Engineering Commons^™

Effect Of Imperceptible Vibratory Noise Applied To Wrist Skin On Fingertip Touch Evoked Potentials – An Eeg Study, Na Jin Seo, Kishor Lakshminarayanan, Leonardo Bonilha, Abigail W. Lauer, Brian D. Schmit

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Random vibration applied to skin can change the sense of touch. Specifically, low amplitude white-noise vibration can improve fingertip touch perception. In fact, fingertip touch sensation can improve even when imperceptible random vibration is applied to other remote upper extremity areas such as wrist, dorsum of the hand, or forearm. As such, vibration can be used to manipulate sensory feedback and improve dexterity, particularly during neurological rehabilitation. Nonetheless, the neurological bases for remote vibration enhanced sensory feedback are yet poorly understood. This study examined how imperceptible random vibration applied to the wrist changes cortical activity for fingertip sensation. We measured …

Modeling Viscoelastic Behavior In Compact Bone Through A Distribution Of Collagen D-Spacing: A Finite Element Analysis, Christopher Ha

Master's Theses

Osteoporosis affects nearly 54 million people in the United States. The cost associated with treatment is estimated to be $19 billion per year and is expected to grow yearly. D-spacing is the staggering of collagen molecules found at the nanoscopic level. Previously thought to have a constant value, recent studies have found that D-spacing has a distribution of values throughout the tissue. As part of an ongoing effort in understanding the mechanisms that are affected by osteoporosis, a finite element model was developed to explore the effects of D-spacing distribution on the viscoelastic material properties of bone tissue. The goal …

Detection Of Acute Nervous System Injury With Advanced Diffusion-Weighted Mri: A Simulation And Sensitivity Analysis, Nathan P. Skinner, Shekar N. Kurpad, Brian D. Schmit, Matthew D. Budde

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is a powerful tool to investigate the microscopic structure of the central nervous system (CNS). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a common model of the DWI signal, has a demonstrated sensitivity to detect microscopic changes as a result of injury or disease. However, DTI and other similar models have inherent limitations that reduce their specificity for certain pathological features, particularly in tissues with complex fiber arrangements. Methods such as double pulsed field gradient (dPFG) and q-vector magic angle spinning (qMAS) have been proposed to specifically probe the underlying microscopic anisotropy without interference from the macroscopic tissue organization. …

Forecasting Design Day Demand Using Extremal Quantile Regression, David Joseph Kaftan, Jarrett L. Smalley, George F. Corliss, Ronald H. Brown, Richard J. Povinelli

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Extreme events occur rarely, making them difficult to predict. Extreme cold events strain natural gas systems to their limits. Natural gas distribution companies need to be prepared to satisfy demand on any given day that is at or warmer than an extreme cold threshold. The hypothetical day with temperature at this threshold is called the Design Day. To guarantee Design Day demand is satisfied, distribution companies need to determine the demand that is unlikely to be exceeded on the Design Day.

We approach determining this demand as an extremal quantile regression problem. We review current methods for extremal quantile regression. …

Predicting Public Bicycle Adoption Using The Technology Acceptance Model, Benjamin T. Hazen, Robert E. Overstreet, Yacan Wang

Faculty Publications

Bicycle sharing programs provide a sustainable mode of urban transportation. Although cities across the globe have developed these systems for their citizens and visitors, usage rates are not as high as anticipated. This research uses the technology acceptance model as the basis to understand one’s intention to adopt bicycle sharing programs. Using survey data derived from 421 participants in Beijing, China, the proposed covariance-based structural equation model consisting of perceived quality, perceived convenience, and perceived value is found to predict 50.5% of the variance in adoption intention. The findings of this research contribute to theory and practice in the burgeoning …

Farewell Bruce Bishop | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Oct. 31, 2015 – For Bruce Bishop, a cozy retirement is still a ways off. On his last official day of work in June, the former dean and professor of civil engineering was waist deep in activities at the Water Lab and taking on a new project to showcase the College of Engineering across South America.

P-31 Characterization And Ph Dependence Stability Of Non-Organically Supported Silver Nanoparticles Produced Via Silver Oxide Reduction, Getahun Merga, Noah Chun

Celebration of Research and Creative Scholarship

The non-organically supported silver nanoparticles produced via the reduction of silver oxide by hydrogen and acetvlacetone (acac) have unusual stability in aqueous solution. We have previously reported that the negative potential, the hydrophilic surface that is created by the adsorbed hydroxide ions, which resembles an oxide interface, and the low ionic strength of the solution due to the small salt concentrations in this synthetic approach all contribute to the unusual stability of the colloidal suspension.[1] However, their stability with pH variation has not been well documented. In order to use these silver nanoparticles for biological relevance understanding of their suspension …

Semi-Annual Program Progress Performance Report For University Transportation Systems, Pppr#4, October 2015, Florida Solar Energy Center, David L. Block

FSEC Energy Research Center®

A summary of the major activities reported in the following pages is as follows. In the research area, the collection and analysis of data from the Nissan funded DC fast charger at FSEC (Project #3), the development of a student and faculty battery laboratory at Tuskegee University (Project #8), the opening of a new University of Hawaii battery test lab (Project #9), a computer model to optimize electrical costs for Tallahassee StarMetro buses (Project #14), and the installation and beginning of data collection from the FSEC wireless charging laboratory (Project #15). Detailed industry interactions for the period included Nissan, NovaCharge, …

Stable Isotope-Enabled Pathway Elucidation Of 2,4-Dinitroanisole Metabolized By Rhizobium Lichtii, Hunter W. Schroer, Kathryn L. Langenfeld, Xueshu Li, Hans Joachim Lehmler, Craig L. Just

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Recently developed military explosives are safer to handle, but more environmentally mobile, than traditional explosives. The new insensitive munitions, including 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), have been sparsely studied, making the use of bacterial and/or plant-based remediation approaches unfeasible without further information about the transformation of these compounds. To that end, Rhizobium lichtii isolated from willow tree tissues were studied and observed to completely degrade 5 mg L-1 DNAN within 24 h in liquid media with added carbon and nitrogen. The use of DNAN, [13C6] DNAN, and [15N2] DNAN enabled the identification of 11 previously unknown metabolites resulting from sulfation, acetylation, and/or methylation …

Engineering Answers: Elegant Solutions Start With Simple Ideas | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Courtney Richards was inspired to create her solar-powered backpack while working as a report writer for a paleontologist. While on long surveys both her camera and GPS would often run out of power making it impossible to do her job properly. She realized the problem could be solved with a portable power supply system which she created for her senior project.

New Research Lab Making A Splash | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Nov. 1, 2015 – WARNING: You will get wet. The mechanical engineering students who work inside one of Utah State’s newest research centers don’t mind getting the occasional work-related soak. The whole lab is one giant splash zone and the creative workshop of newly-hired assistant professor of mechanical engineering Dr. Tadd Truscott.

Going Back To Teton Dam | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Oct. 30, 2015 - Standing at a lookout on the upper banks of the Teton River in Southeastern Idaho, a handful of civil engineering students try to imagine the giant structure that should be standing firmly in front of them.

Corps Efforts On Sea Level Rise In Hampton Roads, Greg Steele

October 30, 2015: Beyond Toolkits: Adaptation Strategies and Lessons

No abstract provided.

Panel Presentation: Regional Working Group, Regional Working Group

October 30, 2015: Beyond Toolkits: Adaptation Strategies and Lessons

No abstract provided.

Panel Presentation: Norfolk: Thriving With Water, Norfolk Working Group

October 30, 2015: Beyond Toolkits: Adaptation Strategies and Lessons

No abstract provided.

Designing A Resilient Building In The Coastal Zone, Don Kranbuehl, David Pryor

October 30, 2015: Beyond Toolkits: Adaptation Strategies and Lessons

No abstract provided.

Usu Power Electronics Lab Collaborates With Strongwell | Utah State University Power Electronics Lab, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

USU has teamed up with Strongwell. Strongwell was awarded the ACE Award at this year's Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) in Dallas, TX. This year's entry by Strongwell featured its DURAGRID® HD-4000 2.5" grating panels, manufactured at the company's Chatfield, Minnesota location, used at the Utah State University Electric Vehicle and Roadway (EVR) research facility in Logan, Utah. The EVR serves as the vehicle systems integration facility for the Center for Sustainable Electrified Transportation (SELECT). Magnetic transfer plates are housed beneath the grating which charge electric vehicles in motion.

All About The Buzz | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Oct. 30, 2015 – On a warm spring day at the USU Organic Farm, computer science professor Dr. Vladimir Kulyukin delivers a few puffs of sweet-smelling pine cone smoke into one of his beehives and gently opens the top. Everything appears normal, but it’s not your average backyard beekeeping setup. Kulyukin’s hives are equipped with electronics that monitor temperature, audio and video —all powered by solar energy and controlled by a credit card-sized Raspberry Pi computer.

A Legacy Of Gratitude | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Nov. 1, 2015 - It was standing room only at an Aug. 25 special event where the College of Engineering honored two fellow Aggies and longtime supporters who are helping more young people graduate with a degree in engineering.

Faculty, students and university officials gathered to celebrate the ongoing support of Richard and Moonyeen Anderson of Wellsville, Utah. At the special ceremony, Mr. Anderson and USU President Stan Albrecht pulled the cords on a 30-foot-wide veil, uncovering the new name of the 12-year-old engineering classroom building.

Supplying Vegas | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Oct. 30, 2015 – The community of Las Vegas, Nev., is acting to assure a reliable water supply by building new intake facilities at Lake Mead. After a series of drought years dropped Lake Mead levels to historic lows, the Southern Nevada Water Authority is moving forward with an ambitious project to keep the water flowing, and they’re turning to the Utah Water Research Lab to help do it right.

Materials For Programmed, Functional Transformation In Transient Electronic Systems, Suk Won Hwang, Seung Kyun Kang, Xian Huang, Mark A. Brenckle, Fiorenzo G. Omenetto

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

(Graph Presented). Materials and device designs are presented for electronic systems that undergo functional transformation by a controlled time sequence in the dissolution of active materials and/or encapsulation layers. Demonstration examples include various biocompatible, multifunctional systems with autonomous behavior defined by materials selection and layout.

Electrical & Computer Engineering News, Georgia Southern University

Electrical & Computer Engineering: News & Publications (2014-2023)

• IEEEXtreme Global Challenge

The Decision, Implementation And Assessment Of A Credit-Bearing Activity Class By Faculty In Residence: A Case Study, Janet Callahan, Geoff Harrison, Michael Humphrey, Cala Sielaff, Melissa Wintrow

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This case study reports on a programmatic decision to require a credit-bearing course that was made by Faculty in Residence (FIR), including its implementation and results over a two-year period from 2010-2012. The focus is on FIR and on the impact of their decision upon the students enrolled in their Living Learning Communities (LLCs). The credit-bearing course was a Kinesiology Activities class taken by all seven LLCs at Boise State University. Anonymous feedback from students was obtained via end of semester surveys; results were used to improve the course. Survey feedback was analyzed to assess the value students perceived to …

Hydroshare: Sharing Diverse Environmental Data Types And Models As Social Objects With Application To The Hydrology Domain, Jeffery S. Horsburgh, Mohamed M. Morsy, Anthony M. Castronova, Jonathan L. Goodall, Tian Gan, Hong Yi, Michael J. Stealey, David G. Tarboton

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The types of data and models used within the hydrologic science community are diverse. New repositories have succeeded in making data and models more accessible, but are, in most cases, limited to particular types or classes of data or models and also lack the type of collaborative and iterative functionality needed to enable shared data collection and modeling workflows. File sharing systems currently used within many scientific communities for private sharing of preliminary and intermediate data and modeling products do not support collaborative data capture, description, visualization, and annotation. In this article, we cast hydrologic datasets and models as “social …

A Study Of Digital Rf Phase Shifters Fabricated With Additive Manufacturing, Yaniel Vega

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Digital RF phase shifters fabricated using additive manufacturing processes are presented and studied. The purpose is to explain the performance differences between phase shifters fabricated using additive manufacturing and those fabricated with conventional subtractive techniques. All phase shifters are designed to operate at a center frequency of 2.45 GHz with a 100 MHz bandwidth. The 1-bit 45° switched line phase shifters have an average insertion loss of 1.3 dB and a 220 mm² footprint, while the 1-bit 180° high-pass low-pass phase shifters have an insertion loss 1.56 dB and a 180 mm² footprint. The 4-bit high-pass low-pass, switched …

Passive Symmetry In Dynamic Systems And Walking, Haris Muratagic

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The ubiquitous nature of symmetry lends itself to be taken for granted, however the breath of research on symmetry encompasses several disciplines. In engineering, studies centered on symmetry often address issues in dynamic systems theory, robotics, and gait rehabilitation. This thesis presents findings on two specific topics dealing with passively induced symmetry; dissimilar rotating systems and human gait. Past studies on passive symmetry in dynamic systems often incorporate physical coupling or a controller. This thesis presents a technique to passively induce symmetry between two dissimilar systems that are not physically connected. This work also presents a human gait study consisting …

The Impact Of The First Officer Qualification Ruling: Pilot Performance In Initial Training, Nancy R. Shane

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The intent of the First Officer Qualification (FOQ) ruling was to improve the quality of first officers flying for Part 121 carriers. In order to test this, a study was completed at a regional carrier to compare pilots hired prior to the FOQ ruling with those hired after the FOQ ruling. The study compared 232 pilots hired from 2005–2008 with 184 pilots hired from August 2013–November 2014. The pilots’ date of hire as compared to the date the FOQ ruling went into effect defined the input (Source) variable. Initial training defined the output (Success) variables. The airline name and all …

A Study Of Ion And Electron Responses To A Dc Electric Field In A Hydrocarbon Flame, Stewart Jacobs

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Value Modeling Forspace Launch System Missions, Myles Scarano

Von Braun Symposium Student Posters

No abstract provided.

Spac 2015 Announcement | Electrical And Computer Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

IEEE USU Student Branch is excited to announce SPAC 2015: The Practice of Innovation. The Student Professional Awareness Conference (SPAC) will be held on March 28, 2015. We are putting on this event to help students get connected with industry and better prepare them for their future careers.

The 2015 program includes speakers from IEEE and a key speaker who works as a Disney Imagineer. We are planning multiple workshops, such as technical discussions by companies and current innovators, Arduino and/or soldering workshops, and python and MATLAB workshops. During the conference, there will be tables set up for students …