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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Using Mathematical Research Methods To Solve A Problem In Music Theory Instruction, Specifically, The Teaching Of Secondary Dominant Chords, Angela Ulrich Jan 2016

Using Mathematical Research Methods To Solve A Problem In Music Theory Instruction, Specifically, The Teaching Of Secondary Dominant Chords, Angela Ulrich

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The mathematical method for research is used to find a solution to a problem in music theory: understanding and identifying secondary dominant chords. By reviewing and assessing the teaching methods of university professors and theory textbooks, and comparing those findings with student reviews, a new method for teaching the concept is developed. The proposed system incorporates aural, visual, and kinetic exercises to serve every learner. The literature review and sample unit plan are followed by a possible procedure for testing the effectiveness of the new method.


Diffusive Behavior Of Physically Cross-Linked Hydrogels, Morgan A. Stilke Jan 2016

Diffusive Behavior Of Physically Cross-Linked Hydrogels, Morgan A. Stilke

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

A hydrogel is a water swollen polymeric network that has the potential to transform a variety of biomedical applications because of its biocompatibility and water content. Unfortunately, hydrogels typically have poor mechanical robustness. The majority of the content is water, while the remaining structure consists of a physical network, a covalent network, or a combination of both, yielding strength and toughness. There are several strategies attempted to improve mechanical properties including double network hydrogels comprised of two interpenetrating networks: one being a highly crosslinked sacrificial network and the other being a weakly crosslinked network that maintains reversibility after deformation. However, …


Effects Of Invasion Timing In A One-Dimensional Model Of Competing Species With An Infectious Disease, Eliza Jacops Jan 2016

Effects Of Invasion Timing In A One-Dimensional Model Of Competing Species With An Infectious Disease, Eliza Jacops

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In combining two classes of models, we are able to analyze the dynamics of two species that compete for the same resources while fighting a disease. The native species is the disease host and the invasive species enters their habitat and encounters the disease for the first time. Their natural response is to evolve resistance to the disease, and this can assist in their invasion of the natives' habitat. We find conditions for coexistence of the two species, conditions under which an invasion would succeed and wipe out all native individuals, and conditions under which the invasion fails. We explore …


Galvanically Induced/Accelerated Crevice Corrosion, Zachary R. Roland Jan 2016

Galvanically Induced/Accelerated Crevice Corrosion, Zachary R. Roland

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In this thesis, a one dimensional model is developed to investigate the initial stages of corrosion in a fastener assembly consisting of a stainless steel fastener and aluminum 7075 as the plate. Differential equations are formulated and solved to determine the profiles for the potential, the oxygen concentration, and the aluminum ion concentration in the crevice, and also the potential in the bulk electrolyte. This fastener system exhibits galvanic corrosion, pitting corrosion, and crevice corrosion. It is found that the potential decreases monotonically down the length of the crevice, the oxygen concentration decreases exponentially down the length of the crevice, …


Price Signaling In A Two-Market Duopoly, Matthew Hughes Jan 2016

Price Signaling In A Two-Market Duopoly, Matthew Hughes

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Within any industry, firms typically produce related products over multiple subsequent periods in an attempt to build consumer loyalty and achieve continued sales. Apple releases new iPhones and car companies produce new models every year, relying on consumers believing each new product is of high quality. Firms rely on the spillover effects from previous markets, where firms are able to more easily demonstrate their product's quality to the consumers before purchase. The goal is to find a range of prices which allows the high quality firm to distinguish its type to consumers via the price pH and if spillover effects …


Subgroups Of Finite Wreath Product Groups For P=3, Jessica L. Gonda Jan 2016

Subgroups Of Finite Wreath Product Groups For P=3, Jessica L. Gonda

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Let M be the additive abelian group of 3-by-3 matrices whose entries are from the ring of integers modulo 9. The problem of determining all the normal subgroups of the regular wreath product group P=Z9≀(Z3 × Z3) that are contained in its base subgroup is equivalent to the problem of determining the subgroups of M that are invariant under two particular endomorphisms of M. In this thesis we give a partial solution to the latter problem by implementing a systematic approach using concepts from group theory and linear algebra.


Illustrating Pit Initiation And Evolution In Aluminum Alloys According To A 3-Dimensional Cellular Automata Based Model, Kathryn Stalker Jan 2016

Illustrating Pit Initiation And Evolution In Aluminum Alloys According To A 3-Dimensional Cellular Automata Based Model, Kathryn Stalker

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective of this work is to develop a cellular automata based model of pitting initiation and subsequent three-dimensional evolution of pit shapes. Here, a cellular automaton is a collection of cells, each of which may be in one of two states, metallic or electrolyte, arranged over a grid. Pit initiation is implemented over a 2-dimensional grid representative of the metal surface while pit propagation is resolved over a 3-dimensional grid which describes a subsection of the bulk metal. The size of the bulk metal will be on the order of millimeters, and a layer of electrolyte, in which chloride …