Digital Commons Network^™

Automated Solutions For Hydroponic Plant Growth, Sydney Mcclure, Adam Lachguar

Sustainability Conference

Within the past year, Project H.O.M.E. has been focusing on the design and development of a semi-automatic hydroponic system specifically for sustaining plant life in Martian-like conditions. Given the significance of extended space-based travel, where the duration of human life in space is a crucial factor, growing food becomes imperative. This project has integrated electrical engineering and computer science, with features like automated pH testing and sensor-based evaluations. Key functionalities, including timed watering and automatic adjustments, were coded to enhance plant care. Initially, the project’s comprehensive research and strategic planning resulted in detailed blueprints and computer-aided design models for the …

Understanding The Plastic Issue (Poster Presentation), Regan Bossie, Peter Nguyen, John Mcswiggin, Adam Meadows

Sustainability Conference

The Plastic-Free Campus Initiative is an Embry-Riddle initiative advocating for the reduction and elimination of single-use plastics on the Daytona Beach campus.

Our poster presentation aims to highlight current issues and concerns by presenting plastic production trends, quantifying how plastic pollution has affected global ecosystems, and discussing the material characteristics of plastics and their consequences. The poster will provide an overview of the current state of global recycling and will outline key concerns that microplastics, and plastics in general, pose to public health. By presenting the current facts and concerns related to plastic and recycling, we hope to encourage individuals …

Assessing Weed Canopy Cover In No-Till And Conventional Tillage Plots In Winter Wheat Production Using Drone Data, Judith N. Oppong, Clement E. Akumu, Sam Dennis

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Weed canopy cover assessment, particularly using drone-acquired data, plays a vital role in precision agriculture by providing accurate, timely, and spatially detailed information, enhancing weed management decision-making in response to environmental and management variables. Despite the significance of this approach, few studies have investigated weed canopy cover through drone-based imagery. This study aimed to fill this gap by evaluating the effects of conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) practices on weed canopy cover in a winter wheat field over two growing seasons. Results indicated that in the 2022–2023 season, weed populations were similar between tillage systems, with a high mean …

Simulations, Modeling And Data Analysis Of Parity Violating Electron Scattering Experiments, Yufan Chen

Doctoral Dissertations

In the Standard Model (SM) of nuclear and particle physics, parity violation is incorporated through the representation of the weak interaction as a chiral gauge interaction. Only the left-handed components of particles and right-handed components of antiparticles participate in weak interactions in the Standard Model. This implies that parity is asymmetric for the weak interaction. Parity violating electron scattering (PVES) experiments are designed to probe the physics parameters related to the SM, with the possibility to discover physics beyond the SM (BSM) by measuring the parity violating asymmetry 𝐴𝑃𝑉 of longitudinally polarized electrons scattered off unpolarized targets with high precision. …

Float: A Multi-Scale Flood Loss Assessment Tool Developed From Experimentally Derived Material Damage, Anna Katya Opel

Doctoral Dissertations

Current practice of flood loss prediction presents limitations in accurately predicting building flood losses at multiple scales. While whole-building estimates can more accurately predict high-level losses (i.e., large groups of buildings), a significant analysis error is revealed with small-scale (i.e., individual, or small groups of buildings) investigation. The novel approach of collecting experimental flood data to support damage estimation has provided sufficient evidence that current damage models can and do under or overestimate loss. This research has developed a multi-scale approach to assessing flood losses based on experimentally derived material damage. The methodology is stored and accessible in a multi-scale …

Measurement Of Multi-Jet Ratios In The Atlas Experiment, Zahra Farazpay

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents a comprehensive study of multi-jet cross-section ratios using proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at a center-of-mass energy of √ s = 13TeV. By examining these ratios across different energy scales, the analysis provides valuable insights into the running of the strong coupling constant, αs, a fundamental parameter in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) that dictates the strength of the strong interaction. The running of αs—its variation with energy—is crucial for understanding QCD, yet it remains one of the least precisely known aspects of the theory. In this …

Computational Design Of Complex Concentrated Alloys, Hamid Sharifi

Doctoral Dissertations

A high-throughput parameterization of modified embedded atom model (MEAM) interatomic potentials for combinations of Cu, Ti, Ni, Cr, Co, Al, Fe, and Mn was carried out using a genetic algorithm. Unary systems were parameterized based on DFT calculations and experimental results. MEAM potentials for 28 binary and 56 ternary combinations of the elements were parameterized to DFT results that were carried out with semi-automated frameworks. Specific attention was made to reproduce properties that impact compositional segregation, material strength, and mechanics. Utilizing the MEAM interatomic potentials and a Monte Carlo scheme, phase segregation in the CrNiCo, CuNiCr and CuNiCo fcc alloys …

Machine Learning-Driven Process Analysis And Optimization In Solid-State Welding And Fusion-Based Additive Manufacturing, Radif Uddin Ahmed

Master's Theses

In the modern era of advanced manufacturing, optimizing process parameters is pivotal in ensuring the quality and reliability of sophisticated component fabrication. This study presents a novel, data-driven approach to parameter optimization in two cutting-edge manufacturing techniques: Friction Stir Welding (FSW) and Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF). By leveraging machine learning methodologies, this research addresses the critical challenge of efficiently determining optimal process parameters, a task traditionally relying on time-consuming and resource-intensive trial-and-error methods. This study will lead to a robust data-driven framework for process analysis of more advanced manufacturing techniques like the Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD) process. Friction …

Effect Of Workload And Trust On Automation Levels In Human-Robot Collaboration, Abhiram Maddula

LSU Master's Theses

Automation is becoming increasingly common in manufacturing and assembly plants. The future lies in hybrid workspaces where the strengths of humans and robots complement each other, with robots excelling in precision, speed, and strength, and humans excelling in creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex decision-making. Collaborative robots can foster a more efficient and productive work environment by bridging the gap between human and machine capabilities. This study examines how semi-automated and automated modes impact human-robot collaboration, focusing on mental workload, trust, and task performance.

In this experiment, 58 participants performed a primary task alongside a collaborative robot assembling a miniature lamppost …

The Birds And The Bees: Teaching Parents How To Educate Their Children About Sex, Tonya Pell, Courtney Aldrich

Journal of Extension

Parent educators at Michigan State University Extension have had great success with their Extension Extras Parenting Hour series which began in 2020. The series is organized every quarter, meets weekly, and changes topics every week. The 90 minute class covers a range of parenting topics from positive discipline, talking to children about race, early literacy, and now, due to a need being identified and addressed, how to educate children about sex and sexuality. This new topic to the series has received positive feedback from participants and has led to community organizations asking for similar classes and support from the team.

Extension Education For Real Estate Professionals: Teaching Regulations And Sharing Resources That Protect Water Quality And Property Values, Linda Patterson, Shari Halik, Kristine F. Stepenuck

Journal of Extension

Real estate professionals can be an important source of information for home buyers and sellers about regulations and practices that protect water quality and properties from environmental damage. Lake Champlain Sea Grant (LCSG) Extension identified a deficit in real estate education covering these topics for real estate professionals. Accredited real estate workshops were initially developed by LCSG Extension and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources specialists. The program was later expanded to New York. Six-month follow-up surveys indicated that the majority of participants continued to use knowledge and tools gained in the workshops. Suggestions for replicating this program elsewhere are provided.

Effects Of Hygrothermal Aging On The Flexural Properties Of Cross-Ply And Angle-Ply Cfrp Composite Laminates, Dongdong Chen, Maozhou Meng, Xiaoyu Sun, Mingzhu Guan, Bing Yang, Shoune Xiao

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

In this study, the influences of the aging period and temperature on the flexural properties of CFRP laminates were investigated experimentally and numerically. Samples with cross-ply (CP) and angle-ply (AP) layups were prepared and immersed in water tanks with different temperatures (30 ℃ and 50 ℃). Three-point bending tests were performed for unaged, 15, and 35 days-aged composite laminates. SEM, optical, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed to investigate the morphology, chemical structures, and failure mechanisms. It was found that the water molecule uptake mainly existed among the matrix and fiber–matrix interface. As a result, the CP laminates showed …

Monitoring And Modeling Urban Temperature Patterns In The State Of Iowa, Usa, Utilizing Mobile Sensors And Geospatial Data, Clemir Abbeg Coproski, Bingqing Liang, James T. Dietrich, John Degroote

Faculty Publications

Thorough investigations into air temperature variation across urban environments are essential to address concerns about city livability. With limited research on smaller cities, especially in the American Midwest, the goal of this research was to examine the spatial patterns of air temperature across multiple small to medium-sized cities in Iowa, a relatively rural US state. Extensive fieldwork was conducted utilizing manually built mobile temperature sensors to collect air temperature data at a high temporal and spatial resolution in ten Iowa urban areas during the afternoon, evening, and night on days exceeding 32 °C from June to September 2022. Using the …

Aviateok: A Stem App To Increase K-12 Student Engagement In The Aviation And Aerospace Industry, Irene Miller, Amy Rutledge, Timm Bliss

Journal of Extension

STEM industries are driving technological and economic growth across the globe. To remain competitive, the U.S. needs to focus on the advancement of STEM education and develop a sustainable pipeline to provide a well-qualified workforce to STEM-related industries. The Department of Aviation and Space Education (AVED) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) has developed aviateOK, which is a STEM application, to provide aviation/aerospace content to students, parents, and extension educators. The aviateOK STEM application promotes extension education by providing access to free activities and resources for grades K-12. AviateOK equips 4-H youth programs with the resources needed for extension educators to …

Paper Origami For Program Development And Evaluation Training Of New Extension Employees, Ayanava Majumdar

Journal of Extension

This article describes the use of paper origami as a training tool for Extension evaluation and capacity building workshops. Three paper origami models have been developed and used consistently since 2021 to benefit 131 new Extension professionals. The use of these models added an element of pleasant surprise for workshop participants and fostered collaboration during training. This article describes the construction and usefulness of the origami models to these new employees. Post-event feedback and testimonials are very encouraging to authors who continue to develop additional origami models for training and motivation.

Pink1-Deficiency Facilitates Mitochondrial Iron Accumulation And Colon Tumorigenesis, Mariella Arcos, Lavanya Goodla, Hyeoncheol Kim, Sharina P. Desai, Rui Liu, Kunlun Yin, Zhaoli Liu, David R. Martin, Xiang Xue

Pathology Research and Scholarship

Mitophagy, the process by which cells eliminate damaged mitochondria, is mediated by PINK1 (PTEN induced kinase 1). Our recent research indicates that PINK1 functions as a tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer by regulating cellular metabolism. Interestingly, PINK1 ablation activated the NLRP3 (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3) inflammasome, releasing IL1B (interleukin 1 beta). However, inhibiting the NLRP3-IL1B signaling pathway with an IL1R (interleukin 1 receptor) antagonist or NLRP3 inhibitor did not hinder colon tumor growth after PINK1 loss. To identify druggable targets in PINK1-deficient tumors, ribonucleic acid sequencing analysis was performed on colon tumors from pink1 knockout and wild-type mice. …

Techno-Economic Analysis Of Waste Plastic Gasification, Henrik Don-Yor Ketting

Master's Theses

The increasing generation of plastic waste and its environmental impact has driven interest in alternative disposal methods such as gasification. This study presents a techno-economic analysis of the gasification of waste plastics, specifically polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), to produce syngas. A two-stage process—thermal decomposition followed by steam reforming—was simulated using Aspen Plus. The simulation results were validated against experimental data available in the literature. The economic analysis was conducted by estimating the capital and operating costs of the gasification plant, considering factors such as feedstock costs, energy requirements, and syngas purification systems. Net Present Value Calculations were used to …

Are College Students' Grocery Shopping Habits Consistent With The Mediterranean Diet Guidelines? A Preliminary Report, Montana Grace Ayala

Master's Theses

The number of people diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes mellitus continues to grow. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risks of developing heart disease. Fruit and vegetable consumption is low across the country. Improving fruit and vegetable consumption for adults might start with improving intake earlier in life because it can influence better food habits. Following the Mediterranean diet at a young age can prevent chronic diseases from developing. It is well known that college students have diets that are not consistent with healthy eating habits and can be influenced by the need for …

Experimental And Numerical Investigation Of Droplet Dynamics In Microscale Systems: The Influence Of Surfactants And Nanoparticles On Environmental Applications, Negin Bahadori

Master's Theses

Emulsions are suspensions of droplets dispersed into an immiscible liquid phase, with at least a water phase and an oil phase. The capability to incorporate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic components makes emulsions amenable to a variety of applications, such as bilgewater treatment and oil recovery. To optimize bilgewater treatment or oil recovery, many aspects must be considered, such as the effect of emulsion stability, the wetting conditions and, more in general, the possibility to characterize droplet’s behavior over static or dynamic conditions. This thesis investigates the roles of surfactants and nanoparticles in understanding droplet behavior in oil-water systems, with a …

Effectiveness Of Virtual Reality Training Environments, Lindsay Kristina Gouedy

Doctoral Dissertations

As technology has evolved so has training methodology in many applied fields. Training of aviation professionals is adapting by including technology features that allow for safer and less costly training methods. Pilot training is expensive given the number of flight hours and all that is included in the cost of flying an airplane. The main goal of this project is to assess the efficacy of the use of virtual reality environments as a valid training tool. Based on our literature review, we hypothesized that trainees perform simulated flight tasks more efficiently, with fewer errors, when trained using VR technology. The …

The Transition To Ophthalmology Residency: A National Survey Of The Combined Ophthalmology Pgy-1 Program, Amee D. Azad, Melissa Yuan, Marguerite Weinert, Tatiana R. Rosenblatt, Joan W. Miller, Alice Lorch

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Background

In 2017, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education announced all ophthalmology residency programs would provide a combined transitional or joint preliminary program for first postgraduate year (PGY-1) residents, with mandatory implementation by 2023.

Purpose

This study aimed to survey ophthalmology residency program directors, postgraduate year 2 (PGY-2) ophthalmology residents who were a part of the first, official combined ophthalmology PGY-1 year, and postgraduate year 3 (PGY-3) residents who were a PGY-1 resident the year prior to integration to evaluate characteristics and perspectives on the combined ophthalmology PGY-1 year.

Methods

A national, internet survey-based study approved by the Association …

The Matthew Effect: Prevalence Of Doctor And Physician Parents Among Ophthalmology Applicants, Diana Khair, Cody C. Blanchard, Kevin K. Wang, Daniel B. Moore

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Objective

This article determines the prevalence of physician parents among ophthalmology residency applications.

Design

Retrospective, single-center cohort study.

Subjects

All applicants to the University of Kentucky Ophthalmology Residency between 2018 and 2023.

Methods

Residency applications were reviewed, with data collection including applicant gender, self-identified Under-Represented in Medicine (URiM) status, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score, USMLE Step 2 score, and whether the application identified a doctor or physician as a parent. Doctor was defined as a profession requiring a doctorate degree, and similarly, physician as a profession requiring a medical degree.

Results

A total of 2,057 applications …

Ophthopods: An Analysis Of The Educational Content And Changes Of Ophthalmology Podcasts, Isaiah I. Greene, Fradah E. Gold, Nicholas E. Tan, Alexander H. Fang, Nickisa M. Hodgson

Journal of Academic Ophthalmology

Objective

Podcasts are a novel modality for digitally disseminating ophthalmic knowledge, yet minimal information exists on their offerings. This study sought to describe the growth of ophthalmology podcasts, characterize their features, and analyze clinically pertinent content trends.

Materials and Methods

Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Google Search were queried for English-language shows relating primarily to ophthalmology. Ninety-six podcasts and 3,594 episodes were analyzed.

Results

Of the 48 currently active shows, most cover general ophthalmology topics (n = 25, 52.1%) and are run by multiple hosts (n = 29, 60.4%) in both academics and private practice. The majority of podcasts …

Protecting Glen Helen With A Conservation Easement, Nick Boutis

Runkle Woods Symposia

Part 2 of the "Protecting Glen Helen with a Conservation Easement" presentation. This presentation offers an overview of Glen Helen, a 1,125-acre private nature preserve in Yellow Springs, Ohio, detailing its ecological significance, educational mission, and recent conservation efforts. Nick Boutis describes the preserve’s history, from ancient Indigenous use to its development as a resort and eventual donation to Antioch College. The focus centers on the complex, multi-year collaboration that led to establishing a permanent conservation easement, which now protects the land from development and subdivision. The presentation also highlights Glen Helen’s ongoing stewardship work, including habitat restoration, environmental education, …

Vol. 44, No. 6/7 - Whole No. 303/304, Eleanor M. Farrell

Mythprint

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

Preventing Burnout In Mental Health Counseling Students: A Shared Responsibility, Andrea Devooght, Anita A. Neuer Colburn

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Burnout is an ongoing concern for counseling professionals across the career span. Master’s students studying to enter the field are vulnerable to burnout due to multiple factors, including the numerous challenges associated with graduate school and the dearth of experience coping with the pressures of clinical work. The onus of self-care is often placed solely on students, yet the training process allows opportunity for shared responsibility among leaders who encounter counselors in training. Considering the roles of counselor educators, faculty, and administrators; counselor supervisors and workplace leaders; and master’s-level students themselves, the authors apply the 5 P Communitarian Model for …

We Are Who We Say We Are: Ethical Advertising, Corey C. Burgoyne Dmd

Virginia Dental Journal

The article is about ethical advertising in the dental profession, focusing on the importance of honesty, transparency, and professionalism in promoting dental services.

How To Manage Your Practice's Online Reputation, Michaela Mishoe

Virginia Dental Journal

Managing your practice's online reputation and handling reviews effectively to attract new patients and ensure patient satisfaction.

Va Dent J October, November And December 2024

Virginia Dental Journal

The October-December 2024 issue of the Virginia Dental Journal introduces Dr. Justin Norbo as the new VDA President, outlining his vision for addressing workforce challenges and fostering organizational growth. Key features include the Virginia Dental Academy’s graduation of its first class of certified dental office professionals, resources on managing online reputations, ethical advertising, and practice transitions. The issue explores the integration of artificial and augmented intelligence in dentistry, shares scientific insights on oral pathology and oral surgery, and highlights community engagement efforts, such as volunteer work and life-changing care through the Wise Missions of Mercy. It also announces the Journal’s …

Automation Of Data Center Service Moves, Na

Defensive Publications Series

Service moves are carefully choreographed movements of cloud-based services across data centers (DC). Service moves can equalize DC loads and enable more efficient usage of existing DC capacity through better bin packing. Service moves are laborious, expensive, and time-consuming operations involving intricate coordination between several DC personnel. This disclosure describes techniques to automate and quicken service moves of a data center. By enabling rapid service moves, the techniques can obviate DC builds, reduce purchases of new machines (since services can be moved to grow in a location with available capacity), reduce the buffer stock of machines, etc. The entire computing …