Frequent Pattern Mining With Optimized Gated Recurrent Units For Automated Waste Classification Systems In Smart Cities, Anupriya Garg, Ratish Kumar

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Efficient waste segregation into biodegradable and non-biodegradable categories is a crucial requirement for sustainable smart city development. While Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based approaches have demonstrated promising performance, their high architectural complexity and limited adaptability often restrict real-time deployment. This paper proposes BnBCNet, a lightweight waste classification framework that reformulates image-based waste segregation as a sequential learning problem using Gated Recurrent Units (GRUs). To further enhance classification performance, Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) is employed for hyperparameter optimization, while Adam optimizer is used for network weight updates. Experiments conducted on a publicly available waste segregation image dataset demonstrate that the proposed BnBCNet …

Conductive Bitumen And Asphalt Mixtures For Smart Pavements: De-Icing And Snow Melting, Self-Healing, Energy Harvesting, And Self-Sensing Monitoring, Ahmed Fouda, Pengfei Liu, Aboelkasim Diab, Lingyun You, Fan Gu, Xu Yang, Alaa Gabr, Sherif El-Badawy, Ahmed Awed

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Evolving transportation infrastructure requires transitioning from passive roadways to smart, multifunctional pavement systems. This review synthesizes research on conductive bitumen and asphalt mixtures engineered for self-heating, self-healing, and self-sensing capabilities. Self-heating enables conductive pavements to generate heat internally via Joule heating or electromagnetic induction, raising surface temperatures for de-icing or healing activation without external heat.

Based on percolation theory, integrating conductive additives from carbon-based fillers (graphite powder, GP; carbon black, CB; graphene) to metallic fibers (steel wool, SW; steel fibers, SFs)—transforms the insulating bituminous matrix into a conductive composite. A key trade-off exists: fibrous additives like carbon fibers (CFs) and …

Experimental Investigation And Optimization Of Process Parameters Affecting The Compressive And Flexural Strength Of Epoxy Concrete For Machine Tool Structure By Using Taguchi Method, Amitkumar C Gohil, Hardik G. Chothani

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The structural performance of machine tool is strongly influenced by rigidity and damping characteristic; however, conventional material such as grey cast iron and steel exhibits limitation in achieving an optimal balance between weight, strength and vibration damping. The necessitates the development of alternative material with improved performance. In this study epoxy concrete is investigated as a potential material for machine tool structure, focusing on its compressive strength and flexural strength. A systematic experimental approach based on Taguchi method (L25 orthogonal array) was employed to optimize key process parameter, including resin contain, aggregate size, sand proportion, shaking time and curing duration. …

Event-Related Potential Variation In Response Accuracy: A Comparative Analysis Using Mne-Python, Akash Rajak, Sachin Umrao

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) are extensively employed in the examination of neural responses linked with cognitive processing and changes in brain activity. In this work, we conducted a comparative analysis of ERPs on a publicly available EEG dataset (122 subjects, alcoholic and control groups) with the help of the MNE-Python framework. The 64 electrodes for EEG were placed according to the international 10 - 20 system, and EEG was sampled at a 256 Hz sampling rate over 1-second epochs. The preprocessing pipeline consisted of 1 - 40 Hz bandpass filtering, noise reduction, spectral computation, and ERP waveform analysis. Temporal neural activity …

Effect Of Load Variations On Power Quality And Ev Battery Performance In Vehicle-To-Grid System, Jitender Kaushal, Rahul Paswan

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology enables the exchange of electricity between electric vehicles (EVs) and the utility grid, helping improve the integration of renewable energy sources and the grid's flexibility. Load-dependent power quality disturbances can affect the performance and reliability of V2G systems, which in turn can negatively impact system and battery operation. This study investigates the effect of resistive, inductive and nonlinear loads on the electrical performance and battery behaviour of a bidirectional V2G system. A complete MATLAB/Simulink model was developed to investigate the grid voltage, current, frequency, THD and the battery voltage, current and state of charge. The model uses …

Opioid Abuse: Community Education, Meggan N. Wolff-Jackson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The opioid epidemic in the United States has persisted for over two decades and has become one of the leading causes of accidental deaths nationwide (Robert et al., 2022). The opioid crisis represents a widespread public health emergency that extends beyond individual and community boundaries, imposing burdens on both the national economy and the healthcare system (Kyei et al., 2024). Although the opioid epidemic is a global concern, it is particularly concerning in the target community located in the western part of North Carolina. This region has some of the highest rates of opioid overdoses within the state, with 118 …

Combating Pressure Injuries In Critical Care: A Dnp Project On Nursing Education And Prevention Strategies In The Icu, Tijuana M. Johnson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) are preventable complications that significantly increase patient morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and healthcare costs, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). At a rural 146-bed hospital, the ICU pressure injury rate of 1.17 per 1,000 discharges exceeded the national benchmark of 0.58 per 1.000 discharges, identifying a critical gap in prevention practices. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to improve ICU nurses' knowledge of pressure injury prevention and reduce unit-based educational intervention grounded in Patricia Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory and implemented using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) quality improvement framework.

A pre-and post-intervention design was …

Improving Timeliness Of Extubation Post-Cabg: An Educational Intervention Utilizing A Nurse-Driven Checklist, Christy Scott

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Timely extubation following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is associated with improved patient outcomes. In a rural six-bed cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) in North Carolina, extubation times were previously reported at approximately 15 hours. A lack of a standardized nurse-driven process and inconsistent familiarity with extubation readiness criteria contributed to variation in practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to implement and evaluate an educational intervention using a nurse-driven extubation checklist to improve nurses' knowledge, confidence, communication, and role clarity related to post-CABG extubation readiness in the CVICU.

Methods: The staff education …

Building Clinical Competency In Central Line Care: A Nurse-Focused Initiative To Prevent Clabsis, Glenda A. Robbins

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a significant yet preventable source of increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs in acute care settings. Despite established evidence-based prevention bundles, inconsistent nursing adherence remains a primary contributor to elevated CLABSI rates. A 241-bed acute care hospital reported CLABSI rates above the national benchmark. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project utilized Neuman’s Systems Model. The intervention consisted of a structured educational module on central line care and maintenance, including pre- and post- knowledge assessments. Additionally, standardized daily central line visual audits were reinforced by the Vascular Access Team. A total of 363 bedside …

Spreading Awareness To Adults About Cardiovascular Disease And Improving Healthy Lifestyle Habits, Madison L. Eldridge

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Introduction: The intention of this Doctor of Nursing Practice evidence-based project was to evaluate if providing education to the target community would increase awareness and knowledge of cardiovascular disease and healthy lifestyle habits. The goal was to increase educational knowledge and promote awareness of cardiovascular disease and healthy lifestyle habits.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a critical health issue that prevails across the state of North Carolina, while continuing to remain one of the leading causes of death across the south-center Piedmont area of North Carolina. Several studies have proven that increasing knowledge on cardiovascular risks, promoting healthy exercise, and …

Senior Heart Health Facilitating Hypertension Management, Heather Hodgens Lupo

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Hypertension affects approximately 70% of adults aged 65 years and older and remains a leading contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the United States, highlighting the need for effective community-based hypertension management interventions. Despite the availability of evidence-based guidelines, gaps in education and self-management persist among older adults. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) quality improvement project, Senior Heart Health: Facilitating Hypertension Management, was designed to improve hypertension-related knowledge among adults aged 55 years and older through a structured, community-based health coaching intervention.

The project was implemented in a rural community and consisted of four weekly educational sessions delivered …

Enhancing Clinical Judgement In Pre-Licensure Nursing Students Through Active Learning Strategies Of Unfolding Case Studies And Simulations For Postpartum Hemorrhage, Lisa M. Alley

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

New graduate nurses lack the appropriate clinical judgement to provide optimal, safe, quality care, as evidenced by the report of errors in health care (Rodziewicz et al., 2024). The purpose of this project was to provide an evidence-based intervention that used an unfolding case study and simulation to further develop clinical judgement among undergraduate nursing students in a rural ADN program. The project used a pre-test and post-test to measure students' improvement prior to versus after the learning experience and debrief. This project also introduced a DASH tool, which is a debriefing assessment for simulations in healthcare, to help students …

Revolutionizing Nursing Care: Implementing Acuity Based Staffingstrategies, Brennan Lewis, Christi Welter, Natalie Denson, Marshall Stephenson

Podcasts

On this episode, we are discussing an innovative approach to staffing based on tailoring nurse staffing to meet patient needs, and how this can lead to enhanced patient outcomes and nurse satisfaction.

Auditory Memory In Children Who Stutter, Sanaa Mahran Mohamed Qandel, Nihal Hisham Abdelhamid Mostafa, Nihal Hisham Abdelhamid

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Stuttering has been described as a disorder in motor speech in which disruption in the timing between laryngeal, respiratory, and vocal tract rhythm of speech. It is characterized by prolongations and involuntary repetitions of sounds. Children who stutter (CWS) characterized by inability to produce sounds, with intra-phonemic disruption and involuntary silent pauses. Many studies have examined central auditory processing skills and reported impairments, yet auditory memory skills have not been adequately evaluated, leaving a gap in the available information. Aim of the study Assessing auditory memory performance and auditory memory abilities in CWS. Methods: Measuring recognition memory, memory for …

Usage Of Valved Conduit In Replacing The Mitral Valve In Heavily Calcific Or Destroyed Annulus: A Prospective Cohort Study, Yosry M Thakeb, Ahmed Kamel Abdel Ghany Hassan, Wael Abdelatief Mohamed Elhakeem

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background: Heavily calcified or destroyed mitral annulus present significant technical challenges for conventional valve replacement, often requiring alternative surgical strategies. Aim: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, operative outcomes, and the competency of valved conduit in patients with heavily calcified or destroyed mitral valve annulus. Methods: Fifteen patients (mean age 58.8±8.21 years, 53.3% female) underwent valved conduit mitral valve replacement at the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, National Heart Institute, General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes (GOTHI), Egypt. Preoperatively, 80% presented in NYHA class III-IV with mean ejection fraction of 37.6±7.65% and pulmonary artery pressure of 50.6±11.39 mmHg. Bioprosthetic valves were used …

A Randomized Controlled Trial In A Teaching Hospital Comparing The Outcomes Of ‎Single-Layer Versus Double-Layer Uterine Suturing With Polyglactin In The Development ‎Of Uterine Niche Following Caesarean Section, Ahmed A. Kassab, Ali E. Khayal

Journal of Medicine in Scientific Research

Background Caesarean section (CS) rates are rising globally, with Egypt reporting one of the highest rates. A potential complication of CS is the development of a uterine scar defect, or niche, which may be associated with abnormal bleeding, dysmenorrhea, and infertility. The technique of uterine closure may play a significant role in the prevention of niche formation. Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of double-layer uterine closure versus single-layer closure in preventing niche formation after a first CS, as assessed by transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) at six weeks postpartum. Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Mataryia Teaching Hospital, Cairo, including …

Leadership Studies In The Master Of Divinity (M.Div.) Curricula Of The Southern Baptist Convention (Sbc) Seminaries, Todd Stinnett

Dissertations

This dissertation chronicles the pursuit of an answer to the following question: In what ways have Southern Baptist Conventions (SBC) seminaries incorporated leadership studies into the curricula of their Master of Divinity (M.Div.) programs? This dissertation is a qualitative, multi-site case study that utilized a descriptive method of research. The research also utilized a qualitative interview that asked seminary administrators about their understanding of leadership studies and the place of those studies in the leadership courses that each seminary provided. One administrator from each of the six SBC seminaries was interviewed for this research. Content analysis was used to discover …

Insurance And Chapter 11 Bankruptcy: Is The Insurance Neutrality Doctrine Dead?, Mikaela Deleon

Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal

Insurers have traditionally been denied “party in interest” status under the Bankruptcy Code due to the longstanding insurance neutrality doctrine. The insurance neutrality doctrine prevents insurers from challenging a chapter 11 bankruptcy plan as a section 1109(b) “party in interest” if the plan does not increase the insurance company’s liability from pre-bankruptcy levels. If none of their rights or obligations were impacted by the plan, insurance companies were previously left without a means to challenge a proposed reorganization plan. As a result, insurance companies providing liability insurance to corporations stricken with mass tort lawsuits ran the risk of becoming the …

Using A Record Player Inspired Probe System To Investigate Adhesion And Friction Of Tire Rubber At Micrometer Length Scales, Kyle J. Galigher, Brendan Schmitt

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

We will be using the principles behind how a record player turns physical grooves into electrical signals to develop a device that can be used to measure the surface of tires. The device will be capable of measuring the surface roughness of rubber samples from both new and worn tires, in order to compare the differences between them. It will be operable at varying speeds, and will produce electrical signals that correspond to the bumps along the surface of the rubber. The design will be carried out and optimized with the use of SolidWorks modeling, finite element analysis, motion analysis, …

Active Altitude Control For High Powered Rockets, Henry Allen, Jason Secora, Charles Williams, Donavon Sanchez, Caleb Nedoma

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) is the premier collegiate high power rocketry competition in the world hosted by the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA). The Akronauts Rocket Design team has been competing in IREC since 2015 and have won several awards. The main goal of IREC is to launch a rocket to a specified altitude of 10k, 30k, or 45k ft while carrying a payload and successfully recover with little to no damage.

The control of a typical high-powered rocket is purely passive; the center of pressure of the rocket must be behind the center of gravity with respect …

The Impact Of Congenital Heart Disease On The Timing Of Alzheimer's Disease In Down Syndrome, Julianne G. Clina, Brian C. Helsel, Sigan L. Hartley, David A. White, Victoria L. Fleming-Batayneh, Benjamin Handen, Bradley Christian, Elizabeth Head, Mark Mapstone, Christy L. Hom, Beau Ances, Jeffrey Burns, H. Diana Rosas, Florence Lai, Sharon Krinsky Mchale, Joseph H. Lee, Frederick A. Schmitt, Jordan Harp, Ira T. Lott, Shahid Zaman, Lauren T. Ptomey

Neurology Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Down syndrome (DS) exceeds 90%. Approximately 50% of people with DS have congenital heart disease (CHD). Having CHD increases risk for early-onset AD in populations without DS, but it is unclear if CHD influences AD in DS. METHODS: Data from the Alzheimer Biomarker Consortium-Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) were used. Participants with CHD (n = 82, mean age = 39.9 ± 8.5 years, 97.6% White race) were age- and sex-matched to participants without CHD (n = 82, mean age = 40.5 ± 8.1 years, 98.8% White race). Cognitive assessments and Centiloid load (CL) (positron …

Hyperacute Interleukin-1Β Production And Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation In The Cerebral Circulation Of Stroke Patients With Large Vessel Occlusion, Justine Münsterberg, Caspar Brekenfeld, Hanna Englert, Marius Piepke, Regine J. Dress, Martin Oertel, Tina Fischer, Romy Hackbusch, Mingming Zha, Haodi Cai, Christian Casar, Ines S. Schädlich, Leo Winter, Alina Jander, Karoline Degenhardt, Maxim Bester, Fabian Flottmann, Uta Hanning, Brigitte Holst, Anna Worthman, Johanna Hiefner, Berenike Rutz, Eckhard Schlemm, Götz Thomalla, Bettina H. Clausen, Ann M. Stowe, Immo Prinz, Thiruma V. Arumugam, Markus Glatzel, Thomas Renné, Jens Fiehler, Eva Tolosa

Neurology Faculty Publications

Objective: Cerebral ischemia remains a major cause of disability, and the contribution of the hyperacute immune response is increasingly recognized. The aim of this study was to investigate the local inflammatory response in the affected brain of stroke patients with large vessel occlusion during the hyperacute phase of stroke. Methods: To decipher the role of myeloid immune cells in stroke-induced inflammation, we performed an unsupervised multiomics analysis of innate immune pathways in ischemic blood obtained directly from the occluded middle cerebral artery in 54 patients undergoing mechanical recanalization. Paired nonischemic arterial blood served as an internal control. Results: Stroke triggered …

Decoding The Human Pbmc Isonome, Patricia Hayes Doyle, Madeline L. Page, J. Anthony Brandon, Bernardo Aguzzoli Heberle, Brendan J. White, Ann Marie Stowe, Mark T.W. Ebbert

Neurology Faculty Publications

Long-read single-cell RNA sequencing provides an opportunity to understand human health and disease at a level difficult to resolve with bulk or short-read methods. This approach enables isoform-level investigation of cellular diversity and disease mechanisms and definition of cell-types, rather than using genes alone. Using a modified, microfluidic-free PIPseq workflow and computational pipeline adapted for Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing, we generated the largest long-read single-cell dataset of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a single donor to date, the first with sufficient cell numbers to detect megakaryocytes. This study profiled isoform usage across immune cells, integrating marker expression and …

A 1d Symmetric Interior Penalty Discontinuous Galerkin Solver In Rust, William Aey

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This honors project will build a 1D Symmetric Interior Discontinuous Galerkin (SIPDG) solver in Rust for Stum-Liouville type problems such as the Poisson equation, with Robin, Dirichlet, and Neumann boundary conditions. The work will cover the full pipeline: starting from the strong form of the PDE, deriving the DG weak form, implementing element and interface operators, and assembling or apply the discrete operator. Rust's safety and concurrency (e.g, via Rayon) will be used to explore serial and parallel performance. A test-driven development approach will be used to maintain a strong suite of tests. The project will result in a documented …

Determining Critical Micelle Concentrations Of Standard Surfactants And Rhamnolipids, Kathryn E. Kunz

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

My proposed project will study the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of rhamnolipids using the pendant-drop and drop-weight methods. First, the critical micelle concentrations of ionic and nonionic common surfactants will be tested. Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) will be used as an ionic surfactant and Tween 20 will be used as a nonionic surfactant. The critical micelle concentrations will be determined using the pendant-drop and drop-weight methods. The experimental results from the standard surfactants compared to their accepted values will be tested to assist with determining a more suitable approach. Completing the tests will provide a better understanding of critical micelle …

Ai-Based Porosity Detection In Babbitt Bore Turning, Kaylee Leggett, Hannah Adams Gemmell, Kaisa Shingleton

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

For this project, an external company reached out to the University of Akron requesting assistance with defect detection during their vertical turning operations. As babbitt is removed in a vertical turning process, it occasionally reveals defects, mainly porosity, which can lead to costly downstream failures of the part. Current inspection techniques involve use of dye penetrant, which is time consuming, labor intensive, unergonomic, and a source of human error. The goal of the project is to create an alternative inspection method using an AI-based machine-learning model. After the turning operation, a camera is deployed to perform an in-place inspection, taking …

Design New Stage For Vacuum Pin On Disk, Miranda Boyd

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

For my senior design project, I am redesigning the moving stage for the vacuum pin-on-disk test used in the Akron Engineering Tribology Lab. This system is used to evaluate bearings and lubricants for aerospace applications under controlled vacuum conditions. The current stage design limits flexibility when adjusting for different testing parameters, so my goal is to develop a new movable stage that allows for varying weights and loads to be applied accurately and safely. The redesigned stage will improve test efficiency, adaptability, and precision, ensuring the system can accommodate a wider range of experimental conditions and materials while maintaining compatibility …

Printer For Music Box, Chad Lewis, Caleb Murawski, Zion Smith, Bryan Tibbs

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The traditional method of creating music box sheet music involves manually punching holes into a paper strip using a hand-operated hole punch. This process involves precise knowledge of each note’s location and the ability to achieve perfect accuracy for hours.

The goal of this system is to automate this process, significantly reducing the time required while greatly improving the accuracy of the resulting music box playback. The user simply uploads a MIDI file of their choice into a user-friendly application. Here, the file is modified based on the user’s needs and sent to an automated hole-punching system to punch the …

Crashheart, Ellie Riekert, Kennady Skidmore, Madison Furino

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to develop an XR (extended reality) iPad training system to improve pediatric crash cart preparedness among nurses and clinical staff at Akron Children’s Hospital. In emergencies such as respiratory failure or shock, quick and accurate access to crash cart supplies is vital, yet opportunities for hands-on practice are limited. Current nurse training relies on PowerPoint instruction or costly physical simulations, reducing engagement and skill retention. Our interactive XR solution replicates the crash cart’s layout and contents, allowing users to practice identifying and retrieving critical items in a realistic environment without using physical supplies. The system will be …

Seat Belt Data Collection Methods: A Comparison Between States And National Guidelines, Madison R A Richards

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Thousands of fatalities related to vehicle crashes occur every year. One method to reduce fatalities is to encourage seat belt use compliance. To promote statistics regarding seat belt use, there first must be reliable data on seat belt compliance and this comes from good survey design.

This report is a comparative analysis of seat belt data collection methodologies for Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, in addition to an evaluation of how each state aligns with standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The framework for this analysis focuses on NHTSA’s five core survey design requirements: selection of observation …