Digital Commons Network^™

Testing For Genomic Control Of Ephemeral Leaf Phenotypes In Artemisia Tridentata, Sam Billingsley, Mia Cinello-Smith, Trinity Hamilton, Catherine Merrill, Anthony Melton, Sven Buerki

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Climate change is driving ever increasing ecological stresses on native plant communities. Furthering our understanding of how plants, particularly keystone species of important ecosystems, deal with these stresses will be essential for the success of conservation and restoration efforts Artemisia tridentate is a keystone species of western North America and has experience sharp population declines in recent decades due to human activity. During the late winter and early spring months, A. tridentate grows large ephemeral leaves that provide more surface area for light capture and photosynthesis while resources are abundant. Then, during the onset of drought stress during the summer …

How Clean Is Clean Energy?, Ammon Butler, Connor Morton

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Electric vehicles and clean energy production have become increasingly popular, making electric motors more in demand than ever before. Currently, the majority of electric motors use magnets created with rare earth resources such as Neodymium and Dysprosium. The supply chain for these materials is fragile, and they are not being produced in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of clean energy initiatives. With this in mind, we wanted to address the issues surrounding magnets in motors. Our objective was to determine if an environmentally friendly magnet composed of aluminum, gallium, and manganese could power an electric motor. We investigated the …

Body Dissatisfaction In College Students, Sawyer Ellis, Elaine Kozmiuk, Mary Pritchard, Heather Schoenherr

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Previous literature shows that family pressure leads to drive for thinness (Green & Pritchard, 2003). Given the growth of social media, the intent of our current study was to find which sociocultural pressure: family, peers, or media relates the strongest with body shame, body surveillance, and drive for thinness. A sample of 1,049 undergraduate students, ages 18-29 (770 females and 279 males) were surveyed to better understand what predicts body dissatisfaction in young adults. Results revealed a moderate correlation between all variables, with media pressure being the main predictor of drive for thinness. In addition, our results suggest young adults …

Automaticity With Balance In Dual-Task Tests In Healthy Adolescents, Samantha Bobrowsky, Shuqi Zhang, Jiahao Pan

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

BACKGROUND/CONTEXT: The hallmark of healthy postural control in adolescents is automaticity which is the ability of the nervous system to successfully coordinate posture with minimal use of attention-demanding executive control resources. Automaticity plays an important role in adolescents because it is necessary to perform motor skills, motor learning and reduce the risk of sport injury. Research has shown in dual-task (DT) paradigms that the ability to use postural control and cognitive skills of the brain uses both local and global functional connectivity in the Prefrontal Cortex, which controls a healthy adolescent's ability to perform a dual-task test with adequate balance. …

Exploring The Growth Rates Of Different Bacterial Isolates Found In Purple Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia Purpurea), Kaitlyn Opland, Jessica Bernardin, Leonora Bittleston

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Microbial communities are an essential part of every ecosystem, with bacteria within these microbial communities playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling. But research is lacking concerning how different microbial taxa vary in growth rate and enzyme production. By beginning to understand these microbial processes we can further develop our understanding of nutrient cycling within ecosystems, and how they promote environmental stability. We turned to Sarracenia purpurea (purple pitcher plant) as a model system for community ecology. The microbial communities within the plants can grow in a naturally enclosed and initially sterile environment, where then their growth can be monitored. …

The Justice In Frame: Photographic Narration Of Citizenship In The Chicano Movement, 1968-1971, Veronica Reynolds, Christopher Courtheyn

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

This paper observes four photographs in print that depict moments during the Chicano movement from 1968-1971. Each chosen image is analyzed based on its content and composition in relation to its argument for Citizenship. The framework of the analysis looks at the argument between national and global citizenship and the narratives of citizenship in the movement as communicated through the image. The Chicano movement was heavily photographed and images of marches, picketers, and portraits are abundant. The analysis of images is important because of their lasting cultural impact that they have on the general public, extending beyond the center of …

Shapes And Orientations Of Galaxy Clusters, Kaitlyn Linder, Heidi Wu, Ananth Tenneti

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Galaxy clusters are large, gravitationally bound structures, primarily consisting of stars and dark matter. These two components form different shapes, which are oriented differently. Using data from IllustrisTNG, a publicly available set of hydrodynamical simulations, we calculate the 2D shapes from the inertia tensor of these clusters. Based on shapes measured from various methods, we find the misalignment between each shape. From these misalignments, we find that alignments between shapes measured based on individual particle positions tend to be much stronger than those measured with galaxy positions. We also find that shapes measured with these galaxy positions tend to be …

Α-Hemolysin As A Candidate For A Vaccine For Staphylococcus Aureus In Bovine Mastitis, Madeline B. Clark, Juliette K. Tinker

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacteria responsible for many types of infections. It is abundant in nature, even present on our own skin, usually harmless. However, it is the leading cause of infection in humans. S. aureus also harms animals, and in dairy cows, causes Bovine mastitis. This disease results in a decreased quality and quantity of milk, inflammation of the mammary glands, and can even be transmitted to humans.(1) Because of this, there are massive economic ramifications estimated at $629 million annually.(2) This study focuses on a virulent factor known as a-hemolysin (Hla) and cloning this into S. …

People’S Perceptions Of Language Variation, South Korea, Subin Jang

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

The project was aimed at verifying the hypothesis “Do Subconscious Biases about Dialects Exist in South Korea?” It was set up based on a research method called perceptual dialectology, which examines people’s judgments and perceptions of language variation. First, on an empty map of South Korea, I asked 6 participants to draw the boundaries around each part of the country where they believe people speak differently and write down any thoughts about each region’s dialects. I looked at the collected data by dividing it into subjective representations and they attempt to describe grammatical features objectively.

Soil Carbon Decomposition In Grass Based Biofuels, Abigail Sasso, Megan Kelly Slatten, Marie-Anne De Graaff

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Biofuels from cellulosic bioenergy crops, which include perennial prairie grasses such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) pose as a promising potential resource to help mitigate climate change. Ecological sustainability necessitates that growing these crops for bioenergy production promotes soil carbon (C) sequestration, such that their production contributes to removing CO₂ from the atmosphere. Soil C sequestration is driven by the quantity of C that plants release into soil and by the quantity of this C that is decomposed by soil microorganisms and subsequently respired back into the atmosphere. Our …

Vertebral Body Tethering (Vbt): Quantifying Tension In A Vbt System For Scoliosis Treatment, Phoebe Cain, Christy Farnsworth, Jason Caffrey, Tony Olmert, Salil Upasani, Erin Mannen

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

The gold standard surgical treatment for children with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is deformity correction with spinal instrumentation and fusion. However, there is associated significant, long-term morbidity in fusing multiple motion segments in a child. Pain, inflexibility, and degenerative arthritis are often sequelae of the surgery due to fusion sites being immobile [1], and longevity of the metal rods and screws is a long-term concern. However, an innovative approach, vertebral body tethering (VBT), was recently approved by the FDA and has since provided an alternate treatment option. VBT takes advantage of the natural growth of a child's spine to modulate spinal …

How The Covid-19 Pandemic Highlights The Effects Of Genetic Conflict During Pregnancy, Madelyn Cardwell, Jessica D. Ayers

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Pregnancy is often viewed as a cooperative endeavor between mother and fetus. However, biologists have documented that under the surface, pregnancy is better characterized as a time where genetic conflict between maternal and paternal genes over fetal development can run rampant. While genetic conflict is a typical aspect of pregnancy, uncontrolled genetic conflict has the potential to result in pregnancy complications for both the mother (e.g., miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth) and the fetus (e.g., intrauterine growth restrictions, low birth weight). But, unexpectedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented researcher with a case study to investigate genetic conflict during pregnancy. Specifically, medical …

Engineering Properties Of Coquina: An Interesting And Historic Building Stone, Alejandra Arizmendi Sanchez, Nick Hudyma

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Coquina is a weak sedimentary limestone composed of shell and shell fragments that have been cemented together. It is most often found in coastal regions, such as the Anastasia Formation along the east coast of Florida. Coquina is a historically significant building material, with the best-known example being the Spanish Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida. It has withstood cannonball fire during battles and centuries of weathering yet is still structurally sound. Although coquina is very important historically, not much is known about its properties. Preliminary studies have shown the orientation of the shells impacts tensile strength. Additionally, …

Functional Connectivity In Gait Under Dual-Task Paradigm In Healthy Adolescents, Braden Johnson, Jiahao Pan, Shuqi Zhang

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

PURPOSE: Functional connectivity can be viewed as the mechanism used to coordinate different neural networks in order to perform a complex task. Dual-task walking requires an individual to walk, while simultaneously performing a secondary task. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of functional connectivity and neuro-efficiency in adolescents under the dual-task walking. We hypothesized that we would see an increase in local and global efficiency within adolescents when transitioning from a single task gait test to a dual task gait test.

METHODS: 15 healthy adolescents (12 male, age: 16.33±0.94 years, height: 1.69±0.10 m, mass: 64.08±9.81 kg) …

Sex-Based Biomechanical Models Impact Knee Joint Moments, Cristian J. Sandino, Abigail R. Brittain, Tyler N. Brown

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Joint kinetic analysis is dependent on accurate link-segment models. Considering the current default model may not account for female segment anthropometry, we sought to develop and test sex-specific biomechanical models. We hypothesize that a sex-based biomechanical model would produce a significant alteration in hip, knee, and ankle joint moments compared to default model for females, but not males. Fourteen female and 18 male participants had hip, knee, and ankle joint moments quantified during running (4.0 m/s) using both a default and sex-based (both male and female) biomechanical model. Peak hip, knee and ankle joint moments were submitted to paired t-tests …

A Step Toward Resolving Spatiotemporal Distribution Of Suspended Sediment Concentration Using Remote Sensing, Cheyon Sheen, Hannah Spero, Arash Modaresi Rad, Mojtaba Sadegh

2023 Undergraduate Research Showcase

It is critical to study Suspended Sediment Concentration (SSC) to improve our understanding of the impacts of wildfires, climate, and anthropogenic on the riverine environments. The processes that contribute to SSC occur over a range of spatiotemporal scales making it difficult to continuously measure and monitor. Traditional methods (e.g., field measurement) require significant resources and often lack the spatial and temporal resolution that is needed for important yet smaller-scale systems like streams. In this study, we create an open-source and low-cost method to estimate SSC using remotely sensed data. Our study aims to elucidate if a machine learning (ML) model …

Opera Chapman Presents: Cinderella By Jules Massenet, Opera Chapman

Printed Performance Programs (PDF Format)

No abstract provided.

A Guide To Fifty Years Of Research At Montana Tech: Part 2 The Treatment Of Electroplating And Electromachining Metal Hydroxide Sludge For The Recovery Of Metal Values [See Also Part 1), Larry G. Twidwell

Metallurgy

ABSTRACT and FORWARD

The treatment and recovery of metal species from hydrometallurgical solutions and wastewater solids has been and continues to be an important research topic. This presentation includes a guide to the literature with a summary discussion of the research conducted at Montana Tech in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering during the 1984-2001 period. A previous presentation (Part 1) focused on the removal of arsenic, selenium, and other species by hydrometallurgical processes and the formation of environmentally stable disposable products. This guide is available at the reference presented above.

This following presentation (Part 2) is based on …

A Guide To Fifty Years Of Research At Montana Tech: Part 1-The Treatment Of Arsenic, Selenium, Thallium, Metal Bearing Solutions And Waste Solids, Larry G. Twidwell

Metallurgy

ABSTRACT and FORWARD

The removal of arsenic, selenium, and metal species from hydrometallurgical solutions and wastewaters has been and continues to be an important research topic. This presentation includes a discussion of the research conducted at Montana Tech in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering during the past fifty years. The discussion is focused on removal of arsenic by co-precipitation with Fe(III) and Fe(II), co-precipitation with Fe(III) and Al(III), reduction using elemental iron; the removal of selenium by elemental iron and catalysed iron; and the removal of cadmium, copper, nickel, zinc by co-precipitation with Fe(III) and Al(III).

This presentation …

Searching For Evidence In Public Health Emergencies: A White Paper Of Best Practices, Stacy Brody, Sara Loree, Margaret Sampson, Shaila Mensinkai, Jennifer Coffman, Mark Heinrich Mueller, Nicole Askin, Cheryl Hamill, Emma Wilson, Mary Beth Mcateer, Heather Staines

Himmelfarb Library Faculty Publications

Objectives: Information professionals have supported medical providers, administrators and decision-makers, and guideline creators in the COVID-19 response. Searching COVID-19 literature presented new challenges, including the volume and heterogeneity of literature and the proliferation of new information sources, and exposed existing issues in metadata and publishing. An expert panel developed best practices, including recommendations, elaborations, and examples, for searching during public health emergencies.

Methods: Project directors and advisors developed core elements from experience and literature. Experts, identified by affiliation with evidence synthesis groups, COVID-19 search experience, and nomination, responded to an online survey to reach consensus on core elements. Expert participants …

Soil Microbial Community Composition Of White Oak Mountain, Tennessee, Matthew Gano, Timothy D. Trott

Research in Biology

Abstract - Soil microbial communities are responsible for nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems and have symbiotic and parasitic relationships with the plant community. However, little is known about the factors that determine the soil microbial community composition. In this study we examined how spring wildflower diversity and geographical factors influence the soil microbial community composition of the second growth oak hickory forests of White Oak Mountain in Southeast Tennessee. The characterization of the soil microbial community was completed with 16S/18S/ITS rDNA amplicon sequencing of total DNA extracted from soil samples that were normalized for each sample plot. Here we characterize …

Три Шага К Свободе (In Russian), Slav Gratchev

Books Published by MU Libraries in MDS

Грачев, Слав. Три шага к свободе. Библиотекa университета Маршалла, Хантингтон, 2023.

Три шага к свободе — это первый роман исторической трилогии, которая перенесет вас в страшный мир разрушений и отчаянной борьбы за жизнь в Советском Союзе во время сталинских репрессий, Второй мировой войны, и жизни при коммунистическом режиме в 1980-х годах. События, описанные в романе, а также жесткая критика коммунизма, его бесчеловечного лица и его далекой от всякого гуманизма философии, привели бы автора к немедленному тюремному заключению, находись он в путинской России сегодня. К счастью, он не там, а значит, он сможет закончить свою работу и опубликовать все книги этой …

Characterizing Phenotypic And Genetic Responses To Light Stress In Ferns, Alex C. Nolan

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Hardened Space Design For First Responders, Caspian Stearns Brenner

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

2022-2023 New Music Festival, Lisa Leonard, Marti Epstein

New Music Festival

The 17th Annual New Music Festival

• Marti Epstein, Composer-in-Residence
• Lisa Leonard, Director

Friday, April 21, 2023

• Spotlight 1: Emerging Composers

Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 2:00 PM

• Master Class and Workshop with Marti Epstein: Bach's Relevance and Far Reach

Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 4:00 PM

• Read and Record Project

Sunday, April 23, 2023

• Spotlight 2: The Art of Marti Epstein

The Influence Of Diamine Curing Additives On The Network Architecture Of Phthalonitrile Thermosetting Polymers, Tyler J. Richardson

Dissertations

Phthalonitrile monomers undergo diamine-promoted polymerization by a complex reaction mechanism involving two competitive cure pathways, forming two primary network architectures: linear polyisoindoline chains and branched triazine crosslinks. The influence of the diamine curing additive on the polymerization pathway, and the influence of the resulting network architectures on cured network properties, have not been adequately explored within the phthalonitrile field. Two structurally different diamine curing additives, bis[4-(3-aminophenoxy)phenyl] sulfone (mBAPS) and 1,3-phenylenebis((4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl)methanone) (AEK-134), were studied for the polymerization of resorcinol phenylphosphate phthalonitrile (RPPhPN), where the influence of diamine structure and concentration on the polymerization behavior, network architecture, and bulk thermal and thermomechanical …

Student Recital: Erica Allen, Trumpet, Erica Allen, Joe Ritchie, Brendon Englund, Jordan Dicaprio, Joey Mock, Philip Kerley

Student Recitals

No abstract provided.

The Minutes Of The Marshall University Graduate Council Meeting, April 21, 2023, Marshall University Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

Auricular Acupressure On Depression And Anxiety In Mothers With Peripartum Depression, Jane Chan,

Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Theses

Peripartum depression is a prevalent mental health disorder characterized by clinically significant depressive symptoms that can markedly impair maternal functioning, mother-infant bonding, and infant development. Current treatments for peripartum depression include pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, but cost, time investment, and potential adverse effects limit their effectiveness. Auricular acupressure has been shown to improve a variety of conditions, however, there is a lack of application in peripartum depression. In this study, we propose to determine whether magnetic bead auricular acupressure reduces symptoms in mothers with peripartum depression. Using a randomized controlled trial, we will assign patients to either acupressure or sham acupressure …

Minutes 4-21-2023 | Safety Committee, Megan Meade

Safety Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.