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Articles 1 - 30 of 65
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Influence Of Tidal Cycles On Movements Of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) In South Carolina Coastal Environments, Lauren Albrittain
Influence Of Tidal Cycles On Movements Of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) In South Carolina Coastal Environments, Lauren Albrittain
Honors Theses
When studying estuarine environments that are directly fed by the ocean tides, the impact of the changing tide is vital in studying the migration and travel behaviors of organisms within those environments. This study was aimed at determining the influence of the daily tidal currents on movement with or against the tides by Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Data collection occurred from March to October 2012, at three study sites: the ACE River Basin National Wildlife Refuge, the Hilton Head estuary, and the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Photo identification transect surveys were conducted to observe resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphins …
Title Ix Compliance: A Comparison Of Division I Equality, Jacqueline Leake
Title Ix Compliance: A Comparison Of Division I Equality, Jacqueline Leake
Honors Theses
The passage of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 has had a significant impact on college athletics. However, there is still a large disparity between opportunities offered for men and women. This study determined the true gender equality within Division I athletics. Inequalities were assessed in the areas of athletic participation, athletically related student aid, recruiting expenses, and total expenses. Data from these areas were gathered from the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Analysis Cutting Tool. Ratios and the difference between the ideal and current values were calculated for each category. Institutions were ranked in each category, as well …
Investigating Volatility Trends Of Silver Through An Analysis Of Stock Options Prices, Dylan Houston
Investigating Volatility Trends Of Silver Through An Analysis Of Stock Options Prices, Dylan Houston
Honors Theses
Volatility is a statistical measure that describes the amount of fluctuation in prices for a given investment; generally, the higher the volatility for an investment, the riskier it is perceived to be. Traders study volatility history so that they can make informed decisions on how to invest capital. The purpose of this article is to analyze implied volatility values, which are derived from the investment's price and are considered the market's estimate of the investment's actual volatility, for silver electronically traded fund (ETF) options in periods of both high and low price movement. In doing so, we desired to see …
Potential Changes To The Cubitt Creek System After Dredging, Hillary Sparagna
Potential Changes To The Cubitt Creek System After Dredging, Hillary Sparagna
Honors Theses
Dredging is the process of removing sediments from beneath the water's surface to increase the depth of the area. Many times, dredging is used to deepen navigational channels for boats in inlets and bays, control river flow, and environmental remediation of contaminated sediments. Sustainable dredging is when the sediments that have been dredged are used to replenish beaches. This method saves money, minimizes ecological impact, saves capacity at deposit sites, and can be used for habitat restoration.
Combating Suburban Sprawl In The Capital District: An Outline For Regional Sustainable Development, Andrew J. Cahill
Combating Suburban Sprawl In The Capital District: An Outline For Regional Sustainable Development, Andrew J. Cahill
Honors Theses
Urban centers in America have commonly been plagued by high rates of pollution, decaying infrastructure, and the overall image of being undesirable places to live. Beginning in the second half of the twentieth century, masses of people vacated the cities that they called home, for literally greener pastures, settling in outlying, low-density living areas that became known as the suburbs. Suburbanization has particularly impacted the land use pattern in the Capital District of New York State, as countless suburbs developed away from the region’s urban centers of Albany, Schenectady and Troy. Recently people have moved back into the Capital District’s …
Modeling Biofuel Production In Southern Pine Forests: The Effects On Soil Properties, Brittany L. Oakes
Modeling Biofuel Production In Southern Pine Forests: The Effects On Soil Properties, Brittany L. Oakes
Honors Theses
From consuming energy alone in 2009, the United States ranked second as a carbon emitter at 5,425 million metric tons annually; China was the leader at 7,706 million metric tons and India placed third at 1,591 million metric tons (EIA, 2010). Yet in 2009, the U.S. consumed more electricity than both China and India and was the leading importer of electricity (EIA, 2010). Incorporating more domestic sources of renewable energy can simultaneously alleviate two issues: mitigating climate change catastrophes and significantly reduce our dependence on foreign markets for electricity and other forms of energy. Additionally, evidence of dwindling international oil …
Trop Belles Pour La Science: A Brief Account Of French Female Scientists, Ramsey Steiner
Trop Belles Pour La Science: A Brief Account Of French Female Scientists, Ramsey Steiner
Honors Theses
France has a unique history of French women scientists dating all the way back to the antiquity. This account of French women scientists focuses on celebrated individuals and their impact on French culture and the Western world. The contributions of Madame du Châtelet, Madame Lavoisier, Marie Curie and Irène Joliot-Curie will be discussed by beginning with femmes savantes of the Enlightenment and finishing with France’s most famous scientific family, the Curie. This account will conclude with a discussion of French women scientists today and the struggles they continue to face.
The Politics Of Rsfs: An Antidote To Reversing The Resource Curse In Latin America?, Sarah Gagnon
The Politics Of Rsfs: An Antidote To Reversing The Resource Curse In Latin America?, Sarah Gagnon
Honors Theses
Over the past three decades, the world has become highly globalized. As such, most countries around the world depend on exports for a large portion of their national income. However, some countries’ dependency on exports is extreme, especially those that heavily rely on natural resource commodities. Despite the natural resource wealth that these commodities grant countries, due to the instability of global prices and the intensive focus of the resource extraction industry, scholars have theorized this type of dependency as a “resource curse.” The resource curse is a paradox where countries that are so rich in natural resources have not …
The State Of Sustainable Transportation At Union College: A Transportation Audit Of Union College Students And Faculty, Benjamin Engle
The State Of Sustainable Transportation At Union College: A Transportation Audit Of Union College Students And Faculty, Benjamin Engle
Honors Theses
Union College has established a Climate Action Plan with the goal of carbon neutrality by 2060 as part of its commitment to sustainability. A significant component of Union’s carbon footprint, however, is student and faculty transportation. The purpose of this research was to analyze the transportation behavior of students and faculty to determine the carbon emissions that result from the use of various transportation methods. Two campus‐wide surveys were conducted; one was distributed to students and the other targeted faculty. For comparison purposes, survey questions were designed to be compatible with, but more focused than, those of a survey conducted …
Wind Energy: Do The Benefits Outweigh The Costs?, Scott E. Fixman
Wind Energy: Do The Benefits Outweigh The Costs?, Scott E. Fixman
Honors Theses
As wind energy continues to increase in demand, research to reduce the overall impact of turbines on birds will greaten, resulting in lower turbine‐induced avian and bat mortality. It is important that wind energy continues to increase in energy production per year, as it is one of the safest and most viable renewable energy sources available today.
Sustainable Cities As The Gateway To The Future: A Case Study Of New Rochelle, Andrea B. Grenadier
Sustainable Cities As The Gateway To The Future: A Case Study Of New Rochelle, Andrea B. Grenadier
Honors Theses
This thesis explores the characteristics of sustainable cities and uses New Rochelle, New York as a case study to further describe initiatives synonymous with green communities. Five prominent topics of sustainable cities and urban planning are discussed within the literature review and later mirrored throughout the case study of New Rochelle. These topics include, smart growth, energy efficiency, green buildings, transportation, and recycling. The mayor of New Rochelle and Sustainability Coordinator completed questionnaires and their responses contributed to an assessment of the contemporary issues facing sustainable cities.
Environmental Risk Explored Through Oil Spills And Hydraulic Fracturing: Attempting Environmental Protection Through Policy, Samantha M. Guidon
Environmental Risk Explored Through Oil Spills And Hydraulic Fracturing: Attempting Environmental Protection Through Policy, Samantha M. Guidon
Honors Theses
History demonstrates the dangers of ignoring the environmental risks that correspond to resource extraction, especially in precarious locations. This project analyzed three cases: (1) the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill, (2) the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and (3) the current question of hydraulic fracturing in New York’s Marcellus Shale. The case studies assessed whether policies for protecting the environment from the risks of human activity have improved and whether such policies can be made both economically efficient and environmentally less risky. While the Exxon Valdez case demonstrated the dangers of not planning for disaster, it did result in the …
Putting The Wind At Our Backs: Assessing U.S. Potential For 20% Wind Energy By 2030, Kevin T. Harnett
Putting The Wind At Our Backs: Assessing U.S. Potential For 20% Wind Energy By 2030, Kevin T. Harnett
Honors Theses
The discussion surrounding the future of energy, particularly in the United States, has gained significant momentum in recent years for an obvious reason — it’s daunting. Our dependence on fossil fuels has positioned our nation in an undesirable predicament with a questionable future. With the associated consequences, principally Climate Change, it is essential that energy be addressed as a primary national concern. Renewables need to flip the switch.
Evolutionary Fabrication: An Autonomous System Of Invention, Tim Kuehn
Evolutionary Fabrication: An Autonomous System Of Invention, Tim Kuehn
Honors Theses
Evolutionary algorithms have had success in designing complex objects, ranging from antennae used in NASA's Space Technology 5 mission to astronomical telescope lenses. However, evolutionary design is limited by the ability of a simulation to accurately represent the physical world. Addition-ally, evolved designs may be well described, but they carry no set of speci˝c instructions describing how to physically create such a design. Evolutionary Fabrication (EvoFab) recti˝es this: EvoFab is a machine built upon a process that can, in principle, automatically invent and build anything, from soft robots to new toys, by evolving the process, not the product. We have …
Documenting The Anthropogenic Impact On Ballston Lake New York From A Short Core Using Stable Isotopes Of Carbon And Nitrogen And Trace Metals, Taylor S. Labrecque
Documenting The Anthropogenic Impact On Ballston Lake New York From A Short Core Using Stable Isotopes Of Carbon And Nitrogen And Trace Metals, Taylor S. Labrecque
Honors Theses
Ballston Lake occupies a portion of an avulsed channel of the Mohawk River between Schenectady and Saratoga Springs, New York. The lake is about 5 km long, generally less than 200m wide, ~8-15m deep, dimictic, with a catchment basin area of ~22km2. Long cores (>8 m) indicate that the lake formed ~13,000 cal yr BP. This study was undertaken to document recent environmental change recorded in the upper portion of sediment in Ballston Lake. Three sediment cores ~40 cm long were acquired from ~8 m water depth at the north end of Ballston Lake (42°57.101’N, 73°51.066’W), and were analyzed …
A Study Of Rr Lyrae Stars In The Globular Cluster Ic 4499, Anna Paola Mikler
A Study Of Rr Lyrae Stars In The Globular Cluster Ic 4499, Anna Paola Mikler
Honors Theses
Observations of the globular cluster IC4499 were taken with the 1m telescope at Cerro Tololo and combined with archival data from multiple telescopes. These data were used to study the variable star population using CCD photometry, with observations in the U, B, V, R and I passbands. The period and the magnitudes have been measured for the RR Lyrae stars. We present light curves in all passbands for all 97 RR Lyrae stars. The magnitudes of the RR Lyrae stars are compared with those measured by Walker and Nemec (1996). The distribution of stars on the horizontal branch is compared …
The Advanced Educational Robot, Calder Phillips-Grafflin
The Advanced Educational Robot, Calder Phillips-Grafflin
Honors Theses
Existing literature in the field of computer science education clearly demonstrates that robots can be ideal teaching tools for basic computer science concepts. Likewise, robots are an ideal platform for more complicated CS techniques such as evolutionary algorithms and neural networks. With these two distinct roles in mind, that of the teaching tool and that of the research tool, in collaboration with customers in the CS department we have developed a new robotics platform suitable for both roles that provides higher performance and improved ease-of-use in comparison to the robots currently in use at Union. We have successfully designed and …
Une Histoire De La Formation Mathématique En France: Les Réformes Et Les Philosophies De L’Enseignement Primaire Et Secondaire De 1420 Jusqu'À Aujourd’Hui, Rebecca Robinson
Une Histoire De La Formation Mathématique En France: Les Réformes Et Les Philosophies De L’Enseignement Primaire Et Secondaire De 1420 Jusqu'À Aujourd’Hui, Rebecca Robinson
Honors Theses
France has produced many illustrious mathematicians who have profoundly impacted mathematics as they are today. While Descartes, Cauchy, and Borel (among others) viewed math as a lifelong pursuit, they began their education in an elementary school classroom with everybody else. In this study, I explore mathematical reforms and governmental documents throughout history to show how the education system has grown to emphasize a strong mathematical curriculum for all students and have consulted many philosophical articles on both the importance of math in a student’s education as well as different views on the manner in which mathematics should be taught to …
Glacial Lacustrine Records Of Holocene Climate Variations In The Tropical Peruvian Andes, Sasha Rothenberg
Glacial Lacustrine Records Of Holocene Climate Variations In The Tropical Peruvian Andes, Sasha Rothenberg
Honors Theses
Lake sediment cores taken from glacial lakes and wetlands are valuable proxies of glacial activity because they offer a continuous record of sediment input. Tropical alpine glaciers are especially sensitive to changes in precipitation and temperature, and thus the history of glaciation can be used in the reconstruction of past climates. Owing to a steep east-‐to-‐west moisture gradient across the Andes, glaciers in the eastern cordillera are more sensitive to changes in temperature whereas those in the drier, western, cordillera are more sensitive to changes in precipitation. Multiple lacustrine sediment cores were taken from two sites in the central Peruvian …
Prediction Of Metal Charge-Dependent Amide Hydrogen Exchange Rates For The Proteins Rubredoxin And Azurin, Stephen Scoglio
Prediction Of Metal Charge-Dependent Amide Hydrogen Exchange Rates For The Proteins Rubredoxin And Azurin, Stephen Scoglio
Honors Theses
Although it has been shown that the hydrogen exchange rates between the most slowly exchanging amide protons of a protein and the solvent can be used to predict the global thermodynamic stability of a protein, the great majority of amide hydrogens along the backbone of a protein exchange from either partially or fully folded conformations, and their rate of exchange strongly depends upon the environment in that folded state. We are examining the electrostatic and conformational dependence of the hydrogen exchange kinetics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin, which can bind either the diamagnetic Cu(I) or Zn(II) in its active site and …
Production And Characterization Of Electrospan Polymer Nano-Fibers, Anna Sise
Production And Characterization Of Electrospan Polymer Nano-Fibers, Anna Sise
Honors Theses
Electrospinning is a process of generating polymer fibers by accelerating a polymer solution through an electric field. The polymer solution is released at a designated rate through a syringe; once the droplet enters the high voltage region, it whips throughout the chamber, landing upon a grounded collector. This procedure results in fibers with a range of diameter from several nanometers to a few micrometers. These fibers can be used in a variety of applications, including drug delivery, filter media, material substrates, optical media, tissue scaffolds, and wound dressing. For my senior thesis, I established the most successful method of creating …
The Calculus Of Variations, Erin Whitney
The Calculus Of Variations, Erin Whitney
Honors Theses
The Calculus of Variations is a highly applicable and advancing field. My thesis has only scraped the top of the applications and theoretical work that is possible within this branch of mathematics. To summarize, we began by exploring a general problem common to this field, finding the geodesic be-tween two given points. We then went on to define and explore terms and concepts needed to further delve into the subject matter. In Chapter 2, we examined a special set of smooth functions, inspired by the Calabi extremal metric, and used some general theory of convex functions in order to de-termine …
Anti-Nuclear Activism And The Past, Present And Future Of United States Nuclear Energy Policy, Isabel C. Zellweger
Anti-Nuclear Activism And The Past, Present And Future Of United States Nuclear Energy Policy, Isabel C. Zellweger
Honors Theses
Nuclear power has had a long and controversial history leading people to have many different views on the topic. Even though nuclear power does provide the nation with a significant portion of its electricity, many still fear its risks, especially after the events at Fukushima last spring. This thesis explores how public opinion, current events, and anti-nuclear activism have shaped nuclear power in America today. After reviewing the literature on nuclear energy in the United States, I discuss the past and current state of United States nuclear energy policy, and then describe changing American attitudes toward nuclear power over time. …
Net Co2 Reduction Analysis For A Wind Farm, Darren Del Dotto
Net Co2 Reduction Analysis For A Wind Farm, Darren Del Dotto
Honors Theses
The purpose of this study was to determine the net CO2 reduction benefit that can be achieved by using wind instead of coal power. Coal power has a significantly higher rate of CO2 emissions than wind generation, but wind power generation has a significant amount of embodied energy. The goal of this study is to determine the net carbon reduction benefit that can be achieved using wind power after accounting for factors such as embodied energy in materials and construction.
Gaming Classics: The Bard, Thomas Defina
Gaming Classics: The Bard, Thomas Defina
Honors Theses
Technological advancement is a driving influence in the development of today’s culture. Upon the creation of electronic videogames, gaming has allowed players to not only experience new ideas previously unheard of in a gaming medium, but gaming is easily accessible to people throughout the world. Academia has begun studying games, checking the positive and negative effects videogames have on people. Might one of these positive effects be educational? If it was, college professors might use the game to help supplement their classes. The question this paper will be focused on is as follows: using the classics as our field of …
The History Of Mining In Cerro De Pasco And Heavy Metal Deposition In Lake Junin Peru, Erin M. Delman
The History Of Mining In Cerro De Pasco And Heavy Metal Deposition In Lake Junin Peru, Erin M. Delman
Honors Theses
Lake Junín covers 530-km2 and is located at 4,430-m in an intermontane basin between the eastern and western cordillera of the central Peruvian Andes. The lake sits between the large sulfide mining districts of La Oroya and Cerro de Pasco. Designated a National Reserve in 1974, Lake Junín drains northward to the Río San Juan, which joins the Río Mantaro within several kilometers of the lake. Dam construction by the Cerro de Pasco Copper Corporation on the Río Mantaro in 1932 caused the Río San Juan, the principal river draining Cerro de Pasco, to back up into the lake. Using …
Countries' Involvement In Whaling And The Impacts On Their Tourism Industries, Kaitlyn Hofeldt
Countries' Involvement In Whaling And The Impacts On Their Tourism Industries, Kaitlyn Hofeldt
Honors Theses
Since the expansion of whale watching as an industry, many countries have converted from whaling as a source of revenue. There are still some countries that partake in whaling and also conduct whale watching tours. The belief is that these two industries cannot coexist in a country and that whaling will have a negative impact on the whale watching sector and the tourism industry all together. A comparative analysis of scholarly articles was conducted alongside a survey to examine the impacts of whaling on the whale watching industries of certain countries. The results showed whaling and whale watching can coexist …
Population Structure Of Tursiops Truncatus In North Inlet, South Carolina And Use Of Inlet As A Nursery Ground, Heather Estep
Population Structure Of Tursiops Truncatus In North Inlet, South Carolina And Use Of Inlet As A Nursery Ground, Heather Estep
Honors Theses
Abundance, distribution and movement patterns of bottlenose dolphin populations are becoming more frequently studied along the Atlantic Coast from Virginia to Florida. One aspect of dolphin populations that has not been a focus of study is the use of nursery grounds by females with calves. Nursery grounds for bottlenose dolphin populations have been identified in Sarasota Bay, Florida and near Beaufort, North Carolina. This study analyzed data collected from September 1997 to June 2006 on focal follows and photo identification to determine if females were utilizing North Inlet, South Carolina as a nursery ground. There was no significant difference in …
The Importance Of Isolated Wetlands As Habitat For Rare And Endangered Species In Comparison To Riparian Wetlands, Hillary K. Ballantine
The Importance Of Isolated Wetlands As Habitat For Rare And Endangered Species In Comparison To Riparian Wetlands, Hillary K. Ballantine
Honors Theses
In this paper, I will review the literature on the factors contributing to the presence of rare or endangered species, the species found in each wetland type and what threatens them, and the views on how to and why we should conserve these habitats. I will also provide data analyses on the importance of isolated wetlands as habitats for rare and endangered species in comparison to riparian wetlands, and present my own views on the topic.
Effects Of "Ultrasound" On Completion Of Cognitive Tasks In Relation To Dolphin Assisted Therapy, Carrie Wein
Effects Of "Ultrasound" On Completion Of Cognitive Tasks In Relation To Dolphin Assisted Therapy, Carrie Wein
Honors Theses
In previous studies, it has been suggested that ultrasound may be the mechanism behind the success of Dolphin Assisted Therapy programs. This study was conducted to determine whether advertising these positive effects of dolphin produced ultrasound to prospective patients will elicit a placebo effect of improving cognitive function. A memory matching task was designed to measure cognitive task completion efficiency, and completion times were recorded in seconds. Participants were divided into two groups, Group A completing the task under normal, or control conditions first, and under the mock "ultrasound" condition second, while Group B received the mock "ultrasound" condition first …