Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Run-Time Compilation And Dynamic Memory Use Analysis For Gpus, Derek White

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations

Powerful Graphics Processing Units (commonly called GPUs) are proliferatingrapidly and are becoming a viable choice for a wide range of user applications. Forperforming computationally intensive tasks on these processors, it is highly desirable to have software tools that can facilitate writing effective programming codewhile taking advantage of the full potential offered by these processors. Multi-levelmemory hierarchy, extensive data transfer, and the utilization of a large number ofprocessing cores are daunting challenges in writing code for data-parallel computingtasks. The programming experience becomes more cumbersome due to the significantrestrictions imposed by the OpenCL specification including the inability to allocatememory dynamically. The contribution …

A Review Of Passive Sampling Systems For Ambient Air Mercury Measurements, Jiaoyan Huang, Seth N. Lyman, Jelena Stamenkovic Hartman, Mae Sexauer Gustin

USU Uintah Basin Faculty Publications

Atmospheric mercury (Hg) temporal and spatial patterns must be measured accurately in order to adequately understand the role of this pathway as it relates to Hg toxicity and exposure of humans and wildlife to Hg. It is also important to understand the distribution of the different chemical forms (elemental, oxidized, or particle bound) and specific compounds in air (e.g., HgCl2, HgBr2, HgO, Hg(NO3)2, and HgSO4). However, the current automated and passive sampling methods of measurement have limitations and artifacts impacting our ability to achieve this task. Both abiotic and biotic systems have been developed to measure the total gaseous Hg …

Data Files To Accompany "The Support Vector Machine And Mixed Integer Linear Programming: Ramp Loss Svm With L1-Norm Regularization", Eric J. Hess, J. Paul Brooks

Statistical Sciences and Operations Research Data

These files accompany, "The Support Vector Machine and Mixed Integer Linear Programming: Ramp Loss SVM with L1-Norm Regularization" by Eric J. Hess and J. Paul Brooks, presented at the 2015 INFORMS Computing Society Conference, Operations Research and Computing: Algorithms and Software for Analytics, Richmond, Virginia January 11-13, 2015.

The files contain instances of optimization problems that are described in the paper and for which results are reported. The files are in CPLEX LP format. The naming convention of the files is as follows: ndBTj0F.lp, where is the number of samples, is the number of attributes, and refers to …

R Code To Accompany “Principal Component Analysis And Optimization: A Tutorial”, Robert Reris, J. Paul Brooks

Statistical Sciences and Operations Research Data

This data accompanies "Principal Component Analysis and Optimization: A Tutorial" by Robert Reris and J. Paul Brooks, presented at the 2015 INFORMS Computing Society Conference, Operations Research and Computing: Algorithms and Software for Analytics, Richmond, Virginia January 11-13, 2015.

The data contains R code, output, and comments that follow the examples for principal component analysis in the paper.

Investigations Of Laser-Based Repulsive Axonal Guidance And Other Novel Biophysical Applications Of Laser Microbeams, Bryan James Black

Physics Dissertations

Over the past 30 years, the properties of light have been increasingly exploited to probe and manipulate biological samples. The subsequent techniques and technologies, combined with the broadening optical characterization of biological samples (from cells to single molecules), have had a revolutionary impact on the fields of biophysics, bioengineering, chemistry, and molecular biology. Light is now known to be capable of manipulating biological samples with high spatial and temporal precision, and minimal invasiveness. Herein, we offer the findings of several novel, light-based studies as well as novel applications which exploit a laser microbeam as either a potential gradient, a cutting …

Geochemistry Of The Haynesville Formation Using The Carthage Core In Panola County, Texas, Lauren A. Woolston

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

The Haynesville Formation has been described as a fine grained, organic, homogeneous shale that was deposited during the warm upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) in the tectonically formed East Texas Basin (Mainali, 2011). The Late Jurassic is characterized by a world-wide transgression that flooded most of the Atlantic shelves, followed by a regression (Hammes and Frebourg, 2011). The Haynesville Formation was influenced by basement structures, local carbonate platforms (Sabine Island Complex), and salt movement that was associated with the opening of the Gulf of Mexico (Hammes, 2012). The focus of this proposed study is to provide more insight into the chemostratigraphy, lithology, …

The Effect Of Freshwater Input On Δ18o Distribution At The Younger Dryas, Anand Soni

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

The Younger Dryas cooling event (~12.9-11.5 δ18O ka BP) is a recognized example of an abrupt decline of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation and thus may serve as an analog for expected rapid future climate change. Prediction of the atmospheric and oceanic conditions at the onset of Younger Dryas presents various challenges and this study is aimed to contribute towards the better understanding of the changes in the oceanic tracer distribution. Here, output from a fully coupled coarse resolution model from the National Center of Atmospheric Research, the Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3) have been utilized to predict …

Characterization Of Exogeous Particale Content: Of Canine Tissue Urban Vs. Rural Inhalation Exposures, Jamell Kennedy

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

Exogenous zinc (Zn) is emerging as a serious contaminant in the environment. Yearly deposition of zinc particles line heavily traveled inner city roadways and less traveled rural roadways. Particle size for zinc ranges from approximately PM10 to PM 2.5 µm or less. These fine particles contain microscopic solids or liquids that can cause serious health problems. PM10 are considered to be "thoracic" sized particles, with the mass fraction of inhaled particles penetrating beyond the larynx. Whereas, PM2.5 are considered to be "respirable" sized particles, with the mass fraction of inhaled particles penetrating to the unciliated airways. Exogenous zinc can be …

Tailored Analytical Methods For Surveying Groundwater Quality In Areas Of Unconventional Drilling, Doug Dewayne Carlton Jr.

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations

Many questions have been raised over the environmental impact of unconventional drilling techniques, especially on the groundwater of the extraction area. Analytical approaches and methods specific to hydraulic fracturing had to be developed due to the lack of available research at the time. The analytical approaches chosen for the extensive survey of groundwater quality included general groundwater measurements, bulk water characterization, and organic, inorganic, and ionic speciation. Some of the chosen targets included volatile and semivolatile ingredients in hydraulic fracturing fluid, metals associated with drilling fluids or formation waters, and total carbon and nitrogen measurements. These methods were developed and …

Chemostratigraphy Of The Late Cretaceous Eagle Ford Group, South Texas, Robert Francis Nikirk

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

Strata of the Eagle Ford Group of South Texas, deposited during the Cenomanian and Turonian of the Late Cretaceous, are largely characterized as mixed siliciclastic and carbonate mudrocks rich in organic carbon. The Eagle Ford Group records deposition within the Maverick Basin, along the Comanche Shelf, at the southern margin of the Western Interior Seaway in present-day South Texas. In recent years, the Eagle Ford has emerged as one of the premiere petroleum plays, as it has been proven to be capable of producing significant volumes of dry gas, wet gas/condensates, and oil. It is believed the Eagle Ford represents …

Petroleum Geology Of The Leonardian Age, Harkey Mills Sandstone: A New Horizontal Target In The Permian Bone Spring Formation, Eddy And Lea Counties, Southeast New Mexico, Marshall Dewayne Davis

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

Lowstand, siliciclastic turbidite and submarine fan deposits within the Leonardian Bone Spring Formation have proved to be prolific targets for horizontal drilling across the northern portion of the Delaware Basin. Reservoir sandstones in this area are very fine grained, with porosities of 8 - 12%, permeabilities of 1 - 2 md and water saturations between 40% and 60%. In Big Eddy, James Ranch and Poker Lake New Mexico Federal Units, a new target for horizontal drilling, the Harkey Mills Sandstone, is proposed, which may have production comparable to the Second Bone Spring Sandstone. There are currently four horizontal wells producing …

Using Spontaneous Imbibition And Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry To Investigate The Effect Of Pore Structure On Fluid Migration Within Porous Media, Zhiye Gao

Earth & Environmental Sciences Dissertations

Much research has been conducted to investigate the property of fluid (water/oil/gas) migration in different types of porous media, and the knowledge of pore structure (including pore geometry and pore connectivity) plays an important role in this research. This dissertation will characterize the pore structure of different porous media (including building materials and natural rocks) by using spontaneous imbibition and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). A new approach to deriving effective permeability of building materials using imbibition experiments is provided. Spontaneous imbibition is an important process in oil/gas production and its rate could affect oil/gas recovery rate significantly. As a result, …

A Structural Prediction Of Copper Sulfide And Study Of Its Electronic Properties And Vacancy Forming Trend Using Density Functional Theory, Prashant Khatri

Physics Theses

The focus of this research is on the material challenges in photovoltaic. Copper Sulfide (Cu2 S) has been regarded as a potential solar absorber materials in photovoltaic industry. Despite its simple composition, it is a complex material. Copper atoms are mobile in Cu2 S crystals facilitating copper vacancies; hence promote Cu-deficient non-stoichiometric Cux S. Majority of the present work is directed towards understanding the stability issue related with Cu2 S/Cux S. We used density functional theory systematically to predict acanthite like structure as ground state structure of Cu2 S. The crystal structure of acanthite Cu2 S is much simpler than …

Stable Isotopic And Geochemical Studies Of Late Quaternary Stalagmites, South-Central Appalachian Mountains, Eastern North America, Jessica Ann Buckles

Earth & Environmental Sciences Dissertations

A tripartite investigation was conducted utilizing speleothem geochemistry and modern cave environments: reconstruction of paleoclimate variability in southeastern West Virginia that spans the late Pleistocene to mid-Holocene, the development and optimization of Microbeam X-Ray Fluorescence analysis of speleothems, and high-frequency cave drip monitoring and cave environment study and implications for stalagmite paleoclimate studies. Paleoclimate interpretations of stable isotopic and geochemical results from three coeval 230Th-dated stalagmites provide insight into the timing, magnitude, and forcing mechanisms of past climate variability. Stable isotopic δ13C and δ18O and trace element (Sr) time series demonstrate variability between the coeval records, indicating different hydrologic histories …

Indoor Air Quality In Schools: An Investigation Of The Impact Of Outdoor Air Quality, School Layout, And Room Type, Sahar M. Mansour

Earth & Environmental Sciences Dissertations

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in educational facilities is a very important aspect of the educational process because it may affect the students and staff health and performance. This study was conducted during the 2012-2013 academic year in three high schools from two school districts in the North Texas region, to determine whether or not the IAQ in test schools meets Texas IAQ guidelines, investigate the impact of the outdoor quality, school layout, and room type on the IAQ of the test schools. Temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), ozone (O₃), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored …

Effects Of Climate Change And Perturbation In Biogeochemical Cycles On Oxygen Distribution And Ocean Acidification, Teresa Marie Beaty-Sykes

Earth & Environmental Sciences Dissertations

Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in the ocean is an important component of the marine biogeochemical cycles. In this study a global oceanic carbon cycle model (HAMOCC 2.0) was used to address how oxygen minimum zones (OMZ) respond to changes due to CO₂ radiative forcing. Atmospheric pCO₂ was increased at a rate of 1% annually and the model is stabilized at 2 X, 4 X, 6 X, and 8 X preindustrial pCO₂ levels. With an increase in CO₂ radiative forcing, the OMZ in the Pacific Ocean was controlled largely by changes in particulate organic carbon (POC) export. In contrast, the vertical …

Numerical Les For Mvg Controlled Supersonic Ramp Flow, Xiao Wang

Mathematics Dissertations

An implicitly implemented large eddy simulation by using the fifth order bandwidth-optimized WENO scheme is applied to make comprehensive studies on ramp flows with micro-ramp vortex generators (MVG) at Mach 2.5 and Re=5760. Detailed mechanism and topology of flow structure after MVG was studied to make better understanding. A series of new findings are obtained about the MVG-ramp flow including the three-dimensional vortex structure generated by MVG. The mechanism about the formation of vortex ring structure and momentum deficit after MVG is deeply studied. Small scale vortical structures in the rear separation and wake near the trailing edge of MVG …

Gis Data: Gloucester County, Virginia Tidal Marsh Inventory, Marcia Berman, Karinna Nunez, Sharon Killeen, Tamia Rudnicky, Julie Bradshaw, Karen Duhring, David Stanhope, Kory Angstadt, Christine Tombleson, David Weiss, Carl Hershner

Data

The 2014 Tidal Marsh Inventory update for Gloucester County, Virginia was generated using on-screen digitizing techniques in the most recent version of ArcGIS® - ArcMap while viewing conditions observed in the most recent imagery from the Virginia Base Mapping Program (VBMP). Dominant plant community types were primarily determined during field surveys from shallow-draft boats moving along the shoreline. Land-based surveys were performed in some locations. One shapefile is developed that portrays tidal marsh areas represented as polygons. A metadata file accompanies the shapefile to define attribute accuracy, data development, and any use restrictions that pertain to the data.

Gis Data: City Of Newport News, Virginia Shoreline Inventory Report, Marcia Berman, Karinna Nunez, Sharon Killeen, Tamia Rudnicky, Julie Bradshaw, Karen Duhring, Kory Angstadt, Alexandra Procopi, David Weiss, Carl Hershner

Data

The data inventory developed for the Shoreline Inventory is based on a three tiered shoreline assessment approach. This assessment characterizes conditions that can be observed from a small boat navigating along the shoreline or by using observations made remotely at the desktop using high resolution imagery. The three tiered shoreline assessment approach divides the shorezone into three regions:

1) the immediate riparian zone, evaluated for land use; 2) the bank, evaluated for height, stability, cover and natural protection; and 3) the shoreline, describing the presence of shoreline structures for shore protection and recreational purposes.

The 2014 Inventory for the City …

Gis Data: Northumberland County, Virginia Shoreline Inventory Report, Marcia Berman, Karinna Nunez, Sharon Killeen, Tami Rudnicky, Julie Bradshaw, Karen Duhring, David Stanhope, Kory Angstadt, Christine Tombleson, Alexandra Procopi, David Weiss, Carl Hershner

Data

The data inventory developed for the Shoreline Inventory is based on a three tiered shoreline assessment approach. This assessment characterizes conditions that can be observed from a small boat navigating along the shoreline or by using observations made remotely at the desktop using high resolution imagery. The three tiered shoreline assessment approach divides the shorezone into three regions:

1 ) the immediate riparian zone, evaluated for land use; 2 ) the bank, evaluated for height, stability, cover and natural protection; and 3 ) the shoreline, describing the presence of shoreline structures for shore protection and recreational purposes.

The 2014 Inventory …

Analysis And Modeling Techniques For Geo-Spatial And Spatio-Temporal Datasets, Kulsawasd Jitkajornwanich

Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations

In recent years, spatio-temporal data has received a lot of attention and increasingly plays an important role in our everyday lives as we can witness from the fast-growing mobile technologies and its location-based application development. By spatio-temporal data, we mean data that is associated with specific spatial locations that change over time. For example, a cellphone or car with GPS will generate the object location at regular time intervals. Another example would be the track of a storm center as it moves. Spatio-temporal data could be thought of as a huge data warehouse, which contains hidden and meaningful information. However, …

Constraining The Provenance Of Middle Cenozoic Fluvial Sandstone In The Central Rocky Mountains Using Detrital Zircon U-Pb Geochronology And Sandstone Petrography, Alex Leigh Mankin

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

Detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and sandstone petrography are studied to constrain the provenance of middle Cenozoic fluvial sandstone in the Central Rocky Mountains. Petrographic point counting of 12 sandstone samples show immature compositions, and combined recycled orogen provenance of the proximal Laramide uplifts and magmatic arc provenance of the distal middle Cenozoic magmatism in western and southwestern North America. A total of 670 detrital zircon U-Pb ages show a 17-44 Ma population, derived from the distal middle Cenozoic magmatism, and populations of 45-218 Ma, 220-708 Ma, 948-1326 Ma, 1332-1816 Ma, and 1825-3314 Ma, derived or recycled from the Precambrian basement …

Well Log And Core-Derived Reservoir Properties Of Barnett Shale Of Fort Worth Basin, Melanie Dawn Ybarra

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

Wireline tools and log analysis methods were not designed for unconventional reservoirs. As a result, hydrocarbon assessment for shale source rock plays have significant uncertainties. This study focuses on petrophysical interpretation uncertainty from a single historic Barnett Shale well TP Sims #2 of Wise County, TX. The Barnett Shale is one of the major source rock plays in the United States. The large body of research and information from the well-drilled Barnett Shale provides a good opportunity to understand and adjust OGIP modeling approaches from volumetric analysis to well performance data. Several factors unique to shale source rocks such as …

A Tectonic Reconstruction Of Accreted Terranes Along The Paleo-Pacific Margin Of Gondwana, Brandon Bammel

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

The southern oceanic margin of Gondwana was nearly 40,000 km long or 24,854.8 miles. The southern margin was the result of the Terra Australis orogen. Spanning 18,000 km or 11,184.7 miles and is proposed as one of the largest and longest lived orogens in Earth history. The paleo-Pacific margin of Gondwana consisted of segments of the Australian-Antarctic craton, southern South America (modern Argentina and Chile), southern South Africa, Marie Byrdland, New Zealand and its adjacent continental shelf, the Ellsworth Mountains, and the Transantarctic Mountains. The process of terrane accretion has played a substantial part in the assembly of the continents …

Geochemical Analysis Of The Woodford Shale, Anadarko Basin, Oklahoma, Karen Mccreight

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

The Woodford Shale is a dark, siliceous mudstone that was deposited in a rift basin during late Devonian to early Mississippian times. Three drill cores containing the Woodford Shale from the Anadarko Basin, Oklahoma, have been geochemically analyzed using a handheld energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence instrument. Each core was analyzed at 3- to 4- inch intervals, providing high-resolution chemostratigraphy. Analysis of the following elemental concentrations was performed: Mg, Al, S, Si, P, K, Ti, Ca, Mn, Fe, Mo, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Th, Rb, U, Sr, Zr, and V. Major element geochemistry supports that the Woodford is a siliceous mudstone, with …

The Subsidence Evolution Of The Fort Worth Basin In North Central Texas, U.S.A., Ohood Bader Al Salem

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

Although the Fort Worth Basin in north-central Texas has become a major shale-gas production system in recent years, its subsidence history and dynamic relationship to the Ouachita fold-and-thrust belt have not been well understood. Here I study the sedimentation patterns, model the basin subsidence and thermal maturation histories to understand the evolution of the Fort Worth Basin. Depositional patterns show that the tectonic loading of both the Muenster Arch and the Ouachita fold-and-thrust belt influenced the subsidence of the basin as early as the middle-late Mississippian. Rapid subsidence of the basin initiated in the earliest Pennsylvanian in response to the …

Depositional Facies And Reservoir Analysis Of The Tyler Formation In The Central Williston Basin, North Dakota, Paul David Monahan

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

Traditionally, the Pennsylvanian Tyler Formation has been targeted as a conventional reservoir consisting of barrier island and channel sand deposits in the southwestern Williston basin, North Dakota. The purpose of this study is to investigate the cyclothemic stacking patterns in the Tyler Formation near the depocenter of the basin to improve the petroleum system model. Utilizing one core located in central McKenzie County, the litho-stratigraphy of the cyclothems is characterized. Six facies were identified and described in each cyclothem. A network of six structural and stratigraphic cross sections was constructed. Structural cross sections and structural maps illustrate that the Tyler …

Chemostratigraphy Of The Austin Chalk And Upper Eagle Ford Shale, Zain Abdi

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

A single drill core from La Salle, TX was analyzed for its chemical composition and percent concentration of both major and trace elements in order to understand depositional environments and local tectonic activity of the Balcones Fault Zone. The drill core contained the entirety of the Austin Chalk and the upper portion of the Upper Eagle Ford Shale. Samples were taken from 47 boxes at 3 inch intervals which accumulated in a total of 1,680 samples. Each sample was analyzed using a handheld x-ray fluorescence instrument which provided quantitative analysis of the following elements: Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, …

Foraminifers Of The Clarita Formation (Wenlock, Silurian), From The Arbuckle Mountains, Oklahoma, Melinda Parker

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses

The study, identification, and classification of Silurian foraminifers from the Arbuckle Mountains in Oklahoma have attracted little attention since the work of Moreman and Ireland in late 1930's. These authors described 48 new species and several new genera, some of which are synonyms in recent taxonomy. Besides foraminifers, diverse shelly faunas have been described from Silurian strata in the Arbuckle Mountain region, especially brachiopods, trilobites, and conodonts, as well as corals, bryozoans, and rare graptolites. Rich assemblages of foraminifers occur in the Fitzhugh Member of the Clarita Formation of the Hunton Group, in association with abundant and diverse conodont faunas. …

Synthetic Strategies To Probe Enzymatic Activity: Investigation Of A Novel Oxygen-Dependent Non-Heme Diiron Monooxygenase (Miae), Andra Lynn Corder

Chemistry & Biochemistry Dissertations

Within the anticodon stem loop (ACSL) of tRNA, nucleoside modifications are frequently observed at position 34 (the wobble position) or position 37 (3' adjacent to the anticodon). For instance, nearly all eukaryotic and bacterial tRNAs that read codons starting with uridine are modified by the enzymes MiaA and MiaB. While absent in eukaryotes, some facultative bacteria utilize a non-heme diiron enzyme (MiaE) to catalyze the O2₂-dependent hydroxylation of 2-thiomethyl-N₆-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino) adenosine (ms²i⁶A₃₇) to produce 2-methylthio-N⁶-(4-hydroxyisopentenyl)-adenosine (ms²io⁶A₃₇). In these bacteria, it has been postulated that the extent of the A37-hydroxylation is involved in regulating aromatic amino acid uptake, iron transport, and aerobiosis. …