Journals@UC (University of Cincinnati)
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Expanding the Practical Approach for Salt-Free Tanning: A Chrome-free System
No full textOur research group previously established a practical approach for salt-free chromium tanning by changing the order of addition of masking salts (COAMS) for electrolyte-cum-masking effect. The present work deals with the modified COAMS process for developing a salt-chromium-free tanning system using aluminium. The tanning conditions such as Al to masking salt (cirtate) ratio, Al2O3 offer, the effect of phenolic syntan, and its order of addition on tanning performance have been studied in detail. It was found that the addition of 3% sodium carbonate (based on the weight of aluminium sulfate) along with aluminium sulfate reduces the acidity without affecting the tanning performance and leather quality. The ideal conditions for the pickle-free aluminium tanning were found to be 1.5% Al2O3 offer, 5% phenolic syntan offer, and an Al to citrate ratio of 1:0.2. It was also found that the order of addition of phenolic syntan did not affect the tanning performance. Furthermore, in comparison to leather produced without syntan, the combined effect of aluminum and phenolic syntan raises the shrinkage temperature by 6°C (Without syntan: 74°, with syntan80°) and decreases the rate of shrinkage by 74%. However, the addition of phenolic syntan did not improve Al exhaustion and leaching resistance to water. The physical characteristics and fiber compactness have been improved by the addition of phenolic syntan. SEX-EDAX study reveals that the aluminum is uniformly distributed throughout the cross-section. 
Improved PointNet++ Algorithm for Feature Point Recognition in Dual-Arm Robotic Grasping and Unfolding of Leather
No full textWith the rapid advancement of robotic technology, traditional manufacturing industries are encountering unprecedented opportunities and challenges. The leather industry, as a typical representative, urgently requires automation. However, due to the irregular edges, softness, and variable shapes of leather, automation faces significant technical challenges. To address this issue, this study proposes a high-precision grasping point recognition model based on an improved PointNet++ algorithm. By incorporating the Shuffle Attention mechanism, the improved PointNet++ algorithm significantly enhances the capture of key features, improving the segmentation accuracy and overall performance of the leather grasping areas. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved model exhibits superior performance in leather recognition and grasping experiments, achieving a recognition success rate of 96% and a grasping success rate of 89.6%. These results fully validate the effectiveness and practicality of the improved model in handling leather, providing reliable technical support for automated leather processing
Optimized YOLOv8 Model for Precise Defects Detection on Wet-Blue Hide Surface
No full textIn the leather manufacturing industry, the detection of surface defects is crucial for ensuring product quality. Traditional manual inspection methods are subjective, inefficient, and susceptible to environmental influences, and can no longer meet the demands for high efficiency and quality in modern leather production. Therefore, developing a fast, accurate, and automated defect detection system has become an urgent need in the industry. Against this backdrop, this paper conducts an in-depth study and targeted optimization of the YOLOv8 algorithm, proposing a novel wet blue leather surface defect detection model, ACI-Net, to enhance detection accuracy and robustness. To address the challenge of distinguishing defects from similar background textures, this study introduces the ACMix attention module. This module effectively captures long-range dependencies in images, significantly improving the accuracy of defect recognition. The study incorporates the MetaNeXtStage module, which focuses on the effective integration of multi-scale features, enabling the model to precisely identify a wide range of defect sizes, thereby enhancing overall detection performance. Comparative experiments demonstrate that this algorithm surpasses existing models in defect detection, achieving accuracy rates of 86.2%, 99%, and 88.8% for brand, broken hole, and broken surface, respectively, thus meeting the dual requirements for precision and robustness in industrial applications
Only Fans, More Like Only Fired: A Teaching Case on Personal vs. Professional Ethics
No full textRecord ID: 70
Award(s): Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship; Excellence in Research Communication
Program Affiliation: Capstone
Presentation Type: Podium
Abstract: This case study examines an ethical dilemma faced by Brianna Coppage, an English teacher at St. Clair High School, who created an OnlyFans account to supplement her income. The discovery of her account sparked a complex debate encompassing professional ethics, personal financial needs, and societal norms. This case study was developed using secondary data as part of an independent study for a business ethics class. Students are introduced to an ethical decision-making model, examine the intersection of professional ethics and personal needs, and explore some challenges with the modern business environment and gig economies. Additionally, students will explore the broader implications of ethical decisions, including media fallout and public perception
Impact of Negative Environmental Exposures on Brush-legged Wolf Spider Male Courtship Behavior
No full textRecord ID: 227
Award(s): Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship; Excellence in Research Communication
Program Affiliation: Capstone
Presentation Type: Poster
Abstract: Physiological stressors, such as pathogenic infection from bacteria and environmental contaminants like the heavy metal Lead (Pb) , can impact a wide range of animal taxa. Wolf spiders in the genus Schizocosa have been used as model species due to their complex mating systems, in which physiology and health of individuals is a factor. The effects of lead exposure, pathogenic infection, and a combination of both on male-female mating interactions was tested. Juvenile spiders were collected in autumn and reared to maturity in the lab. These spiders were assigned to several treatments: infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, exposed to 5k PPM lead in soil, both infected and exposed, and a control (uninfected, unexposed). Males and females from each treatment were paired (Infected x Control, Pb x Control, Pb x Infected, Control x Control) in mating trials. Videos of interactions were recorded for up to 30 minutes and were then scored using the animal behavior software BORIS. Results suggest that lead exposure and infection may impact the complex courtship behaviors of males, as well as female receptivity and resistance to mating.  
Effects of Facial Manipulation on Courtship Interactions in Habronattus coecatus Jumping Spiders
No full textRecord ID: 260
Award(s): Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship; Excellence in Research Communication
Program Affiliation: NA
Presentation Type: Poster
Abstract: Across diverse taxa, faces play a vital role in social communication and species recognition. In courtship, species recognition can be crucial to avoid hybrid matings, which could result in lowered fitness. Studies of facial perception have historically focused on primates and other vertebrates, but less is known about how invertebrates perceive and interact with faces. The Habronattus jumping spider genus is a tractable model system for investigating the evolutionary functions of facial patterning due to their high visual acuity, trichromatic vision, and diversity of species-specific male facial patterns. We hypothesize that male Habronattus faces may play a role in communicating species identity. We predict that manipulation of a male spider\u27s face will result in changes to courtship interactions and mating success. To investigate this, we analyzed courtship responses of paired male and female H. coecatus, in which male faces were either unmanipulated (i.e., natural) or manipulated to resemble that of a co-occurring species, H. calcaratus. We used the software \u27BORIS\u27 to track male mating success, male courtship effort, and female aggression. Preliminary results indicate that male facial pattern may have subtle effects on courtship interactions. Facial pattern may not affect mating success, but differences in total duration and proximity of displays, and female attack rates were observed. We also observed higher mating success amongst pairs with larger female-male weight differences, which differs from findings in related species. These findings illuminate how invertebrates might utilize facial patterning to inform mating decisions, offering new perspectives on facial perception beyond vertebrate taxa
Characterization of Fluorescent Indicators in the Hydrolysis of Ammonia Borane Catalyzed by Metal Nanoparticles
No full textRecord ID: 276
Award(s): Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentorship; Excellence in Research Communication
Program Affiliation: Capstone
Presentation Type: Poster
Abstract: Hydrolysis of ammonia borane (NH3BH3) to produce hydrogen (H2) is a key mechanism within practical uses of hydrogen storage, which has emerged as a promising renewable energy carrier. Ammonia borane has been identified as a material-based, chemical hydrogen storage compound due to its high hydrogen content, low weight, and stable features. The hydrolysis of ammonia borane requires catalytic activation to be observed at ambient conditions with noble-metal nanoparticles as a highly effective catalyst choice. An effective improvement in the hydrolysis has been demonstrated using Pt-based nanoparticles which were implemented in this study. Fluorescent indication of the hydrolysis reaction is adopted to monitor and sense the progress of the hydrolysis reaction. The fluorescent properties of the indicators change as the hydrolysis reactions proceed. This study investigates and compares two such fluorescent indicators for monitoring the hydrolysis of ammonia borane
Children in Foster Care and their Developmental Milestones
No full textRecord ID: 38
Program Affiliation: NA
Presentation Type: Poster
Abstract: For this project we are looking to see if children who are in foster care meet their appropriate developmental milestone compared to children who are not in foster care. To do so there will be a survey sent out to foster parent and a survey sent out to families whose children are not in foster care. The survey consists of cognitive developmental milestone, the foster parent or parent answer these questions with a "Yes" "No" or "Does not apply". The results obtained from the foster parents and parents is compared and put into a graph. These results will give social workers/case workers an idea of the areas in which foster children need more assistance in reaching their developmental milestones.