SU Honors College Theses

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/11603/95

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Examining the US Withdrawl From Afghanistan Through the Lens of Ibn Khaldun and Carl von Clausewitz
(2022) Seymour, William; History
History is the ever-changing story of humanity which can be used to examine past mistakes to avoid making those mistakes again. Throughout human history, war and politics have gone hand in hand however when you look at the basis of these two it devolves into the question of power. Carl von Clausewitz said, "War is simply the continuation of political intercourse with the addition of other means." The U.S. has been in two different conflicts both of which started within the realm of politics and ended in the evacuation of troops with the United States as the clear loser. Is it possible to learn from the failures of history and to avoid them in the future? Indeed a 15th century thinker produced a theory quantifying the nature of politics and power to avoid failure. Ibn Khaldun was a philosopher and historian who many consider the father of sociology and other similar fields and produced the theory of Asabiyyah. His theory deals with the sovereignty gained from group cohesion based on the hardy warrior spirit set on political and military dominance. In 2001, Americans invaded Afghanistan however were forced to pull out in 2021 declaring it a failure. It is my contention that Ibn Khaldun's theory of Asabiyyah lies at the heart of both American and Soviet failures in Afghanistan and conversely the success of the local defense effort. Unlike the two world powers, the Pashtun in Afghanistan possessed the crucial element of Asabiyyah- Social solidarity with an emphasis on group consciousness, cohesiveness, and unity- to a degree unimaginable to the occupying forces. Both the US and Afghanistan have had major changes wrought on them by this interaction. The world has also been forever changed, whether for the better or the worse is yet to be seen. This paper will examine those changes through the lens of the two aforementioned scholars and explain the timeline of the US's invasion of Afghanistan.
Mental Health and the ACA Medicaid Expansion
(2023) Shaeffer, Emily
The Medicaid expansion was passed under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by 25 states in 2014, in 11 other states since, and not at all in 16 states/territories (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2023). The primary goal of the Medicaid expansion is to widen the eligibility of Medicaid to a greater number of low-income individuals. Research has been done on the effects of the Medicaid expansion on various health behaviors such as smoking or drinking as well as on mental health. However, the research that has been done on the effect of the Medicaid expansion on the mental health of individuals tends to contradict in their respective findings. It is extremely important to continue to research the effect of the Medicaid expansion on mental health in the long run since mental health is not easily or quickly changed. Thus, I studied the effects of the Medicaid expansion on the mental health of individuals by using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey for the years 2011 to 2021 (see more details about the BRFSS in the data section).
Flying High in The Shadows: Women Air Force Service Pilots in WWII
(2021) Steltzer, Samantha; History
This paper explores the gender discrimination that the Women Air Force Service Pilots, or WASPs, faced during their service World War II and the reasons for the thirty-year secrecy of the program. The research discussed in this paper is important to the fields of women's gender history, specifically in its significance to military history by relaying female narratives stories that have been neglected. Recent historiography about the women has been limited because of WASP's records classification due to WWII military procedures but has slowly increased though recent news articles, oral interviews, and autobiographies that focus on the life of a particular WASP. 111is paper examines the various noncombatant piloting tasks the WASPs completed during World War II to help the wartime effort, filling in for traditionally male jobs. The W ASPs faced various occurrences of gender discrimination and bias during their training and careers after graduation, such as wage inequality, which stemmed from standard 1930s and 40s views on gender roles that was reinforced by male pilot counterparts.
COVID-19 and Socioemotional Selectivity Theory: Do the Socioemotional Impacts of a Long-Term Pandemic Reflect Aging Tendencies?
(2022) Walsh, Samantha; Psychology
The Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST) suggests that, as a person ages from young adulthood to older adulthood, a person's socioemotional goals tend to shift from knowledge-driven to emotionally driven (Carstensen, 2006). This shift can be affected by factors other than age, including illness (English and Carstensen (2015); Fung and Carstensen (2006); Sullivan-Singh, Stanton, and Low (2015)) and stress (Fung and Carstensen (2006); Clerkin (2020)). In this study, we tested the idea that the COVID-19 pandemic, being illness and stress related, should also create a socioemotional shift in younger adults. 246 Participants were surveyed with a battery of surveys, including the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, the Future Time Perspective Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the COVID-19 Impact Items (Cl) and the Pandemic-Related Stress Scale (PRSS). Findings supported our hypothesis that the larger impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic would be associated with a narrower future time perspective. Unexpectedly, however, this narrower future time perspective was associated with higher negative affect scores and lower positive affect and meaning in life scores.
Creating… Creating…
(2022) Zolenski, Luke; Mathematics
What does it mean to create something? Depending on who you ask, you will be met with very different answers. In Jean-Michelle Basquiat's case, it meant making a painting, in Roger Waters', writing songs, Marco Pierre White's, pushing culinary barriers. Nonetheless a recognizable pattern emerges when one analyzes the creative habits of the most famous artists throughout history: they all made something original. A trait that is getting harder to come by as the modern age takes form, and creation gives way to bureaucracy. But what does the artist do? The artist creates; creates; creates a-n-d ... thinks, thinks, the thoughts never, never stop, 2-0-0-0 miles per second, per second, and new avenues for originality present themselves as they become more experienced. And much the same can be said for any discipline. Nonetheless, the artist - like the entrepreneur they are - recognizes a need in the market. And it is through constant immersion into their craft that these incredible powers of observation mature. Once this need is recognized, the artist then looks to address this need; here is where their creative abilities serve them the most. Just as the lion has adapted eyesight to see in the dark, the artist has adapted creative powers to solve problems. Over the last ten years or so, the current entertainment and creative mediums afforded to us have worn their welcome. As a result, the need for a new artistic medium has presented itself. The need for the next paradigm shift. As such, I have attempted to address this need by combining pre-existing realms of artistic expression, to produce an entirely new one. Further, this process is a direct result of computational and mathematical analysis, thus further integrating other disciplines. A new medium altogether; one that encapsulates mathematics and art - and within art, those realms of musical and dynamic expression. A bridge between those forms that are intangible with those that are defined. Total oneness as is attained mentally now exists literally and physically. Originality in it's truest sense, creating creating.
Drones: A Path to a Tech Driven Future: A look at the Military, Police, Environment, and Entertainment Capabilities of Drones!
(2022) Reagle, Gavin; Information and Decision Sciences
The purpose of this thesis is to take a deeper look into four various applications of drones. The four applications that will be discussed are the military, police, environmental, and entertainment uses of drones. The military section of the thesis will analyze how the military is able to use all different types of drones to accomplish different missions such as locating, spying, targeting, and attacking, if necessary, an enemy compound. The police section expresses how police can domestically use drones to locate and track missing suspects, monitor traffic and crash patterns, and even use drones to give out speeding ticket. Next the environmental sections will look at how drones can reach places never reachable before to monitor pollution and volcanic activity. They can also be used to tend crops on a field, which would save the farmer hours of hard work. The fourth section takes a look at the entertainment and commercial industry, with drones being used for light shows, to film movies, as well as deliver packages. After looking at everything that drones can offer, it is important that we also take a look at the various drawback and privacy issues that become a very real possibility with drones in the sky. It is crucial to the advancement of drones, that proper regulations are put into place to prevent the unethical use of drones. If these regulations can be accomplished, there is no doubt that drones will continue to grow and become more and more efficient with more functionality in the near future.
A Referendum: in Miniature
(2022) Prince, Xavier; English
Short creative essays including: On being immortal until proven otherwise, or a critical introduction -- On the leviathan -- Monday night -- On schadenfreude -- On following the playbook -- Diary of a flaneur -- On personal astronomy -- On drunkenness -- On learning how to curse -- On the N word -- On domesticated gods.
Predicting Plagues: A Call to Create a Predictive Model for Zoonotic Development
(2023) Perry, Naomi; Biological Sciences
Zoonotic viruses are becoming more common and oftentimes result in epidemics, like the Ebola virus, or pandemics, like COVID-19. Recent increases in human-animal contact are a systemic problem unlikely to change. As contact increases, it is important to determine what diseases are most likely to spill over. This early warning sign will allow for early vaccine development and prevention measures to be put in place. Bats form the most likely reservoir for emerging zoonoses as they have increased contact with humans and intermediate hosts, act as natural reservoirs for coronaviruses, and have close evolutionary relationships with humans when compared to other common viral vectors. Coronaviruses themselves have shown an increased ability to spillover causing several widespread outbreaks in less than twenty years. Coronaviruses also have many viral characteristics that increase their zoonotic potential such as high mutation rates. For a virus to change hosts, its receptor binding domain (RBD) must be able to recognize and bind the new host's cell receptors. These changes could be tracked to determine the likelihood of the virus to bind to human receptors. Here, I propose that a model can be developed to predict which viruses are more likely to spill over and when. There is increasing amounts of research that discuss the various evolutionary constraints and processes that viruses go through as well as the characteristics of host and virus that increase spillover potential. With use of a machine learning model, the rate and types of mutations can be estimated for the receptor binding domain or various diseases. These models will need to be trained to account for host and viral factors that influence mutations and the evolutionary constraints exerted on zoonotic viruses such as the founder effect. This will allow for the prediction of zoonotic outbreaks.
Achieving Prosperity: The Title X Factor in Reducing Poverty
(2023) Holder, Daisy; Economics
The Title X program grants federal funds to clinics providing family planning and contraceptive services to low-income clients. Research indicates a relationship between access to contraception and poverty rates, but little is known about the effects of the Title X program specifically, which provides funding to clinics for contraception, contraceptive education, preventative healthcare, counseling, and confidential care for minors. This paper estimates the effect Title X clinics have on poverty rates using state-level Title X clinic and poverty data in the years 2010 and 2015. I use a two-by-two difference-in-differences method that controls for time-invariant confounding factors to identify the relationship between Title X clinics and poverty. I also estimate the effect that Title X clinics have on bachelor's degree attainment to identify the impact of the resource effect on poverty reduction. I find that Title X clinics reduce poverty by 1.541 percentage points and increase bachelor's degree attainment by 0.33 percentage points, indicating that Title X clinics reduce poverty at least in part by increasing educational opportunities. These results corroborate the research that finds a negative relationship between access to contraception and poverty while applying it directly to the Title X federal program. Understanding this relationship and the implications of Title X beyond fertility rates and reproductive health can provide a more comprehensive guide for maximizing its beneficial effects.
Building Bridges: A Collaboration between Salisbury University's Writing Center and the Stephen Decatur High School Writing Center
(2021) Jones, Kyla; English
This project seeks to understand how a partnership between the University Writing Center (UWC) at Salisbury University and the Seahawk Writing Center (SWC) at Stephen Decatur High School could provide benefits to both institutions and their respective communities at large. After examining existing models of such partnerships, I worked with staff from both centers to organize our own experimental event called an "unconference." This event kicked off said partnership, and IRB-approved surveys were used to collect data about the benefits that both the college and high school tutors gleaned from their collaborative conversations. The feedback, revealed in detail in this project, was overwhelmingly positive and provided future avenues for the UWC to support the SWC. It was also determined through the survey responses that the current pool of SWC tutors is generally inexperienced and lacking in confidence when it comes to tutoring writing, so much of the support provided to them will be to bolster these areas. Finally, I provide a detailed description of several potential models for future collaboration so that 1) this partnership has several avenues for continuation and 2) other writing centers may use this information for their own partnerships.
Bioinformatic analysis and characterization of the enzyme SE1966 - A putative nitroreductase
(2022) Langlois, Allison; Chemistry
The Protein Structure Initiative (PSI) was a 15 year, $70 million program with the goal of solving large numbers of protein structures, expanding basic and biomedical research. The initiative added over 5,000 new protein structures, linking them to DNA sequences. While the link between protein structure and DNA sequences is important, the PSI did not provide any functional testing. Adding functional characterization to a solved structure and sequence builds knowledge on how the three are related, accelerating future proteins research and even novel protein design. Our research focuses on analyzing the function of the SE1966 nitroreductase, whose structure was solved by the PSI. Nitroreductases are enzymes that metabolize nitrogen-substituted compounds in bacteria and some eukaryotic enzymes. Nitroreductase enzymes have been used for both environmental and sustainability purposes and show potential in cancer therapeutic treatment. There are more than 24,000 known nitroreductase variants, ordered into 2 families: NfsA and NfsB. Unfortunately, only 20 other enzymes related to NfsA have been investigated, equivalent to less than 1% of the subgroup. Our tests confirm that the nitroreductase is an Flavin Mononucleotide-dependent oxidoreducterase, and indicate a specitivity for NADPH, versus the predicted NADPH/NADH. Characterizing this enzyme adds to general knowledge of how structure and function relate, and specifically, builds understanding of nitroreductase enzymes in environmental and human health.
A rise in student apprehension : investigating the impact of communication anxiety among undergraduate students
(2022) Link, Brendan; Communication
The purpose of this study was meant to explore communication apprehension (CA) among undergraduate students and to discover if there is a significant difference linking students enrolled in a Communication program to lower levels of CA. This research aims to determine if there is a significant presence of apprehension among all students and the correlation of apprehension dependent upon the educational path they have decided. This was determined by utilizing self report instruments including a demographic questionnaire as well as a standardized report of CA. The results suggested that there is a significant difference that links Communication students to lower levels of CA. In general, students who are familiar with the subject and principles of communication tend to experience less CA because of their familiarity and comfortability with each context of communication. Limitations of this research include the limited amount of survey results in the data collection process. Practically, students are shown to be apprehensive regardless of their academic program for which they are enrolled. Yet, even with the means of both groups considered to be medium levels of apprehensiveness, Communication students tend to have less CA. While there appears to be a multitude of research on the subject of CA and implications to individual's on certain demographics, there is no present research that links a student's academic program to their level of CA that they experience.
The Morphology if Freshwater Tidal River System: A Sedimentological Study on the Effects of Rising Sea Level
(2021) Midash, Delany; Geography
The seas are rising, and with it, the tides are expanding into non-tidal rivers. The purpose of this study was to determine how the sedimentology and morphology of Coastal Plain rivers change with increasing tidal influence. Broad Creek is a tidally-influenced tributary of the Nanticoke River in Sussex County, DE which serves as an ideal field setting for studying this phenomenon. Field observations and sediment samples taken along the length of the river were used to identify the various depositional environments and how they changed along the river. This information was used to observe the morphological changes occurring due to sea level rise. By comparing upstream depositional environments with downstream depositional environments, we can better assess how increasing sea-level rise could impact Coastal Plain rivers in the future.
Examining Septic Tank Pollution in Eastern Shore Waterways through Evaluation of Optical Brighteners
(2022) Morningred, Connor; Biological Sciences
We collected water samples along Chesapeake Bay tributary rivers in order to examine septic tank pollution. In order to accomplish this, we tested for optical brighteners, fluorescent chemical compounds found in standard washing detergents. In the Wicomico, Pocomoke, and Nanticoke rivers, we found decreasing optical brightener readings (indicating less septic tank pollution) in more developed areas, with greater optical brightener readings (indicating more septic tank pollution) in less developed areas. This may be because more homes in developed areas are likely to be connected to municipal sewage, while homes in more rural areas are reliant upon septic tanks for wastewater treatment. Furthermore, we investigated the photo-decaying properties of optical brighteners in order to better understand how optical brighteners can accurately be used as a tracing mechanism for septic tank pollution in future studies. We discuss key findings, both of optical brightener properties and concentrations, as well as recommend further study in these areas, in order to increase awareness and knowledge of septic tank pollution problems across the Chesapeake Bay system.
The Evolution of Voltage-Gated Potassium Channels into Agents of Cancer Migration, Proliferation, and Metastasis
(2022) Hartlove, Nathan; Biological Sciences
Since the discovery of the action potential in neurons, voltage-gated ion channels have been declared the principle regulators of membrane potential in excitable cells. Although it holds true that voltage-gated ion channels are crucial to the propagation of the action potential, this distinction often undermines the role of voltage-gated ion channels in all cells, regardless of their excitability. After careful analysis of voltage-gated ion channel presence and function in all three domains of life, particularly the voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels, an appreciation for the realm Kv functions across many tissues is growing. This paper will highlight the evolution of potassium channels and their divergent functions across multiple cell types and argues for their clinical importance. In addition to covering some well-established roles of Kv channels in nerve, muscle, and pancreatic beta cells, this paper will review the roles of specific Kv channels in cancer cells. These channels will be reviewed for their roles in cell migration, proliferation, and metastasis and may serve as ideal targets for novel cancer therapeutics.
Fish Oil Supplementation and Satiety: Effects on Appetite
(2022) Fairbanks, Nick; Exercise Science
Fish oil supplements naturally contain omega-3 fatty acids, which pose a variety of different health benefits that inevitably improve cardiovascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids work to improve cardiovascular health through, "the suppression of appetite, improvements in circulation which might facilitate nutrient delivery to skeletal muscle and changes in gene expression which shift metabolism toward increased accretion of lean tissue, enhanced fat oxidation and energy expenditure and reduced fat deposition." (Buckley & Howe, 2010, p.1). Most of the existing literature suggests the possible link between omega-3 supplementation and appetite suppression due to the presence of polyunsaturated fats (Buckley & Howe, 2010, p.1). These fats work to increase feelings of satiety and inhibit the inclination to continue eating (Parra et al., 2008, p.1). In contrast, a randomized control trial also exists that connects omega-3 supplementation to an increase in appetite (Damsbo-Svendsen et al., 2013, p.1). Close examination to an increase of dietary patterns throughout the course of this study will examine what effect the supplement could have on appetite. My research investigated how fish oil supplementation affects specific dietary patterns and behaviors.
Generating Methodology for Changing Wave Outcomes In Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation
(2021) Danaher, Emma; Chemistry
In order to improve precision in mass spectrometry that represents signals as waveforms, methods were generated to observe whether or not it is possible to change the shape of a wave by manipulating the shape of the detector. The detector model used in this simulation originated from a charge detection mass spectrometer and was built in Simion. By utilizing different analytical techniques such as image charge methods and FFTs, a signal was generated and analyzed. The coefficient of variation was then used to assess the quality of precision. This research will create a new area of signal changing research to further explore within the scientific community and will lead to new ways of improving precision in instruments that represent signals as waveforms.
Hunting Affects the Navigational Strategies of Yellow-Breasted Capuchins (Sapajus xanthosternos)
(2022) Ciattei, Christian; Geography
Human hunting is known to greatly affect the behaviors of wildlife. Hunting drives animals to change their survival strategies in ways that increase risks of disease and natural predation and sacrifice more effective feeding strategies. Thus, human hunting is a significant component (of the landscape of fear, a concept which describes the changes in an animal's space use and spatial distribution of behaviors as responses to indicators of real or perceived predation risk across their habitat. There is a lack of evidence for a connection between navigational strategies and the landscape of fear. We studied the effects of real and perceived predation risk on the use of habitual routes by a population of yellow-breasted capuchins under hunting pressure (Sapajus xanthosternos) at _Una Biological Reserve in Bahia, Brazil. We found that the capuchins used more habitual routes in close proximity to events of hunting. We also found that the capuchins used more habitual routes closer to observed events of risk-perception behaviors. However, events of terrestrial and aerial predation from natural predators did not have a significant effect on the use of habitual routes. Our findings indicate that the navigational strategies of yellow-breasted capuchins are affected by their landscape of fear, especially as it pertains to human hunting.
Diet, Sex, Morphometrics, and Meristics of Blueline and Golden Tilefishes off of the Maryland Coast
(2022) Kayla Camiscioli; Biological Sciences
The blueline tilefish (Caulolatilus microps), and the golden tilefish (Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps) are two economically and ecologically important species of benthic fishes (Actinopterygii; Latildae) off the Atlantic coast of Maryland. There is little information published on their primary food sources, their morphometric and meristic characters, or reproductive habits. Meristic data are counts of body features such as the number of fin spines and gili rakers on an individual fish. Morphometric data includes measurements such as fish lengths and eye diameter. These characters are important for describing characters that are variable within a population and can be characteristic of separate breeding stocks of fishes. The goals of my study are to find out a) what the Maryland coastal tilefish populations feed on; b) describe the variations among 23 morphometric measurements and 10 meristic counts among blueline and golden tilefishes; and c) collect gonads and otoliths for future research projects on tilefish sex, age and growth. These data should add to our knowledge of the life histories of Maryland tilefishes, which can be used to improve management practices to protect these species. Thirty blueline tilefish and 8 golden tilefish were obtained from local fisheries in Ocean City, Maryland from May to August 2021.The gonadosomatic index was calculated for 6 golden and 26 blueline tilefish with mean, standard deviation, and range reported for each species. The range, mean, and standard deviation was recorded for morphometric and meristic data points for 8 golden and 30 blueline tilefish. Additionally, prey remains were identified in the guts of 5 of 7 golden and 5 of 18 blue line tilefish. This data adds to previous research on these species as well as provides opportunities for future research.
Getting Ready to Learn: The role of agitation level on children's recall of learning events
(2021) Regan Benton; Psychology
Thirty-three children (ages 4-9 years) completed a study investigating how the level of agitation impacts memories of learning. Children were divided into two conditions, one that did ten jumping jacks before learning and one that did nothing before learning. Children then watched a pre-recorded event and answered open-ended and dichotomous questions about their learning. Results indicated that older children could more accurately recall the facts they learned and how they learned them. There was no impact of experimental condition looking at agitation levels.

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