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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

An Exploration Into Computer Graphics: L-Systems And A Non-Photorealistic Filter, Victoria Edwards Apr 2015

An Exploration Into Computer Graphics: L-Systems And A Non-Photorealistic Filter, Victoria Edwards

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

This past fall I worked on developing a graphics pipeline. I implemented a handful of graphics algorithms that allowed me to render creative scenes. This semester we explored the world of computer graphics by doing an in-depth study of different areas in the field. To do this we read critical SIGGRAPH papers on the subjects. SIGGRAPH is the publication forum for computer graphics and it maps the last forty years of research in the computer graphics world. This semester I have decided to focused on the photorealistic method of creating L-Systems and a non-photo realistic image filter.


Photorealistic Computer Rendering, William Kearney Apr 2015

Photorealistic Computer Rendering, William Kearney

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Sample portfolio demonstrating photorealistic and non-photorealistic computer graphic techniques such as ray tracing and edge detection.


Zircon: Tiny Crystals With Long History And Big Uses, Jiawen Li May 2014

Zircon: Tiny Crystals With Long History And Big Uses, Jiawen Li

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

The first known written record about zircon dates back to c.1400. Zircon forms in felsic magmas and thus is commonly found in plutonic felsic rocks. Because of its physical resistibility to weathering and metamorphism, it is also often found in metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. zircon is an orthosilicate and therefore is made up of isolated silica tetrahedra with zirconium ions filling in the gaps. This common structure allows zircon to incorporate many trace elements, such as thorium and uranium. Zircons long physical and chemical durability and the trace elements give rise to its use in geochronology. Thorium in zircon retain …


Biotransformation Of Halogenated Flame Retardants, Stefanie Lai May 2014

Biotransformation Of Halogenated Flame Retardants, Stefanie Lai

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

At the end of a computers life cycle, its final destination is often unknown to the average consumer. Consumers unwittingly contribute to electronic waste (e-waste) pollution, even if they attempt to recycle old monitors, televisions, gaming consoles etc, in an environmentally friendly way. In recent years e-waste has become an emerging global issue as electronics usage increases and questionable methods of disposal are exposed. Approximately, 70% of the worlds e-waste is shipped back to China, where it is often disposed of using hazardous methods. These include open-flame burning and acid digestion directly into the soil causing a widespread presence of …


The Limestone Neutralization Of Potential Acid Mine Drainage From Bald Mountain In Aroostook County, Maine, Brendan Cosgrove May 2014

The Limestone Neutralization Of Potential Acid Mine Drainage From Bald Mountain In Aroostook County, Maine, Brendan Cosgrove

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Due to the loosening of environmental regulations in 2012, J.D. Irving, Limited may begin mining operations on massive Cu-Zn sulfide ored at Bald Mountain in Aroostook County, Maine. The Bald Mountain Project will positively and negatively impact the local economy with job creation, higher wages and income levels, but a potential decline in the recreational industry. The likely acid mine drainage (AMD) of the Bald Mountain Project can degrade aquatic ecosystems and reduce water quality and brook trout populations by metal contamination and acid loading in the local watershed. In West Virginia, in-stream limestone sand application has successfully restored streams …


Stratigraphy And Mapping Of Sandy River Floodplain Terraces, Franklin And Mercer County, Maine, Hannah Dhonau, Gift Ntuli May 2014

Stratigraphy And Mapping Of Sandy River Floodplain Terraces, Franklin And Mercer County, Maine, Hannah Dhonau, Gift Ntuli

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Our project details the stratigraphy and chronology of floodplain terraces along the Sandy River in Franklin and Mercer Counties in Central Maine. Using field observations, USGS aerial photographs, and Google Earth imagery, we were able to identify three separate terraces and compare their locations to previous mapping projects in the area.


Weighing The Cost And Benefits Of Ecotourism: A Quantitative Evaluation Of Six Preserves Around The World, Andrew Newcomb, Tianyang Zhou, Savannah Judge May 2014

Weighing The Cost And Benefits Of Ecotourism: A Quantitative Evaluation Of Six Preserves Around The World, Andrew Newcomb, Tianyang Zhou, Savannah Judge

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Ecotourism is considered an effective way to preserve biodiversity, educate ecotourists, economically benefit local communities, and foster respect for different cultures. The ecotourism industry is booming, yet this growth may result in the degradation of local ecological systems while contributing little to local communities socioeconomically. Our study aims to assess the relative impact of ecotourism by comparing negative effects of the operation on the environment and positive socioeconomic effects for local communities in three pairs of large and small parks in Canada, Chile and China. While the conservation benefits of ecotourism are important, we do not attempt to measure these …


The Conservation Implications Of Climate Change On Predatory Mammal Distributions In North America And Europe: A Three Case Study, Carla Nyquist, Elizabeth Elliott, Helaine Linden May 2014

The Conservation Implications Of Climate Change On Predatory Mammal Distributions In North America And Europe: A Three Case Study, Carla Nyquist, Elizabeth Elliott, Helaine Linden

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

As the impacts of anthropogenic-induced climate change become more pronounced around the globe, the implications on specific species and ecosystems are increasingly becoming areas of concern. Changing temperatures and vegetation patterns suggest alterations of species distribution and global biomes altogether. These predicted changes may have a negative impact on large predatory mammals, as they will most likely need to alter their ranges in order to adapt to the changing temperatures and habitats. In this study we focused on three predatory mammals: the wolf (Canis lupus spp.), the lynx (Lynx spp.), and the brown bear (Ursus arctos). We made predictions regarding …


Spatial Variation, Institutional Structures And Forest Composition In Northern Ethiopian Church Forests, Ellen Evangelides, Jacob Wall May 2014

Spatial Variation, Institutional Structures And Forest Composition In Northern Ethiopian Church Forests, Ellen Evangelides, Jacob Wall

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Studies conducted in Northern Ethiopia to date have found that a majority of Ethiopian Tewahido Orthodox Church followers believe in the importance of protecting forests. Indeed, many of the forest fragments still in existence in Ethiopia today have survived only due to conservation efforts by priests and followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which has a tradition of retaining patches of native trees around churches. Access to church forests by outsiders (including scientists) has been limited in the past which in part explains how these stands of native trees have survived in spite of widespread deforestation. Today however there is …


The Effects Of Anthropogenic Nitrogen On Public Health, Grace Fowler, John Sears May 2014

The Effects Of Anthropogenic Nitrogen On Public Health, Grace Fowler, John Sears

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Human activities that add nitrogen to the environment are dramatically affecting the nitrogen cycle. Advancements in the production of reactive nitrogen in the 1950s rapidly increased the production of nitrogen fertilizers used in agricultural food production, a significant source of nitrogen in the cycle. Increased crop yields have been tied to the rapidly ascending human population and associated environmental impacts, and the alteration of the nitrogen cycle itself is associated with documented environmental detriment. A review of the history of ascending anthropogenic nitrogen production in agricultural and industrial processes also reveals its role in negatively altering greenhouse gas levels, spreading …


The Effect Of Climate Change On Respiratory Diseases, Sarah Arvidson, Eda Reed May 2014

The Effect Of Climate Change On Respiratory Diseases, Sarah Arvidson, Eda Reed

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, causing global climate change and severe weather patterns, research is being conducted to determine possible effects on human health. Climate change effects the concentration of pollutants in the air including ambient pollen and other allergens with the potential to trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory distresses. This issue is affecting humans on a global scale and the resulting damages to human health are expected to rise in the coming decades and continue well into the future. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making efforts to reduce respiratory health impacts, and reduce a major …


Environmental Justice In The Us: Fracking And Nuclear Plant Site Location And Their Spatial Relationship To Low-Income Communities, Tianyang Zhou May 2014

Environmental Justice In The Us: Fracking And Nuclear Plant Site Location And Their Spatial Relationship To Low-Income Communities, Tianyang Zhou

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

In the United States, communities with a large percentage of minority or low-income household appear to be disproportionally exposed to environmental pollutants. The intersection of race and socioeconomic status may results in this inequality of rights to an adequate living standard and human health. This project intends to explore the extent to which underprivileged communities are disproportionally affected by environmental degradation problems. The environmental problems are represented by fracking sites location and nuclear plants location across the country. The spatial distribution of the most affected counties with various environmental problems will be mapped. Spatial analysis suggests that a large portion …


Sacrificing The Sacred: Land-Use Changes And Moral Shifts In Northern Ethiopian Church Forests, Ellen Evangelides, Jacob Wall May 2014

Sacrificing The Sacred: Land-Use Changes And Moral Shifts In Northern Ethiopian Church Forests, Ellen Evangelides, Jacob Wall

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

No abstract provided.


The Ecological Effects Of Overfishing In Japan, Katrina Chicojay Moore, Emily Walker May 2014

The Ecological Effects Of Overfishing In Japan, Katrina Chicojay Moore, Emily Walker

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Since the beginning of WWII in 1937, Japan has faced a number of difficult decisions regarding its economy, environment and nationalistic interests. During the war, the Japanese economy experienced rapid development. Its nationalism and desire to meet the West in economic and industrial levels drove its extreme postwar economic development which, along with its nuclear reliance, has spurred a number of environmental issues, including population growth, increased fossil fuel emissions, waste management and overfishing practices. We plan to explore each of these issues that have resulted from Japans rapid industrial expansion, with a focus on its overfishing practices, specifically regarding …


Copenhagen: A Case Study Of One Of The Most Sustainable Cities In The World, Sophia Samuels, Altinay Karasapan May 2014

Copenhagen: A Case Study Of One Of The Most Sustainable Cities In The World, Sophia Samuels, Altinay Karasapan

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Across the globe, people are increasingly feeling the effects of climate change. With fluctuating temperatures, severe weather, and increased droughts and floods, it is time for global leaders to finally take firm action to alleviate these incoming problemsespecially in urban areas where the effects will be the most extreme. One of the global leaders in climate change mitigation is Copenhagen, Denmark. Because Copenhagen is a coastal city, it is especially vulnerable to these climatic changes, and is innovating urban planning to adapt to the severe weather that is likely to come. By improving energy efficiency, water use, and transportation, the …


Molecular Modeling Of Biological Carbon Fixation, William Lin, Andrew Kim, Scott Hansen May 2014

Molecular Modeling Of Biological Carbon Fixation, William Lin, Andrew Kim, Scott Hansen

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Biological carbon fixation is primarily catalyzed by one enzyme: ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase. We use molecular modeling to explore and elucidate the origin of slow kinetics and poor specificity in this enzyme. We present primary results of correlated motion between the enzyme and the active site.


Symposium Participants' Bios, Bern Porter Aug 2011

Symposium Participants' Bios, Bern Porter

Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series

Biographical information about presenters and participants of the Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series: The Bomb, the National Security State and the Advanced Thinking of Bern Porter.


Symposium Program, Bern Porter Aug 2011

Symposium Program, Bern Porter

Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series

Printed program of the Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series: The Bomb, the National Security State and the Advanced Thinking of Bern Porter.


Symposium Flyer, Bern Porter Aug 2011

Symposium Flyer, Bern Porter

Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series

Flyer advertising the Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series: The Bomb, the National Security State and the Advanced Thinking of Bern Porter.