Browse the Kent State University Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Collections
The Early Christian Church and the Anti-Vietnam War Movement at Kent State University: An application of Burke’s Guilt Redemption Cycle and Smelser’s Theory of Collective Behavior03/15/2016An application of Kenneth Burke’s Guilt-Redemption Cycle is used in conjunction with Neil Smelser’s Theory of Collective Behavior to construct an argument for an analogy between the Early Christian Church and the Anti-Vietnam War Movement, specifically at Kent State University. The argument focuses on rhetorical actions and the progression of social movements while taking into consideration each movement’s respective period in history. Application of the theories found that there are analogous events between the Early Christian Church and the Anti-Vietnam War Movement. The analogy is further analyzed by using Kenneth Burke’s Dramatistic Pentad as well as comparing rhetorical artifacts. Key words: Kenneth Burke, Neil Smelser, Guilt-Redemption Cycle, Theory of Collective Behavior, Early Christian Church, Kent State University |
The Disproportionate Impact of Voting Regulations on Underrepresented Communities03/15/2016Through examining polling data and survey results, one can observe a notable disparity between those who are active voters and those who identify as nonvoters. Often, this disparity can be characterized by differences in race, age and income group. Over the years there has been a consistent trend that shows that people who are non-white, under age 30, or have a family income of less than around thirty-thousand dollars are much less likely to vote than those who are white, older or make more money. The reasons for this vary. However, as I illustrate in this paper, the conditions that lead particular groups of people not to vote are exacerbated by policies that disproportionately affect them, putting them at a disadvantage when it comes to the exercise of voting rights. These policies include restrictions on early voting, the mechanism for counting provisional votes, as well as voter ID laws. Together, this creates a problem of de facto disenfranchisement amongst would-be voters, which in turn leads to lower voter turnout, lower efficacy and inaccurate representation in government. Using the state of Ohio as an example, as well as statistics from several sources, I describe how these policies have a negative impact on the ability of underrepresented communities to vote. I also devise solutions that will address and alleviate the issue, fostering greater political efficacy. |
The Developmental Impact of Social Support Source on Mental Health in LGB Youth03/15/2016Social support is an important factor related to the development of and buffering against mental health in LGB youth and young adults. Support from family and friends allows LGB youth to feel confident in their beliefs and behaviors. This type of support can drastically reduce mental health issues that LGB youth may experience. We explore the relationship between source of social support and mental health in a sample of previously traumatized, low SES, racial minority LGB adolescents and young adults and investigate age as a possible moderator of the relationship between source of social support and mental health outcomes. Results: Social support from family (β= -.302p= .03; β= -.364, p= .008), but not friends or significant others was significantly predictive of PTSD and depression symptoms. Age x support source interactions revealed that family social support was associated with significantly lower PTSD and depression symptoms when participants were between the ages of 16 and 19 whereas friend social support was associated with significantly lower PTSD and depression symptoms for participants in their early twenties. In order to best treat mental health issues in LGB adolescents and young adults, the age of the individual and social support from family and friend should be taken into consideration. Difference sources of social support are critical during certain developmental periods for LGB youth. |
The Absent Legion: Exposing and solving recorded histories systemic sexism and the design culture it has created today.03/15/2016The Absent Legion exists to counteract the systemic sexism that pervades the culture of written history. What texts survive today were written with a gendered bias whether recognised or not. however it was the confluence of the complex fashion industry and our written history that created the sexist design culture we have today. In designing a solution to this problem I fused the vernacular costume of the female samurai archers and the women of the Scottish Highlands. It was in this synthetic research I discovered the purest utility in feminine identity. Catalysts further defining the aesthetic of The Absent Legion was Lithographer Gwen Frostic, and knitwear Designer Amy Twigger Holroyd. It was in the projects final construction and fabrication The Absent Legion further lent itself to highlighting the subtle sexism within the complex fashion industry. The gendered dichotomy of public and domestic spheres had shaped much of where the industry finds nouveau inspirations or means of production. However it is always the Masculine Public sphere that consumes or adopts traits of the feminine domestic sphere, never the reverse. The Absent Legion exposed the subtle and profound sexism that exists in our history and industry, because of only the purest reversal of values for the domestic sphere over the public sphere. Its these same values that added resonance and complexity to gender identity and challenged the hegemony of body image we’ve accepted in design culture. |
Th1 cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ promote cell death in human prostate cancer cell lines via an apoptotic mechanism.03/15/2016A recent clinical vaccine trial to treat early breast cancer prior to surgery induced strong T cell-dependent immune responses characterized by the production of Th1 cytokines including Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Of 27 vaccinated subjects, 5 showed complete regression of tumor by the time of surgery. In vitro studies indicated that Th1 cytokine production might have a direct killing effect on breast cancer cells. We therefore sought to determine whether other carcinoma types were also sensitive to Th1 cytokines, a fact that might indicate their sensitivity to similar therapeutic vaccination. We therefore examined the effects of the two principal Th1 cytokines, IFN-γ and TNF-α on 3 common prostate cancer cell lines including LnCap, PC3 and DU145. Each cell line was incubated in tissue culture with cytokines for up to 5 days. Addition of the Alamar Blue dye during the last hours of culture indicated that cytokine-treated cells displayed sharply reduced metabolic activity. Likewise, microscopic observation of cells indicated signs of cell death. Vital staining indicated less viable cells in Th1 cytokine-treated groups compared to untreated controls. Finally, Flow cytometry analyisis of cytokine treated cells showed evidence of enhanced apoptosis compared with untreated cells, indicating induction of programmed cell death in cytokine-treated cells. These data show that prostate cancer may be amenable to vaccination that induces strong Th1 type immunity. Enhancing effects of some anti-cancer drugs were also examined. |
Testing for Ecosystem Regime Change Inferred from the Autotrophic Pigment Signals in Lake Erie Sediments03/15/2016Abstract Human activities (agricultural nutrient runoff, point source pollution and invasive species) coupled with local impacts of climate change have contributed to profound changes in aquatic ecosystem function in Lake Erie. Yuan et al., (2014) argued that evidence of these changes were preserved as an increasing trend in trace metal content in a core raised from the Sandusky subbasin of the central basin of Lake Erie, which signaled a shift in algal dominance toward Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) forming cyanophytes. These algal changes have been bringing serious problems to local citizen life as well as economy, such as the HAB prevalence around the west basin of Lake Erie, which increased in the 1970s and again in the 1990s following two decades of success with nutrient abatement programs. While we have more present data for even predicting the occurrence of HAB, much less detail is known regarding the historical algal changes. Here we propose that this algal species change could be preserved in pigments signals recorded in sediments cores, and by analyzing and distinguishing pigments for several algae assemblages using Visible Derivative Spectroscopy (VDS), we can reconstruct the historical algal ecosystem change in Lake Erie. We seek to determine if the changes in the Western basin extended to the Central and Eastern Basin and to determine the natural cycles present in the lake prior to large-scale human impacts on the Lake. Key words: Pigments, VDS, Algae Assemblages, Sediments, Ecosystems, Lake Erie. |
Synthesis of the Pt6L4 Cage and Applications in Drug Delivery03/15/2016The FDA-approved platinum-based drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin) are widely used in the clinical treatment of cancer. Cisplatin and carboplatin are extensively employed for the treatment of testicular, ovarian, lung, head, and neck cancers, whereas oxaliplatin is used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. However, these platinum compounds have multiple drawbacks, including lack of selectivity, dosage limited by toxic side effects, low bioavailability, large costs, and short retention time. As such the development of new delivery methods of these medications is a growing field as with more precise delivery of these drugs will solve the issues of dosage, retention time, and will most likely result in a decrease in cost of treatment due to the increased selectivity. A Pt6L4 cage may be a new possible delivery platform for these drugs. The cage is a 3-nm nanocluster, which has shown promising results in vitro for the delivery of a platinum(IV) prodrug of cisplatin into cells through formation of a well-defined host-guest system.1 The cage also showed promising results in overcoming the platinum resistance of cancer cells. The cage was synthesized using a platinum center and triazine ligands. During the Fall Semester of 2015, I have successfully synthesized the Pt6L4 cage in the lab using microwave synthesis as opposed to conventional heating. This new method resulted in higher yields of the final product, which was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy. Future works aim to develop a traceable delivery system for transportation of cisplatin. This will be achieved via the attachment of MRI and fluorescence components that will allow the tracking of the platinum pro-drugs in vitro and in vivo.2 |
Studying Convergent Deformation with an Analog Sandbox Model: Does Bedding Thickness Control the Style of Deformation?03/15/2016Analog sandbox models allow plate tectonic deformation of the crust over geological timescales to be studied on the tabletop. Using a new sandbox model we have built in the Department of Geology, I am investigating how different bedding thicknesses, represented in the model by layers of coloured sand, can alter the style of deformation during experiments that simulate tectonic convergence. My central hypothesis is that if the beds are thicker then more convergence is accommodated by internal deformation within the beds, rather than slip between the beds. This leads to gentle folding of the layers rather than sharper kinking and faulting. My experiments involve filling a box with clear perspex sides, on top of a moving base plate, with layers of sand of varying colors (to represent different strata and beds). The whole sand pile is deformed by gradually pushing the base plate underneath a fixed backstop, with digital photographs being taken through the perspex sides at regular intervals to record how faults and folds develop. In addition to multiple experiments that vary average layer thickness from millimeter to centimeter scale, I also plan to test how other parameters such as width of the deforming region and obliquity of convergence, may affect my results. |
Study of Transformation through Polish Heritage and Folklore03/15/2016Primary Author- Hunter Custer Kent State University-Main Campus Primary Author’s Major- Fashion Design Advisor- Kendra Lapolla- Assistant Professor, Fashion Design A full clothing collection was created as an in depth research response to transformation. In Polish Folklore, transformation in one myth in particular the Rusalka. A Rusalka, is a when a woman who dies of a traumatic or unnatural death by drowning. The woman then turns into a water spirit who haunts that body of water. This myth was chosen to explore the transformation of physical form to non physical form. Researching the ancient myth included reading about ancient pagan Gods, Godesses and creatures. Information was found through online articles, websites and books found at the Kent State University Library. Methods through design were practiced as well. This involves draping on a form, preliminary sketches and muslins. The conclusion was reached through an investigation of a transformable eveningwear collection. Garments could be manipulated by the wearer transforming into multi purpose garments. 3D printed pins and buckles were created inspired by Polish embroidery and openwork. These were placed on garments where hand embroidery was intentionally placed as to tell the wearer how the garment transforms. |
Studies Towards The Synthesis of 2,5-Disubstituted-3-Flurothiophenes Using a Tandem Directed Ortho Metallation/Nickel Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Approach03/15/20162,5-Disubstituted 3-fluorothiophene derivatives are of interest as building blocks in liquid crystal materials synthesis. This poster details the development of 2-thienyl carbamates and related compounds as flexible building blocks for the construction of 2,5-disubstituted 3-fluorothiophenes. Our approach involves oxidation of 5-substituted 2-thienyl trifluoroborates to the corresponding thienones followed by O-trapping of the corresponding enolate as the 2-thienyl carbamate. Studies aimed at the elaboration of to 2,5-disubstituted 3-fluorothiophenes using a sequential directed ortho-metalation/fluorination/Ni-catalyzed cross-coupling approach will be presented. |