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Advanced Study Of Nickel-Titanium Alloy: Effects Of Point Defects On Mechanical And Thermodynamic Properties
No full textHigh-throughput first-principles calculations of point defects are emerging as a powerful tool to accelerate materials discovery in applications [1]. Substitutional, antisite, and vacancy defects can play an important role in the mechanical and thermal properties of intermetallic alloys [2]. In this present work I compute the thermal and mechanical properties of shape-memory alloy nickel-titaniun (NiTi) in the B19â?? martensitic and B2 austenitic phases from molecular dynamics (MD), using a second nearest neighbor (2NN) modified embedded atom method (MEAM) [3] classical potential in the temperature range from 200K to 600K and composition range from 45 atomic percent to 55 atomic percent nickel. We developed and used a python framework to generate input files, run the simulations, and analyze the data, which we call Utilities To Execute Pipelines (UTEP). Thirty-nine lattice parameters and five temperatures were simulated for eleven distinct compositions around equiatomicity, for antisite defects each with three distinct defect concentrations on 16,000-atom supercells, meanwhile for vacancy defects each with three distinct defect concentrations, for a total of 45,045 MD simulations of 2000 time steps each with a time step size of 5 fs. We extracted temperature-dependent materials parameters from fits to the internal energies by fitting the Birch-Murnaghan equation of state. Thermodynamic properties such as the vibrational entropy were obtained using two different approaches from the materials parameters the first one was using the Moruzzi-Janak-Schwarz [4] approximation and secondly from the integration de of the density of states and the Bose-Einstein statics [5]. Finally, the configurational entropy due to the defects was obtained from the Warren-Cowley parameters up to fourth nearest neighbors [6,7]. Defects are energetically unfavorable, but can become thermodynamically stabilized at high temperature, particularly on the nickel-rich side. The bulk modulus decreases with temperature in the nickel-rich side, while the opposite is observed on the titanium-rich side
Locura Progeny
No full textABSTRACT
Growing up in a dysfunctional home with few supportive resources was my inspiration for writing this creative non-fiction work. The goal for Locura Progeny is to connect with people who have had a similar upbringing but felt compelled to not talk about it due the stigma it carries. I wrote this work in first person using a chronological timeline similar to an episodic novel. Each chapter is an important event or memory in my life that shaped my views on my future self and the key people in my life. This story is impossible to tell without focusing on the physical violence of my father and the mental illness of my mother. Separately, these issues are harrowing but dealing with them simultaneously was explosive. I felt motivated to write about the violence and mental health issues because I remembered feeling desperate as a teenager to find books and memories that were similar to mine. Feeling that hole in literature regarding these subjects was saddening. For three decades, I contemplated writing the story of my family and sharing the absolute horrific details of abuse with the aspiration of helping others in similar situations. This creative non-fiction book focus on my life as a child and navigating the physical violence we experienced as well as my mother\u27s mental health issues. It serves to showcase the lack of resources for abuse victims and the silent culture we had to endure. It is fifteen chapters of my most profound memories starting with my first memory at the age of five. My most important relationships are writing about including my brother and grandparents. In addition to the dysfunctional home life, I write about how that dysfunction trickles into every other aspect of my life including marriage and motherhood
An Alienated Population; Societal Issues And Educational Neglect In The Field Of Gifted Education, A Narrative Literature Review
No full textThe purpose of this narrative literature review is to explore societal issues and educational neglect in gifted education, focusing particularly on the underrepresentation of African American and Hispanic students. Through a comprehensive analysis of 36 peer-reviewed sources, the study reveals systemic inequities which leads to a creation of different themes stemming from racial and linguistic biases, imprecise definitions of giftedness, and the lack of teacher diversity, which collectively hinder equitable access to gifted programs. The findings magnify the urgent need for reform in identification process and procedures where the impact of having imprecise definitions and a lack of teacher diversity influences the underrepresentation of marginalized populations for gifted programs. Through this research a call for culturally responsive teaching practices to enhance the representation of marginalized populations in advanced academic settings is made. Using critical theoretical frameworks, such as the Gifted and Talented Critical Framework (GTCrit), one can begin to advocate for equitable practices in the gifted field, allowing African American and Hispanic students just and ample opportunities for advanced education. By implementing these recommendations, educators can work towards dismantling systemic barriers and fostering an inclusive educational environment that recognizes the diverse talents of all students
Model-Based Systems Engineering For Aerospace Applications: Strategic Requirements Prioritization In Complex Adaptive Systems And Digital Integration
No full textIneffective systems engineering practices continue to jeopardize aerospace missions, resulting in multi-billion-dollar losses, delays, and fragmented development outcomes. As complexity intensifies and timelines shrink, conventional document-based methods increasingly fail to support early validation, cross-domain traceability, and synchronized tool usage. This research presents an integrated approach that addresses three critical gaps: synchronizing executable and traceable MBSE models across structural, behavioral, and requirements domains; applying scalable requirements prioritization techniques tailored for Complex Adaptive Systems; and establishing automated simulation feedback loops through digital toolchain integration. Central to this strategy is the Digital Trinity, which connects system models, simulations, and lifecycle data through a continuous digital thread. The proposed methodology begins with SysML-based modeling in Cameo Systems Modeler, followed by a multi-phase prioritization process using filtration, metadata scoring, and comparative weighting to evaluate over one hundred mission requirements. The approach is applied to the SidSat mission, a 4U CubeSat featuring a modular architecture with core avionics, a robotic arm payload, and an onboard AI/ML experimentation module. Requirements were allocated to model components, then verified using parameterized simulations. MATLAB was employed for mass, power, and thermal margin calculations; STK for orbital behavior assessment; Excel for value propagation and I/O management; and Teamcenter with AWS for model control and data traceability. Simulation outputs were dynamically linked to SysML constraint blocks and displayed through interactive dashboards in Cameo, ensuring transparency of compliance and coherence of the architecture state. Results demonstrate enhanced early-stage validation, improved stakeholder alignment, and reduced risk of misalignment between model logic and simulated performance. The final system model operates as a live digital reference across design and analysis phases, enabling iterative updates and real-time feedback. Although demonstrated on a CubeSat platform, the framework is extensible to larger systems where agility, traceable decision-making, and model-simulation convergence are essential for mission assurance
IoT-Enabled Indoor Air Quality Monitoring and Control Using Machine Learning Techniques
No full textIndoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical public health concern, especially in enclosed environments where people spend extended periods. This thesis presents a cost-effective, real-time IAQ monitoring and control system that integrates IoT hardware with supervised machine learning (ML) to enable intelligent assessment and automated response. The system incorporates BME688, PMSA003I, SGP30, SGP40, and MQ-135 sensors connected to a Raspberry Pi 5 via I²C and SPI protocols. A Python-based pipeline collects, logs, and visualizes environmental data using a Dash web interface. Both regression and classification tasks were performed to model indoor air quality indicators. Regression models were developed to predict PM2.5, TVOC, and eCOâ?? concentrations using six different algorithms. Among these, Random Forest yielded the best performance achieving the highest R² score for all targets. For classification, air quality was categorized into three levels such as Good, Moderate, and Unhealthy using a percentile-based thresholding method. Six classification models were evaluated using metrics such as accuracy, F1-score, and ROC AUC, with SMOTE applied to mitigate class imbalance. XGBoost demonstrated the best overall classification performance, achieving approximately 80% accuracy, strong generalization across classes, and the highest ROC AUC (\u3e0.90). Consequently, XGBoost was selected as the final model for deployment. The trained model was integrated into a real-time inference on the Raspberry Pi, which activates GPIO-based relay control in response to predicted air quality conditions. This work demonstrates a scalable, intelligent IAQ solution suitable for edge deployment in smart homes and buildings. Future directions include time-series modeling, smart HVAC integration, and multi-zone cloud-based analytics
Natural Killer T Cell-Mediated Control Of Francisella Tularensis-Induced Cytokine Storm Syndrome
No full textInflammation is critical for the effective clearance of viral and bacterial challenges, while simultaneously a mechanism utilized by many highly infectious pathogens to cause disease. The bacterium Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of human tularemia, elicits a cytokine storm, wherein the immune system over-responds to the presence of the bacterium causing a dysregulated release of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines. Without treatment, tularemia mortality can be as high as 30%, with inhalation of as few as 10 CFUs inducing respiratory tularemia. Natural Killer T (NKT) cells are innate-like T lymphocytes with a diverse array of regulatory functions. Unlike conventional T cells, NKT cells recognize lipid and glycolipid antigens, rather than peptides, which are presented by MHC class I-like CD1d molecules. NKT cells are activated very early following Francisella infection suggesting a critical role in the innate immune response in tularemia. NKT cells are categorized into two distinct subtypes, types I and II, with an unresolved understanding of their individual characteristics in regulating inflammation. This study aims to elucidate the regulatory role of NKT subtypes in response to Francisella tularensis infection and identify the mechanisms utilized in their response. Through ex-vivo and in-vivo techniques, we observed a moderate suppression of inflammation when both subtypes of NKT cells are present. This phenotypic suppression is disrupted when each subtype responds individually to infection. We have characterized the mechanism of NKT suppression of Francisella induced inflammation to be mediated by secreted factors. Our findings suggest that type I NKT cells strongly suppress inflammation, with interleukin-22 (IL-22) playing a crucial role in this inhibition. The results of this study suggest that NKT cells, particularly type I, could be leveraged for therapeutic applications in inflammatory diseases like tularemia and other NIH priority infectious diseases
Alone I Can\u27t, But Together We Can : A Photovoice Study To Explore Insights Of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) From Providers Working With Individuals With Serious Mental Illness (SMI).
No full textAssisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is a court-ordered mental health treatment program for individuals with SMI (bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia) who have a history of noncompliance with treatment and are at risk of deteriorating or causing harm to themselves or others. This dissertation examined the perceptions and experiences of thirteen providers (lawyers, judges, case managers, psychiatrists, housing navigators, treatment guardians, nurse practitioners, therapists and peer support specialists with lived experience) on the AOT program for clients with SMI; and the environments that shape these perceptions, taking into account a system and community-based approach focusing on how the unique relational, structural, organizational, and policy based constraints of the AOT program shapes their ability to deliver care. Drawing on a socio-ecological model of health and the framework for recovery-oriented practices, this study employed Photovoice to investigate the lived experiences of AOT providers. Three main themes were identified from participants photos and narratives: Culture of Recovery in Dona Ana County which included the sub-themes: Personalize Recovery; Community and Connection; Instilling Trust, Safety and Belonging; and Understanding Complexity of SMI and Client Experiences. The second theme, Perceived Impact of AOT included the sub-themes Meeting Basic Needs, Opportunities for Growth and Healing, Serving as a Guide in the Recovery Journey, and Promoting Autonomy. The third theme, Recommendations for AOT programs has the sub-themes: Encourage Provider Wellness and Work-Life Balance, Interdisciplinary and Teamwork, and Continual Growth and Adaptation to Changing Environments. The findings from the study may inform quality improvement on AOT practices and systemic changes that can improve treatment adherence, reduce recidivism and incarceration; and improved service delivery for individuals living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) in the AOT program in Dona Ana County
From Land To Lagoon: The Spatiotemporal Biogeochemical Dynamics Of Arctic Coastal Erosion In Elson Lagoon, Alaska
No full textTThe Arctic is warming rapidly, driving widespread environmental change across coastal landscapes, including permafrost thaw, shoreline erosion, and shifts in sediment and carbon dynamics, pose growing challenges for predicting carbon cycling and climate feedbacks. This dissertation investigates the spatiotemporal variability of erosion, decomposition, and nearshore turbidity in Elson Lagoon, Alaska (1955–2023), to better understand how carbon, nitrogen, and sediment are mobilized, transformed, and potentially emitted as greenhouse gases in Arctic coastal systems. Chapter 2 presents a high-resolution analysis of shoreline change and erosion-driven material fluxes spanning nearly seven decades. Drawing on 795 soil data points, airborne LiDAR, and five shoreline time steps, sediment, carbon, and nitrogen export were quantified across diverse geomorphic surfaces and bluff heights. Fluxes varied by surface type, with older drained lake basins exhibiting the highest per-meter carbon fluxes, while widespread polygonised tundra contributed the greatest total flux due to spatial extent. Bluff height further influenced fluxes, with erosion rates more than doubling in tall bluffs (\u3e3 m) over the study period, while shorter bluffs exhibited comparatively stable behavior. Climate trends, particularly shifting wind patterns and warming, may have contributed to the slight decline in erosion observed during the most recent decade (2014 to 2023). Mean annual fluxes across Elson Lagoon were approximately 1,200 kg sediment m⁻¹ yr⁻¹, 130 kg C m⁻¹ yr⁻¹, and 6.6 kg N m⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Sensitivity analyses revealed that simplified models ignore geomorphic variability can overestimate cumulative carbon loss by 9–11%, underscoring the need to incorporate fine-scale bluff morphology and surface-specific soil properties into Arctic coastal erosion models. Chapter 3 focuses on better understanding greenhouse gas emissions from eroding coastal permafrost. Using laboratory incubations, field data, and temperature-dependent modeling, CO₂ fluxes were estimated for eroding soils in Elson Lagoon. We tested the effects of temperature, soil depth, salinity, and seawater exposure on SOC loss, finding that seawater exposure increased carbon loss by up to threefold compared to permafrost alone. Similarly, temperature and soil depth significantly influenced decomposition, while salinity had no consistent effect. Sensitivity analyses revealed that simplified models which ignore temperature sensitivity and/or distinguish between treatments can overestimate CO2 by 7–11%. Models yielded annual CO₂ flux estimates of 11.33–12.61 kg CO₂-C m⁻¹ yr⁻¹, or 441–491 Mg CO₂-C yr⁻¹ across 39 km of the Elson Lagoon shoreline, from 1955 to 2023. These and other findings underscore the significant and underrepresented role of Arctic coastal permafrost in regional and global carbon budgets. Chapter 4 examines how changing weather dynamics are amplifying sediment delivery and reshaping nearshore dynamics. To understand how turbidity reflects environmental changes, the spatiotemporal variability of total suspended solids (TSS) was assessed using field sampling and machine learning. Water samples collected along a nearshore transect revealed strong spatial gradients in TSS, with elevated concentrations closest to shore. Random forest models trained on wind components, precipitation, and distance from shore outperformed other approaches (R² = 0.97), identifying sustained easterly and westerly winds as dominant drivers of turbidity, with precipitation acting as a proxy for episodic riverine sediment inputs. Long-term turbidity predictions (2000–2023) revealed increasing variability and frequency of high-turbidity events, likely driven by intensified storm activity and precipitation extremes. TSS was positively correlated with pCO₂ and correlated with chlorophyll-a, suggesting that sediment disturbance may enhance microbial and primary productivity, potentially fueling carbon remineralization. As projected shifting weather patterns may amplify sediment and organic carbon fluxes, it becomes increasingly important to understand the physical and biogeochemical coupling of Arctic nearshore systems. Together, these chapters provide a spatially and temporally resolved framework for understanding the mobilization, transformation, and fate of permafrost carbon in a rapidly changing Arctic coastal system
Transitioning to Graduate Level Academics: A Preparation Program for an Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program
No full textThe objective of the capstone project was to create an online preparation program for The University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP) Department of Occupational Therapy’s-Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program that would ease the transition experience into the program and would help increase their early academic success. The capstone project involved the planning, creation, and implementation of the program. The finalized program consists of four interactive, self-led, and self-paced modules. Interactive elements include activities, questions, opportunities for reflection, and hyperlinks. The finalized program will be implemented with incoming UTEP OTD students on a yearly basis.https://scholarworks.utep.edu/otcapstones/1015/thumbnail.jp
A Call for Integration of Trauma-Informed Care into Occupational Therapy: Improving Provider Competency Through a Case Study of a Cooking Skills Program for Survivors of Human Trafficking
No full textTrauma, such as abuse, neglect, and violence, has evident lasting physical and mental health effects, such as chronic illness, behavioral changes, and depression. While trauma-informed care (TIC) helps providers recognize and respond to trauma, this training is often limited to mental health and social work fields. Many survivor populations never receive interventions designed with TIC in mind, restricting outcomes leading to reduced rehabilitation and reintegration.
Occupational therapy (OT) is fundamentally client-centered and functional, making it well suited for TIC. However, while they cover many similar topics, most OT programs do not include specific curriculum on TIC.
TIC education in OT school programs may lead to better outcomes for trauma survivors as future practitioners will be better equipped to apply TIC principles in interventions.
This project explores the use of TIC in developing and implementing a cooking skills program for survivors of human trafficking, which then serves as a case study within a TIC curriculum for OT students to promote TIC integration in future practice to improve survivor outcomes.https://scholarworks.utep.edu/otcapstones/1011/thumbnail.jp