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Spatio-Temporal Dynamics Of Land Use Changes In Response To External Pressures In Oman: Greenhouse Cropping As An Example, Michael L. Deadman, Abdullah M. Al-Sadi, Malik M. Al-Wardi, Khalifa S.M. Al-Kiyumi, W.M. Deadman, Fahad A. Al Said

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Further from the northern coast of Oman new farm developments were more frequent than closer to the coast; they were also larger. The density of farms was highest close to Muscat although the distance enclosing 50% of farms had shifted away from Muscat during the study period. The dominance of Muscat is likely to be related to access to markets and infrastructure development. The increase in groundwater salinity was also highest close to Muscat and may be responsible for the shift in greenhouse density. Salinization of groundwater is severe close to the coast and was responsible for the reduced density …

Economic Analysis Determining The Optimal Replanting Age Of Date Palm, Hemesiri B. Kotagama, Amani Juma T. Al-Alawi, Houcine Boughanmi, Slim Zekri, Msafiri Mbaga, Hemanatha Jayasuriya

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Two alternative analytical models were used to estimate the economically optimal age of replanting date palm, namely; Comparison of Equivalent Annual Net Revenue (CEAN) and Multi-Period Linear Programming Model (MPLP). Solution procedures of both models are based on the theory of optimal replacement of capital assets. Data on date palm age-yield relationship and other socioeconomic variables were gleaned through a farm survey of 34 large commercial farms, in Izki, Bahla, and Al-Hamra wilayats in the Al- Dakhilya governorate of the Sultanate of Oman. The study estimated the optimal age of replanting date palms as 50-55 years. Both models, CEAN and …

Density Variation Of Different Shaped Food Particulates In Fluid Bed Drying: Empirical Models, Wiji Senadeera

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Three particular geometrical shapes, parallelepiped, cylindrical and spherical, were selected from potatoes (aspect ratio = 1:1, 2:1, 3:1), cut beans (length:diameter = 1:1, 2:1, 3:1) and peas respectively. The density variation of food particulates was studied in a batch fluidised bed dryer connected to a heat pump dehumidifier system. Apparent density and bulk density were evaluated with non-dimensional moisture at three different drying temperatures of 30, 40 and 50 oC. Relative humidity of hot air was kept at 15% in all drying temperatures. Several empirical relationships were developed for the determination of changes in densities with the moisture content. Simple …

Transport Modeling Analysis To Test The Efficiency Of Fish Markets In Oman, Khamis S. Al-Abri, Hemesiri Kotagama, Andrew Palfreman, Houcine Boughanmi

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Oman’s fish exports have shown an increasing trend while supplies to the domestic market have declined, despite increased domestic demand caused by population growth and income. This study hypothesized that declining fish supplies to domestic markets were due to inefficiency of the transport function of the fish marketing system in Oman. The hypothesis was tested by comparing the observed prices of several fish species at several markets with optimal prices. The optimal prices were estimated by the dual of a fish transport cost- minimizing linear programming model. Primary data on market prices and transportation costs and quantities transported were gathered …

Temporary Water Markets In Oman, Slim Zekri, Hemesiri Kotagama, Houcine Boughanmi

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Market vis-à-vis command and control approaches have been widely adopted in natural resource and environmental management since the 1980s. Adoption of markets in managing irrigation water resources is also emerging. It has been argued that markets are ineffective in managing the demand for irrigation water due to very low price elasticity. Most studies have been based on mathematical models simulating water markets and not on observed prices and quantities in real water markets since such data are rarely available. In Oman, perhaps in response to the extreme scarcity of water, elaborate water demand management institutions emulating markets have evolved and …

Influence Of Alternate Bearing On Leaf And Fruit Mineral Composition At Different Developmental Stages Of Date Palm Fruits, M.O. El-Mardi, A.E. Pillay, J.R. Williams, C.S. Bakheit, S.M. Hassan, M. Al-Hadabbi, A. Al-Hamdi

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Samples of leaflets and fruits at different stages were collected from 6 “on-palms” and 6 “off-palms” (15-16 years) of the Fard Cultivar. Samples were dried, ashed and digested. Macro and micronutrient concentrations of K, Ca, Mg,Na, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mg were determined by ICP-AES and N was measured by Kjeldhal method. Significant changes in the elemental concentrations of leaf and fruit occurred between Kimri (green color) and Bisir (yellowish-red color) development stages. Potassium and Mg concentration was reduced in leaf and fruit. Calcium and Na were reduced in the fruit and increased in the leaf. Iron, Zn and Mn …

Prediction Of Composition Of Broiler Chicken Excreta Using Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy, I. T. Kadim, W. Al-Marzooqi, O. Mahgoub, K. Annamalai

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopic (NIRS) calibrations were developed for the prediction of the content of dry matter (DM); nitrogen (N), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), gross energy (GE), calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) in broiler excreta samples. The chemical composition of broiler excreta was determined by the conventional chemical analysis methods in the laboratory and compared with NIRS. Excreta samples (n = 72) were oven dried (60 oC) and analyzed for DM, N, EE, NDF, ADF, GE, Ca and P. The determined values (mean ± SD) were as follows: DM: 31.46 ± 7.65 (range:19.14 - …

Physical Processes Affecting Microbial Habitats And Activity In Unsaturated Porous Media, D. Or

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Recent advances in soil pore space visualization and geometrical characterization coupled with improved models for liquid and gaseous behaviour provide the impetus for examination of physical influences on microbial habitats and activity. Desaturation of a porous medium is accompanied by marked changes in liquid-vapour interfacial configurations, which result in confinement and fragmentation of aquatic habitats, alteration of liquid and gaseous diffusion pathways, and introduction of mechanical stresses exerted by films and receding menisci. At the pore scale, we examine relationships between liquid element size (at a given potential) and typical organism or colony size, in an attempt to explain physical …

Effect Of Groundwater Pumping On Seawater Intrusion In Coastal Aquifers, M.M. Sherif, V.P. Singh

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Many aquifers around the globe are located in coastal areas and are thus subjected to the seawater intrusion phenomenon. The growth of population in coastal areas and the conjugate increase in human, agricultural, and industrial activities have imposed an increasing demand for freshwater. This increase in water demand is often covered by extensive pumping of fresh groundwater, causing subsequent lowering of the water table (or piezometric head) and upsetting the dynamic balance between freshwater and saline water bodies. The classical result of such a development is seawater intrusion. This paper presents a review for the seawater intrusion phenomenon in coastal …

Dynamic Effect In Capillary Pressure- Saturation Relationship And Its Impact On Unsaturated Flow, S.M. Hassanizadeh, Faculty Of Civil Engineering And Geosciences, Delft University Of Technology, P.O. Box 5048, 2600ga Delft, The Netherlands, M.A. Celia, H.K. Dahle

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Recent theories indicate that capillary pressure is perhaps not only a function of saturation but also rate of change. This is known as the dynamic effect. A comprehensive review of experiments reported in the literature is presented. The experiments provide ample evidence that a dynamic effect is observable and even quantifiable. The reported data are used to estimate the coefficient that arises in the theory. It was found that range of values of the dynamic coefficients spans about four orders of magnitude. To examine whether these coefficients have any practical effects on larger-scale problems, a continuum-scale simulator was constructed in …

Effect Of Pollination Method On Changes In Physical And Chemical Characteristics Of Date Fruit During Development, M.O. Eimardi, H. Esechie, L.M. Al-Kharousi, K.M. Abdelbasit

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Date palms were pollinated by hand, hand duster and motorized duster. Pollen for the hand and motorized dusters was diluted with wheat flour each at 1:5, 1:7, 1:9 and 1:14 ratios. Fruit samples were collected during ‘Hababook’, ‘Kimri’, ‘Bisir’, ‘Rutab’, and ‘Tamr’ stages. Chemical and physical characteristics were determined in the laboratory. The motorized duster produced lower fruit set than the hand duster. No significant effect of pollination method on yield was observed. None of the physical or chemical differences that appeared during the same stage of fi'uit development proved to be an indicator of maturity. During ‘Kimri’, more fiuits …

Neural Network Assisted Experimental Designs For Food Research, H.S. Ramaswamy, C. Chen, S. Sreekanth, S.S. Sablani, S.O. Prasher

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

The ability of artificial neural networks (ANN) in predicting full factorial data from the fractional data corresponding to some of the commonly used experimental designs is explored in this paper. Factorial and fractional factorial designs such as L8, L9, L18, and Box and Behnken schemes were considered both in their original form and with some variations (L8+6, L15 and L9+1). Full factorial (3 factors x 5 levels) and fractional data were generated employing sixteen different mathematical equations (four in each category: linear, with and without interactions, and non-linear, with and without interactions). Different ANN models were trained and the best …

Neural Network Assisted Experimental Designs For Food Research, H.S. Ramaswamy, C. Chen, S. Sreekanth, S.S. Sablani, S.O. Prasher

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

The ability of artificial neural networks (ANN) in predicting full factorial data from the fractional data corresponding to some of the commonly used experimental designs is explored in this paper. Factorial and fractional factorial designs such as L8, L9, L18, and Box and Behnken schemes were considered both in their original form and with some variations (L8+6, L15 and L9+1). Full factorial (3 factors x 5 levels) and fractional data were generated employing sixteen different mathematical equations (four in each category: linear, with and without interactions, and non-linear, with and without interactions). Different ANN models were trained and the best …

Comparative Analysis Of Vertical And Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands For Eutrophication Mitigation", Ali M. Ahmed

Al-Bahir

Constructed wetlands (CWs) serve as a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for wastewater treatment, particularly in the removal of eutrophication-causing pollutants. This review focuses on the comparative performance of Vertical Flow (VF) and Horizontal Flow (HF) Subsurface Flow (SSF) systems, assessing their efficiency in removing Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Nitrogen (TN), and Total Phosphorus (TP). VF systems demonstrate superior pollutant removal, particularly for nitrogen, due to enhanced aeration and efficient oxygenation processes. In addition, their compact design reduces land area requirements, making them advantageous in space-limited applications. Conversely, HF systems are more effective at supporting nutrient …

Modeling The Soul Surface Seal From A Filtration Perspective, N.M. Somaratne, K.R.J. Smettem

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

A physically based model of soil surface scaling is proposed. The governing equations are formulated on the principle of conservation of mass assuming Darcy's law applies to suspension flowing through the soil surface. The model incorporates the physics of surface sealing by mechanisms that capture suspended particles moving with infiltrating water. As a result of particle retention in the soil system, the intrinsic porosity is reduced and hulk density is increased, resulting in changes to soil hydraulic properties such as moisture retention and hydraulic conductivity. Empirical functions are developed to describe the changes of these properties as the seal develops. …

Local And Regional Spatial Analysis Of Plant Virus Disease Epidemics With Geographic Information Systems (Gis) And Geostatistics, M. R. Nelson, T. V. Orum

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Recent advances in personal computer hardware and the rapid development of spatial analysis software that is user-friendly on PC's has provided remarkable new tools for the analysts of plant diseases, particularly ecologically complex virus diseases. Due to the complexity of the disease cycle of the animal-vectored plant virus, these diseases present the most interesting challenges for the application of spatial analysis technology. While traditional quantitative analysis of plant diseases concentrated on within-field spatial analysis, often involving rather arcane mathematical descriptions of pattern, the new spatial analysis tools are most useful at the dimension where many disease epidemics occur, the regional …

Notes On Expectations, Anwar Shaikh Phd

Archives of Anwar Shaikh

This collection includes:

• Global stability of classical model w dynamic expectations (2001-01-04, handwritten notes)

• Expectations and moving targets (2001-01-04, handwritten notes)

• Handwritten notes discussing planned output, investment, production, and expected demand [Handwritten notes] (2000-12-22)

• Handwritten notes on the savings rate with taxes [Handwritten notes] (2001-03-29)

• Handwritten notes on adaptive input models, expectations, classical closure, and Harrodian closure [Handwritten notes] (undated)

• Handwritten notes on the paradox of SR equilibrium [Handwritten notes] (undated)

• Diagram and notes related to demand expectations [Handwritten diagram and notes] (undated)

• Classical (undated, handwritten notes discussing demand expectation models)

• Adaptive expectations (2001-04-10, handwritten notes, two copies)

• Handwritten notes …

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Aqueous Extracts Of Zingiber Officinale Rhizomes And Hibiscus Sabdariffa Leaves Enhanced Plasmodium Berghei-Infected Mice's Hematological Parameters., Fatimah Aluko Abubakar, Raliat Abimbola Aladodo, Aremu Abubakar

Al-Bahir

Malaria remains a global health challenge, leading to severe hematological complications. Natural alternatives such as Zingiber officinale and Hibiscus sabdariffa, known for their antioxidant and bioactive properties, are being investigated for their therapeutic potential. This study examines the hematological benefits of Z. officinale and H. sabdariffa in mice infected with the common malaria research model, NK65 chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei. Forty-two albino mice, averaging 24.5 ± 1.23g, were randomly divided into six groups. Mice in group A were uninfected which served as the normal control group. Mice in groups B, C, D, E, and F were inoculated intraperitoneally with P. …

Ai's Hidden Influence: The Silent Manipulation On Youth, Moni Dronavalli

Scholars Week

No abstract provided.

Contributions Of Biochar And Biofertilizer On Food Scraps Composting, Kabita Budthapa, I.P. Handayani Dr, Shova Shrestha Dr

Scholars Week

Food scraps have contributed significantly to environmental problems. Because of its substantial effects on the environment, the economy, and society, it has become a major global issue. This research was conducted at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Lalitpur, and was meant to find ways to shorten the composting period using biofertilizers and biochar and study their impacts on the compost nutrients. The experiment involved seven treatments with three replications: T1 (Control), T2 (EM-1), T3 (Prarhamva decomposer), T4 (Biofertilizer KM), T5 (Biochar 400 g + Biofertilizer KM), T6 (Biochar 800 g + Biofertilizer KM), T7 (Biochar 200 g) with 5 …

Comparing Thermal Imaging Of New York City From 1988 To 2025, Amelia R. Slaton

Scholars Week

My project compared the urban heat island effect on New York City from 1988 to 2025. After looking at the risks associated with the heat island effect on local life I compared Landsat 5 imaging from 1988 and 1989 to Landsat 9 imaging from 2025 to find any differences between the thermal output of New York City. I then used images from both inner and long island area of New York from both time periods. As well as, the reason for New York's large thermal output compared to other surrounding areas and what the city is doing to combat the …

Stem Stories, April 2020, #2, Brooke Wiese

STEM Stories

Faculty Profile - Dr. Brittany Flokstra

Sensitive Fluorescence Quantitation And Efficient Free Radical Characterization Of N‑Glycans Via Lc-Flr-Hrms/Ms With A Novel Fluorescent Free Radical Tag, Rayan Murtada, C. J. Szafranski, Maria Tevletidis, Shane Finn, Wilthon Gilles, Tabia Tahsin, Jinshan Gao

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Glycans are some of the most difficult biomolecules to analyze owing to their branching tendencies as well as their regiochemical and stereochemical diversity. Yet, the correlation between various pathological states and glycan quantity or structural alterations has demonstrated the importance and urgency for the development of a more robust glycan analytical technique. Furthermore, the manufacturing and regulation of biopharmaceuticals demands a feasible and improved analytical approach toward the characterization and quantitation of glycosylations. Unfortunately, multiple commercially available glycan tags lack, in combination, liquid chromatography detection sensitivity, chemical stability and, most importantly, optimal glycan characterization capabilities. Therefore, a novel fluorescent tag …

Detection Of Co2 Locally Generated By Formate Dehydrogenase Using Carbonate Ion-Selective Micropipette Electrodes, Seol Baek, Salvador Gutierrez-Portocarrero, Rokas Gerulskis, Shelley D. Minteer, Sean R. German, Henry S. White

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

Many technologies involve immobilizing catalysts such as enzymes on surfaces, and the catalytic activities or functional efficiencies of these surface-bound catalysts can vary depending on orientations, localized binding sites, active sites, and intrinsic molecular nature. Accurate and rapid quantification of reaction products from surface-immobilized catalysts is crucial for understanding the selectivity, mechanisms, and reaction dynamics of catalytic systems and for revealing heterogeneous catalytic activities and reaction sites for applications such as biosensors and energy conversion/generation systems. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of localized enzymatic activity measurements using microscale carbon dioxide (CO₂)-sensitive ion-selective electrode (ISE) pipettes (0.5-2.5 μm tip …

Prenatal Exposure To Pm2.5 Concentration And Risk Of Preterm Birth In New Mexico; A Seasonal Pattern And Spatio-Temporal Modeling., Onyedikachi J. Okeke

Mathematics & Statistics ETDs

This study investigates the association between prenatal PM2.5 exposure and preterm birth risk in New Mexico (2014–2021). Using descriptive statistics, time series models, and spatial analyses, findings show an average preterm birth rate of 14.87 per 1,000 live births, with moderate correlation (r = 0.727) between PM2.5 levels and very preterm births. While traditional models revealed no significant global effect, spatial methods such as Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and Multiscale GWR uncovered strong spatial heterogeneity. PM2.5 effects varied by county (coefficients: -0.00154 to 0.00150), with clustering evident in 2018–2019 (Moran’s I = 0.155–0.174). Results highlight the limitations of global models …

Successful Leadership Strategies For Reducing Staff Turnover In Clinical Research Organizations, Tamala Burden

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High employee turnover in clinical research organizations (CROs) disrupts research continuity, increases operational costs, and threatens the timely execution of clinical trials. High employee turnover is a critical concern to CRO leaders, as excessive employee attrition can delay developing and delivering new patient therapies and threaten organizational performance. Grounded in social exchange theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to identify and explore employee-focused strategies that CRO leaders use to reduce employee turnover successfully. Data collection included semistructured interviews with six purposively selected CRO leaders, supplemented by publicly available records to triangulate findings. Following Braun and Clarke’s 6-step …

The Fear Of Replacement: How Ai Panic In Journalism Mirrors Existential Crisis In Industry, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This study systematically examines the portrayal of artificial intelligence (AI) errors, such as hallucinations and deepfakes, in journalistic contexts, evaluating whether these narratives reflect a broader existential anxiety about AI's role in reshaping journalism. Using a systematic literature review combined with a qualitative content analysis of recent AI-focused news reports, this study identifies recurring themes in media coverage to assess the accuracy and context of reported AI errors relative to actual technological limitations and affordances. Findings suggest that while AI errors are comparatively rare, they receive amplified coverage, often fueling public mistrust in AI technologies. Nevertheless, a balanced examination reveals …

Dictating The Divine: Revisiting Authorship, Intention, And Authority From Sacred Texts To Generative Ai, James Hutson, W. Travis Mcmaken

Faculty Scholarship

This article interrogates the historical practice of mediated authorship in religious texts to draw critical parallels with contemporary debates surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI), specifically large language models (LLMs). By juxtaposing the mediated authorship of sacred texts, such as the Hebrew Bible and New Testament—where figures like the Apostle Paul dictated theological concepts to scribes who infused these directives with their interpretive insights—with the generative processes of LLMs, this research underscores the shared dynamics of co-constructed authorship across historical and technological contexts. Employing interdisciplinary methodologies from art history, textual studies, and reception theory, as well as theological and biblical studies, …

Large Area Sintering Test Platform And Associated Method Of Use, Christopher Joseph Gardiner, Justin Nussbaum, Nathan Crane

USF Patents

A large area sintering platform, system, and methodology. The system includes a convection oven with a projection window disposed within a top surface of the oven. A platform is disposed within the oven below the window at a spaced distance away from the window. A powder is positioned on top of the platform, with a thermocouple positioned within the powder on the platform. A high intensity projector moves in sync with the platform, and uses low intensities and long exposure times to project an image through the window onto the powder and sinter the powder to fabricate the desired model …

Ud Teacher Education Earns An A+ In Elementary Math Teacher Preparation, University Of Dayton. School Of Education And Health Sciences

School of Education and Health Sciences Blog Archive

The teacher education program at the University of Dayton has received an A+ on the 2025 National Council on Teacher Quality ratings for elementary math instruction, one of just five programs in Ohio to do so.