University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez Institutional Repository
Welcome to the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez Institutional Repository.
Bienvenidos al Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Mayagüez.
Featured Items
Recent Submissions
Publication Trematode survey from freshwater snails in Puerto Rico: Morphological and molecular analyses(2025-07-11)Trematode research in the Caribbean has traditionally focused on Biomphalaria glabrata due to its role in transmitting Schistosoma mansoni, a zoonotic parasite of global concern. In Puerto Rico, early schistosomiasis control efforts documented six non-S. mansoni cercariae species. To update this work, we collected freshwater mollusks —Marisa cornuarietis, Tarebia granifera, Melanoides tuberculata, Mieniplotia scabra, Physella acuta, ancylinids, and native Neritinidae spp. —from a total of 13 sites (2019–2024), and assessed infections using photostimulation, dissection, morphological identification, and phylogenetic analyses (28S rDNA, COXI mtDNA). We identified cercariae belonging to eight species —Renicola sp., Philophthalmus gralli, Centrocestus formosanus, Echinostomatidae gen. sp., Microphalloidea gen. sp., Spirorchiidae gen. sp., Telorchis sp., and Dulcitransversotrema patialense —infections within introduced snail hosts, and expanded the geographic range of trematodes reported from the Cartagena Lagoon. Snails collected for a separate Posthodiplostomum study were also screened. These findings offer updated insights into the cercariae fauna of Puerto Rico.Publication Numerical study of idealized complex bathymetry effects on wave hydrodynamics(2025-07-14)This study addresses the problem of the influence of bathymetry on wave hydrodynamics using the Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS) approach. Motivated by the urgent need to move to renewable energy sources, extend the understanding of wave hydrodynamics under idealized complex bathymetry and verify the predictive capability of numerical tools in fluid dynamics. The objectives include the evaluation of the applicability and accuracy of DNS in the prediction of wave hydrodynamics, and the study of the impact of idealized bathymetric geometries on wave dynamics. For this, the DNS code is validated by comparing the simulation results with canonical experimental works and theoretical solutions of wave hydrodynamics theory. Then, cases of idealized complex bathymetry are defined by means of a parametric study of the slope of the frontal zone of submerged trapezoids representing complex bathymetry (slopes of 1:10; 1:20 and 1:30). Then, the velocity, pressure and free surface elevation fields are analyzed. Finally, by employing advanced numerical techniques and addressing critical gaps in current knowledge, this research contributes to the development of modeling tools essential for future offshore wind technology design.Publication Análisis de la carga de entrenamiento, fatiga neuromuscular y bienestar general en un equipo universitario femenino de voleibol durante partidos y entrenamientos técnico-tácticos de una temporada regular(2025-07-11)This study aimed to comprehensively analyze training load, neuromuscular fatigue, and perceptual well-being in female collegiate volleyball players during the regular season. Subjective tools such as the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire were used, along with an objective performance measure—the countermovement jump (CMJ). Effective training and match times were also recorded as contextual external load variables. The findings revealed both general group patterns and considerable individual variability in physiological and emotional responses, underscoring the need for personalized monitoring approaches. These insights may guide more sustainable strategies for training, recovery, and fatigue prevention in collegiate sports.Publication Enhancing CMS sensitivity to emerging jets via novel triggers and data quality monitoring tools for automated reference run selection and data exploration(2025-07-11)Previous CMS searches for emerging jets (EMJs) produced by dark pion decays into Standard Model quarks have focused on confined dark sector models with a bifundamental scalar mediator and dark pion decays primarily within the tracker volume. Additional constraints on dark pion lifetime and mass, as well as mediator mass, have been set by a search for long-lived particle (LLP) showers in the muon system. However, EMJs produced by decays within the calorimeter remain relatively unexplored, marking a gap that can be effectively addressed in Run 3. This thesis presents results for trigger efficiency studies of anomaly detection and LLP triggers to assess their potential for enhancing sensitivity to EMJs, particularly beyond the tracker, as well as the prospects of exploring models with a neutral vector boson mediator. In addition, work on the development of a data exploration and reference run ranking tools to support the integration of anomaly detection techniques into CMS’s Data Quality Monitoring (DQM) infrastructure for detector monitoring and the automated flag of anomalous data is presented. These efforts seeks to improve the collection of data for physics analyses.Publication Virtual reality simulation of traffic conflicts in teleoperated driving(2025-07-11)This thesis examines the role of teleoperated driving (ToD) as a complementary solution to autonomous vehicles (AVs) in scenarios where AVs encounter operational limitations. Virtual reality (VR) driving simulations were utilized to assess the impact of network latency on the performance and behavior of teleoperated vehicles in rural environments. Safety was assessed using Post-Encroachment Time (PET), Initial Acceleration (IA), and Number of Gaps Observed (NGO). Participants completed through and left-turn maneuvers with fixed gap sizes at intersections where traffic signals were nonfunctional due to power outages. These outages reflect real-world conditions caused by hurricanes, major disasters, or power generation failures. Results show that left-turn maneuvers and short gaps decrease PET, increasing collision risk. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, higher latency values resulted in increased PET, suggesting compensatory rather than riskier behavior. These findings underscore the importance of understanding human behavior under latency and highlight the potential value of VR-based simulation for future research.
Communities in Scholar@UPRM
Select a community to browse its collections.