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Negotiating Latinidad in popular performance
Get PDFThis dissertation examines the processes by which television, film, and theatre imagine, develop, and produce the ideologies and practices shaping notions of Latinidad through cultural production. By examining multiple modes of popular performance, I assess how artists in stage, television, and film use stereotypes to construct notions of Latinidad and to what end. Subsequently, this study examines critically acclaimed texts that appear in more than one medium and over a broad period to gauge how the performance of Latinidad differs in those mediums, within the context of those genres, and in the changing hegemonic ideology of Latinidad over time. To do so, I focus on the writing, casting, staging, and dramaturgical processes used by these major entertainment industries in creating Latinx cultural productions, where Latinx people are at the center of the storylines. I draw on the concept of Latinidad to frame how these stereotypes and representations are created, maintained, and even challenged by popular performance in the United States. I argue that popular motion pictures, television, and theatre approach Latinx culture in ways that continue to influence and manipulate the definition of Latinidad. To support my argument, I examine the stage version of West Side Story (1957), its 1961 film adaptation, and its 2021 remake; In the Heights (2008) and its 2021 film adaptation; and finally the television series One Day at a Time (2017). To support my argument, I examine each of the productions selected for performance analysis and critique using the following lines of inquiry: How is Latinidad being represented? How is Latinidad considered and approached? What stereotypes, if any, are being perpetuated, reclaimed, and how? This dissertation builds on and adds to scholarship in the fields of Latinx, media, and performance studies. I examine how these creators and their modes of entertainment perform Latinidad to better understand how these shows contribute to perceptions of Latinx people and how Latinx people view themselves. This project is a new exploration into Latinx representation in performance that provides future Latinx performance-makers a benchmark to return to in order to gauge the ever-changing depiction and definition of Latinidad.Theatre and Danc
Robust InSAR surface deformation analysis over humid and densely vegetated terrain
Get PDFInterferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is a remote sensing technique to retrieve centimeter-to-millimeter surface deformation at 10s-100s m-scale resolution over global land coverage. Achieving millimeter-level measurement accuracy, in practice, is often challenging because of heterogeneous data quality and extremely low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR <<1). This PhD work aims to develop improved InSAR data processing strategies that scale in size to permit interpreting a large volume of InSAR data that are severely corrupted by noise. In this way, subtle deformation signals can be recovered to enable new radar applications in solid Earth science, hydrology, cryospheric science, and ecosystems studies.
Our algorithms are suitable for processing InSAR data over densely vegetated and humid sites, a challenging scenario for standard InSAR methods due to the presence of decorrelation, non-zero closure phase, and tropospheric noise. Methods for mitigating decorrelation noise typically require selecting only high-quality measurements, therefore fewer interferograms, for time series analysis. Conversely, methods for reducing non-zero closure phase and tropospheric noise often require 1000s or more interferograms. This trade-off between noise sources poses a challenge in time series analysis and as a result, selecting different subsets of interferograms can lead to deformation estimates that vary up to 10s of cm/yr. Here we present an InSAR time series analysis strategy that selects interferograms based on phase quality, quantified by unwrapping error. This leads to more robust deformation estimates than the traditional Small BAseline Subset (SBAS) method that selects interferograms based on the time separation between two radar passes. In the case that residual tropospheric noise still dominates deformation estimates, we incorporate a large number of interferograms to create an ensemble of subsets that contain common tropospheric artifacts. The differences between interferogram subsets allow us to characterize and separate deformation signals and tropospheric noise without additional in-situ data.
With robust processing algorithms that harness the growing volumes of InSAR data, we can recover more accurate deformation signals in vegetated and humid regions. In one study, we apply these strategies to link deformation, production, and seismicity in dynamic oil and gas producing basins in Texas. In the Eagle Ford region, our strategy reveals a ~900 km² region of up to 11.9 cm of cumulative line of sight (LOS) deformation from 2017-2021 that spatially aligns with oil and water withdrawal. We find that the subsidence is linearly related to the volume of fluid produced. In the Midland Basin, we observed localized subsidence signals that spatially align with production wells. Recent seismicity in the Midland Basin spatially correlates with wastewater injection wells and not observed deformation. In the Delaware Basin, we observe complex uplift and subsidence signals, due to production activities, that rapidly accelerated in the last two years. We further analyze the environmental effects of wastewater injection over two sites. In Crane County, we identify a ~2 km in diameter localized region that experienced rapid uplift of ~52 cm in 2 years. This signal results from wastewater collecting in an orphaned well, 20 km away from the injection field. In Andrews County, we observe ~4 km in diameter region that uplifted ~15 cm in 1 year and connects to uplift signals in New Mexico. Here, injection in Texas wells migrated across the border to New Mexico, ~7 km away, which likely triggered seismicity. We demonstrate that InSAR can provide detailed surface measurements that can play an important role in environmental monitoring and hazard mitigation for oil and gas operations.
We further show that improved processing strategies to observe subtle surface deformation can enable new applications such as studying mineral carbonation of ultramafic rocks. Because this process could potentially remove carbon dioxide that is already in the atmosphere, it may serve as an important climate mitigation solution if the carbonation rate is sufficiently fast. In the Oman Ophiolite, intensive fracturing due to carbonation and serpentinization processes produces 22-83% solid volume uplift. This volume increase could produce surface uplift that is detectable by InSAR observations. While standard InSAR processing strategies based on the SBAS approach suggest up to 5 cm uplift signals over the Oman Ophiolite, there are no in-situ data for validating these results. We show that non-Gaussian tropospheric noise leads to the reputed “uplift” signals in the SBAS solution. This indicates that the slow rate of the natural carbonation process in Oman does not produce detectable uplift signals. Nonetheless, this is an interesting future application that may be feasible as we continue to improve measurement technology. It is worth noting that accelerated carbon-negative reaction-driven cracking could dramatically speed up the carbonation process and produce detectable uplift signals. In this case, InSAR can play an important role in future carbon-negative technology development.Earth and Planetary Science
Supplemental Information for "Drawn from Experience: Co-Producing a Graphic Guide with Arctic Water Sector Workers"
Get PDFThis contains supplemental information supporting the manuscript "Drawn from Experience: Co-Producing a Graphic Guide with Arctic Water Sector Workers." Included are three semi-structured interview protocols used across the four phases of the study (Phases 1–2 community and professional interviews, Phase 3 draft Graphic Guide feedback, and Phase 4 final validation), two tables summarizing participant demographics and stakeholder engagement across study phases, annotated draft pages of the Graphic Guide showing driver feedback and revisions, and the final 16-page Graphic Guide developed with water truck drivers in a Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta community. Together, these materials document the co-production process used to develop a visually-based training resource for hauled water service workers in remote Alaska.Supplemental Information for "Drawn from Experience: Co-Producing a Graphic Guide with Arctic Water Sector Workers"Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineerin
Fiber Optics Embedded in Elastic Band for Monitoring Leg Movements
Get PDFThis work investigated the feasibility of fiber optic sensors embedded in clothing for real-time monitoring of leg movements. Two lightweight plastic optical fibers were sewed into elastic bands and attached firmly around the knees to detect joint bending by measuring changes in light transmission. Experimental testing showed that the optical fibers can reliably distinguish different postures and movements, including squatting, sitting, and walking. The results demonstrate that garment-integrated optical sensing offers a comfortable, minimally-invasive approach that can be applied for applications such as patient monitoring and personalized rehabilitation feedback. © 2026 The Authors.Mechanical Engineerin
Side-channel analysis resilient circuit design
No full textData security is of paramount importance in today's hostile cyber world of billions of interconnected devices. Sensitive information transmitted via these devices can be abused by malicious attackers, leading to severe consequences for individuals and businesses. To address the data security challenge, cryptographers have devised a number of algorithms to guard against data breaches. However, even if the algorithms are robust, their integrated circuit (IC) realizations are still susceptible to side-channel analysis (SCA). Side-channel analysis techniques exploit unintended information leak-age from physical implementations of cryptographic algorithms, revealing sensitive information such as secret keys or intermediate data. This type of attack poses a significant threat to data security and has become an urgent issue that demands immediate attention. Therefore, this doctoral dissertation presents the findings of four research projects aimed at advancing the security of the widely used Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) against side-channel attacks. The first project, ground bounce analysis resilient design, focuses on developing techniques to enhance the resilience of AES against ground bounce attacks. By measuring the IR drops through the ground node connections, attackers reveal unintended voltage variations in the circuit; these voltage variations can leak critical information and be exploited. In this project, a novel modified galvanically isolation technique is proposed to fully isolate the crypto core from external power and ground pins. This isolation prevents the propagation of unintended voltage fluctuations and strengthens the protection of sensitive data. Additionally, a reconfigurable capacitor bank is utilized to minimize data-dependent fluctuations in ground nodes' bounce, further safe-guarding against potential attacks. The experimental results demonstrate significant improvements in the resilience of AES against ground bounce attacks as well as traditional power and coarse-grained electromagnetic (EM) attacks. Recognizing the need to address the vulnerabilities posed by fine-grained EM attacks, the subsequent two projects delve into this area of research. Fine-grained EM analysis involves using highly sensitive probes to measure electro-magnetic emanations from the cryptographic circuitry. These probes can scan the circuit at small steps across the die, allowing for precise identification of high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) electromagnetic signatures generated by vulnerable modules within the cryptographic core. The second project explores the application of physical design strategies to enhance the resilience of AES against fine-grained EM attacks. Various techniques, including power grids, power shields, and decoupling capacitors, are investigated to mitigate the susceptibility of AES cores. Comparative analysis of different physical design configurations reveals higher resilience without incurring power overhead, thereby strengthening the resistance against fine-grained EM side-channel attacks. In the third project, Voltage-Stacked AES (VS-AES), a novel approach is introduced to enhance AES security against fine-grained EM attacks. The VS-AES technique focuses on isolating data-sensitive modules within the AES circuit and facilitating charge recycling across these modules. Randomization methods are also incorporated to increase the unpredictability of compute-current in both spatial and temporal domains. This comprehensive approach significantly boosts the circuit's resilience against fine-grained EM side-channel attacks, further fortifying the security of AES. The fourth project involves the development of a customized Photon emission (PE) simulator. This simulator plays a pivotal role in measuring and analyzing PE attacks on digital circuits during the design phase. Photon emissions occur when electrons within the circuitry transition between energy states, and these emissions can carry information about the circuit's operation. By generating a PE heatmap, vulnerable spots within a circuit can be precisely identified, enabling designers to implement proactive countermeasures and optimize the design for improved resilience against PE attacks. The PE simulator provides valuable insights that aid in the identification and mitigation of potential vulnerabilities, thus contributing to the overall security of the system. In our increasingly interconnected and vulnerable cyber landscape, where billions of devices face potential threats, the demand for robust defenses against side-channel analysis has become more pressing than ever. Through the successful implementation of galvanic-isolated and voltage-stacked AES, strategic physical design explorations, and the development of a Photon Emission (PE) simulator, this dissertation showcases significant advancements in AES resilience against side-channel analysis. These research projects centered around hardware security and secure IC designs make substantial contributions to the field of data security. The insights gained from this research contribute meaningfully towards enhancing data security and have the potential to influence ongoing developments in the field. It aims to protect sensitive information from malicious attackers, thus enhancing the overall safety and reliability of our digital world.Electrical and Computer Engineerin
Benchmarking and engineering CRISPR gene editors
Get PDFThe CRISPR-Cas13 system comprises single RNA-guided Cas13 effector nucleases that exclusively target single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), commonly utilized for tasks such as gene regulation, RNA tracking, and diagnostics. Nevertheless, a comprehensive understanding of the specificity of RNA binding and cleavage activation mechanisms of these enzymes is essential. To address this question systematically, I introduced a novel approach known as RNA-CHAMP (RNA Chip-Hybridized Association-Mapping Platform) in Chapter 2. I then utilize RNA-CHAMP to assess the binding strength between Type VI CRISPR enzymes and over 10,000 RNA targets, including those with protospacer flanking sequences (PFS), structural alterations, mismatches, insertions, and deletions compared to the CRISPR RNA (crRNA) (Chapter 3). Deep profiling of Cas13d, a compact and widely used RNA nuclease, reveals that it doesn't depend on a protospacer flanking sequence (PFS) but is highly sensitive to the secondary structure of the target RNA. Cas13d's binding is significantly affected by mismatches, insertions, and deletions in the distal regions of crRNA-target RNA that are farther from the direct repeat, while alterations in the proximal region impede nuclease activity but not binding. I've constructed a biophysical model using this data, which shows that the recognition of the target starts from the distal region of unstructured target RNAs and progresses towards the proximal region. Leveraging this model, we have developed a set of guide RNAs with single a mismatch that can modulate nuclease activity, enabling the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. This research sheds light on the crucial factors of RNA targeting by Type VI CRISPR enzymes, to enhance CRISPR diagnostics and RNA editing in living organisms. There is a critical need for a genome editing method that can be encoded in RNA or DNA and is capable of inserting large cargo sequences (>100bp DNA). My final project aimed to address this gap by developing genome editing tools based on retron reverse transcriptase (RT), which I named "Retron Editor." These tools were designed for precise and efficient genome editing, as described in Chapter 4. Using a systematic approach involving modular cloning and rapid fluorescent screening, I assessed the editing efficiency of over 100 newly discovered retrons in human cells. This extensive effort led to the identification of 17 previously unknown retrons that exhibited superior editing efficiency compared to the well-known retron, Eco1. Notably, some of the top-performing retrons, such as NRT-83 and -36, outperformed Eco1 by achieving over a five-fold increase in editing efficiency. This accomplishment highlights the potential of 'Retron Editor' as a versatile and efficient genome editing tool, with promising applications in the field of genome engineering and related therapeutics.Cellular and Molecular Biolog
Structural engineering of transition metal-based electrocatalysts toward nitrate reduction
No full textElectrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NO₃RR) is a promising process to mitigate nitrogen pollution and produce value-added chemicals such as ammonia with high projected demand. However, this is a complex process that is challenged by poor selectivity, sluggish reaction kinetics and competing hydrogen evolution reaction. This dissertation presents three structural engineering strategies, mostly based on cheap transition metals, to design nanocatalysts that expand active site accessibility, modulate electronic structure, and optimize reaction pathways to enhance NO₃RR performance. Ultra-large 2D nanosheets are highly desirable architecture in electrocatalysis, owing to their large accessible surface active sites. To this end, ultra-large, porous 2D nanosheets with diverse compositional tunability were synthesized. These millimeter-size nanosheets were fabricated via an ice-templating bottom-up self-assembly method. Key synthesis parameters, such as nanoparticle size, surface charge and freezing velocity, were systematically investigated. Building upon the same material platform, atomic-level structuring was further developed, employing high-entropy and single-atom lattice designs (Chapter 4). High entropy hollow nanocages were synthesized via selective etching from medium-entropy precursors. This design serves the dual purpose of maximizing the number of active sites and inducing diverse electronic environment. Lastly, targeting the multi-step complex nature, a tandem catalyst incorporating two metals that are favorable for two critical steps was designed. A Janus nanocrystal with tunable multi-dimensional domains and interfacial length was synthesized to spatially separate and optimize the adsorption of key reaction intermediates. A new interface-mediated pathway was also proposed in addition to conventional spillover-mediated pathway (Chapter 5) In summary, three chapters represent structural engineering spanning from atomic-to macro-scale, leading to controlled activity, selectivity and reaction pathways in NO₃RR.Materials Science and Engineerin
Structural control and material design of polymers for atmospheric water harvesting and water-enabled electricity generation
Get PDFAccess to crucial resources like fresh water and electricity in modern society is being increasingly threatened by climate change, population growth, and diminishing resources. Traditional methods of resource extraction and production pose significant challenges, highlighting the necessity of novel alternatives. One avenue is the untapped potential of the earth's abundant water for freshwater production and energy conversion. Polymers, with their inherent hydrophilicity and tunability, emerge as promising platforms for these applications. When crosslinked into hydrogels, polymers exhibit extensive water interactions, including efficient water sorption and low-energy desorption, facilitated by manipulating functional groups and swelling capacity. Moreover, blends of conjugated polymers and polyelectrolytes offer intriguing possibilities for charge manipulation, acting as a potential material platform in applications of energy storage and electricity generation. This dissertation explores the structural control and material design of polymers in atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) and water-enabled electricity generation (WEG), addressing the urgent need for sustainable water and energy solutions. The dissertation unfolds in three stages, each delving into a different facet of polymer potential. Initially, the study focuses on designing hygroscopic polymeric gels for AWH, which exhibit impressive water uptake capabilities, even under arid conditions, and manage to realize an energy-efficient water desorption process. The second stage presents the novel concept of phase separation-induced voltage in mixed conductive polymers, demonstrating a pioneering technology for WEG that also facilitates energy storage. Finally, the dissertation introduces a conductivity gradient within the conductive polymer, resulting in an effective water flow energy harvester. Finally, the development of hydrogel-based AWH sorbent and polymer-based electricity generators are summarized and possible future directions are provided.Mechanical Engineerin
Medical Spanish in Central Texas : a needs analysis of language use among healthcare professionals and Latino patients and its implications for curricular design
Get PDFOne of the challenges facing Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) and Medical Spanish curricula is knowing how to properly apply coursework across diverse programs and institutional levels (Hardin & Hardin 2013; Hardin 2015). The present study conducts a needs analysis (NA) to better understand the needs of healthcare professionals in central Texas and what must be considered in the development and implementation of Medical Spanish curricula. The NA was conducted in three parts: 1) surveys; 2) semi-structured interviews; and 3) observations of healthcare interactions. All data included the perspectives of both healthcare professionals and Latino patients and was analyzed qualitatively using NVivo. The importance of Medical Spanish is demonstrated in prior research through stories of miscommunication, or the importance of language concordance between patients and providers (Brown, Scheffler & Schulman 2007; Chen, Youdelmman & Brooks 2007; Eamranond, Davis, Phillips & Wee 2009; Flores 2006; Martínez 2020). In Martínez’s (2010) discussion of language barriers, miscommunication is not only about linguistic differences but also engrained negative stereotypes which can result in unequal treatment. The curricula should therefore target real-world communicative needs without forgetting the cultural competency required to combat these stereotypes. With many questions remaining, it is first necessary to define the language needs of healthcare professionals and how Medical Spanish curricula might be adjusted as a result. Three major themes arose from the data: 1) an emphasis on communicative skills; 2) the importance of interpreter services; and 3) the need for general and self-assessment tools and concepts. Through these main themes, the present study finds five primary implications for Medical Spanish curricula: 1) prioritize speakers with Advanced proficiency levels in standalone elective coursework; 2) use task-based and communicative instructional methods, including extensive practice opportunities; 3) integrate Medical Spanish resources that reflect or supplement the instructional methods; 4) administer proficiency tests throughout or at the end of the course; and 5) include instruction on concepts such as effective interpreter use and cultural humility. LSP courses are crucial for learners at all stages of their career, and there is a need for ongoing opportunities for language practice and use.Spanish and Portugues
Mechanistic underpinnings of lacustrine brGDGT production, and proteomic vertebrate taxonomic identification of phrynosomatid lizards and arvicoline rodents
Get PDFPaleoecology is a broad topic that seeks to characterize biological-environmental interactions of the past. Our understanding of modern ecology is enhanced and informed by paleoecology. Paleoecological analyses on issues such as species distribution, extinction and generation, and the impacts of climatic shifts on biotic systems serve to inform our understanding of these same issues today and into the future. Accuracy in paleoecological studies is therefore crucial to correctly characterizing biotic communities of the past so that we can better understand how those communities are the same or different today, and how geologic or climatic shifts may have influenced community stability or change. Understanding how environmental variables have influenced biotic change in the past gives researchers tools to determine conservation strategies and mediate impacts on biotic communities in the face of irreversible and significant anthropogenic climate change. Erroneous paleoecological conclusions, therefore, risk the generation of erroneous conclusions about the development of today’s biotic communities, and erroneous conservation strategies for the future of those communities. I used biomolecular and geochemical methods of analysis to interrogate three topics of research that inform paleoecological analyses: 1) Improved understanding of the environmental conditions that affect the formation of an established paleotemperature proxy—branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs)— derived from bacteria; 2) The viability of taxonomic identification of North American lizards using proteomic analysis of the collagen (I) (COL1) protein in bone, and this method’s ability to test the accuracy of morphological identifications that are the basis of hypothesized lizard biogeographic and taxonomic Quaternary stability; and 3) Application of the same proteomic method of identification to North American arvicoline rodents (voles, lemmings and muskrats) to assess the rate of amino acid substitution of COL1 in a rapidly diversified clade. Each of these topics of research resulted in a meaningful alteration of scientific understanding of the mechanisms underpinning paleoecological studies related to the respective topic. My brGDGT experiments identified the role of two different bacterial thermal classes on brGDGT production, conclusively demonstrating that brGDGTs are produced by multiple bacterial communities. The identification of these bacterial thermal classes and their biological constraints opens the door to improved paleotemperature reconstruction through the adaptation of current calibration methods to account for bacterial thermal class. Future research into brGDGT production by means of incubation experiments can be improved as a result of my identification of cold-shock as the cause of the observed failure for incubated bacteria to adapt to colder incubation temperatures. In addition to my paleotemperature work, I used proteomic analyses to de novo sequence the collagen (I) (COL1) protein for a set of North American lizards and arvicoline rodents (voles, lemmings and muskrats) to be used for proteomic species identification of morphologically unidentifiable bone material. This method of identification, colloquially known as ZooMS, uses a reference database of COL1 protein markers to distinguish between vertebrate taxa. Prior to my analysis, there was only one lizard in the reference database, and the value of using ZooMS to identify lizards in general was unknown. I demonstrated the ability to proteomically distinguish between tested species which are morphologically difficult or impossible to separate. I further found that 37% of morphological identifications of fossils purported to belong to our tested taxonomic group were erroneous. My results call into question purported species paleodistributions and hypothesized geographic and taxonomic stability of North American lizards established based on morphological identifications. My work on arvicoline rodents similarly found proteomic analysis can fully resolve species within our set of tested taxa, including between species hypothesized to have diverged less than one million years ago. I was also able to proteomically demonstrate that the extinct species, Microtus paroperarius is distinct from the extant species Alexandromys oeconomus, despite scientific opinion advancing towards synonymizing these species due to extreme morphological similarity. Together, this research program constitutes significant improvements to the accuracy of paleoecological conclusions related to brGDGT paleotemperature research, North American Quaternary distribution of lizards, and significant improvements to taxonomic identification of arvicoline rodents.Earth and Planetary Science