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Biologic And Hydrologic Controls Of Water Quality In Urbanizing Semi-Arid Watersheds, Erin Fleming Jones

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation analyzed the effect of biologic and hydrologic processes on water quality in urban, semi-arid watersheds. In the first chapter, we analyzed bacterioplankton and water quality along elevation and urbanization gradients in three Wasatch Mountain watersheds across three seasons. We found that trace metals correlated with bacterioplankton composition and that the typical dispersal of bacteria from headwater sources (soil or groundwater) along the longitudinal pathway was drastically disrupted by the presence of large reservoirs. In the second chapter, we used high-frequency sensor data collected in streams above and below the urban center in the three watersheds to estimate the …

Inclusion Of Kinetic Proteomics In Multi-Omics Methods To Analyze Calorie Restriction Effects On Aging, Richard Hajime Carson

Theses and Dissertations

One of the greatest risk factors for disease is advanced age. As the human lifespan has increased, so too have the burdens of caring for an increasingly older population suffering from rising rates of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and dementia. The need for improving medical technology and developing new therapies for age-related diseases is manifest. Yet our understanding of the processes of aging and how to attenuate the effects of aging remains incomplete. Various studies have established calorie restriction as a robust method for extending lifespan in laboratory organisms; however the mechanism is a topic of much debate. Advancing …

A Male-Female Genotype-By-Genotype Interaction Mediates The Effect Of Mating On Female Immunity In Decorated Crickets, Kylie J. Hampton

Theses and Dissertations

Sexually antagonistic coevolution should lead to the rapid divergence of male and female genotypes related to the effects of ejaculatory substances on female physiology. Hence, the outcome of mating should depend on an interaction between male and female genotypes. Although mating has been shown to influence female immune responses in diverse insect taxa, a male-female genotype-by-genotype effect on female immunity post-mating remains largely unexplored. Here, we investigate both the effects of mating on female immunity and the potential for a male-by-female genotype interaction on the form and magnitude of this response in decorated crickets. Females from three distinct genotypic backgrounds …

The Role Of Growth Arrest Specific 6 And Axl Signaling In Skeletal Muscle Regeneration, Marc Shigeru Matsumura

Theses and Dissertations

Skeletal muscle regeneration is a critical process that replaces damaged muscle fibers with new fibers. The regenerative process can be segmented into four main phases: necrosis, inflammation, regeneration, and maturation. While many of the key signaling molecules are known and characterized, there are still gaps in our understanding of how this process is regulated. While it is reported that growth arrest specific 6 (Gas6) and its receptor Axl are expressed in mature muscle tissue, nothing is known about the effect that Gas6 and Axl have on regulating skeletal muscle regeneration. In this study we investigated the regenerative process in a …

An Exploration Of Neural Networks In Enhanced Resolution Remote Sensing Products, Jordan Paul Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Scatterometry and radiometry are used to obtain measurements of Earth properties with extensive spatial coverage at daily or near-daily temporal resolution. Their measurements are used in many climate studies and weather applications, such as iceberg tracking, ocean wind estimation, and volumetric soil moisture measurements. The spatial resolution of these data products ranges from a few kilometers to tens of kilometers. Techniques to enhance the spatial resolution of these products help reveal finer scale features, but come at the cost of increased noise. This thesis explores the application of neural networks as a possible method to handle the noise and uncertainty …

The Performing Female Body: The National Theatre Frankenstein As Performance Art, Hannah Mahrii Gunson

Theses and Dissertations

The National Theatre's Frankenstein is not the first time Shelley's novel has been adapted for the stage, but it is the first time a stage adaptation has returned the popular story to its source material's feminist themes. Departing from the iterations that portrayed Victor Frankenstein as a Byronic hero, Nick Dear's adaptation has re-designed Frankenstein to be misogynistic and calloused. His new nature is best observed in the scene wherein Frankenstein presents the Woman-Creature he's built for his first Creature. She is naked, silent, submissive, and viciously dismembered at the end of the scene. While such submissiveness might justifiably be …

Methods And Application For Tracking Seedling Fate On The Utah Test And Training Range, Jesse Randal Morris

Theses and Dissertations

Remote sensing of the environment has become an effective and useful research approach applied across a wide range of scientific and professional disciplines. Generally remote sensing is used to evaluate patterns and processes at broad spatio-temporal scales, such as classifying landscape vegetation patterns or for creating digital surface models, however, there are increasing opportunities to expand the use of remotely sensed information to a wider range of applications at variable spatial and temporal scales. In the field of plant seedling and germination research methods are needed to improve plant establishment and restoration monitoring, particularly in areas that have historically low …

American Black Bears (Ursus Americanus) Of The Paunsaugunt Plateau: Movements And Habitat Use, Rebekah Adriana Castro Dungan

Theses and Dissertations

Concerns over human-bear conflict and questions about the ecology of Paunsaugunt Plateau's population of black bears (Ursus americanus) arose due to their visitation to popular recreation sites. Greater insight about bears and their habitat use provides a foundation for conflict mitigation and effective management decisions. Between 2014 and 2017, seventeen black bears (11 female, 6 male) were fitted with global positioning system (GPS) radio-collars so that we could track their locations, daily activity patterns, and ambient temperatures. By analyzing bear locations, we calculated annual and seasonal home ranges for 16 bears, including 25 den sites. Home ranges typically consisted of …

Student Attendance System Using Face Recognition, Arlind Sylaj

Theses and Dissertations

Since traditional students’ attendance system has been known to be time consuming, not accurate and a hard process to follow, this thesis will try to provide a method for solving this problem.

Facial recognition system has started to become widespread over this past decade and the main interest in many industries. Law enforcement agencies are using face recognition to keep communities safer. Retailers are preventing crime and violence. Airports are improving travelers’ convenience and security. And mobile phone companies are using face recognition to provide consumers with new layers of biometric security.

In this thesis another usage of face recognition …

Kujdesi Infermieror Tek Pacientët Me Infarkt Akut Të Miokardit, Rexhep Kelmendi

Theses and Dissertations

Hyrja: Infarkti akut i miokardit është shkaku kryesor i sëmundshmërisë, vdekjes së parakohshme dhe paaftësisë. Infarkti akut i miokardit ka pasoja negative për shëndetin dhe ndikon në uljen e cilësisë së jetës te personat të cilët e kanë përjetuar.

Qëllimi i punimit ishte të vlerësohet ofrimi i kujdesit infermieror te pacientët pas Infarktit akut të miokardit.

Mostrën e hulumtimit e përbëjnë 61 pacient të cilët ishin në fazën e rehabilitimit pas Infarktit akut të miokardit në Spitalin e përgjithshëm në Pejë. Të dhënat janë mbledhur me instrumentin Satisfaksioni i pacientit me shkallën e kujdesit infermieror dhe janë analizuar me SPSS-23. …

Roli I Adn –Së Në Hetimin E Krimit, Blinera Hyseni

Theses and Dissertations

Kriminaliteti është një dukuri mjaftë negative jo vetëm në vendin tonë por në tërë botën. Krimineli si person i cili kryen veprën penale është ai i cili shumë rrethana dhe shumë faktorë e sjellin deri tek ky vendim apo deri tek kjo vepër. Luftimi për ndalimin e kriminalitetit është një dukuri e cila duhet të jetë e pranishme në masë mjaftë të lartë. Krime kemi shumë në ditët e sotme por jo gjithnjë krimineli kapet në vendin e ngjarjës.

Hulumtimi shkencor “Roli i ADN-së në hetimin e krimit” trajton një llojllojshmëri problematikave dhe tregon se si bëhet zbardhja e një …

The Relationship Between Biofilm Production And Human Respiratory Cell Attachment And Invasion By Acinetobacter Baumannii, Rachel A. Pearson

Theses and Dissertations

Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic gram-negative bacterial pathogen that causes many nosocomial infections in immunocompromised individuals. Common infections include catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections, and bloodstream infections that often lead to septicemia. Increasing multidrug resistance (MDR) in A. baumannii warrants new approaches to understanding its virulence mechanisms and pathogenicity. As a first step in infection, A. baumannii can attach to host cells, providing a surface for the bacteria to grow and perhaps facilitating biofilm formation and subsequent tissue invasion. In this study, we evaluated antibiotic resistance and characterized biofilm formation, attachment, invasion, and surface …

Principals' Perceptions Of Brain-Based Learning, Tami Hudson Godman

Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed by the study was a lack of research on principal’s perceptions of brain-based learning and the potential impact on classroom instruction. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between the principal’s perceptions of brain-based learning and instruction at their schools. The following research has been conducted using a qualitative paradigm. A case study involved a focus group of 12 principals and additional interviews with four of those principals. The qualitative data were thematically coded to provide information on patterns and practices within a variety of schools in the area. The findings offer the educational …

Examining The Relationship Between Beliefs And Perceived Experiences During Assistant Principal Preparation For The Role Of Principal, Tonya Holcomb Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

Principals have been expected to serve as managers and leaders of curriculum and instruction while facing intense accountability and had to be good communicators capable of building relationships within their school and with community stakeholders. School complexity increased challenges leaders faced, so educational leaders utilized research-based strategies to develop professional resilience and grow in the face of adversity. In preparation for school principalship, assistant principals needed to move beyond school operation and management roles to become a viable candidate for career advancement. Limited research exists describing the preparation of assistant principals for advancement. The purpose of this convergent mixed methods …

The Relationship Between Elementary School Administrators' And Teachers' Perceptions Of The Influence Of Male Teachers And Schools' Male Student Achievement Growth In English Language Arts, Kathleen Elizabeth Kaump Truitt

Theses and Dissertations

There is a national achievement gap between male and female students in the United States. A common recommendation to reduce this achievement gap has been to hire more male teachers. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions that elementary administrators and teachers have of male teachers’ influence on male student growth in English Language Arts. In order to measure perceptions, a five-point Likert scale survey was adapted from an existing qualitative questionnaire. A pilot study was conducted, an Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses were performed, and the survey was found valid and reliable to measure four constructs …

Electronic Word-Of-Mouth (Ewom): Examining The Relationship Between Factors Influencing Ewom Activities And Passengers’ Purchasing Involvement In The Context Of Aviation, Ratchada Ruenruoy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was manifold: (a) to examine the relationship a set of targeted factors has on electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM) activities in the context of aviation, (b) to examine the extent to which these factors affect airline passengers’ purchasing involvement, and (c) to determine the extent to which eWOM activities mediate the relationship between the targeted factors and purchasing involvement. Research factors included (a) purchasing perceptions, which consisted of satisfaction, loyalty, perceived value, and service quality; (b) social environment, which consisted of age, gender, and cultural differences relative to Hofstede’s (1980) cultural dimensions; and (c) experiences, which consisted …

Histological Evidence Of Annual And Lunar Reproductive Rhythms Of Atlantic Sea Urchin, Arbacia Punctulata In The Gulf Of Mexico: Changes In Nutritive Phagocytes In Relation To Gametogenesis, Eleazar Hernandez Ii

Theses and Dissertations

Environmental phenomena such as temperature, photoperiod, tidal cycle, and lunar rhythm act as external cues that stimulate the reproductive activity of marine organisms. In this study, I report the annual and lunar reproductive cycles, and changes in nutritive phagocytes (NPs) in relation to gonadal maturation of Atlantic sea urchin (Arbacia punctulata, a primeval species). Monthly and weekly changes in gonadal development/maturation were observed histologically. In male, the testicular lobules were densely packed with sperm from June to August. In female, on the other hand, mature eggs first appeared in some ovaries in May, numerically increased from June to …

The Role Of The Autonomic Nervous System In The Relationship Between Emotion Regulation And Conflict Tactics In Couples, Natalie Gold Orr

Theses and Dissertations

Gross' emotion regulation model, Porges' polyvagal theory, and other existing research suggest that regulation of emotions, tactics used to handle conflict, and certain physiological processes that occur within the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in response to stress are significantly related, especially in relational contexts. However, despite their pervasiveness and negative impacts, there is a noticeable lack of research on predictors of violent, aggressive, or abusive conflict tactics in couples. In the current study, the predictive role of emotion regulation in relation to conflict tactics was examined, in addition to the role of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and pre-ejection period (PEP) …

Non-Native Leaf Litter Modifies Algal Resources With Effects On Tadpole Growth, Spencer L. Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

Leaf litter species play a key role in determining the quality and quantity of algal resources in aquatic ecosystems as a cross-boundary subsidy. The invasion of non-native plant species into forests can alter aquatic resources. I investigated the effects of non-native leaf litter species on algal resources and green frog, Lithobates clamitans, development using a randomized complete block experiment that lasted 288 days. In experimental ponds, I added two non-native and two native leaf litter species in the presence and absence of tadpoles. Early in the experiment, Japanese honeysuckle and Chinese privet decreased periphyton N:P ratios and stimulated tadpole …

Applying Formal Methods For Integrating Advanced Algorithms In Safety Critical Systems, Milton Stafford

Theses and Dissertations

In software engineering it is essential that updates are deployed for continual improvement. While software updates bring new functionality, updates also may introduce instability. This leads to failures of various kinds. This is especially problematic in safety-critical systems where there is a potential for injury or loss of life. However, newer and more sophisticated software carries potential advantages, including higher performance and reliability. Therefore, there are benefits in adopting newer software if the integration process is assured. In this thesis, I present a framework for assured integration; one that links requirements, design, and implementation. The proposed framework includes a new …

Improving Grapheme-To-Phoneme Translation With The Use Of Nalu Attention Mechanisms, Brian Sheldon Smith

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, Natural Language Processing in the field of machine learning has seen some major improvements. Data scientists have shown that neural networks are capable of breaking down semantics of sentences, translating languages, and answering complex questions with fast recall. While impressive, these feats all hinge on having access to a massive amount of clean text, or data sets with almost perfect grammar and spelling. Without this, neural networks will usually fail to converge on a meaningful result. To partially this dependency, Grapheme-to-Phoneme conversion can be employed. This is the conversion of words from their spellings to a form …

Building Datasets From Publicly Accessible Social Media Images For Biometric Analysis, Giordano Roberto Benitez Torres

Theses and Dissertations

The world is developing at a rapid pace, and some of its advancement can be accredited to technological innovations that are affecting many aspects of society. A field within computer science that is increasingly reaching many industries is Biometrics, specifically the area face recognition. Researchers, scientists, and organizations actively try to improve the performance of tools and algorithms. Nevertheless, for it to occur, there is a need for high-quality datasets to test and develop new techniques. Never had humanity, in the course of the history of civilization, produced massive amounts of data as it currently does. Social media networks play …

Analysis Of Interfaces For The Nonlinear Degenerate Second Order Parabolic Equations Modeling Diffusion-Convection Processes, Lamees Kadhim Ali Alzaki

Theses and Dissertations

Dissertation pursues analysis of the short-time evolution of interfaces or free boundaries for the non-negative solutions of the nonlinear degenerate second order parabolic partial differential equation (PDE) ut = ( u m ) xx +b ( u γ ) x , x ∈ R,t > 0; m > 1, γ > 0,b ∈ R (1) modeling diffusion-convection processes arising in fluid or gas flow in a porous media, plasma physics, population dynamics in mathematical biology and other applications. Due to the implicit degeneration (m > 1), PDE (1) it possesses a property of the finite speed of propagation and develops interfaces or free boundaries …

Determining The Role Of Human Plasma In Amyloid Fiber Synthesis, Carlee Renee Confer

Theses and Dissertations

The presence of plaques and tangles in the human brain is a major feature observed in several neuropathological diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Due to the high morbidity and mortality rates of such diseases, research on the characteristics and functions of these highly ordered structures aims to expand the understanding of how the presence of these plaques lead to cognitive decline. Many studies have led to the development of models that suggest that the presence of amyloid plaques and tangles within the brain induce a cytotoxic cycle that results in the suffocation and death of neurons within the brain. A …

Machine Learning Models On Prognostic Outcome Prediction For Cancer Images With Multiple Modalities, Gengbo Liu

Theses and Dissertations

Machine learning algorithms have been applied to predict different prognostic outcomes for many different diseases by directly using medical images. However, the higher resolution in various types of medical imaging modalities and new imaging feature extraction framework brings new challenges for predicting prognostic outcomes. Compared to traditional radiology practice, which is only based on visual interpretation and simple quantitative measurements, medical imaging features can dig deeper within medical images and potentially provide further objective support for clinical decisions. In this dissertation, we cover three projects with applying or designing machine learning models on predicting prognostic outcomes using various types of …

Characterization Of Plasmids Harbored By Vibrio Cholerae Isolates Endemic To The Rio Grande Delta, Viviana Trevino

Theses and Dissertations

Cholera is a diarrheal disease responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality globally. Epidemics along the Rio Grande Delta were reported during the 1850s, and the etiological agent Vibrio cholerae, remains endemic, thus presenting a unique opportunity for a study of historical and biological relevance. V. cholerae strains were isolated from two locations: the Rio Grande River under a bridge linking Brownsville to Matamoros (site 21) and where the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico (site 42). Two strains from site 21, and one from site 42 were selected to isolate, subclone, sequence, assemble and annotate extra-chromosomal elements. Results …

The Role Of Sediment Resuspension In Estuarine Inorganic Nutrient Cycling, Kirsten Jo Ayres

Theses and Dissertations

Time-scaling of estuarine inorganic nitrogen cycling contains many assumptions due to biogeochemical interactions. Nitrogen, often a limiting factor for primary production, is transformed and utilized by many estuarine organisms. Inorganic nitrogen is especially high in porewater. High nutrient pore water, contained within the interstitial spaces of sediment, has been assumed to influx high concentrations of inorganic nutrients into surface waters during resuspension events. These short-term resuspension events rapidly introducing high concentration of nutrients into the water column. In order to determine the internal time scale of inorganic nitrogen cycling, a box-model nutrient budget, horizontal in situ transects, and vertical nutrient …

Enabling High Quality Oxygen Measurements During Robotic Based Studies Of Ocean Ecological And Biogeochemical Processes, Brianna A. Alanis

Theses and Dissertations

Dissolved oxygen is an essential parameter necessary for understanding marine ecological and biogeochemical processes. New robotic vehicles and autonomous platforms are being applied to an even wider range of ecological and biogeochemical studies. Thus, arises the opportunity for matching the best possible oxygen sensing techniques and methods to these new platforms. In so doing, we can enable both more targeted and higher resolution oxygen measurements than previously possible and potentially use oxygen measurements for a wider range of applications, including in situ incubation experiments and primary productivity measurements. This thesis tested three different oxygen sensors in a trade study for …

Photocatalytic Degradation Of Simazine Under Visible Light Using Zinc Oxide/Molybdenum Disulfide Heterostructures, Alexandria Castillo

Theses and Dissertations

The photocatalytic degradation of simazine under visible light by using ZnO/MoS2 heterostructures was investigated. Reaction parameters studied to optimize simazine degradation included pH, loading mass of the photocatalyst, and percentage of MoS2 in the heterostructure. pH 2 was the optimal environment for the degradation reaction of all catalysts. A loading mass of 20 mg for each of the ZnO/MoS2 photocatalysts was determined to be the most effective for in the degradation process. The degradation reactions were observed to follow 2nd order kinetics for all photocatalysts at all temperatures. Band gap studies confirmed a lower energy than that of pure ZnO …

Genetic Determinants Of Variation In The Gh/Igf-1 Axis And Their Relationship To Cardiometabolic Health, Rafael Luis Aguirre Guillen

Theses and Dissertations

Background: In a study of Mexican Americans, we performed analyses of GEI and pleiotropy in the axis in relation to MS. GH/IGF-1 axis components were studied. Model parameters and likelihoods were estimated by maximum likelihood.

Results: Pleiotropy was observed for IGFBP3 (p

Conclusions: IGF-I and IGFBP3 are genetically correlated with MS whereas MS influences the additive genetic variance in IGFBP1 variables mainly but also in IGF-I somewhat by virtue of the VH exhibited by IGF-I/IGFBP1.