Digital Commons Network^™

Optimal Method To Obtain Soil Strength Properties In Sands For Laterally Loaded Pile Analysis In Lpile, Troy Roger Washburn

Theses and Dissertations

One common software program developed for analyzing single laterally loaded piles is called LPILE. Soil properties are required as input into LPILE. For sands, the soil properties required are effective soil unit weight, γ’; subgrade modulus, k; and the internal friction angle, ϕ’. There are two commonly used methods to obtain ϕ’ and subsequently k: the API method and Bolton method. Fourteen different pile test sites were used in the analysis of the API and Bolton methods to obtain soil strength properties in sands for laterally loaded single pile tests. Between the fourteen pile test sites, a total of 26 …

Local Atomic And Magnetic Structure Of Multiferroic (Sr,Ba)(Mn,Ti)O3, Braedon Jones

Theses and Dissertations

We present a detailed study of the local atomic and magnetic structure of the type-I multiferroic perovskite system (Sr,Ba)(Mn,Ti)O3 using x-ray and neutron pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, polarized neutron scattering, and muon spin relaxation (μSR) techniques. The atomic PDF analysis reveals widespread nanoscale tetragonal distortions of the crystal structure even in the paraelectric phase with average cubic symmetry, corresponding to incipient ferroelectricity in the local structure. Magnetic PDF analysis, polarized neutron scattering, and μSR likewise confirm the presence of short-range antiferromagnetic correlations in the paramagnetic state, which grow in magnitude as the temperature approaches the magnetic transition. We show …

Mechanical Characterization Of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Forest Microelectrodes For Neural Interfacing, Spencer Mcleod Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Silicon intracortical microelectrodes arrays (MEA) provide some of the best performance for brain computer interfaces but suffer from lifetime limitations that prevent clinical adoption. A primary contributor of lifetime limitations is the chronic foreign body response (FBR) which remains active in response to the brain tissue strain caused by implanted probes during brain micromotion. Designing probes with softer materials can reduce the chronic FBR and improve device lifetime. A high-aspect ratio CNT MEA could provide several advantages as an intracortical MEA but has yet to be mechanically characterized. CNT MEAs are infiltrated with 3 degrees of carbon infiltration and mechanically …

Functionalized Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanofibers: An Innovative Triboelectric Energy Generator, Julia I. Salas, Diego De Leon, Sk Shamim Hasan Abir, Mohammed Jasim Uddin, Karen Lozano

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is one of the most significantly innovative microdevices for built-in energy harvesting with wearable and portable electronics. In this study, the forcespinning technology was used to synthesize a nanofiber (NF) mat-based TENG. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane was used as the negative triboelectric electrode/pole, and chemically designed and functionalized thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was used as the positive electrode/pole for the TENG. The electronic interference, sensitivity, and gate voltage of the synthesized microdevices were investigated using chemically modified bridging of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with a TPU polymer repeating unit and bare TPU-based positive electrodes. The chemical functionality …

Radiation Detection Drone, Robert Hauser, Connor Barton, Connor Montauge, Bryan Decelles, Berenika Wos

Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design Projects

Team 14 has been assigned the task of designing and developing a radiation detection drone for open-area radiation detection in collaboration with General Dynamics Electric Boat. The project’s primary objective was to create an efficient solution for measuring and mapping radiation in a specified area and producing a ‘heat map’ of the radiation. Sponsored by General Dynamics Electric Boat, the project was guided by a predefined structure that emphasized the exploration of drone technology. Extensive research, including both general and market-oriented studies, was conducted, and the team designed various concepts, comparing them using Pugh analysis to identify the most effective …

Exploring The Potential Of Lithium-Carbon Dioxide Cells: Assembly, Performance, And Challenges In Pursuit Of High-Energy-Density Rechargeable Batteries, Gabby Kogler

Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Independent Study

This independent study investigates the assembly and performance of lithium-carbon dioxide (Li-CO2) cells with a focus on their potential as high-energy-density rechargeable batteries. Despite presenting challenges, these cells offer innovative possibilities by utilizing carbon dioxide as a sustainable and abundant cathode material. While preliminary tests reveal degradation of the cells over time, the cells demonstrate significant benefits due to their high theoretical density. Factors such as cathode material (carbon cloth versus magnesium oxide), electrolyte selection, and assembly techniques profoundly influence the cell’s behavior and overall performance.

Motives And Methodologies For Improving 3d Displays, Dylan Charles Barton

Theses and Dissertations

This work contains two key contributions to the development of 3D displays. First a successful exploratory human trial research study. By comparing multiple real displays in human trials, the factors of ease of use, time, and accuracy were able to be examined in a general setting, instead of isolated to only a specific type of 3D display. These human tests showed that 3D displays in general offer better ease of use and accuracy compared to 2D displays when showing 3D media. This differs from previous studies where only a single display was examined or theoretical papers discussing factors on paper. …

Characterization Of Friction At The Tool/Material Interface In Friction Stir Welding, Bryan Gonzalo Ramos Gonzales

Theses and Dissertations

Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process development is very costly, and it is still experimental. A predictive model would optimize the weld by changing parameters and obtaining results that reflect the physical process. Friction is the primary adjustable parameter in FSW modeling. Currently, friction model selection is not physic-based. It is based on what is available and contributes to the best fit between the model and experimental data. The research objective is to characterize the interface tool/base material by studying the effect of tool friction coefficient and thermal properties. This is accomplished by changing welding parameters such as force, rpm, and …

Seeking Higher Ground: Developing A Tribal Model Code For Disaster And Emergency Management In A Complex Jurisdictional Environment, Brian Candelaria

American Indian Law Journal

“The teepee is much better to live in;

always clean, warm in winter, cool in summer; easy to move. The white man builds his big house, cost much money, like big cage, shut out sun, can never move; always sick. Indians and animals know better how to live than white man; nobody can be in good health if does not have all the time fresh air, sunshine, and good water.”

- Chief Flying Hawk[1]

In 2019, I opened my submission for the Sovereignty Symposium’s Doolin Award with the statement above. The entry was accepted and reprinted in the American …

The Western Channel Observatory: A Century Of Physical, Chemical And Biological Data Compiled From Pelagic And Benthic Habitats In The Western English Channel, Andrea J. Mcevoy, Angus Atkinson, Ruth L. Airs, Rachel Brittain, Ian Brown, Elaine S. Fileman, Helen S. Findlay, Caroline L. Mcneill, Clare Ostle, Tim J. Smyth, Paul J. Somerfield, Karen Tait, Glen A. Tarran, Simon Thomas, Claire E. Widdicombe, E. Malcolm S. Woodward, Amanda Beesley, David V.P. Conway, James Fishwick, Hannah Haines, Carolyn Harris, Roger Harris, Pierre Hélaouët, David Johns, Penelope K. Lindeque, Thomas Mesher, Abigail Mcquatters-Gollop, Joana Nunes, Frances Perry, Ana M. Queiros, Andrew Rees, Saskia Rühl, David Sims, Ricardo Torres, Stephen Widdicombe

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The Western Channel Observatory (WCO) comprises a series of pelagic, benthic and atmospheric sampling sites within 40 km of Plymouth, UK, that have been sampled by the Plymouth institutes on a regular basis since 1903. This longevity of recording and the high frequency of observations provide a unique combination of data; for example temperature data were first collected in 1903, and the reference station L4, where nearly 400 planktonic taxa have been enumerated, has been sampled on a weekly basis since 1988. While the component datasets have been archived, here we provide the first summary database bringing together a wide …

Improving Energy Efficiency In Open Ran Through Dynamic Cpu Scheduling, Saish Urumkar, Byrav Ramamurthy, Sachin Sharma

Conference papers

Open RAN is a promising cellular technology that is currently undergoing extensive research for future wireless radio access networks. Achieving optimal energy efficiency in Open RAN poses a significant challenge. This paper introduces a CPU scheduling algorithm that specifically targets this chal- lenge by optimizing energy consumption at the base station while maintaining optimal performance levels. With the goal of minimizing energy consumption, the proposed algorithm dynamically adjusts the CPU core states, seamlessly switching between active and sleep modes based on the load conditions. To evaluate the algorithm’s effectiveness in terms of energy saving and performance, experimental testing is conducted …

Analysis Of International Branch Campuses In Korea And Japan: Exploring Success Factors

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

Emerging Scholar

Validation Of A Chimeric Proteins-Based Elisa For The Diagnosis Of Brucellosis In Kazakhstan, Aitbay Bulashev, Saule Eskendirova, Bakytkali Ingirbay, Alfiya Syzdykova, Fariza Zhagipar

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study aimed to compare the suitability of three chimeric recombinant outer membrane proteins of Brucella (rOmps 19 + 25, 19 + 31, and 25 + 31) for the diagnosis of bovine and sheep brucellosis using an indirect ELISA (i-ELISA). The diagnostic properties of these proteins in an i-ELISA were studied using blood serum samples from cattle and sheep with known positive and negative results for brucellosis based on the rose Bengal plate test (RBT), complement fixation test (CFT), and a commercial ELISA (c-ELISA) kit, as well as using animal sera from fresh foci of infection with unknown reactivity. rOmps19 …

Content Moderation Through Removal Of Service: Content Delivery Networks And Extremist Websites, Seán Looney

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

Considerable attention has been paid by researchers to social media platforms, especially the ‘big companies’, and increasingly also messaging applications, and how effectively they moderate extremist and terrorist content on their services. Much less attention has yet been paid to if and how infrastructure and service providers, further down ‘the tech stack’, deal with extremism and terrorism. Content Delivery Networks (CDN) such as Cloudflare play an underestimated role in moderating the presence of extremist and terrorist content online as it is impossible for these websites to operate without DDoS protection. This is evidenced by the takedown of a wide range …

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (Pahs) In Wildfire Smoke Accumulate On Indoor Materials And Create Post-Smoke Event Exposure Pathways, Aurélie Laguerre, Elliott T. Gall

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Wildfire smoke contains PAHs that, after infiltrating indoors, accumulate on indoor materials through particle deposition and partitioning from air. We report the magnitude and persistence of select surface associated PAHs on three common indoor materials: glass, cotton, and mechanical air filter media. Materials were loaded with PAHs through both spiking with standards and exposure to a wildfire smoke proxy. Loaded materials were aged indoors over ~4 months to determine PAH persistence. For materials spiked with standards, total PAH decay rates were 0.010±0.002, 0.025±0.005, and 0.051±0.009 d -1 , for mechanical air filter media, glass, and cotton, respectively. PAH decay on …

On The Use Of Response Conditioned Focused Wave And Wind Events For The Prediction Of Design Loads, Tom Tosdevin, Emma Edwards, Anna Holcombe, Scott Brown, Edward Ransley, Martyn Hann, Deborah Greaves

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Reducing the time required to predict design loads and responses would result in significant efficiency improvements to the floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) design process. Present methods of predicting design values require at least six, 1-hour sea condition simulations. It would therefore be highly beneficial to identify what conditions lead to the extremes of a range of responses of interest to reduce the length of the time series required. The results of physical, 1:70 scale model experiments using the UMaine VolturnUS-S platform and IEA 15MW reference wind turbine are presented. A Real-time hybrid testing approach, where wind loading is calculated …

A Jacket-Frame Mounted Oscillating Water Column With A Variable Aperture Skirt, Carlos Pérez-Collazo, Deborah M. Greaves, Gregorio Iglesias

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

During the last decade jacket-frames have emerged as the main kind of substructure for bottom-mounted offshore wind farms in intermediate water depths. With the offshore wind industry moving towards deeper waters, the predominance of jacket-frames is expected to increase in future years. Multipurpose platforms combining wind and wave energy are proposed as an innovative solution to enhance the sustainability of offshore wind energy. In this research, a multipurpose platform is investigated with a novel feature in its oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy converter—a variable geometry skirt. A comprehensive physical modelling campaign was carried out using a 1:50 scale model. …

Food And Commensality In Non-State Armed Groups: The Case Of The Lord's Resistance Army In Northern Uganda, 1987-2008, Eunice Otuko Apio Dr

Peace and Conflict Studies

The subfield of food and eating practices has registered a significant volume of theoretical and empirical studies. However, there is very limited research targeting non-state armed groups. This article contributes to understanding the nuanced role of food and eating practices (or commensality) in conflict, and its significance in the construction and sustenance of sense of community in non-state armed groups that use particularly elaborate means of indoctrination to build a following. Drawing on the case of northern Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) that thrived on mass abduction of children, youth and women between 1987 and 2008, this article argues that …

The Role Of Local Agency In Peacebuilding: The Case Of The Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee, Gamel M. A. Aganah Phd

Peace and Conflict Studies

This article explores the failure of top-level interventions in the resolution of local conflicts and the role of local agency in peacebuilding. The article relied primarily on qualitative techniques and instruments to collect data to examine why top-level interventions by successive governments have failed to resolve the Bawku chieftaincy conflict. The article finds that top-level interventions have failed to resolve the conflict because they are introduced with little to no participation by local communities. These interventions are, therefore, unable to garner grassroot support and commitment. In contrast, the BIEPC led peace process has been more successful in the management of …

Indigenous Self-Determination In Co-Production Of Knowledge, Margaret Hope Rudolf

Anthropology

Analyzing and comprehending co-production of knowledge (CPK) in the context of working with Arctic Indigenous communities on climate change research is the main goal for this interdisciplinary doctoral dissertation. CPK is shared decision-making on every step of the research process with research partners from communities, agencies, or organizations. CPK with Arctic Indigenous communities requires dedicated consideration of equity, ethics, cultural worldviews, and colonization. Key concepts from Indigenous critical methodologies are used to analyze both the CPK theory and implementation. CPK has the potential to be an ethical space to question the status quo of research processes and support Indigenous self-determination. …

Environmental And Biotic Habitat Attributes Affect Rocky Intertidal Community Variability In Glacially Influenced Estuaries, Madeleine G. Mcarthur

Marine Biology

Climate change is increasing the rate of glacial recession in high latitude coastal environments. The associated increase in cold, sediment-laden freshwater into the nearshore may alter a wide array of water attributes, which will likely have ecosystem-wide impacts. One of these potential impacts is a change in typical levels of ecological community variability, which can be an indicator of stress in response to an environmental impact. Fluctuation in community composition over time is natural and can be affected by environmental conditions, as well as by the presence of habitat forming, spatially dominant organisms. The goal of this study was to …

Tuftelin1 Drives Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis Progression By Facilitating Stress Fiber Assembly, Caoyuan Niu, Kai Xu, Yanan Hu, Yanling Jia, Yuexia Yang, Xiaoyue Pan, Ruyan Wan, Hui Lian, Qiwen Wang, Juntang Yang, Yajun Li, Ivan Rosas, Lan Wang, Guoying Yu

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) with unknown etiology, characterized by sustained damage repair of epithelial cells and abnormal activation of fibroblasts, the underlying mechanism of the disease remains elusive.

Methods: To evaluate the role of Tuftelin1 (TUFT1) in IPF and elucidate its molecular mechanism. We investigated the level of TUFT1 in the IPF and bleomycin-induced mouse models and explored the influence of TUFT1 deficiency on pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, we explored the effect of TUFT1 on the cytoskeleton and illustrated the relationship between stress fiber and pulmonary fibrosis.

Results: Our results demonstrated a significant …

When Beavers Get Burned, Do Fish Get Fried? The Role Of Beavers To Mediate Wildfire Effects On Arctic Grayling In Boreal Alaska, William T. Samuel

Fisheries

Wildfire is a dominant natural disturbance process throughout boreal North America and fires are increasing in size, frequency, and severity. However, little is known about how wildfire affects boreal fish populations and aquatic habitat despite the substantial impacts of fire on ecosystem processes, and even less is known about how fire effects are mediated by species interactions. For example, North American Beavers (Castor canadensis) are affected by and can influence wildfire dynamics, and their engineering has complex effects on aquatic habitats. North American Beavers therefore have the potential to mediate wildfire effects on aquatic ecosystems and fish populations. Here I …

Eavesdropping On Killer Whales: Distribution, Calling Rates, And Acoustic Abundance Of Fish-Eating And Mammal-Eating Killer Whales In The Gulf Of Alaska, Hannah J. Myers

Marine Biology

The widespread loss of apex consumers in marine, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems throughout the world has precipitated profound trophic cascades and switches to different ecological states. However, conserving top predators can deliver broad biodiversity benefits and improve ecosystem resiliency. Effective conservation and management policy is predicated on a species' distribution and abundance in a given area and time. In this dissertation, I provide new insight into killer whale (Orcinus orca) distribution, vocal behavior, and abundance in the Gulf of Alaska using passive acoustic monitoring and advance long-term monitoring capacity for this species. First, I describe the year-round spatiotemporal distribution and …

The Role Of Apex Predators, Habitat, And Seascape Complexity On Nearshore Fish Assemblages In Southeast, Alaska, Lia K. Domke

Fisheries

Nearshore marine ecosystems contain dynamic and complex submerged vegetated habitats that offer shelter and prey for juvenile, migratory, and residential species, including many commercial, subsistence, and recreationally important species. The efficacy of the nursery role, shelter, and source of prey of the nearshore is influenced by various abiotic and biotic forces and in this dissertation, we examine the influence of submerged vegetation type, presence of apex predators, and the seascape context on patterns of nearshore fish assemblages in southern Southeast Alaska. We found species-specific responses by juvenile salmon in the nearshore, with seasonality overwhelmingly driving juvenile salmon abundance in eelgrass …

Smoke Without Fire: Wildfire Smoke Affects Phenolic Composition Of Wild Blueberry Fruits (Vaccinium Uliginosum), Laura G. Weingartner

Biological Sciences

Wildfire smoke can induce changes in plant growth, phenology, and chemical composition. The frequency and intensity of wildfires have increased over the last thirty years in Alaska, and smoke has the potential to affect important wild fruit plants, such as bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.), a food source for many Alaskans and wild animals. We exposed bog blueberry plants to wood smoke at different stages in fruit development: early-season when the plants were flowering ("early-smoked"), mid-season when fruits were unripe ("mid-smoked"), and late-season when fruits were fully ripe ("late-smoked"). We measured anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and total phenolics in the ripe fruits, …

The Effects Of Summer Snowfall On Arctic Sea Ice Radiative Forcing, Hannah Chapman-Dutton

Geosciences

The decline in Arctic sea ice has had major impacts on the climate system, particularly relating to the ice-albedo feedback. Since fresh snow on top of bare or melting sea ice increases the surface albedo on local scales, the impact of summer snow events can have a negative radiative forcing effect, which could inhibit sea ice surface melt. In this study, we compared snow depth and meteorological data from buoys and satellite retrievals of surface and atmospheric conditions to identify and characterize summer snow accumulation case studies across the Arctic from 2003 to 2017. Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System …

Biorecovery Of Rare Earth Elements From Hard Rock, Extraction And Analysis, Moustapha Kebe

Engineering

The advancement toward green energy, the development of precise weaponry, and the conquest of space have made the consumption of rare earth elements and critical elements supersede their production. Rare earth elements are vital and critical for modern technology. Rare earth elements consist of Scandium, Yttrium, and the fifteen elements in the Lanthanide group. These elements are mainly categorized into two types based on their atomic number: Light Rare Earth Elements (LREE) and Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE). The conventional methods of extracting economic rare earth elements are widely known, and these methods are found in abundance. However, considering the …

Marine Methane: Sources And Potential Adverse Effects, Sadia Mahmuda

Engineering

Recently, there has been an increase in the occurrence of incidents involving spills of oil and natural gas, such as methane. The world experiences at least one major spill in each decade. An illustrative case is the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster in 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico. This catastrophe resulted in the discharge of about 205.8 million gallons of oil and 225,000 metric tons of methane gas into the Gulf of Mexico. More recently, in 2022, the Nord Stream pipeline leak occurred, which was the largest single methane release ever recorded. It released up to 500K tons of methane …

Controlling Dust Concentration In A Fan Housing Using Settling Chambers And Water Sprays, Cristian Alonso Quevedo Delgado

Engineering

Dust generation is a consequence of various activities in the mining industry. The industry generates dust in quantities that can present occupational health hazard and equipment damage. A notable instance of equipment deterioration is the corrosion and erosion experienced by fan blades in underground mines. This thesis introduces settling chambers and water spray as feasible techniques commonly used for controlling dust in underground mine operations. The research aims to provide a low capital cost and maintenance-free system to capture the dust particles upwind of the main fan. The research focuses on an underground polymetallic mine in Peru, serving as a …