Low back pain is a common occupational effect of the long term driving of vehicles. The sonoSens® Monitor ultrasonic device was utilized to model lumbar spinal motions while driving a tractor trailer. Further data was collected to determine if acceleration from a seat pad and EMG data correlated with the driver’s movements. Three testing bouts were completed and analyzed for this study. For each test the driver drove a 1998 Peterbuilt 379 fitted with a National Seating 2000 seat. One driver was used for all three tests. Data analysis was accomplished with the sonoSens® Analyzer and Microsoft® Excel software. The sonoSens® Analyzer software produced graphs of the spinal motion of the driver. These graphs were visually analyzed for motion trends and increased movement of the lumbar region. The sonoSens® Monitor is ideal for determining motion and posture of the lumbar region over periods of time. Acceleration and EMG data was found not to correlate with a driver’s movements while driving.

Peripheral Nerve Injury is one of the most common and serious traumatic injuries. About 300,000 cases of peripheral nerve injury are reported annually in Europe and another 50,000 procedures performed annually in the United States. Peripheral nerve injury can lead to lifelong disability and also death in severe cases. Repair techniques remain a major challenge because of lack of efficient regeneration. Though techniques like autografts are highly efficient, they face a lot of drawbacks. Alternate methods focus on the use of growth supporting and enhancement components in nerve guidance channels. Current research necessitates the use of a combination of compounds for enhanced nerve growth. In this thesis we study the combined effect of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), laminin and Retinoic acid (RA) on nerve growth. This study is aimed at attaining higher efficiency in nerve growth by using a combination of compounds not tested together before. We expect to see an enhanced outgrowth, supposedly caused by the synergistic effect of these components, which will be greater than the outgrowth caused when these compounds are used individually or in combination with another compound. Chick dorsal root ganglion cells were cultured for 36 hrs in the presence of 50ng/ml NGF, 50μg/ml laminin and 1μM RA, either used individually, or in combination with another compound, or synergistically. The efficiency of each condition was determined based on neurite extension and area of outgrowth. The triple component system produced significantly greater neurite extension and outgrowth compared to all when the compounds are used individually or in combination with one another. The neurite length in the triple component system was 5 fold that of control whereas the area of outgrowth was as high as 60 times that of control. This enhanced neurite growth achieved will pave way for efficient nerve guidance channels development.

Truck drivers are more susceptible than other workers to lower back pain and spinal disorders caused by whole body vibrations, which are among the most common long term health effects for drivers. The dynamic behavior of trucks can be modeled and simulated to improve the design of the trucks, which can reduce the exposure of drivers to whole body vibrations. The main purposes of this study are to analyze vibrations for different manufacturers and road types, and to create a computer-based model using Adams to predict vibration anywhere on the model using acceleration data collected previously from on-road tests of real vehicles. Another objective of this study is to develop a method for validating an Adams model of trucks tested. Also, this study examines the results predicted by the simulations. This study uses vibration measurements that were made on twenty-two heavy-duty diesel vehicles from four different manufacturers, each driven on the same route, which include rural and interstate roads. Road types and manufacturers are compared using data from an accelerometer located underneath the driver seat. Vertical vibrations in five trucks are simulated using Adams, one truck from each manufacturer and one without a trailer. Vibrations in three orthogonal directions are compared for of the trucks. Results show that the vibrations on the roads of US-27 and I-75 are similar to each other, while the manufacturers show significant differences between one another. Two basic models were developed with Adams that use collected data to “drive” the model. Results are more accurate when the data from the transducers located on the body of interest are used as impact. Only one transducer is needed on the body of interest to provide accurate results. Since the mechanical properties of the trucks tested were not available, the model has not been validated. However, the model could be validated if the specifications of a tested truck were given.

Cotton yield monitors are an important part of a precision agriculture program and are becoming widely used by cotton producers for making management decisions. Members of the cotton industry have shown interest in using cotton yield monitors for collecting data from production scale variety yield trials (experiments that test yield performance for numerous varieties). Weighing boll buggies are the current industry standard for measuring yield in variety trials. This process is time consuming and requires extra equipment and labor. The ability to use a yield monitor for measuring yield would streamline variety trial harvesting. Recommendations for the Ag Leader cotton yield monitor state that the monitor should be recalibrated when harvesting a new variety. This poses a problem for collecting yield data from a variety trial due to the numerous calibrations that would be required. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate and enhance monitor performance in order to use it for collecting variety trial data. This will be done using different calibration techniques and post-processing models developed using measured gin turnout and environmental variables. Data were collected in 2007 and 2008 at the Milan Research and Education Center in Milan, TN. Monitor weights were compared to boll buggy weights to determine variation between these two yield estimation techniques. This measured variation is defined as Yield Prediction Error (YPE). Before calibration, yield explained 44% of the variation in YPE. After post-calibration, moisture and yield explained 48% of the variation in YPE. Post-processing models were developed using these types of relationships but were unsuccessful as they introduced more variation into the data set. The relationship of YPE to moisture suggests that boll buggy weights should be adjusted to a common moisture content. The relationship of YPE to yield suggests that improvements could be made to the monitor. Post-processing the data using yield in the model was able to reduce the mean absolute error to 2.5% from 3.3% using only calibration C (recalibrating when weather or other events cause a multiple day stoppage in harvesting). Tukey’s mean separation test was used for both yield measurement techniques to determine differences in variety trial results. In both 2007 and 2008, the variety trial results returned the same differences for both yield estimation techniques. This dataset supports that with proper calibration, the yield monitor can be used to collect yield data for cotton variety trials.

Improved physical separation of biomass concentrates higher-value components, returns unused plant components to the soil, and provides a more efficient platform for downstream industrial users. Sieving and Image Analysis (IA) were studied to evaluate biomass particle sizes, particle size distribution, and potential separation of biomass materials. Switchgrass, wheat straw, and corn stover were used in the study. Particles prepared by a knife mill equipped with various screen sizes were subject to sieving test and IA. Results showed that all three biomass materials would be analyzed using the fast, easy and accurate IA. Biomass particle physical properties, such as length, width, and projected area were obtained through IA. There were 25 to 30 % of switchgrass, prepared by larger knife mill screen, with node sections presented on the 19.0 mm sieve compared with 17.5 % nodal particle population average. This difference suggests that larger screen installed in the knife mill would be used to produce particles with optimum sizes for the nodes separation from the internodes. Results also show that a factor of 4~5 is suggested to apply to the Geometric Mean Diameter (GMD) calculated by standard sieving test to accurately represent the true particle length for grass-like biomass materials. It suggested that standard summary statistics calculated by various consensus standards may not provide the greatest accuracy for biomass. Keywords: biomass material, sieving, particle size distribution, separation, geometric mean diameter, image analysis.

The alignment of the femoral and tibial components of the Total Knee Arthoplasty (TKA) is one of the most important factors to implant survivorship. Hence, numerous ligament balancing techniques and devices have been developed in order to accurately balance the knee intra-operatively. Spacer block, tensioner and tram adapter are instruments that allow surgeons to qualitatively balance the flexion and extension gaps during TKA. However, even with these instruments, the surgical procedure still relies on the skill and experience of the surgeon. The objective of this thesis is to develop a computerized surgical instrument that can acquire intra-operative data telemetrically for surgeons and engineers. Microcantilever is chosen to be used as the strain sensing elements. Even though many high end off-the-shelf data acquisition components and integrated circuit (IC) chips exist on the market, yet multiple components are required to process the entire array of microcantilevers and achieve the desired functions. Due to the size limitation of the off-chip components, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip is designed and fabricated. Using a spacer block as a base, sensors, a data acquisition system as well as the transmitter and antenna are embedded into it. The electronics are sealed with medical grade epoxy.

The thesis presents a mathematical model for predicting surface tension in condensate films. The approach taken to this study is different from how surface tension is normally approached. Surface tension is primarily determined through laboratory measurements. This work shows how it can be determined mathematically based on the formulation of bonding energy between atoms as described by the Lennard-Jones potential. The results are used to predict the surface tension of a selected group of elements and molecules. Predictions from the model compare favorably with the documented surface tension values of the selected elements. However, the model does deviate somewhat from the documented surface tension values for the larger molecules. This model should be useful in formulating the response of various nano and micro systems to capillary action.

Brown seaweeds lack lignin and have a low cellulose content. Thus, seaweeds should be an easier material for biological degradation than land plants. However, seaweeds have a complex composition, and complete degradation of the material necessitates the presence of microorganisms with a broad substrate range. During anaerobic degradation of organic material, energy carriers such as methane and ethanol may be produced. This is a study of two particular species of brown seaweeds; Laminaria hyperborea and Ascophyllum nodosum, which are the most abundant Norwegian species and also the two species that are commercially harvested in Norway. Most of the degradation studies were carried out in batch systems at pH 7 and at 35 °C. The digestion pattern of the seaweeds were studied by measuring gas production, alginate lyase activity, remaining alginate, the concentrations of uronic acids, VS, COD, mannitol, organic acids and polyphenols. NIR spectroscopy was applied as a new method for alginate quantification. Ethanol production was carried out at 30 °C at different pH, both in batch and continuous cultures. Gas production and concentrations of mannitol, laminaran, ethanol and organic acids were measured. Methane is the end product of a mixed microbial community. However, it is the initial steps of hydrolysis and acidogenesis that are specific for the raw material. Alginate forms the major structural component of brown algae, and its degradation is catalysed by alginate lyases. Polyphenols proved to be the most important limiting factor in the biodegradation: the content of polyphenols was much higher in A. nodosum than L. hyperborea, and this led to a reduced biodegradability of A. nodosum. However, when the polyphenols were fixed with formaldehyde, this seaweed was also readily degraded. Manipulation of the content of polyphenols in L. hyperborea gave similar results. This toxic effect was probably caused by direct inhibition of the microbes, especially the methanogenic bacteria, and complexation reactions with algal material and enzymes. Generally, the guluronate content of the remaining alginate increased during biodegradation, probably due to the Ca-linked guluronate junction zones less accessible for alginate lyase. The main organic product of the acidogenesis was acetate, which was easily converted to methane. In this study, it was not attempted to optimise the methane yield. Ethanol is an intermediate in the complete digestion of organic material and is produced by specific microbial strains. Thus, ethanol production should take place under controlled conditions to prevent contamination problems. The complex composition of seaweeds makes it a difficult substrate to ferment to ethanol by one or a few strains of microbes. In this work, laminaran and mannitol extracted from L hyperborea fronds were used as substrate for ethanol production. A bacterium, Zymobacter palmae, was able to produce ethanol from mannitol, but could not utilise laminaran. However, the yeast Pichia angophorae was able to produce ethanol from both substrates simultaneously. Some supply of oxygen was necessary for the fermentation of mannitol, while a too high aeration resulted in the production of organic acids. Thus, it has been shown that both methane and ethanol can be produced from brown seaweeds. However, an optimisation of the processes will be necessary. Energy production from seaweeds will only be economic if the harvesting costs are low. It may be noted that wastes from the alginate industry may be considered a non-cost raw material for energy production.

The scope for this work was to develop rapid assays for enumerating microorganisms on gels, and to test whether fouling of gel surfaces is principally different from that of solid substrata. For this purpose, a standard set of different gels were selected, based on biocompatibility, polymer charge and gel strength. Bacterial adhesion to gels could be conveniently enumerated by first staining with SYBR Green I nucleic acid gel strain. Images were then collected using a confocal scanning laser microscope, followed by image analysis to determine the percent coverage of bacteria. Diatom adhesion could be qualified using a fluorescence scanner recording the fluorescent chlorophyll, showing a clear correlation between average fluorescence signals and cell density determined by counting. This method was successfully tested on glass, gels, a painted surface and an antifouling coated surface. Adhesion of the marine bacterium Pseudomonas sp. NCIMB 2021on gels decreased at higher shear rates. At low shear rates, adhesion varied significantly between different gels in the following descending order: alginate > agarose > chitosan > PVA-SbQ. Lowest cell coverage at all shear rates was recorded on the most hydrophobic gel, PVA-SbQ. Earlier work has shown that this organism adhere better to solid hydrophobic than solid hydrophilic surfaces. Thus, other properties than the surface free energy may be more important for bacterial adhesion to the gels. The marine diatom Amphora coffeaeformis was applied in the different adhesion arrays under different shear conditions. At high shear, cells adhered better to highly ionic polymer gels alginate and chitosan than to the low charge polymer gels agarose and PVA-SbQ. At very low shear, A. coeffeaeformis developed a film even on agarose equivalent to that on the charged polymer gels. Adhesion to PVA-SbQ remained low at all shear rates. As observed for solid substrate, low charge density led to reduced attachment. Settlement of Balanus amphitrite cypris larvae was tested at different polymer concentrations of the hydrogels. All gels inhibited cypris settlement compared to solid polystyrene controls. Gels consisting of 2.5% PVA-SbQ or 0.5% agarose showed the most promising antifouling properties. In all gel experiments, most of the non-settled larvae were able to settle when transferred and offered a suitable solid substratum. Results indicated that the gel strength was an important factor for cyprid settlement on gels, while the surface wettability seemed to be of minor importance. A few preliminary field experiments were carried out. These tests suggested that marine bacterial biofilm development is more readily on glass than on a PVA-SbQ gel surface, in accordance with monoculture lab experiments. However, similar amounts of photosynthetic organisms adhered to gels of agorose, alginate, chitosan and PVA-SbQ tested in an outdoor seawater basin during spring bloom. Finally, barnacle settlement was delayed on PVA-SbQ gels exposed in the open sea. After incubation for a full summer season, even those gels became as covered with marine fouling organisms as any other non-toxic surface. In conclusion, no universal antifouling effects of hydrogels were found. However, this work suggests that both adhesion of a bacterium and settlement of barnacle cypris larvae on gel surfaces may be principally different from solid substrata. Diatom adhesion, on the other hand, was lower on gels with a low charge density, as observed for solid substrata. In general, the most hydrophobic gel, PVA-SbQ, was the least attractive surface for all three organisms.

Proteins exist in a variety of isoforms with minor differences, mostly due to their glycosylation patterns, which can modulate their biological functions. It seems to be of clinical relevance to measure the isoform-distribution. Thesis describes a novel technology named Membrane-Assisted Isoform ImmunoAssay (MAIIA). This technique allows rapid (< 15 min.) isoform determination. It is based on a chromatographic separation combined with immunoassay detection. These steps are performed along a thin, disposable micro-porous chip in which capillary forces maintain the flow. By using anion-exchange as a chromatographic principle the technology has been utilized for the determination of transferrin isoforms in ten minutes. In one variant (the one-dimensional), selected isoforms (carbohydrate-deficient transferrin) are quantified. In a more elaborate variant (the two-dimensional) it was possible to determine the entire isoform profile of transferrin. Isoforms differing by only 0.1 pH unit in isoelectric point could be distinguished. The chromatography along the microporous bed of nitrocellulose showed very good separation performance with plate heights of 10-20 µm and only minor flow rate variations between individual devices. The quantitative determination of antibody-captured molecules was performed by using antibodies labelled with carbon black particles. Combined with a detection procedure by means of a flatbed scanner, a highly sensitive and specific immunoassay with a detection limit of 0.13 pM was obtained upon using IgE as a model analyte. This technology can thus be used to rapidly distinguish proteins with minor structure differences and specifically determine protein isoforms in complex environments, e.g., blood, down in the pM (10-12 M) concentration range.