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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Secondary Metabolites Isolated From Perovskia Atriplicifolia And Their In Vitro Binding Affinity For Human Opioid And Cannabinoid Receptors, Ashli Fitzpatrick
Secondary Metabolites Isolated From Perovskia Atriplicifolia And Their In Vitro Binding Affinity For Human Opioid And Cannabinoid Receptors, Ashli Fitzpatrick
Honors Theses
Plants and their natural products have been utilized for thousands of years in the treatment of many human diseases. Because of their structural diversity, natural products are ideal lead compounds for drug development. In this thesis, the natural products of the plant Perovskia atriplicifolia were investigated, specifically their in vitro binding affinity to receptors in opioid and cannabinoid classes. Extracts that demonstrated good selective opioid and cannabinoid receptor binding were subjected to bioassay-guided fractionation. Four active compounds were identified from the crude extract in Perovskia atriplicifolia: 1) 5-hydroxy-3',4',6,7-tetramethoxy flavone, 2) 5,7-dihydroxy-3',4',6,-trimethoxy flavone, 3) 5-hydroxy-4',6,7-trimethoxy flavone, and 4) 5,7-dihydroxy-4',6,-dimethoxy flavone. Each …
Chemical Process Analysis And Modeling Case Studies: Liquid Diffusion And Thermodynamic Considerations, Connor Redwine
Chemical Process Analysis And Modeling Case Studies: Liquid Diffusion And Thermodynamic Considerations, Connor Redwine
Honors Theses
Two case studies completed under the direction of Jacobs Engineering are presented and discussed. In the first case study, the economics of the installation of an oil cooler are examined. A vapor recovery unit (VRU) for an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) facility in Grieve, WY, will be installed to capture the vapors from an oil tank. With the installation of the VRU, a question arose: would an oil cooler proposed to be installed before the oil tank be necessary? A simulation and economic analysis of the process suggests that oil cooler installation is still economically favorable. When the low pressure …
Optimization: A Perspective On Improving An Ethylbenzene Production Design, Derrick C. Marchant
Optimization: A Perspective On Improving An Ethylbenzene Production Design, Derrick C. Marchant
Honors Theses
The goal of optimization in a chemical process or system involves improving an existing design or a combination of devices. In the case of an established process such as the ethylbenzene production process investigated here, the optimization involves improving an established process and choosing the best available case within a set of constraints that also considers maximizing the economic bottom line. An objective function must be selected for an optimization problem which defines the achievable goal. The objective function of the optimization process presented here is to minimize the estimated annual operating cost (EAOC). An EAOC takes in to account …
A Look Into Process Optimization, Joshua Hunter Lambert
A Look Into Process Optimization, Joshua Hunter Lambert
Honors Theses
The goal for this paper is to inform the reader on the optimization process in chemical engineering design. The reader will gain knowledge about the step-by-step process as well as terminology of the optimization journey. Optimization takes a great amount of work, and it can be a daunting task if one gets caught up in the minute details. However, I will show that looking at the big picture will drastically ease the process and make optimizing much simpler. A base case will first be presented. The base case should be modeled using a process simulator, and then an economic analysis …
Design And Synthesis Of Sigma-1 Probe For Positron Emission Tomography (Pet) Imaging, May Ly
Design And Synthesis Of Sigma-1 Probe For Positron Emission Tomography (Pet) Imaging, May Ly
Honors Theses
Sigma-1 receptor radioligands have the potential to detect and monitor various neurological diseases. Because sigma-1 receptors are believed to be associated with numerous psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative diseases, radioligands for sigma-1 receptors have the potential to serve as novel diagnostic tools and may be useful in assessing treatment effectiveness. A benzothiazolone 18F-labeled sigma-1 receptor ligand, CM304, has demonstrated promise as a specific positron emission tomography radiotracer for visualizing sigma-1 receptors in living subjects. Based on CM304, backup molecules were created to improve the overall drug profile, including half- life and bioavailability.
Carbon Dioxide Capture By Functionalized Graphene Oxide Adsorbent, Sulihat Oreoluwa Aloba
Carbon Dioxide Capture By Functionalized Graphene Oxide Adsorbent, Sulihat Oreoluwa Aloba
Honors Theses
The accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere is a major environmental hazard. As a result various methods for capturing CO2 was suggested. One of such methods included the development of carbon-based adsorbents due to their large surface area and low heat capacity for CO2 capture which was studied in this report. Graphene oxide (GO) was selected as the adsorbent for its potential benefit in CO2 capture. A modified hummers method was used for the synthesis of GO which showed the existence of the hydroxyl (3440 cm-1), epoxyl (1036 cm-1) and carboxyl (1720 cm-1) functional groups in its FTIR spectra. The …
Optimization Of A Chemical Production Facility: A Study Of Operating Conditions, Equipment Sizing, And Economics Of An Ethylbenzene Production Plant., Xi Peng
Honors Theses
Economics of a chemical plant depend on multiple factors: grade of a feed, types of catalyst, operating temperature and pressure, cost of equipment, and many other factors could have influences on economics of the plant. In a previous study about an ethylbenzene facility, our team scrutinize two proposed changes. An optimization plan is recommended by our team in order to maximize the net present value (NPV) of the plant. This report focuses on demonstrating rationales of setting certain operating conditions, showcasing the details of optimization, and elucidating the reasons behind applying these modifications. The team used simulating software PRO/-II to …
A Stroke Of Shear Genius: The Development Of The Blade Bandit, Abdulrahman Hamid
A Stroke Of Shear Genius: The Development Of The Blade Bandit, Abdulrahman Hamid
Honors Theses
This thesis will document and analyze the experience of two members of the Shear Genius team, Mr. Abdulrahman Hamid and Mr. Colin Wattigney, as they worked to complete the CME Senior Capstone Project. This team, under the leadership of CEO Ethan Veazey, developed the Blade Bandit, a lawn mower blade sharpening system conceptualized by Mr. Jacob Moorhead. Ms. Kristen Gaddis, Mr. Nick Rocco, and Ms. Allie Winters were also members of Shear Genius. The team members had educational backgrounds in the realms of engineering, business and accountancy. The combination of these disciplines allowed for the simulation of a real business …
Economic Optimization Of An Ethylbenzene Process, Erin L. Dyer
Economic Optimization Of An Ethylbenzene Process, Erin L. Dyer
Honors Theses
This report describes the process of optimizing an existing design for a chemical plant that produces the chemical intermediate ethylbenzene. For an engineer, economic optimization involves manipulating the design variables of a chemical process in order to improve the economic outcome of the project. In this case, the objective of the optimization was to maximize the net present value of the ethylbenzene plant. After analyzing the net present value of the existing design, the team conducted subsequent analyses on the operation of the process, adjusting variables such as temperature, pressure, and flow rate in order to minimize the costs of …
Optimization Of An Ethylbenzene Process, Garrison Padgett Morgan
Optimization Of An Ethylbenzene Process, Garrison Padgett Morgan
Honors Theses
In industry, chemical plants should be running at optimal performance in order to maximize profit. However, this is frequently not the case. Optimization is the process of improving an existing situation, device, or, in the case of chemical engineers, a chemical process. Furthermore, there are numerous strategies to optimize a chemical process, and it is up to the engineer to decide what to change in order to make the optimization worthwhile. Last semester, I was able to show my knowledge of optimization by applying changes to an existing ethylbenzene producing plant. I simulated the base case for this plant and …
An Economic And Technological Analysis Of 3d Printing In The Automotive, Aerospace, And Medical Industries, J. Alexander Ray
An Economic And Technological Analysis Of 3d Printing In The Automotive, Aerospace, And Medical Industries, J. Alexander Ray
Honors Theses
Although 3D Printing currently produces only a few parts in the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries, imminent economic changes and technological advances will lead to mass adoption of the technology within the next decade. In the past ten years, 3D Printing technology has advanced so rapidly that the previously unknown manufacturing technique has become a billion dollar industry. Today, 3D Printing pervades many industries. This thesis focuses on the use of 3D Printing in the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries. After an introduction examining 3D Printing and general economic production theory, this thesis identifies current and potential uses for 3D …
We All Go Home! The Evolution Of Firefighter Accountability Systems, Jeremy Roy
We All Go Home! The Evolution Of Firefighter Accountability Systems, Jeremy Roy
Honors Theses
Accountability is arguably the single most important tool that a fire department has at its disposal. Although accountability systems have been used throughout history, one thing is proven: when there is no accountability system in place, it is only a matter of time before firefighters will get injured, or worse, lose their lives. This work will discuss the history of fire department methodology dealing with the creation of incident management accountability systems. In order to provide historical evidence that lack of an accountability system can cause injury or death, case studies of multiple fire departments that have reported line of …
Exploration Of Cannabinoid And Opioid Agents From Plants Used In Traditional Medicine, John Fitzpatrick
Exploration Of Cannabinoid And Opioid Agents From Plants Used In Traditional Medicine, John Fitzpatrick
Honors Theses
Ten plants, with known medicinal uses, were gathered to study for their possible production of secondary metabolites that act as opioid and cannabinoid agents. All plants were subjected to in vitro bioassays testing for their affinity for the opioid and cannabinoid receptors. Banisteriopsis caapi extracts displayed the greatest affinity for both opioid and cannabinoid receptors. B. caapi extracts underwent column fractionation yielding fractions that were subjected to further in vitro studies. We discovered that the ethanolic extract of this plant (foliage) binds to all three opioid receptors (µ, κ and δ) and cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) with values ranging …
Delivery Of A Fatty Acid Signal Via Rtil For Biofilm Dispersion, Rachaud M. Keyes
Delivery Of A Fatty Acid Signal Via Rtil For Biofilm Dispersion, Rachaud M. Keyes
Honors Theses
A number of proposed applications for ionic liquids involve ionic liquid/water interfaces, such as, chemical separations or drug delivery systems. Therefore, an understanding of the solubility and micellar behavior of ionic liquids in an aqueous environment is critical fundamental knowledge. The long term goal of our study was ionic liquids for delivery of biological active agents; therefore, we chose the anion, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Tf2N) since it promotes water stability and forms water immiscible RTILs. The study then paired the Tf2N-anion with three different classes of cations. By adding apolar substituents (-CH2-) to the cation, the size of the molecule increases in …
Targeting G-Quadruplexes Within The Adam-15 Promoter: A Novel Therapeutic Approach For Breast Cancer, Rachel L. Jenkins
Targeting G-Quadruplexes Within The Adam-15 Promoter: A Novel Therapeutic Approach For Breast Cancer, Rachel L. Jenkins
Honors Theses
ADAM-15 is a protein that is up-regulated in many diseases, particularly breast cancer; its over-expression is correlated with more aggressive and invasive phenotypes. The critical core promoter region of ADAM-15 is capable of forming a secondary DNA structure known as a G-quadruplex. The stabilization of this G-quadruplex has the potential to decrease the transcription of the over-expressed ADAM-15 protein. Six hundred forty compounds were screened for their ability to cause a shift in the melting temperature of an ADAM-15 oligonucleotide using FRET melt. Two compounds, NSC 146771 and NSC 260594, produced a significant shift in the melting temperature; further experimentation, …
A Guide To Process Optimization, Shannon Leeann Kynerd
A Guide To Process Optimization, Shannon Leeann Kynerd
Honors Theses
Optimization is improving upon an existing process. Generally, the motivation behind optimization is economical. Companies are always looking for ways to improve their process in order to maximize their profit. There are several key steps and strategies that need to be followed in order to guarantee an optimized process and ultimately the maximum profit. An analysis of the base case is essential to optimization. If the starting point is not fully known, then the amount of progress is not known. The top-down and bottom-up strategies determine the overall procedure for optimization. Top-down begins with the big picture while bottom-up starts …
Chemical Process Optimization For Dummies, Troy Mannino
Chemical Process Optimization For Dummies, Troy Mannino
Honors Theses
Chemical process optimization is a daunting task. The purpose of this work is to summarize and organize successful approaches which may be employed by the chemical process engineer when confronted with optimization problems. In general, optimization is making any process better; common goals are to increase the efficiency or maximize the economic potential of a process. The improvements made to a process during optimization are generally measured in terms of an objective function. Since the purpose of any industrial chemical process is to be profitable, objective functions most often have units of dollars. The objective function is dependent upon changes …
Pervious Vs. Impervious Pavement: An Engineering Approach To Cost Efficiency, William Vanlandeghem
Pervious Vs. Impervious Pavement: An Engineering Approach To Cost Efficiency, William Vanlandeghem
Honors Theses
This research attempts to make a comprehensive comparison between the relatively new breed of pavement, pervious concrete, and asphalt, a more popular and accepted pavement type. Pervious concrete is mainly used as a pavement surface for green purposes; however, this thesis delves into the possibility that pervious concrete may be able to offer benefits that allow the green alternative to be cost efficient as well. The comparison will be made over the entirety of the surface life including each pavement design and the materials used, the surface drainage, and the maintenance of each. The pavements were analyzed from a real …
An Examination Of The Effects Of Psychological Stress And Anxiety On Physical Activity And Physical Fitness, Lydia Makepeace
An Examination Of The Effects Of Psychological Stress And Anxiety On Physical Activity And Physical Fitness, Lydia Makepeace
Honors Theses
In this study multiple measures of psychological stress, anxiety, physical fitness and physical activity were collected from 25 subjects in order to examine the relationships between stress, anxiety and fitness and between stress, anxiety and physical activity levels. It has long been hypothesized that levels of physical activity and physical fitness are moderators of psychological stress (Da Silva, et al., 2012). It has also been suggested that there is a bidirectional relationship between stress and physical activity and fitness levels (Da Silva, et al., 2012). This study intended to consider the ways that psychological stress may influence physical fitness and …