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College Of Natural Sciences Newsletter, September - October 2023, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

Page 1 Dean's Message
Page 2 New Faculty an Staff for the Fall 2023 Semester
Page 3 Awards
Page 4 Student Ambassadors in CNS
Page 5 Meet our Jacks
Page 6-8 Events
Page 9-11 Media Coverage of CNS
Page 12-13 Spring 2023 Dean's List
Page 14 Open PRAIRIE Data

Circularity In Mineral And Renewable Energy Value Chains: Overview Of Technology, Policy, And Finance Aspects, Perrine Toledano, Martin Dietrich Brauch, Jack Arnold

Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment

The mineral-intensive global energy transition and the increasing material needs of a growing population will exacerbate mining’s footprint on the planet, under current linear economy conditions. Responsible primary production of minerals and metals needs to be combined with circular economy approaches. CCSI’s report, Circularity in Mineral and Renewable Energy Value Chains: Overview of Technology, Policy, and Finance Aspects, examines existing conditions as well as reforms needed to enable global circularity in the mineral value chains of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind turbines, zeroing in on four key materials: aluminum, copper products, silicon, and steel. The project was supported by …

Emeriti News Fall 2023, Emeriti Council

Emeriti News

• Message from the Chair
• Bio-Sketch of Dawn L. Anderson
• Bio-Sketch of Darryl A. Salisbury
• Bio-Sketch of Barbara U. Hemphill
• Medallion Scholars
• Reminders from the Chair
• Administrative Updates
• News from WMU Emeriti
• In Memoriam

Underrepresentation Of Women In Exercise Science And Physiology Research Is Associated With Authorship Gender, Jessica J. James, Emilie A. Klevenow, Mira A. Atkinson, Emma E. Vosters, Elizabeth P. Bueckers, Meagan E. Quinn, Samantha L. Kindy, Azara P. Mason, Sophia K. Nelson, Kennedy A. H. Rainwater, Petra V. Taylor, Elena P. Zippel, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Historically, low representation of women participants in exercise science and physiology studies has led to a lack of understanding in the response of women to exercise and therapeutic interventions. We hypothesized that 1) the number of women authors, participants, and editorial board members increased over 30 years (1991–2021) and 2) larger representation of women as editors and authors is associated with more women participants. Gender (man/woman) of editorial board members (n = 394), authors (n = 5,735), and participants (n = 2,984,883) of 972 original research articles with human participants published in 1991 and 2021 …

Opportunities For Linking Women, Peace And Security To The Us Department Of Energy, Maryann E. Gallagher, Elizabeth Howell

International Journal of Nuclear Security

In October 2000, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). To date, more than half (107) of all United Nations member states have adopted National Action Plans to address the experiences of women and girls in conflict and their security needs as required by the resolution. The United States is among them, with the US Department of Defense, US Department of State, US Agency for International Development, and US Department of Homeland Security each issuing their own implementation plans for WPS. Importantly, the US Department of Energy (DOE), and most especially, the …

Gender Undone: Confronting Bias In The Nuclear Field, Sneha Nair, Christina Mcallister, Annina Pluff, Katherine C. Mack

International Journal of Nuclear Security

In the face of evolving security needs, diversity is critical in nonproliferation, nuclear security, and other related fields. Despite multiple studies highlighting the need for gender balance and diversity in the nuclear nonproliferation and security space and targeted recruitment and capacity-building efforts by the International Atomic Energy Agency and states, gains in the representation of women (as well as historically underrepresented groups) have been set back by the gendered effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and slow cultural change at nuclear facilities and organizations. This issue is in large part due to the inability of initiatives aimed at diversity, equity, inclusion, …

The Language Of Nuclear Security: New Case Studies Exploring Online Open-Source Information From Turkey, India, And Jordan, Zenobia S. Homan, Shraddha Rane, Yara Shaban, Fadime Ö. Özkan, Eunha Yun

International Journal of Nuclear Security

This paper presents a novel internet search methodology and new data on the language of nuclear security. Through three case studies (Turkey, India, and Jordan), it describes what openly accessible information exists about nuclear security in a given national context, where more information is needed, and why. In doing so, the paper highlights the importance of documenting the social and geopolitical context of key nuclear concepts. It also examines the role of language and publicly available information on nuclear security and safety to facilitate the articulation and adoption of international best practices.

The case studies demonstrate how someone may acquire …

Women As A Force Multiplier For Bringing Nuclear Forensic Capabilities To The International Stage, Heather M. Dion, Caterina Fox, Kim Knight, Anne Phillip

International Journal of Nuclear Security

In 2009, the US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA’s) Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Program initiated a new nuclear forensics outreach effort under its Confidence Building Measures Program. Little did they know that the timing could not have been better. This article focuses on the early years (2009–2015) of the NNSA’s international nuclear forensics outreach, specifically the efforts and experiences of the women who helped establish this program, building it from a fledgling, bilateral effort into an enduring technical capacity provider engaging with dozens of countries and multilateral organizations. At the onset of the program, nuclear forensics was an …

Remote Laboratory For Nuclear Security Education, Anthony R. Galindo, Craig Marianno

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Laboratory experiences for online students are very limited. To fill this gap, educators in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University developed a series of radiation detection experiments for their remote students. Radiation detection is only one piece of nuclear security. The objective of the current research is to describe the development and execution of three online laboratories that investigate the basic application of physical security sensors that use light, ultrasonics, and heat to detect adversaries. This laboratory complements lecture material from the department’s Nuclear Security System and Design course. Using the Remote Desktop Application, students connect to …

Nuclear Security: Making Gender Equality A Working Reality, Muhammed Ali Alkış, Polina Sinovets

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Gender equality is an indispensable part of both democracy and justice, and it is fundamental to peace and security worldwide. As various research on gender equality has shown, teams with diversity, equity, and inclusion achieve the best outcomes. Having gender equality and women’s presence in the workforce in nuclear fields is a requirement to contribute to peace and security discussions, adding value and sustaining policies and long-lasting positive outcomes. In this regard, the paper will discuss the importance of gender equality and why the Odesa Center for Nonproliferation has committed itself to this issue. The article also details the Odesa …

Women In Nuclear Power Programs: Case Studies From Africa, Jessica S. Burniske, Chanel Chauvet-Maldonado, Beth Kaboro, Madalina Man, Susan Nalumansi

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Approximately 30 countries are considering, planning, or starting nuclear power programs, and nearly 20 more countries have expressed interest in nuclear power. Most of these countries are nuclear newcomers. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a nuclear power program is a major undertaking requiring careful planning, preparation, and investments in institutions and human resources because of the safety, security, and safeguards requirements associated with the use of nuclear energy. The IAEA Milestones Approach states that states should follow three phases of development to establish the necessary infrastructure for a nuclear power program. Nuclear security is one of the …

Perception Of Nuclear Security As A Barrier To Female Representation In Africa, Primerose Ruhukwa

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Women are strongly underrepresented in the nuclear energy sector, particularly in the field of Nuclear security. Regardless of several government efforts to increase the number of women in this field, which include gender balance polices, education, and awareness campaigns, the nuclear security industry remains a male-dominated field. The reason why nuclear security is shunned by most women in Africa is because of an incorrect perception of what nuclear security is. When a lay person hears the term nuclear, the first thing that comes to mind is nuclear weapons, and many are quick to judge, saying that Africa does not …

Lessons In Building Professional Networks During Times Of Crisis And Their Impact On Nuclear Security Culture: The Case Of The Black Sea Women In Nuclear Network, Margarita Kalinina-Pohl, Zenobia S. Homan, Olga Martin, Nataliia Klos, Adeline Du Crest, Ina Grigalashvili, Mădălina Ștefanic, Şebnem Udum

International Journal of Nuclear Security

This paper describes the establishment of a new professional network for women in nuclear that represents the interests of professionals in the Black Sea region. The paper examines the benefits of creating and sustaining professional networks for women, and it underlines the role of such networks in strengthening regional security culture during times of crisis using the Black Sea Women in Nuclear Network (BSWN) as a case study. In general, the network provides an interdisciplinary platform for professionals to promote gender equity and increase women’s leadership roles, as well as professional exchanges, mentoring, and training opportunities. More specifically, since its …

Law School Record, Vol. 70, No. 1 (Fall 2023), Law School Record Editors

Law School Record

• Message from the Dean
• Law School Faculty Shaping the Law with Their Ideas
• Lies and the Law
• With Two Generous Gifts, Pavel Malyi, LLM ’95, Promotes the Rule of Law Internationally
• Three Alumni to Clerk on US Supreme Court in 2023–2024 Term
• Art and the Law
• The Producers
• Law School Clinic Secures US Supreme Court Win in ICWA Case
• Student Q&A
• Law School Student and Alumna Win Coveted New Venture Awards
• Graduation 2023
• Chicago Unbound
• Scenes From Orientation
• Development News
• In Memoriam
• Meet the Class of 2026

Design And Synthesis Of N-Succinyl-L,L-2.6-Diaminopimelic Acid Desuccinylase Inhibitors As Potential Novel Antibiotics, Thomas Dipuma

Master's Theses

N-Succinyl-L,L-2,6-Diaminopimelic Acid Desuccinylase (DapE) is a bacterial enzyme located in the lysine biosynthetic pathway of all Gram-negative and most Gram-positive species of bacteria including the notorious ESKAPE pathogens, or pathogenic strains of bacteria that have developed significant levels of resistance to currently available antibiotics. As a means to combat this challenge of growing antimicrobial resistance, we have identified the bacterial enzyme DapE as a conserved, novel enzymate target within these resistant bacterial strains,as DapE is responsible for the production of m-DAP and lysine which are ultimately employed in bacterial cell wall synthesis. The overall aim of this research is to …

The House Full Of Otters: Recalling Human–Sea Otter Relationships On An Indigenous Oregon Coast, Douglas Deur, Peter Hatch, Hannah Wellman

Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Sea otters have held a special role in the cultural, spiritual, and economic life of Native American communities throughout recorded time. Along the coast of what is now Oregon, Native oral traditions recall a rich history of human encounters with sea otters, and speak of the species’ ubiquity, significance, and sentience. Native people also hunted sea otters, fashioning their uniquely dense fur into chiefly robes and using the pelts in ways central to community life — presaging the species’ later role in the global fur trade. Archaeological evidence of sea otter use can be found in sites of diverse antiquity …

Predicting Payment Defaults In Customs Authorities, Ahmed Fayed Elnahel

Theses

As the global economy continues to expand, international trade is growing at an unprecedented rate, resulting in a surge of cargo movements across borders. With so much activity taking place, it's imperative that customs systems operate intelligently to identify potential risks in every transaction and highlight any potential fraud or manipulation that may be occurring. Customs play a crucial role in supporting legitimate trade, protecting society, and promoting sustainable economic development. However, it is unfortunate that some companies take advantage of the facilities provided by customs departments to avoid paying their duties or engaging in smuggling from the free zone …

Human Error Assessment In Software Engineering, Benjamin S. Meyers

Theses

Software engineers work under strict constraints, balancing a complex, multi-phase development process on top of user support and professional development. Despite their best efforts, software engineers experience human errors, which manifest as software defects. While some defects are simple bugs, others can be costly security vulnerabilities. Practices such as defect tracking and vulnerability disclosure help software engineers reflect on the outcomes of their human errors (i.e. software failures), and even the faults that led to those failures, but not the underlying human behaviors. While human error theory from psychology research has been studied and applied to medical, industrial, and aviation …

Wooster Magazine: The President's Annual Report 2022-23, Caitlin Paynich Stanowick

Wooster Magazine: 2021-2030

The President’s Annual Report 2022-23 fall edition of Wooster magazine highlights the many ways The College of Wooster Community has supported the College mission in the past year and offers a look ahead at what’s next at Wooster. The annual financial report details College operating revenues and expenses and the year’s giving and fundraising activity. Donors who found ways to support programs and priorities at Wooster in the past year that enhance student experiences and the College community are featured, including gifts supporting scholarships and student success, sustainability, and library services. The issue also highlights the 30th Anniversary of the …

Itrr Annual Report - 35 Years - 1987-2022, Melissa Weddell

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

Within the pages of this report, you will discover a comprehensive overview of our past and future research projects, travel, and outdoor recreation information and data, as well as who we are and how we collect data. By transparently sharing our experiences and growth, we aim to foster an environment of continuous improvement and shared understanding. Reflecting on the milestones achieved, ITRR has continued to evolve and flourish over the past 35 years, with our journey marked by innovation, collaboration, and unwavering pursuit of our mission to serve Montanans.

After 15 Years Of Planting Simple House Churches Around The World, What Have I Learned?, Milton Adams

Journal of Adventist Mission Studies

This article will highlight five areas of learning: (1) the conventional church attendance crisis, (2) church history, (3) Simple House Church planting, (4) the future of “church,” and (5) the rise of Disciple-Making Movements. It is intended to be descriptive. It is my story. In many ways, thanks to the input of many Simple Church planters, it is our collective Simple Church story of the past 15 years.

Proceedings Of The Conference On Managing Tourism Across Continents: Volume 3, Fevzi Okumus, Muharrem Tuna, Basak Denizci Guillet

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

This is the third volume of the Conference on Managing Tourism Across Continents Proceedings Series.

ISSN: 2834-4731

Reuniting People, Place, And Associated Historic Documents Through The Reconstruction Of An Acquisition Tract (1767-1952), Heather R. Amaral

Faculty & Staff Publications

No abstract provided.

Digital Scholarship And Data Science Intersect In Libraries: A Needs Assessment Report, Halie Kerns

Library Created Resources

The following report summarized the results of a needs assessment completed in the fall of 2023 at Binghamton University by the Libraries’ Digital Scholarship team. The aim was to understand how data science-focused programming, as part of the digital scholarship’s offerings, would be utilized on campus. The report evaluates existing literature, summarizes findings from twenty-eight interviews done across campus, and lays out an action plan for the Digital Scholarship team’s future planning.

The Unnatural Disaster Of Insurance, Underinsurance, And Natural Disasters, Kenneth S. Klein

Connecticut Insurance Law Journal

This article presents a novel data set describing the frequency of materially inadequate homeowner insurance in the event of a total loss. For decades, after a natural disaster, large percentages of homeowners who have lost their homes report suffering a second devastating loss- that, entirely to their surprise, they are vastly underinsured. These reports provocatively suggest that a large majority of all insured homes in the United States-not just homes destroyed by a natural disaster-might be profoundly, unknowingly, and unintentionally underinsured. Insurance companies reject this possibility. Insurers posit that underinsurance is rare, that other than after natural disasters it may …

Bioinformatical Prediction Of G-Quadruplex Aptamer For Detection Of A Ligand In Practice, Mohammad Reza Hosseini Veleshkolaei, Pooria Gill, Adele Rafati, Marzieh Adiani

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

Considering the introduction of aptamers as a new generation of analyte identifiers, this class of materials can be used in diagnostic systems because aptamers are easier to produce, more sensitive, higher accuracy, less sensitive to environmental factors, easier to handle and can be used. A particular type of aptamer that has a sequence rich in guanine base can create a unique nanostructure called G-quadruplex. The creation of this structure gives the aptamer an enzyme property so that it can act like an enzyme in the vicinity of it, oxidise a chromogenic substrate and produce a coloured signal. The main way …

Stimulated Raman Scattering Of Q-Gaussian Laser Beam In An Unmagnetized Plasma, Ahmed Ahmed, Hyder Salih, Khaleel Hassoon, Sukhdeep Kaur

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

This study describes the relativistic q-Gaussian laser beam's stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in an unmagnetized plasma. Moreover, the influence of the pump laser's relativistic self-focusing on the SRS process has been investigated. Using variational theory, we derived analytical solutions to the coupled nonlinear wave equations describing the pump, EPW, and scattered waves. The resulting equations were numerically solved to see the impacts of laser and plasma characteristics on the dynamics of the pump beam and its influence on the power of scattered waves. The power of the scattered wave was observed to be significantly altered via the self-focusing action of …

The Connection Between Graphs' Chromatic And Ehrhart Polynomials, Ola Neamah, Shatha Salman

Journal of Applied Sciences and Nanotechnology

Graph Theory is a discipline of mathematics with numerous outstanding issues and applications in various sectors of mathematics and science. The chromatic polynomial is a type of polynomial that has valuable and attractive qualities. Ehrhart's polynomials and chromatic analysis are two essential techniques for graph analysis. They both provide insight into the graph's structure but in different ways. The relationship between chromatic and Ehrhart polynomials is an area of active research that has implications for graph theory, combinatorial, and other fields. By understanding the relationship between these two polynomials, one can better understand the structure of graphs and how they …

National Assessment Program: Ict Literacy 2022: Public Report, Tim Friedman, Kate O'Malley, Zachary Watts, Kristy Osborne, Louise Ockwell, Laila Helou

ICT - Digital Literacy

This public report documents the findings of the sixth National Assessment Program ICT Literacy (NAP–ICT Literacy) assessment cycle. In reporting national key performance measures (KPMs) of Australian students’ ICT literacy, the NAP–ICT Literacy assessment provides a way to monitor progress towards the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Goals for Young Australians. Goal 2 of the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration is that “all young Australians become confident and creative individuals, successful lifelong learners, and active and informed members of the community” (Education Council 2019, p. 6). The elaboration of this goal highlights the importance of young Australians’ digital and ICT literacy …

University Missions And Legal Limitations On Campus Speech, George R. Wright

The Journal of Law and Education

No abstract provided.