Digital Commons Network^™

Nbp 2.0: Updated Next Bar Predictor, An Improved Algorithmic Music Generator, Belinda M. Dungan, Proceso L. Fernandez Jr

Electronics, Computer, and Communications Engineering Faculty Publications

Deep neural network advancements have enabled machines to produce melodies emulating human-composed music. However, the implementation of such machines is costly in terms of resources. In this paper, we present NBP 2.0, a refinement of the previous model next bar predictor (NBP) with two notable improvements: first, transforming each training instance to anchor all the notes to its musical scale, and second, changing the model architecture itself. NBP 2.0 maintained its straightforward and lightweight implementation, which is an advantage over the baseline models. Improvements were assessed using quantitative and qualitative metrics and, based on the results, the improvements from these …

Klf2 Regulation Of Glycocalyx Expression, Barrier Function, And Thromboinflammation In Human Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells, Cambria O'Grady

All ETDs from UAB

KLF2 is an important transcription factor for maintaining vascular homeostasis. Its expression in endothelial cells is triggered by shear stress. The endothelial glycocalyx also plays a role in regulating vascular function, and prior work has shown that glycocalyx expression is affected by shear stress as well. However, the direct link between KLF2 and mechanisms that regulate glycocalyx synthesis has not been established. In the present study, we used human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVECs) to observe changes in glycocalyx expression, barrier function, and thromboinflammation caused by KLF2 overexpression. Lentiviral transduction was the method used for KLF2 overexpression, resulting in a …

A Value-Based Framework For Process Alignment In Complex Provisioning Systems, Michael Lipscomb

All ETDs from UAB

Provisioning systems are human-built, process-based systems whose activities are directed toward providing something of value to another entity. The things provided are not limited to any one type but may include, for example, objects, services, and information. Systems under consideration herein are limited to those that are human based, decentralized, and complex. “Human based” means that many of the agents and all the customers of the system are human. “Decentralized” means that agents act beyond central control. Such a system presents different challenges from one in which tasks are delegated from a central authority. In a decentralized system, agents are …

Pkd-1 Signaling Inthe Regulation Of Cancer Stem Cell-Like Features And Cancer Cell Interactions With Endothelial Cells In Breast Cancer And Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor, Yichen Hailey Guo

All ETDs from UAB

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation cancer cells that play critical roles in tumor progression, recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. CSCs are characterized by self-renewal and plasticity. Protein kinase D-1 (PKD-1) signaling regulates CSC/stemness features in both breast cancers and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. In PNETs, PKD-1 signaling regulates not only stemness properties of cancer, but also epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). PNETs are typically well vascularized and heterogeneous. Everolimus (an mTOR inhibitor and the 2nd generation derivative of rapamycin) has been approved as a targeted chemotherapy for PNET patients. Unfortunately, nearly all patients will progress on treatment due to drug resistance …

Biomanufacturing Of Micro-Myocardial Tissue Through Suspension Differentiation With Improved Yields, Purity, And Quality, Asher M. Kahn-Krell

All ETDs from UAB

Despite major advances in revascularization and drug therapy for post-myocardial infarction (MI) heart failure (HF), heart transplantation remains the only curative therapy to prevent progressive and debilitating disease. Researchers have long sought a replenishable and expandable source of cardiomyocytes (CMs), the primary functional cell in the heart muscle, for a broad array of applications related to the treatment of HF ranging from direct implantation to high throughput drug testing. The lack of cell cycle activity and cell division in adult CMs prevented the development of an expandable primary cell line. However, with the discovery of high efficiency stem cell differentiation …

Assessment Of Scientific Payload Carrying Spirulina Onboard Blue Origin’S New Shepard Vehicle, Pedro J. Llanos, Morgan Shilling, Kristina Andrijauskaite, Kody Kidder, Vijay V. Duraisamy

Publications

The research team at ERAU and UTHSCSA analyzed the effects of suborbital flight stressors and various light conditions (red, white, no light) on the Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina), onboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard vehicle. Commercially available cyanobacterium species were cultivated and closely monitored in mother colonies several months before the suborbital flight mission. The aim of this study was to estimate the biomass production and growth as a potential dietary alternative for prospective human spaceflight's life support system. Spirulina samples were flown in a NanoLab with adjacent avionics supporting the light conditions and sensors to monitor the temperature, relative humidity, and …

Experimental Study Of Wall Bounded Harbor Seal Whisker Inspired Pin Geometries, Anish Prasad, Mark Ricklick

Publications

Conventional cylindrical/elliptical pins are one of the most widely used geometries in convection cooling systems and are used in the internal cooling of gas turbine blades and other applications, as they promote better heat transfer at the expense of large pressure losses and unsteadiness in the flow. The need to reduce pressure drop and maintain the heat transfer rates are a pressing requirement for a variety of industries to improve their cooling efficiency. One such prominent field of research is conducted in optimizing the design of pin geometries. In this study, a harbor seal whisker inspired geometry is being studied …

An Electrochemical-Mechanical Investigation Of Next Generation Lithium Metal Electrode And Solid Electrolyte, Andrew Meyer

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are a staple in today’s society. From our cellphones, laptops, power tools, the ever-growing electric vehicle, and many more application, LIBs are more important to us than most realize. They provide the best combination of both high-energy and high-power density compared to other battery types such as Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, or the lead acid batteries used in our cars. Plus, LIBs are much safer. However, as new technologies grow and are developed, the demand for higher energy and power density, better safety, lower costs, and longer life increases. One way to achieve the ever-increasing demands is to replace …

Improving Manufacturing Processes For Making Lithium Ion Battery Electrodes, Ming Wang

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used to provide energy and power in portable electronics, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. The LIB market has grown dramatically as they have a combination of high energy density, high power density, proven reliability, and long cycle life. The manufacturing process is one of the key factors as it strongly affects the cost and performance of LIBs.

This dissertation is focused firstly on the development of a conventional slurry-based electrode manufacturing process. Slurry making is a critical step that affects the subsequent steps in battery manufacturing. In this work, we have investigated the …

Microscale Contact And Friction Of Low Modulus, Lightly Crosslinked Polydimethylsiloxane, Justin Glover

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Friction and adhesion of soft materials are important for pressure sensitive adhesives, biomaterials, and soft robotics; however, the behavior on the microscale is not fully understood. When two objects come into contact, their interactions are usually mediated by small contact points due to surface roughness. At the microscale size, surface forces can deform soft materials to minimize energy by increasing the contact area, which is balanced by the elastic deformation of the polymer network. However, for soft, crosslinked materials with a modulus below ~100 kPa, it is challenging to predict the behavior with prior contact and friction models. Additionally, lightly …

Versatile Functionalization Strategy For The Capture Of Antibodies Using Silica Nanoparticles, Sayma Afrin

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

In this work, the synthesis of protein-functionalized nonporous silica nanoparticles and their application to capture antibodies was demonstrated. Silica nanoparticles were chosen as they offered particle and pore size tunability, low toxicity, thermal stability, ease of synthesis and ease of surface functionalization. A biotin-streptavidin-biotin bridge was constructed on the surface of the particles and used to attach biotinylated Protein A/G (PAG), which has high affinity for antibodies. The biotin-streptavidin-biotin bridge is hypothesized to orient the PAG in a favorable manner for efficient antibody capture. Nonporous silica nanoparticles (approximately 270 nm in diameter) were synthesized via the Stöber method. Following amine …

Attainable Moment Set And Actuation Time Of A Bio-Inspired Rotating Empennage, Christian R. Bolander, Douglas F. Hunsaker, David Myszka, James J. Joo

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Future tactical aircraft will likely demonstrate improvements in efficiency, weight, and control by implementing bio-inspired control systems. This work analyzes a novel control system for a fighter aircraft inspired by the function of – and the degrees of freedom available in – a bird’s tail. The control system is introduced to an existing fighter aircraft design by removing the vertical tail and allowing the horizontal tail surfaces to rotate about the roll axis. Using a low-fidelity aerodynamic model, an analysis on the available controlling moments and actuation speeds of the baseline aircraft is compared to that of the bio-inspired rotating …

Me-Em Enewsbrief, December 2021, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Biom/Biol 4110: The Science Of Medicine (Syllabus), Bradford D. Pendley

Biomedical Engineering Syllabi Archive

Course Description: Integration of fundamental principles from physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics, and applications of these principles to solve problems in medicine.

Biom 4906: Tissue Engineering (Syllabus), Gary L. Bowlin

Biomedical Engineering Syllabi Archive

Course Description: To study the design, development, and implantation of tissue engineered components. Analysis of the basis for cell growth and differentiation, control of tissue development (in vivo & in vitro), models for tissue engineering, and transplantation of engineered cells and tissues. The emphasis of these analyses will be focused on the cardiovascular system (blood vessels and cardiac prostheses), musculoskeletal system (Bone, cartilage, and tendons), and skin.

Biom 4801/6801: Introduction To Medical Imaging (Syllabus), Aaryani Sajja

Biomedical Engineering Syllabi Archive

Course Description: This course will introduce fundamentals of the four most-important clinical medical imaging modalities: X-ray, Radionuclide, Ultrasound, and MRI. The primary focus is on the physical principles, instrumentation methods, imaging algorithms, and clinical applications of each imaging modality.

Shape Investigations Of Structures Formed By The Self-Assembly Of Aromaticamino Acids Using The Density-Based Spatial Clustering Of Applications With Noise Algorithm, Mehmet Gökhan Habi̇boğlu, Helen W. Hernandez, Şahi̇n Uyaver

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine are important aromatic amino acids for human health. If they are not properly metabolized, severe rare mental or metabolic diseases can emerge, many of which are not researched enough due to economic priorities. In our previous simulations, all three of these amino acids are discovered to be self-organizing and to have complex aggregations at different temperatures. Two of these essential stable formations are observed during our simulations: tubular-like and spherical-like structures. In this study, we develop and implement a clustering analyzing algorithm using density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) to measure the shapes of …

Stress Analysis On Walls In Complex Fluids With Fluid-Solid Interaction, Dehong Fang

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The wall shear stress (WSS) in blood vessels influences many biological processes, such as atherosclerosis, clot growth, angiogenesis, aneurysm rupture, and blood cell transport and adhesion. The deformable red blood cells (RBCs) in blood flow make the WSS even more complex. To analyze the WSS in complex fluids with cell suspensions, numerical simulations of blood flows in simple straight channels were conducted, where the fluid-solid interactions were simulated by immersed boundary-lattice Boltzmann method. The spatiotemporal dynamics of WSS were analyzed using dynamic mode decomposition (DMD), which is a technique that can extract the low-rank spatiotemporal features from complex fluids. The …

A New Boundary Interlock Geometry Design Method For Fdm Multi-Material Part Strengthening, Shivaram Sree Venkata Shanmukha Kakaraparthi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Multi-material Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) enables the cost-effective realization of designs in complex geometries built with multiple materials. However, achieving an adequate level of bonding strength between different materials remains a significant challenge. Besides the traditional way of addressing this challenge by strengthening material bonding at the molecular scale by optimizing the printing parameters, introducing a new design methodology that creates stronger multi-material interface geometry could also offer effective solutions. This work studied the mechanical properties of multi-material printed objects, with a particular focus on the interface zone formed between different materials at their geometrical boundaries. A new mathematical simulation …

The Role Of Pro-Longevity Micrornas In Aging, Sarah Noureddine

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Cellular senescence, a hallmark of aging, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many major age-related disorders, including atherosclerosis, metabolic disease, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is characterized by increased cognitive impairment and treatment options available provide minimal disease attenuation. Additionally, diagnostic methods for AD are not conclusive with definitive diagnoses requiring postmortem brain evaluations. Therefore, miRNAs, a class of small, non-coding RNAs, have garnered attention for their ability to regulate a variety of mRNAs and their potential to serve as both therapeutic targets and biomarkers of disease. Several miRNAs have already been implicated with AD …

Factors Influencing The Effectiveness Of Managing Human–Robot Teams, Theodore B. Terry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Certain factors can influence the capabilities of a robot–human team by affecting their social and behavioral dynamics in a work environment. But these factors were not known due to the progressive nature of human–robot partnerships and a lack of peer-reviewed literature on the topic. This e-Delphi study aimed to identify and understand these unknown influential factors based on the participants’ insights. The overarching research question asked about the need to determine factors that might influence the effectiveness of managing human-robot teams. The basis for the conceptual framework for this study was the theory of communication used in organizational management. Twelve …

Effects Of Substrate Types On Nitrogen Removal Efficacy And Growth Of Canna Indica L., Arunothai Jampeetong, Pakawat Janyasupab

Applied Environmental Research

Constructed wetlands (CWs), a cost effective technology for wastewater treatment, consist of substrates and wetland plants, which should be selected carefully to gain highest treatment efficiency. However, studies on plant growth and responses to different types of substrates are very few. This study aims to assess the effects of substrate types on growth and root morphology of Canna indica L. and nitrogen (N) removal. Twenty-four similar sized approximately 1 month old C. indica plants were selected and grown on different substrates (gravel, pumice and biochar). All plants were supplied with a standard growth medium to which 14 mg L-1 NH4+, …

Petrogenic And Biogenic Inputs Of N-Alkanes Along Shoreline Of The Caspian Sea In The Mazandaran Province, North Of Iran, Seyed Raheb Hosseini Bizaki, Ahmad Reza Rabbani, Alireza Riyahi Bakhtiari, Mitra Cheraghi, Parisa Babaie

Applied Environmental Research

The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world and is facing an increasing risk of contamination. Sea-based and land-based hydrocarbons inputs are the most critical pollutants of the Caspian Sea. In the present study, n-alkanes and related diagnostic ratios were used to identify the sources of hydrocarbon contaminants in surface sediments along the southern coastal area of the Caspian Sea in Mazandaran province. 27 surface sediment samples were collected from a depth of 5 meters under sea level. Contaminant’s compositions were extracted by Soxhlet apparatus and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. According to the results, the total …

Risk Assessment Of Total Mercury (T-Hg) In Commercial Seafood Marketed In Bangkok, Thailand, Irwan Ramadhan Ritonga, Sujaree Bureekul, Penjai Sompongchaiyakul

Applied Environmental Research

Seafood is recognized as the high protein source of human consumption. However, it is hampered by mercury contamination. The objectives of this study are to determine total mercury (T-Hg) levels in edible portions of commercial seafood available in Bangkok’s supermarkets, and to evaluate the potential risks from mercury through seafood consumption. Total 32 species, including 22 fish, 4 cephalopod and 6 shellfish, were purchased from super-markets. Fish samples were dissected in 3 parts comprised of flesh, gill and viscera. While, cephalopod and shellfish were separated for edible tissues. The samples were digested in hot acid and were determined using cold-vapor …

Prediction Of Groundwater Quality Index In The Selected Divisions Of Srikakulam Using Artificial Neural Networks Approach, Santhosh Kumar Nadikatla, Mushini Venkata Subbarao, M.P.S. Murali Krishna

Applied Environmental Research

Applicability of artificial neural network (ANN) modelling in predicting the water quality index (WQI) and in turn to ascertain the suitability of the water for human consumption has been presented in the paper. In the light of the present study, seventy-nine (79) groundwater samples were collected from two mandals (divisions) Veeraghattam (VGT) and Palakonda (PLKD) and analyzed for physicochemical parameters during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons of 2015 and 2016. In computing the WQI, physicochemical parameters such as  pH, EC, TDS, TH, Ca, Mg, chlorine, fluoride, nitrite, DO and TA have been considered. From the results it was found that …

Groundwater Quality Assessment Using Groundwater Quality Index And Multivariate Statistical Methods And Human Health Risk Assessment In A Coastal Region Of The Vietnamese Mekong Delta, Nguyen Thanh Giao, Phan Kim Anh, Huynh Thi Hong Nhien

Applied Environmental Research

This study aimed to evaluate the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes and assess the associated human health risks for different age groups in a coastal province of Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Twenty groundwater samples were collected in Soc Trang Province, and various water quality parameters were analyzed. The data were employed to calculate entropy-weighted groundwater quality index (EWQI), principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), and non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for adult and children health. The results revealed that groundwater in some locations, especially in GW19, was polluted by hardness, total dissolved solids, NH4+, Cl-, Fe, total coliform, and E. …

Preliminary Study And First Evidence Of Presence Of Microplastics In Green Mussel, Perna Viridis From Phuket, Phaothep Cherdsukjai, Vararin Vongpanich, Pensiri Akkajit

Applied Environmental Research

Plastics can reach the coastal environment and could impact the marine environment. Mussels are marine organisms which are prone to be exposed to microplastics pollution. Therefore, in this preliminary study, the commercially important green mussel (Perna viridis) collected at the Koh Phee Canal in Phuket, Phuket Province, southern peninsular Thailand, was investigated. The collected mussels from aquaculture farm fell into three age groups, namely 1 year-1 month, 1 year-7 months, and 1 year-9 months. Results from the investigation showed 200 items of microplastics present in Perna viridis with 76 items (38%) in flushed water and 124 items (62%) …

Assessment Of Organophosphorus Pesticide Residues In Water And Sediment Collected From The Southern Caspian Sea, Reza Golshani, Ghasem Ghorbanzadeh Zafarani, Maksim Rebezov, Samaneh Karbalaei, Tony R. Walker

Applied Environmental Research

Pollution of water resources by uncontrolled pesticide use is a serious health and environmental issue. In this study, concentrations of three organophosphorus pesticides (diazinon, malathion, and azinphos-methyl) in water and sediment samples from five estuaries (Sefidrud, Chalus, Babolrud, Tajan, and Gorganrud) along the Caspian Sea were investigated. Samples were collected from surface water and sediment during summer to autumn, and pesticides were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results indicated that salinity and turbidity in Gorganrud were higher (salinity: range 2–8%; turbidity: range 1–9%) compared to other stations. Higher diazinon (water: 0.08±0.06, sediment: 0.04±0.01), malathion (water: 0.09±0.06, sediment: 0.05±0.01) and …

Performance Of Porous Substrates For Domestic Wastewater Treatment Under Prolonged Hydraulic Retention Time, Pakawat Janyasupab, Arunothai Jampeetong

Applied Environmental Research

Physicochemical characteristics of porous substrates (longan biochar, corn biochar, and pumice) including specific surface area (SSA), pore volume (Vp), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were determined. Longan biochar had the highest SSA, Vp, and CEC, followed by corn biochar and pumice. Then, columns filled with each of these 3 substrates together with gravel as a control treatment, were evaluated to compare wastewater treatment efficiency under different hydraulic retention times (HRTs). Each system had been acclimatized with wastewater for 8 weeks. Then, influent and effluent were analyzed at 1, 3, 5, and 7 day intervals. Water analysis revealed that biochar-based systems …

Spatial Distribution Of Bioavailable Metal Concentrations And Total Metal Concentration-Depth Relationship Along The Sediment Profile Within Phuket Bay, Pensiri Akkajit, Danai Tipmanee, Kaimook Jaileak

Applied Environmental Research

Heavy metals in coastal sediments can adversely affect human health and the environment. The distribution and metal bioavailability of Pb and Zn in 21 sediment samples collected from Phuket Bay, Phuket, Thailand using the first-two steps of sequential extraction proposed by the Standards, Measurements and Testing programme (known as BCR) was determined. The results showed that Pb formed weak complexes contributing up to 11.2% to 33% of its total concentration (1.7 to 7.5 mg kg-1) in the first fraction (BCR1), while Zn in the BCR1 fraction ranged from 4.9% to 9.9%. The results suggest that Pb could easily enter the …