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Elevating Industries: A Collegiate Exploration into the Genesis and Integration of AI Automation Ventures
No full text20 p.This paper was inspired by a long-standing curiosity about how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing contemporary businesses. It is crucial to investigate not just the technical nuances of artificial intelligence (AI), but also its economic implications and the complex relationship between innovation and business operations, as the trend towards automation continues to gain momentum. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the rationale, development, and application of AI automation in a business setting by carefully analyzing the intricacies involved in this revolutionary process. We will look in-depth at a number of aspects of AI automation in the business world in the following sections. This paper includes the development of AI in the business sector over time, identifying significant turning points and innovations that have led to the field's current standing. Furthermore, this paper will explore the underlying causes that motivate the incorporation of AI into business procedures, closely examining the goals that companies seek to accomplish via automation. This paper will also explore the complex process of designing, developing, and optimizing AI systems for particular business needs. The purpose of this section is to shed light on the technical elements that underpin the development of AI. Furthermore, this paper will include in our analysis the various strategies that companies have used to automate AI. In addition, the paper will examine the difficulties and roadblocks that arose during this revolutionary process, offering a thorough understanding of the complex terrain of AI integration in the business domain. The goal as we go through these sections is to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of AI automation in businesses, from its conception to practical applications and the ensuing significant economic effects
An Econometric Analysis of the Impacts of China's One-child Policy on Population Trends from 1960-2010
No full textvii, 33 p.This paper uses OLS regression to investigate the “successfulness” of China’s One-Child Policy, focusing on fertility rate trends, using population data from 1960 through 2010. We find that, over time, fertility rate and birth rate trended together and were cointegrated while age-dependency ratio (% old), ratio of urban-to-rural population, and ratio of male-to-female population all increased over time. Furthermore, except for the ratio of male-to-female population, all other variables were non-stationary (i.e., the mean and variance of the ratio of male-to-female population was constant over time unlike the rest of the variables). Although this statistic may suggest the opposition of the concept of socio-cultural values leading to sex selection of children with a preference of males over females, this theory does not exist in practice; we should not forget that the ratio between total male and female populations comprises of two variables whose values range in the hundreds-of-millions. The nature of the ratio between total Chinese male and female populations being stationary does not shrink the concept of sex selection with the preference for male children. We find that fertility rate and birth rate trended together and were cointegrated over time while age-dependency ratio, the ratio of urban-to-rural population, and the ratio of male-to-female population all increased over time. Interestingly, except for the ratio of male-to-female population, all other variables were non-stationary, indicating opposition towards expected socio-cultural values supporting sex selection of children with a preference for boys over girls. This phenomenon likely occurs due to China’s enormous population size, as the variables that contribute to the ratio of males-over-females variable have values in the hundreds-of-millions. The paper concludes that potential relationships exist between China’s declining fertility rate and other population-based factors, although further study with more individual data would need to be conducted to try to infer causal relationships
Physicality of Texture : The Act of Making
No full text26 p.This paper will dive into the process of creating the works apart of my Senior Integrated Project (SIP) titled The Physicality of Texture: The Act of Making. The experience of touching the materials is an important part of my process; I allow my hands to do the thinking. Through my sense of touch, I can better understand the form, texture, and ways of connection. I am also interested in abstraction; the physicality of this method helps guide me. Physicality to me is about action– the physical act of playing with the material. I like to think about my sculptures as if they are alive, so to describe my work, I reference the human body using words such as skin, spine, and pores. The intention behind my work is not a direct abstraction of the human body. Instead, I find the human body just to be a reference point. There are steps to my method of creating. The texture is driven by the physical act of playing with the material. I like to think about different methods of action such as stretching, scrunching, and draping and how the directionality of the texture can relate to the curves of the form. I am interested in the tactile potential of my work and hope that I can generate sensorial experience for my audience. This paper will start off with the explorations in the fall quarter class Advanced Studio leading into the creation process during the winter quarter SIP Term including methods, techniques, materials, and concepts apart of the process. Then introduce artists who inspired my works and my practice. Lastly ending with a reflection over the entire process, acknowledgments, and images to show the body of works and their process
Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder: Proposed Study
No full text1 broadside. 48"W x 36"HThe proposed study examines previous literature on the current treatments of MDD and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy. The purpose of this proposed study is to determine whether PEMF therapy is an effective treatment for non-medicated individuals with MDD. This proposed study will aim to investigate the effect of treatment period lengths.Kalamazoo College. Department of Psychology. VanLiere Symposium, 202
Toxic Bloom : An Exploration of Cyanobaicterial Blooms, Microcystins and their Implications on Human and Aquatic Life
No full textiv, 11p.Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, have a profound evolutionary significance and are vital contributors to Earth's current oxygen levels. These prevalent microorganisms are capable of enduring extreme climate conditions, offer ecological benefits like nitrogen fixation and have potential biotechnological applications, including biofuel production. However, their overproduction leads to harmful blooms that release toxic compounds like microcystins, with severe implications for both human and aquatic life. These toxins, especially during large-scale blooms, can damage the liver in humans, disrupt aquatic ecosystems, deplete oxygen, and cause significant pH fluctuations in water bodies. While natural solutions like barley straw show potential in countering cyanobacterial blooms, their efficacy varies across different aquatic environments. Despite the extensive study of cyanobacteria over the years, several holes in research remain, including understanding toxin production mechanisms, genomic exploration, interaction with other microbes, and the broader implications of global climate change on cyanobacterial distribution and behavior. This paper aims to explore the cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins and their effects on life while highlighting the necessity of continuous research in the field
An Exploration into the Dental Field
No full text1 Broadside. 48"W x 36"HDuring the summer of 2022, I had the privilege of shadowing four dentists over the course of three months at two dental offices. I spent a total of one hundred and six hours, on average five hours a day, three to four days a week. I was able to review the anatomy of the tooth with the names and functions of all. This occurred with information of future research and what is necessary to run a successful office given as well.Kalamazoo College. Department of Biology. Diebold Symposium, 202
Bridging the Past : Gullah/Geechee Meaning Making amid Dispossession in the Lowcountry
No full textvi, 56 p.The Lowcountry and surrounding sea islands of South Carolina have evolved over time hosting different groups of people pushing and pulling on one another's cultures in various ways. Charleston, South Carolina was one of the main sites of the slave trade and is a site of the ongoing dynamics of race and socioeconomic class stemming from the Antebellum South. The Gullah/Geechee people, descendants of Central and West Africans enslaved in the Lowcountry and surrounding sea islands of coastal South Carolina, have built an insulated people and culture through the process of 'informal' generational land ownership and African traditions. In a broader sense, the Gullah-Geechee form a cultural and ethnic corridor stretching from coastal North Carolina to Northern Florida. The Gullah can be understood as the people living in the northern half of the corridor while the Geechee can be understood as the people in the southern half. Many people in Charleston specifically call themselves Geechee, however, my research focuses on the Gullah in the northern half of the cultural corridor. Over time, Gullah/Geechee communities have been met with resort and land developments threatening Gullah peoples' identity and the retention of their culture. Simultaneously, Gullah culture has shaped the coastal region surrounding Charleston, South Carolina. The Gullah continue to make meaning and resist hegemony through foodways, art, religion, language and storytelling. One overarching theme emerges throughout the paper: that the Gullah/Geechee's connection with their land and retention of their culture are inextricably connected while also not limiting their community solidarity. In this discussion, I have drawn upon the research of scholars on narrative construction, ethnic formation, ethnic mobilization, and land ownership to address questions regarding the Gullah/Geechee's continuing resilience and meaning making amid threats of dispossession and cultural erasure in the Lowcountry
Working at ACE Flagstaff and Witnessing Human Impact on the SW American Desert
No full text1 Broadside. 48"W x 36"HFor my Senior Integrated Project (SIP), I worked as a conservation volunteer at American Conservation Experience (ACE). I chose to do my experience at ACE to gain some experience working in the field in a conservation setting. During my time at ACE, I completed trail maintenance across northern Arizona and gained a deeper respect and understanding for both conservation and the environment. Through this deeper understanding of the high desert, I was able to see the environmental impacts that humans have on the desert of the southwest, especially the impact on climate and native populations.Kalamazoo College. Department of Biology. Diebold Symposium, 202
Mathematical Understandings and Applications of Aztec and Incan Populations in Pre-Columbian Latin America
No full text62 p.In the year 1492, Christopher Columbus and other Europeans claimed that a “New World” had been discovered along with its vast riches in material wealth. However, they either downplayed, ignored, stole, or destroyed all the discoveries and advancements made by the native populations, one of the most fascinating being its use of mathematics. Societies today cannot function without mathematics, it is a part of every economic transaction, organizes armies, is encoded in our languages, and has infinite other roles that make up modern communities. While many advancements have been made from the late fifteenth century, the role of mathematics has not shifted, and the native american populations utilized the philosophical organization of numbers to fuel their empires. The Aztec and Inca, in particular, both showcased outstanding accomplishments driven by their vast geographic size and large populations. They achieved levels of organization that surpassed many of their European counterparts. Through their efforts, the Euro-centric narratives of sophistication and superiority among the West can be proven false, instead displaying the strengths of indigenous populations rather than their shortcomings. The goal of this project is not to completely grasp the intricacies or meaning of the remnants of mathematical concepts that survived the test of time against colonialism. Achieving this would be impossible, considering the destructive efforts by Europeans. Instead, the aim is to understand their purpose and importance. Religious practices, understanding of time, astrology, architecture, taxes, economy, labor systems, agriculture, and even the everyday lives of the Aztec and Inca populations were embedded in mathematical understandings. Through this analysis, one will not only see that the role mathematics has played in society within these respective empires is no different than the role mathematics plays in the 21st century, but also part of the lasting legacy that survives today
Building the Blocks of Kalamazoo through Asset Based Community Development
No full text1 Broadside. 48"W x 36"HThe neighborhood intervention organization, Building Blocks of Kalamazoo, influences public and community health on a small scale. I use the Dahlgren-Whitehead model to explain how Building Blocks uses Asset Based Community Development approaches to address modifiable social determinants of health. Their promotion of the agency of community members strengthens social networks and enhances built environments in the neighborhoods at a block level to improve the community of Kalamazoo.Kalamazoo College. Department of Biology. Diebold Symposium, 202