2012 Student
Research Colloquium
Celebrating and recognizing research achievement
Friday, April 27
Ohio Northern University
McIntosh Center
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 76 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 long-term 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
2012 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 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 an Ohio Northern education.
Finally, we thank all friends and family of and visitors to the Northern community and welcome
your presence today.
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Colloquium Schedule
All Colloquium activities take place on the first floor of the McIntosh Center.
9:30 – 10:15 AM
Colloquium Check-In (Morning Sessions)
Activities Room
10:00 – 11:15 AM
Poster Presentations (STEM* I)
Main Lounge
10:00 – 11:45 AM
Paper Presentations (Honors)
Wishing Well
Paper Presentations (Social Sciences I)
Conference Room 7
11:15 – 11:45 AM
Colloquium Check-In (Midday Sessions)
Activities Room
11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Poster Presentations (Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences)
Main Lounge
12:15 – 1:15 PM
Colloquium Check-In (Afternoon Sessions)
Activities Room
12:30 – 2:15 PM
Paper Presentations (Various Disciplines)
Wishing Well
Paper Presentations (Social Sciences II)
Conference Room 7
1:00 – 2:15 PM
Poster Presentations (STEM* II)
Main Lounge
*STEM refers to the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
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Paper Presentation Schedule – Morning Sessions
10:00 – 11:45 AM
Honors Papers
For the Dramatic, Is Bigger Always Better?
Wishing Well
Brandea McIntyre (HONR Writing Seminar)
Fear Factor: How the Centers for Disease Control Uses Hollywood Cinema to Educate
Lauren E. Titus (HONR Writing Seminar)
Save a Life! Be a Bone Marrow Donor! - A Health Campaign at Ohio Northern University
Cara Schroeder (HONR Capstone)
Explaining Pharmacy Residency Programs and the Match Process
Heather Armbruster (HONR Capstone)
Screening Novel Inhibitors of Glutamate Racemase, a New Antibacterial Target
Nicole Amadon (HONR Capstone)
Social Sciences I
School Violence: The Classical and Contemporary Theories Surrounding It
Conference Room 7
Michelle Gasser
Engaging in Academic Doping
Samantha N. Stripe
Increased Acceptance of Marijuana Use, a Sociological View
Brittany Welch
The History and Development of “The Bro” in Modern Society
Seth D. Adelman
Paper Presentation Schedule – Afternoon Sessions
12:30 – 2:15 PM
Various Disciplines
Accuracy of the Automatic Revocation of Exemption List for the State of Ohio
Wishing Well
Andrew Jacoby, Matt Dutro
Defining Credibility in Celebrity Endorsements
Shana Tachikawa
The Use of Social Media in Health Care Organizations
Katie N. Hozan
Social Sciences II
The Effects of Reality Television on Society
Conference Room 7
Keshia Nicole Mihalik
Religion and Happiness
Sarah M. Diehm
Interracial Adoption in the United States
Arielle Patricia House
Sociopathy and the Collective Conscience
Wade T. Boggs
Sex Offenders Say the Darndest Things: A Look at the Language of Sex Offenders
Nichole Fern Listeman
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Poster Presentation Schedule – Morning Session
10:00 – 11:15 AM
STEM Disciplines I
1. Distribution of Chthamalus fragilis in a Northern Florida Salt Marsh
Main Lounge
Brittany Ann Bianco, Kandai Doi, Garrett D. Fruchey
2. Lack of Macroinvertebrate Community Response to Spate Disturbance and Increased Habitat
Effect in a Third Order Ohio Stream
Dawn T. DeColibus, Nicole Howard
3. Vegetative Response to Archeological Disturbances in an Eastern Ohio Forest
Bethany J. Blakely, Magda Molnar, Emily Nebgen
4. Dietary Variations of the Golden Redhorse (Moxostoma erythrurum) in Two Streams of
Varying Water Quality
Joshua Allen Ryan, Chad Michael Carroll
5. Sustainability at Ohio Northern University: The Applicability of a Campus Wide
Composting/Slop Program
Courtney Hisey
6. Protecting America: The Value of a National DNA Database
Jessica L. Harris
7. Future of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Treatment in Quality of Life
Lauren Elizabeth Frame
8. At What Doses Are Thyme Based Products More Effective against MRSA than Common
Hospital Disinfectants?
Kelsea L. Redinger
9. Advancements in Medical Laboratory Automation: Is Acceptance Based on Technologist Age?
Shannon D. Bruewer
10. Automated Methods in a Medium Sized Blood Bank when Compared to Manual Methods
Ben L. Hedges
11. Effect of MLS Formal Education on MLS Career Retention Rate
Torrie Klier
12. Importance of Following a Standardized Procedure
Zeina Mahmoud
13. Automated versus Manual Absolute Neutrophil Counts in Determining Therapy for Oncology
Patients
Tiffany Lynn LeMaster
14. A Comparison of the TRX Systems Effect on Core Engagement during a Standard Plank
Exercise
Kasey Roeser, Zach Bartlett, Jennifer Lamoreau, Nick Swint, Kenneth Hoopes
15. Parametric Study of Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Daniel C. Smith
16. Eyes for the Blind Intelligent Cane
Julia Noschang, David Warsinskey
17. Amphibious Charging Platform – Multi-Modal Marsupial System
Nicholas C. Erickson
18. Mobile Assault Vehicle: A Capstone Study in Advanced Robotics
Brian T. Rudary, Nathan Henry Evans, Adam Tabit
19. The Status of STEM Education as Perceived by School Administrators
Zach Freer, Levi Brown, Mick Letcher
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Poster Presentation Schedule – Midday Session
11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
Main Lounge
1. Roland Barthes’ Theory of Semiotics and Advertising: The Message of a Family Image in an
Advertisement
Sarah Elizabeth Ginty
2. All the Small Things: The Power of Minimalism in Modern Advertising
Abby Brown
3. Fear Appeals and Social Influence on Perceptions of Illegal Adderall Use
Sarah Marie Lyle, Seth David Adelman, Samantha Nicole Stripe, David Elliot Wareham
4. The Effect of Reading an Emotional Passage on Prospective and Retrospective Time Estimates
Mackenzie M. Hoffman, Elizabeth A. Good, Traci R. Gray, Brittany R. Welch
5. Emerging Adult Locus of Control and Regular Bed Time Related to Sleep Quality
Lauren E. Hurd
6. Making it Personal: Using Personal Salience of Health Behaviors as a Means to Improve Sleep
Amanda Kathryn Amstutz
7. Blunted Corticosterone Response to Acute Predator Stress Results in Long-Term Spatial
Memory Impairment
Julia Pisansky, Hanna Burke, Cristina Robinson, Sarah Woelke, Bethany Wentz, Jerel McKay, Kyle Dexter
8. Brief, Pre-Retrieval Stress Selectively Impairs Long-Term Memory in Males who Exhibit
Reduced Cortisol Response to Stress
Andrea Kalchik, Sarah Woelke, Hanna Burke, Julia Pisansky, Mackenzie Hoffman, Rachael Aufdenkampe
9. Effects of Distraction and Priming on Cognitive Performance
Arielle House, Nicole Grant, Aaron Spence
10. Pre-Learning Stress Selectively Impairs Long-Term Memory in Males and Is Mediated by
Corticosteroid-Dependent Mechanisms
Sarah Woelke, Hanna Burke, Julia Pisansky
11. Sex-Specific Impairment of Spatial Memory following a Reminder of Predator Stress
Hanna Burke, Cristina Robinson, Bethany Wentz, Jerel McKay, Kyle Dexter, Julia Pisansky
12. The Effects of Contemporary Music on Picture Ratings by Undergraduate Students
Raeann M. Vuona, Chahdael B. Smith, Taylor
Boedicker, Alexandra M. McGinness
13. The Effects of Mood and Environmental Setting on Impression Formation
Sarah Vore, Rachael Aufdenkampe, Andrea Kalchik, Alex Schroeder
14. The Effects of Various Primes and Opponent Variables on the Anonymous Dictator Game
Alexander J. Koenig, Samuel H. Jones, Cristina M. Robinson
15. Child Crime Reports in Cuyahoga County Ohio
Taylor Boedicker
16. Endangered Species Distribution Interactive Mapping in Ohio
Garett Dalton Fruchey
17. Lake Erie Yellow Perch Prime Harvesting Time and Location
Lindsay Ziegler
18. Population Change and Shortline Railroad Abandonment in Kansas
Caleb Worley
19. The Decline of the American Bison
Emily Nebgen
20. The Distribution of Rabies Incidence among Wildlife in Ohio
Kandai Doi
21. The Ecology of Infection: White-tailed Deer and Lyme Disease
Bethany J. Blakely
22. Wind Energy: Turning Towards a Better Future
Michael McConnell
23. Music of the Ohio Hopewell Culture
Joshua A. Haudenschield
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Poster Presentation Schedule – Afternoon Session
1:00 – 2:15 PM
STEM Disciplines II
1. Cationic Polymerization of β-Pinene in Conjunction with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4]
Main Lounge
Stephanie N. Moore
2. New Neutral Ligands for Transition Metal Catalysis in Aqueous Media
Lindsay C. Wiener
3. Exploration of chiral 1,5-diazocyclooctanes for Use in Asymmetric Organic Synthesis
Thomas H. Allen
4. Using Microwave Chemistry in the Reaction of DMSO with Carboxylic Acids
Allison M. McCarthy
5. Dissolved Phosphorus Analysis in Freshwater Systems
Joanne Berry
6. The Analysis of Dimethylsulfide Permeability across a Biological Membrane
Robert L. Zimmer
7. Chromones as Privileged Structures: Development of Drug-Like Scaffolds with Antimicrobial
and Cytotoxic Properties
Russell Spatney, Colleen Baker
8. A Study of the Inhibition of Mitochondrial iPLA2 Isomers by BEL Enantiomers
Caleb Ross Davis
9. Synthesis and Characterization of a Ru-Pd Bimetallic Complex
Ryan Christman
10. Computational Study of Substituent Effects on the Band Gap of Porphyrin-Based Polymeric
Systems
Morgan A. Hammer
11. Pnictogen and Chalcogen Heterocycle Linkers in Porphyrin Polymers: A Computational Study
of Donor Materials for OPV Devices
Zachary L. Dunn
12. Herbal Medicine in America: Examining a New Option in Healthcare
Michael P. Herman
13. Rapidly Disintegrating Tablet vs. Enteric-Coated Ibuprofen: Is One Better Than The Other?
Elizabeth A. Grubb
14. Sigma 2 Receptor Antagonists as Anticancer Agents
Haley Armstrong
15. Photometry and Redshifts of Galaxies in Radio-loud Clusters
Donald J. Pleshinger
16. A Nice Relation in Triangle Geometry
Ashley Ernst, Morgan Hammer, Mitchell P. Thayer, Matt Tremains
17. On the Product of Binomial Coefficients
Emily S. Barbee
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Colloquium Abstracts – Alphabetically by Title
A Comparison of the TRX Systems Effect on Core
Engagement during a Standard Plank Exercise
Kasey Roeser (Brookville, OH). Zach Bartlett. Jennifer
Lamoreau. Nick Swint. Kenneth Hoopes.
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Kurt Wilson.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate
whether activation of the Rectus Abdominis and Erector
Spinae musculature is greater when performing a standard
plank on stable versus an unstable surface.
Methods: The TRX was set up on a bar with the handles
hanging eight inches from the ground. Patients would
perform a thirty second plank on an eight inch box, and again
on the TRX while measuring core engagement with a
MyoTrac EMG Biofeedback System. Rectus abdominis was
marked at the midpoint of the base of the xiphoid process
and umbilicus. Erector Spinae was marked between L4-L5
vertebrae on the right side. Readings were taken on the
MyoTrac once athlete was stable, and again after thirty
seconds for both stable and unstable trials.
Results: There was a significant increase in Rectus
Abdominis muscle activation when using an unstable surface
(mean 38% higher). There was a slight increase in Erector
Spinae muscle activation using the unstable surface (mean 5%
higher).
Conclusion: Both types of exercise result in activation of
the Rectus Abdominis and Erector Spinae muscles; however,
the TRX resulted in significantly higher activation of the
abdominal and slight activation of back muscles compared to
a traditional plank exercise.
A Nice Relation in Triangle Geometry
Ashley Ernst (McHenry, IL). Morgan Hammer. Mitchell P
Thayer. Matt Tremains.
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Mihai Caragiu.
After going over a few basic facts in triangle geometry, we
will present a short solution to a nice relation (due to Mehmet
Sahin, American Mathematical Monthly, Problem 11596/
October 2011) involving the ex-radii of a triangle of side
lengths a, b, c.
A Study of the Inhibition of Mitochondrial iPLA2
Isomers by BEL Enantiomers
Caleb Ross Davis (Chillicothe, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Kimberly Broekemeier.
Mitochondria from rat liver have been shown to contain a
Ca2+ -independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2). The iPLA2
enzyme, through its effects on the permeability transition and
release of intermembrane space proteins, like cytochrome c,
may be important in governing cell death by necrosis or
apoptosis. It also may play a role in the removal of poorly
functioning mitochondria, mitochondria that have
accumulated. Activity of the iPLA2 is not seen in respiring
mitochondria where a high membrane potential is
maintained. Conversely, in the presence of a substrate and
uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation an increase of iPLA2
activity is observed as indicated by the accumulation of free
fatty acids. This mitochondrial enzyme has been shown to be
inactivated by bromoenol lactone (BEL) which acts through
an activity dependent mechanism, leading to covalent
modification of the active site.
Three distinct subclasses of iPLA2 have been identified at the
genetic level and have been designated iPLA2α, iPLA2β, and
iPLA2γ. The iPLA2α has not yet been identified in mammals.
There is selectivity for inhibition of the iPLA2 isomers to a
specific BEL enantiomer. (S)-BEL has been shown to be an
order of magnitude more selective for the iPLA2β in
comparison to iPLA2γ. On the other hand, (R)-BEL is
approximately an order of magnitude more selective for
iPLA2γ than iPLA2β. Knock out mice for the two isomers
have been generated. Through the use of inhibitor sensitivity
and isoform knock out mice, we hope to identify the specific
for iPLA2 isomer (β or γ) active in rat liver mitochondria.
Accuracy of the Automatic Revocation of Exemption
List for the State of Ohio
Andrew Jacoby (Columbus, OH). Matt Dutro (Dayton, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Paul Govekar
“The I.R.S. announced Wednesday (June 8) that it had
revoked the tax exemptions of 275, 000 nonprofit
organizations after they did not meet legal requirements to
file annual tax forms” (Storm, 2011, p.1). Why did so many
nonprofit organizations not file their annual tax forms? In
this paper we answer several questions. How many of the
nonprofits we contacted still exist? Of those we contacted,
why did they not fill out the e-card to retain their nonprofit
status? And what category are the nonprofits that lost their
status in (501(c) 3, 501(c) 2, etc.)?
Advancements in Medical Laboratory Automation: Is
Acceptance Based on Technologist Age?
Shannon D. Bruewer (North Ridgeville, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Lisa Walden
Since the year 2000 the world of clinical laboratory sciences
has seen a significant increase in the advances of
technological equipment. Questions arise on how medical
laboratory scientists feel about this advancement in
technology. The hypothesis of this research is that the
approval or disapproval of the advancement in laboratory
technology is age dependent and that approval will be found
more frequently in medical laboratory scientists who began
their career after 2000 compared to those who began their
career prior to 2000.
Laboratory directors of six hospitals throughout Ohio were
contacted via email to recruit medical laboratory scientists to
participate in a survey that would determine the medical
laboratory scientists’ opinions on the advancement in
technological equipment. From these surveys, recruited
subjects were divided into two groups: those who began their
career as a medical laboratory scientist prior to 2000 versus
those who began their career as a medical laboratory scientist
after 2000. Further subdivisions of these groups were based
on their approval or disapproval in the advancement in
technology. The collected data was analyzed using a Fisher
Exact Test and found to be statistically insignificant therefore
rejecting the hypothesis. A variety of reasons as to why these
results were not found significant were reported.
All the Small Things: The Power of Minimalism in
Modern Advertising
Abby Brown (Cincinnati, OH).
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Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Scott Rogers
Minimalism is a trend that has recently taken over the design
world, and not without reason. The ability to communicate
with extremely limited use of the elements of design reflects a
cultural shift towards simplicity, a rarity in the chaotic clutter
of past advertisements and branding. While some businesses
are successful in making their brand minimalistic, many fail.
My research explores how certain companies utilize rhetorical
and psychological strategies to convey their identity through
minimalistic logos. As a case study example, I will evaluate
Apple, Windows, and HP, all of which are competitors in
similar businesses, and focus on the history of how they have
branded themselves. Each business has used the
psychological method of classical conditioning to encourage
their audience base to associate certain things with their logos
over the years, such as luxury, consistency, or necessity. After
classical conditioning helps a company appropriately associate
themselves with a concept, they use rhetorical devices to
translate these associations in accordance to modern trends,
such as minimalism. By analyzing the development of certain
companies and their logos, I hope to demonstrate an effective
way to build a successful identity that translates well into
modern design trends such as minimalism.
Amphibious Charging Platform – Multi-Modal
Marsupial System
Nicholas C. Erickson (Lima, OH).
Research Advisors & ONU Sponsors: Nathaniel Bird, David
Mikesell
A team of five engineering majors are working to design,
construct, and test a novel, amphibious, mobile charging
station for a quadcopter. The goal of this project was to
design a multi-modal robot, one which functions in both land
and water modes. To that end, a 4-wheeled, 25 pound
docking platform was designed to travel on land faster than a
human can run and navigate a body of water, all with a
remote control range exceeding a quarter mile. The robot is
easily adaptable to a wide variety of tasks including trailing a
UAV for remote charging, exploring a swampy area, or
surveying the damage after a hurricane. The group is currently
in the final stages of constructing the robot, with testing
underway.
At What Doses Are Thyme Based Products More
Effective against MRSA than Common Hospital
Disinfectants?
Kelsea L. Redinger (Martins Ferry, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Lisa Walden
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection rates are
on the rise in hospitals. The common disinfectants used in
hospitals are chlorhexdine glucomate and triclosan. These
have been proven effective against methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus, but now the bacteria is developing
immunity to both. This experiment tested a more natural
route to disinfection by using thyme extracts. It is thought
that thyme is more effective in eradicating methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus than common hospital
disinfectants. The experiment demonstrates the effectiveness
of each disinfecting solution in comparison to thyme. A
Kirby Bauer test was utilized with aqueous thymol solution,
thyme extract, thyme essential oil, triclosan solution, and
chlorhexidine glucomate solution where the zones of
inhibitions were measured and compared using an ANOVA
test. The minimum inhibitory concentration and the
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minimum bactericidal concentration was also tested to
confirm the Kirby Bauer testing. It was hypothesized that
thyme would be more effective against Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus than the common disinfectants being
used in hospitals. It was determined that, as used in the
hospital, triclosan is appreciably more effective than thymol,
which in turn is more effective than chlorhexidine gluconate.
Though there is no difference between thymol and thyme oil,
the thyme extract was significantly superior to both solutions.
Automated Methods in a Medium Sized Blood Bank
when Compared to Manual Methods
Ben L. Hedges (Lima, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Lisa Walden
Automation has become a necessity throughout most of the
modern medical laboratory, due to the manner in which
automated techniques improve upon the standardization of
methods and the quality of results. The Blood bank
laboratory has been an exception to this movement, as
manual techniques are still largely the gold standard for
transfusion medicine. In recent years, automation in blood
banking has been in higher demand as a result of severe labor
shortages, and growing patient volumes. Many larger
university sized hospitals have adopted these automated
methods. Several studies have revealed these instruments to
provide a much more efficient and standardized blood bank
laboratory, leading to a higher quality of patient care. Most of
these studies were conducted at high volume laboratories,
whereas very little research has shown the effects that
automation has on low to mid sized hospital blood bank
departments.
This study aims to determine if automated blood bank
methods are more efficient than manual methods in a
medium-sized community hospital. Medical laboratory
scientists will be observed performing blood types and
antibody screens for six weeks using both methods. The
focus during these observations will be to evaluate the hands
on time needed per patient specimen for each method. I
hypothesize that even in a smaller volume laboratory,
automation will create a more efficient workflow in the blood
bank.
Automated versus Manual Absolute Neutrophil Counts
in Determining Therapy for Oncology Patients
Tiffany Lynn LeMaster (Canal Winchester, OH).
Research Advisor: Brian Wierwille (New Vision Medical
Laboratory). ONU Sponsor: Lisa Walden
Neutrophils are white blood cells that respond to bacterial
infections. Determining the concentration of circulating
neutrophils is an important tool in determining if an oncology
patient is healthy enough to receive chemotherapy.
Unfortunately, immature white blood cells like those found in
leukemia cannot be differentiated from neutrophils by
automated instruments. I hypothesized that automated
absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) tested on oncology
patients are resulting in overestimation of circulating
neutrophils and suggest that their ANCs should be
performed via manual methods. The study consisted of
twenty-three samples analyzed at a small oncology office in
Lima, Ohio on a Coulter® Ac•T™ 5diff hematology
instrument that then required manual differentials at New
Vision Medical Laboratory. Although there was significant
difference between the two methods, the average ANC was
much higher when counted manually versus when counted
on the Coulter® Ac•T™ 5diff. The instrument demonstrated
an inability to distinguish immature granulocytes and blasts
from neutrophils but more predominantly, it showed the
instrument’s inability to differentiate monocytes from
neutrophils in patients with atypical cells. In conclusion,
ANCs are conversely underestimated by automated
differentials and may be contraindicating chemotherapy to
patients who are otherwise healthy enough to receive
treatment.
Blunted Corticosterone Response to Acute Predator
Stress Results in Long-Term Spatial Memory
Impairment
Julia Pisansky (Canfield, OH). Hanna Burke (Findlay, OH).
Cristina Robinson (Mentor, OH). Sarah Woelke (Bowling
Green, OH). Bethany Wentz (Napoleon, OH). Jerel McKay
(Delafield, WI). Kyle Dexter (Hartville, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Phillip Zoladz.
Clinical research suggests that a blunted corticosteroid
response to trauma may be associated with increased risk of
developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore,
we examined the influence of a blunted corticosterone
response to stress on the development of PTSD-like
behaviors in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected
with metyrapone, an inhibitor of corticosterone synthesis, or
vehicle prior to being exposed to an adult female cat for one
hour. One week later, the rats were tested for anxiety-like
behaviors on an elevated plus maze and for spatial learning
and memory in the radial-arm water maze. Analyses of poststress serum samples verified that metyrapone blocked the
stress-induced increase of rat corticosterone levels.
Behaviorally, the blunted corticosterone response to stress
had no effect on the development of anxiety-like behaviors.
On the other hand, we found that metyrapone administration
prior to stress significantly impaired long-term spatial
memory. These findings suggest that a blunted corticosteroid
response to stress could exacerbate its effects on cognitive
performance. Moreover, because anxiety-like behaviors were
not intensified by the blunted corticosteroid response to
stress, our findings also suggest that specific physiological
responses to an acute trauma may intensify some, but not all,
PTSD-like symptoms.
Brief, Pre-Retrieval Stress Selectively Impairs LongTerm Memory in Males who Exhibit Reduced Cortisol
Response to Stress
Andrea Kalchik (Zanesville, OH). Sarah Woelke (Bowling
Green, OH). Hanna Burke (Findlay, OH). Julia Pisansky
(Canfield, OH). Mackenzie Hoffman (Strongsville, OH).
Rachael Aufdenkampe (Vermilion, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Phillip Zoladz.
Research has suggested that stress globally impairs memory
retrieval. However, little work has considered how stressor
duration and the temporal proximity of the stressor to the
memory assessment could influence such effects. Therefore,
the present study examined the effects of brief, pre-retrieval
stress on long-term memory. Participants were asked to learn
a list of words and were given an immediate free recall
assessment thereafter. Twenty-four hours later, participants
returned to the laboratory and submerged their dominant
hand in a bath of ice cold (0-2°C; stress) or warm (35-37°C;
no stress) water for 3 min. Immediately following the water
bath manipulation, participants were given free recall and
recognition assessments pertaining to the list of words
studied on the previous day. Results indicated that stressed
participants exhibited significantly greater blood pressure,
cortisol levels, and subjective pain and stress ratings of the
water bath manipulation than control participants.
Additionally, we found that only stressed, male participants
who exhibited a blunted cortisol response to the stress
displayed significantly impaired long-term free recall and
recognition memory. These findings suggest that the effects
of brief, pre-retrieval stress on long-term memory are sexspecific and could be mediated by mechanisms independent
of corticosteroids.
Cationic Polymerization of β-Pinene in Conjunction
with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4]
Stephanie N. Moore (North Olmsted, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Amelia M. AnderonWile.
Due to rising prices and depleting supplies of petroleum, the
production of materials from renewable resources is
becoming increasingly important. A particularly attractive
class of natural polymers are those derived from cyclic
monoterpenes (ie. β-pinene) as they are expected to display
desirable thermal properties due to the presence of the
cyclohexane ring in the polymer backbone. Many commercial
terpene resins are produced using cationic polymerization
that often result in low molecular weight polymers and can be
sensitive to impurities such as water. To avoid these types of
sensitive reaction conditions, the cationic polymerization
behavior of β-pinene in the presence of boron containing
compounds such as [Ph3C][B(C6F5)3] is currently being
investigated. The polymerizations are being carried out at low
reaction temperatures (ie. -20 to -40 °C) to obtain higher
molecular weight polymers. Characterization of the resultant
polymers will be carried out using 1H and 13C NMR
spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and gel
permeation chromatography (GPC). The ultimate goal of this
research described is to produce polymers from renewable
resources under water tolerant conditions that are attractive
alternatives to materials obtained from petrochemical sources.
Child Crime Reports in Cuyahoga County Ohio
Taylor Boedicker (Ramstein, Germany).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Harry J. Wilson.
This project is about crimes involving minors (17 years or
younger) in Cuyahoga county in Ohio from 2007 to 2010.
The goal is to find any trends among population
demographics where there are high amounts of crimes
involving children. In order to do this, all types of crimes
were analyzed, using data gathered from Northeastern Ohio
Community and Neighborhood Data for Organizing (Neo
Cando). The crimes include crimes committed by minors and
crimes where minors were the victims. Showing trends in
crimes that correspond to certain deomgraphics will make it
easier to prevent such crimes and protect the children of our
society.
Chromones as Privileged Structures: Development of
Drug-Like Scaffolds with Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic
Properties
Russell Spatney (Mantua, OH). Colleen Baker (Columbus,
OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Jake Zimmerman.
The basic chromone structure has a variety of biological
activities and has therefore been considered a privileged
structure with regards to medicinal chemistry. Our research
group recently developed new tin-free stereoselective
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additions to 3-formyl chromones. This current project
focuses on developing new antimicrobial agents based on the
chromone substructure. This is important due to the
increasing problem of the formation of resistant strains of
bacterial pathogens. This poster presents a convenient and
versatile multisynthetic pathway to obtain small libraries of
substituted 3-formylchromones. These products exhibit good
to excellent cytotoxic activity against several human
pathogenic bacteria. These compounds have also shown
cytotoxic effects against murine B16 melanoma cells.
Computational Study of Substituent Effects on the Band
Gap of Porphyrin-Based Polymeric Systems
Morgan A. Hammer (Findlay, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Trilisa Perrine.
Porphyrins have electrical properties that may be utilized as
donating materials in organic photovoltaics. A computational
study (DFT with B3LYP and the LANL2DZ basis set) was
performed on functionalized zinc-centered porphyrin
monomers with the goal of narrowing the HOMO/LUMO
gap. By narrowing the band gap, a greater portion of the
solar spectrum can be absorbed. Two different substituents
that are known to improve porphyrin solubility were tested
for their contribution to the band gap. It was determined
that their contribution is small, and that these substituents
may be truncated as an adequate approximation for more
extensive oligomer calculations. The electron donating and
electron withdrawing groups, -NH2 and –NO2 respectively,
were tested in various combinations at the beta and meso
positions. Both substituents proved to lower the band gap,
with the amino groups proving most effective at the meso
positions and the nitro groups proving most effective at the
beta positions.
investigation were to determine 1) if the diets of golden
redhorses differ in streams that are of varying water quality
and 2) if the recovered gut contents can be used to determine
water quality of the streams by using the biotic indices of the
invertebrates identified in the guts of each fish. Two stream
sites were selected: the Kokosing River (Knox County, OH)
of relative good water quality and White Eyes Creek
(Coshocton County, OH) of poor water quality from
agricultural and rail road impacts that have altered the riparian
zone and sped up erosion leading to excessive sedimentation.
At each of the two sites a 150-m stream segment was
electroshocked using the “rollerbeast” and seining to collect
11 golden redhorses from White Eyes Creek and 8 from the
Kokosing River. Measurements of length and weight were
taken and then the specimens were stored in 15% formalin.
The gut contents were extracted by dissecting the fish and
were also stored in 15% formalin. Comparisons between the
gut contents of the two populations will be examined using
exploratory analyses (e.g. Kruskal Wallace, t-test) to
determine water quality and diet variations of the golden
redhorses in various streams.
Dissolved Phosphorus Analysis in Freshwater Systems
Joanne Berry (Brunswick, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Christopher Spiese.
In the United States, celebrities serve as signs of cultural
beliefs and trends. As stars’ fame rise and fall, the question of
what determines one’s celebrity appears. Through this study,
I work to define celebrity and credibility and the issues
accompanying fame, including crisis management, advertising
and promotions, charitable and political endorsements, social
media image, and celebrity trademark protection. By focusing
on these topics, I aim to understand the public relations
fueling a celebrity’s coming-to-fame and endorsement
opportunities. This will aid in determining the reasons for
utilizing celebrity endorsements and the possible risk in doing
so, as well as the direct relationship between celebrity
endorsement and consumer support.
This project is developing and testing a new method to
increase sample throughput and accuracy for sub-micromolar
phosphorus concentrations in freshwater using luminescence
of lanthanides and direct response with increasing HPO42-.
Phosphate enters waterways via both point and non-point
sources (runoff, etc). When the Redfield Ratio (16:1 N:P)
becomes unbalanced in phosphate-limited systems (the Great
Lakes), it promotes eutrophication, which, removes oxygen
from water and leads to an extensive loss of aquatic life. The
traditional method is slow, involves toxic reagents and is
unable to accurately measure small phosphate concentrations.
Two chelates of lanthanides (Ce&Tb) with 8hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate (hqs) were isolated and tested
for fluorescent response to the addition of phosphate.
Despite reports in literature, Ce-hqs lacked any quantifiable
response; however, Tb-hqs was found to be highly
luminescent when present with phosphate. The Tb-hqs
linear response was determined at environmentally relevant
concentrations (0.02 – 600 mg P/L), and the luminescent
lifetime was determined (ca. 30 µs). Initial experiments also
determined interferences from other dissolved ions in
freshwater and preliminary field tests in the Blanchard River
watershed where further measurements will be taken. Other
lanthanide-hqs chelates will be analyzed (Eu, Yb, etc.) for
fluorescent response to environmentally relevant ions (nitrate,
nitrite, methanesulfonate).
Dietary Variations of the Golden Redhorse (Moxostoma
erythrurum) in Two Streams of Varying Water Quality
Joshua Allen Ryan (Geneva, OH). Chad Michael Carroll (Mt.
Cory, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Terry Keiser.
Distribution of Chthamalus fragilis in a Northern Florida
Salt Marsh
Brittany Ann Bianco (Lima, OH). Kandai Doi (Kamakura,
Japan). Garrett D. Fruchey (Bluffton, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Brian Keas.
Golden Redhorses (Moxostoma erythrurum Rafinesque) are
found throughout lotic systems in the eastern United States
and are a member of the Catostomidae family. These fish are
found in various types of water flow and benthic conditions,
but prefer small silts and sands which are associated with
slower moving water. They are generalistic feeders preferring
invertebrates; however algae and detritus are also consumed
during feeding. The two primary objectives of this
Chthamalus fragilis is a widespread barnacle attached to a
variety of hard substrates in the high intertidal zone along the
eastern coast of the USA. Along the northern Gulf of
Mexico, C. fragilis attaches to the stems of smooth cordgrass,
Spartina alterniflora. Previous research has shown a strong
affinity for attachment to already colonized stems (gregarious
behavior, common to barnacles) and to sites in the axillary
regions of the plants, but the overall distribution of barnacles
Defining Credibility in Celebrity Endorsements
Shana Tachikawa (Bucyrus, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Alisa Agozzino.
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within a salt marsh has not been studied. This study
established a series of three transects from open water to
upland elevations in a salt marsh at Wakulla Beach, Wakulla
County, Florida. The transects were then divided into a series
of three quadrats to sample the vegetation (species, height,
number, density) and the attached fauna, including C. fragilis
and the marsh periwinkle, Littoraria irrorata. For C. fragilis,
data collection focused on the number, size and distribution
on individual stems. Data was then analyzed using
correlation analyses to examine the patterns of barnacle
distribution among a seaward-landward gradient, vegetation
density, and associations with L. irrorata.
Effect of MLS Formal Education on MLS Career
Retention Rate
Torrie Klier (Hartland, MI).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Lisa Walden.
OBJECTIVE: To examine MLS education and its effect on
career retention.
DESIGN: 40 MLS practitioners responded to and completed
the online survey.
SETTING: The survey was distributed to laboratory
managers and MLS employees.
PARTICIPANTS: The target population was any person
certified, and working, in MLS.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Responses were
aggregated and observed for trends.
RESULTS: The majority of respondents had worked in MLS
for greater than 10 years. This group responded that their
education prepared them for both their BOC and entry level
work. Lack of preparation by MLS education was not stated
as a reason for leaving the field.
CONCLUSIONS: MLS education was not indicated as
having a negative effect on career retention. Studies should
survey recent graduates to determine the relationship between
current MLS education and career retention.
Effects of Distraction and Priming on Cognitive
Performance
Arielle House (Powell, OH). Nicole Grant (Hanover, MD).
Aaron Spence (Celina, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Phillip Zoladz.
Distracter noises in a learning environment will divide a
person’s attention and impede processing information and
positive priming has been used to enhance cognitive
performance. The present study sought to override the
positive effects of priming on learning by using auditory
distraction. Participants watched a slideshow which flashed
30 words across the screen to be memorized. The participants
either memorized the words in silence or with distracter
noises in the background. Next, participants were given five
minutes to complete a word search immediately before a
word recognition test. Half of the word searches consisted of
non-sense syllables (no priming) and the other half consisted
of neutral and positive words (positive priming). The number
of false positives and hits on the recognition test were
recorded. We found that participants who were exposed to
distracter noises during learning performed significantly
worse than participants who memorized the words in silence.
However, there was no significant difference in the number
of words recognized when positively primed versus no
priming. These findings further support the research that
distractions during learning will impair processing. These
findings may also suggest that priming may not be powerful
enough to counteract the negative effects of distracter noises.
Emerging Adult Locus of Control and Regular Bed
Time Related to Sleep Quality
Lauren E. Hurd (Stow, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Megan Clegg-Kraynok.
Research has found that emerging adults often report poor
sleep quality. One way to regulate this problem is to practice
healthy sleep habits, such as keeping a regular bed time.
Additionally, some people with external locus of control may
disregard their ability to engage in good sleep practices,
affecting their overall sleep quality. As part of a larger study,
Rotter’s Locus of Control (LOC) and the Pittsburgh Sleep
Quality Index (PSQI) were utilized to assess college students
over the course of an academic term. Participants (N=34)
ranged in age from 18-22 (M=19.73) with 19 females and 15
males. An ANOVA assessing the relationship between LOC
and Global PSQI scores indicated a main effect of LOC
(p=.045), such that those with an external LOC had higher
overall PSQI scores (M=8.59) than those with an internal
LOC (M=6.28). An additional ANOVA examining regular
bed times and Global PSQI scores showed a main effect of
bed time (p=.016), such that those without a regular bed time
had higher overall PSQI scores (M=8.47). The results suggest
that among emerging adults, an external LOC and not having
a regular bed time are associated with worse overall sleep
quality.
Endangered Species Distribution Interactive Mapping
in Ohio
Garett Dalton Fruchey (Bluffton, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Harry J. Wilson.
As the number of endangered species in Ohio continues to
grow, mapping software can be used to provide location and
information helpful to wildlife management officials. Using
ArcGIS software, my project is designed to develop an
interactive map which shows all of the information on all or a
particular endangered species in each of Ohio’s counties. My
goal is to provide information and data input availability so
that endangered species can be tracked, counted, and
maintained by officials. This project will hopefully
demonstrate one of the many applications that GIS software
can help provide assistance in the field of biology.
Engaging in Academic Doping
Samantha N. Stripe (Wadsworth, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Robert Carrothers.
Previous research has indicated many reasons for why
students may choose to engage in academic doping, taking
prescription stimulants for non-medical purposes in order to
succeed academically. However, not much research has been
conducted in order to view this widely growing problem from
a sociological standpoint. This research aims to gain a better
understanding of academic doping from the perspective of a
classical and contemporary sociological theorist.
Explaining Pharmacy Residency Programs and the
Match Process
Heather Armbruster (Akron, OH).
Research Advisor: Kelly Shields. ONU Sponsor: Pat
Croskery.
Due to growth in the profession, an increasing number of
pharmacists, as well as a competitive job market, residencies
are becoming a popular alternative, amongst pharmacy
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students, to entering the job market immediately after
graduation. Although many students have a general idea of
what residencies are, they usually have many questions
regarding residencies and the process for obtaining one. To
help with this issue, I conducted interviews and gathered
information to obtain the practical and essential information
regarding pharmacy residencies. Then, I compiled all of the
information and created a webpage on Ohio Northern
University’s website. This webpage is available to the public,
and therefore, enables students to learn about residencies and
the match process, obtain important information, read advice,
and find helpful resources by simply accessing one website.
Exploration of chiral 1,5-diazocyclooctanes for Use in
Asymmetric Organic Synthesis
Thomas H. Allen (Wilmington, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Brian Myers.
Through the dimerization and cyclization of beta-amino
acids, we have developed a new, versatile class of chiral
diamine compounds that can be utilized in a variety of
catalytic asymmetric organic transformations. Two different
cyclization pathways have been developed to synthesize these
novel diazocyclooctane (DACO) structures: peptide coupling
and reductive amination. Several analogs with varying alkyl
and aryl substitutions have been prepared to date. Currently,
efforts are underway to develop a pathway to a bicyclic,
tertiary amine structure that is envisioned as a nucleophilic
catalyst. This new class of organocatalysts will help alleviate
the problem of difficult catalyst structure modifications for
application in several asymmetric organic transformations.
Their unique design will also allow for crucial hydrogenbonding interactions needed for transition state stabilization
and/or activation of unreactive substrates. Future organic
transformations intended for catalytic studies include the
Henry and Van Leusen reactions.
Eyes for the Blind Intelligent Cane
Julia Noschang (Cincinnati, OH). David Warsinskey
(Lakewood, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Hui Shen.
Safe transportation is a major problem for individuals who
are visually impaired. The most difficult form of
transportation is driving, which leaves walking as the main
type of transportation. The objective of this project is to
develop an easy to use device that will assist those with low
vision with their daily commute. With proper experience,
canes can detect the majority of hazards at ground level.
However, as useful as canes are for mobility, they are limited
to risks on the ground. Other problems can arise since canes
cannot detect hazards such as low hanging branches and
overhanging signs. A successful design would consistently
identify obstacles that are head -level and below. From an
engineering and customer stand point, features of a successful
design would include being reliable, affordable, lightweight,
mobile, safe and easy to use and manufacture.
Our solution is an intelligent cane that detects hazards below
head height and above the ground. This will be accomplished
with a sonar sensor placed near the bottom of the cane and
directed upward. When a hazard is detected, a vibration will
be sent to the handle to warn the user. Different vibration
strengths will correlate to the objects’ relative height.
Fear Appeals and Social Influence on Perceptions of
Illegal Adderall Use
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Sarah Marie Lyle (Greenville, OH). Seth David Adelman
(Monroeville, OH). Samantha Nicole Stripe (Akron, OH).
David Elliot Wareham (New Wilmington, PA).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Kristie Payment.
Prior research on fear appeals and social influence on a
variety of different health behaviors has shown that fear
appeals and social influence may motivate the change of
perceptions. This study was designed to determine whether
fear appeals and social influence can be effective approaches
to changing an individual’s perceptions on non-prescription
Adderall use. The present study hypothesized that perception
of acceptability of using Adderall without a prescription
would be more greatly affected by social influence than by
fear appeals, and that those exposed to the high threat fear
appeal would be more affected than those in the low threat
fear appeal condition. A sample of 83 undergraduate students
were randomly assigned to a 2x2 Between Subjects design
with fear appeals (high and low) and social influence
(encouraging and discouraging) as between subject variables.
The results did not support the hypotheses indicating no
significant mean difference of either fear appeals or social
appeals on the change in perceptions of acceptability of
Adderall use without a prescription and, furthermore, there
was no significant interaction between the two. Although
these results demonstrate that both fear appeals and social
influence had no effect in this experiment, it is possible that
social desirability may have played a significant role,
specifically; participants most always answered defensively in
order to provide the more socially acceptable answer so as to
protect themselves.
Fear Factor: How the Centers for Disease Control Uses
Hollywood Cinema to Educate
Lauren E. Titus (Springboro, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Scott Rogers.
This project analyzes depictions of viral outbreak in two
Hollywood films, Outbreak and Contagion, and considers the
efforts by the CDC to offer educational response. The two
movies create the illusion of reality by integrating newscasts
and using minimal science. These strategies are meant to
induce fear and excitement in viewers. I argue that the CDC
offers focused and specific responses to these films in order
to counter emotional reactions in viewers. To demonstrate
this I will examine the films and the CDC website, looking
specifically how tone, structure, word choice and images are
chosen to ease or induce fear in the viewers. My project
suggests that the CDC uses these movies as a way of
advertisement, knowing that viewers will turn to the World
Wide Web to find answers that will ease their fears. Through
these movies, public awareness can be increased so long as
the CDC responds in a way that can answer questions in
layman’s terms and provide a better understanding of popular
culture and it’s influence on science, and vice versa.
For the Dramatic, Is Bigger Always Better?
Brandea McIntyre (Cincinnati, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Scott Rogers.
My projects main focus is to examine how technology has
influenced theater today. Overproduction, or the use of large
amounts of technology to create a realistic presentation of a
theatrical show, is becoming more prevalent in theaters and
shows around the world have brought theater into a new light
and has raised the standards for productions everywhere
Time has changed things; a show like Wicked draws on many
cutting edge design strategies that would not have been
possible even 20 years ago, but the important thing about
these productions is that they make money and function as
ads for the industry. However, I suggest that overproduction
has the ability to risk the integrity of an older show that was
made for a simpler means of production, while designers
suggest that the advancement of technology in society has
greatly influenced theater because theaters are designing for a
more technologically advanced society. Overall, my main goal
is to demonstrate that while technology has brought a
wonderful new light to theater in today's society, we still must
consider how these changes affect the integrity of the arts as a
whole.
Future of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Treatment in Quality
of Life
Lauren Elizabeth Frame (Tipp City, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Scott Rogers.
Type 1 Diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a serious illness that is
affecting 250 million people and increasing each year. A
person with T1DM has a pancreas that cannot secrete insulin
to regulate blood glucose levels. This defect in their pancreas
function affects people throughout their whole life. Current
treatments include continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion
(CSII), continuous glucose monitors (CGM), and multiple
daily injections (MDI) which have made living with T1DM
more manageable. However, a new therapy called the
artificial pancreas might offer a better alternative in that it
would function like a healthy person’s pancreas but be in the
form of a machine. In this project, I will examine the
effectiveness of current treatments and how the artificial
pancreas could help those affected by T1DM. Interviews
with patients who have T1DM will be paired with analysis of
current treatments to better understand how treatments affect
quality of life and how T1DM sufferers view the new
alternative. Responses from T1DM patients to what could be
available to them are crucial to understanding how diabetics
may react to the new artificial pancreas.
Herbal Medicine in America: Examining a New Option
in Healthcare
Michael P. Herman (Crestline, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Scott Rogers.
In the field of medical research, few lines of inquiry attract as
much attention as the study of herbal medicine. Herbal
medicine, or medicine derived from biologically active
chemicals found in plants, is becoming an increasingly
relevant topic of discussion as interest builds in the potential
of “wonder drugs”. Many professionals today seek to
identify and document active botanicals for their use in herbal
medicine. The possible benefits of utilizing herbal medicine
include lower healthcare costs and powerful new treatments
for deadly health conditions such as cardiovascular disease
and cancer. However, the regulation of herbal medicine is
currently far behind that of mainstream medicine, and herbal
medicine is currently expensive and difficult to obtain.
Nevertheless, in the future, herbal medicine could prove to be
a valuable supplement to mainstream medicine in the manner
of the modern-day Tibetan and Vietnamese healthcare
systems, where both traditional and modern practices coexist
to provide the patient with a wide variety of viable options.
Importance of Following a Standardized Procedure
Zeina Mahmoud (Ada, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Lisa Walden.
Contaminated blood cultures can lead to increased costs,
prolonged hospital stays, and unnecessary treatment. The
importance of following a well-documented procedure to
collect blood culture is studied in this paper. A comparative
study between the contamination rates in a hospital that
follows a vague procedure and a hospital that follows a welldocumented procedure was done. Based on this study, it was
concluded that there are other important factors which
contribute to the problem of high rate of blood culture
contamination. These important factors include lack of
continuous education for the staff collecting blood culture
and absence of awareness focusing on the importance of this
problem.
Increased Acceptance of Marijuana Use, a Sociological
View
Brittany Welch (Monroeville, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Robert Carrothers.
Within this paper, I am going to explain the increased
acceptance of marijuana and what sociological theories can
help to explain this phenomenon. Using the classical theorist
George Herbert Mead and a contemporary sociology theorist.
Then I will combine the theories to create a central theory to
explain the increased acceptance of marijuana use.
Interracial Adoption in the United States
Arielle Patricia House (Powell, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Robert Carrothers.
Interracial adoption is the phenomenon where children of
one racial or ethnic group are adopted by parent(s) of another
racial or ethnic group. Racial disparities are apparent within
the adoption system in the United States. With the increasing
acceptance of family structures outside the nuclear family,
this work examines the continued reluctance to create
interracial families through adoption. Classical and
contemporary sociological theories can be used to address:
white parents preferring to adopt non-black, minority
children, the use of race as a factor in matching a child with a
family, the reluctance to the idea of a biracial family, and the
hesitancy of black families to interracial adoption more so
than white families.
Lack of Macroinvertebrate Community Response to
Spate Disturbance and Increased Habitat Effect in a
Third Order Ohio Stream
Dawn T. DeColibus (Strongsville, OH). Nicole Howard.
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Leslie Riley.
A spate is a common disturbance in streams and can be an
important factor in structuring macroinvertebrate
assemblages. However, the magnitude of the effect of a spate
disturbance on community structure can differ depending
upon habitat type. This study tested whether a spate
disturbance (22.5 times base flow conditions) influenced
macroinvertebrate community composition and abundance in
riffle and pool habitats within a third order stream (Kokosing
River, Knox County, Ohio). Five pools and five riffles were
sampled pre- and post-spate during the fall of 2011 for
macroinvertebrates and physical characteristics (e.g. current
velocity, stream width and depth). In general, we found
differences between the macroinvertebrate communities and
physical characteristics of riffles and pools, but fewer
differences between pre- and post-spate conditions. Riffles
had a higher percentage of EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera,
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Trichoptera) taxa and had higher diversity when compared to
pools. However, even though stream depth and velocity
increased after the spate in both habitat types,
macroinvertebrate community characteristics were not
significantly affected. This spate might not have been strong
enough to completely dislodge organisms well-adapted to
such disturbances. Our findings indicate that habitat type
was more influential on velocity, %EPT taxa, and diversity in
macroinvertebrate communities in the Kokosing River than
was the occurrence of a single spate.
Lake Erie Yellow Perch Prime Harvesting Time and
Location
Lindsay Ziegler (Bowling Green, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Harry J. Wilson.
Lake Erie is the shallowest, therefore the warmest, of the
Great Lakes. This makes Lake Erie very conducive to many
different species of fish. Yellow Perch is one of the most
popular sport and commercial fish in Lake Erie. Since this
fish brings so much business to Lake Erie it is important to
determine peak times for harvesting. These maps represent
catch locations of Yellow Perch across Lake Erie in 2011 by
month. This project illustrates thje most productive areas in
Lake Erie throughout the year.
Making it Personal: Using Personal Salience of Health
Behaviors as a Means to Improve Sleep
Amanda Kathryn Amstutz (Bluffton, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Megan Clegg-Kraynok.
Introduction: College students obtain far less sleep than is
recommended and often report that environmental factors
such as noisy residence halls impair the sleep they do get.
Insufficient and poor quality sleep put college students at risk
for suboptimal academic performance, poor neurocognitive
functioning, and accidents. The purpose of this study was to
examine whether increasing participant accountability and
salience of personal health behaviors, including sleep, would
improve sleep variables.
Methods: As part of a larger study, college students
completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in
addition to a battery of other health related questionnaires
both at the beginning and the end of an academic term lasting
10 weeks. Participants were 34 college students enrolled at a
small liberal arts college and were recruited from psychology
courses. The sample was 57% female, 88% white, and was
19.74±1.05 years in age.
Results: Participant self-reported sleep quality, with lower
scores indicating better sleep quality, improved from Time 1
(M = 1.20, SD = 0.79) to Time 2 (M = 0.97, SD = 0.58) [F
(1, 32) = 4.57; p < 0.05]. Ratings of sleep disturbance, with
lower scores indicating less sleep disturbance, also improved
from Time 1 (M = 1.14, SD = 0.43) to Time 2 (M = 0.94, SD
= 0.49) [F (1, 32) = 7.78; p < 0.05].
Conclusion: This study suggests that simply asking college
students to report on their health behaviors over time might
be sufficient to improve sleep quality and reduce sleep
disturbance. Follow-up studies should include objective
measures; however, utilizing personal accountability and
increasing personal salience of health promoting behaviors
would be a low-cost, high impact method to improve both
sleep and overall health for people of all ages.
Mobile Assault Vehicle: A Capstone Study in Advanced
Robotics
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Rudary T. Brian (Independence, OH). Nathan Henry Evans
(Westerville, OH). Adam Tabit.
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Richard Miller.
As a requirement for graduation within the department of
technological studies all students majoring in Manufacturing
Technology (Robotics and Management concentrations) are
required to take a three part capstone course focusing on
advanced robotics. This three part sequence is separated into
two courses: Advanced Robotics I and II. These courses
culminate with the completion of a project that implements
varied advanced techniques in robotics, that project is then
the focus of the final sequence course, Senior Capstone.
This year a team of seniors took on a daunting challenge,
creating a robotic assault vehicle. The vehicle is equipped
with a working drive system, integrated suspension, as well as
a fully functional weapons turret. The vehicle is controlled
via a remote control transmitter, which controls every aspect
of the vehicle, from the speed at which it travels, to the
trigger action on the weapon. Using an R/C system is unique
in that it was adapted to control a significantly large device,
compared to the usual hobby car or plane. Being mainly
inspired by the use of similar robots in both military and law
enforcement this project was an excellent exercise in the
fabrication of large enforcement and infiltration robots.
Music of the Ohio Hopewell Culture
Joshua A. Haudenschield (Kenton, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Margaret J. Zank.
The Hopewell were a Native American culture that lived
primarily in the Ohio Valley thriving from 200 BCE to 500
CE. They were the North American leaders of culture,
science, and religion for their time. A civilization this
advanced must have had a musical culture to match the other
areas of advancement. However, little is known about the
music of this culture. We know that this culture had bone
whistles, panpipes, and we can infer that they sang but we
know nothing else about their musical practices. Looking at
any ancient culture one will find percussion instruments, yet
none have been reported for the Hopewell culture. It is
peculiar that percussion instruments seem to appear in
cultures surrounding the Hopewell but not within. I propose
that the Hopewell had other instruments present that were
either incorrectly identified during excavation, overlooked, or
were destroyed by the Hopewell themselves. To find the
answers to my questions I plan on going on digs and
overlooking the artifacts to make sure that musical
instruments are not being overlooked. My prediction is that
other musical instruments have been found and overlooked
or will be found.
New Neutral Ligands for Transition Metal Catalysis in
Aqueous Media
Lindsay C. Wiener (Cincinnati, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Bradley M. Wile.
This poster will describe recent results in the synthesis of new
water-soluble ligands featuring carbohydrate or polyethylene
glycol moieties. These ligands are needed to address the
growing interest in Green Chemistry by increasing the range
of water-soluble complexes capable of mediating organic
transformations in aqueous solution.
On the Product of Binomial Coefficients
Emily S. Barbee (Ada, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Mihai Caragiu.
While the sum of binomial coefficients is extensively
addressed in several mathematics and statistics classes, the
product of binomial coefficients is less visible. We will
present a solution to a problem (due to harm Derksen and
Jeffrey Lagarias, American Mathematical Monthly, Problem
11594/October 2011) that ultimately involves the product of
binomial coefficients and its divisibility properties.
Parametric Study of Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Daniel C. Smith (Avon, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: David Sawyers.
Photovoltaic (PV) systems, which convert solar energy
directly into electricity, are becoming an increasingly popular
renewable energy source. The photovoltaic industry has seen
a growth of over 850% from 1985 to 2000 [1]. However, low
efficiency and high manufacturing costs have limited the use
of solar PV systems when compared to other renewable
energy technologies such as wind turbines, ground-source
heat pumps, and solar water heaters. The author has used the
RETScreen analysis tool to evaluate the performance of
representative solar PV systems in Lima, Ohio, Los Angeles,
California, and Phoenix, Arizona. The effect of system
parameters such as efficiency and tilt angle on the system
capacity factor were evaluated. The effect of these technical
specifications, as well as the impact of financial parameters
such as debt load, utility rates, and incentives or grants, on
the overall economic viability of the project is also studied.
As a result, those parameters which can have the greatest
impact on project success are identified.
Photometry and Redshifts of Galaxies in Radio-loud
Clusters
Donald J. Pleshinger (Bolivar, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Jason Pinkney.
We have produced and refined catalogs of optical galaxy
properties in ten, radio-loud clusters of galaxies. The
properties, including B, V, and R magnitudes, were measured
using the Source Extractor software (Bertin and Arnouts
1996) applied to CCD images taken with the MOSA imager
on the Kitt Peak 0.9-m telescope. False sources, like cosmic
ray residuals and star diffraction spikes, were removed by
manual inspection. The primary science goal is to measure
substructure in the clusters. This requires cluster member
galaxies to be separated from foreground and background
galaxies and stars. The source extraction software attempts to
distinguish galaxies from stars with limited success. We use
the color-magnitude relation (CMR) to reveal likely early-type
members: ellipticals tend to fall near a line on this plot, and
the height of this line depends on the redshift of the cluster.
We then explore problems associated with the use of the
CMR to identify cluster members. We do this by mining the
Sloan Digital Sky Survey for redshifts in our cluster fields.
We find many members that would be missed by a CMRbased selection, often because their colors are too blue.
Pnictogen and Chalcogen Heterocycle Linkers in
Porphyrin Polymers: A Computational Study of Donor
Materials for OPV Devices
Zachary L. Dunn (Harrod, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Trilisa Perrine.
A series of porphyrin oligomers for use in organic
photovoltaic (OPV) devices were studied with a variety of
linker moieties based on pnictogen and chalcogen
heterocycles between the porphyrin rings. The cores of the
linkers were composed of the heterocycles, which included
furan, thiophene, selenophene, tellurophene, pyrrole,
phosphole, and arsole. The electronic properties of these
porphyrin oligomers were studied computationally using
density functional theory with the B3LYP functional and the
LANL2DZ basis set. These oligomers were analyzed in the
context of use as donor molecules in the OPV donoracceptor regime. The optimal oligomer was the one with the
minimum gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital
(HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital
(LUMO); this was 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.
Population Change and Shortline Railroad
Abandonment in Kansas
Caleb Worley (Leesburg, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Harry J. Wilson.
Shortline railroads are small rail companies that have a short
operating distance. They serve to link industries that require
rail freight, interchange traffic with larger railroads, and
operate tourist passenger train services. The purpose of this
research is to identify a relationship between the population
in Kansas and shortline railroad abandonment. To do this the
change in the Kansas population since 1870 will be compared
to the abandonment dates of the shortlines. The effects of
shortline railroad abandonment in Kansas will also be
discussed.
Pre-Learning Stress Selectively Impairs Long-Term
Memory in Males and Is Mediated by CorticosteroidDependent Mechanisms
Sarah Woelke (Bowling Green, OH). Hanna Burke (Findlay,
OH). Julia Pisansky (Canfield, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Phillip Zoladz.
Research suggests that the effects of stress on learning and
memory are mediated by the temporal proximity of the
stressor to the learning experience. However, little work has
examined how the arousal level of the to-be-learned
information can influence such effects. Therefore, the present
study examined the influence of stress administered 30 min
prior to learning on long-term memory for words varying in
emotional valence and arousal. Participants submerged their
dominant hand in a bath of ice cold (0-2°C; stress) or warm
(35-37°C; no stress) water for 3 min. Thirty minutes later,
participants were asked to learn a list of words and were given
an immediate free recall assessment thereafter. Twenty-four
hours later, participants returned to the laboratory and
completed free recall and recognition assessments pertaining
to the list of words that they studied on the previous day.
Results indicated that stressed participants exhibited
significantly greater blood pressure and subjective pain and
stress ratings of the water bath manipulation than control
participants. Additionally, only stressed, male participants
who exhibited a robust cortisol response to the stress
displayed significantly impaired long-term free recall memory,
particularly for non-arousing information. These findings
suggest that the impairing effects of pre-learning stress are
sex-specific and depend on the arousal level of the learned
information. They also corroborate previous work implicating
corticosteroid-dependent mechanisms in the pre-learning
stress-induced impairment of long-term memory.
15
Protecting America: The Value of a National DNA
Database
Jessica L. Harris (Medina, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Scott Rogers.
In many European countries, national DNA databases have
become a common way to track DNA samples from every
person in that country, including visiting foreigners. The
United States has yet to implement one due to perceptions
that the general populace is afraid their DNA will be used
against them. However, a DNA database in the United States
could be used to match unidentified bodies with missing
persons files, to secure the nation’s borders by matching
suspicious people with lists of legal citizens, and to identify
perpetrators of crimes. To validate the practicality of a
database in the United States, I examine studies and reports
of the effectiveness and ethical concerns of databases in
European countries such as England, Wales, and Greece. I
also show how people actually feel once a database has been
installed through a published survey of young people from
England and Wales. After analyzing this survey along with
the effectiveness studies previously mentioned, I apply the
information gathered to show that the benefits of a database
to the United States far outweigh any potential risks.
Rapidly Disintegrating Tablet vs. Enteric-Coated
Ibuprofen: Is One Better Than The Other?
Elizabeth A. Grubb (Piqua, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Yousif Rojeab.
Ibuprofen is among the most frequently used NSAIDs
(nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for treatment of pain
and inflammation. A novel rapidly disintegrating tablet (RDT)
formulation of ibuprofen, 100 mg, was developed as a fastacting, quick-dissolving formulation. The purpose of this
study was to evaluate, comparatively, the pharmacokinetics of
ibuprofen from the RDT product and enteric-coated (EC)
ibuprofen, 200 mg, with emphasis on clinical significance.
Following a cross-over pharmacokinetic study design, healthy
volunteers received a single oral dose of the RDT or EC
ibuprofen, and absorption-related pharmacokinetic
parameters were determined using WinNonlin®. Quantifiable
plasma concentrations of ibuprofen from the RDT were
detected within 3–10 minutes post-dose, with maximum
concentration (Cmax) of 8.89 ± 1.74 mcg/mL occurring at
1.38 ± 0.43 hours (tmax). Corresponding values for EC
ibuprofen were 30-60 minutes, 17.17 ± 1.31 mcg/mL and
1.83 ± 1.01 hours, respectively. The bioavailability of
ibuprofen from the RDT relative to EC ibuprofen was 1.52.
Study results have demonstrated that the RDT possessed
faster onset of action, higher bioavailability on a per mg basis
and more consistent plasma levels of ibuprofen. Due to its
significantly lower ibuprofen content and rapid disintegration,
this RDT could be viewed as a safer alternative to EC
ibuprofen.
Religion and Happiness
Sarah M. Diehm (Lima, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Robert Carrothers.
The belief in a higher power has always held a great deal of
influence over society. Whether you identify as secular or
religious, the impact of religion cannot be denied. But why
are people religious? A growing field of social research has
explored the idea that there may be some correlation between
religion and happiness. These studies have found a diverse
16
range of results, leaving social scientists with the difficult task
of trying to find an explanation.
In an attempt to find an explanation for the wide range of
data found on happiness and religion, social theories by
Emile Durkheim and Sheldon Stryker have been applied. As a
result, Emile Durkheim is able to give a perspective on why
religion might be important or useful in a properly
functioning society. However, he only discusses society as a
whole rather than individuals, so we are unable to find an
explanation for how religion would cause happiness in
individuals. On the contrary, Sheldon Stryker is able to better
explain how being religious can make some people happy,
although he focuses on individuals and gives no explanation
for religion in the larger society.
Roland Barthes’ Theory of Semiotics and Advertising:
The Message of a Family Image in an Advertisement
Sarah Elizabeth Ginty (Olmsted Falls, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Christine North.
Roland Barthes’ Theory of Semiotics focuses on several key
concepts including myth, lexicons, and the creation of an
image. These key concepts are discussed in relation to images
in advertisements, especially advertisements that use an image
of a family; literature on both the concepts of semiotics and
the roles that families play in advertisements is reviewed.
Furthermore, Disney Parks, Stouffer’s Dinner, and Calvin
Klein advertisements are analyzed by using the theory of
semiotics. Then, the ads are discussed in order to determine if
the use of a family image in the advertisement was an
effective marketing technique.
Save a Life! Be a Bone Marrow Donor! - A Health
Campaign at Ohio Northern University
Cara Schroeder (Sidney, OH).
Research Advisor: Christine North. ONU Sponsor: Pat
Croskery.
This health campaign aimed to educate Ohio Northern
University students, faculty, and staff, along with local
community members about the dire need for bone marrow
donors and the new method used for donation. A variety of
channels of communication were used including fliers, social
media, broadcasting media, emails, and dorm storming. Along
with education component, the culmination of the health
campaign resulted in a bone marrow donor drive held on
Ohio Northern University’s campus on April 20, 2012.
School Violence: The Classical and Contemporary
Theories Surrounding It
Michelle Gasser (Fort Jennings, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Robert Carrothers.
Why does violence occurs in high schools? Using the
knowledge of classical and contemporary theorist to explain
what can create violence and how it occurs. With the
workings of two theorists it can be seen on how and why
violence has become part of everyday life.
Screening Novel Inhibitors of Glutamate Racemase, a
New Antibacterial Target
Nicole Amadon (Wadsworth, OH).
Research Advisor: Tarek Mahfouz. ONU Sponsor: Pat
Croskery.
Glutamate racemase catalyzes the conversion of L-glutamate
to D-glutamate, which is a required amino acid for cell wall
biosynthesis. Studies have shown this enzyme to be a novel
target for inhibition of bacterial growth, which is a growing
concern as more drug-resistant pathogens are documented as
a result of inappropriate antimicrobial use. We tested a group
of glutamate racemase inhibitors against a variety of bacteria
to see what the spectrum of activity looks like. These
compounds are effective against many gram-positive bacteria,
including some strains with documented drug resistance, but
they are generally ineffective against gram-negative
pathogens. Further testing could better determine the lowest
concentrations needed to kill a variety of bacteria with these
compounds.
Sociopathy and the Collective Conscience
Wade T. Boggs (Albion, IN).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Robert Carrothers.
Sex Offenders Say the Darndest Things: A Look at the
Language of Sex Offenders
Nichole Fern Listeman (Tecumseh, MI).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Harold Geistman.
In this paper, I will address the phenomenon of anti-social
behavior—or sociopathic behavior—in a way that looks at
more than just the individual behavior itself, but also how it
affects society as a whole. Sociological theory can help us to
understand this phenomenon by taking this behavior beyond
just a set of characteristics that an individual possess and
allows us to look at how these individuals interact in society
and their impact on the larger whole. It can also give us a
better understanding of the effect these individuals’ behavior
has on social interaction, how this type of phenomena can
give definition to our society, and how individuals are
socialized to survive in the post-modern world.
Research centers on the various accounts, techniques of
neutralization, etc. employed by sex offenders upon
confrontation and interview. The paper highlights the link
between these data and its applications ranging from
apprehension to rehabilitation.
Sustainability at Ohio Northern University: The
Applicability of a Campus Wide Composting/Slop
Program
Courtney Hisey (St. Marys, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Scott Rogers.
Sex-Specific Impairment of Spatial Memory following a
Reminder of Predator Stress
Hanna Burke (Findlay, OH). Cristina Robinson (Mentor,
OH). Bethany Wentz (Napoleon, OH). Jerel McKay
(Delafield, WI). Kyle Dexter (Hartville, OH). Julia Pisansky
(Canfield, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Phillip Zoladz.
Ohio Northern’s website states that, “ONU is firmly
committed to sustainability and environmental awareness on
campus” (www.onu.edu). This platform has been upheld
through various green programs at Northern like geothermal
energy and wind turbines. However, ONU’s “green”
programs have fallen behind other universities sustainability
efforts. I feel that the university and its students need to
become more involved and environmentally conscious. In
this paper, I argue for the benefits of installing an organic
recycling program such as compost piles or slop at Ohio
Northern University. To demonstrate the feasibility of such a
program at ONU, I examine other universities that have
installed composting and slop programs, like Brown
University, Yale University, and Denison University. Further
I draw on a survey I conducted with ONU students about
their knowledge of our current “green programs” here on
campus and about their stance on compost or slop programs.
My suggestions for recycling our food wastes would further
ONU’s sustainability efforts and would benefit the both the
local community and the university by providing inexpensive
fertilizer.
It has been suggested that the cognitive impairments
exhibited by people with post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) may result from intrusive, flashback memories
transiently interfering with their ongoing cognitive
processing. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the
effects of a stress reminder on rat spatial memory retrieval.
Adolescent male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were
exposed to an adult, female cat for 30 min. Five weeks later,
the rats were trained to locate a hidden platform in the radialarm water maze and given a single long-term memory trial 24
hr later. Prior to long-term memory testing, the rats were
given a 30-min reminder of the cat exposure that occurred 5
weeks earlier. The results indicated that the stress reminder
impaired spatial memory in the female rats only. These
findings provide evidence that the reminder of a stressful
experience can impair cognitive processing; moreover, since
female rats were more susceptible to the memory-impairing
effects of the stress reminder, the findings could also lend
insight into the existing gender differences in susceptibility to
PTSD.
Sigma 2 Receptor Antagonists as Anticancer Agents
Haley Armstrong (Sylvania, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: David Kinder.
Compounds created to selectively agonize the sigma 2
receptor have been shown to be novel and potentially useful
targets for anticancer drug designs. By preparing compounds
based on the known sigma 2 receptor antagonist tamoxifen,
we designed a molecule lacking the estrogenic or
antiestrogenic activity associated with tamoxifen. The past
academic year has been spent creating a compound that
meets these standards. Early tests of the compound on cell
lines show that this compound has the potential to be a
potent anticancer drug.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Ru-Pd Bimetallic
Complex
Ryan Christman (Archbold, OH).
Research Advisor: Nan Zheng (University of Arkansas).
ONU Sponsor: Ron Peterson.
Direct arylation via C-H functionalization is a specific
research area within the field of organic chemistry that has
many advantages over current synthetic methods. By
performing chemistry directly on carbon-hydrogen bonds, the
need for pre-functionalized groups is eliminated allowing for
more efficient synthetic methods which eliminates waste and
saves time and money. Activation of carbon-hydrogen bonds
requires the use of transition metals as catalysts.
Traditionally, the accepted mechanism for palladium, one of
the common catalyst choices, was a Pd(II)-Pd(IV) redox
cycle. Recently though, bimetallic Pd(lll) has been shown to
be the active catalyst in direct arylation reactions. Due to few
examples of previous reactions involving Pd(lll), little is
known about its reactivity. The study of Pd(III) is
complicated by its instability on its own. In order to stabilize
17
Pd(III) long enough for study, a bimetallic Ru-Pd complex
has been proposed. This presentation details the synthesis of
this complex.
The Analysis of Dimethylsulfide Permeability across a
Biological Membrane
Robert L. Zimmer (Ashley, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Christopher Spiese.
The global sulfur cycle and its components have been an area
of study for many years. The sulfur cycle serves to
redistribute sulfur between bioavailable and mineralized
forms. Dimethylsulfide (DMS) is one of the key components
of this cycle, comprising ~50% of natural sulfur emissions to
the atmosphere. DMS is produced in some marine algae
from the metabolism of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and
other precursors. DMS is thought to readily cross cellular
membranes without the need of a transporter, so it becomes
very important to understand the permeability of DMS in
order to understand the relative amount of DMS available to
the atmosphere. Atmospheric oxidation of DMS is
hypothesized to play a role in climate regulation, so
measuring the rate of DMS diffusion may further constrain
this role. Using Chlorella vulgaris and a thermodynamic
permeation model developed by Kedem and Katchalsky, the
permeability of DMS across the algal membrane is being
studied. To date no direct measurement of DMS permeability
has been made. Current research proves promising that
definitive data for the permeability of DMS will be obtained,
which will ultimately lead to an estimate of intracellular DMS
concentrations, constraining the role of DMS in the sulfur
cycle.
The Decline of the American Bison
Emily Nebgen (Swansea, IL).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Harry J. Wilson.
Show present day Bison ranches as well as zoos with Bison
breeding programs. The American Bison is one of the last
large mammals left of the American West and its numbers
have been declining roughly since the mid to late 1800s. The
original decline could be due to many factors, but this project
will focus on the link between population decline in the Bison
and the extermination of the American Plains Indian by
European expansion westward. Currently, the natural range
of the Bison is severely limited due to loss of habitat and
resources. Native populations are low but ranching and
breeding programs in zoos nationwide are helping to increase
the population.
The Distribution of Rabies Incidence among Wildlife in
Ohio
Kandai Doi (Kamakura, Japan).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Harry J. Wilson.
The rabies virus is infectious to all mammal species. Once the
symptoms of infection appeare, the fatality is 100%. Using
spatial records of rabies incidence among wildlife in Ohio in
the past five years, this research analyzes the correlation
between location of rabies incidence and environment with
Geographical Information System (GIS). There are likely
links between the wildlife, land use and temporal factors of
infection routes. Investigating the area of increased incidences
of rabies among wildlife and land use may support daily farm
industries and public healthcare to reduce the amount of
incidence within humans and livestock.
18
The Ecology of Infection: White-tailed Deer and Lyme
Disease
Bethany J. Blakely (Pickerington, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Harry J. Wilson.
Lyme disease, (Borrelia Burgdorferi) has recently emerged as
a serious health threat in the Eastern United States. The
primary insect vector of Lyme disease is the deer tick (Ixodes
scapularis). The tick can be brought into contact with humans
when host mammals, including the white-tailed deer
(Odocoileus virginianus), move into areas inhabited by
humans. The relationship between deer populations and
Lyme disease will be investigated for the state of Ohio using
GIS software. For each county the number of reported cases
of Lyme disease will be compared to the estimated deer
population. The data will be examined for correlations
between deer population fluctuations and Lyme disease
infection rates in humans.
The Effect of Reading an Emotional Passage on
Prospective and Retrospective Time Estimates
Mackenzie M. Hoffman (Strongsville, OH). Elizabeth A.
Good (Ashville, OH). Traci R. Gray (Springboro, OH).
Brittany R. Welch (Monroeville, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Kristie Payment.
This research study examined the effects of reading an
emotional passage and time judgment strategy on
participants’ perception of time. It was hypothesized that
participants reading a passage evoking positive emotions
would judge time shorter than participants reading a passage
evoking negative emotions. Regardless of emotion, the
present study also assessed if prospective judgments of time
would be longer than retrospective judgments of time.
Further, participants in the prospective negative group were
expected to judge time longer than any other group. This
study was a 2 x 2 between subjects design, with emotion
(positive and negative) as well as time judgment strategy
(prospective and retrospective) as independent variables, and
the estimation of time (measured by minutes and seconds) as
the dependent variable. A sample size of 75 random students
(29 male, 46 female) ranging from 18-22 years of age from a
small, private Midwestern university took part in the study.
The results of this study reveal no significant main effects or
an interaction between emotion and time judgment strategy
on participants’ time estimations. The effectiveness of the
passages selected for this study in terms of evoking the
emotions intended was not strong enough, as well as the role
of the length of time allocated for the passage, was examined
as possible limitations.
The Effects of Contemporary Music on Picture Ratings
by Undergraduate Students
Raeann M. Vuona (Westbrook, CT). Chahdael B. Smith
(Toledo, OH). Taylor Boedicker (Ramstein, Germany).
Alexandra M. McGinness (Cleveland, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Phillip Zoladz.
Previous research shows that people can accurately perceive
different personality characteristics of photographs and
develop stereotypes for certain types of music. Popular music
today especially includes material stereotyped as provocative
or sexually suggestive. This experiment examines how
popular music affects individuals’ perceptions of ambiguous
photographs. It was hypothesized that while listening to
provocative music, individuals would be more likely to rate
ambiguous pictures as provocative. Research also shows that
because women are more often exploited in the media, they
are more likely to be objectified and to objectify themselves.
Thus it was further hypothesized that people would be more
likely to rate the female pictures presented as more
provocative than the male pictures presented. Participants
were presented with 20 photographs of people from various
ethnicities. During the presentation, either provocative or
neutral music was playing. Participants rated each photograph
from not provocative (1) to most provocative (9). As
predicted, photos of females were rated significantly more
provocative than photos of males. Furthermore, female
participants rated pictures significantly less provocative
overall than male participants did. There were no significant
effects of provocativeness and music. This research concurs
with other studies in that females are more likely to be
objectified by society.
The Effects of Mood and Environmental Setting on
Impression Formation
Sarah Vore (Washington, PA). Rachael Aufdenkampe.
Andrea Kalchik. Alex Schroeder.
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Phillip Zoladz.
While previous research has examined specific factors in
forming first impressions, not much work has been done
regarding the interplay between multiple factors. This study
examined the combined effects of personal mood and the
environment in which first impressions are formed.
Participants watched a series of either happy or sad videos to
prime their moods accordingly. They were shown a
slideshow of neutral faces, each paired with college party
sounds or nature sounds to mimic those environments.
Participants rated the personality of each face on six adjective
scales from 1 (not at all) to 7 (extremely). It was
hypothesized that participants primed for a happy mood
would form more favorable impressions than participants
primed for a sad mood and photographs paired with a nature
sound would be rated more favorably than photographs
paired with a party sound. Photographs paired with nature
sounds were rated more favorably than photographs paired
with party sounds. Mood affected ratings on three of the
adjectives, but only in combination with the environmental
sounds. These findings suggest that the environment
provides much of the basis on which first impressions are
created, while mood can further intensify those impressions.
The Effects of Reality Television on Society
Keshia Nicole Mihalik (Ava, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Robert Carrothers.
Ever since the emergence of reality television society has had
a strange obsession with watching it. This obsession has
inevitably led to having an effect on the people that tune in
every week to watch it. These effects have come in many
forms. These include making changes in lifestyle or a new
insight to a different culture. I plan on examining reality
television’s effect on society through the views of a
contemporary sociological theorist.
The Effects of Various Primes and Opponent Variables
on the Anonymous Dictator Game
Alexander J. Koenig (Mentor, OH). Samuel H. Jones
(Continental, OH). Cristina M. Robinson (Mentor, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Phillip Zoladz.
Previous research has studied the effects of various priming
in resource allocation games, but none have looked at the
how priming and opponent personality factors would affect
resource allocation. The present study has employed the
anonymous dictator game and examined whether there was
an interaction between priming and information about the
personality of the opponent. 56 participants (31 females, 25
males, median age = 19.6 years old) were primed using a
scrambled sentence task in which either neutral or investment
priming words were imbedded, and they were then informed
that their opponent in the anonymous dictator game was
either a pro-social or pro-self individual. This study found no
significant effect of priming or information, and no
interaction between priming and personality. There appears
to be a trend where participants primed with investment
words donated more tickets than participants primed with
neutral words when the opponent was pro-social and less
when the opponent was pro-self. Unfortunately, due to a low
number of participants leading to weak statistical power,
additional research needs to be done in this area to determine
if this trend is truly significant.
The History and Development of “The Bro” in Modern
Society
Seth D. Adelman (Monroeville, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Robert Carrothers.
An in-depth look at the emergence and expansion of Bro
Culture incorporating the theories of classical and
contemporary sociologists to explain the fundamentals
behind this global phenomenon.
The Status of STEM Education as Perceived by School
Administrators
Zach Freer (Ashland, OH). Levi Brown (Forest, OH). Mick
Letcher (NY).
Research Advisors & ONU Sponsors: Richard Miller, David
Rouch.
This study was conducted at Ohio Northern University by
undergraduate students in the Technology Education
program. The study was designed for K-12 administrators
(school superintendents, principals, and curriculum directors)
in Ohio of the perceived importance of STEM integrated
activities to the total school program. Typical “hands on”
activities were identified from STEM curricula to produce a
list of activities to be rated by administrators. The
administrators were then asked to rate the activities without
regard to the STEM category that the activities represented.
The administrators were also asked to describe their
understanding of STEM and will be compared by type of
school they represent.
The Use of Social Media in Health Care Organizations
Katie N. Hozan (Homerville, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Alisa Agozzino.
Social media has allowed people worldwide to communicate.
Health care organizations are beginning to utilize social media
through platforms such as Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.
Through the use of these mediums, hospitals are better able
to communicate with their key publics. However, privacy
issues have arisen for both the physicians and the patients.
Through the anonymity of social media, anyone can be a
physician. Patients must do their research before trusting
online content. Similarly, physicians must adhere to state and
HIPPA guidelines. This study aims to explore how four
health care organizations interact with their key publics, and
how key publics utilize the social media platforms
19
Using Microwave Chemistry in the Reaction of DMSO
with Carboxylic Acids
Allison M. McCarthy (New Washington, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Brian Myers.
In recent years, the field of chemistry research has started to
seriously consider ways to perform chemical reactions using
more efficient processes while also taking into consideration
the environmental impact of every reaction, even when doing
reactions on small quantities. This movement has been called
green chemistry. We have recently discovered a specific
technique (under umbrella of green chemistry) that reduces
the need for environmentally hazardous reagents and
solvents, expensive catalysts, and decreases reaction times
greatly to produce methylthiomethyl (MTM) esters. To
complete the reaction, we utilized a household microwave to
condense a variety of carboxylic acids with dimethylsulfoxide
(DMSO) in only 3 minutes of reaction time. The products
(many of which are new compounds that have not been
reported previously) were obtained in good yield with high
purity.
Vegetative Response to Archeological Disturbances in
an Eastern Ohio Forest
Bethany J. Blakely (Pickerington, OH). Magda Molnar. Emily
Nebgen.
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Robert Verb.
Both anthropogenic and natural disturbances impact
terrestrial plant communities. Often, these disturbance
events lead to an increased rate of colonization by invasive
plant species. Archeological investigations often yield
insightful and beneficial information about the former
inhabitants and cultures. However, the techniques employed
in unearthing this information can disrupt and disturb a given
habitat. This investigation examined the response of the
herbaceous and woody plant communities to previous site
disturbances in a mixed mesophytic forest in Tuscarawas
County, Ohio. On September9-10, 2011 a total of 62 sites
(31 archaeologically disturbed, 21 naturally disturbed,10
undisturbed) were analyzed. Point-centered quarter method
sampling was employed to quantify the woody specimens in
the vicinity of each site while a1-m2 plot was used to evaluate
the understory vegetation. In the tree community, no
significant differences in basal area or canopy cover existed.
Marginally significant differences in density existed between
undisturbed sites and the other site categories (p=0.07).
Species composition also varied between undisturbed and
both types of disturbed sites. The herbaceous community
showed a similar pattern, with undisturbed sites differing
from disturbed sites in species diversity and composition
(p=0.0001). Furthermore, invasive herbaceous species were
present in disturbed sites but absent from undisturbed sites.
Wind Energy: Turning Towards a Better Future
Michael McConnell (Chesterland, OH).
Research Advisor & ONU Sponsor: Harry J. Wilson.
Wind Energy is an alternative energy field that is rapidly
expanding. As the technology increases, the efficiency and
viability of wind energy increases. Wind energy is currently
being utilized as an alternative energy source in Hardin
County. This research shows where it is currently being used
as well as possible locations for new wind turbines. The
criteria used to determine possible locations are wind speeds,
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available space and location on the power grid. This research
is only a part of the overall location selection process.