Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Hypogene Speleogenesis In Carbonates By Cooling Hydrothermal Flow: The Case Of Mt. Berenike Caves, Israel, Roi Roded, Boaz Langford, Einat Aharonov, Piotr Szymczak, Micka Ullman, Shemesh Yaaran, Boaz Lazar, Amos Frumkin

International Journal of Speleology

The Berenike hypogenic cave system near Lake Kinneret, Israel, provides a valuable case study for investigating the recently proposed Confined-Cooling-Flow (CCF) speleogenesis model. Field and speleological surveys, along with existing research, are used to provide a thorough analysis. The CCF model relies on a simple thermo-hydro-chemical scenario, involving the rise of CO2-rich hydrothermal fluids discharging into a confined layer. The cooling of these CO2-rich fluids turns them into aggressive solutions due to the inverse relation between temperature and solubility of carbonates (retrograde solubility). Previous geochemical and numerical analyses of the CCF model predict localized and persistent dissolution and speleogenesis on …

Quantitative Reasoning: What’S Math Got To Do With It?, Pamela Burdman

Numeracy

This keynote address explores the history and role of college math requirements with a focus on ensuring math courses serve to expand students’ horizons, rather than serve as gatekeepers. It discusses the advent of general education math courses, which brought more students into math departments, which ultimately contributed to broadening the scope of the courses to align with more students’ interests and majors, since their purpose was to advance quantitative reasoning, not mathematics skill per se. It also examines several practices to address calculus’ gatekeeping role: revising placement practices and prerequisites, redesigning courses, and updating instruction and assessment practices. Lastly, …

Constraining The Evolutionary Stages Of A Hypogene Karst System By Combining Morphological, Geochemical And Geochronological Data - The Example Of Carbonate Breccia-Hosted Melnička Peštera, Marjan Temovski, Zsófia Ruszkiczay-Rüdiger, Kata Molnár, László Rinyu, Alexander Wieser, Oscar Marchhart, László Palcsu

International Journal of Speleology

A combination of morphological observations, geochemical data from calcite minerals and geochronology by burial age dating and U-series is used to constrain the geological and geomorphological setting and the evolutionary stages of a hypogene karst system. This methodological suit is applied to Melnička Peštera, a horizontal cave developed in carbonate breccia overlying dolomite marble in Melnica locality (N. Macedonia), where hydrothermal karst development occurred in both dolomite and calcite marble. The passage morphology of the cave, having a reverse triangle, Laughöhle cross-sections, suggests development near the water table by slowly moving waters. Calcite crusts are found throughout the cave, and …

Co2 Hypogene Speleogenesis In An Endogenic Travertine System, Mesa Del Oro, New Mexico, Usa, Victor J. Polyak, Jeffrey R. Forbes, Michael N. Spilde, Paula P. Provencio, John R. Cochran, Yemane Asmerom

International Journal of Speleology

The Mesa del Oro travertine, deposited by upwelling CO₂-rich spring waters, is a large and thick mantle of calcite overlying soft Triassic Chinle Formation mudstones in western central New Mexico, USA. The travertine contains a system of small caves known as the Pronoun Cave Complex. Whut Cave is the largest known cave in the complex. While the travertine hydrologic system is no longer active, there is ample evidence that Whut Cave was formed by hypogene speleogenesis. The Whut Cave entrance is a small roughly circular shaft that descends ~four meters and intersects a linear fissure-controlled passage. Mn-oxide was …

Revealing The Ongoing Speleogenetic Processes In An Underwater Cave Through The Application Of Natural Radionuclides And Stable Isotopes: Case Study From The Hypogene Buda Thermal Karst, Anita Erőss, Katalin Hegedűs-Csondo, Petra Kovács-Bodor, Dénes Szieberth, Ákos Horváth, György Czuppon, Andrea Mindszenty Dr, Szabolcs Leél-Őssy, Judit Mádl-Szőnyi

International Journal of Speleology

The underwater Molnár János Cave in the hypogene Buda Thermal Karst system (Budapest, Hungary) provides a unique site to study the effects of flowing groundwater and the interplay of fluids of different origin. The aim of the present study is to characterize the groundwater in different parts of the cave with temporal resolution, hence describe the recent speleogenetic processes within the cave. This study uses natural radioisotopes (uranium, radium, and radon) besides stable isotope ratios of oxygen and hydrogen to identify the different fluid components. The results show that the majority of the cave is situated in the flow path …

Populations Of The Stygobiotic Amphipod Palearcticarellus Pusillus (Martynov, 1930) Maintain Genetic Connectivity Between The Mountain Springs And The Deep Bottom Habitats Of Lake Teletskoye (Altai Mountains, Russia), Ivan Marin, Liubov Yanygina, Svetlana Ostroukhova, Dmitry Palatov

International Journal of Speleology

The diversity of underground fauna is often associated with the presence of karst areas, which have extensive underground cavities and connecting channels. Non-karst areas, however, make up a larger portion of the planet’ surface, and our understanding of the distribution and dispersal abilities of underground fauna in these areas currently remains limited. During a recent study of the diversity of stygobiotic crustaceans in the mountain streams of the Kurai Mountain Range (Altai, Russia), a small-sized species of crangonyctid amphipod, Palearcticarellus pusillus (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Crangonyctidae) was found in high-altitude springs. This species has been previously known only from deep-water habitats in …

Development Of Peptidomimetics Based On Γ-Aapeptide Molecular Scaffolds To Modulate Amyloid Peptide Aggregation, Heng Liu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Many proteins contain fragments that become structured upon binding to specific targets or through self-association. Notable examples of such disorder-to-order transitions include amyloidogenic proteins like amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and tau peptide in Alzheimer's disease, α-Synuclein in Parkinson's disease, and hIAPP in type 2 diabetes, and so on. These regions can aggregate into amyloid fibrils through β -sheet stacking, contributing to amyloidosis and related diseases. Although direct link between amyloid formation and neurodegenerative disease development is not fully understood, developing effective inhibitors of these amyloid peptides remains promising both for fundamental research and therapeutical advance.

We have developed a new class …

Presence Of Pharmaceuticals And Personal Care Products In Sinkhole Lakes In West-Central Florida, Elzbieta Bialkowska-Jelinska

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are essential for human health, improving quality of life, and extending life expectancy. However, many of these chemicals have become significant environmental pollutants, particularly in lentic (lake) environments. One unintended source of PPCPs in natural environments is onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), commonly known as septic tanks.

This study examines whether the seasonal variability of rainfall and soil saturation affects the assemblages and concentrations of PPCPs in a residential lake. The general premise of the dissertation was that with the onset of the wet season, PPCPs that had collected in the drainfields of the …

Improvements In Computational Techniques For Determining Ideal Class Groups And Class Numbers, Muhammed Rashad Erukulangara

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The ideal class group is a fundamental concept in algebraic number theory, providing insights into the structure and factorization properties of the ring of integers of a number field. It measures the extent to which unique factorization fails in the ring of integers. Efficiently computing the ideal class group is crucial for exploring unproved heuristics in number theory and solving Diophantine equations. Additionally, the computation of the ideal class group has several cryptographic applications, such as schemes based on the Discrete Logarithm Problem (DLP), the computation of isogenies, and groups of unknown order. Despite its importance, much about the ideal …

Regioselective Hydroamination Of Unactivated Olefins With Diazirine And Total Synthesis Of Nostodione A And Scytonemin, Qingyu Xing

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As an atom-economic way of carbon-nitrogen bond formation, hydroaminations are great tool for make amines, hydrazines, and other nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Specifically, radical hydroamination is a useful approach for functionalization of unactivated olefins, especially in sterically hindered environments. Diversification remains a challenge for radical hydroaminated products, since the nitrogen sources are carefully designed. In the first chapter of this dissertation, we report a highly diversifiable radical hydroamination reaction with diazirine as a nitrogen source and its potential applications in synthesis of several pharmaceutical interested compounds. Cobalt catalyzed regioselective hydroamination with diazirine shows wide function group tolerance, like phenyl thioether, ketones, esters, …

The Newgeneratortm Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System For Non-Sewered Sanitation: Technology Advancement Through Field Evaluation And Modeling, Hsiang-Yang Shyu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSS) offer innovative solutions to sanitation challenges in areas lacking basic facilities, utilizing advanced treatment technologies for on-site water reuse. The NEWgenerator (NG), an advanced NSSS developed at the University of South Florida under the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Reinventing the Toilet Challenge, integrates an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR), an ion exchange-based nutrient capture system (NCS), and an electrochlorinator for final disinfection. This study builds on previous field trials of the NG system, focusing on developing, evaluating, and optimizing its water reuse capabilities through field trials, system dynamics modeling, and advanced monitoring techniques.

In the first …

Assessing Users’ Attention Classification Accuracy From Eeg Data, Gil Olenscki Neto

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Determining whether a person is attentive while performing a task is a key factor for understanding why they are achieving specific results. In addition, tracking these results is an important aspect to improving them. Quantified self is a field that consists of self-monitoring to gain a better understanding of your habits, health, and overall well-being. Examples of this method include tracking sleep patterns, daily steps, mood swings, and food intake.

This thesis aims to explore the potential of using an innovative self-quantification method that utilizes a mobile application that leverages alpha, beta, and theta waves to assess college students' attention …

Artificial Intelligence Modeling Of Alzheimer's Disease And Environmental Science, Mohamed Abu Sheha

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A data-driven statistical model operates as a mathematical illustration of a tangible issuefaced in reality, enabling the creation of predictions or decisions based on data. The process of utilizing probability and statistical principles in statistical models is essential for deriving meaningful conclusions from the data. The research conducted in this dissertation utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) models to integrate findings across health and environmental sci- ence.

The first research study in this dissertation, Alzheimer’s disease is a mental health issue and a brain aging dilemma that makes it difficult for older people to complete daily tasks without assistance. The physician uses …

Identification And Characterization Of Intrinsically Disordered Protein Regions, Guy Wayne Dayhoff Ii

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates protein intrinsic disorder and intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDPRs) through the development and application of advanced computational and experimental techniques. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to protein intrinsic disorder, outlining the historical context and fundamental concepts that highlight the importance of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and IDPRs in various biological processes. Chapter 2 focuses on the rapid prediction and analysis of protein intrinsic disorder. We introduce RIDAO (Rapid Intrinsic Disorder Analysis Online), a high-efficiency web-based tool that integrates multiple disorder predictors. RIDAO significantly outperforms existing predictors in computational efficiency, making it suitable for large-scale proteomic studies. We …

Mid- To Late-Miocene Hypogene Speleogenesis Tied To The Tectonic History Of The Central Basin And Range Province, Usa, Louise D. Hose, Victor Polyak, Harvey R. Duchene, J. Douglas Powell, Leslie A. Melim, Gretchen M. Baker, Donald G. Davis, Yemane Asmerom

International Journal of Speleology

Twenty-five caves displaying evidence of hypogene speleogenesis in White Pine County, Nevada, were studied between May 2022 and October 2023. Results demonstrate that the central Basin and Range Province is a major hypogenic cave region with speleogenesis dating back to the Middle Miocene. The U-Pb radiometric dates of cave mammillaries obtained so far cover a wide span of time, ranging between 14 Ma to 2 Ma. Tectonic shearing along the Snake Range Décollement up to about 22 Ma probably brackets the maximum age of speleogenesis. Thus, speleogenesis began between 22-14 Ma, which predates most of the Basin and Range extensional …

The Influence Of Recycled Water On Microbial Source Tracking Techniques That Aim To Identify Untreated Sewage In Surface Waters, Aldo E. Lobos

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fecal pollution in recreational waters can introduce pathogens that cause increased human health risk, where exposure can occur during recreational activities such as swimming, diving, surfing, and fishing. Furthermore, human fecal pollution (i.e., sewage) can introduce nutrients and other harmful chemicals that may negatively affect the environment and aquatic species. Generally, sewage is considered the highest risk to human health compared to animal fecal pollution because it typically contains a high diversity of pathogens (including human specific viruses), antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes associated with antibiotic resistance. However, pathogens are difficult to detect due to their low concentrations in the …

The Discovery Of First Ret Protac With In Vivo Activity, Yafeng Wang

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This report mainly discusses the development of RET Proteolysis targeting chimera PROTAC molecules based on Selpercatinib (LOXO-292) and Sulfono-γ-AApeptide PROTAC. A PROTAC molecule is a bifunctional molecule composed of two active domains and a linker. It works by inducing selective protein intracellular degradation. This technology was first discussed by Kathleen Sakamoto, Ray Deshaies and Craig Crews in 2001. Using various E3 Ligase, such as CRBN, pVHL, beta-TrCP1, Mdm2, DCAF15, DCAF16, RNF114, and c-IAP1, the PROTAC technology has been applied to several novel drug development,. Yale University licensed the PROTAC technology to Arvinas in 2013–14. For my research, Chapter one summarizes …

The Application Of Multi-Isotope Analysis To Assist In Geoprofiling Unidentified Decedents Within Florida, Liotta D. Noche-Dowdy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The biochemistry of human tissues can provide information for geoprofiling (geographic birthplace or migration patterns) of an unidentified decedent. Utilizing isotope analyses (both stable and radiogenic) from teeth, bone, nails, and/or hair reveals specific isotopic information that correlates to diverse geographic regions reflecting an individual’s birthplace and migration patterns. Isotope analysis of enamel and bone has been employed in bioarchaeology for decades to reconstruct the diet, health, and migration patterns of past populations. Isotope ratios measured from enamel can then be compared to isotope ratios measured from bone of the individual to track patterns of migration. The enamel from the …

3d Organ-Scale Models Of Tumor Growth And Treatment, Rafael Ramon Bravo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

To understand the dynamics of cancer, mathematical oncologists have developed models of tumor growth and treatment response. Some models are mechanistic and approach tumor growth at the cell-scale, focusing on the evolution of cancerous cells within the ecology of normal tissue, and are often simulated with agent-based modeling. Other models are more clinically motivated and model tumor growth operating at the organ-scale, using patient data to predict treatment response, and are often simulated with partial differential equations. We developed the Hybrid Automata Library which includes both agent-based modeling and partial differential equations for modeling at either of these scales. We …

Development Of Decision-Support Tools For Water Resources Management In Coupled Human-Natural Systems, Edgar J. Guerrón Orejuela

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Water is an indispensable resource for all forms of life. Water is a cornerstone for economic development, public health, and social well-being. However, increasing water demand and challenges posed by climate change, pollution, population growth, and land use change underscore the urgent need for effective water management strategies. To address these complexities and ensure the sustainable use of water resources, it is imperative to adopt science-based decision-support tools. These tools leverage data, models, and analytical techniques to provide valuable insights and recommendations that guide decision-makers in formulating evidence-based policies and practices.

Effective water management requires a comprehensive understanding of the …

Local Seismic Investigations In Arizona: Analysis Of A Low-To-Moderate-Magnitude Aftershock Sequence And A Pilot Study Of Monsoon-Driven Flash Floods, Kathryn Margo Dorn

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Arizona encompasses a strikingly diverse array of geological terranes and physiographic terrain and consequently experiences a wide range of tectonic and meteorological phenomena, many of which generate distinctive seismic signals. For much of the past century, however, the state has largely lacked the style of dense seismic networks now prevalent in some regions of neighboring California, allowing myriad low-magnitude earthquakes and other subtle seismic sources to elude detection and characterization. In this dissertation, I utilize the high-resolution data of two temporary local seismic networks to investigate two such sources – the primarily low-magnitude but prolific aftershock sequence of the 29 …

An Inference-Centric Approach To Natural Language Processing And Cognitive Modeling, Animesh Nighojkar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Reasoning over natural text is highly nuanced, and interpretations can vary widely depending on cultural background, financial status, age, gender, or even mood. This doctoral dissertation seeks to not only mimic human reasoning behaviors but also improve the task used in natural language processing (NLP) to capture naturalistic reasoning, known as the Natural Language Inference (NLI) task. NLI involves determining whether a hypothesis is true (entailment), false (contradiction), or indeterminate (neutral) based on a given premise. Initially, we will investigate the extent to which NLP systems designed to capture semantic equivalence actually measure meaning equivalence. After establishing that they do …

The Asymmetric Total Synthesis Of Membranolide And Efforts Towards The Oxeatamides, Sean Bradley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Total synthesis is a discipline within organic chemistry that is a constant force that propels the field forward. In our lab, we have immersed ourselves within the field of total synthesis to gain access to complex natural products, perform SAR studies, as well as highlight interesting methodology. Within these endeavors, we have completed the first asymmetric synthesis of membranolide. This has allowed us to explore potential biofilm eradication in our efforts to develop novel therapeutics to combat the ESKAPE pathogens and multi-drug resistance. We have also begun to pursue the first asymmetric total synthesis of the oxeatamides. By utilizing our …

Reimagining Web Design: Empowering Agency Of Specialized Audiences Through User-Centered Heuristics, Haley Jones

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research seeks to create an alternative model for website design that interrogates standardized, linear ways of knowing and being by placing the audience at the center of the web design process. This research contributed a reimagined approach to traditional and standardized web design heuristics by considering an audience-centric methodology that was practical and applicable for web design praxis to create equitable user experiences which can empower audiences to recall their own knowledge and experience to make meaning for themselves through a reimagining of knowledge-making processes in a network of digitized information. In perceiving the rhetorical choice in design of …

Resolving Antarctic Margin Paleoceanography For Two Different Timescales And Archives, Theresa M. King

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recent decades have seen increased rates of ice mass loss from Antarctic ice sheets, through thinning of many ice shelves around the periphery of the continent. The most vulnerable are the glacial systems that are marine-terminating and grounded below sea level, a characteristic that exposes these systems to sea level rise and warming oceans. Enhanced basal melting under the influence of warm ocean water masses can lead to thinning and retreat of glaciers, and ultimately to the acceleration of grounded ice loss. To contextualize current ice mass loss and contribute to accurate model projections for future retreat scenarios, it is …

Antarctic Atmosphere-Ocean-Ice Interactions During Past Warm Climates: An Ice-Proximal Perspective, Imogen Mireille Browne

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Antarctica’s ice sheets contain 58 m of sea level equivalent ice and thus exert a fundamental control on global sea level on decadal to million-year timescales. Interactions between Antarctica’s ice sheets, regional atmospheric circulation, and the Southern Ocean influence ice sheet mass balance, sea ice formation, and deep water production, which regulate Earth’s climate. At present, Antarctica’s fringing ice shelves and outlet glaciers, particularly in West Antarctica, are losing mass as warm ocean waters move landward across the continental shelves, melting the underside of ice shelves and eroding glacial grounding lines. In East Antarctica, net ice mass gain is occurring …

From Graph Theory For Robust Deep Networks To Graph Learning For Multimodal Cancer Analysis, Asim Waqas

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the intersection of graph theory and deep learning, focusing on enhancing the robustness of deep neural networks (DNNs) and applying these advancements to complex problems like cancer diagnosis and treatment. We investigate the structural properties of graphs and their influence on neural network performance, particularly in multimodal learning. The work delves into the design space of DNN architectures using graph-theoretic measures, transforming graphs into DNN architectures for various tasks, and examining their robustness against noise and adversarial attacks. The study extends to medical imaging, highlighting advanced DNN architectures like U-Net for brain tumor segmentation. It addresses the …

Investigation Of The Use Of Recycled Concrete Aggregates In Porous Asphalt Mixture, Asad Elmagarhe

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to address the national need for using recycled concrete in road pavements. This is especially important in the governmental and corporate sectors, where reducing the cost and carbon footprint of construction projects is a priority. The long-term goal is to meet the public demand for environmentally friendly infrastructure and minimize the harmful effects of waste disposal on humans and the environment.

The project focuses on using recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in porous asphalt pavement to reduce stormwater runoff, a popular environmentally friendly road design. However, compared to regular dense asphalt mixtures, porous asphalt mixtures (PAM) are more …

Mathematical Modeling Of Tumor Response Dynamics To Predict Progression-Free Survival In Patients With Recurrent High-Grade Glioma, Daniel James Glazar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, I aim to develop a mathematical model describing tumor volume response dynamics to perform individual dynamic predictions of progression-free survival (PFS) on patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (rHGG).

Patients with rHGG have a dismal prognosis with median overall survival (OS) of <12 months and median PFS of <7 months. However, there is a wide heterogeneity in treatment responses. Therefore, to aid clinicians with making decisions to alter therapeutic protocol, I would like to predict patient-specific PFS.

To perform individual dynamic predictions, I employ the Claret tumor growth inhibition (TGI) model. I further develop this model by coupling it with two different survival models. Inter-patient heterogeneity is also taken into account through mixed effects, including covariate effects. Model PFS predictions were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis as well as Brier …

Stochastic Analytical Predictive Models For Life Sciences And Crop Production Process, Erasmus Tetteh-Bator

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Analytical predictive modeling uses algorithm-based mathematical, probabilistic and statistical methods to anticipate future events by identifying patterns in past data. It is a technique for predicting outcomes and a key application of statistical analysis in real-world scenarios. Real data-driven predictive models in various fields, such as life sciences, economics,or production industry, help individuals and institutions make data-driven informed decisions, which is essential for business success, providing companies with a competitive edge.

One of every five adult deaths is caused by heart disease and one person dies every 33 from cardiovascular disease in the United States according to the Center for …