Digital Commons Network^™

First Determination Of The Spin And Parity Of The Charmed-Strange Baryon Ξc (2970)+, T. J. Moon, K. Tanida, Y. Kato, S. K. Kim, I. Adachi, J. K. Ahn, H. Aihara, S. Al Said, D. M. Asner, V. Aulchenko, T. Aushev, R. Ayad, V. Babu, S. Bahinipati, P. Behera, C. Beleño, J. Bennett, M. Bessner, B. Bhuyan

Faculty and Student Publications

We report results from a study of the spin and parity of Ξc(2970)+ using a 980 fb-1 data sample collected by the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider. The decay angle distributions in the chain Ξc(2970)+→Ξc(2645)0π+→Ξc+π-π+ are analyzed to determine the spin of this charmed-strange baryon. The angular distributions strongly favor the Ξc(2970)+ spin J=1/2 over 3/2 or 5/2, under an assumption that the lowest partial wave dominates in the decay. We also measure the ratio of Ξc(2970)+ decay branching fractions R=B[Ξc(2970)+→Ξc(2645)0π+]/B[Ξc(2970)+→Ξc′0π+]=1.67±0.29(stat)-0.09+0.15(syst)±0.25(IS), where the last uncertainty is due to possible isospin-symmetry-breaking effects. This R value favors the spin-parity …

Linear Discriminant Analysis Based On Gas Chromatographic Measurements For Geographical Prediction Of Usa Medical Domestic Cannabis, Ramia Z. Al Bakain, Yahya S. Al-Degs, James V. Cizdziel, Mahmoud A. Elsohly

Faculty and Student Publications

Fifty four domestically produced cannabis samples obtained from different USA states were quantitatively assayed by GC-FID to detect 22 active components: 15 terpenoids and 7 cannabinoids. The profiles of the selected compounds were used as inputs for samples grouping to their geographical origins and for building a geographical prediction model using Linear Discriminant Analysis. The proposed sample extraction and chromatographic separation was satisfactory to select 22 active ingredients with a wide analytical range between 5.0 and 1,000 μg/mL. Analysis of GC-profiles by Principle Component Analysis retained three significant variables for grouping job (Δ9-THC, CBN, and CBC) and the modest discrimination …

Measurement Of The Resonant And Nonresonant Branching Ratios In Ξc0 → Ξ0k+K-, J. T. Mcneil, J. Yelton, J. Bennett, I. Adachi, K. Adamczyk, J. K. Ahn, H. Aihara, S. Al Said, D. M. Asner, H. Atmacan, V. Aulchenko, T. Aushev, R. Ayad, V. Babu, S. Bahinipati, P. Behera, M. Bessner, T. Bilka, J. Biswal

Faculty and Student Publications

Using the entire data sample of 980 fb-1 integrated luminosity collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e+e- collider, we present an amplitude analysis measuring the branching fractions of the Cabibbo-allowed, W-exchange resonant decay Ξc0→Ξ0φ(→K+K-) with a polarized φ and the nonresonant decay via a direct process Ξc0→Ξ0K+K-. We present these measurements, relative to the normalization mode Ξ-π+, and find branching ratios B(Ξc0→Ξ0φ(→K+K-))(BΞc0→Ξ-π+)=0.036±0.004(stat.)±0.002(syst.) and B(Ξc0→Ξ0K+K-)B(Ξc0→Ξ-π+)=0.039±0.004(stat.)±0.002(syst.), which suggest that only minor cusping peaks occur in the combinatorial background of ω∗-→Ξ0K- due to these Ξc0 decays.

Measurement Of Branching Fractions And Cp Asymmetries For Ds+ →K+ (Η,Π0) And Ds+ →Π+ (Η,Π0) Decays At Belle, Y. Guan, A. J. Schwartz, K. Kinoshita, I. Adachi, H. Aihara, S. Al Said, D. M. Asner, H. Atmacan, V. Aulchenko, T. Aushev, R. Ayad, V. Babu, P. Behera, J. Bennett, M. Bessner, V. Bhardwaj, B. Bhuyan, T. Bilka, J. Biswal

Faculty and Student Publications

We report measurements of the branching fractions and CP asymmetries for Ds+→K+η, Ds+→K+π0, and Ds+→π+η decays, and the branching fraction for Ds+→π+π0. Our results are based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 921 fb-1 collected by the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- asymmetric-energy collider. Our measurements of CP asymmetries in these decays are the most precise to date; no evidence for CP violation is found.

A Theoretical Study Of Synchronous Proton Transfer In (Hf)N, (H2O) N, And (Hcl) N Where N = 3, 4, 5, Johnny Yang

Honors Theses

For (HF)_n, (H₂O)_n, and (HCl)_n (n = 3 − 5), we have rigorously characterized the structures for the minima and transition states for synchronous proton transfer (SPT) with the CCSD(T) method and aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. The electronic barrier heights (∆E^†) associated with these transition states have also been computed with the explicitly correlated CCSD(T)-F12 method and the aug-cc-pVQZ-F12 basis set (abbreviated aQZ-F12). (HCl)_n (n = 3 − 5) SPT transition states have not been previously identified to the best of our knowledge, and they have been found …

Sociology Graduate Student Gets National Science Foundation Internship, Shea Stewart

University of Mississippi News

Yasmin McLaurin to spend summer working with program to stimulate competitive research

Quest For Excellence - Journey To Commencement, Karen Bascom

Journey to Commencement

UMMC biostatistics graduate Quest Whalen committed to using math as a force for good

Generalized Bms Algebra At Timelike Infinity, A. H. Anupam, Aniket Khairnar, Arpan Kundu

Faculty and Student Publications

BMS (Bondi-Metzner-Sachs) group (and its various generalizations) at null infinity has been studied extensively in the literature as the symmetry group of asymptotically flat spacetimes. The intricate relationship between soft theorems and the BMS symmetries has also motivated the definition of such asymptotic symmetries to timelike infinity [M. Campiglia, Null to time-like infinity Green's functions for asymptotic symmetries in Minkowski spacetime, J. High Energy Phys. 11 (2015) 160.]. Although the vector fields that generate the (generalized) BMS algebra at timelike infinity were defined in the literature, the algebra has not been investigated. In this paper. we fill this gap. We …

(Sympathy For) The Devil You Know: Openness, Psychological Entropy, And The Case Of The Incumbency Advantage, Adam J. Ramey, Jonathan D. Klingler, Gary E. Hollibaugh

Faculty and Student Publications

Why do some individuals prefer lesser-known, riskier experiences over more well-known options in life? In this paper, we focus on the case of the electoral advantage to incumbency, and the role that psychological entropy reduction can play in undermining that advantage among individuals who lack simplifying heuristics, such as party brand loyalty. We build on recent work in political psychology, applying a more general political psychology framework linking the Big Five personality trait of Openness to a compulsion to gather and process information. Using data from the 2014 and 2016 Cooperative Congressional Election Studies, we find more Open respondents are …

University Of Mississippi 167th Commencement, Class Of 2020, University Of Mississippi, Glenn F. Boyce, Noel E. Wilkin, Patrick Willis

Commencement Programs

Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Commencement Events for the Class of 2020 were postponed until May 2021. Convocation was held in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Hollingsworth Field.

One-Pot Synthesis Of Disubstituted Primary Amines From Nitriles Via Grignard Addition And Metal-Alcohol Reduction, Joshua Peltan

Honors Theses

The process of developing a working base case procedure for a novel one-pot-two-step synthesis of primary amines from Grignard reagents, nitriles, sodium metal or alkali metal loaded silica gel, and alcohol is described. Initial steps towards applying the process broadly are detailed. The process has the potential to be an affordable, convenient, safer, greener, and more accessible alternative to exiting methods of accomplishing the same transformation. The reaction scheme has been proven to provide yields and purity comparable to existing methods for certain pairs of substrates; however, its utility as a general-purpose method for transforming arbitrary pairs of Grignard reagent …

Oxford And Lafayette Students Win Top Prizes In Regional Science Fair, Staff Report

University of Mississippi News

University hosts MSEF Region VII Lower Fair for area first-sixth graders to display projects

Effects Of Crowding Agents On I-Motif Dna, Hayden Brines

Honors Theses

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a well-known double stranded, helical, biological molecule. In addition to its more commonly known structure, DNA can also form more complicated structures like G-quadruplexes and i-motifs (iM). The iMs are formed by cytosine rich DNA and are a four stranded structure that is typically looped around itself. The iM formation is typically pH-dependent and is favored in more acidic conditions; the pKa value is approximately 6.5. This pKa value allows for potential in vivo formation, since the cells have a pH of approximately 7.3. Due to this, iMs are thought to be powerful, innovative molecules for …

Characterization Of Mechanical Responses Of Helical Antenna For Satellite Communications, Scott Chumley

Honors Theses

The purpose of this work was to identify and analyze the vibrational modes of a helical structure to model the vibrational characteristics of an L-band helical antenna for satellite communications. This project focused on the vibrational modes between 1 and 50 Hz. Using COMSOL Multiphysics finite element modeling of helices were performed to predict mode shapes and frequencies to compare with both continuous wave (CW) and impulsive measurements. In the initial phase of the experimental work, five helical samples were constructed and evaluated. In the second phase of the study, one sample was chosen for more detailed quantitative measurements. In …

Computational Investigation Of Stellar Cooling, Noble Gas Nucleation, And Organic Molecular Spectra, Jax Dallas

Honors Theses

Since the advent and optimization of the Hartree-Fock method, quantum chemistry has been utilized to investigate systems operating on timeframes and environments traditionally unavailable to bench-top chemistry. As computational methods have grown more robust and less time consuming, quantum chemistry has been utilized to investigate a range of fields, including the steadily growing discipline of computational astrochemistry. Through the lens of computational astrochemistry, chemistry that occurred billions of years ago can be explored with equal clarity to that which is currently happening in the cosmos. The work presented throughout this thesis is a series of investigations into different timeframes of …

The Great Equalizer Or A Modern Iteration Of Historical Inequality: Artificial Intelligence In Latin America, Santana Amaker

Honors Theses

In recent years, governments across Latin America have taken steps to foster the development and implementation of artificial intelligence causing an expansion of the use of AI in the region. For instance, countries like Colombia and Argentina are using AI in their judicial systems. Superficially, the allure of AI in the judicial system stems from the thought that AI is an impartial entity that will pass fair and unbiased judgement. However, just like the programmers responsible for creating AI, algorithms used in AI system can be biased. The reason being AI is often trained to make predictions or decisions based …

Effects Of Halogen Bonding On 13c Nmr Shifts Of Various Tolan Species, Anthony Lybrand

Honors Theses

Halogen bonding is slowly becoming a more and more useful part of the world of chemistry and is beginning to be incorporated into various aspects of the chemical industry. This study’s purpose is to determine whether or not halogen bonding can cause any effect in the 13C NMR shifts. The specific purpose of this study is to determine whether these chemical shifts change when a Lewis Base is added to the dissolved sample. In order to do this, the tolan species (4-iodotolan and 4-chlorotolan) had to be synthesized. Once synthesized, the tolan species were analyzed via NMR. NMR data indicated …

A City Divided: A Gis-Informed Study Of Urban Planning In Amman, Jordan, Ella Lawson

Honors Theses

Amman, the capital of Jordan, faces an impending infrastructure crisis. The city is plagued by water shortages, a lack of affordable housing, extreme traffic congestion, and dwindling open space. Over the past seventy-five years, several urban planning commissions have attempted to address these issues through policy change and other municipal directives. These plans help illustrate the different forces at play in constructing the city—whether they be the residents themselves, city officials, or international consultants. All the plans use neighborhoods as a primary metric for measuring need and organizing development. Likewise, all the plans focus on the importance of green and …

Applications Of Sodium Azide In The Synthesis Of Tetrazines And Hydrolysis Reactions, My Le

Honors Theses

The inverse electron demand Diels−Alder cycloadditions of heterocyclic azadienes have provided a robust methodology for synthesizing highly substituted and functionalized heterocycles. It is widely used in organic synthesis and the pharmaceutical industry in the divergent construction of screening libraries and bioorthogonal conjugation. Each heterocyclic azadiene was found to possess a unique reactivity toward different classes of dienophiles, display predictable modes of cycloaddition, and exhibit substantial substituent electronic effects impacting their intrinsic reactivity and cycloaddition regioselectivity. Synthesis of 1,2,4,5-tetrazine has been reported in the literature since the late 19th century, showing scientists' tremendous interest in its application.

Herein we attempt to …

Investigations Involving Mononuclear And Dinuclear Transition Metal Catalysts For Photochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction, Ansu Edwards

Honors Theses

There is currently a global energy crisis, which is in desperate need of solutions. New energy sources are required that will not pollute as much as our longstanding reliance on nonrenewable fossil fuels as an energy source. This pollution involves large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, predominantly carbon dioxide (CO₂), that contribute to environmental problems such as climate change. In this context, a fairly recent research direction to address this problem is the development of transition metal catalysts that can convert CO₂ into reduced carbon products that can serve as chemical fuels. This work focuses on the …

Determination Of Metals And Microplastics In Sediment From Oyster Reefs In The Mississippi Sound, Shelby Goza

Honors Theses

This research centers on the determination of metals (Cd, Pb, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) and microplastics (MPs) in marine sediment from oyster reefs in the Mississippi Sound Estuary. Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) are a vital part of the Gulf Coast economy, but their population has dramatically declined in recent years due to multiple stressors, including oil spills and fluctuations in salinity from flooding. Increasingly frequent flooding events also introduce high loads of MPs and sediments containing heavy metals from the Mississippi River. These pollutants can have deleterious effects on oyster biology; however, they have not been adequately …

End Group Modification Of Linear Dendritic Block Copolymers (Ldbcs), Chinwe Udemgba

Honors Theses

Linear dendritic block copolymers are amphiphilic molecules that consist of a dendritic hydrophilic portion and a linear hydrophobic portion. Its unique ability to self-assemble into spherical nanoaggregates while having the potential to uptake and transport both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs makes these polymers an item of interest in regard to the drug delivery field. The synthesis of polyamidoamine-polylactide linear dendritic block copolymers was designed to address the common issues in drug delivery systems, including problems in permeability, solubility, stability, specificity, and retention. Though this linear dendritic block copolymer has previously been synthesized in our lab with cationic amine surface functionalities, …

Anomalous Dimensions From Yukawa Couplings In Smneft: Four-Fermion Operators, Alakabha Datta, Jacky Kumar, Hongkai Liu, Danny Marfatia

Faculty and Student Publications

The Standard Model Neutrino Effective Field Theory (SMNEFT) is the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT) augmented with right-handed neutrinos. Building on our previous work, arXiv:2010.12109, we calculate the Yukawa coupling contributions to the one-loop anomalous dimension matrix for the 11 dimension-six four-fermion SMNEFT operators. We also present the new contributions to the anomalous dimension matrix for the 14 four-fermion SMEFT operators that mix with the SMNEFT operators through the Yukawa couplings of the right-handed neutrinos.

University Of Mississippi 168th Commencement, Class Of 2021, University Of Mississippi, Glenn F. Boyce, Noel E. Wilkin, Jonathan T. M. Reckford

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Process Design And Optimization Of A Once-Through Dimethyl Ether Process Using Aveva Process Simulation, Jerrod Scott

Honors Theses

The primary purpose of the project on which I wrote this thesis was to design an optimize a once-through dimethyl ether process utilizing a software called AVEVA Process Simulation. The process was initially modeled and optimized to minimize the EAOC of the distillation column. The result of that effort was an optimized column with six stages with the feed entering the column at stage six. It had a height of 3 m, diameter of 0.44 m, and an EAOC of $65,100. This optimized solution was submitted to a Toller. The Toller provided available equipment to model the plant. From here, …

A Study Of Deep Reinforcement Learning In Autonomous Racing Using Deepracer Car, Mukesh Ghimire

Honors Theses

Reinforcement learning is thought to be a promising branch of machine learning that has the potential to help us develop an Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) machine. Among the machine learning algorithms, primarily, supervised, semi supervised, unsupervised and reinforcement learning, reinforcement learning is different in a sense that it explores the environment without prior knowledge, and determines the optimal action. This study attempts to understand the concept behind reinforcement learning, the mathematics behind it and see it in action by deploying the trained model in Amazon's DeepRacer car. DeepRacer, a 1/18^th scaled autonomous car, is the agent which is trained …

Design Of An Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment Utilizing A Stirred-Tank, Jacketed Bioreactor, Brennen Middleton

Honors Theses

Bioreactors are utilized in many industries, such as the food, alternative fuel, and pharmaceutical industries, to design and manufacture products. Unlike the similar chemical batch reactors utilized in many chemical processing facilities, bioreactor utilization requires engineers to consider a wider range of operating conditions and parameters. This results in a more complex reaction system and controls network. Due to this, it is imperative for chemical and biomedical engineering students to not only understand the theory surrounding these reactor systems, but also understand how to properly design and perform operating procedures with these systems. Thus, it was determined to create an …

Brain Drain In Mississippi, Clifford Adam Conner

Honors Theses

Brain drain is the out-migration of educated individuals from an area. It is a problem with which Mississippi is overly familiar. This thesis uses data gathered from a survey of 965 respondents to identify who is leaving the state and for what reasons. The data gathered suggest confirmation that brain drain is an issue for the state, with roughly two-thirds of respondents having left the state or seriously considering doing so. The impetus for this varies with each individual, but respondents underscore economic and societal factors within Mississippi as pushing them away from the state. Quality of life factors are …

Analysis On Fuel Options For Scramjet Engines With The Study To Lower The Starting Mach Number, Sumantra Luitel, Gagan Dangi

Honors Theses

The main objectives of this report were to perform analysis of an ideal scramjet engine, to assess the influence of fuel on endurance factor, and the possibility of lowering the starting Mach Number of the scramjet. In the first part, an ideal cycle parametric analysis was conducted on three different fuels i.e. Liquid Hydrogen (LH2), Jet Propellant 7 (JP-7), and Rocket Propellant (RP-1), taking into account their availability, physical properties, current uses, and potential uses. The detailed analysis is done largely relying on a 9 step Parametric Cycle Analysis technique to study how fuel properties influence the variation of seven …

Curved Spacetime In The Causal Set Approach To Quantum Gravity, Ayush Dhital

Honors Theses

Causal Set theory is an approach to quantum gravity. In this approach, the spacetime continuum is assumed to be discrete rather than continuous. The discrete points in a causal set can be seen as a continuum spacetime if they can be embedded in a manifold such that the causal structure is preserved. In this regard, a manifold can be constructed by embedding a causal set preserving causal information between the neighboring points. In this thesis, some of the fundamental properties of causal sets are discussed and the curvature and dimension information of Minkowski, de Sitter, and Anti-de Sitter spaces is …