Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE), Wright State University, 2023, Electrical Engineering

Stochastic resonance (SR) is a phenomenon that can enhance the detection or transmission of weak signals by adding random noise to a non-linear system. SR introduced into the human motor control system as a subthreshold mechanical vibration has shown promise to improve sensitivity to haptic feedback. SR can be valuable in a laparoscopic surgery application, where haptic feedback is critical. This research sought to find if applying SR to the human motor control system improves performance in a laparoscopic probing task, if the performance differs based on the location of stochastic resonance application, and if there are sustained effects from SR after its removal. Subjects were asked to perform a palpation task using a laparoscopic probe to determine whether a series of simulated tissue samples contained a tumor. Subjects in the treatment groups were presented with a series of samples under the following conditions: Pre-SR, SR applied to the forearm or elbow, and Post-SR. Subjects in the control group did not have SR applied at any point. Performance was measured through the accuracy of tissue assessment, subjects' confidence in their assessment, and assessment time. Data from 27 subjects were analyzed to investigate the application of stochastic resonance and its sustained effects to improve haptic feedback sensitivity in a simulated laparoscopic task. The forearm group was shown to have significant improvement in the accuracy of tissue identification and sensitivity to haptic feedback with the application of SR. Additionally, the forearm group showed a greater improvement in accuracy and sensitivity than the elbow group. Finally, after SR was removed, the forearm group showed sustained significant improvement in accuracy and sensitivity. Therefore, the experiment results supported the hypotheses that stochastic resonance improves subjects' performance and haptic perception, that performance improvement differs based on application location, and that subjec (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Luther Palmer III, Ph.D. (Advisor); Caroline Cao Ph.D. (Committee Member); Katherine Lin M.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Biomedical Engineering; Biomedical Research; Engineering; Health; Health Care; Mechanical Engineering; Surgery

Master of Arts (MA), Ohio University, 2008, Individual Interdisciplinary Program (Fine Arts)

My thesis is a series of eight projects that demonstrate many of the skills I have developed and refined during the course of my graduate studies. This document is a supplement to the eight projects. These projects range from composing a musical score to producing an entire video, including production, motion graphic design, scoring, editing, and DVD authoring.

Committee: Mark W. Phillips (Advisor); Mark Phillips Dr. (Committee Chair); John Butler (Committee Member); Beth Novak (Committee Member) Subjects: Composition; Motion Pictures; Music