Engineering Commons^™

Robotic Resistance Treadmill Training Improves Locomotor Function In Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study, Ming Wu, Janis Kim, Deborah J. Gaebler-Spira, Brian D. Schmit, Pooja Arora

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To determine whether applying controlled resistance forces to the legs during the swing phase of gait may improve the efficacy of treadmill training as compared with applying controlled assistance forces in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Design

Randomized controlled study.

Setting

Research unit of a rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

Children with spastic CP (N=23; mean age, 10.6y; range, 6–14y; Gross Motor Function Classification System levels, I–IV).

Interventions

Participants were randomly assigned to receive controlled assistance (n=11) or resistance (n=12) loads applied to the legs at the ankle. Participants underwent robotic treadmill training 3 times a week for 6 weeks (18 …

Optimal Hemoglobin Extinction Coefficient Data Set For Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Yue Zhao, Lina Qiu, Yunlong Sun, Chong Huang, Ting Li

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Extinction coefficient (ε) is a critical parameter for quantification of oxy-, deoxy-, and total-hemoglobin concentrations (Δ[HbO₂], Δ[Hb], Δ[tHb]) from optical measurements of Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). There are several different ε data sets which were frequently used in NIRS quantification. A previous study reported that even a small variation in ε could cause a significant difference in hemodynamic measurements. Apparently the selection of an optimal ε data set is important for NIRS. We conducted oxygen-state-varied and blood-concentration-varied model experiments with 57 human blood samples to mimic tissue hemodynamic variations. Seven reported ε data sets were evaluated by comparisons between …

Optical Properties Of Organic Carbon And Soot Produced In An Inverse Diffusion Flame, C. Russo, B. Apicella, J. S. Lighty, A. Ciajolo, A. Tregrossi

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The carbonaceous matter (soot plus organic carbon) sampled downstream of an ethylene inverse diffusion flame (IDF) was chemically and spectroscopically analyzed in detail. In particular, the H/C ratio, the UV-Visible absorption coefficient and Raman parameters were measured and found to be representative of a highly disordered sp² -rich carbon as the early soot sampled in a premixed flame. In contrast, the optical band gap was found to be relatively low (0.7eV), closer to the optical band gap of graphite than to that of medium-sized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (>2eV) which are widely considered to be soot precursors and are …

Incorporation Of Catalytic Modalities For Forming Of A Catalytic Cascade, Albert T. Perry Iii

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

This dissertation investigates the novel incorporation of inorganic and enzymatic catalysts. There is little literature on inorganic catalysts operating at biologically relevant pHs and as such a significant amount of this dissertation focuses on determination of catalyst activity. Mn amino-anitpyrene (MnAAPyr), Pt, Pt alloys, Mn-N-C and Pd catalysts on 3D graphene supports(3D-GNS), were explored for activity towards glycerol intermediates: oxalic acid, mesoxalic acid, glyoxalic acid, and formic acid. MnAAPyr was designed to mimic the reaction center of oxalate decarboxylase and oxalate oxidaze, the natural catalyst towards oxalic acid. It showed high activity towards oxalic acid, with onset potentials of 0.714±0.002V …

Sagittal Subtalar And Talocrural Joint Assessment During Ambulation With Controlled Ankle Movement (Cam) Boots, Ben Mchenry, Emily L. Exten, Janelle A. Cross, Karen M. Kruger, Brian Law, Jessica M. Fritz, Gerald F. Harris

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Background: The purpose of the current study was to determine sagittal plane talocrural and subtalar kinematic differences between barefoot and controlled ankle movement (CAM) boot walking. This study used fluoroscopic images to determine talar motion relative to tibia and calcaneal motion relative to talus.

Methods: Fourteen male subjects (mean age 24.1 ± 3.5 years) screened for normal gait were tested. A fluoroscopy unit was used to collect images at 200 Hz during stance. Sagittal motion of the talocrural and subtalar joints were analyzed barefoot and within short and tall CAM boots.

Results: Barefoot talocrural mean maximum plantar and dorsiflexion were …

Pattern Discovery In Brain Imaging Genetics Via Scca Modeling With A Generic Non-Convex Penalty, Lei Du, Kefei Liu, Xiaohui Yao, Jingwen Yan, Shannon L. Risacher, Junwei Han, Lei Guo, Andrew J. Saykin, Li Shen, Michael W. Weiner, Paul Aisen, Ronald Petersen, Clifford R. Jack, William Jagust, John Q. Trojanowki, Arthur W. Toga, Laurel Beckett, Robert C. Green, John Morris, Leslie M. Shaw, Zaven Khachaturian, Greg Sorensen, Maria Carrillo, Lew Kuller, Marc Raichle, Steven Paul, Peter Davies, Howard Fillit, Franz Hefti, David Holtzman, Charles D. Smith, Gregory Jicha, Peter A. Hardy, Partha Sinha, Elizabeth Oates, Gary Conrad

Neurology Faculty Publications

Brain imaging genetics intends to uncover associations between genetic markers and neuroimaging quantitative traits. Sparse canonical correlation analysis (SCCA) can discover bi-multivariate associations and select relevant features, and is becoming popular in imaging genetic studies. The L1-norm function is not only convex, but also singular at the origin, which is a necessary condition for sparsity. Thus most SCCA methods impose ℓ₁-norm onto the individual feature or the structure level of features to pursuit corresponding sparsity. However, the ℓ₁-norm penalty over-penalizes large coefficients and may incurs estimation bias. A number of non-convex penalties are proposed to reduce …

Integrative Computational Modeling For Developing Means To Manipulate Biological Cells And For Solving Complex Engineering Problems, Yu Zhao, Guigen Zhang

Commonwealth Computational Summit

A brief discussion on reductive vs integrative investigation

A case study: how integrative computational modeling helps advance the understanding and application of dielectrophoresis (DEP) in various situations

Other applications in advancing the design and development of nanopore, medical devices, novel materials, actuation devices, and coupled spectroscopic techniques, etc.

Integrative Computational Modeling For Developing Means To Manipulate Biological Cells And For Solving Complex Engineering Problems, Yu Zhao, Guigen Zhang

Commonwealth Computational Summit

Computational modeling has become more widely used to guide the design of microfluidic devices for manipulating cells using Dielectrophoresis (DEP), and devise novel means for advancing the study of cellular science and engineering. Conventionally, cells are treated as volumeless points in the system, which allows study of the movement of groups of particles under the effect of field. However, this approach often neglects the distortion effect of particle on external field, as well as interactions among particles. Moreover, it ignores the complex inner structures of cell, which are the causes of distinctive cell behavior. To more accurately model the behavior …

Parallelization Of A Three-Dimensional Full Multigrid Algorithm To Simulate Tumor Growth, Dylan Goodin, Chin F. Ng, Hermann B. Frieboes

Commonwealth Computational Summit

We present the performance gains of an openMP implementation of a fully adaptive nonlinear full multigrid (FMG) algorithm to simulate three-dimensional multispecies desmoplastic tumor growth on computer systems of varying processing capabilities. The FMG algorithm is applied to solve a recently published thermodynamic mixture model that uses a diffuse interface approach with fourth-order reaction-advection-diffusion PDEs (Cahn-Hilliard-type equations) that are coupled, nonlinear, and numerically stiff. The model includes multiple cell species and extracellular matrix (ECM), with adhesive and elastic energy contributions in chemical potential terms, as well as including blood and lymphatic vessels represented as continuous vasculatures. Advection-reaction-diffusion PDEs are employed …

Hierarchical Fusion Based Deep Learning Framework For Lung Nodule Classification, Kazim Sekeroglu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Lung cancer is the leading cancer type that causes the mortality in both men and women. Computer aided detection (CAD) and diagnosis systems can play a very important role for helping the physicians in cancer treatments. This dissertation proposes a CAD framework that utilizes a hierarchical fusion based deep learning model for detection of nodules from the stacks of 2D images. In the proposed hierarchical approach, a decision is made at each level individually employing the decisions from the previous level. Further, individual decisions are computed for several perspectives of a volume of interest (VOI). This study explores three different …

Dual-Drug Containing Core-Shell Nanoparticles For Lung Cancer Therapy, Jyothi Unnikrishna Menon, Aneetta Kuriakose, Roshni Iyer, Elizabeth Hernandez, Leah Gandee, Shanrong Zhang, Masaya Takahashi, Zhang Zhang, Debabrata Saha, Kytai Truong Nguyen

Bioengineering Faculty Publications - Archive

Late-stage diagnosis of lung cancer occurs ~95% of the time due to late manifestation of its symptoms, necessitating rigorous treatment following diagnosis. Existing treatment methods are limited by lack of specificity, systemic toxicity, temporary remission, and radio-resistance in lung cancer cells. In this research, we have developed a folate receptor-targeting multifunctional dual drug-loaded nanoparticle (MDNP) containing a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-carboxymethyl chitosan shell and poly lactic-coglycolic acid (PLGA) core for enhancing localized chemo-radiotherapy to effectively treat lung cancers. The formulation provided controlled releases of the encapsulated therapeutic compounds, NU7441 - a potent radiosensitizer, and gemcitabine - an FDA approved chemotherapeutic drug for lung …

Co-Existence Of Microbial Ecology In A Chemostat Using A Robust Feedback, Hector Puebla, Mariana Rodriguez-Jara, Margarita M. Gonzalez-Brambila, Eliseo Hernandez-Martinez, Alejandra Velasco-Perez, Ennio Piceno-Diaz

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Open Source Artificial Intelligence In A Biological/Ecological Context, Trevor Grant

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Food Web Control And Synchronization Using A Robust Feedback, Hector Puebla, Mariana Rodriguez-Jara, Cesar S. Lopez-Monsalvo, Eliseo Hernandez-Martinez, Alejandra Velasco-Perez

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Microfluidic Biopsy Trapping Device For The Real-Time Monitoring Of The Tumor Microenvironment, Angela Holton

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The tumor microenvironment is composed of cellular and stromal components such as tumor cells, mesenchymal cells, immune cells, cancer associated fibroblasts and the supporting extracellular matrix. The tumor microenvironment provides crucial support for growth and progression of tumor cells and affects tumor response to therapeutic interventions. To better understand tumor biology and to develop effective cancer therapeutic agents it is important to develop preclinical platforms that can faithfully recapitulate the tumor microenvironment and the complex interaction between the tumor and its surrounding stromal elements. Drug studies performed in vitro with conventional two-dimensional cancer cell line models do not optimally represent …

Designing Biomaterials Using Mussel Adhesive Chemistry, Bruce P. Lee

TechTalks

Marine mussels secrete adhesive proteins that enable them to anchor to surfaces under water. We are exploiting chemistry utilized by mussels to design bioadhesives for tissue repair and wound healing, smart biomaterials for on-demand antipathogenic applications, and smart adhesives that can be turned on and off with externally applied stimuli.

Decreased Triple Network Connectivity In Patients With Recent Onset Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After A Single Prolonged Trauma Exposure, Yang Liu, Liang Li, Baojuan Li, Na Feng, Lihong Li, Xi Zhang, Hongbing Lu, Hong Yin

Publications and Research

The triple network model provides a common framework for understanding affective and neurocognitive dysfunctions across multiple disorders, including central executive network (CEN), default mode network (DMN), and salience network (SN). Considering the effect of traumatic experience on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this study aims to explore the alteration of triple network connectivity in a specific PTSD induced by a single prolonged trauma exposure. With an arterial spin labeling sequence, three networks were first identified using independent component analysis among 10 PTSD patients and 10 healthy survivors, who experienced the same coal mining flood disaster. Then, the triple network connectivity was …

Modeling Subconcussive And Cumulative Subconcussive Impacts Using A Lateral Fluid Percusion Injury Device, Todd Long

Dissertations

Repetitive mTBI and concussion are a major risk factor for developing long-term cognitive and behavioral impairments. Curiously, cumulative head injuries sustained over an individuals’ career, involving contact activities (e.g. athletes and military personnel), are beginning to be implicated in long-term consequences, such as dementia. Recently, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has gained momentum in the science and medical community as a neurodegenerative disease of repetitive head injuries. CTE was observed at autopsy of former athletes that did not closely correlate with a clinical history of concussion. Thus, suggesting cumulative subconcussive insults may induce long-term damage.

Investigating the etiology of subconcussive and …

Multiscale Modeling Of Cardiovascular Flows, Alison Marsden, Ethan Kung

Publications

Simulations of blood flow in the cardiovascular system offer investigative and predictive capabilities to augment current clinical tools. Using image-based modeling, the Navier-Stokes equations can be solved to obtain detailed 3-dimensional hemodynamics in patient-specific anatomical models. Relevant parameters such as wall shear stress and particle residence times can then be calculated from the 3D results and correlated with clinical data for treatment planning and device evaluation. Reduced-order models such as open or closed loop 0D lumped-parameter models can simulate the dynamic behavior of the circulatory system using an analogy to electrical circuits. When coupled to 3D simulations as boundary conditions, …

Non-Linear Heart Rate And Blood Pressure Interaction In Response To Lower-Body Negative Pressure, Ajay K. Verma, Da Xu, Amanmeet Garg, Anita T. Cote, Andrew P. Blaber, Kouhyar Tavakolian

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

Early detection of hemorrhage remains an open problem. In this regard, blood pressure has been an ineffective measure of blood loss due to numerous compensatory mechanisms sustaining arterial blood pressure homeostasis. Here, we investigate the feasibility of causality detection in the heart rate and blood pressure interaction, a closed-loop control system, for early detection of hemorrhage. The hemorrhage was simulated via graded lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) from 0 to -40 mmHg. The research hypothesis was that a significant elevation of causal control in the direction of blood pressure to heart rate (i.e., baroreflex response) is an early indicator of central …

Utilizing Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy For Prediction Of Cognitive Workload In Noisy Work Environments, Ryan Gabbard, Mary E. Fendley, Irfaan A. Dar, Rik Warren, Nasser H. Kashou

Biomedical, Industrial & Human Factors Engineering Faculty Publications

Occupational noise frequently occurs in the work environment in military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. This impacts cognitive performance by acting as a stressor, potentially interfering with the analysts’ decision-making process. We investigated the effects of different noise stimuli on analysts’ performance and workload in anomaly detection by simulating a noisy work environment. We utilized functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to quantify oxy-hemoglobin (HbO) and deoxy-hemoglobin concentration changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), as well as behavioral measures, which include eye tracking, reaction time, and accuracy rate. We hypothesized that noisy environments would have a negative effect on the participant in …

Protection By Inhaled Hydrogen Therapy In A Rat Model Of Acute Lung Injury Can Be Tracked In Vivo Using Molecular Imaging, Said H. Audi, Elizabeth R. Jacobs, Xiao Zhang, Amadou K.S. Camara, Ming Zhao, Meetha M. Medhora, Benjamin Michael Rizzo, Anne V. Clough

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Inhaled hydrogen gas (H₂) provides protection in rat models of human acute lung injury (ALI). We previously reported that biomarker imaging can detect oxidative stress and endothelial cell death in vivo in a rat model of ALI. Our objective was to evaluate the ability of ^99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime (HMPAO) and ^99mTc-duramycin to track the effectiveness of H₂ therapy in vivo in the hyperoxia rat model of ALI. Rats were exposed to room air (normoxia), 98% O₂ + 2% N₂ (hyperoxia) or 98% O₂ + 2% H₂ (hyperoxia+H₂) for up to 60 …

Tuning Properties Of Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Block-Poly(Simvastatin) Copolymers Synthesized Via Triazabicyclodecene, Theodora A. Asafo-Adjei, Thomas D. Dziubla, David A. Puleo

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Simvastatin was polymerized into copolymers to better control drug loading and release for therapeutic delivery. When using the conventional stannous octoate catalyst in ring-opening polymerization (ROP), reaction temperatures ≥ 200 °C were required, which promoted uncontrollable and undesirable side reactions. Triazabicyclodecene (TBD), a highly reactive guanidine base organocatalyst, was used as an alternative to polymerize simvastatin. Polymerization was achieved at 150 °C using 5 kDa methyl-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) as the initiator. ROP reactions with 2 kDa or 550 Da mPEG initiators were also successful using TBD at 150 °C instead of stannous octoate, which required a higher reaction temperature. …

Collapsible Silicone Tubes: An In Vitro Model For Tracheal Traction, Kevin D. Garman

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by recurrent episodes of airway collapse and airflow limitation during sleep. Fragmented sleep and reductions in blood oxygen saturation lead to several comorbidities, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Longitudinal forces (tracheal traction) acting on the soft tissues surrounding the upper airway have been proposed to play a significant role in stabilizing the airway and preventing collapse. However, the relative contribution of longitudinal forces as compared to other factors that affect airway stability (airway geometry, tissue properties, muscle activity) remains unclear. This in-vitro study aimed to investigate to what extent longitudinal forces can …

Elucidating The Mechanical, Structural, Functional, And Molecular Mechanisms Involved In Irreversible Vascular Changes In Aortic Coarctation, Brandon Wegter

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a constriction of the thoracic aorta and is one of the most common congenital cardiovascular defects. Treatment by surgical correction has saved the lives of thousands of children, but many still have a reduced lifespan due to hypertension. Previous results using our novel rabbit model showed that the current treatment guideline of a 20 mmHg blood pressure gradient (BPG) induces irreversible vascular changes, which persisted despite correction. Preliminary data of the downregulation of natriuretic peptide receptor C (NPR-C) in proximal aortic tissue of human patients with CoA serves as the possible underlying mechanism for …

Impact Of Electrospun Conduit Composition And Peritoneal Pre-Conditioning On Patency And Remodeling Of Tissue Engineered Vascular Grafts, Mozhgan Shojaee

Theses and Dissertations

Overall goal of this project was to develop a tissue engineered vascular graft by implanting an electrospun tubular conduit into the peritoneal cavity to recruit autologous cells to it and provide the cells with the components of the hysiological environment prior to grafting the conduit into the artery. This was accomplished through three complimentary studies: finding the best ratio of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and collagen that improves inflammatory response within the peritoneal cavity; determining the effect of peritoneal pre-implantation and the amount of incorporated collagen on graft functionality; and reducing the potential side effect of peritoneal adhesion formation. In the first …

Muscle Coordination Contributes To Function After Stroke; Proprioception Contributes To Control Of Posture, Movement, Maria Bengtson

Dissertations (1934 -)

More than half of stroke survivors experience persistent upper extremity motor impairments that can negatively impact quality of life and independence. Effective use of the upper extremity requires coordination of agonist/antagonist muscle pairs, as well as coordination of multiple control actions for stabilizing and moving the arm. In this dissertation, I present three studies in which I recorded isometric torque production, single joint movement and stabilization, and clinical measures of function and impairments after stroke to evaluate the extent to which changes in coordination of agonist/antagonist muscles and of sequential control actions contribute to deficits after stroke. In Aim 1, …

Motion Artifact Evaluation Of Coronary Ct Angiography Images, Hongfeng Ma

Dissertations (1934 -)

The objective of this dissertation was to develop and validate an automated algorithm to quantify motion artifact level on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) images. Unlike existing motion artifact reduction techniques that evaluate the relative level of motion artifacts within one exam, this dissertation aims to quantify the absolute level of motion artifacts across exams from varying patients. The ability to quantify absolute motion artifact level enables several potential applications, for example, assessing and comparing two motion artifact reduction techniques. This dissertation includes three specific aims. Aim 1 investigated the absolute motion artifact quantification effectiveness of six motion artifact metrics using …

Treating A 20 Mm Hg Gradient Alleviates Myocardial Hypertrophy In Experimental Aortic Coarctation, David C. Wendell, Ingeborg Friehs, Margaret M. Samyn, Leanne Harmann, John F. Ladisa

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Children with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) can have a hyperdynamic and remodeled left ventricle (LV) from increased afterload. Literature from an experimental model suggests the putative 20 mm Hg blood pressure gradient (BPG) treatment guideline frequently implemented in CoA studies may permit irreversible vascular changes. LV remodeling from pressure overload has been studied, but data are limited following correction and using a clinically representative BPG.

Materials and methods

Rabbits underwent CoA at 10 weeks to induce a 20 mm Hg BPG using permanent or dissolvable suture thereby replicating untreated and corrected CoA, respectively. Cardiac function was evaluated at …

Computational Modeling For Abnormal Brain Tissue Segmentation, Brain Tumor Tracking, And Grading, Syed Mohammad Shamin Reza

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation proposes novel texture feature-based computational models for quantitative analysis of abnormal tissues in two neurological disorders: brain tumor and stroke. Brain tumors are the cells with uncontrolled growth in the brain tissues and one of the major causes of death due to cancer. On the other hand, brain strokes occur due to the sudden interruption of the blood supply which damages the normal brain tissues and frequently causes death or persistent disability. Clinical management of these brain tumors and stroke lesions critically depends on robust quantitative analysis using different imaging modalities including Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Digital Pathology …