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Functionality of the Gracilis Collateral is Impaired Following Arteriogenesis and Cell Transplantation
Get PDFPeripheral Arterial Disease involves narrowed arteries, reducing blood flow to limbs. Increasing blood flow to those extremities is possible by redirecting the blood to flow through natural bypasses (i.e. collateral arteries), which can enlarge via arteriogenesis to maintain blood supply once the prominent arteries have become occluded. This study aims to investigate how arteriogenesis affects collateral function, if myoblast transplantation can stimulate collateral growth, and how that in turn may affect collateral function. Femoral artery ligation was performed to mimic the blockage that occurs in patients with ischemic diseases on lean mice and mice with diet induced obesity (DIO). A bioprinted polymer containing cells, or no cells, was then placed deep to the primary collateral artery. Seven days post-surgery, the collateral bypass artery was exposed and prepared for imaging. To quantify the functionality of the collaterals, photomicrographs of the collaterals were captured from both the operated and control hindlimb at rest and following muscle contraction via electrical stimulation. Results showed that arteriogenesis occurred in lean mice and mice with DIO. Myoblasts decreased resting and dilated diameter in mice with DIO as compared to vehicle control, meanwhile myoblasts increased resting and dilated diameters in lean mice as compared to vehicle control. The percent difference between resting and functionally vasodilated collaterals was measured to evaluate myoblast impact on collateral vasodilation following arteriogenesis. It was found that myoblasts did not make more arteriogenesis, but appeared to accelerate vessel maturation. This line of research can ultimately lead to the development of an alternative, minimally invasive, therapy to treat patients with ischemic diseases that would benefit from natural bypass enlargement and function
Wordmuse
Get PDFWordmuse is an application that allows users to enter a song and a list of keywords to create a new song. Built on Spotify\u27s API, this project showcases the fusion of music composition and artificial intelligence. This paper also discusses the motivation, design, and creation of Wordmuse
Researching the Demand of a New App That Reinvents the Way General Contractors and Subcontractors Communicate
Get PDFThis is a research study on the need for a new service that increases efficiency and profit for commercial construction companies. Contractors need an efficient way to hire subcontractors; through detailed and thorough research, we have found a way to make that possible. The research methodology used for the duration of the project is presented. This included contacting general contractors, subcontractors, and owners and discussing in detail the demand for a service like the one proposed. From these discussions, themes like credibility, understanding the market, and finding the right audience were recorded. The results that were obtained reassured us that there is a market for this idea; however, it may take time to find the best audience to set the foundation for this service. As the world moves toward a technologically dominant era, it is a matter of time before a service like this is brought to market
LA UNIVERSAL
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to analyze and compare the existing fire protection systems in “LA UNIVERSAL” building to current applicable codes and standards. Both prescriptive based analysis and performance-based analyses were performed.
The prescriptive based analyses included analyzing the structural fire protection, fire suppression, fire alarm, and egress systems. There are many fire protection features that do not meet the requirements established by the NFPA standards. The fire alarm panel does not provide enough address for the required number of devices required in the building. Emergency lights do not provide the minimum illumination established in NFPA 101. The egress components do not comply with the NFPA 101 standard because the travel distance in some cases is greater than 140 meters. An analysis for the installation of a sprinkler system was provided; however, this building only has a class III standpipe system. Considering the hazards that are within the building it will be important to install a sprinkler system. The building only has one available exit. Therefore, additional fire protection systems should be installed. These are but are not limited to: additional means of egress, additional notification devices, exit signs and a sprinkler system.
The performance-based analysis included developing a performance-based design following the performance-based option requirements of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. The purpose of the performance-based analysis was to establish the required time to evacuate the building considering there is only one exit door in the building and people may not be able to evacuate the building. In addition, 3 fire design scenarios were analyzed. One of them is a warehouse storage located in the first- floor that has a door next to the only egress route available. In this design fire scenario flashover may happen after 256 s. However, the required safe egress time may be greater than 547 s. Therefore, in a case of fire, people inside the building could be trapped and unable to evacuate.
A structural analysis was also developed and considering the type of construction of this building a fire will not affect the structure. In order to develop these analyses three fire design scenarios were chosen. The areas were chosen where the highest hazard was present within the building and where a fire may impede people to evacuate the building.
It is recommended to test the existing fire protection systems in order to establish if they are working or if the system may need a replacement. Furthermore, a fire safety management plan was developed in order to provide recommendations to ameliorate the fire protection and egress time
Thermal Degradation of Erythritol
Get PDFThe Insulated Solar Electric Cooker (ISEC) is a double walled Aluminum pot with a resistive heater directly connected to a solar panel whose goal is to create and disseminate cheap solar cookers in rural areas that primarily rely on biomass for cooking. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) like Erythritol, a sugar substitute, take a tremendous amount of energy to melt, and when they solidify they release the energy. Through the use of PCMs, the ISECs will produce enough heat to cook food even after the sun sets. However, PCMs like Erythritol degrade over repeated heat exposure, so the purpose of this experiment is to evaluate its viability for the ISEC
