Digital Commons Network^™

A Study Towards Development Of An Automated Haptic User Interface (Ahui) For Individuals Who Are Blind Or Visually Impaired, Ravi Rastogi

Theses and Dissertations

An increasing amount of information content used in schools, work and everyday living is being presented in graphical form, creating accessibility challenges for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, especially in dynamic environments, such as over the internet. Refreshable haptic displays that can interact with computers can be used to access such information tactually. Main focus of this study was the development of specialized computer applications allowing users to actively compensate for the inherent issues of haptics when exploring visual diagrams as compared to vision, which we hypothesized, would improve the usability of such devices. An intuitive zooming algorithm …

Impact Of Salt On Denitrification Potential In Roadside Environments, Nakita A. Lancaster

Master's Theses

Urban systems are impacted by changes in hydrology and water chemistry, altering their ability to mitigate detrimental impacts to coastal water bodies, particularly those that result from high volumes of stormwater runoff. The elevated level of impervious cover increases not only runoff but also contaminant loading of nutrients, metals, and road salt used for deicing in cold weather climates. Current stormwater management strategies, while focused on managing the changes in hydrology associated with urbanization, also are designed to mitigate the pollutant loading. Here we investigate the impact that road salt will have on nitrogen removal in roadside environments. Sediments were …

Modeling The Resistance To Hydrostatic Pressures For Superhydrophobic Coatings With Random Roughness, Thomas Michael Bucher Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

A superhydrophobic coating can be produced using a hydrophobic material textured with surface roughness on the micro-/nano-scale. Such a coating on the outside of a submersible body may result in reduced skin-friction drag due to a trapped layer of air in the coating. However, this layer may become unstable when subjected to elevated hydrostatic pressures, and a coating’s performance is compromised beyond a certain threshold (critical pressure). This thesis presents a numerical model for predicting the pressure tolerances of superhydrophobic coatings comprised of randomly deposited hydrophobic particles or fibers. We have also derived a set of force-balance-based analytical equations for …

Municipal Wastewater Disinfection With Electromagnetic Waves Using Escherichia Coli Concentration As Measurement Of Quantification, Lauren M. Cagle

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Wastewater treatment is essential to protecting the environment and human welfare. Although chlorination is widely used, the environmental and health concerns associated with chlorine are growing. Treatment facilities are implementing alternative technologies, though the cost and efficiency associated with these practices leave much room in the wastewater field for innovation.

Hydropath Technologies Limited introduced a piece of equipment that uses the properties of a transformer to pass an alternating electric current through the pipe and into the contents of the channel. Hydroflow claims that the charged microorganisms react with the oppositely charged water molecule to force osmosis and kill the …

Polymers For Delivering A Substance Into A Cell, Kaushal Rege, Ravindra S. Kane, Steven M. Cramer, Sutapa Barua

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Disclosed herein are polymers that can be made cationic and used to deliver a substance into a cell. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polymers and methods of using the polymers.

The Role Of Fluorescence And Human Factors In Quantitative Transdermal Blood And Tissue Analysis Using Nir Raman Spectroscopy, Bin Deng

Biomedical and Chemical Engineering - Dissertations

This research is part of an ongoing project aimed at the application of combined near infrared (NIR) Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy to noninvasive in vivo blood analysis including but not limited to glucose monitoring. Coping with practicalities of human factors and exploring ways to obtain and use knowledge gained about autofluorescence to improve algorithms for blood and tissue analysis are the general goals of this research. Firstly, the study investigated the various sources of human factors pertinent to our concerns, such as fingerprints, turgor, skin hydration and pigmentation. We then introduced specialized in vivo apparatus including means for precise and …

Ua66 Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter, Cheryl Stevens, Dean

Ogden College of Science & Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

Alignment, Clustering And Extraction Of Structured Motifs In Dna Promoter Sequences, Faisal Abdulmalek Alobaid

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - Dissertations

A simple motif is a short DNA sequence found in the promoter region and believed to act as a binding site for a transcription factor protein. A structured motif is a sequence of simple motifs (boxes) separated by short sequences (gaps). Biologists theorize that the presence of these motifs play a key role in gene expression regulation. Discovering these patterns is an important step towards understanding protein-gene and gene-gene interaction thus facilitates the building of accurate gene regulatory network models. DNA sequence motif extraction is an important problem in bioinformatics. Many studies have proposed algorithms to solve the problem instance …

Effects Of Testing Time On Anaerobic Toxicity Assessment, Omolola Atinuke Akintomide

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Anaerobic digestion has been widely used for wastewater treatment for decades. Several Anaerobic Toxicity tests have been developed to screen wastewater for toxicity and assess the treatability of such toxicants. However, past research and reviews on Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) test and Anaerobic Toxicity Assay (ATA) were considered in this study.

The experimental tests included ammonium-nitrogen and sodium chloride toxicity tests with varied concentration and solid retention time. These tests were designed to demonstrate the impact of ammonia- nitrogen and sodium chloride on the biological degradation process. The anaerobic test set-up includes bench-scale test reactors and respirometers used for measuring …

The Reduction Of Glycerol Flow In A Porous Medium Through A Barrier Coating Application, Thomas Tran

Masters Theses

Coatings for paper are categorized into two groups: pigmented or functional. Functional coatings provide functionality in addition to the normal coating properties. Functional coatings can be used for friction control, release properties, abrasion resistance, and barrier properties. A coating that is designed to control barrier properties can be categorized into a sub-group of functional coatings called barrier coatings.

Barrier coatings can retard or eliminate the flow of fluids thru a coated substrate. The barrier can be effective in repelling or resisting the transmission rate of numerous fluids including moisture, oil, oxygen, grease, and glycerol. Barrier coatings have many useful applications …

Touchspice Vs. Reactive-Spice: A Human-Computer Interaction Perspective, Joshua Martin O'Hara

Master's Theses

Traditional SPICE simulation tools and applications of circuit theory lack real-time interaction and feedback. The goal of this thesis was to create an interactive physical environment to allow the manipulation and simulation of discrete electrical components in near-real-time while optimizing and streamlining the human-computer interaction (HCI) elements to make the user experience as positive and transparent as possible. This type of HCI and near-real-time simulation feedback would allow for the instant realization of how the parameters of each discrete component or hardware module affect the overall simulation and response of the circuit.

The scope of this thesis is to research, …

A Resistance Based Structural Health Monitoring System For Composite Structure Applications, Dennis N. Boettcher

Master's Theses

This research effort explored the possibility of using interwoven conductive and nonconductive fibers in a composite laminate for structural health monitoring (SHM). Traditional SHM systems utilize fiber optics, piezoelectrics, or detect defects by nondestructive test methods by use of sonar graphs or x-rays. However, these approaches are often expensive, time consuming and complicated.

The primary objective of this research was to apply a resistance based method of structural health monitoring to a composite structure to determine structural integrity and presence of defects.

The conductive properties of fiber such as carbon, copper, or constantan - a copper-nickel alloy - can be …

Accelerating Ray Casting Using Culling Techniques To Optimize K-D Trees, Anh Viet Nguyen

Master's Theses

Ray tracing is a graphical technique that provides realistic simulation of light sources and complex lighting effects within three-dimensional scenes, but it is a time-consuming process that requires a tremendous amount of compute power. In order to reduce the number of calculations required to render an image, many different algorithms and techniques have been developed. One such development is the use of tree-like data structures to partition space for quick traversal when finding intersection points between rays and primitives. Even with this technique, ray-primitive intersection for large datasets is still the bottleneck for ray tracing.

This thesis proposes the use …

A Novel Haptic Simulator For Evaluating And Training Salient Force-Based Skills For Laparoscopic Surgery, Ravikiran Singapogu

All Dissertations

Laparoscopic surgery has evolved from an 'alternative' surgical technique to currently being considered as a mainstream surgical technique. However, learning this complex technique holds unique challenges to novice surgeons due to their 'distance' from the surgical site. One of the main challenges in acquiring laparoscopic skills is the acquisition of force-based or haptic skills. The neglect of popular training methods (e.g., the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery, i.e. FLS, curriculum) in addressing this aspect of skills training has led many medical skills professionals to research new, efficient methods for haptic skills training.
The overarching goal of this research was to demonstrate …

A Model For Optimizing The Allocation Of Ethanol Production In The U.S., Anali Huggins

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In the last five years, fuel prices have fluctuated from 2.86$/gallon to 3.87$/gallon which represents an increase of 35%. This situation has collocated the ethanol manufacturing in an advantageous situation. However, a major problem that is faced by the ethanol producers is the high cost of transportation. The objective of this thesis study is to determine the optimal allocation of ethanol production in the U.S. in 2009 that minimizes the transportation cost. This thesis is based on the application of a linear programing model. The thesis is focused on two questions. The first is the optimal allocation of ethanol between …

An Experimental Study On Thermal Stability Of Biodiesel Fuel, Yiying Zhu

Biomedical and Chemical Engineering – Theses

Biodiesel fuel, as renewable energy, has been used in conventional diesel engines in pure form or as biodiesel/diesel blends for many years. However, thermal stability of biodiesel and biodiesel/diesel blends has been minimally explored. Aimed to shorten this gap, thermal stability of biodiesel is investigated at high temperatures.

In this study, batch thermal stressing experiments of biodiesel fuel were performed in stainless steel coils at specific temperature and residence time range from 250 to 425 °C and 3 to 63 minutes, respectively.

Evidence of different pathways of biodiesel fuel degradation is demonstrated chromatographically. It was found that biodiesel was stable …

Enzyme Actuated Bioresponsive Hydrogels, Andrew Wilson

All Theses

Bioresponsive hydrogels are emerging with technological significance in targeted drug delivery, biosensors and regenerative medicine. Conferred with the ability to respond to specific biologically derived stimuli, the design challenge is in effectively linking the conferred biospecificity with an engineered response tailored to the needs of a particular application. Moreover, the fundamental phenomena governing the response must support an appropriate dynamic range and limit of detection. The design of these systems is inherently complicated due to the high interdependency of the governing phenomena that guide the sensing, transduction, and the actuation response of hydrogels. To investigate the dynamics of these materials, …

Development And Characterization Of Shellac-Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose Composite Films With Acid Catalyst, Sana Asrar

All Theses

The objective of this research was to develop a shellac-hydroproyl methyl cellulose (Sh-HPMC) composite film with enhanced water vapor barrier. Citric acid (CA) was used as an acid catalyst, to promote miscibility between HPMC and shellac. In a preliminary test, three different concentrations of CA (1000:1, 200:1, 100:1) were tested to identify the best Sh:CA ratio. Based on the Water vapor permeability properties and mechanical properties, Sh-CA (1000:1 ratio) had the most enhanced water vapor barrier and the lowest reduction in tensile strength compared to the pure HPMC film (control). In the later part of the research, the effect of …

Stabilization Of Extracellular Matrix Components In Bioprosthetic Heart Valves Using Neomycin And Pentagalloyl Glucose Enhanced Crosslinking, Daniel Tripi

All Theses

Bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) fail within 12-15 years of implantation due to limited durability. This limits their application to elderly population. Younger patients with contraindications for long-term anticoagulant therapy necessary for mechanical heart valves may also receive BHVs. Investigation into improving valve durability can lead to longer implant life, increased quality of life for patients receiving BHVs, and a broadened patient demographic.
Current BHVs are chemically treated with glutaraldehyde (GLUT) to stabilize collagen via chemical crosslinking and to reduce tissue antigenicity. GLUT fails to adequately stabilize elastin and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), essential extracellular matrix components for valve function and durability. Degradation …

Continuum Limbed Robots For Locomotion, Alper Mutlu

All Theses

This thesis focuses on continuum robots based on pneumatic muscle technology. We introduce a novel approach to use these muscles as limbs of lightweight legged robots. The flexibility of the continuum legs of these robots offers the potential to perform some duties that are not possible with classical rigid-link robots. Potential applications are as space robots in low gravity, and as cave explorer robots.
The thesis covers the fabrication process of continuum pneumatic muscles and limbs. It also provides some new experimental data on this technology. Afterwards, the designs of two different novel continuum robots - one tripod, one quadruped …

The Effect Of Food Ingredients On The Oxygen Barrier Properties Of Retort Materials, Amanda Ward

All Theses

An unexplored area in research is addressing how retorted food ingredients interact with retort packaging's oxygen barrier. Ten common food ingredients (whey protein isolate, soy protein isolate, bovine gelatin, fish gelatin, high molecular weight fish gelatin, water, air, oil, potato starch, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) were assessed to find their effect on the barrier properties of CPP, PET, and high barrier commercial retort pouches. OxySense Gen III 300 and Mocon OxTran 2/21 were used to evaluate the samples. CPP pouches were first assessed with the OxTran 2/21 and indicated that treatments affected the OTR's of the film materials. However, results from …

Effects Of Physiological Dynamic Compression Loading On Gold Nanoparticle Permeation Of Articular Cartilage, Britton Mccaskill

All Theses

Articular cartilage is essential part of the human body that aids in support and locomotion. It has unique biochemical and biomechanical properties that allow it to act as a shock absorber to disperse and distribute loading of the joints. However, it has a limited capacity to repair itself because it is not vascularized and must receive its nutrients from the surrounding synovial fluid. Articular cartilage damage can lead to many pathological conditions, including osteoarthritis. Currently, there are many surgical treatment methods that repair some of the damage if it is localized, but for widespread degradation seen in osteoarthritis, there are …

Biomass And Lipid Production From Heterotrophic And Mixotrophic Fed-Batch Cultivations Of Microalgae Chlorella Protothecoides Using Glycerol, Shwetha Sivakaminathan

All Theses

Chlorella protothecoides is a microalga that can grow both photo-autotrophically and/or heterotrophically under different culture and environmental conditions. In this study both the heterotrophic growth and mixotrophic growth have been conducted. The heterotrophic experiments were conducted completely in the dark while the mixotrophic experiments had the dark cycles with periodic light exposure. The aim of the study was to independently understand the effect of each mode on biomass and lipid yields.
For the heterotrophic experiments, glycerol was used as an external organic carbon source while yeast extract was used as the nitrogen source. The carbon and nitrogen source were added …

Microstructural And Mechanical Characterization Of Soy-Based Polyethylene Fibers, Ozgun Ozdemir

All Theses

Bio-composite fibers have attracted increasing attention from environmentally-conscious consumers because of their low cost and biodegradability. Soy protein isolates and other purified forms have been proposed as bio-based substitutes for pure synthetic polymers for use in textiles. However, fibers from pure soy proteins do not possess adequate properties for use as textile fibers. Therefore, this research aimed to investigate composite fibers consisting of soy and polyethylene for their microstructure and mechanical properties. Changes in properties with increasing filler content and long-term properties of fibers were systematically examined.
First, the microstructure of the fibers was investigated by optical analysis. Six different …

Relating Burst Pressure To Seal Peel Strength In Pouches, William Bernal

All Theses

This work was aimed at studying the relationship between burst pressure and seal peel strength. Past researchers developed a force balance equation based on the analysis of a force diagram to relate burst pressure to seal strength. The theoretical formula S=P(D/2) (S=Seal Strength, P=Burst Pressure, D=Restraining Plate Gap) has been studied by past researchers with contrasting results.
The theoretical formula was tested by varying dwell time to produce seals of varying strength. Pouches were burst tested at each of these dwell times to obtain burst pressures, burst peeling times, and burst locations. Corresponding peel tests were performed with crosshead speeds …

Analysis Of The Effect Of Feeding Regimen On Gh/Igf Axis In Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus), Samantha Puckett

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are the most widely farmed aquatic animal in the United States. Assessing the effect of feeding regimens on their overall growth requires grow-out trials and a subsequent inefficient use of time and money. The growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis regulates growth based upon environmental factors such as feed intake in many teleost fish species. In order to increase the efficiency of aquaculture, the components of the GH/IGF-1 axis might be used as endocrine biomarkers to evaluate instantaneous growth rate. The goal of this study was to better understand the effects of feeding regimen on …

Measurement Of The Oxidation State Of Mitochondrial Cytochrome C From The Neocortex Of The Mammalian Brain, Y. Sakata, M. Abajian, M. O. Ripple, R. Springett

Dartmouth Scholarship

Diffuse optical remission spectra from the mammalian neocortex at visible wavelengths contain spectral features originating from the mitochondria. A new algorithm is presented, based on analytically relating the first differential of the attenuation spectrum to the first differential of the chromophore spectra, that can separate and calculate the oxidation state of cytochrome c as well as the absolute concentration and saturation of hemoglobin. The algorithm is validated in phantoms and then tested on the neocortex of the rat during an anoxic challenge. Implementation of the algorithm will provide detailed information of mitochondrial oxygenation and mitochondrial function in physiological studies of …

Gallium Containing Glass Polyalkenoate Anti-Cancerous Bone Cements: Glass Characterization And Physical Properties, A. W. Wren, A. Coughlan, L. Placek, Mark R. Towler

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A gallium (Ga) glass series (0.48SiO₂-0.40ZnO-0.12CaO, with 0.08 mol% substitution for ZnO) was developed to formulate a Ga-containing Glass Polyalkenoate Cement (GPC) series. Network connectivity (NC) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to investigate the role of Ga³⁺ in the glass, where it is assumed to act as a network modifier. Ga-GPC series was formulated with E9 and E11 polyacrylic acid (PAA) at 50, 55 and 60 wt% additions. E11 working times (T_w) ranged from 68 to 96 s (Lcon.) and 106 s for the Ga-GPCs (LGa-1 and LGa-2). Setting times (T_s) …

Experimental Studies Of Vertical Mixing In An Open Channel Raceway For Algae Biofuel Production, Ram Sudheer Voleti

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The USU BioEnergy Center has been successful in developing algae feedstocks for renewable biofuels and bioproducts. The concept is to utilize and maximize algae feedstocks for liquid transportation fuels, biomass for burning and digestion, and high value co-products. It is theorized that increasing the mixing in open and closed algal production systems improves the productivity of the algae culture. A raceway cultivation system was chosen to examine the phenomena of mixing. Vertical mixing will provide more uniform exposure to sunlight for all of the algae in the raceway. The main focus of this research was to increase vertical mixing. Delta …

Design Of Advanced Fouling-Resistant And Self-Cleaning Membranes For Treatment Of Oily And Impaired Waters, Daniel Wandera

All Dissertations

The overall goal of my Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research was to design and develop advanced anti-fouling and self-cleaning membranes for treating impaired waters. Initial work focused on the development of membranes to treat produced water, which is oily wastewater that is co-produced during oil and gas exploration. Economical, environmentally sustainable treatment of the large volumes of produced water is a grand challenge for oil and gas companies. While membranes offer many advantages over more conventional treatment methods, membrane-based treatment processes for oily waters often fail due to membrane fouling. Therefore, the primary objective of my doctoral research was to …