Digital Commons Network^™

Calcium Channel Dynamics In Hippocampal Neurons : Simulation And Physiological Studies, Prasad D. Jasthi

Theses

Mathematical modelling and computer simulations of neurons was presented by various researchers in the past. Computer simulations provide a time efficient and cost effective method to obtain required information about the physiological system. The objective of this project is to study the kinetics of calcium channels in hippocampal neurons. In an attempt to study the calcium channel activity we have developed a mathematical model for the CA3 region of the hippocampus and have analysed the calcium current noise obtained from the physiological recordings. The Simulation results had reproduced the action potential and activities of sodium and potassium channels, but did …

Biodegradation Of Phenol And 4-Chlorophenol Using A Single Species In A Sequencing Batch Reactor, Kung-Wei Wang

Theses

Biodegradation of phenol and 4-chlorophenol (4CP) using Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 17514) was studied in batch and sequencing batch reactors. Batch experiments were first performed in order to reveal the kinetics of biodegradation for each substrate. 4-Chlorophenol was degradable only in the presence of phenol, or immediately after exposure of the organism to phenol. It was postulated that an enzyme induced by the presence of phenol was necessary to initiate degradation of 4-chlorophenol.

A mathematical model was then developed to describe the dynamic behavior of both substrates in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The model utilized rate parameters obtained from batch …

Deconvolution Applications In Arterial Dynamics, Shanthi Ganesan

Theses

This thesis deals with the computation of the Arterial Impulse Response Function by deconvolving aortic pressure and flow signals in time domain. Several methods have been developed in the past to obtain a solution for the convolution integral. These are (1) Transform method, and (2) Numerical Approximation methods : a. Conventional method b. Relaxation methods.

These methods have been applied in the past to the RC network model and it was found to work well. In this thesis, the methods are applied to data from more realistic models and also on data obtained from dogs. The model considered is a …

Biodegradation Of Diflufenican Using Anaerobic Microbial Consortia, Velukumar T. Nanjagowder

Theses

In this thesis I examine the feasibility of using anaerobic microbial consortia from digested anaerobic sludge to degrade Diflufenican, a fluorinated herbicide released into the environment as a result of agricultural usage. The compound is manufactured by Rhone Poulenc and it is an active ingredient of agricultural herbicides. The anaerobic digested sludge served both as a source of microorganisms and as a growth medium. Initial studies were conducted by making a stock solution of 1 ppm concentration of Diflufenican in acetone, the optimal solubility of the compound as suggested in the material safety data sheet is 0.05 ppm in water. …

The Performance Evaluation Of A New Neural Network Based Traffic Management Scheme For A Satellite Communication Network, Dequan Liu

Theses

The thesis describes a new neural network based traffic management scheme for a satellite communication network. The scheme consists of two levels of management. The front end of the scheme is a derivation of the Kohonen's self-organization model to configure maps for the satellite communication network dynamically, The model consists of three stages. The first stage is the pattern recognition task which selects an exemplar map that best meets the current network requirements. The second stage analyzes the discrepancy between the chosen exemplar map and the state of the network, and adaptively modifying the chosen exemplar map to conform closely …

A Biomechanical Analysis Of Three Humeral Fracture Fixation Systems, Alina Michelle Waite

Theses

Often, humeral fractures requiring internal fixation can be a challenging orthopaedic procedure. Each method of treatment possesses clinical and biomechanical advantages and disadvantages. Rigid plate fixation is highly successful in treating a large variety of long bone fractures. Nevertheless, excessive soft tissue dissection is necessary, and vascular and neural anatomy of the humerus can make plate application and removal difficult. An intramedullary nail offers a relatively simple procedure, thereby reducing these anatomical concerns. However, rotational instability at the fracture site is a common complication with a conventional intramedullary nail. Thus, a study was conducted to evaluate a new interlocking intramedullary …

An Approach To Improving The Antithrombogenesis Of Pneumatic Diaphragm Artificial Ventricle : Fabrication And Design Considerations, Hui-Sun Wang

Theses

Thrombus formation is one of the major problems in artificial heart development and its clinical applications. In order to improve the antithrombogenesis in the artificial ventricles, three aspects of investigation have been done in the laboratory.

1] the surface features and the surface defects on specially prepared samples made of polyurethane and silicon rubber were studied and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ), light microscopy and KEVEX Feature Analysis for understanding and controlling the blood contacting surface.

2] the polyurethane blood contacting surface with smooth surface fabricated by solution cast process, the material treatment, and the fabrication procedure …

A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Stress Analysis Of Interface Conditions In Porous Coated Hip Prosthesis, Siu-For Yau

Theses

A three-dimensional finite element model of a collar-type hip stem and both the cortical and cancellous bones is used to investigate the stress distributions on an implanted femoral stem, adjacent bone, and specifically at the bone/implant interface for various amounts of porous coating and different stem materials. The finite element model consists of 909 nodes comprising 536 linear eight-node solid brick elements and 176 two-node interface elements. The finite element analysis code employed is SUPERTAB from SDRC. The interface elements consist of coincident-node spring elements and gap elements which model the rigidly bonded and loose interfaces respectively. Local coordinate systems …

The Search For The Active Site Configuration Of Glutamate Dehydrogenase I) Reactivity Of Lys-126 Ii) Preparation Of O-Se-Nadp+, Deborah Judd

Theses

None provided.

A Comparative Analysis Of The Efficacy Of Zero-Order, First-Order And Monod Kinetic Models In Representing Raw Aerobic Biodegradation Data, Andrew I. Bakun

Theses

A total of 148 raw aerobic biodegradation data sets from batch and continuous stirred-tank reactors were extracted from the open literature and previous NJIT MS theses. Kinetic analysis of each of these data sets was performed with respect to the following commonly used empirical models: (1) zero-order, (2) first-order, and (3) Monod. Two constant-biomass versions of each model were evaluated; one in which So (i.e., the boundary condition for substrate concentration at time equal to zero) was assumed to be equal to the measured value of the initial substrate concentration and the other in which So was treated as a …

An Investigation Into The Asymmetric Synthesis Of Imidazolinones Via Reaction Of Chiral Alpha-Amino Acid Esters With Nitrils, Franklin A. Del Vecchio

Theses

The objective of this investigation was to develop a new synthetic method for the asymmetric synthesis of imidazolinones. This method involved an addition-cyclization reaction of an optically pure alpha-amino acid ester and a nitrile. While imidazolinones have been synthesized by other means, this synthetic route has the advantage of producing an enantiomerically pure heterocycle. Furthermore, the wide variety of amino acids and nitriles available could produce an extensive series of imidazolinone derivatives whose potential for therapeutic uses could be explored. The first step in this reaction involved the amino addition of an a-amino acid ester to a nitrile to give …

Visual Determination Of Industrial Color-Difference Tolerances Using Probit Analysis, Gregory Snyder

Theses

A perceptibility study was conducted to visually determine the median tolerance values of 45 color-difference vectors in CIELAB color space using surface mode viewing of paint samples. Nine different color centers, each compris ing five color vectors, were employed to collect a superthreshold dataset. Fifty color-normal observers made quantal judgements under simulated Dg^ illuminant regarding the magnitude of color-difference pairs based on comparisons to a near-neutral color-difference anchor pair. Probit analysis was applied to the response frequencies for each vector to estimate the parameters of the distribution and the median tolerance values. Results indicated the probit adequately models the response …

"Because Social Issues Should Be Addressed", Cathrine Ackerman

Theses

None provided.

Marks: The Adorned Self, Tom Santelli

Theses

None provided.

Image Enhancement And Analysis Of Leukocyte Adhesion, Yee-Ruh Lin

Theses

The image of leukocyte adhesion to microvascular walls in the isolated rat perfused heart model has been observed and processed. Some of the fluorescent labeled leukocytes are barely visible due to microscope focal plane and the motion of objects. The purpose of this thesis is to extract leukocyte from the image of the experimental data using image enhancement and analysis (segmentation) techniques and develop a program to handle automatically counting of leukocytes in a predefined scene.

Isolation And Characterization Of A Crude Extracellular Phenol Oxidase From A Recirculation Bioreactor, Yun Tang

Theses

The study of phenol biodegradation has been performed using calcium alginate entrapped activated sludge in a recirculation reactor. An effective recirculation reactor system may be used on the laboratory scale to produce phenol oxidase, Phenol oxidase was isolated and concentrated from the degradation solution of phenol by ultrafiltration and freeze-drying respectively,

The effects of various concentrations of phenol, pH, temperature, ionic strength, cations, anions and 2- chlorophenol were studied on the oxidation reaction of enzyme. The optimal conditions of activated sludge phenol oxidase are [phenol] = 100 ppm; pH = 6.0; temperature 37°C; ionic strength equivalent to 0.1 M Na …

Experiments In Aerobic And Anaerobic Biodegradation Of Methylene Chloride Using Activated Sludge, Vivek Chandrakant Sinkar

Theses

Biological removal of methylene chloride was studied under aerobic and anaerobic conditions using activated sludge cultures. Shaker flask experiments were conducted to test the ability of the microorganisms to degrade methylene chloride under aerobic conditions. Hydrogen peroxide was used a as source of dissolved oxygen to minimize physical removal of methylene chloride due to aeration. The effect of secondary substrates like glucose, cellulose acetate, ammonium acetate and nutrient broth on biodegradation of methylene chloride was studied. Biodegradation in the presence of surfactant and alkaline stress was also investigated.

No significant degradation was observed in all aerobic experiments.

Anaerobic sludge was …

Acid Recovery Of Cadmium And Lead From Immobilized Activated Sludge Used To Biosorb Metals, Chandrakanth Hartman

Theses

A study of the adsorption and subsequent desorption of heavy metals using various concentrations of hydrochloric acids has been performed.

To accomplish this task, the following areas were investigated : immobilization of the sludge, adsorption of heavy metals, various concentrations of acid used as stripping agents, examination of the relative fractions of heavy metals obtained using various stripping agents, and the actual concentration of the acid at a particular fraction.

It was observed that water helps in extraction of cadmium to a certain extent, but lead cannot be extracted with water. Also, water mixed with dilute hydrochloric acid is more …

Biodegradation Of Styrene In A Recirculation Reactor Using Immobilized Activated Sludge, Shreyans Dilip Shah

Theses

The performance of immobilized cells in the biological treatment of hazardous waste was investigated using a recirculating flow reactor in batch mode. A mixed culture activated sludge from a municipal waste water treatment plant was immobilized in calcium alginate gel, The bio-oxidation ability of these microbes towards a model toxin (styrene) was studied under closed system using dilute H₂O₂ solution as an oxygen source.
The process parameters studied were as follows:

1. Effect of flow rate of recycle stream,
2. Effect of biomass loading,
3. Effect of spiking concentration of styrene, and
4. Flow pattern and average residence time within the …

The Application Of Adaptive Step-Size Control In The Numerical Simulation Of Calcium Release In Vascular Smooth Muscle, Michael John Sydor

Theses

An algorithm for the adaptive control of numerical integration step-size is developed and implemented for the simulation of a three compartment model for Vascular Smooth Muscle. The three compartment model accounts for the simultaneous diffusion of Ca, ⁴⁵Ca, EGTA, Ca-EGTA, and ⁴⁵Ca-EGTA, and is an extension of a two compartment model by Diecke for the simultaneous diffusion of Ca, EGTA, and Ca-EGTA. The addition of the third compartment is to account for the presence of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum which stores the calcium needed for contraction and is the primary regulator of calcium in the VSM cell. The SR …

Charcoal Catalyzed Ozone Decomposition Of Organic Pollutants In Water, Kin Ho

Theses

A laboratory study has been performed on the wastewater treatment (destruction of organic species in water) using a novel process called Integrated Adsorption-Oxidation (IAO) where activated carbon is being utilized as a catalyst-adsorbent, and ozone as oxidant. The results of ozonation alone on the pollutants in water are also reported to provide a comparison with the adsorption-oxidation scheme in semi-batch reactions. All experiments were conducted at room temperature in a semi-batch reactor using five (water soluble) representative chemicals as pollutants: Aniline, Acetamide, Pyridine, N,N-dimethyl formamide and O-cresol. We also studied two volatile compounds: Trichloroethylene and Chloroform. Phenol was studied in …

Methods Development For Determination Of Trace Polar Volatile Organics In Environmental Samples, Qingchu Peng

Theses

The determination of trace levels of organic compounds in water samples is well developed for the less polar compounds, but the polar compounds are more difficult. The development of reliable and reproducible methods for such compounds as volatile alcohols and ketones is necessary if environmental monitoring is to be extended to these compounds.

The purge-and-trap method is frequently used for determination of volatiles in water samples. The method has problems when hydrophylic substances are being analyzed, since these are less easy to purge from the solution and more difficult to trap and desorb quantitatively. The high amount of water carried …

The Design And Testing Of A Personal Computer Controlled Scanning Acoustic Microscope For Orthopaedic Surgical Applications, Hubert Heinrich Berndt

Theses

This thesis describes scanning acoustic microscopy and ultrasonic image processing to characterize and evaluate materials of known properties, as well as novel materials. This work describes the assembly and testing of a PC based device for nondestructive evaluation of bone materials for usage in orthopaedics research. It includes the identification of some hardware problems and their solution, and it also describes different image processing techniques that have been developed and applied in this work. In a growing number of disciplines it has been discovered that an acoustic microscope can provide new information, especially about the elastic properties of specimens and …

Water Treatment Plant Sludge As Sanitary Landfill Liner, Sinnadurai Sockanathan

Theses

This study was performed to explore the possibility of using the sludge waste from the water treatment plant at Boonton New Jersey as a containment material for the sanitary landfills or as a fill material. At present natural clay is being used as a containment liner for the landfills and by using this sludge, recycling of a waste product will be achieved in an economical manner.

As a first part of this studies, efforts were made to utilize the liquid sludge having a solid content of about 3%. Attempts to dewater the liquid sludge to a workable mix by adding …

Genetic Algorithm For Solving Printed Circuit Board Assembly Planning Problems, Hermean Wong

Theses

The application of the genetic algorithm for solving the planning problems for various printed circuit board assembly machines is presented. The genetic algorithm finds the sequence of component placement/insertion and arrangement of feeders simultaneously, for achieving the shortest assembly time. Three types of assembly planning problems are modeled such that they can be solved by the genetic algorithm. The algorithm uses links (parents) to represent possible solutions and applies genetic operators to generate new links (offspring) in an iterative procedure to obtain the optimal solution. Some examples are provided to illustrate the solutions generated by the genetic algorithm, and these …

Determination Of Water-Cement Ratio In Cement Paste By Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, Jiong Zhao

Theses

As one of the important characteristics of concrete, water-cement ratio controls porosity and thus strength and corrosion resistance of hardened concrete.

This paper presents a laboratory observation for determination of water-cement ratio of fresh concrete for quality control and quality assurance. The atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the flouresence spectrophtometer were used to determine the calcium concentration in cement solution of various water-cement ratio. The level of water-cement ratio investigated ranged from 0.4 to 0.55 which covers the most range of water-cement ratios in present practice. The result of lab experiments shows an immediate relation between the water-cement ratio and the …

The Performance Of Training Pattern Sets In A New Art-Based Neural Architecture For Image Enhancement, Fu-Chun Chang

Theses

Neural network can be applied on the image enhancement after adding another two layers into the Adaptive Resonance Theory architectures (ART 1). The analysis for selecting a nice training pattern set associate the appropriate vigilance values is the main concerns in this thesis. For a single training pattern ,the network can act as a mathematical morphology operators such as erosion , dilation, opening and closing. With more than one training patterns in the network, 16 experiments are tested and are compared to each other in order to find the best selection for doing the image enhancement work. With both the …

Development Of An Adaptive Fuzzy Shell Clustering Algorithm And Validity Measures, Kurra Bhaswan

Theses

In objective functional based fuzzy clustering algorithms the weighted sum of the distances of the feature vectors from cluster prototype are minimized. The fuzzy memberships are utilized as weighing factors. The cluster prototype can be a point or a line or a plane, etc. This work extends the recent concept of using curved prototypes by utilizing the Adaptive Norm Theorem proposed by Dave¹ to develop an algorithm for the detection of fuzzy hyper-ellipsoidal shell prototypes. The Objective functional associates a norm for each cluster in which to measure the proximity of the shell prototype adaptively. The resulting implementation necessitates …

Biological Coal Desulfurization, Ming Le

Theses

Sulfur removal from coal before combustion is of considerable interest to avoid emission of oxides of sulfur(SO_x). Chemical and physical methods have been developed for removing the inorganic sulfur component in coal. This component is generally associated with pyrites(FeS2). However, no commerical methods have been developed for the removal of the organic sulfur conponent. This study describes microbial methods for removing organically bound sulfur from coal. The specific goals of this study were to ascertain whether a robust biologically active population such as activated sludge biomass can remove organic sulfur from coal and to devise sulfur analytical methods …

Way To The Absolute, Gonca Ilbeyi

Theses

Nowadays more and more people, especially who live in large cities, suffer from a terrible emptiness and boredom, as if they are waiting for something that never arrives. Within modern civilization, its people lose the meaning of their lives, values, and they find themselves in morally decayed. My main purpose, through the medium of art, is to express the complexities and paradoxes of human existence in modern industrial societies- not from a pessimistic, but a skeptical perspective. Alienation, depersonalization, loss of identity in this world by bureaucratic rules and regulations are central problems of all modern industrial societies. The rise …