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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
571

Large-eddy simulation of sub-, critical and super-critical Reynolds number flow past a circular cylinder

Yeon, Seong Mo 01 December 2014 (has links)
Large-eddy simulations of turbulent flows past a circular cylinder have been performed at sub-, critical and super-critical Re using an orthogonal curvilinear grid solver, CFDship-Iowa version 6.2. An extensive verification and validation study has been carried out. Various aspects of the flow field have been investigated. The aspect ratio of the computational domain has major effects on the results. In general, large aspect ratio produced best results for the sub-critical Re. Small dependency on both aspect ratio and grid resolution was observed for the critical Re. Small aspect ratio and conservative scheme produced best results for the super-critical Re. Overall flow features and the drag crisis phenomenon have been correctly predicted. A lot of experimental and numerical studies of flow past a circular cylinder were collected and used for the validation of the present LES study. Integral and local variables were in fairly good agreement for the sub-critical Re. Sharp behavior including drag crisis was predicted for the critical Re. Although some discrepancy including early formation of turbulent separation was observed, local flow structures including separation bubble were observed for the super-critical Re. The formation of secondary vortex near the cylinder wall and its evolution into separation bubble were observed. The spectral analysis showed that the separation bubble had the instabilities close to the shear layer frequency. The proximity of shear layer to the cylinder enhanced the mixing process of boundary layer and shear layer and led to the formation of separation bubble. A snapshot POD method was used to extract flow structures in the boundary layer, shear layer and wake. In the boundary layer, the secondary vortices and separation bubble were successfully extracted. Due to the weak TKE distribution, specific flow structures were hard to find in the shear layer. Large two-dimensional flow structures representing the Karman shedding vortices were extracted for the sub- and super-critical Re.
572

Natural polymer based gene activated matrices for bone regeneration

D'mello, Sheetal Reginald 01 May 2015 (has links)
Gene therapy using non-viral vectors that are safe and efficient at transfecting target cells is an effective approach to overcome the shortcomings of delivery of growth factors in protein form. The objective of this study was to develop and test a non-viral gene delivery system for bone regeneration utilizing a collagen scaffold carrying polyethylenimine (PEI)-plasmid DNA (pDNA) complexes. Two different pDNA were used: pDNA encoding platelet derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) and pDNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The complexes were fabricated at an amine (N) to phosphate (P) ratio of 10 and then characterized for size, surface charge, as well as in vitro cytotoxicity and transfection efficacy in human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). The influence of the PEI-pPDGF-B complex-loaded collagen scaffold on cellular attachment and recruitment was evaluated in vitro using microscopy techniques. The in vivo regenerative capacity of the gene delivery system, using PEI-pPDGF-B and PEI-pVEGF complexes, was assessed in 5 mm diameter critical-sized calvarial defects in Fisher 344 rats. A different biomaterial, chitosan, loaded with copper was also evaluated in vivo. The complexes were ∼100 nm in size with a positive surface charge. Complexes prepared at an N/P ratio of 10 displayed low cytotoxicity as assessed by a cell viability assay. High magnification scanning electron microscopy imaging demonstrated the recruitment and attachment of BMSCs into the collagen scaffold containing PEI-pPDGF-B complexes. Confocal microscopy revealed significant proliferation of BMSCs on PEI-pPDGF-B complex-loaded collagen scaffolds compared to empty scaffolds. In vivo studies showed significantly higher new bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) % in calvarial defects treated with the PEI-pPDGF-B complex-activated collagen scaffolds following 4 weeks of implantation when compared to the other treatment groups. Together these findings suggest that non-viral PDGF-B gene-activated collagen scaffolds effectively promote bone regeneration and are an attractive gene delivery system with significant potential for clinical translation.
573

Cephalometric analysis of adolescents with severe Class II Division 1 malocclusions treated surgically and non-surgically

Brady, Patrick 01 May 2016 (has links)
Introduction: Class II Division 1 malocclusions are characterized by a retrusive mandible and prominent upper incisors. Despite Class II malocclusions being one of the most frequently treated cases in orthodontists' office, there is no uniform consensus in the orthodontic community on the best treatment modality and biomechanical approach to use in treating patients with Class II malocclusions. Purpose: This paper examines the end-of-treatment outcomes of severe Class II Division I malocclusion patients treated with surgical versus non-surgical approaches. Study Design: This is a retrospective study of consecutively treated severe Class II Division I patients at the University of Iowa. Initial and deband lateral cephalometric radiographs were compared between 45 non-surgical and 21 surgical patients. All patients that were debanded between the ages of 13 to 19 years were included. Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine differences in outcomes between treatment groups. Results: Following adjustment for patient level confounders (age, gender, and race), those treated surgically had better end of treatment cephalometric outcomes. Those treated surgically had a more balanced skeletal profile, greater reduction in overjet, and improvement in ANB angle (p Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment in conjunction with orthognathic surgery is a more ideal treatment for patients with severe Class II Division I malocclusion. When treated surgically, a greater amount of overjet can be reduced while keeping lower incisors in a more stable position in bone.
574

Porous polyurethane foam for use as a particle collection substrate in a Nanoparticle Respiratory Deposition Sampler

Mines, Levi Walden Dyer 01 May 2015 (has links)
Porous polyurethane foam was evaluated as a potential replacement substrate for the eight nylon meshes currently being used in the diffusion stage of the Nanoparticle Respiratory Deposition (NRD) Sampler. A semi-empirical particle deposition model and preliminary tests were used to select the dimensions of foam substrate needed to match the collection of the NRD sampler at recommended sampling conditions. The foam substrate consisted of a cylinder nominally 25-mm diameter by 40 mm in depth, housed in a conductive plastic cassette cowl (internal diameter of 23 mm) compatible with the existing NRD sampler. Pristine foam was evaluated for metals content via acid-assisted microwave digestion and inductively coupled plasma-optical emissions spectroscopy (ICP-OES) chemical analysis. Foam collection efficiency was evaluated using salt (NaCl) and metal fume test aerosols in independent tests. Foam collection efficiency was compared to the nanoparticulate matter (NPM) criterion (established to reflect the total deposition in the human respiratory system for particles smaller than 300 nm) and theoretical modeling. The collection efficiency of NaCl particles was similar to the NPM criterion (R2 = 0.98) and the model underestimated the experimental efficiency (R2 = 0.38). Increased collection efficiency of metal fume was observed for particles larger than 70 nm presumably due to increased interception effects of fractal shaped particles. The pressure drop across the pristine foam was 1/12th that of the nylon meshes. Foam and nylon meshes were loaded with metal fume particles to evaluate performance under simulated field conditions. Changes in collection efficiency and pressure drop were used as measures of performance. Foam had substantially lower changes in collection efficiency and pressure drop with ~ 19 mg metal fume loaded compared to the nylon meshes with ~ 3 mg metal fume loaded.
575

The effect of using a tablet and a meta-cognitive strategy to improve reading comprehension skills for students with SLD

Alqahtani, Saeed Saad S. 01 May 2016 (has links)
Students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) have difficulty with most reading skills, including reading comprehension (Hulme & Snowling, 2011). Improving reading comprehension skills requires efficient interventions that consider both meaning- and code-based skills simultaneously. Using a single-subject multiple-baseline design across participants, with alternating treatment design, this study compared two reading interventions (repeated reading vs. tablet text-to-speech) combined with a meta-cognitive strategy (question generation). Three fourth-grade and third-grade students who had been diagnosed by their school as having reading difficulties (reading one to two grades behind their expected reading levels) participated in the study. Using the index of narrative complexity (Labov, 1973; Petersen, Gillam, & Gillam, 2008) as a major dependent variable, two participants showed improvement in reading comprehension skills as measured by visual analysis and the effect size between means. However, there were slight differences for the RAAC intervention over the tablet intervention for one participant. The time required to administer the tablet intervention was shorter than the time required to administer the RAAC intervention (an average of 12.73 minutes for the RAAC vs. 5.45 minutes for the tablet), which is an important consideration when deciding to use an intervention.
576

A biofilm-based aging model for testing degradation of dental adhesive microtensile bond strength

Jain, Aditi 01 May 2016 (has links)
The objective of this work was to develop a short-term, clinically simulative, biofilm-based aging/storage model for lab testing of newer dental adhesives in order to predict their long-term performance. To do this we tested the hypothesis that 15 days of biofilm challenge with cariogenic bacterial species, Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Streptococcus sobrinus (SS), would produce similar or a greater reduction in microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of dental adhesives as compared to a standard 6 months of water storage (WS). Thirty-one molars were flattened to dentin, restored using Optibond-FL adhesive and Z-100 dental composite, sectioned and trimmed into four dumbbell-shaped specimens and randomly distributed according to aging conditions (n=31): A) Water storage for 6 months, B) Water storage for 5.5 months + S. mutans-biofilm challenge for 15 days, C) S. mutans-biofilm challenge for 15 days and D) S. sobrinus-biofilm challenge for 15 days. Specimens were gripped centrally with respect to the test axis with a non-gluing passive gripping device. Microtensile bond strength testing was performed using a Zwick Material Testing Machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min and failure modes were classified using light microscopy. Mixed model ANOVA and Weibull regression analysis revealed that the type of storage condition significantly affected the microtensile bond strength (p<0.0001). Mean microtensile bond strength observed within group A (49.69 ± 15.53MPa) was significantly higher than those in groups B (19.26 ± 6.26MPa), C (19.92 ± 5.86MPa) and D (23.58 ± 7.88MPa). Also, microtensile bond strength obtained with group D was significantly greater than that with groups B and C, while no difference was seen between the latter two groups. Chi-square statistical analysis indicated that specimens from groups B (74.2%), C (83.9%) and D (80.6%) were more likely to have cohesive failures in dentin than specimens from group A (54.8%). Within the limitations of the study, it can be concluded that 15 days of Streptococcus mutans- and Streptococcus sobrinus- based biofilm challenge produced more reduction in microtensile bond strength of dental adhesive than 6 months of water storage and appear to be a promising in vitro accelerated aging model.
577

Atomization and mixing performance of swirl-venturi lean direct injection

Burkhalter, Matthew W. 01 December 2014 (has links)
This paper investigated the effects of swirl number and momentum ratio on the atomization and mixing performance of Swirl-Venturi Lean Direct Injection technology. Mie scattering of liquid water, was used to identify the location of water droplets in a cross section of the injector spray. Experiments were performed with three air swirlers with vane angles of 45, 52 and 60 degrees. The swirl number varied from 0.58 to 1.0 and air-to-liquid ratios from 15.8 to 35.6. A transition was observed in the liquid spray distribution for the 52 degree case, which unexpectedly produced twice as much signal than the 45 and 60 degree cases. The main cause of this increased signal may be due to instabilities in the flow when transitioning from low to high swirl states. The results from investigation of swirl number it was found that the spray pattern for is sensitive to swirl intensity. Two flow states were observed for a lower and higher swirl flow as well as a transition state that occurred with the lower swirl state. This work may aid in the specific inquiry of physical mechanisms relating to the effect of flow states on spray distribution. It is found that improved atomization and mixing performance are a result of increase in swirl number.
578

A formative program evaluation of a postsecondary support program for students with high functioning autism spectrum disorder

Wise, Kelly Lee 01 December 2015 (has links)
Adults with a diagnosis of High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HF ASD) are becoming a significant presence on college campuses across the United States. A number of colleges have created programs to provide services to support accommodations for these students under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); the first was created in 2002. The creation of these programs does not guarantee success. The use of the logic model in the formative evaluation process has been found to be a key foundation for the establishment of an effective program. The logic model provides a visual representation of the defined problem, the resources and services, and the data sources which provide documentation of service delivery and the intended outcomes of the program. This study is a formative evaluation that uses a logic model approach conducted during the second year of an Autism Spectrum Support Program. This study analyzed data generated by 25 adult participants (20 male, 5 female) between the ages of 18 and 30 with a diagnosis of HF ASD to determine what changes to the program were required. The logic model served a dual purpose in this evaluation. First, it provided a visual representation of the services provided. Second, it served as a template for the organization of the program data. Methodological problems, suggested program changes, and future research directions are discussed.
579

Age-related changes in temporal resolution revisited: findings from cochlear implant users

Mussoi, Bruna Silveira Sobiesiak 01 May 2016 (has links)
A decline in temporal resolution, or the ability of the auditory system to track fast changes in incoming sounds, is one factor thought to contribute to difficulties in speech perception that accompany the aging process. Aging effects on gap detection abilities, using behavioral or isolated electrophysiologic measures, have been studied previously. However, peripheral and central electrophysiological, and behavioral measures of temporal resolution have not been examined in the same subjects. Also, the relationship between age-related changes in temporal resolution and speech perception is still unclear, as is their interaction with cognition. By revisiting this question in CI users, it was possible to study aging effects on temporal resolution without the potential confound of age-related hearing loss. In addition, the device allows for manipulations of the temporal properties of a signal without concomitant changes in its spectrum, and for auditory-nerve recordings. This study had two main goals: (1) to determine how aging affects temporal resolution at the auditory periphery, the cortex and perceptually; and (2) to explore the relationship between age-related changes in temporal resolution, general cognitive functioning and speech perception. Results showed that when the auditory system is stimulated with a cochlear implant, few effects of advancing age on temporal resolution are evident. It is possible that, by stimulating the auditory nerve with precise timing, cochlear implants can help users overcome temporal resolution deficits. Alternatively, and perhaps more likely, it is possible that previous studies that reported age effects on temporal resolution were largely influenced by differences in peripheral processing, which were minimized in this study by the use of a cochlear implant. Across the age groups, digit span was the only variable significantly correlated with speech perception in noise and perception of time-compressed speech. A longer memory span for digits was associated with better outcomes in both tests of speech perception. This finding is consistent with previous research, and underscores the notion that cognitive factors, not age, may be more important for speech perception.
580

Generation of compact test sets and a design for the generation of tests with low switching activity

Kumar, Amit 01 December 2014 (has links)
Test generation procedures for large VLSI designs are required to achieve close to 100% fault coverage using a small number of tests. They also must accommodate on-chip test compression circuits which are widely used in modern designs. To obtain test sets with small sizes one could use extra hardware such as test points or use software techniques. An important aspects impacting test generation is the number of specified positions, which facilitate the encoding of test cubes when using test compression logic. Fortuitous detection or generation of tests such that they facilitate detection of yet not targeted faults, is also an important goal for test generation procedures. At first, we consider the generation of compact test sets for designs using on-chip test compression logic. We introduce two new measures to guide automatic test generation procedures (ATPGs) to balance between these two contradictory requirements of fortuitous detection and number of specifications. One of the new measures is meant to facilitate detection of yet undetected faults, and the value of the measures is periodically updated. The second measure reduces the number of specified positions, which is crucial when using high compression. Additionally, we introduce a way to randomly choose between the two measures. We also propose an ATPG methodology tailored for BIST ready designs with X-bounding logic and test points. X-bounding and test points used to have a significant impact on test data compression by reducing the number of specified positions. We propose a new ATPG guidance mechanism that balances between reduced specifications in BIST ready designs, and also facilitates detection of undetected faults. We also found that compact test generation for BIST ready designs is influenced by the order in which faults are targeted, and we proposed a new fault ordering technique based on fault location in a FFR. Transition faults are difficult to test and often result in longer test lengths, we propose a new fault ordering technique based on test enumeration, this ordering technique and a new guidance approach was also proposed for transition faults. Test set sizes were reduced significantly for both stuck-at and transition fault models. In addition to reducing data volume, test time, and test pin counts, the test compression schemes have been used successfully to limit test power dissipation. Indisputably, toggling of scan cells in scan chains that are universally used to facilitate testing of industrial designs can consume much more power than a circuit is rated for. Balancing test set sizes against the power consumption in a given design is therefore a challenge. We propose a new Design for Test (DFT) scheme that deploys an on-chip power-aware test data decompressor, the corresponding test cube encoding method, and a compression-constrained ATPG that allows loading scan chains with patterns having low transition counts, while encoding a significant number of specified bits produced by ATPG in a compression-friendly manner. Moreover, the new scheme avoids periods of elevated toggling in scan chains and reduces scan unload switching activity due to unique test stimuli produced by the new technique, leading to a significantly reduced power envelope for the entire circuit under test.

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