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Senior
Honors and Undergraduate Research Symposium
Abstracts
9:05 A.M.
ROLE OF TACC2 ISOFORMS IN MUSCLE CELL DIFFERENTIATION
Chad Cragle ccragle@atu.edu
Ivan H. Still, PhD. ivan.still@atu.edu
Biology Department
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common childhood sarcoma
accounting for 4-8% of pediatric cancers. Cancers of this
type are classifies as alveolar (ARMS) or embryonic (ERMS).
It is believed that RMS arises from primitive cells (myoblasts)
that are committed to the skeletal muscle lineage, but fail
to complete the differentiation program due to a deficiency
of factors required for muscle cell differentiation. Based
on previous work, it is evident that the transforming acidic
coiled coil 2 (TACC2) gene is intimately associated with the
myogenic program. In addition, TACC2 is located in a part of
the genome that is lost in 18% of ERMS, as well as cases of
ARMS. There exists two distinct TACC2 protein isoforms; the
first is localized predominantly in the nucleus, the second
is predominantly cytoplasmic. These are TACC2s and TACC2l,
respectively. Before muscle cell fusion, a switch between
these two forms occurs. Furthermore, it is apparent that
constitutive expression of the TACC2s isoform can block
normal differentiation in the C2C12 myoblast cell line
model, thus fulfilling a critical step proposed in the
development of rhabdomyosarcoma. This project aimed to
determine the point at which TACC2s biochemically halts the
myogenic differentiation program. This was done by analyzing
the expression of transcription factors that control each
step of differentiation under normal circumstances, and how
this expression may alter during enforced TACC2s expression.
9:20 A.M.
GENE TARGETING IN MUSCLE CELLS: GENERATING A SOMATIC MUTANT
DEFECTIVE FOR TACC21
Richard A Athey: rathey@atu.edu
Ivan Still: istill@atu.edu
Department of Biological Sciences
Embryonic development is characterized by a complex series
of interactions between different tissues. This is required
for the orderly formation of adult tissue from primitive
precursor cells. It is also clear that during tumorigenesis,
cancer cells reacquire the characteristics of these
embryonic precursors. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a common
childhood cancer derived from muscle cell precursors that
fail to complete the differentiation program. Understanding
the normal muscle differentiation program in cell culture
systems is likely to uncover the identity of some of the
causative factors for this disease. Recently, the
Transforming acidic coiled coil 2 (TACC2) gene has been
implicated in the muscle differentiation program. The TACC2
gene produces two major isoforms (TACC2s and TACC2l). The
difference between these isoforms is the
developmentally-regulated splicing of a 5kb exon into the
TACC2mRNA. This splicing event, resulting in upregulation of
the TACC2l isoform, is coincident with the onset of myotube
formation, suggesting that it is required for the normal
differentiation of myogenic precursors. The goal of this
project is to specifically engineer a mutation in the TACC2
gene in the C2C12 myogenic differentiation model. This
mutation will inactivate any endogenous TACC2l isoform
expressed in differentiating cells. Specifically, we will
detail the use of a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)
to disrupt the 5kb exon. The generation of a somatic
knockout of both TACC2 alleles will permit further
investigation of the role of TACC2l in the
completion/maintenance of muscle cell differentiation and
whether the regulated splicing event that leads to TACC2l
formation is blocked during the development of RMS.
9:35 A.M.
WINTER ROOST SITE SELECTION OF EASTERN RED BATS IN CENTRAL
ARKANSAS
Jillian Hubbard, jhubbard@atu.edu
Tom Nupp, tnupp@atu.edu
Fisheries and Wildlife Science Program
Eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) are a foliage-roosting
species that are common across the eastern United States,
occurring statewide in Arkansas. There have been numerous
studies conducted on summer roost habitat selection, however
little is known about winter month roost selection. Our
previous research indicated that radio-telemetered red bats
chose to roost in hardwood trees during warm winter days and
in redcedars or leaf litter on colder days. In this study,
we are examining characteristics of these roost sites in
order to determine specific habitat characteristics bats use
to choose their roost location. More specifically, we are
examining roost site selection at both the local habitat
scale and the larger landscape scale. At the local habitat
scale we are describing roost sites characteristics such as
the composition of canopy and subcanopy trees, canopy cover,
density of trees, and understory composition. These
measurements will be compared with those of an equal number
of randomly selected reference sites. To examine the effects
of landscape composition, we are using GIS to measure
distances to open corridors (such as creeks, roads, and
pastures) as well as to estimate the size and type of forest
structure that surrounds the roost site. Initial analyses
demonstrate that red bats averaged only 36 m from an open
corridor, indicating that landscape composition may be
important in roost site selection. We will present
additional characteristics of red bat roost locations so
that we can understand their winter roost site selection and
make recommendations for their conservation/management.
9:50 A.M.
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND NEUROCHEMICAL PROFILE OF TEST ANXIETY
Timothy Hughes, thughes@atu.edu
Jason E. Warnick, jwarnick@atu.edu
Department of Behavioral Sciences
Providing tests to students is an essential element in
education, but it is well known that it can cause much
anxiety among students. Interestingly, little work has been
conducted on the psychological variables that might
contribute to enhanced or attenuated test anxiety.
Additionally, unlike other anxiety-induction tasks, test
anxiety has not been biochemically profiled (e.g., level of
stress hormone increase). This experiment attempts to begin
psychologically and biochemically profiling test anxiety. In
this experiment, college freshman participants completed a
psychological survey (i.e., demographic questions, a
personality inventory, a college adjustment inventory, a
locus of control inventory, a self-esteem inventory, a mood
scale, a perceived stress inventory and an anxiety scale)
and provided saliva samples in two separate experimental
sessions. The first test session took place a week before
the first test of the semester for their General Psychology
class. The second session took place on the day of the first
exam. The results of this experiment will likely provide
further evidence of the psychological variables associated
with test anxiety. The implications of these findings, in
regards to student mental health and educational success,
will be discussed.
10:05 A.M.
THE POULATION GENETICS OF STARGAZING DARTER IN ARKANSAS II:
SURVEYING POPULATIONS
Philip Choi, choiphillip@hotmail.com; and Sandra Ryther,
sryther@atu.edu
Tsunemi Yamashita, tyamashita@atu.edu
Department of Biology
The stargazing darter, Percina uranidea, is a species that
has received little attention. Populations that historically
occurred in Indiana and Illinois have been extirpated, and
Pflieger (1997) considers it one of the rarest fishes in
Missouri (restricted to the Black and Current Rivers). The
bulk of its current range is in Arkansas, and includes
disjunct populations in the eastern White River basin and in
the Ouachita River basin. The primary objective of this
study is to employ genetic analyses to clarify taxonomic
status of P. uranidea populations, and document the genetic
diversity and distribution of the stargazing darter in some
of the larger rivers in Arkansas. This work expands upon the
last undergraduate project as it implements the genetic
markers that were established in the previous work to
investigating samples from both Ouachita and White river
drainages. Genetic markers from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
were isolated and compared from individuals among sample
sites along the Ouachita and White river regions. From these
markers, a phylogenetic tree was produced that illustrates
genetic relatedness among these populations.
10:20 A.M.
TAXPAYER EDUCATION: ASSESSMENT OF SECONDARY AND POST
SECONDARY TAX EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Stacey Kiefer, skiefer@atu.edu; and Kelly Millwood,
kmillwood@atu.edu
Pamela S. Carr pcarr@atu.edu
Accounting Department
Knowing the appropriate way to file and pay federal taxes is
an important aspect of living and working in the United
States. To change attitudes and promote compliance, citizens
should have an understanding of the structure of the tax
system, their rights and responsibilities as taxpayers, and
the role of the IRS. In their 2007 Annual Report to
Congress, the Taxpayer Advocacy Service suggests engaging
non-IRS educators to help promote educational modules in
high schools, adult education programs, and community
colleges. The Service further recommends the use of new and
updated modules, allowing educators to easily instruct
students in basic tax compliance. Even at the postsecondary
level, tax education is lacking. General education programs
at major colleges and universities require courses in
American and World Literature, but omit training in basic
taxpayer education. In order to improve tax compliance among
taxpayers of all ages, basic tax education is needed.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the assertions
made by the Taxpayer Advocacy Service and increase awareness
of programs available to secondary and post secondary
educators. This two part study explores current tax
education included in the secondary and post secondary
general education requirements. The first survey instrument
will be administered to faculty at secondary educational
facilities. The survey is designed to gain an understanding
of the current tax programs available to students, as well
as, any plans to implement such programs. Along with the
survey participants will receive information about the
resources available through the internet. The second survey
will test college level freshmen and sophomore students’
level of tax education and identify the source of their
knowledge. If the Taxpayer Advocacy Service is correct,
increasing the level of taxpayer education will improve tax
compliance and provide an understanding of the tax system as
a whole.
10:35 A.M.
GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF JUVENILE FLORIDA POMPANO IN A
RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEM
Chris McKee cmckee@atu.edu
Joe Stoeckel jstoeckel@atu.edu
Fisheries and Wildlife Program
Forty-three percent of the seafood eaten worldwide is
farmed. In addition, the U.S. trade deficit for seafood is
$8 billion, with 70% of the seafood that Americans eat being
imported. Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus), hereafter
referred to as “pompano”, is a prime candidate for
aquaculture. There has been a resurgence of interest in this
species as a candidate for aquaculture because of the ever
increasing demand for seafood products and the availability
of commercially produced fry and fingerlings. It is a
significant sport and commercial fish along the south
Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, with 83 92 %
of landings occurring in Florida. In 2000, the average
wholesale price of whole pompano was $9.10/kg. Depending on
time of year and availability, the price of pompano fillets
can reach $35/kg. Thus, it is a fish species in high demand.
Pompano achieve market size after approximately 4.5 months
and reach an average weight of 712 g after approximately 8.5
months. Pompano are moderately euryhaline as they can
survive salinities ranging from approximately 2 to 45 g/L.
Juveniles appear to tolerate a wider range of salinities
than adults, and they have been able to grow at a salinity
of 5 g/L. Pompano can tolerate temperatures ranging from 12
Cº to as high as 39.5 Cº. Thus, the range of physical
conditions within which pompano can survive is very wide.
Most rearing trials are conducted in cages along the coast
where sea water is readily available, but they can also be
reared in recirculating aquaculture systems. This allows
them to be reared practically anywhere. My research question
is, “Which combinations of these physical conditions allow
for suitable growth of juvenile pompano in recirculating
systems?”
10:50 A.M.
DETERMINATION OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS IN HYDROXYAPATITE
BIOMATERIALS USING WET-CHEMICAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES
Amanda Stolarz (astolzrz@atu.edu) and Richard Athey
(richard_athey2001@yahoo.com)
Franklin D. Hardcastle (fhardcastle@atu.edu)
Department of Physical Sciences
Metallic implants have been used for many years to repair
and replace bone. More recently, studies have been directed
at chemically improving implant fixation by coating with a
thin layer of hydroxyapatite (HAP), which exhibits excellent
biocompatibility because of its similarity to human bone.
In our laboratory, we are investigating several
aqueous-based methods of preparing bulk- and colloidal-
phase hydroxyapatite biomaterials for the electrophoretic
deposition (EPD) of HAP nano-particles onto pure and
medical-grade titanium supports and implants. However, once
the HAP colloids have been synthesized, the
calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (Ca/P ratio) must be
quantitatively determined to ensure proper stoichiometry.
The purpose of the present study is to develop reliable,
in-house wet-chemical methods for systematically determining
the Ca/P ratios of prepared hydroxyapatite (HAP)
biomaterials. These results will eventually be compared with
determinations using instrumental methods.
For calcium determinations, a chelating agent, EDTA, is used
to bind with calcium ions in solution. For phosphorus, a
blue phosphomolybdate complex is formed which is measured
using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Calcium-to-phosphorus mole
ratios of synthesized HAP samples are reported.
11:05 A.M.
PERCEIVED ANXIETY AWARENESS CORRELATED WITH BLOOD PRESSURE
Aaron Rowell srowell@atu.edu
Joy Pohl jpohl@atu.edu
Department of Biological Sciences
The objective of this research experiment was to assess
awareness of physiological responses to stress and to
examine the connection between blood pressure parameters and
a psychological assessment known as the Test Anxiety
Inventory. Students were given the Speilberger Test Anxiety
Inventory to assess their personal perceived stress prior to
tests. Blood pressures were taken on control days (non test
days) and immediately before the exam on test days. My
conclusion was that significant diastolic increases were
shown for Class A (P value = .059) but the correlation to
the TAI test was a mere -.024. For class B there were
significant figures for the systolic and diastolic pressures
with P values of .001 and .035 respectively. The correlation
to the TAI test remained weak with a systolic value of .49
and .54 for the diastolic. Class C showed a significant P
value for systolic pressure with a value of .03, yet the
correlation to the TAI test was only .41. Through this
study, it was shown that the TAI test is not a valid
predictor of physiological responses to stress.
11:20 A.M.
RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY OF TITANIA (TiO2) NANOTUBES FOR
BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
Landon B. Hight (lhight@atu.edu) and Ryan J. Snead (rsnead@atu.edu)
Franklin D. Hardcastle (fhardcastle@atu.edu)
Department of Physical Sciences
Over the past few years, hydroxyapatite (HAP) coatings have
been used on medical implants to increase biocompatibility
and osseointegration. But in spite of the strong bond
between the HAP coating and bone, one of the frequent
problems of these coatings is their weak adherence to the
titanium (Ti) alloy substrate used as the implant material.
Current state-of-the-art research has focused on producing
novel bioactive HAP coatings that will adhere to titanium
implants made from medical grade titanium alloys.
In this study, TiO2 (titania) nanotubular structures were
synthesized on the titanium support using a conventional
anodization process. It is expected that the TiO2 nanotubes
will increase both the chemical and physical adherence of
the electrodeposited hydroxyapatite layer. The next phase of
this study will be the actual electrophoretic deposition (EPD)
of hydroxyapatite (HAP) on the TiO2 nanotubular surface.
The TiO2 nanotubes were characterized using Raman
spectroscopy as the major tool to identify crystalline and
amorphous phases. One important advantage of Raman
spectroscopy is its ability to detect amorphous phases that
are not amenable to analysis by most analytical techniques
including diffraction methods. The molecular structure and
phases of the nanophase titania is expected to dramatically
influence its biocompatibility, chemical interaction,
adhesion to titanium implants, mechanical strength and
overall integrity of the films.
11:35 A.M.
EPITAXIALLY GROWN QUANTUM DOTS FOR SOLAR CELL APPLICATIONS
Shane Hendrix, shendrix@atu.edu
Daniel Bullock, dbullock@atu.edu
Department of Physical Science
Quantum dots are nanometer (10-9 meter) scale particles
composed of a few hundred atoms that have extraordinary
optical, chemical, electrical, and magnetic properties. One
of the most exciting applications for quantum dots is in the
field of advanced photovoltaic (PV) solar cells. PV solar
cells offer an environmentally friendly, low maintenance
alternative to fossil fuels. One major limitation to current
PV solar cell technology is that they cost almost ten times
more per life cycle than their fossil fuel counterparts. The
theoretical upper limit on the conversion of sunlight to
electricity is 95% (meaning for every 100 photons of
sunlight energy there would be 95 electrons freed to produce
electric current). Unfortunately, for current solar cells,
the theoretical upper limit on efficiency is only 33%,
suggesting the performance of this technology could be
improved 2-3 times if different concepts were used. A
variety of advanced approaches to third generation solar
cells are under investigation, but the best case scenario
would involve a semiconductor material that could have its
bandgap tuned for optimal performance. Quantum dot
technology has the desired characteristic of bandgap
tunability by varying either the size and/or composition of
the structure. In this project, we discuss progress made in
setting up and installing a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)
system used to produce epitaxial quantum dot layers.
11:50 A.M.
MAPPING AND ANALYSIS OF STORM SPOTTER VIEWSHEDS IN POPE
COUNTY, ARKANSAS
Lindsey Holman, lholeman@atu.edu
Michael E. Garner, mgarner@atu.edu
Ed Leachman, eleachman@atu.edu
Department of Emergency Administration and Management
Analysis of storm spotter’s ‘viewing visibility’ in Pope
County, Arkansas was analyzed using geospatial techniques in
a geographic information system (GIS). Geographic locations
of individual storm spotters were collected using various
techniques such as global positioning system (GPS), address
geocoding or location extraction from a digital map source.
Each storm spotter location was used to develop ‘viewshed’
polygons and analyze potential regions available to an
observer. The simplest viewshed calculations suppose that
light moves in straight lines in a Euclidean space (the
earth is not curved and no refraction occurs). GIS was used
to predict terrain areas that could be viewed during storm
events.
Review of historical data for Western Arkansas supplied from
the National Climatic Data Center suggested that there were
a disproportionately fewer number of severe weather events;
tornadoes, hail and wind in Pope County, Arkansas than in
surrounding counties. One reason for this might be that
storm spotters are in the wrong location or due to terrain
conditions individual storm spotters viewing visibility was
inadequate.
GIS was used to predict ‘viewing visibility’ of individual
storm spotters. Base data consisting of elevations, roads
and buildings were collected. To create a viewshed an
algorithm takes a user-defined viewing point (a potential
storm spotter) and a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and
computes which cells of the DEM can be seen from the viewing
point and which cells cannot be seen. The viewshed is then
displayed as a grid of cells coded with 1’s for visible
cells and 0’s for non-visible cells.
1:05 P.M.
SECOND LIFE: REVOLUTIONIZING ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
Kelsey Boyd, kboyd1@atu.edu
Slavicia Kodish, skodish@atu.edu
Department of Speech, Theatre, and Journalism
Second Life, a user-generated online world where individuals
and organizations interact virtually, offers many tools that
are changing the way organizations conduct business. Among
these tools is the Second Life Grid that allows
organizations to create a public or private virtual business
sphere – a three-dimensional voice chat system that enables
real-time communication across the globe. Second Life
programs link related organizations together and help
classify their online efforts. A virtual headquarters allows
organizations a more personal interaction with clients and
other individuals. In this paper, the author describes the
connective power of Second Life and shows its implications
for the future of organizations. Second Life is streamlining
organizational communication, making it easier, more timely,
more cost-efficient, and more readily available to
individuals and organizations around the world.
1:20 P.M.
DETERMINATION OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS IN HYDROXYAPATITE
BIOMATERIALS USING ATOMIC ABSORPTION AND X-RAY FLUORESCENCE
SPECTROSCOPIES
Cody Wright (codywright@gmail.com)
Franklin D. Hardcastle (fhardcastle@atu.edu)
Department of Physical Sciences
Metallic implants have been used for many years to repair
and replace bone. More recently, studies have been directed
at chemically improving implant fixation by coating with a
thin layer of hydroxyapatite (HAP), which exhibits excellent
biocompatibility because of its similarity to human bone.
In our laboratory, we are synthesizing hydroxyapatite (HAP)
using an aqueous co-precipitation methods and acid-base
precipitation methods. This processes, however, can yield
additional calcium phosphate phases (CaHPO4, β-Ca2P2O7 and
Ca8H2(PO4)4) when the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is not
1.67.
The purpose of the present study is to develop reliable,
in-house instrumental methods for systematically determining
the Ca/P ratios of prepared hydroxyapatite (HAP)
biomaterials. These results will be compared with
determinations using wet-chemical analysis methods.
1:35 P.M.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF HYDROXYAPATITE
BIOMATERIALS
Jerakaycia D. Boman (jboman@atu.edu)
Franklin D. Hardcastle (fhardcastle@atu.edu)
Department of Physical Sciences
Hydroxyapatite (HAP), having the chemical formula
Ca¬10(PO4)6(OH)2, is the most stable calcium phosphate at
ambient temperatures and pH values between 4 and 12. HAP is
of interest not only as a biocompatible material
(biomaterial), but also in the areas of heterogeneous
catalysis, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and water
treatment.
In our laboratory, we are investigating several
aqueous-based methods of preparing bulk- and colloidal-
phase hydroxyapatite biomaterials for the eventual
electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of HAP nano-particles onto
medical-grade titanium supports and implants.
In the present study, calcium hydroxyl phosphate materials
were prepared using an acid-base precipitation method.
Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4) were
combined stoichiometrically to produce the hydroxyapatite
(HAP) precipitate (Ca/P = 1.67).
The HAP biomaterials were characterized using Raman
spectroscopy, FT-infrared spectroscopy, and BET surface area
measurements.
1:50 P.M.
PHOTOACTIVITY OF TITANIA (TiO2) NANOTUBES AS WATER SPLITTING
CATALYSTS
Ryan J. Snead (rsnead@atu.edu) and Landon B. Hight (lhight@atu.edu)
Franklin D. Hardcastle (fhardcastle@atu.edu)
Department of Physical Sciences
For many years, bulk titania (TiO2) has been investigated
both as a photocatalyst for the decomposition of organic
waste and as a potential water-splitting catalyst for
generating hydrogen fuel from water. Recently, TiO2
nanotubes have been investigated for the photocatalytic
splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen using solar
light. But since photoactivity of TiO2 is achieved only with
UV light and because the bandgap is only 3.0 eV for the
rutile phase of TiO2 and 3.2 eV for the anatase phase of
TiO2, these materials are considered inefficient in terms of
their use with solar radiation. It has been suggested that
in order to maximize the water splitting efficiency of a
TiO2 photoanode using visible light, the band-gap must be
narrowed (by doping), the surface area must be increased,
and the films must be thicker to increase the total
absorption of light.
In the present study, nanotubular TiO2 (titania) structures
on pure titanium metal and medical-grade titanium supports
are synthesized using a conventional anodization process
(1.0 M NH4H2PO4 + 5 wt% NH4F; 15V, 1 A) resulting in ordered
nanotubular arrays of TiO2 (to be later confirmed using
scanning electron microscopy (SEM)). The nanotubes were then
“activated” by calcining in air at temperatures ranging from
120C to 700C.
Current versus potential measurements were performed using a
Perkin-Elmer Model 283 Potentiostat / Galvanostat (EG&G
Instruments Corp.) and typical three-electrode
electrochemical cell. Dark current measurements were
compared with those for light-exposed samples. Future
photocurrent studies will be performed on un-doped vs doped
(C or N plasma treated, to narrow the band gap) with a
specially designed cell and careful laser measurements.
2:05 P.M.
BREAKDOWN WAVES PROPAGATING INTO A NON-IONIZED MEDIUM
John King, jking3@atu.edu; and Sarah Norman, snorman@atu.edu
Mostafa Hemmati, mhemmati@atu.edu
Department of Physical Science
In our theoretical investigation of breakdown waves
propagating into a pure atomic gas, we employ a
one-dimensional, three-component, steady-profile, constant
velocity fluid model driven by electron gas partial
pressure. The wave is assumed to have a shock front followed
by a dynamical transition region. In the fluid model, the
basic set of equations is based on the interactions of the
three fluids: electrons, ions, and neutral particles and
consists of the equations of conservation of mass, momentum,
and energy coupled with Poisson’s equation.
The discontinuity conditions derive from the global
differential equations for balance of charge, baryons, mass,
momentum and energy. Employing the set of boundary
conditions and allowing for a temperature derivative
discontinuity at the shock front allows for a satisfactory
solution of the electron fluid dynamical equations. Our
solutions meet the expected physical conditions at the
trailing edge of the dynamical transition region of the
wave.
2:20 P.M.
BREAKDOWN WAVES WITH A LARGE CURRENT BEHIND THE SHOCK FRONT
Sarah Norman, snorman@atu.edu; and John King, jking3@atu.edu
Mostafa Hemmati, mhemmati@atu.edu
Department of Physical Science
The return stroke in lightning might be a wave with a large
current behind the wave front. For breakdown waves with a
large current behind the shock front, equations of
conservation of mass, momentum, and energy will remain the
same; however, Poisson’s equation needs modification. The
initial boundary conditions on electron velocity and
electric field will remain the same as well; however, the
shock condition on electron temperature has to be modified.
Using the modified boundary conditions and a trial and error
method, the modified set of electron fluid dynamical
equations have been integrated through the dynamical
transition region of the wave. For breakdown waves with
current behind the shock front, the wave profile for
electric field, electron velocity, electron number density,
electron temperature, and ionization rate is slightly
different. Effect of current on electron fluid dynamical
equations, boundary conditions, and changes in wave profile
will be presented.
2:35 P.M.
EFFECTS OF MASS CHANGE AND MORTALITY ON PLASMA METABOLITE
LEVELS IN WILD MALLARDS (Anas platyrhynchos)
J. Charles Ford, jford2@atu.edu
Elisabeth K. Brennan, ebrennan@atu.edu
Department of Biological Sciences
Plasma metabolites, including glycerin and triglyceride,
have recently emerged as a technique to assess mass gain,
and indirectly, habitat quality, for insectivorous birds.
However, it is unknown if this technique can be applied to
granivorous birds, including waterfowl. In addition, it is
unknown whether plasma metabolite levels change following
mortality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to
test the effects of mass change and mortality on plasma
metabolite levels in female mallards. We captured 14 wild
mallard hens in Pope County, AR during December 2007 and
induced mass gain and mass loss through controlled feeding.
Blood samples were taken post-mass change and
post-mortality. In general, triglyceride levels were
positively correlated with mass gain, whereas glycerol
levels were positively correlated with mass loss. This
technique has the potential to determine characteristic
lipid metabolite profiles, which may reflect local
differences in habitat conditions.
2:50 P.M.
THE USE OF ACCOUNTING INFORMATION IN THE EVALUATION OF LOCAL
RESTAURANTS
Leslie Moore lmoore1@atu.edu
Nina Goza ngoza@atu.edu, and Sherman Alexander salexander@atu.edu
Department of Accounting
The purpose of this research project is to analyze how
accounting information is used in evaluating restaurants and
their managers. First, a case study was undertaken using two
local restaurants, one being a non-franchise, and the other
being a franchise. The financial statements of the
restaurants were compared, and various performance measures
were computed to compare the two types of restaurants to
each other and to the averages of the restaurant industry.
An analysis of the content of the financial statements was
performed to determine if the statements conformed to the
methods which are taught in the curriculum. The second part
of the research involves a survey administered to local
restaurant managers. The survey inquires into how accounting
information is being used by the restaurants, and how the
managers are held accountable for performance measures
including, sales, expenses, net income, and cash flow.
3:05 P.M.
THE IRAQ WAR PROJECT
Michael Moats (mmoats@atu.edu) and Josh Klein (jklein@atu.edu)
Adam Lowther- alowther@atu.edu
Social Sciences and Philosophy
The Iraq War Project, under the direction of Dr. Adam
Lowther, is designed to examine and develop an understanding
of mission objectives as understood by American soldiers and
marines prior to and during deployment in Iraq, and the
tactics employed by insurgents and the tactics developed by
American troops to overcome insurgents. Through the use of
the interactive website, www.TheIraqWarProject.org, we will
gather research as the website allows for Iraq veterans and
current troops to answer a free response survey that is
designed to improve scholarly knowledge in the two areas
mentioned above. Soldiers’ responses will be analyzed with
the intent to provide results that can assist the Army and
Marine Corps in more effectively communicating American
mission objectives to deploying forces, and improve our
understanding of insurgent tactics and effective
counter-insurgent measures, both military and political. The
Iraq War Project is an academic effort to preserve the
experience of Americans in Iraq and, in a small way,
contribute to the success of the United States in future
conflicts. As researchers for the project, Michael Moats and
Josh Klein, will be responsible for contacting military
divisions, as well as major news outlets in order to
publicize the website so that soldiers will visit it and
share their Iraq experience.
3:20 P.M.
SIGNIFICANCE OF NEUTRINO MASS
Gordon Pearson (gpearson@atu.edu), Adam Purtee (apurtee@atu.edu),
and
April Bostian (abostian@atu.edu)
James R. Musser (jmusser@atu.edu)
Department of Physical Sciences
A series of experiments over the last decade have revealed
that neutrinos have small non-zero masses. The precise mass
of each variety of neutrino is important in both particle
physics and astronomy. The Main Injector Neutrino
Oscillation Search (MINOS) measures the mass squared
difference between two types of neutrinos, putting a lower
limit on the mass of one of the neutrino types. The physics
underlying the MINOS experiment and the ramifications for
particle physics and astronomy will be discussed.
3:35 P.M.
MAIN INJECTOR NEUTRINO OSCILLATION SEARCH
Adam Purtee (apurtee@atu.edu), Gordon Pearson (gpearson@atu.edu)
and
April Bostian (abostian@atu.edu)
Advisor: James R. Musser (jmusser@atu.edu)
Department of Physical Sciences
Lower limits on the mass of a neutrino can be established by
determining the mass squared difference between two
varieties of neutrinos. Neutrino oscillation is the process
whereby a neutrino of one variety transforms into a neutrino
of another variety. The rate of oscillation depends on the
mass squared difference between the two varieties of
neutrinos. The Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search (MINOS)
observes the rate of neutrino oscillation in a beam of
neutrinos traveling 735km through the earth from Fermi
National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) near Batavia, IL to a
MINOS detector in a mine in Soudan, MN. The MINOS experiment
will be discussed
3:50 P.M.
AN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEEVED CONCURRENCY SIMULATOR
Kyle Liddell (kliddell@atu.edu)
David Middleton (dmiddleton@atu.edu)
Department of Computer and Information Science
This simulator interprets the Peeved language. Peeved
demonstrates concurrency issues and their solutions by
allowing the user to describe programs, and then create and
manually schedule multiple instances of these programs.
Processes can use a global memory space, which makes race
conditions possible. The language provides semaphores to
avoid race conditions by controlling process execution. The
language and simulator were created to serve three major
purposes: Firstly, they can be used as a lecture aid, by
demonstrating the symptoms of multiple processes in races or
deadlock. Secondly, students can use the system to test
their understanding of semaphores by using them to solve
concurrency problems. Finally, the system can check
students' solutions to the given problems.
Peeved is a simple procedural language. It provides only the
small selection of data types (integers, semaphores, static
character strings, and arrays of these) and operations (in
particular, P() and V() for semaphores) needed to
demonstrate concurrency issues. Peeved uses the concept of a
pausable instruction, which is an instruction that reads a
global memory object, or performs the P() or V() operations
on a semaphore. When a process encounters a pausable
instruction, the system will pause that process, and allow
the user to interact with the system.
To run a simulation, the interpreter parses the files
containing the source programs, and builds an abstract
syntax tree for each program. Multiple processes, each with
their own memory space, are created by the user, and managed
by the scheduler. A process is executed by traversing its
program's abstract syntax trees. An explicit stack of node
evaluations is used instead of a simple recursive traversal,
since the tree evaluator must be able to return to the
scheduler at any point during a node evaluation. This
evaluation stack forms a path through the tree from the root
of the program to the current instruction. Each stack
element references a single node in the tree, and stores the
progress of that node's evaluation. When evaluation of a
node is complete, its result is stored inside the stack
record, where it can be retrieved by the instruction's
parent. (This is effectively the return value that would be
passed up during a normal recursive traversal.) The
scheduler and related components manage the referencing
environments for each process, and for activations of
functions called by a process.
The interpreter's interface consists of a terminal screen
divided into two windows for displaying program text, and a
window for user interaction. The program text is
reconstructed from the abstract syntax tree, to provide
uniform formatting, and the lines of programs that are
currently under execution or paused are marked. The
interaction window is used like a symbolic debugger. At any
point during the simulation, the user can issue commands to
create a process, pick a process to run, or view the values
of a process's variables. The user can step through the
execution of multiple processes to attempt to cause races or
deadlock. This allows the simulator to be used as a homework
tool, by providing a simple environment to practice using of
semaphores. It can also be used to demonstrate these issues
during a lecture. A scripted sequence of interaction can be
created in advance, and then played back, allowing the
system to be quickly put into an interesting state.
4:05 P.M.
EAM AND EAST SUMMER CURRICULUM
Christopher Sheppard csheppard@atu.edu
Michael E. Garner mgarner@atu.edu
Department of Emergency Administration and Management
The purpose of the two week summer course that the EAST high
school students will undergo is to help them learn the core
abilities and competencies that they will need to develop a
quality Emergency Operations Center, or EOC at their own
respective high school EAST labs. They will need these
skills in order for their EOC to be sufficient when that
area goes through some sort of turmoil, such as a natural
disaster. Without these expertise, the students will not be
able provide the necessary pieces to the complex subject
that EOCs can be. Arkansas will be putting a great deal of
trust in these high school individuals, and they must show
that they can meet the challenge. I have been working with
Dr. Michael Garner to help form proposals to send to both
the Arkansas emergency offices and the EAST headquarters.
These proposals have convinced both authorities that this
project is a worthwhile task. We applied and received a
research grant from Arkansas Tech to continue work on this
project. I am currently working with Dr. Garner to form a
curriculum to be taught during the summer course at Tech.
4:20 P.M.
A COMPARISON OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND SEXUAL ACTIVITY
AMONG GREEK AND NON-GREEK AFFILIATED STUDENTS
Jennifer Hoover, jhoover@atu.edu
Jason E. Warnick, jwarnick@atu.edu
Department of Behavioral Sciences
There is a long-standing stereotype that university student
members of Greek organizations are more likely to drink
alcohol and have sexual relationships than non-affiliated
students. This experiment investigated the relationships
between Greek organization membership, alcohol consumption
and sexual activity among students at Arkansas Tech
University. A survey containing questions related to weekly
alcohol use and number of sexual partners per week was given
to both Greek and non-Greek students. All students were
between the ages of 18 and 24 and enrolled as full time
students. Contrary to the stereotype of Greek members, the
findings of this project showed that the non-affiliated
students were more sexually active than the Greek students.
Evidence for this pattern of results and the potential
implications for student populations will be discussed.
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