2211 research outputs found
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Using the patella to estimate sex in a terminal classic Maya bone deposit of commingled human remains
No full textUcanal was a major Maya center during the Terminal Classic period (830-1000 CE) with complex social, political, and economic relation-ships emerging after the Ѧcollapseѧ of the Classic Maya civilization. Recent excavations revealed unusual and surprising mortuary patterns that deviate from other cities. Most notably, large deposits of bone have been recovered spread across plaza ܫoors and in dense, concentrated groups. Deposits contain isolated human skel-etal remains that were relatively easy to remove from the body of a living or recently deceased person like teeth, the patella, and bones of the arms, hands, and feet. Moreover, many of the bones show evidence of subsequently being "worked" and in the process of being transformed into another object – something most often seen with faunal remains. Given the unique nature of this assemblage, a primary objective was to estimate sex and age of the isolated elements to reconstruct what may have occurred at the site. A total of 31 patella from Ucanal were examined and six metrics were collected from each bone (e.g. Buikstra and Ubelaker, 1994; Sakaue, 2008), veriܪed with IOE data, and statistically evaluated to reveal sexual dimorphism among the patella (t-test and Mann-Whitney’s U). The method was veriܪed with comparative samples of patella from collections derived from other regional sites (Ambergris Caye, San Juan, Cac Balam, and Ek Luum). Sex can be estimated from the patella alone for the ancient Maya samples and the method has great potential use for isolated, poorly preserved remains from other similar contexts.Conference AbstractsPublishe
Modelling Software Architecture for Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping
No full textVisual simultaneous localization and mapping (VSLAM) is an essential technique used in areas such as robotics and augmented reality for pose estimation and 3D mapping. Research on VSLAM using both monocular and stereo cameras has grown significantly over the last two decades. There is, therefore, a need for emphasis on a comprehensive review of the evolving architecture of such algorithms in the literature. Although VSLAM algorithm pipelines share similar mathematical backbones, their implementations are individualized and the ad hoc nature of the interfacing between different modules of VSLAM pipelines complicates code reuseability and maintenance. This paper presents a software model for core components of VSLAM implementations and interfaces that govern data flow between them while also attempting to preserve the elements that offer performance improvements over the evolution of VSLAM architectures. The framework presented in this paper employs principles from model-driven engineering (MDE), which are used extensively in the development of large and complicated software systems. The presented VSLAM framework will assist researchers in improving the performance of individual modules of VSLAM while not having to spend time on system integration of those modules into VSLAM pipelines.Journal ArticlePublishe
A Nag-like dioxygenase initiates 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene degradation via 4,5-dichlorocatechol in Diaphorobacter sp. strain JS3050
No full textThe chemical synthesis intermediate 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene (3,4-DCNB) is an environmental pollutant. Diaphorobacter sp. strain JS3050 utilizes 3,4-DCNB as a sole source of carbon, nitrogen and energy. However, the molecular determinants of its catabolism are poorly understood. Here, the complete genome of strain JS3050 was sequenced and key genes were expressed heterologously to establish the details of its degradation pathway. A chromosome-encoded three-component
nitroarene dioxygenase (DcnAaAbAcAd) converted 3,4-DCNB stoichiometrically to 4,5-dichlorocatechol, which was transformed to 3,4-dichloromuconate by a plasmid-borne ring-cleavage chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase (DcnC). On the chromosome, there are also genes encoding enzymes (DcnDEF) responsible for the subsequent transformation of 3,4-dichloromuconate to β-ketoadipic acid. The fact that the genes responsible for the catabolic pathway are separately located on plasmid and chromosome indicates that recent assembly and ongoing evolution of the genes encoding the pathway is likely. The regiospecificity of 4,5-dichlorocatechol formation from 3,4-DCNB by DcnAaAbAcAd represents a sophisticated evolution of the nitroarene dioxygenase that avoids misrouting of toxic intermediates. The findings enhance the understanding of microbial catabolic diversity during adaptive evolution in response to xenobiotics released into the environment.Journal Articl
Designing new routes to pharmaceutical reagents via the acid-base reaction of copper(I) oxide with a weak acid in the presence o
No full textTris(triphenylphosphine) copper(I) phenolate, (Ph₃P)₃CuOPh, is a possible intermediate in the synthesis of tris(triphenylphosphine) (trifluoromethyl) copper(I), (Ph₃P)₃CuCF₃, which is an
important compound in medicinal chemistry. (Ph₃P)₃CuOPh is synthesized by reacting a copper-containing base (copper(I) oxide, Cu₂O) with a weak acid (phenol, PhOH) in the presence of a ligand (triphenylphosphine, PPh₃). We have been altering the conditions of the acid-base reaction to make our phenolate complex in a timelier and more cost-efficient manner, in high purity. So far, we have experimented with sulfuric, hydrobromic and hydrochloric acids as catalysts in our reactions. Currently, we have lowered the synthesis time to 8 hours from 72 hours and have obtained (Ph₃P)₃CuOPh in acceptable purity with an average of 98% yield. We have also attempted to synthesize a very similar nitromethanide complex, which would serve the same purposes as the phenolate, i.e., as an intermediate in the synthesis of our target compound, (Ph₃P)₃CuCF₃. The current yield is around 80%, and we are trying to improve the purity of this intermediate produced by our method
Kinyoki, Damaris
No full textAssistant Professor
PhD, Health Sciences, University of Warwick, 2017
MSc, Medical Statistics, University of Nairobi, 2011
MPH, Family Health, University of Nairobi, 2009
BSc, Biomedical Science and Technology, Egeerton University, 2006
Dr. Kinyoki’s research has focused on assembling big datasets on maternal and childhood nutrition and morbidity and developing advanced statistical models to investigate the patterns and trends of different forms of malnutrition and infection globally. She aims to determine the trends in prevalence of different indicators of over-nutrition and under-nutrition across various age groups and map estimates at spatial levels relevant to policy planning.
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Steele, Gregory
No full textVisiting Lecturer
DrPH, Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Public Health, 1991
MPH. Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Public Health, 1982
BA, Biology & Chemistry, Indiana University, 1975
Dr. Steele is a visiting lecturer for the Department of Public Health.
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Faculty support in higher education
No full textEnsuring Canvas courses meet accessibility standards allows students to acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability. Accessibility is about inclusion by providing equal access and opportunities to everyone. This presentation provides an overview of accessibility in online courses and how my work as a GA supports faculty development of accessible courses.Graduate Research PresentationFaculty Mentor: Dr. Nancy Hasting
Teach to Avatar and Para to Teacher Research
No full textThis PowerPoint presentation describes the research and work done in relation to the Teach to Avatar program advised by Dr. Shim Lew and the Para to Teacher research advised by Dr. Keri Fogle. It includes peer reviewed literary support and statistical evidence highlighting the need for these areas of research. It also includes the personal reflections and implications of the author's involvement in this research.Graduate Research PresentationFaculty Mentor, Dr. Shim Lew
Faculty Mentor, Dr. Keri Fogl
From bad to worse: Airline boarding changes in response to COVID-19
No full textAirlines have introduced a back-to-front boarding process in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is motivated by the desire to reduce passengers’ likelihood of passing close to seated passengers when they take their seats. However, our prior work on the risk of Ebola spread in aeroplanes suggested that the driving force for increased exposure to infection transmission risk is the clustering of passengers while waiting for others to stow their luggage and take their seats. In this work, we examine whether the new boarding processes lead to increased or decreased risk of infection spread. We also study the reasons behind the risk differences associated with different boarding processes. We accomplish this by simulating the new boarding processes using pedestrian dynamics and compare them against alternatives. Our results show that back-to-front boarding roughly doubles the infection exposure compared with random boarding. It also increases exposure by around 50% compared to a typical boarding process prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. While keeping middle seats empty yields a substantial reduction in exposure, our results show that the different boarding processes have similar relative strengths in this case as with middle seats occupied. We show that the increased exposure arises from the proximity between passengers moving in the aisle and while seated. Such exposure can be reduced significantly by prohibiting the use of overhead bins to stow luggage. Our results suggest that the new boarding procedures increase the risk of exposure to COVID-19 compared with prior ones and are substantially worse than a random boarding process.Journal ArticleFinal article publishedArticle ID:20101
Supporting undergraduates as they enter the scholarly conversation
No full textMost institutional repositories have no issues with reaching out to campus faculty and researchers in their attempts to host and highlight university scholarship. But what about students? Often the focus begins and ends with graduate dissertations and theses or perhaps the occasional high profile undergraduate project.
We wanted to go a step further. Many colleges and universities support undergraduate honors and research programs whose culminating projects include presentations and/or participation in symposiums and conferences. As scholarly output of the university, we wanted to capture their work before they graduated or moved into the workforce or graduate work.
This brief presentation will describe our strategy, pros and cons, and success in building a sustainable process that provides IR inclusion for undergraduates at the University of West Florida.Conference Presentatio