Research Abstracts for students A-K can be found below.

Arnold, Melissa World peace through world trade: The effects of economic isolation on Louis Marx and Company (1921-1982) [(11:35)(2C)(ASC-215)] In 1919, Louis Marx and his brother David founded Louis Marx & Company a toy manufacturing business. Louis Marx & Company manufactured mechanical toys, steel and plastic toys, and trains. Louis Marx’s goals for his toy manufacturing business were to “Give the customer more toy for less money” as well as to “Use mass production and mass distribution to turn out cheap toys.” Marx quickly learned from the toy industry that the best way to achieve his goals was through a global free market. Marx soon set up factories all around the world including Hong Kong, Brazil, and Japan. With Marx, there is no scandal to uncover. He ran an ethical overseas operation. Marx identified workers as ends in themselves, not simply as means to an end. Many different factors influenced Louis Marx & Company. The most significant factor was the effect of politics on Louis Marx & Company. During the life of Louis Marx & Company, there were times of economic isolation and globalization espoused by the United States government. Through much research it is easy to see that the times of economic globalization was good for Marx’s business and helped him achieve his original goals. Times of economic isolation were difficult for the company, but it was able to survive due to the ingenuity, skill, and hard work of Louis Marx. Marx was able to keep his business afloat and overcome the obstacle of government through great strategy and his keen sense of the toy industry. It is because of Louis Marx’s skill that his company was able to become the largest toy manufacturer in the world, producing over one third of all toys in the world.

Arrington, Sarah: Analysis of Wine for Pesticides using HPLC [(1:15)(P 1)] A high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of thiram, a pesticide, and its degradation product, ethylenethiourea, in various wines. Separations were performed with a reverse-phase C-8 column using an aqueous mobile phase buffered to pH with a UV detector. Wine samples were spiked with thiram and ethylenethiourea and the chromatograms were compared and analyzed.

Barker, Shannon & Morris, Michael: Relationship Between Computer-Guided and Researcher-Measured Body Fat Percentage [(1:15)(P 2)] Over the past decade, obesity has become an escalating problem in society. Because of health risks associated with obesity, a need exists for the development of a non-evasive technique for people to measure body fat percentage for monitoring health status, providing another method of control for obesity. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of a computerized body fat assessment program in relation to researcher-measured body fat percentages. Previous research has supported the ability of subjects to self-assess body measurements accurately. The present study attempted to provide further support of this concept by using a computer-guided self-assessment program to measure body fat percentage. Eight subjects (4 male, 4 female) were asked to follow the on-screen instructions using the tape measure provided to measure and record their circumference values. After completing a questionnaire assessing gender, height, and weight, researchers then measured the same circumferences as were measured in the computer program for each subject No statistical difference was found between the computer-guide self-assessment values and the researcher-measured values. This suggests that the computer-guided technique is an accurate and reliable method of body fat percentage assessment

Beaver, Kaili: Assessing the Juvenile Justice System and Restorative Approach
[(9:45)(1A)(ASC-212)] The following research involves West Virginia Juvenile Probation Officers’ views toward the sanctioning processes for current methods used versus the restorative justice approach. From the establishment of the first Juvenile Courts System in 1899, the Juvenile Justice System has developed into what is the present day structure. As society becomes more aware of the sanctioning processes that youthful offenders are facing, questions emerge as to the future of the Juvenile Justice System. Restorative Justice has brought new ideals to the system regarding punishment of juvenile delinquents that upholds a sanction but with victim and community involvement and better, more appropriate sanctions processes. The researcher has analyzed data obtained through a survey, which was compiled with information about probation officers’ views towards sanctions and restorative views; this may lead to an understanding of how juveniles are being sanctioned, why they are receiving the designated sentences, and where the Juvenile Justice System should progress in the future.

Board, Ingrid: The Search for Personal Freedom by Two of Ibsen's Heroines [(1:15)(3A)(ASC-212)] Ibsen’s two plays, A Doll’s House and Hedda Gabler, both explore the theme of personal aspirations conflicting with social expectations, marital responsibilities, and personal doubt. The twosimilar plays each revolve around a heroine who is forced to live in a world that stifles her desires in order that she maintains the decorum in society. While both plays reflect similar themes, each heroine formulates a strikingly different way to escape her world. In A Doll’s House, Nora rejects her former existence for a dark, uncertain future so that she can improve herself and actualize her dreams of becoming a free individual. Hedda, in Hedda Gabler, on the other hand refuses to improve her life’s situation. Hedda’s solution to her predicament is to act spitefully to everyone around her and to bring about her own destruction because she lacks the power within herself to perform a courageous act and thereby break free of society’s expectations. Ibsen’s two heroines symbolize ideals that reflect the qualities one needs to break free from a restricting society and qualities that keep a woman forever a slave to patriarchal rhetoric.

Bowling, Cindi: The Relationship between Religiosity and Attitudes toward Premarital Sex [(2:50)(4A)(ASC-212)] Recent studies of sexual behavior have shown that church attendance and permissive beliefs are significant factors in understanding premarital sexual behavior and that participation in religion, including church attendance, was the most important predictor of sexual attitudes. I have found that the more religiously conservative a person considers himself or herself to be and the closer to God he or she feels on a daily basis, the less likely he or she will report that sex occurred in an ambiguous situation. People who consider prayer, faith, and group worship to be less important were more likely to believe that sex occurred. Significant correlations were found as a result of liberalism, closeness to God, importance of prayer, importance of group worship, importance of faith, and a self-report of religiosity. Males and females were equally likely to report that sex did or did not occur in an ambiguous situation, but there was a gender affect in whether the participant would act the same way that the main character of his or her gender did, showing that females were more likely to report that they would do what Jane did in the scenario. Participants attributed emotions such as guilt, emotional pain or heartache, contentment, vulnerability, fear, and physical pain only to the female in the situation. Participants attributed emotions such as excitement and pride to the male only. Some emotions, such as pleasure, regret, apprehension, and infatuation were assigned to both male and female. However, it was found that participants were close to three times more likely to assign feelings of being “used” or taken advantage of to Jane as they were to attribute those feelings to Mike. Jane was more than twice as likely to be uncomfortable in the situation than was Mike. Twenty-five of the participants reported that Jane and Mike were just friends, 15 reported that they were dating, and seven participants believed they were in a relationship of a different type.

Cardillo, Jamie: An Analysis of Gender, Length, and Weight Ratios for 17-year Periodical Cicadas [(2:50)(4B)(ASC-213)] The periodical cicada, a unique, flying, plant-feeding insect of the Order Homoptera, is the subject of this research. The focus is on the life cycle of the Magicicada sp. and how their developmental time effects their period of emergence, sex, length, and weight. Because of their unique life cycle, periodical cicadas spend five juvenile stages underground in which they maintain growth. The cicada juveniles are called “nymphs” at this interval they live below the Earth, sucking root fluids for food. Following this period the cicadas emerge and spend roughly four to six days as “teneral” adults before they harden completely. Males and females can be distinguished according to the shape and components of their abdomens. This study compared the differences in the length and weight of male and female cicadas. The dimensions were measured using digital calipers and a balance. These procedures were performed following the collection of adult cicadas, which began in May 2002 when emergence began. This was done over a three week time period. The collection site was plot number 15 in the campground at Raccoon State Park located in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Differences in male and female cicadas and their prolonged development might be favored to increase fecundity and success of reproduction. The data showed a higher count of males during the first two weeks. However, the weight of the females surpassed the males for the entire study.

Carissimi, Chris: Redefining Internet Interaction and Web Browsing - A Personal Portfolio [(11:15)(2B)(ASC-315)] The objective of this project is to create a contemporary website that appropriately and creatively represents its owner, Christopher Carissimi. The site conveys a menagerie of messages that span a broad scope of themes, while simultaneously bridging the gap between innovative creativity and professional communication. The site will present the user (viewer) with an innovative design that differs drastically from the norm established by typical, commonplace websites. Its intended purpose is to serve as a digital portfolio in the hopes of accurately, yet inventively representing the work and accomplishments of its creator. The site eschews conventional web based methods in an attempt to create an unusual, yet applicable user interface that will not only create a stimulating experience, but also help to define a future genre for web designers.


Carrier, Raeann & Arrington, Sarah: Development of a GC/MS Method To Determine Caffeine Levels in Beverages [(3:10)(4B)(ASC-213)] Although, many products claim to be caffeine-free or decaffeinated; however, there is no acceptable standard that is used to determine whether a product has any caffeine. It is important to know how much caffeine is in a given beverage because most times the beverages are used as a stimulant, which can lead to addiction. It is hypothesized that normal levels of caffeine would be about 500 nanograms in regular beverages and about 250 nanograms in decaffeinated beverages. It is thought by these researchers that beverages advertised as caffeine free may contain small concentrations of caffeine such as 25 nanograms. Gas chromatography can be used to determine the caffeine concentrations of various beverages. Gas chromatography was utilized because of the quickness in run time, twelve minutes per sample, and the ability to run numerous samples at a sitting. Lidocaine was used as an internal standard because of its similar properties, such as size and retention time, to caffeine. The concentrations tested were varied to encompass a greater range of caffeine on the standard curve. The same methods were used to test beverages. The beverages tested included decaffeinated coffee and regular coffee. It was found that there was 0.534 grams of caffeine in a regular 12-ounce cup of coffee and 0.050 grams of caffeine in a decaffeinated 12-ounce cup of coffee. Tea contains 143.54 nanograms/milliliter caffeine and a Twinlab Energy Booster® contained 5364.40 nanograms/milliliter. Many soft drink samples contained 0.5 nanograms/milliliter and caffeine was not detected in decaffeinated coca-cola and caffeine free root beer.

Cook, Tim: A Comparative Analysis of Crime Reports Between Public and Private Universities [(10:05)(1A)(ASC-212)] The purpose of this study was to determine if campus crimes reports published by 4-year private non-for-profit colleges and universities differed from those reports published by public 4 year and private for-profit colleges and universities. Secondary data were obtained from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Post-secondary Education to determine if reported crimes were higher at public 4 year institutions and 4 year private for profit institutions than private not for profit institutions. More specifically, the researcher examined 9 criminal offenses including non-negligent manslaughter, forcible sex offenses, non-forcible sex offenses, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson, and negligent manslaughter. The schools were selected from a population of 1894 schools, using a systematic random sample. Twenty-two private for profit schools, 161 private not-for profit schools, and 64 public institutions were selected (247 schools total). Data were entered into SPSS and statistics were calculated to determine if there was in fact a significant difference in crime reported between public and private schools. Results indicated that 5.3 crimes on average occurred at private universities, while 28.8 crimes on average were committed at public institutions. However, population was a factor that needed to be examined-the data showed a correlation between the population of the school and the number of crimes committed.

D’Angelo, Tara: Why Did She Do It?: An In Depth Look at the Female Serial Killer
[(1:35)(3A)(ASC-212)] In this descriptive study, the researcher wished to explore the phenomenon of the female serial killer. The purpose of this study was to determine the existence of a theory, which fully explained the phenomenon of the female serial killer. Qualitative methods were used. More specifically, a content analysis was performed using the information contained in the literature, books, articles, journals, and Internet resources. Themes and key concepts were extracted from the data. Several questions guided the research including: 1. Are women and men’s violent and brutal crimes different? 2. Is female criminality changing, specifically are women becoming more violent or brutal in the nature of their crimes? 3. Can the traditional theories of crime help decipher why some women commit violent and brutal crimes? 4. Do nontraditional theories exist that would help decipher female criminality in general (Pollock 1999)? Using an inductive approach, the researcher will develop suggestions to develop a gendered theory, which explains the phenomenon of the female serial killer.

Fowkes, Briana: The Effects of Religion on Economic Development
[(9:45)(1B)(ASC-213)]Economic development has been attributed to geography, government structure, economic policy, environment, the supply of natural resources and even the weather. Until the last few decades, very little attention, however, has been given to the affect religious beliefs have upon economic development. The purpose of this research is to determine whether Catholicism, in comparison to Protestantism, negatively affects economic development. The research compared Nicaragua and Guyana, using historical analysis. The study is important to the field, because it considers religion’s affect upon economic development, which has been traditionally overlooked, but which might help explain why economic development does or does not occur.

Hansen, Amanda: Chemical Effects of Longwall Mining on Streams in Marshall County, WV [(1:55)(3C)(ASC-215)] Physical and chemical features of the environment affect the geological, morphological and biological indicators of a stream, the structure and function of which may be changed by human activities. The purpose of this study was to compare headwater streams impacted by longwall mining with reference/unimpacted streams in Marshall County, WV. It was hypothesized that the chemical analysis of elements in the longwall-mined streams will be significantly different than the unimpacted streams. The location of each stream site was recorded using a Global Positioning System, beginning at each stream origin, fifty meters downstream, and following with 100-meter intervals for approximately eight to ten samples total. Fieldwork consists of collecting aquatic macroinvertebrates and sampling water chemistry. Using EPA rapid bioassessment protocol, aquatic macroinvertebrates were sampled and preserved in 85% ethanol. Using a Hydrolab consisting of pH, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, and temperature, as well as Hach kits (alkalinity and hardness), water chemistry of each site was completed. Standards were prepared in order to derive a standard curve for each elemental analysis. Calcium and iron analysis was completed using the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer with an air/acetylene flame type. Once the concentrations were obtained, sample mean, population mean, standard deviation and significance level was calculated for the elemental values. When the surface land cracks, surface water including that of streams, are at risk of being de-watered. The results of calcium and iron elevated levels indicate that the water collected were affected by subsidence.

Heffner, Timothy: The Relationship of the D4 Receptor to Risk-Taking Behavior [(1:55)(4A)(ASC-212)] Novelty-seeking behavior has been a highly researched subject within the past fifteen years by many psychologists. Robert Cloninger developed the tridimensional personality questionnaire in 1987 to determine the four aspects of human behavior. The four subjects include, novelty-seeking, reward dependence, persistence, and harm avoidance. It has been found that there is a correlation between a persons D4 receptor, and novelty-seeking behavior. Previous research has shown that the most frequently observed alleles of the D4 receptor gene are the 4-repeat and the 7-repeat. Analysis of variance has shown that persons with the 7-repeat allele exhibit significantly elevated novelty-seeking scores in comparison to subjects lacking the 7-repeat allele. This study examines the relationship of the D4 receptor between science majors, and non-science majors. By extracting DNA from each of the subjects, then using the polymerase chain reaction to isolate the D4 allele, the DNA was observed on an electrophoresis gel. It could be suggested that science majors will show the 7-repeat allele, because they chose their major knowing that they will have to take many risks. These risks include the handling of diseases, experimenting with unknown procedures, and having the future of a person’s life rest on your ability to treat them (if one is continuing into a professional education). Conversely, non-science majors could be expected to not have the 7-repeat allele because many of the jobs involve working at a desk, or something of minimal risk. In a test of 10 science majors 6 were shown to have the 7 allele repeat.

Hershberger, Justin: Wheeling's Move Into Community Policing: A Look Back at the Past Ten Years [(10:25)(1A)(ASC-212)] Community Policing was an idea that began in the 1960s and sought to get the police departments working along side the law abiding citizens and various other organizations in attempt to reclaim neighborhoods from crime and poverty. The movement has really accelerated in the past 20 years and is now regarded by many as the best approach to high crime neighborhoods. This research tracked the progression of the City of Wheeling into the Community-Policing era. This was done through a latent content analysis of articles in Wheeling News-Register from January 1, 1992 through December 31, 2001. The research paid particular attention to the neighborhood of East Wheeling, which is known for street crimes and drug trafficking. This is also where Wheeling began its community-oriented policing efforts. The intent of this research is to gauge the willingness and the capacity of the Wheeling Police Department to keep up with the current trends in policing. It looks at the involvement of six groups of actors essential to community policing. The media, the business community, the community at large, elected civic officials, other agencies (public, nonprofit, etc.), and law enforcement must combine their efforts and information to improve the quality of life and to lower crime rates in the community. This study has policy implications directed at Wheeling’s community-policing efforts, such as the ONE Weed-N-Seed program.

Jennings, Amy: The Dependency Theory Applied to Dominica and the United States [(11:55)(2A)(ASC-212)] Dependency Theory has been applied to various states and regions, mostly regarding mainland Latin America, to understand if there is a dependent relationship between a powerful state and a weaker, less developed state. In this study, the theory is applied to Dominica concerning their relationship with the United States and the United Kingdom. Dominica and the rest of the Caribbean deviate from mainland Latin America due to achieving independence in the 1970s as opposed to mainland Latin America where independence was granted in the 1820s. To understand if a dependent relationship exists, a number of economic indicators were developed from the dependency literature. This study examines Dominica’s export levels of its primary agricultural product, bananas, as well as a secondary export, coconuts, to the two states. Also examined is Dominica’s national debt and the amount of aid the state receives from the World Bank. From 1993 through 2001, Dominica exported on average eighty-nine percent of their bananas to the United Kingdom. Coconut export markets were far more diverse, although they tended to be exported primarily in the Caribbean. The loss of preferential trade last year caused a collapse in the banana market leading to vast unemployment. Dominica’s debt continues to grow as the state struggles to rebuild its economy and explore the possibilities of eco-tourism. By understanding if Dominica is dependent on the United States or the United Kingdom, Dominica’s foreign policy can be better evaluated to determine if it follows one of the two core states examined.

Johnson, Nicole: Getting at the Heart of Spain through Food and Wine [(1:55)(3B)(ASC-213)] Despite regional variations, the cuisine of Spain reveals the culture’s incredible propensity to remain true to its roots and past. There are different regions in Spain, comparable to that of the fifty states in America. Each region has its own types of food, yet follows the paradigm of Spanish culture as a whole. Although each region is diverse, one can find many parallels, including the social behavior at mealtimes, the consistency of the meals’ structure, and the time it takes place, and the specific customs that all regions share. Through looking at these variations and similarities, one can derive many insights about Spanish culture. They have a sense of pride in themselves and in their country. They find importance in values and traditions, as well as social interaction with friends and family. There is certain creativity in the presentation, and a certain aesthetic quality. Food is an art therefore life is an art.

Kaesser, Frank & Reddy, Anushree: Alpha Touch Alpha [(11:35)(2B)(ASC-315)]Touch is an educational application that will be instrumental in teaching visually impaired young people how to form letters (e.g. a, b, c) in both script and Braille. When first opening Alpha Touch the user is presented with the introductory haptic virtual environment (HVE) from within which a button must be pushed to enter the working HVE. Once in the working HVE, a letter may be selected, via the keyboard, after which the appropriate letter is presented in both script and Braille. For the letter ‘a’ we have implemented a force field, which pulls the user to the starting point of the letter once the cursor is somewhat close to that specific location. Once inside the letter the user is forced to stay within its boundaries until the exit or entrance point is found. The user may trace the shape of both the scripted version and the Braille version, with the aid of a tactile force-feedback, or haptic device known as the PHANToM. The process is somewhat akin to writing the letter over and over again as young people do when learning the art of script. We have created AlphaTouch as a Wheeling Jesuit University software development project for our senior class.

Kmet, Sarah: Determining Whether of Not PKC-a Down Regulationb is Essential for Tumor Promotion by Phorbol Esters [(3:30)(4B)(ASC-213)] In order to see if phorbol esters coupled with PKC down-regulation are essential for tumor promotion, the PKC gene has to be mutated at the site of cleavage. This is accomplished by site directed mutagenesis. The amino acids coding for the site of cleavage by calpain are mutated so that the PKC cannot be cleaved by calpain once it is time for PKC to be down-regulated. Once this is accomplished, the treated vector will be put into a bacterium that will not recognize the strand with uracil and will treat it as a mutation by clipping it to shreds. All that will remain will be our desired mutant. The mutated gene is then amplified by using PCR analysis. It will then be possible to observe both the effects of the mutation on the cell alone, as well as the effects of adding phorbol esters to the cell with the mutated gene. A gel electrophoresis will also be run in order to observe the size of the uncleaved (or cleaved) protein. The gene has been amplified already with successful digestion. More results are still pending.

Koon, Jerrod; Lilley, Sarah: Differential Effects of Video Game Play on Pain Tolerance and Threshold [(1:15)(P 4)] Past research indicates visual distractions may increase human pain tolerance. The present study assessed different types of video game distractions and personality characteristics on pain threshold, tolerance, and ratings. Participants (n=30) engaged in three different conditions: mental video game, active video game, and a baseline control. Participants experienced each condition 10 minutes prior to the pain administration (cold pressor test), and during subsequent pain testing. Physiological measures of oxygen saturation, pulse, and blood pressure were assessed prior to task, post task, and post pain administration. Following pain administration, participants completed questionnaires concerning competitiveness, aggressiveness, and video game playing habits. Results indicate that the active video game was successful in reducing participants' pain ratings and increasing pain tolerance when compared to the mental video game and baseline condition. Personality characteristics of aggressiveness, competitiveness, and prior video game playing habits were not a significant factor in affecting pain measures. Thus, the present study indicates that active video game play is an effective adjunct to pain management, regardless of aggressive or competitive tendencies, or prior video game playing habits.

Koon, Jerrod; Smith, Jeffrey; Zoladz, Phillip: Odorant Administration on Sleep Quality, Mood, and Cognitive Performance [(1:15)(P 5)] The present study investigated whether odorant administration during sleep affects sleep patterns, mood, cognitive functioning, and alertness. Participants were monitored for 3 nights, during exposure to jasmine odor, lavender odor, and a non-odored condition. Following sleep, participants completed questionnaires related to mood and tests of cognitive functioning, and indicated alertness level throughout the day. Jasmine odor led to greater sleep efficiency and reduced sleep movement, without differences in total sleep time, thus providing increased sleep quality without the need for addition sleep time. Upon awakening, jasmine condition participants rated their level of anxiety and vigor lower, and performed the cognitive tests more rapidly. Level of alertness in the jasmine condition was greater than the control condition during afternoon hours. These findings provide support for odorant administration as an adjunct to improve sleep, alertness, and mental performance.

Knicely, Donna: Differences in Males and Females after Graduating from Appalachian College [(1:15)(P 6)]The goal of my research project was to determine if male and female graduates with degrees in math, science, engineering, and computer science from the higher education institutions in the Appalachian region have similar experiences after graduating from these institutions. In the study funded by the WJU/WV Space Grant Consortium I, along with Dr. Smith, using the Appalachian College Association alumni database answered the following questions. How many men and women have graduated from Appalachian higher education institutions with math, science, or computer science degrees in the 3 cohorts: 1975; 1985; 1995? What is the current income level for both male and female graduates of these 4 major areas? Are male and female graduates satisfied with their education that they received at the Appalachian higher education institutions? There were significant differences between males and females in the type of degrees they received from the Appalachian institutions. The largest difference was seen in the field of engineering, with 91.8% being male. The only field with more female graduates was mathematics, where 62.9% of the degrees were issued to women. There was a larger number of females in the income levels up to and including the $40,000-$49,999 with a larger number of males making above $50,000 as compared to females across all majors. Significantly more females than males were either satisfied or very satisfied with their higher education institutions. Overall, however, males and females were significantly more satisfied or very satisfied with their institutions of graduation than not satisfied with the institutions.