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Investigation Of Tantalum Sodium Lead Borate Glass Using Laser Ionization Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry (Litof-Ms), Siri Erickson-Green

Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy

Laser ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (LITOF-MS) is a spectrometry method which can measure, with exceptional accuracy, the composition of ions within a glass system. Additionally, unlike other spectroscopy and spectrometry methods, this technique allows insight into the abundance of each kind of ion within a given glass system. This specific project tackled the topic of tantalum-doped sodium and lead borate glasses, as sodium and lead borate glasses doped with a transition metal is a topic which has not been thoroughly explored. Our group synthesized such a glass and was able to use LITOF-MS to gain insights into how …

Strain Methods For Changing Local Electric Field Gradient In Bafe2as2, Caleb Williams

Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy

In this study, we introduce a novel approach aimed at advancing the investigation of local nematicity in BaFe2As2 via dynamically pulsed strain fields. Our research is motivated by the pursuit of a more sensitive alternative to existing static strain methods. Employing nuclear magnetic resonance techniques, we measure the nuclear quadrupolar energy splittings, utilizing them as a sensitive indicator of the electric field gradient (EFG) that couples strongly to the orbital occupations of the 75As p-orbitals. In the new method, we discern an EFG response through changes in the phase acquired by the nuclear magnetization while time-evolving in the strain field, …

Linking The Population Of Binary Black Holes With The Stochastic Gravitational-Wave Background, Olivia X. Laske

Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy

The astrophysical stochastic gravitational-wave background (SGWB) is the product of overlapping waveforms that create a single unresolvable background. While current LIGO sensitivity is insufficient to uncover the SGWB, future space-based detectors and Third Generation (3G) experiments are expected to probe deep enough for detection. Predictions of the SGWB can constrain future searches as well as provide insight into star formation, merger history, and mass distribution. Here, three primary methods are used to calculate a theoretical SGWB. The first method integrates over a precomputed mass distribution probability grid, while the second and third employ Monte Carlo integration with simulated data. After …

Simulation Of Polymerization On Surfaces: Implications For Abiogenesis, Sylvia Greene

Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy

How did life arise from the prebiotic conditions of the early earth? This problem has vexed scientists for decades with no consensus on its solution. Significant spontaneous formation of biopolymers such as proteins and nucleic acids in the aqueous phase appears to be improbable due to thermodynamic constraints. It has been proposed that mineral surfaces could have served as a catalyst for the initial formation of biopolymers. However, the feasibility of this mechanism has not been thoroughly studied. In this study, a particle simulation of polypeptide formation on surfaces is developed to assess the feasibility of this mechanism. Elementary processes …

The Hodgkin-Huxley Model For Neuron Action Potentials: A Computational Study, Uditi Chandrashekhar

Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy

Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system that receive stimuli as signals and pass on this information to other cells in different parts of the body. An action potential refers to the transmission of the electrical nerve impulse along the neuron. In their seminal work published in 1952, Alan L. Hodgkin and Andrew Huxley proposed a mathematical model of neuronal membrane action potentials based on a series of experiments they conducted using the giant squid neuron. This thesis is a study of the nature of the action potential used to transfer signals along the neuron based on the …

Variability Of High-Degree Modes Over Multiple Solar Cycles Using Local Helioseismic Data From Gong, Nicholas Cebula, Sushanta Tripathy, Kiran Jain, John M. Cannon

Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy

In this investigation we use the local helioseismic technique of ring diagrams to study the power, energy, and damping rates of high degree solar acoustic modes. Our data covers the period from the maximum phase of solar cycle 23 to the ascending phase of cycle 25. The goal is to examine the variations in the mode parameters with solar activity as well as the differences between different cycles. For this, we use different proxies of solar activity. We use 10.7 cm radio flux measurements and a measure of magnetic flux known as magnetic activity index from magnetograms.

Ammonia Emission In The Milky Way Galactic Bar Dust Lanes, Charles G. Burton

Macalester Journal of Physics and Astronomy

The Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) of the Milky Way is a region of molecular gas within the inner few hundred parsecs of the Galaxy. This inner region of the Milky Way is hotter and more turbulent when compared with the disk of the Milky Way. Gas is thought to be funneled into the CMZ through dense gaseous dust lanes that are associated with the Galactic Bar. I studied two regions of one of these dust lanes using the NH3 inversion transitions of (J,K) = (1,1), (2,2), (3,3), and (4,4). Data has been obtained from the Green Bank Telescope targeting these …

Biomass Estimation Of Mature Mangrove Trees In The Uae Using Spaceborne Remote Sensing Techniques., Yasmine Ashraf Heikal

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Mangrove forest ecosystems play an essential role in diminishing the effects of climate change caused by the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Estimating mangrove forest aboveground biomass (AGB) can assist in decision-making for conservation, sustainable use, and protection of these forests. The goal of this research project was to map the AGB of mangrove forests along the coasts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the aid of Landsat-8-9 satellite imagery data acquired in September 2023. 12 AGB estimation models were developed based on the combination of in situ measurements and Landsat-8-9 derived vegetation indices. 𝐴𝐺𝐵 = 58975 …

Unbiased Estimation Of Gravitational-Wave Anisotropies From Noisy Data, Nikolaos Kouvatsos, Alexander C. Jenkins, Arianna I. Renzini, Joseph D. Romano, Mairi Sakellariadou

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

One of the most exciting targets of current and future gravitational-wave observations is the angular power spectrum of the astrophysical GW background. This cumulative signal encodes information about the large-scale structure of the Universe, as well as the formation and evolution of compact binaries throughout cosmic time. However, the finite rate of compact binary mergers gives rise to temporal shot noise, which introduces a significant bias in measurements of the angular power spectrum if not explicitly accounted for. Previous work showed that this bias can be removed by cross-correlating GW sky maps constructed from different observing times. However, this …

Optical Transport Of Ultracold Atoms, David Vera

Undergraduate Honors Theses

At temperatures near absolute zero, bosons form a macroscopic quantum state that can be manipulated and imaged in a very controlled and tunable way. To reach these extreme temperatures near absolute zero, advanced methods in cooling, including laser and evaporative cooling, must be used. In addition to these techniques for cooling, atoms must also be held up against the constant pull of gravity, so additional trapping techniques using lasers and magnets are used. In our lab at University of San Diego, we are implementing a tunable lens system (TLS) to optically transfer atoms to a more optically accessible location. A …

New Frontier In Race For Deep Space Exploration: Lunar Water Resources, Yong Wei, Honglei Lin, Fei He, Hui Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Deep space exploration has become the commanding heights of science and technology competition. Since the beginning of the 21st century, China has successfully completed the lunar exploration missions of “orbiting, landing, and returning” in just twenty years, and upgraded to a new roadmap of “survey, construction, and utilization”. Meanwhile, lunar exploration worldwide has shown a trend towards normalization and commercialization. The research on lunar water resources has sparked widespread interest and intense competition among countries and space agencies, marking a new focus in human’s deep space exploration. The exploration of lunar water can help reveal crucial processes in the formation …

Winning Battle For Key And Core Technologies In Emerging Fields—Inspiration Based On 863 Program Related Projects, Guangzu Bai, Li Li, Hongfei Meng, Qiang Wang, Xiaoyang Cao, Anrong Liu, Bo Cheng, Mimi Zhan, Jing Li, Leiei Cui, Xiangwan Du

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Emerging technology fields have become the main battleground for strategic competition among major powers today, with key and core technologies serving as crucial approach in shaping a nation’s international competitive advantage. This study, from the perspective of national strategy, profoundly understands the significant importance of winning the key and core technology battle in emerging fields. Based on this understanding, it starts with a comparison between the implementation background of the 863 Program and the current reality. It systematically summarizes valuable experiences from projects aimed at advancing key and core technologies in emerging fields, and puts forward reflections and suggestions for …

Technology Innovation Is The Key To Future Space Science Missions, Ji Wu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Space science is one of the important space activities of China together with space technology and space application. Although it is a space program aimed at scientific discovery and breakthrough, with the development of technology and the increasing number of achievements received in the past, space science missions require more and more technological innovation to achieve their goals. This study first reviews the development trend of space science missions since their birth, then analyzes the cultivation process of space science mission proposals with technological innovation and the responsibilities of the chief scientist leading such tasks, and finally analyzes and proposes …

Analysing An Imbalanced Stroke Prediction Dataset Using Machine Learning Techniques, Viswapriya Subramaniyam Elangovan, Rajeswari Devarajan, Osamah I. Khalaf, Mhd Saeed Sharif, Wael Elmedany

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

A stroke is a medical condition characterized by the rupture of blood vessels within the brain which can lead to brain damage. various symptoms may be exhibited when the brain's supply of blood and essential nutrients is disrupted. To forecast the possibility of brain stroke occurring at an early stage using Machine Learning and Deep Learning is the main objective of this study. Timely detection of the various warning signs of a stroke can significantly reduce its severity. This paper performed a comprehensive analysis of features to enhance stroke prediction effectiveness. A reliable dataset for stroke prediction is taken from …

Potential Enhancement Of Microbial Disinfection Using Oxygen Enriched Cold Atmospheric-Pressure Argon (Ar/O2) Plasma Jet, Waleed O. Younis, Mahmoud M. Berekaa, Mostafa A. Ellbban, Abdel-Sattar S. Gadallah, Jamal Q. Almarashi, Abdel-Aleam H. Mohamed

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Oxygen activated cold-atmospheric-pressure-argon plasma jet (APPJ) has gained prominence over the regular argon plasma especially in disinfection and decontamination. As an objective of the current research, an oxygen-enriched argon system was built, where plasma produced through a vessel metallic tube that is introduced into alumina one. A sinusoidal high voltage signal of 25 kHz was used to generate plasma jet. Potential impact of oxygen enriched APP jet (Ar/O₂) in decontamination of different microbial cells was observed. For examination, suspension of each tested microbe was placed in contact with plasma jet nearly 10 mm away from the jet nozzle …

Extraction Of Morphometric Features The Shape Of Mangrove Leaves Based On Digital Images And Classification Using The Support Vector Machine, Ishak Ariawan, Della Ayu Lestari, Luthfi Anzani, Tri Yanti, Cakra Rahardjo, M. Saleh, Sahril Angga Permana, Dea Aisyah Rusmawati

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

At present, several botanists still rely on the use of manual estimating methods to assess the carbon content in mangrove. However, these methods have been reported to be extremely time-consuming, showing the need to develop a system for prediction. An effective solution lies in the creation of an artificial intelligence application, which can provide rapid and cost-effective results. In constructing this application, careful consideration must be given to the selection of parameters or attributes. Species is an essential parameter for the assessment of carbon content, but its determination has proven to be challenging due to the similarities of mangrove. The …

A Novel Positive-Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Line Marker For High-Dose-Rate (Hdr) Mri-Assisted Radiosurgery (Mars), Li Wang, Yao Ding, Teresa L. Bruno, R. Jason Stafford, Eric Lin, Tharakeswara K. Bathala, Jeremiah W. Sanders, Matthew S. Ning, Jingfei Ma, Karen S. Martirosyan

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can facilitate accurate organ delineation and optimal dose distributions in high-dose-rate (HDR) MRI-Assisted Radiosurgery (MARS). Its use for this purpose has been limited by the lack of positive-contrast MRI markers that can clearly delineate the lumen of the HDR applicator and precisely show the path of the HDR source on T1- and T2-weighted MRI sequences. We investigated a novel MRI positive-contrast HDR brachytherapy or interventional radiotherapy line marker, C4:S, consisting of C4 (visible on T1-weighted images) complexed with saline. Longitudinal relaxation time (T1) and transverse relaxation time (T2) for C4:S were measured on a 1.5 T …

The Structure And Control Of Chaos In Theory And Application, Grayson P. Mcdowell

Student Scholarship

Chaos theory is the study of systems that evolve in highly irregular ways due to sensitivity to initial conditions. These include but are not limited to certain physical, biological, chemical, and economic systems. In Section I, we offer a protocol that exposes the structure of chaotic trajectories in the logistic map model, a toy model of chaos, and we offer a method for stabilizing chaotic trajectories. Section I finishes with a discussion of potential pathways forward with these methods. In Section II, we look at a concrete chaotic system: the human heart. One hundred nineteen (N=119) students participated in a …

Optics Design And Fabrication For A Lung Interferometry-Radiography System, Rachael Lyn Blair

LSU Master's Theses

Purpose: High prevalence of lung diseases leads to many people worldwide needing spirometry and imaging testing. The typical imaging done uses chest radiography and/or low-dose CT. Lung tissue is difficult to visualize, making them substandard for monitoring lung disease progression. An improvement on these systems is x-ray interferometry which produces additional images that provide better visualization of changes in the lung tissue. The set-up of x-ray interferometry builds upon other imaging systems in that it includes diffraction gratings.

Materials: This thesis focused on implementing the fabrication processes to create diffraction gratings for a lung imager prototype that is currently under …

Decay Spectroscopy Of 134sb Using X-Array And Saturn, Graeme E. Morgan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The ground-state decay of ¹³⁴Sb is reported by the current evaluated nuclear data to be dominated by a 0^-→0⁺ first-forbidden Gamow-Teller transition to the ground state of ¹³⁴Te. In 2013, a recoil-ion time-of-flight (RI-TOF) spectroscopy measurement of ¹³⁴Sb with the Beta-decay Paul Trap (BPT) indicated that the ground-state feeding of ¹³⁴Te is weaker than reported. Simulation work of ¹³⁴Sb ground-state decays replicated the RI-TOF results with the addition of a theorised 5-MeV state that was fed with ~17% of the total β-decay strength. To search for higher energy states and transitions that …

Perovskite Materials For Optoelectronics Application: Solar Cells And Photodetectors, Abdul Kareem Kalathil Soopy

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Perovskite materials have emerged as promising candidates for optoelectronic applications, particularly in solar cells and photodetectors, due to their remarkable properties such as high carrier mobility, tunable bandgap, and low-cost fabrication. This thesis explores two novel approaches, namely monovalent doping and bulk as well as surface passivation, to enhance the performance and stability of perovskite-based devices. The primary goal of this research is to enhance the properties of perovskite materials to improve their optoelectronic performance, aiming to broaden their use in solar cells and photodetector devices. Specifically, this study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of Cu doping and Zinc porphyrin …

Nidus Idearum. Scilogs, Xiii: Structure / Neutrostructure / Antistructure, Florentin Smarandache

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

In this thirteenth book of scilogs – one may find topics on Neutrosophy, Plithogeny, Physics, Mathematics, Philosophy – email messages to research colleagues, or replies, notes, comments, remarks about authors, articles, or books, spontaneous ideas, and so on. It presents new types of soft sets and new types of topologies.

Exchanging ideas with Mohammad Abobala, Ishfaq Ahmad, Ibrahim M. Almanjahie, Fatimah Alshahrani, Nizar Altounji, Muhammad Aslam, Said Broumi, Victor Christianto, R. Diksh, Feng Liu, Frank Julian Gelli, Erick Gonzalez Caballero, Riad Hamido, Yaser Al-Hasan, Ahmed Hatip, Yasin Karmouta, Nivetha Martin, Preda Mihăilescu, V. Lakshmana Gomathi Nayagam, Ze Carlos Tiago de …

Improving 2–5 Qubit Quantum Phase Estimation Circuits Using Machine Learning, Charles Woodrum, Torrey J. Wagner, David E. Weeks

Faculty Publications

Quantum computing has the potential to solve problems that are currently intractable to classical computers with algorithms like Quantum Phase Estimation (QPE); however, noise significantly hinders the performance of today’s quantum computers. Machine learning has the potential to improve the performance of QPE algorithms, especially in the presence of noise. In this work, QPE circuits were simulated with varying levels of depolarizing noise to generate datasets of QPE output. In each case, the phase being estimated was generated with a phase gate, and each circuit modeled was defined by a randomly selected phase. The model accuracy, prediction speed, overfitting level …

Testing Hadronic-Model Predictions Of Depth Of Maximum Of Air-Shower Profiles And Ground-Particle Signals Using Hybrid Data Of The Pierre Auger Observatory, A. Abdul Halim, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, I. Allekotte, K. Almeida Cheminant, A. Almela, B. Fick, K. Nguyen, D. Nitz, Et Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

We test the predictions of hadronic interaction models regarding the depth of maximum of air-shower profiles, Xmax, and ground-particle signals in water-Cherenkov detectors at 1000 m from the shower core, S(1000), using the data from the fluorescence and surface detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The test consists of fitting the measured two-dimensional (S(1000), Xmax) distributions using templates for simulated air showers produced with hadronic interaction models epos-lhc, qgsjet-ii-04, sibyll 2.3d and leaving the scales of predicted Xmax and the signals from hadronic component at ground as free-fit parameters. The method relies on the assumption that the mass composition remains …

Optimization And Applications Of Whispering Gallery Mode Microbubble Resonator, Maxwell Adolphson

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Optical biosensors are frontrunners for rapid and real-time detection of analytes, particularly for low concentrations. Among them, whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators have recently attracted a growing focus due to their robust optomechanical and optofluidic features and high sensitivity, measuring down to single binding events in small volumes. With their unique advantages and their compatibility with different sensing modalities, these sensors have the potential to become major game changers for biomedical and environmental monitoring, among many other relevant target applications. In this dissertation we focus on one geometry of whispering gallery mode resonators, the microbubble resonator. This platform is unique, …

Effects Of Ti Addition On The Characteristics Of Al-10zn-6mg-2si/Zro2 Composites Produced By Squeeze Casting, Qesha Diva Prameshvara, Pipin Indah Lestari, Bondan Tiara Sofyan

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Metal matrix composite (MMC) with 7xxx aluminum matrix is potential for ballistic applications due to the combination of strength, toughness, and light weight. Previous study successfully produced aluminum-based composites with SiC particles which were able to stop type III bullet, however cracks remained on back of the plate. Therefore, in this research, SiC was replaced by zirconia (ZrO₂) due to its high fracture toughness. Ti-B grain refiner was added to further improve toughness through grain boundary strengthening mechanism. This research developed 5 vol.% ZrO₂ strengthened Al-10Zn-6Mg-2Si composite with addition of Al-5Ti-1B grain refiner produced through squeeze casting …

Integration Of The Ashby Technique And Pahl-Beitz Quantitative Ranking For Railway Axle Material Selection, Helya Chafshoh Nafisah, Jaka Fajar Fatriansyah, Siti Norasmah Surip

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Railway axle serves as a vital connection between the train's wheels and its body. However, cyclic loading and high speed can induce fatigue in railway axle, which potentially leads to damage human safety. Therefore, it is important to find materials that have good mechanical properties with the lowest weight and cost. In this paper, a comprehensive method using Ashby chart has been performed to select candidate materials of railway axle. The methods begin with analyzing function by determining the problem, objective function, and constraints. After that, the results obtained are ranked using Pahl and Beitz quantitative weighting method. The results …

Analysis Of The Effect Of Different Surface Preparation Methods On Corrosion Resistance And Adhesion Strength Of Astm A36 Steel Substrate With Surface Tolerant Epoxy Paint As Coating Material, Irwan Wijaya Santoso, Daffa Aqila, Rini Riastuti, Rizal Tresna Ramadhani

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

In the industrial world, to extend the service life of materials, protection methods are carried out to slow down the material's corrosion rate. The protection method that is often used is the coating method. The coating method is a protection method by coating the substrate material using a coating material to prevent contact between the substrate material and the environment. In this research, the substrate material used is ASTM A36 steel and the coating material used is Surface Tolerant Epoxy paint. The independent variable used in this study lies in the surface preparation method which consists of: solvent cleaning, hand …

Avoiding Pitfalls In Molecular Simulation Of Vapor Sorption: Example Of Propane And Isobutane In Metal–Organic Frameworks For Adsorption Cooling Applications, Filip Formalik, Haoyuan Chen, Randall Q. Snurr

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

This study introduces recommendations for conducting molecular simulations of vapor adsorption, with an emphasis on enhancing the accuracy, reproducibility, and comparability of results. The first aspect we address is consistency in the implementation of some details of typical molecular models, including tail corrections and cutoff distances, due to their significant influence on generated data. We highlight the importance of explicitly calculating the saturation pressures at relevant temperatures using methods such as Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo simulations and illustrate some pitfalls in extrapolating saturation pressures using this method. For grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations, the input fugacity is usually calculated …

Gauge-Invariant Correlators In Quantum Gravity, Kenneth Ratliff

Dissertations - ALL

Recent successes in Euclidean Dynamical Triangulations (EDT) motivate the further comparison of lattice observables to predictions of general relativity (GR) treated as an effective quantum theory. A particularly promising observable is the two-point function of the scalar curvature, which can be straightforwardly computed on the lattice and which in principle can also be computed from the Einstein-Hilbert path integral. Any such comparison should be between manifestly gauge-invariant observables, and will require that the GR predictions be analytically continued in a gauge-invariant manner to the Euclidean signature of the lattice. In this thesis I present my work toward this goal, namely: …