Engineering Commons^™

Mechanical Demands On The Lower Back In Patients With Non-Chronic Low Back Pain During A Symmetric Lowering And Lifting Task, Iman Shojaei, Elizabeth G. Salt, Quenten L. Hooker, Babak Bazrgari

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

There is limited information in the literature related to the lower back loading in patients with LBP, particularly those with non-chronic LBP. Toward addressing such a research gap, a case-control study was conducted to explore the differences in lower back mechanical loads between a group of females (n=19) with non-chronic, non-specific LBP and a group of asymptomatic females (n=19). The differences in lower back mechanical loads were determined when participants completed one symmetric lowering and lifting of a 4.5 kg load at their preferred cadence. The axial, shearing, and moment components of task demand at the time of peak moment …

Session 2c: Soils And Agriculture, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Soil Phosphorous in Urban Kentucky: Lawn and Gardening Our Way to Hell in a Vegetable Basket
• Optimizing Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Soybean Production in Kentucky- Experimental and Modeling Approach
• Variations in Soil Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity Across Multiple Land Uses in Fayette County, Kentucky

Session 1c: Hydrology, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Comparing the Hydrological Function of Natural and Constructed Ridge Top Isolated Wetlands
• Streamflow Gain and Loss, Hydrograph Separation, and Water-Quality of Abandoned Mine Lands in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Eastern Kentucky, 2015-2017
• Hydrology: Old Science, New Applications for the Blanchard River in Ohio

Poster Session 2, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

1. Kentucky Lake Undergoing a “Change of State”: Trend Analyses Indicate Potential Tipping Points are Being Reached for Several Limnological Variables
2. Investigating Preferential Sewer Pathways: Geospatial Screening and Field Sampling to Reduce Inhalation Exposure Risks
3. Fate and Transport of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in a Sewer System: Numerical Model and Field Study
4. Soil Moisture Conditions and Yield Across Fragic Soils Under Irrigated Management in Western Kentucky
5. Nutrient Contamination from an Agricultural Non-Point Source and its Mitigation: A Case Study of EKU Meadowbrook Farm, Madison County, KY
6. Characterization of Groundwater and Surface Water Geochemistry in an Agricultural Setting at EKU Meadowbrook Farm, …

Session 1b: Biology, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Kentucky Lake Undergoing a “Change of State”: Trend Analyses Indicate potential Tipping Points are being reached for Several Limnological Variables
• Preliminary Environmental Assessment of the Green and Nolin Rivers in Mammoth Cave National Park Following the Removal of Lock and Dam #6
• Water Quality and Primary Productivity in Minor E. Clark Fish Hatchery Ponds

Session 2b: Sediments And Nutrients, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Water, sediment, and nutrients data streams in a fluviokarst watershed in the Kentucky Bluegrass: insights from elemental, isotopic, and high resolution sensor data
• Effects of Stream Restoration on Pollutant Load Reductions in an Urban Watershed
• Watershed sediment transport modeling using dynamic lateral, longitudinal, and vertical sediment (dis)connectivity

Session 1a: Groundwater And Karst, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Analysis of the Ambient Groundwater Quality Monitoring Network Data
• Improving Karst/Sinkhole Hazard Assessment in Kentucky
• Combination of Wind and Stack Effects on Indoor, Atmospheric, and Subsurface Domains in Vapor Intrusion Studies
• Characterization of Spring Discharge and Karst/Sinkhole Drainage Features at The Homeplace on Green River, Near Campbellsville

Session 2a: Membranes And Pollutant Removal, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Ozonation, Biofiltration and the Role of Membrane Surface Charge and Hydrophobicity in Removal and Destruction of Algal Toxins at Basic pH Values
• Iron/Palladium Nanoparticles Immobilized Membrane Platforms for Chlorinated Organics Treatment
• Using a bio-derived solvent to cast polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes
• Selenium Removal Using Activated Alumina in a Packed-Bed Reactor

Poster Session 1, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

1. The Ecological Importance of Perched Aquifers and Their Hydrological Connectivity to Ridge Top Ephemeral Wetlands in Daniel Boone National Forest
2. Water Bugs and Bacteria: Creating a Water Quality Monitoring Program for the Wheeling Creek Watershed in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia
3. Use of eDNA to Detect Salamander Species in Central Kentucky Streams
4. Hydrogeological Properties of Natural and Constructed Wetlands in Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest
5. Use of eDNA in Multiple Species Fish Biomass Determinations in Small to Mid-sized Lotic Systems
6. Rainfall Runoff Model Development Using HSPF for a Flood Control Reservoir System to Examine Long Term Benefits
7. Examining the …

Plenary Session, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Joining Forces to Tackle the Dead Zone
• Water Resources Applications of KyAPED Airborne LiDAR Data: A New Era for Hydroscience in Kentucky
• Temporal performance assessment of wastewater treatment plants by using multivariate statistical analysis

Proceedings Of 2018 Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

This symposium was planned and conducted as a part of the state water resources research institute annual program that is supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number G16AP00055 from the United States Geological Survey. The contents of this proceedings document and the views and conclusions presented at the symposium are solely the responsibility of the individual authors and presenters and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USGS or of the symposium organizers and sponsors. This publication is produced with the understanding that the United States Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for government purposes. Mention of trade …

Experimental Examination Of Vorticity Stripping From A Wing-Tip Vortex In Free-Stream Turbulence, Hari C. Ghimire, Sean C. C. Bailey

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Time-resolved stereoscopic particle image velocimetry measurements were conducted of a wing-tip vortex decaying in free-stream turbulence. The objective of the research was to experimentally investigate the mechanism causing the increased rate of decay of the vortex in the presence of turbulence. It was observed that the circulation of the vortex core experienced periods of rapid loss and recovery when immersed in free-stream turbulence. These events were not observed when the vortex was in a laminar free stream. A connection was made between these events and distortion of the vortex, coinciding with stripping of core fluid from the vortex core. Specifically, …

Bio-Inspired Hybrid Vibration Control Methodology For Intelligent Isolated Bridge Structures, Mariantonieta Gutierrez Soto

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Inspired by evolutionary game theory, the biological game of replicator dynamics is investigated for vibration control of bridge structures subjected to earthquake excitations. Replicator dynamics can be interpreted economically as a model of imitation of successful individuals. This paper uses replicator dynamics to reduce vibrations while optimally allocating the control device forces. The control algorithm proposed is integrated with a patented neural dynamic optimization algorithm to find optimal growth rate values with the goal of achieving satisfactory structural performance with minimum energy consumption. A model is described for hybrid vibration control of smart highway bridge structures subjected to earthquake loading.

Application Of Cross-Linked Polyborosiloxanes And Organically Modified Boron Silicate Binders In Silicon-Containing Anodes For Lithium-Ion Batteries, Darius A. Shariaty, Dali Qian, Yang-Tse Cheng, Susan A. Odom

Chemistry Faculty Publications

To determine the effect of cross-linking in polymer binders on gravimetric capacity and retention in charge/discharge cycling of lithium-ion batteries containing silicon anodes, polymers with a varied chemiophysical characters have been studied as electrode binders. Here we report the utilization of cross-linked polyborosiloxanes and a boron-modified organosilicate as binders for nanoparticulate silicon-containing anodes for lithium-ion batteries. We show that highly cross-linked binders enable a large degree of capacity to be accessed and that capacity retention is greater when the electrodes are cycled in half cells. More extensive analysis of the boron-modified organosilicate is further explored.

Orthogonal Photo-Switching Of Supramolecular Patterned Surfaces, Dongsheng Wang, Frank Schellenberger, Jonathan T. Pham, Hans-Jürgen Butt, Si Wu

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

We used Azo/α-CD and ipAzo/γ-CD host–guest complexes to demonstrate that four independent stable states can be orthogonally photo-switched by UV (365 nm), blue (470 nm), green (530 nm) and red light (625 nm). A supramolecular patterned surface was fabricated and orthogonally photo-switched by light with different wavelengths.

Scheduling Based On Interruption Analysis And Pso For Strictly Periodic And Preemptive Partitions In Integrated Modular Avionics, Hui Lu, Qianlin Zhou, Zongming Fei, Rongrong Zhou

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Integrated modular avionics introduces the concept of partition and has been widely used in avionics industry. Partitions share the computing resources together. Partition scheduling plays a key role in guaranteeing correct execution of partitions. In this paper, a strictly periodic and preemptive partition scheduling strategy is investigated. First, we propose a partition scheduling model that allows a partition to be interrupted by other partitions, but minimizes the number of interruptions. The model not only retains the execution reliability of the simple partition sets that can be scheduled without interruptions, but also enhances the schedulability of the complex partition sets that …

A New Hybrid Decision Support Tool For Evaluating The Sustainability Of Mining Projects, S. Kamenopoulos, Zacharias Agioutantis, K. Komnitsas

Mining Engineering Faculty Publications

The integration of sustainable development challenges and opportunities into the decision making process during the design and/or implementation of multi-disciplinary mining projects is generally not supported by decision support systems (DSS). A new hybrid decision support tool, which features an integrated assessment of sustainable development issues as they apply to mining projects, is hereby proposed. The proposed DSS framework, named “Acropolis DSS”, can be used to assist involved stakeholders in critical decisions, especially when addressing issues such as stakeholder participation, transparency, and trade-offs. The proposed DSS is based on a multi-criteria decision analysis combined with the multi-attribute utility theory.

Reliability Analysis For Mine Blast Performance Based On Delay Type And Firing Time, Jhon Silva-Castro, Lifeng Li, Jeremy M. Gernand

Mining Engineering Faculty Publications

Mining blasts may be defined as the use of explosive charges in a controlled manner by following a tightly controlled timing sequence according to an assigned firing order. Changes of timing between charges may result in an altered firing order and failure of the blasting sequence, which can cause high vibration levels, poor fragmentation, and/or an undesirable rock mass movement direction. Despite the importance of timing in determining mine blast results, there exists a lack of methodologies or tools with which to assess performance of a complete blast based on delay type and timing sequence. This document applies reliability engineering …

Overview Of Performance Based Practical Design, Christopher W. Van Dyke, Jeff Jasper, Adam J. Kirk

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

State transportation agencies (STAs) have increasingly turned to practical design and performance based practical design (PBPD) to inform project development and implementation — and to reduce project costs while optimizing systemwide benefits. PBPD is a design-up philosophy that encourages agencies to formulate projects to meet the purpose and need rather than adhering to ostensibly immutable design standards. This paper reviews practical design and PBPD concepts and initiatives and their application in a variety of contexts. It also summarizes best practices STAs can use to develop a PBPD program. As a holistic approach to project design, PBPD underscores context sensitive solutions …

Occurrence Of Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds (Vocs) In A Sanitary Sewer System: Implications For Assessing Vapor Intrusion Alternative Pathways, Mohammadyousef Roghani, Olivia P. Jacobs, Anthony Miller, Evan James Willett, James A. Jacobs, C. Ricardo Viteri, Elham Shirazi, Kelly G. Pennell

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Sewer systems have been recently recognized as potentially important exposure pathways to consider during vapor intrusion assessments; however, this pathway has not been well-characterized and there is need for additional information about the occurrence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in sewer systems. This paper reports the results of sewer gas sampling conducted in a sanitary sewer over the years of 2014–2017. Sewer gas samples were collected and analyzed using several different techniques, including TO-15 (grab), TO-17 (passive), Radiello® (passive) and a novel continuous monitoring technique, the Autonomous Rugged Optical Multigas Analyzer (AROMA). The applicability of each of the different approaches …

Review Of State Transportation Funding Initiatives, Bryan Gibson, Christopher W. Van Dyke, Steven Waddle, Steven Douglas Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Despite significant cutbacks to the funding allocated to state departments of transportation (DOTs), demand for accessible and reliable transportation has increased even as existing transportation infrastructure has continued to age. Falling gasoline tax revenues resulting from increasing fuel efficiency and technological advancements have prevented state DOTs, including the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), from funding and financing much-needed transportation projects. Meanwhile, the Federal Highway Trust Fund, which provides funding to states and is tied to the federal gas tax, routinely receives cash infusions from the Federal General Fund to remain solvent—the federal gas tax has not been increased since 1993. Needing …

The 3d Stress-Tensor Bootstrap, Anatoly Dymarsky, Filip Kos, Petr Kravchuk, David Poland, David Simmons-Duffin

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We study the conformal bootstrap for 4-point functions of stress tensors in parity-preserving 3d CFTs. To set up the bootstrap equations, we analyze the constraints of conformal symmetry, permutation symmetry, and conservation on the stress-tensor 4-point function and identify a non-redundant set of crossing equations. Studying these equations numerically using semidefinite optimization, we compute bounds on the central charge as a function of the independent coefficient in the stress-tensor 3-point function. With no additional assumptions, these bounds numerically reproduce the conformal collider bounds and give a general lower bound on the central charge. We also study the effect of gaps …

Three Dimensional View Of Arbitrary Q Syk Models, Sumit R. Das, Aminik Ghosh, Antal Jevicki, Kenta Suzuki

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

In [15] it was shown that the spectrum and bilocal propagator of SYK model with four fermion interactions can be realized as a three dimensional model in AdS₂ ×S¹/Z₂ with nontrivial boundary conditions in the additional dimension. In this paper we show that a similar picture holds for generalizations of the SYK model with q-fermion interactions. The 3D realization is now given on a space whose metric is conformal to AdS₂ × S¹/Z₂ and is subject to a non-trivial potential in addition to a delta function at the center of …

Universal Phase Unwrapping For Phase Measuring Profilometry Using Geometry Analysis, Jianwen Song, Yo-Sung Ho, Daniel L. Lau, Kai Liu

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Traditionally temporal phase unwrapping for phase measuring profilometry needs to employ the phase computed from unit-frequency patterned images; however, it has recently been reported that two phases with co-prime frequencies can be absolutely unwrapped each other. However, a manually man-made look-up table for two known frequencies has to be used for correctly unwrapping phases. If two co-prime frequencies are changed, the look-up table has to be manually rebuilt. In this paper, a universal phase unwrapping algorithm is proposed to unwrap phase flexibly and automatically. The basis of the proposed algorithm is converting a signal-processing problem into a geometric analysis one. …

Preventing Crossover In Redox Flow Batteries Through Active Material Oligomerization, Susan A. Odom

Chemistry Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Molecular Side Groups And Local Nanoenvironment On Photodegradation And Its Reversibility, Nicole Quist, Mark Li, Ryan Tollefsen, Michael Haley, John Anthony, Oksana Ostroverkhova

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Degradation of organic semiconductors in the presence of oxygen is one of the bottlenecks preventing their wide-spread use in optoelectronic devices. The first step towards such degradation in functionalized pentacene (Pn) derivatives is formation of endoperoxide (EPO), which can either revert back to the parent molecule or proceed to molecule decomposition. We present the study of reversibility of EPO formation through probing the photophysical properties of functionalized fluorinated pentacene (Pn-R-F8) derivatives. Experiments are done in solutions and in films both at the single molecule level and in the bulk. In solutions, degradation of optical absorption and its partial recovery after …

Bilayered Calcium Sulfate/Calcium Phosphate Space-Making Composites With Multiple Drug Delivery Capabilities, David A. Puleo, Bryan R. Orellana, Mike Mcquinn

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Patents

The present invention provides for bilayered composites that provide for sustained drug delivery and support to recovering tissue(s) and areas surrounding, such as with bone tissue. The two layers degrade at separate rates, thereby providing sustained mechanical support and tailored drug delivery.

Formation Of Two-Way Shape Memory Effect In Niti Alloy Using Pulsed Laser Irradiation, Saidjafarzoda Ilhom, Khomidkhodza Kholikov, Peizhen Li, Dovletgeldi Seyitliyev, Zachary Thomas, Duvall Roberts, Omer San, Haluk E. Karaca, Ali O. Er

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a unique class of smart materials and they were employed in various applications in engineering, biomedical, and aerospace technologies. Here, we report an advanced, efficient, and low-cost direct imprinting method with low environmental impact to create thermally controllable surface patterns. Patterned microindents were generated on Ni₅₀Ti₅₀ (at. %) SMAs using an Nd:YAG laser with 1064 nm wavelength at 10 Hz. Laser pulses at selected fluences were focused on the NiTi surface and generated pressure pulses of up to a few GPa. Optical microscope images showed that surface patterns with tailorable sizes can …

Muscle Activity During Maximal Isometric Forearm Rotation Using A Power Grip, Joseph Scott Bader, Michael R. Boland, Desney Greybe, Arthur J. Nitz, Timothy L. Uhl, David A. Pienkowski

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

This study aimed to provide quantitative activation data for muscles of the forearm during pronation and supination while using a power grip. Electromyographic data was collected from 15 forearm muscles in 11 subjects while they performed maximal isometric pronating and supinating efforts in nine positions of forearm rotation. Biceps brachii was the only muscle with substantial activation in only one effort direction. It was significantly more active when supinating (µ = 52.1%, SD = 17.5%) than pronating (µ = 5.1%, SD = 4.8%, p < .001). All other muscles showed considerable muscle activity during both pronation and supination. Brachioradialis, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, pronator quadratus and pronator teres were significantly more active when pronating the forearm. Abductor pollicis longus and biceps brachii were significantly more active when supinating. This data highlights the importance of including muscles additional to the primary forearm rotators in a biomechanical analysis of forearm rotation. Doing so will further our understanding of forearm function and lead to the improved treatment of forearm fractures, trauma-induced muscle dysfunction and joint replacements.

Utilization Of Light Detection And Ranging For Quality Control And Quality Assurance Of Pavement Grades, Brad W. Rister, Levi Mcintosh, Gabriel B. Dadi, Ruigang Yang, Eileen Grady

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) technology is a useful tool that can assist transportation agencies during the design, construction, and maintenance phases of transportation projects. To demonstrate the utility of Lidar, this report discusses how Lidar data can be used while performing quality control and quality assurance (QC/QA) of pavement grades along road segments where safety concerns have been identified (e.g., increased crash rates due to water ponding on the roadway). Researchers modeled surface runoff using Lidar data for several roadways that had experienced significant crash increases during wet-weather events. Based on this modeling, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) undertook …