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How do the international graduate students experience the impact of utilizing Bitcoin transactions on the security of their financial activities
Get PDFThis study explores the use of Bitcoin by international graduate students and how it affects the security of their financial transactions. It\u27s critical to understand the implications for people handling cross-border financial transactions given the increasing acceptance of cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, on a global scale. This study uses a mixed-methods research design with surveys and interviews to try to capture the complex viewpoints of graduate students from around the world. The study looks at why these students chose Bitcoin, as well as the perceived benefits and risks, cybersecurity issues, and overall impact on their financial security. The study closely examines the variables that impacted these students\u27 decision to use Bitcoin, as well as the perceived risks and benefits, cybersecurity issues, and overall impact on their financial security. Through analyzing the many layers of Bitcoin transactions, this study seeks to reveal important new information that adds to the developing story about the use of cryptocurrencies and provides a more nuanced understanding of the practical implications for graduate students from around the world. By doing this, the study deepens the current conversation about the relationship between the financial security of students who are studying abroad and the adoption of cryptocurrencies
Remarkable Mechanical and Solvent Resistance Properties of Polyurethane Elastomers Based on Betulin Prepared without Need of Catalyst
Get PDFPolyurethane (PUs) are an incredibly versatile class of polymer due to the broad range of chemistries that may be utilized in their synthesis to create an abundance of types and properties. As an example, PU elastomers have outstanding chemical, mechanical, and physical properties together with excellent biocompatibility. An increasing number of people are becoming interested in using sustainable biomass feedstock to produce biobased chemical products. The bark of birch trees contains naturally occurring cyclic aliphatic diol known as botulin which is found in substantial level. In this research, several types of bio-based polyurethane (PU) elastomers with exceptional mechanical characteristics, solvent resistance, and thermal stability have been developed without the requirement for a catalyst using betulin and castor oil (CO) as bio-based polyols. The effects of the hydroxyl ratio between botulin and CO were considered while thoroughly investigating the chemical structure and properties of bio-based PU elastomers. Because of the presence of many hydrogen bonds, stiff ring planes, and other fundamental components in the PU structure, the resulting PU elastomers demonstrated exceptional mechanical properties. They observed maximum tensile strength around 31.6 MPa with a tensile strain of more than 200% could support 1×105 times their weight. The betulin-derived PUs elastomer has a temperature breakdown point of more than 3000 C. This work demonstrated making high-performing, environmentally friendly polyurethane (PUs) materials with a biomass component of at least 75%
Effects of Fillers on Polyurethane Properties in Composites Based on Hempseed Oil
Get PDFOver the past few decades, polymer composites have received significant interest and become a protagonist due to their enhanced properties and wide range of applications. Herein, we investigated the effect of filler and flame-retardant on the properties of polyurethane foams prepared using hemp seed oil (HSO). Firstly, the HSO was converted into the corresponding epoxy analog with acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, followed by a ring-opening reaction with methanol to construct hemp bio-polyols which was characterized by FT-IR, hydroxyl, and acid values experiment. Synthesized hemp polyol was reacted with diisocyanate in the presence of commercial polyols and other foaming components to produce rigid polyurethane foams. In addition, different fillers like microcrystalline cellulose (90 μm particle size), alkaline lignin, titanium dioxide, and melamine as a flame-retardant were used in different wt.% ratio to fabricate composite foam. The mechanical characteristics, thermal behavior, apparent density, cellular morphology, flammability, and closed cell content of the generated foams were examined. Initial screening of different fillers reveals that cellulose improves mechanical strength up to 260 kPa at 20% yield strength. The effect of melamine flame-retardant in composite foam was also examined which shows the highest compression strength of 340 kPa and all the composite foam has over 90% of closed cell content. The presence of melamine reduced the flammability of the prepared foams. The foam containing 15 gm of melamine showed a reduced burning time of 4.1 seconds and weight loss of 1.88%
Activated Maple Carbon as a Bio-Based Cathodic Material in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries for Electrochemical Energy Storage Applications
Get PDFAs the demand for energy increases, researchers are searching for new, clean energy sources to replace fossil fuels. Scientists are also synthesizing and studying new materials to harness this energy efficiently in electrochemical energy storage devices. These devices are currently used in applications ranging from smartphones to electric vehicles. Common electrochemical energy storage devices include batteries, capacitors, and supercapacitors. In this work, the focus is on lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). The charge/discharge mechanism in LSBs is significantly more complex than in other types of batteries. It’s called the conversion mechanism, because, during discharge, cathodic sulfur reacts with anodic ions to convert the sulfur to sulfide. Sulfide is then converted back to sulfur during charge. The presence of sulfur enables these batteries to have a more complex working principle, thanks to the 16-step redox reactions. Each step increases the efficiency of the battery. Additionally, LSBs have the theoretical potential to reach an impressive energy density above 500 Wh/kg, but current studies have revealed limitations due to the slow reaction kinetics of the sulfur reduction reaction (SRR) and the shuttle effect, caused by the soluble polysulfide intermediates. To combat these limitations, this work synthesized a replacement material by activating bio-based carbon from maple leaves. This material was then used to make a maple-carbon sulfur composite and placed in coin cells. These batteries were then tested using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements, and cyclic stability at different C-ratings. The MC: KOH (1:3) sample showed a high specific capacitance at 0.1 C of 1050mAh/g, good stability, and good C-rating
Introduction of a Novel Food Resource And Obstacle Are Promising Enrichment Tools For The Captive Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis Calligaster)
Get PDFEnrichment, such as introducing obstacles or novel foods, enhances captive animals\u27 quality of life by providing a stimulating environment the animal may not otherwise experience in a captive setting. We sought to determine if the introduction of a new food source (i.e., day old chicks) and a maze (i.e., plastic tube) would serve as good enrichment tools for a captive prairie kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster). Our hypotheses were that the kingsnake would preferentially consume the novel food source and choose to interact with the maze. In two trials 14 days apart, we introduced one novel food item and its current food item (i.e., rodent) to the prairie kingsnake and observed if the snake preferentially ate the new food item over a 24-hour period. The prairie kingsnake did not consume chicks in either trial; however, it also did not consume any rodents. When offering the maze across six trials, the kingsnake entered and exited the maze five times. Overall, while the kingsnake chose not to consume any food items, the introduction of chicks as an enrichment tool may show promise if used over an extended time. The maze was a successful enrichment tool for the kingsnake, as the snake completed the maze; however, more research is needed to determine if other captive snakes will use the tube. Utilizing multiple means of enrichment for captive snakes is not yet considered a standard practice; however, captive snake keepers should consider multiform enrichment for its benefits of both physical and cognitive stimulation
Using Automated Radio Telemetry to Track Gray Bats in Southeast Kansas
Get PDFThe Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens) is a federally endangered species that reaches the westernmos
Prevalence of Ticks and Tick-borne Pathogens in Mined Land Areas of Southeast Kansas
Get PDFTicks serve as vectors for many disease-causing pathogens, particularly bacterial and rickettsial pathogens. Diseases such as Lyme, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Rickettsiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tularemia can result after bitten by ticks. These tick-borne diseases are more common in the Great Plains region than is recognized. The present study aimed to conduct a three-year long surveillance on various tick species in the mined land area in Cherokee County (KS) using dry ice bait as well as flag-drag technique. Over several visits (June 2020 – Aug 2022) to the collection site, ticks were collected using both trapping methods. Detailed environmental data was also collected during each visit on-site. Collected ticks were brought to the lab in vials kept in ice-cooler and differentiated by species, sex, and life stage in the laboratory using a dissecting scope. A total of 1880 adults and nymphs as well as 280 larvae were collected from both woodland and grassland areas. The majority of which were identified as Amblyomma americanum (90.1%; Males-384, Females-433, Nymphs-877) followed by Dermacentor variabilis (9.9%; Males-65, Females-79, Nymphs-42). Pathogen testing on these ticks are being carried out by our collaborator at Oklahoma State University. This long-term ecological study will help better understand the variations in tick-pathogen prevalence influenced by various environmental parameters and thus appropriate management programs can be implemented to reduce the risk for human/animal diseases
Christian-Based Health Promotion Program
Get PDFChronic diseases are on a rise and placing hardship on healthcare in the United States. Regular physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables have proven to have health benefits related to decreasing chronic disease and improving the management of chronic diseases. A majority of the United States adult population do not meet the recommended guidelines that are set forth by the CDC. The purpose of this six-week Christian-based health promotion program was to improve the health of individuals in the congregation by increasing each individual’s weekly physical activity and daily fruit and vegetable consumption. These two key factors were the target while using biblical foundation along with motivational counseling to promote lifestyle changes. It used a pre-survey and post-survey with an intervention in between which included six weeks of seminars that educated and motivated participants to make these lifestyle changes. Participants of the program were primarily white females that attended the seminars face to face from all adult age groups. There was significant improvement in the participants’ amount of physical activity and consumption of fruit and vegetable consumption after intervention compared to before intervention. The overall purpose was to reduce the risk for chronic diseases of the Christian population so that participants can live a healthier life to be able to glorify Jesus. This reduction was achieved by having an overall increase in physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables with those who participated in the study
Pride Prom, 2024 - 101
No full texthttps://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/prideprom2024/1100/thumbnail.jp
Pride Prom, 2024 - 103
No full texthttps://digitalcommons.pittstate.edu/prideprom2024/1102/thumbnail.jp