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Advances In Deep-Sea Imaging And Soft Robotics, Russell Joseph Shomberg

Open Access Dissertations

This study contains three parts under the central theme of deep sea robotics for size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C) limited platforms.

1) We developed and deployed a rapid action pressure compensated deep sea hydraulic engine for Flexible Elastomeric Actuators (FEAs) and other soft robotic actuators. The engine draws low electric power and has a compact form factor, making it suitable for use on remote deep sea platforms such as science class Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and other Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs). The design can be scaled and optimized for different use cases. The design principles, performance models, prototypes, and …

Salinity Effects On Growth And Nutritional Content Of Newly Isolated Microalgal With Potential Use In The Shrimp-Hatcheries, Wa Iba, Abdul Muis Balubi, Lenore M. Martin, Michael A. Rice, Gary H. Wikfors

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

A two-week batch experiment was conducted on three newly isolated Indonesian microalgal strains (Kb1-2 identified as Chaetoceros sp., Kb1-3 and Kb1-5) and Tisochrysis lutea to determine salinity effects upon the growth, proximate composition and ω-3, eicosapentaenoic acidand docosahexaenoic acid, (EPA and DHA) and ω-6 (arachidonic acid /ARA) fatty acids. Salinity within each strain growth of all microalgae tested. The highest cell densities were observed in Indonesian strains, Kb1-3 on day 8 at 25 psu and Kb1-5 on day 10 at 35 psu. Salinity significantly affected the lipid, protein and carbohydrate content in all microalgae cultured. The highest total lipid content …

Trait Energy And Fatigue Influence Inter-Individual Mood And Neurocognitive Responses During Work Done While Sitting, Standing, And Intermittent Walking: A Randomized-Controlled Crossover Design, Hannah M. Gigliotti, Cody Hodgson, Mary Riley, Brittany Marshall, Christie L. Ward-Ritacco, Joel Martin, Ali Boolani

Kinesiology Faculty Publications

College students can be sedentary for a majority of the day, which may exacerbate mental health issues or lead to declines in cognitive task performance; however, interventions to address sedentary behaviors may not positively influence everyone. Therefore, the present study sought to identify inter-individual cognitive performance and mood changes of college students during the performance of a cognitive task battery, while seated, standing and with intermittent bouts of walking. Participants (n = 31, age = 25.80 ± 3.61 yrs, 7 male) completed a series of baseline questionnaires including the Trait Mental and Physical Energy and Fatigue survey. Using a randomized …

Organic Culture Media For Sustainable Carotenoid Production From Microalgae, Wa Iba, Nur Illyin Akib, Ilham, La Ode Muhammad Jumardin, Bolo Arif, Nursainuddin, Sendry Yosalina, Jumtrisnanda Asmin Andas

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

Antioxidants, particularly those carotenoid produced in microalgae, can be increased by induced stress, including light, nutrients, and salinity. Nutrient stress can be achieved by using imbalanced nutrients to boost antioxidant production without compromising the growth, that is, biomass. Culture media is an important factor in microalgae production because it is affecting growth and biomass production, as well as the biochemical content of microalgae. Synthetic or conventional culture media is considerably expensive for mass culture and the supply is limited, especially for developing countries. Therefore, there is a need for cheap and easily available culture media. This chapter discusses the use …

Biochemical And Genetic Mechanisms Underpinning Escherichia Coli Cell Cycle And Growth Transitions, Josiah Morrison

Open Access Dissertations

Bacterial cell division and the decision to divide is a process that requires a wide variety of factors. In bacterial cells, such as the widely studied Escherichia coli, a large protein complex, termed the Z-ring, assembles at midcell to enable division. The Z-ring is subject to many regulators which govern the spatiotemporal positioning of the ring. The Z-ring is made up of the eukaryotic tubulin homolog FtsZ, which polymerizes to recruit division proteins to the midcell. FtsZ polymers are tethered to the cytoplasmic membrane by the actin homolog FtsA. Together, FtsZ and FtsA act as the first step in …

Groundwater Dynamics In An Unconfined Coastal Aquifer: Geophysical Investigations And Modeling, Jeeban Panthi

Open Access Dissertations

Coastal groundwater plays a vital role in the sustainability of coastal ecosystems and the freshwater supply for over one billion people worldwide. Understanding the movement and interaction of saltwater and freshwater in coastal aquifers is crucial for effective water resource management. The interface between these density-contrast waters is highly dynamic and sensitive to natural drivers, such as sea level rise, storm surges, and drought, as well as anthropogenic factors, including groundwater over-pumping. In recent years, the drivers of coastal groundwater dynamics have been increasingly well understood and quantified. However, there is a need for data-model fusion, including integrating different forms …

Utilization Of Large-Scale Genomic Data And Phylogenetic Methods In Studying Evolutionary Radiations, Eren Ada

Open Access Dissertations

The remarkable biodiversity of the Earth fascinated natural scientists for centuries. Studying this biodiversity has been a major occupation of the life sciences because deciphering the underlying biological mechanisms of diversification provides fundamental knowledge for biological evolution. A significant body of evidence shows that today’s biodiversity originated from successive adaptive diversification periods (i.e.: evolutionary radiations) which are generally characterized by the rapid multiplication of lineages with a variety of adaptations and ecological roles. Some of the most well-known examples of evolutionary radiations include the striking wing pattern diversity of Heliconius butterflies, the great body form variety of Caribbean anole lizards, …

Defining The Essential Genome Of Haemophilus Parainfluenzae And Conditionally Essential Genes Required For Its Survival In Biofilms And Serum Complement, Thaís Harder De Palma

Open Access Dissertations

Haemophilus parainfluenzae (Hp), a Gram-negative bacterium is found in different niches of the mouth, and it is very abundant in the supragingival plaque. While considered a commensal in the mouth, Hp is also a HACEK microorganism associated with endocarditis and considered an opportunistic pathogenic species. However, Hp remains a subject of limited investigation. Specifically, the genes necessary for Hp's survival and those that are conditionally essential for thriving under various environmental conditions are yet to be identified. This research addresses those questions using transposon sequencing (TnSeq) to identify the essential genome and the core essential genome in …

Validity Of The Dimensional Model Of Adversity And Psychopathology Across Race/Ethnicity And Gender, Evelyn Hernandez Valencia

Open Access Master's Theses

Background: Experiences of childhood adversity predict adult health though the mechanisms of such association remain unknown. The Dimensional Model of Adversity & Psychopathology (DMAP; Duffy et al., 2018) postulates that experiences of adversity can be conceptually and statistically “unpacked” into separate factors that have distinct outcomes. Experiences characterized by an absence of expected inputs from the environment (e.g., physical and emotional neglect) have been construed as a deprivation dimension; whereas experiences characterized by physical harm or threat of harm (e.g., physical, emotional, and sexual abuse) have been hypothesized to fall along a threat dimension. DMAP suggests that experiences of …

The Associations Between Inter-Parental Relationship Quality And Paternal Closeness At Age 9 On Risky Sexual Behavior At Age 15, Lindsey Gartland

Open Access Master's Theses

Risky sexual behavior in adolescence can lead to short-term and long-term consequences such as unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases (STI’s), and increased number of sexual partners (Simons et al., 2015). In this paper, risky sexual behavior is being defined has having an early sexual debut; having sex by or at age 15. Having sex before or at age 15 poses threats to adolescent’s well-being because of the increased likelihood of previously stated consequences (Magnusson, 2019). The relationship between inter-parental relationship quality, paternal closeness, and some adolescent outcomes such as drug use, alcohol use, and mental health has been previously observed …

The Moderating Role Of Service Utilization Between Newborn Mothers Financial Worries And Depression, Alysia Carcieri

Open Access Master's Theses

The experience of pregnancy and childbirth is both an exciting and stressful time in a woman’s life. New mothers, particularly those experiencing depression, can experience difficulty handling life’s daily activities, including increases in financial stressors during pregnancy and after childbirth. Women are more likely to experience depression compared to men; and women of child-bearing age are even more at risk, regardless what their race or economic status is (Cadigan & Skinner, 2015). Moreover, financial worry occurs when a person has difficulty meeting basic needs including housing, food, health care, or having late and skipped bills. The United States provides a …

Mechanical Behavior Of Gyroids Under Dynamic Loads, Alexander Sapronov

Open Access Master's Theses

This study is an experimental investigation aimed at better understanding the behavior of gyroids under dynamic loads and investigating their optimization potential through the adjustment of key control variables. The response of a standard gyroid and six variations on it were studied under nondestructive cyclic compression and destructive impact tests. These experiments were performed at the University of Rhode Island in the Dynamic Photomechanics Laboratory (DPML) for all seven sample types. High-speed photography was used to capture the behavior of each sample under a destructive impact load to provide a qualitative comparison to similar experiments conducted by other researchers. Semi-static …

The Relation Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Health Behaviors In Adult Women, Karina Tavares

Open Access Master's Theses

Individuals who experience adversity during childhood are at a higher risk of negative health outcomes in adulthood. This study aims to identify whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) influence health lifestyles throughout adulthood. This was accomplished by collecting data from 233 women aged 18-25 and 65-85 who reported either no ACEs or three or more ACEs. Demographic indicators, the 10-item ACEs questionnaire (Felitti et al., 1998), and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II; Walker, Sechrist, & Pender, 1987) were examined. ACEs were categorized into three variables: abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. The HPLP-II was categorized by its six subscales: health responsibility, …

Anxiety And Depression In Middle Eastern And North African First-Generation College Students: Implications For Academic Success, Merna Naguib

Open Access Master's Theses

Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression are highly prevalent among first-generation college students, and can hinder their academic performance (BlackDeer et al., 2021).The current study sought to examine the prevalence of anxiety and depression among first-generation Middle Eastern/North African (ME/NA) college students and how that may impact academic performance. The data for this study came from the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA), which is a leadership organization that advances the health of college students and campus communities through education, research, and advocacy. The sample in this study included 37,869 participants who identified themselves as …

Optimizing Autonomous Multi-Agent Search Patterns Using Swarm Intelligence, Justin P. Maio

Open Access Master's Theses

This work examines several approaches to using multiple robotic search agents to locate a hidden object within a bounded space. Animal swarm behavior is used as model for robots using collaborative tactics with limited intelligence and sensing capabilities. Leveraging group behavior creates opportunities for the robotic swarm to perform better than an equal number of individual robots. Investigated advantages of using a robotic swarm include added endurance, shared GPS accuracy, robustness against evasive maneuvers, and (most importantly) decreased search time.

An object-oriented program written in Python is used to compare eight group-search approaches. A simulation counts the number of steps …

3d Printing Multifunctional Structures With Electrical And Mechanical Capabilities, William Maciolek

Open Access Master's Theses

This study is an experimental investigation to understand the electrical and mechanical properties of 3D-printed Polylactic Acid (PLA). These 3D-printed specimens will be printed layer by layer through the Finite Element Method. Quasistatic and Dynamic compression on the specimens will be tested and measured. Quasistatic compression will be tested using a Shimadzu AG-X, and Dynamic compression will come from the use of a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar. Conductive PLA within each specimen will act as a strain gauge to measure the electrical response. This occurs simultaneously as the mechanical response is being measured. These experiments were performed at the University …

Potential Applications Of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate (Acc) In Water Treatment Operations, Brendan Mccarron

Open Access Master's Theses

The increasing negative effects from anthropogenic activities has given rise for bioprospecting new and advanced materials intended for sustainable remediation and restoration efforts. There are currently efforts into exploring naturally found porous substrates to use in a variety of applications, however the cost and availability has been a limiting factor in introducing these into current practices. Many studies have explored and identified the high performance of granulated activated charcoal for water filtration but tend to disregard the environmentally harmful nuances that occur during the manufacturing process. Priority for these porous substrates focus on results, with little to no regard for …

Caldicellulosiruptor Bescii Genome-Scale Metabolic Model Serves As A Platform To Reveal The Strategies To Increase Ethanol And 2,3-Butanediol Production, Ke Zhang

Open Access Master's Theses

The extremely thermophilic cellulolytic bacterium, Caldicellulosiruptor bescii (C. bescii), degrades plant biomass at high temperature without any pretreatments and can serve as a strategic platform for industrial applications. C. bescii can utilize various carbohydrates, and its high growth temperature offers benefits such as reduced risk of phage infection and contamination, increased solubility of plant biomass polysaccharides, and the potential to distill volatile products directly from fermentation broths. Therefore, it has become an interest of research and has been metabolically engineered to produce desired bioproducts. The metabolic engineering of C. bescii, however, faces potential bottlenecks in bio-based chemical …

Microfluidic Devices For Microplastics Separation And Identification, Pedro Mesquita

Open Access Master's Theses

Considering its ubiquitous use, plastic pollution has been a worldwide concern for a long time. Recently, microplastics have been found both in water and animal samples (including humans), raising the necessity for novel analytical methods dedicated to the detection of these particles. This thesis explored the application of microfluidic devices in the separation and identification of microplastics. Firstly, the field of low-cost microfluidic devices for environmental applications was reviewed, obtaining an exhaustive perspective. The second chapter explores the development of a device used for microplastics identification using a staining method. The device was made from PDMS casting using a 3D …

Development Of Targeted Drug Combinations Blocking Multi-Driver Oncogenesis, Alexander Yonchak

Open Access Master's Theses

Protein kinase inhibitors have been an effective treatment for cancers driven by an identifiable predominant protein kinase that drives cancer development. Most cancers, however, are supported by multiple independent drivers and cannot be effectively treated by targeted therapies that inhibits only a single driver. Instead, a combination targeted therapy with multiple targeted drugs to block all drivers is required. Developing combination targeted therapies for such cancers requires identification of the individual drivers and pharmacological understanding of the complex interactions between the drugs and the cancer targets. The current pharmacological models, based on the Hill equation, only describe the interaction between …

Advanced Septic Systems Contribute Nitrogen And Per And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances To Coastal Groundwater, Owen Placido

Open Access Master's Theses

Clean water is integral to human and ecosystem health, and effective wastewater treatment is a critical part of protecting clean water. In regions of the United States where homes are not connected to sewers and centralized wastewater treatment plants, wastewater is treated on site using septic systems. This thesis focuses on two types of pollution from septic systems: nitrogen and per and ploy fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The study area for this project, Charlestown, Rhode Island, is in a densely developed coastal zone that is vulnerable to nitrogen pollution because of proximity to coastal ecosystems, like brackish coastal lagoons (salt ponds), …

Improving The Performance Of Genetic Algorithms Using Reinforcement Learning., Jose D. Quevedo

Open Access Master's Theses

In the realm of optimization and operations research, addressing complex combinatorial problems efficiently and effectively has always been a challenge. The Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP), a classic and well-known optimization problem, exemplifies this challenge. CVRP involves finding optimal routes for a fleet of vehicles to serve a set of customers while respecting vehicle capacity constraints and minimizing the total distance traveled.

Over the years, researchers and practitioners have employed a multitude of techniques to tackle the CVRP, ranging from traditional optimization algorithms to modern computational methods. In recent times, the convergence of machine learning and genetic algorithms has paved …

Brook Trout Habitat Selection And Movement Response To Critically High Temperatures In Fragmented Stream Networks, Corey Pelletier

Open Access Master's Theses

The Eastern Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is a cold-water obligate fish species that is losing habitat across its native range. Increases in water temperature resulting from climate change and anthropogenic influences are causing declines in distribution and this trend is expected to accelerate. The ability of Brook Trout to survive and adapt to increasing temperatures may be limited by physical barriers, such as natural waterfalls, manmade dams, and perched culverts, that are scattered throughout watersheds in the native range. While temperature effects on Brook Trout and other salmonids have been well documented, few research studies have focused on …

Antibiotic Tolerance In Quiescent Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli, Daniel Alexander Banas

Open Access Master's Theses

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the leading cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs). In about a quarter of these cases the patient experiences reoccurring infection after treatment with antibiotics. The prevalence of reoccurrence may be attributed to the ability of some UPEC populations to enter a growth state where they are tolerant to antibiotic treatment. In reduced metabolic, dormant, and quiescent states bacteria are less susceptible to antibiotics that target critical growth pathways, allowing for prolonged survival. In Manuscript I, we investigate antibiotic tolerance in the quiescent UPEC strain CFT073 in vitro. We demonstrate that during quiescence UPEC are tolerant …

Chronic Illness Among Private And Public Health Insurance Holders In Adults Of Poverty Status, Zoe Rina Cute

Open Access Master's Theses

When discussing chronic illnesses, it is important to consider how factors such as socioeconomic status (SES) and health insurance impact the presence of chronic illness in the lives of adults. Most prior research on this topic addresses the association between health insurance type and an individual's access to healthcare services, but fails to directly address the association between health insurance type and chronic illness outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of the current study is to explore associations among poverty status, health insurance type, and chronic illness outcomes of adults in early midlife. An exploratory hypothesis was tested using a Mann-Whitney test …

Home Is Where The Habitat Is: Modeling Shortfin Mako Habitat Suitability Via Machine Learning Methods, Julian Garrison

Open Access Master's Theses

Given the mounting threats of species overexploitation, climate change, and other anthropogenic stressors to global biodiversity, there is a growing need for conservation and management efforts informed by the life history and ecology of target species. Apex marine predators such as the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) are especially vulnerable owing to their life history traits, but accurately mapping habitat preferences remains challenging. Using a novel framework that combines multiple analytical techniques, I report on nearly a decade of habitat preferences of 106 shortfin makos in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and western North Atlantic Ocean (NAO). I leverage the …

Dawn Of The Cenozoic: Vertebrate-Bearing Post-Dinosaurextinction Paleoenvironments Of Corral Bluffs, Co, Usa, Rebecca Naprstek

Open Access Master's Theses

A detailed lithostratigraphic, geochronological, and paleomagnetic framework at Corral Bluffs, CO, USA, captures key mammalian evolutionary steps during the terrestrial Paleocene radiation and provides high-resolution insights into the post Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction recovery. Here I examine earliest Paleocene paleoenvironments preserved at a vertebrate microsite locality at Corral Bluffs, leading to a deeper understanding of the context of the earliest Cenozoic mammalian radiation.

I carried out a detailed sedimentological analysis including field as well as laboratory petrographic analyses to reconstruct the paleoenvironments preserved at a microsite locality in Corral Bluffs. I utilized a limited microfossil collection from this locality for an additional …

Impulsivity Facets Associated With Co-Use And Consequences Of Alcohol And Cannabis Via Perceived Norms, Melissa C. Rothstein

Open Access Master's Theses

Co-use of alcohol and cannabis, or use of these substances simultaneously such that their effects overlap, is prevalent and growing. Compared to alcohol-only use, co-use of alcohol and cannabis is associated with greater negative consequences, such as heavier drinking, more cognitive issues, and risky behavior. Impulsivity (i.e., tendency toward rash action without consideration of consequences) and perceived norms (i.e., a social influence by which individuals adjust their behavior to that of their peers) are two factors related to increased substance use among young adults, but few studies have examined their role in co-use behaviors. Consequently, the purpose of this study …

Abundance And Distribution Of Medically Important Hard Ticks And Associated Ixodes-Borne Pathogens In Rhode Island, Thomas Kinser Wallace

Open Access Master's Theses

Rhode Island has one of the highest per capita rates of human tick-borne disease incidence in the United States. Novel pathogens previously unknown to occur in the Northeastern US, known as emerging tick-borne pathogens (TBP), have expanded beyond their previously established geographic ranges and become a new threat to public health. These include Borrelia burgdorferi and B. mayonii, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, B. miyamotoi (tick-borne relapsing fever), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Anaplasmosis), Babesia microti (Babesiosis), Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis (Ehrlichiosis), and Powassan virus. Additionally, hard tick vectors (Acari: Ixodidae) such as Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variabilis, …

Distribution And Variability Of Blue Carbon In Tidal Marsh Soils Of Southern New England, Joseph Vincent Manetta

Open Access Master's Theses

Tidal marshes in Southern New England represent critical blue carbon ecosystems and support some of the richest carbon stocks of any ecosystem on Earth. This thesis addresses the challenge of accurately quantifying carbon stocks in these ecosystems and explores spatial strategies for carbon accounting at both a landscape and pedon level. In particular, the study investigates the effectiveness of partitioning tidal marshes into landscape or pedogeomorphic units (PGUs) based on their geomorphic characteristics and using soil morphological characteristics to estimate soil carbon stocks. Soils from 32 separate marshes were described and sampled along transects, representing four different PGUs (back barrier, …