Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Why Your Clothes Could Be Killing You: The Detection Of Bpa In Clothing Using Fluorescence Spectrophotometry, Bella Bevel

Scholars Day Conference

Bisphenol-A, better known as BPA, is a carcinogenic compound found in many plastic-containing products due to its ability to add rigidity and strength to the plastic. However, BPA has been found in a wide variety of products not traditionally thought of as “plastic” including feminine hygiene products, printer receipts, and even clothing. Clothing containing a polyester/spandex blend, common in athletic wear, contains BPA, whereas traditional cotton clothing does not. Using flourospectroscopy, the presence of BPA in these types of clothing was confirmed, as well as measured over time. Strips of clothing containing polyester and spandex blends were submerged in a …

Climate Change: Is It An Existential Crisis?, Whit Lawrence, Emily Payne

Scholars Day Conference

With the help of Dr. Knight, we did a literature review of four different books on climate change. These books covered different aspects of the controversial topic. After reading, we made our own conclusions on whether or not climate change was the existential crisis many say it is.

The Mental Health And Developmental Effects Of Bisphenol-A, Maryann Rettig

Scholars Day Conference

My directed study focuses on the mental health and developmental effects of bisphenol-A (BPA) on individuals in close contact with the chemical product. BPA is an organic chemical produced in large quantities that is used in the production of many polycarbonate plastics, feminine hygiene products, and epoxy resins that coat some metal food cans. Because of it being everywhere, BPA often leaches dermally and orally into the human body. The physical effects of BPA have been known and observed for years. However, its mental health effects specifically are not as commonly known. Therefore, in my directed study I would be …

Tree Canopy Cover Influences Habitat Use Of Breeding Birds At Jack Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Kaleigh Thomas

Scholars Day Conference

Across the United States, bird populations have declined due to habitat loss. To better understand habitat use by birds, researchers observed populations at Jack Mountain Wildlife Management Area in southwest Arkansas. Students at Ouachita Baptist University surveyed 94 point count locations to estimate species diversity (total number of species observed) and species abundance (total number of individuals observed). At each point, students recorded the percentage of tree canopy cover, ground cover, midstory cover, and shrub cover. These variables were used as explanatory variables in multiple regression analyses to determine which variables were influential in explaining variation in species diversity and …

The Mathematical And Historical Significance Of The Four-Color Theorem, Brock Bivens

Scholars Day Conference

Computers becoming more readily used in mathematics.

An Analysis Of Pollution In Liverpool, Uk, Luke W. Lawson

Honors Theses

Within this experiment the different levels of pollution in areas around Liverpool were tested. These areas were Stanley Park, Lunt Meadows, and Woolton Road. At Stanley Park one of two transects had a geochemical analysis as well as magnetic measurements run to investigate source attribution within the urban environment resulting in data showing high variability in soil properties among the transect. With data supporting evidence of diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic properties in soil along the same transect. At Lunt Meadows, through the use of XRF for soil samples and nitrate and phosphate testing for water samples, it was found that …

Scholars Day 2024 Program Of Events, Carl Goodson Honors Program

Scholars Day

This is the program of events for the 2023 Scholars Day Conference, where undergraduates across disciplines present their scholarly and creative works.

The Mathematical And Historical Significance Of The Four Color Theorem, Brock Bivens

Honors Theses

Researching how the Four Color Theorem was proved, its implications on the mathematical community, and interviews with working mathematicians to develop my own personal opinions on the significance of the Four Color Theorem.

Combination Nanomedicines For Cancer Therapy, Noureen Siraj

Arkansas Women in STEM Conference

Nanomedicines derived from combination ionic nanomaterials (INMs) offer synergistic therapy for effective treatment of cancer. This approach addresses the limitations of conventional treatment options and offers active targeting of tumors due to EPR effect

Study Of Solvent-Free, Microwave-Assisted Ring-Opening Reactions Of Phenyl Glycidyl Ether With Azoles, Marygrace Mcafee, Joshua Pack, Brian Walker

Arkansas Women in STEM Conference

Literature precedent supports that microwave-assisted organic synthesis can afford fast, high-yield, and efficient synthetic pathways, often comparable to or better than traditional heating methods. Building on this, our work utilizes microwave-assisted synthesis for the epoxide ring opening of phenyl glycidyl ether through nucleophilic addition, aiming to create both pyrazole and imidazole derivatives. These heterocyclic azole compounds have been shown to be important due to their presence in many natural products, as well as their anti-fungal and other pharmacological activities. We are exploring the use of microwave irradiation under neat (solvent-free) conditions, focused on a streamlined approach to minimize time, energy …

Commemorating Women Nobel Prize Laureates In Chemistry, Jordan Smith

Arkansas Women in STEM Conference

In this review study we describe contributions of women chemists who earned a Nobel Prize in Chemistry, notably the most prestigious award in the field. Based on our analysis of data, the number of women Nobel laureates in Chemistry is increasing with time. However, women still are the minority group compared to men in a pool of Nobel Prize winners in Chemistry.

In the current study we also compared women’s representation in chemistry to women’s representation in two other science fields of a Nobel Prize award: (i) Physics and (ii) Physiology or Medicine. Based on our analysis, the numbers of …

Women In Stem Conference, Maryann Rettig, Sara E. Hubbard Ph.D

Arkansas Women in STEM Conference

Analysis of BPA Leaching from Feminine Hygiene Products into Simulated Vaginal Fluid using Fluorescence Spectrophotometry

Maryann Rettig and Sara E. Hubbard, Ph.D.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical compound commonly used to produce several plastics and epoxy resins. Recently, BPA has also been detected in feminine hygiene products. Because of a structural resemblance to estradiol, BPA can act as an endocrine disruptor, which has linked BPA to several health complications such as cancer development, reduced fertility, and early puberty. In recent summer research at Ouachita Baptist University, it was determined that fluorescence spectrophotometry could be used to monitor BPA leaching over …

Optimizing A Passive Tracking Solar Panel System, Carsten Johnson

Scholars Day Conference

Renewable energy has been gaining attention from individuals to government agencies as the negative effects of fossil fuel usage has been realized. Solar power is a reliable and green alternative to fossil fuels. Solar power is harnessed through the direct absorption of rays from the sun. In this experiment, a passive sun-tracking system using a shape memory alloy (SMA), gears, and a fresnel lens rotated a solar panel to face the sun throughout the day. At the end of the day the system rotates the solar panel back to the east in preparation for the next day’s cycle to begin. …

Fostering Geometric Thinking, Brock Bivens

Scholars Day Conference

Fostering Geometric Thinking is a learning process that guides critical thinkers in the problem solving process. In the book, Fostering Geometric Thinking, by Mark Driscoll. Driscoll describes four different geometric habits of mind that are essential to Fostering Geometric Thinking.

Scholars Day 2023 Program Of Events, Carl Goodson Honors Program

Scholars Day

This is the program of events for the 2023 Scholars Day Conference, where undergraduates across disciplines present their scholarly and creative works.

Complete Genome Sequences Of Chop, Delrio, And Grandslam, Three Gordonia Phages Isolated From Soil In Central Arkansas, Heidi N. Mathes, Elijah I. Christenson, John H. Crum, Emme M. Edmondson, Kassidy E. Gray, Luke W. Lawson, Lauren E. Lee, Michael P. Lee, Jackson A. Lipscomb, Morgan E. Masengale, Hannah G. Matthews, Charles M. Mcclain 4th, Tuesday N. Melton, Trace H. Morrow, Alexis M. Perry, David R. Rainwater, Grace E. Renois, Maryann F. Rettig, Duncan C. Troup, Allie J. Wilson, Nathan Reyna, Ruth Plymale

Articles

Chop, DelRio, and GrandSlam are phage with a Siphoviridae morphotype isolated from soil in Arkansas using the host Gordonia terrae 3612. All three are temperate, and their genomes share at least 96% nucleotide identity. These phage are assigned to cluster DI based on gene content similarity to other sequenced actinobacteriophage.

Using Emitted Vibrational Frequencies To Determine Watermelon Sweetness, Jimmy Castro, Bennett Hasley

Scholars Day Conference

The current focus of this project is to gather audio signals from thumping watermelon to determine if there is any correlation between the sound produced and the sugar concentration of the watermelon. The audio signals are converted to harmonic frequencies using the FFT and then compared to the sweetness of the watermelon. The ultimate goal of this long-term project is to create a mobile app to be used by consumers when determining which watermelon they should buy at the store.

Optimizing A Passive Tracking Solar Panel System, Adrian Salazar-Rivera, Ryan Pickelman, Angela Douglass

Scholars Day Conference

For a solar panel to function efficiently, it must turn to face the sun throughout the day. Usually, an electronic device rotates a solar panel. In this experiment, hourly rotation of the panel was achieved through contraction of a shape memory alloy (SMA) and a gear system. A Fresnel lens directed the sun's rays onto the SMA causing it to contract. A delayed reset system was built to turn the panel from west to east at the end of the day. In addition, this project investigated different materials to properly heat and cool the SMA within the plexiglass housing apparatus. …

A Fractal Geometry For Hydrodynamics, Jonah Mears

Scholars Day Conference

Experiments have shown that objects with uneven surfaces, such as golf balls, can have less drag than those with smooth surfaces. Since fractal surfaces appear naturally in other areas, it must be asked if they can produce less drag than a traditional surface and save energy. Little or no research as been conducted so far on this question. The purpose of this project is to see if fractal geometry can improve boat hull design by producing a hull with low friction.

The Correlation Of Winning And Money-Baseball, Jacob Bowman

Scholars Day Conference

This presentation over my thesis examines the feasibility of using statistics to predict win values for major league baseball. Definite correlations were discovered between a Major League organization’s finances and on-field performance. Stated correlations are used to generate a predictive model that will predict on-field outcomes. Using regression analysis, such a model is construed, and successfully predicted win ratios for Major League Baseball organizations using only available past financial data.

Scholars Day Program Of Events 2022, Carl Goodson Honors Program

Scholars Day

This is the program of events for the 2022 Scholars Day Conference, where undergraduates across disciplines present their scholarly and creative works.

A Fractal Geometry For Hydrodynamics, Jonah Mears

Honors Theses

Experiments have shown that objects with uneven surfaces, such as golf balls, can have less drag than those with smooth surfaces. Since fractal surfaces appear naturally in other areas, it must be asked if they can produce less drag than a traditional surface and save energy. Little or no research has been conducted so far on this question. The purpose of this project is to see if fractal geometry can improve boat hull design by producing a hull with low friction.

Room Temperature Phosphorescence Material For Use In Low-Cost Lighting Technology, Mujeebat Bashiru

Arkansas Women in STEM Conference

Light is a key element in our daily lives. An environment with eye catching navigation to offices, lecture halls and buildings is very essential in a high citadel of learning since the campus will always be occupied by students or diverse group of people trying to make way into their respective destination. Herein, the goal of the project is to investigate multifunctional carbazole compounds with ease of tunability to design, develop, and characterize (including basic understanding of the essential chemical and physical phenomena), using prompt and inexpensive methods. More specifically, photodynamic properties of newly designed carbazole-based cored compounds with room …

Combination Chemo-Pdt Ionic Nanomedicines As Enhanced Therapeutics For Cancer, Samantha Macchi

Arkansas Women in STEM Conference

Cancer remains as one of the leading causes of death in humans worldwide. Nanotechnology has made great strides in improving treatment for the disease. This work describes a simplistic approach to design self-assembled combination nanomedicines. A facile one-step ion exchange reaction is utilized to combine a chemotherapeutic (phosphonium) cation and photodynamic therapeutic (porphyrin) anion. An aqueous nanomedicine is prepared from the hydrophobic ionic combination drug via a single-step reprecipitation method. Upon conversion to ionic combination drug, improved photophysical properties of porphyrin were observed. These characteristics subsequently led to increased photodynamic therapeutic activity of nanomedicines—explained by greater singlet oxygen quantum yield. …

Surface Area Enhancement Of Doped Carbon Materials Via Novel Freeze-Pore Methodology, Iris Denmark

Arkansas Women in STEM Conference

Supercapacitors are one of today’s growing means of alternative energy. They are portable, produce much higher capacitance than traditional capacitors, and operate under lower voltages than that of batteries. Herein, we have synthesized a series of supercapacitor materials from sodium lignosulfonate, otherwise known as lignosol, which are co-doped with phosphorus and nitrogen. The materials are synthesized utilizing a green and time-efficient microwave irradiation process. Subsequently, these materials have been optimized by utilizing a novel process by which surface area and electrochemical properties is enhanced by freezing of their porous surface. Materials undergoing this method have shown significant increase in BET …

Generative Art, Caleb Harmon

Honors Theses

Generative Art is systems that produce complex structures and visuals through computation.

Effects Of Temperature & Ph On Bpa Leaching In Oral Hygiene Products Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Mady Rottinghaus

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Defying The Darkness: Countering Cancer With Light, Travis Hankins

Honors Theses

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) accounts for upwards of 15% of reported breast cancer cases. This subtype of breast cancer poses a greater threat to those diagnosed as compared to other types of breast cancer due to the lack of treatment options available. Additionally, TNBC grows and spreads faster, tends to be more aggressive, and has a greater chance of recurrence than its counterparts. Altogether, TNBC cases generally have a worse prognosis over other types of breast cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is currently being researched as a way to treat TNBC. Photodynamic therapy agents are light-activated materials used for localized disease …

Golf: Strategies For Success, Lauren Dunaway

Honors Theses

A study into the win probability of certain strategies in the card game Golf.

A Unique, Project-Based, Microcourse To Teach The Fundamental Concepts Of Quantum Mechanics, Elijah Begin

Honors Theses

Spyder, a Scientific Python Development Environment, provides an easy-to-use software that can be used to generate data from quantum mechanical systems. This project proposes and explores a microcourse which takes advantage of this utility to teach undergraduates the fundamentals of quantum mechanics.