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Magic, Numbers, and Games: When Math Meets the World // VAC 112
No full textSoledad Ruggiero, SET with friends
Rhyann Wilson, The Magic of Differential Forms and Why Physicists Don’t Use It
Lois Carpenter, The Algebra Behind Magic
Moderator: Dr. Molly Lync
He wouldn\u27t tell me nothing : Developing Familial Awareness in Eli the Good and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
No full textThis thesis analyzes how two young adult (YA) novels, Silas House’s Eli the Good (2008) and Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2012), represent relationships between fathers who have served in the Vietnam War and their sons. I draw upon psychoanalytic theory, affect theory, and relevant psychological and sociological studies to argue that emotional numbing that stems from post-traumatic stress disorder causes the fathers in these two books to be non-communicative with their sons, which stunts the protagonists’ processes of identity development. Too, I look at how the mothers and other female family members in Eli and Aristotle and Dante both support and destabilize constructions of masculinity the boys encounter. I use the term “familial awareness” to show how Eli’s and Ari’s identity formation is part of them becoming more active and knowledgeable members of their family units. I argue, too, for nuanced readings of their agency as sons within their larger cultural contexts
Investigating the Polyphenols in Bucida Buceras (Black Olive) Seeds and Testing the Cardioprotective Effects on Oxidative Stress Induced Cardiomyocytes
Get PDFUnder the direction of Dr. Mary Jane Carmichael, Dr. Daniel Derringer Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the cell is less protected compared to the nuclear DNA. Therefore, when oxidative stress is induced in a cell, it will affect mtDNA more than nuclear DNA, causing disruptions in the cell’s energy production. This damage will cause cell death and eventually affect the function of organs that require high levels of energy. In the heart, mitochondrial damage results in an increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria, resulting in disruptions in myocardium and leading to insufficient circulation of blood throughout the body. In order to prevent or decrease the damage, antioxidants can be introduced and used as a defensive mechanism against the ROS. Phenolic compounds contained in the olive show potential as a treatment for increased levels of ROS in the cardiomyocyte mitochondria. The purpose of this study is to determine the properties of polyphenols in black olive seed extract and investigate the cardioprotective effects of identified polyphenols on cardiomyocytes that are under oxidative stress. The ROS levels (before and after treatment) and the contractility of cells will be measured as cardioprotective effects. It is expected that the black olive seed will show phenolic properties that lower the ROS, treat the damage in mtDNA, and improve the contractility of the cells
Grooming Dyads in Captive Hamadryas Baboons (Papio hamadryas)
Get PDFUnder the direction of Dr. Renee Godard Allogrooming (cleaning the fur of another conspecific) plays a role in social dynamics of One Male Units (OMUs) in Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas). OMUs are the smallest social grouping of Hamadryas baboons typically composed of one adult male and a few reproductive females as well as juveniles. Bouts of grooming in four baboon OMUs at the North Carolina Zoo were observed. Nearly 75% of the grooming bouts were conducted by adult females with the harem male receiving the attention in most of these bouts. The torso was groomed most frequently and bouts that included the torso and head were longest in duration with bout focused on buttocks being significantly shorter. In addition, most bouts of grooming were preceded by affiliative behavior. These patterns were compared to grooming in other captive populations as well as those in the wild
A comparison of behavioral activity and spatial relationships in a captive populations of western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) and common chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes)
Get PDFUnder the direction of Dr. Renee Godard
The fundamental mission of most modern zoos is conservation, research, and education, with a strong focus on animal welfare that provides adequate space and enrichment for species to maintain natural behaviors. We compared the behavioral activity and spatial relationships of two ape species (lowland gorillas - Gorilla gorilla and common chimpanzees – Pan troglodytes) maintained in separate large natural enclosures at the North Carolina Zoo. In the wild, lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) are typically found in small harems with a dominant silverback male, several females and juveniles, while chimpanzees are commonly found in fission-fusion societies comprised of many adult males and females. While the social dynamics in the chimpanzee troop at the zoo were more similar to the wild pattern, the gorilla group was comprised of only males. We recorded the behaviors of four of the eight chimpanzees in the outdoor chimp habitat and all five gorillas in the gorilla enclosure for 30 minutes. This was followed by a 30 minute focal sample that examined group cohesiveness by noting distance relationships between individuals in each enclosure. Gorillas did not exhibit any social behavior, were highly, sedentary and maintained interindividual distances \u3e 5m for more than 50% of the time. On the other hand, chimpanzees showed significantly higher rates of locomotion and social interaction and most often found within 2 m of another individual (over 90% of the time.) We compared these patterns to other captive and wild populations of both species and reflect that captivity and the odd social dynamics generated by captivity likely play a role in the observed behaviors
Mapping Entanglements: Un-Nesting the Myths of My White Identity
Get PDFThis braided research-performance thesis uses personal narrative, critical theory, and live performance to investigate how whiteness is sustained and embodied. Grounded in the work of bell hooks, Ibram X. Kendi, Tema Okun, Diana Taylor, Catrice M. Jackson, Miguel Gutierrez, and Narcissister, I interrogate whiteness not as a static identity, but as a system of power that shapes perception, behavior, and social value. As a cisgender white woman, I move through the world with unearned ease—my presence normalized, my advantages often unquestioned.
Identity is performance—layered, like the Russian nesting dolls I once played with at my grandmother’s house. Peeling back these layers reveals the myths whiteness upholds, the privileges it grants, and its influence on embodiment across perception, education, femininity, sexuality, religion, and artmaking. The writing blends autobiographical reflection with scholarly analysis to confront the invisible scripts that sustain white supremacy culture.
The performance component—un-nesting—is a disruptive, site-specific work involving nature, layered clothing, duality, and dolls of varying sizes, rendering this unlayering process in real time. Together, these methods form an intentional interference in internalized whiteness and its unconscious choreography. Rather than offering redemption or resolution, the work embraces unlearning as an ongoing act of accountability, critical self-examination, and vulnerability
Hope and Wonder in Children\u27s Literature
No full textThis M.F.A. thesis project includes three illustrated picture book manuscripts and a scholarly essay about hope and wonder found within children’s literature. Within this essay, it expands on the need for hope in children’s literature contrasted against the modern backdrop of global war and climate change. The stories and essay reflects on artistic and creative process from ideas developed around these specific themes and also includes illustrated artwork. While writing on the need for hope and wonder as literary themes, the backdrop of writing on societal disruption was found within mentor texts, Dear Milli by Wilhelm Grimm, illustrated by Maurice Sendak and The Golem by David Wisniewski. For an example of wonder, also included is the Velveteen Rabbit by Margary Williams. For mentor texts involving creative non-fiction climate change stories, “Our Planet! There’s no Place like Earth” by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by David Litchfield is explored. Within this essay, wonder as a means to develop hope and resilience is explored, and an examination of essays by fantasy writers, J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis. It delves into how hope builds resilience, which includes research on children’s literature about the Shoah, Blitz fiction and other war related stories. The author / illustrator also discusses her own three manuscripts, Little Dove, Flowers of the Etz Chayim and River in the Sky: Journey of an Atmospheric River and what inspired them. A discussion of experiencing climate change related storms in California as inspiration for a creative-nonfiction story is also included. For the other two stories, there is an emphasis on Jewish folk and fairy tales containing elements of wonder, the tree of life and hope for peace within the land of Israel. The essay also includes illustrated examples of how war, climate change and pogroms from the mentor texts have been previously portrayed within children’s literature and the author/illustrator’s own illustrations of hope within this context
Living by the Code: Gender norms from antiquity to AI // VAC 119
No full textPenelope Lutz, The Womb as a Vessel: An Exploration of Ancient Greek Gynecological Language and Meaning
Leah Hearne, Life Beyond Marriage: Analyzing Societal Standards for Widows in the Roman World
Sophia Kunkel, Exploring AI Diversity Audit Use in Public Libraries
Moderator: James Mille
AI Chatbot User Characteristics: Personality, Mental Health, and Attitudes
Get PDFUnder the direction of Dr. Bonnie Bowers and Dr. Richard Michalski
This study investigates the relationships among AI chatbot usage (e.g., ChatGPT), attitudes toward AI, Big Five personality traits, depression, anxiety, and support-seeking behaviors in college students. While prior research suggests that personality influences attitudes toward AI (Park & Woo, 2022; Stein et al., 2024; Wang et al., 2024), less is known about how these traits shape actual usage patterns. This ongoing study employs a correlational design, with college students completing surveys to explore these associations. Given the growing shortage of mental health professionals, AI chatbots have shown potential in alleviating short-term symptoms of depression and anxiety (Dosovitsky et al., 2020; Zhong et al., 2024). However, limited research has examined how individuals use these tools for self-help. By replicating and extending previous findings, this study aims to offer insights that may inform the development of AI-based interventions to support student well-being and academic success
The Powers that Perpetuate Child Marriage in India, China, and the United States
Get PDFChild marriage is a crisis that continues to be practiced in many countries around the world. This is not to discredit the progress that organizations like the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Girls Not Brides have made to aid countries in their process of eliminating child marriage. However, the commitment to completing the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of ending child marriage by 2030 seems less achievable as we enter 2025. The question this thesis considers is why this goal is challenging to reach. While child marriage is prominent in developing nations, caused by high poverty rates, low education, and patriarchal traditions, there is less focus on developed nations that continue this practice. This thesis explores why child marriage continues to exist in India, China, and the United States and what prevents them from eliminating this practice. Despite their booming economies, concerning the U.S. and China, and rapidly growing economy, concerning India, the disparity between rural and urban economic growth indicates the sociological and cultural differences that make child marriage expected in some areas and rejected in others. Moreover, I examine the cultural and social factors within each of these countries to explain why child marriage continues to be practiced. Furthermore, I examine the foundational child marriage laws and whether the loopholes within those laws are addressed today in new proposed legislation. Finally, I correlate the government, and subsequently its politicians’ need for power in these case study states, with the advancement or hindrance towards eliminating child marriage