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The Role Of Multiteam Systems In Prescribed Fire Operational Incidents, Kevin Llanos

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to study how multiteam systems (MTS) are implicated in prescribed fire operations and enhance an interdisciplinary understanding of occupational demands in the industry to mitigate worsening environmental challenges. We study publicly accessible sources through a mixed-methods approach applying I/O psychology and discuss relevant literature. Land management plan documentation is reviewed to explore the structural and functional components of prescribed fire teams. We apply theory-driven coding to analyze prescribed fire incident documentation as we study MTS system processes and develop thematic findings. Lastly, industry job listing content and occupational demands are reviewed. Through this archival …

Assessment Of Forensic And Clinical Criteria Of Orbital Blowout Fractures For Use In Bioarchaeological Analysis, Dylan E. Ornot

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Orbital blowout fractures are a particular facial fracture occurring within the inner eye orbits of the face caused by blunt force trauma to the eyeball or the lower orbital rim. This fracture is common in modern clinical contexts due to physical assaults, but examining this fracture in skeletal material can also provide insights into the patterns of interpersonal violence within the fields of bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology. Issues with analyzing this fracture in skeletal material arise due to the clinical assessment practices of blowout fractures, where medical practitioners are highly focused on the soft tissue presentations of the fracture in …

Dysbiosis In Parkinson's Disease: A Meta-Analysis Of Gut Microbiota And Its Role In Gastrointestinal Dysfunction And Disease Progression, Ayan M. Siddiqui Mr.

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and nonmotor symptoms, including gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. Symptoms such as constipation, bloating, and nausea often show early signs before the onset of motor symptoms. Recent research has suggested an essential role of the human gut microbiome and gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut microbiota composition, in the pathogenesis of PD. This thesis aims to assess the potential relationship between gut dysbiosis and PD by conducting a meta-analysis, focusing on differences in gut microbiota between PD patients and healthy controls and evaluating their implications for GI dysfunction and PD progression. The …

Examination Of The Morphological Changes And Genotoxic Effects Of Sodium Benzoate On Neuro-2a Cells In Vitro, Emily S. Larson

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Sodium benzoate is a food preservative present in sodas, fruit juices, and other acidic foods and beverages [1]. Its acceptable daily intake is 0-20 mg/kg body weight [2], and it is generally recognized as safe [1, 3]. However, sodium benzoate has been linked to hyperactivity in children [4, 5] and adults [6] and to deficits and behavioral changes in rodents [7-10], indicating potential negative impacts on the nervous system. Sodium benzoate has also induced genotoxic effects in human lymphocytes [11, 12] and Chinese hamster fibroblast cells [13] in vitro and in rat liver tissue in vivo [14]. The effect of …

The Comparative Efficacy Of Ketamine And Esketamine In Treating Anhedonia And Suicidal Ideation: A Meta-Analysis, Yanyi Wu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This meta-analysis examines the efficacy and effectiveness of racemic ketamine (RS-ketamine) and esketamine in reducing depressive symptoms such as suicidal ideation and anhedonia in patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression and bipolar disorder. This review comprehensively looks at six studies: three clinical studies focusing on suicidal ideation and three looking at anhedonia. Across the studies, RS-ketamine and esketamine were associated with a higher resolution of suicidal ideation, risk, and anhedonia. Significant improvements were noted in the suicidal desire and ideation subscale of the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation. The pooled effect size for suicidal ideation (d = 0.533) and pooled …

Synthesizing And Using Iron Oxide Nanoparticles As Nanocomposite In Cotton Fabrics Nanofinishing, Hoda Sharouf, Ziad Saffour

Baghdad Science Journal

Metal oxide nanoparticles, including iron oxide, are highly considered as one of the most important species of nanomaterials in a varied range of applications due to their optical, magnetic, and electrical properties. Iron oxides are common compounds, extensive in nature, and easily synthesized in the laboratory. In this paper, iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation of (Fe+2) and (Fe+3) ions, using iron (II and III) sulfate as precursor material and NH4OH solution as solvent at 90°C. After the synthesis of iron oxide particles, it was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These …

A Theoretical Investigation Of Chemical Bonding Of A Heterometallic Trinuclear Cluster Containing Iridium And Ruthenium: [(Cp*Ir) (Cpru)2 (Μ3-H) (Μ-H)3] By Qtaim Approach, Ahlam Hussein Hassan, Muhsen Abood Muhsen Al-Ibadi

Baghdad Science Journal

Numerous integral and local electron density’s topological parameters of significant metal-metal and metal-ligand bonding interactions in a trinuclear tetrahydrido cluster [(Cp* Ir) (Cp Ru)2 (μ3-H) (μ-H)3]1 (Cp = η5 -C5Me5), (Cp* = η5 -C5Me4Et) were calculated and interpreted by using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM). The properties of bond critical points such as the delocalization indices δ (A, B), the electron density ρ(r), the local kinetic energy density G(r), the Laplacian of the electron density ∇2ρ(r), the local energy density H(r), the local potential energy density V(r) and ellipticity ε(r) are compared with data from earlier organometallic …

Genetic Diversity Of Trypanosomes Infesting Cattle From Savannah District In North Of Côte D’Ivoire Using Conserved Genomic Signatures: Rrna, Its1 And Ggapdh, Jean-Yves Ekra, Eliakunda Michael Mafie, Edouard K. N’Goran, Dramane Kaba, Biégo Guillaume Gragnon, Jagan Srinivasan

All Rsif Scholars' Publications

The potential danger to livestock from African animal trypanosomiasis is well known. However, the trypanosome species circulating in cattle and their genetics are poorly understood. After different alignments according to three regions (ITS1, gGAPDH and rRNA gene) of the trypanosome genome, phylogenetic analyses were used to show the genetic diversity of the different species that were circulating in the cattle in three regions (Bagoue, Poro and Tchologo) of Côte d’Ivoire. These analyses were performed by alignment of ITS1; by alignment of partial 18S, ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2 and partial 28S rRNA genes; and by alignment of gGAPDH gene with sequences of …

Empowering Communities Through Education Creating The School Of Green, Kyle Martin

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

The School of Green initiative aims to foster environmental stewardship through community-driven STEM education programs. This paper evaluates the initiative’s impact, critiques its planning, and strategizes for future success. It discusses the evolution of the School of Green Series, its community impact, and future directions. The paper also provides a contextual framework reflective analysis and outlines personal motivations and aspirations. Through meticulous documentation and archival research methods, this project aims to detail the significance of the School of Green Series in promoting environmental education and inclusivity. The comprehensive event report will not only analyze successes and areas for improvement but …

Character Rigging Explorations: Basic Skeleton To Full Simulated Muscle, Lindsay Diana Timbs

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

This thesis project focuses on furthering my knowledge in creating rigs for an organic 3D model with realistic skin deformations. Rigs are the controls used to animate a model. A 3D model's skin deformation is how it squashes and stretches when moved. The project focuses on learning to use simulated muscles, which add the ability to imbue subtle secondary motion to the skin and deliver more realistic deformation as well as the creation of a smooth bind, a standard primary rigging technique. The aim is to compare and contrast their quality based on perceived realism. Subjectively, the muscle simulation was …

The Integration Of Multiple Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Models Into A Single Unified Cardiopulmonary Model, Julian Iii Thrash

Electrical and Computer Engineering

There has been an increasing effort to employ cardiovascular (CV) and pulmonary models to assist in the study of disease, answer research questions, and study the effects of a medical treatment or device. To properly study the intricate dynamics of the CV and pulmonary systems, a comprehensive model is required to achieve a holistic understanding of its mechanics and view the emergent properties of the complex and dynamic cardiopulmonary system. This study builds on the work of Mauro Ursino et al., by taking their multiple CV and pulmonary models and integrating them together within the scalable environment of MATLAB and …

Using Wing Flap Sounds To Distinguish Individual Birds, Thinh Phan

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Ornithologist often need to recognize individual birds, but traditional invasive methods, such as capturing, marking, releasing, and recapturing of birds, have limitations. To overcome this, researchers use non-invasive alternatives, such as bird vocalizations. In our study, we used wing flap sounds of three male Zebra Finch birds for individual recognition. We achieved identification accuracies ranging from 55% to 100% by using a combination of Principal Component Analysis-K-Nearest Neighbor (PCA-KNN) and Cross-Correlation method on training data and testing data. PCA-KNN allows for dimensionality reduction and pattern recognition, while the Cross-Correlation method bases data analysis on shifting data elements. Our approach can …

Enhancing Mechanical Properties And Water Interactions Of Arabinoxylan Films From Corn Bran Through Enzymatic-Chemical Modification, Abdulrahman Alahmed

Cereal Science

Due to the need to replace non-biodegradable plastics, arabinoxylan (AX) films were evaluated for potential use in food packaging. The mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and biodegradability of AX films were evaluated after extracting AX from corn bran byproducts of dry-milling (DCB), wet-milling (WCB), and dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) using acid-alkali procedure. Packaging materials were created using the three AX extracts combined with laccase and sorbitol as the basis for each film. The three AX films were then modified by immersing their surfaces in a lipase-acetate solution. Thickness of modified DCB AX and modified DDGS AX films was significantly increased …

A Bioarchaeological Overview Of The Late Woodland Period Gooden Mound Group, Fulton County, Illinois, Aaron M. Durchholz

Theses and Dissertations

Extensive research in paleopathology has documented adverse effects accompanying a shift in subsistence strategy from largely nomadic, hunting and gathering lifestyles to those of more sedentary, agrarian systems. Comparative assessment of the human skeletal remains of early foragers and later farmers recovered from archaeological sites around the world have consistently demonstrated a decrease in average age at death in the latter.

Across the pre-Columbian North American Midwest, the transitional period between the Late Woodland and Mississippian periods, sometimes referred to as the terminal or Mississippian Acculturated Late Woodland, portended establishment of semi-permanent to permanent hamlets, increasingly reliant upon the adoption …

Decoding Tofu Quality: An Integrative Investigation Of Soybean Seed Characteristics And Innovative Evaluation Approaches, Amanda Malik

Cereal Science

This research unravels the intricate relationship between soybean seed characteristics, geographical origin, and the resultant quality parameters of tofu. The study analyzed 178 soybean varieties from diverse regions, categorizing them into distinct clusters based on protein, moisture, and other attributes. Significant variations emerged, with soybeans from the United States exhibiting higher protein, while Chinese sources displayed higher moisture content. Subsequently, the research delved into diverse tofu quality parameters using multivariate analysis. Distinct clusters were identified based on attributes including yield, texture, moisture content, and brix levels. These parameters exhibited complex interrelationships, providing insights into factors defining tofu sensory qualities. Furthermore, …

Heat-Treated Soybean Meal In Beef Cattle Diets, Grady Gullickson

Animal Sciences

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate replacing dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) with heat-treated soybean (TSBM) at increasing rates in forage-based diets on steer growth performance, nutrient flow, and digestibility. Experiment 1: 70 angus-based steers were utilized in a generalized randomized block design for an 85-d growing study at the NDSU Beef Cattle Research Complex. Experiment 2: five fistulated Jersey steers fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were utilized in a 4 × 5 row column design for 56 d to measure nutrient flow and digestibility. Diets were formulated to replace DDGS, included in the diet at 16% …

The Impact Of Media On Price Paid For Thoroughbred Horses At Auction, Steven Anderson

Animal Sciences

It has been said a picture is worth a thousand words, but the economic value of that picture for livestock sales transactions has not been quantified. The objective of this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the presence of media (photos and/or video) on sale prices of Thoroughbreds. Online auction sale data from two U.S. Thoroughbred auction sites were used to compare 18,221 horses that sold and 4,215 horses that failed to meet the minimum desired bid. Sellers that provided media of their horses at auction received approximately $25,000 more for weanlings, $74,000 more for yearlings, and $89,500 more …

One-Carbon Metabolites, Fetal Growth, Maternal Oxidative Stress, And Fetal Programming During Early Gestation, Layla King

Animal Sciences

In ruminant production systems, maternal nutrient intake and supplementation practices vary widely throughout the industry. Adequate maternal nutrient supply is critical for fetal development and subsequent offspring performance and health. Therefore, determining strategic supplementation of specific nutrients during critical developmental windows is crucial to fetal growth during early gestation will positively impact beef cattle production systems. In this dissertation, two experiments using beef heifers were conducted to test the hypothesis that differing maternal rate of gain (achieved through differing intake) during the first 63 d of pregnancy would compromise indices of maternal and fetal development; and that strategic nutrient supplementation …

Farm Operator Preferences Regarding Site Specific Weed Control Adoption, Devon Schwarzrock

Agribusiness and Applied Economics

An increasingly popular use for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is drone applied site specific weed control (SSWC). Site-specific herbicide application allows applicators to target previously mapped weed clusters and spot sprays the targeted weeds individually. This benefits farmers by generating cost savings from reducing herbicide usage and limits overapplication of herbicide. This study aims to identify characteristics of spray drones that are desirable amongst farmers. A discrete choice experiment is used to identify attributes which farmers deem more valuable than others. This study finds that price, herbicide reduction rate, and application rate significantly impact a farmer’s decision to rent or …

Trade Disruption And Commodity-Program Payments: A Panel Garch Model, Bismark Asante

Agribusiness and Applied Economics

Trade disruption has reduced the economic gains countries enjoy from great trade relationships. This disruption stems from trade wars, exchange rate volatility, and rare events. However, the gravity model, mainly used to investigate this problem, is plagued with heteroscedasticity, omitted variables, and zero trade flow. This makes it difficult for farmers, policymakers, and investors to predict how the international market behaves. The study assesses how commodity-program payments help mitigate shocks from trade disruptions using a panel GARCH model. Hence, the study examines the source of trade disruption, the intensity of trade disruption on soybean and corn export, the risk associated …

International Grain Origin Switching: Contract Washouts And Embedded Switching Options, Caleb Hauck

Agribusiness and Applied Economics

Changing dynamics in the international grain trading industry have led to a rise in two new contracting practices colloquially termed washouts and switching options and formally defined as contract washouts and embedded origin switching options. When spatial arbitrage opportunities exist, grain buying firms switch from one origin to another. This thesis documents the increased frequency with which these contract practices have been used and examines the factors that incentivize firms to use them. Using data from 2018 to 2023, two models are developed with a binomial lattice that value these contracting terms. The results indicate that these practices have significant …

Opening The Black Box: Carbon-Footprint Calculators, Meat Consumption, And The “Wicked Problem” Of Metric Governance, E. Melanie Dupuis, Dustin Mulvaney

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Carbon-footprint calculators are widely used as communication and education tools, designed to make people aware of the ways their personal actions contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions. However, they have come under criticism for emphasizing individual behavior versus structural change. We extend this critique to argue that carbon-footprint calculators are a form of “metric governance” that not only disciplines users but also constrains their abilities to engage with the complexities of climate change and social action. We focus on a particularly wicked problem of carbon-metric governance: livestock greenhouse-gas emissions. We show that carbon-footprint calculators black box and fix the complex politics and …

A Far-Field Radio Frequency Experimental Exposure System For Yeast: Creating A New Standard, Soraya Nevin

Electrical and Computer Engineering

This paper presents a framework for investigating the potential effects of radiofrequency (RF) exposure on gene expression and cellular processes. Utilizing Schizosaccharomyces Pombe (S. pombe) as a model organism and specialized equipment to create a standard test environment for continued research in this field. Key methods include environmental monitoring, RF antenna configuration, and power density mapping. Results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed experimental setup. Future directions involve variations in RF frequency and exposure time, as well as exploring underlying molecular mechanisms. This framework aims to lay the groundwork for future experimentation in this field. It emphasizes the need for …

Leveraging Genomics And Transcriptomics For Gene Discovery In Dry Pea, Josephine Johnson

Genomics and Bioinformatics

Over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in the utilization of DNA marker-based mapping studies to genetically map and further improve complex quantitative traits. A major caveat of this approach is that genetic mapping of the underlying genes conferring target phenotypes is challenging often due to the extent of long-range linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the genome, particularly in self-pollinated crops. Recent technologies allow us to examine expression-phenotype associations using transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) which is independently affected by LD, unlike in the case of genetic markers. This is of greatest utility in species where linkage disequilibrium …

From Pages To Places: Situating Kelly Et Al.’S The Robot Zoo: A Mechanical Guide To The Way Animals Work In Real-Life Context, Nasih Alam

English

The Robot Zoo: A Mechanical Guide to the Way Animals Work (1994), written by John Kelly, Dr. Philip Whitfield and Obin, consists of textual descriptions and visual images of sixteen robot animals. Among them, my discussion of Giraffe, Platypus and Rhino highlights the fact that they are endangered animals who are facing extinction due to climate change, human encroachment, poaching, illegal trade, and a lack of biodiversity. Although my other subjects of discussion such as House Fly, Grasshopper, Chameleon and Bat do not necessarily face any immediate extinction, this paper shows how scientists are using the heights and zips of …

Technological Advancements In Brunei’S Local Agriculture And Fisheries Companies: An Exploratory Study Based On Field Observations, Muhammad Firdaus Mujibuddin Syah Mustafa, Navaranjan Namasivayam, Hong Shyang Pei, Fatnin Farhanah Alihan, Amni Sahilah Sahrullamzah, Khairina Umairah Takiyaudin

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This exploratory study, through seven field observations and interviews, investigates the technological advancements transforming Brunei's agricultural landscape in pursuit of local production augmentation and self-sufficiency. It confronts challenges with emerging technologies like aquaponics, hydroponics, fertigation systems, closed-house poultry systems, and UV lighting, which hold promise for enhanced farming practices. The research provides a comprehensive assessment of current practices, including livestock management advancements, underscoring their potential to boost productivity, optimize resource use, and promote sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, it discusses the broader implications for industry standards, job employability, and alignment with Brunei's Vision 2035. The findings contribute invaluable insights, advocating for strategic …

Physicochemical Characterization Of Edible Insect Oils: Insights Into Fatty Acid Composition, Thermal Behavior And Quality Parameters, Eng-Tong Phuah, Yee-Ying Lee, Teck-Kim Tang, Guanghui Li, Shyang-Pei Hong, Syazana Abdullah Lim

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Edible insects are emerging as a sustainable food source due to their high nutritional value. This study employed the three-phase partitioning (TPP) method to extract oils from sago worm (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus), superworm (Zophobas morio), and cricket (Acheta domesticus). The study evaluated and compared the physicochemical properties of these insect oils, including iodine value (IV), peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (p-AV), acid value (AV), refractive index (RI), thermal behavior, and fatty acid compositions. Results revealed that the sago worm exhibited the highest oil yield (47.8 ± 2.2%) compared to the superworm (23.8 ± 1.4%) and cricket (6.4 ± 0.6%). Cricket oil …

Assessing The Organic Acids-Solubilized Collagen Derived From The Skin Of Unicornfish (Naso Reticulatus Randall, 2011) On Physicochemical And Structural Characteristics: Toward Alternative Source For Industrial Applications, Dayang Fazrianie Harianto, Abdul Aziz Jaziri, Rossita Shapawi, Ruzaidi Azli Mohd Mokhtar, Wan Norhana Md. Noordin, Masmunira Rambli, Nurul Huda

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Converting skin by-product of unicornfish (Naso reticulatus Randall, 2011) into a valuable commodity like collagen is a good strategy to explore alternative sources for land-based animals. Additionally, marine fish collagens are preferable due to their safer and great properties. This project aimed to compare extractability of collagens prepared with three organic acids (i.e., acetic, lactic and citric acids), and their characteristics were also discussed. Collagen extracted with citric acid (CSCUS) (7.10%) had a significantly higher yield (p

Antioxidant And Antimicrobial Properties Of Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio Molitor) Protein Concentrates And Hydrolysates Derived From Varied Dietary Regimens, Shyang-Pei Hong, Eng-Tong Phuah, Wey-Lim Wong, Yee-Ying Lee, Teck-Kim Tang, Ali Yassoralipour

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The larval stage of the darkling beetle, Tenebrio molitor, often referred to as the yellow mealworm, has received significant attention as a promising source of high-quality protein for human consumption due to its exceptional nutritional profile. This study focused on assessing the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of protein concentrates and hydrolysates obtained from mealworm specimens raised under distinct dietary conditions. One cohort of mealworms was sustained on food waste comprising rice bran, milled corn, and carrots (self-bred) (SM), while another group was exclusively provided with rice bran (commercially fed) (CM). Enzymatic hydrolysis of mealworm protein was accomplished using protease enzymes …

Assessment Of Novel Plant-Based Fat Efficiency In Comminuted Chicken Meat System, Salma Mohamad Yusop, Shu Jo Lin, Nurkhuzaiah Kamaruzaman, Nurlisa Mohd Azhari

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

The composition of fats and oils significantly impacts the flavour, nutrition, and appearance of food. Excessive consumption of saturated fatty acids, primarily found in animal fats, raises the risk of coronary heart disease. To address this, plant-based fats are used as substitutes, with microalgae offering unique nutritional benefits as a fat source. This study evaluates the performance of structured plant-based fats, incorporating microalgae (Aurantiochytrium sp. SW1), as a fat substitute in chicken patties. Four formulations were tested: 0% (control), 5%, 7%, and 10% structured microalgae-based fat. Colour, texture, water-holding capacity, cooking loss, and microstructure in both raw and cooked samples …