Digital Commons Network^™

4-Nonylphenol Induces Neurodegeneration By Altering Cytoskeleton, Cynthia Carreon

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

4-nonylphenol (4-NP), an endocrine-disrupting compound (EDC), has been shown to affect brain development and may cause neurodegeneration. In the environment, 4-NP arises as a degradation product of alkylphenol polyethoxylates, compounds widely used as nonionic surfactants in commercial production, as well as in herbicides, pesticides, polystyrene plastics, and paints and has been shown to undergo a high level of accumulation in biological tissues. However, the mechanism by which 4-NP exerts its effect is not understood. Recent results from our laboratory indicate that Gβγ, an important component of the G protein-signaling pathway, induces neuronal outgrowth and differentiation by modulating microtubule (MT) assembly, …

Utilizing Historical Mosquito Surveillance Data To Investigate The Efficacy Of Municipal Fogging In Controlling Mosquito Population Density, Andrea Betina Carzoli

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Mosquito borne diseases are the cause of many different disease syndromes and deaths in animals, both wild and domesticated, and humans of all ages and ethnicities. Though El Paso, TX is located in an arid region, mosquito populations are still rapidly growing in urban and agricultural communities and so are the mosquito borne illnesses. The most common vectors associated with mosquito borne illnesses in El Paso County are Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex tarsalis, and Aedes aegypti. Vector management is often the primary option to prevent and control outbreaks of mosquito borne illnesses and very often utilize fogging as the primary …

Organic-Inorganic Graphite And Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Based Composites For 3d Printing, Jorge Alfredo Catalan Gonzalez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This project was multipronged to help fuse together topics of additive manufacturing and two-dimensional (2D) layered materials, and studying the mechanical and electrical properties of the composites produced. The composites are made from the thermoplastic polymer acting as a matrix and the graphite and 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) serving as the filler or reinforcement. Different concentrations of TMD's were added to the matrix to study the effect of composition on the mechanical and electrical properties. To shed insights into the mechanical properties, test coupons were produced as "dog bone" structures for tensile testing using the ASTM D638 type 5 …

The Development Of A Data Acquisition And Control System For Rocket Propulsion Research, Javier Chaparro

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The MIRO Center for Space Exploration Technology Research (cSETR) at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has developed the Technology Research and Innovation Acceleration Park (tRIAC) in Fabens, Texas. This facility has been established in order to meet new research demands for experimental testing of Liquid Oxygen (LOX)/Liquid methane (LCH4) propulsion systems. Within this facility, a vertical test stand capable of measuring up to 3,000lbf will be constructed for main engine testing of the JANUS and DAEDALUS vehicle programs.

In order to meet challenges of precise remote system operation and data acquisition during engine testing, cSETR designed and …

Next Generation Exa-Scale Capable Software For High Fidelity Physics Aware Simulations, Ashesh Kumar Chattopadhyay

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Physics aware simulations, often arising in problems of fluid dynamics, aerodynamics and multi-physics areas have demanded the need for computing software that has the capability to resolve the complexities at multiple scales to analyze and visualize the effects of their interactions with the surroundings. Usually the governing dynamics of these phenomenon appear in the form of complex partial differential equations whose numerical solutions impose various constraints on computational complexity, programming time and efficient throughput. In this scenario, the need of computing software that can solve very large problems resolving the physics of these phenomenon at multiple scales is imperative. Despite …

The White Rose Movement: The Rhetorical Situation And Rhetorical Stances Surrounding The Six Anti-Nazi/Anti-War Leaflets, Veronica Ruth Cruz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study focuses on the White Rose Movement's six anti-war/anti-Nazi leaflets the Movement produced and distributed between June 1942 and February 22, 1943 in Munich, Germany. The persuasiveness of the non-violent resistance Movement was analyzed and discussed using a Bitzerean and Booth rhetorical analysis. Though numerous active and passive social protests, such as marches, music, and rallies, have been examined rhetorically in the past, the research surrounding the written form of protest is minor. In direct regards to the White Rose Movement, specifically, the Movement has yet to be examined through a rhetorical lens until now. The Movement and its …

Advances In Chemical Vapor Deposition Growth Of Molybdenum Disulfide For Photodetectors And Flexible Electronics, Carlos Francisco De Anda Orea

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The conversion of light into electrical signals is at the basis of technologies that affect our daily lives. Applications, including video imaging, optical communications, biomedical imaging, security, night-vision, gas sensing and motion detection have reached a high level of maturity due to the development of high-performance materials, large-scale production, and integration technologies. Currently conventional photodetectors made of Silicon (Si) or III-V compounds are about to reach their maximum efficiency, and every time it is harder to get a noticeable improvement in performance of sensors based on these materials, not to mention the complicated fabrication methods to achieve just a few …

Methods For Producing Graphene From Petroleum By-Products, Eva M. Deemer

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

N/A

Influence Of Overlay Thickness On Interface Bonding, Aliasghar Dormohammadi

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Overlaying is an efficient and proven pavement preservation approach for flexible pavements. The overlay thickness varies from 1 in. to 4 in. depending on the conditions of the existing pavement, financial resources, etc. In the recent decade, financial constraints in conjunction with the push for pavement preservation, the overlay thickness is being reduced to less than an in. The ultra-thin overlay is a new cost-effective method that can be used to preserve functional pavement problems and provide satisfactory ride quality. Although studies have been conducted to evaluate pavement systems using numerical simulation, the research in the area of evaluating existing …

On-Orbit Autonomous Repair: Systems Design And Project Management Of The Orbital Factory Ii Cube-Satellite, Mike Louis Everett

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In 2016, a group of faculty, staff and students from the University of Texas at El Paso submitted a formal entry to the ULA CubeCorp competition to launch a 1U Cube Satellite into Orbit. In September of 2016, the team was awarded a launch opportunity to a prestigious GTO orbit to test and validate electrically conductive printing on within the Van Allen Radiation belts. This Dissertation is focused upon the management plan and specific decision that were implemented to accomplish this goal within a one year time frame and on a conservative budget.

In 2018 this satellite will launch aboard …

First Level Design And System Design Of Janus Liquid Oxygen-Liquid Methane Lander, Jahir Fernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Taking humans to space has always been a fantastic feat, but taking humans to another planet in our solar system is the new goal. Technology has come a long way and with that, so has our knowledge of space and what can be done with current technology to accomplish our goal. These technologies allow for a more efficient space system to transport future astronauts using liquid oxygen and liquid methane (LO2-LCH4) as propellants. This combination of propellants, LO2-LCH4, brings a variety of benefits. One of the main advantages is that they can be recovered or created from local resources, using …

Development Of Post-Pareto Optimality Methods For Multiple Objective Optimization, Juan Valentin Fernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In the past years, multiple objective optimization has been considered, as an important research area since in many real life problems there exists multiple criteria that need to be optimized simultaneously. The use of evolutionary algorithms or metaheuristic methods as solution methodologies lead to a large number of Pareto solutions rather than a single unique optimum. This Pareto-optimal set most of the time tends to be very large and the decision maker now faces the challenge of reducing its size to analyze a feasible number of solutions, thus deciding the best possible solution. In this work, two methods will be …

Predicting Individualized Treatment Effects Via Random Forests Of Interaction Trees, Annette Pena Franco

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Abstract Not Available

Behavior Of Sandwich Composite Cores Under Extreme Conditions, Carlos Daniel Garcia Perez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The use of composite structures for diverse applications have become of great interest for scientists and engineers thanks to the advantages that they may offer in comparison to conventional materials. In the case of sandwich composite structures, its mechanical properties can be tailored according to the necessities through the correct selection of a core and facesheets. In combination, this "new" material will have superior properties compared to traditional materials such as steel and aluminum. For arctic exploration, a core with low moisture absorption, low density, and resistance to extreme, low temperatures is desirable for this type of application. This Thesis …

Analysis Of Bias-Corrected And Exact Estimators For Binomial Generalized Linear Model Parameters, Hamna Hannan

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Typically, small samples have always been a problem for binomial generalized linear models. Though generalized linear models are widely popular in public health, social sciences etc. In small sample scenarios the non-existence of the maximum likelihood (ML) estimators is very common as well as separation occurs in the data. In logistic regression the maximum likelihood estimates are found to have biased away from origin. My work examines the bias-reduced and exact estimators that have been used to estimate the slope parameters and standard errors of the estimated slope parameters as compared to the traditional ML method.

The present work is …

On Demand 3d Printed Hybrid Scaffolds For Tissue Engineering Applications, Ivan D. Hernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

A composite 3D printed polymer scaffold with inbuilt porosity and filled with a hydrogel can provide an ideal support system for cell growth, proliferation, and vascularization. Therefore, a hybrid system of 3D printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold and a hydroxyapatite-based hydrogel was developed for application in the reconstruction of bone defects, which are inherently difficult to repair without any guided therapies. In the present study, a 3D printed gyroid structure of PCL allowed the loading of a higher amount of hydrogel as compared to conventionally used 3D printed mesh structure of the same volume and strut thickness. The hydrogel was composed …

Quantifying The Characteristic Length Of A Combustor For An Ionic Liquid Monopropellant Thruster, Kimberly Marie Hogge

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Ionic liquid monopropellants are currently being researched as a promising alternative to hydrazine in propulsion systems. This report presents a flame study that delineates the flame length of the expected decomposition products from an ionic liquid monopropellant. Through these studies, the characteristic length of a combustion chamber will be defined through calculations and empirical correlations. There is limited information on designing a propulsion system for an ionic liquid monopropellant. Therefore, defining the magnitude for an effective characteristic length serves as beneficial in designing a propulsion system for an ionic liquid monopropellant thruster.

Novel Possibilities For The Treatment And Prevention Of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Eva A. Iniguez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Protozoan parasites from the genus Leishmania cause broad clinical manifestations known as leishmaniasis, which affect millions of people worldwide. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is mainly caused by either Leishmania major or L. tropica parasites, which produce localized cutaneous ulcers, often leading to scarring and social stigma. Currently, the disease has reached hyperendemicity levels in the Middle East due to conflict and human displacement and is one the most common forms of the disease in the Old World. Furthermore, the first choice of treatment in that region continues to be pentavalent antimonials, which are costly and highly toxic, and current vector control …

Ac Susceptibility And Epr Investigations Of Superspin Dynamics In Manganese Oxide Nanoparticles, Mahesh Koirala

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

We have investigated the superspin dynamics of 5 nm and 10 nm mixed state Mn3O4 nanoparticles utilizing ac-susceptibility and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements. The out of phase component of the ac-susceptibility measurements show a magnetic anomaly below (T

Habla De La Arena (Procesos Contemporáneos De Escritura Poética), Carlos Mijail Lamas

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Este trabajo se plantea la creación de un poemario que reflexione sobre el poema como un campo de experimentación no solo formal, sino anímico, donde el andamiaje formal y rítmico de cada uno de los textos sea resultado de una indagación de la manera en que nuestra sensibilidad se ha modificado en relación con los estímulos de los entonrnos cibernéticos, la hiperconectividad y la simultaneidad de sus procesos. Las preguntas que se propone responder son ¿De qué manera el poeta puede enfrentar la abundancia y el flujo constante de información? ¿De qué forma el poema puede expresar la alteración de …

Cost-Effective Recovery Of Concentrated Cooling Tower Blowdown Using The Cerro Process, Lindsey Nicole Larson

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The Concentrate Enhanced Recovery Reverse Osmosis (CERRO) process is a seawater-RO unit that can cost-effectively achieve extremely high recoveries from water high in silica, carbonate and sulfate concentrations. This relatively new technology takes advantage of the induction time of potential foulants to recover more water than what is normally achievable with a conventional desalination system. The scope of the project was to evaluate the efficiency of the CERRO process as a pilot study using cooling tower blowdown which varied in water quality parameters daily. It was found that the CERRO pilot could successfully achieve 85% recovery, and the main limitation …

Bilingual Novel Word Learning In Sentence Contexts, Justin G. Lauro

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

According to the Instance-based framework of adult vocabulary learning, each time a learner encounters a new word in context, an episodic memory trace, containing the word itself and the surrounding context, is formed. Previous research has demonstrated an advantage in memory for words encountered in a variety of semantic contexts. This advantage occurs because distinctive contexts generate more distinctive memory traces. While research has demonstrated that a variety of contextual characteristics are encoded (e.g. semantic context, modality, and language), it is unknown whether varying the language context in which a word is encountered has a similar benefit on memory for …

Gypsum, Calcite, And Dolomite Caprock Fabrics And Geochemistry From The Gypsum Valley Salt Diapir, Paradox Basin, Southwestern Colorado, Kevin Lerer

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Caprocks are found on top of or in a lateral position relative to salt diapirs. The caprocks predominantly comprise sulfate minerals such as anhydrite or gypsum, which presumably accreted during the dissolution of salt from evaporite sediments. In some cases, the sulfate minerals are replaced by carbonate minerals, referred to as "carbonate caprock". Carbonate caprocks associated with salt diapirs are important because they can act as reservoirs or conduits for hydrocarbons, and because they can be easily misidentified as carbonate lithologies belonging to the stratigraphy of the sedimentary sequences adjacent to the diapir, which can jeopardize the accurate interpretation of …

Identification And Characterization Of Tumor-Associated Antigens (Taas) And Anti-Taas Autoantibodies As Biomarkers In Immunodiagnosis Of Human Osteosarcoma By Serological Proteome Analysis (Serpa), Jitian Li

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common highly malignant primary solid bone-tumor. Despite its relatively low incidence rate among overall cancers, it remains one of the most harmful primary malignant tumors in childhood and adolescence. Although some tumor markers like mutant p53 can be potentially used as biomarker to detect OS, its extensive association with the clinical outcome is poorly understood. The establishment of a methodology to identify patient with early stage of OS remains to be investigated. It is now evident that serum autoantibodies against tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) could be used as serological cancer biomarkers in types of cancers, which …

Evaluation Of A Gender-Relevant Physical Activity After-School Program, Vianay Lopez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Physical activity rates have decreased in the past 30 years. Physical activity rates decline further among girls as they reach adolescence, yet studies suggest girls are more inclined to participate in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) while among peers. When in close social networks, girls who have more physically active friends report being more active themselves. Several mentor-based programs throughout the United States have increased physical activity among preadolescent girls, indicating that gender-relevant physical activity programs may reverse their declining rates of physical activity.

Purpose: To evaluate if participation in a gender-relevant physical activity after-school program influenced participants' aerobic fitness, …

Design Of A 1 Megawatt Heat Input Direct Power Extraction System For Advanced Topping Cycles, Brian Matthew Lovich

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Power development has become a standard for living; as such more efficient and cleaner methods are desired. One such method is that of the direct power extraction system utilizing Magnetohydrodynamic properties. This paper will discuss the combustor designed and developed for a direct power extraction system at the 1 MW heat input range. A short history of the power systems utilized with a focus on the direct power class will be conducted in the first chapter to give insight into the benefits of using the direct power system. Then a literature review the fundamentals of direct power systems will be …

Black Police Uniforms Implicitly Increase Hostile Perceptions And Behavior, Amber Kristin Lupo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Use of excessive, and sometimes deadly, force by U.S. law enforcement officers is a critical and costly problem. An enclothed cognition framework suggests that clothing, such as a uniform, can implicitly affect cognitive processing and behavior of the wearer (Adam & Galinsky, 2012). Previous research demonstrated that darker clothing implicitly affects judgments and behavior in two ways. First, persons who wear darker clothing are perceived more negatively (Vrig, 1997; Vrig & Akehurst, 1997). Second, actors wearing darker colored clothing demonstrate greater aggressive behavior than actors wearing lighter colored clothing (Frank & Gilovich, 1988; Peña, Hancock, & Merola, 2009). The present …

Protonic Conductors For Intermediate Temperature Fuel Cell Electrolytes: Superprotonic Csh2po4 Stabilization And In-Doped Snp2o7 Structure Study, Heber Jair Martinez Salinas

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Proton conductor solid electrolytes CsH2PO4 and In-doped tin pyrophosphate have been investigated as candidates to fill a gap of suitable electrolytes for fuel cells at the intermediate temperature range due their unusually high conductivities between 200 and 300 °C. Unfortunately, in the case of CsH2PO4, complicated experimental conditions, like a humidified environment, or high pressure, are needed to preserve the sought high conducting phase.

In the first stage of this work, X-ray diffraction on CsH2PO 4 samples performed in air, and under normal conditions of humidity and pressure, evidence of the cubic phase of CsH2PO4 was observed during short intervals …

Structural And Mechanical Characterization Of Nanocrystalline Tungsten And Tungsten-Based Alloy Thin Films For Extreme Environment Applications, Gustavo Martinez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Extreme environments associated with nuclear applications often results in degradation of the physical, mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of the materials. Tungsten (W) exhibits unique physical and mechanical properties, which makes tungsten a good candidate for nuclear applications; however, intrinsic W exhibits low fracture toughness at all temperatures in addition to a high ductile to brittle transition. In the present work, nanocrystalline W, W-Y and W-Mo alloys were nanoengineered for nuclear applications. Nanocrystalline tungsten coatings with a thickness of ~1 µm were deposited onto Silicon (100) and Sapphire (C-plane) using RF and DC sputtering techniques under various growth conditions. Yttrium content …

Agent Of Social Capital: An Autoethnographic Study Of A First Time Superintendent, Juan I. Martinez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This autoethnography analyzes how my experiences growing up on the Mexico-United States border influenced my superintendency. My particular focus was on my role as an agent of social capital for all students, including low-socioeconomic, at-risk and minority students. Collectively, over fifty percent of school-aged children in the United States are now from a minority ethnic group, of which Hispanic/Latino students constitute the vast majority. Research on academically successful minority students suggests that the social capital students receive from institutional agents at school expands opportunities for academic and lifelong success. Traditionally, however, institutional agents are teachers, counselors, and social workers, not …