Digital Commons Network^™

Integrated Sustainability Analysis Of A Shared Micro-Mobility System In University Campus: Life-Cycle Assessment And User Impact Study Of Electric Scooters, Md Afif Rahman Chowdhury

LSU Master's Theses

The objective of this study is to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of implementing e-scooter technology on the LSU campus. The study is structured into three main parts: (1) an environmental life-cycle assessment of e-scooters, (2) a comparative environmental and economic impact assessment of e-scooters, cars, and campus shuttle buses, and (3) a comprehensive survey of e-scooter users to assess their characteristics, satisfaction levels, and comfort while using e-scooters on the LSU campus.

To achieve the objectives of the study, a life-cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to assess the environmental sustainability of e-scooters, encompassing all stages from raw …

Phagolysosomes Break Down The Membrane Of A Non-Apoptotic Corpse Independent Of Macroautophagy, Shruti Kolli, Cassidy J. Kline, Kimya M. Rad, Ann M. Wehman

Biological Sciences: Faculty Scholarship

Cell corpses must be cleared in an efficient manner to maintain tissue homeostasis and regulate immune responses. Ubiquitin-like Atg8/LC3 family proteins promote the degradation of membranes and internal cargo during both macroautophagy and corpse clearance, raising the question how macroautophagy contributes to corpse clearance. Studying the clearance of non-apoptotic dying polar bodies in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, we show that the LC3 ortholog LGG-2 is enriched inside the polar body phagolysosome independent of autophagosome formation. We demonstrate that ATG-16.1 and ATG-16.2, which promote membrane association of lipidated Atg8/LC3 proteins, redundantly promote polar body membrane breakdown in phagolysosomes independent of their role …

Smartphone Haptics Can Uncover Differences In Touch Interactions Between Asd And Neurotypicals, Ivonne Monarca, Franceli L. Cibrian, Isabel López Hurtado, Monica Tentori

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Utilizing touch interactions from smartphones for gathering data and identifying digital markers for screening and monitoring neurological disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is an emerging area of research. Smartphones provide multiple benefits for this kind of study, including unobtrusive data collection via built-in sensors, integrated haptic feedback systems, and the capability to create specialized applications. Acknowledging the significant yet understudied presence of tactile processing differences in individuals with ASD, we designed and developed Feel and Touch, a mobile game that leverages the haptic capabilities of smartphones. This game provides vibrotactile feedback in response to touch interactions and collects …

Effects Of Surface Treatment On Adhesive Performance Of Composite-To-Composite And Composite-To-Metal Joints, Nikhil Paranjpe, Md. Nizam Uddin, Akm S. Rahman, Ramazan Asmatulu

Publications and Research

This study deals with the long-running challenge of joining similar and dissimilar materials using composite-to-composite and composite-to-metal joints. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of surface morphology andsurfacetreatments onthemechanicalperformanceofadhesively bonded joints used for the aircraft industry. A two-segment, commercially available, toughened epoxy was chosen as the adhesive. Unidirectional carbon fiber prepreg and aluminum 2021-T3 alloys were chosen for the composite and metal panels, respectively. Surface treatment of the metal included corrosion elimination followed by a passive surface coating of Alodine®. A combination of surface treatment methods was used for the composite and metal specimens, including detergent cleaning, plasma …

Unleaded Fuel For General Aviation, Carolina Anderson, Laura Garcia

Sustainability Conference

The Clean Air Act, passed in the late 1970s, mandating the removal of lead from most fuels due its detrimental effects on public health, yet piston-driven aircraft continue to rely on leaded aviation gas (AvGas 100LL). This fuel remains the last lead-containing fuel regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Lead, added as tetraethyl lead (TEL), enhances octane levels and prevents engine detonation, vital for high-compression aircraft engines. In response to the health effects, regulating bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have tightened lead standards and are assessing the risk posed by AvGas. Research links even low-level lead exposure …

Novel Nanocomposite Of Carbonized Chitosan-Zinc Oxide-Magnetite For Adsorption Of Toxic Elements From Aqueous Solutions, Dalia A. Ali Eng, Ganna Gaber Ismail Eng.

Chemical Engineering

Herein, a novel nanocomposite (carbonized chitosan-zinc oxide-magnetite, CCZF) was developed to effectively remove toxic elements in water remediation. Combining the high adsorption capacities of chitosan with the magnetic properties of magnetite and the chemical stability of zinc oxide, the combination of these unique properties makes it an efficient and versatile material that offers a sustainable solution for water purification. The (CCZF) nanocomposite was synthesized through the coprecipitation method and characterized using various techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis. The results showed …

Ptsd Increases Risk For Hypertension Development Through Pvn Activation And Vascular Dysfunction In Sprague Dawley Rats, Xinqian Chen, Xin Yan, Chunxiu Yu, Qing-Hui Chen, Lanrong Bi, Zhiying Shan

Michigan Tech Publications

This study investigates the impact of single prolonged stress (SPS), a model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), on cardiovascular responses, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) activity, and vascular function to elucidate the mechanisms linking traumatic stress to hypertension. Although SPS did not directly cause chronic hypertension in male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, it induced acute but transient increases in blood pressure and heart rate and significantly altered the expression of hypertension-associated genes, such as vasopressin, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), and FOSL1 in the PVN. Notably, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) were predominantly elevated in the pre-autonomic regions of the …

Fostering Systems Thinking Through Engineering Study Abroad Programs, Desen S. Ozkan, Kirsten A. Davis, James C. Davis, Jessica Deters, Homero Murzi

School of Engineering Education Faculty Publications

Engineering study abroad programs are a novel setting for students to develop systems thinking, which has primarily been taught in formal learning environments. Through a situated learning perspective, we examined the impact of two engineering-focused study abroad experiences on developing students’ systems thinking skills. We conducted secondary data analysis to examine how first-year engineering students (n = 47) at a technical university in the United States (US) connect technical and contextual aspects of engineering in China and the UK/Ireland. The students on the China track drew connections more frequently (81% of excerpts) than those on the UK/Ireland track (49% …

Can The Effluent From Wastewater Stabilization Ponds Be Effectively Managed For Health And Nutrient Recovery?, Michael Glass

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Wastewater stabilization ponds, such as facultative and maturation lagoons, have been shown to be effective processes to manage conventional water quality parameters found in domestic wastewater. The main goal of this thesis is to explore whether wastewater stabilization ponds can simultaneously reduce pathogens to safe levels while supporting agricultural activities through nutrient recovery. A large dataset for water quality of wastewater lagoon effluent in the U.S. was obtained at the state level and combined into regional southern and northern locations. Analysis of data showed there was significant difference in lagoon effluent concentration between northern and southern states for the water …

Compliant Structures Facilitate Less Invasive And Biomechanically Improved Lumbar Spinal Implants, Daniel J. Orr

Theses and Dissertations

Implants used in lumbar spinal fusion and lumbar total disc replacement procedures have improved substantially over the years, however, the opportunity remains to improve either the adjustability, durability, motion, or minimally invasive characteristics which could aid in achieving optimal surgical outcomes. It is hypothesized that the inherent advantages of compliant mechanisms specifically Deployable Euler Spiral Connectors (DESCs) and a new mechanism known as the interior contact aided rolling element (I-CORE) are well suited for each of these applications and will be explored and utilized as the basis of these proposed designs. By addressing these challenges, the research endeavors to improve …

Understanding Contributing Factors To Injury Severity And Improper Driver Actions In Work Zone Crashes And Evaluating Smart Work Zone Applications For Safety Improvement, Rakesh Rangaswamy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A work zone can be described as a roadway designated for construction, maintenance, or other activities that temporarily disrupt the normal traffic flow. Due to this disrupts in traffic conditions, work zones may bring sudden shifts in driving experience, depending on the sort of work zone present, creating unpredictable maneuvers, and putting both motorists and workers at risk. To understand these issues, this study uses work zone accident data obtained from Florida and uses several methodological techniques, including the mixed logit model with variance and mean heterogeneity, temporal instability test, log-likelihood test, out-of-sample analysis, and ANOVA test.

Firstly, this study …

N-Type Cdte Thin Films For Photovoltaic Applications, Wei Wang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cadmium Telluride is widely used as a thin-film solar cell material due to its nearly ideal optical bandgap (~ 1.5eV) and its high absorption coefficient (> 104 cm-1). In the past several decades, most of the research focused on p-type CdTe solar cells. In recent years, the research on CdTe devices is mainly based on CdSexTe1-x (CST) absorbers, leading to substantial advancements in conversion efficiency, comparable to that of silicon-based solar cells. Presently, p-type polycrystalline CST/CdTe thin-film solar cells exhibit a notable efficiency of 23.1%. The state-of-art CST/CdTe solar cell has attained an almost optimal short-circuit current density (JSC) of …

11.18.2024 Orsp Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Director of Research Lab Safety

GIS Day

Tech Startup Weekend

NSF Virtual Grants Conference

Association Between In Situ Ventilation And Human-Generated Aerosol Exposure In Meatpacking Plants During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Joshua L. Santarpia, Josephine Lau, Debayan Shom, Shanna A. Ratnesar-Shumate, Eric C. Carnes, Gearge W. Santarpia, Vicki L. Herrera, Danielle N. Rivera, Daniel N. Ackerman, Ashley R. Ravnholdt, John J. Lowe, Athena K. Ramos

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

During the COVID-19 pandemic, meatpacking workers were disproportionately affected by disease. Large outbreaks at meatpacking facilities resulted in loss of life and threatened the well-being of workers across the globe. Much work was done throughout the pandemic to understand and prevent these outbreaks. This study combined ventilation system evaluation and measurement of human-generated respiratory aerosol to investigate and identify areas of highest risk for disease transmission. These findings confirm that improved ventilation reduces exposure to human-generated aerosols in meatpacking facilities, including those that may contain infectious agents, such as SARS-CoV-2. This study suggests areas of greatest risk are likely areas …

Mitigation Of The Environmental Impacts Of Lithium Extraction And Lithium Battery Manufacturing, Dominick R. Strollo

Sustainability Conference

Lithium extraction and the production methods utilized for lithium-ion batteries can have a large impact on the areas directly surrounding them, and if not mitigated properly, the rest of the world as well. For these batteries to be produced, lithium must be mined and refined from sources all around the world. The main concern of lithium mines is their impact on the water cycle and the surrounding water tables due to the heavy metals involved in the process and the sheer amount of water required. Production of the batteries themselves using the lithium slurry is far less impactful on the …

Understanding The Plastic Issue (Poster Presentation), Regan Bossie, Peter Nguyen, John Mcswiggin, Adam Meadows

Sustainability Conference

The Plastic-Free Campus Initiative is an Embry-Riddle initiative advocating for the reduction and elimination of single-use plastics on the Daytona Beach campus.

Our poster presentation aims to highlight current issues and concerns by presenting plastic production trends, quantifying how plastic pollution has affected global ecosystems, and discussing the material characteristics of plastics and their consequences. The poster will provide an overview of the current state of global recycling and will outline key concerns that microplastics, and plastics in general, pose to public health. By presenting the current facts and concerns related to plastic and recycling, we hope to encourage individuals …

Effect Of Workload And Trust On Automation Levels In Human-Robot Collaboration, Abhiram Maddula

LSU Master's Theses

Automation is becoming increasingly common in manufacturing and assembly plants. The future lies in hybrid workspaces where the strengths of humans and robots complement each other, with robots excelling in precision, speed, and strength, and humans excelling in creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex decision-making. Collaborative robots can foster a more efficient and productive work environment by bridging the gap between human and machine capabilities. This study examines how semi-automated and automated modes impact human-robot collaboration, focusing on mental workload, trust, and task performance.

In this experiment, 58 participants performed a primary task alongside a collaborative robot assembling a miniature lamppost …

The Santa Clara, 2024-11-15, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

Antimicrobial Activity And Photostability Of Cationic Conjugated Polyelectrolytes, Mohammed Ismael Khalil

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health concern, driving the need for novel

therapeutic strategies. This study explores the antimicrobial efficacy of conjugated

polyelectrolytes (CPEs) and oligo-phenylene ethynylenes (OPEs) in bacterial and viral

inactivation. Quantitative analysis revealed that light-activated CPEs and OPEs

effectively reduced bacterial viability within minutes, with significant log reductions

observed under both light and dark conditions. Additionally, the antiviral potential of a

cationic conjugated oligomer was investigated, demonstrating rapid and near-complete

inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 under visible light, both in solution and on filter materials.

Further analysis of their photophysical properties revealed that, even after

photobleaching, the compounds …

From A Traditional City To A Smart City: The Measurement Of Cities’ Readiness For Transition, Egypt As A Case Study, Ahmed Hassebo, Mohamed Tealab, Mosaad Hamouda

Publications and Research

The transition from traditional legacy cities to smart cities represents a pivotal juncture in urban development and governance. As cities worldwide grapple with the challenges of rapid urbanization, resource constraints, and the need to enhance the quality of life for their citizens, the concept of a “smart city” has gained significant attention. This paper delves into the multifaceted process of urban transformation, shedding light on the essential criteria and considerations that guide a city’s conversion into a smart city. To provide a comprehensive framework for the conversion process, this paper outlines a computer program utilized to measure the readiness to …

How Wildfires Threaten Water Resources: A Case Study Following The Largest Wildfire Recorded In New Mexico, Eric A. Joseph

Civil Engineering ETDs

Wildfire disturbance propagation along fluvial networks remains poorly understood. We use incident, atmospheric, and water-quality data from the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history to quantify how this gigafire affected surface runoff processes and mobilized wildfire disturbances into fluvial networks after burning 1382 km². Surface runoff post-fire increased compared to pre-fire conditions, and precipitation events that are frequently observed in the affected watershed (<2-year recurrence) and fell during the post-fire first rainy season resulted in uncorrelated, less frequently observed runoff events (10-year recurrence). Wavelet coherence analysis highlighted that water quality disturbances propagated variably along the network, even at sites located >160 km downstream of the burn perimeter. Our findings emphasize the need to incorporate spatially resolved longitudinal sampling designs into wildfire water quality research and highlight the spatiotemporal co-dependency among atmospheric, terrestrial, aquatic processes …

Electrochemical Copper Printing For Wearable Electronics, Nirmita Roy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Wearable electronics have become a transformative force across industries like healthcare, aerospace, and military applications. However, a significant challenge persists in directly integrating electronic circuits onto fabrics. Addressing this challenge, the aim of this research is to introduce a novel sequential manufacturing process. Initially, a fabric is coated with a customized ink containing lignin, establishing a conductive template through laser burning. Subsequently, a localized Hydrogen Evolution Assisted (HEA) copper electroplating method is applied, resulting in a low-resistive circuit layout. Our investigations encompassed nanostructure analyses using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Raman Spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared …

Cactus Infused Beads For Off-Flavor Mitigation In Aquaculture Systems, Rama Mahita Kambhampati

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Aquaculture has become a vital component of global food production, now providing 50% of the world's fish supply. However, the industry encounters major challenges due to off-flavor compounds like Geosmin and 2-Methylisoborneol (MIB), which give fish an unpleasant earthy or musty smell. These compounds are detectable by humans at extremely low levels 0.7 parts per billion (ppb) for MIB and ten parts per trillion (ppt) for Geosmin—making them a persistent problem. Their presence not only reduces the sensory quality of aquaculture products but also results in significant economic losses, with U.S. catfish production incurring an additional $15–$23 million annually due …

Effect Of Specimen Size On The Tensile Properties Of Selective Laser Melted Ti-6ai-4v, Timothy L. Tan

Master's Theses

Metal additive manufacturing (MAM) is a burgeoning industry. It is capable of manufacturing metal components with fine, intricate features and enables localized microstructural control. Due to its fine resolution and compatibility with common engineering alloys, selective laser melting (SLM) is one particular MAM process popular in academia and industry. The biomedical and aerospace industries have shown exceptional interest in the capabilities of SLM with the alloy Ti-6Al-4V. Because SLM Ti-6Al-4V components are aimed for use in critical applications, it is necessary to understand how SLM processing characteristics affect final part performance. One characteristic of SLM Ti-6Al- 4V that requires further …

An Open Approach To Clinical Study Recruitment Automation, Andrew Bouras, Andrew Bouras, Dhruv Patel, Rahul Kataria

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Objective: To present an innovative Patient Recruitment Automation System that leverages open standards and promotes open data in clinical research. Background: Patient recruitment for clinical studies faces challenges in efficiency, data security, and regulatory compliance. These issues can delay research timelines and impact healthcare advancements. Methods: We developed a system that integrates with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems to identify potential participants using predefined criteria. The platform employs Azure-based infrastructure with advanced data protection techniques, ensuring HIPAA compliance. It features an automated screening process using adaptive questionnaires and a communication module for participant engagement. Results: The system demonstrates improved efficiency …

Use Of Electrical Bone Growth Stimulators In High-Risk Patients Following Spinal Fusion, Soumya Malhotra, Khavir Sharieff

HCA-NSU MD Research Day

Title: Use of Electrical Bone Growth Stimulators in High-Risk Patients Following Spinal Fusion Authors: Soumya Malhotra, BA., MS1 & Khavir Sharieff, DO, MBA2 1Class of 2027, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, FL 2Assistant Professor of Surgery, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tampa Bay, FLNova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the advantages of EBGSs following high-risk spinal fusions. Background: Pseudarthrosis is a condition where bones fail to fuse after an injury or surgery. It causes significant …

Importance Of Soft Skills Comparative Study With Cybersecurity Professionals In The Manufacturing And Finance Critical Sectors, Stanley Mierzwa, Mary Lind

Center for Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity professionals require and will benefit from having strong and competent technical and soft skills, knowledge, and abilities. Cyber-attacks continue to plague our organizations and businesses, and finding the individuals with the skills needed for industry teams to contend with these broad and varying types of breaches is essential. This research article will outline the results of a comparative quantitative study that compares the importance of soft skills or nontechnical competencies by information security and cybersecurity professionals in the finance and manufacturing critical infrastructure sectors. This research study used a validated survey instrument from a previous seminal study to capture …

11.11.2024 Orsp Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Radiation Safety Committee Updates

Getting Started with PIVOT_RP

Small Grants Program

Impact Of Coverage And Guest Residue On Polyproline Ii Helix Peptide Antifouling, Rebecca S. Ahn, Henry T. Grome, Sogol Asaei, Geeta Verma, Christina S. Dang, Harihara Baskaran, Julie N. Renner

Faculty Scholarship

Polyproline II (PPII) peptide sequences are recognized as promising biomaterials because of their attractive antifouling properties. However, the mechanisms behind their antifouling behavior have not been fully characterized. In this work we show that PPII peptide coverage, controlled by adsorption time, significantly reduces the fouling of bovine serum albumin (BSA, a model foulant). In addition, guest residues introduced into the PPII sequence are shown to significantly impact BSA adsorption as well as human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) spreading. This research will help guide future PPII peptide designs for incorporation into novel biomaterials.

Large Dams Establishment Impacts On Different Environmental Aspects: A Review, Anas Ahmad

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

The construction of large dams has been an essential component of the development of global infrastructure, offering significant advantages such as ensuring water storage, reducing the risk of flooding, and producing about 20% of the world's electricity through hydropower. On the other hand, these structures have significant and varied environmental effects. The environmental effects of large dams are critically examined in this analysis, with an emphasis on four main areas: fish biodiversity, riparian vegetation, sediment deposition, and water quality. The study estimates the degree of these consequences by examining global case studies and evaluating data from over 145 significant rivers …