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INDOPACOM Force Structure: A Trajectory Into the 2030s
No full textOver the past ten years Taiwan has become a major point of friction between the United States and People’s Republic of China with both militaries preparing for a potential conflict over the island. China vastly expanded its military forces and capabilities over the past thirty years and is intent on obtaining the ability to both seize Taiwan by force and prevent the United States from generating enough combat power to intervene and defend the island. The Pentagon began to restructure its conventional forces in the Western Pacific at the end of the 2010s, implementing new operational concepts designed to fight in contested environments. This restructuring has provided Indo-Pacific Command a foundation for the joint force to build upon as China’s military capabilities and competencies grow in the future. INDOPACOM’s force posture, for the time being, is deemed “satisfactory.” In this context, satisfactory is defined as successfully countering China’s current iteration of its strategy of anti-access and area-denial, avoiding the majority of America’s combat power being attacked and destroyed before it could be utilized to defend Taiwan. There are still shortfalls in INDOPACOM’s posture, much of it revolving around the question of the sustainment of dispersed forces across the region, and the ability for traditional hubs of American power projection to defend themselves from Chinese attack. China too has shortfalls in their own conventional military capabilities, such as interoperability between the branches of the People’s Liberation Army in functioning as a joint force, or the lack of experience with certain branches in large scale exercises. However, these are variables that can be rectified with time, and the United States comparative advantage in experience and technologically advanced systems will continue to shrink as China continues to modernize. Going forward, the United States must embrace its lasting asymmetric advantages against China, primarily through geography and alliances. This thesis attempts to paint a picture of both America and China’s conventional military capabilities and strategy and offer insight in how to immediately address shortfalls in America’s approach to waging a high intensity conflict in the Western Pacific over Taiwan
Optical Properties of Rare Earth Doped Molybdenum Trioxide Thin Films
No full textThis study aims to investigate the optical properties of Dy-doped MoO₃ thin films. MoO₃ is a transition metal oxide that is wide band gap semiconductor. As a transition-metal oxide, it has been widely studied for its tunable properties. However, there is little literature on the subject of Dysprosium doped MoO₃, and none found as of now on thin film Dy-MoO₃ . This indicates that this topic is at best under reported, and thin film Dy-MoO₃ possesses a certain novelty. Unlike most transition metal oxides, undoped MoO₃ has a negligible crystal field splitting. This is due to the electron vacancy of the outer 4d-orbital. The addition of Dy+3 ion introduces partially filled 4f-orbitals. The host MoO₃ then applies a crystal field on the Dy3+ ion and lifts the degeneracy. This splits the energy levels, and the result is enhanced optical properties including appreciable photoluminescent emission. The Dy-doped MoO₃ films were grown using a pulsed laser deposition technique and were doped with 1% and 5% concentrations of dysprosium oxide. This study found that 1%Dy-MoO₃ has potential for intriguing optical properties, but reproducibility is difficult. Thin films that were grown with 5%-concentration Dysprosium oxide were found to grow with Dy3+ ion inside the MoO₃ host. Reflectance UV-VIS and temperature-dependent Time Resolved Photoluminescence were utilized in finding approximate band gap and activation energy. The band gap was found to be 3.21 eV. The activation energy, the minimum energy before non-radiative recombination begins, is 12.5 meV. There is much work that needs to be done on this topic. Thin film Dy-doped MoO₃ has promising results that should be further explored
TMJ Hyperextension Causes Sexually Dimorphic Changes in Nociception and Protein Expression in the Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus
No full textTemporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are chronic orofacial pain conditions involving pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the muscles of mastication. Hyperextension of the TMJ that occurs during yawning or during dental and orthodontic procedures or oral surgery can cause an intrinsic injury to the joint, muscle, ligaments, and tendons. This type of injury can lead to a chronic pain state involving activation and sensitization of neuronal cells of the trigeminal pathway that relays painful information from peripheral tissues to the central nervous system. Although females exhibit a higher prevalence of TMD, the underlying pathology for this phenomenon is not known. The goal of my study was to investigate changes in nociception (pain signaling) and protein expression in the spinal trigeminal nucleus in a preclinical TMD model caused by a single transient maximal TMJ opening (hyperextension). Mechanical nociception was determined on day 1 and day 14 post-hyperextension via von Frey filaments in young adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats. Female, but not male, rats exhibited enhanced nociception on day 1 and 14 post-hyperextension and exhibited guarding behavior of the TMJ, which is a protective mechanism to minimize further injury to the TMJ. Changes in protein expression in the spinal trigeminal nucleus were investigated by immunohistochemistry. On day 1, expression of the glutamate receptor NMDA, was significantly increased in females. On day 14, the pro-inflammatory protein CGRP and anti-nociceptive proteins GAD 65/67 were significantly decreased in females only. In contrast, expression of the receptor protein GABAB1 and the pro-inflammatory signaling protein P-p38 was significantly elevated. My findings provide evidence of sexual dimorphism in a novel TMD model in which sustained trigeminal sensitization was associated with enhanced expression of proteins that mediate trigeminal pain signaling while causing suppression of descending inhibitory pain signaling proteins
Sensory Processing and Anxiety in Bipolar Disorder
No full textPast research suggests that individuals with bipolar disorder often experience differences in sensory gating and sensory processing, and similar patterns have been observed in anxiety disorders. Given that anxiety is highly comorbid with bipolar disorder, the present study examined how these conditions relate to self-reported sensory processing differences. A total of 132 participants (88 female), including 43 with bipolar disorder, were included in the final sample. Anxiety symptomatology was measured via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Form Y. Sensory processing questionnaires included the Sensory Gating Inventory (SGI) and the Adult Sensory Processing Scale (ASPS). Correlations, t-tests, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), analyses of variance (ANOVAs), and a moderation analysis found that individuals with bipolar disorder and/or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) reported higher anxiety and greater sensory processing difficulties than individuals with neither disorder. Anxiety severity strongly predicted sensory processing difficulties but did not moderate the relationship between bipolar disorder and sensory outcomes, meaning anxiety does not increase or decrease the effect of bipolar disorder on sensory processing. The findings from this study support past findings that sensory processing is altered in bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders, while providing novel information about the influence of anxiety on sensory symptoms in bipolar disorder. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted symptoms of bipolar disorder and may encourage future research aimed at improving its detection
Critical Mineral Exploration in the Superior Province of Northwestern Minnesota - A Geophysical Data Analysis
No full textThe Archean basement geology of northwest Minnesota, a region covered by glacial deposits and historically underexplored for minerals, was analyzed using gravity, magnetic, radiometric, and geochemical data. These datasets were integrated to aid in identifying subsurface structures and evaluating the area\u27s potential for economic mineralization within the Wabigoon, Quetico, and Wawa Subprovinces of the Superior Province. Gravity and magnetic datasets, analyzed through upward continuation, derivative maps, and two-dimensional modeling, revealed distinct northeast-to-southwest-trending maxima corresponding to fault-bounded, high-density, and magnetically susceptible bodies. These features were interpreted as mafic to ultramafic intrusions and dikes, several of which align with known Proterozoic fault systems and Archean structural contacts. In particular, the Mentor Anorthosite Intrusive Complex (MAIC) and associated feeder structures were imaged in detail, suggesting a layered intrusive system with possible mineralizing pathways. Geochemical data revealed elevated concentrations of gold (Au), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and cobalt (Co), often near gravity and magnetic anomalies linked to intrusions and fault zones. Radiometric ratios (Th/K, U/Th, U/K) further supported these findings by highlighting uranium and thorium enrichment zones, suggesting areas of hydrothermal alteration or felsic intrusion. The above datasets, when integrated, indicate that northwest Minnesota hosts structurally controlled mineral systems comparable to those found elsewhere in the Superior Province. Based on these results, areas surrounding the MAIC, the southern Wawa Subprovince fault zones, and portions of the Quetico Subprovince contain geophysical and geochemical anomalies that are recommended for future exploration targeting critical minerals. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating geophysical and geochemical methods in regions with limited outcrop exposure, providing a valuable framework for future exploration and resource assessment in underexplored Archean terranes
CGRP Modulation of Intracellular Calcium Levels in Trigeminal Ganglion Neurons and Glia
No full textElevated levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are implicated in migraine and TMD pathology, but its effects on the excitability state of Aδ and C-fiber neurons and glia have not been investigated. The goal of this study was to determine changes mediated by CGRP on intracellular calcium levels in trigeminal ganglion neurons and glia in response to depolarizing stimulation. Intracellular calcium levels were determined in Aδ and C-fiber neurons of primary trigeminal ganglion cultures obtained from neonatal Sprague Dawley rats using Fura-2 and fluorescent microscopy. Cells were left untreated or preincubated for 2 hours with CGRP, then incubated with the depolarizing stimuli KCl or ATP. Data analysis was performed using Olympus CellSens Dimension software and JASP. CGRP greatly increased the calcium amplitude in response to 60 mM KCl and 100 µM ATP in Aδ neurons, while causing a smaller, similar response in C-fiber neurons. CGRP also increased the percentage of Aδ neurons responsive to 60 mM KCl and enhanced the magnitude of the calcium response. In glial cells, CGRP increased the magnitude of the 60 mM KCl-mediated response. However, CGRP suppressed the stimulatory calcium response to 15 mM KCl in neurons and glial cells and differentially modulated the calcium response to 30 mM KCl in Aδ and C-fiber neurons. These results provide evidence of a novel role of CGRP in differentially regulating the excitability state of Aδ and C-fiber neurons and glial cells implicated in pain signaling in migraine and TMD in response to the strength of the depolarizing stimulus
Identification of a Stable QTL for Juice Color in a Vitis Interspecific Hybrid ‘Chambourcin’- Based Population
No full textBerry juice color is one of the key factors influencing grape and wine quality, consumer preference, and marketability. While most previous studies on berry color have focused on the skin, research on juice color remains limited. This study investigated the genetic basis of berry juice color in a hybrid population derived from the Vitis interspecific hybrid ‘Chambourcin’ and V. vinifera ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’. A new nine-category visual scoring system was developed to assess juice color based on OIV 225. To achieve comprehensive precision and quantitative analysis, CIELAB parameters (L*, a*, b*), Hue, and Chroma were extracted from image-based measurements. Using berries harvested over four different years, a stable QTL associated with juice color was identified on linkage group (LG) 2 within a 4.8 cM interval. Two peak markers: rh_chr2_14239122 and rh_chr2_14464718, were closely linked to the QTL, which co-localizes with three MYBA genes involved in anthocyanin synthesis. The haplotypes associated with the pigmentation alleles at these two rhAmpSeq markers can be used to identify Noir varieties with an accuracy of 97.2%. These findings provide a valuable resource for marker-assisted selection in grape breeding programs to develop cultivars with specific juice color traits while also contributing to a broader understanding of the genetic regulation of anthocyanin-related traits
Bridging the Gap: Fostering Emotional Expression Through Teaching Strategies in the Middle School Choral Classroom
No full textThis study investigates the impact of teacher-elicited expression strategies (i.e. emotionally evocative metaphor, technical elements through modeling, body of the conductor, understanding the emotional content) on the emotional expressivity of my middle school choral students. Using a mixed-method approach, data was collected through surveys of students\u27 self-evaluations of the expression strategies, and their overall value of expression before and after learning processes that emphasized emotional expressivity. I found that each teacher-elicited expression strategies impacted student expressivity positively. Concrete strategies (i.e., body of the conductor and technical elements through modeling) were highly effective, particularly in my beginner and intermediate choirs, while abstract strategies (i.e., emotionally evocative metaphor and understanding the emotional content) were beneficial but were influenced by individual interpretations. Through these learning processes, my students’ value of expressivity did not significantly change, but qualitative insight indicated shifts in their perception of performance expression
Using Data to Transform Student Success
No full textSUNY Oswego participated in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Student Success Equity Intensive (AASCU SSEI) project to deeply understand our students’ experience through multi-layered data collection and analysis, a strong leadership team to reflect on that data and propose initiatives, and a U.S. Department of Education grant to support those initiatives. This short paper describes that process, focusing primarily on the data collection components
The Presence of Outer Giant Planets and Their Role in Inner Planet Formation With and Without Their Influence
No full textWe performed dynamical simulations of the giant impact phase of planet formation to investigate the formation of inner terrestrial planets under the influence of 4 solar system-like outer giant planets. We developed a new code using the N-body simulation suite REBOUND and REBOUNDx (Rein et al. (2019) and Tamayo et al. (2019)) to simulate 2 stages of planetary formation: a residual gaseous protoplanetary disk phase and subsequent dynamical evolution after the disk photoevaporates. The initial conditions for the inner planetary embryos were taken by Morrison et al. (2020) based on a range of solid surface densities that produced Super-Earth terrestrial planets at the end of formation. The giant planets\u27 initial conditions were taken from the JPL Horizons system (Giorgini et al. 2001). We compared our final results with other 2 cases where a single giant planet was present (Guerra Toro et al., 2022) and when no giant planets were present (Morrison et al., 2020). During the residual gas disk phase, the 3 cases showed a similar mass percent change, but our system produced fewer planets with higher ranges of eccentricities. Using inner planet outcomes from the post-gas disk phase, we performed a 2-sample K-S test that indicated the inner planet populations formed in the presence of 4 outer giant planets were significantly different from the other 2 cases mentioned in this study. Moreover, the dynamic spacing shows that the separation between the terrestrial planets was greater when the 4 giant planets were present during formation. Our results also showed that, in general, terrestrial planets under the influence of the solar system giant planets would not form pairs located near the first order of resonances. These findings highlight how the presence of giant planets can influence terrestrial planet formation across systems with different initial solid surface densities