Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Survey Of The Performance Of 5 Nm Gold Nanoparticles Within An Ssdna-Stabilized Biosensor For The Detection Of Hg2+, Madalyn Zagajowski

Honors Program Projects

The formation of a fluorescent biosensor complex consisting of 5 nm diameter gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) was conducted using a low-cost, efficient binding method. The analytical potential for the complex to detect mercuric ions (Hg²⁺) in an aqueous solution was assessed through the collection of UV-vis and fluorescence spectrometry data for the AuNP-ssDNA complex. The researcher aimed to investigate this potential in case the nanoparticles formed utilizing this method were too small to result in detectable fluorescence. To eliminate this possibility, the complex synthesized from this specific method was qualitatively evaluated to determine if it …

Analysis Of Botulinum Toxin A And Interacting Proteins In Skeletal Muscle Cells: An Investigation Into The Mechanisms Behind Botulinum Toxin A As A Treatment For Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome, Lauren Kee

Honors Program Projects

Background: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a condition in which muscle tissue expands against the surrounding fascia during activity and is compressed along with the nerves and blood vessels within the muscle compartment, leading to abnormally high intracompartmental pressure (ICP) and debilitating pain. Treatment typically includes fasciotomy, which results in significant levels of CECS recurrence; however, botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection has recently been seen to decrease both ICP and pain through an unknown mechanism with little to no recurrence.

Methods: In this study, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E₂ receptor 4 (EP4), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), …

Preprocessing Of Astronomical Images From The Neowise Survey For Near-Earth Asteroid Detection, Rachel Meyer

Honors Program Projects

Asteroid detection is a common field in astronomy for planetary defense, requiring observations from survey telescopes to detect and classify different objects. The amount of data collected each night is continually increasing as new and better-designed telescopes begin collecting information each year. This amount of data is quickly becoming unmanageable, and researchers are looking for ways to better process this data. The most feasible current solution is to implement computer algorithms to automatically detect these sources and then use machine learning to create a more efficient and accurate method of classification. Implementation of such methods has previously focused on larger …

Stand Location Variance As An Indicator Of Disturbance Regime In A Monotypic Tsuga Canadensis Forest, Cole J. Doolittle

Honors Program Projects

Disturbance regimes, which are critical components of forest ecosystems, influence forest morphology, biodiversity, and regeneration. The heterogeneity of disturbance regimes are not well understood on small scales. In this study I analyzed tree cores from five sites within a Tsuga canadensis (Eastern hemlock) forest in northern Wisconsin to investigate disturbance regimes through mean growth release criteria. This study investigated the following questions: 1) Are disturbance regimes in T. canadensis stand level or site specific? 2) If disturbances are site specific, is site location an indicator of disturbance regime? 3) Do site characteristics such as density and tree diameter at breast …

Reversi Artificial Intelligence: A Project Management Analysis, Grant David Ross

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

This paper is meant to educate fellow computer science students of the importance of identifying, estimating and overcoming various challenges in software research through the lessons learned in the research for basic artificial intelligence (AI) conducted on the game Reversi. Teaching the various challenges and problems occurred along the way with the hopes that other students in the future can learn from and have an easier time producing better computer software research projects. Through educating other future students and taking the lessons learned in this project optimistically the next class of students will be able to create, manage and make …

How Valuable And Secure Is Your Personal Data, Joe M. Matrisciano

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

This paper explores security and the value of everyday personal data. This paper will explore how major breaches can affect both companies and their clients. Corporate attitudes regarding the security of personal data will be discussed, what companies do with our data and lastly what strategies are employed by corporate organizations to maintain our data safe and secure. This is an important topic that needs more review and research because in the world today, security paradigms are failing on both the user and business side. The average citizen simply does not understand how important it is to keep information secure …

Mercyhealth Internship: It As A Unit, Frenz Joshua Hayag

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

This is a CSIS 494 Field Experience paper about an internship in a healthcare organization called MercyHealth. My internship would be described as generalized. The paper will be mainly talking about the different aspects of IT and how they all come together to create progress, and cohesiveness in the organization. I had the opportunity to see different aspects of their IT department by sitting down in project meetings. I was able to job shadow multiple staff from admins to PC techs to network engineers. I was able to see first-hand how an organization, and IT respond to disaster, and how …

Iot Feeder, Jorge Felix

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

No abstract provided.

3d Printed Filar Micrometer, Emily Rull

Honors Program Projects

Background

Double stars are celestial objects that allow for calculating the mass of stars by assessing their orbits. Stellar mass affects every current model of stellar evolution, but the most accurate double star orbits can take decades to record. Due to the long-term nature of such observations and lack of groundbreaking research in double star studies, professional astronomers are no longer focused on making these measurements, so amateur astronomers can pick up where professionals have left off. Amateurs can only do this if they can get the equipment that they need at prices they can afford. A personally-manufactured filar micrometer …

Ranking Matthiessen State Park Trails By Hazard Rather Than Difficulty, Levi S. Gambill, Danielle N. Conrad, Joshua A. Woodard, Max Reams

Student Scholarship – Geology

Matthiessen State Park offers differing perspectives of the geology of the area, from the stunning views of bluffs and floodplain of the Vermilion River to the deep, winding canyons of the park’s Dells Area. A numerical system was used to rank the severity of hazards along the various park trails similar to the work of Ross, who pioneered the ranking of trails by hazard, specifically for Starved Rock State Park. Ross showed that ranking trails by hazard may be more useful for visitors than simply ranking trails by degree of difficulty. Ranking of trails for Matthiessen State Park proved somewhat …

Best Practice For Computer Imaging And Maintaining A Database, Olawunmi Babalola

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

For my field experience class CSIS494 I did an internship where I mostly learned about computer lab imaging and worked on researching the best practice for database updates/maintenance. This paper documents all the work was done during my internship as well as the number of hours spent on my project. I worked on this project for a total hour of approximately 280hours, i.e., about 25 hours, each week for 14 weeks, which was during the fall semester of 2017.

This paper gives an introduction of both topics I have worked on, and the technology I have learned about which is …

Xamarin Forms Vs Native Platform Development, Austin Borop

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

This research compared the development process of different technologies. These technologies were native iOS, native Android development, and Xamarin. Each of these technologies were testing using their recommended development tools. Each technology was used to create calculator application to meet a minimum specification. These specifications were that the calculator would have basic arithmetic functionality. The application needed to do all of these things through button presses and be able to display the output as well. The data analysis was time based and the duration necessary to complete each application. The research concluded with some interesting results. The expected results of …

Lsat Practicum: An Application Of Human Based Computation, Seth Rivett

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

Human-based computation can be applied to solve problems too hard for a single computer. Crowdsourcing can be applied to ethical modeling by splitting ethical situations among humans. In this senior research project, the crowdsourcing method is applied to produce an ethical model for what web crawlers are allowed to do on websites. By evaluating questions about terms of use on a website, users provide context for the robots. An obstacle to this project is getting the right crowd to participate in the problem. The crowd of potential law students was selected as students typically answer questions to study for a …

Nesynth Project, John Falco

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

This project was designed to create a program that can interface with user input through a keyboard to produce sounds through the use of the MIDI protocol. The goal functionality was to have the unit be able to interface with a Nintendo Entertainment System to produce synthetic sounds along with sampled sounds through the MIDI protocol. However, this goal was not able to be achieved due to technical limitations. Due to this, the sound of the A203 chip was emulated through use of sampled instruments using MIDI. The goal of this project initially was to also include a USB keyboard …

Selection Methods Of Genetic Algorithms, Ryan Champlin

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

The goal of the paper is to exhibit how four different types of selections work within genetic algorithms. It goes through what a genetic algorithm is, how the different forms of selection work, and how they were tested. I ran each of the four selection methods by creating three programs that tested different aspects. One showed the difference between brute force, one showed how they solved a NP problem, and one showed how they solved a game theory problem. Each of the selections performed well.

Machine Learning And Threat Intelligence, Jacob Vangore

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

Machine learning plays a role in a wide variety of fields. It can be used for predicting stock prices, identifying diseases, and even teaching Mario how to avoid mushrooms. This project explores the use of machine learning in realm of threat intelligence. There are many sources for professionals to keep up to date on the latest threats to software (NVD, PacketStorm, Twitter, etc.). However, it can become over cumbersome for individuals to monitor all of these sources manually. Building an automated string match system is a good first step to tackle this problem, but many false positives may be returned. …

Best Practice To Accurately Collect, Review, And Present Eresource Data That Is Utilized By Libraries In A University Setting, Matt W. Marcukaitis

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

This report compares a manual process to a semi-automated process (SUSHI) for collect eResource statistical data for a university library. Along the way with the discussion will show the need for statistical data for an organization. Also, the reason for utilizing an open source software CORAL to help with the SUSHI process. Finally concluding with a recommendation as how to proceed after the findings.

Progress Toward The Development Of A "Catch/Release" Strategy For Isolating Salvinorin A, From Plant Materails Including Microwave Promotion, Douglas Armstrong, Logan Smith

Faculty Scholarship – Chemistry

We are investigating using the Diels-Alder and retro-Diels-Alder reactions as a potential “catch/release” strategy for isolating Salvinorin A from plant samples (Salvia divinorum), hopefully to improve the current method, which is very long and laborious. Salvinorin A has analgesic activity by activating the kappa opioid receptor, not the mu receptor, and thus it has potential for being developed into a non-addicting analgesic.

Gender Bias In It Hiring Practices: An Ethical Analysis, Harmony L. Alford

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

With the current movement to increase the number of women in STEM-related careers, modified IT hiring practices may be considered debatably unethical. Studies cited in this work have asserted that female representation in STEM fields is integral not only to encouraging continued progression toward gender equality in the workplace but also to creating more inclusive products. In turn, some argue that when faced with reasonably comparable female and male candidates, a hiring manager should select the female candidate in order to increase the female representation in the company and provide a female perspective. However, it is simultaneously debatably unethical and …

The Moral Implications Of Software Piracy, Kyle Hamrick

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

Computer software is integrated into almost every aspect of our professional and personal lives. Much of this software requires payment for use and is legally protected by the copyright system. This paper examines and analyzes the arguments pertaining to the moral use of protected software (digital piracy). The three arguments presented are the “victimless crime” argument, the “noble justification” argument, and the “willing but unable argument.” These three arguments claim that piracy is morally justified in certain cases, and claim that software providers are not harmed in such situations. The three arguments are tested against counter-arguments, and it is discovered …

Countercurrent Chromatography Fractions Of Plant Extracts With Anti-Tuberculosis Activity, Douglas Armstrong, Nathan C. Krause, Drew Frey, J. Brent Friesen, Baojie Wan, Jordan Gunn, Scott Franzblau

Faculty Scholarship – Chemistry

Samples of numerous plant species were received from the southwestern part of the USA, from Richard Spjut, and plant samples were collected here in Illinois. All were extracted with typical solvents, giving crude residues, some of which were subjected to chromatographic methods. Some of the crude residues and some of the fractions were tested for anti-tuberculosis activity and/or antibacterial activity.

In a general way, bioactive natural products are dealt with very well by Liang & Fang. More specifically, the southwestern part of the United States has a large variety of indigenous plants many of which have not been investigated for …

Comparing Institutional Repository Software: Pampering Metadata Uploaders, Craighton Hippenhammer

Faculty Scholarship – Library Science

This article highlights the key concepts of institutional repositories and identifies the strengths of Digital Commons and Wesleyan Holiness Digital Library products. Special attention is given to software structures and features, support systems, and factors that impact quality. Parts of this article were given as an Association of Christian Librarians annual national conference workshop presentation presented at Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, Tennessee, June 11, 2015.

Anti-Tb And Antibacterial Activities Of Natural Products Extracts, Douglas Armstrong, Nathan Krause, Drew Frey

Faculty Scholarship – Chemistry

Samples of numerous plant species were received from the southwestern part of the USA from Richard Spjut, and plant samples were collected here in Illinois. All were extracted with typical solvents, giving crude residues, some of which were subjected to counter-current or flash chromatographic methods. Some of the crude extracts and chromatographic fractions had anti-tuberculosis and/or antibacterial activity.

In a general way, bioactive natural products are dealt with very well by Liang & Fang, 2006. More specifically, the southwestern part of the United States has a large variety of indigenous plants, many of which have not been investigated for their …

Building A New Academic Library Web Site, Ann S. Johnston Mrs., Pam Greenlee, Matt W. Marcukaitis, Ian M. Lopshire

Faculty Scholarship – Library Science

The Benner Library Web site at Olivet Nazarene University was targeted for an update and those responsible desired a systematic, efficient approach to the process. The project needed clear goals and careful coordination of all stakeholders, including all levels of patrons, library professionals and staff, and university administrators. A team composed of web developers, programmers, and graphic designers accomplished the technological process, but communication between team members and stakeholders was essential. The methodical approach proved to be time-consuming, but effective.

Scholar Week, James Upchurch

Scholar Week Archives (2011-2015)

ONU's Scholar Week #5.

Diels-Alder Synthesis Of Novel Heterocyclic Compounds, Including Inverse-Electron-Demand And Microwave Promotion, Kristen Richey

Honors Program Projects

One of the main subjects of this research is to compare “inverse-electron-demand” Diels-Alder (IED-DA) reactions with the classical, or “normal-electron-demand” (NED), DA reactions in an attempt to further define the line between the two. The other main focus is to compare methods using conventional heat with using microwave promotion. In both cases, the goal was to produce novel heterocyclic compounds.

Tracking Faith: A Statistical Analysis Of The Spiritual Profiles Of Chicago And Dallas-Ft.Worth Over The Last 15 Years, Kaitlyn Fitzgerald

Honors Program Projects

This project explored the question of whether the spiritual profiles of the Chicago and Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW) markets have changed significantly over the last 15 years and if those spiritual profiles differ significantly from each other. The Barna Group is a market research firm that has tracked the role of faith in America for over 30 years. This project was the extension of work done during an internship with the Barna Group in Summer 2014, and their extensive database was made available for this research. Regression analysis and test of hypotheses for population proportion comparison were performed on the responses …

Ranking Trails Based On Natural Hazards Instead Of Difficulty: A Case Study On Starved Rock State Park, Julia Ryherd

Honors Program Projects

Starved Rock State Park in North-Central Illinois is not topographically flat as are many glaciated areas of Illinois. Its deep canyons and steep valley walls provide the backdrop for a diverse variety of natural hazards. Geologic hazards include steep canyon walls, flooding with erosion events, high elevation vantage points, and rock falls. Other natural hazards include falling tree branches and steep staircases. ArcGIS was used to record locations of both hazards and injuries along the trails and feature classes were made for each hazard. These feature classes were spatially joined and a weighted sum computed to create a hazard rating …

Progress Toward The Synthesis Of Novel Heterocyclic Compounds: Via Diels-Alder Reactions, Including Microwave Promotion, Douglas Armstrong, Kristen Richey

Faculty Scholarship – Chemistry

Benzofurazan 1 was reacted with 4,5-diphenyl-1,3-dioxol-2-one 2 in refluxing toluene. No reaction (NR) was detected by TLC analysis, as indicated below. It was decided that a higher-boiling solvent should be used. Accordingly, in the next trial, the same two reactants were used but this time with refluxing mesitylene as the solvent. A TLC analysis indicated a product was formed, but both reactants were still present in the reaction mixture. Another experiment with these conditions was run with a 30% excess of benzofurazan, to try to get all of the 4,5-diphenyl-1,3-dioxol-2-onetoreact. However, a TLC analysis of this reaction mixture showed the …

Scholar Week, Janna Mclean

Scholar Week Archives (2011-2015)

ONU's Scholar Week #4.