2019 Kent State University Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
Browse the 2019 - Kent State University Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Collections
Testing the Efficacy of Gallium Complexes to Treat Staphylococcus aureaus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections04/09/2019Bacteria in the Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas genuses have developed into antibiotic-resistant strains that have caused increases in infections and deaths in the United States. Gallium nitrate was just approved by the FDA to treat these infections; however, our group discovered that Pseudomonas develops drug resistance to this treatment in as little as four days of consecutive treatments, possibly due to the cationic nature of the gallium species and Pseudomonas control over its ion channels. In this research, we studied the effects of other gallium complexes, namely gallium acetylacetonoate, on Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas bacteria. We tried different methods of solvating gallium complexes, and then tested the effectiveness of these complexes in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) resistance studies. |
Th1 cytokines sensitize human pancreatic cancer cell lines to treatment with Lapatinib04/09/2019In 2018 approximately 56,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Prognosis is dismal, with a 5-year survival rate of only 7% making this cancer the 2ndleading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Despite advances in chemo-, radiation and surgical therapies, survival rates have not improved in over 40 years. Alternative treatment options therefore need to be explored to improve outcomes. Immunotherapy is emerging as viable option to traditional cancer treatments. A recent clinical trial to treat early breast cancer showed great promise by using autologous dendritic cells to promote activity of T lymphocytes of the “Th1”helper phenotype, and directing them against a tumor-associated protein called HER-2. These Th1 cells appear to work in part by producing soluble factors called cytokines, including Interferon-gamma and TNF-alpha. These cytokines have been shown to induce programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the breast cancer cell lines. We thus hypothesized that a similar vaccine approach may work for pancreatic cancer, which can also express HER-2 and other HER-family proteins. To leverage the anti-cancer effect of vaccination, we are also exploring the addition of targeted drugs including the HER-family antagonist, lapatinib. Using a variety of in vitro techniques, we show that Th1 cytokines in combination with lapatinib work togeter in vitro to maximize markers of apoptotic cell death in several human pancratic cell lines. These studies represent pre-clinical data suggesting the exploration of Th1-polarizing vaccines and small molecule inhibitors in clinical vaccine trials for pancreatic cancer. |
The Effect of Heat Exposure on Heart Rate and VO2 during Time to Exhaustion Exercise04/09/2019Purpose:The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of heat exposure on heart rate and VO2during a time to exhaustion (TTE) exercise bout. Methods:Eleven college-age men completed 3 experimental trials: a VO2max test and cycling trials at 90% VO2max in 22°C (MT) and 35°C (HT). The TTE exercise followed a 60-minute steady state at 60% VO2max and continued until volitional fatigue. Heart rate and VO2were measured continuously during the TTE. PRE, MID, and POST time points were calculated for each participant based on their individual TTE. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results:There was a significant interaction for heart rate (F=6.180, p=0.024, h2=0.382). Heart rate increased from PRE to MID to POST for both MT and HT (p<0.001). In addition, heart rate was significantly greater in HT (159.82 +17.47) compared to MT (146.09 +20.70) at PRE (p=0.031). There was also a significant interaction for VO2(F=4.312, p=0.030, h2=0.324). VO2also increased from PRE to MID to POST for both MT and HT (p< 0.05). In addition, VO2was significantly greater in MT (3.30 +0.52) vs HT (3.05 +0.33) at POST (p=0.025). There was a significant difference in TTE between conditions (p=0.008) with MT (303.00 +121.20 seconds) being significantly longer than HT (174.00 +54.41 seconds). Conclusions:This data suggests that the participants were able to perform at a higher intensity and for a longer duration in MT compared to HT. |
The Effect of Heat Exposure on the Inflammatory Response during Exercise04/09/2019The Effect of Heat Exposure on the Inflammatory Response during Exercise Jessica Sankovic1, Kylene Boka1, Jeremiah A. Vaughan1,2, Brittany N. Followay1,3, Ellen L. Glickman1, Adam R. Jajtner1 1Exercise Physiology Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH 2Department of Human Performance, Sport and Health, Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN 3Exercise Science Department, Ripon College, Ripon, WI PURPOSE: Examine circulating levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ra and TNF-α during exercise and heat exposure. METHODS: Twelve college-aged men completed three experimental conditions; VO2max test and cycling trials in 22°C (MT) and 35°C (HT). Cycling trials consisted of 60 minutes at 60% VO2max, 15-minute rest, time to exhaustion at 90% VO2max, and 60-minute recovery. Blood was analyzed for concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, IL1-ra and TNF-α before exercise (Pre), after 60% VO2max (60), 90% VO2max (90), and recovery (Rec). Data were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: An interaction was observed for IL-6 (F=5.883, p=0.003, ηp2= 0.395), with significant increases from Pre to 60 to 90, and return to baseline at Rec for both conditions (pp2=0.340), with increases from Pre to 90 for both conditions (pp2=0.636) and condition (F=9.539. p=0.011, ηp2=0.488) were observed for IL-1ra, with greater IL-1ra concentrations in HT than MT (p=0.011), and increases from Pre, 60, and 90 to Rec (pp2=0.337) was observed, with increases from PRE in HT (pCONCLUSIONS: The increase of these cytokines during exercise indicates activation of the inflammatory response. The response of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-1ra to heat exposure suggests the exercise-induced anti-inflammatory response is greater than a pro-inflammatory response to the heat. |
The First Sectional Crisis: The 1844-1845 Texas Annexation Debate04/09/2019The topic of this paper is the Texas annexation and the role of sectionalism. Looking at Texas as the start the sectionalism issue within America and connecting with political scholars that discuss the sectional crisis within this annexation. Where I differ is that I view this as not just another sectional crisis but the first. Looking at the Missouri Compromise as the act that began to split America along ideological and geographical divides. To see this, this paper engages first four prominent voices from within the Democrat and Whig parties. Using them allows you to see how the ideologies that they support. With the Democrats you see how the prominent men are Southern and pro-slavery and their speeches and letters support slavery in a way that slave owners have. The Whigs prominent members are Northern and anti-slavery. The last section looks at four men who are key to understand sectionalism. You have one who losses the support of a region by not supporting their ideas. Another tries to be moderate and is forced by his state to support the regions ideologies. The last two defied their party to vote for what their region supported and resulted in the Texas annexation. Understanding Texas as the start of the sectionalism crisis it gives a clearer understanding of events to follow. Events such as the Mexican American War, Bloody Kansas and the Civil War. |
The janitors of the savanna: dung beetle diversity in three habitats in South Africa04/09/2019We studied dung beetles in the South African savanna to determine whether dung beetles show habitat preference or specialization within this biome. Traps were set up to capture beetles in three habitats (grassland, woodland, and ecotone between grassland and woodland). The numbers of beetles of each species and species richness were determined and compared based on the specimens found in the traps. We hypothesized that a grassland habitat will show the highest species diversity and the highest number of individuals due to the dung produced by the higher diversity of grazing ungulates (eat grass only) than browsing ungulates (eat woody plants only) in South Africa. The study was conducted in the Wits Rural Facility outside Kruger National Park, in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Although we found no significant differences among the numbers of individuals per habitat (p = 0.582) or species richness per habitat (p = 0.117), some beetles were found to have distinct habitat preferences and four species were found to be endemic to a single habitat. Our results were partially consistent with our hypothesis that grassland would have the most species and individuals since the grassland had the most individual but not the most species. This indicates that habitat specialization is not a significant cause of South African dung beetle diversity. |
The Macià Plan: A Modernist Revision of the Cerdà Plan04/09/2019The Eixample district of Barcelona gained notoriety as an “architectural playground” in the early 20th century. Behind the design of the Eixample district was the Catalan civil engineer Ildefons Cerdà. Rather than continue the haphazard urban dynamic of the old city, Cerdà proposed an extension that spread out the urban fabric; implementing 113m square chamfered blocks and introducing shared space into the public realm. Almost 70 years later, Le Corbusier, after making a name for himself as an architect, began to develop his theories in urban design and planning. Shortly after his seminal work Ville Radieuse, Le Corbusier designed the Macià plan for Barcelona, one that directly implemented his urban theories, while simultaneously acknowledging and challenging the physical manifestation of Cerdà’s Eixample extension. This paper will examine how Le Corbusier’s Macià plan serves as both an understanding and questioning of Cerdà’s plan and an early implementation of Le Corbusier’s modernist planning. Specifically, this paper will look at the similarities in design between the two plans, the challenges Le Corbusier proposes in contrast to Cerdà’s plan, and the physical insertion and connection between the Macià plan and the Cerdà plan. This paper will consult the original plans and documents of both Cerdà and Le Corbusier, specifically referencing the Foundation le Corbusier and GATEPAC as primary sources, to directly examine each of the planner’s theories behind their proposal. Furthermore, the Athens Journal of Architecture will provide insight into the relationship of the plans, specifically investigating how Le Corbusier questions Cerdà’s urban plan. |
The Ohio Company of Virginia’s impact on the Seven Years War and the Ohio Region Native Americans04/09/2019This project focuses on the Ohio Company of Virginia and the impact it had on the Seven Years War. Along with the difficult circumstances the Ohio Company forced the Ohio region Native Americans into. The Ohio Company of Virginia was established in 1748, by a bunch of wealthy Virginians trying to establish territory, establish trading routes, and finally to make a lot of money. The Ohio Company of Virginia impacted the Seven Years more than they get credit for. When in reality the Ohio Company should get credit for one of the main causes to the Seven Years War. Also they should get credit for speeding up the process of leading up to the Seven Years War. The War was going to happen regardless, but it happened a lot sooner because the Ohio Company forced the French to start exploration in the land West of the Appalachian to try and keep up with the British a lot sooner than it would have if there was no Ohio Company of Virginia. Also the Native Americans were forced into difficult circumstances because they had to decide who to trade with the Ohio Company or the French? The question of who were they going to trade with eventually led to who are you fighting with in the Seven Years War? The Native Americans in the Ohio region had to pick who to fight with over a war where they were fighting over their land but would receive no benefits or their land back in return. |
The Promise of the Great Migration: Cleveland's Road to School Desegragation04/09/2019My project examines Cleveland’s struggle to provide adequate education to the public school district. This issue is caused primarily by the improper implementation of desegregation within the school district. During this time Cleveland’s population changed significantly and the “great migration” occurred, again. The civil rights movement within Cleveland and Northeast Ohio was more of a struggle than many know, and that struggle had leaders like Dr. King engaged along the way. One of the most telling points in assessing Cleveland’s history pertaining to Civil Rights is the way in which the city school district went about handling the integration of schools. This process took over forty years, from 1954-1996, and the effects of the handling of this process can still be seen till this day. The African American population within Cleveland grew heavily during WWII. From 1940-1960, the population grew from 85,000 to 251,000, and within the 1960’s the African American population made up thirty percent of the city. The African American Community within Cleveland wanted better education, and preferred “integration”, as opposed to “desegregation”. These questions are significant because the help set the stage for what we consider Cleveland public schools today. They also give a new viewpoint and look through the African American families experience while going through desegregation of local schools. My research says that Northern Cities were more complex to integrate due to the already set cultural segregation. I will prove this through analyzing Cleveland’s past; its riots, CMSD Boards attempts at integrating, and many reports dating back through the city’s struggle with its racial make-up. |
The Re-Invention of the American Worker: Race, Masculinity, and the Decline of Unions in the U.S., 1964-198204/09/2019The decline of unions from the years 1964 has often been attributed to external forces such as anti-union culture among growing corporations, hostile legal and political policy, or the natural progression of globalization as its’ effects hampered union presence and influence. However, another significant facet of union decline is the rapid deterioration of the concept of solidarity within the union apparatus as the union demographic began to change. As union identity underwent transitioning from a collective consciousness to an individual-rights based consciousness, fragmentation permeated the union structure, weakening its’ efficacy during turbulent social and economic years. This fragmentation is most represented in the change of identity in the white male union worker, abandoning the democratic platform, and back lashing against the elevated social status of women and minorities. |