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APRIL 18, 2017
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Spagnuolo         
10:00-12:00
Student Poster Session
Elizabeth Jurgiliewicz                                                                                    
Poster
Native American Ground-Stone Tools from New Hampshire and Maine

Native Americans in New Hampshire and Maine created many types of ground-stone tools, which were an essential part of everyday life and used for different types of activities. Ground-stone tools are produced by the grinding, filing, or rubbing of stone which results in a tool. The process for creating these tools is labor intensive, and the various techniques used have a long history. Artifacts from the C.S. Copeland collection illustrate their wide range of uses. The locations these artifacts were collected from are analyzed in order to study connections between artifact type and environmental setting. This research asks why ground-stone technology was used for certain types of tools. To answer that question an inventory and analysis of the ground-stone tools from New Hampshire and Maine in the Copeland collection was completed. The activities they reflect are varied, and include chopping, grinding of nuts and seeds, and woodworking. The types of stone they were made from are identified, and the archaeological literature was reviewed to assess the age of each tool.

Meaghan Spear, Kellie Reis                                                                           
Poster
Dorm Life Effects on Immune System Health
The purpose of this study was to assess whether students who live in dorms experienced signs or symptoms of sickness more frequently than students who live off campus.  The question asked during this study was: Does living in a dorm cause a person to get sick more frequently than those who do not live in a dorm? To conduct the experiment, a calendar was created and filled out during the three to four-week experiment that listed ten common cold symptoms. The participants in the study simply checked off each symptom they experienced that day. To get background information on the subjects, participants filled out a small survey asking where they live, how many people they live with, how old they are, whether they are male or female, and if they have any type of disorder that may affect how often they get sick. The results will determine if living in dorms causes students to get sick more often than those who do not live in dorms. The significance was to determine whether extra precautions are necessary to take while living in dorms.

N’Keyah Diaz                                                                                                            
Poster
A Systematic Review of Methods to Reduce the Incidence of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is a disease that affects 100,000 infants a year in the United States. It mainly affects preterm and extremely low weight infants. High pressure ventilation and excessive supplementary oxygen have been found to disrupt the development of the lungs in these infants, leading to lifelong morbidity. Many studies have been done on different methods to possibly prevent the disease, but none have determined the best treatment. This review seeks to find the best prevention methods to reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants.  Search words such as Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, preterm, prenatal, perinatal and infants, were entered into the following databases: PubMed Central, EBSCO and Medline Complete. A total of 25 articles were generated. Three systematic review articles were excluded and 22 articles were used for this review.  Alteration of clinical factors such as intubation time, positive airway pressure use, and the use of steroids could reduce the incidence of BPD in premature infants. These prevention methods, if practiced, could save lives and prevent lifelong illness.  

Bridget Hughes, Kathryn Fraser
Poster
Does a Child Have a Higher Chance of Becoming Iron Deficient Anemic if Breastfed by an Anemic Mother?
BACKGROUND: Childbearing mother are susceptible to iron deficiency anemia because of blood loss during child birth and the increase in blood demand during pregnancy. There are several symptoms for infants that suffer from iron deficiency anemia, such as, low birth weight and chronic illness. The purpose of this review is to examine if iron deficient anemia affects an infant if breastfed by an anemic mother. METHODS: Databases such as Medline Complete, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and Proquest were used for the search. Primary source articles published between 2000 and 2016 were searched and a total of 15 articles were generated. Six of articles were excluded for reasons such as small sample sizes and nine articles which fit the inclusion criteria were used for this systematic review.; RESULTS: Results were conflicting, but the overall findings showed that infants can be anemic if breastfed by anemic mothers as well as by non-anemic mothers due to low iron levels in breast milk. Shorter duration of breastfeeding also resulted in lower rates of anemic children; CONCLUSION: Iron levels should be monitored frequently for all infants, especially breastfed infants. To reduce the number of anemic mothers and anemic children, iron supplements are recommended; Key words: Anemia, Anemic Children, Breastfed, and Iron Deficiency

Cassidy Mello, Lauren Schafer                                                                      
Poster
The Effect of Head Injury on Depression in College Athletes
The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize information on the role of depression in athletes who have been injured. Databases to search for articles included Academic Search Complete, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. The review revealed that a large portion of athletes showed an increase in depression after concussion. Repeated head injury within a particular time frame can lead to a large change in anatomical or behavioral impairment. In conclusion, the studies supported previous evidence that there is emotional disturbance following a traumatic brain injury. These results suggest that returning concussed athletes to play prematurely places them at risk for more severe injury in the future. In order to obtain a better understanding of the consequences associated with concussions, more studies need to be conducted that focus on gender effects of concussion as well as examine the role of additional factors that may affect post-concussion depressive symptoms.

Samantha Costa                                                                                                         
Poster
Class Project's Impact on One Student's Health
The behavioral change project was created to inspire students in Franklin Pierce's Health Psychology class to take a behavior that they didn't like about themselves and change it. For some students, they wanted to stop biting their finger nails or stop impulse shopping. For Samantha, a student struggling with severe anxiety as well as depression, the first thought was to do something to change her mood. She also wanted to change her level of physical activity and strength. With deeper thought, she realized that the two ideas actually play into each other. Physical activity has been scientifically proven to decrease symptoms of depression. With this knowledge, Samantha decided to test this research for herself. She created a plan to go to the gym three times a week and track mood, muscle definition, and weight as well as the type of workout that was done. Types of workouts are muscle group based, i.e. leg day, arm day, etc. This presentation will show the results of the behavioral change project's impact on Samantha's mental and physical health.

Carolyn Wiley                                                                                                            
Poster
The 2016 Franklin Pierce Archaeological Field School
The 2016 Franklin Pierce University archeological field school worked on two Native American sites in New Hampshire. The methodology used in each excavation will be summarized, along with information on the age, size and nature of each site. The North Island Site (27HB297), located on the Mc Dowell Reservoir in Peterborough, is situated on a high knoll overlooking Nubanusit Brook and its associated wetlands. Archaeological testing at the site revealed a low density of artifacts dating between 3,000 and 5,000 years before present, reflecting a short-term occupational site used by small groups of people making use of the natural resources available in this setting. The Boscawen Veterans Cemetery site (27MR421) is located on a terrace near the Merrimack River in Boscawen. This unusual site produced artifacts limited almost entirely to ceramics. Twelve distinct elaborately decorated ceramic vessels dated the site to approximately the time of the European contact period (c.1600 A.D.).

Morgan Lundy, Bridgette Prentiss, Daniya Scofield, Jessica Strassburg, Meaghan Williams                                                                       
Poster
The many sides of the Pythagorean theorem
Throughout your years in school you learn about the equation; a2+b2=c2. This usually pertains to a simple triangle, but how about any shape with points? The Pythagorean Theorem can be used with any shape that contains three or more points. The reasoning behind this is that triangles can be drawn within the shape whether it has three points or ten points. To determine if this is correct, the equation will be used in multiple different shapes drawn. To prove this equation to be correct, research on the Greek philosopher Pythagoras who had discovered this method will be used and processed by the algebra and trigonometry II students in professor Yeager's class.

Shannon Tighe                                                                                                           
Poster
Effects of Team-Based Learning on Undergraduate Reading Ability
Team-based Learning (TBL) is a teaching paradigm that involves a specific order of learning activities: 1. Students complete unit reading on their own to gain a basic understanding, 2. Students complete an individual quiz, and 3. Students complete a team quiz.  This process is repeated for each unit within a course. The order of these activities, unlike the traditional lecture method and other teaching methods, pushes students to complete reading and to gain a basic understanding of the material on their own. Students are not only tested on the individual quiz, their knowledge is examined by their teammates during the team quiz, creating social pressure for individual students to gain an independent understanding of the material.  Therefore, the prediction of the current research is that the TBL paradigm will enhance the reading abilities (reading speed and retention of content) of students enrolled in TBL courses. Students from both TBL and non-TBL courses were tested at the beginning and the end of the semester. Data collection is currently in progress, but preliminary results will be discussed.

Payal Patel, Rachel Graves, Tori Scholtz                                                                   
Poster
Mythical Creatures: The Fact Behind the Fiction
This inquiry investigated the medical facts and likely anatomical and physiological explanations behind the myths associated with vampires and werewolves. Specifically, this inquiry focused on the diseases porphriya which is associated with the vampire myth, and hypertichosis which is linked to the myth of werewolves. Porphriya is characterized by a defect in an enzyme in the synthesis of heme, which is an iron containing compound that forms the non-protein component in hemoglobin. Hypertrichosis involves excessive hair growth in individuals covering abnormal areas of the body. Various other diseases or syndromes that relate to the myths of vampirism and lycanthropy were also explored. To investigate these myths, primary literature sources were used to synthesize the myths with what is currently known in science and medicine. There is no clear explanation for these myths, however the research shows some insight on the diseases that may have caused these legends to come about, being both entertaining and educational. This inquiry may help to demystify the superstition and folklore behind vampirism and lycanthropy by unraveling the facts behind the myths.

Nicole McIntosh                                                                                                        
Poster
Rhabdomyolysis (Abnormal Muscle Breakdown) and the Human Body
Rhabdomyolysis is the excess breakdown of muscle tissue that often leads to myoglobin being released into an affected person’s blood. The released substances are harmful and are likely to cause damage to the kidneys. Rhabdomyolysis can also occur periodically in muscular dystrophy, inflammatory and chronic myopathy, and also in metabolic myopathy. This presentation will inform others of the causes of rhabdomyolysis and the effect that is has or may have on the body. The common symptoms that occur with this disease as well as other symptoms will also be included in the presentation. Also included will be key topics such as exams and tests that are used to diagnose rhabdomyolysis, treatment methods, and the possible complications that can occur from obtaining this disease. Other topics include the prognosis, when to see a healthcare professional and ways to prevent rhabdomyolysis.

Holly Hay                                                                                                                  
Poster
Practical Application of Academic Coursework to Actual Experience in Court
Information learned in classes related to the criminal justice program helps to prepare students for future careers in the court and legal fields.  This knowledge and understanding are examined for confirmation of the efficacy of materials presented in the classroom and how this prepares a student for a better understanding of the practical procedures in camera as well as in the courtroom.   Some of the judicial functions and procedures which may lead to negative public attitudes are also examined with suggestions for how academic preparation may better prepare students for careers in the legal field.  Observations made during a three month internship at the supreme court level in New York will be drawn upon as well knowledge ascertained in courses in the criminal justice program and related fields.

Callie Mathers, Bailey Blair, Amy Piispanen                                                             
Poster
The Role of GPB1 in Candida albicans Ras1 dependent phenotypes

Brandon Proulx, Katherine Corbiey, Edwin Madera, Taylor Schmidt, Joshua Smith  Poster
Can Your Music Make You Faster?
There have been a number of research projects looking at how the human's natural response to the rhythmic quality of music might be coupled with physical performance during cardiovascular exercise, with varying results.1,2,3,4 In one experiment, participants ran in synchronization with music and it was determined that their performance was improved compared to a no music control.2 However, there are conflicting studies regarding performance and tempo.3,4 Our study intends to focus entirely on the effects of tempo on performance and to eliminate many of the extraneous variables such as motivational quality and level of exertion. Franklin Pierce students will be recruited and exposed to different tempos of music as they run a quarter mile to the best of their ability. We will measure the time to completion, as well as vital signs before and after each performance. We will also ask for general comments of how they feel post-trial. Statistical tests should indicate if there is a significant difference in their performance and vital signs during the exposures to the different tempos. If such a difference is found, there may be the possibility of improving training regimens in a wide range of competitive sports.

Meaghan Williams, Breanna Coleman                                                                       
Poster
Does Your Dog Understand You?
The purpose of this study is to determine if dog’s behaviors change due to positive or negative human behavior. The dogs will be put into an Anatomy and Physiology II class for twenty minutes at a time. There will be four different situations such as an exam, lab, lecture, and room of silence. The trials will be recorded and observed to determine a behavior change with each situation. In previous studies similar to what this study will test; dogs were placed in a room where they were recorded while being presented with a brownian noise and images displaying emotions. The results also showed that domestic dogs can understand human emotional information from both the visual and auditory inputs (1). Another article concluded that its unclear whether dogs can tell a difference in emotion from pictures but that they are able to adapt to in person behavior (2). Researching another article, it was stated that "dogs learn and problem solve based on human behavior while aging" (3). This is another good example of how the dog may react to the situation. We will be examining the dogs’ behavior in several settings including test day, lecture, lab and no activity.

Hunter Francoeur, Katie Leidhhold                                                                          
Poster
Synthesis and Testing of Ethyl Nalidixate
The purpose of this drug synthesizing project is to synthesize ethyl nalidixate through the synthesis of nalidixic acid. This acid is a part of the class of antibacterial agents that inhibit DNA gyrase, an enzyme that is imperative to DNA replication. Unfortunately, bacteria can easy form a resistance to this so this drug is not commonly used anymore. Clostridium and Haemophilus are generally susceptible to nalidixic acid, while other bacteria such as Staphylococcus are resistant. This experiment is important in the medical field because it has led to the discoveries of analogues that are more effective against bacterial infection. We synthesized ethyl nalidixate and tested it against two common bacteria.

Raynika Wilcox, Siobhan Murphy                                                                             
Poster
Effects of Headaches and Cognitive Abilities on Individuals with Learning Disabilities
 In a previous study, the abilities of individuals who suffer from chronic headaches after it had subsided were tested.  They found that in each area tested, participant’s scores declined from original testing (1).   Another study looked at relationships between headaches in individuals with certain learning disabilities, especially ADHD.  They found a correlation between headaches and learning disabilities.  Also, children who have learning disabilities are more likely to develop primary headaches (2). The purpose of this research is to determine if there is a greater decrease in cognitive impairment in individuals with learning disabilities when they experience a headache.  Researchers will use an initial questionnaire to separate those with and without disabilities then give participants a baseline cognitive test and mental health survey using survey monkey.  Participants will be asked to retake these tests and surveys during their headache, and again three days after.  Results from each test and survey will be compared to each other to determine if there is a significant decline in cognitive ability during the headache and an increase three days later.

Kendra Plant, Anthony Barinelli, Kevin Strout                                                        
Poster
Stretching Methodology and its Effect on Athletic Performance
Static stretching is described as stretching the muscles in the body while remaining stationary, while dynamic stretching is described as stretching while constantly moving. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of static stretching, dynamic stretching or no stretching at all and its impact on performance.  A warm-up before any athletic performance is recommended to help the body prepare for any type of strenuous activity. It has been reported that static stretching can impair subsequent performance (1).  Several studies have proven that dynamic stretching is superior to static stretching. In contrast to static stretching, dynamic stretching incorporates whole body movements and involves actively and rhythmically contracting a muscle group through part of its functional ROM (2). Along with time and distance, muscle soreness will be measured prior to each three physical tests and then following performance: right after, 12 hours after and 24 hours after. Each test subject will be randomly assigned to a warm-up (static, dynamic and no stretching).  Data will be collected over a 2-week period.  We hypothesize that individuals who perform dynamic stretching will have better overall performance and a decrease in their level of soreness.

Katy Lounsbery, Lydia Apgar, Samantha Beaudry, Brittany Hovan, Brandon Nguyen     
Poster
The Effects of Different Dosages of Caffeine on College Students’ Cognitive Ability
Caffeine is a drug that contains substances that cause a person to be more awake and alert. There is evidence that caffeine can increase a person’s awareness in terms of movement and their cognitive ability (1). There has been a study where 83 college students were either given a beverage with caffeine or a beverage without caffeine then they were asked to study 40 words. It was found that when the students drank the same drink both days they could recall more word pairs than students who drank different drinks both days (2). In this study, we will observe the correlation of different levels of caffeine to cognitive abilities in college students. We are using four types of caffeinated drinks: caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, green tea, and energy drink such as Monster. We will expose the participants to different levels of caffeine on different days and have them perform a memory test each time and complete a survey. We expect that caffeinated coffee will have a positive effect on their cognitive ability, while highly caffeinated drinks will cause issues with focusing and issues with retaining information, and decaffeinated drinks will have no effect on cognitive ability.

Kaitlin Morin                                                                                                             
Poster
Effects of Climate Change on Public Health
An internationally ongoing concern is climate change; people all around the world are doing everything they can to bring awareness to the changes and the way humans affect the environment, but people will not act unless it is brought to their attention that the changes in the environment directly affect them. This poster will discuss major changes in the environment that will impact public health. With the climate getting warmer there is a greater chance of extreme rainfall and drought; there is an increase in flooding with rising water temperatures; the quality of the air will decrease; a rise in temperature will bring on higher risks for heat-illnesses; and the changes in the climate will increase the risk of vector-borne diseases. The impacts of the environment also impact public health by destroying many of the resources that are used as medications, such as coral reefs. The goal for this project is to bring this global issue closer to home, and to make people understand that the environmental changes that the Earth is currently experiencing are a problem.

Tori Williams, Andrew Lavoie, Sasha Petrycki                                                         
Poster
Student self-perceptions of environmental behaviors
FPU has an impressive outdoor campus consisting of 1200 acres of land, diverse forest types and wetlands. On a limited budget, the University strives to enhance campus sustainability. However, the success of these efforts depends upon whether their design, implementation, and adaptive capacity achieve the desired effects on human behavior. This project aims to better characterize students' self-reported "pro-environmental" behavior. Behavior that demonstrates a personal effort to minimize one's impact on natural resources, such as water, energy and food, is considered as pro-environment behavior. Student researchers and environmental studies faculty are conducting primary research to elucidate the causes and consequences of self-perceived behaviors by non-environmental and environmental science majors. Using research methodologies that are gaining prominence in the field of natural resource management, the students are gathering detailed information on what factors drive or impede pro-environmental behavior for the research participants. Preliminary findings suggest students' non-academic roles may uniquely influence their self-perception. This information will heighten understanding of the potential short and long-term consequences of FPU's sustainability efforts.

Siobhan Murphy, Bailey Fernandes, Kathryn Macksoud, Sarah Pereira                   
Poster
The Effects of an Individual's Blood Type on Their Immune System
Previous research has been conducted investigating the relationship between certain illnesses or diseases and blood type. Individuals with blood type AB may be prone to a higher risk of stroke, and those with type B blood appear to have a higher incidence of Type 2 diabetes.  The purpose of this research was to determine if there is a correlation between the number of reported illnesses and blood type, as well as if there is a relationship between specific blood type and medical history. The procedure for this experiment is to first determine the blood type of the participants.  Simple blood antigen testing was used.  Each of the participants was given a brief medical history. Participants kept a journal documenting their sick days for 21 days.  This included 15 possible symptoms in that day.  This research will help to determine whether or not individuals of a certain blood type should take more medical precautions.

Sasha Petrycki, Andrew Lavoie, Victoria Williams                                                  
Poster
Long-term Changes in Tree Species Composition in Forests with Different Land-use Histories
In order to determine whether change in tree species composition is affected by land-use history, a long term study involving permanent forest plots was continued. In 2003, as part of a study on the invasive shrub glossy buckthorn, thirty-nine 20 meter by 20 meter plots were established in Franklin Pierce natural areas; within these plots all trees greater than ten centimeters in diameter were tagged, recorded, and trees were identified (Koning and Singleton, 2013). Nine of these permanent plots were in mixed deciduous forests on formerly cultivated sites, and nine were in mixed deciduous forests on old pasture sites. In the fall of 2016, these eighteen plots were re-sampled, all trees that had died were recorded, and all new trees reaching the ten centimeter diameter size class were tagged and recorded. Several factors that may influence recruitment into the canopy were investigated. These factors included tree mortality, tree density, basal area, and land-use history. Results indicate that in some cases, species composition of the forest canopy is changing.

Robert Knuth, Andrew Lavoie                                                                                  
Poster
Ecological Factors Influencing Vernal Pool Productivity
The goal of this study was to observe some of the ecological factors influencing amphibian productivity within vernal pools. The study sampled 8 pools and focused on understanding the forest type, vegetation cover within the pool, the composition of the substrate as well as the water depth and chemistry during breeding season. Data were collected on the water chemistry of the pools in the early spring and summer months.  Vegetation transects, soil profiles, and topographic surveys were performed in the fall months.  We attempted to understand how some vernal pool characteristics may be more beneficial to the successful reproduction of obligate species such as Lithobates sylvaticus and Ambystoma maculatum, the wood frog and the spotted salamander. Many of the tests and observations we made were not conclusive but there did appear to be some trends found in the results. Regression analyses of the data revealed that amphibian productivity was positively correlated with pool water volume and canopy cover.  The data also showed a negative relationship between high plant species diversity and productivity of these obligate species.

Eileen Savinelli                                                                                                          
Poster
Neurological Gender Gap: Innate Physiology of the Brain or Result of Neuroplasticity?
The purpose of this research is to discover whether the primary source of neurological gender differences is innate physiology of the brain or parental influence on gender development. Many studies have shown various differences in behavior and cognition between males and females from display of emotion to attention span. However, it is not clear whether those differences have been present from birth or emerge over time as a result of environment and experience. This research investigates those differences and their roots. It draws mostly from the work of neurobiologist Lise Eliot, as well as studies from a few other peer reviewed journals. It is expected the evidence will show that the inherent differences between male and female brains are slight, and that the gender expectations placed on children during gender development amplify these differences to create the gender stereotypes seen in society. These conclusions are significant because gender stereotypes and expectations limit the potential of boys and girls. In realizing that not all sex differences are absolute, it is possible to bridge some of the unnecessary gaps between men and women.

Marissa Courtemarche                                                                                               
Poster
Evaluating the efficacy of tick preventative medications on tick occurrence and tick-borne diseases in canines
A growing problem in veterinary medicine is the occurrence of tick borne diseases. However, disease occurrence has been greatly reduced through the use of tick treatment options. Many different tick prevention products are available for owners to choose from and each are advertised to be the most effective. The purpose of this study was to determine which product is the most effective in limiting the number of ticks on dogs and relating reductions in tick borne diseases. Canine patients from the Wilton Animal Hospital were used as subjects.  Data were collected from owner survey reports and affiliated veterinary laboratories. Survey questions related to the number of ticks observed on dogs since their last visit and their dog’s lifestyle. Presence of tick borne diseases was assessed by blood analysis from the canine participants. The two tick borne diseases evaluated in this study were Lyme borreliosis and Anaplasmosis. The results show that low numbers of ticks were reported by owners using Bravecto, Vectra, Frontline Plus, and Nexgard, with Bravecto used most often and provided statistically the lowest tick numbers. Lyme disease test results showed that dogs using Frontline had the most Lyme positive cases, while Anaplasmosis test results showed the most positive cases when dogs used Bravecto and Frontline. No one product was related to large numbers of positive tick borne disease cases. Overall, the results show that these veterinary prescribed products work efficiently in killing ticks on dogs, and therefore protecting them from tick borne diseases.

Allison Denny                                                                                                            
Poster
Genome Analysis of Mycobacteriophage Gage
Mycobacteriophage Gage was discovered in 2015 in an soil sample by direct plating on lawns of Mycobacterium smegmatis MC2155. Gage was sequenced at U. Pittsburgh using the ion torrent method; the total number of base pairs numbered 71,650 nucleotides. The genome of Mycobacteriophage Gage was analyzed using a range of software platforms, including  GeneMark, NCBI-Blast and Phamerator. Here, we report a complete annotation of the genome, including all open reading frames and putative gene functions.

Sara Diltz                                                                                                                   
Poster
Effect of bir-2 knockdown on C. elegans survival
The purpose of this study was to look at the innate immune response of C. elegans, specifically the function of the bir-2 gene and its role. Using an RNAi+ feeding plasmid to knockdown the bir-2 gene, a two-week long trial was ran. There were 4 groups each with 4 plates: 1 group was fed only OP50 E. coli, 1 group was fed a combination of E. coli and the RNAi+ plasmid, 1 group was fed E. faecalis and 1 group was fed a combination of E. faecalis and the RNAi+ plasmid. E. faecalis is known to be toxic to C. elegans, and in addition to the bir-2 knockdown, so our hypothesis was that the immune challenge and bir-2 knockdown would synergistically decrease survival. Daily counting of the worms was taken and the numbers were combined to run statistical analysis.

Josh Smith                                                                                                                  
Poster
Activation of Adhesin Gene HWP1 by Phosphorylated Trascription Factor Fkh2 in Candida albicans
Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that can damage human tissues due to its ability to switch between yeast and hyphal forms while also controlling genes associated with forming biofilms, adhering to host cells, and invasion. The ultimate goal of this research project is to better understand the connection between gene expression and morphological changes in C. albicans. One such connection may be between the forkhead transcription factor Fkh2 and a cyclin dependent kinase, Cdc28, which is known to be involved in morphological changes. We hypothesize that Fkh2, once phosphorylated by Cdc28, activates the HWP1 gene, the product of which is a cell wall protein abundant on the surface of growing hyphae and involved in the attachment to human cells. The results of this research could lead to strategies for fighting or preventing fungal infections, such as candidiasis.

Kailee Taylor, Lauren Grimard, Kenady Kelly, Gabe Luciani, Ali Mallonee           
Poster
Comparing the Effects of Chocolate Milk and Peanut Butter after Athletic Activity
Peanuts and chocolate milk are beneficial for athletes, building and recovering muscle after physical activity. The proposed study will examine the effects of chocolate milk and peanut butter among student-athletes at Franklin Pierce University. The crossover study consists of  a six-week trial in which one intervention group undergoes drinking two cups of chocolate milk 15 minutes post workout, while another intervention group consumes four tablespoons of peanut butter 15 minutes post workout. The respective groups continue until the three-week mark. Here, subjects switch intervention groups for the remaining three weeks of the study. The crossover study exhibits any differences between consumption of chocolate milk and peanut butter post workout. The student-athletes participating in this study must complete a survey and have vital measurements taken before beginning the experiment, at the three-week mark of the experiment, and at the six-week mark of the experiment. The surveys and vitals further indicate which substance most effectively refuels and allows recovery of the body post workout.

Cindy Chatterpaul                                                                                                     
Poster
Are Video Games Getting to Your Head?  Physiologic Effects of Violent and Non-Violent Video Games on College Students
Violent video gaming has been correlated with higher levels of aggression and the occurrence of stress physiologic responses. This study was designed to examine how video games, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and Animal Crossing, effects student’s aggression levels and physiological functions such as blood pressure and heart rate. It was hypothesized that the more violent video game will increase aggression levels and mimic a stress physiological response. Ten students (age 20-21 years) were recruited for this study. Students played Call of Duty: Black Ops and Animal Crossing on different days and blood pressure and pulse were recorded at baseline, fifteen and thirty minutes. A survey with questions adopted from the Clinical Anger Survey was distributed at the end of each game to assess feelings of aggression/anger. Results showed a significant difference in diastolic blood pressure at 15 minutes of each game play, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 30 minutes (p<0.05). These findings illustrate the impact of violent video gaming and physiological response, and can be used to influence further studies.

Morgan Caisse                                                                                                           
Poster
Pregnancy and the Immune System
Pregnancy is a phenomenon. Two genetically distinct individuals have to coexist and the maternal immune system must not reject the fetus. In 1953 Peter Medawar was the first to discuss the relationship between the immune system and pregnancy. Although the three theories he presented were eventually proven wrong, his paper was important because it got other scientists interested and promoted research. The most current concept of the immunity of pregnancy is the comparison of the fetus to a transplanted organ from a donor. The mother and fetus work together to ensure a successful pregnancy. There are mechanisms of the maternal immune system to protect the fetus. The fetus also has mechanisms to avoid attack by the mother’s immune system. T cells are a major lymphocyte involved. Different types of T cells like Treg and the ratio between Th1 and Th2 have specific roles. When the mechanisms to protect the fetus fail, spontaneous abortion is often the result. If more money is invested into researching the specifics of these mechanisms there may be a way to save the lives of many babies. A lot has been discovered regarding pregnancy and the immune system however, much more still needs to be learned.

Louis Palumbo, Daniel Spicer                                                                                    
Poster
Coconut Oil Controversy: FPU Fatty Acid Fascination
Coconut oil is the center of controversy in the world of nutrition. Coconut oil has a saturated fat content upwards of 90%. According to Harvard Public School of Health, there is substantial evidence indicating a high risk for heart disease with consumption of saturated fats.1 Research shows that coconut oil is a healthy alternative to butter and the coconut oil results in lower plasma lathosterol levels.2 Other studies indicate that coconut oil has a positive effect on subjects mental state.3 Research in this field is very scarce, leading to inconclusive evidence that coconut oil is beneficial for your health. The proposed study will examine the correlation between coconut oil and increases in physical and mental health. Subjects will be provided nutritional snacks as a part of their daily diet including canola oil, olive oil, and coconut oil, respectively.  The study will be for a total of six weeks, with measurements taken biweekly. Each group will consume one type of oil for two weeks, with crossover occurring at the end of each two week period. Surveys and vital signs will be evaluated to examine the effects of the fats.

Michael Cappucci                                                                                                      
Poster
Indication of Chemical Composition Based on Aerosol Optical Depth over AERONET sites of Nepal and India
Through the use of an Aerosol Absorption Angstrom Exponent (AAAE) and single scattering albedo (SSA) from three different Aeronet sites in Pokhara, Kanpur, and Gandhi College in Nepal, we were able to analyze and determine the aerosol chemical composition. Data was divided into pro monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon seasons. Maximum AAAE values and presence of black carbon or other pollutants was observed during the pre-monsoon season, with significant drop off and minimum values noted during the monsoon season. There was a strong correlation between the AAAE values of the three different sites, indicating similar sources of the air mass. Through the use of the AAAE we are able to determine periods of increased respiratory distress and difficulty across the regions.

Alicia Heyer, Brittany Lund, Jemma Thacker, Jennie Brown, Lacey Allain, Vincent Peters                                                                          
Poster
Handwritten Notes Improve Student Performance
The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of taking handwritten notes on assigned reading on student performance. Students in TBL courses were encouraged to take handwritten notes over the reading in two ways: 1. they were given assignment credit for taking notes, and 2. they were allowed to use these notes on quizzes. In study 1, Notetaking was assessed by asking students aloud in class whether or not they took notes. In Study 2, students were asked to turn in a photo of their notes and these notes were analyzed for key concepts and processes. In both studies, a percentage was calculated for the number of times students took notes and this was compared to their Quiz and Exam Averages. Study 1, indicated a significant relationship between performance and note taking.  Data collection and analysis is currently in progress for Study 2.

Jemma Thacker, Mitchell Speaks                                                                               
Poster
Influence of Leading Questions on Eyewitness Accuracy and Confidence

Eyewitness testimony is one of the most commonly used types of evidence in criminal investigation and trial but has also been shown to be the most fallible. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of three different question types (leading correct, leading incorrect, and non-leading) on eyewitness accuracy and confidence. Participants viewed a two-minute CCTV video depicting a shoplifting and answered one of the three question sets about the video and rated their confidence in each response out of five. The number of correct answers to each question type and the mean confidence elicited by the question type were the dependent variables. It was hypothesized that leading correct questions would elicit the most accurate and confident responses of the three question types, but leading incorrect questions would produce less accurate but more confident responses than non-leading questions. A chi-square test revealed that leading correct questions produced the most correct answers as well as the most confident answers as shown by one-way ANOVA. Leading incorrect questions elicited the least correct answers but higher confidence ratings than non-leading questions. Although there was not a main effect for accuracy, a post-hoc test revealed a significant difference in confidence between leading correct and non-leading questions (p = 0.022). Although not all results were significant, all trends were in the expected directions and the hypothesis was partially supported. The findings of this study highlight the risks of using leading questions on the accuracy-confidence relationship in eyewitness testimony. These findings are concerning since many jurors use confidence as an indicator of witness reliability despite the problematic relationship between the two.

Kalyn Dasilva, Jennie Brown, Joseph Wilhelmy Lauren Ramsey, Maddy Perry Maranda Osborne, Nicholas DiSaia, Joseph Wilhelmy                                                                                           
Poster
Mate Aggression and Intimate Partner Violence on a College Campus
The hypothesis for this research is that males demonstrate more aggression in an intimate partner relationship than females. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as physical, sexual, or psychological harm done to an individual by a current or former partner or spouse. The sample consisted of 86 female college students and 31 male college students ranging in ages from 18-24 years old from the New England area. They were given a link to a survey on Google Forms. The questions varied from “yes” and “no” questions asking if a partner had ever abused them or if they had ever abused a partner, and short answer questions asking how they would react to a scenario that was given to them. After completing a Chi-Square, it was found that females reported higher levels of isolation by a partner than males x2 (1) = 3.889, p = .049, and females reported that their partners showed more aggression than males, this difference was marginally significant, F (1,116) = 3.8   26, p= .053. Data collection is ongoing.


12:00-1:00
Faculty Poster Session
Robert Anzalone                                                                                                        
Poster
Serratia marcescens D1 susceptibility to On Guard Protective Blend™ applied as a disinfectant: a pilot study

Coliforms are Gram-negative, lactose fermenting bacilli bacteria that are found in the intestines of animals and humans, in soil, and on vegetation. Coliforms are frequently associated with infections, notably in hospitals. The objective of this pilot study was to document the inhibitory effects of a relatively unstudied disinfectant on a coliform bacterium using the filter paper disc method. The selected coliform was Serratia marcescens, a widely distributed, opportunistic pathogen for hospitalized patients, causing septicemia and urinary tract infections. In the household environment, Serratia marcescens can be responsible for the pink residue accruing at the water line in the toilet bowl or around showerheads and sink drains. The selected disinfectant for investigation was On Guard Protective Blend™ essential oil, a commercially available agent that is marketed as a non-toxic cleaner for the home. The results indicated that Serratia marcescens D1 differs in susceptibility to the presence of various On Guard Protective Blend™ concentrations in a dose dependent relationship.  Since coliforms can demonstrate resistance to various antimicrobials, and with consideration to consumer selection of nontoxic home disinfectants, data collected from this pilot study may be useful for future chemical germicide studies.

Shallee Page                                                                                                                           
Poster
Effect of Zika Virus: Design of a Teaching Module on RNA Sequencing Analysis
Zika virus has recently been implicated in damage to the brain during development of human and mouse fetuses. Tang et al infected human nerve cells with Zika virus and conducted RNA sequencing on the cells. RNA sequencing is the process of analyzing all of the genes in an organism, generating very large datasets comprised of billions of RNA letters (A,U,G,C). Here, RNAseq is being used as a powerful technique for analyzing the effect of Zika virus on all the genes in a nerve cell, compared to mock infected cells. We have generated a draft of a teaching module examining the Tang et al RNAseq datasets from Zika infection of human nerve cells. The exercise provides students with reinforcement of basic molecular biology and virology ---- as well as an introduction to handling big datasets becoming prevalent in modern Biology. The use of a current epidemiological pathogen is expected to increase student interest.

Amy Piispanen                                                                                                                       
Poster
Integrating Inquiry Based Genomics and Bioinformatics Research into an Undergradute Microbiology Course

 

Mary Ann Gaal, Andrea McGill-O’Rourke, Dana Campbell                                                
Poster
Experiences of Bullying in Non-tenured Faculty
The purpose of this research is to identify and explore bullying in higher education. While bullying in the workplace has been widely researched; written about in popular trade magazines and blogs; little empirical research has been conducted in higher education settings, especially at institutions that do not have tenured faculty. An important issue, bullying can negatively impact job satisfaction, productivity/performance, and turnover among faculty. Using a mixed method research design this study will use an anonymous An anonymously administered survey instrument will be used to collect data on the antecedents and prevalence of bullying in a non-tenured faculty university administered to full and part time faculty members, all of whom are non-tenured, in a small rural university inquiring about their experiences of bullying. The data will be used to better understand the extent to which bullying is prevalent in a non-tenured environment. This research will add to the body of knowledge with respect to bullying in higher education. Administrators can use this information to address bullying in higher education to enhance campus climate for faculty and students alike.

Zan Goncalves  

                                                                                                                     
Poster
Teaching and the Rhetoric of Sex, Race, and Class
The poster and presenter will examine how rhetoric is used to exclude or include students in the classroom. Teachers are in the “situation” of the classroom with the “purpose” of guiding students, the “audience,” to learn content knowledge as well as process and skills. To that end, the presenter will demonstrate how teachers use rhetoric that is, even in the most apparently value-neutral subject, shaped by social realities—theirs as well as the students’-- and the steps to take to build awareness of the ways sex, race, and class infuses their rhetoric thereby communicating more clearly and effectively with students.

1:00-2:00                                                                                                                   
Exhibition

From Hurricane to Climate Change
Gerald Burns, Douglas Challenger

From Hurricane to Climate Change is the title of a documentary film recently produced by Franklin Pierce's Monadnock Institute of Nature, Place and Culture. The film begins with footage of the devastation visited on the Monadnock region by the Great New England Hurricane of 1938. It then transitions to the threat currently posed by "extreme precipitation events," believed by scientists to be one effect of global climate change. The film documents efforts by local communities, organizations, and individuals both to adapt infrastructures to the present danger of "e.p.e.'s" and to make the longer-term changes in energy use, food sourcing, and social and economic organization, needed to alleviate the causes of climate change. The film conveys a challenging but hopeful message about responding to this great issue facing the natural and human worlds in the 21st century.

2:30-4:00                                                                                                                   
Roundtable

Circles of Concern
Zan Goncalves, Sean Ballard, Jill Bassett, Michelle Bourassa, Dawn Broussard, Christina Cliff, Elizabeth Cote, Kathleen Dougherty, Robert Koch, Nicole Newell, Brittany Newton, Derek Scalia, Misty Start

Presenters will discuss the importance/impact of Safe Spaces on Franklin Pierce University and the nation at this historic moment.  Presenters will address the following issues: Residential Life, inclusion and impacts on retention; Admissions, the uptick in people asking about Safe Space and identifying as LGBT; Student Affairs, effect on student life/clubs; Faculty, the rhetoric and pedagogy of safe spaces; preparing student teachers; and the politics of safe spaces.  Participants are invited to engage in dialogue with presenters and have an opportunity to sign-up for a training session.


4:30-6:30                                                                                                                   
Exhibition

Raven Brain Bowl
Raven Brain Bowl is a quiz game which tests academic knowledge. Originally based on the old “College Bowl” TV show and its successor the “Quiz Bowl.” Both of these shows had quiz competitions between different colleges and universities. The Raven Brain Bowl pits teams of Franklin Pierce students in a winner-take-all contest for academic supremacy!

Students may register for the event either in teams or as individuals. The questions will be drawn from the range of disciplines represented in the Franklin Pierce curriculum, so if you are registering as a team, it may be advisable to make sure your team includes members from different divisions and/or majors. The Showcase will organize teams from the individual applications, making an effort to create a diversity of expertise.

The Raven Brain Bowl format will be similar to that of the trivia contests that are now popular in restaurants and night spots around the country; use of electronic devices or any other external information source will not be allowed.


7:00-8:00                                                                                                                   
Keynote Address

Manya Whittaker


This presentation will speak toward the recent activism on college campuses highlighting the causes, the process, and the outcomes. It will include a brief historical overview of past student-led movements, and discuss how such activism is an integral part of social justice pedagogy, noting in particular, student and faculty responsibility in ensuring a just society.

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