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Reclamation, University Of North Dakota. Energy And Environmental Research Center

EERC Brochures and Fact Sheets

Fact sheet on reclamation of land impacted by oil and gas production, an area of Energy & Environmental Research Center study. Includes information on various aspects of land reclamation. [This item is an outdated or superseded version and retained for historical purposes only. It may no longer reflect current information, policies, or practices.]

Action Classification By Exploring Directional Co-Occurrence Of Weighted Stips, Mengyuan Liu, Hong Liu, Qianru Sun

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Human action recognition is challenging mainly due to intro-variety, inter-ambiguity and clutter backgrounds in real videos. Bag-of-visual words model utilizes spatio-temporal interest points(STIPs), and represents action by the distribution of points which ignores visual context among points. To add more contextual information, we propose a method by encoding spatio-temporal distribution of weighted pairwise points. First, STIPs are extracted from an action sequence and clustered into visual words. Then, each word is weighted in both temporal and spatial domains to capture the relationships with other words. Finally, the directional relationships between co-occurrence pairwise words are used to encode visual contexts. We …

Leveraging Students’ Passion And Creativity: Ethos At The University Of Dayton, Margaret Pinnell, Malcolm Daniels, Kevin P. Hallinan, Gretchen Berkemeier

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

The Engineers in Technical Humanitarian Opportunities of Service-learning (ETHOS) program was developed in the spring of 2001 by an interdisciplinary group (electrical, chemical, civil and mechanical) of undergraduate engineering students at the University of Dayton (UD). ETHOS was founded on the belief that engineers are more apt and capable to appropriately serve our world if they have an understanding of technology’s global linkage with values, culture, society, politics, and the economy. Since 2001, the ETHOS program at UD has grown and changed.

From conceptualization, to implementation, to maturation and national recognition, the program has addressed challenges of academic acceptance, programmatic …

Fall/Winter 2014: 2014 Alumni Award Winners, St. Norbert College

St. Norbert College Magazine 2013-2018

Profiles of Dr. Dennis W. Engels, John Koker, Kevin DeCleene, and Stephanie Birmingham, who were honored with SNC's Alumni Award in 2014.

Implementation Of A Sediment Transport Model For Ce-Qual-W2, Rachel Hanna

Civil and Environmental Engineering Master's Project Reports

The CE-QUAL-W2 model, developed by Portland State University, simulates water quality and flow. Recommendations to expand on this model and have it include sediment transport are implemented in this report. Existing one-, two-, and three-dimensional models are reviewed and assessed for their sediment transport methodology. A laterally (width) averaged sediment concentration model is developed as an Upwind Center Space Scheme using CE-QUAL-W2 data. The scheme includes a method to calculate scour for sediment concentration and results of the model are shown for a simulated branch of the Spokane River.

Choosing Effective Dates From Multiple Optima In Technology Forecasting Using Data Envelopment Analysis (Tfdea), Dong-Joon Lim, Timothy R. Anderson, Oliver Inman

Engineering and Technology Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Technology Forecasting using Data Envelopment Analysis (TFDEA) provides an effective means to forecast technological capability over time without the burden of fixed a priori weighting schemes. However, there are situations where result reproduction can be a challenge as first pointed out in a previous Technological Forecasting and Social Change article. When using a commonly used extension of TFDEA, there are circumstances where multiple optimal solutions can complicate analysis. This paper addresses this issue through extending the TFDEA model in a manner consistent with common Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) techniques. The extension is then demonstrated using datasets from previous publications on …

The Impact Of Ice Layers On Gas Transport Through Firn At The North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (Neem) Site, Greenland, K. Keegan, M. R. Albert, I. Baker

Dartmouth Scholarship

Typically, gas transport through firn is modeled in the context of an idealized firn column. However, in natural firn, imperfections are present, which can alter transport dynamics and therefore reduce the accuracy of reconstructed climate records. For example, ice layers have been found in several firn cores collected in the polar regions. Here, we examined the effects of two ice layers found in a NEEM, Greenland firn core on gas transport through the firn. These ice layers were found to have permeability values of 3.0 and 4.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ m², and are therefore not impermeable layers. However, …

Pixel-Based Absorption Correction For Dual-Tracer Fluorescence Imaging Of Receptor Binding Potential, Stephen C. Kanick, Kenneth M. Tichauer, Jason Gunn, Kimberley S. Samkoe, Brian W. Pogue

Dartmouth Scholarship

Ratiometric approaches to quantifying molecular concentrations have been used for decades in microscopy, but have rarely been exploited in vivo until recently. One dual-tracer approach can utilize an untargeted reference tracer to account for non-specific uptake of a receptor-targeted tracer, and ultimately estimate receptor binding potential quantitatively. However, interpretation of the relative dynamic distribution kinetics is confounded by differences in local tissue absorption at the wavelengths used for each tracer. This study simulated the influence of absorption on fluorescence emission intensity and depth sensitivity at typical near-infrared fluorophore wavelength bands near 700 and 800 nm in mouse skin in order …

Understanding Treatment Refusal Among Adults Presenting For Hiv-Testing In Soweto, South Africa: A Qualitative Study, Ingrid T. Katz, Janan Dietrich, Gugu Tshabalala, Thandekile Essien, Kathryn Rough, Alexi A. Wright, David Bangsberg, Glenda E. Gray, Norma C. Ware

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

HIV treatment initiatives have focused on increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). There is growing evidence, however, that treatment availability alone is insufficient to stop the epidemic. In South Africa, only one third of individuals living with HIV are actually on treatment. Treatment refusal has been identified as a phenomenon among people who are asymptomatic, however, factors driving refusal remain poorly understood. We interviewed 50 purposively sampled participants who presented for voluntary counseling and testing in Soweto to elicit a broad range of detailed perspectives on ART refusal. We then integrated our core findings into an explanatory framework. Participants described …

Electrophysiological Response To Omitted Stimulus In Sentence Processing, Hiroko Nakano, Mari-Anne Rosario, Yuriko Oshima-Takane, Lara Pierce, Sophie G. Tate

School of Science Faculty Works

The current study provides evidence that the absence of a syntactically expected item leads to a sustained cognitive processing demand. Event-related potentials were measured at the omission of a syntactically expected object argument in a speech sequence. English monolingual adults listened to paired sentences. The first sentence in the pair established a context. The second sentence provided a response to the first sentence that was either grammatically correct by containing an overt object argument in the form of a pronoun, or was syntactically unacceptable by omitting the expected object pronoun. Event-related potentials measured at the omission of the object argument …

A Modal-Epistemic Argument For The Existence Of God, Emanuel Rutten

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

Axiarchism And Selectors, John Russell Roberts

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

Dreaming Larger Than Life: Perceptions Of South African Black Wealth And Aspirations Of Success Among Young Adults At Wiggins Secondary School, Mikaela Zetley

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This project seeks to understand the aspirations and understandings of success of young adults at Wiggins Secondary School and how their dreams are impacted by their perceptions of black wealth as well as their social environment and experiences. By examining the way the students interact with black wealth, it is possible to better comprehend the influence of black wealth and ideas of middle class-ness on their definitions of success. This will further inform an understanding of the means by which they hope to live out their dreams. Specifically, I also investigate the impact of role models on definitions of success …

Land Rights Among Subsistence Farmers: An Examination Of Madagascar’S Land Reform And Prevailing Systems Of Land Tenure In Betafo, Taylor Crowl

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In Madagascar, legal systems of land tenure have been inaccessible for the vast majority of the rural population. This has stranded millions of subsistence farmers in a sense of insecurity, as they lack legal rights for the property that they have farmed for generations. Madagascar’s land reform, launched in 2005, attempted to change these exclusionary tenure practices. This reform —known as the Plan National Foncier—created land certificates and local land offices in an attempt to make legal land tenure financially, geographically, and logistically accessible to the local population. This study discusses the successes, failures, and unforeseen consequences of Madagascar’s land …

The Mechanical And Social Feasibility Of Using Biogas To Fuel An Essential Oil Distillation Unit In The Rural Commune Of Ankarimbelo, Madagascar, Hannah Nesser

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The rural commune of Ankarimbelo is located on the edge of the Ikongo Rainforest Corridor in southeastern Madagascar. The commune’s remote location, an increasing population, and the prohibition of farming in the rainforest corridor have contributed to extreme poverty. In an attempt to mitigate these effects, the Malagasy NGO Ny Tanintsika has implemented an essential oils distillation plant as an alternative livelihood project. While the project may provide needed income to local populations, thereby diverting destructive agriculture practices such as tavy, or slash-and-burn agriculture, the distillation of essential oils still requires that firewood be burned. Over the course of …

Comparison Of Coral Reef Health: Lokobe National Park And Tanikely National Park, Northwest Madagascar, Kailani Acosta

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Coral reefs are microcosms of biodiversity and life. They are home to about a quarter of all marine life, yet amount to only about 1% of the world’s marine environment. Coral reefs are very vulnerable ecosystems; there are numerous threats to their health, such as damage by echinoderm and fish feeding, natural disasters, coral illness and bleaching events. Coral health fluctuates according to many of these factors and as a result of the fragile symbiotic balance between zooxanthellae algae and corals. Subsequently, coral health is an essential topic for analysis and assessment.

Coral reefs were assessed in Lokobe National Park, …

Investment Opportunities In Solar-Powered Lighting For Small Rural Shops In Zanzibar, Alexander Cheston

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Small shop-owners in rural Zanzibar, Tanzania were surveyed on their shops lighting fixtures and requirements to determine whether using a solar home system to power the shops lights would be a profitable investment. The shops surveyed in 4 grid connected rural villages in Zanzibar had very similar requirements, and a high-quality, affordable solar home system was designed to meet the requirements of the majority of these shops. Potential savings were calculated for each shop that replaced its current lighting fixture with a solar home system. 20% of the shops surveyed were found to potentially profit from investing in the solar …

The Effects Of Altitude And Micro-Spatial Habitats On The Physiognomic Characteristics Of Syzygium Guineense In Mazumbai Forest Reserve, Erin Brynn Zalmanek

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In order to examine the affects that altitude and micro-spatial habitat have on the physiognomy of Syzygium Guineense; buttress sphere size, number of buttresses, relative size of the buttresses, DBH, and height were measured in three different altitudinal bands (1400 - 1500 m, 1500 - 1600 m, and 1600 - 1700 m) and three different habits portraying concave, convex, and intermediate landscapes. Micro-spatial habits showed to have weak to no effect on all measured physiognomic variables giving insignificant p-values according to ANOVA. However, correlation tests against leaf litter depth and slope showed to have some relation to the size and …

For Want Of Water, A Will: Community Participation In The Development Of A Potable Water Project In Melio, Cameroon, Morgan Yucel

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

By taking the water system in Melio-Baleveng, Cameroon as a case study for investigation, this paper explores the successes and challenges of community participation in water project development. Essential for life, and critical for the productivity of populations, potable water remains a scarce resource in developing countries. Facing a failure of government action and a dire need for potable water, the community of Melio partnered with the non-profit Breaking Ground in 2013 to realize a water project. A year after the project’s completion, water still flows from the fountains, but the project’s future remains uncertain as the impoverished community struggles …

The Optimal Foraging Of Equus Burchelli At Enashiva Nature Refuge, Edward Haubenreiser

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Within the country of Tanzania lies a vast ecosystem known as the Serengeti. This unique landscape, primarily of grasslands and woodlands, shapes the seasonal feeding habits of the abundant wildlife that call the area home. While these feeding habits on a large spatial scale are well understood, such behavior within a specie’s specific environment remains of interest. With the theory of optimal foraging in mind, which considers how animals should look for and select food (Green, 1990), I studied the foraging habits of resident Burchell’s zebra (Equus burchelli) by observing if they move and forage among distinct resource …

“I Pray You Enough”: Exploring Rural Early Childhood Development Through The Narratives Of Caregivers., Bethany G. Hart

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Childhood, including the antenatal period, is a time of invaluable physical and mental development – the effects of which last a lifetime. These experiences are shaped by a host of external factors (such as nutrition or mental stimulation) that are heavily affected by socioeconomic status. A study by the United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF) found that South African children in rural areas are more physically and cognitively delayed than their less-rural peers (2007). Thus, the purpose of this study was to gain insight into the rearing and development of young children (5 years and under) in a rural …

Beach Or Bush? A Study On Sanitation And Clean Water In Ushongo Village, Charlotte Vetter

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The purpose of this study was to examine the issues with sanitation and clean water in Ushongo Mtoni Village and then use these findings to determine weather Ushongo Mtoni meets the 2014 World Health Organizations target goals for sanitation and clean water: eliminate open defecation; achieve universal access to basic drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for households. This study was conducted in Ushongo Mtoni, Tanzania, between the dates of November 10^th to 24^th 2014. Interviews were conducted using non-random sampling through formal and non-formal interviews with participants chosen by my translator, Shaban. Sample frame was the villagers of …

Sharks Aren’T The Only Fish To Be Afraid Of… A Survey Of Serranidae Species Of Genus Aethaloperca, Anyperodon, Cephalopholis, Epinephelus, And Plectropomus On Chumbe Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Kimberly D. Nesbitt

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

A census as well as behavioral analysis of six grouper (Serranidae) species was conducted on Chumbe Island off the coast of Unguja, Zanzibar, Tanzania during October and November 2014. The six species were counted, divided into size classes, and behavioral notes were taken on the individuals observed on both the western drop-off of Chumbe Island’s reef as well as the back, shallower reef. Results showed that larger individuals, as well as species that grow larger, inhabit the deeper waters of the drop-off, while smaller species and juveniles inhabit the shallower back reef. The Brown Marbled (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) and …

Improving Social Resilience In Response To Climate Change In Far North Queensland And Torres Strait, Katie Costantini

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Currently, most approaches to decision-making in response to climate change have been based on biophysical knowledge, even though climate change is an inherently social dilemma. Social resilience involves communities’ ability to mitigate and prepare for the effects of climate change and recover to an improved state. Professor Allan Dale and his colleagues at the Cairns Institute at James Cook University developed a framework for social resilience based on four attributes: (1) Economic Viability, (2) Community Knowledge, Aspirations, and Capacity, (3) Community Vitality, and (4) Governance. They are using this framework to evaluate and monitor Far North Queensland and Torres Strait …

A Crude Awakening: The Relationship Between Petroleum Exploration And Environmental Conservation In Western Uganda, Kristina Ericson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In this study the researcher aims to explore the emerging oil and natural gas processes in the Republic of Uganda and the potential impacts that such exploration will generate upon Uganda’s biodiversity and local livelihoods. The researcher will approach this topic through extensive research on emerging and current legal frameworks pertaining to Uganda’s natural environment, and through practicum-based research via leading non-profit organizations in Uganda.

During the research process the researcher worked as a Student Research Intern with International Alert. International Alert is an international Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that works to promote peace building and conflict resolution in over thirty …

Environmental Education In Amman, Sara Lyrnn Green

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This research addresses environmental education in public and private schools in Amman, Jordan and what is being done to expand environmental awareness by both schools and the government. This study’s methodology is comprised of interviews with teachers and government employees as well as analysis of material culture. The research finds that environmental education is priority for schools and the government, but that more can be done in expanding environmental awareness. This study points out barriers to environmental education in schools with the hope that these will be addressed and improved.

Mitigating Climate-Induced Migration In Rural Morocco: Improving Sustainable Development To Address Socio-Economic And Environmental Causes Of Migration, Jesse Meisenhelter

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Morocco unique geography has made the country vulnerable to climate-induced migration (CIM) for three reasons. First, Moroccois located in a region identified as the highest vulnerability to climate change (IPCC, 2014). Second, Morocco’s economy remains dependent on natural resources due to a history of neo-liberal development and agriculture policies (Davis, 2006). These policies’ failure to diversify and develop the economy in rural regions has made Morocco the most geographically inequitable country in the MENA region (World Bank). Lastly, located just 14 km from Spain, Morocco has a 50-year history of migrating to Europe for work and opportunity (Eddouada, 2014). This …

Neglected Or Non-Compliant? Assessing The Difficulties Of Tuberculosis Patients In Salvador-Ba, Brazil, Erin Slatery

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze how Instituto Brasileiro para Investigação da Tuberculose (IBIT), a philanthropic tuberculosis clinic in Salvador, Brazil, maintains treatment abandonment rates much lower than those of surrounding public clinics. This study also aims to evaluate how professionals conceptualize and address the difficulties faced by patients.

Methods: Interviews were conducted with 8 IBIT professionals and 16 patients in treatment for tuberculosis in the aforementioned institution via semi-structured and structured questionnaires, respectively. Participant observation guided the analysis of relationships between patients and professionals.

Results: Patients found varying aspects of treatment difficult depending on personal circumstances, …

A Regression Approach For Estimation Of Anthropogenic Heat Flux Based On A Bottom-Up Air Pollutant Emission Database, Sanghyun Lee, Stuart A. Mckeen, David J. Sailor

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A statistical regression method is presented for estimating hourly anthropogenic heat flux (AHF) using an anthropogenic pollutant emission inventory for use in mesoscale meteorological and air-quality modeling. Based on bottom-up AHF estimated from detailed energy consumption data and anthropogenic pollutant emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) in the US National Emission Inventory year 2005 (NEI-2005), a robust regression relation between the AHF and the pollutant emissions is obtained for Houston. This relation is a combination of two power functions (Y = aX^b) relating CO and NO_x emissions to AHF, giving a determinant …

Intracranial Pressure Modulates Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions: A Proof-Of-Principle Study, Eric M. Bershad, Mian Z. Urfy, Alina Pechacek, Mary Mcgrath, Eusebia Calvillo, Nicholas J. Horton, Susan E. Voss

Engineering: Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND:

There is an important need to develop a noninvasive method for assessing intracranial pressure (ICP). We report a novel approach for monitoring ICP using cochlear-derived distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), which are affected by ICP.

OBJECTIVE:

We hypothesized that changes in ICP may be reflected by altered DPOAE responses via an associated change in perilymphatic pressure.

METHODS:

We measured the ICP and DPOAEs (magnitude and phase angle) during opening and closing in 20 patients undergoing lumbar puncture.

RESULTS:

We collected data on 18 patients and grouped them based on small (Hg), medium (5-11 mm Hg), or large (≥15 mm …