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An Investigation Into The Nature Of The Knee Pain Experience In People With Knee Osteoarthritis, Gemma Mary Orange Jan 2024

An Investigation Into The Nature Of The Knee Pain Experience In People With Knee Osteoarthritis, Gemma Mary Orange

Theses

Knee osteoarthritis poses a substantial and escalating socioeconomic burden globally, exacerbated by demographic trends towards an aging population, sedentary lifestyles and increasing obesity rates. Defined by knee pain and functional limitations (Wood et al., 2023; Zhang, Doherty, et al., 2010), traditional approaches have viewed knee OA related pain and disability primarily through a biomedical lens, linking symptoms directly to structural damage and advocating surgical interventions such as total knee arthroplasty to address presumed causative pathology (Bunzli et al., 2019; Darlow et al., 2018). Despite the capacity of surgery to ameliorate structural pathology, patient centred outcomes vary considerably. Up to 30% …


Sms : A Smartwatch Application Suite For Mobility Assessment, Suresh Avula Jan 2024

Sms : A Smartwatch Application Suite For Mobility Assessment, Suresh Avula

Theses

Regular assessment of mobility can detect changes in physical health over time and discover underlying health issues. Some of these changes in mobility may indicate an increased risk of falls, which can lead to serious injuries. Identifying mobility changes can help prevent these incidents. Wearable technology can facilitate mobility tests at home and alert caregivers or medical professionals to any irregularities and promote proactive healthcare. Adoption of smartwatches with various built-in sensors like accelerometer and gyroscope creates new opportunities for wearable health monitoring. We developed the Smartwatch Application Suite to evaluate functional mobility using standard mobility tests: Timed Up and …


Interactions Of Caffeine With Anticancer Drugs Studied By Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Baylee Parish Jan 2024

Interactions Of Caffeine With Anticancer Drugs Studied By Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Baylee Parish

Theses

Caffeine can form stacking through pi-pi interactions with aromatic anticancer drugs. While caffeine can reduce the toxicity of the anticancer drugs, caffeine can also reduce the efficacy of the anticancer drugs. Aromatic anticancer drugs, such as daunorubicin and irinotecan, work by intercalating into DNA. When caffeine binds to an anticancer drug, the new complex formed cannot easily intercalate into DNA strands. Through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, chemical shift values for pure caffeine, daunorubicin, and irinotecan, as well as, caffeine mixed with daunorubicin and irinotecan were analyzed. Different concentrations for the pure compounds and the mixtures were analyzed by NMR. …


Small Molecule Modulation Of The P75 Neurotrophin Receptor Attenuates Neurodegeneration In An In Vitro Model Of Parkinson’S Disease, Poshan Pokharel Jan 2024

Small Molecule Modulation Of The P75 Neurotrophin Receptor Attenuates Neurodegeneration In An In Vitro Model Of Parkinson’S Disease, Poshan Pokharel

Theses

The p75 Neurotrophin Receptor (p75NTR) is a multifunctional transmembrane protein expressed in distinct regions of the adult nervous system. p75NTR regulates various functions, including neuronal survival or apoptosis interacting with coreceptors Trk receptors or sortilin. Activation of p75NTR occurs through proteolytic processing, and we previously demonstrated that oxidative stress induces activation of p75NTR in LUHMES cells, a neuronal cell line derived from the human ventral mesencephalon. Dopaminergic neurons of the ventral mesencephalon are vulnerable to oxidative stress and neurodegeneration associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Thus, we evaluated the mechanisms behind p75NTR activation and its physiological implications in a PD model. …


Functionalizing Silicon Oxide Like Surfaces With Fatty Acids, Maman Sani Maman Brah Maman Jan 2024

Functionalizing Silicon Oxide Like Surfaces With Fatty Acids, Maman Sani Maman Brah Maman

Theses

The goal of this project was to make flat hydrophilic, silicon oxide-like surfaces hydrophobic. Using fatty acids in a wet chemistry approach. Glass, mica, and silicon wafer surfaces were cleaned with standard methods from the literature. The substrates were functionalized with oleic acid and stearic acid in ethyl alcohol. The solution concentration was held constant at 100 times a theoretical minimum concentration. The substrates were immersed at various functionalization times and various solution temperatures. Contact angle goniometer was used to measure the contact angle for water on the functionalized surfaces. The results confirmed that glass and oxidized silicon wafer surfaces …


Isolation, Purification, Crystallization And Preliminary X-Ray Data Analysis Of The B Family Dna Polymerase From Thermococcus Thioreducens, Emika Miyamoto Jan 2024

Isolation, Purification, Crystallization And Preliminary X-Ray Data Analysis Of The B Family Dna Polymerase From Thermococcus Thioreducens, Emika Miyamoto

Theses

Family B DNA polymerases are the core polymerizing enzymes that carry out the essential process of DNA replication in many Archaeal organisms. Archaea depend on the unique properties of their DNA polymerases to faithfully replicate DNA within extreme environments. Variation in the catalytic properties of DNA polymerases from different organisms can be elucidated through detailed structural analysis by means of macromolecular X-ray crystallography. Crystallization is the crucial and bottleneck step in the process of determining the protein’s three-dimensional structure by X-ray diffraction—essentially no crystal, no structure. This study optimizes the isolation and purification of recombinant DNA polymerase B from Thermococcus …


The Effects Of Reducing Carbon Content In The Processing Of Superalloy Inconel 718, Glenn "Joey" Scott Jan 2024

The Effects Of Reducing Carbon Content In The Processing Of Superalloy Inconel 718, Glenn "Joey" Scott

Theses

The properties of Inconel 718 (IN718) are dependent on the elemental composition and microstructure. Applications using IN718 include rocket and jet engine parts. These parts are often complex and difficult to machine, making IN718 ideal for additive manufacturing processes such as laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF). The various phases that form in IN718 rely on the niobium (Nb) content including the carbides. The precipitates also include Nb in the strengthening phases of gamma prime and gamma double prime. Overaging of gamma double prime transforms the metastable phase into the stable delta phase, which also controls grain size. This study evaluates the …


Spectropolarimetric Properties Of Vortex Retarders, Ella Elizabeth James Jan 2024

Spectropolarimetric Properties Of Vortex Retarders, Ella Elizabeth James

Theses

Vortex retarders are unique optical elements that create a uniform electric field phase retardance, but the traditional fast axis varies azimuthally over the area of the optic. This affects the radial and azimuthal polarization components of the incoming beam. The vortex retarders discussed here generate TEM10 and TEM20 Laguerre-Gaussian beams. While several varieties of these TEM10 and TEM20 vortex retarders exist, designed to function at specific wavelengths–and a few studies have reported their use at those wavelengths–almost no data exists detailing their polarimetric properties outside those wavelengths. Using a Mueller matrix spectropolarimeter with dual-rotating retarders, the polarization properties of four …


Physiological Effects Of Facial Expressions During Cognitive And Social Stress, Emily X. Sorrells Jan 2024

Physiological Effects Of Facial Expressions During Cognitive And Social Stress, Emily X. Sorrells

Theses

This study explored the dynamics of facial expressions during stress. This 2 X 2 (Facial Expression by Task) mixed design evaluated how smiling and grimacing affected physiological and self-report measures of cognitive and social stress. The study implemented continuous monitoring of electrodermal activity (EDA). Facial expression was manipulated between-subjects as a genuine smile or grimace using chopsticks in the mouth. Task was manipulated as a counterbalanced within-subjects as a cognitive stressor using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and a social stressor using Cyberball. Time was analyzed as repeated measures of change from baseline of EDA. Participants provided ratings …


Development Of Tio2/Nh2-Mil-125 Nanocomposite For The Removal Of Ciprofloxacin Under Induced Solar Irradiation, Bilkis Mojisola Ajiwokewu Jan 2024

Development Of Tio2/Nh2-Mil-125 Nanocomposite For The Removal Of Ciprofloxacin Under Induced Solar Irradiation, Bilkis Mojisola Ajiwokewu

Theses

This research focuses on the development and application of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)-based nanocomposites for the photocatalytic removal of pharmaceutical contaminants, with a specific emphasis on ciprofloxacin (CIP). The photocatalytic degradation of CIP was investigated using as-synthesized photocatalysts of TiO2 nanowires (TiO2NWs), bare MOF of NH2-MIL-125, TiO2NW/NH2-MIL-125 composite, and Lanthanum (La)-doped composite. Intriguingly, the TiO2NW/NH2-MIL-125 composite exhibited the highest efficiency, achieving a photodegradation rate of 0.0111 min-1, surpassing the independent performances of bare MOF of NH2-MIL-125 and TiO2NW. The observed efficiency was attributed to …


Assessing Neurobehavioral Deficits And Neuroinflammation Following Rllb In A Transgenic Mouse Model, Aakaash Gosain Dec 2023

Assessing Neurobehavioral Deficits And Neuroinflammation Following Rllb In A Transgenic Mouse Model, Aakaash Gosain

Theses

As global conflicts are escalating, military personnel have long faced the constant threat of explosions, heightening the risk of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI). The recent increase in war conflicts and combat zones worldwide not only puts the military, service members, and police forces at risk but also innocent civilians who are caught in the crossfire. While moderate to severe bTBIs have been extensively studied, the pathology of repeated low-level blasts (rLLB) remains less understood. This research addresses the gap in knowledge regarding the long-term consequences of rLLB injuries in the neural anatomy. A transgenic mouse model was subjected to …


Photomechanical Properties Of Azobenzene Doped Lcn Films For Surface Healing Applications, Daniel Luis Mojica Dec 2023

Photomechanical Properties Of Azobenzene Doped Lcn Films For Surface Healing Applications, Daniel Luis Mojica

Theses

Azobenzene doped liquid crystal network (LCN) polymers are being well studied for their potential in many applications such as light activated organic actuators, memory materials, and as surfaces capable of complex topographical texture changes. A novel application is explored with azobenzene doped LCN materials being used as a self-healing protective polymer layer capable of healing surface compression damage which alters its original topography. Preliminary studies showed that LCN materials are very capable of healing indentations caused by compression damage. This work delves into understanding how this material can be altered in the manufacturing process to improve its surface healing capabilities. …


Characterization Of 3d Printed Lattice Structures Used In The Design Of Modified Compression Release Stabilized Transhumeral Prosthetic Sockets, Jade Myers Dec 2023

Characterization Of 3d Printed Lattice Structures Used In The Design Of Modified Compression Release Stabilized Transhumeral Prosthetic Sockets, Jade Myers

Theses

Abstract A prosthetic socket is the critical interface between a person and their prosthetic device. Pressure, shear, and friction experienced by the residual limb from wearing a socket can damage soft tissue. While Compression Release Stabilized (CRS) style sockets are beneficial for enhancing prosthesis stability, range of motion, and control, the abrupt differences in compression throughout the socket present risks for tissue damage to the residual limb. A socket design that enables clinicians to control a progressive decrease in firmness in the transition areas between compression and release could mitigate such undesirable effects. Density-graded lattice structures designed and produced with …


Evaluating The Impact Of Biosimilars In The Drug Market, Olivia Sitter Dec 2023

Evaluating The Impact Of Biosimilars In The Drug Market, Olivia Sitter

Theses

Drug pricing has increase to the point where many Americans are unable to afford prescriptions for both long- and short-term diseases. Within the last decade, U.S lawmakers have changed legislation so that biosimilars can be added into the drug market in hopes of creating affordable products. Biosimilars allow more options for consumers and add increased competition for manufactures which should decrease the overall price of the original biopharmaceutical the biosimilar is modeled after. In current research, the impact of biosimilars within the European Union has been investigated heavily, but the US approved biosimilars much later and there is less information …


Unsupervised Multi-Resolution Analysis Of Protein-Protein Abundance Patterns In Infectious Exacerbation Of Copd, Eric Everingham Dec 2023

Unsupervised Multi-Resolution Analysis Of Protein-Protein Abundance Patterns In Infectious Exacerbation Of Copd, Eric Everingham

Theses

Despite consistently appearing as a top 5 cause of death domestically and internationally, understandings of the underlying biological interactions of COPD remain insufficient. Particularly, early identification of highly vulnerable patients that may experience more severe infectious exacerbation is a challenge during diagnostics. This project leverages unsupervised clustering and multi-resolution decomposition of proteomic abundance profiles in a small cohort of COPD subjects to identify candidate biomarkers of heightened exacerbation risk. As part of an ongoing study, serum and sputum samples were collected during well visits (stable illness) from n=67 subjects, and analyzed using quantitative proteomics. A scores principal component analysis was …


Retreat Village Design In Letchworth State Park Region: An Architecture Development In A Highly Valued State Park Meets The Triple Bottom Line Of Sustainability, Jing Hua Dec 2023

Retreat Village Design In Letchworth State Park Region: An Architecture Development In A Highly Valued State Park Meets The Triple Bottom Line Of Sustainability, Jing Hua

Theses

Letchworth State Park, located in Livingston and Wyoming counties, New York, renowned as the “Grand Canyon of the East”, is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern United States. However, there are no well-developed leisure centers around or in the park. The lack of good accommodations, in contrast to the availability of restaurants with local character, leisure activities, and other supporting facilities in the area, fails to fully achieve the development potential of the natural scenery of the region. This thesis demonstrates that a retreat complex village that brings people closer to the natural landscape of Letchworth …


Catalyst-Free Epitaxy Of Core-Shell Nanowire Arrays For Wavelength-Selective And Substrate-Free Optoelectronic Devices, Alireza Abrand Dec 2023

Catalyst-Free Epitaxy Of Core-Shell Nanowire Arrays For Wavelength-Selective And Substrate-Free Optoelectronic Devices, Alireza Abrand

Theses

This research is dedicated to advancing catalyst-free epitaxial growth methods for indium arsenide-based nanowires (NWs) on foreign substrates, including silicon and two-dimensional (2D) materials. The findings presented here demonstrate new methods for low-cost III-V semiconductor NW synthesis, manipulation of NW optical properties, and advanced techniques for modulation of NW geometry and composition during selective-area epitaxy (SAE). The first part of this work explores the growth of InAs NWs with sub-lithographic dimensions on reusable Si (111), toward NW membrane-based optoelectronic devices such as infrared photodetectors (IR PDs). A SiO2 masking template is first patterned using i-line photolithography, yielding hexagonal arrays of …


Characterizing The Evaporating Droplets Over Heterogeneous Wettability Surfaces, Xi Li Dec 2023

Characterizing The Evaporating Droplets Over Heterogeneous Wettability Surfaces, Xi Li

Theses

This work investigates deposition patterns left by evaporating particle-laden droplets on heterogeneous surfaces with spatially varying wettability. Spatial differences in receding contact angles give rise to scalloped-shaped contact lines. During evaporation, the contact line recedes in one location and remains pinned in another. This non-uniform contact line recession results in particle self-assembly above areas where the contact line remains pinned, but not where it recedes. This behavior is fairly robust across a variety of particle sizes, concentrations, and device geometries. We hypothesize that particle self-assembly in these cases is due to the competition between particle diffusion and the evaporative-driven advective …


Towards An Efficient Machine Learning Based Phish Detection System, Hamad Alfalasi Dec 2023

Towards An Efficient Machine Learning Based Phish Detection System, Hamad Alfalasi

Theses

Over the recent past, the world has experienced a digital revolution that has profoundly transformed many aspects of human life. This revolution has redefined the way individuals interact, how businesses operate, and how societies function. For businesses, operations have been fundamentally altered, changing the way they interact with customers and other businesses through digital tools and platforms used for transactions. Phishing, a deceitful approach, leverages technological and social tricks to access sensitive personal information, including financial details. A common attack mode involves installing harmful software on electronic devices to gain unauthorized access to personal information, particularly usernames and passwords of …


Sticks, Naomi Karen Miller Dec 2023

Sticks, Naomi Karen Miller

Theses

Sticks is a thesis consisting of allegorical sculptural objects informed by chairs and inspired by a transgender woman’s personal narrative. Derived from personal anecdotes and feelings, the objects form a constellation of moments in time. The body of work primarily consists of burned wooden chairs. The chairs are analogous to the self. Fire is applied to the chair to document change. My work is about the ways an individual is changed by small moments of interaction. It explores the relationship between identity, observation, perception, and time.


“An Exile They Gladly Embrace”: Queer Ecology In E.M. Forster’S Maurice, Bridget Medo Dec 2023

“An Exile They Gladly Embrace”: Queer Ecology In E.M. Forster’S Maurice, Bridget Medo

Theses

E.M. Forster’s novel Maurice, first written from 1913 to 1914 and published posthumously in 1971, is often noted for being the only one of Forster’s novels to feature an explicitly gay protagonist. This, as well as the fact that the novel has a happy ending, is what kept Forster from publishing it until after his death (Forster 250). According to Forster, Maurice “was the direct result of a visit to Edward Carpenter at Milthorpe [sic]” where Carpenter’s partner, George Merrill, touched Forster on the backside and apparently made a strong enough impression that Forster began writing Maurice right away (Forster …


Functional Role Of Toll-Like Receptor Associated Micrornas In Intervertebral Disc Pathophysiology, Petra Cazzanelli Dec 2023

Functional Role Of Toll-Like Receptor Associated Micrornas In Intervertebral Disc Pathophysiology, Petra Cazzanelli

Theses

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is one of the main contributing factors to low back pain (LBP), the leading cause of years lived in disability worldwide. The degenerative processes in the IVD tissue are characterized by the metabolic dysregulation of IVD cells and aberrant mechanical loading. The major hallmarks of this multifactorial pathology are the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), inflammation, and cell loss. Inflammation has been specifically linked to the development of discogenic LBP, as increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines can cause the infiltration of immune cells and nerve fibers. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are key regulators of inflammation, amongst …


A Prototype Of Simple Implantable Optofluidic Device Enabled By 3d Printing Technology, Yu Chang Dec 2023

A Prototype Of Simple Implantable Optofluidic Device Enabled By 3d Printing Technology, Yu Chang

Theses

Superhydrophobic surface-based optofluidics have been introduced to biosensors and unconventional optics recently with unique advantages such as dynamic adjustable optical properties, low light loss, and high versatility. Most of these platforms were manufactured by Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing technology and usually need to be further packaged or sealed. Although the MEMS-based technology is prone to make an integrated device containing sensing and electronic components, the technology may constrain the design of the morphology of the featured structures. For example, it was hard to manufacture a three-dimensional, fully enclosed round channel with complex structures along the inner surface. The limitations could …


From Chinese Language To Female - Him, Humans And Us, Dandong Ouyang Dec 2023

From Chinese Language To Female - Him, Humans And Us, Dandong Ouyang

Theses

To establish a new sense of ownership of the female figure in my studio practice, this thesis investigates the unspoken secondary existence of women implied in the structural systems of both language and portraiture.


Identifying The Drivers Of Pollen Limitation In Apples (Malus Domestica) Within The Urban Orchards Of St. Louis, Mo, Jordan Hathaway Dec 2023

Identifying The Drivers Of Pollen Limitation In Apples (Malus Domestica) Within The Urban Orchards Of St. Louis, Mo, Jordan Hathaway

Theses

The human population is projected to continue growing throughout the remainder of the 21st century. Thus, agricultural production will need to increase drastically in order to ensure global food security. Management strategies aimed at enhancing crop pollination by promoting pollinator diversity have shown potential as an environmentally sustainable method of increasing yields. Optimizing the design and implementation of these strategies will require us to expand our understanding of the processes which influence crop pollen limitation. In this study, we examined pollen limitation in self-incompatible apple trees (Malus domestica) within urban orchards located in St. Louis, MO. In our first field …


Planty: The Fitness App With A Plant, Zixin Alice Ouyang Dec 2023

Planty: The Fitness App With A Plant, Zixin Alice Ouyang

Theses

It is common knowledge that physical exercise has multiple physical and mental benefits, yet many often find it challenging to maintain a consistent exercise habit. How can we design a more motivating exercise experience so more people would exercise? The proposed solution is Planty, an innovative fitness app. Planty aims to change the user’s exercise habits by providing an alternative motivation behind physical exercise by locking a live plant inside a terrarium. Users can only care for the plant through the Planty app through exercise. By linking users’ behavior to the livelihood of a live plant, Planty forces its users …


Construing Children’S Perceptions Of Ideal Learning Spaces Based On Personal Construct Theory, Rawan Natheer Abdel Rahman Dec 2023

Construing Children’S Perceptions Of Ideal Learning Spaces Based On Personal Construct Theory, Rawan Natheer Abdel Rahman

Theses

Learning is an intrinsic aspect of human experience, predominantly shaped by interactions within the socio-physical environment, including engagements with educators, peers, and the built surroundings. The design and character of these learning spaces influence children's cognitive, perceptual, and motor development while also embodying different pedagogical philosophies. Therefore, designing these spaces to align with educational shifts and enhance learning experiences requires a deep understanding of learner’s needs and perceptions. With the COVID-19 pandemic necessitating a shift to home-learning, there arose a unique opportunity to explore children’s perception of ideal learning spaces as they experienced both home and school settings. This research …


Analysis Of Pharmaceutical Residues In Wastewater From Al Ain, United Arab Emirates Using Liquid Chromatography - Tandem Mass Spectrometry And Circular Dichroism: Potential Hazardous Emergent Contaminants, Maya Iyad Berakdar Dec 2023

Analysis Of Pharmaceutical Residues In Wastewater From Al Ain, United Arab Emirates Using Liquid Chromatography - Tandem Mass Spectrometry And Circular Dichroism: Potential Hazardous Emergent Contaminants, Maya Iyad Berakdar

Theses

Although water is the second essential substance to life after air, clean water resources in many regions of the world have become limited because of climate change, establishing rivers’ dams and contaminations with hazardous life-threatening chemicals. Pharmaceutical residues in aquatic environments have been recognized as emerging contaminants causing adverse ecological and human health risks. Hundreds of pharmaceutical compounds and their metabolites were found in surface, underground, drinking, and sewage waters in many countries. In the United Arab Emirates, millions of drugs’ dosages are annually used for human, poultry, and veterinary treatments. Drugs execrated as unchanged, metabolites or excesses can find …


Shift Variant Image Deconvolution Using Deep Learning, Arnab Ghosh Dec 2023

Shift Variant Image Deconvolution Using Deep Learning, Arnab Ghosh

Theses

Image Deconvolution is a well-studied problem that seeks to restore the original sharp image from a blurry image formed in the imaging system. The Point Spread function(PSF) of a particular system can be used to infer the original sharp image given the blurred image. However, such a problem is usually simplified by making the shift-invariant assumption over the Field of View (FOV). Realistic systems are shift-variant; the optical system’s point spread function depends on the position of the object point from the principal axis. For example, asymmetrical lenses can cause space variant aberration. In this paper, we first simulate our …


Non-Invasive Glucose Detection Using A Triple Pole Csrr Sensor, Chibuike Nnabuife Okika Dec 2023

Non-Invasive Glucose Detection Using A Triple Pole Csrr Sensor, Chibuike Nnabuife Okika

Theses

A compact, low-cost, portable, non-invasive blood glucose sensor has been designed and presented in this paper. The proposed sensor is a triple-pole square Complementary Split Ring Resonator (CSRR) sensor that is etched on an FR4 substrate. At the bottom of the sensor is coupled an etched Microstrip Transmission Line (MTL) with an impedance matching of 50 Ω, which excites the sensor elements. Utilizing the CSRR-based sensor overcomes the disadvantages of pain and discomfort that the traditional method of pricking the skin to measure blood glucose levels could pose. The sensors work in such a way that as the glucose concentration …