Digital Commons Network^™

The Thermal Behavior Of Building Materials Using Phase Change Materials (Pcms) To Enhance Energy Efficiency, Rowan Mohamed Kamal Mansour

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Improving global energy efficiency necessitates the development of energy-efficient buildings (EEBs). One emerging method involves integrating phase change materials (PCMs) into building structures. This study evaluates the thermal performance of walls coated with Nano-enhanced PCM powder compared to conventional walls under the climatic conditions of Damietta, Egypt. Experimental and simulation results indicate a reduction in indoor wall temperature from 30.1 °C (without PCM coating) to 28.8 °C (with PCM coating), highlighting the energy-saving potential of PCM-enhanced coatings. The study provides detailed information about material selection, experimental setup, thermal simulations, and results over short-term and long-term periods.

Automated Record Keeping For Maintenance Operations Via Tracking Of Maintenance Vehicles Using Telematics Tracks, Anugunj Naman, Yaguang Zhang, Aaron Ault, James V. Krogmeier

JTRP Technical Reports

Efficient and accurate record-keeping for maintenance vehicle operations is essential for optimizing resources, improving accountability, and enhancing decision-making for transportation agencies. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) sought an automated system to verify and improve work order records using telematics-based vehicle tracking. This study developed and evaluated a system that leverages GPS data from INDOT’s Data Warehouse to automate work order verification, track vehicle movements, and enhance data accuracy for winter highway maintenance operations.

The system integrates GPS tracking, automated data processing, and visualization tools to address key challenges such as data standardization, GPS accuracy, and time resolution. Results indicate …

Cumulative Effects Of H+ And PI On Force And Power Of Skeletal Muscle Fibres From Young And Older Adults, Christopher W. Sundberg, Laura E. Teigen, Sandra K. Hunter, Robert H. Fitts

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

The cellular causes of the age-related loss in power output and increased fatigability are unresolved. We previously observed that the depressive effects of hydrogen (H+) (pH 6.2) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) (30 mm) did not differ in muscle fibres from young and older men. However, the effects may have been saturated in the severe fatigue-mimicking condition, potentially masking age differences in the sensitivity of the cross-bridge to these metabolites. Thus, we compared the contractile mechanics of muscle fibres from the vastus lateralis of 13 young (20–32 years, seven women) and 12 older adults (70–90 years, six women) in conditions mimicking …

Fire And Mammal Herbivory On Arthropods In The Protected Savannas: A Systematic Review, Ludzula Mukwevho, Mduduzi Ndlovu, Frank Chidawanyika

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Protected areas in the savannas are key global reserves for biological diversity, including arthropods. Fire and mammal herbivory disrupts the diversity of biological organisms that alternately affects the functioning of the ecosystem. The study presents a global synthesis review of arthropod responses to varying intensities of fires and mammal herbivory in the protected savannas. We hypothesise that the intensity of predetermined fires and mammal herbivory has cascading impacts on abundance, species richness and diversity of terrestrial arthropods in the protected savannas. A minimum selection criteria was used to collate relevant literature from electronic databases of previous studies performed in the …

Processed Amaranth And Finger Millet Enriched With Cricket Flour Influence The Functionality, Microbial Quality, Shelf Life, And Consumer Preference Of The Porridge Products, Nelly Maiyo, Michael Okoth, George Abong, Brian O. Ochieng, Fathiya Khamis, Margaret Kababu, Chrysantus M. Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Exploration of nutritious, cheap, and easy-to-prepare locally available complementary foods using different processing techniques is gaining traction globally. This study evaluated the impact of three processing techniques (roasting, germination, and fermentation) on finger millet and amaranth quality. The implications of blending processed products with 10% cricket flour on the functional properties, microbial safety, and shelf life of the porridge products were tested. Thereafter, consumer preference and acceptability of the cooked porridge products were assessed with randomly enrolled panelist of mothers (20–66 years), as primary caregivers. Our results showed that powder from germinated cereal products had higher swelling power, water absorption …

Morphometric Characterization Of Invasive Diaphorina Citri Infesting Citrus And Orange Jasmine In Ghana, Kodwo Dadzie Ninsin, Maxwell Kelvin Billah, Bernard Agyeman Boateng, Jonathan Osei-Owusu, Fred Kormla Ablormeti, Samuel Opuni-Basoa, Aboagye Kwarteng Dofuor, George Edusei, Steve B.S. Baleba, Owusu Fordjour Aidoo

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Morphometric analysis plays a crucial role in the accurate identification and classification of insect pests, which is essential for implementing effective management strategies. The Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama; Hemiptera: Liviidae), an invasive species and a known vector of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ and ‘Ca. Liberibacter americanus,’ the bacterial pathogens associated with Huanglongbing (HLB), has recently emerged as a pest of concern in Ghana. Despite its significance, little is known about the biological traits of field populations in the region. In this study, we examined morphometric variation in D. citri populations infesting citrus and orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) across different …

Prediction Of Compressive Strength Of Fly Ash-Recycled Mortar Based On Grey Wolf Optimizer–Backpropagation Neural Network, Jing Jing Shao, Lin Bin Li, Guang Ji Yin, Xiao Dong Wen, Yu Xiao Zou, Xiao Bao Zuo, Xiao Jian Gao, Shan Shan Cheng

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

The evaluation of the mechanical performance of fly ash-recycled mortar (FARM) is a necessary condition to ensure the efficient utilization of recycled fine aggregates. This article describes the design of nine mix proportions of FARMs with a low water/cement ratio and screens six mix proportions with reasonable flowability. The compressive strengths of FARMs were tested, and the influence of the water/cement ratio (w/c) and age on the compressive strength was analyzed. Meanwhile, a backpropagation neural network (BPNN) model optimized by the grey wolf optimizer (GWO), namely the GWO-BPNN model, was established to predict the compressive strength of FARM. The input …

Speech-Aided Facial Video Super Resolution With Accurate Lip Motion And Enhanced Frequency Details, Shailza Sharma, Vivek Singh, Abhinav Dhall, Vinay Kumar

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Despite recent breakthroughs in face hallucination, video face hallucination remains a challenging task due to the issue of consistency across video frames. The temporal dimension in videos makes it difficult to learn facial motion and maintain color uniformity throughout the sequence. To address these challenges, we propose a novel audio-visual cross-modality support based video face hallucination network. The framework excels in learning fine spatiotemporal motion patterns by leveraging the correlation between movement of the facial structure and associated speech signal. Another significant challenge generic to face hallucination is blurriness around the key facial regions, such as mouth and lips. These …

Effect Of Naringenin Cisplatin Combination On Apoptosis Of Human Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line, Nahed Atef, Nancy Hussein, Mohamed Grawesh, Mohamed Anees

Mansoura Journal of Dentistry

Aim and Objectives: This research was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a combination treatment comprising the natural compound Naringenin (NAR) and the chemotherapeutic agent Cisplatin (CP) regarding the reduction of cell viability and the induction of apoptosis in human TSCC (HNO-97) and normal oral epithelial cell (NOEC) lines. Material and Methods: The cytotoxicity and IC50 of NAR, CP, and their combinations were evaluated using the MTT assay. The expression levels of the apoptotic marker genes p53 and caspase-3 were assessed using RT-PCR. Western blot analysis was carried out to assess the protein expression levels of the apoptotic markers Bax …

Effects Of Variable Nitrogen Fertilization Rates And Dried Distillers Grains Plus Solubles Supplementation On Forage Use, Animal Performance, And Economic Outcomes Of Steer Calves Grazing Winter Wheat Pastures, Cody E. Gruber, Miriam A. Snider, Michelle L. Johnson, Tom Hess, Elizabeth B. Kegley, J. Daniel Rivera, James A. Mitchell, M. Shane Gadberry

Animal Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

With the continued increase of fertilizer prices, stocker cattle producers may utilize alternative management strategies to mitigate costs and extend the grazing season to achieve better utilization of a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop. One potential strategy is to reduce pasture nitrogen (N) fertilization rates combined with animal dietary supplementation. In this 3-year (yr) study, wheat pastures (1.62-hectare (ha)) were stocked at fixed rates of 2.47 and 4.94 steer/ha in the fall and spring respectively. Nitrogen was applied as urea to experimental pastures at three different rates: 1) 100.9 (100N), 2) 134.5 (135N), and 3) 168.1 kg N/ha (168N). These …

Artificial Intelligence In Science And Society: The Vision Of Usern, Tommaso Dorigo, Gary D. Brown, Carlo Casonato, Artemi Cerda, Joseph Ciarrochi, Mauro Da Lio, Nicole D'Souza, Nicolas R. Gauger, Steven C. Hayes, Stefan G. Hofmann, Robert Johansson, Marcus Liwicki, Fabien Lotte, Juan J. Nieto, Giulia Olivato, Peter Parnes, George Perry, Alice Plebe, Idupulapati M. Rao, Nima Rezaei, Fredrik Sandin, Andrey Ustyuzhanin, Giorgio Vallortigara, Pietro Vischia, Niloufar Yazdanpanah

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The recent rise in relevance and diffusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based systems and the increasing number and power of applications of AI methods invites a profound reflection on the impact of these innovative systems on scientific research and society at large. The Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), an organization that promotes initiatives to support interdisciplinary science and education across borders and actively works to improve science policy, collects here the vision of its Advisory Board members, together with a selection of AI experts, to summarize how we see developments in this exciting technology impacting science and society in …

Swatting Flies: Biting Insects As Non-Invasive Samplers For Mammalian Population Genomics, Anubhab Khan, Ryan Carter, Chengetai D. Mpamhanga, Daniel Masiga, Manun Channumsin, Marc Ciosi, Oliva Manangwa, Furaha Mramba, Umer Zeeshan Ijaz, Harriet Auty, Barbara K. Mable

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Advances in next-generation sequencing have allowed the use of DNA obtained from unusual sources for wildlife studies. However, these samples have been used predominantly to sequence mitochondrial DNA for species identification while population genetics analyses have been rare. Since next-generation sequencing allows indiscriminate detection of all DNA fragments in a sample, technically it should be possible to sequence whole genomes of animals from environmental samples. Here we used a blood-feeding insect, tsetse fly, to target whole genome sequences of wild animals. Using pools of flies, we compared the ability to recover genomic data from hosts using the short-read sequencing (Illumina) …

Challenges And Lessons From A Vector Control Campaign Targeting Glossina Palpalis Palpalis In An Isolated Protected Forest Area In Abidjan, Côte D’Ivoire, Yao Jean Rodrigue Konan, Bi Tra Dieudonné Ta, Djakaridja Berté, Bamoro Coulibaly, Kinifo Donatien Coulibaly, Nick Steven Egnankon, Foungniguée Diarrassouba, Kouassi Albert Djabo, Stéphanie Watier-Grillot, Jean Paul Demoncheaux, Koffi Alain De Marie Kouadio, Louis N’Dri, Philippe Solano, Sophie Ravel, Guy Pacôme Adingra, Antoine Barreaux, Adeline Ségard, Dramane Kaba, Vincent Jamonneau, Thierry De Meeûs, Vincent Djohan

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Vector control (VC) is one of the strategies employed to manage African trypanosomoses. This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a VC campaign against Glossina palpalis palpalis using tiny targets (TTs) impregnated with insecticide in an isolated, protected forest in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, while considering ecological, genetic, and operational factors. Between January 2020 and September 2022, 2,712 TTs were deployed at 684 sites, covering a total area of 1.7 km2. VC monitoring was conducted using Vavoua traps during 12 evaluation surveys, between June 2020 and March 2023. Five months after the initial TT deployment, tsetse fly density had decreased …

Effects Of Insect Meals On Fish Digestibility, Blood Parameters, And Economic Performance: A Meta-Analysis, M. A. Aaqillah-Amr, A. Hidir, M. Ikhwanuddin, N. A. Fatan, R. Muhammad-Rahimi, S. Ning-Shahira, R. G.N. Siankhe, G. W. Vandenberg, C. M. Tanga, R. Yossa

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This review examines the use of insect meal (IM) as a substitute for fishmeal (FM) in fish feeds within the past decade. While global interest in this alternative is growing, research on its effects on fish digestibility, blood parameters, and economic performance has been limited. Meta-analysis on the apparent digestibility coefficient revealed a negative effect summary on dry matter (0.92) and crude lipid (0.51), although the difference between the two groups was relatively minor. However, a positive effect summary was reported in the apparent digestibility of crude protein (0.12), suggesting a potential advantage in the utilization of protein by fish …

The Southern Tide And Under The Green Cloud, By Hamish Williams. Reviewed By Nyssa Gilkey., Nyssa Gilkey

Mythprint Book Reviews

Mythprint is the quarterly bulletin of the Mythopoeic Society, a nonprofit educational organization devoted to the study, discussion, and enjoyment of myth and fantasy literature, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams. To promote these interests, the Society publishes three magazines, maintains a World Wide Web site, and sponsors the annual Mythopoeic Conference and awards for fiction and scholarship, as well as local discussion groups.

Shooting For The Stars: The Place Of International Economic Law In The International Legal Order, Valentina Vadi

Indian Journal of International Economic Law

In the universe of international law, the galaxy of international economic law (IEL) consists of various legal instruments, institutions, and experts that – like stars, planets, and vast clouds of dust – are all bound together by gravity. Like cosmonauts, international economic courts ‘must look for reliable reference points in the known legal cosmology.’2 This article aims to contextualise the galaxy of international economic law within the universe of international law, discuss its role within the same, and identify some reference points that can help adjudicators navigate by the stars.

Incremental Metal Forming Of Functionally Graded Aluminum-Copper Composites: A Numerical Investigation By Finite Element Analysis, Abdallah A. Elsherbiny, Tawakol A. Enab, Abdelkhalik Eladl

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Manufacturers aim to produce high-quality, cost-effective products through advanced material forming techniques. This study utilized ABAQUS® software to present and evaluate a finite element model for the incremental forming process of a functionally graded aluminum-copper material (Al-Cu FGM). The developed model incorporated the Lagrangian dynamic framework and the Johnson-Cook constitutive equation. The model enabled accurate estimation of forces, stress, and strain distributions during the incremental forming process of an Al-Cu FGM. The results demonstrated that the algorithm effectively predicted these critical characteristics, which are significant for optimizing manufacturing processes. Although the model successfully replicated the material's stress responses, further refinement …

Mind The Machine: A Philosophical Inquiry Into Ai Consciousness, Rachel Mesel

CMC Senior Theses

This paper explores existing tests for machine consciousness, specifically focusing on the AI Consciousness Test (ACT) proposed by Susan Schneider. I will begin by assessing why historic tests such as the Turing Test and subsequent modified versions of the Turing Test are not adequate for modern artificial intelligence (AI) systems given their limitations. Then, I will provide an analysis of the existing objections to the ACT which involve methodological concerns. Following this discussion, I will argue that though such methodological concerns are substantial, the most significant flaw with the ACT is Schneider’s lack of guidance on how the test ought …

Rompiendo La Cultura Del Machismo A Través De La Música: Bad Bunny Y La Nueva Era Del Reggaetón, Bianca Rodriguez

CMC Senior Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how Benito “Bad Bunny” Antonio Martnez Ocasio, a groundbreaking artist in the reggaetón and Latin music industry, uses his music to challenge machismo norms in Latinx culture. Historically, reggaeton has perpetuated hypermasculine ideals, emphasizing dominance, aggression, and rigid gender roles. In contrast, Bad Bunny disrupts these conventional stereotypes of machismo behavior by embracing vulnerability, advocating for gender equality, and rejecting toxic masculinity. Through his lyrics in “La Canción” y “Haciendo que me amas”, Bad Bunny normalizes emotional expression and critiques societal expectations of men. Additionally, in tracks such as “Yo Perreo Sola” …

Polarization Nation: A Historical Comparative Analysis Of The American Media, Colin Scanlon

CMC Senior Theses

A common narrative that persists in our current political age is that the American public is more divided than ever before. Survey data and scholarship points to the mass media as being a driving force for increased polarization among Americans. However America has historically been a nation founded on division and partisanship, with a free press working in the backdrop since the founding. So what is it about the modern mass media that contributes to this narrative about record levels of polarization? Scholarship points to four key metrics of polarization to understand the modern media landscape and polarization– partisan rhetoric, …

The Lacey Act: Balancing The Scales Of Federal Authority And Individual Liberty, Bradley Kwon

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis examines the balance between federal authority and individual liberties within the framework of American federalism, using the Lacey Act as a case study. Enacted in 1900 to regulate wildlife trafficking, the Lacey Act has undergone significant amendments that expanded federal authority and reshaped the balance of power between state governments and individual rights. By integrating theoretical insights from scholars such as Martha Derthick and Dennis LaGory, this thesis explores the federal government’s transition from a cooperative model to a coercive one, particularly during the Rights Revolution of the 1960s. The analysis highlights the legislative history of the Lacey …

Just As Advertised: The Perception And Effectiveness Of Artificial Intelligence In Digital Advertising, Brandon Isem Cáceres

CMC Senior Theses

What do you think when you hear “AI in advertising”? Does it spark intrigue, or does it feel like just another tech buzzword? In today’s fast-paced digital marketing landscape, connecting with consumers is a high-stakes challenge, and artificial intelligence is at the forefront of innovation. From automating campaigns to creating hyper-targeted content, AI promises efficiency and precision—but how do audiences perceive this shift? By analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) like impressions, click-through rates, and cost-per-click in an an original A/B test, this thesis evaluates the perception and effectiveness of AI-driven advertising strategies. Combining historical insights, case studies, and an original …

Should Students Pull The Plug?: How Ai Redefines Creativity In The Classroom, Labiba Hassan

CMC Senior Theses

This paper examines how artificial intelligence (AI) tools, specifically ChatGPT as a tutor for students (ChatGPTt), reshapes creativity in the classroom. Does AI undermine or enrich creativity by altering its relational and self-disclosive dimensions? Engaging with Lindsay Brainard’s critique that AI erodes creativity by disrupting human connection and self-expression, I argue for a redefinition of creativity as a dynamic process sustained by emotion, intention, novelty, risk, and spontaneity — conditions adaptable to AI-mediated contexts. The paper challenges the premise that creativity depends on interpersonal connection, showing that self-disclosure can emerge through meaningful engagement with external systems, such as ChatGPTt. By …

Effect Of Paxlovid On Neurodevelopmental Disorder Diagnosis Outcomes In Offspring Of Mothers Infected With Sars-Cov-2 During Pregnancy, Simone Rogers

CMC Senior Theses

The onset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic brought concern over the effects that this virus would have on pregnancy and fetal outcomes, specifically neurodevelopmental outcomes. Maternal immune activation (MIA), caused by infection during pregnancy, is known to result in neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) diagnosis in offspring, typically autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This effect has already been observed in mothers who were infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy. However, in 2023, Paxlovid, the COVID-19 antiviral drug, became available to patients experiencing symptoms of the virus, including pregnant women. Consequently, this study seeks to determine whether the risk of …

From Fields To Fast Foods: Food Culture, Identity, And Health In Puerto Rico Under The U.S. Empire, Ivanna Morales Mercado

CMC Senior Theses

Operation Bootstrap, launched in 1947, fundamentally altered Puerto Rico’s economy, just as much as its food culture. Prioritizing manufacturing over agriculture led to the collapse of the island’s farming sector, increasing reliance on food imports and leading to a rise in diet-related diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular issues. This thesis examines the legacies of Operation Bootstrap on Puerto Rico’s food system, health outcomes, and cultural identity by emphasizing the need to value intergenerational knowledge. The oral history research in this study highlights the importance of intergenerational knowledge in reclaiming sustainable agricultural practices and healthy, culturally significant …

The Garden Of Pdyn: The Impact Of Pdyn Gene Deletion On Ethanol Self-Administration And Reinforcement In Female Mice, Catherine Ruan

CMC Senior Theses

Debilitating over-consumption of alcohol, often culminating into a prevalent psychiatric disorder known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), stands as one of the United States’ most expensive societal battles to face (Harwood et al., 1998). Consequently, the public’s desire and scientists’ motivation to develop novel pharmacological solutions to treat it is high. Recent and ongoing research presents new insights into the role of the dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (DYN/KOR) system as an inhibitor of dopamine release and a regulator of the negative affective states that come with alcohol withdrawal (Karkhanis et al., 2017). However, this growing body of literature is predominantly conducted …

Regulation Of Neuronal Autophagy By Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als) - Associated Kinase Tbk1: Evaluating The Role Of Ncoa7, Vikram Chatterjee

CMC Senior Theses

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor neuron loss and the pathological accumulation of misfolded proteins. Autophagy, a lysosome-mediated clearance mechanism, plays a vital role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by removing damaged organelles and protein aggregates. Impairments in autophagy have been increasingly linked to ALS, underscoring its importance in neuronal health. TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) is a key regulator of selective autophagy, facilitating the recognition and sequestration of specific cargo through phosphorylation of autophagy receptors. Notably, mutations in the TBK1 gene have been identified in ALS patients, directly implicating TBK1 dysfunction in disease pathogenesis. Through …

Six Faces Of Love: A Collection Of Short Stories, Anna Werts

CMC Senior Theses

Six Faces of Love is a collection of six original short stories that explore love in its many variations. Set across time periods and perspectives, these narratives examine the quiet, complicated ways love persists through grief, memory, distance, and change.

A Bad Bet For Adolescents: Psychological Perspectives On Sports Betting & Digital Gambling Technologies, Kaitlyn Helfrich

CMC Senior Theses

Digital sports betting is a rapidly expanding sector of the gambling industry, allowing users to place wagers on the outcomes of sporting events from virtually anywhere. While structurally comparable to traditional gambling systems, sports betting is often perceived as a more socially acceptable and accessible alternative, contributing to its growing appeal and largely positive sentiment among Americans. Yet, in the seven years since sports betting has become legalized, growing numbers of Americans have reported psychological and financial problems stemming from problem gambling. Of particular concern is the increasing percentage of adolescents engaging with these platforms, despite legal restrictions on underage …

Beyond Teaching A Man To Fish: Smallholder Cultivation, Certification, And Cooperation In Southeast Asian Aquaculture, Sasha Shunko

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis explores the barriers and opportunities facing smallholder aquaculture farmers in Southeast Asia, focusing on Thailand. It examines how certification systems, technical assistance, and policy interventions can effectively include smallholders in development and sustainability efforts. Based on field interviews with Thai shrimp farmers, analysis of certification schemes, and review of other agricultural intervention models, the research traces how market access, corporate concentration, and environmental change shape smallholder livelihoods.

The findings show that while certification is promoted as a tool for sustainability and market integration, in practice it often excludes the very farmers it seeks to empower. Redundant standards, limited …