Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Increased Healthspan From Exercise, Nicholas Boros

Scholar Week 2016 - present

In this talk we discuss important factors for increased healthspan. Much of the discussion will focus on strength training and cardiovascular training. In particular we outline optimal ways to increase strength and VO₂ max, which are the largest contributors to increased healthspan. We will also explain what makes a strength training program “optimal” mathematically.

Survey Of The Performance Of 5 Nm Goldnanoparticles Within An Ssdna-Stabilizedbiosensor For The Detection Of Hg2+, Madalyn J. Zagajowski

ELAIA

The formation of a fluorescent biosensor complex consisting of 5 nm diameter gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) was conducted using a low-cost, efficient binding method. The analytical potential for the complex to detect mercuric ions (Hg2+) in an aqueous solution was assessed through the collection of UV-vis and fluorescence spectrometry data for the AuNP-ssDNA complex. The researcher aimed to investigate this potential in case the nanoparticles formed utilizing this method were too small to result in detectable fluorescence. To eliminate this possibility, the complex synthesized from this specific method was qualitatively evaluated to determine if it consistently and …

Preprocessing Of Astronomical Images From The Neowise Survey For Near-Earth Asteroid Detection With Machine Learning, Rachel Meyer

ELAIA

Asteroid detection is a common field in astronomy for planetary defense, requiring observations from survey telescopes to detect and classify different objects. The amount of data collected each night is continually increasing as new and better-designed telescopes begin collecting information each year. This amount of data is quickly becoming unmanageable, and researchers are looking for ways to better process this data. The most feasible current solution is to implement computer algorithms to automatically detect these sources and then use machine learning to create a more efficient and accurate method of classification. Implementation of such methods has previously focused on larger …

Analysis Of Botulinum Toxin A And Interacting Proteins In Skeletal Muscle Cells: An Investigation Into The Mechanisms Of Botulinum Toxin A As A Treatment For Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome, Lauren R. Kee

ELAIA

Background Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a condition in which muscle tissue expands against the surrounding fascia during activity and is compressed along with the nerves and blood vessels within the muscle compartment, leading to abnormally high intracompartmental pressure (ICP) and debilitating pain. Treatment typically includes fasciotomy, which results in significant levels of CECS recurrence; however, botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection has recently been seen to decrease both ICP and pain through an unknown mechanism with little to no recurrence. Methods In this study, PyRosetta was used to model the probability of docking interaction between BoNT-A light or heavy …

Survey Of The Performance Of Gold Nanoparticles Within An Ssdna-Stabilized Biosensor For The Detection Of Hg2+, Madalyn Zagajowski

Pence-Boyce STEM Student Scholarship

Methods

5 nm AuNPs were synthesized by combining solutions of HAuCl4 and sodium citrate, followed by dropwise addition of NaBH4 solution and aging for 24 hours. Additionally, Hg-bound poly(30)T ssDNA oligos were prepared by incubating with HgCl2 solution, with exonuclease I being added to denature unbound DNA. Aliquots of the AuNP solution were then treated with the ssDNA, either Hg-bound or non-Hg bound, and UV-vis and fluorescence spectra were taken of the samples with a Shimadzu UV-1280 spectrophotometer and a Hitachi F-2500 fluorescence spectrophotometer.

Results & Discussion

The UV-vis spectral data of the non-Hg bound AuNP/ssDNA complex samples did not …

Survey Of The Performance Of 5 Nm Gold Nanoparticles Within An Ssdna-Stabilized Biosensor For The Detection Of Hg2+, Madalyn Zagajowski

Honors Program Projects

The formation of a fluorescent biosensor complex consisting of 5 nm diameter gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) was conducted using a low-cost, efficient binding method. The analytical potential for the complex to detect mercuric ions (Hg²⁺) in an aqueous solution was assessed through the collection of UV-vis and fluorescence spectrometry data for the AuNP-ssDNA complex. The researcher aimed to investigate this potential in case the nanoparticles formed utilizing this method were too small to result in detectable fluorescence. To eliminate this possibility, the complex synthesized from this specific method was qualitatively evaluated to determine if it …

School Of Stem Poster Session, Keith Schimmel

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Location: Reed 2^nd floor Tech Center and lobby

This poster session will include displays of work from the School of STEM - Engineering Senior Design and Freshman Design Projects along with Undergraduate Research.

Senior Design Projects

(1) Holland - Shear-Die [Nathan Marks, Nolan Paape, Seth Beyer]

(2) Aginno - Solar-Powered Fish Pond Aeration System [Hoai Do, Bella Lopez, Kendyl Clark, Megan Schroeder]

(3) Peddinghaus - Tube Conveyor [Carson Caldwell, Alisha Wright, Michael Rollberg, Rebecca Witvoet]

(4) American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Student Design Problem [Marissa Anderson, Brady Chambers, Cam Steele]

(5) Kankakee Elks Country Club and Golf …

The Italian Domatic Number On Varying Graph Families, Keith Gallegos

Scholar Week 2016 - present

See file download option for presentation.

.pdf of abstract, which contains mathematical formulas, is available as a "Supplemental File" below.

Comparing Pollinator Communities: Onu’S Swanberg Sanctuary V. Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Stephanie Clark

Pence-Boyce STEM Student Scholarship

Pollinators play a key role in both ecosystem diversity and agricultural productivity [1]. Declines for pollinators have been seen across the globe and have been linked to agriculture and urbanization [2]. Several species in Illinois have declined so severely, they are now endangered or of significant conservation concern [1]. Past ONU students have collected data on the bees in Northeast IL. However, there is no data for what species are at the Sanctuary. This study will provide baseline data for future studies and by comparing with Midewin, a mature restoration, we can gain an understanding of distinctiveness.

Analysis Of Botulinum Toxin A And Interacting Proteins In Skeletal Muscle Cells: An Investigation Into The Mechanisms Behind Botulinum Toxin A As A Treatment For Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome, Lauren Kee

Honors Program Projects

Background: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a condition in which muscle tissue expands against the surrounding fascia during activity and is compressed along with the nerves and blood vessels within the muscle compartment, leading to abnormally high intracompartmental pressure (ICP) and debilitating pain. Treatment typically includes fasciotomy, which results in significant levels of CECS recurrence; however, botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection has recently been seen to decrease both ICP and pain through an unknown mechanism with little to no recurrence.

Methods: In this study, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E₂ receptor 4 (EP4), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), …

Preprocessing Of Astronomical Images From The Neowise Survey For Near-Earth Asteroid Detection, Rachel Meyer

Scholar Week 2016 - present

Asteroid detection is a common field in astronomy for planetary defense which requires observations from survey telescopes to detect and classify different objects. The amount of data collected each night is increasing as better designed telescopes are created each year. This amount is quickly becoming unmanageable and many researchers are looking for ways to better process this data. The dominant solution is to implement computer algorithms to automatically detect these sources and to use Machine Learning in order to create a more efficient and accurate classifier. In the past there has been a focus on larger asteroids that create streaks …

Preprocessing Of Astronomical Images From The Neowise Survey For Near-Earth Asteroid Detection, Rachel Meyer

Honors Program Projects

Asteroid detection is a common field in astronomy for planetary defense, requiring observations from survey telescopes to detect and classify different objects. The amount of data collected each night is continually increasing as new and better-designed telescopes begin collecting information each year. This amount of data is quickly becoming unmanageable, and researchers are looking for ways to better process this data. The most feasible current solution is to implement computer algorithms to automatically detect these sources and then use machine learning to create a more efficient and accurate method of classification. Implementation of such methods has previously focused on larger …

Optimizing Percentile Matching, Joshua Megchelsen

Pence-Boyce STEM Student Scholarship

Point estimation is a technique used in statistics to estimate unknown parameters in populations of data by using samples of data from that population. Percentile matching is a method of point estimation that selects one piece of data from a sample and assumes that the percentile that piece of data represents in the sample is equal to that same percentile’s theoretical value in the population. That assumption is then used to project what the unknown parameter is. The fundamental question our research sought to answer was which percentile should be matched from the sample to the population to produce the …

Analysis Of Botulinum Toxin A And Interacting Proteins In Skeletal Muscle Cells: An Investigation Into The Mechanisms Of Botulinum Toxin A As A Treatment For Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome, Lauren Kee

Pence-Boyce STEM Student Scholarship

Background: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a condition in which muscle tissue expands against the surrounding fascia during activity and is compressed along with the nerves and blood vessels within the muscle compartment, leading to abnormally high intracompartmental pressure (ICP) and debilitating pain. Treatment typically includes fasciotomy, which results in significant levels of CECS recurrence; however, botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection has recently been seen to decrease both ICP and pain through an unknown mechanism with little to no recurrence.

Methods: In this study, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E₂ receptor 4 (EP4), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), …

Nutrient Recycling From Aqueous For Nitrogen Supplementation In Algae Growth, Alyssa Young

ELAIA

Algae-derived biofuels have the potential to become a source of renewable liquid fuel via hydrothermal liquefaction. However, for algal biofuels to be economically and environmentally feasible, sustainable nutrient recycling must be achieved. Desmodesmus armatus is a microalga to be used in hydrothermal liquefaction, but it is not yet known if the aqueous product waste from the biofuel production process can be recycled as a nitrogen source to support the growth of subsequent cultures of D. armatus. Here, aqueous product was treated with a Dowex 50WX8 resin for twenty-four hours. Growth media was prepared with treated and untreated aqueous product …

Elaia 2020/2021, Stephen Case

ELAIA

Volumes 3/4, 2020/2021

Harmony Amid Chaos, Drew Schaffner

Pence-Boyce STEM Student Scholarship

We provide a brief but intuitive study on the subjects from which Galois Fields have emerged and split our study up into two categories: harmony and chaos. Specifically, we study finite fields with elements where is prime. Such a finite field can be defined through a logarithm table. The Harmony Section is where we provide three proofs about the overall symmetry and structure of the Galois Field as well as several observations about the order within a given table. In the Chaos Section we make two attempts to analyze the tables, the first by methods used by Vladimir Arnold as …

Measuring The Decrement Times Of Volatile Anesthetics In Drosophila Melanogaster Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Jason Tolley

Pence-Boyce STEM Student Scholarship

Background

Model organisms are widely used in research, especially in the context of complex situations. One model organism that has been widely used is the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster (D. mel). D. mel are most commonly used in the context of genetics, but they have also been widely used in research focusing on general anesthetics. One value that has not been measured in D. mel, however, as it relates to general anesthetics, is the decrement times. This is what was the present research set out to determine.

Methods

The anesthetics studied in this research were isoflurane …

Elaia 2019, Stephen Case

ELAIA

DIRECTOR'S NOTE in Volume 2

Each fall, the Honors Program at Olivet Nazarene University admits a small number of academically gifted students into its freshman class. From the moment they set foot on our campus, these women and men join a community of scholars, and together they read, reflect upon, and discuss the most important ideas of the past and present—all within a Christian fellowship. The first two years of the program involve a series of Honors courses, taught by a team of faculty and modeled on the historic “old-time college,” where small class relationships, interdisciplinary discussion, and debate prevailed. …

Prospects Of An Astrotourism Site In Namibia, Chris Stone

Pence-Boyce STEM Student Scholarship

Namibia has significant potential as an astrotourism destination. A handful of sites are already utilizing the region’s clear, dark skies to draw tourists and establish a viable business model. These sites include the Gamsberg Observatory, NamibRand Nature Reserve, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Hakos Guest Farm, and Tivoli Astrofarm. The establishment of future professional astronomical research facilities on the Gamsberg Mountain Plateau will also likely add to the attraction of tourists interested in viewing Namibia’s dark skies. The best months for astronomical observing in Namibia are the dry winter months between June and September, which correspond to peak seasonal visits for hunting …

Stand Location Variance As An Indicator Of Disturbance Regime In A Monotypic Tsuga Canadensis Forest, Cole J. Doolittle

Honors Program Projects

Disturbance regimes, which are critical components of forest ecosystems, influence forest morphology, biodiversity, and regeneration. The heterogeneity of disturbance regimes are not well understood on small scales. In this study I analyzed tree cores from five sites within a Tsuga canadensis (Eastern hemlock) forest in northern Wisconsin to investigate disturbance regimes through mean growth release criteria. This study investigated the following questions: 1) Are disturbance regimes in T. canadensis stand level or site specific? 2) If disturbances are site specific, is site location an indicator of disturbance regime? 3) Do site characteristics such as density and tree diameter at breast …

Using Principle Component Analysis To Analyze Tertiary And Quaternary Spectral Mixtures, David Burnett

Scholar Week 2016 - present

CRISM images from Mars are expected to contain carbonates such as magnesite. Prior research has been successfully able to determine the approximate percent composition of phyllosilicates in binary lab mixtures using Principle Component Analysis (PCA). In order to expand this model to work on CRISM images, one of preliminary steps is allowing the algorithm to work on mixtures with more than two components, which was the primary purpose of this research.

Reversi Artificial Intelligence: A Project Management Analysis, Grant David Ross

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

This paper is meant to educate fellow computer science students of the importance of identifying, estimating and overcoming various challenges in software research through the lessons learned in the research for basic artificial intelligence (AI) conducted on the game Reversi. Teaching the various challenges and problems occurred along the way with the hopes that other students in the future can learn from and have an easier time producing better computer software research projects. Through educating other future students and taking the lessons learned in this project optimistically the next class of students will be able to create, manage and make …

How Valuable And Secure Is Your Personal Data, Joe M. Matrisciano

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

This paper explores security and the value of everyday personal data. This paper will explore how major breaches can affect both companies and their clients. Corporate attitudes regarding the security of personal data will be discussed, what companies do with our data and lastly what strategies are employed by corporate organizations to maintain our data safe and secure. This is an important topic that needs more review and research because in the world today, security paradigms are failing on both the user and business side. The average citizen simply does not understand how important it is to keep information secure …

Mercyhealth Internship: It As A Unit, Frenz Joshua Hayag

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

This is a CSIS 494 Field Experience paper about an internship in a healthcare organization called MercyHealth. My internship would be described as generalized. The paper will be mainly talking about the different aspects of IT and how they all come together to create progress, and cohesiveness in the organization. I had the opportunity to see different aspects of their IT department by sitting down in project meetings. I was able to job shadow multiple staff from admins to PC techs to network engineers. I was able to see first-hand how an organization, and IT respond to disaster, and how …

Elaia 2018, Stephen Case

ELAIA

Volume 1

Over the years, the Program has continued to grow and flourish, and the depth of its research continues to increase. This inaugural journal represents the fruits of that development, containing capstone research projects from the 2018 Honors Program senior class and their faculty mentors. The Table of Contents is diverse, and in that way it is a crystal clear reflection of our program’s community of scholars.

I, along with the members of the Honors Council, am gratified by the work of each student and faculty mentor printed within these pages. Congratulations, everyone!

- Stephen Lowe, Honors Program Director

Iot Feeder, Jorge Felix

Student Scholarship – Computer Science

No abstract provided.

Using Principle Component Analysis Of Spectral Mixtures To Analyze Tertiary And Four End-Member Mixtures Containing Carbonates And Olivine, David Burnett

Pence-Boyce STEM Student Scholarship

CRISM images from Mars are expected to contain carbonates such as magnesite [1]. Prior research has been successfully able to determine the approximate percent composition of phyllosilicates in binary lab mixtures using Principle Component Analysis (PCA) [2]. In order to expand this model to work on CRISM images, one of preliminary steps is allowing the algorithm to work on mixtures with more than two components.

Foraging Behavior Of Red-Headed Woodpeckers In Endangered Black Oak Savanna Habitat, Mike J. King

Pence-Boyce STEM Student Scholarship

The objective of this study was to determine the role of black oak savanna habitat on red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) foraging behavior. Through the development of a foraging ethogram, the recording of foraging behavior times, and the collection of habitat data we were able to assess if any patterns existed between foraging and black oak savanna habitat. Comparison of our data in black oak savannas to that of others in woodland suggests that foraging behavior may differ between habitat types. Tree species did appear to impact the proportion of certain foraging behaviors, however further study is needed to more fully …

Hexavalent Chromium Toxicity On Human Epithelial Cells And Protection By Ascorbic Acid And Epigallocatechin Gallate, Timmy Mayotte

Pence-Boyce STEM Student Scholarship

Hexavalent chromium or Cr(VI) is a known carcinogen in human beings, though the exact mechanism of carcinogenicity is still unknown. The same chemical compound is also found at varying levels in the water sources of more than 200 million Americans. While the government currently regulates total chromium levels, they have yet to determine a permissible exposure limit for Cr(VI). There is currently no method of preventative treatment for the chemical. The focus of this study was to determine the mechanism of carcinogenicity of Cr(VI) as well as confirm the viability of antioxidants as a preventative treatment. Because of Cr(VI)’s strong …