Summit Institutional Repository @ PSU (Plymouth State University)
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Bring communities together through agriculture
No full textThe research poster I will be submitting was an assigned poster project for my Environmental Planning class with professor Steven Whitman. I enjoyed this project and decided to take a deeper look into the social, economic and environmental impacts of sustainable agriculture. How it can create partnerships, stimulate local economies and benefit our natural environment by promoting sustainable practices. This could be though community gardens, farmers markets and green infrastructure. A lack of localized community involvement can impact a community's sense of place and overall well being. Through this poster, I hope to make an example of how traditional commercial agriculture is unsustainable and will not support are ever-growing population. When we look to the future for innovative ways to produce food we ask, where will it come from? Do we know where the source of our food is coming from now? I aim to open people's prospective into smart consumerism and conscience community effort. How small actions can lead to big impacts, not only on ourselves but our communities as a whole. Through environmental planning agricultural can be set in motion with sustainable practices in mind and transform communities.Student Showcase of Research & Engagement Spring 201
Investigating the effects of CTGF in a cell culture model of wound healing
No full textEach year, 735,000 people suffer from a heart attack in the United States. A heart attack causes a lack of oxygen resulting in tissue death and activation of fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts lay down fibrous proteins that provide the structural framework and the cells are also responsible for a majority of tissue remodeling. Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) is a gene that is involved in healthy wound healing and scarring. After injury, the extent to which scarring occurs is thought to be impacted by sequence variations in the CTGF gene that influence how cells move into a wound area. Our primary aim is to determine if CTGF genetic variants alter the rate of cell movement in a tissue culture model. The genetic variants G560T, T1309C, and G1355T were individually inserted into NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. In order to mimic a wound, a pipette tip was scratched across a plate covered in cells. Migration of the cells into the wound area was then measured. Preliminary results suggest differences in closure between the T1309C variant and normal CTGF (p-value =0.07, p < 0.10 suggestive evidence). A fundamental understanding of variation in wound closure rates can provide information for treatment strategies to manage scarring after a heart attack.Student Showcase of Research & Engagement Spring 201
Student blogging and outside audience: a study on fifth grade students' motivation to write
Get PDFStudents often lack motivation to write because the writing process is difficult (Oldfather & Shanahan, 2007), writing is regularly taught through lecture and traditional exercises (Hidi & Boscolo 2007), and writing is typically assigned in school for assessment purposes, not to communicate (Nolan, 2007). Traditionally, teachers are the only audience students have to read their writing (Britton, Burgess, Martin, McLeod, & Rosen, 1975). The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore and determine to what extent and how fifth grade students are motivated to write when they are provided with an outside audience via blogging. An examination of the data gathered from observations, student interviews, a classroom teacher interview, and document reviews of 19 fifth graders from one classroom in an upper middle-class suburban town in New England, resulted in three thematic connections: (1) students enjoyed writing blog posts; (2) students appreciated having an outside audience to read their writing; (3) and students appreciated having subject choice. Using Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory (1985), students were found to be intrinsically motivated to write blog posts when they were given an outside audience to read and respond to their writing. This study was significant because my findings indicate that when teachers provide an organized, predictably structured writing instruction environment, give their students the autonomy to write blog posts, allow subject choice, and offer their students an outside audience to read their writing, their students may become intrinsically motivated to write.Electronic Thesis or Dissertatio
Outcomes of prenatal vitamin use
Get PDFPrenatal vitamins can be very important for fetal development and affect long term health outcomes for the child. Specific vitamins in prenatal vitamins include calcium, vitamin D, iron, vitamin C and folic acid. Several barriers exist regarding use of prenatal vitamins including access, education, and health barriers. Not taking prenatal vitamins can affect the growth and development of the fetus and also contribute to birth defects such as neural tube defects. This information was found through literature research using Google Scholar, CINAHL and Academic Search Premier. Results discuss positive outcomes for use of prenatal vitamins especially in the first trimester and negative outcomes for non-use of prenatal vitamins, however several studies conclude that there is no significance in either direction.Student Showcase of Research & Engagement Spring 201
Adolescent patient: comparison of traditional pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies for treatment of depression
No full textMental health is a large component of one's overall health. Mental health is a trending topic that has still lacked the research it needs to match the improving practices of the rest of modern healthcare. We decided to narrow our search on the population of adolescents. Depression is the leading cause of illness and disability among adolescents, and suicide is the second leading cause of adolescent death (WHO). According to WHO, "half of all mental health disorders start by age 14, but most cases are undetected and untreated." Prevalence of depression in adolescents has increased over the years despite there being many different methods of treatment. A literature review was conducted utilizing databases such as Google Scholar, CINAHL, and Ebscohost with a focus of looking at the effectiveness between SSRIs, SNRIs, and CBT in treating adolescent depression.Student Showcase of Research & Engagement Spring 201
What cultural themes are present in the 28th season of the Simpsons?
Get PDFThis project seeks to determine the cultural themes reflected in the 28th season of The Simpsons, a worldwide popular animated TV show about a stereotypical American household living in the fictional town of Springfield, through the qualitative research method of textual analysis. Preceding research, including Keazor's (2011) article on how The Simpsons use meta-reference to make jokes and Lewis's (2002) work on its double-coded portrayal of a sensitive subject namely religion, are examined. The sample size of 22 episodes of season 28 was accessed through purchase on Amazon, and each researcher watched the show separately and repeatedly until theoretical saturation was reached. Major cultural themes found in season 28 are Reliance on technology, including every instance when The Simpsons parodies existing technological trends such as virtual reality, over-reliance on mobile apps and obsession with mobile games; Parodies of existing movies & TV shows, including Adventure Time, Planet of The Apes, The Hunger Games and Goldfinger; and Breaches of the 4th wall, most notably within every episode's opening, specifically in the intro couch gag.Student Showcase of Research & Engagement Spring 201
The effect of anthocyanin-rich purple corn extract on the healthspan of Caenorhabditis elegans
Get PDFIf aging is a result of the degradation of the proteostasis network (PN), then treatments that support proteostasis are expected to increase lifespan. Anthocyanins have been credited with the capacity to modulate cognitive and motor function, enhance memory and having a role in preventing age-related declines in neural function. We are studying the effect of standardized purple corn extract on a transgenic strain of model organism C. elegans. We expect to see a positive effect on healthspan, resistance to oxidative stress, and mortality rate. Analysis of the composition of purple corn extract in comparison with other natural extracts shown to have longevity effects will be presented. If this natural product is shown to increase healthspan in our study, this could lead to a breakthrough for promoting healthy aging in humans in a cost effective way.Student Showcase of Research & Engagement Spring 201
Building empathy through outdoor education
No full textThis presentation illustrates the rationale applied in developing the PEMI Youth Center Squam Lake Science Program Feedback Survey (PYCSP Feedback Survey). Existing literature was juxtaposed against the Science Program's curriculum to produce a research-backed tool. The PYCSP Feedback Survey consists of an individual or parent form. The assessment consists of 18 items, soliciting feedback and measuring program efficacy. In accordance with best practices derived from literature, its administration to all PYC participants is intended to bookend school semesters. Based off what existing literature suggests, we predict the PYCSP Feedback Survey will effectively measure the efficacy of the PYC Science Program.Student Showcase of Research & Engagement Spring 201
Creating games
Get PDFThis book is a combination of remixed and adapted material from Ian Schreiber's game design course offered during the Summer of 2009 and original material by Cathie LeBlanc
Peers educating peers: healthy living at PSU
Get PDFPeer leaders worked with eleven students to lead small groups of students using a health and wellness curriculum (HealthyCARE® by Genavix, LLC). This pilot project was used to increase student's knowledge, awareness and implementation of health promotion skills and behaviors that reinforce the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. This pilot project engaged students weekly and individually, in a collaborative approach to deliver education on nutrition, fitness and total well-being practices to promote healthy behaviors in college students in an open and creative environment. Peer health coaches support like- minded students individually in realizing their own wellness goals through a positive, strengths-focused approach. This project is aligned with Healthy PSU's overarching goal of becoming one of the healthiest campus in the nation by 2020.Student Showcase of Research & Engagement Spring 201