Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Seismic Imaging To Constrain Groundwater Models For A Better Understanding And Management Of Water Quality In Coastal Benin, West Africa: A Saltwater Intrusion Problem, Kyle Michael Lindsay

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The coastal city of Cotonou in Bénin, West Africa, is a large population center that is facing a serious threat to the sustainability of its fresh water supply. Cotonou relies on groundwater derived from the Godomey aquifer for its domestic water supply. The aquifer is undergoing saltwater intrusion due to an increase in pumping to accommodate a growth in population. Hence, there is substantial interest in better characterizing the groundwater system for the purpose of determining appropriate management strategies to ensure sustainability of this freshwater resource.

I collected seismic reflection data along 15 transects to characterize the geometry of the …

The Relationship Between Elementary Teachers' Self-Efficacy For Teaching Mathematics And Their Mathematical Knowledge For Teaching, Meagan Mckinney

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between elementary teachers’ mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) and their self-efficacy for teaching mathematics. Self-efficacy and MKT are of high importance with implications in regards to quality of instruction and the Common Core State Standards for mathematics. Using the Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics (CKT-M) instrument, data for this study were collected from thirty-five elementary school teachers participating in the Improving Teachers’ Monitoring of Learning Grant at the time. The data were concerned with these teachers’ self-efficacy with the pedagogy and content of mathematics using the Self-Efficacy for Teaching Mathematics Instrument (SETMI). Qualitative data were …

Use Of A Simulated Directional Social Network To Compare Measures Of User Influence, Jose G. Villarreal Jr.

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This paper proposes a new method for measuring user influence in directional social networks, derived from the works of Reilly et al. and Cha et al. The method being proposed in this paper considers an element from each of the two works. The first is the ratio of ‘messages forwarded’ over ‘messages posted’. The second element is the size of the audience. The second part of this study entails modeling and simulating an online social network. Using a data sample from the Twitter network to implement the simulation, it is going to allow us to compare the methods that are …

Complex Short Pulse Equation And Its Integrable Discretizations, Raul M. Guajardo

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In this thesis, we are mainly concerned with the complex short pulse (CSP) equation which was proposed in Physica D [1]. We present the Lax pair of the CSP equation and show the compatibility condition gives the CSP equation. Therefore, the integrability is confirmed. Then, a set of bilinear equations is proposed which yields the CSP equation through the hodograph transformation. Based on the bilinear form, general N-soliton solution is given in determinant form. Regarding two-soliton solution, a bound state can be formed if the velocities of two solitons are equal. Furthermore, a semi- and fully discrete analogues are constructed …

Genetics Of Obesity In Starr County, Texas Mexican Americans, Heather M. Highland

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Currently, over two-thirds of Americans are classified as over-weight or obese. Obesity increases risk for many other diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer, making obesity the largest public health problem in America and most other Westernized nations. Hispanics have a higher rate of both obesity and type 2 diabetes, making them a particularly interesting population in which to study obesity. For the last 33 years, the Starr County Health Studies has collected an array of phenotypes and biological samples from residents of Starr County, along Texas-Mexico border. This study includes 825 subjects who were not known …

Oxidation Of Dibenzothiophene To Dibenzothiophene-Sulfone Using Molybdenum (Vi) Oxide, Tungsten (Vi) Oxide, And Ratios Of Molybdenum (Vi) Oxide And Tungsten (Vi) Oxide At Atomspheric Pressure, Sean M. Pelfrey

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This is a study of the catalytic oxidation of dibenzothiophene to dibenzothiophene sulfone using molybdenum (VI) oxide, tungsten (VI) oxide, and mixtures of molybdenum (VI) oxide and tungsten (VI) oxide at atmospheric pressure. The oxidative desulfurization reaction is studied with respect to the kinetics and thermodynamics of the process. Five catalysts were synthesized using a precipitation reaction. The five catalysts were 100% MoO3, 75/25% MoO3/WO3, 50/50% MoO3/WO3, 25/75% MoO3/WO3, and 100% WO3. Each catalyst was calcinated at three different temperatures 250oC, 500oC, 750oC and characterized using X-Ray Diffraction. Reactions of DBT-catalyst were held, under reflux, at temperatures from 140 oC …

Removal Of Cobalt And Nickel From Water Using Mno2 And Mn3o4 Nanomaterials, Maria Dolores Pacheco

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Nanomaterials MnO2 and Mn3O4 were synthesized using a titration/precipitation technique and characterized with powder XRD. A pH assay determined the optimum binding for cobalt and nickel occurred at pH 5 for both nanomaterials. A time dependency study determined that cobalt and nickel required more time with MnO2 for maximum adsorption than Mn3O4. The binding capacity study showed cobalt and nickel have good binding capacity with both nanomaterials. Interfering ion assay in the presence of Na+ , Ca2+ and Mg2+ showed minimal difference in the adsorption of cobalt and nickel to MnO2 or Mn3O4. Cobalt and nickel showed a reduction in …

Basic Guide For Description Of Cuttings From Boreholes In Nebraska, Dana P. Divine, R. M. Joeckel, Jesse T. Korus

Conservation and Survey Division

No abstract provided.

The Q(Weak) Experimental Apparatus, T. Allison, (...), David S. Armstrong, Et Al.

Arts & Sciences Articles

The Jefferson Lab experiment determined the weak charge of the proton by measuring the parity-violating elastic scattering asymmetry of longitudinally polarized electrons from an unpolarized liquid hydrogen target at small momentum transfer. A custom apparatus was designed for this experiment to meet the technical challenges presented by the smallest and most precise (e) over right arrowp asymmetry ever measured. Technical milestones were achieved at Jefferson Lab in target power, beam current, beam helicity reversal rate, polarimetry, detected rates, and control of helicity-correlated beam properties. The experiment employed 180 mu A of 89% longitudinally polarized electrons whose helicity was reversed 960 …

Efficient Estimation Of Cluster Population, Sanjeev K C

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Partitioning a given set of points into clusters is a well known problem in pattern recognition, data mining, and knowledge discovery. One of the well known methods for identifying clusters in Euclidean space is the K-mean algorithm. In using the K-mean clustering algorithm it is necessary to know the value of k (the number of clusters) in advance. We propose to develop algorithms for good estimation of k for points distributed in two dimensions. The techniques we pursue include a bucketing method, g-hop neighbors, and Voronoi diagrams. We also present experimental results for examining the performances of the bucketing method …

Exact Statistical Inferences For Functions Of Parameters Of The Log-Gamma Distribution, Joseph F. Mcdonald

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The log-gamma model has been used extensively for flood frequency analysis and is an important distribution in reliability, medical and other areas of lifetime testing. Conventional methods fails to provide exact solutions for the log-gamma model while asymptotic methods provide approximate solutions that often have poor performance for typical sample sizes. The two parameter log-gamma distribution is examined using the generalized p-value approach. The methods are exact in the sense that the tests and the confidence intervals are based on exact probability statements rather than on asymptotic approximations. Exact tests and exact confidence intervals for the parameter of interest based …

Generalized Markoff Equations, Euclid Trees, And Chebyshev Polynomials, Donald Joseph Mcginn

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Markoff equation is x^2+y^2+z^2 = 3xyz, and all of the positive integer solutions

of this equation occur on one tree generated from (1, 1, 1), which is called the

Markoff tree. In this paper, we consider trees of solutions to equations of the form

x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = xyz + A. We say a tree of solutions satisfies the unicity condition

if the maximum element of an ordered triple in the tree uniquely determines the

other two. The unicity conjecture says that the Markoff tree satisifies the unicity

condition. In this paper, we show that there exists …

Carbon Isotope Variations Associated With A Middle Ordovician Karstic Unconformity, Patricia Suzanne Williams

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Large negative carbon isotope (δ¹³C) excursions have been documented from late Neoproterozoic-Paleozoic successions. These δ¹³C excursions have been widely used for regional and global stratigraphic correlation, particularly in strata with limited paleontological and radiometric age controls. Recent studies, however, argued that some negative δ¹³C excursions from stratigraphic record may have been resulted from meteoric/burial diagenesis, which commonly shifts both carbon and oxygen isotopes toward lower values. Testing the diagenetic origin of δ¹³C excursions in stratigraphic successions without independent stratigraphic framework has been difficult because it evolves into circular arguments about stratigraphic completeness …

Exploring Colonial Identity And A Growing Ecoconsciousness On The Great Plains, Charles Hiebner

Department of English: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This thesis is an exploration of my journey from an unapologetic industrial agriculturalist to a more environmentally sensitive citizen. I now recognize the inescapable relationship between colonialism and environmental issues surrounding water resources on the Great Plains and how these intertwined issues affect both the planet and its inhabitants. Specifically, I look at literature as both the catalyst and sustainer of my still-growing environmental and social consciousness. From important literary works encountered as a youth to the ecocriticism and explorations of social justice of the readings I engage in today, I examine how these literary choices have led me to …

Ecologically Sustainable But Unjust? Negotiating Equity And Authority In Common-Pool Marine Resource Management, Sarah Klain

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Under appropriate conditions, community-based fisheries management can support sound resource stewardship, with positive social and environmental outcomes. Evaluating indigenous peoples’ involvement in commercial sea cucumber and geoduck fisheries on the central coast of British Columbia, Canada, we found that the current social-ecological system configuration is relatively ecologically sustainable according to stock assessments. However, the current system also results in perceived inequities in decision-making processes, harvesting allocations, and socioeconomic benefits. As a result, local coastal resource managers envision a transformation of sea cucumber and geoduck fisheries governance and management institutions. We assessed the potential robustness of the proposed institutions using Elinor …

Corrosion Behaviors Of Coated Aluminum Alloys In Simulated Corrosive Environment, Jingyi Yue

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study investigated the corrosion of an aluminum alloy with and without coatings under simulated corrosive environments. Coatings were selected and applied from commercial materials and techniques, consisting of microceramic, epoxy primer, and topcoat. The experiments for coated specimens were carried out under various corrosive conditions, specifically, hydrodynamic flow, immersion in salt water and DI water, varying temperatures, and simulated sun light. The hydrodynamic conditions were simulated using a rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) with rotational speeds of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 rpm. The immersion in saltwater and sunlight illumination tests were applied for 8 hours, and the simulated …

Boundary Problems For One And Two Dimensional Random Walks, Miky Wright

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis provides a study of various boundary problems for one and two dimensional random walks. We first consider a one-dimensional random walk that starts at integer-valued height k > 0, with a lower boundary being the x-axis, and on each step moving downward with probability q being greater than or equal to the probability of going upward p. We derive the variance and the standard deviation of the number of steps T needed for the height to reach 0 from k, by first deriving the moment generating function of T. We then study two types of two-dimensional random walks with …

Understanding The Molecular Level Interactions Of Cancer Inhibitor Imatinib With Human Fibroblast Growth Factor-1, Tulsi Modi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) lack signal sequences, and are exported through endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi-independent non-classical routes. FGFs work as modulators of various cellular activities like mitosis, differentiation, survival etc. Among the FGF family, which comprises of 23 different heparin proteins, human FGF-1 (hFGF-1), a potent angiogenic factors are one of the targets in cancer inhibition, as they are involved in blood vessel formation in tissues. There has been intensive research directed at the development of drugs that could effectively inhibit angiogenesis. In this context, the purpose of this study is to fully understand the molecular principles essential to determine probability …

Thiophene And Derivatives For Use In Pyridazines And Thiapentalenes, Benjamin Tyree Cannon

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis introduces the idea of Band Theory and how it can be used to describe a solid-state materials ability to carry an electrical charge. Next, this thesis defines what makes a material a conductor, semiconductor, or insulator. Semiconductors are attracting interest in chemistry, as well as in the manufacturing of consumer electronics, because of their ability to carry a charge, without the risk of short-circuiting like traditional conductors.1,4 Organic semiconductors, which behave differently than traditional semiconductors, are of particular interest because they offer mechanical flexibility, lowcost, simplicity, and the ability to be manufactures at low temperatures.6 Nonorganic and organic …

Generating Random Walks And Polygons With Thickness In Confinement, Sai Sindhuja Veeramachaneni

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Algorithms to generate walks (chains of unit-length, freely-jointed segments) and polygons (closed walks) in spherical confinements have been developed in the last few years. These algorithms generate polygons inside spherical confinement based on their mathematically derived probability distributions. The generated polygons do not occupy any volume { although that would be useful for some applications. This thesis investigates how to generate walks and polygons which occupy some volume in spherical confinement. More specifically, in this thesis, existing methods described in the literature have been studied and implemented to generate walks and polygons in confinement. Additionally, these methods were adapted to …

Surface Microstructure Evolution Of Metallic Specimens Using The Large Chamber Scanning Electron Microscope, Grace Egbujor

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

An initial study into the use of the large chamber scanning electron microscope (LCSEM) to interrogate the surface microstructure evolution of metallic specimens has been carried out. The LC-SEM located at Western Kentucky University is the largest instrument of its type at any university in the world. As such, unique measurements can be performed due to the size of its chamber and extended view of its optic system. Strain was varied for each individual specimen, and imaged using Secondary Electrons within the gauge length as well as near the grip position. Results will show progression of surface microstructures and nickel …

Counting Convex Sets On Products Of Totally Ordered Sets, Brandy Amanda Barnette

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The main purpose of this thesis is to find the number of convex sets on a product of two totally ordered spaces. We will give formulas to find this number for specific cases and describe a process to obtain this number for all such spaces. In the first chapter we briefly discuss the motivation behind the work presented in this thesis. Also, the definitions and notation used throughout the paper are introduced here The second chapter starts with examining the product spaces of the form {1; 2; : : : ;n} × {1; 2}. That is, we begin by analyzing …

Analysis Of Discrete Fractional Operators And Discrete Fractional Rheological Models, Meltem Uyanik

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis is comprised of two main parts: Monotonicity results on discrete fractional operators and discrete fractional rheological constitutive equations. In the first part of the thesis, we introduce and prove new monotonicity concepts in discrete fractional calculus. In the remainder, we carry previous results about fractional rheological models to the discrete fractional case. The discrete method is expected to provide a better understanding of the concept than the continuous case as this has been the case in the past. In the first chapter, we give brief information about the main results. In the second chapter, we present some fundamental …

On The Temporal Evolution Of Long-Wavelength Mantle Structure Of The Earth Since The Early Paleozoic, Shijie Zhong, Maxwell L. Rudolph

Geology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The seismic structure of the Earth’s lower mantle is characterized by a dominantly degree-2 pattern with the African and Pacific large low shear velocity provinces (i.e., LLSVP) that are separated by circum-Pacific seismically fast anomalies. It is important to understand the origin of such a degree-2 mantle structure and its temporal evolution. In this study, we investigated the effects of plate motion history and mantle viscosity on the temporal evolution of the lower mantle structure since the early Paleozoic by formulating 3-D spherical shell models of thermochemical convection. For convection models with realistic mantle viscosity and no initial structure, it …

Visualization Techniques For Neuroscience-Inspired Dynamic Architectures, Margaret Grace Drouhard

Masters Theses

This work introduces visualization tools for Neuroscience-Inspired Dynamic Architecture (NIDA) networks and for the Dynamic Adaptive Neural Network Array (DANNA) hardware implementation of NIDA. A NIDA network is a novel type of artificial neural network that has performed well on control, anomaly detection, and classification tasks. We introduce a three dimensional visualization of software NIDA networks that represents network structure and simulates activity on networks. We present some of the analysis tasks for which the tool has been used, including the identification of useful substructures within NIDA networks through activity analysis and through the tracing of causality paths from events …

Characterizing Groundwater Ch4 And 222rn In Relation To Hydraulic Fracturing And Other Environmental Processes In Letcher County, Ky, St. Thomas Majeau Ledoux

Masters Theses

Hydraulic fracturing of shale deposits has greatly increased the productivity of the natural gas industry by allowing it to exploit previously inaccessible reservoirs. However, previous research has demonstrated that this practice can contaminate shallow aquifers with CH₄ [methane] from deeper formations. This study compares concentrations and isotope compositions of CH₄ sampled from domestic groundwater wells in Letcher County, Kentucky in order to characterize its occurrence and origins in relation to neighboring hydraulically fractured natural gas wells. Additionally, this study tests the reliability of ²²²Rn [radon] as an alternative tracer to CH₄ in identifying processes of gas …

Initiation Of Streamers From Thundercloud Hydrometeors And Implications To Lightning Initiation, Samaneh Sadighi

Theses and Dissertations

Electric field values measured inside thunderclouds have consistently been reported to be up to an order of magnitude lower than the value required for the conventional electrical breakdown of air. This result has made it difficult to explain how lightning frequently occurs in thunderclouds. One theory that has been offered to explain the lightning initiation process is the theory of lightning initiation from hydrometeors. According to this theory, lightning can be initiated from electrical discharges originating around thundercloud water or ice particles in the measured thundercloud electric field. These particles, called hydrometeors, can cause significant enhancement of the thundercloud electric …

2-Domination And Annihilation Numbers, Sean C. Patterson

Honors Theses

Using information provided by Ryan Pepper and Ermelinda DeLaVina in their paper On the 2-Domination number and Annihilation Number, I developed a new bound on the 2- domination number of trees. An original bound, γ₂(G) ≤ (n+n₁)/ 2 , had been shown by many other authors. Our goal was to generate a tighter bound in some cases and work towards generating a more general bound on the 2-domination number for all graphs. Throughout the span of this project I generated and proved the bound γ₂(T ) ≤ …

Relativistic And Non-Relativistic Proton-Nucleus Scattering, Kinsey Ann Elisabeth Zarske-Williamson

Honors Theses

Calculations for proton-nucleus scattering often rely on transition amplitudes. We implement new transition amplitudes [7] with the relativistic equations. We can find the matrix elements of the operators between the usual Dirac spinor basis or the helicity spinor basis. The operators can also be written as a linear combination of non-relativistic spin operators. To transform from one basis to another, we need to find a transformation matrix. We must establish what one of the factors that appears in the transformed expression means in order to correctly complete our transformation matrix. Once this is resolved, our transformation matrix will be complete.

Analysis Of The Mechanical Properties Of Dgebf/4,4’-Dds Thermoset Systems As A Function Of Cure Rate, Chase B. Thompson

Honors Theses

The relationship between macroscopic mechanical and thermal properties and ramp rate during cure of epoxy-amine systems consisting of the epoxide resin digylcidyl ether of bisphenol F (DGEBF, provided Hexion specialty chemicals) and 4,4-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (4,4-DDS, provided by Atul Sulpho) were probed using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS), and compression testing. These systems were cured in a programmable oven; the samples were heated from 35°C to 180°C at ramp rates of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10, and 15°C/min. Even as the ramp rates during the cure of these materials was changed, there was very little …