17179 research outputs found
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Exploring Zoogeomorphological Landscapes: Enhancing Learning Through Virtual Field Experiences of Beaver Ponds Along the Red Eagle Trail, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
No full textVirtual field trips in zoogeomorphology can allow students to explore the dynamic influence of beaver activity within the landscape. Education theory-informed virtual learning experiences (VLEs) of zoogeomorphologic topics, such as ecosystem engineers, are still underdeveloped for natural science learning communities. Through dam-building activities, beavers significantly alter stream hydrology, sediment transport, and vegetation organization and structure, promoting landscape heterogeneity. To effectively communicate this complexity of landscape modification, we developed an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment using historical photographs and detailed field notes to visualize the temporal and spatial transformations caused by beaver activity. A design and development process (TECCUPD), a philosophical framework for physical geography (TREE-PG), and a planning tool (VRUI conceptual model) are used to guide VLE architecture. Collectively, this information serves as a virtual proxy of an abandoned beaver pond field site to support student evaluation of the influence of sediment trapping and flooding on vegetation patterns on the landscape. This virtual place-based, experiential narrative environment is a proxy to capture the complexity of beaver-modified landscapes through ecological and geomorphological interactions. The integration of immersive VR technologies and generative artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education with learning theories that guide VR application design and development is applied in virtual field trips to support pedagogical goals and improve learning outcomes. Finally, we use an evaluation scale (TIPS) to assess the fidelity of learning theory implementation in a virtual field trip. Virtual field experiences in zoogeomorphology, informed by theory and utilizing immersive landscapes and scientific educational tools, can help students discern the effects of beavers on stream hydrology and geomorphic processes, as well as their potential role in mitigating water insecurity in climate adaptation efforts.Geography and Environmental Studie
Modification of Commodity Polymer Electrospun Nanofibers with Electroactive Polymers
No full textNo abstract prepared.Chemistry and Biochemistr
The Effect of Homeless Presence on the Spatial Distribution of Outdoor Violent Crime
No full textNo abstract prepared.Criminal Justice and Criminolog
Welcome to America's Paradise: A Design Inquiry into the Commodification of the Caribbean
No full textNo abstract prepared.Art and Desig
Representativeness of Avifauna in Texas State Parks
No full textTo effectively conserve biodiversity, protected areas (PAs) such as state parks should be ecologically representative of some greater surrounding region. Evaluating the representativeness of PAs allows for the determination of whether regional biodiversity is sufficiently protected. The primary goal of my study was to assess the representativeness of avifauna in Texas state parks. This was accomplished by comparing species assemblages within parks to those associated with the corresponding region for each evaluated PA. A region for a given park was defined as a 40-km buffer centered on the park, which was large enough to represent a meaningful region while also mostly consisting of a single EPA level IV Omernik ecoregion. That is, the buffer zones were relatively homogeneous with regard to topography, natural vegetation, and land use. In four selected state parks within central Texas, species assemblages were assessed using two separate methods: point surveys that I conducted and data from the citizen science project eBird. Regional assemblages were assessed using only eBird data. Additionally, 20 state parks and state natural areas located throughout Texas were selected for assessment using eBird data for both park and regional assemblages. Representativeness was evaluated by determining the proportion of the regional bird species richness found within each park. The statistical significance of each comparison was determined by performing custommade randomization tests in R. I conducted these tests by simulating expected within-park species assemblages based on occurrence of species in regional eBird data. In ArcGIS, a 5 km x 5 km grid was overlain on each region. The grid was used to determine the probability of each species appearing in the simulated within-park assemblage. While the observed proportions of regional richness within parks (i.e., representativeness) were variable, the randomization tests for most parks indicated statistical significance, meaning park assemblages represented a greater percentage (typically 25 – 50%) of regional richness than would be expected by chance. Another aspect of my study was to compare methods for assessing the avifauna of state parks or other types of PAs. The eBird-derived park lists were generally more inclusive than those derived from point surveys, likely due to the increased survey effort associated with the much larger eBird dataset. The results of my study indicate that in Texas the state park system is effectively preserving regional bird diversity.Biolog
Universal Depression Screening in Public Schools
No full textYouth suicide has risen substantially over the past decade. However, many children and adolescents with depressive symptoms remain undetected in public schools due to reliance on behavior-based referral systems. Universal depression screening has been proposed as a proactive approach in supporting earlier identification and timely referral to mental health services. This systematic review examined whether school-based universal depression screening improves recognition of depressive symptoms and facilitates referral and treatment initiation among students in grades K-12. A systematic search of three databases was conducted using predefined criteria to identify peer-reviewed studies published in the United States between 2020 and 2025. Seven studies met eligibility and quality appraisal thresholds. Data was extracted into an evidence synthesis table and analyzed for patterns in design, implementation, outcomes, stakeholder perceptions, and contextual factors. Across these studies, universal screening substantially increased identification of depressive symptoms and improved pathways to early intervention when compared with traditional referral approaches. Stakeholder groups, including teachers, parents, and clinicians, reported strong support for school-based screening when adequate workflow, confidentiality protections, and follow-up systems were in place. Several perceived barriers were identified, including time constraints, limited mental health staffing, stigma, and inconsistent follow-up. Universal depression screening in public schools appears to be both effective and feasible when supported by appropriate infrastructures and clear referral pathways. Findings highlight the need for ongoing development of screening practices and further research to strengthen long-term outcomes and implementation strategies.Nursin
The Past Shapes the Present: How Negative Childhood Experiences Influence Unhealthy Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Women
No full textNo abstract prepared.Criminal Justice and Criminolog
Theories of Intelligence on Metacognitive Monitoring and Control Processes, JOLs, Study Time, and Item Selection
No full textNo abstract prepared.Psycholog
Understanding the Effect of Vibration on the Crystallization of ZBLAN
No full textWith the explosion of digital technologies, the average person now consumes nearly 34 gigabytes of information per day, enabled largely through optical fiber communication. While silica-based fibers dominate due to their low attenuation (~0.15 dB/km in the visible range), they exhibit severe signal loss exceeding 800,000 dB/km in the infrared (IR) region, limiting their suitability for mid-IR applications. As a result, ZBLAN glass (ZrF₄–BaF₂–LaF₃–AlF₃–NaF) has emerged as a promising alternative, offering broadband transmission from 0.3 to 7 μm. However, its practical use is limited by a strong tendency to crystallize during fiber drawing, which degrades optical performance.
While microgravity environments such as the International Space Station (ISS) have been shown to suppress crystallization potentially reducing attenuation to as low as 0.001 dB/km external factors like vibration frequency still significantly influence ZBLAN’s behavior. This is particularly critical due to its narrow fiber drawing temperature window (<100 °C), which demands precise thermal and mechanical control during processing.
This study investigates the effect of vibration frequencies between 25-100 Hz, typical of ISS conditions, on the crystallization behavior of ZBLAN within a temperature range of 250 - 400 °C, encompassing its glass transition and crystallization points. Conducted in three phases, the research began by exposing samples to controlled thermal and vibrational conditions to induce crystallization. In the second phase, variables were refined to isolate the influence of specific vibration frequencies. The final phase involved detailed crystallinity characterization, establishing direct correlations between vibration input and microstructural changes.
The results reveal that vibration frequencies above 65 Hz cause a reduction in the fiber drawing window by at least 30 °C, significantly increasing the likelihood of crystallization and making the drawing process more difficult. To mitigate this, vibrations above 65 Hz should be avoided, either through damping techniques or alternative fiber fabrication methods, to preserve ZBLAN's amorphous structure and ensure ultra-low-loss transmission. By uncovering the mechanisms behind vibration-induced crystallization, this work advances the optimization of ZBLAN fiber manufacturing, with broad implications for IR telecommunications, sensing, and space-based optical systems.Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercializatio
De Texas a La Habana, de Medellin a La Plata: A Comprehensive Assessment of Modern Latin American Cranial Variation
No full textWhen undocumented deceased migrants are discovered in an advanced state of decomposition or fully skeletonised, forensic anthropologists can help identify victims by establishing a biological profile of the skeleton – which includes sex, age, population affinity, stature, pathological conditions and trauma – with the aim of narrowing the list of potential matches. Of these components, population affinity represents an individual’s biogeographic region of origin and is defined as an estimation of group membership based on the individual’s similarity to a reference group. For population affinity assessments to be as accurate as possible, recent reference populations with known histories are needed to perform the assessment. Unfortunately, skeletal data from groups who were not studied as much historically, such as individuals of Latin American origin, are currently limited and poorly understood. The purpose of this dissertation is to assess the cranial variation of Latin Americans in different parts of the Americas to help better estimate where a deceased person is from. Specifically, it evaluates and compares cranial data from modern reference skeletal collections in the United States and across Latin America. The first part explores similarities and dissimilarities between Latin American populations. The second part evaluates cranial differences between US-born and Mexican-born Hispanics. Finally, the third part concentrates on forensic anthropology applications of this research. The goal of this dissertation is to improve accuracy of population affinity analysis by providing sufficient data to aid in the identification of deceased migrants encountered along the México-US border. To achieve this goal, the reference data acquired from the first two parts of the research are compared to cranial data from unidentified migrant remains. Together, these three parts offer a comprehensive assessment of modern Latin American cranial variation. To answer this dissertation’s purpose and research questions, landmark coordinate data were collected from the adult crania of 551 females, 746 males and 11 individuals of unknown sex, for a total sample size of 1,308 individuals originating from modern and documented reference skeletal collections in the United States and across Latin America. Up to 86 cranial landmarks were captured for each individual in the sample using a MicroScribe® 3D digitiser from Revware, Inc. and the program 3Skull (version 2.0.185), and were subsequently analysed using geometric morphometric approaches in RStudio (version 4.4.2). Across all three parts, results indicate a significant shape and size difference between the groups analysed, but substantial overlap is observed in a comparison of shape differences within groups. For Part I, regarding both shape and size, Brazilians are the most distinctive group, while Argentinians and Chileans overlap significantly. Surprisingly, Cubans appear more biologically similar to Chileans in terms of shape. For Part II, US-born Hispanics clearly distinguish themselves from Mexicans for both shape and size. For Part III, the separation of OpID individuals from the Latin American groups with regards to both shape and size demonstrates that they are likely not represented by the Latin American samples collected. Limitations for this dissertation include equipment malfunction, a small sample size for the US sample, time and funding constraints, skeletal remains’ condition and its impact on landmark digitising, and an unknown inter-observer error rate for the OpID data. Multiple research avenues could help improve this research, notably adding populations not yet included, and further analysing the data using the geomorph package in RStudio, the likelihood-ratio framework and biological distance. Finally, it is hoped that the data can be made accessible to researchers and forensic practitioners in the US and throughout Latin America, so that bonds with Latin American colleagues may be further developed into genuine collaborative efforts.Anthropolog