Digital Commons Network^™

Introduction: Market Dynamics And Worship Technology, Nicholas Zork

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Shock-Wave Tolerant Phase Reconstruction Algorithm For Shack–Hartmann Wavefront Sensor Data, Thomas E. Defoor, Matthew Kalensky, Matthew R. Kemnetz, Timothy J. Bukowski, Mark F. Spencer

Faculty Publications

We develop a phase reconstruction algorithm for the Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWFS) that is tolerant to phase discontinuities, such as the ones imposed by shock waves. In practice, this algorithm identifies SHWFS locations where the resultant tilt information is affected by the shock and improves the tilt information in these locations using the local SHWFS observation-plane irradiance patterns. The algorithm was shown to work well over the range of conditions tested with both simulated and experimental data. In turn, the reconstruction algorithm will enable robust wavefront sensing in transonic, supersonic, and hypersonic environments.

Biodegradable Magnesium Alloys For Biomedical Implants: Properties, Challenges, And Surface Modifications With A Focus On Orthopedic Fixation Repair, Kevin Koshy Thomas, Mah Noor Zafar, William G. Pitt, Ghaleb A. Husseini

Faculty Publications

Biomedical devices made from high-modulus and hardness materials play a critical role in enhancing the quality of life for people with bone-related ailments. While these materials have been successfully used in orthopedic applications, concerns including stress-shielding have necessitated the exploration of alternative solutions. An ideal biomedical implant requires a delicate balance of mechanical performance, corrosion resistance, tissue biocompatibility, and other properties such as tribological performance and osseointegration. This review explores the suitability of biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys as a promising material for biomedical implants. It delves into the essential properties of biomedical implants, emphasizing the importance of matching mechanical characteristics …

Miocene Climatic Optimum Fungal Record And Plant-Based Crest Climatic Reconstruction From Southern Mcmurdo Sound, Antarctica, Mallory Pilie, Martha E. Gibson, Ingrid C. Romero, Noelia B.Nuñez Otaño, Matthew J. Pound, Jennifer M.K. O'Keefe, Sophie Warny

Faculty Publications

Deep-time palynological studies are necessary to evaluate plant and fungal distribution under warmer-than-present scenarios such as those of the Middle Miocene. Previous palynological studies from southern McMurdo Sound, Antarctica (SMS), have provided unique documentation for Neogene environments in the Ross Sea region during a time of pronounced global warming. The present study builds on these studies and provides a new climate reconstruction using the previously published SMS pollen and plant spore data. Additionally, 44 SMS samples were reanalyzed with a focus on the fungal fraction of the section to evaluate the fungal distribution under warmer than present conditions. The probability-based …

Progenitor Cell Isolation From Mouse Epididymal Adipose Tissue And Sequencing Library Construction, Qianglin Liu, Chaoyang Li, Yuxia Li, Leshan Wang, Xujia Zhang, Buhao Deng, Peidong Gao, Mohammad Shiri, Fozi Alkaifi, Junxing Zhao, Jacqueline M. Stephens, Constantine A. Simintiras, Joseph Francis, Jiangwen Sun, Xing Fu

Faculty Publications

Here, we present a protocol to isolate progenitor cells from mouse epididymal visceral adipose tissue and construct bulk RNA and assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing (ATAC-seq) libraries. We describe steps for adipose tissue collection, cell isolation, and cell staining and sorting. We then detail procedures for both ATAC-seq and RNA sequencing library construction. This protocol can also be applied to other tissues and cell types directly or with minor modifications. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Liu et al. (2023).1

Quantization Of Spherically Symmetric Loop Quantum Gravity Coupled To A Scalar Field And A Clock: The Asymptotic Limit, Rodolfo Gambini, Jorge Pullin

Faculty Publications

We continue our work on the study of spherically symmetric loop quantum gravity coupled to two spherically symmetric scalar fields, one which acts as a clock. As a consequence of the presence of the latter, we can define a true Hamiltonian for the theory. The spherically symmetric context allows to carry out precise detailed calculations. Here we study the theory for regions of large values of the radial coordinate. This allows us to define in detail the vacuum of the theory and study its quantum states, yielding a quantum field theory on a quantum space time that makes contact with …

Assuring Netlist-To-Bitstream Equivalence Using Physical Netlist Generation And Structural Comparison, Reilly Mckendrick, Jeffrey Goeders, Keenan Faulkner

Faculty Publications

Hardware netlists are generally converted into a bitstream and loaded onto an FPGA board through vendor-provided tools. Due to the proprietary nature of these tools, it is up to the designer to trust the validity of the design’s conversion to bitstream. However, motivated attackers may alter the CAD tools’ integrity or manipulate the stored bitstream with the intent to disrupt the functionality of the design. This paper proposes a new method to prove functional equivalence between a synthesized netlist, and the produced FPGA bitstream. The novel approach is comprised of two phases: first, we show how we can utilize implementation …

A Personal Tribute To Professor Ashok Midha, Larry L. Howell

Faculty Publications

When I received the news that Professor Ashok Midha had passed away, I was grieved by the unexpected news. But I also felt another emotion: gratitude for having known him. I am grateful for him, for the opportunity I had to learn from him, and for the influence he has had on my life and career. I wanted to honor his memory in some way. This document is in response to that desire.

Some of my thoughts at his passing are summarized in the first chapter and the conclusion. The other writing is taken from a draft of my personal …

Patterns And Predictors Of Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Hiv Care Continuum In The Southern Usa: Protocol For A Population-Based Cohort Study, Xueying Yang Ph.D., Jiajia Zhang Ph.D., Bankole Olatosi Ph.D., Zhenlong Li, Sharon Weissman, Xiaoming Li Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

Introduction Health disparities exist at every step of the HIV care continuum (HCC) among racial/ethnic minority population. Such racial/ethnic disparities may have significantly delayed the progress in HCC in the Southern US states that are strongly represented among geographic focus areas in the 2019 federal initiative titled 'Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America'. However, limited efforts have been made to quantify the long-term spatiotemporal variations of HCC disparities and their contributing factors over time, particularly in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. This project aims to identify the spatiotemporal patterns of racial disparities of each HCC outcome and then …

Multifunctional Composite With Hybrid Carbon Fiber And Carbonaceous Coconut Particle Reinforcement, Foster Feni, Maryam Jahan, Rong Zhao, Guoqiang Li, Guang-Lin Zhao, Patrick F. Mensah

Faculty Publications

The utilization of multifunctional composite materials presents significant advantages in terms of system efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and miniaturization, making them highly valuable for a wide range of industrial applications. One approach to harness the multifunctionality of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is to integrate it with a secondary material to form a hybrid composite. In our previous research, we explored the use of carbonaceous material derived from coconut shells as a sustainable alternative to inorganic fillers, aiming to enhance the out-of-plane mechanical performance of CFRP. In this study, our focus is to investigate the influence of carbonized coconut shell particles on …

The Translational Oscillation In Oocyte And Early Embryo Development, Rajan Iyyappan, Daria Aleshkina, Hao Ming, Michal Dvoran, Kianoush Kakavand, Denisa Jansova, Edgar Del Llano, Lenka Gahurova, Alexander W. Bruce, Tomas Masek, Martin Pospisek, Filip Horvat, Michal Kubelka, Zongliang Jiang, Andrej Susor

Faculty Publications

Translation is critical for development as transcription in the oocyte and early embryo is silenced. To illustrate the translational changes during meiosis and consecutive two mitoses of the oocyte and early embryo, we performed a genome-wide translatome analysis. Acquired data showed significant and uniform activation of key translational initiation and elongation axes specific to M-phases. Although global protein synthesis decreases in M-phases, translation initiation and elongation activity increases in a uniformly fluctuating manner, leading to qualitative changes in translation regulation via the mTOR1/4F/eEF2 axis. Overall, we have uncovered a highly dynamic and oscillatory pattern of translational reprogramming that contributes to …

Contextualizing Singlehood Among Young Adults: Exploring The Meanings And Perceived Reasons For Being Single, Jonathon J. Beckmeyer, Tyler B. Jamison

Faculty Publications

Objective: We explored how young adults discussed their experiences with singlehood and their reasons for being single.

Background: Despite singlehood being normative during young adulthood, less research has focused on the diversity of singlehood compared to that of romantic involvement.

Method: In Study 1, 35 young adults participated in in-depth qualitative interviews about their romantic histories. We explored singlehood meanings and reasons in the context of their relationship histories. In Study 2 we used data from 155 single young adults to explore the factor structure, internal reliability, and initial validity of the Reasons for Being Single (RBS) scale, which we …

Environmental Dna (Edna) Removal Rates In Streams Differ By Particle Size Under Varying Substrate And Light Conditions, Elise D. Snyder, Jennifer L. Tank, Pedro F.P. Brandão-Dias, Kyle Bibby, Arial J. Shogren, Aaron W. Bivins, Brett Peters, Erik M. Curtis, Diogo Bolster, Scott P. Egan, Gary A. Lamberti

Faculty Publications

The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a sampling tool offers insights into the detection of invasive and/or rare aquatic species and enables biodiversity assessment without traditional sampling approaches, which are often labor-intensive. However, our understanding of the environmental factors that impact eDNA removal (i.e., how rapidly eDNA is removed from the water column by the combination of decay and physical removal) in flowing waters is limited. This limitation constrains predictions about the location and density of target organisms after positive detection. To address this question, we spiked Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) eDNA into recirculating mesocosms (n = 24) under …

Comparison Of Concentration And Extraction Workflows For Qpcr Quantification Of Inti1 And Vana In Untreated Wastewater, Yawen Liu, Wendy Smith, Metasebia Gebrewold, Xinhong Wang, Stuart L. Simpson, Aaron Bivins, Warish Ahmed

Faculty Publications

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) measurement of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in untreated municipal wastewater may prove useful in combating the antimicrobial resistance crisis. However, harmonizing and optimizing qPCR-based workflows is essential to facilitate comparisons across studies, and includes achieving highly-effective ARG capture through efficient concentration and extraction procedures. In the current study, combinations of sample volume, membrane types and DNA extraction kits within filtration and centrifugation-based workflows were used to quantify 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA), class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1) and an ARG encoding resistance to vancomycin (vanA) in untreated wastewater sampled from three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). …

Laboratory Investigations Into Alternative Baits For The Channeled Whelk (Busycotypus Canaliculatus) Fishery, Mary Kate Munley, Elizabeth A. Fairchild, Steven H. Jury, Winsor H. Watson, Shelley A. Edmundson

Faculty Publications

Channeled whelks (Busycotypus canaliculatus) are fished along the eastern US coast using traps typically baited with pieces of female horseshoe crabs (HSC Limulus polyphemus). However, the use of HSC as bait, particularly females, is controversial because they are already heavily fished because their blood contains a substance that the biomedical industry uses to manufacture a test for pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the goals of this study were to: 1) develop a cost-effective alternative bait that does not rely on HSCs and 2) determine whether whelk are more attracted to female HSC pieces than male HSC pieces. Seventeen different baits were tested …

Laboratory Investigations Into Alternative Baits For The Channeled Whelk (Busycotypus Canaliculatus) Fishery, Mary Kate Munley, Elizabeth A. Fairchild, Steven H. Jury, Winsor H. Watson, Shelley A. Edmundson

Faculty Publications

Channeled whelks (Busycotypus canaliculatus) are fished along the eastern US coast using traps typically baited with pieces of female horseshoe crabs (HSC Limulus polyphemus). However, the use of HSC as bait, particularly females, is controversial because they are already heavily fished because their blood contains a substance that the biomedical industry uses to manufacture a test for pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the goals of this study were to: 1) develop a cost-effective alternative bait that does not rely on HSCs and 2) determine whether whelk are more attracted to female HSC pieces than male HSC pieces. Seventeen different baits were tested …

Protecting Zn Anodes By Atomic Layer Deposition Of Zro2 To Extend The Lifetime Of Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries, Shichen Sun, Yeting Wen, Aiden Billings, Roya Rajabi, Boyu Wang, Kangkang Zhang, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

Aqueous rechargeable Zn-ion batteries (ARZIBs) are a newly emerged class of electrochemical cells suited for large-scale stationary energy storage applications due to their unique advantages in safety, cost, and supply chain. To advance ARZIB technology toward commercialization, the corrosion problem of Zn anodes in aqueous electrolytes must be adequately addressed. Here we report our efforts to tackle this issue by using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to coat the Zn anode surface with a protective nanoscale ZrO₂ thin film, collectively denoted as ALD-ZrO₂@Zn in this study. We show the pertinent properties of ALD-ZrO₂@Zn in aqueous Zn-salt …

Youth Identity And Postsecondary Decision Making In A Rural State: Evidence Of A College For All Master Narrative, Jayson Seaman, Cindy L. Hartman, Andrew D. Coppens, Erin H. Sharp, Sarah Jusseaume, Molly Donovan

Faculty Publications

This study examined the normative messages that inform youth postsecondary decision making in a predominantly rural state in the northeastern U.S., focusing on the institutionalization and circulation of identity master narratives. Using a multilevel, ecological approach to sampling, the study interviewed 33 key informants in positions of influence in educational, workforce, and quality of life domains. Narrative analysis yielded evidence of a predominant master narrative – College for All – that participants described as a prescriptive expectation that youth and families orient their postsecondary planning toward four-year, residential baccalaureate degree programs. Both general and domain-specific aspects of this master narrative …

Coarsening Dynamics Of Ternary Polymer Solutions With Mobility And Viscosity Contrasts, Jan Ulric Garcia, Douglas R. Tree, Alyssa Bagoyo, Tatsuhiro Iwama, Kris T. Delaney, Glenn H. Fredrickson

Faculty Publications

Using phase-field simulations, we investigate the bulk coarsening dynamics of ternary polymer solutions undergoing a glass transition for two models of phase separation: diffusion only and with hydrodynamics. The glass transition is incorporated in both models by imposing mobility and viscosity contrasts between the polymer-rich and polymer-poor phases of the evolving microstructure. For microstructures composed of polymer-poor clusters in a polymer-rich matrix, the mobility and viscosity contrasts significantly hinder coarsening, effectively leading to structural arrest. For microstructures composed of polymer-rich clusters in a polymer-poor matrix, the mobility and viscosity contrasts do not impede domain growth; rather, they change the transient …

Appendices For Designing Authentic Language Learning Simulations To Support Student Engagement, Cherice Montgomery, Jon Balzotti, Derek L. Hansen

Faculty Publications

Appendices for article titled "Designing Authentic Language Learning Simulations to Support Student Engagement."

Tidygeo Preparing Analysis-Ready Datasets From Gene Expression Omnibus, Avery Mecham, Ashlie Stephenson, Badi I. Quinteros, Grace S. Brown, Stephen R. Piccolo

Faculty Publications

TidyGEO is a Web-based tool for downloading, tidying, and reformatting data series from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). As a freely accessible repository with data from over 6 million biological samples across more than 4000 organisms, GEO provides diverse opportunities for secondary research. Although scientists may find assay data relevant to a given research question, most analyses require sample-level annotations. In GEO, such annotations are stored alongside assay data in delimited, text-based files. However, the structure and semantics of the annotations vary widely from one series to another, and many annotations are not useful for analysis purposes. Thus, every GEO series …

How Do Student Views On Foreign Policy Compare To Professors, Miles Williams

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Body Mass Index On Ready-To-Wear Clothing Preferences Of Young African-American Female Consumers, Jung-Im Seo, Vadel Shivers

Faculty Publications

Although consumers’ body shapes are various, the sizes of bust, waist, and hips of ready-to-wear (RTW) are fairly standardized in the apparel manufactures’ sizing charts, leading to clothing fit issues for many consumers. Body Mass Index (BMI) is an important factor that has an impact on body image perception, but there is little research on the influence of the obesity prevalence on RTW clothing preferences. The purposes of this study are to examine the correlation between African-American women’s obesity prevalence represented by BMI and RTW clothing preferences such as store preference and clothing benefit sought as well as clothing fitting …

The Concept Of Land Bridge Marshes In The Mississippi River Delta And Implications For Coastal Restoration, John W. Day, Robert R. Twilley, Angelina Freeman, Brady Couvillion, Tracy Quirk, Navid Jafari, Giulio Mariotti, Rachael Hunter, Charles Norman, G. Paul Kemp, John R. White, Ehab Meselhe

Faculty Publications

Louisiana has high coastal wetland loss rates due to natural processes such as subsidence and anthropogenic activities such as construction of river levees and dams, pervasive alteration of surface hydrology by local industries such as oil and gas, and navigation. With the exception of the Atchafalaya River discharge area, most of Louisiana's marsh coastline is retreating and coastal marshes are degrading. In the inactive degrading delta regions, there exists a previously uncharacterized landform referred to colloquially as coastal ‘land bridge’ marshes. Land bridge marshes are saline or brackish marshes fronting large estuarine bays or lakes with sufficient fetch and wave …

A 30-Year Dataset Of Co2 In Flowing Freshwaters In The United States, Timothy R. Toavs, Caleb T. Hasler, Cory D. Suski, Stephen R. Midway

Faculty Publications

Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations have been linked to effects in a wide range of ecosystems and organisms, with negative effects of elevated CO2 documented for marine organisms. Less is known about the dynamics of CO2 in freshwaters, but the potential exists for freshwater organisms to be challenged by elevated CO2. In flowing freshwaters CO2 exhibits more variability than in lakes or the ocean, yet spatiotemporally extensive direct measures of CO2 in freshwater are rare. However, CO2 can be estimated from pH, temperature, and alkalinity—commonly collected water quality metrics. We used data from the National Water Quality Monitoring Council …

Creelcat, A Catalog Of United States Inland Creel And Angler Survey Data, Nicholas A. Sievert, Abigail J. Lynch, Holly S. Embke, Ashley Robertson, Mitchel Lang, Anna L. Kaz, Matthew D. Robertson, Stephen R. Midway, Lyndsie Wszola, Craig P. Paukert

Faculty Publications

The United States Inland Creel and Angler Survey Catalog (CreelCat) contains a national compilation of angler and creel survey data collected by natural resource management agencies across the United States (including Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico). These surveys are used to help inform the management of recreational fisheries, by collecting information about anglers including what they are catching and harvesting, the amount of effort they expend, their angling preferences, and demographic information. As of May 1, 2023, CreelCat houses over 14,729 surveys from 33 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., comprising 235 data fields across 8 tables. These tables contain …

Global Responses To The Covid-19 Pandemic By Recreational Anglers: Considerations For Developing More Resilient And Sustainable Fisheries, J. Robert Britton, Adrian C. Pinder, Josep Alós, Robert Arlinghaus, Andy J. Danylchuk, Wendy Edwards, Kátia M.F. Freire, Casper Gundelund, Kieran Hyder, Ivan Jarić, Robert Lennox, Wolf Christian Lewin, Abigail J. Lynch, Stephen R. Midway, Warren M. Potts, Karina L. Ryan, Christian Skov, Harry V. Strehlow, Sean R. Tracey, Jun Ichi Tsuboi, Paul A. Venturelli, Jessica L. Weir, Marc Simon Weltersbach, Steven J. Cooke

Faculty Publications

The global COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many jurisdictions implementing orders restricting the movements of people to inhibit virus transmission, with recreational angling often either not permitted or access to fisheries and/or related infrastructure being prevented. Following the lifting of restrictions, initial angler surveys and licence sales suggested increased participation and effort, and altered angler demographics, but with evidence remaining limited. Here, we overcome this evidence gap by identifying temporal changes in angling interest, licence sales, and angling effort in world regions by comparing data in the ‘pre-pandemic’ (up to and including 2019); ‘acute pandemic’ (2020) and ‘COVID-acclimated’ (2021) periods. We …

Atmospheric Flash Drought In The Caribbean, Craig A. Ramseyer, Paul W. Miller

Faculty Publications

Despite the intensifying interest in flash drought both within the United States and globally, moist tropical landscapes have largely escaped the attention of the flash drought community. Because these ecozones are acclimatized to receiving regular, near-daily precipitation, they are especially vulnerable to rapid-drying events. This is particularly true within the Caribbean Sea basin where numerous small islands lack the surface and groundwater resources to cope with swiftly developing drought conditions. This study fills the tropical flash drought gap by examining the pervasiveness of flash drought across the pan-Caribbean region using a recently proposed criterion based on the evaporative demand drought …

Nursery Origin Of Yellowfin Tuna In The Western Atlantic Ocean: Significance Of Caribbean Sea And Trans-Atlantic Migrants, Jay R. Rooker, Michelle Zapp Sluis, Larissa L. Kitchens, Michael A. Dance, Brett Falterman, Jessica M. Lee, Hui Liu, Nathaniel Miller, Hilario Murua, Alexandra M. Rooker, Eric Saillant, John Walter, R. J. David Wells

Faculty Publications

Natural geochemical markers in the otolith of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) were used to establish nursery-specific signatures for investigating the origin of fish captured in the western Atlantic Ocean (WAO). Two classes of chemical markers (trace elements, stable isotopes) were used to first establish nursery-specific signatures of age-0 yellowfin tuna from four primary production zones in the Atlantic Ocean: Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, Cape Verde, and Gulf of Guinea. Next, mixture and individual assignment methods were applied to predict the origin of sub-adult and adult yellowfin tuna from two regions in the WAO (Gulf of Mexico, Mid Atlantic Bight) …

Soil Legacy Nutrients Contribute To The Decreasing Stoichiometric Ratio Of N And P Loading From The Mississippi River Basin, Zihao Bian, Hanqin Tian, Shufen Pan, Hao Shi, Chaoqun Lu, Christopher Anderson, Wei Jun Cai, Charles S. Hopkinson, Dubravko Justic, Latif Kalin, Steven Lohrenz, Steven Mcnulty, Naiqing Pan, Ge Sun, Zhuonan Wang, Yuanzhi Yao, Yongfa You

Faculty Publications

Human-induced nitrogen–phosphorus (N, P) imbalance in terrestrial ecosystems can lead to disproportionate N and P loading to aquatic ecosystems, subsequently shifting the elemental ratio in estuaries and coastal oceans and impacting both the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems. The N:P ratio of nutrient loading to the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi River Basin increased before the late 1980s driven by the enhanced usage of N fertilizer over P fertilizer, whereafter the N:P loading ratio started to decrease although the N:P ratio of fertilizer application did not exhibit a similar trend. Here, we hypothesize that different release rates of …