Using Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and Collagen Scaffolds with Sustained Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Release for Post-SCI Nerve Regeneration

Traumatic events resulting in spinal cord injuries (SCIs) often leave people paralyzed or with partial loss of motor function. The physical disabilities arising from traumatic events prevent people from functioning at the same level as pre-injury. My work aims to identify a plausible method to overcome the inhibitory post-SCI environment and to regenerate nervous tissue in order to restore neural function and, subsequently, motor function. I identified components of a new, hypothetical nerve scaffold based on the immune response after SCIs and the efficacy of currently used scaffolds for nerve regeneration. Hyaluronic acid (HA) polymer scaffolds and collagen-based scaffolds are individually effective in counteracting the post-SCI inhibitory environment and inducing neurofilament growth. In addition, sustained release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) into the lesion site has shown to supplement, and even augment, the physical and functional recovery achieved through the HA and collagen-based scaffolds. Thus, I propose the testing of a crosslinked HA and collagen scaffold with sustained BDNF release through BDNF-bound collagen binding domain and BDNF embedded PLGA microspheres as a more viable and effective method for spinal nerve regeneration in order to restore neural and motor function.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1286/thumbnail.jp

Valve degradation detector

To determine corrosive degradation of valve while it is in service, detect changes in surface roughness or presence of corrosive layers at junction of poppet and seat by measuring temperature gradients created across junction by small heat source

Long term Throughput and Approximate Capacity of Transmitter-Receiver Energy Harvesting Channel with Fading

We first consider an energy harvesting channel with fading, where only the transmitter harvests energy from natural sources. We bound the optimal long term throughput by a constant for a class of energy arrival distributions. The proposed method also gives a constant approximation to the capacity of the energy harvesting channel with fading. Next, we consider a more general system where both the transmitter and the receiver employ energy harvesting to power themselves. In this case, we show that finding an approximation to the optimal long term throughput is far more difficult, and identify a special case of unit battery capacity at both the transmitter and the receiver for which we obtain a universal bound on the ratio of the upper and lower bound on the long term throughput.Comment: To appear in ICCS 2014, Macau in Nov. 201

Electrodynamic actuators for rocket engine valves

Actuators, employed in acoustic loudspeakers, operate liquid rocket engine valves by replacing light paper cones with flexible metal diaphragms. Comparative analysis indicates better response time than solenoid actuators, and improved service life and reliability

A secure email login system using virtual password

In today's world password compromise by some adversaries is common for different purpose. In ICC 2008 Lei et al. proposed a new user authentication system based on the virtual password system. In virtual password system they have used linear randomized function to be secure against identity theft attacks, phishing attacks, keylogging attack and shoulder surfing system. In ICC 2010 Li's given a security attack on the Lei's work. This paper gives modification on Lei's work to prevent the Li's attack with reducing the server overhead. This paper also discussed the problems with current password recovery system and gives the better approach