Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

12.09.2024 Orsp Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Employee Profiles

In Person Account Reconciliation and Tableau Training

NSF Proposals with Consultant or Professional Services

Sd-Weat: Towards Robustly Measuring Bias In Input Embeddings For Artificial Intelligence Language Models, Magnus Gray

Theses and Dissertations

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries and markets, from healthcare to entertainment, revolutionizing decision-making processes. However, as AI grow more influential, they also risk amplifying existing biases, potentially leading to harmful consequences. Recent advancements in large language models (LLMs), such as GPT-4 and Llama, have heightened concerns about bias in natural language processing (NLP) tasks, driving the need for robust methods to detect and mitigate bias. Current approaches, such as the Word Embedding Association Test (WEAT) and its sentence-level extension the Sentence Encoder Association Test (SEAT) often fall short in capturing the nuances of biases in the input embeddings …

Development Of A Rapid Method For Pfas Detection And Quantitation In Human Hair, Justin M. Allen

Student Theses

In recent years, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as a critical focus in environmental and public health research due to their persistent nature and widespread use in products ranging from non-stick cookware to firefighting foams. These "forever chemicals" resist degradation, posing significant ecological and human health risks. While extensive studies have explored PFAS in environmental matrices, research into their presence in human hair remains limited, with only a handful of studies addressing this biomarker's potential. This thesis aims to develop a robust analytical method for detecting PFAS in human hair, leveraging its unique properties to provide a long-term …

On The Benefits Of Directness In Virtual Characters For Motivational Interviews, Michael O'Mahony, Cathy Ennis, Robert Ross

Conference papers

Understanding the factors influencing successful engagement with Embodied Conversational Agents (ECAs) remains a significant challenge. This understanding could be used to personalise agents to users to improve interactions. Some studies have shown that simulating personalities in healthcare agents can improve effectiveness and engagement. However, it is not yet well understood how variations of agent personality can be leveraged to improve user engagement with Motivational Interviewing (MI) ECAs. Specifically how the balance between agent warmth and directness can be controlled in an MI agent to improve likeability and engagement. We conducted an online Wizard-of-Oz (WoZ) mediated study of two variants of …

Rapid Characterization Of Exoplanet Atmospheres With The Exoplanet Transmission Spectroscopy Imager, Luke M. Schmidt, Ryan J. Oelkers, Erika Cook, Mary Anne Limbach, Darren L. Depoy, Jennifer L. Marshall, Landon Holcomb, Willians Pena, Jacob Purcell, Enrique Gonzalez Vega

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

The Exoplanet Transmission Spectroscopy Imager (ETSI) amalgamates a low-resolution slitless prism spectrometer with custom multi-band filters to simultaneously image 15 spectral bandpasses between 430 and 975 nm with an average spectral resolution of R = λ / δ λ ∼ 20 . ETSI requires only moderate telescope apertures ( ∼ 2 m ), is capable of characterizing an exoplanet atmosphere in as little as a single transit, enabling the selection of the most interesting targets for further characterization with other ground and space-based observatories, and is also well suited to multi-band observations of other variable and transient objects. This enables …

Residential Metals Abatement Program Investigation Summary Report After The Bell Child Care Center, Environmental Resource Management (Erm)

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Ultraviolet And Blue Stimulated Emission From Cs Alkali Vapor Pumped Using Two-Photon Absorption And Four-Wave Mixing, Ricardo C. Davila, Christopher A. Rice, Nathan B. Terry, Glen P. Perram

Faculty Publications

Stimulated emission on the ultraviolet and blue transitions in Cs has been achieved by pumping via two-photon absorption and four-wave mixing for the pump transition 6²S½ → 8²D_3/2,5/2. The emission performance of the optically pumped cesium vapor laser operating in ultraviolet and blue has been extended to 650 nJ/pulse for 387 nm, 1 to 3 μ J / pulse for 388 nm, 200 nJ/pulse for 455 nm, and 500 nJ/pulse for 459 nm. Emission performance improves dramatically as the cesium vapor density is increased, and no scaling limitations associated with energy pooling or …

Orbital Thinking: Planetary Orbit As A Model For Neurodivergent Thought Experiences In Animation, Thomas Labow

Honors Projects

As an artist diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, the aim of my research is to artistically explore neurodivergent experiences using gravity-assisted space flight as a visual metaphor for episodic memory and the pivot between correlated ideas. “Orbit of Attention” is a short animated film that visualizes interconnected mental processes through the use of a character-driven narrative. The creative choice of depicting ideas as planets is inspired by the gravity-assisted flight path of the Voyagers’ grand tour of the solar system. In visualizing unconventional thought processes, “orbital thinking” was used to model episodic memory. As a research project, this film …

Methods In Environmental Studies, Erika Dunagan, Maya Mendoza, Posey Graber, Alex Cullins, Emma Mcginnis, Ally Nepomuceno, Isabella Buchan

Featured Student Work

This publication is a collection of undergraduate research conducted in the Methods in Environmental Studies course at the University of San Francisco in Fall 2024. The student-led projects explore the intersections of place, policy, ecology, and cultural identity through applied environmental research methodologies. Topics include a decolonial examination of the Forest Park Mound Group and Indigenous resilience in St. Louis; a comparative study of Navajo cosmology and ecological justice; a social and environmental impact assessment of Costa Rica’s National Decarbonization Plan; a psychogeographical analysis of Golden Gate Park and its impact on the psyche, emotions, behaviour, and health of urban …

A Summer Class Exploring Computer Science With Educators Of Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Students, Meghan L. Mcsherry, Becca A. Leininger, Maria L. Johnson, Annmarie P. Thomas, Susan Outlaw, Douglas C. Orzolek

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

The purpose of this research project was to design, deliver, and informally assess the content and methodology of an introductory course focused on the block-based coding language, Scratch, for educators of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students (N=20). Prior work by The Playful Learning Lab examined various STEM resources and their effect on student perception of STEM topics and content retention when utilized for Deaf and Hard of Hearing K-12 students. Previous research has shown that computer science and programming resources and curricula available today are not fully accessible for Deaf and Hard of Hearing K-12 students. Educators and teachers …

Kinetics And Oligomer Products Of The Multiphase Reactions Of Hydroxyacetone With Atmospheric Amines, Ammonium Sulfate, And Cloud Processing, David O. De Haan, Leila Nahid Hawkins, Elyse A. Pennington, Hannah G. Walsh, Alyssa A. Rodriguez, Michael A. Symons, Alyssa D. Andretta, Michael A. Rafla, Chen Le, Audrey C. De Haan, Tianqu Cui, Jason D. Surratt, Mathieu Cazaunau, Edouard Pangui, Jean-François Doussin

Chemistry and Biochemistry: Faculty Scholarship

Hydroxyacetone (HA) is an atmospheric oxidation product of isoprene and other organic precursors that can form brown carbon (BrC). Measured bulk aqueous-phase reaction rates of HA with ammonium sulfate, methylamine, and glycine suggest that these reactions cannot compete with aqueous-phase hydroxyl radical oxidation. In cloud chamber photooxidation experiments with either gaseous or particulate HA in the presence of the same N-containing species, BrC formation was minor, with similar mass absorption coefficients at 365 nm (<0.05 m2 g–1). However, rapid changes observed in aerosol volume and gas-phase species concentrations suggest that the lack of BrC was not due to slow reactivity. Filter-based UHPLC/(+)ESI-HR-QTOFMS analysis revealed that the SOA became heavily oligomerized, with average molecular masses of ∼400 amu in all cases. Oligomers contained, on average, 3.9 HA, 1.5 ammonia, and 1.6 other small aldehydes, including, in descending order of abundance, acetaldehyde, glycolaldehyde, glyoxal, and methylglyoxal. PTR-ToF-MS confirmed the production of these aldehydes. We identify C17H26O5, C10H22O9, C15H27NO7, C17H23NO5, and C18H32N2O9 as potential tracer ions for HA oligomers. We hypothesize that efficient oligomerization without substantial BrC production is due to negligible N-heterocycle (e.g., imidazoles/pyrazines) formation. While HA photooxidation is unlikely a significant atmospheric BrC source, it may contribute significantly to aqueous SOA formation.

Medical Monitoring Working Group Meeting Minutes, Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Spatial Ecology Of Large Bodied Ichthyofauna In The Red River Of The North Basin, William Marshall Stuart

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Understanding spatial patterns and processes is essential for designing research studies, implementing management actions, and planning restoration efforts. The Red River of the North basin spans a broad geographic area where jurisdictional oversight is divided among several entities (Manitoba, CAN; North Dakota, USA; Minnesota, USA; South Dakota, USA), creating a mosaic of regulatory and functional process zones. Understanding the spatial ecology of freshwater fishes in this disjointed landscape is essential to address diverse life history requirements and the movement constraints imposed by anthropogenic structures. Long-term acoustic telemetry revealed that large bodied ichthyofauna employ a diverse range of movement strategies (i.e., …

The Investigation Of The Antimicrobial And Biofilm-Disrupting Properties Of Synthesized Hemibastadin Derivatives., Antonio Harvey

Longwood Senior Theses

This thesis explores the synthesis of a polyphenolic hemibastadin-1 derivative with presumed antimicrobial properties and improved biological safety. Structural modifications included replacing aromatic bromine atoms with phenolic groups and substituting the oxime linker group on the core structure for a triazole. A divergent synthetic strategy was designed with the dimeric nature of these targeted molecules in mind. Although this stepwise synthesis is not complete, the core triazole derivative was prepared with a respectable overall yield of 47% from the methyl gallate starting material. The final steps of the synthesis will require coupling of the divergent intermediates and deprotection of this …

Ferruccio Busoni And His Muses, Jiayan Sun

2025 Publications & Works

Piano Recital: Sun, Jiayan - BUSONI, F. / BACH, J.S. / LISZT, F. / MOZART, W.A. (Ferruccio Busoni and His Muses)

Quantum Singular Oscillator With Potential Controlled By Position-Dependent Mass, Elchin Jafarov, Shakir Nagiyev

Turkish Journal of Physics

An exactly solvable model of a nonrelativistic quantum singular oscillator with a controlled potential is constructed. A position-dependent mass is introduced instead of a constant mass of the quantum system under consideration in such a way that it is possible to purposefully control the shape of the potential, turning it into a quantum well with different depths. It is shown that analytical expressions of the wave functions of such a quantum system are described through 2F1 type hypergeometric functions and Jacobi polynomials, whereas, the discrete energy spectrum corresponding to these analytic solutions is non-equidistant. In a specific limit, when the …

Search For Dyson Rings Around Pulsars: Unexpected Light Curves, Ogetay Kayali, Emir Haliki, Kubra Bas, Robert J. Nemiroff

Michigan Tech Publications

Finding Dyson rings around distant pulsars may involve identifying light-curve features that have not been previously identified. Previous studies covered the detection of a ring structure uniformly brightened by the central pulsar, mostly in infrared light. Here, more complex light curves are explored, which arise inherently from the pulsar beam spot’s commonly predicted superluminal speed. These speeds may cause multiple images of the pulsar’s spot on the Dyson ring to appear simultaneously to a distant observer, and so feature bright creation and annihilation events. Therefore, it is possible that even if Dyson ring structures had been observed previously, they might …

Spatiotemporal Patterns In Orbicella Faveolata Wound Regeneration As An Indicator Of Colony Health, Alexander G. Wheeler

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Anthropogenic (e.g. damage from anchors, scuba divers, tissue sampling) and natural disturbances (e.g. predation, storm damage) can result in wounding of live tissue on coral colonies. Wounding has been shown to detract from a common resource pool, increasing disease susceptibility and impairing coral growth and reproductive activity. Regeneration not only varies between species, but also between conspecifics in the same location. A colony’s capacity to regenerate tissue can be an indicator of a colony’s condition and resilience. Understanding the physiological and environmental factors that affect tissue regeneration alongside the ultimate impact of sampling (disease and predation correlations) are needed for …

Potential Of Community Forestry In Bhutan To Mitigate Climate Change: Carbon Stocks, Sequestration And Trade-Offs, Sigyel Delma

Australia-Bhutan Research Conference

Community Forestry (CF) is recognized globally as a forest management regime with the potential to address deforestation and forest degradation, provide forest goods and services to local communities and contribute to climate change mitigation. Around 4% of Bhutan’s forests are currently under CF management and these forests provide essential goods and services for local communities. However, the potential of CF in Bhutan to contribute to climate change mitigation is not well understood and has not been researched. The Bhutan Government is currently exploring the potential to generate revenue from the sale of carbon sequestered in its forests. Community Forestry can …

Structural And Electronic Factors Controlling The Efficiency And Rate Of Intersystem Crossing To The Triplet State In Thiophene Polycyclic Derivatives, Cameron Griffrith, Sarah E. Krul, Sean J. Hoehn, Tram Phan, Carlos E. Crespo-Hernández

Faculty Scholarship

Thiophene polycyclic derivatives are widely used in organic light-emitting diodes, photovoltaics, and medicinal chemistry applications. Understanding the electronic and structural factors controlling their intersystem crossing rates is paramount for these applications to be successful. This study investigates the photophysical, electronic structure, and excited state dynamics of 1,2-benzodiphenylene sulfide, benzo[b]naphtho[1,2-d]thiophene, and benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]thiophene in polar aprotic and non-polar solvents. Steady-state absorption and emission spectroscopy, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, and DFT and TD-DFT calculations are employed. Low fluorescence quantum yields of 1.2 to 2.7 % are measured in acetonitrile and cyclohexene, evidencing that the primary relaxation pathways in these thiophene derivatives are nonradiative. …

Effect Of Polyacrylamide Gel Elasticity On Collagen Type Ii Fibril Assembly, Kathryn G. Wilcox, Stephanie Kramer, Surajit Chatterjee, Adam Linscott, Sneha Suresh, Lydia Kisley, Svetlana Morozova

Faculty Scholarship

Collagen type II fibrils provide structural integrity to the articular cartilage extracellular matrix. However, the conditions that control the fibril radial size scale, distribution, and formation inside of dense networks are not well understood. We have investigated how surrounding elastic networks affect fibril formation by observing the structure and dynamics of collagen type II in model polyacrylamide gels of varying moduli. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) is used to image the fibril structure and is verified qualitatively with optical microscopy of fluorescently-tagged collagen within the gels. Using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy super-resolution optical fluctuation imaging (fcsSOFI), the diffusion dynamics of the …

Sustainability Assessment Of Photovoltaic Cells In Cross-Functional Applications, Achyuth Ravilla

Dissertations and Theses

Achieving the G7 countries' net-zero emissions target by 2050 requires integrating photovoltaic (PV) systems into diverse cross-functional applications that support sustainable energy transitions across multiple sectors. This dissertation explores the economic and environmental sustainability of three such applications: agrivoltaics, lower-dimensional materials in perovskite solar cells, and PV-electrochemical water-splitting technologies for hydrogen production. Employing life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA), we address the knowledge gap in comprehensive evaluations of PV-integrated solutions.

The first chapter assesses agrivoltaic systems (AVS), which combine PV systems with agriculture to mitigate land-use conflicts while enhancing food and energy production. Findings indicate that AVS designs, …

Bifurcation And Multiplicity Results For Elliptic Problems With Subcritical Nonlinearity On The Boundary, S. Bandyopadhyay, M. Chhetri, B. B. Delgado, Nsoki Mavinga, R. Pardo

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Works

We consider an elliptic problem with nonlinear boundary condition involving nonlinearity with superlinear and subcritical growth at infinity and a bifurcation parameter as a factor. We use re-scaling method, degree theory and continuation theorem to prove that there exists a connected branch of positive solutions bifurcating from infinity when the parameter goes to zero. Moreover, if the nonlinearity satisfies additional conditions near zero, we establish a global bifurcation result, and discuss the number of positive solution(s) with respect to the parameter using bifurcation theory and degree theory.

2024 December 05 - Tennessee Weekly Drought Summary, Tennessee Climate Office, East Tennessee State University

Tennessee Climate Office Weekly Drought Summaries

No abstract provided.

Reconstructing Long-Term, High-Resolution Groundwater Storage Changes In The Songhua River Basin Using Supplemented Grace And Grace-Fo Data, Chuanqi Liu, Zhijie Zhang, Chi Xu, Wanchang Zhang

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) enables large-scale monitoring of terrestrial water storage changes, significantly contributing to hydrology and related fields. However, the coarse resolution of groundwater storage anomaly (GWSA) data limits local-scale research utilizing GRACE and GRACE-FO missions. In this study, we develop a regional downscaling model based on the linear regression relationship between GWSA and environmental variables, reducing the grid resolution of GWSA obtained from GRACE from approximately 25 km to 1 km. First, we estimate the missing values of monthly continuous terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) for the period from 2003 to 2020 using interpolated multi-channel …

Computational Logp Calculations And Determination Of Lipophilicity Values Of Fluorinated Morphine Derivatives, Mirabella Romano, Allison Vu, Emily Chen

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The addictive effect of opioids impacted 60 million people globally in 2023. This opioid crisis necessitates the development of opioid derivatives that maintain analgesic efficacy while minimizing addictive effects from opioid use. The present work focuses on morphine, a commonly prescribed opioid with high affinity to the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Morphine binds non-selectively within both healthy and inflamed tissue. By modifying morphine’s structure through fluorination to counteract its non-selective binding, the drug’s pharmacological ability to provide effective pain relief comes with a lower risk of addiction. Specifically, the addition of fluorine to differing beta positions of the main binding site …

Dancetag: Using Sensors To Improve Feedback Given To Dance Students, Yanelly Mego, Franceli L. Cibrian

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

The structure of dance classrooms has remained largely unchanged for years, with minimal integration of technology to enhance teaching. This has motivated our research project, which aims to capture dance movements using wearable sensors and translate the information into meaningful visualizations to help dancers improve their skills. As the first step in addressing the research question—can data from commercial wearables differentiate between the movements of dancers and non-dancers?—we developed DANCETAG (Data Analytics and Notation with Captured Event Tagging), a platform designed for data collection and movement annotation. We utilized Sony’s Mocopi sensors, a motion capture system with six sensors attached …

Beamed: A Bench For Automated Measurements Of Electrical Discharges - A New Standard For Paschen Curves, Jared Nelson

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The initiation of electrical discharges, particularly glow discharges, plays a significant role in industry and environmental science, affecting systems such as electronics, power grids, and atmospheric phenomena. Despite extensive studies and applications of Paschen's law, current methodologies for experimental Paschen tests in direct current (DC) conditions lack standardized practices. This thesis presents the development and validation of a DC-based standard for electrical discharge initiation, using the BEnch for Automated Measurements of Electrical Discharges (BeAMED). BeAMED is designed to standardize the experimental process by automating electrical discharges' initiation and data acquisition. The autonomous nature of the system provides insights into the …

Design Implications For Montessori Education, Olivia Chilvers

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This project aims to identify the design implications for children’s educational apps that seek to align with the principles of the Montessori Philosophy and contribute to the development of educational technology. By analyzing critical features of apps that engage children and promote their natural desire to learn, this project aligns with the Montessori philosophy of fostering independent, self-directed learning. To uncover the design implication, we conducted a qualitative analysis of reviews of popular educational apps, defined by having at least 3,000 reviews and a rating of 3 stars or higher, that appeared from search results using the keyword “Montessori” in …

Software Implementations And Analyses Of The Emotional Impact Of Various Binaural Beat Classifications Layered Into Music., Neil Azimi

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This study explores the psychoacoustic effects of binaural beats, which are produced when sinusoidal waves of slightly differing frequencies are played into each ear, leading to brainwave entrainment. Binaural beats are categorized by frequency bands (e.g., Beta: 14–30 Hz for energy, Theta: 4–8 Hz for relaxation), each associated with different psychological effects. This research contributes to the field by empirically analyzing whether binaural beats alter the emotional impact of music. Past studies have investigated the potential benefits of binaural beats in relaxation and energy stimulation. However, their effects, when combined with music, especially regarding a song's perceived emotional quality or …