URCAF Abstracts 2011

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https://hdl.handle.net/10057/5072

2011 URCA FORUM Organizing Committee

Chair :Lawrence Whitman, Professor, Engineering

Members: Robert Bubp, Associate Professor, Fine Arts

Maria Torres Pillot , Associate Professor, Health Professions

Atul Rai , Assistant Professor, Business

Robin Henry , Assistant Professor, LAS Humanities

Hussein Hamdeh, Professor, LAS Math/Natural Sciences

Susan Matveyeva, Associate Professor, University Libraries

Kim McDowell, Associate Professor, Education

Michael Hall, Associate Professor, LAS Social Sciences

William Vanderburgh, Executive Director, Office for Faculty Development and Student Success

Sponsors :

Office of Research Administration, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, Emory Lindquist Honors Program

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 11

11th Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum
(Wichita State University, 2011-04-05) Wichita State University
Democracy, development, capitalism and the ecological footprint: an analysis of indicators, a global perspective
(Wichita State University, 2011-04-05) Cunningham, Baylee
This research will address and examine the role of democracy, development and capitalism in global ecological resource consumption. I will explore these three characteristics to determine whether or not any can be considered indicators of environmental performance. Furthermore I will discuss the various theories currently being conceived and expanded upon in the emergent issue that is environmental sustainability. The purpose of this research is to address the following questions: Question 1: Are there any specific, individual variables that indicate a country will have a high ecological footprint? Question 2: Are countries that are democratized likely to have a higher ecological footprint or a lower ecological footprint? Question 3: Are countries that are highly developed likely to have a higher or lower ecological footprint? Question 4: Does a country’s Gross Domestic Product indicate a country will have a higher or lower ecological footprint? Due to the infancy of this research there are limited statistics available. To further analyze this data and determine if an exact correlation between any of the individual variables exists requires a higher level of research. In order to do this I must create a database which includes each variable as well as the corresponding statistical data, which I have collected independently. My results were largely consistent with my expectations. A bivariate correlation test proved that there are consistent correlations between all three independent variables in conjunction with my independent variable. Additionally, more extensive tests and results are discussed within my presentation.
A detailed study of the nano-porous membranes with applications in the enhanced detection of cardiovascular biomarker proteins
(Wichita State University, 2011-04-05) Feikert, Paige
Nanomaterial is widely used to design ultra-sensitive molecular biosensors. The objective of our study is to identify the role of nanoporous alumina membranes in achieving nano confinement of protein biomolecules towards designing protein biosensors with enhanced sensing capabilities. The purpose of investigating these nano-porous alumina membranes is to enhance detection through mimicking the phenomena of macromolecular crowding, which states that nano scale confinement enhances stability and efficacy of biomolecules in biological systems. We are mainly focused on the properties of these alumina membranes that cause the largest increase in sensitivity in detection including pore diameter, pore depth and pore densities. We are evaluating C-reactive protein, an inflammatory protein as the study protein. We have been using silicon based microchips integrated with the nanoporous alumina membranes as cardiac biosensors for detecting C-reactive protein. These biosensors exhibit binding of biomarker proteins through the impedance changes analyzed through electrical impedance spectroscopy. We see these changes in impedance due to the perturbation of the double layer at the solid liquid interface on the gold electrode located on the silicon microchip of the biosensor. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop a relationship between the properties of nano-porous alumina membranes and the performance metrics of the biosensors.
Will depreciation of the dollar decrease the US trade deficit with China?
(Wichita State University, 2011-04-05) Freeman, Robert
Using data on exchange rates, Chinese imports and exports, Chinese income, and relative price between the US and China, I applied regression analysis to determine whether there is a connection between a weakening of the US dollar and an increase in Chinese imports from the US. I studied the price elasticity and income elasticity for both the short run and long run. The key hypothesis is that the gains in US exports to China due to a weaker dollar will be offset by decreased Chinese income from exporting to the US. This will diminish the hope of improving the U.S. trade deficit with China. I found that the short run income elasticity for Chinese imports is 1.3229, while the US_ was approximately 5 times greater at 6.7960. The short run price elasticity for Chinese imports was -0.1047, and the US_ price elasticity is -0.4220. Similarly, I found that the long run income elasticity for Chinese imports is 1.3172, a number much smaller than the income elasticity of the US, 7.3024. The long run price elasticity for Chinese imports, -0.0031, is also much smaller than the US price elasticity, -0.9253.
Quality of life, nutrition, and respiratory health in older adults
(Wichita State University, 2011-04-05) Hess, Sean
Whether aging in a healthy manner or experiencing disease, all older adults (65+years) are at risk for swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and thus disrupted hydration, nutrition, and lung function. Such disruptions can have a profound and adverse effect on health and quality of life (QOL). This study sought to compare perceptual and objective measures of QOL, nutrition, and respiratory status in 10 healthy older residents of a continuing care community. Each participant completed a series of self-report questionnaires (Short Form-36 Health Survey; Hearing Handicap Inventory; Reflux Symptom Index; Nutrition QOL Survey; and Swallowing QOL Survey). The following objective measures were obtained: Body Mass Index (BMI; including height and weight); blood pressure; mid-arm muscle circumference (to estimate body fat); bioelectrical impedance (to estimate hydration); tongue strength and endurance; vital (breathing) capacity; pulse oximetry (blood oxygen level); and swallowing function. Statistical analysis is underway and will be completed by the end of March. This work is part of a larger study to investigate perceptual and objective measures of QOL, nutrition, and respiratory status in healthy older adults and those who have swallowing problems. This research will improve our current understanding about typical swallowing, nutrition, and respiratory status in older adults, how nutrition and respiration change when swallowing function declines, and how QOL is affected.

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