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  Nutrition and Physical Activity in Relation to Mental Resilience

  Isabella Quinlan, Anthony Marchini, Maya Soudatt, Hamdala Fousseni, George Lianos, and Henry Goetjen

  This study focuses on the relationship between nutrition and physical activity in relation to mental resilience. By assessing diet quality as healthy or unhealthy diet, as well as exercise frequency, this study aims to examine the relationship between dietary pattern, mental resilience in respect to depression, anxiety, and stress. The effects of diet and stress were assessed in relation to mental health and resilience. The purpose of this research was conducted to unveil the relationship between diet and neurobehaviors. This includes the way they respond to stressful situations as well as their eating patterns. An anonymous online survey was administered through word of mouth, text message, and groupme. A total of 121 responses were collected. The survey included basic demographic questions and questions on participants’ diets, mindset, stress, and physical activity level. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Results suggest that whole grain consumption is linked to self confidence, regular exercise is linked with a better diet, and decreased fast food consumption is linked to better stress management. These findings supported our hypothesis as well as reports in the literature. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that a diet rich in vegetables, nuts, and fruits, namely a Mediterranean diet, along with frequent exercise can lead to an improvement in mental wellbeing and psychological resilience. Findings of this study show the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle as a solution for those who struggle with their mental health.

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  The Association between Diet, Exercise, and Neurobehviors

  Maheen Qureshi, Sienna Lee, Nawreen Quazi, Abegail Vidrin, Daniel Marinaccio, Cara Patrissy, and Sara Williams

  The purpose of this study was to investigate a potential relationship between diet quality, lifestyle factors and neurobehaviors of individuals. It was hypothesized that eating healthy and exercising improves mental state and self-motivation. An anonymous online survey using the Food-Mood and Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaires using the five point Likert Scale was administered online through community outreach and social media. The survey included questions on demographics, exercise habits, frequency of food group consumption, mental distress, and motivation. Data was collected between January to March 2021 and a total of 421 participants aged 18 and above completed the questionnaires. Spearman’s rho correlation was used to assess the associations between the different variables. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The results indicated that there is a correlation between exercise, motivation, and mood to every other metric studied, such as positive diet behaviors. Our findings also reveal strong positive associations between nutrient-dense food, motivation to perform and mental wellbeing (P < 0.01). Interestingly, fast-food and sugary foods produced strong negative correlation with neurobehaviors (P < 0.01). It was concluded there may be a correlation between dietary behaviors and exercise and motivation. Further evaluation of the role dietary and lifestyle choices play on neurobehavioral should be investigated.

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  How Critical Race Theory Disinformation Operationalizes Naivete of Public School Children: A Contemporary and Historical Analysis

  Sean Reichbach

  Disinformation upholds racial power structures by promulgating alternative truths to naïve populations. Historically, autocratic regimes have used education to bend students to the state’s will through classroom curricula and textbooks. In the US, Critical Race Theory has been introduced to combat the philosophy of idealizing the state, leading students to question the power structures that led to slavery, segregation, and contemporary inequity. However, there are emerging counter-narratives to CRT which promote a view of the classroom as a place to memorize state-approved content rather than question assumed truths. Through a case study reviewing southern textbooks in the 20th century designed by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and modern anti-CRT disinformation campaigns, I analyze three modes in which disinformation operationalizes the naivete of children in the public education system. These modes are textbooks, classroom curricula, and political disinformation campaigns. By illustrating the contemporary modes in which a state or its supporters attempt to use public education to produce naïve students, and provide historical context, this research identifies a pattern of disinformation as a strategy to preserve an ideal vision of the American state. If nothing is done to break this trend, naïve populations of students will be molded into supporting status-quo racist institutions based upon their core education and will likely be ripe for racist digital disinformation campaigns as adults.

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  Jewish Emigration and Satire in the 1970’s Soviet Union

  Jack Reppen

  This is a case study which explains how emigration policy influenced anti-semitic and anti-Israel sentiment in the 1970s. Disinformation, being a crucial aspect of how tropes and stereotypes are spread, is defined as the intentional spread of false information for ideological gain. This influence can be measured through the reactionary nature of a politically charged group of people coupled with humor and satire, creating a vital ecosystem where false or misleading information spreads easily. In order to demonstrate this thesis, I draw on critical disinformation theory, arguing how its definitions are crucial to an understanding of why inaccurate and racist publications are made. I incorporate recent work in the emerging field of Disinformation Studies to explore the shifting historical functions of satire as an informational rather than purely entertainment based category. Misappropriation of satire, especially when a humorous intent is not clear, allows incorrect information to spread liberally across the world. When taking the microcosm of the Russian people to a broader sense, human tendencies around satire are uncovered, leading to effective disinformation campaigns. One example I address is the caricature drawn for the satirical newspaper “Krokodil.” This plays a vital role in expressing how a commentary on a political event can turn into a far greater social issue that promotes scapegoatism surrounding Jews that plan to emigrate. Additionally, the inability to trade with Palestinian clients coupled with strong American support of Israel and alleged “parasitism” of Jews in the Soviet Union led to undeniably racist publications to be supported.

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  Capitalism and Natural Symbiosis

  Jacob Reyes

  The goal of this research is to explore if the flaws of capitalism such as greed and selfishness are truly the natural default in the world. Perhaps if it is not, nature may represent an important role model for humanity. Capitalism is an economic system dependent on exploitation and domination. But a potential way out may be studying nature. After researching ecosystems and symbiotic relationships of plants, it is clear that trees within forests have a communal economy of resources in which plants unconditionally support each other. They mutually benefit by sharing nutrients such as important water and minerals and also releasing signals to each other to prepare themselves for weather conditions and invasive species. This system of mutual helpfulness has been demonstrated to improve the quality of life for these plants by improving health, increasing photosynthesis, and greater resistance to natural obstacles. This unfortunately does not exist in capitalism as the majority of laborers in this form of society only receive just enough for their reproduction while capitalists in corporations who are at the top of competition profit immensely. As a result structural inequality is reinforced. The upper class also has a very strong political influence and escapes any repercussions for their over consumption of large amounts of natural resources. But if the abuse of capitalism is so apparent, then why do people accept it? It seems as though the system itself has manipulated the desires of humans and perhaps the image of nature as competitive and brutal derives from capitalist ideology seeking to eliminate threats. Though humans cannot perfectly replicate the selfless nature of the trees, trying to envision a better society and economic system through the lens of natural studies may very well be the path to eliminating the flaws of capitalism.

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  The Ann Cooper Hewitt Trial: Eugenics as a Tool for Intersectional Disinformation

  Lia Richter

  Critical disinformation studies, one theoretical sector in the emerging field of disinformation, looks at the various forms of false and misleading content, generally in the context of race. Many studies already demonstrate the harmful impact disinformation can have on the perpetuation of racist ideology, however, the gendered dimensions of disinformation are not explored as much. This paper uses the theories of critical disinformation to investigate how gender and race intersect in the eugenics movement, which was a pivotal moment in American history. The trial of Ann Cooper Hewitt, a widely discussed and influential court case in the 1930s, provides a case study that highlights how disinformation used against women and racial minorities connect, expanding this critical disinformation discourse and its implications. Middle-class, white Americans feared that they would lose their white dominance as immigrants and minorities continued to have children, and many worried that women were becoming too sexualized and radical. Thus, eugenics ideals, despite being proven scientifically false, became a tool to control the female population and maintain white supremacy. Specifically, when the doctors lied about Hewitt’s intelligence, her nonconsensual sterilization set the precedent for involuntary sterilization to be legal and encouraged. This situation not only breaks down how gender disinformation can take form, but it illustrates the importance of understanding intent in disinformation, identifying how these intersections can help prove this important component. My historical analysis of Ann Cooper Hewitt’s trial reveals the intentional racist and misogynist harm that intersectional analysis of disinformation can lay bare.

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  Russian Intervention in Foreign Elections: Implications in the 2004 Ukrainian Presidential Election

  Julian Roque

  The early twenty-first century in the region of Eastern Europe was a historical moment which saw unprecedented political tension and strife in post-Soviet states. This phenomenon was particularly evident in the Ukrainian Presidential election of 2004 which can be characterized by a dichotomy of ideological polarity between traditionalist tyranny of Russia and contemporary democracy of the West. Though to understand this conflict further it is critical to understand the actors at play: Viktor Yuschenko who was heavily backed both ideologically and monetarily by the United States and Viktor Yanukovych who received extensive support from Russia and the Kremlin. This election was also one that was very concretely divided across geopolitical lines, and in many ways can be seen as an internal strife between Eastern and Western Ukraine. While this election is certainly one that has been studied extensively by scholars, it seems as if there is insufficient research being conducted on the role that foreign interference played in deciding the outcome of the election. Furthermore, additional insight into the larger motives of these state actors can be gained through analysis of data containing primary texts and documents through a lens that identifies such actors as purveyors of disinformation and false/misleading narratives. This paper will analyze several instances of the Russian’s revival of KGB style persuasion tactics employed to bolster the image of Yanukovych at the expense of Yuschenko. This case study will then be able to add a unique dimension to the preexisting field of disinformation studies.

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  The Importance of The Hierarchy of Linguistic Varieties in Transnational #MeToo Literature Using Kristen Roupenian’s Short Story “Cat Person” as a Case Study

  Emily Rosman

  In 2017 during the height of the #MeToo movement, Kristen Roupenian’s short story “Cat Person” was published in The New Yorker and subsequently went viral online. On its surface, the story follows a bad date between a college student named Margot and a 34-year-old man named Robert, but subtly speaks to larger issues including sexual consent and a woman’s struggle for power in a patriarchal society. In her writing, the author adheres to the linguistic varieties expected of a short story author, but challenges those expected of a woman and a writer submitting to The New Yorker. Her decisions when following or breaking away from the linguistic norms in these categories were likely influenced by the social context of the #MeToo movement and are ultimately what made the story so successful and widely read. This phenomenon can be seen in examining the language choices of the author through a lens of feminist translation theory and short story theory. However, there are many instances in which the French translator Marguerite Capelle does not maintain a similar register or specific word choices indicative of the adherence to or deviation from one of the aforementioned linguistic varieties. The evidence exemplified in this paper suggests that perhaps there is more research needed about the hierarchy of linguistic varieties in transnational #MeToo literature.

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  What Do the Bits Become, Eric? Queering Queerbaiting in the CW's Supernatural

  Kayci Rudge

  Although genuine LGBTQ+ representation in media has steadily increased overtime, queerbaiting—the process of drawing in queer audiences with empty promises of representation to increase viewship—still runs rampant (McInroy & Craig, 2016; Witchwatch, 2016). Previous scholars have discussed the role of subtext in perpetuating queerbaiting, as well as the effect of queerbaiting on LGBTQ+ fans, but queerbaiting as a whole has yet to be operationally defined (Ng, 2017; Scott, 2017; Boisvert, 2020). This study seeks to fill a gap in the literature, codifying the elusive concept of queerbaiting through a set of fifteen novel criteria. This criteria—ranging from homophobic humor to unprecedented intimacy between same-gender characters—was used to observe queerbaiting in action through the CW’s Supernatural, a long-running television show infamous for its gay subtext. 267 episodes of the prime-time series were analyzed, and instances of queerbaiting were tallied for each episode. This data collection was carried out in hopes of addressing the following questions: has queerbaiting increased alongside overall LGBTQ+ representation between 2008 and 2020? If so, what underlying social connotations might this media proliferation have? Findings revealed a steady incline in the average rates of queerbaiting, starting in Season 4 and peaking in Season 11 (avg. 45.26 instances of queerbaiting per episode) with a relatively fast decline in Seasons 12–15. The air date of Season 11 closely aligns with Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, suggesting that queerbaiting has not only evolved overtime, but has evolved intentionally at the behest of writers to fit within prevailing American ideals.

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  The Aesthetics of May Stevens’ Big Daddy Series: How an Artist’s Stylistic Choice Influences Political Symbolism

  Juliette Sakmar

  Political art and aesthetics are undoubtedly intertwined. An artist's stylistic choices will affect the final outcome of the artwork, and in turn how its political symbolism is perceived. May Stevens, an activist, feminist, and artist was conscious of the aesthetics of her intensely political artwork. This is especially evident in her Big Daddy series, which is anchored by a grotesque male figure that Stevens treats as a vessel representing the blasé American attitude towards culture and politics. The series was completed between 1967 to 1976 and follows major political events, including the Vietnam War. Initial inspiration, however, was found in her father’s own mindset towards culture and politics. Throughout the series, we see the development of both symbolism and stylistic choice, which presents itself in the form of changing medium, technique, and exaggerated political imagery. Despite this temporal development, the collection of paintings remains identifiable and unified. Her lesser-known painting titled Living Room (1967) also features the “Big Daddy” male figure, but it differs in symbolism and stylistic choice. Here, the male figure is uncharacteristically accompanied by a female figure and features a less stylized and more traditional impasto painting technique. My research probes the relationship between the Big Daddy series and Living Room (1967). It explores how political art is intertwined with aesthetics. My examination of May Stevens’ Living Room (1967) and its relationship to the Big Daddy series addresses the way in which the political symbolism of painting can be animated by an artist’s stylistic choices.

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  Climate Change's Effects on New York State's Apple and Dairy Industries, and the Implications on Food Security

  Kenji Salinas

  This project analyzes the following question: how will climate change affect New York State’s (NYS) ability to maintain the apple and dairy industries, and how will this affect food security and the transportation of food? To answer this question, I broke my research into three parts. I first analyzed climate assessments and weather data for NYS to find any changes in temperature or weather patterns over time. I took note of increases in temperature, precipitation, and the likelihood of extreme weather events. Then, I analyzed the effects that a changing climate could have on the apple and dairy industries of NYS. I focused on changes in quantity produced, quality, and price. Finally, I analyzed the impact that the previously mentioned changes in agriculture could have on food security. Additionally, I examined the effects climate change has on infrastructure and transportation, which would affect how efficiently food gets from place to place. I found that average temperatures, precipitation, and the likelihood of extreme weather events are increasing in NYS, adversely affecting the quantity and quality of agriculture and affecting its ability to be transported from place to place. These changes to agriculture pose a threat to the four critical aspects of food security: availability of food, ease of purchasing or obtaining food, the nutritional value of food, and the ability to stabilize the three previously mentioned aspects. This project emphasizes the need for agriculture in NYS to adapt to a changing climate in order to achieve food security.

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  COVID-19 Media Narratives in the Era of Hyperreality: A Paradigmatic Analysis of Polarized Media Content

  Jeremy Santora

  Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the media has operated as the filter through which information has been disseminated to the masses. The role of the media is often overlooked due to the presupposition of communicative rationality (Bohman and Rehg, 2007) wherein the media acts a neutral medium to transmit information to guide the masses toward the most rational course of action. This has created echo-chambers have formed around liberal and conservative media outlets, leading to widely different responses among liberals and conservative with respect to the guidelines and procedures recommended by public health experts. This research project intervenes into the existing literature on political polarization in the media by positing the polarization to be a result of a failure to understand the media as a communicative medium. Using Jean Baudrillard’s (1995) theory of simulacra and hyperreality, which posit media representations to no longer have reference to an objective reality, this project understands the media to operate through the production of easily consumable narratives which entrench political echo chambers. That begs the questions: what narratives are produced? How are those narratives produced? And what purpose does the production of those narratives serve? This project aims to resolve this questions through a paradigmatic analysis of media texts from outlets across the ideological spectrum. In doing so, I believe Jean Baudrillard’s theory of hyperreality will be validated by exemplifying the fragmented nature of the media’s interpretations of reality.

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  Student Transience In The Binghamton Community

  Peter Schortemeyer

  Since the 20th century, Broome County and more specifically the Binghamton area has been losing its population and becoming more and more of a transient population. This paper looks to analyze the relationship between the transient population, more specifically transient students and their families, and the causes of them moving, primarily focusing on the economic and housing situations throughout the county. The research gained through using data published by government agencies as well as scientific journals in the past as well as interviews with people familiar to the situation in schools may help show a "cause and effect" relationship between the variables previously discussed and how they affect transience of students. Additionally, this paper also looks to provide potential solutions to these assumed housing problems using data and previous policy ideas that were implemented in other rural areas.

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  The Association between ADHD Drug Misuse and Other Psycho-Substance Abuse

  Nicole Scott, Sana Malik, Devon Umeozor, and Cassie Burrows

  Across North America, the abuse of ADHD medication on college campuses has become an increasingly prevalent problem, as students are becoming more acquainted with their potential as study aid. Previous research has revealed that students who use ADHD medication in college are significantly more likely to develop a dependence on alcohol and other drugs than those who have never taken ADHD medication. The purpose of this study is to assess whether there is a relationship between ADHD medication use and other psycho-substance use such as depressants and stimulants. This study has collected survey responses from 761 undergraduate students from various US colleges. The survey included self-reported dietary patterns, mental and physical health, ADHD medication use, and perceptions regarding illicit study drug use. The anonymous survey was built in Google forms, data was analyzed using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient in SPSS, Version 26.0. Our data has indicated a significant positive correlation between illicit ADHD medication use with depressants and stimulants (caffeine) among college students. Our results support previous studies that described how a dysfunctional prefrontal cortex (PFC) is linked to impaired response inhibition and riskier decision making, such as the comorbid use of other stimulants and depressants. Thus, our results suggest that those who use ADHD medication may be inclined to abuse other substances as well. By addressing the abuse of study drugs on college campuses, we may hope to curtail the abuse of other prevalent substances among college populations.

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  Education Disparities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

  Tracy Shek

  In general, students experience extreme amounts of stress and anxiety during the school year, constantly focusing on their studies and exams. The COVID-19 pandemic brought new obstacles that people, especially students, had to face as a collective. This study analyzes the now larger gap that exists between social classes and how that affects students in terms of their technology access, living situation, and guidance. While disparities between social classes have been subject to much discussion before the pandemic, the current context has made the difference between social classes even clearer. The lack of resources among lower-income students is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and changed. Through an examination of online learning vs. in-person learning, social and economic effects of the pandemic, as well as interviews and data sets, I demonstrate the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on education and how this effect is more severe among lower-income students.

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  If You Give a Girl Menstrual Health Education: The Positive Effects of Menstrual Health Management on Developing Countries

  Ashna Shetty

  Menstrual health affects about half the world’s population with more than 800 million people menstruate daily. Menstrual health is often overlooked and stigmatized in lower-income countries, but research shows how it can improve the lives of billions of girls worldwide as well as the living communities and countries they live in. My research investigates the impact menstrual health management and education has on the socioeconomic structure and sustainability of developing countries. I explain what menstrual health management is and how menstrual health education may be implemented in lower income communities. Positive impacts of menstrual health management on girls have a ripple effect on their communities. Examining medical data and ethnographic research, I seek to answer: What are the psychosocial effects of menstrual health management and education on young girls? How do they affect the living conditions of developing countries? What are their socioeconomic effects? Menstrual health management and education are extremely important. It can increase literacy rates and school attendance, decrease levels of waste, increase sanitation and improve the quality of life of young girls around the globe. There are a multitude of positive socioeconomic, cultural and environmental effects on girls, communities and countries as a whole.

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  Tobacco and Nicotine Use in the Perinatal Period: A Postpartum Video Intervention

  Karolina Smiechowski, Lauren Katz, Gabriella DiMuro, Wendi Gallagher, Sophia Guiliano, Francesca Nugnes, Kristin Pullyblank, Julianne Sbarra, and Geraldine Britton

  Tobacco use causes over 500,000 deaths annually in the United States, with additional morbidity and mortality associated with second-hand exposure. Although some women quit antenatally, most resume within one year. Previous research depicted that women want information and support to quit and health care providers need tools to assist them. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the effectiveness of an educational video in improving the knowledge and self-efficacy of women postnatally in a hospital setting regarding nicotine use. A pre-post-test design measured differences in knowledge and self-efficacy after viewing the video. Women were recruited during their postpartum hospital stay. Participants completed the 23 item PTABS survey via smartphone before and after viewing the video. There were 27 participants; 13 reported use of nicotine products in their lifetime; 5 were current smokers, and one each reported use of hookah or vape products. The majority (81%) had an increased risk of nicotine exposure from their personal history, household, or family/friends. Two survey items showed an increase in knowledge regarding risks of asthma (p= 0.042) and learning problems (p= 0.021) for children exposed postnatally (N=23). All participants agreed or strongly agreed that the video was helpful. This study suggests that women who do not admit to current use still need assessment and educational interventions related to nicotine products. Results indicated that our intervention had a positive impact on participants’ knowledge. Further research is needed using a larger sample to examine the effect on self-efficacy.

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  Genes Affecting Intestinal Stem Cell Development Influence Longevity in Female Drosophila on a High Sugar Diet

  Avi Stern, Charles Grossbauer, Alexa Schwartz, Brandon Vasquez, and Dave Colucci

  Obesity and type two diabetes have become widely prevalent and for this reason it is of increasing importance to characterize the physiological toll of excess sugar consumption. Here we used the model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, to perform a genome wide association study (GWAS) for differences in longevity among females fed a high sugar diet. There were highly significant differences in survival among the 205 inbred lines we tested, indicating a genetic basis to survival. The GWAS identified nine genes overall. Three of these genes (headcase, wing blister and rau) affect the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal stem cells (ISCs). Proper ISC production and differentiation into immune progenitor cells is known to affect longevity. A healthy microbiota is also known to influence ISC development and high sugar diets are known to influence microbiomes. Thus, our works suggests a link between high sugar, a healthy microbiome and proper ISC production affecting longevity through allelic differences in the identified genes.

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  Feels Bad Man: How One Amphibian Became A Weapon of Mass Disinformation

  Sam Stiller

  In the early 2000s, Matt Furie, a young American webcomic writer, saw a panel in one of his strips featuring a character named Pepe, become a reaction meme on the internet, but, over the two decades that have passed since the meme’s inception, that very same meme has been co-opted by white nationalists to spread disinformation on the internet. This paper identifies the epistemological and psychological processes manipulated by the media in which disinformation is disseminated with a special focus on memes inspired by Pepe. A greater understanding of the various factors at play in this particular case study can be obtained through examining primary sources relating to the reaction meme in question and scholarly texts relating to the epistemological and psychological effects of memes. Specifically, this case study seeks to explore the psychological biases at play that can cause a naive reader to seek out sources that confirm their pre-existing beliefs. The case study also raises questions about how scholars in the field of disinformation studies should handle the authorship of memes and the ambiguity surrounding it in their work, which reveals the role that memes play in blurring the lines between the epistemological sources of knowledge and justification, causing a person to believe that another’s testimony is their own introspection.

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  Geographic Correlation of Mental Health Google Search Terms and COVID-19 Fatality Rates

  Sofia Stirpe

  Not only have COVID-19 social distancing and quarantining measures transformed today’s society, but they have also exacerbated the mental health crisis in the United States. Understanding fear-induced responses and coping mechanisms due to unprecedented global events, such as the COVID-19 Pandemic, can enable health care providers to address their psychological impact and prepare appropriate treatment regimes. Despite numerous epidemic data platforms tracking COVID-19 fatalities, there is a limited understanding of Americans’ mental health during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This study investigates and quantifies the correlation between U.S. COVID-19 fatality rates over time and fear-related Google search terms by utilizing Google Trends and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Tracker. Furthermore, in order to determine context-specific relationships between Google search terms and U.S. COVID-19 fatalities, a graphical analysis will be conducted to assess the data visually. Ultimately, this experiment provides insight on the psychological impact of highly stressful events, especially future global health events similar to the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  China’s Narrative Reframing Efforts Using Disinformation Campaigns During the COVID-19 Pandemic

  Jilliana Strojan

  With the introduction of COVID-19, disinformation relating to the pandemic has spread all over the world. From the origins and first cases detected and reported, to the treatment of COVID-19, disinformation has flooded the media and has hindered the general population's understanding of what is happening. When focusing on pro-Chinese campaigns, there has been a noticeable pattern of China’s attempt to flip the narrative surrounding the pandemic. With the initial outbreak found to have been from China, disinformation campaigns have attempted to change the narrative from China being victims of the virus, to being the strong and powerful country that the world needs to rely on during this time. China’s first target was Italy, who was hit hard by the virus. China took advantage of Italy’s weakness and the European Union's lack of support, to help amplify the new narrative that China has created. China provided information and supplies to Italy and other countries around the world, which tended to be defective, inaccurate or not up to general health and safety standards. China also pressured the E.U. to change an official report on the disinformation that China was spreading during the pandemic, causing a change in the wording of the E.U. claim of “global disinformation” to the removal of the claim entirely. China’s disinformation campaigns that attempted to reframe the narrative surrounding China’s role in the pandemic cause harm around the world, but the intent of China and the extent to which harm was caused has gone unnoticed.

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  Developing Habits of Mind through Family Engineering at Home

  Jubie Tan

  Engineering in early education provides the foundation for the future of innovation. With the increased contact between family members during the COVID-19 pandemic, children may have experienced changes in their learning and engineering engagement. Our research explores young students’ reflections on their process of engaging in low-stakes engineering projects in their home. The participants were 22 families, ranging from second grade to sixth grade. After they attempted to solve an engineering challenge with family members in their home, all students reconvened in recorded Zoom meetings to answer various questions about the process and product of their engineering project. We individually watched and collectively discussed 13 video recordings. The resultant behavioral data were categorized using a peer-reviewed framework that includes Learning Habits of Mind and Engineering Habits of Mind. The study also accounted for aesthetic considerations and signs of empathy, which were not specified in the original framework. Initial findings reveal “Resourcefulness,” “Adapting/Improving,” and “Systems Thinking” were the most common habits of mind. The significance of this study highlights how engaging in engineering projects in the home has the potential to develop children’s dispositions and ways of thinking common to engineers.

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  Asian American Satisfaction with Culturally Relevant Food in Binghamton

  Naoko Todo

  This study assessed satisfaction of Asian American students of SUNY Binghamton on access to culturally relevant foods in the greater Binghamton area. The greater Binghamton area is a food desert; many residents suffer from lack of stable and affordable access to healthy foods. As Broome County is a homogenous population, with 85.8% of the population being white, the local area is also lacking in one of the tenets of food justice—culturally relevant foods—creating a culturally appropriate food desert as well (Social Explorer, 2019). On the other hand, the demographic within the SUNY Binghamton campus is more diverse, with only 55% of the student body being white. For the Asian-American community, which is often excluded from the American narrative as the “perpetual foreigner,” cultural foods provide a lifeline bridging cross cultural identity (Data USA, 2019). Through interviews and focus group potlucks in which students shared experiences adapting to available food options, this study revealed that a majority of Asian American students are dissatisfied with cultural offerings in and around campus. Food offerings often mimic the dominant culture of the demographic. Thus, the Asian American experience is underrepresented or misrepresented. When communities are overlooked, so too are methods by which to examine their health, and opportunities to better empathy and understanding for diverse groups of people.

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  Comparison Between Thermal and Hyper-spectral Image Analysis: White-tailed Deer Population Monitoring in the Binghamton University Nature Preserve

  Melissa Torchio, Caitlin Tucker, Joseph Won, Connor Townes, and Peter Vailakis

  The rapid overpopulation of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has severely harmed the Northeast region of the United States. Affected regions have seen increased environmental degradation due to overbrowsing, increased instances of deer-vehicle collisions, and an uptick in Lyme Disease contraction. The overpopulation of White-Tailed Deer (WTD) is mainly due to anthropogenic causes such as the overhunting and over regulation of the primary predators of WTD. Therefore, fully understanding the severity of the WTD overpopulation is crucial in combating the issue and making informed management decisions. The scope of our study focuses on determining the most effective image types and image processing techniques in regards to analyzing census data on mammalian wildlife populations. We will be conducting a UAV-based drone survey of WTD in the Binghamton University Nature Preserve collecting both thermal and hyperspectral data. We will then recruit approximately 100-150 untrained college students, split them into two groups, and have each group review a different drone flight. Each student will individually estimate the amount of deer in the data set they were provided. By placing the student estimates on a bell curve for each flight, we will be able to identify which image type is most effective for counting deer with an eye untrained in image analysis. The results of this experiment will allow us to create a novel methodology that will help us, as well as other scientists, utilize drone-based surveys to more accurately gather census data on WTD.

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  Speed Artists and Value Production

  Gabriella Wahba

  In 1988 Morris Katz obtained the World Record for being the fastest and most prolific painter in the world. Katz popularized his instant art, creating paintings in mere seconds applying oil paint with only toilet paper and a palette knife. Recently, artists have questioned the traditional notions of who art is for and what gives it value. A new wave of celebrity artists emerged in the second half of the 20th century, gaining an audience by making art more accessible to the general public. For centuries art had been presented more or less exclusively to insiders, and its merit was, as a result, judged only by those prestigious enough to view it. However, public media has made it possible for unconventional artists to make an instant connection with their audience. Through Katz, I examine how a celebrity artist can give value to their work by establishing a connection with the public. This is evident through Katz’s many television appearances, live studio performances, and direct communication with his audience. The complete transparency of process for Katz, and artists like him, created a new means by which artists and their art could gain value. I show how Katz achieved status by using media and performance to gain public appeal, as well as developing a distinct gimmick to differentiate himself from the conventional artworld, and from other speed artists too, thereby transforming how the commercialized artist can popularize themselves to gain worth.