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
The Relationship Between Modern Chaceon Decapods and Ancient Chaceon Decapods, Kent, Ohio.04/09/2019Modern decapods of the Chaceon genus are known as deep-water crabs and are distributed worldwide (Pinho et al., 2001). Modern decapods are known to exhibit visible trends in claw, carapace, and leg morphology with respect to their environment and predatory behaviors (Silva et. al., 2017). Schenk and Wainwright (2000) noted a correlation between the function and diet of the decapod claw. However, little research has been published on ancient decapods of the Chaceon genus. Comparing the physical characteristics of the ancient Chaceon specimens with modern specimens could provide insight on their habitat, diet, and evolution. The hypothesis was that ancient and modern species of the Chaceon genus would be morphologically similar but exhibit differences in claw, carapace, and leg morphology. In comparison of the carapace of both the ancient and modern specimens, the ancient specimens exhibited less proportion than the modern specimens which exhibited strong proportion. The mean claw length of the ancient specimen was significantly shorter than the mean claw length of the modern specimen. Results indicated this species displayed significant morphological variations in both their carapace and claw dimensions. The results provided evidence that these decapods most likely fed on different types of prey (Silva et. al., 2017). The differences in claw and carapace morphology between ancient and modern species provides key insight into the dietary habits of the Chaceon genus, indicating different lifestyles in different environments. In future analysis of this genus one could measure leg length in order to better understand the environmental differences between the two species. |
The Role of BHMT in the Progression of Neurodegenerative Symptoms04/09/2019Causes of neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), have been attributed to an increase in oxidative stress, and this increased level of stress leads to the downregulation of the folate-vitamin B12 pathway. This downregulation inhibits gene expression by disrupting the methionine metabolism cycle, decreasing the amount of methylation occurring in cells. A possible mechanism that could be utilized to reduce the progression of MS is the induction of a separate methylation pathway independent from the folate-vitamin B12 cycle by using the enzyme betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), which methylates homocysteine back to methionine with betaine. BHMT is found in the nucleus of both primary neurons and oligodendrocytes and can influence gene expression. To test this hypothesis, we sought to examine how different treatments affect the way BHMT binds to chromatin to obtain a deeper understanding of how this alters gene expression. Specifically, we wanted to see the ways in which BHMT binding was altered through exposure to varying degrees of oxidative stress. This allowed us to identify which treatments caused BHMT to bind more tightly to the chromatin and therefore determine which of the conditions play the most important role in chromatin remodeling. Our data suggest these changes in gene expression are involved in MS pathology. |
The Role of Mindfulness in Relationship Satisfaction04/09/2019Previous literature has defined mindfulness as open awareness to what is taking place in the present, both internally and externally, and observing with non-judgement. Recent research has found that mindfulness may facilitate greater romantic relationship satisfaction. Yet, why mindfulness may facilitate greater romantic relationship satisfaction remains unclear. What mechanisms of mindfulness facilitate greater romantic relationship satisfaction? Is it that greater mindfulness predicts greater responsiveness to a romantic partner? How is mindfulness associated with daily and overall stress? Does the effect of mindfulness on daily stress play a role in predicting greater relationship satisfaction? In order to examine these questions, we recruited 100 undergraduate students currently involved in romantic relationships at Kent State University, who completed a one-hour intake questionnaire and a 10 minute survey each evening before going to bed for the next 12 days. Participants were on average 20.3 years old (range 18-29), 76% female, 23% male, and 1% self-reported as binary. Analysis is currently being performed on the collected data. We expect to find that greater levels of mindfulness will facilitate greater levels of overall and daily responsiveness, which will then facilitate greater levels of relationship satisfaction. We also expect to find that greater levels of mindfulness will facilitate lower levels of overall and daily stress and will, therefore, facilitate greater levels of relationship satisfaction. The results will be presented, and implications of the findings will be discussed. |
The Role of Rumors in Sparking the French Revolution in 178904/09/2019The French Revolution has many widely-accepted causes that range from discontent with an absolutist monarchy to a series of economic hardships that led up to the late 1780s. This paper examines another influence on the revolution’s inception in 1789: rumors. Much of the current historiography concerning rumors and the French Revolution studies the role of rumors during the middle of the revolution—especially around the mid-1790s—rather than addressing their significance in the beginning of this period. Thus, this paper addresses the role of rumors in 1789 by examining the causes of the French Revolution, the rumors that arose from said causes, and how these rumors drove France’s commoners to revolt in 1789. This paper’s argument is that rumors were not necessarily a cause of this uprising, but they did build upon the tensions created by the aforementioned causes to drive France’s lower orders to revolution. The support for this assertion derives from a series of journals and letters of contemporaries who witnessed the behavior of the revolutionaries in France during 1789. The evidence found in these sources not only demonstrates people’s preoccupation with rumors during this period but also rumors’ role in pushing them towards the violence that is often associated with the French Revolution. This research helps one understand the fear-driven mindset of the revolutionaries and can provide a precedent for the emphasis on violence and paranoia that occurred later in the French Revolution. |
The True Intentions of the Treaty Party: Destroying Cherokee Country in the 1830s04/09/2019On December 29, 1835, the Treaty Party signed the Treaty of New Echota. This treaty gave the United States government all rights to land that the Cherokee Nation occupied south of the Appalachians. Members of the Treaty Party signed this treaty without the consent of the National Council and without the support of most of the Cherokee Nation. Researched is the motivation behind the twenty-five men from the Treaty Party that signed the treaty, and heavily focuses on three main figures: Elias Boudinot, Major Ridge, and John Ridge. Historians like Theda Perdue and Ronald Satz have disagreed on the true intentions and motivations of the Treaty Party. The argument from Satz is that the members of the party were thinking about saving and protecting the rest of the Cherokee Nation; the argument from Perdue is that the members of the party were motivated by a political and financial gain that they would receive in the west after removal. Looking at the tribal newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix, and letters from the members of the party, it seems that these men were motivated by greed and a desire for political power and wealth. This greed is what led to the removal and ultimately the Trail of Tears. |
The White Helmets: Unneutral in the Syrian Conflict04/09/2019The White Helmets of Syria, or the Syrian Civil Defense as it is also referred, claims to be an unarmed and neutral volunteer organization whose mission is to rescue civilians affected by the Syrian conflict. It is important to investigate volunteer groups such as the White Helmets to make sure that they remain true to their claims and uphold their mission. Especially when Western funding, private or public, is involved. This research addresses the questions: are the White Helmets truly unarmed and nonpartisan in the Syrian conflict? Or are these claims merely a cover for an untold mission; such as regime change in Syria? Considering financial contributions to the White Helmets, media surrounding the organization, and the history of regime change in conflict zones; this research has found that the White Helmets are not entirely impartial in the Syrian conflict. Though the White Helmets are a legit recuse group who have saved civilians during the Syrian conflict, this does not mean that they have upheld all of their claims. In vying for regime change by choosing a side in the conflict, the White Helmets are in turn encouraging the Syrian Civil War to continue. Western funding is unknowingly supporting the mission of regime change because of the White Helmet’s lack of neutrality in the Syrian conflict. |
Title: Are pets our superheroes? Pets may help individuals adjust to traumatic events04/09/2019Most people experience some traumatic event in their lifetime, such as unwanted sexual attention or personal injury. This study assesses relations between trauma exposure, pet owners’ attachment to their pets, and quality of life, including both physical and mental health. Participants were 156 undergraduates (77% female; 92% white; mean age: 22.47) who completed online surveys. Preliminary analyses indicated that number of previous traumas and are were correlated (r = .33, p = .000), such that older participants reported a greater number of previous traumas; therefore, all analyses control for age. Partial correlations indicated that more previous traumas were related to worse physical health (r = -.23, p = .005) and worse mental health (r = -.44, p = .000). More previous traumas, worse physical health, and worse mental health were all related to stronger pet attachment (r’s range from + or - .16 to .19, all p’s ≤ .05). These findings support the notion that pets may provide emotional support for individuals adjusting to challenging life events, particularly for those with worse physical and mental health. |
TouchPointe Program at AxessPointe Community Health Center04/09/2019Social determinants of health (SDoH) are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age (Healthy People 2020, 2018). Students from the college of Public Health developed the TouchPointe program to address SDoH in the waiting room at AxessPointe Community Health Center in Kent, Ohio. The program uses best practices for interviewing, cultural competency, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) and National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). The PRAPARE is the core instrument used by the program and developed by the NACHC and other national collaborators. TouchPointe representatives train and receive certifications to conduct interviews with patients in the waiting room, and representative training includes a handbook manual and training program to assure industry standards of care and best practices. The PRAPARE tool aligns with national initiatives that prioritize social determinants. Phase one of the feasibility study began in September 2018 with students from the Kent State University College of Public Health. Modifications of the program have increased the effectiveness and efficiency of TouchPointe and we are currently in phase two of the feasibility study. Preliminary results from more than a hundred participants (n>100) indicate patients have multiple SDoH affecting their health,and the results are used by community health workers to make recommendations to patients to improve health outcomes. |
Transformable Travel04/09/2019The collection created serves several purposes, and follows a merchandising plan conceived by Fashion Merchandising students at Kent State University. The merchandising plan chosen is titled: “Simple Heritage”, and heralds the use of sustainable cotton fabrics as well as U.S. manufacturing. The customer who served as inspiration for this collection is an avid traveler. The group worked to design and create looks that were not only transformable and functional, but also eco-friendly. This collection is intended for a moderately priced market, and is set for Fall 2019. |
Transgender Experiences in Healthcare04/09/2019Background: Transgender people often have negative experiences in healthcare including denial of services, substandard care, verbal abuse, and forced care. Purpose: The purpose of this research project is to understand the experiences of transgender people interacting with healthcare systems in their own voices and empower the community. Methods: I collected visual oral histories from transgender people in the local Kent area. Participants were identified through connections to the LGBTQ community at Kent State University and subsequently through snowball sampling. Results: The most common experiences participants discussed were being called the wrong name, being refused necessary treatment, as well as being ignored, misunderstood, and mistreated by healthcare professionals. Conclusions: The experiences of transgender people in the local area reflect the studies done about stigma trans people face in healthcare; these problems require attention from public health in order to improve care for trans individuals. |