Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Land Use And Land Cover Classification And Change Detection Using Naip Imagery From 2009 To 2014: Table Rock Lake Region, Missouri, Dexuan Sha Sha

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Land use and land cover (LULC) of Table Rock Lake (TRL) region has changed over the last half century after the construction of Table Rock Dam in 1959. This study uses one meter spatial resolution imagery to classify and detect the change of LULC of three typical waterside TRL regions. The main objectives are to provide an efficient and reliable classification workflow for regional level NAIP aerial imagery and identify the dynamic patterns for study areas. Seven class types are extracted by optimal classification results from year 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014 of Table Rock Village, Kimberling City and Indian …

The Synthesis And Characterization Of Ni(Ii) And Cu(Ii) Cyanoximates, Adedamola Abraham Opalade

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The design of one-dimensional nickel wires were attempted. Metal complexes of hydrated Cu(II) and Ni(II) with several cyanoximates were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, thermal analysis, IR-, electronic- (solid state diffuse reflectance) spectroscopy, and the X-ray analysis (powder diffraction and single crystal studies). Hydrolysis of the HECO and HMeCO cyanoxime ligands leads to the formation of another dianionic cyanoxime – AACO2-, which forms multimetallic Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes and oxamide as a side product. The crystal and molecular structures of 8 compounds were determined (6 metal complexes and 2 organic compounds). Two Ni metal complexes have distorted octahedral structures …

An Assessment Of Long-Term Changes In The Characterisitcs Of Precipitation In The Upper Midwest, Blake Steven Lea

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

As climate change progresses, many forecasts for the upper Midwest predict increases in annual precipitation, but with a shift in seasonal patterns that will leave the summer months drier with less frequent, higher magnitude storm events. Changes in precipitation patterns have the potential to alter the sediment budget and discharge patterns in watersheds. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects changes in frequency, magnitude, duration, and intensity of precipitation might have on streamflow and sediment budgets in the upper Midwest. This analysis was carried out using hourly precipitation data from 1948 to 2013 from 23 sites and …

Bright Galaxies At Hubble's Redshift Detection Frontier : Preliminary Results And Design From The Redshift Z ~ 9-10 Borg Pure-Parallel Hst Survey., V. Calvi, M. Trenti, M. Stiavelli, P. A. Oesch, L. Bradley, K. B. Schmidt, D. Coe, G. Brammer, S. Bernard, R. J. Bouwens, D. Carrasco, C. M. Carollo, Benne W. Holwerda, J. W. Mackenty, C. A. Mason, J. M. Shull, T. Treu

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

We present the first results and design from the redshift z ∼ 9–10 Brightest of the Reionizing Galaxies Hubble Space Telescope survey BoRG[z9–10], aimed at searching for intrinsically luminous unlensed galaxies during the first 700 Myr after the Big Bang. BoRG[z9–10] is the continuation of a multi-year pure-parallel near-IR and optical imaging campaign with the Wide Field Camera 3. The ongoing survey uses five filters, optimized for detecting the most distant objects and offering continuous wavelength coverage from λ = 0.35 μm to λ = 1.7 μm. We analyze the initial ∼130 arcmin2 of area over 28 independent lines of …

The Effect Of Ignoring Statistical Interactions In Regression Analyses Conducted In Epidemiologic Studies: An Example With Survival Analysis Using Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Model, Kristina Vatcheva, Joseph B. Mccormick, Mohammad H. Rahbar

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Objective: To demonstrate the adverse impact of ignoring statistical interactions in regression models used in epidemiologic studies.

Study design and setting: Based on different scenarios that involved known values for coefficient of the interaction term in Cox regression models we generated 1000 samples of size 600 each. The simulated samples and a real life data set from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort were used to evaluate the effect of ignoring statistical interactions in these models.

Results: Compared to correctly specified Cox regression models with interaction terms, misspecified models without interaction terms resulted in up to 8.95 fold bias in estimated …

The Complete Classification Of Five-Dimensional Dirichlet–Voronoi Polyhedra Of Translational Lattices, Mathieu Dutour Sikiric, Alexey Garber, Achill Schürmann, Clara Waldmann

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper reports on the full classification of Dirichlet–Voronoi polyhedra and Delaunay subdivisions of five-dimensional translational lattices. A complete list is obtained of 110 244 affine types (L-types) of Delaunay subdivisions and it turns out that they are all combinatorially inequivalent, giving the same number of combinatorial types of Dirichlet–Voronoi polyhedra. Using a refinement of corresponding secondary cones, 181 394 contraction types are obtained. The paper gives details of the computer-assisted enumeration, which was verified by three independent implementations and a topological mass formula check.

Effect Of Polymer Concentration, Rotational Speed, And Solvent Mixture On Fiber Formation Using Forcespinning, Nancy Obregon, Victor Agubra, Madhab Pokhrel, Howard Campos, David Flores, David De La Garza, Yuanbing Mao, Javier Macossay, Mataz Alcoutlabi

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers were produced using Forcespinning® (FS). The effects of PCL concentration, solvent mixture, and the spinneret rotational speed on fiber formation were evaluated. The concentration of the polymer in the solvents was a critical determinant of the solution viscosity. Lower PCL concentrations resulted in low solution viscosities with a correspondingly low fiber production rate with many beads. Bead-free fibers with high production rate and uniform fiber diameter distribution were obtained from the optimum PCL concentration (i.e., 12.5 wt%) with tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the solvent. The addition of N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) to the THF solvent promoted the gradual formation …

Slip-Jump Model For Carbon Combustion Synthesis Of Complex Oxide Nanoparticles, A. A. Markov, Mkhitar A. Hobosyan, Karen S. Martirosyan

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Carbon Combustion Synthesis of Oxides (CCSO) is a promising method to produce submicron- and nano- sized complex oxides. The CCSO was successfully utilized for producing several complex oxides, a complete theoretical model including the sample porosity, fl ow parameters and reaction energetics is needed to predict the combustion parameters for CCSO. In this work, we studied the ignition temperature and combustion wave axial temperature distribution, activation energy, combustion heat and thermal losses for a typical CCSO synthesis for cylindrical samples of Ni-Zn ferrites with high (>85%) porosity. We developed a two level combustion model of chemically active nano-dispersed mixture, …

Seasonal Evolution Of Active Layer Formation In Subarctic Peat Plateaux And Implications For Dissolved Organic Matter Composition And Transfer, Jennifer L. Hickman

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Peat-accumulating wetlands are ecosystems whose rate of photosynthetic production of organic matter is greater than that of its decomposition, resulting in a build up of soil organic matter that may take centuries to fully decompose. Carbon (C) stocks within these ecosystems are a function of inputs from photosynthesis, and losses from heterotrophic decomposition. Due to the short growing season and overall cold climate of boreal and tundra regions, C has been accumulating within these landscapes, mostly in soil organic matter, since the last glaciation. Climate change, predicted to result in rising temperatures and increased precipitation, has begun to degrade the …

Evaluating The Biogeochemical Functioning Of A Constructed Fen On The Post-Mining Landscape Of Athabasca Oil Sands Region, Fort Mcmurray, Alberta, Canada, Felix C. Nwaishi

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Peatlands have a unique biogeochemical function, characterized by an imbalance between the rates of biomass accumulation and decomposition. These characteristics facilitate the ability of peatlands to support the sequestration of nutrients and carbon. In disturbed peatlands, these functions are compromised. Thus, reclamation targets amongst other key functions, the recovery of biogeochemical functioning. These functions could serve as a measure of recovery to conditions that are present in natural analogues. This thesis examines the recovery of microbially-mediated nutrient transformation processes in a fen peatland that was constructed on a post-mining landscape in the Athabasca oil sands region, Fort McMurray, Alberta. The …

Spanish River Carbonatite: Its Benefits And Potential Use As A Soil Supplement In Agriculture, James J

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

A critical problem facing agriculture today is being able to consistently and sustainably provide plants with adequate nutrients for growth. With this problem being exacerbated by the ever-increasing human population, new perspectives and techniques are required to ensure global food security. In order to fully realize potential solutions, however, plant growth and nutrition cannot be exclusively focused upon. The soil-microorganism-plant system is comprised of many interconnected and interdependent processes that together support plant growth: it is upon these processes that the focus must be placed. In this work, the agromineral Spanish River Carbonatite (SRC) is characterized using the framework of …

Sm And Dy Interaction With Dissolved Organic Matter (Dom) In Freshwater Measured By Ion-Selective Electrode And Fluorescence Quenching Analytical Techniques, Alexandra Carvajal

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

With the increased demand for lanthanide metals in various industries, companies are looking into mining of these metals in Northern Canada. The release of these metals into the environment may have adverse effect on aquatic ecosystems; thus, it is important to understand potential toxicological effects of lanthanides on aquatic organisms. One way to predict these effects is by using a Biotic Ligand Model (BLM). Although incorporation of lanthanides into the model will require a substantial amount of future research, initial studies into speciation and toxicity can provide a useful basis for future reference. There are two main objectives to this …

Space-Time Modelling Of Emerging Infectious Diseases: Assessing Leptospirosis Risk In Sri Lanka, Cameron C F Plouffe

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In this research, models were developed to analyze leptospirosis incidence in Sri Lanka and its relation to rainfall. Before any leptospirosis risk models were developed, rainfall data were evaluated from an agro-ecological monitoring network for producing maps of total monthly rainfall in Sri Lanka. Four spatial interpolation techniques were compared: inverse distance weighting, thin-plate splines, ordinary kriging, and Bayesian kriging. Error metrics were used to validate interpolations against independent data. Satellite data were used to assess the spatial pattern of rainfall. Results indicated that Bayesian kriging and splines performed best in low and high rainfall, respectively. Rainfall maps generated from …

Nickel And Copper Mixture Toxicity To Daphnia In Soft Water, Prachi Deshpande

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Industrially important metals, such as Cu and Ni, sometimes are present at elevated concentrations in lakes, including those in the Sudbury, ON region. Although they are essential metals, their divalent-cation state (Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺) can be toxic at high concentrations in the water. The free-ion toxicity of each of these metals has been studied in isolation, but rarely as a mixture. The economic importance of Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ makes them essential to study in the context of mixture toxicity. The objectives were to: (1) determine Cu and Ni mixture toxicity to Daphnia through acute LC50 …

Partitioning Evapotranspiration In Forested Peatlands Within The Western Boreal Plain, Fort Mcmurray, Alberta, Canada, Elise C. Gabrielli

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Forested peatlands in the Western Boreal Plain (WBP) represent hydrologically sensitive ecosystems that often support an open-crown forest of Picea mariana and/or Larix laricina. These systems store globally significant soil carbon, containing one-fourth to one-third of the world’s soil organic carbon pool (Turunen et al., 2002),serving a critical role in regulating atmospheric CO₂. Recent studies indicate that the hydrological conditions are the critical determinant of a peatland’s carbon budget (Price et al., 2005; Aurela et al., 2007).To understand current hydrological conditions, it is essential to accurately estimate the rate of ET, due …

Theoretical Investigations Of Zinc Blende And Wurtzite Semiconductor Quantum Wells On The Rotated Substrates, Igor Ivashev

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

We present a comprehensive set of computations of effective mass theory for both the Kane's parabolic band approximation and Luttinger-Kohn's valence band mixing approximation. We generalize the kp method to be able to evaluate band structures for the materials such as zincblende InGaAsN and GaAsBi compounds used in long wavelength lasers and wurtzite materials used in short wavelength lasers. We investigate methodology to study band structure of semiconductors that are grown away from natural direction. The strain influence is introduced via Bir and Pikus model. It is expected that band structure is strongly dependent on direction of crystal growth and …

The Role Of Organic Matter In The Surface Chemistry Of Arsenic Compounds On Iron−(Oxyhydr)Oxides Studied By Atr-Ftir, Arthur Situm

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The interaction of organic matter with the interfaces of active soil components such as iron oxides is ubiquitous within soil environments. The presence of organics at these interfaces may have implications for other soil constituents whose mobility is controlled by their ability to bind to active soil components. Most of the studies performed to date which look at these interactions are bulk/batch studies performed ex-situ. Attenuated total internal reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) was utilized within this work to study interactions between select model organics (citrate, oxalate and pyrocatechol) and iron−(oxyhydr)oxides, as well as their effect on the surface …

Do Toxicity Modifying Factors Influence Acute Or Chronic Toxicity Of Thulium To Hyalella Azteca?, Alexandria H. Loveridge

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The industrial demand for rare earth elements (REEs) is growing and as a result, environmental exposure is a concern. Very little is understood about the toxicity of REEs in aquatic environments. The objective of this research is to evaluate the acute and chronic toxicity of Tm and to also understand the toxicity modifying influence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and cationic competition (Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+). Furthermore, the aim of this study was to determine linkages between Tm bioaccumulation, growth and survival during chronic exposures. Standard methods (Environment Canada) were followed for both 96h acute and 14d chronic tests, in …

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (Mcda) For Agricultural Sustainability Assessment, Byomkesh Talukder

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Multi Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT), Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE) and Elimination methods of Multi-Criteria Decision analysis (MCDA) are tested to assess and compare the sustainability of different agricultural systems. Indicators and composite indicators are derived from data gathered using the agricultural sustainability categories of Productivity, Stability, Efficiency, Durability, Compatibility and Equity (PSEDCE).

Agricultural systems around the world face challenges from current agricultural practices, over-exploitation of natural resources, population growth and climate change. As a result, understanding agricultural sustainability has become a global issue. Assessment is a first step in benchmarking and tracking agricultural sustainability and …

Phosphorus Removal Using Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles In Wastewater Treatment, Suyoung Choi Mr.

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Due to eutrophication caused by nutrients such as phosphorus (P), local surface water near military garrisons and camps has been deteriorated for several years in the Republic of Korea. Thus, in order to remove excessive P in local fresh water, various size of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) were used.

In the first investigation, TiO₂ mixed bulk powder (particle size > 5µm) showed maximum P removal with pH dependence (higher pH shows lower P removal), that was approximately 27%. To determine adsorption isotherms, Langmuir and Freudlich models were used. The experimental data was better fit by a Langmuir model compared …

Epr Paradox, Nonlocality, And Entanglement In Multi-Qubit Systems, Raja Emlik

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Bell inequalities were formulated by John Bell to test the possible violation of local realistic theories by quantum mechanical systems. It was shown that entangled quantu-m states of multiple particles violate various Bell’s inequalities. This proved that quan-tum mechanics allows correlations between spatially separated systems that have no classical analogue. The main focus of this work is to investigate genuine multiqubit non-locality in families of entangled 3 and 4-qubit pure states by studying a Bell-type inequality that is violated only if all qubits are non-locally correlated. We numerically study the relationship between entanglement and violation of the Svetlichny Bell-type inequality. …

Comparing The Regio- And Enantioselectivity Of Inverting Versus Retaining Epoxide Hydrolases, Mark A. Aliwalas

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Epoxide hydrolases (EHs) are enzymes that catalyze the ring opening of an epoxide, yielding a vicinal diol. This exciting class of enzymes is often associated with natural product and small molecule biosynthesis. One interesting class of natural products that epoxide hydrolases are involved in the biosynthesis of is the enediynes. Previously, 5 enediyne-associated epoxide hydrolases have been characterized, revealing an inverting-versus-retaining paradigm for enediyne epoxide hydrolases. The work described herein sets the table for future studies involving the probing of the α/β-epoxide hydrolase mechanism for styrene oxide. Kinetic and regioselectivity characterization of the enediyne-associated CynF and SghF has determined that …

Computing Closed Forms For The Convergent Series $\Displaystyle\Sum_{N \In \Mathbb{Z}}\Frac{1}{(N^3+Bn^2+Cn+D)^K}$, Gagandeep K. Virk

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

In this thesis we discuss the various approaches that will be taken to evaluate and find a finite closed form for the sum $$\sum_{n \in \mathbb{Z}} \frac{1}{(n^3+Bn^2+Cn+D)^k}$$ where $B, C, D \in \mathbb{C}$ and $k$ is a positive integer. We begin this thesis by studying the cubic equations and discussing briefly various methods of finding their roots. Cardano's method (1545) for finding the roots of cubic polynomials is explored in detail as this method is used in later parts of the thesis to make calculations while evaluating the sums. Various tools and techniques from Fourier analysis are reviewed for these …

Chemical Removal Of Total Phosphorus From Wastewater To Low Levels And Its Analysis, Farah Ateeq

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Numerous studies have been conducted on the removal of inorganic phosphorus (P) from wastewater, but a push towards lower effluent targets necessitates the additional removal of organic phosphorus as well. This study tested the ability of manganese oxide nanoparticles and iron oxide as potential catalysts for conversion of organic P into more readily removable inorganic forms, as well as the role of iron(III) chloride as coagulant to subsequently allow P to be removed by solids/liquid separation. Removals of 99-101% were obtained for model compounds at pH 5-7, 0.05-0.5 M H₂O₂, and Fe:P molar ratio of 5:1. …

An Application Of The Spectral Theorem To The Laplacian On A Riemannian Manifold, Paul Bracken

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

There continues to be great interest in the study of the heat equation on Riemannian manifolds. This may be due to the remarkable more recent work of Patodi [1]. It may also be due in part to the asymptotic expansion of Minakshisundaram and Pleijel. The heat equation involves a parabolic partial differential equation that describes the distribution of heat in a given region over time. This equation has also appears in probability theory to describe random walks. The heat equation is also of importance in Riemannian geometry, topology and applied mathematics.

The Prominence Of Affect In Creativity: Expanding The Conception Of Creativity In Mathematical Problem Solving, Eric L. Mann, Scott A. Chamberlin, Amy K. Graefe

Faculty Publications

Constructs such as fluency, flexibility, originality, and elaboration have been accepted as integral components of creativity. In this chapter, the authors discuss affect (Leder GC, Pehkonen E, Törner G (eds), Beliefs: a hidden variable in mathematics education? Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 2002; McLeod DB, J Res Math Educ 25:637–647, 1994; McLeod DB, Adams VM, Affect and mathematical problem solving: a new perspective. Springer, New York, 1989) as it relates to the production of creative outcomes in mathematical problem solving episodes. The saliency of affect in creativity cannot be underestimated, as problem solvers require an appropriate state of mind in order …

Screening And Characterization Of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (Phas) From Cyanobacteria Utilizing Organic Carbon, Somchai Tarawat

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a group of biodegradable plastic. These biopolymers are environmentally friendly because they can be decomposed by microorganisms. PHAs production is also renewable and sustainable. There are many types of PHAs. This thesis aimed to screen for Thailand-isolated cyanobacterial strains that can produce two types of PHAs: the homopolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and the heteropolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). Cells were cultured under the heterotrophic condition (nitrogen deprivation with 0.4% w/v acetate supply in the dark). PHB contents in cyanobacteria were determined using high performance liquid chromatography. From 135 strains accounting for 26 genera, 9 strains accumulated PHB at the levels …

Temporal Variations Of Streamflow In A Mid-Latitude Eurasian Steppe Watershed In The Past Half Century, Xixi Wang

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Previous studies either did not identify abrupt change or identified such change but did not exclude it from the detection of trend in streamflow. As a result, an overall downward trend might be erroneously detected as an upward trend because of abrupt increase, while an overall upward trend could be faked as a downward trend due to abrupt decrease. The objectives of this study were to: (1) present a methodology to analyze trend in streamflow in the presence of abrupt change; and (2) use this methodology to detect trend and extreme occurrence of streamflow in the Upper Balagaer River watershed, …

Improving The Efficiency And Resolution Of Time Of Flight (Tof) Mass Spectrometer For Magnetospheric Applications., Zain Abbas

Honors Theses and Capstones

The Earth magnetosphere is the volume of space formed by the Earth magnetic field in response to the flow of plasma from the solar wind. Although the magnetopause shields us from the solar wind there are far more particles that penetrate with energy, and momentum to the Earths magnetosphere and interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field to create various plasmas and currents which shape and couple different regions of magnetosphere. The study of the dynamics of ions in and outside of the magnetosphere is done through mass spectrometer. Over the years, CODIF Ion TOF spectrometer have been used to understand …

Factororacle: An Extensible Max External For Investigating Applications Of The Factor Oracle Automaton In Real-Time Music Improvisation, Adam James Wilson

Publications and Research

There are several extant software systems designed to generate music in real-time using a factor oracle automaton constructed from the musical input of a human improvisor. The impetus for the design of the factorOracle external is neither a desire to supersede these systems nor introduce novel algorithms for traversing the oracle, but rather to provide a fast, canonical interface for the automaton in Cycling74’s Max and, in future iterations, the Pure Data programming environment. Technical features of the factorOracle software are introduced here.