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Development and application of a single nucleotide polymorphism panel for individual identification and population genetic assessment of swamp rabbits
Get PDFSwamp rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus) are a potentially useful indicator species for bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem health and can be monitored using fecal pellet surveys. Advances in genetic sequencing technology have allowed researchers to obtain genetic information about wildlife using non-invasive sampling. Genotyping-in-thousands by sequencing (GT-seq) allows researchers to target specific genetic markers selected to meet their objectives, such as differentiating individuals. We investigated the utility of GT-seq for genotyping DNA derived from swamp rabbit fecal pellets. We designed a GT-seq panel for swamp rabbits, then tested the panel on fecal samples collected in the Mississippi Delta. We developed a real time polymerase chain reaction assay to compare target DNA concentrations to GT-seq genotyping success. We also investigated population structure among three swamp rabbit subpopulations in Mississippi. The GT-seq panel effectively differentiated among individuals in Mississippi when samples were genotyped at 26 or more loci but performed poorly overall on fecal samples
Extreme artifacts removal with curriculum learning
No full textRestoring severely blurred images remains a significant challenge in computer vision, impacting applications in autonomous driving, medical imaging, and photography. This thesis introduces a novel training strategy based on curriculum learning to improve the robustness of deep learning models for extreme image deblurring. Unlike conventional approaches that train on only low to moderate blur levels, this method progressively increases the difficulty by introducing images with higher blur severity over time, allowing the model to adapt incrementally. Additionally, perceptual loss and hinge loss were integrated during training to enhance fine detail restoration and improve training stability. Various curriculum learning strategies were experimented with, and the impact of the train-test domain gap on the deblurring performance was explored. This architecture-agnostic framework can be applied to various generative models, including GAN-based and Transformer-based networks. Experimental results on the Extreme-GoPro and Extreme-KITTI datasets demonstrate that this approach significantly outperforms existing state-of-the-art methods in handling extreme blur scenarios while maintaining high visual fidelity. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses confirm that curriculum learning substantially improves deblurring performance, making it a promising direction for future research on mitigating image artifacts
Confirmatory factor analysis of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised: Short Form in college-attending emerging adults
No full textPsychopathy research stems from the work of Dr. Hervey Cleckley, whose research aided in providing the foundation for psychopathy assessments currently utilized in the field. Several researchers used Cleckley’s framework to further home in on characteristics that are central to psychopathy. Among the primary researchers who adapted the characteristics into their own measures are Robert Hare, Paul Frick, and Scott Lilienfeld; the work of these researchers is what helped lead to the creation of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised: Short Form (PPI-R: SF). The current study aimed to confirm the two-, three-, and eight-factor models from previous versions of the measure that led to the PPI-R: SF and contribute to the normative data for this measure. Results demonstrated that acceptable fit was unable to be obtained for all three models using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). An exploratory factor analysis revealed a 7-factor structure, excluding Coldheartedness. The final model retained 48 items across 7 factors, which was further evaluated using a CFA. Acceptable fit was achieved after modification, and metric invariance across women and men was confirmed. Continuing to research the factor structure of the PPI-R: SF in larger, more diverse samples of emerging adults could be beneficial, as it may aid in contributing more meaningful data for clinical and research purposes
Estimating reliability of electric vehicle charging ecosystem using principle of maximum entropy
No full textThis thesis addresses the challenge of estimating electric vehicle (EV) charging system reliability against unpredictable threats like cyberattacks and extreme weather, where traditional methods fail. We utilize the Principle of Maximum Entropy (PME), a statistical tool that provides unbiased risk estimates using limited information. Applied to the EV charging ecosystem, our case study shows how PME models stress factors to predict failures and optimize maintenance. This approach extends beyond EVs to other complex systems with scarce data, such as smart grids or healthcare devices. By linking uncertainty directly to reliability, PME offers a universal method to improve decision-making under unpredictable conditions, providing actionable insights for policymakers and industries to build safer, more resilient systems in our increasingly connected world
Synthesis and reactivity of heterobimetallic ruthenium and rhodium complexes incorporating aromatic N-heterocycles and group 13 metals
No full textIn recent years, heterobimetallic complexes that incorporate a transition metal (TM) with a Group 13 element (Al, Ga, In) have demonstrated potential for activating challenging substrates. This area is growing and offers higher performance than the traditional single-metal catalytic approach. These complexes provide new strategies that can potentially enable cooperative bond activation through metal-metal cooperation. One important target for such bond activation is the aromatic C-N scission, a key transformation in the hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) process of the nitrogen compounds present in fossil fuels. These N-containing compounds are highly resistant to cleavage under mild conditions, thereby necessitating high temperatures and hydrogen pressure. Achieving selective CN bond cleavage in these substrates is essential for reducing NOₓ emissions from fossil fuel combustion, yet it remains difficult with conventional. Homogeneous systems. In this work, we explore the coordination behavior and electronic structure of Ru and Rh complexes supported by arene ligands and bearing Ga or Al Lewis acidic organo-fragments. Through the formation of zwitterionic, cationic, and Z-type complexes, these studies highlight the reactivity, versatility, catalytic application, and coordination behavior of organogallium, showing its potential for designing catalytic bimetallic systems. In Chapter I, we summarize the background and motivation for this work, focusing on the challenges of HDN, the role of N-heterocycles in fossil fuels, and the potential of bimetallic systems for cooperative bond activation. In Chapter II, the reactivity of Ru complexes with organogallium reagents, leading to the formation of Z-type and ion-pair species, with structural and DFT analysis revealing the nature of Ru–Ga interactions. In Chapter III, a series of zwitterionic and cationic Ru-carbazolyl complexes incorporating Al or Ga, along with their catalytic activity for regioselective hydroboration of N-heterocycles. In Chapter IV, Rh–carbazolyl zwitterionic complexes with Group 13 elements are synthesized and examined for their reactivity toward hydrogenatio
Trewolla Brothers House, Winona, Mississippi
No full textA two story colonial influenced house, identified as belonging to the Trewolla brothers, is featured in this faintly color photograph. The left end of the house features bay windows on both floors and four columns line the front porch, with a second story balcony. A Trewolla sign hangs from the balcony over the two doored entrance. Threes and small shrubs flank the walkway and each end of the house. The identification of the photograph is printed within a text box in the lower left corner of the photograph. Written instructions on how the image needs to be retouched are on the back of the photo.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-lampton-images-ms-delta/1350/thumbnail.jp
An Ordinary October Day in Indianola, Mississippi
No full textThis color illustration of people, horses, buildings and trees in Indianola, Mississippi is featured on this postcard. Wagons hauling large, round bales of hay is pictured in the street between buildings and a cluster of wagons is in the foreground of the image. The title of the card is printed along the top edge. A faded and illegible postmark is on the back of the card with a green, upside down, once cent postage stamp. A note addressed to David Boaz, Esq. in Texas is written on the left side.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-lampton-images-ms-delta/1358/thumbnail.jp
Greenville, Mississippi, Cotton Picking
No full textA black and white image of people picking cotton in a field is featured on this postcard within an oval shape. Greenville, Miss. is printed in the upper right corner of the card and Cotton Picking is printed within a text box in the bottom center of the image. The publisher\u27s name is printed along the bottom left curve.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-lampton-images-ms-delta/1364/thumbnail.jp
Hotel Durant, Durant, Mississippi
No full textA black and white photograph of Hotel Durant in Durant, Mississippi, a four story building with early twentieth century cars parked in front is featured on this postcard. A sign for the hotel is pictured a the covered entrance on the right side of the building. The title of the postcard is printed in a text box in the lower left corner of the image.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-lampton-images-ms-delta/1366/thumbnail.jp
Harrison County Courthouse at Gulfport, Mississippi
No full textA black and white photograph of the Harrison County Courthouse in Gulfport, Mississippi, an architecturally complex building with a small dome over the front entrance and a taller, larger dome on the roof of the rotunda behind it. A cupola sits atop the larger dome. The building is a mix of rounded sections and square sections with one story bump outs on the straight or square angles on either side of the rounded front entrance. The title of the card is printed along the bottom of the card.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/mss-lampton-images-ms-coast/1750/thumbnail.jp