Digital Commons Network^™

Efficacy Of Flapping-Wing Flight Via Dual Piezoelectric Actuation, Quinn Andrew O'Rourke

Theses

A novel piezoelectric-actuated wing system featuring dual actuators for increased wing control is presented and evaluated for its forward-flight characteristics via theoretical modeling and physical wind tunnel testing. Flapping wing aerial systems serve as a middle ground between the traditional fixed-wing and rotary systems. Flapping wing aerial systems exhibit high maneuverability and stability at low speeds (like rotary systems) while maintaining increased efficiency (like fixed-wing systems). Flapping wings also eliminate the necessity of dangerous fast-moving propellers and open the door to actuation mechanisms other than traditional motors. This research explores one of these alternatives: the piezoelectric bending actuator. Piezoelectric materials …

Speech Feature Analysis And Discrimination In Biological Information, Shogo Honda

Theses

A silent speech interface is a system that allows people doing speech communication without using their own speech sounds. Today, a variety of speech interfaces have been developed using biological signals such as the eye movement, and the articulatory. These interfaces are mainly for supporting people who have speech disorder to communicate with others, yet there are many speech disorder that have not been addressed by the current technologies. The possible cause of the issue is the limited numbers of the biological signals used for the speech interface. The uncovered issues with speech disorders can be addressed through identifying new …

The Effect Of Marine Snow Particle Distribution On The Foraging Behavior Of Calanus Pacificus, Elena Beckhaus

Theses

Marine snow is a major component of the biological pump, through which carbon is exported to the deep ocean. The sinking of marine snow can be disrupted by organisms, including many species of zooplankton that ingest or break up aggregates. These processes can have important impacts on planktonic food web dynamics and carbon export. Marine snow can have vertically patchy distributions, occurring in thin layers, which may further affect interactions with zooplankton. In this lab-based study, we examined how the presence of a marine snow layer affects copepod behavior and ingestion.

We conducted a series of experiments in which copepods …

Crassostrea Gigas Invasion In Southern California: Macrofaunal Diversity And Local Community Impacts Of Ecosystem Engineers On Estuarine Habitats, Noah Jansen-Yee

Theses

Many marine ecosystems are facing the growing threat of biological invasions. These invasions can have a variety of different impacts on ecosystems and their inhabitants. The Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, is currently in the relatively early stages of invasion in San Diego estuaries. Crassostrea gigas is a large, filter-feeding bivalve that forms dense oyster beds on hard substrate. These oysters are known to outcompete native counterparts and drastically alter habitats where they are present. Crassostrea gigas is an ecosystem engineer that, through shell creation and formation of a dense oyster matrix, impacts ecosystems in a variety of direct and indirect …

A Novel 3d Animation About Human Visual System: From Retina To Perception, Qiuwan Liu

Theses

Introduction to vision and perception has been a fundamental topic for students from varied majors in college. Students who study Biology, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, and Visual Design, need to learn about the visual pathway before they dive into more specific research topics. This thesis intends to create a 3D animation to assist professors explaining the complex process of the visual pathway. The target audience for this project is undergraduate students majoring in color science. My goal of this animation is to introduce students to the complicated anatomy of the retinal structure and the molecular pathway of the photoreceptors to demonstrate …

Aims: Action Against Infirmity And Malnutrition In Seniors, Maeve Lorraine Mary O'Connell

Theses

Aim: The primary aim of this thesis was to investigate the relationship between nutrition and frailty in Irish older adults. The nutritional status, dietary quality and perceived barriers/motivators to nutrition were also examined, and a frailty intervention protocol was designed. Methods: Cross-sectional study in Irish community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years. Nutritional status, dietary intake, functional mobility and food choice motivators/healthy eating barriers were assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment – Short Form (MNA-SF), a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and a custom designed 2-item questionnaire, respectively. Frailty was defined as three or more of …

Genetic Selection For Improved Efficiency And Profitability In Beef Cattle, David Kelly

Theses

Despite the importance of feed intake and efficiency in beef production, there are still gaps in our knowledge on optimal production efficiency traits and breeding strategies for improved feed, production and economic efficiency. The objectives of this thesis were to redefine production efficiency in growing cattle by exploiting carcass information and to validate current beef breeding goals for improving efficiency, and to investigate the relationships of feeding behaviour with performance, feed efficiency, and carcass merit. Feed intake and liveweight data were available on up to 6,088 cattle, of which 3,146 had carcass data, 4,672 had ultrasound data and 1,548 had …

Novel Molecular Approaches To Diagnostic And Epidemiological Analyses Of Cryptosporidiumspp.Implicated In Clinical Infection, Jennifer K. O'Leary

Theses

Cryptosporidium remains an underestimated, yet highly prevalent, parasitic agent of gastrointestinal illness worldwide. In clinical settings, diagnosis has previously relied on microscopic techniques. However, enteric parasite targeting molecular tools, such as real-time PCR panels, have superseded microscopy in recent years. This body of work examines the nature, implications and opportunities of this paradigm shift. This thesis is divided into seven chapters that consist of a literature review chapter, five experimental chapters focusing on the molecular diagnosis and epidemiological analysis of Cryptosporidium spp., and a final summary chapter. Chapter I provides the contextual narrative and supportive reasoning behind the research undertaken …

Elucidation Of Novel And Established Campylobacter Species With Clinical And Agricultural Significance Through Phenotypic, Genotypic, And Taxonomic Investigation, Caoimhe Lynch

Theses

Campylobacter spp. are well-established human, veterinary and economic pathogens, with a broad host range spanning from terrestrial and marine mammalian, avian and reptilian hosts. The scope of the study includes novel and notorious species within the genus, with reference to zoonotic agents Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli - the leading cause of human bacterial gastroenteritis in the EU and Ireland, Campylobacter fetus that represents the most common campylobacter causing bacteraemia and two novel species isolated from pigs not described in the literature previously. C. jejuni and C. coli isolates (n = 350) recovered from broiler caecal and neck skin samples, …

Optimising The Carcass Merit Of Irish Beef Cattle Using Genetic And Non-Genetic Information At The Animal And Herd Level, David Kenny

Theses

Failure of beef carcasses to achieve desirable carcass specifications represent inefficiencies within the supply chain, namely greater carcass processing costs and the inability of the resulting primal cuts to conform to high-value market specifications. Analysis of a representative sample of prime Irish beef cattle conducted in this thesis determined that 59% of cattle fail to achieve the desired carcass specifications of the supply chain at slaughter. The objective of this thesis was to use readily available information to define strategies that could help to reduce this statistic. Firstly, the likelihood of Irish beef carcasses achieving the desired carcass specifications was …

Genomic Changes Associated With Transitions To Heterospory And Genome Downsizing In Land Plants, Rijan R. Dhakal

Theses

Green plants, ubiquitous and essential in the biosphere, have two reproductive life cycles: heterosporous and homosporous. Heterosporous plants are generally seen more often in daily life and tend to be the source of staple foods. Heterosporous reproduction has evolved at least 11 times from ancestral homosporous lineages. Heterospory, presumed to have selective advantages, has a perplexing correlation with chromosome numbers. Here I have used novel data, tools, and methodology to discover 19, so far unknown, gene families, with the potential to explain the correlation between the reproductive life cycle in green plants and chromosome numbers. The discovery of these gene …

Investigation Of Behavioral And Cognitive Traits Affecting Dispersal Tendencies In Eastern Mostquitofish (Gambusia Holbrooki), Jennifer Dougherty

Theses

Dispersal plays an important role in ecological and evolutionary processes. Despite being important to population and invasion dynamics, more information is needed to understand what traits act as drivers of dispersal tendencies. Here, we examined how different behavioral, environmental, and cognitive traits predicted dispersal tendency in the Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). We examined how chronic exposure to an antidepressant affects different behaviors and dispersal in wild- caught G. holbrooki. We then tested additional behaviors and their relationship to dispersal tendency. We found that exposure to fluoxetine did not affect performance in any of the behavioral assays or on dispersal. In …

Population Genomics Of A Rare Plant : Tiehm's Buckwheat, Benjamin M. Cecil

Theses

Eriogonum tiehmii is a rare plant found in Nevada with a range of approximately three hectares (Morefield, 2020). E. tiehmii is of particular interest due to lithium and boron in the soil. This area is one of only two known lithium-boron deposits globally (Fluor Enterprises 2020). This makes its habitat prime mining location. E. tiehmii is being considered for protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973. The objectives of the study were to determine the closest relative of E. tiehmii by estimating genetic relationships between E. tiehmii and other taxa, and to describe the genetic structure among E. …

Experimental Investigation Of Swept Bio-Inspired Wing Planforms, Arnab Chatterjee

Theses

The aerodynamic efficiency of the Swift (Apus Apus) and its resultant wing morphology merit further study for applications towards micro aerial vehicles (MAVs). Three bio-inspired wing planforms form the focus of this study to investigate the impact of sweep and spanwise chord variation on their local flow physics. The suction side flow characteristics are investigated using 2D particle image velocimetry (at Re = 4.0 × 10⁴ and 6.0 × 10⁴) to identify the effects induced by the planform geometry, followed by direct force measurements (at Re = 6.0 × 10⁴) to correlate the …

Characterization Of Trat Protein Encoded In Incf Resistance Plasmids, Katelyn Ashley Lott

Theses

Drug-resistant infections pose serious medical threats, and causative resistance genes spread through plasmid conjugation. The TraT protein is a virulence factor encoded in drug-resistance F-plasmids. TraT itself provides protection from conjugation, serum complement, and bacteriophages, but the protective mechanism is unknown. To facilitate mechanism studies, I developed improved purification protocols for isolation of the soluble domain of F-plasmid TraT from Escherichia coli. Wild-type TraT and two variants were obtained. TraT domain forms several types of oligomers in vitro, also observed in full-length TraT. This oligomerization is stable without membrane attachment and in broad range of salt concentrations. Purified …

The Effects Of Preference Assessments On The Duration Of Independent Play For A Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Elise Amo, Robbie Hanson

Theses

Plays skills are important within typical development and independent play has shown to lead to the development of other skills, such as increased social interactions (Edwards et al., 2018). Previous research has demonstrated increases in independent play for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who display skill deficits in this area. However, research has been largely lacking for increasing independent play for individuals with ASD who simply display a preference for interacting with adults. The current study examined the effectiveness of incorporating a multiple-stimulus without replacement (MSWO) preference assessment to increase the duration of independent play for a child with …

Intelligent Navigation Service Robot Working In A Flexible And Dynamic Environment, Said Abdallah

Theses

Numerous sensor fusion techniques have been reported in the literature for a number of robotics applications. These techniques involved the use of different sensors in different configurations. However, in the case of food driving, the possibility of the implementation has been overlooked. In restaurants and food delivery spots, enhancing the food transfer to the correct table is neatly required, without running into other robots or diners or toppling over. In this project, a particular algorithm module has been proposed and implemented to enhance the robot driving methodology and maximize robot functionality, accuracy, and the food transfer experience. The emphasis has …

An Evaluation Of The Biologics Price Competition And Innovation Act And Its Impact On Innovation In The Pharmaceutical Industry, Tara Williams

Theses

In the pharmaceutical industry, innovation is vital to bring more life-saving treatment options to patients. However, pharmaceutical manufacturers face strict safety and effectiveness guidelines set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), before being able to place their innovations on the market. In attempts to balance the need for continuous innovation and stringent regulation, policymakers created the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA) of 2009. The BPCIA allows biosimilars manufacturers to enter a shortened FDA approval pathway and provides incentives for biologics manufacturers with the aims to decrease cost and increase access to medications for patients by …

Sustainable Food Waste Management Through The Integration Of Anaerobic Digestion And Thermochemical Processes, Diana Carolina Rodriguez Alberto

Theses

The processing of food waste along with animal manure through anaerobic digestion (AD) is a popular waste management strategy. However, there is the concern that with the proliferation of AD the management of its nutrient-rich effluent, known as digestate, becomes a challenge. Current digestate management practices not only present environmental risks, but also issues related to the seasonality of field spreading and the storage and transportation of large volumes of material. The integration of the AD process with thermochemical conversion (TC) could help reduce some of these issues. The production of biochar from materials already available in the digester setting, …

Predicting Students' Mental Disorders Using Machine Learning, Maryam Sadiq

Theses

The mental health issues among students are prevailing due to predictions of low mood, anxiety, depression, and academic difficulties. Late diagnosis of these mental health issues takes prolonged measures to minimise its impact. Nowadays, machine learning is used to assess mental health by detecting signals that provide information about mental health through brain scans and questionnaires. Early detection of mental health issues in students possible to control them effectively. Colleges and universities are trying to improve student care by assessing their mental health and reducing mental health problems through psychological therapies. Machine learning techniques, including Multiclass Classifier, LAD Tree, and …

A Study On Post-Burn Healing: Optimising Scar Outcome Through The Use Of A Silicone-Based Film-Forming Wound Dressing, Fiona Poelchow

Theses

Introduction

The development of scarring is a normal physiological response during burn wound healing for any except the most trivial of injuries. Burn scarring can cause considerable functional and psychological anguish in burn survivors. Prolonged wound healing has been shown to affect scarring outcomes. Superficial cutaneous wound injuries carry a risk of scarring and altered pigmentation after the wound has healed. The primary aim of this study was to explore the effects of topical silicone on the rate of wound healing in superficial wounds. Secondary aims included investigation of scar and pain outcomes.

Methods

This thesis presents two studies which …

The Virtue Of Appropriate Transparency: Research Psychology And The Replication Crisis, Barry Mannolini-Winwood

Theses

I argue that one step toward addressing the replication crisis in psychology is through the application of appropriate transparency in research communication. Drawing upon virtue epistemology, I propose that appropriate transparency can be defined as a contextually informed point between understatement and overstatement. As such, I contend that judging appropriate transparency in research psychology requires a shared research design nomenclature (RDN). As researchers’ definitions of terms related to research psychology are not necessarily identical between individuals, it is beneficial to use transparent definitions of pivotal concepts to facilitate effective communication between researchers and their audience. However, the boundaries of appropriate …

The Process And Impact Of A Catholic School Amalgamation: A Mixed Method, Single Case Study, Stephen Gough

Theses

This research provides an investigative analysis of the impact of a large-scale change process involving the amalgamation of two long-standing Catholic schools in a capital city of Australia. The study explores how a change process impacted staff, student and parent stakeholders within the initial year of a school amalgamation by examining Catholic school life and culture, student learning and wellbeing, the physical learning environment, and leadership and administration. The objective is to better understand the process and the impact of the change that took place during the amalgamation, in order to further inform the planning and leading of future Catholic …

Does Acupuncture/Dry Needling Improve Pain And Itch In Abnormal Hypertrophic Scars, Catherine Tuckey

Theses

This research program investigated the use of acupuncture intervention as an adjunct for hypertrophic scar (HTS) management. Mechanistic evidence from ex vivo and animal studies suggests that acupuncture has the potential to modulate neurogenic inflammation to influence pain and itch associated with HTS. Further, acupuncture may mediate non-neuronal cells involved in the proliferation and remodelling stage of healing to promote scar maturation. Previous studies using acupuncture for scar management demonstrated positive outcomes, however low-quality clinical trials and case studies provide limited evidence for treatment benefit.

A treatment protocol was designed to investigate the effects of locally applied acupuncture compared to …

The Synthesis And Biological Assessment Of Novel Ursolic Acid Derivatives As Potential Chemotherapeutic Agents For Cancer, Julie Rose Mae Mondala

Theses

Glioblastoma (GBM) is considered to be the most biologically aggressive type of brain tumour accounting for approximately 48% of all malignant primary brain tumours. GBM patients diagnosed have poor prognosis with a low five-year survival rate of

The aim of this study was to develop novel UA derivatives to enhance its bioavailability. Nine novel UA derivatives: three different diamine linkers, with Boc-protected and deprotected ends, and with folic acid were designed and synthesized to improve compound activity and/or delivery. The structures of the newly synthesised compounds were confirmed using mass spectrometry, FTIR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The structural activity …

Pegylated Poly(Amino Acid) Copolymers For Delivery Of Magnetic Nanoparticles, Carl Steven Amborski

Theses

Block copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(L-Leucine) were synthesized to study their self-assembly behavior and ability to form polymeric micelles. These micelles were mPEGn-b-p(L-Leu)x, HO-PEGn-b-p(L-Leu)x, and p(L-Leu)x-b- PEGn-bp( L-Leu)x. The molecular weight of PEG varied between 2000 and 500 Da and the weight of p(L-Leu) varied between 1965 and 8515 Da. These micelles were assembled in aqueous solution both with and without 5nm diameter iron oxide nanoparticles and then analyzed with a zetasizer to determine their diameter. The goal was to find a combination of chain lengths that consistently produce a micelle that fully encapsulates 5nm iron oxide nanoparticles without …

Variation In Diet Between Cave And Surface Populations Of The Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon Glutinosus), Megan A. Carter

Theses

The diet of the Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus), a facultative cave-dweller, was examined at two pairs of subterranean and terrestrial sites in northern Alabama as its diet has remained largely unstudied. I investigated if salamanders are feeding in the darkness of caves and indirectly looked at specialization by examining gut contents via non-lethal gavaging for a year. A total of 52 salamanders were gavaged with cave salamanders rarely having stomach contents. Moreover, cave specimens ingested fewer prey items and a less diverse prey base compared to surface specimens. Eighty-four unique prey items/taxa were recovered across all sites. …

The Intercomparison Of Wind Profiles From Various Ground-Based Profiling Systems, Preston Pangle

Theses

Dense profiling networks that have been used in previous studies have utilized a variety of wind profilers (radar wind profilers, Doppler sodars, Doppler lidars, and scanning radars) to capture boundary layer (BL) heterogeneity. The many profilers that are used not only implement different retrieval schemes, but also have differing sample volumes and beam widths. Because these systems can have different footprints and even different temporal averaging, some of these systems may not capture small-scale or short period horizontal variations across the BL. Utilizing data that is routinely collected by Mobile Atmospheric Profiling Network (MAPNet) platforms at the Severe Weather Institute …

Flexible Microfluidic Device With Nonplanar Interdigitated Microelectrodes, Saud Alssaidy

Theses

The lab-on-a-chip concept has improved significantly in recent years to meet global demand for various applications with the advent of new technologies. Much progress has been achieved, but many microfluidic devices still suffer from design limitations in terms of sensitivity and selectivity because they use rigid, fragile substrate materials and conventional electrodes, which do not provide high sensitivity or selectivity and suffer from signal-to-noise ratio issues. This work proposes a novel device architecture that uses flexible, transparent top and bottom layers integrated with (nonplanar interdigitated microelectrodes) to create a sandwich-like flexible substrate base. The top and bottom layers consist of …

Characterization And Proteolytic Maturation Of Head Proteins In A Giant Salmonella Virus, Aaron Scheuch

Theses

Giant phages are of interest for biocontrol of pathogenic bacteria, however, there is limited knowledge about their biology. We study the Salmonella phage SPN3US to better understand virion structure and function. SPN3US has a contractile tail and a large T=27 icosahedral capsid that contains its 240-kb genome. Previous analyses showed the SPN3US virion is highly unusual because it contains >80 different proteins, a number that is highly unusual for a tailed phage. In addition, there is a mass (>40 MDa) of proteins ("ejection proteins") within the head that enter the Salmonella cell, possibly with roles in host takeover at …