Engineering Commons^™

Optimum Multi-Hop Transmission Strategies For Energy Constrained Wireless Sensor Networks, Jingxian Wu, Yahong Rosa Zheng

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents optimum multi-hop transmission strategies (MHTS) for energy constrained wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Nodes in a multi-hop WSN need to transmit their own information and to relay each other's information to a base station (BS), and there are usually multiple available paths between a node and the BS. the optimum MHTS derived in this paper answers three questions: 1) how should a node divide its limited energy between the transmission of the self-information and the relay-information? 2) whether a single path or a combination of multiple paths should be used to route the information from a node to …

Zheng Classification In Traditional Chinese Medicine Based On Modified Specular-Free Tongue Images, Ratchadaporn Kanawong, Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi, Jun Yu, Dong Xu, Shao Li, Ye Duan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners usually observe the color and coating of a patient's tongue to determine ZHENG (such as Cold or Hot ZHENG) and to diagnose different stomach disorders including gastritis. In our previous work, we explored new modalities for clinical characterization of ZHENG in gastritis patients via tongue image analysis using various supervised machine-learning algorithms. We proposed a system that learns from the clinical practitioner's subjective data how to classify a patients health status by extracting meaningful features from tongue images based on color-space models. In this paper, we propose an enhancement to the ZHENG classification system: a coating …

Features For Automated Tongue Image Shape Classification, Tayo Obafemi-Ajayi, Ratchadaporn Kanawong, Dong Xu, Shao Li, Ye Duan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Inspection of the tongue is a key component in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese medical practitioners diagnose the health status of a patient based on observation of the color, shape, and texture characteristics of the tongue. The condition of the tongue can objectively reflect the presence of certain diseases and aid in the differentiation of syndromes, prognosis of disease and establishment of treatment methods. Tongue shape is a very important feature in tongue diagnosis. A different tongue shape other than ellipse could indicate presence of certain pathologies. In this paper, we propose a novel set of features, based on shape geometry …

Opportunity Lost: Mismanagment Of The Closeout Phase Of Construction Projects, Jared Rogers

Purdue Polytechnic Masters Theses

In nearly every construction project, completing the project on time is one of the most critical things for everyone involved. Late project completion causes a wide variety of complications for the entire project team. This paper seeks to identify some of the causes for delay in the last phase of construction projects: the closeout phase.

Original research was conducted to gather input from construction industry professionals about their experiences with the closeout phase of projects. Factors perceived to cause closeout delay were identified, along with perceptions about the closeout performance of survey participant’s firms. The research validated the study’s premise …

On The Importance Of Modeling Stent Procedure For Predicting Arterial Mechanics, Shijia Zhao, Linxia Gu, Stacey R. Froemming

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The stent-artery interactions have been increasingly studied using the finite element method for better understanding of the biomechanical environment changes on the artery and its implications. However, the deployment of balloon-expandable stents was generally simplified without considering the balloon-stent interactions, the initial crimping process of the stent, its overexpansion routinely used in the clinical practice, or its recoil process. In this work, the stenting procedure was mimicked by incorporating all the above-mentioned simplifications. The impact of various simplifications on the stent-induced arterial stresses was systematically investigated. The plastic strain history of stent and its resulted geometrical variations, as well as …

High Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery Characterization For Vehicular Applications, Sazzad Hossain Ahmed

Masters Theses

A lithium-ion battery is one of the key research topics in energy storage technologies. Major characterization tests such as static capacity, open circuit voltage (OCV), hybrid pulse power characterization (HPPC) have been conducted on two different chemistries, LiMnNi and LiFePO₄, high capacity lithium-ion batteries over a wide range of temperatures from 50ºC to -30ºC. Detail analysis of temperature effects on battery capacity and simple models of direct current resistance (DCR) increment and power decrement over temperatures have been proposed using the test results. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests have been performed to find out the dominant internal resistances …

Evaluation Of Security Availability Of Data Components For A Renewable Energy Micro Smart Grid System, Leonel Aguilera Zambrano

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In this thesis, we study the development and security testing of photovoltaic data collection system. With the introduction of the smart grid concept, a lot of research has been done on the communication aspect of energy production and distribution throughout the power network. For Smart Grid, Internet is used as the communication medium for specific required services and for data collection. Despite all the advantages of the Smart Grid infrastructure, there is also some security concern regarding the vulnerabilities associated with internet access. In this thesis, we consider security testing of the two most popular and globally deployed web server …

Defect Detection In Railroad Tapered-Roller Bearings Using Vibration Analysis Techniques, Iris L. Alvarado

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Derailments can often lead to great damage, loss of lives, and massive costs associated with the railroad infrastructure. A significant cause of derailments is premature bearing failure, and therefore bearing condition-monitoring systems that can detect developing defects are of great importance. Based on an investigation conducted at the University of Texas-Pan American on the development of a vibration and temperature monitoring system, an algorithm is devised utilizing various vibration analysis techniques. The proposed algorithm determines whether a bearing is defective, the type of defect present, the defective component (i.e. cup, cone, or roller), and the size of the defect. Speed-dependent …

Improving The Mechanical Properties Of Polymers By Adding Self-Healing Capabilities, Alma Perez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The addition of self-healing capabilities to polymers through the dispersion of First Generation Grubbs’ Catalyst (FGGC) and poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) microcapsules filled with dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) as the healing agent, has been investigated by various experimental techniques such as Optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Tensile tests, Raman Spectroscopy, and Themogravimmetric Analysis (TGA). Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed the morphology of the surface of the PUF microcapsules, the diameter size distribution and the thickness of the shell, and their structure when dispersed in the polymeric matrices. Photos taken after the tensile test showed broken microcapsules on both polymer matrices having released the …

Development Of Algorithms And Criteria For Continuous Condition Monitoring Of Railroad Bearings, Sean Michael Woods

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This thesis summarizes research conducted at the University of Texas-Pan American to investigate the implementation of condition monitoring algorithms for use with railway roller bearings equipped with wireless temperature sensor nodes. Current temperature based condition monitoring techniques utilize wayside detection equipment intermittently located along the track to garner sporadic bearing cup temperatures. Such devices are not capable of detecting brief transient temperature trending events. The developed algorithms were tested using a fleet of ten railway freight cars instrumented with wireless sensor nodes and operated by an Australian freight transportation company. Eighteen months of continuous monitoring combined with the inspection of …

Control Charts For First Order Autoregressive Analysis With An Exogenous Variable, Becky M. Vela

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

There are many instances in industry, where the necessity of prediction models is extremely important. However, the difficulty of forecasting increases with the number of variables involved, and determining independent variables from dependent variables. Autocorrelation is one of the most common causes for many control charts and other quality measurement tools to falsely signal an error in the process. Time series models, such as autoregressive models, accommodate autocorrelated data to a certain extent. However, using a model that only analyzes historical data alone does not possess the accuracy necessary to be able to forecast data precisely. An addition of an …

Using The Greet Model To Analyze Algae As A Feedstock For Biodiesel Production, Christopher Tatum

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

There is a growing interest in renewable, carbon-neutral biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. A life-cycle analysis is conducted in this study to determine the viability of using algae as a feedstock for biodiesel. The method involves assessing energy use, fossil fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, and criteria pollutant emissions using a simulation developed by Argonne National Laboratory. The energy and emissions of algae-derived biodiesel are compared to those of soybean biodiesel, corn ethanol, conventional gasoline, and low-sulfur diesel. Results show that there are sizeable greenhouse gas emission benefits attributed to the production of both types of biodiesel as compared …

A Critical Analysis Of The Kyoto Protocol Using Monte Carlo Simulation And Magicc, Penny Lambert

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted the Kyoto Protocol in December 1997. Emissions data from national registries were used to quantify the total anthropogenic emissions of signatory parties between 1990 and 2009, found to have been reduced by approximately 18 percent of base year levels. Using IPCC Special Report Emissions Scenarios (SRES) as a practicable baseline for non-mitigation, three distinct intervention scenarios were constructed from target and observed emissions reductions under the Protocol to investigate their climatic implications against unabated anthropogenic carbon by the end of the 21st century. MAGICC Version 5.3 was used to model forecast …

In Vitro Assessment Of The Survivability Of Lactobacillus Casei Dn-114 001 And Lactobacillus Casei Shirota, Within Commercialised Food Matrices, In The Upper Gastrointestinal Tract, Rosie Wills

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The aim of this study was to determine the survivability of probiotics; Lactobacillus casei Shirota and Lactobacillus casei DN-114 001, within their respective commercialised food matrices YakultÃ’ and ActimelÃ’, during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal transit. Original and Light/Fat Free varieties of each brand were assessed to determine whether nutritional composition affected bacterial survival rate. Strains were exposed to 3 hours of simulated gastric transit at pH 2, using Hydrochloric Acid (32%) and Pepsin (3mg ml-1), followed by 2 hours of simulated duodenal transit, at pH 6.5, using Bile Salts (0.3% w/v) and Sodium Hydroxide (4M). Samples were serially diluted with …

A Preliminary Study Into The Use Of Canopy Invertebrates And Sampling Techniques In Relation To Forest Indicators In A Fragmented Scottish Woodland - Application And Management, Natalie Walsh

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Caledonian forests within the Scottish Highlands have experienced severe fragmentation and currently remain as small isolated habitats. Canopy invertebrates within these forests play an important role in ecosystem functioning and may be potentially used as forest indicators for the use in forest management. Four different low-cost invertebrate trapping methods were deployed into birch, oak and Scots pine trees, comparing family diversity and composition between tree and trap types. Data on canopy spread, tree height and d.b.h were also tested to see if they influenced family composition of invertebrates. Collected data found little difference in family diversity and composition between tree …

A Study To Investigate The Effects Of Priming A Lad's Magazine Brand On Women's Perception Of The Sexual Harassment Of Other Women, Emily Robson

The Plymouth Student Scientist

This study investigated the effects of priming a Lad’s magazine brand on women’s perceptions of the sexual harassment of other women and their notions of women as sex objects. Previous research has demonstrated perceptions of women can be affected by media exposure. Past studies were reviewed and a gap was identified in the current knowledge of the effects of exposure to sexualised media on women’s perceptions of the sexual harassment of other women. One-way ANOVAs did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences in women’s perception of the sexual harassment of other women or notions of women as sex objects in …

Fluorescent Proteins And Chromoproteins In Phylum: Cnidaria, Mario Lewis

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Green fluorescent protein was first discovered in Aequorea victoria. Its significance in a continually expanding range of scientific applications led to the discovery of an abundance of homologous fluorescent proteins and non-fluorescent chromoproteins in a variety of species in the phylum Cnidaria. The document reviews the various proposed hypotheses on the biological functions and biochemistry of fluorescent proteins and chromoproteins, wherein a full resolution remains elusive and is the subject of on-going debate. Mutagenesis has provided novel variants and insights into the relationship between the spectral characteristics and chromophore structures of fluorescent proteins that encompass the visible spectrum. Fluorescent proteins …

Effects Of Algal Toxicity On The Clearance Rate Of The Blue Mussel (Mytilus Edulis), Samantha Bowgen

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of toxic strains of Karlodinium veneficum on the clearance rate of Mytilus edulis. Suspensions of the toxic strain and the non-toxic strain of K. veneficum, mixed with an alternative non-toxic species, Prorocentrum micans, were made and performed as parallel experiments in order to compare their effects on clearance rate. Clearance rate was measured by taking samples from suspensions every five minutes up to 30 minutes, and counting the algal cells found within each sample using a Sedgewick rafter slide. No significant difference was found between the two experiments (F (9.322, …

Effects Of A Gardening Task On Chocolate Craving, Sarah-Jane Baugh

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Two concepts, craving and nature, were brought together to investigate the effects of a gardening task on chocolate craving. Participants (n = 105) completed a chocolate craving induction before taking part in one of three, five minute tasks (gardening, plasticine, counting). Measures of craving, mood, arousal, attention and heart rate were recorded. The gardening task was found to have beneficial effects with participants experiencing significant changes in energetic arousal (p= .01) and feeling good (p< .01); however, no significant effects were found in the other measures.

The Effect Of Itgd Sensitivity And Contact On Attitudes Towards Burqas, Sophie Augarde

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The presented research investigates whether intergroup disgust sensitivity (affect-laden construct reflecting individual differences to experience revulsion towards outgroups) predicts greater prejudicial attitudes towards burqas. In addition to investigating the effect of ITGD sensitivity on prejudicial attitudes, types of contact (no contact, imagined contact and physical contact) between participants and an outgroup member were investigated to assess the efficacy of reducing prejudice towards women who wear burqas. ITGD sensitivity along with attitude towards burqas was measured over two sessions. Results indicated that there was no statistically significant effect of ITGD sensitivity or contact type on attitudes towards burqas. However, mean score …

An Evaluation Of Whether Artificial Refuge Traps Or Baited Traps Are The Most Effective Method For Trapping White-Clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobius Pallipes), Kathryn Walter

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Britain’s only native crayfish species, the white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes are threaten through rapid population declines caused by non-indigenous species, habitat degradation and pollution. This study focuses one of the last remaining small A. pallipes population in the Creedy Yeo River, Devon. This study aims to decipher whether the use of artificial refuge traps (ARTs) or baited traps are the most effective method of catching this species, to aid translocation efforts to conserve the remaining population under threat from the American signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus. The capture rate of each type of trap was studied at four sites along the …

Location, Demographic, Lifestyle And Behavioural Influences On Household Participation In Bournemouth Borough Council's Kerbside Recycling Scheme, Stephanie Rooke

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Bournemouth Borough Council (BBC) is performing well in recycling and currently has a recycling rate of 63.9%, but there is still room for BBC to improve the efficiency of the existing ‘Big Bin’ dry kerbside recycling collection scheme and increase the recycling rate further. The aim of the study was to identify the socio-economic groups which participate the least, or contaminate the most, in BBC’s kerbside recycling scheme. A participation survey was carried out over three consecutive collection cycles for three recycling rounds ‘RW1, RW2 and RW5’ to measure how many times each individual household set out their recycling bin …

The Conservation Biology And Ecology Of The African Leopard Panthera Pardus Pardus, Ross Tyzack Pitman

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The African leopard Panthera pardus pardus is an apex predator, and a reliable indicator of a healthy ecosystem. Currently assessed as ‗near threatened‘ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, leopards are exposed to a range of threats that include: habitat loss and/or degradation, depletion of natural prey, conflict with people, consumptive- and non-consumptive practices, and the illegal trade of leopard products. Leopards have disappeared from 37% of their historical range, and are continuing to decline. Leopards have been extirpated across many areas of Africa, especially where people are densely populated, which has left patchily distributed leopard populations throughout …

Spatial And Temporal Patterns Of Erosion Along The Holderness Coastline, North East Yorkshire, Uk, Verity Macfarlane

The Plymouth Student Scientist

There is an increasing problem of erosion in coastal environments, particularly in soft material cliffs which need to be protected; migration to these environments is increasing, up to 75% more of the total population is predicted to live in close proximity to the coast by 2020. The Holderness coast (located in North East Yorkshire, UK) is the fastest eroding coastline in Europe. It comprises of soft clay, glacial till deposits from the Devensian period (18-13Ka). Previous studies have calculated that many parameters such as till properties, cliff geomorphology, cliff topography, strength and reaction to varied water contents are varied throughout …

Biologging Science: Advances In Our Knowledge Of Seabirds And Their Behaviours, David Evans

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The use of miniature tags attached to free-living animals to record data is termed ‘biologging’. This procedure has been used to study seabirds since the 1970’s and our knowledge of their behaviour, physiology and migration has advanced through the decades, along with the potential for conservation of species. Technological advances in recent years have improved data resolution and storage, enabling a better understanding of seabirds and their environment

The Ecology Of Tardigrades, Emma Northcote-Smith

The Plymouth Student Scientist

No abstract provided for this article.

The Effects Of Logging And Fragmentation On Bird Diversity, Bethany Mccarthy

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Deforestation and forest degradation is occurring globally at an alarming rate. The annual net loss of forest cover has been reduced in the past decade through sustainable forest management and conservation measures. Despite this, the remaining forest is becoming increasingly degraded with the total area of primary forest declining. Avian diversity has been shown to decline in degraded and fragmented forests due to logging activities. In this review the impacts of logging on avian communities are assessed by comparing diversity between primary forest and degraded secondary forest, industrial plantations and forest fragment sizes. The major organisations and current initiatives that …

Work Placements As Research-Based Learning - A Student And Employer Perspective, Stephanie Rooke, Georgina Lamb

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Guest editorial

The Use Of Errorless Learning In The Rehabilitation Of Action Disorganisation Syndrome: A Case Study, Blaize Dymond

The Plymouth Student Scientist

This case study investigates the use of errorless learning in the rehabilitation of action disorganisation syndrome (ADS). Case DL suffered 2 traumatic brain injuries to the frontal lobes (2002 and 2010) and presents with a clear case of ADS. DL displays high levels of disorganisation when engaging in sequential tasks. Errorless learning was used in an attempt to rehabilitate abilities in two everyday routine sequential actions; making a cup of tea and making toast with butter and jam. Errorless learning involves the deliberate prevention of errors using both verbal and physical prompts. The intervention resulted in a significant decline in …

The Positive Effects Of Aquarium Visits On Children's Behaviour: A Behavioural Observation, Hazel Cocker

The Plymouth Student Scientist

To date research has found a positive effect of blue spaces on adults’ wellbeing. However, it remains to be seen whether these findings are also true for children. The present study aims to address this gap in the literature. The researchers observed children’s behaviour at the National Marine Aquarium across two weeks, including one where the Big Draw event was taking place. In line with restorative theories of natural environments (Kaplan, 1995, Ulrich, 1983), the current research found the exhibit had a calming effect on behaviour and increased levels of happiness across both weeks. During the Big Draw week children …