Digital Commons Network^™

Selection Of Soil Stabilization Methods For Low-Volume Road Applications, Peter J. Spinks

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines a potential method of selecting an ideal soil additive to assist road planners in selecting an ideal soil stabilizer for low-volume road construction with in-situ soils. Essential for the socioeconomic success of rural communities, low-volume soil or gravel roads account for approximately 54% of US road expenditures to maintain and remediate. Soil stabilization can provide significant savings in regards to the cost, effectiveness, and environmental impacts of these roads. With hundreds of commercially available soil treatment products available with significant variations to their effects, it can be difficult for road planners to select the most appropriate product. …

Deploying Field-Capable Genome Sequencing: Human Performance Considerations Under Various Personal Protective Equipment Ensembles, Steven A. Torres

Theses and Dissertations

Field-portable genome sequencing enhances the Department of Defense's strategy for detecting biological threats, particularly in resource-limited environments. While current field-capable detection methods are effective, challenges in identifying emerging threats pose risks to personnel safety. As biotechnological advancements like portable nanopore genome sequencing can advance biological detection capabilities, the viability of conducting laboratory tasks under Mission-Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) ensembles lacks sufficient data. This research assesses the effectiveness of tools like pipettes, centrifuges, vortexes, and nanopore sequencing within a MOPP ensemble. Novice participants were utilized to explore the extension of this capability, and they completed tasks in three conditions: Fatigues, Laboratory …

Life Cycle Analysis Of Mobile Nuclear Reactor Compared To Other Alternative Fuels In Indopacom, Maria J. Hurtado

Theses and Dissertations

Energy is an item that makes the military vulnerable as it is something that they depend on the most which can have negative impacts. Mobile nuclear reactors are gaining the interest of many leaders in the military as a viable option of a potential alternative fuel source. There are many positives in utilizing mobile nuclear reactors in terms of environmental impacts and feasibility of transport. Studies have shown that mobile nuclear reactors can produce very low or negligible carbon emissions during operations. The focus of this thesis is to determine the environmental impacts of nuclear reactors, logistical requirements, and determine …

Pcor Partnership Atlas, Wesley D. Peck, Kari Suedel, Kyle A. Glazewski, Kevin C. Connors, James A. Sorensen, Charles D. Gorecki, Brian P. Kalk, John A. Harju

EERC Maps and Infographics

The Plains CO₂ Reduction (PCOR) Partnership Atlas provides a profile of CO₂ sources and potential storage locations across the PCOR Partnership region. The revised sixth edition of the Atlas provides an up-to-date look at PCOR Partnership initiative activities, including additional regional characterization and updates on commercial projects. Additional background information on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is included to give a better understanding of how CCUS addresses concerns about climate change while allowing future energy needs to be met.

Soil Nitrate Prediction Using Ftir-Atr, Vis-Nir, And Raman Spectroscopy, Sabiha Ferdous

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with Attenuated total reflectance (ATR), Visible-Near Infrared spectroscopy (Vis-NIR), and Raman spectroscopy (RS) are non-destructive techniques for rapid determination of nitrogen compounds in soil. Leveraging FTIR-ATR and Vis-NIR spectra using partial least squares regression (PLSR) modeling, the study aims to predict soil nitrate content and explored the feasibility of Raman spectroscopy to detect nitrate (NO₃^-), nitrite (NO₂^-), and ammonium (NH₄⁺) in soil. Soil samples were collected from four different fields, dried, sieved (2mm), and then used for collecting spectra (FTIR-ATR and Vis-NIR). Laboratory analysis was …

Lemur Enclosure, Joshua Mancio, Justin Krietzberg

Construction Management

Zoo-to-You, a local wildlife conservation zoo, proposed a project to construct a new shelter for their lemurs due to the inadequacy of protection for extreme heat or cold weather of their previous enclosure. With three lemurs in residence, the zoo sought to create a spacious and insulated shelter that would provide protection from the elements while allowing connectivity to the adjacent enclosures. Situated amidst two existing circular cages with a gap in between, the project presented unique site conditions on a concrete slab. The scope of the project encompassed estimating, design, material procurement, build-out, and owner turnover, with the objective …

A Comparison Of Western And Eastern Soft Systems Approaches, John L. Anaya, John L. Anaya, John L. Anaya

Master's Theses

Soft System Approaches have been developed worldwide to help problem-solvers and decision-makers develop solutions to complex problems, such as aerospace systems. Soft System Approaches were designed to help lower the disorder of developing a complex system by increasing understanding of a situation. Four Soft System Approaches were investigated, two from the West and two from the East. Within the context of the paper, the West refers to thought patterns associated with thinkers and scientists in Europe and North America, and the East refers to those from and around China. The two from the West are Peter Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology …

Navigating Complex Environments: A Comparative Study Of Shortest Path Algorithms For Military A2ad And Civilian Obstacle Avoidance, Ebony N. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates advanced navigation in complex environments for urban and military applications, focusing on overcoming obstacles through algorithms like Dijkstra's. It highlights the role of adaptable cost functions in customizing strategies for different scenarios. The research identifies effective algorithm-cost function combinations, improving route planning and safety in civilian and defense sectors. It advances pathfinding knowledge and sets the groundwork for future enhancements with Python simulations and AFSIM.

Analysis Of Countermeasures Against Remote And Local Power Side Channel Attacks Using Correlation Power Analysis, Aurelien Tchoupou Mozipo, John M. Acken

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Countermeasures and deterrents to power side-channel attacks targeting the alteration or scrambling of the power delivery network have been shown to be effective against local attacks where the malicious agent has physical access to the target system. However, remote attacks that capture the leaked information from within the IC power grid are shown herein to be nonetheless effective at uncovering the secret key in the presence of these countermeasures/deterrents. Theoretical studies and experimental analysis are carried out to define and quantify the impact of integrated voltage regulators, voltage noise injection, and integration of on-package decoupling capacitors for both remote and …

Designing A Chicken Coop For The San Luis Obispo High School Ffa Farm, Zoe King

Construction Management

This paper covers the design process by a team of students from Cal Poly to provide a chicken coop for the San Luis Obispo High School FFA Farm. The project, initiated in Summer of 2023, aimed to replace their existing temporary chicken coops with a larger, better functioning structure that could house their 10+ chickens comfortably. The paper focuses primarily on the design phase but touches briefly on material procurement and construction. Through meetings with the client, the team developed a design that met the school’s design criteria and educational needs. The design process involved collaboration and many iterations of …

Natural Gas Induced Vegetation Stress Identification And Discrimination From Hyperspectral Imaging For Pipeline Leakage Detection, Pengfei Ma, Ying Zhuo, Genda Chen, Joel G. Burken

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Remote Sensing Detection of Natural Gas Leaks Remains Challenging When using Ground Vegetation Stress to Detect Underground Pipeline Leaks. Other Natural Stressors May Co-Present and Complicate Gas Leak Detection. This Study Explores the Feasibility of Identifying and Distinguishing Gas-Induced Stress from Other Natural Stresses by Analyzing the Hyperspectral Reflectance of Vegetation. the Effectiveness of This Discrimination is Assessed Across Three Distinct Spectral Ranges (VNIR, SWIR, and Full Spectra). Greenhouse Experiments Subjected Three Plant Species to Controlled Environmental Stressors, Including Gas Leakage, Salinity Impact, Heavy-Metal Contamination, and Drought Exposure. Spectral Curves Obtained from the Experiments Underwent Preprocessing Techniques Such as Standard …

Environmental Analysis Of Codfish Production And Consumption In Portugal, Ayla Frost, Joana Almeida, Joana Dionisio, Radu Godina, Cátia Magro

Journal of Critical Global Issues

Codfish, a typical dish consumed frequently in Portugal, is fished in the cold Northern Atlantic waters far from the Portuguese coast. Thus, regional tensions and the environmental impacts of Portuguese codfish importation and production are significant current issues. The present study uses a life cycle assessment methodology to evaluate the array of environmental impacts of the production of 1 kg of codfish, following a cradle to gate approach. The life cycle inventory was grouped into catch and preprocessing, transit, and curing stages. The data collection of products and processes in each stage was based on scientific peer reviewed documents, technical …

"Innovations At The Nanoscale: A Critical Analysis Of Nanomedicine's Role In Medicine", A Abhilipsa, S Chatterjee

International Conference on ‘NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY'

No abstract provided.

Engineering Multifunctional Lipid Nanocomplexes For Precision Glioblastoma Therapy: A Paradigm Shift In Treatment Strategies, Manasa Manjunath Hegde, Pranoti Palkar, Jayant S Goda, Srinivas Mutalik, B S. Satish Rao

International Conference on ‘NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY'

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Pioglitazone Nano Carrier Suspension On Induction Of Type-Ii Diabetes Mellitus In Rats By Streptozotocin-Nicothiamide, Yashwanth K

International Conference on ‘NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY'

No abstract provided.

Veterinary Nanomedicine, Kurliwar Dhana Laxmi

International Conference on ‘NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY'

No abstract provided.

Text Summarization, Varun Gottam, Anusha Vunnam, Purna Sarovar Puvvada

Symposium of Student Scholars

The current era is known as the information era. Every day, millions of gigabytes of data are being transferred from one point to another. As the creation of data became easy, it became hard to keep track of the important points and the gist of data especially in areas such as research and news. To solve this conundrum, text summarization is introduced. This is a process of summarizing text from across different documents or large datasets such that it can be read and understood easily by both humans and machines.

Classification Of Human Learning Stages Via Kernel Distribution Embeddings, Madeleine Shuhn-Tsuan Yuh, Kendric Ray Ortiz, Kylie Sue Sommer-Kohrt, Meeko Oishi, Neera Jain

School of Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Adaptive automation, automation which is responsive to the human's performance via the alteration of control laws or level of assistance, is an important tool for training humans to attain new skills when operating dynamical systems. When coupled with cognitive feedback, adaptive automation has the potential to further facilitate human training, but requires precise assessments of human progression through various learning stages. This is challenging because of the underlying dynamics, as well as the stochasticity inherent to human action. We propose a data-driven approach to assess learning stages in a complex quadrotor landing task that is responsive to stochastic, human-in-the-loop quadrotor …

Neutrosophic Insights Into Military Interventions: Assessing Legitimacy And Consequences In International Law, Salame Ortiz Mónica Alexandra, Jiménez Martínez Roberto Carlos, Piñas Piñas Luis Fernando

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

This scientific paper analyzes the legitimacy of military interventions within the framework of international law and their potential consequences. It highlights the need to support these interventions with robust legal and moral reasoning due to their complexity and controversy in the international community. The interpretation of legal and ethical principles can be subjective and lead to disagreements among states and international actors. The consequences of military interventions are explored, ranging from loss of life and infrastructure destruction to population displacement, political instability, and humanitarian crises. Legality and proportionality in interventions are essential to ensuring their legitimacy, and the potential consequences …

Endoscopic Hyperspectral Imaging System To Discriminate Tissue Characteristics In Tissue Phantom And Orthotopic Mouse Pancreatic Tumor Model, Na Eun Mun, Thi Kim Chi Tran, Dong Hui Park, Jin Hee Im, Jae Il Park, Thanh Dat Le, Young Jin Moon, Seong-Young Kwon, Su Woong Yoo

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In this study, we developed an endoscopic hyperspectral imaging (eHSI) system and evaluated its performance in analyzing tissues within tissue phantoms and orthotopic mouse pancreatic tumor models. Our custom-built eHSI system incorporated a liquid crystal tunable filter. To assess its tissue discrimination capabilities, we acquired images of tissue phantoms, distinguishing between fat and muscle regions. The system underwent supervised training using labeled samples, and this classification model was then applied to other tissue phantom images for evaluation. In the tissue phantom experiment, the eHSI effectively differentiated muscle from fat and background tissues. The precision scores regarding fat tissue classification were …

Modified Zero-Gravity Chair In The Management Of Pain And Anxiety With Emphasis On Pre And Post Anesthesia For Surgical Procedures, Alexander Tisdale, Kinsley Batson, Zachary Jamous, Isabella Termini, Kyle Mooday, Matt Cohn, Jackson Justice

Annual Research Symposium

The purpose of this research is the integration of a zero-gravity chair with planar vibration as a non-pharmaceutical approach to preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain management. The treatment plan involves preoperative familiarization with the chair's vibrational patterns and postoperative use for pain relief. Integration of this approach holds promise in reshaping postoperative care paradigms, advocating for personalized, holistic interventions to enhance patient well-being and mitigate opioid-related risks.

Hybrid Hydrolysis And Fermentation Of Prosopis Juliflora Pods For Biohydrogen Production By Dark Fermentation, Gayathri G

Theses and Dissertations

The rapid consumption of fossil fuels has resulted in the energy crisis and many environmental issues, including air pollution and the greenhouse effect. Hydrogen is the independent source of the highest energy content, with 122 KJ g-1. Biohydrogen produced from lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is an excellent alternative fuel for its cleanability, renewability and sustainability. Biohydrogen production from dark fermentation using lignocellulosic biomass provides low cost and a sustainable pathway to utilize a vast amount of waste.

Dark fermentation has considerable potential for hydrogen production because it does not require sunlight, allowing for full-time operation and minimizing bioreactor complexity. The major …

A Systematic Review Of Fourth Industrial Revolution Technologies In Smart Irrigation: Constraints, Opportunities, And Future Prospects For Sub-Saharan Africa, Joshua Wanyama, Erion Bwambale, Shafik Kiraga, Abia Katimbo, Prossie Nakawuka, Isa Kabenge, Isaac Oluk

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies has revolutionized agricultural practices worldwide. However, their application in the context of sub-Saharan Africa remains a critical challenge. This study presents a systematic review that investigates the potential of 4IR technologies in smart irrigation. Sub- Saharan Africa faces multiple agricultural challenges, exacerbated by climate change, water scarcity, and inefficient irrigation practices. The need for sustainable, water-efficient, and data-driven irrigation systems is urgent to ensure food security and economic development in the region. This study addresses a crucial knowledge gap by assessing the constraints, opportunities, and prospects of implementing 4IR technologies for smart …

Mmwave Rat Optimization: Mac Layer Initial Access Design And Transport Layer Integration, Suresh Srinivasan

Dissertations and Theses

MmWave Radio Access Technology (RAT) is a promising technology for wireless communication due its large bandwidth and is already being deployed in 5G cellular and emerging WiFi technologies. MmWave systems use highly directional beams with narrow beamwidths to overcome the high path loss associated with their frequency bands. A mmWave radio can be used either in a standalone mode (where all radios use the same technology) or simultaneously with other technologies such as LTE and low frequency WiFi in a communication mode commonly referred to as integrated mode. This thesis proposes two methods to optimize mmWave RAT performance in both …

Physio-Chemical Modifications To Re-Engineer Small Extracellular Vesicles For Targeted Anticancer Therapeutics Delivery And Imaging, Rahmat Asfiya, Lei Xu, Anjugam Paramanantham, Kuanysh Kabytaev, Anna Chernatynskaya, Grace Mccully, Hu Yang, Akhil Srivastava

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Cancer theranostics developed through nanoengineering applications are essential for targeted oncologic interventions in the new era of personalized and precision medicine. Recently, small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have emerged as an attractive nanoengineering platform for tumor-directed anticancer therapeutic delivery and imaging of malignant tumors. These natural nanoparticles have multiple advantages over synthetic nanoparticle-based delivery systems, such as intrinsic targeting ability, less immunogenicity, and a prolonged circulation time. Since the inception of sEVs as a viable replacement for liposomes (synthetic nanoparticles) as a drug delivery vehicle, many studies have attempted to further the therapeutic efficacy of sEVs. This article discusses engineering strategies …

Rab7 Deficiency Impairs Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Function And Promotes Pulmonary Hypertension, Bryce Piper, Srimathi Bogamuwa, Tanvir Hossain, Daniela Farkas, Lorena Rosas, Adam C. Green, Geoffrey Newcomb, Nuo Sun, Jose A. Ovando-Ricardez, Jeffrey C. Horowitz, Aneel R. Bhagwani, Hu Yang, Tatiana V. Kudryashova, Mauricio Rojas

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating and progressive disease with limited treatment options. Endothelial dysfunction plays a central role in the development and progression of PAH, yet the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. The endosome-lysosome system is important to maintain cellular health, and the small GTPase RAB7 regulates many functions of this system. Here, we explored the role of RAB7 in endothelial cell (EC) function and lung vascular homeostasis. We found reduced expression of RAB7 in ECs from patients with PAH. Endothelial haploinsufficiency of RAB7 caused spontaneous pulmonary hypertension (PH) in mice. Silencing of RAB7 in ECs induced broad …

A Tale Of Two Low-Income, First-Generation Engineering Students: Well-Being, Belonging, And The Role Of Chosen Family, Justin C. Major

First-Generation Symposium

Belonging has been identified as an important, if not the most important, factor impacting the success of college students, especially (multi)marginalized students in engineering programs. Well-being and belonging are deeply entwined, helping to explain how the strength of students affinities lead them to feel a sense of true happiness that guide their holistic success. In this presentation, I present two differing narrative stories from Samantha and Rocky, two non-white, low-income, first-generation women in engineering. At the time of their narratives, both women were in the fourth year of their engineering degrees; however, Samantha was graduating and Rocky was not. In …

Transfer Learning In The Era Of Foundational Models: Application To Diagnosis In Rheumatology, Prashant Shekhar

Math Department Colloquium Series

Problems with current synovitis grading procedures

• There has been a lack of reliability in grading these images in the medical community due to a lack of universally accepted diagnostic criteria [Momtazmanesh et al., 2022]
• The human/machine variability creates an additional challenge in an efficient automated scoring system [Ranganath et al., 2022]
• There is a lack of consistency between doctors in grading these images [Momtazmanesh et al., 2022]

Motion Magnification-Inspired Feature Manipulation For Deepfake Detection, Aydamir Mirzayev, Hamdi Di̇bekli̇oğlu

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Recent advances in deep learning, increased availability of large-scale datasets, and improvement of accelerated graphics processing units facilitated creation of an unprecedented amount of synthetically generated media content with impressive visual quality. Although such technology is used predominantly for entertainment, there is widespread practice of using deepfake technology for malevolent ends. This potential for malicious use necessitates the creation of detection methods capable of reliably distinguishing manipulated video content. In this work we aim to create a learning-based detection method for synthetically generated videos. To this end, we attempt to detect spatiotemporal inconsistencies by leveraging a learning-based magnification-inspired feature manipulation …

Left Ventricle Function And Post-Transcriptional Events With Exercise Training In Pigs, Stephanie L. Samani, Shayne C. Barlow, Lisa A. Freeburg, Traci L. Jones, Marlee Poole, Mark A. Sarzynski Ph.D., Faha, Facsm, Michael R. Zile, Tarek Shazly, Francis G. Spinale

Faculty Publications

Background

Standardized exercise protocols have been shown to improve overall cardiovascular fitness, but direct effects on left ventricular (LV) function, particularly diastolic function and relation to post-transcriptional molecular pathways (microRNAs (miRs)) are poorly understood. This project tested the central hypothesis that adaptive LV remodeling resulting from a large animal exercise training protocol, would be directly associated with specific miRs responsible for regulating pathways relevant to LV myocardial stiffness and geometry.

Methods and results

Pigs (n = 9; 25 Kg) underwent a 4 week exercise training protocol (10 degrees elevation, 2.5 mph, 10 min, 5 days/week) whereby LV chamber stiffness (KC) …