Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Fundamental Gap For Hyperbolic Triangles, Dennis Stuart Fillebrown

Honors Theses

In 1983, M. van den Berg made his Fundamental Gap Conjecture about the difference between the first two Dirichlet eigenvalues (the fundamental gap) of any convex domain in the Euclidean plane. Recently, progress has been made in the case where the domains are polygons and, in particular, triangles. We examine the conjecture for triangles in hyperbolic geometry, though we seek an for an upper bound for the fundamental gap rather than a lower bound.

Geophysical Analysis Of Seasonal Montandon Gravel Ridge Water Table Fluctuation And Moisture Gradient Variation Due To Storm Events, Annie Strader

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research project is to continue exploring the Montandon Long-Term Hydrologic Research Site(LTHR) by using multiple geophysical methods to obtain more accurate and precise information regarding subsurface hydrologic properties of a local gravel ridge,which are important to both the health of surrounding ecosystems and local agriculture. Through using non-invasive geophysical methods such as seismic refraction, Direct Current resistivity and ground penetrating radar (GPR) instead of invasive methods such as boreholedrilling which displace sediment and may alter water flow, data collection is less likely to bias the data itself. In addition to imaging the gravel ridge subsurface, another …

A Spitzer Search For Planetary-Mass Brown Dwarfs With Circumstellar Disks: Candidate Selection, Paul M. Harvey, Daniel T. Jaffe, Katelyn N. Allers, Michael Liu

Faculty Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

The Physical And Dynamical Structure Of Serpens - Two Very Different Sub-(Proto)Clusters, A. Duarte-Cabral, G. A. Fuller, N. Peretto, J. Hatchell, Edwin F. Ladd, J. Buckle, J. Richer, S. F. Graves

Faculty Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

Improvement Of Open Source Software Usability: An Empirical Evaluation From Developers Perspective, Arif Raza, Luiz Fernando Capretz, Faheem Ahmed

Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications

User satisfaction has always been important for software success whether it is Open Source Software (OSS) or closed proprietary software. Even though we do not presume that OSS always has poor usability, as there are examples of good usable open source software, it would still be agreed that OSS usability has room for further improvement. This paper presents an empirical investigation to study the impact of some key factors on OSS usability from developers’ points of view. This is one of the series of four studies that we are conducting regarding improvement of OSS usability from OSS developers, users, contributors, …

Assessing Replicated Coral Trace Element (Sr/Ca And Mg/Ca) Variability And Skeletal Growth Records From The Tropical Pacific, Henry Chun-Yi Wu

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

To gain a more complete history and understanding of the full amplitude of climate variability prior to instrumental records, science must rely on natural proxy archives that are sensitive to fluctuations in key climate parameters. Calcium carbonate skeletons of long-living hermatypic corals in some locations have been shown to be natural archives of surface ocean variability. This study investigated the fidelity and reproducibility of coral derived Sr/Ca time series from Clipperton Atoll, Fiji, and Tonga as accurate proxies of sea surface temperature (SST). The replicated high-resolution Sr/Ca time series record monthly and bimonthly SST changes, though with a greater magnitude …

Toward A Policy Framework For The Design Of Economic Information Packages, Andrew Whitmore

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The emergence of product certifications such as "organic," "fair trade" and "shade grown" has gone far to introduce non-price related product information back into the consumer decision making process thereby reducing information asymmetries and improving market outcomes. Recently, these certifications have been supplemented by the emergence of several web-based consumer decision support systems that are designed to disseminate non-price product information to consumers. Like printed product labels, these new web-based systems present the same informational cues to each consumer regardless of his or her preference for the information and they rate products with fixed weights that are not customized to …

Iowa Academy Of Science 122nd Annual Meeting [2010]: Advance Program, Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contains information about the schedule and presentations for the 2010 annual meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science.

Proceedings Of The 122nd Annual Meeting Of The Iowa Academy Of Science [Program, 2010], Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contents:

Program Summary --- 2-3
Acknowledgements --- 4
Welcome from our Campus Host --- 5
IAS 2009-2010 Volunteers --- 6
Iowa Junior Academy of Science --- 7
General Session I --- 8
IJAS Award Luncheon --- 9
IAS Annual Business Meeting --- 9
Symposia Presentations --- 10-12
Great Moments in Iowa Science --- 13
Senior Poster Program --- 14-15
President's Banquet --- 16
General Session 11 --- 17
General Session III --- 18
ESTA Award Luncheon --- 19
Saturday Field Trips --- 20
Section Meeting Programs and Oral Presentations (Alphabetical by Section) --- 21-29
Abstracts (by Section) --- 30-59
Author …

Of Ethics And Ecosystems: A Bifocal Perspective On Biodiversity Conservation, Charles Van Rees

Environmental Studies Honors Papers

No abstract provided.

Distance Software: Design And Analysis Of Distance Sampling Surveys For Estimating Population Size, Len Thomas, Stephen T. Buckland, Eric A. Rexstad, Jeff L. Laake, Samantha Strindberg, Sharon L. Hedley, Jon R.B. Bishop, Tiago A. Marques, Kenneth P. Burnham

United States Department of Commerce: Staff Publications

1. Distance sampling is a widely used technique for estimating the size or density of biological populations. Many distance sampling designs and most analyses use the software Distance.

2. We briefly review distance sampling and its assumptions, outline the history, structure and capabilities of Distance, and provide hints on its use.

3. Good survey design is a crucial prerequisite for obtaining reliable results. Distance has a survey design engine, with a built-in geographic information system, that allows properties of different proposed designs to be examined via simulation, and survey plans to be generated.

4. A first step in analysis of …

Experimental Comparison Of Acr And Icamrl Magnetic Resonance Imaging Accreditation Protocols, Brock Andrew Prater

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Two primary accrediting bodies exist for magnetic resonance imaging systems: the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Magnetic Resonance Laboratories (ICAMRL), each of which defines specific standards for specific image quality criteria at which MRI images must be produced. An MRI clinic that wishes to show a commitment to image quality may do so by becoming accredited by one of these organizations of their choosing. The limits of these image criteria were compared to demonstrate the standards of each accrediting body. Images were produced that fell well within the standards of both accrediting …

Shorter Still: Compressing C-C Single Bonds, Gerarso Martinez-Guajardo, Kelling J. Donald, Bernard K. Wittmaack, Miguel Angel Vazquez, Gabriel Merino

Chemistry Faculty Publications

How short can a C-C single bond get? The bonding in a set of molecules that are related structurally to previously synthesized or theoretically examined systems with short C-C bonds is investigated. According to calculations, a single C-C bond could be compressed to 1.313 A! To the best of our knowledge, this is the shortest single C-C bond reported to date. This shortening is a consequence of a change in the C-C-C bond angle, θ, to minimize strain in the cages and an effort to offset the tension in the surrounding bridges.

A Curriculum Unit On Programming And Robotics, Marina U. Bers, Louise Flannery, Elizabeth Kazakoff, R. Jordan Crouser

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

The Tangible Kindergarten project studies how, when given age-appropriate tools, young children can actively engage in computer programming and robotics in a way that is consistent with developmentally appropriate practice. This research project explores the creation of novel human computer interaction techniques to support learning with technology in early elementary school, with a focus on kindergarten. Since many modern graphical user interfaces are not designed with the developmental needs of such young learners in mind, they are generally ill-suited for use in early elementary school classrooms, especially for computer programming activities. To overcome this problem, this research project has created …

How Far Can You Reach?, Ciprian Borcea, Ileana Streinu

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

The problem of computing the maximum reach configurations of a 3D revolute-jointed manipulator is a long-standing open problem in robotics. In this paper we present an optimal algorithmic solution for orthogonal polygonal chains. This appears as a special case of a larger family, fully characterized here by a technical condition. Until now, in spite of the practical importance of the problem, only numerical optimization heuristics were available, with no guarantee of obtaining the global maximum. In fact, the problem was not even known to be computationally solvable, and in practice, the numerical heuristics were applicable only to small problem sizes. …

Morphing Of Triangular Meshes In Shape Space, Stefanie Wuhrer, Prosenjit Bose, Chang Shu, Joseph O'Rourke, Alan Brunton

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

We present a novel approach to morph between two isometric poses of the same non-rigid object given as triangular meshes. We model the morphs as linear interpolations in a suitable shape space S. For triangulated 3D polygons, we prove that interpolating linearly in this shape space corresponds to the most isometric morph in R³ . We then extend this shape space to arbitrary triangulations in 3D using a heuristic approach and show the practical use of the approach using experiments. Furthermore, we discuss a modified shape space that is useful for isometric skeleton morphing. All of the newly presented …

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 …

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 …

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

Geology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.