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Articles 61 - 90 of 118
Full-Text Articles in Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering
All-Wheel-Ukraine, Sofiya Rakovska, Hannah Mcculloch, Andrey Garasimchuk, Ahmad Alsaihati
All-Wheel-Ukraine, Sofiya Rakovska, Hannah Mcculloch, Andrey Garasimchuk, Ahmad Alsaihati
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
We are working with a non-profit organization in Ukraine that provides wheelchairs/strollers to families of disables children who cannot afford them. Their current preferred solution is a baby stroller. The organization asked us to create a wheelchair that is cost efficient, light and collapsible to be used for children ages up to thirteen years old. We will be creating an alpha prototype wheelchair by modifying a basic wheelchair that we purchased. This modifications include adding a headrest that is adjustable and provides a sufficient support for children within the age group given to us and diverse levels of disabilities. We …
Expression Systems For Synthetic Spider Silk Protein Production, Michaela R. Hugie
Expression Systems For Synthetic Spider Silk Protein Production, Michaela R. Hugie
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023
Spider silk is a biodegradable and biocompatible natural material that is stronger than steel and more elastic than nylon. These properties make spider silk a desirable material for many commercial products, ranging from textiles to biomedical materials. Due to spiders’ cannibalistic and territorial nature it is impossible to farm them to produce spider silk at a high enough yield to meet product demands. Therefore, a bioengineered synthetic process is necessary to produce spider silk. Synthetic spider silk has been produced in bacteria, goats, yeast, plants, mammalian cells and silkworms, but none of these processes provided a commercially viable yield or …
Adipose Tissue Engineering: A Therapeutic Strategy For The Treatment Of Obesity And Glucose Intolerance, Michael A. Hendley
Adipose Tissue Engineering: A Therapeutic Strategy For The Treatment Of Obesity And Glucose Intolerance, Michael A. Hendley
Theses and Dissertations
Despite available treatment options, the number of people afflicted by type 2 diabetes has steadily risen for decades. Nearly 90% of the diabetic population also suffers from obesity and the link between the two diseases is undeniable. Characterized by rapid expansion of the adipose tissue and improper lipid storage, the mishandling of lipids by adipose tissue promotes the diabetic state. Excess lipids, unable to be properly stored, build up in peripheral tissues promoting insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Therapeutic strategies designed to address adipose tissue lipid handling could represent a promising treatment strategy for obesity associated type 2 diabetes. …
On-Demand Label Production, Robert A. Zimmerman
On-Demand Label Production, Robert A. Zimmerman
Master's Theses
The production and approval process for the various labels used in clinical trials wastes significant time and resources through the need to outsource label production or rely on large reams of pre-cut label stock for each revision throughout the process. An in-house, on-demand label printing and cutting system is a potential remedy to this waste. Previous work by Cheadle et al. resulted in a functional electomechanical prototype of the label cutting aspect of this research, capable of rudimentary linear cuts. In this continued research, emphasis was placed on improved label cutting capabilities and creating PC control software for label design. …
Characterization Of In-Vivo Damage In Implantable Cardiac Devices And The Lead Residual Properties, Anmar Mahdi Salih
Characterization Of In-Vivo Damage In Implantable Cardiac Devices And The Lead Residual Properties, Anmar Mahdi Salih
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Approximately, 92.1 million patients in the US suffer from cardiovascular diseases with an estimated healthcare cost of over $300 billion; out of which at least one million patients have Cardiac Implantable Electronics Devices (CIED). CIED represented by pacemakers, Implantable Cardioversion Defibrillator (ICD), and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) are exposed to in-vivo damage. These damages are complex and composed on multiple levels and present challenges while assessing their combined extent. Since 2004, more than one hundred recalls were reported for cardiac devices. ICD devices had the majority with 40.8% recalls, pacemaker recall percentage was 14.5%, CRT recall percentage was12.7%, leads recalls …
Adenovirus Co-Opts Neutrophilic Inflammation In Order To Enhance Entry Into Epithelial Cells, James Matthew Readler
Adenovirus Co-Opts Neutrophilic Inflammation In Order To Enhance Entry Into Epithelial Cells, James Matthew Readler
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Human adenoviruses (AdV) are double-stranded DNA viruses that can cause a range of diseases. While AdV respiratory infections are often mild and self-limited, severe manifestations such as fulminant pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are not uncommon. In order to identify potential modalities to treat AdV infections and potentially enhance the effectiveness of AdV vector delivery, a thorough mechanistic understanding of how AdV enters host cells is needed. Previous studies have revealed polarized epithelia, one of the primary targets for AdV respiratory infections, are highly resistant to AdV entry from the apical (luminal) surface. However, upon exposure to interleukin …
Quantification Of Optical Parameters Using Frequency Domain Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (Fd-Fnirs), Christopher W. Davies
Quantification Of Optical Parameters Using Frequency Domain Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (Fd-Fnirs), Christopher W. Davies
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive technique that uses near-infrared light and hemoglobin as the contrast to characterize tissue optical properties, namely optical absorption [����] and scattering [����′ ]. Through this characterization, it is possible to obtain information about the tissue’s oxygenated (HbO) and deoxygenated (Hb) hemoglobin concentrations and oxygen saturation which are important physiological markers for diagnosis and intervention monitoring. Many commercial devices use a continuous wave approach (CW-fNIRS), a technique that simply relies on intensity changes from a constant power laser to determine only relative changes in oxygenation. This is a significant limitation for clinical settings where …
Rescue Of Als Protein Fus Toxicity By Taf, Elliott Hayden
Rescue Of Als Protein Fus Toxicity By Taf, Elliott Hayden
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Amyotrophic Lateral Scleroses (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord leading to progressive paralysis and ultimately death within 5 years of symptom onset. Only two drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating ALS that slow the disease progression by about 3 months. Mutations in the gene Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) cause inherited forms of ALS. FUS is a nuclear, multifunctional RNA-binding protein (RBP) involved in multiple RNA metabolic pathways. Mutations in FUS cause mislocalization of the protein from the nucleus to …
Mechanical Stresses On Nasal Mucosa Using Nose-On-Chip Model, Zachary Edward Brooks
Mechanical Stresses On Nasal Mucosa Using Nose-On-Chip Model, Zachary Edward Brooks
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
The objective of this research was to design and fabricate a nose-on-chip device and bi-directional airflow system that models flow within the nasal cavity to investigate how airflow induced mechanical stresses impact nasal secretion rates and cytoskeletal remodeling. This research hypothesizes that the airflow induced shear stresses on the nasal mucosa will influence mucus production and the cytoskeleton of the cells. The RPMI 2650 cell line was used to model the nasal mucosa. The system was used to replicate the wall shear stresses (WSS) and wall shear forces (WSF) present in the anterior region of the nose. The WSS and …
Monitoring Cerebral Functional Response Using Scmos-Based High Density Near Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging, Dharminder Singh Langri
Monitoring Cerebral Functional Response Using Scmos-Based High Density Near Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging, Dharminder Singh Langri
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Neurovascular coupling is an important concept that indicates the direct link between neuronal electrical firing with the vascular hemodynamic changes. Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) can measure changes in cerebral vascular parameters of oxy-hemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations and thus can provide neuronal activity through neurovascular coupling. Currently many commercial fNIRS devices are available, but they are limited by the number of channels (usually having only 8 detectors), which can limit the sensitivity, contrast, and resolution of imaging. High-density imaging can improve sensitivity, contrast, and resolution by providing many measurements and averaging the signals originating from the target cerebral focus area …
Project "Auxilia" - Jaiden's Prosthetic Arm, Christopher Halley, Lindsay Jaros, Autumn Young
Project "Auxilia" - Jaiden's Prosthetic Arm, Christopher Halley, Lindsay Jaros, Autumn Young
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
The main objective of this project was to create a prosthetic arm for a 15 year old boy named Jaiden Foden. Jaiden was born with only one fully developed limb as a result of a genetic disorder, Hanhart Syndrome II. His right arm becomes a residual limb below the elbow, but has two fingers which act in a “claw-like” movement. Jaiden’s left arm becomes a residual limb above the elbow, and his left leg becomes a residual limb above the knee. The goal of the arm was to increase Jaiden’s overall independence and to help in completing daily tasks, such …
Development And Exploration Of A Z-Shaped Foot And Ankle Internal Fixation Plate, Rhaz Shaghaghi Paul, Ian Hames, Sean Rich
Development And Exploration Of A Z-Shaped Foot And Ankle Internal Fixation Plate, Rhaz Shaghaghi Paul, Ian Hames, Sean Rich
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
This paper will detail the design process of developing a Z-shaped foot and ankle internal fixation plating system. Group 6: Plates for the Sole was made up of 5 team members, who worked together to accommodate their client’s request to complete a biomechanical analysis of a Z-Plate design and a construct a prototype. The Z-Plate’s purpose is to provide podiatrists with a new solution that can fit nicely on the small, irregular bones of the foot, while also remaining strong enough to withstand the forces and torques of the foot.
Easy Adjustable Protective Helmet, Ryan Balash
Easy Adjustable Protective Helmet, Ryan Balash
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Akron Children’s Hospital and The University of Akron’s Biomedical Engineering Design Team Engineering Forward have paired together to improve medical adapted helmets for post-operative and disabled patients. An issue is the helmets are only produced in a couple of sizes. Also, it is a tedious process to constantly adjust the pressure on the patient’s cranium within a trial-and-error process. Engineering Forward plans to improve the effectiveness of this helmet by creating an adjustable helmet that can read the pressure on a patient’s head. The caregiver can then make the necessary adjustments to the helmet to accommodate the patient. Documents of …
Chondroitin Sulfate Hydrogels For Total Wound Care Devices, Tushar Goswami
Chondroitin Sulfate Hydrogels For Total Wound Care Devices, Tushar Goswami
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a naturally occurring bio-polymer found in areas of high cartilage in mammals. In directed applications, such as hydrogels, CS can be used to impact keratinocyte growth cycles. In this work, CS based hydrogels were utilized to accelerate wound healing and, in conjunction with a graphene sensor, monitor wound fluid pH. The hydrogels were cast onto a graphene field effect transistor (GFET) to obtain the benefits of the hydrogel wound healing capabilities, while also utilizing the pH sensitivity of the graphene. Results showed that the hydrogel caused a fivefold increase in cell size over the course of …
Engineering Success On The Field: A Reflection On The Epics Ironman Pediatric Prosthetic Project, Glynn Gallaway
Engineering Success On The Field: A Reflection On The Epics Ironman Pediatric Prosthetic Project, Glynn Gallaway
Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement
Glynn Gallaway is a student in the Purdue Mechanical Engineering Class of 2020 with interests in the health care, assistive technology, and medical device industries. Glynn is from Dallas, Texas, and was inspired to pursue this career path through her interactions with youth with special needs. She joined the EPICS Ironman team in the fall of 2016 during her first year at Purdue as a part of the learning community. In this article, she discusses her experiences on the Ironman team creating a pediatric prosthetic for a young local athlete. The goal of the Ironman team is to create a …
Development And Characterization Of Aqueous-Based Recombinant Spider Silk Protein Biomaterials With Investigations Into Potential Applications, Thomas I. Harris
Development And Characterization Of Aqueous-Based Recombinant Spider Silk Protein Biomaterials With Investigations Into Potential Applications, Thomas I. Harris
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023
Spider silks are incredible natural materials that possess desirable combinations of strength, elasticity, weight, and robustness. Other properties such as biocompatibility and biodegradability further increase the worth of these materials. The possibility of farming spiders is impractical due to spiders’ natural behaviors. Modern biotechnologies have allowed for recombinant spider silk proteins (rSSps) to be produced without the use of spiders. However, the features responsible for spider silks impressive properties can cause difficulties with producing silk materials. A recently developed water-based and biomimetic solvation method has provided a solution to such difficulties and has also led to novel silk biomaterials. Most …
Modeling Eeg And Tdcs In Scirun Software Packages, Aiden Keene, Aiden Thomas Keene
Modeling Eeg And Tdcs In Scirun Software Packages, Aiden Keene, Aiden Thomas Keene
Senior Honors Projects
Never before has there been a greater emphasis on improving the shortcomings of treating mental health conditions. Our generation has more knowledge about technological practices with the potential to monitor and treat mental health symptoms than that of any generation before us. A breakthrough in this field made by CREmedical is called Tripolar Concentric Ring Electrodes (TCRE’s), which can measure signals from the brain more accurately than conventional electrodes. At CREmedical, TCREs are being used to study differences in electrical activity in the brain so as to identify abnormalities, and monitor responses to stimulation therapies. This semester I had the …
Neuromuscular Reflex Control For Prostheses And Exoskeletons, Sandra K. Hnat
Neuromuscular Reflex Control For Prostheses And Exoskeletons, Sandra K. Hnat
ETD Archive
Recent powered lower-limb prosthetic and orthotic (P/O) devices aim to restore legged mobility for persons with an amputation or spinal cord injury. Though various control strategies have been proposed for these devices, specifically finite-state impedance controllers, natural gait mechanics are not usually achieved. The goal of this project was to invent a biologically-inspired controller for powered P/O devices. We hypothesize that a more muscle-like actuation system, including spinal reflexes and vestibular feedback, can achieve able-bodied walking and also respond to outside perturbations. The outputs of the Virtual Muscle Reflex (VMR) controller are joint torque commands, sent to the electric motors …
The Pattern Of Sensory Axonal Endings Together With Synaptic Transmission Influence The Development Of Proprioceptive Circuits In The Spinal Cord, Yiyun Dai
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Proprioceptive circuits provide information regarding limb position and movement status, and are essential to producing correctly executed motor behaviors. Exploring the mechanisms underlying the formation of proprioceptive circuits is therefore critical for understanding neurological disorders with altered motor coordination and for restoring circuits damaged by injury. One important proprioceptive circuit, the stretch reflex circuit, is formed between proprioceptive sensory neurons (PSNs) and motor neurons (MNs) that innervate the same muscle. Progress has been made in understanding the spatial organization of MNs based on their muscle-specific subpopulation identities, which contributes to the specificity of stretch reflex circuit formation. However, whether PSNs …
Electroceutical Therapy In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Novel Preliminary Study, Morgan Michelle Highlander
Electroceutical Therapy In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Novel Preliminary Study, Morgan Michelle Highlander
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the death of motoneurons. Life expectancy is only 3-5 years from diagnosis and current treatments only extend survival by 2-3 months. The mechanism of motoneuron death in ALS is still largely unknown, but abnormal motoneuron excitability has been extensively documented. Because the intrinsic excitability of a motoneuron is a defining measure of its normal function, characterizing and regulating motoneuron excitability has become one of the primary aims of ALS research. Although not previously explored in ALS, other clinical applications show the ability of certain electroceutical techniques to …
Regulation Of The Motor Output Of The Spinal Cord: Burst Firing Generation And Sensorimotor Integration, Amr A. Mahrous
Regulation Of The Motor Output Of The Spinal Cord: Burst Firing Generation And Sensorimotor Integration, Amr A. Mahrous
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Spinal motoneurons are the final common path for motor signals. Thus, the firing activity recorded from spinal motoneurons or their axons in the ventral roots represents the motor output of the nervous system. This dissertation investigates two major phenomena that help generate and shape the neuronal motor output. Specialized groups of spinal neurons called central pattern generators (CPGs) are capable of orchestrating rhythmic bursting activity without involvement of the brain. This activity underlies stereotyped movements such as locomotion. If known, the ionic mechanisms responsible for generating this activity can offer new pharmacological interventions to restore walking in paralyzed patients with …
Consequences Of Trpm7 Kinase Inactivation In Immune Cells, Pavani Beesetty
Consequences Of Trpm7 Kinase Inactivation In Immune Cells, Pavani Beesetty
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
The characteristic feature of ubiquitously expressed transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) protein is the presence of a C-terminal atypical kinase domain fused to a cation channel domain. Even though this protein has been implicated in a number of physiological and pathological processes, the mechanisms regulating TRPM7 channel activity are poorly understood. In the present study, regulation of TRPM7 channel by its kinase activity was investigated using the TRPM7 kinase-dead knock-in mouse (KD mouse). These mice have a point mutation Lys1646Arg in the kinase region abrogating the kinase activity. Examining TRPM7 channel activity in KD peritoneal macrophages revealed that TRPM7 …
Gender And Participation In An Engineering Problem-Based Learning Environment, Laura Hirshfield, Milo D. Koretsky
Gender And Participation In An Engineering Problem-Based Learning Environment, Laura Hirshfield, Milo D. Koretsky
Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning
The use of problem-based learning (PBL) is gaining attention in the engineering classroom as a way to help students synthesize foundational knowledge and to better prepare students for practice. In this work, we study the discourse interactions between 27 student teams and two instructors in an engineering PBL environment to analyze how participation is distributed among team members, paying particular attention to the differences between male and female students. There were no statistically significant differences between the amount that male and female students spoke; however, stereotypical gender roles and traditional gendered behavior did manifest in the discussion. Also, regardless of …
Establishing A Lung Model For Evaluation Of Engineered Lung Microbiome Therapies, Kathryn F. Atherton, Stephen Miloro, Jenna Rickus
Establishing A Lung Model For Evaluation Of Engineered Lung Microbiome Therapies, Kathryn F. Atherton, Stephen Miloro, Jenna Rickus
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium
Benzene, a toxin and carcinogen found in air polluted by cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and industrial processes, is associated with the development of leukemia and lymphoma. Other than avoiding exposure, there is no current method to deter the effects of benzene. One potential strategy to prevent these effects is to engineer the bacteria of the human lung microbiome to degrade benzene. To evaluate this novel approach, we must verify that the bacteria remain viable within the lung microenvironment. To do so, lungs were harvested from rats and swabbed to determine the contents of the original lung microbiome. Then green fluorescent …
Design And Control Of A Powered Rowing Machine With Programmable Impedance, Jose Humberto De La Casas Zolezzi
Design And Control Of A Powered Rowing Machine With Programmable Impedance, Jose Humberto De La Casas Zolezzi
ETD Archive
Due to the rise of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, research in human performance and physical activity has received increased attention. Rowing machines are used for performance improvements through concentric exercises, however a combination of concentric and eccentric actions is known to improve the effectiveness of training. In this work, a conventional rowing machine was modified to include an electric motor and a robust impedance control system, enabling programmable impedance with concentric and eccentric capabilities. Eccentric exercises are known to contribute significantly to the efficacy of training and to diminish the detrimental effects of humans operating in microgravity for long …
Impact Of A Localized Lean Six Sigma Implementation On Overall Patient Safety And Process Efficiency, Luvianca Gil, Pilar Pazos, Mamadou Seck, Rolando Delaguila
Impact Of A Localized Lean Six Sigma Implementation On Overall Patient Safety And Process Efficiency, Luvianca Gil, Pilar Pazos, Mamadou Seck, Rolando Delaguila
Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications
Continuous quality improvement tools have caught the attention of the Health Care Industry as a solution to process efficiency, patient safety and cost reduction. This research explores the impact of a Lean Six Sigma (LSS) process improvement initiative in overall process efficiency and patient safety in two Labor and Delivery (L+D) units of two large hospital providers. This study focuses on the application of modeling and simulation methodology to investigate the influence of a localized process improvement intervention on the overall L+D unit output, by considering patient flow, system capacity and unit performance. The simulation models capacity profiles and patient …
Regulation Of The Expression And Activity Of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 3 (Erk3), Lobna Elkhadragy
Regulation Of The Expression And Activity Of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 3 (Erk3), Lobna Elkhadragy
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are Ser/Thr kinases that regulate diverse cellular processes. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 3 (ERK3) is an atypical MAPK that has recently gained interest for its roles in cancer. ERK3 promotes cancer cell migration, invasion and drug resistance, and its expression is upregulated in multiple cancers. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate ERK3’s expression and kinase activity. Here, we have identified the oncogenic polycomb group protein BMI1 as a positive regulator of ERK3 level in cancer cells. Mechanistically, BMI1 upregulates ERK3 expression by inhibiting the expression of the tumor suppressor microRNA (miRNA) let-7i, which …
Glycolytic Metabolism And Pregnancy Parameters In The Murine Placenta, Renee Elizabeth Albers
Glycolytic Metabolism And Pregnancy Parameters In The Murine Placenta, Renee Elizabeth Albers
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
The placenta is a complex and essential organ composed largely of fetal-derived cells, including several different trophoblast subtypes that work in unison to support nutrient transport to the fetus during pregnancy. Abnormal placental development can lead to pregnancy-associated disorders that often involve metabolic dysfunction. The scope of dysregulated metabolism during placental development may not be fully representative of the in vivo state in defined culture systems, such as cell lines or isolated primary cells. Thus, assessing metabolic function in intact placental tissue would provide a better assessment of placental metabolism. In this study, we describe a methodology for assaying glycolytic …
Phospholipase D: Key Player In Macrophage-Mediated Inflammation And Resolution, Ramya Ganesan
Phospholipase D: Key Player In Macrophage-Mediated Inflammation And Resolution, Ramya Ganesan
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Phospholipase D (PLD) is a cell membrane remodeling and signaling protein implicated in the pathology of chronic inflammation. As PLD is also central to macrophage cell migration, we investigated the molecular basis of PLD's involvement and regulation in macrophage-initiated inflammation (atherosclerosis) and resolution. We have found that PLD is associated with signaling proteins and positively affects cell movement, phagocytosis and NADPH-initiated release of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). We found that PLD2 but not PLD1 is important for foam cell formation that causes atherogenesis. We have also found a novel way of inducing macrophage class-switch (polarization) by PLD overexpression. PLD induces …
Proteomic Analysis Of Ischemic Stroke Blood Biomarkers, April Arnold Daubenspeck
Proteomic Analysis Of Ischemic Stroke Blood Biomarkers, April Arnold Daubenspeck
Browse all Theses and Dissertations
Stroke is a global burden that claims 6 million lives and permanently disables another 5 million each year. The risk of morbidity and mortality following stroke decreases when early diagnosis and treatment are achieved. However there is no blood test to diagnose ischemic stroke because biomarkers to date have not shown adequate sensitivity and specificity to be adopted into hospital protocols. The overall objective of this dissertation was to identify novel blood protein biomarkers of ischemic stroke. We achieved this by using a number of proteomic and statistical techniques to investigate the differential abundance of proteins in the blood of …