Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Comparison Of Ketamine-Xylazine, Butorphanol-Azaperone-Medetomidine, And Nalbuphine-Medetomidine-Azaperone For Raccoon (Procyon Lotor) Immobilization, Shylo R. Johnson, Christine K. Ellis, Chad Wickham, Molly R. Selleck, Amy T. Gilbert

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are frequently handled using chemical immobilization in North America for management and research. In a controlled environment, we compared three drug combinations: ketamine-xylazine (KX), butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM), and nalbuphinemedetomidine- azaperone (NalMed-A) for raccoon immobilization. In crossover comparisons, raccoons received a mean of the following: 8.66 mg/kg ketamine and 1.74 mg/kg xylazine (0.104 mL/kg KX); 0.464 mg/kg butorphanol, 0.155 mg/kg azaperone, and 0.185 mg/kg medetomidine (0.017 mL/kg BAM); and 0.800 mg/kg nalbuphine, 0.200 mg/kg azaperone, and 0.200 mg/kg medetomidine (0.020 mL/kg NalMed-A). Induction time was shortest with KX (mean6SE, 10.060.7 min) and longest with NalMed-A (13.061.3 min). …

Distribution And Prevalence Of Antibodies To Trichinella Spp. And Toxoplasma Gondii In Wild Pigs (Sus Scrofa) In The United States, Christopher A. Cleveland, Ellen Haynes, Katherine C. Callaghan, Alinde Fojtik, Sarah Coker, Emily Doub, Vienna R. Brown, Ania A. Majewska, Michael J. Yabsley

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are a reservoir for over 100 viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens that are transmissible to humans, livestock, domestic animals, and wildlife in North America. Numerous historical local surveys and results from a nation-wide survey (2006–2010) indicated that wild pigs in the United States act as reservoirs for Trichinella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, two zoonotic pathogens of importance for human and animal health. Since that time, wild pig populations have expanded and increased in density in many areas. Population expansion of wild pigs creates opportunities for the introduction of pathogens to new areas …

Bridgewater Magazine, Volume 34, Number 1, Spring 2024, Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater Magazine

Lighting the Way: the nation's last lighthouse keeper and first woman in that role, Sally Snowman, '76. Also in this issue: The multiple sides of climate change; A program that helps students with an autism spectrum disorder or related social profile gain real-world experience; an article on Peter Weyand, G'88; Two decades of The Bridge; and eclipsing expectations: on-campus viewing event draws hundreds to BSU, observatory.

Predicting Telecommunication Customer Attrition Using The Hopfeld Neural Network Model., Benedict Kongyir, Emil Agbemade, Kelvin Njuki

Data Science and Data Mining

Customer churn prediction has become one of the crucial steps for customer retention. Telecommunication companies rely on loyal customers to make their proft. It is often very easy for customers to switch from one service provider to the other. To prevent or reduce the rate of customer attrition, there needs to be a model that can identify customers who are at risk of churning in the future in advance. Previous literature has shown that predictive models are efective in predicting customer churn. In this work, four tentative machine-learning models are built using data obtained from Kaggle on telecommunication customer attrition …

Enhancing Uptake Capability Of Green Carbon Black Recycled From Scrap Tires For Water Purification, Jiho Choi, Jihyun Kang, Huiseong Yang, Sangin Yoon, Jun-Hyun Kim, Hyun-Ho Park

Faculty Publications – Chemistry

This study reports on the highly simple fabrication of green carbon black (GCB) generated from scrap tires with acetic acid to improve the adsorption efficiency for water purification, which is thoroughly compared with conventional carbon black (CB) obtained from petrochemicals. Unlike traditional modification processes with strong acids or bases, the introduction of a relatively mild acid readily allowed for the effective modification of GCB to increase the uptake capability of metal ions and toxic organic dyes to serve as effective adsorbents. The morphological features and thermal decomposition patterns were examined by electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The surface functional …

Accretion Of Warm Chondrules In Weakly Metamorphosed Ordinary Chondrites And Their Subsequent Reprocessing, Alexander M. Ruzicka, Richard C. Hugo, Jon M. Friedrich, Michael Tyler Ream

Geology Faculty Datasets

To better understand chondrite accretion and subsequent processes, the textures, crystallography, deformation, and compositions of some chondrite constituents in ten lithologies of different cluster texture strength were studied in seven weakly metamorphosed (Type 3) and variably shocked ordinary chondrites (Ragland—LL3 S1, Tieschitz—H/L3 S1, NWA 5421—LL3 S2, NWA 5205—LL3 S2, NWA 11905—LL3-5 S3, NWA 5781—LL3 S3, NWA 11351—LL3-6 S4) using optical and electron microscopy and microtomography techniques. Results support a four-stage model for chondrite formation. This includes 1) limited annealing following collisions during chondrule crystallization and rapid cooling in space prior to accretion, as evidenced by olivine microstructures consistent with dislocation …

Complex Shadowed Set Theory And Its Application In Decision-Making Problems, Doaa Alsharo, Eman Abuteen, Abd Ulazeez M.J.S. Alkouri, Mutasem Alkhasawneh, Fadi M.A. Al-Zubi

All Works

Modern technology makes it easier to store datasets, but extracting and isolating useful information with its full meaning from this data is crucial and hard. Recently, several algorithms for clustering data have used complex fuzzy sets (CFS) to improve clustering performance. Thus, adding a second dimension (phase term) to the range of membership avoids the problem of losing the full meaning of complicated information during the decision-making process. In this research, the notion of the complex shadowed set (CSHS) was introduced and considered as an example of the three region approximations method simplifying processing with the support of CFS and …

Petrologic Relationship Between Lamprophyres, Carbonatites, And Heavy Rare-Earth Element Enriched Breccias At Hicks Dome, Jarek Trela, Jared T. Freiburg, Esteban Gazel, Laurence Nuelle, Anton H. Maria, David H. Malone, John M. Molinarolo

Faculty Publications-- Geography, Geology, and the Environment

New petrological, geochemical, and P–T modelling results from igneous samples clarify how carbonatite-lamprophyre magmatism, fluorite and rare earth element (REE) enrichment are petrogenetically related in southern Illinois. P–T modelling reveals that igneous rocks derive from a deep mantle carbonated source, that is consistent with trace element signatures for a fluorine-rich transition zone origin. Major element systematics suggests liquid-immiscibility with lamprophyric melts as the origin for Ca-carbonatites. Heavy REE (HREE) enrichments in Hicks Dome breccias likely formed through preferential partitioning and transport of HREE by brine-melts, exsolved from a deep carbonatite body. Brine-melts redistributed HREEs throughout the …

Long-Term Croplands Water Productivity In Response To Management And Climate In The Western Us Corn Belt, M. Khorchani, Tala Awada, M. Schmer, V. Jin, G. Birru, S.R.S. Dangal, Andrew E. Suyker, A. Freidenreich

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Our Community Legacy: What Oakville Will Our Children And Grandchildren Inherit, Lisa Kohler, Peter Schuler, Marsha Smith, Sundus Hussain, John Helliker, Herbert Sinnock, Caroline Holmes, Jonathan Mcneice, Trisha Henderson, Taline Mcphedran, Michael Salem

Publications and Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Climate Change's Effect On Flow Regime, Alexander Ialenti

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project will test to see if there is a percent increase in non-perennial streams sampled from 2003-2021. Using data provided by The Cleveland Metroparks, sampling events will be separated by date, flow regime classification, and rain data. Current literature supports the claim that many perennial streams, streams that flow year-round, will become non-perennial streams over time. This shift is predicted to be caused by a change in rain patterns. Both the interval between rain events and the intensity of rainfall per event are predicted to increase. My hypothesis is that there will be an increase in the percentage of …

Inpainting Program, Owen Culmer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Image processing is a quickly developing field of computer science, especially with the growth of computer vision and generative artificial intelligence. For my project, I focused on object removal, where a targeted object or area can be removed from a digital image. I first accomplished this by implementing a seam carving algorithm, where rows or columns of pixels called seams are removed from an image, that prioritizes the removal of seams that include targeted areas. I next explored a digital inpainting algorithm that would replace targeted areas, rather than removing them, in order to maintain the exact image dimensions and …

Robot-Based 3d Printing, Aaron Hoffman

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Details of a large-format 3D printer created to print experimental materials, test multi-axis print techniques, and quickly print large objects. The printer consists of a 7-axis robotic arm and pellet extruder, which are controlled by a PC. Experimental materials such as recycled polymers or carbon-fiber reinforced materials can be easily tested with the pellet format of the extruder. The printer can perform different printing techniques and can be used to experiment with material properties when using these techniques with different polymers. The print surface is around 5 times larger than the average commercial 3D printer, and the robotic arm provides …

A Comparison Of Lexical Tokenization Methods, Nathan Culmer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this project was to compare tokenization methods, or methods of breaking up a text into meaningful parts for use in natural language processing. The effectiveness of several commonly used tokenization methods were investigated, including morpheme tokenization, which takes into account the linguistic features of the language. In addition, I proposed and implemented a new technique to consider the capitalization pattern of a word in the tokenization process, in order to allow this process to include more natural language features. The effectiveness of these methods was compared by using them in a sentiment analysis model for various datasets, …

Ensemble Classification: An Analysis Of The Random Forest Model, Jarod Korn

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The random forest model proposed by Dr. Leo Breiman in 2001 is an ensemble machine learning method for classification prediction and regression. In the following paper, we will conduct an analysis on the random forest model with a focus on how the model works, how it is applied in software, and how it performs on a set of data. To fully understand the model, we will introduce the concept of decision trees, give a summary of the CART model, explain in detail how the random forest model operates, discuss how the model is implemented in software, demonstrate the model by …

Part Sm: Statistical Mechanics, Konstantin Likharev

Essential Graduate Physics

Includes: Review of Thermodynamics; Principles of Physical Statistics; Ideal and Not-So-Ideal Gases; Phase Transitions; Fluctuations; Elements of Kinetics

Part Qm: Quantum Mechanics, Konstantin Likharev

Essential Graduate Physics

Includes: Introduction; 1D Wave Mechanics; Higher Dimensionality Effects; Bra-ket Formalism; Some Exactly Solvable Problems; Perturbation Theories; Open Quantum Systems; Multiparticle Systems; Introduction to Relativistic Quantum Mechanics; Making Sense of Quantum Mechanics

Part Em: Classical Electrodynamics, Konstantin Likharev

Essential Graduate Physics

Includes: Electric Charge Interaction; Charges and Conductors; Polarization of Dielectrics; DC Currents; Magnetism; Time-Dependent Electromagnetism; Electromagnetic Wave Propagation; Radiation, Scattering, Interference, and Diffraction; Special Relativity; Radiation by Relativistic Charges

Part Cm: Classical Mechanics, Konstantin Likharev

Essential Graduate Physics

Includes: Review of Fundamentals; Lagrangian Formalism; A Few Simple Problems; Oscillations; From Oscillations to Waves; Rigid Body Motion; Deformations and Elasticity; Fluid Mechanics; Deterministic Chaos; A Bit More of Analytical Mechanics

Stage And Discharge Prediction From Documentary Time-Lapse Imagery, Kenneth W. Chapman, Troy E. Gilmore, Mehrube Mehrubeoglu, Christian D. Chapman, Aaron R. Mittelstet, John E. Stranzl Jr.

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Imagery from fixed, ground-based cameras is rich in qualitative and quantitative information that can improve stream discharge monitoring. For instance, time-lapse imagery may be valuable for filling data gaps when sensors fail and/or during lapses in funding for monitoring programs. In this study, we used a large image archive (> 40,000 images from 2012 to 2019) from a fixed, ground-based camera that is part of a documentary watershed imaging project (https://plattebasintimelapse.com/). Scalar image features were extracted from daylight images taken at one-hour intervals. The image features were fused with United States Geological Survey stage and discharge data as …

College Algebra, Leslie Bain

ATU Faculty OER Book Reviews

Review of OER College Algebra textbook by Carl Stitz, available at https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/college-algebra

Cold-Season Precipitation Sensitivity To Microphysical Parameterizations: Hydrologic Evaluations Leveraging Snow Lidar Datasets, W. J. Rudisill, A. N. Flores, H. P. Marshall, E. Siirila-Woodburn, D. R. Feldman, A. M. Rhoades, Z. Xu, A. Morales

Geosciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cloud microphysical processes are an important facet of atmospheric modeling, as they can control the initiation and rates of snowfall. Thus, parameterizations of these processes have important implications for modeling seasonal snow accumulation. We conduct experiments with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF V4.3.3) Model using three different microphysics parameterizations, including a sophisticated new scheme (ISHMAEL). Simulations are conducted for two cold seasons (2018 and 2019) centered on the Colorado Rockies’ ∼750-km² East River watershed. Precipitation efficiencies are quantified using a drying-ratio mass budget approach and point evaluations are performed against three NRCS SNOTEL stations. Precipitation and meteorological outputs …

Environmental Restoration Intern, Chloe Alexis Bibb

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This city program runs community restoration work parties every Saturday from September to June, where citizens can volunteer their time to participate in local restoration efforts in city parks. The projects usually consist of invasive species removal and native species planting, but occasionally other opportunities are present. The role of the intern in this position requires setting up these work parties and assisting in running them. Interns are also expected to help volunteers with any related questions and use their education and expertise in environmental topics.

Chemical Control Of Turfgrass Diseases 2024, Bruce B. Clarke, Paul Vincelli, Paul Koch, Ming-Yi Chou

Agriculture and Natural Resources Publications

Turfgrasses under intensive management are often subject to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Diseases usually are most damaging when weather or cultural conditions favor the disease-causing agent but not plant growth and vigor. Cultural conditions that predispose turfgrass to diseases include close mowing, inadequate or excessive fertility, light or frequent irrigation, excessive thatch, poor drainage, and shade. Good turf management practices often greatly reduce the impact of disease by promoting healthy plants that are better able to resist infections. Even under good management, however, diseases sometimes cause excessive damage to highly managed turfgrasses. The proper use of fungicides in these instances, …

A Petrographic And Geochemical Study Of The Rangataua Lava Flows, Mount Ruapehu, Aotearoa New Zealand, Lucy Smith

Scripps Senior Theses

Mount Ruapehu is a large stratovolcano on the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. The Rangataua lava flow is situated on the southern flanks of Ruapehu, and extends for 15-16 km. The flow is of andesite composition and comprised of three units: proximal, medial and distal. Mount Ruapehu is both scientifically and culturally significant.

Geochemical analyses of 13 whole rock samples, Electron Microprobe analyses of three polished thin sections, and geothermobarometry calculations were conducted to obtain data on pre-eruptive intensive parameters. Petrographic observations were used to investigate disequilibrium textures and shed light on magma chamber processes.

Results of this study …

Geographically Dependent Thermodynamic And Geochemical Evolution In The Post-Batholith Upper Mantle Beneath The Sierra Nevada: Analysis Of The Blue Knob Xenoliths, Eleanor Ruos

Scripps Senior Theses

Xenoliths entrained in recent (Miocene) volcanics from the Sierra Nevada provide insights into a continuously evolving upper mantle during post-batholith generation periods (early Cenozoic–present). Hypothesized mantle refertilization followed by subsequent delamination of the lithospheric root beneath the Sierra provides a contextual framework for analyzing how the upper mantle responds to such events. This study contributes new geochemical data from the ultramafic xenoliths of Blue Knob, including bulk-rock major and trace element data, thin-section petrography, mineral chemistry and thermobarometry, and oxygen isotopes (delta¹⁸O). Blue knob (Eastern Sierra) data are compared to previous works on xenoliths from Chinese Peak and …

Activation Of Hydrogen By Sterically Modulated Coinage Metal Catalysts Via Mutual Quenching Of Hard/Soft Acid/Base Mismatches, Zach Leibowitz

Honors Projects

To mitigate the devastating environmental impacts of climate change in the coming decades, it is imperative that we replace the use of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric. As these renewable energy sources are inherently intermittent, there exists a need for sustainable mechanisms to store renewable energy for later use. While the direct use of dihydrogen (H₂) as a combustible fuel would allow for energy storage without the harmful release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) upon combustion, the practicality of H₂ as a synthetic fuel is limited by its low …

Basins Of Attraction And Metaoptimization For Particle Swarm Optimization Methods, David Ma

Honors Projects

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a metaheuristic optimization method that finds near- optima by spawning particles which explore within a given search space while exploiting the best candidate solutions of the swarm. PSO algorithms emulate the behavior of, say, a flock of birds or a school of fish, and encapsulate the randomness that is present in natural processes. In this paper, we discuss different initialization schemes and meta-optimizations for PSO, its performances on various multi-minima functions, and the unique intricacies and obstacles that the method faces when attempting to produce images for basins of attraction, which are the sets of …

Fall Forward, Spring Back: Drivers Of Synchrony In The Sea Star Crawl-Bounce Gait Transition, Brady R. Nichols

Honors Projects

The Froude number is the ratio of kinetic energy to gravitational potential energy used during locomotion and is often used to analyze gait transitions. Here, I compare and contrast the human walk-run gait transition, which occurs at a consistent Froude number of 1 because there exists a mechanical speed limit to walking, and the sea star crawl-bounce gait transition, which occurs around Froude numbers of 1*10^-3. In this thesis I investigate why sea stars exhibit two gaits despite lacking brains and moving at Froude numbers far below other known gait transitions, hypothesizing (1) that the crawl-bounce transition may be mechanical …

Tropical Fish Study In Tahiti, French Polynesia, Miranda Brainard, Caitlyn Swango, Paityn Houglan, Richard Londraville

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In May of 2023, I embarked on an exciting research journey to Moorea, French Polynesia, alongside fellow students and faculty members from the University of Akron and Syracuse University. This expedition was part of the university-sponsored Tropical Vertebrate Biology course, where we delved into the exploration of various tropical species inhabiting the island, including sea urchins, geckos, and my primary focus, the blackspotted rockskipper.

My research team, composed of my co-authors and me, was particularly intrigued by the unique refuge-seeking behavior displayed by blackspotted rockskippers. These amphibious fish are renowned for their remarkable ability to inhabit tide pools and rocky …