Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Sports Broadcasting News Analysis [Career Paper], Jefferson Sanders

Undergraduate Research Award

No abstract provided.

How To Start A Movement: Ted Talk Annotated Resource List, Daulton Cowan

Undergraduate Research Award

No abstract provided.

Nursing: The Career That Saves Lives [Career Paper], Maggie Flanagan

Undergraduate Research Award

No abstract provided.

Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter (Fall 2015), Cheryl Stevens, Dean

Ogden College of Science & Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

Fused-Molecular Systems For Organic Light Emitting Diodes, Avinash Jami

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) are electronic devices made by sandwitching organic light emissive materials between two electrodes. When voltage is applied across the two conductors, a bright light is generated. The color of the emitting light depends on the band gap of the semiconducting material. The work described here focuses on designing and synthesizing narrow band gap molecular systems derived from fused-arene derivatives for producing organic blue light emitting diodes. Three molecular systems derived from anthracene, pyrene, and carbazole, were designed and synthesized. Two molecular systems of anthracen-9-ylmethyl anthracene-9- carboxylate and pyren-1-ylmethyl 4-bromobenzoate were synthesized through Steglich esterification reaction …

Expression And Purification Of Unlabelled And Isotopically Labelled Human Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 And Its Receptor Relevance In Cancer Research, Oluwadamilola Filani

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Studies show that fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) control variety of cellular activities such as mitosis, cell differentiation, survival and angiogenesis. The FGF family consists of 23 different heparin-binding proteins. One of the most intensively studied members is human FGF-1 (hFGF-1) because of its critical role in the formation of blood vessels and cell proliferation in some types of cancer. The biological activities of FGFs are primarily mediated via interactions with fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) and are a potent target in cancer. In this study, we report an efficient affinity column purification of hFGF-1 and the D2 domain of FGFR-2 …

An Investigation Of Groundwater Flow In The Vicinity Of Patoka Dam, Indiana, Lee Anne Bledsoe

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Several dams throughout the United States have been built on karst terrains, where soluble limestone bedrock has been dissolved to form features such as caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers. In such karst regions, subsurface hydrology can play an integral role in the condition, operation, and safety of dams and should be considered during risk assessment. Patoka Dam, near Jasper, Indiana, is situated on a well-developed karst landscape/aquifer system, faces significant potential challenges, and recently underwent risk assessment. A groundwater flow investigation using multiple fluorescent tracer tests, analysis of water-table elevations, isopach mapping of the Glen Dean Limestone, and spring hydrograph …

Distributed Approach For Peptide Identification, Naga V K Abhinav Vedanbhatla

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A crucial step in protein identification is peptide identification. The Peptide Spectrum Match (PSM) information set is enormous. Hence, it is a time-consuming procedure to work on a single machine. PSMs are situated by a cross connection, a factual score, or a probability that the match between the trial and speculative is right and original. This procedure takes quite a while to execute. So, there is demand for enhancement of the performance to handle extensive peptide information sets. Development of appropriate distributed frameworks are expected to lessen the processing time.

The designed framework uses a peptide handling algorithm named C-Ranker, …

A Sem Study Of Copper Corrosion In Bowling Green Supply Lines, Reema M. Alghamdi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Recently, the rate of corrosion of copper water pipes in Bowling Green, Kentucky has unexpectedly accelerated. The specific reasons for this are unknown. Our aim is to elucidate the factors enhancing the corrosion and help understand the primary mechanisms of action. This will help in combating and reducing future corrosion incidents leading to pipe failure, thus reducing losses experienced when these pipes are replaced. This study seeks to explore the characteristics and factors involved. The scanning electron microscopy was used to obtain elemental composition, and images of both inside and outside of the corroded pipes. Strikingly, corrosion primarily occurred on …

Zero-Waste Planning At Higher Education Institutions: A Case Study Of Western Kentucky University, Kianoosh Ebrahimi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Over the past two decades, the number of universities that pursue zero-waste strategies has steadily increased. However, more study is required on several interrelated factors, policy barriers, and infrastructural fundamentals, which each influence the efficiency of waste management structures (WM) at universities. In this work, the role of the aforementioned factors in implementing an efficient sustainable WM program at higher education institutions was investigated, using Western Kentucky University (WKU) as a case study. The objectives of this study were to identify and assess what type of WM strategies should be priorities for a university that may lack stringent WM infrastructure. …

Expectation Numbers Of Cyclic Groups, Miriam Mahannah El-Farrah

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

When choosing k random elements from a group the kth expectation number is the expected size of the subgroup generated by those specific elements. The main purpose of this thesis is to study the asymptotic properties for the first and second expectation numbers of large cyclic groups. The first chapter introduces the kth expectation number. This formula allows us to determine the expected size of any group. Explicit examples and computations of the first and second expectation number are given in the second chapter. Here we show example of both cyclic and dihedral groups. In chapter three we discuss arithmetic …

A Ph Switchable Responsive Surface For The Trapping And Release Of A Hydrophobic Substance, Ali Esmail Karim

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Solid phase extraction is one of the most widely used techniques to trap and release compounds in a solution. A hydrophobic substance will stick efficiently to a hydrophobic surface (the “like dissolves like” principle). With an introduced response (i.e. pH change), a responsive surface can change from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, weakening the hydrophobic substance’s attraction and thus facilitate in an easy removal. A surface has been prepared having a terminal anthranilic acid (AA) moiety on silica gel particles, microscope slides, and TLC plates in three steps. First, a vinyl group was attached to the surface. Then, this vinyl group was …

An Apache Hadoop Framework For Large-Scale Peptide Identification, Harinivesh Donepudi

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Peptide identification is an essential step in protein identification, and Peptide Spectrum Match (PSM) data set is huge, which is a time consuming process to work on a single machine. In a typical run of the peptide identification method, PSMs are positioned by a cross correlation, a statistical score, or a likelihood that the match between the trial and hypothetical is correct and unique. This process takes a long time to execute, and there is a demand for an increase in performance to handle large peptide data sets. Development of distributed frameworks are needed to reduce the processing time, but …

Evaluation Of Xanthan/Enzymatically Modified Guar Gum Mixtures In Oil-In-Water Emulsions, Pavan Kumar Chityala

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Oil-in-water emulsions have wide range of applications in food industry because of their structure-forming properties, and as delivery systems of polyunsaturated fatty acids into foods. The thermodynamic instability of oil and water, and high susceptibility of unsaturated fatty acids to oxidation lead to physical and oxidative stability in oil-in-water emulsions. These instability processes are generally controlled by incorporating proteins and polysaccharides into oil-in-water emulsions. The objective of this study was to evaluate xanthan/enzymatically modified guar (XG/EMG) polysaccharides on the physical and oxidative stability of 2 wt% whey protein stabilized oil-in-water emulsions containing 20% v/v menhaden fish oil. Enzymatic modified guar …

A Mixed Methods Assessment Of The Development, Use, And Educational Effectiveness Of University Campus Sustainability Tours, Ellen R. Barringer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Campus sustainability tours are available at dozens of colleges and universities across the United States. These tours are considered a vital tool in interpreting the environmental and sustainable aspects of a campus to educate the campus community. Minimal quantitative data have been collected regarding their development, use, and effectiveness. In order to develop a dataset regarding the use of campus sustainability tours, surveys and interviews were sent to universities with such tours to discuss use and methods of development. A campus-wide electronic survey was sent to the Western Kentucky University (WKU) main campus community to determine their experiences with the …

Geothermobarometry And Petrographic Interpretations Of Christensen Ranch Meta- Banded Iron Formation From The Ruby Range, Montana, Jacob Hughes

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The Ruby Range in southwestern Montana was tectonically uplifted during the mountain-building event of the Big Sky orogeny. Contained within the Christensen Ranch Formation, made up of sedimentary units metamorphosed during the Big Sky orogeny, are a small number of metamorphosed banded iron formations (BIFs). It is the presence and composition of these BIFs which is the focus of this research, principally their depositional origin, relationship to surrounding sedimentary packages, elemental and mineral compositions, and lastly, peak metamorphic conditions. Samples were collected, cut into thin sections, and powdered for textural and compositional analyses employing polarized light microscopy, Raman microscopy, scanning …

Applications Of Latin Hypercube Sampling Scheme And Partial Rank Correlation Coefficient Analysis To Mathematical Models On Wound Healing, Hannah M. Pennington

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Latin hypercube sampling and Partial Rank Correlation Coefficient procedure (LHS/PRCC) can be used in combination to perform a sensitivity analysis that assesses a model over a global parameter space. Through this analysis, the uncertainty of the parameters and therefore the variability of the model output in response to this uncertainty can be observed. Latin hypercube sampling divides the parameter space into equiprobable regions and sample without replacement, producing a global, unbiased selection of parameter values. For montonic, non-linear relationships, the correlation between the outputs and parameters can be understood by performing a Partial Rank Correlation Coefficient procedure. This sensitivity analysis …

Investigation Of Asymmetric Impacts On Protective Headgear, Kristina Medero

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This project explores helmet-to-helmet impacts and their detriments with a unique perspective. The propagation of dangerous waves into the brain can result in a concussion. Considering 60% of NFL players have had at least one concussion (Epstein 2011), it is imperative to understand the materials that construct helmets and observe how these materials behave in regards to impact location while recording wave propagations from the impacts. This study interrogates the effect of asymmetric impacts on gridiron football helmets using the Large Chamber Scanning Electron Microscope (LC-SEM). Utilizing two standard issued football helmets made of polycarbonates, a hard plastic, vibrations from …

Synthesis And Application Of Pdib Nanostructures In Solar Cells, John T. Ferguson

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Perylenediimide bridged silsesquioxane (PDIB) nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel processes as described by the Stöber method. These particles were synthesized homogeneously from solution and with the use of silica nanoparticles and bipyridine iodide bridged silsesquioxane (BPIB) nanoparticles as nucleation sites. The morphology of the resulting particles was confirmed by TEM and the presence of PDI confirmed by UV spectroscopy. Although further research will test all of the particles across a range of concentrations and sizes, the silica nucleated PDIB nanoparticles were analyzed in the active layer of bulk heterojunction organic photovoltaic devices in conjunction with P3HT polymer. Devices with the …

Relative Reaction Rates Of The Amino Acids Cysteine, Methionine, And Histidine With Analogs Of The Anti-Cancer Drug Cisplatin, Cynthia A. Tope

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

We are studying the reaction of analogs of the anticancer drug cisplatin with amino acids that differ in size and shape. The reaction of cisplatin with proteins likely precedes reaction with DNA in the body, forming a variety of products that may be toxic to the human body. The size and shape of the platinum(II) complexes often affects the rate of reaction with proteins, more so than with DNA. In this study, triamine cisplatin analogs are reacted with the amino acids cysteine, methionine, and histidine simultaneously. These reactions are monitored by NMR spectroscopy. The effect of the bulk of the …

The Interaction Of Glutathione With Platinum, And The Role Of Ph In Altering Ligand Formation Between Platinum And N-Acetylcysteine, Kyle B. Mann

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Cisplatin is an important anti-cancer drug. Structurally, cisplatin is a coordination complex, which means that it has a central metallic atom: platinum. Side interactions prevent cisplatin from effectively treating cancerous cells by reaction with DNA. Cisplatin has a high rate of forming protein adducts, primarily with sulfur containing amino acids. To better understand how cisplatin interacts with sulfur containing amino acids in the body, a platinum compound with an ethylenediamine ligand attached was reacted with N-acetylcysteine and glutathione. The reactions of cysteine with platinum were performed at three pH values: 7.0, 8.5, and 10. NMR spectroscopy was used to examine …

Aerosol Size Distribution Measurements During The 2014 Nasa Sarp Campaign In The Central Valley And Sierra Nevada Mountains In California, Victoria A. Hampton

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Aerosols are directly and indirectly related to global climate by scattering radiation and also by seeding cloud formation. As a part of the 2014 NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP), research flights were conducted over the Central California region to better understand air quality in large urban California cities and also in the Central Valley. Using a Droplet Measurement Technologies Ultra High Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer (DMT-UHSAS), aerosol size distributions were measured across geographic regions of interest. Previous research has suggested that aerosols originating in the Central Valley may travel eastward to the Sierra Nevada and, once lifted orographically, could suppress …

Ogden College Of Science & Engineering Newsletter (Summer 2015), Cheryl Stevens, Dean

Ogden College of Science & Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

Industrial Production Manager [Career Paper], Wesley Osborne

Undergraduate Research Award

No abstract provided.

Fused Arene-Based Molecular Systems As Additives For Organic Photovoltaics, Rachana Neesu

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are mainly based on organic semiconducting small molecules, macromolecules, and polymers, which form an active layer in photovoltaics. They act as an active material in absorbing light and causing charge mobility to generate electricity from sunlight. This thesis describes the molecular systems derived from fused arenes such as anthracene, pyrene, carbazole and thiophene for use as either a donor or an acceptor component of the active layer of OPVs. Two novel molecular systems (9- anthracenecarboxy-1-methylpyrene, (1) and Py-bi-TH-ANT, (2) were prepared using Steglich esterification and Grignard metathesis followed by Kumada coupling. The molecular structure of each was …

Thiophene And Derivatives For Use In Pyridazines And Thiapentalenes, Benjamin Tyree Cannon

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis introduces the idea of Band Theory and how it can be used to describe a solid-state materials ability to carry an electrical charge. Next, this thesis defines what makes a material a conductor, semiconductor, or insulator. Semiconductors are attracting interest in chemistry, as well as in the manufacturing of consumer electronics, because of their ability to carry a charge, without the risk of short-circuiting like traditional conductors.1,4 Organic semiconductors, which behave differently than traditional semiconductors, are of particular interest because they offer mechanical flexibility, lowcost, simplicity, and the ability to be manufactures at low temperatures.6 Nonorganic and organic …

The Happy Secret To Better Work: Ted Talk Annotated Resource List, Logan Secrest

Undergraduate Research Award

No abstract provided.

One-Step Synthesis Of Kanamycin Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles With Potent Antibacterial Activity Against Resistant Bacterial Strains, Hitesh Kumar Waghwani

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

On the verge of entering the post-antibiotic era, numerous efforts are in place to regain the losing potential of antibiotics which are proving ineffective against common bacterial infections. Engineered nanomaterials, especially gold nanoparticles (GNPs) capped with antibacterial agents are proving to be an effective and novel strategy against multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. In this study, we report a one-step synthesis of kanamycin-capped GNPs (20 ± 5 nm) utilizing the combined reducing and capping ability of the aminoglycoside antibiotic, kanamycin. Antibacterial assays showed dosedependent broad spectrum activity of Kan-GNPs against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus durans), Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Enterobacter …

Study Of Mechanical Properties Of Pva Fiber-Reinforced Concrete With Raman Spectroscopic Analysis, Ramyasree Annam

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The brittleness of concrete has always been a safety and economic issue of great concern. The low tensile strength of concrete is the cause of its intrinsic brittle nature. This is critical considering the amount of concrete used for the construction of highways, buildings, and other facilities. The mechanical properties of concrete must be improved to provide upgraded construction. Crack resistant and durable concrete has always been a major goal for engineers. Many approaches have been tried to make concrete a better construction material. Fiber reinforcement is an approach which has been shown to improve the quality and durability of …

Surface Microstructure Evolution Of Metallic Specimens Using The Large Chamber Scanning Electron Microscope, Grace Egbujor

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

An initial study into the use of the large chamber scanning electron microscope (LCSEM) to interrogate the surface microstructure evolution of metallic specimens has been carried out. The LC-SEM located at Western Kentucky University is the largest instrument of its type at any university in the world. As such, unique measurements can be performed due to the size of its chamber and extended view of its optic system. Strain was varied for each individual specimen, and imaged using Secondary Electrons within the gauge length as well as near the grip position. Results will show progression of surface microstructures and nickel …