Digital Commons Network^™

A Multicriteria Based Quantitative Framework For Assessing Sustainability Of Pile Foundations, Aditi Misra

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Civil Engineering is the major instrument of anthropocentric development over centuries through ever expanding infrastructure, cities and facilities.  Civil engineering processes are both resource and fuel intensive.  The building industry alone, during the construction stage, uses about 30-40% of the total resources used in the industrialized countries.  There is a growing consensus that delivering a sustainable built environment starts with incorporating sustainability thoughts at the planning and design stages of a project.  Geotechnical engineering is most resource intensive although this intensive consumption of energy goes unnoticed mainly because of the indirect nature of the energy used in the …

A Quantitative, Non-Destructive Methodology For Habitat Characterisation And Benthic Monitoring At Offshore Renewable Energy Developments, Emma V. Sheehan, Timothy F. Stevens, Martin J. Attrill

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

No abstract provided.

12/28/2010 Obituary Records, Hawaii Obituaries

Obituaries

List of Obituaries for individuals who passed away on 12/28/2010. Scroll down to see the names and obituary description.

Coherent Heteroepitaxy Of Bi2se3 On Gaas (111)B, Anthony Richardella, Duming M. Zhang, Joon S. Lee, Alison E. Patteson (Koser), David W. Rench, Andrew L. Yeats, Bob B. Buckley, David D. Awschalom, Nitin Samarth

Physics - All Scholarship

We report the heteroepitaxy of single crystal thin films of Bi2Se3 on the (111)B surface of GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy. We find that Bi2Se3 grows highly c-axis oriented, with an atomically sharp interface with the GaAs substrate. By optimizing the growth of a very thin GaAs buffer layer before growing the ⁠Bi2Se3, we demonstrate the growth of thin films with atomically flat terraces over hundreds of nanometers. Initial time-resolved Kerr rotation measurements herald opportunities for probing coherent spin dynamics at the interface between a candidate topological insulator and a large class of GaAs-based heterostructures.

Design Concepts Of Terahertz Quantum Cascade Lasers: Proposal For Terahertz Laser Efficiency Improvements, Tillmann Kubis, Saumitra Raj Mehrotra, Gerhard Klimeck

Birck and NCN Publications

Conceptual disadvantages of typical resonant phonon terahertz quantum cascade lasers 􏰎THz-QCLs􏰍 are analyzed. Alternative designs and their combination within a concrete device proposal are discussed to improve the QCL performance. The improvements are 􏰎1􏰍 indirect pumping of the upper laser level, 􏰎2􏰍 diagonal optical transitions, 􏰎3􏰍 complete electron thermalization, and 􏰎4􏰍 materials with low effective electron masses. The nonequilibrium Green’s function method is applied to predict stationary electron transport and optical gain. The proposed THz-QCL shows a higher optical gain, a lower threshold current, and a higher operation temperature. Alloy disorder scattering can worsen the QCL performance.

12/27/2010 Obituary Records, Hawaii Obituaries

Obituaries

List of Obituaries for individuals who passed away on 12/27/2010. Scroll down to see the names and obituary description.

Biphasic Targeting And Cleavage Furrow Ingression Directed By The Tail Of A Myosin Ii, X. Fang, J. Y. Luo, R. Nishihama, C. Wloka, C. Dravis, M. Travaglia, M. Iwase, Elizabeth Ann Vallen, E. Bi

Biology Faculty Works

Cytokinesis in animal and fungal cells utilizes a contractile actomyosin ring (AMR). However, how myosin II is targeted to the division site and promotes AMR assembly, and how the AMR coordinates with membrane trafficking during cytokinesis, remains poorly understood. Here we show that Myo1 is a two-headed myosin II in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and that Myo1 localizes to the division site via two distinct targeting signals in its tail that act sequentially during the cell cycle. Before cytokinesis, Myo1 localization depends on the septin-binding protein Bni5. During cytokinesis, Myo1 localization depends on the IQGAP Iqg1. We also show that the Myo1 …

A Multifactorial Mechanism In The Superior Antimalarial Activity Of Α-C-Galcer, John Schmieg, Guangli Yang, Richard W. Franck, Moriya Tsuji

Publications and Research

We have previously shown that the C-glycoside analog of α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), α-C-GalCer, displays a superior inhibitory activity against the liver stages of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii than its parental glycolipid, α-GalCer. In this study, we demonstrate that NK cells, as well as IL-12, are a key contributor for the superior activity displayed by α-C-GalCer. Surprisingly, the diminished production of Th2 cytokines, including IL-4, by α-C-GalCer has no affect on its superior therapeutic activity relative to α-GalCer. Finally, we show that the in vivo administration of α-C-GalCer induces prolonged maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), as well as an enhanced …

A Memory Saving Vector Fast Multipole Algorithm For Solving The Augmented Efie, Yang G. Liu, Weng Cho Chew, Li (Lijun) Jun Jiang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An augmented EFIE (A-EFIE)[9], [10] has been proposed to separate the contributions of the vector potential and the scalar potential for avoiding the imbalance at low frequencies. The corresponding low frequency fast multipole algorithm (LFFMA) [11] was also developed for solving the A-EFIE. Instead of the factorization of the scalar Green's function by using scalar addition theorem in the LF-FMA, we adopt the vector addition theorem for the factorization of the dyadic Green's function to realize memory savings. We are to develop a vector fast multipole algorithm for solving the A-EFIE. © 2010 IEEE.

An Fpga-Based System For Tracking Digital Information Transmitted Via Peer-To-Peer Protocols, Karl R. Schrader, Barry E. Mullins, Gilbert L. Peterson, Robert F. Mills

Faculty Publications

This paper presents a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based tool designed to process file transfers using the BitTorrent Peer-to-Peer (P2P) protocol and VoIP phone calls made using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The tool searches selected control messages in real time and compares the unique identifier of the shared file or phone number against a list of known contraband files or phone numbers. Results show the FPGA tool processes P2P packets of interest 92% faster than a software-only configuration and is 97.6% accurate at capturing and processing messages at a traffic load of 89.6 Mbps.

Deafdigest: Gold Edition, December 26, 2010, Barry Strassler

DeafDigest Gold 2010

No abstract provided.

Deafdigest: Blue Edition, December 26, 2010, Barry Strassler

DeafDigest Blue 2010

No abstract provided.

12/25/2010 Obituary Records, Hawaii Obituaries

Obituaries

List of Obituaries for individuals who passed away on 12/25/2010. Scroll down to see the names and obituary description.

Stem Cells For Spinal Cord Regeneration: Current Status, Zain A. Sobani, Syed A. Quadri, Ather Enam

Section of Neurosurgery

Background: Nearly 11,000 cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) are reported in the United States annually. Current management options give a median survival time of 38 years, however, no rehabilitative measures are available. Stem cells have been under constant research given their ability to differentiate into neural cell lines replacing non functional tissue. Efforts have been made to establish new synapses and provide a conducive environment, by grafting cells from autologous and fetal sources, including embryonic or adult stem cells, Schwann cells, genetically modified fibroblasts, bone stromal cells, and olfactory ensheathing cells and combinations/ variants thereof.
Methods: In order to …

Complexity Through Recombination: From Chemistry To Biology, Niles Lehman, Carolina Diaz Arenas, Wesley A. White, Francis J. Schmidt

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Recombination is a common event in nature, with examples in physics, chemistry, and biology. This process is characterized by the spontaneous reorganization of structural units to form new entities. Upon reorganization, the complexity of the overall system can change. In particular the components of the system can now experience a new response to externally applied selection criteria, such that the evolutionary trajectory of the system is altered. In this work we explore the link between chemical and biological forms of recombination. We estimate how the net system complexity changes, through analysis of RNA-RNA recombination and by mathematical modeling. Our results …

Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From Larrea Tridentata (Creosotebush), K. Jardine, L. Abrell, S. A. Kurc, T. Huxman, J. Ortega, A. Guenther

Environmental Science and Geology Faculty Research Publications

We present results from the CREosote ATmosphere Interactions through Volatile Emissions (CREATIVE 2009) field study in southern Arizona aimed at quantifying emission rates of VOCs from creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) during the summer 2009 monsoon season. This species was chosen because of its vast distribution in North and South American deserts and because its resins have been reported to contain a rich set of volatile organic compounds (VOC). While a variety of ecosystems have been investigated for VOC emissions, deserts remain essentially unstudied, partially because of their low biomass densities and water limitations. However, during the North American monsoon, …

Cast-Saw Burns: Evaluation Of Skin, Cast, And Blade Temperatures Generated During Cast Removal, Franklin D. Shuler Md, Frank N. Grisafi

Orthopaedics

Background: The use of an oscillating saw for cast removal creates a potential for iatrogenic injury and patient discomfort. Burns and abrasions can occur from the heat created by frictional forces and direct blade contact. With use of a cadaver model system, skin temperature measurements were recorded during cast removal with an oscillating saw.

Methods: Casts of uniform thickness were applied to cadavers equilibrated to body temperature. The casts were removed by a single individual while simultaneously measuring temperatures at the skin-padding interface, cast-padding interface, and the blade. Variables tested include two removal techniques, two casting materials (fiberglass and plaster), …

An Integrated Approach For Phytate Degradation And Recovery Of Myo-Inositol And Phosphate As Valued-Added Products From The By-Products Of Corn Ethanol Industry, Jun Dang

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

An integrated process was developed to hydrolyze the phytates in light steep water (LSW) and to simultaneously isolate inorganic phosphate (Pi) and myo-inositol products. The proposed integrated process is helpful in resolving the environmental and nutritional concerns in the use of corn gluten feed (CGF) in the animal diets. This process comprised of partial and total hydrolysis of LSW and intermediate anion exchange separation technique. The phytates in LSW were initially degraded to negatively charged myo-inositol phosphates (InsP₂ - InsP₅). The optimized experimental parameters for the partial hydrolysis of LSW were determined to be 2 h hydrolysis …

Genetic History Of An Archaic Hominin Group From Denisova Cave In Siberia, David Reich, Richard E. Green, Martin Kircher

KIP Articles

Using DNA extracted from a finger bone found in Denisova Cave in southern Siberia, we have sequenced the genome of an archaic hominin to about 1.9-fold coverage. This individual is from a group that shares a common origin with Neanderthals. This population was not involved in the putative gene flow from Neanderthals into Eurasians; however, the data suggest that it contributed 4–6% of its genetic material to the genomes of present-day Melanesians. We designate this hominin population ‘Denisovans’ and suggest that it may have been widespread in Asia during the Late Pleistocene epoch. A tooth found in Denisova Cave carries …

A High-Quality Mach-Zehnder Interferometer Fiber Sensor By Femtosecond Laser One-Step Processing, Longjiang Zhao, Lan Jiang, Sumei Wang, Hai Xiao, Yongfeng Lu, Hai-Lung Tsai

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

During new fiber sensor development experiments, an easy-to-fabricate simple sensing structure with a trench and partially ablated fiber core is fabricated by using an 800 nm 35 fs 1 kHz laser. It is demonstrated that the structure forms a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) with the interference between the laser light passing through the air in the trench cavity and that in the remained fiber core. The fringe visibilities are all more than 25 dB. The transmission spectra vary with the femtosecond (fs) laser ablation scanning cycle. The free spectral range (FSR) decreases as the trench length increases. The MZI structure is …

Educational Policies Committee Program Proposal, College Of Engineering, December 23, 2010, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

A request is made to establish the Sustainable Waste-to-Bioproducts Engineering Center that is a collaboration between the Department of Biological Engineering in the College of Engineering at Utah State University (USU), and the Environmental Department, City of Logan, Utah.

12/22/2010 Obituary Records, Hawaii Obituaries

Obituaries

List of Obituaries for individuals who passed away on 12/22/2010. Scroll down to see the names and obituary description.

Preliminary Analysis Of Thermally Induced Condensed Phase Electron Transfer Reactions Of Cadmium Chloride And Lead Chloride With Electropositive Metals, Vamshi Addaguduru

Student Theses and Dissertations

The thermal stabilities and thermal decomposition for the metal halides, cadmium chloride and lead chloride with electropositive metals like Mn, Zn, Cr and Fe were studied at elevated temperatures using thermal analysis techniques, thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis using TG/DTA apparatus. The reactions of cadmium chloride and lead chloride with electropositive metals were conducted in Cu pans and found that Zinc metal may show a reaction with both CdCl2 and PbCl2; Manganese may not react with CdCl2 and may react with PbCl2; iron may react with CdCl2 but not with PbCl2 and chromium may not react with both the metal …

Minimum Description Length Measures Of Evidence For Enrichment, Zhenyu Yang, David R. Bickel

COBRA Preprint Series

In order to functionally interpret differentially expressed genes or other discovered features, researchers seek to detect enrichment in the form of overrepresentation of discovered features associated with a biological process. Most enrichment methods treat the p-value as the measure of evidence using a statistical test such as the binomial test, Fisher's exact test or the hypergeometric test. However, the p-value is not interpretable as a measure of evidence apart from adjustments in light of the sample size. As a measure of evidence supporting one hypothesis over the other, the Bayes factor (BF) overcomes this drawback of the p-value but lacks …

Wetlands And Ponds For Stormwater Treatment In Subtropical Australia: Their Effectiveness In Enhancing Biodiversity And Improving Water Quality?, Margaret Greenway

Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education

Stormwater best management practice is aimed at reducing potential downstream impacts on aquatic ecosystem health. Sediment basins, wetlands and ponds are commonly used in subtropical Australia for water-quality improvement; they also have the potential to enhance aquatic biodiversity in urbanised catchments. Two retrofit field sites in Brisbane, Australia were monitored for water quality and ecosystem health. The Golden Pond "wetland system" treatment train consisted of a sediment basin and two wetlands. The Bridgewater Creek "pond system", consisted of a sediment basin and five ponds. Suspended solids were reduced during wet weather, but increased during dry weather due to resuspension by …

Best Management Practices For Stormwater Management In The Desert Southwest, Mahesh R. Gautam, Kumud Acharya, Mark Stone

Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education

Despite several decades of experience with stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the United States, the application of such approaches in the Desert Southwest region has not received adequate attention. One reason for this shortcoming could be the general perception of the insignificance of BMPs in a region with little annual precipitation. However, the Desert Southwest still experiences relatively high rainfall intensity and runoff from rainfall. Sparse vegetation, steep topography, complex soils, unique geology, and rapid land development all contribute increase runoff response. Since the Desert Southwest hosts a large and rapidly growing population, stormwater BMPs are important for protecting …

Integrated Freestanding Single-Crystal Silicon Nanowires: Conductivity And Surface Treatment, Chung-Hoon Lee, Clark Ritz, Minghuang Huang, Michael Ziwisky, Robert Blise, Max Lagally

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Integrated freestanding single-crystal silicon nanowires with typical dimension of 100 nm × 100 nm × 5 µm are fabricated by conventional 1:1 optical lithography and wet chemical silicon etching. The fabrication procedure can lead to wafer-scale integration of silicon nanowires in arrays. The measured electrical transport characteristics of the silicon nanowires covered with/without SiO₂ support a model of Fermi level pinning near the conduction band. The I–V curves of the nanowires reveal a current carrier polarity reversal depending on Si–SiO₂ and Si–H bonds on the nanowire surfaces

Introduction To Stormwater Management, William F. Hunt

Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education

No abstract provided.

Improving Urban Stormwater Quality: Applying Fundamental Principles, Allen P. Davis, Robert G. Traver, William F. Hunt

Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education

Urban stormwater runoff is a growing contributor to the impairment of surface waters. Nature-based technologies, including green roofs, vegetated swales, grassed filter strips, bioretention, and pervious pavements have been demonstrated to be effective in mitigating detrimental runoff characteristics. Lacking, however, has been a fundamental engineering analysis approach to these technologies. Current design guidance is based on empirical recommendations and most performance data are based on limited, localized observations. Flow balances, including infiltration, evapotranspiration and surface discharge, based on fundamental fluid dynamics principles can be employed through analysis to understand flow management. Water quality improvements will occur through a specific unit …

The Runoff Reduction Method, Joseph Battiata, Kelly Collins, David Hirschman, Greg Hoffmann

Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education

The Runoff Reduction Method (RRM) provides an innovative approach to crediting the total performance of stormwater best management practices (BMPs). Total BMP performance refers to the pollutant removal and runoff volume reduction capabilities. The RRM tracks the implementation of stormwater BMPs, including Low Impact Development (LID) strategies such as permeable pavement, rainwater harvesting, downspout disconnection, soil amendments, etc., and credits the appropriate runoff volume reduction, pollutant concentration reduction, or both towards compliance with stormwater quality and quantity requirements. By providing a mechanism to credit the volume reduction associated with these LID strategies the RRM also documents an allowable reduction of …