Successful pruning relies on accurately identifying the 3D structure of tree branches and leaders. However, this task is arduous in an agricultural setting due to the complexity of scenes, the presence of clutter, and variable weather conditions. This project addresses these challenges by leveraging advancements in 2D image segmentation and...
River ecosystems throughout the arid southwestern U.S. are imperiled. Water management infrastructure, climate change, unsustainable water use, and political conflict harm the region's aquatic and riparian ecosystems. This case study surveys one such desert river, an endemic fish species, and conservation efforts in southwestern Utah. The analysis focuses on the...
For my CSSA portfolio, I developed a graduate-level education course about disability in the United States and in higher education. In this paper, I will provide an introduction to my life and work in disability support services, and how my experience as a disability support services professional and graduate student...
Reinforcement learning has made impressive strides in solving problems in challenging domains, but problems are increasingly being described with sparse rewards. Sparse rewards directly reduce the rate at which useful feedback is provided to the learner and make it difficult to distinguish between what specific actions led to the reception...
As the threat of climate change becomes more imminent and the role of cities in climate adaptation becomes clearer, urban resilience, the ability of a city or urban system to withstand a wide array of shocks and stresses, has gained increasing attention in climate adaptation policy and planning. Critics of...
Riparian ecosystems provide critical habitat for a broad diversity of aquatic and terrestrial species. However, due to their connectivity along river corridors, and the tendency for people to build roads, infrastructure, and other settlements next to rivers, riparian ecosystems are vulnerable to colonization by invasive plant and animal species. Early...
Recent advancements in unmanned aerial vehicle (drone*) technology, sensors, and software applications have increased efficiency in data collection, reduced human error, and increased safety while managing a wide range of projects. No longer relegated solely to military use, drones have become synonymous with picturesque views of natural wonders and resources...
Polyoxoniobates (PONbs) are attracting great attention in recent years due to its novelty as well as a variety of geometrical presentations in different pH conditions. In this paper we are reporting the reaction of tetramethyl-decaniobate ([(CH3)4N]6[Nb10O28]) with alkaline carbonates to observe the periodic trend of alkaline ions interacting with the...
This essay provides an assessment of the human, social and financial resources that Oregon Latino immigrant-serving nonprofits have available to achieve their mission of promoting Latino immigrant integration and civic engagement practices. Under the framework of immigrant integration, this study examines the strategies Latino nonprofits rely upon to achieve their...
This capstone project is presented for the completion of Oregon State University’s (OSU) Master of Natural Resources Program. Water resource reliability in the Pacific Northwest is becoming less dependable, but population and municipal water demand is increasing. The Gales Creek Watershed and its tributary Clear Creek encompass 48,481 acres in...