Visual and Performing Arts
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Undertow
Arissa L. Utemark
Mentor:
Penelope Weiner, Theatre
A scene about two students experiencing a tragedy that strikes their soccer team. The scene is the
main character's apartment, where they are getting ready for the memorial service of two of their
teammates and coach and trying to understand the complexities of grief.
Women and College
Niel Robert Thompson
Mentor:
Penelope Weiner, Theatre
It is a play about three women; Amanda, Daisy, and Rose. Amanda and Daisy are roommates.
Daisy is a freshmen and Amanda is a sophomore. They are trying to decide on a movie to watch
when Amanda's friend Rose comes over. Daisy reveals insecurities about her ability to handle
relationships, and so Rose and Amanda decide to tell her stories from their own lives to try and
put things in perspective for her. Eventually, the conversation devolves into Rose and Amanda
competing for whose view on life and romance is correct, which forces Daisy into an awkward
situation. Daisy is unable to choose either one because she feels that neither Rose nor Amanda
really knows what they're talking about.
"Geistliches Wiegenlied:" Enhancing the Musical Experience Through Exploration and Analysis
Melanie M. Herd, Solmer A. Alvarez Gutierrez, and Joseph A. Fitzgerald
Mentor:
Gordon McQuere, Music
In his "Geistliches Wiegenlied" for mezzo-soprano, viola, and piano, Johannes Brahms uses a
sacred German folk melody as the basis for a complex work. While we cannot make assumptions
about his intentions, we can explore possible relationships among musical and extra-musical
elements of the piece and how they might relate to Brahms's experiences and philosophy. Such
examination will enhance the musical experience of both performer and listener. In 1863,
Brahms presented the first version of "Geistliches Wiegenlied" ("sacred lullaby") to his close
friend Joseph Joachim, a virtuoso violinist/violist, and his wife Amalie, a mezzo-soprano, to
commemorate the birth of their first son. In 1884, he offered the couple a revised version of the
piece in hopes of mending their failing marriage. Brahms's composition celebrates a joyous birth
in one case and attempts to reconcile a distressing situation in another. Based on Emanuel
Geibel's German translation of a Spanish Renaissance poem by Lope de Vega, the text illustrates
the nativity scene. The Virgin Mary watches over the infant Jesus and implores hovering angels
to silence the rustling treetops so that he may sleep. Brahms creates musical and thematic
contrast via musical devices such as key, mode, meter, texture, and form. Examining possible
dualities--musical and extra-musical "pairs" of contrasting ideas--may help to shed light on
Geistliches Wiegenlied.
Oral Presentations
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Organizing a Self Referenced Geometry Database
Anna M. Lischke, Michael A. Reb, and Sean Van Dyke
Mentor:
Gaspar Porta, Mathematics & Statistics
We are putting together a self referenced database for geometries and geometry related
information for online access on the HIPACE system. The challenges and delicate coordination
of this process (by Anna Lischke, Michael Reb, and Sean VanDyke) is the focus of this
presentation. The relative relationships of the entries as they pertain to each other is a central
issue in organizing this information. Hierarchical structures and interconnections between
entries--as well as the organization of the content of each entry--are at the heart of the success of
our database. This talk will concentrate on describing these aspects of our HIPACE
implementation.
Trends in Computer Science and Computer Engineering Education with Visualization in Python
Matt J. Rush and Anna M. Lischke
Mentor:
Donna LaLonde, Mathematics & Statistics and Cecil Schmidt, Computer Information Sciences
We will be discussing our experience taking CM 299: Visualization with Python as well as
discussing trends of the last 20 years in computer programming and computer engineering. We
will use what we learned in this introductory programming class to visualize these trends. We
will also discuss some of the pros and cons of using an object programming language versus
other programming languages.
The Hat Problem, A Student's Perspective
Michael A. Reb
Mentor:
Allan Riveland, Mathematics & Statistics
The Hat Problem is a classic logic problem which involves a team of n players, each wearing
either a red or blue hat. The team members are to devise a strategy for each member guessing the
color of their own hat. Players can see the other n-1 hats but not their own. The strategy is
deemed successful if at least one player guesses their own hat-color correctly and none guess the
color incorrectly. A team member is allowed to pass. A goal of the team is to devise a strategy
that will be optimally successful, independent of the hat colors of each of the n players. The
origin of the problem is attributed to Dr. Todd Ebert, who introduced it in his 1998 Ph.D. thesis.
There are several different versions of the problem currently discussed in the literature.
"Solutions" to the problem generally involve Hamming codes, an important binary structure
introduced in code theory. The presenter will discuss a particular version of the hat problem, and
develop the mathematics needed to support the usual 7-player strategy for the problem without
introducing Hamming codes. This 7-player mathematical development will then be generalized
to accommodate n players.
The Formation of Azamacrocycles Using a Two Step Process
Thomas Robben
Mentor:
Shaun Schmidt, Chemistry
The focus of this research was to synthesize amine functionalities for a polycyclic cage system.
The synthesis of 1,6,9-tris(p-toluenesulfonyl)-triazacycloundec-3-ene and derivatives were
synthesized by a ring closing metathesis (RCM) reaction using a ruthenium catalyst in CH2Cl2.
The ring closing metathesis was studied using reaction conditions conducted under sonication, as
well as by stir bath at reflux. It was found that yields of the reactions using either method were
similar, but those conducted by sonication generally had lower reaction times. Solution phase
ruthenium catalysts are known to contaminate reaction products. Therefore a resin supported
ruthenium catalyst was used in the reaction on the model system. Good yields were obtained, but
it was found that the catalyst degraded and contaminated the reaction products. The removal of
the protecting group was attempted by a reaction with magnesium in methanol and a lead sodium
alloy. Removal of the protecting group failed using these reagents.
Pater Patriae: Augustus and the Creation of an Augustan Aristocracy
Curtis W. Leeth
Mentor:
Tony Silvestri, History
The success of Augustus' reign in establishing a Roman Empire, and the subsequent enduring
Pax Romana, largely depended on the creation of a special aristocratic and administrative class
across the breadth of the Empire. This new Augustan aristocracy was an amalgamation of three
distinct groups: the Julio-Claudian Imperial family itself, personal allies within the equites social
class and Roman military elite settled across the Empire. Analysis of primary and secondary
literature reveals the successful methods that Augustus employed to bind the new ruling class to
his dynasty and its imperium through propaganda in literature and coinage, military settlement,
Senatorial, urbis Roma and Empire-wide administrative reform and appointing reliable family
allies like M. Agrippa.
The Plenary Power and Preemption: An Examination of Immigration Law
Kyle R. Edelman
Mentor:
Steven Cann, Political Science - Geography
In recent years, undocumented immigrants have entered the United States in record amounts,
with the total today sitting at approximately twelve million. In response, many states have sought
to fill a perceived gap in federal immigration law. In 2007, state legislatures passed 240
immigration-related bills, many of them concerned primarily with employment. The two primary
cases that will come before the Supreme Court center on laws out of the State of Arizona. The
federal government, labor organizations, and civil rights groups have challenged the Arizona
laws, seeking to see the laws invalidated as conflicting with the federal government's plenary
power over immigration and naturalization. Arizona argues that the laws are necessary to stop
the tide of illegal immigrants, an issue on which the federal government has failed to take action.
This study examines the judicial precedent of the Plenary Power and Federal Preemption in the
field of Immigration, and argues that both of Arizona's Immigration Laws will be invalidated by
the Supreme Court, should they come before it.
HIV & Bubonic Plague: A Link to the Past
Peyton Sloan
Mentor:
Tony Silvestri, History
The goal of this paper is to link the 17th century bubonic plague survivors to those who may be
immune to HIV today via the research done in the small village of Eyam in England. It has been
found that the descendents of the plague survivors in this village have a gene mutation that can
make them immune to HIV.
The Greene Consolidated Copper Company: The Story of an American Mining Venture in Sonora Mexico
Kyle R. Edelman
Mentor:
Kim Morse, History
In 1898, 'Colonel' William C. Greene wandered across the Arizona-Mexico border and stumbled
upon the abandoned mining town of Cananea. There, Greene came across what he believed was
a "veritable mountain of copper." In that year, Greene began efforts that would transform
Cananea into a mining-boom town in little less than a decade. Greene and his Consolidated
Copper Company would come to rival even the Guggenheim mines elsewhere in northern
Mexico. The Greene Consolidated Copper Company provides a valuable look at American
Investment in the state of Sonora at the turn of the twentieth century as companies attempted to
find success on both sides of the border. Such companies entered into a cross border relationship
that came to have profound effects on both nations.
The Quest for Liberty of Conscious: William Penn and his Partnership with Algernon Sidney in the Parliamentary Elections of 1679
Clark E. Boatright
Mentor:
Alan Bearman, History
My research examines William Penn's support of Algernon Sidney in England's Parliamentary
elections of 1679. Their partnership is perplexing at first glance. Penn and Sidney disagreed on
many political principles, such as the best form of government and the right of the people to
rebel. However, their shared theology of liberty of conscious was of greatest concern to William
Penn. Penn believed Sidney could help deliver religious toleration in England, causing the
Quaker to put aside other political issues to support the Whigs and the radical republican,
Algernon Sidney.
Quaker Impact in the Age of Change: John Dickinson during the American Revolutionary Era
Kevin D. Burton
Mentor:
Alan Bearman, History
The development of America during the Revolutionary Era required influential leaders who
could lead America, such as John Dickinson. Dickinson helped spark the idea of separation from
Britain in his Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania and was influential in the creation of the
Olive Branch Petition. Furthermore, he served in the second Continental Congress, in the
Revolutionary War and as a delegate at the Constitutional Convention. Besides Dickinson's
influential political role, he also held Quaker beliefs. My paper, Quaker Impact in the Age of
Revolution: John Dickinson during the American Revolutionary Era, examines how Dickinson's
Quaker heritage and beliefs influenced his political life during the Revolutionary Era.
The American Revolution and Medicine: The Other Founding Fathers
Brielle C. Stonaker
Mentor:
Kerry Wynn, History
This work is a historiography over medicine during the American Revolutionary War. The war
not only succeeded in establishing America as a country, but enabled the establishment of a
medical institutions and professional educational systems. The historiography also examines the
historical gaps scholars have failed to highlight on the subject, and why it is necessary to study
the gaps in order to fully understand America's medical history. This historiography is also a
preemptive to my primary source research on the possible occurrence of anti-sepsis by Dr.
Charles Gilmam, and the controversy that surrounds the event.
"And Let There Now Be Light": Charles Wesley's Hymns as a Medium for Bringing Theology to the People
Brenda Kostner
Mentor:
Alan Bearman and Tom Prasch, History
For centuries the dialogue between historians focused on John Wesley, the charismatic leader of
the Methodist movement whose countless sermons and theological treatises written in the mid-
eighteenth century solidly defined the movement in the minds of biographers and historians. His
younger brother Charles Wesley was left to be remembered as only a hymnwriter. However, his
hymns were more than just simple church music. Charles wrote poems which expressed his
relationship with God, and which evidenced his developing theology. The subsequent hymns
were more accessible to the general public than doctrinal sermons and treatises. Charles's hymns
were a significant part of what hooked people into the movement in its early beginnings, and his
belief in the Trinity figured significantly into the poetry he wrote, thus making an examination of
that specific theology a way of seeing how hymns were a medium of translating theology to the
people. Previous dismissal by historians of the hymns in the development of Methodist theology
thus ignored the influence that Charles had on early Methodism because his hymns were
theology in song.
The Complexity of P.I.Ks
Barbara Susan Warhurst
Mentor:
Sarah Ubel, Communication
The purpose of this study is to determine if the revised Kansas P.I.K is simpler to comprehend
compared to the previous P.I.K used prior to 2010 based on the S.M.O.G calculator, the
C.L.E.A.R calculator, the A.F.I calculator and the G.F.I. calculator calculations to determine if
the revised P.I.Ks are simple enough to be understood based on an average literacy rate. The
results are expected to determine if the revised P.I.Ks have indeed made it more possible for
potential jurors to comprehend jury instructions. The data provides the evidence that the revised
P.I.Ks are very similar to the original P.I.Ks however the original P.I.Ks are simpler to
understand.
Perceptions of Law found in Movies
Jordan R. Shefte
Mentor:
Tracy Routsong, Communication
This study seeks to investigate the effects of movies on viewers' perceptions. The research will
be conducted on movie scenes that contain aspects of law within them, and then link these scenes
to the perceptions of the audience. To do this, the top ten movies for a given year will be
analyzed, and then themes will be created from the scenes that are viewed. These movies will not
be law-based movies, but rather the movies that ranked in the top ten for the year. The study will
be done by viewing the top ten movies and analyzing their transcripts looking for scenes that
have aspects of law in them. After the scenes have been viewed, a content analysis will be
conducted. From this content analysis, I will be able to conclude on what type of perceptions the
blockbuster hits could be forming on the public opinion of law. Based on what they see in the
movie, people could walk away with either a positive or negative opinion of law.
Workplace Managerial Study
Chandler Wayne Pekarek
Mentor:
Sarah Ubel, Communication
This study was conducted to test whether or not the sexual orientation of a superior within an
organization has an effect on the amount of credibility that a subordinate associates with that
superior.
Collective Brands, Payless ShoeSource - Using New Technology to Enhance Communication
Ashley A. Nadeau
Mentor:
Maria Raicheva-Stover, Mass Media
his past summer I interned at Collective Brands, the umbrella company that owns Payless
ShoeSource, along with several other footwear and apparel brands such as Sperry Topsider,
Saucony, Keds and Airwalk. This internship led me to the concept of creating a podcast as an
additional communication vehicle for the company. From this idea I created a strategic
communication plan, detailing the specifics of the podcast. The Washburn Transformational
Experience gave me the opportunity to actually develop and implement a podcast for Collective
Brands to use to communicate with associates. This presentation will elaborate on the need for,
and effects of, incorporating new media techniques in corporate communication.
Communication:The Knowledge Transfer Divide between the Student and the Professor
Kristina N. Begole
Mentor:
Marilyn Masterson, School of Nursing
Current literature states that communication is essential to the learning process. Students tend to
have a more fulfilling educational experience when they have had a good working relationship
with their instructor. These relationships are developed through communication and
understanding of expectations. An apparent lack of communication between students and
professors has become a problem resulting in student dissatisfaction, impaired learning, poor
instructor/student relationships, and added instructor stress. Research shows that good
communication through out the learning processes enhances learning and increases success rates
and completion of the degree program. It has been proven that guidelines or parameters that set
expectations for both the student, as well as the teacher, increase proper communication. These
guidelines consist of topics such as the timely return of correspondences and graded papers,
notice of syllabus changes, and availability of class materials. By following these general rules,
the communication barrier between student and teacher can be greatly reduced. Unfortunately,
there is no definite answer to completely erase the divide, only compromises which can help both
sides communicate more effectively.
Providing a Pathway to Quality Care of the Patient with Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Tracy L. Conley
Mentor:
Lara Price, School of Nursing
Currently, in clinical practice there exists a wide variation on the medical treatment and care of
women suffering with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG). Many factors contribute to these
disparities in care including: lack of education about HG, out of date information from medical
and nursing literature, and many personal beliefs and prejudices held by both physicians and
nurses about pregnant women and acceptable treatments for HG. This project provides a standard
of nursing care for the HG patient in the hospital by creating a clinical pathway to be used in
planning and implementation of interventions by the staff upon admission through discharge and
will incorporate much of the suggested protocol of the Hyperemesis Education and Research
Foundation. As HG presents differently in each patient, this pathway creates an individualized
approach to proving care based on the unique symptoms of each woman. This approach should
improve the quality of care received and increase patient satisfaction while providing the best
symptom management and avoiding dangerous complications associated with undertreatment.
Harm Reduction, a Pragmatic Approach to Substance Abuse Treatment
Staci Pershall
Mentor:
Bassima Schbley and Nan Palmer, Social Work
Research conducted by Gruer, Cameron, & Elliot, 1993; Reuter & Pollack, 2006; Stancliff,
Agins, Rich, & Burris, 2003, shows that harm reduction minimizes the risks associated with drug
use to individuals and society. A growing number of international countries have adopted harm
reduction policies to address the effects of drug use. Currently, the U.S. government does not
endorse harm reduction in its national drug policy, despite its use in several states, including
California, Massachusetts, and Kansas. This research project will explore the history of harm
reduction in the U.S., ethical principles associated with the use of harm reduction, and the
implications of harm reduction practices for social work.
Facilitating Empowerment for Individuals with Disabilities through Assistive Technology
Miranda Rae Adkins
Mentor:
Nan Palmer, Social Work
Daily functions are a part of our everyday lives. Our daily routines are no nonsense, consumer
driven and fast paced. What do you suppose would happen to the fast paced environment if we
were not able to walk, speak, see or all of the above? I would imagine our communication would
be lost in the balance. Hopefully we would be fortunate enough to have a loved one or caregiver
take care of us. How would we let that person know that we wanted to eat, to sleep, to go outside
and get some fresh air. Assisted technology is helping millions of people with disabilities both
physically, and intellectually everyday. Devices that adapt to wheelchairs, to switches, and to
touchscreen computers can enable those with disabilities to have a voice all their own, some for
the first time in their lives.
The Effects of Students Working or Involved in Extracurricular Activities on Grade
Point Average, Personality, Motivation, Time Management, and Time Structuring
Whitney Elise Frost
Mentor:
Joanne Altman, Psychology
This experiment investigated the effect of working in a job or at extracurricular activities on
students' time management , time structuring, motivation, personality, and GPA. The hypothesis
was that students who work part time (versus full time) would be better at time management and
time structuring, and have higher GPAs than those who had more flexible time in their day or
work full time. We also expected that people who are more conscientious and motivated would
be better time managers. The data will be discussed in terms of the impact of working while
going to school.
Perceptions of Crime and Punishment
Ashley Marie Kurtz
Mentor:
Gary Forbach, Psychology
Research on perceptions of crime and punishment has primarily focused on the importance of
racial and social profiling of the criminals. The increase in national crime rate and criminal
justice related television shows has provided a new level in public awareness, but what public
attitudes are embraced remains to be determined. Previous studies suggested that citizens are
more likely to support harsher punishments for African American and minority criminals,
subsequent offenders, and offenders committing street crimes. The current study examined
public perceptions of punishment based on personal background history about the criminal and
their family. This research extended prior studies by also considering the influence of the
classification of the crime committed, the religious affiliation of the criminal, and the gender of
the criminal. Implications for future research and the impact of this information on future
criminal justice processes and policies are further discussed.
¿Por qué los estudiantes latinos no buscan una educación avanzada? (Why do Latino Students do not Pursue a Higher Level of Education?)
Claudia Saucedo
Mentor:
Miguel Gonzalez-Abellas, Modern Languages
Latinos are now the largest minority group and the largest amongst individuals under the age of
18 in the country as well as in Kansas. The focus of my study was Latino students from Kansas.
Recent reports indicate that in contrast with demographic data, participation of Latinos continues
to be low in all levels of education in the state. Some factors identified in my research include
racism, poverty, lack of educational leadership, inadequate early childhood literacy development,
impersonal education environments, failure to establish a cultural context, low teacher
expectations, insufficient parental support, negative peer pressure, instruction not aligned with
student needs etc.
High School Coaches' Knowledge vs. Perception of Concussions
Jenica Dawn Moore
Mentor:
John Burns, Kinesiology
Currently, a very hot topic in both the athletic training and education fields is high school
students suffering from concussions, as well as if and when they should return to play. Having
grown up around coaches and seeing many concussions in young athletes in the past led me to
wonder how much high school coaches think they know about concussions as brain injuries
versus their actual knowledge of the condition. I developed a short survey with help from the
Center for Disease Control's "Heads Up" material (distributed to every high school coach in the
United States) and asked questions about what the coaches thought they knew about concussions
and compared those answers to a graded quiz on the coaches' actual knowledge of concussions. I
distributed the survey at random to coaches at the Kansas State High School Activities
Association's coaching school in August 2010 and was able to collect fifty completed surveys to
analyze. Overall, the coaches had a relatively good knowledge of the basics of concussions. It
was very interesting to compare the coaches' perceptions of their knowledge to their actual
knowledge based on quiz scores. Some perceptions correlated well with the scores on the
knowledge portion of the survey while others did not seem to correlate much at all.
Prostitution is Revolution...
Erica R. Koepsel
Mentor:
Sharla Blank, Sociology - Anthropology
The United States limits the movement of prostitutes strictly on a moral basis of the individuals
living in this country. Many other countries have legalized prostitution in some form making sex
work a legitimate trade. The U.S., however, still maintains a criminalization that focuses more on
the prostitutes than the johns buying their services. It is time that the United States legalize
prostitution and create a system that would reduce the violence against prostitutes, reduce the
health risks for sex workers and their clients, change the stigma associated with sex work,
increase the economic advantages of the sex industry, and empower women from all
backgrounds.
The State of Women's Health Around the World
Jeremiah W. Kemper
Mentor:
David Bainum, Computer Information Sciences
With the rise of the internet comes a great opportunity to gain access to rarely seen, often
wondered about data. Rapid development techniques and data mining processes were developed
to bring multiple sources together in a visualizing application highlighting where women's health
is today both here and around the world.
Gender Disparity in Parliamentary Debate
Alyssa J. Fiebrantz
Mentor:
Steve Doubledee, Communication
NPDA Parliamentary debate currently has a lack of female participation in the activity. Out of
the top 10 teams (20 people) there are only two women. This year at the NPTE national
tournament there were only two women in the top ten speakers with no woman higher than 5th
speaker. My paper seeks to evaluate the types of communication the top 4 female debaters in the
activity use, whether that is masculine or feminine communication as a means to not just adapt
but be successful in a masculine dominated activity. The paper is accompanied by a video. The
video is a collection of narratives from different people of how they view gender disparity in
parliamentary debate. The video is a a lens to view the paper through for people who are not
familiar with the activity or why it may be so important for individuals.
Self-Esteem and Humility in Organizational Behavior
Milton T. Knopp
Mentor:
Janice Schrum, School of Business
The Benedictine Abbey, Our Lady of the Annunciation of Clear Creek, in Oklahoma is one on
the very few monasteries built in the U.S. in the last few decades. The community was started by
a few members who came from the French Abbey of Fontgombault. Why would a traditional
religious community be so successful in its growth when it would seem that monasticism has
outlived its usefulness? This presentation will start by giving an organizational overview of the
Benedictine order in general and then focus on the Gueranger Restoration in particular. The
unique values, artifacts, shared assumptions, rights and rituals of this new and thriving religious
community will be covered as well in the context of principles put forth by Dr. Schrum as well
as those in Robert Kreitner's and Angelo Kinicki's book, Organizational Behavior. In conclusion
the concepts of humility and self-esteem will be evaluated and observed to see their relationship
to each other in addition to their role in the success of this Abbey.
Making an Important Life Decision (a Video Documentary)
Milton T. Knopp, Derek Koehler, and Megan Barfield
Mentor:
Jae Yoon Park, Mass Media
A couple resolved to have an abortion. In the abortion clinic parking lot, they change their
minds. The money intended to buy the abortion is used for an engagement ring instead. This
documentary explores the life of this woman more than a decade later. We see if she believes it
was the right choice or not and why.
Poster Session, Mabee Library
3:40p.m.-5:00 p.m.
#1-
Adipocere Removal from Human Skeletal Remains
Christa M. Obermeyer
Mentor:
Sue Salem, Chemistry
Adipocere is formed when water reacts with the fatty acids of the body to form glycerol and
soap. It has a wax-like appearance. Also known as "grave wax," adipocere is generally hard to
remove, usually taking a few days to soak and hand clean the bone underneath. This experiment
explores various methods of removal. Steaming the bone, treating with hydrogen peroxide and
soaking the bone in Aqueous Degreaser and Tergazyme by Alconox were the attempted
methods. It was found that soaking the bone in warm water with Alconox Aqueous Degreaser
was the best adipocere removal method. This poster explores the methods used as well as the
results.
#2-
Utilizing Lidocaine: Increasing Awareness to Decrease the Pain Experience
Nicole M. Sauer
Mentor:
Jane Robinson, School of Nursing
This project was established to increase awareness among nursing students about a technique
they can use to decrease the pain their clients experience with insertion of peripheral intravenous
catheters. After collaborating with a registered nurse IV therapist to discuss information about
lidocaine, proper utilization and how patients benefit from its use, an instructional video was
developed. While the Infusion Nurse Society recommends using the least invasive methods first
(i.e. topical lidocaine cream), I have chosen to develop a video demonstrating the use of injected
buffered lidocaine because the technique required is more advanced than applying a cream to the
skin. Level III nursing students enrolled in NU473 Nursing III are viewing the video and
completing a short survey regarding their thoughts on the video; results are currently pending.
Initially this project will impact the students following me in the nursing program by increasing
their knowledge and skill base. On a grander scale, it will impact the patients these future nurses
care for by decreasing the pain they experience with peripheral IV insertion.
#3-
Improving Communication: A Standardized End of Shift Reporting System
Carey Jordan
Mentor:
Shirley Waugh, School of Nursing
The purpose of my nursing school honors project is to improve communication between
registered nurses (RNs) at shift change in an acute care facilities Emergency Department (ED). I
developed a communication tool and distributed it to all RNs working in the ED. They were
asked to utilize this tool while giving and receiving report at shift change. I later distributed a
survey to all RNs (with the exception of supervisory staff) to evaluate the tool. The goal is to
improve communication by providing consistency in end of shift reporting between nurses.
Utilizing a standardized communication tool can aide in relaying vital patient information in a
hope to reduce errors and improve patient care.
#4-
Reference Guide: IV Medications Incompatibilities and Push Times for Nursing Students
Cari Meats
Mentor:
Lori Edwards, School of Nursing
I have developed a reference guide for nursing students that contains information regarding IV
medication incompatibilities and push times. I have supplied this reference guide to the students
in two 3rd semester nursing clinicals - a total of 18 nursing students. I have developed and
approved a survey to gather information regarding the usefulness of this reference guide in the
clinical setting. This survey will be passed out to the students and the information will be
returned to me. I would then like to present the information I have gathered to other students and
faculty completing my honors project for the school of nursing.
#5-
Social Influence on Eating Behavior and Using Serving Size as a Mitigating Factor
Joseph M. Currin
Mentor:
Joanne Altman, Psychology
There is a lot of attention today given to eating behaviors and patterns that lead to overeating.
One factor that leads to overeating is eating as a social function. This study investigated whether
there was an effect of the number of people eating together on the amount consumed by each
person, and if the effect can be mitigated by making people aware of proper portion size before
they eat. The expected results were that female triads would eat more individually than dyads, or
those eating alone. In addition, we hypothesized that the participants made aware of proper
portion size before their meals would eat less than those that were not made aware of proper
portion size. Women (N = 99) received a pre-weighed meal of pasta that weighed 710.4 grams.
Before the meal, half of the participants were informed of the proper serving size via a
questionnaire. After the meal concluded, the amount not eaten per person was weighed to
determine the amount consumed and the duration of the meal was recorded. The results partially
confirm the hypotheses. Individuals in dyads did eat more than those eating alone. However,
individuals in triads did not eat more than individuals in dyads; they ate less. Furthermore,
serving size information had no effect on the amount the individuals ate in any group.
#6-
The Effects of Personality on Roommate Satisfaction
Sarah Rachel Patterson
Mentor:
David Provorse, Psychology
Personality is made up of the unique characteristics that distinguish one person from the other,
shaping the way we see ourselves and the world around us. Studies suggest that satisfaction is
due complementarity based on the Interpersonal Circumplex model (Horowitz, 2004; Kiesler,
1996; Markey, Funder, & Ozer, 2003; Orford, 1986; Sadler &Woody, 2003; Strong et al., 1988;
Tiedens & Fragale, 2003; Tracey, 2004.) According to Gosling, the interaction of these two
dimensions creates the ultimate recipe for relationship satisfaction. Therefore, this study will
investigate the effects of personality on roommate satisfaction, applying the interpersonal
circumplex model to non-romantic relationships. I believe individuals similar in nurturance but
opposite in dominance will have higher levels of satisfaction than those similar in nuturance and
similar in dominance, opposite in nurturance and similar in dominance, similar in nurturance and
opposite in dominance, and opposite in nurturance and opposite in dominance. In this study,
participants were asked to fill out the Interpersonal Adjective Scale, followed by the Relationship
Rating Form. Participants were also asked to fill out demographic information indicating gender,
age, and ethnic background. These tasks took no more than 30 minutes. Upon completion
participants were debriefed, thanked, and dismissed.
#7-
Purification and Interactions of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 UL34 Protein
Jayme S. Barnes
Mentor:
Susan Bjerke, Biology
HSV-1 consists of a large double-stranded, linear DNA genome within a capsid that is enclosed
in an envelope. The UL-34 gene of the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is highly conserved in
the herpesvirus family. Upon expression, UL-34 is capable of assisting the virus in escaping the
nucleus thus promoting virulence of HSV-1. A GST tag is used to purify UL-34 from an E. coli
bacterial culture. Upon purification, UL-34 is added to mammalian cell lysates to determine if
UL-34 interacts with other mammalian cell proteins. Pull-down assays are used to facilitate
possible interactions and any interactions are then viewed on SDS-PAGE gels. Modifications in
the PBS buffer, Glutathione beads, mammalian cell lysates, temperature, and incubation did not
promote protein interactions. Increasing the amount of UL-34 in the pull-down assay improved
binding of UL-34 to the Glutathione beads as indicated by the concentration of UL-34 returned
in the gel. No other proteins were pulled-down with the UL-34. Future studies include further
modifications of the pull-down procedure to promote protein interactions and the pull-down of
proteins other than UL-34 as well as the identification of these proteins.
#8-
Sex Education and Sexuality
Erica R. Koepsel
Mentor:
Jenna Glover, Psychology
The sexuality of adolescents is constantly changing, with the risks continuing to change as well.
According to the Center for Disease Control (2009) almost half of all high school students are
sexually active. With statistics showing four in ten sexually active girls become pregnant before
20 and one in four sexually active teens will contract an STD every year. For this reason, it is
important to ensure we have properly addressed issues surrounding safe sex and sexuality so
adolescents are prepared. When questioned students thought important topics to cover included
STDs, birth control methods, safety, puberty, reproduction, sexual assault, and decision making
(Beyers, et. al., 2003). Parents also found it important for adolescents to receive education on the
topics (Asmussen, 1992) and several studies emphasized the importance of parents involvement
in that education (Rosenthal & Feldman, 1999). We do not know how these forms of sex
education benefit or harm the adolescents later in life. This study will investigate the effects of
different types of sex education and the development of individuals. The independent variable
being measured is the type of sex education received. The dependent variables include sexual
activity, comfort with sexual topics, and sexual knowledge. I believe those who received a
comprehensive education in high school will be more knowledgeable, less sexually active, and
more comfortable with sexual topics.
#9-
The Effect of Nutrition Labels on Sales in the Food Court Setting
Katelyn M. Martinek
Mentor:
Joanne Altman, Psychology
Today in grocery stores you can see all nutrition content on the labels of everything you buy in a
grocery store, but that is not the case for restaurants and cafeteria settings (Kolodinsky et al.
2008). A research study was conducted and determined that there is a relationship between
lifestyle and campus eating behavior (Jackson, Berry, and Kennedy. 2008). A research study
conducted by Kolodinsky et al. in 2008 measured sales in the food court setting while showing
nutrition labels, but only measured a difference in average energy content. The purpose of this
study was to determine if posting nutritional labels in a college cafeteria would change meal
choice to healthier selections. As a result of posted nutrition signs in the food court sales for
some unhealthy entrees as well as snacks and desserts decreased and sales for sandwiches
(healthy) increased.
#10-
Chromosome Content, Aberrations and Coleoptile Length in Karyotypically Unstable Populations of Perennial Wheat Amphiploids
Alicia Anne Burris
Mentor:
Matthew Arterburn, Biology
Perennial wheat lines are generated by crossing annual hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum
aestivum, 2n = 6x = 42, AABBDD) and perennial wheatgrass species (Thinopyrum elongatum,
2n = 14, EE). The chromosome contents of these crosses were doubled using colchicine to
generate amphiploids such as AgCS (2n = 8x = 56, AABBDDEE). These perennial wheat lines
are used to reduce soil erosion; however, they have depressed yield qualities. We examined the
F6 generation of a cross between AgCS and winter wheat variety Madsen. Karyotyping and
genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) was used to determine the number of perennial-derived
and annually-derived chromosomes of these lines. Of 26 lines karyotyped, 11.5% of F6 lines
possessed 56 chromosomes, 26.9% had 54 chromosomes, 38.5% had 52 chromosomes and
11.5% had 43 or fewer chromosomes. The number of E genome chromosomes present varied
from 8 to 14. Either one or two telosomic chromosomes were detected in 58.3% of plants. Of
plants analyzed by GISH, 58.3% exhibited translocated chromosome arms between wheat and
wheatgrass chromosomes. We measured coleoptiles of 76 F6 amphiploids and observed a
standard deviation of 20.9 mm, compared with 40 plants from control lines AgCS and Madsen
which had a standard deviation of 15.1 mm. This may indicate that the flux in chromosome
number contributes to a larger deviation in coleoptile length and that chromosomes of Th.
elongatum affect seedling development rates. We will explore these dynamics in future research.
#11-
Effect of Energy Drinks on Heart Rate Variability and Metabolic Parameters in College Students
Katherine Larson
Mentor:
Paul Wagner, Biology
Energy drinks and the rise in obesity levels have gained much press in recent months. These
drinks have become a staple in the diets of many college students. Since these drinks contain
high concentrations of the amino acid taurine, sugar and caffeine, we were interested in how
these drinks altered both heart rate variability (a measure of autonomic nervous system activity)
and metabolism over an extended period of time. Twenty college students were recruited for a
weeklong study. Each subject's electrocardiogram and resting metabolic rate were measured
before and after ingestion of 16 oz of water on the first day. After two days, this process was
repeated daily for 5 days, replacing the water with a Rock Star energy drink. We found that the
energy drink altered heart variability not only the hour after consuming the drink but sustained
this change over the 5-day period. Resting metabolic rate was increased by an average of 17.9%
acutely and this increase was maintained over the week at a level of 6.14% prior to ingestion. In
addition, self-reported symptoms of altered behavior were quite varied from nothing at all to
insomnia. These data support the idea that energy drinks certainly have the ability to act as a
stimulant and show that this stimulant effect may have lasting effects.
#12-
Parenting/Punishment Effects View of Authority
Porscha J. Selley
Mentor:
Jenna Glover, Psychology
The purpose of this study is to gain knowledge about parental authority with use of punishment
and how it affects views of authority. Participants will sign up providing an e-mail address that
the researcher will use to send the link for an online survey. The survey will be given done
through survey monkey. The participants will first receive an online consent form. After
consenting they will complete a basic demographic section including: age, gender, and ethnicity,
then will receive questionnaires about their primary caretakers discipline style while growing up
and on respect to authority. Participation is estimated to take 30 minutes.
#13-
Phenotypic Characterization of Magnesium Transporter Mutations in Bacillus subtilis
Sarah D. Wuerfele
Mentor:
Andrew Herbig, Biology
Magnesium (Mg) is the most abundant divalent cation in living cells and plays structural and
biochemical roles in many cell processes. Although the importance of Mg as a cellular nutrient
has been well established, the process by which organisms obtain Mg from their environment is
still unclear. We study the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis as a model system to
understand Mg uptake and utilization in bacteria. The B.subtilis genome encodes for two CorA
transporter homologs (YqxL and YfjQ) and one MgtE transporter homolog. In this study, we
describe results of experiments designed to characterize the biological roles of these putative
transporters in B. subitlis Mg homeostasis. In low Mg conditions, ΔmgtE exhibits a growth
defect, as does a strain in which both both CorA homologs are deleted. A triple mutant (mgtE
yfjQ yqxL) also exhibits a significant growth defect in low Mg compared to isogenic wild-type.
B. subtilis strains with transporter mutations occurring singly or in combination display
decreased sporulation efficiencies. A ΔyfjQ mutant demonstrates an increased sensitivity to Zn2+
and an increased resistance to Ni2+. In contrast, ΔmgtE exhibits increased sensitivity to Ni2+, a
slight increase in Mn2+ resistance, and significantly increased sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide.
#14-
How Locus of Control and Cultural Values Affect Study Strategies
Elizabeth A. Rausch
Mentor:
Joanne Altman, Psychology
Students with poor study skills generally do not realize that they could improve test scores just
by utilizing different study techniques. Most students do not realize what good and bad study
techniques are. Furthermore, research shows that locus of control can play a role in what study
techniques a student chooses. Research also shows that different cultures have a different
generalized locus of control based on an individualistic or collectivistic society, and these
differences can affect the study techniques students from particular cultures choose. This
presentation will review the literature on the use of good or poor study skills, and what effect
locus of control and culture have on the development of these study strategies.
#15-
Cognitive Functioning in Non-Human Animals
Tori Tipton
Mentor:
Joanne Altman, Psychology
A common question in the animal cognition literature is what advanced cognitive tasks, which
humans demonstrate, are also evident in other animals. Other species demonstrate tool use, novel
problem solving, self-recognition, numerology and language. One task that doesn't even develop
in humans until young adulthood is executive function (decision making). Elements of executive
function include matching-to-sample and set shifting (changing what match was cued). This
review will introduce a plan to test executive function in an Umbrella Cockatoo (Cacatua alba).
We chose the cockatoo as a subject because cockatoos are easily trainable with evidence of
behavioral complexity.
#16-
The Effects of Education on Implicit Attitudes of Ideal Thiness and Self-Esteem
Bailea D. Ochs
Mentor:
Joanne Altman, Psychology
In today's Western society the ideal women's figure is thin. The media has been criticized for
creating this unrealistic body image for women. Many studies have been conducted to educate
women on the harmful consequences of obtaining such an unrealistic body image in the hope of
creating more realistic expectations. However, these studies measured explicit (external) changes
in self esteem and body image, but did not measure implicit (internal) perceptions towards ideal
thinness. In other words, education might teach us what the right things to say are, but may not
change our desire for unrealistic thinness. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to test
whether or not implicit attitudes towards thin idealization are changed through more personalized
education. A traditional training approach was compared to the personalized approach and a
control presentation. The results showed that we were not able to change implicit ideal thinness.
#17-
Real Time Audio Signal Processing in Java
Joshua N. Wurtz
Mentor:
Bruce Mechtly, Computer Information Sciences
Real time audio signal processing in Java requires consideration of the computational power of
the system. An intuitive GUI allows users to adjust the window and frames per second to
effectively process the audio signal. This window and frame rate adjustment can allow users to
perform actual time audio signal processing on a greater range of systems. This is demonstrated
with echo, flanging, and pitch-shifting.
#18-
Pro Ana: Dying to be Thin
Erin Marie Benson
Mentor:
Maria Raicheva-Stover, Mass Media
In spite of vocal public campaigns, there are still nearly 10 million females and 1 million males
fighting an eating disorder (www.nationaleatingdisorders.com). With the popularity of video
sharing web sites like YouTube, the Internet has become a primary space to promote eating
disorders. The researcher studied how YouTube videos are used to promote the thin ideal and
turn it into a lifestyle. "Thinspirations," or videos of extremely thin young women, are created
with either celebrity or "real girl" images and include songs and sometimes "how to's." The
content analysis of the ten "Thinspiration" videos revealed that they were created with the intent
to reinforce the thin ideal. Each video had background music that pertained to either an eating
disorder or the struggle and pain related to an eating disorder. It also revealed that those who
commented were mainly in the age range of 12 to 19 - the primary demographic impacted by
eating disorders - and were oftentimes using the videos as a reinforcement of their eating
disorder as well as to find a support group of "Ana buddies."
#19-
Exploration of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation's Support for Influenza A (H1N1) Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Feng Zhang
Mentor:
Lori Edwards, School of Nursing
Purpose: Exploration of the efficacy of the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
(ECMO) to sustain life for patients who do not respond to conventional treatments for influenza
A (H1N1) associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods: Synthesis of a
comprehensive review of literature. Conclusions: The efficacy of ECMO treatment in patients
with H1N1 associated ARDS varies based on severity of patients' illness. Also, there are multiple
barriers to access of ECMO treatment. Further research is needed to support the recommendation
for and development of guidelines for ECMO use among patients with influenza A (H1N1)
associated ARDS.
#20-
The Mainstream Body Modification Phenomenon: Visible Tattoo and Facial Piercing Acceptance in the Workplace
Crystal N. Burgoon
Mentor:
Tracy Routsong, Communication
With the ever-growing popularity of body modification in mainstream Western culture, questions
of its effects on the participating individuals in reference to their hirability and employment
status in the modern-day workplace arise. In this particular research, body modifications will be
recognized as a relevant form of nonverbal communication. This study will set out to describe
the experiences body modified individuals have encountered in the workplace regarding
employer reactions to and/or allowances of mainstream visible tattoos and facial piercing. The
method of inquiry will be a textual analysis of online data gathered from a collection of lived
experiences located on the Facebook group pages: Tattoo Acceptence [sic] in the Workplace and
Piercing Acceptance in the Workplace. Maximum variation sampling will be employed to
discover data about individuals whose body modifications have not been an issue in the
workplace, those whose body modifications have been an issue in the workplace, those who have
body modifications but choose to limit their visibility, and those who have fully visible body
modifications. Due to the extreme size of these groups, the researcher will attempt to locate 50
body modification participants for each of these sampling variations. The emerging themes will
be applied via Jackson's cultural contracts theory to describe the overall essence of the
phenomenon.
#21-
The Effect of Stereotype Threat on Performance
Thiwan Shepard
Mentor:
Joanne Altman, Psychology
African-Americans, Latinas, and women are typically stereotyped. Awareness of this
stereotyping often leads to "stereotype threat". Stereotype threat is the contextual provocation of
fear concerning one's in-group negative stereotypes. The purpose of this study was to determine
if visual empowerment images would mediate/moderate the effects of stereotype threat. The
results show that everyone performed better after viewing the empowerment presentation.
However, further analyses found that the effect was present only for African-American men. The
implications of these findings will be discussed.
#22-
Visual Acuity Comparison in Developmental Stages of the Praying Mantis (Tenodera sinenesis)
Lisa A. Ille, Taylor McGown, and Haley A. Mitchell
Mentor:
Ursula Jander, Biology
The praying mantis is a predatory insect that catches live prey with extreme accuracy. In this
study we want to determine possible changes in visual acuity throughout the various
developmental stages of Mantis, from the first instar to the adult stage. Insects have compound
eyes composed of many single eyes. In order to optimize vision, these eyes have to balance their
sensitivity to light intensity and their strength of resolving power. The larger the surface of the
single eye, the more light it can capture. However, the larger the single eyes, the fewer eyes that
can be fit onto the whole compound eye. In turn, this decreases the resolution. From microscopic
images we measured the visual angle between the single eyes and along the long axis of the eye,
and also the number and size of the eyes making up the compound eye. After these
measurements, we conclude that the visual acuity increases within the sequential instars up to the
adult stage.
#23-
Collectivism vs. Individualism: A Cultural Comparisonbetween Native Americans and Non-Ethnic Americans on Social Connectedness and Happiness
Danielle McDonald
Mentor:
Joanne Altman, Psychology
Research shows that certain cultures are either collectivistic (value family) or individualistic
(value independence) (Triandis, 1995). America is an individualistic nation (Triandis, 1995;
2001). However, there are sub- populations within the United States which are collectivistic,
while still living in the bigger individualistic culture. Although studies have looked at Mexican-
Americans and Asian-Americans, non have researched Native Americans who share the cultural
values of family and community found among traditionally collectivistic countries. In addition,
research shows that this social connectedness of family and community is tied to happiness
(Kim, Sherman, & Taylor, 2008). Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare Native
Americans in the Kansas region to Caucasian Americans with regard to their individualistic and
collectivistic tendencies and their connectedness and happiness. Our results show that Native
Americans were not more collectivistic than Caucasians. However, men, overall, were more
individualistic than women, except among Native Americans. Native American men did not
differ from other men, but Native American women were more individualistic than other women.
In addition, individuals, across race, who were categorized as collectivistic were more connected.
#24-
Progress Towards a Multi-gram Scale Synthesis of 1,11-Diaza-6,16-ditosylamidacycloicosane: A Key Intermediate in the Synthesis of [46]Adamanzane
Diana M. Crain
Mentor:
Shaun Schmidt, Chemistry
The macrocycle, 1,11-diaza-6,16-ditosylamidacycloicosane, is an important intermediate in the
synthesis of the cage [46]Adamanzane. Cyclization is achieved via addition of a diacid chloride
(compound 7) to a diamine (compound 6), both of which were synthesized from the same
dinitrile (compound 4). A new acid hydrolysis of this dinitrile was also developed, through
various trials in different acidic and basic conditions; the results of these trials will be presented.
Work was also done on standardizing the acid-base workup of a borane reduction of the same
dinitrile. The synthesized compounds were analyzed using IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy.
#25-
Medical Pluralism at a Midwestern Herbal School
April Sumpter
Mentor:
Karen Kapusta-Pofahl, Sociology - Anthropology
This study uses ethnographic fieldwork at a Midwestern herbal school to explore the ways that
sickness, medicine, and healing are conceptualized among faculty and students. I argue that
medical pluralism characterizes the healing modalities taught to students. The herbalist uses an
integrative approach, incorporating the wise woman, heroic, and scientific traditions into ways of
thinking about healing. This is important to applied anthropology because the mainstream herbal
industry mimics the scientific tradition, therefore limiting the efficacy of herbal medicine for the
consumer.
#26-
Reaction Kinetics of a Solvent Free Wittig Reaction using FT-IR Spectroscopy
Donovan R. Briggs
Mentor:
Stephen Angel, Chemistry
The rate of the solvent-free Wittig reaction of 4-bromobenzaldehyde with
(carbethoxymethylene)triphenylphosphorane to form (E)-ethyl 3-(4-bromophenyl)acrylate is
determined by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The rate of product formation is
monitored by tracking the increase of the absorbance intensity at 1705 cm-1 and the rate of
reactant decay is monitored by tracking the decline of the absorbance intensity at 1604 cm-1. The
reaction is performed under nitrogen to prevent ambient water vapor from being absorbed by the
reaction mixture. The rate is fit to models of solid-solid systems in order to determine if the
reaction is a solid-solid reaction or merely a solvent-free reaction.
#27-
The Role of MMP's in Ditation of the Chick Limb
John D. Stamm and David Robert Lee Hollenbeck
Mentor:
Duane Hinton, Biology
Development of chick embryos has proven an ideal model for the manipulation and study of
limb formation. From bundles of condensed cells, proliferation, differentiation and cell death
lead to normal digitation. In particular, extensive tissue remodeling is required to produce
functional digits, utilizing a multitude of enzymes and growth factors to eliminate cells and
extracellular matrix. The enzymes of interest are matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Last
summer we studied the effects of Ilomastat, an MMP inhibitor, which was unable to noticeably
alter normal digitations in chick embryos. Possible reasons for this may include a short half-life
or too low concentration of the inhibitor. Due to these inconclusive results, we have decided to
take a molecular approach to the inhibition of the MMPs in chick limb development. We plan to
inhibit MMP-2 enzyme activity by using inhibitory Morpholino oligos specific for MMP-2. We
will micro-inject MMP-2 Morpholinos into the vitelline vein on day 4 chick embryos for
delivery via circulation. On subsequent days of development, the limb buds will be isolated to
measure MMP-2 inhibition by zymography and staining of cartilage. We present results of the
development of an MMP zymography assay for this model system. Once we have established a
procedure for successful MMP-2 inhibition, we will be able to apply that to further studies
measuring the effects of both MMP-2 as well as other MMPs on apoptosis occurring in limb
development.
#28-
Environmental Isolation of Thermotolerant Ameobae from Wolf Creek Generating Station Cooling Waters
Trent Snyder
Mentor:
John Mullican, Biology
Naegleria fowleri is a free-living, thermophilic, amoeboflagellate that is the causative agent of
rare, yet severe disease of the central nervous system called Primary Amoebic
Meningoencephalitis (PAM), which is nearly always fatal. PAM has yet to be diagnosed in
Kansas. It has, however, been reported in two neighboring states of Kansas, Oklahoma and
Missouri. The goal of this research is to demonstrate the presence of N. fowleri in Kansas
through both classical morphological analysis and genetic screening using the polymerase chain
reaction (PCR). Water samples were collected under special circumstances with a desire to learn
whether N. fowleri could be easily extracted from the environment in the middle of winter. To
test this, seven samples were taken from the cooling waters at Wolf Creek Generating Station in
Burlington, KS and plated onto a low nutrient agar with a lawn of UV killed Enterobacter
aerogenes as a food source. Of those samples, six yielded 38 separate amoeba samples to be
further analyzed. Amoeba isolates are currently being analyzed for flagella formation,
thermotolerance at 45oC, and PCR using Naegleria and N. fowleri-specific primers. Microscopic
examination of many of the amoebae show morphology characteristic of Naegleria sp.
#29-
Molecular Cloning and Analysis of Putative Telomerase Gene Fragments from Naegleria gruberi
Kevin D. Lorson
Mentor:
John Mullican, Biology
For this research project we are attempting to locate the putative telomerase gene, encoding the
DNA polymerase activity, within the Naegleria gruberi genome using degenerate PCR.
Naegleria is an amoeba that undergoes many interesting processes such as developing flagella
under stress, encysting under different environmental stresses, and undergoing a division process
similar to mitosis called pro-mitosis. Telomerase is an enzyme that adds DNA sequence repeats
to the ends of chromosomes, protecting the genome from loss of information during successive
replication events. This study was designed to investigate whether or not Naegleria gruberi has
the gene that codes for the protein component of telomerase to help us understand the organism
and its replication/gene repair process better. Following degenerate PCR, multiple candidate
DNA fragments were generated and ligated into a pGEM-T Easy vector for cloning. Six clones
were selected for DNA sequence analysis to determine whether or not these clones contain
telomerase or telomerase-like sequences.
#30-
Strategy to Complete the Sequence Analysis of the Ribosomal DNA Plasmid From Naegleria fowleri
Taylor C. Easley and Ashley E. Klone
Mentor:
John Mullican, Biology
Naegleria fowleri is a freshwater free-living amoeboflagellate that can be found in water sources
worldwide. Unlike its close relative, Naegleria gruberi, N. fowleri is pathogenic and is the
causative agent of PAM, a rare disease that results in meningitis-like symptoms and nearly
always death. The goal of this project is to complete the DNA sequence analysis of the 16 kbp
ribosomal DNA (rDNA) plasmid of N. fowleri. Approximately 2 kbp of the plasmid, located
downstream of the rRNA cistron, remains to be sequenced. Once completed, we may then begin
to examine the differences between the rDNA plasmids from N. fowleri and N. gruberi and
perhaps gain a better understanding of the pathogenic nature of Naegleria fowleri. The strategy
to complete the sequence analysis involves the generation of deletion clones of an 8 kbp EcoRI
sublcone (pFOWLR8) using ExoIII nuclease followed by S1 nuclease digestion. Ligations of
these ExoIII/SI deletion molecules will then be transformed into E. coli SURETM strain
(Stratagene). Plasmid DNA will be extracted from these deletion clones and will be subjected to
DNA sequence analysis using the LI-COR 4300 DNA Analyzer, which uses a laser to detect
infrared dyes incorporated into DNA sequences. DNA sequencing gels will be analyzed using e-
Seq software (LI-COR) and the MacVector Assembler software will be used to align the newly
generated DNA sequences into a single consensus sequence of the remaining portion.
#31-
Multiple Radical Search of Simplified Chinese Characters
Jizhou Li
Mentor:
Bruce Mechtly, Computer Information Sciences
A radical is a major part of a Chinese Character which can be used to search for characters in a
dictionary. The typical dictionary search for characters uses only one radical, which is
inconvenient because some radicals categorize hundreds of characters. We've looked at over
3800 characters and assigned multiple radicals and single strokes to each character. Using this
data, we created a new search program for people to search for Chinese characters using multiple
radicals. We will demonstrate how the multiple radical search allows the user to find characters
much more easily than the traditional method.
#32-
Differences Between Speech Patterns of Men and Women Portrayed in the Media
Katelin R. Harrell
Mentor:
Sarah Ubel, Communication
The use of language is a very important variable when considering how persuasive a message is.
Research indicates that typically a powerful message is one that does not contain many hedges,
hesitations, or intensifiers. Studies suggest that the use powerful speech makes the speaker
appear more authoritative and credible. This study examined the differences between men's and
women's use of powerful and powerless speech patterns in a legal television show. The show
was evaluated on how the media portrayed messages of men compared to women, whether or not
women engaged in more powerless speech patterns. A content analysis was done in order to
determine the differences in the amount of hedges, hesitations, and intensifiers that were used by
the actors.
#33-
Synthesis of the Precursors of Expanded Oxophlorins
Riley Eugene Ross
Mentor:
Sam Leung, Chemistry
Oxophlorins are porphyrin-like compounds that contain a carbonyl group between two of the
pyrrole subunits in the macrocycle. This research project involves the synthesis of precursor
compounds that can later be used to attempt the synthesis of expanded oxophlorins, which
contain additional carbon-carbon double bonds within the macrocycle of a normal oxophlorin.
The synthesis of expanded oxophlorins may spur the development of new photosensitizers for
photodynamic therapy (PDT) for use in the treatment of cancer or new contrast agents in
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
#34-
Molecular Cloning and Sequence Analysis of a Potassium Two-Pore Channel (K2P) Gene from Naegleria gruberi, NEG-M Strain
Danielle M. Horton
Mentor:
John Mullican, Biology
Potassium channels control the flow of potassium ions across membranes and play important
roles in various types of cells in nearly all organisms. Studies in plants and animals have shown
that K2P proteins are sensitive to environmental changes including pH, oxygen, and certain
nutrients. The amoebae genus, Naegleria, respond to their environment by transforming into
either flagellates or cysts during changes such as those previously mentioned. A cloned portion
of the N. gruberi K2P gene was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. Total RNA was
harvested from N. gruberi NEG-M strain grown axenically in NB media supplemented with calf
serum. High quality RNA samples extracted from the amoebae were confirmed via gel
electrophoresis. We designed sequence specific primers for the K2P channel gene which are
being used to generate cDNA of the entire gene-coding region via RT-PCR for cloning in both
standard and expression vectors. Ultimately, expression of the Naegleria K2P protein in
mammalian cell lines lacking potassium channels will permit an analysis of its sensitivity in
different environments.
#35-
Kansas in the Movies
Rachael Metzger
Mentor:
Thomas Averill, English
Kansas in the Movies is a tool for those interested in the movies that take place and were filmed
here in Kansas. This website also lists the directors of all of these movies, and creates ties to the
Map of Kansas Literature. It also lists the actors and actresses born here in Kansas, as well as
where and when they were born. The information for this site was found using the Internet
Movie Database (IMDb.com). The site also provides articles from the Kansas Historical Society
and other resources.
#36-
Retro Cameras
Crystal F. Katzer, Sarah E. Eaden, Curtis Michael Steinmetz,
Kris Roberts, Dorothy J. Jones, Danielle Nicole Morgan,
Linnzi Fusco, Laramie L. Hulse, Erik M. Boeselager,
Karol Jean L. Thies, Pam Manning, Travis Garwood,
Deedra Baker, Amanda Stoller, Cecilia Gonzales-Rebeck,
Matthew James Linn, Patricia Powell, and Asha Slack
Mentor:
Mary Dorsey Wanless, Art
Enjoy student research into a multitude of old cameras! Students have discovered old image-
makers in attics, basements, antique and junk stores. They have made them operational through
direction from experts in the field, and by downloading camera manuals. They have researched
photographers using the cameras and a history of the era of usage. Through a combination of
analog, film and digital, they are producing images. Experience the past through an exhibit of
their photographs!
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