Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

“Enriching Lives Within Sedimentary Geology”: Actionable Recommendations For Making Sepm A Diverse, Equitable And Inclusive Society For All Sedimentary Geologists, R.C. Mahon, A.M. Fernandes, A. Abeyta, R. Martindale, K.D Bergman, C. Jackson, Et Al

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

Innovative science benefits from diversity of thought and influence at all waypoints along the scientific journey, from early education to career-length contributions in research and mentorship. Scientific societies, like the Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM), steward their innovators and the direction of the science, thereby defining the societal impact and evolution of a discipline. They are uniquely positioned to promote the representation and success of all scientists, including those from minoritized populations, through proactive advocacy, and inclusive mentorship, awards, and leadership. We introspectively review available records of SEPM membership, leadership, awardees, and editorial boards to identify areas for growth and …

Probability Distributions Of Particle Hop Distance And Travel Time Over Equilibrium Mobile Bedforms, Robert C. Mahon, Ashley C. Thomas, Suleyman Naqshband, Kate C. P. Leary, Brandon Mcelroy

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

The joint probability distribution of streamwise particle hop distance, lateral particle hop distance, and travel time constrains the relationships between topographic change and sediment transport at the granular scale. Previous studies have investigated the ensemble characteristics of particle motions over plane bed topography; however, it is unclear whether reported distributions remain valid when bedforms are present. Here, we present measurements of particle motion over bedform topography obtained in a laboratory flume and compare these to particle motions over plane bed topography with otherwise similar conditions. We find substantial differences in particle motion in the presence of bedforms that …

Distributary Channel Networks As Moving Boundaries: Causes And Morphodynamic Effects, Robert C. Mahon, John B. Shaw, Wun-Tao Ke, Christopher A. Cathcart

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

We propose an exploratory model to describe the morphodynamics of distributary channel network growth on river deltas. The interface between deep channels and the shallow, unchannelized delta front deposits is modeled as a moving boundary. Steady flow over the unchannelized delta front is friction dominated and modeled by Laplace's equation. Shear stress along the network boundary produces nonlinear erosion rates at the interface, causing the boundary to move and network elements (channels and branches) to form. The model was run for boundary conditions resembling the Wax Lake Delta in coastal Louisiana, 20 parameterizations of sediment transport, and 3 …

Validating A Universal Model Of Particle Transport Lengths With Laboratory Measurements Of Suspended Grain Motions, Robert C. Mahon, Brandon Mcelroy, Suleyman Naqshband

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

t The mechanics of sediment transport are of fundamental importance for fluvio-deltaic morphodynamics. The present study focuses on quantifying particle motions and trajectories across a wide range of flow conditions. In particular, a continuous model is presented that predicts particle travel distances for saltation and suspension based on Rouse number and relative grain roughness. By utilizing a series of eight video cameras in a plexiglass flume direct measurements of the distributions of particle travel distances (excursion lengths) were obtained. To this end, experiments were carried out in dark under black lights with fluorescent painted plastic and quartz sand particles. For …

Ion Clustering In Aqueous Salt Solutions Near The Liquid/Vapor Interface, Smith J. D., Steven W. Rick

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Molecular dynamics simulations of aqueous NaCl, KCl, NaI, and KI solutions are used to study the effects of salts on the properties of the liquid/vapor interface. The simulations use the models which include both charge transfer and polarization effects. Pairing and the formation of larger ion clusters occurs both in the bulk and surface region, with a decreased tendency to form larger clusters near the interface. An analysis of the roughness of the surface reveals that the chloride salts, which have less tendency to be near the surface, have a roughness that is less than pure water, while the iodide …

Quantifying The Stratigraphic Completeness Of Delta Shoreline Trajectories, Robert C. Mahon, John B. Shaw, Katherine R. Barnhart, Daniel E. J. Hobley, Brandon Mcelroy

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

Understanding the incomplete nature of the stratigraphic record is fundamental for interpreting stratigraphic sequences. Methods for quantifying stratigraphic completeness for one-dimensional stratigraphic columns, defined as the proportion of time intervals of some length that contain stratigraphy, are commonplace; however, quantitative assessments of completeness in higher dimensions are lacking. Here we present a metric for defining stratigraphic completeness of two-dimensional shoreline trajectories using topset-foreset rollover positions in dip-parallel sections and describe the preservation potential of a shoreline trajectory derived from the geometry of the delta surface profile and the kinematics of the geomorphic shoreline trajectory. Two end-member forward models are required …

The Response Of Lake Pontchartrain Fish Assemblages To Hurricanes Katrina And Rita, Martin T. O'Connell, Ann M.U. O'Connell, Christopher Schieble

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

To assess possible impacts on Lake Pontchartrain fishes from the 2005 hurricanes, we 45 compared trawl, beach seine, and gillnet collections taken before (2000-2003, 2005) and after 46 (2006-2009) to determine if significant assemblage changes occurred. We also compared basic 47 environmental variables to test for hurricane-related changes. Significant post-hurricane changes 48 in fish assemblages occurred in trawl (ANOSIM, R < 0.090, p < 0.05) and beach seine 49 (ANOSIM, R < 0.120, p < 0.05) collections across all seasons. Gillnet assemblages exhibited 50 changes in only one season (ANOSIM, R = 0.045, p < 0.05). These consistently low global R 51 values (all R < 0.120) across all gears suggest only minor compositional changes in species. 52 When peak abundance periods were compared for individual species, Gulf menhaden 53 (Brevoortia patronus) declined in trawl collections after the hurricanes (Friedman’s test, χ2 = 54 6.00, p = 0.014) but increased in gillnet collections (Friedman’s test, χ2=5.00, p = 0.025). 55 Hardhead catfish (Ariopsis felis) increased in trawl collections, but Gulf pipefish (Syngnathus 56 scovelli), naked gobies (Gobiosoma bosc), and rough silverside (Membras martinica) all 57 declined in beach seine samples and Atlantic croakers (M. undulatus), Spanish mackerel 58 (Scomberomorus maculatus), and sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius) all declined in gillnet 59 samples. In general, salinity increased and water clarity and dissolved oxygen decreased after 60 the hurricanes. While the overall composition of Lake Pontchartrain fish assemblages remains 61 stable, the significant decline of some species and changes in certain environmental variables are 62 cause for concern. Future monitoring should determine if all elements of this estuary will 63 recover from these impacts.

Pcaanalyser: A 2d-Image Analysis Based Module For Effective Determination Of Prostate Cancer Progression In 3d Culture, Md Tamjidul Hoque, Louisa C. E. Windus, Carrie J. Lovitt, Vicky M. Avery

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cell based assays for Prostate Cancer (PCa) research are rapidly becoming the preferred alternative to that of conventional 2D monolayer cultures. 3D assays more precisely mimic the microenvironment found in vivo, and thus are ideally suited to evaluate compounds and their suitability for progression in the drug discovery pipeline. To achieve the desired high throughput needed for most screening programs, automated quantification of 3D cultures is required. Towards this end, this paper reports on the development of a prototype analysis module for an automated high-content-analysis (HCA) system, which allows for accurate and fast investigation of …

Complex Reflection Coefficients Of P- And S-Polarized Light At The Pseudo-Brewster Angle Of A Dielectric–Conductor Interface, Rasheed M.A. Azzam

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

The complex Fresnel reflection coefficients rp and rs of p- and s-polarized light and their ratio ρ = rp/rs at the pseudo-Brewster angle (PBA) φpBof a dielectric-conductor interface are evaluated for all possible values of the complex relative dielectric function Ε = |Ε| exp(-jθ) = Εr - jΕi, Εi > 0 that share the same φpB. Complex-plane trajectories of rp, rs, and ρ at the PBA are presented at discrete values of φpB from 5° to 85° in equal steps of 5° as θ is increased from 0° to 180°. It is shown that for φpB > 70° (high-reflectance metals in the …

Effect Of Disorder On Quantum Phase Transition In The Double Layered Ruthenates (Sr1−Xcax)3ru2o7effect Of Disorder On Quantum Phase Transition In The Double Layered Ruthenates (Sr1−Xcax)3ru2o7, Leonard Spinu, Zhe Qu, Jin Peng, Tijang Liu, David Forbes, Vkad Dobrosavljevic, Z Q. Mao

Physics Faculty Publications

(Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Ru₂O₇ is characterized by complex magnetic states, spanning from a long-range antiferromagnetically ordered state over an unusual heavy-mass nearly ferromagnetic (NFM) state to an itinerant metamagnetic (IMM) state. The NFM state, which occurs in the 0.4 > x > 0.08 composition range, freezes into a clusterspin glass (CSG) phase at low temperatures [Z. Qu et al., Phys. Rev. B 78, 180407(R) (2008)]. In this article, we present the scaling analyses of magnetization and the specific heat for (Sr_1−xCa_x)₃Ru₂O₇ in the 0.4 > x > 0.08 composition …

Analytic And Finite Element Solutions Of The Power-Law Euler-Bernoulli Beams, Dongming Wei, Yu Liu

Mathematics Faculty Publications

In this paper, we use Hermite cubic finite elements to approximate the solutions

of a nonlinear Euler-Bernoulli beam equation. The equation is derived

from Hollomon’s generalized Hooke’s law for work hardening materials with

the assumptions of the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. The Ritz-Galerkin finite

element procedure is used to form a finite dimensional nonlinear program

problem, and a nonlinear conjugate gradient scheme is implemented to find

the minimizer of the Lagrangian. Convergence of the finite element approximations

is analyzed and some error estimates are presented. A Matlab finite

element code is developed to provide numerical solutions to the beam equation.

Some …

Towards One Key To One Lock: Catalyst Modified Indium Oxide Nanoparticle Thin Film Sensor Array For Selective Gas Detection, Kun Yao, Daniela Caruntu, Sarah Wozny, Rong Huang, Yumi H. Ikuhara, Baobao Cao, Charles J. O'Connor, Weilie Zhou

Advanced Materials Research Institute (AMRI)

Homogeneous In2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were self-assembled into thin film sensor arrays on a single chip, with further surface modification by noble metal catalysts. The NP film sensor arrays show clear current responses when exposed to different target gases, and both sensitivity and selectivity were greatly improved. Particularly, the sensors modified with Au, Pd, and Pt nanocatalysts demonstrated higher sensitivity to H2S, H-2 and CO, respectively, making the gas discrimination direct and simple, like "one key to one lock". The particle size dependence of the noble metal modifiers to the sensitivity was further investigated by tuning the sputtering parameters. Three different …

One-Pot Synthesis In Polyamines For Preparation Of Water-Soluble Magnetite Nanoparticles With Amine Surface Reactivity, Haiou Qu, Hui Ma, Aurélien Riviere, Weilie Zhou, Charles J. O'Connor

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Magnetite nanoparticles with hydrophilic surface coating are prepared in polyamine solvents. The resulting products are highly stable in polar solvent. The surface amine groups are available for secondary reactions.

A Note On Acoustic Propagation In Power-Law Fluids: Compact Kinks, Mild Discontinuities, And A Connection To Finite-Scale Theory, Dongming Wei

Mathematics Faculty Publications

Acoustic traveling waves in a class of viscous, power-lawfluids are investigated. Both bi-directional and unidirectional versions of the one-dimensional (1D), weakly-nonlinear equation of motion are derived; traveling wave solutions (TWS)s, special cases of which take the form of compact and algebraic kinks, are determined; and the impact of the bulk viscosity on the structure/nature of the kinks is examined. Most significantly, we point out a connection that exists between the power-law model considered here and the recently introduced theory of finite-scale equations.

Influence Of Damping On Hyperbolic Equations With Parabolic Degeneracy, Katarzyna Saxton, Ralph Saxton

Mathematics Faculty Publications

This paper examines the effect of damping on a nonstrictly hyperbolic 2 x 2 system. It is shown that the growth of singularities is not restricted as in the strictly hyperbolic case where dissipation can be strong enough to preserve the smoothness of solutions globally in time. Here, irrespective of the stabilizing properties of damping, solutions are found to break down in finite time on a line where two eigenvalues coincide in state space.

Critical Buckling Loads Of The Perfect Hollomon’S Power-Law Columns, Dongming Wei, Alejandro Sarria, Mohamed Elgindi

Mathematics Faculty Publications

In this work, we present analytic formulas for calculating the critical buckling states of some plastic axial columns of constant cross-sections. The associated critical buckling loads are calculated by Euler-type analytic formulas and the associated deformed shapes are presented in terms of generalized trigonometric functions. The plasticity of the material is defined by the Holloman’s power-law equation. This is an extension of the Euler critical buckling loads of perfect elastic columns to perfect plastic columns. In particular, critical loads for perfect straight plastic columns with circular and rectangular cross-sections are calculated for a list of commonly used metals. Connections and …

On The Global Solvability Of A Class Of Fourth-Order Nonlinear Boundary Value Problems, M.B.M. Elgindi, Dongming Wei

Mathematics Faculty Publications

In this paper we prove the global solvability of a class of fourth-order nonlinear boundary value problems that govern the deformation of a Hollomon’s power-law plastic beam subject to an axial compression and nonlinear lateral constrains. For certain ranges of the acting axial compression force, the solvability of the equations follows from the monotonicity of the fourth order nonlinear differential operator. Beyond these ranges the monotonicity of the operator is lost. It is shown that, in this case, the global solvability may be generated by the lower order nonlinear terms of the equations for a certain type of constrains.

Travelling Wave Solutions Of Burgers' Equation For Gee-Lyon Fluid Flows, Dongming Wei, Ken Holladay

Mathematics Faculty Publications

In this work we present some analytic and semi-analytic traveling wave solutions of generalized Burger' equation for isothermal unidirectional flow of viscous non-Newtonian fluids obeying Gee-Lyon nonlinear rheological equation. The solution of Burgers' equation for Newtonian flow as a special case. We also derive estimates of shock thickness for non-Newtonian flows.

An H1 Model For Inextensible Strings, Stephen C. Preston, Ralph Saxton

Mathematics Faculty Publications

We study geodesics of the H¹ Riemannian metric (see article for equation) on the space of inextensible curves (see article for equation). This metric is a regularization of the usual L² metric on curves, for which the submanifold geometry and geodesic equations have been analyzed already. The H¹ geodesic equation represents a limiting case of the Pochhammer-Chree equation from elasticity theory. We show the geodesic equation is C^∞ in the Banach topology C¹ ([0,1], R²), and thus there is a smooth Riemannian exponential map. Furthermore, if we hold one of the curves fixed, …

Blow-Up Of Solutions To The Generalized Inviscid Proudman-Johnson Equation, Alejandro Sarria, Ralph Saxton

Mathematics Faculty Publications

For arbitrary values of a parameter --- finite-time blowup of solutions to the generalized, inviscid Proudman Johnson equation is studied via a direct approach which involves the derivation of representation formulae for solutions to the problem.

Some Generalized Trigonometric Sine Functions And Their Applications, Dongming Wei, Yu Liu, Mohamed B. Elgindi

Mathematics Faculty Publications

In this paper, it is shown that D. Shelupsky's generalized sine function, and various general sine functions developed by P. Drabek, R. Manasevich and M. Otani, P. Lindqvist, including the generalized Jacobi elliptic sine function of S. Takeuchi can be defined by systems of first order nonlinear ordinary differential equations with initial conditions. The structure of the system of differential equations is shown to be related to the Hamilton System in Lagrangian Mechanics. Numerical solutions of the ODE systems are solved to demonstrate the sine functions graphically. It is also demonstrated that the some of the generalized sine functions can …

Magnetoelectric Effect In Ain/Cofe Bi-Layer Thin Film Composites, S Narendra Babu, Seong-Gi Min, Amin Yourdkhani, Gabriel Caruntu, Leszek M. Malkinski

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The present work is aimed at fabricating bi-layer aluminum nitride (AlN)/cobalt iron (CoFe) magnetoelectric (ME) thin films using reactive rf/dc magnetron sputtering. A systematic study on structural, morphological, piezoelectric, magnetic and magnetoelectric properties is undertaken. Except for AlN and CoFe, no other phases were detected with the layer thicknesses measured at160 and 130 nm, respectively. The rms roughness measured was around 2.096 nm for AlN and 1.806 nm for CoFe. The bi-layer thin film exhibited both good piezoelectricity and ferromagnetism, as well as ME effect. A 52% change observed in the piezoelectric signal, measured using magnetic field assisted piezoresponse force …

Dynamics And Collective State Of Ordered Magnetic Nanoparticles In Mesoporous Systems, Jose M. Vargas, Abhishek Srivastava, Ezra Garza, Gabriel Caruntu, Amin Yourdkhani, Leonard Spinu

Chemistry Faculty Publications

In this paper we present a study of superparamagnetic and superspin glass states of magnetic nanoparticles confined in mesoporous templates. Characterization utilizes dynamic magnetization techniques, ac susceptibility, and ferromagnetic resonance, in addition to dc magnetization curves. In order to differentiate between the intrinsic and collective properties, we considered three magnetic nanoparticles systems with comparable size, shape, and crystallinity but with different intrinsic magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Further, confinement effects were studied by considering three different geometries of nanoparticles. The effect of the geometrical confinement and intrinsic anisotropy of the nanoparticles are discussed based on known theoretical predictions.

Synthesis And Piezoelectric Response Of Cubic And Spherical Linbo3 Nanocrystals, Debasish Mohanty, Girija S. Chaubey, Amin Yourdkhani, Shiva Adireddy, Gabriel Caruntu, John B. Wiley

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Methods have been developed for the shape-selective synthesis of ferroelectric LiNbO3 nanoparticles. Decomposition of the single-source precursor, LiNb(O-Et)6, in the absence of surfactants, can reproducibly lead to either cube- or sphere-like nanoparticles. X-Ray diffraction shows that the LiNbO3 nanoparticles are rhombohedral (R3c). Sample properties were examined by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and Raman where both sets of nanoparticles exhibit ferroelectricity. The longitudinal piezoelectric coefficients, d33, varied with shape where the largest value was exhibited in the nanocubes (17 pm V21 for the cubes versus 12 pm V21 for spheres).

Dynamics And Collective State Of Ordered Magnetic Nanoparticles In Mesoporous Systems, Jose M. Vargas, Abhishek Srivastava, Ezra Garza, Amin Yourdkhani, Gabriel Caruntu, Leonard Spinu

Chemistry Faculty Publications

In this paper we present a study of superparamagnetic and superspin glass states of magnetic nanoparticles confined in mesoporous templates. Characterization utilizes dynamic magnetization techniques, ac susceptibility, and ferromagnetic resonance, in addition to dc magnetization curves. In order to differentiate between the intrinsic and collective properties, we considered three magnetic nanoparticles systems with comparable size, shape, and crystallinity but with different intrinsic magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Further, confinement effects were studied by considering three different geometries of nanoparticles. The effect of the geometrical confinement and intrinsic anisotropy of the nanoparticles are discussed based on known theoretical predictions.

Circular And Near-Circular Polarization States Of Evanescent Monochromatic Light Fields In Total Internal Reflection, R. M. A Azzam

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

Conditions for the production of near-circular polarization states of the evanescent field present in the rarer medium in total internal reflection of incident monochromatic p-polarized light at a dielectric-dielectric planar interface are determined. Such conditions are satisfied if high-index (>3.2) transparent prism materials (e.g., GaP and Ge) are used at angles of incidence well above the critical angle but sufficiently below grazing incidence. Furthermore, elliptical polarization of incident light with nonzero p and s components can be tailored to cause circular polarization of the resultant tangential electric field in the plane of the interface or circular polarization of the …

Poincaré Sphere Representation Of The Fixed-Polarizer Rotating-Retarder Optical System, R. M.A. Azzam

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

The trajectory of the polarization state of a monochromatic light beam after it passes through a fixed linear polarizer and a rotating linear retarder of arbitrary retardance Δ is determined on the Poincaré sphere. The three-dimensional figure-8 contour is shown to be the line of intersection of a right-circular cylinder with the sphere. The cylinder is parallel to the polar (s₃) axis, touches the sphere at the equator (at the point that represents the linear polarization transmitted by the fixed polarizer), and has a radius r=sin²(Δ/2). Projections of the trajectory in the coordinate planes of the …

Three-Dimensional Polarization States Of Monochromatic Light Fields, R. M.A. Azzam

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

The 3×1 generalized Jones vectors (GJVs) [ExEyEz]t (t indicates the transpose) that describe the linear, circular, and elliptical polarization states of an arbitrary three-dimensional (3-D) monochromatic light field are determined in terms of the geometrical parameters of the 3-D vibration of the time-harmonic electric field. In three dimensions, there are as many distinct linear polarization states as there are points on the surface of a hemisphere, and the number of distinct 3-D circular polarization states equals that of all two-dimensional (2-D) polarization states on the Poincaré sphere, of which only two are circular states. The subset of 3-D polarization …

Simplified Design Of Thin-Film Polarizing Beam Splitter Using Embedded Symmetric Trilayer Stack, R. M.A. Azzam

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications

An analytically tractable design procedure is presented for a polarizing beam splitter (PBS) that uses frustrated total internal reflection and optical tunneling by a symmetric LHL trilayer thin-film stack embedded in a high-index prism. Considerable simplification arises when the refractive index of the high-index center layer H matches the refractive index of the prism and its thickness is quarter-wave. This leads to a cube design in which zero reflection for the p polarization is achieved at a 45 degrees angle of incidence independent of the thicknesses of the identical symmetric low-index tunnel layers L and L. Arbitrarily high reflectance for …

Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program (Bicm) Volume 3: Bathymetry And Historical Seafloor Change 1869-2007 Part 4: Historical Seafloor Change Analysis, Michael Miner, Dallon Weathers, Mark Kulp, Rebecca Rafferty

Pontchartrain Institute Reports and Studies

No abstract provided.