Engineering Commons^™

Nanotube Spectral Fingerprinting And Machine Learning For Optimized Bioimaging/Sensing And Disease Detection Applications In Als, Rodrigo Monroy Lopez

Open Access Master's Theses

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) possess unique physicochemical and optical properties that make them ideal candidates for biomedical imaging, biosensing, and disease diagnostics. This thesis explores the potential of SWCNT-based spectral fingerprinting combined with ML (Machine Learning) algorithms to optimize bioimaging, disease detection and prediction, with a specific focus on differentiating between healthy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) lymphoblastic patient samples. By functionalizing SWCNTs with single-stranded DNA, we enhance their stability and target specificity, enabling their application in serum patient samples.

A comprehensive spectral analysis of DNA-SWCNTs was conducted using near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy and other characterization techniques, including UV-Vis-absorption spectroscopy. The …

Bird Strikes During Climb And Approach: A Need For Innovative Management Strategies, Richard A. Dolbeer, Michael J. Begier

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wildlife Hazard Management Plans at civil airports in the United States cannot directly address threats posed by birds moving through aircraft climb and approach paths unrelated to nearby bird-attractant habitats such as landfills. As an iconic example, an Airbus 320 departing LaGuardia Airport (New York, USA) on January 15, 2009, struck a flock of migratory Canada geese (Branta canadensis) 8 km out at 884 m above ground level (AGL) that resulted in a water landing now known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.” We documented 1,841 and 458 strikes from 2009 to 2023 involving large (≥1.8 kg) and …

The Bacteriostatic, Regenerative, And Immunomodulatory Properties Of Extracellular Matrix Particles For Lung Injury, Keera P. Rhoads

Theses and Dissertations

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a prevalent, life-threatening lung condition, affecting nearly 200,000 Americans annually, with a 40% international mortality rate. There is no cure for ARDS, and current pharmacological treatments have limited effectiveness. Symptoms can be mitigated with mechanical ventilation, though this often leads to ventilator-induced lung injuries (VILI) and puts critically ill patients at risk of infections, including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). A promising therapeutic is the extracellular matrix (ECM), a complex network of structural proteins and bioactive molecules that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and prevent fibrosis. We aim to utilize the regenerative and immunomodulatory …

Effects Of Changes In Strouhal And Reynolds Numbers On Beetle Wing Aerodynamics, Keith L. Thiha

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Insect flight has long been a subject of interest across the scientific community, largely due to the exceptional aerodynamic performance insects demonstrate relative to their size. Insects tend to have very high aerodynamic performance characteristics like thrust and lift generation compared to their size. This has many potential applications in improving aircraft performance, however the flow phenomena concerning insect wing aerodynamics is still an area of ongoing research. This study aims to investigate how variations in key nondimensional flow parameters—specifically the Reynolds number and Strouhal number—affect the aerodynamic performance of beetle wings. Strouhal numbers ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 were …

Pharmacological Or Genetic Inhibition Of Ltcc Promotes Cardiomyocyte Proliferation Through Inhibition Of Calcineurin Activity, Lynn A. C. Devilée, Abou Bakr M. Salama, Jessica M. Miller, Janice D. Reid, Qinghui Ou, Nourhan M. Baraka, Kamal Abou Farraj, Madiha Jamal, Yibing Nong, Todd K. Rosengart, Douglas A. Andres, Jonathan Satin, Tamer M. A. Mohamed, James E. Hudson, Riham R. E. Abouleisa

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Cardiomyocytes (CMs) lost during ischemic cardiac injury cannot be replaced due to their limited proliferative capacity. Calcium is an important signal transducer that regulates key cellular processes, but its role in regulating CM proliferation is incompletely understood. Here we show a robust pathway for new calcium signaling-based cardiac regenerative strategies. A drug screen targeting proteins involved in CM calcium cycling in human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiac organoids (hCOs) revealed that only the inhibition of L-Type Calcium Channel (LTCC) induced the CM cell cycle. Furthermore, overexpression of Ras-related associated with Diabetes (RRAD), an endogenous inhibitor of LTCC, induced CM cell cycle …

Firelog: An Open-Source, Low-Cost System For Temperature Logging During Wildland Fires With High Spatial And Temporal Resolution, Nipuna Chamara, Yufeng Ge, Sabrina E. Russo

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Measuring flame, air, and soil temperatures during wildland fires, including wildfires and controlled burns in land management contexts, is crucial for research and applications in fire ecology, safety, and management in a wide array of ecosystems, from grasslands to forests. However, open-source and commercial systems are needed for measuring and logging flame and air temperatures that are user-friendly, economical, modular, and customizable. This paper details the design, development, and validation of the FireLog system. Laboratory validation experiments demonstrated high measurement accuracy, with a minimum coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.98 and the highest observed root mean square error (RMSE) of …

Inactivation Of Zika Virus With Hydroxypropyl-Beta-Cyclodextrin, Cory R. Hewitt, Nicholas J. Wixon, Arthur Gallegos, You Zhou, Victor C. Huber, M. Scott. Killian

Nebraska Center for Biotechnology: Faculty and Staff Publications

Background/Objectives: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is associated with life-threatening diseases in humans. To date, there are no available FDA-approved therapies or vaccines for the specific treatment or prevention of ZIKV infection. Variation in the ZIKV envelope protein (Env), along with its complex quaternary structure, presents challenges to synthetic approaches for developing an effective vaccine and broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). We hypothesized that beta-cyclodextrin (BCD) could be used to uniquely inactivate infectious ZIKV without disruption of Env.

Methods: ZIKV was propagated in Vero cells and admixed with BCD. The BCD-treated ZIKV was evaluated for infectivity using immunofluorescence and quantitative …

Microscopic Analysis Of Temperature Effects On Surface Colonization And Biofilm Morphology Of Salmonella Enterica, Zachariah Vice, You Zhou, Sapna Chitlapilly Dass, Rong Wang

Nebraska Center for Biotechnology: Faculty and Staff Publications

Salmonella enterica represents a diverse group of pathogens commonly associated with food contamination including red meat. Even though pre- and post-harvest cleaning and sanitization procedures are widely implemented at meat processing plants to mitigate the hazard, S. enterica cells may escape the process by colonizing, on contact, surfaces in the form of a biofilm that functions as an aggregated microbial community to facilitate mutual protection, antimicrobial resistance, proliferation and dissemination. Biofilm development is a complex process that can be affected by a variety of factors including environmental temperature. We developed methods using scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy with a …

Characterization Of Multispecies Microbial Communities At Beef And Pork Processing Plants And Their Impact On Pathogen Stress Tolerance, Rong Wang, Sapna Chitlapilly Dass, Vignesh Palanisamy, You Zhou, Tatum Katz, Joseph M. Bosilevac

Nebraska Center for Biotechnology: Faculty and Staff Publications

Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica are major foodborne pathogens. Biofilm formation may potentially contribute to product contamination by these pathogens at meat processing facilities. Further, pathogen stress tolerance may vary significantly due to the interactions with the multispecies microbial community at meat plants, which may be affected by processing activity, animal species, and the local selective pressure caused by sanitization practices.

We characterized natural microorganisms collected from floor drains at various areas at three beef plants and two pork plants and analyzed their impact on pathogen sanitizer tolerance.

The pathogen strains were able to integrate efficiently into the multispecies …

Scalable Machine Learning Framework For Adaptive Irrigation Management Of Maize And Soybean In The U.S. Midwest, Precious N. Amori, Derek M. Heeren, Yeyin Shi, Eric Wilkening, Ivo Z. Goncalves, Guillermo R. Balboa, Daran R. Rudnick, Abia Katimbo, Randall S. Ritzema

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Conventional soil water balance (SWB) irrigation scheduling tools, such as FAO-56-based Spreadsheets and the Spatial Evapotranspiration Modeling Interface (SETMI), rely heavily on manual inputs and periodic field measurements, leading to delayed recommendations and missed opportunities to prevent crop stress. More critically, these tools lack the computational scalability and adaptability to leverage the high-frequency, high-volume datasets now available through modern sensing technologies. As precision irrigation increasingly depends on integrating spatially and temporally nuanced field information, there is a pressing need for decision-support systems that can process Big Data efficiently and respond in real-time. To overcome these limitations, we developed and validated …

The Influence Of The Digital Economy On The Ecological Environment And Its Sustainable Development, Xinpan Lyu, Jianhua Dai

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This study aims to examine the impact of the digital economy on ecological sustainability and its development in China from 2000 to 2022. The study focuses on the role of innovation in the digital sector, where the adoption of big data technologies is considered, with reference to sustainable development, from an environmental perspective. A dynamic threshold model and, in particular, the Iterated Generalized Least Squares (IGLS) technique is used to analyze the given data.The research reveals a significant link between adopting digital technologies and managing environmental sustainability efficiently. To investigate the interconnection between the digital economy and ecological goals, it …

Enhancing Traceability And Sustainability In Smallholder Oil Palm Plantations Through Gap Analysis And Machine Learning, Kursehi Falgenti, Yandra Arkeman, Khaswar Syamsu, Erliza Hambali

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires all products entering the EU market to comply with deforestation-free requirements by using a traceability system that tracks products back to their plantation of origin. However, ensuring traceability for fresh fruit bunches (FFB) supplied by independent smallholders (ISHs) presents challenges. These challenges arise from the segregation of internal and external FFB trucks at weighbridges, where only the FFB weight is recorded, without identifying its source. To address this, a new segregation system was introduced, based on the level of sustainability implementation in plantations. This study aimed to develop an FFB traceability system using …

Enhancing Walking Culture In Egyptian Cities As An Approach To Energy Harvesting, Kareem M. Ali

Mansoura Engineering Journal

It has become possible to generate clean energy based on the physical effort of individuals, whether during the use of sports equipment or by converting kinetic energy (walking steps) into electricity instead of it being wasted effort. The World Health Organization’s recommendation to walk for at least half an hour daily helps to enhance public health. Therefore, the research proposes dedicating pathways within cities built with energy-generating technology from pedestrian movement and organizing regular walking races to help produce more electrical energy. This would provide part of the urban environment’s electricity needs, reduce the carbon footprint, and enhance public health. …

Topographic Mapping Using Gps Functionality In The New Delta, Nasr M. Saba, Salem S. Saeh

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Topographic maps are essential for addressing geospatial challenges, offering precise, detailed information. Historically, they relied on analog surveying methods, which were labor-intensive, costly, and often inaccurate, involving outdated tools. This study evaluates the accuracy of topographic mapping techniques compared to traditional 1:50,000 scale maps for the New Delta in Egypt. The methodology uses a Global Positioning system post-processing kinematic GPS-PPK points in a 500m x 500m grid to create maps more efficiently in terms of time and cost. Elevation data was collected from 32 control points and two grids: a 500m x 500m GPS kinematic grid and a 25m x …

Photocatalytic Production Of Hydrogen From Sodium Borohydride Using Tio2/Mwcnt, Ahmed S . Sewerky, Ibrahim Gar Al Alm Rashed, M.M. El-Halwany, Mohamed R. Elmarghany

Mansoura Engineering Journal

In this research, a novel photocatalyst composed of titanium dioxide TiO2 supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was synthesized using the sol-gel method to produce hydrogen H2 from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride NaBH4. The TiO2/MWCNT composite’s photocatalytic activity was examined under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, with UV lamps used as the source. The experiments were repeated at different temperatures and varying catalyst doses to analyze their effects on H2 generation. The synthesized photocatalyst was characterized through structural, morphological, and compositional studies using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The findings reveal that …

Assessment Of The Changes In Water Reserves In Egypt Using The Time Series Grace Data, Basma Fawzi, Mahmoud Salah, Mahmoud El-Mewafi

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiments (GRACE) is considered one of the most important satellites used to identify the Terrestrial Water Storage Anomalies (TWSA) in all river basins around the world since the launch of this satellite from 2002 until now. In this research, we depend on the data obtained from GRACE in the Nile River Basin region(NRB) in Egypt during the period from 2018 to 2024, in addition to relying on the factors that affect the analysis of data related to the groundwater reserves, which are temperatures and rainfall, in order to know the sudden changes that occur in …

Development Of An Examination Hall Malpractice Detection System Using Pose Estimation And Machine Learning, Etinosa Noma-Osaghae, Udoumoh John David, Joshua Sokowonci Mommoh, Olusogo Julius Adetunji, Oyedeji Ayo Isaac

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Examination malpractice remains a critical concern, driving the need for robust and efficient detection systems to uphold academic integrity. This research introduces a novel approach to examination malpractice detection by leveraging pose estimation and machine learning to address key gaps in existing solutions. Current systems often rely exclusively on either pose estimation or object detection, failing to exploit the synergistic potential of combining these techniques. This study bridges this gap by integrating deep learning models with complementary capabilities to enhance detection accuracy, robustness, and coverage. The proposed methodology utilises OpenPose for precise human pose estimation, enabling the detection of body …

Effect Of Raw Materials And Loop Length On Thermal Comfort Properties Of Pique Fleece Fabrics, Aya E. Elemam, Abd Elmonem Fouda, Ahmed S. Eldeeb, Rehab Abd Elkhalek

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Technological developments of knitting machines made it possible to produce evolved fabric structures to obtain various properties that suit consumer needs. Pique fleece is a variation of the special popular fleece knitted structure with aim of combining the features of pique and fleece structures. The aim of this research was to study the effect of yarns material type and loop length on thermal comfort properties of un-napped pique fleece fabrics that used as apparel textiles during transitional seasons. Two types of fleece yarn (100% cotton and 65% cotton/ 35%polyester) and three types of face and binding yarns (cotton, polyester and …

Exploring The Role Of Cinema In Architectural Perception Of Biophilic Design., Walaa Abdou Abd Elrazik, Mona Awad Abu El-Enein, Mahmoud M. Saafan

Mansoura Engineering Journal

With rapid urbanization transforming the built environment, biophilic architecture offers a sustainable approach that integrates natural elements to promote well-being and ecological balance. As a powerful storytelling medium, cinema shapes architectural perceptions by depicting both the presence and absence of biophilic principles in future urban landscapes. This study investigates how cinematic depictions of biophilic architecture influence audience understanding and appreciation. Using film content analysis, case studies, and surveys of architectural professionals, this research examines selected film scenes, evaluating the emotional and perceptual impact of biophilic versus non-biophilic environments. Findings indicate that films effectively highlight key biophilic features such as natural …

Behaviour Of The Internal Rc Slab-Column Connection With Both Correct And Incorrect Reinforcing Details, Momen M. Ali, Abdelrhman B. Harraz, Walid H. Shalaby

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Flat slabs without beams are common slab systems due to their simple formwork and ability to accommodate reduced story heights. Reinforced concrete slab-column connections are critical, especially internal connections with the final roof slabs. This research aims to compare the correct and incorrect reinforcing details of internal slabcolumn connections and examine how they affect the connections' behaviour. One of the most common problems in reinforced concrete structures is incorrect reinforcing details of slab-column connections, which is caused by insufficient experience and a lack of quality control. For this reason, numerical research is carried out. FE models for eighteen (18) specimens …

Review And Comparative Study On Renewable Energy Use And Policies In Egypt And Leading Countries, Salwa Abdel Monem El Gindi

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Improving energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings is essential for maintaining good environmental quality. Renewable energy use has become imperative as a result of shortage and disadvantages of traditional energy sources. Although the world has taken measures to develop renewable energy, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions is continuously increasing. This may be related with a low level of elaboration of the ongoing policies, with obstacles to the renewable energy market growth. The energy sector in Egypt is overwhelmed with the local energy demands. Considering Egypt’s signature on the Kyoto protocol and hosting COP27 as it acknowledges the significance of …

Bio-Inspired Airfoil Design Based On The Aerodynamic Analysis Of A Bird Feather Microstructure, Jack C. Ihm

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study investigates the aerodynamic effects of a bio-inspired airfoil design based on the microstructure of a secondary feather from a female wood duck. The research hypothesized that incorporating barbs and barbules into an airfoil design would modify boundary layer behavior by introducing localized flow disturbances. To test this, a bio-inspired airfoil was developed by integrating the microstructure into a NACA 0012 airfoil and analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations at angles of attack of 0°, 5°, 10°, and 15°. The results showed that the bio-inspired airfoil influenced boundary layer behavior, producing localized flow disturbances near x/c = 0.7 …

Numerical Simulation Of The Fracture Resistance Of A Flame Deflector Under Impact And High Temperature By Using The Extended Finite-Element Method, Guangzhong Liu, Yuqing Feng, Tong Lin, Zhixin Xiong, Zhenting Chen

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

During the launch of rockets at sea, the flame deflector of the launch platform is subject to transient impact loads and high temperatures, which can result in the fracturing of the flame deflector, thereby endangering the platform and launch safety. In this study, dynamic crack propagation in a flame deflector under the aforementioned conditions was numerically investigated using the extended finite-element method (XFEM). The bulk of the flame deflector was modeled using shell elements, the local area in which the crack evolves was modeled using solid elements, and discontinuities were modeled using enrichment functions in the XFEM. The degrees of …

Overseas Agent Selection For International Logistics Companies: A Case Study, Hung-Ta Lin, Hua-An Lu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

International logistics companies (ILCs) have aggressively participated in the supply chain systems of production industries as part of global trade development. They have adopted diversified and multinational models by expanding their overseas services to align with the various characteristics of regional economic patterns. Assigning specific local agents for their forwarding operations has been one of the key strategies for overseas services. Notably, the performance of these selected agents has significantly influenced service quality in their respective regions. In collaboration with the top management of an ILC, this study proposes an evaluation framework comprising 4 criteria and 16 subcriteria for selecting …

Cfrp Retrofitting For Enhancing Damping In Cushion Mounts For Marine Applications, Chih-Lung Hou, Guang-Min Luo, Sheng-Yuan Chen

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Reducing vibration transmission and dynamic response is critical for data processing devices, precision instruments, and machinery in environments with frequent shocks, such as naval applications. These devices are often mounted to ships with cushion mounts. This study presents a cost-effective and rapid method for retrofitting mounts with carbon fiber reinforced polymers; the method greatly improved damping and effectively reduced vibration transmission. Specimens were produced and subjected to experimental modal analysis, and finite element models were developed for comparison. The frequency response functions and modes of the structural components from both methods were compared to assess the improvement in the damping …

Application Of Genetic Algorithm In Container Vessel Stowage Planning With Carbon Tax Considerations, Ming-Feng Yang, Wei-Hao Su, Ko-Meng Hu, Yu-Hsuan Li

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study developed a method for optimizing stowage planning for container vessels, a crucial aspect of international trade logistics. Over 80% of global trade depends on containerized transportation; thus, effective stowage planning is essential for minimizing transportation costs and enhancing operational efficiency. In the proposed hybrid optimization approach, integer programming is combined with a genetic algorithm to generate optimal stowage plans. The key factors considered in this method include load capacity limits, stacking constraints, and carbon tax regulations. The proposed method involves maximizing space utilization while minimizing logistics costs, with particular emphasis on reducing port dwell times. The findings of …

Research On Multi-Ship Collision Avoidance Decision-Making Based On Improved Velocity Obstacle Method Using Dynamic Elliptical Ship Domains, Tang Xinwei, Li Weifeng

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The velocity obstacle method offers collision avoidance solutions for critical multi-ship encounter scenarios. This thesis introduces a Reciprocal Velocity Obstacle (RVO) approach based on dynamic elliptical ship domains for multi-ship collision avoidance. Initially, the concept of dynamic elliptical ship domains is presented, building upon the original static elliptical ship domain Velocity Obstacle (VO) method. Subsequently, multi-ship encounter scenarios are simulated in both virtual environments and real nautical charts, comparing the two methods. The analysis results demonstrate the improved method's excellent performance in both cases, underscoring its advantages. This research provides more effective collision avoidance strategies for multi-ship encounters.

Exploring The Red Sea Crisis’S Supply Chain Disruption Impacts On The Shipping Industry, Po-Hsing Tseng, Nick Pilcher

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Since October 7, 2023, the Houthi militia in Yemen has continuously attacked Israel and its nearby ships in the Red Sea. This crisis has impacted on global ship operations, freight rates, and shipping networks, since this conflict seriously affects the international trade between Europe and Asia and brings many unpredictable butterfly effects (e.g. supply chain disruption, and high transportation costs in shipping and air cargo). This papero explores its impact on the supply chain and suggests potential solutions;, and to consider perceptions on who should be responsible for the crisis, and who will actually shoulder the responsibility for the crisis. …

Dna Barcoding In Species Identification Of Flying Fish (Exocoetidae) And Halfbeaks (Hemiramphidae) Larvae: A Comparative Study Of The Database Over A Decade, Hui-Ling Ko, Kwang-Tsao Shao, Ching-Yi Chen, Yen-Wei Chang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The families Exocoetidae and Hemiramphidae comprise migratory species, whose identification based on their external morphological characteristics can be challenging because of their similarities. DNA barcoding has been used in taxonomic and evolutionary studies to address these issues. The morphological characteristics of fish larvae change rapidly and often lack distinctive features, posing a challenge for species-level identification. This study used DNA barcoding to identify flying fish and half-beaked larvae. Using plankton nets, sampling was conducted seasonally between 2010 and 2013 in Nanwan, Taiwan. A total of 903 individuals were collected, of which 111 were identified as flying and half-beaked fish based …

Operational Risk Evaluation Of Oil Tankers Via Multivariate Gaidai Reliability Framework Incorporating Memory Effects, Oleg Gaidai, Shicheng He, Jinlu Sheng, Yan Zhu, Alaa Elsayed, Mahmoud El-Wazery

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The retreat of Arctic Sea ice may exert a major impact on economy，potentially transforming the nature of commerce between Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Projections indicate a 40% reduction in transit distance and a 30% decrease in voyage time between Europe and northwest Asia compared to traditional routes such as the Suez Canal. However, even during summer navigation, fragmented floating ice persists, generating stochastic ice loads on vessel bows and hulls through complex ship-to-ice interaction. For structural design, statistical extrapolation methods are required to accurately assess excessive areal bow/hull stresses. This study proposes a novel multi-modal structural damage risk assessment …