Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Dark And Quiet Skies Ii Working Group Reports:, James Lowenthal, Connie Walker, Piero Benvenuti

Astronomy: Faculty Publications

This Report presents the main results of the Conference “Dark and Quiet Skies for Science and Society II” which took place on-line on 3–7 October 2021. This conference was the logical follow-up of the first one, organized as an on-line workshop with the same title on 5–9 October 2020. Both conferences were co-organized by UNOOSA, IAU and the Government of Spain and were well attended. The focus of the second conference was about the feasibility of implementing the recommendations presented by the first one in its extensive report. The main qualifying difference between the first and the second conferences was …

Clinical Interactions In Electronic Medical Records Towards The Development Of A Token-Economy Model, Nicole Allison S. Co, Jason Limcaco, Hans Calvin L. Tan, Ma. Regina Justina E. Estuar, Christian E. Pulmano, Dennis Andrew Villamor, Quirino Sugon Jr, Maria Cristina G. Bautista, Paulyn Jean Acacio-Claro

Graduate School of Business Publications

The use of electronic medical records (EMRs) plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law which promises quality and affordable healthcare to all Filipinos. Consequently, the current adoption of EMRs should be studied from the perspective of the healthcare provider. As most studies look into use of EMRs by doctors or patients, there are very few that extend studies to look at possible interaction of doctor and patient in the same EMR environment. Understanding this interaction paves the way for possible incentives that will increase the use and adoption of the EMR. This study uses …

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Npl Site Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Measurements Of The Electron-Helicity Asymmetry In The Quasi-Elastic A ((E) Over Right Arrow, E' O) Process, T. Kolar, S. J. Paul, P. Achenbach, H. Arenhoevel, A. Ashkenazi, J. Beričič, R. Böhm, D. Bosnar, T. Brecelj, E. Cline, E. O. Cohen, M. O. Distler, A. Esser, I. Friščić, R. Gilman, C. Giusti, M. Heilig, M. Hoek, D, Izraeli, Steffen Strauch, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

We present measurements of the electron helicity asymmetry in quasi-elastic proton knockout from ²H and ¹²C nuclei by polarized electrons. This asymmetry depends on the fifth structure function, is antisymmetric with respect to the scattering plane, and vanishes in the absence of final-state interactions, and thus it provides a sensitive tool for their study. Our kinematics cover the full range in off-coplanarity angle θ_pq, with a polar angle θ_pq coverage up to about 8^◦. The missing energy resolution enabled us to determine the asymmetries for knock-out resulting in different states of the residual …

Artificial Intelligence Framework Identifies Candidate Targets For Drug Repurposing In Alzheimer’S Disease, Jiansong Fang, Pengyue Zhang, Quan Wang, Chien Wei Chiang, Yadi Zhou, Yuan Hou, Jielin Xu, Rui Chen, Bin Zhang, Stephen J. Lewis, James B. Leverenz, Andrew A. Pieper, Bingshan Li, Lang Li, Jeffrey Cummings, Feixiong Cheng

Brain Health Faculty Research

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous susceptibility loci for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, utilizing GWAS and multi-omics data to identify high-confidence AD risk genes (ARGs) and druggable targets that can guide development of new therapeutics for patients suffering from AD has heretofore not been successful. Methods: To address this critical problem in the field, we have developed a network-based artificial intelligence framework that is capable of integrating multi-omics data along with human protein–protein interactome networks to accurately infer accurate drug targets impacted by GWAS-identified variants to identify new therapeutics. When applied to AD, this approach integrates GWAS findings, …

Emory-Tibet Science Initiative: Changes In Monastic Science Learning Motivation And Engagement During A Six-Year Curriculum, Kelsey M. Gray, Cindy Achat-Mendes, Ann Cale Kruger, Tashi Lhamo, Rinchen Wangyal, Gelek Gyatso, Carol M. Worthman

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the initiative taken by the Tibetan Buddhist monastic community to connect with western science and scientists presents a unique opportunity to understand the motivations and engagement behaviors that contribute to monastic science learning. In this study, we draw on quantitative data from two distinct surveys that track motivations and engagement behaviors related to science education among monastic students. The first survey was administered at one monastic university in 2018, and the second follow-up survey was completed by students at two monastic universities in 2019. These surveys assessed the reception of science education related …

Can High Density, Short Duration Grazing Replace Fire In A South African Mesic Grassland?, N. M. Chonco, S. C. Nkuna

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

High density grazing (HDG), defined as the concentration of many livestock on a small area for a short period of time has become increasingly popular in the South African mesic grassland yet little is known about it impact. HDG is usually applied without fire, based on the assertion that it is a key contributor to desertification of grasslands. However, fire plays an important role in the development and growth of most South African mesic grassland plant species, as it stimulates resprouting and reduces competition for light. The aim of this study was to determine the impacts of high density grazing …

Assessment Of Rangeland Condition In A Dryland System Using Uav-Based Multispectral Imagery, V. Amputu, K. Tielbörger, N. Knox

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Dry savannahs are water-limited and under increasing anthropogenic pressure. Thus, considering climate change and the unprecedented pace and scale of rangeland deterioration, we need methods for assessing the status of such rangelands that are easy to apply, yield reliable and repeatable results that can be applied over large spatial scales. Global and local scale monitoring of rangelands through satellite data and labour-intensive field measurements respectively, are limited in accurately assessing the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of vegetation dynamics to provide crucial information that detects degradation in its early stages. Fortunately, newly emerging techniques such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), associated miniaturized sensors …

Back To The Roots - Do Traditional Maasai Management Strategies Work Towards Resilience Against Unpredictable Rainfall And Grazing Pressure In Northern Tanzania?, S. A. Baumgartner, A. C. Treydte

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Despite the importance for people´s livelihoods, many semi-arid African savannas are prone to heavy degradation due to overutilization by people, livestock and increased climate variability. Rangeland management, such as transhumance and deferred grazing systems, practiced by the Maasai in northern Tanzania, can be useful in combating the negative consequences of overuse and increasing rainfall variability. But little is known on how different rangeland regimes, practiced by the Maasai, impacts the productivity of these rangelands.

We collected data on regrowth rates under different rangeland management regimes (rainy season grazing land, dry season grazing land, and seasonal exclosures), different harvest rates (month, …

An Integrated Framework To Study Ecological Tipping Points In Social-Ecological Systems, F. A. Männer, L.-M. Schwarz, D. A. Menestrey-Schwieger, V. Amputu, M. C. Bilton, K. Brinkmann, G. Dressler, N. Hamunyela, H. Heita, S. Heshmati, S. Liehr, M. Mbidzo, F. Munyebvu-Chambara, W. C. Nesongano, M. Rauchecker, A. Sandhage-Hofmann, K. Tielbörger, K. Zimmer, A. Linstädter

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Sudden regime shifts or tipping points pose a major threat to various ecosystems and people's livelihoods worldwide. However, tipping points are still hard to predict and often occur without warning. To avoid dramatic social-ecological consequences, it is crucial to understand tipping point behaviour and to identify early warning indicators. Previous studies have hardly implemented an integrated social-ecological approach, which has led to a fragmented understanding and oversimplification of tipping point phenomena. Against this background, we present a systemic research framework that harmonizes ecological and social perspectives to gain a mechanistic understanding of tipping point behaviour. We utilize a social-ecological systems …

An Integrated Assessment And Management Optimization System For Grazinglands, D. Toledo, J. E. Herrick, S. Goslee, M. Sanderson

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Rangelands and pasturelands are often assessed using different methodologies. The Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health and Pasture Condition Scoring methodologies, two techniques used widely across the USA, were developed for rangelands and pasturelands respectively. These two grazingland assessment techniques were determined to be complementary and if integrated could provide an optimized approach to measure grazinglands without regards to specific use (i.e. range or pasture). We present an improved grazingland assessment protocol that merges indicators and attributes from Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health and Pasture Condition Scoring methodologies. This Integrated Grazingland Assessment (IGA) approach allows evaluators to assess site conditions and …

Information Bottleneck In Deep Learning - A Semiotic Approach, Bogdan Musat, Razvan Andonie

Computer Science Faculty Scholarship

The information bottleneck principle was recently proposed as a theory meant to explain some of the training dynamics of deep neural architectures. Via information plane analysis, patterns start to emerge in this framework, where two phases can be distinguished: fitting and compression. We take a step further and study the behaviour of the spatial entropy characterizing the layers of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), in relation to the information bottleneck theory. We observe pattern formations which resemble the information bottleneck fitting and compression phases. From the perspective of semiotics, also known as the study of signs and sign-using behavior, the saliency …

The Isocaloric Substitution Of Plant-Based And Animal-Based Protein In Relation To Aging-Related Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review, Jiali Zheng, Tianren Zhu, Guanghuan Yang, Longgang Zhao, Fangyu Li, Yong-Moon Park, Fred K. Tabung, Susan E. Steck Phd, Mph, Rd, Xiaoguang Li, Hui Wang

Faculty Publications

Plant-based and animal-based protein intake have differential effects on various aging-related health outcomes, but less is known about the health effect of isocaloric substitution of plant-based and animal-based protein. This systematic review summarized current evidence of the isocaloric substitutional effect of plant-based and animal-based protein on aging-related health outcomes. PubMed and Embase databases were searched for epidemiologic observational studies published in English up to 15 March 2021. Studies that included adults ≥18 years old; use of a nutritional substitution model to define isocaloric substitution of plant protein and animal protein; health outcomes covering mortality, aging-related diseases or indices; and reported …

The Use Of Microalgal Sourced Biodiesel To Help Underground Mines Transition To Battery Electric Vehicles, Corey A. Laamanen, Kyle Moreau, Sabrina M. Desjardins, Shannon H. Mclean, John A. Scott

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The use of fossil fuel sourced diesel underground has various associated health and environmental hazards, and additional energy demand and costs associated with necessary ventilation. One way to reduce these impacts is by utilizing a biodieselblend, which generates lower levels of harmful emissions from underground equipment and can be produced regionally, reducing the impact of transportation. Furthermore, this would help allow use of existing machinery during transition towards more widespread electrification underground. Therefore, the concept of an integrated supply and use chain within the mining industry is examined based on biodiesel from acidophilic photosynthetic microalgae cultivated using CO 2 in …

Investigating The Effectiveness Of A Ground Support System Implemented On Block A: A Case Study Of Southern Africa Metalliferous Mine, Kamogelo Manyelo, Peter Kolapo

Journal of Sustainable Mining

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the ground support systems that are planned to be implemented on Block A, which will be excavated through the Marikana fault zone. The block of ground being prepared for mining has been physically affected by the presence of the Marikana fault and is therefore geomechanically and geotechnically weaker than the normal stoping conditions on the rest of the shaft. Joint mapping conducted in Block A raiselines indicated that there is a high concentration of shallow dipping joints which are dipping in opposite directions. Such conditions present special challenges in the planned excavations …

Application Of Entropy Method For Estimating Factor Weights In Mining-Method Selection For Development Of Novel Mining-Method Selection System, Elsa Pansilvania Andre Manjate, Mahdi Saadat, Hisatoshi Toriya, Fumiaki Inagaki, Youhei Kawamura

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Mining-method selection (MMS) is one of the most critical and complex decisionmaking processes in mine planning. Therefore, it has been a subject of several studies for many years culminating with the development of different systems. However, there is still more to be done to improve and/or create more efficient systems and deal with the complexity caused by many influencing factors. This study introduces the application of the entropy method for feature selection, i.e., select the most critical factors in MMS. The entropy method is applied to assess the relative importance of the factors influencing MMS by estimating their objective weights …

Light-Driven Dynamics Between Calcification And Production In Functionally Diverse Coral Reef Calcifiers, Jennifer Mallon, Tyler Cyronak, Emily R. Hall, Anastazia T. Banaszak, Dan A. Exton, Adrian M. Bass

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Coral reef metabolism underpins ecosystem function and is defined by the processes of photosynthesis, respiration, calcification, and calcium carbonate dissolution. However, the relationships between these physiological processes at the organismal level and their interactions with light remain unclear. We examined metabolic rates across a range of photosynthesising calcifiers in the Caribbean: the scleractinian corals Acropora cervicornis, Orbicella faveolata, Porites astreoides, and Siderastrea siderea, and crustose coralline algae (CCA) under varying natural light conditions. Net photosynthesis and calcification showed a parabolic response to light across all species, with differences among massive corals, branching corals, and CCA that …

Iron Dysregulation In Covid-19 And Reciprocal Evolution Of Sars-Cov-2: Natura Nihil Frustra Facit, Yash Gupta, Dawid Maciorowski, Brian Medernach, Daniel P. Becker Ph.D., Ravi Durvasula, Claudia R. Libertin, Prakasha Kempaiah

Chemistry: Faculty Publications and Other Works

After more than a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infection rates with newer variants continue to devastate much of the world. Global healthcare systems are overwhelmed with high positive patient numbers. Silent hypoxia accompanied by rapid deterioration and some cases with septic shock is responsible for COVID-19 mortality in many hospitalized patients. There is an urgent need to further understand the relationships and interplay with human host components during pathogenesis and immune evasion strategies. Currently, acquired immunity through vaccination or prior infection usually provides sufficient protection against the emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 except Omicron variant requiring recent booster. New …

Analysis Of A Generalized Discrete Periodic Model For The Spread Of Wolbachia In A Mosquito Population, Alexandra Nicole Osgood Fedrigo

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

The Source Of Auroral Omegas, Heidi K. Nykyri, J.M. Weygand, Mostafa El-Alaoui

Publications

The auroral wave-like structures called “omega bands” appear within the post-midnight sector auroral oval with shapes resembling the Greek letter omega, and are typically associated with the recovery phase of substorms. Prior work and MHD simulations suggest both high speed earthward flows and postmidnight flow shears are possible omega band source mechanisms. However, what produces omega bands is not well understood. It is most likely that the paucity of concurrent magnetospheric data has limited our ability to understand fully the mechanism responsible for the generation of the omega bands. We have identified about 263 auroral omegas in seven different THEMIS …

Using A Stochastic Continuous-Time Markov Chain Model To Examine Alternative Timing And Duration Of The Covid-19 Lockdown In Kuwait: What Can Be Done Now?, Mustafa Al-Zoughool, Tamer Oraby, Harri Vainio, Janvier Gasana, Joseph C. Longenecker, Walid Al Ali, Mohammad Alseaidan, Susie Elsaadany, Michael G. Tyshenko

School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background

Kuwait had its first COVID-19 in late February, and until October 6, 2020 it recorded 108,268 cases and 632 deaths. Despite implementing one of the strictest control measures-including a three-week complete lockdown, there was no sign of a declining epidemic curve. The objective of the current analyses is to determine, hypothetically, the optimal timing and duration of a full lockdown in Kuwait that would result in controlling new infections and lead to a substantial reduction in case hospitalizations.

Methods

The analysis was conducted using a stochastic Continuous-Time Markov Chain (CTMC), eight state model that depicts the disease transmission and …

Transforming Science Into Practice, Janice Jiggins

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The space for action that might move agricultural systems toward sustainability is narrowing. In so far as increasing dis-order in agroecosystems and food systems is caused by human agency, then remedial action must take account of cognition. This article argues that an understanding of cognitive processes is essential, as the foundation for participatory R, D & E that builds platforms of cooperation, binding actors into communities of learning that are trasnforming both science and practice.

Technology Transfer And Education Training And Extension In Grassland Farming, K. G. Rickert

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Stakeholders in grassland farming, including farmers, rural communities, urban consumers, politicians, educators, and service agencies, widely agree that the goal for grassland farming is the triple bottom line: farming systems that are ecologically sustainable, profitable and socially acceptable. This paper considers how extension and training might contribute to that worthy goal by encouraging practitioners to better manage their management environment. The notion of a management environment refers to a holistic consideration of those factors that impact on farmers, farm advisors or educators, that subset of grassland farming ‘practitioners’ within the wider range of stakeholders.

The difficulty faced by these practitioners …

Gis-Based Forage Species Adaptation Mapping, David B. Hannaway, C. Daly, W. Gibson, G. Taylor, J. P. Bolte, I. Sriprisan, T. Griggs

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Selecting forage crops adapted to the climatic and edaphic conditions of specific locations is essential for economic sustainability and environmental protection. Yet, currently, proper selection is difficult due to the absence of advanced selection tools. Significant improvements are being made in the process through Geographic Information System (GIS)-based mapping. Climate and soil GIS layers are being matched with forage characteristics through rules describing species tolerances. Better matching will reduce economic risks and environmental hazards associated with sub-optimal crop selection and subsequent performance. Once developed, these forage crop selection strategies and tools can be adapted for use with other crops. A …

On Farm Riparian Grazing Demonstration, J. T. Green Jr., M. H. Poore, S. P. Morgan

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Two farm demonstrations were designed to show effects of periodic grazing of riparian areas. Sites were monitored for vegetative cover, degree of treading or hoof prints and dung deposition within three m of stream edge following grazing by beef cattle. A fenced enclosure was established along a 350 m stream reach on Farm-1, and eleven permanent stations were monitored following six graze periods over 12-months. Farm-2 involved grazing of two 0.13 ha paddocks, each of which contained a 22 m stream reach. On Farm-1 the cover improved following riparian exclusion, and evidence of treading in the 11 stations declined following …

Generating B-Nomial Numbers, Ji Young Choi

Communications on Number Theory and Combinatorial Theory

This paper presents three new ways to generate each type of b-nomial numbers: We develop ordinary generating functions, we find a whole new set of recurrence relations, and we identify each b-nomial number as a single binomial coefficient or as an alternating sum of products of two binomial coefficients.

Justice For Islands That Suffer Most: Stacy-Ann Robinson, Gerry Boyle

Colby Magazine

Robinson grew up in Jamaica and has seen the destruction levied on the island by extreme storms. A human geographer and assistant professor of environmental studies at Colby, Robinson has also seen firsthand the challenges faced by Jamaica and places like it as they try to obtain resources needed to cope with the brunt of climate change.

Technical Behaviours Of Child Sexual Exploitation Material Offenders, Chad Steel, Emily Newman, Suzanne O'Rourke, Ethel Quayle

Journal of Digital Forensics, Security and Law

An exploration of the technological behaviours of previously convicted child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) offenders provides a foundation for future applied research into deterrence, investigation, and treatment efforts. This study evaluates the technology choices and transitions of individuals previously convicted of CSEM offenses. Based on their inclusion in two sex offender registries, anonymous survey results (n=78) were collected from English-speaking adults within the United States. CSEM offenders chose technologies based on both utility and perceived risk; peer-to-peer and web-browsers were the most common gateway technologies and showed substantial sustained usage; a substantial minority of users never stored CSEM and only …

Vimentin Intermediate Filaments Mediate Cell Morphology On Viscoelastic Substrates, Maxx Swoger, Sarthak Gupta, Elisabeth E. Charrier, Michael Bates, Heidi Hehnly, Alison E. Patteson

Physics - All Scholarship

The ability of cells to take and change shape is a fundamental feature underlying development, wound repair, and tissue maintenance. Central to this process is physical and signaling interactions between the three cytoskeletal polymeric networks: F-actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments (IFs). Vimentin is an IF protein that is essential to the mechanical resilience of cells and regulates cross-talk among the cytoskeleton, but its role in how cells sense and respond to the surrounding extracellular matrix is largely unclear. To investigate vimentin’s role in substrate sensing, we designed polyacrylamide hydrogels that mimic the elastic and viscoelastic nature of in vivo tissues. …

Mgrre_Thinsections_Mgrre-23_2, Mgrre

Thin Sections

No abstract provided.