Oxidative response of immobilized bovine blood to the model pollutant phenol

The primary purpose of this work is to determine if bovine blood can be studied in an immobilized cell bioreactor to determine if a phenol induced oxygen releasing optimum exists. This method of study has the potential to be used to determine what effects xenobiotics have on the oxidative activities of blood. Three blood fractions containing approximately 21, 44, and 70% red blood cells (RBCs) were immobilized and placed in a recirculating bioreactor. These fractions were exposed injections of 0 ml, 3 ml, or 10 ml amounts of 2000 ppm phenol. The most active fraction was the 21% red cell control, followed by the 44% control which was similar to those of the 70% 3 and 10 ml runs. The 44% 3 ml and the 70% control runs had similar responses. Doses of 20,000 ppm decreased the activity in the 44% runs. In the whole blood microassay runs, 0.1 ml of 2000 ppm phenol proved to be the optimum. There proved to be a correlation between the oxidative activity of the immobilized blood and the initial and overall slopes in the microassay and recirculation reactors respectively

Effects of Site Preparation, Seed Germination, and Harvest Maturity on Wiregrass Restoration Efforts at Fort Stewart, GA

Wiregrass (Aristida stricta Michx.) was once the dominant ground cover species within the Atlantic Coastal Plain longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystem. Less than 1 million hectares of intact longleaf pine-wiregrass communities remain, due primarily to anthropogenic activities. Wiregrass is a keystone species in the longleaf pine ecosystem, as its presence facilitates the natural fire regime, a critical component in the perpetuation of these communities. Therefore, there is increased interest in wiregrass restoration in both existing longleaf pine communities and future longleaf pine restoration sites. Many restoration sites are on tracts that have been cleared of all vegetation. Removal of stumps, roots, and debris causes a high level of disturbance to the upper soil layer. Disturbed soil must first be leveled and compacted before wiregrass seed can be sown effectively. The first objective of this study was to study the effect of wiregrass seed harvest date on germination success. The second objective of this study was to compare two methods of soil compaction, bulldozer versus cultipacker, as measured by wiregrass establishment and vigor. A significant difference in germination rates was found among seed harvested on differing dates relative to seed maturation. Wiregrass seedling density and vigor were similar among compaction treatments and plots. Results of this study arediscussed in the context of updating restoration protocols for wiregrass seed harvest and site preparation

Capstone design : a vehicle to explore landscapes of practice in engineering education

Abstract: Engineering design as capstone course creates an opportunity for practitioners to demonstrate their familiarity with the particular landscape of practice of their chosen field. This research follows a team of seven final-year Mechanical Engineering students as they complete a capstone design project to design and build an energy efficient vehicle to be entered into an international race. A qualitative, ethnographic study was conducted, collecting data through observation, reflection, and interviews with each of the student-participants and their academic supervisor. Landscapes of practice are defined through patterns of interaction within and between the various communities occupying the landscape. How we design the landscape of practice determines the opportunities we create for student development. The research demonstrates how the institutional and technological backdrop of capstone design introduces pressures that can both hinder student learning and create space and opportunity for deep learning to occur. It is concluded that the engineering curricula should include a series of design projects which allows for conceptualization to operation of the final product, challenging students learning both with respect to technical and social skills

Design, Activation, and Operation of the J2-X Subscale Simulator (JSS)

The purpose of this paper is to give a detailed description of the design, activation, and operation of the J2-X Subscale Simulator (JSS) installed in Cell 1 of the E3 test facility at Stennis Space Center, MS (SSC). The primary purpose of the JSS is to simulate the installation of the J2-X engine in the A3 Subscale Rocket Altitude Test Facility at SSC. The JSS is designed to give aerodynamically and thermodynamically similar plume properties as the J2-X engine currently under development for use as the upper stage engine on the ARES I and ARES V spacecraft. The JSS is a scale pressure fed, LOX/GH fueled rocket that is geometrically similar to the J2-X from the throat to the nozzle exit plane (NEP) and is operated at the same oxidizer to fuel ratios and chamber pressures. This paper describes the heritage hardware used as the basis of the JSS design, the newly designed rocket hardware, igniter systems used, and the activation and operation of the JSS

Understanding the impact of engineering through appropriate technology development

Abstract: This research describes a pilot project which aimed to introduce CDIO-type (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate), project-based learning through a community-based project in a third year Material Science module. The project formed part of an agriculture research initiative, and relied on interdisciplinary research collaboration between engineering, social sciences, management, entrepreneurship, and industrial arts. The initiative seeks to develop an agribusiness solution that will create an open-market, growth-oriented food economy. As part of the initiative, engineering students, participating in teams, worked alongside a community of urban farmers, most of whom are working poor, so as to develop appropriate, intermediate technology/ies that could support the farmers. This was informed by the need to have students demonstrate high level understanding of disciplinary content, but also to engage in human-centered design thinking and practice

The E-3 Test Facility at Stennis Space Center: Research and Development Testing for Cryogenic and Storable Propellant Combustion Systems

This paper will provide the reader a broad overview of the current upgraded capabilities of NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center E-3 Test Facility to perform testing for rocket engine combustion systems and components using liquid and gaseous oxygen, gaseous and liquid methane, gaseous hydrogen, hydrocarbon based fuels, hydrogen peroxide, high pressure water and various inert fluids. Details of propellant system capabilities will be highlighted as well as their application to recent test programs and accomplishments. Data acquisition and control, test monitoring, systems engineering and test processes will be discussed as part of the total capability of E-3 to provide affordable alternatives for subscale to full scale testing for many different requirements in the propulsion community

Development of ‘soft skills’ through extra- curricular project work : The case of the Jozi digital ambassadors project in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract: The primary focus of engineering curricula is technical competence. However, literature suggests that a common shortcoming of engineering graduates pertains to so-called ‘softer’ skills such as leadership, team work, time management and communication. Although not core to engineering activity, these competencies are important in the workplace and included in the exit level outcomes of accredited degrees. Development of these competencies can occur by giving engineering students the opportunity of involvement in extra-curricular projects that develop such complementary competencies. This paper discusses the Jozi Digital Ambassadors Project as one such opportunity. The project was launched by the City of Johannesburg, and aimed to roll-out free Wi-Fi to 700 000 Johannesburg residents who previously had no access to free public internet. A further aim was to provide training to these residents regarding how to access the free Wi-Fi and the online services offered by the City. ‘Digital Ambassadors’, unemployed young people who reside in the areas concerned, were appointed to undertake this training on behalf of the City. The University of Johannesburg, tasked with providing mentorship to these ambassadors, identified engineering students who were appointed as mentors. Structured interviews with the mentors were conducted at different stages of the project. The focus of the interviews was on the students’ motivation to participate in the project and their skills development. The development of complementary competencies was one of the factors that motivated the students to join the project and their involvement in the Digital Ambassadors project gave them opportunities to develop leadership and communication skills in a way that the formal university curriculum did not

A retrospective study assessing the relative clinical value of performing VRA versus ABR on infants between the ages of seven and twelve months

This paper discusses a study to test two methods of hearing screening for infants--visual reinforcement audiometry and auditory brainstem responses

Systems engineering education in an accredited undergraduate engineering program

Abstract: Developing countries are mostly reliant on external technologies and this augments the need for systems engineering capability in these economies. It is therefore imperative that systems engineering as theory and practice is included in undergraduate engineering curricula to strengthen the internal technological capability of a country’s developing engineers. In South Africa, the quality of undergraduate engineering programs is governed by the Engineering Council of South Africa (affiliated under the Washington Accord); and the exit level outcomes of the programs are predetermined explicitly per module. Systems engineering was introduced to an undergraduate electrical engineering program offered in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg; and a framework developed to ensure that the program still meets the requisite ECSA exit level outcomes and therefore international standards. This paper presents the design and implementation of the framework, as well as the challenges that students are exposed to when faced with real-world systems engineering practice. Students were grouped into independent product development teams using a software support tool which promotes diversity and skill-level targets for each team. The independent team structure required the use and application of the systems engineering process and supported the development of management and communication skills. Furthermore, the framework allowed assessment of the performance of each product development team towards achieving the overall project objectives. One of the accreditation requirements of undergraduate engineering programs is peer assessment and this was achieved by the process. The paper closes by presenting the results of the stated framework implementation in an undergraduate electrical engineering program offered in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg

Bridging the digital divide in an African smart city

Abstract: Sustainable transformation of cities is only possible when conducted in a smart way. This research assessed the impact of rolling out free Wi-Fi networks and online services in Johannesburg, South Africa as it relates to the sustainable development of vulnerable communities. Informed by the early adopters of a free Wi-Fi network provided by the City of Johannesburg, participating in the Johannesburg digital ambassadors training programme, the research evaluated smart city enablement in the City of Johannesburg. The case study reviewed relevant smart city metrics and compared to the standard for sustainable development of communities (BS ISO 37120:2014), evaluate indicators for city services and quality of life to identify design criteria for future developments. The results from this study contribute to the enablement of smart city infrastructure development geared toward capacitating vulnerable and previously digitally disadvantaged communities