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Structural Analysis of Microemulsions Using Small Angle Xray Scattering and Neutron Scattering for Energy Storage Systems
Get PDFThis thesis chapter presents a detailed investigation of the structural properties of microemulsions prepared using water, toluene, butanol, and Brij-35 surfactant. The structural evolution of the microemulsions was monitored using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), a technique particularly well-suited for studying such systems at the nanoscale. By maintaining a constant oil mass percentage and systematically varying the water-to-surfactant mass ratio along a fixed oil-to-surfactant dilution line in the phase diagram, the study reveals key structural changes in the microemulsion. The analysis provides insights into several fundamental parameters, including domain size, correlation length, amphiphilicity factor, surfactant head group area, Critical Packing Parameter (CPP), and bending moduli. These parameters are crucial in understanding how the microemulsion structure responds to compositional changes. Specifically, the controlled variation of the water-to-surfactant ratio, while keeping the oil composition constant, uncovers a significant compositional region characterized by structural similarities. This provides valuable information on the correlation between microemulsion structure and its physical properties. Further, a comparison between the physical properties of Brij-35 microemulsions and those of Tween 20 microemulsions in analogous regions of the phase diagram offers critical insights into how the structure of the surfactant influences the resulting microemulsion architecture. These findings are expected to play a pivotal role in guiding the formulation of microemulsions for specific applications, particularly in the development of microemulsion-based electrolytes for energy storage systems. The comprehensive understanding of surfactant effects on microemulsion structure gained from this study will thus provide a foundation for advancing electrolyte design in energy storage technologies
High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Microreactors in Continuous Recycle Nuclear Fuel Cycles for Reducing Nuclear Waste and Environmental Impact
No full textThis work adapts both prismatic and pebble-bed micro high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) point designs for Pu/TRU driver fuel under a continuous recycle fuel cycle. The adapted prismatic and pebble-bed micro-HTGR point designs are optimized to maximize fuel discharge burnup to reduce waste disposed, fuel cycle costs, and environmental impact. Optimization was performed for inert matrix fuel (IMF) concepts using different composite moderators in prismatic and pebble-bed designs. The prismatic and pebble-bed designs use (TRU) oxide tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel. Moderator material includes beryllium (Be), beryllium oxide (BeO), yttrium hydride (YHx=1.9), or zirconium hydride (ZrHx=1.6) entrained in a MgO host matrix. For each prismatic IMF concept, optimization studies were performed to maximize discharge burnup by varying the TRISO packing fraction and assembly lattice pitch. For each pebble-bed IMF concept, optimization studies were performed by varying the TRISO packing fraction, the pebble fueled radius, the ratio of fueled to unfueled pebbles, and the active reactor core radius. Energy-normalized metrics for the mass of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste (SNF&HLW) disposed, volume of low-level waste (LLW) disposed, metric tons of natural uranium (MTNU) used, area of land used, volume of water used, mass of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced, and activity of SNF&HLW at 100 and 100,000 years are calculated for the continuous recycle prismatic and pebble-bed IMF concepts. These metric results are compared to those of a graphite reference design, once-through prismatic and pebble-bed IMF concepts, a light water reactor (LWR), and a small modular reactor (SMR). All continuous recycle IMF concepts outperformed the graphite reference case for all evaluated metrics. Additionally, all continuous recycle IMF concepts outperformed their once-through counterparts, the LWR, and SMR for nearly all evaluated metrics. For the mass of SNF&HLW disposed, the continuous recycle designs saw a 92.7% reduction. For the volume of LLW disposed, the continuous recycle designs saw between 29.7% to 31.1% reduction. Overall, the continuous recycle IMF concepts significantly reduced waste disposed, fuel cycle cost, and environmental impact compared to conventional once-through designs
A Content Analysis of the Journal of Applied Sport Management from 2009 to 2024
No full textThe Journal of Applied Sport Management (JASM), originally launched as the Journal of Sport Administration and Supervision in 2009, has published a total of 231 peer-reviewed manuscripts during its first 16 years. While many other journals within this field have been studied to better understand research topics, types, and impact, JASM has yet to be examined. This content analysis study explored 19 variables related to the research topics, methods, authorship, and impact of these articles, and provided important insights from both descriptive and inferential statistics regarding existing trends and opportunities for development for both the journal as a whole and its contributing scholars
Reducing Total Joint Replacement Infection Rates: An Evidence-Based Practice Quality Improvement Project in Orthopedic Operating Rooms
No full textBACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) occur in 0.5%-3% of all total joint replacements. Preventing this complication is imperative to improve patient outcomes and reduce the financial burden of infections and readmissions. Studies show that silver-embedded dressings can reduce the incidence of joint infections by as much as 50%.
LOCAL PROBLEM: The setting for this project is a regional Level 1 trauma center in East Tennessee. The project site has had an increase in PJI over the last 2 years, from 1.34% in 2023 to 1.42% in 2024. This project aims to reduce the occurrence of PJI by 10% during the implementation period. The goal is 100% compliance with the use of silver-embedded dressings.
METHODS: The Evidence-Based Practice Improvement model (EBPI) was used for this project. Data were tracked on the number of total joint replacements completed, the number of patients returning due to infection, and the compliance percentage among physicians for 12 months pre-intervention and during intervention.
INTERVENTIONS: Silver-embedded dressings were applied to all total joint replacements. If a patient returned with a PJI, it was investigated whether a silver-embedded dressing had been used.
RESULTS: The rate of PJI dropped from 1.42% in 2024 to 0.29% for the first 8 months of 2025. This is a 79.6% reduction in PJI at the project site since implementation. There was 79.75% compliance with the use of the silver-embedded dressing. Lower compliance with dressing use was due to supply chain issues keeping dressings in stock, and to physicians occasionally using vacuum-assisted dressings.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall, using silver-embedded dressings reduced PJI, leading to better patient outcomes and cost savings. Continued use of the silver-embedded dressing is recommended, and the project site agrees
Improving Intravenous Access in Coronary Care Patients: Implementing Ultrasound-Guided Techniques for Difficult Venous Access
No full textBACKGROUND: Difficult intravenous access (DIVA) is a frequent challenge in coronary care units (CCUs). Multiple failed attempts delay treatment, increase discomfort, and escalate reliance on specialized IV teams. Evidence supports ultrasound-guided techniques to improve insertion success; however, training and protocols are often lacking.
LOCAL PROBLEM: This project occurred in the CCU of a Level I Trauma Center in the Southeastern U.S., where critically ill patients frequently presented with DIVA. Nurses regularly relied on the IV team, creating delays, greater resource use, and reduced patient satisfaction and outcomes. The project aimed to address these issues by training CCU nurses in ultrasound-guided IV insertion to improve efficiency and care delivery.
METHODS: A quality improvement framework guided by the Model for Improvement and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles was used. Participants included CCU nurses and DIVA patients. Baseline data were collected on IV team utilization. Training incorporated ultrasound simulation, competency assessment, and protocol implementation. Data sources included nurse documentation, electronic health records, and staff questionnaires.
INTERVENTIONS: Interventions involved nurse training in ultrasound-guided IV insertion and the rollout of a unit protocol to build skill, confidence, and consistency. Collaboration with clinical leaders, educators, and stakeholders supported adoption and sustainability.
RESULTS: In 2025, 28.87% of IV team calls were for IV access versus 23.52% in 2024 during the same period. June 2025 showed 17.65% of calls for IV access compared to 25.25% in June 2024, though other 2025 months had higher percentages than 2024.
CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of ultrasound-guided IV insertion in the CCU improved nurse confidence and patient satisfaction, despite challenges in training and equipment availability. Prioritizing this technique and IV access protocol enhanced patient care and will continue to improve workflow in the unit
Who Let the Dogs Out: A Study of Rural Gentrification, Roaming Dogs, and Community Conflict
No full textFairfield Glade, a master-planned retirement destination community, has attracted thousands of newcomers—wealthy urban and suburban in-migrants—to rural Cumberland County, Tennessee since its inception in 1970. The sociological canon on gentrifying rural spaces, such as Fairfield Glade, shows that there is underlying tension between newcomers and longtime locals—lifelong residents of Cumberland County who currently live in Fairfield Glade. A perusal of social media shows that there is conflict over the free roaming of dogs in Fairfield Glade. I conducted 18 semi-structured interviews of longtime locals and newcomers in Fairfield Glade to understand if conflict over free roaming dogs seen on social media also occurs in neighbors, as well as how that conflict might get resolved. I found that while there is little conflict over free roaming dogs directly, I discovered themes of class division, differing perceptions of rurality, and a resistance to pay higher taxes to fund better animal control and sheltering services
Validation of 3D Digital Image Correlation Incremental Hole Drilling Residual Stress Measurement
No full textResidual stresses within alloys can result from a multitude of complex processes associated with additive and subtractive manufacturing, extrusion, casting, machining, and welding due to thermo-mechanical loading. Residual stress within a structural element can lead to early yielding and premature failure of the part. Cyclical and long-term use of structural elements can lead to the development of residual stress. The importance and presence of residual stress extend into structural, aerospace, materials engineering, and other sectors where the resulting failure is catastrophic. The ability to accurately measure residual stresses within a structural component is essential to the lifetime of the part. Many methods currently exist for measuring residual stress, including diffraction-based techniques, compliance, curvature, and blind hole drilling.
Blind hole drilling is an advantageous measurement technique because it is semi-destructive and can be implemented in an engineering setting. Blind hole drilling is conventionally completed with typical strain gauge rosettes, as outlined in ASTM E837. A major drawback of standard strain gauge rosettes is the lack of measurement area available. Strain gauge rosettes also require precise and time-consuming preparation, require precise orientation on the part, and are single use. The application of 3D DIC (three-dimensional digital image correlation) to the blind hole drilling method provides a larger measurement area and simplifies sample preparation. In this study, 3D DIC is applied to the blind hole drilling method of measuring residual stress. The traditional method of residual stress calculation for incremental hole drilling, the integral method, is applied to 3D DIC. The 3D DIC integral method results are compared to a newly proposed method which uses radial displacements and calibration coefficients derived from finite element models to increase the accuracy of residual stress measurement.
Mesoscopic (Type II) and microscopic (Type I) residual stresses are typically of academic interest, while Type I bulk residual stresses are of highest importance for engineering applications. Type I residual stresses are addressed in this study by improving on the ASTM hole drilling procedure with the application of 3D DIC. The integrated 3D DIC application to the incremental hole drilling procedure is verified by traditional strain gauge rosette measurements and with known applied stress in 4-point bending. A full residual stress analysis of a shrink fit ring and plug sample is evaluated in this study with measurement by hole drilling with standard strain gauge rosette and 3D DIC, x-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, and preliminary Bragg edge imaging results
Optimization of in vitro Assays to Study the Efficacy of Anti-Leptospira Antibodies
No full textLeptospirosis is a reemerging global zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira. Antibody-mediated protective response is commonly evaluated using animal models. Previously demonstrated in vitro growth inhibition test lacks consistent procedures. Thus, considering the 3Rs of animal research, it is ideal to develop an in vitro assay for the initial evaluation of antibodies that can potentially protect the animals before moving to the in vivo models. The objective of this study was to optimize in vitro assays to conduct a preliminary evaluation of antibody efficacy. First, we attempted to optimize the Leptospira growth inhibition assay (LGIA) in which L. interrogans serovar Manilae culture containing 10^3 to 10^7 bacteria was treated with polyclonal antiserum developed against this strain. Cultures were examined for the presence of Leptospira growth for 28 days. We observed that 10^4 bacteria treated with a 1:10 dilution of antiserum, for a 14-day incubation, would be an optimal combination for conducting this assay, and these conditions effectively inhibit the growth of Leptospira in the presence of antiserum. Moreover, another key mechanism for preventing bacterial growth is phagocytosis. As previous studies showed inconsistent findings on the phagocytosis of virulent strains, we attempted to evaluate the parameters for detecting intracellular Leptospira within THP-1 (a human monocytic cell line), which would further aid in optimizing the macrophage-infection model for assessing antibody efficacy in the antibody-mediated bacterial phagocytosis process. Upon THP-1 cell infection with Leptospira, we noted that CFSE (Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester) labeling for bacteria was more effective in detecting intracellular Leptospira, compared to FITC (Fluorescein isothiocyanate)-conjugated polyclonal anti-Leptospira antibody, as FITC-conjugated antibody exhibited excessive fluorescence and non-specific binding to THP-1 cells. Next, after treating the infected THP-1 cells with gentamicin, we observed that treatment with gentamicin did not eliminate extracellular Leptospira from the cell culture. Further evaluation of this experiment is necessary, as our observations were invalid, as it was unclear whether the bacteria resided inside or outside of the cell. We concluded that LGIA is an appropriate testing strategy for evaluating antibody efficacy and can be optimized for various Leptospira species and conditions. However, in our experience, the macrophage model can be labor-intensive and not straightforward and may not be suitable for this purpose
Integrating Visual and Sonic Experiences through Modeling Affective Communication
No full textThe authors present a computational interface designed to integrate affective responses arising from visual and aural stimuli into a unified audio-visual representation. This representation serves as a framework for applications in algorithmic composition and game development, facilitating the creation of cohesive, affect-driven multimedia experiences
Investigating Ginsenoside-Rc\u27s Antidiabetic and Otoprotective Effects in a Novel Model of Diabetes-Induced Hearing Loss
No full textHearing loss is one of the most prevalent impairments globally with rates only set to increase in the coming decades. Hearing loss, as a result of cochlear hair cell death in the inner ear, can be induced by excessive noise, pharmaceuticals, metabolic dysfunction, and age. Primarily, these insults cause upregulation of inflammation, reactive oxygen species generation, and the ER stress response, which induce apoptosis. A wide-array of phytochemicals are shown to alleviate these stress pathways protecting cochlear hair cells from death. Additionally, diabetes-related hearing loss may be due to insulin resistance in cochlear hair cells causing vulnerability to exogenous insult. We set out to characterize ginsenoside-Rc from Panax ginseng as a novel therapeutic to attenuate cochlear hair cell injury and determine its effects in modulating the insulin signaling pathway under diabetic stresses. UB/OC-2 cochlear hair cells were used to interrogate the effects of ginsenoside-Rc in the face of palmitate-induced cellular stress. Efficacy was determined by multi-layered analysis of protein and gene expression as well as monitoring phenotypic changes. Insulin receptor expression in UB/OC-2 cells was genetically decreased and wild-type cells were incubated in gluco- and lipotoxic conditions to model in vivo effects of diabetes mellitus. The effects of ginsenoside-Rc are mediated by its ability to relieve oxidative stress that attenuates the activation of inflammation and the ER stress response. We report the novel characterization of the insulin signaling pathway in cochlear hair cells, which is inhibited by exposure to a hyperglycemic, hyperlipidemic environment. Loss of function of the insulin signaling pathway causes a lower tolerance to stress-induced injury and the effect is rescued by treatment with a physiologically relevant dose of ginsenoside-Rc. Ginsenoside-Rc represents a potential therapeutic option for the prevention of diabetes-related hearing loss by reducing oxidative stress and protecting the insulin signaling pathway. Further research should advance the understanding of the insulin signaling pathway in cochlear hair cells and include investigation of any non-canonical effects