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A Novel Open Field Activity Detector To Determine Spatial And Temporal Movement Of Laboratory Animals After Injury And Disease, Andrew O. Koob, John Cirillo, Charles F. Babbs

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Among the wide range of tests for laboratory animal behavior after neurological injury or disease, each has its benefits and drawbacks. The varied behavior that an animal exhibits makes it difficult to decide which test to use. However, a fundamental instinct for the laboratory animal is to explore when placed in a new environment. A way to test exploratory behavior is in the open field. Here, we introduce a simple activity box without the use of video equipment to determine the exploratory movement of a rat after traumatic brain injury. The activity box is an open field, and the rat …

Fall 2006 Che Newsletter, Department Of Chemical Engineering, Michigan Technological University

Department of Chemical Engineering Newsletters

Table of Contents

• CPM awarded First Place in Competition
• Letter from the Chair
• Sandell Recipient of Distinguished Teaching Award
• New Inductees for Chemical Engineering Distinguished Academy Honored
• New Presidential Council of Alumnae Member
• Alumni Notes
• Industrial Advisory Board
• Nam Him Retires
• Building Renovations completed
• Focus on Research

Nutrient Recycling: Rural On-Site Wastewater Disposal And Treatment In Can Tho City, Viet Nam, Micah Johnson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In order to research a topic a holistic perspective is important. Often experiments are performed absent from the environment that is being observed. It is like thrusting one’s hand into an ocean to grope around for a specimen, extract it, and examine it apart from its native habitat. Although this is possible and often primarily the method, to immerse oneself into where one is studying is to increase one’s ability to obtain a more holistic perspective. I have come to believe that the more practical and accurate scientific experiments are a combination of laboratories and on the field. Not only …

Fault Modeling In Wireless Sensor Networks, Ahmed A. Elmiligui

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A large amount of research has been done in the area of wireless sensor networks (WSN), but not much work has been done in modeling the fault tolerance and reliability of these networks. In this thesis, the fault tolerance of a WSN to node failures is studied and an analytical reliability model of the network is derived. A valid reliability model of a network could reveal an estimate of the network's performance before it is deployed.

A wireless sensor network was modeled as a k-out-of-n system and a generic fault tolerant framework for the network in terms of node losses …

The Effects Of Ultrashort Pulsed Electric Fields On The Fluorescent Molecule Bodipy Fl C5 Ceramide, Rachael Sara Shevin

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Nanosecond pulsed electric fields are able to manipulate internal cell organelles by taking advantage of the small but finite time required for charge to establish across a capacitive barrier. Pulsed electric fields also affect macromolecular structures such as enzymes and proteins. Application of a single nanosecond pulsed electric field decreases the fluorescence of a commercially available biological dye Bodipy FL C₅ Ceramide, used to observe the Golgi apparatus of living cells. The effect is seen when the fluorophore is exposed to an electric field both in vitro and when incorporated into the Golgi of a living Jurkat cell. Observation …

Bio-Inspired Algorithms For The Design Of Multiple Optimal Power System Stabilizers: Sppso And Bfa, Tridib Kumar Das, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Power System Stabilizers (PSSs) provide stabilizing control signals to excitation systems to damp out inter-area and intra-area oscillations. The PSS must be optimally tuned to accommodate the variations in the system dynamics. Designing multiple optimal PSSs is a challenging task for researchers. This paper presents the comparison between two bio-inspired algorithms: a Small Population based Particle Swarm Optimization (SPPSO) and the Bacterial Foraging Algorithm (BFA) for the simultaneous tuning of a number of PSSs in a multi-machine power system. The cost function to be optimized by both algorithms takes into consideration the time domain transient responses. The effectiveness of the …

Viz: A Visual Analysis Suite For Explaining Local Search Behavior, Steven Halim, Roland H. C. Yap, Hoong Chuin Lau

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

NP-hard combinatorial optimization problems are common in real life. Due to their intractability, local search algorithms are often used to solve such problems. Since these algorithms are heuristic-based, it is hard to understand how to improve or tune them. We propose an interactive visualization tool, VIZ, meant for understanding the behavior of local search. VIZ uses animation of abstract search trajectories with other visualizations which are also animated in a VCR-like fashion to graphically playback the algorithm behavior. It combines generic visualizations applicable on arbitrary algorithms with algorithm and problem specific visualizations. We use a variety of techniques such as …

Biomass Energy Data Book, Volume 1, Lynn Wright, Bob Boundy, Bob Perlack, Stacy Davis, Bo Saulsbury

United States Department of Energy: Publications

The Biomass Energy Data Book is a statistical compendium prepared and published by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) under contract with the Office of Planning, Budget, and Analysis in the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) program of the Department of Energy (DOE). Designed for use as a convenient reference, the book represents an assembly and display of statistics and information that characterize the biomass industry, from the production of biomass feedstocks to their end use.
This is the first edition of the Biomass Energy Data Book and is currently only available online in electronic format. There are five main …

Jecp—A Java Electron Crystallography Project, Xingzhong Li

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

JECP stands for a java electron crystallography project that includes a series of practical java stand-alone programs for electron diffraction/microscopy and crystallography applications. The aim of the JECP project is twofold, i) as teaching tools to show students the principles of electron diffraction/microscopy and crystallography, ii) as research tools to analyze experimental results. Although there are commercial and public domain computer programs available that allow a user to simulate electron diffraction patterns or processing HREM images, there are always situations when we need to perform operations that are not a feature of any of the existing programs. The programs in …

The Doe Consortium For Research On Enhancing Carbon Sequestration In Terrestial Ecosystems: Fy 2007-2011 Five Year Science Plan, U.S. Department Of Energy

United States Department of Energy: Publications

The DOE Consortium for Research on Enhancing Carbon Sequestration in Terrestrial Ecosystems (CSiTE) conducts multi-scale research to acquire basic knowledge for underpinning the implementation of soil carbon (C) sequestration in an environmentally acceptable and economically feasible manner. Research is based on the premise that identifying and understanding the basic mechanisms controlling sequestration across managed and unmanaged ecosystems are fundamental to developing approaches for enhancing C capture and long-term storage. The goal is to discover and characterize links among physical, chemical, and biological processes controlling soil C dynamics and storage at a mechanistic level to facilitate the enhancement of C storage …

2006 Model Highway County Ordinances, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

This report is intended to provide model ordinances for common situations for county highway departments and local street departments in Indiana where no current sample or model ordinance is readily available. Information to prepare model ordinances was collected from other Indiana counties and municipalities. Some of the model ordinances were created at the request of local highway and street departments.

The purpose of this report was not to duplicate regulations already in place such as where state governments cover issues such road signage, or traffic control, but to provide references for situations that have no other regulation or where specific …

Efficacy Of Virtual Models In A Production Systems Course, Lawrence Whitman, Barbara Chaparro

Publications

Wichita State University has developed an integrated set of virtual reality models of an aircraft assembly line. These models are intended to provide students an ‘artifact’ of industrial and manufacturing engineering by providing a realistic environment for initial learning and application. By utilizing a virtual model of the line, students are able to view the process and interrogate the process details, make changes and observe the effects, and gain a better understanding of the concepts and their interrelationships. This paper presents the method used to assess if virtual models (computer models of a real factory) lead to: improved perception of …

Calcium And Zinc Ion Release From Polyalkenoate Cements Formed From Zinc Oxide/Apatite Mixtures, Mark R. Towler, S. Kenny, D. Boyd, T. Pembroke, M. Buggy, A. Guida, R. G. Hill

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Calcium and zinc ion release from hydroxyapatite-zinc oxide-poly (acrylic acid) (HAZnO-PAA) composite cements into deionised water was investigated as a function of HA content, PAA concentration, PAA molecular weight and maturation time. At any given maturation time, zinc ion release was constant until the HA content was at the maximum loading (60 wt%) resulting in the cement matrix breaking up, allowing exacerbated ion release. The calcium ion release increased with increased HA content in the composite until the maximum loading where the release drops off. Up to this point, the release of both ionic species was proportional to square root …

Fusion Of Imaging And Inertial Sensors For Navigation, Michael J. Veth

Theses and Dissertations

The motivation of this research is to address the limitations of satellite-based navigation by fusing imaging and inertial systems. The research begins by rigorously describing the imaging and navigation problem and developing practical models of the sensors, then presenting a transformation technique to detect features within an image. Given a set of features, a statistical feature projection technique is developed which utilizes inertial measurements to predict vectors in the feature space between images. This coupling of the imaging and inertial sensors at a deep level is then used to aid the statistical feature matching function. The feature matches and inertial …

The Impact Of Abiotic And Biogenic Mn Oxide Coatings On Contaminant Mobility, Bioavailability, And Attenuation, Thipnakarin Boonfueng

Dissertations

Abiotic and biogenic manganese oxide coatings significantly impact the mobility and bioavailability of metals in soils and sediments. While sorption to discrete Mn oxides has been investigated in a number of studies, coatings have not received as much attention. Abiotic nanocrystalline (hydrous manganese oxide (HMO)) and crystalline Mn oxides (bimessite and pyrolusite) coated on montmorillonite were studied for formation, structure, stability, and surface properties. Coatings dominated the clay surface characteristics where the surface charge behaved similar to that of the discrete oxide and the local structure was consistent with the pure oxide phase. Furthermore, in sorption studies, Zn and Pb …

Biodiesel Industry – A Statewide Assessment, Loren Isom

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

CONTENTS:
Nebraska Soybean Association
Introduction of the Project Development Te
Objectives
Supporting Events
Summary of the findings
Biodiesel Demand
Biodiesel Market Price
Estimated Biodiesel Production Costs
Competition in the Biodiesel Industry
Biodiesel Feedstock Resources
Best Locations in Nebraska
State Incentives and Public Policy
Biofuel Industry Trends
The Role of Incentives

The Biodiesel Industry: A National Perspective, Leland Tong

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

CONTENTS:
Increasing OEM Support
Inquiries & Sales Up in All Markets
Demand Trends
US Biodiesel Demand
Reasons for Industry Growth
Ranked Importance of Biodiesel Benefits for U.S. Consumers
US Crude Oil, Diesel Fuel and Biodiesel Spot Prices
Biodiesel and Diesel Prices
Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit
Renewable Fuel Standard
Small Agri Biodiesel Producer Credit
Alt Fuel Refueling Infrastructure Credit
Distribution Locations
Terminal Blending
Production Locations
Industry Plant Size
Plants Under Construction & Expansion
Size of Plants Under Construction & Expansion
Production Capacity by State
Production Capacity Trends
Industry Implications
Soybean oil, Palm Oil and Yellow Grease Prices
USDA Soybean Oil Price …

Closure Of Earthern Manure Structures (Including Basins, Holding Ponds And Lagoons), Don D. Jones, Richard K. Koelsch, Saqib Mukhtar, Ronald Sheffield, John W. Worley

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

This paper is a summary of what is known scientifically about the closure of earthen manure structures without artificial liners, including lagoons, storage basins, and runoff holding ponds, and what needs to be examined further to increase our understanding of the dynamics of closing them in an environmentally safe manner. This information should be useful as a guide for state regulatory agencies considering rules for closure and for academicians and consultants who work with livestock production facilities.

Transgenic Fibrinogen, William H. Velander

Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Patents

A transgenic, non-human mammalian animal is capable of expressing a heterologous gene for human or other recombinant physiologically functional fibrinogen holoprotein or individual subunit chain polypeptides thereof or a modified or fusion fibrinogen in mammary glands of the animals and secreting the expressed product into a body fluid. Methodology employing such a mammal yields recombinant physiologically functional fibrinogens, subunit chain polypeptides thereof, and modified or fusion fibrinogens.

Mansfield Ct: Planning A New Village Center, Maggie Jones, Richard Barringer

Planning

The case follows the development of a plan for a new village center in Storrs, the central village of Mansfield, Connecticut. A process that was transparent and inclusive of the community members yielded a plan that gained the approval of the Town, the landowner (the University of Connecticut), and the citizenry. The process relied on the mending of fences, the leadership of key participants, and an innovative strategy that included development of a nonprofit corporation and creative use of grant money. While zoning changes are still in the works, the first stage of building goes forward.

Department Of Biological Systems Engineering Newsletter, Issue 1, August 2006

BSE Department Magazine

Contents:
Welcome Comments from Department Head
Student Poster Exhibition
Quarter-scale Tractor Team
Distinguished Fellowship Awards
Scoops and Scholars
Educational Objectives
ASABE Honors Department Faculty and Staff Members
Computer Tool Helps Crop Production under Limited Irrigation
Comings and Goings
Milestones
Faculty and Staff News
Alumni Update
Alumni Profile
Graduation
UCare Spring 2006 Undergraduate Research
MSYM Student on Winning Team
A Nebraskan Goes Way South
Visitors to BSE

Characterization And Feasibility Study Of A Near Infrared Ccd Imager For Monitoring Tumor Hemodynamics, Manan Goel

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancers diagnosed among North American men. Chemotherapy is generally used to target advanced metastatic prostate cancer. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been previously investigated to monitor the hemodynamic changes in rat prostate tumors; however, the previous study with NIRS is limited by its spatial resolution. The goal of this study is to characterize an NIR, CCD imager and to explore the feasibility of using the CCD imager to non-invasively monitor hemodynamic changes in rat prostate tumors during gas intervention. Firstly, studies were conducted to characterize the CCD imager and understand …

Impact Of A Pre-Combustion Retrofit Device On Vehicular Emissions: A Case Study, Sri Harsha Kanukolanu

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

Vehicular emissions are a major cause of air pollution in the cities worldwide. Increased numbers of vehicles and the vehicle miles traveled by them every year means that the emissions are going to have a detrimental effect on the life and environment of this planet. Various control strategies are employed by the transportation and air quality managers at the state and regional levels to improve the ambient air quality. This research was conducted as part of the North Central Texas Council of Governments' Aftermarket Technology and Fuel Additive Research Program, its effort to make the DFW region's air cleaner. The …

Vegetative Treatment Systems For Open Lot Runoff: Review Of Literature, Richard K. Koelsch, Jeffrey Lorimer, Kyle Mankin

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Runoff from open lot livestock systems (beef and dairy) defined as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) must be controlled by systems designed and managed to prevent the release of manure-contaminated runoff for storms equal to or less than a 25-year, 24-hour design storm. This performance standard has been attained for open lot systems with some combination of clean water diversion, settling basins, runoff collection ponds and irrigation systems (baseline system).

An alternative approach is to rely on overland flow and infiltration into cropland with perennial forage or grasses for treatment of open lot runoff. Such vegetative systems have been researched …

99mTc-Labeled C2a Domain Of Synaptotagmin I As A Target-Specific Molecular Probe For Noninvasive Imaging Of Acute Myocardial Infarction, Ming Zhao, Xiaoguang Zhu, Shundong Ji, Jundong Zhou, Kutlan S. Ozker, Wei Fang, Robert C. Molthen, Robert S. Hellman

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Abstract: The exposure of phosphatidylserine (PtdS) is a common molecular marker for both apoptosis and necrosis and enables the simultaneous detection of these distinct modes of cell death. Our aim was to develop a radiotracer based on the PtdS-binding activity of the C2A domain of synaptotagmin I and assess ^99mTc-C2A-GST (GST is glutathione S-transferase) using a reperfused acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rat model. Methods: The binding of C2A-GST toward apoptosis and necrosis was validated in vitro. After labeling with ^99mTc via 2-iminothiolane thiolation, radiochemical purity and radiostability were tested. Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution were studied in healthy rats. …

“Strategically Locating Soybean And Biodiesel Processing Facilities In Nebraska”, Lori Luebbe

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

Is the production of biodiesel feasible in Nebraska? A standard answer depends on the business operating condition. More specifically, a statewide, as opposed to a site specific, study conducted by the Independent Biodiesel Feasibility Group (IBFG) in July 2005 for the Nebraska Soybean Association (NSA) concluded a positive return on equity could be expected. At that time, the return was estimated to be poor for the small scale, 5 million gallons per year (MGPY) scenario analyzed and only modest for the mid, 15 MGPY, and larger scale, 30 MGPY scenarios. For a complete copy of the feasibility study, contact the …

“Strategically Locating Soybean And Biodiesel Processing Facilities In Nebraska”, Lori Luebbe, Milford Hanna, Loren Isom, Robert Weber, Zach Schroeder, Richard Sanne, Mark Harris, Victor Bohuslavsky, Todd Sneller, Brian Wilcox

Industrial Agricultural Products Center: Publications and Information

Is the production of biodiesel feasible in Nebraska? A standard answer depends on the business operating condition. More specifically, a statewide, as opposed to a site specific, study conducted by the Independent Biodiesel Feasibility Group (IBFG) in July 2005 for the Nebraska Soybean Association (NSA) concluded a positive return on equity could be expected. At that time, the return was estimated to be poor for the small scale, 5 million gallons per year (MGPY) scenario analyzed and only modest for the mid, 15 MGPY, and larger scale, 30 MGPY scenarios. For a complete copy of the feasibility study, contact the …

48th Rocky Mountain Conference On Analytical Chemistry

Rocky Mountain Conference on Magnetic Resonance

Final program, abstracts, and information about the 48th annual meeting of the Rocky Mountain Conference on Analytical Chemistry, co-endorsed by the Colorado Section of the American Chemical Society and the Rocky Mountain Section of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy. Held in Breckenridge, Colorado, July 23-27, 2006.

A Mechanized Horseback Riding Simulator As An Aid To Physical Therapy, Jennifer Lott

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Equine-assisted therapy is a nontraditional form of physical therapy that involves riding horses as a form of rehabilitation. Limited access to these riding programs justifies a need to develop a horseback riding simulator capable of simulating the gaits, bend, and collection of the horse. Research involving the development of horseback riding simulators is limited, but the available research does show promising results in the ability to aid in physical therapy.

A two-dimensional model and simulation was developed using MATLAB. Using the results from the simulation, a horseback riding simulator was designed, fabricated and tested. The physical simulator was capable of …

Economics Of Manure Phosphorus Distribution From Beef Feeding Operations, William F. Kissinger, Raymond E. Massey, Richard K. Koelsch, Galen E. Erickson

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

An economic model was developed to evaluate cost and value of manure distribution. Feedlots ranging in size from 2,500 head to 25,000 head one-time capacities were used as case studies to calculate excretion amounts from cattle fed diets with a range of phosphorus. Diet P and subsequent costs of distributing the manure were used to analyze the corresponding costs of manure distribution, in addition to determining the required available land needed to be in compliance with a nutrient management plan based on utilization of manure P by the crops grown.

The model illustrated when animals are fed diets of increasing …