Digital Commons Network^™

Unretentive Incentives, Rebekah Paradis

Student Scholar Showcase

In the workplace, managers often offer monetary rewards or incentives as instantaneous motivators in hopes that it will alter employee behavior. Unfortunately, although these rewards have been proven to yield desired outcomes, their impacts are short lived as managers create an environment based on extrinsic motivation. When an employee works solely to receive a paycheck it is already challenging to keep them, as other companies can offer them comparable, if not better, salaries. It is even harder to retain an employee who is accustomed to receiving an incentive with a particular behavior when the reward is no longer an option, …

A Tale Of Two Bonnies: Comparing “Lost Cause” Narratives And Post-War Memory From The American Civil War And The 1745 Jacobite Rebellion Through Art, William Robert Tharp

Student Scholar Showcase

In the cultures of Scotland after the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion and the American South after the Civil War, defeatist memories and art featured prominently in mythmaking and served as a focal point for many who wished to make political statements or critiques of current realities. In Scotland, romanticism revolving around “Bonnie Prince Charlie” and the Jacobites in 1745 lessened the burden of defeat for many. Contextualizing their loss within a broader historical framework, which stressed different features depending on the group’s purpose, some Scots utilized Jacobite memory as a potent political critique of Scotland’s place within Great Britain. Others, like …

Communication & The Body Positivity Movement, Alyssa Cannaday

Student Scholar Showcase

The Body Positivity Movement has gained a presence on social media. In this study, social media outlets were examined (such as Twitter and Instagram) to explore the communication within the movement, both from those advocating body positivity and from individuals responding in the comments. A variety of respondents, most of whom were women, give a broad perspective of the movement as a whole. Some respondents who contribute their viewpoints have educational backgrounds in counseling or work in the field. Themes uncovered in this study reveal the Body Positivity Movement to be welcoming, open minded, and expressive of messages of self-love …

Quantitative Analysis Of Iron In Beer Using Cloud Point Extraction, Joshua Rempfer

Student Scholar Showcase

Determination of Iron concentration in Apocalypse Ale beer using a preconcentration method coupled with UV-Vis spectroscopy. Samples will be cross checked with MP-AES to ensure precise and accurate results.

The Relationship Between Insect Visitors And Chemical Fragrance Composition Of Cypripedium Parviflorum Var. Pubescens In Central Virginia., Ruth Elkins

Student Scholar Showcase

Due to its rarity, little is known regarding which insects pollinate Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens, large yellow lady slipper orchids, and why they do so when offered no reward. Insect identification and fragrance composition data have been collected from two populations of large yellow lady slippers in Central Virginia for more than a decade. This research analyzed data in order to determine potential relationships between visiting insects and fragrance compositions of the orchid. The results of this research can be used to establish and protect populations of Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens.

The Secret Police: The Heavy Hand Of Apartheid Government, Christine L. Moore

Student Scholar Showcase

The secret police during the apartheid in South Africa’s had a heavy hand that causes fear and also death. They used many tactics such as violence, intel, media, and various forms censorship to help get the job done. In the late 70s to the early 90s there was a massive surge of anti-apartheid movements throughout the country as well as internationally, which led to an increase in trying to put down these various movements. With so much more work to do and with only a handful of of members, these squads became to get overwhelmed, which ultimately led to their …

Comparison Of Head Impact Mechanisms And Type Of Play For Women’S Lacrosse Over 4 Years, Jessica Riquelme

Student Scholar Showcase

Context: Lacrosse is a fast growing contact sport, minimal studies have examined head impacts in women’s lacrosse.

Objective: To compare head impact mechanisms and type of play in women’s lacrosse.

Design: Descriptive epidemiology study.

Setting: Collegiate lacrosse fields.

Participants: 29 women’s lacrosse players (age=20.39±0.39 years, height=162.13+6.50 cm, mass=60.99+4.82 kg) participated over years. Intervention: Participants wore xPatch sensors during games and practices.

Main Outcomes Measures: Peak linear (PLA; g) and rotational (PRA; deg/sec²) accelerations of head impacts.

Results: Stick to head impacts occurred most often (IR=483.87, CI₉₅=397.30-570.45); whereas, head …

The Process Of Radicalization: Understanding The Road To Terrorism, Matt Slade

Student Scholar Showcase

This thesis attempted to create a better understanding of how the transition from Islamic and right-wing radicalization to violent terrorism occurs in Western countries. The hypothesis that was tested was that the greater level of radical actions an individual takes part in based on their extreme views, the greater likelihood that they will participate or attempt to participate in violent terrorism. There are eight fanatical behaviors that have to be combined with three contextual factors in order for a radical extremist to be pushed towards violence. This research added on to the Fanaticism school of thought that has been under-researched …

Elemental Analysis Of Legacy Sediments At College Lake, Amelia Dalton

Student Scholar Showcase

College Lake is a large reservoir located on the campus of the University of Lynchburg. College Lake’s ecosystem has degraded over the years due to the buildup of sediment, nutrients, and raw sewage. Increased urbanization in the area has also most likely contributed to the contaminants present within the system. Because of flooding issues during the summer of 2018, Lynchburg CIty officials drained College Lake, which caused sediment to be released downstream. To better understand the transport of heavy metals in the sediments released from College Lake, sediment core samples were taken from College Lake, Hollins Mill Park, and Sandusky …

The Rockbridge Group: Masters Along The Maury, Teresa Gunter, Whitney M. Grim, Emma E. Noe, Grace Ragansky, William R. Tharp, Christine L. Moore

Student Scholar Showcase

For the last eight decades Rockbridge County, Virginia has served as an influential center for modern art. Neighbored by the capricious Maury River and nestled against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Rockbridge Baths significantly impacted the lives of four distinguished modern artists. Connected by ties of friendship or kin, the Rockbridge Group—Pierre Daura, Jean Hélion, Cy Twombly, and Sally Mann—drew inspiration and support from each other and from the people and places of the Rockbridge area.

In 1928, Catalan modernist Pierre Daura (1896-1976) married Louise Blair, a Virginian studying in Paris. His friend, the French painter Jean Hélion …

Comparing Men’S Soccer Head Impact Characteristics Over A Three Year Time Period, Karlie Ennis

Student Scholar Showcase

By studying head impacts over multiple seasons, injury patterns may be recognized which can lead to rule changes and other injury reduction measures. The purpose of our study was to compare head impact characteristics (impact location and mechanism) in men’s soccer over 3 years. We recruited 26 NCAA Division III intercollegiate male soccer players (age=19.64±1.25 years, height=181.70±5.80 cm, mass=76.98±10.19 kg) over 3years. X2 Biosystems xPatch sensors measured frequency and magnitude of all head impacts over a 10 g threshold. The overall male soccer player IR was 7.50/1000 athlete-exposures (CI₉₅=2.85-12.15). The most common head impact mechanism was ball …

“You Are Sexist!” “No, I’M A Sports Reporter.” An Analysis Of Females’ And Males’ Portrayal In Print Media, Lauryn Beam

Student Scholar Showcase

Media itself has always been an outlet for the public. It has been used for entertainment, information, and a societal tool from the time when it was first advancing. Sport media is a genre all its own. There has always been a gender divide in sport and sport media. For this critical study, print media sources from different outlets were analyzed to compare two female athletes against two male athletes. The athletes being compared were Serena Williams and John McEnroe, as well as Brandi Chastain and Nicolas Anelka. Each article was analyzed for how the journalist portrayed the athlete, in …

Revolution And Visual Culture In South Africa During Apartheid, Teresa Gunter

Student Scholar Showcase

In a nation firmly entrenched in the principles of white supremacy and complete separation of the races, self-determination eluded South Africans of color whose visual culture had a positive impact on important political changes during apartheid. This paper examines the works of South African artists like John Mohl, Helen Sibidi, Gavin Jantjes, Ernest Cole, and Thami Mnyele who drew inspiration from their forebears and each other and enlist the strife of individuals, as well as their own struggles, to engage the viewer in intellectual and emotive narratives.

Embedded art was a fundamental element of South African communities before colonization by …

Abiotic Stress And Anthocyanins Biosynthesis In Arabidopsis Thaliana, Carolanne Bekus

Student Scholar Showcase

Crops and farmers today are facing unprecedented challenges due to the changing environment. The plants of the future need to be hardy to survive harsh environmental conditions such as increased temperature, and prolonged droughts. It is imperative to understand the mechanisms plants employ to protect themselves under these types of stresses. Anthocyanins are pigments of the flavonoid subclass produced by plants. They impart red to purple color to flowers, fruits, and seeds. They also have antioxidant properties and they contribute to stress tolerance in plants. They are understood to be produced under abiotic stresses in order to protect the plant. …

Working In A Man’S World — What, Like It’S Hard?: The Perception Of Female Attorneys In The Media, Emily Russell

Student Scholar Showcase

Abstract

The legal drama television series Blue Bloods, The Practice, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, The Good Wife, How to Get Away with Murder, and Ally McBealfollow the various roles of a female attorney. For this study, these six television series were analyzed in order to identify the media’s perception of female attorneys. By completing a critical analysis of the aforementioned series, a multitude of perceptions based on gender was identified. Five themes occurred from those perceptions: physical attributes, relationships, work environment, litigation tactics, and personality traits. While some of these perceptions were positive, the media …

The Effect Of The American Presidency On The Behavior Of American Citizens: A Glimpse Into How Donald Trump Has Affected The Behavior Of The American Population, Carter Elliott

Student Scholar Showcase

Using data from a Gallup Poll conducted in 2018, and data from recent major events within the United States, I argue that the President of the United States has a significant impact on the overall behavior of American Citizens. In the two years since Donald Trump has taken office many things have taken place in America that have not been previously seen in the last several decades, or ever. I examine case studies such as The Unite the Right Rally, The 2017 Women’s March on Washington, media viewership and approval, voter turn-out rates, and hate crimes, which support the hypothesis …

An Anatomical And Functional Analysis Of Digital Arteries, Katie Highsmith

Student Scholar Showcase

Blood flow to the tissue of the hands and digits is efficiently regulated by vasoconstriction and vasodilation. Through a series of cadaveric dissection, we examined arteries in the hands and digits, including ulnar artery, radial artery, palmar arteries, and digital arteries, for their distribution (branching) patterns and morphological parameters (e.g., thickness, length between branches, external and internal diameters). Using data directly collected from three female cadavers as input variables to our mathematical model, we simulated vasoconstriction (-20% and -10% diameter) and vasodilation (+10% and +20 diameter) to evaluate the extent of changes in blood volume and flow within the arteries. …

Exploration Of Prostate Cancer Cells: The Significance Of Active Herv, Dakota Shepherd

Student Scholar Showcase

The second most common cancer in men is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is traditionally diagnosed by a digital rectal exam. Blood tests can also be used to test for PSA (prostate-specific antigen). These two methods can be used together but can sometimes provide both false negative and false positive results. A new method of testing for prostate cancer could prove to be beneficial. Previous studies have shown that active HERV sequences have been identified in some cancers, including prostate cancer. We hypothesize that the presence of active HERV in prostate cancer lines is significant. In this study, rabbit polyclonal antibodies …

Mobilization Of Calcium Across Mineralized Tissues In Yellow Perch, Perca Flavescens, Taylor Bopp

Student Scholar Showcase

Bones in many higher teleost fish, such as percids and centrarchids, lack osteocytes that function as both chemo- and mechano-sensors, and thus, are not actively involved in homeostasis of blood calcium level. Nonetheless, the vertebrae of yellow perch, Perca flavescens (P. flavescens), living in darker and low calcium (Ca) water, have demonstrated adaptive modeling and remodeling of vertebrae to be more mineralized and thus enhance transmission of the axial muscle torque into the thrust force for the C-start predator escape behavior. The prey-predator interaction is expected to occur at closer range between prey fish and predator fish in …

The Effects Of Cognitive Stimulation Of Instagram On Anxiety, Fear Of Missing Out, Memory, And Self-Esteem, Anna Destino

Student Scholar Showcase

With the increasing use of social media in the daily lives of undergraduate college students, it is important to investigate the effects of social media on anxiety level and memory. The current research considered the effect of overstimulation of social media, specifically Instagram, on anxiety level, self-esteem, fear of missing out, and memory. Lillard and Peterson (2011) found that overstimulating children’s televisions shows, such as SpongeBob, negatively impacted children’s impulsive behaviors and attention. Participants were divided into the control (coloring on an Ipad) or experimental (Instagram stimulation) group and after a set of pre-test questions regarding self-esteem and anxiety, participant …

3d Procedural Maze & Cave Generation, Jacob Sharp

Student Scholar Showcase

The goal of this project is to generate a maze or cave procedurally so that a player may be able to explore infinitely without a reoccurring pattern. The project also utilizes Virtual Reality (VR); the user will be able to put on a VR Headset and become more immersed in a procedural environment. One of the challenges that needed to be overcome was simple random number generators did not generate natural looking worlds. Introducing VR to the project created the additional challenge of preventing the user from becoming motion sick. These challenges were both addressed through many hours of research …

Autonomous Watercraft Simulation And Programming, Nicholas J. Savino

Student Scholar Showcase

Automation of various modes of transportation is thought to make travel more safe and efficient. Over the past several decades, advances to semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles have led to advanced autopilot systems on planes and boats, and an increasing popularity of self-driving cars. We predicted the motion of an autonomous vehicle using simulations in Python. The simulation models the motion of a small scale watercraft, which can then be built and programmed using an Arduino Microcontroller. We examined different control methods for a simulated rescue craft to reach a target. We also examined the effects of different factors, such as …

The Effects Of Framing On Perceptions Of Others, Emily Brown, Ashley Kohinke

Student Scholar Showcase

The purpose of this study was to further research the effects of framing social issues (privilege or discrimination) on racial attitudes and willingness to confront prejudice. In our study, we used two dependent measures, the Race Implicit Attitudes Test (IAT) and the White Privilege Attitudes Scale (WPAS). Participants were separated s into three conditions: framing discrimination (group 1), framing white privilege (group 2) and a control group (group 3). A pretest-posttest design was used to examine if scores on the WPAS and Race IAT would change when participants were given statements framed towards white privilege and discrimination. A control group …

Mathematical Modeling: Lanchester Equations And The Zombie Apocalypse, Hailey Bauer

Student Scholar Showcase

Mathematical models are systems using mathematical concepts to explain various problems. Mathematical models examine realistic issues such as the different outcomes of wars and fictional problems such as the upcoming zombie apocalypse. The original predictor models of warfare were the Lanchester models, while the zombie apocalypse is a fictional expansion upon mathematical models for infectious diseases. In this paper, we examined and compared the basic versions of these dynamic models by analyzing each model’s set of variables, assumptions, and objectives. The basic versions of the Lanchester equations are the area aimed model and the aimed fire model. While the zombie …

Comparing The Incidence Of Head Impacts Sustained In Conference Versus Non-Conference Women’S Soccer Games, Courtney Acors

Student Scholar Showcase

Context: Investigating head impacts in women’s soccer has become of increased interest due to women’s soccer having one of the highest concussion injury rates among organized sports.

Objective: To determine frequency and magnitude differences in head impacts sustained by collegiate women’s soccer players during conference and non-conference game. Design: Descriptive epidemiology study.

Setting: Soccer fields. Participants: 24 intercollegiate women’s soccer players (age=19.65±1.27 years, height=165.80±4.87 cm, mass = 64.45±7.38 kg). Interventions: Game type served as the independent variable (non-conference and conference). We measured frequency and magnitude (peak linear accelerations in g-forces and peak rotational accelerations in deg/sec2) of head impacts with …

How Competing With Male Athletes Affects The Way Female Athletes Perceive Their Worth As An Athlete, Cierra Brown

Student Scholar Showcase

This research aims to discover what female athletes thought about playing with male athletes and how that may affect their perceptions on themselves. To figure out the different perspectives on the subject, articles were utilized in the study and female athletes on a liberal arts college campus in Central Virginia as well. Some of these articles include, Mixed-team Sports: Why Gender Doesn’t Matter and Why Co-Ed Sports Leagues Are Never Really Co-Ed . For the research it was important to formulate a survey for a women’s basketball team, women’s soccer team, and women’s lacrosse team at a liberal arts college …

Navicular Drop In Collegiate Distance Runners, Virginia Johns, Debbie Bradney, Patricia Aronson, Jill Lucas

Student Scholar Showcase

Context: Although previous research has shown that navicular drop increases with fatigue of the foot intrinsics, it is unclear whether or not this occurs in a functional setting.

Objective: To evaluate navicular drop in collegiate distance runners before and after distance runs and track workouts.

Design: Descriptive Laboratory Study

Setting: University outdoor practice facilities

Participants: Fifteen healthy collegiate cross country runners (10 males, 5 females)

Intervention: None

Main Outcome Measures: Navicular drop (cm)

Results: There was a significant interaction between workout and time for WBAH (F1,14=9.333, p=.009, η2=.400). Main effect for time was significant (F1.14=6.512, p=.023, η2=.317). Post hoc tests …

The Effect Of Previous Medical History On Student-Athlete Quality Of Life, Rachael Watkins

Student Scholar Showcase

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) assessments can provide Athletic Trainers with information about student-athletes’ overall well-being and health. The objective of this study was to examine the association between personal and family reports of medical history and HRQL in collegiate student-athletes. We recruited 271 student-athletes (age=19.00±1.15 years, height=175.18±4.29 cm, mass=72.29±12.03 kg). The independent variables included the presence of any family (parents, siblings, grandparents) or any personal history of balance disorders, psychological disorders, memory disorders or history of headaches. The dependent variables included the 9 subsets of HRQL (anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain interference, pain intensity, physical function, sleep disturbance, social roles) …

Comparative Methodology For Analyzing Nitric Oxide Production In Raw 264.7 Murine Macrophages In Response To Lipopolysaccharide Treatment, Cassandra Robertson

Student Scholar Showcase

The purpose of this experiment is to develop comparative methodology for analyzing RAW 264.7 murine macrophage responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These results will yield two endpoints relative to nitric oxide production: nitrites in solution from the Greiss assay, and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The RAW 264.7 cell line is a standard culture model of macrophage activity and stimulation with LPS induces inflammatory reactions. This process has evolved to kill ingested pathogens and activate local immune responses, including the production of nitric oxide, synthesized by iNOS. RAW 264.7 cells are stimulated with LPS doses from 1 …

The Effects Of A Non-Traditional Lacrosse Season On Functional Stability In Collegiate Lacrosse Athletes, Christopher Rosenborough

Student Scholar Showcase

Context: The primary objective of this study was to examine the effects of a non-traditional lacrosse fall season on functional movement and stability in both male and female collegiate lacrosse athletes.

Methods: We recruited 50 male (age=19.38+1.24 years, height=182.63+6.16 cm, mass=82.37+8.46 kg) and 22 female (age=19.68+1.17 years, height=165.10+6.88 cm, mass=64.09+8.72 kg) volunteers from National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III lacrosse teams for the study. Independent variable was time (pre, post). Main outcome measures included pre- and postseason extremity measurements for the Y-Balance Test (YBT, reliability=0.67-0.96) as well as dorsiflexion (right, left) range of motion (ROM) via goniometer. Data …