Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Open Access Articles

Five Strategies For Successful Writing Of Reports And Essays, Kathleen P. King

Leadership, Counseling, Adult, Career and Higher Education Faculty Publications

Many people cannot get started with their literary projects because they do not know where to start. In this brief article, I share insight from years of teaching students and professionals of all ages how to prepare professional work.

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Learning And Engaging The Information Values Of A Karst Community Of Practice., Kaya Van Beynen, E S. Fleury

USF St. Petersburg campus Faculty Publications

The Communities of Practice model is an innovative means to explore a local knowledge community and how informal practitioners contribute to karst science. By exploring the information values, this article strategizes how the Karst Information Portal can promote trust, engagement, and expand the scientific understanding and protection of karst environments.

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Getting To The Point: Exploring Tectonic Motion At Point Reyes National Seashore, Judy Mcilrath

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

This Spreadsheets Across the Curriculum activity introduces Geology of National Parks students to the geology of the San Andreas Fault, which borders the east side of Point Reyes National Seashore. Photos in the module show the right-lateral displacement along the fault from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, differences in vegetation and types of rocks on opposite sides of the fault, and the geomorphic expression of the fault (e.g., Tomales Bay). Students get an opportunity to determine distances by measuring map lengths, using the map scales, and converting units. Students also calculate the rate of relative motion of the Pacific Plate …

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Uranium-Series Dating Of Gypsum Speleothems: Methodology And Examples, Laura Sanna, Francisco Saez, Siri Simonsen, Silviu Constantin, José-Maria Calaforra, Paolo Forti, Stein-Erik Lauritzen

International Journal of Speleology

The analytical problems of dating gypsum speleothems with the U-series technique are reviewed. Gypsum speleothems are, in general, very low in U content, challenging the limits of detection methods. Various approaches to dissolving gypsum and isolation of actinides from the matrix include ion-pairing dissolution with magnesium salts and using nitric acid. The most precise dating technique is Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS), combined with Fe(OH)₃ scavenging and anionic exchange chromatography. Less satisfactory, but much quicker, is direct retention of actinides from HNO₃ by means of TRU resin and MC-ICP-MS detection. We have tested these methods on gypsum speleothems …

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Stratovolcano Growth By Co-Eruptive Intrusion: The 2008 Eruption Of Tungurahua Ecuador, J. Biggs, P. Mothes, M. Ruiz, F. Amelung, Timothy H. Dixon, S. Baker, S-H. Hong

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Volcanic edifices are constructed by a combination of erupted material and internal growth. We use the L-band satellite ALOS to produce InSAR measurements at Tungurahua Volcano, Ecuador. We find a maximum of 17.5 cm of uplift on the upper western flank between December 2007 and March 2008, coincident with an eruption in February 2008. The deformation can be modeled using an ellipsoidal or sill-like source within the edifice. The models require an elongated aspect ratio with a length of 4–6 km. The intruded volume of 1.2 × 10⁶ m³ is roughly equivalent to the bulk erupted volume of …

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Age Frequency Distribution And Revised Stable Isotope Curves For New Zealand Speleothems: Palaeoclimatic Implications, Paul W. Williams, Helen L. Neil, Jian-Xin Zhao

International Journal of Speleology

The occurrence of speleothems in New Zealand with reversed magnetism indicates that secondary calcite deposition in caves has occurred for more than 780 thousand years (ka). 394 uranium-series dates on 148 speleothems show that such deposition has taken place somewhere in the country with little interruption for more than 500 ka. A relative probability distribution of speleothem ages indicates that most growth occurred in mild, moist interglacial and interstadial intervals, a conclusion reinforced by comparing peaks and troughs in the distribution with time series curves of speleothem δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values. The stable isotope time series …

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Planning The Future Of Geocybereducation, Jeffrey G. Ryan, Susan Eriksson

Geology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

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Measurements And Predictions Of Subsidence Induced By Soil Consolidation Using Persistent Scatterer Insar And A Hyperbolic Model, Sang-Wan Kim, Shimon Wdowinski, Timothy H. Dixon, Falk Amelung, Jeong W. Kim, Joong-Sun Won

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

A space-borne SAR interferometric technique is presented for measuring and predicting ground subsidence associated with soil consolidation. Instead of a conventional constant velocity model, a hyperbolic model is introduced for persistent scatterer SAR interferometry (PSI) processing. Twenty three JERS-1 SAR acquired between 1992 and 1998 were used to measure land subsidence in Mokpo city, Korea which had been primarily built on land reclaimed from the sea. Two subsidence field maps were derived and compared: a constant velocity model and a hyperbolic model. Non-linear components depending on the stage of soil consolidation are well represented by the hyperbolic model. The maximum …

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A Re-Appraisal Of The Stratigraphy, Palaeontology And Dating Of Cow Cave, Chudleigh, Devon, England, Jim W. Simons

International Journal of Speleology

Cow Cave is an important Quaternary paleontological site in Chudleigh Gorge, Devon, UK., now known to have a sequence of cave-earths and stalagmite floors that range in age from Upper Middle Pleistocene (~MIS 7 interglacial) through to the Holocene (Flandrian) and the present day. Excavations in 1927-1934, and again in 1962-3, have provided a rich fauna, with some artefacts. Here, the stratigraphy of the deposits is now more fully described and the faunal remains are considered in their stratigraphical contexts. Data supporting the existence of former cave entrances are presented along with an analysis of the processes of sedimentation and …

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Heat Stress Evaluation Of Protective Clothing Ensembles, Amanda Lee Pease

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Clothing directly affects the level of heat stress exposure. Useful measures to express the thermal characteristics are WBGT (wet bulb globe temperature) clothing adjustment factor (CAF) or apparent total evaporative resistance (R_e,T,_a). The CAF is assigned through laboratory wear trials following a heat stress protocol in which the air temperature and humidity are progressively increased until the participant clearly loses the ability to maintain thermal equilibrium. The critical condition is the point of thermal transition and from these conditions both the CAF and Re,T,a are computed. The first objective of this study is to compare the …

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Serum Antibodies To Human Papillomavirus Type 6, 11, 16 And 18 And Their Role In The Natural History Of Hpv Infection In Men, Beibei Lu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Our understanding of humoral immune response to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been mainly derived from studies in women. Very little is known about humoral immune response to HPV in men. There is also a growing interest in understanding the burden of HPV exposure in the subgroups of the male population, including men who have sex with women (MSW), men who have sex with men (MSM) and men who have sex with both men and women (MSMW). This dissertation was undertaken to understand and characterize humoral immune response, measured by detectable serum antibody IgG, to HPV 6, 11, 16 and …

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Quantum Mechanical Example Of Anti-Tunneling, Tim Mitchell

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

The probability of a particle being reflected by a semi-infinite energy barrier was solved using Schrödinger's equations that describe the quantum mechanical behavior of the particle. The continuity of the functions at the origin allowed the wave functions and their respective derivatives to be equated. Solution of the resulting system yielded values A₁ and B₁ which were used to calculate the reflection coefficient, (B₁/A₁)². The conclusions obtained from these results stated that the particle would be reflected by the barrier when E

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Inverse Kinematics, Joel Sereno

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Inverse kinematics is the process of converting a Cartesian point in space into a set of joint angles to more efficiently move the end effector of a robot to a desired orientation. This project investigates the inverse kinematics of a robotic hand with fingers under various scenarios. Assuming the parameters of a provided robot, a general equation for the end effector point was calculated and used to plot the region of space that it can reach. Further, the benefits obtained from the addition of a prismatic joint versus an extra variable angle joint were considered. The results confirmed that having …

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Dosimetry Calculations Of Radiopharmaceuticals, Kelbe Jahnke

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

The goal of this project is to determine the absorbed dose of radiation to a patient using ^99mTc-MAA as a tracer for a lung scan using the MIRD formula accounting only for the radiation dose contributed by the target organ. The radiation dose for other organs to the target organ is considered negligible as the uptake of ^99mTc-MAA from other organs is less than 1%. In addition to calculating the absorbed dose of radiation, the initial dose rate was also calculated by back solving to determine the total mass of the lungs. The radiation dose to the patient …

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Effect Of Tire Pressure On Efficiency, Miles Mullins

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Many people ignore tire pressure in their day-to-day lives. In a country striving for maximum efficiency, neglecting to maintain correct tire pressure can noticeably affect the amount of horsepower required to overcome the drag forces due to tire/roadway friction. In order to quantify these horsepower changes, 21 test trials were conducted by allowing a test vehicle to coast from 50 mph down to 20 mph at pressures ranging from 50 psi to 20 psi. After compiling the results, it was shown that lower tire pressures increased the horsepower necessary to propel the automobile.

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Power Consumption Of A Mosfet, Frederick Selkey

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

A MOSFET is defined as metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor. These electrical components are combined or integrated to form control and logic functions for laptop and desktop computers, power controls in printing devices, motor controls and are used in many other electrical circuits. All electrical devices consume electrical power based on current and voltage. For this paper we calculated the power consumption of a Toshiba 2SK3563 MOSFET during its triode mode by finding the area under the current-voltage characteristic curve.

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Population Dynamics Of Free-Roaming Cats In Florida's Lee County, Benjamin Taylor

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

We investigate whether the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program can be effectively used to control the population of free-roaming cats in Florida's Lee County. We do this by estimating the number of cats that must be spayed/neutered in order to keep the population from increasing.

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Stormwater Management System Drawdown, Ahmad Chehab

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

This project concerns the computations required to determine the drawdown for the retention/detention of ponds. Drawdown refers to the volume of water in a pond that decreases as the water flows out. The falling head equation has many applications and can be used to calculate the drawdown of a pond through various shaped openings. In particular, we analyze four outflow structures: a rectangular-notch weir, a v-notch weir, a round orifice, and an underdrain. For each instance, we modify the falling head equation to reflect the shape of the respective orifice.

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Magnetocaloric Effect In Thin Films And Heterostructures, Christopher Bauer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The goals of this work are the optimization of the magnetocaloric effect in Gadolinium thin film structures. We approach this issue from two directions, that of process optimization and of interface effects. Past results showed Gd₂O₃ in our Gadolinium thin films, and the presence of such oxide seemed to grow with the temperature at which the film was grown or annealed. Comparison of samples grown without chamber gettering to those that were gettered show differences in their structural and magnetic properties, and we conclude that gettering is an effective step in enhancing the quality of Gd thin …

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Thermal Imaging Of The Waccasassa Bay Preserve: Image Acquisition And Processing, Ellen A. Raabe, Elzbieta Bialkowska-Jelinska

School of Geosciences Student Publications

Thermal infrared (TIR) imagery was acquired along coastal Levy County, Florida, in March 2009 with the goal of identifying groundwater-discharge locations in Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park (WBPSP). Groundwater discharge is thermally distinct in winter when Floridan aquifer temperature, 71-72 °F, contrasts with the surrounding cold surface waters. Calibrated imagery was analyzed to assess temperature anomalies and related thermal traces. The influence of warm Gulf water and image artifacts on small features was successfully constrained by image evaluation in three separate zones: Creeks, Bay, and Gulf. Four levels of significant water-temperature anomalies were identified, and 488 sites of interest were …

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Mined-Over Matter, Judy Mcilrath

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

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2010 File Geodatabase Containing Photo Point Locations, Aerial Photos, And Flight Maps, City Of Tampa Department Of Sanitary Sewers Bay Study Group, Pete Reehling, Richard Mckenzie

Data Sets

The Bay Study Group was created by the City of Tampa in 1976 to monitor the effects of pollution abatement that occurred in Hillsborough Bay when the city’s wastewater treatment plant was upgraded from primary to advanced treatment in 1979. The Bay Study Group documented a remarkable restoration of water quality parameters and biological indicators in Hillsborough Bay from the mid 1980s until 2009, when it was disbanded. This zip Geodatabase file contains the photo point locations, aerial photos, and flight maps for the year 2010.

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Radiographic Imagery Of A Variable Density 3d Object, Justin Stottlemyer

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

The purpose of this project is to develop a mathematical model to study 4D (three spatial dimensions plus density) shapes using 3D projections. In the model, the projection is represented as a function that can be applied to data produced by a radiation detector. The projection is visualized as a three-dimensional graph where x and y coordinates represent position and the z coordinate corresponds to the object's density and thickness. Contour plots of such 3D graphs can be used to construct traditional 2D radiographic images.

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Pathogenic And Opportunistic Microorganisms In Caves, Valme Jurado, Leonila Laiz, Veronica Rodriguez-Nava, Patrick Boiron, Bernardo Hermosin, Sergio Sanchez-Moral, Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez

International Journal of Speleology

With today’s leisure tourism, the frequency of visits to many caves makes it necessary to know about possible potentially pathogenic microorganisms in caves, determine their reservoirs, and inform the public about the consequences of such visits. Our data reveal that caves could be a potential danger to visitors because of the presence of opportunistic microorganisms, whose existence and possible development in humans is currently unknown.

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Landscape Values As A Determinant In Geotourism Development: A Case Study Of Utah, Usa, E. Papińska, Elzbieta Białkowska-Jelińska

School of Geosciences Student Publications

The state of Utah is located in west-central United States. The area of 219 887 km²is populated by 2.8 million people (in 2009). Population density is relatively low: 12 persons per square km. The main reasons for low population density are unfavourable natural conditions. The most important are topography and climate. Utah’s landscape diversity is a consequence of a variety of terrain types. For that reason, there are 5 national parks (Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands), national monuments, and other lower rank protected areas established in Utah. Each of these places, characterized by unique types of …

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Modern C, O, And H Isotope Composition Of Speleothem And Dripwater From Modrič Cave, Eastern Adriatic Coast (Croatia), Maša Surić, Zvjezdana Roller-Lutz, Magda Mandić, Ines Krajcar Bronić, Mladen Juračić

International Journal of Speleology

Modrič Cave is a shallow horizontal cave situated in the middle of the eastern Adriatic coast (Croatia). The cave entrance is located 120 m from the coast at an altitude of 32 m above sea level, and due to its position on the SW slope of the Dinaridic mountain range, a Mediterranean climatic influence is dominant. Due to the stable environmental conditions [(15.6 ± 0.1) °C] Modrič Cave was recognized as a potential site for detailed palaeoclimatic studies. Isotope analyses of modern carbonate speleothems, rain and dripwater were conducted in order to evaluate the isotopic equilibrium conditions. The δ18O composition …

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Embedded Systems - Missile Detection/Interception, Luis Cintron

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Missile defense systems are often related to major military resources aimed at shielding a specific region from incoming attacks. They are intended to detect, track, intercept, and destruct incoming enemy missiles. These systems vary in cost, efficiency, dependability, and technology. In present times, the possession of these types of systems is associated with large capacity military countries. Demonstrated here are the mathematical techniques behind missile systems which calculate trajectories of incoming missiles and potential intercept positions after initial missile detection. This procedure involved the use of vector-valued functions, systems of equations, and knowledge of projectile motion concepts.

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Calculating The Time Constant Of An Rc Circuit, Sean Dunford

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

In this experiment, a capacitor was charged to its full capacitance then discharged through a resistor. By timing how long it took the capacitor to fully discharge through the resistor, we can determine the RC time constant using calculus.

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Social Network Gaming Trends, Michael Gathwright

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

The purpose of this project was to determine how long the social network game Scratch-Offs, created by game development company Spice Rack Media, will remain financially viable. The game Scratch-Offs is a freeware game (users pay nothing for the actual software) and is funded through micro transactions (users must pay small amounts of money to play actual games). This implies a relationship between total games played and revenue earned. Using data provided by Spice Rack, we were able to develop an exponential equation that accurately depicts usage trends over time. This equation was used to determine the date Scratch-Offs will …

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The Progression Of Sequential Reactions, Jack Mcgeachy

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Sequential reactions consist of linked reactions in which the product of the first reaction becomes the substrate of a second reaction. Sequential reactions occur in industrially important processes, such as the chlorination of methane. A generalized series of three sequential reactions was analyzed in order to determine the times at which each chemical species reaches its maximum. To determine the concentration of each species as a function of time, the differential rate laws for each species were solved. The solution of each gave the concentration curve of the chemical species. The concentration curves of species A₁ and A_{2 …}

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Five Strategies For Successful Writing Of Reports And Essays, Kathleen P. King

Leadership, Counseling, Adult, Career and Higher Education Faculty Publications

Learning And Engaging The Information Values Of A Karst Community Of Practice., Kaya Van Beynen, E S. Fleury

USF St. Petersburg campus Faculty Publications

Getting To The Point: Exploring Tectonic Motion At Point Reyes National Seashore, Judy Mcilrath

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Uranium-Series Dating Of Gypsum Speleothems: Methodology And Examples, Laura Sanna, Francisco Saez, Siri Simonsen, Silviu Constantin, José-Maria Calaforra, Paolo Forti, Stein-Erik Lauritzen

International Journal of Speleology

Stratovolcano Growth By Co-Eruptive Intrusion: The 2008 Eruption Of Tungurahua Ecuador, J. Biggs, P. Mothes, M. Ruiz, F. Amelung, Timothy H. Dixon, S. Baker, S-H. Hong

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Age Frequency Distribution And Revised Stable Isotope Curves For New Zealand Speleothems: Palaeoclimatic Implications, Paul W. Williams, Helen L. Neil, Jian-Xin Zhao

International Journal of Speleology

Planning The Future Of Geocybereducation, Jeffrey G. Ryan, Susan Eriksson

Geology Faculty Publications

Measurements And Predictions Of Subsidence Induced By Soil Consolidation Using Persistent Scatterer Insar And A Hyperbolic Model, Sang-Wan Kim, Shimon Wdowinski, Timothy H. Dixon, Falk Amelung, Jeong W. Kim, Joong-Sun Won

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

A Re-Appraisal Of The Stratigraphy, Palaeontology And Dating Of Cow Cave, Chudleigh, Devon, England, Jim W. Simons

International Journal of Speleology

Heat Stress Evaluation Of Protective Clothing Ensembles, Amanda Lee Pease

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Serum Antibodies To Human Papillomavirus Type 6, 11, 16 And 18 And Their Role In The Natural History Of Hpv Infection In Men, Beibei Lu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Quantum Mechanical Example Of Anti-Tunneling, Tim Mitchell

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Inverse Kinematics, Joel Sereno

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Dosimetry Calculations Of Radiopharmaceuticals, Kelbe Jahnke

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Effect Of Tire Pressure On Efficiency, Miles Mullins

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Power Consumption Of A Mosfet, Frederick Selkey

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Population Dynamics Of Free-Roaming Cats In Florida's Lee County, Benjamin Taylor

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Stormwater Management System Drawdown, Ahmad Chehab

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Magnetocaloric Effect In Thin Films And Heterostructures, Christopher Bauer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Thermal Imaging Of The Waccasassa Bay Preserve: Image Acquisition And Processing, Ellen A. Raabe, Elzbieta Bialkowska-Jelinska

School of Geosciences Student Publications

Mined-Over Matter, Judy Mcilrath

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

2010 File Geodatabase Containing Photo Point Locations, Aerial Photos, And Flight Maps, City Of Tampa Department Of Sanitary Sewers Bay Study Group, Pete Reehling, Richard Mckenzie

Data Sets

Radiographic Imagery Of A Variable Density 3d Object, Justin Stottlemyer

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Pathogenic And Opportunistic Microorganisms In Caves, Valme Jurado, Leonila Laiz, Veronica Rodriguez-Nava, Patrick Boiron, Bernardo Hermosin, Sergio Sanchez-Moral, Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez

International Journal of Speleology

Landscape Values As A Determinant In Geotourism Development: A Case Study Of Utah, Usa, E. Papińska, Elzbieta Białkowska-Jelińska

School of Geosciences Student Publications

Modern C, O, And H Isotope Composition Of Speleothem And Dripwater From Modrič Cave, Eastern Adriatic Coast (Croatia), Maša Surić, Zvjezdana Roller-Lutz, Magda Mandić, Ines Krajcar Bronić, Mladen Juračić

International Journal of Speleology

Embedded Systems - Missile Detection/Interception, Luis Cintron

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Calculating The Time Constant Of An Rc Circuit, Sean Dunford

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

Social Network Gaming Trends, Michael Gathwright

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two

The Progression Of Sequential Reactions, Jack Mcgeachy

Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two