PROJECTS
1. Modeling Nozzle Wear using Neural Network and Regression Techniques, 1994 – 2012.
The objectives of this research were to predict the nozzle wear rates for 8004 fan nozzles using regression and neural network techniques and drawing comparisons between the two techniques from the prediction results.
Both regression and neural network methods were applied for modeling nozzles made of four different materials, namely, brass, nickel-coated brass, plastic, and stainless steel. The model relates wear rates to used to represent different nozzle types. One hundred and sixty-eight observations were used to build a regression model. Forty-four observations, chosen from within the sample data, were used for model validation. One of the USDA-ARS’ data set was considered to be out-of-sample data used for model validation. Using SAS a log-log linear model was used to build the regression model. A Neural Network software, NeuroShell Easy Predictor, was chosen to develop a neural network model. Model adequacy was established both by visual inspection and statistical techniques. Part of the actual data, which was not used for model building, was applied to the model for its validation. A comparison of the regression model and neural network model shows that the regression and the neural network models perform equally well for the predictions made with both sets of validation data. This is a novel approach using dummy variables for predicting nozzle wear (1 journal article in Biosystems Engineering).
2. Modeling Water Quality Problems using Regression and Neural Networks, 2001-present
The objectives of this project were to model nitrate concentration in groundwater and nitrogen loading rate to lakes and streams using regression and neural networks. This research will be of benefit to the policymakers to make decisions pertaining to water quality problems.
3. Spray Pattern Displacement Studies of Agricultural Spray Nozzles, 1986-2012
The objectives of this project were: 1) to evaluate the spray patterns of flooding flat fans, low pressure flat fans, and twin-orifice flat spray nozzles at varying pressures, spacing, and boom heights in the laboratory for wind velocities from 0 to 15 mph, 2) to evaluate spray pattern displacements from field trials using spray nozzle with good spray patterns. Preliminary tests revealed that pertinent spray pattern displacement data could be gathered within the laboratory under dynamic conditions.
Presently spray pattern data gathered is being analyzed. (To date, 6 peer reviewed journal articles in premier journals (Trans. ASAE) in the Agricultural Engineering discipline.)
4. Chemical Spray Application Using Statistical Process Control, 1992-2012
The objective of this research was to develop a methodology to evaluate the quality of the spraying process. One specific objective was to collect nozzle flow rate data in the laboratory for selected nozzles at selected nozzle pressures. Another specific objective was to apply reliability techniques to analyze the failure distribution and the change in the failure rate during the life of the nozzle. ( 4 refereed articles.)
5. Development and Evaluation of Kenaf Harvesting Technology, 1995 – 2000.
Laboratory and field tests have demonstrated that a component approach to harvesting kenaf and separating the fiber and core has a lot of potential, Machines used for harvesting kenaf required only minor modifications. The straw walker from a combine proved to work very well to separate the kenaf fiber and core. More work is needed to expand the proto-type separator into a production unit.
Transportation of the whole stalk material from field sites to the processing facility proved to be expensive due to the low density of the material. In-field separation could reduce this cost by 50 percent. This crop has the potential for being as useful as Jute crop. It is a cost effective approach of modifying off the shelf machinery for use with new crops (1 refereed article in JAER/Biosystems Engineering)
6. Effect of Harvesting Methods on Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) seed germination, 1987-1994.
The overall objective of this project was to determine if the present mechanical harvester was doing an adequate job of harvesting the seed crop. The specific objectives of this project were 1) to determine the germination percentages of seeds mechanically harvested and manually harvested, and 2) to study the mechanically and hand harvested seeds under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) for damage.Results indicated that the present mechanical harvester is not doing an adequate job of harvesting the seed crop. The cylinder speed in the combine should further be reduced below 438 r/min.This research has resulted in a paper (#87-6509) presented at the 1987 Winter meeting of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, in Illinois, December 15-18. More research is needed to modify the existing mechanical harvester. (2 refereed articles in HortScience.)
7. Weed Wiper Application Project for Roadside Vegetation Control (w/Ritter, Kemble, Balascio and VanGessel), 1996 – 2001.
The objectives of this project were to investigate alternative methods to mowing and broadcast spraying for controlling noxious weeds, brush and plant growth along roadways that will be cost effective, environmentally friendly and visually pleasing. To date the wiper unit has performed over 100 miles of treated area on tax ditches involving a variety of plants and varying degrees of vegetation growth. Initial cost figures comparing the weed wiping concept to other methods have demonstrated cost savings with the wiper approach.
8. A Study of Foreclosures in Delaware and US, 2011-present
The nation continues to brace for an emerging spike in foreclosures, which continues to impale Delaware and United States. While many factors have been cited, the principal ones have been the predominance of high-risk loans, basically from subprime lenders. A cross-sectional analysis of state foreclosure rates in 2008 indicates that the main factor accounting for foreclosure is the unemployment rate. There are other factors that are described and analyzed here, but after analysis, it is concluded that they are not large enough to have had much of a substantive effect on the overall foreclosure picture. These factors among others are described and analyzed using R software and stepwise regression processes.
Key words: foreclosure rates, recession, Delaware, subprime loans, regression analysis
9. Patient Safety in Hospitals in the US, 2015-present
A seminal paper in 1999 by the Institute of Medicine reported that between 44,000 to 98,000 people died in hospitals each year as a direct result of medical errors. Over the past decade-2004 to 2014-it has not improved much. The true number of premature deaths associated with preventable harm to patients was estimated at more than 400,000 per year [JOPS, 2013]. Serious harm seems to be 10-to-20 fold more common than lethal harm.
This on-going research is to review the statistics pertaining to the top 10 sentinel events as reported by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations [ JCAHO]. The question is – What can be done to improve patient safety in hospitals.
I have collected data till 2017 and carried out a Pareto analysis. I have a working paper.
10. Problem-Based- Learning-(PBL) to teach Introductory Statistics, 2017-present
Some students feel overwhelmed by a large class and lecture type instruction only. They would like to do the problems with some mentoring from the instructor and /or tutors. However, the appropriation and assimilation of knowledge of subject matter- statistics- can be done by no one but the learner, the student. The teacher’s part here is that of a facilitator or guide. In the end the student teaches herself/himself with the help of the teacher/tutor (Armstrong,1991).
Ambrose (2010) explains in How Learning Works that students need a lot of practice and feedback in order to master a subject. Students, sometimes, seem to miss some step in the process of acquiring component skills, integrating and applying them to solve problems. Problem-solving sessions enables the students the chance to practice integrating skills they learn during lectures.
Problem-based learning-PBL- is an appropriate strategy for helping students get this kind of practice. The method requires students to work together understand a complex problem, list what they know about solving it and what they need to know. As they work through this process, they review and practice skills acquired during lecture and learn to integrate them together.
Ultimately, my hope is to use this time to support students who struggle as well as connect and mentor marginalized students. Personalized attention has been shown to engage and retain students (Kuh, 2008), and I want to ensure that these particular students have a chance to deeply explore statistics, be exposed to various majors within CANR, and choose majors within the college.
My objective here is to develop a Hybrid Model of PBL to teach Statistics to diverse group of students. The new pathway – i.e. the hybrid model would include both classroom lecture type discussions using ppt slides and working solo and in groups using EXCEL, etc. I have a working paper.[Download PDF]
11. Opportunities for Operations Research in Agriculture: The Time is Ripe Now, 2016 -Present
The time right now is ripe for applying Operation Research (OR) Techniques to improve the Overall Food production in the World. Presently, OR techniques and Data analytics are helping save companies billions of dollars in moving billions of packages and people across the world. Advanced Mathematical techniques have proved very valuable across diverse industries; however, operations research as a discipline has yet to move in and dominate the field of Agriculture. OR can play a pivotal role in feeding billions of people who may otherwise lack food security.
My research discusses Data Analytics and Agriculture Today, the Need for Practicality and the Scale of Opportunities in Agriculture that exists. (Presented a paper at the NABEC- ASABE conference)
- Environmental Devastation Comparisons between Animal Agriculture and Transportation Systems.2016-present [Download]
Rearing Cattle produces more greenhouse gases than transportation systems including cars and trucks- warns a 2009 UN report. Can we as Agricultural and Biological Engineers do something about it. The causes of climate change is due to (1) fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal and (2) life cycle and supply chain of domesticated animals raised for food. The aim of this research is to look at methods to reduce the carbon footprint due to fossil fuels and supply chain of domesticated animals and their life cycle.
One such method to reduce the carbon footprint would be to have electric cars and trucks. One can take a look at the reduction of carbon footprint due to their usage. I have a conference proceeding I also have a refereed journal article. [Download PDF]