Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Alternative Treatment Technologies For Low-Cost Industrial And Municipal Wastewater Management, Alan J. Hodges

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Roughly the same volume of water that rushes over the Niagara Falls is produced as wastewater in North America. This wastewater is treated through a variety of means to ensure that it can be safely returned to the natural ecosystem. This thesis examines two novel means for this treatment, one biological and one physical-chemical in nature, namely, Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor treatment and expanded shale augmented coagulation-flocculation.

Rotating algae biofilm reactors (RABRs) support biofilm algae growth, and in turn, the algae take up harmful contaminants from the wastewater. This system was tested in wastewater from petroleum refining operations. The efficacy …

Detection Of Leukocytes Stained With Acridine Orange Using Unique Spectral Features Acquired From An Image-Based Spectrometer, Courtney J. Hunter

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

A leukocyte differential count can be used to diagnosis a myriad blood disorders, such as infections, allergies, and efficacy of disease treatments. In recent years, attention has been focused on developing point-of-care (POC) systems to provide this test in global health settings. Acridine orange (AO) is an amphipathic, vital dye that intercalates leukocyte nucleic acids and acidic vesicles. It has been utilized by POC systems to identify the three main leukocyte subtypes: granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes. Subtypes of leukocytes can be characterized using a fluorescence microscope, where the AO has a 450 nm excitation wavelength and has two peak emission …

Characterization Of The Response Of Trpv4 To Chemical Stimulation, Jacob V. Schluns

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a source of acute and chronic health issues for many patients. One of the components of the brain’s response to injury is astrogliosis, in which astrocytes that normally function to repair the brain instead form scar tissue that halts repair processes. Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 4 (TRPV4) is a trans-membrane calcium channel involved in astrogliosis. Through Fura-2AM based calcium imaging, the base activity of this channel in mouse astrocyte cells was recorded. The cells were then subjected to TRPV4 agonist and antagonist stimulation and their subsequent activity levels were recorded. The data showed that …

The Biomechanics Of Music Performance, Rachel F. Bellisle, Jessika Decker

Senior Honors Projects

When first learning to play a wind instrument, beginner musicians are taught how to hold their instrument and correctly position their body. They are taught how to sit, where to put their hands and fingers on the keys, and how to hold their arms. This initial lesson on posture and hand positioning is often short, as one quickly moves on to learn the embouchure and breathing techniques that allow sound to be produced. As a musician progresses in skill, positioning is emphasized more, and they learn that it can affect their risk of strain or injury and improve their sound …

In Vivo Multi-Parametric Imaging Of Metastatic And Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer, Raisa B. Rasul

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

A current issue in cancer therapy is the characterization of metastatic tumors, which can increase ease of treatment and patient trials. We present an in vivo study of metastatic (4T1) and non-metastatic (4T1-TWIST KO) breast tumor sister cell lines to understand their metabolic behavior, determine differences in two modes of imaging (reflection & transmission), and observe effect of breathing higher oxygen percentage on vascular hemoglobin oxygen saturation. After injection of 10,000 cells into mice dorsal window chambers, the glucose intake and hemoglobin oxygen saturation was measured using a fluorescent glucose analog (2-NBDG) and hyperspectral trans-illumination imaging from 520-620 nm at …

Optimizing A Standard Fasting Time For 2-Nbdg Uptake Studies In Murine Breast Cancers, Andrew C. Briley

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Recently, there has been a larger use of 2-NBDG, a fluorescent glucose analog, to study glucose uptake in different cell types. These cell types have ranged anywhere from bacteria to human cancer cells. However, there has yet to be a standard procedure and practice for using 2-NBDG. In this study, our goal is to create a standard fasting time for the cells before introducing 2-NBDG to them. This study uses 4T07 cells, a murine breast cancer cell line, to help optimize this fasting time. These cells were fasted at different time points in order to find the ideal fasting time. …

Role Of Trpv4 In Astrocyte Extracellular Matrix Production, Abby Terlouw

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an alteration of brain pathology following damage of the central nervous system (CNS) by an external force. In the CNS, glial scar formation often occurs following TBI, and astrocytes are widely believed to contribute to this scar formation. While the role of astrocytes in extracellular matrix (ECM) production is known, the exact mechanism(s) for this event remain unclear. One possible method is the activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4). TRPV4 is a channel protein found in the astrocyte membrane which has been shown to generate intracellular calcium ions following mechanical stimulation. Previous research …

Sensitivity Of Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy To Dose- And Depth-Dependent Changes In Tumor Oxygenation After Radiation Therapy, Daria Semeniak

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Along with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and surgery, radiotherapy is one of the most common treatments used against cancer. Around 50% of all cancer patients undergo radiation therapy. While for some patients radiotherapy works efficiently and lead to a complete cancer disappearance, for others treatment outcome may be less favorable due to radioresistance processes happening within a tumor on the molecular level. Radioresistance remains a big challenge for modern oncology. The ability to identify radioresistance at the early stage of radiotherapy would help physicians to improve therapy efficiency. At the current moment, despite the rapid progress in cancer understanding and diagnostic modalities, …

Unravelling The Mysteries Of Cognitive Decline In Cancer Survivors Using Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy, Dhivya Srinivasan

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

In recent years, there has been an increased incidence of cognitive impairment in cancer survivors as a side-effect of chemotherapy. This troubling deterioration in cognitive ability is commonly termed as 'Chemo brain' in which patients have problems with working memory, executive function, decision-making, concentration, visuospatial skills and attention which can pose problems to get on with day-to-day life. Breast Cancer is primarily adopted as the model for studying effects of 'chemobrain'. A better understanding of neural correlates & hemodynamic changes related to cognitive deficits would help clinicians to design targeted treatments and cognitive rehabilitation interventions. Aim: The primary goal of …

Design And Development Of Real-Time Single And Dual-Wavelength Dcs Systems To Study Skeletal Muscle Blood Perfusion And Oxygen Metabolism, Chandan Ganesh Bangalore Yogananda

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

The aim of this study was to utilize Diffused Correlation Spectroscopy (DCS) to design and develop real-time single and dual wavelength systems and assess the physiological impacts of exercises on blood perfusion. The study consisted of 4 parts. Part 1 was to Re-design and develop a real-time single wavelength DCS system, part 2 was to validate this system by a cross validation method with the help of a concurrent study alongside Doppler ultrasound. Part 3 was to design & develop a real-time dual wavelength DCS system and part 4 was to validate the dual wavelength DCS system. DCS is a …

Light Reflectance Spectroscopy For The Detection Of Positive Surgical Margin Of Prostate Cancer, Henry Thek Chan

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

During a radical prostatectomy in the operating room, there exists a certain degree of risks of a surgical positive margin of prostate cancer. Positive surgical margins are defined as cancer that has spread beyond the margin of the prostate and into the surrounding tissues. Surgeons will be able to utilized the concept of Light Reflectance Spectroscopy (LRS) in real-time during surgery to help detect these positive surgical margins and to provide the surgeon a quantitative decision to remove the excess surrounding tissues. This modality would essentially lower the risks of positive surgical margins and prevent the recurrence of cancer, effectively …

Development And Evaluation Of A Biocompatible Electroactive Sensor For Continuous Blood Pressure Measurement., Scott D. Cambron

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Piezo-active composites have been implemented for sensing and transduction for decades. The 0-3 ceramic/polymer composite is one of the most common composite types used for sensing applications, owing to their tailorable properties of the two-phase composition, consisting of a three-dimensionally connected polymer/rubber matrix (inactive phase) with a dispersion of isolated piezo-ceramic particles (active phase). This thesis describes a method to develop novel biocompatible perivascular band comprised of a two-phase piezo-active composite to be fabricated using simple manufacturing processes. Biomaterials such as tissue scaffolds comprised of silk fibroin (SF) and chitosan (CS), and biocompatible soft rubbers will be implemented as the …

Development Of A Directional Bone Reaming System., Richard J Ackermann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Preparation of long bones such as the femur or tibia for placement of intramedullary devices for the treatment of fractures usually involves reaming with a series of central cutters driven by a drill-like device with a flexible shaft over a guide wire. The reamers sequentially enlarge the intramedullary canal into a tunnel of circular cross-section and a diameter appropriate for the procedure. The current technology is concentric, meaning that the system is self-centering within the original intramedullary canal and the expansion is symmetric with respect to the original centerline. A novel system for laterally deflecting the head of a 12mm …

A Novel Mra-Based Framework For The Detection Of Changes In Cerebrovascular Blood Pressure., Yitzhak Atakilt Gebru

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: High blood pressure (HBP) affects 75 million adults and is the primary or contributing cause of mortality in 410,000 adults each year in the United States. Chronic HBP leads to cerebrovascular changes and is a significant contributor for strokes, dementia, and cognitive impairment. Non-invasive measurement of changes in cerebral vasculature and blood pressure (BP) may enable physicians to optimally treat HBP patients. This manuscript describes a method to non-invasively quantify changes in cerebral vasculature and BP using Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) imaging.

Methods: MRA images and BP measurements were obtained from patients (n=15, M=8, F=7, Age= 49.2 …

Examining The Effects Of Macrophage Populations On Cancerous Tumor Growth., Grace E. Mahlbacher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The most abundant immune cell types of the tumor microenvironment macrophages recruited there by tumor-eluted factors. The role of these immune cells in tumor progression, and the interplay between tumor and immune cells is an emerging field of research with potential for novel treatment strategies. Here, a TIE2 expressing macrophage (TEM) subtype is integrated into a virtual tumor model. Within the 2D microenvironment, the TEM will differentiate from an extravasated monocyte precursor, congregate around the abluminal side of the vasculature in response to a chemoattractant gradient, secrete cytokines which favor differentiation of a separate angiogenic macrophage subtype [1]. The effects …

Common Treatments And Procedures Used For Fractures Of The Distal Radius And Scaphoid: A Review, Basel A. Khader, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The distal radius and the scaphoid are the most commonly injured carpal bones among both active adults and the osteoporotic elderly. The purpose of surgical treatment is to restore form and function to the wrist. Depending on the nature of the fracture, either topical procedures or invasive surgery can be applied. This article critiques the treatments currently used for fixation of wrist fractures in order to drive the development of new materials to improve patient outcomes.

Evaluation And Modeling Of The Different Material Properties Of The Captive And Wild Diets Of Carnivores, Jill Den Outer, Bethany Janos, Elizabeth Mccourt, William Molair

Senior Theses

Specific to captive BFFs, the most significant changes in cranial morphology are related to an increase in zygomatic arch width. The zygomatic arch region is the area along which the masseter muscle (a critical muscle of mastication for carnivores) is stretched3 . Mechanical stability of muscular tissues has been shown to be closely related to the structural integrity of the surrounding bones. In mice, mechanical unloading of the hind legs has been shown to induce muscular atrophy, which led to increased porosity and fragmentation in the femur and tibia4. As less force is required for a captive ferret to fully …

Assessment Of Kinematics And Electromyography Following Arthroscopic Single-Tendon Rotator Cuff Repair, Jessica M. Fritz, Ryan R. Inawat, Brooke A. Slavens, John R. Mcguire, Dean W. Ziegler, Sergey S. Tarima, Steven I. Grindel, Gerald F. Harris

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Background

The increasing demand for rotator cuff (RC) repair patients to return to work as soon as they are physically able has led to exploration of when this is feasible. Current guidelines from our orthopedic surgery clinic recommend a return to work at 9 weeks postoperation. To more fully define capacity to return to work, the current study was conducted using a unique series of quantitative tools. To date, no study has combined 3-dimensional (3D) motion analysis with electromyography (EMG) assessment during activities of daily living (ADLs), including desk tasks, and commonly prescribed rehabilitation exercise.

Objective

To apply a quantitative, …

Segmental Kinematic Analysis Of Planovalgus Feet During Walking In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Karen M. Kruger, Katherine A. Konop, Joseph Krzak, Adam Graf, Haluk Altiok, Peter A. Smith, Gerald F. Harris

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Pes planovalgus (flatfoot) is a common deformity among children with cerebral palsy. The Milwaukee Foot Model (MFM), a multi-segmental kinematic foot model, which uses radiography to align the underlying bony anatomy with reflective surface markers, was used to evaluate 20 pediatric participants (30 feet) with planovalgus secondary to cerebral palsy prior to surgery. Three-dimensional kinematics of the tibia, hindfoot, forefoot, and hallux segments are reported and compared to an age-matched control set of typically-developing children. Most results were consistent with known characteristics of the deformity and showed decreased plantar flexion of the forefoot relative to hindfoot, increased forefoot abduction, and …

Pairing Of Anaerobic And Aerobic Treatment Of Petroleum Wastewater, Zachary Fica

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The objective of this project was to treat petroleum refinery wastewater using a combination of anaerobic and aerobic processes, namely an Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor paired with a Rotation Algae Biofilm Reactor (RABR), respectively, to produce a treated effluent. The treatment method developed needed to produce a cost-effective and efficient way to decrease nitrogen, phosphorous, total suspended solids (TSS), and COD concentrations to below State of Utah limitations. It was demonstrated that RABR treatment was capable of reducing effluent concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and TSS to State of Utah limitations. RABR treatment did not significantly reduce COD from …