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Investigating The Factors That Influence Injury Severity During Large Truck Crashes, Irina Olegovna Hoag

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Large trucks and passenger cars share the transportation infrastructure. The diversity of mass, size and maneuverability of vehicles on roads makes truck involved collisions very dangerous and causes injury and fatality of drivers and passengers. Considering that large trucks are usually traveling for a long distance and cross country, Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) collected data to analyze and predict injury or fatality from a set of predictor (independent) variables. Data were collected at 24 sites in 17 States and 2,284 vehicles were involved in crashes and have up to 1,000 variables for each crash. Sixty-nine percent of these …

Classification, Clustering And Data-Mining Of Biological Data, Thomas Triplet

School of Computing: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The proliferation of biological databases and the easy access enabled by the Internet is having a beneficial impact on biological sciences and transforming the way research is conducted. There are currently over 1,100 molecular biology databases dispersed throughout the Internet. However, very few of them integrate data from multiple sources. To assist in the functional and evolutionary analysis of the abundant number of novel proteins, we introduce the PROFESS (PROtein Function, Evolution, Structure and Sequence) database that integrates data from various biological sources. PROFESS is freely available at http://cse.unl.edu/~profess/. Our database is designed to be versatile and expandable and …

Total Storm Management Manual, Indiana Department Of Transportation

JTRP Other Publications and Reports

No abstract provided.

Ceas E-News 11.24.2009, College Of Engineering And Applied Sciences

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences News

Tues, Dec. 8, SEDP conference: 89 seniors offer 32 projects

Quantifying And Resolving Multiple Vector Transformants In S. Cerevisiae Plasmid Libraries, Thomas C. Scanlon, Elizabeth C. Gray, Karl E. Griswold

Dartmouth Scholarship

In addition to providing the molecular machinery for transcription and translation, recombinant microbial expression hosts maintain the critical genotype-phenotype link that is essential for high throughput screening and recovery of proteins encoded by plasmid libraries. It is known that Escherichia coli cells can be simultaneously transformed with multiple unique plasmids and thusly complicate recombinant library screening experiments. As a result of their potential to yield misleading results, bacterial multiple vector transformants have been thoroughly characterized in previous model studies. In contrast to bacterial systems, there is little quantitative information available regarding multiple vector transformants in yeast. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the …

Unraveling The Intricacies Of Spatial Organization Of The Erbb Receptors And Downstream Signaling Pathways, Michelle Costa

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Faced with the complexity of diseases such as cancer which has 1012 mutations, altering gene expression, and disrupting regulatory networks, there has been a paradigm shift in the biological sciences and what has emerged is a much more quantitative field of biology. Mathematical modeling can aid in biological discovery with the development of predictive models that provide future direction for experimentalist. In this work, I have contributed to the development of novel computational approaches which explore mechanisms of receptor aggregation and predict the effects of downstream signaling. The coupled spatial non-spatial simulation algorithm, CSNSA is a tool that I took …

Pegylation Of Niosomes, John A. Elliott

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The research presented in this dissertation describes the creation and characterization of a novel antibody-vesicle conjugate modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) that possesses enhanced binding to and uptake by inflammation-activated endothelial cells with improved storage stability and longer shelf-life and potential reduction in immunogenic potential compared to previous designs.

Targeted drug delivery provides an effective means of delivering therapeutic concentrations of a drug to the site or organ of action. The drug is delivered using a niosome, a vesicle with an aqueous core and a bilayer membrane composed of non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol. Antibodies that recognize specific cell antigens are …

Dilute Sulfuric Acid Pretreatment Of Switchgrass In Microwave Reactor For Biofuel Conversion: An Investigation Of Yields, Kinetics,, Oscar Martin

Theses and Dissertations

Lignocellulosic materials provide a raw material source for biofuel conversion and offer several advantages over fossil fuels- usage of a renewable resource, reduced greenhouse emissions, a decreased dependence on foreign oil, and stimulation of the agricultural sector. However, a primary technological challenge in converting lignocellulosic biomass into fuel is overcoming the recalcitrance of its matrix to enzymatic hydrolysis. To overcome these problems for chemical processing, naturally occurring cellulose biomass must be pretreated before it can be further processed using enzymatic hydrolysis or bioconversion. The goal of this work was to develop a model that predicts the glucose yield (pretreatment and …

Design And Development Of A Pvdf Sensor To Monitor Intracranial Pressure (Icp), Vivek Vijaywargi

Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring ICP non-invasively is a challenge. A novel method to measure ICP using actuators and sensors has been proposed where the skull is vibrated at high frequencies and the receiving signal is measured at the surface eyelid. A design of experiments approach is used to develop the sensor part of the ICP monitoring device so that gain can be maximized using factors such as area, thickness, electrode, and applied pressure. Statistical analysis showed that thickness has the biggest effect on overall gain. Numerical analysis confirmed these results. In addition, sensor packaging is optimized to minimize dampening of the signal and …

Microalgal Biomass For Greenhouse Gas Reductions: Potential For Replacement Of Fossil Fuels And Animal Feeds, D. E. Brune, Tryg Lundquist, J. R. Benemann

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Microalgal biomass production offers a number of advantages over conventional biomass production, including higher productivities, use of otherwise nonproductive land, reuse and recovery of waste nutrients, use of saline or brackish waters, and reuse of CO₂ from power-plant flue gas or similar sources. Microalgal biomass production and utilization offers potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) avoidance by providing biofuel replacement of fossil fuels and carbon-neutral animal feeds. This paper presents an initial analysis of the potential for GHG avoidance using a proposed algal biomass production system coupled to recovery of flue-gas CO₂ combined with waste sludge and/or animal manure …

Nutrient And Bacterial Transport In Runoff From Soil And Pond Ash Amended Feedlot Surfaces, John E. Gilley, Jason R. Vogel, Elaine D. Berry, Roger Eigenberg, David B. Marx, Brian L. Woodbury

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The addition of pond ash (fly ash that has been placed in evaporative ponds and subsequently dewatered) to feedlot surfaces provides a healthier environment for livestock and economic advantages for the feedlot operator. However, the water quality effects of pond ash amended surfaces are not well understood. The objectives of this field investigation were to: (1) compare feedlot soil properties, and nutrient and bacterial transport in runoff, from pond ash amended surfaces and soil surfaces; (2) compare the effects of unconsolidated surface materials (USM) (loose manure pack) and consolidated subsurface materials (CSM) (compacted manure and underlying layers) on nutrient and …

Comparison Of Cumulative Planimetry Versus Manual Dissection To Assess Experimental Infarct Size In Isolated Hearts, Matthias L. Riess, Samhita S. Rhodes, David F. Stowe, Mohammed Aldakkak, Amadou K.S. Camara

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

Infarct size (IS) is an important variable to estimate cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury in animal models. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) stains viable cells red while leaving infarcted cells unstained. To quantify IS, infarcted and non-infarcted tissue is often manually dissected and weighed (IS-DW). An alternative is to measure infarcted areas by cumulative planimetry (IS-CP).

Methods

We prospectively compared these two methods in 141 Langendorff-prepared guinea pig hearts (1.44 ± 0.02 g) that were part of different studies on mechanisms of cardioprotection. Hearts were perfused with Krebs–Ringer's and subjected to 30 min global ischemia after various cardioprotective treatments. Two hours after reperfusion …

Exploiting Multiple Sensory Modalities In Brain-Machine Interfaces, Aaron J. Suminski, Dennis C. Tkach, Nicholas G. Hatsopoulos

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Recent improvements in cortically-controlled brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) have raised hopes that such technologies may improve the quality of life of severely motor-disabled patients. However, current generation BMIs do not perform up to their potential due to the neglect of the full range of sensory feedback in their strategies for training and control. Here we confirm that neurons in the primary motor cortex (MI) encode sensory information and demonstrate a significant heterogeneity in their responses with respect to the type of sensory modality available to the subject about a reaching task. We further show using mutual information and directional tuning analyses …

Sensor Integration For Low-Cost Crash Avoidance, Stephane M. Roussel

Master's Theses

This report is a summary of the development of sensor integration for low-cost crash avoidance for over-land commercial trucks. The goal of the project was to build and test a system composed of low-cost commercially available sensors arranged on a truck trailer to monitor the environment around the truck. The system combines the data from each sensor to increase the reliability of the sensor using a probabilistic data fusion approach. A combination of ultrasonic and magnetoresistive sensors was used in this study. In addition, Radar and digital imaging were investigated as reference signals and possible candidates for additional sensor integration. …

A Rapid Prototyping Method For Constructing A Complex Three-Dimensional Substrate, Kathryn Jacoba Hart

Master's Theses

Cell culturing on three-dimensional structures has increased the possibilities in tissue engineering and bioreactor research. These structures enable cells to differentiate, proliferate, mobilize, and function in a conformation that more accurately mimics in vivo conditions. Computer generated models aid in development and rapid alteration of three-dimensional cell substrates, defining their internal structure as well as their external morphology. The rapid transition from substrate design to a viable culture is imperative to quickly advance research in biomedical and tissue engineering applications.

The aim of this thesis is to investigate the feasibility of a rapid prototyping process by selectively cross-linking and assembling …

A Framework For Bioacoustic Vocalization Analysis Using Hidden Markov Models, Yao Ren, Michael T. Johnson, Patrick J. Clemins, Michael Darre, Sharon Stuart Glaeser, Tomasz S. Osiejuk, Ebenezer Out-Nyarko

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Using Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) as a recognition framework for automatic classification of animal vocalizations has a number of benefits, including the ability to handle duration variability through nonlinear time alignment, the ability to incorporate complex language or recognition constraints, and easy extendibility to continuous recognition and detection domains. In this work, we apply HMMs to several different species and bioacoustic tasks using generalized spectral features that can be easily adjusted across species and HMM network topologies suited to each task. This experimental work includes a simple call type classification task using one HMM per vocalization for repertoire analysis of …

Mechanical Behavior And Length Adaptation Of Rabbit Bladder Smooth Muscle, Atheer Almasri

Theses and Dissertations

Overactive bladder (OAB), involuntary contractions during bladder filling, is a common condition affecting 17% of the adult population worldwide, and in the U.S. ranks ahead of diabetes in a list of the 10 most common chronic disorders (Mullins 2009). Mechanical mechanisms contributing to OAB are not completely understood and because of the unique function and broad volume range of the bladder, there may be mechanical characteristics that distinguish detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) in bladder from other smooth muscles. Recent studies have shown that the length-passive tension curve in DSM exhibits adjustable passive stiffness (APS) characterized by a passive curve that …

An Integrated Recording System Using An Asynchronous Pulse Representation, Sheng Feng Yen, Jie Xu, Manu Rastogi, John G. Harris, Jose C. Principe, Justin C. Sanchez

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A neuronal recording system for brain-machine interfaces (BMI) based on asynchronous biphasic pulse coding is described. It demonstrates the first step in the development of a complete implanted wireless solution with fully integrated circuit architecture. A recording experiment comparing in parallel a commercial recording system (Tucker-Davis Technology (TDT)) and the UF's custom solution (FWIRE) is set up to compare performance. The novel aspect of the UF system is that the analog signal is represented by an asynchronous pulse train, which provides a low-power, low-bandwidth, noise-resistant means for coding and transmission. Taking advantage of neural firing features, the pulse-based approach uses …

A Biphasic Integrate-And-Fire System, Sheng Feng Yen, Jie Xu, Manu Rastogi, John G. Harris, Jose C. Principe, Justin C. Sanchez

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A neuronal recording system for brain-machine interfaces (BMI) based on asynchronous biphasic pulse coding is described. It demonstrates the first step in the development of a completely implanted wireless solution with a fully integrated circuit architecture. A recording experiment comparing, in parallel, a commercial recording system (Tucker-Davis Technology (TDT)) and the UF's custom solution (FWIRE) is set up to compare performance. The novel aspect of the UF system is that the analog signal is represented by an asynchronous pulse train, which provides a low-power, low-bandwidth, noise resistant means for coding and transmission. Taking advantage of neural firing features, the pulse-based …

Development Of A Mechanical System For Osteon Isolation, S. Ranglin, D. Das, A. Mingo, O. Ukinamemen, Gaffar Gailani, S. Cowin, L. Cardoso

Publications and Research

Osteons are small semi cylindrical hard tissues that exist in long bones of humans and some animals. Their diameter is in the range of 250 – 300 micrometers approximately. They contain the osteocytes which plays a role in bone mechanotransduction. The boundary that surrounds the osteon from outside is called the cement line. In a summer research project supported by CUNY-LSAMP a group of four students and three professors worked full summer to develop a system that can isolate the osteons thus a mechanical testing could be performed (stress relaxation test) to determine their poroelastic properties. Two sets of osteons …

The Design And Validation Of A Computational Rigid Body Model Of The Elbow., Edward Spratley

Theses and Dissertations

The use of computational modeling is an effective and inexpensive way to predict the response of complex systems to various perturbations. However, not until the early 1990s had this technology been used to predict the behavior of physiological systems, specifically the human skeletal system. To that end, a computational model of the human elbow joint was developed using computed topography (CT) scans of cadaveric donor tissue, as well as the commercially available software package SolidWorks™. The kinematic function of the joint model was then defined through 3D reconstructions of the osteoarticular surfaces and various soft-tissue constraints. The model was validated …

Third Grade Lesson Plan: Where Does Heat Come From?, Getaway Special Team 2009

Education and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Material Properties Are Related To Stress Fracture Callus And Porosity Of Cortical Bone Tissue At Affected And Unaffected Sites, Rachel C. Entwistle,, Sara C. Sammons, Robert F. Bigley, Scott J. Hazelwood, David P. Fyhrie, Jeffery C. Gibeling, Susan M. Stover

Biomedical Engineering

Stress fractures are overuse injuries of bone that affect elite athletes and military recruits. One response of cortical bone to stress fracture is to lay down periosteal callus. The objectives of this study were to determine if material properties are different among bones with different stages of stress fracture callus, at both a callus site and at a distal site. Cortical specimens were mechanically tested to determine their stress–strain response. Material property differences were examined using nonparametric and regression analyses. At the callus site, material properties were low during the earliest stages of callus, higher with increasing callus maturity, but …

An Initial Report On The Impact Of Multiple Technical Degree Programs On Undergraduate Recruitment, Amber Settle, Liz Friedman

Technical Reports

In this paper, we describe initial results of a survey taken by freshman and first-year transfer students at DePaul University during the 2009-2010 academic year. While DePaul is unusual in offering a large number of technically-oriented degree programs and this information is prominent in promotional literature, no study of the impact of multiple degree programs on the recruitment of first-year students had been conducted. The results of this initial study show that while a large majority of students indicate that the number of degree programs is a positive factor for application and enrollment at DePaul, more important factors include the …

Compliance Calibration For Fracture Testing Of Anisotropic Biological Materials, J. A. Creel, S. M. Stover, R. B. Martin, D. P. Fyhrie, S. J. Hazelwood, J. C. Gibeling

Biomedical Engineering

The compliance technique has been used to monitor crack length during fracture and fatigue testing of materials. Difficulties arise when this technique is applied to anisotropic biological materials such as bone. In this tutorial, two different methods of analyzing compliance calibration data are described: the standard ASTM method and a new approach developed by the authors specifically for anisotropic materials. An example is given showing how data from equine cortical bone can be analyzed. In this example, calibration tests were conducted on thirty-six three point bend specimens machined from the middiaphysis of six pairs of equine third metacarpal bones. Cracks …

Cs 205-08: Introduction To Computers And Office Productivity Software, Kim Gros

Computer Science & Engineering Syllabi

Focus on learning MS Office software applications including word processing (intermediate), spreadsheets, database and presentation graphics using a case study approach where critical thinking and problem solving skills are required. Computer concepts are integrated throughout the course to provide an understanding of the basics of computing, the latest technological advances and how they are used in industry. Ethics and issues encountered in business are discussed to challenge students on societal impact of technology.

Investigation And Mitigation Of Driver Confusion At Modern Roundabouts, Aemal Khattak, Gregory Mcknight, Karen Schurr, Ram R. Bishu

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

Construction of modern roundabouts in place of traditional four-legged intersections is becoming common in the United States. Roundabout negotiation can be confusing for drivers who are not familiar with their use. This research was carried out to identify roundabout elements that play a role in incorrect roundabout negotiation, ascertain driver characteristics prominent in incorrect roundabout negotiation, assess the relative potential for incorrect negotiation amongst different groups of drivers, and suggest measures for improving drivers’ abilities to negotiate roundabouts. Potential for incorrect roundabout negotiation was measured by asking questions in a survey questionnaire related to rules of roundabout negotiation and the …

An Error Threshold Criterion For Singular Value Decomposition Modes Extracted From Piv Data, Brenden P. Epps

Link Foundation Ocean Engineering and Instrumentation Fellowship Reports

Singular value decomposition (SVD) is often used as a tool to analyze particle image velocimetry (PIV) data. However, experimental error tends to corrupt higher SVD modes, in which the root mean square velocity value is smaller than the experimental error. Therefore, we suggest that the threshold criterion, sk [ ffiffiffiffiffiffiffi DT p ; can be used as a rough limit of the validity of SVD modes extracted from experimental data (where sk is the singular value of mode k, D and T are the number of data sites and time steps, respectively, and is the root mean square PIV error). …

Course Portfolio - Discrete Event Simulation, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

This course portfolio, written by Dr. Paul Savory, provides an overview of his Discrete Event Simulation course at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It offers an overview of the course goals, a summary of the classroom activities for achieving them, and a detailed assessment of student learning. He highlights his introduction of the simul8 programming environment to his students. In addition to exploring his students’ learning, Dr. Savory also explores different approaches for documenting his teaching by including multimedia clips (video and audio), uses graphs, uses color, and incorporates images. The resulting portfolio is one that can be reviewed, shared, and …

Regression Analysis Of Fracture Toughness For Secondary Osteons Located In Human Cortical Bone, Chase A. Fetzer

Master's Theses

An experiment was carried out in order to locate and quantify osteon types within a sample of cortical bone taken from a human tibia. This was done using a microscope-camera assembly and the BioQuant computer software. The results of this were correlated with a previous experiment’s results on fracture toughness so that an analysis could be run on the data in order to determine the factors that most affect the value of fracture toughness of this cortical bone. Results were examined closely and the analysis repeated until the author was satisfied that the best possible model for fracture toughness had …