Engineering Commons^™

Aphid-Ant Relationships: The Role Of Cuticular Hydrocarbons And Different Chemical Stimuli In Triggeringmutualistic Behavior, Amged El-Harairy, Ahmed El-Harairy, Alaa Mahfouz

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications

In ant-aphid interactions, various aphid species offer honeydew to the ant partner and increase their density by ant attendance, whilst others never attend ant species, in which case ants tend to treat them as prey. In this regard, ants should have the ability to distinguish myrmecophile aphid species from non-mutualistic species, so that mutualistic aphids will be accepted as partners rather than prey. Although ant-aphid interactions are now the focus of chemical ecology studies, the role of the different chemical stimuli in determining mutualistic interactions has not been completely clarified. Therefore, we have investigated the cuticular hydrocarbon profile of four …

Technical Data Package For Sysmlv2 Vignettes, Allen W. Dukes

Student Publications

This Technical Data Package (TDP) thoroughly compiles instructions, concepts, and solutions for eight SysMLv2 vignettes. Each vignette illustrates methods to solve complex system modeling challenges. The initial concept for each vignette can drive the use and evaluation of a custom SysMLv2 modeling tool as shown in [1]. They can support a baseline set of tasks to compare usability with other SysMLv2 modeling software tools.

The document starts with three pairs of vignettes for modeling a hypothetical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operated with a Virtual Reality (VR) headset derived from AFIT WKSP 696. The final pair of vignettes focus on two …

Macroscopic And Microscopic Investigation Of Gypsum Slag Cement-Stabilized Recycled Aggregate Base Layers, Changdong Zhou, Pengcheng Shi, Junan Shen

Civil Engineering & Construction: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study is to investigate the macro and micro properties of stabilized recycled aggregate base layers using gypsum slag cement (GSC) and compare them with ordinary Portland cement (OPC). To achieve this, four levels of recycled aggregate content (0%, 50%, 60%, 70%) and three levels of binder materials (3.5%, 4.5%, 5.5%) were designed, where the binding materials included OPC and GSC. When GSC is used as the binding material with 0% recycled content, two scenarios for the ratio of slag to activator are considered: 4:1 and 4:2. For recycled content of 50%, 60%, and 70%, only the …

Exploring Extended Reality In An Aqueous Processing Test Bed For Nuclear Material, Sam Wald

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research aided in the ongoing creation of an extended reality training experience for Beartooth, an aqueous processing test bed for nuclear material, by exploring what will be comfortable and effective for users of the experience. Participants consisted of staff members from Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and authorized members of the Augmented Learning Lab at BYU. We conducted usability testing with participants who were given extended reality (XR) equipment to explore the Beartooth virtual training system. We also performed a heuristic evaluation on the system using an augmented reality evaluation checklist. Findings were discussed with the INL team and recommendations …

Comparative Assessment Of Gold Nanoparticle-Antibody Conjugates With Two Differently Shaped Particles For Multimodal Colorimetric Lateral Flow Assay, Vinayak Sharma, Bilal Javed, Furong Tian

Articles

Novel detection strategies that exploit the unique properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) hold great potential for the advancement of point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, such as lateral flow and dipstick immunoassay [1–3]. Owing to its biocompatibility and convenient surface modifications, gold nanoparticles with enhanced sensitivity reduce the sample-to-answer times to less than 5 min (Figure 1). Methods like covalent conjugation and electrostatic adsorption are explored for antibody immobilization to develop a gold nanoparticle-based biosensor for fast and sensitive localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) for both basic research and clinical diagnostics. The mounting of antibodies on the gold nanoparticle surface requires selective binding …

Mechanical Properties Of A Structural Component Processed In High-Pressure Die Casting (Hpdc) With A Non-Heat-Treated Aluminum Alloy, David Servando Cantú-Fernández, Jaime Taha-Tijerina, Alejandro González, Pablo Guajardo Hernández, Brian Quinn

Informatics and Engineering Systems Faculty Publications

This industrial research focuses on the implementation and development of a productive process for an automotive structural component (Shock tower) manufactured by a high-pressure die casting (HPDC) process made of aluminum alloy AuralTM-5. This aluminum alloy has been considered in diverse automotive and aerospace components that do not require heat treatment due to its mechanical properties as cast material (F temper). On the other hand, AuralTM-5 has been designed for processing as HPDC because it is an alloy with good fluidity, making it ideal for large castings with thin-wall thicknesses, like safety structural components such as rails, supports, rocker panels, …

Exploring The Morphological Surface Resistance And Optical Absorption Of Thin Black Carbon Nanotube Films For Electronic And Optoelectronic Devices, Ziad Khalifa, Sameh Osama Abdellatif

Chemical Engineering

This study investigates the optical and electrical properties of thin black films of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) fabricated under various conditions to explore their potential integration as either a perfect broadband absorber or enhanced counter electrode. The study involves SEM measurements, surface resistance measurements, and UV–Vis. spectrometer analysis. The results show that the CNT thin films exhibit high electrical conductivity and strong light absorption across various wavelengths. Optically, we investigated the impact of varying the growth temperature and catalyst temperature on the absorption profile of the thin films. The fabricated and deposited CNTs showed broadband absorption spectra, reaching 92.8% of the …

Development And Demonstration Of An Apparatus For Assessing Frost-Heave Susceptibility Of Soil, Becca Apgar, W. S. Guthrie

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of this research was to develop and demonstrate an apparatus for assessing the frost-heave susceptibility of soil in a laboratory setting. Development of the frost-heave testing apparatus required several components, including a freezing system, a heating system, temperature controllers, a metal frame, a water delivery system, and an insulated specimen container. For the freezing system, a chest freezer was selected to provide a test environment that can be maintained at an adjustable air temperature below 32 °F. For the heating system, thermostat-controlled heat tape was selected for positioning around the base of the specimen and along the water …

Distribution Fitting And Anova Test To Analyze Pavement Sensing Patterns For Condition Assessments, Dada Zhang, Chun-Hsing Ho

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the vehicle-based sensor effect and pavement temperature on road condition assessment, as well as to compute a threshold value for the classification of pavement conditions.

Design/methodology/approach – Four sensors were placed on the vehicle’s control arms and one inside the vehicle to collect vibration acceleration data for analysis. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) tests were performed to diagnose the effect of the vehicle-based sensors’ placement in the field. To classify road conditions and identify pavement distress (point of interest), the probability distribution was applied based on the magnitude values of …

Will Saf Turbocharge The Corn Ethanol Market?, Richard K. Perrin, Lilyan E. Fulginiti, Felipe Miranda De Souza Almeida

Cornhusker Economics

The long-run outlook for the corn ethanol industry is questionable, due to a transition to electric and hybrid vehicles. One source of hope for the long run is the potential demand for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). SAF is a key component in the United States Aviation Climate Action Plan, a path to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the aviation industry by 2050. Demand for ethanol for SAF offers hope to the ethanol industry, but it depends a great deal on policy decisions that are being made now. Here we sketch out this story.

Based on the information available …

How Individuals’ Opinions Influence Society’S Resistance To Epidemics: An Agent-Based Model Approach, Geonsik Yu, Michael Garee, Mario Ventresca, Yuehwern Yih

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

Background

Protecting public health from infectious diseases often relies on the cooperation of citizens, especially when self-care interventions are the only viable tools for disease mitigation. Accordingly, social aspects related to public opinion have been studied in the context of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. However, a comprehensive understanding of the effects of opinion-related factors on disease spread still requires further exploration.

Methods

We propose an agent-based simulation framework incorporating opinion dynamics within an epidemic model based on the assumption that mass media channels play a leading role in opinion dynamics. The model simulates how opinions about preventive interventions change over …

A Reliable Optimal Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Allocation, Mohamed Abdelaziz, A.A. Ali, R.A. Swief, Rasha Elazab

Renewable Electrical Energy Engineering

This paper presents a new and effective approach for optimally allocating Electric Vehicle (EV) stations in a distribution network by integrating electrical and road constraints. The proposed methodology, a two-stage optimization technology, addresses the challenges posed by the increasing energy demand caused by the adoption of EVs. In the first stage, the stochastic demand load of EVs is simulated considering the probability and hierarchic clustering of EV load based on the travelling distance of users. This stage focuses on emulating the uncertainty of EV user travel patterns, time of arrival and departure, and their impact on the EV load profile. …

Sanitation In Urban Areas May Limit The Spread Of Antimicrobial Resistance Via Flies, Drew Capone, Oliver Cumming, Abeoseh Flemister, Victor Ilevbare, Seth R. Irish, Ishi Keenum, Jackie Knee, Rassul Nala, Joe Brown

Michigan Tech Publications

Synanthropic filth flies are common where sanitation is poor and fecal wastes are accessible to them. These flies have been proposed as mechanical vectors for the localized transport of fecal microbes including antimicrobial resistant (AMR) organisms and associated antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), increasing exposure risks. We evaluated whether an onsite sanitation intervention in Maputo, Mozambique reduced the concentration of enteric bacteria and the frequency of detection of ARGs carried by flies collected in household compounds of low-income neighborhoods. Additionally, we assessed the phenotypic resistance profile of Enterobacteriaceae isolates recovered from flies during the pre-intervention phase. After fly enumeration at study …

Development Demand, Power Energy Consumption And Green And Low-Carbon Transition For Computing Power In China, Xiaohong Chen, Liaoying Cao, Jiaolong Chen, Jinghui Zhang, Wenzhi Cao, Yangjie Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As a critical digital infrastructure, computing power has become the core productivity and a new engine driving economic growth in the digital economy. Nevertheless, the power-hungry nature of computing/data centers, representing the computing infrastructure, consumes a significant amount of electrical energy. Currently, China’s economy is transitioning from high-speed growth to high-quality development. It is imperative to study how to coordinate the development of computing power while ensuring its safety and achieving green and low-carbon goals. Based on an overview of the current status of computing power development, this study predicts the future demand for computing power in China, analyzes the …

Study On R&D Strategies In Nanoscale Science And Technology Of Powerhouses And Insights, Wenyue Bian, Xingjie Liang, Chunlei Ge, Zhongyang Hui, Xiaoqi Jia, Si Liu, Jing Ye, Xiaoyi Chen, Wenjun Wang, Huajun Ju

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Nanoscale science and technology (nano S&T) are at the frontier of global strategic high-tech competition. After examining nearly 160 strategy and planning documents released by scientific and technological powerhouses from 2000 to 2023, the study finds ten common approaches adopted by the powerhouses to advance nano S&T as follows. (1) Recognizing nano S&T as a key area for the economy and global competition. (2) Establishing cross-department organizations to meet the cross-disciplinary nature of nano S&T. (3) Developing strategic plans to guide the development of nano S&T and implementing major programs with significant investment. (4) Establishing multidisciplinary nano S&T research centers …

Emotion Recognition As A Novel Indicator For Assessing Brain Health: A Machine Learning Approach, Nayarah Shabir, Parveen Lehana

Research Symposium

Background: Emotion is being referred to as a person’s mental state, since it relates to their ideas, feelings, and actions. There is a lot of evidence that health affects the emotion. Therefore, the nature of emotions ought to reveal the health of a person. The emotions are represented by facial expressions controlled by muscular motor actions. Brain health may affect the working of the muscles leading to the emotional changes extracted from the facial images.

Methods: A dataset of facial images annotated with matching emotion labels is the first step in using convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for facial …

Comparing Anova And Powershap Feature Selection Methods Via Shapley Additive Explanations Of Models Of Mental Workload Built With The Theta And Alpha Eeg Band Ratios, Bujar Raufi, Luca Longo

Articles

Background: Creating models to differentiate self-reported mental workload perceptions is challenging and requires machine learning to identify features from EEG signals. EEG band ratios quantify human activity, but limited research on mental workload assessment exists. This study evaluates the use of theta-to-alpha and alpha-to-theta EEG band ratio features to distinguish human self-reported perceptions of mental workload. Methods: In this study, EEG data from 48 participants were analyzed while engaged in resting and task-intensive activities. Multiple mental workload indices were developed using different EEG channel clusters and band ratios. ANOVA’s F-score and PowerSHAP were used to extract the statistical features. At …

Salt Production Via Hydrohalite Decomposition, Timothy Eisele

Michigan Tech Patents

Salt production can include preparing hydrohalite particles by crystallization from saturated brine, adding the hydrohalite particles to the sale brine, thereby forming a hydrohalite-salt brine mixture, agitating the hydrohalite-salt brine mixture until the hydrohalite particles have decomposed into NaCl crystals, and filtering out the NaCl crystals from the salt brine. In some instances, an initial temperature of the salt brine prior to adding the hydrohalite particles is at least 0°C. In some instances, a ratio of salt brine to hydrohalite particles, by weight, is from 0.4 to 29.

Searching Govinfo.Gov/, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

This U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) database provides access to information legal, legislative, and regulatory information produced on multiple subjects by the U.S. Government. Content includes congressional bills, congressional committee hearings and prints (studies), reports on legislation, the text of laws, regulations, and executive orders and multiple U.S. Government information resources covering subjects from accounting to zoology.

An Analysis Of Driven Pile Relaxation In Florida Soils, Dalton E. Knowles

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Prestressed concrete piles (PCP) are a common geotechnical foundational element employed in marine and land bridges. PCP are commonly driven by an impact diesel hammer until the desired nominal bearing resistance is reached at the end of the initial drive (EOID). At a later time, the pile resistance may be verified, but not always, via a restrike, usually with the same impact hammer. At the beginning of a restrike, the resistance of the pile is rarely equal to the resistance at the EOID either increasing, known as set-up, or decreasing, known as relaxation. Set-up is clearly beneficial, however, this thesis …

Study On Treatment Method Of Expansive Soil Embankment In Expressway Reconstruction And Extension, Wang Yuwei, Hu Yanli, Zhang Rui

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In order to fully utilize expansive soil as filler in highway reconstruction and expansion projects，this paper draws on the successful experience of using expansive soil directly in road construction.It proposes an embankment treatment scheme that involves the use of geogrid-reinforced expansive soil with edge wrapping，based on the reconstruction and expansion project of the Hefei to Dagudian section of the G 40 Shanghai-Shaanxi Expressway.Through laboratory tests，the road performance and swelling characteristics of the expansive soil filler were investigated to determine the applicable scope and compaction control indices of the filler.Then，the feasibility of the embankment treatment scheme was demonstrated through the prediction …

Research On Construction Risk Of Desert Highway Subgrade Engineering Based On Sem, Wang Shouxu, Han Lingyun

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Highway construction in desert areas is of great significance to improving the nodes of transportation networks and developing the economy of remote areas.In order to effectively explore the construction risks of desert highway subgrade engineering，the five aspects of personnel risk，technical risk，material risk，mechanical risk，and environmental risk were analyzed，and 23 indicators affecting the construction risk of desert highway subgrade engineering were screened out by literature research method.Based on the effective data collected by questionnaire survey，a structural equation model （SEM ） of the construction risk of desert highway subgrade engineering was constructed，and the key influencing factors of the construction risk were analyzed.The results …

Lightweight Replacement Technology For Existing Soft Subgrade Based On Over‑Consolidated State, Huang Baotao, Zhang Mudan, Huang Xiangshuo, Fang Mingshan, Feng Jianxue, Huang Lizhen

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In order to solve the differential settlement of soft subgrade in coastal areas，based on the elastic deformation theory of overconsolidation stress ratio，the calculation and analysis of artificial overconsolidation stress ratio and the new technology of lightweight replacement were carried out to reduce the additional stress of vehicle load and structure weigh.The results show that the replacement thickness of the lightweight material with suitable density can make the additional stress at the bottom of the subgrade less than the deadweight stress of the original soft soil，and the additional stress is less than the initial flow stress of the soft soil.The resulting …

Analysis Of Stress And Drainage Characteristics Of Water Film Between Tire And Road Surface And Influence Of Groove Parameters, Sun Zhenhao, Chen Jun

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In order to study the stress characterist ics of water film on cement concrete road surface under the action of the tire and the influence of grooves，the finite element model of tire-water film-road surface was constructed using SolidWorks and Ansys Workbench.Based on computational fluid dynamics （CFD ） control equation and fluid-structure coupling theory，the flow law of water film on road surface under the action of the tire and the influence of water film thickness，driving speed，groove width，groove spacing，and groove direction on the hydrodynamic lift of tire were analyzed.The results show that the hydrodynamic lift of the tire increases with the increasing …

Rut Development Law And Correction Factor Of Axle Load Conversion Of Asphalt Pavement In Long And Large Longitudinal Slope, Guo Chenchen, Ding Tingting, Lyu Xin, Sun Jianxiu, Zhang Jizhe, Yao Zhanyong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The existing design specifications do not make special design provisions for pavements in long and large longitudinal slopes，and the directly applied design specifications ignore the stress characteristics of these pavements，which fail to guarantee pavement performance and life.In order to realize the differential design of the pavement structure of special road sections，based on the measured dynamic modulus of asphalt mixture，annual traffic volume，and temperature data，this paper used the self-developed temperature-axle load analysis software to convert the real traffic volume into standard axle load.Abaqus software was used to establish a rut model under the coupling effect of measured axle load and temperature，and the …

Mechanical Behavior Of Composite Structures Of Wearing Course And Underlying Layer For Asphalt Pavements, Yang Xiaohua, Yuan Zhanwen, Wen Yongbing, Zhou Chao, Wu Hao

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The interlayer bonding state of pavement structures changes due to the influence of various factors under service conditions，and this change exhibits a significant influence on the mechanical behavior of pavement structures.Through the composite structure test and numerical analysis，the mechanical behavior of the composite structure of different wearing courses and underlying layers under different stresses and bonding states was studied.The test used three commonly used wearing course （surface layer ） materials of asphalt pavements，namely AC- 13，OGFC- 13，and SMA- 13 for comparative analysis.The test results show that different composite structures exhibit different interlayer bonding properties and fatigue characteristics due to the difference …

Shear Strength Test Of Hefei Expansive Soil Under Low Stress Conditions With Controlled Suction, Hou Chaoqun, Zhang Rongjian, Li Yongxin

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Topsoil slide and instability of expansive soil slopes may occur under variable saturation conditions.In order to study the strength characteristics of unsaturated expansive soil under low stress conditions，several different matrix suction and stress conditions were set by unsaturated triaxial apparatus.The triaxial shear test of Hefei expansive soil was carried out，and the test data were analyzed.The test results show that when the net confining stress on the expansive soil continues to weaken，the stress-strain curve transitions from strain hardening to strain softening.The strength of unsaturated expansive soil increases with increasing matrix suction.The shear strength of shallow expansive soil shows a significant reduction …

Comparative Analysis Of Test Results Of Different Nano‑Clay Improved Loess, Zhao Danni, Cao Baohua, Xu Jiangbo, Nan Yalin, Chen Nengyuan, Zhang Peng, Wang Heping

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The orthogonal design t est was used to quantitatively analyze the influencing factors and influence degree of compressive strength，shear strength index，and permeability coefficient of improved loess，and the optimal content of improved loess was obtained.In addition，the improvement mechanism of nano-clay materials on loess was explored by scanning electron microscopy.The results show that：① The factors affecting the compressive strength of improved loess are the content of nano-clay，water content，and curing age，and the factors affecting cohesion，internal friction angle，and permeability coefficient are the content，dry density，and confining pressure.② Under different influencing factors，nano-montmorillonite can effectively improve the compressive strength of loess than attapulgite.③ When the material content …

Influence Of Rap Content On Mechanical Properties And Pavement Performance Of Warm Recycled Asphalt Mixture, Ren Ruibo, Yin Liyang, Xu Qiang, Zhao Pinhui, Ma Shidong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Warm recycling technology is an effective new technology for recycling recycled asphalt pavement （RAP ）.In order to improve the pavement performance of warm recycled asphalt and effectively enhance the recycling rate of RAP，the influence of RAP content on the performance of warm recycled asphalt mixture was investigated through mechanical properties and pavement performance analysis，and the correlation between dynamic stability and mechanical parameters of creep tests under repeated loading was discussed.The results show that with the increase in RAP content，the high-temperature stability，shear resistance，and elastic deformation resistance of warm recycled asphalt mixture are improved，but the low-temperature crack resistance and water stability are …

Different Forms Of Nano‑Sio2 In Emulsified Asphalt And Their Effects On Emulsion Storage Stability, Ji Chao, Cao Yuanhao, Li Zhigang

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The insufficient storage performance of emulsified asphalt has always been a problem affecting its application，and there have been studies in China on nano-SiO2 particles as additives to improve the stability of emulsified asphalt，but the effect is not obvious.Based on the principle of Pickering emulsion，nano-SiO2 with surface modification was used as an emulsifier to directly emulsify matrix asphalt，and whether its stability improvement effect on emulsified asphalt is better than nano-SiO2 as a modified additive was explored.Firstly，three emulsified asphalt were prepared，namely ordinary modified emulsified asphalt A，emulsified asphalt B with nano-SiO2 as a modified additive，and emulsified asphalt C based on the new nano-SiO2 …