Digital Commons Network^™

Design And Modeling Of A Hybrid-Electric Drone System For Conversion, Mark Atttaalla

Electrical Engineering

With the increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the need for long range high capacity (>1kg) drones has also increased. While these drones do exist, they use complicated and complex technology that proportionately increases the price and barrier to entry for these drones. The goal of this paper is to look at different designs for hybrid electric drones, model the series-hybrid design, and create a low-cost alternative drone that uses off the shelf components. A primary purpose for this document is to present the information required to recreate a similar

Melanoma Detection Based On Deep Learning Networks, Sanjay Devaraneni

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Our main objective is to develop a method for identifying melanoma enabling accurate assessments of patient’s health. Skin cancer, such as melanoma can be extremely dangerous if not detected and treated early. Detecting skin cancer accurately and promptly can greatly increase the chances of survival. To achieve this, it is important to develop a computer-aided diagnostic support system. In this study a research team introduces a sophisticated transfer learning model that utilizes Resnet50 to classify melanoma. Transfer learning is a machine learning technique that takes advantage of trained models, for similar tasks resulting in time saving and enhanced accuracy by …

Graphene-Based Chemiresistor Sensors For Drinking Water Quality Monitoring, Mason Mcgarrity, Feng Zhao

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Monitoring the quality of drinking water is a crucial responsibility for all water infrastructure networks, as it guarantees access to clean water for the communities they serve. With water infrastructure deteriorating due to age and neglect, drinking water violations are on the rise in the US, underscoring the need for improved monitoring capabilities. Among the different sensor technologies, graphene-based Chemi resistors have emerged as a promising technology for water quality monitoring due to advantages such as simple design, sensitivity, and selectivity. This review paper provides an overview of recent advances in the development of graphene-based Chemi resistors for water quality …

Fatigue Behaviour Of Load-Bearing Polymeric Bone Scaffolds: A Review, Hamed Bakhtiari, Alireza Nouri, Mehrdad Khakbiz, Majid Tolouei-Rad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Bone scaffolds play a crucial role in bone tissue engineering by providing mechanical support for the growth of new tissue while enduring static and fatigue loads. Although polymers possess favourable characteristics such as adjustable degradation rate, tissue-compatible stiffness, ease of fabrication, and low toxicity, their relatively low mechanical strength has limited their use in load-bearing applications. While numerous studies have focused on assessing the static strength of polymeric scaffolds, little research has been conducted on their fatigue properties. The current review presents a comprehensive study on the fatigue behaviour of polymeric bone scaffolds. The fatigue failure in polymeric scaffolds is …

Nutritional-Environmental Trade-Offs In Potato Storage And Processing For A Sustainable Healthy Diet, Aubin Payne, Ebenezer M. Kwofie, Prince Agyemang, Jamie Baum

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Over the last decade, poor diets and limited access to nutritious foods have been critical drivers of micronutrient deficiency in human health. However, food fortification at an industrialized scale in developed countries has helped eliminate deficiency-related diseases. In developing countries, fortified foods and biofortified materials have been delivered to nutrient-deficient communities. While these strategies have produced significant and acclaimed results, reports from the Food and Agricultural Organization suggest that over a quarter of the world’s population suffers from micronutrient deficiency. This implies that there are still declines in micronutrients in food products at different nodes along the food value chain …

Representativeness Evaluation Of Delta-Flux Eddy Covariance Towers For Assessing Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Rice Fields In The Mid-South Region, Katherine Skiles

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Rice grown in 5 states across the Mid-South (AR, LA, MS, TX, and MO) account for nearly 80% of all domestic U.S. rice production. Methane emissions produced during rice farming and the large seasonal water demand to maintain flooded fields have created a need for alternative irrigation research that can reduce methane emissions and conserve water. Structures called eddy covariance towers (ECTs) can observe methane and other flux responses to changing irrigation styles, and their data is shared across flux tower networks such as Delta-Flux in the Mid-South. The Delta-Flux network is relatively new, and its data-sharing capacity is not …

Novel Sensors And Measurement Techniques For Thermal Properties In Extreme Environments, Katelyn Wada

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Advancements in thermal properties analysis is crucial for improvement of existing and next generation reactors, space exploration, and environmental safety. Extreme environments pose a great hurdle for instrumentation to measure real time thermal properties due to the extreme temperatures, high radiation, and variable electromagnetic environments. Nevertheless, measurement systems are tremendously important for the design, P.E.rformance, and safety considerations of nuclear fuels, space crafts, and deep sea/deep earth drilling. Thermal properties may change significantly in these environments creating challenging problems for temperature and thermal conductivity measurement systems. A recent focus has surrounded improvements in such systems for accurate determination of temperature …

Understanding Social Vulnerability To Natural Hazards Through Machine Learning And Dynamic Spatiotemporal Analysis, Donglei Wang

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Natural hazards pose significant threats to communities, impacting livelihoods and property. Socially vulnerable communities are disproportionately affected by these hazards, highlighting the importance of considering social vulnerability in hazard risk assessment. Research on multi-hazards risk assessment, and social vulnerability can provide a comprehensive understanding of hazards and local vulnerability to support the reduction of disaster suffering overall. This thesis presents a comprehensive study conducted in Idaho, US, to examine the regional multi-hazards risk and assess the progression of social vulnerability metrics in wildfire-affected areas in a case study.

The first part of the research proposes a multi-hazards risk assessment methodology …

Slitter Blade Sharpener, Griffin Buchan, Regan Lane, Kinsale Sproule

Mechanical Engineering

Within this document, our team, “Think Sharpener”, will discuss the following work we have completed since the Critical Design Review: material and part procurement, the manufacturing process for our prototype, and a discussion of our results from testing our final Verification Prototype (VP). To summarize our team’s work during the last portion of this project, our design for the slitter blade sharpening mechanism required us to consult the IME department for materials and manufacturing guidance, order pneumatic components from various online hardware companies, and test our VP to verify we met the engineering design specifications. Our slitter blade sharpening mechanism …

Deficiency Of Acute-Phase Serum Amyloid A Exacerbates Sepsis-Induced Mortality And Lung Injury In Mice, Ailing Ji, Andrea C. Trumbauer, Victoria P. Noffsinger, Luke W. Meredith, Brittany Dong, Qian Wang, Ling Guo, Xiangan Li, Frederick C. De Beer, Nancy R. Webb, Lisa R. Tannock, Marlene E. Starr, Christopher M. Waters, Preetha Shridas

Saha Cardiovascular Research Center Faculty Publications

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a family of proteins, the plasma levels of which may increase >1000-fold in acute inflammatory states. We investigated the role of SAA in sepsis using mice deficient in all three acute-phase SAA isoforms (SAA-TKO). SAA deficiency significantly increased mortality rates in the three experimental sepsis mouse models: cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), cecal slurry (CS) injection, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatments. SAA-TKO mice had exacerbated lung pathology compared to wild-type (WT) mice after CLP. A bulk RNA sequencing performed on lung tissues excised 24 h after CLP indicated significant enrichment in the expression of genes associated …

Advancing Additive Manufacturing For Biomedical Applications: Antimicrobial And X-Ray Absorptive Composite Filaments For Fused Filament Fabrication, John M. Arnold Jr

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to investigate the use of nano- and microparticle amendments for the creation of Poly-lactic Acid composite materials for use in biomedical applications using the Fused Filament Fabrication process of Additive Manufacturing. Composites were created with the goal of imparting the useful properties of antimicrobial activity and x-ray absorption to the material. In addition to testing the efficacy of the particle amendments in achieving the desired properties, the thermal and mechanical properties of the composite materials were tested to ensure that the composites would be compatible with the Fused Filament Fabrication process and would produce …

A Multi-Objective Stochastic Programming Model For Resilient And Sustainable Supply Chains Under Uncertainty, Mohammad H. Majdfaghihi

Dissertations

Supply chain resilience (SCRES) and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) have garnered significant attention in the field of Supply Chain Management (SCM) science. This heightened interest is largely attributable to the increasing frequency and severity of uncertainty and disruptions in global supply chains. Resilience is a beneficial approach to managing uncertainties and preparing for and mitigating the adverse consequences of Supply Chain (SC) disruptions. Sustainability is a key concept in SCM, driven by governmental regulations and heightened stakeholder and customer concerns for environmental and societal well-being. Studies on SCRES have traditionally focused on preparing for and reacting to disruptions and …

Sustainable Diamond-Like Carbon Fabricated Gravure Cylinders For Printing Fine Lines Of Electrodes And Graphic Structures, Chandramohan Seetharamiah Srinivasaraju

Dissertations

The main objective of this work is to evaluate the potential of Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) as an alternative to chrome for use on gravure cylinders. DLC coatings consist of carbon atoms, arranged into a diamond-like structure that closely resembles that of natural diamond. In contrast to chrome, DLC is environmentally friendly. The focus of the study is to determine the viability of DLC as a substitute material for chrome to be used on gravure cylinders by determining key material properties and evaluating printing performance.

In the first research paper, four DLC variants (Standard DLC, A-DLC, S-DLC, and Organic Silica) and …

Covid-19 And The Chemical Industry: Impacts, Challenges, And Opportunities, Hossein Abedsoltan

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed unparalleled challenges for the chemical industry, leading to disruptions in supply chains and demand dynamics. This period of crisis tested the adaptability and resilience of global chemical companies. Despite the challenges, the chemical industry exhibited remarkable innovation, collaboration, and adaptability. It demonstrated its capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to societal needs. Key lessons emerged, emphasizing the importance of diversifying supply chains, implementing scenario planning, and embracing digitalization for enhanced preparedness. As the world progresses toward recovery, the chemical industry is poised to leverage the valuable lessons learned. Industry 4.0 adoption, agile decision-making, and collaborative efforts …

Comparative Evaluation Of Caries Prevalence Among Group Of Egyptian Adolescents Using Dmfs And Icdasii Methods: A Cross-Sectional Study, Mohamed H. Zaazou, Dalia Y. Zaki, Ali Abdelnabi, Tamer M. Hamdy, Reham S. Saleh, Shahinaz N. Hassan, Zeinab M. Zaki, Lamiaa M. Moharam

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Limited data is available regarding the prevalence of dental caries as a chronic disease among adolescents using different caries assessment indices. The aim of this study was to compare and describe the prevalence of dental caries among group of Egyptian students using two caries assessment indices: DMFS and ICDAS II. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiological study included 2760 public secondary school students with age range from 15 to 18 years with permanent dentition and good general health. Presence of; retained teeth, congenital or developmental anomalies in the permanent dentition, orthodontic treatments, systematic conditions, smoking and general health problems were …

Reliability Modeling And Improvement Of Critical Infrastructures: Theory, Simulation, And Computational Methods, José Carlos Hernández Azucena

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a framework for developing data-driven tools to model and improve the performance of Interconnected Critical Infrastructures (ICIs) in multiple contexts. The importance of ICIs for daily human activities and the large volumes of data in continuous generation in modern industries grant relevance to research efforts in this direction. Chapter 2 focuses on the impact of disruptions in Multimodal Transportation Networks, which I explored from an application perspective. The outlined research directions propose exploring the combination of simulation for decision-making with data-driven optimization paradigms to create tools that may provide stakeholders with optimal policies for a wide array …

Using Noninvasive Calibrated Cuff Plethysmography To Observe The Effects Of Cold-Water Immersion On Arterial Compliance, Rita M. Grigorian

Biomedical Engineering: Graduate Reports and Projects

As the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases continues to exponentially grow in populations across the globe, the necessity of determining underlying factors, effective methods of diagnoses, and universally available preventive measures also grows. Early detection of endothelial dysfunction, a proven precursor of cardiovascular diseases, can be extremely impactful in encouraging preventative measures and early intervention before medical conditions become chronic. In recent years, ice plunging, a form of cryotherapy involving full body immersion in cold water, has gained popularity within circles of fitness and health practitioners, gaining the interest of people of all backgrounds. Certain parallels observed between the human physiological …

Docai, Riley Badnin, Justin Brunings

Computer Science and Software Engineering

DocAI presents a user-friendly platform for recording, transcribing, summarizing, and classifying doctor-patient consultations. The application utilizes AssemblyAI for conversational transcription, and the user interface allows users to either live-record consultations or upload an existing MP3 file. The classification process, powered by 'ml-classify-text,' organizes the consultation transcription into SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan) format – a widely used method of documentation for healthcare providers. The result of this development is a simple yet effective interface that effectively plays the role of a medical scribe. However, the application is still facing challenges of inconsistent summarization from the AssemblyAI backend. Future work …

Enhancing Urban Water Quality Through Biological-Chemical Treatment: Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Community And Temporal Chlorophyll-A Response, Matthew Chaffee

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

With a growing human population, urbanization is impeding a plethora of natural waterways. Of these, urban ponds play a vital role in nutrient sequestration, flood prevention, and habitat sanctuaries. However, nutrient loading can reduce habitat effectiveness and promote harmful algae blooms. To reduce internal nutrient loads, a biological-chemical treatment strategy consisting of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) and lanthanum were applied to two urban retention ponds, Densmore and Wilderness Ridge Ponds. To measure effectiveness, chlorophyll-a samples were collected and correlated with Sentinel-2. A novel band algorithm termed 3BR1 produced a strong correlation (R² = 0.72) to physical chlorophyll-a …

Renovating The Ipmu Via Internet Of Things For Pollutant Emission Estimations In Poultry Facilities, Joshua Dotto

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

The emissions of ammonia (NH₃), particulate matter (PM_2.5), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are major concerns in poultry facilities. They can pose environmental concerns and nuances. Robust and affordable measurement systems are needed to accurately measure in-barn concentrations and quantify the emissions.

The Intelligent Portable Monitoring Unit (iPMU or PMU3) developed in 2016 was reconstructed into PMU4 to include upgraded NH₃ and PM_2.5 sensors and wireless connectivity for a low-cost, robust, and accurate air quality monitoring device with contactless data transfer using the concept of Internet of Things (IoT). In addition, a user-friendly …

Virtual Structures Based Autonomous Formation Flying Control For Small Satellites, Tyson K. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Many space organizations have a growing need to fly several small satellites close together in order to collect and correlate data from different satellite sensors. To do this requires teams of engineers monitoring the satellites orbits and planning maneuvers for the satellites every time the satellite leaves its desired trajectory or formation. This task of maintaining the satellites orbits quickly becomes an arduous and expensive feat for satellite operations centers. This research develops and analyzes algorithms that allow satellites to autonomously control their orbit and formation without human intervention. This goal is accomplished by developing and evaluating a decentralized, optimization-based …

Evaluation Of Different Decontamination Procedures On Bond Strength To Sound And Caries Affected Dentin Using “No-Wait” Universal Adhesive, Lamiaa M. Moharam, Haidy N. Salem, Sherif Khadr, Ahmed Abdou

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Current study aimed to evaluate the effect of different decontamination procedures on micro-shear bond strength (μSBS) of sound (SoD) and caries-affected dentin (CAD) of two universal adhesives after blood-saliva contamination. Methods: One hundred and eighty bovine anterior teeth were prepared and allocated into the respective groups according to tested dentin substrates [SoD, CAD], universal adhesives [Clearfil Bond Universal Quick (UBQ), All-Bond-Universal (ABU)], adhesive contamination stage [none, contamination before and after adhesives light-curing], and according to decontamination procedures [no decontamination, water rinsing, adhesive rebond, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (ETDA) and chlorhexidine (CHX) application]. Universal adhesives were applied according to manufacturer instructions in …

Application Of Biochar For Antibiotic-Free Nutrient Recovery From Source-Separated Human Urine, Sayeda Ummeh Masrura

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In recent years, the application of biochar as a soil amendment has gained attention as a potential solution for nutrient management and environmental remediation. Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced through the pyrolysis of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions, exhibits unique physicochemical properties making it an effective sorbent for nutrients and contaminants. Its high surface area, porosity, and stability provide an ideal matrix for nutrient retention and release, as well as the immobilization of pollutants. One area of particular interest is the application of biochar for nutrient recovery from source-separated human urine. Source separation of urine has gained momentum as a sustainable …

Optical And Electrical Interfaces For Biological Structures, Mehdi Bandali

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents novel solutions for recording optical and electrical data from biological structures. CHAPTER ONE discusses the 16×16 Time correlated SPAD image array I developed in a 180 nm HV CMOS process for single-molecule localization super-resolution microscopy (SRM). This image array has a maximum frame rate of 80 MHz and a fill factor of 17.4 %. To demonstrate SRM with this imaging array, we localized gold nanoparticle displacement at 40 nm. CHAPTER TWO discusses stimulation artifacts' time and frequency domain characteristics and potential strategies for canceling this interference on neural recording. CHAPTER THREE discusses an artifact-resilient neural recording front-end …

The Effects Of Restaurant Drive-Through Vehicle Mobile Emissions On Air Quality, Tryston Nychol Sellers Calder

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Studies and regulations on vehicles have become more prominent as concerns continue to rise over mobile emissions. Most recognizable is the U.S. EPA Near-Road monitoring network that began in 2010. The focus of most air quality studies has been vehicular traffic on freeways. However, drive-through sales skyrocketed in 2020 because they were the only way for restaurants to stay in busy during the pandemic. Drive throughs have continued to remain pivotal in fast food restaurant sales accounting for majority of sales. This demand has brought upon the question of how much drive-throughs contribute to mobile emissions, specifically in the form …

Role Of Mechanical Signaling In Bone Tissue, Scott Aaron Birks

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

As the global population ages and life expectancy continues to rise, osteoporosis continues to be a growing worldwide health concern. The International Osteoporosis Foundation reports 1 in 3 women over the age of 50 years and 1 in 5 men worldwide will experience osteoporotic fractures in their lifetime, costing between 5 and 6.5 trillion USD annually in Canada, Europe, and the United States alone. The need for preventative measures to reduce age-related bone loss is clear, not only to improve quality of life for countless individuals but also to relieve the economic burden this condition imposes.

Exercise is a proven …

Additive Manufacturing Of Microelectronic Devices For Extreme Environments, Nicholas Mckibben

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This work encompasses a comprehensive exploration of advanced manufacturing techniques for fabricating microelectronic devices compatible with extreme environments. The research integrates the fields of chemistry, nanomaterials, and additive manufacturing to achieve remarkable progress in sensor development, with a particular emphasis on aerosol jet printing (AJP), surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices, patterned graphene growth, and surface functionalization. The investigation begins with the AJP process development of a commercial silver nanoparticle ink, culminating in the fabrication of a piezoelectric SAW transducer that was prototyped as a high-temperature thermometer, showing excellent linearity when validated to 200°C. Next, the investigation continued with the development …

Characterization Of Human Mobility From Cellular Data, Zaid Matloub

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates human mobility patterns using crowd-sourced cellular network data from different Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the United States, spanning the Houston, New York-Newark, NJ City, and 13 other significant MSAs. By focusing on prominent spatial mobility parameters highlighted in existing literature, the study unveils consistent findings regarding the predictability of human mobility across diverse time scales and geographic regions. The research underscores the significance of selecting appropriate sampling thresholds based on the mobility parameters being examined, the size of the dataset, and available computational resources. Through a meticulous analysis, it emerges that while values such as mean …

Using Statistical Clustering Of Trajectory Data To Support Analysis Of Subject Movement In A Virtual Environment, Martín Alejandro Galicia Avila

Theses and Dissertations

The rising use of virtual reality software requires new methods of spatiotemporal analysis to enhance the user experience. This investigation is focused on forming clusters from spatiotemporal trajectories within a virtual environment and analyzing them in search of human immersion and behavior insights. The cluster centroids are plotted and analyzed to identify associations with the trajectories and user demographics.

Design And Characterization Of A Novel Eef2k Degrader With Potent Therapeutic Efficacy Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, Changxin Zhong, Rongfeng Zhu, Ting Jiang, Sheng Tian, Xiaobao Zhao, Xiaoya Wan, Shilong Jiang, Zonglin Chen, Rong Gong, Linhao He, Jin-Ming Yang, Na Ye, Yan Cheng

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Dysregulated eEF2K expression is implicated in the pathogenesis of many human cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), making it a plausible therapeutic target. However, specific eEF2K inhibitors with potent anti-cancer activity have not been available so far. Targeted protein degradation has emerged as a new strategy for drug discovery. In this study, a novel small molecule chemical is designed and synthesized, named as compound C1, which shows potent activity in degrading eEF2K. C1 selectively binds to F8, L10, R144, C146, E229, and Y236 of the eEF2K protein and promotes its proteasomal degradation by increasing the interaction between eEF2K and the …