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Modulation Of Morpho-Functional Characteristics Of Astrocytes Using Chemically-Functionalized Water-Soluble Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Manoj K. Gottipati
Modulation Of Morpho-Functional Characteristics Of Astrocytes Using Chemically-Functionalized Water-Soluble Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, Manoj K. Gottipati
All ETDs from UAB
In this thesis, I report the use of chemically functionalized water-soluble single-walled carbon nanotubes (ws-SWCNTs) for the modulation of morpho-functional characteristics of astrocytes. When added to the culturing medium, ws-SWCNTs were able to make astrocytes larger and stellate/mature, changes associated with the increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity. Thus, ws-SWCNTs could have more beneficial effects at the injury site than previously thought; by affecting astrocytes, they could provide for a more comprehensive re-establishment of the brain computational power.
Wind Resistance Of Composite Structural Insulated Panels (Csips), Li Dong
Wind Resistance Of Composite Structural Insulated Panels (Csips), Li Dong
All ETDs from UAB
Extreme windstorms are frequent and destructive natural hazards in the United States. Each wind disaster proves that traditional wood houses are too fragile to withstand high air pressures. The proposed Composite Structural Insulated Panels (CSIPs) are made of a low-cost, thermoplastic orthotropic glass/poly-propylene (glass-PP) laminate as the face sheet and expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam as the core, with a high face sheet/core moduli ratio. In order to evaluate the wind-resistance of CSIPs, panels with cores of 16 kg/m3 (1 PCF) and 48 kg/m3 (3 PCF) density were tested at the University of Florida. Stepwise and dynamic simulated wind pressure was …
Engineering Of Pulsed Laser Deposited Calcium Phosphate Biomaterials In Controlled Atmospheres, Saulius Edmundas Drukteinis
Engineering Of Pulsed Laser Deposited Calcium Phosphate Biomaterials In Controlled Atmospheres, Saulius Edmundas Drukteinis
All ETDs from UAB
Synthetic calcium phosphates (CAP) such as hydroxyapatite (HA) have been used as regenerative bone graft materials and also as thin films to improve the integration of biomedical implant devices within skeletal tissue. Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) can deposit crystalline HA with significant adhesion on titanium biomaterials. However, there are PLD processing constraints due to the complex physical and chemical interactions occurring simultaneously during PLD, which influence ablation plume formation and development. In this investigation PLD CAP films were engineered with a focus on novel decoupling of partial pressure of H2O (g) (P(H2O)) from total background pressure, in combination with substrate …
Wear Of Nanofilled Dental Composites In A Newly-Developed In Vitro Testing Device, Nathaniel C. Lawson
Wear Of Nanofilled Dental Composites In A Newly-Developed In Vitro Testing Device, Nathaniel C. Lawson
All ETDs from UAB
Purpose In vivo wear of dental composites can lead to loss of individual tooth function and the need to replace a composite restoration. To evaluate the wear performance of new and existing dental composites, we developed a novel system for measuring in vitro wear and we used this system to analyze the mechanisms of wear of nanofilled composite materials. Methods: A modified wear testing device was designed based on the Alabama wear testing machine. The new device consists of: 1) an antagonist which is lowered to and raised from the composite specimen by weight loading, 2) a motorized stage to …
Effect Of Childhood Obesity On Risk Of Pelvic Bone Fracture In Simulated Sideways Fall, Min-Heng Hsieh
Effect Of Childhood Obesity On Risk Of Pelvic Bone Fracture In Simulated Sideways Fall, Min-Heng Hsieh
All ETDs from UAB
Since the number of obese children in the U.S. has been increasing, the question arises whether obese children could be at higher or lower risk compared to nonobese children. The objective of this research was to investigate the risk of pediatric pelvic bone fracture in sideways falls using computational modeling and simulation considering various levels of obesity. Two sets of models were developed and tested. The first set was body component models. Several 10-year-old pelvis-femur complex models were developed. The models included biological soft tissue layers to reflect various levels of obesity, and they were validated against published experimental data. …
Computational Investigation Of Drag Reduction With A Rear Flap On Trucks, Yangyang Hu
Computational Investigation Of Drag Reduction With A Rear Flap On Trucks, Yangyang Hu
All ETDs from UAB
Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations of the steady state Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations using the second order k — ω turbulence model were performed to investigate the Drag Coefficients (Cd) of the Class 8 trucks under different geometric configurations. The reduction rates of aerodynamic drag using several add-on devices such as base flap, boat tail, underbody skirt, and tractor-trailer gap are investigated through the CFD simulations. Moreover, simulations by using different lengths and angles of the base flap and boat tail were conducted; the comparison indicates that the base flap design is more effective for the drag reduction. The optimized …
Monitoring Arm Use In Daily Life Via Rfid Tracking Of Household Objects, Joydip Barman
Monitoring Arm Use In Daily Life Via Rfid Tracking Of Household Objects, Joydip Barman
All ETDs from UAB
After stroke, capacity to complete tasks in the treatment setting with the moreaffected arm is an unreliable index of actual use of that extremity in daily life. Available objective methods for monitoring real-world arm use rely on placing movement sensors on patients. These methods provide information on amount but not type of arm activity, e.g., functional vs. nonfunctional movement. This paper presents an approach that places sensors on patients and household objects, overcoming this limitation. An accelerometer and the transmitter component of a radio-frequency proximity sensor are attached to objects; the receiver component is attached to the arm of interest. …
Sonication Treatment Of Diesel Fuel Laden Sump Water, Roxanne E. Bessette
Sonication Treatment Of Diesel Fuel Laden Sump Water, Roxanne E. Bessette
All ETDs from UAB
Diesel engines are the work horses of industry and transportation. Pervasive diesel fuel use impacts stormwater, by increasing petroleum releases to surface waters. Sump containment of diesel-adulterated stormwater commonly keeps diesel from contacting surface waters. Once contained, the quandary lies in effective stormwater treatment that allows discharges within the local watershed. On-site treatment of diesel sump water ordinarily involves gravity oil-water separation technologies. These technologies' treatment times range from hours to days. Commonly, they cannot meet National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater discharge standards for oil and grease because they best remove `free' oil not commonly occurring emulsions. Oil-water …
Mechanical Analysis Of Bacterial Nanocellulose For Biomedical Applications, Joseph Mathias Schwertz
Mechanical Analysis Of Bacterial Nanocellulose For Biomedical Applications, Joseph Mathias Schwertz
All ETDs from UAB
Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a biopolymer that has been used in a variety of applications ranging from speaker diaphragms to biomedical products. Created by micro-organisms like Gluconacetobacter xylinus, BNC is composed of long cellulose fibers in a highly crystalline hydrogel. Recent interest in BNC based materials has led to the discov-ery of several cultivation and post-processing treatments that have enabled researchers to control the mechanical and structural properties of the hydrogel. Three BNC treatments were mechanically evaluated through tensile testing. Ten-sile tests were conducted using dogbone shape test strips and a video extensometer. Phys-ical compression of a BNC hydrogels not …
Tribology, Uv Degradation, And Structure-Property-Processing, John Tipton
Tribology, Uv Degradation, And Structure-Property-Processing, John Tipton
All ETDs from UAB
Nanoscale reinforcements offer the possibility of coupling the already proven high strength to weight properties of polymer matrix composites with additional multifunctional properties such as electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, unique optics, UV/IR radiation absorption, and enhanced wear resistance. This work presents materials based on detonation nanodiamonds dispersed in two types of polyethylene. The work begins with an understanding of nucleation phenomena. It was discovered through isothermal kinetics using differential scanning calorimetry that nanodiamonds act as nucleating agents during polyethylene crystallization. A processing technique to disperse nanodiamonds into very viscous ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene was developed and analyzed. These composites were …
Model System Using Controlled Receptor Expression For Molecular Ultrasound Imaging Applications, Reshu Saini
Model System Using Controlled Receptor Expression For Molecular Ultrasound Imaging Applications, Reshu Saini
All ETDs from UAB
Ultrasound is a noninvasive, inexpensive imaging modality used to characterize biological tissues. Targeted contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging is an emerging preclinical strategy which uses contrast agents for characterization of biological processes on a molecular level. These microbubble agents are lipid shelled micron-sized particles that have the capability to be coated with ligands such as antibodies or small peptides in order to bind to their target receptors. Molecular ultrasound imaging, using these targeted contrast agents, allows for a quantitative assessment of molecular targets with a high sensitivity. Although this technique is in preclinical research, further advances in contrast agent design and potential …
Effects Of Segmented Shield Wires On Signal Attenuation Of Power-Line Carrier Channels On Overhead Transmission Lines, Shanshan Yang
Effects Of Segmented Shield Wires On Signal Attenuation Of Power-Line Carrier Channels On Overhead Transmission Lines, Shanshan Yang
All ETDs from UAB
Shield wire segmentation has been used for quite some time as an effective method for reducing transmission line power losses, with most segmented shield wire applications on extra high voltage lines utilizing phase-to-phase power-line carrier (PLC) coupling. However, as transmission system efficiency becomes more of a priority, some utilities may consider applying segmented shield wires to lower voltage lines, such as 115-kV and 230-kV lines, which most often utilize single phase-to-ground PLC coupling. Thus, knowledge of the effects of segmented shield wires on PLC signal attenuation for various coupling methods would be useful to relay engineers. Previous work in this …
Simulation Of Bridge Weigh-In-Motion System Integrated With Bridge Safety, Zhisong Zhao
Simulation Of Bridge Weigh-In-Motion System Integrated With Bridge Safety, Zhisong Zhao
All ETDs from UAB
Bridge weigh-in-motion system (B-WIM) testing is a popular technology in bridge applications. The B-WIM system can track extensive information about loading conditions to which bridges are subjected, and engineers can evaluate the responses of bridges and assess their performance relative to the safety index and serviceability. Currently, the USA, significant numbers of bridges are considered defective and are eligible for retrofits and replacement. Optimized safety evaluation of old and defective bridges is urgent in response to reduced government funding for infrastructure improvements. To conduct safety evaluations of existing bridges without interrupting traffic, the B-WIM system is the first choice for …
Investigating Potential Novel Angiogenic And Immunogenic Properties Of Heme Oxygenase-1, Carl Antonio Frizell
Investigating Potential Novel Angiogenic And Immunogenic Properties Of Heme Oxygenase-1, Carl Antonio Frizell
All ETDs from UAB
INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL NOVEL ANGIOGENIC AND IMMUNOGENIC PROPERTIES OF HEME OXYGENASE-1 According to the American Heart Association and Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular diseases comprise the primary causes of death in the United States. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an inducible microsomal enzyme, catalyzes the rate limiting step in heme degradation releasing equimolar amounts of biliverdin, iron and carbon monoxide. Importantly, the induction of HO-1 is an adaptive response that affords protection in these disease states and several others. Expression of HO-1 has been demonstrated in several disease states and pathophysiological processes, including ischemia-reperfusion, inflammation and organ transplantation. This protection is …
Regulation Of Paps Synthetase 2 By Tranforming Growth Factor-Beta And Its Role In The Maintenance Of Mouse Articular Cartilage, Girish Ramaswamy
Regulation Of Paps Synthetase 2 By Tranforming Growth Factor-Beta And Its Role In The Maintenance Of Mouse Articular Cartilage, Girish Ramaswamy
All ETDs from UAB
Articular cartilage is a special type of hyaline cartilage present at the end of long bones and facilitates smooth functioning of joints and transfer of load. While most cartilage elements in the body are transient, articular cartilage is permanent and functions throughout life. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint degenerative disease and the leading cause of disability in the industrialized world. A multitude of factors including aging, orthopedic trauma, genetics etc. have been associated with OA. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is a multifunctional polypeptide which plays an important role in chondrocyte proliferation, differentiation and synthesis of extracellular matrix. Previously, mice with …
Development Of Thermoplastic Syntactic Foams For Energy Absorbing Applications, Aaron Siegel
Development Of Thermoplastic Syntactic Foams For Energy Absorbing Applications, Aaron Siegel
All ETDs from UAB
Foams are often used for energy absorbing applications. Increasing a materials ability to absorb energy without increasing its weight is a difficult task. Foams have a low specific weight and high energy absorbing capabilities. Syntactic foams are unique in that their voids are created by the dispersion of hollow glass microspheres (HGMS) randomly distributed throughout a matrix. This allows the density, distribution of porosity, and consequently the weight of the material to be controlled. Thermoplastic syntactic polymer foam samples have been prepared at the Manufacturing, Processing, and Applications Development (MPAD) facility at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Dif-ferent …
Multiscale Modeling Of The Mouse Femur, Shannon Lisenbee
Multiscale Modeling Of The Mouse Femur, Shannon Lisenbee
All ETDs from UAB
This paper seeks to advance the knowledge base for bones and how they respond to mechanical stimuli through the use of multiscale modeling. First, a simple but effective approach for segmenting bone from computed tomography images using MATLAB is presented. Using edge detection and gradient operators to identify areas of bone within an image allows for much more accurate and consistent bone segmentation than simpler techniques like thresholding. This technique is applied to the femur of a female mouse for use in further modeling and testing. Next a representative volume element (RVE) for lamellar cortical bone is created based on …
Modeling And Multi-Objective Optimization For Energy-Based Target Localization Using Wireless Sensor Networks, Zhenxing Luo
Modeling And Multi-Objective Optimization For Energy-Based Target Localization Using Wireless Sensor Networks, Zhenxing Luo
All ETDs from UAB
This dissertation focuses on energy-based target localization in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). A WSN consists of a fusion center and a large number of sensors. The fusion center localizes a target using a maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) method based on decisions received from sensors whose positions are known. However, several factors may degrade localization performance, including imperfect communication channels, sensor faults, sensor position uncertainty, and sensor sleep. Localization performance may be improved if these factors are accounted for in the MLE framework. In this dissertation, models were developed that describe how localization performance is affected by imperfect communication channels, multi-hop …
The Effects Of Venlafaxine On Functional Recovery Following Spinal Cord Injury, Don E. Mccormick
The Effects Of Venlafaxine On Functional Recovery Following Spinal Cord Injury, Don E. Mccormick
All ETDs from UAB
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can significantly alter a person's physical and psychological health over their lifetime. Depression in persons with SCI is often treated with antidepressants which alter serotonergic and adrenergic signaling, both regulators of plasticity. However, the effects of antidepressants functional recovery after SCI have never been evaluated. Therefore, we hypothesize that antidepressant therapy would alter functional recovery and neuropathic pain behaviors in a SCI rodent model. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of venlafaxine (VEN) administration on functional recovery in the rehabilitation setting using a SCI rodent model. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received a …
An Information Theoretical Modeling And Analysis Of Systems, Bunyamin Ozaydin
An Information Theoretical Modeling And Analysis Of Systems, Bunyamin Ozaydin
All ETDs from UAB
The growth of the service industry also comes with problems and complications because of its inherent error proneness. As the complexity of systems increases, whether the system of interest is a service product or a natural phenomenon, it only proves that there is always a need for improved modeling approaches. In this study, we approach systems from an information theoretical perspective. More specifically, we model systems by noisy communication channels and analyze them by a structure of relationships whose elements are commonly used analysis tools in science and engineering. We call this modeling approach and the structure of relationships it …
Forensic Facial Reconstruction Using Computational Approach, Wenzhen Jia
Forensic Facial Reconstruction Using Computational Approach, Wenzhen Jia
All ETDs from UAB
Forensic facial reconstruction is an application of forensic anthropology. It is a process of recreating the face of a human being based on skull remains. The process of recreating faces can be used to identify otherwise unknown individuals or to reconstruct faces of historical figures, such as the famous effort of reconstructing King Tut in 2005. There are many approaches to perform facial reconstruction in both two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D). In 2-D cases, an artist works from photos of the skull and sketches the facial features based on his or her scientific training and artistic intuition. In 3-D cases, …
Design Of An Underground Storage Tank Involving Water Collection For Water Reuse To Irrigate The Campus Green Area Of The Uab Campus, Zhuo Li
All ETDs from UAB
The UAB Campus Recreation Center is located in the Birmingham city block whose boundaries are University Blvd., 10th Avenue South, 14th Street South, and 16th Street South. The water supply of the UAB Campus Recreation Center is based on a natural underground water source, which is use such needs as pool water. The underground water is continuously pumped from its foundation in order to avoid flooding the basement of the Recreation Center. As a result, in addition to the water usage of the Recreation Center, the additional water pumped underground could be utilized to irrigate the campus green area. A …
Connexin 43 Remodeling Contribute To Slowed Conduction Velocity In An Irreversible Arrhythmogenic Canine Model Of Non-Ischemic Heart Failure, Jiajie Yan
All ETDs from UAB
Heart failure is associated with a high mortality due to ventricular tachycardia leading to ventricular fibrillation that could arise from impaired conduction velocity. Myocardial conduction relies on intercellular coupling maintained primarily by the gap junction protein connexin43. The objective of this research is to assess the correlation between connexin43 remodeling and altered conduction in our novel irreversible and arrhythmogenic HF large animal model that mimics human heart failure. A novel heart failure canine model was established with combined strategy of creating aortic insufficiency and aortic constriction. We measured conduction velocity in heart failure and control left ventricular epicardium (n=5, 5) …
Effect Of Increasing Truck Weight On Bridges, Denson Yates
Effect Of Increasing Truck Weight On Bridges, Denson Yates
All ETDs from UAB
The issue of increasing the gross vehicle weight limit on the interstate highway system has been debated on the local and federal levels. The driving forces for and against this topic cover a broad spectra ranging from economic benefits to public safety. The University Transportation Center of Alabama is sponsoring this study assessing the force effect that bridges experience when travelled by vehicles with a 97,000-lb gross vehicle weight (GVW). The maximum internal shear and moment caused by two proposed trucks (97-S and 97-TRB) are compared to effects from three base models: design live loadings from the American Association of …
Intercritical Heat Treatments In Ductile Iron And Steel, Ricardo Emilio Aristizabal
Intercritical Heat Treatments In Ductile Iron And Steel, Ricardo Emilio Aristizabal
All ETDs from UAB
Materials such as dual phase (DP) steels, transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steels and dual phase ductile irons are produced by intercritical heat treatments. These materials can provide significant weight savings in the automotive industry. The goal of this dissertation is to study intercritical heat treatments in ductile iron and steel to optimize the production parameters. Three different aspects were addressed. First, common steels were intercritically austenitized and austempered (intercritically austempered) under a variety conditions. The results showed that common grade steels that were intercritically austempered exhibited tensile properties in the same range as DP and TRIP steels. The second study …
Nanographene Reinforced Carbon/Carbon Composites, Dhruv Bansal
Nanographene Reinforced Carbon/Carbon Composites, Dhruv Bansal
All ETDs from UAB
Carbon/Carbon Composites (CCC) are made of carbon reinforcement in carbon matrix and have high thermal stability and fatigue resistance. CCC are used in nose cones, heat shields and disc brakes of aircrafts due to their exceptional mechanical properties at high temperature. The manufacturing process of CCC involves a carbonization stage in which unwanted elements, except carbon, are eliminated from the polymer precursor. Carbonization results in the formation of voids and cracks due to the thermal mismatch between the reinforcement and the matrix and expulsion of volatiles from the polymer matrix. Thermal cracks and voids decrease the density and mechanical properties …
Assessment Of Transit Oriented Development Impacts, Md Shah Imran
Assessment Of Transit Oriented Development Impacts, Md Shah Imran
All ETDs from UAB
The recent interest in smart growth, livable communities, and sustainability creates new opportunities for the adoption, expansion, and enhancement of transit services in communities across the U.S. Given that promoting livability and alternative modes is a key priority in the U.S. DOT's agenda, research on economic impacts from integration of transit is both timely and essential. This is important as many of the possible gains from such integration are not fully understood and properly measured to date, such as the related health and quality of life benefits. This thesis analyzes the economic impacts from the implementation of a transit improvement …
Novel Device To Quantify The Mechanical Properties Of Electrospun Nanofibers, Timothy John Fee
Novel Device To Quantify The Mechanical Properties Of Electrospun Nanofibers, Timothy John Fee
All ETDs from UAB
Electrospun biomaterials are gaining popularity as scaffolding for engineered tissues. These fibrous scaffolds of natural or synthetic polymers can mimic the nano-scale properties of the natural extra-cellular matrix. It is becoming clear that the mechanical deformation of any electrospun matrix plays an important role in cell signaling. However, electrospun biomaterials have inherently complex geometries due to the random deposition of fibers during the electrospinning process. This complex fiber geometry complicates any attempt at quantifying forces exerted on adherent cells during electrospun matrix deformation. In order to quantify the mechanical properties of arrays of individual electrospun fibers in physiological conditions, a …
Construction Of Polynomials And Linear Weight Calculation For Weno Schemes, Jacob Alan Nelson
Construction Of Polynomials And Linear Weight Calculation For Weno Schemes, Jacob Alan Nelson
All ETDs from UAB
Many applications of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) require higher order spatial accuracy to resolve the flow field. A few examples of these complex flows include heat transfer problems associated with hypersonic flows, flapping wing simulations, turbo-machineries, rotorcrafts, aero-acoustic problems, and transition to turbulence. Methods being used within the CFD community to achieve higher order spatial accuracy include discontinuous Galerkin schemes, weighted essentially non-oscillatory schemes (WENO), and spectral volume (SV) schemes. Complex flow problems involving complex geometries may necessitate the use of generalized grids for the discretization of the domain. Generalized grids contain elements of multiple types and allow for a …
Down-Modulation Of Mica On Malignant Glioma Cells By Herpes Simplex Virus, Carl Irwin Odom
Down-Modulation Of Mica On Malignant Glioma Cells By Herpes Simplex Virus, Carl Irwin Odom
All ETDs from UAB
Glioblastoma Multiforme is a primary malignancy of the central nervous system and is fatal for patients despite surgical resection and radiotherapy. Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Virus (oHSV) vectors deleted of the γ134.5 neurovirulence gene are potential therapies for treating glioblastoma tumors. Although replication in permissive cells is considered the primary mechanism of oHSV mediated tumor clearance, there is evidence that the immune system is part of the tumor clearance mechanism during treatment with oncolytic viruses. Specifically, natural killer (NK) cells may be important for tumor clearance during oHSV therapy. NK cell activation relies partially on the stimulation of activating or inhibitory …