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Developing Predictive Mathematical Model For Optimizing Coating Weight Variation In Galvalume Production: A Case Study Of A Metal Industry, Victoria Mahabi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Variations in coating weight for galvanized steel sheets can result in notable differences between batches. Such variations may cause various issues, such as diminished corrosion resistance, lower mechanical strength, and visual defects, which can ultimately drive-up costs, lead to customer dissatisfaction, and pose safety risks. Even with attempts to manage elements like air knife pressure and line speed, coating weight inconsistencies remain challenging. The research focuses on developing a predictive mathematical model designed to optimize variations in coating weight during Galvalume production. The critical parameters influencing coating weight variation were identified and analysed using a systematic literature review, primary data …

Innovative Circular Business Model As A Tool For Applying Rational Consumption Of The Natural Resource Landscape, Nataliia Gavkalova, John Martin, Nadiia Shmygol

Professional Services

Economic growth within the traditional linear production model increases environmental pressure, depleting resources, and raising pollution levels. In contrast, the circular economy promotes closed production cycles, ensuring the repeated use of extracted resources. However, transitioning to this model requires active innovation adoption. Despite its rising popularity, circular economy concepts remain underdeveloped scientifically, lacking formulated models that comprehensively address implementation in both public and private sectors. This study aims to theoretically and practically substantiate the development of an innovative circular business model as a tool for rational natural resource consumption. Achieving this requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating business models, technological innovations, …

Bridging The Gap Between Science And Technology: A Descriptive Study Identifying Factors Influencing 6-8th Grade Science Teachers’ Implementation Of Virtual Laboratory Simulations, Coral Nicole Hoesli

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers at a South Carolina middle school in the United States were not implementing virtual laboratory simulations at the same rate as other middle schools in the district. This descriptive research examined 6th-8th grade middle school science teacher perceptions and influencing factors behind the choice to implement virtual laboratory simulations. The study examined two research questions: (1) what are the personal and social factors influencing science teachers’ decisions to implement a virtual laboratory simulation, and (2) what are the structural factors influencing science teachers’ decisions to implement a virtual laboratory simulation?

The National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) and the International …

Assessing Relationships Between Water Quality, Precipitation, Land Cover And Stormwater Conveyance Type Across A Range Of Sub-Watersheds In The Southeastern Coastal Zone, Kevencia Sabine Gabriel Faton

Theses and Dissertations

The expansion of urban land use/cover along the coast may degrade water quality by introducing a plethora of pollutants and pathogens that negatively impact human and ecological health. It is hypothesized that anthropogenic contaminants associated with stormwater runoff increase with increasing urban density and vary with the timing and magnitude of rainfall. In this study, we examined land use/cover change and relationships between Escherichia coli (E. coli), turbidity, nutrients, and the timing and magnitude of rainfall in two different types of stormwater conveyances (ditches and ponds) within Murrells Inlet, SC during the summer of 2023. Our results indicate …

Building A Framework For Analyzing Non-Linear And Multidimensional Kinetics, Mainak Dhar

Theses and Dissertations

Many materials exhibit multiple rates of molecular relaxation due to structural complexities. Standard linear and one-dimensional kinetic cannot extract all the necessary dynamic information about these systems. This dissertation contributes to an overarching scheme to develop new non-linear and multidimensional kinetic experiments to obtain this information. The studies span computation and experiments, picosecond to second timescales, and both single-molecule and pulsed-laser kinetics

Single-molecule kinetics experiments yield time series that contain information about unique structural and dynamic properties of materials. However, these time series are noisy, and data analysis is challenging. Parametric methods are computationally intensive and require strong, unverifiable assumptions …

The Design And Optimization Of Optical Systems For The Detection And Characterization Of Phytoplankton, Caitlyn M. English

Theses and Dissertations

Phytoplankton are among the smallest organisms found in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Despite their small size, phytoplankton play a vital role in sustaining life on Earth as primary producers. Through oxygenic photosynthesis phytoplankton are also responsible for large scale carbon fixation and oxygen production. The distribution of phytoplankton in a given water resource can exhibit a high degree of variability across time and space, and this is in large part due to their varying sensitivities to environmental conditions such as resource availability and grazing by predator organisms. As such, phytoplankton community structure is widely used as an investigative tool for …

Systems Check: A Qualitative Case Study Of Educators And Parent-Educators Supporting Adolescent Readers From An Ecological Systems Perspective, Kristi Nicole Grooms

Theses and Dissertations

In spite of decades of research and an abundance of well-intentioned intervention efforts, supporting adolescent readers, particularly at the middle level, remains a significant area of concern for educators in the United States. The struggles are present for educators working to help underperforming readers reach grade-level and keep advanced readers motivated and engaged. At home, parents and guardians experience similar challenges. Data on adolescent comprehension performance continues to be frustrating in terms of producing consistent positive results. This qualitative action research study investigated the ongoing challenge of supporting adolescent readers, specifically within the context of 7th grade, through a systems …

Retrospective Observational Analysis In A Cohort Patients In Treatment With Alirocumab And Evolocumab: Focus On C-Ldl Values, Salvatore Coppolino, Veronica Crucitti, Febronia Federico, Emanuele Leotta, Emmanuele Soraci

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Hypercholesterolemia is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Statins are the drugs of first choice, but many patients fail to reach the recommended levels of LDL cholesterol, or are intolerant. The PCSK9 inhibitor drugs (Alirocumab and Evolocumab) are anti-PCSK9 antibodies: represent a new pharmacological approach, and have been approved as an adjunct to Statins or in intolerant patients. The aim of the work was to carry out a retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients treated with anti-PCSK9 antibodies. The AIFA Therapeutic Plans were received by the Pharmacy from 01/01/2021 to 06/30/2023 by extrapolating data such as: sex, age, …

Internalisasi Misogini: Kekerasan Seksual Sebagai Senjata Perang, Umanitya Fitri Hanryana, Lg. Saraswati Putri

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This study examines the role of internalized misogyny in sexual violence used as a weapon of war. Misogyny in patriarchal cultures fosters hatred towards women, facilitating sexual violence in armed conflicts. Cases in the Congo, Rwanda, Ukraine, and Yugoslavia demonstrate how sexual violence is systematically employed to demean and destroy women. Through a feminist critical approach and qualitative analysis, this research reveals that sexual violence in war is often not recognized as a weapon of war due to the inferior position of women in patriarchal societies, being merely seen as ordinary crimes despite being systematic and structured human rights violations. …

Praktik Memancing Di Jerman: Kegemaran Dan Tanggung Jawab, Adelia Rachman, Setiadi Setiadi

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

Angling has been taking place and is deeply rooted in historically German culture. Its functionality evolves from subsistence, economic livelihoods, customs and traditions, to recreational activities offering enjoyment of nature. Summer field research was conducted around Baden-Württemberg and Hessen with ten anglers of diverse backgrounds living in Germany. The qualitative ethnographic research and perspective-taking approach were applied through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and literature studies to explore the current angling culture in freshwater ecosystem landscapes comprising angling experiences and practices, and anglers’ perceptions. The research findings demonstrate angling goes beyond fondness, it is a matter of responsibility in terms of …

Production Of Potassium-Rich Biofertilizer From Composted Banana Peels And Watermelon Rinds, Neema O. Msuya

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study investigated the production of biofertilizer from composted banana peels and watermelon rinds, focusing on the mineral content and its impact on plant growth. The process involved characterizing raw materials, producing biofertilizer, analyzing mineral concentrations (potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus), and evaluating its quality through Spiny Amaranth seed growth. A compost bin with three compartments was designed, testing three composting ratios of banana peels to watermelon rinds (2:1, 1:2 and 1:1). Composting was monitored on moisture content, pH, organic matter, and temperature for 37 days. The 1:1 ratio had the lowest temperature (33.45°C) and highest pH (7.08), while the 2:1 …

Merit, Equity And Intersectionality: Autoethnographic Examination Of Perceived Race And Gender-Based Discrimination In The Workplace, Shavanna Henry

Theses and Dissertations

This autoethnographic action research dissertation uses intersectionality, critical race theory, and racial battle fatigue theoretical lenses to examine my mental health as I experienced perceived race-based and gender-based discrimination at a public high school on the West Coast of the United States. The goal was to examine how my mental health was impacted during the development and attempted implementation of a DEI plan, and how my mental health was affected by the intersectionality of race and gender. I used journal entries and digital artifacts to craft seven vignettes that captured my experience. The findings from coding and analyzing data showed …

Bilateral Germ Cell Tumor Of The Testis: Biological And Clinical Implications For A Stem Versus Genetic Origin Of Cancers, Jamaal C Jackson, Darren Sanchez, Aron Y Joon, Marcos R Estecio, Andrew C Johns, Amishi Y Shah, Matthew Campbell, John F Ward, Louis L Pisters, Charles C Guo, Miao Zhang, Niki M Zacharias, Shi-Ming Tu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Germ cell tumors of the testis (GCTs) provide an ideal tumor model to investigate the cellular versus genetic origin of cancers. In this single institutional study, we evaluated 38 patients with bilateral GCT, including tumors that occurred simultaneously (synchronous) and those occurring at different times (metachronous). For nine of these patients, DNA was isolated from the right and left GCT to determine the genomic and epigenetic differences between tissues using whole-exome sequencing (WES) and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). We found that seminomas and non-seminomas are molecularly distinct based on DNA methylation and not due to synchronous or metachronous disease. …

Speculating A Swarm-Based Symbiotic Architecture In The Era Of Mothering Nature, Heidy Sekardini, Rini Suryantini

ARSNET

This experimental design study explores forms of adaptive architecture that reflect the symbiotic connection between humans and nature. Responding to the growing ecological between human and nature, this paper speculates how architecture can be an entity that coexists and co-evolves with nature. Instead of positioning architecture as a static entity, this symbiotic architecture introduces the conceptual figure of Homo botanicus as human species that grows and regenerates nature as its imperative, initiating the era of Mothering Nature. The study starts by investigating the adaptive strategy of plants that grow symbiotically within their natural biomes. The biological growth mechanism of plants …

The Effects Of Prescribed Medications On Depressive Symptoms And Neurocognitive Performance In People With Hiv, Asante R Kamkwalala, Avery Matthews, Ankita Garg, Upal Roy, Qing Ma, Maile Karris, Erin Sundermann, Ronald J Ellis, Patricia K Riggs, Mattia Trunfio, Jennifer Blanchard, David J Moore, Leah H Rubin, Scott L Letendre

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Alterations in brain function and structure, such as depression and neurocognitive impairment, continue to occur in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PWH) taking suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART). The lifespan of PWH has improved but the healthspan remains worse than people without HIV, in part because of aging-related diseases. As a result, polypharmacy is common and increases the risk of drug-drug interactions and adverse reactions.

Methods: This cross-sectional project investigated the relationship between 7 medication-related metrics (including anticholinergic burden), depressive symptoms, and neurocognitive performance in 491 PWH at a single center in the United States. All participants were taking …

The Potency Of Polymeric Nanoparticles As New Drug Delivery System: A Narrative Review, Kiky M. Ariesaka, Zulfa Hidayati, Siti Nurhayati, Ni L.M.N. Dewi, Moh M. Nuryady

Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy Research

Polymeric nanoparticles are particles ranging from 1 to 1,000 nm that can be loaded with active compounds. Polymeric nanoparticles can be classified based on their morphological structure into nanocapsules and nanospheres. In addition, polymeric nanoparticles can also be classified based on the compound’s origin into natural and synthetic polymer. The nanoparticle production method is adjusted based on the type of drug that will be loaded. The methods commonly used for the production of polymeric nanoparticles are solvent evaporation, solvent emulsification/ diffusion, nanoprecipitation, emulsification/ reverse-salting out, and nanoprecipitation. This review also provides several examples of clinical applications of nanoparticles in the …

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Secretome For Ischemic Stroke: Cd31 And Vegf Expression, Sisca Silvana, Iskandar Japardi, Muhammad Rusda, Rini Savitri Daulay, Agung Putra, Irawan Mangunatmadja, Dewi Masyithah Darlan, Sri Sofyani, Yana Andreas

Baghdad Science Journal

Standard treatments for ischemic stroke are intravenous thrombolysis and endovascular recanalization. In the acute phase (

Intermittent Fasting And Cardiometabolic Health In Adults With Obesity: A Scoping Review, Tri Siswati, Lathifa Zahra Putri Nugroho, Natasya Nurul Gina, Almira Sitasari, Agus Wijanarka

Indonesian Journal of Public Health Nutrition (IJPHN)

Obesity is a significant global health challenge, with adverse impacts on cardiometabolic health such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. One promising intervention in obesity management is intermittent fasting (PI). However, scientific evidence on the impact of IF on cardiometabolic health is still limited. This study used a scoping review design to evaluate the association between IF and cardiometabolic health in obese adults. Reference sources are available in English at least abstract between 2015–2023 as well as from PubMed and Google Scholar web sources. The search keywords on PubMed are "Adult AND intermittent fasting AND cardiometabolic" and on Google Scholar …

The Future Of Citizen Science For Marine Litter Research: What Are The Benefits To Be Realised And The Challenges To Be Overcome?., Matthew Peacock, N. P. Ghilardi-Lopes, A. Turra, Thais Rech, L. A. Kawabe, Birgitta Gatersleben, Kayleigh Wyles

School of Psychology

Public engagement in marine litter research is increasing. Further advancing this approach requires a critical examination of the benefits of citizen science and the primary challenges that we must overcome. A thematic analysis of survey responses from 56 professionals (scientists and project organisers) who use citizen science to investigate marine litter revealed nine significant benefits alongside ten key challenges. Benefits were identified for the citizen scientists (e.g., learning something new), science (e.g., reducing data collection costs), and the environment (e.g., less plastic waste in the environment). Challenges identified fell within three categories related to: 1) involving citizens in science (e.g., …

Technical Feasibility Analysis Of Green Energy Storage Options And Hornsea Wind Farms, Muhammad Maqbool, Jahir Rizvi, Yeaw Chu Lee, Pablo Borja

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

The global transition towards clean energy sources is becoming essential to reduce reliance on conventional fuels and mitigate carbon emissions. In the future, the clean energy storage landscape, green hydrogen, and green ammonia (powered by renewable energy sources) are emerging as key players. This study explores the prospectives and feasibility of producing and storing offshore green hydrogen and green ammonia. The potential power output of Hornsea one and Hornsea two winds farms in the United Kingdom was calculated using real wind data. The usable electricity from the Hornsea one wind farm was 5.83 TWh/year, and from the Hornsea two wind …

Distribution Of Mussels In Two Intermittent Upland Streams Of The Arkansas Valley Ecoregion, Aaron A. Brady, Seth Drake, Zach Crain, Kendall Moles

ATU Scholars Symposium

Freshwater mussels are facing an increasing need for conservation due to their declining populations. More data is needed on mussel distributions, especially in tributaries of large rivers to properly conserve and restore populations. Big Shoal Creek and Little Shoal Creek are two upland-tributaries of the Arkansas River (Lake Dardanelle) in which no records exist for freshwater mussel populations. We addressed this knowledge gap by sampling a total of 9 sites in Little Shoal Creek and 18 sites in Big Shoal Creek to determine the abundance and distribution of mussels in these streams. Mussels were sampled using a timed search approach. …

Dual Colorimetric And Fluorometric Detection Of Hydrogen Peroxide In Aqueous Samples, Nathan F. Surles, Kaitlin A. Edwards

ATU Scholars Symposium

In this project, a simple, inexpensive colorimetric and fluorometric method for determining hydrogen peroxide in aqueous samples is described. In this method, aryl boronic acid is de-protected to produce a red dye that absorbs and emits in the red/near infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Upon deprotection by the hydrogen peroxide, an intramolecular charge transfer occurs between a strong phenolate donor and a TCF acceptor to produce the strong absorption and bright fluorescence. This allows naked eye detection of hydrogen peroxide within seconds in water under physiological conditions. The detection limit is impressive and falls in the sub-micromolar (µM) range. …

Gathering A Population Assessment Of Endemic Ozark Longear Sunfish (Lepomis Sp. Ozark) In The Illinois Bayou Watershed, Kade Zeiner

ATU Scholars Symposium

The Ozark Longear Sunfish (Lepomis sp. Ozark) is a species endemic to the Ozark Highlands and Boston Mountains, primarily found in headwater streams that dry up in the summer. Their spawning period occurs from May to August, and because of the impact dry seasons have on water level in headwater streams, there's a possibility their population and health may be impacted. As an endemic species, they play a key role in their ecosystem, and their unique position makes them significant for both ecological and recreational reasons. Because of the wide variety of Sunfish species the state offers, new recreational challenges …

Design Of A Teleoperabletendon-Driven Robotic Hand, Zachary Giese, Joseph Gober, Samuel Grisham, Avery Mahan, Aspen White, Brayden May, Aspen White

ATU Scholars Symposium

This work presents the design, implementation, and validation of a 3D-printed tendon-driven robotic hand with a bi-directional wireless control system. The robotic hand emulates human anatomical principles, focusing on replicating flexion and extension mechanisms of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints via a tendon-pulley system. Iterative prototyping resolved initial challenges in joint stiffness, tendon routing, and servo interference, culminating in a design where a single servo drives both flexion and extension for each joint using a bidirectional tendon control mechanism. A reliable bidirectional wireless communication framework, using Arduino Nano Every microcontrollers and NRF24L01 modules, enables …

Bibliometric Analysis Of Research Trends Related To Human Immunodeficiency Virus., Madyson E. Johnson, Kaitlyn R. Coffman, Valerie Rivas, Elizabeth Barrett

ATU Scholars Symposium

Human immunodeficiency virus poses major health burden across the globe including the United States of America and has its zoonotic origin from the Simian Immunodeficiency viruses of sooty mangabey monkey and chimpanzee in Africa. Epidemiological trends indicate that even though the mortality rates for HIV are falling globally, the rates of new cases have been rising since 2010 in several countries including the USA. An estimated 0.5% of the human population is currently infected with the virus with countries like USA, India, Nigeria and South Africa carrying the highest burden of the disease. Host receptors such as CD4 and coreceptors …

Discovering And Characterizing Novel Temperate Bacteriophage Infecting Arthrobacter Globiformis B-2979, Paige M. Baldwin, Michael Bennet, Evangelia A. Buonamici, Hanan E. Isik, Niran E. Isik, Vienna Li, Mia R. Mazakas, Aaryan M. Modi, Nikita Muppoor, Kylie A. Oliver, Vidhi M. Patel, Kylie Tabak, Jamie K. Yu, Laura Weber

STEM Student Research Symposium Posters

AmiCi24 is a novel temperate bacteriophage collected from a soil sample originating in Sewell, NJ, USA and cultivated with Arthrobacter globiformis B-2979. AmiCi24 is a Siphoviridae morphotype, belonging to the cluster AS and subcluster of AS3. The AmiCi24 genome consists of 38,466 basepairs, encoding 68 genes.

Geochronology Of Pfas In Jamaica Bay Sediment Cores, Grace Capili Lira

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Sediment is a key component of aquatic ecosystems, as they provide habitats and nutrients for benthic plants and animals. This research is investigating the PFAS content in sediment cores from Jamaica Bay, New York. Using an approach of geochronology, the goal of this research is to produce a timeline displaying the concentration distribution of PFAS. This will allow the analysis of the efficacy of phasing out PFAS, as they are persistent chemicals that are extremely harmful to human and ecological health. We found that PFCA and PFSA concentrations are not decreasing, indicating there is continued environmental input.

Ecosystem Stability In The Late Cretaceous Preceding The Chicxulub Impact, Anna Gamal, Anthony Uriarte

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The K-Pg mass extinction significantly altered the course of life on Earth— nearly 75% of all life went extinct. However, we still do not know the exact cause of this extinction event. There are two hypotheses: 1) the extinction was created solely by the Chicxulub meteor impact; 2) the global ecosystem was already in decline before the meteor. Here, we test these hypotheses using fossils from the Lance Creek Formation of Wyoming. We gathered data on taxonomic richness, abundance, evenness and compared our data to historically well-sampled sites. Continued testing on these two hypotheses will allow us to gather support …

Investigating The Stabilization Degree In Cold Temperatures Of The Microtubule Associated Protein Spm-1 Of The Malaria Parasite Plasmodium., Tanya Stoeva

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

The protozoan malaria parasite Plasmodium maintains its cellular shape with a network of cytoskeletal structures under its plasma membrane known as the subpellicular complex. Microtubules play a key part in this stabilizing complex. The novel microtubule inner proteins SPM-1and TrxL-1 are hypothesized to form stabilization complexes inside the microtubules for regulation and structural reinforcement. My project investigates the role of SPM-1 in microtubule stabilization by utilizing a human cell line as a model system. The results of my research will give us new insights into the adaptive mechanisms of the malaria parasite.

Comparative Population Genetics Of Astragalus Lentiginosus And Its Toxic Fungal Endophyte, Zoe Smutko

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Astragalus L. (Leguminosae, Fabaceae) is the most species-rich plant genus in the world, with roughly 3,000 species. These “locoweeds” cause grazing animals to suffer from chronic neurological wasting disease leading to an estimated loss of 100 million dollars annually. These conditions are the result of the toxin swainsonine, which is present in certain species of Astragalus. Swainsonine is not produced by the plant but is a secondary metabolite synthesized by mutualistic fungal endophytes. However, natural swainsonine levels are variable both across and within Astragalus species causing some questions about why some Astragalus varieties exhibit this mutualism and others do not.