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Scientifically Improving Human-Nature Relationship In Desertification Areas, Bojie Fu, Yanxu Liu, Shuai Wang, Junfeng Song, Zejiang Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The expansion trend of desertification in China has been fundamentally restrained. In the new era, scientifically improving the relationship between human and nature in desertification areas to promote regional sustainable development has become an important demand for desertification combat in China. We summarize four key challenges to sustainable development in desertification areas, including increasing human demand on water, increasing land use intensity, increasing climatic risk, and insufficient industrial innovation. Based on the theoretical understanding of the coupling relationship between human and nature, the evolution of human-nature relationship in combating desertification can be divided into four stages, namely, extensive land exploitation, …

Two Decades Of Climate Measurements Reveal El Niño's Role In Andean Elevation-Dependent Warming, Luke Davies

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Driven by climate change, elevation-dependent warming (EDW) has become a critical issue in the Cordillera Blanca of Peru. This study focuses on gathering evidence of EDW and determining the relationship between El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and micrometeorological forcing in two proglacial valleys. A climate monitoring network was maintained through a 20-year collaboration between Bridgewater State University (BSU), Universidad Nacional Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo (UNASAM), and the Autoridad Nacional de Agua (ANA). Fieldwork in June 2023 and June 2024 included repairing weather stations, installing new Lascar sensors, and downloading data loggers to sustain and improve the climate record. Data …

Probing The Interactions Of Anticancer Drug Doxorubicin To Dna Using Optical Tweezers, Jason Martin

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Doxorubicin (Doxo) is a historically significant anti-cancer drug that has been used to treat multiple types of cancers for half a century. The drug targets DNA of cancer cells through a binding mode called intercalation, acting as roadblock during DNA replication to stop tumor formation. While Doxo has been extensively studied through traditional methods, only a handful of research has utilized single molecule methods, which can provide new insights at the molecular level. In this study, we used dual beam optical tweezers to isolate single DNA molecules and mechanically manipulate the DNA in the presence of Doxo. We conducted two …

Geochemical Characterization And Predictive Soil Mapping Of Ice-Free Regions In Antarctica, Rachel Willmore

Theses and Dissertations

Antarctic soils are formed by extreme climate, minimal biological activity, and diverse geological settings. This study analyzes 201 soil samples across four ice-free Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions - North-west Antarctic Peninsula, Transantarctic Mountains, South Victoria Land, and North Victoria Land - to create a geochemical database (pH, EC, CEC, C and N, and ion concentrations) as well as to determine if there are consistent trends between geochemical properties and soil forming factors (SCORPAN). Despite variation in geochemical properties and SCORPAN covariates, some consistent trends emerged across all regions and individual Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions. Using SCORPAN covariates and multiple linear …

Contributions Of Glacier Meltwater To Water Resources And Water Quality Below The Ablating Coropuna Ice Cap In The Arid Peruvian Andes, Alexis Rowley

Theses and Dissertations

Rapidly retreating glaciers in the arid tropics are an invaluable resource for communities that depend on meltwater to support drinking water, agriculture, hydropower production, and mining. There is limited understanding of how glacier loss will impact regional water resources, groundwater flow paths, and water quality, especially during the dry season. The Nevado Coropuna volcano in Southern Peru has one of the largest remaining ice caps in the tropics, but has experienced rapid ice loss in the past few decades and is projected to disappear in the next century due to climate change. Located in the northern Atacama Desert, the arid …

Understanding Ammonia's Role In Mitigating Concentration Polarization In Anion-Exchange Membrane Electrodialysis, Abdallah Timmaoui, Mahmoud Ferhat, Nesri̇ne Souad Ferhat, Ahmed Hamdi

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

In processes such as electrodialysis, the applied electrical potential is constrained by concentration polarization at the membrane/solution interface. This polarization, which intensifies at higher current densities, impedes ion transport efficiency and may lead to problems such as salt precipitation, membrane degradation, and increased energy consumption. Therefore, understanding concentration polarization is essential for enhancing membrane performance, improving efficiency, and reducing operational costs. This study investigates the impact of ammonia buffer (NH₄⁺/NH₃) on sulfate ion transport through anion-exchange membranes, with a particular focus on limiting current density and concentration polarization under constant current conditions. Our findings demonstrate that ammonia effectively eliminates concentration …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Investigation Of Photochemical And In Vitro Properties Of Novel Zn(Ii) Phthalocyanine, Yasemi̇n Bayğu Yildiz, Ni̇lgün Kabay, Burak Yildiz, İpek Ömeroğlu, Mahmut Durmuş, E. Riza Karagür, Hakan Akça, Çağri Ergi̇n, Yaşar Gök

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

In our work, a new non-peripheral zinc(II) phthalocyanine bearing octa carboxylic acid ethyl ester derivative substituted triazole attached propylmercaptothiobenzylmercapto derivative was synthesized by the tetramerization reaction of phthalonitrile. The photochemical in vitro photodynamic activity of zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc-I), such as human non-small cell lung carcinoma cell lines, was investigated in this study. The singlet oxygen generation property of novel zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc-I) was also examined due to the significantly high singlet oxygen quantum yield of ZnPc-I (ΦΔ = 0.66). The antiproliferative effects of ZnPc-I were also investigated on A549 and H1299 cell lines, our results demonstrate that the ZnPc-I has …

Preparation Of Manganese-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots@Halloysite Nanotubes Composites Films For Advanced Uv Shielding Properties, Xiao Zhang, Bin Wang

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

The development of Ultraviolet (UV) shielding materials are of great importance to protect human's health concerns and prevent the degradation of organic matters. However, the synthesis of highly efficient UV shielding polymer nanocomposites is currently limited by the agglomeration of inorganic anti-UV nanoparticles (NPs) within the polymer matrix and limited absorption spectrum of UV shielding agents. In this study, highly effective manganese doped carbon quantum dots@halloysite nanotubes composites (Mn-CDs@HNTs/PAS) were successfully synthesized by loading manganese doped carbon quantum dot (Mn-CDs) into UV shielding effective halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) via solvothermal method, followed by polymerization modification. The results show that inorganic NPs …

A Fast And Responsive Turn-On Fluorescent Probe Based On A Quinone Conjugated Alkoxy Derivative For Biothiols And A Cellular Imaging Study, Ulviyye Nemetova, Ayşe Nur Önem, Alev Er, Sefa Çeli̇k, Ayşen E. Özel, Sevi̇m Akyüz, Mustafa Özyürek, Si̇bel Şahi̇nler Ayla

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Detection of intracellular biothiols (cysteine (CYS), N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GSH)) with high-selectivity and sensitivity is important to reveal biological functions. In this study, 2-(2-methoxy-4-methylphenoxy)-3-chloro-5,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione (3) (DDN-O) compound was newly synthesized and used as a fluorogenic probe (detector molecule) in the fluorometric method for the rapid, highly selective and sensitive determination of biothiols. The intensity values (λex = 260 nm, λem = 620 nm) of the product were measured by adding biotihols to the reaction medium at varying concentrations and the glutathione equivalent thiol content (GETC) values of each biotiol were calculated. Using the compoud (3), the reference biotiol …

New Naphthalene-Linked Pyrazoline-Thiazole Hybrids As Prominent Antilung And Antibreast Cancer Inhibitors, Hali̇li̇brahi̇m Çi̇ftçi̇, Masami Otsuka, Mikako Fujita, Belgi̇n Sever

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER2, pioneer members of the receptor tyrosine kinase subfamily, are frequently mutated and/or overexpressed in several types of human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast cancer, which are leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. EGFR and HER2-focused anti-NSCLC and anti-breast cancer studies encouraged us to search for new potential agents. For this purpose, in the current work, naphthalene-linked pyrazoline-thiazole hybrids (BTT1-10 and BTP1-10) were synthesized and examined for their antiproliferative effects on A549 NSCLC and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. According to the results, MTT assay showed that BTT-5 induced strong …

Synthesis, Structure, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, And Molecular Docking Studies Of The Cocrystal Between The Cu(Ii) Complex Of Salicylic Acid And Uncoordinated Piracetam, Nazokat N. Yuldasheva, Ikram I. Abdullaev, Oybek I. Khudoyberganov, Lola A. Gandjaeva, Pirnazar K. Kodamboev, Elyor Sh. Samandarov, Adkhamjon S. Normamatov, Abror Kh. Ruzmetov, Yuldosh Y. Yakubov, C. Balakrishnan, Bakhtiyar T. Ibragimov, Aziz Bakhti̇yarovich Ibragimov

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

The cocrystal or supramolecular complex between Cu(II) complex of salicylic acid and uncoordinated piracetam has been synthesized. Its structure is characterized by element analysis, FT-IR, UV-Visible spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Spectroscopic methods confirm the formation of the metal complex while X-ray crystallography establishes molecular and crystal structure of the obtained compound. Binuclear Cu(II) complex of salicylic acid (complex molecule) is in the form of “Chinese lantern” and it interacts with uncoordinated piracetam by complicated system of H-bonds. However, according to the Hirshfeld surface analysis a contribution of the O•••H/H•••O contacts is only 24.9% while H•••H and H•••C/C•••H contacts account for …

Capacity-Weighted Figures-Of-Merit For Battery Transport Metrics, Cj Sturgill, Christopher Sutton, Julian Schwenzel, Morgan Stefik

Faculty Publications

New battery materials with improved transport are needed. Typical measurements yield widely varying voltage-dependent diffusivities and reporting practices are diverse. Some materials (e.g. first-order phase change) have most redox occur at a specific voltage and may be sufficiently represented by singular transport metrics. Many rapid intercalation materials, however, exhibit second-order phase transitions with redox over a broad voltage range. How should such cases be compared? The use of capacity-weighted average values is suggested where voltage-dependent metrics are consolidated into representative descriptors as figures-of-merit. Examples are elaborated where differential capacity (dQ/dV) is used to derive a …

Using Bivalves As An Indicator For Fecal Bacteria, Kamala Chuss

Honors Scholar Theses

This project focuses on the integration of fecal bacteria from warm-blooded animals into bivalve tissue, and the utilization of bivalves as an indicator for fecal bacteria in waterways. Bivalves may give a more representative long-term average of fecal bacteria in water as compared to direct water testing. The primary objective is to create a standard operating procedure to use bacterial testing of bivalves as a proxy for bacteria concentration in the water. This method can be used in places where bivalves do not already exist by adding them to a body of water, or by collecting bivalves that already exist …

Invasion Stress Mitigates Climate Stress In A Brackish Marsh Amphipod, Lorna E. Haworth, Sarah Nancollas, Susie N. Landa, Anne E. Todgham, Richelle L. Tanner

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

1. Organisms in coastal brackish ecosystems face not only highly variable environmental conditions, but the intensity and stochasticity of these environmental conditions are anticipated to increase due to climate change. While environmental changes are often presented unilaterally as stressors, there are some anthropogenic environmental transformations, such as the introduction of habitat forming plant species, that may mitigate physiological stress imposed by warming. In Suisun Marsh in the California Delta, native plant canopies allow light and heat to penetrate to the understory yet the canopies of the introduced Phragmites australis reed block out sunlight and heat for organisms living below.
2. We set …

Sensitivity And Application Of Frequency Domain High-Density Diffuse Optical Tomography (Fd Hd-Dot), Weihao Fan

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive imaging technique that measures hemodynamic responses in the brain, similar to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) but with distinct advantages. By utilizing near-infrared light, fNIRS can penetrate biological tissues and detect changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin. Additionally, fNIRS is portable, noninvasive and inexpensive. Within the realm of fNIRS, several measurement techniques exist, including Continuous Wave (CW), Frequency Domain (FD), and Time Domain (TD) methods. In this dissertation, we focused on the effects, fundamental principles and applications of FD designs. We provided the introduction in Chapter 1, and discussed the background theory and …

The Chinese Room And Creating Consciousness: How Recent Strides In Ai Technology Revitalize A Classic Debate, Thomas Held

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Since 1950, when Alan Turing first posed the question of whether a machine could think, the possibility of artificial consciousness has sparked intense and ongoing debate, and strong positions have been staked out on each side of the argument. On the one hand, the historically popular functionalist school of thought claims that any system capable of producing suitably “conscious” behavior in a given environment should be considered conscious. On the other hand, John Searle’s famous “Chinese Room” argument insists that this cannot be the case, and that consciousness is in all likelihood not artificially reproducible. However, both positions have issues—the …

3d Reconstruction Method Of Tunnel Surrounding Rock Fracture Based On Vtk, Liu Houxiang, Su Heng

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

Fracture parameters are important reference factors for surrounding rock stability analysis.To realize the visualization analysis of surrounding rock fractures，this paper proposed a three-dimensional （3D） reconstruction method of surrounding rock fractures based on the visualization toolkit （VTK）.Firstly，the collected tunnel surrounding rock images were preprocessed by OpenCV for image grayscale and noise reduction.Secondly，the Otsu method and the open operation in morphology were used to segment the image，and the complete surrounding rock fracture map was obtained.Then，the median method was used to replace the linear interpolation method with the traditional Marching Cubes algorithm in VTK to calculate the equivalent point，and the improved Marching Cubes …

Method For Measuring The Rate Of Improvement In Survival Times Of Cancer Patients, Thobani Chaduka

Theses and Dissertations

In clinical settings, technological advancements have facilitated health care improvements in data analytics, artificial intelligence, telemedicine, health information systems, etc. This has furthered our understanding of cancer biology and treatment mechanisms. In this study, we aim to understand whether Moore’s law-like models may derive from historical cancer survival data, and how they can predict survival statistics for newly diagnosed cancer patients. Historically these predictions have previously been done with the diagnosis year as the independent variable and the survival as a dependent variable. In this study we use death year data as an independent variable and from that, we derive …

Existence And Uniqueness Of Solutions Of Fourth Order Iterative Boundary Value Problems, Zach Whaley

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we study the fourth-order iterative differential equation \begin{displaymath} x^{(4)}(t) = \f(t, x(t), x^{[2]}(t), \dots, x^{[m]}(t)) \end{displaymath} where $x^{[2]}(t) = x(x(t))$ and $x^{[j]}(t) = x(x^{[j - 1]}(t))$ for $j > 2$. We consider the above equation with multiple sets of boundary conditions, and we state results on the existence and uniqueness of solutions for each set of boundary conditions. In Chapter 2, the boundary conditions are conjugate boundary conditions, \begin{align*} &x(-a) = -a, \ x'(-a) = b, \ x''(-a) = c, \ x(a) = a \\ &x(-a) = -a, \ x(a) = a, \ x'(a) = b, \ x''(a) …

Artificial Intelligence-Based Methodologies For Early Diagnostic Precision And Personalized Therapeutic Strategies In Neuro-Ophthalmic And Neurodegenerative Pathologies, Rahul Kumar, Ethan Waisberg, Joshua Ong, Phani Paladugu, Dylan Amiri, Jeremy Saintyl, Jahnavi Yelamanchi, Robert Nahouraii, Ram Jagadeesan, Alireza Tavakkoli

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Advancements in neuroimaging, particularly diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET), have significantly enhanced the early detection of biomarkers in neurodegenerative and neuro-ophthalmic disorders. These include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease. This review highlights the transformative role of advanced diffusion MRI techniques-Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging-in identifying subtle microstructural changes in the brain and visual pathways that precede clinical symptoms. When integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, these techniques achieve unprecedented diagnostic precision, facilitating early detection of neurodegeneration and …

Influence Of Loading Methods On Compression Modulus Of Red Sandstone Soil Solidified With Biological Enzyme And Cement, He Liang, Zhang Haixiang, Guan H Ongxin, Li Huili, Yang Hairong, Liu Hongfu

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

There are various methods to test the modulus of cement-stabilized mixtures.The stiffness performance of cement-stabilized materials will be affected after adding biological enzymes.In order to systematically analyze the influence of loading conditions on the compression modulus of the red sandstone soil solidified with biological enzyme and cement，compressive modulus tests were conducted on the red sandstone soil solidified with biological enzyme and cement by using three static modulus test methods including monotonic loading method of middle section，stepwise loading and unloading method of top surface，and stepwise loading and unloading method of middle section，as well as dynamic modulus method of top surface and …

Traveling Waves In Biological Population Models, Ahlam Alzahrani

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, we examine the existence of traveling waves in population models. We begin by exploring conditions under which traveling waves exist, even when the migration probability lacks a density function or, if the density function exists, it may be discontinuous. To address this, we impose certain conditions that ensure the monotonicity of the evolution operator, enabling the application of the Monotone Iteration Method. Next, we explore the existence of monotone traveling waves in a general class of integral-difference population models that depend on both the previous state and long-term memory, allowing for the consideration of multiple past states. …

Phytoplankton As A Bioindicator For Evaluation Of The Irrigation Water Quality Near A Metal-Coating Factory, Mimatun Nasihah, Ardyati Ardyati, Dian Siswanto, Catur Retnaningdyah

Makara Journal of Science

The irrigation water quality in Plosowahyu village, Lamongan District, Indonesia, has declined because of industrial waste disposal in irrigation canals. Specifically, waste from a metal-coating factory considerably threatens the aquatic ecosystem. To assess the impact, we evaluated water quality on the basis of phytoplankton diversity and various phys-icochemical parameters. We collected water and phytoplankton samples from four locations in Plosowahyu village: before the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outlet of the metal-coating factory, at this outlet, and from two sites in Wahyu River, with three repetitions at each site. The study measured several physicochemical parameters, including total dissolved solids (TDS), total …

Analysis Of Dense Metals Accumulation In Shikaripara Stone Mines, Gopinath Gorai, Nirajan Kumar Mandal

Makara Journal of Science

This study aimed to measure the amount of dangerous substances in the cultivated area of the Shikaripara stone mines in Jharkhand, India, which are well known for their stone quarrying. Sixteen soil samples were collected at varying dis-tances from the Shikaripara stone mines in the Dumka District of Jharkhand. The metals found in these samples in-clude Pb, As, Zn, Mn, Cd, Cu, Fg, and Fe. The combined amount of the elements was calculated by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Enrichment factor, accumulation index, contamination factor, pollution load index (PLI), Nemerow index, and ecological risk index (RI) were employed to assess …

Comparing Multivalent Cross-Linked Sodium Alginate/ Montmorillonite Beads Containing Curcumin Or Cayenne Pepper As Drug Carriers And Their Antimicrobial Resistance, Shionainn Traynor, Shubham Sharma

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

The aim of the following work was to investigate and compare curcumin and cayenne pepper in microbeads composed of sodium alginate (SA) crosslinked with montmorillonite (MMT) to act as drug carriers and their antimicrobial resistance. The microbeads were prepared through ion-exchange in multivalent solutions of CaCl₂, MgCl₂ and AlCl₃. The microbeads were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and the time required for intercalation of curcumin and cayenne pepper with MMT. Simulated intestinal fluid (pH 7.3) and gastric fluid (pH 1.2) at 37°C were used for comparison in swelling studies. …

Review: Cell Mechanisms In The Control Of Inflammatory Foundations Of Obesity And Secondary Metabolic Disorders, Kristin Goldstone, Keelin Irwin, Ava O' Meara-Cushen, Cathy Brougham

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Review: Obesity is a global threat to human health that is precipitating epidemically, with almost 2 billion adults categorised as overweight or obese in 2016. Ireland has one of the highest reports of obesity in Europe with 60% of Irish adults reported as overweight or obese. Inflammation plays an integral role in disease pathogenesis and is a major hallmark of obesity and obesity-related secondary co-morbidities. Obesity-related inflammation can precipitate several diseases, such breast cancer, insulin resistance, type II diabetes and cardiovascular issues. As obesity puts human health at inherent risk, the regulation of obesity-related inflammation is therefore a necessary component …

Editorial - Sure Journal Vol 6, Anne M. Friel, Eva Campion, Sinead Loughran

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

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The Influence Of Soil Properties And Land Management On Soil Porewater Chemistry, Bethany Kettleborough

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

Soil water dynamics influence vegetation health, soil geochemical reactions, and stream chemistry. Water dynamics can be controlled by soil type and land management. It is important to understand water movement due to its influence on soil weathering, microbial activity, and nutrient transport. Water movement can be investigated using water stable isotope variability as a tracer. The purpose of this ongoing study was to analyze stable isotopes and dissolved ions in prairie and agricultural land management sites in Nebraska and Illinois. Prairies typically contain deep-rooted grasses, while agricultural lands contain shallow-rooted row crops. Root depth is considered a major control on …

Embodied Cognition And Teaching Stem: Tenets To Explain And Enhance A Middle School Science Project, Jonathan E. Roberts, Joshua L. Williams, Robert A. Hodgdon, Caroline Payne, Gabriela Ruiz Emmanuelli

Current Issues in Middle Level Education

STEM pedagogy is a popular area for research and discussion. The empirical literature on this topic supports a variety of approaches (e.g., inquiry-based) to help instructors spark student interest create an effective learning environment, and foster long-term retention and transfer of information related to STEM topics. One potential approach is to use tenets of embodied cognition, in which behavior and cognition emerge out of real-time sensorimotor behavior of the individual situated within a particular context, to implement strategies to enhance STEM pedagogy. We applied the six lessons of embodied cognition to understand the beneficial aspects of a middle-school project on …

Performance Prediction For Hub-Based Swarms, Puneet Jain

Theses and Dissertations

Optimization problems lie at the core of improving performance in various tasks, ranging from day-to-day work scheduling to coordinating robots in a warehouse fulfillment center. Distributed swarm systems provide a robust and adaptive solution approach to many optimization problems. Instead of using one really sophisticated agent, multiple smaller less sophisticated agents can provide the flexibility to evaluate more options and still provide a "good" answer. This dissertation uses graphs to model, analyze, and simulate swarm behavior, primarily to predict the time-to-converge (TTC) and success probability. First, we use a bipartite model for the distributed best-of-N problem, and show how the …