Digital Commons Network^™

Responses Of Turkey Vultures To Unmanned Aircraft Systems Vary By Platform, Morgan B. Pfeiffer, Bradley F. Blackwell, Thomas W. Seamans, Bruce N. Buckingham, Joshua L. Hoblet, Patrice E. Baumhardt

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

A challenge that conservation practitioners face is manipulating behavior of nuisance species. The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) can cause substantial damage to aircraft if struck. The goal of this study was to assess vulture responses to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for use as a possible dispersal tool. Our treatments included three platforms (fixed-wing, multirotor, and a predator-like ornithopter [powered by flapping flight]) and two approach types (30 m overhead or targeted towards a vulture) in an operational context. We evaluated perceived risk as probability of reaction, reaction time, flight-initiation distance (FID), vulture remaining index, and latency to return. …

Cdk5 Drives Formation Of Heterogeneous Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors, Angela M. Carter, Nilesh Kumar, Brendon Herring, Chunfeng Tan, Rachael Guenter, Rahul Telange, Wayne Howse, Fabrice Viol, Tyler R. Mccaw, Hayden H. Bickerton, Priyanka Gupta, Frank Gillardon, Eugene A. Woltering, Deepti Dhall, John Totenhagen, Ronadip R. Banerjee, Elizabeth M. Kurian, Sushanth Reddy, Herbert Chen, Joerg Schrader

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) are a heterogeneous population of neoplasms that arise from hormone-secreting islet cells of the pancreas and have increased markedly in incidence over the past four decades. Non-functional PanNETs, which occur more frequently than hormone-secreting tumors, are often not diagnosed until later stages of tumor development and have poorer prognoses. Development of successful therapeutics for PanNETs has been slow, partially due to a lack of diverse animal models for pre-clinical testing. Here, we report development of an inducible, conditional mouse model of PanNETs by using a bi-transgenic system for regulated expression of the aberrant activator of Cdk5, …

Detecting Gsr Indicative Particles On Decayed Bones Using A Novel Field Kit, Sven Engling

Student Theses

Decomposed human remains are complex forensic puzzles, escalating in difficulty as the remains’ age obscures evidence, like trauma. Research has shown that scanning electron microscopes with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometers (SEM-EDX) are capable of detecting and identifying gunshot residue (GSR) particles on bones. However, SEM-EDX work is time consuming, expensive, and not accessible to every forensic department. Therefore, a preliminary field test capable of detecting GSR indicative particles, like lead, could save departments money and assist in trauma identification. This study examines the viability of using either the 3M Lead Check Test swabs or a sodium rhodizonate solution as part …

Development And Validation Of A Method For The Determination Of Designer Benzodiazepines In Hair By Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (Lc-Ms/Ms), Laura C. Defreitas

Student Theses

In recent years, new designer benzodiazepines have become a challenge in forensic toxicology. These substances are analogues of the classic benzodiazepines, but their pharmacology is not well known, and many of them have been associated with overdoses and deaths. As a result, there has been a surge in efforts to develop ways to accurately test for these compounds in different biological matrices. This study focused to develop and validate a method for determining 17 new designer benzodiazepines in hair by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Hair samples were decontaminated, pulverized, and 20 mg of the sample was incubated in …

Impact Of Blood Collection Tubes In Cannabinoid Quantitative Analysis, Tega E. Obruche-Akponah

Student Theses

In forensic toxicological cases, sample stability and storage are pivotal for obtaining adequate analytical results. Currently, limited information is available about the impact of different preservatives and anticoagulants present in the blood tubes used in the collection of blood samples containing cannabinoids. This study investigated the impact of sodium fluoride (gray top) and sodium citrate (blue top) blood collection tubes on the concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) and 5 THC metabolites (THC-OH, THC-COOH, THC-diOH, THC-glucuronide, THCCOOH-glucuronide) in whole blood samples, stored at room temperature, 4ºC and -20ºC for up to 3.5 months. The samples were extracted using …

Dna Extraction And Genotyping From Burned Skeletal Remains, Kayla M. Rooney

Student Theses

In this research, bovine leg bones were burned, both with and without meat intact, in order to determine if it was possible to extract and amplify DNA to obtain profiles. The meat was burned over an open flame and the DNA was extracted using the Qiagen DNeasy Blood & Tissue Mini Kit, quantified with the NanoDrop, and amplified using the Bovine Genotypes Panel 3.1 Kit, and separated using the 3500 Genetic Analyzer. Profiles were analyzed using the Thermo Fisher Cloud Microsatellite Analysis software. The samples burned with the meat intact produced lower quantities of DNA than the bones burned with …

Support For Militant U.S. Foreign Policy: The Role Of Authoritarianism And International Xenophobia, Brandon M. Garcia

Student Theses

Right-Wing Authoritarianism (RWA) has been studied extensively in the domestic socio-political context, but its potential impact on foreign policy is still poorly understood. The current study replicated the putative two-factor model of the construct (Authoritarian Aggression/Submission and Conventionalism) and examined the associations of each factor with perceptions of overall danger to the U.S. posed by other countries and with the support for more militant U.S. foreign policy. As expected, both RWA factors correlated with self-reported levels of political conservatism (r = 0.32, r = 0.33; p < .001) Additionally, Authoritarian Aggression and Submission (but not Conventionalism) were correlated with increased perceived danger from foreign countries (r = .35; p < .001) and increased support for a more militant U.S. foreign policy (r = .25; p < .001). Participants higher in RWA were more likely to view the world as a hostile and threatening place, and in turn support more aggressive military action in response to those fears.

Effects Of Improper Ammunition Storage, Victoria S. Andre

Student Theses

Firearms are commonly used by law enforcement, hunters, and civilians either for protection, sport or criminal activity. Ammunition is used in traditional firearms such as rifles and handguns, and consists of a cartridge case, propellant, a bullet (projectile), and primer. The two types of priming systems within the cartridge that are commonly used today are rimfire and centerfire cartridges. There are several types of malfunctions that can occur with ammunition. Improper ammunition storage is one major factor that plays a role in ammunition failure. One form of improper ammunition storage is where the storage environment being used abruptly changes due …

‘I Still Desire To Have A Child’: A Qualitative Analysis Of Intersectional Hiv - And Childlessness-Related Stigma In Rural Southwestern Uganda, Madeline Pratt, Moran Owembabazi, Winnie Muyindike, Angela Kaida, Jeanne M. Marrazzo, David Bangsberg, Mwebesa B. Bwana, Christina Psaros, Janet Turan, Multiple Additional Authors

OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study explored the intersecting forms of stigma experienced by HIV-sero different couples with unmet reproductive goals in rural Uganda. The parent mixed-methods study, which included 131 HIV-exposed women with plans for pregnancy, offered comprehensive HIV prevention counselling and care over a nine month period. In-depth interviews were conducted with 37 women and seven male partners to explore care experiences and the use of safer conception strategies. This secondary analysis explored how challenges conceiving informed pregnancy plans and HIV prevention behaviours. The following themes were developed (1) partnership conflicts arise from HIV- and infertility-related forms of stigma, contributing to gender-based …

Family Matters

In Case You Missed It

DECEMBER 2021

A Soul's Shape Is Beautiful, Alondra Orozco

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

A memoir engaged with the seminar's theme of Change, Transformation, and Transition. It follows my story and how I came to discover my true self. This is a coming-out story, with the purpose of sharing my experiences and potentially getting others to understand non-binary or transgendered people better. It delves into my personal thoughts and experiences, as well as transphobia from my parents. Since the story begins in my early childhood, the diction and writing style change throughout the story. I also incorporate the use of stream of consciousness to show my progression from cisgendered to a non-binary person.

Improving Stress Management For Female College Students, Kelsey Acosta

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Although many college students report feeling stress, women may have a unique perspective and experience regarding stress. Gilligan's theory states that women consider their relationships when considering decisions. This decision-making process can create an added layer of the already existing academic stressors that women face. Stress management techniques that acknowledge the unique stressors that women face are essential to improve mental health and provide an optimal college experience.

Veganic Farming In The United States: Farmer Perceptions, Motivations, And Experiences, Mona Seymour, Alisha Utter

Urban and Environmental Studies Faculty Works

Veganic agriculture, often described as farming that is free of synthetic and animal-based inputs, represents an alternative to chemical-based industrial agriculture and the prevailing alternative, organic agriculture, respectively. Despite the promise of veganic methods in diverse realms such as food safety, environmental sustainability, and animal liberation, it has a small literature base. This article draws primarily on interviews conducted in 2018 with 25 veganic farmers from 19 farms in the United States to establish some baseline empirical research on this farming community. Its qualitative perspectives illuminate farmer perceptions of and experiences with veganic growing, including definitions, knowledge acquisition, values, and …

Rape Myth Acceptance And Fear Of Sexual Victimization On College Campuses, Vivian Assuncao Portugal Dos Santos

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Numerous studies have identified individual characteristics associated with fear of crime and more specifically, fear of sexual assault. Research often focuses on the relationship between sex and fear of crime with findings consistently demonstrating that women are more fearful of being victimized compared to men (Lane et al., 2009). Scholars have attempted to explain this heightened level of fear by employing numerous theoretical explanations, including the shadow of sexual assault hypothesis. However, few studies have considered how other factors beyond demographic and situational characteristics influence fear of sexual assault. Notably, individual perceptions and beliefs about rape, including rape myths have …

Machine Learning For Lifespan Inference From Time-Lapse Microfluidic Images Of Dividing Yeast Cells, Mehran Ghafari

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

High-throughput microfluidics-based assays can potentially increase the speed and quality of yeast replicative lifespan measurements that are related to aging. One major challenge is to efficiently convert large volumes of time-lapse images into quantitative measurements of yeast cell lifespan measurements. To address these issues, we developed several deep learning methods to analyze a large number of images collected from microfluidic experiments. First, we compared three deep learning architectures to classify microfluidic time-lapse images of dividing yeast cells into categories that represent different stages in the yeast replicative aging process. Second, we evaluated convolutional neural networks for detecting cells from microfluidic …

Getting Old And Technology, Brenden A. Davis

Masters Theses

It is generally agreed upon that the purpose of technology is to aid humanity through various means like: making a task more convenient, or overcoming something previously deemed “impossible.” From the dawn of man to the era in which we stand, technology has steadily improved alongside civilization. This steady progress has seemingly hastened every year. Looking at technology from the viewpoint of “necessary everyday life tasks,” the past three decades have changed dramatically. With every year that passes, more things have become accessible through the web. Not everyone can keep pace with this rapid expansion into the “non-physical” digital world …

2d Vs 3d Tracking In Bacterial Motility Analysis, Jacqueline Acres, Jay Nadeau

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Digital holographic microscopy provides the ability to observe throughout a large volume without refocusing. This capability enables simultaneous observations of large numbers of microorganisms swimming in an essentially unconstrained fashion. However, computational tools for tracking large 4D datasets remain lacking. In this paper, we examine the errors introduced by tracking bacterial motion as 2D projections vs. 3D volumes under different circumstances: bacteria free in liquid media and bacteria near a glass surface. We find that while XYZ speeds are generally equal to or larger than XY speeds, they are still within empirical uncertainties. Additionally, when studying dynamic surface behavior, the …

Snook (Centropomus Undecimalis) Behavior And Accelerometer Telemetry In The Bahia Grande Of Texas, Jonathan Truett Cawlfield

Theses and Dissertations

There has been very little study of the Texas population of snook. No studies have have looked at behavior in the Texas snook population. In this study we look at behavioral patterns and activity level in Lower Laguna Madre snook utilizing accelerometer telemetry tags. Twenty-one common snook were surgically implanted with tags and monitored from summer and fall of 2019 until September 2020. The accelerometer tags which sum acceleration over the x, y, and z planes calculated (ODBA) which was used to estimate behavior. This behavior was then compared with environmental data like diel period, tidal period, water temperature, and …

Conceptual Insight Into The Application Of Innovative Educational Methods In Astronomy, Wahltyn A. Rattray

Theses and Dissertations

University students taking introductory astronomy courses were studied with a control group enrolled in a class with standard curriculum and an experimental group enrolled in a class with a curriculum using innovative instructional methods. Using multiple assessments, I analyzed the students’ astronomy knowledge and overall class experience to determine which curriculum was more instructionally effective. The innovative methods were developed with the ADDIE method and were based on the Karplus learning cycle which provided the framework for the astronomy curriculum. The end goal of the innovative curriculum is to produce graduates with better conceptual understanding of astronomy than with the …

Exploring The Role Of Stigmatic Exudate In The Water Lily (Nymphaceae) Pollination Mechanism Using N. Ampla (Salisb. Dc.), Luis Uribe

Theses and Dissertations

Water lilies are the only known plant group that uses hyperactive nectar glands to divest pollinators of their pollen. The nectar in Nymphaea ampla is thought to contain secondary metabolites that increase pollen deposition possibly by modifying pollinator behavior. This was explored utilizing visitation and fecundity data from the field coupled with survival and behavioral experiments in the laboratory. Replacing nectar with water reduced seed set in N. ampla which was attributed to reduced visitation in water-bearing flowers and not to effects on pollinator detention time. Exposure to nectar did not reduce survivability in Apis mellifera. Pollen and nectar foragers …

Bullet-Proof Boll Weevil: The History Of Boll Weevil Eradication, Evan A. Berg

Theses and Dissertations

Farmers and entomologists have all experimented with various methods to find the best way to defeat the United States' boll weevil. The techniques themselves, while expansive, can be examined within the scope of the years that they were used. This provides an exciting insight into how cotton pest management became more complex as the decades moved on and revealed how the science of cotton pest management evolved to deal with the boll weevil and other future cotton threats.

Evolutionary Development Study Of Firebrat (Thermobia Domestica), Luis Cantu Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

As most evolutionary development studies regarding wing origin take place using insects taxonomically closer to model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, there is a need of expanding studies to lower clades. While D. melanogaster is higher phylogenetically, basal clades would allow for a historical perspective of what occurs within the gene flow of conservative biomarkers. Further understanding of wings and flight would allow for a clearer understanding of how the migration of insects from sea to land has allowed them to become one of the most speciose taxa. Through the study of Thermobia Domestica, part of the Zygentoma, we expand on comprehension …

Characterization Of Soil Nematode Community As Influenced By Weedy Plants And Edaphic Properties, Orlando Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Nematodes are one of the most critical species globally as they are part of most nutrient recycling. While nematodes play a vital role in nutrient cycling, little is known about them from an ecological standpoint. The majority of current research has focused on a singular component of the community, being those of herbivore/plant-parasitic nematodes. In this study, the community shifts of the nematode trophic groups were analyzed as influenced by native and invasive grasses species in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) with the addition of edaphic soil properties.

In our study, the results indicate changes in the composition of …

A Gis-Based Model To Assess On-Site Sewage Facility (Ossf) Contamination Risk To Local Water Resources, Alvaro Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

In a collaborative effort between Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI), Cameron County Public Health (CCPH), Texas A&M AgriLife Extension (TAMAE), and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), a GIS database that includes relevant OSSF information, such as location, system age, lot size, and other important parameters was created.

This OSSF database, along with publicly available GIS data, was used to create an integrative GIS-based risk assessment model where OSSF risk parameters were assigned a risk factor and combined into a spatial contamination risk for surrounding areas and their receiving waterbodies. Parameters were broken down into two categories: environmental …

Early Embryology In Collembola With An Emphasis On Wing Development, Samantha A. Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this study was to further the understanding of the wing origin in insects. Currently there are several theories which are popular such as the tergum theory, the pleural plate theory, and the dual theory of wing origin. Studies for these theories have been done on crustaceans, the ancestors to modern day insects. By utilizing a pre insect hexapod, it may be possible to better understand the transition to insect wings. Members of the Collembola species Hypogastrurid are one of these pre-insect hexapods which may provide a clue into origins of wing development. During this study, the …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Centrifugally Spun Molybdenum-Based Nanomaterials For Lithium-Ion Batteries, Ramiro Gonzalez Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The work presented in this thesis focuses on the processing and development of transition metal compound composite fibers as anode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Among the transition metal compounds, molybdenum compounds have risen as promising candidates of advanced electrode materials, in view of their natural abundance, virtuous mechanical/thermal stability, rich chemistry, high theoretical specific capacity, and multiple oxidation states of Mo. The current work reports synthesize MoO2/C and MoO3/C composite fibers drawn from centrifugal spun ammonium molybdate/PAN precursor fibers, followed by a thermal treatment stabilizing in air and calcination under argon atmosphere. The weight ratios of (MoOx, 2 …

Characteristics Analysis Of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (Eis) For Different Electrode Patterns, Shanzida Kabir

Theses and Dissertations

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a rapidly developing technique used in characterizing materials and interfaces. Using equivalent circuits as models can determine the electrical properties of heterogeneous systems like membranes or electrolytes. Different electrochemical processes like the electron transfer rate of a specific reaction or the capacitive behavior of the system, or even the diffusion-limited response can coincide. EIS is applicable to determine different electrochemical processes that can happen simultaneously. The purpose of this research is to find the optimal operating range for other AC electrokinetic mechanisms. Analysis of EIS can be helpful in both fundamental examinations of electrokinetic transport …

Understanding Teacher Perceptions And Experiences About Active Learning Techniques In High School U.S. History Courses At A Lower Rio Grande Valley School District, Juan J. Mendoza

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the perceptions and experiences of teachers about the use of active learning techniques in high school United States history courses at a lower Rio Grande Valley school district. The study employed a phenomenology design for rich textural descriptions and a systematic exploration of the phenomenon of active learning techniques. Data were collected from individual semi-structured interviews and a focus group of 8 U.S. history teachers. Teacher lesson plans were examined to further corroborate evidence coded from the semi-structured interviews and focus group.

The research evidence suggested that active learning pedagogies create a progressive learning environment, they …

Prospecting For And Isolation Of Microalgae In South Texas, Mauricio Alejandro Peña

Theses and Dissertations

Microalgae is a very important microorganism that can be used for beneficial purposes for humans. One way to show the importance of algae in this planet is the contribution of Oxygen it provides to the atmosphere, which many organisms rely on (Medeiros et al., 2015). Carbon footprint has been one of the greatest causes for global warming and it is due to the use of fossils to create diesel. One of the ways to avoid contamination is to replace those fuels that are used on daily basis, such as for transportation. The microalgae are able to produce lipids that can …

Electrospun Pcl And Pcl/Gel Microfiber Scaffolds As Prototypes For Anterior Cruciate Ligament (Acl) Regeneration And Repair, Diego Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a polymer that has been a focus of tissue engineering due to its range of applicability for biomedical applications. Synthesis of PCL from a microwave-assisted and stannous octoate-catalyzed ring-opening reaction with ε-caprolactone was accomplished. Aligned-fiber microfiber mats were generated via electrospinning for characterization. PCL microfiber mats were characterized via FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. These PCL microfiber mats were mechanically tested to examine their applicability as tools for knee ligament repair. During tensile testing, non-fiber aligned mats lacked the sufficient elastic modulus. Fiber-aligned PCL samples both and gelatin-coated were tested and showed enhanced elastic modulus and extension …