Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Gavel And The Camera: Environmental Law And Photojournalism's Relationship To Appalachian Identity, Emily S. Patton

Honors Theses

Both the federal government and photojournalism have played a substantial role in the “othering” of Appalachia while simultaneously attempting to save it. Examining both institutions demonstrates the exploitative processes that alter the perception of rural communities and their surrounding environment. Stacey Kranitz’s archival exhibit, As It Was Give(n) To Me, internalizes this precarious role of the camera in a region heavily journalized. By inhabiting the area for years, establishing close relationships, and researching the documented history of Appalachia, Kranitz’s work becomes her livelihood in the dissolution of profession vs. personal. She is critical of past projects whose objective portrayal of …

Guardians Of The Data: Government Use Of Ai And Iot In The Digital Age, Jannat Saeed

Honors Theses

The exponential growth of technology, epitomized by Moore's Law – “the observation that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit will double every two years”– has propelled the swift evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. This phenomenon has revolutionized various facets of daily life, from smart home devices to autonomous vehicles, reshaping how individuals interact with the world around them. However, as governments worldwide increasingly harness these innovations to monitor and collect personal data, profound privacy concerns have arisen among the general populace. Despite the ubiquity of AI and IoT in modern society, formal …

Do You Know The Pangolin?: Analyzing Biodiversity Awareness And Attitudes, Ariel "Jazz" Holcomb

Honors Theses

Understanding the impact education has on environmental knowledge and values is critical for knowing how we can promote pro-environmental awareness and attitudes. Thus, this study investigated how environmental education level influences awareness and attitudes on environmental issues, specifically the Biodiversity Crisis. Through a survey primarily utilizing Likert scale statements, the researcher evaluated the differences in knowledge and care levels between classes taking an introductory environmental science course, one class of environmental science majors and one for non-majors. One focus point of the course is the world’s most trafficked mammal, the pangolin, so this species was used as a focus species …

Screening Full-Sib And Half-Sib Families Of Chestnut Seedlings For Resistance To Cryphonectria Parasitica Using A Small Stem Assay And A Leaf-Disc Assay, Uma Plambeck

Honors Theses

Cryphonectria parasitica is the ascomycete fungus species that causes chestnut blight disease. Symptoms of chestnut blight include bark cankers and eventually the death of American chestnut, Castanea dentata. However, not all Castanea species are equally affected by the disease, and some Asian species appear highly resistant. The OALDS and SSA in this study aim to assist in screening for resistance to C. parasitica within a year. We investigated the effect of C. parasitica on three North American species, one European species, four East Asian species of Castanea, and nine full-sib families of TACF backcross hybrids. Our study used both a …

Quantum Computing And U.S. Cybersecurity: A Case Study Of The Breaking Of Rsa And Plan For Cryptographic Algorithm Transition, Helena Holland

Honors Theses

The invention of a cryptographically relevant quantum computer would revolutionize computing power, transforming industry and national security. While a theoretical possibility at the time of this writing, the ability of quantum algorithms to solve the factoring and discrete logarithm problems, upon which all currently employed public-key cryptography depends, presents a serious threat to digital communications. This research examines both the mathematics and government policy behind these risks and their implications for cybersecurity. Specifically, a case study of RSA, Shor’s algorithm, and the American Intelligence Community’s plan to transition toward quantum-resistant algorithms is presented to analyze quantum threats and opportunities and …

Investigation Of Zinc And Iron In Wildflower Honey, Savannah Simpson

Honors Theses

Honey acts as a valuable food source for both animals and humans. When found in contaminated environments, there is an increased likelihood that honey samples will have high metal concentrations. It has been discovered that honey concentrations in metals can be different based on location. This experiment aims to determine the amount of two valuable metals, zinc, and iron, in various honey sources. These metals can be important to the human body because they help boost immunity and allow the body to carry out the functions required for survival. However, if these elements are present in copious quantities, then it …

Development Of An App For The Kalamazoo Nature Center, Ernest Au

Honors Theses

Kalamazoo Nature Center (KNC), which has been recognized by its peers as one of the top nature centers in the country, is home to over 14 miles of hiking trails winding through woods, wetlands, and prairies. There are numerous places/plots in KNC that have an interesting and impressive history besides being home to a variety of animals and hundreds of wildflowers and other plant life. To improve the visitor’s experience at KNC, we will design a software app via the senior capstone project at the department of Computer Science at WMU. As the first step towards establishing a reference model …

In Situ Water Sensing Systems: Research On Advancements In Environmental Monitoring, Abigail Seibel

Honors Theses

In this work, two sensing systems were researched in order to improve in situ environmental monitoring. The first is a pH and Total Alkalinity sensor used to determine these characteristics of sea water. I explored the facets of this sensor over a 7-week internship with Dr. Ellen Briggs in her lab in summer of 2023. The second is a more holistic sensing system that reads temperature, turbidity, and pressure used for studying environmental characteristics of Alaskan bever ponds. Both systems were developed in close collaboration with scientists who are collecting data to better understand the impacts of climate change. Better …

Stress-Sensing In Flexible Epoxy Adhesives, Christine Rukeyser

Honors Theses

In mechanochemistry, mechanical force causes a chemical change using small molecules, called mechanophores, by covalently connecting them into polymer materials. Stress-sensing mechanophores give a visual signal of mechanical force on the molecular level within a material. To our knowledge, stress-sensing mechanophores have never been incorporated into a commercially available epoxy kit. In this work, the characterization of two 3MTM Scotch-Weld TM Epoxy Adhesive kits: DP100 Plus Clear and DP190 Translucent have been completed through FT-IR Spectroscopy. The addition of the mechanophore spiropyran to the 3M kits will be discussed; as well as preparation and characterization of three dimerized anthracene derivatives. …

The Factors Affecting Fashion Trends Have Changing Over The Years By Different Age Groups & The Evolution Of Media., Omnahqiran Dazz

Honors Theses

Introduction:

Fashion trends undergo continuous evolution, influenced by factors such as age groups and the ever-changing landscape of media. This research delves into the intricate relationship between these elements. Initially driven by a passion for fashion, the project expanded to explore the profound impact of social media evolution over the past 15-20 years.

Objectives: Investigate changing fashion trends across age groups.

Examine the evolution of media.

Analyze the factors affecting current-day fashion trends.

Explore the influence of social media on fashion choices.

This study provides invaluable insights for fashion designers, brands, and retailers, aiding in the development of effective market …

Fostering A Sense Of Wonder: Promoting Experiential Learning Through Outdoor Discoveries On The Coast Of Maine, Joslyn Primicias

Honors Theses

Recent generations of children have been experiencing a decrease in connection to Nature, causing various negative effects on personal development and well-being. Researchers are studying the impact of environmental education programs as a potential resolution to this issue dubbed “nature deficit disorder.” Studies have shown that while citizen science by youth is rapidly expanding, little research addresses conservation science with environmental education. Recognizing this gap, the summer camps at Wells NERR are designed to ensure children’s environmental stewardship as they learn about estuarine ecology alongside environmental issues. This educational study focuses on how environmental education through estuarine activities at summer …

Economic Value Of User Interface Design, Anna Kruse

Honors Theses

The economic value of well-designed user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) is challenging to quantify, a topic that the current literature does not sufficiently explore. Those responsible for deciding whether to invest resources in UI/UX typically base these decisions on monetary considerations. The link between effective UI/UX design and profit may not be immediately clear to most, yet it is universally acknowledged that satisfied customers lead to successful business. To underscore the importance of investing in UI/UX, it is crucial to define the relationship between effective design and economic success in a way that can be understood by designers, …

Applications Of Financial Mathematics: An Analysis Of Consumer Financial Decision Making, Alyssa Betterton

Honors Theses

Students always ask, “How can this be applied to the real world?” Mortgages, car loans, and credit card bills are things that almost everyone will have to make decisions about at some point in their lives. This research discusses the many different financial choices that consumers have to make. Consumers can use this information to understand how interest rates, the length of the loan, and the initial amount being borrowed affects the amount that is paid back to the companies. The intent of this thesis is to present the mathematical theory of interest. A web-based application has been built based …

Chemical And Genetic Composition Analysis Of Organic And Nonorganic Tortilla Chips, Aubrey White-Day

Honors Theses

The aim of this study was to explore the chemical and genetic differences between organic and nonorganic tortilla chips using GC-MS and PCR. Twenty chip brands were selected: 10 organic and 10 nonorganic. A survey on shopping preferences was created and distributed to compare results of public opinion to experimental data. It yielded 212 responses. All organic chip brands, and one out of ten nonorganic chip brands, tested negative for GMOs. This study concluded that there are minimal chemical differences based on Jaccard similarity indicies and stark genetic differences between organic and nonorganic tortilla chips. In comparing statistical analyses to …

Aging An Ancient Maya Population From Actuncan, Belize Using Dental X-Rays, Kaitlyn Nicole Cash

Honors Theses

My goal is to determine an accurate age at death estimation of an ancient Maya population from the archaeological site of Actuncan, Belize. This was done by measuring the lengths of the coronal pulp cavities in the individuals’ teeth. I used X-Ray images to measure the coronal pulp cavities of the teeth and estimated age using multiple regression formulae for premolars, molars, and incisors to make age estimations. The formulae came from two studies, Ikeda et al. (1985) and Drusini (2008), that form the basis of my research. Ikeda et al. (1985) was the first to use this aging method, …

A Study Of Data/Monte Carlo Agreement In Charmed Baryon Decays At Belle Ii, Kaitlyn Thurmond

Honors Theses

The Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB electron-positron accelerator facility in Tsukuba, Japan has a primary goal of searching for new physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Extremely precise measurements of particle decays will be compared with Standard Model predictions in order to expose the presence of new particles and interactions. These measurements are prepared using simulated samples to avoid potential biases when studying the data. The Belle II collaboration produces two types of simulated samples for this purpose. One is produced with consistent calibration payloads and another with payloads calibrated as a function of data taking. This …

Structural Integrity And Stability Of Dna In Ionic Liquid And Near-Infrared Indolizine Squaraine Dye, Ember Yeji Suh

Honors Theses

Luminol, the most common presumptive test for blood at a crime scene, has multiple issues, such as false positive results with chemical agents, no luminescence due to “active oxygen” cleaning agents on bloodstains, and inability to penetrate textile materials. A combination of indolizine squaraine dye and ionic liquid (IL), or Dye Enhanced Textile Emission for Crime Tracking (DETECT), have shown potential to address these issues. The purpose of this study was to assess the binding mechanism of CG (1:1) and SO₃SQ dye to HSA and how the mechanism can explain the W214 fluorescence quenching effect and to determine …

Investigating Reactivity Of Artificial Copper Peptides With Small Molecules, Allyson Bryant

Honors Theses

The design of artificial enzymes has been a topic of significant interest in the field of biochemistry, as they can provide new opportunities for catalytic processes and drug development. De novo protein design has emerged as a promising approach to create such enzymes, and the study of metalloproteins, particularly copper-binding peptides, has become a focus of this research. This thesis investigates the reactivity of a mutated copper-binding peptide, I5A-3SCC, with oxygen and its implications in the development of artificial enzymes.

The parent peptide, 3SCC, was mutated by replacing Isoleucine residues with smaller Alanine side chains, which was hypothesized to enhance …

A Camera Trap Study Of Scavenger Species On The University Of Mississippi Campus, Lise Larsen

Honors Theses

This is a camera trap study to understand what kind of mammalian scavenger community we have on the University of Mississippi campus and where they are most prominent. Three motion-triggered cameras were used to survey ten buildings on campus over ten weeks. A low number of individuals were caught on camera during this study. There were limitations on this study such as a low number of cameras and a short span of time. More research needs to be done to understand the scavenger community on this campus.

Identifying Key Activity Indicators In Rats' Neuronal Data Using Lasso Regularized Logistic Regression, Avery Woods

Honors Theses

This thesis aims to identify timestamps of rats’ neuronal activity that best determine behavior using a machine learning model. Neuronal data is a complex and high-dimensional dataset, and identifying the most informative features is crucial for understanding the underlying neuronal processes. The Lasso regularization technique is employed to select the most relevant features of the data to the model’s prediction. The results of this study provide insights into the key activity indicators that are associated with specific behaviors or cognitive processes in rats, as well as the effect that stress can have on neuronal activity and behavior. Ultimately, it was …

An Analysis Of Detection Asymmetry Using Baryon Decays In Belle Ii, Matthew Mestayer

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the detection asymmetry of the Belle II detector using decays of two common baryons, Λ⁰ → ��π^- and Σ⁺ → ��π⁰. A Monte Carlo simulation of both decays was used to determine the validity of signal isolation criteria. These criteria were then applied to the Belle II data, allowing for a comparison of the detection asymmetry in the data relative to the simulation. The results show a moderate detection asymmetry when using the Λ⁰ → ��π^- decay, particularly for forward-going baryons. For the Σ^{+ …}

Exploration Of Feature Selection Techniques In Machine Learning Models On Hptlc Images For Rule Extraction, Bozidar-Brannan Kovachev

Honors Theses

Research related to Biology often utilizes machine learning models that are ultimately uninterpretable by the researcher. It would be helpful if researchers could leverage the same computing power but instead gain specific insight into decision-making to gain a deeper understanding of their domain knowledge. This paper seeks to select features and derive rules from a machine learning classification problem in biochemistry. The specific point of interest is five species of Glycyrrhiza, or Licorice, and the ability to classify them using High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) images. These images were taken using HPTLC methods under varying conditions to provide eight …

Imperfect Immunity And The Stability Of A Modified Kermack-Mckendrick Model, Kaylee Sims

Honors Theses

The classic Kermack-McKendrick model of mathematical epidemiology suggests that a population is only in equilibrium when there is no disease present. In the modern era, we have several cyclic infectious diseases that show no signs of eradication, despite global health measures. In this thesis, we introduce a coefficient of waning immunity in order to produce a modified Kermack-McKendrick model and analyze whether the model yields system stability with a certain amount of infection present. Ultimately, the model is incongruent with real-world case data, with its most glaring failure being exponential dampening of the height of each disease case peak due …

An Application Of The Pagerank Algorithm To Ncaa Football Team Rankings, Morgan Majors

Honors Theses

We investigate the use of Google’s PageRank algorithm to rank sports teams. The PageRank algorithm is used in web searches to return a list of the websites that are of most interest to the user. The structure of the NCAA FBS football schedule is used to construct a network with a similar structure to the world wide web. Parallels are drawn between pages that are linked in the world wide web with the results of a contest between two sports teams. The teams under consideration here are the members of the 2021 Football Bowl Subdivision. We achieve a total ordering …

The Dynamics Of Sedimentary Chlorophyll Α At A High-Energy Beach, Sarah (Gray) Abel

Honors Theses

Productive sandy beaches are one of the most crucial areas serving our ecosystem today. While often overlooked in scientific research, productive beaches have many essential functions that lead to the preservation and protection of many different species as well as ecological wellness and stability. A key factor that is linked to this productivity is the presence of chlorophyll in the sediments. Piston cores of the sediments at the low-tide mark at Waties Island, South Carolina, were collected across multiple years and subsequently analyzed for chlorophyll concentrations through fluorometry after acetone extraction and acidification. Each core profile was processed to calculate …

Suboxic And Anaerobic Respiration Across A Sandy-Shore-To-Estuarine Gradient, Jacey Ballard

Honors Theses

Sulfate is an inorganic ion that is one of the major ions of seawater. Sulfate is also an essential reactant in microbially mediated anaerobic respiration that produces sulfide, an energy source during chemosynthesis. Sulfide is widely found in sediment, and water rich in decaying organic material, as well as hydrothermal vents. While sulfate reduction occurs extensively in muds, such as those of marshes, it is not expected to occur in sand which is much better aerated. Recent research in our group documented extensive sub aerobic respiration in coastal sands which suggests that sulfate reduction may have also been happening. This …

Investigation Of A Possible Switch Of Benthic Photosynthetic Organisms And Phytoplanktonic Organisms In White Point Swash, South Carolina, Nathan Easterling

Honors Theses

This research study examined the possible switch from benthic photosynthetic organisms to phytoplankton in the water column at White Point Swash, Long Bay, South Carolina, and what is causing this switch to occur. During Dr. Hannides’ and his group’s studies at this and other swashes in the past, they noticed this phenomenon of the benthic photosynthetic organisms taking over during a certain time and then the phytoplankton in the water column taking over during a different time. In this study, I measured the relative benthic macroalgal area coverage and sedimentary chlorophyll a concentration as measures of the abundance of benthic …

Striped Blenny (Chasmodes Bosquianus) Presence And Behavior Between Sunrise And Sunset At Oyster Landing, South Carolina, Madeline Schuetze

Honors Theses

Lunar and diel cycles of fishes can help to interpret their behaviors during their reproductive season. Temperate estuaries are used by many benthic fishes for shelter and reproduction. This study examined the behavior and presence of striped blennies (Chasmodes bosquianus) during diel and lunar cycles. PVC pipe shelters were placed to mimic oyster shell nests, a natural habitat for blennies, and cameras were placed to monitor these shelters in April, May, and June 2022, during the striped blenny reproductive period. Video footage was reviewed and analyzed for the presence and behavior of both male and female blennies. Male presence …

Digital Dna: The Ethical Implications Of Big Data As The World’S New-Age Commodity, Clark H. Dotson

Honors Theses

In the emerging digital world that we find ourselves in, it becomes apparent that data collection has become a staple of daily life, whether we like it or not. This research discussion aims to bring light to just how much one’s own digital identity is valued in the technologically-infused world of today, with distinct research and local examples to bring awareness to the ethical implications of your online presence. The paper in question examines anecdotal and research evidence of the collection of data, both through true and unjust means, as well as ethical implications of what this information truly represents. …

Designing Programming Languages For Writing Maintainable Software, Aaron Friesen

Honors Theses

Maintainability is crucial to the long-term success of software projects. Among other factors, it is affected by the programming language in which the software is written. Programming language designers should be conscious of how their design decisions can influence software maintainability. Non-functional properties of a language can affect the readability of source code in ways beyond the control of programmers. Language features can cause or prevent certain classes of bugs, and runtime issues especially can require significant maintenance effort. Tools external to the language, especially those developed and distributed by language implementers, can aid in the creation of maintainable software. …