2004 MARCUS Conference Abstracts
Saturday October 30, 2004
ORAL SESSIONS I - XIII
SESSION I
9:15
IRA HOBSON JR.: NEUMANN COLLEGE
THE ECONOMICS OF TERRORISM
In order for terrorists to be successful they must have funding to complete their missions. If the international community desires to truly undermine the productivity of terrorists, then we must first destroy the economic network or access to the resources that terrorists use to achieve, facilitate, and promote the objectives of terrorism. When I speak of resources, I am not simply referring to monetary funds, but also resources ranging from government policies and religious assets to the media and the Internet to its most valuable resource, human beings.
9:30
MICHELE HACKETT: NEUMANN COLLEGE
THE BLACK GOLD RUSH
Availability and extraction of oil in Nigeria has attributed to Federal government corruption, which is evident from the history of multinational oil corporations' activities, the Nigerian Federal government's actions, and the struggle for survival of the Nigerian people. Political corruption and multinational oil corporations are responsible for a significant portion of the environmental state of Nigeria. The environmental biodiversity and seasonal flooding is essential to the normal functioning of the Nigerian habitat and its people. The multinationals have caused substantial problems with pollution from extraction and production activities, resulting in violence and environmental squalor.
9:45
CHRISTINE WARNER: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
A CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF SPAIN
This is a cultural analysis of Spain. It is based on observations and perceptions of the people, language, music, architecture, and food. There is a comparison made between the cultural differences of the separate regions, as well as to the United States. The differences between Andalucia and Madrid are examined. Research about the importance of water and its daily impacts on life are included.
10:00
JASON RICHARDS: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
IN WANT OF FOREIGN POLICY: THE ALLIED-AMERICAN INTERVENTION IN SIBERIA IN 1918
This paper chronicles the Allied-American Intervention from its beginnings in World War I up through its end in November 1922. A brief historical context is given, followed by a discussion of Woodrow Wilson's motives for intervention. Subsequently, the intervention itself is examined, including a discussion of the problems faced by the allies in Siberia and the impact of the end of World War I on the intervention. The paper is concluded with an analysis of the effects of the intervention as a whole and its aftermath.
SESSION II
9:15
FARZANA SEKANDER: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
INVESTIGATION OF BIOACTIVE/SYNERGISTIC PROPERTIES OF MORINDA CITRIFOLIA, A COMMON MEDICINAL HERB OF THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
COAUTHOR: JOHN J. BECK
Morinda citrifolia (commonly known as Noni) has been classified as a medicinal herb due to its therapeutic properities. This investigation explores its bioactive (antibiotic) properties, as well as synergistic potential as a result of combining extracts from Noni with known antibiotics.
9:30
SUZANNE M. HARVEY: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
BIOACTIVITY AND SYNERGISTIC ANALYSIS OF CYMBOPOGON FLEXUOSUS
COAUTHORS: JAIME L. HEIMBEGNER AND JOHN J. BECK
Cymbopogon flexuosus is a tropical plant cultivated for several reasons. Cymbopogon flexuosus has been used historically as a medicinal herb. This research has focused on the possible antibacterial properties of Cymbopogon flexuosus against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In an attempt to confirm the therapeutic properties, the investigation intends to provide reliable experimental data concerning the bioactivity of this plant, and a determination of the synergistic potential of available constituents of Cymbopogon flexuosus.
9:45
JOSHUA SIMULCIK: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
CARTILAGE DEVELOPMENT IN THE ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO): THE EFFECTS OF TAMOXIFIN TREATMENT
Estrogen receptor blockers are currently the most important drugs in the treatment of breast cancer since they hinder the growth of tumors whose cells exhibit estrogen receptors. These drugs block the uptake of estrogen by the cell, and therefore, its effects. Tamoxifen is the most popular of these adjuvant therapy drugs prescribed currently. By introducing Tamoxifen (10-7 M) into the zebrafish incubation medium in the early hours post-fertilization, the skeletal system is severely affected in development. Specifically, cartilage was the main focus of this study. Predominantly, the eye sockets and jaws never develop, so that the organs of the head have no supporting structures. These studies have begun to shed new light on the importance of estrogen in the early embryonic development of the skeleton.
10:00
ANDREW HOLT: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
THE EFFECTS OF TESTOSTERONE AND ESTROGEN ON OXIDATIVE STRESS IN THE DEVELOPING ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO)
COAUTHOR: DR. JAMES E. TURNER
Estrogen is a hormone that has been shown to sensitize tissues to oxidative stress which is one hypothesis for explaining its role as a carcinogen in breast and uterine tissues. The purpose of this experiment was to develop an in vivo model to study how physiological concentrations of testosterone and estrogen cause the zebrafish to become more sensitive to oxidative stress through hydrogen peroxide treatment. It was discovered that in the 1 x 10-2M concentrations of hydrogen peroxide that the testosterone and estrogen treated zebrafish displayed significant death rates, while in the ERS control group, there was a significantly lower death rate. Therefore, these results indicate that a zebrafish model has been developed that will help to understand the carcinogenic effects of these two hormones.
10:15
ELLENA BETHEA: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF LOOP 3 MUTANTS, HTP62S AND HTW56F CYTOCHROMES C552, ON STABILITY AND FLUXIONALITY
COAUTHORS: LEA VACCA, KARA BREN, P.I. (DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER)
Cytochrome c is a small electron transfer protein found in most prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, characterized by a single heme covalently bound via two thioether bonds, and axial methionine and histidine ligands. The axial methionine ligand in Hydrogenobacter thermophilus cyt c552 (Ht cyt c552) is donated by a rigid loop, loop 3, believed to play a major role in the stability and redox potential of the thermophilic protein. Two separate mutations were performed at two residues in loop 3 of Ht cyt c552 to determine the resulting change in stability: HtW56F and HtP62S. Chemical and thermal denaturation data and a pH titration reveal both mutations result in significant destabilization of Ht cyt c552 and 1-D NMR spectra analysis suggests the P62S mutation may have altered the rate of methionine fluxionality.
SESSION III
9:15
KRISTIN GARRETT: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
DOES STIMULUS DIFFICULTY INFLUENCE PERFORMANCE FOR MEN AND WOMEN ON THE MENTAL ROTATION TASK?
COAUTHORS: JENNY GALLO, KELLY MORGAN, STEPHANIE KIMBROUGH, STACY RILEA
The current study examined whether stimulus difficulty may influence performance for men and women on the mental rotation task. One hundred participants (50 male and 50 female) complete three separate mental rotation tasks. Each task consisted of different stimuli: a human stick figures, alphanumeric letters, and two-dimensional objects. Rotated stimuli included a stick figure holding a ball in one hand, alphanumeric letters, and two-dimensional objects. Sex differences were observed across the different stimuli based on rection time data. These findings suggest that the type of stimuli used in the mental rotation task may influence performance.
9:30
STEPHANIE GLEASON: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
CONDITIONED PLACE PREFERENCE IN RING-NECK DOVE
COAUTHORS: DR. BRIAN CUSATO AND DR. MELISSA BURNS-CUSATO
The study examined the effects of using a pair-bonded mate to condition a place preference in male and female ring-neck dove. In Experiment 1, a pair-bonded mate served as the reinforcing event repeatedly paired with one context. Both members of the pair experienced equal exposure to another context when no bird was present. A conditioned place preference (CPP) developed in both the males and females for the context that was paired with the subject’s mate. Experiment 2 examined the role of the pair-bond in the development of a CPP. One context was paired with each subject’s pair-bonded mate while the other context was paired with an unfamiliar bird of the opposite sex. Only the females in Experiment 2 developed a place preference for the context that was paired with their mate.
9:45
KIM FAULKNER: NEUMANN COLLEGE
THE SEX OFFENDER: CAN HE BE CHANGED?
This presentation will examine the sex offender and his behavior. Evidence will reveal that biology plays a key role in the behavior of the sex offender. Methods used to treat such individuals will be discussed. It will be argued that although it is possible to modify an offender's behavior, biological elements make it impossible to change completely and thus leave the offender vulnerable to victimize again.
10:00
KILLIAN ZIMMERMAN: HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
THE ROLE OF THE THALAMIC RETICULAR NUCLEUS IN RESPONSE SELECTION
The motor thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is in position to gate signals from the ventromedial/ventrolateral thalamus to the motor cortex, because it receives collateral inputs from thalamocortical and corticothalamic fibers, and the TRN inhibits thalamic projection neurons. Specifically, this study examined the role of the motor TRN in response selection. Twelve rats were trained on a visually cued, two-choice reaction time task. Unilateral injections were aimed at the TRN, and testing was resumed on the third postoperative day. The rats showed no deficit in responding to either side. Histological evidence revealed that the lesions tended to be medial to the TRN. The coordinates are being adjusted accordingly, and new data will be available at presentation.
10:15
TRISTAN JOHNSON AND MICHELLE GERTH: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
FADING AFFECT BIAS ACROSS REGULAR AND EXISTENTIAL EVENTS FOR ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS
COAUTHORS: LAKELA BRAND AND DR. JEFFREY A. GIBBONS
In this experiment, a sample of 30 individuals over 60 years old were asked to recall positive and negative regular events and existential moments. They were asked to rate the emotion at both the moment it occurred and at test using a scale ranging from –3 (very negative) to +3 (very positive). Some participants were asked to recall only memories that occurred within the past 5 years, and others were not given a time limitation. Negative moments are expected to fade faster over time than positive moments (FAB), and this effect is expected to be larger for existential moments than for regular moments. The FAB is also expected to be large for older events (+5 years) than recent events (within 5 years).
SESSION IV
9:15
BRANDON W. STUVER: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
THE MOORISH INFLUENCE ON THE MUSIC OF THE WESTERN WORLD
Western music has been heavily influenced by the Arab world. The Moorish occupation of Spain from the beginning of the eighth century until the end of the fifteenth resulted in a cultural exchange that lasted for almost eight hundred years. During this time, Eastern music left a significant impact on the West, specifically regarding instrumentation and theory. Although this impact is heavily denied by Western scholars and culture, it is verified historically. Furthermore, through linguistic verification, the extent of the Moorish influence on Western music is well evidenced and thus validated. The music of the East has left a profound and lasting impression on the Western World.
9:30
ELISSA BERGER: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
MARTHA GRAHAM: ONE WOMAN'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIELD OF MODERN DANCE
Martha Graham is known to many as a great innovator of modern dance, however, in order to distinguish Graham from other artists, including her predecessors, it is necessary to look at both the aesthetic and choreographic elements which made her work unique. Keeping such elements in mind, my paper seeks to study and identify key factors which led to Graham's formation of a new dance genre and her subsequent identity as a reformer in the field of dance.
9:45
HEATHER LATIOLAIS: HOLLINS UNIVERSITY
MARCEL GROMAIRE'S ETUDE DE NU AU MANTEAU: A MODERN EXPRESSION OF THE HUMAN CONDITION
Marcel Gromaire was influenced by and is often associated with Matisse, whose studio he frequented early in his career. He first exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants in 1911, but resisted classification with any artistic circle in Paris at the time; similarly, in works such as Etude de Nu au Manteau (1929), Gromaire removes his subjects from a specific historical or environmental context. Though he is often grouped with the realists of his time, his philosophy frequently coincides with that of the symbolists, as his works present generalized subjects expressive of the human condition. Etude de Nu is representative of his oeuvre in that it takes the conventional theme of a female nude, likely of doubtable morals, and gives it a modern perspective.
10:00
DENVA EDELLE JACKSON: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
AUTHORING A VISION: ESTABLISHING LEGITIMACY IN JOHN OF MORIGNY’S LIBER VISIONUM
John of Morigny, a fourteenth-century Benedictine monk from the monastery of Morigny, promises in his Liber Visionum, knowledge of all seven liberal arts and mechanical arts through prayer and meditation. Both practices lead to visions in which the knowledge is bequeathed to the user by the Virgin Mary. John’s process differed radically from the traditional methods of arduous study. Aware of this, John created an autobiographical prologue which documents his journey in acquiring knowledge through a series of visions. John establishes his authority to write and instruct through visions, aligning and comparing himself with great visionaries such as St. Paul and St. John; thus, legitimizing his text.
10:15
AMY TORBERT: HOLLINS UNIVERSITY
OBJECTS OF INDEPENDENCE: BOOKS OF HOURS AND WOMEN IN RENAISSANCE ITALY
During the Italian Renaissance, common household objects such as birth trays, cassoni, and majolica bowls were frequently decorated with images that contained multiple layers of meanings directed at the women using these objects on a daily basis. The messages seen in these objects about marriage, virtue, and childbirth stem from the prevalent view during this period that a woman’s only purpose in life was to produce male children. An exception to the influx of these oppressive messages were the images and meanings found in Books of Hours, which encouraged independent thought and strengthened the mother’s role in the family. Through the study of individual Books of Hours, these texts become tools of independence, thus creating an uncommon view of women in Renaissance Italy.
SESSION V
9:15
SAMANTHA DORSEY: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
A REVELATION IN FASHION, 1700-1800
The new fashions that swept through society during the latter part of the eighteenth-century represented the redefinition of feminine roles in American Society. The drastic change in shape, style, cut and cloth represents not only a developing sense of identity within the American public, but a redefinition of what they publicly wanted to project. Thus, women came to embody the Virtue and Morality of the Republic, in sharp contrast to the past they left behind with the American Revolution. Literally, the Mothers of the New Republic were entrusted to cultivate its future in their children. Therefore, the revelation in fashion also reflected the social, socio-economic and political ideals of the time.
9:30
JILL BARTLETT: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
THE REST CURE AND THE WATER CURE TREATMENTS IN KATE CHOPIN'S THE AWAKENING
The treatments for female hysteria in nineteenth-century America were intended to enforce women to conform to their prescribed roles in society as dutiful mothers and wives. In Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening, Edna Pontellier is a patient of two more popular treatment methods for female hysteria, the rest-cure and the water-cure. However, in Edna’s case, the treatments backfire. Instead of producing female docility, they awaken Edna to self-awareness and a desire for independence. These treatments occur at the Grand Isle Resort, advertised in the latter nineteenth century as a place to cure nervous disorders. The failure of the rest and water cure treatments to return Edna into docility is evidenced by her actions against society and tradition after she leaves Grand Isle.
9:45
DAVE MCDONALD: HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
WRITING FROM THE REAL TO THE IDEAL: FORSTER’S DEPICTION OF NATURE IN A PASSAGE TO INDIA
E.M. Forster’s novel A Passage to India has always been seen as a postcolonial work that is Orientalist in content. However, Forster’s narrator often oscillates between pro and anti Orientalist writing in his description of India’s nature. While Forster’s narrator uses Indian nature to subvert several other Orientalist notions, Forster’s narrator notably sets the portrayal of nature in India against the British view of what Indian nature should look like in the Orient because Forster recognizes the Orientalist power relationship behind definition and the expected adherence to definition. In defining Indian nature as alien and unfamiliar to the British colonials, Forster’s narrator overturns one of the main tenets of Orientalism, power through knowledge, and questions Britain’s control over Colonial India.
10:00
JUSTIN BOSHERS: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
CONSTITUTIONAL SLAVERY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE INCLUSION OF SLAVERY IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
This paper traces the arguments both for and against the inclusion of the three-fifths clause during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and explores the reasons for its final inclusion in the Constitution. Included in this analysis is a short account of political developments prior to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that influenced individual delegates in their adoption of pro-slavery or anti-slavery stances, with respect to the inclusion of slavery into the new constitution. The paper concludes with a review of previous scholarship concerning constitutional debates over slavery and some personal conclusions based on my research.
10:15
ALLISON ABBOTT: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
LIVING LIMINALLY: THE SOCIAL STATUS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND THEIR POPULATION MOVEMENT IN HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS BETWEEN 1790 AND 1830
This paper addresses the liminal status of blacks in New England born out of their ambiguous liberation from slavery through the exploration of demographic shifts, settlement patterns, and population movements of African-Americans in Hampshire County, Massachusetts between 1790 and 1830. It explores the black populations of Northampton, Westhampton, Greenfield, Shelburne, and Norwich. These studies showcase how African-Americans moved from town to town in an attempt to establish a stable income and place in society through the analysis of United States Census Records, judicial court cases, and local histories. Overall, blacks were often met with oppression or opposition from the towns in which they settled. In the end, many of the blacks who settled in Hampshire County were forced to leave the area by the white community.
SESSION VI
10:45
JESSICA LYLE: NEUMANN COLLEGE
LIFE OR DEATH: A CRITICAL LOOK AT EUTHANASIA
When a person becomes terminally ill, many concerns surface to how the person plans to care for his disease and if euthanasia is the best alternative for ending his suffering. Euthanasia is the act of bringing about the death of a hopelessly ill and suffering person in a relatively quick and painless way for the sake of mercy. Voluntary euthanasia should be legal because a patient can put his death wish in writing. When the death wish is in writing, there is no question about the patients wish. In addition, a written document creates safeguards that could protect doctors and nurses from being prosecuted for murder.
11:00
JOSEPH LEONARD SMITH: HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
HOW PREVALENT IS SEX DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY FACULTY
The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which female professors at colleges and universities are discriminated against in their pay. I say “find the extent” rather than “find any presence of” because anecdotal evidence from federal court cases shows that some sex discrimination is present in academia. Using a "taste for discrimination" model, I test for discrimination among male and female faculty cumulatively, as well as across the different ranks (assistant, associate, and full professors). I examine whether or not the disparity in salary can be explained by institutional variables that imply market power.
11:15
PAMELA L. HAUKE: UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
EGO IDENTITY STATUS AND GENDER IDENTITY: SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN COLLEGE MEN AND WOMEN
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between ego identity status and gender identity for males and females. To investigate this relationship, 56 undergraduate students completed the revised version of the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status and The Bem Sex Role Inventory. Due to the violation of an assumption, we were unable to conduct the necessary analysis to determine if there was a relationship between ego identity status and gender identity. However, a non-significant relationship was found between gender and the moratorium ego identity status, as well as, gender and the diffusion ego identity status. These results suggest that gender does not have an effect on the frequency of identity statuses of college students.
11:30
RYAN BELL: NEUMANN COLLEGE
THE INTERROGATION PROCESS AND THE MORALITY OF ITS PRACTICE
I intend to examine the process and application of interrogation techniques used by the American government. Since the scandal at Abu Ghraib the use of interrogation to question suspected enemies of the state has come into question. My goal is to examine and detail specific methods of interrogation that are used by the United States government. In addition, my topic will cover what, if any moral obligations the U.S. government has towards enemies. I will examine whether the U.S. government is truly in the wrong for certain interrogation techniques and practices. The final question will be whether the U.S. should be humane in dealing with enemies when the information extracted could save the lives of many innocent people.
11:45
WILLIAM C. BUTT: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
A ROCKY ROAD: THE UNITED STATES ARMY FOLLOWING THE VIETNAM WAR
After its withdrawal from Vietnam, the U.S. Army faced the most serious challenges.
With negative public perceptions of the military in general, the Army found it difficult to recruit able soldiers. Drug abuse and racial unrest ran rampant through the enlisted ranks. While funding for the U.S. armed forces declined, the Soviet military was rapidly increasing its strength--a disparity that caused U.S. leaders to adopt a defensive strategy. Yet there was light at the end of the tunnel; the leadership, and technological advances that came out of this era would propel the Army into the 1980's and eventually help win the Cold War. This paper will be based on appropriate secondary sources, but also on interviews with veterans of the era, to include General John Jumper, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.
SESSION VII
10:45
ALEAH DILLON: ROANOKE COLLEGE
MAXIMAL AND LONGEST SNAKES IN D-DIMENSIONAL HYPERCUBES
Error detecting codes are used extensively in digital communications. One way of finding such codes, for example, a 1-bit error detecting code, is to suitably label the vertices of a d-dimensional hypercube and find an induced path, or snake in the hypercube. It is known that longer snakes produce better error detecting codes. Thus, it is useful to find a longest snake in the hypercube producing the best such code. The problem of finding longest snakes in hypercubes was proposed in 1958, and is still an open problem that has proven difficult to solve due to the fact that few characteristics of longest snakes are understood. Beyond dimension seven it is difficult for even an extremely powerful computer to examine all of the possibilities until a longest snake is found.
11:00
TIMOTHY KRAUS: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
SPEECH IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION USING THE QUASI-OPTIMAL BOUNDING ELLIPOSOID (QOBE) ALGORITHM
COAUTHOR: GIHAN MANDOUR
The quasi-optimal bounding ellipsoid (QOBE) algorithm has emerged as potential candidate in many digital signal processing applications for its efficiency in estimating the parameter set of an unknown system. The algorithm is distinguishable by its ability to selectively use the incoming data to minimize an ellipsoid that bounds the solution set. In this work we use the QOBE estimates for classifying and identifying particular vowel sounds from a set of spoken vowels. We adaptively estimate the linear parameters for the autoregressive (AR) model that represent different unknown vowels using QOBE. The resulting set of parameters is then clustered using the K-Means classifying algorithm to compare these models against the set of known models and identify the name of the vowel that is spoken.
11:15
WILLIAM D. SCOTT: ROANOKE COLLEGE
EMPIRICAL WORK ON OPTIMAL CHANNEL ASSIGNMENTS FOR CELLULAR AND SQUARE WIRELESS NETWORKS
COAUTHOR: DR. ANIL SHENDE
The recent surge in the use of wireless technologies has spawned the need to use the scarce radio spectrum efficiently to avoid communication problems. The main problem, interference, is caused when two relatively nearby devices simultaneously transmit information on close channels. Hence, there is a need for channel assignment schemes which ensure that channels assigned to close devices differ enough to avoid interference. Schemes which use a minimal number of channels for the given network topology are called optimal assignment schemes. I present empirical work related to proving properties of optimal assignment schemes for a specific model of wireless networks.
11:30
KRISTINA KRSTEVA: RANDOLPH-MACON WOMAN'S COLLEGE
VERTEX COLORING OF THE PYTHAGOREAN GRAPH
COAUTHOR: MARC ORDOWER
The question of partition regularity for systems of linear equations has been answered through theorems of Rado and others. However, very little is known about partition regularity even for simple non-linear equations. In order to gain some understanding of the regularity condition of the Pythagorean equation, we consider a related vertex coloring problem. With the aid of computer experimentation, we demonstrate that the chromatic number of an infinite graph associated to the Pythagorean equation is at least four.
11:45
MASON VINES: ROANOKE COLLEGE
SPATIAL ITERATED PRISONER'S DILEMMA IN PARALLEL
The Prisoner's Dilemma is a game where two players each choose to either cooperate or defect. The players gain different amounts of points depending on their choice and the choice of their opponent. We modified the program used in the Spatial Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma(SPID) to run in parallel. In the SPID the players lived on a two dimensional grid and interacted only with players above, below, to the right, and to the left. After playing with their neighbors, players could try to move away in order to better their position. Each player was given a strategy, based on past research. We gathered information about how each strategy scored, which ones formed the largest clusters, and the different patterns that strategies formed.
SESSION VII
10:45
ROBYN L. OAKES: SALEM COLLEGE
ANALYSIS OF LIQUID PHASE THERMAL DEGRADATION PRODUCTS OF TEXTILE LUBRICANTS
COAUTHORS: PARIA MOUSAVI, PETER HAUSER, AND CHRISTINE GRANT, NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY
Spin finishes, composed of lubricants and other additives, are used to aid textile production by reducing friction. When the finish is subjected to high temperature environments during production, it thermally degrades or oxidizes to produce toxic volatiles, solid deposits, or sludge. Liquid phase products of thermal degradation at 220ºC of coconut oil lubricant were analyzed and the effects of two antioxidants on the degradation behavior of the coconut oil were compared. Another lubricant, pentaerythritol tetrapelargonate, was degraded at 220ºC in a nitrogen environment and compared to earlier data from an air environment to separate the contributions from thermal decomposition and oxidation. Gel Permeation Chromatography, FTIR Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis and other methods were utilized to study changes in the system.
11:00
ANA CIRIC: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
HOMOGENEOUS ELECTROCATALYTIC REDUCTION OF CO2 WITH THE COMPOUND TETRACHLORO(DI-2-PYRIDYLKETONE)PLATINUM(IV); [PT(DPK)CL4]
COAUTHORS: KATHERINE N. CROWDER, REBEKAH L. BURR, MIKE H. WILSON, J. MICAH NORTH, ROBERT M. GRANGER, AND KARL D. SIENERTH
We report on the electro-catalytic reduction of CO2 at a platinum electrode in the presence of the catalysts [Pt(dpk)Cl4], [Pt(dpk)2Cl2]2+ & poly-{[Pt(dpk)2][PF6]4}n. {dpk = (di-2-pyridylketone)}. Crystal structures of all three are presented along with a crystal structure of a hydrated form of [Pt(dpk)Cl4]. Cyclic voltammetry was used to demonstrate catalytic reduction of CO2 and GC/MS data confirms the formation of oxylate from CO2. using [Pt(dpk)2Cl2]2+. Last, labeling studies using 13CO2 and 13C-NMR confirms the formation of large organic molecules using poly-{[Pt(dpk)2][PF6]4}n. with CO2 functioning as the carbon feed stock.
11:15
ASHLEIGH BABER: RANDOLPH-MACON WOMAN'S COLLEGE
THE DETERMINATION OF HEAT CAPACITIES OF LIQUIDS WITH THERMAL LENS CALORIMETRY
COAUTHORS: KARISHMA RAJANI AND DR. KURT SEIDMAN
The application of thermal lens formation to the determination of the heat capacities of liquids has been reported in the literature. The method, called thermal lens calorimetry, has the potential to be faster than more traditional calorimetric techniques, but the accuracy was poor. The lack of accuracy was a consequence of a failure to properly calibrate the method. More recently Seidman and Payne reported a procedure that makes use of the diameter of the thermal bloom to calibrate the method. Although the calibration procedure dramatically improved the accuracy of the results, thermal lens calorimetry still did not provide the accuracy that is obtained with more traditional calorimetric methods. This paper describes refinements in the technique that are currently producing results that
rival those obtained with more traditional methods.
11:30
KIM WADELTON: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
PHASE EQUILIBRIUM PREDICTED BY THE SOAVE-REDLICH-KWONG EQUATION AT LOW TEMPERATURES
COAUTHOR: MICHAEL MISOVICH, ADVISOR HOPE COLLEGE
This study developed vapor-liquid equilibrium relationships for vapor pressure and liquid density predicted by the Soave-Redlich-Kwong cubic equation of state (SRK) in the low temperature limit. Dimensionless variables were defined to simplify calculations. One, reduced density, was defined by dividing the actual density by density in the zero temperature limit. Vapor pressures and phase densities were calculated numerically using a regula-falsi procedure. The method gave efficient calculations for reduced temperatures from approximately 0.0002 to approximately 0.9999. By manipulating the numerical data for reduced pressure and reduced temperature, functional relationships were suggested and verified analytically. Results of the predictive equations for reduced pressure were compared to the numerical results and differed at worst within one order of magnitude over the temperature range from zero to the critical point.
SESSION IX
10:45
ERIKA LANGSJOEN: HOLLINS UNIVERSITY
ZENO'S PARADOXES
The ancient philosopher Zeno devised a set of paradoxes designed to expose the problems inherent to the metaphysical view that reality consists of more than one object. In “The Incredible Shrinking Zeno,” authors David Goloff and Daniel Kolak consider one of the most popular of Zeno’s paradoxes, the Dichotomy, and argue that it can be resolved through the application of basic principles of calculus. They then attempt to reconfigure the paradox so that it more successfully avoids resolution and thus more seriously attacks the common belief in the plurality of our world. In my critique of Goloff and Kolak, I argue that the authors’ reconstructed paradox also can be solved mathematically, after some of our abstract ideas about the finite and the infinite are reconciled.
11:00
ELIZABETH GLEN: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
MATHEMATICIANS AND THE FRIDAY MOSQUE OF ISFAHAN
The Friday mosque of Isfahan (Masjid-I Jami’) is an example of the influences of two particular mathematicians on Islamic building practices. Both Abu ‘l’Wafa and Omar Khayyam worked in Isfahan during the construction of the mosque, beginning in approximately 1080 CE. Abu ‘l’Wafa’s geometric proof of the Pythagorean theorem yielded a particularly useful method of constructing geometric patterns, called almonds, found in the mosaics and Murqarnas of the iwan. A particular proof of Khayyams’, written at approximately the same time as the erection of the north dome, was related to its decoration and necessary for construction of the pentagonal ribbed vault.
11:15
ZIRWAT CHOWDHURY: HOLLINS UNIVERSITY
THE LANGUAGE OF ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
The Arabic language may be expansive in content but it is concise in use. The language is also auditory in nature. This may make us question its function or effectiveness in visual representation. However, the truth is that it invites the truest form of contemplation by requiring synthetic use of visual and cerebral comprehension to appreciate the display. The script itself is based on characters with distinctive shape, while maintaining fluidity of the whole content. On a religious level, the Qu’ran does stand for the word of God. According to Michael Sells, “power and tenderness come together in Qu’ranic language”. In fact, it is the only physical manifestation of anything associated directly with Divinity and the faith.
11:30
JONATHAN PAGE
THE MOORISH INFLUENCE ON SPANISH CITY PLANNING
In a period of one hundred years, there is often change. However, in the case of Spanish city planning, a consistency like no other is evident. Through the analysis of the travelogues of authors dating back to the mid-1850’s, it has become evident that Spanish city planning, especially in the southern region of Andalusia, has followed an even path through times of change in Spain. This consistency dates back to the Moorish conquest of Spain in 711, yet still exists today, over 1250 years later.
SESSION X
10:45
WHITNEY ATKINS: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
ROBERT E. LEE MONUMENT: CRACKS IN THE MARBLE
The construction and erection of the Robert E. Lee Monument in Richmond, Virginia, was riddled in controversy. Although the monument embodied the cult of the Lost Cause, a unifying spirit, it masked deeper divisions of society. The Lee statue took twenty years to complete due to social divisions over gender, class, and race. Two all-male and all-female organizations fought for control over the statue. The statue’s site was decided as a way to separate Richmond’s wealthy elites from poor immigrants. The symbol of Lee for white southerners was honor but for Black southerners he symbolized racism. The Lee Monument represented the three major goals of the Lost Cause: inventing the Old South, changing the cause of the war and redeeming the South.
11:00
ASHLEY PATTERSON: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
RELIGION AND THE CONFEDERATE SOLDIER: THE ROLE OF PROTESTANT CHRISTIANITY IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY, 1861-1865
Protestant Religion in the Confederate South played an influential role in the American Civil War that is often overlooked in studies of the era. The forms, methods, assumptions and terminology Protestantism brought to the South set up a religious framework that would define the religious beliefs and practices of Civil War soldiers. Confederate soldiers utilized religion throughout the war to give meaning and comfort to their cause as well as an ideology that influenced their day-to-day lives. Religious influences were felt from the communities at home to the battlefield and encampments of war.
11:15
SHAUN M. JONES: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
READING CONRAD: HISTORY, DUALITY, AND IMPERIALISM
The writings of Joseph Conrad play an essential role in our cultural literacy, allowing a view into the early literary modernist movement, late-Victorian imperialism, and contemporary depictions of Africa. His works were an important point of reference about the “human condition” until 1977, when our interpretations were challenged by Chinua Achebe’s accusation that Heart of Darkness showed Conrad to be a “Bloody Racist.” We need to consider what truth lies in Achebe’s accusation and how this affects our analysis of Conrad’s work. Rather than forcing us to either accept or dismiss Conrad, Achebe’s charge can also invite us to re-approach Conrad through a post-colonial perspective, juxtaposing pre- and post-Achebe readings of Conrad.
11:30
WESLEY SHOLTES: HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
“IBSENISM”: A PHILOSOPHICAL IDENTITY OF HUMAN ESSENCE
Late 19th century playwright Henrik Ibsen engaged his readers with controversial issues in his three middle plays, A Doll’s House, Ghosts, and An Enemy of the People, each of which disclose ideas pertinent to his ideological stance. While his plays certainly represent great works of art, they also advocate a unique form of political philosophy often called "Ibsenism." At the heart of Ibsen's political mind is his literary interest in man's revolt against social conventions, such as those implied in society's expectations of married women, the dead dogmas ("ghosts") behind society's condemnation of euthanasia, and the enslavement of public officials to the ignorant will of the compact majority. Ibsen favored the exercise of man’s willpower over social norms that dictate limitations upon his human spirit.
11:45
WILLIAM R. DECHER: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
EXISTENTIAL FAULKNER: QUENTIN, JOE, CAIN, AND ABEL
This presentation is a single person lecture on the works of William Faulkner, particularly in The Sound and the Fury and Light in August. The main thrust of the presentation is, "Am I my brother's keeper?" a line taken from the story of Cain and Abel in the Old Testament. Sartre's writings on Quentin Compson, Camus' "The Myth of Sisyphus," and writings of other existential authors including Kierkegaard and Nietzsche will be used to excite debate and combine the stories of Cain and Abel, Quentin Compson, and Joe Christmas into an understandable statement about the moral responsibilities of each man to their neighbor, and more importantly, to their brother, in the twenty-first century.
SESSION XI
2:45
ANDREA LACAVA: NEUMANN COLLEGE
NURSING AND THE MORALITY OF ABORTION
It is unethical for nurses to refuse to assist in an abortion, even if they are inclined against it? I will use Kant's ethics to defend this claim. The apex of Kant's argument is that people should not be ruled by their passions. People are ruled by reason. Reason is known through the concepts of duty and good will. Since one should not be ruled by her passions, she should not let passions get in the way of what is her duty. For only by doing her duty can her actions be deemed moral.
3:00
REBECCA BAAS: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
CLIENT ATTENDANCE AND COMPLIANCE TRENDS AT COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION CENTERS: A STUDY OF EAGLE'S NEST CLUBHOUSE
Community mental health services have increased dramatically since the de-institutionalization movement of the early 1970s. Because of insufficient time, funding, and expertise, many emerging community psychiatric rehabilitation programs often lack resources for adequate assessment. This study designed and developed an Excel data collection system for Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse in Buena Vista, Virginia, a day program for chronically mentally ill individuals. The data collection system investigated the general profile of participants in Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse, the general attendance patterns, and client characteristics that predict success as defined by attendance compliance. Differences in attendance compliance were found by disorder, gender, and age. The data will be used to evaluate and compare the program design. Future study will be done on the correlation between outcomes and compliance.
3:15
REBECCA WARME AND STEPHANIE PULAS: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
ASSESSING STORYTELLING BEHAVIOR AND ITS RELATION TO MOOD
COAUTHOR: JEFFREY A. GIBBONS
Past research has shown that emotions fade more for unpleasant events than for pleasant events and this is positively related with the Fading Affect Bias and social rehearsals. We built on this research by examining the relation between storytelling and mood. In three experiments, we gave participants instructions to change their storytelling behavior by either telling more stories and telling their stories to more different types of people, just telling more stories, just telling more different types of people, or to keep their storytelling behavior constant over a 2-day interval. Results indicated that the number of different types of people the participants told their stories to, was a positive predictor in mood, such that the mood increased when the number of types of people told stories to increased.
3:30
JOHN H. SPIERS: LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY
ASSESSING ASSESSMENT: DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STANDARDS OF LEARNING
With No Child Left Behind (NCLB), students, teachers, and schools are increasingly accountable for educational achievement. The Virginia Department of Education implemented a Standards of Learning (SOL) program of curricular standards and standardized assessment in advance of NCLB to enhance educational progress. A qualitative evaluation of the development, implementation, and effectiveness of the program fills a significant gap in the literature of the high stakes educational environment in Virginia. The construction and implementation of SOL objectives, accountability, and assessment participation for all students are considered. Explanations of the validity and reliability of the tests evaluate the program’s aims. A section on No Child Left Behind ties the SOL program to national mandates and sheds light on the future road of national and state educational reform.
3:45
MICKY HOFFMAN: NEUMANN COLLEGE
ED-NOS: THE SILENT ASSAILANT AMONG WOMEN
In today's society, women are torn between two conflicting adversaries: the "ideal" look for females projected by America's media and their actual figure. This constant battle can lead to serious emotional problems, sometimes leading to eating disorders. My primary focus will be on ED-NOS (eating disorder-not otherwise specified), a diagnosis far from well known in the general public, as well as to medical and psychiatric professionals. The purpose of my presentation is to show that any disorder at any stage of development is dangerous and it is indeed the behaviors and attitudes of an eating disorder that kill.
SESSION XII
2:45
JESSICA A. SMITH: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
MOORISH WOMEN: A LIFE OF ISOLATION AND DIFFICULTY
While the Moorish culture positively influenced and contributed to the Europe of today, the Moorish women lived difficult, hidden lives. This paper’s objective is to prove that women living in Al-Andalus between 711 and 1492 led hard lives. The writer uses religious writings, historical texts, and information gathered on her recent visit in Spain to support this theory. The conclusion is drawn that women did indeed live difficult lives in Al-Andalus due to their isolation, lack of rights, and little choice for a better future.
3:00
LAUREN FRANTZ: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
THE GRIMKE SISTERS: BLAZING AN ABOLITIONIST TRAIL THROUGH MASSACHUSETTS
Angelina and Sarah Grimke blazed a trail through Massachusetts during their abolitionist lecture tour in the summer of 1837. Their abolitionist cause was complicated further because of their abandonment of their southern heritage. The controversy surrounding the sisters deepened since they were women who dared to defy the socially accepted practices of the time and spoke to mixed audiences. Angelina’s speaking ability captivated audiences for hours, while Sarah spoke to the crowds less frequently and continued to actively defend their views in letters and other works. The Grimke sisters provoked staunch criticism of their methods of abolition, while their heart felt testimonies of what slavery was really like in the South captivated audiences.
3:15
KARLENA SAKAS: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
ECOFEMINISM IN THE UNITED STATES AND GERMANY
This paper is a study of ecofeminism, a philosophy linking the oppression of women and the degradation of nature, in the United States during the last three decades of the 20th century. It also examines ecofeminism as a social movement in Germany during the same period.
3:30
SAMME PILKINGTON: NEUMANN COLLEGE
WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUES IN THE THIRD WORLD
I will address women's health issues in Third World countries. These women endure many sicknesses and diseases. I will explain the unusual diseases they encounter and how it affects the women in these countries. The four primary illnesses that they deal with are: HIV/AIDS, female genital mutilation, sex trafficking, and gender apartheid. In conclusion, I will concentrate on the ways in which people are able to provide beneficial help to the women who reside in Third World countries.
3:45
ROBIN PARKINSON: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
RURAL CHINESE WOMEN’S RIGHTS: REALITY VS. ILLUSION AND CEDAW
The 1995 UN Fourth World Conference on the Status of Women in Beijing highlighted women’s rights in China. The Chinese Communist Party passed a law claiming universal rights for women in 1992, declaring women to be equal with men. These laws provide the illusion of equality in China, although in reality they are not enforced. Women who have the courage to organize against the government are usually exiled or imprisoned. Many women are in rural areas are not even aware of the rights they are granted by the government. My research takes women’s rights issues raised in the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and compares China's report to CEDAW with the realities of women's conditions in rural China.
SESSION XIII
2:45
SHELBY SEARS: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
THE UNITED STATE MARINE ADVISORS AND THE VIETNAMESE MARINE CORPS 1954-1975
The United State Marine Advisors and the Vietnamese Marine Corps 1954-1975 is the Senior Thesis of Shelby Sears, a 1st Classman at the Virginia Military Institute. The project traces the formation of the South Vietnamese Marine Corps (VNMC) as well as the role of the US Marine Corps Advisors assigned to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam in support. The study is based on key secondary sources plus oral histories taken by Shelby Sears of General Anthony Zinni, Colonels John Grider Miller, Ronald Ray and John Ripley and LTC Bill Moriarty, all are USMC (Ret) and all former US Advisors to the VNMC. Lastly the project incorporates nearly 20 previously unpublished photographs taken from the personal collections of those interviewed.
3:00
JENNIFER WALEGA: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
A STRUGGLE OVER RACE IN THE WINDY CITY: THE DECLINE OF RICHARD J. DALEY AND HIS MACHINE
Decades of built-up tensions between the white and black populations of Chicago boiled over in the late 1960s, particularly after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, and it left the city’s seemingly all-powerful mayor and city “boss”, Richard J. Daley, baffled at how to handle these sensitive conflicts. This issue of race quickly became a problem with serious consequences for the mayor and his Democratic machine. After a time of trying to delicately handle the issue so as not to lose voters or his reputation, the culmination of the racial tensions that resulted in the rioting of spring 1968 exploited Daley's failures in the transition of from the old age machine politics into the more modern sphere of politics.
3:15
MICHELLE LEIGH HUDGENS: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
RELIGION AND THE FIRST CONSTITUTIONS OF MASSACHUSETTS, PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND VIRGINIA
The religiously diverse populations of Virginia, South Carolina, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania contributed significantly to the faith clauses each formed in their first state constitutions. These states were selected because of their church and state relationships prior to the American Revolution and their different established faith traditions: Congregationalism in Massachusetts, the Church of England in South Carolina and Virginia, and none in Pennsylvania, although it was originally a religious haven for Quakers. The result was liberal faith clauses in the constitutions of Virginia, where deists were influential, and Pennsylvania, and more conservative passages in South Carolina, which called for the general establishment of Christianity, and Massachusetts, which created a multiple establishment with religious taxation that allowed individuals to designate their contributions to a specific Christian denomination.
3:30
STEVEN DAHL: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
IRON WILL IMMIGRANTS IN THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN MINING INDUSTRY
In the late 19th century the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was an isolated, sparsely populated region that was characterized by short summers and long, cold, winters. The population that arose consisted mainly of first or second-generation immigrants, who would become key players in the iron ore industry that was beginning to flourish in the closing years of the century. These immigrants found a better life and more opportunities than in Europe, they had the chance to get ahead, start their own business, and own their own house. These opportunities did not come without sacrifice. Immigrants worked in dangerous iron ore mines, led a life that was influenced by company paternalism, and had to give up parts of their past and culture to gain these opportunities.
POSTER SESSION
1.
JOSHUA BELCHER: THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA'S COLLEGE AT WISE
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BETULA UBER (THE VIRGINIA ROUND LEAF BIRCH)AND BETULA LENTA (THE SWEET BIRCH)
COAUTHORS: MARGIE TUCKER AND KEVIN JONES
Betula uber, the Virginia Round Leaf Birch, is a rare species of birch indigenous to Southwest Virginia. It was the first woody plant to be placed on the Federal Endangered Species list and has since been reclassified as a threatened species. We isolated DNA from leaves of B. uber and B. lenta, the Sweet Birch. The Intervening Transcribed Sequence (ITS) region of the DNA was amplified and sequenced. B. uber proved to be identical to B. lenta in the ITS region. Identity of these two trees’ sequences in that region supports the argument that B. uber is a variety of Sweet Birch and does not warrant species status.
2.
CORRAINE A. SCOTT: RANDOLPH-MACON WOMAN’S COLLEGE
DIETARY PREFERENCES IN CONGENERICS DEROCERAS LAEVE (MÜLLER, 1774), D. RETICULATUM (MÜLLER, 1774), ARION INTERMEDIUS NORMAND, 1852 AND A. HORTENSIS FÉRUSSAC, 1819
COAUTHOR: DEIRDRE GONSALVES-JACKSON
It is well documented that species in genera Deroceras and Arion cause considerable damage to ornamental and commercial crops. Most slug population control techniques involve toxic chemicals rather than the use of alternative food sources. Therefore, the goal of this project was to determine if dietary preferences exist for two congeneric slug species when given a choice between three wild (Trifolium repens, Taraxacum officinale, Fragaria virginiana) and three cultivated (Hosta spp., Lactuca sativa, Rosa spp.) plant species. Twelve-hour feeding experiments were performed, and dietary preferences were determined by calculating percentage consumption of each plant leaf. Deroceras leave preferred L. sativa to F. virginiana (p = 0.054), while both Arion species and D. reticulatum showed no preference for any plant species.
3.
RUSS P. HENRIET: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
THE EFFECTS OF THE AROMITASE INHIBITOR AMINOGLUTETHIMIDE (AMGT) AND ESTROGEN REPLACEMENT THERAPY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENSORY-MOTOR BEHAVIORS IN THE ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO)
COAUTHOR: COL. JAMES TURNER
Recent studies have shown that when estrogen is introduced to a system, it can give the subject neural protective qualities against strokes and other neurodegenerative problems. The purpose of this study was to observe the zebrafish’s neural development when there is minimal estrogen present. By introducing aminoglutethimide into a system, the body cannot naturally produce estrogen. Thus it was possible to observe estrogen deficient zebrafish and note what changes in development they exhibit. The fish that were not treated with estrogen after AMGT treatment with regard to exhibiting proper sensory-motor functions, became severely retarded and developed poor spinal structure, whereas the fish treated with estradiol developed normally when compared to the untreated controls. In conclusion estrogen plays an important role in neural development.
4.
BRYAN P. NELSON: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
EFFECTS OF THE AROMATASE INHIBITOR (AI) ANDROSTENEDIONE (4-OH-A) ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SENSORY MOTOR FUNCTIONS IN THE EMBRYONIC ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO)
The aromatase inhibitor 4-OH-A acts as an inhibitor against the production of estrogen, which is necessary for normal neurological/physiological development of the zebrafish. The purpose of the study was to determine the maximum and minimum amounts of 4-OH-A the zebrafish can be exposed to before showing signs of neurological disorders. In the experiment the concentration of 50uM and 100uM 4-OH-A caused a lack of appearance of sensory motor functions. The second part of the experiment was to determine if an estrogen washout of 4-OH-A could elicit neuroregenerative affects. The washouts were wish 10^-6,-8 M estrogen showed a recovery of sensory motor functions. In conclusion this study demonstrated that estrogen elicits neuroregenerative ability.
5.
JESSICA W. FRICK: HOLLINS UNIVERSITY
THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE CONDITIONS AND TIME ON HATCHABILITY OF OPEN NESTING AND CAVITY NESTING BIRDS
COAUTHORS: RENEE D. GODARD AND C. MORGAN WILSON
Birds typically lay one egg per day, and incubation initiates development. Some species begin incubation after the first egg is laid (asynchronous), while others initiate incubation after the entire clutch is laid (synchronous). Synchronous incubation is advantageous as it results in synchronous hatch, but eggs exposed for multiple days to environmental conditions may have reduced viability because of microbial infection. In order to examine the potential disadvantages of the synchronous strategy, we examined microbe population, hatchability, and developmental symmetry at hatch of fertile chicken eggs left in boxes and nests for one, three and five days. Each treatment was paired with a clutch of eggs washed twice daily with ethanol. Data are currently under analysis and may contribute to our understanding of avian reproductive strategies.
6.
MAMATA THAPA: RANDOLPH-MACON WOMAN’S COLLEGE
DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERNS OF PULMONATE GASTROPOD MOLLUSKS (MOLLUSCA: GASTROPODA: PULMONATA) IN THE VIRGINIA PIEDMONT AREA
COAUTHORS: A.M. FEARON, C.A. SCOTT AND D. GONSALVES-JACKSON
Terrestrial slugs are common crop pests that cause significant damage to vegetation. Because of the negative impact they have on the environment, it is important to understand the developmental biology of these mollusks to create effective population control measures. The goal of this research was to document developmental patterns of collected species from the Virginia Piedmont area. Thirteen species were collected May-July 2003 and May-July 2004. Thirty percent of species deposited egg masses in the laboratory. Egg masses contained 2-17 capsules with capsule dimensions ranging from 2.0 x 2.0 –3.0 x 3.0 mm. Embryonic period is relatively short, ranging from 12-21 days with hatchlings ranging in size from 2.3 ± 0.9 - 9.3 ± 0.9 mm. Implications for their short embryonic period are discussed.
7.
ANDREEN M. FEARON: RANDOLPH-MACON WOMAN’S COLLEGE
SYSTEMATICS OF PULMONATE GASTROPOD MOLLUSKS IN THE VIRGINIA PIEDMONT AREA
COAUTHORS: C.A. SCOTT, M. THAPA, AND D. GONSALVES-JACKSON
Pulmonate gastropod mollusks include terrestrial slugs, which are commonly referred to as garden or greenhouse pests because they cause significant damage to vegetation. Therefore, it is important to document the diversity and natural history of these mollusks with hopes of creating safer alternatives to reduce their numbers. The goals of this project were to survey and document the diversity of slugs in the Virginia Piedmont area and create an online taxonomic database. Sampling results indicate a rich diversity and abundance of species. Of the thirty-six sites sampled, 214 specimens were collected during a ten-week period. Eleven species in five genera were identified. Thirty-eight percent of documented species for this region were collected. Further sampling is necessary to currently assess the diversity of this fauna.
8.
YANG-HSI TSAI: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
THE AMAZING ANTIOXIDATIVE, ANTIAPOPTOTIC AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES FROM CORTEX MOUTAN EXTRACTS
COAUTHOR: DR. JAMES E. TURNER
Previous experiments using the ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) assay has confirmed that Cortex moutan, an herb used in Chinese traditional medicine, possesses a high antioxidant potential. Recent studies of the aqueous extracts on Jurkat cells, in tissue culture, have shown that Cortex moutan is able to prevent the process of capthesin B induced apoptosis in these cells. Also, Cortex moutan was found to possess antimicrobial activity against several strains of bacteria. These results indicate that a chemical(s) in the Cortex moutan extract might be significant in treating diseases which involve the apoptotic process or microbial infections. Current studies are underway to identify the antioxidant factor(s) in Cortex mountan extracts using various analytical chemical techniques.
9.
DEVIN B. WATSON: HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
GENETIC SYNTHESIS OF TWO NOVEL REPETITIVE POLYPEPTIDES: [(GLYALA)3GLYGLY]X & [(GLYALA)3GLYCYS]X
COAUTHOR: MICHAEL J. DOUGHERTY
Structural proteins, such as the silks produced by the silkworm, Bombyx mori, are of particular interest to researchers in the materials science industry because of their remarkable strength and elasticity. The physical and chemical properties of these proteins are the result of anti-parallel  sheets formed by repetitive chains of glycine-alanine (Gly-Ala) sequences. Work has been carried out to synthesize two genes that encode for the general amino acid sequence, [(GlyAla)3XY]n, which is similar to the amino acid sequences found in naturally occurring silks. The genes were created by the enzymatic digestion and repetitive ligation of 24-base-pair DNA monomers, which were isolated from recombinant pUC18 plasmids. Future plans include inserting the gene into an expression vector and purifying the protein.
10.
ANTHONY COCHET: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
SEEKING THE FUNCTION OF AN UNCHARACTERIZED GENE IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Genomics is the study of the function, sequence and location of the genes in an organism and aims to understand how all genes function together. Although this is difficult in humans, it is possible to conduct genomic studies in simpler organisms such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or baker’s yeast. Although all yeast genes have been sequenced, the functions of many of these remain unknown. Before genome-wide data can be very useful, we need to determine the functions of these unknown genes. We hope to reveal the role of the unknown gene YKR023W by identifying other genes of know function that it normally cooperates with by using a genetic screen. We are currently constructing the appropriate strain of yeast to allow the screen to be performed.
11.
KARISHMA RAJANI: WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY, BOWMAN GREY CAMPUS AND RANDOLPH MACON WOMAN'S COLLEGE
PROTEONOMIC ANALYSIS OF RENAL AND CARDIAC CYTOKINE EXPRESSION IN THE SALT SENSITIVE MREN2. LEWIS RAT
COAUTHORS: LILIYA YAMALEYEVA, MARK CHAPPELL, PHD, NANCY PIRRO
Previous studies done on the mRen2.Lewis rat, a monogenic hypertensive model with increased expression of the mouse renin gene, revealed a profound effect of estrogen depletion, high salt in increasing blood pressure, and exacerbating renal injury and cardiac hypertrophy. The current study utilized a novel proteomic array to begin to characterize the expression of nineteen cytokines in the kidney and heart of the mRen2. Lewis rat and the influence of increased sodium intake and estrogen depletion. Increased expression of interleukin-6 was observed in the kidneys, while interleukin-4 and CINC-2, a neutrophil chemoattractant, were seen elevated in the heart of the female rats. Increasing evidence suggests that inflammation is associated with cardiovascular disease. Measuring the extent that cytokine expression contributes to renal injury or cardiac hypertrophy requires further research.
12.
WILL WOLANSKI: ROANOKE COLLEGE
DEER REPELLING PROPERTIES OF ROSEMARY AND LAVENDER OILS
Rosemary and lavender oils were investigated for deer repelling properties. Rosemary oil was separated into major components by flash chromatography using silica gel columns and an ethyl acetate and hexanes solvent system. The original oils, knowns, and column fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Rosemary oil was found to contain camphor, eucalyptol, borneol, 945-pinene, 946-pinene, camphene, caryophyllene, and limonene. Similarly, lavender oil contained camphor, eucalyptol, borneol, and caryophyllene. The oils and compounds were applied to whole kernel corn which was then set out on two plots of land. Deer feeding patterns at these sites were monitored. It was established that rosemary oil did not appear to deter deer; however, lavender oil exhibited deer repelling abilities which lasted for approximately twenty-four hours.
13.
ALIA CLARK: HOLLINS UNIVERSITY
SYNTHESES OF BIS-1,3,5-TRIKETONES USING ARYLDICARBOXYLATE ESTERS, 1,3-DIKETONES, AND SODIUM HYDRIDE IN DIMETHOXYETHANE
COAUTHOR: SANDRA BOATMAN
We attempted to synthesize several bis-1,3,5-triketones using aryldicarboxylate esters, 1,3-diketones, and sodium hydride (NaH) in dimethoxyethane (DME). 1,4-bis(1,3,5-triketohexyl)benzene was synthesized using dimethyl terephthalate, acetylacetone, and NaH in DME. Best yields were obtained by using a large excess of acetylacetone and NaH. When acetylacetone was combined with dimethyl isophthalate, two products were obtained. Further tests are needed to confirm the formation of 1,3-bis(1,3,5-triketohexyl)benzene and to determine the structures of other products formed in these reactions. Bis-triketones were also obtained from the reactions of dimethyl-2,5-pyridine dicarboxylate and dimethyl-2,6-pyridine dicarboxylate with acetylacetone or benzoylacetone Yields ranged from 24 to 59%. Structures of bis-triketones were confirmed by elemental analysis and infrared spectra. The corresponding triketocarboxylic acids were obtained from each reaction as side products.
14.
CORY D. JAQUES: HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
ASSEMBLY, CALIBRATION, AND TESTING OF AN ENDOR SPECTROMETER
COAUTHORS: C. D. JAQUES, N. A. STASKO, AND H. J. SIPE, JR.
Electron Nuclear Double Resonance spectroscopy detects nuclear magnetic resonance signals via intensity changes of simultaneously excited electron paramagnetic resonance transitions. A JEOL ESR spectrometer was modified for ENDOR measurements. Components added were: NMR excitation source; wide-band 100 watt NMR amplifier; TM-110 ENDOR cavity; 500 watt load resistor. A Hewlett-Packard 34970A digitizer recorded spectra. ESR and ENDOR components were controlled and spectra were recorded by software written in house using the LabVIEW software environment. To detect the ENDOR signal, the RF NMR excitation signal was FM modulated at 100 kHz using the ESR spectrometer’s 100 kHz modulation source and 100 kHz phase detection system. Successful operation of the ENDOR spectrometer was demonstrated by reproducing spectra reported in the literature for the tri-tertiary- butyl-phenoxyl radical in mineral oil.
15.
ERICA KENNEDY AND KIMBERLY WILSON: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
A NEW CIS-PLATIN ANALOG? THE SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, SELECTIVE CYTOTOXICITY AND DNA BINDING STUDIES OF TETRACHLORO(1,10-PHENANTHROLINE-5,6-DIONE)PLATINUM(IV); X-RAY STRUCTURE ANALYSIS OF DICHLORO(1,10-PHENANTHROLINE-5,6-DIONE)PLATINUM(II)
We report the synthesis, characterization, selective cytoxicity and DNA binding of the molecule Tetrachloro(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)platinum(IV);[Pt(dione)Cl4]. We report the x-ray structure of Dichloro(1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione)platinum(II);[Pt(dione)Cl2]. This x-ray structure is an example of the dione ligand chelated to a platinum(II) center as a diimene rather than the preferred quinone binding mode. Initial studies of the electrochemical behavior of [Pt(dione)Cl4] are presented. The energy of the electronic transitions within [Pt(dione)Cl4] showed a solvent dependence but no clear hyper- or hypochromicity trends as a function of solvent polarity. Cell culture studies of [Pt(IV)dione] (10mM) conducted on normal (WI-38) and transformed cells (G-401) showed a remarkable degree of selectivity cytotoxicity. DNA binding studies comparing [Pt(dione)Cl4] and cis-platin were conducted with poly(dG-dC)- poly(dG-dC), poly(dG-dG)-poly(dC-dC) and poly(dA-dT)- poly(dA-dT). These studies indicate [Pt(dione)Cl4] DNA binding mechanism is different than cis-platin.
16.
MITHILESH ADHIKARI: HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
CALCULATED ENERGY PROFILES AND TRANSITION STATES OF REACTIONS FORMING BAYLIS-HILLMAN INTERMEDIATES
COAUTHORS: DR. PAUL H. MUELLER AND AARON SKEEN
Reactions of methyl acrylate with five Baylis-Hillman catalysts were modeled with AM1 semi-empirical calculations. Calculations suggest that two imine-type catalysts, DBU and DMAP, have comparable activation enthalpies for forward and reverse reactions 14.9-15.3 and 3 -3.7 Kcal/mol, respectively) and similar C–N bond lengths in transition states and adducts (1.79-1.80 and 1.53-1.54A, respectively). DABCO and pyrrolopyrrolidine, catalysts with bridgehead-type Nitrogens, gave different but self-consistent activation energies for forward and reverse reactions (17.3-17.4 and 0.8 Kcal/mol, respectively) and bond lengths of transition states and adducts (1.76-1.77A and 1.60-1.61A, respectively). Calculated energies and bond lengths for the other bridgehead-type catalyst, a hexahydropyrrolobenzodiazepine, were not consistent with either the imine-type catalysts or the other two bridgehead-type catalysts.
17.
VESPER HUBBARD AND DORCA MUDZINGWA: HOLLINS UNIVERSITY
THERMAL ISOMERIZATION OF AND HX ELIMINATION FROM HYDROCHLOFLUORO-ETHANES AND PROPANES
COAUTHORS: BANSI KALRA AND DAVID LEWIS
1-Chloro-tetrafluoroethane (1-CTFE), 2-Chloro-tetrafluoroethane (2-CTFE), 1-Chloro-1,1, 2, 3, 3, 3-hexafluoropropane (1-CHFP) and 2- Chloro-1,1, 1, 3, 3, 3-hexafluoropropane (2-CHFP) in argon mixtures were heated in a single-pulse glass shock tube, and the resulting product mixtures were analyzed using a Nicolet Impact 400 FTIR, a GC with an FID detector, and a GC/MS. Whereas no changes in spectra were detected on heating the two substituted ethanes, the heating of substituted propanes led to the formation of hexafluoropropene indicating the elimination of HCl from the substrates. In addition, heating of 2-CHFP showed small amount of 1-CHFP formation, lending support to the suggestion that the 1, 3- elimination of HCl from 2-CHFP is a two step process : a rate determining 1, 2-FCl rearrangement followed by a 2,3-elimination of HCl.
18.
BARRY MCCORD: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
RALOXIFENE MIMICS THE EFFECTS OF ESTROGEN ON THE ACCELERATIONED DEVELOPMENT OF SENSORY-MOTOR FUNCTIONS IN THE ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO)
COAUTHOR: JAMES E. TURNER, PHD
Replacement therapy with estrogen (ERT) gives an increased risk of breast and uterine cancer. To obtain the benefits of ERT without the risks of estrogen’s side effects, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have created great interest as possible substitutes. Raloxifene, a SERM, mimics the binding characteristics of 17b estradiol, making it a competitive inhibitor, as well as, possibly exhibiting selective estrogen-like effects through the various estrogen receptors. In order to determine if raloxifene possesses estrogen-like qualities during embryogenesis, zebrafish were exposed to solutions of 10-8 M estrogen or raloxifene over a three day time period from 24-96 hours post fertilization. Controls solutions contained only a salt solution. Under these conditions, raloxifene was found to accelerate the appearance of sensory-motor behaviors in the developing zebrafish, in a manner similar to estrogen, and in some cases out performs estrogen in this process.
19.
STEFAN WIESE AND KEITH WILLIAMS: HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
N-ACETYLCYSTEINE [NAC] DOES NOT DISCHARGE THE ACETAMINOPHEN [ACAP] PHENOXYL RADICAL
COAUTHOR: H. J. SIPE, JR.
ACAP, popular analgesic, causes hepatotoxicity in overdoses. NAC, antidote for acetaminophen intoxication, was proposed to act by three possible mechanisms: (1) increasing glutathione production; (2) inhibiting cytochrome P-450 enzymes; (3) depleting acetaminophen toxic intermediates. Previous investigators observed phenoxyl free radicals formed by enzymatic peroxidation of ACAP by using fast flow techniques in which solutions of reactants were mixed immediately before entering the ESR cavity. We hypothesized NAC antidotal action was mechanism (3) – discharge of phenoxyl radicals by hydrogen atom transfer from NAC to ACAP•. When we mixed ACAP and H2O2 solution with a hemoglobin solution, ACAP• was observed. When NAC was included, approximately the same ESR spectrum was observed. Increasing NAC enhanced the ACAP• ESR, suggesting that NAC does not discharge ACAP• in our system.
20.
AMANDAA K. BOSTICK: ROANOKE COLLEGE
A STUDY OF BORATE ESTERS USING NMR SPECTROSCOPY AND CACHE MOLECULAR MODELING
The esterification reactions of boric acid with methanol, cis,cis-1,3,5-cyclohexanetriol and triethanolamine were studied using 1H and 11B nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and molecular modeling (CAChe). NMR spectra were used to determine the identities of the products and the equilibrium constants. For methanol in acetone the overall equilibrium constants for the mono-, di-, and triesters were found to be 5.2, 1.6 and 2.0E-01 respectively. The cis,cis-1,3,5-cyclohexanetriol system in acetone was interpreted as forming the diester with an equilibrium constant of 1.0E+02, assuming rapid NMR exchange. In D2O triethanolamine showed di- and trisubstituted esters with equilibrium constants of 4.2E+04 and 1.3E+06, respectively. The overall equilibrium constants from CAChe and NMR were compared and showed the same relative trends.
21.
ROBERT C. GEORGE: HAMPDEN-SYDNEY COLLEGE
RAPID SCAN AND SIGNAL AVERAGING CAPABILITY FOR A JEOL RE-1X ESR SPECTROMETER
COAUTHOR: H. J. SIPE, JR.
The LabVIEW™ programming environment was used to digitize ESR spectra with a high speed digitizer (200 KS/sec) measuring replicate values for each spectral element. Two methods of recording spectra were developed. “Field-Stepping” programs discrete magnetic field values, acquires replicate data at each field, has sweeps of 2 minutes and longer, and has both signal averaging and signal adding capabilities. Alternately a computer-generated pulse train produces analog magnetic field sweeps with spectra measured continuously in both upfield and downfield directions. Sweeps of 30 seconds and longer are possible, and both signal averaging and signal adding capabilities are available. A file conversion program was also created to allow data from our ESR spectrometer to be converted into formats that can be read by analysis and simulation programs.
22.
MARIANA LAZAROVA: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
TURBULENT CHARACTERISTICS OF GALACTIC HI
Density fluctuations in the galactic neutral hydrogen play a significant role in the dynamics of the ISM and have been observed on a wide range of scales. Minter & Lockman (1997) have found that the galactic HI fluctuations are consistent with the HI fluctuations being due to Kolmogorov turbulence. Using VLA data at 21-cm, we determine the spatial power spectrum (SPS) of galactic parsec-scale HI fluctuations on four lines of sight in the outer Galaxy. The SPS is obtained directly from the inteferometric data by squaring the modulus of the complex visibility function - no imaging is required. The raw data was calibrated with AIPS following the standard spectral-line data calibration procedure. Two IDL programs were developed for analyzing the UV data, applying noise correction to the SPS.
23.
JUSTIN A. BISHOP: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF ENDOVASCULAR STENT MODELS
The objective of this project is to devise a set of design rules that will permit existing non-endovascular stent geometries to be adapted for use in systems that may require them to be safely end-flared without axially contracting. The initial data for this research will be collected from the legal proceedings of an actual medical malpractice case involving failure of a stent designed for a bile duct but deployed in an aortic artery. The stent's mechanical failure and resulting clinical complications will be analyzed and used to create general design rules to allow any non-endovascular stent to resist end-flare and thus avoid one failure mechanism that can be fatal in endovascular situations. We plan to submit the results of this work to at least one major stent manufacturer.
24.
BARBARA MERK: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
EXCITATION INTENSITY DEPENDENCE OF ANTI-STOKES EMISSION IN UNDOPED YVO4
COAUTHORS: M.C.S. YOCHUM AND H.M. YOCHUM
Yttrium Orthovanadate (YVO4) is a crystal that is valuable in optical technologies, where it is used both in telecommunications and as a solid-state laser host material. In this experiment, anti-Stokes emission in undoped YVO4 crystals was measured in order to determine the relationship between excitation intensity and emission intensity. This relationship was used to determine the nature of the emission process. Emission resulting from excitation by light of different intensities was examined in YVO4 samples with different absorption spectra. Furthermore, anti-Stokes emission from YVO4 crystals of different coloration was compared in order to determine the effect of defects in the material on the intensity of this emission. It was concluded that the excitation likely occurs via a two-photon process in both transparent and discolored samples.
25.
TIMOTHY MASTERSON: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
USING THE RECURSIVE LEAST SQUARE (RLS) ALGORITHM AND THE K-MEANS CLUSTERING ALGORITHM TO CLASSIFY VOWEL SOUNDS
COAUTHOR: GIHAN MANDOUR
The goal of any speech recognition system is to receive spoken information and act appropriately upon that information. Therefore, it is important to investigate ways to identify and classify different parts of the speech signal. A speech signal is most generally represented in a computer as a data vector. We use the recursive least square (RLS) algorithm adaptive filtering technique to find a set of parameters that model a speech signal. The goal is to find out how effective the RLS algorithm in distinguishing between different unknown vowel utterances. Once the RLS finds the parameters for each vowel utterance we will use the K-Means clustering algorithm to cluster similar vowels sounds. We then classify each cluster toward its corresponding sound from a set of known vowel sounds.
26.
MATTHEW UNGER AND PATRICK COMMERCE: JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
DEVELOPMENT OF A HYDROGEN-FUELED, FUEL CELL POWER SYSTEM FOR SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK’S AIR MONITORING STATION
Our project entails developing a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system fueled using hydrogen generated from an electrolyzer, to serve as a back-up power source for Shenandoah National Park’s air monitoring station. The air monitoring station collects air quality and meteorology information for the Valley region, and frequently loses data due to grid power outages. This work builds on a 2003 JMU senior project that developed a test bench to monitor and characterize the PEM fuel cell stacks. We will be defining the loads, designing the storage system that will work best with a low-pressure electrolyzer, selecting the type of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack, and designing the optimal system based on a base load and the potential for peak power smoothing with integrated batteries or ultra capacitors.
27.
KRISTY TINSLEY: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
RELATING INTERPUPILLARY DISTANCE TO THE ACCURACY OF DISTANCE ESTIMATIONS IN MEN AND WOMEN
COAUTHOR: DR. ANDREW VELKEY
Men estimate distance more accurately compared to women. Men also have a larger interpuillary distance (IPD) compared to women. In a pilot study, increases in IPD were positively correlated with accuracy of distance estimation in women but not for men. The present study will expand on this finding in order to assess the relationship between IPD and accuracy of distance estimations by men and women. By measuring participants' IPD, obtaining 4 distance estimations, and comparing the IPD and accuracy of estimations across actual distance and gender, the researchers expect to find that the accuracy of distance estimations will vary more among women compared to men due to the increases in vergence angles associated with larger IPD's and the sexual dimorphism in IPD gradients.
28.
JESSICA PRINCE: RADFORD UNIVERSITY
INFRARED LIGHT DISCRIMINATION IN RATS
Previous research in our lab found that some rats were unexpectedly able to solve a visual discrimination in the dark. However, the experimenter used an infrared flashlight. The current study investigated whether or not Long Evans rats could detect infrared light. Rats were initially trained to discriminate between a lit box vs. a dark box and the lit box was always reinforced. Upon attaining criterion performance, they were transferred to the infrared vs. dark discrimination. All trials were conducted in complete darkness. The results suggest that a few of the rats were able to perform at better than chance levels on the infrared discrimination, but not consistently.
29.
LAURA J. SMITH: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
LEVELS OF TASK COMPLEXITY AFFECTING ESTIMATES OF TASK COMPLETION TIME IN NOVICES, INTERMEDIATES, AND EXPERTS
COAUTHOR: ANDREW J. VELKEY
The current experiment will examine the interaction of expertise and task complexity on estimates of task completion time with participants at various levels of expertise in Chemistry (novice, intermediate, or expert). Participants are given 3 types of entry-level and 3 types of difficult problems. Before completing each problem, participants estimate task completion time and rate their confidence in their estimation. The results should reveal that novices underestimate on both tasks, intermediates should overestimate for the easy tasks and dramatically underestimate for the difficult tasks, and experts will slightly overestimate for both easy and difficult tasks but will be more accurate for the difficult tasks. The purpose of the present study is to explore the intermediate stage of expertise while elaborating further on expertise in Chemistry.
30.
ALEXIS COOK: RADFORD UNIVERSITY
THE USE OF ASSIMILATIVE AND ACCOMMODATIVE COPING STRATEGIES AMONG OLDER WORKERS
COAUTHOR: SEAN ROBSON
Understanding how older adults cope with age-related challenges is especially relevant due to the growing population of older workers. This research examined the use of assimilative and accommodative coping strategies among older workers. The sample consisted of 201 older workers ranging in age from 40 to 72. The results indicated that older workers were more likely to use an accommodative coping strategy compared to middle-age workers. In addition, it was found that individuals with more health problems were less likely to use either an accommodative or an assimilative coping strategy. Finally, there was no relationship between coping strategy and perceived age discrimination. The findings are discussed in relation to successful aging theories.
31.
ANETA LECZYCKI AND HEATHER BURKHEAD: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
THE EFFECT OF COMMITMENT ON SELF-CONTROL CHOICE IN BETTA SPLENDENS
COAUTHOR: ANDREW J. VELKEY
The current study examines the effect of learning and commitment on self-control choice in Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens). Subjects experienced instrumental choice trials in a T-maze. Half of the trials began with an immediate choice condition (commitment) and the other half of the trials began with a delayed choice condition (no commitment). During each trial, the subjects could choose between a smaller-sooner choice (1 pellet with no delay) and a larger-later choice (3 pellets after an 18 s delay). During delayed-choice trials, subjects consistently chose the smaller-sooner food reward, showing impulsiveness. These choice distributions were unaffected by commitment-choice trials. Future research will examine the timing of reinforcer delivery to determine if commitment can reduce rates of impulsiveness in fish.
32.
MELINDA WOLFROM: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE MORAL REASONING IN ADULTS: INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOGICAL AND MORAL REASONING
This study investigated the influence of cognitive dissonance (an internal feeling of discomfort that occurs as a result of having inconsistent thoughts or beliefs) on a person’s moral reasoning. Since individuals are motivated to maintain equilibrium in their thoughts, they may add or change inconsistent beliefs to reduce dissonance. Participants explained and rated their confidence on their positions on six moral dilemmas. To create cognitive dissonance, individuals wrote an essay contrary to their most confident position, rated their confidence again, and participants with inconsistent positions were made aware of their inconsistencies. The major findings of this study were: First, consistent with cognitive dissonance theory, participants lowered their confidence level after writing the essay. Second, although participants were aware that their positions were inconsistent, this inconsistency did not “bother” them, which is inconsistent with cognitive dissonance theory.
33.
CARRIE A. CONDON: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
USING A STATISTICAL MEASURE TO REDUCE FALSE ALARMS IN A WORD RECOGNITION TASK
COAUTHORS: LAKELA BRAND AND JEFFREY A. GIBBONS
In four experiments, we attempted to enhance recognition accuracy in a word recognition task by using a statistical measure that combined reaction time and recognition judgments. Participants viewed 40 words on a computer screen and made recognition judgments for 40 previously exposed words and 40 new words. Recognition accuracy and reaction time were recorded. In Experiment 1, a 48-hour retention interval was used. In Experiment 2, recognition judgments were made immediately. In Experiment 3, we added an interstimulus interval and increased exposure to 4-seconds. The statistical measure predicted exposure better than recognition judgments alone when false alarms were initially high. In Experiment 4, we have modified the instructions, which are expected to initially increase false alarms so that the statistical measure can reduce false alarms.
34.
MAGGIE SYDNEY HALL: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
THE EFFECTS OF CASUAL SEX TELEVISION PROGRAMMING ON ADOLESCENT SEXUAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS
COAUTHOR: THOMAS DAVIS BERRY
The purpose of the research proposed here was to examine the effect that television programming depicting casual sex between friends viewed by teenagers and young adults has on the sexual attitudes and, consequently, sexual behavior of young viewers. It was hypothesized that the more television depicting these casual sex behaviors that adolescents view, the more likely they are to have attitudes that support casual sex between friends and are, therefore, more likely to engage in behaviors consistent with those beliefs. Sexual attitudes and perceived sexual norms directly affect sexual behaviors of adolescents. These attitudes and perceptions can be influenced by many factors. Of particular interest here was the influence of the media, specifically popular television.
35.
MEHREEN FAROOQ: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
THE STRUGGLE TO BECOME THE GOOD COMMUNITY
It is inherent in our human nature to strive and long towards divine-like perfection. Such applies to the constant struggle for communities to become Good communities. The good community is based on virtues that descend from God’s attributes but due to the juxtaposition of God’s infiniteness and humanity’s finiteness; modern western countries have attempted to but cannot become good communities. This paper analyzes several case studies within the context of the aforementioned five virtues and illustrates how modern western countries like the U.S., U.K., France, Germany and Russia have attempted to but failed at becoming good communities.
36.
MEGAN MURRAY: CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY
LIVING BENEATH THE STREETS OF NEW YORK CITY
You do not know me if you think I am afraid, or that I build my burrow simply out of fear." Franz Kafka, "The Burrow"
The diversity of life along the streets of New York City is endless. But what happens to the people who don't make it in the big city? Known to few, there is actually a growing subculture of people known as the "mole people" surviving under the streets, living in the subway tunnels New York City residents travel daily. Their existence contradicts the pre-conceived notions that the tunnels are only places of violence and addicts, that it is an unfit place for people to live let alone families. In order to understand our own society, it is important to understand the "underworld of civilization."
37.
SASHA A. LEVINE: SWEET BRIAR COLLEGE
CHRISTIAN AID CEMETERY: A STUDY OF AN AMHERST COUNTY CEMETERY
The study of funerary practices and attitudes towards death is a significant area of study within anthropology, and with good cause. The gravestone offers one last opportunity for an individual to immortalize themselves or their loved ones. The final message given by or for an individual can tell us a lot about any given culture, for it is this last ritual that allows the individual to truly and finally express themselves before they are forever silenced.
38.
PHILLIP LEE SAUNDERS: VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
GRISTMILLING IN THE VALLEY OF VIRGINIA
The Valley of Virginia was a prominent grain producing area during the late eighteenth century. A large milling industry would evolve to process the grain that was the primary cash crop produced for export. This industry was the critical link between growing wheat and marketable flour in east coast cities. This paper will reveal the role of the grist mills and how they operated. For sources, this study used special collections of several universities, published and manuscript censuses, and valley histories. The paper will identify trends in valley milling such as its decline in the northern valley. The main substantive thrust of this paper is to provide economic trends regarding grist milling.
