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An Attention Lstm U-Net Model For Drosophila Melanogaster Heart Tube Segmentation, Xiangping Ouyang

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Machine learning is commonly used in biomedical image analysis, as it allows automated image segmentation and identification that minimizes the need for tedious human involvement. Drosophila melanogaster is often used as a cardiac disease model, where optical coherence microscopy (OCM) is used to image and analyze its beating dynamics. As OCM often generates a large volume of images, automated image segmentation is necessary to quantify the heart beating efficiently. Our most recent heart segmentation model, FlyNet 2.0+, is a fully convolutional LSTM U-Net model. However, the performance of the model diminishes in the presence of artifacts, such as image reflection …

The Santa Clara, 2024-05-10, Santa Clara University

The Santa Clara

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Rapid Bacterial Quantification Method Based On Droplet Microfluidics, Shawn Bliss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The capacity to identify bacteria quickly and accurately is critical for applications such as medical diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and food safety. For instance, sepsis diagnosis requires blood cultures that take as long as 1-5 days, preventing timely intervention and increasing mortality rate. Here, we propose the joint use of microfluidics and a machine learning algorithm for rapid bacterial cell capture and quantification. The combination of high-throughput droplet microfluidics and a support vector machine (SVM) enables analysis and quantification of bacterial samples within as short as 4 hours. We have performed successful encapsulation of pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli, …

Imaging Of Structural Timber Based On In Situ Radar And Ultrasonic Wave Measurements: A Review Of The State-Of-The-Art, Narges Pahnabi, Thomas Schumacher, Arijit Sinha

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

With the rapidly growing interest in using structural timber, a need exists to inspect and assess these structures using non-destructive testing (NDT). This review article summarizes NDT methods for wood inspection. After an overview of the most important NDT methods currently used, a detailed review of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Ultrasonic Testing (UST) is presented. These two techniques can be applied in situ and produce useful visual representations for quantitative assessments and damage detection. With its commercial availability and portability, GPR can help rapidly identify critical features such as moisture, voids, and metal connectors in wood structures. UST, which …

Acoustofluidic Scanning Fluorescence Nanoscopy With A Large Field Of View, Geonsoo Jin, Neil Upreti, Joseph Rich, Jianping Xia, Chenglong Zhao, Tony Jun Huang

Faculty Publications

Large-field nanoscale fluorescence imaging is invaluable for many applications, such as imaging subcellular structures, visualizing protein interactions, and high-resolution tissue imaging. Unfortunately, conventional fluorescence microscopy requires a trade-off between resolution and field of view due to the nature of the optics used to form the image. To overcome this barrier, we developed an acoustofluidic scanning fluorescence nanoscope that simultaneously achieves superior resolution, a large field of view, and strong fluorescent signals. The acoustofluidic scanning fluorescence nanoscope utilizes the superresolution capabilities of microspheres that are controlled by a programmable acoustofluidic device for rapid fluorescence enhancement and imaging. The acoustofluidic scanning fluorescence …

Calcium Analysis Of Intercellular Communications Between Alpha Cells And Delta Cells Across The Pancreatic Islet, Shichao Gao

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

The intricate communication between different cell types within pancreatic islets plays a crucial role in regulating glucose homeostasis. Among these cellular interactions, the interplay between α cells (responsible for glucagon secretion) and δ cells (secreting somatostatin) is particularly intriguing due to the inhibitory effects of somatostatin on glucagon release. Understanding the intercellular interactions between α and δ cells may provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the coordinated regulation of blood glucose levels. In this study, we employed a multi-modal approach combining confocal imaging, image analysis, and correlation network analysis to investigate the spatial relationships and potential functional connections between α …

Pre-Incisional And Multiple Intradermal Injection Of N-Acetylcysteine Slightly Improves Incisional Wound Healing In An Animal Model, Wictor Pascal, Antoni Smolinski, Mateuz Gotowiec, Marta Wojtkiewicz, Albert Stachura, Kaspar Pelka, Michal Kopka, Kyle P. Quinn, Alan E. Woessner, Dariusz Grzelecki, Pavel Wlodarski

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The objective of this study was to investigate if delivering multiple doses of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) post-surgery in addition to pre-incisional administration significantly impacts the wound healing process in a rat model. Full-thickness skin incisions were carried out on the dorsum of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats in six locations. Fifteen minutes prior to the incision, half of the sites were treated with a control solution, with the wounds on the contralateral side treated with solutions containing 0.015%, 0.03% and 0.045% of NAC. In the case of the NAC treated group, further injections were given every 8 h for three days. On days …

Autonomous Bottling And Packaging System - Mechanical Bottling Portion, Kathryn Gray

Honors College Theses

This report details the complete mechanical design of an autonomous bottling automation system. This system is fully integrated with a bottling and packaging system. The scope of the full project is to successfully bottle and cap twelve small bottles (approximately 68 cm3) in under three minutes and thirty seconds. The bottles shall be filled with an “electrolyte” and water mixture, and the mixture should be fully mixed. To complete this task, two tanks will dispense liquid (one electrolyte, and one water) into the bottles. Each tank shall have a measuring chamber, that will fill with the correct amount of volume …

Variable Design Stent To Prevent Stent Failure In Areas Of High Mobility In Peripheral Artery Disease Patients, Emmie Stevens, Brennan Toepfer, Lexi Graves

Honors Theses

As senior biomedical engineering students at the University of Mississippi, we were tasked with a senior project to find an unmet clinical need in the healthcare industry and design a way to solve it. Our team, consisting of Hannah Dunn, Lexi Graves, Emmie Stevens, and Brennan Toepfer, decided to improve upon current stents to create a stent more suited to treating Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), especially in high-impact areas, such as the back of the knee joint. Stents placed in the back of the knee have a high level of stent failure due to the high movement of the knee …

Minimizing Patient Migration: Enhancing Safety And Comfort For Patients And Caregivers In Bedridden Care, Danielle Pasquini

Honors Theses

Biomedical engineering seniors at the University of Mississippi embark on a senior project aimed at addressing an unmet clinical need. Our team, consisting of Kelsie Hand, Christian Miller, and Danielle Pasquini, identified a prevalent issue of bedridden patients slipping down in bed, leading to increased repositioning by caregivers. This not only impacts patient comfort but also poses risks of complications such as pressure ulcers and caregiver injuries. In our efforts to tackle the issue of patient slippage among bedridden individuals, our team introduced a novel solution comprising a non-slip vest for patients and a corresponding non-slip sheet attachment. This integrated …

Whispers Of Ai: Unveiling The Paradox Of Gpt Titans, Faria R. Promi, Qing Qing Zhuo

Publications and Research

The advent of large-scale language models, such as GPT, has sparked a revolution in artificial intelligence, enabling computers to comprehend and generate human-like text with remarkable ease. These models can write articles, answer questions, and even engage in conversations that mimic human speech. While their abilities are impressive, concerns about their societal impact abound. This research project dives deep into exploring the multifaceted aspects of these AI titans. We will investigate the positive aspects of big talking AI models through a thorough examination of existing literature, real-world examples, such as their potential to enhance education, entertainment, and customer service experiences. …

Spin Coating Multilayer Polymer Films To Improve The Consistency And Longevity Of Interval Drug Release, Katherine Nevils

Honors Theses

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a clinical diagnosis for patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). An inadequate response to the dosage or duration of antidepressant medication can lead to the diagnosis of TRD. This diagnosis is common in up to 50% of patients with MDD following treatment. Microdosing of classical psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has been shown to have positive cognitive and therapeutic effects on patients with TRD. However, issues of patient compliance to the complex regimen and abuse/diversion of the schedule I controlled substances remain unresolved. The goal of this project is to create an implantable, …

Creating A Collapsible Sling Lift Capable Of Transporting Patients Between Various Locations, Cameron Delaney Hillman, Macey Jewell Ross, Lydia Noel Miller

Honors Theses

As Senior Biomedical Engineering students at the University of Mississippi, we, Lainey Hillman, Lydia Miller, and Macey Ross, are required to complete a final senior capstone for our department. This project aims to provide a solution to a current unmet clinical need in the healthcare industry, thus our team sought to improve the lack of transportability of sling lifts. The current sling lifts on the market display numerous issues: heavy, bulky, use confined to certain areas, and use specific for only one type of transportation. To combat these problems, we designed a sling lift that was lightweight, collapsible, safe, and …

Creating A Collapsible Sling Lift Capable Of Transporting Patients Between Various Locations, Macey Jewell Ross, Cameron Delaney Hillman, Lydia Noel Miller

Honors Theses

As Senior Biomedical Engineering students at the University of Mississippi, we, Lainey Hillman, Lydia Miller, and Macey Ross, are required to complete a final senior capstone for our department. This project aims to provide a solution to a current unmet clinical need in the healthcare industry, thus our team sought to improve the lack of transportability of sling lifts. The current sling lifts on the market display numerous issues: heavy, bulky, use confined to certain areas, and use specific for only one type of transportation. To combat these problems, we designed a sling lift that was lightweight, collapsible, safe, and …

Population At Risk: The Design And Production Of The Pollinator Plaza, Shane Houston Stephens

Honors Theses

This report focuses on the development and manufacturing of the Pollinator Plaza, a high-quality bug house created to combat pollinator population loss. According to countless studies, pollinator populations have seen a dramatic decrease in recent years, and this product was developed to address these alarming statistics by providing a suitable habitat for pollinators. A market analysis was used to identify our potential clientele and cost point. This research played an integral part in the design of the Pollinator Plaza, which was developed using AutoCAD software. This design became a reality through the construction of a physical prototype.

The Pollinator Plaza’s …

Effect Of Waste Covid-19 Masks On Compaction Characteristics Of Silty-Clay Soil, Sydney K. Lawson

Honors College Theses

The present study aims to explore the effect of adding shredded waste Covid-19 masks to silty-clay soil on the soil’s compaction characteristics for beneficial use in embankment, the subgrade of roadways, or backfill. This was accomplished by using two different types of masks: blue surgical masks and KN95 masks. Both mask types were hand shredded into half-inch sections using safety-scissors. The maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) are the two most important compaction characteristics, and they were determined by the Standard Proctor Compaction Test (ASTM D698 / AASHTO T99). The change of both the MDD and OMC …

Navigating The Relationships Among Food Waste Practices, Environmental Intentions, And Sustainability Knowledge Of Students, Merri Claire Minshew

Honors College Theses

Colleges and university campuses are among the greatest food wasters in the US due to combined over production and plate waste from consumers. While some schools have developed programs aimed at reducing and sustainably managing food waste, much of it ends up in landfills and produces greenhouse gas emissions. The overall goal of the research was to collect a comprehensive data set on university students’ food waste practices and behavior, environmental and sustainability knowledge, and environmental intentions. For probing relationships among these drivers, a structural equation model and student survey was developed. The survey of 37 questions was collected on …

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Of Hydrogen Production Via Various Pv-Assisted Electrochemical Water Splitting Techniques, Achyuth Ravilla, Ilke Celik

Student Research Symposium

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) and photovoltaic-electrochemical (PV-EC) water-splitting technologies have emerged as cost-effective options for large-scale green hydrogen production in industrial applications. Solar to hydrogen (STH) efficiencies of these technologies have reached up to 20% and several pathways have been explored to drive down the cost of hydrogen using these technologies to less than $2/kg. However, the environmental impact assessment of these technologies for industry-scale deployment has not been explored in previous studies. This study assesses the environmental impacts of PEC and PV-EC technologies by conducting a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment. The functional unit considered for this assessment is 1 kg of …

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment Of Recycling Processes For Perovskite Solar Cells, Juan P. Herrera, Jules Freeman, Achyuth Ravilla, Ilke Celik

Student Research Symposium

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a promising option for solar energy generation. However, it is essential to consider the environmental impact of these innovative photovoltaic (PV) technologies as the industry moves towards commercialization. Researchers are currently exploring ways to recycle PSCs to recover valuable materials and reduce their environmental impact at the end of their life. To ensure the sustainability of PSCs, this study evaluates and compares the environmental impacts of five recently developed recycling approaches. The Tool for Reduction and Assessment of Chemicals (TRACI) method was utilized to measure environmental impacts in categories such as acidification (kg …

Pulse Modulation In Braided Pneumatic Actuators Mimics Contractile Behavior Of Biological Muscles, Mohamad Elzein

Student Research Symposium

Advancements in robotics and bioengineering aim to emulate biological muscle systems through robotic actuators, blending mechanical strength with biological adaptability. A lesser-explored aspect is mimicking the pulse-like control characteristic of biological muscles, which contract in response to action potentials from motoneurons, with muscle contractile force relying heavily on the timing between these potentials. This study explores the effect of pulse lengths and the gaps between pulses on braided pneumatic actuators (BPAs), which mimic the nonlinearity and dynamic response of biological muscles. It hypothesizes that artificial muscles utilizing pulse-based control will exhibit a similar force dependency on the intervals between pulses …

Revitalizing Turtle Creek Park, Michael Hardyway, Ethan Harm, Abbey Jacoby, Casey Stephenson

Final Reports in ENST 411: Environmental Community Projects

We current ENST 411 students, Abbey Jacoby, Michael Hardyway, Ethan Harm, and Casey Stephenson have chosen to work with Jim Knight, East Buffalo Township, the Merrill Linn Land and Waterways Conservancy, and many others in an attempt to revitalize Turtle Creek Park for a plethora of reasons. Three of us are majoring in biology, and two are majoring in environmental science, which makes much of the information and techniques relevant in Turtle Creek applicable to our courses of study. This project included heavy hands on work which allowed us students to leave a memorable and impactful influence on the Lewisburg …

Effects Of Magnetite Particle Morphology On Adsorption Of Copper Ions From Aqueous Solutions, Alisa Hashley

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Adsorptive processes can be used for metal contaminant removal. This work addresses magnetite, a magnetic iron oxide, as the adsorbent for use in an adsorptive removal system, known as the continuous flow material recovery system (CFMR), developed by Leitzke et al. [1]. Though the system is effective in removing contaminants from aqueous solution, efforts to further improve efficiency are being made. One way to improve the efficiency of the CFMR is to analyze the magnetite particles being used and investigate how the particle properties effect adsorption. The author’s research is presented and discussed here to describe the effects magnetite particle …

Potential Impact Of Proposed Medical Device On Hospital Acquired Anemia, Sam Menzie

Masters Theses

Evacuated tubes are the industry standard for drawing blood and have improved phlebotomist and patient safety as well as paved the way for laboratory automation. Current practices using evacuated tubes do not allow caregivers to control the volume of blood drawn, leading to blood waste in hospital settings. This overdrawing of blood has led to the prevalence of iatrogenic anemia, or hospital acquired anemia (HAA). HAA represents a significant risk to patients, leading to increased adverse conditions, and a higher consumption of hospital resources. This study seeks to model the efficacy of a potential new medical device. The proposed device …

Development Of Protocol To Evaluate The Effectiveness Of The Labor Assist Device, Samantha M. Spurr

Masters Theses

The Labor Assist Device (LAD) was designed to reduce the muscle fatigue experienced by women during childbirth to decrease the number of unnecessary cesarean deliveries and injuries to nurses. The purpose of this thesis is to develop a protocol for a future study to assess the effectiveness of the LAD at reducing muscle fatigue. While multiple parameters were investigated in this pilot study, the major parameter needed to develop the future protocol is the muscle fatigue rate in women contracting their muscles to simulate pushing during labor. The muscle fatigue rates are estimated in this study using a surface electromyography …

Influence Of Four Veterinary Antibiotics On Constructed Treatment Wetland Nitrogen Transformation, Matthew V. Russell, Tiffany L. Messer, Deborah A. Repert, Richard L. Smith, Shannon L. Bartelt-Hunt, Daniel D. Snow, Ariel P. Reed

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The use of wetlands as a treatment approach for nitrogen in runoff is a common practice in agroecosystems. However, nitrate is not the sole constituent present in agricultural runoff and other biologically active contaminants have the potential to affect nitrate removal efficiency. In this study, the impacts of the combined effects of four common veterinary antibiotics (chlortetracycline, sulfamethazine, lincomycin, monensin) on nitrate-N treatment efficiency in saturated sediments and wetlands were evaluated in a coupled microcosm/mesocosm scale experiment. Veterinary antibiotics were hypothesized to significantly impact nitrogen speciation (e.g., nitrate and ammonium) and nitrogen uptake and transformation processes (e.g., plant uptake and …

Liquid-Phase Adsorption Of Dimethyl Methylphosphonate On Poly(Ether Imide) And Its Metal Hydroxide-Integrated Composites, Sukanta K. Mondal, Peter O. Aina, Ali A. Rownaghi, Fateme Rezaei

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Understanding the Adsorption Behavior of Dimethyl Methylphosphonate (DMMP), a Key Simulant for Some Nerve Agents, is Crucial for Developing Effective Protective Measures and Ensuring Environmental Safety Against Harmful Chemical Warfare Agents. This Study Systematically Explores the Liquid-Phase Adsorption of DMMP over Branched Poly (Ether Imide) (Ultem) and its Ce (OH)4/Zr (OH)4 Metal Hydroxide Composites. Utilizing UV-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy, the Adsorption Process Was Monitored over Time to Analyze the Interplay between Various Ultem-Based Composites and DMMP Molecules. Nonreactive Ultem Materials Were Experimentally Identified as Suitable Adsorbents for Liquid-Phase DMMP Capture, Providing a Novel Avenue for Protective Filtration Technologies. It Was Found …

Evaluating Neuroimaging Modalities In The A/T/N Framework: Single And Combined Fdg-Pet And T1-Weighted Mri For Alzheimer’S Diagnosis, Peiwang Liu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

With the escalating prevalence of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the need for early and precise diagnostic techniques is rising. This study delves into the comparative efficacy of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) and T1-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in diagnosing AD, where the integration of multimodal models is becoming a trend. Leveraging data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), we employed linear Support Vector Machines (SVM) to assess the diagnostic potential of these modalities, both individually and in combination, within the AD continuum. Our analysis, under the A/T/N framework's 'N' category, reveals that FDG-PET consistently outperforms T1w-MRI across …

Integrating Implantable Bci Devices Within Bci2000 Using A Unified Framework And Toolchain For In-Vivo Research, Dhruva Mehta

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

The field of neurotechnology research has a bright and promising future as more devices are created. However, there are still many gaps in the field as the potential for neuromodulation grows. Devices such as the Micro-Leads StimZ system and the Ripple Grapevine/Summit system help bridge that gap by allowing for a broader variety of closed-loop neuromodulation experiments to be implemented thanks to their portability and versatility. Despite these devices being on the market, however, there needs to be a method to collaborate and interact with them across multiple research institutions. BCI2000 helps to address that by creating a standardized working …

Bibliometric Review Of The Landscape And Thematic Structure Of Research On Sustainable Mining In Asean, 1942–2022, Nathatai Janjirawatna, Sirisuhk Rakthin, Philip Hallinger

Journal of Sustainable Mining

This bibliometric review addressed the lack of consolidated information on the current state of sustainable mining in the ASEAN region. The review analyzed bibliographic data associated with 539 Scopus-indexed documents on sustainable mining in ASEAN nations published through the end of 2022. Descriptive statistics identified a great disparity in the scope of research on sustainable mining practices across the ASEAN countries. Surprisingly, a significant portion of the extant research on sustainable mining in the region has been authored by scholars from outside of ASEAN. Keyword analyses highlighted several emerging research topics including life cycle assessment, conservation of natural resources, climate …

Intelligent Bridge Lifecycl E Maintenance System Based On Long‑Term Inspection, Ye Zhiwei, Zhang Jiaxin, Tan Haishan, Fan Lei, He Wen, Dong You, Wu Wanglin

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The current bridge maintenance sy stem in China primarily relies on bridge inspection data to prioritize the state of bridges and allocate a limited budget accordingly.This strategy focuses on repairing bridges with low performance，concentrating on restorative maintenance but ignoring preventive maintenance.In view of the total lifecycle cost，the repair-oriented method may require a lower initial investment but leads to significant resource consumption in the mid to late stages.Based on existing highway bridge maintenance systems，an intelligent maintenance system relying on Chinese standards and bridge inspection data and combining repair and prevention was developed.The system model mainly consisted of two modules：the bridge performance …