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Two-dimensional materials at the nanoscale; Rolling C60 on Graphyne
No full textObservation method was the data collection methodology.The motion of a fullerene (C60) on 5 different types of graphyne is studied by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and compared with former studies on the motion of C60 on graphene. The motion shows a diffusive behavior which consists of either a continuous motion or discrete movements between trapping sites depending on the type of the graphyne sheet. For graphyne-4 and graphyne-5, fullerenes could detach from the surface of the graphyne sheet at room temperature which was not reported for similar cases on graphene sheets. Collective motion of a group of fullerenes interacting with a graphyne studied and it is shown that fullerenes exhibit stable assemblies. Depending on the type of graphyne, these assemblies can have either single or double layers. The mobility of the assembled structures is also dependent on the type of the graphyne sheet. The observed properties of the motion suggests novel applications for the complexes of fullerene and monolayer graphynes
THE OVERALL USE OF GENETIC AND GENOMIC TECHNOLOGIES FOR BEEF CATTLE SYSTEMS FOR BEEF CATTLE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT
No full textAs genetic and genomic technology continues to advance within the beef industry, there is an opportunity to improve beef cattle systems. Specifically, this may be achieved by evaluating genetics and environment of beef cattle simultaneously. As such, we conducted two independent experiments to 1) analyze host gene expression upon cattle arrival to a backgrounding system to determine predictive candidate biomarkers and genomic mechanisms related to respiratory disease risk and acquisition, and 2) evaluate production and carcass characteristics from the offspring of cloned sires to determine if meat quality and growth performance are replicable across a generation.
In experiment 1, bovine respiratory disease (BRD) remains the leading disease within the U.S. beef cattle industry. Marketing decisions made prior to backgrounding may shift BRD incidence into a different phase of production, and the importance of host gene expression on BRD incidence as it relates to marketing strategy is poorly understood. Our objective was to compare the influence of marketing on host transcriptomes measured on arrival at a backgrounding facility on the subsequent probability of being treated for BRD during a 45-day backgrounding phase. This study, through RNA-Seq analysis of blood samples collected on arrival, evaluated gene expression differences between cattle which experienced a commercial auction setting (AUCTION) versus cattle directly shipped to backgrounding from the cow–calf phase (DIRECT); further analyses were conducted to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between cattle which remained clinically healthy during backgrounding (HEALTHY) versus those that required treatment for clinical BRD within 45 days of arrival (BRD). A profound difference in DEGs (n = 2961) was identified between AUCTION cattle compared to DIRECT cattle, regardless of BRD development; these DEGs encoded for proteins involved in antiviral defense (increased in AUCTION), cell growth regulation (decreased in AUCTION), and inflammatory mediation (decreased in AUCTION). Nine and four DEGs were identified between BRD and HEALTHY cohorts in the AUCTION and DIRECT groups, respectively; DEGs between disease cohorts in the AUCTION group encoded for proteins involved in collagen synthesis and platelet aggregation (increased in HEALTHY). Our work demonstrates the clear influence marketing has on host expression and identified genes and mechanisms which may predict BRD risk.
In experiment 2, animal breeding and genetics have shifted significantly over the past several decades. Previously, genetic improvement of beef cattle was largely dependent on visual appearance. While this remains valuable in selecting cattle for breeding, current technology and performance determination contributes to modern genetic improvement strategies. As such, we have continued a unique crossbreeding project beginning with rare carcasses that exhibited a highly desirable yet antagonistic trait which includes being USDA Prime and yield grade 1. Sires (Alpha, Delta and AxG1) were produced and evaluated originally for high quality carcass characteristics, then bred accordingly in the summer of 2020. Our objective was to see if their offspring could replicate similar outcomes and produce quality carcasses and growth characteristics. Here, thirty-five bull (n=24) and heifer (n=11) calf offspring were fed a commercial feedlot ration at the Palo Duro Consultation, Research & Feedlot in Canyon, TX for 68 days. Parentage results were tested to confirm sire, followed by weight gain, feed intake, and carcass ultrasound data collections. Significant differences were found (P<.05) for entire average daily gain and average intake, rib fat and backfat, and ribeye area and percent intramuscular fat for both SIRE and SEX. Spearmen’s Rank correlations were found of (P<.05), with a coefficient of 0.59 for ADG and average intake, 0.42 for RF and BF both for SIRE. Spearmen’s rank correlations for SEX found no significance for ADG and average intake but when evaluating RF and BF between sex on d68 significance was found (P< .05) with a coefficient of 0.39. Our results can help confirm the relationship between larger RF and BF with weight gain, as well as the relationship between carcass quality in the specific sex of beef cattle
Influence of Fire Seasonality on Insect Pollinators in a Sand sage ecosystem
No full textPollinators are essential for seed production in natural and agricultural environments, but recent research indicates that their populations are declining. The observed decrease in pollinator population can be attributed to various factors such as habitat loss and fragmentation, disease, and pesticides. These declines have led land managers to explore ways to enhance pollinator habitats. The use of prescribed fire is one crucial tool for managing the landscape in the Rolling Plains of Texas. This study focuses on understanding how the seasonality of fires affects insect pollinators in the sand-sage prairie ecosystem at the Matador Wildlife Management Area in Cottle County, Texas. The Matador Wildlife Management Area 273-hectare “Headquarters Pasture” is the focus of this study. The pasture is divided into fifteen plots, each of which is subject to variations in prescribed burn treatment. Five plots are burned in winter, some are burned in the summer, while others remain unburned year-round. To assess the number of insect pollinators in each burn regime, malaise traps were set up at the center of every plot for two weeks, starting from the second week of May and July in 2021 and 2022. The samples were collected during the same period for both years. A total of 20,815 insects were collected in the malaise traps over eight weeks. Using R, a multivariate abundance model and Simpson's Diversity index were used to measure biodiversity and abundance across treatments, sampling seasons, and years. The multivariate abundance model indicated that the influence of burn treatment was not statistically significant. Abundance varied significantly between years and seasons for particular orders, likely due to weather patterns during the sampling periods. The diversity analysis using the Inverse Simpson's Diversity index did not show significant differences based on the burn treatment. However, there was a significant diversity difference for some orders based on the year, possibly due to weather conditions. The study's findings do not currently warrant any management recommendations. Future studies with higher resolution, more differentially burned plots, over more time, or to a finer taxonomic scale will be necessary to determine the impact of fire seasonality on insect pollinators in a sand sage ecosystem
Broken Attachments
Get PDFMy work investigates the comfort and dysfunction as well as the fragility and strength of familial relationships. Traditionally, a stable home has a framework. There are bedtimes, family meals, and a time for help with your homework. These are the flawless expectations that society place onto families. My work becomes a metaphorical investigation of expectations and realities of family life through the fusion of print and ceramic processes. I begin by making images using traditional printmaking techniques that explore behavior and gender roles within the family unit. On paper, these prints are protected, clean, much like the ideal family dynamic. I then challenge this idea by printing these images on paper clay, which add strength to them, much like a parent hopes to do with their children. On paper clay, they can hold up to the pressure of the slab roller and the etching press. However, the thinner the clay gets, the more fragile it becomes, just as if a child is put under intense pressure. The thinness of the clay also makes it translucent, and when backlit, the flaws in my work are no longer able to hide. The texture from the printing on the clay is like the personal qualities of the mark or “imprints” that people leave on their families. These marks are not perfect, and all of these flaws represent the unique and differences of each individual that make up a family unit. By allowing the flaws to be visible, I relinquish control and accept that even in chaos they are impeccable
American West Poetry
No full textThis lesson explores beginning poetry terms and applies them to poems related to the American West. Includes works from Walter McDonald, Sy Hoahwah, and Chera Hammons.
This resource includes materials for a 45-minute class period lesson.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
Analyze the structure, prosody, and graphic elements such as line length and word position in poems across various forms; analyze he author’s purpose, audience, and message within a text; analyze the use of text structure to achieve the author’s purpose; analyze the use of literary devices such as irony and oxymoron to achieve specific purposes; analyze how the author’s diction and syntax contribute to the mood, voice, and tone of a text
Created for English I, English II, English III, English IV.This lesson explores beginning poetry terms and applies them to poems related to the American West. Includes works from Walter McDonald, Sy Hoahwah, and Chera Hammons
Special Education Enrollment and Graduation Trends in Texas
No full textThe focus of this scholarly delivery and research addresses improving academic outcomes for underrepresented populations. The first scholarly deliverable is a case study to facilitate discussion about collaborative social justice leadership. The article is titled “Social Justice Leadership in Schools” and is intended as a teaching tool for graduate students pursuing master’s or doctoral degrees in education. The case examines the challenges school leaders face while attempting to introduce solutions to improve student outcomes. The second scholarly deliverable is an empirical research article titled “Special Education Enrollment and Graduation Trends in Texas.” The article examines 17 years of student enrollment and graduation data from 1,020 Texas public school districts and focuses on trends for students who qualify for special education services
HEAT RECOVERY STEAM GENERATOR DESIGNED FOR USE IN OXYHYDROGEN FUELED COMBINED CYCLE POWER PLANT
Get PDFHeat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs) are integral to a combined cycle power plant.
HRSGs enable energy recovery from primary turbine outputs, which can power a
secondary turbine. This thesis documents the design of a scalable HRSG for integration
into an oxyhydrogen fueled combined cycle power plant. The Computational Fluid
Dynamics (CFD) and solid modeling software SolidWorks is used to design and analyze
the heat exchanger. Generational design iterations and accompanying analysis document
the development and optimization of the heat exchanger. Individual parameter variations
increased the overall effectiveness of the heat exchanger from a base of 0.69 to values
ranging from 0.70 to 0.90. A final heat exchanger design presents an analysis of overall
effectiveness, fluid exit temperatures, header velocities, and safety factors. The final
design of the heat exchanger demonstrates a capability of an overall duty rating ranging
from 66 [KW] to 408 [KW], with corresponding effectiveness ratings ranging from 0.94
to 0.84. A strategy for heat exchanger scaling and combination into a monolithic HRSG
capable of 520 [MW] is presented. The thesis concludes with a path forward and
limitations. Overall, this theseis offers a viable HRSG design for integration into the
oxyhydrogen fueled combined cycle power plant, which furthers the mission of making
variable renewable energy a deployable resource
ARACHNID COMMUNITIES IN MESQUITE GRASSLAND AND SHINNERY OAK SCRUB AT YOAKUM DUNES WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, COCHRAN COUNTY
No full textA taxonomic survey of the arachnid fauna was conducted at the Yoakum Dunes Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Cochran County, Texas during the years of 2017, 2018, and 2019. Yoakum Dunes WMA was established by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in 2014. No surveys of its invertebrate fauna have been undertaken at Yoakum Dunes to date. Arachnids were sampled using a combination of pitfall trapping, sweep netting, and general collecting. Eight pitfall arrays were deployed, four in mesquite habitat and four in shinnery oak habitat and were used to capture arachnids for one-week periods. Eight sweep samples and eight general collecting samples were also gathered during each sampling period.
Members of five arachnid orders were captured at the site: spiders (Araneae), scorpions (Scorpiones), sun spiders (Solifugae), pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones) and mites (Acari). A total of 31 families, 68 genera, and 100 species of arachnids were identified, broken down as follows: Acari, four families, eight genera (species were not identified); Araneae, 20 families, 53 genera, and 85 species; Scorpiones: two families, three genera, and four species; Pseudoscorpiones: two families and two genera; Solifugae: one family, two genera, and two species. All identified species of non-scorpion arachnids collected represent new records for Cochran County. Most notably, three species of spiders, Agyneta fratrella (Chamberlin, 1919; Linyphiidae), Piabuna pallida (Chamberlin & Ivie, 1935; Phrurolithidae), and Allocosa morelosiana (Gertsch & Davis 1940; Lycosidae) were documented in Texas for the first time
Metabolic and Performance Differences of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Between a Hard Surface and Hospital Mattress
No full textThis study employed a randomized cross-over design using 2 -conditions (AHA BLS CPR on a hard surface and AHA BLS CPR on a hospital mattress) for a total of 24 minutes each session. Participants were instructed to wear a VO2 Master analyzer mask while performing CPR (as defined by AHA guidelines for 2-rescuer CPR) on a QCPR Little Anne CPR mannequin during the testing sessions. Participants were assessed for Heart Rate average, VO2 difference (between min and max), Ve/VO2 difference, and FeO2 difference with the VO2 Master analyzer. Average Depth (mm) and Average Rate (cpm) were recorded using the QCPR mannequin. Additionally, participants were asked to rate their ratings of perceived exertion on a scale from 1 to 10 at the midpoint (12 min) and conclusion (24 min).Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is the most important procedure to preserve life following cardiac arrest. However, less than 15% of people survive. A major contributor may be improper compressions during CPR related to the surface on which the patient is lying. METHODS. Thirty-four participants participated in a randomized cross-over design using 2 -conditions (AHA BLS CPR on a hard surface and AHA BLS CPR on a hospital mattress) for a total of 24 minutes. Participants were wore a VO2MasterPro analyzer mask while performing CPR on a QCPR Little Anne CPR mannequin. Participants were assessed for Heart Rate, VO2, Ve/VO2, and FeO2. Compression Depth (mm), Rate (cpm), and RPE. RESULTS. On a mattress instead of hard surface: *Heart rate average was 4bpm higher *Oxygen consumption was 15L higher *Expirations/Oxygen used was 3L higher *Expiatory oxygen was 0.7L less *CPR depth was 3.4 mm less *RPE was 0.5 points higher at the midpoint and 0.2 overall *DISCUSSION. We found that the energy expenditure and quality of compressions were all compromised when providers performed CPR on a hospital mattress instead of on a hard surface. Wallace et al. (2013) and Talikowska et al. (2015) found that the mean difference in compression depth between survivors and non-survivors was only 2 to 3 mm. CPR on a mattress decreases depth by 3.4mm. Additionally, it requires more energy and is more difficult to perform compressions. The added energy and effort of CPR on a mattress leads to reduced quality and endangers patients' lives
Día de los Muertos History
No full textThis lesson teaches the origins of Día de los Muertos, its Native American and Spanish influences and the development of the holiday.
This resource includes materials for a 45-minute class period lesson.
Created for World History.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
Identify major causes and describe the major effects of the following important turning points in world history from 1450 to 1750: the rise of the Ottoman Empire, the influence of the Ming dynasty on world trade, European exploration and the Columbian Exchange, European expansion, and the Renaissance and the Reformation.This lesson teaches the origins of Día de los Muertos, its Native American and Spanish influences and the development of the holiday