Heat budget observations for the FIRE/SRB Wisconsin experiment region from October 9 through November 2, 1986

A map and concise tables are presented which show locations, pixel size, and heat budget products from the NOAA-9 satellite for the FIRE/SRB Wisconsin experiment region during the period 9 October through 2 November 1986. In addition to the operational standard products, a narrowband albedo parameter is calculated and presented based on values from AVHRR band 1. This parameter is useful in identifying and/or quantifying clouds on a global basis using a polar-stereographic grid system

Integration of Artificial Neural Networks and Simulation Modeling in a Decision Support System

A simulation based decision support system is developed for AT&T Microelectronics in Orlando. This system uses simulation modeling to capture the complex nature of semiconductor test operations. Simulation, however, is not a tool for optimization by itself. Numerous executions of the simulation model must generally be performed to narrow in on a set of proper decision parameters. As a means of alleviating this shortcoming, artificial neural networks are used in conjunction with simulation modeling to aid management in the decision making process. The integration of simulation and neural networks in a comprehensive decision support system, in effect, learns the reverse of the simulation process. That is, given a set of goals defined for performance measures, the decision support system suggests proper values for decision parameters to achieve those goals

Carbon Dots: Synthesis, Characterization, and Investigation of Optical Properties

Recently, carbon nanoparticles have emerged to represent a new class of zero-dimensional carbon nanostructures in contrast to the more beautiful and defined C60-fullerenes. Despite their undefined and seemingly uninspiring properties, surface passivation or functionalization reveals high performance optical properties intrinsic to the carbon nanoparticles, resulting in “core-shell” nanostructures dubbed carbon dots (CDots). Generally defined as small carbon nanoparticles with various surface passivation schemes (i.e. organic or biological molecules), CDots display bright and colorful fluorescence emissions in addition to high performance photoinduced redox, and other properties, rivaling those of the more traditional semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) while retaining the biologically and environmentally benign characteristics of carbon. In this dissertation, CDots were synthesized through the surface functionalization of carbon nanoparticles with 2,2’-(ethylenedioxy)-bis(ethylamine) (EDA), forming a highly stable aqueous suspension of EDA-CDots. The resulting dispersion could be considered “solution-like”, allowing for the analysis and characterization of these CDots with solution phase spectroscopy techniques, and were shown to be highly fluorescent and structurally compact, with the brightest fluorescence emissions occurring over the spectral region covered by popular fluorescent proteins, such as green fluorescent proteins (GFPs). In terms of photoexcited state properties, photoinduced redox interactions of these CDots with of nitrotoluenes were probed through fluorescence quenching using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. The emission properties of EDA-CDots were efficiently quenched by nitrotoluenes, which, mechanistically, result from highly efficient diffusion-controlled electron-transfer interactions at low quencher concentrations. Excitation wavelength dependent emission properties of CDots were systematically studied in steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence regimes. CDots were shown to exhibit characteristic emission properties with strong excitation wavelength dependence for fluorescence quantum yields, while the fluorescence lifetimes only exhibited weak excitation wavelength dependencies. In order to better understand CDots fluorescence emissions and a photoexcited state deactivation mechanisms, a model consisting of two sequential processes leading to fluorescence emissions has been constructed, in which one process is primarily responsible for the observed excitation wavelength dependent emissions. In an effort to specifically tailor the optical properties of carbon dots, core modified CDots have recently been reported, such that red sensitive chromophores, such as Nile blue (NB), are incorporated into the core carbon structure of polyethylene glycol functionalized CDots. The resulting nanostructure exhibits enhanced optical properties beyond what should be expected for the combination of these two species. The modified core structure displays an electronically integrated photoexcited state with excellent optical properties, such as effective visible and near-IR photon-harvesting, corresponding bright fluorescent emissions, and efficient photoninduced electron transfer (PET) serving as both excellent electron donors and acceptors

Targeting the Home Food Environment for Obesity Prevention in Immigrant Ethnic Minorities

Immigrants from South Asian countries and Hispanic/Latino cultures represent the largest immigrant groups in the United Kingdom (UK) and United States (US), respectively, and are disproportionally affected by obesity. Parents influence their child’s risk for obesity in part by determining the home environment. However, examinations of the home food environment in parent-child dyads from ethnic minority, immigrant families are limited. We used data from a birth cohort in the UK (Born in Bradford 1000, BiB1000; n>1700; 47% Pakistani [predominately 1st and 2nd generation immigrant mothers], 38% White British, 14% Other), and a cross-sectional study of Hispanic/Latino 8- to 16-year-olds in the US (Study of Latino Youth, SOL Youth; n>1400). We examined: 1) ethnic/immigrant differences in home food availability (HFA) of snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs; i.e., obesogenic items) and associations between obesogenic HFA and child’s obesogenic dietary intake and BMI in BiB1000, 2) longitudinal patterns of postpartum weight retention (PPWR) according to ethnic/immigrant group and associations of PPWR and obesogenic HFA in BiB1000, and 3) acculturation-related differences in food parenting practice use and associations between food parenting practices and obesogenic dietary intake in SOL Youth. Pakistani homes had greater obesogenic HFA, which was, irrespective of ethnic/immigrant group, associated with toddlers’ increased obesogenic dietary intake. Associations between obesogenic HFA and child’s BMI and mother’s PPWR were largely null. First generation Pakistani immigrants had a different longitudinal pattern of PPWR than White British mothers, and 2nd generation Pakistani immigrants retained more weight at each postpartum month than White British mothers. Hispanic/Latino parents who reported greater acculturative stress were more likely to use controlling food parenting practices. Parents who used controlling practices had increased odds of having children with high obesogenic dietary intake. Parents who pressured children to eat had increased odds of having 12- to 16-year-olds with high obesogenic dietary intake. Our findings provide novel insights into the importance of the physical and behavioral home food environment for obesity prevention in understudied ethnic minority groups. Future interventions may target the home food environment to prevent the intergenerational transmission of obesity in Pakistani and Hispanic/Latino parent-child dyads.Doctor of Philosoph

Criteria for the use of regression analysis for remote sensing of sediment and pollutants

Data analysis procedures for quantification of water quality parameters that are already identified and are known to exist within the water body are considered. The liner multiple-regression technique was examined as a procedure for defining and calibrating data analysis algorithms for such instruments as spectrometers and multispectral scanners

FLORAL COLOR ASSEMBLY OF SERPENTINE SEEP COMMUNITIES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, USA

Species traits, particularly those that impact fitness, can shape the evolutionary relationships among coexisting species. Trait distribution (underdispersion, overdispersion) within communities can provide evidence of key ecological interactions (e.g., competition, facilitation) that can contribute to assembly. The distribution of floral colors in a community may reflect pollinator-mediated interactions, and the phylogenetic distribution of color can also affect inferences of ecological mechanisms at play. Additionally, the scale of local habitat may influence the type or strength of ecological interactions among co-occurring species. I examined how floral color is distributed within replicated co-flowering assemblages with the use of pollinator color vision models. Incorporating these biologically relevant models into the study of floral color assembly processes is relatively new and untested for an entire co-flowering community with generalist pollinators. I modeled floral spectra of 55 co-flowering species through honeybee and syrphid fly color vision to assess color trait structure across 14 serpentine seep communities in California. I then compared our findings to null model predictions. We asked: is there evidence for nonrandom distribution of floral color in the community? Is there phylogenetic signal for floral color? If so, is there phylogenetic underdispersion or overdispersion across local communities? Is there an effect of habitat scale on these outcomes? I found that the observed color assemblage is not due to any phylogenetic history, and there is no phylogenetic signal for the selected floral color metric. I found a significant negative relationship between habitat scale and trait dispersion. Competitive exclusion could be a dominant interaction outcome at small scales, but it is less detectable/unimportant at larger scales

Determination of turbidity patterns in Lake Chicot from LANDSAT MSS imagery

A historical analysis of all the applicable LANDSAT imagery was conducted on the turbidity patterns of Lake Chicot, located in the southeastern corner of Arkansas. By examining the seasonal and regional turbidity patterns, a record of sediment dynamics and possible disposition can be obtained. Sketches were generated from the suitable imagery, displaying different intensities of brightness observed in bands 5 and 7 of LANDSAT's multispectral scanner data. Differences in and between bands 5 and 7 indicate variances in the levels of surface sediment concentrations. High sediment loads are revealed when distinct patterns appear in the band 7 imagery. Additionally, the upwelled signal is exponential in nature and saturates in band 5 at low wavelengths for large concentrations of suspended solids

Minimal-resource computer program for automatic generation of ocean wave ray or crest diagrams in shoaling waters

A computer program for studying linear ocean wave refraction is described. The program features random-access modular bathymetry data storage. Three bottom topography approximation techniques are available in the program which provide varying degrees of bathymetry data smoothing. Refraction diagrams are generated automatically and can be displayed graphically in three forms: Ray patterns with specified uniform deepwater ray density, ray patterns with controlled nearshore ray density, or crest patterns constructed by using a cubic polynomial to approximate crest segments between adjacent rays