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Title: Relative hazards of nitrates and chlorates
Creator: Arnold, Charles Harry
Date: 2009, 1913
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/relativehazardso00arno
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology

Title: Reduction of ortho-nitro-benzoic acid to anthranilic acid
Creator: Pfafflin, E. W., Winter, E. F.
Date: 2009, 1921
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/reductionofortho00pfaf
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology; Bibliography: leaf 36

Title: REGULATION OF THE CELL DEATH SIGNALING PATHWAY IN ANDROGEN-INDEPENDENT PROSTATE CANCER CELLS
Creator: Lin, Yuting
Date: 2012-04-16, 2012-05
Description: Prostate cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in American men, mainly due to therapy-resistance in the advanced stage, androgen...
Show moreProstate cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in American men, mainly due to therapy-resistance in the advanced stage, androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPCa). One major defect is that the cancer cells are insensitive to apoptosis induced by androgen ablation, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. However, the underline molecular mechanism still remains unclear. In this thesis, we focused on cell death signaling regulation in the development of AIPCa cells. We first show that up-regulation of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic oncogene, is required for the transition of prostate cancer cells from an androgen-dependent to an androgen-independent growth stage. Knockdown Bcl-2 impairs the transition process and blocks androgen-independent prostate tumor formation in vivo. Second, we show that Androgen-receptor (AR), which is generally considered as a survival factor in prostate cancer, promotes stress-induced apoptosis in AIPCa cells. AR promotes apoptosis through augmenting the mitochondrial translocation of Bax, a pro-death family member of Bcl-2. Finally, we show that AR can execute both pro-death and pro-survival events in same AIPCa cells. The AR pro-survival role is transcription-dependent, while its pro-death activity is transcription-independent. Interestingly, the AR exerts both functions through regulating p21 and JNK signaling pathways. These findings will help us to understand the dynamic survival signaling process in the development and progression of AIPCa. The key molecules identified here also provides potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Ph.D. in Biology, May 2012
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Title: Relation between rate of combustion and draft pressure for a chain-grain stoker applied to a 350 H.P. Sterling boiler
Creator: Levally, John R., Juttemeyer, Walter L., Wilson, Hubert E
Date: 2009, 1915
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/relationbetweenr00leva
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology; Bibliography: leaf 20

Title: The relative cost of operating steam and electric locomotives for switching purposes on the St. Paul railway industry tracks
Creator: Havlick, Spenser N, Sanger, John P, Malwitz, R. C, Albee, T. L
Date: 2009, 1921
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/relativecostofop00havl
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology, 1921. B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 1921

Title: Relation between physical and magnetic hardness of certain carbon steels
Creator: Snowdon, C. R., St. Clair, O. A.
Date: 2009, 1905
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/relationbetweenp00snow
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology

Title: Reconstruction of a thrust bearing for a 75 C.F.S. centrifugal sewage pumping unit
Creator: Bunge, L. W. A.
Date: 2009, 1918
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/reconstructionof00bung
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology

Title: The recovery of wax and other by products from bagasse
Creator: Mcmullen, Earle Watson
Date: 2009, 1913
Publisher: Armour Institute of Technology
Description: http://www.archive.org/details/recoveryofwaxoth00mcmu
Thesis (B.S.)--Armour Institute of Technology

Title: DEVELOPMENT OF A DIGITAL HUMAN BRAIN ATLAS
Creator: Zhang, Shengwei
Date: 2013, 2013-05
Description: A digital human brain atlas plays a crucial role in brain mapping for the neuroimaging community. Traditionally, a digital brain atlas...
Show moreA digital human brain atlas plays a crucial role in brain mapping for the neuroimaging community. Traditionally, a digital brain atlas contains anatomical information, while structural properties are not presented. Recent development of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) allows for unique acquisition of information regarding the microstructure of brain tissue. The accuracy of the spatial normalization and subsequent comparisons is contingent upon the use of a DTI template representative of the micro-architecture of the human brain. The previously developed “IIT DTI brain template” was produced in ICBM-152 space. However, low-dimensional registration was used, leading to a mismatch of DTI information across subjects and a mismatch of the anatomy in the IIT and ICBM-152 templates. In this thesis, a significantly improved DTI brain template in ICBM-152 space was developed. The accuracy of spatial normalization in DTI data depends on the quality of data, the effectiveness of the registration technique, and the characteristics of the DTI brain template. Both study-specific and standardized human brain DTI templates exist. The role of both types of templates in spatial normalization warrants further investigation. In this thesis, the effect of standardized and study-specific human brain DTI templates on the accuracy of spatial normalization was investigated. Conventional atlas-based white matter (WM) segmentation is widely used for automated selection of ROI on DTI investigations. However, it suffers from misregistration and inaccurate spatial transformation across subjects. Skeletonized atlasbased segmentation was recently adopted in several DTI studies. However, the use of xiii skeletonized atlas-based segmentation in studies of WM ROIs has not yet been evaluated. In this thesis, the effects of conventional and skeletonized atlas-based segmentation on DTI investigations of WM ROIs were compared. An accurate digital human brain atlas containing different types of high quality MRI data and anatomical labels for both WM and gray matter (GM) in standardized space is desirable for a variety of brain imaging studies. The IIT2 DTI template was developed recently in ICBM-152 space. In this thesis, the quality of the IIT2 template was further enhanced. Furthermore, this publicly available resource was extended into a comprehensive GM atlas of the human brain.
PH.D in Biomedical Engineering, May 2013
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Title: A THERMAL RESISTANCE STUDY OF SHIGA TOXIN-PRODUCING ESCHERICHIA COLI (STEC) IN LOW MOISTURE FOOD WITH THE USE OF A DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETER (DSC)
Creator: Liu, Shi
Date: 2014, 2014-12
Description: According to CDC's Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System database, from the years 2007-2011, there were eight outbreaks associated...
Show moreAccording to CDC's Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System database, from the years 2007-2011, there were eight outbreaks associated with low-moisture food including nuts, cheese, cookie dough, and wheat snack food involving Shiga toxinproducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC), which led to over 318 cases of foodborne illnesses. Yet, insufficient data on STEC thermal inactivation has been obtained in lowmoisture food. In this study, a novel methodology using a Differential Scanning Calorimeter was used to measure STEC thermal inactivation kinetics in low moisture environments. The objective of this study was to use a Differential Scanning Calorimeter to measure D- and z-values, and therefore to determine the microbial thermal resistance, of select STEC strains. Five strains of outbreak related E. coli O157:H7 and one strain of E. coli K12 were individually grown on tryptic soy agar with 0.6% yeast extract (TSAYE). The cells were harvested and inoculated into sample matrices. Matrices included a moist buffered peptone water solution, a simple model low-moisture food matrix (corn syrup), and lowmoisture food (oat flour and peanut butter). Samples were individually heated using a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). The DSC was able to achieve a reproducible and accurate thermal environment. Following heat treatment, microbial survivors were enumerated via a traditional plate counting method. The six strains showed greater thermal resistance in corn syrup than in a buffered solution and in peanut butter and oat flour compared with both the corn syrup or buffer solution (p < 0.05). At the same processing condition linearly rising temperature at 5oC/min, in low moisture food matrices, approximately 90oC and 95oC was needed to reduce the outbreak strains of STEC in peanut butter and oat flour by 5-log CFU/g; whereas 85oC and 75oC were needed for corn syrup and buffer solution, respectively. D65 o C ranged from 0.26-0.92 min for all strains tested in buffer. Those same strains exhibited a 10-100 times increase in resistance in corn syrup (D65 o C = 2.6-108.6 min). The measurement that quantifies the increased heat resistance of STEC in low moisture food will improve science-based risk reduction by ensuring process lethality in these types of food.
M.S. in Food Safety and Technology, December 2014
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Title: INVESTIGATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HALF-SATURATION COEFFICIENTS ON WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROCESSES
Creator: Shaw, Andrew Robert
Date: 2015, 2015-05
Description: This research is focused on the half-saturation coefficient (KS), which is an important, but often overlooked, parameter in the Monod equation...
Show moreThis research is focused on the half-saturation coefficient (KS), which is an important, but often overlooked, parameter in the Monod equation commonly used to describe biological wastewater treatment processes. Following an initial literature review, the research uses data for a denitrifying activated sludge process to show that KS is a function of the maximum rate and, further, that the relationship can be described either using a simple linear regression or by modeling diffusion explicitly. Building on this initial investigation of a particular treatment system, the research introduces and uses a “porter-diffusion” model that approximates diffusion to a linear equation for KS in the Monod equation. This is used to describe the linear relationship between KS and maximum rate for four different biological wastewater treatment systems. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is carried out on the parameters in the porter-diffusion model to show that r0 – a measure of cell size or diffusion distance – is the most sensitive parameter for a simple activated sludge process model based on a modified version of the International Water Association (IWA) activated sludge model #1 (ASM1). Overall this research has shown that in all of the biological wastewater treatment systems investigated in this thesis: (1) KS is not a constant but is a function of the maximum rate; (2) diffusion is a dominant mechanism that influences KS; (3) that a suitable expression for KS can be estimated using the porter-diffusion model, a linear data fit, or by modeling diffusion explicitly; and (4) measurements of KS in the laboratory must be carried out at the same food-to-microorganism (F/M) ratio as the full-scale system under investigation.
Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, May 2015
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Title: SELF DETERMINATION AND MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS
Creator: Sheehan, Lindsay
Date: 2016, 2016-05
Description: When people with serious mental illness fail to take prescribed psychiatric medications, they may be at risk for hospitalization or other...
Show moreWhen people with serious mental illness fail to take prescribed psychiatric medications, they may be at risk for hospitalization or other negative outcomes. One theoretical model for explaining medication adherence behavior is self-determination theory (SDT). According to SDT, autonomously motivated behaviors are more likely to persist than are behaviors motivated by external forces. For people with serious mental illness, psychiatrists, mental health providers, family and peers are all potential external influencers on medication-related decisions. However, interactions with mental health professionals around medication adherence may be perceived as coercive by people with mental illness and professionals may fail to adequately address valid concerns of mental health consumers. This study aimed to examine how perceived autonomy support (the degree to which people with mental illness view others as encouraging towards selfdirected medication decisions) is related to medication adherence. Sixty-six individuals with serious mental illness completed measures of self-reported medication adherence, motivation to take medication and the perceived autonomy support of psychiatrists, mental health providers, peers and family members. Perceived autonomy support failed to predict one month adherence for any of potential social influencers. However, global autonomy support and autonomy support of psychiatrists were related to both autonomous motivation and depressive symptoms, such that participants who felt more supported in making autonomous decisions cited more internally motivated reasons for taking medications and were less depressed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, May 2016
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Title: ACTIVE LEARNING WITH RICH FEEDBACK
Creator: Sharma, Manali
Date: 2017, 2017-07
Description: One of the goals of artificial intelligence is to build predictive models that can learn from examples and make predictions. Predictive models...
Show moreOne of the goals of artificial intelligence is to build predictive models that can learn from examples and make predictions. Predictive models are useful in many domains and applications such as predicting fraud in credit card transactions, predicting whether a patient has heart-disease, predicting whether an email is a spam, predicting crime, recognizing images, recognizing speech, and many more. Building predictive models often requires supervision from a human expert. Since there is a human in the loop, the supervision needs to be as resource-efficient as possible to save the human’s time, cost, and effort in providing supervision. One solution to make the supervision resource-efficient is active learning, in which the active learner interacts with the human to acquire supervision, usually in the form of labels, for a few selected examples to effectively learn a function that can be used to make predictions. In this thesis, I explore more intuitive and effective use of human supervision through richer interactions between the human expert and the learner, so that the human can understand the learner’s reasoning for querying examples, and provide information beyond just the labels for examples. Traditional active learning approaches select informative examples for labeling, but the human does not get to know why those examples are useful to the learner. While interacting with the learner to annotate examples, humans can provide rich feedback, such as provide their prior knowledge and understanding of the domain, explain certain characteristics of the data, suggest important attributes of the data, give rationales for why an example belongs to a certain category, and provide explanations by pointing out features that are indicative of certain labels. The challenge, however, is that traditional supervised learning algorithms can learn from labeled examples, but they are not equipped to readily absorb the rich feedback. In this thesis, we enable the learner to explain its reasons for selecting instances and devise novel methods to incorporate rich feedback from humans into the training of predictive models. Specifically, I build and evaluate four novel active learning frameworks to enrich the interactions between the human and learner. First, I introduce an active learning framework to reveal the learner’s perception of informative instances. Specifically, we enable the learner to provide its reasons for uncertainty on examples and utilize the learner’s perception of uncertainty to select better examples for training the predictive models. Second, I introduce a framework to enrich the interaction between the human and learner for document classification task. Specifically, we ask the human to annotate documents and provide rationales for their annotation by highlighting phrases that convinced them to choose a particular label for a document. Third, I introduce a framework to enrich the interaction between the human and learner for the aviation domain, where we ask subject matter experts to examine flights and provide rationales for why certain flights have safety concerns. Fourth, I introduce a framework to enrich the interaction between the human and learner for document classification task, where we ask humans to provide explanations for classification by highlighting phrases that reinforce their belief in the document’s label and striking-out phrases that weaken their belief in the document’s label. We show that enabling richer interactions between the human and learner and incorporating rich feedback into learning lead to more effective training of predictive models and better utilization of human supervision.
Ph.D. in Computer Science, July 2017
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Title: KINETIC STUDY OF BOTRYOCOCCUS BRAUNII AND BACTERIAL STRAIN MASS PRODUCTION
Creator: Ghodsi, Seyed Mohammadreza
Date: 2014, 2014-07
Description: The increase on petroleum-based fuel demand, lack of sufficient petroleum resources, reaching hazardous limits of green house gases and the...
Show moreThe increase on petroleum-based fuel demand, lack of sufficient petroleum resources, reaching hazardous limits of green house gases and the need for energy security are motivating the development of an alternate fuel besides conventional gas. Bio-diesel, as a potential replacement to petrol, is technically feasible, environmentally friendly, produced locally and provides low gallon per Btu. Biodiesel obtained from microalgae is a form of fuel being used recently which gives the opportunity to obtain energy in environmental friendly and sustainable manner without competing on human’s food as biofuel feedstock; growing microalgae and turning it to biodiesel is not cost effecttive yet though. In order to minimize the cost of microalgae production, each step of algal growth should be studied and optimized. The separation of algae cells from their aquatic medium, known as harvesting, is the most challenging and energy consuming step of growth cycle. Different studies have shown more than 30% of algal production energy consumption is dedicated to the harvesting phase. Small size of algae cells, low concentration, small density difference between algae and medium and ionic charge of medium makes it impossible to sediment algae cells by gravity or coagulation. An effective method to separate algae from its medium could be bio-flocculation. In this research Botryococcus Braunii microalgae has been co-cultured with a bacterial flocculant to form clumps of easy-harvesting biomass. The growth kinetics of this novel feedstock has been studied for the very first time, based on literature, and its optimum growth conditions have been derived.
M.S. in Chemical Engineering, July 2014
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Title: THE CITY AS A DIGITAL PUBLIC SPACE: DATA-DRIVEN DESIGN AS A SOCIAL LINK
Creator: Shabehpour Setork, Pegah
Date: 2016, 2016-12
Description: We live in an age of instant communication, rapid transportation, and smartphones; an age where the answer to a question can be prompted...
Show moreWe live in an age of instant communication, rapid transportation, and smartphones; an age where the answer to a question can be prompted through voice command. With today’s unparalleled increase in digital information, big data is continuously adapting and developing our society with the support of emerging technologies. This has led to the rise and growth of our virtual communities as communication is primarily done through social media networks. The demise of our physical communities has reduced social interaction within the built environment. Despite this forward thinking and the ability to translate big data into architectural solutions, our urban environments have yet to reflect this. Patterns of human interaction within our cities can be transformed by incorporating and visualizing big data within public infrastructure. As a result, the architectural design process is due for an update. This research project explores the use of a high-speed rail station as a hybrid space for virtual and physical communities by providing an interface for users to interact with data streamed in real-time. With the use of data-driven design, new social links are formed and powered by technology as the city becomes a digital public space.
M.S. in Architecture, December 2016
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Title: HIGH GAIN HIGH EFFICIENCY RESONANT DC-DC CONVERTER
Creator: Shang, Fei
Date: 2016, 2016-12
Description: Low voltage power sources such as batteries, solar panels, and fuel cells have played an important role in applications such as automotive...
Show moreLow voltage power sources such as batteries, solar panels, and fuel cells have played an important role in applications such as automotive system, renewable energy power generation and so on. These applications of the low voltage power sources require a high gain DC-DC step-up converter. Research in this area shows great improvements for the converter topologies. As the power requirements keep increasing, the converter is going to sustain a very high input current. This high current can bring many design challenges in the existing topologies, such as high component current stress and power loss, complex and costly design for magnetic components, high input current ripple, etc. To address these challenges, a new topology of high gain DCDC step-up converter is needed. Evaluation of current high gain DC-DC converter topologies introduces the idea of the new topology which combines the advantages of different topologies and techniques. The new topology of high gain DC-DC converter suitable for low-voltage-high-current application is proposed in this dissertation. It consists of interleaved step-up topology, resonant circuit, and high frequency transformer. The topology has many merits such as high gain capability, high efficiency, low components stress and requirement of the transformer, simple topology with less number of active switching device, and easy to control. The dissertation carries out theoretical analysis of the proposed topology under different operating modes and the voltage gain has been deduced for each mode. The high voltage gain capability comes from 3 parts, which are interleaved step-up function, transformer turns-ratio and output voltage doubler circuit. Some variants of the topology make it more practical in many applications. In order to realize the design of the proposed converter, the design guidelines of major circuit components have been well studied in this dissertation. The switching power devices current stress and power loss are discussed in detailed to show the trend of their variation under different operating modes. The selection of transformer turns-ratio with the consideration of its impact to the component stress and power loss has been fully analyzed. The design method of the resonant tank is also well studied based on the resonant component value selection and its influence to the other components. Input inductor design is related to the current ripple requirement and this relationship is discussed thoroughly. These guidelines can be used to support the practical design of the proposed converter for different specifications. An effective output voltage regulation of the converter is essential for the proposed converter. To design a proper controller of the converter, the system transfer function is needed. The methods of system dynamic modeling have been fully studied in this dissertation. System dynamic state-space models are acquired by using generalized averaging method and the results validate the effectiveness of the method. Small signal model of the converter is achieved by linearization of the dynamic model around the operating points and system transfer functions are available at di↵erent operating points. The stability study indicates that the system is stable at all operating points, though there are several transfer functions at some operating points containing RHP zeros which can cause system unstable if the closed-loop controller is poorly designed. The parameter sensitivity study shows that the system transfer function is not greatly affected by the variation of the leakage inductance and load resistance. A design of PI controller is introduced in the dissertation and closed loop control of the converter is implemented to achieve the output voltage regulation. Simulations in PSIM and MATLAB Simulink have been carried out to validate the circuit operation and support the design analysis. A 2kW prototype has been built for experimental testing. The experimental results are in a good agreement with the theoretical analysis and efficiency of over 95% has been achieved for the nominal operating point.
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, December 2016
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Title: Serostatus Disclosure as a Predictor of Metal Health and Physical Health Among HIV-Seropositive Adults
Creator: Niel, Kristin
Date: 2011-05-09, 2011-05
Description: As estimated 1,200,000 people in the United States were living with HIV in 2009 (UNAIDS, 2010). African Americans have an incidence rate seven...
Show moreAs estimated 1,200,000 people in the United States were living with HIV in 2009 (UNAIDS, 2010). African Americans have an incidence rate seven times that of Caucasians. Research has shown that HIV-positive people have high levels of psychological distress (Cook et al., 2006); depression is the most frequently diagnosed disorder (Treisman, Angelino, & Hutton, 2001). Distress negatively impacts physical health (Comer, Henker, Kemeny, & Wyatt, 2000; Cruess et al., 2005) and medication adherence (Cook, et al., 2006; Mellins et al., 2002) in HIV-positive patients. Although disclosure of HIV-seropositivity can lead to increased social support (Armistead, Morse, Forehand, Morse, & Clark, 1999), it may also lead to social rejection, prejudice and increased distress (Cederfjall, Langius-Eklof, Lidman, & Wredling, 2001; Kalichman, DiMarco, Austin, Luke, & DiFonzo, 2003). This study examined 110 HIV-positive patients at an urban medical clinic. Patients completed self-report measures as part of a larger study investigating posttraumatic growth in HIV/AIDS. It was hypothesized that (a) more participants would disclose to friends and partners than to family; (b) participants who disclosed to more people would endorse fewer symptoms of distress; and (c) participants who disclosed to fewer people would be less likely to adhere to medical regimens and routinely attend medical appointments, and have poorer health outcomes. Distress was measured by Psychiatric Symptom Index (PSI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Impact of Event Scale (IES). Viral load and CD4 cell counts were found in medical charts, and the AIDS Clinical Trails Group Adherence Follow-up Questionnaire measured adherence. Analyses reveal that 67.3% of participants disclosed to family, 55.5% to at least one partner, and 45.5% to friends. A negative association existed between full disclosure and IES Avoidance scale (r = -.20, p< .05). There were positive associations between disclosure to family and the PSI Depression Scale (r = .22, p < .05), Cognitive Disturbance Scale (r = .21, p < .05), and PSI Total Score (r = .22, p < .05), implying that disclosure to more groups of people may be associated with increases in psychological distress ratings. Implications of these findings are discussed.
M.S. in Psychology, May 2011
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Title: DYNAMIC LIFT FORCE MEASUREMENTS ON A 2-D WING AND COMPARISONS WITH UNSTEADY AERODYNAMIC MODELS
Creator: Buntain, Seth
Date: 2011-11-27, 2011-12
Description: Experiments were conducted to collect dynamic force measurements on a pitching wing using canonical motions. Aerodynamic forces were isolated...
Show moreExperiments were conducted to collect dynamic force measurements on a pitching wing using canonical motions. Aerodynamic forces were isolated from inertia based forces to facilitate Observer Kalman Identification model building. Comparisons with classical unsteady aerodynamic theories show good agreement when their assumptions are maintained, with smokewire visualization to qualitatively explain where experiments deviate from theory. A reduced order model built using OKID was compared to experimental data, and showed better agreement than classical theories. Oscillations in the lift measurements were observed in the OKID model and experimental data, and some potential sources for the oscillations were ruled out.
M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, December 2011
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Title: HIGH ENERGY SODIUM BASED ROOM TEMPERATURE FLOW BATTERIES
Creator: Shamie, Jack
Date: 2015, 2015-12
Description: As novel energy sources such as solar, wind and tidal energies are explored it becomes necessary to build energy storage facilities to load...
Show moreAs novel energy sources such as solar, wind and tidal energies are explored it becomes necessary to build energy storage facilities to load level the intermittent nature of these energy sources. Energy storage is achieved by converting electrical energy into another form of energy. Batteries have many properties that are attractive for energy storage including high energy and power. Among many di erent types of batteries, redox ow batteries (RFBs) o er many advantages. Unlike conventional batteries, RFBs store energy in a liquid medium rather than solid active materials. This method of storage allows for the separation of energy and power unlike conventional batteries. Additionally ow batteries may have long lifetimes because there is no expansion or contraction of electrodes. A major disadvantage of RFBs is its lower energy density when compared to traditional batteries. In this Thesis, a novel hybrid Na-based redox ow battery (HNFB) is explored, which utilizes a room temperature molten sodium based anode, a sodium ion conducting solid electrolyte and liquid catholytes. The sodium electrode leads to high voltages and energy and allows for the possibility of multi-electron transfer per molecule. Vanadium acetylacetonate (acac) and TEMPO have been investigated for their use as catholytes. In the vanadium system, 2 electrons transfers per vanadium atom were found leading to a doubling of capacity. In addition, degradation of the charged state was found to be reversible within the voltage range of the cell. Contamination by water leads to the formation of vanadyl acetylacetonate. Although it is believed that vanadyl complex need to be taken to low voltages to be reduced back to vanadium acac, a new mechanism is shown that begins at higher voltages (2.1V). Vanadyl complexes react with excess ligand and protons to reform the vanadium complex. During this reaction, water is reformed leading to the continuous cycle in which vanadyl is formed and then reduced back to the original state. In the discharged state, it was found that precipitation occurs, but is due to solubility limits and not chemical reactions. The TEMPO system showed the potential of higher concentration catholytes although large capacity losses were found. Although no explanation is found, the behavior of the fade is related to time and concentration.
Ph.D. in Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, December 2015
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Title: EFFECT OF ABUSIVE STORAGE CONDITIONS ON THE SUBSEQUENT INACTIVATION OF SALMONELLA ON THE SURFACES OF BLACK PEPPERCORNS BY ATMOSPHERE PRESSURE PLASMA
Creator: Sun, Shengqian
Date: 2013-04-30, 2013-05
Description: Outbreaks of salmonellosis associated with low moisture foods have raised public concerns. Meanwhile, fulfillment of consumers’ demand for...
Show moreOutbreaks of salmonellosis associated with low moisture foods have raised public concerns. Meanwhile, fulfillment of consumers’ demand for safety and wish quality on the fresh products has increased the interest of the food industry to adopt innovative processes for food decontamination and preservation. The FDA Food Code (2005) requires a 5-log bacterial reduction for a product to be labeled pasteurized. Compared to thermal processing, some emerging technologies rely on physical and chemical processes, such as high hydrostatic pressure, ionizing radiation, ultra-sound, pulsed electric fields, ultraviolet radiation and atmosphere pressure plasma (APP) have potential to decontaminate microorganisms at ambient temperature or sub-lethal temperature. APP of these treatments is one of the more desirable microbial inactivation technologies. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of abusive storage conditions on the subsequent inactivation of Salmonella on the surfaces of black peppercorns by APP. This was achieved by investigating the survival of Salmonella cocktails: Oranienburg, Tennessee, Anatum and Enteritidis under storage condition of 25°C, 33% RH; 25°C, 97% RH; and, 37°C, 33% RH for 10 days and additionally at 25°C, 33% RH for 1 and 30 days. Results showed that Salmonella populations decreased significantly (p<0.05) with respect to the treatment time. Approximately a 4.5 to 5.5 log reduction in population was achieved after 60 to 80 s treatment after storage at abusive condition. This study also determined that rate of destruction did not differ (p>0.05) with respect to the prior storage temperature and RH as well as storage time. The storage condition did not significantly (p>0.05) impacted the microbial inactivation by APP. xi xii Based on the previous work, the equipment was adding moisture to investigate the effect of the destruction of Salmonella cocktails that had been previously stored under the conditions of 25°C, 33% RH by APP with the second gas Air. The results showed that approximately a 2.5 to 3.5 log reduction in population was achieved after 60 to 80 s treatment. The reason might be that the moisture consumed energy to split H2O molecules into H2, O2 & O3 while plasma generated. These findings help advance our understanding of APP has the potential to decontaminate Salmonella on the surfaces of black peppercorns.
M.S. in Food Safety and Technology, May 2013
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