Matching Items (114)
Description
In Apis mellifera, gustatory responsiveness to sucrose is a good indicator of learning ability \u2014 in that individuals with high sucrose responsiveness will typically form faster, longer-lasting associations with conditioned stimulus than individuals with a low sucrose responsiveness. The purpose of this study was to determine whether experience with olfactory conditioning had lasting effects on gustatory responsiveness. Groups were placed in an environment that would facilitate association of an odor to a sucrose reward, tested for retention, then tested for gustatory responsiveness. Control groups underwent the same testing schedule, but were not exposed to odor in the first environment. There was no significant difference in gustatory responsiveness between the two groups. Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the results, and though the mean GRS score was lower among the treatment group there was no significant trend, possibly due to small sample sizes.
ContributorsSeemann, J. H. (Author) / Amdam, Gro (Thesis director) / Smith, Brian (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
Genetic counseling is a medical field that was established in the 1970s, but whose demand is now growing exponentially due to modern genetic technology. We now have the ability to look into the human genetic code, detect the genotype of individuals, and use this knowledge to our benefit. However, Genetic testing results in a need for new ethical boundaries to be drawn. The idea of the "best possible conditions" of conceiving a child and whether this child has a right to not know are the two major ethical issues that will be focused on in order to analyze the ethical boundary that needs to be drawn for genetic counseling. In order to analyze these ethical issues, a focus group of Arizona State University students was organized. After producing results for the focus group, there are no true conclusions that can be drawn that applied to all of society. The focus group sample size was too small to produce a broad range of results and the participants were all Arizona State University Undergraduate students. However, it did become apparent that knowledge on these ethical issues is crucial in order to ensure they do not hinder the field of genetic counseling. It is predicted that in order to have the best outcome for the field of genetic counseling, genetic counselors themselves need to draw the ethical boundaries for the issues studied.
ContributorsBarker, Samantha (Author) / Amdam, Gro (Thesis director) / Bang, Christofer (Committee member) / Wang, Ying (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-05
Description
In the Rare-earth-Tri-telluride family, (RTe3s) [R=La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Ho, Tm] the emergence of Charge Density Waves, (CDW) has been under investigation for a long time due to broadly tunable properties by either chemical substitution or pressure application. These quasi 2D Layered materials RTe3s undergo Fermi Surface Nesting leading to CDW instability. CDWs are electronic instabilities found in low-dimensional materials with highly anisotropic electronic structures. Since the CDW is predominantly driven by Fermi-surface (FS) nesting, it is especially sensitive to pressure-induced changes in the electronic structure. The FS of RTe3s is a function of p-orbitals of Tellurium atoms, which are arranged in two adjacent planes in the crystal structure. Although the FS and electronic structure possess a nearly four-fold symmetry, RTe3s form an incommensurate CDW.This dissertation is structured as follows: Chapter 1 includes basic ideas of Quantum materials, followed by an introduction to CDW and RTe3s. In Chapter 2, there are fundamentals of crystal growth by Chemical Vapor Transport, including various precursors, transport agent, temperature gradient, and rate of the reaction. After the growth, the crystals were confirmed for lattice vibrations by Raman, for composition by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy; crystal structure and orientation were confirmed by X-ray Diffraction; magnetic ordering was established by Vibrating sample measurement. Detailed CDW study was done on various RTe3s by Raman spectroscopy. The basic mechanism and instrumentations used in these characterizations are explained in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 includes experimental data for crystal growth and results of these characterizations for Parent RTe3s. Chapter 5 includes fundamental insights on Cationic alloying of RTe3s, along with one alloy system’s crystal growth and characterization. This work tries to explain the behavior of CDW by a Temperature-dependent Raman study of RTe3s established the CDW transition temperature accompanied by Phonon softening; Angle-resolved Raman data confirming the nearly four-fold symmetry; thickness-dependent Raman spectroscopy resulting in the conclusion that as thickness decreases CDW transition temperature increases. Also, CDW transition is analyzed as a function of alloying.
ContributorsAttarde, Yashika (Author) / Tongay, Sefaattin (Thesis advisor) / Botana, Antia (Committee member) / Alford, Terry (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2021
Description
Understanding why animals form social groups is a fundamental aim of sociobiology. To date, the field has been dominated by studies of kin groups, which have emphasized indirect fitness benefits as key drivers of grouping among relatives. Nevertheless, many animal groups are comprised of unrelated individuals. These cases provide unique opportunities to illuminate drivers of social evolution beyond indirect fitness, especially ecological factors. This dissertation combines behavioral, physiological, and ecological approaches to explore the conditions that favor group formation among non-kin, using as a model the facultatively social carpenter bee, Xylocopa sonorina. Using behavioral and genetic techniques, I found that nestmates in this species are often unrelated, and that non-kin groups form following extensive inter-nest migration.Group living may arise as a strategy to mitigate constraints on available breeding space. To test the hypothesis that nest construction is prohibitively costly for carpenter bees, I measured metabolic rates of excavating bees and used imaging techniques to quantify nest volumes. From these measurements, I found that nest construction is highly energetically costly, and that bees who inherit nests through social queuing experience substantial energetic savings. These costs are exacerbated by limitations on the reuse of existing nests. Using repeated CT scans of nesting logs, I examined changes in nest architecture over time and found that repeatedly inherited tunnels become indefensible to intruders, and are subsequently abandoned. Together, these factors underlie intense competition over available breeding space. The imaging analysis of nesting logs additionally revealed strong seasonal effects on social strategy, with social nesting dominating during winter. To test the hypothesis that winter social nesting arises from intrinsic physiological advantages of grouping, I experimentally manipulated social strategy in overwintering bees. I found that social bees conserve heat and body mass better than solitary bees, suggesting fitness benefits to grouping in cold, resource-scarce conditions. Together, these results suggest that grouping in X. sonorina arises from dynamic strategies to maximize direct fitness in response to harsh and/or competitive conditions. These studies provide empirical insights into the ecological conditions that favor non-kin grouping, and emphasize the importance of ecology in shaping sociality at its evolutionary origins.
ContributorsOstwald, Madeleine (Author) / Fewell, Jennifer H (Thesis advisor) / Amdam, Gro (Committee member) / Harrison, Jon (Committee member) / Pratt, Stephen (Committee member) / Kapheim, Karen (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
Description
In the last few decades, extensive research efforts have been focused on scaling down silicon-based complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology to enable the continuation of Moore’s law. State-of-art CMOS includes fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) field-effect-transistors (FETs) with ultra-thin silicon channels (6 nm), as well as other three-dimensional (3D) device architectures like Fin-FETs, nanosheet FETs, etc. Significant research efforts have characterized these technologies towards various applications, and at different conditions including a wide range of temperatures from room temperature (300 K) down to cryogenic temperatures. Theoretical efforts have studied ultrascaled devices using Landauer theory to further understand their transport properties and predict their performance in the quasi-ballistic regime.Further scaling of CMOS devices requires the introduction of new semiconducting channel materials, as now established by the research community. Here, two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have emerged as a promising candidate to replace silicon for next-generation ultrascaled CMOS devices. These emerging 2D semiconductors also have applications beyond CMOS, for example in novel memory, neuromorphic, and spintronic devices. Graphene is a promising candidate for spintronic devices due to its outstanding spin transport properties as evidenced by numerous studies in non-local lateral spin valve (LSV) geometries. The essential components of graphene-based LSV, such as graphene FETs, metal-graphene contacts, and tunneling barriers, were individually investigated as part of this doctoral dissertation.
In this work, several contributions were made to these CMOS and beyond CMOS technologies. This includes comprehensive characterization and modeling of FDSOI nanoscale FETs from room temperature down to cryogenic temperatures. Using Landauer theory for nanoscale transistors, FDSOI devices were analyzed and modeled under quasi-ballistic operation. This was extended towards a virtual-source modeling approach that accounts for temperature-dependent quasi-ballistic transport and back-gate biasing effects. Additionally, graphene devices with ultrathin high-k gate dielectrics were investigated towards FETs, non-volatile memory, and spintronic devices. New contributions were made relating to charge trapping effects and their impact on graphene device electrostatics (Dirac voltage shifts) and transport properties (impact on mobility and conductivity). This work also studied contact resistance and tunneling effects using transfer length method (TLM) graphene FET structures and magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) towards graphene-based LSV.
ContributorsZhou, Guantong (Author) / Sanchez Esqueda, Ivan (Thesis advisor) / Vasileska, Dragica (Committee member) / Tongay, Sefaattin (Committee member) / Thornton, Trevor (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
Speciation, or the process by which one population diverges into multiple populations that can no longer interbreed with each other, has brought about the incredible diversity of life. Mechanisms underlying this process can be more visible in the early stages of the speciation process. The mechanisms that restrict gene flow in highly mobile species with no absolute barriers to dispersal, especially marine species, are understudied. Similarly, human impacts are reshaping ecosystems globally, and we are only just beginning to understand the implications of these rapid changes on evolutionary processes. In this dissertation, I investigate patterns of speciation and evolution in two avian clades: a genus of widespread tropical seabirds (boobies, genus Sula), and two congeneric passerine species in an urban environment (cardinals, genus Cardinalis). First, I explore the prevalence of gene flow across land barriers within species and between sympatric species in boobies. I found widespread evidence of gene flow over all land barriers and between 3 species pairs. Next, I compared the effects of urbanization on the spatial distributions of two cardinal species, pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) and northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), in Tucson, Arizona. I found that urbanization has different effects on the spatial distributions of two closely related species that share a similar environmental niche, and I identified environmental variables that might be driving this difference. Then I tested for effects of urbanization on color and size traits of these two cardinal species. In both of these species, urbanization has altered traits involved in signaling, heat tolerance, foraging, and maneuverability. Finally, I tested for evidence of selection on the urban populations of both cardinal species and found evidence of both parallel selection and introgression between the species, as well as selection on different genes in each species. The functions of the genes that experienced positive selection suggest that light at night, energetics, and air pollution may have acted as strong selective pressures on these species in the past. Overall, my dissertation emphasizes the role of introgression in the speciation process, identifies environmental stressors faced by wildlife in urban environments, and characterizes their evolutionary responses to those stressors.
ContributorsJackson, Daniel Nelson (Author) / McGraw, Kevin J (Thesis advisor) / Amdam, Gro (Committee member) / Sweazea, Karen (Committee member) / Taylor, Scott (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
The research of alternative materials and new device architectures to exceed the limits of conventional silicon-based devices has been sparked by the persistent pursuit of semiconductor technology scaling. The development of tungsten diselenide (WSe2) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), well-known member of the transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) family, has made great strides towards ultrascaled two-dimensional (2D) field-effect-transistors (FETs). The scaling issues facing silicon-based complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies can be solved by 2D FETs, which show extraordinary potential.This dissertation provides a comprehensive experimental analysis relating to improvements in p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) FETs with few-layer WSe2 and high-κ metal gate (HKMG) stacks. Compared to this works improved methods, standard metallization (more damaging to underlying channel) results in significant Fermi-level pinning, although Schottky barrier heights remain small (< 100 meV) when using high work function metals. Temperature-dependent analysis reveals a dominant contribution to contact resistance from the damaged channel access region. Thus, through less damaging metallization methods combined with strongly scaled HKMG stacks significant improvements were achieved in contact resistance and PMOS FET overall performance. A clean contact/channel interface was achieved through high-vacuum evaporation and temperature-controlled stepped deposition. Theoretical analysis using a Landauer transport adapted to WSe2 Schottky barrier FETs (SB-FETs) elucidates the prospects of nanoscale 2D PMOS FETs indicating high-performance towards the ultimate CMOS scaling limit.
Next, this dissertation discusses how device electrical characteristics are affected by scaling of equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) and by adopting double-gate FET architectures, as well as how this might support CMOS scaling. An improved gate control over the channel is made possible by scaling EOT, improving on-off current ratios, carrier mobility, and subthreshold swing. This study also elucidates the impact of EOT scaling on FET gate hysteresis attributed to charge-trapping effects in high-κ-dielectrics prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD). These developments in 2D FETs offer a compelling alternative to conventional silicon-based devices and a path for continued transistor scaling. This research contributes to ongoing efforts in 2D materials for future semiconductor technologies. Finally, this work introduces devices based on emerging Janus TMDs and bismuth oxyselenide (Bi2O2Se) layered semiconductors.
ContributorsPatoary, Md Naim Hossain (Author) / Sanchez Esqueda, Ivan (Thesis advisor) / Tongay, Sefaattin (Committee member) / Vasileska, Dragica (Committee member) / Goodnick, Stephen (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
The objective of this meta-analysis is to holistically evaluate the existing body of literature on the anti-neoplastic potential of snake and bee venom. In recent years, venom-based therapeutics have emerged as a promising solution for combating cancer, generating a notable rise in publications on the topic. Consequently, this comprehensive study aims to assess the current state of research and identify trends that may guide future investigations. Following the guidelines established by PRISMA, a total sample of 26 research papers were extracted from the electronic databases, PubMed and Scopus. These papers were categorized based on their publication dates, and research questions were formulated regarding three main topics: venom type, cancer-targeting mechanism, and cancer type. Statistical analysis of the research questions was performed using 2x2 contingency tables for a chi-square test. The results of the analysis reveal a statistically significant increase in publications focused on cell death mechanisms and breast cancer in recent years. This increase in publications reflects a growing interest in the potential for venom to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and target the unique biological properties of breast cancer. Overall, this meta-analysis offers insight into the evolving sphere of venom-based cancer research, providing a glimpse into the potential trajectory of this field.
ContributorsHolder, Marina (Author) / Amdam, Gro (Thesis director) / Mana, Miyeko (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Life Sciences (Contributor) / Economics Program in CLAS (Contributor)
Created2023-12
Description
Doping is the cornerstone of Semiconductor technology, enabling the functionalities of modern digital electronics. Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) have tunable direct bandgaps, strong many-body interactions, and promising applications in future quantum information sciences, optoelectronic, spintronic, and valleytronic devices. However, their wafer-scale synthesis and precisely controllable doping are challenging. Moreover, there is no fixed framework to identify the doping concentration, which impedes their process integration for future commercialization. This work utilizes the Neutron Transmutation Doping technique to control the doping uniformly and precisely in TMDCs. Rhenium and Tin dopants are introduced in Tungsten- and Indium-based Chalcogenides, respectively. Fine-tuning over 0.001% doping level is achieved. Precise analytical techniques such as Gamma spectroscopy and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry are used to quantify ultra-low doping levels ranging from 0.005-0.01% with minimal error. Dopants in 2D TMDCs often exhibit a broad stokes-shifted emission, with high linewidths, due to extrinsic effects such as substrate disorder and surface adsorbates. A well-defined bound exciton emission induced by Rhenium dopants in monolayer WSe2 and WS2 at liquid nitrogen temperatures is reported along with specific annealing regimes to minimize the defects induced in the Neutron Transmutation process. This work demonstrates a framework for Neutron Doping in 2D materials, which can be a scalable process for controlling doping and doping-induced effects in 2D materials.
ContributorsLakhavade, Sushant Sambhaji (Author) / Tongay, Sefaattin (Thesis advisor) / Alford, Terry (Committee member) / Yang, Sui (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023
Description
In the past decade, 2D materials especially transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDc), have been studied extensively for their remarkable optical and electrical properties arising from their reduced dimensionality. A new class of materials developed based on 2D TMDc that has gained great interest in recent years is Janus crystals. In contrast to TMDc, Janus monolayer consists of two different chalcogen atomic layers between which the transition metal layer is sandwiched. This structural asymmetry causes strain buildup or a vertically oriented electric field to form within the monolayer. The presence of strain brings questions about the materials' synthesis approach, particularly when strain begins to accumulate and whether it causes defects within monolayers.The initial research demonstrated that Janus materials could be synthesized at high temperatures inside a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) furnace. Recently, a new method (selective epitaxy atomic replacement - SEAR) for plasma-based room temperature Janus crystal synthesis was proposed. In this method etching and replacing top layer chalcogen atoms of the TMDc monolayer happens with reactive hydrogen and sulfur radicals. Based on Raman and photoluminescence studies, the SEAR method produces high-quality Janus materials. Another method used to create Janus materials was the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique, which utilizes the interaction of sulfur/selenium plume with monolayer to replace the top chalcogen atomic layer in a single step.
The goal of this analysis is to characterize microscale defects that appear in 2D Janus materials after they are synthesized using SEAR and PLD techniques. Various microscopic techniques were used for this purpose, as well as to understand the
mechanism of defect formation. The main mechanism of defect formation was proposed to be strain release phenomena. Furthermore, different chalcogen atom positions within the monolayer result in different types of defects, such as the appearance of cracks or wrinkles across monolayers. In addition to investigating sample topography, Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) was used to examine its electrical properties to see if the formation of defects impacts work function. Further study directions have been suggested for identifying and characterizing defects and their formation mechanism in the Janus crystals to understand their fundamental properties.
ContributorsSinha, Shantanu (Author) / Tongay, Sefaattin (Thesis advisor) / Alford, Terry (Committee member) / Yang, Sui (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022