Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Daylight Using Sustainable Natural Lighting Techniques In Modern Architecture, سارة حسني شعلان أ.م.د/ لبني عبد الفتاح أغا

Journal of Engineering Research

Natural lighting is one of the basic criteria for the architectural design process. It is one of the most important data that contributes to the design of architectural spaces and the manifestation of aesthetic values. In light of the global technological development and the scientific and information revolution, the role of the architect comes in highlighting the importance of natural lighting and its positive role in human biology, and reducing effort and psychological pressure in the event of Its use is an alternative to artificial lighting, as it increases human efficiency and achievement at work, in addition to giving a …

The Impact Of Green Infrastructure On Urban Heat Island Phenomenon In Existing Cities, Neveen Youssef Azmy Basant Elsayed Abu-Farrag, Walaa Abou El-Haggag Mehanna

Journal of Engineering Research

Rapid urbanization and overpopulation, along with a lack of green space, led to an increase in air temperature, lowering the rate of thermal comfort in dense urban areas, decreasing air quality, and increasing the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon, particularly in existing cities. As a result, the research aims to reduce the UHI effect and improve the thermal performance of existing Egyptian cities by adopting green infrastructure (GI) principles and demonstrating their effectiveness on the UHI phenomenon. This research concentrates on the UHI phenomenon as one of the environmental issues facing urbanization and includes a review of green infrastructure (GI) …

Using Recycled Materials Towards Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Building In Hot Regions – A Review, Mai W. Madkour Hosny A. Dewer, And Shaimaa M. Refaat

Journal of Engineering Research

Due to population growth and increased urban activity, there is a rise in waste production, which poses health and environmental risks. Additionally, the extraction and transportation of natural resources to places of employment require significant energy consumption, and the world has therefore moved to seek new alternatives away from traditional construction methods by recycling building materials such as concrete, brick, glass, wood, etc., or using new building materials such as rice straw, plastics, corks, etc., taking into account architectural design. The research is aimed at demonstrating that recycled materials have the potential to perform a better environmental performance by preserving …

Heritage Preservation In Egyptian Villages And Centers, Azza Elsakka Ahmed Abdalwahaab , Ebtehal Fady Shareef

Journal of Engineering Research

Heritage holds deep significance as a collective memory and a source of pride for any society. However, in today's world, it has evolved beyond its symbolic status and emerged as a crucial factor in human development across various dimensions. Preserving and restoring heritage has thus become an urgent issue that demands extensive cooperation between governments, international society, and community associations.

Eco-Urbanism: Integrating The Transformation Of Sustainability Into City Design, Mira Ibrahim Helmi

Journal of Engineering Research

Eco-Urbanism, as a contemporary approach to city design, strives to seamlessly embed sustainability into the very fabric of urban environments. This abstract delves into the fundamental principles & aspirations of Eco-Urbanism, illustrating its commitment to catalysing a paradigm shift that harmonizes ecological, economic, social dimensions within cities. In a world increasingly defined by urbanization and ecological challenges, Eco-Urbanism emerges as an imperative response to the imperative for sustainable urban planning. It envisions cities that are not merely centres of growth but are purposefully designed to coexist with and protect their natural surroundings, nurture economic vitality, and champion social inclusivity. Key …

Public Realm For Enhanced Quality Of Life :Interactive Spaces Combating Climate Change, Amal M . El- Ellithy , Mohamed M. Yossef , And Mai W. Madkour

Journal of Engineering Research

Currently, facing climate change stands as a crucial focus within architecture, urban planning and design .Urban design is constructive endeavor aimed at benefiting the public. The public realm that creates the environment for individuals and communities to effectively, safely, meaningfully and permanently lead their lives .For a prolonged duration the public realm have been formulated to accommodate severe climatic conditions .the reality persists that the essence of a signification public realm continue to be widely disregarded . The aim is to clarify how exceptional quality, effectively designed, and well-managed approaches can be beneficial to implement as a strategy for climate …

Food Waste And Composting In Georgetown County, Kendal Mackison

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

No abstract provided.

Lithium And Water: Hydrosocial Impacts Across The Life Cycle Of Energy Storage, James J. A. Blair, Noel Vineyard, Dustin Mulvaney, Alida Cantor, Ali Sharbat, Kate Berry, Elizabeth Bartholomew, Ariana Firebaugh Ornelas

Geography Faculty Publications and Presentations

As a key ingredient of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), lithium plays a significant role in climate change mitigation, but lithium has considerable impacts on water and society across its life cycle. Upstream extraction methods—including open-pit mining, brine evaporation, and novel direct lithium extraction (DLE)—and downstream processes present different impacts on both the quantity and quality of water resources, leading to water depletion and contamination. Regarding upstream extraction, it is critical for a comprehensive assessment of lithium's life cycle to include cumulative impacts related not only to freshwater, but also mineralized or saline groundwater, also known as brine. Legal frameworks …

Overview Of The Nsf Eng/Cbet Division: Core Programs And Convergence Research Opportunities, Nora Savage

Nanotechnology Convergence for Sustainable Energy, Environment, Climate Change and Health: a US-Africa Conference

Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

A Stable Isotope Study To Investigate Water Movement In The Los Lagos Region Of Southern Chile, Kritan Subedi

Civil Engineering ETDs

The Los Lagos region in southern Chile, located in northwest Patagonia, features rain-fed agricultural lands, glacial lakes, forests, farmlands, and volcanic soils. This study investigates water movement within a micro-basin using stable isotope analysis and hydrological modeling over eight weeks. It aims to develop a conceptual model of water movement by elucidating interactions between precipitation, soil water, and streamflow. Findings highlight the critical role of deeper soil layers in sustaining streamflow during dry spells and indicate that soil acts as a buffer, maintaining hydrological continuity despite variable precipitation. Improved understanding of these dynamics can inform watershed management and water resource …

Optimized Gadolinium-Do3a Loading In Raftpolymerized Copolymers For Superior Mr Imaging Of Aging Blood–Brain Barrier, Hunter A. Miller, Aaron Priester, Evan T. Curtis, Krista Hilmas, Ashleigh Abbott, Forrest Kievit, Anthony J. Covertine

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The development of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) has been pivotal in advancing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), offering enhanced soft tissue contrast without ionizing radiation exposure. Despite their widespread clinical use, the need for improved GBCAs has led to innovations in ligand chemistry and polymer science. We report a novel approach using methacrylate-functionalized DO3A ligands to synthesize a series of copolymers through direct reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. This technique enables precise control over the gadolinium content within the polymers, circumventing the need for subsequent conjugation and purification steps, and facilitates the addition of other components such as targeting ligands. …

Global Scoping Review Of Behavioral Interventions To Reduce Plastic Pollution With Recommendations For Key Sectors, Sohvi Nuojua, Deborah Louise Cracknell, Anja Heske, Sabine Pahl, Kayleigh J. Wyles, Richard C. Thompson

School of Psychology

End users of single‐use plastics can help minimize their contribution to plastic pollution via mindful purchasing and waste management. These behaviors can be impacted via behavior change interventions in various key sectors of society. This review set out to summarize recent (2015–2023) peer‐reviewed evidence on interventions aimed at changing the plastic consumption, recycling, and/or littering behaviors of individuals across four sectors: business and retail, tourism and leisure, schools and education, and communities. Systematic literature searches were conducted across multiple databases and resulted in the inclusion of 92 intervention studies. Information on intervention strategy and effectiveness was extracted, and the studies …

A Case Study Of Endocrine And Immune Responses To Traditional Hand-Tap Tattooing, Lauren A. Landgraf, Tomasz Nowak, Jeffrey Gassen, Michael Muehlenbein, Christopher D. Lynn

Pacific Journal of Health

Tattooing is a stressor that could have adaptive benefits. Previous research indicates that endocrine and immune systems adjust to the stress of modern electric tattooing over lifetime experience, but it is unclear how these systems react to traditional hand-tap tattooing. The objective of this study was to explore how the body responds to this intense cultural stressor through examining traditional tattooing in Samoa, where saliva samples were collected throughout the first day from a Samoan man receiving the tattoo. Morning elevations and diurnal profiles of cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), and bacteria killing activity (BKA) are described, …

The Effect Of Cesarean Delivery On The Neonatal Gut Microbiome In An Under-Resourced Population In The Bronx, Ny, Usa, Sandra E Reznik, Ayodele J Akinyemi, David Harary, Mariam S Latuga, Mamta Fuloria, Maureen J Charron

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

BACKGROUND: Neonatal and early-life gut microbiome changes are associated with altered cardiometabolic and immune development. In this study, we explored Cesarean delivery effects on the gut microbiome in our high-risk, under-resourced Bronx, NY population.

RESULTS: Fecal samples from the Bronx MomBa Health Study (Bronx MomBa Health Study) were categorized by delivery mode (vaginal/Cesarean) and analyzed via 16 S rRNA gene sequencing at four timepoints over the first two years of life. Bacteroidota organisms, which have been linked to decreased risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes, were relatively reduced by Cesarean delivery, while Firmicutes organisms were increased. Organisms belonging to …

Experimental Investigation On Mechanical Properties Of Pla Reinforced By Bamboo Fiber/Montmorillonite Clay Hybrid Composites And Analysis Of Machining Characteristics, Nirmal Kumar K

Theses and Dissertations

The study presents a comprehensive investigation into the development, characterization, and machining analysis of novel bio-based polymer hybrid composites comprising Polylactic acid (PLA), bamboo powders (BP), and montmorillonite clay particles (MMT). Initially, the hybrid composites were fabricated using a solvent-free stir casting process, optimizing the weight percentages of BP and MMT to enhance mechanical and thermal properties.

Mechanical tests, including tensile, flexural, and impact tests, along with thermal analysis using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, were conducted to evaluate the performance of the composites. In the subsequent phases, advanced machining techniques were employed to analyze the machining characteristics of …

Revisionary Taxonomy Within The Acmaeoderini, Joel Dubois

LSU Master's Theses

The jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) are the 8th largest family of beetles and fill various important ecological roles including decomposers, pollinators, and leaf miners. The cosmopolitan buprestid tribe Acmaeoderini is extremely diverse, with more than 700 species across 14 genera. Historically, the acmaederines from Afro-Eurasia have received thorough morphological treatment and nearly all species from these areas have been separated into various genus and subgenus groupings. Contrastingly, past studies in the Americas have been mostly restricted to alpha-level taxonomic descriptions, and only a very small percentage of species are placed into any formal group. The aim of this study was …

Towards Addressing Mental Health In Rural Louisiana: Blueberry Supplementation As A Natural Intervention, Katy E. Venable

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Depression and anxiety are major public health issues; however, there is an unmet need for novel effective and accessible treatments, particularly in rural communities. Blueberries are an unexplored nutraceutical for these conditions due to their excellent nutritional profile, with particularly high levels of polyphenols and anthocyanins and benefits on mood, cognition, and health. Therefore, we conducted a double-blind, randomized pilot study in a rural population. We employed a cross-over design to test the effects of 12 weeks daily ingestion of 24 g of whole freeze-dried blueberry powder versus placebo on symptoms of depression and anxiety in those diagnosed with depression …

Toward Concurrent Identification Of Human Activities With A Single Unifying Neural Network Classification: First Step, Andrew Smith, Musa Azeem, Chrisogonas O. Odhiambo, Pamela J. Wright Phd, Ms, Med, Rn, Cen, Hanim E. Diktas, Spencer Upton, Corby K. Martin, Brett Froeliger, Cynthia F. Corbett, Homayoun Valafar

Publications

The characterization of human behavior in real-world contexts is critical for developing a comprehensive model of human health. Recent technological advancements have enabled wearables and sensors to passively and unobtrusively record and presumably quantify human behavior. Better understanding human activities in unobtrusive and passive ways is an indispensable tool in understanding the relationship between behavioral determinants of health and diseases. Adult individuals (N = 60) emulated the behaviors of smoking, exercising, eating, and medication (pill) taking in a laboratory setting while equipped with smartwatches that captured accelerometer data. The collected data underwent expert annotation and was used to train a …

Set-Based Tests For Genetic Association Studies With Interval-Censored Competing Risks Outcomes, Zhichao Xu, Jaihee Choi, Ryan Sun

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Over the past decade, massive genetic compendiums such as the UK Biobank have gathered extensive genetic and phenotypic data that hold the potential to provide unparalleled insight into the genetic etiologies of various complex diseases. However, much of the disease information is collected as time-to-event outcomes in interval-censored form, and conventional tools for genetic association analysis are often not available for this type of data. For example, set-based inference for common and rare variants analysis is a fundamental investigation in germline genetics studies, but there is a lack of approaches that can perform set-based testing when the interval-censored outcome of …

Do We Meet Their Needs? Honors Students’ Perspectives And Experiences Of Honors Programs, Saad M. Alamer

International Journal for Research in Education

This qualitative study investigates university students’ perceptions and experiences in the honors program at King Saud University (KSU). A total of twenty gifted university students were interviewed. The findings indicate that the honors program was perceived to be mediocre in content, and students found it to lack challenge and appeal. The participants experienced a lack of engagement with the program at the university compared to the pre-university programs they had experienced in their school years. Students reaffirmed that they benefited more from interactions with others in the program than from their interactions with staff and members of other programs. This …

How Does The Neuromuscular System Utilize Sensory Feedback For The Control Of Skilled Movements In Sport? A Perspective, Peter Federolf

ISBS Proceedings Archive

This perspective article explores concepts for how sensory information is utilized by the neuromuscular system for the correction of ongoing movements within the sports domain, highlighting its significance for movement stability, accuracy, precision, injury prevention, and performance enhancement. This paper aims to introduce a simplified model for feedback control and discusses implications of this model and approaches for experimental corroboration.

Predicting Running Movements From Motor Control Principles, Anne D. Koelewijn, Marlies Nitschke, Chuyi Wang, Eva Dorschky

ISBS Proceedings Archive

We aim to predict running movements from motor control principles. Specifically, the central nervous system minimizes an objective related to energy efficiency when planning movements. We replicate this minimization in optimal control problems to create running simulations that predict running movements in new situations. Here, we will introduce how we create predictive simulations using optimal control, and we show how we used these to gain insight into the effect of running shoe midsole properties on running movements. We show that we can successfully predict the change in metabolic cost between different shoe conditions, but that our outcomes are limited when …

Synergistic Control Of Muscle Activity During Challenging Locomotor Tasks, Alessandro Santuz

ISBS Proceedings Archive

This talk will explore the neuromotor control of challenging locomotor tasks using the concept of muscle synergies: modular sets of activation patterns that are common to functionally similar muscle groups and may exist to simplify movement control. I will argue that the structure of these synergies is largely conserved across different walking and running speeds, as well as in response to internal (e.g. aging) or external (e.g. uneven terrain) perturbations. The nervous system finely tunes the linear and nonlinear time characteristics of muscle synergies to cope with disturbances, rather than adjusting the relative muscle contributions, regardless of the nature of …

Musculoskeletal Analysis Of Two Basic Latin American Steps, Antonia Centrone, Francesca Di Puccio

ISBS Proceedings Archive

This study aimed to quantitatively define two basic Latin American steps (Basic Step and Lateral Step) through a biomechanical approach, providing the main events during each step cycle and the key kinematic features related to these movements. The participant was an instructor of the Italian Federation Sports Dance, who performed the movements in the biomechanics laboratory within the “Sport and Anatomy” center, equipped with an 8-camera Vicon IR system and two force plates. The kinematic variables were computed using two OpenSim models: the Rajagopal and the Thoraco-lumbar models. The major differences between the models were observed in the pelvic tilt, …

Effect Of Midsole Thickness On Running Economy, Comfort And Effort In Well-Trained Runners, Gian-Andri Baumann, Mattia Nolè, Christina M. Spengler, Fernando G. Beltrami

ISBS Proceedings Archive

By the current rules, midsoles in running shoes cannot exceed 40 mm in thickness, but this limit seems arbitrary. We investigated the effect of midsole thicknesses beyond the current limits on running economy, perceived comfort and effort, and spatiotemporal variables. Sixteen well-trained runners completed twelve outdoor runs (1.2 km each) at 16 km·h⁻¹ alternating between three different footwear (one entry-level shoe (EL) with 30mm thickness and two modern shoes with thickness of 40 mm and 50 mm). Both modern shoes showed lower O₂ uptake and effort compared with EL, but no differences between the 40-mm and 50-mm shoes …

Triceps Surae Muscle Forces During Walking And Dancing Across Varied Footwear, Elias Wallnöfer, Clara Egner, Robert Csapo, Arnold Baca, Hans Kainz

ISBS Proceedings Archive

Despite a high prevalence for Achilles tendinopathies in athletic populations, research on individuality in muscle coordination, a possible contributor to this disorder, is limited. Effects of shoe condition and kinematics on force share between triceps surea muscles during normal gait and a dance step were investigated and compared between two methodological approaches. Muscle coordination was analyzed based on musculoskeletal simulations in a generic and an electromyography-informed approach. The electromyography-informed mode revealed higher individuality and a higher force production in medial gastrocnemius for the dance step in high heels compared to bare foot. The study underscores the importance of viewing Achilles …

Effects Of Short Vs. Long Warm-Up Protocols On Biomechanics And Performance In A 50- M Swimming Trial, Marina Gil Calvo, Mario Asensio Moreno, Daniel Boullosa

ISBS Proceedings Archive

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two warm-up, protocols differing in volume, on biomechanical and performance parameters in a simulated 50m freestyle swimming trial. Twelve well-trained male swimmers of regional and national levels performed, in random order, two 50-m time trials on separate days, after a 600m, 12 min warm-up (Short Warm-Up, SWU) or a 1200m, 24 min warm-up (Long Warm-Up, LWU) protocols in random order. The results show that only the SWU warm-up protocol significantly improved swimming performance, although there is no difference between protocols in most kinematic parameters.

Analysis Of Proactive, Static And Dynamic Unipedal Balance In Young Gymnasts During Adolescence, Luis Arturo Gómez-Landero, Pureza Leal Del Ojo, Pablo Floria

ISBS Proceedings Archive

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of age in young acrobatic gymnasts on performance and asymmetry between lower limbs in proactive, static, and dynamic balance. 37 acrobatic gymnasts (31 females and 6 males) were divided in Early (EA, n=10), Middle (MA, n=16), and Late (EL, n=11) adolescence according to peak height velocity. Three types of unipedal balance tests were applied and normalised relative to participants height: Y-Balance Test, single leg stance test (centre of pressure measurements with a force platform), time to stabilization after single leg landing test. EA gymnasts had worse static balance compared to …

Analysis Of Sprint Related Performance Indicators In Professional Youth Soccer Across Age Groups & Positions, Mirnes Becirovic, Jonas Bischofberger, Philipp Kornfeind, Simeon Stifter, Arnold Baca

ISBS Proceedings Archive

The aim of this study was to evaluate the playing intensity distribution among 51 highly trained young elite soccer players across different age groups and position profiles during competitive matches. We recorded and analyzed championship matches of the U15, U16 and U18 youth teams from AKA St. Pölten, focusing on kinematic and physiological parameters during halftime assessments and throughout the entire match duration. The final goal of this research is to equip soccer coaches with valuable insights to accurately prescribe training intensities aligned with competitive scenarios, thereby enhancing overall training control.

The Sexes Exhibited Similar Patterns Of Upper Trapezius Excitation Distribution At Rest And With Fatigue During Repeated Arm Elevation, Kara-Lyn Harrison, Rebecca Franklin, Melina Kaluzny, Trisha D. Scribbans

ISBS Proceedings Archive

Females experience more shoulder pathology compared to males, which is partly attributed to differences in muscle excitation between the sexes. We determined if upper trapezius (UT) excitation distribution differed at rested and fatigue at three tertiles of shoulder flexion. Twenty-eight participants completed a repeated arm elevation task to volitional fatigue while holding a load relative to 30% of their maximum isometric shoulder flexion force while high density electromyography was collected from the UT. Statistical parametric mapping t-tests between males and females excitation map for each tertile at rested and fatigue revealed that UT excitation differed in 168 pixels (~43% of …