Connecticut State Colleges and Universities

Spin ices, frustrated magnetic materials analogous to common water ice, have emerged over the past 15 years as exemplars of high frustration in three dimensions. Recent experimental developments aimed at interrogating anew the low-temperature properties of these systems, in particular whether the predicted transition to long-range order occurs, behoove researchers to scrutinize our current dipolar spin ice model description of these materials. In this work, we do so by combining extensive Monte Carlo simulations and mean-field theory calculations to analyze data from previous magnetization, diffuse neutron scattering, and specific-heat measurements on the paradigmatic ${\mathrm{Dy}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ spin ice material. In this work, we also reconsider the possible importance of the nuclear specific heat ${C}_{\mathrm{nuc}}$ in ${\mathrm{Dy}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$. We find that ${C}_{\mathrm{nuc}}$ is not entirely negligible below a temperature $\ensuremath{\sim}0.5$ K and must therefore be taken into account in a quantitative analysis of the calorimetric data of this compound below that temperature. We find that in this material, small effective spin-spin exchange interactions compete with the magnetostatic dipolar interaction responsible for the main spin ice phenomenology. This causes an unexpected ``refrustration'' of the long-range order that would be expected from the incompletely self-screened dipolar interaction and which positions the material at the boundary between two competing classical long-range-ordered ground states. This allows for the manifestation of new physical low-temperature phenomena in ${\mathrm{Dy}}_{2}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{7}$, as exposed by recent specific-heat measurements. We show that among the four most likely causes for the observed upturn of the specific heat at low temperature [an exchange-induced transition to long-range order, quantum non-Ising (transverse) terms in the effective spin Hamiltonian, the nuclear hyperfine contribution, and random disorder], only the last appears to be reasonably able to explain the calorimetric data.

Supercapacitors or electrochemical capacitors are receiving greater interest because of their high-power density, long life, and low maintenance. We have synthesized CuS nanoparticles and graphene oxide (CuS–GO) nanocomposites for supercapacitor applications because of their low cost and excellent electrochemical properties. The phase purity of each material was determined using powder XRD studies. The bandgap was determined by UV-visible spectrophotometric studies. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope images revealed the nano-scale morphology of the synthesized particles. All the electrochemical measurements were conducted in a standard three-electrode configuration, using a platinum wire as the counter electrode and Hg/HgO as the reference electrode. CuS and its composites with graphene oxide on nickel foam were used as working electrodes. All the electrochemical measurements were performed in 3M KOH solution. The CuS–GO nanocomposite electrode showed a specific capacitance of 250 F/g, 225 F/g, 182 F/g, 166 F/g, 161 F/g, and 158 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g, 1 A/g, 5 A/g, 10 A/g, 15 A/g, and 20 A/g, respectively. CuS–GO electrodes showed a specific capacitance retention of 70% after 5000 charge–discharge cycles at a current density of 5 A/g.

We examined the ORR activity of a combinatorial Pd–Au–Ag–Ti thin film library using high-throughput screening and correlate the electrochemical behavior to the crystallographic properties.

The utilization of plants for the production of metallic nanoparticles is gaining significant attention in research. In this study, we conducted phytochemical screening of Alstonia scholaris (A. scholaris) leaves extracts using various solvents, including chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, methanol, and water. Our findings revealed higher proportions of flavonoids and alkaloids in both solvents compared to other phytochemical species. In the methanol, extract proteins, anthraquinone and reducing sugar were not detected. On the other hand, the aqueous extract demonstrated the presence of amino acids, reducing sugar, phenolic compounds, anthraquinone, and saponins. Notably, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts displayed the highest levels of bioactive compounds among all solvents. Intrigued by these results, we proceeded to investigate the antibacterial properties of the leaf extracts against two major bacterial strains, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). All extracts exhibited significant zones of inhibition against both bacterial isolates, with S. aureus showing higher susceptibility compared to E. coli. Notably, the methanol extract displayed the most potent I hibitory effect against all organisms. Inspired by the bioactivity of the methanol extract, we employed it as a plant-based material for the green synthesis of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs). The synthesized Cu-NPs were characterized using Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-visible spectroscopic analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed color changes confirmed the successful formation of Cu-NPs, while the FTIR analysis matched previously reported peaks, further verifying the synthesis. The SEM micrographs indicated the irregular shapes of the surface particles. From the result obtained by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis, Cu has the highest relative abundance of 67.41 wt%. Confirming the purity of the Cu-NPs colloid. These findings contribute to the growing field of eco-friendly nanotechnology and emphasize the significance of plant-mediated approaches in nanomaterial synthesis and biomedical applications.

The green, sustainable, and inexpensive creation of novel materials, primarily nanoparticles, with effective energy-storing properties, is key to addressing both the rising demand for energy storage and the mounting environmental concerns throughout the world. Here, an orange peel extract is used to make cobalt oxide nanoparticles from cobalt nitrate hexahydrate. The orange peel extract has Citrus reticulata, which is a key biological component that acts as a ligand and a reducing agent during the formation of nanoparticles. Additionally, the same nanoparticles were also obtained from various precursors for phase and electrochemical behavior comparisons. The prepared Co-nanoparticles were also sulfurized and phosphorized to enhance the electrochemical properties. The synthesized samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopic and X-ray diffraction techniques. The cobalt oxide nanoparticle showed a specific capacitance of 90 F/g at 1 A/g, whereas the cobalt sulfide and phosphide samples delivered an improved specific capacitance of 98 F/g and 185 F/g at 1 A/g. The phosphide-based nanoparticles offer more than 85% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. This study offers a green strategy to prepare nanostructured materials for energy applications.

Manganese dioxide-multiwall carbon nanotube (MnO2-MWCNT) nanocomposites were synthesized via one-pot synthesis method with varying concentrations of 1 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml, and 10 mg/ml MWCNT. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electrochemical measurements. The intent of studying different concentrations is, ultimately, to correlate the effect of the concentration of multiwall carbon nanotube on the electrochemical performance of the MnO2-MWCNT nanocomposites. Two primary phenomena were observed as CNT concentration increased. First, less crystalline MnO2 adsorption onto individual CNTs occurred. Subsequently, CNT agglomeration became the primary feature of the nanostructures of high CNT concentration. The electrochemical studies reveal that the specific capacitance of MnO2 increases from 124 F/g to 145 F/g by the addition of 1 mg/ml MWCNTs and decreases to 102 F/g for MnO2-10 mg/ml MWCNT nanocomposite.

We have prepared CuS and CuS-rGO nanocomposites via the hydrothermal method. The physical properties of the synthesized materials were studied through x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The supercapacitor characteristics were evaluated by cyclic voltammetric and galvanostatic charge–discharge studies. The cyclic voltammetric studies conform the pseudocapacitive nature of CuS and CuS-rGO electrodes. The specific capacitance of CuS was obtained as 207, 150, and 97 F/g at a current density of 0.5, 5, and 20 A/g, respectively. The rGO-CuS nanocomposite showed improved specific capacitance of 350, 251, and 149 F/g at current densities of 0.5, 5, and 20 A/g, respectively.

Composites of MnO2/multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared using different weight ratios of MWCNTs: KMnO4 (1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:15, 1:20, and 1:25) using a one-pot hydrothermal method. The synthesized materials were physically characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) BET, and thermogravimetric analysis. TEM and SEM studies indicate that MnO2 is homogeneously entangled with MWCNTs. The electrochemical performance evaluation was performed in a 3-electrode system using MnO2/MWCNT electrodes coated onto a Ni mesh as the working electrode, a Pt foil as the counter electrode, and Ag/AgCl as the reference electrode. The specific capacitance was obtained from charge–discharge studies at varying current densities between 0.5 and 5 A/g. The specific capacitance of MWCNT-KMnO4 (1:10, 1:15, and 1:25) samples was obtained as 114, 164, and 100 F/g, respectively, at a current density of 1 A/g.

Objective: Continuous improvement is vital to ensuring quality in sonography education. The aim of this literature review was to compile and summarize the current literature on accreditation, credentialing, and quality improvement initiatives in sonography education. Materials & Methods: Four sonography-specific journals and six health science/academic databases were searched using the terms education, sonography, ultrasound, accreditation, credential, and quality. The search was limited to findings in the English language, from 2000 to 2020. Results: The search uncovered only 19 articles on this topic in sonography education. The vast majority of papers focused on quality improvement initiatives, while just a few concentrated on accreditation or credentialing. Conclusion: Much of the contemporary sonography educational literature focuses on clinical, lab, or didactic quality improvement initiatives. Overall, it is clear that more research is needed in the field of sonography education. This review provides examples of quality initiative research in other allied health fields that can be useful guides for future sonography educational research.

Abstract The American Sociological Association (ASA) used social science research and data informed approaches to engage community college faculty in the discipline.

Bulk metallic glasses synthesized at specialized facilities at Yale using magnetron cosputtering are sent to Southern Connecticut State University for elemental characterization. Characterization is done using a Zeiss Sigma VP SEM coupled with an Oxford EDS. Characterization is automated using control software provided by Oxford. Collected data is processed and visualized using computational methods developed internally. Processed data is then organized into a database suitable for web retrieval. This technique allows for the rapid characterization of a combinatorial wafer to be carried out in ~11 hours for a single wafer containing ~600 unique compounds.

Abstract The utilization of plants for the production of metallic nanoparticles is gaining significant attention in research. In this study, we conducted phytochemical screening of Alstonia scholaris ( A. scholaris ) leaves extracts using various solvents, including chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, methanol, and water. Our findings revealed higher proportions of flavonoids and alkaloids in both solvents compared to other phytochemical species. In the methanol, extract proteins, anthraquinone and reducing sugar were not detected. On the other hand, the aqueous extract demonstrated the presence of amino acids, reducing sugar, phenolic compounds, anthraquinone, and saponins. Notably, ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts displayed the highest levels of bioactive compounds among all solvents. Intrigued by these results, we proceeded to investigate the antibacterial properties of the leaf extracts against two major bacterial strains, Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ). All extracts exhibited significant zones of inhibition against both bacterial isolates, with S. aureus showing higher susceptibility compared to E. coli . Notably, the methanol extract displayed the most potent I hibitory effect against all organisms. Inspired by the bioactivity of the methanol extract, we employed it as a plant-based material for the green synthesis of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs). The synthesized Cu-NPs were characterized using Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-visible spectroscopic analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The observed color changes confirmed the successful formation of Cu-NPs, while the FTIR analysis matched previously reported peaks, further verifying the synthesis. The SEM micrographs indicated the irregular shapes of the surface particles. From the result obtained by energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopic analysis, Cu has the highest relative abundance of 67.41 wt.%. confirming the purity of the Cu-NPs colloid. These findings contribute to the growing field of eco-friendly nanotechnology and emphasize the significance of plant-mediated approaches in nanomaterial synthesis and biomedical applications.

Coupling is a concept used within education, business, and organizational management literature. Its application to organizational management literature allows researchers to understand how organizations function. This article argues that coupling theory can be applied to advising systems' technical (practice) and authoritative (coordination and supervision) aspects. Using coupling theory as a lens to view advising structures and as a language for communicating that assessment can provide profound lessons for more responsive and effective advising practices on college campuses. Additionally, coupling theory may broaden perspectives and deepen advising leaders' communicative vocabulary and allow them to become more skilled and effective administrators in applying these insights to higher education and their institutions.

Abstract Throughout much of the world, winter deicing practices have led to secondary salinization of freshwater habitats, where numerous taxa are vulnerable to elevated salinity. Many amphibians are of particular concern because of their permeable skin and reliance on small ponds and pools, where salinity levels can be high. The early life-history stages of amphibians that develop in these habitats are especially sensitive to salt exposure. Larvae developing in salt-polluted environments must osmoregulate through ion exchange in gills. While salt-induced changes to the physiology of ion exchange in amphibian gills is generally understood, functionally relevant changes in gill morphology remain poorly described. Yet the structure of gills should be an important component affecting their ionoregulatory capacity, for instance in terms available surface area. Larval amphibian gills also play critical roles in gas exchange and foraging. Thus, changes in gill morphology due to salt pollution potentially affect not only osmoregulation, but also respiration and feeding. Here, we used a chronic exposure experiment to quantify the effect of salinity on larval gill morphology in populations of the wood frog ( Rana sylvatica ). We measured a suite of morphological traits on gill tufts, where ionoregulation and gas exchange occur, and on gill filters, which are used in feeding. Larvae raised in high salinity conditions had gill tufts with lower surface area to volume ratio, while epithelial cells on these tufts were less circular but occurred at higher densities. Gill filters showed increased spacing, which can potentially reduce their efficiency in filtering food particles. Together, these changes seem likely to diminish the ionoregulatory and respiratory capacity of gill tufts, and compromise feeding functionality of gill filters. Thus, a singular change in the aquatic environment from a widespread pollutant has the potential to generate a suite of consequences via changes in gill morphology. Critically, this suite of negative effects is likely most detrimental in salinized environments, where ionoregulatory demands are higher, which in turn should increase respiratory demands along with energy acquisition demands through foraging. Summary Statement Chronic road salt exposure alters the functional morphology of gills in larval amphibians, potentially compromising osmoregulation, feeding, and respiration.