Sheraton (Plaza Foyer)
Mimi Killinger
, University of Maine;
Blaise Collett
, University of Maine
This presentation will illustrate how a University of Maine honors student and an honors faculty member merged their research agendas, in turn propelling their respective scholarship. The faculty member’s in-process writing project informed the student’s studies abroad, ultimately resulting in a research trip together to Cuba.
Jessica Clair*
, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
America Horror Story has been a runaway cable hit since its premiere in 2011. But behind a series of spooky tales lies a multitude of social commentary. My research explores the use of one character to examine several major gender and class issues still alive and well in society today.
Katie Scott*
, Eastern Kentucky University;
Damir Siahkoohi
, Eastern Kentucky University
The use of drone strikes in modern warfare will be examined in light of the Just War Theory principles of Jus in Bellum as delineated by St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas. This poster will not be based upon political contexts but philosophical writings.
Bryce Jones*
, Ohio State University Newark
Contemporary German and foreign authors differ when writing historical fiction set in 1989 Berlin. The city, portrayed by foreign authors, is filled with depravity, which is mirrored by dirty environmental conditions. Similar issues are brought up by German authors, but reversed, revealing a less ominous atmosphere in Germany’s capital.
Harmonie Strohl*
, Irvine Valley College
Classical music is confronting a combination of declining attendance and a lack of relevance in American culture caused by insufficient music education, prevalent social attitudes, and economic realities, but a combination of strategies may prevent the downfall of this enriching and significant cultural form.
Debra Fitch*
, The Ohio State University Newark
Representing more than a generation of readers between their respective publications, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and Megan McCafferty’s Bumped both describe dystopian societies in which women’s reproductive rights are severely compromised. This project reviews how each text approaches this loss of rights and the resulting implications for the future.
Heather Stewart*
, University of Louisville
Examination of the historical and social contexts that manifested in bizarre and often grotesque elements of context, theme, and aesthetic in various works of the German Expressionist movement. Further, the philosophical critique of modernity inherent to these works, as well as subsequent escapism for the artist, are also analyzed.
Arturo Bugarin-Correa*
, University of Northern Colorado
I will begin with background explanation of the social life in seventeenth-century Mexico and how this led to the creation of the charro attire. The attire itself will be analyzed and the process of the elaboration explained, focusing on the greca and its possible origins, inspirations, and current status.
Rachael Poe*
, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Beowulf is the product of a patriarchal society, and, consequently, masculinity is an inherent consideration when defining heroism. Since an epic presents not the reality but the ideal state of the culture from which it comes, Beowulf is the epitome of Anglo-Saxon masculinity.
Chelsea Hinshaw*
, Ohio University
Ethnographic research on jazz funerals in New Orleans evolved into research on a peculiar cemetery of mysterious origins, Odd Fellows Rest, which remains locked to the public because its ownership is in question.
Charles Rogers*
, Tennessee Technological University
Nicholas Callan was an accomplished priest and engineer researching batteries, electromagnets, and motors. His invention, the induction coil, is still in wide use today. Despite the ubiquity of his inventions, he remains obscure for a variety of reasons, including his location, religious beliefs, and choice of publisher.
Aine Fitzgerald*
, Dominican University of California
This presentation discusses three creation myths from three different religions and each one’s impact on its culture’s views of environmental justice. The three religions are Hinduism, Hopi Native American beliefs and Judeo-Christianity.
Jessica Quah*
, Greensboro College
This project explores the continued development of the art song form and its use of Shakespearean verse in post-Romantic music, focusing on Ernest Chausson’s "Chanson d’Ophelie", Roger Quilter’s "Fear No More the Heat o’ the Sun," and Rufus Wainwright’s "Sonnet 10."
Timothy Tukes*
, Morehouse College
“A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” connects the angelic with the secular in human form to expound upon the narrative’s central theme: the superhuman qualities of human beings. Surveying the protagonist’s ethereal attributes, my presentation will discuss Marquez’s social criticisms through literary, cultural, and historical analysis.
Jessica Hughes*
, Emory & Henry College
Ancient Greek theatre flourished through competitive festivals, and the art form itself reflects the Grecian tradition of competition through agon scenes in its plays. Taking research about the nature of agon scenes, this presentation will demonstrate how agon scenes can be re-created and adapted for modern audiences.
Eric Odum*
, Oklahoma City University
The OKC National Memorial Fence is a site for remembering those killed in the bombing but also a forum for those battling all kinds of hardships. Studying Narcotics Anonymous key chains on the Fence gives insight into the evolving role of public memorials and the process of recovery.
Bethany Pinzur*
, Tennessee Technological University
This project traces the development of Judeo-Spanish, the language of the Sephardic Jews, and its role as a unifying cultural component for the scattered Spanish Jews. It further explains the effects of a recent linguistic shift in written Judeo-Spanish on Sephardic cultural identity and the implications for the broader relationship between language and identity.
Laken Brooks*
, Emory & Henry College
World cultures foster very different ontological beliefs of what it means to be alive. Senicide among tribal cultures and the increasing debate concerning physician-assisted suicide in contemporary Western society demonstrate how the cultural perceptions of life shape individual ideas of what it means to live as a human.
Justin Joe*
, Texas State University-San Marcos
This case study poster takes an in-depth look into the colorful world of K-Pop. Research includes concepts in modern Korean history and branding theories that help K-Pop operate successfully as a creative outlet, communications channel, and a unique blend of old and new cultural experiences that brand modern South Korea.
David Klein*
, Arcadia University
Throughout Western world history, the place of women in society has shifted in interesting ways. The journey of Mina Harker, a protagonist of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, has served as a cultural barometer of societal change as she has been adapted to the changing role of women in Western culture.
Maitland Dunwoody*
, Eastern Kentucky University
Throughout its history, French has evolved from a vulgar dialect of Latin into the beautiful language it is today. This project focuses on the cultural and political events that sparked the changes in the language and the importance of such changes on the development of the language.
Kimberly Barszcz*
, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Topping the charts of bestseller lists, young adult dystopian literature has become a well-known subgenre. This poster explores the novels' relatability to today’s young people. Covering the themes of conformity, personal choice, cliques, and rebellion, this study relates novels such as The Giver and Divergent to problems young people face.
Christie Gribschaw*
, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
This is a presentation of an original musical composition, a duet between saxophone and piano, written in the twentieth-century twelve-tone style. The piece is presented visually and recorded to be heard through headphones. A review of composing in this style is accompanied by an explanation of a musical matrix.
Jamie Watson*
, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick is wrought with a sense of absence and an unceasing search for something missing. But what Ishmael truly desires is his ideal mother: Queequeg. This poster presentation explores Queequeg's role as the inspiration for Moby-Dick's maternal metaphors.
Eli Pemberton*
, Monroe College;
Kathryn MacDonald
, Monroe College
This poster presentation will delve into the multiculturalism in New York City. Learn how areas, such as Little Italy, China Town and Spanish Harlem, are cornerstone areas for each nationality’s first settlement in New York
Daniel Levy*
, Chapman University
This presentation will track the formation of English copyright as written out in the 1700s. Important authors, printers, and politicians and their influences on the passage of the law will be discussed, as well as the timeline of events leading up to the passage of the 1710 Statute.
Osayame Gaius-Obaseki*
, University of West Georgia;
Rebecca Jackson
, Ball State University
Science and language come together to create notational duets in poetry and prose. Osa, a Computer Science and English double-major, presents poetry in computer software programming language, while Becca, a mathematics and English double-major, uses mathematical metaphors and notation to describe and express these ideas.
Sheraton (Plaza Foyer)
Nicole Rodriguez*
, University of Alabama at Birmingham;
Tushar Kumar*
, University of Alabama at Birmingham
The barriers of claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit, being a lack of financial literacy and the inability to claim the credit due to disqualifiers in the Federal Tax Code, can be overcome by increased financial education, increased EITC awareness, and removal of unnecessary disqualifiers in the Federal Tax Code.
Drew Richardson*
, Chapman University
This presentation addresses the fluctuation of the Ecuador economy in the past decade and focuses on the disparity between the theoretical implementation of socialism and its practical application. We intend to make evident conflicting economic and social policies and demonstrate the need for an interdisciplinary approach to political economics.
Brandon Rossell*
, Doane College
Game theory provides a framework to score social interactions in such a way that people can figure out who wins. With this scoring in mind, I designed a c++ program to find the best strategy in a set of truly blind social dilemmas.
Wesley Lacson*
, Texas Christian University
This research examines the causes, aftermath, and lessons learned from the closure of Silk Road, an online black market live from February 2011 to October 2013. It assesses the actions and opinions of cyber law experts, site administrators, and end users of the site, with implications for security and e-commerce.
Ashley Orlando*
, Ramapo College of New Jersey
Is social media a positive force in the workplace, allowing groups to operate more efficiently? Or does the use of social media increase conformity pressures in groups, further thwarting progress and effectiveness? My poster will explore these crucial issues that impact business and group performance in this technologically driven world.
Vivek Pandey*
, Ramapo College of New Jersey
A CAVE is an immersive Virtual Reality (iVR) environment where a group of people can share the same experience simultaneously. The research about it, however, is inconsistent because it depends upon comparing the virtual with the real instead of discussing the new reality it represents - the Vi-real.
Thomas Caley*
, University of Cincinnati
This program examines recent undergraduate research that involved modeling a falling maple seed. The research examined how maple seeds generate energy from the wind and how their design could help engineers improve the efficiency of wind turbines and emerging technologies such as monocopters and aerospace decelerators.
Juan Villalta*
, Broward College
An overall description of turbine engines. The advantages and disadvantages of turbines. How composites material could be a new way to improve and help the aviation industry.
Emily Nelson*
, Wayne State College
This presentation addresses the financial literacy of students who own and do not own credit cards and their understanding of how interest rates, loan maturities, and retirement savings needs impact their ability to pay off credit card balances through a literature review and survey of college students in Northeast Nebraska
Kyle Flenar*
, University of Cincinnati
Bleed holes are small holes in aircraft engines that bleed air into the environment during flight. My research used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and analyses to determine the effect various single-hole configurations had on the supersonic airflow during various flight conditions.
Brian Hemmer*
, Eastern Kentucky University;
Benjamin Taylor*
, Eastern Kentucky University
Through a thorough literature review, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). To this end we will examine the history, potential uses, and risks surrounding UAVs. We will discuss and analyze specific historical events, policies and regulations, modern applications, and systems of UAVs.
Darrion Long*
, Lincoln University-Missouri;
David Heise
, Lincoln University-Missouri
This work describes development of an offset detection task to be included in the Music Information Retrieval Evaluation Exchange (MIREX) 2014 suite of evaluation tasks. This task will provide a tool for researchers to evaluate performance of offset detection algorithms while establishing a baseline of performance for the current state-of-the-art.
Haleigh Arent*
, Angelo State University
This study collected data for a six-month period from various rescue organizations that deal with shelters in the state of Texas about current policies on treating heartworms in canines. Resulting data analysis determined whether current policies are cost-effective based solely on income from adoptions.
Simon Mikulcik*
, Eastern Kentucky University
Most computer software is much more powerful than people realize. Recently, developers integrated the flexibility of writing scripts into the workflow of application users by embedded Python, a scripting language. I will show how users may easily solve complex problems by using embedded Python.
Osayame Gaius-Obaseki*
, University of West Georgia
Data mining blends traditional analysis with algorithms for processing large volumes of data. We analyze a large dataset from Twitter. We correlate our analysis of Twitter posts to conventional measures of public opinion, i.e., polls and surveys. Subsequently, we make recommendations for improving Twitter data analysis and suggest further research.
Hoang Le*
, Tennessee Technological University
The effect of acoustic attenuation of a Helmholtz resonator is exemplified with a shop vacuum. By adding a tuned Helmholtz resonator, sound is reflected back to the source when air is blown over the open neck of the resonator, thereby reducing the sound pressure level at a certain frequency.
Esther Zusstone*
, University of Louisville
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cancer cells that travel within the bloodstream and can lead to metastasis. We developed a device that effectively captures large quantities of CTCs; these devices can be used in lieu of invasive and painful biopsies during diagnosis for treatment management and for further cell research.
Lily Deng*
, University of Alabama at Birmingham
The goal of this study was to evaluate the crosstalk between human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in peptide amphiphile (PA) scaffolds in vitro. I hypothesized that co-cultured cells would exhibit the best osteogenic and angiogenic responses, compared to HUVECs or hMSCs alone
Sally Stratmann*
, The University of Texas at Tyler
Whether it is within the United States or internationally, public perception is that childbirth is more financially cost-effective than adopting a child. This poster explores how the costs of adoption can be economically comparable to the costs of childbirth and in some circumstances a less expensive option for potential parents.
Zoe VanDerPloeg*
, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Hollywood filmmaking is a notoriously risky business, and at times it can be difficult to discern what qualities separate a blockbuster success from a disappointing flop. This research examines characteristics of recent globally exhibited films in an effort to uncover the ingredients that affect Hollywood’s financial success domestically and internationally.
Renee Erlandson*
, University of Texas at Tyler
For the first time in history, non-communicable diseases present a bigger health burden than infectious diseases. Sugar consumption correlates with many non-communicable diseases. Should the federal government tax sugar to prevent obesity-related costs? This project presents an economic analysis of the arguments for and against taxing sugar.
Laura Lee Hoyt*
, University of Texas at Tyler
This project assesses the value, or lack thereof, of United States farm subsidies by examining the ideas of Dr. Alan Babcock (The Agricultural and Applied Economics Association) and Chris Edwards (CATO).
Wyeth Binder*
, Irvine Valley College
The Republic of Georgia’s revolutionary economic reforms have allowed this post-Soviet country to capitalize on its geographical location and emerge as a competitive force in the global economy. If Georgia can sustain progress, it can serve as a model for other post-Soviet countries and spur regional prosperity.
Sheraton (Plaza Foyer)
Rachel Tuck*
, Wichita State University
What roles do altitude and latitude play on intraspecific variation in plants? To determine the answer I examined the plant morphology of the species Cirsium canescens across its entire range. Using the data collected from these plants, I was able to determine what effect climatic gradients have on its evolutionary change.
Chelsea Gilliland*
, California University of Pennsylvania
Rainbow darters are small fish that serve as biological indicators because of their sensitivity to pollution. The presence of lock and dam chambers along the Monongahela River has led to isolated populations with potential genetic distinct ions. DNA microsatellites were applied to extracted DNA to test for differences between populations.
Matthew Amato*
, Marist College
Silver nanoparticles have unique antimicrobial capabilities that are of specific interest to medical, industrial, and home goods production. The use of nanoparticles has become more prevalent; however, little is known about their environmental effect. This project was conducted to examine the toxicological effect of nanoparticles on crayfish.
Skyler Boehm*
, California University of Pennsylvania;
Chelsea Gilliland*
, California University of Pennsylvania;
Breanna Lincoski*
, California University of Pennsylvania
We examined lock systems to see if they isolated populations of rainbow darters in tributaries of the Monongahela River. Fish were collected from streams, both separated and not separated by the locks. We used microsatellite sequences in the DNA to allow us to identify genetic change between populations.
Tina Ndam*
, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore
Aronia melanocarpa, Black Chokeberry, is a super berry that contains five times more antioxidants than acai berry and forty times more than tomatoes, an ideal plant for preventing and treating some diseases. With proper soil treatment, Aronia can produce more antioxidants. I compare results of treatment with organic and non-organic soils.
Shannan Eagan*
, California University of Pennsylvania
Tourism, one of the world’s fastest-growing industries, is a major source of income for many countries. Increased tourism causes several problems: social dislocation, cultural heritage loss, economic dependence, and ecological degradation. I will introduce sustainable tourism and demonstrate its effects using case studies of sustainable tourism around the world.
Eric Wilhelmi*
, Joliet Junior College
This poster displays a model of the ideal homestead and highlights its components including renewable energy, sustainable water practices, and the raising of a garden and livestock. It isolates each component (e.g., solar panels, rainwater collection), and explains how one could incorporate them into one's own life.
Robert Ehrlich*
, Lamar University
Increased reliance on variably productive alternative energy sources (such as wind and solar power) can significantly increase the risk of power grid instability. This presentation discusses the nature of the problem and explores some popular and innovative proposed solutions (such as battery-operated vehicle sharing plans).
Kevin Mills*
, Gardner-Webb University;
Josh Johnson*
, Gardner-Webb University;
Kristina Grayson
, Gardner-Webb University;
Carson Shoupe*
, Gardner-Webb University;
Brooke Rampy*
, Gardner-Webb University
Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has become a controversial topic. We explored the fracking process and looked at the environmental effects by using hydroponics to test the effect that chemicals involved in fracking have on the environment. We also considered the long-term economic impact fracking has on local communities.
Rachael Fawley*
, California University of Pennsylvania
The movement of the hot spot at Yellowstone National Park has been tracked over the last sixteen million years, showing how tectonic plates are moving and creating calderas. Satellite images, as well as diagrams and research, support the prediction that the hot spot is moving an inch southwesterly every year.
Brittany Kusniar*
, California University of Pennsylvania
Forests of western Colorado have seen a rise in tree mortality presumably as a result of larger populations of bark beetles. The goal of this study was to analyze precipitation variability to gain understanding on the role that precipitation plays in tree mortality in connection with the bark beetle outbreak.
