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Articles 1 - 21 of 21
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Numerical And Experimental Investigation Of Aeration Self Mixing By Using Pulsating And Continuous Air Flow, Ahmed Ali Alkhafaji
Numerical And Experimental Investigation Of Aeration Self Mixing By Using Pulsating And Continuous Air Flow, Ahmed Ali Alkhafaji
Theses and Dissertations
Wastewater treatment is considered one of the most common forms of pollution control in the united states. Considered as an integral part of the wastewater treatment, the aeration process is the most energy-consuming process among all the processes that take place in any wastewater treatment plant. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a wastewater treatment plant is expected to remove at least 85% of the suspended solids and dissolved organic compounds from the wastewater before discharging it to a river or a lake. The normal operation of the aeration process is by compressing air continuously to basin …
Developing Highly Reversible Li Metal Anode With Mossy/Dendritic Li Suppression In High Energy Density Batteries, Xi Chen
Theses and Dissertations
Lithium-ion battery technology has wide impact on our daily life. However, most of the commercial batteries with limited energy density are unable to meet the growing demand of electrical vehicles, portable electronic devices and other energy storage systems. Therefore, the development of new electrode materials with high energy density and reliable performance has become a critical mission for researchers. Particularly replacing graphite anode with Li metal is one of most viable approaches to break the limitation of energy density in batteries. Metallic lithium is one of the most promising anode materials, which has a high theoretical specific capacity of 3860 …
Sustainability In Construction: Using Lean Management Principles To Reduce Waste, Matthew Waite
Sustainability In Construction: Using Lean Management Principles To Reduce Waste, Matthew Waite
Theses and Dissertations
The construction industry is facing many challenges. There are growing consumer demands for sustainable building. The construction industry generates a significant portion of the waste going into landfills. The construction industry has failed to keep pace with productivity in the manufacturing industry. Through adoption of Lean management principles, the construction industry can become more sustainable while increasing productivity. The literature was evaluated for three concepts: Lean management principles interaction with sustainability, the current state of sustainability in the construction industry, and the current state of Lean management principles in the construction industry. Lean management philosophies interactions with sustainability has been …
Analysis Of Plant Biomass Production Comparing Decoupled Aquaponics Against Equivalent Single-Loop Aquaponic And Hydroponic Systems Growing Lactuca Sativa, Haley Luise Lucas
Analysis Of Plant Biomass Production Comparing Decoupled Aquaponics Against Equivalent Single-Loop Aquaponic And Hydroponic Systems Growing Lactuca Sativa, Haley Luise Lucas
Theses and Dissertations
Aquaponics is an emerging method of agriculture in which fish and plants are grown in an enclosed and recirculating environment. The method mimics a relationship found in nature where fish waste provides nutrients for plants and plants cleanse the water for the benefit of the fish. This symbiotic relationship has proven to be a sustainable method of agriculture in which there is less water use, no need for pesticides or herbicides, recycling of nutrient waste and a smaller spatial footprint. However, the production of both plants and fish in a recirculating aquaponics system has produced less yield and profit when …
Influence Of Landscape Factors On Wildlife Presence And Road Mitigation Structure Performance, Taylor M. Hopkins
Influence Of Landscape Factors On Wildlife Presence And Road Mitigation Structure Performance, Taylor M. Hopkins
Theses and Dissertations
There are roughly 80 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) remaining in the United States, with the entire population constrained to south Texas, with roadkill being a predominant source of mortality. To prevent additional roadkill and maintain wildlife movement, Texas Department of Transportation constructed 11.9 kilometers of wildlife exclusion fencing, 5 wildlife crossing structures (WCS), and 18 wildlife guards on State Highway 100. This thesis focused on determining the effort required for a control-impact monitoring study, the influence of biotic and abiotic factors around the roadway on wildlife presence, and the performance of mitigation structures and the road mitigation corridor. This …
Development And Assessment Of An Environmental Dna (Edna) Assay For The Rio Grande Siren And Review Of Edna Metabarcoding Applications, Krista M. Ruppert
Development And Assessment Of An Environmental Dna (Edna) Assay For The Rio Grande Siren And Review Of Edna Metabarcoding Applications, Krista M. Ruppert
Theses and Dissertations
Environmental DNA (eDNA) assays have become a major aspect of amphibian surveys in the past decade. These methods are highly sensitive, making them well-suited for monitoring rare and cryptic species. Current efforts to study the Rio Grande Siren in south Texas have been hampered due to the cryptic nature of these aquatic salamanders. Arid conditions further add to the difficulty in studying this species, as many water bodies they inhabit are ephemeral, sometimes constraining sampling efforts to a short window after heavy rain. Additionally, sirens are known to cease activity and reside underground when ponds begin to dry or as …
The Application Of Advanced Technologies For Agriculture And Rangeland Management, Matthew D. Kutugata
The Application Of Advanced Technologies For Agriculture And Rangeland Management, Matthew D. Kutugata
Theses and Dissertations
This project demonstrates two applications of remote sensing in agricultural and rangeland environments. In the first, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with a multi-spectral sensor was used to estimate canopy cover across four different cover crop trials at four time periods. In the second, a local database of stationary camera trap images of wildlife was used to train a convolutional neural network to automatically catalogue images by identifying the animal in those images. Both projects aimed to provide an example of how remote sensing platforms and machine learning techniques can facilitate the rapid collection and processing of large-scale field …
The Influence Of Human Disturbance On Wildlife Use Of A Highway In South Texas, Thomas J. Yamashita
The Influence Of Human Disturbance On Wildlife Use Of A Highway In South Texas, Thomas J. Yamashita
Theses and Dissertations
Roads can greatly impact wildlife. Wildlife vehicle collisions contribute to population declines while disturbance from human activity may prevent wildlife from using areas around roads. The construction of mitigation structures may lessen these effects through fine scale modification of animal use of roadside areas. In this thesis, how the construction of wildlife mitigation structures impacted the fine scale distribution of wildlife on State Highway 100 in Cameron County, Texas was examined. Spatial and temporal scale may also influence these relationships. The relationship between human activity and wildlife activity around the highway was explored and how the distribution of wildlife road …
Analysis Of The Facilitative Interaction Between Batis Maritima And Avicennia Germinans As A Mangrove Restoration Strategy, Javier R. Navarro
Analysis Of The Facilitative Interaction Between Batis Maritima And Avicennia Germinans As A Mangrove Restoration Strategy, Javier R. Navarro
Theses and Dissertations
The multiple experiments conducted in an Avicennia germinans forest in Laguna Vista, TX was focused on determining if facilitation theory could explain the behavior observed between the herbaceous halophyte Batis maritima and A. germinans. I hypnotized that a positive interaction exists but through which mechanisms of facilitation I did not know. The overarching theme of the study is the presence or absence of B. maritima. Facilitation theory tells us that positive interactions are most often found under stressful conditions such as those on the coastal tidal flat of the Laguna Madre. Locally B. maritima has been found to …
Nitrate Transport In The Unsaturated Zone, Patience Bosompemaa
Nitrate Transport In The Unsaturated Zone, Patience Bosompemaa
Theses and Dissertations
Abundance of nitrate in the soil is a basic issue in agricultural land-use regions, causing eutrophication and pollution of water bodies. The study focuses on the role of a saturated buffer zone (SBZ) to remove nitrate from the groundwater resulting from agricultural activities. The study area is herbaceous SBZ located in central Illinois (40.614382ºN, -89.023542ºW), which lies between a stream and a farm located upgradient. The SBZ has been outfitted with an agricultural runoff treatment system that diverts tile drainage into the subsurface of the SBZ rather than discharging into the stream. Within the SBZ three experimental areas composed of …
Numerical And Experimental Investigation Of Performance For Very-Low-Head Micro And Pico Kaplan Hydro-Turbines With Rim-Driven Generators, Ahmad Ibrahim Mohammad Abbas
Numerical And Experimental Investigation Of Performance For Very-Low-Head Micro And Pico Kaplan Hydro-Turbines With Rim-Driven Generators, Ahmad Ibrahim Mohammad Abbas
Theses and Dissertations
Renewable energy plays a significant role in new power generation worldwide, and hydropower is contributing to 86% of renewable electricity production within all other renewable energy resources. Simultaneously, hydropower shares 83% of U.S. renewable energy capacity and accounts for 77% of actual renewable electricity generation. However, most of the installed hydropower consists of large plants. Much potential hydro generation remains untapped, particularly at lower power and head levels. There is a substantial opportunity worldwide and across the U.S. in specific to add new hydropower generating capabilities at low-head sites such as non-powered dams, canals, and conduits with a water height …
An Analysis Of Temperate Deciduous Shrub Phenology In Downer Woods, University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Usa, Chloe Rehberg
An Analysis Of Temperate Deciduous Shrub Phenology In Downer Woods, University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Usa, Chloe Rehberg
Theses and Dissertations
Shrub species, both native and non-native, are an important component of temperate deciduous forest ecosystems but are an often-overlooked and under-studied functional group. Shrubs tend to leaf-out earlier than trees in spring and retain their leaves later in autumn thus extending the overall growing season and the carbon uptake period of the forest ecosystem. In this study, a range of 5- native and 3- non-native shrub species were identified in a deciduous urban woodlot, and the phenology was monitored over a 3-year period on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus. The aim of this work was to determine any variation in …
Detection And Enumeration Of Bacterial Pathogens In The American Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica), Mohammad Maruf Billah
Detection And Enumeration Of Bacterial Pathogens In The American Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica), Mohammad Maruf Billah
Theses and Dissertations
American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is a popular seafood for its delicacy and high nutritional value. Based on increasing concern about contamination of bacterial pathogens in raw oyster, my research objectives have been focused on detection and enumeration of two important bacterial pathogens, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in the American oyster in south Texas waters, local markets and controlled laboratory studies. Immunohistochemical and RT-PCR analyses showed substantial bacterial pathogen’s presence in gills and digestive glands of oysters collected from San Martin Lake and South Padre Island as well as local markets. Laboratory studies showed increasing trend of both …
Wildlife Use Of Road Mitigation Structures In Relation To Their Construction, Structural Characteristics, And Environmental Factors Along A South Texas Highway, Anna D. Rivera Roy
Wildlife Use Of Road Mitigation Structures In Relation To Their Construction, Structural Characteristics, And Environmental Factors Along A South Texas Highway, Anna D. Rivera Roy
Theses and Dissertations
Roads are known to negatively impact wildlife by fragmenting habitat and mortality caused by wildlife-vehicle collisions. Road mitigation structures, such as wildlife crossing structures (WCS), wildlife guards (WG), and fencing are commonly used to address the issue of roads. In South Texas, such structures were built or modified along State Highway (SH) 100 in Cameron County as an effort to conserve the endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Camera traps were deployed to monitor these structures as a way to assess their effectiveness in restricting wildlife entry into the roadway with fencing and WG and conveying wildlife movement across roads …
Survival Of Off-Host Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) Larvae In Study Arenas In Relation To Climatic Factors And Habitats In South Texas, Usa, Emily Jesselle Zamora
Survival Of Off-Host Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) Larvae In Study Arenas In Relation To Climatic Factors And Habitats In South Texas, Usa, Emily Jesselle Zamora
Theses and Dissertations
The cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Say), is an economically destructive arthropod because of its ability to vector bovine babesiosis. Cattle fever ticks can spend more than 90% of their life cycle as questing larvae, but the effect of climatic factors on their off-host behavior and survival is unclear. The goal of this study was to measure the effects of specific ecological factors on off-host larvae in nature. The study was conducted in a south Texas pasture over a 20-mo period, during which time larval populations were surveyed and ambient weather variables - relative humidity and temperatures – were …
Effects Of Artificial Substrates On The Recruitment Of Juvenile Fishes In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Stefany Salinas
Effects Of Artificial Substrates On The Recruitment Of Juvenile Fishes In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Stefany Salinas
Theses and Dissertations
Most artificial reefs (ARs) in the Gulf of Mexico are considered intermediate to high vertical relief structures which have recruited large predatory species indicating lack of juvenile habitat. Small, inexpensive ARs, standard monitoring units for the recruitment of reef fish (SMURFs), were deployed at eight sites at -20m as habitat for juvenile fishes to understand and determine the effects of substrate type on juvenile fishes recruitment. Each site contained four SMURFs with four treatments: small and large rubble (~10 and ~20cm), oyster shells, and bare. Surveys yielded 39 juvenile species, including one of the most economically important species, Lutjanus campechanus, …
Optimizing The Environmental And Economic Sustainability Of Contingency Base Infrastructure, Jamie E. Filer
Optimizing The Environmental And Economic Sustainability Of Contingency Base Infrastructure, Jamie E. Filer
Theses and Dissertations
Contingency bases are often located in remote areas with limited access to established infrastructure grids. This isolation leads to standalone systems comprised of inefficient, resource-dependent infrastructure, which yields a significant logistical burden, creates negative environmental impacts, and increases costs. Planners can mitigate these negative impacts by selecting sustainable technologies. However, such alternatives often come at a higher procurement cost and mobilization requirement. Accordingly, this study aims to develop and implement a novel infrastructure sustainability assessment model capable of optimizing the tradeoffs between environmental and economic performance of infrastructure alternatives.
An Analysis Of Tinker Air Force Base Thermal Spray Hazardous Waste Stream From 2003-2019 And Its Potential Reclamation, Amy E. Silverbush
An Analysis Of Tinker Air Force Base Thermal Spray Hazardous Waste Stream From 2003-2019 And Its Potential Reclamation, Amy E. Silverbush
Theses and Dissertations
The disposal of hazardous waste threatens the environment and human health. However, certain hazardous wastes can be recycled or reclaimed to alleviate environmental and financial impacts associated with its disposal and resource demand reduction. A hazardous powder produced by the United States Air Force stems from aircraft maintenance and is composed of metals and ceramics, called thermal spray. This waste can be purchased by an industrial recycler if the waste is composed of valuable metals. Historic data from the depot-level maintenance base Tinker Air Force Base initiated an analysis of annual thermal spray hazardous waste disposal fees, which combined with …
Projected Impacts Of Climate Change On Risk Of Spring Frost And Fire Blight For Malus Domestica, Paul J. Racco
Projected Impacts Of Climate Change On Risk Of Spring Frost And Fire Blight For Malus Domestica, Paul J. Racco
Theses and Dissertations
The impact of climate change is projected for apple phenology, frost attrition, and fire blight risk under the highest emissions scenario through the 21st century.
Comparing Coastal Storm Impact To Decadal Change In Barrier Island Ecosystems, Philip A. Tuley
Comparing Coastal Storm Impact To Decadal Change In Barrier Island Ecosystems, Philip A. Tuley
Theses and Dissertations
Highly dynamic coastal systems respond to disturbance events with a combination of topographic and vegetative changes. Sea level rise impacts on barrier islands have been quantified, but storm effects on vegetation are limited. Here we quantified barrier island vegetation change in response to an isolated storm event and compared to long-term periods. We hypothesized that disturbance-resisting areas with high woody vegetation cover and/or high foredune elevation would experience minimal transitions after a storm event, whereas disturbance-reinforcing areas with low vegetation cover and low foredune elevation would experience greater transitions between ecosystem states after a storm event. Patterns of dissonance were …
Regional Drivers Of Organic Carbon Age In Lotic Systems Of The Conterminous United States, Kaycee Faunce
Regional Drivers Of Organic Carbon Age In Lotic Systems Of The Conterminous United States, Kaycee Faunce
Theses and Dissertations
Rivers play a critical role in global carbon (C) budgets despite their comparatively small surface area. A significant portion of the terrestrial C that they receive is transformed, re-mineralized, or stored during transit to the ocean. Radiocarbon (∆14C) data show that a fraction of riverine organic C (OC) has been pre-aged in the terrestrial environment. Lateral export of carbon from these aged pools may contribute to atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions through microbial and photochemical oxidation. However, little is known about the regional climatic, anthropogenic, and landscape factors that promote the mobilization of aged OC to rivers. This study …