黑料网

From Shipment to Savings: Optimizing Inbound Freight Strategies at Trinity Industries

This study analyzes cost optimization for inbound freight operations at Trinity Industries by comparing trucking and rail transportation modes. Using shipment and financial data from January to May 2025, the research evaluates how shipment volume, transportation rates, and logistical factors influence cost efficiency. Results indicate an average trucking cost of approximately $61.19 per unit (“head”) across 7,169 units shipped during the study period. A breakeven analysis shows that rail transport becomes more cost-effective when shipment sizes reach approximately 106 to 114 units, depending on flat-rate rail pricing assumptions between $6,500 and $7,000 per railcar. 

The study also identifies key operational trends, including the concentration of vendor spending among major rail providers and the influence of part size on cost efficiency, with smaller-diameter units incurring higher per-unit costs due to reduced space utilization. Based on these findings, a decision-support model is developed to assist in selecting the most cost-effective transportation mode based on shipment characteristics such as volume, weight, and delivery urgency.

Overall, the results demonstrate that trucking is more efficient for smaller or time-sensitive shipments, while rail provides significant cost advantages for larger, less urgent loads. These findings offer actionable, data-driven recommendations for improving supply chain efficiency and reducing inbound freight costs.

How Widespread is the Fungus that Causes White-Nose Syndrome in Various Non-karst Bat Habitats?

North American bats are threatened by white-nose syndrome (WNS), a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). WNS primarily affects hibernating bats in caves and mines, where conditions are highly suitable for fungal growth. Although Pd is presumed to spread to bats in a variety of situations, few studies have assessed its potential for transmission in places other than caves and mines. In an observational study, I assessed the prevalence of Pd DNA in bat feces and swab samples collected from several habitat types and seasons. Guano samples were collected from bats captured in mist nets, roosts in bridges, and rock-crevice roosts on talus slopes in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Arkansas, between May 2012 and April 2025. Swab samples were collected in Rockbridge County, Virginia, between February 2013 and November 2023. I tested the presence of Pd DNA with PCR followed by gel electrophoresis, using positive and negative controls. Out of 169 guano samples, 97% were negative for Pd. We detected Pd in 3% of guano samples from Eastern Small-footed Bats (Myotis leibii) and Big Brown Bats (Eptesicus fuscus) on talus slopes in Virginia that served as roost sites throughout much of the year. Similarly, a total of 245 swab samples were collected from talus slopes in Rockbridge County. 18 swabs were positive for Pd (7% overall prevalence). It has yet to be determined whether Pd-positive samples represented viable fungal spores, but my results preliminarily suggest there may be potential for bats to spread Pd at rocky landscape features. Because rocky sites are biologically important habitats for bats across North America, additional research needs to be conducted to determine the role they play in the spread of WNS.

U.S. Foreign Relations with Columbia from 1919-1939

My research will engage new perspectives on American and South American attitudes toward American extra-political and diplomatic influence in South America from 1919 to 1939. Doing so will enrich our understanding of the complex relationships between American policymakers and businessmen and South American countries during the pivotal period between the institution of President Roosevelt’s ‘Good Neighbor’ approach to diplomatic relations before the start of WWII.

I am interested in this topic to better understand how U.S.-South American relations affected South American culture and socio-economic status. A future goal of mine is to help with humanitarian efforts that combat the effects of the drug trade in Colombia after serving in the military. This project will help me understand the cultural and diplomatic dynamics locals face daily. Academically, this project also offers an opportunity to insert myself into scholarly debates focused on U.S.-South foreign relations. Recent declassification of South American documents that provide Latin perspectives regarding how American actions affected their countries is newly available. This opportunity for analysis will allow me to add to our understanding of this important history and articulate a more balanced argument.

Scriptural Monster: A Study of Tolkien's Jonah

This presentation is a comprehensive study of Tolkien’s translation of The Book of Jonah, which he translated from the French Bible de Jerusalem for the English Jerusalem Bible, finished in 1966. I seek to answer the following questions: why did Tolkien translate the book? Why did the translation come from French instead of Hebrew? What is unique about Tolkien’s translation? And, how does this work fit in with his other works, particularly regarding his literary ideals?

The essay has two main parts, the first of which addresses the first two questions, and the second of which addresses the latter two. In the first part I present research on the historical context of this edition of the Bible, both its original French translation and its English counterpart. To do this I discuss two papal encyclicals, as well as the writings of other Popes, the writings of the editor-in-chief of the Bible de Jerusalem, and other essayists. In doing so, I seek to discover the historical narrative in which this translation fits, and how Tolkien’s contribution fits into that story.

In the second part, I present the results of a close comparison of Tolkien’s original draft of the translation to the edited edition that made it into the final edition of the translation, to discover some of Tolkien’s instincts in biblical translation. I also consider popular exegesis of Jonah that closely examines the Hebrew, as well as The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien’s personal letters, to see how his translation affirms or contradicts other writers’ notions of the book, and how Tolkien’s own notions about Jonah are informed by his religious and literary ideals.

China Town Washington DC: 20 years of Linguistic Change

Since 1968, the Chinese population of Chinatown in Washington, D.C. has steadily declined, resulting in the loss of the culture that defined the community. Attempts have been made since to preserve the neighborhood. However, as argued by Lou (2008) in her article, although businesses are required to use Chinese characters, they are often overshadowed and less prominent than English words. Furthermore, Chinese is often poorly translated. However, Lou (2008) claimed a local committee was created to assist in approving store designs in order to correct these flaws. Now that over twenty years have passed, this study is asking if there has been any significant improvement in the use of Chinese in the Washington DC Chinatown?

To answer this question, a field study was conducted in this neighborhood in November 2025. Photographic samples were collected from thirty different storefronts. This study also uses photos from Google Maps street view in order to compare the thirty samples collected during the field study to the same business during the years 2010, 2015, and 2020. After analyzing the data through a linguist landscaping lens, this study found that while English still remains the dominant language on signage, Chinese translations have become better and more representative of the Chinese community. Illustrating that while the Chinese community in Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown has assimilated into using more English, local leaders have been able to preserve their culture by using authentic Chinese.

Population Genetics of Myotis leibii Throughout the Shenandoah Valley

This past summer I used wing tissue punches collected throughout the Shenandoah Valley of Myotis leibii to analyze gene flow and genetic structuring between different populations of this species. This traditional method of collection has been performed by state, federal, and academic institutions which allows for a large pool of data to be collected. I will be reviewing the results of the genetic analysis from the ing punches I collected and processed this summer.

Generational Differences in Perception of Mental Health Issues Across Generations in the African American Community

Mental illness has had a lasting impact on the African American community since the time of slavery. However, there is limited research on how generational differences influence attitudes toward mental health and stigma within this population. This study explores these generational differences in the acceptance of mental health within the African American community using a mixed-methods approach. Fifty-eight participants from the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z completed the AQ-27 Questionnaire, a self-report survey measuring perceptions of mental health stigma. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with selected participants from each generation to deepen the analysis. Quantitative results from a one-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant generational differences in responses to items related to perceived dangerousness and discrimination, with Generation Z demonstrating significantly lower levels of stigma than older generations. Qualitative themes, including stigma, openness, and desire for support, further emphasized generational shifts in mental health attitudes. These findings highlight the evolving perceptions of mental health across generations and can inform culturally responsive interventions aimed at reducing stigma and increasing mental health engagement in the African American community.

Hybrid Intelligence for Phishing Detection: Integrating Machine Learning and LLM Multi-Agent Reasoning

Phishing websites and deceptive online content continue to be major contributors to financial loss, identity theft, and large-scale cyber incidents. Despite significant progress in automated detection, most existing systems rely on a single analytical approach, such as machine-learning classification or linguistic analysis, which limits their ability to interpret evolving social-engineering tactics. This project asks the central research question: Can a hybrid framework that integrates machine-learning models with a large-language-model (LLM) multi-agent system improve the accuracy and interpretability of phishing detection? To investigate this question, we develop a two-tier detection architecture that combines a Random Forest classifier trained on a publicly available dataset of phishing websites with a specialized LLM-driven multi-agent subsystem. The machine-learning component evaluates URLs using 87 lexical, structural, and external features to produce a baseline classification score. The multi-agent subsystem consists of three independent analytical agents—a Market Researcher, Language Analyst, and Threat Analyst—that examine factual inconsistencies, linguistic cues, and manipulative behavioral signals within suspicious messages. A Final Evaluator synthesizes all outputs to generate a unified deception score on a scale from 1 to 10.

Our methodology includes dataset preprocessing, feature-correlation analysis, model training, and rigorous performance evaluation using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. In parallel, we construct prompt-engineered LLM agents that emulate expert reasoning in fraud investigation, linguistic forensics, and social engineering analysis. Preliminary results show that while the Random Forest model achieves strong performance across all evaluation metrics, the multi-agent LLM subsystem consistently enhances detection accuracy, reduces false negatives, and provides human-interpretable explanations for high-risk classifications. The combined system demonstrates noticeable improvements over conventional single-model approaches. The outcome of this work is TrustNet, a web-based platform that integrates both subsystems to deliver real-time risk assessments of URLs and textual content.

Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a chronic and high-risk psychiatric personality disorder characterized mainly by emotional instability, impulsivity, and recurrent self-harm behaviors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by Marsha Linehan after her own problems with

Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a chronic and high-risk psychiatric personality disorder characterized mainly by emotional instability, impulsivity, and recurrent self-harm behaviors. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was developed by Marsha Linehan after her own problems with BPD and cognitive behavior therapy to specifically treat BPD and has substantial empirical support as an evidence-based intervention (May et al., 2016). However, traditional psychotherapy, which has existed for decades prior for treating BPD, have also demonstrated comparable outcomes in clinical trials (Keefe et al., 2020).

Methods: This project uses a meta-analytic approach. Sources were identified using databases such as Google Scholar, PsycINFO, and other accredited sites, focusing on peer-reviewed studies comparing DBT with other psychotherapeutic treatments for BPD.
Research Question: To what extent is DBT more effective than traditional psychotherapy for treating BPD when considering clinical outcomes, treatment retention, and cost efficiency?

Findings: Preliminary findings suggest that while DBT may provide modest advantages in certain domains, especially in emotional regulation and reduction of self-harm, traditional psychotherapy approaches often produce comparable overall outcomes. Implications: Understanding differences in the two types of therapy may help clinicians and the healthcare system to treat their patients efficiently while maximizing patient outcomes.

Iridium Complexes and Machine Learning

Iridium (III) complexes are widely used for medical, catalytic, and OLED applications, but developing research into these complexes is often time-consuming and expensive. By applying machine learning, streamlining of metal-ligand complex synthesis is possible, reducing costs of conventional quantum computational and the time required to organically calculate and experimentally determine key molecular properties of new developed complexes. In creating a ML model capable of these, a dataset was built using 43 initial complexes and ran through a series of codes, utilizing open-source tools engineered for computational synthesis of complexes and interpreting data produced by the model. This was further refined through the use of validation sets and other verifiable computational programs to properly track the model’s performance and continuously teach the model how to better understand the ligand structure-property relationships to produce higher-quality work and more accurate data. In practice, the model built was capable of interpreting information provided through the experimental dataset and generating new complexes with specific properties attached, with a mean squared error around 24.14%, which improves upon expansion of the dataset and continuous model validation.   

The generated complexes predicted absorption values were also accurate within 8% of other computationally ran DFT calculations, which also improves as more information is provided to the ML model through verification and dataset expansion. While there is a margin of error present in the model, it is continuously being refined and improving the clarity and quality of data, proving to be an accurate and effective method for predicting specific complex properties.

Diagnostic Validity of Adult ADHD

Background - Adult ADHD diagnosis are questionable in modern diagnostic criteria, and raise questions of fraudulent healthcare. Primarily founded in the diagnostic ambiguity for ADHD provided in the DSM-5, the criteria for diagnosis is a checklist of symptoms massively comorbid with other psychiatric conditions—mood disorders—while lacking the differentiating factors of diagnosis preventing improper categorization of symptoms (Ghaemi, 2025).

Research Question - Is Adult ADHD a valid diagnosis or a method of enrichment for doctors and a scapegoat for patients to blame their antisocial behavior while obtaining psychoactive medications?

Research Design - Sources were found using PsychArticles, independent publications by Nasir Ghaemi, and DOJ website. Findings - Adult ADHD has been massively over diagnosed, with doctors making millions in fraudulent schemes providing Adderall to otherwise healthy patients (US DOJ, 2025).

Implications - These findings cast doubt on the validity of psychiatric practice and undermine the credibility of psychiatric diagnosis across all fields.

Writing Happy Endings: Practice and Theory

My research was focused on becoming familiar with contemporary and historical opinions regarding literary endings. I conducted this research by reading multiple novels and literary technique books. I came to the understanding that a story can have many endings, but that the happy ending is particularly important and powerful. My project emphasizes why happy endings are necessary to literature and how to write them. I demonstrate my research findings and ideas in multiple original works of creative fiction.

Custom Analog ASIC Prototyping with SKY130: An Open-Source VLSI Design Pathway for Undergraduates

Modern integrated circuits are usually designed with expensive, proprietary software, which limits hands-on chip design experience for many undergraduate students and smaller institutions. In this project, we investigate whether a complete, fabrication-ready custom analog application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) can be designed, simulated, and verified using only open-source tools and an open-process design kit. We use the open SkyWater SKY130 nm CMOS process together with Xschem, Ngspice, Magic VLSI, and Netgen to implement a full custom design flow that is accessible to undergraduates. Step by step, we will design a schematic in xschem and run pre-layout simulations with ngspice, then create a layout in magic VLSI, then do an LVS check with netgen. As a final step we extract parasitic capacitances from the layout and rerun post-layout simulations in Ngspice. To extend the study beyond a single cell, we plan to design and simulate a simple ring oscillator, allowing further analysis of timing behavior and the practicality of the toolchain for larger circuits. By completing this open-source design flow, we aim to document a detailed step-by-step procedure for custom layout design, highlight its advantages and limitations, and show that undergraduate students can carry out realistic integrated circuit projects without access to commercial electronic design automation tools.

Memory as Journey - Experiential Fieldwork with the Rockbridge Memoir Project

For this experiential learning panel, three English majors participating in the ERH 411: Rockbridge Memoir Fieldwork Project will each present memoir as an imaginative journey into community experience and research in biology and psychology of memory, offering memoir readings and self-reflective research from their own work with local writers from Kendal. 3 short presentations will be followed by a brief interactive memoir activity for audience members. For cadets, ERHS’ core course in Fieldwork fosters an ethics of community-based practice and service, providing real-world opportunities to conduct civic research and learn by doing in community contexts.

Journey to the West in Piyingxi Puppetry

Journey to the West (西游记, xiyouji), is one of China’s most recognizable stories. Emerging during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) as one of China’s Four Great Classics, Journey to the West portrays the story of the Tang Priest and his disciples, most notably Sun Wukong, a mischievous monkey who can see peoples’ true nature, but who also causes a lot of trouble for the Tang priest. Journey to the West has been brought to live through several mediums, including film, literature and even a video game. Our group will be performing using Chinese shadow puppetry (皮影戏, piyingxi), one of China’s oldest performing arts. In this project, students were given invaluable cultural immersion by learning the linguistic and cultural significance of Journey to the West, as well as being able to collaborate in order to create perform the shadow puppetry. This further allows students to gain an understanding of Chinese culture, giving them an advantage in a world where an understanding of China is becoming increasingly crucial.

Comparing Implicit and Explicit Measures of Neuroticism

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to perform a methodological replication of Bornstein (1994), but with the trait of neuroticism instead of dependency, and to determine the utility of implicit testing (evaluations with low face validity) as compared to more standard evaluations with high face validity in a modern setting (Explicit testing). Bornstein found a significant effect for instructional set on implicit (ROD) and explicit (IDI) evaluation measures.

METHOD: Data was collected from an adult sample ranging from 18 to 64 years old (n = 60). Participants were given one of three different instructional sets prior to completing evaluations, and were then administered the Big Five Inventory survey, Wartegg Drawing Completion Test, and a brief demographic questionnaire.

RESULTS: Results revealed a significant main effect for gender on BFI neuroticism scores, F(1, 54) = 7.9, p = .007. Results revealed a significant main effect for gender on WDCT neuroticism scores, F(1, 54) = 6.8, p = .012. There was no effect for instructional set on BFI or WDCT responses.

CONCLUSIONS: Bornstein’s study was not effectively replicated, as there was no significant effect for instructional set on BFI or WDCT responses. Results suggest that high face validity can be a disadvantage when it comes to psychological evaluation. Results indicate evaluations with high face validity are more prone to fakability and unconscious bias than evaluations with low face validity. Results suggest that evaluations with low face validity are more reliable measure than evaluations with high face validity. Female participants displayed more neuroticism than males when administered explicit measures, while male participants displayed more neuroticism than females when administered implicit measures, which indicates that neuroticism is displayed in more than one way, suggesting that implicit measures should be used more in psychological assessment.

Computationally Predicting Important Amino Acids in Ferritin Nanocage Structure

Ferritin is a naturally occurring protein that many different organisms have which oxidizes iron in the body to be stored for later use. Recently, its structure has become an area of interest specifically in the nanomedicine community due to its ability to hold the precipitated ferric oxide due to the 24-mer hollow spherical shape. Researchers in the nanomedical field are currently trying to harness this ability of the protein to help possibly be a use for chemotherapies in cancer treatment. Computational modeling in biochemistry has become prominent in the scientific field and has been found to be very useful in studying structures of proteins. In this research it is being used to help predict the important amino acids for ferritin’s structure. The program PDBePISA was used to help determine the energetic change in the structure between the native strand and the mutations made around the 3-fold interface, made computationally via ChimeraX. They were then using the predictions; mutations were made in lab through site-directed mutagenesis. The mutated proteins, after purification, were run through gels to determine their molecular weights. Then multiple iron incorporation assays were run to determine the functionality of the mutations. It was found that mutations made at the 3-fold axis, specifically phenylalanine-117, affect the structure of the overall 24-mer. The mutated protein was broken into the monomer or dimer as the molecular weights found after running gels was 17.07kDa compared to the wild type of 148.161 kDa showing the full 24-mer. Although, the structure did not form correctly, the protein was still able to oxidize iron and did so faster than the wild type (WT). From these results, it was found that the mutation at the 3-fold interface, specifically F117, breaks down the structure of the protein, but its functionality of oxidizing iron is faster, but it cannot store the precipitate because the hollow sphere is not formed correctly.

Material Loss Percentages for Modine Manufacturing

This study analyzes the specific material 20-gauge cold rolled and oiled steel (20CRO) for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit parts. We looked into suspected inaccurate scrap percentages from current software being used by Modine Manufacturing, Buena Vista, VA. The results of 68% scrap overall for 20CRO warranted further investigation into lessening scrap metal from this material. The conclusions from this study are that standardized patterns for parts—prioritizing high-volume, high-weight parts—need to be implemented to optimize material use, thereby reducing scrap.

Bridging the Confidence Gap: ELL Mentorships and Narrative Exploration of the Mexican-American Student Experience

Over the last five years, the college town of Rockbridge County, VA has seen a 40% increase in Spanish-speaking students, leaving local schools and teachers racing to find inclusive, scaffolded ELL (English Language Learner) strategies despite VA Dept of Education’s English immersion policies. Rural VA communities lack resources and bi-lingual support staff, affecting student growth in English and Spanish. Because Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLS) restrict alternative literacy instruction, Rockbridge County teachers are often unequipped to bridge language barrier gaps. Without adequate and consistent resources, ELL students lose confidence because they are not reaching the same level as their peers in basic reading skills and content learning.

This creative research presentation weaves an autobiographical literacy narrative alongside grounded, qualitative analysis from a semester-long ELL Fieldwork Project mentoring 5th grade, second language learners. During her mentorship, Chavez developed a supportive program for rural, bilingual students by designing guided language think-alouds and organizing an Inclusive Reading Bookshelf to validate student confidence, motivation and prior knowledge within regulated classroom routines. This mentorship inspired Chavez to reconsider her own bilingual literacy in a rural Arizona border town. She explores her own emotional themes and experiences of learning as an “outsider” and draws on Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros’ memoir, A House of My Own – Stories of My Life (2015) As a bilingual student that grew up in a failing education system, she compares the obstacles faced during her literacy journey with current challenges for ELL students.

Literary Review of Homicide Rates for Individuals with Schizophrenia

Background: Many studies have tried to destigmatize schizophrenia and their tendency to commit homicide (Lin et al., 2024; Nielssen et al., 2011; Nielssen & Large, 2010). They have used methods such as meta-analysis, retrospective case investigations, and longitudinal studies to investigate individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenia and their tendency to commit homicide. They have found that it is statistically rare for individuals with schizophrenia to commit homicide, especially stranger homicide (Nielssen et al., 2011).

Research Question: Does the current research accurately describe the relationship between individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and their rates of homicide?

Methods: Articles were collected by using google scholar and the 黑料网 Library. Findings: Homicide is statistically rare. Psychosis is also rare. Homicide in a psychotic state is even more rare. However, people with schizophrenia are still more likely to commit homicide than someone without it (Lin et al., 2024).

Implications: In the researchers’ effort to destigmatize schizophrenia they are misrepresenting the data to better suit their ideals of destigmatization.

Design of a Bulk Material Conveyer System for ADAR Technologies

My project looked at the ADAR technologies drying system. This system uses ultrasonic waves to dry and pulverize materials, as opposed to conventional methods. The issue is that each pass removes 40% of the moisture, so it was only capable of drying in multiples of 40%. This does not give a lot of control over the drying capabilities. My SURI looked at if it was possible to control the mass flows with feedback with an appreciable difference on the drying capabilities, both with a computer model and benchtop model.

The Attraction of the Beetle Tenebrio molitor to Volatile Molecules from Tapeworm-Infected Rat Feces: Assessing Different Experimental Controls

The rat tapeworm, Hymenolpeis diminuta, is an obligate parasite that uses rats as its definitive host and beetles in the family Tenebrionidae as an intermediate host. As a part of the lifecycle, eggs are passed in the infected rats feces which are then consumed by the beetles. Feces from rats infected with the rat tapeworm H. diminuta are more attractive to beetles in the family Tenebrionidae, specifically Tribolium confusum and Tenebrio molitor. Research confirmed that volatile chemicals in the infected rat feces were attracting the beetles and further research identified four carboxylic acids found only in infected rat feces and limonene only in the uninfected feces. The aim of this study was to better understand the relationship between the four acids found in the infected feces and the limonene found only in the uninfected feces. We found no statistically significant attractive or repellent properties in regard to the limonene. These results support the use of limonene as a control for further research.

IEEE SoutheastCon 2026

At the 2026 IEEE Southeast Conference, 黑料网 participated in the Software, Circuits, Ethics, and Technical Presentation competitions, each highlighting a different dimension of the engineering practice. The Software competition challenged student teams to demonstrate their understanding of systems and coding by creating a functional game from the ground up, which was ultimately judged against other teams. The Circuit Design competition required teams to complete a hands-on design challenge within a set time using provided materials and deliverables, demonstrating practical circuit analysis, prototyping, and implementation skills. The Ethics competition centered on analyzing an engineering ethics scenario and defending a reasoned response, reinforcing the importance of professional responsibility and sound judgment in technical decision-making. The Technical Presentation competition gave students the opportunity to submit an abstract and present their work in a formal setting, sharpening their ability to communicate technical ideas clearly and professionally.

Studying Body Stiffness for Vehicle Design using a Scanning Laser Vibrometer for Modal Analysis

Reducing vehicle weight while maintaining structural stiffness is a key challenge in modern vehicle design. Lighter vehicles improve acceleration, fuel efficiency, and overall performance, while sufficient frame stiffness is necessary to maintain stability and desirable handling characteristics. This research investigates methods to reduce the weight of an automotive frame without compromising structural stiffness using the frame of Virginia    Military Institute’s previous Mini-Baja vehicle as a test case.

The primary objective of this project is to identify vibration mode shapes of the vehicle frame using scanning laser vibrometry. Modal analysis is used to determine the frame’s natural frequencies and deformation patterns, which provide insight into how the structure responds to dynamic loads. These results are then used to identify potential areas for weight reduction that will not significantly affect overall or local stiffness.

Unlike traditional modal testing methods that rely on accelerometers, this study utilizes a non-contact scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. This technique eliminates the added mass of sensors, increases spatial measurement resolution, and accelerates the data collection process while preserving the structure’s natural dynamic behavior. Experimental results are validated through comparison with finite element analysis (FEA) simulations. The resulting methodology provides a data-driven approach for improving Baja vehicle frame design and may have broader applications in passenger, commercial, and racing vehicle development.

Astrochemical Modeling

For this project, an astrochemical modeling code, Monaco, was utilized and updated for two projects related to understanding the chemistry of cosmic ice. First, we studied the chemical reactions required to arrive at the abundance of elemental sulfur, S8, observed in recent laboratory studies. Calculated abundances from our models were found to be within two orders of magnitude of the experimental abundance of elemental sulfur. Future work on this component of the project will likely improve this agreement significantly. We further studied the production of ozone, O3, produced in a photon irradiated ice initially comprised of pure O2 . We again compared the abundance from our models with prior experimental data and were able to achieve excellent agreement between the two. This work underscores the utility of astrochemical models for understanding the complex chemistry occurring in real interstellar environments.

The Leader in the Mirror: Validating a Measure of Leadership Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is often cited as a crucial component of leadership; however, existing measures do not account for leadership specific nuances and often treat the construct as unidimensional. Due to this, we chose to create a new survey that was leadership specific and treated leadership self-awareness (LSA) as a multidimensional concept, the Multidimensional Leadership Self-Awareness Questionnaire (MLSAQ). Two studies were conducted using exploratory factor analysis to test the validity of our new LSA survey. Study 1: defined LSA through several domains of self-awareness (cognitive, emotional, motivational, behavioral, values) but failed to yield a factor structure in line with our theory, indicating problems with factorial validity, item redundancy, and low total variance explained. Instead, data aligned in a 3-factor framework loosely driven by self-awareness processes (self-reflection, socially anchored self-awareness, self-awareness deficit) Study 2: using the results from Study 1, we revised the MLSAQ, and hypothesized a multidimensional structure focused on 5 different processes of self-awareness (reflection, comparison with others, feedback seeking, situational awareness, inattentive-avoidance). Study 2 results revealed a stable 4-factor structure which aligned with our new process driven theory (comparative awareness, feedback seeking, situational awareness, and inattentive-avoidance). Using construct validity and standardized alpha’s, each subscale was reduced to 10 final items. Further concurrent and discriminant validity analysis supported the importance of multidimensionality in interpreting leadership self-awareness.

Definitions of Success at a Military College

Previous research shows that students tend to define college success in terms of academic performance and social relationships. However, minimal research has been conducted that observes how military school students define success. Due to a strict military lifestyle and the mental and physical needs required to excel at a military college, it is expected that these students may have a different definition of success. Some of these differences may include developing a sense of ethical behavior and maintaining or developing a sense of physical health. Twenty-four participants completed a survey and initial data analysis shows that there are some similarities between the literature on student definitions of success and the present study, which includes graduating and having a job upon graduation. However, contrary to previous literature, results of the present study did not rank social relationships highly. Additionally, the present study resulted in leadership qualities being highly ranked.

Why Do Alternative Therapies Seem to Work?

Background: Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG) refers to positive psychological change following adversity. PTG-based programs have become increasingly popular among individuals in trauma-exposed professions, including members of the Armed Forces and other uniformed services. These programs emphasize resilience, meaning making, and the potential for psychological growth after traumatic experiences. Participants often report improvements in well-being, purpose, and emotional functioning after completing PTG groups.

Research Question: Do PTG programs produce unique therapeutic benefits, or can their outcomes be explained by broader psychological processes such as expectancy effects, regression to the mean, or the general benefits of group support?

Methods / Research Design: This project presents a structured literature review of peer-reviewed research on PTG interventions identified through database searches (e.g., PsycINFO and Google Scholar). Studies were evaluated for reported outcomes and methodological features relevant to distinguishing PTG-specific effects from common therapeutic factors.

Preliminary Findings / Implications: Evidence suggests some reported benefits may reflect general group-therapy mechanisms rather than PTG-specific processes, highlighting the need for more rigorous evaluation of resilience-focused interventions.

Behavioral Responses of Tenebrio molitor to Volatile Cues Linked to Parasite Transmission

Chemical cues play an important role in how intermediate hosts interact with parasite-contaminated environments, particularly in systems where transmission depends on host foraging behavior. The tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta infects rats as its definitive host, and its eggs are shed in rat feces that beetles encounter while foraging. Previous studies with Tribolium confusum and Tenebrio molitor have shown that beetles may prefer feces from infected rats, likely due to volatile chemicals associated with infection. These findings suggest that odor cues, along with hunger state and social interactions, can influence beetle behavior in ways that increase the parasite’s chances of completing its life cycle. This project expands on earlier work by testing whether specific fecal-associated volatile compounds can independently attract T. molitor.

To investigate this question, adult beetles were fasted for 24 hours and tested in a two-choice circular arena similar to designs used in previous behavioral assays. Each trial presented beetles with a choice between coverslips treated with different odor solutions: deionized water, limonene, or a four-acid mixture consisting of butanoic acid, methyl butanoate, 2-methyl butanoate, and pentanoic acid. Thirty beetles were released into the arena for each run, and their positions were recorded once per minute for ten minutes to determine whether they aggregated preferentially toward a particular odor.

This study helps clarify the role of individual volatile chemicals in T. molitor host-seeking behavior and contributes to broader understanding of how H. diminuta may influence intermediate host activity to enhance transmission.

Integration of Monotonic Tests and Digital Image Correlation for Rutting Evaluation in Balanced Mix Design

The use of balanced mix design (BMD) for asphalt pavements is increasingly prevalent in the transportation industry, reflecting a shift toward more performance-driven approaches to asphalt mixture selection. BMD emphasizes the need for predictive and reliable testing procedures that accurately capture the mechanical behavior of asphalt mixtures. For instance, rutting susceptibility is a critical factor affecting both the safety and long-term serviceability of pavements. Consequently, the development of robust performance indices derived from testing data is essential for evaluating mixture behavior and guiding design decisions. Digital image correlation (DIC) has emerged as a valuable tool in this context, enabling detailed, full-field strain measurements that enhance understanding of mixture response and provide an additional layer of validation for traditional test methods.

This study aims to utilize monotonic testing data to calculate multiple rutting performance indices, compare the results with DIC-derived strain measurements, and evaluate the indices’ repeatability, ranking potential, and discrimination capability. Two monotonic test procedures widely used in asphalt mixture evaluation were employed: the indirect tensile test at high temperature (IDT-HT) and the ideal rutting test (IRT). These tests involve applying a constant load on the diametrical face of cylindrical asphalt specimens and recording the resulting load-displacement response, which provides insight into mixture behavior under stress.

Four asphalt mixtures were tested under both procedures, with three replicates per mixture for a total of 24 trials. Load-displacement data were used to compute 28 potential performance metrics, of which eight of the most promising were selected for detailed analysis. These metrics included work of fracture, slope of the load-displacement curve, shear strain, and shear strain energy. DIC technology was simultaneously employed to measure surface strains and confirm that specimen failure occurred predominantly in shear, providing a quantitative check and validation for the derived indices.

Testing Dissimilar Metals and their Interface Strength: How do the Interface Characteristics of Collision-welded Metals Affect the Strength of their Weld?

Collision welding is an atypical welding method first discovered during the Second World War. Known as explosion welding, it is unique among welding methods because it can bond metals with differing characteristics, such as melting points and heat capacities, in addition to similar metals. It employs explosives to accelerate a flyer plate into an awaiting base plate. When they collide, the surfaces of the metal plates hit with so much force that the metals, briefly, act like liquids. This causes the formation of sinusoidal waves to propagate along the joined surfaces where the two plates meet, called the interface. The goal of my research is to compare which wave characteristic, wavelength, frequency, or amplitude, contributes most to the weld shear strength. Using Python code, we used various methods, ranging from a first derivative test to capture which x-values crossed the midline, in order to obtain the aforementioned wave characteristics, which should be noted that they are only averages across the whole interface. Using statistical methods, we examined to see if there is a relationship between any of the characteristics and the shear strength.

Safeguarding Democracy: Lessons from U.S. Deterrence in West Berlin for Taiwan

Presently, the United States’ most critical diplomatic relationship is with that of the People’s Republic of China. America finds itself straining to maintain peace in Eastern Asia, as well as globally. As tensions rise between the U.S. and China, especially over American support for the democratic Republic of China, questions arise over the United States’ ambiguous military obligations to Taiwan. At issue, is specifically how the United States can continue effective deterrence of Beijing’s advances on the island. The answers to such questions can be elucidated by developing an understanding of the United States’ strategy in similar situations.

This project seeks to understand the conditions that led to successful deterrence against the Soviet Union in the context of West Berlin by analyzing American national security policy to contain Soviet irredentism. The findings will then be compared to the current situation in Taiwan to garner a better conception of the potential strategies that the U.S. could utilize to deter further Chinese encroachment and protect Taiwanese sovereignty. By developing an understanding of the United States’ position on West Berlin, this project will work to draw conclusions as to the extent of deterrence action that the U.S. can engage in without jeopardizing their critical relationship with the People’s Republic of China.

A Comparative Analysis of Orientalist Stereotypes Present in the Indiana Jones Franchise

This project will investigate the portrayal of Arab characters within the Indiana Jones movies. Specifically, I will examine how the Indiana Jones films reinforce orientalism by portraying Arabs as stereotyped mindless militant henchmen and evil characters. The Indiana Jones films portray Arab characters as mindless and one-dimensional, falling back on Shaheen’s militant stereotype. These characters act as henchmen for evil groups, and these characters are used to depict Arabs in a negative light, often degrading and offending Arabs through their stereotypes. I will draw upon scenes from the movie to fuel this research, such as when they discover the Ark of the Covenant in the first movie - portraying Arabs as workers while traditionally western characters are the owner - or in the third movie when the Arab characters provide disposable henchmen to the antagonists.

This project will rely upon film scenes from the Indiana Jones movies, definitions and examples from Shaheen’s “Reel Bad Arabs”, and the framework from the Orientalist works of Edward Said. This is an extremely important topic to understand, because Arabs are often portrayed in media as being unilateral and one-dimensional, but in reality, Arab identity and culture are complex, multifaceted, and very dissimilar to what is seen on screens. The images portrayed in the Indiana Jones films negatively contribute to representation of Arabs, their culture, and their role in society. The media representation of Arabs will continue to be degraded for what can only be described as comic relief or common expectations

Optical Tweezers: Demonstration of Single-Particle Trapping

This project used the Thorlabs EDU-OT1 optical tweezers system to demonstrate single particle trapping. A microsphere sample was prepared and aligned. A bead was successfully trapped and showed stable confinement with the Brownian motion.

Nanoimprint Lithography and Replicating Cicada Wings Nanostructures

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) is a modern nanofabrication technique used to produce highly precise nanoscale patterns on a surface. The process involves pressing a patterned mold into a thin resist layer, which is then hardened through heat or ultraviolet (UV) light to transfer the mold’s features onto the substrate. This method enables the fabrication of structures at the nanometer scale with high fidelity. Compared to conventional photolithography, NIL offers several advantages, including lower cost, higher resolution, and compatibility with large-area and flexible substrates. These benefits make NIL valuable across a range of applications, such as semiconductor manufacturing, optical and photonic devices, sensors, and nanostructured materials. Overall, nanoimprint lithography provides a simple, reliable, and efficient approach for producing nanoscale patterns in advanced technological systems. We present results on our preliminary work of replicating patterns from Cicada wings through nanolithography. Cicada wings are of interest for their multi-functional properties – hydrophobic and bactericidal. These characteristics are caused by their nano-conical structures which reduce their surface area and puncture bacteria membranes, imparting hydrophobic and bactericidal properties.

Terrain Measurement System

One of the most important factors considered in vehicle design and optimization is the driving conditions and the stresses they impose. Accurate road profile data is essential for establishing relevant design parameters. However, obtaining accurate road profile information requires extensive measurements and post-processing. Traditional measurement methods, such as satellite imagery, may be ineffective when the road surface is obstructed, making alternative sensing technologies necessary.

This work focuses on the structural design of a system capable of measuring road surfaces, with potential to be adapted for off-road terrain measurement. Most current systems use lasers to scan the road surface, along with a Global Positioning System (GPS) and an Inertial Measurement System (IMS). Because these systems operate together, their relative orientations must remain within strict tolerances. Existing designs may fall short, as they are often assumed to behave as rigid bodies with no deflection between components. Depending on the system size and the weight and mounting location of the sensors, this assumption may be overly simplistic.

The objective of this report is to design, optimize, and manufacture the hardware to house the system components necessary to obtain road surface measurements.

What Distinguishes Psychotic-Like Experiences in the General Population from Those Associated with Schizophrenia or Delusional Disorder?

Background: Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), such as hearing voices or holding unusual beliefs, are sometimes reported by individuals who function well in everyday life. Research suggests these experiences exist along a continuum from normal psychological variation to clinical psychotic disorders (van Os & Linscott, 2009). Large epidemiological reviews estimate a median prevalence of about 5% in the general population and note that most developmental psychotic experiences are transient. 

Research Question: What distinguishes psychotic-like experiences in the general population from those associated with schizophrenia or delusional disorder? 

Methods: This project uses a literature-based review of peer-reviewed and systematic review articles examining PLEs in nonclinical populations. Key sources include studies on the psychosis continuum and recent empirical research examining PLEs across different belief groups (Hinterbuchinger et al., 2023). 

Findings: Current evidence suggests PLEs are relatively common and often temporary, with only a small proportion developing into clinical psychotic disorders. Implications: Factors such as distress, persistence, and functional impairment appear to distinguish benign experiences from clinically significant symptoms, highlighting the importance of recognizing a continuum when evaluating psychotic symptoms.

Potential Effects of ADHD Misdiagnosis in U.S. Children

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can impair functioning. It is among the most commonly diagnosed childhood mental disorders in the United States, with diagnosis rates increasing substantially over the past two decades (National Institute of Mental Health, 2024). National surveys report that the percentage of U.S. children diagnosed with ADHD rose from 6.3% in 2001 to 11.4% in 2022, suggesting notable growth in identification (CDC, 2024; Danielson et al., 2024).

Research Question: What are the potential effects of ADHD misdiagnosis in children in the United States?

Methods: This project uses a literature review of national health statistics and peer-reviewed research reports. Sources were identified through academic and government databases including Google Scholar, the 黑料网 Library, the CDC, and the NIMH.

Findings: Preliminary evidence suggests that rising diagnostic rates may partly reflect possible overdiagnosis or misclassification of symptoms in some children. Implications: Understanding the potential consequences of ADHD misdiagnosis may help improve diagnostic practices and reduce the risk of unnecessary treatment while ensuring appropriate care for children who meet clinical criteria.

Whispers from Normandy: Reconstructing Lives Through Archival Evidence

This project reconstructs the lives of American servicemembers from Virginia buried at the Normandy American Cemetery through archival research conducted during an internship with the American Battle Monuments Commission. While more than 9,000 Americans are buried at Normandy, only approximately 30% currently have individual files and developed timelines. This project contributes to ongoing preservation efforts by rebuilding the biographies of Virginians whose stories remain largely undocumented.

Drawing from National Archives materials—including Record Group 407 operational reports, casualty lists, census records, and hometown newspapers—this research pieces together fragmented military and civilian records to reconstruct cohesive life narratives. These biographies reveal family backgrounds, prewar occupations, unit movements, and the circumstances of death in combat, restoring individuality to men often remembered only collectively.

I presented this research onsite at the Normandy American Cemetery, connecting archival scholarship directly to the physical landscape of remembrance. At the symposium, I will share both the research methodology and selected biographies to demonstrate how archival reconstruction serves as both historical inquiry and moral responsibility—ensuring that those buried beneath the white crosses are remembered not only as casualties of war, but as Virginians whose lives shaped their communities and the course of World War II.

ThorLabs Quantum Optics Experiment

Quantum Optics is the study of the quantum properties of light. Thorlabs has created a unique setup which allows the researcher to observe several of these phenomena. The experiment uses a non-linear BBO crystal to down-convert the photon from a 405 nm laser into two 810 nm idler and signal photons. The detectors in the setup will then track coincidence events. However, in this case, the alignment of the 405 nm laser is very tedious, and the data could not definitively determine the down-converted photons.? We present our work on setting up the experiment and the challenges encountered in the detection of the photon pairs.

A Cultural Critique

This research paper aims to go in-depth into the portrayal of Middle Eastern actors in Hollywood films, specifically focusing on Mr. Habib in “Father of the Bride II”. My research question is how Mr. Habib’s behavior, particularly his interactions with his wife, reinforces harmful stereotypes about Middle Eastern Individuals. The argument is that Mr. Habib exemplifies orientalist stereotyping through his representation as a wealthy and showing no regard figure who silences his wife. This shows a reinforcement of negative points of view towards Middle Eastern men as controlling and dismissive towards women, highlighting cultural differences and power dynamics. The primary evidence for this analysis comes from specific scenes featuring Mr. Habib in “Father of the Bride II,” in which his actions and demeanor are examined. Supporting evidence will be brought from film reviews, critiques, and academic journals on Orientalism and Hollywood stereotypes. This research paper is important because it shows the implications of power dynamics and societal views. By analyzing this in depth, we should gain a vision that lets us see what Hollywood media is showing the world.

The History of Mental Asylums in the United States

The history of psychiatric hospitals and asylums in the United States began in the late 18th century with the intent to cure mental illness but later evolved into underfunding and abuse. This decline began during the mid-to-late 19th century due to overcrowding, which led to the rapid expansion of these institutions to compensate for the volume of patients. The capacity of patients’ needs required resources to effectively provide treatment, which far exceeded what was allocated to these institutions. This ultimately led to the dismantling of the once pure goal of healing. Cruelty and chaos began to fester in these institutions. The purpose of this research is to bring awareness to the history of these psychiatric facilities but additionally illuminate issues that are running rampant in today's mental care hospitals. My preliminary findings show similarities in both the past and present mental health care. Research has shown that there are still issues of neglect, over-capacity, and slow inpatient processing.

Quantum Cryptography

The need to send private and secure messages has been around for a very long time. The study of making and cracking codes or ciphers is called cryptography. All classical methods of cryptography can be cracked or broken in some way but that’s where quantum mechanics comes into play. Making a cipher using quantum mechanics should enable a cipher that cannot be broken or copied. We present our learning experience on quantum cryptography using the kit from Thorlabs. It helped us better understand certain intricacies of quantum mechanics.

Baseball Pitching Analytics and 黑料网 Player Predictability

The study of baseball through data and statistical analysis has been an ever-increasing phenomenon. It stems from the urge to increase knowledge about strategy and player effectiveness. This work aims to investigate three distinct states of the game and report on the trends that appear during them and what they mean for the 黑料网’s baseball team and the sport as a whole. Specifically, it will address the noticeable trends in 黑料网 pitchers in terms of their predictability for pitch type and pitch location, trends in the signs of an expected run value when modeled by physical and game-state variables, and how batting physics relates to outage percentage.

The Impacts of Doping Variations on the Infrared Photoconductive Properties of Silicon

Silicon is a relatively abundant semiconductor, making up a large portion of the Earth’s crust. It is also perfectly situated on the periodic table to be a semiconductor, with exactly 4 electrons, making it relatively easy to add or subtract its electrons. This makes Silicon ideal for many electrical applications, though it is not perfect. Silicon does not do well under far infrared lighting, as the wavelength of far infrared light does not provide enough energy for the electrons in silicon to become conductive. To solve this issue, one must either rely on another, more expensive semiconductor, or must modify the chemical properties of the silicon to work better under infrared lighting. Through a series of experiments, the impact of chemical doping on a series of silicon wafers was explored as a possible solution to this issue. The experiment involves taking 20 prepackaged wafers, half of which were already chemically doped with boron to remove an electron and the other half prepackaged after being chemically doped with phosphorous to add an extra electron. These wafers were then measured for their conductivity, and were chemically doped again, with half of each set being doped with boron and the other half of each set with phosphorous. The aim of these experiments is to see which chemical doping combination best improves the infrared photoconductivity of silicon, in the hopes that taking this information further can result in an effective and cheap solution to the current ineffectiveness of silicon under far infrared conditions.

Dissociation or Disorder? Diagnostic Overlap and Misinterpretation in Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder

Depersonalization and derealization are dissociative experiences characterized by a persistent sense of detachment from oneself or from the surrounding environment. Depersonalization refers to feeling like an outside observer of one’s own thoughts, body, or actions, while derealization involves perceiving the external world as unreal, dreamlike, or visually distorted (Murphy, 2023). These phenomena frequently occur together and are formally recognized as depersonalization/derealization disorder (DPDR), a dissociative disorder that can significantly disrupt daily functioning. Despite being recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), DPDR is frequently misunderstood and misdiagnosed due to symptom overlap with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and psychotic conditions (Murphy, 2023).
 

Individuals experiencing DPDR often maintain intact reality testing and awareness that their perceptions are altered, which can make the disorder difficult for clinicians to identify during psychiatric evaluation (Murphy, 2023). Research suggests that depersonalization and derealization may function as protective psychological responses to trauma or overwhelming stress, allowing individuals to temporarily detach from distressing experiences (Gentile, Snyder, & Gillig, 2014). However, when these dissociative responses persist beyond the initial stressor, they may become maladaptive and contribute to chronic emotional numbness, altered self-perception, and impairment in social or occupational functioning (Gentile et al., 2014).

Misdiagnosis can also occur because dissociative symptoms may resemble other psychiatric phenomena such as hallucinations, maladaptive daydreaming, or attentional disturbances. Case research has demonstrated how dissociative experiences and internal dialogue can be incorrectly interpreted as psychotic symptoms or other psychiatric disorders, leading to delayed or inappropriate treatment (Jehanzeb & Javaid, 2025). As a result, individuals with DPDR may experience years without an accurate diagnosis. This paper examines how depersonalization and derealization differ from anxiety and mood disorders, why DPDR is frequently misdiagnosed, and how improved clinical awareness and assessment strategies may support more accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Preliminary Time-Series and Aggregate Analysis of Glycemic States in Type 2 Diabetes Using Multimodal Biosensor Data

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder that requires continuous monitoring and personalized management. With the increasing availability of wearable biosensors, multimodal physiological data offer new opportunities for understanding and predicting glycemic dynamics. This study presents a framework that integrates electrocardiogram (ECG) data, wearable activity metrics, and continuous glucose monitoring to analyze and predict glycemic states in individuals with or at risk for T2D.

Three complementary approaches were employed: supervised machine learning to classify participants as normoglycemic or hyperglycemic using aggregated biometric features, time-series visualization to examine temporal relationships between glucose and physiological signals, and autoregressive (AR) modeling to forecast short-term glucose fluctuations.

Classification models demonstrated the strongest performance, with bagged and boosted decision trees achieving validation accuracies exceeding 74%. Regression models using aggregated physiological features showed limited predictive power (R² < 0.30), while AR forecasting produced root mean squared error (RMSE) values as low as 16 mg/dL in select cases. Time-series analysis revealed participant-specific glucose dynamics and intermittent associations with heart rate and activity levels.

These findings highlight the potential of multimodal wearable biosensor data to support interpretable, personalized glycemic monitoring and short-term glucose forecasting.

 

The Use of Lunar Regolith to Survive the Lunar Night

Surviving the lunar night is a significant technical challenge to establishing a permanent presence on the lunar surface. The extremely low temperatures, below 80 K near the Lunar South Pole, for prolonged periods of time cause electronics and their batteries to fail. In January 2024 the Japanese Space Agency accidently crashed a lunar craft into the surface. The disabled lunar lander was on its side unable to do its mission but surprisingly was able to survive 3 full lunar day night cycles despite not being designed to survive the lunar night. Why the Japanese lander survived extreme cold temperatures is not available in the open literature. The purpose of this investigation is to model the interactions between a spacecraft and the lunar surface to determine energy exchange and time-dependent temperature changes of spacecraft electronics. Equations describing the thermal relationship between a spacecraft and environment are developed and used to perform a transient thermal analysis in MATLAB. The analysis was completed for both an upright case and a case where the lunar lander was in contact with the surface. The transient finite difference analysis included the soil surrounding the lunar lander and soil beneath the lunar lander to capture the effects of environmental radiation. The results from the model showed that contact with the lunar surface will keep the spacecraft electronics warmer during the night for 4 lunar cycles. The model may provide insight into the mechanism that allowed the Japanese Space Agency lunar lander survive several night cycles.

Betta Fish and Their Hormonal and Behavioral Changes Based on Different Aquatic Environments

Environmental stressors can significantly affect the behavior of aquatic organisms, specifically fish that are sensitive to changes in water conditions. Our study investigated how variations in water pH and temperature influence physiological stress and aggressive behavior in Betta fish (Betta splendens). Fifty Betta fish were housed in a controlled aquatic rack system and maintained under consistent feeding, lighting, and filtration conditions. Over ten weeks, with a five-week experimental phase, our fish were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups: acidic water (pH 3–4), basic water (pH 9–10), high temperature (≈25 °C), low temperature (≈20 °C), and a control group maintained at neutral conditions. Each week, our fish were exposed to their treatment environment for 24 hours before cortisol samples were collected. To measure the stress levels in the fish, we gently swabbed them to collect hormone samples. We then analyzed these samples for cortisol concentration using a Cortisol ELISA assay. In addition to physiological measurements, behavioral responses were evaluated through weekly aggression tests in which fish were exposed to mirrors and recorded for five minutes. Behaviors such as gill flaring, biting, tail beating, and fin folding, were analyzed with 95% inter-rater reliability. A total of 288 hormone samples were collected across the experiment. Our study researched whether stress from changes in water quality and temperature was linked to higher cortisol levels and more aggressive behavior. We did this by conducting hormone tests and studying their behavioral changes.

Demonstration of Nanoimprint Lithography

The CHIPS and Science Act, enacted in 2022, was created to increase the microchip production in the United States. One way of bolstering this economy is utilizing nanoimprint lithography. Nanoimprint Lithography is a method of creating nano-scale imprints via roll to plate, plate to plate, or roll to roll techniques. These methods are done by pressing a template onto a resin, and using UV radiation or thermal treatment to cure the mold. The machine used for this research is the Stensborg Roll to Plate (R2P) Nanoimprinter. This device is utilized for both instructional and research purposes. I will present the functionality of the equipment and the application of the machine, and I will run a sample to demonstrate how the machine works. I will also discuss the importance of optimizing this process as it pertains to mass production.

Wisdom in the Book of Genesis: A Commentary and Analysis of 'Forgiveness in Genesis' by: Marilynne Robinson

In the Judeo-Christian faith, the book of Genesis outlines the origin stories of these two world religions while providing one of the earliest accounts of morality, societal structure, and wisdom. My research paper explores this wisdom in the Book of Genesis through the archetypal conflicts and familial trauma that the text weaves into its monumental narrative. Using Marilynne Robinson's 'Forgiveness in Genesis', I was able to focus specifically on one archetypal conflict between siblings through the Joseph story which was, in my view, the crowning example of wisdom in the Book of Genesis. My comments and analysis of Robinson's article and my own biblical study married Robinson's views on the Joseph story with traditional interpretations allowing me to present a well-rounded approach to my question: what is the best example of wisdom in the Book of Genesis?

Is Solitary Confinement Leading to Inmates Becoming Seriously Mentally Ill?

Research question - Is solitary confinement, through a list of variables, leading to a potential risk of serious mental illness to be contracted by inmates?

Relevance - In the United States, about 41,000 to 48,000 individuals will be in some form of solitary confinement. Of this 41,000 to 48,000 it is estimated that around half are mentally disordered. Serious mental illness can be artificially brought upon humans through various factors. Some of those factors are social isolation, self-mutilation, and incessant babbling or shrieking. All these factors are common occurrences amongst solitary confinement prisoners but not as much in regular prison sections.

Methods - For this project the major method has been observing scholarly articles and scanning legal cases for relevant information on the subject and these productions offer the most up to date information on the subject.

Findings - From the research and literary review that has been conducted, serious mental illness is found at an alarming rate amongst those that are placed in solitary confinement. No statistical significance testing has been done to determine an answer, but if half of the prisoners that enter solitary confinement are found to be mentally disordered this topic deserves to be looked into.

HaloNet: An Affordable, Open-Source MANET Solution for Rural Emergency Management

Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) are vital for maintaining communication in infrastructure-less environments, yet high deployment costs and proprietary hardware often limit their adoption by rural emergency services. This project details the design and implementation of a low-cost, open-source MANET prototype supporting Push-to-Talk (PTT) voice communication and real-time positional mapping. Developed for a total cost of under $500, the three-node architecture utilizes Raspberry Pi 4B units and Heltec HT-HC01P WiFi HaLow (802.11ah) modules. The software architecture integrates the OpenMANET framework, a Mumble-based PTT server, and a custom web interface for situational awareness. A significant aspect of this research is the experimental integration of the Heltec HaLow module—a cost-effective but previously unproven alternative to standardized OpenMANET hardware.

Preliminary results from this ongoing research demonstrate promising performance, with throughput reaching 20 Mbps at close range and 4 Mbps at extended distances. Initial evaluations of the PTT server indicate adequate latency and voice clarity for emergency coordination. This prototype suggests that resilient, high-performance communication networks can be achieved using affordable, off-the-shelf components, providing rural agencies with a viable path toward advanced coordination tools without significant financial burden.

How Incorporating Virtual Reality Training into Law of Armed Conflict Classrooms Enhances Comprehension

I will present my project to the audience. I will begin by briefly introducing the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) as a concept, then present the various education and training methods commonly used in LOAC classrooms. I will evaluate the research indicating the shortcomings of these approaches and present research on the benefits of "experiential learning and training techniques".

I will then present my hypothesis, the experiment itself and the results. The separate groups and how we controlled for confounding variables, the results themselves, the implications of said results, and a call for a continuance of research into the subject. I will conclude with presenting my call for a novel form of LOAC training: a combination method relying on traditional lecture-based instruction in conjunction with experiential instruction via playing a video game in virtual reality.

Postpartum Psychosis

Postpartum psychosis is a rare, severe, and rapid-onset mental illness that occurs in 1-2 per 1,000 deliveries. This occurs within the first two weeks post-birth. This is considered to be a medical emergency that is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, confusion, and paranoia. It also is known to have high risks of suicide and infanticide. If left untreated this can cause severe harm to both the mother and the infant. Early intervention is essential for improvement. This research is aimed at identifying the onset, what occurs in the brain, and how it affects the mother if suicide and infanticide does occur. Articles focused on the treatment and outcome were analyzed to further understand what occurs for the mothers. Additionally, articles focusing on what happens to the mother after infanticide occurs and a suicide attempt were analyzed to better understand how the medications were assisting the mothers. The findings suggest that while this condition is rare it is still something that the doctors are looking for within the first two weeks of birth. Major risk factors for postpartum psychosis consist of family history of bipolar disorder, previous postpartum psychosis symptoms, as well as schizoaffective disorder. The symptoms consist of hallucinations, delusions, confusion, paranoia, agitation, and insomnia. The treatment that the mothers receive are hospitalization and antipsychotics. Postpartum psychosis is something that requires a rapid diagnosis and rapid intervention for the best outcome for the mother and the baby.

Effects of Music Genre on Vertical Jump Power and Hand Grip Strength in Resistance Trained College Students

This study examined whether different music genres influence strength, power, and physiological arousal in resistance?trained college students. Fourteen cadets completed vertical jump tests, hand grip dynamometry, and provided salivary samples across five randomized conditions: no music, jazz, pop, rock, and heavy metal. Songs were matched for tempo to isolate the effect of genre. Participants listened to their assigned musical condition for 4 minutes, then completed repeated grip and jump trials under each condition. A repeated?measures ANOVA revealed a non?significant but directional trend in grip strength, with heavier genres (rock and metal) producing slightly higher values than less arousing genres, though differences did not reach significance (p = .065). No significant effects of music genre were observed for vertical jump performance or salivary α?Amylase concentrations. The findings indicate that while aggressive music may offer marginal improvements in grip strength, genre alone does not reliably enhance strength, power, or physiological arousal. These results suggest that individual preference and familiarity may play a larger role in music’s ergogenic potential than genre classification alone.

Strength of Hand Forged Steel

The material properties of steel is a well-studied subject including specific research in: stresses induced in industrial machining processes, stresses induced in heat treatment, crystalline structure, specific steel properties, as well as stress relieving processes. However, all the vast research done on steel is specifically for industrial purposes. In recent years there has been a revitalization of blacksmithing, and with that, an increase of hand forged architectural fixtures, railings, and gates.

The modern blacksmith uses a variety of processes to shape steel; however, these processes are relatively inconsistent when compared to industrial processes. Furthermore, there is no substantial data on whether these processes weaken steel.

A series of steel samples, both forged and standard, were created and tested. Material properties were recorded for each including tensile stress, yield stress, modulus of elasticity, ductility, modulus of resilience, and modulus of toughness. The differences between samples show some consistent variance in their properties, which points towards a legitimate difference in the properties of hand forged steel compared to factory made steel.

Government Shutdowns and Holiday Flights Home: Utilizing Hierarchical Clustering Methods to Precondition Data for Linear Optimization

During periods of strain due to funding constraints, limited personnel, and delays, typical optimization algorithms used by airlines can become unstable and inefficient due to an increased number of variables and larger, more complex flight information. We focus on improving the quality and organization of airport operation input data clusters produced by widely used agglomerative hierarchical clustering methods. In doing so, we can model complex nonlinear systems, such as those found in disruption scenarios, with linearization of the system that use these clusters to maintain speed, stability, and accuracy. Previous research has shown that clustering airline data before routing and scheduling computations is not only more efficient but also helps indicate which optimization methods should be used to evaluate it. However, only a few publications address how these samples are affected by major disruption scenarios and how algorithmic input must be adjusted accordingly. Using data from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Bureau of Transportation, we can assign a larger array of variables than previous studies and then simplify and categorize the data using the aforementioned clustering methods. Once this data is preconditioned, an industry-standard constrained optimization solver will be used to solve the linearization of the system. Although clustering and processing the airline data before input reduces the fine details of the solution, forcing the data to conform to a linear system should produce gains in the stability and speed of the optimization solver, as well as maintaining the overarching patterns needed to create schedules and minimize delays.

The Cannon Groups The Delta Force (1986) Vilification of the Palestinian

I will be looking at how a specific movie studio portrays Palestinians through the eyes of a camera lens in late 1970s to late 1980s fashion. The Cannon group was founded 1967 and was later sold to two Israeli cousins, Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, were they later made a multitude of movies with anti-Palestinian sentiment and harsh stereotypes showing them as violent, barbaric, and truly evil. I will be using their 1986 film The Delta Force starring Chuck Norris and Lee Marvin as my case study. My question I propose is, how does The Delta Force repeat and reinforce negative stereotypes on the Arab people, specifically Palestinians, using visuals and the plot’s narrative? My argument is that this movie is a part of a larger movement of Hollywood films with the harmful portrayals of the Arab people, specifically Palestinians, and that this film directly reinforces a negative stereotype. I will be using different scenes throughout the movie and the film’s general plot to illustrate the intentions and true design of the film showcasing scenes of extreme prejudice and exaggerated portrayals of the Palestinians and Jack Shaheen’s personal study on orientalism and his examples of the Palestinian sub genre. It is important to highlight the issue of repetitive extreme stereotyping of a certain group of people in one of the biggest entertainment industries in order to highlight the glaring issue of reinforcing a harmful image to audiences globally. It has a long-lasting effect on culture and people’s biases on the Arabs leading to preconceived notions on how they act and what they believe. I just hope to point out this issue using one of the biggest action movies of its time which has been viewed by a larger audience.

Intergenerational Trauma Within Vietnam Vet Families

Background: Intergenerational trauma refers to the transmission of psychological effects of traumatic experiences from one generation to the next. Veterans of the Vietnam War experienced high rates of posttraumatic stress symptoms, and prior research suggests these symptoms can influence family functioning and child development (Leiner, 2009).

Research Question: How does trauma experienced by Vietnam veterans influence the psychological and emotional development of their children?

Methods: This project conducted a focused literature review using PsycINFO and Google Scholar with search terms including Vietnam veterans, PTSD, family functioning, and intergenerational trauma.

Findings: Across studies, parental PTSD—particularly emotional withdrawal, irritability, and conflict within the household—was associated with higher rates of anxiety, behavioral difficulties, and relational problems among children. Implications: These findings suggest that combat trauma may shape family systems long after war ends and highlight the potential value of family-focused support and intervention for military families.

A Study of High Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy for Pediatrics and Neonatal Care

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy is a less invasive respiratory support method, that can benefit children and infants with respiratory distress. This study uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to better understand HFNC therapy for children and infants. Scans of the upper respiratory system of an 11-month infant previously validated by the Virginia Commonwealth University's Mechanical Engineering Department, nine different cannula geometries, and three different gases are used to better understand respiratory support. The optimization of respiratory support data in relations with geometries and gases to the patient will be presented to the audience.

BrAInpower or ConstrAInt? The Importance of Human-Made Art in an AI World

The importance of human-made art and its impact on life in a growing Al world. The spread of artificial intelligence (Al) in everyday life has caused a surge of uncertainty when determining what is human and what is not, especially in the realm of art. From this uncertainty, I decided to find out if Al artwork makes people react differently than art made by humans. This was determined by looking at scientific studies as well as the philosophical connection between humans and art. Previous research has looked at either the philosophical perspective or the scientific perspective, never both perspectives at the same time. It is by applying multiple scientific studies (KAUST and BGSU) and entropy scores (Khan and Kim) to philosophers from the late 1900s (Hegel and Langer) that demonstrates the positive impact on emotions and brain activity created by human-made art. Al art, while found to create emotion, was less influential on the individual than human made artwork. By conducting this study, our findings have shown that the numerous scientific experiments and research models line up with the ideas of the philosophers with regards to their opinions on art expressing a sense of freedom. This study demonstrates the importance of human-made art in a rapidly growing Al world, with support from both science and philosophy.

Are Psychology Majors the Nicest Cadets at 黑料网?

Background: It is a common stereotype that psychology majors at the 黑料网 are the nicest cadets on post. The Psychology department is known for its commitment to helping and understanding people. Kindness is a trait we need to value more as a society (Helliwell, John F., et al. 2023).

Research Question: In this study, I will see if Psychology majors are really the nicest cadets at 黑料网.

Methods: 20 cadets will be randomly selected from each major. Participants will complete a five-factor model questionnaire. Niceness will be measured by agreeableness and extraversion as a secondary interest. Sources are from Google Scholar.

Findings: I expect to find Psychology majors scoring higher in Agreeableness and slightly higher in Extraversion. Implications: This study is important because it will allow us to find out what it is that attracts nicer people to psychology and strengthen culture in all majors, strengthening the entire corps.

Helliwell, John F., et al. "World happiness, trust and social connections in times of crisis." World happiness report 2023 (2023)

Factors Affecting VO2 Slow Component During Thoracic Load Carriage

BACKGROUND: Thoracic load carriage (LC) is commonly required in tactical occupations such as the military and law enforcement, and the average weight required to be carried via LC has increased significantly in recent conflicts. LC increases energy expenditure at the same speed and gradient compared to unloaded walking and is thought to increase the VO2 slow component compared to unloaded conditions. If this is the case, prior equations estimating energy expenditure and VO2 during LC may be inaccurate over longer time periods, which are common requirements for military personnel.

METHODS: Pulmonary function (Forced Vital Capacity [FVC], Minute Ventilation [VE], Tidal Volume [VT], Breathing Frequency [bpm], Inspiratory Capacity [IC], End Expiratory Lung Volume [EELV], End Inspiratory Lung Volume [EILV], Ventilatory Capacity [VC], Alveolar VE, Dead Space VE, and PETCO2) and respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory pressure [MIP], maximum expiratory pressure [MEP]) were measured throughout and before and after one hour walking at 65% VO2max, one trial at a speed of 2.5mph adjusted for grade to match the target %VO2max (LS) and the other at 3.5mph adjusted for grade to match target %VO2 max as well (LG). A third one hour unloaded trial was performed at 3.5mph adjusted for grade to match %VO2max with the same variables measured (Unloaded [U]). These variables were assessed in healthy males (n=8) and females (n=8).

RESULTS: Data has not been processed yet, we hypothesize a more pronounced VO2 Slow Component and increased respiratory muscle fatigue with LS compared to the LG condition. CONCLUSIONS: This could influence the way that military and other occupations train for and assess LC for tactical situations and also affect the performance of strategic movement techniques in the same occupations with these results in mind.

The Effects of Sex Differences on the Physiological Responses to Thoracic Load Carriage

The effects of sex differences on the physiological responses to thoracic load carriage is a multifaceted issue. Physiological differences including metabolic, respiratory, cardiovascular, muscular and bone between males and females contributes to the complex picture. There are also notable differences in the response of males and females to exercise, both in endurance and resistance exercise. These differences have a strong impact on exercise performance differences between males and females. More specifically, the physiological differences between males and females have specific impacts on thoracic load carriage and the difference in response between males and females with thoracic load carriage. There is some prior research around thoracic load carriage and sex differences, but more extensive research is needed to examine the differences.

Numerical Investigation of the Impact of Sinusoidal Chimney Design on the Performance of a Solar Chimney Power Plant

In recent years, the rapid growth of the global population and the accompanying expansion of the global economy have put more pressure on natural resources and the environment. To address this issue, many nations are trying to expand their renewable energy production. A solar chimney power plant (SCPP) is a technology that converts solar energy into electrical power. However, establishing an optimal SCPP design that produces maximum power output is one of the main challenges. Studies have been conducted regarding the radius or height of the design. This study focuses on a wavy sinusoidal chimney with a fixed height and radius. This design is expected to result in a considerable increase in power generated.

AI-Driven Immersive Emulation for Tabletop Scenarios

Effective cybersecurity training requires preparing personnel at every organizational level to operate under pressure, interpret incomplete information, and make rapid, high-stakes decisions. However, current training practices struggle to capture the dynamic, adaptive, and adversarial nature of real-world incidents. These methods lack realism, rely on rigid scripts, and fail to model evolving attacker behavior or the cascading consequences of defensive decisions. As a result, organizations continue to show substantial readiness gaps. CISA's recent assessments indicate that most victims remain unprepared across both technical controls and decision-making processes, from junior analysts to executive leadership. Meanwhile, large-scale exercises such as Cyber Storm demonstrate the value of adaptive, inject-driven training but demand resources and coordination not feasible for routine use. This gap motivates the need for a training system that combines the accessibility of tabletop exercises with the realism and adaptivity of full-scale cyber simulations. In this work, we introduce an AI-driven immersive emulation platform that transforms traditional tabletop scenarios into dynamic, decision-responsive training experiences.The system integrates multiple specialized AI agents (Including adversary emulation, scenario orchestration, content generation, and performance analysis) coordinated through a modular Model Context Protocol (MCP) architecture. These components enable real-time scenario evolution, realistic attack behaviors aligned with the MITRE ATT&CK framework, and automated generation of supporting artifacts such as logs, emails, and incident injects. The platform also delivers structured, role-specific feedback through a performance intelligence engine that evaluates both quantitative metrics and qualitative decision-making. By blending adaptive AI agents with scalable microservice architecture, the system offers a practical, repeatable, and highly realistic alternative to traditional tabletop training. We expect this approach to measurably improve situational awareness, decision-making speed, ethical and legal compliance, communication effectiveness, and overall readiness during cybersecurity incidents.

Improving Tour Qualities of some TSP Heuristics using Tree-Penalized Distance Matrices

The Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) is a classic NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem that seeks the shortest route visiting each of (n) cities exactly once and returning to the origin. TSP has numerous real-world applications, including vehicle routing, logistics, DNA sequencing, circuit board manufacturing, and urban planning. While exact solvers such as Concorde can guarantee optimal solutions, they become computationally infeasible for moderately sized instances (e.g., ) due to factorial growth in complexity. Consequently, heuristic algorithms—such as Nearest Neighbor—remain widely used for large problems because they are fast, though they often produce suboptimal tours.

In this work, we propose a general framework for improving the performance of classical TSP heuristics by modifying the distance matrix. Specifically, we introduce tree-penalized distance matrices which combine the original intercity distances and tree penalties derived from hierarchical clustering trees. We use tree-penalized matrices to replace the original distance matrix to guide heuristic decisions. Extensive experiments on 40 benchmark datasets compare the performance of four well-known heuristics—Nearest Neighbor, Nearest Insertion, Cheapest Insertion, and Farthest Insertion—with and without the proposed modifications. Results show that the approach can significantly improve the quality of the tours generated by the heuristics, while maintaining practical runtime efficiency.

Comparative Study of Fiber Cells and Their Physiological Functions in Animals and Plants

This study explores the connection between structural support tissues in plants and animals by comparing skeletal muscle morphology in rodents to xylem tissue development in soybean stems. We aimed to understand how investment in physical support structures relates to function, such as strength and reproduction. This helps address broader questions about how organisms allocate resources to structure versus performance. For our animal model, using published literature, we collected cross-sectional data on muscle fibers. Specifically, we looked at fiber number, type, and cross-sectional area of leg muscles in mice and rats subjected to energy-consuming exercises (treadmill, ladder climbing). We then related these morphological measures to functional strength and growth outcomes in response to different training. Results indicated consistent muscle hypertrophy across all studies with slight variation depending on type of training and fiber type tested. At the same time, we analyzed stem images from soybean plants grown in two field locations in Virginia, measuring xylem vessel size and number to assess investment in transport and support tissue as related to fruit yield potential. Our comparisons of soybeans and rodent structural tissues showed that these trade-offs are visible and measurable across both systems, providing a foundation for future studies to explore how structural investment affects performance and reproduction across species.

The Relationship Between Religiosity and Spirituality?on Psychological?Wellbeing in a Military College Environment

The present study investigates the relationship between levels of extrinsic religiosity, intrinsic spirituality, and psychological wellbeing within a military college environment, as well as possible moderating effects of Religion and Spirituality. While multitudes of research have taken place in educational, military, and healthcare settings, studies on the training environment of future military leaders prior to commissioning are few and far between. A sample of students at a Senior Military College in the Eastern United States (N=695) voluntarily responded to a 77- question item based on measure of stress, emotional intelligence, and anxious and depressive symptoms that was sent to the entire student population. Initial data analysis suggests that within a military school population religiosity and spirituality are predictors of lower levels of depressive symptoms, less stress, and higher levels of emotional intelligence. Implications of this research include possible changes in focus of resilience training, availability of religiously focused extra curriculars, and response techniques used to combat mental health emergencies in the military college environment.

Diagnostic Validity of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from a Psychiatric Lens

Complex PTSD (CPTSD is a disorder characterized by development of affective regulation problems following exposure to traumatic events such as torture, slavery, domestic violence, or repeated childhood abuse (World Health Organization, 2019). Although it is used diagnostically by the ICD and clinicians worldwide, it is not considered a valid diagnosis by the DSM or other clinicians. Research Question - Is CPTSD a valid diagnosis according to the principles laid out by Robins and Guze (1970)? Methods - This study is a literature review conducted on articles found through APA PsycArticles, PubMed, and sources cited within papers read. All papers used were published between 1970 and August 2025.

Findings - Although researchers and clinicians argue over the validity of the diagnosis, preliminary research shows that enough differences exist between CPTSD, PTSD, BPD, and MDD to claim CPTSD as a separate diagnosis with different treatment protocols.

 

Orientalism and Military Leadership in Kingdom of Heaven and One Thousand and One Nights

This paper will examine how the movie Kingdom of Heaven represents military leadership within the medieval Middle East and Islamic era in comparison with the cultural aspects of the region found in the literary work One Thousand and One Nights. More specifically, the study asks the following question: How does Kingdom of Heaven use or go against the Orientalist interpretations of the Middle East that have appeared in Western adaptations of the Arabian Nights stories? Furthermore, using the work of Edward Said in his book Orientalism, this paper will make the argument that while the film attempts to present a more balanced and respectful portrayal of Muslim leadership, it still frames the narrative through a Western perspective centered on European values.

The analysis portion of this paper will focus on the portrayal of key historical and fictional figures, such as Salah Al Din and Balian of Ibelin, as well as the depiction of the city of Jerusalem and the cultural interactions between Christian and Muslim societies during the Crusades. Specific scenes and dialogues from the film Kingdom of Heaven, such as scenes of the city of Jerusalem, and speeches given by Salah Al Din, will be compared with narrative themes and cultural portrayals found in One Thousand and One Nights, with a particular focus on Western traditions of depicting the Middle East as exotic, mysterious, or politically unstable

Lastly, this topic is important because Western media plays a powerful role in shaping global perceptions of Middle Eastern history and culture. By analyzing Kingdom of Heaven through the lens of Orientalism and literary analysis, this paper will show how modern films both challenge and promote the long-standing cultural narratives about the Islamic world and Arabs as a whole.

Adapting the EPA SWMM Framework for Stormwater Simulation of a Utility-Scale Solar Farm in Fairfield, Virginia

As utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations become more widespread, understanding their influence on watershed hydrology has become increasingly important. These systems create hybrid surface conditions in which impervious panels are elevated above pervious ground, complicating traditional stormwater modeling approaches. This study applies the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) to simulate runoff from a 50-acre solar farm in Fairfield, Rockbridge County, Virginia, using a structured modeling framework adapted from Nair et al. (2023). Each solar panel row is represented by four subcatchments: the panel surface, dripline wet area, under-panel ground surface, and vegetated spacer between rows.

Two slope configurations were evaluated. In the first case, panel slope is aligned with the ground slope, while in the second case the panel slope opposes the ground slope. These configurations represent common field conditions and illustrate how slope orientation influences flow paths and infiltration potential. Soil properties were obtained from the USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey, and rainfall inputs were derived from NOAA precipitation data. For modeling simplicity, a uniform ground slope was assumed. 

Simulation results showed consistently lower peak flows under post-development conditions compared to pre-development conditions, consistent with trends reported in the site design plans. The results suggest that high-roughness vegetation, such as fescue, may partially offset increased runoff associated with solar infrastructure. Overall, the study demonstrates the capability of EPA SWMM to simulate runoff generation, peak flows, and outfall volumes for solar PV installations.