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On Characterizing Quantum Processes And Detectors, Kevin Valson Jacob

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In 2009, physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Colorado, Boulder developed what could arguable be called the first rudimentary quantum computer [1]. The past decade has seen unprecedented improvements in quantum information science culminating in the demonstration of quantum supremacy --- that quantum computers can solve problems that are impractical to be solved on the best supercomputers [2]. This remarkable progress necessitates the development of techniques to characterize the quantum devices that are being developed. In my thesis, I will focus on such devices that manipulate and detect light.

In Chapter 1, I will introduce the …

The Siltcatcher: A Sediment-Capture System For Wetland Creation And Coastal Protection In Western Lake Pontchartrain, Andrew M. Wright

LSU Master's Theses

The West Lake Pontchartrain region faces a number of long-term environmental challenges due to anthropogenic climate disturbance and landscape modification, including sea level rise, increased storm surge risk, shoreline erosion, and wetland degradation. In response, this thesis applies recent research in the fields of landscape architecture and civil engineering to propose a dynamic, natural-systems solution for wetland creation and shoreline protection. The project envisions a series of breakwater-like structures in western Lake Pontchartrain positioned to slow water released from the nearby Bonnet Carré Spillway, causing suspended sediment to settle and create self-building and self-sustaining wetlands capable of keeping pace with …

Why Do You Take That Route?, Alimire Nabijiang

LSU Master's Theses

We conducted this study to investigate causal factors which affects the route-choice behavior of drivers. Due to the insufficiency of measured variables and the lack of high-fidelity properties obtained by conventional data, we carried out Stated Choice Experiment (SCE) using Immersive Virtual Environments (IVE) tool to collect data. IVE tool can provide realistic virtual experiences to participants, and give advantage of flexible environment for exploring causal factors of drivers’ decision on route choice. Based on reviewing literatures, we believe that there is limited studies that has tried to comprehend the route choice behavior of drivers using causal inference. The study …

Automatic Features Extraction From Time Series Of Passive Microwave Images For Snowmelt Detection Using Deep-Learning – A Bidirectional Long-Short Term Memory Autoencoder (Bi-Lstm-Ae) Approach., Bienvenu Sedin Massamba

LSU Master's Theses

The Antarctic surface snowmelt is prone to the polar climate and is common in its coastal regions. With about 90 percent of the planet's glaciers, if all of the Antarctica glaciers melted, sea levels will rise about 58 meters around the planet. The development of an effective automated ice-sheet snowmelt monitoring system is therefore crucial.

Microwave remote sensing instruments, on the one hand, are very sensitive to snowmelt and can see day and night through clouds, allowing us to distinguish melting from dry snow and to better understand when, where, and for how long melting has taken place. On the …

Physical And Biological Factors Controlling The Fate Of Nitrate In A Louisiana Coastal Deltaic Floodplain, Alexandra Christensen

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The Mississippi River Delta is threatened by a growing pressure to support large human populations in the United States both with food production, navigation systems, and urban development in the Mississippi River Basin. Nitrate-nitrogen load in the Mississippi River, up to 100 Tg N yr^-1 from agricultural and urban runoff, leads to phytoplankton blooms and hypoxia across the Louisiana continental shelf, creating dead zones of low dissolved oxygen threatening a significant commercial fishery. Along the coast and river corridors, floodplain ecosystems have the capacity to retain and remove nitrate. This dissertation explores the role of productive, actively growing coastal …

An Atmospheric And Spatiotemporal Examination Of Lightning-Initiated Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes Detected By The Fermi Satellite And Tetra Ii, Deirdre Colleen Smith

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) are sub-millisecond bursts of the highest naturally occurring light-energy found within Earth’s atmosphere. TGFs are associated with the electric fields produced in thunderstorms and are geolocated by coincident sferics from lightning strokes. Though billions of lightning strokes occur globally each year, fewer than 1,000 TGFs are detected via satellite and ground-based sensors and only a small fraction are geolocated via sferics.

To date, few studies have focused on individual thunderstorms and climates that produce TGFs. This dissertation examines TGFs from two differing data samples: 1) NASA's Fermi Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor (2013-2018) and 2) The TGF and …

The Long-Term Outlook Of The Mississippi-Atchafalaya Bifurcation: A Convergence Of Engineering, Economics, And Deltaic Evolution, Thomas Mitchell Andrus

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The most recent and currently active delta lobe of the Mississippi River (MR) is the Atchafalaya-Wax Lake lobe, which was initiated approximately 400 years ago as a result of MR stream capture by the Atchafalaya River (AR). This capture process accelerated in the early to mid-1900s but further progress was prevented by construction and operation of the Old River Control Structure (ORCS) Complex. Many recent studies indicate that MR system below the ORCS is on a retreating geologic trajectory due to contributing factors such as sea level rise, subsidence, faulting, and declining hydraulic stream power. Diversions along the Lower MR …

Study Of Fundamental Tradeoff Between Deliverable And Private Information In Statistical Inference, Farhang Bayat

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

My primary objective in this dissertation is to establish a framework under which I launch a systematic study of the fundamental tradeoff between deliverable and private information in statistical inference. My research was partly motivated by arising and prevailing privacy concerns of users in many machine learning problems.

In this dissertation, I begin by introducing examples where I am concerned of privacy leakage versus decision utility in statistical inference problems. I then go into further details about what I have achieved in formulating and solving such problems using information theory related metrics in a variety of settings. Both related works …

An Ecopath With Ecosim Analysis On Offshore Petroleum Platform Influences On Gulf Of Mexico Red Snapper, Valentin Gomez

LSU Master's Theses

Offshore oil and gas platforms have had a significant presence in the Gulf of Mexico since the 1950s. An important secondary function of these structures is that they provide artificial habitat to fisheries, most notably Red snapper. Policy changes intended to reduce the risk associated with aging infrastructure have reduced the number of standing platforms from 4044 to 1867 from 2001 to 2018. The effect this loss of habitat has on Red snapper was tested by creating three scenarios of platform changes and modeling the perturbation from 2005 to 2050. The simulation was accomplished using the ecological model Ecopath with …

A Data-Driven Model For Multiphase Flow In Pipes, Francisco Bruno Xavier Teles

LSU Master's Theses

Steady-state models commonly used to determine pressure gradient in wells are either empirical correlations or are dependent on empirical parameters correlated to specific flow conditions such as pressures, temperatures, fluid types, and pipe inclinations. The empirical nature of these models leads to limitations in predicting cases in a wide range of conditions. Established models may be delivering inaccurate results when applied at conditions beyond those which they were derived from. For instance, models available in the literature have shown to have limitations when used in large diameter pipes and high-velocity scenarios.

This work aims to evaluate different flow models with …

Limitations On Protecting Information Against Quantum Adversaries, Eneet Kaur

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The aim of this thesis is to understand the fundamental limitations on secret key distillation in various settings of quantum key distribution. We first consider quantum steering, which is a resource for one-sided device-independent quantum key distribution. We introduce a conditional mutual information based quantifier for quantum steering, which we call intrinsic steerability. Next, we consider quantum non-locality, which is a resource for device-independent quantum key distribution. In this context, we introduce a quantifier, intrinsic non-locality, which is a monotone in the resource theory of Bell non-locality. Both these quantities are inspired by intrinsic information and squashed entanglement and are …

X-Ray Interferometry Without Analyzer For Breast Ct Application, A Simulation Study, Jingzhu Xu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

We investigated a novel analyzer-less X-ray interferometer with a spatially modulated phase-grating (MPG) which produces three types of images (attenuation image, phase image and scatter image) for Breast computed tomography (CT). The system provides the three complimentary X-ray images with the goals of limiting the dose to the object and achieving similar attenuation image sensitivity as a standard absorption-only Breast CT. The MPG system features an X-ray source, a source-grating, a single phase-grating, and a detector. No analyzer grating is necessary, compared to other geometries such as Talbot-Lau X-ray interferometry (TLXI). Thus, there is a ~2 times improvement in X-ray …

Modeling The Dynamics Of Phospholipids In The Fluid Phase Of Liposomes, Sudipta Gupta, Gerald J. Schneider

Faculty Publications

This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry. We present the derivation of a new model to describe neutron spin echo spectroscopy and quasi-elastic neutron scattering data on liposomes. We compare the new model with existing approaches and benchmark it with experimental data. The analysis indicates the importance of including all major contributions in the modeling of the intermediate scattering function. Simultaneous analysis of the experimental data on lipids with full contrast and tail contrast matched samples reveals highly confined lipid tail motion. A comparison of their dynamics demonstrates the statistical independence of tail-motion and height-height correlation of the …

Larval Survival And Movement Of The Fall Armyworm And Corn Earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) In Seed Blends Of Non-Bt And Pyramided Bt Corn: Implications For Resistance Management, Marcelo Dimase

LSU Master's Theses

A seed blend refuge has been used in the U.S. Corn Belt for Bt corn insect resistance management (IRM). The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (F.), and corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) are major target pests of Bt corn in the Americas. One major concern for the use of a seed blend refuge is that larval movement of insects among non-Bt and Bt plants could affect its efficacy for resistance management. To address this concern, field and greenhouse trials were conducted to determine 1) if seed blend refugia could provide comparable levels of susceptible S. frugiperda (aabb) as structured refugia and …

Biogeography Of Biological Control: Spatial Variation In Agent-Host Interactions, Nathan Harms

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Management of plant invasions using biological control has the potential to generate spatial patterns which reflect geographic or genetic variation in invader or control agents. Despite its rarity in practice, investigations into the biogeography of interacting species (i.e., plant invader and control agent) in the context of biological control can lend insights into species distribution-abundance patterns and provide predictions for spatial variation in control success. I explored spatial variability in biological control agent-plant interactions using two wetland weed study systems with large geographic distributions: flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus L.) and alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb). Through literature and …

Evaluation Of Neutron Skyshine Contributions During Injection At An Electron Synchrotron Facility Using Fluka, Andrew D. Hastings

LSU Master's Theses

The Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD) is a 1.5 giga-electron volt (GeV) electron synchrotron research facility under the jurisdiction of Louisiana State University (LSU). When originally constructed in 1992, CAMD was surrounded by pasture and woodland. Over the past several years, urban development of the area has found CAMD bracketed by a shopping center, apartment complex, and business offices. These developments raised concerns amongst the CAMD radiation safety personnel regarding an increased potential for public exposure to radiation. To ensure compliance with the annual public effective dose equivalent limit of 1 milli-sievert (mSv), the radiation monitoring program was …

How Cypress Tress Become Mangroves: An Analysis Of The Works Of Amitav Ghosh And Climate Change, Alyssa D. Dobson

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Using A Difference-In-Differences Approach To Examine The Impact Of The State Earned Income Tax Credit On Student Educational Outcomes, Caroline Louise Vanchiere

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Women’S Disabled Bodies In The Novels Of Agatha Christie, Victoria Pfeifer

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Applications And Implementation Of A Satellite-Based Quantum Internet, Renèe Desporte

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

A 3-Year Sample Of Almost 1,600 Elves Recorded Above South America By The Pierre Auger Cosmic-Ray Observatory, A. Aab, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, I. F.M. Albuquerque, J. M. Albury, I. Allekotte, A. Almela, J. Alvarez Castillo, J. Alvarez-Muñiz, G. A. Anastasi, L. Anchordoqui, B. Andrada, S. Andringa, C. Aramo, H. Asorey, P. Assis, G. Avila, A. M. Badescu, A. Bakalova, A. Balaceanu, F. Barbato, R. J. Barreira Luz, S. Baur, K. H. Becker, J. A. Bellido, C. Berat, M. E. Bertaina, X. Bertou, P. L. Biermann, J. Biteau, S. G. Blaess, A. Blanco, J. Blazek

Faculty Publications

Elves are a class of transient luminous events, with a radial extent typically greater than 250 km, that occur in the lower ionosphere above strong electrical storms. We report the observation of 1,598 elves, from 2014 to 2016, recorded with unprecedented time resolution (100 ns) using the fluorescence detector (FD) of the Pierre Auger Cosmic-Ray Observatory. The Auger Observatory is located in the Mendoza province of Argentina with a viewing footprint for elve observations of 3.106 km2, reaching areas above the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the Córdoba region, which is known for severe convective thunderstorms. Primarily designed …

Continuous Discrete Sequential Observers For Time-Varying Systems Under Sampling And Input Delays, Frederic Mazenc, Michael Malisoff

Faculty Publications

We provide continuous-discrete observers for a large class of time-varying linear systems where the inputs and outputs have sampling and delays, and where the systems and outputs contain uncertainties. We allow the delays in the output and input to differ and to be arbitrarily long. We use the observers to design controls that ensure input-to-state stability, under delays and sampling. The observers and controls have no distributed terms. We illustrate our work in a dc motor model.

Noise Resilience Of Variational Quantum Compiling, Kunal Sharma, Sumeet Khatri2, M. Cerezo, Patrick J. Coles

Faculty Publications

Variational hybrid quantum-classical algorithms (VHQCAs) are near-term algorithms that leverage classical optimization to minimize a cost function, which is efficiently evaluated on a quantum computer. Recently VHQCAs have been proposed for quantum compiling, where a target unitary U is compiled into a short-depth gate sequence V. In this work, we report on a surprising form of noise resilience for these algorithms. Namely, we find one often learns the correct gate sequence V (i.e. the correct variational parameters) despite various sources of incoherent noise acting during the cost-evaluation circuit. Our main results are rigorous theorems stating that the optimal variational parameters …

Comprehensive Investigation Of Radiation Techniques For Whole Breast And Post-Mastectomy Irradiations, Yibo Xie

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this dissertation is to compare treatment outcomes and cost-effectiveness of various radiotherapy techniques for post-mastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) and whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT) patients.

Methods: Treatment planning comparison of standard volumetric modulated arc therapy (STD-VMAT), multiple arc VMAT (MA-VMAT), non-coplanar VMAT (NC-VMAT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), helical tomotherapy (HT), mixed beam therapy and proton therapy was performed for 9 PMRT patients, and cost-effectiveness of those PMRT techniques compared to standard of care (SOC) were evaluated using a Markov model. Treatment planning comparison of SOC, field-in-field (FIF), hybrid IMRT, full IMRT, STD-VMAT, MA-VMAT and NC-VMAT was performed …

University Students' Perceptions Of Humor Use By Male And Female Language Teachers In Lower And Intermediate-Level Spanish Classes, Anne-Catherine Jagneaux

LSU Master's Theses

This study explores students’ perceptions of their teachers based upon the teacher’s use of humor. It was guided by the following two research questions: 1) What are students’ overall opinions of the use of humor in the classroom in terms of its effect on the perceived characteristics of teachers?, and 2) Do male and female students perceive humor differently based on the gender of the teacher? Data were obtained to investigate how students view their teachers’ characteristics such as credibility, approachability, intelligence, overall likeability, in relation to their use of humor. The question of gender bias was addressed by investigating …

Vegetation Prior To And During Onset Of East Antarctic Glaciation: High Resolution Palynological Insights From Sabrina Coast, East Antarctica, Meghan L. Duffy

LSU Master's Theses

The Aurora Subglacial Basin (ASB) contains an estimated 3.5 m of global sea-level equivalent ice volume and is primarily drained by the Totten Glacier system, which terminates at the Sabrina Coast, East Antarctica. Thinning and retreating of the Totten Glacier indicate that this region is highly susceptible to oceanographic and atmospheric warming. The paleoclimate reconstruction of these changes, conducted in the context of this MS thesis, will improve understanding of East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) dynamics in this sensitive system. A recent study used seismic and sediment core data to document a dynamic early evolution of the EAIS in the …

Dissipation Of Benzobicyclon And Benzobicyclon Hydrolysate In A Louisiana Rice Field, Xavier Poole

LSU Master's Theses

Pesticide resistance in rice fields is an ongoing issue that has resulted in the development and use of pesticides with new modes of action. Benzobicyclon is the first registered hydroxyphenylpyruvate(HPPD)-inhibiting pesticide in the United States and has gained attention as a resistance management strategy to control weed pests in rice fields. Understanding the environmental fate and dissipation mechanisms of benzobicyclon is important due to the unique rotation of rice and crayfish in Louisiana on the same fields. Benzobicyclon persistence into the crayfish growing seasons may lead to unintended consequences for crayfish growth and production, assuming there is toxicity to crawfish. …

Novel Photon-Detector Models For Enhanced Quantum Information Processing, Elisha Siddiqui

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This work is devoted to the development of novel photon-detector models at room temperature using quantum optics elements. This work comprises of two photon-number-resolving detector (PNRD) models, and the application of PNRD in LIDAR. The first model is based on using a two-mode squeezing device to resolve photon number at room temperature. In this model we study the average intensity-intensity correlations signal at the output of a two-mode squeezing device with |N> and |α> as the two input modes. We show that the input photon-number can be resolved from the average intensity-intensity correlations. In particular, we show jumps in the …

Investigation Of Complex Magnetic Phenomena In Spinel Femn2o4, Mnfe2o4, And Nife2o4, Roshan Kumar Nepal

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Frustrated magnetic systems, where all spin interactions cannot be simultaneously satisfied, have continued to attract interest due to a plethora of novel magnetic states that emerge in them due to frustration and their potential technological applications. Spinel oxides AB₂O₄, where A and B are metal ions) are an excellent testing ground for the exploration of frustrated magnetism. This dissertation presents the experimental investigation of complex magnetic phenomena in the spinel oxides FeMn₂O₄, MnFe₂O₄, and NiFe₂O₄.

FeMn₂O₄ and MnFe₂O_{4 …}

Transition Metal-Doped Rare-Earth Oxysulfide Catalysts For High Temperature Dry Reforming Of Methane, Changyi Jiang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Carbon dioxide reforming of methane is a catalytic reaction utilizing two kinds of greenhouse gases and converting them into a useful industrial gas stream, “syngas”. However, sulfur poisoning and coke formation are two major challenges for this reaction. In this study, we have synthesized and examined several Ce-La and Ce-Zr oxides, with different transition metal additives. A rapid screening technique was developed to measure reforming and coking rates at low partial pressures. It is a good indicator of catalyst behavior at higher conversions and partial pressures. Following the rapid screening, select catalysts were examined at longer times on stream. Those …