbulent regions with lower velocity zones that can increase upstream fish passage. A comparison of …