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Stratigraphic Evidence For Indigenous Use Of Fire As A Dryland Agricultural Landscape Management Tool On The Northern Colorado Plateau, Mariah Walzer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

While documented in ethnography and traditional ecological knowledge, Indigenous burning practices are rarely recognized in the archaeological record of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau. I analyzed charcoal from an arroyo wall to understand the relationship between Indigenous farmers and fire at the Cub Creek archaeological site (AD 300-1300) in Dinosaur National Monument. The size, shape, and amount of charcoal in each sediment layer indicates the fuel types (woody or grassy) and relative size and/or intensity of fires. I compared my data to a precipitation reconstruction for the area to evaluate the influence of climate on fire activity. The results …

An Examination Of The Effects Of Prey Density, Mortality, Nutrients, And Foraging Tradeoffs On A System With Inducible Defenses: An Empirical And Theoretical Approach, Benjamin C. Ralston Daniel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

To grasp the functioning and stability of ecosystems, it is important to understand species interactions. With many ecosystems becoming more imperiled from urbanization and anthropogenic influences it is important to understand ways in which species can adapt to rapid changes in their environment. Phenotypic plasticity is one such tool at nature’s disposal to initiate rapid change, where species with the same genetic makeup can have different expressed traits depending on their environment. Inducible defenses are one such form of phenotypic plasticity in which prey can express different levels and forms of defense depending on the threat of predation present in …

Federated Learning In Wireless Networks, Xiang Ma

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transitioning from a long development period into reality. Notable instances like AlphaGo, Tesla’s self-driving cars, and the recent innovation of ChatGPT stand as widely recognized exemplars of AI applications. These examples collectively enhance the quality of human life. An increasing number of AI applications are expected to integrate seamlessly into our daily lives, further enriching our experiences.

Although AI has demonstrated remarkable performance, it is accompanied by numerous challenges. At the forefront of AI’s advancement lies machine learning (ML), a cutting-edge technique that acquires knowledge by emulating the human brain’s cognitive processes. Like humans, ML requires …

Gps-Denied Navigation Using Location Estimation And Texel Image Correction, Nikolas I. Jensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In recent years, the use of small drones, also categorized as small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV), has surged. They are used for tasks like surveying land, collecting data from a distance, and performing maneuvers for military operations. These drones are popular because they are affordable, small, easy to use, and can navigate well in complex areas. These factors make them a cheap and quick option for tasks like surveying and surveillance when compared to traditional methods.

This thesis introduces a system that uses algorithms to figure out where the drone is. Typically, this relies on sensors and GPS, but GPS …

Utilizing Bayesian Optimization In Technoeconomic Analyses For Integrated Energy Systems, Anthoney Griffith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Technoeconomic analysis is a key element in the study of integrated energy systems. The goal of this analysis is the sizing of technologies resulting in the best economic outcome for the system. The evaluation of this system involves sizing the components and simulating the resulting market to determine an outcome. This simulation incorporates multiple possible values of uncertain parameters like grid price and wind generation. This problem is currently approached with the gradient descent optimization method. An alternative approach, Bayesian optimization, sees success on simple problems of a similar nature to technoeconomic analyses. These results motivate applying Bayesian optimization as …

Emerging Technologies And Advanced Analyses For Non-Invasive Near-Surface Site Characterization, Aser Abbas

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This dissertation introduces novel techniques for estimating the soil small-strain shear modulus (G_max) and damping ratio (D), crucial for modeling soil behavior in various geotechnical engineering problems. For G_max estimation, a machine learning approach is proposed, capable of generating two-dimensional (2D) images of the subsurface shear wave velocity, which is directly related to G_max. The dissertation also presents a method for estimating frequency dependent attenuation coefficients from ambient vibrations collected using 2D arrays of seismic sensors deployed across the ground surface. These attenuation coefficients can then be used in an inversion process …

Carbon Monoxide Donors: From Synthetic Applications To Reassessment Of Commercially Available Compounds, Nicola Bauer

Chemistry Dissertations

Carbon monoxide (CO) is known for various reasons. The general public sees CO as the “silent killer”, while organic chemists see CO as a reagent for carbonylation, and medicinal chemists and biologists see CO as an endogenous signaling molecule with therapeutic potential. Along these lines, we have developed and assessed CO donors for wide ranging applications.

In terms of synthetic organic chemistry, our lab has developed a light-activated CO donor for Pd-catalyzed and light-mediated carbonylation. This low-molecular-weight, solid CO surrogate that only requires a low-power LED for activation to release 2 equivalents of CO can be universally implemented in various …

A Study Of Aquatic Sedimentation In Chattanooga, Tennessee, Using Gis And Remote Sensing Technology Integrated With Hydrodynamic And Watershed Models, Connor Firat

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Suspended sediments can have benefits and drawbacks on aquatic ecosystems depending on the concentrations. The need to quantitatively monitor water bodies and watersheds is key to reduce excessive suspended concentrations. This study aims to integrate remote sensing technology with numerical watershed and hydrodynamic models and apply them on the Tennessee River and the surrounding tributaries to better assess the fate and transport of suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) there. The obtained results indicate that using Google Earth Engine (GEE), Landsat satellite can be used to estimate historical turbidity in the Tennessee River. Using field measurements and laboratory analyses the obtained satellite …

Solar Panel Damage Identification Using Tensorflow Lite, Garrick Muncie

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The number of utility-scale PV installations is rising, with a power capacity of 12.5 Gigawatts installed in 2021, 10.4 in 2022, and an estimated 24 Gigawatts installed in 2023 [1]. With larger-scale installations, quicker ways of identifying and locating damaged PV arrays are needed. The solution presented in this thesis is to use drones to capture aerial photos and TensorFlow-Lite and Keras deep learning methods to determine if a panel has defects, such as debris, cracked panels, and hotspots. The model features an execution time of 0.185 seconds per picture. In addition, the model will run on an embedded system …

Validating The Empirical Distress Prediction Models Within The Aashtoware Pavement Mechanistic-Empirical Design, Using Tennessee Pavement Performance Data From The Long Term Pavement Performance Database, Maxine Otieno

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) represents a recent pavement design approach, developed to address the shortcomings of the 1993 AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures. The Pavement Mechanistic-Empirical Design (PMED) software is set to operationalize the mechanistic-empirical principles outlined in MEPDG. However, empirical distress prediction models integrated into PMED were developed and calibrated using national data, necessitating validation and local calibration before implementation on a local scale. Moreover, updates to PMED present possibilities for continuous evaluation to account for improvements in the distress prediction models. This study validates PMED version 2.6.2.2’s prediction models using Tennessee pavement performance data …

Enhancing Visitor Experience Through Marketing For The Mayflower Bocawina National Park, Samantha O'Flaherty

Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis outlines a summer internship in Dangriga, Belize, where the author worked with Mayflower Bocawina National Park facilitated by Dr. Amy Farmer and Steve Darr. Dangriga faces challenges in the tourism industry due to competition from larger entities who have more resources and infrastructure. The author and their partner developed a marketing strategy for the park's new glamping experience and mountain bike trail, evolving into a comprehensive plan encompassing SEO, website management, and operational optimization. The project aimed to enhance the park's competitiveness, generate sustainable revenue, and support its growth and improvement initiatives.

Quantifying Lock Criticality For Inland Waterway Navigation Using An Agent-Based Simulation, Ashwin Narayan

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Inland waterway travel has tremendous potential to improve multimodal transportation in the United States due to its environment-friendly and safe nature. Waterway travel has proven to be much cheaper per ton-mile and more fuel efficient than trucks. Millions of dollars have recently been invested in inland waterway networks to facilitate travel. The waterway infrastructure must be resilient to enable efficient waterway travel and prevent unnecessary delays. Locks, an important component of waterway infrastructure, enable vessels to travel between waterways of varying depths and must be maintained consistently to avoid unexpected failures. However, with limited resources, it is difficult to preserve …

An Analysis Of Pottery From Western North Carolina Using Pxrf, Mark Pifer

Anthropology Theses

Pottery samples recovered from this area and representing five different types (Burke, Pisgah, Connestee, Cowan’s Ford, and Hybrid Pisgah-Burke) were analyzed using pXRF data to examine the potential geochemical subgroups among these pottery types. Principal Components Analysis was used as the primary method to explore geochemical groupings and their characteristics. Five separate geochemical group were defined that generally correspond to the sherd types included and regions in which the sherds are likely to have been constructed. The inclusion of a high number of Burke sherds in two of these groups points toward close association of these sites. Sherds showing both …

Playing The Game Of Praise And Blame: On The Justification Of Our Responsibility Practices, Justice Cabantangan

Philosophy Theses

Moderate revisionists about moral responsibility, such as Manuel Vargas, attempt to preserve the backward-looking norms that ordinarily guide praise and blame while arguing that these norms are justified because of their effects. However, some doubt that backward-looking norms are good at achieving these effects; this is the objection from inefficacy. In this paper, I introduce an alternative to Vargas’ view that holds that our responsibility practices are a game, as analyzed by Bernard Suits. I argue that this alternative avoids the objection from inefficacy while preserving attractive features of Vargas’ view. Further, I argue that the game view yields benefits …

The Public And The Private Good: Plato On The Happiness Of The Citizens In The Republic, Lucas Heimgartner

Philosophy Theses

In Book IV of the Republic Adeimantus raises a concern to Socrates that the guardians seem quite unhappy. If true, this charge threatens one of the central aims of the Republic: to show it is better for you to be just rather than unjust. Socrates offers a response, but ow to interpret this response is a matter of some debate. I argue that we ought to interpret his response as implying that Kallipolis’ citizens will be happy, but that they will be happy as citizens whose private interests are mediated by the public interest of the city. This account, …

The Hard Problem Of Consciousness And Neurobiological Naturalism, Bailey Villarreal

Philosophy Theses

In this thesis, I present Feinberg and Mallatt's (2020) theory of neurobiological naturalism and attempt to situate it within the broader philosophical discussion of consciousness. They propose what they consider to be the neurobiological components sufficient for phenomenal consciousness to have evolved and claim to have filled the explanatory gap in our understanding of how the brain gives rise to experience. I will argue that their claim for doing so is premature and rests on a fundamental misunderstanding of what distinguishes the hard and easy problems of consciousness, which results in a vicious circularity. I explore how Feinberg and Mallatt …

Inference And Interpretation: Problems For Narrative As Testimony, Victoria Isett

Philosophy Theses

In this thesis, I argue that when an agent uses a narrative (i.e., a story) to communicate something to her hearer, she cannot be said to be giving testimony as it is traditionally understood in the literature in epistemology. Instead, many of the beliefs the hearer takes up on the basis of the speaker’s story will be derived by inferences and interpretations she must make on her own. If the authorship of the relevant beliefs does not belong to the speaker, then those beliefs are not ones transmitted via testimony. Thus, narratives are not forms of genuine testimony. However, I …

Evidence As Dictator: When Arrow’S Impossibility Theorem Meets The Ethics Of Belief, Chen-Wei Wu

Philosophy Theses

Could it be rational to believe contrary to the evidence if the belief brings a substantial amount of practical benefits? In my thesis, I investigate this question through the lens of social choice theory. Specifically, I argue that it is never rational to believe contrary to the evidence by utilizing Arrow’s impossibility theorem. To this end, I introduce an analogy between a belief system and a social group, discuss certain conditions that hold in a rational agent’s belief system, and compare and analyze the performances of different belief systems. The goal is to shed light on the role of evidence …

The Use Of Fourier-Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy With An Infrared Biotyper To Establish Classifiers For Major Serogroups Of Moraxella Bovis Based On Spectral Profiles, Jordyn Bailey Schommer

Honors Theses

A classifier tool was created to identify major serogroups of Moraxella bovis based on spectral profiles collected from bacterial cells through the use of Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. M. bovis strains were selected from a group of previously sequenced and genotyped isolates, which provided the pilin sequence type for each isolate. The obtained spectroscopic profiles were analyzed through artificial neural networks to create a classifier tool that could identify the PilA type for unknown strains. Once a sufficient spectral library was obtained, the isolates were split into a training and a validation group, each containing spectra from isolates of five …

An Application Of An In-Depth Advanced Statistical Analysis In Exploring The Dynamics Of Depression, Sleep Deprivation, And Self-Esteem, Muslihat Gaffari

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Depression, intertwined with sleep deprivation and self-esteem, presents a significant challenge to mental health worldwide. The research shown in this paper employs advanced statistical methodologies to unravel the complex interactions among these factors. Through log-linear homogeneous association, multinomial logistic regression, and generalized linear models, the study scrutinizes large datasets to uncover nuanced patterns and relationships. By elucidating how depression, sleep disturbances, and self-esteem intersect, the research aims to deepen understanding of mental health phenomena. The study clarifies the relationship between these variables and explores reasons for prioritizing depression research. It evaluates how statistical models, such as log-linear, multinomial logistic regression, …

Effect Of Insufficient Sleep On Activity Limitation: Results From The Brfss 2022 Survey, Jonathan Meyer

Capstone Experience

Objective: To determine whether insufficient sleep (less than 7 hours per night) is associated with activity limitation (14 days or more of poor mental or physical health interfering with everyday activities) in Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data from 2022. Methods: BRFSS is a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of non-incarcerated US adults. The exposure of interest was insufficient sleep, and the outcome of interest was activity limitation. Other demographic variables used in a final weighted adjusted analysis include age >65 years, race/ethnicity, gender, marital status, income, and total physical inactivity. Results: The weighted prevalence of insufficient sleep for …

Sex-Dependent Differences In Vulnerability To Early Risk Factors For Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Results From The Aurora Study, Stephanie Haering, Antonia V. Seligowski, Sarah D. Linnstaedt, Vasiliki Michopoulos, Stacey L. House, Francesca L. Beaudoin, Xinming An, Thomas C. Neylan, Robert A. Swor

Articles

No abstract provided.

Data Collector Selection Ranking-Based Method For Collaborative Multi-Tasks In Ubiquitous Environments, Belal Z. Hassan, Ahmed. A. A. Gad-Elrab, Mohamed S. Farag, S. E. Abu-Youssef

Al-Azhar Bulletin of Science

In Ubiquitous Computing and the Internet of Things, the sensing and control of objects involve numerous devices collecting and transmitting data. However, connecting these devices without fostering collaboration leads to suboptimal system performance. As the number of connected sensing devices in Internet of Things increases, efficient task accomplishment through collaboration becomes imperative. This paper proposes a Data Collector Selection Method for Collaborative Multi-Tasks to address this challenge, considering task preferences and uncertainty in data collectors' contributions. The proposed method incorporates three key aspects: (1) Using Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process to determine optimal weights for task preferences; (2) Ranking data collectors …

Geomechanical Study Of Rock Properties In The Kafr El-Sheikh Formation At Sapphire Field, West Delta Deep Marine, Egypt, Moustafa Mohamed Ahmed Attia, Ali El-Sayed Farag, Mahmoud Y. Zein El-Din

Al-Azhar Bulletin of Science

Numerous challenges were encountered during the drilling operations conducted at the Sapphire oilfield. Instances of stuck pipe, wellbore instability, breakouts, and washouts have been documented in many wells within this field, resulting in unproductive time and additional expenditures. To mitigate these challenges, it is important to conduct a one-dimensional geomechanical model to get a viable resolution. This entails the creation of three primary in situ stress profiles and the assessment of mechanical characteristics of the geological formations. The primary focus of this investigation was to ascertain the mechanical characteristics of the rock. Therefore, this work offers great input while building …

Palynostratigraphy And Bayesian Age Stratigraphic Model Of New Ca-Id-Tims Zircon Ages From The Walloon Coal Measures, Surat Basin, Australia, K. Sobczak, J. Cooling, T. Crossingham, H. G. Holl, M. Reilly, J. Esterle, J. L. Crowley, C. Hannaford, M. T. Mohr, Z. Hamerli, S. Hurter

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Surat Basin hosts significant coal and coal seam gas resources. New high-precision CA-TIMS U/Pb zircon ages from tuffs and Bayesian age stratigraphic models are combined with palynology from fine-grained sedimentary rocks and zircon trace elements to provide further chronostratigraphic and biostratigraphic constrains on the Walloon Coal Measures in the eastern margin of the Surat Basin and infer the palaeoenvironment and tectonic setting. The tuff ages range from 165.88 ± 0.11 Ma to 158.84 ± 0.05 Ma, with those from the stratigraphically lower Taroom Coal Measures ranging from 165.88 ± 0.11 to 163.05 ± 0.08 Ma and Juandah Coal Measures …

Thrombogenicity Of Biodegradable Metals, D. E.J. Anderson, H. H. Le, H. Vu, J. Johnson, J. E. Aslan, J. Goldman, M. T. Hinds

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 2

Biodegradable metals offer a promising means to ameliorate many of the long-term risks associated with vascular devices made of conventional biostable stent metals. While numerous biodegradable metal alloys have been developed and characterized in animal models, knowledge of their blood reactivity and thrombogenicity remains unknown. Metal hemocompatibility is particularly valuable because current generation drug-eluting stents pose a significant long-term thrombosis risk. In this study, four pure metals, widely used as degradable base materials (Fe, Zn, Mg, and Mo), and three alloys commonly used in cardiovascular devices [NiTi, CoCr, and stainless steel (SS)] were evaluated. This work examined how each of …

Enhancing Refugee Resettlement And Displaced Population Support Through Elder Communities In The United States: A Model For Sustainable Solutions, Ponnaka Pok

Master's Theses

This thesis paper is inspired by the current world crisis of exploding numbers of refugees and the obstacles they face seeking somewhere to resettle. We present here an effort to address these pressing issues and to advocate for meaningful change. This paper explores the challenges and opportunities associated with refugee resettlement and displaced population issues in the United States. It investigates how Elder communities might play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges and offers a trial model for implement and continued development, and potentially for other countries and organizations to follow. This paper also has a secondary focus on …

What’S Wrong With Suicide?: Our Passional Natures And The Question Of Rationality, Christian A. Sandoval

Philosophy Theses

According to many philosophers, the decision to commit suicide is irrational as a response to grief and hardship because the suicidal individual fails to properly appreciate the value of the future. The suicide, in her fixation on her interest in ending her current suffering, fails to consider the interest she has in the future. In this paper, I consider two views of suicide, one by Michael Cholbi and another by Richard Brandt, that argue that suicide is rational only insofar as the suicidal agent is able to appraise the value of her future. However, I argue that the epistemic standards …

Investigation Of Study Strategies In Undergraduate Preparation For The Mcat And Optimizing Preparation According To Current Medical Students, Makayla Gordon

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a pivotal assessment for aspiring medical students, serving as a measure of undergraduate readiness in preparation for this huge advancement in their academic careers. Success on the MCAT requires content mastery, but to do that, strategic study approaches that are tailored to the individual, and comprehension of the test’s unique format and demands are essential. It is a common misconception that there are limited ways to study for the MCAT, while also sacrificing a legitimate understanding of the content. This project investigates further into identifying effective study methods for MCAT preparation with promise …

Patterns Of The Use And Perception Of Cannabis Among College Students In Tennessee, Jayla Ruffus-Milner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cannabis has been historically difficult to research due to its federal scheduling. However, as legalization of cannabis medically, recreationally, or both in states across the country has increased, so has the need to address the research gaps that persist. The purpose of this study was to explore the patterns of cannabis use and perceptions of college students in Tennessee, which encompass a demographic of mainly young adults who are typically associated with high usage patterns. The study uses quantitative data collected from an online survey sent to a university in East Tennessee to evaluate associations between students’ age, gender, race/ethnicity, …