Digital Commons Network^™

Alt-Sensory, Yevguenni Marseille

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

For blind pianists like Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, or a deaf drummer such as Evelyn Glennie, how is it that they explore music? For a deaf and blind activist like Helen Keller, how could she have explored the world? The intent of this thesis is to discern and then integrate the spatial qualities that enhance communication and exploration for the sensory impaired into the public fabric. Simultaneously, the goal is to design a space that supplies to the needs of the sensory Impaired while incorporating the desirable features of the unimpaired. Typically, sensory impaired design, otherwise known as accessible …

Quantifying Mrna In Highly Degraded Fixed Tissues By Nanostring Technology: A Comparative Study, Eros Azzalini, Barbara Di Stefano, Vincenzo Canzonieri, Tiziana Venesio, Umberto Miglio, Caterina Marchiò, Anna Sapino, Carlo Previderè, Paolo Fattorini, Serena Bonin

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Archive tissues are the most available source of human tissues useful for molecular analysis in translational research. The main issues for those specimens are the modification and degradation of biomolecules, namely proteins, DNA, and RNA. In the last decade, several high-throughput analytical methods have been applied to archive tissues. Although histological tissues are fixed in neutral-buffered formalin nowadays, in the recent past, Bouin's solution was also used in tissue processing. The present study aims to investigate the feasibility of nCounter Nanostring hybridization in quantifying mRNA in highly degraded samples, such as Bouin's fixed and paraffin-embedded (BFPE) tissues, in comparison to …

Living Emission Abolish Filters (Leafs) For Methane Mitigation: Design And Operation, Richard Hamilton, Nicholas Griffith, Peter Salamon, Robert Handler, Marina G. Kalyuzhnaya

Michigan Tech Publications

As one of the most potent greenhouse gases, methane is a critical target for the near-term mitigation of global warming. Efficient, scalable, easy-to-implement, and robust mitigation technologies are urgently needed to assist in reaching methane abolishment. The goal of this research was to test the applicability of active, extremophilic methanotrophic cells as a baseline concept for engineered systems aiming at methane capturing. The system, named living emission abolish filters (LEAFs), represents an array of immobilized biomaterials capable of capturing methane directly from vent streams. The biomaterials were made using cells of Methylotuvimicrobium alcaliphilum 20ZR, a robust halophilic methanotrophic bacterium with …

Effects Of Webgis-Based Spatial Intelligence Training On Geography Teacher's Spatial Skills, Lili Somantri, Siti Hamidah

Jurnal Pendidikan Geografi: Kajian, Teori, dan Praktek dalam Bidang Pendidikan dan Ilmu Geografi

The inadequate spatial intelligence of teachers culminates in students’ minimum spatial intelligence. As teachers carry the role of learning facilitators and instruments, spatial intelligence training is highly substantial for geographic teachers. This study aims to identify the effects of spatial intelligence training based on webGIS on the geographic teachers’ spatial intelligence. This study used a quantitative method with a pre-experimental design and a one-group pretest-postest with paired sample T-test data analysis. Our analysis results using T-test showed Sig. (2-tailed) 0.00 less than 0.05, indicating the influence of spatial intelligence training based on webGIS on geography teachers’ spatial intelligence. Besides, the …

Analysis On Unconfined Groundwater Availability During Dry And Rainy Season Using Dynamic Approach In Ngemplak, Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Sadewa Purba Sejati, Riski Edi Prayoga

Jurnal Pendidikan Geografi: Kajian, Teori, dan Praktek dalam Bidang Pendidikan dan Ilmu Geografi

Groundwater is a natural resource with disparity across the different regions throughout time. In comparison to surface water, the groundwater in unconfined aquifers is easily accessible and generally of good quality. Groundwater macro zoning is classified into three, namely water catchment areas, transition areas, and groundwater discharge areas. Based on the macro zoning, previous research has mostly been carried out in catchment areas and discharge areas with a focus on groundwater potential and temporary groundwater conditions. The dynamics of groundwater availability, especially in the water transition zone, has not been studied much, even though the dynamics of groundwater availability in …

Using Digital Twins To Protect Biomanufacturing From Cyberattacks, Brenden Fraser-Hevlin, Alec W. Schuler, B. Arda Gozen, Bernard J. Van Wie

Military Cyber Affairs

Understanding of the intersection of cyber vulnerabilities and bioprocess regulation is critical with the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning in manufacturing. We detail a case study in which we model cyberattacks on network-mediated signals from a novel bioreactor, where it is important to control medium feed rates to maintain cell proliferation. We use a digital twin counterpart reactor to compare glucose and oxygen sensor signals from the bioreactor to predictions from a kinetic growth model, allowing discernment of faulty sensors from hacked signals. Our results demonstrate a successful biomanufacturing cyberattack detection system based on fundamental process control principles.

Surmounting Challenges In Aggregating Results From Static Analysis Tools, Dr. Ann Marie Reinhold, Brittany Boles, A. Redempta Manzi Muneza, Thomas Mcelroy, Dr. Clemente Izurieta

Military Cyber Affairs

Aggregation poses a significant challenge for software practitioners because it requires a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of raw data from diverse sources. Suites of static-analysis tools (SATs) are commonly used to assess organizational security but simultaneously introduce significant challenges. Challenges include unique results, scales, configuration environments for each SAT execution, and incompatible formats between SAT outputs. Here, we document our experiences addressing these issues. We highlight the problem of relying on a single vendor's SAT version and offer a solution for aggregating findings across multiple SATs, aiming to enhance software security practices and deter threats early with robust defensive operations.

Characterizing Advanced Persistent Threats Through The Lens Of Cyber Attack Flows, Logan Zeien, Caleb Chang, Ltc Ekzhin Ear, Dr. Shouhuai Xu

Military Cyber Affairs

Effective cyber defense must build upon a deep understanding of real-world cyberattacks to guide the design and deployment of appropriate defensive measures against current and future attacks. In this abridged paper (of which the full paper is available online), we present important concepts for understanding Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), our methodology to characterize APTs through the lens of attack flows, and a detailed case study of APT28 that demonstrates our method’s viability to draw useful insights. This paper makes three technical contributions. First, we propose a novel method of constructing attack flows to describe APTs. This abstraction allows technical audiences, …

Generative Machine Learning For Cyber Security, James Halvorsen, Dr. Assefaw Gebremedhin

Military Cyber Affairs

Automated approaches to cyber security based on machine learning will be necessary to combat the next generation of cyber-attacks. Current machine learning tools, however, are difficult to develop and deploy due to issues such as data availability and high false positive rates. Generative models can help solve data-related issues by creating high quality synthetic data for training and testing. Furthermore, some generative architectures are multipurpose, and when used for tasks such as intrusion detection, can outperform existing classifier models. This paper demonstrates how the future of cyber security stands to benefit from continued research on generative models.

Determining The Exit State Of Centrifugal Pumps And Compressors, Chase Oliphant

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Meanline performance models have a rich history in the design of radial flow pumps and compressors. These models are typically based on point data, such as static pressures and temperature measurements at walls, along with occasional traverses to capture additional flow field details. These point measurements, while valuable, do not fully characterize the internal flow behavior within the machine. The Two-Zone model, developed by Japikse and others, is a meanline model based on these measurements to predict machine performance. It posits that the flow at the impeller exit consists of two distinct zones: a primary zone assumed to be isentropic …

Investigation Of Poly(Olefin Sulfone) Depolymerization And Its Dust Mitigation Abilities For Potential Use On Spacecraft, Alexandra Stapley, Walter Paxton, David Allred

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The ubiquity of particulate contamination requires dust mitigation techniques to provide low-scatter surfaces and edges on sensitive optical devices in space. Poly(olefin sulfone)s have been shown to photodegrade with the assistance of a photobase generator when exposed to UV light (254 nm) and heat (120°C). These may be applicable to minimizing dust on optical surfaces for space applications. However, their behavior in vacuum has not been fully characterized. We synthesized poly(2-methyl-1-pentene sulfone) (PMPS) and poly(1-hexene sulfone) (PHS) with and without a photobase generator. We studied the photodegradation (172 nm or 254 nm) of thin films in vacuum. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was …

Creating Models Of Inter-Panel Slipping In Rolled Gossamer Arrays, Nathan Coleman

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Many deployable satellite systems benefit from having low mass and high surface area, which has led to the proliferation of gossamer structures in space-based applications. Gossamer structures are characterized by lightweight, low stiffness membranes, which can flex and roll to compactly stow. An effect of rolling a gossamer structure is that there is tangential separation along adjacent panels as they roll, resulting in relative motion between panels. To aid designers in predicting and accommodating this motion, a method for modeling the slippage between adjacent panels that occurs while rolling is presented. This analytical slippage model and algorithm is a function …

Discovering What Cannot Be Seen: Dust Attenuation Modeling In Early-Type Galactic Nuclei, Nonnie Bash, Benjamin Boizelle

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Black holes (BHs) are believed to reside at the center of every luminous galaxy. Increasingly accurate techniques are now seeking to expand the BH census. Most of these primary techniques account for extended masses by using a stellar luminosity profile derived from optical or near-IR imaging. About 10% of early type galaxies (ETGs) contain a circumnuclear, dusty disk that obscures much of the stellar light originating from behind this thin disk. Few studies have accurately accounted for dust obscuration, or even acknowledged its effect on a BH mass measurement. In this work, we introduce a sample of ETGs with wide …

Expanded Fabrication Of Terahertz Metal Mesh Filters, Jared E. Payne, Joseph Eddy, Hunter R.J. Stevenson, Brad Ferguson, Ryan T. Beazer, Gregory N. Nielson, Stephen M. Schultz

Utah Space Grant Consortium

A metal mesh filter is fabricated by creating metallic squares on a dielectric substrate. This capacitive metallic filter is fabricated using direct write laser ablation consisting of a femtosecond laser in combination with a high numerical aperture objective. A galvanometer beam scanning system is implemented to improve filter size by 12.5x from the previously demonstrated 2x2 mm filter. The transmission and reflection characteristics are discussed.

Constant-Thickness Accommodation By Pattern Modification For Origami Flashers, H. Pruett, S. Magleby, L. Howell

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Thickness accommodation is one of the most significant challenges in creating an origami flasher array. If it is a membrane array, thickness accommodation is generally simpler as panel deformation allows the array to wrap about itself with relative ease. However, for rigid-panel arrays, thickness accommodation is considerably more complicated. This works develops thickness accommodation techniques that yield origami-inspired mechanisms of constant thickness and high-volume efficiency. In this paper, current methods for accommodating thickness in flashers are presented and issues associated with those methods are discussed. Two methods for accommodating thickness in flashers such that panels are constant thickness are proposed.

Optimizing Turbulence Generation For Studying The Dynamics Of Particle Laden Flows, Rhett T. Parry, Tim Berk

Utah Space Grant Consortium

In order to extend the study of particle dynamics into a turbulent fluid regime, novel apparatuses must be developed to simulate desired environments. Synthetic jets are a compact and adaptable tool to generate turbulent flows, however, current studies on synthetic jets are not focused on generating optimal turbulence. Our study seeks to understand how important physical parameters influence the generation of turbulence. By relating far field behavior to near field influence, the parameters that govern a synthetic jet can be specified to produce a jet with desired flow characteristics. We find scalings of velocity, momentum flux, and energy flux that …

Modeling The Effects Of Retinal Thinning And Oxidative Stress During Space Travel, Dillon Weatherston, Dylan Nelson, Justin Jones, Elizabeth Vargis

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Spaceflight causes both physical and chemical changes within the subretinal tissue, particularly the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch’s membrane. Changes such as layer thinning and increases in oxidative stress are both implicated in vision loss caused by spaceflight. While these changes can lead to cell death, the mechanistic impact that these changes have on retinal function are unknown. To isolate the physical alterations to the subretinal tissue caused by space travel, we utilized a tunable in vitro model of Bruch’s membrane and primary porcine RPE cells. Initial results showed that while thinner models can be constructed, they are difficult …

Evaluation Of Clinical Features Of Venturi Adapters For Cpap In Procedural Sedation, Trey Blackwell, Joseph Orr, Derek Sakata, Kai Kuck

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Research has shown that CPAP therapy reduces airway obstruction and oxygen desaturation during procedural sedation. However, the cost and real estate associated with a non-invasive ventilator render this an impractical approach. A Venturi adapter is an alternative device for administering CPAP, which amplifies oxygen flows to produce high flows sufficient for CPAP with cheap and compact hardware. A clinically useful Venturi adapter will generate low noise levels, exhibit high efficiency for generating pressures with low oxygen flows, and minimally dilute the end-tidal carbon dioxide sample for monitoring. To meet these needs, we designed and resin-printed a custom Venturi adapter for …

Developing Membrane Hinges To Enable Predictable And Reliable Arrays For Spacecraft, Mitchel Skinner, Andrew Geyser, Brandon Sargent, Spencer Magleby, Larry Howell

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Deployable space structures that incorporate thin, flexible solar cells allow for innovative designs that are capable of high stowing efficiency. The purpose of this work is to present an approach to predicting the deflection of deployable space structures with flexible panels connected with thin sheets as a function of their material properties, geometry, and applied moments. Related methods are described. An analytical model and finite element analysis are compared and validated with a physical model. The end angle, coordinates, and radius of curvature of each segment are calculated and the results are compared. Important factors related to the reliability of …

Chemical Herding: Using Chemical Reactions To Steer Colloidal Particles, Mark N. Mcdonald, Cameron K. Peterson, Douglas R. Tree

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Creating the next generation of dynamic colloidal materials that change their structure based on external stimuli may require the capability to precisely manipulate colloidal particles. Colloidal particles can be manipulated using a variety of forces, such as electric, magnetic, and optical, but so far chemical reactions have received less attention. We consider here a novel paradigm for using a chemically active colloidal particle to interact with other, passive colloids and precisely manipulate colloidal particles in a microfluidic device, a strategy which we dub “chemical herding”. Specifically, we show in simulation that chemical herding can be used to move a small …

Novel Apparatus For Studying The Effect Of Gravity On The Dynamics Of Particle Laden Flows, Ryan Lewis, Tim Berk

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Dust is a major concern for NASA Lunar and Martian missions due to its abrasive nature tendency to cover equipment. However, little is known how dust behaves in low gravity environments. This paper studies the methodology and validation of a novel apparatus that will simulate low gravity using upward coulomb forces. A parametric study found that the optimized charging parameters to create a charged particle stream, using corona discharge, was a wire-plate spacing of 25 mm at 8 kV and 30 mm at 9 kV. Future work will expand the platform to simulate low gravity in turbulent conditions.

Rr Lyrae Variable Star Light Curves As Audible Sound, Isaac Bentley, Jonathan Barnes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

RR Lyrae stars have light curves that look similar to sound waves inspiring curiosity as to how they might audibly sound. Differences in the composition of RR Lyrae, a property called metallicity, creates slight differences in their light curves. We aim to first convert these light curves to audio, and secondly, see if the difference in metallicity is perceptible. We did this by using publicly available magnitude data taken at several instances of time to create the light curve for one cycle. We processed this data using a Python script to produce a Fourier fit and sound file.

Production Of Steel From Lunar Regolith Through Carbonyl Iron Refining (Cir), Collin T. Andersen, John F. Otero, Olivia Dale, Christian Norman, Cole Walker, Jason Sheets, Talon Townsend, Juliana Ortiz, Olivia Slane, Hong Yong Sohn, Michael F. Simpson, Zhigang Z. Fang

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Transporting equipment to the moon is extremely cost-prohibitive, and competition is fierce over a limited cargo volume. Freight impediments are circumvented if the required material can be harvested, processed, and shaped at the destination. The hostile and remote environment constrains candidate technologies to establish a production pipeline with minimal equipment volume and a low dependence on consumables.

Rr Lyrae Variable Stars From The Gaia Dr3 Dataset In The Palomar 5 Stream, Jacob Best, Jonathan Barnes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Palomar 5 is a stellar stream orbiting the Milky Way galaxy. Using RR Lyrae variable stars, which are standard candles, the structure of stellar streams can be investigated. Results on the distribution of RR Lyrae variable stars in Palomar 5 have been obtained by Price-Whelan et al. (2020), hereafter PW, using the second data release (DR2) from the Gaia spacecraft mission, but have not been obtained for the third data release (DR3). Using DR3 we investigate whether additional RR Lyrae stars might be identified as part of the stream. Some may be, and these stars have similar locations and proper …

Microgravity Mobility: Redesigning Footwear And Intravehicular Activity Infrastructure For Space Stations, Bennett Graff

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Currently, on the International Space Station, the most commonly used foot restraints are handrails. This presents ergonomic challenges as astronauts try to maintain their position in a microgravity environment, which is exacerbated for astronauts with a predisposition to repetitive strain injuries.

Relevant contexts could include an astronaut with a preexisting medical condition such as early-onset osteoporosis (1 in 5 women over 50) or any astronaut traveling in deep space or spending extended time in microgravity, as this causes a significant decrease in bone density over time. Astronauts Scott Kelly and Don Petit specifically articulated the problematic nature of the current …

Establishing A Common Framework For Triangles, Jordan Gertino, Lane Law, Bryan Wilson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This study investigates the inscribing of a tetrahedron within a unit circle, presenting a unique approach to generate a comprehensive array of all triangles with a specific scale and orientation. While this endeavor is a work in progress, the ultimate objective is to establish a mapping between the creation angle and the resulting transformation of the triangle. This research aims to yield a set of triangles characterized by consistent side ratios, which can serve as a benchmark for scalable transformations. By creating a standard family of triangles this research may provide a different framework in geometric manipulation with potential applications …

Enhancing Bioluminescence, Olivia Harrison, Lane Law

Utah Space Grant Consortium

In this project, we aim to develop a strain of Escherichia coli expressing high levels of luminescence via the use of a NanoLuc. derivative, cyan-based LumiFluor (CeNLuc). CeNLuc is a self-illuminating bioluminescent-fluorescent protein that generates biologic light via bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). We have obtained the plasmids, and are preparing to transform E. coli. cultures.

Exploring Using Dr3 Rr Lyrae Photometry To Determine Extinction In The Native Gaia Bandpasses, Izen Longhurst, Jonathan Barnes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Recent advancements in astrometry and photometry from the Gaia mission's Data Release 3 (DR3) offer new opportunities for astronomical research, particularly in studying interstellar reddening. Traditional approaches to correcting for reddening involve extensive calculations with data from multiple sources. This study aims to streamline the process by crafting relations internal to the DR3 dataset. Using a Gaia RR Lyrae variable color and their membership in globular clusters, we identified a correlation between the Gaia’s internal G - G_RP magnitude and g-band absorption. Leveraging this correlation, we developed a relation to estimate reddening effects using solely Gaia data. Our predictions …

Rr Lyrae Variable Metallicities In Globular Clusters With Known Multiple Stellar Populations, Brent Lane Racker Jr., Jonathan Barnes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Recent measurements showed that many globular clusters (GCs) contain multiple populations. Among GC stellar membership, variable stars called RR Lyrae are commonly used as tracers. We set out to look at RR Lyrae variable stars that are within confirmed multiple population GCs to investigate if the metallicities or RR Lyrae periods could be used as indicators for multiple populations. We used Gaia spacecraft data in conjunction with measurements on multiple populations (Milone et al. 2017) to check for correlations between metallicity and the fraction of first generation stars to the total numbers of stars (N₁/N_Tot). While …

Assessing Mycorrhizal Influence On Heat-Stressed Poplar Voc Blends, Luis Valdez, Annette Shelton, Mary Alvarez, Lane Law

Utah Space Grant Consortium

VOCs are organic compounds released by plants as gases into the atmosphere. They’ve been shown to play important roles in plant defense, plant-plant interactions, multi-trophic interactions, as well as atmospheric chemistry. Some VOCs can be induced as a result of stress. Some Terpenes & LOX pathway products, in particular, have been shown to be inducible as a result of environmental stress, such as drought or heat. Terpenes, which are made of isoprene subunits, are bigger, more complex molecules and have been shown to generally have and antioxidant function. (Vickers et al. 2009)