Engineering Commons^™

Role Of Microrna-155 In A Mouse Model Of Colon Cancer., Claire Mitchell Midyette

Theses and Dissertations

Colorectal cancer remains the third most common malignancy and the fourth most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Dysregulated miRNA levels are associated with several types of malignancies and may serve as important biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer. We examined the role of miRNA-155 on tumorigenesis and associated symptoms using a well-characterized mouse model of colorectal cancer. C57BL/6 wild-type mice and miRNA-155-/- mice (n=7-13 group) were given a single injection of AOM (10mg/Kg) followed by 3 cycles of DSS (2% in the water for 1 week followed by 2 weeks of plain water). A C57BL/6 wild-type group that …

Development Of An Eeg Brain-Machine Interface To Aid In Recovery Of Motor Function After Neurological Injury, Elizabeth Salmon

Theses and Dissertations--Biomedical Engineering

Impaired motor function following neurological injury may be overcome through therapies that induce neuroplastic changes in the brain. Therapeutic methods include repetitive exercises that promote use-dependent plasticity (UDP), the benefit of which may be increased by first administering peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) to activate afferent fibers, resulting in increased cortical excitability. We speculate that PNS delivered only in response to attempted movement would induce timing-dependent plasticity (TDP), a mechanism essential to normal motor learning. Here we develop a brain-machine interface (BMI) to detect movement intent and effort in healthy volunteers (n=5) from their electroencephalogram (EEG). This could be used in …

Noninvasive Near-Infrared Diffuse Optical Monitoring Of Cerebral Hemodynamics And Autoregulation, Ran Cheng

Theses and Dissertations--Biomedical Engineering

Many cerebral diseases are associated with abnormal cerebral hemodynamics and impaired cerebral autoregulation (CA). CA is a mechanism to maintain cerebral blood flow (CBF) stable when mean arterial pressure (MAP) fluctuates. Evaluating these abnormalities requires direct measurements of cerebral hemodynamics and MAP. Several near-infrared diffuse optical instruments have been developed in our laboratory for hemodynamic measurements including near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), hybrid NIRS/DCS, and dual-wavelength DCS flow-oximeter. We utilized these noninvasive technologies to quantify CBF and cerebral oxygenation in different populations under different physiological conditions/manipulations. A commercial finger plethysmograph was used to continuously monitor MAP. For investigating …

Approaches That Will Yield Greater Success When Implementing Self-Administered Electronic Data Capture Ict Systems In The Developing World With An Illiterate Or Semi-Literate Population, Stanley J. Mierzwa, Samir Souidi, Irene Friedland, Sarah A. Littlefield, Lauren L. Katzen, Craig Savel, Deborah Boccio, Saumya Ramarao

Reproductive Health

The Information Technology (IT) Group at the Population Council responded to a need for a technology solution that would help researchers obtain more accurate responses to survey questions that concerned subject matter of a sensitive nature. The IT Group had three goals: (1) to enhance research by obtaining the best data possible, (2) to operate successfully in the local environment and be welcomed by the local populations, and (3) to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the survey process. This paper outlines approaches to consider when designing and implementing self-administered information and communications technology (ICT) questionnaires in developing countries, and …

Assessment Of Neck And Shoulder Muscle Coactivations And The Effect On The Musculoskeletal System, Regina Derria Pope-Ford

Dissertations

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) constitute one of the most important occupational health issues in healthcare workers who are susceptible to upper extremity disorders. Yet MSDs in the healthcare professions have not been studied extensively beyond the lower back. The focus population for this research is the field of dentistry where neck and shoulder disorders have been documented to have a high prevalence. Though quantitative data has been collected, many prior studies have focused on self-reported information. The goal of this research is to provide insight into the inter-relationship of muscles in the upper extremities. One way to accomplish this is to …

Shared Leadership In Six Sigma Teams From The North Shore-Lij Health System, Brian J. Galli

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The main goal of the research was to identify the relationships that the internal research team environment and external coaching variables had with the degree of shared leadership in the context of Six Sigma teams from the North Shore LIJ Health System. Furthermore, the research ascertained the relationships that these variables had with two performance metrics: a team's ability to complete project deliverables and satisfy customer's requirements. This research also sought to understand additional factors that affected the five variables.

The research found that while shared leadership did not positively change as a team progressed through the phases of the …

Advanced Augmented Reality Telestration Techniques With Applications In Laparoscopic And Robotic Surgery, Stephen Dworzecki

Wayne State University Dissertations

The art of teaching laparoscopic or robotic surgery currently has a primary reliance on an expert surgeon tutoring a student during a live surgery. During these operations, surgeons are viewing the inside of the body through a manipulatable camera. Due to the viewpoint translation and narrow field of view, these techniques have a substantial learning curve in order to gain the mastery necessary to operate safely. In addition to moving and rotating the camera, the surgeon must also manipulate tools inserted into the body. These tools are only visible on camera, and pass through a pivot point on the body …

Impedance Changes In Biceps Brachii Due To Isometric Contractions And Muscle Fatigue Using Electrical Impedance Myography (Eim), Travis Orth

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a non-invasive technique used to evaluate neuromuscular conditions by using a quantitative parameter called impedance (Z). It relies upon the application and measurement of high-frequency, low-intensity electrical current imbedded over a localized muscle to determine its opposition to current flow. In brevity, impedance determines the resistance of muscle fibers due to changes in muscle composition. The objective of this thesis was to establish a relationship between muscles at rest and during isometric contractions at various force levels(25%, 50%, and 100% of maximum voluntary contraction) of the biceps brachii over a multifrequency spectrum. Impedance measurements due …

A Dna Computer For Glioblastoma Multiforme Diagnosis And Drug Delivery, Sumaiya F. Hashmi

CMC Senior Theses

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a debilitating malignant brain tumor with expected patient survival of less than a year and limited responsiveness to most treatments, often requiring biopsy for diagnosis and invasive surgery for treatment. We propose a DNA computer system, consisting of input, computation, and output components, for diagnosis and treatment. The input component will detect the presence of three GBM biomarkers: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), caveolin-1α (CAV), and B2 receptors. The computation component will include indicator segments for each of these genes, and ensure that output is only released if all the biomarkers are present. The output component …

Impact Of Physical Activity In The Prevention Of Colorectal Cancer, Sarah Ashley Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

This review evaluates the current understanding of research on the impact of physical activity in the prevention of colorectal cancer. Current biological mechanisms implicated in physical activity and colorectal cancer risk reduction are blood glucose regulation, insulin sensitivity, leptin and adiponectin profiles, inflammation as well as secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), an exercise induced myokine. Recent literature indicates that 30-60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a day is effective against colorectal cancer development, and there is convincing evidence of aerobic exercise as differently beneficial in recruiting mechanisms identified as preventative against colorectal cancer. This article provides …

Resveratrol Attenuates The Development Of Trans-Aortic Constriction (Tac) Induced Heart Failure In Mice, Prakash Kumar Gupta

Theses and Dissertations

Heart failure (HF) still remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality and imposes severe global affliction and enormous cost on the healthcare system. Although current pharmacological therapies have shown to slow down the progression of HF, but seems to have reached their limits in improving overall patient prognosis. Thus, an immediate call for novel alternate therapies are needed which act independently as well as in conjunction with current treatment modality. Studies were performed in the well-established transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model of chronic pressure overload (PO) in mice. In the first series of studies, Male C57BL6 mice (26-28 g) …

Linking Obesity To Colorectal Cancer: Recent Insights Into Plausible Biological Mechanisms, Catherine Guffey

Theses and Dissertations

Obesity has emerged as a leading environmental risk factor for the development of CRC. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship have not yet been fully explained. Recent literature has focused on 1) inflammatory processes, 2) adipokines, and 3) estrogen. Obesity-enhanced inflammation is largely orchestrated by increases in adipose tissue macrophages leading to the secretion of TNF-alpha, MCP-1, and IL-6, all of which are linked to CRC. Adiponectin is decreased with obesity and has been reported to be negatively associated with CRC, while leptin, which is increased, is positively associated with the disease. Estrogen has been shown to influence CRC, although …

Development Of Proteomic Characterization And Speciation Techniques Utilizing Tryptic Peptides With Maldi-Tof Ms And Lc-Esi Ms-Ms, Jennifer Marie Kooken

Theses and Dissertations

The characterization of microbes which can be opportunists and pathogens (e.g., methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)) is important in understanding and potentially treating diseases caused by various bacterial species. Common genera found in the human skin micro-biome include Micrococcus and Staphylococcus, but there only a limited number of tests to differentiate these genera and/or species. My research reflects methods development from distinguishing one closely related genera from another and then expanded to species identification. Tryptic peptides were analyzed by MALDI TOF MS and the mass profiles compared with those of a reference strain in both genus and species identification. Aconitate …

The Anti-Angiogenic Effects Of Sparstolonin B, Henry Rhodes Bateman

Theses and Dissertations

Sparstolonin B (SsnB) is a novel bioreactive compound isolated from Sparganium stoloniferum, an herb historically used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an anti-tumor agent. SsnB has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting Toll-like receptor mediated inflammation in isolated macrophages and in mice. Angiogenesis, the process of new capillary formation from existing blood vessels, is dysregulated in many pathological disorders, including atherosclerosis, diabetic retinopathy, and tumor growth. The goal of the project was to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of SsnB.

The first part of the project utilized in vitro functional assays to study how SsnB affected endothelial cells. SsnB inhibited endothelial cell tube …

Mass Spectrometry And Tandem Mass Spectrometry Characterization Of Protein Patterns, Protein Markers And Whole Proteomes For Pathogenic Bacteria, Jennifer Intelicato-Young

Theses and Dissertations

There have been many recent reviews published on MALDI-TOF MS (matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight) MS (mass spectrometry) for identification of bacteria particularly with relevance to clinical microbiology. MALDI-TOF MS is now a mature technique for bacterial identification with great promise. The purpose of this review is to put into perspective MALDI-TOF MS and other widely used mass spectrometry methods for characterization of proteins. MALDI-TOF MS is used for rapid determination of a mass pattern of proteins for bacterial characterization; these proteins

are generally not identified. Alternatively, after gel separation, MALDI TOF-TOF MSMS (tandem mass spectrometry) or on-line LC-ESI MS-MS …

High Fat Diet Induced Obesity In A Mouse Model For Colorectal Cancer, Kennerly Clinton Patrick

Theses and Dissertations

Obesity is widely correlated with the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). The exact mechanisms that link obesity to CRC risk have not yet been fully established, and only a limited number of animal models are available to study pathways involved in obesity-related colon carcinogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of HFD-induced obesity on AOM/DSS-mediated colorectal tumorigenesis, tumor proliferation, and symptom severity. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a novel high fat diet, designed to mimic the standard American diet (12 % saturated fat & 28 % unsaturated fat), at 4 weeks of age until 16 weeks …

Supply Chain Optimization Of Blood Products, Serkan Gunpinar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Major challenges in the management of blood supply chain are related to the shortage and wastage of the blood products. Given the perishability characteristics of blood which can be stored up to a limited number of days, if hospitals and blood centers keep an excessive number of blood units on inventory, wastages may occur. On the other hand, if sufficient number of blood units are not stored on inventory, shortages of this resource may cause the cancellations of important activities and increase the fatality rates at hospitals. Three mathematical models have been developed with the goal to improve the efficiency …

Tpm: Cloud-Based Tele Ptsd Monitor Using Multi-Dimensional Information, Roger Xu, Gang Mei, Guangfan Zhang, Pan Gao, Aaron Pepe, Jiang Li, James D. Westwood (Ed.), Susan W. Westwood (Ed.), Li Felländer-Tsai (Ed.), Randy S. Haluck (Ed.), Richard A. Robb (Ed.), Steven Senger (Ed.), Kirby G. Vosburgh (Ed.)

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

An automated system that can remotely and non-intrusively screen individuals at high risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and monitor their progress during treatment would be desired by many Veterans Affairs (VAs) as well as other PTSD treatment and research organizations. In this paper, we present an automated, cloud-based Tele-PTSD Monitor (TPM) system based on the fusion of multiple sources of information. The TPM system can be hosted in a cloud environment and accessed through landline or cell phones, or on the Internet through a web portal or mobile application (app).

Classification Models In Clinical Decision Making, Eleazar Gil-Herrera

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we present a collection of manuscripts describing the development of prognostic models designed to assist clinical decision making. This work is motivated by limitations of commonly used techniques to produce accessible prognostic models with easily interpretable and clinically credible results. Such limitations hinder prognostic model widespread utilization in medical practice.

Our methodology is based on Rough Set Theory (RST) as a mathematical tool for clinical data anal- ysis. We focus on developing rule-based prognostic models for end-of life care decision making in an effort to improve the hospice referral process. The development of the prognostic models is …

Design, Manufacturing, And Assembly Of A Flexible Thermoelectric Device, Christopher Anthony Martinez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis documents the design, manufacturing, and assembly of a flexible thermoelectric device. Such a device has immediate use in haptics, medical, and athletic applications. The governing theory behind the device is explained and a one dimensional heat transfer model is developed to estimate performance. This model and consideration for the manufacturing and assembly possibilities are the drivers behind the decisions made in design choices. Once the design was finalized, manufacturing methods for the various components were explored. The system was created by etching copper patterns on a copper/polyimide laminate and screen printing solder paste onto the circuits. Thermoelectric elements …

Quantifying The Ergonomic Impact On Healthcare Workers Using A Needle-Free Injector Device, Humberto Jose Olivero Lara

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Background: Jet injectors are advantageous over needle injectors by eliminating sharps hazards. The Government Accountability Office estimates 29% preventable sharp injuries with an estimated direct cost of more than $500 million out of the CDC's reported incidence of 385,000 needle stick injuries per year among US hospital healthcare workers. Yet the forces required to set and trigger devices using spring mechanisms for medication delivery have not been explored. This laboratory experiment measured forces exerted by healthcare workers (HCWs) using a particular jet injector approved by FDA in 2011.

Objectives: In order to quantify the ergonomic impact on HCWs using a …

Community And Household Management Strategies For Water Supply And Treatment In Rural And Peri-Urban Areas In The Developing World, Ryan William Schweitzer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Eighty percent of the 780 million people worldwide that access water from an unimproved source live in rural areas. In rural areas, water systems are often managed by community based organizations and many of these systems do not provide service at the designed levels. The Sustainability Analysis Tool developed in Chapter 2 can inform decision making, characterize specific needs of rural communities in the management of their water systems, and identify weaknesses in training regimes or support mechanisms. The framework was tested on 61 statistically representative geographically stratified sample communities with rural water systems in the Dominican Republic. The results …

Characterising The Deformation Behaviour Of Human Tooth Enamel At The Microscale, Simona O'Brien

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Enamel plays an important role in tooth function. Optimal combinations of composition and structure endow enamel with unique mechanical properties that remain largely unexplored. Specifically, more detailed understanding of the loadbearing ability of enamel is needed to mimic it synthetically and to design next generation biocomposite materials. This research investigates the variables that influence deformation behaviour of tooth enamel in relation to its hierarchical structure. Initially, a new method was developed for preparing flat, finely polished tooth samples that were maintained in their normal hydrated state for nanoindentation testing. In contrast to conventional methods, which commonly utilise either inappropriate or …

Stress And Strain Adaptation In Load-Dependent Remodeling Of The Embryonic Left Ventricle, Christine Buffinton

Faculty Journal Articles

Altered pressure in the developing left ventricle (LV) results in altered morphology and tissue material properties. Mechanical stress and strain may play a role in the regulating process. This study showed that confocal microscopy, three-dimensional reconstruction, and finite element analysis can provide a detailed model of stress and strain in the trabeculated embryonic heart. The method was used to test the hypothesis that end-diastolic strains are normalized after altered loading of the LV during the stages of trabecular compaction and chamber formation. Stage-29 chick LVs subjected to pressure overload and underload at stage 21 were reconstructed with full trabecular morphology …

Flight Physician - December, 2012, Civil Aviation Medical Association

Browse all Civil Aviation Medical Association Newsletters

A sixteen page newsletter of the Civil Aviation Medical Association. The newsletter provided news about civil aviation medicine and information related to the organization.

On The Importance Of Modeling Stent Procedure For Predicting Arterial Mechanics, Shijia Zhao, Linxia Gu, Stacey R. Froemming

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The stent-artery interactions have been increasingly studied using the finite element method for better understanding of the biomechanical environment changes on the artery and its implications. However, the deployment of balloon-expandable stents was generally simplified without considering the balloon-stent interactions, the initial crimping process of the stent, its overexpansion routinely used in the clinical practice, or its recoil process. In this work, the stenting procedure was mimicked by incorporating all the above-mentioned simplifications. The impact of various simplifications on the stent-induced arterial stresses was systematically investigated. The plastic strain history of stent and its resulted geometrical variations, as well as …

A Critical Analysis Of The Kyoto Protocol Using Monte Carlo Simulation And Magicc, Penny Lambert

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted the Kyoto Protocol in December 1997. Emissions data from national registries were used to quantify the total anthropogenic emissions of signatory parties between 1990 and 2009, found to have been reduced by approximately 18 percent of base year levels. Using IPCC Special Report Emissions Scenarios (SRES) as a practicable baseline for non-mitigation, three distinct intervention scenarios were constructed from target and observed emissions reductions under the Protocol to investigate their climatic implications against unabated anthropogenic carbon by the end of the 21st century. MAGICC Version 5.3 was used to model forecast …

In Vitro Assessment Of The Survivability Of Lactobacillus Casei Dn-114 001 And Lactobacillus Casei Shirota, Within Commercialised Food Matrices, In The Upper Gastrointestinal Tract, Rosie Wills

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The aim of this study was to determine the survivability of probiotics; Lactobacillus casei Shirota and Lactobacillus casei DN-114 001, within their respective commercialised food matrices YakultÃ’ and ActimelÃ’, during in vitro simulated gastrointestinal transit. Original and Light/Fat Free varieties of each brand were assessed to determine whether nutritional composition affected bacterial survival rate. Strains were exposed to 3 hours of simulated gastric transit at pH 2, using Hydrochloric Acid (32%) and Pepsin (3mg ml-1), followed by 2 hours of simulated duodenal transit, at pH 6.5, using Bile Salts (0.3% w/v) and Sodium Hydroxide (4M). Samples were serially diluted with …

A Preliminary Study Into The Use Of Canopy Invertebrates And Sampling Techniques In Relation To Forest Indicators In A Fragmented Scottish Woodland - Application And Management, Natalie Walsh

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Caledonian forests within the Scottish Highlands have experienced severe fragmentation and currently remain as small isolated habitats. Canopy invertebrates within these forests play an important role in ecosystem functioning and may be potentially used as forest indicators for the use in forest management. Four different low-cost invertebrate trapping methods were deployed into birch, oak and Scots pine trees, comparing family diversity and composition between tree and trap types. Data on canopy spread, tree height and d.b.h were also tested to see if they influenced family composition of invertebrates. Collected data found little difference in family diversity and composition between tree …

A Study To Investigate The Effects Of Priming A Lad's Magazine Brand On Women's Perception Of The Sexual Harassment Of Other Women, Emily Robson

The Plymouth Student Scientist

This study investigated the effects of priming a Lad’s magazine brand on women’s perceptions of the sexual harassment of other women and their notions of women as sex objects. Previous research has demonstrated perceptions of women can be affected by media exposure. Past studies were reviewed and a gap was identified in the current knowledge of the effects of exposure to sexualised media on women’s perceptions of the sexual harassment of other women. One-way ANOVAs did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences in women’s perception of the sexual harassment of other women or notions of women as sex objects in …