Aristelliger barbouri

Number of Pages: 1Integrative BiologyGeological Science

Aristelliger

Number of Pages: 4Integrative BiologyGeological Science

Thecadactylus, T. rapicauda

Number of Pages: 16Integrative BiologyGeological Science

Aristelliger georgeensis

Number of Pages: 2Integrative BiologyGeological Science

Anolis garmani

Number of Pages: 3Integrative BiologyGeological Science

Plasmonic Pervaporation via Gold Nanoparticle-Functionalized Nanocomposite Membranes

Butanol derived from biological feedstocks has significant potential as a liquid fuel source, but the separation methods used in its production can be prohibitively expensive and are therefore currently the subject of extensive research. Pervaporation is a promising membrane process that is effective in butanol separations, but involves a large energy demand. This study examines the possibility of increasing flux and energy efficiency in pervaporation via plasmonic heating of gold nanoparticle-functionalized, polymer nanocomposite membranes (AuNCMs) in lieu of conventional feed heating. An economic analysis demonstrated that plasmonic pervaporation could achieve significant reductions in energy usage and utility cost in butanol production. A novel plasmonic pervaporation system was constructed to evaluate the process experimentally. The system included uniform laser excitation and infrared thermal analysis of the membrane surface, as well as automated operation. AuNCMs, fabricated by reduction of tetrachloroauric acid by the polymer crosslinker, demonstrated stable temperature increases and flux enhancements (\u3e100%) that increased with gold content and incident laser power. A thermal model was developed to describe heat transfer in the system and enable calculation of membrane laser absorption efficiencies and quantification of energy loss modes. An economic investigation of the system performance was conducted by coupling the thermal model with an empirical model for flux prediction. The analysis showed that the current system performance was not sufficient to reduce the energy demand/utility cost versus conventional feed heating due to: i) heat loss to the feed and ii) low laser absorption efficiencies. The latter effect was significantly more detrimental economically and, if improved, could result in a 7-fold increase in energy efficiency. A spectroscopic analysis method was developed to approximate AuNCM physical and optical properties to provide insights into why AuNCM absorption was low. The results indicated that only a small fraction of added Au was effectively being converted to desirable, light-absorbing nanoparticles. Evidence suggested that the remaining Au formed large, light-scattering particles, reducing the absorption efficiency of the AuNCMs. The analysis demonstrated that optimization of fabrication methods could potentially improve absorption efficiencies to near 100%, making plasmonic pervaporation economically superior to conventional methods

Influencing Adaptive Functioning in School-Age Children: Implementation and Program Evaluation of the Coping Power Program

Up to 20% of children have a diagnosable mental disorder, but only a small percentage of them actually receive treatment. The developmental trajectory of psychopathology suggests that children who show early signs of behavioral or emotional problems are likely to experience a continual increase in those problems as they grow. Caregivers, attempting to seek assistance for their children, must often navigate a complex mental health maze, obtain funding for treatment and negotiate additional treatment barriers. School-based interventions can remove many of these potential treatment barriers. Coping Power (CP), a school-based Empirically Supported Treatment (EST) intervention created by Lochman, Wells, and Murray (2002), is administered over two academic years and includes 48 modules. CP also has a one-year manualized treatment option. Research regarding CP\u27s effectiveness of the one-year intervention program is limited. This study explores the ability of the abbreviated CP program to increase adaptive functioning and decrease maladaptive behaviors in a heterogeneous 6th grade sample, as measured by child disciplinary referrals and both teacher and child reports from the Behavioral Assessment System for Children-2nd Edition (BASC-2). Overall results showed that CP Coping Power Program Evaluated iv participants (N = 23) had significant decreases in Somatization scores compared to the non-CP control group (N = 29), regardless of group leader. Results also showed that the CP group leader proved significant in improving students\u27 adaptive functioning (Adaptability, Social Skills, Leadership, Study Skills and Adaptive Skills), while decreasing their maladaptive functioning (Depression, Somatization, Internalizing Problems, Atypicality and overall Behavioral Symptom Index). Clinically experienced leaders generally had greater success in changing student functioning. Contrary to what was hypothesized, CP program involvement did not significantly impact other adaptive or maladaptive behaviors as measured by the BASC-2. Finally, student disciplinary data (refen-als, detentions and suspensions) between CP participants and non-CP participants proved insignificant. Implications of these findings and suggested future research are discussed

Subjectivity of Solar Power: Using Q Methodology to Evaluate Perceptions of Solar Energy Projects in the San Luis Valley

Renewable energy is on the verge of becoming a significant source of power generation and for many Americans, that will mean thinking and talking about energy technologies in new ways. Land intensive energies such as solar and green will compete more and more with aspects of our social world. This project focuses on the perception, acceptance, and discourse of renewable energy projects by examining the solar energy conversation in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado. This vast high-desert valley holds the excellent geographic conditions needed for the siting of large solar energy installations, but such projects continue to run into local resistance despite wide support for the idea both locally and nationally. This project uses Q methodology to study residents’ perceptions of solar energy projects. There are few studies using this technique to approach perception of energy projects. The results of this study reveal important perspectives about consensus for solar energy grounded in drastically different discourses. The results of this study contribute to the greater academic literature regarding energy’s place in our society and offer tools for planners, energy geographers, and the communities themselves to make decisions regarding energy generation going forward