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Mitigating The Greenhouse Gas Footprint Of Hydropower Via Floating Solar Photovoltaic Integration: A Modeling And Predictive Analysis Study, Areefin Ul Hassan Chowdhury Jul 2024

Mitigating The Greenhouse Gas Footprint Of Hydropower Via Floating Solar Photovoltaic Integration: A Modeling And Predictive Analysis Study, Areefin Ul Hassan Chowdhury

Theses and Dissertations

Hydropower is typically considered a low-carbon energy source; however, some hydropower facilities exhibit high greenhouse gas (GHG) intensities due to emissions from their reservoirs. This study evaluates the potential for offsetting GHG intensities by integrating floating solar photovoltaics (FPV) with reservoir-based hydropower. Our assessment indicates that technically feasible FPV–hydropower integrations could enable over 50% of the world’s GHG-intensive hydropower plants to achieve low-GHG energy benchmarks, with significant implications for both hydropower management and climate change mitigation. To support this analysis, we conducted clustering analysis to investigate the potential for reservoir segmentation. Following this, we applied various regression methods to predict …


Review Of Agricultural Biomass Burning And Its Impact On Air Quality In The Continental United States Of America, Sai Deepak Pinakana, Amit U. Raysoni, Alqamah Sayeed, Juan L. Gonzalez, Owen Temby, Dawid K. Wladyka, Katarzyna Sepielak Jul 2024

Review Of Agricultural Biomass Burning And Its Impact On Air Quality In The Continental United States Of America, Sai Deepak Pinakana, Amit U. Raysoni, Alqamah Sayeed, Juan L. Gonzalez, Owen Temby, Dawid K. Wladyka, Katarzyna Sepielak

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Burning is a common method to dispose agricultural biomass residue. This practice is widely used by farmers during pre- and post-harvest seasons for crops such as wheat, rice, grass seed, soy, cotton, sugarcane, and corn. Farmers choose this method because it is cost and time effective. These burning activities emit several types of pollutants into the atmosphere, including CH4, SOx, NOx, CO, CO2, and particulate matter of different sizes (i.e., PM1, PM2.5 and PM10). Globally, the United States of America ranks third, preceded by China and India, in greenhouse gas emissions due to agricultural burning activities. According to the 2020 …


Using Chatgpt As A Thought Partner In Writing Relevant Proportional Reasoning Word Problems, Andrea Berryhill, Lendon Chandler, Liza Bondurant, Bima Sapkota Jul 2024

Using Chatgpt As A Thought Partner In Writing Relevant Proportional Reasoning Word Problems, Andrea Berryhill, Lendon Chandler, Liza Bondurant, Bima Sapkota

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

In this article, we, two preservice mathematics teachers (PSTs) and two mathematics teacher educators (MTEs), explore the potential of using ChatGPT, a large language model (LLM), as a thought partner to create relevant proportional reasoning word problems. We detail our iterative process of refining our inputs and critically evaluating ChatGPT's outputs. Our takeaways from this journey offer valuable insights for educators seeking to leverage the capabilities of LLMs in their lesson-planning endeavors.


On Angles In Higher Order Brillouin Tessellations And Related Tilings In The Plane, Herbert Edelsbrunner, Alexey Garber, Mohadese Ghafari, Teresa Heiss, Morteza Saghafian Jul 2024

On Angles In Higher Order Brillouin Tessellations And Related Tilings In The Plane, Herbert Edelsbrunner, Alexey Garber, Mohadese Ghafari, Teresa Heiss, Morteza Saghafian

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

For a locally finite set in R 2 , the order-k Brillouin tessellations form an infinite sequence of convex face-to-face tilings of the plane. If the set is coarsely dense and generic, then the corresponding infinite sequences of minimum and maximum angles are both monotonic in k. As an example, a stationary Poisson point process in R 2 is locally finite, coarsely dense, and generic with probability one. For such a set, the distributions of angles in the Voronoi tessellations, Delaunay mosaics, and Brillouin tessellations are independent of the order and can be derived from the formula for angles in …


Urban Soil Compaction Remediation By Shallow Tillage And Compost In Hydroseeded Lawn, James Jihoon Kang, Adam Flores, Engil Isadora Pujol Pereira, Jungseok Ho Jul 2024

Urban Soil Compaction Remediation By Shallow Tillage And Compost In Hydroseeded Lawn, James Jihoon Kang, Adam Flores, Engil Isadora Pujol Pereira, Jungseok Ho

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Construction activities often involve removal of topsoil and compaction of the exposed soil by heavy equipments. Such compacted soils with low organic matter can lead to low infiltration and poor vegetation establishment. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of tillage (shallow till) and compost on soil physical and biological properties in a hydroseeded lawn as a post-construction best management practice for soil compaction remediation. The experimental site received a total of four land treatments in five replicated trials and it was hydroseeded with common Bermuda grass: 1) No Tillage + Compost (NT-C), 2) No Tillage + …


Enhancing Tumor Classification Through Machine Learning Algorithms For Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Lawrence Agbota, Edmund F. Agyemang, Priscilla Kissi-Appiah, Lateef Moshood, Akua Osei- Nkwantabisa, Vincent Agbenyeavu, Abraham Nsiah, Augustina Adjei Jun 2024

Enhancing Tumor Classification Through Machine Learning Algorithms For Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Lawrence Agbota, Edmund F. Agyemang, Priscilla Kissi-Appiah, Lateef Moshood, Akua Osei- Nkwantabisa, Vincent Agbenyeavu, Abraham Nsiah, Augustina Adjei

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

In cancer diagnosis, machine learning helps improve cancer detection by providing doctors with a second perspective and allowing for faster and more accurate determination and decisions. Numerous studies have used both classic machine learning approaches and deep learning to address cancer classification. In this study, we examine the efficacy of five commonly used machine learning algorithms; both traditional and deep learning models namely, Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machines (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree and Deep Neural Networks (DNN). We analyze their ability to properly classify tumors as Benign or Malignant using the Wisconsin breast cancer dataset (WBCD). Random Forest …


On The Size Of Maximal Binary Codes With 2, 3, And 4 Distances, Alexander Barg, Alexey Glazyrin, Wei-Jiun Kao, Ching-Yi Lai, Pin-Chieh Tseng, Wei-Hsuan Yu Jun 2024

On The Size Of Maximal Binary Codes With 2, 3, And 4 Distances, Alexander Barg, Alexey Glazyrin, Wei-Jiun Kao, Ching-Yi Lai, Pin-Chieh Tseng, Wei-Hsuan Yu

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

We address the maximum size of binary codes and binary constant weight codes with few distances. Previous works established a number of bounds for these quantities as well as the exact values for a range of small code lengths. As our main results, we determine the exact size of maximal binary codes with two distances for all lengths n≥6 as well as the exact size of maximal binary constant weight codes with 2, 3, and 4 distances for several values of the weight and for all but small lengths.


Association Of Longitudinal Changes In 24-H Blood Pressure Level And Variability With Cognitive Decline, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Kristina Vatcheva, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Sokratis Charisis, Luis J. Mena, Rosa P. Mavarez, Antonio Garcia, Ney Alliey Rodriguez, John Blangero, Gladys Maestre Jun 2024

Association Of Longitudinal Changes In 24-H Blood Pressure Level And Variability With Cognitive Decline, Jesus D. Melgarejo, Kristina Vatcheva, Silvia Mejia-Arango, Sokratis Charisis, Luis J. Mena, Rosa P. Mavarez, Antonio Garcia, Ney Alliey Rodriguez, John Blangero, Gladys Maestre

School of Medicine Publications

Objective:

A high office blood pressure (BP) is associated with cognitive decline. However, evidence of 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring is limited, and no studies have investigated whether longitudinal changes in 24-h BP are associated with cognitive decline. We aimed to test whether higher longitudinal changes in 24-h ambulatory BP measurements are associated with cognitive decline.

Methods:

We included 437 dementia-free participants from the Maracaibo Aging Study with prospective data on 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring and cognitive function, which was assessed using the selective reminding test (SRT) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Using multivariate linear mixed regression models, we analyzed …


Wearable Alcohol Monitoring Device For The Data-Driven Transcutaneous Alcohol Diffusion Model, Ahmed Hasnain Jalal, Sepehr Arbabi, Mohammad A. Ahad, Fahmida Alam, Md. Ashfaq Ahmed Jun 2024

Wearable Alcohol Monitoring Device For The Data-Driven Transcutaneous Alcohol Diffusion Model, Ahmed Hasnain Jalal, Sepehr Arbabi, Mohammad A. Ahad, Fahmida Alam, Md. Ashfaq Ahmed

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Wearable alcohol monitoring devices demand noninvasive, real-time measurement of blood alcohol content (BAC) reliably and continuously. A few commercial devices are available to determine BAC noninvasively by detecting transcutaneous diffused alcohol. However, they suffer from a lack of accuracy and reliability in the determination of BAC in real time due to the complex scenario of the human skin for transcutaneous alcohol diffusion and numerous factors (e.g., skin thickness, kinetics of alcohol, body weight, age, sex, metabolism rate, etc.). In this work, a transcutaneous alcohol diffusion model has been developed from real-time captured data from human wrists to better understand the …


Post-Baccalaureate Research Experiences For Students At Two Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Experience), Dessaray Monique Gorbett, Benjamin C. Flores, Cristina Villalobos, Sara E. Rodriguez, Ariana (Ari) Arciero, Josef A. Sifuentes Jun 2024

Post-Baccalaureate Research Experiences For Students At Two Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Experience), Dessaray Monique Gorbett, Benjamin C. Flores, Cristina Villalobos, Sara E. Rodriguez, Ariana (Ari) Arciero, Josef A. Sifuentes

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This study examines the implementation of a one-year program that offered post-baccalaureate research experiences to a cohort of recent STEM graduates from two large Hispanic-serving institutions. Both institutions are collaborators in an NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) grant, which is dedicated to enhancing the academic experience of historically underrepresented minorities. Applicants were either self-nominated or were nominated by faculty to participate in the post-baccalaureate program. Following an application process that included an interview, selected participants were matched to research faculty and committed to engage in a high-impact research project for at least one semester and for up …


Bounds For The Regularity Radius Of Delone Sets, Nikolay Dolbilin, Alexey Garber, Egon Schulte, Marjorie Senechal Jun 2024

Bounds For The Regularity Radius Of Delone Sets, Nikolay Dolbilin, Alexey Garber, Egon Schulte, Marjorie Senechal

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Delone sets are discrete point sets X in Rd characterized by parameters (r, R), where (usually) 2r is the smallest inter-point distance of X, and R is the radius of a largest “empty ball” that can be inserted into the interstices of X. The regularity radius ρ^d is defined as the smallest positive number ρ such that each Delone set with congruent clusters of radius ρ is a regular system, that is, a point orbit under a crystallographic group. We discuss two conjectures on the growth behavior of the regularity radius. Our “Weak Conjecture” states that ρ^d=O(d2log2d)R as d→∞ , …


Making Proteomics Accessible: Rokaixplorer For Interactive Analysis Of Phospho-Proteomic Data, Serhan Yılmaz, Filipa Blasco Tavares Pereira Lopes, Daniela Schlatzer, Marzieh Ayati, Mark R. Chance, Mehmet Koyutürk Jun 2024

Making Proteomics Accessible: Rokaixplorer For Interactive Analysis Of Phospho-Proteomic Data, Serhan Yılmaz, Filipa Blasco Tavares Pereira Lopes, Daniela Schlatzer, Marzieh Ayati, Mark R. Chance, Mehmet Koyutürk

Computer Science Faculty Publications

We present RokaiXplorer, an intuitive web tool designed to address the scarcity of user-friendly solutions for proteomics and phospho-proteomics data analysis and visualization. RokaiXplorer streamlines data processing, analysis, and visualization through an interactive online interface, making it accessible to researchers without specialized training in proteomics or data science. With its comprehensive suite of modules, RokaiXplorer facilitates phospho-proteomic analysis at the level of phosphosites, proteins, kinases, biological processes, and pathways. The tool offers functionalities such as data normalization, statistical testing, activity inference, pathway enrichment, subgroup analysis, automated report generation, and multiple visualizations, including volcano plots, bar plots, heat maps, and network …


Kernel Ridge Regression In Predicting Railway Crossing Accidents, Ethan Villalobos, Constantine Tarawneh, Jia Chen, Evangelos E. Papalexakis, Ping Xu Jun 2024

Kernel Ridge Regression In Predicting Railway Crossing Accidents, Ethan Villalobos, Constantine Tarawneh, Jia Chen, Evangelos E. Papalexakis, Ping Xu

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Expanding on the insights from our initial investigation into railway accident patterns, this paper delves deeper into the predictive capabilities of machine learning to forecast potential accident trends in railway crossings. Focusing on critical factors such as “Highway User Position” and “Equipment Involved,” we integrate Kernel Ridge Regression (KRR) models tailored to distinct clusters, as well as a global model for the entire dataset. These models, trained on historical data, discern patterns and correlations that might elude traditional statistical methods. Our findings are compelling: certain clusters, despite limited data points, showcase remarkably Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) values between predictions …


Spectral Clustering In Railway Crossing Accidents Analysis, Ethan Villalobos, Hector Lugo Iii, Biqian Cheng, Miguel Gutierrez, Constantine Tarawneh, Ping Xu, Jia Chen, Evangelos E. Papalexakis Jun 2024

Spectral Clustering In Railway Crossing Accidents Analysis, Ethan Villalobos, Hector Lugo Iii, Biqian Cheng, Miguel Gutierrez, Constantine Tarawneh, Ping Xu, Jia Chen, Evangelos E. Papalexakis

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This study employs graph mining and spectral clustering to analyze patterns in railway crossing accidents, utilizing a comprehensive dataset from the US Department of Transportation. By constructing a graph of implicit relationships between railway companies based on shared accident localities, we apply spectral clustering to identify distinct clusters of companies with similar accident patterns. This offers nuanced insight into the underlying structure of these incidents. Our results indicate that “Highway User Position” and “Equipment Involved” play pivotal roles in accident clustering, while temporal elements like “Date” and “Time” exert a diminished impact. This research not only sheds light on potential …


Methionine Sulfoxide Speciation In Mouse Hippocampus Revealed By Global Proteomics Exhibits Age- And Alzheimer’S Disease-Dependent Changes Targeted To Mitochondrial And Glycolytic Pathways, Filipa Blasco Tavares Pereira Lopes, Daniela Schlatzer, Mengzhen Li, Serhan Yılmaz, Rihua Wang, Xin Qi, Marzieh Ayati, Mehmet Koyutürk, Mark R. Chance Jun 2024

Methionine Sulfoxide Speciation In Mouse Hippocampus Revealed By Global Proteomics Exhibits Age- And Alzheimer’S Disease-Dependent Changes Targeted To Mitochondrial And Glycolytic Pathways, Filipa Blasco Tavares Pereira Lopes, Daniela Schlatzer, Mengzhen Li, Serhan Yılmaz, Rihua Wang, Xin Qi, Marzieh Ayati, Mehmet Koyutürk, Mark R. Chance

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Methionine oxidation to the sulfoxide form (MSox) is a poorly understood post-translational modification of proteins associated with non-specific chemical oxidation from reactive oxygen species (ROS), whose chemistries are linked to various disease pathologies, including neurodegeneration. Emerging evidence shows MSox site occupancy is, in some cases, under enzymatic regulatory control, mediating cellular signaling, including phosphorylation and/or calcium signaling, and raising questions as to the speciation and functional nature of MSox across the proteome. The 5XFAD lineage of the C57BL/6 mouse has well-defined Alzheimer’s and aging states. Using this model, we analyzed age-, sex-, and disease-dependent MSox speciation in the mouse hippocampus. …


Methionine Sulfoxide Speciation In Mouse Hippocampus Revealed By Global Proteomics Exhibits Age- And Alzheimer’S Disease-Dependent Changes Targeted To Mitochondrial And Glycolytic Pathways, Filipa Blasco Tavares Pereira Lopes, Daniela Schlatzer, Mengzhen Li, Serhan Yılmaz, Rihua Wang, Xin Qi, Marzieh Ayati, Mehmet Koyutürk, Mark R. Chance Jun 2024

Methionine Sulfoxide Speciation In Mouse Hippocampus Revealed By Global Proteomics Exhibits Age- And Alzheimer’S Disease-Dependent Changes Targeted To Mitochondrial And Glycolytic Pathways, Filipa Blasco Tavares Pereira Lopes, Daniela Schlatzer, Mengzhen Li, Serhan Yılmaz, Rihua Wang, Xin Qi, Marzieh Ayati, Mehmet Koyutürk, Mark R. Chance

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Methionine oxidation to the sulfoxide form (MSox) is a poorly understood post-translational modification of proteins associated with non-specific chemical oxidation from reactive oxygen species (ROS), whose chemistries are linked to various disease pathologies, including neurodegeneration. Emerging evidence shows MSox site occupancy is, in some cases, under enzymatic regulatory control, mediating cellular signaling, including phosphorylation and/or calcium signaling, and raising questions as to the speciation and functional nature of MSox across the proteome. The 5XFAD lineage of the C57BL/6 mouse has well-defined Alzheimer’s and aging states. Using this model, we analyzed age-, sex-, and disease-dependent MSox speciation in the mouse hippocampus. …


Clinically Proven Natural Products In Aid Of Treating Parkinson's Disease: A Comprehensive Review, Md Abul Hasan Roni, Md. Abu Bakar Siddique Jami, Sajidul Hoque, Md. Al Hasibuzzaman, Kazi Hamida Banu, Rozina, Farzana Ansari, Md Sohel, Md. Ashifuzzaman, Nazmul Huda Jun 2024

Clinically Proven Natural Products In Aid Of Treating Parkinson's Disease: A Comprehensive Review, Md Abul Hasan Roni, Md. Abu Bakar Siddique Jami, Sajidul Hoque, Md. Al Hasibuzzaman, Kazi Hamida Banu, Rozina, Farzana Ansari, Md Sohel, Md. Ashifuzzaman, Nazmul Huda

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

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which controls movement. Although there is some considerable evidence with conventional drugs for PD, treating patients becomes increasingly difficult due to their short- and long-term adverse effects and other restrictions. This dire circumstance emphasizes the need for an innovative, strong alternative treatment for PD. Plants and natural products are considered one of the most important sources of bioactive molecules against a wide range of health disorders. With mechanistic insights, this systematic review explains the efficacy …


Comparing Life-Cycle Dynamics Of Li-Ion Batteries (Libs) Clustered By Operating Conditions With Sindy, Kristen L. Hallas, Md Shahriar Forhad, Tamer Oraby, Benjamin Peters, Jianzhi Li Jun 2024

Comparing Life-Cycle Dynamics Of Li-Ion Batteries (Libs) Clustered By Operating Conditions With Sindy, Kristen L. Hallas, Md Shahriar Forhad, Tamer Oraby, Benjamin Peters, Jianzhi Li

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) play a big part in the vision of a net-zero emission economy, yet it is commonly reported that only a small percentage of LIBs are recycled worldwide. An outstanding barrier to making recycling LIBs economical throughout the supply chain pertains to the uncertainty surrounding their remaining useful life (RUL). How do operating conditions impact initial useful life of the battery? We applied sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics method (SINDy) to understand the life-cycle dynamics of LIBs with respect to sensor data observed for current, voltage, internal resistance and temperature. A dataset of 124 commercial lithium iron phosphate/graphite …


Strong Edge Burst With Bipolar Non-Hermitian Skin Effect, Cem Yuce, Hamidreza Ramezani Jun 2024

Strong Edge Burst With Bipolar Non-Hermitian Skin Effect, Cem Yuce, Hamidreza Ramezani

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We consider a system exhibiting the bipolar non-Hermitian skin effect (NHSE), where bipolar skin states are localized at both edges, and discuss how the topological funneling effect can occur with a single focal point in this system. We explore a topological phase transition from bipolar NHSE to NHSE, which alters the localization characteristics of the eigenstates. After the transition, both the delocalized and bipolar skin states transform into skin states. The non-Hermitian edge burst is a novel and unexpected feature of non-Hermitian quantum dynamics, characterized by substantial particle loss at the boundary of a system. Using the model displaying bipolar …


A Model For Play In The Preschool Curriculum: A Phenomenological Study, Saber Abdolmalaki, Mahboubeh Khosravi, Noushin Nouri, Mostafa Ghaderi Jun 2024

A Model For Play In The Preschool Curriculum: A Phenomenological Study, Saber Abdolmalaki, Mahboubeh Khosravi, Noushin Nouri, Mostafa Ghaderi

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

This phenomenological study aimed to develop a framework integrating play into preschool curriculum based on educators’ lived experiences using play-based methods. Fifteen educators from 12 centers were interviewed using theoretical sampling. Data analysis revealed nine pathways linking play types, educator roles, and learning objectives. Results culminated in a comprehensive framework elucidating how educators actualize educational goals through play.


Oscillations In Neuronal Activity: A Neuron-Centered Spatiotemporal Model Of The Unfolded Protein Response In Prion Diseases, Elliot M. Miller, Tat Chung D. Chan, Carlos Montes-Matamoros, Omar Sharif, Laurent Pujo-Menjouet, Michael R. Lindstrom Jun 2024

Oscillations In Neuronal Activity: A Neuron-Centered Spatiotemporal Model Of The Unfolded Protein Response In Prion Diseases, Elliot M. Miller, Tat Chung D. Chan, Carlos Montes-Matamoros, Omar Sharif, Laurent Pujo-Menjouet, Michael R. Lindstrom

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Many neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by the slow spatial spread of toxic protein species in the brain. The toxic proteins can induce neuronal stress, triggering the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), which slows or stops protein translation and can indirectly reduce the toxic load. However, the UPR may also trigger processes leading to apoptotic cell death and the UPR is implicated in the progression of several NDs. In this paper, we develop a novel mathematical model to describe the spatiotemporal dynamics of the UPR mechanism for prion diseases. Our model is centered around a single neuron, with representative proteins P …


Statistics For Anticyclotomic Iwasawa Invariants Of Elliptic Curves, Jeffrey Hatley, Debanjana Kundu, Anwesh Ray Jun 2024

Statistics For Anticyclotomic Iwasawa Invariants Of Elliptic Curves, Jeffrey Hatley, Debanjana Kundu, Anwesh Ray

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

We study the average behaviour of the Iwasawa invariants for Selmer groups of elliptic curves, considered over anticyclotomic Zp -extensions in both the definite and indefinite settings. The results in this paper lie at the intersection of arithmetic statistics and Iwasawa theory.


Using Bayesian Multispecies Models To Evaluate Fish And Invertebrate Detection Probability And Distribution In The Hypersaline Bahia Grande Tidal Basin, Roy M. Ulibarri, Catherine M. Eckert, David Hicks, David Montagne, Brandon Jones, David R. Stewart Jun 2024

Using Bayesian Multispecies Models To Evaluate Fish And Invertebrate Detection Probability And Distribution In The Hypersaline Bahia Grande Tidal Basin, Roy M. Ulibarri, Catherine M. Eckert, David Hicks, David Montagne, Brandon Jones, David R. Stewart

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Objective

In 2000, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge acquired the Bahia Grande (Texas) management unit, a space that had lain barren and arid for 70 years. A large cooperative partnership launched a restoration project to replenish the basin and recover its original tidal hydrology. In 2005, the construction of a pilot channel successfully restored water throughout the basin, and plans to eventually widen the channel were developed. Our study aims to evaluate an estuarine habitat restoration by assessing ecological drivers and the impacts on species diversity.

Methods

We evaluated species richness, detection/occupancy rates, and species–habitat relationships, and we estimated …


A Pilot Study On Particulate Matter Concentrations From Cooking And Its Effects On Indoor Air Pollution In A Mexican American Household In Mission, South Texas, Usa, Sai Deepak Pinakana, Carlos Garcia Patlan, Esmeralda Mendez, Amit U. Raysoni Jun 2024

A Pilot Study On Particulate Matter Concentrations From Cooking And Its Effects On Indoor Air Pollution In A Mexican American Household In Mission, South Texas, Usa, Sai Deepak Pinakana, Carlos Garcia Patlan, Esmeralda Mendez, Amit U. Raysoni

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

This pilot study focuses on particulate matter (PM) while cooking in a South Texan household. Dishes such as Beef, Burger, Fish, Chicken, Egg Sandwich, and Hotdog were prepared. Indoor PM levels were compared with outdoor PM levels. A DustTrak DRX was used to monitor the PM released during the cooking process. PM2.5 levels were highest while cooking beef, 162.79 + 209.62 μg m−3. Hot Dog preparation resulted in the lowest PM2.5 concentration of 27.72 + 5.58 μg m−3. Indoor PM2.5 levels were observed to be greater in contrast to outdoor levels when compared to the outdoor levels (96 words).


Simultaneous Chandra And Hst Observations Of The Quiescent Neutron Star Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries In 47 Tucanae, M. Van Den Berg, Liliana E. Rivera Sandoval, C O. Heinke, H. N. Cohn, P. M. Lugger, J. E. Grindlay, P. D. Edmonds, J. Anderson, A. Catuneanu Jun 2024

Simultaneous Chandra And Hst Observations Of The Quiescent Neutron Star Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries In 47 Tucanae, M. Van Den Berg, Liliana E. Rivera Sandoval, C O. Heinke, H. N. Cohn, P. M. Lugger, J. E. Grindlay, P. D. Edmonds, J. Anderson, A. Catuneanu

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present simultaneous Chandra X-ray Observatory and Hubble Space Telescope observations of three certain (X5, X7, W37) and two likely (X4, W17) quiescent neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries (qLMXBs) in the globular cluster 47 Tuc. We study these systems in the X-ray, optical, and near-ultraviolet (NUV) using the simultaneous data and additional non-contemporaneous HST data. We have discovered a blue and variable NUV counterpart to W17. We have not securely identified the eclipsing qLMXB W37 in the optical or NUV. Deeper high-resolution imaging is needed to further investigate the faint NUV excess near the centre of the W37 error circle. …


Supporting Latinx Preservice Teachers For Implementing Phenomenon-Based Science To Promote Their Understanding Of The Three Dimensions Of Science Learning With An Emphasis On The Nature Of Science (Nos), Leslie Y. Garrido Jun 2024

Supporting Latinx Preservice Teachers For Implementing Phenomenon-Based Science To Promote Their Understanding Of The Three Dimensions Of Science Learning With An Emphasis On The Nature Of Science (Nos), Leslie Y. Garrido

Theses and Dissertations

As the adoption rate of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) continues to rise in the United States, there is an increasing need for the development of high-quality instructional materials that reflect NGSS and effectively prepare teachers for its implementation. The NGSS aim to foster an understanding of three interconnected dimensions in students: science and engineering practices (SEP), crosscutting concepts (CCC), and disciplinary core ideas (DCI), along with an understanding of the nature of science (NOS). These standards envision students continuously revising their knowledge through the investigation of real-world phenomena using these dimensions. The State of Texas recently adopted and …


Development And Applications Of Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerators Using Batio3, Pdms, And Mwcnts For Energy Harvesting And Sensory Integration In Smart Systems, Islam Uddin Shipu, Dipasree Bhowmick, Nondon Lal Dey Jun 2024

Development And Applications Of Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerators Using Batio3, Pdms, And Mwcnts For Energy Harvesting And Sensory Integration In Smart Systems, Islam Uddin Shipu, Dipasree Bhowmick, Nondon Lal Dey

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

Mechanical energy is a versatile and accessible green energy source, increasingly harnessed to power small-scale devices via innovative flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (F- PNGs). These devices convert mechanical energy into electricity using lightweight materials such as Barium Titanate (BaTiO3), poly dimethyl siloxane (PDMS), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). In this design, BaTiO3 nanoparticles were embedded in a composite film with PDMS and MWCNTs, sandwiched between two copper electrodes. The BaTiO3/PDMS/MWCNT composite PENGs, synthesized for this study, produce an output voltage of ∼8 V through periodic cyclic beating. This represents an increase of about 16% compared to the PENGs without MWCNT doping. …


The Reciprocity Set, Roland Pongou, Jean-Baptiste Tondji Jun 2024

The Reciprocity Set, Roland Pongou, Jean-Baptiste Tondji

School of Economics and Finance Faculty Publications

We consider the problem of designing procedures that guarantee policy stability, efficiency, and inclusiveness. For this purpose, we introduce a sequential protocol that embeds clauses granting agents the right to oppose actions not in their interest, retract actions that face opposition, and punish harmful actions. Our analysis shows that coalitional farsighted behaviors under this procedure lead to reciprocal actions. We then introduce a solution concept–the reciprocity set–to predict stable outcomes for effectivity function games. We find that under some conditions, the reciprocity set (1) is always non-empty; (2) only selects efficient outcomes; (3) strategically protects minority outcomes; and …


Amino-Modified Upcycled Biochar Achieves Selective Chromium Removal In Complex Aqueous Matrices, Kenneth Flores, Diego F. Gonzalez, Helia Magali Morales, Arnulfo Mar, Sergi Garcia-Segura, Jorge L. Gardea-Torresdey, Jason Parsons Jun 2024

Amino-Modified Upcycled Biochar Achieves Selective Chromium Removal In Complex Aqueous Matrices, Kenneth Flores, Diego F. Gonzalez, Helia Magali Morales, Arnulfo Mar, Sergi Garcia-Segura, Jorge L. Gardea-Torresdey, Jason Parsons

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Chromium pollution of groundwater sources is a growing global issue, which correlates with various anthropogenic activities. Remediation of both the Cr(VI) and Cr(III), via adsorption technologies, has been championed in recent years due to ease of use, minimal energy requirements, and the potential to serve as a highly sustainable remediation technology. In the present study, a biochar sorbent sourced from pineapple skins, allowed for the upcycling of agricultural waste into water purification technology. The biochar material was chemically modified, through a green amination method, to produce an efficient and selective adsorbent for the removal of both Cr(VI) and Cr(III) from …


A Novel Consumer-Centric Metric For Evaluating Hearing Device Audio Performance, Vinaya Manchaiah, Steve Taddei, Abram Bailey, De Wet Swanepoel, Hansapani Rodrigo May 2024

A Novel Consumer-Centric Metric For Evaluating Hearing Device Audio Performance, Vinaya Manchaiah, Steve Taddei, Abram Bailey, De Wet Swanepoel, Hansapani Rodrigo

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background and Aim: The emergence of direct-to-consumer hearing devices has introduced confusion in making appropriate choices, highlighting the need for users to be well-informed for optimal device selection. Currently, no established metric offers insights into the sound performance of these devices. This study aimed to introduce and assess a novel consumer-centric metric (i.e., SoundScore) for hearing device audio performance.

Method: The SoundScore metric was created based on five dimensions of hearing device audio performance (i.e., speech benefit in quiet and moderate, speech benefit in loud, own voice perception, feedback control, streamed music sound quality). Tests were conducted under lab conditions …