SPECTRUM Journal of Student Research at Saint Francis University
Abstracts of the Fifth Annual Saint Francis University Research Day
Volume 6 (2) Fall 2015
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SPECTRUM Journal of Student Research at Saint Francis University Fall 2015 Volume 6 (2) FIFTH ANNUAL SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY RESEARCH DAY ABSTRACTS November 19, 2015 John F. Kennedy Student Center
Schedule 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Poster session A (Odd Abstract Numbers)
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Poster session B (Even Abstract Numbers)
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm
Lecture session
Cover photo by Grace McKernan
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POSTER PRESENTATIONS P1
Teachout, Jocelin R.; Canak, Jade A.; Loya, Lane J. Do Birds Avoid Black Cherry Trees When Foraging for Winter Insects? The insect-foraging behavior of winter birds was investigated in the winter of 2015 to determine if there was a significant difference in foraging on Black Cherry trees versus other tree species. Our previous work suggested that winter birds forage less frequently on Black Cherry, indicating that there might be a chemical defense present in this species. To conduct our experiment, four holes were drilled in 15 Black Cherry trees and in 15 other trees; a mealworm was placed in each hole to simulate an overwintering insect, and then covered with wood putty. A food source of black oil sunflower seeds was placed in a squirrel-proof feeder to attract birds into the area. The amount of mealworms consumed was evaluated to give insight into what specific type of trees winter birds forage on. We performed the study at two different sites on the grounds of Saint Francis University; one site was located just south of the Monastery of St. Therese, while the other was located on the campus nature trail. The monastery site’s mealworms were mostly consumed regardless of tree type. However, there was no significant difference in mealworm predation. The mealworms in the non-cherry trees of the nature trail were consumed at a significantly higher rate than those in cherry trees. There was a significant difference in mealworm predation at the nature trail site.
P2
Shee, William A.; Flynn, Victoria N.G.; Jones, Maura J.; Hargittai, Balazs
(L5)
Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Novel Amino Acids with Basic Side Chains The cyclic amino acid proline is limited by steric constraints and has a strong structural effect orienting two sections of a peptide or protein chain in specific directions and limiting possible structures for the whole molecule. The objective of our research is to synthesize a novel cyclic proline derivative with a basic side-chain and then incorporate this novel amino acid into peptide sequences. The application of microwaves to select steps of the synthesis to replace traditional methods has the advantages of reducing reaction time and increasing product yield. It has been shown that the presence of a basic amino acid in certain positions of our model peptides greatly enhances their binding ability, while the presence of a cyclic amino acid in the same position can lead to the formation of their natural isomers with good selectivity.
P3
Leoncio Silva, Deborah C.; Bravo Castro da Costa, Renata; Wolf, Irene M. The Effects of Deer Velvet Antler on Cell Proliferation on 3T3 Mouse Fibroblasts Insulin-Like Growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is released by the liver and binds to the IGF receptors within the cells. This hormone causes a stimulation of cell growth causing new tissue formation, existing tissue growth, and an inhibition of cell death. IGF-1 promotes growth of new muscle cells, which increases the overall number of cells in the muscle. It improves collagen formation and aids in cartilage repair. Similarly, it affects the bones by aiding in bone production and repair. Deer velvet antler (DVA), produced by the male deer, is said to be equivalent to human IGF-1. Currently, it is a popular homeopathic diet supplement. This dietary supplement is often used to enhance athletic performance by improving muscular strength and quicker recovery from tissue damage associated with exercise. This supplement
4 has yet to be evaluated by the Food and Drug Adminstration and therefore it remains unknown if it mimics human IGF-1. This study investigates if mouse fibroblastic cell proliferation is enhanced by deer velvet antler.
P4
Omler, Allison N.; Murphy, Kaitlyn E.; Shoemaker, D. Sue; Drus, Gail M. Seahorse Nutrition in Hippocampus zosterae Nutrition plays a critical role in the fecundity of Hippocampus zosterae, more commonly known as the dwarf seahorse. A practice that occurs in seahorses, as well as other animals, is resource partitioning. In this case, this means that seahorses will only have as many offspring as they can support. If a seahorse is surpassing its nutritional requirements, then it will have more fry. If a seahorse is lacking nutritional requirements, then it will have fewer fry. This study assesses the nutritional value of several commonly used forms of nutritional enrichment. The supplements being studied are Selcon and Vitafish. Mating pairs of seahorses will be fed a diet with various forms of nutritional enrichment. The nutritional value of each will be determined based on the number of fry each mated pair have. The quantity of offspring produced by a mated pair will be used to indicate the nutritional value of each supplement. If Hippocampus zosterae is fed small marine invertebrates enriched with either Selcon or Vitafish, then more fry will be produced by those with this diet as opposed to their counterparts fed the same marine invertebrates without enrichment.
P5
Walker, Erik J.; Farabaugh, Patrick G. Show Me The Money: Are College Football Coaches’ Salaries Growing at the Same Rate as College Football’s TV Deals? NBC is the “national channel” for Notre Dame University Football, paying the school approximately $15 million a year for exclusive rights to televising Fighting Irish football games. The contracts between networks and individual schools and conferences to televise major college football games and the salaries of major college football coaches have exploded over the last decade. In this study, the author explores if the growth on both fronts is “proportional.” Are the salaries of major college football coaches growing at the same rate as lucrative TV contracts?
P6
Budash, David M.; Farabaugh, Patrick G. Is Baseball “America’s Favorite Pastime”?: A Comparison of TV Viewership of Championships of the Nation’s Major Spectator Sports The author conducts a content-analysis of television viewership of the four “major sports” championships in the United States: the Super Bowl, World Series, Stanley Cup Finals and National Basketball Association Finals. Data will be grouped into four-year categories: 199498, 1999-2003, 2004-09 and 2010-14. The author seeks to determine if Major League Baseball’s TV World Series viewership supports the notion that the game remains “America’s favorite pastime.”
5 P7
Schorr, Hannah C.; Frank, Mark A.; Hargittai, Michele R.S. Purification of Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A (TFAM) To purify mitochondrial Transcription Factor A (TFAM), specialized E.coli cells were grown with a plasmid that codes for His-SUMO-TFAM. The cells were lysed and the protein was purified using a series of Ni-NTA columns, digestion, and an SP-Sepharose column. The purified protein was collected in fractions, which were examined using SDS polyacrylamide gels as well as agarose gels, and the fractions with the most concentrated TFAM were collected and frozen. TFAM was successfully extracted and collected from E.coli, but the gels show evidence of bacterial protein, so gel purification will be necessary to completely purify TFAM.
P8
Berry, Madeline H., Damico, Denise H. The Sound of the Blues The history of the blues has more relevance to everyday life than many might typically recognize. Its history reveals cultural, political, and social themes of the American past, which remain pertinent today. The blues made contemporary popular music possible. However, the history of the blues is not always a triumphant one; the music itself revolved around hardship and struggle. This poster explores the social context in which the blues originated and how it flourished. Original research of sheet music, music samples, essays, and firsthand accounts written by African Americans illuminate the origins of blues music, the genre's rise to popularity, and its different regional subgenres and manifestations. In conversation with existing scholarly research in music history and related fields, this poster grapples with broader societal issues such as racism, segregation, and the Civil Rights Movement. The study of the blues is immersed within America's cultural, political, and social atmosphere. When and where did the blues originate, and when did it become popularized? Why were Americans hesitant to accept the blues? Does the character of a blues musician evolve over time? How do individuals perceive the blues and its history? When do scholars actually start to study the blues, and how do scholars address the history of the blues? Why is the history of the blues important? This poster addresses the significance of the blues, and its deeply rooted relationship with America, while working to understand the significance of the blues as time evolved. It shows that African American culture is embedded in the American image.
P9
Francisco Menezes Dutra, Evaldo; Campos Costa, Fabio; Trimble, John J. Mg2+ and Cinnamaldehyde Do Not Stimulate Insulin Production in Beta-TC-6 Cells in vitro Diabetes was known in the 19th century as a disease of the kidneys due to the high levels of sugar found in the patient’s urine. However, experiments using dogs in 1889 and the purification of insulin in 1922 proved that diabetes was an endocrine disease (1). However, even with the advances of insulin and other medicines, type II diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world. Diabetes occurs when the body starts to be resistant to insulin, or when the pancreas reduces the amount of hormone produced, or both. Given these complexities, there are many drugs focused on different mechanisms of action. For example, Glibenclamide is a drug that acts on pancreatic beta-cells and activates them to increase the amount of insulin in the blood (2). Another drug, Metformin, reduces the insulin resistance in the muscles, glucose produced by the liver, and intestinal glucose absorption (2). However, beyond medicines proven to be clinically effective in treating diabetes, people have been using
6 alternative treatments based on popular knowledge, sometimes called “folk remedies.“ For example, in Brazil, an herb called “Pata de Vaca” and cinnamon are popular (3). In the USA, people have used supplements of chromium and magnesium (4). The value of these substances in treating diabetes are unsubstantiated. In this project, we will test if cinnamaldehyde and magnesium are capable to increase the insulin production by stimulation of beta-TC-6 cells (ATCC CRL #11-506). The beta-TC-6 cells are a mouse insulinoma cell line known to produce insulin in response to glucose. However, these experiments did not show any increase of insulin compared to the control using glucose in its optimal concentration.
P10
Fry, Cathleen M.; Bailey, Jenna M.; Hargittai, Balazs Synthesis and Clinical Use of LS-2616, a Drug Used to Treat Ocular Cancer Ocular melanoma (OM) is the most common eye cancer in adults. Between 2,500 and 3,000 adults are diagnosed with OM every year in the United States. Within the past year, there has been 2,610 cases and 1,310 affected men and 1,300 affected women. Cancer develops in the eye just like it can develop on the skin. However, eye cancer is a very rare cancer. The purpose of the research project is to propose an efficient organic synthesis of LS-2616, a drug used to treat ocular cancer, and to study how this compound is used in the clinical treatment of ocular cancer. The significance of this study is to compare the effect of LS-2616 with other drugs that are used today to treat ocular cancer in order to determine whether it may be used successfully for that purpose. A novel multistep synthesis will be proposed in this research and reaction conditions will be tested for each step of the synthesis.
P11
Catalano, Emma L.; Farabaugh, Patrick G. Evolution of the “TV Family” – A Reflection of Reality or Fictional Escapism? The author seeks to discover how the concept of the American family has evolved in television programs during the last half century. The author will examine some of the most popular “family” TV shows from the 1950s to present. The author hypothesizes that the evolution of the “reality” of U.S. family life and the evolution of TV portrayals of family life will have a strong correlation. The author will perform content analysis on six TV shows. This analysis will look at, among other concepts, family structure, socio-economic status and demographics of the TV families.
P12
Woloschuk, John R.; Strosnider, Kristina; Drus, Gail M. Chemical and Physical Competition between Japanese Knotweed and Pumpkins: Assessment of Interactions and Possible Treatment Methods The infamous nonnative Japanese Knotweed, Fallopia japonica, is among the most noticeable and destructive invasive plant species in Europe and North America. Common weed removal techniques, such as herbicides, cutting, and simply ripping out the plant fail to halt the spread of this aggressive species. Local areas in Cambria County are among those infested with dense pockets of Japanese Knotweed. This research, carried out over four months, focused its efforts on the Franklin extension of the Staple Bend Trail in Johnstown Pennsylvania (latitude 040° 21’ 21” N, longitude -78° -51’ 51” W). In addition, a three month laboratory experiment was carried out in the Saint Francis University Greenhouse. This research was geared towards
7 assessing the effects of cucurbitacin, which is an allelopathic compound used by pumpkins to compete against neighboring plant species. The greenhouse experiment attempted to interpret the possible effects of allelopathic compounds used by pumpkins and even Japanese Knotweed by mitigating chemical effects with activated charcoal. While the greenhouse experiment sought evidence of allelopathy, the field study served as a realistic simulation of how pumpkins fare against well-established monocultures of Japanese Knotweed. The data that had managed to be collected and graphed from the first greenhouse experiment reveals that, in field soil, pumpkin dominates Japanese Knotweed seedlings. However, the same could not be said for pumpkins against Japanese Knotweed rhizomes in the greenhouse or against dense stands of Japanese Knotweed in the field. Further research should investigate development of an eradication method utilizing implementation of cucurbitacins and activated carbon against Japanese Knotweed in the field.
P13
Werling, Emma; Mauney, Teelyn T. A Look at the Difference and Similarities of French and American Culture and Education The increase in number of students that study abroad has risen greatly in the last ten years. In efforts to determine the factors that promote positive study abroad experiences, a comparison was made with France and America. In this case, students from France studying in America were asked about major cultural and educational differences between France and America. And students from America who studied abroad in France were asked about the same differences. The students provide an insightful approach to important factors that positively or negatively affect international educational systems. A survey, in the form of an open-ended questionnaire, was used, inquiring on: the origin of the participant, cultural impacts on education, and environmental factors. The questionnaire was used to gain personal opinions of studying abroad and gave insight of French and American cultures. Previous research in this area suggests similar insights on education and cultural impacts. The knowledge gained from this study indicates that there are certain factors such as culture, teaching styles, classroom behavior, and standards of French and American education which creates an understanding behind determining the successfulness of education in America compared to France. Professor interactions in America are more positive because students indicate that professors are more approachable and willing to help; while the interactions with French professors are quite the opposite. With an overall analysis, the results prove that a French education is difficult to achieve. This is because the standards are higher, and the fact that French students are demanded, by professors to have the ability to discuss in open-class-discussions. Overall, France provides a better education, which is also free. A French education is more difficult, yet it is beneficially challenging to achieve due to non-interactive professors, the push for multilingualism, Bach exams, and high standards for performance and understanding material.
P14
Astle, Nicholas S.; Damico, Denise H. The Use of Historical Fiction Short Stories in the High School Social Studies Classroom It is said that the superior teacher does not merely tell or show, but inspires. True inspiration springs from an honest appreciation of and interest in the subject material. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the superior Social Studies teacher to provide opportunities for unique and genuine encounters with history. These encounters should be grounded in facts and critical concepts, yet should also be shone through the lens of student interests and experiences. The
8 use of historically accurate fiction is an invaluable tool for educators and an opportunity for student engagement. As part of my Honors Program thesis, I produced five historicallyaccurate short stories depicting distinct eras and events. This project extends that research by providing concrete methods for the application of these stories in the high school classroom. Specifically, it creates for each short story a lesson plan and associated materials. These plans, combined with the short stories themselves, produce a complete and self-contained lesson designed to teach critical thinking skills and the application of primary sources to the era in question. Short stories present factually-accurate material in a short, entertaining format. Their efficacy is multi-faceted. Primarily, the narrative structure maintains greater focus and attention among all students. Secondly, stories with engaging characters create longer-lasting memories, ensuring the lesson itself remains. Short stories also allow related concepts to be grouped within the plot, forming mental connections and demonstrating them in practical ways. Further, short stories provide an instructional opening for the analysis of related primary documents. For this reason, the lesson plans formulated here all incorporate primary sources as the most significant part of the lesson, with the story itself as either a pre- or post-class reading assignment.
P15
Beckmeyer, Glenn M.; England, Bryce K.; Gallagher, Michelle M.; Hawkins, Alayna K.; Hilty, Meagan R.; Maffei, Luke V.; Meurer, Katherine E.; Pryce, Brandyn M.; Rozich, Alyssa C.; Somerville, Thomas G.; Gleason, Jane L.; Hargittai, Michele R.S. Effect of Extraction Order on Product Yield and Purity A liquid extraction is a process in which compounds are separated based on their solubilities. The goal of this experiment was to manipulate the order of extraction to determine the effect on purity and recovery of compounds. There were two solvents to be utilized in separate extraction steps: 3M NaOH, a basic aqueous solution, and 3M HCl, an acidic aqueous solution. These solvents would help separate a mixture of benzoic acid (BA), ethyl 4-aminobenzoate (E4A), and naphthalene (Naph) dissolved in dichloromethane (DCM). All solutes were present in a 1:1:1 ratio. Two studies were conducted with one group performing the first extraction using 3M NaOH and a second group performing the first extraction using 3M HCl. The products were extracted and recrystallized by the addition of the appropriate acid or base. After products were dried and weighed, a DigiMelt MPA160 was utilized to test each product and compare the melting point ranges to the pure compounds. Data suggests that using the acidic 3M HCl solution first yielded higher amounts of product, while using the basic 3M NaOH resulted in products of greater purity.
P16
Lipski, Michelle, Hargittai, Michele R.S.; Hargittai, Balazs Synthesis and Characterization of Azo Dyes Dyes are colored compounds that bind to fabric. For nearly five thousand years, humans have been using dyes to create and improve aesthetically pleasing clothing and fabrics. The specific type of dyes in our experiments was azo dyes, discovered by a brewer, Peter Griess. In our research, we synthesized a vast array of azo dyes, using diazonium salts, identified the color of each dye, focusing on the identities of the two organic components of the dyes, and looked at the indicator properties of the dyes – how well can they be used to differentiate between acidic and basic solutions by detecting a change in dye color.
9 P17
Crable, Danielle N.; Kimberly, Caitlin A.; Teachout, Jocelin R.; Trimble, John J. The Effect of Antibiotics on the Gut Microflora of Red Wiggler (Eisenia fetida) and Field Worms (Allolobophora caliginos) One consequence of the Human Microbiome Project was the discovery that human health is often improved by having a diverse intestinal microflora. Antibiotic treatments, necessary to treat bacteria diseases, may disrupt human intestinal microflora sufficiently to result in opportunistic infections and ill health. Our study will observe how antibiotics affect the internal bacterial flora of annelid worms as a model system. The worms were cultured in sterilized worm bedding in a customized ‘worm ranch’ that had pathways available to two adjoining ‘worm farms.’ One passageway contained the antibiotics ampicillin and kanamycin; the other passageway was untreated. Fecal casts from worms that traveled through each pathway were obtained to identify the community structure of intestinal microflora of the worms. Bacterial culture, genomic DNA isolation for cloning and DNA sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA genes, and community-level physiological profiling (BIOLOG Ecoplate) have begun. These tests indicate that there was less diversity in the microflora of worms that had been treated with antibiotics compared to the worms that had not been treated with antibiotics. The identification of the bacterial flora in the gut of two worm species, and the effects of antibiotic therapy, may become useful as a model system for the study of disruptive antibiotic therapy in humans and domesticated animals.
P18
Wilson, Stephanie J.; Drus, Gail M. Investigating the Benefits and Construction of a Living Hydroponic Wall to be Integrated onto the Saint Francis University Campus The purpose of this project is to validate the benefits of having a hydroponic living wall system on the Saint Francis University campus. Nature is a natural way to relieve stress and create a calming environment that is so often lacking on university campuses. Hydroponic systems provide a clean and green way to incorporate nature into everyday life by placing them within university buildings. Through this project we hope to validate the redeeming qualities of hydroponic living walls such as; positive psychological effects, cleaning surrounding air to improve air quality, promote biodiversity, and provide research opportunities for incoming students. In order to validate these benefits prototypes will be placed on campus and surveying will be completed in order to determine aesthetic quality and level of biophilia the prototypes induce. Air quality will be tested using a standard air quality testing kit to examine differences in carbon dioxide levels and other compounds that plants can remove from the surrounding air. The suspected outcome is that the wall will prove all benefits true and to be a beneficial addition to the Saint Francis University campus.
P19
McCombie, Katrina L., Woods, Lori Female Penance in the City of Brotherly Love: Exploring the Operations of the Magdalen House of Philadelphia (1808-1917) The Magdalen Society of Philadelphia was a private charitable organization founded by the leading men of the city of Philadelphia in 1800. Its original mandate was to rescue and reform “fallen women,” a term used to refer to young females whose sexual virtue had been lost on account of seduction or rape. The Society founded the “Magdalen House” in 1808, as an
10 institution in which “fallen women” could reform their lives and reenter society with new sets of moral standards. Though the first institution of its kind in the United States, the Magdalen House was inspired by similar British institutions. My poster investigates the political and social relationships that shaped the Magdalen House’s historical evolution from 1808 to 1917. The “Minutes of the Board of Managers” (1800-1916) reveal how the Board members enhanced their own power, desires, and political aims through the operations of the society. The “Matron’s Diary” records (1829-1917) offer insight into the relationships established between matrons, women employed to care for the daily needs of the inmates and of the society, and the “fallen” young women who were taken in by the Home. The Magdalen Society’s story reveals not only the history of reform system in Philadelphia, home of many American reform movements, but also the social, political, gender and class divisions, of nineteenth century American life. This poster explores questions like: how did religion impact the women involved and lend authority to the male power elite? How did political roles centralize power? How did female reform movements oppose the city’s patriarchal society?
P20
Wilson, Stephanie J.; Shoemaker, D. Sue The Effects of Eutrophication on the Competition between Coral and Algae The purpose of this project is to identify the effects of eutrophication on the competition between algae and corals. Due to a rise in ocean pollution, caused by an increase in tourism and industrialization, coral populations are declining. This is thought to be due to the nutrient influx caused by the pollution. This influx could be a beneficial change for the algae population allowing for increased or accelerated growth. Coral populations, however, are stressed by a decrease in calcification and recruitment rates due to the same nutrient influx. These two populations coexist and therefore compete for substrate space and the algae are acquiring substrate space much more quickly than the corals. This project looks at the increased strain that eutrophication puts on this relationship between coral and algae. This is determined by defining and examining growth rates of corals and algae in the face of eutrophication and competition. The anticipated outcome of this study is the positive identification of the nutrient influx as a negative impact on the growth of coral populations and a positive impact on the growth of algae populations, straining the competition for space in favor of the algae. The findings may be useful in determining new strategies to decrease or possibly reverse the effects of eutrophication on the coral population.
P21
Frank, Mark A.; Drus, Gail M. The Effect(s) of Acid Mine Drainage on the development Ceratopteris gametophytes Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a prevalent problem in Pennsylvania and other areas in the northeastern United States. The effects of acid mine drainage are an active area of research, but still little is known in regard to the effect these changes of pH have on the growth, reproduction, and development of pteridophytes, such as ferns. To determine the effect low pH waters have on fern growth, one must expose the specimen at various stages of its life cycle. To achieve this, acid mine drainage was added to three petri dishes containing spores of Ceratopteris purchased from Carolina, whose development and growth was observed every three days for a period of 31 days, at which point the specimens expired. Three petri dishes with an equal volume of sterile water added, served as experimental controls. It was found that treatment with AMD decreased the proportion of individuals that reached the sporophyte stage,
11 individuals within the treatment instead peaked in proportion at the prothallus stage. Desiccation in the control plates created an unbalanced data set as the experiment progressed. A future experiment shall address the problem of desiccation and seek to maintain a balanced sample set, increasing the sample set shall also be attempted to reduce the standard error in the analysis.
P22
Alemu,Tinsae S.; Baker, Eric M.; Frank, Nicholas J.; Georgetson, Gabrielle M.; Gobert, Zachary A.; Golanoski, John A.; Madl, David M.; Mazzur, Jessica E.; Messina, Maria A.; Siwy, Ryan S.; Gleason, Jane L.; Hargittai, Michele R.S. (L4) Characterizations of Various Synthesized Nylons In this experiment, various nylons were synthesized, and the physical properties of each were analyzed. Five different combinations of diamines and diacyl chlorides were used to produce five different nylon structures. The diamines used were 1,4-butanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, and 1,8-octanedianime. The diacyl chlorides used were sebacoyl chloride and adipoyl chloride. The various nylons synthesized were Nylon 4,10, Nylon 6,6, Nylon 6,10, Nylon 8,6, and Nylon 8,10. The physical properties tested include tensile strength, flexibility, stretchiness, and water absorption. Throughout the different tests, Nylon 6,6 was shown to have the highest tensile strength, superb flexibility, stretched the furthest, and had low water absorption compared to the other nylons, making it the best choice for commercial use. Other nylons displayed less versatile physical characteristics.
P23
Olafsen, Harry J.; Myers, Sarah E.; Damico, Denise H. Real Housewives of the American Civil War This poster studies the experiences of various women during the Civil War. How did the Civil War affect women’s lives? How did women have an impact on the war effort? This poster compares and contrasts the roles and experiences of northern and southern women, both black and white. I argue that, due to the extraordinary pressures the war exerted on Northern and Southern societies alike, women had the ability to transcend their traditional gender roles and even make substantial contributions to the war effort on both sides, respectively. The poster uses women’s personal words from diaries and letters to document the societal role of women in the 1860s and how their roles evolved in the North and the South, comparing the experiences of the women in each region. These roles are more similar than different, however, suggesting that the Civil War was a nation-building event, not only politically, but socially and culturally as well.
P24
Krug, James P.; Stern, Logan J.; Weyant, Caleb J.; Zovinka, Edward P.; Strosnider, William H.J.; Bandstra, Joel Z. Study of Metal Cation Concentrations in an Open Limestone Channel Swank 13, Reade Township, PA Abandoned mine drainage, AMD, can result in acidic runoff which is harmful to aquatic life. After coal is extracted, the flow of water shifts. Pyritic materials such as Iron sulfide dissolve in the presence of water and oxygen to form sulfuric acid and iron (II). Others metals which can be dissolved in this drainage are aluminum and manganese. To treat acid mine drainage,
12 passive systems are often used. One common passive treatment is an open limestone channel, OLC. A naturally occurring stream from a mine is lined with limestone which neutralizes acidic water and allows metals to precipitate out of solution. In this study, an OLC in Reade Township was measured for iron, manganese, and aluminum. To measure the concentrations of these three metals, atomic absorption, AA, spectroscopy was used. There are two AA spectrometers; the flame and graphite furnace AA measure at concentration to the part per million, ppm, and part per billion, ppb, respectively. Iron and manganese were at most 1 ppm and detectable on a graphite furnace AA spectrometer, while aluminum at about 9 ppm was detected on the flame AA Spectrometer. Samples were taken at five sample sites along with measurements of the waters temperature, dissolved oxygen content, percent dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH. Additional data of flow rate and retention time were measured using two weirs on either side of the limestone channel. Collected data was used to access the remediation capabilities of the open limestone channel. Results suggest that the metal concentrations are not significantly reduced because the dissolution of the limestone does not raise the pH enough. The pH normally does not rise past 4.0. Data from this project was to be used to develop a remediation model which could be used to design channels specific to a locations geography and water chemistry.
P25
Dreikorn, Erika N.; Drus, Gail M. The effect of narrow leaf cattail (Tyhpa angustifolia) removal on pond habitat quality Negative impacts associated with invasive species are the displacement of native vegetation and the reduction of biodiversity and habitat quality. One such species is narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia) which is prevalent in wetland and riparian environments of the United States. To investigate the effects of cattail invasion on habitat quality, an experiment was conducted on a 1 acre pond in Gallitzin, PA where several fish die-offs had occurred. Initial cattail density, plant community composition and water chemistry were assessed, and then several removal methods (hand pulling, clipping, fire, herbicide, and herbicide and then fire) were implemented to determine the influence of cattail on pond habitat quality. Measurements of water chemistry and plant composition were taken over a period of four months. Hand pulling and clipping had little effect on water chemistry and were ineffective at removing cattails. In fact, removing the cattails via these methods promoted other invasive plants, particularly duckweed, pond weed and filamentous algae and promoted the regrowth of cattails in the removal area. Herbicide, however, was the most effective means of killing the cattails, but its application altered pond water chemistry (reduced electroconductivity, total dissolved solids and salts) and amphibian larvae were not observed in areas with visible herbicide surfactant. The most negative influence of cattails on the pond environment measured in this experiment was low dissolved oxygen in the floating cattail mats, which is likely responsible for the fish die-offs as cattail cover rapidly increased in the pond over the last 2 growing seasons. However, low dissolved oxygen is typical of any floating vegetation. This project shows that the management of invasive species should be carefully weighed with the impacts of removal techniques. In some cases, the environmental impacts associated with invasive species removal could be greater than the negative impacts of the invasive plant.
13 P26
Gobert, Zachary A.; Krug, James P.; Smith, Benjamin D. NMR, IR, and UV-Vis Characterization Comparing Citrate Synthesized and Greenly Synthesized Nanoparticles In recent years, green (environmentally friendly) practices have grown in popularity. These practices have been applied to the emerging field of nanotechnology. For example, nanoparticles have been synthesized through several different methods using aqueous plant extracts. With conventional synthesis methods, nanoparticles’ structures are well understood. However, with green methods, much uncertainty still remains including the chemical identity of the capping agent. Capping agents are the outside coating that stabilize nanoparticles. Our research focuses on determining the capping agent. We have examined the commonly made citrate-coated gold and silver nanoparticles. We used several techniques for characterization including UV-Vis, IR, and NMR spectroscopies. UV-Vis spectroscopy provided information about particle size, shape, concentration, and aggregation amount. IR and NMR spectroscopies probbed the identity of the capping agent, citrate. Our future work will explore greenly synthesized silver particles. This work involves collecting many types of extracts from plants such as black tea, green tea, and the common ferns. We will examine how nanoparticle production is affected by plant extract concentration, reaction time, and reaction temperature. We propose by changing these variables, green nanoparticle synthesis will occur resulting in a number of particle types to compare. We will then characterize these particles using the methods outlined above and explored with citrate-coated particles. The structure of the unknown capping agents on the green particles will be identified.
P27
Patton, Hannah; Panizza, Rafaela O.; Wagner, Rachel C. The Effect of Membrane Number on Cross-Membrane Pressure in Anaerobic Fluidized Membrane Bioreactors Anaerobic Fluidized Membrane Bioreactors (AFMBR) have been proven to have great potential in treating various forms of wastewater, including secondary domestic wastewater, in an energy efficient and sustainable manner. Improving the energy efficiency of the AFMBR by reducing the amount of energy necessary to run the mechanism would allow for a wider application of the reactor in industrial fields. It has been suggested that the energy efficiency can be improved by increasing the number of membranes present in the main chamber of the reactor. An increase in the number of membranes present could potentially decrease crossmembrane pressure, which in turn would reduce the energy necessary to pump water through the AFMBR. A continuous-feed evaluation of three AFMBRs containing different numbers of membranes will be conducted. The AFMBRs will be fed synthetic wastewater with a chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 100 mg/l.
P28
Merich, Jeremy E.; Garcia, Margaret A.
(L1)
Capitalizing on the Abnormal Returns of the Earnings Season The earnings season is known for the volatility it creates within an individual stock on its specified earnings announcement date. Sometimes these one day changes in prices can be well into double digit percentages, both positively and negatively. This research paper wants to exploit the abnormal behavior of securities during these periods of the year and capitalize on it. Throughout this research paper we test for abnormality, what stock attributes have historically
14 lead to better earnings season performance, and if beating (missing) earnings announcements will lead to a correlated positive (negative) reflection in the day’s stock price. From the data generated, we start to find which type of a stock has a significantly high performance history of beating its consensus earnings estimates, thus highlighting the type of stock that has the highest probability of seeing positive returns. Which leads to the final section of this research paper. The final section discusses how the earnings season has real potential to be capitalized upon, and what our investment strategy is to do so. During this section, we take a look at 3-day, 5day, 7-day, and 11-day period returns to see which period is the optimal investing period for the public investor. We use the data conclusions to simulate investing strategies that can optimize returns for the given risk level. This research shines light on the abnormal behavior, an interest in the earnings season, and an intriguing investment strategy.
P29
Schiavo, Amanda N.; Farabaugh, Patrick G. News Networks’ Coverage of the 2016 Presidential Debates: Information or Infotainment? The 2016 presidential primary race will feature 17 debates – 11 between the Republican candidates and six among the Democratic Party challengers. For many voters, most of what they learn about these candidates will come from these debate events or the news coverage following these events. Is post-debate coverage of these events by news networks’ reflective of what happens in them? After viewing one of the Republican and one of the Democratic candidates’ debates, the researcher will examine the statements made by each of the party’s two leading candidates. The statements will be categorized as acclaims, attacks or defenses. These three themes will be classified into two categories: policy and character. After the debate data is collected and classified, the author will observe coverage from three networks following the debates - one right-leaning (Fox), one-left leaning (MSNBC) and one more “objective” (CNN). The author will then classify the coverage of the debate statements to conclude what percentage of themes or idea units that occur in the debates are reported in the news stories.
P30
Felton, Aaron R.; Gomes Araujo, Diego A.; Heise, Andrew S.; Herbert, Matthew D.; McCracken, Zachary W.; Miller, Nicholas J.; Pitman, Simon M.; Rampersad, Natalie S.; Gleason, Jane L.; Hargittai, Michele R.S. Comparison of single and double extraction methods in separation The purpose of this experiment was to determine if the number of extractions used in separating a mixture affects the purity of the isolated compounds. Benzoic acid, ethyl 4aminobenzoate, and naphthalene when separated using dichloromethane, by acid base extraction methods. The techniques used in the procedure include acid/base neutralization, anhydrous sodium sulfate drying, evaporation and melting point identification. It was hypothesized that a double extraction will have a greater percent yield and increased purity of the recovered organic compounds than a single extraction. The results concluded that a double extraction did in fact produce a more pure yield of benzoic acid, ethyl 4-aminobenzoate, and naphthalene, since the melting points observed were sharp and closer to literature values. However, the mass yield hypothesis was not currently supported due to inconclusive data. Further studies aimed at improved isolation techniques would be needed.
15 P31
Nusbaum, Katelyn E.; Pryce, Brandyn M.; Clark, Rose A. Electrochemical Dissolution of Pyrite Pyrite is a common metal found in coal mines and contaminates local acid mine drainage sites. The environmental conditions where the pyrite is found will affect the dissolution rate of the mineral. To better understand how pyrite is affected by the environment, pyrite electrodes were created and examined under varying solution conditions. The electrodes were tested in 20 mM H2SO4 and 33 mM Na2H2SO4 solution at pH 1.7 and found to be stable and reproducible. The electrodes were then studied in 20 mM H2SO4 and 33 mM Na2H2SO4 solutions at pH 5 and 7 as well as in top and bottom weir water from a local acid mine drainage site. Cyclic voltammetry was used to examine electrode performance and reproducibility during the pyrite dissolution. Tafel plots implemented to find the dissolution rates (corrosion rates) for each electrode during the varied solution experiments.
P32
Nickels, Robert G.; Wisniewski, Kristofer S. How do individuals perceive aerobic exercise intensity? The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) classifies different exercise intensities through ranges of heart rate, oxygen consumption, rating of perceived exertion, and the metabolic needs of the activity. Currently, there are no studies examining if individuals perceive the exercise intensity level as it is defined by these physiological and perceptual ranges. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if individuals perceive aerobic exercise intensities as they are defined by the ACSM. Methods: Males and females 18-39 years of age, and classified as low or moderate risk according to the ACSM’s risk stratification, will be recruited for this study. Subjects will be read definitions of each intensity and then undergo a graded exercise test to maximal exertion while rating the intensity during each stage of the test. Cohen’s Kappa analysis will assess the accuracy of how each subject rated the intensity compared to the actual intensity as defined by the physiological ranges set by the ACSM. Significance: It is recommended that adults participate in moderate and vigorous aerobic exercise for several health-related benefits. This study will help to enhance the prescription of self-regulating exercise intensity in fitness programs by examining how individual’s perceive aerobic exercise intensity.
P33
McDonald, Sarah E.; Damico, Denise H. The Molly Maguires: Labor Heroes or Ethical Terrorists? The Molly Maguires were a secret fraternity of Irish miners in the last half of the nineteenth century. Living and working in deplorable conditions, they fought for workers' rights with a campaign of industrial sabotage, including gunpowder-laden explosives and carefully planned murders. The terrible conditions led many of the miners to join the Workingmen’s Benevolent Association, a trade union that fought for better conditions in the mines. It was within this period that the Pennsylvania anthracite coal regions saw a level of violence eclipsing the west’s gunslingers. By advocating for improved working conditions, this lead to an inevitable struggle between the aristocratic railroad and mine owners and labor stricken coal miners. Those who worked in the mines was that these miners were responsible for purchasing their own materials from the company store within the town in which they lived for elevated prices. This poster will analyze primary source evidence such as newspaper articles, interviews of citizens, as well
16 as court documents from the trials of the Molly Maguires This poster grapples with the struggle between labor relations, immigration history, environmental concerns and desire to have safer working conditions for all generations. This project also addresses questions like: do historians consider the Molly Maguires to be real, or merely a conspiracy? Where is the line drawn as to what we define to be a hero and a terrorist?
P34
Ciraula, Stephanie M.; Evans, Christopher R.; Hargittai, Balazs Synthesis of Chiral Cation Selective Crown Ethers Crown ethers are ring-shaped organic molecules that have the capability of binding specific ions in their center cavities. They act as “hosts� to transport ions to places they otherwise would not go, such as through a membrane. Present research with crown ethers ranges from a potential way to cross the blood brain barrier to a way to remove radioactive elements from the environment. Another important factor affecting the way in which a molecule interacts with its environment is chirality, the asymmetry about a carbon center. The objective of this research is to synthesize a chiral cation selective crown ether through the introduction of multiple tetrahydrofuran rings. The first three steps of the proposed multistep synthesis have been completed and confirmed with proton NMR data as well as infrared spectroscopy.
P35
Julian, Matthew G.; Damico, Denise H.; Woods, Lori Economic History of the Scottish Referendum The United Kingdom is a union of independent states that has a lasted for over 300 years in its current form has consisted of the nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This Union was formed by the Treaty of Union 1707, a legal incorporation of the above mentioned nations, rather than a hostile takeover. However, that union was put in jeopardy on September 18, 2014, when the people of Scotland were given the opportunity to vote for their desire to remain part of the United Kingdom or become a sovereign state, independent of the government in London. 55% of registered Scottish voters being in favor of staying in the United Kingdom. A major factor that many have argued caused this result was the fact that the government in London told the Scottish that if they were to leave the UK then they would lose access to the Pound. This research primary focus will look at how 300 years of economic and political union created such integration between these two states that many Scottish did not truly seek this split. Money and property have a profound impact on how people’s lives. After the official union in 1707 a number of different cases arose that intertwined the two nations both economically and legally. For example, the Carron Lawsuits of 1864 reveal how the integration of the two legal systems influenced how people and companies used money and currency. In the end this research looks to prove that economic history has a profound effect on public opinion, personal choices and the modern world.
17 P36
Csonka, Kathy M.; Flynn, Victoria N.G.; Hildebrand, Ashley M.; Hite, Ashton A.; Schorr, Hannah C.; Ulrich, Ingrid K.; Gleason, Jane L.; Hargittai, Michele R.S. Determining the Eutectic Point of a Benzoic Acid and Naphthalene Mixture The purpose of the research was to measure the eutectic point using various ratios of benzoic acid and naphthalene by creating mixtures of the two compounds, which increased in benzoic acid content by 10% from 0 to 100%. Through the use of a mole to mole ratio, each compound was weighed out before a DigiMelt was used to determine the melting point range of each sample. The mixture with the lowest and least broad melting point range, the eutectic point, was at 38.9% benzoic acid where the melting range was 69.9 - 72.7˚C.
P37
Barrau, Alexis J.; Farabaugh, Patrick G. Two Films’ Portrayal of Reagan’s “War on Drugs” – From Boyz n the Hood to Straight Outta Compton A quarter century ago, the film Boyz n the Hood (1991) highlighted inner-city poverty – particularly among African-Americans - and the lack of upward-mobility opportunities and options often associated with it. The film suggested that, somewhere along the line, Ronald Reagan’s “war on drugs” became a “war on people.” This “war” is revisited in the recently released Straight Outta Compton. This content analysis project compares the similarities and differences in the way this “war” is represented in the two films and discusses which of the two films is more historically accurate.
P38
Conte, William M.; Damico, Denise H. Hockey Identity Can a sport become an identity? Can hockey help people through troubled times? Does hockey help determine the progress of international relations? This poster addresses these questions, studying how people define themselves through their history and their stories, by way of ice hockey. Canadian author Stephen Leacock explains, "Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience in the New World. In a land so inescapably and inhospitably cold, hockey is the chance of life, and an affirmation that despite the deathly chill of winter we are alive." Academic scholars of Canada have questioned their identity as a nation and some believe hockey to be that identity. Canadians are proud of their hockey, they are proud to be considered the homeland of hockey and enjoy their success in an international stage. This poster explores the relationship between hockey and identity in the U.S. and Canada in three ways. First, the poster explores how the international relationship between the U.S. and Canada has been strengthened through hockey. Secondly, it shows examples of hockey being the battlefield at which nations fought each other. Finally, the poster uses oral history interviews and other original research to analyze what I call the "hockey identity" of the rust belt town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
18 P39
Krug, James P.; Stern, Logan J.; Weyant, Caleb J.; Wolfe, David K.; Zovinka, Edward P.; Strosnider, William H.J.; Bandstra, Joel Z. Analysis of Calcium and Magnesium in Acid Mine Drainage Remediated by an Open Limestone Channel: Reade Township, PA Samples from an open limestone channel at Swank 13, Dean, PA were collected and analyzed for levels of magnesium and calcium by flame atomic absorption. Samples were taken from five different sites along the channel, along with one random duplicate. The average concentration of magnesium and calcium were 30.96ppm and 22.55ppm at the top of the channel (Top Weir) and 31.25ppm and 27.69ppm at the bottom of the channel (Bottom Weir) respectively. Concentrations of magnesium and calcium were plotted against residence time, the amount of time water is traveling in the limestone channel. Concentrations of calcium increased with increasing residence time, while concentrations of magnesium remained fairly constant with varying residence time.
P40
Rampersad, Natalie S.; Drus, Gail M.; Shoemaker, D. Sue Effects of Acidification on Growth Parameters in Red and Black Mangroves Mangroves are tropical plants found on the tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas on both the Atlantic and Pacific coast where it thrives on sandy and muddy shores that is surrounded by seawater. Mangroves are normally carbon loving plants that can pack away roughly 42 million tons of carbon emission every year. Ocean acidification impacts many marine organisms however photosynthetic plants such as mangroves may benefit from higher Carbon Dioxide conditions in the ocean. The purpose of this research experiment is to measure how the growth parameters of Mangrove trees are affected in acidic water due to exposure to an excess of Carbon Dioxide. In the first phase of the experiment two types of mangrove species were collected and successfully grown in a controlled environment. The two Mangrove species was the Red and Black Mangrove. The tank was divided into Section A and Section B. The Mangroves were left in this environment for a year throughout which the growth was measured through height and the data was recorded. The second phase of the experiment includes the use of Carbon Dioxide to acidify the water in one side of the tank containing both Red and Black Mangroves. The growth parameters of the plants are being measured in both Section A and Section B. Multiple growth parameters were measured such as leaf area, basal node width, and height. Results from 3 years of experiments show that adding an excess of carbon dioxide to mangrove trees has not hindered, but improved the growth of the mangrove trees to which the carbon dioxide was exposed.
P41
Stricek, Christopher M.; Damico, Denise H.
(L3)
History of Beer: Why it Matters Beer has been a part of human culture throughout history. Studying the consumption of beer can help us learn about different cultures and how societies of the past functioned. Cultures have affected how beer itself has changed, as well as how and why we consume beer. My project uses sources such as recipes, advertisements and quotes in order to look at the effect beer has had on economies and cultures of today and in the past. Other historians have looked at beer to find things about past cultures and have found many interesting findings that could not have been found without examining beer. About 300 years ago, beer was used for hydration
19 purposes. Water could not be drank because of many harmful impurities; the brewing of beer killed off all of these harmful impurities. Within a working man’s culture, beer has been a staple. Stories can be found of laborers enjoying a beer during their lunch breaks. Culture has changed around the dramatically changing culture of beer Beer itself has dramatically changed as well. By examining recipes used today and comparing them to beer recipes during the medieval era proves that beer has evolved around culture. Ale was the drink of choice during the medieval era because it was cheaper than beer. Looking at the economics and market of beer in America during the 20th century shows similar results. Ale was not a popular beverage because before prohibition people preferred craft beers. These small craft beer companies were unable to survive the prohibition era, leaving only bigger breweries. Today, our culture is making changes back to preferring small, craft brew beer companies. Beer can help us examine the economies and cultures of the past while helping us compare it to our own in ways that could not be found using other viewpoints.
P42
Pereira da Silva Mendes, Felipe; Barcellos, Roberto, Jr.; Barbosa dos Santos, Tercio; Alemu, Tinsae; Trimble, John J. The Influence of Vitamins on Pancreatic Cancer Drug Treatment of MIA PaCa-2 Cells in vitro Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive types of neoplasia, according with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Almost 50,000 cases of the disease and 40,000 deaths are expected for 2015 in the United States. Overall five-year survival for pancreatic cancer in the US has improved to 6% in 2003–09 (Cancer Facts). Given a grim prognosis, many patients may use vitamin supplements during chemotherapy in an attempt to get the best possible nutrition. This may create problems with the fat soluble vitamins leading to hypervitaminosis and toxicity. In this project, we focused on possible drug and antioxidant vitamin interactions, using a cell line of human pancreatic cells from a patient with carcinoma stage IV (MIA PaCa2 cells) (ATCC® CRL-1420™). These cells are abnormal in chromosome number; are hypotriploid; and the modal chromosome number is 61 and a few normal chromosomes are absent (ATCC.org). Gemcitabine, a nucleoside analog which interrupts the DNA replication, is marketed as Gemzar by Eli Lilly and Company. It is the medicine of choice to treat pancreatic cancer in high metastatic stages and also used to treat small cell lung and other cancers as GemCarbo, a combination of Gemcitabine and Carboplatin. Gemcitabine was tested with vitamins, such as Retinol (VitA), Cholecalciferol (VitD3), and Tocopherol (VitE) to see if there is an effect in the anti-neoplastic treatment when the drug is combined with antioxidant vitamins. We used the EVETM Automatic Cell Counter (NanoEntek) for this fast growing human cell line to determine growth rates and days of culture to use in an MTT cytotoxicity assay where absorbance indicates cell viability. The MTT Cytotoxicity Assay was performed to determine the toxicity of Gemcitabine alone and in combination with each vitamin to identify any prejudicial effect that the vitamins had in drug treatment of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro.
P43
Rice, Kayla A.; Farabaugh, Patrick G. Sexing Up the News?: Is Fox News Exploiting Sex Appeal to Boost Ratings? On a September 2015 episode of his late-night TBS program, “Conan,” comedian Conan O’Brien was delivering a segment on alleged books that failed to sell, when he targeted Fox News reporters Jenna Lee and Sandra Smith: “Here’s a book – a coffee table book that just didn’t sell,” O’Brien said. “It’s called ‘Fox News Anchor or porn star?’ You have to figure it
20 out. Very hard – I say anchor.” In this study, the author conducted an experiment to “measure” the sex appeal of female Fox News reporters. Is the network exploiting its female reporters’ sexuality and attractiveness for ratings purposes? The author showed images of several different networks’ female news reporters to study participants and asked participants to rate these images on attractiveness and sex appeal. She then compares the ratings of the different networks’ reporters.
P44
Gorsuch, Jordan L.; Farabaugh, Patrick G. The Impact of Music on Risk-Taking, Ethics and Morality A study published in the journal Psychology of Music describes an experiment in which 120 college students are assigned busywork. Students were separated into two groups - one worked in silence and the other listened to upbeat music. The author placed each student in a “moral quandary” regarding a peer. More than 80 percent of those listening to music agreed to her demand, despite the fact their peer would be seriously harmed. Only 33 percent of those working in silence said yes. This experiment builds on these findings. Subjects were given a pretest, asking them to list their favorite and least favorite genres of music. Participants were then placed in a room in which a specific genre (rock, pop, country, etc.) was playing. They completed a “test” in which they made decisions (moral, risk-taking, empathy, etc.) in order to determine whether the music they prefer or the music they dislike affected the choices they made on the test. The author hypothesizes that the music the subjects enjoy will make them more prone to riskier decisions and increases their likelihood of making morally dubious decisions.
P45
Edwards, Eric E.; Martino, Amanda J. Potential adaptations for recalcitrant carbon utilization in subseafloor microbial communities The subseafloor is home to a large number and diversity of microbial organisms, which due to their global abundance and distribution may play important roles in important biogeochemical cycles. The harsh conditions of this environment however, would seem to suggest that the microbial organisms that live there are at an ecological disadvantage due to lack of resources. This resource limitation leads to questions about how these microbial organisms are continuing to survive and grow in this environment. Since most microorganisms identified in this environment cannot be grown in the laboratory and are not closely related to microorganisms for which detailed information is available, their metabolic capabilities are still largely unknown. It has been suggested that a large part of the community may survive on very poor carbon sources and have very slow growth rates, with doubling times on the order of hundreds or even thousands of years (Jørgensen, 2011). Here, we used 4 metagenomic datasets from 2 subseafloor sites on the upper slope of a subduction zone between the Cocos and Caribbean plates off the coast of Costa Rica to explore possible metabolic capabilities of the microbial communities within. We examined the functional gene profiles for suggestions of possible metabolic adaptions, particularly with respect to carbon utilization. Preliminary results suggest gene profiles from subseafloor sites may be quite different from other locations such as terrestrial soil sites and may show adaptations for recalcitrant carbon degradation.
21 P46
Lee, James E.; Damico, Denise H. Tidal relations to Blue crab population Dynamics Historically the Chesapeake Bay has been one of the largest producers of blue crabs. However, blue crabs have significantly decreased in population since the 1990’s, a decline many attribute to over harvesting and poor water quality. In 2008, it was necessary to reduce blue crab harvest in Maryland and Virginia waters due to the dwindling population. Both states have increased their standards on harvesting regulations; however these regulations have proven insufficient results to address the problem. In Maryland, commercial crabbers are not allowed to set crab pots in the Patuxent River. The population dynamics are believed to be richer in the Patuxent River due to the amount of protection and the state regulations that are imposed to commercial crabbers. In the Patuxent River, commercial crabbers are only allowed to harvest crabs by trot lining, a native technique used to harvest crabs. My experiment, studied the population dynamics and how the tide influences the crab harvest in the Patuxent River. This research benefits not only scientists’ understanding of the blue crab population, but also commercial crabbers’ harvesting techniques. This will increase both of their profits because they will be able to fish at the appropriate times during the tides.
P47
Hayden, Megan A.; Witthus, Kindra R.; Crable, Danielle N.; Flaisher-Grinberg, Shlomit Behavioral analysis and modification: How smart is my rat? The field of Psychology explores all aspects of human development, cognition, motivation, emotion and behavior. One of the fundamental interests of Psychology is the subject of learning – the methods by which organisms acquire new knowledge and/or skills. While many of the factors that facilitate or inhibit learning in complex organisms, such as humans, have been thus far recognized, its application to simpler organisms is questionable. The current study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of learning-derived methodologies on the behavior of the lab rat. The methods included the habituation of the lab rat to the experimental environment, the formation of classically conditioned association between food (US) and a signal stimulus (CS), and the usage of instrumental conditioning (positive reinforcement) to shape the rat’s performance into a novel sequence of behaviors. The assessment of the learning efficacy included the comparison of the total trial-time before, during and after the completion of the training. Results demonstrate that following training, a common lab rat can reach out of its cage, climb onto the experimenter’s shoulder, and cross from the experimenter’s shoulder to the shoulder of another experimenter - upon verbal command. The finding that the amount of time needed for task completion was progressively shorter with consecutive trials demonstrate the utility of learning paradigms in simple organisms, and suggest that the mechanisms that underlie behavioral modification are applicable to human as well as non-human organisms.
P48
Palguta, Sabrina M.; Zeiders, Samantha M.; Ingram, Lindsay K.; Flaisher-Grinberg, Shlomit Making the connection: chain behavior learning in the lab rat Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is defined as the process of systematically applying interventions based upon the principles of learning theories to improve adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. The process of behavioral modification rarely create new response components but rather combine familiar responses into a new activity, or into a new chain of
22 activities. Given that the application of chain behavior in human subjects has been well characterized, the current research was designed to explore the application of chain behavior training in the common lab rat. The subject was a thirteen weeks old, male, lab rat. The method included the chaining of distinct training modules (ladder climbing, tunnel crawling, cardboardbridge crossing, wire hanging etc.) into a sequential response pattern within an obstacle course set. Thus, training included the shift from a single-module instrumental responses, into a sequence of related behaviors, each of which providing the cue for the next behavior. The estimation of learning efficacy included the measurement of total trial time from the beginning to the completion of the obstacle course, before and after the application of the chain behavioral training. Results demonstrated a significant decrease in completion time, thus indicating an effective expansion of the rat’s behavioral repertoire from single instrumental learning units into a complex, chain behavior learning.
P49
Bruening, Kayla R.; Clark, Rose A. Electrostatic Adsorption of Cytochrome c to Mixed Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold Nanoparticles Cytochrome c is a protein in the electron transport chain that is vital for the production of ATP. To help understand the protein function on different surfaces, gold electrodes, gold nanoparticles, and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were used. Two different experiments were conducted during this experiment where one consisted of a control electrode with just the SAM made of 50-50 6-mercaptohexanol and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid. The second type of electrode had gold nanoparticles covalently bonded though a layer of 1,3-Propanedithiol before the addition of the mixed SAM solution. Cyclic voltammetry was perform on both types of electrodes used in this experiment in order to determine whether cytochrome c adsorbed to the surface of the electrode, the protein electron transfer rate, and the formal potential. The electron transfer rate and formal potential were used as a means of gathering information on how well electrons travel from the cytochrome c to the electrode as well as how strongly the cytochrome c was adsorbed to the surface. This preliminary data shows that the protein is adsorbing to both types of electrodes; however, more trials are needed to improve the reproducibility of the signal and to optimize the nanoparticle modified gold electrode.
23
LECTURE SESSION PRESENTATIONS L1
Merich, Jeremy E.; Garcia, Margaret A.
2:45 pm
Capitalizing on the Abnormal Returns of the Earnings Season Please see abstract for Poster Presentation P28.
L2
Astle, Nicholas S.; Bose, Aniruddha
2:55 pm
The Battlefield of the Soul: Religious Conflict in Mughal India By and large, people prefer to be ruled by people that are like them. Even outside of representative democracies, those in power who have more in common with their subjects tend to be more successful than the stranger. That is why India in the Medieval and Early Modern eras is such a historical curiosity. During this time, the Muslim Mughal dynasty ruled over a largely Hindu population. Their Hindu subjects had, for the most part, only been ruled by Hindu rajas until that point. While there are those that argue that this transition was one of peaceful accommodation, a careful reading of available primary sources indicates that Mughal India was fraught with religious conflict. This conflict can be categorized into three areas: ideological conflict, cultural conflict, and political conflict. This paper will examine a collection of travel writings produced by Europeans who visited India during the Mughal period. The writings of European travelers are beneficial due to their religiously unbiased nature. The travelers examined here were neither Muslim nor Hindu, and many – particularly those who traveled for religious reasons – considered both to be equally heretical. The nature of travel meant that they encountered commoners along the road. Often, the writers found themselves among high-ranking officials and even in the emperor’s court. This gives them varied experience among both Hindu and Muslim Indians.
L3
Stricek, Christopher M.; Damico, Denise H.
3:05 pm
History of Beer: Why it Matters Please see abstract for Poster Presentation P41.
L4
Alemu,Tinsae S.; Baker, Eric M.; Frank, Nicholas J.; Georgetson, Gabrielle M.; Gobert, Zachary A.; Golanoski, John A.; Madl, David M.; Mazzur, Jessica E.; Messina, Maria A.; Siwy, Ryan S.; Gleason, Jane L.; Hargittai, Michele R.S.
3:15 pm
Characterizations of Various Synthesized Nylons Please see abstract for Poster Presentation P22.
L5
Shee, William A.; Flynn, Victoria N.G.; Jones, Maura J.; Hargittai, Balazs Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Novel Amino Acids with Basic Side Chains Please see abstract for Poster Presentation P2.
3:25 pm
24
AUTHOR INDEX (Undergraduate presenters in bold) Alemu, T. S. Astle, N.S.
L4, P22, P42 L2, P14 P10
Lee, J.E. Leoncio Silva, D.C. Lipski, M.
P46 P3 P16
Bailey, J.M.
Baker, E.J. Bandstra, J.Z. Barbosa dos Santos, T. Barcellos, R.
L4, P22
Loya, L.J.
P1
P24, P39 P42 P42
Madl, D.M. Maffei, L.V.
L4, P22 P15
Barrau, A.J. Beckmeyer, G.M. Berry, M.H.
P37 P15 P8
Martino, A.J. Mauney, T.T.
P45 P13
Mazzur, J.E. McCracken, Z.W. McCombie, K.L. McDonald, S.E. Merich, J.E. Messina, M.A. Meurer, K.E. Miller, N.J. Murphy, K.E.
L4, P22 P30 P19 P33 L1, P28 L4, P22 P15 P30 P4
Bose, A. Bravo Castro da Costa, R.
L2
Myers, S.E.
P23
Nickels, R.G. Nusbaum, K.E. Olafsen, H.J. Omler, A.M. Palguta, S.M. Panizza, R.O. Patton, H.
P32 P31 P23 P4 P48 P27 P27
Pereira da Silva Mendes, F.
P42
Pitman, S.M. Pryce, B.M. Rampersad, N.S. Rice, K.A. Rozich, A.C. Schiavo, A.N. Schorr, H.C. Shee, W.A.
P30 P15, P31 P30, P40 P43 P15 P29 P7, P36 L5, P2
Shoemaker, D.S.
P4, P20, P40
Siwy, R.S.
L4, P22
Smith, B.D.
P26
Sommerville, T.G. Stern, L.J. Stricek, C.M.
P15 P24, P39 L3, P41
Strosnider, K. Strosnider, W.H.J.
P12 P24, P39
Teachout, J.R.
P1, P17
Trimble, J.J.
P9, P17, P42
Ulrich, I.K.
P36
Wagner, R.C.
P27
Walker, E.J. Werling, E. Weyant, C.J. Wilson, S.J.
P5 P13 P24, P39 P18, P20
Wisniewski, K.S.
P32
Witthus, K.R.
P47
Wolf, I.M.
P3
Wolfe, D.K. Woloschuk, J.R.
P39 P12
Woods, L.
P19, P35
Zeiders, S.M.
P48
Zovinka, E.P.
P24, P39
Bruening, K.R. Budash, D.M. Campos Costa, F. Canak, J.A. Catalano, E.L.
P3 P49 P6 P9 P1 P11
Ciraula, S.M. Clark, R.A.
P34 P31, P49
Conte, W.M. Crable, D.N. Csonka, K.M.
P38 P17, P47 P36
Damico, D.H.
L3, P8, P14, P23, P33, P35, P38, P41, P46
Dreikorn, E.N.
P25
Drus, G.M.
P4, P12, P18, P21, P25, P40
Edwards, E.E. England, B.K. Evans, C.R.
P45 P15 P34
Farabaugh, P.G.
P5, P6, P11, P29, P37, P43, P44
Felton, A.R.
P30
Flaisher-Grinberg, S.
P47, P48
Flynn, V.N.G.
L5, P2, P36
Francisco Menezes Dutra, E. P9
Frank, M.A. Frank, N.J. Fry, C.M. Gallagher, M.M.
P7, P21 L4, P22 P10 P15
Garcia, M.A. Georgetson, G.M. Gleason, J.L.
L1, P28 L4, P22 L4, P15, P22, P30, P36
Gobert, Z.A.
L4, P22, P26
Golanoski, J.A.
L4, P22
Gomes Araujo, D.A. Gorsuch, J.L.
P30 P44
Hargittai, B. Hargittai, M.R.S.
L5, P2, P10, P16, P34 L4, P7, P15, P16, P22, P30, P36
Hawkins, A.K. Hayden, M.A. Heise, A.S. Herbert, M.D. Hildebrand, A.M. Hilty, M.R. Hite, A.A. Ingram, L.K.
P15 P47 P30 P30 P36 P15 P36 P48
Jones, M.J.
L5, P2
Julian, M.G. Kimberly, C.A. Krug, J.P.
P35 P17 P24, P26, P39