Engineering Commons^™

Gaze Estimation Using Sclera And Iris Extraction, Prashanth Rao Periketi

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Tracking gaze of an individual provides important information in understanding the behavior of that person. Gaze tracking has been widely used in a variety of applications from tracking consumers gaze fixation on advertisements, controlling human-computer devices, to understanding behaviors of patients with various types of visual and/or neurological disorders such as autism. Gaze pattern can be identified using different methods but most of them require the use of specialized equipments which can be prohibitively expensive for some applications. In this dissertation, we investigate the possibility of using sclera and iris regions captured in a webcam sequence to estimate gaze pattern. …

Influence Of Tissue Absorption And Scattering On Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy Blood Flow Measurements, Daniel Irwin

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

This investigation evaluates the influences of optical property assumptions on nearinfrared diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) flow index measurements. Independent variation is induced in optical properties, absorption coefficient (μ_a) and reduced scattering coefficient (μ_s’), of liquid phantoms with concurrent measurements of flow indices. A hybrid instrument is incorporated consisting of a dual-wavelength (785 and 830 nm) DCS flow device to obtain flow indices and a frequency-domain tissue-oximeter for optical properties. Flow indices are calculated with measured μ_a and μ_s’ or assumed constant μ_a and μ_s’. Inaccurate μ_s’ assumptions produced …

Compact Vision System For Monitoring Of 3d Weld Pool Surface In Pipe Welding, Alexander Phillip Maroudis

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Human welders have long been able to monitor a weld pool and adjust welding parameters accordingly. Automated welding robots can provide consistent movement during the welding process, but lack the ability to monitor the weld pool. A vision system attached to the welding robot could provide a way to monitor the weld pool substantially faster than a human being. Previous vision systems to monitor weld pool surfaces have been developed, but their uses are limited since the system is fixed in place. The compact vision system developed in this research attaches directly to the welding torch, which provides no limitations …

Design And Analysis Of Macro Switched Impedance Motors, Weston C. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

For present day global economies energy use is the single most important criteria determining a nation’s wealth and sustainability. The global energy needs are met primarily by fossil fuels which are of finite supply. One means to extend the life span of the fossil fuel reserves has been to improve the efficiency of existing systems including generation, storage, usage etc., as a means of conservation. This dissertation investigates a motor technology that promises to complement existing conservation techniques.

Given advances in high voltage power semiconductors, manufacturing techniques and materials research this dissertation evaluates the potential of the switched impedance motor …

Distal Radioulnar Joint Biomechanics And Forearm Muscle Activity, Joseph Scott Bader

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Optimal management of fractures, post-traumatic arthritis and instability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) requires an understanding of the forces existing across this joint as a function of the activities of daily living. However, such knowledge is currently incomplete. The goal of this research was to quantify the loads that occur at the DRUJ during forearm rotation and to determine the effect that individual muscles have on those loads.

Human and cadaver studies were used to analyze the shear (A-P), transverse (M-L) and resultant forces at the DRUJ and to determine the role that 15 individual muscles had on those …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Polymeric Antioxidant Delivery Systems, Paritosh P. Wattamwar

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Even though the role of oxidative stress in a variety of disease states is known, strategies to alleviate this oxidative stress by antioxidants have not been able to achieve clinical success. Particularly, treatment of oxidative stress by small molecule antioxidants has not received due attention because of the challenges associated with its delivery. Antioxidant polymers, where small molecule antioxidants are incorporated into the polymer backbone, are an emerging class of materials that can address some of these challenges.

In this work, biodegradable polymers incorporating phenolic antioxidants in the polymer backbone were synthesized. Antioxidant polymers were then characterized for their in …

Stability Of Affinity Based Layer-By-Layer Polymeric Self-Assemblies For Oral Wound Applications, Sundar Prasanth Authimoolam

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Oral mucositis is a painful and debilitating chronic inflammatory condition that can result from chemo and/or radiotherapy. While current treatment strategies which provide temporary relief exist, there is still an unmet clinical need for a robust long active barrier strategy which can simultaneously provide protection and release drug to enhance the wound healing response. It is proposed that an affinity based layer-by-layer self-assembled barrier administered as a series of mouth rinses can allow for wound specific drug delivery, providing an effective regenerative therapy.

In this work, biotinylated poly(acrylic acid) is used to develop LBL assemblies based upon biotin-streptavidin affinity interactions. …

Dynamic Relaxation Properties Of Aromatic Polyimides And Polymer Nanocomposites, Anthony C. Comer

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

The dynamic relaxation characteristics of Matrimid^® (BTDA-DAPI) polyimide and several functionalized aromatic polyimides have been investigated using dynamic mechanical and dielectric methods. The functionalized polyimides were thermally rearranged to generate polybenzoxazole membranes with controlled free volume characteristics. All polyimides have application in membrane separations and exhibit three motional processes with increasing temperature: two sub-glass relaxations (ƴ and β transitions), and the glass-rubber (α) transition. For Matrimid, the low-temperature ƴ transition is purely non-cooperative, while the β sub-glass transition shows a more cooperative character as assessed via the Starkweather method. For the thermally rearranged polyimides, the ƴ transition is a …

Evaluation Of The Physicochemical Properties And Stability Of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Designed For The Delivery Of Dexamethasone To Tumors, Melissa Howard

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Pre-clinical and clinical trials suggest that pre-treatment with dexamethasone (Dex) may facilitate enhanced uptake of subsequently administered chemotherapeutic agents. To reduce the side effects associated with systemic administration of Dex, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing dexamethasone palmitate (Dex-P) were prepared as a means of achieving tumor-targeted drug delivery. These studies were aimed at evaluating the physicochemical properties and both the physiological and storage stability of the SLNs.

SLNs were prepared using nanotemplate engineering technology. Stearyl alcohol (SA) was used as the lipid phase with Brij^® 78 and Polysorbate 60 as surfactants and PEG6000 monostearate as a long-chain PEGylating agent. …

Resource Allocation And Efficient Routing In Wireless Networks, Jianjun Yang

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

In wireless networks, devices (nodes) are connected by wireless links. An important issue is to set up high quality (high bandwidth) and efficient routing paths when one node wants to send packets to other nodes. Resource allocation is the foundation to guarantee high quality connections. In addition, it is critical to handle void areas in order to set up detour-free paths. Moreover, fast message broadcasting is essential in mobile wireless networks. Thus, my research includes dynamic channel allocation in wireless mesh networks, geographic routing in Ad Hoc networks, and message broadcasting in vehicular networks.

The quality of connections in a …

Initial Design, Manufacture, And Testing Of A Cubelab Module Frame For Biological Payloads Aboard The International Space Station, Twyman Samuel Clements

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

This thesis investigates the design of a CubeLab Module frame to facilitate biological research aboard the International Space Station (ISS). With the National Laboratory designation of the ISS by the United States Congress the barriers for use of the facility have been lowered for commercial and academic entities, allowing greater volume and diversity in the research that can be done. Researchers in biology and other areas could benefit from development and adoption of a plug-and-play payload containment system for use in the microgravity/space environment of the ISS. This research includes design and analysis of such a system. It also includes …

Constrained Volume Packing Of Deployable Wings For Unmanned Aircraft, Turner John Harris

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

UAVs are becoming an accepted tool for sensing. The benefits of deployable wings allow smaller transportation enclosures such as soldier back packs up to large rocket launched extraterrestrial UAVs. The packing of soft inflatable wings and Hybrid inflatable with rigid section wings is being studied at the University of Kentucky. Rigid wings are volume limited while inflatable wings are mass limited. The expected optimal wing design is a hybrid approach. Previous wing designs have been packed into different configurations in an attempt to determine the optimal stowed configurations. A comparison of rigid, hybrid, and inflatable wings will be presented. Also …

Perch Landing Maneuvers And Control For A Rotating-Wing Mav, Jonathan Louis Lubbers

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

This thesis addresses flight control of the perch landing maneuver for micro-aerial vehicles. A longitudinal flight model is constructed for a pigeon-sized aircraft. In addition to a standard elevator control surface, wing-rotation also considered as a non-standard actuator for increasing low-speed aerodynamic braking. Optimal state and control trajectories for the perch landing maneuver are computed using commercial software. A neighboring optimal control law is then developed and implemented in a set of flight simulations. Simulations are run with both a quasisteady and an unsteady aerodynamic model. The effectiveness of wing rotation and of the neighboring optimal control law is discussed, …

Local Evaluation For The Cumberland Gap Tunnel Regional Its Deployment, John Crossfield, Len O'Connell, Candice Wallace, Jennifer Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report is the local evaluation of an Intelligent Transportation System deployment for the Cumberland Gap Tunnel and U.S. 25E corridor in Tennessee and Kentucky. This report examines the planning for the deployment and the systems and components used to achieve the goals of the deployment. The goals and expectations of the ITS deployment were to provide updated travel information to drivers in the vicinity of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel and along the U.S. 25E corridor; to improve the integration of the tunnel systems; to improve incident detection, verification, and response times along the U.S. 25E corridor; and to develop, …

Sustainable Practices And Related Performance Measures At State Highway Agencies, Lenahan O’Connell

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report identifies seven ways in which an SHA can harm the environment: (1) excessive consumption of virgin materials; (2) unnecessary levels or amounts of storm water runoff; (3) release of environmental contaminants by SHA employees and contractors; (4) inadequate environmental training of employees and contractors; (5) wasteful use of energy by SHA employees and contractors; (6) the promotion of excessive driving by the public and concomitant release of green house gases; and (7) inadequate oversight mechanisms and procedures to prevent unsustainable practices. The report then identifies the sustainable practices and related performance measures SHAs can use to prevent or …

System And Technique For Retrieving Depth Information About A Surface By Projecting A Composite Image Of Modulated Light Patterns, Laurence G. Hassebrook, Daniel L. Lau, Chun Guan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Patents

A technique, associated system and program code, for retrieving depth information about at least one surface of an object, such as an anatomical feature. Core features include: projecting a composite image comprising a plurality of modulated structured light patterns, at the anatomical feature; capturing an image reflected from the surface; and recovering pattern information from the reflected image, for each of the modulated structured light patterns. Pattern information is preferably recovered for each modulated structured light pattern used to create the composite, by performing a demodulation of the reflected image. Reconstruction of the surface can be accomplished by using depth …

Evaluation Of The Locations Of Kentucky’S Traffic Crash Data, Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This research study evaluated the current accuracy of the location information provided in Kentucky‟s crash data. Since the year 2000, the Kentucky Open Portal System‟s (KYOPS) eCrash form has included latitude and longitude data as well as the more traditional County, Route and Milepoint data (CRMP). The Kentucky Transportation Center conducted a research report in 2004 that evaluated the effectiveness of using latitude and longitude, or GPS, as a means to locate traffic crash data.1 This previous study found that both the CRMP and GPS location data had substantial problems resulting in the location data only being accurate about 50 …

Kennedy Interchange Crash Study, Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges project is a construction and reconstruction project being undertaken to address long-term transportation needs in the Louisville metropolitan area. Partial justification for construction of the new downtown bridge and reconstruction of the Kennedy interchange is the existing safety issues and the potential for improved safety. Crash rates for the interchange area have not been fully documented to establish the existing level of safety and degree of the problem relative to state and national statistics. The objective of this study was to analyze and evaluate crash data for the Kennedy Interchange area of Louisville and …

Final Warranty Evaluation I-275 Kenton/Boone Counties Mp 1.06-7.15, Tim C. Scully Jr., R. Clark Graves

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The center performed a visual survey on the eastbound and westbound side of the pavement on the warranted section of I-275. The center’s evaluation team looked for any distresses that exceeded the threshold levels outlined in the warranty specification.

Alterations In Multiple Measures Of White Matter Integrity In Normal Women At High Risk For Alzheimer's Disease, Brian T. Gold, David K. Powell, Anders H. Andersen, Charles D. Smith

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

There is evidence that disruption of white matter (WM) microstructure is an early event in the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the neurobiological bases of WM microstructural declines in presymptomatic AD are unknown. In the present study we address this issue using a multimodal imaging approach to the study of presymptomatic AD. Participants were 37 high-risk (both family history of dementia and one or more APOE4 alleles) women and 20 low-risk (neither family history nor APOE4) women. Groups were matched for age, education, neuropsychological performance, and vascular factors that could affect white matter. Whole-brain analyses of diffusion tensor imaging …

Implementation Of Lessons Learned From Change Orders: A Supplement To Kyspr 09-384, Paul M. Goodrum, Timothy R. B. Taylor, William Lester, Alex Mccoy, Mohammed M. Uddin, Yongwei Shan

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Which change orders tend to have the greatest impact on Kentucky transportation projects? How can I avoid them on future projects? If I do have a change order, what process can I follow to estimate a fair price for both the Cabinet and the Contractor? These are some of the questions that were addressed by research project Change Orders and Lessons Learned (KYSPR 09‐384) at the University of Kentucky’s Kentucky Transportation Center.

Why the Need for this Supplement?

Traditional research reports through the Kentucky Transportation Center contain a significant amount of scientific and technical discussion regarding the research activities and …

Reducing Explosive Potential Of Ammonium Nitrate, Darrell Neal Taulbee

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

A method for reducing the explosive potential of a nitrogen-based fertilizer product includes coating the product with a composition including a coal combustion by-product. The coal combustion by-product may be oxidized prior to coating the product, and further may be one or more of Class C fly ash, Class F fly ash, and flue gas desulfurization waste. A primary binder and one or more secondary binders may be included. The primary binder may be water. The secondary binder may be one or more of an organic and an inorganic binder.

2010 Driver Attitudes And Awareness Survey, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green, Ronald E. Langley

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A basic set of questions were developed that could be used in periodic surveys that track drivers attitudes and awareness concerning impaired driving, seat belt use, and speeding issues. The objective of the survey was to learn the knowledge, views, and behaviors of drivers in these areas. The objective of this report is to document the results of the 2010 baseline survey.

The method used to conduct the survey was a telephone survey. In addition to questions for the three major highway safety areas of impaired driving, seat belt use, and speeding, an additional question was added which dealt with …

Analysis Of Traffic Crash Data In Kentucky (2005 - 2009), Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents an analysis of traffic crash data in Kentucky for the years of 2005 through 2009. A primary objective of this study was to determine average crash statistics for Kentucky highways. Average and critical numbers and rates of crashes were calculated for various types of highways in rural and urban areas. These data can be used in Kentucky’s procedure to identify locations that have abnormal rates or numbers of crashes.

The other primary objective of this study was to provide data that can be used in the preparation of the problem identification portion of Kentucky’s Annual Highway Safety …

2010 Safety Belt Usage Survey In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to establish 2010 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 2010 survey continues to document the results after enactment of the original “secondary enforcement” statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994 and the subsequent change to “primary enforcement” which was enacted in 2006. Data were collected at 160 randomly selected sites in 18 counties across Kentucky. Data from the individual sites were combined into a statewide percentage considering roadway functional classification, county, and vehicle miles traveled.

The data show that the usage rate in 2010 (80.3 percent) was almost identical …

Effects Of Chloride Contamination On Coatings Performance, Bobby W. Meade, Sudhir Palle, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Rick Younce

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Research indicates that chloride concentration as determined by currently available field test methods does not reliably predict protective coating performance on KYTC bridges. Laboratory testing of chloride charged panels also failed to relate chloride concentration to coating performance. The coatings industry provides recommendations for acceptable chloride levels for various exposure conditions but bridges are different than other structural steel and the exposure conditions for bridges are not adequately addressed. Effective chloride remediation strategies and protective coatings that perform best in the presence of chlorides need to be identified.

Particle Separation/Purification System, Diffuser And Related Methods, John M. Stencel, Tapiwa Zabron Gurupira

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

A separator and related separation methods are for intended use in separating particles having a selected charge from a particle mixture entrained in or carried by a fluid flow. The separator comprises a tubular, elongated body for receiving the fluid flow. At least one and preferably a pair of electrodes may be provided to create an electric field in at least a portion of the body through which the fluid flow passes, and at least one partition defines first and second channels for receiving the flow downstream of the portion of the body including the electric field. In one embodiment, …

Assessment Of Kentucky's Historic Truss Bridges, Lenahan O’Connell, Ted H. Grossardt, John Ripy

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study created an information base to improve decisions about the replacement or rehabilitation of historic truss bridges. During the first phase of the research, information on the history and design of the 109 bridges in the study was assembled. With the assistance of historic preservation professionals, 75 of those bridges were selected for further study for their potential for rehabilitation. During the second phase, the KTC research team, engineers from the KYTC bridge division, and 12 highway district engineers, who are responsible for the day-to-day care and maintenance of the bridges, evaluated the condition and functional context of the …

Travel Time Based Congestion Measures For Freeway Corridors, Mei Chen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Travel time based mobility measures have been increasingly used in highway performance analyses. Among them, Travel Time Index (TTI), Planning Time Index (PTI), percentage of travel under congestion (PTC), and buffer index (BI)have been identified as measures of particular interests in Kentucky. The objectives of this study are: (1) Calculate TTI, PTI, PTC, and BI for freeways within the TRIMARC coverage; and (2) Explore potential correlation between the reliability measures and incident characteristics (e.g., number of incidents, duration, severity, etc.). These analyses were performed for the years 2006-8 for each monitored segment and freeway corridor as well as for the …

Review Of State Laws And Practices For Disposition Of Re-Aligned Or Bypassed Segments And Associated Row, Lenahan O'Connell, Ted Grossardt

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study identified the laws and practices of 11 state DOTs in regard to the transfer of responsibility for re-aligned or bypassed state highway system roads to local jurisdictions - usually cities or counties. Each state's approach to such transfers was identified by obtaining and analyzing the relevant state statutes and then conducting telephone interviews with strategically placed individuals at the associated DOT. Four states require local approval before the state can abandon a road. These four have a policy of obtaining written consent for the transfer of responsibility for maintenance and do so most often prior to construction of …