TTU Published Journals @ Volpe Library
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Synthesis and NMR Characterization of Metal Complexes of Butanedione-Monoxime Thiosemicarbazones
No full textThiosemicarbazones are versatile organic compounds that have biological and medicinal properties; additionally, they act as multi-dentate ligands for metal complexes. Our lab has successfully synthesized a series of new monoxime-thiosemicarbazones ligands. Specifically, butanedione monoxime ethyl (BDMO-ETSC) and tertbutyl-thiosemicarbazone (BDMO-tBTSC) have been reacted with Copper(II), Nickel (II), and Palladium(II) salts to give a series of monomeric and dimeric complex structures. These structures were analyzed using NMR spectroscopy in order to characterize the monomeric and dimeric stages. The differences are discussed in our findings
Contrabassoon Restoration
No full textThe Bassoon Studio in the School of Music at Tech uses a contrabassoon as a significant part of its curriculum. Not all universities in Tennessee own a contrabassoon and the fact that Tennessee Tech owns and studies on this instrument gives the students at Tech a decided advantage over their peers from other institutions. Tennessee Tech's contrabassoon was built in 1965 and, over time, had fallen into disrepair and suffered an unfortunate fall. Consequently, the condition of the instrument did not allow students to use it to its (or their) fullest potential. We are fortunate that a world-renowned bassoon technician lives 40 minutes away in Alexandria, Tennessee. This individual offered to teach me, and my professor, the skills needed to restore the instrument to its best possible condition. A list of supplies/tools was compiled and a URECA grant application was submitted and awarded. The grant award covered the entire cost of the materials needed, and the work was completed over a 23-day period during the summer of 2021. Techniques involved included completely stripping/disassembling the instrument, repairing broken pieces, sealing the wood, reassembling, and replacing and sealing pads so that the instrument was airtight. Afterwards, the instrument was extensively tested and tuned. The project was very successful and the instrument was featured in a performance with the Bryan Symphony Orchestra in a Fall 2021 concert by the student that performed the restoration
Evaluation of Diatomaceous Earth and Kaolin Clay as Repellents on Periodical Cicada (Magicicada spp.) Adults (Brood X) in Screen Cages
Get PDFDuring emergence years, egg-laying by periodical cicada adults (Magicicada spp.) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) poses a serious threat to deciduous trees like Acer, Cercis, Malus, Quercus, and others) in open-field nurseries in eastern United States. Garden Safe® diatomaceous earth (DE) and Surround® WP kaolin clay (KC) were tested for repellence against adult cicada egg-laying in screen cage “choice” experiments using two plant varieties (Malus spp. and Cercis spp.). This study confirms the potential of these two biorational insecticides to reduce egg-laying damage, and to further aid nursery managers in developing their pest management programs
Temperature Compensation for Electromechanical Impedance Signatures With Data-Driven Modeling
No full textImpedance-based structural health monitoring (SHM) is recognized as a non-intrusive, highly sensitive, and model-independent SHM solution that is readily applicable to complex structures. This SHM method relies on analyzing the electromechanical impedance (EMI) signature of the structure under test over the time span of its operation. Changes in the EMI signature, compared to a baseline measured at the healthy state of the structure, often indicate damage. This method has successfully been applied to assess the integrity of numerous civil, aerospace, and mechanical components and structures. However, EMI sensitivity to environmental conditions, the temperature, in particular, has been an ongoing challenge facing the wide adoption of this method. Temperature-induced variation in EMI signatures can be misinterpreted as damage, leading to false positives, or may overshadow the effects of incipient damage in the structure. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of using data-driven modeling for temperature compensation of EMI signature is presented. Data-driven dynamic models are first developed by fitting EMI signatures measured at various temperatures using the Vector Fitting algorithm. Once these models are developed, the dependence of model parameters on temperature is established. The capabilities of this temperature compensation method are demonstrated on aluminum samples, where EMI signatures are measured at various temperatures and over a broad frequency range
A Renaissance Foundry Model Approach to Developing a Fundamental Understanding of Bio-fluid Mixing
No full textIn the domain of bioprocess engineering, mixing is a foundational aspect that requires concepts at the interface of rheology, fluid mechanics, and mass transfer. In practical aspects, mixing has been employed in physics and engineering fields and, although it has been extensively researched (Ottino, 1989, pp. 56-67), areas in bioprocess engineering need additional work. This leads to gaps in understanding mixing as it applies to, for example, the formation of fibril-based hydrogels. Improving comprehension of mixing requires use of complementary approaches including exercises such as simulation, experimentation, and analytical solution methodologies. This parallel learning approach emphasizes a pedagogical strategy to guide students in building an understanding via the Renaissance Foundry Model which provides a model for the acquisition and transfer of information and knowledge and is the foundation upon which a method is established. The approach provides the opportunity for specifications, limitations, scope, and scale of research to develop a preliminary understanding of mixing. The model adapts to the student goals in promoting and understanding key concepts such as scale of research, rheology, fluid mechanics, mass transfer, and reaction kinetics. At its core, this model provides organization to guide the collection and analysis of information to create a basic understanding of mixing, and further expansion under the direction of the model can advance this understanding
Electrotherapeutic Assisted Wound Healing: Comparison of the Electrostatic Potential in Porous Gel or Healing Media in Cartesian and Cylindrical Geometries
No full textUnderstanding the formulation and the modeling of distinct approaches used in the bio-mathematical foundation to homeostatic wound healing modeling is a critical task to advance the field. In recent contributions (Jorgensen, 2017), researchers have made progress experimentally in understanding transport of biomedicines in hydrogels of potential use as an effective scaffolding material to facilitate wound healing. This effort has been complemented by modelling approaches (Dawson et. al., 2021) to increase the understanding of the electro-convective diffuse transport of biomolecules in wound healing in electrotherapeutic assisted wound healing applications. This contribution will focus on the methodology for modeling of the electrostatic potential effects in the wound microenvironment of the scaffolding material and the role that the chosen geometry plays on the electrostatic potential behavior. Specifically, the impact of the diffusion and the migration of thrombin to induce the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin will be discussed in the rectangular and cylindrical geometry. Anchored by the RF Model to guide our efforts, elements of the EKHD will be used to formulate the microscopic scale models that, then, by following an area-averaging algorithm approach will be upscaled to the entire capillary domain. The solutions will be compared analytically and graphically through a set of parametric values. Future and ongoing efforts towards this project will be highlighted
Modelling of Fluid flow and Mass transfer in a Fiber Reactor using Computational Fluid Dynamics
No full textFlow visualization experiments in micro channels output information on the fluid flowrates, heat transfer coefficients, mass transfer coefficients, size and stability of droplets etc. These data are useful for designing microfluidic processes, scaling up, fine tuning process parameters and, optimization. Some cons in conducting experimental observations are the time it takes to design and set-up Also, several experiments are conducted varying so many parameters. The research is focused on modelling and simulating parallel multiple microfluidic channels using Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques. These channels are comprised of thousands of micron-sized steel fibers that bring into contact two immiscible phase with enhanced mixing and separation capabilities. Fluid flow has been modelled using the COMSOL software and the droplet break-up was observed in these channels. The velocity, pressure and fluid-fluid interphase plots are presented. Due to large difference in the scales of features in the reactor, the models had to be solved using high performance computing. The simplification of the model by the application of symmetry and periodic boundary conditions was explored. The results of these modifications are also reported and compared with the former method. Results from parametric studies on relative velocity, temperature, relative viscosity and contact angle are presented
Activity Control: A Vision for "Active" Security Models for Smart Collaborative Systems
No full textCyber physical ecosystem connects different intelligent devices over heterogeneous networks. Various operations are performed to support automation in smart environments. An Activity reflects the current state of an object, which changes in response to requested operations. Due to multiple running activities on different objects, it is critical to secure collaborative systems considering run-time decisions impacted due to related activities (and other parameters) supporting active enforcement of access control decisions. The activity-centric access control (ACAC) model (recently proposed) provides an active security approach that considers activity decision factors such as authorizations, obligations, conditions, and dependencies among related device activities. This paper takes a step forward and presents the core components of an ACAC model and compares with other security models differentiating novel properties of ACAC. We highlight how existing models do not (or in limited scope) support ‘active' decision in collaborative systems. We propose a hierarchy of a family of ACAC models by gradually adding the properties related to activity and discuss states of an activity. We highlight the convergence of ACAC with Zero Trust tenets to reflect how ACAC supports the necessary security posture of distributed and connected smart ecosystems. This paper aims to gain a better understanding of ACAC in collaborative systems supporting novel abstractions, properties and requirements
*WINNER* Vulnerabilities of Autonomous Vehicles: The Impact Self-driving Technology Has On Our Data and Safety
No full textAutonomous vehicles have seen a meteoric rise in recent years and will undoubtedly hold a significant place in our future. We, consumers, should know and understand the current vulnerabilities associated with autonomous cars and vehicles with new technologies. These companies acquire massive amounts of sensitive data and many consumers may be uniformed about what happens to their data and the dangers associated. As new technology is incorporated into any vehicle, the attack surface for the vehicle is widened, meaning consumers become more susceptible to attacks and information brokers. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, "demonstrated hacks that could even activate the brakes of a car while the car was traveling," said News at Northeastern. However, most of the attacks like those in San Diego, have only been recorded in labs and other controlled spaces (livewire). As autonomous cars become more common, security vulnerabilities will increase exponentially. Our goal is to research these vulnerabilities and add information we find into a consumer-friendly model
The Cytokine Storm in COVID-19 and Promising Treatment Options
No full textCOVID-19 continues to be a worldwide health issue or pandemic since November 2019 causing acute respiratory failure and multi system organ failure in many individuals. One of the main contributors to acute respiratory failure and multi organ failure, is "The Cytokine Storm" which occurs in 20-30% of hospitalized individuals approximately seven days after a positive COVID-19 test. This cytokine storm is made of proinflammatory cytokines which are protein substances secreted by the body's immune system cells. The cytokines wreak havoc among many organ systems, and they are ultimately reported as the main cause of death in patients with COVID-19. When these cytokines are released, alterations in the body and specifically the lungs occur such as fibrinous exudates, inflammatory infiltrates, alveolar injury, pulmonary edema, and pulmonary embolisms in severe cases. My research findings have shown some promise in new drugs such as monoclonal antibodies, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), TNF blocker, antimalarials, many more immunosuppressant drugs, and even plasmapheresis via an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The ultimate goal of care is to understand the cytokine storm and halt the excessive cytokine release. Many patients who have died due to COVID-19 were not treated in a timely manner with the appropriate treatment. The key to survival could be early detection and intervention to counteract the systemic inflammatory response and decrease the release of cytokines