Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Public Horticulture: Process And Design Of The Lincoln Botanical Garden, Brad Kindler

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Beginning in 2012, the local non-profit, The Lincoln Botanical Garden, began organizing the conceptual design and creation of a glass conservatory within a botanical garden in Lincoln, Nebraska. These proposed urban enhancements seek to fill a gap in garden amenities in the city by providing year-round access to public horticulture programming and education.

This project, Public Horticulture: Process and Design of the Lincoln Botanical Garden, documents these efforts and makes design recommendations for a themed Glacial Erratic Garden that could be constructed within the botanical garden.

Advisors: Ellen Paparozzi and Sam Wortman

The Effects Of Amphibole- And Sulfide-Producing Melts On Crustal Strength In Gabbros Of Lower Oceanic Crust In Oceanic Core Complexes, Mid-Atlantic And Southwest Indian Ridges, Trevor Hoffmann

Master's Theses

This study investigates gabbro-cored oceanic core complexes in the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) and the ultraslow spreading Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR). Dikelets are a texture found in thin section samples from these systems that form as a result of crystal-plastic deformation. Thin section samples from the Atlantis Massif, MARK Area, and 13˚-15˚ North of the MAR and the Atlantis Bank of the SWIR were observed with petrography to find these dikelets and identify what type of dikelet is present. SEM-EDS is used to identify the mineral assemblages present in the dikelets. LA-ICP-MS is used on amphibole to determine if its …

The Effect Of Agrivoltaics On Irrigation Water Consumption In Central California, London Camba

Undergraduate Theses

An agricultural system where solar energy generation and agricultural systems are used together for mutual benefit, agrivoltaics reduces loss of water due to evaporation, particularly in drylands. Central California has faced extreme droughts, and water has become a scarce resource. However, the wide-scale use of agrivoltaics has been limited due to lack of knowledge about agrivoltaics and also the lack of funding for start-up agrivoltaics projects. Therefore, this research investigated the potential for agrivoltaics in Central California to reduce irrigation water consumption using a review of multiple crop studies using agrivoltaics to determine an optimal crop for agrivoltaics and a …

Modeling Sex-Specific Changes In Myocardial Fibrosis, Grace Martin

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Heart disease the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Cardiac fibrosis, or accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in the heart, can occur after a heart attack and increase the risk for further complications. Current treatments for heart disease do not include extracellular matrix regulators, partly due to the complicated signaling network responsible for the production of these proteins. By using a computational model of the signaling network in cardia fibroblasts, the relationship between particular molecules and downstream extracellular matrix production can be examined.

Biological sex is an important factor for cardiac health and …

Using Machine Learning To Identify Hate Speech And Offensive Language On Twitter., Mayara Lorens, Thayene Lorens

BSc (Hons) in Computing in IT

The central theme of this project is the application of Machine Learning to identify both hate speech and offensive language on Twitter. We chose this topic for its ethical relevance in the technological environment and its business potential. This topic raises concerns such as cyberbullying and the existence of a hostile environment for users. For this reason, we sought to implement four different models to create an automated system capable of identifying and categorizing whether specific content is offensive, non-offensive or neutral.

Developing A Convolutional Neural Network (Cnn) Model For Facial Expression Recognition (Fer), Danrlei Martins, Leonardo Diesel

ICT

This Capstone Project focused on developing an accurate Facial Expression Recognition (FER) model by leveraging deep learning techniques, specifically Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). The objective was to explore, design, and implement custom architectures and evaluate their performance against existing work. The process involved several stages, such as data preprocessing, data augmentation, architecture design, hyperparameter tuning, and performance assessment using metrics like accuracy and F1-score while utilizing the FER-2013 dataset for training. The resulting FER model exhibited competitive accuracy levels and generalization capabilities, opening up opportunities for real-time implementation and application across various domains.

Enhancing Security And Usability In Password-Based Web Systems Through Standardized Authentication Interactions, Anuj Gautam

Doctoral Dissertations

Password-based authentication is the predominant method for securing access on the web, yet it is fraught with challenges due to the web’s lack of inherent design for authentication. Password managers have emerged as auxiliary tools to assist users in generating, storing, and inputting passwords more securely and efficiently. But both the browser and the server are oblivious of the password manager’s presence, leading to usability and security issues. However, because the web wasn’t originally built to accommodate password-based authentication, password managers serve as a temporary fix and encounter several usability and security problems that limit their widespread use. This dissertation …

Development Of A High-Resolution Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy Apparatus For The Study Of Methane And Other Astrochemical Molecules., S M Shah Riyadh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research documents steps towards building a novel spectroscopic technique, namely, cavity-enhanced double-resonance (CEDR) spectroscopy, for investigating methane (CH₄) and other molecules with significance in astrochemistry. These efforts focus on tackling the complexities of their ro-vibrational energy levels and the inefficiencies in analyzing vibrational spectra, particularly for molecules with high symmetry and strong intramolecular interactions. In the CEDR spectroscopy, the first photon, generated by a continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator (CW-OPO) locked to a Doppler-free saturation absorption line, excites the molecule from its ground level to a selected excited ro-vibrational (rotational-vibrational) level, e.g., that of the asymmetric CH-stretch mode. …

Chemical Analysis Of Hemp-Infused Supplements Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography And Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Julie A. Milbrand

Forensic Science Master's Projects

Hemp and marijuana consumption in the United States can be dated back many centuries as being an essential component of the medicinal, industrial, and recreational markets while maintaining its extremely controversial status amongst the scientific and political communities. While researchers suggest that the plant in which both hemp and marijuana are derived from, Cannabis Satvia, contains more than 600 chemicals, the vast majority of research has been conducted on cannabinoids, which account for about 60 of them. Major phytochemicals from cannabis include its psychoactive agent, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD), cannabigerol (CBG), and many others. Employing the use …

Greening The Green: Examining The Resource Use Of Golf Courses With Suggestions On How To Improve Their Sustainability, Kaelan Addison Lestock '24

Honor Scholar Theses

Golf is a journey full of challenges, requiring each player to strive for precision, rather than merely a game of getting a small, dimpled ball in a cup hundreds of yards away in the fewest strokes possible The game is both physical and mental; it tests one’s focus, decision making, and resilience. Those who play competitively rarely feel as though they are competing against another player, instead their opponent is the course. And for those who play recreationally, the game can be a time to reconnect with nature, foster both old and new friendships, or enjoy the pursuit for perfection. …

A Chemical And Historical Analysis Of Beer: Discovering Brewing Styles And Beer Stages, Alexander Taylor '24

Honor Scholar Theses

This interdisciplinary project is designed to explore both the compositional qualities of beer during the brewing process and its impact on society from a cultural, economic, and social viewpoint. Comparing various styles of beer against each other in a historical, societal, and chemical lens allows for a deeper understanding of what creates a beer’s identity, and what makes it different from other styles. Here we analyzed two different styles of beer, a bock lager and a saison ale, in order to determine their chemical composition through their developmental stages to their final product. Based on previously published research and extended …

Evaluating Large Language Model Performance On Haskell, Andrew Chen

Undergraduate Honors Theses

I introduce HaskellEval, a Haskell evaluation benchmark for Large Language Models. HaskellEval’s curation leverages a novel synthetic generation framework, streamlining the process of dataset curation by minimizing manual intervention. The core of this research is an extensive analysis of the trustworthiness of synthetic generations, ensuring accuracy, realism, and diversity. Additional, I provide a comprehensive evaluation of existing open-source models on HaskellEval.

Security And Interpretability In Large Language Models, Lydia Danas

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Large Language Models (LLMs) have the capability to model long-term dependencies in sequences of tokens, and are consequently often utilized to generate text through language modeling. These capabilities are increasingly being used for code generation tasks; however, LLM-powered code generation tools such as GitHub's Copilot have been generating insecure code and thus pose a cybersecurity risk. To generate secure code we must first understand why LLMs are generating insecure code. This non-trivial task can be realized through interpretability methods, which investigate the hidden state of a neural network to explain model outputs. A new interpretability method is rationales, which obtains …

Modeling The Neutral Densities Of Sparc Using A Python Version Of Kn1d, Gwendolyn R. Galleher

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Currently, neutral recycling is a crucial contributor to fueling the plasma within tokamaks. However, Commonwealth Fusion System’s SPARC Tokamak is expected to be more opaque to neutrals. Thus, we anticipate that the role of neutral recycling in fueling will decrease. Since SPARC is predicted to have a groundbreaking fusion power gain ratio of Q ≈ 10, we must have a concrete understanding of the opacity
and whether or not alternative fueling practices must be included. To develop said understanding, we produced neutral density profiles via KN1DPy, a 1D kinetic neutral transport code for atomic and molecular hydrogen in an ionizing …

Identifying Transitions In Plasma With Topological Data Analysis Of Noisy Turbulence, Julius Kiewel

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cross-field transport and heat loss in a magnetically confined plasma is determined by turbulence driven by perpendicular (to the magnetic field) pressure gradients. The heat losses from turbulence can make it difficult to maintain the energy density required to reach and maintain the conditions necessary for fusion. Self-organization of turbulence into intermediate scale so-called zonal flows can reduce the radial heat losses, however identifying when the transition occurs and any precursors to the transition is still a challenge. Topological Data Analysis (TDA) is a mathematical method which is used to extract topological features from point cloud and digital data to …

Mathematical Modeling And Examination Into Existing And Emerging Parkinson’S Disease Treatments: Levodopa And Ketamine, Gabrielle Riddlemoser

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease across the world, affecting over 6 million people worldwide. This disorder is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) due to the aggregation of α-synuclein within the brain. Patients with PD develop motor symptoms such as tremors, bradykinesia, and postural instability, as well as a host of non-motor symptoms such as behavioral changes, sleep difficulties, and fatigue. The reduction of dopamine within the brain is the primary cause of these symptoms. The main form of treatment for PD is levodopa, a precursor …

Use Of Molecular Logic Gates For The Tuning Of Chemosensor Dynamic Range, Orhan Acikgoz

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The first molecular logic gates were created in the 1990s; integrating such logic gates into fluorescent chemosensors allowed for the detection of different types of ions in solution. In this study, we have developed a new use of molecular logic gates by having two of the same type of binding site. The two binding sites on a fluorophore that both detect Na⁺ ions led to an increase in the detection limit compared with the chemosensor with a single binding site. Since the two sodium binding sites create an AND logic gate, two sodium ions are needed to generate a …

Modeling Group 3 Medulloblastoma: Describing The Interconnected Pathway Of The Most Common Pediatric Brain Cancer, Amber Cantú

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Group 3 medulloblastoma is one of the most common pediatric brain cancers. Affecting infants and children, this cancer has the worst prognosis of the medulloblastoma group. Current treatments use surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy to afflict the cancer, however no cure has been found. This project aims to model one of the many pathways being investigated in Group 3 medulloblastoma which may be used to synthesize future treatments. Specifically, showing the interconnections between various precursors of BCL-xL, an antiapoptotic protein, and how these factors influence the progression of the disease. Scientific databases were used to find previous research articles which …

N-Methylation Of Amphetamine By Phenylethanolamine N- Methyltransferase: Implications For Chronic Therapeutic Use, Mackenzie Pavlik

Master's Theses

In current forensic analysis, the presence of methamphetamine in a sample is routinely presumed to reflect methamphetamine abuse. This is due to the expectation that individuals either abusing, or receiving amphetamine for therapeutic purposes (e.g. as treatment for ADHD) will not generate any significant levels of methamphetamine as a product of metabolism. We have hypothesized however, that because amphetamine can serve as a substrate for methylation by phenylethanolamine n-methyltransferase (PNMT), (which will be in equilibrium with the reverse demethylation reaction) some individuals chronically taking amphetamine for therapeutic purposes may generate low levels of methamphetamine that would show up on a …

Comparing North American Professional Sports League Season Formats Using Monte Carlo Simulation, Lathan Gregg

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Each NFL, NBA, and MLB season consists of a regular season, in which teams play a set number of scheduled games and a playoff, in which qualifying teams compete for a championship. At the conclusion of each season, teams are ranked based on their performance throughout the season. This study aims to investigate the ability of each league's season format to accurately rank teams using Monte Carlo simulation. Matches between two teams are simulated by using the team’s assigned strength ranks to calculate a winning probability for each team. The winning probabilities are simulated with different skill values, dictating how …

Sequential Optimization For Stressor-Informed Test Planning Through Integration Of Experimental And Simulated Data, Jacob Brecheisen

Data Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

This technical report details an innovative approach in reliability engineering aimed at maximizing system durability through a synergistic use of physical experimentation and computer-based modeling. Our methodology explores the efficient design and analysis of computer experiments and physical tests to facilitate accelerated reliability growth, while leveraging a sequential integration of data from these two distinct sources: costly physical experiments, characterized by random errors, and inexpensive computer simulations, marked by inherent systematic errors. The key innovation lies in the adoption of a closed-loop design and analysis method. This method begins by identifying a viable subset of important environmental stressors—such as temperature, …

Investigating User Awareness Of Privacy And Security Concerns In The Iot Era, Jack Ruffner

ALL - Honors Theses

The Internet of Things (IoT) has had a significant impact on the way we view and interact with technology. This is especially prevalent in the areas of smart homes, smart tech, and mobile devices. However, despite the advantageous functions of IoT devices, they are accompanied by numerous security concerns that enable several severe privacy concerns. Many studies and informative articles present ideas that explain and prove the presence of the various risks associated with IoT devices and the need to address them. This thesis paper aims to explore the relationship between IoT device usage and security and privacy risks as …

Cultural And Environmental Change In A Period Of Westernized Tourism: Bali, Indonesia, Barbara Buck

ALL - Honors Theses

Dutch colonizers opened Bali for tourism at the beginning of the 20th century, and since that time tourism has led to changes in Bali’s culture, environment, and local resources. In the late 1900s, tourism grew to a new level, which resulted in a shift of industry control away from Balinese people. This project examines the problem of tourism from a social and environmental science lens. By compiling literature and science from various fields of study, this project aims to illustrate the complexity of Bali’s tourism problem in an interdisciplinary way. The lack of local control over tourism perpetuated and exacerbated …

Argonaute 2 Binding Affinity To Determine Repression Of Mirna-Mrna Pairs, Christina M. S. Karadiakos

ALL - Honors Theses

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play a key role in gene silencing. miRNAs form an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) with the argonaute 2 (AGO2) protein in order to control gene expression through silencing messenger RNAs (mRNA). The ability for a miRNA-mRNA complex to fit into AGO2 and form the RISC is based on the location and characteristics of a central bulge, but the mechanism and interactions that lead to a functional RISC remain unknown. Using available experimental data, we modeled complexes composed of a miRNA (miR-34a) and different mRNA sequences inside of AGO2. The resulting …

Evaluating And Enhancing The New York State Mesonet (Nysm) Snow Accumulation Estimation, Christopher Gilberti

ALL - Honors Theses

This research project aims to examine and enhance the performance of the New York State Mesonet (NYSM) Snow Accumulation Estimation. The NYSM is a state-of-the-art network of 126 standard weather stations located across the state of New York, collecting high-quality meteorological data to improve forecast accuracy, reduce uncertainty, and mitigate harm. All NYSM standard stations measure snow depth with Campbell Scientific’s SR50A ultrasonic distance sensor. This acoustic sensor measures the distance from the sensor to a rigid snowboard if there is no snow on the ground or the top of snow layer. A reference distance and a temperature correction are …

Do Heat Waves Drive Natural Selection In Damselflies?, Adam Baranyk

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Climate change has led to changes in both mean temperatures and temperature extremes over the recent years. These changes have had differential effects on animals throughout the world. Ectotherms depend on their external environment for thermal regulation, making them especially susceptible to temperature extremes. It is not yet clear whether there is a relationship between physical traits in ectotherms, and survivorship throughout a heat wave. That is, whether or not temperature extremes driven survival selection. In this study, a heat wave was simulated artificially using thermally regulated mesocosms at different temperatures (18°C, 22° C, 26° C, 30° C) with a …

Measurement Of Transmission Efficiency Of Blue Light Blocking Devices, Jada Lee

Honors Theses

Technology and light sources have experienced a revolution in recent years leading to the production of light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. White-light LED bulbs undergo degradation over time, leading to a rise in color temperature and a proportional increase in the emission of blue light from these bulbs. The small size of LEDs makes them the optimal choice for electronic devices because of their limited screen size. This means that blue light now exists in red, green, and blue solid-state illumination systems that did not exist a decade ago. It is debated if blue light induces toxic effects on the …

A Comprehensive Investigation Of The Influence Of Geometric Structure On The Shape Memory Performance Of Nafion, Jade Thomas

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

While perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes have primarily been used in fuel cells due to their chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability, one PFSA, Nafion, boasts two unique characteristics: a broad glass transition (~55 °C to 130 °C) and a temperature-persistent electrostatic network. The combination of these two characteristics endows Nafion with exceptional shape memory properties – the ability of a material to morph and transform into pre-programmed shapes when exposed to an external stimulus – with enhanced permanent shape memorization, and a potentially near-infinite number of temporary shape memorization. This study focused on expanding the base of knowledge surrounding Nafion’s shape …

Blade Design And Validation Of Hydrokinetic Turbine To Harvest Water Current Energy, Setare Sadeqi

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The innovative aspect of this research lies in the careful integration of cutting-edge technologies throughout the entire process of designing, fabricating, and testing the carbon fiber propeller for the 3-bladed horizontal axis ocean current turbine (OCT). SolidWorks software played a pivotal role in the initial design phase, enabling a meticulous and precise modeling of the propeller's geometry. The utilization of SolidWorks allowed for a detailed exploration of various design parameters, ensuring that the propeller's structure and form were optimized for performance in ocean current conditions. Moving beyond the realm of virtual design, the choice of carbon fiber as the fabrication …

Towing Tank Trials Of Hydrokinetic Turbine Scale Model To Support Marine Energy System Verification, Shahab Rouhi

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In response to the escalating demand for sustainable energy solutions and the critical reevaluation of conventional fossil fuels due to environmental concerns, this dissertation embarks on a comprehensive exploration of hydrokinetic energy as a promising alternative. The study delves into the underexplored domain of hydrokinetic energy, leveraging innovative methodologies for effective utilization and harnessing, particularly through the development and investigation of hydrokinetic turbines.

In the realm of hydrokinetic energy conversion, our research has exclusively concentrated on horizontal-axis turbines, distinct from other turbine configurations. Noteworthy is the adaptation of a conventional horizontal-axis wind turbine for water currents, revealing enhanced performance through …