Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

2018 - Groundwater Management In California, Michael Hanemann

Related Research and Documents

In 2014, the California legislature for the first time took some steps to create a framework for regulating groundwater pumping in over-drafted basins by adopting the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), representing California's first statewide groundwater management planning program. SGMA called for local agencies to develop groundwater sustainability plans within the next five to seven years and then achieve sustainable levels of groundwater extraction by approximately 2040 to 2045. California's prior efforts to regulate groundwater extraction is discussed, as well as groundwater depletion.

Chemistry Student Attitudes And Utilization Of Office Hours, Dieng Barbacar, Edgar Gomez, Andre Rodriguez

Publications and Research

While research has demonstrated that faculty-student interactions increase retention and graduation rates, faculty often report that their office hours are underutilized. To better understand students’ attitudes, usage and plans towards faculty hours a survey was administered in the second to third week of the fall 2018 semester to students in 5 sections of general chemistry courses. The goal was to better understand how students perceive the benefits and hindrances of office hours, along with current or planned attendance. Prior to survey administration, it was speculated that not attending office hours could be because they were not scheduled at a convenient …

Computational Techniques For Scattering Amplitudes, Juliano A. Everett

Publications and Research

Scattering amplitudes in quantum field theory can be described as the probability of a scattering process to happen within a high energy particle interaction, as well as a bridge between experimental measurements and the prediction of the theory.

In this research project, we explore the Standard Model of Particle Theory, it’s representation in terms of Feynman diagrams and the algebraic formulas associated with each combination.

Using the FeynArts program as a tool for generating Feynman diagrams, we evaluate the expressions of a set of physical processes, and explain why these techniques become necessary to achieve this goal.

Instances Of Influenza In The United States Visualized, Parth Patel

Publications and Research

The Tycho Project collects large data sets related to healthcare and in particular, instances and geographical information of diseases. We look at the instance counts and locations of Influenza from 1919-1951 across the United States. We hope to find seasonal and geographical insight to the spread of the disease.

Analysis Of Land Surface Temperature Over Urban Landcover Types Using Satellite Remote Sensing And Ground-Based Applications, Makini Valentine, Justine Ginchereau

Publications and Research

Urban areas have discrete differences in their land surface temperatures (LST) compared to rural areas. These regions are covered with impermeable materials with less vegetation and moisture. Consequently, this phenomenon causes major thermal intensities of different land surfaces, negatively impact people and environment. The objective of this project is to examine and to compare land surface temperature obtained from in-situ data and satellite-based observations in order to understand the diurnal variation and heat transfer at each surface type. The study utilizes series of hand held thermal infrared cameras and one Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) infrared camera to find land surface …

Engaging Undergraduate Students In Planetary Science Research For Parabolic Flights, Gillian Gomer, Adrienne Dove, Seamus Anderson, Jeffery Jorges, Alexandra Yates

Gillian Gomer

Elevated Calcium Levels In Kentucky Lake: A Possible Emerging Problem With An Invasive Species, Adam T. Martin

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are an exotic and invasive mollusk that have spread extensively through various rivers and lakes in the United States. These mussels are notorious for their “biofouling” capabilities costing billions of dollars in their removal from industrial, public, and power plant water supply lines. While having been present in the Tennessee River drainage with occasional small reproducing populations since the early 1990s, zebra mussels were never abundant or widespread. In 2017, high densities were found on structures and solid substrates throughout the lower portion of Kentucky Lake. Calcium is one of the essential elements that contributes …

Consumption Profiles Of Illicit And Neuropsychiatric Drugs In Urban And Rural Communities In Kentucky Using Sewage Epidemiology, Tara Croft, Katelyn Foppe, Rhiannon Huffines, Bikram Subedi

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The drug overdose deaths in the USA increased by ~20% from 2015 to 2016 to the total >63,600 drug overdose deaths in 2016. Kentucky is among the highest rate of drug overdose death states in the USA. The current estimates of the prevalence of substance abuse are based on the self-reported surveys, overdose/toxicological reports, and drug-related crime statistics. Survey-based conventional approaches are not only cost and time-intensive but also underestimate the actual consumption of drugs. As “wastewater never lie,” the drug residues in raw wastewater collected from the centralized wastewater treatment plants were utilized to determine the consumption rate of …

Catalytic Deoxygenation Of Model And Realistic Feeds To Fuel-Like Hydrocarbons Over Supported Nickel-Copper Catalysts, Deyshon Ward, Kazi Javed

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The goal was to make a renewable fuel by using catalysts to remove oxygen molecules from fats. This is a current issue that society faces today because nonrenewable fossil fuels hurt the environment more than they help it. There are two components that make up a heterogeneous catalyst, a support and a reduced metal active phase. The active metal phases Nickel, Palladium, Platinum have been studied in the past on an alumina and carbon supports. We were investigating other supports using Nickel as the active phase component to determine the effect the support has on the catalyst removing oxygen of …

An In Vitro Study On Skin Protection Across The Uv Spectra, Cheyenne Boone

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Skin cancer is the number one cancer in the United States. Lack of awareness of how harmful UV radiation is could be the cause of the over two million cases reported since 2012. It appears that there is not a lot information on the active ingredients used in sunscreens. Some of the compounds have been linked to birth defects, hormone disruptions, and the bleaching of coral reefs. Samples of commonly used sunscreens (both sprays and creams), cosmetic foundation, essential oils, lotions, and three pure organic actives were tested at specific concentrations and ran through a UV spectrometer. The results have …

Expected And Achievable Accuracy In Estimating Parameters Of Standing Accretion Shock Instability (Sasi) Fluctuations From Neutrinos And Gravitational Wave Oscillations, Colter Richardson, Jonathan Westhouse

Undergraduate Research Symposium - Prescott

Core collapse supernovae are one of the most interesting sources of gravitational waves. When the progenitor star is particularly massive, hydrodynamic instability called standing accretion shock instability can develop and it is characterized by deterministic oscillations in the gravitational wave signal as well as in the neutrino luminosity with frequencies of 100hz. In this talk we will review current efforts to extract physical information from the SASI components of the gravitational wave and enhance the detectability of gravitational waves with such components both using laser interferometers and neutrino detectors.

Research In Optics For Gravitational Wave Detection, Britney Biltz, Noura Ibrahim, Brennan Moore

Undergraduate Research Symposium - Prescott

B.Biltz uses a horizontal “Zollner style” pendulum to monitor changes in the local gravitational field. The pendulum is attracted to the moon and the Sun and so, as the Earth turns, the pendulum’s equilibrium point shifts within a 24-hour period. This is an experiment designed to test the limits of such a pendulum. This sort of system may be useful as a method of monitoring and correcting for gravity gradient noise in future gravitational wave detectors.

N.Ibrahim characterizes thermo-optic noise in high-performance mirror coatings of the type used in Advanced LIGO. To characterize thermo-optic noise, she measures the change in …

Applications Of Diels-Alder Chemistry In Polymer Synthesis, Joshua C. Stambaugh, Philip J. Costanzo, Sierra E. Gosting

STAR Program Research Presentations

Diels-Alder chemistry is utilized for a myriad of commercial applications during polymer synthesis, ranging from self-healing materials to heat responsive materials to emulsion coatings. In particular, the ability to regulate and control the amount and type of functional group linkages is key component for polymer applications. A common strategy that is employed is the use of phenolic maleimide as a dienophile during Diels-Alder synthesis to control the linkages on a polymer, which determines its properties and functionality. This summer was the beginning of a project to prepare a commercial scale, water-based emulsion floor coating/polish. The first step in this project …

Percent On & Off, Johannes Familton

Open Educational Resources

This PowerPoint was made for a Quantitative Reasoning, Liberal arts math course. This is an example of what one can do using only OER resources. This PowerPoint with the use of animation, animated gifs and a nice background keeps students engaged in the lesson. The contents of this lesson is taken from Math in Society, by David Lippman, Pierce College Ft Steilacoom. The text is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License. PPT Background: http://www.MyFreePPT.com Animated gifs: http://www.zingerbug.com

Using Experiential Learning In Course Curriculum: The Case Of A Core Engineering Graphics Course, Martha Marie Snyder, Manuel Salinas, Molly J. Scanlon

CCE Faculty Proceedings, Presentations, Speeches and Lectures

This work-in-progress paper overviews how an experiential education program was established at a private, non-profit university in the southeast, describes the process for certifying experiential courses using a formal course review process and qualification rubric, and details the case of a freshman engineering graphics course.

Grounded in the early works of Dewey, Lewin, and Piaget, experiential learning theory has become increasingly popular in higher education. Experiential learning serves as a foundation for lifelong learning and the development of the whole self as a citizen, family member and human being (Kolb, 2015). Austin and Rust (2015) define experiential learning as “‘hands-on’ …

International Energy Geopolitics, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

Overview of international energy geopolitical trends. Emphasizes the importance of the Persian Gulf, South China Sea, East China Sea, Russia, and the Arctic to U.S. and international economic and strategic developments. Stresses the continuing importance of fossil fuels in domestic and international energy consumption, the variety of energy sources being used by various global regions, the potential for military conflict over access to natural resources, and how emerging energy leaders will determine global energy, environmental, and international security developments.

New Reactions Of Strained Allyl Silacycles, Elizabeth Cummins

Graduate Student Symposium

Ring-strained allylsilanes exhibit both electrophilic and nucleophilic characteristics, allowing for simultaneous activation and allylation of carbonyl compounds. Results are presented describing an optimized synthesis of certain allylsilacyclobutanes and their use in several selective carbon-carbon bond forming reactions.

Comparative Study Of Qubits, Juliano A. Everett, Mubinjon Satymov, Zechariah Ilmot

Publications and Research

In quantum computing, a quantum bit ("qubit") is a unit of quantum information. A qubit is a two-level quantum system. The developing of qubits with optimal properties, related to quantum entanglement and possibilities of control the states of qubits, is very important for quantum computing applications. We analyzed various types of qubits. There are at least five major quantum computing approaches being explored worldwide: silicon spin qubits, ion traps, superconducting loops, diamond vacancies and topological qubits. We compared the advantages and disadvantages in the properties of all these qubits for applications for quantum computing. We analyzed possible strategies to improve …

Forecasting Smart Meter Energy Usage Using Distributed Systems And Machine Learning, Feiran Ji, Chris Dong, Lingzhi Du, Zizhen Song, Yuedi Zheng, Paul Intrevado

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

In this research, we explore the technical and computational merits of a machine learning algorithm on a large data set, employing distributed systems. Using 167 million(10 GB) energy consumption observations collected by smart meters from residential consumers in London, England, we predict future residential energy consumption using a Random Forest machine learning algorithm. Distributed systems such as AWS S3 and EMR, MongoDB and Apache Spark are used. Computational times and predictive accuracy are evaluated. We conclude that there are significant computational advantages to using distributed systems when applying machine learning algorithms on large-scale data. We also observe that distributed systems …

An Optimization Approach To Automate The Generation Of Radiotherapy Treatment Plans, Qian Li

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

The main goal of radiotherapy is to deliver a specified dose of radiation directly to the tumor while minimizing radiation damage to healthy tissues. Currently, the treatment plan is being developed by professional planners using a commercial treatment planning system. In this treatment planning system, the planner modifies the objectives and weights of the objectives until an ideal combination of doses is achieved. This arbitrary process can cost a few hours or a day to finish. My research aims to automate the generation of the plans by implementing an optimization algorithm on top of the treatment planning system using gradient …

Improving Habitat Restoration For Native Pollinators In San Francisco, Tyrha Delger

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

By looking at how these three species are conserved inside and outside of San Francisco, how an urban environment might affect habitat conservation, and lessons learned from other cities’ restoration projects, we can improve urban habitat conservation projects.

Plant Biodiversity In The Face Of Climate Change: What Will Become Of Coastal Endemic Species?, Nila Le

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

How will longitudinally constrained coastal flora fare in the face of rapid anthropogenic climate change and disturbance? Coastal communities pose a unique problem for climate change and its associated risks. Species that are concentrated along the coast are naturally vulnerable to the influence of harsh abiotic ecology, such as coastal erosion and high salt concentrations. In addition, analogous to montane species-habitat interactions, coastal communities may be “pushed” off the coast edge as a result of tracking preferred climate in the face of climate variability and sea level rise. This can be problematic for species that cannot disperse quickly enough to …

Ctle - Meteorological Sensors Incorporated Into A Uas For Pedagogical Purposes, David Ehrensperger, James Curtis, Dorothea Ivanova, Mark Sinclair, Jacqueline R. Luedtke, Tim Holt, Jennah Perry, Johnny L. Young, Nicholas E. Harris

David Ehrensperger

Can Prescribed Fire Reduce Tick Parasitism Of Birds?, Leslie A. Sterling, Kim Medley, Katie Westby, Solný Adalsteinsson

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Tick-borne diseases spread through enzootic transmission cycles that often involve ticks parasitizing bird hosts. Some avian species are competent reservoirs, amplifying the pathogens that cause tick-borne illnesses in humans. Prescribed burns in forests have the potential to reduce tick-borne disease risk if they limit interactions between ticks and infectious wildlife hosts. Although prescribed burns are increasingly being used for a variety of habitat management purposes, little is known about how they affect tick-host interactions. We hypothesize that if prescribed fires reduce tick abundance, then birds in burned forest plots will host fewer ticks than birds in unburned forest plots. Experimental …

A Socioeconomic Valuation Of Urban Wetland Ecosystems And Policy Recommendation For College Lake, Michael Dunmyer

Student Scholar Showcase

The current dilemma of College Lake offers a unique case study for how urban ecosystems can not only subsist within cities but provide pivotal functions for them as well. With the potential for a dam-breaching storm event increasing in possibility with each passing year, concerns regarding the structural integrity of the College Lake dam in Lynchburg, VA have arisen. Such concerns have led the City of Lynchburg to consider reinforcement or removal of the dam in order to mitigate flood risks along the Blackwater Creek floodplain. Since its formation following the installation of the Depression-era dam, however, College Lake has …

Creating A Predictive Model For Flowering Of Virginia Orchid, Cypripedium Pubescens, Emily Horton

Student Scholar Showcase

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Magnetic Thin Films Using The Magneto Optic Kerr Effect, Nicholas J. Savino

Student Scholar Showcase

Understanding magnetic properties of materials allows for advances in applications such as data storage. The Magneto-Optic Kerr Effect (MOKE) displays the reflective response a magnetic material has to a magnetic field. When polarized light reflects off of a magnetic material, the polarization orientation can change. The application of an external magnetic field can affect how much this polarization changes in a non-linear manner. Hysteresis loops are created when examining the relationship between intensity of the reflected light to the applied magnetic field provide information about magnetic properties of that material, such as the coercive field and field retention. Preliminary measurements …

Eating Crickets? Nutrient Mineral Content Of Two Cricket Species And Chapul Cricket Protein Bars Using Mp-Aes, Nathan Hopkins

Student Scholar Showcase

Global agriculture is beset by numerous challenges which must be surmounted to feed a developing world, from combating climate change to the cultivation of sustainable food products. This, in addition to protein and nutrient deficiencies in the developing world, makes considering alternative protein sources, such as a crickets, an attractive option. Crickets use a fraction of the land and water that protein sources like beef cattle do, and can be cultivated in urban environments in stacked boxes. This research investigation aims to quantify the nutrient mineral content (Iron, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium) of two cricket species (Acheta domesticus …

Elemental Analysis Of Beer Manufactured In Virginia Satellite Breweries, Jennifer Wiliams

Student Scholar Showcase

Financial incentives from the state and wider distribution potential have lured many west coast brewers to open satellite breweries in Virginia. Quality control is crucial for any brewery and especially important in satellite breweries that need to imitate the standard set by the parent brewery. Zinc, magnesium, iron, sodium manganese, and calcium are trace elements found in wort and are essential for enzymes that catalyze fermentation reactions. These elements protect against cell stress, play a crucial role in flocculation, and can affect the flavoring and coloration of beer. Barley, water, and hops are the sources of these elements in beer. …

Topical Analysis Of The Enron Emails Using Graph Theory, Casey Kalinowski

Student Scholar Showcase

The Enron Scandal of the early 2000s shook the financial world. The subsequent investigation of the Enron Corporation resulted in the arrests of many top-level executives, but are these employees the only ones responsible for the wide scale fraud in the company? A topical analysis of a social network of over 150 employees of the Enron Corporation using Graph Theory could result in new findings or prove that the investigators were correct in their original findings. The research is a retrospective analysis of a corpus of over 500,000 emails from more than 150 employees and top-level executives of the Enron …