2923 research outputs found
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Cloud Watching
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Fibro Frog
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Lab-on-a-chip Thermoelectric and Solid-phase Immunodetection of Biochemical Analytes and Extracellular Vesicles: Experimental and Computational Analysis
Get PDFMicrofluidics is the technology of controlling and manipulating fluids at the microscale. Microfluidic platforms provide precise fluidic control coupled with low sample volume and an increase in the speed of biochemical reactions. Lab-on-a-chip platforms are used for detection and quantification of biochemical analytes, capture, and characterization of various proteins, sensitive analysis of cytokines, and isolation and detection of extracellular vesicles (EVs). This study focuses on the development of microfluidic and solid-phase capture pin platforms for the detection of cytokines, extracellular vesicles, and cell co-culture. The fabrication processes of the devices, experimental workflows, numerical analysis to identify optimal design parameters, and reproducibility studies have been discussed. Layer-by-layer assembly of polyelectrolytes has been developed to functionalize glass and stainless-steel substrates with biotin for the immobilization of streptavidinconjugated antibodies for selective capture of cytokines or EVs. Microstructure characterization techniques (SEM, EDX, and fluorescence microscopy) have been implemented to assess the efficiency of substrate functionalization. A detailed overview of current methods for purification and analysis of EVs is discussed as well.
Additionally, the dissertation demonstrates the feasibility of a calorimetric microfluidic immunosensor with an integrated antimony-bismuth (Sb/Bi) thermopile sensor for the detection of cytokines with picomolar sensitivity. The developed platform can be used for the universal detection of both exothermic or endothermic reactions. A three-dimensional numerical model was developed to define the critical design parameters that enhance the sensitivity of the platform. Mathematical analyses identified the optimal combinations of substrate material and dimensions that will maximize the heat transfer to the sensor. Lab-on-a-chip cell co-culture platform with integrated pneumatic valve was designed, numerically characterized, and fabricated. This device enables the reversible separation of two cell culture chambers and serves as a tool for the effective analysis of cell-to-cell communication. Intercellular communication is mediated by extracellular vesicles. A protocol for the functionalization of stainless-steel probe with exosomespecific CD63 antibody was developed. The efficiency of the layer-by-layer deposition of polyelectrolytes and the effectiveness of biotin and streptavidin covalent boding were characterized using fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy
Predict Trend of Unemployment Rate by Observing the Nasdaq Composite Index Using Hidden Markov Model
Get PDFIn this paper, we present how to use Hidden Markov Models (HMM) to predict the change in Unemployment Rate. By observing the NASDAQ price difference, we will predict the Unemployment Rate will rise or fall in the next month using the Hidden Markov Model. We will use the NASDAQ price and the unemployment rate from 2016 to 2020 monthly data for this paper. When we check the relation between the NASDAQ price and the unemployment rate, we find out that whenever the NASDAQ price goes up, the unemployment rate will drop for a time. So we are interested in how we can build Hidden Markov Models (HMM) by using the data we have. Furthermore, we want to see if our model is more accurate than other models that predict the unemployment rate
Anti-Fat Attitudes and Psychological Distress: The Role of Psychological Flexibility Among Stigmatizers
Get PDFAs the population of people struggling with obesity has grown, so has the discrimination and stigmatization of obese individuals. Psychological flexibility has been found to partially mediate the relationship between stigmatizing attitudes and psychological distress for those who hold stigmatizing attitudes toward individuals struggling with mental illness, such that high stigmatizing attitudes about individuals with psychological disorders is associated with low psychological flexibility and low psychological flexibility is associated with high psychological distress. Currently there is no research in the extant literature regarding the relationship between anti-fat attitudes, psychological distress, and psychological flexibility. As such, the present study examined the relationship between anti-fat attitudes and psychological distress, and psychological flexibility as a possible mediator of the relationship. A total of 300 participants were recruited via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, the final sample size consisted of 265 subjects. Upon consent participants answered demographics questions and then completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), the Antifat Attitudes Questionnaire (AFAQ), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42). Data were analyzed in SPSS via AMOS using structural equation modeling to examine the relationship between anti-fat attitudes and psychological distress and the relationship between anti-fat attitudes and psychological flexibility. If there was a relationship between anti-fat attitudes and psychological distress, then psychological flexibility was planned to be examined as a potential mediator of this relationship
Incorporation of Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-lysine (GHK) with Metalized Halloysites for Tissue Regeneration
Get PDFHuman adipose stem cells (hASCs) provide a research tool for regenerative medicine in various capacities. There are major research needs for new therapies for bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, and severe trauma. Human ASCs can self-renew for extended durations outside of the body and provide an ideal platform to study therapeutics for the formation of bone-specific modalities or wound healing applications. Combining hASCs with nanomaterials is a growing area of research that requires additional studies. Halloysites (HNTs) are hollow aluminosilicate nanotubes with an exterior negative charge and a positively charged lumen. HNTs have demonstrated biocompatibility in cell and animal-based studies, with additional capabilities for vacuum loading of drugs and coating metal ions such as silver, zinc, strontium, and copper (mHNTs). Metal ions provide synergistic antimicrobial effects on prokaryotes, allowing healthy cells to form in infection risk areas. These unique properties allow a varying of methods to be developed in cell-based therapeutics at the tissue level. The primary focus of my research is to investigate the therapeutic potential of metalized HNTs with a linked tripeptide known as GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine). GHK is known to be essential in the wound healing process. Ultimately, studying these interactions will lead to better bandages to be hemostatic, alleviate pain and inflammation, and cost-effectively possess antimicrobial features. Bone and wound analysis studies were conducted on hASCs after the incorporation of such nanoparticles. Results introducing GHK with metalized HNTs showed increased proliferation of hASCs, collagen production, and an increase in the genes ki67 and runx2, a proliferation and bone marker, respectively. Strontium-coated HNTs increased osteochondral differentiation after analysis by phase-contrast imaging, gene expression, and unique morphological changes of hASCs exhibiting trabecular-like bone formations in culture. Copper-coated HNTs coupled with GHK increased wound closure after artificial wound analysis, further validating gene expression and proliferation studies. Human ASCs were additionally encapsulated in alginate hydrogels with GHK and mHNTs that increased cell viability and collagen production, leading to differentiated fibroblast clusters within the hydrogel constructs. Given these results, expanding the use of mHNTs with GHK in animal wound healing studies can profoundly impact wound healing if incorporated into FDA-approved materials
The Quatrain - Volume 5
Get PDFThe Quatrain is managed by students at Louisiana Tech University and advised by faculty from the College of Liberal Arts. The journal is housed in George T. Madison Hall, where undergraduates collect, assess, and edit submissions from student writers and artists.
The Quatrain is a print and electronic project for people who value quality undergraduate writing and art. Full-dress researched, academic essays and scholarly explorations; photography; life-writing; sculpture; cultural criticism; work that has a reflective, autobiographical style; and creative writing in all its forms: We simply seek to display samples of the interesting, original, and quality work being produced by gifted students and emerging talents.
Visit us at thequatrain.com to learn more
Here Lies the Dreams
Get PDFSamuel Cooley is 19 years old and from Vidalia, Louisiana, where he graduated from Vidalia High School. He is currently majoring in English with a concentration in creative writing. He hopes to one day become a published author. Samuel enjoys learning and attempting to replicate new styles of poetry. He is also a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity at Louisiana Tech University
A Sonnet to Adonis
Get PDFZachary Biggs is from Summerfield, Louisiana. He is a senior English student at Louisiana Tech, and he aspires to further his education and become a professional counselor. Zachary loves the rich history of English poetry, from Beowolf to Chaucer to Wordsworth, and he enjoys writing his own poetry