DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

Empirical Projects

Pasch, Erica. EFFECTS OF TRICLOSAN ON INTESTINAL MICROBIOTA AND SUSCEPTIBILITY TO EXPERIMENTAL COLITIS.

Evidence suggests that alterations in the intestinal microbiota may play a role in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease. Triclosan, an antibacterial agent found in consumer products, is detectable in plasma and urine from sample human populations. The current study determined whether low doses of triclosan, mimicking environmental exposure, alter the intestinal microbiota and susceptibility to experimental colitis. Mice were given triclosan in the drinking water (10g/ml) for 6 days, followed by induction of colitis by 3.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Fecal bacteria were cultured for quantification of lactobacilli and coliforms. Fecal DNA was analyzed by PCR using bacterial genus-specific 16S rRNA primers. Colitis was assessed by disease activity index (DAI) score, histological scoring, and western blot for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The day 4 DAI for the DSS + triclosan (DSS+T) group was higher than the DSS treated mice, but there was no difference at day 5 or 6. Triclosan did not alter induction of COX-2 expression by DSS. Total fecal lactobacilli were greater in the control and triclosan versus DSS and DSS+T groups. Coliforms were increased by DSS and increased the most in DSS+T group. We conclude that low-dose exposure to triclosan may increase susceptibility to DSS colitis may influence the composition of the intestinal microbiota.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE MATH AND PHYSICS

Analytical Papers and Analyses

Castanada, Elena. FRACTALS AND THEIR CONSTRUCTIONS.

The concept of self-similarity was first considered back in the 17th century, since then fractals have come into formalization. Fractals are recursive and appear similar at all levels of magnification. Fractals can be constructed through reiterations of a similar shape. In the poster, the construction of self-similar fractals will be explored.

McKay, Ryan. TESSELLATIONS IN HYPERBOLIC SPACE.

A tessellation or tiling of the Euclidean plane is a covering of the plane using the same shape(s). We shall talk about Geometric Tessellations. Giving an example of a tessellation in Euclidean space and showing that the same tessellation works in Hyperbolic space. This will be an examination of the shapes geometric properties.

Quaney, Adelaide. THE "MANY FACES" OF GEOMETRY: PLATONIC SOLIDS IN EUCLIDEAN SPACE.

From its beginnings in Greece, mathematics has been affected by many great philosophers such as Aristotle, Socrates, and Euclid. However, the theory of geometric solids was greatly influenced by Plato. Platonic solids are comprised of regular geometric shapes fit into a 3-D solid. In each corner of such a solid the same number of surfaces collide. Only five Platonic solids exist: tetrahedron, hexahedron, octahedron, dodecahedron and icosahedron. This project aims to address the history of Plato and geometry, as well as the constructions and proofs regarding the existence of Platonic solids and their use in modern mathematics.

Schnoor, Ashley. THEOREMS OF EUCLIDEAN AND HYPERBOLIC GEOMETRIES.

Euclid was a Greek mathematician who developed an axiomatic mathematical system, which included five axioms. Euclidean geometry is the geometry taught in high schools. Different geometries came from changing Euclid’s fifth axiom, also known as the parallel postulate. One of these new geometries is hyperbolic geometry. Poincare developed a model for this hyperbolic geometry that is based on a unit circle. We will look at the following questions: do Euclidean theorems hold in hyperbolic geometry? Are there some theorems that only hold in Euclidean? Are there some changes to the Euclidean theorems that only work in hyperbolic? This project examines these theorems and determines the answers to these questions.

Smith, Allison. THE CLOCK STRIKES 3-D.

Modern computer animation is based on vector analysis, in particular, how matrices can be used to project a 3-Dimensional object onto a 2-Dimensional plane. Also, matrices can be used to make the object appear to move and rotate in space. This project explains these concepts, and gives an example.

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

Literature Reviews

Davis, Michelle; McCreath, Katie; Preston, Lacy; Yeh, Pi-Ming . CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISTIC DISORDER.

The purpose of this study was to systematically synthesize the literature on the efficacy of gluten-free, casein-free diet and applied behavior analysis on the behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorders. Study Question: What is the effect of a gluten-free casein free diet and applied behavior analysis on children with autistic spectrum disorders? Methods: The sample was identified by computerized literature searches and manual searches of references. Electronic database, CINAHL, was searched for relevant studies from 2002-2008. Results: Eighteen journal articles were analyzed. These interventional studies have shown positive effects on improving the symptoms of children with autism spectrum disorders.

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

Empirical Projects

Chris Lanman, Kerri Rollins, Brooke Palmer, Logan Parker, Allison Raymond. DEPENDENT VARIABLES AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION EVALUATION.

We evaluated the effect of domestic violence prevention training given by the Saint Joseph YWCA and District Attorney. The training and control groups completed pre-and post-test questionnaires. Benevolent sexism is predicted to be a more sensitive measure of the training’s effectiveness than hostile sexism. The present research highlights the importance of developing training to sensitize college students to subtle forms of domestic violence, and doing evaluations with that subtlety in mind. Had the evaluation only assessed hostile sexism, the training might appear ineffective; including a more understated measure of benevolent sexism provided a more sensitive measure of the training’s effectiveness.

Historical Papers

Rollins, Kerri . DARWIN'S INFLUENCES:SOCIAL DARWINISM.

This paper focuses on Darwin’s contributions, specifically in the field of Psychology. This paper will take in depth look at Herbert Spencer’s theory of Social Darwinism and it’s implications in society past and present.

Literature Reviews

Parker, Logan. SEXUAL SELECTION: DARWIN'S THEORY FOR MATE CHOICE.

Charles Darwin, in order to explain the differences between males and females, created the theory of sexual selection. He argues that male combat and female choice among our ancestors would have contributed for male’s larger size, pugnacity, strength, and intelligence as well as female beauty. There is research that agrees and disagrees with his idea. Nonetheless, Darwin should be credited with trying to explain this phenomenon but also, with his other ideas, and his science that went against the norm of society thus creating new fields of studies that would not be present today.

Personality Papers

Rollins, Kerri . HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL? CARL ROGERS AND CLIENT CENTERED THERAPY.

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