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Listening to Porfirian Mexico: Sound, Culture, and Modernity
No full textListening to Porfirian Mexico: Sound, Culture, and Modernity explores how sound andlistening shaped the experience of modern life in Mexico during the Porfiriato (1876–1911). The dissertation argues that the modernization of Mexico was heard as much as it was seen, and that struggles over mechanical sound, public noise, and acoustics reveal how people understood their place in a rapidly changing world. The study is organized around three case studies that trace different layers of the Porfirian soundscape. The first examines itinerant sound devices, street organs, phonographs, and other machines, that altered everyday life in the city. Their presence sparked debates over noise,
technology, and modernity, as officials sought to regulate what was heard in public space. The second turns to the commercial recording industry, showing how phonograph companies, distributors, and performers built a market for recorded sound that linked Mexico to global circuits while shaping local tastes and cultural identities. The third focuses on the acoustics and regulation of theaters, especially the Teatro Nacional and the Palacio de Bellas Artes, where
questions of architecture, technology, and state power converged in the management of listening itself. Together, these chapters reveal how sound was entangled with issues of class, politics, and cultural authority. By listening to the Porfirian soundscape, the dissertation reframes our understanding of modernization in Mexico, highlighting the ways sound technologies and acoustic environments mediated the relationship between state power, cultural life, and everyday experience.Release after 09/08/202
Advancing Label Free Imaging for Understanding Tissue Structure and Health
No full textA wide range of biomedical imaging technologies are available for clinicians and researchers to improve diagnosis and treatment of disease. This work studies label free imaging systems and image processing with four different focuses. Image science is utilized for each focus in order to maximize the amount and quality of information which can be derived from images. Advancing image processing techniques is particularly appealing for biomedical purposes as imaging internal organs can be costly and invasive. As more information can be derived from images fewer images will be needed to draw confident conclusions, which can lower barriers and broaden horizons for research studies and diagnostics.Understanding the potential and limitations of these imaging techniques is key in guiding the course of future innovations. Smartphone cameras are not typically considered to be a biomedical tool, however they have high potential due to their image quality and ubiquity. Smartphone-based spectroscopy in particular has been investigated by a number of groups. Here, it is implemented in a benchtop system which utilizes a fiber optic cable to take diffuse reflectance spectroscopy measurements from a sample. With this system spectral measurements can be taken with ease. Key challenges emerge when processing the data from raw image captures to calibrated spectra. Among them, establishing a pixel to wavelength relationship and determining the best method to work with the data from different color channels. Polarized light imaging (PLI) is a useful technique for measuring structural elements of certain types of tissue, neural tissue is of particular interest as white matter tracts have been found to be intrinsically birefringent. As a result, PLI has been investigated for microstructural neural mapping purposes which are desirable for a number of applications such as surgical guidance and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) validation techniques. To assess the potential of PLI in a backscattering configuration for these purposes a multispectral polarimeter is used to take measurements of ferret brain samples in regions with fiber structures of interest. From here, to further understand the sensitivity and limitations of backscattering polarimetry, tissue phantoms are used and directly compared with the neural tissue. Relaying image information which can be clearly visually understood by a viewer to relevant quantifiable information is a key challenge in computer vision. Image texture is among the properties which can be visually differentiated with ease but a difficult to quantify. One popular method for doing so is the use of Haralick texture feature extraction which relies on a grey level coocurrence matrix (GLCM) to enumerate all the pairs of pixels with specified grey levels. From here the 14 Haralick features are calculated by applying equations to the GLCM to quantity the distribution of grey levels. This method has been applied in a broad range of applications, however there is often not a lot of discussion about the meaning of the features making them somewhat difficult to interpret and contextualize after being calculated. In order to try to expand on this simulated texture images are produced and the texture feature extraction process is carried out in order to create a visual scale for each feature. This is then related to real data in order to assess the limitations of this method. Endoscopy is a major tool clinicians have at their disposal for detecting and monitoring gastrointestinal disease progression. Typically, white light imaging is used, giving doctors a view of the tissue similar to what they would see if they could directly look at it. However, there are many other imaging types which can be added to endoscopes to expand the visualization beyond that and highlight structural and biochemical changes the tissue is undergoing. In order to assess four different imaging modes, fresh healthy, metaplastic and cancerous esophageal tissue samples were excised from people during upper endoscopy procedures at the University of Arizona Cancer Center. Autofluorescence, hyperspectral, optical coherence tomography and polarized light imaging were used to measure the samples. From here the data could be processed by extracting potentially relevant image features and running them through classification and analysis algorithms in order to determine which of these would be best to incorporate into an endoscope independently or in a multimodal configuration in the future
Manure and Composted Manure Use in Arizona Agriculture
No full textManure and composted manure have long been recognized as valuable resources for building healthy soils. When used thoughtfully, they contribute organic matter, supply essential plant nutrients, and support nutrient cycling. However, their use also requires careful management to avoid unintended impacts such as introducing weed seeds, spreading pathogens, or altering soil chemistry through salt or nutrient buildup. Understanding these risks and applying best management practices ensures that manure and compost remain beneficial tools for soil health and agricultural production.
Arizona soils present unique challenges that make manure and composted manure especially relevant. In the state’s hot, arid climate, organic matter decomposes rapidly, leaving many Arizona soils with minimal organic matter for nutrient cycling (Bliss, 2003). These soils are often alkaline, with pH values ranging from 7.0 to 8.8, and may contain hardened layers of calcium carbonate (caliche). Although mineral-rich and geologically diverse, the high pH can limit plant uptake of micronutrients such as iron, manganese, and zinc. This combination of low organic matter and alkaline chemistry means that soil amendments, such as manure or composted manure, can provide significant benefits
Groundwater Fluoride Exposure and Potential Effects on Arizona Livestock
No full textFluoride (F-) is a naturally occurring mineral commonly found in surface and groundwater. It is present in water sources due to the erosion of F- containing rocks and soil found throughout the United States. While chronic, long-term F- exposure in livestock, particularly cattle, may lead to dental and skeletal fluorosis, the risk to human health through meat consumption remains low, though uncertain due to limited previous research. Despite this limitation, previous work has demonstrated that chronic F- accumulation in cattle, primarily through water, feed, forage, and crops, is an important consideration for livestock health. Due to its widespread occurrence in groundwater through Arizona, continued research is needed to address knowledge gaps regarding F- accumulation in cattle and refine our knowledge of how to effectively diminish risks to maintain livestock health and well-being.Funding that supported this work was provided by the National Institutes of Health (P50MD015706, 2P42ES004940, P30 ES006694), US Geological Survey (G24AC00083) and the Waverly Street Foundation
Furthering Optical Techniques for Micro-Endoscope Development: The Cell-Acquiring Fallopian Endoscope for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer
No full textThis dissertation discusses the efforts made to advance the field of submillimeter microendoscopy, with emphasis on detection of early signs of ovarian cancer in the fallopian tubes. The dissertation begins with the medical and technical background knowledge necessary to understand the motivation for building submillimeter diameter endoscopes and introduces the Cell-Acquiring Fallopian Endoscope (CAFE) as a potential screening method for early ovarian cancer. The CAFE is a coherent fiber bundle-based submillimeter endoscope capable of reflectance and fluorescence imaging, as well as cell collection. The reasoning behind many of the optical and mechanical design decisions made is provided.The dissertation contains details on three projects, with details in appendices, undertaken to support a microendoscope approach to early ovarian cancer detection. The first project is the overall design of the CAFE. A manuscript ready for submission describes its working principles and as-built performance, including initial human test data. The endoscope has proven capable of imaging at the desired resolution, illuminating and collecting reflectance and fluorescence images, and collecting an adequate number of cells for analysis. Detailed standard operating procedures for building, testing and operating the CAFE are included. The second project explores the optical limitations imposed on submillimeter endoscopes for small lumens, and a 3D-printed approach to distal objective microlenses. We characterize and compare the performance of a custom gradient refractive index (GRIN) rod lens, a 3D-printed monolithic doublet, and a 3D-printed monolithic triplet. The 3D-printed doublet’s performance had the largest margin of success, but due to low manufacturing yield, the GRIN lens was deemed best to address the needs of a submillimeter endoscope. A manuscript published in the Journal of Optical Microsystems is provided, along with supplementary material. The third project description describes the theoretical modulation transfer function of a coherent fiber bundle-based endoscope, including the effects of a distal lens, fiber bundle, relay lens group, and camera sensor. Experimental results from four configurations are compared to theory, showing that the simulated model is accurate in describing the trend of the modulation transfer equation of a fiber bundle-based endoscope. A software package that takes user input and implements the theoretical equation is also described and shared. A manuscript prepared for publication is included in this dissertation. The dissertation ends with a discussion of planned and potential future work. First, this section summarizes the CAFE’s in vivo study procedure for 10 patients. Then, this section reviews the assembly challenges of the CAFE, the attempts to address those challenges, and the final design for in vivo use. Lastly, it discusses the opportunities for design improvements in the distal lens and ferrule.Release after 03/19/202
War and the Moral Equality of Combatants: An Adjusted Conception
No full textAccording to a traditional account of Just War Theory, combatants are moral equals regardless of whether they are engaged in a just or unjust war. This means, roughly, that combatants on either side of the war have the same permissions to harm combatants on the other side. Traditionally, however, the scope of this principle has not been well defined. Precisely who counts as a combatant has been left in the air. Getting clear on the scope of the equally of combatants is immensely important though, if we are to act morally in war. If we only use history as a guide, the scope issue is less concerning when both sides of a conflict line up in neat rows of contradicting brightly colored uniforms, complete with flying national ensigns and bandsmen playing national songs, it would be hard to confuse either side as noncombatants. In the modern era however, this line between combatant and noncombatant cannot be drawn using easily distinguished uniforms or placement in the battle space. In fact, many modern fighters do not wear any distinguishing marking and are not claimed a nation or independent state as members of an organized armed forces. So, the question looms for the application of Just War Theory in this age of non-conventional warfare: who are the combatants that are supposed to be moral equals
EVIDENCE BASED RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENHANCE END-OF-LIFE CARE PREPAREDNESS IN UNDERGRADUATE NURSING EDUCATION
No full textDeath anxiety is a significant psychological factor among undergraduate nursing students and shapes their self-efficacy, emotional readiness, and willingness to provide end-of-life care. Despite national guidelines from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, research shows persistent gaps in undergraduate preparation for death and postmortem care. This thesis examines how fear, avoidance, and anxiety influence students’ preparedness to care for dying patients and evaluates evidence-based strategies to strengthen end-of-life education. A review of literature from 2019-2024 shows that nursing students commonly report moderate to high death anxiety, low end-of-life care self-efficacy, and reluctance to pursue specialties such as hospice and geriatrics. Contributing factors include limited clinical exposure to death, minimal opportunities for emotional processing, lack of spiritual care training, inconsistent competency expectations, and insufficient faculty support. Effective interventions identified in the literature include simulation, resilience-building, spiritual care instruction, and reflective practice, all shown to reduce anxiety and improve professional confidence. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice model, this thesis synthesizes findings into five best-practice recommendations and outlines an implementation and evaluation plan for nursing programs aimed at creating a supportive, competency-based approach to end-of-life education that enhances student learning and clinical readiness
Determining Site-Specific Soil Screening Levels for PFAS at an Airport Source Area
No full textSoils impacted by aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) use at military and civilian airports are a major, ongoing source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment. This study determines site-specific soil screening levels (SSLs) for three PFAS using field and laboratory data from an AFFF source area at Eielson Air Force Base (EAFB) near Fairbanks, Alaska. We apply multiple PFAS-specific approaches: a one-dimensional analytical solution transport model, modified U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dilution-attenuation factor (DAF) equation, and field-measured soil and porewater concentrations. The modeling effort is supported by high-resolution soil characterization, including measurements of physical, hydraulic, and geochemical properties. Such SSLs are used to quantify the risk of PFAS leaching to groundwater, which often results in human and environmental exposures. Our PFAS-specific approaches reflect the complexity of PFAS partitioning and vadose zone transport, an area of active research. Differences among the SSLs generated for each PFAS by the different approaches highlight the dominant processes controlling soil retention and mass discharge at this site.Release after 07/06/202
Multifunctional Magnetic Nanocomposites: Tailored Surface Engineering for Biomedical Applications, Photonic Harvesting, and Energy Conversion
No full textMagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) have gained significant attention in nanotechnology due to their high surface-to-volume ratio, strong magnetic responsiveness, and superparamagnetic behavior. These properties make them ideal building blocks for multifunctional nanosystems that integrate biochemical, optical, and energy-related functionalities within a single platform. This dissertation focuses on the design, synthesis, and surface engineering of Fe₃O₄-based nanocomposites for applications spanning enzyme immobilization, controlled coating processes, photothermal energy conversion, and the construction of hierarchical hybrid structures. The first part of this work examines the functionalization of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles using 3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) to introduce amine groups for enzyme attachment. Trypsin was selected as a model enzyme and immobilized via glutaraldehyde coupling, resulting in a magnetically recoverable biocatalyst that retained significant catalytic activity while exhibiting improved stability and reusability. The second part extends this approach by coating Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with a dextran coating to enhance aqueous dispersion and biocompatibility. Trypsin was successfully immobilized onto these dextran-coated nanoparticles, and detailed kinetic analyses confirmed effective enzyme attachment and activity. These results underscore the versatility of Fe₃O₄-based nanocarriers and demonstrate their potential for immobilizing other proteins, enzymes, and antibodies. The third part of the dissertation addresses the growth kinetics of polydopamine (PDA) coatings on Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Although PDA is widely used as a universal coating material, its thickness evolution and deposition kinetics remain poorly understood. In this study, PDA shell formation was systematically monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), enabling the development of a kinetic model that describes its exponential growth. These insights provide a reproducible framework for designing PDA-based nanomaterials with controlled coating thickness and improved functional reliability. The final part presents the synthesis of a hollow Fe₃O₄@Au@mTiO₂ nanocomposite that integrates magnetic, plasmonic, and photocatalytic properties. The hollow Fe₃O₄ core, plasmonic gold layer, and mesoporous TiO₂ shell collectively enable strong magnetic responsiveness, efficient NIR-induced photothermal heating, and enhanced structural stability. This multifunctional architecture shows strong potential for applications such as photothermal therapy, environmental remediation, and solar-driven energy conversion. Overall, this dissertation highlights how controlled surface chemistry and hierarchical nanostructure design can be used to engineer advanced multifunctional magnetic nanocomposites tailored for biomedical, optical, and energy-related technologies. Release after 07/06/202
The Psychosocial Implications of Acne Vulgaris: A Push Towards Integrative Care
No full textBackground: Acne vulgaris is one of the most common dermatologic conditions, affecting up to 85% of adolescents and many adults. While the physical manifestations are well-recognized, acne is strongly associated with psychosocial comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation. Despite this, routine psychosocial screening is rarely incorporated into acne management, leaving a gap in holistic, patient-centered care. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to increase provider awareness of the psychosocial burden of acne vulgaris and evaluate the impact of a brief educational intervention on provider knowledge, confidence, and intention to implement routine mental health screening in this population. Additionally, recommendations for psychiatric referrals and options for adjunctive therapies are presented. Methods: Guided by the Model for Improvement, the intervention consisted of a 15-minute in-person educational session delivered at a private outpatient primary care clinic. Three clinic staff members participated in the education session. A pre-intervention survey assessed baseline knowledge and practices, while a post-intervention survey evaluated perceived effectiveness of the education, appropriateness of screening tools, workflow feasibility, and intent to implement screening. Likert-scale items were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and open-ended responses were analyzed thematically. Results: Quantitative findings demonstrated improvements across all domains, with participants reporting higher confidence in identifying psychological comorbidities (pre-M = 4.00, post-M = 5.00), increased recognition of actionable strategies, and unanimous intent to implement screening. Qualitative analysis revealed three themes: value of validated screening tools, interest in expanding screening to all adolescents, and workflow and time barriers to sustainability. Conclusions: The educational intervention effectively increased provider knowledge, confidence, and willingness to integrate psychosocial screening into acne care. Findings support the feasibility of embedding validated tools and referral pathways into practice, with system-level adjustments needed for sustainability. This project underscores the importance of holistic, integrative care that addresses both the physical and psychosocial dimensions of acne vulgaris