Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Using Continuous Sensor Data To Formalize A Model Of In-Home Activity Patterns, Beiyu Lin, Diane J. Cook, Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Formal modeling and analysis of human behavior can properly advance disciplines ranging from psychology to economics. The ability to perform such modeling has been limited by a lack of ecologically-valid data collected regarding human daily activity. We propose a formal model of indoor routine behavior based on data from automatically-sensed and recognized activities. A mechanistic description of behavior patterns for identical activity is offered to both investigate behavioral norms with 99 smart homes and compare these norms between subgroups. We identify and model the patterns of human behaviors based on inter-arrival times, the time interval between two successive activities, for …

Searching For Optical Counterparts To Gravitational Waves, Richard Camuccio

Theses and Dissertations

The era of multi-messenger astronomy has begun. The coordinated activities of multiple, distinct observatories play a critical role in both responding to astrophysical transients and building a more comprehensive interpretation otherwise inaccessible to individual observations. The Transient Robotic Observatory of the South (TOROS) Collaboration has a global network of instruments capable of responding to several transient targets of opportunity. The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate how optical observatories with small fields of view (degree) can follow up and observe astrophysical transients. TOROS facilities responded to three unique gravitational wave events during the second and third observational campaigns of …

Topography Estimation Using Particle Swarm Optimization, Yelbir Kazhykarim

Theses and Dissertations

The Earth’s Vertical Gravity Gradient (VGG) can be used to map seafloor topography but presents a challenging inverse problem. A promising approach is forward modeling, in which one searches over a set of candidate topographies and selects the one whose predicted VGG best fits the observed one. The main bottleneck here is solving the associated high-dimensional and non-linear optimization problem. Yang et al (2018) demonstrated a method in which the topography is parametrized by heights of mass elements on a rectangular grid and the ≈ 104 dimensional optimization problem is tackled with simulated annealing (SA). We propose a computationally much …

Wildlife Use Of Road Mitigation Structures In Relation To Their Construction, Structural Characteristics, And Environmental Factors Along A South Texas Highway, Anna D. Rivera Roy

Theses and Dissertations

Roads are known to negatively impact wildlife by fragmenting habitat and mortality caused by wildlife-vehicle collisions. Road mitigation structures, such as wildlife crossing structures (WCS), wildlife guards (WG), and fencing are commonly used to address the issue of roads. In South Texas, such structures were built or modified along State Highway (SH) 100 in Cameron County as an effort to conserve the endangered ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). Camera traps were deployed to monitor these structures as a way to assess their effectiveness in restricting wildlife entry into the roadway with fencing and WG and conveying wildlife movement across roads …

Robotic Swarms: Assembly And Complexity, Angel Adrian Cantu Suarez

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on the assembly of robotic swarms that move according to some global signal in a model called the “tilt” model. The model consists of a 2D board that contain open and blocked spaces, along with tiles or polyominoes that move toward a signaled cardinal direction. We look at two variations of this model called the single-step and full-tilt model, where the elements move single distances or maximally, respectively, when a signal is send. We show different methods of shape construction, defining board configurations that are universal for a set of shapes. Afterwards, we analyze different computational problems …

A Mathematical Approach To Gomoku, Oscar Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

This goal of this thesis is to design and implement a light weighted AI for playing Gomoku with high level intelligence. Our work is built upon an innovative algebraic monomial theory to help assess values for each possible move and estimate chances for the AI to win at each move. With the help of the monomial theory, we are able to convert winning configurations into monomials of variables that represent the underlying board positions. In the existing approaches to building an AI for playing Gomoku, one common challenge is about how to represent the present configuration of the game along …

Effects Of Incubation Temperature On Nanomechanical Properties Of Β-Lactoglobulin Amyloid Fibers, Santosh Khatri

Theses and Dissertations

Amyloid fibrils constitute a class of highly ordered nanomaterials formed by aggregates of the protein. Although The irreversible fibril formation of various proteins is related to the disorders like Alzheimer’s diseases, Creutzfeldt-Jacob and many more, amyloid fibrils have also been noticed in many physiologically beneficial roles such as in adhesive and hormone storage. Here, we compare the stiffness and structural properties of the amyloid fibers examined by the statistical approaches of single molecule atomic force microscopy images of heat-denatured β-lactoglobulin fibrils at different incubation time period (24, 48, and 72 hours). We demonstrate the gradual decrease in stiffness of the …

Magnesium Diboride Embedded Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Yarns, Ujjal Lamichhane

Theses and Dissertations

The discovery of superconductivity in a simple hexagonal binary compound of MgB2 at a relatively high critical temperature ~39 K renewed the interest in the field of superconductivity. Twisted laminar superconducting composite structures based on coiled multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) yarns were crafted by integrating magnesium and boron homogeneous mixture into the carbon nanotube sheets. After the ignition of the Mg/B/MWCNT system, under the controlled argon environment and uniform heating rate, the high exothermic reaction between magnesium (Mg) and boron (B) with stoichiometric ratio produced the MgB2/MWCNT superconducting composite yarns. The XRD analysis confirmed that the heated sample consists of …

Exploring Pyrochlore Host For Upconversion And Downconversion Luminescence Materials, Mitzy A. Penilla Garcia

Theses and Dissertations

Pyrochlore has been the focal point of research in materials science community in the area of nuclear waste host, thermal barrier coatings, solid oxide fuel cell, catalyst, magnetism, luminescence etc. Such application arises due to their unique properties such as wide band gap, high radiation stability, low thermal conductivity, high dialectic constant. The fact it also has high structural ability, low phono energy and ability to accommodate dopant ion at both A- site and B-site; they are considered excellent host for inorganic phosphors. Here research work is directed towards synthesizing optical materials having high quantum efficiency for down-conversion (DC) and …

Elucidating The Binding Pockect Of The Gpr119 Receptor, A Type 2 Diabetes Target, Matthew Dy Rosales

Theses and Dissertations

An in-house homology model of the GPR119 receptor was used to identify residues which may affect ligand binding and ligand-dependent activity through computational and experimental studies. In a docking study comparing an agonist and its inverse agonist structural analog, Leu5.43169, L6.52242 and Ser1.324 appear to be involved in ligand binding. These residues were mutated experimentally to test the predictions of the homology model. The in vitro studies indicate that Leu5.43169 and Ser1.324 mutations cause ten-fold and six-fold decreases in ligand-induced cAMP formation, indicating their importance in ligand-induced activation. Leu6.52242 mutations show minimal effect in cAMP production, indicating a lesser involvement …

Effects Of Artificial Substrates On The Recruitment Of Juvenile Fishes In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Stefany Salinas

Theses and Dissertations

Most artificial reefs (ARs) in the Gulf of Mexico are considered intermediate to high vertical relief structures which have recruited large predatory species indicating lack of juvenile habitat. Small, inexpensive ARs, standard monitoring units for the recruitment of reef fish (SMURFs), were deployed at eight sites at -20m as habitat for juvenile fishes to understand and determine the effects of substrate type on juvenile fishes recruitment. Each site contained four SMURFs with four treatments: small and large rubble (~10 and ~20cm), oyster shells, and bare. Surveys yielded 39 juvenile species, including one of the most economically important species, Lutjanus campechanus, …

Multi Wall Carbon Nanotube (Mwcnt) Laminar Composite Structures Reinforced With Titanium Carbide (Tic), Rakibul Alam Shohan

Theses and Dissertations

Laminated composites have been widely used in weight critical structures, such as aircraft, spacecraft, bullet-proof vests, radiation protection suits, spacesuits etc., owing to their high stiffness, strength, and thermal stability. Multi Wall Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) laminar composite have attracted a good attention for these laminar composites due to its outstanding physical and mechanical properties as well as extraordinary electrical, optical, and thermal properties. Laminar composite structures based on twisted MWCNT yarn were crafted by integrating titanium and graphene mixture at (80:20) wt. %, respectively into multi wall carbon nanotube sheets. Titanium and Graphene mixture addition has been used to improve …

Solitary And Periodic Wave Solutions For Several Short Wave Model Equations, Andrey V. Stukopin

Theses and Dissertations

We study the periodic and solitary wave solutions to several short wave model equations arising from a so-called $\beta$-family equation for $\beta=1,2,4$. These are integrable cases which possess Lax pair and multi-soliton solutions. By phase plane analysis, either the loop or cuspon type solutions are predicted. Then, by introducing a hodograph, or reciprocal, transformation, a coupled system is derived for each $\beta$. Applying a travelling wave setting, we are able to find the periodic solutions exactly expressed in terms of Jacobi Elliptic functions. In the limiting cases of modulus k=1, they all converge to the known solitary waves.

Mathematical Modeling Of Nonlinear Dynamics Of Blood Hormones On The Regulatory System, Gabriela Urbina

Theses and Dissertations

We study a mathematical modeling of nonlinear dynamics of blood hormones, which includes glucose and insulin. On Chapter I, II, III and IV, we introduce this work, analyze an effect of the secreted insulin by the pancreatic beta cells and glucagon hormones and state concluding remarks, respectively. This model considers the time evolution of nonlinear dynamics of the equations for glucose, glucagon and insulin concentrations plus insulin and glucagon actions and the secreted insulin as a result of elevation of glucose in the blood plasma. Using both analytical and numerical procedures, we determine such quantities using different parameters for different …

Fingerprints Of Binary Black Hole Formation Channels Encoded In The Mass And Spin Of Merger Remnants, Manuel Arca Sedda, Michaela Mapelli, Mario Spera, Matthew Benacquista, Nicola Giacobbo

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Binary black holes (BBHs) are thought to form in different environments, including the galactic field and (globular, nuclear, young, and open) star clusters. Here, we propose a method to estimate the fingerprints of the main BBH formation channels associated with these different environments. We show that the metallicity distribution of galaxies in the local universe along with the relative amount of mergers forming in the field or in star clusters determine the main properties of the BBH population. Our fiducial model predicts that the heaviest merger to date, GW170729, originated from a progenitor that underwent 2–3 merger events in a …

Geometric And Measure-Theoretic Shrinking Targets In Dynamical Systems, Joseph Rosenblatt, Mrinal Kanti Roychowdhury

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

We consider both geometric and measure-theoretic shrinking targets for ergodic maps, investigating when they are visible or invisible. Some Baire category theorems are proved, and particular constructions are given when the underlying map is fixed. Open questions about shrinking targets are also described.

On Arnold–Villasenor Conjectures For Characterizaing Exponential Distribution Based On Sample Of Size Three, George Yanev

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Arnold and Villasenor [4] obtain a series of characterizations of the exponential distribution based on random samples of size two. These results were already applied in constructing goodness-of-fit tests. Extending the techniques from [4], we prove some of Arnold and Villasenor’s conjectures for samples of size three. An example with simulated data is discussed.

Periodic Triangulations Of Zn, Mathieu Dutour Sikiric, Alexey Garber

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

We consider in this work triangulations of Z n that are periodic along Z n . They generalize the triangulations obtained from Delaunay tessellations of lattices. In certain cases we impose additional restrictions on such triangulations such as regularity or invariance under central symmetry with respect to the origin; both properties hold for Delaunay tessellations of lattices. Full enumeration of such periodic triangulations is obtained for dimension at most 4 . In dimension 5 several new phenomena happen: there are centrally-symmetric triangulations that are not Delaunay, there are non-regular triangulations (it could happen in dimension 4 ) and a given …

A Study On Quantization Dimension In Complete Metric Spaces, Mrinal Kanti Roychowdhury, S. Verma

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

The primary objective of the present paper is to develop the theory of quantization dimension of an invariant measure associated with an iterated function system consisting of finite number of contractive infinitesimal similitudes in a complete metric space. This generalizes the known results on quantization dimension of self-similar measures in the Euclidean space to a complete metric space. In the last part, continuity of quantization dimension is discussed.

Association Of Visceral Adipose Tissue And Subclinical Atherosclerosis In Us-Born Mexican Americans But Not First Generation Immigrants, Clarence Gill, Miryoung Lee, Kristina Vatcheva, Nahid Rianon, Beverly Smulevitz, David D. Mcpherson, Joseph B. Mccormick, Susan P. Fisher-Hoch, Susan T. Laing

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

BACKGROUND: Excess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is a primary driver for the cardiometabolic complications of obesity; VATassociated cardiovascular disease risk varies by race, but most studies have been done on Non-Hispanics. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and metabolic correlates of VAT, its association with subclinical atherosclerosis, and the factors affecting this association in Mexican Americans.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants (n=527) were drawn from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC), on whom a carotid ultrasound to assess carotid intima media thickness and a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan to assess for VAT were obtained. Those in the highest quartiles of …

Entropy In Quantum Mechanics And Applications To Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics, Paul Bracken

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Classical formulations of the entropy concept and its interpretation are introduced. This is to motivate the definition of the quantum von Neumann entropy. Some general properties of quantum entropy are developed, such as the quantum entropy which always increases. The current state of the area that includes thermodynamics and quantum mechanics is reviewed. This interaction shall be critical for the development of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. The Jarzynski inequality is developed in two separate but related ways. The nature of irreversibility and its role in physics are considered as well. Finally, a specific quantum spin model is defined and is studied in …

Complete Mitochondrial Genome Of Carijoa Riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860) (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea: Stolonifera: Clavulariidae), Erin E. Easton, David Hicks

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

We report the first complete Stolonifera mitochondrial genome. Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860) isolate CLP2_A03 was collected by scuba at 32 m on the USTS Texas Clipper (27° 53.7827′N, 93° 36.2702′W). The complete mitogenome has the ancestral octocoral gene order for its 14 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, and one tRNA gene. It is 18,714 bp (30.7% A, 15.8% C, 18.8% G, and 34.7% T). Of the Alcyonacea mitogenomes published to date, it is most genetically similar (94% uncorrected) to Sinularia ceramensis Verseveldt, 1977 (NC_044122).

Structure–Activity Relationship Of Rgd-Containing Cyclic Octapeptide And Αvβ3 Integrin Allows For Rapid Identification Of A New Peptide Antagonist, Aaron Silva, Wenwu Xiao, Yan Wang, Wei Wang, Heng Wei Chang, James B. Ames, Kit S. Lam, Yonghong Zhang

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

The αvβ3 integrin, a receptor for many extracellular matrix proteins with RGD-sequence motif, is involved in multiple physiological processes and highly expressed in tumor cells, therefore making it a target for cancer therapy and tumor imaging. Several RGD-containing cyclic octapeptide (named LXW analogs) were screened as αvβ3 antagonists with dramatically different binding affinity, and their structure–activity relationship (SAR) remains elusive. We performed systematic SAR studies and optimized LXW analogs to improve antagonistic potency. The NMR structure of LXW64 was determined and docked to the integrin. Structural comparison and docking studies suggested that the hydrophobicity and aromaticity of the X7 amino …

Verification And Computation In Restricted Tile Automata, David Caballero, Timothy Gomez, Robert Schweller, Tim Wylie

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Many models of self-assembly have been shown to be capable of performing computation. Tile Automata was recently introduced combining features of both Celluar Automata and the 2-Handed Model of self-assembly both capable of universal computation. In this work we study the complexity of Tile Automata utilizing features inherited from the two models mentioned above. We first present a construction for simulating Turing Machines that performs both covert and fuel efficient computation. We then explore the capabilities of limited Tile Automata systems such as 1-Dimensional systems (all assemblies are of height 1) and freezing Systems (tiles may not repeat states). Using …

Eddy-Modified Iron, Light, And Phytoplankton Cell Division Rates In The Simulated Southern Ocean, Tyler Rohr, Cheryl S. Harrison, Matthew C. Long, Peter Gaube, Scott C. Doney

School of Earth, Environmental, and Marine Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

We examine the effects of Southern Ocean eddies on phytoplankton cell division rates in a global, multiyear, eddy‐resolving, 3‐D ocean simulation of the Community Earth System Model. We first identify and track eddies in the simulation and validate their distribution and demographics against observed eddy trajectory characteristics. Next, we examine how simulated cyclones and anticyclones differentially modify iron, light, and ultimately population‐specific cell division rates. We use an eddy‐centric, depth‐averaged framework to explicitly examine the dynamics of the phytoplankton population across the entire water column within an eddy. We find that population‐averaged iron availability is elevated in anticyclones throughout the …

Soil Biotic And Abiotic Conditions Negate Invasive Species Performance In Native Habitat, Pushpa Soti, Matthew Purcell, Krish Jayachandran

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Most studies on plant invasion consider the enemy release hypothesis when analyzing native habitats. However, the lower performance of invasive species in the native habitats can be the result of unfavorable soil conditions in the native habitats. While soil biotic and abiotic factors have a potential to restrict the growth of invasive species in their native habitats, our understanding of belowground environment of invasive species in their native habitats is very limited. In this study, we analyzed soil characteristics associated with an exotic invasive plant, Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum), in its native habitat in Australia and the …

Versatile Bismuth Salts-Induced Reactions From Our Laboratory: A Perspective, Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Bimal Krishna Banik

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Bismuth salts-mediated reactions are developed for the synthesis of diverse organic molecules of medicinal significance. Reactions conducted with bismuth salts are environmentally friendly and these may proceed due to the release of acids in the media. Bismuth salt may also act as a Lewis acid in these reactions. Versatile organic molecules in chiral and achiral forms are synthesized using bismuth salts-induced reactions at our research laboratory.

Glutaminyl-Trna Synthetase From Pseudomonas Aeruginosa: Characterization, Structure, And Development As A Screening Platform, Yaritza Escamilla, Casey A. Hughes, Jan Abendroth, David M. Dranow, Samantha Balboa, Frank B. Dean, James M. Bullard

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has a high potential for developing resistance to multiple antibiotics. The gene (glnS) encoding glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase (GlnRS) from P. aeruginosa was cloned and the resulting protein characterized. GlnRS was kinetically evaluated and the KM and kcatobs , governing interactions with tRNA, were 1.0 μM and 0.15 s-1 , respectively. The crystal structure of the α2 form of P. aeruginosa GlnRS was solved to 1.9 Å resolution. The amino acid sequence and structure of P. aeruginosa GlnRS were analyzed and compared to that of GlnRS from Escherichia coli. Amino acids that interact with ATP, glutamine, and tRNA are well …

Towards A Real-Time Fully-Coherent All-Sky Search For Gravitational Waves From Compact Binary Coalescences Using Particle Swarm Optimization, M. E. Normandin, Soumya Mohanty

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations

While a fully-coherent all-sky search is known to be optimal for detecting gravitational wave signals from compact binary coalescences, its high computational cost has limited current searches to less sensitive coincidence-based schemes. Following up on previous work that has demonstrated the effectiveness of particle swarm optimization (PSO) in reducing the computational cost of this search, we present an implementation that achieves near real-time computational speed. This is achieved by combining the search efficiency of PSO with a significantly revised and optimized numerical implementation of the underlying mathematical formalism along with additional multithreaded parallelization layers in a distributed computing framework. For …

Toros Optical Follow-Up Of The Advanced Ligo–Virgo O2 Second Observational Campaign, Rodolfo Artola, Martin Beroiz, Juan Cabral, R. Camuccio, Moises Castillo, Mario C. Diaz, Aldo Fonrouge, Alejandro F. Hinojosa, Andrea Hinojosa, Americo F. Hinojosa, Wendy Mendoza, Victor Perez, Tania Peñuela, Wahltyn Rattray, Ervin Vilchis, Adam Zadrozny

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations

We present themethods and results of the optical follow-up, conducted by the Transient Optical Robotic Observatory of the South Collaboration, of gravitational wave events detected during the Advanced LIGO–Virgo second observing run (2016 November–2017 August). Given the limited field of view (∼100 arcmin) of our observational instrumentation, we targeted galaxies within the area of high localization probability that were observable from our sites. We analysed the observations using difference imaging, followed by a random forest algorithm to discriminate between real and spurious transients. Our observations were conducted using telescopes at Estacion Astrofısica de Bosque Alegre, Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, the …