Insitu determination of residual soil shear strength parameters using the standard penetration test with torque

Residual soils are found throughout the world and often behave differently than transported soils. Residual soils are identified as materials developed from the insitu weathering of rock that has remained in the location of its origin as opposed to transported soils which are developed though processes that include erosion, transport, and deposition. Geotechnical engineers rely on insitu and laboratory soil investigation techniques to determine soil properties, even though there is little within the current standard procedures to quantitatively distinguish between residual and transported soils. Due to the increasing volume of infrastructure development in areas where residual soils are present, there exists a need to better understand and quantify the properties and behaviors of residual soils. The objective of this dissertation was to develop direct and indirect relationships between the insitu standard penetration test with torque (SPT-T) and the laboratory shear strength of residual soils. Three research sites, located in Charlotte, North Carolina near the geographic center of the Southern Piedmont region, were characterized using the SPT-T, the consolidated drained triaxial test, the dilatometer test, soil classification tests, and an interface shear test. The results suggest that a possible relationship exists between the SPT-T maximum torque (TMAX (SPT)) and the cohesion (c’). The investigation also demonstrated that TMAX (SPT) can provide an assessment of triaxial shear strength (t TXL), although the relationship was largely influenced by the vertical effective stress. Various relationships within the data set were explored and many produced low correlations, with the majority of the R2 values below 0.4. The most promising relationship for a geotechnical engineer was TMAX (SPT) multiplied by the insitu water content (w INSITU) versus t TXL which suggests that the insitu water content at the time of the SPT-T has an influence on the measured TMAX (SPT). The most promising geologic correlations were chroma versus t TXL and minor mineral percentage versus t TXL. These two trends suggest that geologic parameters can provide an assessment of triaxial shear strength. Another important result was that the undisturbed residual soils investigated did show inherent c’, which is generally neglected in design. Additionally, an exploratory investigation of remolded residual soils suggests that the cohesion (c’) decreases and effective angle of internal friction (f’) increases due to remolding. Also, both the SPT-T and dilatometer tests provided un-conservative f’ values for undisturbed residual soils. This dissertation illustrates the importance of quantitatively distinguishing between residual and transported soils. The main drawback of the study was the limited number of tests/test sites available for the research. The results clearly show the feasibility of the methods and justify further research. Ultimately, the implementation of the quick and simple torque test to a site investigation can provide valuable data for geotechnical design

Expression and material

The works exhibited represent a resolution to the problem of immediate expression in sculpture, a resolution usually found only in painting. The exhibit grew out of a need to think faster and a simultaneous need to work faster. My previous work was with cast polyester resin and therefore excluded spontaneity in its quantitative nature, requiring calculations of length, volume, time, etcetera, prior to working. At the time of the exhibit, the work is in the form of reliefs and therefore basically two dimensional. The format of the relief allows for the increased working and thinking speed. The dimensions are within my arm span and in this sense allow for a working rhythm and body movement that is consistent with the material. The importance of this working method is in its application to the attitude of the artist. The material is nonprecious, and therefore allows one to proceed without caution. Because there are no quantitative parameters, thinking does not have to preceed working. It is by these means that one may employ spontaneity and chance. That is not to say that there are no prior considerations or that there is no continuity of purpose, but that the considerations do not become commitments

Ajuga Turkestanica as a Countermeasure Against Sarcopenia and Dynapenia

The effects of phytoecdysteroid supplementation on 20-month old male mouse skeletal muscle was tested. Three treatment groups were employed for the 28-day supplementation protocol: control (CT; vehicle only of 100% non-denatured ethanol), Ajuga turkestanica extract (ATE), and 20-hydroxecdysone (20E). Following 28 days of consecutive supplementation with ATE, 20E, or vehicle only (CT) each animal was tested for in vivo contractile function of the gastrocnemius-plantaris-soleus complex. Skeletal muscles and organs were then dissected and utilized for Western blot analysis, muscle and organ wet weights, or histological and cross-sectional area (CSA) analysis. Results demonstrated no significant differences (NSD) in body, muscle, or organ masses between treatments. NSD were found in protein synthesis signaling and non-contracted mitochondrial biogenesis signaling. Significantly larger fiber CSA was found in 20E-treated mice, compared to CT. Additionally, 20E-treated mice had significantly greater activation contraction-induced AMPK pathway signaling, compared to CT and ATE. In conclusion, these data suggest that 20E rescues the loss of muscle fiber size and increases the activation of contraction-induced AMPK pathway signaling in sedentary aged skeletal muscle

Project C.O.R.E.: Coaching Opportunities with Real Experiences

Retention and graduation rates of VCU men of color (MOC) is significantly lower than white men and women of color. Due to demonstrated significant attrition occurring after the sophomore year, Project C.O.R.E. (Coaching Opportunities with Real Experiences) is proposed as a sophomore-focused program that builds upon an existing freshman course on professional development for MOC. While the first-year course introduces students to a VCU support network, Project C.O.R.E. aims to increase university retention by expanding the student support network to members of the local community. Students are paired with community coaches, predominantly VCU alumni, to enhance their career and life-skills development. This program provides continued community, guidance, and support to encourage MOC to continue on the path to graduation

They Don't Have to Like you: Facebook Marketing for Libraries in the Age of Paid Ads

Hunter Library uses multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to market resources and services. The presenters noticed that the library’s Facebook fan engagement was low and wondered why. Are patrons using newer social media platforms? Did recent newsfeed and page changes bury the library’s content? Does the lack of a staff member devoted solely to social media management hurt our engagement? Ultimately, do the outreach benefits outweigh library staff time/resources required to maintain a Facebook page? Can libraries produce and manage an effective page with little to no funds

Faculty Scholarship Celebration 2017

Program for Western Carolina University's annual Faculty Scholarship Celebration

High Intensity interval training induces a modest inflammatory response in young active men

(VO max). Serum samples were collected during the first and sixth HIIT sessions at rest and immediately, 15, 30, and 45 minutes post-exercise. An acute session of HIIT induced significant increases in interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 compared with rest. The concentrations of interferon, granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor, and IL-1 were unaltered with an acute session of HIIT. Two weeks of training did not alter the inflamma- tory response to an acute bout of HIIT exercise. Maximal power achieved during a VO max test significantly increased 4.6%, despite no improvements in VO max after 2 weeks of HIIT. These data suggest that HIIT exercise induces a small inflammatory response in young, recreationally active men; however, 2 weeks of HIIT does not alter this response

Faculty Scholarship Celebration 2018

Program for Western Carolina University's annual Faculty Scholarship Celebration

Effect of Cluster set Configurations on Power Clean Technique

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of cluster set configurations on power clean technique. Ten male, recreational weightlifters performed three sets of six repetitions at 80% of one repetition max with 0 (P0), 20 (P20) or 40 seconds (P40) inter-repetition rest. During the first and second set of P0, the catch and first pull were in a more forward position during repetition 6 as compared to repetition 1, respectively. During the second set of P40, differences in horizontal displacement were found between repetitions 1 and 6 for the second pull and the loop. During the third set of P40, differences in horizontal displacement were found between repetitions 1 and 6 for the first pull, transition, and beginning of the second pull. No differences in horizontal displacement were found between repetitions 1 and 6 during P20. During each set of P0, vertical displacement decreased between repetitions 1 and 6 (1.02 + 0.07 m vs. 0.94 + 0.06 m; Mean + s). Cluster set configurations led to the maintenance of vertical displacement throughout all sets. The results demonstrate cluster set configurations with greater than 20 seconds inter-repetition rest maintain weightlifting technique to a greater extent than a traditional set configuratio

Annual Report 2019: Triumphs and Challenges of the Evidence-based Nebraska Project and Examining Youth Served by Community-based Aid Programs Funded in FY 15/16

As of 2019, the Evidence-based Nebraska project (EB-Nebraska) has been funded for four years. Sometimes, in the excitement to analyze data and generate reports, as researchers, we forget to take a step back and relish in the process that got us here. We also thought it would be important to document this process in an effort to inform other jurisdictions thinking of developing a statewide evaluation such as this. Furthermore, we hope that by better understanding the process behind EB-Nebraska, the reader may leave with a stronger appreciation for the work that the State of Nebraska is doing for Nebraska’s young people. Now that four years have passed, we thought it ripe to examine EB-Nebraska with a wide angle lens. The aim of this report is twofold: First, we summarize EB-Nebraska, including the process for classifying programs into program types, building the Juvenile Case Management System (JCMS), training program staff on common definitions and entering data, and the ongoing process of improving the quality of data entered. Second, we examine the trajectory of youth who were served by Community-based Aid (CBA) funded programs in the first year of the project (FY 15/16); specifically, whether they moved deeper into the juvenile or adult criminal system by being filed on in court, having an intake at probation, or being admitted to a secure or staff secure detention facility (Neb.Rev. Stat. § 43-2404.02(b). Although we have accomplished several things over the past four years, there is still room for growth. As any large project that includes the three branches of government and a university might, EB-Nebraska has experienced both triumphs and challenges. While the ultimate goal is to determine “what works” in juvenile justice programming, there are methodological and data reasons that can limit conclusions. The gold standard for evaluating “what works” is an experiment where youth are randomly assigned to receive an intervention or not. This can be a difficult methodology to implement within juvenile justice because random assignment can feel unfair to those not receiving the intervention (or visa versa). To overcome this challenge, researchers are urged to collect information about the youth and program to control for any factors (e.g., juvenile’s risk level, demographics, program specifics) that may influence outcomes and then report any limitations. While there are limitations to the data and research design, there is no doubt that EB-Nebraska has contributed to improvements for young people in Nebraska despite challenges. Using our wide angle lens, in the last four years the Nebraska Crime Commission (NCC) and the Juvenile Justice Institute (JJI) have created a secure online data entry system (i.e., JCMS) that captures variables based on scientific research literature for 24 program types and approximately 50,000 youth served by CBA-funded programs. From this data, JJI has generated four annual reports, several program-specific evaluations (e.g., diversion, truancy, mentoring, alternatives to detention programs, school resource officers), as well as specific research question-based reports (e.g., diversion drug testing policies and outcomes, reliability and validity of assessment tools, approaches for retaining and recruiting higher risk youth, and evidence-based principles for promotion/prevention programs)