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A Bioinspired Multifunctional Nanomatrix For Cardiovascular Applications, Adinarayana Andukuri

All ETDs from UAB

Bioinspired solutions for challenges faced by conventional therapies are rapidly emerging, especially as new and innovative improvements in medical devices are constantly being researched and developed. Stents are a common therapeutic device for cardiovascular diseases that have undergone incrementally developmental changes over the last two decades. However, there are concerns about in-stent restenosis with bare metal stents and incomplete endothelialization, late stent thrombosis, and late inflammatory responses with drug-eluting stents. New strategies for stents include the development of bioresorbable stents and the utilization of endothelial progenitor cell capture techniques. Despite the promise of recent developments aimed at overcoming the limitations …

Degradation And Inhibition Of Chlorinated Ethanes And Ethenes In A Two Bed, Sequential Bioremediation System, Alex Boudreau

LSU Master's Theses

A continuous-flow system composed of two anaerobic bioreactor (ABR) columns (based on engineered wetland systems) connected in series was tested to observe the ability of such a system to treat multiple volatile organic compounds (VOCs) possessing suspected inhibitory effects on the dechlorination of other compounds with cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cDCE) and 1,1-dichloroethane (1,1-DCA) as the main test chemicals. Following the establishment of cDCE and 1,1-DCA dechlorinating ability at baseline conditions, system perturbations of breakthrough and starvation were conducted to measure the response and recovery of the system dechlorination. In all column experiments, it was observed cDCE dechlorination inhibited the dechlorination of 1,1-DCA …

Effect Of Surface Roughness On The Efficiency Of Self-Healing Polymers, Ifeanyi Janarus Okoro

LSU Master's Theses

A shape memory polymer (SMP) is a smart material capable of maintaining two distinct shapes depending on its temperature. A SMP is soft at temperatures above its glass transition temperature but hard below it. When copolyester thermoplastic additives are dispersed in a SMP, it becomes a SMP-based particulate composite capable of self-healing at both the molecular level and the structural level. This makes it very desirable for industrial applications. Upon damage to the composite, the surfaces at the damage interface have to come into contact for efficient healing; the shape memory effect, coupled with a confined recovery (healing) process, ensures …

Measurement Of Transverse Relaxation Times Of Cerebral Metabolites In Brain Tumors, Akshay Madan

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

Proton (¹H) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides a non-invasive means of assessing metabolite concentration for a range of biologically important cerebral compounds in vivo. To extract quantitative information, additional data regarding proton spin relaxation phenomena is critical. Transverse relaxation times (T₂) of cellular metabolites depend on the local molecular environment in which they reside. Several neurological diseases alter the molecular environment, which may be reflected in the changes of the T₂ relaxation times. Therefore alterations in T₂ in tumors may provide important information about the local environment and a potential non-invasive diagnostic tool. Thirty-seven adult patients with gliomas and 11 …

Applying Data Visualisations To Open New Perspectives In Birdwatching, Frank Kendlin

Dissertations

Advances in data analytics for big data have affected many different domains and are providing new insights from these data for their respective communities. One such community is conservation science. A part of section of this community, ornithologists and bird conservationists has at its disposal millions of volunteers willing to contribute to a new ‘big’ data set. This can be achieved by means of new technology and the use of citizen science. This is already underway in North America through the excellent work of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology (CLO). This institute has harnessed the technology and the people and …

Numerical Evaluation And Analysis Of The Adhesion Phenomena In Thermal Barrier Coating Systems Through Bio-Mimicking Plasma Process, Naser Imran Hossain

LSU Master's Theses

Thermal Barrier Coatings or TBCs when abbreviated are an imperative part of the thermal protection system of expensive equipment and machinery in the automobile and aeronautics industry. They provide protection to expensive alloy materials upto a temperature of 2700° C without expensive metallurgical additions. Unfortunately, the problem of coating adhesion has plagued the TBC field for years, leading to catastrophic failures in critical TBC systems. Efforts to chemically improve bond strength has not been entirely successful, so the only other efficient way to do this would be some kind of mechanical interlocking that occurs at micro/nano scales. This research work …

Rf Breast Cancer Detection Employing A Non-Characterized Vivaldi Antenna And A Music-Inspired Algorithm, Giuseppe Ruvio, Raffaele Solimene, Antonietta D'Alterio, Max Ammann, Rocco Pierri

Articles

A novel microwave breast cancer detection system consisting of an Evolutionary Global Optimized Vivaldi antenna and an algorithm inspired by MUltiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC) is presented. Its performance is assessed by using a simplified numerical breast phantom for a number of critical conditions including the presence of fibroglandular tissues.

Titanium-Oxygen Bond Length -Bond Valence Relationship, D. Dodd, F. D. Hardcastle, S. Laffoon

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

A bond length–bond valence correlation is a simple method of checking and evaluating molecular structures and is of great interest in chemistry, biology, geology, and material science. Recently, we used quantum-mechanical arguments to derive Pauling’s bond length-valence relationship and to define the adjustable fitting parameter b in terms of atomic-orbital exponents. Improved orbital exponents were generated for elements 1-103 using published atomic radii and single-bond covalent radii as well as a continuous function for effective principal quantum number. In this study, we use orbital exponents for titanium (Ti) and oxygen (O) to generate a bond length-valence relationship for Ti-O bonds. …

Energy Efficiency Performance Improvements For Ant-Based Routing Algorithm In Wireless Sensor Networks, A. M. Zungeru, Kah Phooi Seng, Li-Minn Ang, W.C. Chia

Research outputs 2013

The main problem for event gathering in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is the restricted communication range for each node. Due to the restricted communication range and high network density, event forwarding in WSNs is very challenging and requires multihop data forwarding. Currently, the energy-efficient ant based routing (EEABR) algorithm, based on the ant colony optimization (ACO) metaheuristic, is one of the state-of-the-art energy-aware routing protocols. In this paper, we propose three improvements to the EEABR algorithm to further improve its energy efficiency. The improvements to the original EEABR are based on the following: (1) a new scheme to intelligently initialize …

Reducing Radiation Dose To The Female Breast During Conventional And Dedicated Breast Computed Tomography, Franco Rupcich

Dissertations (1934 -)

The purpose of this study was to quantify the effectiveness of techniques intended to reduce dose to the breast during CT coronary angiography (CTCA) scans with respect to task-based image quality, and to evaluate the effectiveness of optimal energy weighting in improving contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and thus the potential for reducing breast dose, during energy-resolved dedicated breast CT.

A database quantifying organ dose for several radiosensitive organs irradiated during CTCA, including the breast, was generated using Monte Carlo simulations. This database facilitates estimation of organ-specific dose deposited during CTCA protocols using arbitrary x-ray spectra or tube-current modulation schemes without the …

Diffusion Tensor Imaging Of The Central Nervous System Following An Injury To The Spinal Cord And Cell Transplant, Michael Jirjis

Dissertations (1934 -)

The purpose of this dissertation research was to characterize the use of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in understanding the changes that occur throughout the spinal cord and brain following a spinal cord injury (SCI) and following stem cell transplant. The diffusion of water inside the nervous system is dramatically altered around the lesion site following a traumatic SCI. However, following damage to the spinal cord, little is known about the diffusion characteristics away from an injury and even less is understood about DTI's sensitivity to structural changes that occur following regenerative transplant …

Effect Of Support Compliance On The Resonant Behavior Of Microcantilever-Based Sensors In Viscous Fluids, Rabin Maharjan

Dissertations (1934 -)

Resonant microcantilevers are often considered for use in chemical sensing and biosensing applications. However, when excited in the conventional transverse flexural mode, their performance in liquids is severely compromised. Theoretical and experimental studies have shown that the detrimental effects of the liquid may be mitigated by operating the microcantilever in lateral flexure, especially for microbeams having smaller length-to-width (L/b) ratios. However, for these most promising geometries the predictions of existing models tend to diverge from experimental data for resonant frequency (f_res) and quality factor (Q). A likely reason for these discrepancies is support compliance, which has been neglected …

Experiments To Measure The Effects Of Timber Harvesting Equipment On Surface Lithic Scatters, Douglas J. Baughman

All Master's Theses

The importance of cultural resource preservation cannot be overstated; however local economies are at least as important. Due to conservative archaeological site protection practices in Region 5 of the United States Forest Service, the economy of Northeastern California is being adversely affected. In an attempt to help the Forest Service make more informed management decisions and improve the Northeastern California economy, I undertook experiments on the effects of timber harvesting on lithic scatters on Modoc National Forest. The experiments involved placement of 225 glass tiles (proxy lithics) in each of three plots subject to vehicle traffic and log dragging by …

A Polymer-Based Microfluidic Device With Electrolyte-Enabled Distributed Transducers (Eedt) For Distributed Load Detection, Peng Cheng

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The capability of detecting distributed static and dynamic loads is indispensable in a wide variety of applications, such as examining anatomical structures of biological tissues in tissue health analysis and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and determining the texture of an object in robotics. This dissertation presents a comprehensive study of a polymer-based microfluidic device with electrolyte-enabled distributed transducers and demonstrates a new concept on using a single microfluidic device for distributed-load detection, which takes advantage of the low-cost microfluidic fabrication technology and the low modulus and biocompatibility of polymer. The core of the device is a single deformable polymer microstructure …

Study Of The Effects Of Changing Physiological Conditions On Dielectric Properties Of Breast Tissues, Abas Sabouni, Camerin Hahn, Sima Noghanian, Edward Sauter, Tim Weiland

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper addresses the changes in the physical characteristics (temperature and water/blood content) of breast tissue under different physiological conditions. We examined ex vivo specimens of breast tissue excised at the time of surgery to study the effects of physiological conditions on dielectric properties. We observed that the dielectric properties strongly depend on tissue physiological state. When the biological tissues undergo physiological changes, such as those due to disease or those induced by external changes such as variations in the environmental temperature, the microscopic processes deviate from their normal state and impact the overall dielectric properties. This suggests that microwave …

Section 1: Bio-Medical/Bioengineering, Asme Ectc Coordinating Committee

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

pp. 1-38

Section 5: Numerical Methods, Asme Ectc Coordinating Committee

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

pp. 153-190

Section 6: Fluids Engineering, Asme Ectc Coordinating Committee

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

pp. 191-222

Design And Testing Of A Center-Of-Pressure Oscillation Measurement Device For Assessment Of Postural Control Recovery, Yong Zhu, Adetayo Faminu, Li Li

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 1: Bio-Medical/Bioengineering; pp. 14-19

Design And Eeg-Based Control Of A Bio-Inspired Ankle Foot Orthosis, Daniel K. Olender, Yong Zhu

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 1: Bio-Medical/Bioengineering; pp. 7-13

Determination Of Particle Aerodynamic Size Distribution And Viability Of Aerosolized H1n1 Virus, Mohammed Ali, Essam A. Ibrahim

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 1: Bio-Medical/Bioengineering; pp. 20-26

Counter-Balancing Mechanism For Improving Independence When Using An Exoskeleton, Drew A. Lathan, Beth A. Todd

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 1: Bio-Medical/Bioengineering; pp. 34-37

Asme District F Ectc Proceedings / Early Career Technical Journal (Complete Issue), Asme Ectc Coordinating Committee

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Using Compact Finite-Difference Scheme Along With The Immersed-Boundary Method, Chi Zhu, Guibo Li, Haoxiang Luo

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 5: Numerical Methods; pp. 186-190

Performance Of A Hummingbird During Hovering Flight, Jialei Song, Haoxiang Luo, Tyson L. Hedrick

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 6: Fluids Engineering; pp. 201-206

Cfd Modeling Of The Vocal Fold Vibration For Evoked Rabbit Phonation, Siyuan Chang, Fangbao Tian, Haoxiang Luo, James F. Doyle, Tsuyoshi Kojima, Bernard Rousseau

Early Career Technical Journal (ECTJ)

Proceedings of the ASME District F Early Career Technical Conference, November 2-3, 2013. School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Section 6: Fluids Engineering; pp. 207-212

Investigation Of Best Practices For Maintenance Of Concrete Bridge Railings, Angel Luis Lence

LSU Master's Theses

Biodeterioration on concrete surfaces of vertical elements of bridges represents a serious challenge to the highway infrastructure in Louisiana. This investigation aims to document the causes of biodeterioration of concrete surfaces and to document current conventional and state-of-the-art practices implemented to prevent and clean biofilm. A comprehensive literature review of previous research has been carried out in order to determine the cause and mechanisms of the biodeterioration as well as to identify current methods that state DOTs have implemented in order to maintain their bridges and allow them to function in optimal structural and performance conditions. A survey was developed …

Engineering Of Hydroponic Systems To Enhance Biomass Of Sea Oats (Uniola Paniculata), Stefanie Renee Gilliam

LSU Master's Theses

Restoration projects use native plants such as sea oats (Uniola paniculata) to help stabilize the coast. Sea oats are a native grass that can collect blowing sand to build dunes. Sea oats used in the restoration projects can be produced using sexual or asexual techniques. An ideal seedling would be genetically distinct, have increased seed production and germination, and have superior vegetative biomass. Finding ways to produce, propagate, and grow coastal plants such as sea oats effectively is critical to efforts to reduce erosion. In this study, production of sea oats via greenhouse based hydroponic systems was studied. This was …

Synthesis Of Poly(L-Lactic Acid) Scaffolds From Dioxane/Ethanol Using Control Rate Freezing And Study Of Its Microstructural Properties, George Idicula

LSU Master's Theses

Bio-degradable poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds were prepared by using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) method. A solution of PLLA-Dioxane was formed by dissolving PLLA in dehydrated 1,4-Dioxane at three wt/vol percentages, specifically 3, 7 and 10%. This PLLA-Dioxane solution was then frozen in borosilicate glass vials (5mL) at three cooling rates (1, 10 and 40 ˚C/min) in a commercially available controlled rate freezer (CRF). The frozen solution was freeze-dried to sublimate the Dioxane. The microstructural properties of the resulting PLLA scaffolds were determined utilizing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images and uni- axial compressive testing. The relationship between the wt/vol …

Coastal Plants For Biofuel Production And Coastal Preservation, Chester Charles Malveaux

LSU Master's Theses

ABSTRACT Sustainable and renewable biofuels as well as coastal preservation are important to the State of Louisiana which is losing its coastline at the rate of up to 100 square kilometers per year. This has important implications for other coastal areas worldwide. By managing water hyacinth in canals and lakes in coastal Louisiana the biomass of this fast growing aquatic plant can reduce coastal erosion by absorbing wave energy, and remediate waste water through bioabsorption of contaminants, while also providing a source of biofuel. This research has shown that coastal vegetation can play a part in lessening the impact of …