Bulletin of the American Physical Society
Joint Fall 2021 Meeting of the Texas Sections of APS, AAPT, and SPS
Volume 66, Number 10
Thursday–Saturday, October 21–23, 2021; Houston; Central Time
Session Q01: Banquet, Awards, and Poster Session I (7:00-9:30pm) |
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Chair: David Garrison, UHCL Room: Bayou Building Atrium II |
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Q01.00001: Using LED light strips to artistically represent a Fourier Transform and the Heat equation in one dimension Francisco Holguin, James Clarage LED lights are now commodified, resulting in low-cost applications in areas as diverse as domestic kitchen lighting, art installations, computer screens, etc. We present efforts to use commercial LED one-dimensional light-strips to illuminate understanding, and aesthetic appreciation, of the complex numerical outputs generated in physics. In our work, we first map a discrete Fourier transform of different audio signals to a colormap, which we then display on an LED color strip to visualize the transform. The output from the LED is rich in color, allowing us to see how frequencies make up an audio signal over time. We also run a Heat Equation simulation, with different initial conditions, for different materials. When the Heat Equation updates, the output is color mapped and displayed on the LED strip, allowing one to visualize how heat would distribute in real and simulated time. In our interdisciplinary age, this project demonstrates how students may blend their various studies in physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, with current electronic media technologies of visual art and music. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00002: ~Filtering Molten Salt with the Filter Media Test System Bertha Sanchez The mission of the Nuclear Energy Experimental Testing Laboratory (NEXT) is to provide solutions to the world's crucial problems of energy, water, and cancer. These problems will be solved by advancing molten salt reactor technology. Multiple projects within NEXT are all leading towards the development of a molten salt research reactor. One part of running a molten salt reactor is the ability to filter out corrosion particles and insoluble fission products that otherwise might be deposited and build up in the reactor system. The Filter Media Test System is a design for testing filter media for~molten-fluoride salt. This presentation addresses the process of preparing the filter test apparatus, loading it with salt and flowing the salt through a filter. Hydraulic data for the system is provided and compared to system data with water. Salt samplings are discussed, as well as future directions and applications for this work.~ [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00003: Study on the DNA-photocleavage Ability of Metalloporphyrins Richard Kyung, Seoyeon Choi Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases and Familial AD(fAD), an inherited form of Alzheimer's disease caused by gene mutations. Through efficient cleavage and elimination, porphyrin-DNA complexes can help repair mutations at specific locations in the human genome in order to cure hereditary causes of AD. During a photocatalytic reaction, a light of a specific wavelength activates the photosynthesizer to produce highly reactive oxygen species that interact with molecules and produce oxidative radicals. This paper focuses on the stability and activity of various porphyrins and porphyrin-DNA complexes for their DNA-photocleavage ability by measuring their thermodynamic characteristics using a molecular editing program. Optimized energy, dipole moment, and electrostatic potential maps were used as the main criteria for analysis. These factors were investigated when the porphyrins attach to DNA when they were attached to the nucleobase, phosphate group, or to the ribose moiety. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00004: H$^{-}$ lateral collisions with Na-covered Cu surfaces Bogdana Bahrim This study reports local adsorbate effects observed during lateral collisions between H$^{-}$ ion projectiles and Cu surfaces covered by Na adsorbates. Previous work on Na adsorbed on Cu surfaces at low coverage [1] performed by using the Density Functional Theory, showed that Na displays a very localized interaction with the three closest Cu surface neighbors located right underneath, on the first Cu layer. This study performed with a completely different methodology - Wave Packet Propagation techniques [2] - not only confirms the very confined and localized nature of the Na-Cu interaction, this time from the scattered H$^{-}$ projectile's perspective, but identifies a spatial shape of this interaction which is very important for understanding various ion-surface scattering experiments. In addition, this study clarifies the low adsorbate coverage regime where one-adsorbate modelling can be performed. The one adsorbate modelling may be considered representative for the low coverage experimental situation, only for certain ranges of distances and collision angles that are dependent on the projectile's trajectory relative to the location of the adsorbate atom. [1] S. Yu et al., Surface Science 606 (2012) 1700 [2] B. Bahrim, Surface Science 706 (2021) 121781 [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00005: A mean-field approximation of viral transmission Baylor Fain, Hana Dobrovolny As a virus spreads in a host, the virus moves in a spatially-extended, heterogeneous environment. Previous research has mostly used ordinary differential equations to model the dynamics of viruses. The ordinary differential equations are only dependent on time, which limits the incorporation of the spatial aspect of viral spread. Despite this, the ordinary differential equations have had success in modeling viruses that transmit mostly via cell-free transmission but have not been able to fully reproduce dynamics of viruses that spread via cell-to-cell transmission. Without the dependence of space, certain modes of viral transmission cannot be properly modeled. This work uses a mean-field approximation to incorporate the spatial dependence of neighboring cells, allowing for the effects of cell-to-cell transmission to be modeled. With the model, three different scenarios of viral transmission are compared: (1) cell-free transmission only, (2) cell-to-cell transmission only, and (3) both cell-free and cell-to-cell transmission together. For each of the three scenarios, the probability that the viral infection will spread to infect every cell is calculated. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00006: Abstract Withdrawn
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Q01.00007: Abstract Withdrawn
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Q01.00008: Mathematical modeling of infrared detection of respiratory viruses Madison Smith, Hana Dobrovolny As an alternative to nasal swabs as a means to diagnose respiratory viral infections, we propose using carbon nanotubes as a dye to allow viral infections to be detected via infrared emission. The carbon nanotubes can bind to free viral RNA in the nasal passages. Binding of free viral RNA to the carbon nanotube system changes its emission spectrum. To test the feasibility of this detection system, we use mathematical modeling and computer simulation. The mathematical model used in this study has been adapted to include the infrared detection system. The model allows us to calculate a time scale for detection of the infection. We find that the time constant depends on the RNA association rate and the initial amount of viral RNA, but does not depend on how quickly the virus replicates. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00009: Abstract Withdrawn
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Q01.00010: Biochemical Imbalance Causing Psychological Disorders and Biomolecules for the Treatment Richard Kyung, Gayoung Ko Chemical imbalance is the result of causal factors such as chronic infection, physical and emotional trauma, nutritional deficiency, and toxicity. These factors all contribute to a chemical imbalance in the human brain. Such imbalance triggers psychiatric disorders such as depressive episodes in patients experiencing depression. Hormones and chemicals keep the body working normally. Cells in our brain produce neurotransmitters that contribute to mood modulation. In individuals experiencing severe depression, the complex systems involved in mood regulation may be dysfunctional. For example, receptors may be oversensitive or insensitive to a specific neurotransmitter, causing their response to its release to be excessive or inadequate. In examining the relationship between biochemical molecules and psychiatric disorders, qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed to assess the functioning of neurotransmitters released from presynaptic terminals through the synaptic cleft. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00011: Transition Path Sampling Rare Events In non-Markovian Open Quantum Systems Leonel Varvelo, Doran Bennett Rare events in excited state dynamics, such as transport across grain boundaries, are difficult to simulate due to large time scales and high computational expense of quantum dynamics algorithms. We present a new method for extending timescales of quantum simulations using transition path sampling. Implementing the Hierarchy of Pure States (HOPS) method, a formally exact equation of motion for open quantum systems, we construct independent stochastic trajectories which are used to produce a quantum path ensemble. Using transition path sampling we can directly construct a reactive ensemble, where each member of the ensemble is a realization of the rare event in a non-Markovian system. Combining quantum transition path sampling with the weighted histogram analysis method (WHAM) we can efficiently study the dynamics of rare events in non-Markovian systems within the formally exact HOPS equation-of-motion. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00012: Synthesis and Characterization of Thin Films Paola Torres, Kylee Shanks, Nereida Martinez, Andra Petrean, Martin Reyes-Banda, Manuel Quevedo-Lopez Au in its bulk form is useful for many electronic applications because it is a good electrical and thermal conductor; however, at nanoscale, gold's properties change. For example as Au gets thinner its density decreases, it absorbs green light and appears red, and becomes less electrically conductive. Some of these characteristics make it a good candidate for developing optical biosensors. The purpose of this research is to synthesize and characterize nanoscale Au films at varying thicknesses, for future use in developing biosensors. The Au thin films were synthesized using a SPI-Module sputter coater and were characterized through atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical absorbance, and Hall effect measurement system. Our results showed that after annealing, the Au thin films presented a peak in absorbance. A shift in this peak when introduced to biological mediums could be utilized as a sensor. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00013: Design of the Optimal Signal in Networks Using Artificial Neural Network Technique Minjae Kim, Richard Kyung Neural networks have come to be understood as an important piece of contemporary technology that influences our daily life. Network theory has become a central toolbox to a variety of disciplines, such as social systems, the web, and neurosciences with relevant studies in graph theory and networks. To design a network that can predict an output from input data and hidden layers, an efficient artificial neural network algorithm was used in this paper. The theory was applied to a physical system and biological neural system, respectively. To minimize the error signals and output errors obtained from different train epochs, Neural Network Fitting App and AI programming were employed. Since the data requires a proper statistical method in which the fitting model exactly matches the data, the least-squares method was used to minimize the deviations between the assumed model and the actual data. After the network has been trained, an artificial neural network was employed to compute the outputs, errors, and overall performance. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00014: Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm Implementation with Linear Optics Kunaal Jha, Anthony Davolio Deutsch's Algorithm was the first demonstration of the potential for a speedup of quantum computers over classical computers, concerning a problem of determining whether an unknown function's single bit output is constant or evenly distributed ("balanced") between zeros and ones across all single-bit inputs. The Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm extended the problem to concern arbitrary length inputs, and demonstrated the first superpolynomial speedup in query complexity over a deterministic classical algorithm. We considered two variations of the Deutsch-Jozsa problem concerning the distribution of inputs and compared the bounds and expectation of required queries between quantum and deterministic classical solutions. We also designed and simulated linear optical systems for implementing the algorithm. We were able to demonstrate that beyond the typical result of the Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm, we can also determine whether the unknown function has dependency on any certain input bit in one quantum query. We designed and simulated a linear optical setup to showcase this ability. While all quantum solutions were able to solve the problem with a single query, the number of optical components needed grew exponentially as the input length grew. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00015: Toroidal magnetic clouds in solar wind. Talon Weaver, Evgeny Romashets, Cristian Bahrim Propagation of toroidal magnetic clouds is modeled. In-situ magnetic and plasma measurements were fitted with Romashets and Vandas (Geophysical Research Letters, 2003) formula to determine size and orientation of the cloud near the Earth's orbit in Marubashi et al. (Solar Physics, 2015). Here, we apply this information to find the shape and speed of the toroid on its trajectory from solar corona to the Earth. Five events form the Marubashi's list were modeled, with more detailed look on May 15 1997 geomagnetic storm. The maximum speed of the cloud is close to 1500 km/s when reaching the helio-distance $r=$\textit{3 R}$_{S}$, where $R_{S} $is the solar radius. The cloud's arrival time and speed near the Earth's orbit are in good agreement with observations from existing literature. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00016: Density Perturbation of the Early Universe Aleisha Warren \documentclass{article} \begin{document} \maketitle The Cosmic Microwave Background(CMB) is the radiation that is spread throughout the universe from the early universe.The CMB is around 380,000 years old. The universe has anisotropy-it is not uniform in brightness, temperature or density. The density perturbation is the variance of densities through out the universe. Using the simulation made by Dr.David Garrison and ran on the Singularity cluster at The University of Houston at Clearlake, the density perturbation was calculated and tested. The density perturbation for today was calculated at $1.3 \cdot 10^{-14}$. Then using the code, tests were done to build a simulation where the universe was successfully made and the density perturbations resulted in the calculated value. This brings us a better understanding of the early universe. This also helps solve the initial conditions of the universe. \end{document} [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00017: Experimental Design for Detecting Cosmic Rays at ACU Isla Casey Scintillators are materials that emit light, when they are struck by ionizing radiation, this property makes scintillators useful in a wide range of applications. Whenever a charged particle passes through the scintillator it emits photons, also known as Cherenkov radiation. One application is to use scintillators to detect cosmic rays from space. Cosmic rays are particles emitted from space, e.g., from the sun or supernovae, the most common of which are muons. These photons are then converted into electrons through the photoelectric effect by the PMTs on either end of the scintillator. Over the past summer Abilene Christian University’s Cosmic Ray Test Stand has been repaired and tested to optimize its light detection efficiency. This has been done through sourcing and repairing light leaks, as well as using radioactive source testing to optimize particle detection. ACU’s test stand has also been used to test newly built clip lines designed to adjust the measurement of scintillator pulses, these clip lines will then be sent to Fermi National Laboratory for use on their Cosmic Stand. This presentation will show how the repairs made to ACU’s cosmic ray test stand will improve its efficiency with cosmic ray detection. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00018: The process of beta decay in a stellar medium jaskeerat singh, Samina Masood Beta radiation consists of negatively charged electrons and participates in electromagnetic fields. The presence of the interaction of electrons with the medium changes the properties of electrons and it affects the beta decay rate. The modification of the decay rate in different stellar media is studied to understand the structure and composition of stars. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00019: Propagation of Neutrinos in Stars. Aadarsha Basnet, Samina Masood Neutrinos are unique in nature and usually carry the information of their source as they do not interact with most of the naturally occurring material or even the radiation. We study the properties of neutrinos in hot and dense media with magnetic field and find out that how the change in properties can be related to the properties of stellar media. We discuss the electromagnetic properties of neutrinos in hot and dense medium with or without magnetic field as well. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00020: Explaining Quantum Numbers as Hemispherical Coordinates Arno Vigen I present a visual method to explain the abstract concept of quantum numbers. It maps the quantum numbers to hemispherical coordinates and thereafter to the distributions of electron shells as longitudinal rings. The electron rings at same energy and angle, so longitudinal, become a useful 3D atomic model. \begin{itemize} \item 1$^{\mathrm{st}}$ - Radial Count starting with 1 \item 2$^{\mathrm{nd}}$ -- Inclination / Longitudinal Count Starting with 0 at the Poles in 2 hemispheres (subshell-s) \item 3$^{\mathrm{rd}}$ -- Latitude distribution with a 0 meridian with -1, $+$1, and so on from that. Remember that the other hemisphere, and a 2$^{\mathrm{nd}}$ layer at the same count, offset by \textonehalf phase (180-degrees) for tightest fit \item 4$^{\mathrm{th}}$ -- Hemisphere which is -1/2 and $+$1/2 as only \textonehalf the energy in the equation. \end{itemize} The 3D mechanics is compelling and a different path than abstract formulas to reach more students. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00021: Explaining Relativity with Globes, Cylinders and Balloons Arno Vigen I present a visual method to explains the abstract physics concept of relativity. Part 1 explains the physical model where changes in radial distance impacts other dimensions -- blowing up a balloon. When I blow up a balloon, the radius changes, but the longitude and latitude distance scale also increases pro rata (covariant). Yet, when I move on the surface, the radial distance does not change (invariant). This provides a physical causation model for visual students to understand those relativity concepts. Part 2 explains the Einstein 4x4 as springs connecting spheres and cylinders to generate tension in that physical system. Energy if the cylinder (longitudinal rings of electrons) changes until the globe catches up. The spring gets stressed until the sphere, really hemispheres as the critical axis is on a globe, moves to match a cylinder change (rotation). [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00022: Explaining Exaggeration of Graphic Scale for Fuzzy Balls and Electron Distributions Arno Vigen Today's textbooks have fuzzy balls and fuzzy longitudinal rings. This presentation walks through the calculation of radial electrostatic versus `extra 1/r' pendulum calculations to show the vast exaggeration. The effective range for electron movement is 1/1,000 less than the textbook, so \textless 20*r$_{\mathrm{e}}$, not 10{\%} or 20{\%} of 18,778*r$_{\mathrm{e}}$ ($\alpha^{\mathrm{2}})$. By calculating the net acceleration of positions at 1-radius, 2-radius off `center', the pendulum size gets so limited. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00023: Analyzing Video Game Dynamics with Computation in Introductory Physics James Newland Physics engines in video games often employ non-physical behaviors for the sake of game play. Introductory physics students can use computational modeling to determine the underlying relationships for objects in game play videos and even create accurate physical models for comparison. This activity takes advantage of computational thinking to further physics learning. Students compare air drag in Unity game development with a more realistic laminar air drag model made with the STEMcoding programming environment. Students will gather data from game play video, reduce and visualize the data, use computational tools to find relationships between variables, and finally compare the behavior of the two models. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00024: Quantitative Analysis of Interactions in an Online Physics Classroom for High School Teachers Reece Riherd, Bahar Modir, Robynne Lock, William Newton In this study, we take quantitative measures to investigate community engagement in a course about computational waves that is offered as part of an online Master of Physics with teaching emphasis (MPTE) program for high school teachers. Students are required to participate in weekly discussion boards by making posts and replying to other posts to discuss relevant content. We used a pre-existing categorization scheme to analyze interactions in the discussion boards throughout the semester. We found some themes varied from week to week in response to the specific week's course structure, and some appeared more consistently. We further analyzed the interactions taking a social network analysis (SNA) approach to identify active members through degree centrality measures. We will outline future plans for the application of other SNA measures to our community. [Preview Abstract] |
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Q01.00025: Effect of neutral interactions in gyrokinetic simulations of single seeded blobs Emily Humble, Tess Bernard, Federico Halpern, Rupak Mukherjee, Gregory Hammett, Manaure Francisquez, Noah Mandell, Ammar Hakim We have studied the effect of neutral interactions on seeded blob dynamics using the continuum gyrokinetic code Gkeyll. Blobs, coherent structures of enhanced pressure, arise in the scrape-off layer (SOL) of fusion devices due to the interchange instability. They are convected radially outward by an ExB force, occurring from charge polarization due to magnetic drifts. Understanding blob transport is important due to its effect on exhaust properties in the SOL. The magnitude of the ExB force and resulting acceleration depends on the various currents that can dampen the charge accumulation, including current due to inelastic neutral collisions. A kinetic model for neutral dynamics has been coupled to the gyrokinetic solver in Gkeyll and includes electron-impact ionization, charge exchange and wall recycling. In seeded blob simulations, scans were conducted in blob size, background density and temperature, and blob density and temperature, both without and with neutral interactions. Velocities of the blobs were measured and compared to predicted scalings. Blob compactness and thermal and kinetic energy was also studied. [Preview Abstract] |
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