Matching Items (11,240)
Filtering by
- Creators: Barrett, The Honors College
- Member of: Theses and Dissertations
Description
The following is a compilation of my research and investigation into the Roswell event, and the government coverup by the military and the Truman Administration succeeding this incident. I dive deeply into the aspects that we think we know about what happened that night, as well as the known military operations and Presidential mandates to come soon after. I also take a look at how this conspiracy and alleged coverup still ring true today through instances such as the David Grusch NewsNation testimony and statements through the Congressional Hearings to follow. Finally, we investigate the psychology of this phenomenon, and why I think it still persists.
ContributorsThomas, Kari (Author) / Schmidt, Peter (Thesis director) / Mack, Robert (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The goal of this study was to investigate the possibility of catch bond formation between nectin and actin during cellular adhesion by modeling the actin-filament binding protein, afadin, out of equilibrium. This was done through the in silico methodology of Molecular Dynamics (MD); more specifically using Steered Molecular Dynamics (SMD) and Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics (REMD). The methodology of this experiment centered around generating physiologically probable structures through REMD, then using MD and SMD methods to generate structures in the absence and presence of force respectively. These structures were then analyzed through Solvent Accessible Surface Area (SASA) measurements to assess the overall compactness of the structure, which led to implicit observations on the overall resistance of force that this structure has. Overall, it was found that the structure displayed more compact conformations in the presence of force as the SASA values of the binding pocket and individual residues involved in the system tend to decrease as force was applied. This is indicative of more stable conformations and a force resistant quality that is indicative of catch bonding, thus leading to the natural conclusion that this structure displays catch bond character.
ContributorsChapman, Jonathan (Author) / Singharoy, Abhishek (Thesis director) / Beckstein, Oliver (Committee member) / Ros, Robert (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
In 2022, a previous team of computer science and accounting students worked together to design and build a fully-functioning website to automate accounting transactions. They created dynamic accounting applications using software frameworks such as React and Express. They then used the services provided by Amazon Web Services to make the website available online. The stakeholders of the project wanted to expand upon the services provided by the website so they entrusted our team with implementing new features and applications to the software system. Using the same software frameworks and services of the previous team, we redesigned the website and increased its functionality to better meet the needs of accounting automation.
ContributorsJain, Sejal (Author) / Macabou, Elise (Co-author) / Lim, Jonathan (Co-author) / Villani, Jacob (Co-author) / Chen, Yinong (Thesis director) / Hunt, Neil (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor) / Computer Science and Engineering Program (Contributor) / School of Public Affairs (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
A creative project detailing the representation of Asian Americans in Sports Media. I interviewed 6 Asian American sports journalists across the US talking about their journey into the media world. They also talked about the representation of AAPI's in their market and how that affects them and their community as a whole.
ContributorsOza, Rishi (Author) / Woods, Shemar (Thesis director) / Hawken, Denise (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Comm (Contributor) / Department of Marketing (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
This thesis examines the discourse on firearm suicide in the United States, focusing on the contrasting narratives of gun rights and gun control advocacy groups. It analyzes how these groups use rhetorical, visual, and linguistic strategies to shape public perception and policy discussions about the link between gun ownership and suicide rates. The study highlights the role of digital media in amplifying these divergent narratives, revealing a polarized discourse that simplifies the complexities of firearm suicide. The findings advocate for a more nuanced approach to the public and policy dialogue, aiming to foster more effective suicide prevention strategies.
ContributorsSinger, Sean (Author) / Young, Alex (Thesis director) / Cohen, Adam (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Psychology (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
In the European Union, the challenges surrounding migration are increasingly becoming more hostile towards both migrants and the organizations that help them. For years, the EU has worked to balance supranational and intergovernmental policies specifically in the realm of migration, due to states having varying priorities contingent on location, GDP and governments. One of the realms of governance that has fallen short is in the Mediterranean, with large numbers of migrant fatalities during boat crossings taking place. In response, NGOs operating sea rescue initiatives in the Mediterranean, have increased the volume of their operations to address a high number of deaths. As a result of the influx of migration into the EU, the union, as well as individual states, have enacted strict policies of management. The increase in migrants has changed both the governance of migration as well as the role the judiciary plays in migration, which highlights the shortcoming of states when it comes to compliance with UN and EU protocols. The EU has also worked hard to build relationships with their border security force, Frontex, and neighboring states, to minimize migrants entering the union. The emphasis on this type of governance led to a shift towards securitization policies in the EU and its states. The shift resulted in an increase in pressure on state judicial systems, who are experiencing an uptake in migration related cases in their regional and lower courts. The EU and NGOs are both running simultaneous operations in the Mediterranean with the goal of saving lives, with the EU also trying to minimize migration by enacting securitization policies. One of the most evident results of the securitization shift is the Italian government's targeting of NGOs. This is the outcome of NGOs refusing to participate in Italy's investigations into migrant smuggling operations. The investigations into the NGOs frame the organizations in the courts and media as smugglers with the intention of causing harm within the community. Instead of properly litigating, Italy is manipulating the court system to keep humanitarian aid cases in lower, more regional courts with less resources and less supranational oversight. The judicial section of the paper focuses on the complexity of compliance with UN, EU and state legal protocols and ratifications, which all play an important role in the analysis.
The criminalization of humanitarian aid is the center of this thesis and can be best understood by investigating both the governance sector and the judicial implications of the court cases analyzed, the cases of the Iuventa and the Sea Watch 3, both sea rescue organizations investigated for facilitating smuggling into Italy. The attempt to use the judicial system to manage migrant governance is the start of a concerning trend and the thesis presents evidence of state action to dissuade and limit humanitarian aid operations. The erosion of migrant governance in the UN and its member states has put immense pressure on the judicial system, which in turn has impacted the basic functions of democracy in Italy.
ContributorsLindeman, Flannery (Author) / Sivak, Henry (Thesis director) / Peskin, Victor (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
The primary channel responsible for cold thermo-transduction in mammals is the transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) channel. TRPM8 is a polymodal, nonselective cation channel with an activation that is dependent on a variety of signals, including the membrane potential, calcium concentration, temperature, and ligands such as menthol. Mathematical modeling provides valuable insight into biochemical phenomena, such as the activity of these channels, which are difficult to observe experimentally. Here, we propose a TRPM8 gating model, represented as a system of ordinary differential equations with menthol, calcium, voltage, and temperature dependencies. We use voltage-clamp data from transfected HEK293 cells in the presence of menthol to create a menthol-dependent voltage shift of activation. We fit the parameters of the TRPM8 gating model to replicate experimental TRPM8 transfected HEK293 cell voltage clamp electrophysiology data using a genetic algorithm. Using k-means clustering, we note eight clusters within 110 total parameter sets consisting of parameter solutions that provide a good fit to the experimental data. We then replicate novel fixed-voltage temperature ramp and fixed-temperature voltage ramp experimental data, demonstrating that our model can replicate the dynamic behaviors of TRPM8. With this TRPM8 gating model, we analyze the various parameter sets obtained from the genetic algorithm and find that different parameter combinations of calcium decay, calcium voltage shift of activation, and temperature sensitivity are able to match static voltage clamp data although differ in their effects on hysteresis and maximal current within prolonged temperature ramp simulations.
ContributorsDudebout, Eric (Author) / Crook, Sharon (Thesis director) / Van Horn, Wade (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Molecular Sciences (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
Business Design is a thesis project where students can work in groups and consult for various projects. I had the opportunity to work on three major projects for my thesis involving a small entrepreneur looking for a go-to market plan for her board game, an app developer looking for a better way to connect to their target audience, as well as create my own digital product and consulting services that helped founder's lab groups build their online presence through e-commerce. All these projects allowed me to hone my critical thinking skills by working my way through real-life problems that don't have direct answers. I was also able to take away some valuable lessons in leadership and working in a team of very capable students.
ContributorsShosten, Madison (Author) / Akhter, Aliza (Co-author) / Bautista, Hariette (Co-author) / Chou, Chuhhsuan (Co-author) / Guan, Jessica (Co-author) / Flores, Lea (Co-author) / Kim, Min (Co-author) / Qin, Annie (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Lee, Christopher (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Information Systems (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
My Barrett Thesis focuses on the answers collected from two participants and research about how to support Neurodivergent students in a choral environment. The participants I interviewed were Dr. Andrew Clark from Harvard University and Dr. Alice Hammel from James Madison University. The questions I asked both participants focused on getting to know students and selecting music, inclusive teaching practices, suggested vocal exercises, how to be open-minded, and advice for future educators. I also provide different accommodations that can be used to support neurodivergent students. The purpose of this paper is to help new teachers and current teachers have multiple ideas for how to support neurodivergent students in their classrooms.
ContributorsCable, Laura (Author) / Palkki, Joshua (Thesis director) / Kimbrel, Shawn (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2024-05
DescriptionBalcony Bros is a company that seeks to provide affordable and custom turf designs for student balconies within university affiliated housing as well as nearby complexes. We aim to allow customers to express themselves creatively within the guidelines of local government and student housing restrictions.
ContributorsHolling, Maya (Author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Lawson, Brennan (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Department of Management and Entrepreneurship (Contributor)
Created2024-05