Abstracts

This research, conducted over four trimesters, explores the role of computer animations in a secondary science classroom setting. The purpose of this study is to promote understanding of chemical concepts to secondary science students and focuses on the nature of matter, atomic structure and types of chemical reactions. The goals of this research include having students make clear connections between the nature of matter, atomic structure and types of chemical reactions and the microscopic world of chemistry. Students benefited greatly through the usage of animations, both coupled with lecture-based learning and creating their own animations, through retention of the material as well as a deeper comprehension of chemical concepts. Results and conclusions indicate that students had an over-all positive impression of the animations while coupled with lecture-based learning used in the classroom and had a positive impression of their own animations created in laboratories.

Human common fragile sites are loci that form gaps and breaks in metaphase chromosomes under replication stress conditions. These sites are often located in tumor suppressor genes. The chromosomal aberrations occurring in tumor cells could be due to instability of the common fragile sites. The exact location at which fragile site breaks occur still remains unknown. Since most of these sites contain AT-rich regions, the formation of secondary structure by the regions could contribute to the instability in these sites. We are using a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) carrying FRA3B sequence to identify and analyze the breakpoint locations. We determined that the YAC contains most of the FRA3B sequence by using multiplex PCR. By using genetically modified yeast, we induced breaks in the FRA3B under replication stress conditions. The location of the FRA3B breaks will be determined by using multiplex PCR, and the sequence near the breaks will be analyzed.

Plant cell walls provide an abundant renewable resource used for the production of biofuels, paper, textiles, and many other useful products. These composites consist mainly of carbohydrates, including cellulose and non-cellulosic polysaccharides. Previous studies of cell wall polysaccharides have revealed their complex structures but have not identified all the enzymes needed for their synthesis. Numerous members of the Cellulose Synthase-Like A (CSLA) family have been demonstrated to encode glucomannan synthases, enzymes that produce mannan polysaccharides present in plant cell walls. The genome of Arabidopsis thaliana contains nine CSLA gene family members; however, mannans are not accumulated in abundance in this plant. This raises questions about the functional significance of some members of the CSLA family. We are using promoter:GUS fusions to study the expression patterns of CSLA genes in Arabidopsis. Progress of these efforts, with special emphasis on the CSLA1 and CSLA14 genes, is presented.

The primary objective of this research was to identify key factors in a student athlete's developmental viewpoint and use these to formulate a model of academic support. Sixteen students piloted the Academic Mentorship Program in Fall 2010. Seven students joined the program in Winter 2011. Data were collected via a student questionnaire that used a seven-point Likert scale to measure student response in three areas: identity, self-reflection, and knowing and learning. Findings suggest a significant positive correlation between GRO score and a student's viewpoint of identity. Findings also indicate a positive correlation between self-reflection and knowing and learning.

The purpose of this presentation is to explore the findings of research conducted on the efficacy of animal-assisted therapy with psychiatric or counseling patients. Within animal-assisted therapy, animals are used as a tool for empowering, motivating, and empathizing within the therapeutic setting. I first explore research suggesting that there is a scientific basis for pet therapy in relieving psychological problems. The subjects included within these findings sought treatment for schizophrenia, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, or any combination of these. I will then look at the patients' expectations and the outcome effects of animal-assisted therapy in patients who have chosen to seek treatment.

Numerous studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals on factors affecting college choice. However, most of these are based solely on descriptive statistics or anecdotal evidence. This model takes a specific college, EMU, and determines prospective students' likelihood of attending based on data acquired from their applications. Using probit models, I have determined that distance, African American ethnicity, and high school GPA have a negative impact on enrollment at EMU; Michigan or Ohio residency, need-based financial aid, scholarship aid, and education as an intended major have a positive effect. ACT scores, gender, non-education major intent, international student status, and Hispanic ethnicity had no statistically significant effect on individual enrollment.

Homelessness has a pernicious association with a lack of education and ill health. Without education, one cannot obtain work that is sufficient to support adequate housing for themselves and their families. Being homeless, in turn, often results in children and adolescents receiving inadequate education, since residence is required for school registration. The homeless rarely seek health care, due to cost, lack of access, and shame felt from their living situation. Many minor illnesses therefore progress to major health issues that are treated inadequately. Social philosopher Karl Marx recognized this struggle for the worker in his writings about alienation and the governing societies within class struggles. Nursing theorist and educator Jean Watson recognized the need for caring and compassion within the homeless community for physical and psychological reasons. She saw that involvement of healthcare providers with homeless shelters and communities that support them could be the beginning of hope for the homeless. This paper integrates two theoretical perspectives into a concept of understanding of the homeless, their health issues, and their struggle to get out of the homeless downward spiral.

Howard Gardner's theories of multiple intelligences (MI) have given ESL teachers the chance to reexamine the way languages are learned in the classroom. Idiomatic and figurative language present a particular hurdle to the ESL student, a hurdle that may be overcome through the application of MI-enlightened teaching strategies. This paper discusses possible benefits of using MI-sensitive teaching methods in the ESL classroom during the instruction of idiomatic content, followed by suggestions for research on the efficacy of employing such teaching strategies.

Attrition rates are as high as 85% for minority nursing students. This contributes to a workforce that is not representative of the current U.S. patient population, which may inevitably contribute to health disparities. The goal of this paper is to explore racism as a factor contributing to attrition from a Marxist and Critical Race Theory (CRT) perspective. Racial discrimination, specifically at school, often results in a variety of negative outcomes such as decreased academic achievement and ability, decreased sense of self (concept, efficacy, esteem), and higher rates of anger and depression. Racism is woven into the narrative quilt of the United States. It is impossible to comprehend the magnitude of educational disparities without recognizing its impact. By establishing an understanding of the multiplicity of attrition variables from a philosophical, political, and social perspective, nurse educators can begin to develop strategies that combat attrition and result in retention of African American nursing students.

On December 17, 2008, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued two 'no objection' letters for generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status for use of rebiana, a refined extraction of the stevia plant, in foods and beverages as a non-caloric sweetener. Rebiana is the first naturally occurring non-caloric sweetener to be approved for use as a food additive. In less than a year, this 'natural' food additive has captured over 11% of the non-caloric tabletop market and is being commercialized at an astonishing rate by food industry powerhouses such as Cargill, Whole Earth, and McNeil Nutritionals. Since two thirds of adults in the United States are either overweight or obese and 13% have diabetes, this product provides an important option for consumers, which must be understood by dietitians and other health care professionals. This poster presents the history, chemistry, metabolism and safety research, and commercialization of rebiana.

This presentation will introduce the current research on culturally appropriate counseling approaches with Arab American clients and the unique needs of the population. It will demonstrate preliminary findings involving survey data that will attain a profile of the nationalities, immigrant experiences, religions, and education levels among the population, as well as information on the unique counseling needs of this population and serve as a model for counselors to gain information about their local community. This study's research questions will address the psychosocial concerns of Arab Americans in Washtenaw County, expectations for and perspectives of counseling, what resources besides counseling are available, and under what circumstances they are utilized.

Using the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) format, the student offers a written and photographic record of historic Old Town Hall in Brighton, Michigan. The building is a remarkable architectural treasure on the shore of the Mill Pond in Brighton; the design incorporates many features of a classic Italianate motif: arched Palladian windows, brick pilasters, and an elaborate decorative cornice. Built in 1879 for use as village government offices, Old Town Hall has served as a fire hall, police station and jail, city library, and newspaper offices. The buildings' distinctive architecture makes it the most recognizable structure in the city of Brighton. This report captures the various structures of Brighton's Old Town Hall; each component is described in detail, noting all known modifications made over time. This comprehensive study will serve as a historical record for future generations to utilize when studying the history of Brighton, Michigan.

Over the past two decades, there has been an outgrowth of atrocities in Africa related to or directly involving private militias, rebel groups, or other paramilitary organizations. Historically, these conflicts and the ultimate objectives of militias and other opposition groups are either unclear or notoriously complex, sometimes involving disputes dating back to the colonial period. My research aims are to detail the events that brought about the violence so as to give the reader a complete portrait of the history leading up to the atrocity itself and finally its consequences. The goals of this paper are to (1) describe events in detail involving civil/private militias as involved in gross human rights violations and/or international conflicts,; (2) explain through historical chronology the cultural, political, and social conditions that led to the formation of individual militia; and (3) to explore the conditions in which these militias and ideologies were born.

This research looks at beginner level adult ESL learners in a university setting and considers what types of strategies they use for clarification of misunderstood or confusing messages, as well as reasons for choosing to ask or not ask clarification questions in the classroom. Nine adult ESL students completed an activity and follow-up survey to provide qualitative data. The study will highlight two needs in the ESL classroom: first, for teachers to be aware of possible mismatches between teaching and student understanding; and second, for teachers to help students develop cognitive strategies that will be useful in both the classroom context and the 'real world.' Results of this study suggest a need for explicit instruction on clarification requests, coupled with meaningful practice

Abstract Science influences the fields of architecture and interior design. A new contributor to the field is Neuroscience. Neuroscientists found that certain parts of the brain control human memory, which has a significant influence on humans' experience of the built environment. Three important types of memory are archetypes, proprioception, and cognitive memories. By understanding memory, designers can be more precise when solving problems, improve navigable spaces, and better communicate with clients. This knowledge impacts design considerations in health care, with the elderly and those with brain disorders or injuries. Discoveries in neuroscience will continue to influence the fields of architecture and design.

This study tests the validity and reliability of a rubric created to assess quality in online threaded discussions. The participants in this study consist of faculty members: experts with extensive experience with online threaded discussions and operant users with varying experience levels for 6 different institutions. Using the Delphi method, experts evaluate and develop the construct validity of the rubric. Operant users, assigned to either the experimental or control group, applied the rubric to 2 sets of online threaded discussion samples. Members of the experimental group receive a rubric training sequence prior to using the tool. Correlational, multiple regression and generalized linear modeling analysis are used to analyze test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and the impact of external rater factors on reliability. The outcome of this study is a tool that can be used by instructors to evaluate the quality of student contributions to threaded discussions consistently and objectively.

The relative risk (RR) is one of the most useful epidemiological indices to measure the association between a risk factor and a disease outcome. While the direct estimation of RR is not available for a case-control study, the odds ratio (OR) has been used widely as an approximation to RR in health researches. In assessing the relation between the risk factor and disease outcome, it is recommended to estimate the adjusted odds ratio in order to control the confounder factors involved in the study. The Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio is one of the most popular effect measures to study the disease-exposure relation in presence of confounders. In this study, we revisit the inference procedure based on unadjusted and MH-type estimator of odds ratio. A real-life example of a case-control study on miocardial infarction and oral contraceptive use considering age as a confounder variable is presented to illustrate the underlying procedure in making inferences for the association between disease and exposure factors.

This study will examine how maternal perceived social support impacts mothers' relationships with their young children, including the quality of the mother-child attachment. More specifically, the purpose of this study is to investigate the associations between maternal PSSS scores at Time 1 (pregnancy) of a longitudinal study and infant AQS data at Time 3 (1 year post-partum). Data were collected on a sample of 120 mostly economically at-risk women and their infants across the transition to motherhood from before birth to age 2. It is hypothesized that greater perceived social support will be positively correlated with more secure infant-mother attachment.

In this presentation, preliminary work with Institutionalized children in South Africa will be explored through an attachment lens. The work conducted in South Africa involved direct interactions with children living in orphanages and involved specific attention to the relevance of attachment theory. Research has shown that children who are securely attached to a caregiver develop into adults who are better able to handle emotions, build loving relationships, and work productively as a member of society. Children who do not experience a relationship with a secure attachment figure often find themselves, as adults, unable to handle difficult situations and have unstable and unhealthy relationships. Zeanah and colleagues (2005) found that children who live in institutions and are able to have a strong and secure relationship with a caregiver are similar to children who are raised by a biological parent.

Resilience is the capacity of a system to absorb disturbance and still retain its basic function and structure.' (Newman, Beatley, & Boyer, 2009). Resilience can be applied to cities, as they too need to last. One of the greatest dangers facing American cities today is the threat of collapse. Metropolitan areas face the challenge of responding to their increasing carbon footprints, dependence on fossil fuels, and the impact created by the depletion of irreplaceable natural resources, leaving Americans with the need to discover innovative ways to change, by responding to the current crisis with the adaption of new methods to grow inner strength as well as a strong physical infrastructure and built environment. The creation of resilient cities is not possible with technological advances alone. The success of the resilient city depends upon the city's 'built-in' systems that can adapt to changes, such as diversity of transport and land-use systems and multiple sources of renewable power that will allow the city to survive any future shortages in fuel supplies. Leadership from government, industry, universities and community groups, along with examples from around the world, will be the driving forces that aid in facilitating a working concept of 'urban resilience' to the complex social, economic, and ecological systems of future American cities. The overall benefits of the resilient city include greater physical and emotional well-being, ease of movement in higher density locations, mixed-use communities that are walkable and have accessible transit options, better food that is locally produced and therefore fresher, efficiency of energy resources, greater affordability, easier access to natural environments, healthier indoor environments, and a much greater awareness of local urban areas, enabling Americans to have a greater sense of place and identity.