Numerical Simulations For Optimal Control Of A Cancer Cell Model With Delay, Jessica S. Lugo

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Mathematical models are often created to analyze the complicated behavior of many physical systems. One such system is that of the interaction between cancer cells, the immune system, and various treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Using models that depict these relationships gives researchers insight on the dynamics of this complicated system and possibly ideas for improved treatment schedules.

The model presented here gives the relationship of cancer cells in development phases with immune cells and cycle-specific chemotherapy treatment. This model includes a constant delay term in the mitotic phase. Optimal control theory is used to minimize the cost …

The Impact Of Gender Normed Scoring Of The Brief Symptom Inventory On Trans* Individuals, Ashley Megan Bieze Wilson

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to investigate the significance of the choice of gender normed scoring on the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) (Derogatis, 1993) when assessing cisgender and trans* or gender non-conforming individuals. This study compared two groups, cisgender and trans* individuals, on male and female gender normed scoring for the BSI. Each participant’s responses on the BSI were scored using both male and female norms and the number of clinically significant elevations (T-score ≥ 63) was counted. Results indicated that regardless of gender identity or sex-assigned-at-birth (SAAB), a higher mean number of elevations was found when using male …

Properties And Applications Of Tetraalkylphosphonium Alkylsulfate Ionic Liquids And 3d Printed Polymerized Ionic Liquids, Mustafa Mohammed Alhussain

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Ionic liquids (ILs) are defined as pure salts with a melting temperature below 100 °C with a subset called room-temperature ILs (RTILs) with melting temperatures at or below room temperature. The sizes of the cation and anion play a critical role in determining the properties, with smaller ions forming stronger ionic forces and packing better, raising viscosity and lowering conductivity of the IL. At the same time, intermolecular forces such as van der Waals and hydrogen bonding can play a role in IL properties as well. Our research described herein is focused on three tetraalkylphosphonium-based cations coupled with three alkylsulfate …

Internships And Post-Graduation Employment, Camilla Kaye Mears

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Internships help prepare college students to be work-ready upon graduation while affecting primary stakeholders in the internship experience to include not only the college student but also the higher education institution (HEI) and employer. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between college internship participation and post-graduation employment. If a relationship existed, then does that conclude that internships should be mandatory at HEIs? This study utilized a historical dataset of the May 2018 graduating class from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. SPSS software was used to analyze two categorical variables of …

Assessing A Mid-Sized University With He-Tpack, Randall Joyce

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation research project has the goal of looking at a mid-sized regional university and assessing the faculty in the college of education and human services to see how faculty members self-assess themselves with the higher education technological pedagogical and content knowledge (HE-TPACK) instrument while attempting to determine whether or not there is a difference between digital immigrant faculty and digital native faculty. The study also looks at the self-perception of what digital group faculty members think they belong in. The study examined (n=13) faculty members, including digital immigrants 9 and digital natives 4. According to the findings, there was …

The Perceived Relationship Of Student Engagement: An Analysis Of Underrepresented Student Achievement At A Predominantly White Land Grant Institution, Antomia Farrell

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Over the course of centuries, agriculture has carried a negative connotation for those who identify as an underrepresented minority. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE), Office of Diversity (OOD) has worked strategically over the course of the last twenty years, in enhancing recruitment and retention mechanisms to increase the enrollment of underrepresented minority (URM) students and to change the face of agriculture within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The purpose of this study is to identify and examine the student engagement and academic achievement of underrepresented students who are juniors and seniors at the University of …

2018-12-07, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Automated Control System For Photo-Bioreactor, Madankrishna Acharya

Posters-at-the-Capitol

At the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, recent efforts have been made to optimize and reduce the cost of a unit designed to control an automated photobioreactor system in which microalgae is grown to reduce CO2 emissions. In contrast with a previously used system based on a compactRIO controller and NI LabVIEW software, a new optimized version utilizes an inexpensive Beagle Bone panel as a microcontroller that can be programmed through the use of Python software. Notably, the cost of the new control system was 1/10th of the price of the previous unit.

The Development Of Hybrid Lipid-Polymer Nanoparticle Architectures For The Sustained-Release Of Small Hydrophilic Molecules, Keegan Curry, Jill M. Steinbach-Rankins Dr.

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Introduction: Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) have been utilized as drug delivery vehicles for a variety of applications. However, achieving sustained-release of small hydrophilic agents is a primary challenge for their use in prolonged delivery applications.

Objective: This study investigates how novel lipid-polymer hybrid particle architectures can be used to improve the release profile of small hydrophilic encapsulants. Here, PLGA NPs were produced via electrospraying and emulsions. Particles with a core-shell architecture were produced via coaxial electrospraying and the ability of this architecture to sustain release was examined. In addition, we combined polymeric core-shell NPs with a lipid coating to improve biocompatibility, …

Elevated Calcium Levels In Kentucky Lake: A Possible Emerging Problem With An Invasive Species, Adam T. Martin

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are an exotic and invasive mollusk that have spread extensively through various rivers and lakes in the United States. These mussels are notorious for their “biofouling” capabilities costing billions of dollars in their removal from industrial, public, and power plant water supply lines. While having been present in the Tennessee River drainage with occasional small reproducing populations since the early 1990s, zebra mussels were never abundant or widespread. In 2017, high densities were found on structures and solid substrates throughout the lower portion of Kentucky Lake. Calcium is one of the essential elements that contributes …

Prediction Of Metal Sample Failure From Scanning Electron Microscope Images Using Deep Learning Neural Network, Lawrence Madriaga, Ivan Novikov, Morteza Nurcheshmeh

Posters-at-the-Capitol

We present the preliminary results on using a deep learning neural network to predict a metal sample failure based on a set of images obtained with a Scanning Electron Microscope.

Various metal alloy samples were prepared according to ASTM E8/E8M-11 standards for a tensile test. Each sample was prepared for circle grid analysis and then stressed on a tensile machine. Stress and strain values were obtained for each position along the sample by measuring dimensions of each elongated circle. Increasing stress and strain values were found closer to the breakage of the sample with low values found at the holding …

Community Brought Together, Ethan Alan Conkin, Timothy Jacob Abbott, Tyemirlan Murat, Shahnaz Aly

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Community Brought Together

Ethan Conkin, Jacob Abbott, Tyemirlan Murat

Shahnaz Aly

Architectural Science

A community is a small or large social unit (a group of living things) that has something in common, such as norms, religion, values, or identity. Communities often share a sense of place that is situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a country, village, town, or neighborhood) or in virtual space through communication platforms.

Are we hiding behind selfies and negative social media behavior instead of promoting human interaction and kindness? “For the past decade community has been slowly disappearing. Are we too busy for community, …

Creating A Computational Tool To Simulate Vibration Control For Piezoelectric Devices, Ahmet Ozkan Ozer, Emma J. Moore

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Piezoelectric materials have the unique ability to convert electrical energy to mechanical vibrations and vice versa. This project takes a stab to develop a reliable computational tool to simulate the vibration control of a novel “partial differential equation” model for a piezoelectric device, which is designed by integrating electric conducting piezoelectric layers constraining a viscoelastic layer to provide an active and lightweight intelligent structure. Controlling unwanted vibrations on piezoelectric devices (or harvesting energy from ambient vibrations) through piezoelectric layers has been the major focus in cutting-edge engineering applications such as ultrasonic welders and inchworms. The corresponding mathematical models for piezoelectric …

3d Wi-Fi Campus Coverage: Flying A Drone, Richard Thompson, Tyler Williams, Seth Pritchett, Tracy Whitlock

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Everyone in a college environment is immersed in their electronic devices. Whether it be in the quad, the classroom, the library or their favorite nook by the windows, they all need a reliable Wi-Fi signal to get their work done. In this era most of the tasks that has to be completed require some sort of connection between electronic devices especially if the individuals require information located on the internet. The main method of accessing the internet is using Wifi technology which uses electromagnetic waves to propagate information across a certain area. Considering the properties of these electromagnetic frequencies it …

Revitalization: Creating New Architecture From Remnants, Joseph Williams, Anthony Graham, Milton Ochoa, Shahnaz Aly

Posters-at-the-Capitol

While it may seem appropriate to overlook the old for the new, is it possible to sustain our ecosystem in this manner? The choices we make impact our environment and those within it. Instead of relying on the novelty of the new, we should look to our inadequacies to give us greater opportunities. For we can achieve this through revitalization. By using revitalization, we have the opportunity to imbue something with new life and vitality. Revitalization in architecture can serve as a means to stabilize and perform for the greatest benefit to our ecosystem. We should look to revitalization in …

2018-11-12, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Performance Of The Parallelized Monte-Carlo Tree Search Approach For Dots And Boxes, Pranay Agrawal, Uta Ziegler

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The Monte-Carlo tree search (MCTS) is a method designed to solve difficult learning problems. MCTS performs random simulations from the current situation and stores the results in order to distinguish decisions based on their past success. MCTS will then select the best decision and finally repeat the process. Parallelizing the MCTS means to divide the learning process among independent learners. Then, after a fixed number of simulations, the data is shared and combined. Past research has shown that this approach is faster than non-parallelized approaches. Therefore, we anticipated that the time reduced from dividing the learning outweighs the potential costs …

Two-Dimensional Layered Materials (Graphene-Mos2) Nanocatalysts For Hydrogen Production, Jacob Dobler, Taylor Robinson, Sanju Gupta 7455940

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Recent development of two-dimensional layered materials including graphene-family and related nanomaterials have arisen as potential game changer for energy, water and sensing applications. While graphene is a form of carbon arranged hexagonally within atomic thin sheet, MoS₂ is becoming a popular, efficient, and cost-effective catalyst for electrochemical energy devices, in contrast to expensive platinum and palladium catalysts. In this work, we electrochemically desulfurize few-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and aerogels with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) prepared under hydrothermal conditions ((P< 20 bar, T< 200 ^oC), for improving hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity via point defects (S-vacancy). Moreover, the interactions between rGO …

Physical Properties Of Engineered Nanocomposites For Defense Applications, Alex Henson, Sanju Gupta

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Polymer nanocomposites are significant for modern and future technologies (aerospace, defense, water purification etc.) due to their tailored properties, lightweight and low cost. However, ‘forward’ engineered polymer (host matrix) composites with smaller size nanoparticles (guest) providing desired properties targeting specific applications remains a challenging task as they depend largely on nanoparticles size, shape and loading (volume fraction). This study develops polymer nanocomposites impregnated with ‘organic-inorganic’ silsesquioxane nanoparticles and graphene nanoribbons, and investigates microscopic structure and dynamics of interfacial layer to predict macroscale properties. The nanocomposites consist of poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) polymer (segment ~5nm) with spherical silsesquioxane nanoparticles (diameter ~2-5nm) and planar …

Catalytic Deoxygenation Of Model And Realistic Feeds To Fuel-Like Hydrocarbons Over Supported Nickel-Copper Catalysts, Deyshon Ward, Kazi Javed

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The goal was to make a renewable fuel by using catalysts to remove oxygen molecules from fats. This is a current issue that society faces today because nonrenewable fossil fuels hurt the environment more than they help it. There are two components that make up a heterogeneous catalyst, a support and a reduced metal active phase. The active metal phases Nickel, Palladium, Platinum have been studied in the past on an alumina and carbon supports. We were investigating other supports using Nickel as the active phase component to determine the effect the support has on the catalyst removing oxygen of …

Finding Ft. Smith And Ft. Star In Smithland, Ky, Austin Valentine, Austin Valentine Jr.

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Through the utilization of Light Detection and Ranging data, one can compile 3-dimensional models that can be used to spot anomalies of historical interest. These anomalies, if recognizable by the trained eye, can then be used to geo-reference historic maps to gain a better understanding of historic sites as well as to reveal possible areas of interests or unknown features.

By using a 3-dimensional model compiled by LiDAR data, I was able to geo-reference a December 13^th, 1861 map of the Civil War defenses for the town of Smithland, Kentucky. Through this process, I have been able to …

A Comparative Analysis Of Non-Invasive Exploration Techniques Lidar Vs. Aerial Photography – Kincaid Mounds Archaeological Site, Austin Valentine, Austin Valentine Jr.

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

KINCAID MOUNDS - A Comparative Analysis of Non-invasive Exploration Techniques is a journal of my efforts to conduct non-invasive site investigations at the Kincaid Mounds Archaeological site in Southern Illinois. Through the utilization of tools such as; drones, photography, satellite imaging, light distance and ranging, and powerful analysis software, I will demonstrate a number of useful techniques which one can utilize to conduct independent site investigations without disturbing a sites landscape or structural integrity. Thus, illustrating differences between those techniques and pointing out their strengths and weaknesses in their various applications.

During this journey, I will also venture into the …

2018-10-19, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

"A Worn, Weary, Discontented Look": The Influence Of West Point And The Hudson River Valley On Poe, Gina Clawywell

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

This article argues that the Hudson River Valley—and specifically West Point—influenced Poe's writing and specifically his 1831 Poems dedicated to the U.S. Corps of Cadets. The grandeur of West Point's locale, the mystical nature of the surrounding rocky cliffs, the deep verdant river valley, the "light from out the lurid sea/ Streams up the turrets silently" of the widening river at Trophy Point, and West Point's castellated architecture had a strong impact on Poe. Despite the haunting beauty of the area, Poe, like many cadets who view the scene laid out before them with a jaundiced perspective, knew the "worn, …

2018-08-31, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Estimation Of The Consumption Of Illicit Drugs During Special Events In Two Communities In Western Kentucky, Usa Using Sewage Epidemiology, Katelyn Foppe, Dena Weinberger, Bikram Subedi

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Sewage epidemiology is a cost-effective, comprehensive, and non-invasive technique capable of determining semi-real-time community usage of drugs utilizing the concentration of drug residues in wastewater, wastewater inflow, and the population size served by a wastewater treatment plant. In this study, semi-real-time consumption rates of ten illicit drugs were determined using sewage epidemiology during special events including Independence Day, the 2017 solar eclipse, and the first week of an academic semester in the Midwestern United States. The average per-capita consumption rate of amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and THC were significantly different between two similar-sized communities during Independence Day …

Diffusing Wild Type And Sterile Mosquitoes In An Optimal Control Setting, K. Renee Fister, Maeve L. Mccarthy, Seth F. Oppenheimer

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

This paper develops an optimal control framework to investigate the introduction of sterile type mosquitoes to reduce the overal moquito population. As is well known, mosquitoes are vectors of disease. For instance the WHO lists, among other diseases, Malaria, Dengue Fever, Rift Valley Fever, Yellow Fever, Chikungunya Fever and Zika. [http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs387/en/ ] The goal is to establish the existence of a solution given an optimal sterilization protocol as well as to develop the corresponding optimal control representation to minimize the infiltrating mosquito population while minimizing fecundity and the number of sterile type mosquitoes introduced into the environment per unit time. …

Workplace Bullying Policies, Higher Education And The First Amendment: Building Bridges Not Walls, Frances L. M. Smith, Crystal Rae Coel

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that higher education institutions should change their Faculty Codes of Conduct to reflect workplace bullying as a form of unacceptable harassment. The article first provides a definition for workplace bullying; secondly, it offers an analysis of how the First Amendment is not an absolute, especially in the workplace; thirdly, it examines the scant legislative and judicial attention that is given to this issue; and finally, an argument is made to show how colleges and universities are not providing clear enough policies and procedures to address workplace bullying. That argument focuses on results …

Pias-Family Proteins Negatively Regulate Glis3 Transactivation Function Through Sumo Modification In Pancreatic Β Cells, Tyler M. Hoard, Xiaoping Yang, Anton M. Jetten, Gary T. Zeruth Dr.

Faculty & Staff Research and Creative Activity

Gli-similar 3 (Glis3) is Krüppel-like transcription factor associated with the transcriptional regulation of insulin. Mutations within the Glis3 locus have been implicated in a number of pathologies including diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism. Despite its clinical significance, little is known about the proteins and posttranslational modifications that regulate Glis3 transcriptional activity. In this report, we demonstrate that the SUMO-pathway associated proteins, PIASy and Ubc9 are capable of regulating Glis3 transactivation function through a SUMO-dependent mechanism. We present evidence that SUMOylation of Glis3 by PIAS-family proteins occurs at two conserved lysine residues within the Glis3 N-terminus and modification of Glis3 by SUMO …

2018-06-08, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.