UBIR Repository (Univ. at Buffalo)
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Propagation Modeling and Modulation Design for Intra-Body Wireless Communications
No full textPh.D.In recent years, nanotechnology has enabled the development of minuscule sensors that can be embedded in the body to observe and reveal bodily events at the nanoscale. Nevertheless, existing nano-bio-sensing systems require bulky and expensive external equipment limiting the capabilities and applications of this technology. In parallel, major advancements in the fields of electronics, photonics, and wireless communication technologies have enabled the development of compact wearable devices, with applications in diverse fields such as medical, wellness, sport/fitness, security, or even business operation. However, existing wearable devices are only able to measure very few parameters, such as heart rate, breathing, temperature, or blood pressure. At the intersection of the two fields, a new generation of wearable devices has been envisioned to serve as the mechanism to replace the external equipment that is needed in nano-bio-sensing systems and, ultimately, to enable a direct interface between nano-bio-events and macro-users. In this thesis, a communication architecture between nano-bio-sensing implants and wearable devices is proposed and its feasibility is studied. In the proposed system, a nanoplasmonic biochip implanted subcutaneously is operated (i.e., activated and read) by a smart photonic wearable device. As the first contribution of the thesis, a link budget analysis is conducted to determine the maximum depth at which the implant can be deployed. The analysis takes into account the main phenomena affecting the propagation of electromagnetic signals at optical and terahertz-band frequencies as well as the state of the art in device technologies, particularly when it comes to transmission power, beamwidth and noise sensitivity. The advantageous propagation of terahertz signals motivates the use of the latter for communications. As a way to further improve the link distance, the second contribution of this thesis is focused on the development and study of chirp spread spectrum (CSS) communications. Such ultra-broadband waveforms are particularly robust to frequency-selective channels, which is the case for both the optical and the terahertz intra-body channels. Finally, as the third major contribution of this thesis, the performance of CSS is experimentally demonstrated in over-the-air terahertz communications, by utilizing the TeraNova platform, a state-of-the-art experimental testbed. The results highlight the higher performance of CSS compared to conventional phase and amplitude modulations, particularly in the presence of strong absorption lines.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*
Essays on Financial Markets and Trading Activities
No full textPh.D.This dissertation explores financial markets and trading activities. The first essay examines how U.S. equity markets respond to the information about product recalls in terms of price reactions and informed trading dynamics in the short run, as well as portfolio returns in the short to long run. Using product recall data from 1983 to 2016, I first show that stock prices incorporate the information on recall announcements immediately, generating predictable subsequent returns. Given the prompt price reactions, I then empirically examine the presence of informed trading around the recall date by using high-frequency measures of informed trading. The analyses with daily price-impact measures and posterior probabilities of informed trading suggest that market participants interpret more frequent product recalls as negative news, which leads to informed selling. A long-short equity strategy based on this adverse effect yields monthly abnormal returns (alphas) of over 24 basis points. Additional robustness tests confirm that the results are consistent with our main findings. The second essay documents that each trading day the U.S. Treasury notes have a large proportion of zero returns. This is because almost all trades are executed at the best ask or bid quote and quoted spreads are mostly set close to the minimum tick. The proportion of zero returns is negatively correlated with commonly used illiquidity measures. Given the distinctive features of the Treasury notes, we provide evidence that conventional jump-detection methods are vulnerable to biases, leading to falsely identifying jumps. We propose a low-cost solution to improving the performance, and empirically support the argument by comparing the identification results using the data on the Treasury notes and macro-economic news announcements.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*
The Human Experience Through Unknown Interfaces
No full textM.F.A.This thesis uses experiential analyses from my previous works in order to explore the possible benefits of interacting with unfriendly objects and spaces. In creating interactive installations and objects that don’t follow the principles of user-friendly design, I’ve collected observations which I am using in this paper to aid in my arguments on the benefits of unguided, and unfamiliar interactions. The user-friendly devices and applications we encounter today are often designed for the purposes of optimizing the results from our use with the least amount of feedback needed to ensure correct functioning. In this paper I write on the possible negative effects of such transparency, and how the opposite approach can be used as a tool to deflect the cons that are discussed.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*
Towards Development of Systems Pharmacokinetic Models for Protein Therapeutics
No full textPh.D.The pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of therapeutic proteins is complex. Although much progress has been made in the past decades, the absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination (ADME) properties of therapeutic proteins remain largely unknown. In this dissertation, the effect of physicochemical properties, especially molecular size, on the PK of protein therapeutics, including tissue distribution, systemic clearance (CL) and tumor exposure has been investigated. A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model is developed for protein therapeutics following both intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) administration. The ability of the model in predicting both plasma PK and tissue distribution of different-size protein therapeutics is also evaluated...**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*
Ice sheet influence on atmospheric circulation explains the patterns of Pleistocene alpine glacier records in North America
No full textWe explore the hypothesis that the relative size of Pleistocene ice sheets in North America modulated regional climate and alpine glaciation. We compare Pleistocene alpine glacier chronologies across North America with a comprehensive general circulation model using reconstructed ice sheet extents at peak glacial conditions during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 and MIS 4. The effect of continent-wide ice sheets on atmospheric circulation during MIS 2 led to warming in Beringia and cooling in the western US; less expansive ice sheets during MIS 4 resulted in weaker ice sheet modulation of atmospheric circulation. This led to preservation of MIS 4 moraines in Beringia due to limited MIS 2 glaciation (resulting in a MIS 2/4 moraine sequence) and overriding of MIS 4 moraines – for sites with existing chronologies – in the western United States during MIS 2 (resulting in a MIS 2/6 moraine sequence). Our results highlight how influential ice sheets are for regional climate conditions
Teaching Copyright Law through Participatory Involvement in an Unconference Setting
No full textOriginally published in the Journal of Copyright in Education and Librarianship, Vol. 4, Issue 1: https://www.jcel-pub.org.An “unconference” is an attempt by librarians and other professionals to work outside of the traditional conference model. Presenters are encouraged to break out of traditional modes of presentation and try new methods of engaging with the participants. We submitted an idea for a session focused on demystifying domestic and international copyright law and discussing how the law affects libraries and archives. Modern librarianship demands at least a basic understanding of copyright and intellectual property issues, and librarians have reported that they lack training and knowledge in this area. We determined that we did not want to present a formal lecture on copyright in libraries, especially given the freedom and intellectual experimentation encouraged by an unconference setting. Instead, we determined that the best way to present copyright principles would be to share examples of real-life scenarios with the participants and assist them in applying the principles of copyright law to those situations. We hoped that participants would build confidence in their ability to respond when copyright issues arose at the workplace. This paper outlines the approach we took to prepare and present this unconventional session, and it includes an assessment of the results
Creating an Educational Brochure for Improving Patient Knowledge and Understanding of Platelet Rich Plasma as a Treatment for Partial Thickness Rotator Cuff Tear
No full textUB SON, DNP Research ProjectPurpose and Objectives: The primary goal of this project was to develop an educational tool that highlights the benefits, risks, and procedure for treating partial thickness rotator cuff tear
(PT-RCT) with platelet rich plasma (PRP).
Background and Significance: Partial thickness rotator cuff tears are a common shoulder injury associated with a variable patient presentation. Platelet rich plasma is a novel intervention with poor public awareness that has the potential to promote healing of the tendon in addition to managing symptoms.
Theoretical Framework: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was supported by the Core Care Cure theory, a theoretical framework focused on a holistic approach to patient care. Methods and Design: Data and information specific to PRP and its treatment in PT-RCT were gathered through an extensive review of the literature and consultation with experts in the field of research and orthopedics.
Results: An educational brochure was developed based on expert review and an extensive review of the literature.
Conclusion: The patient education tool was designed to be applied in a clinical setting to educate patients on the use of PRP for the treatment of PT-RCT. Methods for evaluating the tools effectiveness were developed that could be applied to a future study.
Future Implications and Recommendations: The educational tool developed for this project can be confidently used as a representation of the evidence in the literature and of expert opinion to inform patients of PRP for the treatment of PT-RCT and the associated risks and benefits
Evaluating the Impact of an Admission Huddle on Communication and Work Environment for Nurses on A Neurological Step-Down Unit
No full textUB SON, DNP Research ProjectBackground and Significance: An estimated 6,000 individuals die in New York State annually from Cerebral Vascular Accidents. Neurological nurses have a responsibility to identify stroke risk factors in their patients and to communicate and educate them accordingly. Huddles are a method of communication that entail brief, frequent, and consistent communication among healthcare members to achieve common goals, such as patient safety, staff satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and positive health outcomes.
Purpose, Aims, and Objective: The purpose of this Doctor of nursing Practice (DNP) was to develop an educational tool in the form of an evidence-based PowerPoint presentation with a pre and post intervention questionnaire on methods of conducting an admission huddle for nurses on a Neurological Step-Down Unit in an urban Buffalo Hospital. The aims and objective of this project were to improve staff efficiency and patient flow throughout the Unit and to improve nursing communication and team building during admission huddles through the creation and dissemination of an evidence-based PowerPoint presentation with a pre and post intervention questionnaire on methods of conducting an admission huddle for use by the neurological nurses on the Unit.
Theological Framework: This DNP project was guided by Neuman’s systems model. Project Methods and Design Findings resulting from a review of the literature as well as current recommendations guided the creation of the evidence-based PowerPoint presentation and the pre and post-test.
Results: The PowerPoint and the pre and post intervention questionnaires were disseminated to the Unit manager for future planned implementation and evaluation
The Role of Oral Hygiene in the Prevention of Non-Ventilator Associated Health-Care Acquired Pneumonia
No full textUB SON, DNP Research ProjectBackground and Significance: Patients who develop HAP are at increased risk for mortality, longer hospital stays, and stays in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, oral hygiene is often overlooked in non-ventilated patients due to patient noncompliance, challenges on acute-medicine units, nursing staff shortages, and lack of oral care policies in non-ICU settings. Purpose and Objectives: Currently, there are no standard oral care policies in non-ventilated patients, but HAP is still problematic in this patient population. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to design an educational workshop for nursing staff highlighting the importance of oral hygiene.
Theoretical Framework: Benner’s theory, From Novice to Expert, explains how nursing proficiency improves through education and experience in practical situations. Similarly, this project’s goal to increase nursing knowledge and expertise.
Methods and Design: This project is designed to outline the in-service educational session, as well as an outline of the pre- and post-intervention survey.
Protection of Human Rights and Ethical Considerations: The design of the project includes obtaining nursing consent prior to implementation.
Results: Future recommendations include utilizing the outline to develop an on-site research project to determine whether the in-service session will improve nursing staff provision and documentation of oral hygiene in non-ventilated adult patients in acute setting
Molecular Regulators of E-Selectin Mediated Leukocyte Trafficking at Site of Inflammation
No full textPh.D.The full text PDF of this dissertation is embargoed at author's request until 2021-02-19.At site of inflammation, cell adhesion molecules expressed on the surface of endothelial cells including the selectins (E-, P- and L-selectin), the CD18/β2-integrins (LFA-1 and Mac-1) and members of the immunoglobulin/IgG superfamily (ICAMS, JAMs etc.) recruit leukocyte from the flowing blood stream. The transmigration of the recruited leukocytes to the inflamed tissue is mediated by a four step mechanism, including initial leukocyte recruitment/tethering, cell rolling transitioning from rapid to slow rolling, activation primarily via chemokine receptors, and finally firm adhesion & transmigration. These are the fundamental biological steps of immune response towards invading pathogens. Since similar process also mediates cancer metastasis and hematopoietic stem cell homing to bone marrow, it is critical to have a good understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating this process. Most importantly, the current dissertation focuses on the initial step of this leukocyte adhesion cascade, which involves selectin-ligand interactions. The ligands for selectins are glycoproteins or glycosphingolipids expressed on the surface of the leukocytes. These glyco-conjugates are post-translationally synthesized in Golgi. Various selectin ligands shared similar terminal sialylofucosylated structures with Sialyl LewisX (sLeX) representing a prototypic ligand. However, the core/branch glyco structures and protein substrate can vary among the different selectin-ligands. To study selectin-ligand interaction, there are three major aspects: 1. Identification of the peptide substrate for the ligand; 2. Determination of the carbohydrate structure that attaches to the peptide; 3. Discovering the glycosyltransferases involved in the biosynthesis of relevant glycan determinants. These aspects are covered in this dissertation. While the human L-/P-selectin ligands are already well identified, the ligand for E-selectin still remains unclear. In this thesis, we studied putative human E-selectin ligands, partially using CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing technology. In this regard, CRISPR-Cas9 is a novel gene manipulation tool to provide high gene editing efficiency, high specificity, and low off-target rate without compromise cell viability. With CRISPR-Cas9, we knocked-out putative E-selectin ligand to determine if the perturbation results in ablated interaction with E-selectin. Also, combined with next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics, CRISPR-Cas9 based whole genome library makes unbiased whole genome screening easy to access. This powerful strategy was applied in all the chapters in this dissertation.**To request an accessible version of the file(s) associated with this item, contact [email protected]. Please include the item's persistent URL [http://hdl.handle.net/. . .] in your request.*