CVAF: Service Dog Kennel Construction

The California Veterans Assistance Foundation Service Dog Kennel Construction gave back to our country’s veterans by constructing new kennels for their service dogs. The previous kennel on the veteran residential site needed an upgrade due to the increased number of service dogs at the shelter. A team of two Cal Poly Construction Management students consisting of Spencer Allen and Luke Terrio worked to design, estimate, coordinate, and construct a new kennel structure for the site. The roles were divided on the project between the preconstruction and construction phases. During preconstruction Spencer’s role was to schedule the job and create the necessary drawings to complete the structure, while Luke’s role was to estimate the project and reach out to local businesses to fund and provide materials. The construction process was a joint effort between both students that consisted of grading the site, cutting and staking formwork, setting fence posts, mixing and pouring concrete, and installing the chain link fencing. The project was successful in overcoming challenges during each phase such as communicating an effective design, organizing material procurement, and working around conflicting schedules. The new kennel will provide a secure place for service dogs to live for years to come

The Splintered Divine: A Study of Ištar, Baal, and Yahweh Divine Names and Divine Multiplicity in the Ancient Near East

This dissertation examines ancient conceptions of Near Eastern deities whosenames consistently included geographic epithets, which functioned like last names. InNeo-Assyrian (ca. 900-630 B.C.E.) texts, Ištar-of-Nineveh and Ištar-of-Arbela are oftenincluded as divine witnesses or enforcers of curses along with several other deitieswhose names lack any geographic epithets. Similarly, in second-millennium Ugaritictexts, Baal-of-Ugarit and Baal-of-Aleppo received separate offerings in cultic ritualsalong with several other deities whose names lack geographic epithets, and in firstmillenniumAramaic, Phoenician, and Punic texts, Baal-of-Ṣapān, Baal-of-Šamêm, andseveral other Baal-named deities are contrasted with each other in the same way thatthey are contrasted with other deities. The exploration of these Ištar and Baal divinenames as first names suggests that the scribes of the ancient Near East considered eachIštar and Baal who was explicitly associated with a unique geographic last name to be aunique deity. In fact, the geographic epithets that follow the divine names should beviewed as an essential part of these deities’ names. Neo-Assyrian scribes thought ofIštar-of-Nineveh as distinct from Ištar-of-Arbela just as they thought of her as distinctfrom any other deity whose name was not Ištar. Likewise Ugaritic, Aramaic, Phoenician, and Punic scribes thought of Baal-of-Ṣapān as distinct from Baal-of-Aleppo and any other Baal-named deity just as they thought of him as distinct from anyother deity whose name was not Baal. These analyses are pertinent to biblical studiesbecause inscriptions from the eastern Sinai (ca. 800 B.C.E.) invoke a Yahweh-of-Samaria and a Yahweh-of-Teman in blessings. Unlike, the Ištar and Baal divine namesthat are contrasted with each other in the same texts, however, these two Yahwehdivine names do not appear together in the same texts and were not necessarilycontrasted with each other. For this reason, it could not be determined whether or notIsraelites who encountered the Yahweh-named deities recognized them as distinct andindependent deities. They might have known the names Yahweh-of-Samaria andYahweh-of-Teman, but there is nothing in the inscriptional or biblical evidence tosuggest that they necessarily thought of these as different Yahwehs

Modeling and Implementation of HfO2-based Ferroelectric Tunnel Junctions

HfO2-based ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) represent a unique opportunity as both a next-generation digital non-volatile memory and as synapse devices in braininspired logic systems, owing to their higher reliability compared to filamentary resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) and higher speed and lower power consumption compared to competing devices, including phase-change memory (PCM) and state-of-the-art FTJ. Ferroelectrics are often easier to deposit and have simpler material structure than films for magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). Ferroelectric HfO2 also enables complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility, since lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and BaTiO3-based FTJs often are not. No other groups have yet demonstrated a HfO2-based FTJ (to best of the author’s knowledge) or applied it to a suitable system. For such devices to be useful, system designers require models based on both theoretical physical analysis and experimental results of fabricated devices in order to confidently design control systems. Both the CMOS circuitry and FTJs must then be designed in layout and fabricated on the same die. This work includes modeling of proposed device structures using a custom python script, which calculates theoretical potential barrier heights as a function of material properties and corresponding current densities (ranging from 8×10^3 to 3×10^(−2) A/cm2 with RHRS/RLRS ranging from 5×10^5 to 6, depending on ferroelectric thickness). These equations were then combined with polynomial fits of experimental timing data and implemented in a Verilog-A behavioral analog model in Cadence Virtuoso. The author proposes tristate CMOS control systems, and circuits, for implementation of FTJ devices as digital memory and presents simulated performance. Finally, a process flow for fabrication of FTJ devices with CMOS is presented. This work has therefore enabled the fabrication of FTJ devices at RIT and the continued investigation of them as applied to any appropriate systems

Barriers and Enablers to Using an Emergency Operations Center in Public Health Emergency Management: A Scoping Review

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the role of public health emergency operations centers in recent public health emergencies and to identify the barriers and enablers influencing the effective use of a public health emergency operations center (PHEOC) in public health emergency management. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in 5 databases and selected grey literature websites. Results: Forty-two articles, consisting of 28 peer-reviewed studies and 14 grey literature sources matched the inclusion criteria. Results suggest that PHEOCs are used to prepare and respond to a range of public health emergencies, including coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Factors found to influence the use of a PHEOC include the adoption of an incident management system, internal and external communications, data management, workforce capacity, and physical infrastructure. Conclusions: PHEOCs play an important role in public health emergency management. This review identified several barriers and enablers to using a PHEOC in public health emergency management. Future research should focus on addressing the barriers to using a PHEOC and looking at ways to evaluate the impact of using a PHEOC on public health emergency outcomes

Testing Luminescence Dating Methods for Small Samples from Very Young Fluvial Deposits

The impetus behind this study is to understand the sedimentological dynamics of very young fluvial systems in the Amazon River catchment and relate these to land use change and modern analogue studies of tidal rhythmites in the geologic record. Initial quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating feasibility studies have concentrated on spit and bar deposits in the Rio Tapajós. Many of these features have an appearance of freshly deposited pristine sand, and these observations and information from anecdotal evidence and LandSat imagery suggest an apparent decadal stability. The characteristics of OSL from small (~5 cm) sub-samples from ~65 cm by ~2 cm diameter vertical cores are quite remarkable. Signals from medium-sized aliquots (5 mm diameter) exhibit very high specific luminescence sensitivity, have excellent dose recovery and recycling, essentially independent of preheat, and show minimal heat transfer even at the highest preheats. These characteristics enable measurement of very small signals with reasonable precision and, using modified single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) approaches, equivalent doses as low as ~4 mGy can be obtained. Significant recuperation is observed for samples from two of the study sites and, in these instances, either the acceptance threshold was increased or growth curves were forced through the origin; recuperation is considered most likely to be a measurement artefact given the very small size of natural signals. Dose rates calculated from combined inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry/inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-MS/ICP-OES) and high-resolution gamma spectrometry range from ~0.3 to 0.5 mGya−1 , and OSL ages for features so far investigated range from 13 to 34 years to several 100 years. Sampled sands are rich in quartz and yields of 212–250 µm or 250–310 µm grains indicate high-resolution sampling at 1–2 cm intervals is possible. Despite the use of medium-sized aliquots to ensure the recovery of very dim natural OSL signals, these results demonstrate the potential of OSL for studying very young active fluvial processes in these settings

The impact of CO2 emissions on 'nuisance' marine species

Anthropogenic CO2 emissions are being taken up from the atmosphere by the oceans, increasing the availability of dissolved inorganic carbon but reducing both the carbonate saturation and pH of seawater. This ocean acidification affects biological processes in a wide range of marine taxa. Here, we assess the likely responses of 'nuisance' species to ocean acidification, meaning those organisms that have undesirable effects from a human perspective. Based on a synthesis of evidence available to date, we predict increased growth and toxicity in harmful algal bloom species, and a significant increase in invasive algae in response to increased CO2 availability. Blooms of stinging jellyfish are also expected to increase since they are highly resilient to acidification. The effects of ocean acidification on invasive molluscs (eg, oyster drills), damaging echinoderms (eg, crown-of-thorns starfish), and a wide range of nuisance taxa will vary depending on species and location. In the USA, for example, the invasive crab Carcinus maenas is resilient to projected increases in CO2 and its impact on marine communities is expected to increase since it feeds on organisms that respond to ocean acidification with weaker defensive traits and lower recruitment. Conversely, the Red King Crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus, is adversely affected by acidification and so is expected to die back in the Barents Sea which it has invaded. Overall, we suspect that there will be an increase in nuisance species, as many have traits that are resilient to the combined warming and acidification caused by rising CO2 levels; region-specific assessments are needed to understand responses of nuisance species in local habitats. Finally, we highlight the need for targeted studies of the effects of global change on particularly harmful marine taxa such as the seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia, the starfish Asterias amurensis, several invasive ascidians, and the lionfish Pterois volitans

CVAF: Service Dog Kennel Construction

The California Veterans Assistance Foundation Service Dog Kennel Construction project gave back to our country’s veterans by constructing new kennels for their service dogs. The previous kennel on the veteran residential site needed an upgrade due to the increased number of service dogs at the shelter. A team of two Cal Poly Construction Management students consisting of Spencer Allen and Luke Terrio worked to design, estimate, coordinate, and construct a new kennel structure for the site. The roles were divided in the project between the preconstruction and construction phases. During pre-construction Spencer’s role was to schedule the job and create the necessary drawings to complete the structure, while Luke’s role was to estimate the project and reach out to local businesses to fund and provide materials. The construction process was a joint effort between both students that consisted of grading the site, cutting and staking formwork, setting fence posts, mixing and pouring concrete, and installing the chain link fencing. The project was successful in overcoming challenges during each phase such as communicating an effective design, organizing material procurement, and working around conflicting schedules. The new kennel will provide a secure place for service dogs to live for years to come

Among-site variability in the stochastic dynamics of East African coral reefs

Coral reefs are dynamic systems whose composition is highly influenced by unpredictable biotic and abiotic factors. Understanding the spatial scale at which long-term predictions of reef composition can be made will be crucial for guiding conservation efforts. Using a 22-year time series of benthic composition data from 20 reefs on the Kenyan and Tanzanian coast, we studied the long-term behaviour of Bayesian vector autoregressive state-space models for reef dynamics, incorporating among-site variability. We estimate that if there were no among-site variability, the total long-term variability would be approximately one third of its current value. Thus among-site variability contributes more to long-term variability in reef composition than does temporal variability. Individual sites are more predictable than previously thought, and predictions based on current snapshots are informative about long-term properties. Our approach allowed us to identify a subset of possible climate refugia sites with high conservation value, where the long-term probability of coral cover <= 0.1 was very low. Analytical results show that this probability is most strongly influenced by among-site variability and by interactions among benthic components within sites. These findings suggest that conservation initiatives might be successful at the site scale as well as the regional scale.Comment: 97 pages, 49 figure

CULTIVATING VIRTUOSITY: RESIDENT PIANISTS IN NEW YORK CITY AND THE NINETEENTH-CENTURY AMERICAN MUSICAL SCENE

ABSTRACT As performers, teachers, and composers, resident pianists were an integral part of the bustling musical scene in nineteenth-century New York City. The constant presence of such musicians was critical to America’s artistic development, shaping our tastes and consumptions in a way that resonates well into the twentieth- and twenty-first centuries. Through performances, New York’s resident pianists introduced audiences in the United States to many standards of the piano repertoire from concertos to chamber music, from sonatas to various character pieces. Often giving local premieres, they populated concert programs with works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Frédéric Chopin, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, and others, which helped shape the country’s artistic appetite and its enduring musical expectations. Throughout the nineteenth century, several of Europe’s most celebrated virtuosos toured the United States; however, in many cases, it was resident pianists who gave primary and continuous exposure of their music to American audiences. Through performances of works by Franz Liszt (1811-1886), Sigismund Thalberg (1812-1871), and other European superstars, resident pianists provided audiences with a taste of showmanship, which ultimately contributed to the early American perception of what it meant to be a piano virtuoso. Many of New York’s resident pianists were also teachers. Their pedagogical influence began locally, but soon expanded to include the entire country as their own students established themselves throughout the United States. By the twentieth century, New York and other American cities became important destinations for aspiring pianists the world over who sought the best teachers—a tradition of excellence established by New York’s resident pianists. Many resident musicians were also composers and New York’s top keyboardists were no exception. Their works stand as material evidence, representing what was popular and appealing to audiences and consumers in America. Much of their music is forgotten today; however, it was composed by capable musicians who understood piano logistics and effects, and in many cases demonstrates a high level of competency and creativity. Although many resident pianists actively contributed to the artistic growth and musical development of nineteenth-century America, this dissertation focuses primarily on the broad-based careers of three—Richard Hoffman (1831-1909), Sebastian Bach Mills (1838-1898), and Rafael Joseffy (1852-1915)—while highlighting the activities of several others including Daniel Schlesinger (1799-1839), Henry Christian Timm (1811-1892), William A. King (1817?-1867), William Scharfenberg (1819-1895), and Alfred Humphreys Pease (1838-1882). The pianistic realm of nineteenth-century New York City was vibrant and exciting—resident pianists not only underscore that notion—they have a fascinating and important story tell

The Challenges of Working in the Heat Whilst Pregnant: Insights From Gambian Women Farmers in the Face of Climate Change

BACKGROUND: The expected increase in heat in The Gambia is one of the most significant health threats caused by climate change. However, little is known about the gendered dynamics of exposure and response to heat stress, including women's perceived health risks, their adaptation strategies to heat, and their perceptions of climate change. This research project aims to answer the question of whether and how pregnant farmers in The Gambia perceive and act upon occupational heat stress and its health impacts on both themselves and their unborn children, against the backdrop of current and expected climatic changes. METHOD: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 women who practice subsistence farming and were either pregnant or had delivered within the past month in West Kiang, The Gambia. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Translated interview transcripts were coded and qualitative thematic content analysis with an intersectional lens was used to arrive at the results. RESULTS: All women who participated in the study experience significant heat stress while working outdoors during pregnancy, with symptoms often including headache, dizziness, nausea, and chills. The most common adaptive techniques included resting in the shade while working, completing their work in multiple shorter time increments, taking medicine to reduce symptoms like headache, using water to cool down, and reducing the amount of area they cultivate. Layered identities, experiences, and household power structures related to age, migration, marital situation, socioeconomic status, and supportive social relationships shaped the extent to which women were able to prevent and reduce the effects of heat exposure during their work whilst pregnant. Women who participated in this study demonstrated high awareness of climate change and offered important insights into potential values, priorities, and mechanisms to enable effective adaptation. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal many intersecting social and economic factors that shape the space within which women can make decisions and take adaptive action to reduce the impact of heat during their pregnancy. To improve the health of pregnant working women exposed to heat, these intersectionalities must be considered when supporting women to adapt their working practices and cope with heat stress