Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons^™

Different Brain Network Connectomic Relationships Subserve Hand Dexterity During Task Versus Resting States In People With Brain Tumors, Timothy F. Boerger, Leon Taquet, Kaitlin Goetschel, Sarah Young, Jennifer Connelly, Jeffrey R. Binder, Brian Schmit, Max O. Krucoff

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore different brain network connectomic relationships subserving hand dexterity in patients with contrast-enhancing brain tumors during task and resting states.

Method

We measured hand dexterity, resting state functional connectivity, and task-based functional connectivity in 21 participants with newly diagnosed brain tumors. Hand dexterity was measured using the 9-hole peg test (9HPT), and patient-reported outcomes were assessed with the Duroz Hand Index (DHI).

Findings

We discovered the following: (1) The inability to complete dexterous tasks is most associated with low somatomotor-basal ganglia network connectivity during rest but high somatomotor-basal ganglia network connectivity during …

Characterizing Piezoelectric-Blended Polydimethylsiloxane For Use As A Mechanoelectrical Responsive Cell Culture Substrate, Alexis P. Applequist, Lance D. Cordes, Lais A. Ferreira, Kartik Balachandran

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this study, we developed a piezoelectric-polydimethylsiloxane (pz-PDMS) composite by blending poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) with PDMS to create a biocompatible, mechanoelectrical responsive material. The pz-PDMS was synthesized with varying piezoelectric concentrations (0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%) and characterized for visual properties, mechanical properties, mechanoelectrical sensitivity, and biocompatibility. Compression testing showed no significant change in mechanical strength with the addition of piezoelectric particles, while mechanolectrical sensitivity testing revealed a non-linear increase in voltage response, with 5% pz-PDMS producing the highest sensitivity. Fatigue testing demonstrated no change in sensitivity after 7 days of cyclic displacement. Additionally, microcantilever experiments demonstrated the high fidelity …

Strategies For Increasing Methane Removal In Methanotroph Stirred-Tank Reactors For The Production Of Ectoine, Jaden Storrer, Tansley M. Mazurkiewicz, Bodee Hancock, Ronald C. Sims

Biological Engineering Student Research

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that requires its emissions to be mitigated. A significant source for methane emissions is in the form of the biogas that is produced from anaerobic digestion in wastewater reclamation and landfill facilities. Biogas has a high valorization potential in the form of its bioconversion into ectoines, an active ingredient in skin care products, by halotolerant alkaliphilic methanotrophs. Cultures of Methylotuvimicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z were grown in bench scale stirred-tank reactors to determine factors to improve methane uptake and removal. Tangential flow filtration was also implemented for a bio-milking method to recover ectoine from culture media. …

Fabrication Of Multimodal Anion Exchange Membrane For Chromatographic Purification Of Full Adeno-Associated Viral Capsids, Xiaolei Hao, Sumith Ranil Wickramasinghe, Xianghong Qian

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A multi-modal anion exchange ligand 2-methyl-phenylimidazole has been successfully functionalized on highly porous electrospun regenerated cellulose membrane substrate for the separation of full and empty adeno-associated viral (AAV) capsids. The functionalized membrane has an average pore size of 0.5 mu m and exhibits both charge and hydrophobic functionality. The ligand is able to distinguish the subtle physio-chemical differences between the full and empty viral capsids. The multi-modal anion exchange membrane is able to separate the full capsids from affinity-captured mammalian AAV2 using both gradient and two-step elution methods with superior performance. A full capsid recovery of 72.9% at 85.3% purity …

Patient-Informed Fluid-Structure Interaction Simulations Of Bicuspid Aortic Valve In Young Adults Reveal Regionalized Differences In Mechanical Stress, Hail B. Kazik, Harkamaljot S. Kandail, Joy Lincoln, John F. Ladisa

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a common congenital cardiovascular defect characterized by two, rather than three, cusps. Many BAV patients prematurely develop calcification and aortic stenosis by age 35, which is more severe with fusion of the right and noncoronary (RC/NC) cusps. The mechanisms underlying calcification observed within the coaptation, attachment, and fusion regions of BAV patients are unknown. While abnormal mechanical stimuli induced by the bicuspid anatomy likely plays a role, little is known about regionalized mechanical stimuli in these susceptible cusp regions of young patients prior to calcification. Strongly coupled fluid-structure interaction simulations were conducted using physiologic boundary …

Harvesting Aav By Tangential Flow Filtration Using Reverse Asymmetric Membranes, Xiaolei Hao, Ronny Horax, Xianghong Qian, April Wheeler, Hironobu Shirataki, Sumith Ranil Wickramasinghe

Chemical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Efficient bioreactor clarification for harvesting virus particles is often challenging. Tangential flow filtration is attractive as it can be easily adapted for batch and perfusion operations. Here the feasibility of using reverse asymmetric hollow fiber membranes, where the more open support structure faces the feed stream, has been investigated for harvesting adeno associated virus serotype 2. The open support structure of these membranes stabilizes a secondary membrane consisting of rejected particulate matter. It is essential that the stabilized secondary membrane remains highly permeable. Flux stepping experiments were conducted in total recycle mode in order to determine the critical flux. The …

Capacity Of Microbial Strains And Communities To Degrade Sewerage Fats, Oils, And Grease Clog Deposits, Allondra M. Woods, Catherine J. Pettinger, Catherine Harris, Tanya Soule, Garth Farley, Erica L.-W. Majumder

Biological Engineering Student Research

Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) deposits are hardened, sticky, insoluble solids that accumulate in sewage systems globally. These deposits contribute to pipe blockages and sanitary sewer overflows, releasing pathogens and pollutants into the environment, posing significant environmental and public health risks. Current removal methods are labor-intensive and costly, emphasizing the need for alternatives. While biological strategies offer a viable alternative, the microbial breakdown of FOG is poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the potential of individual microbial strains and synthetic microbial communities to biodegrade wastewater-derived FOG deposit samples. These biological agents were applied to a range of FOG samples, …

Metabolic Insights Into Cyst Fluid Composition And The Role Of Taurine In Polycystic Kidney Disease, Vineetha Garimella

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the most common genetic disorder affecting kidneys and the fourth leading cause of kidney failure. It occurs in two major forms, autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD), and autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD). ADPKD is typically adult-onset and caused by mutations in the PKD1 and PKD2 genes, and ARPKD generally manifests in utero and is caused by mutations in the PKHD1 gene. Despite the severity of the disease, only one FDA-approved drug, tolvaptan, is currently available for ADPKD and remains under clinical investigation for ARPKD. However, its use is limited by adverse side effects including polyuria, polydipsia, and …

Exploring The World Of Medical Exoskeleton Robots: A Classification Guide, Javlonbek Rakhmatillaev, Vytautas Bučinskas

Technical science and innovation

This article describes the classification of exoskeletons. This classification is based on the use of exoskeletons in the medical field, shape, power source, generation, parts related to the human body, structural material, and control forms based on sensor and actuator devices. In addition, examples of each category are given. The main goal is to comprehensively evaluate medical exoskeletons, pay special attention to their functions and goals, conduct scientific research, and further develop these devices. As a result, a completely new type of classification of medical exoskeletons was developed. The developed new type of classification serves as an important guide in …

Insights From A Simple Mathematical Model Of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Charles F. Babbs

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Working Papers

This preliminary report explores insights about mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) gained from a mathematical model of interconnected clusters of excitatory neurons. This local, integrate-and-fire, spiking neural network is subjected to random noise from other populations of excitatory and inhibitory neurons outside the network. Its emergent behavior in response to different ratios of inhibitory to excitatory noise mimics several aspects of ASDs. The spiking neural network functions according to rules of classical neurophysiology, involving resting membrane potential, threshold potential, excitatory or inhibitory post-synaptic potentials, action potential, and refractory period. Key parameters include the incremental change in membrane potential, p …

Evaluation Of An In Situ Forming Composite Hydrogel Based On Gelatin–Sodium Alginate– Polyethylene Oxide For Biomedical Applications: Effect Of Incorporated Sophora Japonica On Hydrogel Performance, Samar A. Salim

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Hydrogels are ideal candidates for biomedical applications such as wound healing, tissue engineering, and bone regeneration due to their porosity and similarity to the extracellular matrix of humans. A gelatin/ sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel with the inclusion of polyethylene oxide (PEO) was utilized to achieve enhanced mechanical strength. Hydrogels were prepared at different ratios of polymer solutions to select the hydrogel that exhibited an optimal gelation time. Sophora japonica, a plant leaf extract (SJLE) rich in flavonoids and isoflavonoids, was added to the hydrogel to enhance tissue repair. The developed hydrogels were extensively characterized for their morphology, porosity, and swelling …

Enhancing 6g Network Security With Quantum Key Distribution: A Comprehensive Review, Bassma M. Kamil

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

With the considerable progress of sixth-generation (6G) networks further on the horizon, security has attracted much attention in the face of increasingly sophisticated threats, especially from quantum computing. Classical cryptographic schemes based on computational hardness are becoming more and more brittle, as they can easily be attacked with a quantum computer. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) arises as a promising tool for information-theoretic security through quantum mechanics to obtain an unbreakable key by exchanging unknown bit sequences. In this paper, we provide an extensive survey on the integration of QKD both in the envisioned 6G architecture, including current implementations, technical feasibility, …

Protection The Nfv Net-Work Using The Random Forest Classification, Mustafa H. Taha, Ibtesam Jomaa Hawi, Wafaa Waheeb Abdullah Ali

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

A misuse attack is the most common and dangerous type of attack that could target NFV (Network Function Virtualization). In a misuse attack, the attacker attempts to consume the NVF environment’s resources by sending a large amount of traffic. To protect the NFV environment, an early and accurate misuse attack detection system has been proposed based on NFV and Random Forest Classifier. The proposed model starts with importing the dataset and analyzing it then pre-processing and feature selection using a PSO (particle swarm optimization) Test algorithm, classification is based on the most common and efficient machine learning technique, which is …

Design Of A Hybrid System For Powering Wireless Communication Units, Samer Rabih, Ahed Alboody

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Wireless and optical communication units are becoming more widespread nowadays, especially in rural areas. Therefore, feeding electricity has become essential for the continuity of services. As a result of economic and social development, there has been an urgent need to supply electrical power for the basic requirements of wired and wireless telecommunications equipment. This is linked to public safety, long life, and connection to uninterruptible power systems to ensure continuous power supply, whether from renewable energy sources or traditional diesel systems. This research studies and designs a renewable energy (solar) power system to power telecommunications equipment. The proposed power system …

Dynamic Ris-Enabled Massive Mimo Noma Systems Power Allocation Optimization For 6g Using Machin Learning Approach, Mohamed Hassan, Khalid Hamid, Salah Hagahmoodi, Elmuntaser Hassan

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

This study examines spectral efficiency (SE) and throughput throughout a spectrum of user densities (from 50 to 1000 users), user mobility speeds (0 to 350 km/h), latency, packet loss, and fairness index, within a wide range of signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). The analysis includes a number of different situations, such as (i) cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) with massive multiple-input multiple-output (mMIMO), (ii) mMIMO cooperative NOMA integrated with cognitive radio (CR), and (iii) CR-assisted mMIMO cooperative NOMA enhanced with reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS). All of these are part of 6G millimeter-wave (mmWave) networks. The study investigates the enhancement of latency, packet …

Harnessing Waste Heat From Solar Cells Using Advanced Energy Storage Systems, Hayder Ibrahim Ismael

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Renewable energy is largely produced by photovoltaic (PV) solar cells, but such a process is greatly impacted with thermal buildup as the solar cells work. Redundant heat not only lowers the level of electrical production, but also hastens deterioration and decreases the life-time of PV modules. In this study, we suggest a hybrid system which combines high-performance energy storage devices, namely, super-capacitors, and PV modules coupled with the use of waste heat as a source of useful energy and which increases efficiency of the system in conjunction. In order to estimate the potential amount of thermal energy recovery, as well …

Empirical Research Of A Greenhouse Monitoring And Controlling System Using Zigbee Protocol, Mohammed Hijazeh, Salah Hagahmoodi

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Greenhouses are of great importance in the agricultural field as they provide the appropriate and important environment for the growth and production of various plants regardless of the surrounding environmental conditions. Monitoring and controlling these houses are considered necessary and important in order to provide the required environment and obtain the best production. Therefore, the aim of this project is to study the monitoring and control of these houses using wireless sensor networks, which are considered modern and simple methods due to the accuracy of work and little effort they provide, and thus better production. The study will be for …

Designing An Efficient Deduplication Algorithm For Audio Files In Cloud Storage, Ammar Zakzouk, Alaa Al Sebae, Hasan Hasan

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Data duplication is a significant challenge in large-scale data storage systems, as it consumes storage space and impacts data organization, management, and processing. An optimal storage system effectively utilizes available storage space. To solve this problem, hash algorithms are employed to generate hash keys for files. Matching files have the same hash key. However, the hash key for two different files in the data may match, and this is what we refer to as a collision. The collision issue is related to the length of the hash key. As the length of the hash key increases, the probability of a …

The Future Of Al-Driven Cybersecurity For Advanced Iot, Estqlal Hammad Dhahi, Sanaa Hammad Dhahi, Ohood Fadil Alwan

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Internet of Things technologies experience rapid advancement because of 5G networks and upcoming 6G technologies, which resulted in transformational changes to security dynamics. This study examines the functionality of artificial intelligence through platforms developed to secure Internet of Things systems. The demand for improved security capabilities has become essential because IoT devices generate new assault channels, and their market penetration speed is escalating. Machine learning algorithms, together with deep learning and natural language processing methods, are investigated in this paper for enhancing the security protocols of IoT systems through studies found in academic literature. The paper explores upcoming developments and …

Foundations Of Artificial Intelligence In Healthcare Diagnostics: A Systematic Survey, Raghad Tariq Al-Hassani

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming the cornerstone of the future of healthcare diagnostics, that has to ability to change the healthcare diagnostic landscape in terms of diagnostic accuracy, speed, and availability. This systematic review investigates the basic methods, tools, applications, and challenges involved in the integration of AI in diagnostic medicine. It emphasizes the using of machine learning models, deep learning networks (e.g., CNNs), NLP for clinical documentation, and smart computing infrastructures, such as edge device and IoMT. They are making possible real-time, data-driven decision making that is already at human-expert-level performance or, in some cases, even better (in the …

Secure Gif Files Based On Zuc Stream Cipher And Present Algorithm, Suhad Fakhri Hussein

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Some important security needs include authentication, confidentiality, integrity, non-repudiation, and user privacy. Many security systems include these required protections for information transmission. The encryption process is one of the most important security measures. Many secure encryption algorithms are based on different keys and key lengths to ensure a high degree of security. GIF file format is common file format that is used in several application, securing these files through transmission is imperative. In this paper, an efficient method for encryption GIF file is proposed based on using modified present algorithm, modified ZUC stream cipher, and an efficient method for key …

Advanced Strategies And Solutions Towards More Secure And Effective Two-Factor Authentication In Networking, Zahraa Sameer Jawad

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

With the rapid increase in cybersecurity threats targeting network systems, traditional two-factor authentication (2FA) methods are insufficient to address advanced attacks. Vulnerabilities such as phishing, SIM-swapping, and social engineering exploit the limitations of SMS-based and email-based 2FA. This paper examines advanced strategies and solutions for securing networked environments through robust 2FA mechanisms, focusing on approaches like elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), digital certificates, and biometric verification. This article offers a comparative review of various strategies about their effectiveness in enhancing security, while also highlighting their capacity to optimize user-friendliness and adaptability to emerging threats. Research findings promote an effective countermeasure strategy …

Advancements In Ultrasound Technology And Iot Security: A Physics-Based Approach To Enhanced Imaging With Lightweight Encryption Algorithms, Noor Fawzi Shafiq

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The rapid advancements in ultrasound technology, coupled with the growing significance of IoT security, present a unique opportunity to enhance imaging systems while ensuring data integrity. This study explores the integration of physics-based principles in ultrasound imaging, focusing on how lightweight encryption algorithms can secure data transmitted from IoT devices.Ultrasound technology has evolved significantly, benefiting from improved imaging techniques and the incorporation of IoT devices. As these devices proliferate across various applications, including healthcare and industrial monitoring, the need for secure data transmission becomes paramount. This paper proposes a framework that combines advanced ultrasound imaging with robust lightweight encryption methods …

Artificial Intelligence Approaches To Mitigating Network Congestion In Iot Systems, Aysar Hadi Oleiwi

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The unprecedented explosion of Internet of Things (IOT) devices has elevated the requirements of the network infrastructures to unprecedented levels, causing severe congestion problems, especially in applications which demand low latency, high throughput, and real-time feedback. Static routing protocols, AQM, and TCP variants are some of the traditional mechanisms for congestion control that are unable to perform efficiently in dynamic and diverse IoT environments as they are reactive-based and inflexible. To this end, in this paper, we explore the promising ability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods such as Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Reinforcement Learning (RL), and their combination …

Groundwater Quality Analyses For Irrigation Purposes In Salah Al-Din, Iraq: A Review, Noor A. Radhi, Dawood E. Sachit, Abdul-Sahib T. Al-Madhhachi

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The focus of this study is the effect of the physical and chemical characteristics of groundwaters on plants and agricultural crops, following the last studies on this matter. The results underscore the necessity for groundwater treatment before its utilization in irrigation for sustainable agricultural farming. It is also possible to identify which crop type can be grown in well-watered land, according to the characteristics of irrigation water and the yield of each crop. The study also introduces some ideas about irrigation water quality parameters such as Electrical conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH, Chloride (Cl^–), Sodium (Na …

Examining Iot-Enhanced For Current Developments In Face Image Authentication (Fia) Methods And Their Drawbacks, Marwa Jamal Hadi, Emaan Ouudha Oraby

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The quick development of IoT and facial image manipulation (FIM) algorithms, as well as the growth of their user-friendly applications, highlight the pressing need for manipulation detection methods. These techniques need to demonstrate how face photos have been altered and validate their legitimacy. The scientific community has recently taken notice of the phrase “DeepFakes” and methods for detecting them. Take note of the latest methods for identifying watermark-based face image modification as well. The important thing to remember is that every one of these methods has its own set of drawbacks. This study provides a brief introduction to face image …

Detecting Polar Ring Galaxies Via Deep Learning, Fawad Kirmani, Anathavishnu S. Unnii, Varsha P. Kulkarni, Kyle Lackey, John R. Rose

Faculty Publications

Polar ring galaxies (PRGs) are peculiar galaxies that show a ring of stars, gas, and dust oriented roughly over the poles of the central ‘host’ galaxy (i.e. roughly orthogonal to the disc of the host galaxy). The formation models for these rings involve mergers or tidal interactions of the host galaxy with another galaxy. Although the identified PRGs look different from each other, they all have a ring that is not in the same plane as the disc of the host galaxy. Unlike in galaxies such as our Milky Way, where stars form in spiral arms, the rings exemplify an …

Development Of A Colorectal Cancer Spheroid Model To Improve The Accuracy Of Preclinical Drug Testing, Jillian Trilevsky

Master's Theses

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. It currently affects millions of people across the globe and is only expected to increase in impact over the coming years. The most common treatment for metastatic colon cancer is chemotherapy, however, the development of chemotherapeutic drugs is a long and expensive process. A large portion of this development process is spent in preclinical drug testing. However, the models used often lack enough physiological relevance to guarantee the drug’s success in a clinical trial. Due to this gap in testing, researchers seek to develop a more physiologically relevant …

Impact Of Ionizable Lipid Variation On The Immunogenicity Of Lipid Nanoparticles, Chloe M. Krueger, Abbey L. Stokes, Shilpi Agrawl, Christopher E. Nelson

Annual Student Research Poster Session

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are a leading nonviral delivery system for nucleic acid therapeutics due to their scalability and efficiency. However, certain formulations may trigger undesired immune responses. This study aimed to assess the inflammatory potential of LNPs formulated with different ionizable lipids using a murine macrophage reporter cell line (RAW-IRCs). RAW-IRCs express GFP upon successful mRNA delivery and mRFP1 upon activation of inflammatory pathways. A library of LNPs was synthesized via vortex mixing and characterized for hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index, and encapsulation efficiency. Treated RAW-IRCs were analyzed by flow cytometry to evaluate GFP and mRFP1 expression. Our results highlight seven …

Multi-Material Printer Development, Jessica Hu, Phoebe Eplett

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Surgeons require pre-surgical models to practice procedures and improve success rates. However, the current process of creating physical models for practice using 3D printing is limited to producing homogeneous mimics of the human body, while the human body is a heterogeneous structure composed of multiple materials with varying properties, including bones, muscles, and skin. Additive manufacturing methods cannot easily print multiple materials simultaneously, as current AM machines only print homogeneous material, unlike the human body. In this proposal, we aim to develop a multi-material additive manufacturing system, from software to hardware, to manufacture pre-surgical models. We will investigate multi-material AM …