Digital Commons Network^™

Wireless Temperature Monitoring System For The Cal Poly Pilot Winery, Caitlin Devaney

Materials Engineering

This project, with an interdisciplinary group of two computer engineers and one materials engineer, was seeking to implement an automated temperature monitoring system which is affordable and easy to use, as well as adaptable to any arrangement and scale of a winemaker’s fermentation setup. My goal, as the materials engineer, was to design, fabricate, and test the enclosure, for the wireless nodes that are placed in the wine fermentation tanks, and the materials used for the node enclosure. For the enclosure of the system, materials selection was completed using CES software using limitations of only polymer materials which absorb less …

The Mitigation Of Eutrophication Using Microporous Polymer Membranes To Control Algae Growth, Christopher R. Riley

Materials Engineering

A system was designed to mitigate the accelerated process of anthropogenic eutrophication. This system aimed to contain Chlorella Vulgaris microalgae cells within an enclosed polymer membrane pouch while allowing for water and nutrients to diffuse through the pouch. As a test model, a 10 gallon aquarium was partitioned into three sections using polycarbonate membranes with 1 micron pore diameters. Each section was then gradually filled with a deionized water and Bristol solution recommended for microalgae growth. Phosphate and nitrate were added to Section A of the aquarium and allowed to diffuse throughout the tank. A water pump was used to …

Chef Sifty, Dereck Quock

Computer Engineering

In our society today, childhood obesity has become a more prevalent problem, which needs to be fixed. Children constantly eat and snack unhealthily and parents need to understand the importance of teaching children how food affects their body and well-being. Teaching this to children at an early age will help to instill a healthy lifestyle for the child. Chef Sifty is a cooking game developed for Sifteo cubes that aims to show children the importance of nutrition while having fun. Using Sifteo’s concept of Intelligent Play, the objective of this project is to show children some healthy food and snack …

Cascaded High Voltage Converter With Variable Control For Pulsed Electric Field Applications, Emmanuel Loza

Master's Theses

Living a sustainable lifestyle while facing increasing population and decreasing natural resources has become one of humanity’s largest challenges. Locating fossil fuels is becoming more difficult while the demand for them to power our societies is ever increasing. Instead of finding more efficient methods of extracting fossil fuels, developing technologies that create renewable substitutes for fossil fuels is now the strategy. Algae biofuel matches fossil fuel performance while also meeting the criteria for renewable energy. The focus now shifts to finding methods for commercially producing algae biofuel. Therefore, the objective of this thesis is to develop a system that provides …

Effects Of Ovariectomy, Seasonal Changes, And Anatomical Position On The Compact Bone Remodeling As Seen In The Adult Ovine Model, Erica Wong

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to characterize the compact bone remodeling of the ovariectomized ewe and its effectiveness as an animal model for studies of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The use of animal models is a beneficial way to evaluate the effectiveness of medical devices and therapeutic agents for treating diseases. The ovine model is an attractive option because of its large size and similar bone remodeling to humans. However, this species, like most animals, does not undergo a natural menopause, making an ovariectomy necessary for studies of estrogen depletion. The OVX (ovariectomized) sheep has been widely accepted as a model …

Utilizing ‘Omics Tools To Investigate The Impact Of Process Changes On Product Quality In Cell Culture-Based Influenza Vaccine Production, E. Rapp, J. Rodig, J. Schwarzer, D. Hoeper, R. Hennig, Y. Genzel, U. Reichl

Vaccine Technology IV

No abstract provided.

College Of Engineering Senior Design Competition Spring 2018, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Fred and Harriet Cox Senior Design Competition Projects

Part of every UNLV engineering student’s academic experience, the senior design project stimulates engineering innovation and entrepreneurship. Each student in their senior year chooses, plans, designs, and prototypes a product in this required element of the curriculum. A capstone to the student’s educational career, the senior design project encourages the student to use everything learned in the engineering program to create a practical, real world solution to an engineering challenge. The senior design competition helps focus the senior students in increasing the quality and potential for commercial application for their design projects. Judges from local industry evaluate the projects on …

Quantification Of Preterm Infant Feeding Coordination: An Algorithmic Approach, Pallavi Ramnarain

Theses and Dissertations

Oral feeding competency is a primary requirement for preterm infant hospital release. Currently there is no widely accepted method to objectively measure oral feeding. Feeding consists primarily of the integration of three individual feeding events: sucking, breathing, and swallowing, and the objective of feeding coordination is to minimize aspiration. The purpose of this work was to quantify the infant feeding process from signals obtained during bottle feeding and ultimately develop a measure of feeding coordination. Sucking was measured using a pressure transducer embedded within a modified silicone bottle block. Breathing was measured using a thermistor embedded within nasal cannula, and …

Thromboresistance Characterization Of Extruded Nitric Oxide Releasing Silicone Catheters, Kagya Amoako, Christopher Archangeli, Hitesh Handa, Terry Major, Mark E. Meyerhoff, Gail M. Annich, Robert H. Bartlett

Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Intravascular catheters used in clinical practice can activate platelets, leading to thrombus formation and stagnation of blood flow. Nitric oxide (NO)-releasing polymers have been shown previously to reduce clot formation on a number of blood contacting devices. In this work, trilaminar NO-releasing silicone catheters were fabricated and tested for their thrombogenicity. All catheters had specifications of L = 6 cm, inner diameter = 21 gauge (0.0723 cm), outer diameter = 12 gauge (0.2052 cm), and NO-releasing layer thickness = 200 ± 11 µm. Control and NO-releasing catheters were characterized in vitro for their NO flux and NO release duration by …

A Multi-Modal Sensing And Communication Platform For Continental-Scale Migratory Bird Tracking, David J. Anthony

Department of Computer Electronics and Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis presents a novel platform for tracking migratory birds on a continental scale. Cellular technology is used to augment the short-range radios that have traditionally been used in wireless sensor networks. The platform utilizes multiple sensors, including a GPS and solid state compass. By using these sensors, the platform is capable of not only tracking a bird’s migration path, but also provides information on a bird’s behavior during its life-cycle. Testing methodology utilizing simulations and aspect-oriented programming is used to reveal faults in the platform prior to deployment on wild animals. In collaboration with the International Crane Foundation, and …

The Effect Of Chlorine And Ozone In Controlling Microbes On Organically Grown Cilantro And Carrots, Adam Holtz

BioResource and Agricultural Engineering

This senior project investigates the relative efficacy of ozonated water and chlorinated water for the purpose of sanitizing freshly-harvested organic produce. The aim of this study was to assist the Cal Poly Organic Farm in deciding whether or not to invest in an ozone generator. The crops used for testing were grown organically in the same field. Carrots and cilantro were harvested and promptly treated with 5 ppm ozone solution or 25 ppm sodium hypochlorite solution. Carrots were sampled at 0, 7, and 14 days storage to determine microbial populations. Cilantro was similarly tested at 0, 6, and 12 days …

Qualified Affordance-Based Design, Jun Hu

All Theses

Function-based approaches are taught by the engineering design community and implemented in practice. The most significant advantage of these approaches is that they can guide the designers to abstract the essential problems from the design requirements, build the function-based models, and consequently provide the direction of the solution. However, due to the lack of a consistent scientific definition on the meaning of the function, these approaches may be contradictory when representing human-centered aspects, features, and non-physical purposes. To address this issue, design researchers have pursued two general directions: (1) broadening the meaning of function and (2) introducing an alternative scientific …

The Effect Of Full Body Versus Partial Body Graphic Labeling On Beverage Packaging, Toni Gomes

All Theses

Through the collection of quantitative and qualitative data, the shelf presence of
full body graphic labels versus partial body graphic labels on plastic beverage bottles was
examined and evaluated. Eye tracking was used to collect phenomenological data atop
the stimuli, while a shopping checklist was used to collect purchase preference. A postexperiment
survey was also conducted in order to gather qualitative data regarding
possible purchase influences.
The experiment was a 2 (label size) x 6 (beverage flavor) x 2 (age group) study,
conducted with 28 participants in a consumer retail environment using mobile eye
tracking technology. The goal of this …

Formation Of Embryoid Bodies From Human Embryonic Stem Cells In Defined Medium, Ashley Kiene

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Embryonic stem cells have the characteristic of self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into tissues from all three germ layers. Many times, the first step in using human embryonic stem cells for regenerative medicine is often initiated by embryoid body (EB) formation. EBs are three-dimensional multicellular aggregates that resemble early post implantation embryos that still maintain the potential to form the three germ layers. Currently, generating EBs from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) that are adapted to feeder-independent medium is difficult, much more so than feeder cultured hESC. Using a chemically defined medium would not only help the application of …

Effect Of Deposition From Static Rocket Test Fires On Corn And Alfalfa, Scout Mendenhall

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

A greenhouse study was conducted to determine the effects of deposition from static rocket test fires on corn and alfalfa. Seeds were germinated in a wide concentration range of depositional material, called test fire soil (TFS). Additionally, the impact of chloride and aluminum, two major components of test fire soil, on germination was also evaluated. Furthermore, plants were grown in packed columns and exposed to test fire soil, either in the root zone or on foliage. Tissue was weighed and analyzed to compare biomass production and plant composition.

Corn and alfalfa exposed to test fire soil in the root zone …

Assessing Ongoing Sources And Fate Of Dissolved Polychlorinated Biphenyls (Pcbs) In A Stream, Viet Dang

All Dissertations

Polychlorinated biphenyls (pcbs) contamination remains a concern due to their persistence and the risk to human health associated with them. Once released into the environment, these substances are mainly associated with sediment particles and sediment organic carbon matter. They bioaccumulate in organisms via contaminated food and only a small faction is desorbed from sediment into the water column. Given the discontinuity of active discharge, pcbs are currently entering the water via groundwater inputs, soil erosion, and/or ongoing leakage from the point source. It is the dissolved form that 1) can be either absorbed by biofilm attached to stream leaves, which …

Bioengineering Approach To Understanding Tmj Pathobiology, Jonathan Kuo

All Dissertations

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a load-bearing joint consisting of the condyle of the mandibular bone, the fossa eminence of the temporal bone, and a fibrocartilaginous disc held in between the bone surfaces by ligaments. The TMJ disc serves to distribute stress, lubricate movement, and protect the articular surfaces of the joint. Over ten million Americans suffer from TMJ disorders (TMD) that affect the movement and function of the joint, making everyday tasks like talking and eating difficult and painful. A wide variety of treatments and surgeries have been proposed and undertaken with limited success based on the varying degree …

Fermentation And Supercritical Extraction Studies Of Açaí Berry, Rosanna Iris Ayala

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The açaí berry has grown in popularity for dieters and the health conscious. The berry contains high levels of antioxidants. The main anthocyanins are cyanidin-3-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-glucoside. The berries also contain vitamins and nutrients that help boost energy and alertness, and fatty acids that help maintain normal cholesterol levels. As a result of the health benefits of the constituents, the berries are chosen for obtaining the active ingredients by extraction.

The solids left over after extraction still contain nutrients and useful components. There is a possibility of fermenting this residual and creating an açaí berry wine. Açaí berry wine is …

Three Dimensional In Vitro Model Of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Anna Bulysheva

Theses and Dissertations

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are among the leading causes of cancer related deaths throughout the world. The survival rate for this type of cancer is extremely low and has not changed significantly in recent decades. There is an imperative need to study tumor progression in a representative model in order to generate more knowledge about this disease as well as develop more effective treatment options. Multiple methods already exist for studying HNSCC and other types of cancers, including in vitro and in vivo models. Although in vivo models are more representative of the human carcinomas in terms …

The Use Of High-Solids Loadings In Biomass Pretreatment – A Review, Alicia A. Modenbach, Sue E. Nokes

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The use of high‐solids loadings (≥ 15% solids, w/w) in the unit operations of lignocellulose conversion processes potentially offers many advantages over lower‐solids loadings, including increased sugar and ethanol concentrations and decreased production and capital costs. Since the term lignocellulosic materials refers to a wide range of feedstocks (agricultural and forestry residues, distillery by‐products, and dedicated energy crops like grasses), the term “solids loading” here is defined by the amount of dry material that enters the process divided by the total mass of material and water added to the material. The goal of this study is to provide a consolidated …

2012 - The Seventeenth Annual Symposium Of Student Scholars

Symposium of Student Scholars Program Books

The full program book from the Seventeenth Annual Symposium of Student Scholars, held on April 10, 2012. Includes abstracts from the presentations and posters.

Past To Present: School Of Allied Health Professions To College Of Health Sciences And Contributions To Health Improvement In The Local Community And Beyond, Mohamed Kanu, Ronald Barredo, Elizabeth Williams, Revlon Briggs

The Journal of Tennessee State University

No abstract provided.

Tennessee State University: A Synopsis Of “A Touch Of Greatness,” 1912-2012, Bobby L. Lovett

The Journal of Tennessee State University

No abstract provided.

A Model Of Housing Design And Neighborhood Planning In Abuja - Nigeria, Ekanem Amba

Master of Technology Management Plan II Graduate Projects

The need for shelter is one of the most important necessities for mankind after sustenance. Over the years, the term ‘shelter’ has undergone series of modification either in shape, space, location or the materials used in constructing them but one thing remains the same; the need for a roof over one’s head is as vital to survival as time in itself.

Impulse, Dana Hess, Kyle Johnson, Eric Landwehr

Impulse (Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Publication)

College:
[Page] 2 The ceremony must go on: For the College of Engineering, at least, there still is a winter commencement.
[Page] 4 Delvin DeBoer: Thousands of students are thankful for a call Dwayne Rollag made to DeBoer in 1981.
[Page] 6 Lighting the way: In October 2011, Pavel Dutta completed the requirements to become the first graduate of the photovoltaics doctoral program. Two others soon followed him.
[Page] 9 Academic updates: News from software engineering, computer science, geospatial science and engineering, and computational science and statistics.
[Page] 10 Endowed professorship: Professor David Galipeau becomes the first to hold the …

Pineapple Liquid Waste As Nata De Pina Raw Material, Agus Sutanto

Makara Journal of Technology

This research aims to study the quantity, quality, ecological and economic feasibility of nata de pina production (NP) from pineapple liquid waste (PLW). The design of the study employs complete random design (CRD) with three treatments: PLW without nutrients addition (A), PLW nutrients addition (B), and PLW stored for six months with nutrients addition (C). The nata de pina’s production factors measured were weight, thickness, fiber content, color, brightness, and residual waste. The highest weight was reached in treatment B (899 grams), followed by treatment A (616.4 grams), and C (477.8 grams). The thickness of NP of the height and …

Error Reduction And Effect Of Step Size In Adjustment Calculus For Cam Applications, Sai Siddhartha Nudurupati

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Any measurement, however carefully done, will never be free from errors. Similarly, machining of cams for automobiles is prone to contain errors. These errors are naturally a part and parcel of cam manufacturing. The nature of deviations of the manufactured cam profile from the theoretical cam determines its usability. Sometimes, allowable deviations in high speed cams may be in the order of 2540 µm. Larger deviations will disqualify the cams for applications.

Velocity and acceleration of the cam are estimated from the measured displacement of the cam follower during quality control implementation. This data helps in eliminating the unfit cams. …

Health Nexus: A Serious Game Prototype For Prevention And Treatment Of Obesity And Diabetes, Joseph C. Miller

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Electronic games are a prevalent phenomenon of American culture and entertainment. Serious games are video games that take advantage of games' intrinsic entertaining and challenging characteristics for serious purposes, such as education, training, advertisement, and political campaigns. A significant number of serious games have been developed for a variety of diverse purposes. The last few years have witnessed the inception and growth of motion sensing technologies for games, including Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation Move, and Microsoft Kinect. These motion sensing technologies usually require game players' physical body movement in order to perform and achieve in the games, such as playing …

A Prototype Overview For Allocating Usaid Foreign Aid, Deane E. Cover

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. In fiscal year 2011, USAID spent approximately $15 billion in an effort to assist countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. Using Value-Focused Thinking, regression, and optimization techniques, this thesis utilizes overarching USAID objectives and underlying policy to develop a prototype overview model that is used to provide insight to a Decision Maker regarding how changes in funding allocation can lead to improved impact.

Rainwater Harvesting Storage Methods And Self Supply In Uganda, Jonathan Peter Blanchard

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Self supply is an emerging approach to water supply which focuses on fostering household investment in incremental improvements to their water sources. When successful, it can lower costs and increase sustainability by offering users a larger share

of ownership in their own supply, and harnessing the already existing strengths of a community rather than trying to impose an external perspective. In addition to well upgrading and source protection, one of the key self supply areas is rainwater harvesting.

Uganda has a diverse selection of rainwater storage options, but many of them are scattered and disparate.

The objective of this study …