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Tools Of Horror: Servants In Gothic Novel, Jacob Herrmann Jan 2011

Tools Of Horror: Servants In Gothic Novel, Jacob Herrmann

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

The servants within 18th- and 19th-century English literature play an undoubtedly vital role within everyday life. Elizabeth Langland highlights this point in her discussion of the middle class: “Running the middle-class household, which by definition included at least one servant, was an exercise in class management, a process both inscribed and revealed in the Victorian novel” (291). In Victorian England, especially, class and rank were everything. While during the Romantic period servants were common, rising concerns for their role in the household becomes more apparent during the Victorian Era. Gothic novelists take their concerns for these domestic issues and use …


Long Term, Continuous Temperature Monitoring Of A Simple Anaerobic Digester And Open Manure Storage Pond In Eastern South Dakota, J. Darrington, E. Cortus Jan 2011

Long Term, Continuous Temperature Monitoring Of A Simple Anaerobic Digester And Open Manure Storage Pond In Eastern South Dakota, J. Darrington, E. Cortus

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

A two-cell manure storage system with a cover on the first cell was constructed in the late summer of 2009 in Eastern South Dakota. The covered cell acts as a simple anaerobic digester. Continuous temperature monitoring for 8 months shows the winter effluent temperature equilibrated to around 6°C, and that the effluent temperature trend lagged the ambient temperature trend by a month. Manure composition was also analyzed and was found to be relatively steady throughout the system. Volatile solids were the only component that dropped appreciably across the treatment cell, with an observed maximum of 50% reduction.


Real Number Rado Numbers For The Equation ∑_(I=1)^(M-1)▒X_(I+C=X_M ), Melanie Zinter Jan 2011

Real Number Rado Numbers For The Equation ∑_(I=1)^(M-1)▒X_(I+C=X_M ), Melanie Zinter

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper will examine the type of Ramsey theory concerned with the preservation of solution to specific linear equations under set partition. That is, if a solution to a linear equation exists in the natural numbers, must one also exist within one set of a partition of the natural numbers? To differentiate sets of a partition of the natural numbers from one another, it is convenient to use colors. Then a solution in just one set of a partition of the natural numbers can be referred to as monochromatic solution, or a solution in a single color. [Page 1]


Biosolar Conversion Of N2 And H2o To Ammonia By Engineered N2-Fixing Cyanobacteria, Seth T. Harris Jan 2011

Biosolar Conversion Of N2 And H2o To Ammonia By Engineered N2-Fixing Cyanobacteria, Seth T. Harris

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

The cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 is capable of using solar energy to produce ammonia through conversion of atmospheric dinitrogen in differentiated cells called heterocysts. Harnessing this system could enable cyanobacteria to be used in ammoniafertilizer production, creating a renewable alternative to the current Haber-Bosch process. The genes patA and alr3304 in the Anabaena 7120 genome are important in heterocyst formation; an increase in heterocyst formation is seen with over-expression of patA or inactivation of alr3304. This research aims to create a novel mutant that forms more heterocysts by simultaneously over-expressing patA and inactivating alr3304, producing higher amounts of ammonia. …


Still Free, Still Alive: Images Of Haitian Collective Values Portrayed Through Child Characters In Lamartine’S Toussaint Louverture And Agnant’S Alexis D’Haïti, Vanessa C. Marcano Jan 2011

Still Free, Still Alive: Images Of Haitian Collective Values Portrayed Through Child Characters In Lamartine’S Toussaint Louverture And Agnant’S Alexis D’Haïti, Vanessa C. Marcano

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

In this paper, I argue that the fundamental Haitian values of the struggle for freedom and the prevailing desire for independence are portrayed through the morals and personality of two child characters found in texts set in Saint-Domingue/Haiti. The first character is a young girl named Adrienne in Alphonse de Lamartine’s play Toussaint Louverture (1850) and the second is a young boy named Alexis in Marie-Célie Agnant’s novel Alexis d’Haiti (1999). Through these two characters, Lamartine and Agnant depict Haiti’s struggle to achieve freedom and to retain its unique cultural identity that has allowed this nation once called the “pearl …


Residual Stress Analysis Of Composite Cannon Barrel, Tyler Brockel, Ozan Ozdemir Jan 2011

Residual Stress Analysis Of Composite Cannon Barrel, Tyler Brockel, Ozan Ozdemir

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

The objective of this paper is to describe the process and results of a residual stress analysis done on a composite cannon barrel. A cross section of a full cannon barrel was cut off to be used in the analysis. The barrel cross section was composed of an inner steel layer that was wrapped in an outer composite layer. The residual stress analysis was done using x-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD machine uses different types of x-ray tubes based on what material it is analyzing. For this reason, the first portion of the experiment dealt with finding the exact material …


Behind The Bars Of “Beauty”, Sheri Binkly Jan 2011

Behind The Bars Of “Beauty”, Sheri Binkly

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Using Naomi Wolf’s The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty are Used Against Women, as my starting point for analysis, I set out to find the truth about the “beauty myth,” and what affect it has on women in our society. With the help of research done by Michelle Goldberg and Marissa Audia-Raymo, I analyzed current society, and examined why women still seem to be held back. My initial prediction proved to be naive. I wasn’t giving women enough credit for their struggles both now and throughout history. What I encountered was a problem that was established very deeply in …


Anxiety And Visual Discriminations In Undergraduates, Katherine Bowers Jan 2011

Anxiety And Visual Discriminations In Undergraduates, Katherine Bowers

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Mathematics tests were used to create anxiety in undergraduates. Heart rates were recorded as a measure of anxiety. Following each mathematics test, participants completed a different visual discrimination tasks, Stroop Colored Word Tests, Where’s Waldo Puzzles, and IQ Matching Tests. Reaction times and accuracy were measured for each task. The hypothesis was that those with more difficult mathematics tests would have longer reaction times and be less accurate. The results of the study suggest that mathematics anxiety did not have a significant effect on reaction times for any task, and was only significant for the accuracy of the IQ matching …


The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: Volume 09 Jan 2011

The Journal Of Undergraduate Research: Volume 09

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This is the complete issue of the South Dakota State University Journal of Undergraduate Research, Volume 13.


Engineering Our Climate: A Critical Review Of The Geoengineering Response To Climate Change, Gary Huff Jan 2011

Engineering Our Climate: A Critical Review Of The Geoengineering Response To Climate Change, Gary Huff

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Various responses to greenhouse gas induced climate change have been proposed within the literature. While the most desirable response is to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, technological and financial obstacles make it difficult to realize the reductions necessary to solve the climate change problem. Several geoengineering schemes have been proposed that would compensate for increased greenhouse gas concentrations by reducing the solar energy absorbed by Earth. The most notable of these shortwave climate engineering schemes involves injection of sulfur aerosols into the stratosphere in order to disperse incoming radiation. This paper examines the geoengineering responses to climate change and demonstrates …


How Priming Of Behavioral Symptoms May Affect College Students’ Decision To Diagnose, Caitlen Gilley, Sarah Stertz Jan 2011

How Priming Of Behavioral Symptoms May Affect College Students’ Decision To Diagnose, Caitlen Gilley, Sarah Stertz

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Two disorders that have increased in diagnosis and in media awareness in the past two decades are Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism. Psychologists use priming as a tool to test availability of schemas and concepts. The current study focuses on how priming of ADHD and autism symptoms affects college students’ diagnoses of the corresponding disorder. Also considered is that the control group will diagnosis ADHD more often because of the vast media awareness of ADHD today. The participants in this study were male and female undergraduates at South Dakota State University. There was no significance found for the two …


Deception Detection Accuracy Using Verbal Or Nonverbal Cues, Caroline Hicks, Nicole Ulvestad Jan 2011

Deception Detection Accuracy Using Verbal Or Nonverbal Cues, Caroline Hicks, Nicole Ulvestad

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

In this 2 (cue type) x 2 (statement type) two-way within-subject ANOVA design study, investigators look at the differences in average accuracy in determining whether a statement is a truth or a lie. Participants, college students, and professors from South Dakota State University, were assessed in their ability to detect deception. The participants had to determine whether a statement was a truth or a lie based on the actor’s verbal or nonverbal cues, each presented independently. The results suggest no significant effect of cue type (verbal or nonverbal) or statement type (truthful or deceitful) with participants’ accuracy being no better …


The Equitarian Initiative: International Humanitarian Aid Using Horses, Angela Gebhart Jan 2011

The Equitarian Initiative: International Humanitarian Aid Using Horses, Angela Gebhart

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

This harrowing comment from a Mexican laborer echoes the worldwide importance of working horses, mules, and donkeys. For many in the United States, a horse is a source of recreation, a sport vehicle of sorts, a decoration, or a pet. For most other parts of the world, a working equid (horse, donkey, or mule) is a family’s sole vehicle, a day laborer, and the only constant source of income available. Many of these communities lack a steady food source for the animals, much less a competent veterinarian; thus, the world’s veterinarians treat only about 10% of the world’s total equid …


Comparison Of Three Physical Activity Measurement Tools To Assess Physical Activity Guideline Compliance In Children, Emily C. Huber, Andrew M. Litz Jan 2011

Comparison Of Three Physical Activity Measurement Tools To Assess Physical Activity Guideline Compliance In Children, Emily C. Huber, Andrew M. Litz

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Current physical activity recommendations suggest that children should have 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of three different physical activity measurement tools to assess whether children were meeting physical activity recommendations. Methods: Physical activity was assessed for one week via accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X), pedometer (New Lifestyles NL-1000), and for one day using a self report questionnaire (Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist, or [SAPAC]) in thirty 5th-grade students. A total of 15 students, (11 ± 1 yrs; 11 female, 4 male) met compliance standards and were used for …


Parental Influence On Adolescent’S Academic Performance, Jessica Schmuck Jan 2011

Parental Influence On Adolescent’S Academic Performance, Jessica Schmuck

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this survey research was to uncover how the relationship of parental involvement and parenting styles influence their adolescent’s academic performance and success. Parents need to be actively involved in their adolescent’s life, support and provide assistance with school and help instill motivation and confidence. This research was conducted by personally distributing surveys to a class of students at the Brookings High School in October 2010. The survey found that half of the participating adolescent’s stated that their parents had a strong influence on their academic performance. This was critical information because it supported previous research conducted regarding …


“Born Again Hard”: Sexualized Violence In The Creation Of American Warriors, Katherine Highfill Jan 2011

“Born Again Hard”: Sexualized Violence In The Creation Of American Warriors, Katherine Highfill

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cultures are built upon myths that reinforce and glorify the way citizens wish to view themselves as part of a larger, stronger whole. These myths are central to the strength of a culture due to the shared sense of greatness, responsibility, and cohesion mutual belief instills. Globally, examples of cultural myth include French elegance, Arabic divine religious sanction, and British diplomatic proficiency. Specifically American mythology includes the pioneer mentality, equality for all citizens, and global caretaker. These myths, as with those of other countries, were born of historic actuality or ideology. The basis for each of these American myths, however, …


Vibrational Analysis Of Soloflex Whole Body Vibration Platform, Zachary Croatt, Josh Robers Jan 2011

Vibrational Analysis Of Soloflex Whole Body Vibration Platform, Zachary Croatt, Josh Robers

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

A Soloflex Whole Body Vibration (WBV) Platform was tested for its frequency and magnitude of vibration at multiple settings on the supplied dial. An accelerometer was used to measure the vibrations on different points mapped across the platform. The motor attached to the board was also tested for its frequency using a high-speed camera. The amplitude measurements found from the accelerometer data was compared to the readings on the supplied control module to “calibrate” the platform for medical testing.


Xenakis' Combination Of Music And Mathematics, Janelle Anderson Jan 2011

Xenakis' Combination Of Music And Mathematics, Janelle Anderson

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

My interest in using mathematics in music composition stems from the works of the contemporary composer Iannis Xenakis. As a physics and music education major I am able to combine both fields of study for this topic. Although Xenakis wrote many orchestral compositions it is his vocal music that I have concentrated on as I too am a singer. Graphic representation and new music notation are among the methods used to analyze his music. I found that his first choral work was called “Nuits,” which I proceeded to analyze. I also found myself interested in the analysis of a more …


The Impact Of A Fundamentals Of Speech Course On Public Speaking Anxiety, Jessica J. Colbeck Jan 2011

The Impact Of A Fundamentals Of Speech Course On Public Speaking Anxiety, Jessica J. Colbeck

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Thirty to forty percent of Americans suffer from Communication Apprehension (CA) to a degree that impairs their ability and willingness to speak publicly (McCroskey, 1984). McCroskey (1984) defines CA as “an individual’s level of fear or anxiety associated with either real or anticipated communication with another person(s)” (p.13). There are many forms of CA, but “the most common [form] is Public Speaking Anxiety” (McCourt, 2007, p.6), which can be defined as the fear of speaking in front of a group of people. Because research has shown that such fears may hinder career aspirations, personal relationships and self-image, scholarly examination of …


Vibrational Analysis Of An Electromechanical Toothbrush, Mark Wager Jan 2011

Vibrational Analysis Of An Electromechanical Toothbrush, Mark Wager

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

The effectiveness of an electromechanical toothbrush is based entirely on its ability to remove plaque through vibrations. This paper contests that the three-dimensional motion of more inexpensive models of electromechanical toothbrushes can be accurately modeled in one-dimension so as to predict the motion of future toothbrush designs using simply the material properties, motor specifications, and grip design. Vibrational modeling, mathematical modeling, and experimentation were used in the analysis to confirm the outcome of the study and the assumptions of the model.


Re-Examining “In A Different Voice” For The New Millennium, Brittany Morris Jan 2011

Re-Examining “In A Different Voice” For The New Millennium, Brittany Morris

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Carol Gilligan’s In a Different Voice (1982) first presented the concept of different moral reasoning as key to understanding how men and women seem to arrive at different conclusions in similar situations. Contrasting her work with the influential model of Kohlberg, Gilligan argues that women’s concept of moral decision-making is inherently relational, rather than reflecting the acceptance of abstract justice deemed to be the highest level of decision-making by Kohlberg. Here, I explain this contrasting perspective, and then examine modern integration of Gilligan’s perceptions as seen through print and broadcast media.