Digital Commons Network^™

A Study Of Radiofrequency Effects On Gene Expression, Elizabeth A. Coln

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Numerous studies have been completed over the past several years to look at the non-thermal effects of low-level radiofrequency exposure on biological systems. These studies were done to determine if exposure to radiofrequency fields are safe, or if they may lead to health problems or changes to any of the biological processes continually occurring within the human body. Responses measured include stress responses (I), gene expression (2), cell proliferation (3), cell morphology (4), and changes in DNA (5).

Dispersion is the most common model for explaining the electric behavior of biomaterials. It refers to the corresponding frequency domain concept of …

2002 (Spring) Ensi Informer Magazine, Morehead State University. Engineering Sciences Department

ENSI Informer Magazine Archive

The ENSI Informer Magazine published in the spring of 2002.

A Mixture Of Elastic Materials With Different Constituent Temperatures And Internal Constraints, Stephen M. Klisch

Mechanical Engineering

A novel treatment of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics and the development of general thermomechanical constraints are introduced for a mixture of two elastic materials in which the constituents may have different temperatures. First, a homothermal quasi-static process at a common mixture temperature is introduced. Part I of the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics is invoked to assert that the Clausius integrals are path-independent, which leads to a prescription, or an identification, of the partial entropy functions. Then, two assumptions are introduced that establish the values of the partial entropy functions for general processes, including those for which the constituent temperatures …

Ethylene Oxide And Propylene Oxide Random Copolymer/Sodium Chloride Aqueous Two-Phase Systems: Wetting And Adsorption On Dodecyl-Agarose And Polystyrene, Yingqing Huang, Daniel Forciniti

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Liquid/liquid partition chromatography is a mild yet powerful separation method for a variety of biological materials. This work demonstrates that it should be feasible to immobilize an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide (EO/PO) random copolymer solution and to use a solution of NaCl equilibrated against the polymer solution as the mobile-phase (poly (EO-PO) [P(EO-PO)] and NaCl form two aqueous phases known as aqueous two-phase systems). Three random copolymers with different molecular weights and EO/PO ratios were used. Dodecyl-agarose and polystyrene were tested as possible supports. The wetting energies of the aqueous two-phase systems on these two kinds of surfaces were calculated as …

Issues In Modeling Military Space, Peter F. Olsen

Theses and Dissertations

Fighter Pilots students undertake an intense 120-day training program. New classes of students enter the training program at regular interval. Students endured rigorous academic, simulator, and aircraft training throughout the program. Squadron schedulers ensure the multiple classes and students are scheduled for the activities. Simulator and aircraft training are scheduled individual for each student. Academic training are taught to the class. Aircraft utilization must also be considered. Aircraft Sortie training are also constrained by daylight hours. Additionally, students are limited to a maximum of three training events in a given day. Squadron schedulers must balance these requirements to ensure students …

Histologic Evaluation Of The Efficacy Of Rhbmp-2 Compared With Autograft Bone In Sheep Spinal Anterior Interbody Fusion, Harvinder Sandhu, Jeffrey M. Toth, Ashish Diwan, H. B. Seim Iii, Linda E.A. Kanim, J. Michael Kabo, A. Simon Turner

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Study Design. The sheep anterior lumbar spinal fusion model was used to study the efficacy of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2)–collagen composite in comparison with autograft to enhance spinal interbody fusion. Comparisons were drawn from temporal radiographic and end-point biomechanical and histologic data.

Objective. To analyze histologically the ability of rhBMP-2 to achieve complete arthrodesis between vertebral bodies.

Summary of Background Data. Studies using rhBMP for enhancement of anterior interbody fusion have used numerous endpoints. However, systematic histologic evaluation of the fusion has not been conducted.

Methods. Twelve sheep underwent single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion performed with a cylindrical …

A Multiobjective Approach Applied To The Protein Structure Prediction Problem, Richard O. Day

Theses and Dissertations

Interest in discovering a methodology for solving the Protein Structure Prediction problem extends into many fields of study including biochemistry, medicine, biology, and numerous engineering and science disciplines. Experimental approaches, such as, x-ray crystallographic studies or solution Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, to mathematical modeling, such as minimum energy models are used to solve this problem. Recently, Evolutionary Algorithm studies at the Air Force Institute of Technology include the following: Simple Genetic Algorithm (GA), messy GA, fast messy GA, and Linkage Learning GA, as approaches for potential protein energy minimization. Prepackaged software like GENOCOP, GENESIS, and mGA are in use to …

How Should Governments Address High Levels Of Natural Radiation And Radon--Lessons From The Chernobyl Nuclear Accident And Ramsar, Iran, S. M. Javad Mortazavi, M. Ghiassi-Nejad, Azam Niroomand-Rad, P. Andrew Karam, John R. Cameron

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

The authors discuss the high levels of natural background radiation in Ramsar, Iran, and offer data indicating that this has had little effect on the health of Ramsar's inhabitants. The authors then examine the implications their research could have for public health policy.

Kinetics Of Mn(Ii) Oxidation By Leptothrix Discophora Ss1, Jinghao Zhang, Leonard W. Lion, Yarrow M. Nelson, Michael L. Shuler, William C. Ghiorse

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The kinetics of Mn(II) oxidation by the bacterium Leptothrix discophora SS1 was investigated in this research. Cells were grown in a minimal mineral salts medium in which chemical speciation was well defined. Mn(II) oxidation was observed in a bioreactor under controlled conditions with pH, O>sub>2, and temperature regulation. Mn(II) oxidation experiments were performed at cell concentrations between 24 mg/L and 35 mg/L, over a pH range from 6 to 8.5, between temperatures of 10°C and 40°C, over a dissolved oxygen range of 0 to 8.05 mg/L, and with L. discophora SS1 cells that were grown in the presence …

Thermodynamics And Bioenergetics, Yaşar Demirel, Stanley I. Sandler

Papers in Thermal Mechanics

Bioenergetics is concerned with the energy conservation and conversion processes in a living cell, particularly in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion. This review summarizes the role of thermodynamics in understanding the coupling between the chemical reactions and the transport of substances in bioenergetics. Thermodynamics has the advantages of identifying possible pathways, providing a measure of the efficiency of energy conversion, and of the coupling between various processes without requiring a detailed knowledge of the underlying mechanisms. In the last five decades, various new approaches in thermodynamics, non-equilibrium thermodynamics and network thermodynamics have been developed to understand the transport and …

Analytical Derivation Of A Coupled-Circuit Model Of A Claw-Pole Alternator With Concentrated Stator Windings, Hua Bai, Steven Pekarek, Jerry L. Tichenor, Walter Eversman, Duane J. Buening, Gregory R. Holbrook, Michael L. Hull, Ronald J. Krefta, Steven J. Shields

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A lumped-parameter coupled-circuit model of a claw-pole alternator is derived. To derive the model, analytical techniques are used to define a three-dimensional (3-D) Fourier-series representation of the airgap flux density. Included in the series expansion are the harmonics introduced by rotor saliency, concentrated stator windings, and stator slots. From the airgap flux density waveform, relatively simple closed-form expressions for the stator and rotor self- and mutual-inductances are obtained. The coupled-circuit model is implemented in the simulation of an alternator/rectifier system using a commercial state-model-based circuit analysis program. Comparisons with experimental results demonstrate the accuracy of the model in predicting both …

Removal Of Antibiotics From Surface And Distilled Water In Conventional Water Treatment Processes, Craig D. Adams, Yang Wang, K. Loftin, M. Meyer

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Conventional drinking water treatment processes were evaluated under typical water treatment plant conditions to determine their effectiveness in the removal of seven common antibiotics: carbadox, sulfachlorpyridazine, sulfadimethoxine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfathiazole, and trimethoprim. Experiments were conducted using synthetic solutions prepared by spiking both distilled/ deionized water and Missouri River water with the studied compounds. Sorption on Calgon WPH powdered activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and oxidation with chlorine and ozone under typical plant conditions were all shown to be effective in removing the studied antibiotics. Conversely, coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation with alum and iron salts, excess lime/soda ash softening, ultraviolet irradiation at disinfection dosages, and …

Determination Of Chlorinated Solvent Contamination In An Upward Flow Constructed Wetland, Bryan C. Opperman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine chlorinated solvent contamination levels in an upward flow constructed wetland at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), Ohio. A stratified grid sampling methodology will be used in sampling the contaminated groundwater. Analysis will be accomplished by means of purge-and-trap gas chromatography. The contaminant concentration levels will be used to enhance the design and construction of man-made wetlands used to remove chlorinated solvents from aquifers. PCE levels declined from an average of 33.97 ppb in the inflow stream to an average of 3.65 ppb in the upper layer, a 91% reduction. High concentrations occurred …

Decision Analysis With Value Focused Thinking As A Methodology To Select Force Protection Initiatives For Evaluation, David M. Jurk

Theses and Dissertations

Current emphasis on homeland security/defense is high. Decision makers responsible for enhancing the protection of both military and civilian personnel require additional insight when selecting ideas, concepts, or technologies to pursue with constrained resources. They are faced with multiple criteria and multiple objectives; yet they have no defensible, objective, and repeatable selection process to assist them in making their decisions. This thesis explores whether the value-focused thinking (VFT) process is appropriate for providing the necessary insight to those decision makers. To prove the VFT process is appropriate and viable; this thesis focuses on constructing a value model, scoring alternatives, and …

An Evaluation Of Geobest Contingency Beddown Planning Software Using The Technology Acceptance Model, Shawn J. Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

GeoBEST is a software program designed to simplify the contingency beddown planning process through application of geographic information technology. The purpose of this thesis was to thoroughly evaluate GeoBEST using prospective GeoBEST users in a realistic beddown planning scenario. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was applied, which measures a prospective user's perceptions of the technology's usefulness and ease-of-use and predicts their intentions to use the software in the future. The evaluations also included a qualitative evaluation of specific software features. The test group for this thesis was seventy-one Civil Engineering students attending contingency skills training at the Silver Flag training …

Groundwater Flow Through A Constructed Treatment Wetland, Andrew C. Entingh

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the flow of groundwater through one of the treatment cells. A major goal of the study is to determine whether the system design facilitates uniform vertical flows through the subsurface soil sediments or if preferential flows occur. Conceptually, uniform flows will achieve the most efficient degree of contaminant removal possible by evenly dispersing the groundwater contaminants throughout the full volume of the subsurface media. A three-dimensional grid of piezometers is used to generate potentiometric contour maps, and in-situ tests of hydraulic conductivity facilitate construction of a numerical computer model. The contours of hydraulic head, measured conductivities, and …

Hexavalent Chromium Dissociation From Overspray Particles Into Fluid For Three Aircraft Primers, Richard A. Schilke

Theses and Dissertations

DOD and industry use chromate-containing primers extensively to inhibit corrosion on metal assets. Chromate contains Cr⁶⁺, a human carcinogen, but there is little epidemiological evidence of increased lung cancer among spray painters. Using bio-aerosol impingers, overspray particles from three primers (solvent-borne epoxy, water-borne epoxy, and solvent-borne polyurethane) were collected into water to test the hypothesis that the paint matrix inhibits Cr⁶⁺ release into water, under the premise that this simulates Cr⁶⁺ release from particles into lung fluid. Particles were allowed to reside in water for 1 or 24 hours, then separated from the water by centrifugation, …

Estimating The Operating And Support Cost Difference Among Tuaf C-130, C-130b And Usaf C-130j Aircraft, Kubilay Kosucu

Theses and Dissertations

In an era of decreasing defense budgets in Korea, the Korean Air Force Transportation Department has suffered from an insufficient vehicles procurement budget, resulting in fewer vehicles of increasing age, as well as decreasing military morale. For these reasons, the Korean Air Force Transportation Department needs a breakthrough to retain the transportation ability to support the field of operation in an effective and economic way. However, the Korea Air Force Transportation Department has only one method for procuring general-purpose vehicles, which is purchasing. Thus, the comparative analysis of leasing versus buying vehicle study started from the recognition of this situation …

An Evaluation Of The Hazard Prediction And Assessment Capability (Hpac) Software's Ability To Model The Chornobyl Accident, Dirk E. Plante

Theses and Dissertations

A parameter study was conducted for a space nuclear reactor radiation shield. The focus of this research was to explore alternatives to current radiation shield designs to reduce the mass while maintaining the same shielding performance. MCNP4C was used to determine the parameters necessary to build an optimum shield. A design known as the split scatter shield offered some potential for reductions in shield mass. In theory, less material is required for this type of shield, which uses thin shield sections to scatter radiation away from the dose plane. The parameters for this shield design are the shield geometry, number …

An Integrated Architecture And Feature Selection Algorithm For Radial Basis Neural Networks, Timothy D. Flietstra

Theses and Dissertations

There are two basic ways to control an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) as it searches for targets: allow the UCAV to act autonomously or employ man-in-the-loop control. There are also two target sets of interest: fixed or mobile targets. This research focuses on UCAV-based targeting of mobile targets using man-in-the-loop control. In particular, the interest is in how levels of satellite signal latency or signal degradation affect the ability to accurately track, target, and attack mobile targets. This research establishes a weapon effectiveness model assessing targeting inaccuracies as a function of signal latency and/or signal degradation. The research involved …

Selecting Salient Features In High Feature To Exemplar Ratio Conditions, Ismail Aslan

Theses and Dissertations

A key tenet to the Air Force's vision of Global Vigilance, Reach, and Power is the ability to project power via the use of aerial refueling. Scheduling of limited tanker resources is a major concern for Air Mobility Command (AMC). Currently the Combined Mating and Ranging Planning System (CMARPS) is used to plan aerial refueling operations, however due to the complex nature of the program and the length of time needed to run a scenario, the need for a simple tool that runs in much shorter time is desired. Ant colony algorithms are recently developed heuristics for finding solutions to …

Thermodynamics And Bioenergetics, Yaşar Demirel, Stanley I. Sandler

Papers in Thermal Mechanics

Bioenergetics is concerned with the energy conservation and conversion processes in a living cell, particularly in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion. This review summarizes the role of thermodynamics in understanding the coupling between the chemical reactions and the transport of substances in bioenergetics. Thermodynamics has the advantages of identifying possible pathways, providing a measure of the efficiency of energy conversion, and of the coupling between various processes without requiring a detailed knowledge of the underlying mechanisms. In the last five decades, various new approaches in thermodynamics, non-equilibrium thermodynamics and network thermodynamics have been developed to understand the transport and …

An Analysis Of Horizontal Flow Treatment Well Applicability For The Treatment Of Chlorinated Solvent Contaminated Groundwater At United States Forces Korea Installations, Michael R. Staples

Theses and Dissertations

Past research has shown that there is a rising public concern with environmental issues in the Republic of Korea (ROK). As Korean government and public interest in the environment grow, there is likely to be increased pressure to remediate environmental contamination at United States Department of Defense (DoD) installations in Korea. Impacting DoD's ability to remediate contaminated sites overseas is the fact that limited environmental funds must compete with high priority mission requirements. Thus, particularly at overseas bases, there is an urgent need for inexpensive and effective groundwater remediation technologies. Horizontal Flow Treatment Well (HFTW) systems have been demonstrated in …

The Determination Of The Best Modified Way And Microscopical Analysis For Enzyme/Immunoelectrodes, Sa-Ying Dong, Hong-Ren Wang, Yu-Zhu Gao, Guang-Zhang Chen, Ming-Xiang Lv, Bo-Yi Tian

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this paper, the electrochemical response characteristics of enzyme and immuno electrodes were studied by cyclic voltammetry under different conditions. Our goals were to determine the best modified way of bioelectrode, which was the base of biosensor's application. 30U GOD and 0.8 mg/mL SEC1 antibody were suitable to bioelectrode preparation and detection. The microscopical analysis was finished with scan microscopy.

New Technologies For Rapid Space Experiments: Preliminary Design Review, Robert J. Twiggs

Robert "Bob" Twiggs STEM Education Collection

A PowerPoint Presentation created by Professor Bob Twiggs titled "New Technologies for Rapid Space Experiments: Preliminary Design Review" from February 25, 2002.

Estimation Of Pulmonary Arterial Volume Changes In The Normal And Hypertensive Fawn-Hooded Rat From 3d Micro-Ct Data, Robert C. Molthen, Christian Wieholt, Steven Thomas Haworth, Christopher A. Dawson

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In the study of pulmonary vascular remodeling, much can be learned from observing the morphological changes undergone in the pulmonary arteries of the rat lung when exposed to chronic hypoxia or other challenges which elicit a remodeling response. Remodeling effects include thickening of vessel walls, and loss of wall compliance. Morphometric data can be used to localize the hemodynamic and functional consequences. We developed a CT imaging method for measuring the pulmonary arterial tree over a range of pressures in rat lungs. X-ray micro-focal isotropic volumetric imaging of the arterial tree in the intact rat lung provides detailed information on …

Expression Of Active Human Factor Ix In Mammary Tissue And Of Milk Non Human Transgenic Mammals , William H. Velander, William N. Drohan

Papers in Biotechnology

Recombinant Factor IX characterized by a high percentage of active protein can be obtained in the milk of transgenic animals that incorporate chimeric DNA molecules according to the present invention. Transgenic animals of the present invention are produced by introducing into developing embryos DNA that encodes Factor IX, such that the foreign DNA is stably incorporated in the DNA of germ line cells of the mature animal. Particularly efficient expression was accomplished using a chimeric construct comprising a mammary gland specific promoter, Factor IX cDNA that lacked the complete or any portion of the 5'-untranslated and 3'-untranslated region, which is …

Characterization Of Vadose Zone Sediment: Uncontaminated Rcra Borehole Core Samples And Composite Samples, R. J. Serne, B. N. Bjornstad, H. T. Schaef, B. A. Williams, D. C. Lanigan, D. G. Horton, R. E. Clayton, A. V. Mitroshkov, V. L. Legore, M. J. O’Hara, C. F. Brown, K. E. Parker, I. V. Kutnyakov, J. N. Serne, G. V. Last, Steven Smith, C. W. Lindenmeier, John M. Zachara, D. B. Burke

United States Department of Energy: Publications

The overall goal of the of the Tank Farm Vadose Zone Project, led by CH2M HILL Hanford Group, Inc., is to define risks from past and future single-shell tank farm activities. To meet this goal, CH2M HILL Hanford Group, Inc. asked scientists from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to perform detailed analyses on vadose zone sediment from within the S-SX Waste Management Area. This report is one in a series of four reports to present the results of these analyses. Specifically, this report contains all the geologic, geochemical, and selected physical characterization data collected on vadose zone sediment recovered from Resource …

A Biomechanical Comparison Of Three Sternotomy Closure Techniques, David J. Cohen, Lanny V. Griffin

Biomedical Engineering

Background. A biomechanical study of three sternotomy closuretechniques (figure-of-eight stainless-steel wires, PectofixDynamic Sternal Fixation [DSF] stainless-steel plates, and figure-of-eightstainless-steel cables) was conducted to compare strength andstiffness variables in three clinically relevant loading modes(anterior-posterior shear, longitudinal shear, and lateral distraction).

Methods. All tests were conducted on polyurethane foam sternalmodels that simulate the properties of cancellous bone. Eachmodel was divided longitudinally and reconstructed using oneof the sternotomy closure repair techniques. Tests were performedusing a materials testing system that applies a continuouslyincreasing amount of force in one direction to the model untilit catastrophically breaks. A total of six trials of each …

Studies On Use Of Carbon Slurry, A Waste From Fertilizer Plant, In Treatment Of Waste Water, Sanjay Tewari

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

"Non biodegradable materials like heavy metals, refractory organics are not removed during the conventional treatment process. In order to meet the regulatory standards and for safe disposal, it is necessary to go for tertiary treatment. Various tertiary treatment methods include adsorption, membrane separation process, ultra filtration, reverse osmosis etc. Adsorption has been found to be efficient for the removal of most of heavy metals in waste water at lower concentrations. Activated carbon is commonly used adsorbents, however, due to its high cost and loss in regeneration, various low cost adsorbents have been investigated during recent years.

The aim of the …