Masters Theses

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The NGOization of Indian Agricultural Development and Implications for the Agrarian Question
Hammond, Erin Elizabeth (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-27)
India failed to answer the agrarian question after independence by not undertaking expansive land reforms and rural redistribution of resources and wealth. Instead, India followed the national bourgeois path of development, liberalizing agricultural production systems based on rural bourgeoisie and foreign interests. This path of development has led to unequal rural development and the NGOization of agricultural development. For agrarian and peasant producers in India, the liberal and privatized NGO development path of the Indian agriculture sector has had significant implications for their social, political, and economic well-being. The role of the private, for-profit NGO in the liberal, capitalist agriculture production system has not been given as much attention as the role of the Indian and foreign governments, international institutions, and transnational corporations. This thesis argues that private, for-profit non-governmental development organizations working in rural India reproduce imperial structures of foreign dependency and increases the subsumption of peasant and agrarian producers. NGOization conceals the global power structures at play within Indian agricultural production and can impede upon alternative solutions to the Indian agrarian question by appropriating local thought leaders, grassroots movements' narratives, and Indigenous knowledge, which further perpetuates imperial and colonial structures of rural communities and leads to the de-depeasantization of rural production systems.
A Machine-Learning Based Approach to Predicting Waterborne Disease Outbreaks Caused by Hurricanes
Mansky, Christopher Immanuel (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-27)
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of (extra-) tropical cyclones including hurricanes and winter storms worldwide. Waterborne diseases, resulting from flood-related impacts, affect public health and are of major concern for society. Previous research studies have highlighted a statistically significant linear correlation between waterborne diseases and climate variables, especially precipitation and temperature. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have explored nonlinear models (e.g., machine learning) to predict waterborne disease outbreaks in the aftermath of hurricanes and winter storms. Here, we aim at predicting waterborne disease counts as well as disease outbreaks using historic climate demographic, and public health data of Florida, U.S. that date back to 1992. For this, we first predicted diseases in aggregated coastal counties using multiple linear (MLR) and random forest regression (RFR) models. Then, we developed a binary random forest classifier (RFC) model to predict waterborne disease outbreaks (e.g., 0: no outbreak and 1: outbreak). Results of this study showed that the highest coefficient of determination (R2) for the MLR model was 0.65 for two aggregated county groups, namely St. Johns-Duval-Nassau and Sarasota-Charlotte-Lee. The RFR model showed the highest R2 of 0.69 for the county group Sarasota-Charlotte-Lee. The highest Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) was found for the county group Miami Dade-Broward- Palm Beach with a value of 15 and 16 people for both the MLR and RFR models. St. Johns-Duval-Nassau and Sarasota-Charlotte-Lee groups achieved the highest Kling-Gupta Efficiency (KGE) of 0.76 for the MLR model. Sarasota-Charlotte-Lee also performed the best in terms of KGE for the RFR model with a score of 0.69. On the other hand, the binary RFC model for Pinellas-Hillsborough-Manatee achieved a model's accuracy of 0.93 and f1-score of 0.48. We anticipate that the models' performance can substantially be improved with access to higher spatial resolution climate data as well as longer demographic and public health records. Nevertheless, we here provide a solid methodology that can inform local authorities about imminent public health impacts and mitigate negative effects on society, economy, and environment.
Downstream Dilemma: Navigating Microplastic's Impact on Freshwater Symbiosis in the Anthropocene
Braswell, Cameron Bryce (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-27)
Annually, it is estimated that 82 million tons of global plastic waste is either mismanaged or littered, bypassing waste management practices. This mismanagement causes the permeation of plastic debris into the environment, which then undergoes natural degradation processes. These degradation processes result in the proliferation of miniscule plastic particles known as microplastics. Due to the inherent proximity to sources of anthropogenic waste, concerns of microplastic pollution and its impact on freshwater ecosystems have recently increased. Until recently, microplastic research has primarily been focused on the toxicological affects felt by an individual organism rather than the intricate interactions that occur between taxa. Only focusing on the individual toxicological impact turns a blind eye on the communities that maintain ecosystem health and stability. To that end, our experiment was unique as it will be the first study assessing the impact of a freshwater symbiosis, as symbioses in the scope of toxicokinetic studies have primarily been dominated by that of terrestrial and marine relationships. This knowledge gap is a serious concern as its argued freshwater systems are more contaminated, than that of other aquatic habitats. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted mesocosm-based exposure-response assays, exposing the crayfish-branchiobdellidan symbiosis to microplastics of fibrous, microsphere, and tire wear particle morphologies while varying symbiont densities. We used the crayfish-branchiobdellidan model system in our study due to its amenability to laboratory monitoring and manipulation. The crayfish C. appalachiensis, common in the Virginia New River Basin, served as hosts to obligate ectosymbiotic annelids in the order Branchiobdellida. Previous research, using the crayfish-branchiobdellidan symbiosis demonstrated that the interaction is a cleaning symbiosis, where hosts benefit from reduced gill fouling while symbionts benefit from increased resource availability. We observed the physical and behavioral changes of the crayfish-branchiobdellidan symbiosis over a 172-day chronic exposure assay. Our results show, crayfish hosts with higher symbiont densities experienced decreased physical growth when exposed to microplastics compared to the control. This alteration in host growth was the result of increased antagonistic symbiont behavior in the form of gill tissue consumption. Our results suggest microplastics caused a reduction in epibiont abundance, thus decreasing symbiotic resource availability. This reduction in resources resulted in a shift of context dependency, thus increasing parasitic symbiont behavior. This study demonstrates microplastics have the capability to shift symbiotic context from a mutualism to a parasitism.
Art for/of the unhomed
Kim, Na Hyun (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-27)
The thesis begins by critiquing the use of a street, Broadway, in the Garment District, NYC, which primarily is used for display of public art. The main goal of the exhibition is to attract visitors so as to promote local business, according to the local alliance responsible for the display. This action actively neglects the needs of everyday users of the space: homeless individuals, employees, delivery workers, etc. This thesis serves as functional art, providing a space for all occupants to coexist while challenging the notion that homeless people are fundamentally different. Focusing on the distinct architecture and zoning laws of New York City, this work examines the city's unique history with homelessness, including the recent historic amendment of the 'Right to Shelter' law. Additionally, it proposes a modification to Privately Owned Public Space (POPS) so that empty commercial spaces could benefit the public. This architectural exploration also involves thinking about temporary structures, light, urban layout, and landscaping. By combining these artistic and architectural explorations, this thesis provides a framework for Broadway in Garment District of New York City for occupants to use, interact with, and modify, fostering an inclusive and adaptable urban space. This thesis is functional art, architecture, and a framework.
Differences in Load Symmetry of the Lower Extremities in Postpartum Women During Daily Tasks and Childcare Loading Conditions
Henry, Alison Lohr (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-27)
In 2021, over three and a half million women entered the postpartum period in the United States [1]. Despite their prevalence, postpartum health is a largely overlooked area. After delivery, 25% of women within this population experience lumbopelvic or pelvic pain during the typical postpartum period [3], up to 8 weeks post-delivery, and research has found these women may continue to experience pain years after delivery [4]. Persistent pelvic region pain in postpartum women may result in lower limb load asymmetry. Additionally, external loading from carrying a child may alter the degree of asymmetric loading that exists in the lower limbs. Therefore, the first purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of daily tasks on lower extremity load symmetry using metrics that have successfully identified load asymmetry in other populations. Load symmetry was found to differ between task, with the largest asymmetry occurring between limbs during the sit-to-stand task for the peak impact force (PIF = 9.08% symmetry) and during the stair descent task for the average loading rate (ALR = 15.43% symmetry). The increase in asymmetry during these tasks may be attributed to increased muscle activation and force production. The second purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an external child load on lower extremity load asymmetry during a 14-meter level walking task. A significant increase was found between the no load and both child load conditions for PIF and ALR (p <0.001 for both metrics). No statistically significant differences in symmetry were found between carrying the child centrally in a carrier and carrying on one side of the body without a carrier. The lack of difference in asymmetry during child carrying conditions may indicate mothers naturally compensate for the external child load as both ALR and PIF values increased during these conditions, but asymmetry was not impacted. Our results indicate the need to continue to examine different carrying conditions in postpartum women to better understand risk factors for pain or injury and provide evidence-based recommendations for postpartum activity progression.
Investigating the Effects of Nudges for Facilitating the Use of Trigger Warnings and Content Warnings
Altland, Emily Caroline (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-27)
Social media can trigger past traumatic memories in viewers when posters post sensitive content. Strict content moderation and blocking/reporting features do not work when triggers are nuanced and the posts may not violate site guidelines. Viewer-side interventions exist to help filter and hide certain content but these put all the responsibility on the viewer and typically act as 'aftermath interventions'. Trigger and content warnings offer a unique solution giving viewers the agency to scroll past content they may want to avoid. However, there is a lack of education and awareness for posters for how to add a warning and what topics may require one. We conducted this study to determine if poster-side interventions such as a nudge algorithm to add warnings to sensitive posts would increase social media users' knowledge and understanding of how and when to add trigger and content warnings. To investigate the effectiveness of a nudge algorithm, we designed the TWIST (Trigger Warning Includer for Sensitive Topics) app. The TWIST app scans tweet content to determine whether a TW/CW is needed and if so, nudges the social media poster to add one with an example of what it may look like. We then conducted a 4-part mixed methods study with 88 participants. Our key findings from this study include (1) Nudging social media users to add TW/CW educates them on triggering topics and raises their awareness when posting in the future, (2) Social media users can learn how to add a trigger/content warning through using a nudge app, (3) Researchers grew in understanding of how a nudge algorithm like TWIST can change people's behavior and perceptions, and (4) We provide empirical evidence of the effectiveness of such interventions (even in short-time use).
Developing Novel Management Options for Pear Fire Blight and Apple Bitter Rot with Characterization of Apple European Canker in Virginia
Correa Borba, Matheus (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-27)
In the realm of tree fruit cultivation, the management of various diseases affecting pome fruits like apples and pears is crucial for sustaining production. This study amalgamates findings from three distinct disease investigations to propose an integrated approach to their management. Firstly, in pursuit of mitigating shoot blight severity caused by Erwinia amylovora and preventing fire blight cankers on pear trees, a two-year evaluation was conducted. The study assessed the efficacy of preventive treatments, including foliar spray and trunk injection applications of Giant Knotweed Extract (RSE) alongside antibiotics. Results highlighted the effectiveness of RSE in controlling both shoot blight severity and canker incidence, offering a sustainable alternative to antibiotics. Secondly, in addressing the bitter rot of apples caused by Colletotrichum spp., eighteen fungicide treatments were evaluated over two years, focusing on newer fungicide options to mitigate fungicide resistance development. Fungicides such as Omega, Aprovia, Ferbam, Captan, Ziram, and Cabrio were proven reliable management tools, complementing the existing effective fungicides that growers heavily depend on. Lastly, the emergence of European canker (Neonectria ditissima) on cider apple cultivars was investigated. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of N. ditissima as the causal agent, posing a significant threat to cider apple production. Koch's postulates were fulfilled through various tests, proving the pathogenicity of N. ditissima. Further research avenues, including genome sequencing were conducted to enhance understanding and control of a devastating pathogen like N. ditissima. Integrating findings from these studies proposes a comprehensive management strategy incorporating preventive spray programs, alternative fungicides, and pathogen identification to combat these diseases effectively, ensuring sustainable production of apples and pears in orchards. This holistic approach offers growers a multifaceted toolkit to manage diseases effectively, safeguarding apple and pear orchards' productivity and economic viability.
Themes On A Fallow House
Peterson II, Thomas Mark (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-26)
Themes on a Fallow House is a study of architecture and its effect on the way we create collective memories, accumulate material culture, and associate ourselves with place. Through experimenting with analog processes and materials, this work aims to suggest that architecture acts as a repository for memories. Yet, amidst an ever changing society and landscape, the inevitable degradation of architecture, and therefore the memories accumulated within its material, will eventually occur. This degradation is the tool which allows for new meanings to be transferred onto objects and places, thus they live on.
Microorganisms and Functional Genes Associated with Cometabolic Degradation of 1,4-Dioxane in Biologically-Active Carbon Biofilters Applied for Potable Reuse Treatment
Scott, Katherine Denise (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-26)
1,4-dioxane is a probable human carcinogen frequently found in water and wastewater systems at concentrations above the EPA one-in-one-million cancer risk level of 0.35 ug/L. 1,4-dioxane is not well removed through conventional treatment methods due to its polarity and resistance to biodegradation, especially when present at low (μg/L) concentrations. Cometabolic degradation of 1,4-dioxane has been achieved in groundwater remediation by stimulating bacteria carrying cyclic ether-degrading soluble diiron monooxygenases (SDIMOs) through the addition of simple alkane gases, such as propane. A recent pilot-scale study demonstrated that addition of such co-substrates prior to biological active filtration (BAF) holds potential as a novel potable reuse treatment approach that can effectively remove 1,4-dioxane. Characterization of the microbial communities associated with propane-induced cometabolism of 1,4-dioxane has largely been limited to culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-dependent methods, which are highly limited in throughput, generally providing information about one organism or one gene at a time. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing is a high-throughput nontargeted means of broadly profiling microbial taxa and functional genes involved in various metabolic processes. In this thesis, methods for DNA extraction from granular activated carbon applied to full-scale BAF amended with propane for the purpose of 1,4-dioxane cometabolism were optimized and metagenomic sequencing was performed. Insights were gained into the microbes and functional genes involved in 1,4-dioxane biodegradation, furthering our understanding of a potentially powerful new water reuse treatment technology that effectively polishes recalcitrant contaminants.
Lake in the Sky
Glasson-Darling, Meredith Elane (Virginia Tech, 2019-06-27)
This is a fiction novel about grief, isolation, and loss that takes place in an unnamed rural whaling village in Arctic Alaska. There is also a time-traveling dragon in it.
Myco-scapes: Multispecies Entanglements in Artmaking
Thornton, Eva Marie (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-25)
Myco-scapes: Multispecies Entanglements in Artmaking is a body of ephemeral fiber sculptures. These weavings and digital fabrications are the result of collaborations with dynamic materials and other species, primarily fungi. The artworks (or artifacts) of the artist's material intra-actions explore the possibilities, challenges, and ethics of multispecies collaboration. Furthermore, in its ephemerality, Myco-scapes responds to the preventative conservation practices employed by art museums. Not only do these sculptures embody the fleeting nature of material entanglements, but they also challenge the capitalist structure of art collecting through their impermanence. The written thesis describes the artist's studio practice by exploring three primary influences: mycelium (the root-like structures of mushrooms), entanglements (the complex interwoven structures in which we exist), and preventative conservation (art-handling protocol designed to preserve artifacts).
Investigating Student Perceptions of Equitable Grading Practices
Shukla, Anmol (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-25)
Grading is one of the key components of modern pedagogy. Grades are primarily meant to be a method of communication, which is initiated by the owners of the pedagogy (instructors, school, etc.) and are received by various parties such as students: as feedback on their learning outcomes, parents, potential employers, other institutions, etc. However, traditional grading practices in wide use across institutions globally suffer from many problems and can prove to be a hindrance to students achieving their learning outcomes. Many of these practices do not have a backing in education and social research and suffer from various problems such as inherent bias, rewarding of behavior over skill or knowledge, increasing student anxiety, etc. In contrast, EGPs have been backed in research, follow a more open assessment method and have been shown to induce increased learning. Thus, to mitigate some of these problems, we employ Equitable Grading Practices (EGPs) in an introductory CS-1 course at Virginia Tech for the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters. In this thesis, we introduce these practices and evaluate student perceptions of them thereafter to answer research questions so that we may be able to refine these practices. We gather student experiences primarily through two instruments: a survey and one-on-one interviews. We describe these in detail and evaluate them through the use of statistics as well grounded theory analysis to be able to extract student perceptions of these grading practices.
AeroVolt Shading: Wind-Piezo Kinetic shading facade
Khojasteh far, Faraz (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-25)
This research delves into the feasibility and effectiveness of utilizing wind-powered shading systems in architectural design to enhance energy efficiency and promote environmental sustainability. With an ever increasing demand for energy in commercial buildings, particularly in heating, cooling, and lighting, innovative solutions are crucial in addressing these challenges. The proposed solution centers on dynamic shading systems that adjust autonomously to environmental factors, thanks to advancements in construction and information technologies. Piezoelectric wind harnessing devices are at the heart of this investigation, powering kinetic shading systems that offer a renewable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional energy sources. However, implementing such systems presents technical challenges such as device optimization, compatibility with dynamic movement, and reliability in real-world applications. Through empirical research and experimentation, these challenges are comprehensively explored and addressed. The study seeks to assess the practicality and effectiveness of wind-powered shading systems in reducing energy consumption, improving thermal comfort, and enhancing overall building performance. By considering factors such as architectural integration, heat, light management, and adaptability to environmental conditions, the research aims to contribute to the advancement of sustainable building practices. Ultimately, the findings provide valuable insights into the potential of wind-powered shading systems to mitigate energy usage and promote environmental stewardship in architectural design.
Loci: Creative AR Visualization of Overlooked Narratives in Familiar Spaces
Okoro, Joshua Oghenekevwe (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-25)
This thesis explores the use of location-based augmented reality to transform our perception of the built environment. In the artwork, the historic Armory building in the Town of Blacksburg which serves as home to the School of Visual Arts (SOVA) at Virginia Tech is used as a locus of changing functions, social impact, and evolution. In this case, its history is used to creatively visualize the overlooked narrative in familiar spaces through augmented reality (AR) murals. AR is an artistic medium that unveils rich hidden histories, sparks conversation, and promotes deeper connection between people and places. I drew inspiration from contemporary artists such as Brian Peterson, the social narrative of the WPA mural initiative, and Kandinsky's vibrant abstract work. The project utilizes Google's ARCore framework in the Unity game engine as well as Google's Geospatial API with the aim to creatively reveal hidden narratives in places and promote positive social engagements.
Birth Village
Srinivasan, Tharun Bhalaji (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-25)
Maternity embodies the essence of creation and continuity, holding profound significance on our planet. It signifies the genesis of life, a cycle that perpetuates through generations, shaping societies and civilizations. Beyond its biological import, maternity encompasses nurturing, compassion, and resilience, which are fundamental for individual well-being and the planet's sustainability. Maternity also fosters interconnectedness, as each child born becomes not just part of a family but a member of the larger human family, highlighting the universal bond of humanity. My thesis seeks to explore the intricate dynamics within healthcare facilities, examining the perspectives of patients and medical professionals while considering the historical backdrop of childbirth within a village setting. The primary objective of my thesis is to confront the increasing maternal mortality rates in the United States by examining the pivotal junction of healthcare infrastructure and maternal health. This entails conceptualizing a "birth village" that not only revolutionizes the childbirth journey, creating a more nurturing and therapeutic ambiance through biophilic design, but also places a strong emphasis on the comprehensive wellness of patients
Understanding Mechanisms of Water Lead Contamination by Nitrate Spallation Corrosion and Lead Removal by Point-of-Use (POU) Filters
Villalona, Chantaly (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-25)
Lead enters drinking water by a process of corrosion, dissolution or particle detachment from lead bearing plumbing materials. Preventing contamination of water from lead-tin solder corrosion and achieving effective removal of particulate lead by point-of-use (POU) filters are important public health goals. These topics are especially timely given forthcoming revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule and ongoing efforts to reduce lead levels at the tap. Recently a switch from non-corrosive groundwater to a surface water source at a utility in Illinois caused unusual drinking water contamination from the release of large lead solder chunks from plumbing to water. Point-of-use (POU) filters distributed to remove the lead at this utility and elsewhere were not always completely effective. Here, we elucidate the mechanism of lead solder release in two chapters, followed by two more chapters examining lead removal by POU filters. The lead solder contamination arose after the water utility switched sources from high sulfate and low nitrate groundwater to a surface water with lower sulfate and high nitrate during runoff events. Such problems were unexpected because the surface water with high nitrate was not considered corrosive according to current theory. A chapter entitled A Novel Mechanism of Lead-Tin Solder Spallation in the Presence of Nitrate describes how 1) nitrate is extremely corrosive to lead:tin solder galvanically connected to copper, 2) nitrate corrosion can sometimes cause detachment of solder chunks to water, and 3) nitrate corroded the metal by reduction to ammonia and other reaction products. Another Chapter reports a follow up study, that reproduced the essence of nitrate induced spallation corrosion as observed in homes, using copper pipe with beads of lead-tin solder attached. During a 4-month experiment, the non-corrosive groundwater with high sulfate caused no solder beads to detach and only about 1% of the total lead was released to water. But in the surface water with high nitrate believed to cause the lead problem, 100% of the solder beads detached after just two months, and 80% of the total lead in the solder was released to water after 4 months. In the same surface water that had lower nitrate, with or without zinc orthophosphate or polyphosphate inhibitors, only 8 to 17% of the solder beads detached. Electrochemical studies also found that equimolar concentrations of chloride did not cause the disintegration of tin solder or as much weight loss as nitrate. Moreover, sulfate concentrations as low as 0.75 mM could effectively inhibit tin corrosion caused by 10 mg/L NO3-N. Studies focused on efficacy of POU filters have indicated that soluble lead in water is reliably removed, but sometimes particulate lead can escape capture and contaminate the treated water. To better understand this issue and practical limitations of filter use, field studies were performed in occupied and unoccupied homes in Enterprise, LA and New Orleans under both normal and extreme conditions of water lead contamination. For severe lead contamination present after lead pipes were disturbed or when a very long lead service line was present, and filters were tested to 200% of their rated capacity, the treated water occasionally had more than 15 ppb lead even when a very high percentage of the lead was removed. In Enterprise and New Orleans water with more typical levels of influent lead, the treated water was always below 1 ppb lead. But in Enterprise water with high iron and manganese the filters clogged quickly, causing higher costs for filtered water and consumer dissatisfaction. The occasional problems in removing particulate lead observed in this and prior research gave impetus to a series of bench-scale experiments elucidating particulate lead removal mechanisms by conventional ion-exchange media in sodium (Na+), strong acid (H+), chloride (Cl-) or strong base (OH-) form. Suspensions of lead phosphate particles of varying sizes and age revealed marked differences in dissolution rates under acidic, circa neutral and basic pHs that are caused by treatment with H+, Na +, OH -, Cl- form resin. Fresh nanoparticle lead phosphate particles were very labile, and immediately dissolved at pH 4 to form soluble Pb+2 ions which were quickly removed by strong acid media. High pHs > 10 and phosphate removal by OH– form resin could also dissolve the particles, and then remove the anionic soluble lead formed at high pHs. Na+ and Cl- resin caused little or no dissolution at the circa neutral pHs associated with their use and had lower rates of lead removal from water as a result. Older lead phosphate particles acquired from a New York City harvested lead pipe loop rig or purposefully synthesized in the laboratory, did not dissolve as readily as fresh nanoparticles which profoundly affected their relative removal efficiency by the different media. Overall, dissolution of lead phosphate particles in the ion-exchange media can sometimes have a range of important effects that can enhance or hinder lead removal dependent on circumstance. This thesis enhances our understanding of water lead contamination mechanisms by spallation of lead-tin solder and factors affecting lead removal by some POU filters. These novel insights can be helpful in preventing and mitigating future water lead contamination events.
Darśan - Dance for Kriśna
Pilania, Harshal (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-25)
Darśana is an an interactive, multi-channel installation offering participants an artistic, somatic immersion in Hindu mythology. The exhibit interprets the Hindu concept of 'darśana'—a practice involving the experience and observance of a deity—through a contemporary lens. At the heart of the installation is Lord Kṛṣṇa, the beloved flutist deity celebrated for his wisdom and charm. Participants are immersed in a digital rendition of his native forested land, Vṛndāvana. Here, they are encouraged to move, dance, and interact with their surroundings. By presenting ancient stories through new media technologies, "Darśana" explores the potential of modern technology to reinterpret and revitalize traditional practices and beliefs for contemporary audiences, drawing their attention to their cultural heritage.
A Queer Reluctance to Seek Medical Treatment
Bechtold, Victoria Lauraine (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-25)
This study explores whether queer people wait longer than non-queer people to seek professional medical care in the wake of an illness or injury. Little scholarship has evaluated queer people's pursuit of palliative medical care. An online survey was distributed to Virginia Tech students aged 18-30 years old who have experienced an illness or injury in the last year that compromised their daily function. Using demographic data obtained about gender identity and sexuality, respondents were divided into "queer" (non-cisgender and/or non-heterosexuals) and "non-queer" (cisgender, heterosexuals) groups. The survey assessed the number of days between the onset of an illness or injury and the first attempt to schedule care. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences suggesting that, of the people who had received care in the last 12 months, queer people, on average, waited fewer days than non-queer people to attempt to schedule care. This does not include respondents who indicated that they did not receive care in the last 12 months. This may indicate that queer people forego seeking palliative care unless absolutely necessary. This study is informed by M. Reynolds's Health Power Resources theory, and demonstrates the importance of measuring not only the presence of behaviors but also the absence of relevant behaviors when applying this theory. Based on the results, this study calls for further research into both delays in care-seeking behavior and into healthcare avoidance among queer individuals.
Shifting Surfaces: Developing a Visual Language with Emergent Patterns and Abstracted Bodies
Hammer, Sarah Christine (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-25)
Shifting Surfaces is an MFA thesis exhibition comprised of screenprints and sculptures. The written thesis contains documentation of the exhibition and a selection of related works, focusing on the progression of research and artmaking which led to the development of a new visual language. Shifting Surfaces employs emergent phenomena and abstraction to evoke the enmeshed relationship between bodies, ecology, and technology.
Design and thermal analysis for a novel EMCCD camera payload in a 1U CubeSat form factor
Angle, Nicholas Blake (Virginia Tech, 2024-06-24)
Nüvü Camēras, a Canadian company that designs a range of CCD and EMCCD cameras and controllers, recently began development on a miniaturized EMCCD controller for a CubeSat form factor. The detector for this payload requires near-cryogenic temperatures, approximately 188K, for performance operation. A temperature requirement of that magnitude for a CubeSat form factor is challenging given the low thermal mass, volume, surface area, and power availability for heat storage, dissipation and control systems that would typically be available for larger form factor spacecraft. The goal of this project is to design and per- form thermal analysis for the Nüvü Camēras CubeSat EMCCD Controller that allows for cold-biased active temperature control of both the controller electronics and detector. The EMCCD controller had an operational temperature range of −35◦C to +60◦C while the detector had a performance range of −110◦C to −85◦C with a desire to maintain a resolu- tion of ±0.25◦C. To meet these requirements, a system was designed within 3D modeling software Autodesk Inventor and imported into Thermal Desktop for thermal analysis and iteration. Models were updated based on thermal analysis results, adjusted by hand, and then tested again until a passive cooling and active heating system that met the require- ments was achieved. The final control system was shown to be capable of cooling from 20◦C (293.15K) to −85◦C (188.15K) and beyond given a Sun Synchronous orbit at 600km with attitude control and operational requirements. It was also shown to be capable of heating up, using resistive heaters on key components, beyond the thermal inertia of the system and environment, indicating viable control on orbit. In the future a PID control method can be implemented, and its use is being investigated by Nüvü Camēras for achieving the desired resolution of ±0.25◦C in the future.

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