Physics Commons^™

Silicon Nitride Thin Film Deposited By Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition Technique For Various Device Applications, Anayesu Bariki Malisa

Tanzania Journal of Science

This work reports on silicon nitride (SiNx) thin film deposited by the Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) technique. The film was characterized by Variable Angle Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (VASE) to obtain optical constants 𝑛, 𝑘 and thickness using the Cauchy layer built on the Lorentz oscillator model and the B-spline model. The determined optical band gap 𝐸𝑜𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 for direct transition was 3.2 𝑒𝑉 and that for indirect transition was 2.13 𝑒𝑉. Film characterization was performed by Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FTIR) at two different angles of incidence of 15 degrees to probe deep layers and 65 degrees (Brewster’s angle) to excite …

Assessment Of Inter-Observer Variability In Delineating High-Risk Clinical Target Volumes And Organs At Risk In Cervical Cancer Brachytherapy, Atumaini A. Makoba, Julius S. Chiuyo, Innocent J. Lugendo

Tanzania Journal of Science

Achieving precise target volume delineation during cervical cancer treatment poses challenges due to several reasons, including difficulties in establishing the precise geometrical location of the gross target volume. Inter-observer variability in contouring anatomical structures poses a critical challenge to treatment consistency, delineation, and dosimetry accuracy. Volumetric and dosimetric records of 20 patients treated with gynecologic high-dose rate brachytherapy were analyzed to assess the interobserver variability between oncologists. Three radiation oncologists independently examined the organs at risk and high-risk critical organs on 20 computed tomography scans. The volumetric and dosimetric relationship between the contours delineated by radiation oncologists was described using …

Thermo-Entropic Analysis Of Unsteady Mhd Nanofluid Couette Flow: A Classical Spectral Approach With An Exploratory Quantum Linear-Solver Application, Serai Israel Mosala, Oluwole Daniel Makinde, Azwinndini Muronga

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation with Applications

This study presents a thermo-entropic analysis of unsteady MHD nanofluid Couette flow, combining a classical bivariate spectral quasilinearisation (BI-SQLM) and Crank--Nicolson solution with an exploratory application of quantum linear solvers. An incompressible, electrically conducting nanofluid flows between parallel plates under partial slip and convective heat exchange; the discretised linear systems are additionally solved via the Harrow--Hassidim--Lloyd (HHL) algorithm and the Variational Quantum Linear Solver (VQLS). Results are presented for Pure Water, Cu-Water, and Al₂O₃-Water across seven parameter variations. The Hartmann number dominates velocity suppression and entropy amplification, while velocity slip reduces upper-wall entropy generation more than …

Effects Of Co-Rotating Cylinders And Boundary Conditions On Heat And Mass Transfer In A Trapezoidal Enclosure, Olalekan Adebayo Olayemi, Olalekan Tajudeen Popoola, Leke Thaddeus Oladimeji, Isaac Kayode Adegun, Taofiq Omoniyi Amoloye, Oluwatayo Babatope Ojo, Benjamin Ohida Daniel, Michael Olabode Ibiwoye

Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Simulation with Applications

This study investigates the effects of rotational speed $(\Omega)$, Richardson number $\left(Ri\right)$, and Lewis number $\left(Le\right)$ on heat and mass transfer (HMT) around two co-rotating cylinders symmetrically situated in a trapezoidal enclosure. In the double-diffusive mechanism, the bottom wall of the trapezium is at a high temperature $\left(T_h\right)$ and concentration $\left(C_h\right)$, while the top wall is at a low temperature $\left(T_c\right)$ and concentration $\left(C_c\right)$. The side walls are perfectly insulated with zero mass flux, while the buoyancy ratio $\left(Br\right)$ is fixed at 1.0.  Two thermal-mass boundary scenarios are considered. Scenario 1: Cylinders are thermally insulated with zero mass flux, and …

The Use Of Gadgets And Learning Motivation Among Grade Xi Students In Biology Learning At Sma Negeri 5 Palu, Yulia Citra, Mohammad Jamhari, Masrianih Masrianih, Lestari M.P Alibasyah, Mursito S. Bialangi, Yulia Windarsih

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

This study aims to describe the profile of gadget use and learning motivation among Grade XI students in biology learning at SMA Negeri 5 Palu and to explore students’ and teachers’ experiences of gadgets as learning support tools and potential sources of digital distraction. A qualitative descriptive design was employed, supported by descriptive questionnaire profiling. A total of 74 students completed a 50-item questionnaire on gadget use and learning motivation, while 10 students and two biology teachers participated in semi-structured interviews. Questionnaire data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, while interview data were analyzed thematically. The descriptive findings showed that …

The Application Of The Group Investigation (Gi) Model Of Cooperative Learning To Improve Students’ Understanding Of Biodiversity In Year 10 At Sman 2 Mori Atas, Nadia Rosmita Lumako, Mohammad Jamhari, Yulia Windarsih, Lilies Lilies, Rafiqa Rafiqa, Amalia Buntu

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Biology instruction at SMAN 2 Mori Atas was predominantly conducted through conventional teaching practices. Preliminary observations revealed that students had difficulty understanding biodiversity concepts, and several students did not meet the minimum passing criterion of 70. These conditions highlighted the need for learning activities that promote active investigation, discussion, and conceptual connections. This classroom action research examined the use of the Group Investigation (GI) cooperative learning model to improve Grade 10 students’ classroom engagement and conceptual understanding of biodiversity, as assessed through Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions based on the Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) taxonomy. The study involved …

The Effect Of The Problem-Based Learning Model On Biology Learning Outcomes In The 8th Grade Science Class At Smp Negeri 19 Palu, Delfi Srieviyani, Mursito S. Bialangi, Masrianih Masrianih, Abd Hakim Laenggeng, Vita Indri Febriani, Bustamin Bustamin

Jurnal Pendidikan Sains

Research background: The low student achievement in biology at SMP Negeri 19 Palu specifically regarding the human respiratory system is attributed to the conventional teaching methods still employed by teachers. Purpose and scope of the article: This study examines the effect of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model on students’ learning outcomes in biology, specifically regarding the human respiratory system. Method: This study used a quasi-experimental design with a quantitative approach. The research design employed was a nonequivalent control group design using two groups: an experimental group (Class VIII D) consisting of 25 students who received the PBL model, and a …

Evaluation Of Carcinogenic Contaminants (Nitrates, Ammonium, Bromates, And Chloroform) In Baghdad Drinking Water And Their Removal Using Orange Peel Powder As A Bio Sorbent, Estabraq Ali Hameed, Hiba N. Sami, Eman Waleed Hayder

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The present study was carried out for six months to detect the presence of some important chemical contaminants (bromate, nitrate, chloroform, and ammonium) in the drinking water of Baghdad at ten sampling sites. The study suggested the use of orange peel powder (OPP) as a cheap and eco-friendly biosorbent. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to confirm the amorphous nature, surface and structural characteristics of OPP. Further, SEM investigation also showed very microporous surface. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy) analysis confirmed the presence of active carboxyl (-COOH) and hydroxyl (-OH) binding sites. Baseline studies show that the levels of nitrate and …

Characterization Of Combined Adsorption Using Fermi Levels, Molecular Dynamics, And Monte Carlo Simulations To Prevent Cu–Zn (111) Alloy Corrosion, Mushtaq Jerri Meften, Ammar Abdul Jabbar Kadhim, Mohammed Shafeeq Abed

Makara Journal of Science

Experimentally developing corrosion inhibitors requires a significant amount of money and time. In silico advancement empowers selecting inhibitor molecules based on their properties derived from theoretical studies, thereby reducing costs. Our main approaches include theoretical studies such as Fermi levels, electrostatic potential surface (EPS), Fukui indices, molecular dynamics stimulations, and Monte Carlo as indispensable tools to investigate the adsorption mechanisms of molecules 6-((5-(((3S,5R)-2-oxo-5-((2-(pyrazin-2-yloxy) thiazol-5-yl) thio) tetrahydro-2H-thiopyran-3-yl) oxy)isothia-zol-3-yl)thio) nicotinic acid (PTT), and (S)-2-((5-((6-((3-(2-thioxoethoxy)-1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)thio)-1,6-dihydropyra-zin-2-yl)oxy)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl) thio) acetaldehyde (TTD) on the Cu/Zn (111) alloy. We electronically characterized PTT and TTD, which were proven effective inhibitors. Notably, all results suggested that the two exhibited high …

Increasing The Density Value Of Composite Propellant Ap/Htpb/Al For Rocket Performance Using The Sphere Packing Model, Muhammad Iqbal Alfikri, Bayu Prianto, Ariadne Lakshmidevi Juwono

Makara Journal of Science

This research employs the sphere packing volume (SPV) model to optimize the density of composite propellants thereby enhancing rocket performance. We systematically varied the diameters of spherical ammonium perchlorate (AP) particles (50 and 400 µm) and aluminum powder (Al) particles (10 and 30 µm). These particles were incorporated at an ideal AP:Al ratio of 4:1 into a matrix of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene and toluene diisocyanate. By adjusting the AP ratio for each Al particle size and considering theoretical and tap densities, we precisely calculated the SPV value for each composition. The composition with the highest SPV value yielded remarkable results. This …

Complementary Thermodynamic Mechanisms Of Boron And Carbon Segregation At Grain Boundaries In Nickel Alloys, Tyler D. Dolezal, Rodrigo Freitas, Ju Li

Faculty Publications

Grain boundary stabilization by light interstitials is central to the performance of Ni-based superalloys, yet the thermodynamic mechanisms governing their interactions with substitutional chemistry remain poorly resolved. Here, we use hybrid Monte Carlo molecular dynamics simulations to quantify how boron and carbon modify the thermodynamic, structural, and chemical ordering of grain boundaries in Ni-Cr alloys. By analyzing interfacial state variables, site-resolved segregation spectra, local chemical ordering, and structural evolution, we show that boron and carbon stabilize grain boundaries through complementary pathways. Carbon drives saturation-controlled stabilization by recruiting Cr and conditioning boundary chemistry, while suppressing temperature-driven structural transformations of the boundary. …

A Systematic Approach For Controlling Tem Sample Thicknesses, Monte Kozell

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Historically, TEM prep has been an artisan craft without a systematic workflow that ensures quantified control over TEM sample thickness. Over- and under-thinning is a significant problem in the TEM prep process. A direct measurement process was demonstrated to control the final thickness of the TEM lamella. Final lamella thickness was controlled by directly measuring lamella thickness in real time using a 10–15 kV SEM while performing secondary electron imaging at the mill position, allowing for (human-mediated) closed-loop processing. We demonstrated the utility of this technique by systematically thinning five TEM samples to discretely target thicknesses ranging from 100 nm …

Comparative Antibacterial Efficacy Of Hot Vs. Cold Aqueous Saussurea Costus Root Extracts Against Streptococcus Mutans, Fatima Adil Mohammed Hussien, Ahlam Taha Mohammed

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The present in vitro study assessed the antibacterial efficacy of aqueous root extracts prepared using hot and cold extraction methods of Saussurea costus against Streptococcus mutans isolates. Based on antibacterial screening results, the hot extract, which demonstrated greater antibacterial activity, was selected for subsequent cytotoxicity assessment. Cold and hot aqueous extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening, and phenolic acids and flavonoids were quantitatively assessed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Antibacterial efficacy was evaluated using a resazurin-based microdilution technique to assess the minimum inhibitory concentration, followed by subculture to determine the minimum bactericidal concentration, and an agar well diffusion assay. Cytotoxicity of …

How Far Do A Smile And A Hand Held Tight Reach? Children’S Play As A Transdisciplinary Predictor Of The Trajectory Of Physicochemical Processes On Atomic, Molecular And Cellular Scales, Evangelina Wu Uskoković, Theo Wu Uskoković, Vuk Uskoković

Administration and Staff Articles and Research

The search for an intrinsically beautiful scientific project took two children and their parent to over 600 visits of 181 playgrounds scattered throughout northern, central and southern California over the period of more than three years. Their goal was to test the hypothesis that children’s happiness and fondness for communication at playgrounds could be used, through complexity and entropy as intermediary quantities, as predictors of the evolution of physical, chemical and biological phenomena on microscopic scales ranging from the atomic to the cellular. Specifically, a link was sought between the children’s responses at play and the reaction paths of physicochemical …

K 1-6 Is A Photoionised Interstellar Medium Nebula Shaped By A Fast-Moving Hot White Dwarf In A Triple System, Jaroslav Merc, David Jones, Ana Escorza, Henri M. J. Boffin, Nicole Reindl, Michael Abdul-Masih, Thomas Masseron, Paulina Sowicka, Jan Kára, Jorge Jorge García-Rojas

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Aims. K 1-6 has long been classified as a planetary nebula (PN) hosting a binary central star; however, it has remained poorly studied due to its faintness. The central star exhibits pronounced photometric variability whose origin is still unclear. We present a comprehensive characterisation of the K 1-6 system, including the physical properties of its stellar components and the nature of the surrounding nebulosity.

Methods. We conducted a multi-wavelength analysis combining optical and UV spectroscopy obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias, the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, the Nordic Optical Telescope, and the Hubble Space Telescope. We also present long-term multi-band ground- …

A Unified Sensitivity Kernel For Coherent Wave Tomography In Radar, Seismic, Ultrasound And Optical Imaging, Alexey Yamilov

Research Data

Overview:

Six figures of the manuscript that report numerical simulations, main-text Fig. 5 and Supplementary Figs. S3 to S7, each as a PDF together with the plotted data in one CSV file per figure. The simulations are described in the Methods and in Supplementary Note S10 of the manuscript (arXiv:2609.31583). They were computed with MESTI in two dimensions and with the modified Born series in three, on the Mill and Hellbender clusters. The README describes the files and the layout of the CSV files.

Raman Spectroscopy Characterisation Of 5c Potency Of Homoeopathic Drugs Nux Vomica, Thuja Occidentalis And Nitricum Acidum, Alfonso Tramontana, Giuseppe Acri, Lucia Denaro, Massimo Mattozzi, Maria Antonietta D'Avanzo, Barbara Testagrossa

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Background: The physicochemical characterisation of homoeopathic medicines remains a challenge. Raman spectroscopy is a promising tool for identifying structural modifications in the solvent matrix and specific vibrational ``fingerprints'' induced by the potentisation process. Objective: This study aimed to characterise three remedies (Nux vomica, Thuja occidentalis, and Nitricum acidum - 5C potencies) using Raman spectroscopy to identify specific vibrational markers and evaluate the technique's ability to differentiate between different preparations within a complex matrix. Materials and methods: The drugs were analysed as crushed granules (solid state) and after dissolution in betamethasone disodium phosphate (liquid state). Raman spectroscopy was …

A Calibrated And Conformal Deep Learning Framework For Trustworthy Antinuclear Antibody Pattern Recognition With Selective Referral To Experts, Hussein Ali Hussein Al Naffakh, Ahmed Dheyaa Radhi, Raghdah Maytham Hameed, Muntaha Abdullah Reishaan, Fouad A. Majeed, Rozaida Ghazali

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Reading antinuclear antibody patterns on human epithelial cells by indirect immunofluorescence is the reference screen for systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases, but it is slow, subjective, and variable between observers. Deep learning reaches high accuracy on this task, yet most systems return a single prediction without stating how reliable it is, which is unsafe in a diagnostic workflow. This paper presents an intelligent decision support framework built around a single calibrated uncertainty signal. That signal is the control variable for four reliability modules: confidence calibration, conformal prediction, error detection, and selective referral. A feature space out of distribution detector serves as …

Exceptional Holography (2025 Renewal, Revised Budget), Oscar Varela

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Cedar: Investigating The Mesosphere And Lower Thermosphere Neutral Temperature And Winds Responses To Geomagnetic Storms Equatorward Of The Auroral Zone, Tao Yuan

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of The Influence Of Anthropometric Dimensions Of Postural Ergonomics Using Multiple Linear Regression, Gashbeen Faisal Najmaddin, Edrees Muhammed Tahir Harki

Al-Bahir

Ergonomics is the study of designing and arranging a workspace or product to optimize the “fit” between people and their work, ensuring safety, comfort, and efficiency. The scientific literature indicates that ergonomic perspectives on the workplace are connected to the anthropometrics of societies. This study primarily aims to create a model that integrates multiple predictive variables to estimate the target variable. Multiple linear regression analysis is used to identify how different anthropometric dimensions predict postural ergonomics during prolonged sitting. Based on the regression models’ results, the predicted can be calculated using user anthropometry and existing chair dimensions. Furthermore, the primary …

Enhanced Cooper Pairing Via Random Matrix Phonons In Superconducting Grains, Andrey Grankin, Mohammad Hafezi, Victor Galitski

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

There is rich experimental evidence that granular superconductors and superconducting films often exhibit a higher transition temperature 𝑇𝑐 than that in bulk samples of the same material. This Letter suggests that this enhancement hinges on random matrix phonons mediating Cooper pairing more efficiently than bulk phonons. We develop the Eliashberg theory of superconductivity in chaotic grains, calculate the random phonon spectrum, and solve the Eliashberg equations numerically. Self-averaging of the effective electron-phonon coupling constant is noted, which allows us to fit the numerical data with analytical results based on a generalization of the Berry conjecture. The key insight is that …

Catching A Glimpse Of Complex Relaxation: A Theoretical Phase Transition Is Finally Experimentally Observed In A Material, Yogesh Joglekar

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

A bulk crystal, as small as 0.5 mm in size, contains more than a quintillion atoms that behave collectively like a large-scale object. When such a crystal is disturbed by an outside influence, it quickly transitions into a new steady state after a brief transient phase known as relaxation. When this phase is the shortest in duration, the system can exhibit extreme sensitivity to even a tiny perturbation. Examining changes in relaxation in a bulk material could help engineer new sensors and rapid response devices. However, the transient response only lasts for a few picoseconds, making observation difficult. On page …

On-Shell Compression And Reconstruction (Oscar) Of Monochromatic Wave Fields In Weakly Scattering Media, Pablo Jara, Alexey Yamilov

Research Data

Overview

This deposit contains one realization of each of the two simulation platforms of Ref. [1], a two-dimensional (2D) scalar field and a three-dimensional (3D) vector-field component, together with two self-contained Python scripts that perform On-Shell Compression and Reconstruction (OSCAR) on them. Each script Fourier-transforms the stored field, measures the shell radius from the spectrum, retains only the Fourier components inside the shell of full width α/ℓs around it for α = 1, 3, 5, 8, 12, reconstructs the field by the inverse transform, and plots the reconstructed intensities, panels (a)–(e), next to the original field, panel (f), on a …

Libs-Based Detection And Preliminary Classification Of Microplastic Signatures In Soil Samples., Ekhlas Jabir Mahmood

Al-Bahir

Contamination of terrestrial systems by microplastics (MPs) has become a critical environmental hazard, but detection of such contaminants in a complex soil system is a challenge for conventional analytical techniques. This research aims to assess the potential of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for the detection and differentiation of different types of microplastics, including HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS, and PVC, dispersed in the soil of Al Najaf, Iraq. Soil samples were collected from different functional zones, namely, Industrial, Commercial, Agricultural, Residential, and Roadside, at the surface level and 30 cm depth. Detection was done by measuring the intensity of the C/H …

Gc-Ms Profiling And Antibacterial Activity Of Cold-Macerated Garlic Extracts Against Multidrug-Resistant Uropathogens, Fatima A. Khalaf, Saeed A. Fayadh

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

The growing number of cases of multidrug-resistant (MDR) urinary tract infections has made the clinical management of urinary tract diseases a significant challenge; therefore, the need for effective adjunctive therapies cannot be overemphasized. This study evaluated the bioactive components and antibacterial efficacy of cold-macerated garlic extracts obtained using distilled water, 70% ethanol and hexane solvents against antimicrobial-resistant urinary isolates. Out of 250 urine samples that were analyzed, 124 (49.6%) showed significant microbial growth, with Escherichia coli being the most frequently isolated organism. The results of the phytochemical screening and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that the ethanolic extract had …

Development Of A Chip-Scale Optical Gyroscope With Weak Measurement Amplification Readout, Kagan Yanik, Meiting Song, Yuhan Mei, Jaime Cardenas, Andrew N. Jordan

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We establish the theoretical framework and investigate the fundamental limits for an integrated optical chip design containing a rotation sensing ring resonator coupled to an inverse weak value amplified Sagnac interferometer that amplifies the signal with phase information. We achieve, for conservative parameter choices, a minimum detectable angular rotation rate of ∼0.1 °/hr and an Allan deviation of∼0.08 °/hr assuming shot noise limited performance. For matched detected optical power, our design can improve the signal-to-noise ratio, reduce the minimum detectable angular rotation rate, and Allan deviation by more than ten times compared to an ideal standard Sagnac interferometer with balanced …

Using Graphic Novels In The Teaching And Learning Of Mathematics And Physics, Jason Ho, David Klanderman, Sarah Klanderman, James Turner

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Are you looking for innovative teaching strategies for geometry or other mathematics and physics courses? In this article, we o!er a discussion of several graphic novels and their potential for successful teaching and learning at the high school and university levels. We describe how engaging stories, combined with mathematical and scientific meaning found in both text and image, can help to excite students, enrich learning, and explain mathematical concepts. We report on recent data collected from multiple mathematics and physics classes that extend prior research on the use of graphic novels to teach English Language Arts (Boerman-Cornell and Kim, 2020) …

Mesoscopic Scaling Of Microwave Transmittance And Disorder-Induced Alignment, Israel Kurtz

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This thesis presents microwave measurements and numerical simulations of wave propagation and transmission through random mesoscopic waveguides. We analyze the scaling of mesoscopic microwave conductance, including departures from Ohm’s law near channel openings, which are frequencies at which new propagating modes enter the system, and the evolution of modal phase alignment within the medium, which leads to the observed diversity of transmission eigenvalues. We extend the transmission matrix formalism to all sample depths using the flux matrix, which relates the flux amplitude within the sample to the incident flux, and decompose the flux at each sample depth into forward- and …

Karhunen-Loève Modes For Coherent Arrays, Jack E. Mccrae, Santasri R. Bose-Pillai, Steven T. Fiorino

Faculty Publications

The optimal modes for correcting atmospheric turbulence on coherent arrays are determined. These Karhunen-Loève modes are eigenvectors of a covariance matrix. Creating this covariance matrix requires knowledge of the power spectrum of the turbulence, the aperture geometry, and a basis set for the matrix. The Kolmogorov power law is ordinarily chosen here for the turbulence spectrum. By choosing the phase on each array subaperture element minus the phase averaged over all subapertures as this basis, infinite values in the variances and covariances can be avoided. The piston mode of the whole array, which would otherwise also be infinite, is thus …