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One Health, One Planet: Optimizing Dairy Cow Metabolism with Natural Additives for a Sustainable Future
No full textThis study investigated the combined effects of unique blends of essential oil (EOBs) and fumaric acid (FA) on ruminal fermentation and metabolites in dairy cows, using the rumen simulation technique system. Three rumen-cannulated, non-lactating Holstein Friesian cows served as inoculum donors. The total mixed ration (TMR) included corn silage, alfalfa hay, and a concentrate mix in a 3:1:1 ratio. The four treatments were: Control (TMR without additives), EFA1 (TMR + EOB1 + FA), EFA2 (TMR + EOB2 + FA), and EFA3 (TMR + EOB3 + FA). Sixteen fermentation chambers, with four replicates per treatment, were arranged in a completely randomized design over a 9-day period. EOBs and FA were added at 10 μL/g feed and 3% of TMR, respectively. Results showed that EFA1 reduced methane (CH4) emissions by 60.2% (p = 0.0351) without negatively affecting nutrient digestibility. A total of 661 metabolites were identified, with significant changes in 16 metabolites for EFA1, 33 for EFA2, and 19 for EFA3. PLS-DA analysis showed clear separation of treatments, indicating modifications in the rumen fluid metabolome. Metabolic pathways for tyrosine, pyrimidine, purine, lipoic acid, bile acid, and porphyrin metabolism were influenced by the additives. Overall, EFA1 was the most effective in reducing CH4 emissions and optimizing ruminal fermentation, making it a promising nutritional intervention for dairy cows.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1103/thumbnail.jp
Transforming Food Bank Operations with Data Visualization: A Study on Neighbor Food Preferences
No full textFood insecurity remains a critical global challenge, and food banks play an essential role in addressing this issue by ensuring food reaches those in need. However, operational inefficiencies, inequitable distribution, and a lack of data driven decision-making often hinder their effectiveness. This research develops an advanced visualization framework that transforms raw data into actionable insights, enabling food banks to optimize resource allocation, enhance equity, and improve operational efficiency. By integrating demographic, socio-economic, and geographic data, this study introduces interactive dashboards that provide real-time intelligence on food preferences, service area coverage, and allocation disparities. The framework employs intuitive navigation, standardized visual hierarchies, and structured categorization to enhance usability for decision-makers. Furthermore, census tract- level mapping and heatmaps reveal spatial trends, helping identify underserved communities and gaps in food distribution strategies. Beyond operational improvements, this work establishes a scalable, replicable model for humanitarian logistics, demonstrating how data visualization can bridge the gap between analytics and real-world impact. Future work will focus on developing a standardized visualization framework that serves as a go-to reference for food banks, policymakers, and humanitarian organizations, enabling them to adapt and customize data-driven insights for their specific needshttps://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1116/thumbnail.jp
Bolstering Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Change Among Farmers in Hurricane-Prone Areas in United States
No full textAgriculture is a risky enterprise because of its dependence on climatic conditions, and the time lag between decision-making and actualizing returns for the enterprise. The Federal Crop Insurance Program is an institutional mechanism through which the government helps farmers cope better with risks by providing subsidies on premiums. Farmers that adopt crop insurance can share the loss incurred with others in the same area with other adopters. Farmers face lots of climate-induced risks such as droughts, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, etc. Farmers in the southeastern US are prone to hurricanes that have increased in severity and frequency due to climate change. We contribute to providing information on the adoption of the Hurricane Index Protection- Wind Index (HIP-WI) Program by using data from Risk Management Agency for information on the policy to quantify adoption levels in States affected by hurricanes. We examined variabilities to identify areas of needed interventions and the results showed that states like North Carolina (13.6%) and Florida (3.9%) have experienced reduction in adoption rates while the adoption rate for Georgia has by 43.29%. This study suggests that more educational and extension intervention programs should be made available to the affected regions with low adoption rates.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1123/thumbnail.jp
Quinone-Based Cathodes: Enhancing Magnesium-Ion Batteries with Efficient Synthetic Strategies
No full textAs the demand for advanced energy storage solutions grows, the limitations of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) including resource scarcity, safety concerns, and electrochemical constraints highlight the need for alternative battery technologies. Magnesium-ion batteries (MIBs) offer a promising solution due to their abundance, high volumetric capacity, and improved safety. However, challenges such as slow ion diffusion and cathode-electrolyte incompatibility require the development of optimized cathode materials. This study explores quinone-based organic cathodes, focusing on pyrene-4,5,9,10-tetraone (PTO), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with multi-electron redox activity and a high theoretical capacity (409 mAh g⁻¹). We introduce an efficient and cost-effective synthetic route for 1,3,6,8-tetrabromo- 4,5,9,10-pyrenetetraone (TBPT) and 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexabromo-4,5,9,10-pyrenetetraone (HBPT), intermediates for quinone-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in MIB cathodes. Unlike conventional routes using expensive and hazardous oxidants such as sodium periodate (NaIO₄) and ruthenium trichloride (RuCl₃·xH₂O), our method employs readily available reagents, improving cost-efficiency, accessibility, and scalability. By leveraging these optimized synthetic strategies, this work aims to enhance the electrochemical performance, cycle stability, and practical viability of magnesium-ion batteries, contributing to developing next-generation energy storage technologies.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1134/thumbnail.jp
Monitoring Soil Moisture Dynamics in a Cornfield
No full textSoil moisture plays a crucial role in hydrological processes such as infiltration and runoff, influencing water uptake by plant roots, subsurface drainage, and chemical leaching into groundwater. Understanding the spatio-temporal dynamics of soil moisture is essential for optimizing water resources in crop production and minimizing environmental pollution. This study utilizes a capacitance probe soil moisture sensor to monitor these dynamics in a cornfield at North Carolina A&T State University. Continuous monitoring throughout the season will provide data for scientific recommendations aiding farmers in making precise irrigation decisions, which is important, particularly to North Carolina\u27s increasing droughts and rainfall variability. Preliminary results show significant fluctuations in soil moisture at shallow depths (0.10 m), with sharp increases after irrigation and rainfall, followed by rapid losses through evaporation and plant uptake. At 0.30 m, moisture content was stable during the growing season but decreased during prolonged drought, acting as a buffer against crop water stress. Moisture at 0.56 m remained constant, critical for long-term soil moisture retention and groundwater preservation during droughts. Overall, this study highlights the importance of soil moisture monitoring for better irrigation practices and sustainable water management in agriculture, especially under climate variability.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1142/thumbnail.jp
Direct Antenna Binary Phase-Shift Keying through Ferrimagnetic Loading
No full textThis study proposes the use of Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG), a ferrimagnetic material, in the form of a small ferrite rod, to load an X band open-ended waveguide antenna. It was observed that the phase of the radiated signal from the YIG-loaded antenna can be tuned by adjusting the magnetic bias field strength. By selectively switching between two magnetic bias fields that give 180-degree phase difference in the radiated signal, a direct antenna binary phase shift keying (DA-BPSK) is realized. Simulation results from HFSS and ADS are used to demonstrate the feasibility of the idea. Such direct antenna modulation (DAM) system can be instrumental for on-chip electrically small antennas.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1153/thumbnail.jp
Robust Adaptive Control Technology to Mitigate Radiation Signal Noise for Robots in Radioactive Environments
No full textThe deployment of robotic systems in nuclear stations plays a crucial role in monitoring and maintaining safety standards. However, one of the most significant challenges in such environments is the degradation of control signals due to radiation-induced interference. This paper explores novel robust control methodologies that can enhance the stability and accuracy of robotic operations in radioactive environments. By integrating advanced control strategies such as adaptive control, sliding mode control, and interference cancellation techniques, this study aims to propose an efficient framework for reducing signal corruption caused by ionizing radiation. The paper also highlights critical research gaps and presents practical implementations based on state-of-the-art technologies.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1173/thumbnail.jp
Engineering Quantum Point Defects in 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Next Generation Quantum Devices
No full textQuantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) seeks to develop next generation quantum technologies by leveraging superposition, entanglement, and coherence. This research aims to engineer quantum point defects in wideband gap monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), particularly Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS₂), to create stable, optically active spin defects for quantum sensing. The primary research question explores how atomic-scale defects in MoS₂ can be designed to function as coherent quantum emitters. We hypothesize that specific substitutional and vacancy-based defects will exhibit long spin coherence times and strong optical transitions, making them suitable for solid state quantum technologies. The objectives include computational modeling of defect states, controlled fabrication of defects, and advanced characterization to validate their quantum properties. Density functional theory (DFT) and quantum defect embedding theory (QDET) will be employed to predict defect stability, charge transition levels, and spin coherence. Experimentally, monolayer MoS₂ will be synthesized via chemical vapor deposition (CVD), with defects introduced using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Optical and spin properties will be assessed using photoluminescence spectroscopy, magnetic resonance techniques, and scanning tunneling spectroscopy. This research will provide critical insights into defect-host interactions in 2D materials, advancing scalable quantum sensing platformshttps://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1178/thumbnail.jp
New Farmers of America Association
No full textVo-Ag canning session.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/photos/2027/thumbnail.jp
GSA NCA&T 3rd Graduate Research Symposium: Book of Abstracts (April 1, 2025)
No full textThis Book of Abstracts showcases the scholarly contributions presented at the Third Annual Graduate Research Symposium hosted by the Graduate Student Association (GSA) of North Carolina A&T State University. Held on April 1, 2025, the event highlighted the creativity, innovation, and interdisciplinary research of graduate students across various colleges. The symposium theme, “Empowering Research, Driving Innovation,” celebrates forward-thinking scholarship and student leadership. This volume includes abstracts from five categories: Completed Research, Ongoing Research, Research Proposals, Theoretical & Literature Reviews, and Innovative Methods & Techniques.https://digital.library.ncat.edu/gradresearchsymposium25/1192/thumbnail.jp