Digital Commons Network^™

Dung Dkar Cloak: Exploring Soft Interfaces For Sonic Interactions, Judit Eszter Kárpáti, Esteban De La Torre

Textile Society of America: Symposium Proceedings

The importance of crossmodal interaction within the contemporary cultural, technological and scientific panorama has evidently gained significant attention due to its remarkable advantages in creating a meaningful, interwoven, and integrated experience. The use and recontextualization of textiles in such exploratory quest into the human senses has proven to be critical. Computational science, algorithmic logic and digital devices have always been rooted and closely interwoven with textile crafts and practices. Recent technological advancements have further combined technology and textile, generating interactive textile surfaces, constructing endless possibilities for multisensorial experiences. In this presentation we will examine how we can weave a sensitive …

Weaving Transformations: Integrating The Tc2 Loom In Higher Education Textile Programs, Anna Stuffelbeam, Kate Nartker, Janie Woodbridge

Textile Society of America: Symposium Proceedings

The Thread Controller 2 (TC2) loom is a novel technology that has reshaped how artists and designers explore the technical intricacies in jacquard weaving and harness textiles for creative expression. In this presentation, we discuss the integration of the TC2 within higher education art and design programs across the United States. Our research aims to explore the complexities and opportunities presented by the TC2 loom from both educator and student perspectives. The integration of this unique technology emphasizes the need for adaptation and innovation in pedagogical approaches.

In this two-part presentation, we first discuss the results of a qualitative study …

A Smart Energy-Efficient Hybrid Gait Monitoring System, Elsa Joy Harris

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Triboelectric nanogenerators are devices that harvest mechanical energy from the environment and turn it into electricity. By coupling the effect of contact electrification and electrostatic induction between two materials that come into contact and then separate they can convert the irregular, low frequency, waste biomechanical energy of human motion into useful electrical energy to run small body-worn electronics. This has shown promising results in multiple applications such as self-powered motion and haptic sensing, self-charging micro-storage devices, neuromorphic computing, and designing batteryless circuits to power small wearables. This work will investigate a smart energy-efficient hybrid gait monitoring system that is powered …

Amplification-Free Rapid Detection Of Specific Oligonucleotides Through Formation Of Core-Satellite Nanostructures On Solid Substrates, Vineet Kumar Jayakrishnan

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

A rapid, portable, and highly sensitive method for detecting specific pathogens like Covid-19 would be invaluable for public health and emergency responses. The current standards like PCR and RT-PCR, are incredibly sensitive but also time-consuming, require skilled personnel, and demand substantial lab space. Here, we propose an alternative method capable of detecting specific oligonucleotide sequences within just 3 minutes, using a portable silicon or glass substrate (6 mm x 9 mm). We demonstrated this using 67-mer oligonucleotides with a Covid-19 sequence as a model system, achieving a detection sensitivity down to 1 nM. Our approach involves sandwiching target COVID-19 oligonucleotides …

Long-Term Simulation Of Stem Cell Mechanobiology, Manoochehr Rabiei

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

An accurate representation of cellular mechanobiology necessitates the inclusion of subcellular elements characterized by minute masses and dimensions. These minute objects yield multiscale dynamic models with disproportionate terms, which require inordinate amounts of computational time to simulate. The computational requirements limit the time span of the simulation to time histories shorter than one second, even when employing supercomputers. This work presents a high-speed approach to simulating the mechanobiology of stem cells. The proposed approach separates the computational time from the size, and distribution, of masses of the subcellular elements, enabling the simulation of weeks-long cellular processes within hours on a …

Investigation Of Bone Structure And Composition Differences In Osteofibrous Dysplasia And Neurofibromatosis Type 1, Farzaneh Fereidouni

Material Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Abstract

Investigation of Bone Structure and Composition Differences in Osteofibrous Dysplasia and Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Farzaneh Fereidouni, Ph.D.

The University of Texas at Arlington, 2024

Supervising Professor: Harry F. Tibbals

Bone genetic diseases such as Osteofibrous Dysplasia (OFD) and Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) present significant challenges, particularly in children, due to their effects on skeletal homeostasis. This study aims to apply advanced material analysis to elucidate the biological disparities associated with OFD and NF1 bone dysplasia and contribute to developing diagnostic protocols and remediation approaches for these and similar bone disorders.

By employing various analytical methods, including analysis of mineral-to-matrix …

A Low-Noise, Low-Power Cmos Readout Ic For Amperometric Electrochemical Sensing System, Manu Chilukuri

Electrical Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Electrochemical sensing systems have become essential tools in numerous fields due to their exceptional sensitivity, selectivity, and versatility. They play a critical role in modern research, industry, environmental monitoring, and healthcare applications. In environmental monitoring, these systems are utilized to detect pollutants, heavy metals, and toxic gases, enabling real-time monitoring and ensuring environmental protection. In the biomedical sector, electrochemical sensing systems are vital for diagnosing diseases, monitoring biomarkers, and transforming healthcare practices.

Affordable wearable electrochemical sensing devices are crucial for making healthcare more accessible and improving public health outcomes. These devices allow for continuous monitoring of physiological parameters, supporting early …

Design And Experimentation Of Novel Human Head Surrogate Models For Sensing Traumatic Brain Injury, Arthur T. Koster

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Brain injury is a significant source of mortality in the US and has been an important area of research over the past century. The need to understand injury thresholds and pathology coupled with the difficulty of measuring relevant injury mechanisms in a living subject logically gives rise to the idea that researchers need to create head models for use in simulation and experimentation. This study focuses on understanding the effects of material properties, size, and shape on the dynamic response of a head model so that head models used in simulations and experiments can more accurately represent the real human …

Experimental Investigations And Optimization Of 3d Printed Cellular Structures For Protection Against Traumatic Brain Injury, Aaron R. Jackson

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) disrupts brain function due to head impacts, blast exposures, and ballistic penetrations. It is a significant cause of mental health issues and disability, particularly among military personnel. Historically, combat helmets were designed primarily to protect against fragments. However, recent data highlights the need for helmets that also protect against blast and blunt impacts. Effective TBI prevention requires helmets that address various energy threats while remaining lightweight. A critical metric in this effort is head acceleration, which is closely linked to injury across different scales of brain damage.

Four lattice structures were 3D printed using Digital ABS …

Image-Based Thermal And Mechanical Analysis Of Polymers, Yukti Shinglot

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

In recent years, application of polymers have rapidly expanded across industries due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability to diverse manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing. Innovations in PolyJet technology enable the creation of complex geometries with tailored color combinations, transparency, and flexibility, broadening applications in medical, aerospace, and automotive sectors. Advances in processing viscoelastic rubbers like PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) have further enhanced its mechanical properties, expanding its use in biomedical devices and electronic components. However, polymers are susceptible to complex deformation and failure under thermal and mechanical stresses, which can impact their performance and safety. This research examines the thermal behavior …

Generalizable Fugitive Carrier Method For 3d Printing Of Hydrogels, Hakan Arslan

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Hydrogels, with physical characteristics resembling biological soft tissues, hold great potential for bioinspired and biomedical applications. However, using them in additive manufacturing systems has challenges because of their poor mechanical and rheological properties. In response to these challenges, we introduce a fugitive carrier method, a novel and generalizable approach for materials incompatible with pneumatic-based extrusion three-dimensional (3D) printers. Our developed fugitive carrier method allows the 3D printing of a broad spectrum of hydrogel precursors with low viscosity while retaining their inherent properties. This technique has been successfully demonstrated by creating biomimetic structures with anisotropic and programmable systems utilizing temperature-sensitive hydrogel …

Human System Composite Performance Measures: General Systems Performance Theory Insights, Lawrence Disalvi

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Composite Performance Measures (CPMs) of human performance are widely employed in applications that range from mundane to life-changing, yet they are frequently presented without explanation or reference to theoretical underpinnings. The conceptual soundness of a widely used CPM approach, based on additive combination of constituent components, has been called into question by Kondraske. He argues the relevance of General Systems Performance Theory (GSPT) and performance capacity envelope concepts when applied to multidimensional CPM measures.

To obtain evidence-based answers to assertions regarding CPM types and rationale employed in medical and non-medical contexts, a Systematic Descriptive Review was conducted. Separately, the GSPT-based …

Computational And Experimental Analysis Of Silica Nanoparticles Under Dc And Ac Electric Fields Using A Self-Induced Back Action Actuated Nanopore Electrophoresis (Sane) Sensor, Homayoun Asadzadeh, Scott Renkes, George Alexandrakis, Minjun Kim, Scott Turpin

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

In this dissertation I have studied a novel single-molecule nanosensor that integrates a Solid-State Nanopore (SSNP), milled in silicon nitride with a Double Nanohole (DNH) nanoaperture, milled in gold. This device leverages Self-Induced Back-Action (SIBA) for optical trapping with ssNP electrical sensing and is called the SIBA-Actuated Nanopore Electrophoresis (SANE) sensor. My lab has previously shown that simultaneous acquisition of bimodal optical and direct current (DC) electrical signatures enables more detailed characterization of nanoscopic analytes compared to using electrical data alone, which are typically collected by ssNP sensors. In this work I have first studied by COMSOL Multiphysics simulations the …

Spray-On Sensor Formulations That Enable Detection Of Physical And Chemical Stimuli, Priyanka Shiveshwarkar

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Polydiacetylene based materials have been used for a variety of liquid phase sensing applications. There remains a need for low cost, easy-to-read gas phase sensors for continuous monitoring of physiological parameters and environmental hazards at work or at home. Such sensors could have applications in everyday life, for example as point-of-care or at home testing devices to enable early detection of disease to reduce healthcare costs. Making accessible and non-invasive technologies for monitoring of health and health risks provides individuals with the ability to be proactive in regard to their health and safety. In other examples, environmental monitoring systems could …

Development Of Anti-Microbial Nanocoatings On Metallic Surfaces To Prevent Infections, Luis Fernando Soto Garcia

Bioengineering Dissertations - Archive

Healthcare-associated infections have a prevalence of about 7% in the United States and up to 50% in some developing nations. They not only present a constant risk for inpatients and healthcare workers but are also a serious challenge to human health services worldwide. These infections can be transmitted via contaminated non-critical surfaces like doorknobs and bedrails, which are routinely cleaned with low-level disinfectants approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, this strategy has limited efficacy since recontamination occurs, resulting in these surfaces again becoming vectors of infection. In this work, we addressed this issue by developing a self-disinfecting nanocomposite …

Role Of Occupational Therapy Assessment And Office Ergonomics To Support Students With Accommodations In Higher Learning: A Narrative Review, Behdin Nowrouzi-Kia, Christi Tam, Raabia Khan, Bushra Alam, Sujatha Alla

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Postsecondary students with disabilities (SWDs) face significant challenges to their academic and personal well-being. There is a demand for more supportive strategies to facilitate fulfilling and equitable academic experiences for SWDs. This review aimed to (1) determine the effectiveness of various interventions, programs, and accommodations for enhancing the overall well-being of postsecondary SWDs and (2) evaluate the implications of these support strategies for disability service providers at postsecondary institutions. A narrative review was conducted, examining 13 studies aimed at enhancing the well-being of postsecondary SWDs. Studies were classified using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Model. Ergonomics, …

A Systematic Review Of Phenotypic And Epigenetic Clocks Used For Aging And Mortality Quantification In Humans, Brandon Warner, Edward Ratner, Anirban Datta, Amaury Lendasse

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Aging is the leading driver of disease in humans and has profound impacts on mortality. Biological clocks are used to measure the aging process in the hopes of identifying possible interventions. Biological clocks may be categorized as phenotypic or epigenetic, where phenotypic clocks use easily measurable clinical biomarkers, and epigenetic clocks use cellular methylation data. In recent years, methylation clocks have attained phenomenal performance when predicting chronological age and have been linked to various age-related diseases. Additionally, phenotypic clocks have been proven to be able to predict mortality better than chronological age, providing intracellular insights into the aging process. This …

Probable Extirpation Of The Jackrabbit (Lepus Californicus) From Arkansas, D.B. Sasse

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) was first documented in Arkansas during the modern era in Franklin County in 1927. Over the next few decades records were reported from multiple counties in northwest Arkansas and the species was locally common in Benton, Crawford, and Washington counties in the 1950s. The last Arkansas record documented in the scientific literature was from 1968 and since then there have only been three credible reports, with the last being from the late 1980s. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission solicited reports of jackrabbits from the public and failed to find evidence of them from a …

A Review Of Herpetofaunal Distributions In Arkansas With Special Emphasis On Contributions From Citizen Science: Part I – Snakes, R. Jacobs, N. Ortiz, J. Jackson, J.D. Willson, K.G. Roberts, R. Kannan

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

We present a comprehensive updated review of the distributions of the 38 species of snakes in Arkansas. We compare historical and current distributions with citizen science data uploaded and verified in iNaturalist, a leading biodiversity monitoring online citizen science database. The Arkansas Herpetological Atlas, a website maintaining species occurrence records, is also used and compared. We highlight the role played by iNaturalist in enhancing our knowledge of snake distributions in Arkansas. 10,885 verified and vetted Research Grade (RG) observations of Arkansas snakes have been recorded in iNaturalist, expanding the known distributions of 36 of the 38 species. This is the …

Ultrastructure Of The Biflagellated Spermatozoon In The Western Siren, Siren Nettingi (Caudata: Sirenidae), Using Scanning Electron Microscopy, S.E. Trauth

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

I investigated the ultrastructure of the biflagellated spermatozoon of the Western Siren, Siren nettingi, using scanning electron microscopy from salamanders collected in northeastern Arkansas. My primary goal in this study was to reveal the general morphology of the distinctive sperm cell components (two axonemes, two undulating membranes, and two axial fibers), which run nearly the entire length of the spermatozoon. These remarkable gamete structures are found in members of the salamander family Sirenidae and do not conform to spermatozoal ultrastructure of any other salamander species. Moreover, the biflagellated sperm are the end product of an extraordinary assemblage of complex maturation …

History And Distribution Of The Wood Stork (Mycteria Americana) In Arkansas, R. Tumlison, L. Serviss

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) were thought to be common visitors to Arkansas in the early 1900s, but observations declined mid-century. Surveys of citizen science data and other online sources indicate that numbers of unique observations and total counts of birds have increased since 2000. Storks do not breed here, but have been reported in 34 of 75 counties, and appear mostly in August and September. Birds apparently originate from Mexico. Number of observations have increased since 2016, but many of those observations include only a few birds rather than larger flocks.

Geographical Variation In Songs Of Bachman’S Sparrow (Peucaea Aestivalis), L. Nguyen, K. Doñas, J. Jackson, R. Kannan

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

We present an analysis of geographic variation in primary song components of the Near Threatened North American endemic, Bachman’s Sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis). These songs have 2 distinct portions: an introductory tweet we call the "whistle" and a more complex second portion that we call the "trill". We analyzed 327 songs from 111 recordings downloaded from eBird.org from the entire current range of the species. We grouped the recordings into 3 distinct geographic clusters, East, Central, and West. The data measured from spectrograms suggest a significant statistical difference among groups for 3 measured characteristics: frequency range of trill, number of horizontal …

An Annotated Checklist Of The Camel Crickets (Insecta: Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) Of Arkansas, H.W. Robison, C.T. Mcallister

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

A total of 14 native species of camel crickets and one introduced taxon representing three genera (Ceuthophilus, Phrixocnemis, and Diestrammena) of the orthopteran family Rhaphidophoridae, are herein reported from Arkansas. The most diverse genus was Ceuthophilus, with 13 native species, while Phrixocnemis had one native species, and Diestrammena, formerly Tachycines, was represented by one introduced species. This updated checklist is intended to be of use to entomologists, naturalists, professional biologists, and resource managers in evaluating the biodiversity of Arkansas. State distributional maps are provided for each species listed by county, and habitats are discussed in which each species was taken …

Fish Leeches Of Arkansas, D.J. Richardson, W.E. Moser, C.T. Mcallister, S.P. Lawson, H.W. Robison

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Recent collection within Arkansas greatly enlarges the knowledge concerning hosts and distributions of fish leeches within the state. The natural history of the 6 species of fish leeches known from Arkansas (Placobdella montifera, Placobdella pediculata, Cystobranchus klemmi, Cystobranchus verrilli, Myzobdella lugubris, and Myzobdella reducta) is reviewed and updated and molecular data are provided.

Enhancing Electromigration Reliability In Solder Interconnects Through Microstructure Control And Thermomechanical Failure Mechanisms In Thin Metal Lines Under Surge Current Conditions, Hariram Mohanram

Material Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The relentless miniaturization of semiconductor devices has intensified reliability challenges in electronic packaging, particularly for solder interconnects and thin metal lines. This dissertation investigates two critical failure mechanisms—electromigration (EM) and thermomechanical fatigue (TMF)—and explores strategies to mitigate these effects. Electromigration, driven by high-density current-induced atomic migration, significantly impacts solder interconnects. This study examines the role of Under-Bump Metallization (UBM) and solder microstructure in improving EM reliability. Findings reveal that thicker UBMs delay void nucleation and enhance EM resistance, while the absence of UBM leads to failure through vertical void propagation. Additionally, grain orientation, particularly the c-axis alignment in Sn grains, …

Statistical Analysis On The Effects Of Environmental Factors On Bridge Condition Rating In Texas, Mohammad Wasif Quadri

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

The development of predictive models for bridge deterioration is crucial for ensuring the longevity and safety of transportation infrastructure. Bridge condition degradation is heavily influenced by environmental conditions. This research integrates various environmental variables such as rainfall, humidity, air temperature, coastal influence, and freezing effects to generate environmental risk scores. These scores help in developing environmental risk zones within the Texas region. Deck condition ratings from the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) database are used to develop deterioration models using linear regression and the Markov method. The results highlight the impact of different environmental risk zones on bridge degradation patterns and …

Applications Of Plasmonic Biosensors In Chiral And Achiral Sensing, Aritra Biswas

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Monitoring biological systems is crucial in healthcare, driving the need for reliable and noninvasive solutions. The proliferation of unverified drugs in the market necessitates reliable methods for their detection and identification, especially amidst advancements in pharmaceuticals. Plasmonic biosensors emerge as a great platform for ultra-sensitive detection, identification, and manipulation of biomolecular systems. This dissertation report addresses the critical need for precise detection and monitoring of biomolecules and drugs, presenting innovative solutions through the design of a plasmonic biosensor to tackle challenges in sensitivity, selectivity, and label-free detection and identification. We introduce a robust and tunable, cavity-integrated plasmonic nanopatterned sensor that …

Program And Proceedings: Nebraska Academy Of Sciences 1880–2024, 144th Anniversary Year, One Hundred-Thirty-Fourth Annual Meeting

Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings

Program

Aeronautics and Space Science

Aeronautics and Space Science Poster Session

Anthropology: Humans Past and Present

Maiben Lecture: "Platte Basin Timelapse: A Watershed in Motion," Grant Reiner

Applied Science and Technology

Biological Sciences

Biomedical Sciences

Chemistry

Earh Sciences

Environmental Sciences

Physics

Science Education

Compton Scattering Of Mammographic Soft X-Ray Beams By Alkali And Transition Metal Salt Filters Produce X-Ray Interference Zones That May Have Treatment Potential For Localized Cancer Lesions, Subhendra N. Sarkar, Eric Lobel, Sabina Rakhmatova, Derbie Desir, Somdat Kissoon, Daler Djuraev, Katie Tam

Publications and Research

In breast x-ray imaging scattered radiation adds 50% of harmful radiation dose from anisotropic Compton scattering mechanism. We have been working with double layered inorganic salt materials that can induce Compton scattering to the incident mammographic x ray beams (in 20-30 kVp range) with adequate isotropy (angular control). Typically metal nitrates and alkali halide salt layers are shown here to cause low energy radiation interference zones with high and low photon intensities and local flux heterogeneity in terms of flux covariance. Spatial variation of low energy photon flux creates concentrated and sparse radiation zones that may be used to induce …

The Effects Of Bilateral Stimulation On Motor Learning, Shania Rehmudin

Dissertations and Theses

Motor learning is a set of complex processes aimed at learning and refining new skills by practicing them. There are three proposed stages of motor learning: cognitive, associative, and autonomous. While all stages are crucial, research suggests that the cognitive stage holds particular significance, laying the foundational groundwork for effective skill acquisition. Although research has explored many innovative ways to facilitate motor memory, to our knowledge, none has explored the optimization of motor skill learning through manipulating the focus of attention using bilateral stimulation. Therefore, this study explored the effects of bilateral stimulation on squat skill acquisition. Nineteen (19) subjects, …