Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Media Haze Classification In Retinal Images Using Deep Learning, Jonathan O'Berry

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Media Haze (MH) is a condition that affects an individual’s quality of life by affecting their eyes. Current practice is to detect MH by manually examining retinal fundus (retinal) images. The analysis of images being used as the prevalent technique for identifying the MH condition strongly suggests that automation of this process may be possible. In recent years, machine learning, specifically computer vision, has allowed for the automation of tasks relating to image analysis. This ability to automate has also recently been shown in the medical field for some eye conditions and diseases. This thesis centers around the problem of …

Passperfect: A Secure One Time Password Authentication System, Charlene H. Crawshaw

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Most organizations have established strong password policies and standards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of their data, applications, and critical systems. Even with rigorous implementations and layered approaches such as utilizing multifactor authentications, there are still flaws and vulnerabilities as they have a high dependency on the user adhering to them. In conjunction with these policies, a strong security awareness program should be implemented to educate the end user about strong password hygiene. In this work, we design and implement a secure one-time password (OTP) system, “PassPerfect”, to provide a method of enforcing a strong set of password …

Linear Topological Space, Vi Nguyen

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis begins with an introduction to linear and topological spaces and then defines linear topological spaces. It studies key properties such as neighborhoods, convexity, reflexivity, and weak and weak* topologies. Finally, it concludes with solving non-linear partial differential equations.

Understanding And Augmenting Scientific Software Testing Practices, Kris Roker

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Scientific software can be broadly defined as software written to aid in conducting scientific research activities. As this software is often written by the scientists themselves, who often learned programming to build that software, some important aspects of software development may get less attention than they would have gotten on enterprise software developed by programmers. One area of development that often gets overlooked in this regard is testing. Thus, in this study, we seek to better understand the testing processes and propose methods to improve the effectiveness of those tests. We begin with examining the software's Continuous Integration/Delivery practices. This …

Les-C Turbulence Models And Fluid Flow Modeling: Analysis And Application To Incompressible Turbulence And Fluid-Fluid Interaction, Kyle J. Schwiebert

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In the first chapter of this dissertation, we give some background on the Navier-Stokes equations and turbulence modeling. The next two chapters in this dissertation focus on two important numerical difficulties arising in fluid flow modeling: poor mass-conservation and nonphysical oscillations. We investigate two different formulations of the Crank-Nicolson method for the Navier-Stokes equations. The most attractive implementation, second order accurate for both velocity and pressure, is shown to introduce non-physical oscillations. We then propose two options which are shown to avoid the poor behavior. Next, we show that grad-div stabilization, previously assumed to have no effect on the target …

Understanding Catalyst Design Principles In Transition Metal Mixed Anionic Chalcogenides For Electrocatalytic Energy Conversion, Ibrahim Abdullahi

Doctoral Dissertations

"This research focused on the synthetic design of transition metal mixed anionic chalcogenide catalysts containing various ligand types around the central metal atom (chalcogen anion and chalcogen-based organic ligand) generating diverse crystal structure types applied for water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction reactions (CO₂RR).

A series of catalysts were synthesized starting with isolated metal complexes (ME_n) with a central metal core (M = Co, Ni, Cu, and Cr) through molecular clusters, to bulk nanostructured solids of similar M-E coordination. Bis(dichalcogenoimidodiphosphinato) were employed as ligands in the metal complexes, and anionic chalcogen (E = S, Se, and …

Advanced Mass Spectrometry Method Development And Applications For Assessment Of Traumatic Brain Injury And Legionella Pneumophila Dissinfection With Copper, Austin Chase Sigler

Doctoral Dissertations

"Pathological processes often involve complex biochemical changes which can be assessed using advanced mass spectrometry. In this present dissertation, two fields were studied: traumatic brain injury (TBI), and water contamination by L. pneumophilia. TBI is a pressing public health concern for which current clinical tools remain inadequate. We present newly developed mass spectrometric methods to access metabolites associated with blast induced TBI. We applied these methods to the biofluids of soldiers conducting explosives training. Significant changes in several metabolites were observed between pre- and post-blast specimens, including changes that increased with repeated exposure. These changes point to the possibility of …

Editorial: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, And Data-Mining Techniques To Increase Cost-Effectiveness In Healthcare., P Wilner Jeanty, Marie-Rachelle Narcisse, Romain Crastes Dit Sourd

Ambulatory and Primary Care Articles

No abstract provided.

Photosynthesis-Related Parameters In Leucobryum Aduncum Moss Bags As Bioindicators Of Environmental Stress Caused By Road Traffic, Chaiwat Boonpeng, Pawanrat Butrid, Marisa Pischom, Sutatip Noikrad, Kansri Boonpragob

Applied Environmental Research

The physiological response in moss samples is often used as an early warning signal of environmental stress caused by air pollution. This study aimed to test the efficiency of photosynthesis-related parameters in Leucobryum aduncum moss bags as bioindicators of environmental stress related to road traffic. The moss samples were collected and prepared in a relatively unpolluted area and then transplanted at 7 sites in forested, rural, and urban areas. The moss samples were picked up after being exposed for 1 and 3 months for physiological measurements. The results showed that the average values of all physiological parameters were highest in …

Analyzing Climate Change Status Through Evaluating Trend Of Temperature And Rainfall And Predicting Future Climate Change Status At Lake Tana Basin, Tesfaye Bayu Zeleke, Tri Retnaningsih Soeprobowati, Solomon Adissu, Meseret Abatechanie

Applied Environmental Research

The trends of temperature and rainfall are critical indicators of climate change within a certain area. However, the existence of climate change is not locally understood in most parts of the world. This research aims to analyze the trend of temperature and rainfall in the Lake Tana Sub-basin as a means to understand the current and future status of climate change. The trends of temperature and rainfall were analyzed using the modified Mann-Kendall trend test, while the autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) was used to predict future temperature and rainfall. The findings reveal that monthly temperatures show a significant …

Groundwater Recharge And Surface Runoff Modeling Response To Land Use And Land Cover Dynamics In A Mae Wong Watershed Of Thailand, Banchongsak Faksomboon, Pranee Lertkaeo, Bunchongsri Phunlao

Applied Environmental Research

This study aims to develop efficient management strategies and assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and land cover (LULC) on surface runoff modeling response dynamics for the long-term sustainability of watersheds. The soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model was used to evaluate the LULC dynamics on GRSR in the Mae Wong Watershed (MWW) of Thailand. Using Landsat images, three different LULC maps (2011, 2021, and 2031) were created using the cellular automata markov chain (CA-Markov) model, and TerrSet 2020 geospatial monitoring and modeling software. In the overall MWW, the forestland has undergone deforestation and decreased by 2.10% of …

Exploring Microplastics In Seawater And Zooplankton On The Eastern Coast Of Thailand: A Case Study In Phuket Province, Pensiri Akkajit, Sirima Yuankerd, Arsanchai Sukkuea

Applied Environmental Research

Microplastics can accumulate in the environment and be transferred to different trophic levels, making them a concern for the aquatic food chain. As far as the researcher is aware, this study is the first to analyze microplastics in seawater and zooplankton along the eastern coastline of Phuket, Thailand, emphasizing their ecological significance. Analysis of the seawater samples identified 256 microplastic particles, with an average concentration of 52.6±21.4 and 32.6±30.3 particles L-1 for 20–300 µm and >300 µm classes, respectively. Four zooplankton species—copepod, fish larvae, bivalvia larvae, and shrimp larvae—were chosen for examination. The findings indicated that microplastics can move to …

Effects Of Covid-19 Policy On Air Quality In Lagos State, Nigeria, Chika Floyd Amaechi, Alex Enuneku, Ugochinyere Stephanie Amadi, Akus Kingsley Okoduwa

Applied Environmental Research

The decrease in air quality has been a major concern in the world for decades, and it has continued to worsen with toxic gases accumulating at exponential rates. The atmosphere has been heavily polluted as a result of anthropogenic activities, and these activities were greatly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic when a lockdown policy was imposed. The study area, Lagos, is the state in Nigeria with the highest population count, making it most susceptible to the spread of the coronavirus and, as such, having the strictest policy regulations. This study seeks to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown policy …

Social Return On Investment (Sroi) From The Community Waste Bank Implementation Under The Learning Center Of Systematic Waste Management Innovation According To The Circular Economy Concept, Pornpod Sridan, Pichaya Surapolchai, Thidasil Plainlaor, Apinya Tanyaim, Nuchanad Hounnaklang, Onuma Zongram, Yotwadee Hawangchu

Applied Environmental Research

This article presents the results of social return on investment (SROI) evaluation in the community’s waste bank program implemented in the Moo 7 and Moo 8 Villages of Tan Diao Subdistrict, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province during 2020–2022, which is a part of the Learning Centre of Systematic Waste Management Innovation According to the Concept of Circular Economy project. This research employed participatory action research to collect data on total cost for investment and income from selling recyclable waste through in-depth interviews and focus groups with a total of 40 stakeholders including: 25 community members, 5 community leaders, 3 representatives …

The Influence Of Chemical Fertilizers On The Effectiveness Of Biochar In Mitigating Cadmium Mobility In Soil, Chompoonut Chaiyaraksa, Navapat Sangworn

Applied Environmental Research

The focus of this study was to explore how various fertilizers influence the movement of cadmium in soil treated with biochar. The research utilized a strong acid sandy loam soil from Chanthaburi Province, naturally rich in organic matter with moderate cation exchange capacity and low nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, sulfate, salinity and chloride levels. The soil was purposely contaminated with 50 mg kg-1 of cadmium and treated with biochar derived from water hyacinth through pyrolysis at 450°C for an hour. This biochar displayed moderate alkalinity, high organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, and cation exchange capacity, but low nitrogen content. Analytical techniques like …

Green Retail Development For Plastic Waste Prevention – Regime Trajectories And Levers For Change In Thailand’S Socio-Technical System Of Single-Use Plastics, Siri Luther, Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee

Applied Environmental Research

Thailand faces significant plastic waste management challenges. Around 2018-2019, a growing number of green retail shops started emerging in Thailand, offering products and services that eliminate or reduce the consumption of single-use plastics (SUPs). This paper intends to explore green retail as a niche in the Thai socio-technical system of SUPs. It aims to understand the socio-technical system’s current state, identify niche dynamics and momentum, illustrate key regime trajectories, and highlight policy levers. The study uses secondary data from academic articles and policy documentation, along with primary data from interviews with 20 Thai green retail founders conducted between 2020 and …

Meteorological Conditions And Pm2.5 Impact On Covid-19 Case Fatality Ratios (Cfr) In Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Viranphat Singrakphon, Chidsanuphong Chart-Asa, Pasicha Chaikaew

Applied Environmental Research

The emergence of a novel coronavirus strain triggered a global health crisis, impacting both health and economies worldwide, including Thailand since 2019. While prior research hinted at connections between environmental factors and rising COVID-19 cases, these links remained inconclusive. This study investigated indoor and outdoor (I/O) ratios and explored potential correlations between fine particulate matter (PM2.5), meteorological conditions, and the case fatality rate (CFR%) of COVID-19 in Bangkok and its metropolitan area from January to December 2021. In Spearman’s Rank correlation analysis, the results found that CFR% exhibited a positive correlation with relative humidity (RH) (r=0.187) and a negative correlation …

El Nino Effects On Water Availability For Agriculture: Case Study Of Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, Ayu Dyah Rahma, Fulco Ludwig

Applied Environmental Research

Climate change in Indonesia has resulted in a longer dry season. Furthermore, El Nino is one of the main factors causing drought in agricultural areas. The research aim is to study the water availability for agriculture in the Bompon sub-watershed, Magelang Regency, by identifying the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) impact related to climate variability and changes in extreme hydroclimatic events. Quantitative and qualitative research methods, including climate data analysis and interviews, were used. Quantitative methods were used based on the climate data analysis using R from the ERA5 climate model and water balance. Qualitative methods based on in-depth interviews …

Prevalence Of Microplastics In Coastal Area Of Samae San, Thailand And Its Possible Source, Siwanath Pangpunth, Sujaree Bureekul, Voranop Viyakarn

Applied Environmental Research

This research explored the abundance, morphology, and polymer composition of microplastics (MPs) in various environmental samples within the Samae San subdistrict involving surface soil nearby the dumping site, road dust soil, beach sand and sediment in the area with distinct land- based activities. Dumping site soil exhibited the highest concentration in items per kg of dry weight at 93,734.3, followed by road dust soil (573.0 ± 583.7), beach sand (99.8 ± 75.3), and sediment (83.1 ± 50.4). Morphological traits revealed similarities between transparent fiber-shaped particles in beach sands and sediment, and those in nearby road dust soil, while green sheet-shaped …

Multi-Class Waste Classification Using Convolutional Neural Network, Yanfahmi Rayhan, Achmad Pratama Rifai

Applied Environmental Research

This study explores a method of waste classification using deep learning, specifically employing the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). This research involves the creation of a unique dataset, a hybrid of publicly accessible data and a newly compiled collection of images across 13 waste classes: paper, glass, wood, metal, clothes, PCB e-waste, non-PCB e-waste, PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC, and PS. The development of the CNN model was approached in two ways: transfer learning and full learning. In the transfer learning approach, two pre-trained models, MobileNetV2 and DenseNet121, were utilized. While in the full learning approach, the architecture is constructed using …

Removal Of Chromium From Aqueous System Using Nanocellulose Prepared From Defoliated Terminalia Catappa Leaves, Lopamudra Digal, Jayashree Mohanty

Applied Environmental Research

Nanocellulose is considered as a sustainable and renewable nanomaterial due to its abundant availability, biodegradability and biocompatibility characteristics. The study demonstrates the synthesis of nanocellulose from defoliated leaves of the Tropical Almond (Terminalia catappa) plant, abundantly available residual plant biomass and its subsequent use in eliminating Cr(VI) from the water system. The study demonstrates the preparation of nanocellulose by chemical means, employing NaOH and H2SO4 as chemical agents. Characterization techniques like FTIR, SEM, and XRD were used to study the chemical composition and morphology of the resulting nanocellulose. The characterization studies confirm the formation of nanocellulose from the plant biomass. …

Monitoring Of Estrone From Hospital Wastewater And Its Removal By Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor, Nicha Karnjanamit, Chongdee Thammakhet-Buranachai, Panitan Jutaporn, Watsa Khongnakorn

Applied Environmental Research

Steroid hormones, classified as endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), pose significant environmental and health concerns due to their persistence and potential adverse effects. This study investigates the presence of estrone (E1) in hospital wastewater and the efficiency of E1 removal through a photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR). Wastewater samples were collected from two hospitals with different wastewater treatment processes. The concentration of E1 was analyzed using a combination of solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The PMR experimental setup involved a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane incorporated with 1 wt% titanium dioxide (PVDF/TiO2). The PMR performance was evaluated with and …

Exploring Google Earth Engine, Machine Learning, And Gis For Land Use Land Cover Change Detection In The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Between 2014 And 2023, Akus Kingsley Okoduwa, Chika Floyd Amaechi

Applied Environmental Research

This study aims to visualize various land use land cover (LULC) classes, estimate the net change in LULC types between the years 2014 and 2023, and use transition mapping to track LULC transitions within waterbody, vegetation, bareland, and buildup to better understand how land use types change from one another. Google Earth Engine (GEE), Random Forest (RF), and Geographic Information System (GIS) were used for LULC classification and change detection. The dataset employed for this study is Landsat-8 with 30 m resolution, and four land cover classes, which include waterbody, vegetation, bareland, and buildup, were classified for this study using …

Alstonia Scholaris Fruit Biomass, A Novel Adsorbent For The Removal Of Lead From Aqueous Solution, Aasif Abdullah Baba, Ajit Kumar Das, Abhik Gupta

Applied Environmental Research

The biosorption of lead (Pb) ions on Alstonia scholaris fruit biomass was investigated in batch and column experiments in an aqueous solution, emphasising the possible binding mechanism of Pb ions on the fruit biomass. The adsorption process was found to be dependent on parameters like adsorbent dose, initial Pb ion concentration, contact time, and pH. No impact was found on Pb adsorption during competitive adsorption. The results suggested that the fruit biomass could remove more than 97% of Pb ions from the aqueous solution. The Freundlich isotherm model best explained the obtained results. The monolayer adsorption capacity of the A. …

Theoretical Approaches To Food Waste Behaviours: An Overview, Dane Chia, Chin Choo Yap, Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua, Lai Ti Gew

Applied Environmental Research

Food waste around the world has emerged as a pressing issue that calls for attention and intervention. Analysing the food waste problem without understanding wasteful behaviour antecedents may oversimplify this multi-faceted issue, which will then compromise the development of interventions. This paper provides an overview of the theoretical approaches to food waste behaviour antecedents, followed by evidence-based interventions, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the Norm Activation Model (NAM), and the Social Practice Theory (SPT). These theories encompass the psychological, behavioural, societal, material, and structural factors that influence food waste practices. Our aim is to provide a holistic understanding …

Assessing The Relationship And Effect Of Air Pollution [Pm 2.5] On Child Respiratory Illness And Child Mortality In The Philippines, Roel F. Ceballos, Rachell C. Gallano, Lenard D. Visaya

Applied Environmental Research

Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the air, which can seriously impact human health and the environment. Among the air pollutants, fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5, being a microscopic particle, poses serious health risks since it can enter the blood circulation and go deep into the lungs. PM 2.5 has been linked to several health problems, such as early mortality, problems with children's development, and unfavorable birth outcomes. In this regard, the study aims to investigate the relationship and effect of PM 2.5 on child respi-ratory illness and child mortality in the Philippines. Data on child respiratory …

Exposure To Metal Accumulation In Chicken Giblets And Human Health Risk In Lokoja, Nigeria, Jude Ehwevwerhere Emurotu, Lami Habib, Ephraim Musa Dallatu, Adamu Shuaibu Onakpa, Aloysius Akaangee Pam

Applied Environmental Research

When consumed, the toxic heavy metals in chicken giblets pose a grave risk to humans. An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used to measure the concentrations of metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Mn, and Pb) in the liver, gizzard, and kidney of chickens from the Lokoja poultry market. Except for lead, which slightly exceeded the FAO/WHO limit of 0.1 mg kg-1, the metal concentrations found were all within the threshold limit. The estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) were used to assess the risks that humans would face …

Assessing The Short- And Long-Term Health Effects Of Nitrogen Dioxide In Agadir, Morocco: A Who Airq+ Model Application, Youssef Bouchriti, Mohamed Ait Haddou, Abderrahmane Achbani, Amal Korrida, Hasnaa Sine, Jamila Rida, Mohamed Boukrim, Belkacem Kabbachi

Applied Environmental Research

Epidemiological studies have revealed that exposure to atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) increases the risk of acute and chronic diseases. This study used the WHO AirQ model to assess both the short- and long-term impacts of NO2 on human health in the city of Agadir in Morocco. The mean NO2 values were obtained from measurements taken at two locations. This study assessed the long- term health effects of NO2 on natural all-cause mortality (LT-ACM), mortality due to respiratory diseases (LT-RD), and morbidity due to chronic obstructive pulmo-nary disease (LT-COPD), as well as the short-term health impacts of NO2 on natural all-cause …

Minimization The Chemical Oxygen Demand (Cod) Content In Tannery Wastewater Using Activated Carbon From Spent Tea Leaves, Kanish Fatama, Nasifa Akter, Badhan Saha, Nur -E- Alam Md., Shimul Chakma

Applied Environmental Research

Water pollution from tannery wastewater is a serious environmental issue. This study aimed to investigate the potential of spent tea leaves as activated carbon (AC) to minimize chemical oxygen demand (COD) of tannery effluent. To determine the best conditions for minimizing COD, a batch adsorption process was conducted, involving various factors such as different adsorbent dosages (ranging from 1 to 11 gm L-1), contact time (30 to150 min), and pH values (ranging from 3 to 11). The characterization was done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM). The outcomes of this study demonstrated that using 1.5 M …

Unveiling Long-Term Impacts Of Forest Cover Changes And Carbon Storage Assessment In Nan Province, Thailand, Jiratiwan Kruasilp, Sura Pattanakiat, Siam Lawawirojwong, Thamarat Phutthai, Poonperm Vardhanabindu, Warinthorn Kiadtikornthaweeyot Evans, Anne Jacquine

Applied Environmental Research

Forests serve as carbon sink by storing and sequestrating carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Forest cover loss adversely affects communities by increasing risks to the shortage of carbon storage. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of forest fragmentation and assessment of forest cover changes impacts on carbon storage over Nan province during 1990 to 2019. Spatial and temporal patterns were explored using landscape metrics analysis. Forest areas declined 10.69% over 30 years using random forest classifier based on Google Earth Engine platform, with an overall accuracy of 97.10%. The highest rate of forest cover changes was 5.27% (2010 to 2014), …