Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Characterizing Carbon In Agricultural Landscapes, Lauren Ann Weller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important pillar of soil fertility and ecosystem health. However, uncertainty exists both in the evaluation of agricultural conservation measures for specific local contexts and the sensitivity of the analytical tools used. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to characterize organic matter from agricultural soils, focusing specifically on addressing field- and analytically based uncertainties associated with the ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy of water-extractable organic matter (WEOM), and using the clay-dominated soils of Essex County as a case study. Here I explored optical spectroscopy properties across a gradient of agricultural practices and restoration to …

Energy Analysis For Neutron Induced Ternary Fission Events In The Niffte Fission Time Projection Chamber, Vanessa Aguilar

Physics

In this paper, energy analyses were made for investigating ternary fission in neutron-induced fission of U235 and U238 using the Neutron Induced Fission Fragment Tracking Experiment (NIFFTE) collaboration’s fission time projection chamber (TPC) data. The Neutron kinetic energy was calculated from neutron time of flight (nToF) for energy ranges of 0.1 to 32 MeV. Along with this, the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) software was used to simulate alphas going through an argon gas target in order to calibrate observed energy loss of alphas from ternary fission.

Extreme Winds Alter Influence Of Fuels And Topography On Megafire Burn Severity In Seasonal Temperate Rainforests Under Record Fuel Aridity, Cody Evers, Andres Holz, Sebastian Upton Busby, Max Nielsen-Pincus

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Nearly 0.8 million hectares of land were burned in the North American Pacific Northwest (PNW) over two weeks under record-breaking fuel aridity and winds during the extraordinary 2020 fire season, representing a rare example of megafires in forests west of the Cascade Mountains. We quantified the relative influence of weather, vegetation, and topography on patterns of high burn severity (>75% tree mortality) among five synchronous megafires in the western Cascade Mountains. Despite the conventional wisdom in climate-limited fire regimes that regional drivers (e.g., extreme aridity, and synoptic winds) overwhelm local controls on vegetation mortality patterns (e.g., vegetation structure and …

Computing Group-By And Aggregate In Massively Parallel Systems, Chengcheng Mou

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The semiconductor industry has mainly exploited two routes for designing microprocessors. The multi-core route aims to speed up the performance of latency-oriented processing. In contrast, the many-thread route concentrates on throughput-oriented improvement of parallel processing. Many-thread microprocessors, such as Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), are leading the computing capability for this past a decade. According to the current hardware market, at the similar price range, the ratio of peak computing power between multi-core CPUs and many-thread GPUs is up to 15X. This large performance gap on data processing has motivated many practitioners in database community to exploit computation-intensive parts on GPU …

Empirical And Modeled Δ13c And Δ15n Isoscapes In The Gulf Of Mexico And Their Application To Fish Eye Lens Migration Studies, Brianna Michaud

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Isoscapes are depictions of the spatial patterns of isotopic values in a given area. Isoscapes can be created using measurements form samples (empirical isoscapes) or using statistical models of spatial isotopic variation (modeled isoscapes). Isoscapes have a wide variety of potential applications though, in the realm of marine ecology, they are most often used infer ecological processes, food web linkages, the origin of samples, and the movements of marine organisms.

However, to use isoscapes for these applications, it is necessary to have isoscapes at spatial scales relevant to the application in question. It is also necessary to have isoscapes that …

Characterization Of Particulate Matter Species In An Area Impacted By Aggregate And Limestone Mining North Of San Antonio, Tx, Usa, Amit U. Raysoni, Esmeralda Mendez, August Luna, Joe Collins

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

Aggregate and limestone mining in San Antonio's Bexar and Comal counties in Texas, USA, has caused considerable health concerns as of late. Aggregate mining actions can result in localized air quality issues in any neighborhood. Furthermore, heavy truck traffic, hauling, and transportation of the mined material contribute to pollution. In this research, PM species were sampled at four locations north of the San Antonio city limits. The data were collected using a TSI Air Quality Sampler that sampled PM1, PM2.5, PM4, PM10, wind speed, wind direction, temperature, and relative humidity. Continuous data with 1 min averages were recorded during the …

Development And Assessment Of An Environmental Dna (Edna) Assay For A Cryptic Siren (Amphibia: Sirenidae), Krista M. Ruppert, Drew R. Davis, Md Saydur Rahman, Richard J. Kline

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

Environmental DNA (eDNA) assays have become a major aspect of surveys for aquatic organisms in the past decade. These methods are highly sensitive, making them well-suited for monitoring rare and cryptic species. Current efforts to study the Rio Grande Siren in southern Texas have been hampered due to the cryptic nature of these aquatic salamanders. Arid conditions further add to the difficulty in studying this species, as many water bodies they inhabit are ephemeral, sometimes constraining sampling efforts to a short window after heavy rain. Additionally, sirens are known to cease activity and reside underground when ponds begin to dry …

Cooperative Allosterism In Avidin And Streptavidin Upon Biotin Binding As Observed By Changes In Intrinsic Fluorescence, Alycia Murphy

Celebration of Scholarship 2022

Avidin is a homotetrameric protein known for its high binding affinity and specificity for biotin which gives it great functionality in many biotech applications. Prior research on the bacterial analog, streptavidin found cooperative allosterism exhibited in the binding process. This research was aimed at investigating whether this same cooperative allosterism accompanies the binding of biotin to avidin. This work measured intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence as biotin was titrated into avidin. A blueshift in the wavelength of maximum fluorescence as well as quenching of the overall fluorescence intensity, similar to the streptavidin was observed. The saturation point for 335 nm emission (tryptophans …

Examining The Optical Properties Of Monosodium Urate For The Detection Of Gout Using A Magneto-Optical Device (Mod), Victoria Marino

Celebration of Scholarship 2022

The purpose of this research was to quantify the magnetooptical properties of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals that would allow for an easy diagnosis using a magneto-optical device (MOD). Characterization of these magnetic and optical properties was achieved by measuring the transmitted light intensity of a laser shining through a sample of monosodium urate with or without an applied (static) magnetic field. Using our theoretical model under the simplifying assumption that absorption is dominant, we determined that the extinction cross-section is σ𝑥 = 0.0127 cm3 /μg and we determined σ𝑧 using two different relationships which gave two distinctly different values. Due …

Block Copolymer Directed Self-Assembly: Exploring The Efficacy Of Applications In Semiconductor Fabrication, Jakin Bryce Delony

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Over the course of the past 80 years, semiconductor devices have become increasingly ubiquitous in everyday life.From constructing mainframes that encompassed entire rooms during the 1940s, to inventing personal computers in the 1980s, to developing progressively faster smartphones and wearable technology in the 2010s, the primary driving force behind the Digital Revolution has been increasing transistor counts, and thus computing power, via incremental improvements in optical lithography. In 1965, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore boldly predicted that the transistor density of semiconductor devices would double approximately every 18-24 months. While this prediction -- now colloquially referred to as Moore's Law -- …

Relationships Among The Community Of Inquiry, Achievement Emotions, And Academic Achievement In Asynchronous Online Learning In Higher Education, David H. Tai

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research aimed to investigate how achievement emotions predict, mediate, and affect academic achievement in online learning. Online learning has been proliferating, but little is known about how emotion mediates cognition in the Community of Inquiry framework. Recent progress in cognitive neuroscience provided the theoretical foundation for researchers to investigate emotion's role in online learning, especially academic achievement. The researcher of this study adopted a quantitative non-experimental research design to investigate how achievement emotions mediated, predicted, and affected academic achievement in the Community of Inquiry framework. The Partial Least Square Structure Equation Modeling (PLS- SEM) method was adopted for statistical …

Quandles That Are Knot Quandles, Jason Haskell

All NMU Master's Theses

There are many papers that introduce the relationship between knots and quandles which are written tersely and focus mainly on applications or implications. Here, we will take time to explain in depth how to derive quandles from oriented knots. Starting with an rigorous introduction to what a knot is and what a quandle is, we will also define the Fundamental Quandle of a knot and the relationship between colorings of a knot and the homomorphisms from an arbitrary quandle to a Fundamental Quandle. Then using this foundation, we will examine two sets of knots that produce quandles that contain subquandles …

Phosphorus And Metal Cycling In A Drinking Water Source, Amanda Modica

Senior Theses and Projects

This project sought to investigate the cycling of phosphorus and metals in Lake Auburn, a drinking water source, specifically to analyze the impacts of an alum treatment on the lake for the purpose of decreasing concentrations of eutrophication-promoting phosphorus. The alum addition was performed in the summer of 2019 in two phases. Water samples were collected from the surface to the deepest point at five sites around the lake from February 2019 to November 2021. Data showed that the added alum slowly sank to the bottom of the lake. Total and dissolved metals data showed increased metals concentrations at sampling …

Constructing The Eastern Coyote: A Temporal Analysis Of The Scientific And Social Production Of A Controversial Northeastern Canid, Kayleigh Moses

Senior Theses and Projects

Eastern coyotes (Canis latrans var) have confounded the scientific and social boundaries established by postcolonial United States. The first eastern coyote specimen on record comes from Otis, Massachusetts in 1957. At the time, this unknown and unnamed wolf-like creature sparked fear amongst human residents of the Northeastern United States. Threatened by the presence of this predator, Northeasterners launched coyote killing efforts similar to the eradication campaigns that had previously failed in the Western United States. Today, Massachusetts officials estimate that 11,500 eastern coyotes occupy the state, living amongst people and pets in every county. This abundance of eastern …

Honey As A Biomonitor For Air Pollutant Deposition In The Eastern United States Using Ion Chromatography And Scanning Electron Microscopy, Cole Cochran

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Anthropogenic activities generate metal, acid, and particulate air pollutants which negatively impact human and ecological health. In the United States, power plant, industrial, and vehicle emissions are leading causes of air pollution, however, the measurement of air pollution at high-resolution spatial regimes remains a challenge. Honey has emerged as a powerful biomonitoring tool to effectively quantify contaminants without the need for a large array of monitoring instruments. I hypothesized that honey could be used to effectively measure and map modern air pollutant spatiotemporal relationships over the Eastern U.S. Using ion chromatography with sulfate as an indicator for air pollution and …

Conformal Symmetries Of The Energy–Momentum Tensor Of Spherically Symmetric Static Spacetimes, Ugur Camci, Khalid Saifullah

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Conformal matter collineations of the energy–momentum tensor of a general spherically symmetric static spacetime are studied. The general form of these collineations is found when the energy–momentum tensor is non-degenerate, and the maximum number of independent conformal matter collineations is 15. In the degenerate case of the energy–momentum tensor, it is found that these collineations have infinite degrees of freedom. In some subcases of degenerate energy– momentum, the Ricci tensor is non-degenerate, that is, there exist non-degenerate Ricci inheritance collineations.

Reimagining Near-Earth Space Policy In A Post-Covid World, John C. Barentine, Jessica Heim, Aparna Venkatesan, James Lowenthal, Monica Vidaurri

Astronomy: Faculty Publications

Our planet and our species are at an existential crossroads. In the long term, climate change threatens to upend life as we know it, while the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic revealed that the world is unprepared and ill-equipped to handle acute shocks to its many systems. These shocks exacerbate the inequities and challenges already present prior to COVID in ways that are still evolving in unpredictable directions. As weary nations look toward a post-COVID world, we draw attention to both the injustice and many impacts of the quiet occupation of near-Earth space, which has rapidly escalated during this time of global …

Search For Gravitational Waves Associated With Gamma-Ray Bursts Detected By Fermi And Swift During The Ligo–Virgo Run O3b, Ligo Scientific Collaboration, Virgo Collaboration, Kagra Collaboration, Tiffany Z. Summerscales

Faculty Publications

We search for gravitational-wave signals associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the Fermi and Swift satellites during the second half of the third observing run of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo (2019 November 1 15:00 UTC–2020 March 27 17:00 UTC). We conduct two independent searches: a generic gravitational-wave transients search to analyze 86 GRBs and an analysis to target binary mergers with at least one neutron star as short GRB progenitors for 17 events. We find no significant evidence for gravitational-wave signals associated with any of these GRBs. A weighted binomial test of the combined results finds no evidence …

Towards Semiconductor Nanorods With Nickel/Iron Cocatalyst., Kehinde Ayorinde

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The adverse effects associated with the utilization of fossil fuels has led to the need to provide an alternative cleaner energy. Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction via water splitting provides a renewable pathway to generating energy. Our photocatalyst system includes a semiconductor component (CdSe/CdS core/shell nanorods) to capture light and an attached metal (cocatalyst) for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Platinum is an effective metal catalyst for this reaction due to strong proton binding energy that easily facilitates the reduction of water to produce hydrogen gas. However, due to the high cost of platinum, there is a need to find a less …

Reinforcement Learning With Deep Q-Networks, Caleb Cassady

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

In the past decade, machine learning strategies centered on the use of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have caught the interest of researchers due to their success in complicated classification and prediction problems. More recently, these DNNs have been applied to reinforcement learning tasks with state of- the-art results using Deep Q-Networks (DQNs) based on the Q-Learning algorithm. However, the DQN training process is different from standard DNNs and poses significant challenges for certain reinforcement learning environments. This paper examines some of these challenges, compares proposed solutions, and offers novel solutions based on previous research. Experiment implementation available at https://github.com/caleb98/dqlearning.

Semantic Completeness Of Intuitionistic Predicate Logic In A Fully Constructive Meta-Theory, Ian Ray

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A constructive proof of the semantic completeness of intuitionistic predicate logic is explored using set-generated complete Heyting Algebra. We work in a constructive set theory that avoids impredicative axioms; for this reason the result is not only intuitionistic but fully constructive. We provide background that makes the thesis accessible to the uninitiated.

K-Means Clustering Using Gravity Distance, Ajinkya Vishwas Indulkar

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Clustering is an important topic in data modeling. K-means Clustering is a well-known partitional clustering algorithm, where a dataset is separated into groups sharing similar properties. Clustering an unbalanced dataset is a challenging problem in data modeling, where some group has a much larger number of data points than others. When a K-means clustering algorithm with Euclidean distance is applied to such data, the algorithm fails to form good clusters. The standard K-means tends to split data into smaller clusters during a clustering process evenly.

We propose a new K-means clustering algorithm to overcome the disadvantage by introducing a different …

Autonomous Eco-Driving With Traffic Light And Lead Vehicle Constraints: An Application Of Best Constrained Interpolation, Yara Hazem Mohamed Mahmoud

Masters Theses

Eco-Driving is a critical technology for improving automotive transportation efficiency. It is achieved by modifying the driving trajectory over a particular route to minimize required propulsion energy. Eco-Driving can be approached as an optimal control problem subject to driving constraints such as traffic lights and positions of other vehicles. Best interpolation in a strip is a problem in approximation theory and optimal control. The solution to this problem is a cubic spline. In this research we demonstrate the connection between Eco-Driving and best interpolation in the strip. By exploiting this connection, we are able to generate optimal Eco-Driving trajectories that …

Improving Feature Generalizability With Multitask Learning In Class Incremental Learning, Dong Ma, Chi Ian Tang, Cecilia Mascolo

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Many deep learning applications, like keyword spotting [1], [2], require the incorporation of new concepts (classes) over time, referred to as Class Incremental Learning (CIL). The major challenge in CIL is catastrophic forgetting, i.e., preserving as much of the old knowledge as possible while learning new tasks. Various techniques, such as regularization, knowledge distillation, and the use of exemplars, have been proposed to resolve this issue. However, prior works primarily focus on the incremental learning step, while ignoring the optimization during the base model training. We hypothesise that a more transferable and generalizable feature representation from the base model would …

A False Sense Of Security - Organizations Need A Paradigm Shift On Protecting Themselves Against Apts, Srinivasulu R. Vuggumudi

Masters Theses & Doctoral Dissertations

Organizations Advanced persistent threats (APTs) are the most complex cyberattacks and are generally executed by cyber attackers linked to nation-states. The motivation behind APT attacks is political intelligence and cyber espionage. Despite all the awareness, technological advancements, and massive investment, the fight against APTs is a losing battle for organizations. An organization may implement a security strategy to prevent APTs. However, the benefits to the security posture might be negligible if the measurement of the strategy’s effectiveness is not part of the plan. A false sense of security exists when the focus is on implementing a security strategy but not …

Leaderboard Design Principles Influencing User Engagement In An Online Discussion, Brian S. Bovee

Masters Theses & Doctoral Dissertations

Along with the popularity of gamification, there has been increased interest in using leaderboards to promote engagement with online learning systems. The existing literature suggests that when leaderboards are designed well they have the potential to improve learning, but qualitative investigations are required in order to reveal design principles that will improve engagement. In order to address this gap, this qualitative study aims to explore students' overall perceptions of popular leaderboard designs in a gamified, online discussion. Using two leaderboards reflecting performance in an online discussion, this study evaluated multiple leaderboard designs from student interviews and other data sources regarding …

Sacred Scavengers: Vulture Conservation In Nepal, Hans Nedde

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In the 1990s, a veterinary drug used to treat pain and disease in cattle nearly brought the nine vulture species of Nepal to extinction. In a span of 15 years, over 97% of vultures in Nepal perished. For the past 20 years, governments, organizations, and communities have been working together to save these vital scavengers from vanishing. From the lowlands to the Himalayas, vultures have been interacting with the environment and humans for millennia. This study explores the role that vultures play both ecologically and culturally in Nepal. It investigates vultures as a crucial ecological influence and how human action …

Using Remote Sensing Technologies In Relocating Lubrak Village And Visualizing Flood Damages, Ronan Wallace

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As weather patterns change across the world, there are communities impacted by climate change that are left unnoticed. In the Himalayan mountain range, communities have suffered, experiencing an increase in flash flooding and droughts. For Lubrak Village in Lower Mustang, the community faces the threats of flash flooding. Over the last ten years, the amount of flash flooding has increased, occurring more than once each monsoon season. After every flood, concrete-like sediment is left behind, hardening across the riverbed and increasing its elevation. As the riverbed elevation increases, this sediment encroaches on Lu-brak Village’s agricultural fields and ancient mud buildings, …

“La Ultra Periferia De Un País Periférico”: La Política Estratégica Litífera En Jujuy: Los Objetivos, Los Instrumentos, Y Los Desafíos / The Ultra Periphery Of A Periphery Country: The Strategic Policy Towards Lithium In Jujuy: The Objectives, The Instruments, And The Challenges, Max Kaye

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

La transición energética hizo cobrar nueva importancia a los yacimientos metalíferos y no metalíferos y generó un nuevo patrón de demanda, especialmente para el caso del litio. Los actores importantes en la cadena de valor de las baterías de ion-litio intensificaron su control sobre cada etapa de sus negocios, y las políticas de los países abundantes en litio son cruciales para determinar cómo afecta a sus territorios esta carrera por el litio. Jujuy, una provincia que podría considerarse periférica de la Argentina, declaró el litio como un recurso estratégico en 2011. La provincia creó ciertos instrumentos para ejercer mayor control …

Héroes Anónimos: La Relación Entre La Gente Y Las Plantas Nativas En Río Grande, Argentina, Rachel Elliott

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Este estudio fue realizado para la Fundación Estepa Viva, Naturaleza y Ciudadanía con el fin de entender mejor cómo lxs residentes se relacionan con las plantas nativas y dónde ellas están ubicadas dentro de la ciudad de Río Grande, Argentina. Un total de 52 manzanas en 10 zonas de la ciudad fueron muestreadas en busca de 5 especies nativas clave: la lenga (Nothofagus pumilio), el ñire (Nothofagus antarctica), el guindo (Nothofagus betuloides), la mata negra (Chiliotrichum rosmarinifolium), and el calafate (Berberis microphylla). Además, se realizaron 50 entrevistas y se creó un mapa interactivo. Se observó que las plantas eran poco …