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Folding And Base Pairing Of A Fibrinogen Specific Dna Aptamer, Christopher J. Hamilton, Markus W. Germann

Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

Abstract

Nucleic acid aptamers can be directed to bind to a variety of target molecules that range widely in molecular size. Their high specificity and selectivity for their targets, in addition to the relative ease in generating aptamers, have sparked their development as drugs and use in diagnostic applications. The 90-mer DNA aptamer (Ap90), specific for the glycoprotein fibrinogen was analyzed by a combination of gel electrophoresis, secondary structure prediction software and NMR spectroscopy to determine what structural motifs are formed prior to binding to its target. Native gel electrophoresis and structure prediction indicate that the aptamer is partially folded. …

Comparison Of Fuel Performance In Novel Palladium Based Electro-Catalysts, Michael A. Doody, John Haan Phd

Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

This paper investigates the performance of several fuels on novel palladium based electro-catalysts, including sodium-formate, ammonium-formate, and potassium-formate, and ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. Comparisons were done through the use of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA). Results adjusted for surface area showed that potassium formate and ethanol performed the best. Of these, potassium formate showed the strongest overall performance when accounting for parametric differences.

Reexamining Gwendolyn Brooks’ “A Song In The Front Yard”: A Tri-Layered Interpretation, I. Blaze Mandela, Sarah Balter, Scott D. Stinson

Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

The authors examine Gwendolyn Brooks' "A Song in the Front Yard," and destabilize the notion that the narrator is innocent and naive. The authors use a tri-layered analysis module: the “epidermal” literalist examination illustrates the girl is not as naïve as she may seem, the “dermal” metaphorical analysis of the literalist examination reveals underlying race and class issues, and lastly “subcutaneously” distinguishing the significance of the symbolism in the poem contextualized in the era it is written offers the poem as an indictment of intra-racial segmentation and preliminary modes of integration.

Outside Of Here There’S Hope: A Heideggerian Analysis Of Beckett’S "Endgame", Maria K. Caruso

Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

Samuel Beckett’s plays are often interpreted as literature which highlights the meaningless and banality of life. Endgame is no exception to this when read as record of the repetitive and futile efforts of Hamm and Clov to stave off their inevitable deaths. In this essay I examine the trope of death in the play as a function of time by appealing to Martin Heidegger’s conception of the temporal self. In doing so, I reveal that a positive interpretation of the play’s ending is just as valid as a pessimistic interpretation, and that pessimistic interpretations of the play simply ignore the …

Secrets Of Sex And Innocence In Memoirs Of A Woman Of Pleasure: A Profile Of Purity Using Three Common Philosophies, Rance D. Denton

Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

John Cleland’s 1749 text Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure has squeezed its way into popular culture by bringing to life the risqué sexual adventures of its female protagonist, Fanny Hill. To the narrator, sexuality is a tool of survival and influence. Deeper readings into Memoirs reveal underlying threads of purity and virginity, which, despite her sexual encounters, Fanny constantly strives to retain. By analyzing common works of human and social philosophy – specifically those of John Locke, Sigmund Freud, and Jeremy Bentham – the paper scrutinizes Fanny as a paragon of innocence regardless of her actions. While taking into …

What Are Little Girls Made Of?: Abjection And The Queer Child In Hard Candy, Hadass S. Wade

Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

Horror film has gone through many different cycles since the beginning of cinema. The horror genre has an interesting relationship with gender in that violence is always gendered masculine. The rape-revenge film features a victimized woman who seeks revenge against her tormenters (or men in general). The final survivor of the slasher film, termed the “Final Girl” by Carol J. Clover, is typically an androgynous female who triumphs over the (male) killer by adopting his violence as her own. More recently, horror films have formulated terror through depictions of the extensive torture of victims at the hands of a killer. …

Representations Of Identity In Three Modern Arabic Novels, Micah A. Hughes Mr.

Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

Through examining the formations of identity- religious, political, secular, social, and sexual in contemporary Arabic literature in translation, one can come to better understand how certain core assumptions about identity are countered and represented through the process of identification with the self and the community. Using postcolonial and feminist sources in Anthropology, History, and Comparative Literature, This paper shows how the formation of identity (and its discourse) is constructed through the interplay of political and social factors closely related to the discursive power of colonial practices. The first novel examined is Tayeb Salih’s Seasons of Migration to the North, which …

The Impacts Of Educational Attainment, Professional Interests, And Residency On Community Involvement And Civic Engagement, Elizabeth Young

Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

Individual civic engagement choices are quite complex and various life events and experiences can influence a person's civic activity or lack thereof. This work examines a group of citizens in a specific location who have chosen to take the first step toward serving their community. The goal of the research is to view civic engagement in broader terms than just a motivation to vote on Election Day, but to provide a sustainable volunteer force for improving communities. The research investigates the role educational attainment plays in encouraging civic involvement.

Discovering Multicultural Connections, Virginia L. Driggers

Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

The context of this research took place at an art center in Midlothian, Virginia, ArtAdventures, and a school in the rural highlands of Guatemala, Chuicavioc, where the students took part in the same small art course incorporating the themes of culture, recycling and time. In this project the students were to exchange works of art and follow the exact same lessons, guideline, criteria and expectations.

The power of cultural communication and appreciation lies in the teacher’s hands as they conduct an Art Exchange. However when produced rapidly with poor communication and expectations to the projects a group of students might …

On The Color Line: The Early Ideologies And Methodologies Of Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois, Alexis M. Rogers

Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois’ over 70 year long career has been critiqued and referenced in regards to the subject of American history, African American history, and more specifically, the struggle for civil rights and equality since the turn of the Twentieth Century. Du Bois’ early thoughts and theories on the plight of the African American community were pivotal in the eventual success of his campaign for African American suffrage and equality in all aspects of American society. The study of these original theories and methods, spanning for around 1897 to his resignation from the NAACP in 1934, provides a …

The Adoption Of Christianity By The Irish And Anglo-Saxons: The Creation Of Two Different Christian Societies, Thomas Martz

Colonial Academic Alliance Undergraduate Research Journal

From the Celts to the Anglo-Saxons, nomadic tribes of Europe fostered pagan beliefs. Today, few records exist to explain these faiths because of their roots in oral tradition and a demise of animistic traditions brought about by the adaptation of a new conviction. The Christian faith spread across the continent stretching across the English Channel into present day Ireland and United Kingdom. Unlike other periods in history, the conversion to Christianity among the Celts and Anglo-Saxons occurred quickly. In order to understand this cultural shift, we must consider those people responsible for it. Mainly, we must ask what tactics missionaries …

How And Why: Moving Forward To Promote High Quality, Purposeful Research On The Fraternal Experience, Georgianna L. Martin

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

No abstract provided.

A Social Identity Approach To Intergroup Contact Between Fraternity And Sorority Members And Non-Members, Katie M. Warber, Melissa E. Taylor, Dana C. Makstaller

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

This study examined group salience (i.e., prominence, relevance) as a moderating variable in intergroup contact between fraternity/sorority members and non-members. Specifically, it examined how salience moderates the relationship between non-member perceptions of intergroup contact and stereotypical behavior of fraternity and sorority members. Results revealed little support for membership salience as a moderator of non-member perceptions of contact quality with members and non-member perceptions of stereotypical member behavior. Main effects were found regarding non-member levels of trust and self-disclosure and perceptions of fraternity/sorority members as deviant.

Fraternity And Sorority Thriving: A Residential Perspective, Matthew Vetter

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

When provided with the space and resources common to residential learning communities, fraternity and sorority residences are often viewed as synonymous to the risky behaviors associated with fraternal organizations. The purpose of this study was to compare the levels of thriving of fraternity and sorority members in various living environment to their nonaffiliated peers using the Thriving Quotient. Fraternity and sorority members’ type of residence was not found to be associated with student thriving, although living closer to campus was positively associated with Social Connectedness and negatively associated with Engaged Learning. Fraternity and sorority membership overall was positively associated with …

Doing A Good Job At A Bad Thing: Prevalence And Perpetuation Of Stereotypes Among Members Of Historically Black Sororities, Natalie T.J. Tindall Ph.D., Marcia D. Hernandez Ph.D., Matthew W. Hughey Ph.D.

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

This study examined how stereotypes among alumnae members of historically Black sororities affected their experiences as both undergraduate and graduate members. This research contributes to the literature on skin color bias and to the stereotypes of Black women. For the majority of women we surveyed for this research, the myths and stereotypes surrounding skin color bias, intra-racial group relations, beauty, and femininity of different historically Black sororities influenced the initial perceptions of members in each group. The findings include some commonality among stereotypes about the oldest sororities (Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta), yet stereotypes about the other organizations …

Effects Of Sorority Members’ Pornography Use On Bystander Intervention In A Sexual Assault Situation And Rape Myth Acceptance, Matthew W. Brosi, John D. Foubert Ph.D., R. Sean Bannon, Gabriel Yandell

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

College women’s exposure to pornography is growing nationwide. A limited amount of research exists documenting the negative effects of pornography on women’s attitudes and behavior related to sexual assault. The present study surveyed sorority members at a Midwestern public university on their pornography use, rape myth acceptance, bystander efficacy, and bystander willingness to help in potential sexual assault situations. Results showed that women who view pornography are significantly less likely to intervene as a bystander and are more likely to believe rape myths. Implications for women’s personal safety and for the advisability of consuming pornography are discussed.

Front Matter & Table Of Contents, Oracle

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

No abstract provided.

The More You Put Into It, The More You Get Out Of It: The Educational Gains Of Fraternity/Sorority Officers, Larry Long, Alex Snowden

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

The purpose of this study was to determine if undergraduate fraternity and sorority members who serve as chapter officers report different experiences and gains compared to non-officers. The researchers sampled 3,008 fraternity members and 3,745 sorority members from the aggregate results of the institutions that used the AFA/EBI Fraternity/Sorority Assessment during the 2009-2010 academic year. Differences by leadership experience were tested using Cliff’s delta. The researchers found significant differences in the development of chapter officers and non-officers for eight of nine educational gains measures with chapter officers reporting greater gains in these areas. Chapter officers were also more likely to …

Front Matter & Table Of Contents, Oracle

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of The Sexual Orientation And Educational Outcomes Of Undergraduate Fraternity Members, Larry Long

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Previous research found an unwelcoming environment may hinder the identity development of college students. Furthermore, studies revealed gay, bisexual, and questioning (GBQ) students may encounter a hostile environment in college fraternities. This influenced the researcher to question if fraternities are as effective in producing educational gains for GBQ members as for heterosexual members. In the present study, the researcher sampled 286 GBQ and 286 heterosexual fraternity members from the aggregate results of the campuses that used the AFA/EBI Fraternity/Sorority Assessment in 2009 or 2010. The researcher conducted rank-based analyses of variance to assess the differences in personal gains, alcohol use, …

Spiritual Values Among Fraternity Men Compared To Unaffiliated Men And The Influence Of Hegemonic Masculinity, Jason B. Goldfarb, Charles G. Eberly Ph.D.

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

The article is based on the Center for the Study of the College Fraternity’s 2009 Adele Williamson Outstanding Masters Research Award winning thesis entitled, “Student Spiritual Development Associated with Fraternity Affiliation.” Using data (n = 1,211) from the Higher Education Research Institute (HERI) at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) 2003 pilot survey instrument, College Students' Beliefs and Values, funded by the John Templeton Foundation, this study examined the relationship between fraternity affiliation, hegemonic masculinity, spirituality, religion, and other associated spiritual/religious factors. Significant differences were found regarding measures of spirituality and associated beliefs and values between fraternity-affiliated and …

Changing Trends In The Undergraduate Fraternity/Sorority Experience: An Evaluative And Analytical Literature Review, Amy B. Perkins, J. Daniel Zimmerman, Steven M. Janosik

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Fraternal organizations in American institutions of higher education have a significant influence on student life and campus culture. Historically, research has shown that fraternities and sororities provide environments that support negative and often illegal activities that can be detrimental to individuals and communities at large. However, recent research has identified new trends that suggest this may be changing. This article identifies these trends and implications.

Ten Issues Later: Retrospective And Prospects, J. Patrick Biddix Ph.D.

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

No abstract provided.

Student Learning In Fraternities And Sororities: Using Nsse Data To Describe Members’ Participation In Educationally Meaningful Activities In College, Dan Bureau Ph.D., Helen Grace Ryan Ph.D., Chad Ahren Ph.D., Rick Shoup, Vasti Torres Ph.D.

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

The benefits and challenges for college students involved in social fraternities and sororities have long been sources of heated discussion among higher education constituents. A liberal education is meant to incorporate elements of critical thinking, diverse experiences, and challenging and enriching interactions with peers and educators. Past research indicates that involvement in a fraternity or sorority has had some positive effect in these areas, especially as students persist at their chosen institutions. This study uses data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) to explore indicators of student learning among senior members of social fraternities and sororities. Regression analyses …