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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Design And Characterization Of A Triple-Input Microfluidic Droplet Trapping Array Towards Multiplexed And Dynamic Single Cell Analysis, Riad Elkhanoufi
Design And Characterization Of A Triple-Input Microfluidic Droplet Trapping Array Towards Multiplexed And Dynamic Single Cell Analysis, Riad Elkhanoufi
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
A Discrete Element Method Study Of Granular Self-Organization In An Orbital-Driven Sphere And Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations Of Slurry Flow In A Single-Loop Loop Reactor, Spencer Blum
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Single Cell Analysis Of Fluid Shear Stress Induced Breast Cancer Cell Phenotypic Changes In A Microfluidic Device, Grant Landwehr
Single Cell Analysis Of Fluid Shear Stress Induced Breast Cancer Cell Phenotypic Changes In A Microfluidic Device, Grant Landwehr
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Biocompatible, Responsive Polysoaps Via Raft Copolymerization For The Delivery Of Model Cancer Therapeutics, Mason Dearborn
Biocompatible, Responsive Polysoaps Via Raft Copolymerization For The Delivery Of Model Cancer Therapeutics, Mason Dearborn
Honors Theses
Many chemotherapeutic drugs are small, hydrophobic molecules that require water-soluble, biocompatible nanocarriers for enhanced vascular circulation. Existing polymeric carriers either conjugate the drug along a copolymer backbone or sequester drugs within a protected interior domain to be delivered to specific sites in the body. Such therapeutic systems must overcome a myriad of hurdles, beginning with complex, multi-step syntheses, followed by other inherent barriers that limit the efficiency of drug delivery at the targeted site. This work aims to circumvent a number of these issues using biocompatible, stimuli-responsive polysoaps that are capable of unimeric micelle formation, hydrophobic drug delivery, and triggered …
Distillation Optimization In The Pharmaceutical Industry, Daniel Vanzweden
Distillation Optimization In The Pharmaceutical Industry, Daniel Vanzweden
Honors Theses
Distillations are commonly used throughout industry to perform separations by phase change, producing a liquid phase and vapor distillate. However, the process of distilling can be slow and energy intensive, providing a limitation in the production process. Possible improvements to current distillation systems were considered on the basis of thermal efficiency, material throughput (cycle time), and material tolerance. Consideration was given to ensure maintenance is straightforward and relatively quick, as fouling, contamination and tank utilization were concerns. Economic viability of the improvements was completed to determine the project benefit. The optimized design offers increased efficiency for production lines.
Distillation Optimization In The Pharmaceutical Industry, Clayton Carter
Distillation Optimization In The Pharmaceutical Industry, Clayton Carter
Honors Theses
Distillations are commonly used throughout industry to perform separations by phase change. producing a liquid phase and vapor distillate. However. the process of distilling can be slow and energy intensive, providing a limitation in the production process. Possible improvements to current distillation systems were considered on the basis of thermal efficiency, material throughput (cycle time), and material tolerance. Consideration was given to ensure maintenance is straightforward and relatively quick, as fouling, contamination and tank utilization were concerns. Economic viability of the improvements was completed to determine the project benefit. The optimized design offers increased efficiency for production lines.
Optimizing Frosted Mini-Wheats' Finished Food Cooling Process, Jessica Graves
Optimizing Frosted Mini-Wheats' Finished Food Cooling Process, Jessica Graves
Honors Theses
Analyzing energy intensive processes in industry is crucial for improving sustainability, lowering costs, and increasing profit margins on products. Material and energy balances were performed to identify process losses in the cooling of Frosted Mini-Wheats. Existing cooling technology was compared to alternate technology available on the market, and a cost analysis was performed to compare all options explored. Recommendations were made to the system to potentially reduce the line's energy usage and downtime, with the objective of creating a more sustainable and efficient process.
Optimization Of Toaster Pastry Icing Preparation And Application, Rebecca Martus
Optimization Of Toaster Pastry Icing Preparation And Application, Rebecca Martus
Honors Theses
The Kellogg Company is interested in optimizing the way the icing for a baked good is prepared and applied during production. The current method has not been significantly changed since the item was first introduced over 50 years ago. A new process was developed to make a more efficient preparation and application of the icing operation. New equipment was identified based on established methods in the food industry. The new equipment and process was verified after the mass and energy balances were calculated. A capital and operating cost analysis was performed to determine if the introduction of the new process …
Natural Polymer Barrier Coatings For Oil And Grease Resistance, Andrew Kathan
Natural Polymer Barrier Coatings For Oil And Grease Resistance, Andrew Kathan
Honors Theses
Many barrier coating formulations currently used for oil and grease resistance development in the paper industry have issues with sustainability, biodegradation, or have health concerns associated with them. This thesis tests two starches as barrier coatings to develop oil and grease resistance for food grade packaging sheets. Starch is compatible with almost all papermaking chemicals, is biodegradable, and is easily treated in wastewater systems making it a great candidate to create a more sustainable barrier coating. Cooked hydrophobic starch esters have a unique shear-thinning rheology that allow for high solid starch coatings to be applied with a reduced risk of …
Simulating Fluid Flow And Gas Expansion In The Marine Riser Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (Cfd) Software, Ross Teichman
Simulating Fluid Flow And Gas Expansion In The Marine Riser Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (Cfd) Software, Ross Teichman
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Development Of A Thiol-Acrylate-Based Hydrogel For Tumor Spheroid Generation In A Microfluidic Device, Wayne Joseph Wortmann Iii
Development Of A Thiol-Acrylate-Based Hydrogel For Tumor Spheroid Generation In A Microfluidic Device, Wayne Joseph Wortmann Iii
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Multicomponent Working Fluids In Organic Rankine Cycle Evaporators, Jennifer Fromm
Multicomponent Working Fluids In Organic Rankine Cycle Evaporators, Jennifer Fromm
Honors Theses
Organic Rankine cycles are a promising technology to convert waste heat energy into usable mechanical or electric power, giving them the potential to reduce fossil fuel emissions generated by traditional energy generation. The heat exchangers of these devices are of particular interest, as maximizing energy extraction from these free heat sources will increase net electrical power output. For this project I created a model to predict the effects of mixture working fluids on the evaporator performance of an organic Rankine cycle generator for a wide range of waste heat source temperatures. This model combines empirically derived heat exchanger performance parameters …
O-Glcnac Post Translational Modification Of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (Hif) Proteins, Hailey Elisabeth Grisham
O-Glcnac Post Translational Modification Of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (Hif) Proteins, Hailey Elisabeth Grisham
Honors Theses
O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) post-translational modification (O- GlcNAcylation), plays a vital role in many metabolic pathways, including those of numerous diseases. New research methods and basic functional roles of O-GlcNAc post- translational modification on metabolism, human health, and cancer are quickly developing, but a vast amount of research remains on the specificity of this pathway towards specific proteins. In this study, T47D breast cancer cells were used as an in vitro model to investigate the effects of O-GlcNAc modification on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) proteins.
Targeting Metastatic Breast Cancer With Statin Drugs And Coq10, Jacob Thrasher
Targeting Metastatic Breast Cancer With Statin Drugs And Coq10, Jacob Thrasher
Honors Theses
Statin drugs are commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol levels in patients, but recently statins have been under investigation as a potential anti-cancer drug. Statins are HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and subsequently inhibit the mevalonate pathway and cholesterol synthesis. Since cholesterol trafficking is vital in the growth and metastasis of cancer, statin drugs are being studied to explore their effects on cancer cells. CoQ10, one of the products from the mevalonate pathway, also has shown some potential anti-cancer properties, but its use to combat cancer is controversial. While some studies have shown that CoQ10 supplements can be synergistic with other cancer treatment …
Process Design And Optimization: Analysis Of An Ethylbenzene Production Plant, Jonathan Butler Vanveckhoven
Process Design And Optimization: Analysis Of An Ethylbenzene Production Plant, Jonathan Butler Vanveckhoven
Honors Theses
This thesis will cover the steps I took to evaluate an ethylbenzene production plant. I, along with my senior design team, was first tasked with optimizing a vapor-phase ethylbenzene production plant based off of a given base case. Our team was able to improve the net present value of the plant from -$4.8 million to $70.4 million through discrete optimization. After the vapor-phase plant was evaluated, I was tasked with creating a base case, liquid-phase ethylbenzene production plant. I explain the theory behind process flow diagram development, then explain how I produced the process flow diagram and stream table for …
Simulating The Effects Of Co2 Gas Influx On The Thermodynamic Conditions Inside A Marine Riser Filled With Oil Based Mud, Hassan Al Dawood
Simulating The Effects Of Co2 Gas Influx On The Thermodynamic Conditions Inside A Marine Riser Filled With Oil Based Mud, Hassan Al Dawood
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Cm-Dii And Mcf-7 Breast Cancer Cell Responses To Chemotherapeutic Agents, Ashten M.C. Anderson
Cm-Dii And Mcf-7 Breast Cancer Cell Responses To Chemotherapeutic Agents, Ashten M.C. Anderson
Honors Theses
CM-DiI is a lipophilic, red fluorescent dye used for staining and tracking the migration of cells. CM-DiI makes it possible to visualize cells in histological regions and can therefore be very useful for the tracking of cancer cell proliferation and metastasis in vivo. The ability to track and quantitate cancer cell proliferation in vivo is essential for cancer drug discovery. If CM-DiI labeled cancer cells respond to chemotherapy agents similar to unlabeled cancer cells, it facilitates screening of potential anti-cancer compounds using CM-DiI labeled cells in a xenotransplanted, transgenic zebrafish model (Danio rerio). To investigate whether CM-DiI labeling would affect …
Imidazolium Magnetic Ionic Liquid Solubilities In Water, Ward Toler
Imidazolium Magnetic Ionic Liquid Solubilities In Water, Ward Toler
Honors Theses
Magnetic ionic liquids (MILs) are room temperature ionic liquids that exhibit paramagnetic behavior. These liquids have tunable physiochemical properties with proposed applications in separations and drug delivery. It is, therefore, useful to know the solubility and micellar behavior of MILs in aqueous environments. Our group synthesized MILs with a FeCl4 anion and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations and investigated aqueous solubility vs alkyl size (C2 through C10). We measured water solubility (MIL content in water saturated with the MIL) using UV-Vis spectroscopy, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, and Total Nitrogen (TN) analysis. After observing micellar behavior for C(n)mim[FeCl4], where n > 6, we investigated …
The Development And Optimization Of An Ethylbenzene Process, Aynslie Fritz
The Development And Optimization Of An Ethylbenzene Process, Aynslie Fritz
Honors Theses
The purpose of this thesis was to optimize a pre-existing vapor phase ethylbenzene process, and to develop a base case liquid phase ethylbenzene process. A brief introduction is included to present an overview of process optimization and suggest common strategies to employ. While optimizing the vapor phase process, discrete optimization was performed to determine the local optima for multiple unit operations by comparing their net present value to that of the base case. After optimization, an $81.5 million increase in net present value was obtained. When developing the liquid phase ethylbenzene process, Antoine's Equation, Raoult's Law, the first law of …
Inhibition Of Blood Coagulation Factor Xii: Evaluation Of Flavonoids As A Drug Candidate, Betsy Crosswhite
Inhibition Of Blood Coagulation Factor Xii: Evaluation Of Flavonoids As A Drug Candidate, Betsy Crosswhite
Honors Theses
This study investigated natural product inhibitors of blood coagulation Factor XII (FXII). FXII initiates the Kallikrein Kinin-System (KKS) within the intrinsic coagulation pathway. Increased expression of this system leads to proinflammatory and procoagulant activities. Inflammation occurs through downstream activation in the KKS. Following the activation of FXII-dependent pathway, bradykinin (BK) binds to the BK receptor 2 (B2) and produces inflammatory signaling. Abnormally increased BK can result in life threatening Hereditary Angioedema (HAE), characterized by severe reoccurring swelling. FXII is critical for pathogenic thrombosis, but is dispensable for hemostasis. This unique property of FXII makes it an attractive drug target. We …
Effects Of Predation On The Biochemical Constituents Of The Bleached Soft Coral Sinularia Polydactyla, Carley Elizabeth Cole
Effects Of Predation On The Biochemical Constituents Of The Bleached Soft Coral Sinularia Polydactyla, Carley Elizabeth Cole
Honors Theses
Climate change can indirectly affect the level of predation on soft corals. As sea temperatures rise, more and more bleaching events are occurring, which can affect the production of chemical defenses and the concentrations of the biochemical constituents that make up the soft corals. These changes may make the soft corals more attractive to predators. This phenomenon is suggested by the environmental stress theory (EST), which states that under stressful conditions, more of an organism's energy is allocated to survival rather than to other factors, such as reproduction or predator deterrence. To test the effect of predation on already bleached …
Technique For The Synthesis Of Difluorinated Organic Molecules Using Magnesium Bases, Cassidy S. Baldwin
Technique For The Synthesis Of Difluorinated Organic Molecules Using Magnesium Bases, Cassidy S. Baldwin
Honors Theses
The presence of fluorine in organic molecules can confer biological advantages which are often exploited in drug development. For example, fluorine has been shown to limit drug metabolism and enhance drug distribution. However, the development of fluorinated pharmaceutics poses synthetic challenges. These challenges are especially pronounced when developing molecules with a difluoromethyl group. One difluoromethyl functional group of particular interest is the α,α-difluoro-β-amino carbonyl group, which has been seen in potential drug leads. The previous methods of accessing this group are inefficient and complex. The goal of this project was to develop a new technique to access this group by …
Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Ii Activity And Expression In The Aged Mouse Hippocampus, James Mitchum
Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Ii Activity And Expression In The Aged Mouse Hippocampus, James Mitchum
Honors Theses
CaM Kinase II (Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II) is a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase enzyme that acts as a critical regulator of learning and memory. It has previously been shown that the inability of CaMKII to maintain activation is connected to memory deficits within the aging brain. While the connection between CaMKII dysfunction and learning and memory impairments is well established, little is known about the changes that cause CaMKII dysfunction. Our research set out to investigate if CaMKII is altered during the process of aging. Specifically, we looked at activity, regulation, and stability by conducting experiments to quantify CaMKII levels of …
Soybeans To Chemicals: A Case Study For Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Education, Kaitlyn Myers
Soybeans To Chemicals: A Case Study For Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Education, Kaitlyn Myers
Honors Theses
The aim of this thesis is to develop a case study to reinforce the concepts that are required knowledge for chemical engineers in their sophomore year of curriculum, continuing through all of their education. The process that will be examined is the production of soybean oil, protein powder, and succinic acid from the harvest of soybeans. Further, this process will be used to align with the objectives of the chapters from the required textbook for the material balances class. The soybean industry is one of the largest in the United States agricultural sector, so it is an important real-world example …
Perceptions Regarding Concussions In Collegiate Football At The University Of Mississippi, Madison Frerker
Perceptions Regarding Concussions In Collegiate Football At The University Of Mississippi, Madison Frerker
Honors Theses
Concussions are a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that can occur from any force to the head or body that causes the brain to move within the skull. Concussions are common in the sport of football due to the highly physical nature of the sport, and injured athletes can experience a wide array of symptoms. Like other players participating with powerhouse football programs, those at the University of Mississippi are at risk of concussion throughout their collegiate career. Whether players and fans perceive the risks of concussion equally has not been previously studied. Considering the passionate history of …
Design And Synthesis Of Novel Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators, Mary Paige Thrash
Design And Synthesis Of Novel Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators, Mary Paige Thrash
Honors Theses
Cannabinoid (CB) receptors are validated drug targets in the endocannabinoid signaling system associated with a number of human pathologies, and the development of novel and selective small molecule CB ligands is warranted. A lead molecule HL-010, a member of the 4H-thieno[3,2-b]pyrrole-5-carboxamide class of compounds, was previously identified through CB homology modeling and virtual screening protocols as a potential high affinity ligand for cannabinoid receptors. Validation of the in silico data was realized with the evaluation of both CB1 and CB2 receptor binding and functional activity assessment: HL-010 was found to be a potent (~10 nM) and selective CB2 receptor agonist …
Cardiolipin Profiling In Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells, Meghan Houston Mcneely
Cardiolipin Profiling In Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells, Meghan Houston Mcneely
Honors Theses
Six human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, LM, BoM, T47D, MCF7, and MCF7-BoM) were treated with three differentially targeted phospholipase inhibitors (bromoenol lactone, tricyclodecan-9-yl-xanthogenate, and halopemide) as well as various dietary oils (canola oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil, and soybean oil). Cell viability assays were performed to examine the effects of each inhibitor and oil in varying concentrations on the proliferation of each breast cancer cell line. The goal was to detect changes in cardiolipin concentration within each cell line after exposure to a series of various phospholipase inhibitors and oils. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was …
Neurotoxicity Of Asimina Triloba, Myriam Sanders
Neurotoxicity Of Asimina Triloba, Myriam Sanders
Honors Theses
Neurodegenerative diseases are thought to be brought on by genetic and environmental factors including exposure to compounds and extracts found in plants. Many substances extracted from plants have been shown to induce cell death in neurons. This experiment tests different plant compounds to determine if they induce death in neurons in cell culture. In particular, we focused on extracts and compound from the Asimina Triloba plant- a plant that had anecdotally been connected with Parkinson's Disease-like effects. Cultured neurons were treated with increasing concentrations of the compounds and extracts. Twenty-four hours after treatment, viability was assessed. Results show that while …
Development Of A Scn1a Null Zebrafish Model For Screening Potential Anti-Epileptic Natural Products, Patricia Ann Lipson
Development Of A Scn1a Null Zebrafish Model For Screening Potential Anti-Epileptic Natural Products, Patricia Ann Lipson
Honors Theses
Epilepsy affects around 50 million people in the world. Thus, it is imperative that new more effective and safe treatments be found. This study was designed to use zebrafish to screen potential anti-epileptic natural products. We utilized two scn1Lab null zebrafish models (morpholino-injected fish where scn1Lab was transiently knocked down and a transgenic scn1Lab -/- fish line). Alternatively, we used AB wildtype fish to test compounds in a chemically-induced seizure model. Natural compounds including cannabidiol, CBD, and Tapinanthus globiferous, TG, extracts were screened for their anti-seizure activity. When scn1Lab -/- fish were treated with CBD (0.075 and 0.3 mg/L) from …
Financial Optimization Of An Ethylbenzene Production Process, Philip B. Thomas
Financial Optimization Of An Ethylbenzene Production Process, Philip B. Thomas
Honors Theses
A crucial step in chemical engineering design is process optimization. This paper describes the steps in the design process with special emphasis placed on process optimization and the preceding step, creation of a base case for the process. The paper also describes what is meant by financial optimization in chemical engineering and explains some of its imperfections. An example of financial optimization of a gas-phase ethylbenzene production process is given. The example provides a summary of one cycle of both topological and parametric single variable discrete optimization to find a local optimum. Net present value was used as the objective …