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Kinetics, Thermodynamics, And Biological Characterizations Of Hydrolysates Enzymatically Produced From Proteins Extracted From Microalgae, Hebah Al-Amodi

Theses

This thesis aims to explore the use of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-L (ZIF-L) as a support for immobilizing alcalase and its potency in producing protein hydrolysates. ZIF-L was synthesized at room temperature using an aqueous solution, and alcalase was immobilized through adsorption batch experiment. The successful immobilization of alcalase on ZIF-L was confirmed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The maximum adsorption capacity of alcalase on ZIF-L was determined to be 672.1 ± 5.5 mg g^-1 at 40°C using an initial protein concentration of 5 mg mL-1. Adsorption equilibrium data …

Development Of Crop2cloud: An Iot-Integrated Platform For Automated Irrigation Scheduling Using Multi-Source Stress Indices, Bryan Nsoh

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Efficient water management in agriculture is critical, as irrigation accounts for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals. While precision agriculture technologies offer potential solutions, integrating diverse data streams for real-time irrigation scheduling remains challenging, particularly in combining plant and soil-based stress indicators. This research addresses these challenges through three interconnected studies.

A systematic review first examined the current state and future potential of IoT-based automated irrigation management systems, analyzing how these technologies can enhance agricultural water use efficiency and crop productivity. The review identified critical gaps in data integration and real-time processing while highlighting opportunities for combining multiple stress indices for …

Engineering The Coherent Phonon Transport In Polar Ferromagnetic Oxide Superlattices, In Hyeok Choi, Seung Gyo Jeong, Do-Gyeom Jeong, Ambrose Seo, Woo Seok Choi, Jong Seok Lee

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Artificial superlattices composed of perovskite oxides serves as an essential platform for engineering coherent phonon transport by redefining the lattice periodicity, which strongly influences the lattice-coupled phase transitions in charge and spin degrees of freedom. However, previous methods of manipulating phonons have been limited to controlling the periodicity of superlattice, rather than utilizing complex mutual interactions that are prominent in transition metal oxides. In this study on oxide superlattices composed of ferromagnetic metallic SrRuO3 and quantum paraelectric SrTiO3 , phonon modulation by controlling the geometry of superlattice in atomic-scale precision is realized, demonstrating the coherent phonon engineering using structural and …

Deciphering Rodent Behavior: Unraveling Complex Decision-Making Through High-Throughput Data Analysis In Behavioral Neuroscience, Atanu Giri

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Understanding the effects of substance use on decision-making is critical for both clinical andtranslational research. In this thesis, I present two complementary studies that explore decision- making behavior in rodents with a focus on alcohol consumption and novel experimental frame- works. The first study examines the impact of acute alcohol consumption on decision-making in a behavioral approach-avoidance task. Rats were presented with a concurrent choice of consuming alcohol and sucrose mixtures across four distinct concentrations, allowing for the analysis of ap- proach or avoidance behavior. Sex-dependent differences emerged, with male rats demonstrating a significantly higher tendency to approach higher alcohol …

Stressfit: A Hybrid Wearable Physicochemical Sensor Suite For Simultaneously Measuring Electromyogram And Sweat Cortisol, Nafize Ishtiaque Hossain, Tanzila Noushin, Shawana Tabassum

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study introduces StressFit, a novel hybrid wearable sensor system designed to simultaneously monitor electromyogram (EMG) signals and sweat cortisol levels. Our approach involves the development of a noninvasive skin patch capable of monitoring skin temperature, sweat pH, cortisol levels, and corresponding EMG signals using a combination of physical and electrochemical sensors integrated with EMG electrodes. StressFit was optimized by enhancing sensor output and mechanical resilience for practical application on curved body surfaces, ensuring accurate acquisition of cortisol, pH, body temperature, and EMG data without sensor interference. In addition, we integrated an onboard data processing unit with Internet of Things …

The Use Of Peracetic Acid And The Advanced Oxidation Process In Water Purification., Spencer Shipman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Next Round Brewing project was a project that sought to use treated wastewater to make potable drinking water using peracetic acid (PAA) and the advanced oxidation process and break the stigma around reclaimed water. In experiments, PAA was an efficient biocide which reduced the level of pathogens to within EPA standards. When PAA was coupled with the advanced oxidation process all organic matter was also reduced to within acceptable levels, and no biocide was left over in the final product, meaning PAA properly dissociated into harmless byproducts. A series of experiments are presented that vary concentrations of PAA, effluent …

Biocargos: Capture And Release Gels For Room Temperature Cell Storage., Justin Jacobson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Currently, cryovials on dry ice or liquid nitrogen vapor transportation vessels are primary ways utilized to transport mammalian cells from one location to another. Due to the safety concerns of dry ice and liquid nitrogen, associated costly shipping charges, and limitations of proper packaging and labeling of materials, these conventional shipping techniques are unacceptable. It is urgent to develop a safe and environmentally friendly protocol to preserve and ship the biological samples from one place to another. In this research, a method was developed for an ecofriendly and safe protocol to preserve cancer cells. The cell viability of cell line …

Mechanisms Of Extracellular Vesicle Uptake And Implications For The Design Of Cancer Therapeutics, Stephanie R. Jackson Cullison, Joseph P. Flemming, Kubra Karagoz, Peter J. Wermuth, Mỹ G. Mahoney

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

The translation of pre-clinical anti-cancer therapies to regulatory approval has been promising, but slower than hoped. While innovative and effective treatments continue to achieve or seek approval, setbacks are often attributed to a lack of efficacy, failure to achieve clinical endpoints, and dose-limiting toxicities. Successful efforts have been characterized by the development of therapeutics designed to specifically deliver optimal and effective dosing to tumour cells while minimizing off-target toxicity. Much effort has been devoted to the rational design and application of synthetic nanoparticles to serve as targeted therapeutic delivery vehicles. Several challenges to the successful application of this modality as …

Blackberry Growth Monitoring And Feature Quantification With Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Uav) Remote Sensing, Akwasi Tagoe, Alexander Silva, Cengiz Koparan, Aurelie Poncet, Dongyi Wang, Donald Johnson, Margaret Worthington

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Efficiently managing agricultural systems necessitates accurate data collection from crops to examine phenotypic characteristics and improve productivity. Traditional data collection processes for specialty horticultural crops are often subjective, labor-intensive, and may not provide accurate information for precise management decisions in phenotypic studies and crop production. Reliable and standardized techniques to record and evaluate crop features using agricultural technology are essential for improving agricultural systems. The objective of the research was to develop a methodology for accurate measurement of blackberry flowers and vegetation coverage using UAV remote sensing and image analysis. The UAV captured 20,812 images in the visible spectrum, and …

Verifying Models Of The Underwater Soundscape From Wind And Ships With Benchmark Scenariosa), S Bruce Martin, Martin Siderius, Michael A. Ainslie, Michele B. Halvorsen, Leila Hatch, Mark K. Prior, Daniel Brooker, James Caplinger, Christine Erbe, John Gebbie, Multiple Additional Authors

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Models of the underwater acoustic soundscape are important for evaluating the effects of human generated sounds on marine life. The performance of models can be validated against measurements or verified against each other for consistency. A verification workshop was held to compare models that predict the soundscape from wind and vessels and estimate detection ranges for a submerged target. Eight modeling groups participated in the workshop which predicted sound levels with observation windows of 1 min and 1 km2. Substantial differences were found in how modelers computed the propagation losses for decidecade bands and estimated the source level of wind. …

3d Printed Microfluidic Fabrication Methodology, Characterization, Mechanical Design, And Applications In Electrostatic Artificial Muscles And Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells, Terak B. Hornik

Master's Theses

The fabrication of microfluidic devices often requires specialized methods. The development of these methods requires careful characterization and understanding of the processes involved. Using primarily PolyJet 3D printing technology, microfluidics offers a wide scope of applications such as microfluidic benthic microbial fuel cells (MBMFCs) and electrostatic artificial muscles. MBMFCs benefit from the confinement of the microbes resulting in close proximity between the electrode and the organisms. Using a modular design called the Sponge, assembly and upscaling is possible. Electrostatic artificial muscles benefit from a microfluidic approach due to the non-linearity of electrostatic attraction creating disproportionate benefits when miniaturized. When designed …

Noncontact Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy Of Synovial Fluid Samples For Rapid Identification Of Infections, Erin E. Drewke, Robert L. Brand, Caroline G. Geels, Hanna K. Jensen, Kevin Wong, Jarret D. Sanders, Narasimhan Rajaram

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Severe joint infections, such as septic arthritis, require rapid diagnostic testing of the synovial fluid aspirated from joints level so that a surgical team can be assembled quickly. We present a diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system for noncontact determination of infection. Using a light-tight syringe holder and fiber optic probe, diffusely reflected light from 475 to 655 nm was acquired from 18 patient samples through the wall of a syringe in a noncontact and sterile manner. We determined the reflectance ratios at two different wavelengths—R ₄₉₀/R ₆₀₀ and R ₅₈₀/R ₆₀₀ and found statistically significant …

A Dynamic Urban Digital Twin Integrating Longitudinal Thermal Imagery For Microclimate Studies, Vasantha Ramani, Marcel Ignatius, Joie Lim, Filip Biljecki, Clayton Miller

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Recently, the concept of a digital twin for the built environment has received significant attention due to its potential benefits to urban planners, engineers, and designers. The development of tools that aid in integrating real-world physical systems with digital capabilities is essential for advancing digital twin technology. In this work, we present one such digital twin tool that integrates the longitudinal thermal envelope data of buildings on the campus of the National University of Singapore with a virtual 3D model. Thermal images of the buildings were captured using a neighborhood-scale infrared observatory for a few months. The temperature profile of …

Investigating The Relationship Between History, Urbanization And Wealth Gap In Johannesburg, South Africa, Abdallah F. Kaamah

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The city of Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and named as one of the economic drivers of the country. However, the city has the widest wealth gap in the country. This article examines the relationship between historical occurrences, urbanization, and the resulted wealth disparity in Johannesburg and look at the mitigation measures. The findings point to the wealth disparity in the city as a multifaceted problem influenced by historical, urbanization, and political variables. Comprehensive and multifaceted policy initiatives are required to address the structural causes of inequality and the urgent needs of vulnerable populations to close the …

Assessing The Effects Of Dasatinib On Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells, David P. Heinrichs, Vitali Maldonado, I Kade Karisma Gita Ardana, Ryan M. Porter, Rebekah M. Samsonraj

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction

Progressive aging, or senescence, of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) is a major obstacle faced when trying to culture potent stem cells for use in therapy. Senescent cells are irreversibly nondividing cells that cease performing critical functional effects. Elimination of senescent cells using biochemical means, such as the use of senolytic drugs like dasatinib, may be useful in retaining the viable and proliferating populations of the cells.

Methods

An in vitro approach was used to investigate the effect of dasatinib on phenotypic, genotypic, and immunomodulatory functionality of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiated MSCs. Replicative senescence was achieved through multiple sub-culturing in …

Platinum Nanoparticle-Based Collision Electrochemistry For Rapid Detection Of Breast Cancer Mcf-7 Cells, Fu-Xing Qin, Ming-Ke Li, Hui-Long Zhou, Wei Wen, Xiu-Hua Zhang, Sheng-Fu Wang, Zhen Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Cancer metastasis is the leading cause of death in cancer patients worldwide and one of the major challenges in treating cancer. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a pivotal role in cancer metastasis. However, the content of CTCs in peripheral blood is minimal, so the detection of CTCs in real samples is extremely challenging. Therefore, efficient enrichment and early detection of CTCs are essential to achieve timely diagnosis of diseases. In this work, we constructed an innovative and sensitive single-nanoparticle collision electrochemistry (SNCE) biosensor for the detection of MCF-7 cells (human breast cancer cells) by immunomagnetic separation technique and liposome signal …

Author Spotlight, Fei Li, Yi-Ge Zhou, Yi-Lun Ying, Yong-Xin Li, Yu Huang, Zhen Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

No abstract provided.

Bipolar Ionization Did Not Reduce Airborne Bacteria In A Lecture Hall, David A. Kormos, Nishit J. Shetty, Elliott T. Gall, Aaron J. Prussin, Amy Pruden, Linsey C. Marr

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Ionization treatment of indoor air has attracted attention for its potential to inactivate airborne pathogens and reduce disease transmission, yet its real-world effectiveness remains unverified. We evaluated the impact of an in-duct, bipolar ionization system on airborne particles, including culturable bacteria, in a lecture hall. The ionizer was off with variable fan speed for 1 week, on with variable fan speed for a second week, and on with high and constant fan speed for a third week. We measured ion concentrations and aerosol particle concentrations, and we collected bioaerosol samples for analysis of 16S rRNA gene copies representing total bacteria …

Automation, Improvement, And Sensitivity Analysis Of 3d Parameterized Maize Stalk Models, Joseph Steven Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Maize is the most grown crop in the world. Each year, 5% of maize is lost due to a phenomenon known as stalk lodging (breakage of the stalk below the ear). One of the most promising solutions to stalk lodging is to design stalks with superior geometry to increase stalk strength. Researchers have developed a 3D parameterized maize stalk model, but these models take a long time to structurally analyze and are missing important material properties. This thesis addressed these problems by developing an automated package for analyzing the 3D parameterized maize stalk model, and by measuring the longitudinal shear …

Single Nanobubble Formation On Au Nanoelectrodes And Au@Ws2 Nanoelectrodes: Voltammetric Analysis And Electrocatalysis, Xian-Zhun Luo, Xiao-Hu Chen, Yong-Xin Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

Taking advantage of the extremely small size of the gold nanodisk electrode, the single hydrogen nanobubble generated on the surface of the nanoelectrode was studied to evaluate its hydrogen evolution performance. It was found that compared with the bare gold nanodisk electrode, the bubble formation potential of the gold nanodisk electrode modified with tungsten disulfide quantum dots (WS₂ QDs) on the surface was more positive, indicating that its hydrogen evolution activity was higher. Microdynamic model analysis shows that the average standard rate constant of the rate-determining step of the hydrogen evolution reaction of gold nanoelectrodes modified with WS_{2 …}

Highly Sensitive Detection Of Strontium Ions Using Metal-Organic Frameworks Functionalized Solid-State Nanochannels, Xu-Gang Wang, Zheng-Xu He, De-Fang Ding, Xue-Qin Luo, Li Dai, Wei-Qi Zhang, Qun Ma, Yu Huang, Fan Xia

Journal of Electrochemistry

Strontium-90, a highly radioactive isotope, accumulates within the food chain and skeletal structure, posing significant risks to human health. There is a critical need for a sensitive detection strategy for Strontium-90 in complex environmental samples. Here, solid-state nanochannels, modified with metal-organic frameworks (MOF) and specific aptamers, were engineered for highly sensitive detection of strontium ion (Sr²⁺). The synergistic effect between the reduced effective diameter of the nanochannels due to MOF and the specific binding of Sr²⁺ by aptamers amplifies the difference in ionic current signals, enhancing detection sensitivity significantly. The MOF-modified nanochannels exhibit highly sensitive detection of …

Water Quality Standards Assessment, Using Epanet Modeling– Prishtina Case – Oxidation-Reduction Of Manganese On Dw Network, Sokol Xhafa

UBT International Conference

Thermal stratification and water movement in reservoirs are key natural processes. While most effects of this movement are beneficial, such as increased oxygen levels, the presence of manganese (Mn) poses a challenge. During autumn, water circulation causes manganese to shift from its solid Mn(4+) form to the dissolved Mn(2+) form, preventing sedimentation and leading to issues in water treatment and distribution networks. This report focuses on these challenges at the Badovc Reservoir, near Prishtina, Kosovo. Built in 1965, Badovc is one of the oldest reservoirs in the country. Manganese, while usually an aesthetic issue that can cause "black water," can …

Climate Change Impacts On Water Resources, Andrin Kerpaci, Ilir Abdullahu

UBT International Conference

Climate change threatens source water quality through increased pollutant and sediment runoff, reduced water availability from drought, and negative impact on overall efforts to maintain water quality. Heavy rainfall is predicted to increase due to climate change. Heavy rainfall can increase pollutant runoff and sedimentation in source waters such as rivers, lakes and streams. Such runoff and sedimentation can complicate treatment in drinking water utilities and result in increased costs. Increased erosion and sedimentation can reduce water quality, clog stormwater management systems, and reduce storage capacity. The paper presents the great importance of climate changes in the water resources used …

Self-Healing Concrete (Shc): A Systematic Literature Review Of Environmental Benefits And Applications (2019-2023), Visar Hoxha, Hyrmete Baca Gashi, Veli Lecaj, Fuat Pallaska, Hazer Dana, Jehona Hoxha

UBT International Conference

This research aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the environmental implications of self-healing concrete (SHC) through a systematic literature review. Adopting the methodological framework proposed by Tranfield et al. (2003), the study consolidated fragmented knowledge across the domain. Data collection was executed using Google Scholar, targeting articles from 2019 to 2023, resulting in an initial pool of 60 potential articles. Rigorous screening narrowed this to 17 articles that were critically analyzed for patterns, consistencies, and discrepancies, inspired by Yin's (1994) approach. The synthesis stage generated new insights, framing them into a coherent narrative on SHC's environmental impact. Notably, while …

13th International Conference On Business, Technology And Innovation 2024, University For Business And Technology - Ubt

UBT International Conference

Welcome to IC – UBT 2024

UBT Annual International Conference is the 13th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make …

Organic Amendments Improve The Quality Of Coal Gob Spoils: A Sustainable Mining Waste Reclamation Method, Zhiming Zhang, Anshuman Satpathy, Kirby Morris, Abhishek Roychowdhury, Rupali Datta, Dibyendu Sarkar

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering Departmental Research

Coal mine tailings can lead to a range of environmental problems, including toxic metal contamination, soil erosion, acid mine drainage, and increased salinity. Mine spoils from coal mining activities accumulated as gob piles are difficult to reclaim due to constraints such as a steep slope, unsuitable pH, insufficient nutrient supply, metal toxicity, low water-holding capacity, and poor soil structure. We investigated the efficiency of low-cost amendments on coal gob spoils from Carthage Coal Field (CCF) in New Mexico in improving the quality of coal gob spoils. Gob spoil was incubated for 90 days with various rates of organic amendments such …

Automation Of Medical Facilities, Automation Of Diagnostic Processes For Intelligent Primary Diagnosis Of Diseases Of The Oral Cavity., Otabek Ismailov, X.F. Temirova

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

A mathematical machine learning model for dental disease diagnosis plays an important role in medicine with high accuracy, speed, and personalization capabilities. This allows for increased efficiency not only for patients but also for medical personnel. For this reason, in this article, an improved mathematical model has been developed to effectively detect dental diseases.

Control Algorithms With A Predictive Model Of Dynamic Objects Of Continuous And Semi-Continuous Industrial Production, Sh.M. Gulyamov, M.Yu. Doshchanova

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

The paper presents methods and algorithms for automatic control based on predictive models of dynamic objects in continuous and semi-continuous industrial production. The approach under consideration allows further improvement of scientific foundations and formalized methods for designing the implementation of highly efficient systems for advanced control of complex technological processes and industrial production in real-time.

Research And Justification Of The Optimal Optical And Design Parameters Of The Activated Sludge Concentration Measuring Device For Biological Wastewater Treatment, Siroj Sobirovich Nurov, Makhsud Idrisovich Makhmudov, Uktam Farxodovich Mamirov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This article discusses the optimization of the design and optical parameters of an activated sludge concentration measuring device through experimental studies in laboratory conditions in order to improve the metrological characteristics of the meter. In particular, based on the optimality criteria, a more suitable type of photodetector for the meter is compared and selected; for the selected photodetector, the optimal distance with the emitter is determined, which is modern LEDs that emit light of a selective wavelength of radiation and under a certain degree of illumination. Based on the experiments conducted, it was determined that the optimal thickness between the …

Synthesis Of Neuronal Network Dynamics For Optimal Stimulus Encoding And Retention, Bethanna Thompson

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

A central goal in neuroscience is to understand the relationship between the structure and activity of the brain and the resulting experience of thought and behavior that the brain underpins. Within this goal is the specific study of working memory: the process of storing, managing, and integrating incoming sensory information in the context of ongoing tasks. The process of working memory is foundational to higher cognition and reasoning, determining how we comprehend and interact with the world around us. The neural circuits responsible for working memory are seemingly able to store and process afferent stimuli with other recent or relevant …