Engineering Commons^™

Stakeholder Involvement In Upscaling Of Soil Fertility Research Output In Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya, Serah W. Kimaru-Muchai

Journal of Global Awareness

Food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa has prompted a lot of research in the development of soil fertility technologies; however, few of the recommendations from soil fertility management research have been put into use by the target end-users. The objective of the study was to investigate information exchange pathways used by researchers in upscaling of soil fertility in Maara and Mbeere South Sub-counties in Kenya. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information from 22 researchers and 240 farmers. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics like frequency, mean, and percentages, while Chi-square, Kendal's correlation coefficient was used to test the magnitude of …

Letter From The Editor, Jay Nathan

Journal of Global Awareness

No abstract provided.

A Longitudinal Analysis Of Pathways To Computing Careers: Defining Broadening Participation In Computing (Bpc) Success With A Rearview Lens, Mercy Jaiyeola

Theses and Dissertations

Efforts to increase the participation of groups historically underrepresented in computing studies, and in the computing workforce, are well documented. It is a national effort with funding from a variety of sources being allocated to research in broadening participation in computing (BPC). Many of the BPC efforts are funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) but as existing literature shows, the growth in representation of traditionally underrepresented minorities and women is not commensurate to the efforts and resources that have been directed toward this aim.

Instead of attempting to tackle the barriers to increasing representation, this dissertation research tackles the …

Teaching Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In Aviation Education., Jorge L. D. Albelo Ph.D., Nicola O'Toole

Publications

Over the last decade, many companies have begun to recognize the value of a diverse workforce, equity within the workforce, and inclusion practices. Recent global events have pushed the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the aviation workplace and education higher on the priority list for many. Unfortunately, the aviation industry continues to have difficulty in attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. Notwithstanding this struggle in the industry, those in education must find ways to educate our students on topics relating to DEI. It is critically important that this training is rooted in research. The aviation industry is …

Digitization Of Academic Libraries Through Cloud Environment, Sivankalai S, Virumandi A, Sivasekaran K, Jeyanthi R, M Sharmila

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Libraries may soon be able to establish and manage their own data centres. This paradigm would allow libraries to control the apps and data stores that include sensitive and private information about their users' personal and financial information. The provisioning and management of infrastructure for a Web-based digital library present several complicated difficulties for library administrators. In this article, we address the challenges that digital libraries confront, and the efforts being made to solve those challenges. Infrastructure virtualization and cloud Environment are incredibly enticing options, but they are being challenged by the expansion of the indexed document collection, the addition …

Determining The Psychosocial Needs Of The Nurses Of Covid-19 Patients, Allison Stevens

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

Nurses are a vital element of the COVID-19 healthcare crisis and have been since the beginning of the COVID-19 response. The professional strain put on nurses included, but is not limited to: changing professional roles, rapidly changing policies and procedures, an influx of patients—particularly of high acuity, and change in workplace morale. However, nurses also had to carry the burdens of living as a member of society, family member, friend, community member, and above all, simply as a person surviving a pandemic themselves. With all of the stressors nurses have endured, it stands to reason that their psychosocial needs have …

Perceptions Of High Achieving High School Students Regarding The Professionalization Of Teaching And Their Interest In Becoming Teachers, Jonathan Crossley

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

This study was designed to highlight the factors that contribute to high-achieving high school students not deciding to join the teaching profession. There is growing evidence to indicate that the teaching profession is comprised mostly of educators in their first five years in the profession and educators with more than 25 years of teaching experience. Increasing numbers of educators are leaving the profession within their first five years in a classroom. On the other end of the spectrum, as teachers with more than 25 years of experience ultimately retire, the question remains about the viability of the profession for younger …

Understanding Students’ Global Interdependence In Science Instruction, Walter S. Smith

Journal of Global Education and Research

Multiple American educational organizations such as the National Education Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the Council of Chief State School Officers have advocated for globalizing the K-12 curriculum. The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) in a position statement on international education and the Next Generation Science Standards have produced goals and standards for internationalizing the science curriculum by addressing topics such as climate change, environment, and disease that cross borders. In contrast to those pronouncements on the curriculum, this article views global science education through an instructional lens that focuses on a students’ global interdependence in science …

Lean Application: An Assessment Of 5s On Employee Attitudes And Productivity, Nickolaos Dimitrios Karvounis

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the effect of the implementation of 5S on employee attitudes and productivity in an Asian based facility of a global manufacturing company. Utilizing an assessment of the 5S implementation in various areas of the facility and organizational performance data for each of those areas, a non-experimental, causal comparative approach is used to analyze the impact. The study concluded that statistically significant improvements from the implementation of 5S were found both in quality and product cost for this facility; however, the study also found statistical significance where the implementation of 5S led to a decrease in performance and …

Environmental Justice Issues And Sea Level Rise In Frontline Communties Along The Gulf Coast, Karla Michel Lopez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Sea level rise poses a great threat to coastal areas and our way of life. As flooding increases in frequency and intensity across the country, vulnerable populations become a target to its impacts. The U.S. dedicates much research to risk communication and climate change adaptation strategies; however, these coastal areas are home to a large percentage of underserved and underrepresented communities that can be challenging to meaningfully engage. The impacts of short-term sea level rise combined with long-term sea level rise will not only cause flooding, erosion, and intrusion of saltwater into freshwater resources but also increased financial consequences, such …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Direct-Ink-Writing Of Syntactic Foams, Andrea Irigoyen

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This project encompasses three different methods to fabricate syntactic foams using a PDMS matrix i.e., hollow spheres inclusion, pore generator leaching by solvent, and emulsion. The foam formation by using polysiloxane hollow spheres is done in a 3-step process. The first step is to create a core of polystyrene following a dispersion polymerization process. The goal for the size of the pore is to monodisperse and have an average diameter of 5-10 μm, so the polystyrene core must be as well within that range. After that, the cores are coated with a polysiloxane shell by following a polymerization by condensation …

Supporting Psychosocial Interactions In Electronics 1 During Online Learning Using Multisim, Romano Q. Neyra, King Harold A. Recto

Electronics, Computer, and Communications Engineering Faculty Publications

There has been a body of research that shows the benefits of engaging the students in the learning process. This has been even more important now that there are not yet face-to-face meetings in engineer schools and students are confined in their virtual classrooms. Research show benefits of student engagement include increased attention and focus, motivation to utilize higher-level critical thinking skills, and promotion of learning experience. One of the means by which students are engaged in Electronics 1 Classes is through the use of Multisim Software. A student survey was done to randomly select students in Electronics 1 to …

Integration Of Blockchain Technology Into Automobiles To Prevent And Study The Causes Of Accidents, John Kim

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Automobile collisions occur daily. We now live in an information-driven world, one where technology is quickly evolving. Blockchain technology can change the automotive industry, the safety of the motoring public and its surrounding environment by incorporating this vast array of information. It can place safety and efficiency at the forefront to pedestrians, public establishments, and provide public agencies with pertinent information securely and efficiently. Other industries where Blockchain technology has been effective in are as follows: supply chain management, logistics, and banking. This paper reviews some statistical information regarding automobile collisions, Blockchain technology, Smart Contracts, Smart Cities; assesses the feasibility …

A Vision-Based Quality Control Model For Manufacturing Systems, Alejandra Figueroa-Lopez

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Business and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Science by Alejandra Figueroa-Lopez on November 25, 2021.

Copycat Mass Killings: How Personality Might Moderate Identification With Antisocial Characters, Emily R. Mazzurco

Kean Quest

Research indicates that certain personality traits are prevalent within mass killers. Aggression, social rejection, narcissism, fame-seeking, low self-esteem, and depression are commonalities with mass killers, specifically mass shooters. Identification or idolizing antisocial fictional characters is also a common behavior within these types of offenders. These types of killers often draw inspiration for their own crimes from past criminals or from film and TV, thus committing what is known as a copycat crime. The purpose of the current study will be to examine the effects of social rejection and instigation on the likelihood of identifying with an antisocial character in young …

Design And Analysis Of The Virtual Reality Welding Training, Ritesh Chakradhar

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Business and Technology at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Science by Ritesh Chakradhar on November 19, 2021.

Analysis Of Library Book Borrower Patterns Using Apriori Association Data Mining Techniques, Lucky Zamzami, Ari Agung Prastowo, R Rulinawaty, Robbi Rahim

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The library is one of the most important facilities because it manages collections of written works, printed works, and recorded works and can provide information resources as well as be a driving force for the advancement of an educational institution. Conventional libraries will have piles of book borrowing transaction data recorded in the agenda book, which is only an archive, and the placement of books far apart, which causes members to take longer to find books when borrowing books of different types, is an issue that must be addressed. To overcome these two issues, a recommendation for an intelligent system …

Virtual Reality As Pedagogical Tool To Enhance Experiential Learning: A Systematic Literature Review, Muhammad Mujtaba Asad, Aisha Naz Ansari, Prathamesh Churi, Mohammad Mehdi Tahanzadeh

Institute for Educational Development, Karachi

Since half of the century, technology has dominated the modern era. The rapid advancement of technology has reached generating artificial intelligence and artificial realities. So, virtual reality is an emerging technology and is applicable in education as well. Virtual reality is a computer-generated simulation, where people can interact within an artificial environment. Moreover, in an educational setting, such an environment provides students with a chance to get experiential learning. This paper has a systematic literature review on emerging technologies, such as virtual reality as a pedagogical tool for enhancing students’ experiential learning. This review aims to explore and understand the …

Insights From Two Decades Of P-12 Engineering Education Research, Cary I. Sneider, Mihir K. Ravel

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

The 21st century has seen a growing movement in the United States towards the adoption of engineering and technology as a complement to science education. Motivated by this shift, this article offers insights into engineering education for grades P-12, based on a landscape review of 263 empirical research studies spanning the two decades from January 2000 to June 2021. These insights are organized around three core themes: (1) students’ understandings, skills, and attitudes about engineering and technology; (2) effective methods of P-12 engineering education; and (3) benefits of P-12 engineering education. The insights are captured in the form of evidence-based …

Pressure Retarded Osmosis: A Potential Technology For Seawater Desalination Energy Recovery And Concentrate Management, Joshua Benjamin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Currently, a significant challenge with reverse osmosis-based desalination is reducing the energy consumption and environmental impacts of the process. This project analyzed the viability of using pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) for energy recovery in seawater desalination facilities using brine concentrate (the draw solution) and other water sources (the feed solution) such as wastewater effluent. The primary goal of this project is to decrease the cost and overall energy consumption of seawater desalination through PRO-based energy recovery. Process modeling, statistical and sensitivity analysis, energy and cost analysis, geospatial and GIS analysis, laboratory-scale testing, water quality analysis, SEM-EDS microscopy, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), …

Spin Coupling In Magnetic Core - Shell Nanoparticles, Corisa Kons

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered much interest due to the unique properties that emergewhen compared to their bulk counterparts. In particular, core-shell (CS) NPs offer the ability to tailor the magnetic properties of the system through careful selection of core and shell constituent materials. In this work, the magnetic ordering of CS NPs with contrast in core/shell features (moment, anisotropy, coercivity, etc.) have been investigated using a combination of X-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy (XMCD) and polarized small angle neutron scattering (SANS). First, temperature-dependent analyses of XMCD and SANS studies were carried out for CS NPs featuring a core composed …

Predicting Student Success In An Electrical Engineering Program, Edward Carl Greco Jr., Matthew Garett Young

Faculty Publications - Electrical Engineering

Successful completion of course of study leading to graduation in electrical engineering was found to be linked to a couple of key gateway courses. Students that performed below a threshold in these early courses had a lower probability of graduating and could then be identified for additional assistance. Based on these results, changes were implemented in the curriculum to enhance student success in these preliminary courses to facilitate retention.

The Primarily Undergraduate Nanomaterials Cooperative: A New Model For Supporting Collaborative Research At Small Institutions On A National Scale, Steven M. Huges, Mark P. Hendricks, Katherine M. Mullaugh, Mary E. Anderson, Anne K. Bently, Justin G. Clar, Clyde A. Daly Jr., Mark D. Ellison, Z. Vivian Feng, Natalia I. Gonzalex-Pech, Leslie S. Hamachi, Christine L. Heinecke, Joseph D. Keene, Adam M. Maley, Andrea M. Munro, Peter N. Njoki, Jacob H. Olshansky, Katherine E. Plass, Kathryn R. Riley, Matthew D. Sonntag, Sarah K. St. Angelo, Lucas B. Thompson, Emily J. Tollefson, Lauren E. Toote, Korin E. Wheeler

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The Primarily Undergraduate Nanomaterials Cooperative (PUNC) is an organization for research-active faculty studying nanomaterials at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), where undergraduate teaching and research go hand-in-hand. In this perspective, we outline the differences in maintaining an active research group at a PUI compared to an R1 institution. We also discuss the work of PUNC, which focuses on community building, instrument sharing, and facilitating new collaborations. Currently consisting of 37 members from across the United States, PUNC has created an online community consisting of its Web site (nanocooperative.org), a weekly online summer group meeting program for faculty and students, …

10th International Conference On Business, Technology And Innovation 2021, University For Business And Technology - Ubt

UBT International Conference

Welcome to IC – UBT 2021

UBT Annual International Conference is the 10th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make …

Parents’ Perspectives On A Smartwatch Intervention For Children With Adhd: Rapid Deployment And Feasibility Evaluation Of A Pilot Intervention To Support Distance Learning During Covid-19, Franceli L. Cibrian, Elissa Monteiro, Elizabeth Ankrah, Jesus A. Beltran, Arya Tavakoulnia, Sabrina E. B. Schuck, Gillian R. Hayes, Kimberley D. Lakes

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Distance learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic presented tremendous challenges for many families. Parents were expected to support children’s learning, often while also working from home. Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are at particularly high risk for setbacks due to difficulties with organization and increased risk of not participating in scheduled online learning. This paper explores how smartwatch technology, including timing notifications, can support children with ADHD during distance learning due to COVID-19. We implemented a 6-week pilot study of a Digital Health Intervention (DHI) with ten families. The DHI included a smartwatch and a smartphone. Google …

Material And Topographically Optimized Thermal Dissipation For High-Performance Electronic Devices Utilizing Vapor Chambers, Derek Joseph Daniels

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Advances in materials science and engineering in the field of thermal transport and dissipation enable the use of higher-performance electronic devices that are smaller and generate more heat. Phase change thermal transport systems such as heat pipes and vapor chambers enable passive dissipation from devices that generate excessive heat without the need for actively pumped cooling systems. Properly designed vapor chamber enabled systems easily exceed the thermal conductivity of manufactured diamond at a small fraction of the cost.[1][2][3] While heat pipe phase change systems are generally one-dimensional with a limited cross section, vapor chambers are generally two-dimensional with a small …

Student Engagement In Aviation Massive Open Online Courses (Moocs), Jennifer M. Edwards, Haydee M. Cuevas, Felix Brito, Mark Friend, Maryjo O. Smith

Publications

As online training in the aviation industry continues to expand, understanding how learners engage in open online courses may help inform course design. Currently little is known about student engagement in aviation Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and more information is needed about those who utilize, but do not complete them. Datasets from two aviation MOOCs were cluster-analyzed to determine subpopulations based on activity (discussions, videos, quizzes). Differences were examined for days of activity and completion. Survey data revealed differences in demographics and learning goals. Three significantly different subgroups were found for each MOOC. Engagement patterns were similar between corresponding …

A Construction Workforce Training Partnership Between The State Of Wyoming, Industry, And University During Covid-19, Francois Jacobs, Renxiang Lu

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

Objective: To illustrate the development and implementation of a statewide construction workforce training program between the state, industry, and university during the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: Over the last 20 years, there has been a statewide construction workforce shortage, which not only creates an imbalance on the demands in this sector but impairs the profitability of Wyoming-based construction companies. Method: The team developed and implemented an online training platform, consisting of five modules, in support of training for construction companies and their workers across the state. Results: 149 successful learners received certificates of completion for the online training modules. The success …

Preparing School Leaders To Advance Equity In Computer Science Education, Julie Flapan, Jean J. Ryoo, Roxana Hadad, Joel Knudson

Journal of Computer Science Integration

Background and Context: Most large-scale statewide initiatives of the Computer Science for All (CS for All) movement have focused on the classroom level. Critical questions remain about building school and district leadership capacity to support teachers while implementing equitable computer science education that is scalable and sustainable.

Objective: This statewide research-practice partnership, involving university researchers and school leaders from 14 local education agencies (LEA) from district and county offices, addresses the following research question: What do administrators identify as most helpful for understanding issues related to equitable computer science implementation when engaging with a guide and workshop we …

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 62 Number 2, Fall 2021, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

18 - WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS The pandemic stole an entire year of games from them. But this team still won it all. Written by Harold Gutmann. Illustrated by Liam Eisenberg.

26 - INFORMED BY STRUGGLE. How hardship forged a sense of gratitude in SCU finance professor Meir Statman and his wife, Navah. Written by Deborah Lohse.

30 - TWEETING GOOD There’s a Bronco who finds hope, God, and cat pictures online. We talk with @padreSJ. Interviewed by Leslie Griffy. Illustrated by Kyle Hilton.

34 - SIGNALS FROM A CHANGING PLANET. The imprints of humans on the environment spell a …