Digital Commons Network^™

From Potato Chips To Kale Chips: Examining Motivations Of Clark Community Gardeners In Worcester, Ma, Marianne Sarkis, Tiffany Lee, Steph Fenner, Erin Barta, Kristina Kalolo

Local Knowledge: Worcester Area Community-Based Research

Research Question: What is the association between community gardening and food justice among Clark community gardeners?

Abstract:

Research was conducted in the form of free-list, pile-sort, interviews, and surveys in order to see if there is an association between food justice and Clark community gardeners. The responses support the conclusion that Clark community gardeners does not conform to the food justice interpretation of a community garden. Even though the two actors have similar methods and ideologies, neither is doing so to try and fit the others definitions.

How Do Prey Refuges Affect Predator-Prey Interactions?, Justin Vendettuoli

Senior Honors Projects

While it is well known that predators eat their prey, prey that avoid predation risk can also incur substantial fitness costs through risk-induced changes in survival and reproduction, growth, and morphology. Changes in prey that occur without the predator physically consuming the prey are referred to as ‘non-consumptive effects’. One way to reduce the risk of predation is to use a refuge. While refuge use may reduce predation risk, however, it may also be costly to the prey. These costs may include within-refuge competition for resources, which can alter prey population dynamics, coexistence, and metapopulation dynamics. While these costs may …

Working With Vendors: The Uconn “Daily Campus” Student Newspaper Digital Reformatting Case Study, Michael J. Bennett

UConn Library Presentations

The presentation covers the University of Connecticut Libraries’ efforts to digitize the school’s campus newspaper, from the time of its inception in 1896 to 1990. Source materials for the project were preservation microfilm reels from the Libraries’ Thomas J. Dodd Research Center’s holdings, which were sent to a vendor for batch reformatting. Issues with regard to clearly articulating client needs and evaluating various vendor deliverable options are discussed.

Increasing Our Reach While Preserving Quality: Creating And Using Information Literacy Assessments And Rubrics For Non-Librarians, Angela Rice, Rory Patterson, Jeremy Roden

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of White Masculinity In 2013, Edward Pare

Senior Honors Projects

An Analysis of American Masculinity

Edward Pare, History and Mathematics

Faculty Sponsor: Kyle Kusz, Kinesiology

American masculinity, more specifically white masculinity in America, is an ever-evolving subject. In the past two decades, cultural analysts have been writing once again about the idea of the existence of a crisis of white masculinity. This project takes a multi-method approach to analyze the social effects of mass mediated white masculinities on the process of how young white, middle class men construct and perform their white masculinities.

We live in a culture where citizens are inundated with media information and images, some of which …

The Utility Of Planning And Other Spatial Concepts In Marine Spatial Management, Samuel Martin, Brandyn Lucca

Senior Honors Projects

No abstract provided.

A Search For Light-Detecting Proteins In The Free-Living Protist, Tetrahymena Thermophila: Does Tetrahymena Have Opsin-Like Or Bacteriorhodopsin-Like Proteins?, Jillian Marie Rainville

Senior Honors Projects

Tetrahymena is a genus of ciliated protozoans, a diversified lineage of unicellular eukaryotes. They are freshwater organisms, and generally inhabit streams, lakes, and ponds. Tetrahymena thermophila is commonly studied as a model cell because of its unique variety of complex and specialized cell structures and processes, which are similar to those of higher animals.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are transmembrane proteins that transduce stimuli from outside of the cell into intracellular signals, through the interaction of their intracellular domains with heterotrimeric G proteins. GPCRs make up a vast protein family that includes a variety of subfamilies with distinct functions. They are …

Exploring Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Beaver Ponds In Southern Rhode Island, Molly K. Welsh

Senior Honors Projects

Climate change is one of the largest environmental issues facing humanity today, having the potential to alter fresh water availability, agricultural yields, forest productivity, and global sea levels. As climate change is likely to increase the intensity of extreme weather events, the potential for massive human and financial consequences is of further concern. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change asserts that climate change is due to anthropogenic alterations of the atmosphere’s composition, with additional contributions from natural biochemical processes. In particular, the rapid increase in the concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere can trigger atmospheric warming as these …

The Utility Of Planning And Other Spatial Concepts In The Marine Spatial Management Of Marine Protected Areas (Mpas), Marine Reserves, Marine Zoning, Marine Sanctuaries And Parks, Marine Spatial Planning (Msp), Large Marine Ecosystems (Lmes) And Seascape / Marine Design., Samuel Martin, Brandyn Lucca, Dr. William R. Gordon Jr.

Senior Honors Projects

In the last fifty years, man has demonstrated an increased interest in gaining access to and apportioning the near and offshore marine environment. Governments, coastal and marine managers, economic-based users, stakeholders, and academics have gained an interest and involvement in the demarcation of marine boundaries. Many land-based spatial applications, utilized from disciplines such as planning, geography, landscape architecture and regional science have been applied to the spatial acquisition and management of ocean resources. In the last four decades new marine applications have emerged, they include: 1) Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), 2) Marine Reserves, 3) Marine Zoning, 4) Marine Sanctuaries, and …

Analysis Of The Chondroitinase Operon Of Flavobacterium Columnare, Erin L. Sorlien

Senior Honors Projects

Analysis of the chondroitinase operon of Flavobacterium columnare

Erin Sorlien

Major

Cell and Molecular Biology, Chemistry

Advisor

Dr. David R. Nelson

Date

May 2, 2013

Keywords

Flavobacterium columnare, columnaris disease, chondroitin AC lyase, complementation, csl operon

Abstract
Flavobacterium columnare, an opportunistic bacterial pathogen of fish, is the causative agent of columnaris disease (CD). The bacterium is a Gram-negative rod that exhibits gliding motility and avidly forms biofilms. CD affects both wild and cultured freshwater fish, and continues to cause large economic losses to the fish farming industry. According to an investigation conducted by the National Animal Health Monitoring System, CD …

Let's Get Digital!, Liz Woolcott, Paul Daybell, Andrea Payant, Becky Skeen

Library Faculty & Staff Presentations

No abstract provided.

A College Study On Grief, Depression, And Anxiety, Briana Alexandre Paulo

Senior Honors Projects

Trauma and stress have been commonly studied with the occurrence of anxiety disorders. However, less research has been conducted on the relationship between the experience of loss, the centrality of the loss to a person’s identity and the experience and severity of symptoms of depression and anxiety. Current research has examined the relationship between a significant stressful event and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of anxiety and depression are experienced by people during various points in their life, although higher levels of these disorders may be exhibited after having experienced a loss or stressful life event.

Grief can …

Rhody's Run For Dana Farber 5k, Mark Albanese, Bryan Poston

Senior Honors Projects

The event itself was designed to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. In the early stages of the project, it was clear that a charity event would have the largest impact both on our experiential learning as well as the community as a whole. Dana-Farber was selected as the events beneficiary due to their impressive contributions to cancer research worldwide. While the success of the project isn't solely determined by charitable contributions we collected, it provided a form of measurement of progress throughout the semester. With the goal of simultaneously promoting student health, the event was organized …

Promising Travels And Unfulfilled Dreams: A Comparison Of Of Mice And Men And El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote De La Mancha (Viajes Promotedores Y Sueños Incumplidos: Una Comparación De Of Mice And Men Y El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote De La Mancha), Scott Meyers, Carolyn Nadeau, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

Arguably one of the most widely acclaimed literary masterpieces, it is no surprise that Miguel de Cervantes’s El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha left a cultural legacy that has influenced the work of authors, artists, and filmmakers across the globe. Whether intentional of John Steinbeck or not, analysis of his literary work Of Mice and Men reveals various parallels between the two novels that extend from the complicated, transformative relationship between the two travelling protagonists of each novel to the lack of emphasis on female characters. A thorough evaluation of quotations, character interactions, and recurring themes and motifs …

The Effects Of Hiv/Aids On The Mother-Child Relationship, Margaret Gross

Creative Activity and Research Day - CARD

39 semi-structured interviews were conducted with HIV+/- mothers living in central Uganda. Interviews were assisted by a translator and recorded manually on paper then coded and analyzed. The majority of HIV+ mothers were found to be single, supported 5+ children, worked longer days to get by, and emphasized the importance of having a counselor. These findings suggest a strong relationship exists between HIV and motherhood. There is a need for further attention to help single mothers and foster programs that encourage economic growth within their families, nutritional improvement, and overall attention to a group that is currently receiving little assistance.

Adaptation Of Quadriceps And Hamstring Activation Patterns Following Landing Instruction In Patients With Acl Reconstruction, Audrey Rc Elias Dpt, Curt Hammill, Ryan L. Mizner Pt, Phd

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

With more than 200,000 people undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) of the knee each year, optimal preventive and post-operative rehabilitation strategies are critical not just to individuals working to improve their physical health, but as a public health measure. A growing body of evidence suggests knees which have undergone ACLR exhibit compromised ability to accept weight and attenuate force during high demand activities. This predisposition contributes to relatively poor long-term outcomes for ACLR, including a high risk of re-injury, low rates of return to prior level of function, and significantly increased risk of early onset osteoarthritis (OA). Fortunately, …

Portion Distortion With Nsu College Students, Danielle Degruise

Academic Summit

Obestity remains a prominent concern with 35.7% of the U.S. population being obese (CDC , 2012). The purpose of this study was to determine if Nicholls State University (NSU) students know correct portion sizes of foods. Thirty-one students, ages 18-39 participated. Each participant completed a questionnaire prior to entering four testing stations to self-serve peanuts, rice, mixed vegetables, and orange juice. The amounts of food were measured in volume using appropriate measuring utensils. Portion sizes were over-estimated indicating that NSU students do not know the correct portion sizes of foods and may be over-consuming calories.

Bike Easy’S Bicycle Incident Map, Joshua Baer

Academic Summit

The Bike Easy Bicycle Incident Map is an ongoing research project about the locations of bicycle related incidents & thefts in the New Orleans metro area. The purpose of this research is to address the quality of life issues affecting cyclists, highlight the problem areas in order to focus advocacy, as well as assisting the police in the recovery of stolen bicycles. The data collection process is performed through their website, http://bikeeasy.org. This research is providing a service for citizens by raising awareness of issues that affect cyclists that would likely go undocumented.

Trade And Luxury: Archaeological Investigations At The Iberville Housing Project, William Knighten, Austen Dooley

Academic Summit

During the Summer of 2012, nine students led by Dr. Ryan Gray and Andrea White conducted excavations at the Iberville Housing Projects in New Orleans, Louisiana. The goal of excavation was to recover data pertaining to Storyville, New Orleans’ famous red-light district, but the material found also offers a unique possibility for independent trade networks practiced by early residents of the city. The goal of this presentation is to both supplement the existing historical record and to offer insight into lives of people who occupied the area infamously known as Storyville.

Council On Undergraduate Research Faculty Workshop, Iain Crawford

Academic Summit

Dr. Crawford, chair of the Arts and Humanities Division of the national Council on Undergraduate Research, discusses how to expand undergraduate research beyond the sciences.

Effect Of Canopy-Mediated Micro-Climatic Variations On Plant Growth: The Nurse-Plant Hypothesis, Jenae’ Clay

Academic Summit

We evaluated the growth responses of two cultivars of radish (Raphanus sativus, cherry belle and white icicle) to a gradient of a microclimate mediator canopy. We planted ten seeds each of the two varieties of plants in germination pots at five intervals total, under and outside the canopy of an eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Both cultivars under the canopy experienced the smallest temperature variations, the least amount of light and had the greatest morphometric measurements and biomasses. In contrast, the radishes furthest outside the canopy experienced the highest temperature fluctuations and received the most amount of light.

Does “Sheldon” From The Big Bang Theory Have Asperger’S: A Content Analysis Of 10 Episodes Using Dsm-Iv Criteria?, Jamie Verret, Alissa Sarradet

Academic Summit

“Sheldon” from The Big Bang Theory has often been described as having Asperger’s; however, this projection has not been empirically investigated. Using the DSM IV criteria, characteristics of Asperger’s syndrome were identified. After viewing 10 episodes, 62 demonstrated behaviors of Sheldon were matched to 10 DSM IV features. It was determined that Sheldon primarily displayed lack of social and emotional reciprocity, encompassing preoccupation with stereotyped patterns of interest, and, then, inflexibility. Less frequently displayed behaviors included failure to develop age appropriate relationships, disturbance causing significant impairment, and persistent preoccupation with parts of objects. It is suggested that content analysis offers …

Keynote: Undergraduate Research - Engaging Students Early And Often In The Culture Of Their Discipline, University Of Louisiana At Monroe

Academic Summit

No abstract provided.

Antioxidant Activity Of Coastal Plain St. Johnswort (Hypericum Brachyphyllum), Anita Rahman, Tung Pham

Academic Summit

Hypericum brachyphyllum (coastal plain St. Johnswort) is a member of the Cluisaceae family that grows primarily in the southern United States. As part of our phytochemical survey of Louisiana clusiacious plant species, we evaluated the roots and aerial parts of H. brachyphyllum for antioxidant activity using an MTT colorimetric assay. The acetone extract of the aerial parts displayed antioxidant activity equivalent to an ascorbic acid concentration of 30 x 103 ppm. The methanolic extracts of the aerial parts inhibited Staphylococcus aureus at a concentration of 53 mg/mL. This report describes the bioactivity guided fractionation of the aerial plant parts.

Binding Free Energy Calculation Planning Using Graph Theoretic Techniques, Jonathan Redmann

Academic Summit

Calculation of the relative binding free energies of drug compounds to their cognate proteins is an extremely computationally intensive process, with each calculation taking perhaps weeks of processor time. With large datasets, minimizing the number of free energy calculations becomes an important undertaking. We present a graph-theoretic approach to planning these calculations, modeled as the optimization of a fully connected graph where the nodes represent the drug compounds in the dataset, and the edges represent a free energy calculation that must be performed. We show that our technique significantly outperforms other approaches for graph optimization within this problem domain.

3-Compartment Predator-Prey Model For Understanding Normal Brain Cell Signaling And Disease, Justin Huckaby

Academic Summit

The biological predator-prey model teaches us how systems balance populations, for example, how sheep population affects wolves, and vice versa. We used this predator-prey model with 3 compartments, that is: wolves, sheep, and grass, to better understand the necessary balance in signaling between brain cells, and what may go wrong in brain disease. The project is informed by both computer simulations and actual brain cell measurements taken in the laboratory. Balance is considered good, both for predator-prey populations and communication between brain cells. Maintaining balances turns out to be a fragile tightrope that must be maintained for normal function.

Body Image Flexibility: Developments With Derived Relational Responding, Emily Lebleu

Academic Summit

Some individuals experience of their body causes disruption in their lives. Emergent theories of body image disturbance suggest that dysfunction is attributable to body image inflexibility, the possession of avoidant behavioral repertoire with relation to body image. The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between arbitrarily applicable relational responding and body image disturbance. Participants completed pertinent questionnaires, and then engaged in a matching-to-sample task (MTS). Participants learned to transform of functions of those arbitrary stimuli in the MTS task in accordance with body images. Performance diverged in relation to self-reported body image disturbance and body image flexibility.

Synthesis Of Noval Dibenzofuran Analogues, Sadia Akram

Academic Summit

The cannabinoid partial agonist BAY 59-3704 has been identified as an attractive target to explore structure-activity relationships at cannabinoid recptors for the development of a therapeutic agent for cannabis addiction. This presentation will describe the studies associated with the optimization of a palladium-catalyzed oxidative ring closure reaction for the synthesis of dibenzofuran analogues from substituted diaryl ethers. These dibenzofurans are viewed as rigid analogues of BAY 59-3704 and will provide useful information about molecular interactions at cannabinoid receptors. The scope and limitations of the palladium-catalyzed oxidative ring closure reaction as it relates to the synthesis of the target dibenzofuran analogues …

Characterizing Pit-Mound Microtopography In Bottomland Hardwood Forests, Amit Rajkarnikar, Matthew Herron

Academic Summit

Bottomland Hardwood Forests (BHFs) are considered to be one of the richest ecosystems mainly due to the unique floral diversity. Lack of structural heterogeneity in planted stands is a major concern. Forest tree fall gaps have recently been an important subject of research primarily for introducing habitat heterogeneity. Tree gaps are formed when disturbances such as wind/hurricanes cause the uprooting of trees. The uprooting events not only alter the light gradient, but also generate changes in the micro-topography of the site by the formation of pits and mounds.

Combination Of Pim Kinase Inhibitors With Bcl-2 Antagonist In Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Bethany Lavergne

Academic Summit

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the intrinsic pathway, which leads to the death of normal lymphocytes, is blocked by overexpression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins and Pim kinases. Blocking both of these anti-apoptotic molecules should allow pro-apoptotic proteins to function normally, causing cancerous cells to die. ABT-737, a drug currently in clinical trials, antagonizes Bcl-2 but by itself does not induce considerable cell death. In this project, ABT-737 and a Pim kinase inhibitor were used in combination against isolated CLL cells. Although the combined agents induced greater CLL cell death than either alone, the effects were not additive or synergistic.