Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of Tissue Response From The Regenerative Multielectrode Array (Remi) Implant Using Atf-3 And Cjun, Sarita Bhetawal

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

Currently available peripheral nerve regenerative interfaces such as the sieve and the micro-channel regenerative electrode, intended to be used for the control and natural feel from advanced robotic prosthetic devices, eventually fail due to nerve damage due to axonopathy. The Regenerative Multi-electrode array (REMI) developed in our lab overcomes this limitation by providing a non-obstructive pathway for regenerating axons. However, it is possible that the mismatch at the electrode-tissue interface may cause axonal injury during limb stretching. In order to determine if micro-motion at the REMI causes neuronal injury I evaluated the nuclear expression of Activating Transcription Factor 3 (ATF-3), …

Surface Modification Of Magnetic Nanoparticles For Formulation Of Photoluminescent Polymer-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles To Detect And Treat Cancers, Tejaswi Dhanpal Kadapure

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

Cancer has been one of the leading causes of death worldwide that necessitates the development of theranostic systems for effective cancer management. Previously, we developed biodegradable-photoluminescent polymer coated magnetic nanoparticles (BPLP-MNPs) as a theranostic system for cancer management. These BPLP-MNPs were highly stable with excellent biocompatibility and consisted of magnetic targeting and imaging capabilities. However, these particles experienced reduced fluorescence due to the presence of dark/blackness of MNPs, which absorbs excited/emitted light. Therefore, it was hypothesized that surface modification on MNPs can overcome this limitation and enhance fluorescence for BPLP-MNPs.The goal of this research was therefore to employ various surface …

Including Aortic Valve Morphology In Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations: Initial Findings And Application To Aortic Coarctation, David C. Wendell, Margaret M. Samyn, Joseph Richard Cava, Laura M. Ellwein, Mary M. Krolikowski, Kimberly L. Gandy, Andrew N. Pelech, Shawn C. Shadden, John F. Ladisa

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations quantifying thoracic aortic flow patterns have not included disturbances from the aortic valve (AoV). 80% of patients with aortic coarctation (CoA) have a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) which may cause adverse flow patterns contributing to morbidity. Our objectives were to develop a method to account for the AoV in CFD simulations, and quantify its impact on local hemodynamics. The method developed facilitates segmentation of the AoV, spatiotemporal interpolation of segments, and anatomic positioning of segments at the CFD model inlet. The AoV was included in CFD model examples of a normal (tricuspid AoV) and a …

Long-Term Follow Up Of Van Nes Rotationplasty For Congenital Proximal Focal Femoral Deficiency [Proceedings], Haluk Altiok, Jeffrey D. Ackman, Ann Flanagan, Mary Peer, Adam Graf, Joseph Krzak, Sahar Hassani, Gerald F. Harris

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

INTRODUCTION: Proximal focal femoral deficiency (PFFD) is a congenital anomaly that presents challenges for orthopaedic and prosthetic management. The Van Nes rotationplasty is one treatment in which the extremity is surgically rotated to utilize the ankle and foot as a functional knee joint in a prosthesis. The purpose of this study is to determine the long-term functional and quality of life (QOL) outcomes for individuals who have undergone rotationplasty surgery for congenital PFFD compared to age and gender matched controls.

METHODS: This prospective study had 12 prosthetic participants (PFFD Group: 8 M, 4F, age range 16-57 years) average 31.6±13.5 years …

Multisegmental Foot And Ankle Motion Analysis After Hallux Valgus Surgery, Karl Canseco, Jason T. Long, Thomas Smedberg, Sergey Tarima, Richard Marks, Gerald F. Harris

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Gait changes in patients with hallux valgus, including altered kinematic and temporal-spatial parameters, have been documented in the literature. Although operative treatment can yield favorable clinical and radiographic results, restoration of normal gait in this population remains unclear. Segmental kinematic changes within the foot and ankle during ambulation after operative correction of hallux valgus have not been reported. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in multisegmental foot and ankle kinematics in patients who underwent operative correction of hallux valgus. Methods: A 15-camera Vicon Motion Analysis System was used to evaluate 24 feet in 19 patients with …

A Novel In-House Design Of A Bioreactor For The Modeling Of An In Vitro Blood Brain Barrier Model, Ian Mahaffey

Biomedical Engineering

The blood brain barrier is the protector of the central nervous system and a physical barrier that functions to regulate the substances that can pass in and out of the brain; it is the function and integrity of this system that keeps the homeostasis of the central nervous system. Yet this shield against foreign invaders in the blood also prevents drugs designed for treatment of various ailments of the central nervous system from reaching their target in the brain. Developing drugs that can pass through this barrier, and understanding it’s function has become an area of increasing interest. Many researchers …

Alternating Current Dielectrophoretic Manipulation Of Erythrocytes In Medical Microdevice Technology, Kaela M. Leonard

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Medical microdevices have gained popularity in the past few decades because they allow the medical laboratory to be taken out into the field and for disease diagnostics to happen with a smaller sample volume, at a lower cost and much faster. Blood is the human body's most readily available and informative diagnostic fluid because of the wealth of information it provides about the body's general health including enzymatic, proteomic and immunological states. The purpose of this project is to optimize operating conditions and study ABO-Rh erythrocytes dielectrophoretic responses to alternating current electric signals. The end goal of this project is …

Decorin Expression, Straw-Like Structure, And Differentiation Of Human Costal Cartilage, Michael W. Stacey, Janna Grubb, Anthony Asmar, Julie Pryor, Hani Elsayed-Ali, Ali Beskok, Diganta Dutta, Annie Fecteau, Alice Werner, Dennis A. Darby, Robert Kelly

Bioelectrics Publications

Costal cartilage is much understudied compared with the load-bearing cartilages. Abnormally grown costal cartilages are associated with the inherited chest wall deformities pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum resulting in sunken and pigeon chests, respectively. A lack of understanding of the ultrastructural and molecular biology of costal cartilage is a major confounder in predicting causes and outcomes of these disorders. This study analyzed the structure of marginal human costal cartilage (ribs 6-10) through scanning electron and atomic force microscopes and identified the presence of straw-like structures running longitudinally. We also demonstrated that chondrocytes tend to occur singly or as doublets and …

Optimization Of Wsu Total Ankle Replacement Systems, Bradley Jay Elliott

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Total ankle arthroplasty (TAR) is performed in order to reduce the pain and loss of ambulation in patients with various forms of arthritis and trauma. Although replacement devices fail by a number of mechanisms, wear in the polyethylene liner constitutes one of the dominating failure modes. This leads to instability and loosening of the implant. Mechanisms that contribute to wear in the liners are high contact and subsurface stresses that break down the material over time. Therefore, it is important to understand the gait that generates these stresses. Methods to characterize and decrease wear in Ohio TARs have been performed …

Predicting Success Or Failure Of Immunotherapy For Cancer: Insights From A Clinically Applicable Mathematical Model, Charles F. Babbs

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to create a clinically applicable mathematical model of immunotherapy for cancer and use it to explore differences between successful and unsuccessful treatment scenarios. The simplified predator-prey model includes four lumped parameters: tumor growth rate, g; immune cell killing efficiency, k; immune cell signaling factor, λ; and immune cell half-life decay, μ. The predator-prey equations as functions of time, t, for normalized tumor cell numbers, y, (the prey) and immunocyte numbers, x, (the predators) are: dy/dt = gy – kx and dx/dt = λxy – μx. A parameter estimation procedure that capitalizes on available clinical …

Optimizing Electrode Placement For Hemodynamic Benefit In Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy, Charles F. Babbs

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Background: Research is needed to explore the relative benefits of alternative electrode placements in biventricular and left ventricular pacing for heart failure with left bundle branch block (LBBB). Methods: A fast computational model of the left ventricle, running on an ordinary laptop computer, was created to simulate the spread of electrical activation over the myocardial surface, together with the resulting electrocardiogram, segmental wall motion, stroke volume, and ejection fraction in the presence of varying degrees of mitral regurgitation. Arbitrary zones of scar and blocked electrical conduction could be modeled. Results: Simulations showed there are both sweet spots and poor spots …

Enhancing The Mechanical Properties Of A Hydroxyapatite-Collagen Bone Surrogate, Richard Franz Banglmaier

Wayne State University Dissertations

The synthesis of biomimetic hydroxyapatite-collagen composites is desirable from the perspective of graft elimination and load-bearing support when treating damaged or diseased bone. Bone is an organized network of carbonated hydroxyapatite mineralized collagen, whose strength and toughness is dependent on the organized array of mineralized collagen fibers that align with applied physiologic stresses. The apatitic calcium phosphate phase, hydroxyapatite, is promising for the biomimetic mineralization of collagen. Hydroxyapatite-collagen composites are osteoconductive and resorbable. However, the mechanical properties of these composites are one or more orders of magnitude less than bone. The aim of this study was to produce a bone-like …

Techniques For Sensor-Integrated Robotic Systems: Raman Spectra Analysis, Image Guidance, And Kinematic Calibration, Luke Anthony Reisner

Wayne State University Dissertations

Robotics and sensor technology have made impressive advancements over the years. There are now robotic systems that help perform surgeries or explore the surface of Mars, and there are sensors that detect trace amounts of explosives or identify diseased human tissue. The most powerful systems integrate robots and sensors, which are natural complements to each other. Sensors can provide information that might otherwise be unavailable due to indirect robotic manipulation (e.g., images of the target environment), and robots can provide suitably precise positioning of an analytical sensor.

To have an effective sensor-integrated robotic system, multiple capabilities are needed in the …

The Role Of Amp-Activated Protein Kinase (Ampk) In Hypoxic Chemotransduction By The Carotid Body, Heidi Lynn Jordan

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The carotid bodies are small sensory organs located along the bifurcation of the carotid arteries. They detect changes in blood gases and relay this information to the brain to allow for initiation of appropriate respiratory and cardiovascular responses. A decrease in oxygen (hypoxia) sensed by the carotid body results in an increase in firing of the carotid sinus nerve and ultimately a change in one's breathing pattern. An inability to respond to an acute hypoxic (low oxygen) episode via increased ventilation may result in death or lead to pathological or chronic conditions such as stroke and hypertension (Prabhakar et.al., 2005). …

The Role Of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (Ace) 2 In A Murine Model Of Insulin Resistance And Albuminuria, Nathan Michael Weir

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Insulin resistance and kidney disease are intimately linked and both independently tied to dysregulation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS). The purpose of this research was to better investigate Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) 2 as a possible motif in the pathophysiology of these two disease processes. The project was divided into two parts. Part 1 investigated ACE2 KO mice as a model of albuminuria. Part 2 investigated how the lack of ACE2 enzyme affected glucose homeostasis and subsequent albuminuria.

Part 1: The Role of ACE2 in the Progression of Albuminuria. To determine if global loss of ACE2 leads to spontaneous …

'Omic' Evaluation Of The Region Specific Changes Induced By Non-Cholinergic Diisopropylfluorophosphate (Dfp) Exposure In Fischer 344 Rat Brain, Deirdre A. Mahle

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Organophosphorous compounds (OPs) are a class of serine esterase inhibitors that have widespread application as pesticides, veterinary pharmaceuticals and chemical warfare agents. Environmental contamination is ubiquitous. The threat of exposure is a concern for both military and civilian populations. Acute inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by OPs triggers a cholinergic crisis that results in muscle flaccidity, paralysis, convulsions and death. At low doses OPs can alter neuronal differentiation, cell signaling, behavior and cognition through unknown mechanisms. An imbalance of reactive oxygen species may be implicated in the adverse effects of OPs. An integrated approach using both metabolomic and transcriptomic techniques was used …

Limitations Of Functional Recovery Of Stretch Reflex Circuitry After Peripheral Nerve Regeneration, Gabrielle Marie Horstman

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Peripheral nerve regeneration fails to restore complete normal function after surgical repair of severed nerves, and this failure has primarily been attributed to errors in connecting with peripheral targets. However, recent evidence suggests that central deficits remain even after peripheral target reinnervation is largely successful. It has long been established that regeneration fails to restore the stretch reflex despite observation that many of the neural components are intact. Regenerated Ia afferents are largely successful in reinnervating muscle spindles, are capable of encoding stretch, and elicit EPSPs in homonymous motoneurons, while regenerated motor pools are capable of responding to uninjured sources …

System Optimization And Patient Translational Motion Correction For Reduction Of Artifacts In A Fan-Beam Ct Scanner, Zachary Gordon Lee Wise

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In computed tomography (CT) systems, many different artifacts may be present in the reconstructed image. These artifacts can greatly reduce image quality. For our laboratory prototype CT system, a fan-beam/cone-beam focal high-resolution computed tomography (fHRCT) scanner, the major artifacts that affect image quality are distortions due to errors in the reconstruction algorithm's geometric parameters, ring artifacts caused by uncalibrated detectors, cupping and streaking created by beam hardening, and patient-based motion artifacts. Optimization of the system was required to reduce the effects of the first three artifact types, and an algorithm for correction of translational motion was developed for the last. …

Evaluation Of Interpolation And Registration Techniques In Magnetic Resonance Image For Orthogonal Plane Super Resolution Reconstruction, Amir Pasha Mahmoudzadeh

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Super resolution reconstruction (SRR) combines several perspectives of an image (typically low resolution) in order to reconstruct a more complete and comprehensive (higher resolution) image. The aim is to use this concept on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, for which the standard is to scan in several-plane orientation in a 2D fashion. As a result, clinical MRI, functional MRI (FMRI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)/diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and MR angiography (MRA) tend to have high in- plane resolution but low resolution in the slice-select direction. By combining the 2 scans of the orthogonal plane, new 3D images can be reconstructed. …

The Role Of Ca2+ In Central Respiratory Control Neurons Of The Locus Coeruleus: Development Of The Chemosensitive Brake, Ann Nicole Imber

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Chemosensitive LC neurons increase their firing rate in response to increased CO₂ (hypercapnia) in part via inhibition of K⁺ channels. This increase gets smaller during the first two postnatal weeks (neonatal rats aged P3-P16). Alterations of this "accelerating" pathway may account for the developmental changes in the magnitude of the chemosensitive response in LC neurons. Alternatively, Ca²⁺ and Ca²⁺ channels may play a role in the response to hypercapnia, but little is known about the role of Ca²⁺ in central chemosensitivity. Whole cell patch clamp and fluorescence imaging microscopy were used to study a different …

A Mechanism-Based Model To Describe Gabaa Receptor Trafficking And Benzodiazepine Pharmacoresistance During Status Epilepticus, Elaine Alice Merrill

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Status epilepticus (SE) is a perplexing pathology involving a sudden and long disruption of the brain's normal electrical activity. The study of relevant cellular processes has been useful in identifying therapeutic targets. As a result, many novel drugs are being studied which target receptor systems involved in neuronal membrane excitability. Yet, the standard treatment for SE remains benzodiazepines (BZs), a class of GABAA agonist drugs. Unfortunately, the targeted receptors undergo a desensitization mechanism via enhanced endocytosis (receptor trafficking), leading to rapidly reduced BZ efficacy (pharmacoresistance) within minutes of seizure onset. A comprehensive understanding of the complex interplay between the anticonvulsant's …

Regulation Of The Dna Unwinding Element Binding Protein Due-B In The Cell, Yanzhe Gao

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Eukaryotic cells have evolved tightly controlled processes that make sure the entire genome gets replicated accurately, once per cell cycle. This tight control is fulfilled by degrading replication proteins after their function is carried out, changing their cellular location or by post-translational modification of replication factors to regulate their function. Phosphorylation events carried out by CDKs (cyclin dependent kinases) and DDKs (Dbf4 dependent kinases) play crucial roles in this regulation.

The DNA unwinding element binding protein (DUE-B) is an essential replication protein that binds to the human c-myc DNA replication origin. In this study, I find that DUE-B is also …

An Investigation Of Reflective Mulches For Use Over Capillary Mat Systems For Winter-Time Greenhouse Strawberry Production, George E. Meyer, Ellen T. Paparozzi, Elizabeth Walter-Shea, Erin E. Blankenship, Stacy A. Adams

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Photosynthethically active radiation (PAR) is a principle environmental variable used by horticultural specialists, agronomists and ecosystem modelers to characterize the quantity and quality of light conducive to plant growth and development. Spatial distribution of PAR in a greenhouse can be quite variable and diffuse throughout the day time photoperiod, especially at low sun angles in northern regions of the United States. Four colors of reflective plastic mulches (white, red, olive, and black) were evaluated for winter-time strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) production based on their reflectance and transmittance properties in a double-polyethylene, plastic-glazed Quonset greenhouse inNebraska. The spectral properties …

A 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamics Model For Forced Air Cooling Of Eggs Placed In Trays, Vikas Kumar, Ai Pheeng Wee, Sohan Birla, Jeyamkondan Subbiah, Harshanardhan Thippareddi

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Shell eggs must be cooled quickly after laying for controlling Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) growth. To fulfill a research need identified by Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), a 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model was developed to predict the temperature of eggs placed on a tray (6 rows × 5 columns) under forced air cooling. The continuity, momentum, and energy equations were solved along with standard k-ε turbulence model using PHOENICS software. The model was validated by conducting experiments in a wind tunnel at various air temperatures (7–11 °C) and velocities (0.3– 0.7 m/s). Root mean square error for predicting …

The Biological Systems Engineering Program In Nebraska 1895-2011, William Splinter

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

4. Preface: How Mechanization Has Impacted Food Production THE PIONEERS WHO ESTABLISHED THIS DEPARTMENT 8 Oscar Van Pelt Stout 10 Charles Russ Richards 12 J. Brownlee Davidson 14 Leon W. Chase FORMER FACULTY AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS 18 Laurence Froyd Seaton 20 Ivan D.Wood 22 Oscar W. Sjogren 23 Chauncey W. Smith 25 Elmer E. Brackett 27 Claud Kedzie Shedd 29 Ruby M. Loper 31 Lester F. Larsen 33 Lloyd W. Hurlbut 36 Rollin Schnieder 39 Howard D. Wittmuss 41 Deon Axthelm 46 Paul. E. Fischbach 48 Stuart O. Nelson 51 Kenneth von Bargen 56 John R. Davis 58 Robert W. …

Evaluation Of The Impact Of Surface Residue Cover On Single And Dual Crop Coefficient For Estimating Soybean Actual Evapotranspiration, Lameck O. Odhiambo, Suat Irmak

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Single and dual crop coefficient methods are used in conjunction with grass reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) to estimate actual crop evapotranspiration (ET_c). However, the impact of soil surface residue cover on the accuracy of ET_c estimated with these methods is not well understood. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the FAO-56 single crop coefficient (single-K_c) and dual crop coefficient (dual-K_c) methods for estimating soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] ET_c in a partially residue covered field. The study was conducted …

Using Rapid Geomorphic Assessments To Assess Streambank Stability In Oklahoma Ozark Streams, Derek M. Heeren, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Garey A. Fox, Daniel E. Storm, Abdulsahib T. Al-Madhhachi, Taber L. Midgley, Ashley F. Stringer, Kevin B. Stunkel, Ron D. Tejral

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

High streambank erosion and failure rates on streams in the Ozark ecoregion of Oklahoma may be attributed to land use change and degradation of riparian areas. Numerous benefits may be achieved from streambank stabilization, but methods are needed to determine the most critical reaches for investing limited funds. Rapid geomorphic assessments (RGAs) have been used to aid in prioritizing stream reaches. This research (1) applied an existing RGA, the channel stability index (CSI), on several reaches along the Barren Fork Creek and Spavinaw Creek, and (2) modified the existing RGA to create an ecoregion-specific RGA called the Oklahoma Ozark streambank …

Climate Change Impacts On Streamflow, Water Quality, And Best Management Practices For The Shell And Logan Creek Watersheds In Nebraska, M. W. Van Liew, S. Feng, T. B. Pathak

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Improvements in the management of water, sediment, and nutrients under future climatic conditions are needed to ensure increased crop and livestock production to meet greater global needs and the future availability of water for competing demands and protection against adverse water quality impairments. This study determined the impacts of future climate change scenarios on streamflow, water quality, and best management practices (BMPs) for two watersheds in Nebraska, USA. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was employed to simulate streamflow, sediment, total nitrogen (N) and total phosphorus (P) from the Shell Creek Watershed near Columbus, Nebraska and the Logan Creek …

Carbon, Water, And Heat Flux Responses To Experimental Burning And Drought In A Tallgrass Prairie, Marc L. Fischer, M S. Torn, David P. Billesbach, Geoffrey Doyle, Brian Northup, Sebastien C. Biraud

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Drought and fire are common disturbances to grassland ecosystems. We report two years of eddy covariance ecosystem–atmosphere fluxes and biometric variables measured in nearby burned and unburned pastures in the US Southern Great Plains. Over the course of the experiment, annual precipitation (∼600 mm yr⁻¹) was lower than the long term mean (∼860 mm yr⁻¹). Soil moisture decreased from productive conditions in March 2005 dry, unproductive conditions during the growing season starting in March 2006. Just prior to the burn in early March 2005, burned and unburned pastures contained 520 ± 60 and 360 ± 40 …

Global Estimation Of Evapotranspiration Using A Leaf Area Index-Based Surface Energy And Water Balance Model, H. Yan, S.Q. Wang, David P. Billesbach, Walter Oechel, J.H. Zhang, Tilden Meyers, Ta. Martin, Roser Matamala, Dennis D. Baldocchi, G. Bohrer, D. Dragoni, R. Scott

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Studies of global hydrologic cycles, carbon cycles and climate change are greatly facilitated when global estimates of evapotranspiration (E) are available. We have developed an air-relative-humidity-based two-source (ARTS) E model that simulates the surface energy balance, soil water balance, and environmental constraints on E. It uses remotely sensed leaf area index (L_ai) and surface meteorological data to estimate E by: 1) introducing a simple biophysical model for canopy conductance (G_c), defined as a constant maximum stomatal conductance g_smax of 12.2mm s⁻¹multiplied by air relative humidity (R_{h …}