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Activity, Movement, and Reproductive Patterns of the Northern Giant Musk Turtle (Staurotypus Triporcatus) in Belize
No full textThe Northern Giant Musk Turtle (Staurotypus triporcatus), a near-threatened species native to southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and western Honduras, faces multiple environmental challenges, yet its activity patterns, movement patterns, and reproductive biology remain poorly understood. This thesis investigates both seasonal activity and reproductive cycles of female S. triporcatus in Belize. To assess diel and seasonal activity, I tracked 12 female turtles and collected data using activity loggers. I also collected movement data through radio-telemetry and acoustic tracking methods. Results indicated that the species is primarily nocturnal, with increased activity during the wet season, particularly during flooding events. Turtles moved significantly more during flooding, traveling nearly twice the daily distance compared to the dry season. Activity was influenced by temperature and depth, though seasonal depth use did not correlate with changes in activity levels. On the reproductive front, I used ultrasound imaging and radiographs to monitor cumulus-oocyte complex development and clutch characteristics in relation to the distinct wet and dry seasons of Belize. Vitellogenesis began in the wet season, and gravid females were first observed in September. Clutch size ranged from 4 to 11 eggs, with a positive correlation between egg size and clutch number. This research contributes valuable insights into the seasonal behavior and reproductive patterns of S. triporcatus, providing information for conservation strategies for this vulnerable species
Advancing Natural Resource Management Through Artificial Intelligence
No full textNatural aquatic systems are characterized by complex ecological processes and interactions occurring across multiple scales, and quantifying them is essential for proper management. However, managers often face decreasing budgets, increasing responsibilities, and limited staffing, resulting in challenges related to data prioritization, digitization, and management. While modern analytical technologies offer powerful tools, their effectiveness relies heavily on timely and accurate data input from diverse sources, including written, audio, and visual formats. Traditional data management practices are time-consuming, particularly due to the need for manual data verification. To address these challenges, innovative technologies leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)—including deep learning, machine learning, and neural networks— were evaluated for their potential to streamline data management. Three AI-powered prototypes were developed to automate the conversion of written, audio, and visual data to structured spreadsheets. Each prototype was tested using both small and large sets, including older datasets to assess improvements associated with software updates. Results demonstrate the utility of AI technologies to enhance data management efficiency and effectiveness, ultimately benefitting managers who oversee natural resources
Investigating the Presence of Individuality and Behavioral Syndromes in Northern Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus)
No full textWithin the last 15 ̶20 years, research on behavioral syndromes has seen a surge in prominence and popularity in behavioral ecology, revealing that many animals exhibit individually consistent behavioral tendencies. Behavioral syndromes occur when behavioral traits are correlated with one another within the same context or across different contexts. Despite new appreciation for the ecological, evolutionary, and conservation implications of behavioral syndrome data, the taxonomic breadth of studies is uneven. Snakes are underrepresented within squamate reptiles and, among venomous species, only two rattlesnakes (Crotalus) have been investigated for evidence of behavioral syndromes. My study investigates individuality and the presence of behavioral syndromes in a population of northern cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) across 4 behavioral axes (exploration, aggression, reactivity, and boldness). I used open field, feeding, predator response, and emergence experiments to record behaviors that represent each axis respectively for 14 lab-reared and one wild-caught individual. My results reveal consistency within individuals for behaviors related to all evaluated axes, but especially for measurements of exploration and predator responses. However, support for the presence of a behavioral syndrome was limited to weak evidence of a boldness/aggression syndrome. My results align with the findings of other studies in snakes finding only mild evidence to support presence of behavioral syndromes
AI-Driven Interatomic Potentials for Modeling Defective Gallium Oxide
No full textThis thesis presents a multiscale computational investigation into the atomic-scale mechanisms governing defect energetics and resistive switching in intrinsic and MgO-doped Ga₂O₃ systems, with a particular focus on the role of interposed MgO layers in memristive device architectures. By combining Density Functional Theory, Moment Tensor Potentials, and Molecular Dynamics simulations, the study captures both quantum-level accuracy and large-scale dynamical behavior. DFT calculations were used to compute total energies, atomic forces which served as training data for a Moment Tensor Potential capable of reproducing DFT-level precision while enabling simulations over nanosecond timescales and in supercells containing thousands of atoms. The trained MTP revealed that MgO doping enhances vacancy mobility by introducing local strain relief and energetically favorable diffusion pathways. Further ML-MTP simulations demonstrated that MgO atomic layers in interposed MgO/Ga₂O₃ structures promote vacancy diffusion by enabling bond angle reorganization and providing more compliant local environments under applied electric fields. These effects facilitate faster and more uniform conductive filament formation, contributing to improved switching speed, device yield, and endurance. The findings establish MTP as a powerful tool for modeling defect-driven phenomena in oxide electronics and highlight the critical role of atomic layer design, particularly MgO insertion in optimizing the structural and transport properties of sub-2 nm memristors
Sex-Specific Differential Gene Expression Following One Bout of Exercise in Mouse Hippocampus
No full textWhile the cognitive and neuroprotective benefits of chronic exercise are well-studied, the effects of acute exercise on hippocampal gene expression remain poorly understood, with limited data available on how sex and genotype influence these responses. This study investigated the hippocampal transcriptomic response following one and seven bouts of treadmill exercise in male and female C57 inbred and CFW outbred mice, with a focus on genes related to Alzheimer’s disease. RNA sequencing revealed activation of a core set of 16 immediate early genes (IEGs), including Egr4, Jun, Fos, Arc, and others, across all groups and both sexes. These IEGs were associated with enriched Gene Ontology (GO) terms related to transcription, learning, and memory in both sexes. Females exhibited a broader and more sustained transcriptional response. Notably, females showed strong upregulation of genes related to BDNF signaling, ribosomal activity, and mitochondrial metabolism, suggesting enhanced neuroplasticity and energy regulation following acute exercise. In contrast, males demonstrated a narrower transcriptional profile, with selective upregulation of cholinergic signaling (Chrm4) and GPCR pathways (Gnb3), indicating more targeted neuromodulatory adaptations. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) showed females enriched in biosynthetic and mitochondrial pathways, while males showed enrichment in neurotransmitter signaling networks. Regarding AD-related genes, outbred females (FT1, FT7) showed the most pronounced response, with significant upregulation of Bdnf and Hspa1a (Hsp70), downregulation of Apoe (FT7), and upregulation of Lrp2 (FT1), while inbred females (FN7) also showed increased Bdnf expression. In contrast, male mice (MN and MT groups) displayed minimal changes, with only Hspa1a reaching significance in MT1 and MT7, and no other AD-related genes showing significant differential expression. These findings reveal pronounced sex-specific differences in hippocampal gene expression following acute exercise, with females exhibiting a more comprehensive neuroplastic and metabolic response, while most genes associated with AD pathology remained unchanged. However, a few key genes, including Hsp70, Lrp2, and Apoe, showed significant expression changes in females
Constructing Hamiltonians Using a Wannier Basis Set to Study Localized Electronic Interactions Using a Variational Quantum Eigensolver
No full textIn this study, I demonstrate how Wannier basis sets can be used to construct a tight binding Hamiltonian that is localized in real space. This Hamiltonian can then be studied using the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE), which is able to extract the minimized energy of the system. Unlike Bloch functions, Wannier functions are localized in real space, allowing each Hamiltonian element to represent orbital overlaps between neighboring atomic orbitals. This locality enables a substantial reduction in the Hamiltonian’s size by including only the orbital projections that contribute meaningfully to localized interaction energies, such as those involved in adsorption. As a result, the number of qubits required for quantum simulation via VQE is significantly reduced, as the required number of qubits is equivalent to the dimension of the Hamiltonian matrix. This thesis provides background on Density Functional Theory (DFT) and details how maximally localized Wannier functions are constructed. The workflow is described comprehensively, from atomic structure preparation to the extraction of the Hamiltonian via wannierization. I specifically investigate how including/excluding specific projections allows one to reduce the Hamiltonian size and study specific orbital interactions inside a material. The implementation of the VQE algorithm is reviewed and finally, I show that the VQE successfully captures the energy landscape associated with OH molecule adsorption on an aluminum surface. This work highlights a scalable pathway for using quantum-classical hybrid algorithms to study localized interactions with quantum efficiency, paving the way for practical quantum simulations of complex materials phenomena
Correlates of Gacha Gaming
No full textThe purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between impulsive measures, income spending on gaming, and delayed discounting in a Gatha player sample. Two model approaches were employed: (1) a mediation model approach predicting delayed discounting with age and education level as mediators and (2) a multiple regression model predicting delayed discounting. Although the proposed models were exploratory, it was the contention of the author that these analyses would result in a better understanding of delayed discounting in Gacha gaming. Both age and education level were not correlated with the dependent variable (spending ratio), therefore the mediation model was not conducted. The hypothesized regression model suggested that multiple aspects of impulsivity and discounting affect spending ratio, but the result indicated the only necessary predictor is Discounting (b = 0.087, t (73) = 3.067, p = 0.003). Greater delayed discounting corresponded to making a more impulsive decision and seeking small-immediate reinforcement versus larger-delayed reinforcement. In concordance with this, greater discounting is associated with a range of behavioral risk disorders (e.g., substance abuse, gambling) as a result of impulsive decision-making. Assessing impulsive factors associated with delayed discounting in a unique population (Gacha gamers) and associated demographic variables should lend a better understanding of risky behavior as a function of money spent in Gacha gaming
Distribution of Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys Temminckii) in Oklahoma
No full textAlligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) have declined throughout much of their range, likely due to high hunting pressure and the proliferation of dams in the 20th century throughout the United States. In the western portion of the species’ range in Oklahoma, past population surveys found that its distribution had dwindled and become patchy, with few rivers supporting viable populations. The first objective of my study was to reassess the distribution of Macrochelys temminckii in the state. Borrowing insights from past survey efforts, I implemented a protocol designed to optimize detection rates by using preferred bait, restricting survey efforts to months when water temperatures are typically moderate, and conducting a level of search effort that minimizes risk of failing to detect small populations. Over the course of the survey, I captured M. temminckii at 14 of 22 sites, resulting in 174 captures of 148 unique individual M. temminckii. At one site where the species initially appeared to occur in abundance, I conducted a series of four survey efforts and used capture mark-recapture methods to estimate the population size to be 137 (95% CI: 84.6–190) individuals and density and biomass estimates of 37.9 M. temminckii per river km and 421 kg/km, respectively. Results from across all of the locations I surveyed filled in gaps in the known distribution of M. temminckii by detecting additional populations, as well as populations that had previously been determined to be extirpated. Chapter two of my research focused on turtle-leech interactions, specifically studying the distribution of the Smooth Turtle Leech (Placobdella parasitica) and Tuberculated Turtle Leech (P. multilineata) across turtle species and geographically across systems. I found that P. parasitica was far more abundant than its congener and exhibited a higher occupancy rate, prevalence, and leech load on Chelydra serpentina and Macrochelys temminckii than on any other species. However, P. parasitica occurred on all 9 species of turtles detected during my study while P. multilineata was observed on just 6 species. Patterns of prevalence across species may be influenced by phylogeny, morphology, and/or niche preferences of turtle hosts; more research is needed to determine the relative impact of these different factors
A Cadaver Story: Relationality in the Anatomy Laboratory
No full textCadavers in the human anatomy laboratory occupy a liminal social space, a circumstance that presents a variety of challenges for anatomy students. Cadavers are intended to be scientific objects for study, but their human status makes dissection uniquely challenging. Many of the obstacles to working in the laboratory result from discomfort experienced at the thought of cutting a person (i.e. a social being). In this project, I use ‘cadaver’ to indicate a category of being created in and for the anatomy laboratory. This is distinct from the more general ‘dead body’ in that the category cadaver enables emotional distance and helps students with the mental and emotional preparation required to do dissection. The ambiguity of the category cadaver permits students a choice when engaging with a dead body: they can view it as a person (a social entity) or a specimen (a scientific object). However, relevant literature demonstrates that rather than relying on one perspective, many students shift between perspectives. I use Bill Brown’s “thing theory” as a methodological framework to understand how students use the ambiguous nature of the cadaver to manage the challenges they encounter before and during dissection. After interviewing students regarding their experiences in the anatomy lab and complementing their responses with those of other anatomy students, I suggest that a cadaver is a unique kind of social entity with which students have a relationship that grows and changes through the actual work of dissection. Because the cadaver is simultaneously person and object, students are able to utilize the changeable nature of the cadaver to enable their work dissecting a human body and yet retain a sense of its personhood. I conclude with a few suggestions to better understand the cadaver as a relational being and the importance of doing so
See How He Loved Him : Lazarus of Bethany as the Beloved Disciple in the Gospel of John
No full textTraditionally, the “disciple whom Jesus loved” from the fourth of the Christian gospels has been identified as John the Apostle, one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus, since at least the late second century. In recent scholarship, however, this position has come increasingly under question. Questions of John the Apostle’s literacy and capacity to write the gospel and doubts about the veracity of the eyewitness claims in the gospel have shifted the landscape of scholarly inquiry. As such, a wide variety of alternative candidates have been proposed. This thesis puts forward Lazarus of Bethany as a serious candidate for the honor. Using textual evidence from within the gospel itself, it is clear that Lazarus as the Beloved Disciple explains the unique qualities of the gospel and offers a fresh and sensible perspective through which to view its complexities