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In Silico Investigations Of Class Ii Trans Activator (Ciita): Its Plausible Implications In Neuroinflammation And Neurological Disorders, Kishore N

Theses and Dissertations

Inflammation plays a significant role in maintaining homeostasis. Neuroinflammation is a chronic inflammatory response in the central nervous system (CNS), leading to brain or spinal cord dysfunction. To promote mental health, it is crucial to understand the regulation of neuroinflammation. Class II transactivator (CIITA) is a master-regulator of the major histocompatibility complex II (MHCII).

Modulation of CIITA has been suggested as a promising intervention for inflammatory conditions, including neurological disorders. However, there is limited knowledge about the role of CIITA and its interactors in inflammation. This study aimed to understand the role of CIITA in neuroinflammation and neurological disorders using …

3d Bioprinting On Electrospun Nanofibrous Scaffolds To Fabricate Myocardial Patches, Muthu Parkkavi S

Theses and Dissertations

Tissue-engineered three-dimensional (3D) myocardial patches offer superior and innovative treatment strategy for myocardial infarction (MI). Among the various scaffold fabrication techniques, electrospinning and 3D bioprinting have received great attention due to their ability to recreate native cardiac tissue mimetic characteristics. Despite several advantages, electrospun nanofibers have limitations in cell delivery due to random cell seeding, while bioprinting faces challenges in creating hydrogel constructs with ideal mechanical properties capable of supporting cardiac contraction/relaxation cycle. Hence in this work, hybrid myocardial patches were developed by converging electrospinning and bioprinting techniques.

Electrospinning of PLCL:PEOz (B73, 7:3 blend of poly-L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone (PLCL) and polyethyl oxazoline …

Detailed Modelling And Analysis Of A Shake Table Comprising Hybrid Actuation And Load-Balancing Mechanism, Xavier Reni Prasad

Theses and Dissertations

Catastrophic earthquakes endanger human lives by severely damaging critical infrastructure such as nuclear plants, bio-laboratories, and bridges. Developing earthquake-resistant structures is vital to mitigate these risks. Shake tables replicate recorded earthquake ground motions to assess structural performance. This research presents a novel three-legged, six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) hybrid shake table with a cost-effective design and decoupled motion control, offering a viable alternative to conventional six-legged models.

This architecture effectively decouples actuator motions by employing hydraulic actuators for 3-DOF spatial movement and electromechanical actuators for 3-DOF planar motion. Servo-hydraulic actuators support the static payload against gravity, while lightweight electromechanical actuators …

Structural Response Of Rc Columns Strengthened Using Bfrp Based Bfegc System – Under Fire And Cooling Regime, Ruba P

Theses and Dissertations

Retrofitting fire-damaged columns is essential for restoring structural integrity. This study evaluates the effectiveness of BFRP based Basalt fiber Engineered Geopolymer Composites (BFEGC). The performance of basalt fiber wrapping and BFEGC was tested for fire protection system and retrofitted system. An optimal BFEGC mix achieved a compressive strength of 55.34 MPa, with split tensile strength, flexural strength, and strain hardening behaviour of 15.5 MPa, 5.13 MPa, and 6% respectively.

Microstructural analysis was accessed for the optimum mix. Durability tests include water absorption, sorptivity, and RCPT which confirmed compliance with standards. Thermo gravimetry analysis (TGA) shows the minimal weight loss of …

Hindcasting The Occurrence Time Of Major Earthquakes Using Machine Learning And Time Series Analysis, Rubidha Devi D

Theses and Dissertations

An earthquake is an intense shaking of the ground that typically occurs when tectonic plates move beneath the surface of the Earth. Scientists analyze historical seismic records and geophysical and atmospheric signs to build models estimating the probability of major earthquakes by detecting patterns and anomalies in data such as ground deformation and seismic waves. This study would help in predicting earthquakes to minimize risks of people and buildings.

The present study investigates the devastating earthquakes along the Chilean subduction zone in South America, linking non-seismic data to machine learning predictions of Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) and Relative Humidity (RH) …

Computational Studies On The Major Antioxidant Enzymes Of Wuchereria Bancrofti Towards The Development Of Anti Filarial Leads, Sureshan M

Theses and Dissertations

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), or elephantiasis, is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease affecting the lymphatic system, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. It is the second leading cause of long-term disability and a neglected tropical disease. According to WHO, LF threatens 882 million people in 44 countries, with over 9 billion treatments administered. The disease is caused by three nematodes: Wuchereria bancrofti (90% of cases worldwide, including India), Brugia malayi (10% in Southeast and Eastern Asia), and Brugia timori (found in Timor and nearby islands). Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is an ancient disease that continues to challenge scientists and physicians. Current treatments include …

Impact Of Ionic Liquids On The Treatment Of Various Derivatives Of Prosopis Juliflora For Removing Toxic Pollutants From Wastewater, Karthikeyan A

Theses and Dissertations

Water resources are increasingly contaminated by toxic pollutants, particularly industrial effluents, posing significant environmental concerns. Addressing the toxicity of these pollutants, especially those released from textile industries, presents challenges due to their harmful effects on living organisms. Various treatment methods are employed to mitigate this issue, including coagulation, flocculation, membrane filtration, photocatalytic degradation, adsorption, anaerobic processes, and chemical oxidation. Among these, adsorption emerges as an effective and economical method due to its minimal secondary contamination, negligible sludge production, and the use of inexpensive agricultural and marine waste materials.

This study examines the ability of Prosopis juliflora treated with imidazolium-based ionic …

Hindcasting The Occurrence Time Of Major Earthquakes Using Machine Learning And Time Series Analysis, Rubidha Devi D

Theses and Dissertations

An earthquake is an intense shaking of the ground that typically occurs when tectonic plates move beneath the surface of the Earth. Scientists analyze historical seismic records and geophysical and atmospheric signs to build models estimating the probability of major earthquakes by detecting patterns and anomalies in data such as ground deformation and seismic waves. This study would help in predicting earthquakes to minimize risks of people and buildings. The present study investigates the devastating earthquakes along the Chilean subduction zone in South America, linking non-seismic data to machine learning predictions of Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) and Relative Humidity (RH) …

Artificial Intelligence-Based Adaptive Data-Driven Techniques For Disruption Prediction In Tokamak, Priyanka M

Theses and Dissertations

Tokamaks are nuclear fusion reactors designed to generate sustainable energy by confining plasma, yet plasma disruptions remain a major obstacle as they can damage reactor components and interrupt fusion reactions. Addressing this challenge requires reliable models that can classify plasma discharges and predict disruptions in advance. This thesis develops machine learning and deep learning approaches to improve both classification and forecasting.The first contribution is a semi-supervised active learning framework, Nearest Margin-Ranked Batch Mode Active Learning (NM-RBMAL), integrated with an ensemble model.

Unlike traditional classifiers that operate on static training data, this approach continuously adapts to new plasma conditions, reducing model …

Ai Based Early Detection Of Hormonal Imbalance And Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome In Young Women, Reka S

Theses and Dissertations

A hormonal disorder, Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) usually affects women during the reproductive age. It is characterised by imbalances in hormones, particularly a rise in the female body's androgen level (male hormone) and enlarged ovaries with small cysts. PCOS can cause ovarian cysts, weight gain, acne, excessive hair growth, insulin resistance, and irregular menstrual cycles along with other health problems. While the exact origin of PCOS is uncertain and its symptoms are unclear, diagnosing PCOS in real-world conditions is a difficult task. Therefore, prompt and precise PCOS diagnosis is essential for efficient treatment and for averting long-term issues.

Clinicians typically …

Biogenic Calcite Precipitation For Coastal Sand Stabilization: A Synergistic Approach Using Marine Bacteria And Natural Fibers, Aparna Gs

Theses and Dissertations

Coastal erosion, driven by natural forces such as waves, tides, winds, and currents and further intensified by anthropogenic activities like urbanization, climate change, and coastal infrastructure development, poses a significant threat to shoreline stability. Conventional erosion control methods, including jetties, embankments, and artificial reefs, often face limitations in sustainability and effectiveness. In this context, microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) has emerged as a promising ecofriendly solution for ground stabilization.

The present study investigates the potential of an indigenous ureolytic marine bacterium, Bacillus sp. N₉, isolated from the coastal sediments of Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, for coastal sand stabilization. The strain was …

Bioprospecting Of Wheat Straw Pyrolysis Aqueous Phase To Combat Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens, Srividhya K

Theses and Dissertations

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) significantly contribute to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), primarily through the contamination of high-touch surfaces. Current disinfectants have drawbacks like high environmental persistence, ecotoxicity, and resistance development, prompting the need for environmentally friendly alternatives.

One potential approach is pyrolysis, during which the biomass components are broken down into solid, liquid, and pyro-gas. The aqueous phase of the liquid fraction is usually discarded as waste, but it contains a variety of organic compounds that have the potential for antibacterial and antifungal activity. The present study assessed the anti-infective and anti-biofilm properties of wheat straw pyrolysis …

Fabrication Of Transparent Conducting Electrodes By Chemical Approaches & Their Application Towards Sensing And Energy Storage, Namuni Sneha

Theses and Dissertations

In the intelligent era, there is a growing demand for developing highly efficient and robust wearable electrodes through simple chemical approaches. We developed highperforming transparent electrodes using interconnected Au nanoparticle networks via a simple liquid-liquid interface approach that offers high conductivity, transparency (>85%), and mechanical durability. Additionally, the prepared electrodes exhibit tunable transmittance and sheet resistance, and the method was also adaptable to various substrates without harsh chemical or thermal treatments.

Furthermore, using Au 1L (1-layer) nanonetwork, a highly transparent breath sensor is fabricated with short response and recovery times (1.1 s and 1.3 s). The Au-1L sensor is …

Design And Investigation Of Deep Eutectic Solvent-Assisted Extractive Fermentation Of Biomolecules, Ramya M

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing demand for sustainable and efficient bioprocessing techniques has prompted the development of novel separation strategies integrating bioproduction with downstream processing. Extractive fermentation has emerged as a promising process intensification to overcome product inhibition and enhance productivity by constantly removing target biomolecules from the fermentation medium. Although the extractive fermentation of acids and alcohols has been extensively studied, less attention has been focused on green solvents and their compatibility, phase-forming abilities, and reactor configurations.

Therefore, advancing extractive fermentation technology necessitates comprehensive studies on solvent systems and the development of modified bioreactor configurations to aid future optimization. Initially, 22 DESs …

Aerodynamics And Vibrational Characteristics Of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine With Bio-Inspired Lep (Leading Edge Protuberance) Blades, Karthik Vel E

Theses and Dissertations

The growing wind energy sector and demand for renewable energy have led to increased wind turbine installations and alternatives to horizontal-axis wind turbines, such as small-scale turbines. The trends are shifting toward the use of readily available energy alone or with sustainable sources, such as solar or geothermal energy. The creation of self-sustaining energy capture and urban installations for developing smart grids is in great demand. A vertical-axis wind turbine is one such alternative. The performance of vertical-axis wind turbines is affected by drag, dynamic stalls, and vibrations from turbulent flow. Time-varying flow causes structural instabilities, leading to the vibration …

Metal-Organic Frameworks And Nanostructured Materials For Environmental Applications, Arunkumar G

Theses and Dissertations

The global population and economic development are experiencing rapid growth. Concurrently, environmental challenges such as global warming, soil, water, and air pollution are also rising. Each year, approximately 700,000 tonnes of products are generated from 100,000 tonnes of commercial dyes. Following their use, these dyes are often released into water bodies.

This contamination of water and land results in the formation of mutagenic and carcinogenic substances harmful to living organisms. Therefore, it is imperative to treat industrial wastewater to enable its recycling for various applications. Parallelly, the vehicles are becoming indispensable to human life modern world's urbanization and advancement.

The …

Perspectives On Northern Gulf Of Alaska Freshwater Pathways, Wind, And Linkages To Phytoplankton Biomass, Isaac Reister

Oceanography

The biologically productive northern Gulf of Alaska continental shelf receives freshwater from surrounding watersheds and wind stress from atmospheric pressure systems. A better characterization of the relationship between wind and salinity spatiotemporal variability is important for understanding the fate of freshwater and its ecological importance. In Chapter 2, I analyzed 25 years of northern Gulf of Alaska hydrographic data to reveal mid-shelf and shelf­ break freshwater pathways that impact stratification, currents, and freshwater distribution. Process studies of the Copper River plume’s propagation towards the shelf-break and beyond inform ecological function on the northern Gulf of Alaska shelf and productivity in …

Optimal Control And Inverse Problems For Partial Differential Equations And Variational Inequalities, Olha Sus

Mathematics and Statistics

This dissertation addresses optimal control problems for nonlinear evolutionary variational inequalities involving Volterra-type operators and inverse problems for the Dirac system on finite metric graphs. The first part presents the historical background, novelty, and motivation behind the research studies. In the second part, we focus on solving the initial value problem for nonlinear evolutionary variational inequalities with Volterra-type operators, proving the existence of a unique solution using the Banach fixed-point theorem. The third part explores an optimal control problem for these inequalities, establishing the existence of a solution under specific assumptions on the given data. In the last part of …

Educational Opportunities Of Participatory Gis For Accessibility On A College Campus, Shiya Cao, Heather Rosenfeld, Sarah Susnea

Statistical and Data Sciences: Faculty Publications

The educational benefits of Participatory GIS (PGIS) in geographic higher education have received limited direct attention, often because of the complexities of integrating PGIS into university curricula. While a few exceptions found important educational benefits of PGIS, extant studies focused primarily on the educational benefits for students who worked in the research teams, instead of participants who contributed their local knowledge and perspectives to mapping. Our research aims to understand the educational benefits of PGIS for participants in a campus accessibility mapping project using the modes of experiential learning, positionality, and service learning. Through this, we also provide strategies for …

Exploring The Intersection Of Race And Native Speakerism In English Language Teaching: Experiences Of Black African Teachers In Turkey, John Ayodeji Odudele

Linguistics

Research on race and native speaker status in language teaching provides little insight into the experiences of Black African English teachers (BAETs) in the diaspora. To address this gap, this study examines how aspects of BAETs' positionalities - such as race and native speaker status create challenges in their professional and societal lives in Turkey. Data from twelve semi­ structured interviews of BAETs were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings suggest that race­ related challenges trump language-related ones and that Blackness fundamentally shapes outsiders’ perception and value of BAETs’ linguistic expertise. Even when BAETs possess the same or superior qualifications as …

Toward Multidisciplinary Volcanic Eruption Models And Forecasts In Alaska: Contributions From Automated Seismic And Acoustic Signal Detection, Darren Tan

Geosciences

Explosive, ash-generating volcanic eruptions pose an increasing threat to a growing, globally connected population. Accurate forecasts of volcanic eruptions remain challenging due to the complex­ity of volcanic systems, but recent multidisciplinary synthesis efforts have proven effective. The National Science Foundation Prediction of and Resilience against Extreme Events (PREEVENTS) project aims to re-analyze and combine multidisciplinary observations at eight Alaska volcanoes to develop eruption forecast models. Leading the seismology and infrasound discipline, this dis­sertation details the development of automated tools capable of producing high-resolution catalogs of volcanic unrest signals from continuous seismic and acoustic data. By leveraging these catalogs and synthesizing …

Effects Of Eogo In Metakaolin-Based Geopolymer, Chaewon Lee, Hoyoung Lee, Jinwoo An, Boo Hyun Nam

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Geopolymer concrete uses a geopolymer binder instead of traditional Portland cement; thus, it reduces carbon emissions by a significant amount. In this study, Edge-Oxidized Graphene Oxide (EOGO), a carbon-based nanomaterial, was added into a metakaolin-based geopolymer, and its effect on the mechanical and rheological properties of the mixture was investigated. EOGO was added into the mixture at 0% (control), 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% of the metakaolin mass. Several experiments were conducted to characterize the properties of the metakaolin–EOGO (MKGO) geopolymer, including its compressive strength, free–free resonance column (FFRC), void content, water absorption, setting time, flow, and rheology. It was found …

Bridging Scales In Epidemic Modeling From Individuals To Networks And Ecosystems, Saiprasasd Vr

Theses and Dissertations

Epidemics have shaped the trajectory of human history, repeatedly exposing vulnerabilities in healthcare systems and influencing socio-economic dynamics on a global scale. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, underscored the pressing need for flexible and responsive modeling framework capable of adapting to dynamic and evolving epidemic scenarios. Motivated by these challenges, this thesis explores the development of innovative epidemic models that integrate classical mathematical modeling techniques, network-based frameworks, and modern data-driven approaches. Each chapter addresses a distinct dimension of epidemic spread, from vaccination dynamics and community coupling to ecological complexity and adaptive human behavior, culminating in a model-free paradigm suitable for …

Cyclone Intensity Prediction In The Bay Of Bengal Using Deep Learning Methods, Senthil Kumar J

Theses and Dissertations

The Bay of Bengal region's coastlines have been badly devastated by tropical cyclones, as the region experiences an average of five to six cyclones per year, with about two to three of these intensifying into tropical storms or severe cyclones. Thus it necessitates to study the accurate and efficient forecasting of their intensity to improve preparedness and response to natural disasters. The present study compares and examines three distinct approaches to cyclone intensity prediction using historical datasets from 1998 to 2020: hybrid optimisation, deep learning-based, and empirical approaches.The predicted accuracy, computational effectiveness, and feasibility for real-time scenarios of each model …

Development Of Powder Activator From Agro-Industrial Waste And Its Application In The Preparation Of One-Part Alkali Activated Concrete, Anoop Kn

Theses and Dissertations

The environmental concerns associated with the traditional ordinary Portland cement (OPC) such as CO2 emission and high energy demand along with resource depletion as binder has led to the development of alkali activated binders (AABs). Even with the reduction in environmental issues, the implementation of AAB in practice is hindered by the handling issues of liquid activators. Hence, it is required to develop AAB with powdered activators to address the handling issues and to further reduce the environmental issues related to the production of activators. This research investigates the development of one-part alkali-activated concrete (OAAC) system utilising wastederived materials as …

Design Of An Integrated Lightweight Cryptographic Algorithm For Device Level Security And Fraternal Cryptographic Algorithm For Communication Security In Medical Cyber Physical Systems, Vimala Devi P

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare involves detecting symptoms, diagnosing conditions and giving treatment to patients. It is one of the fundamental human rights, and it might be difficult to provide healthcare to those with chronic illnesses, elderly people with disabilities and those under distant observation. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide.

According to the prediction, CVD-related causes such as heart attacks and strokes, could result in 23.3 million deaths by 2030. In addition, the number of people with diabetes will reach 246 million; thereby, the prevalence of CVD patients and diabetics will …

Investigations Of Secure Memory For Vlsi Based Crypto System, Vijay Sai R Mr

Theses and Dissertations

Semiconductor technology is growing very rapidly in their architectural developments, involving the usage of processor and memory. Presence of memory, in general is a vital commodity in various devices which are almost embedded into human activity, from robust work stations to handy mobile phones. Security of data stored in memory is very important, and hence, observation must be made that these valuable data should not be thwarted by malicious means. Security in cache memory is a major issue in memory related applications such as smart cards and bio-metric implementations.

Cache, is a small and limited memory located between central processing …

Benthic Community Composition And Ecosystem Function In Southern Kachemak Bay, Alaska, Jonah Jossart

Marine Biology

The benthic environment in southern Kachemak Bay, Alaska provides critical ecosystem services, processing organic matter from the land and the sea, and returning nutrients to the food web. In Kachemak Bay, concerns have arisen that marine agriculture (mariculture) operations in the form of salmon hatcheries and oyster farms may have negative impacts on the local environment. This thesis investigates the seafloor sediment environment to assess these potential impacts under salmon hatchery net pens in Tutka Bay Lagoon, and under an oyster farm in Jakolof Bay. We found that beneath the net pens, high waste inputs of fish food, feces and …

Dissolved And Particulate Nutrient Dynamics In The Northern Gulf Of Alaska: A Productive Subarctic Shelf Ecosystem, Emily Ortega

Oceanography

The Northern Gulf of Alaska (NGA) is a biologically productive system, culturally and economically sustaining Alaska’s coastal communities, with inorganic nutrients as an important foundation of this important food web. Nonetheless, seasonal cycles, interannual variability, and nutrient chemistry all influence nutrient dynamics, creating challenges in the overall understanding of the NGA ecosystem and the resources it provides. Therefore, this work examines nutrient sources, sinks, and trends over time and location to identify and explain key nutrient dynamics within the NGA. One key process is the exchange between dissolved (potentially bioavailable) and particulate nutrients that is examined in Chapters Two and …

Post-Fire Riverscapes: Exploring The Ecological And Behavioral Responses Of Stream Communities To Wildfire In Boreal Streams, Elizabeth Geraldine Hinkle

Fisheries

Wildfire is the dominant disturbance in boreal forest ecosystems, and its frequency and severity are increasing with climate change. This dissertation examines how wildfire affects boreal stream habitats, food webs, and fish movement across spatial and temporal scales in interior Alaska. In Chapter 2, I compared burned and unburned streams 10 to 15 years post-fire using habitat survey, water chemistry, and aquatic community composition data. Burned sites had marginally significant lower canopy cover (-19.6%, p = 0.095), coarser substrate (+23.7 mm, p = 0.102), and higher macroinvertebrate abundance (626 ± 361 vs. 331 ± 349 individuals/m2, p = 0.03); fish …