C31. “Ideal Spider Web Locations throughout Time Considering Proximity to Human Structures in Moorhead, MN”
14:40 – 14:50 (2:40 – 2:50 pm) | ISC 201
Student Author(s): Olivia Daniels
Mentor(s): Dr. Elijah Bender
Abstract
The culture found in Moorhead, MN relies on long-lasting infrastructure. It is not uncommon to see a spider web built in the corner of a brick building or within the cracks in cement. This project is being conducted by culminating multiple types of academic sources, extrapolation and compiling information from these sources, and formatting and writing a review-style research paper in order to answer the question; How has human infrastructure impacted where spiders choose to locate their webs? And what does this altering of the environment mean for arachnid species that live in the same locations? This research is being done to identify the ideal web building locations in regards to proximity to permanent human structures in and around Moorhead, Minnesota. With this project I plan to research native spider species of the Moorhead area, the prey those spiders consume, the conditions those spiders need to survive, and how local spider populations have changed over time. I will need to conduct historical research on the infrastructure and expansion of Moorhead as a city, and what building materials are commonly used in the area throughout different points in time. I will be using this research to get a better understanding of local spider communities and to identify the relationship between human societies and spiders. This information can then be used as a way to further knowledge on the ideal web building locations for spiders and help humans and spider species coexist in the shared habitat.
C32. “The Elsie Welter Natural History Museum: Expanding the Museum’s Role in the Local and Global Community”
14:50 – 15:00 (2:50 – 3:00 pm) | ISC 201
Student Author(s): Kayla Adamek, Emma Ericksen
Mentor(s): Dr. Joe Whittaker, Dr. Joy Lintelman
Abstract
In the midst of a global pandemic with an animal origin, widespread habitat loss, and a changing climate, an understanding of natural history is increasingly important. Natural history collections can help identify zoonotic pathogens, changing species distributions, and increase public environmental education. The Elsie Welter Natural History Museum at Concordia College contains over 45,000 specimens that Concordia College students and faculty can use for research and teaching. However, the museum is largely unknown and inaccessible on campus. To increase accessibility to the campus community, online outreach efforts were undertaken. Online outreach efforts include the creation of a website, social media page, and the continual creation of a public collection catalog via SharePoint. Increasing the online presence will hopefully result in more use of the collections and further research opportunities. The museum shows potential as being a useful resource for advancing biological knowledge and interdisciplinary projects between departments and with other institutions, as well as being a unique feature of Concordia College.
Immediately following our presentation, audience members will be invited to briefly tour the museum.
C33. “Bioplastics Investigation Unit Strikes Again!: A Systematic Investigation of Release and Uptake from Chitosan-Alginate Bioplastics”
14:40 – 15:00 (2:40 – 3:00 pm) | ISC 260
Student Author(s): Joshua Weber, Hannah Olson
Mentor(s): Dr. Graeme Wyllie
Abstract
Results initially suggested the release of food dye trapped in the bioplastic at formation was dependent on ionic strength, a fact that recent results have suggested is too simplistic. In this study that took place over the summer of 2021, we systematically investigated the uptake and release of various materials, such as food dyes and pharmaceuticals, from chitosan-alginate bioplastics. Dyes and drugs were added to the bioplastics during their formation so their release could be studied, while other bioplastics samples were manufactured containing none of these to serve as removal systems. Samples of these various bioplastics were immersed in a range of solution environments and the extent of release or uptake was measured by either UV-Vis spectroscopy or HPLC. Our studies revealed that while the structure and polarity of the analytes play a significant role in release and uptake, the effect of solution environments is also critical. We will share our results and discuss future directions.
C34. “Exploring the Impacts of Racial Unconscious Bias in Healthcare”
15:00 – 15:20 (3:00 – 3:20 pm) | ISC 260
Student Author(s): Innocent Nsengiyumva
Mentor(s): Dr. Julie Rutherford
Abstract
The aim of this research project is to investigate the prevalence of racial unconscious bias in healthcare along with its impacts on minority health. In addition to exploring the impacts of racial bias in healthcare, the project seeks to identify causes that have limited the number of minority healthcare providers in the U.S. This research project was completed as an extension to the Fall 2021 medical internship course, and the research conducted includes analyzing literature related to the topic and conducting interviews with various leaders in the healthcare industry.
C35. “Separation Analysis of Pyridine and Perfluoropyridine Reaction Products”
14:40 – 15:00 (2:40 – 3:00 pm) | ISC 301
Student Author(s): Alexander Hetland, Colin Schuller, Matthew Locklear
Mentor(s): Dr. Darin Ulness, Dr. Mark Gealy
Abstract
Pyridine and Perfluoropyridine are both rather interesting chemicals that have little information about the reaction that takes place when reacted with one another. The resulting product is a black solid with different characteristics. With reason to suspect that the resulting product is a mixture of products due to different events in the initial reaction pertaining to pi-interaction with Meisenheimer Intermediates. Experiments were done to determine how many products there were with hopeful intentions to identify the products as well. High performance liquid chromatography was used in combination with column chromatography to separate the black unknown and determine how many products there are.
C36. “Learning in Artificial Intelligence Planning Through Teleoreactive Logic programs”
15:00 – 15:20 (3:00 – 3:20 pm) | ISC 301
Student Author(s): John Krueger
Mentor(s): Dr. Ahmed Kamel
Abstract
Hierarchical task networks are an approach to planning in artificial intelligence that uses a hierarchy of predefined tasks which are decomposed into concrete actions in a problem domain. While HTNs have proven effective in a variety of fields, these systems are held back by a reliance on the complex and time consuming task of manual network creation. This research examines the use of CircuitHTN, a recently created algorithm that operates by analogy to electric circuits, to learn a special class of HTNs called teleoreactive logic programs which are geared towards operating in multi-agent and other complex domains. This approach enables the use of expert demonstrations to create an HTN, rather than manual creation which significantly decreases the time for creation and could potentially increase the scope of applicable tasks for HTN planners. The approach will be tested against several example domains and the results will be compared to the existing state of the art algorithms. We conclude with a theoretical discussion of potential applications with special attention paid to strategy games as a synergistic domain for further research.
C37. “S-Nitrosylation of Palmitoyl-Protein Thioesterase 1 (PPT1) in Neurodegenerative Diseases”
14:40 – 15:00 (2:40 – 3:00 pm) | Jones A
Student Author(s): Reilly Mach
Mentor(s): Dr. Tomohiro Nakamura and Dr. Stuart Lipton, Scripps
Abstract
Physiological nitric oxide (NO) contributes to the maintenance of normal neuronal activity and survival, which serves as an important regulatory mechanism in the central nervous system. Excessive production of NO due to environmental toxins or normal aging contributes to the etiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, the S-nitrosylation reaction is an effector of NO signaling in both health and disease conditions. The S-nitrosylation reaction is a redox-dependent post-translational modification featuring a covalent attachment of a NO group to a cysteine thiol of a target protein. Elevated NO levels lead to an increase in S-nitrosylated proteins, which can lead to protein misfolding, ER stress, and mitochondrial impairment. In a study of human brain tissues, a target protein called PPT1 was identified in high-risk patient groups. PPT1, or Palmitoyl-Protein Thioesterase 1, is a depalmitoylating enzyme. Palmitoylation is the post-translational, reversible covalent linkage of a 16-carbon fatty acid, palmitate, to proteins. Importantly, palmitoylated proteins require depalmitoylation prior to lysosomal degradation, demonstrating significance of this process in protein sorting and turnover. PPT1 removes palmitate from modified cysteine residues in proteins during lysosomal degradation. As such, PPT1 was identified as a protein that could represent an important component in disease development. This research project involved characterizing PPT1 and attempting to understand its role in pathological conditions. Findings include: confirmed localization of PPT1 to neurons, astrocytes, and microglia; confirmed presence of free cysteine in PPT1; and, confirmed S-nitrosylation of PPT1. Preliminary findings include PPT1 activity assays to determine effect of S-nitrosylation on enzymatic activity and mutagenesis experiments to identify site of S-nitrosylation.
C38. “COVID-19 and Parkinson’s Disease: A Case Report on the Impacts of the Pandemic on the Progression of Parkinson’s Disease”
15:00 – 15:20 (3:00 – 3:20 pm) | Jones A
Student Author(s): Lauryn Hinckley
Mentor(s): Dr. Krys Strand
Abstract
The goal of this case study was to explore how COVID-19 impacted the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD) in John Doe (JD). Before COVID-19, JD, a 73-year-old male, had been coping with PD for three years. JD explored multiples therapies, including medications, to slow the progression of his symptoms from the neurodegenerative disease. JD suffered from many side effects, including rigid movements, soft speech, and stiffness without the hallmark symptom of muscle tremors. Therapies for PD include physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise classes, and Big and Loud speech therapy. Taking one PD medication, going to therapy, and using the gym regularly were a part of JD’s routine until March of 2020. After lacking access to therapies and the gym for nine months, JD quickly declined and experienced symptoms that he had never experienced before. However, once access to therapies and the gym were re-gained, JD’s health has marginally improved and he is still coping with residual symptoms from the start of the pandemic. JD is currently experiencing a faster decline now after the pandemic than he was before.
C39. “From Arrival to Acclimation: A Data Analysis of Resettled Refugees in the Fargo-Moorhead Area”
14:40 – 15:00 (2:40 – 3:00 pm) | Jones B
Student Author(s): Alexander Voigt
Mentor(s): Dr. Gregory Tanner
Abstract
Refugees have been a controversial topic in the United States in recent years, and particularly in North Dakota, where only 3 of the state’s 53 counties opted to take in refugees in 2020. This, coupled with the closure of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota in 2021, which handled all refugee resettlement in the state for over 70 years, has placed local resettlement policy in a precarious position. This project, developed as part of the Barry Scholars Program, examines the economic and social roles of refugees who were resettled in the Fargo-Moorhead area. It attempts to measure the economic impact of recently-resettled refugees by exploring local-economy interactions and patterns of labor. It also uses aims to quantify improvements in education and English proficiency for refugee groups through the utilization of programs such as Adult Basic Education. This study was conducted using a cross-sectional, close-ended questionnaire of the local refugee community, and findings seem to be in accordance with similar studies done elsewhere in the country: on aggregate, refugees become self-sufficient within a year of resettlement and offset the cost of their resettlement through taxes alone. Moreover, refugees play a key role in the local economy, filling labor shortages and spending their earnings locally.
C40. “Taiwanese Food Culture”
15:00 – 15:20 (3:00 – 3:20 pm) | Jones B
Student Author(s): Stella Pin Tsen Shih
Mentor(s): Dr. Gay Rawson
Abstract
This session will introduce attendees to Taiwanese food culture in order to understand the Taiwanese people and culture more deeply. Food is essential to people’s lives in Taiwan. From our greetings to our fancy names for everyday dishes, food is at the center of daily life. This session will showcase several Taiwanese dishes, explaining the meaning and origins of our unique expressions, giving participants a glimpse into the Taiwanese mentality. As a native of Taiwan here on a Fulbright Language Teaching Assistantship, I will share stories from my culture and family and I will also tell you how to make some easy Taiwanese dishes by yourself. We will look at the ingredients, cooking methods, and cultural references to understand better daily Taiwanese life. There will be opportunities for participants to compare Taiwanese food culture to food culture in their own countries. By the end, participants will learn a few words in Chinese and walk away with a new appreciation for many of Taiwan’s classic dishes and Taiwanese people.
C41. “When Mercy Seasons Justice: A Critical Inquiry Into The Merchant of Venice”
14:40 – 15:00 (2:40 – 3:00 pm) | Olin 124
Student Author(s): Brogan Ludwig
Mentor(s): Dr. Jonathan Steinwand
Abstract
This presentation investigates the impact that mercy has on justice as set forth in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The mercy shown to the Jewish character of Shylock—he is spared his life—is weaponized by the Christian character, Antonio, and is anything but merciful. While justice is served, mercy, in the Christian meaning of love thy neighbor, is absent and not shown to Shylock. Expanding on the scholarly idea of the symbolic reading of the play as proto capitalism, the financial quality of mercy is also analyzed in conjunction with the Christian version of mercy. I conclude that Shakespeare wants the audience to reject the idea of justice without mercy through analyzing Portia’s famous speech in Act 4 Scene 1 about the nature of mercy, as well as other textual evidence. This cold justice is detrimental society as a whole and especially harmful to marginalized individuals such as Shylock. Shakespeare shows the civil injustice that arises due to a society governed by the blunt justice that Shylock eventually comes to crave. He becomes victim to the very thing he advocates on behalf as he does not deserve the hate that is thrust upon him. This hate is taught to Shylock by the Christian characters, and therefore he is a victim of an underlying societal issue that Shakespeare uncovers to show that when we lack merciful justice, we are unable to show compassion.
C42. “Decentralizing Democracy: The Threat Of Climate Change and Authoritarianism and How Democratic Reform Could Stop Them”
15:00 – 15:20 (3:00 – 3:20 pm) | Olin 124
Student Author(s): Brayden Hafner
Mentor(s): Dr. Eric Schmidt
Abstract
Despite the seeming failure of democracy to meaningful address the existential threat posed by climate change, it cannot be assumed that democratic means are insufficient in addressing the issue. Instead, we ought to assume that democratic institutions as they exist must face a meaningful level of reform to better represent the interests of the voters. This article purports that in order for democracies to address these issues and issues like them, political power must be decentralized. To establish this, I summarize the threat of climate change and show that voters are not highly uneducated, but aware of the existential nature of the threat climate change poses. Further, I show that voters do not wish for less intervention but more, showing not that democracy is inherently at fault, but that democratic institutions need to better coincide with the true desires of voters. To do so, I argue that political power must be decentralized, leaving collectives to solve common pool resource problems along with the issue of climate change. After establishing these positions, I go on to address that despite vocal support for authoritarian solutions from some scholars, authoritarian governments tend to address the issue in worse ways and often exacerbate the problem.