Readership Map
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About the Collection
The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) provides students with the opportunity to present their research at three annual undergraduate research symposia. This collection contains student posters.
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Powering a Sustainable Electric Vehicle Future
Harmony Ruth and Jordan Brickman
4-27-2022Electric vehicle sales account for roughly 20% of total sales world wide and are projected to be 80% by 2050. China's electric vehicle market holds a 13.3% market share. China exported 550,000 electric vehicles in 2021. China represents a 54% share of the world's coal consumption as of 2020. Why study China on this issue? China is a major player in the World Economy.
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Localization of IPMK
Braden Sio
12-9-2022Inositol Polyphosphate Multikinase (IPMK) is a relatively new gene found in mammalian cells. To determine where I should further conduct our research, I localized this gene within HEK-293 cells. For this study, HEK-293 cells are used. These cells are easily cultured and transfected, both of which are needed for this study. IPMK tagged with Green Fluorescent Protein is transfected into our test group. The control group is transfected with only Green Fluorescent Protein. After transfecting the HEK-293 cells, the cells are put under a fluorescent microscope under the GFP setting. In the HEK-293 cells that were transfected with IPMK GFP, the visible green fluorescence appeared within the nucleus of the cell. In the HEK-293 cells that were transfected with only GFP, the whole cell was seen with green fluorescence. With this information, I conclude that IPMK is localized within the nucleus of the cell, thus giving the information on where I should begin my research on this gene.
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"We Could and Should be Doing More": Domestic Violence Advocates' Perceptions of Agency Training
Elia Del Carmen Solano-Patricio and Shon M. Reed
4-27-2022Domestic violence advocates are an under-represented part of the criminal justice system. Because of the role that advocates play in supporting diverse populations of victims/survivors, it is important that they be given the opportunity to express their needs regarding onboarding and supplemental trainings. The current study gathers qualitative data from domestic violence advocates around the United States and explores advocates' recommendations for future trainings. Participants generally expressed the need for increased training regarding various victim sub-populations (e.g., LGBTQ+). Future policy implications and avenues of research will be presented.
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The Influence of Unitization on Recognition Memory
Ting Tong, Amaya D. Bolling-McDevitt Hernandez, Audrey Kirsch, and Alanna N. Osmanski
4-27-2022Previous research on recognition memory assumes that associative recognition relies on recollection, whereas item recognition relies on a combination of recollection and familiarity. Unitization refers to the encoding strategy where two separate items are perceived as a single coherent entity or object. Research has demonstrated that unitization can facilitate familiarity-based recognition by generating representations of the stimulus and integrating it into a unified whole. To investigate this issue, we examined the effect of unitization on memory for word-pairs through two types of tests:
Associative Recognition: judge whether word pairs occurred together
Item Recognition: judge whether single words are old or new.
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Characterization of the thermophilic xlanase Fsa272 from Candidatus Fervidibacter sacchari belonging to glycoside hydrolase family GH10
Nicole Torosian, Jonathan K. Covington, Allison M. Cook, Nancy O. Nou, and Jan-Fang Cheng
12-9-2022Candidatus Fervidibacter sacchari is a novel, facultatively anaerobic, hyperthermophilic bacterium found in terrestrial geothermal springs globally. Its genome encodes 115 putative glycoside hydrolase enzymes that are predicted to hydrolyze glycosidic bonds between carbohydrates. Fsa272, a member of the glycoside hydrolase family 10, was synthesized and cloned into Escherichia coli strain T7 Express. The transformed E. coli was grown with LB broth and ampicillin at 37°C. Fsa272 expression was induced with isopropylthio-beta-galactoside (IPTG), and the lysate was heat purified for 15 minutes at 80° C. The 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid assay identified xylanase activity with a pH range of 4.5 to 10.5 (pHopt 5.5) and a temperature range of 60 to 90°C (Topt 80-90°C). The para-nitrophenol assay was used to determine the Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters of Fsa272, resulting in KM of 1.8 mM and V max of 232.6 μM/min. The characterization of Fsa272 provides critical information on Ca. F. sacchari and its potential application in converting polysaccharide waste to biofuels.
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Groundwater Remediation Using Modified Biochar
Kers Ung-Watson, Ismail Abdulraheem, Nikki Tibayan, and Suraj Pochampally
12-9-2022Biochar, a lightweight black residue made of carbon, has proved to be an effective adsorbent to remove TCE from groundwater. Not only is it an economical substitute for conventional adsorbents but it can be created by using a variety of organic materials. For this project, it will rely on walnut shell feedstock to create biochar as this had the best ability to adsorb TCE.
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Low-Cost Adsorbent for Disinfection Byproduct Removal from Drinking Water
Savanna Vacek and Suraj Pochampally
4-27-2022Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) are harmful contaminants that are unintentionally created in disinfected water after chlorination. Activated carbon, often expensive and difficult to acquire in low-income and rural areas, has previously been used to remove DBPs from drinking water. Biochar is made from agricultural waste (i.e. feedstock) and has been identified as a low-cost yet effective adsorbent to remote contaminants from drinking water. This work focuses on the efficacy of biochar and activated carbon to remove DBPs from drinking water for the purpose of treating drinking water after emergency chlorination. This study has the potential to help water distributors and disadvantaged communities improve water quality and prevent unintentional harm caused by DBPs.
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Dance, Gender, and Development
Samantha J. White
4-27-2022Gender socialization tends to entail differential encouragement of boys and girls in different activities. Parents may encourage girls to pursue activities like dance, whereas boys are encouraged to pursue sports. Recent evidence has shown links between rhythmic and phonological abilities, and improving rhythmic ability may have positive effects on reading ability.
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French Jewish Citizenship of the Late 18th to Early 19th Century
Jourdin Wilson
12-9-2022Results show that regions/origins influenced how French Jews felt about their citizenship, and how they were treated: (1) “The Jews of Bordeaux and Bayonne enjoyed the most advantageous legal status,” who had “Marrano origins” and acted as Portuguese merchants, made up Sephardi Jews in France (Hyman 1998, “Chapter One”). (2) Napoleon’s methods greatly influenced Jews’ citizenship. Limitations: finding English translations, understanding anti-Semitism. Future Research: (1) Findings suggest that researching particular groups or regions of French Jews leads to more varied and nuanced perspectives, rather than generalizing. (2) Choosing a region and study a particular community of Jews in France.
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Dance Experience Affects Tempo Perception
Jasmine Xu, Jordan E. Hayes, Cole Smithers, and Jared Leslie
12-9-2022In music, the word “tempo” refers to the speed or pace of the music (the number of beats per minute, for example). Tempo is surprisingly subjective, given that beat perception depends on age and cultural experience. Other factors besides beat (like the density of events per unit time) might influence how fast or slow people dance to music. Certain styles of music afford different speeds of dance, even when their tempos are the same.
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Most Impactful Years of the Yemeni Civil War
Adam Abdalla, Abhinav Dagar, Jacob Gross, Noah Myers, and Kimberly Nehls Ph.D.
11-15-2021The Yemeni civil war that started in 2014 has ravaged the country and has led to a surge of negative changes in living conditions throughout the area. Many different events throughout the seven-year war have led to harsh conditions to still be prevalent throughout the country. It is hard to pinpoint what years of the war had the most effect on the society’s well-being. Using data from the Yemen Data Project, it was possible to find what years of the war were the most violent, and compare that data to the GDP of Yemeni people, the number of undernourished people in Yemen and the average dollar amount of aid the Yemeni people require per year. Results showed that despite the beginning years of the war being the most violent as the most airstrikes were being dropped, the conditions of Yemeni people continue to get exponentially worse despite a heavy drop in the amount of airstrike attacks against them. Lack of military clashes has not led to better conditions that deteriorate day by day. The vast intensity of the first few years of the war were so devastating that they created a ripple effect in which the infrastructure of the country was heavily damaged, leading to a situation that will need much assistance to repeal the effects of the most impactful years of the war.
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Analyzing the Gender Pay Gap at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Caren Abourjeily and Peter Grema
2021The gender pay gap has been a persistent issue within many professions, including academia. This study examines the gender wage gap within UNLV for the tenured and tenure-track faculty belonging to the College of Liberal Arts, College of Sciences, and the Lee Business School. This study controlled for variables such as department, rank, time, race, and administrative roles in the attempt to find the most accurate gender wage gap possible using 2018 salary data. This study not only examines the gender wage gap within UNLV, but also at UNR. This study compared the two institutions in order to detect whether having a female president and provost had any effect on gender pay discrimination in comparison to having a male president and provost. We also looked at the gender composition of administrators at both universities and found that a majority of these administrative roles are given to men- giving them a large boost in salary. Transparent Nevada salary data from 2018 was utilized to run regressions for both institutions. The regression analysis results showed a marginally significant gender wage gap for UNLV and a statistically significant gap for UNR. While the gender wage gap at UNLV showed smaller numbers compared to UNR, the presence of overlapping confidence intervals makes it invalid that UNLV has a smaller gender pay gap in comparison to UNR. In assessing gender wage gaps and the connection to female representation, future researchers should increase sample size and review salary data from more than one year.
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A Timeline of Oculocutaneous Albinism
Mohammed Abushanab, Maria Ceroni, and Kimberly Morán
2021The purpose of this research timeline is to synthesize the natural history of Oculocutaneous Albinism (OCA), discover gaps in knowledge, as well as understand the genes and mutations that incite the disease. It is through methods of literature-based research that we found the earliest recognition of OCA and investigated it up to its most current state of research. The rate of research remains steady and continuous with the focus varying widely; either by examining more of the genes involved in the disease or by taking more in-depth looks at mutational analyses of genes that are already observed to be linked to the disease. OCA is a group of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by decreased or absent pigmentation in the hair, skin, and eyes. The genotypes and phenotypes of OCA vary in the population and are broken down into a clinical spectrum which consists of OCA1A, being the most severe, in addition to the milder forms which consist of OCA1B, OCA2, OCA3, and OCA4, which show mild pigment accumulation over time. The majority of these forms are caused by mutations in the TYR gene, which is responsible for the production of melanin, as well as the OCA2 gene, which is responsible for the transport of melanin within a melanocyte. The significance of this research timeline is to look at the natural history of OCA in hopes to understand the mechanism of the disease and look at the current research status of the disease.
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A Review on the Usage of Machine Learning Methods in Gait Analysis and Possibility of a Portable Gait Analysis Device
Hassan Adam and Venkatesan Muthukumar Ph.D.
11-15-2021Gait analysis is a valuable tool for evaluating and monitoring an individual's walking pattern, which is used to recognize movement-related irregularities. Lately, machine learning methods have been introduced in the processing of the gait analysis data to help monitor and analyze the data. Given the increased interest in the area, this paper will focus on two parts: one is analyzing and reviewing the latest Machine learning Methods and sensors used, and the second is the possibility of a portable device capable of measuring and processing an individual's gait. The analysis of the Machine learning models and sensors papers illustrated that several algorithms and methods used had shown a possibility in helping to identify and monitor neurodegenerative disease, which is an excellent area for further reserach. Additionally, the second part of the study showed that a portable device capable of measuring and processing an individual's gait is possible and would be capable of data processing onsite. However, that device would have a disadvantage over the conventional gait analysis.
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Comparison of Biochar Attained from Various Feedstocks for the Adsorption of Arsenic in Water
Fabianny Anez, Suraj Pochampally, Christina Obra, Jaeyun Moon, and Erica J. Marti
11-15-2021Water is a fundamental human right, yet in many developing countries, it is a luxury. Water shortages and polluted water have become routine for millions of Venezuelans in the last two decades due to a failing economy and infrastructure mismanagement. According to the World Health Organization, arsenic (As) is a worldwide pollutant. Though it occurs naturally, As is toxic and may cause chronic poisoning with prolonged exposure. An estimated 4.5 million individuals in Latin America are chronically exposed to high levels of As (>50 𝜇g/L), some up to 2000 𝜇g/L. Biochar, a carbon-based material, effectively adsorbs and sequesters pollutants. However, the decisive argument for further investigation of this sustainable adsorbent is its production from locally available and inexpensive materials. Furthermore, due to its large surface area, biochar soaks up pollutants from water. This research evaluates the feasibility of using sustainable biochar to remove As from water. In this study, we selected various feedstocks, specifically sugarcane bagasse, peanut, and walnut shells, which are readily available biowaste in Venezuela. Each feedstock was pyrolyzed for a specific time and temperature under an inert (Ar) atmosphere to produce biochars. First, biochars were characterized using various techniques such as FTIR analysis, BET theory, SEM, and others. Then, comparative, temperature-controlled adsorption batch experiments were conducted to estimate the adsorption capacities of each biochar. Future research will focus on taking the highest As adsorbent and preparing a water filtration system that a small community could use, providing them with improved access to clean water.
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Beer Consumption in the United Kingdom
Teilor Appleyard, Jordan Brickman, Kayla Chatwin, Dylan Orlando, and Kimberly Nehls Ph.D.
11-15-2021It is said that alcohol is an important part of British culture and tradition. Britons seem to drink regardless of the time of day and/or the company they are with. We looked into the most popular beer categories in the United Kingdom to determine why some beers are far more popular than others. Our research suggests that there are various factors that play into WHY a particular beer is chosen for consumption. We collected data from interviews conducted by The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) to distinguish what their favorite type of beer is, why they choose to consume that particular beer, where their favorite location to consume beer is, and the relationship between price and quality. We used various methods of data collection such as graphs and interviews that were taken through the British Beer Pub Association. The analytics provided us with an understanding as to why certain beers are favored and how that impacts the drinking culture in the United Kingdom. We are continuing to collect data in order to come to a conclusion. Our research contributes to the understanding of the beer industry and different markets in not only the United Kingdom, but also all over the world. The implications of this research suggests a growing trend in consumer individuality and consciousness and the role of established culture and tradition when choosing beer for consumption. We believe firms, supplied with this knowledge, can use this to predict trends and market their product more effectively and efficiently.
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Automating UNLV's Computer Science Mentorship System
Ivan Jasper Aquino, Spencer Lucci, and Jorge Fonseca Cacho Ph.D.
11-15-2021We live in an era where technology is advancing at a fast rate; these technologies often replace menial tasks such as organizing data in general. As data grows, it can become unmanageable for a normal person to maintain. The purpose of this research is to automate the UNLV Computer Science faculty mentor system so that students can sign up and choose their mentor quickly without the need of human intervention. While doing this practical project we intend to learn key concepts of web design and development along with server management, cybersecurity practices, and practicing the research process of learning and applying technologies to an existing problem. We have researched different technologies and how they work together to prototype this project. This includes finding frameworks to use with front-end development, what database management to use, and back-end API to send out emails. The result shows basic functionality of the application where students input their UNLV student email to receive a link where they can submit their information and their preferred faculty mentor. Another feature that was added is an administrator type of account where UNLV faculty members have control in adding or removing mentors and visualizing the data in a tabular form based on the search criteria. As a result of our project, this will automate administrative tasks in the Computer Science department. If other schools within UNLV adopt a mentorship system, then this project is easily expandable and will prove to be useful in other departments.
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Geography Illiteracy in America?
Ivan Arrieta and Kimberly Nehls Ph.D.
11-15-2021Since the early 1980s US geographic illiteracy has been a topic of discussion, with some calling it a national security threat. This research will address if Americans are geographic illiterate, and whether geography should be taught more in the school systems in an age of globalization. This research sets out to contribute statistical data on how many UNLV students can guess correct locations compared to people on the Las Vegas Strip. The methodology for this research consisted of randomly asking 100 students at UNLV to identify The United States, an eastern state, and Afghanistan on a map. The same experiment was repeated on the Las Vegas Strip. The experiment at UNLV would test if university students score relatively better than people asked on the Stip. The results from this research show that almost all Americans can locate The United States, less-than half can locate an eastern state, but most could not identify Afghanistan. University students do average better results than people on the Strip as hypothesized. This research shows that most Americans aren’t as geographic illiterate as the media portrays and can find domestic locations, while foreign geographic literacy does seem to lack in comparison. Should geography be taught more as the world becomes more globalized? While it is a good skill to know, I truly think geography isn’t a necessary topic to focus on unless your field benefits from it. Most Americans focus within the general area they’re familiar with and as distance increases Americans become less aware.
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An Investigation on The History and Current Research of Fragile X Syndrome
Makeda Asare, Isabelle Avenido, and Maxene Vergonia-Fehlman
2021The purpose of this research is to synthesize the history of Fragile X Syndrome through literature-based research in order to assess the scope of research, population variation, social impact, and treatment. Fragile X was first documented in 1943 by Dr. Julia Bell and Dr. James Purdon Martin in a report of a family case study in which eleven males across two generations showed symptoms of intellectual disabilities. Fragile X Syndrome is an X-linked disorder caused by mutation in the Fragile X mental retardation 1(FMR1) gene on chromosome Xq27.3. The FMR1 mutations are triplet repeat expansion of the CGG repeat sequences in the 5′ untranslated region of the gene, causing hypermethylation of the repeat sequence and the FMR1 promoter. This leads to inactivation of the promoter and loss of the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) expression. Because of its X-linked inheritance pattern, males have a higher chance of acquiring this disease than females, with a 1 in 3600 chance and 1 in 6000 chance, respectively. Recent studies attribute FMRP deficiency to neurogenesis changes, lowered glial cell production, and glutamate signaling alteration. Treatment is limited to focusing on managing associated symptoms. Current research emphasizes developing functional therapeutic approaches for treatment. Psychotherapy and various psychotropic medications are applied to target the psychiatric and cognitive features of the disorder. This timeline highlights the ongoing progression of holistic care for FXS patients, supporting the need for well-rounded intervention, spanning from psychotherapy, drug therapies, and wellness checkups.
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Investigating the Varying Behaviors of Magnesium, Tin, and Lead Oxalate Under High-Pressure
Kevin Ayala Pineda
2021Recent developments in the field of useful hard x-ray induced chemistry synthesized a novel strontium-based CO derived material under extreme conditions. In hopes of synthesizing this material in larger quantities and in less expensive costs, we report three high-pressure Diamond Anvil Cell investigations on Tin Oxalate (SnC2O4), Magnesium Oxalate (MgC2O4), and Lead Oxalate (PbC2O4) subjected to extreme conditions without the use of hard x-rays. MgC2O4 were acquired up to 25 GPa, with a possible phase transition at 2.4 Gpa. SnC2O4 was pressurized up to 31 GPa inducing irreversible changes in both the Raman spectra and its qualitative properties. Three phase transitions were observed at 2.6 GPa, 15 GPa, and 20 GPa. PbC2O4 was compressed up to 64 GPa, showing very similar behavior as in SnC2O4. Our results demonstrated that each material formed crystallized films after pressurization, which could indicate polymerization of new material(s).
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Population Changes in the Syrian Arab Republic: 2010-2020
Alessia Borgetti, Chasen Billon, Rylee Gomez, and Kimberley Nehls Ph.D.
11-15-2021This paper intended to study the population-related effects of the Syrian Civil War on the Syrian Arab Republic. The Syrian Civil War that started in March of 2011 is still on-going, along with the associated refugee crisis that arose from it. To determine the extent of the continued crisis, we decided to utilize population data to make inferences related to population growth, decay, and stagnation from the year 2010, through 2020. We found that during the initial stages of the Syrian Civil War, there were significant levels of population decay. However, by as early as 2015, the population decay had slowly begun to lessen, and by 2019, a marginal level of population growth had begun. By 2020, the population growth was nearing pre-war levels, and the level of population growth now makes the Syrian Arab Republic one of the fastest-growing countries worldwide. These findings should allow for a better understanding of the current situation within the Syrian Arab Republic. Particularly, this paper should assist humanitarian groups in understanding where to focus their resources. Additionally, this paper should provide government officials the data necessary to re-shape their policies towards refugee assistance and foreign aid.
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Resilience in the BIPOC community: A systematic review
Lianelys Cabrera Martinez, Aldo Barrita B.A., and Gloria Wong-Padoongpatt Ph.D.
11-15-2021The present study is a systematic literature review on the psychology of resilience, or the ability to bounce back after a difficult situation. Although resilience is a timely and relevant variable in social psychology, little is known about its connection to the racism-related experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). This review explores how resilience manifests in the BIPOC community and its influence on the identity of minority groups. Previous research has shown that BIPOC reports higher resilience; however, there is still uncertainty around its connection to discrimination. Through the analysis of nine final research articles, we examined four main questions: (a) What is the prominent definition of resilience?, (b) How is resilience experienced or manifested among BIPOC?, (c) How is resilience operationalized when experiencing oppression?, and (d) What are the limitations in the literature of resilience? Results shed light on the need to further investigate resilience as a protective factor against discrimination in the BIPOC community.
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Zeolite/ZVI System TOF The Treatment of Nutrients in Urban Runoff
Tremyia Campbell, Jasminn Gray, Joe C. Costa Rodriguez, and Jacimaria Ramos Batista Ph.D.
11-15-2021Algal blooms have taken place in Lake Mead, Nevada, and a major bloom occurred in 2001. One reason for algal blooms at Lake Mead is excess of nutrients from runoff water discharge during rainy seasons. Algal blooms in lakes and rivers are a sign of eutrophication - an excessive growth of plant life that leads to death of animal life from lack of oxygen. In addition, algal blooms impact the use of water as a drinking source because of the presence of algal toxins. Nutrients that cause algae bloom include ammonia, nitrate, and phosphorus. The objective of this research is to implement a passive system that removes nutrients from runoff water. If successful, such a system could be integrated into runoff street gutters to remove nutrients.
To test the viability of this system, a dual-media consisting of zero-valent iron (ZVI) and zeolite, was built. A synthetic runoff water solution is fed to the columns using a peristaltic pump. The synthetic runoff water composition mimics that of a typical runoff in Las Vegas. The system can be operated at retention times of 30 -180 minutes. The influent and effluent water to the column are sampled daily and the concentration of nitrate, phosphorus, and ammonia are analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the system. It is expected that ammonia will be removed in the zeolite and nitrate will be reduced by ZVI. In addition, microbes growing on the media might be able to remove phosphorus.
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Lead Levels in Rodents Residing on Shooting Ranges
Bijoux Cheun, Maria Martinez, and Sean A. Neiswenter Ph.D.
11-15-2021The objective of this study is to investigate the effects that lead left at shooting ranges have on local rodent populations. Shooting ranges have been shown by previous research to have a great influence on the level of lead present in nearby soils and plants. This lead contamination has also been shown to have serious consequences for fauna residing near these ranges, ranging from lead toxicity to death. Many shooting ranges exist in Southern Nevada, and we have sampled a small number of these ranges to explore the possible effects they have on nearby rodent populations. The livers of Dipodomys merriami were sampled. We intend to sample additional species and consider life histories in relation to levels of lead toxicity.
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Recycling Methods for MAPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells
Donald Chicas and Shubhra Bansal Ph.D.
11-15-2021Halide perovskite solar cells (HPSCs) are a promising renewable energy technology due to their high efficiency and large-scale processing. Many HPSCs utilize lead, presenting health, environmental, and regulatory issues. To mitigate these issues, recycling processes for HPSCs have been researched. This mitigates the risk of lead leakage into the environment while reducing the cost of HPSCs over time. The current methodologies of recycling HPSCs will be reviewed, scrutinizing how recovered lead can be used to manufacture PSCs. To evaluate the efficacy of these recycling methods, the material recoverability and recycled device performance will be considered. Through this, recycling methods that yield high purity precursors for the manufacture of HPSCs will be proposed.