Digital Commons Network^™

Algorithms For Feature Extraction And Optimisation Of Object Recognition Operator, Hudayberdiev Xakkulmirzayevich Mirzaakbar, Bobomurod Mamitjonovich Tojiboev, Feruza Komiljonovna Samadova

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This paper deals with the development and analysis of feature extraction and optimisation algorithms for object recognition operators. Different algorithms are used to improve the efficiency of recognition operators in the automatic analysis of remote sensing images. The information model of objects and methods for selecting, extracting and optimising their features have been studied. The issue of extracting important features of objects using spectral, textural and statistical features and constructing optimal operators based on them has also been studied. Effective approaches based on the theory of convex hulls and multidimensional analysis methods have been proposed, taking into account the mutual …

Determination Of Optimal Parameters For Quality Drying Of Garlic Using The Vibro-Convective Method, Jasur Safarov, Shakhnoza Sultanova, Abdurakhmon Mirkomilov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This article examines the process of drying garlic using a low-temperature vibratory-convective drying system. At the "Service Technology" department of Tashkent State Technical University, a vibratory dryer was developed to ensure high-quality drying of garlic while maximizing the preservation of its biologically active compounds. Through experimental studies, optimal drying parameters were determined, including the degree of moisture removal, process duration, airflow velocity, and vibration acceleration. The results obtained contribute to enhancing the efficiency and quality of garlic drying, which holds practical significance for agricultural producers and consumers interested in healthy nutrition.

Assessment Of Factors Contributing On Early Rotting Of Chromated Copper Arsenate Treated Utility Power Distribution Wood Poles In Tanzania, Innocent J. Macha

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The study aimed to assess the factors contributing to the premature decay of Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) treated utility power distribution wooden poles in Tanzania. Deteriorated poles samples from various regions in Tanzania were analyzed using handheld X-ray spectrometry to quantify the retention of CCA preservative chemicals. The ages of these poles were estimated based on annual growth rings. The findings indicated that premature failure of CCA treated wooden poles is attributed to an imbalance in the chemical composition of the preservative solution. The study found that CuO retention in most samples ranged between 10-18 kg/m3, significant lower that the …

Developing Predictive Mathematical Model For Optimizing Coating Weight Variation In Galvalume Production: A Case Study Of A Metal Industry, Victoria Mahabi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Variations in coating weight for galvanized steel sheets can result in notable differences between batches. Such variations may cause various issues, such as diminished corrosion resistance, lower mechanical strength, and visual defects, which can ultimately drive-up costs, lead to customer dissatisfaction, and pose safety risks. Even with attempts to manage elements like air knife pressure and line speed, coating weight inconsistencies remain challenging. The research focuses on developing a predictive mathematical model designed to optimize variations in coating weight during Galvalume production. The critical parameters influencing coating weight variation were identified and analysed using a systematic literature review, primary data …

Production Of Potassium-Rich Biofertilizer From Composted Banana Peels And Watermelon Rinds, Neema O. Msuya

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study investigated the production of biofertilizer from composted banana peels and watermelon rinds, focusing on the mineral content and its impact on plant growth. The process involved characterizing raw materials, producing biofertilizer, analyzing mineral concentrations (potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus), and evaluating its quality through Spiny Amaranth seed growth. A compost bin with three compartments was designed, testing three composting ratios of banana peels to watermelon rinds (2:1, 1:2 and 1:1). Composting was monitored on moisture content, pH, organic matter, and temperature for 37 days. The 1:1 ratio had the lowest temperature (33.45°C) and highest pH (7.08), while the 2:1 …

Design Of A Teleoperabletendon-Driven Robotic Hand, Zachary Giese, Joseph Gober, Samuel Grisham, Avery Mahan, Aspen White, Brayden May, Aspen White

ATU Scholars Symposium

This work presents the design, implementation, and validation of a 3D-printed tendon-driven robotic hand with a bi-directional wireless control system. The robotic hand emulates human anatomical principles, focusing on replicating flexion and extension mechanisms of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints via a tendon-pulley system. Iterative prototyping resolved initial challenges in joint stiffness, tendon routing, and servo interference, culminating in a design where a single servo drives both flexion and extension for each joint using a bidirectional tendon control mechanism. A reliable bidirectional wireless communication framework, using Arduino Nano Every microcontrollers and NRF24L01 modules, enables …

Dust Analyses In Ventilation Ducts, Karolina Vyhlidalova, Petr Vlček, Olga Rubinová, Jiří Bernard

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The paper describes the importance of monitoring the dust in the atmosphere of human life. It deals with the issue of dust in air ducts, approaching the methods that can be used to detect the amount of dust. For conditions for buildings in the Czech Republic there is created the methodology of quantitative and qualitative evaluation of dust sediment for the needs of HVAC and other building surfaces. The scale for visual evaluation was created and it has been elaborated the assessment of kind of particles contained in dust.

Analyzing The Chemical Composition & Morphology Of Hydroxyapatite Coating On Magnesium Biomaterials, Khaoula Kamal

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to further explore the capabilities of magnesium metal to serve in biodegradable orthopedic implant applications. Current standards for orthopedic implants involve metals that cause many issues such as high risk of infection due to the need for secondary surgery. Despite magnesium’s biocompatibility, it presents a challenge that will be addressed in this thesis: a fast degradation rate. To combat this problem, hydroxyapatite (HA), an integral component of bone, was used to coat the surface of magnesium scaffolds and offer a slower degradation rate. Previous Priddy Lab studies have confirmed the presence of HA coating …

Enhanced And Interpretable Prediction Of Multiple Cancer Types Using A Stacking Ensemble Approach With Shap Analysis, Shahid Mohammad Ganie, Pijush Kanti Dutta Pramanik, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and its early detection is crucial for improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to develop and evaluate ensemble learning models, specifically stacking, for the accurate prediction of lung, breast, and cervical cancers using lifestyle and clinical data.

Methods: 12 base learners were trained on datasets for lung, breast, and cervical cancer. Stacking ensemble models were then developed using these base learners. The models were evaluated for accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, AUC-ROC, MCC, and kappa. An explainable AI technique, SHAP, was used to interpret model predictions.

Results: The stacking …

Effect Of Asphalt Content On Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrum And Aging Evaluation Of Asphalt Mixtures, Chenyue Mei, Wei Wang, Junan Shen, Jinkun Sun, Yilin Xu, Jia Che

Civil Engineering & Construction: Faculty Publications

The aging of asphalt mixtures has a significant impact on the service life of asphalt pavements. Currently, the commonly employed method for assessing aging involves the extraction of asphalt from asphalt mixtures using the Abson method. However, this method is known to be detrimental to the extracted asphalt samples, time-consuming, and environmentally unfriendly. This study explored a novel non-destructive method for assessing asphalt aging, known as low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR). It primarily investigated the influence of asphalt content in asphalt mixtures on the patterns of LF-NMR spectra. Specifically, it examined the effect of asphalt content on LF-NMR spectra in …

Electrocatalytic Nitric Oxide Reduction To Yield Ammonia Over Fe3C Nanocrystals, Sen Lin, Lang Zhang, Tong Hou, Jun-Yang Ding, Zi-Mo Peng, Yi-Fan Liu, Xi-Jun Liu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Nitric oxide (NO), which generally originates from vehicle exhaust and industrial flue gases, is one of the most serious air pollutants. In this case, the electrochemical NO reduction reaction (NORR) not only removes the atmospheric pollutant NO but also produces valuable NH₃. Hence, through the synthesis and modification of Fe₃C nanocrystal catalysts, the as-obtained optimal sample of Fe₃C/C-900 was adopted as NORR catalyst at ambient conditions. As a result, the Fe₃C/C-900 catalyst showed an NH₃ Faraday efficiency of 76.5% and an NH₃ yield rate of 177.5 μmol·h^–1·cm^{–2 …}

Quantifying Treatment Response To A Macrophage-Targeted Therapy In Combination With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors After Exposure To Conventional Chemotherapy, Shelby N. Bess, Gaven K. Smart, Timothy J. Muldoon

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Conventional chemotherapeutic agents, such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), can exert anti-tumor effects through immunogenic cell death (ICD) induction. Researchers have found hallmarks that quantify ICD (such as the translocation of HMGB1 and calreticulin). Although chemotherapeutic agents can induce ICD, they increase the expression of immune checkpoints, limiting their effectiveness. Studies have emphasized the importance of investigating the heterogeneous responses of cells co-localized in a solid tumor (macrophages, tumor cells, etc.) to ICD induction. However, these studies were performed in vivo, which limits the collection of information on cell-cell interactions due to model complexity.

Methods: In this study, we used a …

Development Of 6d Electromagnetic Actuation For Micro/Nanorobots In High Viscosity Fluids For Drug Delivery, Mostafa Abdelaziz, Maki Habib

Mechanical Engineering

This research focuses on the development, design, implementation, and testing (with complete hardware and software integration) of a 6D Electromagnetic Actuation (EMA) system for the precise control and navigation of micro/nanorobots (MNRs) in high-viscosity fluids, addressing critical challenges in targeted drug delivery within complex biological environments, such as blood vessels. The primary objective is to overcome limitations in the actuation efficiency, trajectory stability, and accurate path-tracking of MNRs. The EMA system utilizes three controllable orthogonal pairs of Helmholtz coils to generate uniform magnetic fields, which magnetize and steer MNRs in 3D for orientation. Another three controllable orthogonal pairs of Helmholtz …

Different Methods To Estimate Stress-Strength Reliability Function For Modified Exponentiated Lomax Distribution, Raya Salim Al-Rassam, Khalida Ahmed Mohammed, Safwan Nathem Rashed

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

When ensuring the reliability of device or the suitability of a material, it is necessary to take into consideration the stress cases in the operating environment. This means that the uncertainty about the reality environmental stress must be taken into as random. The stress-strength (S-S) model treated the stress and strength variables as random. In the simplest form of stress-strength model, y represents the stress put on the unit by the operating environment, and the strength of the unit represented by x. A unit is able to perform its required function if its stress imposed on it is less than …

Optimizing Hydrogel Performance Composed Of Japanese Pagoda Tree Extract Loaded-Gelatin-Sodium Alginate-Polyethylene Oxide For Biomedical Applications: Influence Incorporated Calcium-Based Metal Organic Frameworks And Zinc Oxide Nps, Samar A. Salim

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Gelatin/sodium alginate/polyethylene oxide hydrogel was synthesized by self-gelation method and utilized to achieve enhanced mechanical strength. Japanese pagoda, tree extracts rich in flavonoids and isoflavonoids was incorporated to enhance tissue repair along with ZnO-NPs to provide the hydrogel with necessary antimicrobial and other desirable biological properties. The inclusion of Ca-BDC MOF enhanced hydrogel matrix by providing more surface area and the presence of calcium ion needed for tissue regeneration. Results revealed that composite hydrogel displayed suitable gelation time and swelling rate that was further improved by incorporating the plant extract, ZnO-NPs, and Ca-BDC MOF. The efficacy of the tested formulations …

Asymmetric Effects Of The Ebbinghaus Illusion On Relative Depth Judgments In A Perceptual Matching Task, Caden J. Thompson

Honors Theses

The Ebbinghaus illusion, also know as Titchner Circles, is a perceptual illusion that is typically presented as a two-dimensional set of disks. These disks are configured as a central disk surrounded by an annulus of smaller or larger disks. Numerous studies have found the illusion to have an effect on size perception, but fewer studies have analyzed its effects on depth judgments. This study utilized a head-worn virtual reality environment as well as a three-dimensional display to examine the effects of the Ebbinghaus illusion on relative depth judgments in a perceptual matching task. Findings indicated that Ebbinghaus configurations featuring an …

Surface-Texture Fabrication Of Zirconia-Toughened Alumina Using Focused Ion-Beam Machining, Kameron M. Woodruff

Theses and Dissertations

Focused ion-beam machining (FIBM), a precise form of micro-machining, was tested for feasibility in the manufacturing of microscopic dimples in zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA), a wear resistant ceramic used in artificial joint replacements. The interaction between the ion-beam and the ceramic was characterized in terms of material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness, and notable irregularities (e.g. pitting, steps at vertical faces). These characteristics were used to design and machine patterns of microscopic dimples for tribological testing. The dimple size and pattern area were limited due to a slow MRR and high cost of milling. No significant difference in the coefficient of …

Advanced Manufacturing Of Multifunctional Shape Memory Polymer Composites And Self-Healing Systems, John B. Konlan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The need for multifunctional light weight structures for engineering applications is on the rise. Multifunctional composites are desired because of their ability to combine multiple functionalities into one structure. The advantages of a high strength-to-weight ratio of multifunctional composites make them desirable and suitable for use in energy-efficient applications. Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) have attracted interest over the past several decades because of their multifunctional nature. They have found use in many applications such as aerospace, satellites, automobiles, textiles, and biomedical devices, where lightweight and multifunctionality are key. The self-healing nature of most SMPs makes them suitable for use in lightweight …

Porous Hierarchically Ordered Hydrogels Demonstrating Structurally Dependent Mechanical Properties, Elisabeth C. Lloyd, Sujata Dhakal, Shahrouz Amini, Rami Alhasan, Peter Fratzl, Douglas R. Tree, Svetlana Morozova, Robert J. Hickey

Faculty Publications

While hierarchical ordering is a distinctive feature of natural tissues and is directly responsible for their diverse and unique properties, efforts to synthesize biomaterials have primarily focused on using molecular-based approaches with little emphasis on multiscale structure. Here, we report a bottom-up self-assembly process to produce highly porous hydrogel fibers that resemble extracellular matrices both structurally and mechanically. Physically crosslinked nanostructured micelles form the walls of micrometer-sized water-rich pores with preferred orientation along the fiber direction. Low elastic moduli (< 1 kPa), high elasticity (extending by more than 12 times the initial length), non-linear elasticity (e.g., hyperelasticity), and completely reversible extension are derived from unevenly distributed strain between the micrometer-sized pores and the polymer chains, which is reminiscent of cellular solids. Control of the material microstructure and orientation over many orders of magnitude (e.g., nm–μm), while holding the nanostructure constant, reveals how the multiscale structure directly impacts mechanical properties.

Design And Optimization Of Lattice-Integrated Plif Cages Using Additive Manufacturing And Finite Element Modeling, Olivia Draughn

Honors Theses

The customization, characterization, and development of biomedical implants through additive manufacturing (AM) and finite element methods (FEM) becomes imperative to the success of surgical operations and long-term patient satisfaction. To combat stiffness mismatches and prevent stress shielding between implant and bone tissue, lattice structures can be implemented within bone implant design to reduce the effective Young’s modulus (EYM) of the implant and to promote osteointegration within bone tissue. Lattice structures are highly customizable, three dimensionally repeated patterned unit cells that can be manipulated to mimic the porous nature of bone tissues to increase implant-bone interface longevity. The study presents the …

Optimizing A Perfusion-Compression Bioreactor Via Python Integration, Umamah Amer

Honors Theses

Bioreactors are widely used in tissue engineering to support cell and tissue growth under controlled conditions. Perfusion-compression bioreactors, like the one developed in our lab, can be used to replicate the physiological loading of bone on 3D-printed scaffolds. When seeded with osteogenic cells and subjected to mechanical loading, these scaffolds serve as a model to study osteogenesis. To simulate physiological conditions, the bioreactor must apply 1000 compression cycles at forces up to 200 N, three times daily over 14 days. Upon implementation, validation testing and experimental studies exposed several limitations in the bioreactor’s control code. The system was initially programmed …

Nash Equilibrium Solutions For Continuous Static Games Under Neutrosophic Environment, M. G. Brikaa

Neutrosophic Systems with Applications

Neutrosophic set theory plays an important role in dealing with the impreciseness and inconsistency in data encountered in solving real life problems. This paper presents a novel approach to solving a new class of continuous static games within a neutrosophic framework. In the proposed methodology, the neutrosophic continuous static games are redefined into two separate crisp problems: the lower problem and the upper problem. The study further establishes the necessary conditions for determining equilibrium strategies in neutrosophic continuous static games. To demonstrate its effectiveness and practical applicability, the proposed method is validated through a numerical example.

Bioactivity And Mechanical Performance Of Centrifugally Spun Poly(D,L-Lactide)/Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Submicrometric Fibers Containing Zinc Oxide And Hydroxyapatite Nanostructures, Victoria Padilla-Gainza, Heriberto Rodríguez-Tobías, Karen Lozano, Cristobal Rodriguez, Robert Gilkerson, Antonio Ledezma-Pérez, Narcedalia Anaya-Barbosa, Graciela Morales

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This study investigates the morphological, thermal, mechanical, and bioactive properties of centrifugally spun fibrous composites made from poly(D,L-lactide)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PLA/PHB) blends with zinc oxide (ZnO) and hydroxyapatite (Hap) nanoparticles. A 75/25 PLA/PHB weight ratio was chosen to balance mechanical and thermal properties. The precursor solution viscosities ranged from 0.25 to 0.50 Pa s, increasing with nanoparticle incorporation probably due to polymer-nanoparticle interactions. SEM revealed a uniform fibrous morphology, with diameters of 1.21 for PLA/PHB, 2.65 for PLA/ZnO/Hap, and 1.80 μm for PLA/PHB/ZnO/Hap. TGA showed two-step degradation for PLA/PHB fibers, while PLA/PHB/ZnO/Hap degraded in a single step at 249°C, leaving a residue …

Using Eeg Signal For Smart Health: An Overview, Addison Clark, Chelsea Bonyata, Ishfaq Ahmad, Hansheng Lei, Khalid Saifullah, Victor Ibarra

Informatics and Engineering Systems Faculty Publications

This survey paper aims to provide an overview of the current state of EEG (Electroencephalography) signal technology as it relates to people with disabilities. It will highlight the various methods and techniques employed, discussing their advantages and disadvantages. The paper will also examine the applications of EEG technology in assisting individuals with disabilities, specifically focusing on Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and assistive device control. By understanding the current state of EEG signal technology, we can identify the opportunities and challenges involved in utilizing this technology to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Imine Crosslinked, Injectable, And Self-Healing Fucoidan Hydrogel With Immunomodulatory Properties, Asma Talib Qureshi, Shajia Afrin, Saad Asim, Muhammad Rizwan

Michigan Tech Publications

Biomaterials with inherent anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to foster a pro-regenerative environment hold significant promise for enhancing cell transplantation and tissue regeneration. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide with well-documented immune-regulatory and antioxidant capabilities, offers strong potential for creating such biomaterials. Yet, there is a lack of engineered fucoidan hydrogels that are injectable and provide tunable physicochemical properties. In this study, the ability of fucoidan to undergo periodate-mediated oxidation is leveraged to introduce aldehydes into backbone (oxidized fucoidan, OFu), enabling the formation of reversible, imine-crosslinks with amine-containing molecules such as gelatin. The imine-crosslinked OFu-gelatin hydrogel provided excellent control over gelation rate …

Enabling Next-Generation Microfluidics Through Advances In High-Resolution 3d Printing, Matthew S. Viglione

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation advances the field of microfluidic device fabrication through the development and application of high-resolution 3D printing technologies. The convergence of stereolithography (SLA) with digital light processing (DLP) has created unprecedented opportunities for microfluidic device fabrication, enabling truly three-dimensional structures with feature sizes approaching the single-micron scale. Building upon foundational work in custom 3D printer development, this research addresses critical limitations in 3D printing that have historically constrained microfluidic innovation, spanning multiple generations of custom 3D printers and technical innovations that have enabled the fabrication of increasingly complex microfluidic devices while enhancing resolution, repeatability, speed, and accessibility. A comprehensive …

Balancergnn: Balancer Graph Neural Network For Imbalanced Datasets, Mallika Boyapati

Dissertations

Addressing imbalanced datasets is challenging due to machine learning models' inclination to learn the majority class. Graph construction plays a major role in determining how Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) perform on imbalanced datasets. In this research, we introduce the BalancerGNN framework to tackle highly imbalanced datasets, demonstrating its effectiveness in fraud detection as one of the case studies. This framework is designed to work for any binary node classification dataset with significant class imbalances. This research addresses the following questions: i) How effective are feature engineering techniques in the case of imbalanced datasets? ii) How do graph representation learning and …

Improving Erosion Resistance And Revegetation Of Wildfire-Altered Soils Using Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation, Ahsan Ali

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Climate change is causing wildfires to occur more frequently and with higher intensity. Leading to wide range of impacts on agriculture, infrastructure, and the environment. Wildfires affect soils by burning their organic matter, resulting in an immediate deplete of nutrients and a significant reduction in nitrogen level. Wildfires also alter soils’ physical properties and make them less resistant to erosion which results in debris flows when wildfire are followed by a rainfall event. The reduced activity of microorganisms that aid in nutrient absorption makes the soil less effective in supporting plant life. Microbial Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP) was found to …

Acoustic Filter For Biopharmacy, Nicholas Rivet

Three Minute Thesis (3MT)

The design and development of a novel flow induced acoustically tuned “filterless” filter is proposed. The proposed research is on developing two or more prototypes that function as a cell retention device for perfusion cell cultures used in continuous manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins. This research will provide a non-invasive, cost-effective, flexible, and robust cell retention device for sustainable manufacturing of biologics.

Field Calibration Of A Time Domain Reflectometry Sensor For Water Content Measurement In Soils With Low Content Of Coarse Fragments, Rehnuma Maisha, Dean Steele, Aaron L. M. Daigh, Derek M. Heeren, Trenton E. Franz

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Comparison of soil water sensors for irrigation scheduling requires an accurate reference measurement. An Acclima TDR-310H soil water content sensor was calibrated and validated for sand, loamy sand, clay loam, sandy clay loam, and sandy loam soils. In 2021, sensor readings and soil samples were collected in the same sensor volume at depths of 15 and 46 cm at three irrigated field sites with five stations each. Gravimetric water content, bulk density, and volumetric water content (θv) were determined in the lab. The root mean square error was 0.032 cm³ cm⁻³, which was within acceptable limits. The …