Digital Commons Network^™

Visceral, Neural, And Immunotoxicity Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances: A Mini Review, Pietro Martano, Samira Mahdi, Tong Zhou, Yasmin Barazandegan, Rebecca Iha, Hannah Do, Joel Burken, Paul Ki-Souk Nam, Qingbo Yang, Ruipu Mu

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have gained significant attention due to their widespread distribution in the environment and potential adverse health effects. While ingestion, especially through contaminated drinking water, is considered the primary route of human exposure, recent research suggests that other pathways, such as inhalation and dermal absorption, also play a significant role. This review provides a concise overview of the toxicological impacts of both legacy and emerging PFASs, such as GenX and perfluoro butane sulfonic acid (PFBS), with a particular focus on their effects on the liver, kidneys, and immune and nervous systems, based on findings from recent …

Exploring Immune System Through Computational Modeling: A Comprehensive Study Of Lymph Nodes And Immune Response Scaling, Vaccine Efficacy, And Large-Scale Extreme First Passage Time, Jannatul Ferdous

Computer Science ETDs

The adaptive immune response is a complex defense mechanism that develops over time to recognize and eliminate pathogens with remarkable precision and durability. This dissertation investigates the dynamics, scaling, and efficiency of the adaptive immune response through a synthesis of computational modeling, mathematical analysis, and agent-based simulations. First, we analyze the topology of the lymphatic network and investigate the T cell search time to find the lymph node that is containing the matching dendritic cell. Second we show how the scaling of lymph node number and volume with body mass, leads to scale-invariant search times for T cells locating antigen-bearing …

Optimization And Model Averaging Of Histogram-Based Place Cell Firing Rate Maps Using The Point Process Framework, Murat Okatan

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

The firing rate of hippocampal place cells depends on the spatial position of the organism in an environment. This position dependence is often quantified by constructing spike-in-location and time-in-location histograms, the ratio of which yields a firing rate map. The purpose of this study is to present a new method for optimizing the spatial resolution of histogram-based firing rate maps. It is pointed out that histogram-based firing rate maps are conditional intensity functions of inhomogeneous Poisson process models of neural spike trains, and, as such, they can be optimized through model selection within the point process framework. The point process …

Enhanced Restoration Of Covid-19 Ct Scan Images Utilizing Advanced Wiener Filtering Techniques, Warqaa Shaher Alazawee, Marwa Subhi Ibrahim, Raghda Salam Al Mahdawi, Ali Albu-Rghaif, Ahmed Sabri Altaie

Iraqi Journal for Computer Science and Mathematics

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) and rapidly spread worldwide from late 2019. While Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is the primary diagnostic tool, its sensitivity ranges from only 60% to 70%, leading to false negatives. Computed Tomography (CT) imaging has emerged as a valuable alternative for accurate diagnosis; however, the quality of CT images is often degraded by motion-induced blur and additive noise, particularly in children, individuals with mental health conditions, or those with phobias of CT scans. This study aims to enhance COVID-19 CT image quality …

Biosynthesis Of Metallic Nanoparticles Using Plant Extracts: Mechanisms, Advances, And Sustainable Applications, Alice Njolke Mafe, Great Iruoghene Edo, Patrick Othuke Akpoghelie, Endurance Fegor Isoje, Ufuoma Augustina Igbuku, Joseph Oghenewogaga Owheruo, Arthur Efeoghene Athan Essaghah

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Sustainability in Engineering Sciences

Growing concerns over the environmental and health impacts of conventional nanoparticle synthesis have driven a shift toward green, plant-based methods. This review highlights the biosynthesis of nanoparticles using plant extracts as a sustainable, economical and non-toxic alternative. Plant-derived phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenolics, and alkaloids serve dual roles as natural reducing and stabilizing agents, enabling the production of nanoparticles typically ranging between 10 and 100 nm. Several studies have demonstrated up to 80% yield improvement when using optimized extracts from plants like Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum. The review outlines recent progress, including the use of novel botanical sources, …

Cognitive Diversity, The Keystone To Effective Ptd In The Medical Research And Medical Device Industries, John Gilmartin

ASEM Capstones

2025 ASEM 620 Capstone Project

Aeolus-Ds: Dust-Aware Ai Decision Support For Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) — A Design Science Research Framework Integrating Aerosol Remote Sensing, Land Disturbance, And Clinical Sentinel Signals, Harsha Sammangi, Aditya Jagatha, Harshini Balaga

Research & Publications

This paper presents Aeolus-DS, a design science research (DSR) artifact that integrates aerosol remote sensing (MAIAC AOD; dust fraction), mesoscale meteorology and soil moisture (ERA5), land-disturbance telemetry (construction, off-road vehicle activity, nightlights) and clinical sentinel signals (syndromic ED chief complaints, pneumonia rule-out) into a dust-aware, AI-driven early warning and decision-support system for Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever). Methodologically, we propose a graph spatiotemporal transformer with direction-aware attention and physics-guided regularisation reflecting aeolian transport. Using county-week panels (2014-2024) for the U.S. Southwest (AZ–CA–NV), Aeolus-DS improves now-casting mean absolute error (MAE) by 18% and two-week area under precision-recall curve (AUPRC) by 21% over …

Characterization Of Lactobacilli-Containing Catheter Segments Developed By Using Selective Laser Sintered Mold., Caden Maners

Master of Engineering Theses

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a major healthcare burden with current prevention strategies offering limited success. This study presents a novel, self-coating biomaterial approach using a silicone-based bioink embedded with thermally sensitive probiotic strains (L. crispatus, L. rhamnosus, and L. reuteri). Catheter segments were fabricated via bio-injection molding using 3D-printed CAD molds. These Lactobacilli, selected for their probiotic and antimicrobial potential, serve as a non- antibiotic strategy to reduce infection risk. These segments were evaluated for mechanical strength (Shore A hardness), thermal stability (TGA/DSC), porosity and bacterial presence (SEM), biofilm formation (crystal-violet assay), as well as mass retention in …

Advances In Noninvasive Imaging For Detecting Radiation-Induced Lung Injury (Rili), Austen Nissen, Said H. Audi, Anne V. Clough, Brian Fish, Amit Joshi, Meetha Medhora, Jason Walter Sidabras, Heather A. Himburg

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose: Dr. Richard Hill performed pioneering work in the field of radiation-induced normal tissue injury to the lung including noninvasive imaging studies aimed at identifying imaging biomarkers of radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). RILI is a life-threatening toxicity of radiation exposure relevant to both cancer patients undergoing thoracic radiation therapy (RT) and victims of accidental radiation exposure. The ability to detect RILI noninvasively has the potential to guide treatment planning for RT and, in the case of victims of acute radiation exposures, inform the decision to start mitigative therapies. As part of this special issue of IJRB honoring Dr. Hill’s many …

Agent-Based Modeling To Stress Test New York State Healthcare Robustness, Brandon Bedenbedner

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

This study presents an agent-based model (ABM) to assess the resilience of New York State’s healthcare system during public health crises. The model simulates patient interactions, disease spread, and resource allocation, identifying critical vulnerabilities and evaluating strategies to avoid system collapse. Simulation results indicate that with just 10\% of the population infected, hospitals statewide can reach full capacity within ten days, causing significant care delays and an estimated 32,104 deaths within a 30-day period.

Sensitivity analysis revealed infection rates, base mortality, and travel-related delays as primary drivers of system outcomes. These findings highlight the critical need for expanded surge capacity, …

Alterations And Improvements Of The Photoacoustic Flow Cytometry Method, Nicholas J. Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The emergence and proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria present a significant and growing challenge to global public health, with the potential to render many existing antibiotics ineffective. Infections caused by these resistant pathogens are difficult to treat, resulting in higher morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. A major obstacle in combating these infections is the slow pace of traditional diagnostic methods, such as blood cultures, which typically take 2-3 days to identify the causative bacteria and determine their antibiotic resistance profiles. This delay in diagnosis hinders timely interventions and appropriate treatment, further contributing to the spread of resistant infections. As such, there …

Compartmental Disaggregation: Bridging Simulation And Sampling Methods For Synthetic Population Data Generation, Dylan Mack

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

As agent-based models (ABMs) grow increasingly widespread in public health, their associated challenges have become all the more significant. Lauded for their ability to capture population heterogeneity, nonlinear dynamics, and emergent behaviors, disease ABMs are also computationally expensive and often require detailed inputs that describe each agent at the individual-level, known as synthetic population data. Current approaches for synthetic population data generation generally fall into one of two categories: sampling or simulation. These methods are both feasible only under restricted conditions and suffer from challenges surrounding data availability and computing power. This thesis proposes compartmental disaggregation, an intermediate method for …

Exploring Veto Activity: Dnam-1-Cd155 Axis In Overcoming Nk Cell-Mediated Allo-Rejection And Applications For Car-T Cell Therapy, Wei-Hsin Liu

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

As Miller et al. defined veto activity, it enables cells to target host cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) precursors specific to veto cells' antigens, selectively eliminating anti- donor T cell clones without inducing rejection. By leveraging this unique immune property, two key research aims were proposed: “Exploration of the Impact of Veto Activity on Natural Killer (NK) Cell-Mediated Allo-rejection” and “Development of Off-the- shelf Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Therapy: Engineering Anti-Viral Veto CD8+ T Cells”. As demonstrated in our previous research, in a murine model with mild conditioning, anti-third-party central memory CD8+ veto T cells (veto Tcm) can prevent T cell- …

Sustained Release Of Antifibrotic Nintedanib From Polymer Microparticles Reduces Dosing Frequency While Reducing Inflammation In Murine Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Emmanuel Einyat Opolot, Filip Goshevski, Rahul Chaudhary, Horst A. Von Recum, Amar B. Desai

Faculty Scholarship

Purpose: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a life-threatening, progressive lung disease with limited therapeutic options, often resulting in poor patient outcomes. Current treatments, such as Nintedanib (NTB) and Pirfenidone (PFD), require frequent administration, leading to adverse effects and low patient adherence. The purpose of this study was to investigate a sustained-release drug delivery system utilizing microparticles (MPs) composed of insoluble beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymers to enhance the bioavailability and extend the release of NTB and PFD. Methods: A multidisciplinary approach, including in silico modeling, in vitro assays, and in vivo studies, was employed to assess the efficacy of β-CD-polymer MPs as …

Impulse, Spring 2025, Jill Fier, Micayla Standish, Jerome J. Lohr College Of Engineering

Impulse (Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Publication)

2 | Faculty, Staff Honored
4 | The State of Lithium
6 | 100 Years of Ag and Biosystems Engineering
8 | Major Milestones
12 | Distinguished Engineer Geldert-Murphy
14 | Distinguished Engineering Heitkamp
16 | By the Numbers
18 | Space Grant Consortium at SDSU
20 | Healthcare Systems Engineering Program
22 | Ridgway Three-Peat
23 | Aerospace Club Launches
24 | Power and Energy Scholarships
25 | More Take Part in Nasa Challenges
26 | Weber Recognized as Student Leader
30 | Wild Hare Racing Ready
32| Sebern’s Success as Sole Operator
34 | Meink: From Prairie to …

Closing The Loop: Solar-Powered Vermicomposter, Isabela Ibrahim , '25, Lindsey Turner , '25

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

Organic waste is oftentimes poorly managed and directed to landfill and incineration, as more sustainable alternatives such as traditional composting are not always accessible. Swarthmore College has a robust composting partnership offsite, however, it does not leverage avenues for waste stream circularity on campus to its full potential. Vermicomposting, composting that incorporates earthworms (Eisenia fetida), consists of a method to achieve small-scale and accessible composting. The goal of this project was to create an on-campus, low-maintenance, replicable, and sustainable vermicomposter to efficiently repurpose food waste from Swarthmore’s dining hall into nutrient-rich soil amendments for the adjacent Our Food Garden. …

Hybrid Treatment Method Of Biofiltration Preceded With Advanced Oxidation Process For The Removal Of Emerging Contaminants From The Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent, Anjali Mohan Payathuparambil

Theses

The global demand for potable quality water has been on a continuous rise. Consequently, water reuse is now considered as an alternative to significantly expand supplies of freshwater in communities facing water shortages. Most of the conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are not efficient in the removal of emerging contaminants from the water, which will cause serious issues to the environment, human and animal life. This research investigated the possibilities of treating wastewater for reuse. First, the feasibility of utilizing a biofiltration system without pre-treatment for removing emerging contaminants from the WWTP effluent was investigated. Two types of biofilter media- …

Coe Annual Technical Review 2024, Jianshun Zhang

SyracuseCoE

No abstract provided.

Explainable Ai(Xai) In Genomic Medicine: Interpreting The Impact Of Genetic Variants On Breast Cancer Prognosis, Tooba Maryam Marith

Theses (2016-Present)

This study explores the integration of eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques in genomic medicine to improve breast cancer prognosis and treatment decision-making. Using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the research establishes a baseline through traditional machine learning (ML) models, including Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Classifier (SVC), Decision Tree, Naïve Bayes, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and XGBoost. These models are evaluated for their predictive performance in assessing patient outcomes based on genetic variations. TCGA is a comprehensive public database that provides multidimensional genomic and clinical data for various cancer types, including breast cancer. It offers detailed molecular characterizations, such …

Island Nation Duress: Simulating Passive Peer-To-Peer Bluetooth Communication During Disaster Relief, Jason K. Medeiros

Theses and Dissertations

Pacific Islands under U.S. jurisdiction are highly vulnerable to natural disasters, yet many lack the infrastructure to effectively respond and recover. Clear communication during and after such events is critical for evacuation, hazard awareness, and first responders’ coordination. This research explores a simulation-based approach using Bluetooth communication to relay messages across Guam, assessing its efficiency through statistical analysis. By examining regional differences and geographic impacts on Bluetooth messaging, the study aims to identify key factors that enhance peer-to-peer communication for timely and effective disaster response.

Zno Nanowires For Biosensing Applications, G.M. Mehedi Hossain, Daniel Garza, Emilio Chavez, Ahmed Hasnain Jalal, Fahmida Alam

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Zinc oxide Nanowires (ZnO-NWs) are promising biosensor materials and hold the key to overcoming challenges in the field. This chapter provides an introductory overview of biosensing technology, focusing on the fundamental principles and comparing ZnO-NWs with other nanostructures regarding the surface area, reactivity, electrical properties, charge transport behavior, optical, magnetic, and piezoelectric properties, and mechanical flexibility. Providing the synthesis and characterization methods, ZnO-NWs’ biosensing processes are also elaborated on surface modification for selectivity, integration with microfluidic systems, enhancing signal transduction, and connecting with biological elements like enzymes, antibodies, and DNA. The chapter also discusses the applications of ZnO-NWs-based biosensors in …

Assessment Of Risk Factor Prediction Using Machine Learning Techniques And Hybrid Approach Based On Soft Sets, Menaga A

Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and India reports a significantly high death rate due to its large population base and the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. National statistics indicate that 20–27% of deaths in India are attributed to CVDs, with the proportion steadily rising over the years. Recognizing the urgency of early detection and risk prevention, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced “The Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (2013–2020),” emphasizing early identification, risk reduction, and timely treatment. In this context, decision-making applications have gained importance across domains especially healthcare …

Mitigating The Impacts Of Future Climate Change On Urban Infrastructure In Alabama Through Updating Precipitation Intensity-Duration-Frequency (Idf) Curves, Kofi Ntow Opare

All ETDs from UAB

Climate change is set to profoundly impact urban infrastructure, causing increased flooding and storm damage, necessitating the reevaluation and adaptation of design methodologies to account for increasing precipitation extremes. This dissertation aims to enhance the resilience of urban infrastructure in Alabama by updating Precipitation Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves, which are crucial for designing stormwater management systems, drainage networks, and flood control structures. Traditional IDF curves, derived from historical rainfall data, operate under the assumption of stationarity, an assumption increasingly invalidated by climate change. This research employs the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution and compares the efficacy of L-moments and Generalized Maximum …

“Science Belongs Everywhere”: Outlooks On Post-Secondary Stem Education For Correctional Centers In Virginia, Shelita R. Augustus

Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success Publications

Virginia has an incarceration rate of 679 per 100,000 residents, the highest among independent democratic nations. This scoping review examines perspectives on post-secondary STEM education to promote STEM education within Virginia's correctional facilities, assesses programs to improve rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and address systemic inequalities by developing the scientific potential of incarcerated individuals. The review finds that while STEM education in correctional facilities faces limitations, its potential benefits are being realized nationwide. Virginia has made strides through initiatives like House Bill 2158, which aims to expand higher education access for incarcerated individuals. Examples such as the programs at J. Sargeant Reynolds …

Swosu Research And Scholarly Activity Fair 2025, Swosu Office Of Sponsored Programs

SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair Programs

On behalf of the members of the University Research and Scholarly Activity Committee (USRAC) and the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) — welcome to the Thirty-Third SWOSU Research and Scholarly Activity Fair!

This year’s event features 99 poster presentations and 9 oral presentations, showcasing the work of over 170 student and faculty researchers, writers, presenters, artists, collaborators, and faculty sponsors. These presentations represent a wide array of scholarly and academic activity from across SWOSU’s academic community, including the Departments of Art, Communication, and Theatre; Allied Health Sciences; Biological Sciences; Business; Chemistry & …

Program And Proceedings: Nebraska Academy Of Sciences 1880–2025, 145th Anniversary Year, One Hundred-Thirty-Fifth Annual Meeting

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

Program

Aeronautics and Space Science

Biological and Medical Sciences

Biology

Chemistry

Earth Sciences

Science Education

Anthropology

Applied Science and Technology

Physics and Engineering

Forensic Sciences

Ecology, Sustainability, and Environmental Science

Maiben Lecture: Mary Ann Vinton, "State of the Academy"

Friends of Science Awards: David Crouse and Daniel Sitzman

การแปลและตรวจสอบคุณภาพของแบบสอบถามวัดจิตสำนึกความยั่งยืนฉบับภาษาไทย และการศึกษาระดับจิตสำนึกของเยาวชนไทย, สุทธิแดน พลวัติจรัสวัฒน์

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

ในช่วงหลายปีที่ผ่านมา ประเด็นด้านความยั่งยืนได้รับความสำคัญเพิ่มมากขึ้นทั้งในระดับโลกและระดับประเทศ เนื่องจากสังคมกำลังเผชิญปัญหาสิ่งแวดล้อม สังคม และเศรษฐกิจที่ทวีความซับซ้อน ส่งผลให้การเสริมสร้างความตระหนักรู้และพฤติกรรมที่สอดคล้องกับการพัฒนาที่ยั่งยืน โดยเฉพาะในกลุ่มเยาวชน กลายเป็นองค์ประกอบสำคัญในการขับเคลื่อนเป้าหมายการพัฒนาที่ยั่งยืน (SDGs) ของประเทศ เครื่องมือวัดจิตสำนึกความยั่งยืน เช่น Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ) ได้รับการพัฒนาและใช้ในหลายประเทศ อย่างไรก็ตาม ในบริบทประเทศไทยยังไม่มีฉบับภาษาไทยที่ผ่านกระบวนการแปลและตรวจสอบคุณภาพเชิงประจักษ์อย่างเป็นระบบ จึงจำเป็นต้องพัฒนาเครื่องมือที่มีความถูกต้อง เหมาะสม และใช้ได้จริงกับเยาวชนไทยการศึกษานี้มีวัตถุประสงค์ 3 ประการ ได้แก่(1) แปลและตรวจสอบคุณภาพของแบบสอบถามวัดจิตสำนึกความยั่งยืนฉบับภาษาไทย (2) เปรียบเทียบความสอดคล้องและความคู่ขนานของโครงสร้างการวัดระหว่างเครื่องมือต้นฉบับและฉบับภาษาไทย (3) ศึกษาระดับจิตสำนึกความยั่งยืนของเยาวชนไทยอายุ 18–19 ปีในมิติของความรู้ เจตคติ และพฤติกรรมด้านความยั่งยืน การศึกษาใช้แนวทางการพัฒนาเครื่องมือ โดยดำเนินงาน 2 ขั้นตอน ได้แก่(1) การแปลและตรวจสอบคุณภาพของ SCQ ฉบับยาวและฉบับสั้นผ่านกระบวนการแปลสองทิศทาง (forward–backward translation) การตรวจสอบความตรงเชิงเนื้อหาโดยผู้เชี่ยวชาญ 3 ท่าน และการทดสอบความเข้าใจของกลุ่มตัวอย่างเป้าหมายด้วย Cognitive Debriefing (2) การศึกษาระดับจิตสำนึกความยั่งยืนของเยาวชนไทยจำนวน 800 คน ผลการตรวจสอบคุณภาพของเครื่องมือพบว่า แบบสอบถามฉบับภาษาไทยมีค่าดัชนีความสอดคล้อง (IOC) ระหว่าง 0.66–1.00 อยู่ในเกณฑ์ดีมาก และมีค่าความเที่ยงภายใน (Cronbach’s Alpha) เท่ากับ 0.90 สำหรับฉบับยาว และ 0.93 สำหรับฉบับสั้น ผลการวิเคราะห์องค์ประกอบเชิงยืนยัน (CFA) แสดงให้เห็นว่าโมเดลทั้งสองรูปแบบมีความสอดคล้องกับข้อมูลเชิงประจักษ์ โดยฉบับยาวมีค่า χ² = 577, df = 1068, χ²/df = 0.54, CFI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.03 และฉบับสั้นมีค่า χ² = 160, df = 54, χ²/df = 2.96, CFI = …

An Extensive Analysis Of Match-Tracking Methods For Artmap, Niklas M. Melton, Leonardo Enzo Brito Da Silva, Donald C. Wunsch

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper identifies and studies five match-tracking (MT) methods in the adaptive resonance theory (ART) literature and conducts a detailed comparative analysis of these in ARTMAP applications. We focus on model performance for each MT method with respect to time and space efficiency as well as classification accuracy. Experimental results indicate that one MT variant, used in ARTMAP applications for the first time in this work, provides significant improvements in computational efficiency: depending on the ARTMAP variant, it was able to achieve up to one order of magnitude reduction in both time and space requirements, albeit with a compromise in …

Implementing Wastewater-Based Epidemiology For Long-Read Metagenomic Sequencing Of Antimicrobial Resistance In Kampala, Uganda, William Strike, Temitope O. C. Faleye, Brian Lubega, Alexus Lori Rockward, Soroosh Torabi

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging global threat that is expanding in many areas of the world. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is uniquely suited for use in areas of the world where clinical surveillance is limited or logistically slow to identify emerging threats, such as in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Wastewater was analyzed from three urban areas of Kampala, including a local HIV research clinic and two informal settlements. Wastewater extraction was performed using a low-cost, magnetic bead-based protocol that minimizes consumable plastic consumption followed by sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore Technology MinION platform. The majority of the analysis was performed using …

Simplified Molecular Diagnostics Methods For Environmental Testing Of Pathogens And Other Applications, Mohammad Dehghan Banadaki

Theses and Dissertations--Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Environmental Surveillance (ES) has emerged as a powerful tool to monitor the emergence and persistence of a pathogen within a facility or community using wastewater/water analysis. Over the past four years, implementation of ES has experienced an explosive acceleration, driven by efforts to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2, which has made ES a routinely used public health tool in many locations. We can now use ES to measure the emergence/presence/abundance of different viruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, influenza, mpox), bacteria (e.g., E. coli, V. cholerae, antibiotic-resistant strains), fungi (e.g., C. auris), and other biological markers indicative of infectious diseases. However, its broad …