Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Studying Suspended Sediment Concentrations In The South Chickamauga Creek Of Chattanooga, Tn Using Satellite Imagery, Digital Image Processing, And Numeric Modeling, Abigail Faxon

Honors Theses

In recent years, Hamilton County, TN has experienced extensive urban growth. According to US Census data, Hamilton County welcomed more than 33,000 new residents in the last decade. There is increased concern about the environmental sustainability of Chattanooga’s urban growth because significant impervious surface development has taken place along the South Chickamauga Creek. This leaves the creek subject to increased urban runoff, which often carries sediments with different municipal pollutants. Thus, monitoring turbidity in the stream water is important to determine the sustainability of urban development in Chattanooga, TN. In this research, we have compared the viability of ...

The Effects Of Dissolved And Suspended Solids On Freshwater Meiofauna, Jessica Cline

Honors Theses

Meiofauna include small-sized animals (< 1mm) distributed in all aquatic ecosystems on Earth, where they play fundamental trophic and ecological roles. The biodiversity of marine meiofauna and its links with anthropogenic activities is routinely investigated, however, freshwater communities are less known. This is particularly true for the Southeastern United States, which is greatly investigated and elected a hotspot of biodiversity for larger species but very little is known about the meiofauna. The purpose of this research is to reveal the biodiversity of meiofauna from the Tennessee River and test for potential correlations with anthropogenic activities. As a proxy for pollution, dissolved and suspended solids were considered in this study. The research hypothesis is that meiofaunal biodiversity would be affected by possible changes of dissolved and suspended solids in the water column. Possible mechanisms causing biodiversity shifts could be ascribed to osmotic stresses of animals to cope with variation in dissolved solids or, more indirectly, because different sunlight penetration caused by suspended solids would affect primary production. To test the hypothesis, water samples were collected from nine stations located along the Tennessee River in Hamilton County. Each station was visited three times, and, during each visit, environmental parameters (including dissolved and suspended solids) were measured. Meiofauna biodiversity (estimated as richness, community composition, and phylogenetic diversity) was revealed using a metagenomic approach. Statistical analyses were applied to test for possible correlations between the biodiversity estimates and the measured environmental parameters. Results show a high biodiversity of meiofauna with more than 200 amplicon-sequence variants distributed across 10 metazoan phyla. Environmental conditions are highly variable among stations and statistical analyses show that while both dissolved solids (TDS) and turbidity (suspended solids, NTU) did not significantly affect meiofauna biodiversity in the collected samples, various other water, and sediment metrics were found to be significant predictors of meiofauna biodiversity. In conclusion, the results of this project not only reveal for the first time the meiofauna biodiversity from the Tennessee River, but also suggest that meiofauna could be used as bioindicators for several anthropogenic activities in freshwater ecosystems.

Theoretical Studies Of Benzoquinone Reactivity In Acidic And Basic Environments, Natali Majoras

Honors Theses

Quinones are a class of organic compounds containing a six-membered unsaturated ring with two carbonyl groups. They are biologically relevant mostly due to their ability to participate in redox reactions. Prior experiments in our lab showed that quinones can induce protein modifications that are pH dependent. In an acidic environment the modifications were less significant than in a basic environment. Previous computational studies have also been carried out to model, in neutral solutions, the reaction between various quinones and various amines. Various amine groups are used as a model for the amino group of lysine to represent protein modification. The ...

Synthesis And Characterization Of Silver Thione Complexes, Audrey V. Lawrence

Honors Theses

Coordination polymers are repeating units of a coordination complex that have applications as catalysts, conductors, and magnets. In this work, silver (I) was the metal of choice because it behaves similarly to copper (I), which has been studied much more extensively and thione ligands were chosen due to their potential for forming coordination polymers. These coordination complexes with silver were synthesized by combining silver nitrate with thioacetamide, N,N'-diphenylthiourea, and 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole. These complexes were characterized via IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. Silver thioacetamide was determined to form a coordination complex through the sulfur to form a trigonal ...

Unknowable Truths: The Incompleteness Theorems And The Rise Of Modernism, Caroline Tvardy

Honors Theses

This thesis evaluates the function of the current history of mathematics methodologies and explores ways in which historiographical methodologies could be successfully implemented in the field. Traditional approaches to the history of mathematics often lack either an accurate portrayal of the social and cultural influences of the time, or they lack an effective usage of mathematics discussed. This paper applies a holistic methodology in a case study of Kurt Gödel’s influential work in logic during the Interwar period and the parallel rise of intellectual modernism. In doing so, the proofs for Gödel’s Completeness and Incompleteness theorems will be ...

A Study Of Semiprime Arithmetic Sequences, Sam C. Uselton

Honors Theses

Semiprimes are positive integers of the form n = p*q where p and q are primes that are not necessarily distinct. Semiprimes can occur in arithmetic sequence, and the upper bound changes depending on the distance, d, between semiprimes in the sequence. The goal of this work is to present and prove theorems for different cases of semiprime arithmetic sequences, including d = 2k+1 where k is greater than or equal to 0 and d=2k where k is positive and not a multiple of 3, as well as a general case for finding upper bounds for varying distances. The ...

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.

Zoo Education Efficacy In The Context Of The Modern-Day Zoo: A Study Of Aza-Accredited Zoos And Education Models, Taylor L. Ruscitti

Honors Theses

Zoos have become a built-in component of society and play many roles. One of the roles includes being facilitators of education. Education serves to increase the positive public perception of zoos and works to continue to gain funds and support for a zoo’s overall purpose. Through a literature review and analysis, this thesis explores the modern-day context of zoos and analyzes how education can drive the zoo’s mission. The focus will be on Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) accredited zoos. While many other facilities that house an array of ...

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis Of Quinoxaline Derivatives, Eric Horsting

Honors Theses

Quinoxaline and its derivatives have been studied extensively for their relevant biological activity and transition metal selectivity. These compounds are commonly used for their antimicrobial, antifungal, antiparasitic activity, and relevance in the treatment of metabolic diseases [6]. More recently, quinoxaline’s ability to inhibit gram-positive bacterial growth has been found especially in oxygen- containing compounds, yielding promising candidates to prevent cancerous tumor growth [5]. The breadth of quinoxaline makes it a valuable tool within the research community However, its synthesis requires complex solvents, extended reaction times, and often produces a low yield. By using a microwave-assisted synthesis, this novel methodology ...

Development Of Melamine Derivatives As Flame Retardants For Thermoplastic And Thermoset Polymers, Ryan Maguire

Honors Theses

Melamine is an aromatic, nitrogen-containing compound used to produce a myriad of items ranging from kitchenware to laminates. In this project, it was attempted to determine whether another use for melamine, as a starting material for the production of a reactive flame retardant, could be achieved through synthetic modifications. A series of bifunctional derivatives were formed, and although some polymerization reactions were unsuccessful, alternate routes exist that can be attempted going forward.

Affinity Of Cadmium Versus Zinc For The Carbonic Anhydrase Active Site, Rachel Phan

Honors Theses

Cadmium is a heavy metal found in tobacco plants, nickel-cadmium batteries, and as a byproduct of metal mining. The similarities between the properties of zinc ions and cadmium ions in proteins due to their 2+ charges may cause displacement of zinc by cadmium if encountered and has been shown to do so in several transcription factors. Cadmium’s ability to replace zinc- a metal found in around 3,000 human proteins- is a cause for concern, especially due to its toxicity, long half-life in the body, and larger size.

Carbonic anhydrase is an important metalloprotein protein that relies on a ...

Hitting It Out Of The Park: How Major League Baseball Changed The Game By Not Changing Anything At All, Kyle Sorgi

Honors Theses

In this paper, I will examine the integration of baseball into American culture and statistics’ involvement in that process. This paper will paint a clear picture of the emergence and acceptance of analytics in baseball through a gradual transformation of the style of play spanning the past few decades in the form of increased strikeouts, homeruns, and extra-base hits. Furthermore, this paper will explore the polarizing implications of analytical baseball on and off the field. One of the main questions that this paper will explore is whether or not MLB can go too far with its statistic-minded initiative (if it ...

Evaluating The Relationship Between Floodplain Topography And Channel Avulsion: Evidence From The Devonian Catskill Formation, North-Central Pennsylvania, Usa, Molly O'Halloran

Honors Theses

Topographic complexity on floodplains can route flow, control sediment dispersal, and influence channel behavior, but studying floodplain-channel interactions in modern rivers is challenging because of human modifications and the short timescales of observable data. This project assesses the link between different types of floodplain microtopography and avulsion style in the Devonian Catskill Formation, north-central Pennsylvania, where thick stacks of fluvial strata provide a lengthy record of channel-floodplain interaction. Using a combination of field observations and computer modeling, this study identifies sedimentary features indicative of floodplain complexity and analyzes their impact on avulsion style at fourteen Catskill Formation outcrops.

Based on ...

A Contraction Based Approach To Tensor Isomorphism, Anh Kieu

Honors Theses

Tensor isomorphism is a hard problem in computational complexity theory. Tensor isomorphism arises not just in mathematics, but also in other applied fields like Machine Learning, Cryptography, and Quantum Information Theory (QIT). In this thesis, we develop a new approach to testing (non)-isomorphism of tensors that uses local information from "contractions" of a tensor to detect differences in global structures. Specifically, we use projective geometry and tensor contractions to create a labelling data structure for a given tensor, which can be used to compare and distinguish tensors. This contraction labelling isomorphism test is quite general, and its practical potential ...

Apparatus Improvement And Characterisation For Experiments On Ultra-Cold Plasmas., Jakub Bystrický

Honors Theses

Apparatus for creating ultra-cold neutral plasmas (UNPs) was improved and data on plasma expansion was collected. We increase the trapping efficiency of a quadrupole magneto-optical trap (MOT) by installing a tapered amplifier to increase the power of the cooling laser used to trap atoms. We achieve an improvement in density of trapped atoms from 1 x 10¹⁰ cm^-3 to 2.5 - 4.5 x 10¹⁰ cm^-3. In addition, to improve precision and decrease systematic error, the magnetic field induced by inductive current in the MOT's anti-helmholtz coils was suppressed. This was achieved by installing a ...

Challenges Of Constructing Entrainment Map For Arbitrary Circadian Models, Yuxuan (Nelson) Wu

Honors Theses

The entrainment map, developed by Dr.Diekman and Dr.Bose, is claimed to be a 1-dimensional map that produces a better prediction for phase-locking than methods than the phase response curve for circadian models. In his paper, he constructs the entrainment map for the two-dimensional circadian model, the Novak-Tyson model, and the other two higher-dimensional circadian models. For this thesis, we concentrate on exploring if it is viable to construct the entrainment map for other circadian models that are not included in his paper: the Becker-Weimann model and the Relogio model. In addition, we discuss the challenges of constructing the ...

Decoding Cyclic Codes Via Gröbner Bases, Eduardo Sosa

Honors Theses

In this paper, we analyze the decoding of cyclic codes. First, we introduce linear and cyclic codes, standard decoding processes, and some standard theorems in coding theory. Then, we will introduce Gr¨obner Bases, and describe their connection to the decoding of cyclic codes. Finally, we go in-depth into how we decode cyclic codes using the key equation, and how a breakthrough by A. Brinton Cooper on decoding BCH codes using Gr¨obner Bases gave rise to the search for a polynomial-time algorithm that could someday decode any cyclic code. We discuss the different approaches taken toward developing such an ...

Environmental Racism In Baltimore: A Geographical Study Into The Connections Between Environmental Toxins And Public Health, Genevieve Block

Honors Theses

An investigation into the relationship between environmental toxins and environmental racism in Baltimore City, Maryland.

Mercury Emissions From Iron Mining And Copper Mining In The Upper Peninsula, Michigan, Ahmed Al Rahbi

Honors Theses

The wealth in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has been intimately linked with mining, particularly the extraction of iron and copper. Iron was deposited in the Upper Peninsula 1.9 billion years ago (Gogebic and Ranges, 2020), and copper deposits are believed to be 1.1 billion years old (Blakemore et al., 2016). In the Upper Peninsula, mercury occurs naturally in taconite (iron ore) as elemental mercury (Hg⁰), and within the copper ores as “Mercury copper amalgam” (CuHg). When elemental mercury is released from the ores, it oxidizes in the atmosphere to form inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺) (Risher, 2003 ...

Surface Reconstruction Library, Jhye Tim Chi

Honors Theses

The project aims to convert an arbitrary point cloud into a triangular mesh. Point clouds are a list of 3d points that model the topology of an object. Point clouds can have various issues, such as missing or noisy data. For the scope, we had no control over point cloud generation. We were also unable to deal with underlying registration or alignment problems. Triangular meshes are a list of triangles that have 3d vertices. This aggregate list of triangles defines the reconstructed surface. Our project implementation is based on Alexander Hornung and Leif Kobbelt’s method for surface reconstruction using ...

Class Scheduling Web App, Anubhav Rawal

Honors Theses

This Scheduling Web Application in Django was built to allow a user to create a schedule for upcoming semesters. Users with appropriate privileges could upload an excel schedule to which instructors could be assigned. Additionally features included dynamic editing for admin users and viewing the main schedule for general users. Our goal was to create an application from the ground up using the Django framework to accomplish these tasks.

Iron Geochemistry Across An Estuary-To-Coastal Gradient, Lissett G. Diaz

Honors Theses

Iron is a ubiquitous earth element that participates in biogeochemical processes that occur in marine sediments. Microorganisms utilize iron for many purposes, including cell growth, conserving energy, and for maintaining metabolic activity. In coastal sedimentary settings, understanding the redox reactions involving ferric iron, Fe³⁺, and ferrous iron, Fe²⁺, in its solid phase and pore-water phases, respectively, enable an appreciation of biogeochemical transformations occurring in the coastal zone. In this study, iron concentrations in sediment of ranging permeability were determined at four stations marking an estuary-coast transition zone in Singleton Swash in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The findings of ...

Investigation Of N-Sulfonyliminium Ion Triggered Cyclizations For The Synthesis Of Piperidine Scaffolds, Kaitlyn Birkhoff

Honors Theses

In consideration of the on-going global pandemic, immediate access to Food and Drug Administration approved pharmaceutical medications and vaccines is a matter of utmost priority to our national healthcare system. One significant modality in managed care is the dispensation of prescription drugs for the prevention or treatment of illnesses and diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physicians order and provide over 2.9 billion prescriptions each year with analgesics, antihyperlipidemics, and dermatological agents being the most prescribed therapeutic classes. Within those classes exists a disparate variety of chemical structures that must be prepared on a metric ...

The Influence Of Bottom Type And Water Column Stratification On Reef Fish Community Structure At Gray’S Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Bridget Campbell

Honors Theses

Understanding the physical and oceanographic differences across reef habitats can help researchers assess how those differences influence fish distribution and community structure, which leads to a better understanding of what a healthy reef system looks like. The traditional methods used to assess fish communities on temperate reefs are limited and often focus solely on either the reef structure or water column conditions alone. An assessment of both data sets yields a more complete understanding of the ecosystem as a whole. In this study, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) was surveyed both inside and outside a Marine Protected Area ...

Differences In Erosion Rates And Elevation Among Natural, Living And Hardened Shorelines In Mississippi, And Alabama, Brittany Juneau

Honors Theses

Shoreline erosion is a phenomenon that currently threatens both natural ecosystems and human settlements along the coast. With trends showing gradual sea level rise as a result of climate change, erosion is becoming an increasing threat to these communities. This research aims to provide more insight into the relationship between shoreline morphology and three shoreline protection techniques: natural marsh, living shoreline, and hardened structures. Six sites along the Alabama and Mississippi coast that had all three shoreline types were evaluated to determine what the average erosion rate and slope was for each shoreline. Erosion rates were calculated by image analysis ...

Heavy Metal Contamination In Drinking Water And Its Connection To Superfund Site Related Environmental Injustice, Emily Caruso

Honors Theses

Equal access to clean, potable drinking water is crucial for our society’s health and advancement. In 2014, the infamous water crisis in Flint, Michigan, shed light on the widespread water quality issues impacting numerous communities in America. In response to the Flint water crisis, Union College established the Union College Water Initiative, providing free drinking water analyses to the public. This initiative aims to raise awareness and educate people by analyzing heavy metals commonly found in drinking water—specifically lead, copper, and zinc.

As a part of this initiative, I collected over 300 cold drinking water samples from residences ...

Iot Garden Frost Alarm, Andrew James

Honors Theses

Home gardeners are faced with yearly challenges due to spring frosts harming young plants. This is frequently mitigated by covering crops with frost blankets, but only on nights when a frost is predicted. In areas with less predictable climate, an unexpected frost can kill vulnerable plants, reducing the amount of food produced. A system is proposed and designed here to use internet of things (IoT) technology to enable a small weather station in the home garden to report current climate data and predict frosts, then alert the gardener in time for them to cover their plants.

The system as designed ...

Developing Prediction Models For Kidney Stone Disease, Joseph Palko

Honors Theses

Kidney stone disease has become more prevalent through the years, leading to high treatment cost and associated health risks. In this study, we explore a large medical database and machine learning methods to extract features and construct models for diagnosing kidney stone disease.

Data of 46,250 patients and 58,976 hospital admissions were extracted and analyzed, including patients’ demographic information, diagnoses, vital signs, and laboratory measurements of the blood and urine. We compared the kidney stone (KDS) patients to patients with abdominal and back pain (ABP), patients diagnosed with nephritis, nephrosis, renal sclerosis, chronic kidney disease, or acute and ...

Analysis Of Possible Hybrid Meson Decay, Jasper Bergh

Honors Theses

This research looked at data from the GlueX experiment at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility to search for evidence of the π1(1600) particle, an exotic hybrid meson, decaying to an eta' and π0. We specifically looked into decays of the eta' to an eta, π+, and π-, with the eta decaying to 3 πo's. We successfully reconstructed an eta from the 3 πo's, and an eta' from the eta, π+, and π-. However, we did not observe the π1(1600), but, a 6:1 ratio of signal to background in the eta' mass. With more statistics ...

A Theoretical Study Of Synchronous Proton Transfer In (Hf)N, (H2O) N, And (Hcl) N Where N = 3, 4, 5, Johnny Yang

Honors Theses

For (HF)_n, (H₂O)_n, and (HCl)_n (n = 3 − 5), we have rigorously characterized the structures for the minima and transition states for synchronous proton transfer (SPT) with the CCSD(T) method and aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. The electronic barrier heights (∆E^†) associated with these transition states have also been computed with the explicitly correlated CCSD(T)-F12 method and the aug-cc-pVQZ-F12 basis set (abbreviated aQZ-F12). (HCl)_n (n = 3 − 5) SPT transition states have not been previously identified to the best of our knowledge, and they have been found to have D_3h, D_{2d ...}