Engineering Commons^™

Sediment Grain Size Analysis And Characteristics Of Sedimentation Processes In The Bang Berd-Khao Tham Thong Beach, Chumphon Province, Rawadee Meeprasit, Sujaree Bureekul, Suriyan Saramul

Applied Environmental Research

This study investigated the sedimentological characteristics of the Bang Berd-Khao Tham Thong beach system, which is located along the western shore of the central Gulf of Thailand, an area that is minimally disturbed by human activity and is ideal for studying natural coastal processes. Sediment samples were collected from both coastal and marine environments across four sampling periods (July 2022, September 2022, April 2023, and June 2023). The analysis focused on the grain size distribution, sorting, skewness, kurtosis, and sediment composition, revealing a predominance of medium sand in coastal sediments and increased silt and clay contents in marine sediments. The …

Investigating Spatial And Temporal Changes In Vegetation Via Remote Sensing Indicators And Revealing Their Trends In The Central Desert Of Iran, Peyman Akbarzadeh, Shima Nikoo, Mehran Akbarzadeh

Applied Environmental Research

Vegetation changes can significantly affect the conditions and productivity of ecosystems. Consequently, studying vegetation dynamics across various temporal and spatial scales has emerged as a critical environmental concern. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in vegetation cover via vegetation indices, including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), ratio vegetation index (RVI), soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), and difference vegetation index (DVI), derived from multitemporal Landsat 5, 7, and 8 satellite images processed via the Google Earth Engine. The study area is located in the Damghan arid and desert watershed, which represents the central desert of Iran. Furthermore, …

Assessment Of Landslide Susceptibility And Settlement Exposure Via Geospatial Techniques In Bulambuli Distrcit, Eastern Uganda, Andrew Mulabbi, John Calvin Esagu, Gertrude Akello, Remigio Turyahabwe

Applied Environmental Research

Landslide susceptibility is a significant concern in Elgon County, Uganda, particularly during the rainy season. This vulnerability is attributable to several factors, including steep slopes, fertile soils, and dense settlements on volcanic ridges. Landslide susceptibility maps are important in mitigating the risk particularly at the local level. The objectives of this study were 1) to model landslide susceptibility via an interpretable machine-learning model, 2) to identify the most influential factors for landslide susceptibility in the study area, and 3) to assess the exposure of settlements to landslide risk. This study employed the XGBoost model trained on nine conditioning factors via …

Exploration Of Indigeneous Biosurfactant-Producing Bacillus Sp. From Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil In Indonesia, Rizky Danang Susetyo, Wahyu Wilopo, Suwarno Hadisusanto, Endah Retnaningrum

Applied Environmental Research

Hydrocarbonolastic bacteria are valuable for the remediation of petroleum-polluted environments. The production of biosurfactants by such bacteria significantly enhances hydrocarbon bioavailability and increases remediation efficiency. One genus of hydrocarbonolastic bacteria with the potential to produce biosurfactants is Bacillus, yet strain-level diversity and local adaptations remain underexplored.Tthis study aimed to isolate and characterize hydrocarbonolastic bacteria belonging to the Bacillus genus from soil samples collected at Geopetroleum Teksas Wonocolo, Kedewan District, Bojonegoro Regency, Indonesia, which is a historically underreported hydrocarbon site. Additionally, the capacity of Bacillus to synthesize biosurfactants was examined. Bacillus strains capable of biosur-factant production were identified via a polyphasic …

Impact Of Irrigation Systems On Water Use And Water Productivity: A Case Study Using Aquacrop In Khartoum, Sudan, Abdalhakam Almagzoop

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Masters Project Reports

Water scarcity significantly challenges agricultural productivity in arid regions like Khartoum, Sudan. This study evaluates the impact of three irrigation systems—furrow, sprinkler, and surface drip—on the water use and productivity of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) under different climatic conditions using the AquaCrop model. Simulations were conducted for three representative years: a wet year (2022), a normal year (2015), and a dry year (2018). The results demonstrate that irrigation substantially improved water use efficiency and crop yield compared to non-irrigated (rainfed) conditions. Rainfed crops resulted in lower biomass, harvest index, and yield, particularly in the dry year, highlighting the importance …

Enhancing Water Sustainability In North Africa: Literature Review And Synthesis Of Current Knowledge Gaps In Sudan, Osman M. A. Adam

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Masters Project Reports

This study delves into the critical role of groundwater in addressing global water challenges, with a focus on the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) in north Africa. Groundwater constitutes a source of potable water, irrigation, and industrial use, especially in arid regions where surface water is limited. We analyzed the status of water quantity, withdrawals, recharge, and geological characteristics in the NSAS, specifically in Sudan, Egypt, and Libya. Though the NSAS is largely an untapped resource, water withdrawals from the NSAS in Egypt, Sudan, and Libya are projected to increase substantially from 2000 to 2100 due to population growth, with …

Populations Digitally Excluded From Education: Issues, Factors, Contributions And Actions For Policy, Practice And Research In A Post-Pandemic Era, Don Passey, Jean Gabin Ntebutse, Manal Yazbak Abu Ahmad, Janet Cochrane, Simon Collin, Asmaa Ganayem, Elizabeth Langran, Sadaqat Mulla, Ma. Mercedes T. Rodrigo, Toshinori Saito, Miri Shonfeld, Saunand Somasi

Department of Information Systems & Computer Science Faculty Publications

This conceptual paper draws on a wide range of research and policy literature, providing a contemporary view of issues, factors and practices that affect education for digitally excluded populations. Concern for how education for digitally excluded populations can be supported is focal to this paper, with different sections offering key related perspectives. From an analysis of issues, factors and practices, actions for policy, practice and research are identified. Given a key finding that power issues can have major effects on plans, implementation processes and outcomes when addressing needs of education for digitally excluded populations, the paper concludes by offering frameworks …

An Investigation Into The Use Of Amateur Astronomy Equipment For Optical Orbit Determination Using A Mobile Telescope Platform, Johan C. Govaars

Master's Theses

The process of optical orbit determination has long been in the domain of large organizations and stationary observatories with highly specialized scientific equipment. This thesis seeks to determine not only if satellites can be captured regularly using purely commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment, but also if initial orbit determinations can be made using that data. Moreover, the use of a mobile telescope platform allows users to circumvent the restrictions of fixed observatories such as low horizon viewing restrictions or existing light pollution.

A completely COTS setup was utilized that included an 8-inch Celestron NextStar 8SE telescope with an f/6.3 focal reducer and …

Impact Of Weather Systems On Uav Parameters Using Computational Fluid Dynamics, Saif Aljuhaishi, Yaseen K. Al-Timimi, Basim I. Wahab

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Since drones cannot fly in any kind of weather, they are not safe for time-sensitive activities. The study examines how the passage of weather systems in Iraq leads to the ban on drone flights, and how these weather conditions impact the aerodynamic forces of the drone. Hourly climate data for the study area were obtained from ECMWF ERA5 and CAMS in NetCDF format for four climate stations (Erbil, Baghdad, Rutbah, and Basrah). A ScanEagle drone was chosen for this study. The Python programming language was used to perform mathematical operations to calculate the ban on drone flights. ArcGIS 10.8 was …

Unleaded Fuel For General Aviation, Carolina Anderson, Laura Garcia

Sustainability Conference

The Clean Air Act, passed in the late 1970s, mandating the removal of lead from most fuels due its detrimental effects on public health, yet piston-driven aircraft continue to rely on leaded aviation gas (AvGas 100LL). This fuel remains the last lead-containing fuel regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Lead, added as tetraethyl lead (TEL), enhances octane levels and prevents engine detonation, vital for high-compression aircraft engines. In response to the health effects, regulating bodies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have tightened lead standards and are assessing the risk posed by AvGas. Research links even low-level lead exposure …

Integrating Humanities Into Cybersecurity Education: Enhancing Ethical, Historical, And Sociopolitical Understanding In Technical Training, Joseph Frusci

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The increasing complexity of cybersecurity challenges necessitates a holistic educational approach that integrates both technical skills and humanistic perspectives. This article examines the importance of infusing humanities disciplines such as history, ethics, political science, sociology, law, and anthropology—into cybersecurity education. Through a pilot course developed for Staten Island Technical High School, aligned with the New York State K-12 Computer Science and Digital Fluency Standards, students were introduced to an interdisciplinary curriculum that combined technical cybersecurity training with historical analysis, ethical reasoning, and sociopolitical context. The results of pre- and post-course assessments demonstrated significant improvements in critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and …

Compaction Characteristics Of Granular Material And Its Structural Mechanical Behavior Considering Orthotropy, Huang You, Zhang Yunbao, Liu Zhaohui, Pan Yu, Liu Zebin, Fang Ronghai

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The orthotropy of granular materials is closely related to the compaction process and has a significant impact on the mechanical behavior of pavement structures.In this study，in order to study the effect of the compaction process on the orthotropy of granular materials，different compaction methods and compaction energies were employed to compact granular materials for pavement into specimens，and improved dynamic resilient mechanical tests were conducted.Orthotropic coefficients （α2） of typical granular materials were obtained，and the finite element method was used to conduct mechanical analysis of asphalt pavement structures considering the orthotropy of granular materials.The results show that the dry density of specimens by …

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 65 Number 2, Fall 2024 [Print Issue 62:2], Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

12 - INCREASING ACCESS Discerning one’s dream requires a whole set of experiences based on community, opportunity, and, yes, cash. Leslie Griffy

16 - UNPACKING UTOPIA It seems like billionaire-backed utopias are popping up all over the map. What does it take to build a perfect city? Lauren Loftus

22 - A WEALTH OF WELL-BEING In his new book, Professor Meir Statman explores a holistic approach to financial and life well-being. Leslie Griffy

26 - A WOMAN'S PLACE Despite being denied access to the priesthood, Catholic women find new ways to lead. Leslie Griffy

Application Of Haines And Terbrugge Chart For Suitable Slope Angles – A Case Study Of Artisanal And Small-Scale Mining, Carol Mgiba, Steven Rupprecht

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Significant hazards in Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) are rock failure and slope collapse caused by overly steep pit walls, poor mine design and water pressure. There is a lack of expertise and capital in ASM. Providing a simple and cost-effective slope stability analysis and designing systems that can mitigate the risk of slope collapse is essential. This article aims to assess whether stability charts and estimations can be used to establish suitable slope angles to mitigate the overwhelming cases of slope collapse in ASM. The Bieniawski’s Rock Mass Rating system and Heins and Terbrugge stability chart were used to …

Utilization Of Solar And Wind Power-Generation Systems In The Mining Industry: Recent Trends And Future Prospects, Elaheh Mohammadi Valikandi, Yosoon Choi

Journal of Sustainable Mining

In recent years, the mining industry has faced many challenges, such as rising demand, fluctuating energy prices, increasing energy consumption due to declining ore grades, and environmental concerns. According to the Paris Agreement, countries worldwide must focus on decarbonizing their economies to mitigate the global average surface temperature growth. This paper reviews how renewable energy, specifically photovoltaic and wind power systems, can be used to tackle some of these challenges. Operating mines globally, like the South Deep gold mine in South Africa and the MA'ADEN Alumina Refinery in Saudi Arabia, and abandoned mines, such as former coal mines in the …

Development And Testing Of Small-Scale Flash Dryer For Maize Bran, Eden Ngowi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Sun drying is the most common technique used to dry various food products due to its economic convenience. However, it is not effective owing to its unreliable nature leading to microbial deterioration and aflatoxin contamination of food. In Tanzania, about 1.3 million tonnes of maize bran are at risk of deterioration annually due to improper drying. The aim of this study was to design, fabricate and test an efficient small-scale flash dryer for maize bran. Using principles of material and energy balance, a small-scale flash dryer with a throughput of 500 kg of dry product per hour was designed resulting …

Exploring The Transformation Of Sustainable Collective Spaces: A Study From Mlalakuwa Informal Settlement, Jacob Lutta

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

A major challenge in collective space transformation is addressing the complexity of informal urbanisation in developing countries. Using a case study approach, this paper examines the concerns related to a particular informal settlement's sustainable collective space transformation. One of the key findings is that the absence of formal rules and regulations in the development of informal settlements in combination with land-grabbing leads to the absence of open spaces that could be used collectively. It is observed that sustainability in urban development is another body of critical thought that integrates several streams of current urban elements and embodies various conceptions of …

Evaluation Of Business-Driven Reference Architecture For Big Data Analytics Implementation By Public Sector Organizations In Resource-Constrained Setting: A Case Study Of Uganda, Matendo Didas

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Big Data Analytics (BDA) is a new area at the nexus of agenda, public sector organizations, and government business. It may satisfy the growing need for trustworthy, cost-effective services in the public sector for better, more informed decision-making processes. BDA has been proposed on the planning schedules of several public sector organizations and the government. Therefore, from the previous work, using Uganda as a case study, specifically the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), Ministry of Health (MoH), and Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), this study aims to evaluate a designed Business-Driven Reference Architecture for Big Data Analytics Implementation (BRABDAI) …

Investigation Of Heavy Metal Composition And Associated Health Risks From Selected Groundwater Wells In Temeke, Dar-Es-Salaam, Justin M. Jeremiah

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Water quality continues to be the challenge to residents in Dar es Salaam due to various anthropogenic activities in the city. This study was conducted to assess groundwater quality by determining concentrations of heavy metals. Both probability and Nonprobability sampling techniques were used to collect samples from 40 groundwater wells in 24 wards of Temeke municipal and analysed using Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (Agilent 4210 MP-AES) at the Geochemistry Laboratory of the University of Dar es Salaam. Results indicated varying heavy metal concentrations ranging from 0.71 ± 0.08 to 6.64 ± 0.21 mg/l for As, 0.02 ± 0.01 to …

Assessing The Importance Of Air-Decking Blasting In Controlling Bigv At An Open Pit Gold Mine In Tanzania Using Ann Model, Karim R. Baruti

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Air-decking blasting technique is used to control blast induced ground vibration (BIGV) in several mines including open-pit gold mines located in Tanzania. While the importance of air-deck to control BIGV is practically evident, theoretical models such as BIGV prediction models cannot be used to assess the importance of air-decking. The main objective of this study was to assess the importance of the air-decking blasting technique to control BIGV using the artificial neural network (ANN)Model. To achieve this objective, ANNs were modeled and trained to learn the pattern of data using Multilayer Perception with Back Propagation to predict BIGV. The main …

Assessing Soil Properties & Suitability For Optimized Irrigation Development In Sudan, Northern Africa, Suhib O. Hamid

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Masters Project Reports

In Chapter 1, soil properties essential for efficient irrigation are thoroughly assessed. Factors such as soil texture, infiltration rates, and nutrient content are analyzed to provide insights into the selection of modern irrigation systems. Utilizing data collected from 3,192 locations through GPS and laboratory analyses, alongside sophisticated ranking systems, the research determines the most suitable irrigation methods for specific soil series. Findings highlight the remarkable efficiency of drip irrigation across various soil types, contrasting with the consistently lower performance of surface irrigation. The chapter emphasizes the significance of considering soil variability, evapotranspiration, and investment factors in selecting irrigation methods for …

Smart Airports: Artificial Intelligence–Enabled Internet Of Things Networks Using Blockchain Technology, Edwin Ongola

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This article provides a perspective on how an internet of heterogeneous self-service airport terminal systems can be used for data collection, which is stored on a private or consortium blockchain depending on the ownership or operations of an airport or both. Such a setup would help to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve traveler experience at airport terminals. Moreover, it would allow airports to gather data directly from passengers as opposed to waiting to receive the same data from airlines. Subsequently, this data, now on a blockchain system, becomes a data source for other applications such as machine learning. In …

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

Journal of Engineering Research

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

Towards Green Cities As An Approach To Achieve Climate Change Adaptation, Noha H. Hefnawy Nouran M. Ibrahim

Journal of Engineering Research

Climate change is a complicated problem and there is an urgent need for climate change adaptation. Cities are the primary drivers of social, economic, and technical progress. Green Cities are cities that show high environmental performance relative to adapting risks derived from climate change while maximizing the economic and social co-benefits. The Authors adopted a data collection strategy to review the issues, and difficulties caused by climate change and how green cities could assist in addressing them, then adopted a case study analysis to analyze the strategies used by Sharm El Sheikh in the transition to green city. The study …

Improving Home Designs For Disease Prevention In Gated Communities And Satisfying Living Space Needs In Egypt: A Post-Pandemic Living Assessment, A. Moustafa Kamel Neveen Youssef Azmy, Shahira Sharaf Eldin

Journal of Engineering Research

Abstract Pandemics such as SARS and COVID-19 have highlighted the importance of preventing and controlling diseases. Virus transmission in residential buildings, especially multi-unit apartment complexes, has prompted calls for innovative housing designs. While Western countries prioritize physical and mental health in residential building design, China focuses on comfort, aesthetics, appearance, and lifestyle.

Design A Strategy To Estimate The Ideal Number Treatment Services Facilities For Cancer Patients (2024-2050) A Case Study In Egypt, Gharbia Governorate., Mahmoud Ahmed Zak Dr. Hosny Dewair, Hala Saied Mahamed Yassen

Journal of Engineering Research

Estimating therapeutic services for cancer patients within comprehensive cancer centers, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and other services, is a complex and difficult endeavor that varies from one country to another and from year to year due to changing rates of cancer prevalence, its nature, and other variables. Many countries resort to estimating these services based on global experiences without taking into account the local situation and the needs of the region. Therefore, the research focuses on studying the influences and variables that affect the estimation of these services, using local statistics and linking them to international standards to prove their …

A Comparative Analysis In Energy Efficiency In Buildings To Support Clean Energy Transitions In Architecture, Nourhane M. El-Haridi

Journal of Engineering Research

Over the past few decades, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of energy efficiency policies in designing buildings for supporting clean energy transitions. Buildings account for a significant share of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and improving their energy efficiency in the design phase can reduce energy use and emissions, while also providing numerous other benefits such as cost savings, improved comfort and health, and job creation. Many countries have already implemented energy efficiency policies in buildings, such as building codes, standards, labeling schemes, and financial incentives in addition to governmental regulations. Since the governments …

Activating Urban Spaces To Achieve Social Sustainability In Closed Residential Communities, ولاء أحمد نو زة صبحي السقا , أحمد السيد الشناوي , سارة حسني شعلان

Journal of Engineering Research

تماشيا مع توجهات الجمهورية الجديدة و رؤية مصر 2030 من أجل خلق مجتمعات سكنية مستدامة تلبي احتياجات سكانيها الاجتماعية .وقد ادي انتشار المجتمعات السكنية المغلقة الي وجود مشكلة اجتماعية لسكانها من عزلة و انحصارهم داخلها وانفصالهم عن المجتمع المحيط بهم وعن سكان باقي المدينة وبالتالي ظهرت مشاكل اجتماعية مثل العزلة و الشعور بالوحدة وفقدان الانتماء الاجتماعي وزيادة الانفصال.لذلك يتناول البحث تفعيل دور الفراغات العمرانية وتاثيرها علي العلاقة الاجتماعية بين ساكني تلك التجمعات المغلقة والتاكيد علي ضرورة تطبيق تلك المعايير التصميمية لتلبية احتياجات السكان الاجتماعية. لما للفراغ العمراني من دور مهم في ممارسة الانشطة و الفاعليات التي من شانها تحقيق التواصل …

The Newgeneratortm Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System For Non-Sewered Sanitation: Technology Advancement Through Field Evaluation And Modeling, Hsiang-Yang Shyu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS) offer innovative solutions to sanitation challenges in areas lacking basic facilities, utilizing advanced treatment technologies for on-site water reuse. The NEWgenerator (NG), an advanced NSSS developed at the University of South Florida under the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Reinventing the Toilet Challenge, integrates an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR), an ion exchange-based nutrient capture system (NCS), and an electrochlorinator for final disinfection. This study builds on previous field trials of the NG system, focusing on developing, evaluating, and optimizing its water reuse capabilities through field trials, system dynamics modeling, and advanced monitoring techniques.

In the first …

Enhancing Water Sustainability In North Africa: Literature Review And Synthesis Of Current Knowledge Gaps In Sudan, Osman M. A. Adam, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Derek M. Heeren, Troy E. Gilmore

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

This study delves into the critical role of groundwater in addressing global water challenges, with a focus on the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) in North Africa. Groundwater constitutes a source of potable water, irrigation, and industrial use, especially in arid regions where surface water is limited. We analyzed the status of water quantity, withdrawals, recharge, and geological characteristics in the NSAS, specifically in Sudan, Egypt, Libya, and Chad. Though the NSAS is largely an untapped resource, we evaluated various scenarios to determine the quantity of cropland that can be sustainably irrigated. The NSAS is located in an arid region, …