Digital Commons Network^™

Gamma-Ray Metallic Magnetic Calorimeters With Nbta Passive Persistent Switches And Electroformed Au Absorbers, Ruslan Hummatov

Physics & Astronomy ETDs

Metallic Magnetic Calorimeters (MMCs) are low temperature particle detectors which can be used for a wide range of applications including high-resolution γ -ray spectroscopy. High energy resolution in γ -ray spectroscopy is desired for Non Destructive Assay (NDA) of nuclear material and improved measurements of nuclear data. Our group has been developing γ -ray MMCs that should ultimately provide energy resolution more than an order of magnitude better than the benchmark detector technology, high purity germanium detectors (HPGe). Two components of these MMCs have been developed as a part of this dissertation: an on-chip passive superconducting persistent current switch and …

Weighted Inequalities For Dyadic Operators Over Spaces Of Homogeneous Type, David Edward Weirich

Mathematics & Statistics ETDs

A so-called space of homogeneous type is a set equipped with a quasi-metric and a doubling measure. We give a survey of results spanning the last few decades concerning the geometric properties of such spaces, culminating in the description of a system of dyadic cubes in this setting whose properties mirror the more familiar dyadic lattices in R^n . We then use these cubes to prove a result pertaining to weighted inequality theory over such spaces. We develop a general method for extending Bellman function type arguments from the real line to spaces of homogeneous type. Finally, we uses this …

Algorithm For Computational Imaging On A Real-Time Hardware, Manish Bhattarai

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

DRAMATIC advances in the field of computational and medical imaging over the past decades have enabled many critical applications such as night vision, medical diagnosis, quality control, and remote sensing. The increasing demand for image quality and its fidelity requires an increase in pixel count and a sophisticated post-processing mechanism to efficiently store, transmit, and analyze this massive data. There is an inherent trade-off between the generation of big data by such imaging systems and efficiency in extraction of useful information within real-time constraints, limiting the efficacy of such sensors in real-time decision-making systems. The traditional imaging system gets burdened …

Assessment Of Vegetation Response To Wildfire At Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico: Case Study Of The Las Conchas Fire, Gladys Valentin-Gonzalez

Geography ETDs

In the past couple of decades, there has been an increase in the occurrence of wildfire events in the United States. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that over 73,000 wildfires on average occur annually in the U.S., burning about 7.3 million acres of land. Bandelier National Monument, in northern New Mexico, has been affected by several wildfires in the past 40 years, one of the most recent being the Las Conchas Fire in 2011, which burned over 60,700 hectaresin Bandelier National Monument and Valles Caldera National Preserve. This research explores a remote-sensing based assessment of vegetation response to and recovery …

Ros-Enabled Framework For A Miniature Hexapod As A Mobile Robot Research Platform, Joseph Michael Kloeppel

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate and develop a framework for connected six-legged robots which can be used as a Robotic Operating System (ROS) based research platform. The research presented aims to purvey the necessary engineering and scientific steps needed to evolve a consumer-grade connected toy into a fully functioning and highly capable robotic system. Such a platform can be used to simulate and implement novel biologically inspired swarm research. Crawling robots have the advantage of being able to scale terrains which wheeled mobile robots may not and possess many interesting characteristics. The miniROaCH, miniature ROS-enabled and Crawling …

“It Is Non-Summit” And “It Is Abnormal” Unpacking Whiteness: Critiquing Racialized And Gendered Representations In Non-Summit (Bijeongsanghoedam)., Seonah Kim

Communication ETDs

In this thesis, I focus on a Korean entertainment show Non-Summit as a media text through which to investigate racialized and gendered representations of transnational identities in Korean media. Specifically, I examine discursive strategies through which foreign male characters are racialized and gendered in order to interrogate the hegemonic masculinity of White, Western, and heterosexual identities. On the basis of a critical textual analysis of Non-Summit, I discuss Non-Summit reproduces and distributes representations of White, Western, and heterosexual masculinity as dominant foreign identities. Furthermore, I examine the ideological implications of such discourse on the hegemonic foreign identities given the …

Displacement Measurement Using A Laser Doppler Vibrometer Mounted On An Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Piyush Garg

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The railroad network in the united states is one of the best in the world, handling around 40 percent of all US freight movement. To maintain the serviceability and cost-effective operation of the railway infrastructure, regular monitoring is essential. Bridges are a critical part of the railway infrastructure and their timely maintenance and repair are important. Measuring transverse bridge displacement under train loading can assist to determine the bridge condition. The traditional methods available for transverse displacement measurement include Linear Variable Differential Transducers (LVDT). However, irregular terrain, remote and inaccessible locations, and the height of railroad bridges make implementation of …

Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors: Evaluation Of Geometry, Attachment Surface Material And Biofilm Populations On The Uptake Of Ammonia And Synthetic Organic Contaminants In Wastewater., Patrick D. Mclee

Civil Engineering ETDs

Plastic biofilm carriers are used in biological wastewater treatment to encourage the attachment and retention of microorganisms that metabolize pollutants. The following research was conducted to better understand how different characteristics of the biofilm carrier affect the treatment performance of the attached biofilms in moving bed bioreactors. Lab scale reactors were used in this study to grow nitrifying biofilms in reactors with contrasting and controlled conditions. The effect of surface geometry on nitrification performance was evaluated by testing commercially available moving bed bioreactor media that contrast in physical design, and by varying operational parameters. Additionally, mature biofilm from a similar …

Quantifying The Effect Of Construction Site Factors On Concrete Quality, Costs And Production Rates, Jorge L. Santamaria

Civil Engineering ETDs

Factors affecting concrete can be categorized as structured factors or unstructured factors. The first group of factors consists of those related to the production process of concrete including water-cement ratio, properties of raw materials and mix proportions. Unstructured factors or construction site factors are related to labor skills and local conditions during the construction process of a project. Concrete compressive strength as a quality metric, costs and production rates may be affected significantly by such factors while performing concrete operations at the jobsite. Several prior studies have investigated the effect of structured factors on concrete. However literature is limited regarding …

Effective Training Modalities To Teach The Use Of Naloxone Nasal Spray, Dominick V. Zurlo

Individual, Family, and Community Education ETDs

This paper examines the use of four different modalities to teach the correct assembly and administration method to use a naloxone nasal device. Naloxone is a medication which can reverse an opioid overdose when administered correctly. This specific device has been used for over a decade, and has been instrumental in opioid prevention educational programs to bystanders and individuals who use substances (NMDOH, 2017). Prior research studies utilizing naloxone nasal devices, have included outcome data collected from programs which train individuals who use opioids, and distribute the naloxone nasal device (Kerr, 2008). Others have included examination of curriculum content with …

Organizational Leading In The Policing Power - Public Trust Relationship: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Case Study, Mark R. Weaver

Organization, Information and Learning Sciences ETDs

ABSTRACT

This mixed methods study employed an instrumental single-bounded case approach to explore how a policing executive develops and sustains an ethically performing organization, given the phenomenological "policing power - public trust" relationship. Policing is foundational to rule of law and ethical performance in policing is fundamental to developing and sustaining a healthy policing power - public trust relationship. A review of relevant policing literature reveals a history of tension and conflict in this complex relationship. The literature review included relevant social contract theory, history of policing and the policing power-public trust relationship, relational leadership, servant leadership, …

Sexual Health Education In New Mexico Public Secondary Schools, Elizabeth Dickson

Nursing ETDs

Previous research has shown that comprehensive sexual health education (SHE) can significantly reduce risky sexual behavior and can increase protective behavior in adolescents. While an important component for all adolescents, this is particularly important for adolescents at high risk for adverse health outcomes, such as unplanned adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The aims of this descriptive study were to explore the content and delivery of SHE in New Mexico and to describe influences on decisions pertaining to implementation of state SHE policy. The social ecological model (SEM) was used as a theoretical framework to better understand levels of influence …

Anglo And Hispanic Vowel Variation In New Mexican English, Susan Brumbaugh

Linguistics ETDs

This study examines vowel formant differences between English speakers in New Mexico that self-identify as Anglo versus those that self-identify as Hispanic. Audio recordings were made of 16 New Mexicans reading short stories and carrier phases with embedded target words. F1 and F2 measurements were compared at the 50% point for monophthongs and at the 20% and 80% points for diphthongs. Mixed effects models assessed statistical significance of ethnicity, gender, and interactional effects on vowel formants and trajectory length.

All speakers showed a near-complete overlap of BOT and BOUGHT tokens, supporting a merger. Hispanic men and women patterned together to …

Bolivian Leader Evo Morales Cleared To Run Again In 2019, Andrã©S Gaudã­N

NotiSur

No abstract provided.

Next Generation Sequencing Technologies For Real-Time Genotyping And Targeted Sequencing For Precision Medicine, Priyanka Rawat

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Astounding success of Human genome project and accelerating success of sequencing technologies have enabled $ 1000 genome goals possible. But, this is still far-fetched from the reach of many resource refrained populations with high genetic variations causing lethal genetic diseases. Based on present technology principles, I have developed prototypes for affordable, scalable and customizable point-of-care genotyping and targeted sequencing. Ion-sensitive field effect transistors with novel read-out and signal amplification techniques are used for laying foundation of possible ISFET based allele-arrays. Sequencing-by-synthesis based full-fledge sequencer is made with novel immobilization, flow-cell and data acquisition methods for massive sequenciing.

The Processing And Polarization Reversal Dynamics Of Thin Film Poly(Vinylidene) Fluoride, Noel Mayur Dawson

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

Many ferroelectric devices benefit from the ability to deposit thin ferroelectric layers. Poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF) is the prototypical ferroelectric polymer, but processing of thin film ferroelectric PVDF remains a challenge due to the formation of large voids in the film during traditional thin film processing. The research described in this dissertation starts by investigating the origin of these voids. The cause of these voids is found to be caused by vapor induced phase separation (VIPS). Guided by the thermodynamics of VIPS, a process is then designed to produce void-free ferroelectric PVDF thin films on polar and non-polar substrates. The films …

Understanding Behavioral Health And Treatment Engagement With Former Users Of Prenatal Substances: A Strengths-Focused Mixed Methods Inquiry, Jennifer G. Benson, Peggy Maclean, Andrew Hsi, Sarah J. Erickson

Psychology ETDs

Accessible services for users of prenatal substances are lacking, and treatment engagement is poor with services that are available. Furthermore, legal consequences are often punitive, which ultimately damages the well-being of mother and child. Milagro and FOCUS are two New Mexico programs that provide comprehensive, coordinated care, including medication-assisted treatment, to former users of prenatal substances during pregnancy (in the Milagro Program) and for three years post-birth (in the FOCUS Program). This mixed methods study explored the lived experiences of women from this complex, high-risk population, using a high-engagement sample of women who utilized services at both Milagro and FOCUS. …

Development Of Design Equations For Drilled Shafts In Granular Dense Soils Using Dem Simulations, Sadia Faiza

Civil Engineering ETDs

Drilled shafts have proven to be cost-effective, excellent performing, deep foundation systems where large loads and lateral resistance are major factors. The available design methods that are recommended by FHWA (2010) for drilled shafts are mostly empirical and are developed based on generalized data which sometimes can be conservative for a particular soil. The main objective of this study is to develop a design methodology for estimating the side resistance of an axially loaded drilled shaft based on the current and the unique properties of the soil. The objective was met through using the discrete element method (DEM) to investigate …

Characterization And Modeling Of Asphalt Concrete For Dynamic Properties And Performances, A S M A. Rahman

Civil Engineering ETDs

The recently developed mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG, also known as Pavement M-E design method) uses the nationally calibrated, binder viscosity-based dynamic modulus predictive model for the design and analysis of asphalt pavements. In this study, this model is assessed for its appropriateness for asphalt-aggregate mixtures typically used in New Mexico. In essence, this study investigates the predictability issue of complex modulus of New Mexico mixes. A total of 54 Superpave mixes with different aggregate gradations, air voids, and binder grades were collected from the mixing plants and from the pavement construction sites. The loose asphalt mixtures were then compacted, …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Spectroscopy Of Donor-Acceptor Charge Transfer Complexes, Dominic K. Kersi

Chemistry and Chemical Biology ETDs

A series of square-planar metal (diimine)(dichalcogenolene) chromophoric complexes have been synthesized, characterized and studied spectroscopically. Studies conducted on diimineplatinum(II) dichalcogenolene complexes (LPtL’) using time resolved spectroscopic techniques such as transient absorption and emission, reveal a charge-separated excited state of the type dichalcogenolene → diimine charge-transfer (LL’CT) [(dichalcogenolene^•+)Pt(diimine^•-) with an open shell donor-acceptor biradical character. Long-live excited state lifetimes were observed for these complexes upon visible photoexcitation of the LL’CT or MMLL’CT band. A direct linear relationship is observed to exist between photoluminescence rates, calculated SOC matrix elements, and ¹³C-NMR chemical shifts.

A series of …

The Indigenous Sovereign Body: Gender, Sexuality And Performance., Michelle S. Mcgeough, Michelle Susan Mcgeough

Art & Art History ETDs

Gender variance and artist production are not topics that are often discussed within the discipline of art history. In fact gender variance and in particular its relationship to sexual orientation was not a topic studied, much less discussed outside of the medical community until the mid-twentieth century. It was generally thought that sexuality and gender were “biologically determined” and deviation from the heterosexual norm was considered pathological. In contrast, Indigenous nations in Canada and the United States had a very different understanding regarding the relationship between gender, biology, and sexual object of choice. One area that provides us with a …

Is There A Right To Life For The Colorado River?, Reed D. Benson

Faculty Scholarship

A recent lawsuit, declaring the Colorado River has legal rights of its own, received national attention in the New York Times and High Country News. While the lawsuit had no chance of success, it highlighted important issues.

Paraguay’S 2018 Presidential Race Encumbered By Shady Deal-Making, Andrã©S Gaudã­N

NotiSur

No abstract provided.

Co-Simulation Framework For Power Distribution System Analysis With Humans In The Loop, Victor H. Ayon

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Recent developments in the area of power generation have led to an increased penetration of storage and distributed energy resources (DER) in power distribution systems. As a result, new and enhanced energy management systems will be necessary as the deployment of DERs, as well as the need to control loads, continues to increase in the coming years. Advanced management systems are especially important to achieve resilient power delivery during emergency situations. During a blackout for example, a section of a distribution feeder could island to operate as a microgrid to ensure critical services such as water, food, and medical care …

Development Of A Curriculum Analysis And Simulation Library With Applications In Curricular Analytics, Michael S. Hickman

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Higher education institutions are currently investing significant resources in attempts to improve student success by improving instruction quality, implementing tutoring programs, and providing other services to help students. While these are all worth- while, one area that tends to be overlooked is the structure of the curricula that are offered. When viewing curricula as data, or more specifically, a graph, it is intuitive to see how its structure can influence a student’s ability to move through it. How- ever, there are currently no tools to analyze a curriculum’s structural properties and how they might affect student success. This thesis describes …

Violence Against Women On The Rise In The Dominican Republic, Crosby Girã³N

NotiCen

No abstract provided.

Costa Ricans’ Favorite Presidential Candidate: Undecided, George Rodrã­Guez

NotiCen

No abstract provided.

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: Impact On Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Responses And Vascular Function, Kayla R. Zehr

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading global cause of death, and cigarette smoking (CS) is a major risk factor for CVD. Although there are smoking cessation programs that include a combination of pharmacological and behavior treatments, failure to curb behavioral habits and pharmacological addiction leads to low cessation success rates. Thus, developing a treatment to decrease CVD risk is critical. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) decrease oxidative stress and have been shown to restore endothelial function, an indicator of CV health, in cigarette smokers. Metabolites of n-3 PUFAs have been shown to have CV-protective effects, but the mechanism by …

The Influence Of Personal Threat, Personal Loss, Age, Practice Characteristics, And Death Education On Counselors' Death Anxiety And Death Acceptance, Michael Morad-Mccoy

Individual, Family, and Community Education ETDs

A sample of 234 professional counselors were surveyed to investigate factors that affect professional counselors’ levels of death anxiety and death acceptance were investigated. Factors included personal experiences of mortality (personal threat), experiences of bereavement (grief), hours working with clients presenting death, dying, and bereavement (DDB) issues (client hours), numbers of clients who have died (client death), age, and hours of formal death education (death education). The measures of death anxiety and death acceptance were participants’ scores on the Death Attitudes Profile—Revised.

Analysis of the results found a significant negative relationship between client hours and death anxiety measures and a …

Race, Socioeconomics, Intelligence, And Criminal Offending: Accounting For Variation In Criminal Justice Outcomes, Elise Marie Ferguson

Sociology ETDs

Racial disparities in arrests and incarceration are well documented and typically considered the result of differences in rates of offending. However, research indicates variation in rates of arrest and incarceration by race is not due entirely to differences in offending. While criminal offending can result in part from differences in economic and social factors, these factors also influence criminal justice outcomes. The focal concerns perspective posits that criminal justice actors develop a schema – a pattern of thought or behavior – which can influence decision making and lead to differential treatment by race in criminal justice outcomes. This schema can …