Digital Commons Network^™

The Reconstructed Life Of Nina Simone, Kaylar Pinder

Academic Summit

As success builders, teacher candidates need an in-depth understanding of the multiple interactions and intricate transactions among factors that lead to high achievement. Developmental psychology courses present an opportunity to reinforce concepts, theories and dispositions related to teachers role in developing human potential (Santrock, 2012). Although GSU teacher candidates study classical theories of human development (Bandura, 1997; Bronfenbrenner, 1979/2000; Maslow, 1968/1987; Vygotsky, 1978) as well as the work of contemporary educators (Gay, 2003; Glasser, 1998; Kunjufu, J., 1986), the application of theory to practice is often lacking (Darling-Hammond, 2006). The case study in this presentation is a project the Reconstructing …

Simulating The Cognitive Networks Using Cloud To Solve Hidden Terminal Problem, Stephen Ellis

Academic Summit

The proposed research incorporates the cognitive radio networks with cloud application (CR NC). The cloud manages the query processing, cognitive nodes status, scheduling of requests, and real-time maintenance of a node table. The node’s channel status operates with a direct reflection of the cloud’s database and its real-time record of each channel on each node. The database was connected to the simulation using the python MySql database connector module, and the XA MP package was used to facilitate real-time activity and monitoring. The cloud simulation helps to eliminate IEEE request to send and request clear to send (RT S/CT S) …

The Influences On Antoni Gaud’S Life As Reflected In His Works, Danielle Jones

Academic Summit

Antoni Gaud is known worldwide for having created some of the most unique architecture. He created not just apartments, parks, and churches, but works of art. But while his works are well known, his life is not such an open book. Throughout his life, Gaud was influenced by his family, childhood, nature, culture, and faith, elements that are reflected in his later works. Gaud did not write his autobiography; he built it. We must only look at the details and carefully measured design of his works and there lies the best story of Gauds life that we will ever have.

Systematics Of Clavicipitaceous Fungi Associated With Morning Glories Based On Rpb1 Sequence Data, Saroj Simkhada

Academic Summit

The main goal of this research is to examine systematics of claviceps associated with morning glories. This study tests two hypotheses reflecting evolutionary relationships of these fungi :(1) fungal-morning glory relationships may reflect biogeographic patterns, (2) comparative methods may detect congruency in host/symbiont phylogenies. This study reports largest subunit of RNA polymeraseII (rpb1) sequence data. Hosts morning glories of Amnicola clade are found in different geographical regions eliminating biogeographic hypothesis. On comparing host/symbiont phylogenies, congruence suggested ancient relationship. However, minor genetic divergence indicated by sequence data suggests that claviceps found within morning glories of different regions, could be single species.

Goals Worth Reaching: Investigating The Impact Of A S.M.A.R.T. Goals Intervention With And Without A Valued Living Component On Students In An Introductory Psychology Class, Skylar Fusilier

Academic Summit

College academic adjustment involves both academic success and a sense of belonging in the college environment. The earlier adjustment occurs, the stronger its impact on long-term achievement and performance. The current study evaluated the impact of goal-setting, values affirmations, and the two together in introductory psychology students. Participants were exposed to a short intervention involving either writing about a deeply held value, establishing appropriate goals, or both. Their adjustment was examined in terms of academic performance, academic belongingness, and psychological well-being. With preliminary data the only significant finding was that the Goals group had more participation than the Goals+Values group.

A Genomic Comparison Of Cluster A Mycobacteriophages: Redefining Homoimmunity, Amanda Scott

Academic Summit

Novel Mycobacteriophages were isolated from soil samples, subjected to repetitive purification plating, and empirical testing that led to the harvesting of high-titer lysates. Lysates were processed for TE M and DNA was isolated from each phage and characterized with selected endonucleases prior to whole genome sequencing. Resultant FAFASTATA files were loaded into the DNA Master and Phamerator bioinformatics workflow to make gene calls and functionally annotate each genome. We present an analysis of homo/heteroimmunity among members of related, but not identical, A subcluster Mycobacteriobacteriophages that is based on lysogen culture infection success, repressor binding site comparisons, and phylogenetic tree-building software.

Salmonella Colonization Rates In Green Anoles Of Southwest Louisiana, Robert Patten

Academic Summit

Salmonella is a Gram negative bacterium of the family Enterobacteriaceae known to cause two diseases in humans referred to as salmonellosis. Common sources of Salmonella infections are uncooked poultry products or contact with fecal waste of reptiles and amphibians. The overall goal of this project was to determine the rate of Salmonella colonization in Green Anoles of Southwest Louisiana. Fecal samples were obtained from Anolis carolinensis captured in Calcasieu Parish and tested for the presence of Salmonella. Twelve out of 50 (24%) Green Anoles tested positive for Salmonella with one animal testing positive for Salmonella enterica serovar enteriditis.

Present While Presenting: An Exploration Of Present Moment Process Observation, Victoria Boudoin

Academic Summit

For many college students, it may seem less stressful to choose avoidance over being present especially when faced with presenting to an audience. However, audience members and presenters who are present can have a more enriching experience. Behavioral signs indicating someone is present (being in contact with immediate surroundings) have not yet been identified. This paper examines whether it is even possible to determine if someone is present by comparing self-measurements and audience interpretations of presenters.

The Impact Of Social Networking On Dependency, Sleep, And Communication In College Students, Amelia M. Bertrand, Caitlin M. Lacour, Cory Artis

Academic Summit

The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the impact of social networking sites on college students in regards to dependency, sleep, and communication. Three hundred thirty-five students enrolled in psychology courses at Northwestern State University of Louisiana took the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAFAS) by Andreassen, et al., (2008) and two exploratory surveys (Sleep Patterns and Communication). Social networking does not appear to have negative impact on college students sleep pattern and communication style; however 1% of the sample had met the criteria of Facebook addiction.

Palladium-Catalyzed Negishi Cross-Coupling Of N-Alkoxybenzimidoyl Halide, Sarju Adhikari

Academic Summit

Palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions are widely used to make new carbon-carbon covalent bonds under relatively mild conditions with good functional group tolerance. Negishi coupling reactions are commonly used to couple aryl halides with organozinc compounds. Although there have been a wide range of research on Negishi coupling, there are no comprehensive studies on the coupling of imidoyl halides under these conditions. We report the first coupling of N-alkoxybenzimidoyl halides [ArC(X)=NOR ] using this technique. The effect of ligand, palladium source, concentration, additive, temperature, and the type of imidoyl halide were examined in an attempt to optimize the yield of the coupling …

Synthesis Of Single Geometric Oxime Ether By Palladium Catalyzed Suzuki Cross Coupling Reaction, Bijay Bhattarai

Academic Summit

Conventionally, diaryl oxime ethers [Ar(C=NOR )Ar’] are prepared by a condensation reaction between a benzophenone and an alkoxyamine. These diaryl oxime ethers are known to be geometrically stable and do not readily undergo E/Z isomerization. Unfortunately, the condensation reaction leads to a mixture of E/Z isomers that are very difficult to separate. Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions involving alkenyl halides generally result in retained geometry. In contrast, few examples have been reported of metal-catalyzed cross coupling reactions with imidoyl halides [RC (X)=NR’] and their resulting geometry. Of these, very few involve the coupling of an imidoyl halide containing a heteroatom attached to …

An Assessment Of Wildness In "Walking" And “The Blithedale Romance”, Brandon Naquin

Academic Summit

In his essay Walking, Henry David Thoreau asks for a wildness whose glance no civilization can endure, an environment so malignant towards humanity that we dare not attempt to make it our home, but later remarks that music and beasts in their native forests, like all good things[,] are wild and free. In “The Blithedale Romance” Nathaniel Hawthorne explores the notion of wildness in a world of social slavery. Using these two texts, I will explore the layered meanings of wildness and the ways in which these meanings reflect Transcendentalis.

The Architecture Of William Faulkner’S "Absalom, Absalom!": A Study On The Decay Of The Sutpen Household And The Novel’S Narrative Structure, Maria Mendez

Academic Summit

By his experimentalism in Absalom, Absalom!, William Faulkner manipulates language and perspective to design a narrative that, in its stylistic development, assumes a pattern of construction and deconstruction that operates intimately with the theme of decay at work in the novels plot. This project traces the element of architecture that can thus be applied to both the house of Thomas Sutpena corrupt, rotting structure metonymically representing the general collapse of the South following the Civil Warand to the stratification of perspectives by which the story and the concept of reality are created and recreated throughout the work.

Investigation Of Discharge Source Characteristics Of Calcasieu Ship Channel Confined Disposal Facilities (Cdfs), Jonathan Bolton, Anpeng He

Academic Summit

A comprehensive investigation of the discharge source characteristics of confined disposal facilities within the Calcasieu Ship Channel was conducted. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD ) simulations were conducted to investigate the flow and sediment concentration characteristics near the disposal facilities and at a distance away from the facilities. The major model is an air-water-sediment 3-phase flow model with the standard 2 equation k-epsilon turbulence model. The standard wall functions are utilized. It includes an immiscible fluid Eulerian multiphase flow model with three Eulerian phases (air, water, and sediment).

New Technologies In Professional Learning Networks, Lauren Menard

Academic Summit

Technology enhances learning, collaborating, working, and communicating. This presentation describes a social learning platform, highlighting practical application of Professional Learning Networks technologies. A social learning network for district-wide special education teacher support is demonstrated. Asynchronous learning has potential for improving service learning through (a) developing a site to broaden partner participation and reaping collective knowledge benefits; (b) using forums to foster discussions, reflections, and feedback; (c) uploading files to improve storage, organization, and retrieval of project information; (d) emailing notifications to update team members; (e) distributing certificates and badges as incentives; and (f) surveying for project evaluation and improvement.

Applying The Strategic Plan To Incorporate Service Learning Into The Classroom, Kelli Cole

Academic Summit

Students enrolled in a Professional Writing course at the University of Louisiana at Monroe create PowerPoint presentations each semester for non-profit organizations; this semester the class is working with a local animal charity organization. The presentation details why incorporating service learning into a class benefits the university, the community, the students, and the instructor. The assignment sheet and activities are shared in the presentation.

Foreign Language Service-Learning Partnerships Between The Department Of Languages And Communication, Slu Head Start And Other Area Schools, Cheryll Javaherian, Marta Gumpert, Mariela Sanchez

Academic Summit

T he highlights from a thirteen-year service-learning partnership with SLU Head Start in the teaching of mini-lessons of Spanish to some 120 youngsters, ages 3-5, at the SLU Head Start Center are presented. Descriptions, analysis, and reflection of students’ experiences in these service learning and other projects with area schools are provided. PowerPoint, personal demonstrations and handouts are used to explain how partnerships were initiated, how students were trained, how services were assessed, and how teaching partnerships were expanded.

A Step In The Right Direction: A Gardening And Exercise Service-Learning Project, Michelle Morris, Terrie Poehl

Academic Summit

The presentation explains how 80 first grade students completed a service-learning project with support from graduates and faculty from Northwestern State University. Students participated in learning and service activities by growing a vegetable garden to feed the hungry, improving the landscaping around their school, and walking with pedometers. To celebrate the service-learning project, students participated in Global Youth Service Day. The presenters will explain how the activities linked to instruction in science, history, and healthy leaving. The presentation also discusses funding opportunities for those interested in similar projects.

Putting The Fun Back In Fundraising, Anna Beagley, Joseph Mazzanti

Academic Summit

This presentation provides information on an assignment that was given to a few graduate students of the Communications Department at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Small groups of advanced students chose organizations for fundraisers, using the project as an interactive learning experience. Methods and theories learned in class were applied to the fundraisers and presentations that explained different groups’ results. In the presentation, three graduate student leaders discuss the fundraising project’s relevance and importance for the department, college and the community.

Developing A Community-Driven, Ada-Accessible Environmental Research Website, Lyle Hardee, Janet Woolman

Academic Summit

The purpose of this community-driven student project was to create an ADAaccessible website for the Louisiana Environmental Research Center at McNeese State University. Collaborators included local businesses, city, faculty, and a student. The student developed a unique skill set that will fill a niche market and increase employment potential. The student learned the process of solving real-life problems and website development for special populations, and learned about civic involvement. Learning a specialized skill, applying this skill to meet a need in the community, and partnering with others enriched the student’s learning experience and linked the community with the university.

Doing Local History Of An African-American Church Community: Chackbay’S Little Zion, Tina Granger

Academic Summit

Students in a variety of Nicholls sociology classes gained genealogical and oral-history skills as part of service learning projects working toward a brochure on the history of an iconic local African-American church founded by former slaves. The brochure will contain both the history of the Mt. Zion Church and a more general discussion of the customs, rites, norms, and burial practices of early, southern African-American churches. Students kept journals and wrote reflective papers on their work in the course. This project extends work discussed at a previous ULS Service-Learning conference.

Effects Of Pain Interference On Use Of Complementary Therapy In Fibromyalgia, Sandra Skogley

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain disorder of neuroendocrine/neurotransmitter deregulation that amplifies pain experiences. Physical exertion that comes with normal daily routines exacerbates symptoms, causing fear of participation. Complimentary or alternative medicine (CAM) includes massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, yoga, tai chi and cognitive behavior therapy. The purpose of this study was to predict the use of CAM from pain interference and pain intensity of community dwelling people with fibromyalgia.

Methods: Research participants were 73 individuals randomly recruited from five zip codes in Missoula who reported being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. They completed a mail based survey from a larger study on …

Bringing A Local Food Bank Into The 21st Century, Steven Piwonka

Academic Summit

This presentation demonstrates development and use of a database created by blending knowledge from nursing and information sciences to meet the needs of the St. Vincent DePaul food bank located in Shreveport. By moving away from paper-based records, the food bank is now able to provide services to clients and manage reports more efficiently. Asummary of the training provided to food bank volunteers concerning the use of the database is also presented. The honors program at Northwestern provides the impetus for this project and presentation.

Actuarial Preparatory Work For High School Students, Randall Refeld

Academic Summit

To bring actuarial preparation to high school students in the New Orleans area, a group of UNOstudents in actuarial courses tutor and mentor high school students seeking to take an actuarial exam given by the Society of Actuaries. UNOstudents enhance their academic experience and benefit from potential teaching opportunities. High school students are motivated to pursue this path once they learn that passing an actuarial exam opens the doors to internships. Companies offering such internships typically provide strong financial support for students’ academic and career development.

The Safety Hazards Of Lead Paint In The Natchitoches Historic District, Mitchell Bryant

Academic Summit

he Natchitoches historical districts, which includes more than fifty centuries-old buildings, represents two phases of the city’s history. Due to the age of the Natchitoches historical district buildings, lead paint, which was commonly used before the 1970s, can present many safety hazards and risks during restoration efforts. In order to remove the hazardous lead paint while still maintaining the integrity of the buildings, there are certain safety protocols that must be followed. Protecting these structures assists the historical district residents in a lead-safe refurbishment process and educates the historical community on lead paint hazards in order to protect human health.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (Vita), Aaron Witherspoon

Academic Summit

This presentation discusses the process and the importance of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) at Grambling State University (GSU) and its surrounding communities. VITAprovides free tax service to low and moderate income taxpayers. Students are certified as VITAtax preparers during the fall 2012 semester in their Federal Income Tax class. Advertisements are sent via flyers, GSU radio station, e-mails, posters, brochures, and networking with businesses, churches and outreach programs in early January. Currently, there are thirty-two completed federal and state tax returns.

Uno Planning & Urban Studies Students Help Rebuild A New Orleans Neighborhood, Michelle M. Thompson, Joshua Edward Baer

Academic Summit

Hoffman Triangle, located in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans, continues to develop after Hurricane Katrina. To support the work that the neighborhood association and other groups are doing to improve the quality of life, WhoData.org and the University of New Orleans – Department of Planning & Urban Studies (UNOPLUS) are working with students to provide geographic information systems (GIS) services and support. The Hoffman Triangle PPGIS project is an example of how the University and its students can work together to monitor, evaluate and influence neighborhood change "from the ground up."

The Effectiveness Of A Letter-Writing Activity On Self-Reported Body Dissatisfaction, Julie Oldfield

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Body dissatisfaction (BD) has significant, negative impacts on general well being, and is a strong predictor of disordered eating behavior and eating disorders. BD, particularly in Western cultures, has become a nearly universal experience. Despite the fact that BD is extremely prevalent, there are few interventions designed specifically for the treatment of BD. Letter writing activities have become popular, both in clinical use and in popular media. However, to date, no research has been conducted to determine the effectiveness of letter writing activities for the treatment of BD. A handful of studies have examined the effectiveness of expressive writing, a …

Charge Transport And Electrical Degradation Research For Power Grid Applications, Allen Andersen, Jr Dennison

Graduate Student Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Campaign For Information Literacy: Politics, Personalities, & Perseverance, Elisa Acosta

Librarian Publications & Presentations

In early 2010, Loyola Marymount University (LMU) adopted information literacy as an Undergraduate Learning Outcome. How did this transpire? Several strategies were used by librarians to promote information literacy, including the development of effective working relationships with the Office of Assessment and the Center for Teaching Excellence. Librarians also implemented several additional “High-Impact Educational Practices.” As a result, information literacy is now a new core curriculum outcome and faculty can apply for grant money to integrate information literacy into their courses. The second half of this presentation will describe how LMU assesses information literacy for WASC accreditation. The LMU librarians …