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2021

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Artificial Intelligence And Robotics In The Healthcare Industry, Isabella Lago Jan 2021

Artificial Intelligence And Robotics In The Healthcare Industry, Isabella Lago

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Artificial intelligence and robotics are still relatively new and being introduced, although they have been making headway into the healthcare industry. Over time, there have been many improvements, constant updates, and changes to better the technology. There are many different ways this technology has been introduced and implemented into the industry. These innovations are not within one country, but throughout the world. A large concern with this level of technology is that humans will not be needed. However, caregivers are important in providing a connection with patients as well as running the technology. Patients and caregivers differ in their views …

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Dietary Analysis Of Malaclemys Terrapin Tequesta, James Porter Jan 2021

Dietary Analysis Of Malaclemys Terrapin Tequesta, James Porter

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) the world’s only exclusively estuarine turtle are listed as threatened and endangered through much of their range from Massachusetts to the east coast of Texas. Malaclemys terrapin is divided into seven subspecies based on geographic location and variations in physical appearance. For my research, I examined the diet of the Florida East Coast Diamondback Terrapins, M. terrapin tequesta, in the Indian River Lagoon near Vero Beach, Florida. I analyzed 13 terrapin fecal samples. Of these, all but one contained the remains of decapod crustaceans, the most common of which was the mangrove tree crab, Aratus pisonii, …

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Therapeutic Uses Of Cannabidiol (Cbd), Georgia Thomas Jan 2021

Therapeutic Uses Of Cannabidiol (Cbd), Georgia Thomas

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Cannabidiol (CBD) and its related derivatives are chemicals produced by Cannabis sativa plants (hemp and marijuana). One form of CBD has been approved in the U.S. for use as a drug to treat some types of epilepsy syndromes that often do not respond to other antiseizure medicines. In recent years, many different forms of CBD have been promoted as treatments for a wide variety of other health problems, but evidence for their effectiveness is limited. For my thesis, I examine what forms of CBD are currently being sold, how are they are administered, in what dosages, and for what purpose. …

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Ethical Issues Concerning “Savior Offspring.”, Jemima Dorcin Jan 2021

Ethical Issues Concerning “Savior Offspring.”, Jemima Dorcin

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Tissue transplantation is a procedure used to treat a wide range of medical disorders. Suitable tissue for transplant, however, is often in short supply. Thus, some people conceive offspring for the sole purpose of harvesting compatible tissue, e.g., for transplantation of multipotent hematopoietic stem cells in a sibling or parent. A 2004 survey found that most Americans approve of using genetic testing of in vitro fertilized embryos to allow for the selective implantation of an embryo with compatible tissue for use in a sick older sibling. However, while using stem cells from the umbilicus of a newborn for medical treatments …

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The Vexed Application Of The Social Contract Theory On Black People, Aaron Chichester Jan 2021

The Vexed Application Of The Social Contract Theory On Black People, Aaron Chichester

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

The Social Contract details the liberties of members in society; those willing and able to consent to the contract were afforded the luxuries of protection and assistance through the government. I draw on the theory of Charles Mills in The Racial Contract, which argues that the black life was never intended to fit into the Social Contract. During the early stages of it’s inception, black people weren’t regarded as valid members who enter the contract. Disagreement about the validity of frustration felt by the Black community as a result of this exclusion has created a social and political divide. I …

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Elisabeth Scrivener And The Great Library: Translating A Literary Work Into A Digital Game, Erin Farmer Jan 2021

Elisabeth Scrivener And The Great Library: Translating A Literary Work Into A Digital Game, Erin Farmer

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

This thesis has two components: a practical part and a written part. The practical part is a 2D side-scrolling game titled Elisabeth Scrivener and the Great Library. It is an adaptation of the bestselling novel Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. Like the novel, the game is set in the Great Library of Summershall. This is a place where magical grimoires of varying strength and benevolence or alignance are managed and contained. The player character is Elisabeth, an apprentice librarian and the player follows her as she progresses through the library taking advice from benevolent grimoires and defeating and containing …

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Polystyrene: Light In Weight, Heavy With Environmental Implications, Briana Frey Jan 2021

Polystyrene: Light In Weight, Heavy With Environmental Implications, Briana Frey

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

This past year has seen an exponential increase in the amount of polystyrene foam products utilized for convenience purposes. Home food delivery services, takeout, and packaging from the surplus of online shopping are major contributors to the overall presence of polystyrene foam products polluting the environment. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), is made from petroleum, like most common plastics. However, polystyrene (PS) foam comprises over 90% air which makes it difficult to recycle due to its lightweight and bulky nature. The polystyrene foam is therefore discarded with trash or littered in the environment. The foam products become lost in the environment and …

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First Description And Illustration Of The Juvenile Parazen Pacificus, Meagan Knoll Jan 2021

First Description And Illustration Of The Juvenile Parazen Pacificus, Meagan Knoll

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Parazen pacificus (Zeiformes, Parazenidae) is a benthopelagic fish found at depths of 146-600 m in the western Pacific, Indian, Caribbean, and western Atlantic Oceans. This ray-finned fish has a silvery elongate compressiform body with magenta coloring along its dorsal side. My thesis examines three juvenile specimens of Parazen pacificus to provide the first description and illustration of the juvenile stage of this species.

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Recent Advances And The Ethical Implications Of Anti-Aging Research, Christine Phelan Jan 2021

Recent Advances And The Ethical Implications Of Anti-Aging Research, Christine Phelan

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Throughout recorded history there have been accounts of trying to slow and reverse the natural aging process. From the quest for the Fountain of Youth, to the discovery of telomeric degradation, aging has been a hot research topic for centuries. Due to an aging population, anti-aging research has become a magnet for geneticists and researchers. There is great hope in the strive towards anti-aging therapies, and a variation of methods have been developed that have experimentally slowed aging. Yet the biggest hurdle for anti-aging researchers is to try and balance improving lifespan without compromising, or even ignoring, healthspan. Quality of …

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The Response Of Halodule Wrightii And Halophila Johnsonii To Acute And Chronic Glyphosate Stress, Owen Silvera Jan 2021

The Response Of Halodule Wrightii And Halophila Johnsonii To Acute And Chronic Glyphosate Stress, Owen Silvera

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Seagrasses are essential habitats for many species and provide critical ecosystem functions. Globally seagrasses are declining at an alarming rate. Locally, seagrass loss is concerning because of the magnitude of habitat loss as well as the uncertainty surrounding the mechanisms driving seagrass decline. We exposed two prevalent seagrasses in the IRL to the terrestrial herbicide Roundup QuikPROTM (active ingredient 73% glyphosate) and quantified seagrass response over 53 days in a closed tank system. Direct application of 112 mg glyphosate (15mL of 7.5 g/L) onto Halodule wrightii and Halophila johnsonii, simulating overspray during low tide, yielded persistent concentrations of 2.58 mg/L …

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Identification Of Notes And Structures In Music Through Fourier Transforms, Andy Romero Jan 2021

Identification Of Notes And Structures In Music Through Fourier Transforms, Andy Romero

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Can we use the mathematical rules that govern waves to characterize notes and chords from a sound sample? For this project I designed a python program that uses Fourier transforms, a mathematical technique to extract the frequencies that make up a sound wave, to do just that. I will describe the method and explain how this can be used to identify musical structures in a piece of music.

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Preventative Treatments Of Diabetes And Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Nikita Bansal Jan 2021

Preventative Treatments Of Diabetes And Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Nikita Bansal

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a long-term metabolic disease that is currently ranked as the seventh leading cause of mortality in the United States and ninth leading cause worldwide. Recognized as a global health problem, diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that involves multiple organ systems and can often lead to irreversible damage. Long term complications include neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease, and hepatopathy. Diabetes is associated with a wide spectrum of liver diseases; the most common is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can lead to liver failure. Sedentary lifestyles in industrialized countries are often seen as the inadvertent cause …

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Batman Can Be Anybody: Self-Transcendence And Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy, Alec Borislow Jan 2021

Batman Can Be Anybody: Self-Transcendence And Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy, Alec Borislow

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Directed and co-written by Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight Trilogy examines the origin and evolution of Bruce Wayne, and his hero vigilante alter ego, Batman. The trilogy consists of Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Bruce's post-traumatic journey for physical and mental excellence results in transformative and personal discovery, leading to self-transcendence. The personality trait of self-transcendence is the apex of psychologist Abraham Maslow's lesser-known and amended hierarchy of needs. It is the highest level of human consciousness and development. Bruce's unwavering morality, intrinsic motivation, and spirituality are characteristic of both humanistic and …

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Unequal Justice In Applying The United States Death Penalty, Camilla Andrade Jan 2021

Unequal Justice In Applying The United States Death Penalty, Camilla Andrade

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Several studies reveal a connection between a victim’s skin color and the probability that their aggressor will receive the death penalty. Other studies conclude that a defendant’s race will be a factor in determining whether or not they are sentenced to capital punishment. Despite the evident racial discrimination that plagues capital cases, Ernest van den Haag contends that “unequal justice is still justice” and that if someone is guilty of a capital offense, they don’t deserve any less punishment simply because the death penalty is applied disproportionately based on race. I argue, against van den Haag, that unequal justice violates …

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Assessing The Impacts Of Amphetamine Exposure Following Selective Ablation Of Dopaminergic Neurons Via The Fluorescent Protein, Killerred, Gabrielle Dakota Byrd Jan 2021

Assessing The Impacts Of Amphetamine Exposure Following Selective Ablation Of Dopaminergic Neurons Via The Fluorescent Protein, Killerred, Gabrielle Dakota Byrd

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Killer Red (KRed) is a fluorescent protein which is capable of the selective ablation of targeted cells via the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) when exposed to the appropriate wavelengths of visible light. By expressing KRed in the dopaminergic neurons via the dopamine transporter (dat-1) promoter, these neurons may then be ablated with minimal to no damage to other limitrophe cells. Utilizing this cell-targeted ablation in the model organism C. elegans, this study aims to ascertain the impacts of amphetamine exposure in the absence of proteins exclusively expressed in dopaminergic neurons. These impacts will be investigated via the comparison …

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A Literature Review Of The Impacts Of College Major On Student Moral Development, Jack Elm Jan 2021

A Literature Review Of The Impacts Of College Major On Student Moral Development, Jack Elm

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Researchers in moral psychology have established relatively strong evidence of moral development during students’ time in undergraduate university education. Intuition would suggest that one’s major of choice has an impact on this development, but the existing research appears mixed. Conducting a review of the existing literature pertaining to the subject, I establish a firm understanding of broad trends in the data. Correlative effects of major choice do exist in some specific areas, but it is currently unclear whether such effects exist as a product of student self-selection or from direct impacts of the curricula.

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Eating Elephants, Hailey George Jan 2021

Eating Elephants, Hailey George

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

The following novella is a fictional case study of Jethro Jones, a young male who suffers from three pathologies including Binge Eating Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and Panic Disorder. It traces the development of his suffering from infancy through childhood trauma into adolescent manifestations such as severe panic attacks, a suicide attempt, and weekly episodes of binge eating. The creative nature of the piece was inspired by works such as The Bell Jar (Plath) and Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia (Hornbacher). The character and story were informed by peer-reviewed studies about the aforementioned pathologies including risk factors, manifestation …

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Underutilized Potential Of Small-Scale Oyster Reef Restoration Units As Habitat For Invertebrates, Jillian Hanley Jan 2021

Underutilized Potential Of Small-Scale Oyster Reef Restoration Units As Habitat For Invertebrates, Jillian Hanley

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Oyster reefs play vital roles in an estuary’s health by filtering the water and by serving as nurseries for many aquatic animals. The objective of this research was to investigate habitat use of smaller macroinvertebrates on restored oyster reefs. Small-scale (approx. 10 cm3) cage (bagged shell) and string (hanging shell) oyster cultch units were deployed on two restored oyster reefs in the Loxahatchee River Estuary for one year. Fauna inhabiting the units were monitored monthly, identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level, and categorized into functional groups based on feeding mode, living position, and mobility. Results showed similar abundance, richness, …

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Folkway To National Religion: The Metamorphosis Of Shinto During The Meiji Era, Jorge Rafael Hernanez Jan 2021

Folkway To National Religion: The Metamorphosis Of Shinto During The Meiji Era, Jorge Rafael Hernanez

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

During the Meiji era (1869-1912) a group of academics known as the National learning school helped create and then institute a civic religion known as State Shinto. This belief system took aspects of the folkway known as Shinto and modified it into a form of nationalism which centered on the figure of the Japanese Emperor. This Thesis examines the applications of State Shinto, how affected the lives of those living in Imperial Japan, and how State Shinto differs from its namesake.

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Modeling Symmetries: An Analysis On The Interdisciplinary Applications Of Lie Groups, Reece Humphreys Jan 2021

Modeling Symmetries: An Analysis On The Interdisciplinary Applications Of Lie Groups, Reece Humphreys

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Symmetries are a driving force in the universe and continue to reveal themselves the deeper we look. While many undergraduate mathematics students are introduced to symmetries with group theory, many practical applications are often overlooked. The application of symmetries provides deep insights into various problems and can frequently simplify complex mathematics. Applying symmetries typically requires high-level mathematics that can be prohibitive for people within other disciplines. As such, this paper explores how Lie groups, a mathematical structure for representing symmetries, can be utilized in computing, physics, and control theory to solve practical problems from within these elds. It also serves …

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The Impact Of A Traumatic Brain Injury, Sarah Hemmen Jan 2021

The Impact Of A Traumatic Brain Injury, Sarah Hemmen

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) diagnosis is devastating for any family. This devastation is often increased and emphasized by the evident lack of resources for these families and caregivers, to maneuver through the steps of recovery. TBI's have been given the nicknae of "the silent epidemic,” and there is increasing, though still minimal, recognition or discussion of this injury. This thesis looks at the causes, types, and frequencies of traumatic brain injuries, as well as the psychological, financial, and burden experienced by the parents, siblings, and caregivers in addition to the patient themselves. We can conclude that more resources need …

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From Treatment To Trauma: First-Line Cancer Treatment And Cancer-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, An Ly Jan 2021

From Treatment To Trauma: First-Line Cancer Treatment And Cancer-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, An Ly

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

The epidemiology of cancer-related PTSD is well-documented, but the effect of first-line cancer treatments on the prevalence and severity of PTSD has yet to be consolidated. Unlike many other traumatic events preceding the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the cancer experience has ongoing stages of diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship that each present their own stressors. Due to the multifaceted nature of cancer-related trauma, it is important to understand how each component of the experience plays a role in the onset of mental illness. Thus, I review the existing literature to elucidate how the biochemical changes induced by chemotherapy, radiation, …

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Orbital Debris Cloud Evolution: An Analysis Of Fragmentation Events In Low Earth Orbit, Reece Humphreys Jan 2021

Orbital Debris Cloud Evolution: An Analysis Of Fragmentation Events In Low Earth Orbit, Reece Humphreys

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

The amount of orbital debris has rapidly grown due to humanity's de- sire to work in, explore, and utilize space. However, compared to most types of pollution that people experience daily, it is unlikely that the aver- age person will ever encounter space pollution. Yet, it poses a signi cant threat to many technologies we depend on daily such as GPS and weather prediction satellites. Orbital debris are the remnants of orbital collisions, weapons tests, decommissioned satellites, and spent rocket stages that are passing over our heads faster than bullets and containing similar energy to hand grenades. This paper explores …

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The Efficacy Of Vaccines For Sars.Cov-2, Kartikk Musiri Ilamadi Jan 2021

The Efficacy Of Vaccines For Sars.Cov-2, Kartikk Musiri Ilamadi

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Coronavirus disease 2019, also known as the COVID-19, is the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This disease is first identified in Wuhan, China and has spread across the world causing a pandemic. With the majority of countries shutting down and the infection spreading exponentially, countries raced to find safe and effective vaccines. Nearly a year after the first confirmed case in the United States, vaccines were ready to be administered. The three major vaccines in the United States were Pfizer- BioNTech, Johnson and Johnson and the Moderna Vaccines. The Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna required two …

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The Merits Of Neurofeedback Integration Into The Treatment Of Opioid Use Disorder, Shelley Machado Jan 2021

The Merits Of Neurofeedback Integration Into The Treatment Of Opioid Use Disorder, Shelley Machado

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is of significant concern and continues to pose a challenge to many. It is well established that despite the standard treatment options currently utilized, many are still dying from opioid overdose each year. This research aimed to create a plan integrating neurofeedback training into the treatment for opioid use disorder and evaluate the merits of doing so. Neurofeedback is an operant conditioning-based approach that uses EEG or fMRI to measure brain wave activation and alter brain wave patterns. Research articles currently testing samples of individuals with opioid addiction and co-occurring conditions were reviewed and favored in …

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Neurofeedback Training Therapy: The Future Of Treatment Options For Alzheimer’S Disease, Alyssa Maria Payne Jan 2021

Neurofeedback Training Therapy: The Future Of Treatment Options For Alzheimer’S Disease, Alyssa Maria Payne

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

This exploratory investigation seeks to evaluate the efficacy of Neurofeedback (NFB) Training Therapy, a type of biofeedback that works with the brain’s natural capacity for plasticity, as a viable treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Strengthening connections among remaining neurons despite neurogenesis may benefit patients. However, the vast array of methodologies utilizing different technologies and focusing on varying brain waves makes it challenging to determine the true efficacy of the treatment methods, especially when compounded with the number of disorders each method is claimed to treat. Therefore, this investigation aims to address 1) technology that will best target specific …

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Self-Driving Cars And The Value Of Human Life, Madison Nissan Jan 2021

Self-Driving Cars And The Value Of Human Life, Madison Nissan

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

There are several different normative ethical frameworks one can use for determining or measuring the value of a human life, including deontological and utilitarian theories on how we ought to make decisions regarding which lives have more value. I intend to evaluate these frameworks and apply them to the problem of self driving cars, which pose both ethical and legal issues. These cars will have to be programmed to make decisions in the case of emergency situations, and the question of who and how we should be programming these vehicles to best promote the common good is a difficult one. …

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Economics In Literature: An Analysis Of Economic Theory In John Milton’S Paradise Lost, Thalita Saide Jan 2021

Economics In Literature: An Analysis Of Economic Theory In John Milton’S Paradise Lost, Thalita Saide

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

John Milton’s Paradise Lost is a poetry text rife with economic thought that precedes the publications of the most prominent thinkers in modern economics. Centered mostly around ideas of Christianity, Milton’s work uses allegory and imagery to emphasize the economic dynamics that are embedded in religious thought. I will analyze Paradise Lost as a theoretical economic framework that consolidates the never-ending struggle between free-market capitalism and communism—represented by the Devil and God. Looking closely at key features of Christian theology and analyzing it through the lens of Milton’s work, I will relate key events in Genesis to modern economic theory.

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Stinging Ants At Gopher Tortoise Burrows, Valerie Viluan Jan 2021

Stinging Ants At Gopher Tortoise Burrows, Valerie Viluan

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Several predatory ant species are known to attack, injure, and even kill vertebrates. Perhaps the most notorious of these are the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta and the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata. In areas where they invade, both are most common in disturbed habitats. Solenopsis invicta often dominates open, grassy areas, while Wasmannia auropunctata more often dominates in forested areas. This study compares the distribution of ant species, including Solenopsis invicta and Wasmannia auropunctata at the burrows of Gopher Tortoises at the Abacoa Greenway located in Jupiter, Florida. Wasmannia auropunctata replaced Solenopsis invicta as the dominating species at …

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Automatic Fish Tracking: Keeping Track Of Who's Who, Ari Spraggins Jan 2021

Automatic Fish Tracking: Keeping Track Of Who's Who, Ari Spraggins

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Automatic video tracking has had a major impact on animal behavior studies. One of the challenges of this technique is keeping track of the identities of the sh, especially when they swim together and exchange positions. In this project we use the python programming language to address this problem for groups of sh. The video data comes from schooling assays performed at FAU's Cave sh Trilab (Dr. Keene, Dr. Duboue, and Dr. Kowalko). The method is inspired by the idTracker animal tracking software: we track patterns of brightness as a visual identi er of each sh which we then use …

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