Digital Commons Network^™

Analysis Of The Physical Discomfort Of Earplugs Experienced By A Group Of Workers In Canadian Companies And Identification Of The Influencing Variables, Bastien Poissenot-Arrigoni, Alessia Negrini, Djamal Berbiche, Franck Sgard, Olivier Doutres

Études primaires

Earplugs are widely used to prevent noise induced hearing loss. However, the discomforts they induce negatively impacts their effectiveness by influencing their consistent and correct use. The physical earplugs discomfort is related to the user perception resulting from biomechanical and thermal interactions between the earplug and the earcanal. Its main attributes are “physical annoyance”, “pain”, “pressure” and “irritation". The (dis)comfort results from the complex interactions between the wearer, his/her earplug, and his/her work environment, which form the concept of triad. This study aims at improving our understanding of the physical discomfort of earplugs by identifying the triad characteristics that have …

Antibiotics And Secondary Metabolites Analysis Shell (Antismash) As A Tool To Detect Putative Novel Antibiotics, Rajiv Snape

Theses

In the Hudson Lab, which is focused on discovering new antibiotics, bacteria samples are taken from the environment and cultured in large quantities. Then they are tested for antibiotic resistance before they are sequenced and their secondary metabolite compounds are extracted. This is both a lengthy and expensive process that becomes more and more difficult as the number of samples one is working increases. This project assessed a different approach to rejuvenate antibiotic development with antiSMASH. antiSMASH is an online tool created by collaborators from many different institutions that uses profile Hidden Markov Models (pHMMs) to detect gene clusters which …

Incremental Development Model Using Vacant Buildings For Affordable Housing, Seogjae Choi, Boyoung Michelle Huh

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Vacant properties have increased and become a problem in cities in the US. Few studies addressed how to utilize vacant properties for affordable housing despite they can be a great resource for affordable housing. To improve affordable housing sustainability, researchers recommended incremental development because it can satisfy residents' dynamic demands over time and engage them in house design. This can be implemented by utilizing vacant buildings to maximize their potential for affordable housing. Through the literature review, critical sustainability criteria for affordable housing are yielded. This paper demonstrates how the incremental development of vacant buildings satisfies the critical sustainability criteria. …

Biomonitoring Of Exposure To Multiple Metal Components In Urine, Hair And Nails Of Apprentice Welders Performing Shielded Metal Arc Welding (Smaw), Jairo Buitrago-Cortes, Philippe Sarazin, Denis Dieme, Jonathan Côté, Capucine Ouellet, Naïma El Majidi, Michèle Bouchard

Études primaires

Welding fumes are associated with various diseases. Increased air levels of metals were reported during welding. However, few multielement biomonitoring studies were conducted to assess the actual dose of metal components absorbed in apprentice welders in a learning environment. This research aimed to establish the nature and level of exposure to welding fumes and their metallic components in apprentice welders performing ‘Shielded Metal Arc Welding’ (SMAW), based on multi-element and multi-matrix analyses. A total of 86 apprentice welders were recruited in three different schools in Montreal, Québec, Canada. Twenty-one elements were measured in urine, hair, fingernail, and toenail samples collected …

Passive Earplug Including Helmholtz Resonators Arranged In Series To Achieve Broadband Near Zero Occlusion Effect At Low Frequencies, Kevin Carillo, Franck Sgard, Olivier Dazel, Olivier Doutres

Études primaires

The use of passive earplugs is often associated with the occlusion effect: a phenomenon described as the increased auditory perception of one's own physiological noise at low frequencies. As a notable acoustic discomfort, the occlusion effect penalizes the use and the efficiency of earplugs. This phenomenon is objectively characterized by the increase in sound pressure level in the occluded ear canal compared to the open ear canal. Taking inspiration from acoustic metamaterials, a new design of a three-dimensional printed “meta-earplug,” made of four Helmholtz resonators arranged in series, is proposed for achieving near zero objective occlusion effect measured on artificial …

Experiences In The Return-To-Work Process Of Workers Having Suffered Occupational Injuries In Small And Medium Size Enterprises, Jessika Audet, Alexandra Lecours, Iuliana Nastasia

Études primaires

BACKGROUND:

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 95 % of businesses and are economically essential. When occupational injuries occur, scientific literature suggests that the return-to-work (RTW) success rate is proportional to the size of enterprises and the way RTW is managed may put workers in SMEs at risk. As most studies on RTW organizational practices have been conducted with large enterprises, little is known about how RTW is managed in SMEs.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to explore SME’s organizational practices in the RTW process of workers having suffered an occupational injury.

METHODS:

Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted …

Validation Of An Emg Submaximal Method To Calibrate A Novel Dynamic Emg-Driven Musculoskeletal Model Of The Trunk: Effects On Model Estimates, Amir H. Eskandari, Farshid Ghezelbash, Aboulfazl Shirazi-Adl, Denis Gagnon, Hakim Mecheri, Christian Larivière

Études primaires

Background

Multijoint EMG-assisted optimization models are reliable tools to predict muscle forces as they account for inter- and intra-individual variations in activation. However, the conventional method of normalizing EMG signals using maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs) is problematic and introduces major limitations. The sub-maximal voluntary contraction (SVC) approaches have been proposed as a remedy, but their performance against the MVC approach needs further validation particularly during dynamic tasks.

Methods

To compare model outcomes between MVC and SVC approaches, nineteen healthy subjects performed a dynamic lifting task with two loading conditions.

Results

Results demonstrated that these two approaches produced highly correlated results …

The Relationship Between Clinical Examination Measures And Ultrasound Measures Of Fascia Thickness Surrounding Trunk Muscles Or Lumbar Multifidus Fatty Infiltrations: An Exploratory Study, Christian Larivière, Richard Preuss, Dany H. Gagnon, Hakim Mecheri, Mark Driscoll, Sharon M. Henry

Études primaires

Patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) exhibit remodelling of the lumbar soft tissues such as muscle fatty infiltrations (MFI) and fibrosis of the lumbar multifidus (LuM) muscles, thickness changes of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) and perimuscular connective tissues (PMCT) surrounding the abdominal lateral wall muscles. Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) parameters such as thickness and echogenicity are sensitive to this remodelling. This experimental laboratory study aimed to explore whether these RUSI parameters (LuM echogenicity and fascia thicknesses), hereafter called dependent variables (DV) were linked to independent variables (IV) such as (1) other RUSI parameters (trunk muscle thickness and activation) and …

Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Quantitation Of O-Cresol In Hydrolyzed Human Urine To Assess Toluene Exposure, Eric Langlois, Sébastien Gagné

Études primaires

Rationale

Toluene is a volatile organic compound used in domestic and industrial applications. The main routes of workplace exposure to toluene are inhalation and dermal contact. As toluene exposure can cause severe nervous system damage, its quantification is crucial to prevent occupational illness. Toluene is metabolized mainly as hippuric acid, S-benzylmercapturic acid and epoxides. These are rapidly converted to o-/p-cresol, which is then excreted in the urine as conjugated glucuronides and sulfates. o-Cresol and its conjugates can be chemically hydrolyzed to form free o-cresol, which can then serve as a urinary biomarker of toluene exposure. Current …

Experimental Approach For Development Of A Powder Spreading Metric In Additive Manufacturing, M. Hossein Sehhat, Austin T. Sutton, Zane Yates, Ming-Chuan Leu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Powder Spreading is a Vital Step of Powder-Based Additive Manufacturing (AM) Processes. the Quality of Spread Powder Can Considerably Influence the Properties of Fabricated Parts. Poorly Packed Powder Beds with High Surface Roughness Result in Printed Part Layers with Large Porosity and Low Dimensional Accuracy, Leading to Poor Mechanical Properties. Therefore, the Powder Spread ability and its Dependence on Process Parameters and Powder Characteristics Should Be Quantified to Improve the Efficiency of Powder-Based AM Methods. This Study Proposes a Novel Dimensionless Powder Spread Ability Metric that Can Be Commonly Used in Different Powder-Based AM Processes. the Quality of Spread …

Covid-19 Pharmacy Claims Recovery Analysis, Kelly Dixon, Bethany Swanson, Josephine B. Porter, Erica-Lyn Plante, Amy Costello, Lucy Hodder

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Resource Guide For Consumers: How To Access Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder Benefits - 2023 Update, Lucy C. Hodder, Marguerite Corvini, Bridget Drake

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Medicaid Transition Small Stakeholder Meeting: Return To Regular Eligibility Operations, Lucy C. Hodder, Deborah Fournier, Molly Umana

All Materials

No abstract provided.

What Granite Staters Need To Know About Medicaid, New Hampshire Dhhs

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Investing In Primary Care: Advancing Nursing Education Workforce, Marcy Doyle, Kelsi West, Delitha Watts, Erica Plante, Sophie Weider, Molly Umana, Jeanne Ryer, Gene Harkless

All Materials

No abstract provided.

A Quick Guide On How To Access Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder Benefits - 2023 Update, Lucy C. Hodder, Marguerite Corvini, Bridget Drake

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Care Access For Nh Youth: A Comparison Of Two Models, Katherine Lipp, Rowan Gelting, Delitha Watts, Erica-Lyn Plante, Jeanne Ryer, Felicia Brackett

All Materials

No abstract provided.

The Current State Of Behavioral Health In Primary Care For Nh Youth, Katherine Lipp, Delitha Watts, Janet Thomas, Bethany Swanson, Erica-Lyn Plante, Felicia Brackett, Corina Chao, Rowan Gelting, Sophie Weider, Jeanne Ryer, Amy Costello, Chris White

All Materials

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Method For Preservation, Extraction, And Quantitation Of 4,4’-Methylenedianiline In Soils Of Varied Texture And Organic Matter Content, Audrey Coralie Joly, Sébastien Gagné, Robert West, Simon Aubin, David Dewez, Jacques Lesage

Études primaires

Despite the reactivity and degradability of 4,4’-methylenedianiline (4,4’-MDA) with organic matter in soils, the improvement of Brunet et al. method makes it possible to monitor the substance in the environment. In fact, 4,4’-MDA can be found in soils, used for agriculture for example, if 4,4’-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (4,4’-MDI) based fertilizers and pesticides are used. The possible degradation of 4,4’-MDI-based polyurethane could result in formation of 4,4’-MDA. To have a soil where 4,4’-MDA could be uniformly distributed, an impregnation method was developed. The method was validated using 1 g of the impregnated soil ranging 2,4% to 10% of organic matter, and …

The Akastral Voyager, Christian Rego

Theses

This project looks to depict a realistic interpretation of a space colony that places a great focus upon pastoralism. This is done in order to provide a more optimistic counterpoint to the prevalence of dystopian pessimistic themes common throughout a majority of science fiction. In essence, rather than being a warning of what the future may hold, it is intended as a possible direction that could be aspired towards. How might we go about portraying a kinder, more optimistic future that we actively aspire towards in the long term rather than seek to avert? Moreover, what sort of design opportunities …

Analysis Of Micro-Perforated Packaging Systems For Minimally Processed Fresh Greens, Heidy Lizardo

Theses

Because of the increased demand for fresh greens presented in an accessible format, the demand for a new packaging technology to extend shelf life has also increased. Micro perforation is a packaging system that allows rapidly modifying headspace gases under refrigerated storage. Previous research has demonstrated that the pattern in which the perforations are aligned in the film affects the gas exchange modification of the package headspace gases. A rapid modification of the headspace gases of the product in the package must be achieved in order to guarantee extended shelf life. Several patterns of micro-perforation location and density have been …

Initial Evaluation Of The Reliability And Validity Of An Assessment-Based Approach To Identifying And Addressing Barriers To Caregiver Treatment Adherence, Eleah Sunde

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Caregiver-mediated behavioral interventions are a critical and evidence-based treatment of childhood behavioral concerns. However, caregivers face many barriers to adherence that can reduce the effectiveness of these interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a training protocol delivered over telehealth within an integrated behavioral health setting, evaluate the reliability and validity of an assessment tool (i.e., the Performance Diagnostic Checklist - Parent), and examine patterns of engagement (e.g., missed sessions, dropout rates) that caregivers experienced. Eight caregivers enrolled in the study and received a child-directed interaction protocol, which included instruction, a video model and skill …

Prerequisite For Imputing Non-Detects Among Airborne Samples In Osha’S Imis Databank: Prediction Of Sample’S Volume, Igor Burstyn, Philippe Sarazin, George Luta, Melissa C. Friesen, Laurel Kincl, Jérôme Lavoué

Études primaires

Introduction: The US Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) contains workplace measurements collected by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors. Its use for research is limited by the lack of record of a value for the limit of detection (LOD) associated with non-detected measurements, which should be used to set censoring point in statistical analysis. We aimed to remedy this by developing a predictive model of the volume of air sampled (V) for the non-detected results of airborne measurements, to then estimate the LOD using the instrument detection limit (IDL), as IDL/V.

Methods: We obtained the Chemical Exposure Health Data …

Additively Manufactured Carbon Fiber- Reinforced Thermoplastic Composite Mold Plates For Injection Molding Process, C. Bivens, A. Wood, D. Ruble, M. Rangapuram, S. K. Dasari, K. Chandrashekhara, J. Degrange

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Polymer injection molding processes have been used to create high-volume parts quickly and efficiently. Injection molding uses mold plates that are traditionally made of very hard tool steels, such as P20 steel, which is extremely heavy and has very long lead times to build new molds. In this study, composite-based additive manufacturing (CBAM) was used to create mold plates using long-fiber carbon fiber and polyether ether ketone (PEEK). These mold plates were installed in an injection molding machine, and rectangular flat plates were produced using Lustran 348 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Tensile and flexural testing was performed on these parts …

Comparison Of The Thermal Stability In Equal-Channel-Angular-Pressed And High-Pressure-Torsion-Processed Fe–21cr–5al Alloy, Maalavan Arivu, Andrew Hoffman, Jiaqi Duan, Jonathan Poplawsky, Xinchang Zhang, Frank W. Liou, Rinat Islamgaliev, Ruslan Valiev, Haiming Wen

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Nanostructured Steels Are Expected to Have Enhanced Irradiation Tolerance and Improved Strength. However, They Suffer from Poor Microstructural Stability at Elevated Temperatures. in This Study, Fe–21Cr–5Al–0.026C (Wt%) Kanthal D (KD) Alloy Belonging to a Class of (FeCrAl) Alloys Considered for Accident-Tolerant Fuel Cladding in Light-Water Reactors is Nanostructured using Two Severe Plastic Deformation Techniques of Equal-Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) and High-Pressure Torsion (HPT), and their Thermal Stability between 500–700 °C is Studied and Compared. ECAP KD is Found to Be Thermally Stable Up to 500 °C, Whereas HPT KD is Unstable at 500 °C. Microstructural Characterization Reveals that ECAP KD …

Static I-V Based Pim Evaluation For Spring And Fabric-Over-Foam Contacts, Kalkidan W. Anjajo, Yang Xu, Shengxuan Xia, Yuchu He, Haicheng Zhou, Hanfeng Wang, Jonghyun Park, Chulsoon Hwang

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Spring Clips and Fabric-Over-Foams (FOFs) Are Widely Used in Mobile Devices for Electrical Connection Purposes. However, the Imperfect Metallic Connections Tend to Induce Passive Intermodulation (PIM), Resulting in a Receiver Sensitivity Degradation, Known as RP Desensitization. Due to the Complexity of the PIM Characterization, there is Not Yet a Way to Evaluate PIM Performance using a Simple Setup for Environments Like Factories. in This Paper, a Current-Voltage (I-V) Behavior-Based PIM Evaluation Method is Proposed and Validated with Various Metallic Contacts and Contact Forces. the Test Results Demonstrated the Feasibility of the PIM Performance Evaluation based on the Measured Static I-V …

Microstructure And Residual Stress In Functionally Graded 316l Stainless Steel/Inconel 625 Alloys Fabricated By Direct Energy Deposition, Xinchang Zhang, Liang Wang, Frank W. Liou, Yang Ren, Cheng Sun

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Functionally graded materials (FGMs) provide a unique solution to combine distinct properties within a single component to enhance its overall performance. Understanding the microstructure and residual stress distribution is particularly important as the material dissimilarity in FGMs can result in high residual stress that affects the mechanical integrity of structural components. This work aims to study the microstructure and residual stress of additively manufactured FGMs and the effects of isothermal annealing. In this study, 316L stainless steel/Inconel 625 FGMs were built by direct energy deposition and characterized by optical and electron microscopy as well as synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction. Our study …

Microstructure, Mechanical Properties And Oxidation Behavior Of Refractory Multi-Principal Element Alloys By Laser Remelting And Conventional Manufacturing, Visharad Jalan, Seth Crawford, Sung Heng Wu, Frank W. Liou, Haiming Wen

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Refractory Multi-Principal Element Alloys (RMPEAs), HfNbTaTiZr, (HfNbTaTiZr)₉Cr, and (HfNbTaTiZr)₉Al, Were Manufactured using Vacuum Arc Melting Followed by Laser Remelting to Mimic Additive Manufacturing. the Microhardness of the As-Cast HfNbTaTiZr, (HfNbTaTiZr)₉Cr, and (HfNbTaTiZr)₉Al Samples after Arc Melting Was Measured as 6.20, 7.63, and 6.89 Gpa, respectively. after Laser Remelting and Re-Solidification, the Hardness Increased by ~ 30% for Each Composition; the Hardest Was (HfNbTaTiZr)₉Cr Measured at 9.60 GPa, While the Softest Was HfNbTaTiZr with a Hardness of 8.42 GPa, Which Was Still Harder Compared to All the Other Samples. the Addition …

Correction: Modeling Phase Selection And Extended Solubility In Rapid Solidified Alloys (Metallurgical And Materials Transactions A, (2023), 10.1007/S11661-023-07221-7), Azeez Akinbo, Yijia Gu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In the original online version of this article the reference citation in Fig. 3b was incorrect. The original article was corrected.

Mixed-Input Learning For Multi-Point Landing Guidance With Hazard Avoidance Part I: Offline Mission Planning Based On Multi-Stage Optimization, Chaoying Pei, Sixiong You, Ran Dai, Jeremy R. Rea

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper proposes a multi-stage optimization framework based on iterative second-order cone programming (SOCP) to solve the three-dimensional (3D) multi-point landing guidance (MLG) problem with hazard avoidance. The approach is used to generate the offline optimal trajectories for database construction in Part II of this paper, it aims to select a safe landing point while finding an optimal path to the selected landing point with minimum fuel consumption. First, by introducing binary variables associated with quadratic constraints, the MLG problem with hazard avoidance is equivalently reformulated as a quadratically constrained quadratic programming (QCQP) problem. Next, to solve the reformulated QCQP …