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  Identification of Modified Nanomaterial Characteristics and Cellular Responses in Artificial Alveolar Fluid

  Yingde Zhu

  The rapid expansion of nanotechnology and inclusion of nanomaterials (NMs) into everyday objects have introduced benefits in many areas, including energy, electronics, cosmetics, medical procedures, and household items. It is due to their unique physicochemical properties, such as enhanced surface area to volume ratio and increased reactivity that make NMs attractive for these applications. Recently, however, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of NM exposure. To address these concerns, scientists and engineers have sought to identify the root cause of nano-bioresponses, with conflicting reports presented between in vitro and in vivo studies. While in vitro models retain the advantages of quick-screening and low effectiveness, a traditional cell culture environment does not accurately represent an in vivo setting. One mechanism to overcome this discrepancy is to incorporate artificial physiological, which in addition to being more biologically relevant allow for full NM characterization and evaluation in a more representative environment; a critical component in order to identify true NM behavior during targeted applications. As such, our goal was to elucidate the impact of physiological fluids on the characteristics and induced biological responses of select NMs. As inhalation is a primary mode of NM entry, our in vitro model consisted of a human alveolar cell line (A549), artificial alveolar fluid, and NMs that possess increased likelihood of exposure via inhalation (aluminum dioxide, copper oxide, and silicon dioxide). Following dispersion in alveolar fluid the NMs displayed dramatically increased rates of agglomeration and modified surface charge. Additionally, stress activation and cytotoxicity were evaluated and varied between standard culture media and alveolar fluid. These results indicate modified NM and resultant cellular behavior following adaptation of an in vitro environment to more closely mimic an in vivo surroundings.

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  Improving Female Science Scores Through STEM Curriculum

  Erin M. Yacovoni

  Currently in education there is a stress on career readiness. Specifically in science education, teachers are expected to educate their students not only on science concepts but also careers that involve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). According to the United States Department of Education (2013), the United States is falling behind on mathematics and science education, ranking 25th and 17th in the world. These numbers must increase in order to prepare students for success in STEM fields as they graduate. One approach teachers use to ensure that students are well versed in the STEM fields is STEM education. In STEM education, students are taught using a method that focuses on real world application and engineering. This study focuses specifically on how middle-school females are affected by STEM education. Female success in science under the STEM method of teaching has been observed through a review of literature and a survey.

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  Investigating DNA Repair Processes in Bacteria: Can D. rad PriA load D. rad DnaB onto DNA forks with a leading strand gap?

  Mike Ryan

  My research focused on the repair and replication of damaged DNA in the Deinococcus radiodurans (D. rad) bacteria, which is able to survive extreme levels of DNA damage with no detriment to its health because it is very efficient at repairing damaged DNA. In replicating (copying) bacterial DNA, damaged DNA will cause the replication to stop. This requires the DNA replication to be restarted in order for replication to be completed and cell death avoided. In most bacteria the proteins that function to restart DNA replication at points of DNA damage are fairly well conserved from bacteria to bacteria; however the D.rad bacteria lacks many of those proteins. I investigated the interactions between the proteins in this pathway that D. rad bacteria has, resulting in a clearer understanding of how these proteins interact in the D. rad replication restart pathway.

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  Investigating Survival Strategies of a Radioresistant Bacterium: Deinococcus Radiodurans

  Danielle Gerbic

  DNA replication is a process that is vital to cell survival. When double stranded DNA goes through the replication process, it splits into two separate strands with the help of a helicase. When a cell in the process of replicating its DNA encounters DNA damage, the replication proteins fall off the DNA strand and DNA replication stops; in other instances cells can utilize the replication restart pathway. This pathway allows certain cells to overlook damaged DNA strands, reload replication proteins back on the replication strand, and proceed with replication. Deinococcus radiodurans is one organism that is able to utilize this pathway despite being exposed to high levels of radiation. It is believed that certain replication proteins including polymerases, primases, and helicases are used to help an organism use the replication restart pathway. DnaB is a replicative helicase that is responsible for unwinding the majority of the double stranded DNA on a chromosome, SSB prevents the separated DNA strands from reannealing, and PriA is the most important protein in the replication restart process because it is what initiates the process of reloading the proteins on the DNA strand. The goal of this project was to determine if the PriA protein is able to reload the DnaB helicase onto the DNA replication fork, specifically looking at whether DnaB was loaded with no leading strand gap on the DNA strand. Through transforming these D. Rad proteins into E coli cells, synthesizing and purifying these proteins, creating a DNA fork to unwind, and then performing helicase assays to test the unwinding capabilities of the DNA replication fork, we were able to test our hypothesis. Our results indicated that no DNA unwinding occurred on the DNA fork. This result can mean one of several things: incorrectly synthesized proteins or the DnaB helicase was not able to be reloaded on the DNA fork.

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  Investigation and Optimization of a Mechanical Regenerative Braking Launch Assist Device

  Vijay Krishna Jayaprakash

  Fuel efficiency has become a major concern in the automotive industry. A mechanically-based, Regenerative Braking Launch Assist (RBLA) is a kinetic energy recovery system that helps us to improve fuel efficiency in vehicles. A prototype of one concept has been previously created. In the existing RBLA prototype, an extension spring is used as strain energy storage component. The effectiveness of prototype will be evaluated with the extension spring along with a torsion spring and spiral spring. The desired configuration is one where a large amount of energy can be stored with a low weight and low volume spring.

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  Its Snowing: A New Outlook on Motion-Induced Blindness

  Joseph R. Pauszek

  Motion-induced blindness occurs when an unchanging part of the visual field that is stationary relative to the fovea perceptually disappears when, in fact, the stimulus is still present. It was originally thought to be related to the fact that a target stimulus is stationary while other objects in the visual field are uniformly moving, hence the name of the phenomenon. However, it has since been established that motion, per se, is not necessary for motion-induced blindness to occur and that motion-induced blindness can occur in the presence of any type of uniform change, such as a collection of lights getting brighter or darker in unison while a target stimulus does not change in terms of brightness. Numerous explanations have been proposed regarding why motion-induced blindness occurs and many of these theories suggest a framework of perceptual processing through which the visual and attentional systems of the brain operate in such conditions. The current study aimed to investigate motion-induced blindness in the instance of visual displays that exhibited either random change or no change at all. In addition, the current study aimed to investigate potential differences in the duration of motion-induced blindness experienced on the basis of different colors used in the background stimulus of the visual displays. Results have shown that the perceptual disappearance of the target is significantly affected by the color of the background stimulus and that it can occur in both randomly changing and completely static visual displays. These findings have led to implications for leading theories of motion-induced blindness and other similar perceptual phenomena, as well. The implications of the current study can also be extended to the phenomenon of perceptual filling-in (which is also referred to as perceptual fading or the Troxler Effect), as the two phenomena are reportedly elicited by the same underlying mechanism.

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  Job Design: A Human Approach through Catholic Social Teaching and Job Design Theories

  Thomas DeCastra

  Job design theories outline jobs that help a company design jobs that are efficient and productive for a laborer to do. Catholic Social Teaching enlightens humanity that above all it is important to respect human dignity. Do Catholic Social Teaching and job design theories agree or are they at odds with each other? “Job Design: A Human Approach” looks at the story of each starting with Fredrick Taylor in 1911 and Pope Leo XIII in 1891 and identifies similarities and differences. Finally, the thesis uses the stories of each to look forward into the modern world of the jobs yet to be designed.

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  Linguistic Factors Affecting the Socioeconomic Status of Latino Immigrants in Dayton, OH

  Ali VanLoon

  Using a sociolinguistic methodology, based on surveys and interviews, I will analyze how the social status of Dayton’s Spanish-speaking immigrants correlates with their levels of English. My research will benefit the Dayton Hispanic community in that it will identify the dominant linguistic factors that contribute to the definition of their social status. This information will empower the Hispanics with the knowledge of what hinders them linguistically as well as offer the community tools to better integrate them, which is the overall goal of the recently adopted Welcome Dayton plan—an effort to inspire immigrants to invest and remain in the indebted city in hopes their efforts would augment the economy.

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  Low Alloy Steel Susceptibility to Stress Corrosion Cracking in Hydraulic Fracking Environment

  Ezechukwu J. Anyanwu

  The pipelines used for the process of hydraulic fracturing (aka. “fracking”) process are constantly operating at very high pressure and thus are highly susceptible to Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC). This is primarily due to the process of carrying out fracking at a shale gas site, where the hydraulic fracking fluid is pumped through these pipes at very high pressure in order to initiate fracture in the shale formation. While the fracking fluid is typically more than 99% water, other components are used to perform various functions during the fracking process. Research into the occurrence of SCC reveals that SCC is engendered by a number of factors, of which two main contributors are stress in the pipe steel and a particular type of corrosive environment that exist around the pipeline in the service setting. The variety of fracking fluid formulas which could be used and the insufficient information about the fracking fluid chemistry makes it very important to carry out analysis to ensure the integrity of the pipeline used for this process. The current research described here is focused on the evaluation of the susceptibility of low alloy steel (C4340) to stress corrosion cracking in different environments as it relates to hydraulic fracking fluid chemistry and operating conditions. These different environments are achieved by varying the solution pH, the pH adjusting agent and the applied stress. Electrochemistry measurements using AISI 4340 samples in various solutions and applied stress conditions will be presented and discussed.

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  Measuring Spatial Intelligence and Memory for Location: Athletes v. Non-Athletes

  Guiseppe G. Miranda, Lauren M. Pytel, Alex J. Fitzharris, Marissa E. Sander

  This research project examined whether athletes have better spatial abilities and memory for location than non-athletes. Due to their extensive experience in tracking the location of objects and teammates in relation to spatial layouts, athletes were predicted to outperform their non-athlete counterparts on spatial tasks. Similarly, while everyday short-term memory should be equivalent for athletes and non-athletes, memory for location was hypothesized to be better for athletes. To test the similarity of everyday short-term memory, strings of letters were presented which participants had to recall immediately. Athletes and non-athletes were equivalent in performance for this typical short-term memory task, suggesting that any difference in performance on other tasks was due to a more specialized form of memory. To test memory for location, a moving object was presented on a computer monitor among a varying number of distracters, with or without a landmark. Participants were then asked to recall the beginning or ending location of the moving object. As expected, memory performance decreased with an increase in the number of distracters, but even more so for non-athletes. When a landmark was unavailable, athletes performed much better than non-athlete participants demonstrating a disparity in memory performance. These results suggest that athletes have improved spatial abilities due to consistent practice. Facilitation of memory for location is believed to be due to the increased ability of the athletes to use the spatial coordinates of the landmark as a reference for the location of the object.

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  Medical School through a Learning Community Lens

  Nancy Silverman

  Long considered to be a fiercely competitive environment, many schools of medicine can be characterized as learning communities. A learning community involves a group of people who come together under established guidelines for the shared purpose of learning and a commitment to reflective practice that can ultimately bring personal transformation. Collaboration is the hallmark of learning in community and becomes the vehicle whereby knowledge is socially constructed through negotiation in community with peers. The collaborative approach to learning that historically has characterized medical student instruction at the bedside has been introduced into the classroom and laboratory, often under the moniker of team-based learning. Students are accountable not only for their own learning successes but also for the successes of their team of peers. In addition to engaging in this highly collaborative environment, students become immersed into the medical school community through cultural integration (mentoring by upperclass peers), ritualistic performances (white coat ceremony), behavioral expectations (professionalism and accountability), and shared goals (attaining a desired residency). Medical students can benefit from the successful outcomes of learning communities as they create a sense of belonging; academic, social, and personal satisfaction; generate deeper levels of learning; incite initiative, creativity, and critical thinking; and nurture sensitivity to diverse perspectives (Cox, 2004). Reference Cox, M. D. (2004). Building faculty learning communities. In M. D. Cox & L. Richlin (Eds.), New directions for teaching and learning (Vol. 97, pp. 5-23). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

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  MIS, OM and Decision Sciences, Political Science

  Nina Varney

  A LiDAR point cloud is 3D data which contains millions of data points represented in the form I (x, y, z) that stores the spatial coordinates and possibly RGB color information. This method of data collection is especially useful in collecting large scale scene information. The goal of this project is to develop a self-adaptive and automated methodology to extract features which effectively represent object regions, specifically man-made objects and vegetation regions. The point cloud will be initially segmented using a strip histogram grid approach. Once significant features are extracted, region refinement by surface growing will be performed. Finally after the regions of interest have been segmented a cascade classifier approach will be used for object classification.

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  Must Feedback Have a Dollar Value to Reduce Overconfidence?

  Kristen A. Kemp, Jamie Flannery

  When determining our ability to be accurate in accomplishing specific tasks, we tend to show overconfidence, which is defined as the inconsistency between how well we think we performed and our actual performance (e.g., Fischoff, Slovic, & Lichtenstein, 1977). On a daily basis, we are required to estimate our ability to accomplish certain tasks accurately. These estimations are greatly influenced by individual differences, such as narcissism--the enhancement of oneself in a positive way--, and risky behavior, defined here as the willingness to place high bets on uncertain answers (Campbell, Goodie, & Foster, 2004). Previous research suggests that those who are narcissistic are generally overconfident, greater risk-takers and more likely to bet on their answers even when their accuracy is low (Campbell et al., 2004). Undergraduate participants were asked to complete a series of general knowledge questions (GKQs) and personality questionnaires, including the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), Need for Achievement Scale, Indicators of Problematic Gambling, and the Risk Adverseness Scale. Participants were assigned to a confidence (n=81) or a betting condition (n=107). Both groups expressed their confidence in their answer: those in the confidence condition with a percent confidence, and those in the betting condition with virtual money. Half of the participants in the confidence condition received feedback about the accuracy of their answer; participants in the betting condition received feedback in the form of an increase or decrease in virtual money. Preliminary analyses reveal that participants in the betting condition were significantly less confident when they had received feedback on their performance. In contrast, in the confidence condition, participants were significantly less confident when no feedback was given. Overall, participants in the confidence condition were more under confident than those in the betting condition, regardless of whether or not they had received feedback.

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  Nonlinear Image Enhancement and Super Resolution for Enhanced Object Tracking

  Evan W. Krieger, Saibabu Arigela

  Tracking objects, such as vehicles and humans, in wide area motion imagery (WAMI) is a challenging problem because of the limited pixel area and the low contrast/visibility of the target objects. We propose an approach to make automatic tracking algorithms more effective by incorporating image enhancement and super resolution as preprocessing algorithms. The enhancement process includes the stages of dynamic range compression and contrast enhancement. Dynamic range compression is performed by a neighborhood based nonlinear intensity transformation process, which utilizes a locally tuned inverse sine nonlinear function to generate various nonlinear curves based on pixel’s neighborhood information. These nonlinear curves are used to select the new intensity value for each pixel. A contrast enhancement technique is used to maintain or improve the contrast of the original image. Local contrast enhancement using surrounding pixel information aids in extracting higher number of features a detector can find in the image, and therefore, improves the automatic object detection capabilities. Secondly, the super resolution technique is performed on an area surrounding the object of interest to increase the size of the object in terms of pixels. The single image super resolution process is performed in the Fourier phase space which preserves the local structure of each pixel in order to estimate the interpolated pixels in the high resolution image. As a result, super resolution increases the sharpness of edges and allows for addition tracking features to be extracted. The combination of these two techniques provides the necessary preprocessing enhancement to increase the effectiveness of tracking algorithms. A quantitative evaluation is performed to compare the results of the tracking with and without the proposed techniques. The analysis is based on results of an automatic detection and tracking technique, Gaussian Ringlet Intensity Distribution (GRID), evaluated using wide area motion imagery data.

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  Numerical Study on the Characteristics of Metal-Insulator-Metal Diode Integrated with Spiral Optical Antenna

  Zhijun Yang

  Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diode structures attract increasing interests in many technical areas including the solar cell technologies because of their capabilities to directly convert optical energy into electric current. During the process of energy transfer, surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) play an important role due to their intriguing properties such as high local field enhancement and short effective wavelength. As an important figure of merit, the field enhancement arising from the SPPs excitation is limited by the relatively large mode volume in the traditional MIM structure. A potential way to improve the field enhancement factor is to introduce an optical antenna in the design of MIM diode structure to efficiently couple the energy of free-space radiation into a confined region of subwavelength size with highly enhanced field. In this project, I present the numerical studies on the characteristics of a novel device design that integrates MIM structure with a spiral slot optical antenna. As a spin sensitive structure, the response of the spiral slot antenna strongly depends on the optical spin state of the illumination. Three-dimensional finite element method model has been built to numerically simulate the performance of the proposed structure. Modeling results show that this hybrid structure has the ability to achieve both extremely high field enhancement and circular polarization extinction ratio simultaneously. A field enhancement of 150 and circular polarization extinction ratio of 200 can be obtained with this design. Such a device may find useful applications in polarimetric imaging and remote sensing.

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  Operational Performance and Safety Comparison: Roundabouts vs. Traditional Signalized and Unsignalized Intersections

  Vincent Spahr

  As roundabouts become increasingly popular in Ohio, this study assesses their performance as a safe and functional alternative to traditional intersections. Focusing on three roundabout locations in Dublin, Ohio, the study compares accident reports with traditional intersections in the area as well as with the traditional intersections that existed before the roundabouts were installed.

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  Party Building: Factors to Encourage Third Party Support Among 18-24 Year Olds

  Amy Timmerman

  Third parties have always existed within American politics, yet have never claimed the ultimate political victory: the Presidency. Third parties often enjoy support from single issue voters, a strong, concentrated group of serious devotees, but they often fail to attract more consistent backing similar to that enjoyed by the two major parties. A major source of third party patronage is also found on the university campus, yet this support often fades shortly after college. Using survey data, this thesis analyzes the potential impact party building and media campaign strategies would have on third parties in gaining the lasting support of 18-24 year old voters. By combining this survey data with a literature review of studies done on past third party presidential hopefuls, this project also reveals the problems inherent in the Electoral College that a third party must overcome. This foundation could provide a path for third parties to begin building a coalition that would allow them to take the national stage with the same presence and power that the major two parties currently possess.

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  Phase-Shifting Holography Using Bragg and Non-Bragg Orders in Photorefractive LiNbO3

  Ujitha Abeywickrema

  The refractive index (RI) of a material can be changed due to several effects such as the optical Kerr effect and the photorefractive (PR) effect. The use of PR materials for implementing real time phase shifting holographic interferometry is discussed in this work. Holographic interferometry (HI) is an effective and rich method for measuring very small (order of a wavelength) displacements and it is widely used for non-destructive testing. Bragg and non-Bragg orders can be generated during two-beam coupling in a PR material due to the induced RI in the material and can be used to retrieve the phase information of the object, as well as the deformation of the object. In previous work, we have shown how object deformation can be determined from monitoring a Bragg order. Furthermore, we have reported on preliminary experiments for determining the depth profile of an object and provided approximate analytic solutions for the Bragg and non-Bragg orders for the case of interacting plane waves. In this work we numerically calculate the exact solutions for the intensities of the Bragg and non-Bragg (higher orders) orders for the case of two incident plane waves, as well as for the case when one of the incident fields is a profiled or image bearing beam. We show how the information from the diffracted order intensities can be used to determine the amplitude and phase of the 3D object. Similarities with phase shifting holography will be discussed. Numerical results are compared with experimental results performed using lithium niobate as the photorefractive recording material. Key words: Photorefractive materials, Photorefractive effect, Bragg and non-Bragg orders

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  Photoreactions of a Water Soluble Poly-Isoquinolpyrrole with Plasmid DNA

  Gregory H. Versteeg

  Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a treatment method for a variety of ailments, including different cancers. It involves light activation of a molecule (photosensitizer) which then reacts with molecular oxygen to destroy tumor cells. Porphyrins are commonly used as photosensitizers due to their light absorption properties and their ability to concentrate in tumor cells but not healthy cells. Unfortunately, porphyrins suffer from poor excitation when irradiated with visible light in the photodynamic therapy window (600-800nm). The photodynamic window is optimal due to the depth of penetration the light reaches and the lack of absorption from naturally occurring compounds in the body. This project involves the synthesis and characterization of a new type of photosensitizer with the goal of creating new molecules that are activated by low energy light.

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  Power in Numbers?: The Impact of Female Formed Police Units of Women's Empowerment

  Laura Huber

  Advocates hailed the UN's deployment of female formed police units (FFPUs), or all-female units, in peacekeeping missions as a groundbreaking achievement for women's empowerment. Three FFPUs have been deployed to Liberia, Timor-Leste, and Haiti. Many supporters of FFPUs claim that female police are better peacekeepers, less prone to violence, better able to interact with local women, more concerned about sexual violence, and act as role models, challenge gender stereotypes, and encourage local women to participate in the security sector. However, little systematic research has been conducted to evaluate these claimed practical impacts of the units. This thesis evaluates the effects of these units on women in local communities based on empirical and anecdotal evidence and using the current unit deployed in Liberia as a case study to determine the nature and sustainability of any impacts on women’s empowerment.Advocates hailed the UN's deployment of female formed police units (FFPUs), or all-female units, in peacekeeping missions as a groundbreaking achievement for women's empowerment. Three FFPUs have been deployed to Liberia, Timor-Leste, and Haiti. Many supporters of FFPUs claim that female police are better peacekeepers, less prone to violence, better able to interact with local women, more concerned about sexual violence, and act as role models, challenge gender stereotypes, and encourage local women to participate in the security sector. However, little systematic research has been conducted to evaluate these claimed practical impacts of the units. This thesis evaluates the effects of these units on women in local communities based on empirical and anecdotal evidence and using the current unit deployed in Liberia as a case study to determine the nature and sustainability of any impacts on women’s empowerment.

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  Preparatory and Performance Self-Efficacy in Athletes

  Emily McCarty

  Self-efficacy establishes a relationship between people and their goal-directed behavior. The relationship helps determine whether people will initiate the behavior and how long they will persist in performing the behavior. Specific types of self-efficacy are preparatory self-efficacy in relation to a certain task, (i.e., that is, self-perception of anticipated ability in successfully completing a task) and performance self-efficacy regarding that task. Specifically, the present study examined these two types of self-efficacy in response to the performance on spatial tasks that assessed the ability to take different perspectives and picture the movement of objects in space. Participants were given preparatory, performance, and general self-efficacy questionnaires and two spatial tasks to test the research questions about self-efficacy. They were broken into two groups, a group who believed that they were in competition with other participants and a group who did not believe they were in competition. Results are hypothesized to show a difference in preparatory and performance self-efficacy between participants who believe they are in competition and those who do not. Specifically, for those participants who believe that they are in competition, there will be a difference between preparatory and performance self-efficacy after, but not before the spatial tasks. On the other hand, for those who do not believe that they are in competition, there will be no difference in preparatory and performance self-efficacy before and after the spatial task. Results are also hypothesized to show a gender difference, where male participants will report greater self-efficacy than female participants (as evidenced by the general, preparatory, and performance self-efficacy questionnaires).

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  Preparing Pre-Service Teachers to Work with English Language Learners

  Alexandra N. Hill

  English Language Learners (ELLs) can be misidentified as students with special needs. Teachers often watch these students struggle in school and assume they have a cognitive delay, when in reality; they may just be struggling with their language delay. To be identified as needing special education services, these students undergo assessments to test their abilities. These assessments were created for students who speak English. Studies have shown that “Familiarity with Standard English accounts for more than 50% of the total test variance on IQ and achievement test measures for fourth graders and 60% to 90% of the variance for seventh graders” (Abedi, 2002). Therefore, ELLs are put at a further disadvantage during the testing period. If placed in a special education program, the student rarely receives the language instruction needed. The current structure creates an environment where ELLs can easily be misplaced into special education programs where they will continue to fall further behind in their education. To prevent this problem, pre-service teachers need to gain experience with ELLs so that they can give them the instruction and support they need. Not all pre-service teachers have access to classrooms with ELLs. In order to try to replicate this experience, instructors turn to video case studies that show pre-service teachers authentic footage, assessments, and class work of an ELL. The goal of this research is to determine the effects of video case studies on pre-service teachers, and what questions were generated as a result of the in class clinical experience.

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  Purification and Biochemical Characterization of a Xylanolytic Glycoside Hydrolase from Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus

  Caroline Wise

  In response to the current global energy crisis, biofuels have become a viable renewable energy solution and require a carbohydrate source to begin their production. One such carbohydrate source option is biomass, which is comprised of complex sugars that can be broken down into simple sugars and then fermented for the production of bioethanol. The bacterium called Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus contains many glycoside hydrolase enzymes that have the potential for metabolizing the complex sugars in several carbohydrate sources, including those in biomass. This project is focused on the cloning of the Csac_2410 gene from C. saccharolyticus, expression of the gene as a protein, purification of the protein, and biochemical characterization of the protein. The biochemical characterization determines the substrate specificity, pH optima and temperature optima of Csac_2410, and the results are used to determine the effectiveness of Csac_2410 in metabolizing complex sugars for the upstream processing of biofuels.

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  Quasi-Plagiarism vs. Human Universality in the Dystopian Genre

  Taylor Kingston

  Dystopian literature characteristically addresses the plight of the “everyman” as he copes with the oppression imposed by a totalitarian regime. Touchstone writers of the genre known for novels including Nineteen Eighty-Four, Brave New World and Anthem have, however, been scrutinized for creating uncannily similar plots. While scholars have linked the writers’ ideas back to a Russian predecessor, the novel We, this research explores how a charge of quasi-plagiarism is a shallow explanation. The great question being explored in any dystopian novel is whether government can save mankind from itself by eradicating individual will. The commonalities among that individual will dictate the appearance of a world without it. It is because of human universals such as love, family and a desire for knowledge that these dystopian novels focus on the prevention of love through the regulation of sex, communal rearing of children, and thought-level censorship of ideas.

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  Refined Skills of Physicians in Independently Owned Hospitals in India Reduce Healthcare Costs for Patients

  Anam Hussain

  In America, we are currently striving to provide adequate healthcare to all, regardless of income level. We had the opportunity to travel to India to observe how patients of different income levels are treated in the different facilities available. For two months we shadowed physician, Dr. Mahmood Osmani, who owns a hospital with in-patient facility in Hyderabad, India, serving middle and lower income families. There we observed how treatments are provided for patients who pay minimum fees: by relying on more direct knowledge of the physician and less use of technology. The physician would palpate the abdomen at a particular location and immediately correctly diagnose acute appendicitis, or diagnose a heart condition by auscultating the heart and doing simple investigations such as an EKG and chest X-rays. His education and skills had so finely developed that scans and technological protocols did not need to be utilized to help diagnose and treat the patients. Though these technological advances are indeed available in the large corporate hospitals, these are mostly used for those who can afford the cost of these services, as all medical costs in India are out of pocket pay. Nevertheless, because of the particular training of doctors, many families who cannot afford high cost modalities are receiving effective treatments because of the skills of the physician in privately owned hospitals. In this project, we will highlight several cases we observed while shadowing Dr. Osmani, and show how physical touch and expertise helped treat the many patients with various illnesses.