2013 Student
Research Colloquium
Celebrating and recognizing research achievement
Friday, April 26
Ohio Northern University
McIntosh Center
www.onu.edu/research/colloquium
Welcome to Ohio Northern University’s Student Research Colloquium!
The Student Research Colloquium is a true showcase for undergraduate research, with students
scheduled to present 92 projects this year. For students, research bridges the gap between
knowledge and experience and provides for career exploration and development. Presenters at
this year’s Colloquium will share the results of their research with the larger academic
community, enliven the intellectual climate on campus, and stimulate discussions and
collaborations within and across disciplines, all while developing skills important to their longterm personal and professional success.
A Note of Gratitude
Many thanks are extended to all members of the ONU community who have helped to make the
2013 Student Research Colloquium such a success.
Special mention goes to Amy Prigge, Toma Williams, and Brian Paris from the Office of
Communications and Marketing for their efforts in promoting the Colloquium across campus.
Sincere gratitude is offered to the Getty College of Arts and Sciences for its generous funding of
this event.
Additional thanks go to all the student presenters and their faculty mentors who ensure that
scholarly research and deep learning is vital to a Northern education.
Finally, we thank all friends and family of and visitors to the Northern community and welcome
your presence today.
The Student Research Colloquium Planning Committee
Scott Rogers
Asst. Professor of English
419-772-2105
s-rogers@onu.edu
Mary Drzycimski-Finn
Asst. to the Dean for Student Success
419-772-2987
m-drzycimski-finn@onu.edu
Bill Theisen
Professor of Physics
419-772-2741
w-theisen@onu.edu
Jerod Hurst
Senior, Chemistry
Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry
j-hurst@onu.edu
Phil Zoladz
Asst. Professor of Psychology
419-772-2142
p-zoladz@onu.edu
Lauren Tennet
Senior, Public Relations
Dept. of Communication & Theatre Arts
l-tennet@onu.edu
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Table of Contents
Welcome, Thanks, and Planning Committee
1
Table of Contents and Colloquium Schedule
2
Poster Presentation Sessions
3
Paper Presentation Sessions
6
Colloquium Abstracts
8
Index of Colloquium Participants
26
Colloquium Schedule
All Colloquium activities take place on the first floor of the McIntosh Center.
9:45–11:00 a.m.
STEM*: Human Health
Poster Presentations I
Main Lounge
10:00–10:45 a.m.
STEM: Natural Science
Paper Presentations I
Wishing Well
10:00–11:45 a.m.
Literature, History & Politics
Paper Presentations II
Conference Room 7
11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
STEM: Physical Science
Poster Presentations II
Main Lounge
12:00–1:45 p.m.
Public Relations
Paper Presentations III
Wishing Well
12:00–1:45 p.m.
Psychology & Sociology
Paper Presentations IV
Conference Room 7
12:45–2:00 p.m.
Geography & Field Biology
Poster Presentations III
Main Lounge
*STEM is an acronym for the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
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Poster Presentations
Morning Session: 9:45-11:00 a.m.
# STEM: Human Health
Main Lounge
1. “Stress Administered Immediately before Learning Reduces False Memory Production and
Enhances True Memory Recall in Females”
Andrea E. Kalchik, David M. Peters, Mackenzie M. Hoffman, Rachael L. Aufdenkampe,
Kali L. Findley, Nicholas E. Wolters
2. “Interest and Instruction: Improving College Students’ Sleep Hygiene”
Amanda Kathryn Amstutz, Hayley O'Hara
3. “The Effects of Tattoos and Occupation on Perception of Personal Qualities”
Elizabeth Coulston
4. “The Effects of Decreased Range of Motion on Deep Squat Pattern in College-aged Soccer
Players”
Rachel Wright, Amanda Brown
5. “Examination of Rehabilitation Protocol for Quadriceps Tendon Rupture following ACL
Reconstruction via Patellar Tendon Graft”
Jeremy Jones, Rachael Graham
6. “Upper Arm Injury in Collegiate Male Football Player: A Case Report”
Caitlin M. Klima, Amanda M. Simms
7. “The Effects of Various Levels of Exercise (Based on Heart Rate) on Student’s Performance
on Exams”
Hillary Lantz, Noah Christopher, Drew Ross, Michael Pawlitz, Darion Heilman
8. “The Combined Effects of Caffeine and Epinephrine on Sustained Skeletal Muscle
Contraction”
Sarah M. Vore, Lisa M. Burns, Sara Kocian, Eric Karr, Lauren Rife
9. “The Effect of Tamoxifen and Its Mechanism of Action on the in situ Heart Rate of Rana
Pipiens”
Joshua R. Leichty, Haley Kurmas, Wesley A. Bova, Neal Huang, Kyle W. Dexter
10. “Determining Stress-induced Heart Rate and Respiration Rate of Electronic vs. Physical
Game Playing”
Kirsten Maag, Dominique McKee, Natalia Buczkowski, Leannyn Rotert
11. “Effect of Extracellular Potassium on Frog Muscle Contraction Force”
Adriana M. Jones, Lauryn Zielinski, Lena Carlson, Kalie Gargano
12. “Characterization of Mullein Extracts and Antimicrobial Effects against Ear Infections”
Adriana M. Jones, Kalie Gargano
13. “An Approach to Spills in the Laboratory with a Focus on Formalin”
Jennifer Tabar
14. “Validation of the Heparin Therapeutic Range with a New Lot of APTT Reagent”
Ahmed Alamer
15. “Improving Transfusion Safety Using Mechanical Barriers: A Comparative Study of the
BloodLoc Safety System and Typenex FinalCheck”
Stephen Pavlock
16. “Effectiveness of an Educational Unit in Phlebotomy”
Ashley R. Baumer
17. “Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis in the Post-Operative Patient”
Alexa Hartman
18. “Know What You Are Up Against with RSV”
Kelli Lynch
19. “The Use of Informative Family Care Cards”
Ashley Fields
20. “The ABC's and 123's of C. difficile”
Jordan Elizabeth Roberts
21. “OTO Care: Educating Future Providers to Improve Patient Care”
Alicia Marie Palivoda
22. “Infection Precautions”
Angela Grebetz
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23. “Atrioventricular Block, Junctional Rhythms, and Common EKG Interpretations”
Paul J. Lamiell
24. “HCAHPS: It Takes Everyone”
Brooks M. Bukowy
25. “Bedside Rounding: An Analysis of Benefits and Burdens”
Britney J. Lovensheimer
26. “Core Measures for the New Graduate”
Kimberly M. Bowman
27. “Improving Isolation Education for Patients and Families”
Daniel Cory Peeples
28. “Effective Nursing Communication and Improving Patient Satisfaction Scores”
Brent Kramp
29. “Benefits of PEW Scores: Why Heroes Are Great, but Zeros Are Better!”
Hilary L. Kremke
Midday Session: 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
# STEM: Physical Science
Main Lounge
2. “Imine Ligands Appended to a Polyethylene Glycol Framework”
Lindsay C. Wiener
3. “Development of a New Class of Phospine Ligands from Biorenewable Sources”
Haley Armstrong
4. “Preparation of New Schiff-base Ligands Using Thermal Methods and Microwave Irradiation”
Nicholas S. Cosgrove, Andrew Bowser
5. “Quantification of Methanesulfonic Acid”
Elvira Tatarkov
6. “A Novel Method for Dissolved Phosphorus Analysis”
Joanne M. Berry
7. “Identifying a Component of Thyme Extractions through GC-MS Characterization”
Michael Herman
8. “Optimization of Cationic Polymerization Mechanism for a Chemically Green Monomer: βPinene in Conjunction with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4]”
Stephanie N. Moore
9. “Cationic Polymerization of Beta-Pinene via Methyl Stearate and Trityl Borate Addition”
Kevin C. Ledden
10. “Aqueous Cationic Polymerization Using tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane”
Bethany L. Steele
11. “Investigation of a Safe, Efficient Method of Haloether Synthesis Derived from Transcinnamic Acid”
Aaron J. Sullivan
12. “Substituent Effects on the Band Gap and Donor Ability of Porphyrin-based Systems for
Polymeric OPV Applications”
Morgan A. Hammer
13. “Effects of Various Linker Moieties in Porphyrin Polymers for Use in Organic Photovoltaic
Devices: A Computational Investigation”
Zachary L. Dunn
14. “Spectroscopic Exploration of Intramolecular Charge Transfer in Cross-Conjugated
Molecules”
Courtney M. Olson
15. “Chemometric Determination of Carvone Enantiomers Using beta-Cyclodextrin”
Jerod J. Hurst
16. “Custom-developed Reverse-phase HPLC Method for Simultaneous Quantification of
Vitamins C and K3 in Compounded Capsules”
Mohamad Hassoun
17. “Identification of ‘Silent’ 5HT1b Receptors in the Mouse Aorta”
Paige M. Garber
18. “What Went Wrong with Vioxx: Lessons to Learn to Prevent another Drug Disaster”
Brandon P. Bourgeois
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19. “The Similarities of Engineering Education and Technical Education”
Elizabeth M. Spingola
20. “Tinkering in K-12 Education”
Zachery J. Brewer
21. “Robotic Football”
Hunter M. Turner, Shawn Pavel, Peter Kleysteuber, Taylor Zank, Loren Chase Camp,
Michael Horth
22. “Vex Robotics: Sack Attack”
Kenneth E. Schlatter, Edward E. Day
23. “Sumo Robot Competition”
Joshua L. Cox, Ethan W. Frey, Michael R. Hamlin
24. “Robotics Workcell”
Robert Sellers, Abrim Mueller, Kyle Raber, Katy Newman, Nathan Albritton
25. “Measurement of Plasma Sheath Using Dust”
Thomas E. Steinberger
26. “Sulfur Adsorption on Gold: An Exercise in Computational Low-Energy Electron Diffraction”
Ashley Ernst, Nathan Grieser
27. “Analysis of 2D Substructure in Radio-loud Clusters of Galaxies”
Donald J. Pleshinger
Afternoon Session: 12:45-2:00 p.m.
# Geography & Field Biology
7. “Assessing the Population of Littorina irrorata in a Florida Salt Marsh”
Brandon D. Bruns, Cody R. Harting
8. “Environmental Threats to National Parks”
Lucas Erickson
9. “Summer 2012 Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting and Environmental Effects”
Brittany A. Bianco
10. “Traffic Pollution-related Illnesses and Geomedicine”
Ray G. Foster
11. “Asian Carp Invasion”
Ike Topp
12. “Pollution and Watersheds in Ohio”
Amber Goforth
13. “Change in Fish Populations in Grand Lake St. Mary's”
Tyler Nelson Thomas
14. “Highway Quality in Franklin County, Ohio”
Ben Ankrom
15. “Downtown Columbus Streetscape”
Andrew Thomas Crozier
16. “Deficient Bridges in Ohio”
Mitchell W. Gibson
17. “Engineering Employment: Past, Present, and Future”
Kyle J. Wrentmore
18. “Guinness: Where to Acquire ‘the Black Stuff’”
David Kauffman
19. “Obesity: Is McDonald's to Blame?”
Brian C. Klingenberg
20. “Origins of Popular Music”
Garret Freeman
21. “Gun Control and the Second Amendment”
Brad Nungester
22. “Human Trafficing in Ohio Counties in 2010 and 2011”
James William Lee, Jordan Scott Turner
23. “Exploring School District Performance in Ohio”
James R. Montgomery
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Main Lounge
Paper Presentations
Morning Session: 10:00-11:45 a.m.
Literature, History & Political Science
Conference Room 7
Dr. John Lomax, Moderator
“Hard Times for Children: An Analysis of How Children Are Portrayed in Dickens’ Hard Times”
Gayle L. Riedel
“Alexandria: Establishment and Destruction of an Architectural Pearl”
Andrew Thomas Crozier
“Puritan Ministers: The Driving Force of the Salem Witch Trials”
Lindsey Paige DelBello
“The Art of War: Hollywood's Portrayal of American Intelligence Operations”
Steve Saunier
“Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Does Political Money Equal Free Speech?”
Adam Downing
“Myths and Realities: Are ONU Students Logically Consistent in Their Political Beliefs?”
John Alexander Curiel
Morning Session: 11:00-11:45 a.m.
STEM: Natural Science
Dr. Patrick Croskery, Moderator
“The Home Range of the Striped and Spotted Skunk Populations in Florida”
Brittany A. Bianco
“Activation of 5HT1b Receptors in the Mouse Aorta”
Nathaniel W. Mabe
Wishing Well
Afternoon Sessions: 12:00-1:45 p.m.
Psychology & Sociology
Conference Room 7
Dr. Robert Carrothers, Moderator
“Internet Fraud Victimization”
Andrew Gray, James Call, Holly J. Evans
“Classical Marxism and Communication: An Analysis Including Modern Application and
Alternative Theoretical Perspectives”
Aaron M. Spence
“The Appeal of Professional Wrestling as Explained by Durkheim and a Contemporary Theorist”
Dylan Michael Montgomery
“Occupy Wall Street and Its Connection to Marxism and NeoWeberian Theory”
Morgan Storm Humphrey
“A Systematic Review of Risk Assessment Techniques for Sexual Offenders: A Proposal on
Integration of Counseling Models”
Kassidy Beck
Public Relations
Wishing Well
Dr. Alisa Agozzino, Moderator
“Religion, the Human Spirit and the Church Environment”
Matthew Stephen Rarey
“The Legibility and Readability of Serif vs. Sans Serif Typefaces”
Kaitlin Bondra
“Social Media Use by Law Schools and Their Admissions”
Alexxys L. Ehresman
“Attribute Agenda-setting and the Framing of Messages: A Comparison of the News Media and
Presidential Responses to School Shootings”
Kathlyn Nicole Johnson
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“Student or Athlete: A Study of the Mentality of Division III Student Athletes”
Katelyn A. Jones
“Adult Literacy”
Rebecca Shaheen
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Colloquium Abstracts
Alphabetically by Title
“A Novel Method for Dissolved Phosphorus
Analysis”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Joanne M. Berry (Brunswick, OH)
Research Advisor: Christopher Spiese (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU)
the 5HT2a serotonin receptor is the primary mediator
for causing serotonin-induced contraction of smooth
muscle. However, other receptor families and
subtypes such as 5HT1, 5HT2 and 5HT7 have also been
identified in the aorta. Using the isolated organ bath
technique, cumulative concentration response curves
were generated for selective receptor agonists and
antagonists selective in the presence of phenylephrine
or receptor-independent KCl. When the mouse aorta is
precontracted with either of the non-serotonin agent,
otherwise "silent" 5HT1B serotonin receptors also
become active mediators of a serotonin- induced
response. These receptors are only noticeably active
with precontraction from either KCl or phenylephrine
and do not contract in the absence of a contractile
agent. These findings are supported by demonstrating
that the effects were blocked by a 5HT1b antagonist.
Serotonin receptor interplay between receptor families
could potentially have implications for treating
cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and furthers
our understanding of complex intercellular
communication.
High phosphorus loading is a problem in the Great
Lakes watersheds. Phosphate enters waterways via
point and non-point sources promoting eutrophication,
leading to algal blooms, hypoxia and loss of aquatic
life. Quantification of phosphorus loading is typically
done using the molybdenum blue method including
strict control on reaction time, toxic reagents that have
limited shelf-life and is generally unable to accurately
measure sub-micromolar concentrations. This study
aims to develop a novel reagent that will overcome
many of these problems.
Ethanolic europium(III) chloride and 8hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid (hqs) were combined
to form the bis-hqs complex (Eu-hqs). Eu-hqs was
synthesized as the dipotassium salt via a simple onepot procedure. This complex was highly fluorescent
(λex = 360 nm, λem = 510 nm) at a pH of 8.50, and
exhibited a linear response upon addition of
monohydrogen phosphate with few interferences from
other ions. The linear response ranged from 0.5 - 25
μM HPO42- (15.5 - 775 μg P L-1). It was determined Euhqs formed a 1:1 complex with phosphate. Shelf-life of
the reagent was at least one month. In the future, field
tests will be undertaken in local rivers, lakes, and
wetlands to determine the applicability of the complex
to real-world analysis.
“Adult Literacy”
Paper, Noon Wishing Well
Presenter: Rebecca Shaheen (Findlay, OH)
Research Advisor: Alisa Agozzino (Communication and
Theatre Arts, ONU)
Research will illustrate the growing problem with adult
literacy in the United States. How adult literacy directly
effects money spent for health care in the United
States due to lack of high literacy rates in adults.
Research will consist of a case study outlining my
capstone campaign to raise awareness about adult
literacy rates among local health care professionals.
The campaign also strives to gain more tutors. The
case study will outline the event and progress made
with my capstone group teamed with The Lima
Literacy Council.
“A Systematic Review of Risk Assessment
Techniques for Sexual Offenders: A Proposal on
Integration of Counseling Models”
Paper, Noon Conf. Rm. 7
Presenter: Kassidy Beck (Fort Wayne, IN)
Research Advisor: Ronald DeLong (Psychology,
Sociology, and Criminal Justice, ONU)
“Alexandria: Establishment and Destruction of an
Architectural Pearl”
Paper, 10:00 a.m. Conf. Rm. 7
Presenter: Andrew Thomas Crozier (Ada, OH)
Research Advisor: John Lomax (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
This systematic review summarizes current techniques
for accessing recidivism for sexual offenders. It
includes both an overview of risk assessment tools and
current treatment models: Relapse Prevention, RiskNeed-Responsivity, the Self-Regulation Model, and the
Good Lives Model. Studies were gathered from
databases such as MEDLINE and Pubmed, as well as
current books and presentations by clinicians in the
field. This review suggests that the movement to an
integrated, individualized approach to treatment offers
the best rehabilitation of sexual offenders.
My paper analyses the founding and development of
Alexandria’s architectural identity under the Ptolemaic
Dynasty and how that identity evolved and changed
from its establishment to the Roman conquest and
occupation. It looks into the original mixing of
Classical Hellenic orders with Egyptian architectural
traditions to form a style that became distinctively
Alexandrian. The paper also discuses how the
Alexandrian style changed and was eventually
abandoned in new construction with the Roman
occupation where traditional Roman orders were
preferred. Lastly it shows how the advancement of
Christianity destroyed what was left of Alexandria’s
Ptolemaic architectural heritage.
“Activation of 5HT1b Receptors in the Mouse Aorta”
Paper, 10:00 a.m. Wishing Well
Presenter: Nathaniel W. Mabe (Ashville, OH)
Research Advisor: Boyd Rorabaugh (Pharmaceutical
and Biomedical Sciences, ONU)
Additional Researchers: Sarah Seely, Paige Garber,
Lauren Fehrman (Mt. Vernon Nazarene U)
Serotonin (5HT) is an important neurotransmitter for
regulating cell communication in various organ
systems, such as the central and enteric nervous
systems as well as the cardiovascular system.
Serotonin’s actions are varied and can be ascribed to
14 different families of receptors. In the mouse aorta,
“An Approach to Spills in the Laboratory with a
Focus on Formalin”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Jennifer Tabar (Hinckley, OH)
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Research Advisor: Tom Geis (New Vision Laboratory,
New Vision Medical Center)
ONU Faculty Sponsor: Lisa Walden
studied is tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane due to its
reactivity and involvement within green chemistry. By
using tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, water, B-pinene,
and sodium chloride, it was shown that
polymerization took place. Salts are used within the
reaction to withdrawal moisture of the monomer which
enhances initiation and lowers the termination of the
monomer. The polymerizations are being carried out at
low reaction temperatures from -40 °C up to 30 °C.
Characterization of the resultant polymers will be
carried out using 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy.
The definitive goal of this research is to produce high
molecular weight polymers without a solvent but a salt
instead under aqueous conditions.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, laboratories are required to train their
employees in spill removal. However, when a spill
occurs it can be unknown or very dangerous. Knowing
what tools to use in identification and cleaning is
necessary for removal. Many laboratory employees do
not come upon spills often and should be educated on
continuous basis on the correct procedures. One of the
most widely handled and dangerous chemicals utilized
by most hospitals is formalin, a diluted form of
formaldehyde. Formalin has been associated with
cancers of the lung, nasopharynx and oropharynx, and
nasal passages and must be disposed of appropriately.
This proposed study will evaluate the training program
that will be given. This training will be pre-empted by a
quiz to assess employee knowledge of the subject.
After a month, the training will be assessed for success
with a new quiz on the materials. The training should
improve employee quiz scores, which will reflect an
increase in knowledge on the subject matter and a
better understanding and comfort level when a spill
does arise.
“Asian Carp Invasion”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Ike Topp (Grand Rapids, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
Asian carp have become a major environmental
concern within the United States. They have begun to
spread and reproduce at a rapid rate making their
destruction even worse. They were brought into the
United States to help water treatment plants with their
water quality. Flooding has freed them into the wild
which has led to the environmental problems they
have created. My poster will show the past locations
and populations of the Asian carp and also use
research to predict where they might grow in size and
population. It would be helpful to see their future
locations in order to possibly stop their spread across
the country.
“Analysis of 2D Substructure in Radio-loud Clusters
of Galaxies”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Donald J. Pleshinger (Bolivar, OH)
Research Advisor: Jason Pinkney (Physics and
Astronomy, ONU)
We have produced and refined catalogs of galaxy
positions, magnitudes, colors and redshifts in ten
radio-loud clusters of galaxies. The CCD images were
taken with the MOSA imager on the Kitt Peak 0.9-m
telescope. We use the color-magnitude relation (CMR)
in B-V and B-R to select samples of galaxies which are
members of the targeted clusters. We also restrict the
samples to galaxies within one Abell radius (for Ho=75
km/s/Mpc) of the center, using two approaches for
defining the center. We estimate the contamination of
the CMR samples by foreground and background
galaxies to be about 10%. We apply four statistical tests
for the significance of 2D (plain of the sky)
substructure to all of the samples, and obtain
significance levels using Monte Carlo simulations. We
are able to rule out the null hypothesis of a unimodal
distribution with confidence for the majority of
clusters. Isopleth contour maps are used to verify the
substructure qualitatively. This allows us to address
our original question: do cluster-subcluster mergers
have an influence on radio galaxy morphology?
“Assessing the Population of Littorina irrorata in a
Florida Salt Marsh”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Brandon D. Bruns (Dayton, OH); Cody R.
Harting (Springfield, OH)
Research Advisor: Terry Keiser (Biological and Allied
Health Sciences, ONU)
Additional Researcher: Monika Elion
The marsh periwinkle (Littorina irrorata) is a marine
snail inhabiting the eastern coast of North America
down to the Gulf of Mexico. Its main habitat is smooth
cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora). The marsh periwinkle
plays an important ecological role in a salt marsh
habitat, such as providing food for predators, and
controlling populations of grasses. In our study, we
assessed the population of the marsh periwinkle in a
Florida salt marsh using a mark and recapture
technique. We calculated the population abundance in
this area using two different methods: The Lincoln
Peterson and Bailey’s Triple Catch. Because of the
differences between these two methods, we
investigated their accuracy relative to each other when
calculating population abundance. Our statistical
results show that there is no significant difference
between the two methods of calculating population
abundance.
“Aqueous Cationic Polymerization Using
tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Bethany L. Steele (Pickerington, OH)
Research Advisor: Amelia Anderson-Wile (Chemistry
and Biochemistry, ONU)
Additional Researchers: Robert T. Mathers
(Pennsylvania State U), Stewart P. Lewis (Pennsylvania
State U)
“Atrioventricular Block, Junctional Rhythms, and
Common EKG Interpretations”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Paul J. Lamiell (Canton, OH)
Research Advisor: Susan Montenery (Nursing, ONU)
Numerous advances have been made over the past
couple of years for maximizing efficiency of different
polymerizations. One of the main focuses lately has
been on the development of methods that can undergo
an aqueous polymerization without the use of
solvents. One of the initiators that is currently being
Interpretation of EKG rhythms is a challenging skill to
master. The nursing curriculum at Ohio Northern
University covers basic EKG interpretation but only a
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short portion in the Medical Surgical Nursing
coursework. Uncommon and more involved rhythm
interpretations are reviewed but require remediation to
allow a novice nurse to feel comfortable interpreting
without the assistance of more experienced nurses.
This capstone project focused on EKG interpretation,
specifically found in atrioventricular blocks and
junctional rhythms. An interactive teaching session on
AV blocks and junctional rhythm interpretation was
presented to graduating seniors in the baccalaureate
nursing program. Following the presentation, survey
data indicated students felt more comfortable with
interpretation of AV blocks and were able to
distinguish between first, second, and third degree AV
block along with recognizing a junctional rhythm. In
conclusion, the novice nurse would likely benefit from
such remediation either in the classroom or during
orientation before entering practice.
that the process will be implemented with more
success after revisions are made to the current bedside
reporting tool.
“Benefits of PEW Scores: Why Heroes Are Great, but
Zeros Are Better!”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Hilary L Kremke (Russell's Point, OH)
Research Advisor: Robin White (Nursing, ONU;
Pediatrics, Toledo Children's Hospital)
The Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS) system is a
tool used to assist nurses when assessing pediatric
patients. The PEWS tool is an objective system which
takes in to account the patient’s behavioral status as
well as cardiovascular and respiratory symptoms. A
deficiency in use and understanding of this scoring
system was identified at a regional children’s hospital.
Many times nurses will assess a patient and find that
because the client is irritable or crying, their PEWS
evaluation will be more critical and regardless of the
situation, a rapid response may need to be called.
Often times physicians will get frustrated if nurses
need to contact them to inform them of a PEW score
on a patient or a nurse may decide the patient isn’t
critical enough to inform other members of the
healthcare team. These misconceptions of the severity
of a patient’s condition are to be avoided by the PEWS
system. The purpose of this project is to research the
benefits of the PEWS tool and inform nurses and other
healthcare members of how many codes and deaths
are prevented by being aware of a patient’s status
before it becomes too severe. Recently having cared for
a patient who had a PEWS which required the nurse to
contact the Rapid Response Team (RRT), including the
floor manager and attending physician, some members
of the healthcare team were frustrated upon arriving to
the patient’s room to find that the client had calmed
down. At a regional children’s hospital, the protocol is
as follows: no intervention is needed for a PEWS of 0-2,
a score of 3 requires contact with the charge nurse,
score of 4 requires contact with a mid-level provider,
and scores of 5 and above require a rapid response
team and resuscitation if indicated. At the conclusion
of this project, research findings will be presented to
the nurses on the unit regarding the benefits of the
Pediatric Early Warning Score system so they are able
to see the evidence-based practice behind the
importance of this tool.
“Attribute Agenda-setting and the Framing of
Messages: A Comparison of the News Media and
Presidential Responses to School Shootings”
Paper, Noon Wishing Well
Presenter: Kathlyn Nicole Johnson (Forest, OH)
Research Advisor: Alisa Agozzino (Communication and
Theatre Arts, ONU)
The news media and political leaders often determine
what information is relevant to the general public
through the frames that they tell their stories and
discuss policy. By means of content analysis, the
research will examine the framing of media coverage
following three separate school shootings (Columbine,
Virginia Tech, and Sandy Hook) and the framing of
Presidents Clinton, G.W. Bush, and Obama’s statements
following the same school shootings. In what ways are
the media and presidential administrations framing
the school shootings: do they discuss the tragedy
itself, attribute blame, or suggest gun control and
policy change? Do the media’s messages correspond
with those of the president, or are the media setting
their own agenda?
“Bedside Rounding: An Analysis of Benefits and
Burdens”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Britney J. Lovensheimer (Chillicothe, OH)
Research Advisor: Robin White (Nursing, ONU; 4K
Intensive Care Unit Step-down/Telemetry, St. Rita's
Medical Center)
“Cationic Polymerization of Beta-Pinene via Methyl
Stearate and Trityl Borate Addition”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Kevin C. Ledden (Portage, MI)
Research Advisor: Amelia Anderson-Wile (Chemistry
and Biochemistry, ONU)
Bedside rounding is used in many healthcare facilities
to improve patient safety and allow patients to become
more involved in their care. It involves nurses giving a
change-of-shift report in the patient room and
sometimes completing a checklist. At St. Rita’s Medical
Center, bedside rounding was implemented on 4K
Intensive Care Unit Step-down/ Telemetry
approximately one year ago but has yet to be
implemented consistently at change-of-shift report as
intended. The purpose of this study was to explore
how bedside rounding is currently being used and gain
staff feedback on the process, including frequency of
use, benefits of use, barriers to use, and possible
changes to be made. This information was obtained by
surveying staff nurses on the unit. A review of the
literature on bedside rounding was conducted to gain
insight into its effect on patient outcomes and how it
is implemented at other healthcare facilities. Staff
education was provided to nurses on the unit along
with suggestions for revision to the bedside rounding
process presented to the unit manager. It is predicted
Due to the falling economy and the raising of prices,
the production of materials from renewable resources
is becoming increasingly important. A specific class of
natural polymers that we are attracted to is that which
is derived from cyclic monoterpenes. They are
expected to display desirable thermal properties, as
well as reliable mechanical properties, due to the
presence of the cyclohexane ring that is part of the
polymer backbone. Despite the use of terpenes in some
commercial products, many of the materials obtained
from the cationic polymerization of the monomers are
not well defined. This often leads to poor mechanical
properties. However, recent light has shown on living
carbocationic polymerization. This process of
polymerization has made the production of materials
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with higher molecular weights and lower/narrower
polydispersities possible. Once living polymerization
conditions have been achieved for a variety of terpene
monomers and promising homopolymers identified,
block copolymers will be synthesized for thermoplastic
elastomer applications. The ultimate goal of the
research described herein is to produce polymers from
β-pinene (acquired from pine sap) in conjunction with
methyl stearate and
trityltetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate to yield optimal
thermal and mechanical characteristics.
extracts of mullein flowers were minimally inhibitory
against Streptococcus epidermidis, methicillin resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and ineffective against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escheriscia coli.
However, significant inhibition of Streptococcus
pneumonia was observed in some but not all extracts.
GC-MS analysis of these extracts allow for correlations
between chemical composition and antibiotic activity
to be discussed.
“Chemometric Determination of Carvone
Enantiomers Using beta-Cyclodextrin”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Jerod J. Hurst (Southington, OH)
Research Advisor: Nicole Dickson (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU)
“Change in Fish Populations in Grand Lake St.
Mary's”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Tyler Nelson Thomas (Carmel, IN)
Research Advisor: Terry Keiser (Biological and Allied
Health Sciences, ONU)
ONU Faculty Sponsor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics,
and Justice, ONU)
Quantification of enantiomers for mixtures has mostly
relied on the use of liquid chromatography with the
use of a beta-cyclodextrin column. Beta-cylcodextrin
has been widely used as an agent to complex with
chiral molecules inside of a column allowing for
separation of enantiomers based on physical
orientation of molecules within the cyclodextrin ring.
An alternative method for quantifying enantiomers of
carvone was developed using fluorescence emission
spectroscopy and the use of chemometrics. Two
differing methods for sample preparation were used to
compare the effects on prediction of each component.
The results of these methods will be compared.
During the past decade, residents of Mercer County
have witnessed the water quality of Grand Lake St.
Mary’s rapidly deteriorate. Fishing, swimming, and
other recreational water activities that attract tourism
were all diminished because of fears about the safety
of touching the water. After identifying the problem as
being massive amounts of blue-green algae, a great
deal of effort was committed to determining what was
causing this. Researchers concluded that the most
probable cause of the algae was the runoff from
various farms near the lake. Addressing this issue has
proved to be an extremely challenging task, and
multiple approaches have been taken in an attempt to
clean up the lake. Some of these approaches included
setting up multiple dredges in the lake to stir up the
sediment at the bottom, as well as dumping huge
amounts of aluminum sulfate in the lake to help get
rid of the algae. Overall, this has been a costly effort
that has yet to fully solve this immense problem. This
project will showcase the change in fish populations in
Grand Lake St. Mary’s over time, to portray any
changes or trends that have occurred.
“Classical Marxism and Communication: An Analysis
Including Modern Application and Alternative
Theoretical Perspectives”
Paper, Noon Conf. Rm. 7
Presenter: Aaron M. Spence (Celina, OH)
Research Advisor: Robert Carrothers (Psychology,
Sociology, and Criminal Justice, ONU)
In modern times, revolutions in communication
technology have paved the way for the exchange of
ideas to become easier than ever before: through the
use of technological advances in the field of wireless
electronics, communication has become effortless,
more people can be contacted, is now cheaper, and is
now instantaneous.
In order to identify how these institutions have
changed the way they operate, sociological theorists
attempt to observe unifying traits across a society over
time, and seek to realize the balance of the properties
of order and action within a society. It is for this
reason that it is prominent to compare social elements
to both new and old sociological theories, and one of
the most significant advocates of worldwide
unification in any context is theorist Karl Marx. Marx
posits that a universal unification is essential to reach
an ideal society, which will require worldwide
communication. Therefore, it becomes necessary to
observe how communication fits in Marx's theory, how
it currently operates in modern society, how it could
possibly be adapted or translated to work with Marx's
theory, and also how both flaws in implementation and
the theory itself might inhibit societal development, or
how such could be improved upon.'
“Characterization of Mullein Extracts and
Antimicrobial Effects against Ear Infections”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Adriana M. Jones (Mentor, OH); Kalie
Gargano (Hermitage, PA)
Research Advisors: VA Motz, LM Young, (Biological and
Allied Health Sciences, ONU)
Additional Researchers: CP Bowers (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU), DH Kinder (Pharmaceutical and
Biomedical Sciences, ONU)
Common Mullein (Verbascusm thapsus L.) was
introduced from Europe to North America in the
1700’s as a fish toxin to aid in fishing. The leaves have
been and continue to be used to treat a variety of
respiratory problems. The Cherokee infused the
flowers in oil to treat children’s earaches, and they are
used similarly by herbalists today but have not been
adequately documented by the scientific community.
This study investigated the efficacy of mullein flower
extracts in inhibiting growth of Streptococcus
pneumoniae, the most common causative agent of ear
aches and compared this activity to antibiosis against
bacteria not specifically associated with earaches.
Further, extracts were analyzed by GC/MS to determine
which constituents could account for antimicrobial
activity. Kirby Bauer testing of hexane extracts
exhibited no antibiosis. Ethanolic and hot methanolic
“Core Measures for the New Graduate”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Kimberly M. Bowman (Wooster, OH)
Research Advisor: Susan Montenery (Nursing, ONU)
Core measures are evidence-based, scientifically
researched standards of care, which have been shown
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to result in improved clinical outcomes. Core
measures reduce mortality and morbidity,
complications, and readmissions back into the
hospital. For this capstone project, senior nursing
students in a baccalaureate program were evaluated on
their knowledge and understanding of core measures
using a pretest-posttest model. After surveying the
class, a learning need regarding core measures was
confirmed. An educational intervention was provided
in the form of a PowerPoint, discussing each core
measure in depth, and showing the significance of core
measures in the health care setting. A simplified
version of the core measures was also given to each
student in a worksheet form to be used as a study tool
as they enter into professional practice. All students
increased their knowledge and comprehension of core
measures after the education intervention. The results
of this study can be used to integrate further
education and reinforcement of core measures within
the curriculum.
“Determining Stress-induced Heart Rate and
Respiration Rate of Electronic vs. Physical Game
Playing”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Kirsten Maag (Ottawa, OH); Dominique
McKee (Cleveland Heights, OH); Natalia Buczkowski
(Rocky River, OH); Leannyn Rotert (Mentor, OH)
Research Advisors: V Motz, R Suniga, N Woodley
(Biological and Allied Health Sciences, ONU)
American society relies heavily on technology.
Academic institutions of all levels are moving towards
using more electronic books for students, as opposed
to typical textbooks. The impact of increased
electronic interactivity on stress levels has not been
fully studied. This study examined whether additional
stress is added by playing the same strategy game in
virtual format compared to physical format. Heart
rates and respiratory rates of five females and five
males were measured for thirty minutes of game play
on both versions of the game Rush Hour. Participants
were asked to indicate their perceived stress levels
before and after game play and the amount of time
normally spent on the computer to assess comfort
with computer activities. No significant difference in
HR or RR was observed during play as analyzed by
repeated measure ANOVA and nor in virtual vs.
physical game play by paired t-tests at α = 0.05. In the
administered survey, female participants reported
higher perceived stress levels than males and none
spent less than one hour per day on a computer.
Although previous surveys have reported participants
preferred the physical format of the material, subjects
in this study have reported to prefer the computer.
“Custom-developed Reverse-phase HPLC Method for
Simultaneous Quantification of Vitamins C and K3 in
Compounded Capsules”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Mohamad Hassoun (Hamilton, Canada)
Research Advisor: Yousif Rojeab (Pharmaceutical and
Biomedical Sciences, ONU)
Additional Researcher: Deirdre Myers
Efficient, selective, rugged, simple and sensitive
isocratic RP-HPLC method for simultaneous
quantification of vitamins C and K3 was developed and
validated. This method consisted of UV-detection at
254 nm and RP-C18 column. Mobile phase consisted of
50% methanol, 49% water and 1% glacial acetic acid, at
flow rate of 1 mL/min. Injection volume (100 µL)
consisted of varied concentrations of both vitamins
(0.5 – 50 µg/mL) mixed with vitamin E (internal
standard) in 1:1:2 volume ratio. Clear baseline
resolution was achieved for all three compounds with
retention times of 1.9, 3.3 and 4.3 min for vitamins C,
K3 and E, respectively. The method exhibited excellent
linearity over the entire concentration range for both
vitamins with R2 of ≥ 0.9991. Intra-day (n = 6) accuracy
ranged from 92.24 – 101.97% and 99.39 – 106.70% for
vitamins C and K3, respectively, while those for the
inter-day assays (n = 12) ranged from 96.88 – 99.08%
and 91.67 – 100.38%. This HPLC method was
successfully implemented in quantification of vitamins
C and K3 in compounded capsules containing the two
ingredients to ensure content uniformity. These
capsules were administered orally in a clinical trial
aimed at evaluating any beneficial effect(s) of this
vitamin mixture on postoperative total joint
arthroplasty.
“Development of a New Class of Phospine Ligands
from Biorenewable Sources”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Haley Armstrong (Sylvania, OH)
Research Advisor: Bradley Wile (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU)
A new class of phosphine ligands derived from
naturally occurring aromatic alcohols is presented.
Characterization using 1H and 31P NMR, IR
spectroscopy, and gas chromatography is included.
Potential applications include a greener production of
polymers.
“Downtown Columbus Streetscape”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Andrew Thomas Crozier (Ada, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
The city of Columbus has undergone a recent revival of
urban renewal efforts in the downtown region in the
last 13 years. One of the major components of the city
government’s redevelopment plans is the updating of
roads in the downtown core. This is being
accomplished by the Columbus Downtown Streetscape
Plan. The plan was adopted in June, 2000 and is still
being implemented. A geographic information system
is used to map the progress of the implementation of
the streetscape plan and includes what was done to the
streets to bring them in line with the new design
requirements. The project identifies streets that have
been converted from one way to two way,
implementation of green street designs, added
greenery, and the addition of granite curbs and bike
lanes.
“Deficient Bridges in Ohio”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Mitchell W. Gibson (Leipsic, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
American bridges have continued to become deficient
throughout the years. Bridge deterioration will
continue to worsen over the year and eventually
drastic measures will need to be taken to reverse the
problem. This research looks at the number of bridges
in Ohio that are deficient and compares them to the
age of the bridge as well as the annual daily traffic in
the surrounding area. Historical bridges are also
included in the research.
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“Effectiveness of an Educational Unit in Phlebotomy”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Ashley R. Baumer (Wapakoneta, OH)
Research Advisor: Lisa Walden (Nursing, ONU; Wyandot
Memorial Hospital, ONU)
“Effect of Extracellular Potassium on Frog Muscle
Contraction Force”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Adriana M. Jones (Mentor, OH); Lauryn
Zielinski (Springboro, OH); Lena Carlson (Perrysburg,
OH); Kalie Gargano (Hermitage, PA)
Research Advisors: V Motz, R Suniga, N Woodley
(Biological and Allied Health Sciences, ONU)
With today's budget cuts, small hospitals are leaning
more on current employees to cross-train and work in
multiple departments. This poses the need for on-thejob training. I have developed a phlebotomy training
module to aid in training current hospital employees
to draw blood if hiring full-time phlebotomists is not
feasible. The module will consist of power point
sessions that include reading, pictures, audio, and
video demonstrations to teach the basic art of
phlebotomy. It is meant to be paired with practicing
the techniques between sessions as set forth by
hospital protocol.
The test subjects will consist of eight individuals
from the Professional Association of Medical
Laboratory Students group at Ohio Northern
University. These students range from ages 18-22, and
they have no prior phlebotomy knowledge. In order to
evaluate the effectiveness of the training module, the
test participants will be given a pre- and postassessment on basic venipuncture procedures. The
results of the two quizzes will be compared, making
the module's success measurable. The end goal of this
presentation is to provide adequate training for any
healthcare professional to master the basic techniques
of phlebotomy.
Muscle cramps are painful, sustained muscle
contractions commonly experienced by individuals
following exercise. Potassium ions play a critical role
both in establishing resting membrane potential and in
repolarizing skeletal muscle membrane following
action potential. This effects calcium release leading to
skeletal muscle contraction. This study investigated
the effects of normal, excess, and deficient
concentrations of extracellular potassium on the force
of contraction of frog gastrocnemius muscles (n=3).
Following fatigue in standard Krebs buffer, isolated
gastrocnemius muscles were submerged in baths with
oxygenated (95% O2, 5% CO2) modified Krebs solutions
(normal, high, and low potassium) and stimulated via
the sciatic nerve using a handheld stimulator at 25 Hz
until fatigued. Muscles were stimulated at the voltage
of pre-fatigue maximal force and post-fatigue force
was recorded. Both higher and lower concentrations
of extracellular potassium resulted in significantly
decreased post-fatigue contractile force (ANOVA
p<0.05). Possible explanations include changes in
refractory period decreasing likelihood of restimulation or decreased tissue responsiveness in
second fatigue cycle. The findings of the study do not
support high potassium diets as prevention of exercise
associated muscle cramping. Follow up studies should
test force at altered concentration prior to normal
concentration to better reflect dietary influence.
“Effects of Various Linker Moieties in Porphyrin
Polymers for Use in Organic Photovoltaic Devices: A
Computational Investigation”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Zachary L. Dunn (Harrod, OH)
Research Advisor: Trilisa Perrine (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU)
Additional Researchers: Morgan Hammer, Ashley Ernst,
Benjamin Topham
“Effective Nursing Communication and Improving
Patient Satisfaction Scores”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Brent Kramp (Mt. Vernon, OH)
Research Advisor: Susan Montenery (Nursing, ONU; ICU
Stepdown Floor, St. Rita's Medical Center, ONU)
Solar energy is one major area of research in the
alternative energy field. Current photovoltaic devices
are based upon silicon, but they are rather expensive
to produce. If photovoltaic devices were instead based
upon organic materials, they would be more cost
effective to produce; the stumbling block here is
developing organic photovoltaic devices that are as
efficient as their silicon counterparts. One class of
organic molecules that is showing promise in this area
is polymers based upon porphryin, due to the fact that
porphyrin molecules are capable of absorbing light in
the visible region of the EM spectrum and their
extended π-conjugated systems allow for good
electron transport pathways. In this study, a series of
porphyrin oligomers for use in organic photovoltaic
(OPV) devices were studied with a variety of linker
moieties between the porphyrin rings, many of which
are based on pnictogen and chalcogen heterocycles.
The electronic properties of these porphyrin oligomers
were studied computationally using density functional
theory with the B3LYP functional and the LANL2DZ
basis set. An optimal oligomer would be one which
has a minimal HOMO-LUMO gap while retaining
delocalization in these orbitals. These criteria were
used in order to optimize the wavelengths and amount
of incident light the OPV devices absorb. Trends within
groups and across periods were evident and arsole (an
arsenic based heterocycle) was found to exhibit the
best properties. Additional promising organic
polymers were also explored.
Effective communication is an essential component of
nursing care. A goal on 4K, the ICU
stepdown/telemetry floor, at St. Rita’s Hospital is to
improve patient satisfaction scores. Providing
detailed explanations of patient care to the patients
and their families can decrease anxiety related to being
hospitalized and raise satisfaction scores. The method
for this project is to talk with patients about all of the
care that they are receiving. Sometimes nurses forget
to explain everything that they are doing and why they
are doing it. Explaining little components of care such
as obtaining vital signs and restricted diets and the
more intrusive aspects of care such as invasive
treatments and procedures will help patients
understand their plan of care better. Patients who
were being discharged were surveyed about their
hospital stay. These surveys provided insight into
whether or not more effective communication leads to
better satisfaction scores. These surveys also revealed
detailed information about how nurses could better
care for patients in order to receive higher satisfaction
scores. Overall patients who were better informed
about their care, regardless of their disease state or
condition, were more appreciative and satisfied with
their hospital stay.
- 13 -
rehabilitation had to be reverted back to initial stages.
The orthopedist recommended a combination
conservative rehabilitation of the ACL and quad tendon
grafts. Athlete is now 13 months post quad tendon
reconstruction and 15 months post ACL reconstruction
.Rehab is still in progress. Athlete has been slowly
improving with each rehabilitation session.
Discussion: Different ACL and quad tendon
rehabilitation protocols have been extensively
researched and compared independently. Little
research has been done in combination situations.
Case report casts an overview of the rehabilitation
process and specific contraindications involved with a
combination ACL tear and quad tendon rupture.
“Engineering Employment: Past, Present, and Future”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Kyle J. Wrentmore (Mayfield Heights, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
With the recent dramatic employment drop across the
United States over the previous 5 years, many people
are searching for the strongest industries that can
withstand recession. Engineering, specifically civil,
mechanical, electrical, computer, and computer
science, has been shown to be one of these industries.
An investigation of the locations of these employment
opportunities may be displayed using current
geographical information system technology. This
project investigates and compares engineering
employment in the United States of the past, present,
and future.
“Exploring School District Performance in Ohio”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: James R. Montgomery (Ashtabula, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
“Environmental Threats to National Parks”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Lucas Erickson (Lima, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (Biological and Allied
Health Sciences, ONU)
In recent years, the United States government has
become more and more concerned with enhancing the
performance of public schools. With the rise in
popularity and availability of online resources, parents
of school-age children have also become increasingly
concerned with the issue. School districts are usually
rated based on standardized test scores and
graduation rates of their students but there are a
multitude of factors that influence these performance
levels, such as local crime rates, economic status, and
even environmental conditions. This study identifies
the factors that have the greatest influence on Ohio
school district performance to determine why some
districts show results that differ significantly from
those in their immediate area.
In recent history, humans have become aware of the
negative ways in which we threaten the environment.
High profile species like the emerald ash borer have
brought awareness to the risks posed by invasive
species, industrializing nations such as China and
India are highlighting the problems caused by
pollution, and constant media attention in the past
decade has brought attention to the risks of global
climate change. In return, efforts have been made to
preserve and restore natural environments. One effort
to do so is the United States National Parks Service,
which protects areas around the country. However, it
can be difficult to protect against many environmental
threats, as they can travel far from their sources. My
research analyzes national parks in the eastern United
States to see the extent that they are affected by
factors such as invasive species and pollution to
determine how well they are protected.
“Guinness: Where to Acquire ‘the Black Stuff’”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: David Kauffman (Wadsworth, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
During a recent family excursion to Ireland, my taste
buds were introduced to a most wonderful local
beverage: Guinness. Any pub I went to I was sure I
could get a pint of this delectable brew, but in the
States it is another story. Guinness’s popularity has
grown in the States over the past years, but it still is
not the easiest of imports to find. The goal of this
project is to locate where one can get a hold of “the
black stuff.”
“Examination of Rehabilitation Protocol for
Quadriceps Tendon Rupture following ACL
Reconstruction via Patellar Tendon Graft”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Jeremy Jones (Beavercreek, OH); Rachael
Graham (Lima, OH)
Research Advisor: Kurt Wilson (Human Performance
and Sport Sciences, ONU)
“Gun Control and the Second Amendment”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Brad Nungester (Harrod, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (Psychology, Sociology,
and Criminal Justice, ONU)
Purpose: Looking at a conservative rehabilitation
program to help an individual who suffered a quad
tendon rupture during the course of his ACL
rehabilitation.
Case Description: A 23-year-old male soccer player
suffered a left knee injury on November 16th, 2011.
The athlete landed on his left knee, rotated, and heard
a pop within his knee. Following evaluation, athletic
trainer did not believe the ACL to be torn. Initial x-ray
came back negative. The MRI followed, which indicated
left ACL tear and meniscus involvement. On February
14, 2012 suffered secondary knee injury. He was going
down the stairs of his house, fell, and rotated his left
knee. MRI was repeated and showed ruptured left
quadriceps tendon. Athlete underwent reattachment
surgery.
Outcomes: Athlete was in phase three of the
rehabilitation program. After secondary injury,
Recently throughout the United States there has been
talk and action trying to limit or take away gun rights
all together based on different interpretations of the
Second Amendment. This is being done from city halls
such as Chicago where a city wide gun ban was
attempted all the way to the White House where
President Obama is attempting to enact a nationwide
ban of certain weapons. Actions such as these are
taking guns away from those citizens who hold guns
legally while nothing can be done to stop the illegal
purchasing of firearms. Some politicians feel that
taking guns away from everyone is the only way to
stop the tragic shootings which occurred in Newtown,
- 14 -
Connecticut or Aurora, Colorado. Politicians are taking
the guns away from law abiding citizens who only use
them for personal protection and are declaring open
season for criminals who know that no one else will be
armed when these gun bans are enacted officially.
Legal gun ownership has no effect on gun crime. As my
research will show the answer is in better policing
strategies and less strict gun laws for law abiding
citizens.
people every day. As highway-users, we want our
highways smooth and our traffic free-flowing. Just how
smooth and free-flowing are the highways in
Columbus? Using information provided by the Ohio
Transportation (ODOT), every interstate, U.S., and state
road in Franklin County is analyzed in numerous
categories such as average daily traffic, international
roughness index, speed limit, and functional class.
Geographic information systems (GIS) are used to
display this information in a visual, comprehensible
way that shows the quality of the service that
Columbus highways provide. With these data, areas are
pinpointed that may need the attention of engineering
firms so that they can be improved.
“Hard Times for Children: An Analysis of How
Children Are Portrayed in Dickens’ Hard Times”
Paper, 10:00 a.m. Conf. Rm. 7
Presenter: Gayle L Riedel (New Washington, OH)
Research Advisor: John Paul Kanwit (English, ONU)
“Human Trafficing in Ohio Counties in 2010 and
2011”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: James William Lee (Frankfort, OH); Jordan
Scott Turner (Casstown, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
This presentation looks at the children characters in
Charles Dickens’s novel, Hard Times for These Times,
and various depictions of Victorian Period children,
both in the novel and in artwork of the novel. Hard
Times is traditionally seen as a commentary on
industrialization, but it also has a clear message about
raising children. Critics argue about whether or not
the Victorian Period was the first time that childhood
was viewed as completely separate from adulthood.
This project includes research on the view of
childhood during the Victorian Period, commentary on
Hard Times, and research on illustrations of the novel
and what they can tell a reader of the text. Hard Times
shows how raising children as if they were adults is
incorrect, but does not give a clear alternative to
contemporary readers. The illustrations, both from
Dickens’s contemporaries and more recent artists,
depict children as small adults, regardless of Dickens’s
feelings on the subject, and are products of
stereotypes of the Victorian Period.
The purpose of this research was to map out human
trafficking calls in Ohio counties from the years 2010
and 2011. The data was from the Polaris Project
website and was inputed into a geographical
information systems database and was used to create
the map. The results indicated that more populated
cities and towns by larger highways and interstates
had more calls placed. Implications for increasing
awareness for the problem of human trafficking in
Ohio.
“Identification of ‘Silent’ 5HT1b Receptors in the
Mouse Aorta”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Paige M. Garber (Cincinnati, OH)
Research Advisor: Boyd Rorabaugh (Pharmaceutical
and Biomedical Sciences, ONU)
Additional Researcher: Nathaniel Mabe
“HCAHPS: It Takes Everyone”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Brooks M. Bukowy (North Canton, OH)
Research Advisor: Susan Montenery (Nursing, ONU;
5200A, Akron General Medical Center)
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a
neurotransmitter known to play a role in modulating
vascular tone. The actions of serotonin are mediated
by13 different types of serotonin receptors. Previous
studies have demonstrated that some blood vessels
express “silent” 5-HT1 receptors that are not coupled
to contraction of vascular smooth muscle under basal
conditions but are coupled to contraction if the tissue
has been previously precontracted with a
nonserotonergic stimulus. The mouse aorta is
commonly used as a model to study the effects of
neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate
vascular function. Previous work has demonstrated
that serotonin-induced contraction of the aorta is
mediated primarily by 5-HT2A receptors. However, it
is unclear whether 5-HT1B receptors contribute to this
response. The goal of this study was to determine
whether 5-HT1 receptors are coupled to contraction in
the mouse aorta. We found that serotonin-induced
contraction of the aorta is blocked by a 5-HT2Aselective antagonist (M100907) confirming that 5-HT2A
receptors are coupled to serotonin-induced contraction
of the aorta. CP93129 (5HT1B receptor-selective
agonist) alone induced no contractile response in the
aorta. However, CP93129 produced a robust
contractile response in aortas that were partially
precontracted with either phenylephrine or potassium
chloride. This effect was blocked by GR55562, a 5HT1B receptor antagonist. These data demonstrate
that serotonin-induced contraction of the mouse aorta
The HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of
Healthcare Providers and Systems) is a standardized
survey given to patients after stays in hospital that
accept government funding. Its purpose is to supply
public data to consumers about important aspects of
hospitals’ care. At Akron General Medical Center, on
unit 5200A, medication communication is one of the
lowest scoring topic areas. To improve this, a teaching
intervention was presented to the unit and also to
senior baccalaureate nursing students at Ohio
Northern University about this topic area. A basic
medication flyer including medication group types (e.g.
antibiotics, steroids, pain medications), expected
therapeutic results, side effects, and patient
instructions was given out in order to facilitate
improved medication communication. Feedback from
the unit manager and staff was positive and students
reported increased understanding of HCAHPS.
Increased awareness of the HCAHPS is crucial to
increasing patient satisfaction.
“Highway Quality in Franklin County, Ohio”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Ben Ankrom (Circleville, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
Columbus, Ohio is one of the fastest-growing cities in
the state. Its highways are used by thousands of
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is mediated primarily by the 5-HT2A receptor.
However, 5-HT1B receptors are coupled to aortic
contraction if the tissue has been previously exposed
to a nonserotonergic contractile agent. These data
establish the mouse aorta as a model system to study
the mechanism by which 5-HT1B receptors act in a
synergistic fashion with other contractile stimuli in
vascular smooth muscle.
Presenter: Stephen Pavlock (Wheeling, WV)
Research Advisor: Lisa Walden (Nursing, ONU; Clinical
Laboratory, Blanchard Valley Hospital)
Over 20 million blood components are transfused in
the United States annually. In 2011, 58 transfusionrelated fatalities were reported; 50% of which were
directly caused by human error. In an effort to reduce,
if not eliminate, transfusion-related errors at the
patient bedside, mechanical barriers are sometimes
used. These devices lock the bag containing blood
products designated for transfusion, and the lock can
only be opened using a unique code that is found on
the patient’s transfusion wristband. The BloodLoc
Safety System has been in use for 12 years in a 150bed hospital in NW Ohio. In this study, the Typenex
FinalCheck was tested as a possible replacement for
the BloodLoc. The FinalCheck was tested on 20
patients in the Infusion Therapy Department using the
normal hospital transfusion procedure, but the
FinalCheck was used in place of the BloodLoc. Nurses
and laboratory technicians were then surveyed on the
usability of the FinalCheck. A cost-analysis was also
done to determine feasibility of replacement. All
surveyed nurses and laboratory technicians stated they
preferred the FinalCheck over the BloodLoc and found
it easier to use. The cost per unit was also lower for
the FinalCheck than the BloodLoc.
“Identifying a Component of Thyme Extractions
through GC-MS Characterization”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Michael Herman (Leesville, OH)
Research Advisor: Christopher Bowers (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU)
In previous studies at Ohio Northern University, GC-MS
analyses of ethanol extracts of locally grown thyme
plants showed an unexpected component. While not
conclusively identified, the presence of this component
did not appear to be generally reported in the existing
literature. Current work is focused on verifying that
this component is actually present in the thyme leaves
and not an artifact formed during sample preparation.
Additional effort is directed toward conclusive
identification of this component via the synthesis of
candidate compounds.
“Imine Ligands Appended to a Polyethylene Glycol
Framework”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Lindsay C. Wiener (Cincinnati, OH)
Research Advisor: Bradley Wile (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU)
“Infection Precautions”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Angela Grebetz (Oceanside, CA)
Research Advisor: Susan Montenery (Nursing, ONU;
Intensive Care Unit, Kindred Healthcare Lima)
Progress towards the synthesis of a series of new
ligands featuring a PEG moiety is described. These
ligands are intended for use in supporting transition
metal complexes for aqueous-phase catalysis and
recycling.
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is the
family of superbugs that has emerged and is affecting
patients, families, and health professionals. This leads
to increased costs on all fronts. Universal precautions
are critical in protecting all involved. This capstone
project focuses on researching the different types of
isolation equipment used, and rationale. The goal of
this project is to create a handout for healthcare
professionals, patients, and their families specifically
in the intensive care setting. It will be available at the
nurses’ station as well as provided to patients and
families upon admittance. It will contain information
about CRE as well as education about preventing the
spread of infection. CRE infections typically occur with
patients dependent on ventilators, use of urinary
catheters, IV catheters, as well as those on long-term
treatments of antibiotics. Due to CRE infections being
very difficult to treat, as well as posing as the biggest
threat to patient safety, it is important that those who
are in the ICU setting be educated in the prevention of
these types of infections.
“Improving Isolation Education for Patients and
Families”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Daniel Cory Peeples (Edon, OH)
Research Advisor: Susan Montenary and Robin White
(Nursing, ONU; Adult Intermediate Care Floor,
Promedica Toledo Hospital)
Infection control is an essential component in
healthcare. Nurses and healthcare providers must
adhere to isolation precautions in order to prevent the
spread of disease to other patients. In addition, family
members must be educated on isolation measures to
reduce transmission as well as reduce anxiety. In
speaking with nursing staff and the unit manager at
Toledo Hospital, families and patients have questions
about isolation and the nursing staff has not
consistently been providing written teaching materials.
Research was conducted on the different types of
isolation, and a teaching project was designed to
provide patients and families with important
information about isolation. Feedback on the new
educational handout was provided by nursing staff and
the unit manager. This handout has been provided to
the facility with plans to gain approval for
implementation.
“Interest and Instruction: Improving College
Students’ Sleep Hygiene”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Amanda Kathryn Amstutz (Bluffton, OH);
Hayley O'Hara (Painesville, OH)
Research Advisor: Megan M. Clegg-Kraynok
(Psychology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice, ONU)
Introduction: College students often report poor sleep,
which has negative implications for their everyday
mood, academic performance, and overall health. The
best way to improve sleep is to routinely engage in
good sleep habits, such as maintaining a regular
bedtime and a comfortable sleeping area. The purpose
of this study was to examine the relation of sleep-
“Improving Transfusion Safety Using Mechanical
Barriers: A Comparative Study of the BloodLoc Safety
System and Typenex FinalCheck”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
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specific instruction and interest in such instruction
with utilization of good sleep hygiene.
Method: As part of a 15-week sleep-specific course for
incoming freshmen, students completed a survey
asking participants to report frequency of days they
engaged in good sleep habits, such as maintain a
regular bed time and avoiding caffeine, during an
average week. At the beginning of the study,
participants also ranked how interested they were in
learning about sleep. Participants (N=20) were
primarily female (n=18) and white (n=17).
Results: A repeated-measures ANOVA demonstrated
that participants’ engagement in good sleep habits
improved over the 15-week period
(Mtime1=36.48,Mtime2=41.58,Mtime3=41.88,Mtime4=4
4.10) [F(3,17)=8.806;p=.001]. Furthermore, a repeatedmeasures ANOVA assessing the relation between
interest (categorized as low and high) and frequency of
good sleep habits indicated a main effect of interest,
such that those with moderate interest in sleep
reported more good sleep habits (M=44.28) than those
with high interest (M=39.24) [F(3,
16)=7.462;p=.002;d=2.14].
Conclusion: Participant sleep hygiene improved over
the duration of the study suggesting college students,
at risk for poor sleep hygiene, benefit from education
about the science of sleep. Moreover, participants with
moderate interest in learning about sleep reported
more good sleep habits than those with high interest,
suggesting that high interest participants might have
pre-existing sleep difficulties, triggering their interest,
but that education improves sleep habits. As
universities work to improve quality of students’ lives
and performance, sleep education should be
considered an impactful and cost-effective intervention
to implement early in students’ academic careers.
dibrominated product. Even though bromine is a
volatile and highly corrosive liquid, this reaction has
continued to be implemented resulting in several
minor burns to students even with the implementation
of new safety procedures. The removal of bromine
would solve the safety problems encountered with this
reaction.
Several alternative methods for brominating
double bonds without the use of liquid bromine such
as generating bromine in situ from hydrobromic acid
and using pyridinium tribromide as the bromine
source have been investigated but they still pose
hazards for the students and laboratory assistants.
Another approach to the replacement of bromine
is the use of the commercially available, solid,
relatively safe, bromine-equivalent reagent Nbromosuccinimide. This reagent can be used to
develop an experiment that would help students better
understand the reaction mechanism of haloether
formation. We have developed and optimized the
reaction with N-bromosuccinimide and trans-cinnamic
acid using sulfuric acid and methanol to generate the
haloether product with formidable yields.
“Know What You Are Up Against with RSV”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Kelli Lynch (Lexington, KY)
Research Advisor: Susan Montenery (Nursing, ONU;
Pediatrics, Lima Memorial Hospital)
Many parents in the clinical setting are unaware of
what Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is and how
severe it can be. RSV can be what nurses describe as a
“cold” or it could also put an infant in respiratory
distress and require intubation. Some parents may
have had previous experience, while others may be
experiencing RSV for the first time. The purpose of
this project is to design a pamphlet for parents to
receive upon admission with RSV so they may be more
aware of what may occur during the hospital stay. The
pamphlet was refined after collaborating with pediatric
staff and the unit manager at Lima Memorial Hospital.
As a result of the educational initiative, parents can be
more prepared and comfortable with what might
happen.
“Internet Fraud Victimization”
Paper, Noon Conf. Rm. 7
Presenters: Andrew Gray (Bellefontaine, OH); James
Call (Miamisburg, OH); Holly J. Evans (Independence,
OH)
Research Advisor: Keith Durkin (Psychology, Sociology,
and Criminal Justice, ONU)
The purpose of this research is to examine the
applicability of the General Theory of Crime
(Gottfredson and Hirschi, 1990) to victimization in
Internet job scams involving money mules. The six
basic characteristics of low self-control are used to
analyze victimization. A preliminary qualitative
analysis of statements made by individuals who have
fallen victim to these Internet scams is reported. These
results suggest that preference for simple tasks, paired
with risk seeking and impulsive behaviors, are
potential causes of this phenomenon. Implications of
the findings for the broader phenomenon of Internet
fraud victimization are discussed.
“Measurement of Plasma Sheath Using Dust”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Thomas E. Steinberger (Ada, OH)
Research Advisor: Terrence Sheridan (Physics and
Astronomy, ONU)
Plasma is an electrically conducting gas made of
ionized atoms and electrons. The plasma sheath is the
boundary layer separating the plasma from a material
surface. In plasma processing, energy that ions gain in
the sheath is used to modify materials such as silicon,
creating electronic devices like iPhones. We present
the results of experiments in the Dusty O.N.U.
experimenT (D.ONU.T) measuring properties of the
plasma sheath using microscopic dust motes.
“Investigation of a Safe, Efficient Method of
Haloether Synthesis Derived from Trans-cinnamic
Acid”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Aaron J. Sullivan (Louisville, OH)
Research Advisor: Brian Myers (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU)
Additional Researcher: Laura Allen
“Myths and Realities: Are ONU Students Logically
Consistent in Their Political Beliefs?”
Paper, 10:00 a.m. Conf. Rm. 7
Presenter: John Alexander Curiel (Crystal Lake, IL)
Research Advisor: Rebecca Brooks (Psychology,
Sociology, and Criminal Justice; Institute for Social
Research, ONU)
For a number of years, students taking organic
chemistry at Ohio Northern University have routinely
completed the reaction of trans-cinnamic acid with
bromine in carbon tetrachloride to produce the solid
Political science research establishes party
identification as a stable “unmoved mover” which acts
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as the lens through which we view the world. However,
the significance of party identification on opinion
formation in college students is not as well known.
Critics often condemn party identification as an
obstacle to knowledge and uphold Independents as the
wise voter. Further, many speculate that since Ohio
Northern is located in a Republican area, students are
overwhelmingly Republican. We convenience group
sampled 232 students with a 34 question survey to
determine ONU’s political affiliation, political opinions
and the validity of the above claims. We found that
students are primarily Republican, although not to the
level students speculated, along with statistically
significant differences between party groups. Further,
our research shows that sampled Republicans, not
Democrats, demonstrated correlations on political
issues and as a whole more opinionated. However,
Republicans were more likely to form opinions that
were not logically consistent to each other.
Independents on the other hand proved more likely
than Democrats but less likely than Republicans to
form opinion pairs, although the existing pairs were
logically consistent. When applied to knowledge on
current events, similar patterns emerged to
demonstrate significant effects of party identification.
particularly attractive class of natural polymers are
those derived from cyclic monoterpenes as they are
expected to display desirable thermal properties due to
the presence of the cyclohexane ring in the polymer
backbone. Despite the use of terpenes in some
commercial products, many of the materials obtained
from the cationic polymerization of these monomers
are not well defined often leading to poor mechanical
properties; however, the recent renaissance in living
carbocationic polymerization has made the production
of materials with higher molecular weights and lower
polydispersities possible. Our research has tested
conditional methods in order to optimize the
polymerization process of beta-Pinene, a chemically
green monomer. Through optimizing the
polymerization process, we hope to grow a living
polymer chain that can be used for additional
application. The ultimate goal of the research
described herein is to produce polymers from
renewable resources that are attractive alternatives to
materials obtained from petrochemical sources.
“Origins of Popular Music”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Garret Freeman (Lafayette, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
“Obesity: Is McDonald's to Blame?”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Brian C. Klingenberg (Logan, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
Many people enjoy experiencing artistic entertainment
in one manner or another. This may be in the form of
books, movies, or in many cases music. The music
industry is a multi-million dollar organization and
brings many of the world’s best artists to light and in
turn entertains people all over the world. If you ask
anybody who their favorite musical artist or band is,
you would be able to get a response from a majority of
the people asked. If you were to pose a few more
questions about the person’s favorite artist, it is likely
that they could provide some sort of background
information pertaining to the artists. This shows a
deeper interest in the artist than just merely the songs
that they create. This project presents some
information such as genre, origin, albums sold and
various rankings from respected musical authorities.
The spatial analysis shows how these artists relate to
each other in terms of location, genre, and popularity.
This will be able to show geographically the most
musically influential areas of the world in each genre
and as a whole as well.
The fast food industry is very popular because it is
easy to swing by a McDonald’s or Taco Bell on the way
to work, school, or if you are out and about. Everyone
knows that the three most important parts of real
estate is location, location, location. The goal of this
project will show a relationship between obesity and
income per county to McDonald’s per county, if any. In
addition to this map, a map will show the distribution
of McDonald’s in relation to highways and cities.
“Occupy Wall Street and Its Connection to Marxism
and NeoWeberian Theory”
Paper, Noon Conf. Rm. 7
Presenter: Morgan Storm Humphrey (Shawnee, OH)
Research Advisor: Robert Carrothers (Psychology,
Sociology, and Criminal Justice, ONU)
Occupy Wall Street was established as a revolt against
the capitalistic society in which our world is emerged.
My paper looks at OWS connection to Karl Marx' theory
of class consciousness, revolution and the end result
of communism, if successful. I will then compare and
contrast OWS to a theorist whose focus is on
NeoWeberian theory. The paper was produced through
research on articles about OWS and Karl Marx. The
hoped for result is to decide whether OWS will end in a
communist revolt or diminish into oblivion without the
proper support.
“OTO Care: Educating Future Providers to Improve
Patient Care”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Alicia Marie Palivoda (Parma, OH)
Research Advisor: Susan Montenery (Nursing, ONU)
Many nursing students do not have much exposure to
OTO (otolaryngology) care and lack the knowledge and
confidence to care for these patients. For my capstone
project, I presented information to senior nursing
students in the baccalaureate program on this type of
post-operative care. While every facility will have its
own policy and protocol, there will be similarities.
This type of care involves frequent monitoring of vital
signs, site checks, and providing detailed education to
patients. Upon completion of the project, a survey was
distributed to assess student’s self-report of the
teaching-learning activity. Results were positive. The
educational module will be provided to the unit
manager at University Hospital, Cleveland to use for
any nursing students caring for patients requiring OTO
“Optimization of Cationic Polymerization Mechanism
for a Chemically Green Monomer: β-Pinene in
Conjunction with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4]”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Stephanie N. Moore (N Olmsted, OH)
Research Advisor: Amelia Anderson-Wile (Chemistry
and Biochemistry, ONU)
Due to rising prices and depleting supplies of
petroleum, the production of materials from renewable
resources is becoming increasingly important. A
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care and any other hospital staff that might use this
information.
Several factors specific to the Salem witch trials made
them much larger than all the other witch trials that
occurred in colonial America. If these factors had not
been present, the trials in Salem would have stopped
sooner and fewer people would have died. They
include recent wars with Native Americans, the
revocation of the colonial charter, extreme social
turmoil, and the failure of the Phips expedition.
However, one factor that pushed the Salem witch trials
to extremes was the influence of Puritan the ministers.
Examination of the thinking and behavior of the
ministers who were involved in the Salem witch hunt
indicates that their influence contributed decisively to
their larger, all-encompassing character. The residents
of colonial Massachusetts were searching for someone
to blame for their troubles. The outbreak of witch
accusations in Salem gave Puritan ministers, especially
Cotton Mather, an opening to direct them toward
witchcraft as the underlying source of their problems.
The direct and active involvement of Puritan ministers
in the Salem trials enlarged, intensified, and extended
them to a scope and scale unseen in any other witch
proceeding in colonial America.
“Pollution and Watersheds in Ohio”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Amber Goforth (Somerset, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (Biological and Allied
Health Sciences, ONU)
Pollution is known to be excessively present in today’s
society and can be seen to negatively affect the
environment. This study will be looking at one aspect
of the environment in particular, watersheds in Ohio.
For this project GIS technologies will be used to see the
location of several pollution sources and the
relationship to water discharge and quality of the
closest watershed. This will hopefully illustrate the
correlation between sources of pollution such as power
plants and agricultural sources. A decreased water
quality is expected near these sources. Discharge rates
and quality of watersheds that are not close to a
pollution source will be used to compare the qualities
of less polluted watersheds to those that are close to a
pollution source.
“Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Does
Political Money Equal Free Speech?”
Paper, 10:00 a.m. Conf. Rm. 7
Presenter: Adam Downing (Grove City, OH)
Research Advisors: JoAnn Scott and Robert Alexander
(History, Politics, and Justice, ONU)
“Preparation of New Schiff-base Ligands Using
Thermal Methods and Microwave Irradiation”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Nicholas S. Cosgrove (Pontiac, IL); Andrew
Bowser (Farmersville, OH)
Research Advisor: Bradley Wile (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU)
With the recent court decisions in Citizens United v.
FEC (2010) and SpeechNow.org v. FEC (2010), the issue
of campaign financing has become a persistent topic of
discussion in American politics and elections. The
2012 election was characterized by Super PACs and
large quantities of money being distributed to federal
candidates. This paper analyzes the affect that these
court rulings had on the structure of campaign
financing and poses the question: "Does money equal
free speech?" It is predicted that research will show
recent changes to campaign financing support the idea
that money does equal free speech. Implications and
possible negative impacts of this core Constitutional
idea on the American political system will be offered in
this paper.
Progress toward the synthesis of a series of new redoxactive ligands bearing phosphine and sulfide moieties
is described. These ligands are compared to the known
sulfide analogues PMTPM and PBTPM.
“Preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis in the PostOperative Patient”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Alexa Hartman (Jenera, OH)
Research Advisor: Susan Montenery (Nursing, ONU;
Orthopedic and Neurology, Blanchard Valley Health
System)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a dangerous
complication in the post-operative patient. Prevention
is a primary focus by the healthcare team. An evident
knowledge deficit about DVT protocol and medications
was identified in patients. As a result of consultation
with the education director at Blanchard Valley Health
System, an educational brochure was developed to
explore equipment and medications implemented in
the hospital protocol. This teaching tool explains Ted
hose, impulse boots, and sequential devices.
Medications, such as Lovenox and Xarelto were
emphasized, including administration techniques. The
brochure was presented to the education director and
will undergo approval to be distributed to patients and
their families. Above all, this tool emphasizes the
mutual trust between healthcare providers and
patients needed to keep patients safe and compliant
with treatments.
“Quantification of Methanesulfonic Acid”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Elvira Tatarkov (Bluffton, OH)
Research Advisor: Christopher Spiese (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU)
Methanesulfonic acid (MSA) is a sulfur-containing
molecule that has been linked to the global sulfur cycle
by the atmospheric oxidation of dimethylsulfide (DMS),
a trace gas produced by some marine algae. Despite
the fact that it is closely related to DMS and its
precursor dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP),
production of MSA by marine phytoplankton has not
been demonstrated. Previous studies have shown that
MSA is produced indirectly during the oxidation of
DMSP (C. Spiese, unpubl. data). Due to analytical
difficulties, MSA has also not been quantified in either
cells or ocean. This study aims to develop a method to
accurately quantify MSA as its chlorinated derivative
using gas chromatography. To date, MSA has been
successfully extracted from aqueous solution using
tetraheptylammonium hydroxide and derivatized with
thionyl chloride and DMF. Future directions will
include analysis of MSA in marine phytoplankton
cultures and in seawater samples. Ultimately,
“Puritan Ministers: The Driving Force of the Salem
Witch Trials”
Paper, 10:00 a.m. Conf. Rm. 7
Presenter: Lindsey Paige DelBello (Williamsville, NY)
Research Advisor: John Lomax (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
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quantification of MSA and confirmation of its
production by DMSP-producing marine phytoplankton
will enable a better understanding of its role in the
global sulfur cycle.
“Social Media Use by Law Schools and Their
Admissions”
Paper, Noon Wishing Well
Presenter: Alexxys L. Ehresman (Attica, OH)
Research Advisor: Alisa Agozzino (Communication and
Theatre Arts, ONU)
“Religion, the Human Spirit and the Church
Environment”
Paper, Noon Wishing Well
Presenter: Matthew Stephen Rarey (Findlay, OH)
Research Advisor: Alisa Agozzino (Communication and
Theatre Arts, ONU)
The purpose of this study is to continue to look at how
academic institutions are using Facebook as an
admissions tool. Instead of focusing on undergraduate
institutions, the goal of this study is to focus on the
top 5 law schools in the country and recognize if they
use Facebook, what messages are they sending to
applicants and students, and what social presence they
carry.
Architecture influences the ways in which humans
interact during every minute of every day. We move
between homes, office buildings, malls, concert halls,
and schools driving, walking and biking to and from.
Architectural environments from homes or businesses
to whole cities each serve their own purpose and carry
meaning. Many cities in history and even still have
always had one thing in common and that is a worship
place. Every aspect of a church has a purpose. The
direction in which a church faces, where rooms are
located within, pictures, paintings, the number of
candles, crosses or Saints all mean something and have
reason behind them. Humans have no choice but to be
affected by the architectural environment and
symbolism throughout churches. Getting to know how
church attendees relate to the church community as a
whole and their faith can be done through a survey
indicating certain factors within a church environment
and their effect on the attendee’s relations. Results,
still to be determined, will show how much the church
environment influences one’s experience in many
different ways. Understanding how churches affect
human interaction can help further knowledge on a
large scale within communities.
“Spectroscopic Exploration of Intramolecular Charge
Transfer in Cross-conjugated Molecules”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Courtney M. Olson (Hayward, WI)
Research Advisor: Nicole Dickson (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU)
Donor-acceptor cross-conjugated molecules have been
shown to undergo intramolecular charge transfer (ICT).
Fundamental knowledge of the electronic properties of
these molecules will lead to the rational design of
molecular electronics. Determining the effects of the
solvent environment on ICT in donor-acceptor crossconjugated molecules is an important step to using
these molecules for electronics. Emission, excitation,
and absorbance spectra, as well as fluorescence
lifetimes, of 2-(4-cyanophenyl)-3-(4-N,Ndimethylaminophenyl)-butadiene (DAB) and 2,3-bis[4(dimethylamino)phenyl]-1,3-butadiene-1,1,4,4,tetracarbonitrile (DTB) were observed in different
solvent environments. DAB was highly solvent
dependent and formed dimers in solution as
determined by the observation of concentration
dependence in the absorbance spectra and
fluorescence lifetimes. DTB showed no concentration
dependence, but showed solvent dependence in the
absorbance spectra. The molecules, though similar in
structure, showed unique solvent dependence. An
insight into the ICT processes can lead to improved
design of molecular electronics.
“Robotic Football”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Hunter M. Turner (Tipp City, OH); Shawn
Pavel (Delphos, OH); Peter Kleysteuber (Fairborn, OH);
Taylor Zank (Angola, IN); Loren Chase Camp
(Zanesville, OH); Michael Horth (Akron, OH)
Research Advisors: John-David Yoder, Sami Khorbotly
(Smull College of Engineering, ONU)
The 2012-2013 Robotic Football Capstone Team has
designed and created an 10 member team of robots to
compete against Notre Dame in the Mechatronic
Football League.
“Stress Administered Immediately before Learning
Reduces False Memory Production and Enhances
True Memory Recall in Females”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Andrea E. Kalchik (Zanesville, OH); David M.
Peters (Canton, OH); Mackenzie M. Hoffman
(Strongsville, OH); Rachael L. Aufdenkampe (Vermilion,
OH); Kali L. Findley (North Baltimore, OH); Nicholas E.
Wolters (Maria Stein, OH)
Research Advisor: Phillip Zoladz (Psychology,
Sociology, and Criminal Justice, ONU)
Additional Researchers: Sarah A. Woelke, Jeffery N.
Talbot (Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, ONU)
“Robotics Workcell”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Robert Sellers (Waynesville, OH); Abrim
Mueller (Uniontown, OH); Kyle Raber (Wooster, OH);
Katy Newman (Canton, OH); Nathan Albritton (New
Carlisle, OH)
Research Advisors: David Rouch and Steve Fisher
(Technological Studies, ONU)
In our presentation, we were given the task of creating
a workcell. The workcell must contain a robot and
must create something. Our group decided to create a
chess piece. We will be using various processes to
complete this task. The chess piece will be created by a
CNC Lathe and will be transported around the workcell
by the robot. The workcell will run smoothly each and
every time with little to no human interaction. The
entire workcell will run off of a normal wall outlet and
roughly 100 psi of compressed air.
Previous research has suggested that stress increases
the production of false memories. However, as
accumulating work has shown that the effects of stress
on learning and memory depend critically on the
timing of the stressor, we hypothesized that stress
administered immediately prior to learning would
reduce, rather than increase, false memory production.
In the study, participants submerged their dominant
hand in a bath of ice cold water (stress) or sat quietly
(no stress) for 3 min. Then, participants completed a
short-term memory task, in which they were presented
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with 10 different lists of semantically related words
(e.g., candy, sour, sugar) and, after each list, were
tested for their memory of presented words (e.g.,
candy), non-presented unrelated “distractor” words
(e.g., hat), and non-presented semantically related
“critical lure” words (e.g., sweet). Stress, overall,
significantly reduced the number of critical lures
recalled (i.e., false memory) by participants. In
addition, stress enhanced memory for the presented
words (i.e., true memory) in female, but not male,
participants. These findings suggest that stress does
not unequivocally enhance false memory production
and have important implications for eyewitness
testimony by implying that such testimony may be
more accurate when assessed shortly after the
witnessed event.
community through the properties of its surface. The
Au(111) surface, under UHV conditions, reconstructs
into a (22x√3) structure. Nevertheless, even a small
amount of sulfur adsorbed on the Au(111) surface is
enough to lift the reconstruction. As the amount of
adsorbed sulfur increases, a succession of S/Au
structures are formed, as recognized in low-energy
electron diffraction (LEED) patterns. We report on the
LEED computational analysis of one such phase:
(√3x√3)R30º which corresponds, theoretically, to a
0.33ML sulfur coverage. Experimental evidence places
this phase in coexistence with other phases on the Au
substrate, therefore there is little expectation for a
computational LEED investigation to answer the main
question of the actual adsorption site of the atomic
sulfur on the gold substrate. Still, as an exercise in
computational LEED, we investigated several models
for the (√3x√3)R30º structure, testing various
adsorption sites for the sulfur atoms. We also
considered the possibility of sulfur bonding to
additional Au atoms, placed on top of the regular
Au(111) surface, forming Au-S entities.
“Student or Athlete: A Study of the Mentality of
Division III Student Athletes”
Paper, Noon Wishing Well
Presenter: Katelyn A. Jones (Gibsonburg, OH)
Research Advisor: Alisa Agozzino (Communication and
Theatre Arts, ONU)
“Summer 2012 Loggerhead Sea Turtle Nesting and
Environmental Effects”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Brittany A. Bianco (Lima, OH)
Research Advisor: Brian Keas (Biological and Allied
Health Sciences, ONU; Apalachicola National Estuarine
Research Reserve)
ONU Faculty Sponsor: Harry Wilson
The study conducted was used to research the
mentality of Division III student athletes. A focus
group looked at the time student participants allocated
to their education and athletic related events. The
group discussed whether or not student athletes had a
different college experience than non-student athletes
and if they associated their personal college experience
more with their education or varsity sport. Results of
the study will be shared with participants prior to the
conclusion of the study.
In recent years, geographic information systems (GIS)
have been used to illustrate population, elevation, sea
level and other demographics that are applicable to
biological studies. Nesting habits in loggerhead sea
turtles (caretta caretta) are a popular area that marine
biologists study. The reasons in which a female turtle
does or does not nest on a beach are hard to
distinguish; however, the effects of weather, humans,
animals and other factors have a direct effect on the
population dynamics. Loggerhead sea turtles have a
relatively wide nesting distribution with about 67,000
nests being laid along the Florida coast every year.
Since coastal regions have a direct relationship with
the sea and wave activity, the impacts that the abiotic
and biotic factors have on the sea turtle nests is great.
If a nest becomes too wet, the eggs can drown and
never hatch. After a storm, the nest can be washed
away if the beach is eroded, or excess amounts of sand
can be deposited and compacted making it nearly
impossible for the hatchlings to escape. This study
illustrates the effects of high tides on the 2012 nesting
season at St. George Island, Florida.
“Substituent Effects on the Band Gap and Donor
Ability of Porphyrin-Based Systems for Polymeric
OPV Applications”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Morgan A. Hammer (Findlay, OH)
Research Advisor: Trilisa Perrine (Chemistry and
Biochemistry, ONU)
Additional Researchers: Zachary Dunn, Benjamin
Topham
The high expense of silicon-based photovoltaic
materials has driven the design of organic polymeric
alternatives. Starting from an experimentally tested
porphyrin-heterocycle copolymer, we sought to extend
the study of such copolymers through quantum
chemical analysis. A variety of electron-withdrawing
and electron-donating substituents were analyzed for
their impact upon porphyrin HOMO/LUMO gap,
electron distribution, and geometry. Selected
substituents were further tested in conjunction with
heterocyclic linkers to provide preliminary estimates
for conjugation through porphyrin linkers that will be
later probed through electron transport calculations.
Computations were carried out at the density
functional theory (DFT) level of theory using the B3LYP
functional and LANL2DZ basis set.
“Sumo Robot Competition”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Joshua L. Cox (Napoleon, OH); Ethan W.
Frey (Upper Sandusky, OH); Michael R. Hamlin (Dola,
OH)
Research Advisor: Paul Nutter (Technological Studies,
ONU)
“Sulfur Adsorption on Gold: An Exercise in
Computational Low-energy Electron Diffraction”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Ashley Ernst (McHenry, IL); Nathan Grieser
(Springville, NY)
Research Advisor: Mellita Caragiu (Physics and
Astronomy, ONU)
Our project was to create an autonomous robot that is
2ft x 2ft x 2ft and under 50lbs. This robot will be able
to push our opponent out of the ring without going
over the out-of-bounds line, having sensors on top to
detect the opponent, and bottom sensors that will
override the top sensors to keep our robot in bounds.
Gold - one of the less reactive elements in nature - has
recently sparked the interest of the scientific
“The ABC's and 123's of C. difficile”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
- 21 -
Presenter: Jordan Elizabeth Roberts (Loveland, OH)
Research Advisor: Robin White (Nursing, ONU; St. Rita's
Medical Center Pediatric Floor, St. Rita's Medical
Center)
mind. While oftentimes a filmmaker's focus comes
down to the individual soldier, there are underlying, or
even overt statements made regarding the executive,
military, and intelligence community's motives and
actions. It is here in which I seek to compare and
contrast Hollywood's portrayal of these aspects in
intelligence operations today. Specifically, I will be
examining films such as Body of Lies (2008), Green
Zone (2010), and Zero Dark Thirty (2012). In the
course of my research I hope to answer two questions.
First, does Hollywood accurately portray the executive
branch, armed services, and intelligence community in
these films? Second, what are filmmakers hoping to
convey/achieve by their films?
C. difficile is a bacterium that can cause symptoms
ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation
of the colon. The main cause of this diagnosis is from
long term use of antibiotics. This can be a very scary
diagnosis for a parent to hear about their child. In
caring for pediatric patients at St. Rita’s Medical
Center, and educational need was identified in this
area. Parents do not understand the meaning,
treatment, and prognosis for C. diff. The purpose of
this project was to research C. diff and devise a
teaching pamphlet on the important facets of C. diff to
give parents to overcome fears associated with this
diagnosis while providing education on the overall
aspects of C. diff. When recently caring for a patient
who was newly diagnosed with C. diff after being on
long term Clindamycin, which is a very strong
antibiotic, the pediatric floor did not have any
pamphlets or handouts to give to parents educating
them on the aspects of C.diff. When the family
received the news that their son had C. diff, they did
not take the news well because they thought it was an
actual disease. It was my job to explain to them that
this is a diagnosis that is very manageable with certain
medication and their child would not have it for his
entire life. The parents and the child were then able
to settle down and move forward. At the end of my
capstone precepting hours, I gave the education
pamphlet that I constructed to the floor manager of
the pediatric floor, in which her and the other nurses
can provide families of other patients who have this
diagnosis. After the parents have read this pamphlet
educating them the aspects of C.diff, they will be more
informed of what to expect and how to care for their
loved one in the best possible way.
“The Combined Effects of Caffeine and Epinephrine
on Sustained Skeletal Muscle Contraction”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Sarah M. Vore (Washington, PA); Lisa M.
Burns (Fostoria, OH); Sara Kocian (Dayton, OH); Eric
Karr (Valley City, OH); Lauren Rife (North Canton, OH)
Research Advisors: V Motz, R Suniga, N Woodley
(Biological and Allied Health Sciences, ONU)
Caffeine increases calcium release from the
sarcoplasmic reticulum, increasing the force of skeletal
muscle contraction and signaling by epinephrine
triggers an increase in intracellular ATP. This study
examined the combined effects of caffeine and
epinephrine on skeletal muscle contraction as
compared to their individual effects. Isolated frog
gastrocnemius muscles (n=6) were first submerged in
standard Krebs-Ringers solution, then a caffeine
solution (25 ug/mL), while the other complimentary
gastrocnemius muscle was placed in an epinephrine
solution (1 ug/mL), followed by a solution with both
caffeine and epinephrine and stimulated via the sciatic
nerve to produce tetanus. Initial testing indicated that
caffeine increased the tetanic force and decreased the
time to fatigue, epinephrine increased the time to
fatigue, and no additional change in fatigue time was
observed in the presence of both caffeine and
epinephrine. However, due to the small sample size
and large variability, no significant results were
obtained. An increased time to fatigue in the presence
of epinephrine was consistently observed. Although,
this condition was tested using the second leg thus no
conclusions could be drawn; therefore, further
experimentation is needed to determine the
relationship between caffeine and epinephrine and
skeletal muscle contraction.
“The Appeal of Professional Wrestling as Explained
by Durkheim and a Contemporary Theorist”
Paper, Noon Conf. Rm. 7
Presenter: Dylan Michael Montgomery (Shelby, OH)
Research Advisor: Robert Carrothers (Psychology,
Sociology, and Criminal Justice, ONU)
Professional wrestling has become a noticeable force in
not only national media but also global media. As large
and expansive as the fan-base is, the question remains
as to what makes professional wrestling so appealing.
In order to find an explanation, the works and writings
of two sociological theorists were studied (one theorist
from the "classical" era and one from the
"contemporary" era). The works of Emile Durkheim
were chosen to take the classical view on the subject.
In particular, his theory on the elementary forms of
religious life was used to explain how people are
drawn to wrestling as individuals and as a group. Then,
a theorist from the contemporary era of sociology was
chosen to given a modern explanation as to why
people are drawn to professional wrestling.
“The Effect of Tamoxifen and Its Mechanism of
Action on the in situ Heart Rate of Rana Pipiens”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Joshua R. Leichty (Fort Wayne, IN); Haley
Kurmas (Ortonville, MI); Wesley A. Bova (Mentor, OH);
Neal Huang (Houston, TX); Kyle W. Dexter (Hartville,
OH)
Research Advisors: V Motz, R Suniga, N Woodley
(Biological and Allied Health Sciences, ONU)
Tamoxifen is a standard drug used to treat breast
cancer. Tamoxifen is thought to induce bradycardia by
acting on alpha estrogen receptors (ERα) in the SA
node. These receptors are associated with gene
regulated cardioprotective actions. To examine if
Tamoxifen directly affected the heart rate of Rana
pipiens and the mechanism underlying this response,
the contractile force and heart rate of double-pithed
frogs (N=6) were measured via a force transducer data
collection system. Tamoxifen solution (.01mg/cc) was
“The Art of War: Hollywood's Portrayal of American
Intelligence Operations”
Paper, 10:00 a.m. Conf. Rm. 7
Presenter: Steve Saunier (Centerburg, OH)
Research Advisor: Robert Alexander (History, Politics,
and Justice, ONU)
When one thinks of the war film genre, usually the
soldier's perspective is the first aspect to come to
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dripped onto the frog’s heart and heart rate recorded
for 2 minutes. Following washout with Krebs, a
muscarinic blocking agent, atropine (.01mg/cc) was
administered. The heart was washed with Krebs and
the NO synthase blocker (N-nitro-L-arginine Methyl
Ester; .01mg/cc) was administered dropwise. Following
this, Tamoxifen was administered. A final challenge of
acetylcholine (.01mg/cc) was given to obtain a control
for slowed heart rate. Significant bradycardia was
observed in response to Tamoxifen (P< 0.05). This
response was unaffected by muscarinic blockade but
was blocked by the N-nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester,
indicating that bradycardia is due to ERα receptors.
Understanding the mechanism of action of Tamoxifen
is valuable to medical consultation of patients using
Tamoxifen because it allows for better understanding
of Tamoxifen-induced side effects.
picture of a man and his wife on a screen while being
read a short story. Using a 2 x 2 between groups
study, the occupation of the man (lawyer/mechanic) as
well as the presence of a tattoo (presence/absence)
were changed. After the story, participants were asked
to recall as much information as possible from the
story and picture. Next, the participants rated the
male on nine personality traits considered desirable in
a potential employee using a 7-point Likert scale
ranging from “not at all” to “very.” The total score
served as the dependent variable. The first hypothesis
was supported and indicated that the presence of a
tattoo negatively affects employability. However, there
was not a significant difference of employability
between the lawyer and the mechanic. The
hypothesized interaction between the tattoo presence
or absence and the occupation type was not
significant.
“The Effects of Decreased Range of Motion on Deep
Squat Pattern in College-aged Soccer Players”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Rachel Wright (Celina, OH); Amanda Brown
(Centerville, OH)
Research Advisor: Kurt Wilson (Human Performance
and Sport Sciences, ONU)
“The Effects of Various Levels of Exercise (Based on
Heart Rate) on Student’s Performance on Exams”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Hillary Lantz (Bellefontaine, OH); Noah
Christopher (Dunkirk, OH); Drew Ross (Auburn, OH);
Michael Pawlitz (Clinton Township, MI); Darion
Heilman (Kenton, OH)
Research Advisors: V Motz, R Suniga, N Woodley
(Biological and Allied Health Sciences, ONU)
Objective: The objective of this study is to compare
lower extremity range of motion and its effects on the
deep squat pattern. We hypothesize that the
participants with a greater range of motion will have a
more function deep squat pattern than those with less
range of motion.
Design: Field test in a controlled environment.
Participants: College-aged (18-23 years old) male and
female NCAA Division III intercollegiate soccer players.
Anyone with a previous history significant lower
extremity injury was excluded from participation.
Intervention: The participants will wear tennis shoes,
athletic shorts, and a t-shirt. The participants will
warm up at 50% intensity. We will bilaterally measure
active range of motion for the lower extremity with a
goniometer. Each participant will be filmed in the
sagittal plane as they perform the deep squat pattern
while holding a dowel rod above their head.
Participants will be scored based on a functional
assessment of a deep squat with scores ranging from
0-3.
Main Outcome Measurement: The dependent variable
is the deep squat pattern score. The independent
variable is the range of motion measurements.
Results and Conclusion: Pending upon completion of
study. Dates of data collection included March 11-15
and March 18-22.
Studies have shown that brief periods of exercise (not
exceeding 10 minutes) increase mental acuity through
the increase of heart rate, causing an increased
delivery of oxygen to the brain. This study sought to
quantify the effect of heart rate on increased acuity
and determine the optimum level of heart rate for
increased acuity. Twenty healthy active males (19-21
year old) who were not on a formal exercise regimen
were subjected to testing on four occasions separated
by one day. On each occasion they completed a
different level of exercise on an elliptical machine (10
minutes each of no exercise or exercise reaching 120,
140 or 160 beats per minute) immediately followed by
a math test to measure cognition. Increased levels of
exercise resulted in a significant/insignificant increase
in the number of correct responses (α,0.05 by paired ttest). It is predicted that the mean scores of the
number of correct responses will increase will each
level of exercise. This supports/does not support our
initial hypothesis and as a result it is proven/disproven that students could improve test scores. If
performing high intensity exercise can increase
performance on exams, then students may want to
consider performing high intensity exercise before a
test.
“The Effects of Tattoos and Occupation on
Perception of Personal Qualities”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Elizabeth Coulston (Niles, MI)
Research Advisor: Kristie Payment (Psychology,
Sociology, and Criminal Justice, ONU)
Additional Researchers: Haley Wershbale, Ashton
Zartman
“The Home Range of the Striped and Spotted Skunk
Populations in Florida”
Paper, 10:00 a.m. Wishing Well
Presenter: Brittany A. Bianco (Lima, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
Skunk populations in Florida have been of interest to
Florida Fish and Wildlife over recent years. They
collected the data from 1997 to 2002. Two species of
skunks were identified during the study including the
common striped skunk and the spotted skunk. The
striped skunk is a widespread species throughout
North America and are omnivorous in nature although
they are sometimes considered scavengers in more
urban areas. Spotted skunks are actually a group of
four closely related species that are also fairly
Large amounts of research have been done on the
negative effects tattoos play on first impressions and
perceptions of personalities. However, not much has
been done to investigate the personality traits that
employers desire in potential employees and the effect
tattoos have on the perception of these potential
employees. This study looked at people's perceptions
of tattooed individuals versus non-tattooed individuals
with differing careers. Participants were shown a
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widespread and share some characteristics with the
striped skunk. However, there are some differences in
habitats between the striped and spotted distinctions.
This report examines the differences in the home
range of the two species using Maxent Data with land
use and climate layers.
much more for high schools, education and the fields
of math and science in general.
“The Use of Informative Family Care Cards”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Ashley Fields (Bluffton, OH)
Research Advisor: Susan Montenery (Nursing, ONU;
3B/Coronary Care Step-down, St. Rita's Medical Center)
“The Legibility and Readability of Serif vs. Sans Serif
Typefaces”
Paper, Noon Wishing Well
Presenter: Kaitlin Bondra (Mentor, OH)
Research Advisor: Alisa Agozzino (Communication and
Theatre Arts, ONU)
Communication is an important element in healthcare,
especially when it concerns patients and their families.
This capstone project involved developing family care
cards that were placed in patient rooms at St Rita’s
Medical Center. These cards explain common
procedures that patients travel off of the floor for,
along with what to expect, and any needed contact
information. After one week of use of the Family Care
Cards, I surveyed nurses on the floor, as well as
patients and family members. The survey questioned
how useful this information is, and how satisfied the
sample population is with the presence of these cards.
The overall goal for the project is to keep patients and
their family members well informed throughout their
hospital stay.
Good typography can improve comprehension
tremendously. Understanding typography and how to
create the most legible and easiest read text is
important. For years, authors, designers, researchers,
and psychologists have argued about the performance
differences between serif and sans serif typefaces.
Typographers and printers often regard seriffed
typefaces as more legible and appropriate for printed
reading material. Sans serif typefaces are preferred for
headlines and for text displayed on the computer. The
absence of empirical data to prove these assumptions
and the importance of legibility in academic reading
material motivated this study.
Legibility rates how easy or difficult it is to
recognize words and letters. Readability is an
evaluation of how easy it is to understand the text. In
order to measure the legibility and readability of text a
survey was conducted to Ohio Northern University
students who volunteered. Five typefaces were used in
this study: TImes New Roman, Georgia, Helvetica, Arial
and Script. The typefaces were set in different point
sizes and with different line length to create eight
different font conditions. The survey consisted of a
seven point likert scale, with one side being strongly
disagree and the other strongly agree. Participants
were instructed to read the passages set in the eight
font conditions then rate the legibility and readability
of each one. Over 400 students participated in the
survey.
The results will provide insight into the field of
communication. Impacts of legibility and readability
are growing with the fast-paced technological society.
The results will be shown during the presentation. The
hypothesis is that typefaces are not a significant factor
in the legibility and readability of text. These results
will be in contrast to the assumption that serif
typefaces are more legible. They can be interpreted as
promising for graphic designers and typographers, as
it appears that legibility will not necessarily be
sacrificed when certain reading material is set in a sans
serif typeface. Other typographic factors including line
length, x-height, and point size are predicted to effect
the comprehension.
“Tinkering in K-12 Education”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Zachery J. Brewer (Decatur, IN)
Research Advisor: Ken Reid (Smull College of
Engineering, ONU)
There are some in the world of engineering that would
argue that true engineering instruction cannot occur
until a student has been introduced to vector calculus.
However this discredits the value of “tinkering” in
relation to engineering prior the student’s introduction
of vector calculus. By the time a student would have
been introduced to vector calculus, a student's mind
would have been made up on what they think
engineering is, and what an engineer does. The report
Rising above the Gathering Storm specifically cites a
lack of engineering material in the kindergarten
through twelfth grade education of our students. Most
likely a student would not have been introduced to
vector calculus before the end of their K-12 education.
This lack of engineering material needs to be
addressed. The question becomes does tinkering in the
form of a project or some other form of engineering
that incorporates tinkering fulfill the need for
engineering material in our current K-12 curriculum?
That is exactly the purpose of my research: to define
tinkering in terms of engineering and find a definitive
answer whether or not it does fill the need for
engineering material in our current school curriculum.
“Traffic Pollution-related Illnesses and Geomedicine”
Poster, 12:45 p.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Ray G. Foster (Fostoria, OH)
Research Advisor: Harry Wilson (History, Politics, and
Justice, ONU)
“The Similarities of Engineering Education and
Technical Education”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Elizabeth M. Spingola (Butler, PA)
Research Advisor: Ken Reid (Smull College of
Engineering, ONU)
Environmental health is an emergent fear among
people worldwide with the turn of century. While new
ecological laws and regulations have been working to
protect air quality, pollution is still prevalent in the
higher populated regions of the United States. Since
the industrial revolution, our nation has seen an
increase in respiratory illness amongst children and
adults alike. With these respiratory illnesses such as
bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma still on the rise in
heavily populated regions, modern technology is
working to come up with solutions and find the link
Technical education has been around in high schools
for a very long time; however, there can be gaps in that
part of the high school curriculum. This poster talks
about the need to fill that void in knowledge. It goes on
further to introduce engineering education and how
this new field of study will fill that void and do so
- 24 -
between these diseases and their origins. Geo-medicine
is an innovative branch of medicine which studies the
influence of climate and environmental conditions on
public health; more specifically, the geological factors
in relation. This study utilizing a geographic
information system (GIS) will work to observe the
relationship between traffic-related pollution and the
development of respiratory disease. Mapping the
relationships between traffic related pollution and
respiratory illness using spatial data and census
reports will attempt to correlate these components.
changes over time. This is determined by performing
APTT testing on blood specimens from heparinized
and healthy patients using both the current and the
new APTT reagents. The second aim of the study is to
avoid the need for clinicians to change patient heparin
dosage. Unfractionated heparin dosages are based on
the range produced by performing an ex-vivo heparin
responsiveness study. By determining the
responsiveness of the heparin to the new APTT reagent
lot number, clinicians do not have to change their
patients’ heparin dosage.
“Upper Arm Injury in Collegiate Male Football Player:
A Case Report”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Caitlin M. Klima (Spencerville, OH); Amanda
M. Simms (Goshen, OH)
Research Advisor: Kurt Wilson (Human Performance
and Sport Sciences, ONU)
“Vex Robotics - Sack Attack”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenters: Kenneth E. Schlatter (Dunkirk, OH); Edward
E. Day (South Charleston, OH)
Research Advisor: David Rouch (Technological Studies,
ONU)
Our challenge was to design and build a robot that
would manipulate bean bags to compete in the Sack
Attack portion of the National Robotics Challenge. We
were required to use only Vex Robotics approved parts.
We used our skills in robot design and construction, as
well as skills in programming to complete the task at
hand. We expect to be competitive among the groups
present at the National Robotics Challenge.
The patient is a 21-year-old male who is a receiver on
his college football team. The athlete presented to the
athletic training student with significant pain over his
right AC joint after falling on an outstretched arm at
practice. The AC joint was tender upon palpation, and
the athlete had limited, pain-eliciting, active and
passive range of motion with shoulder flexion,
extension, abduction, internal, and external rotation.
Due to the athlete's symptoms, history, and
mechanism, the injury presented itself as an
Acromioclavicular joint sprain. Two weeks post injury,
the athlete was experiencing pain over the lateral
acromion as well as the greater tuberosity. Pain was
radiating further down into his arm, and swelling had
developed. This prompted the ATC to refer the athlete
to an orthopedic specialist. The final diagnosis of
Fibrous Dysplasia Cystic Variant with a nondisplaced
greater tuberosity fracture was made after consultation
with a musculoskeletal oncologist. The incidence of
the fracture in conjunction with the diagnosis of
fibrous dysplasia cystic variant makes this case
extremely rare.
“What Went Wrong with Vioxx: Lessons to Learn to
Prevent Another Drug Disaster”
Poster, 11:15 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Brandon P. Bourgeois (Niles, MI)
Research Advisor: Karen L. Kier (Pharmacy Practice,
ONU)
Introduction: Medications are discontinued from
production and sale for various reasons. Several
discontinued drugs were briefly studied before Vioxx
was chosen to study further. In 2004, Merck
voluntarily withdrew its widely used COX-2 inhibitor
Vioxx® (rofecoxib) from the U.S. market amid concerns
of adverse cardiovascular events that had led to
patient death.
Methods: Various journal articles are analyzed
detailing the steps of the drug development and
approval process, clinical trials before and after
approval, the role of the FDA, ethical concerns on
Merck’s marketing process, and federal laws, including
PDUFA and Hatch-Waxman Act.
Analysis: The COX-2 market is very lucrative, but
many drugs of this class pose serious side effects.
VIGOR and APPROVe were two studies done to analyze
the extent of cardiovascular effects. Merck
representatives distorted the results from these
studies when presenting to physicians to sell more
product. The FDA considered adding a black box
warning, but the vote failed. That committee may have
had conflict of interest with Merck affiliation.
Results: Marketing representatives should have more
incentives not to distort studies, which should be more
readily available. The drug approval process should be
more transparent, and FDA members should not be
affiliated with potential conflicts of interests.
“Validation of the Heparin Therapeutic Range with a
New Lot of APTT Reagent”
Poster, 9:45 a.m. Main Lounge
Presenter: Ahmed Alamer (Ada, OH)
Research Advisor: Lisa Walden (Nursing, ONU; New
Vision Medical Laboratories, St. Rita's Medical Center)
Heparin is a widely used anticoagulant in the treatment
and prevention of thrombosis. Its effect is achieved via
interaction with antithrombin, a naturally occurring
inhibitor of thrombin and other activated clotting
factors. The effectiveness of unfractionated heparin
therapy is monitored through APTT testing. However,
due to variation in the sensitivities of APTT reagents, it
is important for laboratories to demonstrate how their
particular APTT reagent is responding to their
pharmacy’s heparin. The purpose of this study is to
determine the responsiveness of heparin to a new
APTT reagent lot number. The first aim is to choose an
APTT reagent that has the same, or nearly the same,
heparin responsiveness as the one currently in use and
to control and prevent drift with multiple reagent
- 25 -
Index of Colloquium Participants
A
Agozzino, Alisa
6, 8, 10, 20, 21, 24
Alamer, Ahmed
3, 25
Albritton, Nathan
5, 20
Alexander, Robert
19, 22
Allen, Laura
17
Amstutz, Amanda Kathryn
3, 16
Anderson-Wile, Amelia
9, 10, 18
Ankrom, Ben
5, 15
Armstrong, Haley
4, 12
Aufdenkampe, Rachael L.
3, 20
Downing, Adam
Drzycimski-Finn, Mary
Dunn, Zachary L.
Durkin, Keith
E
Ehresman, Alexxys L.
Elion, Monika
Erickson, Lucas
Ernst, Ashley
Evans, Holly J.
B
Baumer, Ashley R.
Beck, Kassidy
Berry, Joanne M.
Bianco, Brittany A.
Bondra, Kaitlin
Bourgeois, Brandon P.
Bova, Wesley A.
Bowers, Christopher P.
Bowman, Kimberly M.
Bowser, Andrew
Brewer, Zachery J.
Brooks, Rebecca
Brown, Amanda
Bruns, Brandon D.
Buczkowski, Natalia
Bukowy, Brooks M.
Burns, Lisa M.
3, 13
6, 8
4, 8
5, 6, 21, 23
6, 24
4, 25
3, 22
11, 16
4, 11
4, 19
5, 24
17
3, 23
5, 9
3, 12
4, 15
3, 22
Fehrman, Lauren
Fields, Ashley
Findley, Kali L.
Fisher, Steve
Foster, Ray G.
Freeman, Garret
Frey, Ethan W.
8
3, 24
3, 20
20
5, 24
5, 18
5, 21
G
Garber, Paige M.
Gargano, Kalie
Geis, Tom
Gibson, Mitchell W.
Goforth, Amber
Graham, Rachael
Gray, Andrew
Grebetz, Angela
Grieser, Nathan
6, 17
5, 20
21
3, 13
6, 11, 18, 22
3, 23
16
4, 19
3, 23
5, 21
5, 6, 8, 12
6, 17
4, 8, 15
3, 11, 13
9
5, 12
5, 19
3, 14
6, 17
3, 16
5, 21
H
Hamlin, Michael R.
Hammer, Morgan A.
Harting, Cody R.
Hartman, Alexa
Hassoun, Mohamad
Heilman, Darion
Herman, Michael
Hoffman, Mackenzie M.
Horth, Michael
Huang, Neal
Humphrey, Morgan Storm
Hurst, Jerod J.
D
Day, Edward E.
DelBello, Lindsey Paige
DeLong, Ronald
Dexter, Kyle W.
Dickson, Nicole
6, 20
9
5, 14
5, 13, 21
6, 17
F
C
Call, James
Camp, Loren Chase
Caragiu, Mellita
Carlson, Lena
Carrothers, Robert
Christopher, Noah
Clegg-Kraynok, Megan M.
Cosgrove, Nicholas S.
Coulston, Elizabeth
Cox, Joshua L.
Crozier, Andrew Thomas
Curiel, John Alexander
6, 19
1
4, 13, 21
17
5, 25
6, 19
8
3, 22
11, 20
5, 21
4, 13, 21
5, 9
3, 19
4, 12
3, 23
4, 16
3, 20
5, 20
3, 22
6, 18
1, 4, 11
J
Johnson, Kathlyn Nicole
- 26 -
6, 10
Jones, Adriana M.
Jones, Jeremy
Jones, Katelyn A.
3, 11, 13
3, 14
7, 21
O'Hara, Hayley
Olson, Courtney M.
K
Kalchik, Andrea E.
Kanwit, John Paul
Karr, Eric
Kauffman, David
Keas, Brian
Keiser, Terry
Khorbotly, Sami
Kier, Karen L.
Kinder, David H.
Kleysteuber, Peter
Klima, Caitlin M.
Klingenberg, Brian C.
Kocian, Sara
Kramp, Brent
Kremke, Hilary L.
Kurmas, Haley
P
3, 20
15
3, 22
5, 14
21
9, 11
20
25
11
5, 20
3, 25
5, 18
3, 22
4, 13
4, 10
3, 22
Palivoda, Alicia Marie
Paris, Brian
Pavel, Shawn
Pavlock, Stephen
Pawlitz, Michael
Payment, Kristie
Peeples, Daniel Cory
Perrine, Trilisa
Peters, David M.
Pinkney, Jason
Pleshinger, Donald J.
Prigge, Amy
3, 18
1
5, 20
3, 16
3, 23
23
4, 16
13, 21
3, 20
9
5, 9
1
R
Raber, Kyle
Rarey, Matthew Stephen
Reid, Ken
Riedel, Gayle L.
Rife, Lauren
Roberts, Jordan Elizabeth
Rogers, Scott
Rojeab, Yousif
Rorabaugh, Boyd
Ross, Drew
Rotert, Leannyn
Rouch, David
L
Lamiell, Paul J.
Lantz, Hillary
Ledden, Kevin C.
Lee, James William
Leichty, Joshua R.
Lewis, Stewart P.
Lomax, John
Lovensheimer, Britney J.
Lynch, Kelli
3, 16
4, 20
4, 9
3, 23
4, 10
5, 15
3, 22
9
6, 8, 19
4, 10
3, 17
5, 20
6, 20
24
6, 15
3, 22
3, 22
1
12
8, 15
3, 23
3, 12
20, 25
S
M
Saunier, Steve
Schlatter, Kenneth E.
Scott, JoAnn
Seely, Sarah
Sellers, Robert
Shaheen, Rebecca
Sheridan, Terrence
Simms, Amanda M.
Spence, Aaron M.
Spiese, Christopher
Spingola, Elizabeth M.
Steele, Bethany L.
Steinberger, Thomas E.
Sullivan, Aaron J.
Suniga, Rema
Maag, Kirsten
Mabe, Nathaniel W.
Mathers, Robert T.
McKee, Dominique
Montenery, Susan
3, 12
6, 8, 15
9
3, 12
9, 11, 13, 15, 16,
17, 18, 19, 24
Montgomery, Dylan Michael
6, 22
Montgomery, James R.
5, 14
Moore, Stephanie N.
4, 18
Motz, Vicki A.
11, 12, 13, 22, 23
Mueller, Abrim
5, 20
Myers, Brian
17
Myers, Deirdre
12
Newman, Katy
5,20
N
Nungester, Brad
Nutter, Paul
6, 22
5, 25
19
8
5, 20
7, 8
17
3, 25
6, 11
8, 19
5, 24
4, 9
5, 17
4, 17
12, 13, 22, 23
T
5, 14
21
Tabar, Jennifer
Talbot, Jeffery N.
Tatarkov, Elvira
Tennet, Lauren
O
- 27 -
3, 8
20
4, 19
1
Theisen, William
Thomas, Tyler Nelson
Topham, Benjamin
Topp, Ike
Turner, Hunter M.
Turner, Jordan Scott
1
5, 11
13, 21
5, 9
5, 20
5, 15
Wilson, Kurt
Woelke, Sarah A.
Wolters, Nicholas E.
Woodley, Nancy
Wrentmore, Kyle J.
Wright, Rachel
V
Vore, Sarah M.
14, 23, 25
20
3, 20
12, 13, 22, 23
5, 14
3, 23
Y
3, 22
Yoder, John-David
Young, Linda M.
20
11
W
Z
Walden, Lisa
Wershbale, Haley
White, Robin
Wiener, Lindsay C.
Wile, Bradley
Williams, Toma
Wilson, Harry
9, 13, 16, 25
23
10, 16, 22
4, 16
12, 16, 19
1
9, 11, 12, 14, 15,
18, 19, 21, 23, 24
Zank, Taylor
Zartman, Ashton
Zielinski, Lauryn
Zoladz, Phillip
- 28 -
5, 20
23
3, 13
1, 20