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Effect Of Seasonal Variability In Methane Emissions And Iron Redox Chemistry At Terrestrial-Aquatic Interfaces, Hermes C. Ruiz

Master's Theses

Methane (CH₄) emissions at terrestrial–aquatic interfaces (TAIs) are significant contributors to the global carbon budget, yet the mechanisms driving methanogenesis remain poorly understood. Limited data exist on how seasonal variations and redox processes influence CH₄ fluxes in these dynamic ecosystems. This study addressed two questions: (1) How are CH₄ fluxes in riverine floodplains and adjacent hillslopes impacted by seasonal variations? (2) What roles do metal redox processes (e.g., iron (Fe)) play in regulating methanogenesis?

In-situ CH₄ flux and solid-phase Fe speciation were quantified in East River, CO, under flooded and drained conditions. Groundwater chemistry, gas flux, and soil physical properties …

Sugar: A Sequence Unfolding Based Transformer Model For Group Activity Recognition, Yash U. Gondkar

Graduate Masters Theses

Large Language Models have improved significantly in the past couple of years due to the adoption of transformers. However, transformers still find it challenging to process videos due to limited context size caused by their quadratic computing cost. Therefore, we studied a booming field in machine learning which powers applications like social scene analysis and video surveillance systems called Group Activity Recognition (GAR). We found that recent models were able to achieve more than 90% accuracy on popular datasets like the Volleyball dataset, however, it turned out that even they relied on transformers.

Therefore, in this work, we developed a …

Design And Development Of A Standalone Digital Holographic Microscope Employing Phase-Driven Reconstruction And Classification For Biomedical Imaging And Optical Diagnostics, Charlotte Kyeremah

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Access to advanced biomedical imaging technologies remains a significant challenge in resource-limited settings, especially for early disease detection and monitoring of diseases such as malaria, HIV, and other blood-borne diseases. Although point-of-care (POC) devices have gained popularity in global health, many rely on antibody-based tests, lateral flow strips, or optical readouts that often lack quantitative capabilities, sensitivity to early infections, or versatility in different diagnostic targets. In addition, these systems are typically dependent on disposable reagents or manual interpretation, which limits their effectiveness in remote areas. Digital Holographic Microscopy (DHM) presents a promising alternative as a label-free imaging method capable …

Compound-Specific Isotope Records Of Dust Provenance And Hydroclimate In The North Pacific And Marginal Seas Of East Asia: Integrating N-Alkane Δ13c And Δd With Standardized Analytical Frameworks, Julian W. Traphagan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation presents advancements in compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) through methodological innovation and paleoclimate reconstruction in Central and East Asia. Utilizing plant wax n-alkanes from International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) and Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) sediment cores, this research reconstructs atmospheric circulation shifts responding to tectonic evolution and climate transitions since the Late Miocene.

Chapter 1 investigates hydrogen isotope compositions (δD_wax) from IODP U1430 (Sea of Japan), ODP 886, and ODP 1208 (North Pacific) to trace dust provenance and hydroclimate changes since ~13 Ma. Results reveal persistently segmented source-to-sink systems: the Sea of Japan dominated by westerly …

Characterizing Fish Communities Using Traditional And Emerging Monitoring Approaches In San Diego County Estuaries, Natalie Katherine De Wet

Theses

Fish communities are essential to estuarine health, playing key roles in food webs, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem functioning. However, the persistence of native fish populations is increasingly threatened by the cumulative impacts of coastal development, pollution, and climate change. Rapid, effective monitoring of species distributions is a priority, enabling timely conservation and management. However, the study of any ecosystem is limited by time, resources, and the consideration that research of a system can damage the ecosystem under study.

This research aimed to characterize fish species richness and evaluate the benefits and limitations of different estuary monitoring approaches. Specifically, this study …

Can Artificial Intelligence Models Provide Reliable Medical Counselling To Fertility Patients?, Idan Alcalay, Ariel Weissman, Hadas Ganer Herman, Avi Tsafrir, Matan Friedman, Eran Weiner, Raoul Orvieto, Nikolaos P. Polyzos, Michael H. Dahan, Alex Polyakov, Robert Fischer, Sandro C. Esteves, Baris Ata, Jason M. Franasiak, Yossi Mizrachi

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

RESEARCH QUESTION: Can generative artificial intelligence (AI) models provide reliable counselling to fertility patients regarding real-world clinical questions?

DESIGN: In this cross-sectional study, 12 clinical questions were developed to reflect common, real-life dilemmas encountered during fertility workup and treatment. Responses to each question were generated by two experienced fertility specialists, and two AI models - ChatGPT and Gemini. Eight leading internationally recognized fertility experts, blinded to the source of each reply, independently rated all the responses on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree). Ratings were compared across all four repliers using non-parametric statistical tests.

RESULTS: The …

Approximation And Parameterized Algorithms For Covering With Disks Of Two Types Of Radii, Sayan Bandyapadhyay, Eli Mitchell

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

We study the Discrete Covering with Two Types of Radii problem motivated by its application in wireless networks. In this problem, the goal is to assign either small-range high frequency or large-range low frequency to each access point, maximizing the number of users in high-frequency regions while ensuring that each user is in the range of an access point. Unlike other weighted covering problems, our problem requires satisfying two simultaneous objectives, which calls for novel approaches that leverage the underlying geometry of the problem. In our work, we present two new algorithms: the first is a polynomial-time (2.5 + ϵ)-approximation, …

Sociohydrodynamics: Data-Driven Modeling Of Social Behavior, Daniel S. Seara, Jonathan Colen, Michel Fruchart, Yael Avni, David G. Martin, Vincenzo Vitelli

Data Science Faculty Publications

Living systems display complex behaviors driven by physical forces as well as decision-making. Hydrodynamic theories hold promise for simplified universal descriptions of socially generated collective behaviors. However, the construction of such theories is often divorced from the data they should describe. Here, we develop and apply a data-driven pipeline that links micromotives to macrobehavior by augmenting hydrodynamics with individual preferences that guide motion. We illustrate this pipeline on a case study of residential dynamics in the United States, for which census and sociological data are available. Guided by Census data, sociological surveys, and neural network analysis, we systematically assess standard …

Molecular Dynamics Simulations Of Liposomes: Structure, Dynamics, And Applications, Ehsan Khodadadi, Ehsaneh Khodadadi, Parth Chaturvedi, Mahmoud Moradi

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Liposomes are nanoscale, spherical vesicles composed of phospholipid bilayers, typically ranging from 50 to 200 nm in diameter. Their unique ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules makes them powerful nanocarriers for drug delivery, diagnostics, and vaccine formulations. Several FDA-approved formulations such as Doxil (R) (Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL, USA), AmBisome (R) (Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, USA), and Onivyde (R) (Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Basking Ridge, NJ, USA) highlight their clinical significance. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of how molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, particularly coarse-grained (CG) and atomistic approaches, advance our understanding of liposomal membranes. We …

Geol 64: Planetary Geology - Syllabus, Dara Laczniak

Open Educational Resources

This Open Educational Resources (OER) syllabus is for an introductory planetary geology course that utilizes results from space missions to expose students to the surface features, composition, geological activity, and probable history of the planets, moons, asteroids, and comets of the solar system. It also places space exploration into the context of larger societal issues such as global warming and natural resource availability and addresses topics such as the ethics of space exploration and hazards of space travel. This OER syllabus aims to foster student-centered learning, critical thinking, data analysis and communication skills, and creativity. Assigned readings are compiled into …

Entanglement-Assisted Metrology Under Spatiotemporally Correlated Quantum Noise, Francisco U. Riberi

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Quantum sensors operating at the microscale are an emerging branch of quantum technologies where tangible experimental successes have already been reported. State-of-the-art atomic interferometers allow to measure and estimate a variety of physical parameters with unprecedented precision. In principle, exploiting the full power of quantum mechanics would lead to quantitatively better performance bounds over the best possible classical strategies under the same given set of resource constraints. However, the quantum systems' fragility to external disturbances has so far hindered most of these gains to be reached in practice, particularly in the limit of large probe number $N$. Parallel, {\em purely …

Anionic Azo Dyes: Wastewater Pollutants As Functionalizing Agents For Porous Polycarbonate Membranes Aiding In Water Decolorization, Alan Jarrett Messinger, Isabella S. Mays, Brennon Craigo, Jeffrey Joering, Sean P. Mcbride

Physics Faculty Research

Efficient water decolorization techniques are vital for ensuring fresh water for future generations. Azo dyes are used heavily in the textile industry and are a challenge to remove from industrial wastewater. This research expands on recent innovative work where anionic azo dyes themselves were used to functionalize track-etched porous polycarbonate filtration membranes with decolorized water obtained as a byproduct. The objective of this research is to determine whether the observed dye rejection is dependent on the magnitude of the intrinsic charge of the dye molecule or on its structure, using two selectively chosen anionic azo dye series during functionalization. The …

Montserrat Developments Impacting Local Coral Reefs, Emma I. Bartholomew

2025 Symposium

Montserrat is a small island in the Caribbean, and over half of the island is in the exclusion zone because of the active volcano, Soufrière Hills. In that half was the old capital, Plymouth, which has since been abandoned, and its old port. The old port was getting less reliable and accessible, so they decided to build a new port in Little Bay, closer to the seat of government in Brades. This study explored how the addition of the new port impacted the corals in that area. We explored several different bays and recorded the diversity and health of the …

Geochemical Characteristics And Genesis Of Element Enrichment Of Niobium-Rich-Rare Earth Metal Layer In Longtan Formation Of Zhina Coalfield, Ding Yunlong, Wang Fangfa, Li Bi, Tang Lifang, Yang Yi, Li Shangyuan, Wang Xiaofang, Zou Yinhong, Wang Yang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background With the increasing demand for strategic metals and the gradual depletion of traditional metal deposit resources, coal and coal-bearing rock series are considered to be potential sources of rare metals, and coal series associated has become one of the main directions of current mineral exploration. A set of coal measure strata rich in niobium (Nb) and rare earth elements (REE) has been found in Zhina coalfield, western Guizhou and the contents of Nb and REE are as high as 334.89 μg/g and 1014.51 μg/g, respectively. This discovery is of great significance to the theoretical study of coal measure metal …

Advances In Research On The Activation And Recovery Of Strategic And Critical Valuable Metals From Coal Fly Ash, Wang Yuhao, Dong Zhongbing

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Coal fly ash, a bulk solid waste byproduct from coal-fired power generation, has a global annual output exceeding 0.75 billion tons. Its disordered piling poses severe environmental risks, such as the generation of heavy metal leachate and PM_2.5 emissions. However, coal fly ash is rich in aluminum (Al 100‒200 mg/g), gallium (Ga 10‒300 μg/g), lithium (Li 1 300‒3 700 μg/g), and rare earth elements (REEs 200‒800 μg/g), establishing it as a potential alternative resource of strategic metals. Methods By analyzing the current domestic and international technologies for metal recovery from coal fly ash, this study expatiates on the …

Simulating Chemiluminescence Spectra Of Oh Radical Using Quantum Dynamical Simulations, Triet M. Cao

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Chemiluminescence is a phenomenon of light emission that occurs when molecules transition from an excited state to the ground state. This phenomenon is widely utilized in applications ranging from quantifying product yields in chemical reactions to biological imaging and atmospheric chemistry studies. It has also been used in many crucial applications in the scarce conditions of heat and electricity, such as light sources for astronomy discovery or deep-sea diving. A notable example of such reactions is combustion, where highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (OH) are products. These radicals exhibit a chemiluminescence spectrum because of the interaction between their ground state and …

A Comparison Of Diving Behavior Of Goose-Beaked And Dense-Beaked Whales From Tagging Studies In Multiple Ocean Basins, Jay Barlow, Robin W. Baird, Janelle Badger, Gregory S. Schorr, Erin A. Falcone, Shannon N. Coates, Peter L. Tyack, Andrew J. Read, Leigh S. Hickmott, John W. Durban, Diane Claridge, Natacha Aguilar De Soto, Daniel Miranda Gonzalez, Fleur Visser, Machiel G. Oudejans, Stacy L. De Ruiter, David A. Sweeney, Brenda K. Rone, Stephanie L. Watwood

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Studies of cetacean diving behavior in multiple locations in different ocean basins allow for an assessment of variability within and among populations. We examine foraging dive behaviors of goose-beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) and dense-beaked whales (Mesoplodon densirostris) using data from 132 tagged whales in seven locations in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. Acoustic recording tags are used to identify foraging dives by the presence of echolocation. For other tag types, foraging dives are identified based on maximum dive depth. Five parameters are used to characterize foraging dives: maximum dive depth, foraging dive duration, dive cycle duration, …

Performance Analysis Of Computational Methods For Predicting Protein Function In Rare Diseases, Aichetou Mohamed Sidiya, Hanin Alzaher, Razan Almahdi, Tayeb Brahimi

Effat Undergraduate Research Journal

Protein function prediction is crucial for understanding the underlying mechanisms of rare diseases. With the increasing availability of computational methods including machine learning-based approaches, network-based methods, and sequence-based methods, predicting protein functions has become more accessible. However, it is not clear which of these methods performs better or how they compare to each other in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and scalability. In this study, we evaluate several computational methods for predicting protein functions in rare diseases using key performance indicators (KPIs). We analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each method and provide recommendations for researchers and clinicians interested in using …

Potential Pitfalls In Visual Models Of Tipping Points - And How To Fix Them, Jonathan Dechert, Svetlana Gurevich, Stefan Heusler

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Visual models play a crucial role in both science and science communication. However, the distinction between mere analogies and mathematically sound graphical representations is not easy and can be misunderstood not only by laypeople but also within academic literature itself. Moreover, even when the graphical representation exactly corresponds to the mathematical model, its interpretation is often far from obvious. In this paper we discuss the potential landscape visualization commonly used for tipping points in the context of nonlinear dynamics and reveal potential pitfalls, in particular when distinguishing bifurcation induced tipping (B-tipping) from noise-induced tipping (N-tipping).

We propose new visualization techniques …

Comparing Ordinary Least Squares And Quantile Regression: A Causal-Comparative Approach To Modeling Conditional Relationships, Samuel Nnorom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression has traditionally been the preferred quantitative method for estimating linear relationships. However, it assumes that the effect of a predictor variable remains constant across the entire outcome distribution, which can miss important insights when data are heterogeneous. Quantile Regression (QR), on the other hand, offers a more detailed analysis by focusing on the full response variable distribution, thereby revealing different relationship patterns at various quantiles within the outcome. This study compares how OLS and QR perform in modeling conditional relationships within a causal-comparative framework based on ex post facto research. Using the mortality data from …

Behavioral Neuroscience Of Drug Addiction And Mental Disorder, Mona Muzammil, Muzammil Arshad, Washain Muzammil

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

This book explores the molecular, cellular, and neurocircuitry systems in the brain that are responsible for drug addiction. Common neurobiological elements are emphasized that provide novel insights into how the brain mediates the acute rewarding effects of drugs of abuse and how it changes during the transition from initial drug use to compulsive drug use and addiction. The book provides a detailed overview of the pathophysiology of the disease. The information provided will be useful for neuroscientists in the field of addiction, drug abuse treatment providers, and undergraduate and postgraduate students who are interested in learning the diverse effects of …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

From Infection To Restoration: A Case Study On Dental Extraction In The Maxilla Anterior, Melanie Ramirez

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

A dental implant is a restorative surgical procedure that serves as a solution to replace missing teeth that imitate the function, sensation, and appearance of natural teeth. The objective of this dental case study is to examine the diagnosis, treatment, and post-operation of a patient with a history of tooth loss and infection in the anterior maxilla. This case follows a 55-year-old patient, Jorge Marquez, name changed for confidentiality, who presented a severe tooth abscess on tooth #10 on the anterior maxilla which had previously undergone root canal treatment (Figure 1B). Radiographic evaluations illustrated the severity of the abscess the …

Engineering Protein Linkers For Optimized Telsam-Darpin Fusion And Crystallization With Electric Field-Based Polymer Orientation, Maria Jose Pedroza Romo

Theses and Dissertations

Fusing a variant of the sterile alpha motif domain of the human translocation ETS leukemia protein (TELSAM) to a protein of interest significantly enhances crystallization and diffraction quality. TELSAM is a pH-dependent, polymer-forming crystallization chaperone that, when covalently fused to a protein, forms a well-ordered crystal lattice. However, the success of this method depends on two factors: 1) the design of the linker connecting TELSAM to the target protein, which influences both crystal packing and target orientation, and 2) the prevention of TELSAM polymer flipping, a phenomenon that disrupts lattice periodicity and impairs structure determination. To address the first challenge, …

Decreasing Foraminiferal Flux In Response To Ongoing Climate Change In The Santa Barbara Basin, California, Emily Harvard, Katherine Cherry, Claudia R. Benitez-Nelson, Eric Tappa, Catherine V. Davis

Faculty Publications

The rapid response of foraminiferal assemblages to changing climate makes their shells an invaluable geological record of the past. However, the time frame over which foraminifera respond to climatic signals and the specific drivers influencing assemblage composition and abundance remain obscure. We focus on the impact of ongoing, anthropogenic climate change on planktic foraminifera in the California Current ecosystem, which would appear as a nearly instantaneous event in the sediment record. The Santa Barbara Basin sediment trap, located off the coast of California, USA since 1993, provides a record of more than 30 years of particulate and foraminiferal flux in …

Assessment Of Bat Species (Mammalia: Chiroptera) In Canubas Cave, Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines, Jurriel Mari D. Alce, Jasmine Rouida M. Abenes, Leo Gabriel Cervantes, Matthew Eli K. Llacer, Von Zhyrus P. Oche, Ian Jay P. Saldo, Jhovel Roy D. Calo

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Bats, flying mammals, are essential to ecosystems, playing vital roles in pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control. Despite their ecological importance, no prior bat research exists for Canubas Cave, Kibawe, Bukidnon. This study aimed to assess the bat species at the site, documenting their morphometric data, diversity and richness indices, and conservation statuses. A purposive sampling design was implemented by setting up mist nets inside and outside the cave. A total of 13 individuals were identified, comprising three species from two families: Rousettus amplexicaudatus and Eonycteris spelaea (family Pteropodidae, fruit bats), and Miniopterus schreibersii (family Miniopteridae, bent-winged bats). Based on …

Milkfish (Chanos Chanos) Bones As A Biosorbent For Mercury (Ii) Contamination In Water, Seth Uriel K. Neri, Ethan Kyle Mangao, Christian Kevin F. Redoblado, Anthony Cesar Y. Ponce, Roby Boy P. Riego, Jupiter O. Yap

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Heavy metals, such as mercury contamination in water sources are a major environmental and public health issue in many countries. Traditional methods for removing heavy metals from water are effective but often costly and unsustainable and may produce secondary waste. Recent trends favor more sustainable alternatives, such as biosorbents in treating water with heavy metals. Milkfish (Chanos chanos), a common fish in the Philippines, contains hydroxyapatite in the bones that can bind with heavy metals through physical and chemical adsorption mechanisms. This study aims to evaluate the mercury (II) reduction capacity of biosorbent derived from milkfish bones in water, specifically …

Satellite-Based Identification Of Mesoscale And Submesoscale Eddies And Fronts In The Gulf Of Mexico, Ethan Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

Mesoscale and submesoscale processes in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) are fundamental in shaping the region’s physical and biogeochemical ocean dynamics. Advances in high-resolution satellite observations now allow detailed detection of submesoscale (< 25 km radius) and mesoscale eddies and ocean fronts, which drive heat, nutrient, and carbon fluxes. This dissertation integrates two complementary investigations: (1) a comparison of eddy-tracking algorithms: Contour Tracing (CT) and Temperature Thresholding (TT), applied to Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (OISST, 1/4°) and Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Ice Analysis (OSTIA, 1/20°) products; and (2) a comparative evaluation of three ocean front detection algorithms: Canny Edge Detection (Canny), the Cayula–Cornillon Algorithm (CCA), and the Belkin–O’Reilly Algorithm (BOA), across multiple satellite-derived parameters, including sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface salinity (SSS), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), and altimetry-derived absolute dynamic topography (ADT). The eddy-tracking analysis shows that the higher-resolution OSTIA consistently detected more eddies than OISST, with TT performing best during winter when SST gradients were strongest. The front detection analysis, incorporating datasets from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) and Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem (PACE) missions, was evaluated under diverse conditions, including flood and drought periods, Loop Current phase changes, and extreme weather events. A machine learning–based Gaussian Mixture Modeling (GMM) approach was also developed, providing a novel framework for dynamic front detection. By benchmarking traditional and machine learning methods, this integrated study identifies optimal algorithm–dataset combinations for resolving submesoscale and mesoscale features in the GoM, with applicability to other regions.

Investigating Resilience Of Cyberattack Detection Using Lyapunov-Based Economic Model Predictive Control To Data Poisoning, Helen Durand, Akkarakaran Francis Leonard

Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Faculty Research Publications

Cyberattacks may be performed on process control systems due to their integration of networking and computing with physical systems. Prior work in our group has developed detection strategies for nonlinear systems under sensor, actuator, and combined sensor and actuator attacks which can ensure, under characterizable conditions, that attacks can be detected before they cause safety issues. However, this work did not take into account the potential that an attacker could attempt to provide data to a process that causes an attack to remain undetected but that also is consistent with different process dynamics than those which the process has. This …

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling And Investigation Plan (Fsp): Bres No. 177 – North Alice Culvert, Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.