Engineering Commons^™

A Study On The Applications And Toxicity Assessments Of Carbon Nanotubes In Tissue Engineering, Rena Baktur

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most popular nanomaterials. There has been increasing interest in the development and applications of carbon nanotubes due to their huge potential in industrial and medical applications. Recent applications of carbon nanotubes include development of scaffolds and drug delivery systems. Despite rapidly emerging applications of CNTs, little is known about the impact of CNTs on cellular processes, especially mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)'s differentiation. Also, the effects of nanoparticle exposure under different conditions on cellular responses have not been well characterized yet.

To characterize the effects of CNTs on creating nanoscale scaffolds for tissue engineering, …

Fluoro-Silane As A Functional Monomer For Protein Conformational Imprinting, Yun Peng

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

By using the technology of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), we propose to synthesize a protein conformational imprint that also acts as a plastic enzyme, inducing protein structural transitions. The imprint aims at MIP-induced stabilization and / or formation of bound protein secondary structure and the applications associated with analysis and correction of misfolded proteins. The screening of polymeric functional monomers being able to induce the conformational transitions in proteins is investigated in this report.

The fluoro-silanes (3-heptafluoroisopropoxy)propalethoxysilane (7F) and 3,3,3-trifluoropropylmethoxysilane (3F) were employed as functional monomers for synthesis of this catalytic protein conformational imprint via sol-gel reactions. 3F was demonstrated …

Effects Of Static Stretching On Foot Velocity During The Instep Soccer Kick, Craig D. Workman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to assess the acute effects of static stretching on foot velocity at impact with a soccer ball. Eighteen Division I female soccer athletes underwent two test conditions separated by 48 hr. Each condition was randomly assigned and began by placing four retro-reflective markers on bony landmarks of the ankle (total of eight markers, four on each ankle). One condition was the no-stretch condition, in which each participant performed a self-paced jog for 5 min as a warm-up, and then sat quietly for 6 min before performing three maximal instep kicks into a net. The …

A Synthetic Biological Engineering Approach To Secretion- Based Recovery Of Polyhydroxyalkanoates And Other Cellular Products, Elisabeth Linton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The costs associated with cellular product recovery commonly account for as much as 80% of the total production expense. As a specific example, significant recovery costs limit commercial use of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), which comprise a class of microbially-accumulated polyesters. PHAs are biodegradable compounds that are of interest as a sustainable alternative to petrochemically-derived plastics. Secretion-based recovery of PHAs was studied to decrease PHA production costs. Type I and II secretory pathways are commonly used for the translocation of recombinant proteins out of the cytoplasm of E. coli. Proteins were targeted for translocation using four signal peptides (HlyA, TorA, GeneIII, …

Comparative Studies On Oxygen Mass Transfer For The Design And Development Of A Single-Use Fermentor, Kristan L. Sorenson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Accurate experimental oxygen mass transfer coefficient, a measure of how quickly oxygen travels from a gas bubble to the bulk liquid, is important for comparing performance and for evaluating the oxygen transfer capability of a fermentor. Delays in probe response and changing gas volumes upon start-up of gassing affect the accuracy of oxygen transfer measurements. To mitigate these inaccuracies, a standard correction procedure for oxygen mass transfer data was established for highly oxygenated, well-mixed fermentation systems. Probe response time correction was generated by applying a second-order response model to dissolved oxygen probes and shown to be effective within 4%. By …

The Hypericum Perforatum Herb As An Antimycobacterial Agent And Its Implications As An Additional Tuberculosis Medication, Trent W. Mortensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

An immediate demand exists for new tuberculosis (TB) antibiotics due to the ever-increasing spread of drug-resistant strains. The drug-development process goes through four phases, the first (Phase 0) of which is to demonstrate and investigate drug effectiveness and toxicity. This research investigated the effectiveness of the Hypericum perforatum herb (commonly St. John's wort (SJW)) in its growth inhibition of mycobacteria and its viability effect on human lung cells.

Organic-solvent SJW extracts were effective at inhibiting every nonpathogenic genetically sequenced Mycobacterium isolate currently available (six isolates) in preliminary studies. Quantitative studies of five Mycobacterium isolates showed an order of concentration sensitivity …

Characterization And Physicochemical Modifications Of Polymer Hollow Fiber Membranes For Biomedical And Bioprocessing Applications, Benjamin R. Madsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) formed through phase inversion methods exhibit specific physicochemical characteristics and generally favorable surface and mechanical properties, supporting their use in diverse applications including ultrafiltration, dialysis, cell culture, bioreactors, and tissue engineering. Characterization of, and modifications to, such membranes are important steps in achieving desired characteristics for specific applications.

HFMs subject to gas, irradiation, and chemical sterilization techniques were characterized based on several analytical techniques. It was revealed that these common sterilization techniques can cause inadvertent changes to HFM properties. While these changes may cause detrimental effects to HFMs used in filtration, the methods of sterilization are …

Designing An Instrument Based On Native Fluorescence To Determine Soil Microbial Content At A Mars Analog Site, Heather D. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

For this research project we designed an instrument to detect bacteria via biomolecular fluorescence. We introduce the current understanding of astrobiology, our knowledge of life beyond Earth, and the commonality of Earth life as it pertains to the search for life on Mars. We proposed a novel technique for searching for direct evidence of life on the surface of Mars using fluorescence. We use the arid region of the Mojave Desert as an analog of Mars. Results indicate the fluorescence of the biotic component of desert soils is approximately as strong as the fluorescence of the mineral component. Fluorescence laboratory …

Synchronization And Media Exchange In Large-Scale Caenorhabditis Elegans Cultures, Jason D. Brown

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a model organism for understanding sensory molecules of multicellular organisms. Ovulating hermaphrodites produce putative pheromone(s) that cause male attraction. Because pheromones are produced in such small quantities, adult conditioned-media from large-scale synchronous culture is necessary to analyze these pheromones. Current protocols for culture synchronization have volume constraints that limit large-scale synchronous cultures and current methodology for adult conditioned-media production is impractical.

Modification of Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) systems was investigated for use as a method to increase the volume limits of bleach egg harvest for C. elegans culture synchronization. Also, an adult retention device built …

Controlling Nonspecific Adsorption Of Proteins At Bio-Interfaces For Biosensor And Biomedical Applications, Harshil D. Dhruv

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Partitioning of poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) molecules in 2-D and 3-D systems is presented as a self-assembly approach for controlling non-specific adsorption of proteins at interfaces.

Lateral restructuring of multi-component Langmuir monolayers to accommodate adsorbing proteins was investigated as a model 2-D system. Ferritin adsorption to monolayers containing cationic, nonionic, and PEG bearing phospholipids induced protein sized binding pockets surrounded by PEG rich regions. The number, size, and distribution of protein imprint sites were controlled by the molar ratios, miscibility, and lateral mobility of the lipids.

The influence of PEG chain length on the ternary monolayer restructuring and protein distribution was also …

Inducing A Normal Phenotype In Breast Epithelial Cells Using A Three-Dimensional Basement Membrane Extract Culture System: A Study On The Reversion Of Cancer, Ross H. Booth

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Experimentally, traditional developmental models and transgenic animals consistently underscore the importance of studying cell behavior in the correct tissue context. However, live animal experimentation is inherently complex, and systematic assessment of the effects of individual variables, such as cell shape and matrix compliance on cell behavior, is extremely difficult at best. Two-dimensional monolayer culture of key individual cell types has provided abundant, fundamental information on cell response, but cannot be used to show the normal phenotype of breast epithelial cells. Furthermore, their results often fail to translate into in vivo and clinical studies. It has been previously established that normal …

Short-Term Water Use Dynamics In Drainage Lysimeters, Musa V. Dlamini

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Turfgrass water use (seasonal turfET) and crop coefficients were determined and a mathematical soil-water balance model for non-weighing drainage lysimetcrs, which simulates the occurrence (timing and amount) of drainage, was developed. Pairs of non-weighing drainage lysimeters were used to determine crop coefficients for turfgrass in four locations in the state of Utah: Logan Golf and Country Club, Murray Golf Course, Brigham Young University (Spanish Fork) Experiment Farm, and Sunbrook Golf Course (St. George).

Daily weather data including air temperature, relative humidity, average wind travel, total solar radiation, precipitation, and average soil temperature were collected with an electronic weather station at …

Evapotranspiration Using A Satellite-Based Surface Energy Balance With Standardized Ground Control, Ricardo Trezza

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study evaluated the potential of using the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) as a means for estimating evapotranspiration (ET) for local and regional scales in Southern Idaho. The original SEBAL model was refined during this study to provide better estimation of ET in agricultural areas and to make more reliable estimates of ET from other surfaces as well, including mountainous terrain. The modified version of SEBAL used in this study, termed as SEBAL_ID (lD stands for Idaho) includes standardization of the two SEBAL "anchor" pixels, the use of a water balance …

Lake Evaporation: A Model Study, Jumah Amayreh

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Reliable evaporation data are an essential requirement in any water and/or energy budget studies. This includes operation and management of both urban and agricultural water resources. Evaporation from large, open water surfaces such as lakes and reservoirs may influence many agricultural and irrigation decisions. In this study evaporation from Bear Lake in the states of Idaho and Utah was measured using advanced research instruments (Bowen Ratio and Eddy Correlation). Actual over-lake evaporation and weather data measurements were used to understand the mechanism of evaporation in the lake, determine lake-related parameters (such as roughness lengths, heat storage, net radiation, etc.), and …

Analysis Of Cutthroat Flume Discharge Ratings, Liyan Ren

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Sixteeen sets of original laboratory data collected by many investigators for various Cutthroat flume sizes are thoroughly reviewed and organized. Best-fit discharge parameters are obtained by performing the free-flow analysis and the submerged-flow analysis. Then, the transition submergence can be calculated. Afterwards, the unified free-flow and submerged-flow discharge parameters are developed for each flume size in order to generalize the calibrations for Cutthroat flumes. This is a very tedious process requiring a trial-and-error approach. Finally, comparisons are made of the measured laboratory discharges with the predicted discharges for both free flow and submerged flow using both the best-fit and the …

Comparison Of Optimization Methodologies For Sustained-Yield Groundwater Pumping Planning In East Shore Area, Utah, Shu Takahashi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Combined simulation and optimization models, which are helpful for long-term groundwater planning of complex nonlinear aquifer systems, are developed using alternative modelling approaches. The models incorporate a representation of steady-state, quasi-three-dimensional head response to pumping within an optimization. An embedding model which describes exactly the nonlinear flow of an unconfined aquifer is presented. In contrast with the embedding models presented in the Utah State University Ground Water Model, it directly achieves the optimal solution without a "cycling." To address the nonlinearity of the flow system, response matrix models couple superposition with the cycling procedure. Their linear influence coefficients are generated …

Effects Of Fertilizers On Cultured Salt Marsh Plants, Ruppia And Chara, Scott Marshall Stenquist

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima), muskgrass (Chara Sp.), and midge larvae (family Chironomidae) were grown under controlled greenhouse conditions using a solution of Logan tap water, 3000 ppm. sodium chloride, and an algicide-fungicide inhibiter. Soil, vegetation, and invertebrates came from a spring-fed marsh in western Utah. Ammonium sulfate, treble superphosphate, and sewage sludge fertilizers were applied to the plants at 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 300 pounds per acre equivalents of ammonium sulfate; 5, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 300 pounds per acre equivalents of treble superphsophate; and 5, 25, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,700, and …

A Study Of Flooded And Rain Infiltration Relations With Surface Ponding, Yehia Z. El-Shafei

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The non-linear partial differential equation (combination of Darcy's law and continuity equation) has been used in this investigation to predict the flooded infiltration through soils possessing appreciable amount of clay and initially drier than its field capacity. One of the most important assumptions made in solving the differential equation is that the capillary conductivity-moisture content relationship is unique for each initial moisture content computation due to the different reaction of clay minerals with different initial moisture contents.

Mathematical equations were also derived to predict:

1. The rate of the wetting front advance, prior to the occurrence of surface ponding, taking into …

A Study Of Evaporation And Evapotranspiration In Peru, Fernando Chanduvi-Acuña

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Twenty-four equations for estimating evaporation and/or evapotranspiration were compared with measured Piche evaporation. At least 1728 months of records from 12 Peruvian stations were analyzed in this study.

Computer programs were developed to work this study and the results were compared by plotting.

It has been found that the equation that best fits the Piche evaporation in the low elevation stations in Peru is Christiansen's formula (ET2) which was used as a base for his formula for Class A pan evaporation (EVC).

Study Of Sheltered Evaporation In Colombia, Guillermo Pardo-Bonilla

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Equations, tables, and graphs for estimating evaporation from sheltered evaporimeters were developed, based on data from 20 stations in Colombia.

Computer programs and plottings were the basic tools to work out the equations. The form of the simplified final equation is

Ev = kC_VPDC_T

in which

• Ev is the evaporation in millimeters per day
• K is a constant
• C_VPD is the vapor pressure deficit coefficient
• C_T is the temperature coefficient

Statistical parameters were determined to compare the measured evaporation with the Christiansen-Guillen formula and the newly developed formulas.

Evaporation And Evapotransipration In Venezuela, Hidalgo Guillén Echeverría

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Equations and tables for estimating Fuess evaporation from climatological data were developed. Ten years of average records from 22 stations in Venezuela were analyzed in order to develop the equations.

Mathematical regression analysis, and plotting and computer programs were used to work out the equations. The form of the final expression for estimating Fuess evaporation is as follows:
Ev = K C_RC_TC_WC_HC_DTC_SC_M
Pan evaporation was computed using the Christiansen, Mathison, Blaney-Criddle, Hargreaves, Penman, and Kohler formulas. The computed pan evaporation from these formulas, measured Fuess evaporation, and …

Development Of A Drainage Function For The Transient Case, And A Two-Dimensional Ground-Water Mound Study To Evaluate Aquifer Parameters, Seid Abdollah Jenab

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A drainage function, D (u_n), is developed to describe the rate of fall and the shape of the water table between drains for an infinite series of parallel drains. The drainage function is evaluated and presented graphically for design purposes. The solution of the drainage function is compared with the solution of Glover's transient state drainage equation. The two equations agreed very well, but the agreement was not as good for very high values of √(4αt)/ L.

The drainage function, D (u_n ), was solved for the point midway between drains and the solution was presented graphically …

Estimation Of Pan Evaporation And Potential Evapotranspiration Of Rice In The Central Plain Of Thailand By Using Various Formulas Based On Climatological Data, Paitoon Palayasoot

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Water has become one of major national concerns, and it is the limiting factor in the expansion of an irrigated agriculture. Irrigation development is rapidly growing all over the world. New lands are being brought under irrigation and older irrigation lands are being improved. In the planning and operation of an irrigation project, the estimation of water requirements and evapotranspiration, or consumptive use, requires careful consideration. A knowledge of evapotranspiration is playing an increasingly important part in irrigation science. It is the best index of water requirements which represent the amount of water that should be applied by irrigation for …

A Study Of Sprinkler Uniformity Evaluation Methods, Baha Dabbous

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of water in homes, on farms, by factories, and for recreational purposes has been increasing rapidly. Water use has doubled in the last three decades. By 1980, water use is expected to be double the current use. In arid and semi-arid regions, the practice of successful profit-yielding agriculture often depends on irrigation. Irrigation is, in turn, dependent upon a water supply which is limited. The highest possible efficiency should be maintained if maximum utilization of the available water resources for irrigation is desired. Sprinkler irrigation allows, among other things, high water application efficiencies with good distribution uniformities.

Drainage Of Land Overlying An Artesian Aquifer: Logan-Cache Airport, John Paul Riley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Drainage problem Logan-Cache Airport is situated approximately 4 miles northwest of Logan, Utah, in sections 8, 9, 16, and 17, Township 12 north, Range 1 east, of Salt Lake Base and Meridian. The area of approximately 200 acres is a part of what is known as cache County Drainage District No.2. This district in itself contains more than 8,400 acres of waterlogged lands. Drainage of the se lands has, for many years, been a baffling and unsolved problem, complicated by 3 factors: (a) The whole of the valley in this area is underlain by an artesian ground-water reservoir. (b) The …

Canal Seepage Loss Investigations In The Lewiston Area, Utah, Robert V. Thurmond

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

With population, industry, and irrigation ever increasing in the arid west, there arises new and greater demands for water. Much of the water now urgently needed is lost as seepage from the many miles of canals in the western states.

Rohwer and Stout (18) have estimated that in the western states from one-third to one-half of the water diverted for irrigation is lost before it reaches the farmers' fields. Of these losses, seepage probably accounts for the greatest loss. It is reported by the Bureau of Reclamation (14) that, of the 14,600,000 acre feet of water diverted on 36 projects …

Irrigation Expansion On The Sevier River, Utah, With Special Reference To The Piute Project, O. W. Monson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

On January 16, 1908, the State Board of Land Commissioners, on behalf of the State of Utah, undertook to build a reclamation project in the Sevier River Valley, intended to reclaim between 25,000 to 35,000 acres of the virgin lands lying on the west side of Sevier River in Sevier and San Pete Counties. From January, 1908 to January, 1914, the State expended nearly $1,000,000 for the construction of the reservior dm and the canal leading from it. Since that time nearly $200,000 has been spent for supplementary construction. This money was supplied by the State Reservior Land Grant Fund, …