2019 Kent State University Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
Browse the 2019 - Kent State University Undergraduate Symposium on Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Collections
1929 in Spain: An Analysis of the Barcelona International Exposition and Ibero-American Exposition04/09/2019Between its loss of empire in 1898 and the middle of the twentieth century, Spain oscillated between historicism and modernism in architecture. Ideas about looking back at iconic projects (such as the Barcelona and Seville Cathedrals) contrast with ambitious forward-thinking in construction, creating a cultural, regional, and generational schism. This debate was evident in two international exhibitions: the Ibero-American Exposition (IAE) in Seville, and the Barcelona International Exposition (BIE), both of which were constructed for 1929. While the Seville Exhibit recalled Spain's bygone glory as an Imperial power, the Barcelona Exhibit looked forward to modern ideas and international connections. This paper will analyze these two expos and answer questions about the inspirations behind and implications of each, particularly when considering historicism and modernism. This topic is particularly important due to the nature of the exhibitions, both of which were hugely influential in the development of Spanish architecture over the course of the next few decades. The Seville and Barcelona exhibits were pivotal moments in Spanish architectural history, and should be examined in context and connection, rather than isolated events. Although there has been some research on each exhibition individually, there are few papers that relate them to each other and to their historical implications. To show meaning and connection between each exhibition, this paper will consult period Spanish journal articles (such as Arquitectura or A.C. Documentos) and travel documents (such as Evelyn Waugh’s 1930 book Labels) as well as historiographical accounts. |
A 2-Approximation Algorithm for the Online Tethered Coverage Problem04/09/2019We consider the problem of covering an unknown planar environment possibly containing obstacles using a robot of square size D × D attached to a fixed point S by a cable of finite length L. The environment is structured as a cell layout with resolution proportional to the robot size D × D, imposed on it. Starting at S, the task for the robot is to visit each cell of the environment (not occupied by obstacles) and return to S with the cable fully retracted. In a single time step, the robot can move from one cell to one of its four adjacent cells. The cable length of L allows the robot to visit a cell that is at distance at most L (i.e., ⌊L/D⌋ cells in the environment at increasing distance) from S. Our goal is to minimize the total distance traveled by the robot to fully cover the unknown environment avoiding tangling the cable. In this paper, we present the first online tethered coverage path planning algorithm that achieves 2- approximation for the total distance traveled by the robot compared to the distance traveled using an optimal offline algorithm. Our algorithm guarantees that the cable never tangles. Moreover, our algorithm significantly improves the 2L/D-approximation achieved by the best previously known algorithm designed for this problem. Furthermore, we show that there are instances for which no on- line algorithm achieves better than 2-approximation, which implies that our algorithm is essentially optimal. Simulation experiments illustrate the usefulness and efficiency of our proposed algorithm. |
A 32 Base Pair Deletion in CCR5 Receptor and its Role in the Inhibition of HIV04/09/2019Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be transmitted by infected individuals through sexual fluids, blood, and breast milk. It functions to weaken the immune system by targeting healthy CD4 cells and in turn, impedes the body’s ability to fight minor infections. In order to infect the host, the virus must first bind to a CD4 receptor followed by binding of a co-receptor; either CCR5 or CXCR4. A specific mutation to the CCR5 receptor at position D32, results in a 32 base pair deletion and hypothesized to inhibit expression of the CCR5 receptor on the cell surface of T-cells. It has been found that individuals who are homozygous for D32 mutation are resistant to HIV infection whereas those heterozygous for the mutation exhibit a slower onset of symptoms. We used the gene editing tool CRISPR/Cas9 to target and cut specific sequences on the CCR5 gene that are believed to prevent receptor presentation of the surface of T-cells. We expect that only HIV that can utilize CXCR4 as a co-receptor would be able to infect CCR5 knock out cells. |
A Fuel Cell System04/09/2019In the US and around the globe, over 60% of our electricity is from burning fossil fuels. Fuel cells can be twice as efficient and have the potential to dramatically change the way electricity is generated. When hydrogen and oxygen meet on the electrolyte plate, a catalyst spurs a reaction that creates H2O and electricity, without greenhouse emissions. Emissions can be generated through obtaining hydrogen, but with significantly less greenhouse gases and higher fuel-energy conversion. There is a unique opportunity to study a large commercial fuel cell, a 150 Kilowatt Fuel Cell Module (FCM). This FCM was donated by a company represented by the letter B*, per a Non-Disclosure Agreement. The FCM weighs 720 pounds and works with 9 other units to create one megawatt of power. 1 unit is disassembled. The Objective of this project is to understand gas distribution, exhaust and operating conditions, focusing on the flow of hydrogen, oxygen and water in the module. To achieve this objective, the 150 kW FCM will be dissembled and mapped. All parts taken out will be identified and reassembled. |
A Longitudinal Investigation of Cognitive Symptoms and Cognitive Performance in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus04/09/2019Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem inflammatory autoimmune disease that manifests in physical symptoms and central nervous system impairment. Cognitive impairment in SLE is difficult to define and can be affected by several variables such as stress and anxiety. We surveyed three participants diagnosed with SLE over a period of ten weeks, measuring cognitive and physical symptoms via inventories, multiple environmental variables, such as temperature and sunlight exposure, and cognitive ability on tasks of working memory, short term memory, and inhibition. Self-reported cognitive symptoms did not correlate with cognitive performance on several memory tasks. However, cognitive symptoms were strongly correlated with physical symptoms, negative affect, diet, stress, sunlight exposure, and anxiety. Tasks of inhibition were influenced by sunlight exposure. |
A naturalistic observation of participation in upper and lower division classes04/09/2019Participation is a crucial part of learning. It is important for students to express their opinions and ask questions to enhance their knowledge of the topic. The current study is a longitudinal naturalistic observational study of ten different classrooms at Kent State over a period of five weeks. We hypothesize that students will participate more in upper division compared to lower division classes. Data collection is ongoing and will conclude in the middle of March. |
A Study of Form04/09/2019DESIGN As a senior fashion design major, this research project was conducted in the form of a senior collection. The thesis collection explores the relationship between architecture and fashion design; investigating the challenges of creating garments with sculptural and architectural forms. In order to explore the relationship between fashion design and architecture, it was first necessary to gain an understanding of the field of architecture, including historical movements and governing rules and principles. With a basic understanding of the field, comparisons were made between the process of designing buildings and garments, identifying characteristics of the design process that overlap across the two industries. The approach to designing garments started with analyzing the forms of various buildings and posing the questions, “What if this form was placed on the human body? How could it be adapted for movement?” A key component to designing clothing based on architecture is the selection of materiality. Research was conducted to evaluate which fabrics and construction techniques were best suited to achieve structure and body. Two rounds of muslins were created to test and revise each garment’s construction. The final collection is a reflection of thorough research and experimentation on the study of integrating the fields of fashion design and architecture. |
Active Particles under Spatially Variant External Driving Fields04/09/2019
Maia Pancost, Madison Wolf, Qi-Huo Wei Department of Physics, and Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242 Active particles, also known as self-propelled Brownian particles, can convert the energy of their surroundings into directed motion. Driven by the constant source of external energy, systems of these active particles are usually out of equilibrium, and thus behave differently from these equilibrium systems made of passive particles. The overall goal of this project is to explore the potential to controlling active systems by structured external fields. Here we use numerical simulations based on Langevin equations to study the behavior of single active particle subject to spatially variant external driving field. The environment will be minimal at first, just focusing on a spherical particle with only a random force acting on it. The final code will include a rod-shaped particle surrounded by similar particles, as well as the possible interactions between those particles and extraneous barriers placed throughout the environment. The movement and interactions of these particles in the coded environment will be analyzed and compared to the real life movement of these particles.
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Altered adhesion and cellular morphology in Down syndrome fibroblasts04/09/2019Down Syndrome is a complex developmental disorder resulting from the triplication of human chromosome 21. There are many phenotypes of Down Syndrome including distinct facial features, slow wound healing, and intellectual disability. However, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these phenotypes is limited. Here, we used fibroblasts from individuals that are apparently healthy (euploid fibroblasts) and have Down Syndrome (T21 fibroblasts) to examine changes in cellular morphology and adhesion. We found that there was a significant increase in area and perimeter of the T21 fibroblasts. Because cellular morphology is regulated by adhesion complexes, we next examined focal adhesions, which link the extracellular matrix to the intracellular cytoskeleton. Focal adhesions are made up of many proteins, including paxillin, receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), vinculin, and talin. We found that all of these proteins were significantly increased in T21 fibroblasts. This implies that there are more focal adhesions in Down Syndrome, which affects cellular morphology and motility. We are currently knocking-down the expression of RACK1 and paxillin to determine if this can rescue the cellular morphology defects in T21 fibroblasts. Notably, these results also have implications for neurons, which use similar mechanisms to regulate cell motility. We have previously demonstrated that overexpression of adhesion proteins in neurons results in decreased axon length, and this could alter neuronal connectivity and contribute to the intellectual disability phenotype of Down Syndrome. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying the altered morphology and adhesion in Down syndrome provides important knowledge about multiple phenotypes of this disorder. |
An Integrated Review of the Literature Concerning Ohio Abortion Legislation04/09/2019Introduction: The impact of current abortion legislation is of concern to many Ohioans and their health care providers. Abortion Regulation changed during the 132cd Ohio Congress. This project seeks to understand the themes regarding changes in abortion regulation in Ohio and the potential health impact on those seeking abortion as an important first step in developing an evidence based approach to patient care. Methods: A literature review including a selective Legiscan search, two independent CINAHL searches and a Google Scholar search were analyzed for historical significance and identification of themes. Results: Ohio legislation has been consistent with other states regarding regulation of abortion. Recent changes moved Ohio to a more restrictive regulatory approach. Impact of these legislative requirements is emerging. Themes related to the provision of health care include: social determinants, access, safety of woman and child, contraception, regulatory barriers, mental health, and stratified legitimacy. Discussion: Abortion rates in Ohio have decreased since 2014. The cause of the decrease and the impact of recent legislation is unknown. Health literature identifies that negative emotional, financial and physical outcomes remain consistent in families who seek abortion in the face of prescriptive regulation. Conclusion: Regulation of abortion has mental health, physical and financial consequences on the families of Ohio. Understanding the lived experience of women facing the decision of abortion is a next step in understanding the health related sequale secondary to that regulation. Key words: (abortion, regulation, law, impact, health, consequences) |