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Articles 1 - 27 of 27
Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering
Predicting The Progression Of Diabetes Mellitus Using Dynamic Plantar Pressure Parameters, Mathew Sunil Varre
Predicting The Progression Of Diabetes Mellitus Using Dynamic Plantar Pressure Parameters, Mathew Sunil Varre
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Introduction: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the common complications of type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Changes in the intrinsic plantar tissue coupled with repetitive mechanical loads and loss of sensation may lead to foot related complications (skin break down, ulcerations, and amputations) in persons with neuropathy if left untreated. The purpose of this dissertation was to stratify individuals with pre-diabetes, diabetes with and without neuropathy using dynamic plantar pressure parameters during walking, using machine learning algorithms.Methods: Plantar pressure data was collected from one hundred participants during walking with pressure measuring insoles fixed between the feet and thin socks. Simultaneously high-definition …
Radiomic Features To Predict Overall Survival Time For Patients With Glioblastoma Brain Tumors Based On Machine Learning And Deep Learning Methods, Lina Chato
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Machine Learning (ML) methods including Deep Learning (DL) Methods have been employed in the medical field to improve diagnosis process and patient’s prognosis outcomes. Glioblastoma multiforme is an extremely aggressive Glioma brain tumor that has a poor survival rate. Understanding the behavior of the Glioblastoma brain tumor is still uncertain and some factors are still unrecognized. In fact, the tumor behavior is important to decide a proper treatment plan and to improve a patient’s health. The aim of this dissertation is to develop a Computer-Aided-Diagnosis system (CADiag) based on ML/DL methods to automatically estimate the Overall Survival Time (OST) for …
Healthy Aging In Place: An Integrated Smart Home Using Alexa-Compatible Technology, Tyler Kryst
Healthy Aging In Place: An Integrated Smart Home Using Alexa-Compatible Technology, Tyler Kryst
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The purpose of this research was to address current healthcare concerns among the aging population. Around the globe, the average life expectancy is projected to continue increasing resulting in a higher prevalence of age-related disease. With the ever-increasing capabilities of modern technology, it is necessary to apply this technology to increase the health and safety of older adults. This work had three objectives. The first objective was the establishment of an integrated smart home aimed at creating a healthy aging-in-place environment through the use of Alexa. The second objective was the development and integration of a completely custom health device …
Patient-Specific Finite Element Analysis For Mandibular Fracture Fixation, Ethan Snyder
Patient-Specific Finite Element Analysis For Mandibular Fracture Fixation, Ethan Snyder
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
This thesis proposes an approach for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of mandibular fracture fixation. Using a Computerized Tomography (CT) scan of mandible obtained from a specific person, the material characteristics, density and modulus of elasticity, were determined from a set of discrete points within the mandible that are 1mm spaced based on the Hounsfield Units of these points. The mandible geometry was sectioned to simulate a fracture. Muscle and mastication forces were added to replicate post-surgery loading. Using a standard linear miniplate, this material model was compared with two commonly used mandibular cortical shell bone models: isotropic and orthotropic. A …
3-D Silk Fibroin Porous Particles Created By The Ouzo Effect For Biomedical Applications, Ashley Nicole Lamb
3-D Silk Fibroin Porous Particles Created By The Ouzo Effect For Biomedical Applications, Ashley Nicole Lamb
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Due to its high biocompatibility and biodegradability, silk fibroin – produced from
Bombyx mori (B. mori) cocoons – has been at the forefront of research for many
biomedical application formats: hydrogels, films, microspheres, and porous
sponges/scaffolding, to name a few. For drug delivery, in particular, porous particles are
desirable for their large surface area, uniform and tunable pore structure, and high
porosity. This thesis focuses on the fabrication of porous particles from silk fibroin by the
very interesting Ouzo effect. The Ouzo effect, so named because of the Greek
beverage ouzo, describes the phenomenon of an ethanol + anethole oil …
3d Parametric Hand To Improve Prosthetic Hand Functionality, Maria C. Gerardi
3d Parametric Hand To Improve Prosthetic Hand Functionality, Maria C. Gerardi
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The use of prosthetics can significantly enhance an individual’s standard of living, not only offering functional advantages but psychological advantages as well. Unfortunately for children with upper limb reduction, options are limited and rejection rates are high due to a multitude of reasons including discomfort and poor functionality. This study proposes a new parametric 3D design model (Parametric Hand) with an adjustable thumb that can be easily manipulated to the uniqueness of an individual. The Parametric Hand was evaluated, both qualitatively and quantitatively, against the Flexy-Hand 2, a commonly used prosthetic hand. The results showed insignificant differences in all testing …
The Effects Of Bone Morphogenic Protein 2 On The Viability And Proliferation Of Dental Pulp Stem Cell Isolates, Joseph Cinelli
The Effects Of Bone Morphogenic Protein 2 On The Viability And Proliferation Of Dental Pulp Stem Cell Isolates, Joseph Cinelli
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Growth factor is an umbrella term used to describe a signaling molecule present in organisms that serves the purpose of influencing a stimulatory or inhibitory response from the target cell it acts on. Growth factors are categorized and classified by the types of tissues they act on and the cellular responses they illicit. For example, there are growth factors that act primarily in connective tissue on fibroblasts and they are aptly classified as the fibroblast growth factor family. Similarly, there is another family of growth factors that act on bone forming cells, among others, and they are known as bone …
The Affective Perceptual Model: Enhancing Communication Quality For Persons With Pimd, Jadin Tredup
The Affective Perceptual Model: Enhancing Communication Quality For Persons With Pimd, Jadin Tredup
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Methods for prolonged compassionate care for persons with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (PIMD) require a rotating cast of import people in the subjects life in order to facilitate interaction with the external environment. As subjects continue to age, dependency on these people increases with complexity of communications while the quality of communication decreases. It is theorized that a machine learning (ML) system could replicate the attuning process and replace these people to promote independence. This thesis extends this idea to develop a conceptual and formal model and system prototype.
The main contributions of this thesis are: (1) proposal of …
Design & Delivery Of Automated Winston-Lutz Test For Isocentric & Off-Axis Delivery Stability Utilizing Truebeam Developer Mode & Electronic Portal Imaging Device, Mahmoud Mohammad Yaqoub
Design & Delivery Of Automated Winston-Lutz Test For Isocentric & Off-Axis Delivery Stability Utilizing Truebeam Developer Mode & Electronic Portal Imaging Device, Mahmoud Mohammad Yaqoub
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The uncertainties in treatment delivery cannot be ignored in radiation therapy. Thus, the quality assurance QA tests are very important task of the medical physicist in clinical practice. Assuring the coincidence between the mechanical isocenter of the Linear Accelerator (LINAC) and its radiation beams isocenter is one of the most important qualities need to be tested, and the Winston Lust (WL) test is the
most popular technique to perform this task, especially for the treatment modalities which need high precision in beam delivery such as the stereotactic radiosurgery/stereotactic body radiotherapy (SRS/SBRT). The linear accelerator-based SRS/SBRT is a well-established method in …
Optimization Of Prosthetic Hands: Utilizing Modularity To Improve Grip Force, Grasp, And Versatility, Jordan William Harris
Optimization Of Prosthetic Hands: Utilizing Modularity To Improve Grip Force, Grasp, And Versatility, Jordan William Harris
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
It has been demonstrated that although many varieties of upper limb prosthetics exist, commercially available prosthetics are outdated and unsatisfactory. Ineffectiveness and limitations have led to some prosthesis wearers having to own multiple devices, whereas others have given up on them entirely. Even though ample research has been conducted to design and test new hand designs, the industry appears to rest in an overall stagnated state.
It was proposed here, that one problem with prosthetic research is an excess of variables involved in testing, and therefore the improper application of the scientific method. It seems that each time a research …
An Emg-Based Patient Monitoring System Using Zynq Soc Device, Farhad Fallahlalehzari
An Emg-Based Patient Monitoring System Using Zynq Soc Device, Farhad Fallahlalehzari
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
This thesis describes the design, development, and testing of an EMG-based patient monitoring system using the Zynq device. Zynq is a system on chip device designed by Xilinx which consists of an ARM dual cortex-A9 processor as well as an FPGA integrated into one chip. This work also analyzes the performance of image-processing algorithms on this system and compares that performance to more traditional PC-based systems. Image processing algorithms, such as Sobel edge detection, dilation and erosion, could be used in conjunction with a camera for the patient monitoring purposes. These algorithms often perform sub-optimally on processors because of their …
The Effects Of Cryopreservation On Human Dental Pulp-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Allison Elaine Tomlin
The Effects Of Cryopreservation On Human Dental Pulp-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Allison Elaine Tomlin
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Many studies have demonstrated clinical applications for the use of dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) for the treatment of various conditions. This has driven medical and scientific interest in the collection, isolation and banking of DPSC tissues for research into these potential therapies. Few studies to date have evaluated the viability of DPSC following long-term cryopreservation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of cryopreservation on dental pulp-derived stem cells (DPSC) viability over a period of three years. Dental pulp-derived stem cells were isolated and cultured from thirty-one healthy teeth. DPSC isolates were assessed for doubling-time and …
Radiation Therapy And Dosing Material Transport Methodology, Robert O'Brien
Radiation Therapy And Dosing Material Transport Methodology, Robert O'Brien
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
A technique is examined here that utilizes high energy beta decays from a short lived radioisotope to treat medical conditions such as shallow cancerous lesions. A major benefit of beta particle interaction in tissue is a fixed penetration depth for the charged particle, with dose limited to the ultimate range of the beta particle. This method improves on some current techniques of radioactive brachytherapy, where "seeds" are placed inside patients through temporary or permanent implantation in order to kill cancerous cells or inhibit growth of tissue. The use of low energy gamma-rays is the most common method of treatment currently …
Portable High Throughput Digital Microfluidics And On-Chip Bacteria Cultures, Yiyan Li
Portable High Throughput Digital Microfluidics And On-Chip Bacteria Cultures, Yiyan Li
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
An intelligent, portable, and high throughput digital microfluidic (DMF) system is developed. Chapter 1 introduces microfluidics and DMF systems. In Chapter 2, a low-cost and high resolution capacitive-to-digital converter integrated circuit is used for droplet position detection. A field-programmable gate array FPGA is used as the integrated logic hub of the system for highly reliable and efficient control of the circuit. In this chapter a fast-fabricating PCB (printed circuit board) substrate microfluidic system is proposed. Smaller actuation threshold voltages than those previously reported are obtained. Droplets (3 µL) are actuated using 200 V, 500 Hz DC pulses. Droplet positions can …
Designing, Building And Testing A Solar Thermoelectric Generation, Steg, For Energy Delivery To Remote Residential Areas In Developing Regions, Yacouba Moumouni
Designing, Building And Testing A Solar Thermoelectric Generation, Steg, For Energy Delivery To Remote Residential Areas In Developing Regions, Yacouba Moumouni
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
New alternatives and inventive renewable energy techniques which encompass both generation and power management solutions are fundamental for meeting remote residential energy supply and demand today, especially if the grid is quasi-inexistent. Solar thermoelectric generators can be a cost-effective alternative to photovoltaics for a remote residential household power supply. A complete solar thermoelectric energy harvesting system is presented for energy delivery to remote residential areas in developing regions. To this end, the entire system was built, modeled, and then validated with LTspice simulator software via thermal-to-electrical analogy schemes. Valuable data in conjunction with two novel LTspice circuits were obtained, showing …
Induction Of Differentiation Of Dental Pulp-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Dpsc), Aubrey Young
Induction Of Differentiation Of Dental Pulp-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Dpsc), Aubrey Young
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Mesenchymal stem cells are derived from a variety of human tissues and are being bioengineered and studied for possible uses in the advancement of medicine. Recent efforts are being focused on Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSC's) due to the accessibility of this tissue. Many factors influence DPSC quality and quantity, including the specific methods used to isolate, collect, concentrate, and store these isolates once they are removed. Ancillary factors, such as the choice of media, the selection of early versus late passage cells, and cryopreservation techniques may also influence the differentiation potential and proliferative capacity of DPSC isolates.
The objective …
Development Of A Black-Box Transient Thermal Model For Residential Buildings, Andrew Cross
Development Of A Black-Box Transient Thermal Model For Residential Buildings, Andrew Cross
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Heavily populated metropolitan areas located in cooling-dominated climates, as are found in the Desert Southwest, pose a challenge to electrical utilities that service these areas. During the late afternoons of the summer months, residents of these metropolitan areas require larger than normal amounts of power to run their homes' air conditioning systems, at significant expense to the utilities. In the study reported here, interior temperature and power consumption data, accumulated over the course of a year and a half from seven houses within a Las Vegas neighborhood, are used to develop a predictive black-box statistical model for residential thermal transience. …
Cfd Simulation Of The Thermal Performance Of A Parallel Counter-Parallel Flow Heat Exchanger For The Treatment Of Hypothermia, Alex Heller
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition. Currently, active warming methods are the most effective treatment for dysthermic patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in evaluating the thermal performance of a parallel/counter-parallel flow heat exchanger used as part of a fluid warmer to treat Hypothermia. The 3D model of the heat exchanger is divided into three regions; Infusate (fluid to be heated), Hot Water (heating fluid), and a Solid Region (wall). At the end of the heat exchanger, an elbow section is used to create the counter-parallel flow arrangement specific to this …
Simulation Of Thermal Transit-Time Flow Meter For High Temperature, Corrosive And Irradiation Environment, Elaheh Alidoosti
Simulation Of Thermal Transit-Time Flow Meter For High Temperature, Corrosive And Irradiation Environment, Elaheh Alidoosti
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
In the environments of high temperature (300o C - 1000o C), corrosive and even irradiation application, the challenges of providing reliable and accurate flow rate measurement is significant. In comparing with many other existing technologies for normal operation environments, correlated thermal transit-time flow meter show its advantages of resolving the challenges encountered in those harsh conditions. The correlated thermal signals can be detected by two separated thermal sensors (for example, thermocouples) in series alignment along the pipe, and derive the flow rate. It was evaluated to have accurate measurement for small pipe at slow fluid speed. In the higher flow …
Simulations Of Interfacial Electrokinetics With Applications To Microfluidic Systems, Sebastian Uppapalli
Simulations Of Interfacial Electrokinetics With Applications To Microfluidic Systems, Sebastian Uppapalli
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Electrokinetics plays an important role in facilitating fluid transport and particle manipulation in microfluidic systems. This dissertation studies the mechanics of electrokinetic phenomena for microscale particles and drops. The work aims to increase the understanding of complex electrokinetic phenomena for applications in Lab-on-Chip technology, assembly of colloidal particles and two-phase flow sensing. The standard model consisting of the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations is used to study the electric double layer polarization of charged dielectric particles and channel wall which plays a major role in control and manipulation of colloidal particles and understanding of electrohydrodynamic flow field.
The cases of polarization of "soft" …
Closed Loop Control Of A Cylindrical Tube Type Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (Ipmc), Benjamin Mead
Closed Loop Control Of A Cylindrical Tube Type Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (Ipmc), Benjamin Mead
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The goal of this research is to provide a framework for the integration of tube type, cylindrical Ionic Polymer Metal-Composite (IPMC) into conventional devices. IPMCs are one of the most widely used types of electro-active polymer actuator, due to their low electric driving potential and large deformation range. For this research a tube type IPMC was investigated. This IPMC has a circular cross section with four separate electrodes on its surface and a hole through the middle. The four electrodes allow for biaxial bending and accurate control of the tip location. One of the main advantages of using this type …
Design And Testing Of Novel Mouthguard With Intermediate Nitinol And Foam Layers, Adam Kessler
Design And Testing Of Novel Mouthguard With Intermediate Nitinol And Foam Layers, Adam Kessler
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
It is the aim of this study to investigate a novel mouthguard design that incorporates the use of a nickel-titanium (Nitinol) layer and thin foam layer in addition to EVA layers. It is thought that the Nitinol layer can distribute the force of an impact and that the thin foam layer may absorb this distributed force better than a solid EVA mouthguard of the same thickness. Rectangular, flat coupons representative of several mouthguard configurations were constructed for testing using an instrumented drop-weight impact tower. The coupon configurations include a control made of laminated EVA, a group of laminated EVA and …
A Study Of A Novel Modular Variable Geometry Frame Arranged As A Robotic Surface, Christopher James Salisbury
A Study Of A Novel Modular Variable Geometry Frame Arranged As A Robotic Surface, Christopher James Salisbury
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The novel concept of a "variable geometry frame" is introduced and explored through a three-dimensional robotic surface which is devised and implemented using triangular modules. The link design is optimized using surplus motor dimensions as firm constraints, and round numbers for further arbitrary constraints. Each module is connected by a passive six-bar mechanism that mimics the constraints of a spherical joint at each triangle intersection. A three dimensional inkjet printer is used to create a six-module prototype designed around surplus stepper motors powered by an old computer power supply as a proof-of-concept example.
The finite element method is applied to …
Energy-Based Analysis Of Utility Scale Hybrid Power Systems, Kwame Agyenim-Boateng
Energy-Based Analysis Of Utility Scale Hybrid Power Systems, Kwame Agyenim-Boateng
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
The promise of large-scale use of renewables such as wind and solar for supplying electrical power is tempered by the sources' transient behavior and the impact this would have on the operation of the grid. Among the methods cited for addressing some of those concerns are exploring the complementary nature of solar and wind power generation, and through the use of supplemental energy storage. While the technology for the latter has not been proven to be economical on a large scale at the present time, some assessments of what magnitude is required can be made. An energy-based analysis of utility …
Modulated Nanopores Using Pulse Anodization On Thin Aluminum, Mahesh Babu Gunukula
Modulated Nanopores Using Pulse Anodization On Thin Aluminum, Mahesh Babu Gunukula
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide has traditionally been made in one of two ways: "Mild Anodization (MA)" or "Hard Anodization (HA)". The former method produces self-ordered pore structures but it is slow and only works for a narrow range of processing conditions; the latter method, which is widely used in the aluminum industry, is faster but it produces films with disordered pore structures. Here we report a novel approach termed "pulse anodization" that combines the advantages of the MA and HA processes. By designing the pulse sequences it is possible to control both the composition and pore structure of the anodic …
Biology-Inspired Adaptive And Nonlinear Robust Control Of Bauv Using Pectoral-Like Fins, Subramanian Ramasamy
Biology-Inspired Adaptive And Nonlinear Robust Control Of Bauv Using Pectoral-Like Fins, Subramanian Ramasamy
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Aquatic animals have splendid ability to move smoothly through water using variety of oscillating fins. Presently researchers are involved in developing biorobotic autonomous underwater vehicles (BAUVs) which have the ability to swim like marine animals. Multiple oscillating fins (dorsal, caudal, pectoral, pelvic, etc.) can be mounted on BAUVs to generate control forces for propulsion and maneuvering. In this research work, control of the BAUVs using pectoral fins alone is considered. The oscillating pectoral fins produce unsteady periodic forces. The control of motion of an BAUV in yaw and dive planes are considered.
Parametric Study Of Efficiency Measures For Home Energy Conservation In Las Vegas, Nevada, Todd M. France
Parametric Study Of Efficiency Measures For Home Energy Conservation In Las Vegas, Nevada, Todd M. France
UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones
Pulte Homes, a production home builder and community developer partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America program, has collaborated with the Center for Energy Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and NV Energy, the local electric utility, on an energy conservation project in the Las Vegas Valley.
This study entails four model homes at a new development in the Summerlin community of Las Vegas, Nevada, named Villa Trieste. The home models, ranging in floor plan area from 1,487 to 1,777 square feet, have been constructed under the Environments for Living program and are LEED (Leadership in …