Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Using Macroinvertebrates To Test The Water Quality Of Lake Nacogdoches, Emily Ivester, Hollyn Grizzaffi, Nicklaus Langlois, Augusto Conde De Frankenberg

Undergraduate Research Conference

The target of this assessment was to conduct a water quality test on Lake Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches TX. Lake Nacogdoches is operated by the city of Nacogdoches for municipal water supply and recreation. One of the tests that we ran to determine water quality was a macroinvertebrates test. To do this, we kicked up substrate to expose the organisms burrowed deep in the soil and caught them in a d-frame kick net. We then used our macroinvertebrate key to identify the organism and find the level of biodiversity in the lake. This test is essential because biodiversity affects climate stability, …

Determination Differences Between Men And Women In Mathematics, Lacy Cook

Undergraduate Research Conference

We analyzed data collected from 35 Tyler Junior College Students collected over three testing sessions. Students were asked to take a five-question math test. The test included four questions from the American High School Math Examination, where the problems are designed to be solvable for students without any upper level (calculus) mathematics background as well as one randomly generated question. Students were asked to take as much time as they needed, but no longer than one hour to complete the test. We used the amount of time spent on the test to measure the students' level of determination. The goal …

Data Parsing For Optimized Molecular Geometry Calculations, Luke Rens

Undergraduate Research Conference

The purpose of this project is to optimize and streamline to process of using ADF and ReaxFF. There is no efficient way to effectively add constraints to a compound and run it through ADF, take the ADF output and create a file that can be run through Reaxff, then take that Reaxff output and come to conclusions on it. To streamline this process, scripts were developed using Python to parse information out of data generated by ADF.

Mathematics Of The Significant Tornado Parameter, Aaron Baker

Undergraduate Research Conference

The idea of this project came from my curiosity of weather and especially how severe storms are predicted. There are many parameters used to predict severe weather that use mathematical formulas. After sorting through the parameters, the STP was the one selected due to its use of other parameters for prediction of tornadoes, as well as concepts used in Single and Multi-Variable Calculus, such as areas between curves and vector magnitude and direction, and learning how to use new graphs than what is normally used.

Cation Exchange Capacity Determination: Comparative Study Of Three Methods, Lillie Zech

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Predicting Stratigraphic Outcrops Using A Lidar Digital Elevation Model In A Karst Landscape, Fort Hood Military Installation, Texas, Keely Armstrong

Undergraduate Research Conference

The Fort Hood Military Installation is a karst landscape characterized by Cretaceous-age limestone plateaus and canyons in Bell and Coryell counties, Texas. The area is located in the Lampasas Cut Plain region of the Edwards Plateau and is stratigraphically defined by exposures of the Fredericksburg Group, namely the Comanche Peak and Edwards carbonates. The topography is dominated by plateaued draining divides capped by the resistant Edwards limestone and bordered by steep scarps exposing alternating layers of the Comanche Peak and Edwards units. This interfingering relationship has created a variable slope along the edges of the plateaus, defined by lithology.

The …

Heated Cell To Study Sarin Surrogates Using Laser Absorption Spectroscopy In The 3.39 Μm Infrared Region, Kaleb Fields, Connor O’Leary

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Structural And Compositional Investigation Of Pottery Samples From Guatemala, Pressley S. Nicholson

Undergraduate Research Conference

Purpose of investigation: The composition and characteristics of Mayan pottery samples from Guatemala was investigated.

Using Freshwater Mussels As An Indicator For River Water Quality, Joseph Gerland, Will Titone, Ariana Clark, Brad Michael

Undergraduate Research Conference

Using the freshwater mussel to monitor water quality is a practical and advantageous way to use nature’s indicator species. River water quality is an important measurement that is constantly monitored for many purposes. The sampling involved with monitoring can be very costly and time-consuming. Using mussels as indicator species could save money and time. So, this project has been dedicated to exploring the applications and reality of using freshwater mussels to monitor river quality.

Global Ranking Of U.S. Adults Concerned About Climate Change, Eric Marek

Undergraduate Research Conference

Even with a plethora of evidence and the vast majority of climate scientists supporting climate change, there remains a considerable amount of denial among the public. The purpose of this research is to examine where the United States stands in relation to other countries on the topic of climate change. The aspects explored include the history of climate change, the effects of climate change on the environment, science literacy and pseudoscience beliefs, opposition to climate change, the mitigation of climate change, as well as public opinion of climate change. This paper will include measures taken by governments and businesses to …

Comparison Of Sustainable Development In Three Countries, Brittany Williams

School of Human Sciences Research Showcase

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts: the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs.

Cutting Triangles, Nghia Nguyen, Jane Long

Undergraduate Research Conference

The idea of this project began with a question: Draw any triangle on a piece of paper, is it possible to fold the paper so that the triangle can be cut out in one slice?

Antimicrobial Properties Of Isomers Of Benzofuranylethanol, Nick Cheatwood, Jessica Bronstad, Michele Harris

Undergraduate Research Conference

A biotransformaDon reacDon is a chemical conversion of a substance into a desired product with the aid of whole, living cells containing the necessary enzymes. In addiDons to living cells, other substances, such as vegetable strips, will also catalyze biotransformaDon reacDons. Advantages of biotransformaDon reacDons include the following: the ability to recycle material, the use of less hazardous chemicals, the ability to compost vegetable strips, the use of inexpensive materials that are locally available, and the ability to produce a single isomer. The biotransformaDon reacDon for the conversion of benzofuranyl methyl ketone (BMK) to (-)-benzofuranylethanol (BMA) using carrot strips as …

Evaluation Of The Performance Of A Rural Surface Water Treatment Plant In Nacogdoches, Texas, Esmeralda Garcia, Jennifer Hanes, Phillip Sharp, Petra Kadakova, Kefa Karimu Onchoke, Michael Janusa

Undergraduate Research Conference

The performance of a rural surface water treatment plant in Nacogdoches Texas was assessed for selected metals (Ag, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, In, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, V, and Zn) from June 2015 through spring 2016. Results indicate that the lake water coming into the surface water treatment plant was significantly cleaner after treatment and was below maximum World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards.

The Foundations Of Mathematics History, Concepts, And Applications In Higher Level Mathematics, Clifton Henry

Undergraduate Research Conference

When people hear the word mathematics, some think numbers and others think solving for x and y. In all truth, the field of mathematics is more than numbers and equations. Mathematics was founded based off the principle of counting in 50,000 B.C.E. Mathematical contributions and ideas increased from the Babylonian Empire in 2000 BC to the 18th century, where mathematicians and philosophers developed ideas in algebra, geometry and calculus.

Electronic Cigarettes: Truth Or Toxic?, Timothy S. Turner, Alyx S. Frantzen

Undergraduate Research Conference

With the increasing research on the hazards of cigareDes, people are looking for a safer alterna>ve to smoking. Electronic CigareDes were introduced in the early 2000’s to serve this purpose, and they are gaining increasing popularity. Many e-cigareDe companies claim that the use of e-cigareDes is completely harmless because of combus>on of the organic liquids would cause the inhala>on of only water vapor and carbon dioxide along with the flavors and nico>ne. Companies also adver>se their products to help smokers quit smoking. Recently, “vaping” has grown increasingly popular especially with minors since several states s …

Exploration Of Web Technologies: A Real World Application, Andrew Ballard, James Francis, Sam Jentsch

Undergraduate Research Conference

Our team created a web application for a photography studio. In addition to a portfolio for the studio, the application required the ability to manage photographer schedules, handle and organize orders and provide secure user accounts with different access levels for the site.

Water Soluble Cationic Porphyrin Sensor For Detection Of Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, And Cu2+, Christopher Orr, Miranda Uherek, Matibur Zamadar

Undergraduate Research Conference

Here we report the sensing properties of the aqueous solution of mesotetra(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphine tetrachloride (1) for simultaneous detection of toxic metal ions by using UV-vis spectroscopy. Cationic porphyrin 1 displayed different electronic absorptions in UV-vis region upon interacting with Hg2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+ ions in neutral water solution at room temperature. Quite interestingly, the porphyrin 1 showed that it can function as a single optical chemical sensor and/ or metal ion receptor capable of detecting two or more toxic metal ions, particularly, Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ ions coexisting in a water sample. Porphyrin 1 in an aqueous solution provides a …

A Photometric Study Of The Eclipsing Binary Star Uv Lyncis, Edward J. Michaels

Bright Ideas Conference

UV Lyncis is a short period, over contact eclipsing binary star. These stars are physically in contact with each other, sharing a common atmosphere. Photometric observations were made on 10 nights in February and March 2014 using the 0.3 meter robotic telescope and a CCD science imager at the Waffelow Creek Observatory. 3051 images were acquired, calibrated and then reduced to record the changing brightness as the two stars orbited and eclipsed each other. Data collected resulted in complete light curves in 5 band passes and several times of minima. A period analysis confirmed previous studies that the orbital period …

A Fixed-Inverse Binary Misclassification Model Under Possible False-Positive Misclassification, Asmerom Tesfamichael, Kent Riggs

Bright Ideas Conference

In this project, we develop a particular statistical model for binary data that allows for the possibility of false-positive misclassification. To account for the misclassification, the model incorporates a two-stage sampling scheme.

• Next, we apply maximum likelihood methods to find estimators of the primary prevalence parameter p as well as the false-positive misclassification rate parameter ϕ. In addition, we derive confidence intervals for p based on inverting Wald, score and likelihood ratio statistics.

• Also, we graphically compare coverage and width properties of the Wald-based, score-based, and likelihood ratio-based confidence intervals for p through a Monte Carlo simulation. The …

How Visualization Can Improve The Understanding Of Mathematics, Mariah Martin

Undergraduate Research Conference

High school students have a difficult time taking the new End-Of-Course exams in math. Why are students having this difficulty? This could be because students lack the understanding of visualization in mathematics. Visualization can be helpful to certain students who think this way, while also confusing to those same students, and others as well. However, to what extent do high stakes tests, such as the End-Of-Course exams in Algebra I and II, incorporate mathematical visualization? How can visualization help improve the understanding of mathematics? This review will explain the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating visualization in these exams, how students …

Baseline Water Quality For Lanana Creek Within The Nacogdoches Area, Tania Benavides, Greg Hanson, Phillip Sharp

Undergraduate Research Conference

Lanana Creek is one of two springs that surround Nacogdoches, TX. Lanana Creek starts southwest of Lake Naconiche, conjoining with several other bodies of water along its path, and becomes part of the Angelina River. This body of water eventually ends in the Gulf of Mexico which may contribute to the dead zone. Contaminants in water may be of small concentration; however, prolonged exposure could produce many negative effects. To monitor future change in the creek, whether natural or human-induced, a baseline of targeted species for the creek waters must be established as a “snapshot” of the Nacogdoches Lanana Creek …

Analysis Of Accounting Wages Within The Largest Cities Of Texas, Zuleima Espino, Delyla Frederick, Allyson Gallier, Halee Morehead

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Thin Films Cds/Cdte Diodes For Nuclear Radiation Detection, Julianna Calkins, John Murphy, Lindsey Smith, Israel Mejia, Bruce Gnade, Manuel Quevedo-Lopez

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

High Level Protein Expression Slows Down Rate Of Growth Of Bacterial Broth Cultures, Saad Chaudhry, Kenechukwu Ekwemalor, Shobhit Keswani, Odutayo Odunuge

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Antibacterial Activity Of Biotransformation Product: 1s-(2-Benzfuranyl)-Ethanol, Amey Gonzalez, Marianne Burnett, Michele Harris

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Proteins Involved In Biotransformation, Jasmine Moreland, Amey Gonzalez, Marianne Burnett, Michele Harris

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Water Discharge From Three Parking Lots In Nacogdoches, Mary-Leigh Winkler, Emily Greenstein, Turner Mcdougal, Bryce German

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Determination Of Anions In Lanana Creek By Ion Chromatography, Tania Benavides

Undergraduate Research Conference

Abstract

Lanana Creek is one of two springs that surround Nacogdoches, TX. Lanana Creek starts southwest of Lake Naconiche, conjoining with several other bodies of water along its path, and becomes part of the Angelina River. This body of water eventually ends in the Gulf of Mexico which may contribute to the dead zone. Contaminants in water may be of small concentration; however, prolonged exposure could produce many negative effects. To prevent further contamination, the source of the contamination must be identified through testing the water for contaminants. Some possible sources of contamination may be from fertilizers and pesticides used …

Economics And Attitude: The Effects Of Happiness On Economic Development, Chris Pace

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.