Evaluation Of A Bisphosphonate Enriched Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene For Enhanced Total Joint Replacement Bearing Surface Functionality,
2012
Clemson University
Evaluation Of A Bisphosphonate Enriched Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene For Enhanced Total Joint Replacement Bearing Surface Functionality, Cassandra Wright-Walker
All Dissertations
Each year in the United States there is an increasing trend of patients receiving total joint replacement (TJR) procedures. Approximately a half million total knee replacements (TKRs) are performed annually in the United States with increasing prevalence attributed to baby-boomers, obesity, older, and younger patients. This trend is also seen for total hip replacements (THRs) as well. The use of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) inserts in TJRs results in wear particle-induced osteolysis, which is the predominant cause for prosthesis failure and revision surgery. Sub-micron size particle generation is inevitable despite the numerous efforts in improving this bearing material. …
Quantitative, Spatial Imaging Based Measurements To Assess Cellular Health And Oxygenation In A Tissue Engineered Test System,
2012
Clemson University
Quantitative, Spatial Imaging Based Measurements To Assess Cellular Health And Oxygenation In A Tissue Engineered Test System, Erik Bland
All Dissertations
Three-dimensional in vitro tissue test systems are employed to examine cell behavior, test responses to drugs and vaccines, and answer basic biological questions. These systems are more physiologically relevant than two-dimensional cell cultures, and are more relevant, easier and less expensive to maintain than animal models. However, methods used to measure cell behavior and viability have been developed specifically for two-dimensional cell cultures or animal models, and are often not optimally translated to three-dimensional in vitro test systems. The purpose of this work was to aid in the development of three-dimensional, spatially controlled in vitro test systems, and to develop …
Assembly And Disassembly Of Myofibrils In Dissociated Cardiomyocytes,
2012
Clemson University
Assembly And Disassembly Of Myofibrils In Dissociated Cardiomyocytes, Honghai Liu
All Dissertations
Significance
1) We have developed a hybrid TPEF-SHG imaging system with an onstage incubator for long-term living-cell imaging. Using the imaging system, the assembly of myosin filaments onto the myofibrils can be investigated without fluorescently labeling the specific proteins, which enabled us to study the dynamic process of the assembly and dedifferentiation of myofibrils in living cardiomyocytes without labeling any sarcomeric proteins for long time.
2) We observed the addition of new sarcomeres during myofibrillogenesis while neonatal cardiomyocytes were spreading on the substrate for up to 10 hours under the customized TPEF-SHG imaging system. New-sarcomere addition at both the ends …
Nanopillar Based Electrochemical Biosensor For Monitoring Microfluidic Based Cell Culture,
2012
Clemson University
Nanopillar Based Electrochemical Biosensor For Monitoring Microfluidic Based Cell Culture, Rajan Gangadharan
All Dissertations
In-vitro assays using cultured cells have been widely performed for studying many aspects of cell biology and cell physiology. These assays also form the basis of cell based sensing. Presently, analysis procedures on cell cultures are done using techniques that are not integrated with the cell culture system. This approach makes continuous and real-time in-vitro measurements difficult. It is well known that the availability of continuous online measurements for extended periods of time will help provide a better understanding and will give better insight into cell physiological events.
With this motivation we developed a highly sensitive, selective and stable microfluidic …
Engineering Of Polyamidoamine (Pamam) Dendrimers For Gene And Drug Delivery,
2012
Virginia Commonwealth University
Engineering Of Polyamidoamine (Pamam) Dendrimers For Gene And Drug Delivery, Quan Yuan
Theses and Dissertations
Dendrimers are a class of polymers with a highly branched, three-dimensional architecture composed of an initiator core, several interior layers of repeating units and multiple surface groups. They have been recognized as the most versatile compositionally and structurally controlled nanoscale building blocks throughout the fields of engineering, materials science, chemistry, and biology, and they have been widely investigated for drug and gene delivery. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers have inherent properties for gene delivery because of their high buffering capacity, polycationic surface and numerous surface groups for biofunctionlization. This dissertation is organized into four independent sections. The first section investigates a series …
Electrical & Magnetic Stimulation And Health,
2012
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Electrical & Magnetic Stimulation And Health, Yiyan Li
College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs
1, Introduction Most of the patients with neural diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Stroke and Depression, cannot be cured by taking pills or conducting surgery. In contrast to the conventional therapies, physical therapies such as TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) (Fig. 1) and tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) (Fig. 2) are the most popular methods in treating neural disorders with a non-invasive way. TMS employs electromagnetic (1-3 Tesla) induction generates an Electric field suitable for neural stimulation; tDCS employs a weak current (1-2 mA) to modulate neuronal excitabilities.
Real-Time Face Detection And Recognition,
2012
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Real-Time Face Detection And Recognition, Parker Hill, Brendan Morris
College of Engineering: Graduate Celebration Programs
The face has become a popular biometric for identification due to the wide range of features and difficulty in manipulation of the metric. In order to work towards a robust facial recognition system, this work contains a foundation for using the face as a recognition metric. First, faces are detected from still images using a Viola-Jones object detection algorithm. Then, Eigenfaces is applied to the detected faces. The system was tested on face databases as well as real-time feed from a web camera.
Synthesis And Characterization Of Doxorubicin Carrying Cetuximab-Pamam Dendrimer Bioconjugates,
2012
Virginia Commonwealth University
Synthesis And Characterization Of Doxorubicin Carrying Cetuximab-Pamam Dendrimer Bioconjugates, Gunjan Saxena
Theses and Dissertations
A tumor targeted dendrimer based drug delivery system was designed and synthesized to carry chemotherapy drug doxorubicin. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer G4.5 was chosen as the underlying carrier. Anionic G4.5 is a good option for drug delivery as it consists of 128 surface groups, is less cytotoxic and favorably biodistributed. The delivery system was synthesized using a layer-by layer arrangement of three functional entities: chemotherapy drug doxorubicin, monoclonal antibody Cetuximab against EGF receptor, and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Doxorubicin was attached via an acid-sensitive hydrazon linkage to the dendrimer. Macromolecules are taken in by cells through endocytosis. pH inside the early endosomes …
Semi-Interpenetrating Nanofiber Scaffolds For Transbuccal Drug Delivery,
2012
Virginia Commonwealth University
Semi-Interpenetrating Nanofiber Scaffolds For Transbuccal Drug Delivery, Donald Aduba Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
The oral buccal mucosa is a promising absorption site for drug administration because it is permeable, highly vascularized and allows ease of administration. Although there are many platforms that have been used for drug delivery, nanofiber scaffolds as a platform for local or systemic drug delivery through the oral mucosa have not been fully explored. In this thesis, we fabricated a biocompatible electrospun gelatin nanofiber scaffold for local drug delivery at the oral mucosa. To stabilize the electrospun gelatin nanofibers and allow non-invasive incorporation of therapeutics into the scaffold, photo-reactive polyethylene-glycol (PEG)-diacrylate was employed to crosslink the scaffold to form …
Electroencephalography (Eeg)-Based Brain Computer Interfaces For Rehabilitation,
2012
Virginia Commonwealth University
Electroencephalography (Eeg)-Based Brain Computer Interfaces For Rehabilitation, Dandan Huang
Theses and Dissertations
Objective: Brain-computer interface (BCI) technologies have been the subject of study for the past decades to help restore functions for people with severe motor disabilities and to improve their quality of life. BCI research can be generally categorized by control signals (invasive/non-invasive) or applications (e.g. neuroprosthetics/brain-actuated wheelchairs), and efforts have been devoted to better understand the characteristics and possible uses of brain signals. The purpose of this research is to explore the feasibility of a non-invasive BCI system with the combination of unique sensorimotor-rhythm (SMR) features. Specifically, a 2D virtual wheelchair control BCI is implemented to extend the application of …
Detection Of Sk2 Channels On Hippocampal Neurons,
2012
University of Connecticut - Storrs
Detection Of Sk2 Channels On Hippocampal Neurons, Jamie L. Maciaszek
Master's Theses
Calcium-activated small conductance potassium channels (SK) are crucial for synaptic plasticity, sleep, and learning and memory (Hammond, Bond et al. 2006; Cueni, Canepari et al. 2008; Lin, Lujan et al. 2008). Despite the recent progress on SK channel physiology, the precise spatial organization of SK channels in neurons has remained unknown. Such knowledge is critical as the subcellular distribution of SK channels is an important determinant of neuronal excitability. Currently, there are no techniques to image ion channel distribution quantitatively at the nanometer scale in living cells. Here, it is demonstrated that integration of natural toxins with single molecule atomic …
Real-Time Detection Of Implant-Associated Neutrophil Responses Using A Formyl Peptide
Receptor-Targeting Nir Nanoprobe,
2012
University of Texas at Arlington
Real-Time Detection Of Implant-Associated Neutrophil Responses Using A Formyl Peptide Receptor-Targeting Nir Nanoprobe, Jun Zhou, Tsai Yi-Ting, Hong Weng, Ewin N. Tang, Ashwin Nair, Dave P. Digant, Liping Tang
Bioengineering Faculty Publications - Archive
Neutrophils play an important role in implant-mediated inflammation and infection. Unfortunately, current methods which monitor neutrophil activity, including enzyme measurements and histological evaluation, require many animals and cannot be used to accurately depict the dynamic cellular responses. To understand the neutrophil interactions around implant-mediated inflammation and infection it is critical to develop methods which can monitor in vivo cellular activity in real time. In this study, formyl peptide receptor (FPR)-targeting nearinfrared nanoprobes were fabricated. This was accomplished by conjugating near-infrared dye with specific peptides having a high affinity to the FPRs present on activated neutrophils. The ability of FPR-targeting nanoprobes …
Three Dimensional In Vitro Model Of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma,
2012
Virginia Commonwealth University
Three Dimensional In Vitro Model Of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Anna Bulysheva
Theses and Dissertations
Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are among the leading causes of cancer related deaths throughout the world. The survival rate for this type of cancer is extremely low and has not changed significantly in recent decades. There is an imperative need to study tumor progression in a representative model in order to generate more knowledge about this disease as well as develop more effective treatment options. Multiple methods already exist for studying HNSCC and other types of cancers, including in vitro and in vivo models. Although in vivo models are more representative of the human carcinomas in terms …
The Presence Of Regional Accents In Electrolarynx Speech And The Resultant Effect On Overall Intelligibility.,
2012
Technological University Dublin
The Presence Of Regional Accents In Electrolarynx Speech And The Resultant Effect On Overall Intelligibility., Brian Madden, Eugene Coyle
Conference Papers
During voiced speech, the larynx provides quasi-periodic acoustic excitation of the vocal tract. In most electrolarynxes, mechanical vibrations are produced by a linear electromechanical actuator, the armature of which percusses against a metal or plastic plate at a frequency within the range of glottal excitation. In this paper, a phonological analysis of a section of results from an online perceptual intelligibility test was performed which compared speech produced using a novel hands-free electrolarynx and a commercially available electrolarynx. A portion of the test consisted of a closed-set format containing a selection of four sets of four random CVC audio samples …
Safety, Ergonomics And Human Factors Engineering On Biomedical Devices Design,
2012
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso
Safety, Ergonomics And Human Factors Engineering On Biomedical Devices Design, Alejandra Sandoval Vazquez^, Noe Vargas Hernandez*
COURI Symposium Abstracts, Spring 2012
No abstract provided.
Design And Realization Of A Piezoelectric Ink Jet Head And Driver For Medical Diagnostics In Remote Areas,
2012
Department of Electrical Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso
Design And Realization Of A Piezoelectric Ink Jet Head And Driver For Medical Diagnostics In Remote Areas, Alejandra Hernandez^, Annagiulia Morachioli, Julio Rincon, Sylvia Natividad, Thomas Boland*
COURI Symposium Abstracts, Spring 2012
No abstract provided.
Section Abstracts: Biomedical And General Engineering,
2012
Old Dominion University
Section Abstracts: Biomedical And General Engineering
Virginia Journal of Science
Abstracts of the Biomedical and General Engineering Section for the 90th Annual Meeting of the Virginia Academy of Science, May 23-25, 2012, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia.
Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, Volume 8, Number 1, April 2012,
2012
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, Volume 8, Number 1, April 2012
BSE Department Magazine
No abstract provided.
Accounting For Indirect Land-Use Change In The Life Cycle Assessment Of Biofuel Supply Chains,
2012
Life Cycle Associates, LLC, Portola Valley, CA
Accounting For Indirect Land-Use Change In The Life Cycle Assessment Of Biofuel Supply Chains, Susan Tarka Sanchez, Jeremy Woods, Mark Akhurst, Matthew Brander, Michael O'Hare, Terence P. Dawson, Robert Edwards, Adam J. Liska, Rick Malpas
Adam Liska Papers
The expansion of land used for crop production causes variable direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions; and other economic, social and environmental effects. We analyze the use of life cycle analysis (LCA) for estimating the carbon intensity of biofuel production from indirect land-use change (ILUC). Two approaches are critiqued; direct, attributional life cycle analysis (ALCA) and consequential life cycle analysis (CLCA). A proposed hybrid “combined model” of the two approaches for ILUC analysis relies on first defining the system boundary of the resulting full LCA. Choices are then made as to the modeling methodology (economic equilibrium or cause-effect), data inputs, …
First Long-Term, Direct Measurements Of Evapotranspiration
And Surface Water Balance In The Nebraska Sandhills,
2012
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
First Long-Term, Direct Measurements Of Evapotranspiration And Surface Water Balance In The Nebraska Sandhills, David P. Billesbach, Timothy J. Arkebauer
Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications
The Nebraska SandHills is a vast grassland ecoregion that also serves as the main recharge zone for the High Plains (Ogallala) aquifer. Despite the national importance of this region in supplying irrigation water and supporting the US cattle industry, there have, until now, been no long-term, direct measurements of the components of the surface water balance. We have addressed this issue by installing energy balance/Bowen ratio (EBBR) flux towers in three key ecosystems. We report here the results of 7 years of measurements and interpret them in terms of annual weather variability. Additionally, these data have allowed us to make …
