Student Scholars Day

3 Omega Measurement of Thermal Conductivity of Paraffin

Brittany Cooke et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:00:00 PDT

This experiment is a study of the 3 omega method, done by suspending a wire in a sample to measure the thermal conductivity. We also tested various gauges and metal types of wire to see how these affect measurements. Two gauges of copper wire (40 and 28) and one gauge of tungsten wire (38) were used to measure the thermal conductivity of paraffin wax. These individual measurements are compared to the actual measurement of 0.25 W/mK. This experiment was a continuation of previous work and a few changes were made, resulting in slightly more concrete results.

A Class D Beta-lactamase Clinical Variant with Activity Against Carbapenems, Ceftazidime, and Aztreonam

Kipchumba Kaitany — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:00:00 PDT

Like all known class D carbapenemases, OXA-23 cannot bind or hydrolyze the cephalosporin ceftazidime. OXA-146 is an OXA-23 subfamily clinical variant that differs from the parent enzyme by an alanine duplication in the loop connecting beta-strands b5 and b6. We have discovered that this insertion enables OXA-146 to bind and hydrolyze ceftazidime with efficiency comparable to other extended spectrum class D beta-lactamases. In this study, we report the crystal structures of both the OXA-23 and OXA-146 enzymes. A comparison of the two structures shows that the extra alanine moves a methionine out of its normal position where it forms a bridge over the top of the active site. The insertion also lengthens the b5-b6 loop, moving its main-chain atoms further away from the active site. A model of ceftazidime bound in the active site shows that these two structural alterations are both likely to relieve steric clashes between the bulky R1 side-chain of ceftazidime and OXA-23.

A Comparison of Water Quality Parameters Data from the GVSU-AWRI Research and Education Vessels

Jeremy Flynn et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:00:00 PDT

Student-collected data on the GVSU Annis Water Resources Institute's two research and education vessels were statistically analyzed for longitudinal trends in water quality parameters. On water quality sampling trips, students collect data on Muskegon Lake, Spring Lake, and Lake Michigan. Observations between years 2006 and 2011 were analyzed to determine any changes in water clarity, color, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, or pH.

A Look Into the Past: Photo-Physiology of Cyanobacterial Mat Pigments in Alpena, Michigan and Lake Huron Sinkholes

Elizabeth Sommers — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:00:00 PDT

Cyanobacteria were key to oxygenating the atmosphere 2.5 billion years ago (bya). My study examined light harvesting pigments and their response to different light conditions in modern purple cyanobacterial mats that reside in the bottom of the deep, low-light Middle Island sinkhole and the shallow high-light El Cajon springs. Chlorophyll a, phycocyanin (PC) and phycoerythrin (PE) were extracted for analysis and pigment ratios were compared between locations. Photosynthetic yield was taken using a Dive-PAM to investigate the photo-physiology of the mats, on location and in the lab. Pigment concentrations from the high-light mats showed decreased pigment concentrations as light intensity increased, while low-light mat pigment concentrations increased with increasing light intensity. Further, PE:PC showed that El Cajon cyanobacteria express more PC, while Middle Island mat express more PE suggesting these modern cyanobacteria actively vary their pigment composition in response to available light.

A Low Temperature Thermoelectric Measurement

Brett Simons — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:00:00 PDT

The Seebeck coefficient of a material measures the magnitude of voltage produced when a temperature gradient is created. This project focused on development of a method for measuring thermoelectric data for material samples in a low temperature setting. Temperatures range from 77 K, the boiling point of liquid nitrogen, to approximately 293 K, room temperature. The technique will be used to measure a sample with a well established measurement of the Seebeck coefficient to establish a baseline. The method will then be used to measure a sample of S_2 Te which has not been thoroughly researched due to its instability at room temperature. The method involved data collection techniques using LabView software as well as creating an integrated chip template to allow switching between samples easily.

A Career Guide for Prospective Gladiators

Megan Esparsa — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Most gladiators were condemned criminals or captives. It is clear, however, that others became gladiators by choice. On one estimate, half of all gladiators in Italy were volunteers by the middle of the first century CE. Efforts to regulate gladiatorial combat by persons of free status attest to the reality of the phenomenon. But what might have influenced a person weighing whether to fight in the arena? Taking into account a range of primary evidence, the paper assesses both the positive inducements, notably, glamor and honor, and the negative consequences, physical, emotional, and social, that would have informed the decision. Such an examination offers insight into the values and paradoxes that inform Roman social history and invites us to consider how individuals might have navigated these complexities. We might describe the result as a kind of "career development guide" for prospective gladiators in the first two centuries CE.

A Comparative National Analysis of Human Rights Conditions

Leah Sarnicola — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 PDT

This presentation attempts to answer the question: What factors contribute to current human rights conditions in nation-states? My research analyzes the impact of multiple factors on contemporary human rights conditions around the world. This question is significant and relevant in the 21st century. Although science and technology have greatly improved the living conditions for many, others suffer flagrant human rights abuses every day, even in countries that have signed international human rights treaties. The data for this presentation will come from secondary scholarly sources and the databases of nongovernmental organizations, which I will use to generate an original quantitative analysis of the factors that correlate with human rights conditions. Independent variables such as the literacy rate, economic growth rate, life expectancy, and poverty will be examined.

A Comparison of Dietary Laws in Two World Religions

Katherine Hekstra — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Dietary restrictions are a major tenet of religions throughout the world. Two of the most well known and widely held are those of Judaism and Islam. The kosher and halal practices will be compared and contrasted to give a deeper understanding of these two traditions. The reasoning for having such dietary restrictions will also be examined by looking at the sacred texts of the religions as well as interpretations of how to uphold the laws. The aim of this presentation is to gain a deeper understanding of these dietary restrictions and how these two religions are similar in this way.

A Forest Management Plan for Ruffed Grouse in Northern Michigan

Connor Wojtowicz — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 PDT

Ruffed grouse are medium-sized birds that predominately live on the ground foraging for berries, seeds, and insects. While often hunted for sport, they are also valued for their physical features and unique non-vocal courtship displays. I will develop a forest management plan for a privately owned site in northern Michigan, measuring DBHs of aspen and evaluating site suitability for ruffed grouse habitat based on understory density, forest stand type, and tree age distribution. While ruffed grouse have been observed on the property, current densities of red pine and undesirable aspen ages make further populating unlikely. Management of the site will be necessary if higher numbers of ruffed grouse are desired. Any data collected from this study will be utilized by the site owners and disseminated when appropriate.

A Global Perspective on Gender and Sexuality

Matthew Harvey — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 PDT

"A Global Perspective on Gender and Sexuality" is an oral presentation designed to explore the origins of modern stereotypical gender and sexual norms, examine how various cultures embody these norms using country/region level case-studies, and to identify the source of societal conflicts regarding gender and sexuality. Through a review of existing scholarly research, it is possible to examine the contentious social debates surrounding gender and sexuality from a global perspective, and why nation-states adopt different political stances on these issues. Religion, globalization, and pop culture have a significant impact on the development of gender and sexual norms around the globe, and by gaining a better understanding of these issues, we can hopefully move towards a future of social equality for women and members of the LGBT community around the world.

A Mathematical Look into Ngorongoro Crater Migration Patterns

Kirsten Clemans — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:00:00 PDT

The Ngorongoro Crater is a concave volcano that has developed into a unique ecosystem differing from the surrounding Serengeti. While animals in the Serengeti migrate great distances to obtain sustenance, the Ngorongoro Crater provides ample food and water supply to animals residing there. Consequently, animals in the crater do not participate in the migratory patterns of their counterparts outside of the crater. Instead, animals have unique migratory patterns within the crater. To study these patterns, resources from scientific studies done in the Ngorongoro Crater and interviews with those have completed research there have been used. Using the data collected from research on migratory patterns, a mathematical activity book was created for high school students allowing them to analyze the data to learn mathematical concepts. Adding a global context into a math unit helps students see a real-world application and sparks interest in conservation of the globe's unique ecosystems.

A Multi-Temporal Land Cover Change Analysis of Tropical Forest in Haiti (1973-2010)

Christopher Churches et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:00:00 PDT

This study aims to provide accurate quantitative data relating to Tropical Forest land cover change in Haiti. Using Landsat imagery and Geographic Information System (GIS) software, we will produce a multi-temporal land-change profile of Tropical Forest for the past 37 years (1973-2010). Because the study extent covers multiple generations of Landsat Satellites, MSS, TM, and ETM+ imagery will be utilized. Maps will be generated using the following steps: 1) layer stacking of images using satellite equivalent bands; 2) mosaicking of scenes for each chosen date; 3) scene normalization of radiance and reflectance; and 4) supervised classification of Tropical Forest areas. The following questions will be examined: What was the total change in Tropical Forest area during the study extent? What regions of Haiti suffered the greatest loss in Tropical Forest area? Is the amount of deforestation measured consistent with previous studies?

A Periodization Program for Collegiate Level Rugby Players

Cory VanAmberg et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:00:00 PDT

Rugby, a hybrid sport, requires an athlete to have the aerobic capacity of a soccer player and the agility, power, and physicality of a football player. A preplanned strength and conditioning regiment that addresses aerobic and muscular endurance, muscular strength, and power is crucial. The purpose of this project was to develop a periodization program that addressed these combined components. While much investigation has been done on concurrent training, the literature is somewhat inconsistent. Research has shown negative returns in adding endurance activities to strength based sports and positive returns when adding resistance training to endurance based sports. It is the authors' belief that through a periodized concurrent training plan the athlete will see increased athletic performance. Limitations include the inconclusive evidence in previous studies. This research should benefit rugby athletes by providing them with a model of combined methods of training for their sport.

A Periodized Strength and Conditioning Program for a Collegiate Male Sprinter

Zac Ridgeway et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:00:00 PDT

Sprinting is a highly specialized component of track and field. It requires agility, speed, power, high anaerobic capacity, and for the athlete to maintain optimal body composition. The purpose of this study was to design a yearlong periodization training protocol for a male collegiate sprinter. This protocol was designed to improve all of the above-mentioned areas required for this athlete. To create the periodized training protocol, past research from scientific journals were studied extensively. As this periodization model was only designed for college aged male sprinters, generalizing this program to other genders or age groups could prove to be a limitation of this research. College age male sprinters and their coaches should benefit from this study by taking advantage of a well developed model designed to properly train and prepare for their specific event.

A Periodized Strength and Conditioning Program for a Male Olympic Water Polo Player

Elisabeth Bradley et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:00:00 PDT

Water polo originated in Europe in the late 1800's and first appeared in the Olympics in 1900, but its growth in America is evident by the American women's team winning first place in the 2012 London Olympics. The sport of water polo requires high mental and physical demands. In order to obtain the necessary skills for peak performance, a water polo athlete must participate in a highly structured training program. This project looked at the current research to develop a program to increase speed, agility, endurance and strength to increase the overall performance for an Olympic-level male athlete. Since previous research was observed to construct this workout program, there are limitations to what might specifically be best for the individual. This project was designed to better inform both coaches and athletes on a beneficial means of training for Olympic-level water polo players.

A Pro->Ser Mutation Augments Advanced Generation Cephalosporinase Activity in both the OXA-23 and OXA-24 Beta-Lactamase Subfamilies

Joshua Mitchell — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:00:00 PDT

OXA-23 and OXA-24 are class D beta-lactamases that hydrolyze carbapenem antibiotics, thus threatening our ability to treat infection. Fortunately, cephalosporins remain as viable treatment, as these enzymes do not hydrolyze these drugs efficiently. We investigated the properties and structures of two clinical variants containing the same Pro->Ser mutation (in the OXA-23 and OXA-24 backgrounds). Steady-state kinetic measurements show that both variants have much higher affinities for cefotaxime, ampicillin and ceftazidime, while maintaining strong activity toward carbapenems. X-ray crystallographic analysis of OXA-24 P227S reveals that the mutation causes a deviation in a surface loop, enlarging the active site. Models of ceftazidime bound to the variant suggest that this deviation provides room for the binding of the oxyimino side-chain of that drug. These findings warn of emerging class D beta-lactamases that can provide resistance to carbapenems and cephalosporins.

A Scientific Periodization for Amateur Triathletes

Hayley Carter et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:00:00 PDT

Triathletes need to specifically target activities focusing on power and endurance to perform well in swimming, cycling, and running. Athletes training for triathlons need to follow a protocol that is specific to their bodies and current performance level. The purpose of this presentation was to design a periodization training schedule that focuses on the athlete and combined effects of triathlon events. Limitations may be seen in a triathlete's training regimen because it is often not designed or adapted to the individual's needs. With the use of available scientific research, a specific program can be developed for the individual triathlete's training season. Amateur participants that follow a program with variability specific to their body will benefit from individualized training, while reducing the risk of injury.

A Sports Specific Strength and Conditioning Protocol for Collegiate Ice Hockey Players

Eric Schwab et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:00:00 PDT

Collegiate ice hockey is a fast paced, physically grueling game. The requirements of this sport place maximal demands on the players' muscular strength and endurance, which can inevitably affect their game performance. The implementation of a periodized, comprehensive training program designed specifically for the brutal and constant demands of hockey is necessary. The purpose of this presentation is to provide collegiate ice hockey players with the most up to date, evidence based, and sports specific strength and conditioning protocol. Due to the hypothetical approach of this presentation, there are limitations as to the generalizability of this research. This program should benefit collegiate ice hockey players and coaches looking to improve athletic performance while preventing injury through sports specific training regiments.

A Strength and Conditioning Program for Professional Golfers

Derek Bridges et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:00:00 PDT

As the sport of golf continues to intensify, both coaches and athletes are searching for a new edge to surpass the competition. Current research suggests golf performance can be enhanced through the utilization of strength and conditioning programs specifically catered to golf athletes. These adaptations include improving power output and rotational velocity, which in turn increases club head speed. The purpose of this research was to develop a golf specific strength and conditioning regiment, specifically developed to improve golfers' power and flexibility. A caveat of the research was the inability to administer the tests and exercises to existing athletes. Thus, more research is needed to support the positive correlation between power and flexibility with improved golf performance. Golfers and coaches alike can use the presented information to help increase drive distance, as well as range of motion during each swing.

A Strength and Conditioning Regiment to Improve Agility, Quickness, and Jump Height in Ultimate Frisbee Players

Elliot Putman et al. — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:00:00 PDT

With over 300 college and university teams, Ultimate Frisbee is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Ultimate combines a backyard game of Frisbee with athletic skills of soccer and football. In order to be successful at Ultimate, an athlete must have well developed agility, speed, hand-eye coordination, and an above average vertical jump. The purpose of this study was to create a conditioning program for an Ultimate player, utilizing the most relevant research for program development. While gameplay and disc-handling skills are important, implementing strength and conditioning exercises may improve a player's overall athletic performance. Due to little research done on conditioning of an Ultimate athlete, strength and conditioning strategies will be adapted from soccer and football training regimens to create a program. With this program, Ultimate athletes should be able to compete at a higher level to increase their overall performance during game play.