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Testing The Hypothesis That Tennis Points Are Independent And Identically Distributed Using Statistical Methods, Ernesto Ugona Santana

Senior Honors Theses

Most research on the probability of winning a tennis match is based on the assumption that the points are independent and identically distributed, treating each point as a Bernoulli trial with fixed probability of success. This assumption, however, seems to contradict experience. Players' performance appears to fluctuate as the match progresses due to the psychological effect of past performance. To test this counterintuitive yet central assumption, previous research has attempted to test the independence hypothesis. However, there exists a research gap in evaluating the identicality-of-distribution hypothesis, a question of broader scope than that of independence. Hence, the purpose of this …

Synthesis Of High-Quality Cost Effective Zno Nanorods For Photovoltaic Applications, Ghusoon Jalil Ibrahim Al Bazzar

Theses and Dissertations

Due to its outstanding structural, optical, and electrical properties, zinc oxide (ZnO) has received considerable attention from researchers. Even though there is a high demand for functional devices involving ZnO films and nanostructures, synthesizing devices comprising ZnO nanostructures requires expensive and time-consuming techniques that have limited their viability for comprehensive applications. Thus, there is a high demand for high-quality, cost-effective ZnO nanostructures. We have optimized the simple, low-cost, and time-efficient electrochemical deposition (ECD) technique to successfully synthesize high-quality vertically aligned ZnO nanorods to bridge this gap between fundamental and applied research. Characterization of their structural properties through x-ray diffraction and …

Evaluating Neuroimaging Modalities In The A/T/N Framework: Single And Combined Fdg-Pet And T1-Weighted Mri For Alzheimer’S Diagnosis, Peiwang Liu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

With the escalating prevalence of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the need for early and precise diagnostic techniques is rising. This study delves into the comparative efficacy of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) and T1-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in diagnosing AD, where the integration of multimodal models is becoming a trend. Leveraging data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), we employed linear Support Vector Machines (SVM) to assess the diagnostic potential of these modalities, both individually and in combination, within the AD continuum. Our analysis, under the A/T/N framework's 'N' category, reveals that FDG-PET consistently outperforms T1w-MRI across …

Synergistic Exploration Of Spin Glass Physics And Optimization Algorithm Design, Mutian Shen

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

In the past decades, enormous effort has been devoted to the study of low-temperature spin glasses. The undertaken approaches were primarily of two different types. On one hand, various theoretical pictures aimed to capture the essence and rationalize the quintessential physical features of spin glass systems. On the other hand, much work was spent on the design of various algorithms in the hope of finding efficient numerical methods for calculating the ground state or sampling excited states. The latter endeavor has ramifications in fields far beyond those of spin glasses (such as in optimization problems, biology, and the study of …

Reactivity Of Adsorbed Trace Metals At Metal (Oxyhydr)Oxide Surfaces As Probed With Isotope Exchange, Greg Ledingham

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Metal (oxyhydr)oxide surfaces regulate the accessibility of trace metals in soils and aquatic systems. Up to half of the trace metals in urban environments, river systems, and contaminated soils are associated with mineral surfaces yet this pool often remains bioaccessible. Past studies of adsorption-desorption suggest that macroscopic rates of adsorption at mineral surfaces are likely mass transfer-limited and show biphasic rates, with a fast-adsorbing fraction equilibrating in seconds to minutes and a slower-adsorbing pool binding over a timescale of hours to days. In addition, adsorption-desorption hysteresis has been observed for some metals after aging at metal (oxyhydr)oxide surfaces, indicating that …

Optical Tweezers Explorations: Dna-Mitoxantrone Interactions At 20pn, Heléna Kathryn Beeloo

Honors Program Theses and Projects

Mitoxantrone is a chemotherapy drug that treats a variety of cancers by inhibiting cancer cell replication through intercalation with DNA. Intercalation is the process by which certain small molecules slide flat planar regions in their structure between the base pairs of DNA. This increases the stacking force in the DNA double helix, preventing DNA replication by increasing the force required to separate the two strands that compose the helix. In this study, dual-beam optical tweezers were used to determine the binding kinetics and dissociation constant of Mitoxantrone to single molecules of DNA at 20 pN of force. This study utilized …

Dissecting Trypanosome Metabolism By Discovering Glycolytic Inhibitors, Drug Targets, And Glycosomal Ph Regulation, Daniel Hale Call

Theses and Dissertations

Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African trypanosomiasis, and its relatives Trypanosoma cruzi and several Leishmania species belong to a class of protozoa called kinetoplastids that cause a significant health burden in tropical and semitropical countries across the world. While an improved therapy was recently approved for African trypanosomiasis, the therapies available to treat infections caused by T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. remain relatively poor. Improving our understanding of T. brucei metabolism can inform on metabolism of its relatives. The purpose of the research presented in this dissertation was to develop novel tools and methods to study metabolism in T. …

We Need A “Building Inspector For Iot” When Smart Homes Are Sold, Timothy J. Pierson, Cesar Arguello, Beatrice Perez, Wondimu Zegeye, Kevin Kornegay, Carl A. Gunter

Dartmouth Scholarship

Internet of Things (IoT) devices left behind when a home is sold create security and privacy concerns for both prior and new residents. We envision a specialized “building inspector for IoT” to help securely facilitate transfer of the home.

Using Multi-Scale Spatial Models Of Dendritic Ecosystems To Infer Abundance Of A Stream Salmonid, Xinyi Lu, Yoichiro Kanno, George P. Valentine, Jacob M. Rash, Mevin B. Hooten

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications

1. Understanding patterns of species abundance is essential for planning landscape-level conservation. The complex hierarchies of dendritic ecosystems result in different levels of heterogeneity at distinct geographic scales. Species responses to dynamic environmental drivers may also vary spatially depending on their interactions with landscape features. Monitoring abundance by explicitly quantifying their spatial and temporal variation is important for strategic management.

2. We analysed brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) count data collected from 173 sites in western North Carolina between 1989 and 2015. We developed a Bayesian hierarchical model that used single- and multi-pass electro-fishing data and characterized their respective …

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) Bres No. 49 – Old Glory., Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) Bres No. 125 – Child Harold-2 Dump., Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) Bres No. 74 – West Gagnon Dump., Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) Bres No. 45 – Garfield, Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) Bres No. 52 – Moscow Dump., Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) Bres No. 34e – Eveline Dump East., Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) Bres No. 121 – Travona Dump., Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) Bres No. 78 – Original Mine Yard., Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Living Emission Abolish Filters (Leafs) For Methane Mitigation: Design And Operation, Richard Hamilton, Nicholas Griffith, Peter Salamon, Robert Handler, Marina G. Kalyuzhnaya

Michigan Tech Publications

As one of the most potent greenhouse gases, methane is a critical target for the near-term mitigation of global warming. Efficient, scalable, easy-to-implement, and robust mitigation technologies are urgently needed to assist in reaching methane abolishment. The goal of this research was to test the applicability of active, extremophilic methanotrophic cells as a baseline concept for engineered systems aiming at methane capturing. The system, named living emission abolish filters (LEAFs), represents an array of immobilized biomaterials capable of capturing methane directly from vent streams. The biomaterials were made using cells of Methylotuvimicrobium alcaliphilum 20ZR, a robust halophilic methanotrophic bacterium with …

Investigation Of Poly(Olefin Sulfone) Depolymerization And Its Dust Mitigation Abilities For Potential Use On Spacecraft, Alexandra Stapley, Walter Paxton, David Allred

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The ubiquity of particulate contamination requires dust mitigation techniques to provide low-scatter surfaces and edges on sensitive optical devices in space. Poly(olefin sulfone)s have been shown to photodegrade with the assistance of a photobase generator when exposed to UV light (254 nm) and heat (120°C). These may be applicable to minimizing dust on optical surfaces for space applications. However, their behavior in vacuum has not been fully characterized. We synthesized poly(2-methyl-1-pentene sulfone) (PMPS) and poly(1-hexene sulfone) (PHS) with and without a photobase generator. We studied the photodegradation (172 nm or 254 nm) of thin films in vacuum. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was …

Chemical Herding: Using Chemical Reactions To Steer Colloidal Particles, Mark N. Mcdonald, Cameron K. Peterson, Douglas R. Tree

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Creating the next generation of dynamic colloidal materials that change their structure based on external stimuli may require the capability to precisely manipulate colloidal particles. Colloidal particles can be manipulated using a variety of forces, such as electric, magnetic, and optical, but so far chemical reactions have received less attention. We consider here a novel paradigm for using a chemically active colloidal particle to interact with other, passive colloids and precisely manipulate colloidal particles in a microfluidic device, a strategy which we dub “chemical herding”. Specifically, we show in simulation that chemical herding can be used to move a small …

Enhancing Bioluminescence, Olivia Harrison, Lane Law

Utah Space Grant Consortium

In this project, we aim to develop a strain of Escherichia coli expressing high levels of luminescence via the use of a NanoLuc. derivative, cyan-based LumiFluor (CeNLuc). CeNLuc is a self-illuminating bioluminescent-fluorescent protein that generates biologic light via bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). We have obtained the plasmids, and are preparing to transform E. coli. cultures.

Assessing Mycorrhizal Influence On Heat-Stressed Poplar Voc Blends, Luis Valdez, Annette Shelton, Mary Alvarez, Lane Law

Utah Space Grant Consortium

VOCs are organic compounds released by plants as gases into the atmosphere. They’ve been shown to play important roles in plant defense, plant-plant interactions, multi-trophic interactions, as well as atmospheric chemistry. Some VOCs can be induced as a result of stress. Some Terpenes & LOX pathway products, in particular, have been shown to be inducible as a result of environmental stress, such as drought or heat. Terpenes, which are made of isoprene subunits, are bigger, more complex molecules and have been shown to generally have and antioxidant function. (Vickers et al. 2009)

Optimization Of Animal Hair Preparation For Scanning Electron Microscopy (Sem), Cristina De La Vieja Medina, Samuel Tobler, Wendy Schatzberg

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This study investigates the best method to prepare animal hair samples for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The main objective is to identify the most effective method to clean, cut, and position the hair to achieve a better image of the hair without external elements. Various cleaning methods were explored, but the best option was a 15-minute sonication in water followed by a 24-hour immersion in a 90% ethanol-10% methanol mixture. Samples were placed with different types of glue to ensure the hair remained stable. A diamond blade was used to cut the hairs but did not provide the desired results …

Identifying Secondary Metabolites In Corals Of The Order Corallimorpharia For Novel Medicinal Use, Dave Huish, Jane Lee

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Medicinal and bioactive compounds have been found in various species of corals and are currently being used for, but not limited to, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic/chemotherapy, antimicrobial, antivirus, and antifouling. Currently, acquiring compounds and derivatives is limited by naturally occurring resources. This project is investigating corals from the order Corallimorpharia that are known rapid reproducers and potentially invasive. They demonstrate many of the same attributes as corals that have been studied suggesting that they have similar compounds. The specific coral of interest is Rhodactis howesii. Samples have been obtained, DNA has been isolated, and their genomes are in the process of being …

Artemia In Space, Holbrook Hawkes, Elizabeth Blackburn, Bonnie K. Baxter

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The panspermia hypothesis poses that life originated in space. To test this hypothesis, a model organism capable of withstanding the extreme conditions of space must be used. The brine shrimp genus Artemia represents species of extremophilic zooplankton with adaptations to survive extreme temperatures (-273˚°C to 90˚°C), hydrogen sulfide-reducing environments, HZE particles, oxidation, desiccation, ion exposure, electromagnetic radiation, and anoxia (Skoultchi and Morowitz, 1964; Clegg, 1978; van Stappen, 1996, 2002; Willsie and Clegg, 2001; Clegg and Trotman, 2002; MacRae, 2016). Artemia are so hardy in part due to their ability to produce oviparous encysted embryos instead of live nauplii that can …

Nitrification Rate Depends On Nitrogen Fertilizer Source In Root-Zones For Bioregenerative Life-Support, Noah J. Langenfeld, Bruce Bugbee

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Nitrification helps recycle nitrogen (N) in closed root-zones with multiple N inputs. We studied nitrification rates in peat moss soilless media adjusted to pH 6.5 to 7 and watered with nutrient solutions containing 9 mM N from ammonium nitrate, ammonium, nitrate, urea, or microbial biomass (lysed cells of the N-fixing bacteria Azotobacter vinelandii). We leached the media with nutrient solution every week for 150 days and measured the pH, electrical conductivity, and nitrate concentration. We measured ammonium in the peat moss at the end of the study using a potassium chloride extraction and quantified total N by combustion. Nitrification …

Earth Observation Satellite Data Reveals Correlations Between Temperature, Turbidity, And Chlorophyll-A In Utah Lake, Kaylee B. Tanner

Utah Space Grant Consortium

No abstract provided.

The Ring-Closing Reaction Of Cyclopentadiene Probed With Ultrafast X‑Ray Scattering, Lisa Huang, Lauren Bertram, Lingyu Ma, Nathan Goff, Stuart W. Crane, Asami Odate, Thomas Northey, Andrés Moreno Carrascosa, Mats Simmermacher, Sri Bhavya Muvva, Joseph D. Geiser, Matthew J. Lueckheide, Zane Phelps, Mengning Liang, Xinxin Cheng, Ruaridh Forbes, Joseph S. Robinson, Matthew J. Hayes, Felix Allum, Alice E. Green, Kenneth Lopata, Artem Rudenko, Thomas J. A. Wolf, Martin Centurion, Daniel Rolles, Michael P. Minitti, Adam Kirrander, Peter M. Weber

Martin Centurion Publications

The dynamics of cyclopentadiene (CP) following optical excitation at 243 nm was investigated by time-resolved pump−probe X-ray scattering using 16.2 keV X-rays at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). We present the first ultrafast structural evidence that the reaction leads directly to the formation of bicyclo[2.1.0]pentene (BP), a strained molecule with three- and four-membered rings. The bicyclic compound decays via a thermal backreaction to the vibrationally hot CP with a time constant of 21 ± 3 ps. A minor channel leads to ring-opened structures on a subpicosecond time scale.

Major Axes Of Variation In Tree Demography Across Global Forests, Melina De Souza Leite, Sean M. Mcmahon, Paulo Inácio Prado, Stuart J. Davies, Alexandre Adalardo De Oliveira, Hannes P. De Deurwaerder, Salomón Aguilar, Kristina J. Anderson-Teixeira, Nurfarah Aqilah, Norman A. Bourg, Warren Y. Brockelman, Nicolas Castaño, Chia-Hao Chang-Yang, Yu-Yun Chen, George Chuyong, Keith Clay, Álvaro Duque, Sisira Ediriweera, Corneille E. N. Ewango, Gregory Gilbert, I. A. U. N. Gunatilleke, C. V. S. Gunatilleke, Robert Howe, Walter Huaraca Huasco, Akira Itoh, Daniel J. Johnson, David Kenfack, Kamil Král, Yao Tze Leong, James A. Lutz, Jean-Remy Makana, Yadvinder Malhi, William J. Mcshea, Mohizah Mohamad, Musalmah Nasardin, Anuttara Nathalang, Geoffrey Parker, Renan Parmigiani, Rolando Pérez, Richard P. Phillips, Pavel Šamonil, I-Fang Sun, Sylvester Tan, Duncan Thomas, Jill Thompson, María Uriarte, Amy Wolf, Jess Zimmerman, Daniel Zuleta, Marco D. Visser, Lisa Hülsmann

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

The future trajectory of global forests is closely intertwined with tree demography, and a major fundamental goal in ecology is to understand the key mechanisms governing spatio-temporal patterns in tree population dynamics. While previous research has made substantial progress in identifying the mechanisms individually, their relative importance among forests remains unclear mainly due to practical limitations. One approach to overcome these limitations is to group mechanisms according to their shared effects on the variability of tree vital rates and quantify patterns therein. We developed a conceptual and statistical framework (variance partitioning of Bayesian multilevel models) that attributes the variability in …

Cn Stretches Around 4.4 Microns Dominate The Ir Absorption Spectra Of Cyanopolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Vincent J. Esposito, Ryan C. Fortenberry, Christiaan Boersma, Alexandros Maragkoudakis, Louis J. Allamandola

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Anharmonic quantum chemical computations reveal a strong, narrow (width = 0.075 μm) band in the 4.3–4.5 μm region of the absorption spectra of the cyano-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CN-PAHs) cyanonaphthalene, cyanoanthracene, c yanophenanthrene, and c yanopyrene. This narro w windo w with intense IR lines implies that CN-PAHs of various shapes and sizes offer little variation in both wavelength and intensity in this region. Subsequently, this band can be used as a tracer for CN-PAHs. The distinct features making up the band are assigned to mixed vibrational states consisting of the CN stretch fundamental and various combination bands, including in-plane …