Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Building Interest And Knowledge In Geosciences Through Place- & Field-Based Teacher Professional Learning Programs: A Comparative Multi-Case Study, Emily Gochis

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The focus of this study was to develop and evaluate a geoscience professional development model that would improve K-12 teachers’ capacity to effectively build geoscience literacy and interests in students from a variety of settings and cultural groups. The research compared the application of a geoscience professional development model realized through multiple case studies of varying settings and scales. The study investigated the capacity of each approach in improving teachers’ geoscience background knowledge, awareness of local geologically and culturally significant examples, and ability to integrate place-based, field investigations into standards-based curricula. By using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the study …

Optical And Single Particle Properties Of North Atlantic Free Tropospheric Aerosols And Implications For Aerosol Direct Radiative Forcing, Megan Morgenstern

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Human-induced climate change has steadily become a reality rather than a possibility. One factor that plays into climate change is radiative forcing due to aerosol-radiation interactions (ARI). As such, it is important to understand how aerosols (atmospheric particles) interact with solar radiation. This work looks at seven samples of well-aged aerosols (aerosols traveling in the atmosphere for at least a few days) collected at Pico Mountain Observatory in the summer of 2015. Pico Mountain Observatory is located in a remote, high elevation site in the Azores, in the Eastern-North Atlantic Ocean. The goals of the study were to analyze the …

Searching For Anomalous Extensive Air Showers Using The Pierre Auger Observatory Fluorescence Detector, Andrew Puyleart

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Anomalous extensive air showers have yet to be detected by cosmic ray observatories. Fluorescence detectors provide a way to view the air showers created by cosmic rays with primary energies reaching up to hundreds of EeV . The resulting air showers produced by these highly energetic collisions can contain features that deviate from average air showers. Detection of these anomalous events may provide information into unknown regions of particle physics, and place constraints on cross-sectional interaction lengths of protons. In this dissertation, I propose measurements of extensive air shower profiles that are used in a machine learning pipeline to distinguish …

Image-Data-Driven Deep Learning For Slope Stability Analysis, Behnam Azmoon

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Landslides cause major infrastructural issues, damage the environment, and cause socio-economic disruptions. Therefore, various slope stability analysis methods have been developed to evaluate the stability of slopes and the probability of their failure. This dissertation attempts to take advantage of the recent advancements in remote sensing and computer technology to implement a deep-learning-based landslide prediction method.

Considering the novelty of this approach, this dissertation leads with proof-of-concept studies to evaluate and establish the suitability of deep learning models for slope stability analysis. To achieve this, a simulated 2D dataset of slope images was created with different geometries and soil properties. …

Machine Learning-Driven Surrogate Models For Electrolytes, Tong Gao

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

We have developed a lattice Monte Carlo (MC) simulation based on the diffusion-limited aggregation model that accounts for the effect of the physical properties of ionic liquids (ILs) on lithium dendrite growth. Our simulations show that the size asymmetry between the cation and anion, the dielectric constant, and the volume fraction of ILs are critical factors to significantly suppress the dendrite growth, primarily due to substantial changes in electric-field screening. Specifically, the volume fraction of ILs has the optimal value for dendrite suppression. The present simulation method indicates potential challenges for the model extension to macroscopic systems. Therefore, we also …

Synthetic Augmentation Methods For Object Detection In Overhead Imagery, Nicholas R. Hamilton

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The multidisciplinary area of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) is continually changing and becoming more complex. From efforts to automate portions of GEOINT using machine learning, which augment the analyst and improve exploitation, to optimizing the growing number of sources and variables, there is no denying that the strategies involved in this collection method are rapidly progressing. The unique and inherent complexities involved in imagery analysis from an overhead perspective--—e.g., target resolution, imaging band(s), and imaging angle--—test the ability of even the most developed and novel machine learning techniques. To support advancement in the application of object detection in overhead imagery, we …

Fine Scale Mapping Of Laurentian Mixed Forest Natural Habitat Communities Using Multispectral Naip And Uav Datasets Combined With Machine Learning Methods, Parth P. Bhatt

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Natural habitat communities are an important element of any forest ecosystem. Mapping and monitoring Laurentian Mixed Forest natural communities using high spatial resolution imagery is vital for management and conservation purposes. This study developed integrated spatial, spectral and Machine Learning (ML) approaches for mapping complex vegetation communities. The study utilized ultra-high and high spatial resolution National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) datasets, and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Complex natural vegetation community habitats in the Laurentian Mixed Forest of the Upper Midwest. A detailed workflow is presented to effectively process UAV imageries in a dense forest environment …

Poor Man’S Trace Cache: A Variable Delay Slot Architecture, Tino C. Moore

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

We introduce a novel fetch architecture called Poor Man’s Trace Cache (PMTC). PMTC constructs taken-path instruction traces via instruction replication in static code and inserts them after unconditional direct and select conditional direct control transfer instructions. These traces extend to the end of the cache line. Since available space for trace insertion may vary by the position of the control transfer instruction within the line, we refer to these fetch slots as variable delay slots. This approach ensures traces are fetched along with the control transfer instruction that initiated the trace. Branch, jump and return instruction semantics as well as …

Theoretical Investigation On Optical Properties Of 2d Materials And Mechanical Properties Of Polymer Composites At Molecular Level, Geeta Sachdeva

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The field of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials provides a new platform for studying diverse physical phenomena that are scientifically interesting and relevant for technological applications. Theoretical predictions from atomically resolved computational simulations of 2D materials play a pivotal role in designing and advancing these developments. The focus of this thesis is 2D materials especially graphene and BN studied using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In the first half of the thesis, the electronic structure and optical properties are discussed for graphene, antimonene, and borophene. It is found that the absorbance in (atomically flat) multilayer antimonene (group …

An Exploration On Apts In Biocybersecurity And Cyberbiosecurity, Xavier-Lewis Palmer, Lucas Potter, Saltuk Karahan

School of Cybersecurity Faculty Publications

Novel and complex digital threats that are increasingly interwoven with means and products of biology that can affect society. Much work in Biocybersecurity/Cyberbiosecurity (BCS/CBS) discuss vulnerabilities, but few deeply address malicious actor varieties as attacks at this intersection are new. The path to those attacks remains mostly theoretical, presenting considerable difficulty to accomplish in practical scenarios. In terms of advanced persistent threats (APTs) this of course needs to change as biomanufacturing facilities are at risk, considering Covid-19 and other potential pandemics. Further attacks are not out of reach and thus we must start to imagine how BCS APTs may appear. …

The Vagabond Flourine Atom Revisited: Dissociative Photoionization Of Tri- And Pentafluoropropene, Jessica K. De La Cruz

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Photoelectron Photoion Coincidence (PEPICO) Spectroscopy studies on two unsaturated hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), also known as hydrofluoroolefines (HFOs), are presented here. Previously, the Sztáray group has studied the dissociation of trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (ElixClean), which is a fourth-generation refrigerant and propellant and has lower global warming potential than its precursors. My study is an extension of the ElixClean study as it aims to explore how the different number of fluorine atoms impact the dissociation reactions of these molecules. Both 3,3,3-trifluoropropene (TFP) and cis-1,2,3,3,3- pentafluoropropene (PFP) are also utilized as propellants and refrigerants.Measurements were carried out with remote access to the CRF-PEPICO (combustion reactions followed …

Gas-Phase Acid-Base Properties And Conformations Of Oligopeptides Through Mass Spectrometry And Computational Studies, Yuntao Zhang

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a comprehensive study of the peptides of interest to deeper understand the gas-phase acid-base properties in relation to their conformations and chirality. In the first part of the study, two pairs of alanine (A)-based isomeric peptides consisting of a basic probe, lysine (Lys) or 2,3-diaminopropionic acid (Dap), were investigated to understand the nature of the enhanced basicity when the basic probe was moved from the N-terminus to the C-terminus. In the second part of the study, alanine-based peptides containing a cysteine (C) as the acidic probe were investigated to understand the chirality effects on the gas-phase acidity …

A Biological And Chemical Approach To Restoring Water Quality: A Case Study In An Urban Eutrophic Pond, Levi J. Mckercher, Tiffany L. Messer, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Steve D. Comfort

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Efforts to improve water quality of eutrophic ponds often involve implementing changes to watershed management practices to reduce external nutrient loads. While this is required for long-term recovery and prevention, eutrophic conditions are often sustained through the recycling of internal nutrients already present within the waterbody. In particular, internal phosphorus bound to organic material and adsorbed to sediment has the potential to delay lake recovery for decades. Thus, pond and watershed management techniques are needed that not only reduce external nutrient loading but also mitigate the effects of internal nutrients already present. Therefore, our objective was to demonstrate a biological …

A Pivotal New Approach To Groundwater Quality Assessment, M. L. Cherry, T. Gilmore, T. Messer, Y. Li, J. Westrop

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Toxic Effects Of Silver Ions On Early Developing Zebrafish Embryos Distinguished From Silver Nanoparticles, Martha S. Johnson, Preeyaporn Songkiatisak, Pavan Kumar Cherukuri, Xiao-Hong Nancy Xu

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Currently, effects of nanomaterials and their ions, such as silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and silver ions (Ag⁺), on living organisms are not yet fully understood. One of the vital questions is whether nanomaterials have distinctive effects on living organisms from any other conventional chemicals (e.g., their ions), owing to their unique physicochemical properties. Due to various experimental protocols, studies of this crucial question have been inconclusive, which hinders rational design of effective regulatory guidelines for safely handling NPs. In this study, we chronically exposed early developing zebrafish embryos (cleavage-stage, 2 hours post-fertilization, hpf) to a dilution series of …

Production Of Nimn2o4 Hollow Spheres And Cofe2o4 Bowl-Like Structures By Using Block Copolymer Stabilized Polystyrene Spheres As A Hard Template, Gökhan Koçak, Vural Bütün

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

The aim of this study is to highlight the use of polystyrene (PS) latexes stabilized with block copolymers as a hard template in the production of metal oxide hollow spheres. PS latexes produced by dispersion polymerization by stabilizing with tertiary amine methacrylate-based diblock copolymer were used as a hard template in the preparation of nickel manganese oxide (NiMn2O4) hollow spheres and cobalt iron oxide (CoFe2O4) bowl-like structures. Thanks to the diblock copolymer stabilizer with tertiary amine functional groups on the PS surface, precursor salts of CoFe2O4 and NiMn2O4 were first homogeneously deposited on the surface of PS latexes with a …

The Study Of Fe3o4@Sio2-Nh2 Nano-Magnetic Composite Modified By Glutaraldehyde To Immobilized Penicillin G Acylase, Monier Alhadi Abdelrahman Mohammed, Zhenbin Chen, Ke Li, Boyuan Zhang

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Preparation of biocatalyst dependent on immobilized penicillin G acylase (PGA) was of substantial importance for proteomic research, organic synthesis, and industrial applications. Herein, we developed an easy method for nano-magnetic composite to immobilize PGA. Fe3O4 nano-magnetic particles were co-precipitated with Fe3+ and Fe2+ in an ammonia solution (NH3) and treated with silicon dioxide (SiO2), which was developed using the sol-gel process. Thereafter, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was used to modify the silica-coated Fe3O4, which would result in the attachment of the primary amine groups to the particle surface. After that, the attachment of primary amine group was reacted with glutaraldehyde (Glu) to …

Synthesis, Molecular Modeling, And Biological Evaluation Of Novel Imatinib Derivatives Asanticancer Agents, Fulya Günay, Sevcan Balta, Yuk Yin Ng, Özlem Ulucan Açan, Zühal Turgut, Ömer Tahi̇r Günkara

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Different derivatives of imatinib were synthesized by a 3-step reaction method. The structures of the new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods. For quantitative evaluation of the biological activity of the compounds, MTT assays were performed, where four BCR-ABL negative leukemic cell lines (Jurkat, Reh, Nalm-6 and Molt-4), one BCR-ABL positive cell line (K562), and one non-leukemic cell line (Hek293T) were incubated with various concentrations of the derivatives. Although imatinib was specifically designed for the BCR-ABL protein, our results showed that it was also effective on BCR-ABL negative cell lines except for Reh cell line. Compound 9 showed lowest IC50 …

Effect Of Poly(Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) Pour Point Depressant On The Cold Flow Properties And Crystallization Behavior Of Soybean Biodiesel Blends Fuel, Jinbao Liu, Chunhua Wang, Qian Liu, Fen Zhang, Xiaojie Liu, Min Sun

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

Although biodiesel-diesel blends are being widely used in diesel engines, investigations on its cold flow properties and crystallization behavior are still scarce. In this paper, poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) (PEVA) pour point depressant and petroleum diesel were worked together to enhance the cold flow properties of soybean biodiesel. PEVA presented a better positive effect in reducing the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) of biodiesel blends. B40 treated with 1% PEVA exerted the best cold flow properties, and its CFPP was decreased by -14 °C. In addition, the crystallization behavior was changed variously. The sizes of crystals were decreased as well as the …

A Simple And Rapid Rp-Hplc Method For The Assessment Of Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) Intilapia And Snoek Fishes, Labaran Ibrahim, Aminu Usman

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

This study developed a rapid reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method equipped with a UV-Vis detector. The aquaponics system?s tilapia and marine snoek fishes were extracted using an autoclaving process and enzymatic treatment. The technique enabled the separation and quantification of cobalamin present in these fishes extracts. Phenomenex Luna® 5 μm C18 (2) 100 A LC-column (150 × 4.6 mm) was used as a stationary phase, while the mobile phase consisted of methanol and phosphoric acid in a ratio of 35:65 (v/v), respectively. The developed method was revealed to be rapid (a retention time of less than 5.0 min), linear …

Clerodendrum Serratum Extract Attenuates Production Of Inflammatory Mediators Inovalbumin-Induced Asthma In Rats, Poonam Arora, Shahid Hamid Ansari, Lalit Mohan Nainwal

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

In the present study, ethanolic extract of Clerodendrum serratum roots was investigated for its potential to reverse some features of bronchial asthma in ovalbumin-induced murine model of asthma. Clerodendrum serratum commonly called bharangi, (family Solanaceae) is a well-known anti-allergic drug in Asian folk system of medicines. In the present work, pharmacological studies are done to provide scientific evidence for therapeutic potential of plant in allergic asthma. Asthma was induced in experimental rats with allergen suspension of ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide followed by treatment with dexamethasone (2.5 mg/kg, po) or C. serratum root extract (0.53 and 5.3 mg/kg, b. w., po). …

Comparison Of Volatile Chemical Components Of Cystoseira Crinita Duby By Hydrodistillation(Hd) And Solid-Phase Microextraction (Spme) Methods And Antimicrobialand Scolicidal Activities Of Essential Oil And Extracts, Tayyi̇be Beyza Yücel

Turkish Journal of Chemistry

This study aims to derive an essential oil from Cystoseira crinita Duby, analyze the chemical composition of the essential oil, discover the antimicrobial activities of the oil and the extracts, and investigate the scolicidal activities of the extracts. The volatile organic compounds of Cystoseira crinita Duby were determined by GC/MS-FID using both hydro-distillation (HD) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) methods. As a result of the essential oil analysis, 97.14% of 17 compounds and 93.13% of 19 compounds were elucidated. The main compounds identified were hexanal (31.802%), n-hexadecanoic acid (12.654%), trans-β-ionone (9.118%), 2E-hexenal (15.955%), heptadecane (15.729%) and tetradecane (13.458%). In addition, hexane, …

Facial Landmark Feature Fusion In Transfer Learning Of Child Facial Expressions, Megan A. Witherow, Manar D. Samad, Norou Diawara, Khan M. Iftekharuddin

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Automatic classification of child facial expressions is challenging due to the scarcity of image samples with annotations. Transfer learning of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs), pretrained on adult facial expressions, can be effectively finetuned for child facial expression classification using limited facial images of children. Recent work inspired by facial age estimation and age-invariant face recognition proposes a fusion of facial landmark features with deep representation learning to augment facial expression classification performance. We hypothesize that deep transfer learning of child facial expressions may also benefit from fusing facial landmark features. Our proposed model architecture integrates two input branches: a …

Momentum Of Light In Complex Media, Yuri Obukhov

Turkish Journal of Physics

An important issue in phenomenological macroscopic electrodynamics of moving media is the definition of the energy and momentum of the electromagnetic field in matter. Rather surprisingly, this topic has demonstrated a remarkable longevity, and the problem of the electromagnetic energy and momentum in matter remained open, despite numerous theoretical and experimental investigations. We overview the definition of the momentum of light in matter and demonstrate that, for the correct understanding of the problem, one needs to carefully distinguish situations when the material medium is modeled either as a background for light or as a dynamical part of the total system. …

Investigating The Potential Of Laser-Written One-Dimensional Photonic Crystals Inside Silicon, Onur Tokel

Turkish Journal of Physics

The field of silicon photonics is based on introducing and exploiting advanced optical functionality. Current efforts in the field are based on conventional micro/nanofabrication methods, leading to optical functionality over wafer surfaces. A complementary and emerging field is introducing analogous optics directly within the wafer using lasers. Here we investigate the theoretical feasibility of a subclass of such optics, photonic crystals. Our efforts will guide future experimental efforts towards in-chip spectral control.

On An Econophysics Model, Miron Kaufman

Turkish Journal of Physics

Krugman has proposed a continuous in time and space model for the emergence of polycentric urban areas in the regional space. By using a discrete version of this model on spatial networks, we predicted the distribution of jobs among the different localities inside a couple of economic regions in Ohio and Texas. The time evolution of the distribution of jobs is governed by a market potential. Employment gradually moves towards locations considered relatively attractive if their market potential is above the spatial average. Similarly, jobs move away from locations with below-average market potential. First, I will show that the market …

Geodesics Of Fiberwise Cigar Soliton Deformation Of The Sasaki Metric, Liana Lotarets

Turkish Journal of Mathematics

Ricci solitons arose in proof the Poincare conjecture by R. Hamilton and G. Perelman. The first example of a noncompact steady Ricci soliton on a plane was found by R. Hamilton. This two-dimensional manifold is conformally equivalent to the plane and it is called by R. Hamilton's cigar soliton. The cigar soliton metric can be considered as a fiber-wise conformal deformation of the Euclidean metric on a fiber of the tangent bundle. In the paper we propose a deformation of the classical Sasaki metric on the tangent bundle of an n-dimensional Riemannian manifold that induces the cigar soliton type metric …

A Variant Of Rosset's Approach To The Amitsur-Levitzki Theorem And Some $\Mathbb{Z}_{2}$-Graded Identities Of $\Mathrm{M}_{N}(E)$, Szilvia Homolya, Jen Szigeti

Turkish Journal of Mathematics

In the spirit of Rosset's proof of the Amitsur-Levitzki theorem, we show how the standard identiy (for matrices over a commutative base ring) and the addition of external Grassmann variables can be used to derive a certain $\mathbb{Z}_{2}$-graded polynomial identity of $\mathrm{M}_{n}(E)$.

Studying The Conditions For Magnetic Reconnection In Solar Flares With And Without Precursor Flares, Seth H. Garland, Daniel J. Emmons, Robert D. Loper

Faculty Publications

Forecasting of solar flares remains a challenge due to the limited understanding of the triggering mechanisms associated with magnetic reconnection, the primary physical phenomenon connected to these events. Studies have indicated that changes to the photospheric magnetic fields associated with magnetic reconnection – particularly in relation to the field helicity – occur during solar flare events. This study utilized data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) and SpaceWeather HMI Active Region Patches (SHARPs) to analyze full vector-field component data of the photospheric magnetic field during solar flare events within a near decade long HMI dataset. …

Pathways Forward For Onshore Wind Energy In The State Of Maryland: A Gis Multi-Criteria Analysis, George Pisano

Geography and the Environment: Graduate Student Capstones

This study examines pathways forward for onshore wind energy in the State of Maryland. To meet its decarbonization goals, Maryland needs to quickly transition its electric grid away from fossil fuels. The state is currently in the process of developing offshore wind farms that have the potential to represent a significant source of renewable energy. However little progress has been made in expanding Maryland’s onshore wind energy production capacity. Using a multi-criteria GIS analysis, this study found that there is a limited but not inconsiderable area in the state that could be suitable for wind farms of varying scales that …