Inferences on Criminality Based on Appearance

In our research study, we tested whether people can tell if someone is a criminal or not based on a photograph of their face. The importance of the subject lies in the fact that many people are unfairly judged as criminals based on stereotypes such as race. In this study, we wished to eliminate race and see if any purely facial characteristics are stereotypically defined as criminal or if a person’s initial judgment is an accurate predictor of someone’s character. Extensive research has been dedicated to finding if people have facial features that portray some characteristic about them and this study will focus on criminality. Through the use of a face modulating program, neutral faced photographs were shown to participants with a question that asked if the person in the photograph is a criminal or not. The data gathered will be beneficial in either identifying facial features that are associated with criminals or that show the interesting phenomena of gut instinct

The Design and Characterization of an Atomic Rubidium Source and Apparatus for Coupled Laser and Particle Beam Propulsion Experiments

The need for a high specific impulse and innovative space propulsion technology is growing as NASA sets goals for exploring celestial bodies in our solar system and beyond. Directed energy space propulsion has been a candidate for these missions as it removes the need for thrusters and reaction mass systems from the science spacecraft. However, these proposed directed energy concepts, either in the form of electromagnetic (EM) radiation pressure (e.g. laser) or mass momentum beams (e.g. ion beams) suffer from inherent divergences that ultimately lower the total impulse transferred. A new concept for directed energy space propulsion utilizes a neutral atom beam spatially overlapped with a co-propagating laser which is detuned from the resonant frequency of the atom. Through refractive guiding and the optical dipole force, this combined beam shows potential for self-guiding over millions of kilometers. The next stage for this low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technology is ground experiment validation of theory and simulations. The present work describes efforts directed toward experimentally studying the combined beam propulsion system in laboratory-scale facilities. This includes the development of an atomic rubidium jet source, encapsulating vacuum facilities, laser overlapping and separation apparatus, and diagnostic techniques for studying the laser and atom beam. Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) is applied toward characterization of the propagation parameters of the atomic jet including density, temperature, and axial velocity. The laser absorption profiles extracted from the TDLAS measurements indicate the presence from a cold group of atoms (< 10 K) and a hot group of atoms (50 - 200 K) which is predicted in literature for an atomic source that is transitioning from the continuum to free-molecular flow regime. The TDLAS data indicate that for a rubidium getter source at high current, the mass flow of the beam is approximately 2 × 10−3 µg/s. Although the mass flow rate from the rubidium source was lower than predicted, calculations of the waveguide V-Parameter indicate a potential light guiding capability for laser detunings less than 30 GHz from resonance. Findings from this initial experimental study to characterize the rubidium jet were used to influence the design of a combined beam study which attempted to produce a sufficient dipole potential to reduce the divergence of an atomic jet. The present work also describes novel advancements to the measurement capabilities through the development of new experimental apparatuses. The experiment added two additional TDLAS measurement stations and utilized a semi-automated synchronized spatial scanning gantry. Additionally, a method of separating the combined beam into the constituent atomic/laser beams was devised in order to study the final overlapped laser profile. Results from the combined beam experiment indicated that the atom temperature was at or above the 300 K ambient temperature, suggesting a significant degree of rubidium was present as background species in the chamber rather than in a low divergence jet. With the contamination of the jet diagnostics from the background rubidium, the behavior of the atomic jet could not be analyzed. However, the laser overlapping and separation systems did provide valuable data in terms of the interaction of the guiding laser with a rubidium vapor. The overlapped laser profile experienced detectable attenuation as it was tuned about the atomic resonance of the rubidium, which could be used in future experiments for atom jet bulk velocity measurements. Additionally, when the overlapped laser was tuned close to the atomic resonance, the TDLAS diagnostic stations confirmed a depletion of the ground state number density via the measured transmission

Microbial response to low concentrations of oxygen in a carbon dioxide storage environment

The storage of carbon dioxide in deep saline aquifers is designed to reduce carbon emissions. Current specifications on oxygen within stored carbon dioxide do not appear to take into consideration storage site microbiology. The oxygen impurities within the carbon dioxide could alter microbial activity within the storage site and lead to operational issues, including injection well blockage and well pump corrosion, caused by the production of hydrogen sulphide by sulphate reducing bacteria. This thesis investigates the microbial response to 10 ppm oxygen and 100 ppm oxygen in experiments representing deep saline aquifer conditions. All experiments were conducted using sandstone, artificial groundwater and a microbial community designed to represent conditions found within deep saline aquifers. A microbial community, containing sulphate reducing bacteria, was isolated and identified from sandstone samples and then used in the experiments. The experiments were batch microcosms, a high pressure bioreactor and column flow experiments. Analyses of these experiments were conducted through gas analysis, water chemistry and DNA analysis from microbial communities. The results from the experiments show that the presence of 100 ppm oxygen within carbon dioxide leads to increased production of hydrogen sulphide and methane, and increased microbial diversity, compared to 10 ppm oxygen. Hydrogen sulphide can lead to the blockage of injection well from iron sulphide formation and the corrosion well pumps. Methane production from microbes can reduce the capacity of storage sites and contribute to corrosion. This suggests that having 10 ppm oxygen, instead of 100 ppm oxygen, within stored carbon dioxide would reduce microbially associated problems, such as well corrosion and blockages

Bolometric technique for high-resolution broadband microwave spectroscopy of ultra-low-loss samples

A novel low temperature bolometric method has been devised and implemented for high-precision measurements of the microwave surface resistance of small single-crystal platelet samples having very low absorption, as a continuous function of frequency. The key to the success of this non-resonant method is the in-situ use of a normal metal reference sample that calibrates the absolute rf field strength. The sample temperature can be controlled independently of the 1.2 K liquid helium bath, allowing for measurements of the temperature evolution of the absorption. However, the instrument's sensitivity decreases at higher temperatures, placing a limit on the useful temperature range. Using this method, the minimum detectable power at 1.3 K is 1.5 pW, corresponding to a surface resistance sensitivity of $\approx$1 $\mu\Omega$ for a typical 1 mm$\times$1 mm platelet sample.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, submitted to Review of Scientific Instrument

The effect of variable oxygen impurities on microbial activity in conditions resembling geological storage sites

Current specifications on carbon dioxide (CO2) storage do not take into account the effect of oxygen (O2) present as an impurity, on storage site microbiology. Some microbiology related impacts related to the CCS process include the potential blockage of injection well, corrosion of pipes, oil souring and oil degradation. To investigate this, microcosm experiments were set up using the O2 concentrations of 0 ppm, 10 ppm, 100 ppm and atmospheric. Artificial groundwater and sandstone microcosms were inoculated with a mixed microbial community, incubated for 29 days and regularly sampled for gases produced and sampled at the end of the experiment to analyse the microbiology. Gas chromatography analysis of these microcosms showed no hydrogen sulphide (H2S) production and a variable amount of CO2 production. Microbial analysis of the microcosms show that the microbial inoculum (including sulphate reducing bacteria) was able to survive/grow better in the microcosms with 10 ppm and below compared to the higher levels of O2. The levels of CO2 for 100 ppm and atmospheric levels of O2 were similar indicating the introduction of 100 ppm of O2 could promote aerobic processes. This experiment has shown that small differences in O2 concentrations affects microbial communities relevant to geological storage sites which could cause operational issues. Further investigation is required to properly assess the effect of small O2 changes on H2S production

Bio-sensing textile based patch with integrated optical detection system for sweat monitoring

Sensors, which can be integrated into clothing and used to measure biochemical changes in body fluids, such as sweat, constitute a major advancement in the area of wearable sensors. Initial applications for such technology exist in personal health and sports performance monitoring. However, sample collection is a complicated matter as analysis must be done in real-time in order to obtain a useful examination of its composition. This work outlines the development of a textile-based fluid handling platform which uses a passive pump to gather sweat and move it through a pre-defined channel for analysis. The system is tested both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, a pH sensor, which depends on the use of a pH sensitive dye and paired emitter-detector LEDs to measure colour changes, has been developed. In vitro and on-body trials have shown that the sensor has the potential to record real-time variations in sweat during exercise

International consensus statement on the design, delivery and evaluation of sport-based interventions aimed at promoting social, psychological and physical well-being in prison

Objective To develop an international consensus statement to advise on designing, delivering and evaluating sport-based interventions (SBIs) aimed atpromoting social, psychological and physical well-being in prison.Design Modified Delphi using two rounds of survey questionnaires and two consensus workshops. Participants A multidisciplinary panel of more than 40experts from 15 international jurisdictions was formed, including representation from the following groups and stakeholders: professionals working in the justicesystem; officials from sport federations and organisations; academics with research experience of prisons, secure forensic mental health settings and SBIs; and policymakers in criminal justice and sport.Results A core research team and advisory board developed the initial rationale, statement and survey. This survey produced qualitative data which was analysedthematically. The findings were presented at an in-person workshop. Panellists discussed the findings, and, using a modified nominal group technique, reached a consensus on objectives to be included in a revised statement. The core research team and advisory board revised the statement and recirculated it with a second survey.Findings from the second survey were discussed at a second, virtual, workshop. The core research team and advisory board further revised the consensus statement and recirculated it asking panellists for further comments.This iterative process resulted in seven final statement items; all participants have confirmed that they agreed with the content, objectives and recommendations of the final statement.Conclusions The statement can be used to assist those that design, deliver and evaluate SBIs by providing guidance on: (1) minimum levels of competence for those designing and delivering SBIs; (2) the design and delivery of inclusive programmes prioritising disadvantaged groups; and (3) evaluation measures which are carefully calibrated both to capture proposed programme outcomes and to advance an understanding of the systems, processes andexperiences of sport engagement in prison

Potential impacts of oxygen impurities in carbon capture and storage on microbial community composition and activity

Gaseous impurities, such as O2, are expected to be present within CO2 captured for storage. This could stimulate microbial activity in a geological CO2 storage site which has the potential to lead to operational issues such as injection well blockages, corrosion and oil souring. A series of experiments were carried out to examine the effect of 10 ppm and 100 ppm O2 in an anoxic (CO2 or N2) atmosphere on microbial communities and microbial gas production in laboratory scale experiments. Experiments inoculated with sulphate reducing bacteria enrichments were compared to uninoculated controls. The results show that H2S production is delayed in a CO2 atmosphere compared to the N2 atmosphere. 100 ppm O2 in CO2 resulted in a spike of H2S production as well as greater bacterial biomass when compared to the 10 ppm O2 in CO2 atmosphere. The inoculated N2 experiments showed similar patterns in H2S production and biomass regardless of O2 concentration. These results suggest that a concentration of O2 lower than 100 ppm in CO2 could reduce the potential for microbial growth and H2S production in CO2 storage sites. CH4 production was observed in some microcosms subsequent to H2S production, highlighting the potential for microbial methanogenesis in the in CCS reservoirs