University of Massachusetts Boston
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Medical Care and Relief for Wounded Soldiers and Civilians
Get PDFMedical Care and Relief for Wounded Soldiers and Civilians. Volume 36, Issue 2 of the New England Journal of Public Policy
Introduction: History, Race, and the Urban Environment
Get PDFIntroduction for Volume 23, Issue 2 of theTrotter Review
Breathing While Black: How New York\u27s Marginalized Communities Reshaped Urban Environmentalism, 1880-2020
Get PDFArticle for Volume 23, Issue 2 of theTrotter Review
Investigation of Electrochemical Processes and Interfaces for Multivalent Ion Batteries
Get PDFMagnesium-ion batteries (MIBs) stand out as highly promising candidates for next-generation energy storage solutions, owing to their divalent ion exchange properties, high theoretical volumetric capacity, abundant magnesium resources, and cost-effectiveness. However, the inefficiency of the deposition and dissolution processes at the magnesium metal anode poses a significant challenge to the commercialization of high-energy magnesium batteries. This challenge primarily stems from the lack of a suitable electrolyte compatible with the magnesium anode, the struggle to investigate the instability solid electrolyte interface (SEI), and the incomprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms governing magnesium electrodeposition and dissolution. This thesis investigates novel magnesium electrolyte designs and understands the electrolyte/anode interphases. Electroanalytical tools with in situ investigation of the dynamic evolution of the SEI are conducted in different magnesium systems, revealing significant differences in SEI formation and growth during electrochemical cycling. To improve the efficiency of reversible magnesium deposition, a fundamental understanding of the Mg nucleation and growth mechanisms is explored through in-situ diffraction measurements, offering real-time observation of crystal structure evolution at the electrochemically deposited magnesium interface by correlating the electrochemical control with the diffraction patterns. Exploration of multivalent electrochemical systems, SEI evolution, and the mechanisms of magnesium deposition sheds light on valuable insights for advancing high-performance rechargeable battery technologies
Ashes of Enslavement: A Post-Revolution Analysis of Wood-Charcoal at the Palace of Sans-Souci
Get PDFExcavations with The Milot Archaeological Project (MAP) have yielded significant information on the development of the Palace of Sans-Souci in northern Haiti. Strides have been made in understanding site chronology, the material culture within the palace, and regional/long-distant economic networks. However, little is known about natural resource use during this time of rapid political change resulting from the Haitian Revolution (1804). This research uses a macrobotanical analysis of wood-charcoal from the Palace of Sans-Souci during an early postrevolutionary period under the leadership of Henri Christophe. Focusing primarily on the consumption of forest resources and its relationship to agricultural practices, this paper examines the use of these resources and what that meant for the recently self-emancipated, African population who lived and labored at the Palace of Sans-Souci
Plasmon Coupling Enhanced Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Studies of Gold Nanoparticles Dispersed in Nematic Liquid Crystals
Get PDFThe field of nonlinear optics has been crucial in advancing photonic technologies, as high light intensities induce nonlinear responses, enabling diverse advanced applications. Among the various nonlinear optical processes, third-order nonlinearities stand out due to their role in phenomena such as self-focusing, self-phase modulation, optical power limiting, and third-harmonic generation. However, traditional third-order nonlinear optical materials often face limitations in tunability and possess fixed optical properties, constraining their adaptability in dynamic photonic systems. To address these challenges, this thesis explores the development and implementation of electric field-enabled reconfigurable third-order nonlinear optical materials by harnessing the intrinsic properties of liquid crystals and nanomaterials. Plasmonic nanomaterials are distinguished by their strong light-matter interactions, which can be tuned by adjusting the size, shape, and composition of metal nanoparticles (NPs). Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), the collective oscillation of free electrons on NP surfaces, enhances nanoscale electromagnetic fields. While LSPR has been widely studied, its potential for third-order nonlinear optical absorption remains underutilized. This thesis explores the enhancement of third-order nonlinear absorption by dispersing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in nematic liquid crystals (5CB). AuNPs forming dimers or structured assemblies exhibit strong plasmon coupling, amplifying local electromagnetic fields and nonlinear optical responses. The elastic and reconfigurable properties of nematic liquid crystals provide a tunable environment for AuNP alignment under external electric fields. Liquid crystal cells with planar-oriented, planar-twisted, and planar-degenerate configurations were prepared to investigate the effects of AuNP alignment on plasmon coupling and nonlinear absorption. Planar-oriented cells showed significantly higher linear and nonlinear optical absorption compared to degenerate cells. Polarization-dependent Z-scan results revealed that plasmon coupling was the primary driver of enhanced nonlinear absorption, with up to a 2-3-fold increase observed when the incident light was polarized parallel to the LC director axis. Other configurations exhibited angle-independent behavior, confirming the absence of directional alignment. By applying external electric fields, the LC orientation and AuNP plasmonic properties were dynamically controlled, enabling tunable nonlinear optical effects. These findings highlight the potential of AuNPs/5CB composites for adaptive photonic technologies, offering insights into plasmonic-LC interactions for advancing optoelectronics and dynamic optical systems
EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF THE ACHIEVER RESILIENCE CURRICULUM (ARC) ON TEACHER AND STUDENT OUTCOMES
No full textWith teachers reporting increasingly high levels of burnout and lower well-being, it is critical to find ways to better support teachers. Recent research has shed light on the detrimental effects of poor teacher well-being and chronic stress on several teacher, school, and student outcomes. Teacher well-being and stress management interventions have gained attention for their positive effects; however, they can often be time and resource intensive. The ACHIEVER Resilience Curriculum (ARC) was developed as an efficient, cost-effective, feasible, and comprehensive intervention designed to train educators in skills, habits and routines for managing stress and promoting well-being. As such, the present study used a single case multiple baseline design to provide five elementary school teachers with a shortened, individualized and hybrid version of the ARC and examined the impact of this intervention on teacher and student outcomes including (1) teacher well-being, (2) teacher stress, (3) positive teacher-student interactions, (4) student disruptive behavior, (5) student well-being behavior, and (6) teacher social validity. Results varied across teacher participants and across variables observed. Modest improvements to teacher well-being and positive teacher-student interactions were observed for some, but not all, participants. Conclusions could not be made regarding the impact of the ARC on teacher stress, class-wide student disruptive behavior and class-wide student well-being behavior due to the lack of sufficient demonstrations of effect. Participating teachers found the ARC intervention to be highly feasible, acceptable and understandable. Implications for school psychologists and future research on the ARC and other well-being interventions are discussed
From Incentives to Impact: A case study of OER Creation at an Urban Public University
No full textMr. Lucas Hall, Reference And Instruction Librarian, University of Massachusetts Boston Christine Moynihan, Scholarly Communications, Data, and Affordable Learning Librarian, University of Massachusetts Boston Melissa Colón, Assistant Professor of Urban Education, Policy, and Leadership Studies, University of Massachusetts Bosto
HACK24F: Examine the Human Creativity and Productivity in AI Generated Content
Get PDFThis project, presented at the Fall 2024 Hackathon, explores the balance between human creativity and productivity in the age of AI-generated content. With tools such as ChatGPT and Grammarly becoming integral to students’ academic workflows, questions surrounding originality, intellectual property, and academic integrity have grown increasingly urgent. The team addresses the challenge of distinguishing between human and AI contributions in content creation, particularly as current AI detection tools prove unreliable. Their proposed solution involves a system that not only detects AI-generated text using watermarking techniques but also quantifies contributions from humans and AI throughout the writing process