Digital Commons Network^™

Nesting In Urban Areas Affects American Kestrel Home Range Size And Adult Female Health, Jessica Michele Taylor

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Urbanization is happening at an unprecedented rate, and wildlife must adapt or face population declines. American Kestrels inhabit urban areas, however, whether human-dominated landscapes impact kestrel space-use, survival and reproductive success is largely unknown. We monitored American Kestrel nest boxes along a gradient of urbanization, measured using impervious surface area (ISA), and deployed GPS tags on breeding adults to examine the relationship between urbanization, home range size, and adult and nestling health. Male kestrel home ranges were 9.14 times larger than female home ranges, and home range size decreased as ISA increased for both sexes (β = -1.96, SE = …

On-Chip Active Pulse-Clamp Stimulation (Apcs) For Rapid Recovery, Charge-Balanced Neural Stimulation, F. N. U. Tala

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Neurostimulations are widely utilized to modulate brains and nervous systems functions for therapeutic purposes. Traditional neurostimulation involves applying a direct current delivered to the excitable tissues to elicit neural response. There is a growing demand for a robust, rapid stimulation system that ensures chronic safety through charge balancing in vivo. This dissertation is a compilation of previously published works, detailing various board-level stimulators, an innovative on-chip stimulation technique, and a distributed modelling method.

Chapter one introduces MEDUSA, a cost-effective, multi-functional neurostimulation system capable of achieving multi-channel, arbitrary stimulation for neuroscience research.

Chapter two delves into a scripted distributed model framework …

Evaluating The Synergy Of Geocell And Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation (Micp) In Enhancing Pavement Base Stability: A Field Study On Us 95, Mabin Dahal

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The imperative to develop resilient and sustainable infrastructure is escalating, particularly as urban road networks are subjected to unprecedented stresses. Conventional pavement bases often entail the extensive utilization of quarry materials, which significantly exacerbates environmental degradation and amplifies the energy footprint of construction endeavors. The extraction, transportation, and processing of these quarry materials contribute to deforestation, habitat eradication, and greenhouse gas emissions. Given these environmental and operational hurdles, the quest for innovative, sustainable alternatives in pavement engineering is pressing. One solution is to use the native materials treated with microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) alongside geocell technology back in pavement construction …

Health Literacy And Cervical Cancer Prevention Behaviors Among Hispanic Women In Idaho, Delmy Flores

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Purpose

Explore relationships between health literacy, culture, accessibility and utilization of health care services, patient/provider communication, and “self-care” factors that influence cervical cancer prevention behaviors (i.e., HPV vaccination and screening) among Hispanic women between 40-65 years old living in Idaho. These factors were explored in relation to how participants obtained, processed, and understood information about cervical cancer and its prevention. Understanding these factors and potential relationships to health literacy is pivotal for tailoring effective communication strategies and interventions within this specific demographic.

Methods

Recruited (n=15) Hispanic women living in Idaho, between 40-65 years old, to participate in a semi-structured qualitative …

Best Practices For Offline Evaluation For Top-N Recommendation: Candidate Set Sampling And Statistical Inference, Ngozi Ihemelandu

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Evaluation of recommender systems is key to ensuring that we are making progress by only promoting proposed algorithms that actually outperform the state-of-the-art. Evaluation can be performed offline using logged historic data, or online such as A/B tests. Offline evaluation is the most popular evaluation paradigm used in recent research publications because of its accessibility. It has been an area of study since its earliest days, and is still currently an active area of research. Even though significant work has been done to improve the process and metrics of offline evaluation, it still faces fundamental difficulties. Given the significant role …

Multiscale Design And Numerical Modeling Of A Porous Lattice For Concentrated Solar Thermal Applications, Aidan T. Mcconnehey

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Due to the rising demand in the market for renewable energy, concentrated solar power (CSP) systems are increasing in popularity. One CSP receiver configuration showing increased promise is the volumetric cavity solar receiver, which employs a porous lattice for radiative heat absorption and transport. However, due to the presence of large temperature gradients, mechanical failure as a result of thermal expansion is a crucial metric in the design of these systems.

This thesis involves the design of a porous lattice, constrained by thermal transport requirements as well as mechanical failure criteria. The design is then numerically analyzed to determine thermal …

Traffic Prediction In 5g Networks Using Machine Learning, Hossein Mehri

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The advent of 5G technology promises a paradigm shift in the realm of telecommunications, offering unprecedented speeds and connectivity. However, the efficient management of traffic in 5G networks remains a critical challenge. It is due to the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of network traffic, including bursty patterns, varying user behaviors, and diverse applications, all of which demand highly accurate and adaptable prediction models to optimize network resource allocation and management. This dissertation investigates the intricate domain of traffic prediction within 5G networks, addressing the specific challenges posed by both massive machine type communication (mMTC) networks and 5G cellular networks.

The …

Patterns Of Non-Consumptive Public Land Users: How Do Birders Value Species And Make Foraging Decisions, Rebecca (Bekki) Ann Waskovich

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Non-consumptive wildlife-associated recreation has grown by over 1000% since 1970. While the number of consumptive users has remained largely unchanged. Behavioral ecology and foraging theory can help to explain birder behavior to ascertain recreationists’ values and motives while on the landscape. During the Christmas Bird Counts of December 2022, 68 participants from Boise, Bruneau, and Nampa, Idaho counts were surveyed. A subset of those participants (29) volunteered to be interviewed further. Rarity and native species were found to be a top value for birders with 127 unique species with low encounter rates across all sites appeared in the top ranked …

3d Concrete Printing Material Prediction And Flow Simulation Using Physics-Informed Neural Network, Tianjie Zhang

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

3D concrete printing (3DCP) is an innovative construction method that extrudes cementitious materials layer-by-layer to fabricate building components based on a digital model. 3DCP has gained increasing adoption globally for projects like buildings, bridges, retaining walls, and stormwater management systems. However, 3DCP places stringent demands on the rheological properties of the printable cementitious materials. Rheology is critical for the flow and buildability of fresh concrete during extrusion. The mixture must have a low yield stress for pumping, moderate viscosity to hold its shape after deposition, minimal bleeding and segregation of aggregates, as well as responsive rheology that can transition from …

Interpretation And Robustness Of Black-Box Ml Models For Secure Cyber Space, Qudrat E. Alahy Ratul

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The advent of sophisticated Machine Learning (ML) models has revolutionized the cybersecurity landscape, offering unprecedented capabilities to address complex challenges. Despite the ML model's capabilities, such models are still perceived as black boxes, the critical aspects of interpretability and robustness within these models often remain underexplored, rendering them susceptible to adversarial attacks and hindering their integration into sensitive applications. This dissertation focuses on interpretability and robustness of black-box ML models, aiming to fortify the cyberinfrastructure. Through a meticulous investigation of advanced techniques and methodologies, this work contributes towards elucidating and enhancing the interpretability and robustness of ML models in cybersecurity …

Wildfire Impacts On Soil: Hydrophobicity Inducement And Water Drop Penetration Test, Max A. Veneris

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The increasing prevalence of wildfires in today’s day and age has amplified the need for post-fire remediation and environmental restoration, especially in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). One of these impacts is soil hydrophobicity, or soil water repellency, which is a well-documented phenomenon after wildfires. Hydrophobicity can significantly impacting revegetation, slope stability, runoff, and erosion potential. To better understand the soil fire-induced hydrophobicity and its impact on other soil properties, variable levels of hydrophobicity need to be repeatably induced in several types of soils under different controlled testing conditions to measure other soil properties. To reach this goal two ingredients are …

The Effects Of Ammonia On The Functionality Of Bovine Granulosa Cells, Micah Henrie

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

It is common practice in the livestock animal production industries to feed high levels of protein to maximize the yield of each animal in production. However, diets high in protein can cause decreased reproductive success within these animals. The causes behind this decrease are not fully understood. Increased dietary protein leads to increased levels of both ammonia and urea in the blood of the animal. These increased metabolite levels may be a possible explanation for the decline in reproductive success. The goal of this study is to identify how various levels of ammonia affect the function of bovine granulosa cells …

The Role Of Extracellular Vesicles In Immunomodulation During Bovine Pregnancy, Amber E. Thornton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

During pregnancy, the maternal immune system must be altered to protect the partially non-self fetus from attack. Our previous studies show an inflammatory response in the uterus of cows carrying somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), commonly known as cloned, pregnancies due to abnormalities in proteins expressed by placental trophoblast cells. Between 30 and 90 days the rate of pregnancy loss is 50-100% for SCNT compared to 2-10% for artificial insemination (AI) pregnancies. Abnormal communication between the maternal and fetal systems during placentation is a major cause of this loss. The trafficking of extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane-bound cargo carriers, potentially represents …

The Non-Vanishing Of The Trace Of T ₃, Liubomir Chiriac, Daphne Kurzenhauser, Erin Williams

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications and Presentations

A generalized Lehmer conjecture predicts that, for every positive integer n, the trace of the Hecke operator T_n in level one does not vanish, unless the space of cusp forms acted upon is trivial. So far, this has only been established for n = 2. In this paper, we use p-adic methods to prove the statement for n = 3.

Impact Of Early-Season Postemergence Co-Applications Of Foliar And Residual Herbicides On Crop Injury, Growth, And Yield In 2,4-D- And Dicamba-Tolerant Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.), Logan N. Vallee

LSU Master's Theses

Studies were conducted in 2021 through 2023 at the LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research and Extension Center near Alexandria, LA to determine the sensitivity of 2,4-D- or dicamba- tolerant cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to an early season application of a Group 15 and foliar-only herbicides. Both studies were randomized complete block designs with a two-factorial arrangement of treatments with four replications. In the dicamba-tolerant cotton study, Factor A consisted of no foliar-herbicide, dicamba alone, glyphosate alone, or dicamba plus glyphosate. Factor B consisted of either no Group 15 residual herbicide, acetochlor, or S-metolachlor. In the 2,4-D- tolerant cotton …

Indoor Tent Management For Extending Honey Bee Research Season: Benefits And Caveats, Trevor Bawden, Adam G. Dolezal, Chelsea N. Cook

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Honey bees are important organisms for research in many fields, including physiology, behavior, and ecology. Honey bee colonies are relatively easy and affordable to procure, manage, and replace. However, some difficulties still exist in honey bee research, specifically that honey bee colonies have a distinct seasonality, especially in temperate regions. Honey bee colonies transition from a large society in which workers have a strict temporal division of labor in the summer, to a group of behaviorally flexible workers who manage the colony over winter. Furthermore, opening colonies or collecting bees when they are outside has the potential to harm the …

Effect Of The Age Of Garments Used Under Real-Life Conditions On Microfibre Release From Polyester And Cotton Clothing, Andreia N. Fernandes, Larissa Z. Lara, Francesca De Falco, Andrew Turner, Richard C. Thompson

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The release of microfibres from fabrics during laundering represents an important source of plastic and natural microfibres to aquatic environments. Garment age - how long the garment has been used - could be a key factor influencing the rate of release, yet most studies of microfibre shedding have only assessed newly manufactured products. To this end, we quantified microfibre release during laundering in domestic washing machines from polyester (PES) and cotton garments (n = 38) used in real-life conditions for periods between 1 and 31 years with different use intensities. In addition, to better understand the factors involved in microfibre …

Biomonitoring Of Microplastics, Anthropogenic Microfibres And Glass Retroreflective Beads By Marine Macroalgae, Cerys Rimmer, Jodie Fisher, Andrew Turner

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Microplastics and other microscopic debris are a concern in the coastal environment but measurements in the water column and sediment are often problematic and rely on non-standardised and highly variable methodologies. To this end, we explore the potential of different species of temperate-cold marine macroalgae as passive biomonitors of anthropogenic microparticles at three contrasting locations in southwest England. Specifically, fronds from samples of fucoids and Ulva lactuca (n = 9 in total, and three from each location) have been sectioned and analysed directly under a microscope and anthropogenic microparticles counted and subsequently characterised for chemical composition. Microparticles were heterogeneously distributed …

Nhs England. Supra-Regional Sop On The Acute Management Of Aortic Dissections. 2024., George Krasopoulos, Marcus Brooks, Amit Modi, Sanjoy Asopa, Damian Balmforth, Edward Barnes, Mark Calloway, Teresa Durston, Anna Eccleston, Christopher Gibbs, Scott Grier, Jonathan Hyde, Cha Rajakaruna, Emma Redfern, James Kuo, Colette Wells, Lisa Munro-Davies, Syed Yusuf, Mark Ainsworth-Smith, Paul Jefferies, Antonios Kourliouros, Devender Mittapalli, Jim Moore, Ian Nordon, Bao Nugen, Ben Jordan, Valentino Oriolo, Alex Sharp, Ed Sideso, Adham Khalek

More Faculty of Health Research

No abstract provided.

Unh Participatory Science Working Group Community And Citizen Science Roundtable Report, Alyson L. Eberhardt

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Downtowns & Trails 5 Year Evaluation Report, Shannon H. Rogers Ph.D., Michael Polizzotti, Jada Lindblom, Patricia Prescott

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Can Confidence Influence Persuasiveness In Disagreements By Conveying Competence Versus Dominance? The Moderating Role Of Competitiveness, Laura Rees, Ming-Hong Tsai, Shirli Kopelman, Hsiu-Hua Hu

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

Research has demonstrated that confident individuals gain social influence because their confidence signals competence rather than dominance in settings in which they do not experience a disagreement with others. We extend this research by exploring felt competitiveness, as reflected by perceptions of goal opposition between perceivers and others. In settings where people experience a disagreement, we explore the impact of felt competitiveness on the association between expressed confidence and social perceptions of the expresser’s competence and dominance, and how these shape persuasiveness. We conducted a field study examining dyadic interactions between coworkers (Study 1) and two experimentsmanipulating competitiveness and confidence …

Manufacturing, Characterization, And Macromechanical Modeling Of Short Flax/Hemp Fiber-Hybrid Reinforced Polypropylene, Bilel Miled, Slim Kammoun, Imane Belyamani, Laurent Cauret

All Works

The present work focuses on the manufacturing, mechanical characterization, and modeling of hybrid Flax/Hemp/Polypropylene (PP) composites under dry conditions. Geometric parameters of the fibers were measured both before and after the melt processing. The results indicated that the processed fibers, especially the hybrid ones, had a narrowed length distribution with an average fiber length of 0.48 mm for hybrids compared to 0.62 mm for non-hybrids. The hybrid composites were mechanically characterized using basic and loading-unloading tensile tests with various fiber combinations and weight percentages. The study also examined the effect of strain rate and cutting angle on the behaviors of …

Vitamin D Regulates Covid-19 Associated Severity By Suppressing The Nlrp3 Inflammasome Pathway, Bariaa Khalil, Narjes Saheb Sharif-Askari, Shirin Hafezi, Fatemeh Saheb Sharif-Askari, Fatme Al Anouti, Qutayba Hamid, Rabih Halwani

All Works

Background The role of vitamin D3 (VitD3) in modulating innate and adaptive immunity has been reported in different disease contexts. Since the start of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the role of VitD3 has been highlighted in many correlational and observational studies. However, the exact mechanisms of action are not well identified. One of the mechanisms via which VitD3 modulates innate immunity is by regulating the NLRP3-inflammasome pathway, being a main underlying cause of SARS-CoV-2-induced hyperinflammation. Aims and main methods Blood specimens of severe COVID-19 patients with or without VitD3 treatment were collected during their stay in the intensive care …

The Implementation Of The Model Law On Cross-Border Insolvency: International Divergences And Challenges Ahead, Aurelio Gurrea-Martinez

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

The Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency (‘MLCBI’) was enacted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (‘UNCITRAL’) in 1997. Since then, it has been adopted by 62 jurisdictions and has led to many debates and interpretations about its potential, scope and limits. This article provides a general overview of some of the international divergences existing in the implementation of the MLCBI across jurisdictions. It also discusses some of the challenges that need to be overcome to make the MLCBI a more effective tool to deal with cross-border insolvency.

Achieving Financial Inclusion Through Digital Currencies, Heng Wang

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Welcome to our new blog series on “Central Bank Digital Currencies for Financial Inclusion” co-authored by Professor Heng Wang of the Yong Pung How School of Law, Singapore Management University.In this series, we delve into the world of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and their potentially profound implications for financial inclusion. What are CBDCs? CBDCs are digital versions of countries’ official currencies issued by the central bank or the like. They could be the digital representation of physical cash. To date, over 110 central banks around the world are engaged in some form of CBDC-related work, and the Eastern Caribbean …

Post-Covid Small Fiber Neuropathy, Implications Of Innate Immunity, And Challenges On Ivig Therapy, Marinos Dalakas

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Search For Gravitational-Wave Transients Associated With Magnetar Bursts In Advanced Ligo And Advanced Virgo Data From The Third Observing Run, R. Abbott, Michael G. Benjamin, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, Francisco Llamas, Soma Mukherjee, Gaukhar Nurbek, Volker Quetschke, Wenhui Wang

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Gravitational waves are expected to be produced from neutron star oscillations associated with magnetar giant flares and short bursts. We present the results of a search for short-duration (milliseconds to seconds) and long-duration (∼100 s) transient gravitational waves from 13 magnetar short bursts observed during Advanced LIGO, Advanced Virgo, and KAGRA's third observation run. These 13 bursts come from two magnetars, SGR 1935+2154 and Swift J1818.0−1607. We also include three other electromagnetic burst events detected by Fermi-GBM which were identified as likely coming from one or more magnetars, but they have no association with a known magnetar. No magnetar giant …

Improving Access To Information On Health Hazards Of Telecommunications Masts By Residents In Zaria Local Government Area Of Kaduna State, Abdulkadir Tanko Isah, Jibrin Abdulrahaman, Irewole Dorcas Ibinaiye

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

No abstract provided.

“The Digital Renaissance A Study Of India’S Print Media And Literary Trends”, Sudhanshu Bajpai, Kamal Bajpai

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

India's digital landscape has experienced significant growth, boasting 692 million active internet users and 467 million social media users as of February 2023. The surge in online news consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the population's reliance on digital platforms for information. Analysis reveals varying engagement levels between rural and urban areas, with online platforms dominating news access. Educational qualifications influence news source preferences, with YouTube emerging as the dominant platform. Visual and interactive content formats gain prominence, highlighting the need for adaptation to evolving consumer preferences. The data underscores a diverse range of interests among digital news consumers, emphasizing …