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 …