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Using Olivine to Better Understand Glaciovolcanism at Bræðravirki Ridge
No full textBræðravirki Ridge is a hyaloclastite-dominated tindar in the Western Volcanic Zone of Iceland. Bræðravirki Ridge can provide insight as to what processes start at the beginning of a glaciovolcanic eruption These processes are no able to be witnessed as they happen. By studying the olivine crystals found in the samples collected from previous studies, it is possible to confirm their hypotheses of magma mixing and the ridge’s eruptive sequence. These samples consisted of pipes, pillow lavas, lapillistone, and intrusions. This study performed a random point count of olivine crystals in thin sections to find out their morphological distribution. Out of the polyhedral, tabular, hopper, and skeletal morphologies, most samples contained predominately polyhedral crystals. The distribution of polyhedral to other morphologies were similar between the pillow basalts and pipes. This can conclude that these two lithologies were made from the same magma and that the pipes acted as a feeding mechanism for the pillow basalts. The intrusions and the lapillistone had a noticeable increase of tabular, hopper, and skeletal in their morphological distribution. This indicates that these lithologies had a similar melt that experienced higher cooling rates for a longer duration. The observation that olivine was crystallizing during the emplacement of the extrusive units indicates that the mixing event from Topham’s (2023) hypothesis is confirmed and may have initiated the eruptive event. This could tell us that other mixing events cause eruptions within glaciovolcanic settings. A lack of dendritic morphologies alongside several embayments means more information needs to be conducted at Bræðravirki ridge
Activation Functions in Deepfake Detection
No full textThe rise of deepfakes, realistic, AI-generated videos and images, has brought challenges to the integrity of digital media and information in today\u27s society. From political manipulation to social media disinformation, deepfakes have weakened public trust and sparked concerns about privacy, security, and the ethical use of AI technologies. This paper explores the role of deepfake detection software. We begin by providing a comprehensive overview of what deepfakes are, their machine learning principles and the architecture of CNNs.The study then investigates various activation function approaches to deepfake detection, evaluating the performance and limitations of current models. This thesis hopes to contribute to the ongoing discussion on how these types of software can be harnessed to protect the integrity of digital media along with the harmful effects of digital misinformation
My People Come From Where? Examining How Ethnicity, Race, and Relationships Are Interpreted Through Consumer DNA Testing
No full textDNA testing is a popular tool in understanding one’s identity. This research examines the impact of consumer genetic testing on personal identity and how genetic data is incorporated into family narratives. Through interviews and a literature review, my research highlights the potential of DNA testing to discover one’s heritage and challenge personal narratives. I investigate Native American DNA, emphasizing the social and cultural complexities associated with genetic identities. Using Pierre Bourdieu\u27s theory of social and cultural capital, my study reveals how DNA results influence social interactions and self-perception. The findings advocate for culturally sensitive approaches, combining scientific and anthropological insights
Buying Wins: Determining The Optimal Salary Cap Allocation Strategy In The NFL
No full textIn the NFL, teams are forced to make strategic decisions about how to allocate money across players and positions while adhering to the salary cap. This study offers a data-driven perspective on this challenge by modeling the relative importance and return-on-investment of each position. Non-linear optimization is utilized to maximize expected wins by incrementally allocating cap space to positions with the highest marginal benefit. It is concluded that, between 2019 and 2023, the largest cap investments should be directed towards linebackers, the defensive line, and wide receivers. The model suggests a surprisingly low allocation to quarterbacks due to the widespread success of young quarterbacks on rookie contracts during the time-frame being studied. In addition, when investing in expensive star players, teams should prioritize the wide receiver and cornerback positions to improve overall performance. While adhering to the optimal allocation strategy provided some competitive benefits, the most successful teams during this time-frame took advantage of market inefficiencies by signing players that over-performed relative to their pay. The most effective way to do so is through the NFL draft, highlighting the importance of scouting and player development in franchises
Quantum Encryption and a Bulk Rotational Algorithm
No full textThere is an increasing amount of time and money placed into the understanding of quantum encryption systems. It is important not only to understand how quantum computing works, but also to understand how quantum computing can lead to decreased security of classical encryption algorithms. Lastly this paper outlines a novel form of quantum image encryption based on rotating qubits depending on their saturation
Down with France: True Independence or Continued Political Instability?
No full textThis study examines the relationship between coups and the decentering of French relations in Francophone West Africa, focusing on the cases of Mali and Burkina Faso. Through a multiple case study and process tracing methodology, the research analyzes pre- and post-coup periods to identify shifts in diplomatic, economic, and military ties with France. The findings suggest that in the aftermath of military coups, governments in both countries actively sought to distance themselves from France by expelling French military forces, denouncing defense agreements, suspending French media outlets, and forging new international partnerships, particularly with Russia. While these actions align with efforts to break from neocolonial influences and assert national sovereignty, the extent to which they are explicitly motivated by ideological rejection of France’s post-colonial presence remains unclear. This research contributes to the broader discourse on post-colonial relations, African sovereignty, and shifting geopolitical alliances, offering insights into how military takeovers influence foreign policy realignments in the region
Development of Biomimetic Gel Dosimeters for 3D Gel Dosimetry
No full textRadiation therapy is one of the most common treatments of cancer that sends high energy X-rays (~5 MeV) to kill cancer cells. Gel dosimeters are used to measure the amount of radiation applied and its distribution to ensure a lethal dose is applied to the cancerous tissue while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. In this research, we are developed novel multiparametric MRI-readable gel dosimeters that can image X-ray doses in 3D biomimetic phantoms and computationally model the attenuation of radiation throughout the phantoms. Fricke gel and polymer gels were tested. In Fricke gel dosimeters, ferrous ions transform into ferric ions when irradiated. In polymer gel dosimeters, monomers polymerize when exposed to radiation. Quantitative MRI was used before and after irradiation to measure changes in spin relaxation times T1, T2, and water diffusion constant. Changes to these values mean the dosimeter is radiation sensitive and is therefore a good dosimeter. Fricke and polymer solutions have shown to be radiation sensitive. In addition to being able to correlate changes in T1, T2, and D to X-ray dose, these measurements give information on how the materials are changing in response to radiation. Polymer gels were used to measure the accuracy of LINACs and found there to be error of up to \SI{2.5}{Gy} in dose plans. A multiparametric polymer gel dosimeter was found and used throughout this study. Measuring toxicity effects of sublethal doses in surrounding tissue is now a critical issue since, as more people survive cancer, long term quality of life after treatment is a primary concern
Aid and Protect? The Limits of Neocolonial Saviorism and Humanitarianism
No full textHumanitarian aid organizations are not perfect. Although their organizational goal derives from the mission to alleviate the effects of harm on civilian populations throughout the duration of conflict, several aspects of this mission have reached shortfalls and have been documented and critiqued. By asking the question to what degree do humanitarian aid organizations reflect neocolonial ideas about the “civilizing mission,” and what effect does that value system have on their ability to reduce harm suffered by conflict-affected populations this study explores the shortfalls that have been critiqued both logistically and internally, while assessing how these criteria impact the overall effectiveness of humanitarian aid. Hypothesizing that the presence of these values will increase harms experienced by conflict-affected populations, this study conducts a singular case study analyzing the intervention of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in South Sudan during the South Sudanese Civil War (2013-2020). With the independent variable of this study being neocolonialism and saviorism while the dependent variable encompassing a holistic set of both lethal and non-lethal harm, this study utilizes both qualitative and quantitative methods in order to determine whether a connection exists between embedded values and aid effectiveness. Support was found for the hypothesis confirming prior research on the embedded nature of neocolonial and saviorism values within humanitarian aid organizations, yet results were inconclusive due to a lack of available data distinguishing the ICRC’s effectiveness and statistics associated with the organization’s intervention. Finally, this study offers suggestions for future research for determining the validity of the hypothesis and scope of this study
Investigating Submarine Iceberg Geometry in Greenland\u27s Fjords Using Ice-Penetrating Radar
No full textWhen glaciers and ice sheets release icebergs into the ocean through calving processes, they introduce freshwater into the marine environment, influencing the salt and heat flux in the surrounding area and contributing to ice sheet mass loss. Iceberg keel shape, depth, and density all play crucial roles in determining how fast these icebergs melt and their interactions with fjord stratification and turbulence. In previous studies, iceberg density has been assumed to be the density of solid ice (917 kg/m³), but due to the presence of air bubbles or fractures, the density of many of these icebergs may fall below the solid ice threshold. These factors influence iceberg melting behavior, making it essential to understand both iceberg geometry and density to comprehend local ice-ocean interactions and circulation patterns. While there are many ways to observe the surface of icebergs and their properties above the waterline with satellite remote sensing, measuring iceberg keel shape and estimating density below the waterline is more difficult. Here, I employ ice-penetrating radar to directly investigate submerged iceberg geometries and consider iceberg density variations in Greenland’s fjords.
I analyzed airborne ice-penetrating radar data from NASA’s Operation IceBridge between 2011 and 2017 to distinguish between icebergs calved from ice shelves and those from ice cliffs across 12 fjords in Greenland. Submarine iceberg shape was measured for all icebergs wider than approximately 150 meters and spatial trends across Greenland’s basins were examined. In total, 79 radargrams and 851 icebergs were incorporated into this study. Density is a key assumption in studies of iceberg melt rates. Since many studies rely on specific density values, ensuring they are accurate is important for determining whether their melt rate estimates can be trusted. The results reveal a diverse spatial distribution of iceberg shapes across the basins, including variations in keel depth, aspect ratio, and densities. I observe significant differences in iceberg shape and density depending on whether the iceberg was calved from an ice shelf or ice cliff. Glaciers ending in a cliff face appear to calve narrow but deeper icebergs with lower densities, whereas glaciers terminating in a floating ice shelf appear to calve wider and shallower icebergs with higher densities, suggesting they are less damaged than icebergs that calve from ice cliffs. These findings on submarine iceberg shape and density provide foundational observations that can improve future meltwater flux estimates of icebergs and help us better understand the implications this will have on fjord and glacier systems in a changing climate context
Are Two Really Greater Than One? The Effect of Income and Time on Child Delinquency
No full textThis study aims to identify the impact of income constraints and time allocation on child delinquency. Growing up from infant to adolescent, parent’s decisions are a major factor in shaping a child’s outcomes. Income provides resources such as academic help, extra-curriculars and other social engagements. Time also allows child engagement in extra-curriculars, positive or negative parent-child relationships and child development. The National Longitudinal Surveys (NLS), used in household research, are surveys collected to gather information on the labor market and other significant life events of men and women. I hypothesize that high levels of income and more time allocated to a child will lower the chance of them engaging in delinquent activity. A Cobb-Douglas production function is used to mathematically shows this potential relation. The multivariate equation takes in a consideration of the marital status of a household because of the chance a two-parent home can bring in two incomes and double the time. The empirical results provide preliminary evidence that after considering multiple household variables with time and income, there is not a particular type of support that decreases a child’s ability to engage in delinquent activity