Engineering Commons^™

A Quantitative Analysis Of Burrowing And Subterranean Locomotion In The Sand Lance Using A Transparent Sediment, Issei Fujita, Makoto Tomiyasu, Jun Yamamoto, Yasuzumi Fujimori

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Sand lances (Ammodytes spp.) rely on rapid burrowing into sediment for predator avoidance. Although their sediment grain-size preferences are well documented, the biomechanics underlying burrowing success remain unclear because natural substrates are opaque. Using a transparent-sediment system, we directly visualized and quantified burrowing kinematics to: (1) test the effect of body size (total length, TL) on burrowing success; (2) examine entry mechanisms (e.g., swimming speed, entry angle); and (3) describe locomotion within sediment. Logistic regression on the full dataset (N = 28 fish) identified TL as the primary determinant of success, with larger individuals exhibiting significantly higher success …

Cruise Network Design Under Sequential Duopolistic Entry, Ta-Hui Yang, Ching-Hui Tang, Wan-Tien O

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study addresses the network design for international cruise services in a duopolistic market, where carriers enter and make decisions sequentially. The leader, who makes the first move, makes decisions as there is no competitor in the market. The follower, who makes decisions later, has to design their network considering the existing leader’s network. The leader’s model is a mixed integer linear problem while the follower’s model is a mixed integer nonlinear problem. Therefore, a heuristic is proposed to solve the problem. The commercially available general algebraic modeling system is used in conjunction with its different solvers to solve the …

Effect Of Heat Treatment On The Corrosion And Wear Behavior Of 17-4 Ph Stainless Steel For Marine Applications, Syuan Tai, I-Kon Lee, Ming-Yuan Lin, Kang-Yu Liao, Chin-Chun Chang, Hung-Bin Lee

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study explores the tribocorrosion behavior of conventionally cast 17-4 PH stainless steel under real seawater conditions, focusing on the effects of three heat treatments (Solution, H900, H1100). Electrochemical tests, tribocorrosion experiments, SEM, XPS, and quantitative analysis were used to establish a three-stage tribocorrosion mechanism. Results show that H900 exhibits superior corrosion and wear resistance, while H1100 suffers increased material loss and surface cracking at high potentials. Elemental analysis revealed NbC migration forming third-body particles, which, although briefly reducing friction, induced local stress concentration and crack initiation. The findings highlight the critical influence of microstructure, passive film stability, and third-body …

Enhancing Underwater Imagery And Organism Detection Using Reinforcement Learning, K. Arul Deepa, P. Ramya, Karpaga Vinodha, Dharmaraja C

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Underwater environments pose significant challenges in assessing image quality and organism detection due to light scattering and absorption, which limits visibility and color fidelity. Existing solutions often fail to effectively address these challenges, resulting in suboptimal image quality and hindering organism identification. This paper examines the problem through a dual-focused approach: enhancing underwater images and detecting organisms using the Underwater Image Enhancement Benchmark (UIEB) dataset. The first step introduces a state-of-the-art method for image enhancement by applying reinforcement learning (RL) principles. By formulating the enhancement process as a Markov Decision Process (MDP)—where states are represented by image features and actions …

Ion-Imprinted Polymer-Based Sensors For Toxic Metal-Ion Detection In Water: Coordination Chemistry, Transduction Strategies, And Environmental Applications, Ghita Yammouri, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

Toxic metal contamination in aquatic environments remains a persistent threat to human health and ecosystems. Yet, the high cost, infrastructure demands, and centralized nature of conventional analytical methods constrain routine monitoring. Ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs), a subclass of molecularly imprinted polymers, have emerged as promising synthetic recognition materials for metal-ion sensing because they generate coordination-defined binding sites with high selectivity, chemical stability, low cost, and reusability. This review summarizes recent advances in Ion-imprinted polymer (IIP)-based sensing technologies for toxic metal-ion detection in water from 2016 to 2026. It examines the fundamental recognition chemistry of IIPs, major synthesis strategies used to generate …

A Critical Perspective On The Society Of Environmental Toxicology And Chemistry's Adherence To Founding Principles— Opportunities For The Future, Barnett A. Rattner, Annegaaike Leopold, Carys L. Mitchelmore, Glenn W. Suter, Mark S. Johnson, Adriana C. Bejarano, Lawrence A. Kapustka, Niranjana Krishnan, Derek C. G. Muir, Beatrice O. Opeolu, Martha Georgina Orozco-Medina, April Reed, Bruce W. Vigon, Adam R. Wronski

Epidemiology, Biostatistics, & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) is a global organization whose mission is the advancement of environmental science and management through collaboration, leadership, communication and education. On SETAC's 45th anniversary, the following question was raised: Are the 1979 founding principles of SETAC, multidisciplinary approaches to solving environmental problems, multisector engagement and scientific objectivity, still useful, adequate and effective in fulfilling its mission? In a special session held at the 45th Annual Meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, a critical evaluation of the founding principles was initiated by reviewing SETAC's history and ongoing activities, and recommendations were made …

First-Job Contract Review Cheat Sheet, Johanna Jones-Morris, Ashlee Martellacci

Teaching and Learning Resources

This cheat sheet helps first-time employees understand what to review before signing an employment contract. It highlights job duties, compensation, scheduling, employment terms, benefits, restrictive clauses, worker classification, and common red flags so that individuals can ask informed questions and recognize potentially unfair or unclear terms.

Exploring The Interplay Of Operational Conditions, Microbial Communities, And Water Quality In Drinking Water Ozone-Biofiltration, Kara Yvonne Cunningham

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ensuring reliable access to safe drinking water is a growing global challenge as water utilities face variable source water quality driven by population growth, land‑use change, and climate change impacts. To address these challenges, utilities are implementing advanced treatment technologies designed to improve reliability under variable source water conditions. Ozone-biofiltration has emerged as a treatment approach that can reduce a wide range of natural and anthropogenic contaminants. However, despite its increased use, there is limited insight into the biological processes shaping filter function or how they respond to operational and environmental changes. Advances in molecular microbiology and high-throughput sequencing now …

Hyperglycemia Detection From Sigle - Lead Ecg Using A Hybrid Cnn & Transformer Model, Adam Ayomikun Ogunjembola

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract
Hyperglycemia Detection from Single-Lead ECG using a Hybrid CNN & Transformer Model
Adam Ogunjembola

Diabetes Mellitus is known as high blood glucose. This high blood glucose level happens when the body has a problem with producing or using insulin. Insulin is a very important hormone that the pancreas makes to control how much glucose gets into the bloodstream and cells. Diabetes Mellitus has an effect on the body if it is not treated, such as damaging the blood vessels and nerves which can lead to stroke, kidney failure, heart attack and permanent loss of vision. Since people with diabetes …

Feasibility Of Corn Stover For Biogas Production In Northwestern Illinois: A Case Study Of Jo Daviess And Carroll Counties, Anthony Amotoe-Bondzie

Masters Theses

The growing demand for renewable energy and sustainable waste management has intensified interest in agricultural residues such as bioenergy feedstocks. This study evaluated the feasibility of converting corn stover into biogas through anaerobic digestion (AD) in Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois, with consideration of the Savanna Industrial Park as a potential centralized processing hub. Although corn stover represents one of the largest biomass resources in the United States, this research identifies a critical gap between theoretical availability and practically recoverable feedstock. Using a mixed-methods framework, the study integrates biomass quantification, methane yield modeling, economic analysis, and policy assessment. Results …

Data-Driven Prediction Of Compressive Strength In Pofa-Modified Concrete: A Comparative Study Of Lr, Nlr, And Ann Models, Shuaaib A. Mohammed, Hawdin Ismael Ibrahim, Diar Fatah Abdulrahman Askar, Hersh F Mahmood, Mehdi Khodaei, Soran Abdrahman Ahmad

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Production of concrete results in high CO₂ emissions, high energy demand, and consumption of various raw materials; however, it is one of the most widely used materials in construction to date. Therefore, researchers aim to minimize the impact of concrete production through various methods, such as introducing sustainable sources of materials that can be used in concrete. For instance, agricultural waste materials can be used as partial cement replacement. This study presents a comprehensive data-driven analysis of the effects of POFA on the properties of normal-strength concrete. By synthesizing a database of 196 experimental datasets from existing literature, three …

Recycling Of Plastic Into Fibers Using A Novel Machine Design And Analysis Of Fiber Characteristics, Mahmoud Khamees, Nasser Ayoub, Sabreen Addullah Abdelwahab, M. M. Maghawry

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study presents a modified extrusion-based recycling system with an improved nozzle design and controlled fiber production capability. The machine was conceptualized and fabricated to efficiently process waste plastic and extrude it into fibers of varying diameters. The study focuses on evaluating how fiber diameter influences critical material properties. Microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was conducted to investigate the morphology and fiber diameters, while tensile testing provided insights into mechanical performance, including strength and elongation. Moisture absorption tests were also performed to assess durability and environmental resistance. The results demonstrate clear correlations between fiber diameter and the examined …

Federated And Explainable Spiking Neural Networks For Fair And Privacy-Preserving Nail Disease Diagnostics, Ch Pavani Reddy, Krishnanaik Vankdoth

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Automated nail disease diagnostics provide a non-invasive pathway for identifying underlying systemic health conditions; however, conventional centralized deep learning approaches often raise concerns related to privacy, fairness, and interpretability. Although the original NeuroNail-SNN framework demonstrated an energy-efficient and edge-ready diagnostic solution, its broader clinical adoption remained limited by unresolved trust, transparency, and ethical considerations. In this study, we propose the Federated and Explainable NeuroNail-SNN, which extends the original spiking neural architecture by integrating federated learning (FL), explainable artificial intelligence (XAI), fairness evaluation, and uncertainty quantification within a unified framework. Federated learning enables decentralized model training across hospitals and mobile clinics …

Event-Related Potential Variation In Response Accuracy: A Comparative Analysis Using Mne-Python, Akash Rajak, Sachin Umrao

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) are extensively employed in the examination of neural responses linked with cognitive processing and changes in brain activity. In this work, we conducted a comparative analysis of ERPs on a publicly available EEG dataset (122 subjects, alcoholic and control groups) with the help of the MNE-Python framework. The 64 electrodes for EEG were placed according to the international 10 - 20 system, and EEG was sampled at a 256 Hz sampling rate over 1-second epochs. The preprocessing pipeline consisted of 1 - 40 Hz bandpass filtering, noise reduction, spectral computation, and ERP waveform analysis. Temporal neural activity …

Optimisation Of Stepped Basin Solar Still With Response Surface Methodology And Machine Learning Methods, M. Balamurugan, V. Santhanam, B. Deepanraj, S. P Manikandan, M. Yuvaperiyasamy, N. Senthilkumar

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This research focuses on enhancing the distillate output of a stepped basin solar still by optimizing key operational variables using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and advanced machine learning techniques. As water scarcity remains a critical global challenge, solar stills offer a viable, sustainable solution for desalination. These systems offer an energy-efficient approach to converting saline water intofreshwater, providing an alternative to conventional desalination methods. The primary objective was to investigate how variations in solar radiation, step height, and water inlet temperature influence the productivity of the stepped basin solar still. The solar radiation ranged from 600 to 1000 W/m², the …

Regulation And Localization Of Urease In Sporosarcina Pasteurii: Implications For Coastal Protection, Amar Kosovac

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Coastal erosion is a persistent problem exacerbated by global warming. As the climate changes, the southeastern coast is likely to experience an increased frequency and intensity of storms, which can significantly damage the coastline. The coast is crucial as it serves as a habitat for numerous animals, supports tourism, and underpins infrastructure. Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a novel method to enhance erosion resistance in sandy soils using the non-pathogenic bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii. S. pasteurii produces urease to catalyze urea into bicarbonate, which drives the precipitation of calcium carbonate. Maximal expression of urease is a limiting factor for …

Harnessing Activated Sludge For The Treatment Of Hydrothermal Liquefaction Wastewater: A Proof-Of-Concept Study, Cyrus Li, Jiefu Wang, Meicen Liu, Yi Zheng, Sandeep Kumar, Isamu Umeda, Chandan Mahata, John Norton

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Although hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is the leading technology in converting wet biomass into bioenergy, the treatment of its toxic-laden aqueous phase wastewater presents a major challenge on its path toward commercial viability. This study presents the first-ever assessment of sewage sludge-fed HTL wastewater (SS-HTLWW) treatment and toxic compound removal using municipal activated sludge (AS) by optimizing its cultivation condition. It was found that AS with optimized pretreatment can remove up to 91.2% of the soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) in SS-HTLWW, of which up to 82% can be attributed to biological mineralization and adsorption of sCOD by AS. Conventional bioprocess …

Harmonic Mitigation And Reactive Power Support Using Dpfc And Upfc In Grid‑Connected Solar Pv Systems: A Comparative Performance Evaluation, Abhishek Vashistha, Dharmbir Prasad, Rudra Pratap Singh

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Harmonic distortion, reactive power imbalance, and voltage instability represent major challenges regarding the power quality of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Various recently developed flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) devices such as the unified power flow controller (UPFC) and distributed power flow controller (DPFC), however, have made them possible solutions but still do not provide a quantitative comparison in similar dynamic conditions. In this paper, comparative performance analysis of UPFC and DPFC in 3 MW grid connected solar PV system using Matlab Simulink is presented. The two controllers are affected by same disturbances, namely irradiance step change at t = …

Performance Enhancement Of A Fully Integrated Solar Still Using Flat Plate Collector, Reflector, And Evaporative Cooling System, Joe Patrick Gnanaraj Sundararaj, Vanthana Jeyasingh

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Water scarcity has become a major global concern due to increasing population growth, industrialization, and depletion of freshwater resources. Solar desalination is considered an eco-friendly and sustainable solution, especially for rural and off-grid regions where conventional water treatment facilities are limited. However, conventional solar stills suffer from low productivity, which restricts their practical application. In this study, a fully integrated solar still system was designed and fabricated by incorporating a flat plate collector, front-wall reflector, and passive evaporative cooling arrangement. The system was experimentally tested under natural climatic conditions over seven consecutive days to evaluate temperature variation, distillate yield, and …

Framing Inclusive Heritage Urbanism Reconfiguring Publicness In Mosque-Centered Precincts In Historic Cairo, Ghada Sayed Ghazala

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Mosque-centered precincts in historical cities face a continuous tension between touristic-led redevelopments, security management policies and urban life of commons. Recently in Historic Cairo state-led interventions occur in major mosque-centered settings with upgrading intent by enhancing visual order, crowd control and visitors’ experience, yet socio-spatial inclusivity stayed insufficiently incorporated in those implications. This study discourses this gap by initiating the Heritage Socio-spatial Inclusivity Framework (HSIF) to assess inclusivity across major mosque-centered realms – AL-Hussein Mosque & Al-Sayida Zeinab Mosque precincts -

HSIF synthesized urban design & heritage conservation concepts through indicators covering aspects like communal livability, users experience, governance & …

Advancing Ultrahigh Carbon Steel Characterization: A Metaheuristic-Tuned Deep Learning Approach, Walaa Omar El-Farouk Badr, Hossam El-Din Mostafa, Rania Elbana

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Accurate classification of ultrahigh carbon steel (UHCS) microstructures is essential for elucidating processing-structure-property relationships and enhancing material performance. While convolutional neural networks (CNNs) offer powerful automated classification, navigating their complex, high-dimensional hyperparameter spaces present a significant computational bottleneck. To advance automated materials characterization, this study proposes a metaheuristic-tuned deep learning approach for robust and efficient microstructure classification. Two architectures, VGG16 and MobileNetV2, were evaluated under both pretrained and fine-tuned configurations, with Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Genetic Algorithm (GA), and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) applied for systematic hyperparameter tuning. Results show that GA substantially improves the performance of fine-tuned VGG16, achieving …

Multi-Method Energy Optimization: Linear Programming, Hmm Modeling And Arduino-Based Simulations, A.E. El-Alfy, Eman Elayat, M. A. E. Sheta

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This paper presents the simulation and optimization of hybrid energy systems integrating renewable energy and storage technologies. Linear Programming (LP) is utilized to minimize operational costs, while a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) improves reliability by accurately predicting energy flow. Hardware-in-the-loop simulation in Proteus demonstrates efficient energy trading, significantly reducing dependence on conventional sources. The results from a 24-hour analysis show that the system achieves an 87.14% load factor, indicating high efficiency in utilizing the system's rated capacity, 26.23 system reliability, and a 20% improvement in cost efficiency and enhanced sustainability, providing a robust and practical framework for hybrid energy solutions …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Hard Coastal Protection Structures For Long-Term Erosion Mitigation, Case Study: Eastern Rosetta Shoreline, Nile Delta, Egypt, Basma Sayed, Ayman Sabry Koraim, Tarek Hemdan Nassrallah, Ahmed Abouelfetouh Abdelaziz, Nada Mansour, Fahmy Salah Fahmy Abdelhaleem

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Coastal erosion threatens densely populated shorelines worldwide. At the Rosetta Promontory (Nile Delta), shoreline retreat has accelerated since the construction of the Aswan High Dam due to reduced fluvial sediment supply. This case study numerically evaluates shoreline response to six hard-protection scenarios along the eastern promontory, combining groins and detached breakwaters, over a 20-year forecast (2022–2042). Offshore wave conditions were transformed to nearshore hydrodynamics using MIKE21 Spectral Wave, and long-term shoreline evolution was simulated with DHI-LITPACK. The numerical models were forced using a 40-year wave dataset derived from the ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis. Results indicate that the configuration with eight detached …

Development Of Enhanced Dingo Optimization Algorithm For Distribution Network Reconfiguration, Samson Oladayo Ayanlade, Ignatius Kema Okakwu, Richard Oladayo Olarewaju, Ayodeji Akinsoji Okubanjo, Joseph Bukola Samson, Oluwadare Adepeju Adebisi, Emmanuel Idowu Ogunwole, Oluwadare Olatunde Akinrogunde

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This paper presents the Enhanced Dingo Optimization Algorithm (EDOA) to reconfigure the radial distribution network with the long-standing problem of active power loss minimization while maintaining a stable and acceptable voltage profile. EDOA enhances the standard Dingo Optimization Algorithm (DOA) through the integration of adaptive search control, elite-guided local refinement, and crossover-based diversity preservation mechanisms tailored for distribution network reconfiguration problems. The proposed method has been tested on two test systems: the IEEE 33-bus standard as well as the real-world Ayepe 34-bus distribution feeder in Ibadan, Nigeria. In the IEEE 33-bus test system, EDOA reduces active power loss by 56.00%; …

Finite Element Analysis Of Oxygen Transport In Tissue And Capillaries With A Second Order Metabolic Consumption, Vikash Ramcharitar, Sreedhara Rao Gunakala, Reddappa Bandi, Donna M. G. Dyer, Jagdesh Ramnanan

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study presents a numerical investigation into the oxygen transport through a Krogh-type capillary-tissue model with second-order tissue metabolism. The governing non-linear equations are solved by implementing a Galerkin finite element method with a fixed-point iteration scheme. The resulting code and solution algorithm were successfully validated against available analytical solutions for zeroth- and first-order kinetics, showing very good agreement. Numerical simulations indicated, that under the parameters investigated, relative to zeroth- and first-order kinetics, a second-order metabolism leads to less overall oxygen consumption within the tissue phase. This yields higher oxygen partial pressures at the outer tissue boundary and higher oxygen …

A Multi-Valued Fixed Point Theorem For Quasi-Contractions On A Cone Metric Space, Regina Mahadewsing, Sreedhara Rao Gunakala, Vikash Ramcharitar, Reddappa Bandi, Akhenaton Daaga, Thameem Basha H

Mansoura Engineering Journal

A set-valued (multi-valued)  mapping  assigns to each  a nonempty closed and bounded subset . Using this notion, the present work broadens classical fixed point theory by proving a fixed point theorem for multi-valued quasi-contractive mappings in cone metric spaces. The developed argument extends several earlier results that were restricted to single-valued maps and more familiar set-valued settings, thereby providing a wider analytical framework within ordered Banach-space structures. These contributions enrich fixed point theory in generalized metric environments and can be relevant to problems in nonlinear analysis and optimization

Mathematical Analysis Of The Slip Flow Due To A Cylinder Oscillating In Different Directions With Independent Amplitudes, Alana Sankar, Karim Rahaman

Mansoura Engineering Journal

This study examines the incompressible viscous fluid flow in an infinitely long cylinder, with slip occurring at the cylinder’s surface, undergoing longitudinal and torsional oscillations of independent amplitudes. The proposed governing equations are solved subject to the Basset slip condition. Analytical expressions for the velocity field, shear stresses, drag force on the cylinder, work done and the drag coefficient are obtained. Velocity components, drag and work done are illustrated graphically. The magnitude of the velocity increases as slip decreases and as the frequency of oscillations increases. Drag increases in both directions as the slip decreases and as the frequency of …

Underwater Image Identification Using Fuzzy Soft Planar Graph, Bhuvaneswari Natarajan Jayakar, Karthick Palanisamy

Mansoura Engineering Journal

High-attribute underwater image segmentation is fundamental to autonomous marine exploration, biodiversity monitoring, and subsea infrastructure inspection. However, underwater environments are inherently stochastic, exhibiting severe light attenuation, chromatic distortion, scattering effects, and noise, all of which significantly degrade image quality and challenge conventional computer vision techniques. Hence, Fuzzy logic which handles uncertainty and imprecision in data and Soft sets which manage parameterized information, are widely applied to underwater image analysis. Fuzzy Soft Planar Graphs (FSPGs) constitute a mathematical framework that integrates fuzzy set theory, soft set theory and planar graph structures for preserving spatial topology. The proposed methodology adopts a hybrid …

Explainable Multi-Horizon Wind Power Forecasting Via Aquila-Optimized Machine Learning Models, Mostafa A. Abdelnaby, Nahla B. Abdel-Hamid, Eman M. El-Gendy, Mahmoud M. Saafan

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The inherently unpredictable nature of wind energy necessitates the development of sophisticated forecasting models to ensure grid stability and optimal distribution. In this research, we propose a novel and systematic approach to wind power forecasting (WPF) across diverse timescales. This approach leverages the power of various machine learning (ML) models, metaheuristic hyperparameter optimization, and utilizes explainable artificial intelligence (XAI). The developed methodology is based on the Aquila optimizer (AO), capable of automatically adjusting different ML models for four different time periods (30 minutes, 6 hours, 24 hours, and 36 hours) on the data collected from the Gabal El-Zayt wind power …

A Novel Superaug Adaptive Data Augmentation Strategy For Metabolic Syndrome Prediction: The First Egyptian National Cohort Study With Multi-National Comparison, Nihal Elsonny, Ashraf Elsharkawy, Abeer Tawakol, Amira Y. Haikal

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a multifactorial disorder associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity-related complications. Early and accurate prediction of MetS remains challenging due to heterogeneous data sources, class imbalance, limited sample sizes in regional studies, and poor generalization across populations.

This study introduces a comprehensive machine learning framework for predicting MetS and its prognostic factors using two heterogeneous datasets: a newly collected Egyptian clinical cohort and the U.S.-based (NHANES) [CDC, 2023] dataset. For each dataset, multiple experimental pipelines are developed, integrating preprocessing, feature selection, data augmentation, hyperparameter tuning, and ensemble modeling. …