Table of Contents 2013
Acknowledgements ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 2
2012/2013 Steering Committee Members ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 3
Keynote Speaker (9:00 am Centennial Hall Auditorium) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 6
Schedule of Events ~ back cover
Student Presenter Abstracts ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 7-87
Oral Session I (10:00 – 11:00 am) ~ 7
Poster Session I (11:00 am – 12:30 pm) ~20
Oral Session II (1:00 – 2:00 pm) ~44
Poster Session II (2:00 – 3:30 pm) ~53
Oral Session III (3:00 – 4:00 pm) ~77
The Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum (CSURF) is a
collaborative venture designed to highlight the accomplishments of
undergraduate students from Colorado College, the United States Air Force
Academy, and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
In its tenth year, the conference has grown to over 350 participants and
continues to reflect the commitment and dedication of our faculty and staff
to our students from all disciplines. Participation in the CSURF is open to
currently enrolled undergraduates of CC, USAFA, and UCCS. Complete
information on the CSURF may be found at www.uccs.edu/csurf .
Thank You for your continued support of the
Colorado Springs Undergraduate Research Forum
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
(2013 Host)
Colorado College
and
United States Air Force Academy
~2~
~ CSURF Steering Committee Members ~
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Matt Barton
Assistant Professor of Sculpture
Visual Art Program Co-Director
Department of Visual and Performing Arts
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Cory Drieth
Co-Director/Assistant Professor of Visual Art
Department of Visual and Performing Arts
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Cerian Gibbes
Assistant Professor
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
K. Alex Ilyasova
Assistant Professor
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Aditi Mitra
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Margie Oldham
Director of Community Relations
College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Robert (Rex) Welshon
Associate Dean
Professor
Department of Philosophy
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Thomas Wolkow, Chair CSURF Committee
Associate Professor
Department of Biology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
~3~
Colorado College
Pedro de Araujo
Assistant Professor
Department of Economics and Business
Colorado College
Murphy Brasuel
Associate Professor
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Colorado College
Scott Krzych
Assistant Professor
Department of Drama/Dance
Colorado College
~
United States Air Force Academy
Dr. Devin Della-Rose
Associate Professor
Department of Physics
United States Air Force Academy
Julie Imada
Research Publicist
Office of Research
United States Air Force Academy
Colonel Robert Kraus, USAF
Chief Scientist and Director of Research
Office of Research
United States Air Force Academy
Erin Miller
Research Programs Manager
Office of Research
United States Air Force Academy
~4~
Lieutenant Colonel Brian Paeth, USAF
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics
United States Air Force Academy
Charity Peak
Assistant Professor
Student Academic Affairs and Academy Registrar
United States Air Force Academy
Lieutenant Colonel Mario Serna, USAF
Assistant Professor
Department of Physics
United States Air Force Academy
~5~
Keynote Speaker
9:00 am ~ Centennial Hall Auditorium
Collective Creativity: A Model for Responsive
Structures and Research
Thomas Wilson
The performing arts, and especially music, provide unique models of organizational
structure. By understanding and adapting music’s unique modes of communication, we
can break through the usual boundaries of hierarchies and linear research models to
create more responsive systems that foster individual and collective creativity.
~6~
Oral Session I
(10:00-11:20 am)
Polymers, Air Drops, & Dorm Food
Room: University Center 309
~
SUPPLY CHAIN MAPPING AND INVENTORY MODELING FOR RMB PRODUCTS
Dave Dunkel, Jeremy Fabling, Greg Kidd, Greg Renner
with Lt Col Tim Pettit and Capt Brian Lemay (Advisors)
Department of Management
United States Air Force Academy
RMB Products is a company that specializes in engineered polymers that meet the
needs of business sectors such as aerospace, chemical processing, semiconductors,
and biopharmaceuticals. RMB Products is growing and is looking to expand their
supply-side analyses and management. This project is a unique inventory management
analysis that provides RMB Products with two tools to help them better understand their
supply chain and more efficiently stock inventory. The first tool is a supply chain map
that displays suppliers and customers and then graphically represents multiple
characteristics of each of these suppliers and customers, including characteristics of the
relationships between them. The second tool is a simulation program that performs
inventory analyses by modeling the effects of various inventory policies. In addition, this
model allows simulation of operations under various conditions, including partial and
complete failure of the supply chain. The goal of this project is to decrease average
inventory by $500,000 by better balancing supply chain resilience.
~
ANALYSIS AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE JOINT PRECISION
AIR DROP SYSTEM
Joseph Abakunda and Cameron Igawa
with Lt Col Tim Pettit (Advisor)
Department of Management
United States Air Force Academy
Currently, precision air drops are too costly. With a desired end-state of 25-yard
accuracy from drop altitudes of up to 25,000 feet, payload weights from 200 to 10,000
pounds for just under $5,000 per load, there are several improvements still needed
~7~
before the current Joint Precision Air Drop Systems (JPADS) can meet these
requirements. An additional requirement is the elimination of the weather acquisition
over-flight. This project, using a systems engineering mindset, examines the systems
integrating into the Precision Air Drop solution and identifies different variables from
multiple disciplines to integrate into the system. Using various US Air Force sources to
collect and categorize existing data and identifying missing data, we intend to integrate
systems requirements into modeling and development efforts.
~
MITCHELL HALL ANTHROPOMETRIC ANALYSIS
Blake Abrecht
with Capt James Walliser (Advisor)
Department of Engineering
United States Air Force Academy
An often overlooked aspect of workplace safety and an underlying cause of employee
injury is the design of the physical workspace. The research team sought to identify the
ergonomic issues that may have been present in the United States Air Force Academy’s
dining facility, Mitchell Hall. The project evaluated the appropriate amount of weight that
Mitchell Hall workers can safely lift, suggested modifications to the organization of the
dining facility, and introduced a compliance plan to ensure safe lifting standards. The
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) lifting equation was
utilized to determine recommended weight limits as well as lifting indexes for various
tool/storage location combinations within Mitchell Hall. A virtual model of the dining
facility was programmed with the JACK/JILL software suite in order to analyze collected
data, recommend improvements to the workspace, and enhance occupational safety
and health. Overall, this project found that Mitchell Hall adheres to the highest of safety
standards; however, multiple recommended weight limits flagged concern regarding
various current lifting and storage practices. While not egregious safety hazards, the
storage of food trays and the loading of sauce into cooking pots have potential for safety
hazards if not handled properly. This project supported previous workspace safety
analyses that have been performed in Mitchell Hall and through redundancy and
continual knowledge regarding workplace safety, ultimately increased workplace safety
at the United States Air Force Academy.
~8~
_____________________
Human Factors I:
Professor Calkin’s Class
Room: Centennial Hall 106
~
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN READING COMPREHENSION TEST SCORES
USING DIFFERENT MEDIUMS – KINDLE, COMPUTER, PAPER
Erin Doran, Holley Macpherson, Carlo Mancini, Tyler Vincent
with Maj Bryan A. Calkin (Advisor)
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership
United States Air Force Academy
As the world becomes increasingly digitally-oriented USAFA students still frequently
print out class reading materials so they do not have to read from a computer screen, or
use a Kindle ® for their assignments. The research team asserts this is because it
provides the student better reading comprehension. The present study will investigate
whether this perceived preference in reading mediums manifests itself in reading
comprehension differences between mediums. The mediums that will be tested are
paper, Amazon Kindle ® and laptop computer. The study will also utilize measures in
the form of a post-reading comprehension quiz and a post study survey.
~
THE EFFECTS OF CALCULATOR TYPE ON TEST PERFORMANCE
Haley Holcombe, Marcela Leaño, Jack Miller, Joel Parritt
with Major Bryan A. Calkin
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership
United States Air Force Academy
All students at the United States Air Force Academy are subject to a frustrating rule
throughout freshmen and sophomore year that forces the use of only one calculator, the
TI-30, in all math based core classes. While this seems like a standard simple rule, it
has been the basis of grief for many students over the years. Many cadets enter the
academy with a preference for the TI-84, a graphing calculator commonly seen in high
schools across the country. Having to switch from a calculator with a large screen and
familiar buttons to a small, cheap calculator can be very frustrating especially when the
difficulty level of math has gone up. The present study will investigate performance and
mental workload when students use both the TI-30 and the TI-84 to see if the type of
calculator affects performance when test taking. The study will focus on a student’s
ability to complete a timed arithmetic test with each of the two types of calculators.
Completion rate and a survey of mental demand will be the determining factors.
~9~
~
THE EFFECTS OF USING NAVIGATION AIDS ON A DRIVER’S
VISUAL SCAN AND PERFORMANCE
Stephen Katrein, William Peterson, Jared Rillings, Prittany White
with Maj Bryan A. Calkin (Advisor)
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership
United States Air Force Academy
The present study investigates how different combinations of external stimuli affect a
person’s ability to effectively operate a motor vehicle in a simulated driving task. More
specifically, this study will examine how auditory and visual stimuli affect a driver’s
performance. We hypothesize that directions delivered audibly will affect a driver’s
performance less than directions that are delivered visually. In order to compare these
delivery methods, several dependent variables will be analyzed. The conditions will
include a baseline condition, with no auditory or visual aids, along with two experimental
conditions, one with an auditory aid and one with a visual aid. These data will be
analyzed to determine which combination of aids had the greatest effect on the driver’s
visual scan pattern and ability to navigate through the driving simulation.
_______________
Better Living through Biology
Room: Centennial Hall 186
~
THE ANALYSIS OF OBSERVED X-RAY CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC
PROTEIN STRUCTURES
Christopher Brandon
with Dr. Sonja Braun-Sand (Advisor)
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
The ongoing research being performed aims to identify structural mistakes in published
X-ray crystallographic structures of proteins in order to help generate more precise 2º,
3º, and 4º protein structures. The structural data is gathered from the Protein Data Bank
and a commercial software package, MOPAC, is being used to find inconsistencies in
atomic charge, bond length, atomic interactions, and other structural variations which
would affect the proteins accepted 3-dimensional shape. Protein structure is integral to
the function of that protein and with more accurate data we can better analyze how it
functions. Once structural inconsistencies have been identified, the protein structure will
be optimized to the lowest heat of formation (Hf) by MOPAC and that structure will be
used as a starting point for calculating reaction barriers in the enzyme.
~ 10 ~
~
THE EFFECT OF RALSTONIA PICKETII ON CORROSION FATIGUE IN
AEROSPACE ALUMINUM ALLOYS
Sarah E. Collins
Department of Engineering Mechanics
United States Air Force Academy
The Center for Aircraft Structural Life Extension (CAStLE) at the USAF Academy has
been investigating corrosion fatigue in these 7xxx series aluminum alloys. During
corrosion fatigue testing of these alloys in 0.06 M NaCl, Ralstonia pickettii bacteria
growth was noted which slowed the corrosion fatigue crack growth rate. The presence
of R. pickettii in the salt water solution has been shown to decrease the fatigue crack
growth rate from 3.4 x10-4 mm/cycle to as low as 9.0x 10-5 mm/cycle at a stress intensity
(∆K) of 6 MPa√m, stress ratio (R) of 0.65 and loading frequency (f) of 0.05 Hz. The
mechanism for how the bacteria are able to lower the fatigue crack growth rate is being
investigated. Current research is investigating metal sequestration, desalination and
conductivity effects of the bacteria to determine how the corrosion fatigue crack growth
rate is being slowed.
~
INVESTIGATING THE TEMPERATURE STABILITY OF THE
REAL-TIME PCR DYE EVAGREEN
Jason W David
with Melanie LM Grogger*, Daniel H Atchleyǂ, Donald V Veverka* (Advisors)
*Department of Biology
United States Air Force Academy
ǂ
College of Pharmacy
Harding University
Real-time PCR (qPCR) is a widely utilized molecular biology technique necessary to
many modern research applications. Arguably, the most important reagent used in
qPCR is the fluorescent dye. Virtually all intercalating qPCR dyes, including EvaGreen
(Biotium, Hayward, CA), require cold storage. This limitation is a major factor in the
versatility of qPCR, especially concerning field use. Previous testing of EvaGreen in our
laboratory has shown that EvaGreen remains stable at storage temperatures of 25°C,
45°C and 65°C. Dye taken on deployment to the Middle East without cold storage has
demonstrated similar stability. This research conducts a more robust stability analysis of
EvaGreen. Dye samples were temperature stressed at 25°C, 45°C and 65°C and
compared to controls stored at 4°C. These samples were used with GE Ready-to-Go
beads (GE Healthcare, Pittsburgh, PA), over a series of time points to detect the InvA
gene of Salmonella typhimurium. Investigation of reported Ct and fluorescence values
was used to determine relative stability. These results strongly suggest that EvaGreen
may be stable at much higher storage temperatures than recommended by the
~ 11 ~
manufacturer and when employed, may allow for qPCR use in many versatile
applications, including deployment in the field without cold storage.
_____________________
Telescopes, Criminals and AI
Room: Centennial Hall 188
~
RULES BASED PRIORITIZATION FOR THE FALCON TELESCOPE NETWORK
Peter Jackson
with Dr. Francis Chun (Advisor)
Department of Physics
United States Air Force Academy
A common problem for the processing of tasks is to decide what task is run first while
still attempting to make sure that everyone gets a turn. This is one problem that must be
overcome in order to develop the U. S. Air Force Academy Falcon Telescope Network
(FTN). The purpose of this project is to develop and implement a policy in order to
weight or prioritize user observation task requests. These tasks contain a set of
requirements that define an image or set of images to be taken by a telescope. Rules
were developed by discussing the important observational criteria with experts and by
examining the requirements that had to be fulfilled. Furthermore, we analyzed how well
different prioritization methods worked first for a large sample size and then for a
smaller, more realistic sample size. As a result of this work, a way to determine the
weight or priority of a task was developed for use in the FTN. These rules are specific to
the application of the FTN as each application has different priorities and priorities may
change over time.
~
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS: IDENTIFYING REPEAT OFFENDERS
Aaron Burns, Zebulon Hanley, Rebekah McKenna, and Zachary Smith
with Lt Col Chris Solo and Capt Brian Lemay (Advisors)
Departments of Mathematical Sciences and Management
United States Air Force Academy
As the idea of “Intelligence Led Policing” grows in popularity throughout the country,
police departments are looking to utilize analytics to most effectively utilize their finite
policing resources. Currently, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has a
simplistic Repeat Offender Model (ROM) that aims to identify criminals who are likely to
commit additional crimes. This model helps prioritize policing activity and highlights
individuals whose criminal behaviors might normally escape the attention of police. This
~ 12 ~
study addresses the limitations of CSPD’s current ROM and provides data-driven
recommendations to improve the ROMs effectiveness. Specifically, this study provides
CSPD with a more complex ROM that uses the types of offenses committed by an
individual when determining the propensity of the person to commit additional crimes.
Statistical analysis of historical criminal data and computer programming is used to
automate model updates and provide a useable interface to CSPD. Model verification
and validation is emphasized to ensure potential use of the ROM in criminal courts.
~
Jessica Gronski
Department of Mathematics
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
An artificial neural network (ANN) is a mathematical/ computational model inspired by
the structure and functional aspects of biological neural networks: it is an interconnected
group of artificial neurons that finds the relationship of certain inputs and their
corresponding outputs. Artificial Neural Networks are trained through a trial and error
process in which the network learns how to reproduce the correct outputs from the
given inputs by adjusting the statistical weights on the connections between different
layers of neurons. For the specific problem, we will examine the relationship within the
complex dynamics of a medical ward, given an ample amount of various input data sets
(consisting of positive and negative events, number of medical staff present and
admittance and discharge of patients in the ward) and their corresponding outputs (the
ward atmosphere ranging from calm to chaotic). The goal of an ANN-based
mathematical modeling approach is to produce a quantitative analysis of the system,
which at the same time has a chance to be integrated with the more qualitative
psychosocial information, thus gaining the attention of both fields as a useful tool of
investigation.
_____________________
Studies in Humanities
Room: University Center 302
~
FATE AND THE GODS AS ANALYZED THROUGH GREEK LITERATURE
Irene Joyce
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of fate in the lives of the Ancient Greeks
through its traditional foundation in the works of the poets Hesiod and Homer. The
poets’ writings on fate describe its role in a perplexing manner, which leads to confusion
among the Greek citizens and their concept of fate. Fate is portrayed as something
~ 13 ~
determined above the gods, and yet the gods have power to alter shortcomings in fate.
The different roles fate plays in the lives of the Greeks influences how they strive to live
well, appeasing the gods and dealing with imminent death.
~
JUSTICE WITHIN PROMETHEUS BOUND AND ANTIGONE AND
THE PLATONIC ALTERNATIVE
Kyle Singletary
with Dr. Andrea Van Nort and Lt Col Rouven Steeves (Advisors)
Department of English and Fine Arts
United States Air Force Academy
The conception of justice within Greek tragedy that “Dike will have her due” is keenly
articulated within Aeschylus’ Prometheus and Sophocles’ Antigone. This paper will
explore how the aforementioned conception of justice is displayed in these tragedies,
and how Plato offers an alternative to the tragic fates of the characters in these works.
Within Prometheus, we will see how Prometheus’ attempt to save man while
disregarding the laws of the gods, namely the law of Zeus, causes justice to exact its toll
on Prometheus. Interestingly, Zeus also suffers, in large part as a result of his hubris.
Due to his own injustice done to Io, he is faced with the prospect of punishment in that
his own son will depose him, just as he deposed his own father. The same retributive
aspect of justice also applies to Antigone. She upholds the laws of the gods but
disregards man’s law, which leads to her own demise. Yet as with Zeus, we see that the
creator of the laws, Creon, also suffers due to his hubris. All four of these characters
display an excessive amount of hubris and immoderation. In the final section of the
paper, the Platonic conception of the soul will be discussed as a corrective to the hubris
evinced in the plays. The conclusion will be that proper ordering of the soul, with
moderation in action and temperament, leads to justice both in the individual soul and
within the soul of the polis.
~
WOMEN’S ROLE IN THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION IN THE NOVEL
LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE
Elizabeth Maldonado
Department of Foreign Languages
United States Air Force Academy
Women’s participation in the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) opened the doors for
gradual change in Mexican women’s rights and social change. The novel, Like Water for
Chocolate (1989), by contemporary Mexican novelist, Laura Esquivel (1950),
demonstrates several parallels between the female characters in the domestic life
during the Mexican Revolution and the real women who bravely participated in the
Revolution. This is demonstrated through Esquivel’s extended metaphor of Mamá
~ 14 ~
Elena, the novel’s antagonist, and the Mexican dictator and primary cause of the
Revolution, Porfirio Diaz (1830-1915). The relationship between the novel and the
Mexican Revolution extends to a comparison between the Mexican people who rose in
rebellion for freedom of oppression and the protagonist, Tita, who rose up against her
mother and tradition for oppressing her as well. The women in the novel and the real
women who partook in the Revolution shared traits (i.e. courageous and tenacious) that
proved vital to the movement towards women’s rights in Mexico.
_____________________
Insights from Shakespeare
Professor van Nort’s class
Room: University Center 303A
~
SELF-KNOWLEDGE IN OTHELLO AND MACBETH
Taylor Warren
with Andrea Van Nort (Advisor)
Department of English and Fine Arts
United States Air Force Academy
The protagonists Othello and Macbeth each have a confident self-identity in the
beginning of their respective dramas. They define themselves early and are described
by other high-minded characters in a like manner, which adds depth and balance to
their personas. Equally, their successful military backgrounds bring them an additional
dimension, a significant component to the ways in which they view themselves.
However, over the course of the plays, others’ readings of them as characters shift and
not only distort the way the audience sees them, but also alter the way Othello and
Macbeth see themselves. This paper will discuss how, in response to these
metamorphosing perspectives of the self, Othello and Macbeth no longer believe in their
identities. We will consider as well how their subsequent loss of a firm sense of self will
provide the catalyst that enables them to be capable of evil.
~ 15 ~
~
ANALYZING FORMS OF LOVE IN OTHELLO AND KING LEAR
Ashley Christ
with Andrea Van Nort (Advisor)
Department of English and Fine Arts
United States Air Force Academy
Shakespeare presents paternal love and romantic love in the two tragedies Othello and
King Lear in order to highlight corresponding forms of love illustrated in the Bible. For
both plays, love becomes an analogy for several forms of love found in the Bible.
Biblical exegesis in this case is also critically interesting because Shakespeare’s world
view, rooted in Biblical knowledge, shapes many of the underlying assumptions
throughout his works. For this paper we will discuss the paternal relationships that both
Brabantio and Lear share with their daughters, Desdemona and Cordelia, and God’s
relationship with his son. Then we will illustrate how the romantic relationships between
Desdemona and Othello as well as Cordelia and France differ from other
Shakespearian marriages, and the way in which their relationships are analogous to
Christ’s relationship with the church.
~
THE TWO BODIES OF THE KING EXPLORED
Jessica Adams
with Andrea Van Nort (Advisor)
Department of English and Fine Arts
United States Air Force Academy
Act III scene ii of Shakespeare’s Richard II, is a moment of twofold importance for the
king. He has recently returned from Ireland with confidence in his ability to handle any
conflicts which may have arisen in his absence. However, his life-long kingship has bred
within his being a false sense of confidence. When he learns of Bolingbroke’s easilystirred mutiny, the willingness of his country to dispose of him, and the loss of the
majority of his trusted friends, Richard undergoes a series of realizations which lead to
humble confessions. This paper will consider how, in this speech, Shakespeare crafts a
distinct idiolect for Richard, resulting in a speech expressing his changing mindset, his
eloquent reasoning to lead him towards anagnoresis, metaphor to cause him despair
over Death’s control of life, and shifting tone to detail Richard’s altering perspective.
~ 16 ~
_____________________
Revelation
Room: University Center 303B
~
THE REVELATION SERIES
Patrick Bohnen
with Claire Rau (Advisor)
Department of Visual and Performing Arts
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
This talk will cover a recent series of steel sculptures entitled “The Revelation Series”.
These sculptures are an exploration of minimalist form, color, and interaction. Presented
in this talk will be the process of creating the works, the subtle spirituality within the
works, and the influences of the works from Whiteread to Kapoor.
~
FROM AUTOMATA TO ANDROIDS:
KARAKURI NINGYO AND THE ART OF JAPANESE ROBOTICS
Arianna Gentile Polese
Colorado College
At first glance, karakuri ningyo may look like simple Japanese dolls, but their charming
appearance masks their complexity. Dressed in colorful traditional robes, these
diminutive wooden figures are actually small automatons. Powered by a system of
handmade gears and springs, these Edo periods clockwork machines are able to
perform feats such as carrying tea or painting calligraphy. Karakuri ningyo were expertly
built without a single nail, with a precision that is impossible to achieve today. Karakurilike figures have existed in Japan since roughly the ninth century, due to the influence of
ancient Chinese technology. But the craft really became more technologically complex
during the Edo period, when Portuguese Jesuits introduced clockwork devices to the
Japanese. The resulting tradition of karakuri ningyo has influenced the evolution of
Japanese robotics up to the modern day, and the interplay between Shinto beliefs and
mechanical creatures lies at the root of the Japanese attitude towards robots.
~ 17 ~
~
THE LIFE OF ARTWORK OF DIEGO VELÁZQUEZ
Emily Olson
with Dr. Maria Steen (Advisor)
Department of Languages and Cultures
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Renowned artist Diego Velázquez is one of Spain’s most famous painters. His artistic
talent shone through at an early age, giving him the background and experience he
needed to become one of the most important artists of the Baroque era. Velázquez
introduced many new techniques in his paintings that helped to define his unique,
naturalistic style. In addition, he used these techniques to create many masterpieces
that are still admired today. This presentation gives a brief biography of Velázquez,
explaining his training, education and experience in the court of King Phillip IV. It also
examines his naturalistic style and use of revolutionary painting techniques that greatly
influenced the world of art. Examples of these techniques are shown in a discussion of
Velázquez’s most famous paintings.
~
PICK THAT SHIT UP
John Slye
Department of Visual and Performing Arts
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
For my talk, I will be discussing my two major series of work, along with several
individual pieces that could turn into series themselves. My first major series of work is
titled Quotes from a Memorable Night, and it involves the telling of a short story that
helps provide a context for the work. The second series is an examination of the port-apotty graffiti documented at the Construction site that I worked at for several months. I
particularly look forward to the question and answer section because I feel that hearing
other people’s opinions will help grow my perspective, and my art.
~ 18 ~
Poster Session I
(11:00 am-12:30 pm)
Room: Berger Hall
~1~
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING:
DEVELOPING AN EFFIIENT TECHNIQUE FOR ANALYSIS OF POSSIBLE
CHEMICALS FOUND IN HYDRAULIC FRACTURING FLUIDES
Eun Hee Kim
with Professor Janel Owens (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is a method of extracting natural gas from rock by
applying pressurized fluid. The hydraulic fracturing is known to contain some chemicals
that can have an impact on the environment. The objective of this experiment was to
create an efficient technique utilizing green chemistry for analyzing possible chemicals
found in the hydraulic fracturing fluids. Headspace liquid phase microextraction (HS
LPME) was used to extract benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, naphthalene,
bronopol, 2-butoxyethanol and gasoline in water by using 1-octanol as solvent. The
experimental conditions were dependent on the concentration of analyte, volume of
water used, amount of sodium chloride added to sample, the temperature of the
sample, distance of solvent from the sample in headspace, and the amount of 1-octanol
utilized. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
(GC/MS) and the data analyzed using AMDIS (automated mass spectral deconvolution
and identification software).
~2~
A PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE OF ROBERT MUGABE, PRESIDENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tessa Holme
with Professor Fred Coolidge (Advisor)
Department of Psychology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Mayer (1998) suggested a new form of disorder known as ‘Dangerous Leader Disorder’
as a way to differentiate dictators from leaders without pathology. The present study
attempted to determine whether Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe, met Mayer’s
~ 19 ~
criteria. Eight educated adult Zimbabwean citizens anonymously completed an online
survey of 250-items, the Coolidge Axis II Inventory (CATI), about Mugabe. A consensus
profile was compiled and compared to Coolidge et al.’s previous studies of Adolf Hitler,
Saddam Hussein, and Kim Jong Il. The results showed that Mugabe’s overall
personality disorder profile was the most similar to Saddam Hussein (Pearson ProductMoment Correlation r = .88), which reflected strong sadistic traits, followed by
narcissistic, antisocial, and paranoid traits.
~3~
ANALYSIS OF PHARMACEUTICALS BY DISPERSED
LIQUID-LIQUID MICROEXTRACTION
Cynthia Ortega
with Professor Janel Owens (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
The presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is of growing concern. Thus, a
method for determining the amounts of bioaccumulation of carbamazepine, 17α-ethynyl
estradiol, and diclofenace was developed. Dispersed liquid-liquid microextraction
(DLLME), which is environmentally friendly and experimentally effective, was utilized to
extraction the pharmaceutical components prior to instrumental analysis. The following
parameters were tested to determine extraction efficiency: salt levels, varying pH,
varying dispersive solvents, varying amounts of chosen dispersive solvent, varying
extraction solvents, varying amounts of chosen extraction solvent, and varying the
sonication time. Analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UVVis detection was then performed. The percent recoveries were improved, with the
following parameters optimized: no salt addition, pH adjustment to 2, ethanol (50 μL)
used as dispersive solvent, chloroform (200 μL) as the extraction solvent, and 6 min
sonication time.
~4~
METHOD DEVELOPMENT FOR DISPERSIVE LIQUID-LIQUID MICROEXTRACTION
OF FENTANYL FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
Michael Gardner
with Professor Janel Owens (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
A method for the detection of fentanyl from an aqueous solution using dispersive liquidliquid microextraction (DLLME) has been developed. Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate that
is about 80× more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl has proven to be useful for the
~ 20 ~
treatment of extreme chronic pain, such as the pain experienced by terminal cancer
patients. Unfortunately, like other opiates, fentanyl also possesses a high potential for
abuse. This creates a need for fast, precise, and accurate measurements of fentanyl in
a forensic setting. Traditional liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction can take
hours to complete. The method developed here, DLLME, takes approximately 15
minutes to complete. In addition to the time saved through this method, it is also a green
method. Traditional extraction methods use large amounts of organic solvents but this
method is done on a microliter scale, drastically reducing the amount of organic solvent
used.
~5~
PEBBLE NANOSENSORS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF INTRACELLULAR
MAGNESIUM ION CONCENTRATION IN VIVO
Kyle Buchwalder, Merritt Logan
with Professor Murphy Brasuel (Advisor)
Colorado College
Magnesium ion is essential for cellular function. This divalent cation plays an important
role in enzymatic reactions, maintenance of ribosomal and cytoskeletal structural
integrity, energy metabolism and the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids. Mg2+
PEBBLE nanosensors provide a noninvasive means of monitoring intracellular
magnesium ion concentration in vivo. These nanosensors are composed of modified
Coumarin 343 magnesium ion sensitive fluorophores and Quantum dot reference
fluorophores entrapped within a polyacrylamide matrix. Research in professor Murphy
Brasuel’s lab has focused on the development of new synthesis procedures aimed at
optimizing real time, dynamic PEBBLE nanosensor measurements of magnesium ion
concentration in the model organism D. discoideum. Problems involving Quantum dot
reference fluorophore fluorescence and PEBBLE nanosensor delivery to D. discoideum
led to multiple modifications of the synthesis procedure. Specifically, Quantum dot
reference fluorophores were replaced with Alexa fluor 555 fluorophores and a
functionalization procedure was developed which attaches yeast extract molecules to
the nanosensors. The addition of new reference fluorophores has allowed us to produce
PEBBLE nanosensors capable of providing accurate measurements of Mg2+ in free
solution. Furthermore, the addition of a functionalization procedure has produced
nanosensors that can be effectively delivered to D. discoideum via phagocytosis.
~ 21 ~
~6~
INVESTIGATIONS OF DYSBIRINOGENS: MEASUREMENT OF SIALIC ACID ON
FIBRINOGEN MOLECULES
Nicole Fazio
Colorado College
Fibrinogen is activated to fibrin to form the blood clot in the blood coagulation cascade.
Decreased blood clotting function, in cases of liver disease such as cirrhosis, is
associated with fibrinogens with altered structures, called dysfibrinogens.
Dysfibrinogens often have increased amounts of sialic acid per fibrinogen molecules.
This hypersialylation causes increased clotting time and decreased clot lysis time. We
used the thiobarbituric acid assay (Warren 1959) to determine the number of sialic acids
per fibrinogen molecule. We hypothesized that cirrhosis patient fibrinogen samples will
have higher amounts of sialic acid than normal human fibrinogen. Our results showed
variation in the amount of hypersialylation of dysfibrinogens. Determination of the extent
of hypersialylation if dysfibrinogens may lead to increased understanding of the altered
structure of dysfibrinogens and how this affects interactions with other blood coagulation
factors as well as with clot formation.
~7~
THE IMPACT OF DEMOCRACY ON INDUSTRIAL GROWTH IN
POST-COMMUNIST RUSSIA
Emily Freeh, Jessica Nichols
with Professor Cerian Gibbes (Advisor)
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
With the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, communist Russia
was ripe for economic, political, and social revolutions. The dissolution of the USSR
allowed for Russia to be able to internalize these problems and find the means to fix
them. Russia declared itself a democracy in December, 1993 which helped the country
return to power after the stigma of the Cold War. With the political change in
government, from communism to a democracy, how has the industrial landscape been
impacted? To address this question, Landsat imagery will be used to analyze the
industrial changes in Moscow from the end of the Cold War to present day. The primary
focus of this examination will be the temporal and spatial relationships in the industrial
arena, and its effects on the changes of the landscape. It will also provide clues to
Russia’s and Moscow’s true economic and political health through continued progress
and develop. Ultimately, this report will help determine whether the transition to a
democratic government has an effect on the economic landscape of this already welldeveloped country.
~ 22 ~
~8~
APPLICATION OF METEOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS ON REMOTELY
PILOTED AIRCRAFT
Gregory W. Hanson
with Lt. Col. Christian S. Wohlwend (Advisor)
United States Air Force Academy
The ultimate goal of this research project is to provide real-time weather data collected
from aircraft to ground based or airborne users. This data will be outputted in a user
friendly manner that allows for ease of use. This project is a continuation of an earlier
project that demonstrated small weather sensors could easily be built and placed on
Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The team will now be focusing on using the wealth of
data produced daily from preexisting manned aircraft and RPAs to explore the
applicability and utility of using this data in real-time to accurately plan military
operations. It will be crucial to output the data in an easy to read format that also allows
for a graphical representation of the atmosphere to aid in operations such as precision
air drop. The output application will also be compatible with various Air Force aircraft
sensor configurations. Future research will take the same data and input it into high
resolution numerical models that will aid in forecasting in complex terrain such as the
Colorado Front Range.
~9~
MALWARE IDENTIFICATION THROUGH BASIC BLOCK ANALYSIS
Frank Adkins, Luke Jones
United States Air Force Academy
Each day, antivirus companies are flooded with more malware than they have the ability
to handle. Modern antivirus programs generate a new signature for every one of these
samples and signature databases have grown at an exorbitant rate. However, most of
this “new” malware is just a slight change from other samples that have been observed
before. Both the old and new samples have essentially the same functionality. Thus, it
makes sense to stop detecting malware by signatures, and start weeding them out by
functionality. This is known as heuristics-based detection. The purpose of this research
is to introduce an algorithm that improves on existing heuristics-based malware
detection techniques. The improvements described in this paper act by identifying
specific malicious functionality in binary executables. This analysis is done through a
tool called BBOB. This tool can be used to classify binary executables as malware
based on the functionality they contain. The experimental results show that BBOB is
able to detect shared functionality between executables and has the potential to serve
as an innovative model in malware detection.
~ 23 ~
~ 10 ~
MODELING AND REEVALUATING PERFORMANCE METRICS AND THE DETOX
SYSTEM IN DENVER EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE SYSTEM
DJ Cherf, Joe Han, Dan Pickett, Jeff Williams
with Capt. Brian Lemay and Capt. Matt Wroten (Advisors)
United States Air Force Academy
The City of Denver uses National Fire Protection Agency measures to assess the
performance of its emergency medical response system (EMRS). The current standard
only uses response time—the time from when a call is received to when help arrives on
the scene. Many experts question the validity of the standard since only a small portion
of the medical calls require the immediate attention on which the standard is based on.
Also, the current standard encourages medical personnel to drive at potentially unsafe
speeds. This study analyzes the current system and recommends a comprehensive
performance metric to better measure the performance of the emergency medical
personnel. Additionally, this study addressed the resource allocation problem where the
emergency medical response personnel spend a lot of time transporting intoxicated
patients. Denver does have detox vans that can transport those patients to Denver
Care, the detox center, but not enough to arrive on scene in 15 minutes, which is the
legal threshold for the paramedics to transport them to the ER room. This project’s goal
is to model the system and come up with the optimal number of detox vans during
various times of the day.
~ 11 ~
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS IN A HYBRID MOBILE ENERGY STORAGE AND
GENERATION SYSTEM
Ryan DeCarlis, Wes Cobb, Zane Dydasco
United States Air Force Academy
Mobile energy systems employing renewable sources are not a new idea. Many
companies have developed and sold them for several years. Most use solar panels
while a few utilize small wind turbines as primary generation sources. Our senior
capstone design team has investigated and developed a mobile hybrid energy storage
and generation system capable of supplying 18kwh of electricity and that integrates
multiple generation sources including wind, solar, and human powered mechanical.
Our system is capable of storing and delivering approximately18kwh at various voltages
including 120 and 240VAC, 3-phase AC, and can even charge a cell phone via a USB
port. This flexibility makes our system unique highly desirable in a field deployed
location. This focus of this paper, however, is on the systems engineering aspect of the
design. We describe our design process including false starts, problems encountered,
and how our schedule, budget, and resource management practices evolved over the
~ 24 ~
two semesters of the course. Our team consisted of 8 cadets with 5 different
engineering related majors: Electrical(2), Computer(1), Systems(2), Management(1),
and Human Factors(2). Each cadet was assigned specific areas of the design
beginning with current practices research in their area of expertise and ultimately each
contributed to the project in a meaningful way.
~ 12 ~
QUENCHING OF FLUORESCENT PROTEINS BY DRUGS OF ABUSE
Alexa M. Gingras
with Barry W. Hicks (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
Previous research has confirmed ultra-violet excitation of fluorescent proteins leads to
visible emission by Fluorescence Energy Transfer (FRET). It has also been proven that
collisional quenching of the surface tryptophan residues and dynamic quenching
reagents can interrupt this FRET pathway and inhibit fluorescence within the protein.
This has opened the door to use of fluorescent proteins as biosensors for collisional
quenching agents. In this study, the quenching effectiveness of drugs of abuse on
fluorescent protein eCGP123 was determined through triplicate analysis. Drug titrations
were completed from concentrations of 7.9 to 500 μM to determine the lowest
concentration need to achieve complete fluorescence quenching. Our results indicate
that 500 μM of morphine and methadone can quench fluorescent protein eCGP123.
Further testing of THC, methamphetamine, cocaine, nicotine, and ecstasy will
determine if they can achieve the same collisional quenching.
~ 13 ~
PURSUIT OF AN IMPROVED ASSAY FOR HIB-PROTEASE INHIBITORS via FRET
FROM A YFP-HIV-1-PR FUSION PROTEAIN
Steven Freund
with Barry W. Hicks (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
HIV-1 Protease has been targeted by antiviral inhibitor drugs in order to slow HIV’s
progression to AIDS. Because the PR can be mutated leading to viral resistance, there
is a need for new protease inhibitors. Current screens for new PR inhibiting drug
candidates are expensive and time-consuming. The purpose of this research is to try
and create a less expensive and more efficient method. Recombinant HIV protease will
be produced by Chinese Hamster Ovarian (CHO) cells. These are being transiently
~ 25 ~
transfected with pDNA encoding for a YFP-HIV-1 PR fusion protein provided by Dr.
Badley at the Mayo Clinic. The cells will be grown in the presence of one of six PIs
(Atazanavir sulfate, Indinavir sulfate, Amprenavir, Nelfinavir, Tipranavir, & Darunavir)
provided by NIH and Bristol-Meyers Squibb. Following isolation of the PR, a binding
assay with each of the PIs will be done using Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
(FRET). The extent of quenching by the inhibitors may indicate their binding affinity and
the overall efficacy of the drugs.
~ 14 ~
THE EFFECT OF DIMISHED PRR15 EXPRESSION ON SELECTED GENES
Ciani M. Ellison
with Ryan W. Maresh (Advisor)
Department of Biology
United States Air Force Academy
The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of cingulin following the
knock-down of PRR15. PRR15 encodes proline-rich 15, a nuclear protein that is
important in early embryonic development of most mammals. The expression of
PRR15 is dependent upon the availability of nutrients to the placenta during fetal
development, and has an epistatic effect on the expression of other genes including
cingulin, which is associated with breast cancer and developing cell density. Using realtime PCR, PRR15 knock down cells were compared to control cells with normal
functioning PRR15. Upon quantifying the gene expression of cingulin in response to
normal and under expression of PRR15, we conclude that there is no correlation
between the knock down of PRR15 and the expression of cingulin. Elucidating the
relationship between gene expression and placental insufficiency will help facilitate
understanding of how the fetal environment influences the onset of certain diseases in
adulthood.
~ 15 ~
METALLIZED PERFLUOROPOLYETHER BLENDED URETHANE COMPOSITES
Nicholas A. Clayton
with Sharon C. Kettwich and Scott T. Iacono (Advisors)
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
Poly(urethane)s (PUs) are a versatile class of tailorable, step-growth polymers used for
a plethora of material applications. PUs backbones can be modified to possess soft
and/or hard block segments to adjust processing and bulk mechanical properties. This
work utilizes PUs as a host matrix for blending perfluoropolyether (PFPE) coated
aluminum core-shell particles. PFPEs have been shown to undergo metal-mediated
~ 26 ~
degradation producing thermodynamically favorable oxidized aluminum species, in this
case, aluminum fluoride.
Processing and characterization of the PU blended
composites using TGA, DSC, and ATR-IR will be presented.
~ 16 ~
NETWORK SECURITY AND ITS RELATION TO SOCIO-ECONOMIC STANDING
Taylor Watson, Matthew Howard
United States Air Force Academy
With the rise of wireless communications, a need for wireless security has been
created. Along with this new attempt to secure wireless networks, an activity known as
war driving has been gaining popularity. The purpose of war driving is generally to gain
information and statistics about wireless local area networks (WLANs), but recent years
have also seen a rise in nefarious activities using war driving. War driving can be used
to gain information about the security of a WLAN, which can then be compared to the
socio-economic status of the household or business. The purpose of this study is to
provide a detailed analysis of the correlation between socio-economic status and
wireless security which could lead to new insights about network security. This
information could be potentially useful in future efforts to educate the general populace
in basic network security principles and prevent a number of cybercrimes from
occurring.
~ 17 ~
ANALYSIS OF RETAINED AUSTENITE IN 440C STEEL BY X-RAY DIFFRACTION
Ralph W. Bush, Jarred W. Teakell
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
It has been shown that high alloy martensitic steels such as 440C stainless steel retain
substantial amounts of austenite within the matrix following quenching which reduce the
strength and ductility of the steel after tempering. Several heat treatment techniques
can be used to reduce the amount of retained austenite present, improving mechanical
properties such as hardness and ultimate strength. The standard method used to
measure retained austenite content is X-ray diffraction. However, stainless steel alloys
such as 440C contain a significant volume percentage of chromium carbide phases
whose X-ray peaks can overlap with the retained austenite peaks and make
interpretation of the X-ray diffraction data very difficult. This investigation was conducted
to validate the use of X-ray diffraction techniques to determine the amount of retained
~ 27 ~
austenite in high alloy steels with substantial carbide content, and to determine the most
effective techniques to reduce the amount of retained austenite in 440C steel. In
addition, analysis was conducted via scanning electron microscopy and energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy to determine the effects of austenizing temperature and
heat treatment techniques on both the chromium and carbide content of the matrix.
~ 18 ~
EUTECTIC IONIC LIQUID MIXTURES USED FROM FORENSIC
SAMPLING OF EXPLOSIVES
Yasmin I. Sarmiento
with Hannah A. Miller, Joseph A. Levisky, Scott T. Iacono (Advisors)
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
Homogenous eutectic ionic liquid mixtures consisting of a hydrophobic and hydrophilic
component were created in an effort to maximize the range of analytes to be collected,
stored, and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The approach of this study
included tests for homogenous eutectic ionic liquid mixtures and solubility tests with
explosives, which were then analyzed via direct analysis in real time—mass
spectrometry (DART-MS). Analyte peaks were well-defined and had no observed
matrix interference from the collection swab, suggesting that the ionic liquid mixtures
were able to not only retain the analyte, but also preserve the sample located on the
swab. These preliminary findings show potential for new forensic sampling processes
that optimize the collection, preservation, and recovery of field evidence.
~ 19 ~
PREPARATION OF PERFLUOROPOLYETHER PASSIVATED ALUMINUM
BLENDED EPOXY RESINS
James W. Neat II
with Hannah A. Miller, Scott T. Iacono, Sharon C. Kettwich (Advisors)
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
Epoxy resins possess robust mechanical properties and are desirable for preparing
blended composites for high performance applications. Oligomeric perfluoropolyethers
(PFPE) have been employed as bulk surface property modifiers when blended in
hydrocarbon polymer systems. In this work, fluorinated epoxy resin formulations were
prepared by mechanically blending PFPE coated nanometer-sized aluminum particles
~ 28 ~
with bisphenol-epoxy prepolymers as the host matrix. The methodology development,
cure kinetics, thermal activation, and surface properties of these composites will be
presented.
~ 20 ~
ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF HIPPOPOTAMUS AMPHIBIUS
GLANDULAR SKIN SECRETION
Katrina Litchford, Amanda Marshall, Keeley McCann
with Ilea Eskildsen (Advisor)
Department of Biology
United States Air Force Academy
Secretion of "hippo sweat" from the skin is believed to be effective as a sunblock, insect
repellent, and antibiotic for the hippo Hippopotamus amphibius. The purpose of the
study was to test the antibacterial properties of this secretion by using the Kirby-Bauer
method for antimicrobial susceptibility. The samples of the "hippo sweat" that were
used during testing were collected by the zoo keepers at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Different microbes were used to test the range of effectiveness of the Hippopotamus
amphibius secretion. After testing on Mueller-Hinton agar plates, the zones of
clearance were examined to evaluate antibacterial activity. Integumentary secretions of
the Hippopotamus amphibius were found to have antibacterial effects against the Gram
positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes (p <0.001), but
not against the Gram negative bacteria Kleibsiella pneumoniae and Serratia
marcescens. Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, these data suggest
that the antibacterial properties may be due to interactions with bacterial components
specific to Gram positive bacteria, potentially the peptidoglycan cell wall, or the
antibacterial properties are rendered ineffective by properties of Gram negative
bacteria, such as the lipopolysaccharide layer. Identification and characterization of the
antibacterial components of "hippo sweat" may provide insights for the development of
new antibiotics.
~ 29 ~
~ 21 ~
SYNTHESIS OF A TNT BIOSENSOR: EVALUTION OF THE APPLICABILITY OF A
SHORT-CHAIN PEPTIDE THROUGH FRET QUENCHING
Taeyoung Lee
with Barry W. Hicks (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
Detection of illegally transported explosives has been a critical aspect of national
security since the September 11th attacks on American soil. Trinitrotoluene, TNT, is the
most common explosive used by arms producers. Despite the need to have real time
TNT detection, existing detecting technology is slow, expensive and cumbersome.
Recent research demonstrated that nitroaromatic explosives and degradation products
can be detected by quenching of Förster or fluorescent resonance energy transfer
(FRET) from endogenous tryptophan to the chromophore of fluorescent proteins (FPs).
However, selectivity of the FP sensors is not very good as any nitrotoluene (NT) leads
to quenching. In this work, TNT selective peptides will be modified with an allyl moiety in
order to synthesize an acrylamide co-polymer coating to be used as a highly selective
and sensitive TNT biosensor. Quenching of the protein will be tested step-wise
throughout the modification and synthesis processes through fluorescence
spectroscopy and quantified by Stern-Volmer plots. Our results will indicate
fluorescence quenching will increase as higher concentration of TNT solution or vapor is
exposed to the peptide; in fact, the mean Stern-Volmer constant (KSV) for TNT was
23100 M-1, indicating much better quenching than free tryptophan with 6000 M -1.
~ 22 ~
COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY OF CEREBELLAR CORTEX NEURONS IN
CLOUDED LEOPARD, SIBERIAN TIGER, HUMPBACK WHALE, AND CHIMPANZEE
Nicholas Johnson
with Chet Sherwood, Paul Manger, Bob Jacobs (Advisors)
Laboratory of Quantitative Neuromorphology, PsychologY
Colorado College
Despite extensive investigations of the gross anatomy of the cerebellum, its
connections, and qualitative neuromorphology, little quantitative neuromorphological
information exists, particularly on species outside rodentia. To that end, the present
study quantitatively investigates, for the first time, the cerebellar neuronal morphology of
the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)
humpback whale (Megaptera novaengliae), and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).
Neurolucida tracing software (MBF Bioscience) was used to three-dimensionally trace
~ 30 ~
cerebellar neurons (N=198) stained by a modified rapid Golgi technique: stellate
(n=50), basket (n=40), Golgi (n=31), Lugaro (n=35), and granule neurons (n=42).
Qualitatively, traced neurons appeared similar to those described in other mammals,
although they varied in size across species (Palay & Chan-Palay, 1964). Across
species, basket and stellate neurons generally increased in size (e.g. total dendritic
length and number of dendritic segments) in the following order: clouded leopard <
Siberian tiger < humpback whale < chimpanzee. In contrast, Golgi, Lugaro, and granule
cells increased in size across species in the following order: chimpanzee < clouded
leopard < humpback whale < Siberian tiger. Several molecular layer neuronal
measures were also positively correlated with cerebellar volume (e.g. total dendritic
length, average length of dendritic segment), whereas granular layer neuronal
measures were not significantly correlated with cerebellar volume. Although there were
no consistent species-specific quantitative patterns in the present results, the basic
morphology of neurons in examined species suggests that cerebellar cortical neurons
are evolutionarily conserved within mammals.
~ 23 ~
SYNTHESIS OF CF₂H ANALOGUES OF 4-AMINOQUINOLINES
Kameron Montana
Colorado College
Malaria is a deadly tropical disease currently infecting an estimated 216 million people
worldwide with an annual mortality rate between 700,000 – 1,000,000. Many of the
current antimalarial drugs have adverse side effects. Therefore, the search for new and
effective antimalarial compounds is vital. Amodiaquine, an antimalarial belonging to the
class of 4-amino quinolines, exhibits harmful side effects that are associated with
metabolic oxidation of the para aminophenol group. In an attempt to eliminate this
oxidation, a CF2H analogue of Amodiaquine has been proposed. This analogue is
expected to eliminate the metabolic oxidation pathway while retaining anti-malarial
efficacy. The first four steps of an eight step synthesis have been performed
successfully.
~ 31 ~
~ 24 ~
A NOVEL MUTATION IN THE daf-19 GENE AFFECTS CILIATED NEURON
DEVELOPMENT IN C. ELEGANS
Kristen Wells
with Dr. Darrell Killian (Advisor)
Colorado College
The Caenorhabditis elegans male and hermaphrodite nervous systems display sexually
dimorphic development characterized, in part, by the presence of 8 hermaphroditespecific neurons and 89 male-specific neurons. We are interested in identifying the
genes and molecular mechanisms that govern sex-specific neural development in C.
elegans. Through a mutagenesis screen using a pkd-2::GFP reporter to label malespecific neurons, we recovered several mutants that display defects in sex-specific
neural development. Males carrying the sm129 mutation lack pkd-2::GFP expression in
the male-specific CEM neurons that are involved in mate finding. Genetic epistasis
experiments suggest that CEM neurons are improperly specified or differentiated. We
cloned the sm129 mutation and determined that it is an allele daf-19 based on three
pieces of evidence: (1) RNAi of daf-19 phenocopies sm129, (2) sm129 fails to
complement a daf-19 null mutation, and (3) we found a mutation in daf-19 that likely
affects splicing. We are also testing to see if sm129 mutants can be rescued by adding
a wild type copy of daf-19. daf-19 encodes an RFX transcription factor that activates
genes required for sensory cilia function in ciliated neurons such as the CEMs. daf-19
null mutants lack all sensory cilia, have sensory defects, and display a constitutive
dauer phenotype (worms enter an alternative part of the lifecycle associated with
starvation survival). We are currently investigating how this mutation affects ciliated
neurons such as CEMs but does not affect dauer formation.
~ 25 ~
THE GIFT OF GIVING: PHILANTHROPY AS A PATH TO SELF-ACTUALIZATION
Alexander Glassman
with Tomi-Ann Roberts (Advisor)
Colorado College
Giving is generally understood as a personal sacrifice that benefactors endure for the
good of society. However, a growing amount of research suggests that the relationship
between givers and recipients is much more mutually beneficial than is generally
believed. This paper examines literature that illustrates how incredibly rewarding giving
can be, how this joy is distinct from other experiences such as compassion, and how
giving is deeply rooted in the human psyche. The evolutionary basis for this
~ 32 ~
phenomenon may be primarily based on Triver's (1971) conception of reciprocal
altruism, which suggest that prosocial giving promotes reciprocal relationships which
ultimately make both parties more evolutionarily fit. This paper then proceeds to use
affective forecasting literature to draw conclusions about why we generally fail to predict
that giving will be emotionally rewarding. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the
paper references literature which suggests that giving offers much more than a simple
hedonic boost; it provides the opportunity for people to fulfill their desire to reach their
full potential, to self-actualize.
~ 26 ~
SERVICE LEARNING:
FRIENDS OF FOUNTAIN FAIRVIEW CEMETERY PROJECT
Kim Sweetwood, Maria Tobin
with Barb Headle (Advisor)
Department of History
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
In summer of 2012, the UCCS department of history held a class, “Cemeteries,
Legacies, and American History,” which focused on getting Historians out of libraries
and into the field using cemetery markers as primary source documents. With
permission from the City of Fountain, Colorado the class was able to use the Fairview
Cemetery in Fountain as a lab in which to map the cemetery with a collaborative guest
lecture from the Geography Department. A month after the class ended, vandals
destroyed several of the oldest and most irreplaceable headstones. In response, a
student initiated committee, including UCCS Faculty and students from both the history
and geography departments, and civic organizations and community leaders from
Fountain, teamed up to raise awareness against cemetery vandalism and funds for
headstone restoration and a security system. The committee chose to host the First
Annual Friends of Fountain Fairview Cemetery “Crawl” and Silent Auction which
successfully raised more than double the original goal. Thus began an odyssey in
service learning that has, at the request of the City of Fountain, become a highly
anticipated annual event. This service learning event was the perfect blend of faculty,
student, and community cooperation for a most worthy cause.
~ 33 ~
~ 27 ~
A COMPARISON OF RUN-AWAY AND NON-RUNAWAY ADOLESCENTS’
SELF-ESTEEN, TIME PERSPECTIVE, AND GENDER
Anne Marie Saxon, Isaac C. Wiggers, Frank C. Worrell
with Professor Zena R. Mello (Advisor)
Department of Psychology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Little is known about adolescents who run away from home (i.e. runaways) and the risk
factors associated with them. Runaway adolescents are an under-researched and
vulnerable population. Every year, between 1.6 and 2.8 million adolescents leave their
home (National Runaway Switchboard, 2010). They have been found to have higher
anxiety, depression, suicide rates, as well as lower health, nutrition, and self-esteem
(National Conference of State Legislation, 2010). Studies also suggest that when
compared to their non-runaway counterparts, runaway adolescents are at a significantly
greater risk for medical problems and health compromising behaviors that include HIV
and other sexually transmitted and infectious diseases; substance abuse; psychotic
behavior, depression, suicide attempts, prostitution, and trauma (Greene et al., 2003).
Adolescents who run away from home face a multitude of challenges to healthy
development. It is important to identify psychological factors that may impact these
adolescents so that effective interventions can be implemented. Recently, Mello (2013)
described how time perspective—thoughts about the past, the present, and the future—
was associated with numerous indicators of health, such as self-esteem and substance
use. Thus, in this study we sought to bridge the literatures on runaways with time
perspective by addressing the following two research questions: (a) how do runaway
and non-runaway adolescents differ in time perspective? (b) how does variation in time
perspective predict engagement in risky-behaviors for runaways and non-runaways?
~ 28 ~
VARIATION IN BRAIN RESPONSES TO EMOTIONAL STIMULI AS A FUNCTION OF
REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES: COMPARISON OF NATURALLY CYCLING WOMEN
TO THOSE TAKING ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
Polina Reynolds
with Mike Kisley (Advisor)
Department of Psychology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Perceptual differences, particularly those related to courtship and mating, have been
discovered across the menstrual cycle. Oral contraceptives (OCs) are used by a
significant portion of childbearing age women to alter their cycles. This study assessed
~ 34 ~
event related potentials (ERPs) and evaluative categorization responses to, and
subjective ratings of images with and without reproductive significance in women who
were naturally cycling and those on monophasic formulations of hormonal birth control.
Both groups were tested during days 13-20 (ovulation and luteal) of their cycle and
previous 3 months of menstrual cycle data was used to estimate day of ovulation for
study cycle and control for progesterone level. The IAPS database was used for all
images; neutral people served as context images and three categories of images with
positive valence were chosen as targets (men, babies, and romance). Images were
presented to participants to categorize as not positive, somewhat positive, or very
positive with targets presented pseudo-randomly among neutral people images.
Quantitative SAM ratings of valence and arousal were obtained for each of the target
images at the conclusion of the ERP measurements. P300 amplitudes were compared
across groups and no effect of OC use on processing of reproductive stimuli was found.
There was a trend toward reduced ERP amplitude in response to images of men with
OC use, and this should be further investigated with a larger sample size and more
rigorous control of menstrual cycle day.
~ 29 ~
HEXOKINASE II INHIBITOR DETERMINATION AND ENZYME KINETICS USING
ULTRAVIOLET-VISIBLE SPECTROSCOPY
Liz Lata, Mary Bennes
with Professor Sonja Braun-Sand (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
The rate of cancer cell growth exceeds the rate at which blood vessels can supply cells
with oxygen, rendering an oxygen-deficient environment. Therefore cell growth and
reproduction relies heavily upon glycolysis as the prime resource for adenosine
triphosphate (ATP). Hexokinase catalyzes phosphorylation of glucose, the first
irreversible step in the glycolytic pathway. The discovery of a competitive or noncompetitive inhibitor to hexokinase could theoretically restrict supply of energy to cancer
cells, resulting in apoptosis or necrosis. More specifically, the over-expression of human
hexokinase II in several cancers emphasizes the need to find an effective inhibitor of
this particular isoenzyme. Understanding differences between the yeast isoenzymes is
an initiation point for comprehending variances in isoenzyme function. Enzyme
kinematic studies were performed using Hexokinase PII (HKPII) from Saccharomyces
cerevisiae, and the maximum velocity (Vmax) as well as the Michaelis constant, Km, were
determined for the enzyme using a UV-vis spectrophotometer.
~ 35 ~
~ 30 ~
DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY INVESTIGATION OF
YEAST HEXOKINASE TYPE II
Malia Malihi
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
A doubled-peak endotherm with maxima in the heat capacity curve, T m, located at 45.5
±0.1 and 50.0 ±0.1 °C was observed for hexokinase type II (HKII) at pH 8.5 in 5 mM Tris
buffer that was similar to the endotherm with maxima at 41 and 48 °C reported by
Takahashi et al.[1]. The ratio of the calorimetric enthalpy change, ∆Hc, to van’t Hoff
enthalpy change, ∆HvH, was 2.0 ± 0.1 for the lower temperature transition. However, the
van’t Hoff enthalpy change was up to 10 times larger than the calorimetric value for the
higher temperature transition. These results suggest that the two domains denature
independently followed by an endothermic self- association. A slightly asymmetric
endotherm with a small shoulder located on the high temperature side of the T m,
∆Hc/∆HvH = 0.9 + 0.2, was observed at pH 7.5 – 8.5 in 50 mM HEPPSO. The Tm ranged
from 46.7 °C at the lower pH to 43.1 °C at pH 8.5. However, an endotherm with a
pronounced shoulder located on the low temperature side of the transition, T m = 46.7
°C, was reported by Catanzano et al. for HKII in the same buffer, with ∆Hc/∆HvH = 2:1[2].
A different mechanism for denaturation was proposed than the one cited above.
~ 31 ~
GENETIC REGULATION OF CLASS IV DENTRITIC ABORIZATION NEURONS IN
DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
Mary Morton
with Professor Euenia Olesnicky-Killian (Advisor)
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Class IV dentritic aborization (da) neurons are pain sensing neurons that are a part of
the Drosophila melanogaster larval peripheral nervous system. Class IV da neurons
generate ~800 branches termed dendrites that are dedicated to sensing pain. Once a
larvae perceives pain, the animal rolls in order to escape from the painful stimuli. The
Killian lab has found that by inactivating the function of several genes including
cg11505, shep, bancal, caper, pitchoune, and meicp26, it results in significantly
decreased dendrite branching. Since dendrites mediate pain sensation, this may
suggest that pain sensation is compromised in animals lacking functional cg11505,
shep, bancal, caper, pitchoune and meip26. A series of behavioral analysis experiments
were conducted in which various lines of animals with each gene inactivated separately
were poked and the response was recorded as ether a roll or no roll. A roll indicated
that a sufficient amount of dendrites were present in order to react to the pain sensation;
~ 36 ~
conversely, no roll indicated that an insufficient amount of dendrites were present and
the larvae failed to escape from the stimuli. My results show that each mutant showed a
decreased roll percentage when compared to a control thus indicating that each gene
plays a role in both the development of dendrites and facilitating escaping behavior.
~ 32 ~
JUMPSTARTING STEM EDUCATION: SPARKING ATTITUDES AND INTENTIONS IN
UNDERSERVED STUDENT POPULATIONS
Jonathan G. Pugh, Peter D. Marle, Lisa L. Decker
with Dave H. Khaliqi (Advisor)
Center for STEM Education
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
The UCCS Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
Education offers engaging, hands-on STEM programs to primary and secondary school
students. As new science standards assert increased diversity in the STEM pipeline,
CSTEME programs try to gain increased representation in STEM from historically
underserved students. This study examined the equitability of a weeklong STEM
program, Jumpstart STEM: The Crooked Circuit (JSCC). JSCC included 11 workshops
of varying STEM fields, and each workshop was integrated into the overall scenario,
thereby offering relevance to the subject-matter. Thirty-nine students (19 males, 16
females; 4 unreported) completed the post-event survey which contained items
measuring science attitudes and future STEM intentions (significant, positive
retrospective pre/post increases). JSCC outcomes were then compared to a previous
Jumpstart program which was highly equitable and successful. Results suggest the
camp garnered equitable outcomes for all students, thus lending to the possibility for
increasing diversity in the STEM pipeline.
~ 33 ~
DO ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AFFECT THE WAY PEOPLE RESPOND
TO DEATH THOUGHTS?
Lisa Starcher
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Terror Management Theory claims that humans and other living creatures share certain
characteristics, including the strong desire to live. According to the theory what sets
humans apart is awareness of their mortality. The tension caused by the desire to live
and the knowledge of their eventual death causes terror for humans that must be
managed. The theory states that we use what is called an Anxiety Buffer to do just that.
~ 37 ~
The Anxiety Buffer is comprised of one’s cultural world view, self-esteem, and close
interpersonal relationships. This anxiety buffer begins to form as soon as one is born in
relation to the interactions of the infant and their parents or caregivers. Previous
research revealed a correlation between adverse childhood experiences and issues in
adulthood that are physical, behavioral, and psychological in nature. The purpose of the
present study was to determine if the reason people with adverse childhood
experiences are more likely to die from cancer, use illicit drugs, or be diagnosed with
PTSD is a direct result of an Anxiety Buffer that did not form properly, because of those
childhood experiences. It was hypothesized that adverse childhood experiences would
alter the way people responded to a death reminder.
~ 34 ~
CHARACTERIZATION OF A GENETIC MUTANT IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER
Hannah Steinert
with Professor Jeremy M. Bono, Professor Eugenia Olesnicky-Killian (Advisors)
Department of Biology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Although very little is known about the conserved RNA binding protein Cg11505, work in
the Killian lab at UCCS has demonstrated that the mRNA is expressed in the central
nervous system during development of Drosophila melanogaster and is required for
formation of dendritic and axonal structures and may function in stem cell development.
RNA interference (RNAi) has been used to disrupt expression of cg11505, but is not
effective enough to eliminate all expression. The purpose of our work was to generate a
mutant allele of cg11505 using a technique termed imprecise p-element excision. Over
100 potential mutant lines were initially generated, 2 of which were ultimately
characterized in depth to determine whether or not a bona fide cg11505 mutant was
generated. To determine if these two lines of mutant D. melanogaster, cg11505 del 69A
and cg11505 del 69B, had disrupted the cg11505 gene, polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) and gel electrophoresis were performed and the mutation was verified through
sequencing. We found that cg11505 del 69B experienced no disruption, while the
mutation incurred in cg11505 del 69A completely removed the cg11505 gene and as
well as two genes cg17746 and cg12078.
~ 38 ~
~ 35 ~
DISPERSED LIQUID-LIQUID MICROEXTRACTON (DLLME) OF CHLOROGENIC
ACID FROM PEACH JUICE
Santiago Bukovsky-Reyes
with Professor Janel Owens (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Although very little is known about the conserved RNA binding protein Cg11505, work in
the Killian lab at UCCS has demonstrated that the mRNA is expressed in the central
nervous system during development of Drosophila melanogaster and is required for
formation of dendritic and axonal structures and may function in stem cell development.
RNA interference (RNAi) has been used to disrupt expression of cg11505, but is not
effective enough to eliminate all expression. The purpose of our work was to generate a
mutant allele of cg11505 using a technique termed imprecise p-element excision. Over
100 potential mutant lines were initially generated, 2 of which were ultimately
characterized in depth to determine whether or not a bona fide cg11505 mutant was
generated. To determine if these two lines of mutant D. melanogaster, cg11505 del 69A
and cg11505 del 69B, had disrupted the cg11505 gene, polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) and gel electrophoresis were performed and the mutation was verified through
sequencing. We found that cg11505 del 69B experienced no disruption, while the
mutation incurred in cg11505 del 69A completely removed the cg11505 gene and as
well as two genes cg17746 and cg12078.
~ 36 ~
Melissa Crowner
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
In internally fertilizing organisms, mating involves a series of coordinated molecular and
chemical reactions that occur within the female reproductive tract. Male accessorygland proteins (Acps) are notably important as they are involved in a multitude of
physiological responses in females. Novel discovery of full mRNA transcripts within D.
arizonae female reproductive tracts after heterospecific matings with D. mojavensis has
led to research into the function of these transcripts. It has been verified that these
transcripts are also observed within D. arizonae female reproductive tracts after
conspecific matings as well. The fates of the mRNA transcripts once inside the
reproductive tract of a con- or heterospecifically mated female will be analyzed via
qPCR at two different time points (zero and five hours) post copulation of D. arizonae
males crossed with D. arizonae females and D. mojavensis females. Differences in
quantity of the transcripts in con-verses heterospecific matings may indicate possible
mismatches in the heterospecific crosses and provide insights concerning reproductive
isolation and speciation.
~ 39 ~
~ 37 ~
RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN VEGETATION INDICES AND IMPERVIOUS
EXPANSION TO IDENTIFY VEGETATION BEHAVIOR TRENDS
IN COLORADO SPRINGS
Rebecca Long, Kami McFall, Jennifer Phillips
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Increased population tends to result in increased urbanization over previously natural
lands. Expansion of impervious surfaces physically results in a general loss of local
vegetation with a negative impact on urban environmental conditions. Urban vegetation
planning has often been thought to mitigate this problem. This study will evaluate the
impact that urban growth in Colorado Springs has on its local vegetation. Using
Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery over twenty years, impervious classification
and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) trends will be analyzed statically
using ANOVA to compare and evaluate their relationship. WorldView-2 high-resolution
imagery over a defined area of Colorado Springs will be used specifically to target
variability in vegetation composition. We anticipate this study will show that NDVI ratios
and impervious trends will reveal a relationship between urban growth and vegetation
behavior. In particular, we anticipate temporal variability in urban sprawl, and vegetation
distribution; we anticipate there will also be a dominance of invasive species in older
urban development. Invasive species can overrun and impede local native vegetation
growth, thereby, working against the natural progression of native vegetation and
undermine urban vegetation planning. Awareness of invasive trend factors can improve
future urban vegetation planning.
~ 38 ~
THE EFFICACY OF CREATIVE WRITING INSTRUCTION
Sean Beedle
with Professor Michelle Neely (Adisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
This project endeavors to discover the real, tangible benefits of creative writing
coursework and instruction to creative writers. By surveying a variety of creative writing
classes, creative writing instructors, and published writers I hope to understand the
relationship between the study of creative writing and the ability to produce engaging,
entertaining, publishable works of modern literature.
~ 40 ~
~ 39 ~
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC ENVIRONMENTS
FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES
Heather Sanders
with Professor Michelle Neely (Adisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
My study explores how female collegiate athletes manage their time between academic,
athletic, and personal focuses. To understand what kind of adjustments have to take
place for a female student athlete to be successful in all environments, surveys have
been evaluated for patterns, similarities and differences. Recognizing the extensive gap
in research surrounding the student-athlete academic experience, I was intrigued to
explore the collegiate athlete experience and how academia plays a role in their
mindsets, perceptions of themselves, their college experiences, priorities, and the
relationships they cultivate.
~ 40 ~
PROCRASTINATION AND THE COLLEGE STUDENT’S MIND
Lauren Newman
with Professor Michelle Neely (Adisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Procrastination is a common habit among college students. One typical area this is
seen in is essay writing. Procrastination is frowned upon, for the most part. However,
how much damage does procrastination actually do? Can there be any benefits to
students? This study is to provide insight on the actual causes of procrastination, the
effects, and the mental strain students experience. This information is collected from
anonymous survey answers from students across three different college campuses.
~ 41 ~
~ 41 ~
FOSTERING INTRINSIC GROWTH IN THE SECONDARY ENGLISH CLASSROOM:
KINDLING THE FIRES OF LANGUAGE ARTS LEARNING
Joe Konik
with Professor Michelle Neely (Adisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Literacy, as the keystone of scholastic and social success, poses an instructional
challenge in public education. This project, based upon in-class observations and
instructor interviews, is targeted at building upon the existing research regarding
Language Arts instruction in the secondary education classroom. Contemporary
research outlines pitfalls as well as strengths of traditional Language Arts instruction.
The aim of this study is to determine and highlight some of the best practice methods
for encouraging student growth and engagement in the Language Arts classroom.
~ 42 ~
THE EFFECT OF JOURNALING ON ACADEMIA
Marybeth McBain, Shya Hess
with Professor Michelle Neely (Adisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Our research will be looking at how journaling affects students’ learning throughout their
academic careers. We will be surveying about 40 college students and 10 high school
or college teachers. The survey will help us to understand if journaling, personal and
educational, is positive for the learning process. Our hypothesis is that journaling will
produce better comprehension and organization skills in the reading and writing
process.
~ 42 ~
Oral Session II
(1:00-2:00 pm)
Technology, Social Media, Money
Room: Centennial Hall 102
~
FLIGHT LINE OF THE FUTURE-AUGMENTED REALITY
Foster Meier, Kyle Lenz, Eric Millen, Christopher Ruiz, Jack Taute
with Major Daniel White (Advisor)
Department of Management
United States Air Force Academy
The Air Force has spent millions of dollars on high level aircraft maintenance in the past
year alone. Lockheed Martin is currently developing high fidelity virtual mapping
technology called 3D SME (Subject Matter Expert) that could revolutionize the way
maintenance is performed on aircraft platforms. Coupled with augmented reality
hardware to overlay instructions, diagnose potential problems, and document
maintenance processes, Lockheed Martin has the potential to completely redesign Air
Force maintenance procedures. These technologies are in preliminary stages with
limited current capabilities. Our Air Force Academy team has been tasked to determine
the value of pursuing this technological endeavor and to quantify exactly how this new
equipment could save money for the Air Force, reduce aircraft downtime, and increase
maintainer quality of life. Using our recommendations, Lockheed Martin will utilize our
research as a benchmark to determine how much they will invest in continuing their 3D
SME and Augmented Reality Systems development.
~
DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETING STRATEGIES FOR NEW MILITARY
SOCIAL MEDIA SERVICES
Adam Carr and Matthew Schuetz
with Maj Abizer Tyabji (Advisor)
Department of Management
United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840
As the number of personal and professional social networks increase, there lies a need
for a networking tool for use by military members. In an occupation where many do not
feel in control of their career or ready to transition to civilian life, this social media
company seeks to put military members back in charge of their lives and network. This
~ 43 ~
project examines the process by which people discover, join, and return to social
networking websites. Using basic marketing principles and newer online marketing
techniques, Data collected leads to the development of marketing ideas and
opportunities to increase membership for the website. Final findings will likely boost
membership and total awareness of these services available to military members.
~
REARRANGING DISTRIBUTION CENTERS TO ALIGN
WITH THE STORES THEY SERVE
Adam Carr, Ryan Kunce, Mike Leland, Connor McKown
with Lt Col Tim Pettit and Capt Brian Lemay (Advisors)
Department of Management
United States Air Force Academy
Walmart is an organization whose success is dependent largely on their logistical
efficiency. Currently, Walmart is looking to improve how their distribution centers
arrange pallets of dry groceries in order to reduce the labor required to stock those
items in store aisles. This project focuses on the refinement of this process through the
development of a computer-based tool that provides Walmart with the optimal
distribution center profile based on the stores each center services. The tool allows the
user to scale distribution center profiles at the national, regional, and store-specific
levels. The project consists of three phases: problem definition and research,
development of a user-friendly computer program, and cost/benefit analysis. Findings
from this project provide insight into rearrangement of each distribution center’s layout
based on potential savings from the restocking process at each of Walmart’s 3942 retail
stores.
_____________________
Human Factors II
Professor Calkin’s Class
Room: Centennial Hall 106
~
THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE
Amanda Caudill, Frederick Dellecker, Brad Rajchel
with Major Bryan A. Calkin
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership
United States Air Force Academy
Physical exhaustion often becomes a significant factor in high activity jobs. Real world
examples of the effects of physical exhaustion of the visual-motor abilities can be
supported through the observation of both athletes and soldiers alike. Soldiers and
~ 44 ~
athletes alike often face scenarios where their success or failure depends on their
visual-motor abilities. This study will investigate how physical activity affects an
individual’s ability to visually scan and find a target. The study will analyze how
individual’s cognitive performance is affected by undergoing physical activity. Several
variables are being manipulated to include the physical level of difficulty. Participants
will undergo physical activity followed by a visual search task in which completion time
will be recorded.
~
EFFECTS OF WORKLOAD ON DRIVING PERFORMANCE
James Africano, Danielle Griffith, Daniel Neal, John Rush
with Maj Bryan A. Calkin
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership
United States Air Force Academy
Driving is a daily activity that requires a lot from the driver. With new mobile
technologies becoming available to the everyday driver, the workload is increased on an
already demanding task. This study investigates driving performance when an operator
maneuvers through a set driving course with varying levels of workload. Participants will
be put through a closed driving course during which they will be sending a number of
text messages of varying complexity. Their performance on the course will be measured
through a number of variables including text response time, cones hit, and speed limit
deviations.
_____________________
Birds & Deer
Room: Centennial Hall 186
~
UTILIZATION OF AIRBORNE SOUND AND LIGHT COUNTERMEASURES
TO REDUCE BIRDSTRIKES
Carlo Mancini and Trent Grabowski
with Capt Jeff Newcamp
Department of Aeronautics
United States Air Force Academy
This cadet project sought to understand the possible utility of employing airborne
countermeasures to prevent bird strikes. U.S. Airways Flight 1549, which was struck by
a flock of Canada geese (Branta Canadensis) in 2009, resulting in a water landing on
the Hudson River in New York, was taken as a baseline event with a negative outcome.
~ 45 ~
Position data were taken from that incident to model the audio and visual stimuli
incident on the geese to design an experimental countermeasure for bird strike
reduction. This effort utilized modeling of the visual environment and a ground test of a
system capable of approximately mimicking the history of the engine noise and visual
irradiance of the Airbus 320 involved in the accident. During testing, the response times
of geese movement were recorded for the baseline Airbus stimuli and a combination of
specific acoustic and visual countermeasures. The acoustic countermeasure was the
addition of a proprietary Canada goose distress call. The second variable was flashing
the simulated Airbus landing lights at 0.75 Hz. The testing was conducted using a
ground-based system on Canada goose populations on fields at and near the Air Force
Academy. This cadet-run experiment is currently underway and is scheduled to run
through late April. The expected finding is that the addition of a flashing landing light
and a distress call will cause the geese to respond significantly earlier than the stimuli
without the countermeasures. The ability of the test to determine optimum acoustic and
visual stimuli was limited by the number of wild geese flocks available to be tested.
_____________________
Scheduling for Fun & Profit
Room: Centennial Hall 188
~
RESOURCE-CONSTRAINED SCHEDULING TO INCREASE
TISSUE PROCESSING THROUGHPUT
Eric Amos, Chancellor Johnstone, Patrick Morgan, Kevin Rossillon
with Lt Col Tim Pettit, Maj Michael Chiaramonte, Capt Brian Lemay
Department of Management
United States Air Force
As one of the leading bone and tissue processing banks in Colorado, AlloSource is
committed to honoring the gift of each and every donor by maximizing the utilization of
usable bone and tissue to meet hospital needs. In order to improve the overall efficiency
and throughput provided by AlloSource, this study developed the AlloSource Matrix
Optimization Scheduler (AMOS), a simple tool which utilizes genetic algorithm
scheduling heuristics on integer programming with an intuitive user interface to optimize
scheduling based on constrained resources and scheduling priorities. These resources
include processing technicians, room capabilities, equipment capabilities, and donation
expiration times. AMOS links the requirements into a collective schedule and then
outputs the results to the user, providing a quick solution to the timely task of deriving a
schedule by hand and ultimately delivering an optimized schedule for the upcoming
shift. Utilization of the tool allows AlloSource to optimize their scheduling process with
~ 46 ~
sensitivity analysis providing avenues for short and long-term improvement of
scheduling procedures.
~
ENHANCING RMB PRODUCTS’ PRODUCTION SCHEDULING
Jacob A. Forbes, Patrick M. Harrison, Wrendy K. Rayhill, and Daniel R. Schonfeld
with Capt Brian Lemay (Advisor)
Department of Management
United States Air Force Academy
RMB Products is a premier manufacturer of highly engineered, high performance,
thermoplastic solutions for demanding industrial applications. Currently, RMB Products
generates a dispatch list at the beginning of each day outlining the tasks that must be
completed. Given the variation and uncertainty of work times and fluctuating priorities of
work orders, workers often complete tasks out of order or are unable to complete their
tasks on schedule. This study examines RMB Products’ scheduling system and
recommends improved work-time standards to enhance delivery performance.
~
VALIDATING EQUIPMENT INVESTORIES AND CREATING EFFICIENT
SCHEDULES FOR TEST EQUIPMENT
Ian Butler, Tyler Meirose, Nathan Mitchener, and Stephen Savonne
with Dr. Dale Peterson (Advisor)
Department of Operations Research
United States Air Force Academy
Presented is a project is to aid a large defense contractor manufacturer more efficiently
utilize test equipment. The manufacturing process requires that materials, components,
and systems be tested with specialized test equipment that replicates operational
conditions. The contractor possesses test equipment of different capabilities with
slightly differing specializations spread across multiple campuses around the country.
Differences make it difficult to efficiently schedule testing jobs, and without an efficient
schedule the company may maintain more test assets than necessary. The research
team contacted 13 labs to confirm the capabilities of 44 different pieces of test
equipment, creating a centralized database of these capabilities as a resource for test
schedulers. Then, a forecasting program was developed to analyze test equipment
usage. By analyzing usage, the sponsor will be able to: 1) Determine which test
equipment (if any) should be eliminated from inventory, 2) provide data to management
in regards to purchase of additional equipment, and 3) effectively execute testing
operations.
~ 47 ~
_____________________
Examinations of War & Society
Room: University Center 302
~
POLARIZATION AND THE ARGENTINE DIRTY WAR IN
LA HISTORIA OFICIAL AND LOS CENSORES
Daniel Barbera
Department of Foreign Languages
United States Air Force Academy
Native Argentines Luis Puenzo (b. 1946) and Luisa Valenzuela (b. 1948) used artistic
license to present their points of view about Argentine society during and after the
period associated with the Dirty War (1955-1983). Puenzo, an award winning film
director, and Valenzuela, an acclaimed international writer, used their work to represent
the complexity of the atrocities that occurred in their homeland. The violence, fear, and
censorship depicted in both Puenzo’s film, La historia official, and Valenzuela’s short
story, Los censores, divided the Argentine population into two groups: those who
conformed and those who became oppressed. The extent of interpersonal violence and
insensitivity is disturbing, but it can be understood in the context of the polarization and
depersonalization in Argentine society of the day. Censorship limited the voices of the
oppressed by preventing them from speaking out against the authoritarian government.
Cornered by censorship and fear of kidnapping, the daily lives of Argentines were
shaped and defined by those in control. The societal conflicts of the Argentines
represented in La historia official and Los censores depict the proclivity of the human
race to polarize society and illustrate the consequences of such polarization.
~
DISILLUSIONMENT AND LANGUAGE: PERCEPTIONS BEYOND WAR
Nathaniel Hall, Drew Pineda, Alannah Staver
Department of English
United States Air Force Academy
The following three presentations will address conventional notions of war and examine
the authenticity of these perceptions. These presentations do not aim to discourage the
actions of soldiers in war. Rather, they serve to elucidate repercussions of the
established narrative of rationalization found in the works visited. Furthermore, the
presentations offer insight for the maxims and provide, perhaps beneficial, alternative.
~ 48 ~
Cadet Hall’s presentation examines the ways in which humans perceive the idea of time
and how these perceptions are challenged in the midst of war. C1C Hall posits that in
preserving one’s authenticity, the conventional notions of freedom and democracy may
be stripped away. By taking ideas of time and being and putting them within the context
of war, Cadet Hall’s presentation seeks to find truth the “truth” about war.
Cadet
Pineda’s presentation explores the psychological processes and phenomena that affect
societies when they are engaged in war. The presentation begins with a broad scope of
psychological factors and narrows from a societal lens to a personal lens - for example,
the ways in which war is justified by a nation, and then by an individual. One will find
fresh insight into war, which is an entity that validates the lives of millions of people.
Cadet Staver’s presentation deals with rationalization in war, and calls it into question.
Cadet Staver says that the human capability to rationalize controversial behaviors and
thoughts is disturbingly infinite. During war, the soldier’s ability to make sound moral
decisions is frequently lost in the bedlam of mortar fire, guerilla attacks, and
insurgencies, making it easy to justify even the most horrific actions. She explores
some examples of rationalization through the scope of war in “The Forest of the
Laughing Elephant,” by Philip Caputo, March by Geraldine Brooks, and Black Hawk
Down by Mark Bowden.
_____________________
Cinema
Room: University Center 303A
~
TRAVERSING THE FALSE SEXUALITY AND POWER OF THE FEMALE IN
POSTMODERN AMERICAN POPULAR FILM
Vanessa Los
with Professor Robert von Dassanowsky (Advisor)
Feminist Cinema
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
This presentation will through close reading examine the continued traditional
fetishization of the female image in post-modern American popular film of the twentyfirst century. The re-visioned stereotyping of politically correct "humanization" or
"differentiation" of the female role is revealed to reflect the instability of social structures
in the U.S. and the West. I will focus on a representation of films that differ in genre and
production modes (The Dark Knight, Black Swan, and The Core).
~ 49 ~
~
THE ZOMBIE IS UNTRUTH:
AN EXISTENTIAL ANALYSIS OF THE ZOMBIE FILM THROUGH ASPECTS OF
KIERKEGAARD, HEIDEGGER, NIETZSCHE, AND ORTEGA Y GASSET
Jon Gillin
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
This paper seeks to answer what the dramatic rise in global production and popularity of
zombie cinema suggests on a philosophical basis. It will attempt to answer this question
through a representative analysis of the genre using existential philosophy’s driving
force: the struggle for the individual to rise over the crowd. Kierkegaard famously stated,
“there is no place, not even one most disgustingly dedicated to lust and vice, where a
human being is more easily corrupted – than in the crowd.” As existentialist thought is
primarily concerned with the development of the individual over and against the
threatening crowd or mob culture. It serves as an ideal theoretical mechanism for
analyzing and understanding archetypes that exist within the genre of zombie film.
~
ARBITRARY DEATHS: THE ANTI-TRAGEDY OF
JEAN-LUC GODARD’S À bout de souffle and Vivre sa vie
Sean Purcell
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
The tragic elements of Jean-Luc Godard’s À bout de souffle and Vivre sa vie can be
seen as anti-tragic. Both À bout de souffle and Vivre sa vie appear as classically aligned
tragic narratives, and while both films depict the death of the main characters, the films
employ a web of inflated tragic signifiers, Brechtian techniques and a tension between
Bazian long takes to disrupt the surface appearance of the films. These films fall under
meta-tragedy or anti-tragedy. They both bare the signifiers of the tragic genre, but
ultimately they erode the significance of the deaths in their film, questioning the whole
notion of tragedy.
~ 50 ~
Poster Session II
(2:00-3:30 pm)
Room: Berger Hall
~1~
EFFECTS OF BARNACLE AND ALGAE GROWTH ON BOAT PERFORMANCE
James E. MacAndrew, Travis C. Miller, Matthew D Underwood,
Kyle A Casci, Dariel R Baker
with Maj Daniel White (Advisor)
Department of Management
United States Air Force Academy
Every year the 75 million boat owners in America pay thousands of dollars to rid their
boat of algae and barnacles in order to mitigate damage, increase performance, and
sustain the resale value. There are only a few processes today to help alleviate this
problem; paint-based materials that have proven ineffective, a scrape technique to
remove these unwanted organisms, and an acid-based chemical product application to
clean the hull. The problem with these processes is that they are time consuming,
expensive, and potentially harmful to the boat and environment. ShieldTec is
researching a state-of-the-art product developed to provide a way for boat owners to
keep their boat hulls clear and free of buildup while reducing the amount of manual
labor required in the cleaning and repair process. This multifunctional polymer delivers
an inexpensive, easy to use, high quality product that effectively repels organisms with
its anticoagulant properties.
~2~
DISTINGUISHING MALWARE AND SOFTWARE BASED ON STRUCTURE
Andre Brito, Ramon Vilanueva
United States Air Force Academy
Malware is an enormous threat to the internet and the multitude of computer systems
attached to it. The rate of new malware has been rapidly increasing in recent years due
to the practice of making malware variants. A malware variant is new malware created
by making slight modifications that are enough to bypass malware detection software.
Due to the fact that new malware is frequently a variant of other known malware, the
structures of malware are similar. Just like non-malicious software, the creation of new
malware contains commonalties of the previous malware design. This paper aims to
~ 51 ~
distinguish between the structure of malware and software. By accomplishing this, one
should be able to identify the properties of an unknown piece of software to find if it is
malicious. This paper will try to find the commonalities and differences malware
contains compared to legitimate software using various techniques such as byte
frequencies and system call comparisons.
~3~
WEIGH AND WIN: RETENTION ANALYSIS
Nolan Bet, Steven Chon, Kyle Cranston, Jack Lepird, Megan Muniz
with Dr. Nathan Wozny, Capt Brian Lemay (Advisors)
Department of Management
United States Air Force Academy
Weigh and Win is a free community program, funded by Kaiser Permanente and
administered by incentaHEALTH. It is a public weight loss program for the state of
Colorado. The goal of this project is to improve the program’s quality by helping
incentaHEALTH better understand the Weigh and Win participants. On the
administrative data available covering almost 13,000 participants over the course of a
year and a half, we used statistical and econometric methods to analyze factors that led
to people staying in or quitting the program. These methods yielded key demographics
of participants who stuck with the program versus participants who did not. For
example, at the 99% significance level, participants in the 18-24 age group are 34%
likely to not be retained, while people in the 50-54 age group are 22% likely to be
retained. Other characteristics found to be significant include BMI, gender, enrollment
date, and whether or not the participants were on a team. This study also identifies
groups of participants with low retention and allows Weigh and Win to focus their efforts
accordingly as well as identify promising practices that might improve future retention.
~4~
DNA EXTRACTION METHODS AND DNA BARCODING OF LICHENIZED FUNGI
Trenton G. Grabowski
with Katherine L. Bates (Advisor)
Department of Biology
United States Air Force Academy
Lichens are abundant and present almost anywhere, composed of roughly 13,500
accepted species that account for nearly 18% of fungal species worldwide (Kelly et al.,
2011). The study of lichens is very broad and shallow because accurate identification
requires taxonomic expertise involving nontrivial tasks; even though lichenized fungi
represent one of the best known components of the diversity of fungi, some samples
~ 52 ~
lack certain characteristics that easily distinguish between various species of lichens
(Kelly et al., 2011). Therefore, we developed a protocol to molecularly identify lichen
species using DNA barcoding. Various DNA extraction techniques, to include both
homogenization buffer and nuclei lysis solution, were tested using both archived and
fresh samples to determine the most effective protocol. Next, we optimized the PCR
protocol using both plant and fungal primers for high quality sequencing. The goal of
this project is to create an easy-to-follow protocol that other investigators can use to
easily identify lichen species, and ultimately catalog the lichen diversity of the Pikes
Peak region.
~5~
ENERGETIC COMPOSITE FILLER SEQUESTRATION IN
GEL-BASED NANO-COMPOSITES
David Alvarado
with Lt Col Royce Beal (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
Recent experimentation with the use of cryogels to contain energetic materials has
shown promise as a method of controlling morphology and combustion/detonation
characteristics. Hydrazinium nitroformate (HNF), monomethyl hydrazinium nitroformate
(MMHNF), and similar energetic materials show significant promise in solid rocket
propulsion but have suffered stability and rheology problems. Here a variety of sol-gel to
cryogel techniques and combinations were employed to prepare a series of resorcinolformaldehyde (RF) and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) cryogels infiltrated
with inert nano-crystalline salts like ammonium sulfate to pave the way for infusion with
HNF. Experimentation with layering optimization and the sol-gel to cryogel method
while using scanning electron microscopy for verification set the foundation for the
synthesis of a cross-linked nitrocellulose (NC) matrix infused with the nano-crystalline
HNF. Analysis of the various propellant-infused cryogels included elevated temperature
aging and thermal/combustion property assessments.
~ 53 ~
~6~
FINDING COMMON GROUND IN DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THE
GEOMETRICAL FOUNDATIONSL OF ELECTROMAGNETISM
Scott Alsid
With Lt Col Mario Serna (Advisor)
Department of Physics
United States Air Force Academy
Traditionally, gauge theory has focused on the matter fields and gauge fields as the
main object of study and how they transform. While alternative approaches to studying
gauge theory have emphasized a geometric perspective, there are several different
camps, each with their own tools. This paper seeks a common ground with two camps,
those who use an embedding for their geometry to obtain a metric and those who use
tetrads to replace the gauge fields. This paper shows that the ideas expressed in each
of these lines of thought are pursuing the same lines of thought, just with different
mathematical techniques and notation. Examples for electric and magnetic fields, U(1),
gauge theory, are shown for each camp with visualizations from the embedding camp.
~7~
PREPARATION OF FULVENE-BASED DYE SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS
Michael Duff
with Hongshan He, Gary J. Balaich, and Endrit Shurdha (Advisors)
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
The title work describes the synthesis, characterization and testing of donor-π-acceptor
fulvenes for possible applications in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The focus of this
research is on the use of a synthetic strategy for the selective and stepwise attachment
of appropriate donor and acceptor groups around 1,3,6-tri(substituted) fulvene core. A
model synthesis was carried out using 1,3-diphenylcyclopentadiene and 9.10bromoanthracenecarboxaldehyde to give the 6-(bromanthracene) substituted fulvene.
Sonogashira coupling with 4-ethynylbenzaldehyde and subsequent attachment of the
cyanoacetic acid group gave the desired substitutiedfulven dye. This methodology
produced analogues of a series of new fulvene dyes that were tested using
photophysical measurements (UV-VIS and fluorescence) as well as DSSC efficiency.
~ 54 ~
~8~
THE IMPACT OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ANALYSIS PERFORMED AT THE US
ARMY CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS LABORATOR (USACIL) ON LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
Victoria Wyler
with Dr. Candice Bridge, Mr. Levi White (USACIL, Forest Park, GA),
Capt Hanna Yang (Advisors)
Department of Law
United States Air Force Academy
Criminal investigations of child pornography currently require digital examiners to review
all evidence submitted by the government for forensic review. This process is not only
time consuming, but also difficult despite the capabilities of modern technology.
Specifically, in child pornography investigations involving military service members,
limitations must be created to maintain timely case output notwithstanding the
increasing amount of data that examiners must review. This study analyzed sixty-six
U.S. Army case files dating from 2009 to 2011, all of which involved child pornography.
The amount of child pornography on each exhibit was collected to determine if a
correlation between the amount of child pornography and the overall judicial outcome of
a case existed. Findings show that the amount of child pornography found on exhibits
did not highlight a direct relationship with the judicial outcome of an individual case;
therefore, supporting the need for new more timely methods of examination.
~9~
INJUSTICE IN THE BALANCE: AN ANALYSIS OF JUDICIAL CORRUPTION IN
LIBERIA AND SOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVING TRANSPARENCY AND EFFICIENCY
Nathanael I. Tousley
with Capt Hanna Yang (Advisor)
Department of Law
United States Air Force Academy
This project’s purpose is to provide the government of the City of Monrovia with
recommendations for addressing the crippling effects of judicial corruption and
inefficiency in Monrovia, Liberia and surrounding areas. These findings and
recommendations will be compiled in the book, “Rule of Law’s Evolution in Liberia”
slated for publication in 2015. All of the research for this project was accomplished firsthand through case studies and interviews in and around Monrovia. Interviews were
conducted with the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Liberian National Police
Division of Professional Standards, the National Democratic Institute, the Carter Center,
the Monrovia Central Prison, and several judges and prosecutors at levels from the
~ 55 ~
magisterial court to the circuit court. The recommendations from this research include
utilizing and training community leaders to serve as judges for misdemeanor offenses
and offering legal education classes to the public to improve their trust and
understanding of the legal system.
~ 10 ~
A COMPARISON OF THE MAJOR POLPHENOLIC AND ANTI-OXIDANT
CHARACTERISTICS OF Cola nitida ssp. Alba, Cola nitida ssp. Rubra, and Cola
acuminate
Evan K. Shawler, Steve Freund, Alexa Gingras, Taeyoung Lee, Joseph Sarette
with Dr. Barry W. Hicks (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
In sub-Saharan Africa, Cola nuts are commonly eaten as stimulants because of their
high caffeine content, but interestingly, the food has also become an integral component
of almost every social function. Most cultural ceremonies cannot be completed without
the distribution of Cola nuts. In addition to the caffeine, the nuts contain elevated levels
of polyphenols and anti-oxidants, which can provide various health benefits. The
compounds of interest are being extracted from ground Cola nut then analyzed by
HPLC-MS, GC, and GC/MS. In this study, three sub-species of Cola are being
examined, Cola nitida ssp. alba, Cola nitida ssp. rubra, and Cola acuminata. By
identifying and quantifying the compounds of interest, they can be compared between
the three sub-species. The gas chromatograph of the hexanes extract from Cola
acuminata displayed no noticeable peaks. The results from HPLC have indicated poor
separation between compounds of interest. Future work will include percent weight of
caffeine, theobromine, and catechin and a comparative analysis that delineates their
quantitative contents.
~ 11 ~
POROSITY AND PHASE TRANSITION CHARACTERIZATION OF ALUMINA
XERO AND AEROGELS
Hilary M. Bowen
With Dr. Margaret H. Rakowsky (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
Xero and aerogels were prepared through sol-gel synthesis using AlCl3•6H2O and a
50/50 % vol solution of ethanol/H2O as solvent. The porosities of the gels--macropore,
~ 56 ~
mesopore, or micropore-- were characterized by scanning electron microscopy.
Fractional phase compositions were analyzed by powder x-ray diffraction. Differing α/γ
phase compositions were found to be directly related to the temperatures at which the
sol-gels underwent calcination. The ability to control pore size in alumina sol-gels offers
potential synthetic methods for the production of size selective catalysts, catalytic
supports, and scaffolding for biosensors, while the ability to control the alpha/gamma
phase selectivity in these gels offers a way to directly influence their specific material
properties.
~ 12 ~
PREPARATION OF POLYAMIDES FROM COMMON DIAMINES AND PENDANTVARIABLE DIACYL HALIDES
Ryan P. Aceves
with Drs. John D. Peak, Timm A. Knoerzer, Scott Iacono (Advisors)
Department of Chemistry
United States Air Force Academy
Considerable interest exists within synthetic polymer chemistry for the development of
novel materials for a variety of applications including microelectronics, catalysts, energy
systems, environmental applications, nanofabrication, and sensors. In our laboratory,
we are interested in developing functionalized polymeric materials constructed around
readily exploitable reactive handles that afford on-demand orthogonal manipulation. To
achieve this goal, we present a tripodal monomer that when polymerized using
Schotten-Baumann reaction conditions , leaves latent functionalities that possess a
cross-linking capacity or more attractively for the incorporation of modular
functionalization that can be tuned to service the desired application. The tripodal
monomer with reactive acyl halide groups will be subjected to a two -layer solvent
system with a diamine to create an alternating copolymer system. Polymerization
efficiency is demonstrated via GPC and MALDI -TOF mass spectrometry. The diamine
may also be a tripodal monomer to allow for increased abundance of reactive handles
and further manipulation servicing the desired application.
~ 13 ~
THE EFFECT OF PASSWORD CONSTRAINTS ON MEMORABILITY
Carl Morgan and Kenneth Sample
United States Air Force Academy
Because being unable to remember passwords well leads to compromising actions
such as writing down or reusing passwords, the memorability of a password is an
important aspect to password security. A survey was conducted to find how different
~ 57 ~
lengths and constraints on passwords affect memorability, and also to gather
information regarding how often passwords are reused or written down. The study found
that long passwords without constraints are similar in memorability to all short
passwords, and that long passwords with constraints hinder memorability.
~ 14 ~
DEVELOPMENT OF TAILORABLE PFCB ARYL EITHER POLYMERS FOR HIGH
PERFORMANCE APPLICATIONS
Olawale Lawal
with Sharon C. Kettwich, Scott T. Iacono (Advisors)
United States Air Force Academy
Semifluorinated perfluorcyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether polymers are a class of
processable, step growth polymers that are easily tailorable for a multitude of high
performance applications. Recently, it has been shown that PFCB aryl ether oligomers
possessing reactive aryl trifluorovinyl ethers (TFVE) undergo block copolymerization
with polyols/polybisphenols employing an aryloxylation methodology. In this work,
PFCB-segmented silicone polymers were prepared in high yield via the step-growth
addition polymerization of discreetly sized PFCB prepolymers and carbinol silicones.
These hybrid fluorosilicone polymer systems displayed a high degree of thermal stability
as determined by the decomposition temperatures found using TGA analysis and were
structurally characterized using 1H/19F NMR and GPC analysis. Thermal analysis by
DSC proved the polymers were entirely amorphous with tunable glass transition
temperatures. Film preparation employing spin casting demonstrated excellent solution
processability. Work continues to post-functionalize these polymers for development of
proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications.
~ 58 ~
~ 15 ~
METASTABLE ALUMINIZED PERFLUOROPOLYETHER EPOXY BASED
COMPOSITES
Eryn K. Avjian
with Hannah A. Miller, Sharon C. Kettwich, Scott T. Iacono (Advisors)
United States Air Force Academy
Epoxy resins are used widely as host matrix materials for blending particulates in order
to tailor bulk properties for commercial markets such as coatings, adhesives, and
laminates. Fomblins,a class of oligometic perfluoropolyethers, are used to coat
nanometer-sized aluminum (nAl) particles to prepare a core-shell motif.
The
Fomblin/nAl particle formulations at varying weight percents were entrained in
poly(ethylene glycol)-based epoxy resins. The discussion of these systems will include
processing methodology and bulk mechanical/thermal properties of these systems.
~ 16 ~
NEOCORTICAL NEURONAL MORPHOLOGY IN THE INFANT GIRAFFE (GIRAFFA
CAMELOPARDALIS TIPPELSKIRCHI) AND
INFANT ELEPHANT (LOXODONTA AFRICANA)
Larua Lee
with Bob Jacobs (Advisor)
Colorado College
Although neocortical neuronal morphology has been recently documented in the adult
African elephant (Loxodonta africana; Jacobs et al., 2011) and giraffe (Giraffa
camelopardalis tippelskirchi; Jacobs et al., submitted), nothing is known about cortical
architecture in the infant elephant or giraffe. Thus, the current study explores motor and
visual cortices in the infant giraffe, and frontal, motor, and visual cortices in the infant
elephant. Cortical neurons stained with a modified Golgi technique (N = 153) were
quantified on a Neurolucida system (MBF Bioscience, Inc.). Qualitatively, neurons in
the infant giraffe appeared similar to those in adult giraffes and were consistent with
those observed in rodent and primate species. In contrast, neurons in the infant
elephant, like those in adult elephants, varied greatly from the “typical” (i.e., like the
murid rodent or primate) cortical morphology, particular with regards to pyramidal
neurons. In general, projection neurons were observed in both species (i.e., pyramidal
neurons, n = 46; magnopyramidal neurons, n = 5; horizontal pyramidal neurons, n = 5),
with a much greater variety documented in the elephant (e.g., flattened pyramidal
neurons, n = 10; multipolar neurons, n = 18; inverted pyramidal neurons, n = 3; crab-like
neuron, n = 1). Although local circuit neurons in both species (i.e., interneurons, n = 40;
neurogliaform neurons, n = 4) resembled those observed in other eutherian mammals,
~ 59 ~
these were usually spiny, which contrasts with their adult, aspiny-equivalents.
Quantitatively, infant elephant neurons were less spiny but had longer dendritic
branches than those in the giraffe, perhaps because of widely diverging apical dendrites
in elephant projection neurons. In conclusion, cortical neuromorphology in the infant
giraffe is consistent with what has been observed in other cetartiodactyls, whereas
infant and adult elephant morphology appears to deviate considerably from what is
commonly seen in other mammals.
~ 17 ~
RECRUITMENT MECHANISM OF HISTONE DEACETYLASE 3 TO REPLICAITON
SITES AND ROLE FOR HISTONE DEACETYLASES IN DNA DAMAGE RESPONSE
Hannah Wellman
Colorado College
Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that modulate chromatin structure,
mediate transcriptional repression and contribute to DNA damage repair. HDAC
inhibitor compounds show promise as chemotherapeutic cancer treatments through
disruption of chromatin structure and interference with cancer cell replication
mechanisms. HDACs are divided into four classes according to function, location and
expression patterns. Class I HDACs include HDACs 1, 2 and 3, and are recruited to
DNA replication sites through chromatin-associated proteins. HDACs 1 and 2 are known
to be recruited to DNA via the Chromatin Associated Factor 1 (CAF-1) complex, but the
recruitment mechanism of HDAC3 is not well understood. To investigate the recruitment
complex associated with HDAC3, we performed co-immunoprecipitation experiments.
We found that unlike HDACs 1 and 2, HDAC3 is not associated with CAF-1. Instead,
HDAC3 interacts with RbAp48 and msin3a, transcriptional corepressor proteins. These
results suggest that the HDAC3 recruitment complex is different than those of other
Class I HDAC molecules. Previous research has confirmed the role of HDACs in DNA
damage repair. Inhibition of HDAC function induces chromatin defects, indicating
disrupted DNA repair pathways. To investigate the mechanism of this involvement, we
first performed immunofluorescent analysis in HDAC-inhibited and control cells. Cells
with inhibited HDAC activity displayed a significant increase in gamma-H2AX foci, an
indicator of double-strand breaks. Further immunofluorescent experiments showed
increased CAF-1 foci, indicators of the Chromatin Associated Factor 1 protein complex,
in HDAC-inhibited cells with induced DNA damage. This provides a possible
mechanism through which HDACs are recruited to damage sites. A more thorough
understanding of both HDAC recruitment mechanisms and role in DNA damage repair
could lead to better, more targeted cancer chemotherapies.
~ 60 ~
~ 18 ~
THE DEVELOPMENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEORY OF MIND
AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF EMOTIONS IN CHILDREN WITH
HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM
Elizabeth Leona Crow Burrus
Colorado College
Prior research has indicated that Theory of Mind (ToM) and the understanding of selfconscious emotions are impaired in children who have High Functioning Autism (HFA)
and Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) relative to typically developing children, which may
account for the disparity between these groups in social competency. This study
examined both capacities in neurotypical (N = 22) and HFA/AS (N = 20) male children
between the ages of 6.5 and 13 years old. Participants were asked to define both basic
emotions (happy, sad) and complex emotions (pride, embarrassment, shame, guilt) and
to provide a personal narrative describing a time when they experienced each emotion.
Participants also completed a modified version of the Strange Stories ToM Task
(Happe, 1994). As predicted, ToM and understanding of self-conscious emotions were
significantly lower in both the younger age group relative to the older age group and the
HFA/AS group relative to neurotypical group. ToM mediated the relationship between
group and age and the understanding of self-conscious emotions, suggesting that ToM
is the mechanism through which self-conscious emotions come to be understood as
one develops. Implications for future research and treating the social deficits of HFA/AS
children based on these findings were discussed.
~ 19 ~
LiDAR AS A TOOL FOR ARCHEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
Jim Schindling, George Rinell
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Traditional archaeological site surveys are expensive endeavors with cost increasing in
proportion to the difficulty of access to a given site and the remoteness of the site.
Surveys are also somewhat hit-or-miss in their ability to identify all features at a given
site. Field work is further complicated by wooded and mountainous terrain where the
establishment of a survey grid can be very difficult. In these types of environments,
even the identification of surface features can be difficult due to low brush, debris and
other floor cover. In addition to the physical constraints working against traditional
archaeological techniques, there have been recently created regulations that limit the
amount of disturbance that can be caused to areas of potential historic or cultural
significance. This research investigates the use of Light Detection and Ranging
~ 61 ~
(LiDAR), sometimes called Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS), as a technology that can be
implemented to address the above mentioned obstacles to archaeological research.
~ 20 ~
FISSION YEAST Rad26ATRIP AND Ase1PPRC1 PARTICIPATE IN A CHECKPOINTRESPONSE TO INTERPHASE MICROTUBULE DAMAGE
Molly Cameron, Raul Perez, Chris Richey
with Professor Tom Wolkow (Advisor)
Department of Biology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Fission yeast Rad26ATRIP is a regulatory subunit of Rad3ATR that occupies central
positions within DNA damage response pathways. This interphase microtubule damage
checkpoint operates in the cytoplasm, since mutation of a nuclear export sequence in
Rad26ATRIP disrupts this microtubule damage response without affecting the DNA
damage response. The nes-rad26ATRIP allele also compromises cellular morphology
and mini-chromosome stability, suggesting that this checkpoint safeguards morphology
and chromosome number.
~ 21 ~
EXPRESSION OF DETOXIFICAITON GENES IN DROSOPHILA METTLERI REARED
ON NATIVE AND NONNATIVE CACTUS HOSTS
Kim Hoang
with Professor Jeremy Bono (Advisor)
Department of Biology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Adaptation is the force that creates the incredible range of diversity found on earth:
organisms adapt to their unique environment and become unique themselves. While
the concept of adaptation has been understood for some time, the molecular basis that
underlies adaptive traits is still poorly understood. Here we investigate gene expression
in Drosophila mettleri, a fruit fly that utilizes soil soaked in rotting cactus (its host plant)
for breeding, to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in its host-plant
adaptation. Specifically, we are comparing the level of detoxification gene expression
between two populations of D. mettleri reared on different cactus hosts, each of which
has a unique chemical composition, to identify genes contributing to the fly’s ability to
survive in the toxic environment of its host plant.
~ 62 ~
~ 22 ~
PERCEIVED DISCRIMINATION, STEREOTYPE THREAT, AND OPTIMISM AMONG
NATIVE AMERICAN ADOLESCENTS
Jamie Jaramillo
with Professor Zena R. Mello (Advisor)
Department of Psychology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
In this study, perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, stereotype threat, and optimism
were examined in a sample of 129 Native American adolescents aged 14-19. The first
research question under investigation is, how much do Native American adolescents
report experiencing racial/ethnic group discrimination and stereotype threat? The
second research question to be explored is, how does racial/ethnic discrimination and
stereotype threat predict optimism among Native American adolescents? Participants
were recruited from several public high schools and an academic summer program. A
self-report survey measuring the variables of interest was completed by participants.
~ 23 ~
BRAIN RESPONSES TO EMOTIONAL WORDS IN PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT
ADULT ATTACHMENT STYLES
Laura M. Lathrop
with Professor Michael A. Kisley (Advisor)
Department of Psychology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Attachment theory provides a foundation for understanding adult relationships.
Research indicates that attachment styles established in childhood continue to influence
individuals into adulthood, affecting the way adults interpret and respond to emotional
and interpersonal information and events. These patterns of responding can be
maladaptive and negatively affect interpersonal relationships. Part of this influence
comes from differences in the way anxious and avoidant individuals pay attention to
emotional information. Theory indicates that anxious individuals are overly concerned
about their relationships and fear abandonment. They tend to be hyper-vigilant toward
attachment-related threats, giving extra attention to relationship cues. Theory proposes
that avoidant individuals maintain distance in intimate relationships and tend to
suppress attention toward attachment-related information, meaning they tend to ignore
relationship cues. Until recently, the allocation of attention to emotional information has
been studied using indirect, behavioral methods. In contrast, this project looks directly at
the manner in which individuals with anxious and avoidant attachment styles allocate
their attention to emotional information by measuring brainwave responses to positive
~ 63 ~
and negative, general and attachment-related emotional words presented in a
background of neutral words. This project is novel in that emotional information is
divided into general and relationship-oriented themes, and also into the positive and
negative aspects within those themes; additionally, it includes a measure of brain
responses to track attention allocation. Combining these elements promises to allow a
more nuanced understanding of attention allocation in people with differing attachment
styles.
~ 24 ~
MALE ACCESSOR-GLAND PROTEIN TRANSCIPTS PRESENT IN THE
REPRODUCTIVE TRACTS OF MATED DROSOPHILIA MOJAVENSIS FEMALES MAY
HAVE IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING POST MATING
MOLECULAR INTERACTIONS
Alexis Mascarenas
with Professors Eugenia Olesnicky-Killian, Professor Jeremy M. Bono (Advisors)
Department of Biology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
In internally fertilizing organisms, post-mating molecular interactions between the sexes
occur within the female reproductive tracts that are necessary for successful
reproduction. In many species, male accessory gland proteins (ACPs) are known to
interact with components of the female reproductive tract, triggering physiological
processes in mated females including immune response, sperm transfer and female
receptivity. A previous study has shown that Acp mRNA transcripts are detected in the
reproductive tracts of Drosophila mojavensis females after copulation. Although it is
know that ACP proteins are transferred from males to females, the discovery that
mRNAs are as well is novel, and may have important implications for understanding
post mating molecular interactions. Once transferred, these mRNAs are not rapidly
degraded and persist in the females for at least six hours, indicating they may serve a
functional purpose. Here, I will use in situ hybridization to investigate where in the lower
reproductive tract the Acp transcripts are present following copulation.
~ 64 ~
~ 25 ~
RAPID DETERMINATION OF A PANEL OF NEUROTRANSMITTERS IN HUMAN
URINE USING CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS
Kathryn a. Prescott, Char Brecevic, Morgan Pinto
with Professor David J. Weiss (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (E) have been
linked to many neurological conditions. However, the relationship between these
neurotransmitter concentrations and diseases is not well understood. A technique that
offers rapid, non-invasive quantitative analysis of neurotransmitters could aid physicians
and researchers when studying neurological diseases. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is
an effective method for small, charged molecules, like neurotransmitters. CE yields high
peak efficiencies, and is environmentally friendly due to its minimal use of organic
solvents. Presented here is a rapid method to identify and quantitate four
neurotransmitters simultaneously in human urine. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was
used for sample clean-up and preconcentration. UV/Vis detection was utilized for
analysis of samples with elution times of approximately 10 minutes.
~ 26 ~
EXPRESSION ANALYSES INDICATE A ROLE FOR THE GENE shep IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, MIDLINE, AND TRACHEA
Ismail E. Sola
with Professor Eugenia Olesnicky-Killian (Advisor)
Department of Biology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Shep encodes a RNA binding protein conserved across multiple species including
humans (RBMS1,2,3), zebrafish (RBMS 1a,3), mouse (RBMS 2,3), as well as many
other species. Analysis of shep mRNA distribution in Drosophila embryos indicate cell
specific expression starting at stage 11 in the central nervous system midline cells and
later, at stage 15 in the ventral nerve cord, brain, and trachea. Interestingly, tracheal
expression of shep indicates a role for shep in regulating cell movement or migration in
the embryo. We hypothesize shep is involved in cell migration pathways in both the
nervous system and the trachea.
~ 65 ~
~ 27 ~
THE UTILITY OF BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH
DOWN’S SYNDROME AND DEMENTIA
Sandra Garcia, Mary Steers
with Professor Leilani Feliciano (Advisor)
CU Aging Center
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Individuals with developmental disabilities are living longer than ever before, with an
average life expectancy near 60 years old (Torr & Davis, 2007). As the population of
aging adults with developmental disabilities increases, health care professionals must
be prepared to manage the consequences of the cognitive impairments that develop in
later adulthood, including dementia. Individuals with Down’s syndrome (DS) have an
increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with prevalence rates of 50-75% by the age
of 65 (Torr & Davis, 2007). As individuals with DS endure the stages of a progressive
dementia, they may exhibit disruptive behaviors, such as agitation (e.g., verbally and/or
physically nonaggressive behaviors, verbally and/or physically aggressive behaviors),
which can negatively affect the individuals quality of life and increase caregiver burden.
Interventions to reduce agitation among individuals with developmental disabilities have
been effective, and many have been successfully applied to people with AD.
Unfortunately, there is little research focusing on whether these interventions will have
the same efficacy with individuals with both DS and AD. The present study will utilize
single case design methodology to evaluate the utility of function-based behavioral
interventions for reducing agitation in individuals with comorbid DS and AD.
Additionally, interventions will aim to increase quality of life among these individuals and
decrease caregiver burden. Implications for behavior management in this population
will be discussed.
~ 28 ~
SELF-EFFICACY AND OTHER INFLUENCES IN STEM CAREERS; INVESTIGATING
DIFFERENCES AMONG UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS
Audrey K. Szarka
with Peter D. Marle, Lisa L. Decker, Dave H. Khaliqi (Advisors)
CSTEME/PEPES
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
A shortage exists among college graduates entering STEM (science, technology,
engineering and mathematics) fields, thereby threatening United States’ STEM
competitiveness. Bandura (1977) presumed self-efficacy largely impacts performance
and thus future career choices. Consequently, CSTEME (Center for STEM Education)
programs endeavor to increase self-efficacy in STEM and inspire students to pursue
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STEM careers. Students (N = 600; grades 5-12) completed pre-surveys prior to
CSTEME workshop participation, and qualitative responses to the question “Please list
3 jobs you would like to have when you grow up” were coded (i.e., Science,
Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and non-STEM careers) for analysis. Results
showed various levels of predictability between self-efficacy and attitude variables and
interest in STEM and non-STEM careers. Further, differences between school level,
first-generation status, gender, and race/ethnicity were explored. Understanding
variable predictions of STEM career matriculation may lead to effective STEM program
practices thereby boosting the number of college graduates pursuing STEM careers.
~ 29 ~
IMPACT OF BACTERIAL INFECTION ON EXPRESSION OF TWO PATHWAYS OF
THE DROSOPHILA INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM, TOLL AND IMD, FOLLOWING
EXPOSURE TO ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS
Kim Cox, Kathryn Gray, Martha Bales
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
The maintenance and deployment of the innate immune system is assumed to be
energetically costly to organisms, by using resources that could otherwise have been
allocated to other life history processes. To search for potential trade-offs, we will
investigate the impacts of environmental stress on the operation of two pathways that
produce antimicrobial peptides as part of the innate immune response in Drosophila
melanogaster. Flies will be assigned to one of three stress treatments (cold shock, heat
shock, or starvation), or to a non-stressed control group. Flies from each of these four
stress treatments will be placed in one of three infection treatment groups: uninfected,
infected with Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) or infected with Gramnegative bacteria (Escherichia coli). We will use quantitative real-time PCR to quantify
expression of the antimicrobial peptides Diptericin, produced by the Imd pathway in
response to Gram-negative infection, and Defensin, produced by the Toll pathway in
response to Gram-positive infection. With this experiment we attempt to discover any
trade-offs within the Toll and Imd pathways of the innate immune system resulting from
environmental stress.
~ 67 ~
~ 30 ~
CHILDREN’S PERCEPTIONS OF WRITING BEFORE ENTERING KINDERGARTEN
Lena Liedtke
with Professor Michelle Neely (Advisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Educators are well aware that writing does not just start when a child enters a
Kindergarten classroom. The theory of emergent writing would suggest that writing skills
emerge as children develop. Through exposure at home, pre-school and in everyday
surroundings children have usually developed opinions about writing. This study
presents how 5 and 6-year-olds view writing before entering the Kindergarten classroom
and formal education. I hope to give the children interviewed a sense of power and
ownership in their educational process, give parents an idea of where their child is in
regards to thoughts on writing, and serve as a reminder to educators of the beginnings
– where children are coming from.
~ 31 ~
LOS SAN PATRICIOS: VICTIMS OR SOLDIERS OF FORTUNE IN THE
WAR WITH MEXICO
Kimberly Sweetwood
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Los San Patricios, an assembly of deserters from the United States army who turned
and fought for the Mexican army during the Mexican-American War, were captured after
the Battle of Churubusco and tried by general court martial for desertion. What caused
these men to desert? By analyzing contemporary military documents, contemporary
accounts of the Mexican-American War, along with immigration, naturalization, and
census data, and current scholarship this investigation will demonstrate that los San
Patricios did not desert the United States army strictly because of religious
discrimination, but were in fact influenced by the active recruitment of the Mexican army
promising social and economic opportunities in addition to religious freedom.
~ 68 ~
~ 32 ~
A COMPARISON OF THREE MODIFICATIONS OF THE
VAN DER WAALS EQUATION OF STATE
Dustin DiSalle
with Professor James Eberhart (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
The equation of state (EOS) of a fluid not only provides the dependence of fluid density
on temperature and pressure, but it is also a useful thermodynamic tool that enables the
prediction of certain physical properties from the measurement of other properties. A
popular starting point for the creation of new EsOS is the modification of the famous,
two-parameter, van der Waals EOS. One approach is to replace one or both of the
parameters with a function of temperature. In this study we have explored three
different temperature-dependent attractive parameters inspired by the work of Berthelot,
Prausnitz, and Soave. In each case a third parameter is introduced in the resulting
EOS. The three parameters are evaluated using the experimental values of the critical
temperature and pressure, as well as the Riedel factor (which is the tangent to the
vapor pressure curve at the critical point). The accuracy of these three EsOS (as well
as the original van der Waals EOS) are evaluated via the prediction of three different
properties for simple fluids, namely, the second virial coefficient at the critical
temperature, the Boyle temperature, and the zero-pressure inversion temperature. On
the basis of these predictions, all three modified EsOS provide significant improvement
over the original van der Waals equation. The best of the three modifications is the one
that employs the temperature-dependent attractive term suggested by the hybrid of the
van der Waals and the Berthelot EsOS.
~ 33 ~
THE WRITING PROCESSES OF CREATIVE WRITERS IN CREATIVE AND
ACADEMIC WRITING
Ashley Stuard
with Michelle Neely (Advisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
This study investigated whether creative writers, at all levels of the writing process,
approach writing differently when they write creatively as opposed to academically.
Through three interviews with creative writers who are also college students, this study
analyzed which processes writers used, which processes were emphasized, and how
similar or different the processes were between the two genres of writing. Additionally,
creative writers were asked about their conceptions of writing in order to discern
whether or not their conceptions informed their writing processes.
~ 69 ~
~ 34 ~
SERMON PREPARATION
Kacee Saxe
with Michelle Neely (Advisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
This study reports on interviews of adults who have participated in Christian discourse
via Sermons. Transcripts were analyzed for emotional and rhetorical components of the
sermon preparation.
~ 35 ~
WRITING INSTRUCTION IN CHARTER SCHOOLS
Amy Renfro
with Michelle Neely (Advisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
The purpose of this study is to understand writing instruction in charter schools, using a
local charter school as a case study. It is the aim of the study to learn details such as
the amount of time spent on writing instruction, the effects of teaching cursive, and what
factors are most likely to promote students’ success in writing.
~ 36 ~
THE LIMITS OF STRUCTURE AND THE FREEDOM OF EMOTION:
THE CREATIVE WRITING PROCESS OF LYRICISTS
Matthew Denning
with Michelle Neely (Advisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Music is a universal pleasure that encompasses almost every aspect of our daily lives.
There is an inherent feature within an individual’s particular choice of music that
connects the pleasure received from the music to the actual medium of art. As lyrics
often represent this feature, there are questions that arise when addressing this unique
~ 70 ~
form of individual creativity. As both external factors and internal factors dictate the
composition of music, the writing process of lyrics begins to illuminate this unique
writing process. This project explores the question: How is the writing process of lyrics
implemented in a musical group and how are the external and internal factors relevant
to the composition of lyrics? Through the analysis of written artifacts and interviews, this
study addresses these questions as they are relevant to lyricists.
~ 37 ~
UNDERSTANDING TEACHING METHODS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Alecia M. Johnson
with Michelle Neely (Advisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
“Understanding Teaching Methods of Foreign Languages” is a study about the effects
on students’ learning of English through different teaching methods. The goal of this
study is to identify the benefits and disadvantages of different methods in order to find
commonalities that could help professors enhance their curriculum and students better
their study habits. The information for this study is gathered through interviews with
college/university students and professors as well as through survey results from
SurveyMonkey.com.
~ 38 ~
USING FLOW CYTOMETRY TO ANALYZE NEUTRAL LIPIDS IN
CHLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDTII
Polina Reynolds
with Professor Sandy Berry-Lowe (Advisor)
Department of Biology
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Due to the rising costs of fossil fuels, renewable biofuels from a variety of sources are
being explored as viable alternatives. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular green
alga that is a useful model organism for studying biofuel production because it can be
cultivated in many environments, variegated mutants are available, and it is amenable
to analysis by flow cytometry. Previous research has suggested that abiotic stress, such
as nitrogen starvation and various chemical compounds, can induce increased neutral
lipid (triaglycerol/TAG) accumulation in lipid droplets. Oxamate is a pyruvate analog,
known to be an inhibitor of lactate dehydrogenase and glycolate dehydrogenase. Due to
~ 71 ~
its potential to inhibit glycolysis, oxamate may lead to metabolism disruption that is
sufficient to cause lipid accumulation. Wild type, wall-less, and light sensitive algae
strains were exposed to nitrogen deficient media, varying oxamate levels, and
combinations of the two for 4-48 hours before being assessed for lipid content. Nile
Red, a lipophilic stain, was used to fluorescently stain intracellular lipids and flow
cytometry was used for high throughput detection and screening of live individual cells.
We thank Bill Townend and UCCS Biofrontiers for use of the flow cytometer.
~ 39 ~
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CREATIVE AND ACADEMIC WRITING:
WRITER’S ATTITUDES, TECHNIQUES, AND BEHAVIORS
David King
with Michelle Neely (Advisor)
Department of English
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
As the title suggests, this study attempts to determine some of the differences between
writers’ approaches to creative and academic writing. In order to achieve this, the study
includes two sets of data. The first set consists of several in-depth interviews with
people who write in both creative and academic spheres. The second set analyses
creative and academic writing samples taken from the same group. These data sets
are then cross examined to find correlations between the interview responses and
writing choices of the participants.
~ 40 ~
EXPLORING PARAMETERS IN MICROWAVE ASSISTED
ORGANIC SYNTHESIS (MAOS)
Christ Butler, Brayden Hamill
with Allen M. Schoffstall (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Microwave (MW) assisted organic synthesis (MAOS) requires use of scientific
microwave instrumentation. This equipment is much more sophisticated than the $200
MW ovens sold in department stores. The instrumentation provides for reaction vessels
that withstand pressures in excess of 50 bar (725 psi). The high pressure vessels allow
heating of volatile solutions to temperatures of 100-200°C, higher than can be achieved
at ordinary reflux temperatures. Our project is a study to maximize the quality and
quantity of product formed in an ordered three-pronged MAOS reaction involving SN2
~ 72 ~
substitution, decarboxylation and then cycloaddition using click chemistry.
2’Bromoacetophenone undergoes the SN2 reaction with sodium azide while
decarboxylation of 3-phenyl-2-propynoic acid occurs releasing CO2 and exposing a
terminal alkyne. The resulting organic azide and alkyne condense in the presence of
copper sulfate pentahydrate and sodium ascorbate (Vitamin C) in a 1:1 tert-butyl
alcohol/water solution. Our theme is varying parameters to achieve the best outcome.
~ 41 ~
CADET PACKAGE INSTANT NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (CPINS)
Benjamin Kram, Nathan Lebens, Max Robertson, Julie Ahn, Bamboo Hewitt
with Maj Daniel White, Lt Col Charles Murnieks (Advisors)
Department of Management
United States Air Force Academy
CPINS is an information technology project that will reduce service and wait times in the
cadet mailroom by sending instant notifications via email to cadets when they have a
package available for pick-up. CPINS will minimize the need for the use of the current
yellow slip notification system which requires personal travel to the mailroom by creating
faster package lock box turnaround and freeing up more lock boxes for use each day.
The current lock box availability is only 150-200 out of 500 lock boxes with
approximately 500-1000 new packages arriving each day. Minimizing the use of yellow
slips will reduce the time it takes for package clerks to deliver packages by an estimated
2 hours per day and save the service window clear 1 hour per day, saving the USPS
$10,560 per academic year by reducing the number of packages that must be handed
out, and save cadets approximately 1600 hours per academic year excluding
weekends.
~ 42 ~
NEUMIMIC
Chad Moore, Melissa Fuerst, Haley Holcombe, Colton Beuchel, Ryan Wallway, Gage
Owens, Marcela Leano, Daniel Neal, Ralph Tatum, Nico Gigante
with Capt Ryan Silva (Advisor)
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
United States Air Force Academy
More than 7 million Americans have survived a stroke, yet only 10% of stroke victims
recover completely. The remaining 90% of stroke victims are left to live altered
lifestyles. The purpose of NeuMimic is to give stroke victims a cost effective in-home
rehabilitation system to help re-establish the connection between the arm and the brain.
NeuMimic allows the therapist to enter select exercises for the patient to complete at
home via Microsoft Kinect. The system will provide the services of a portable, on-call
~ 73 ~
Occupational Therapist by delivering instant feedback to the patient and tracking his/her
improvement. NeuMimic is a revolutionary rehabilitation system that will significantly
increase the quality of life and reduce the recovery time for stroke victims.
~ 43 ~
WEST NILE VIRUS IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Chris Jordan, Keith Blount
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
United States Air Force Academy
The purpose of this research was to identify resident mosquitoes and to determine the
prevalence of West Nile Virus in Yellowstone National Park. Such data can then be
used to develop a disease-risk assessment for parking personnel and visitors.
Mosquitoes were collected from various locations in Yellowstone National Park (YNP)
during June and July 2011. Mosquitoes (N=641) were identified through comparison of
morphological features using dichotomous keys and identification texts.
The
mosquitoes were then pooled by area and date, and tested for potential infectivity of
West Nile virus (WNV) using the VecTest assay. All assays returned negative results
for WNV. The results of this research project indicate that WNV, if present, is
uncommon at YNP. Thus, the current disease risk for YNP from WNV would be very
low.
~ 74 ~
Oral Session III
(3:00-4:00 pm)
Autonomous Systems
Room: Centennial Hall 102
~
DYNAMICS MODELING OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FORMATION FLIGHT
Andrew R. Hilton
United States Air Force Academy
Electromagnetic formation flight (EMFF) is a method of holding satellite arrays in a
formation without the use of propellant. A formation of smaller satellites that work
together can be more effective and cheaper than one larger satellite performing a
similar mission. EMFF will enable the United States Air Force to develop flexible, robust
space systems by splitting different systems and payloads into modules that link
together on orbit and fly in a formation. Such systems will reduce the complexity of
design as well as increase the ability to respond to unforeseen occurrences during
mission operations. The concept of EMFF relies on the fact that the spacecraft in the
formation are flying relative to each other and uses attraction and repulsion forces to
actuate the system. The research presented here analyzes these relative forces while
detailing the development and verification of a Simulink dynamics model for an
electromagnetic formation flight project at the Space Systems Laboratory. Biot-Savart’s
law is used to characterize the magnetic fields from each coil and model the resulting
forces and torques. The model uses finite element analysis to compute the forces and
torques exchanged between different segments on the two coils. The simulation has
been accurate in modeling the forces and torques induced by resonant coils as a result
of their relative position and orientation thereby allowing future researchers to develop
and test formation-flying control algorithms before using the valuable on-orbit time
allocated for hardware testing.
~ 75 ~
~
ANDROID-BASED PAYLOAD FOR AUTONOMOUS UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS
Craig Stan, Joshua Sprang, Brennan Sweeney, Austin Sena
with Capt Michael Tanner (Advisor)
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
United States Air Force Academy
Unmanned Aerial Systems’ payloads play a major role in the strategic employment of
air power; however, currently payload systems are created from custom (read:
expensive) parts which can be difficult to integrate while meeting ever-changing mission
requirements. Our project focuses on creating a payload with commercial-off-the-shelf
parts to improve the cost, time-to-market, and performance of the payload.
Furthermore, the payload provides capabilities on-board image processing, autopilot
integration, GPS waypoint system, and target tracking/detection.
~
ROBOTIC PACE SETTER
Mark Richardson
with Dr. John Wood (Advisor)
Department of Engineering Mechanics
United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs
This project will design, develop and test an autonomous robotic device to act as a pace
setter to aid athletes in running US Air Force Academy Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and
Aerobic Fitness Test (AFT). The PFT consists of a 600 yard run at an approximate
pace of 14 miles per hour around an indoor track and the AFT consists of a 1.5 mile run
on an outdoor track. An autonomous flying multicopter was selected as the robotic
platform to accomplish the design task. Multicopters can be programmed and flown
using an ArduPilotMega (APM) autopilot with open source Mission Planner (MP)
software. This software allows for setting waypoints on a map that the multicopter will
follow using GPS and altitude sensors. An indoor navigating system must be developed
to replicate the GPS information that is unavailable indoors using sensors such as
sonars, optical flow sensors or even a triangulation system.
~ 76 ~
____________________
Social Ties
Room: Centennial Hall 106
~
COLORBLINDNESS REFLECTED IN THE LAW
Norbert Grover
with Dean Peter Braza (Advisor)
College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences Dean’s Office
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Sociologist Donald Black once theorized that the law is primarily a mechanism that
perpetuates and preserves the influence of those who hold the societal reins of power.
In support of this, Black quotes Rousseau when he states that
The universal spirit of laws, in all countries, is to favor the strong in opposition to the
weak, and to assist those who have possessions against those who have none. This
inconveniency is inevitable, and without exception. (p. 12)
I will argue that contemporary “colorblind” legislation facilitates societal stratification
along racial lines, ensuring the existence of the status quo with regard to education,
employment and politics. Academics like Cheryl I. Harris (2003) propose that
throughout American history and into the present day, “colorblind” legislation
or
laws that covertly marginalize people of color continue to act as barriers to an even
distribution of societal resources. For example, legislation such as SB 1070 targets and
demonizes the existence of the Mexican immigrant just as the Wagner Act
disproportionately benefitted the poor White in contrast to his Black counterpart during
the inception of a growing American middle class. In the context of Donald Black’s
theory, law operates as a social control mechanism. Accordingly, often the dictates of
law make certain behavior normative. I intend to argue that certain “colorblind” initiatives
in law create a legal marginalization of people along racial lines. Furthermore, I will
argue that contemporary “colorblind” law is just as detrimental to the Black in America
as Jim Crow was to the Black of the 1950s and 60s.
~ 77 ~
~
OF WAR AND WORDS: THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR
REPRESENTED THROUGH HER SONGS
Molly Engle
with Dr. Sheri Long (Advisor)
Department of Foreign Languages
United States Air Force Academy
This research project presents the notable role of music as a unifier, morale builder, and
inspirational motivator for soldiers of both sides during the Spanish Civil War (19361939). An analysis of the lyrics and melodies from this time period focuses on three
major aspects of the Spanish Civil War. They mark the war’s progress, the ideologies of
the Nationalists and Republicans, and the authors and their motives. A comparison of
13 well-known war songs reveals the distinct motivation behind each side. The
Nationalists incorporated simple, solid themes that created a unified voice behind the
idea that they were fighting to preserve: their traditional Spanish identity that revered
loyalty to the Catholic Church, the family, and the state. On the contrary, since the
Republicans varied greatly in political ideologies (i.e. anarchists, communists, socialists)
within their own group, their songs express more universal calls to liberty and equality
that were values necessary in establishing a new, free Democratic Spain.
~
PAINT, PANTIES, AND PIN-UPS:
THE SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS
OF THE SEXUALIZATION OF THE AMERICAN PIN-UP
Maria Tobin
with Barbara Headle (Advisor)
Department of History
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Throughout the 1930s, 40s and 50s, American pop-culture in conjunction with the social
media transformed the female figure into a highly sexualized image while ensuring its
ability to maintain the innocence and vulnerability expected of the female gender. The
establishment of the “All American Pin-Up Girl” revolutionized the pop-culture and social
media of the era as it was combined with patriotic slogans to support the war effort both
at home and overseas. By focusing on the works of great Pin-Up artists including Earl
Moran, Zoë Mozert, and Art Frahm, as well as secondary arguments presented by
modern American and art historians alike, the American Pin-Up became an artistic
phenomenon that affected American society socially, psychologically and aesthetically
by establishing itself in modern United States history as an iconic style of American art.
~ 78 ~
_____________________
Understanding Our Environment
Room: Centennial Hall 186
~
EFFECTS ON WATER QUALITY IN SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES
Matthew Cahalan
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Agriculture, urban land use, and climatic events have increased the fluxes of nutrients,
sediments, and different organic/inorganic chemicals into surface waters and ground
waters. As a result, watersheds are under various levels of environmental pressures
due to diminished water quality. Specifically, the increased nitrogen flux to rivers,
estuaries, and coastal waters has enhanced phytoplankton blooms as part of the overall
eutrophication process. Discharge rates of nitrate in streams are not commonly
matched to different types of land use or to field application rates. To promote the longterm sustainability of natural and managed watersheds and to develop successful
remediation strategies, fundamental processes that control water quality on a watershed
scale must be investigated. This research is designed to understand nitrogen fluxes in
watersheds with different land uses, and then eventually engineer cost effective
solutions to reduce and mitigate the nutrient footprint of businesses, towns, and
municipalities.
~
AN EXPERIMENT WITH LOW COST, SUSTAINABLE DRINKING WATER
PURIFICATION TECHNIQUES
Andrew Munoz
Department of Civil Engineering
United States Air Force Academy
The lack of clean drinking water is the fifth leading cause of death for adults and the
second leading cause of death for children under the age of five (World Health
Organization, 2002). This project studied low cost, sustainable means of purifying
drinking water for use in developing countries. Specifically, we studied how grain size
effects biological sand filtration since very small sand grains (<0.7mm) that have been
proven effective for use in biosand water filters can be difficult to locate and isolate in
developing countries. Additionally, we studied how important post-filtration ultraviolet
[solar] disinfection is because, while recommended by the Center for Affordable Water
and Sanitation Technology (CAWST), it is not always practiced in developing countries
due to the additional effort and time required. Escherichia coli (e. coli) and turbidity
reduction were two measures of effectiveness used in this study. Two biosand water
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filters were built: a control filter (d10 = 0.19, UC = 2.1) in accordance with CAWST
specifications that limits grain size to 0.7mm and an experimental filter (d10 = 0.80, UC
= 1.5) with grain sizes up to 2.0mm. Jenkins, et al. (2011) concluded that smaller
grained biosand filters significantly or near significantly improved bacteria removal from
water; however our experimental filter’s grain size more drastically differed from the
control than theirs and we compared our results to international standards to determine
if larger grains could still meet them. CAWST recommends disinfection after biosand
filtration. Wilson (2010) found that water filtration using a roughing filter can help
increase the effectiveness of solar disinfection; our filters employed a biological layer
which used predation and natural death in addition to mechanical trapping to potentially
enhance the reduction of bacteria and turbidity. The data show e. coli and turbidity
removal characteristics of both filters were not significantly different, and both met
international drinking water standards. Additionally, ultraviolet disinfection eliminated all
e. coli from both filters’ effluent. The results of this project indicate the grain size
requirements in biosand water filters may be relaxed, and disinfection may not be
required to meet international drinking water standards.
~
THE SYNTHESIS OF A NOVEL ORGANOMETALLIC LIGAND FOR ALKLYTHIOL
REMOVAL IN NATURAL GAS
Bethany Neighbors
with Dr. Renee Henry (Advisor)
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Abstract: A common method of H2S and alkylthiol removal from raw natural gas is by
the amine process. These processes require large volumes of volatile amines, elevated
pressures and temperatures. An organometallic complex would replace the need to use
large volumes of amines, elevated pressure and temperatures currently used to remove
acid gas contaminants. The primary research goal seeks to produce a structure suitable
for removal of H2S and alkylthiols. The ligand of interest is N, N’, N’’, N’’’ 1,4,8,11
tetrakis (N-isopropyl acetamide) tetraazacyclotetradecane (TIAC) which is formed from
the reaction between 2-bromo-N-isopropyl acetamide and 1,4,8,11tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam). The methods of synthesis and characterization of
TIAC will be presented.
~ 80 ~
_____________________
Systems Optimization
Room: Centennial Hall 188
~
IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF INTERNATIONAL
SHIPPING INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Brian Hwang, Royd Lim, Paul Gaski, and Jon Jones
with Lt Col Tim Pettit, Capt Brian Lemay, and Capt John Miller (Advisors)
Department of Management
United States Air Force Academy
FedEx is an international shipping company that processes more than 3.4 million
packages daily. Due to frequent changes in regulations and requirements of each
country, FedEx has supplemented their existing systems that process individual
packages. This study focuses on FedEx’s international shipping operations and
provides FedEx with a detailed map of their system interfaces and associated traffic
from system calls. By analyzing the thousands of system calls that occur each day, the
study aims to understand how each of FedEx’s systems interacts and to identify
opportunities to reduce system complexity. Additionally, by identifying various
bottlenecks that occur between systems, FedEx is able to identify and address specific
issues and reevaluate their system workloads in order to avoid system failures and
manual intervention. As FedEx increases its international shipping volume and
continues to grow, analysis of its error-prone systems is crucial for preventing critical
and costly errors in the future. With this study’s results and recommendations, FedEx is
able to more efficiently manage and operate its international shipment system.
~
OPTIMIZING RETAILER COUPON DISTRIBUTION
Shayne Boyd, Colby Browning, Raymond Hill, Austin Howard, and Katy Dunkelberger
with Capt Brian Lemay, Capt Peter Furseth and Capt Nick Mastronardi (Advisors)
Departments of Management, Economics & Geosciences
United States Air Force Academy
In January 2012, Sports Authority started utilizing the services of Catalina Marketing
Corporation. Catalina Marketing Corporation distributes coupons at grocery and
convenience store cash registers based on consumer spending patterns and
specifications given by Sports Authority. The goal of this study is to maximize Sports
Authority’s gross margin by determining the optimal markets in which to distribute
Catalina coupons during a national campaign. To accomplish this, the benefits and
costs of coupon redemption in a particular market must be balanced. Regression
~ 81 ~
analysis on coupon redemption forecasts the benefits of distributing coupons in a
particular market. A linear program then balances forecasted benefits with operating
and promotional budgets to determine in which markets to print coupons. With these
results, Sports Authority can more effectively utilize Catalina’s services to increase
profits.
~
INVENTORY ANALYSIS FOR WAREHOUSE COST REDUCTIONS
Maria Phillips, Hunter Hamer, Stephen Welling, Kathleen Vardell
with Lt Col Tim Pettit, Maj Justin Hill, and Capt Brian Lemay (Advisors)
Department of Management
United States Air Force Academy
Currently, the Black Hills Corporation’s warehouse in Pueblo, CO orders material based
on intuitively chosen reorder points and quantities. They also face an inventory problem
because delays with buyers in Rapid City, SD and numerous vendors create long and
unpredictable lead times. Using EOQ (Economic Order Quantity) and Reorder Point
equations to determine these reorder levels and amounts can minimize the cost of
inventory for black Hills Corporation. This project calculates these reorder points and
quantities using past data. A total cost comparison between their current process and
the proposed one will be presented. Results will be integrated with PeopleSoft software
currently employed by the customer. In addition, process improvements to reduce lead
time variability in the ordering systems will also be presented. This project concludes
with results of potential inventory costs savings under various services levels.
_____________________
Hitchcock & Shakespeare
University Center 302
~
THE WIVES OF VILLAINS: COMPLICITY IN EVIL
Canyon Chambers
with Advised Andrea Van Nort (Advisor)
Department of English and Fine Arts
United States Air Force Academy
Shakespeare criticism of two of Shakespeare’s most notorious villains, Iago and
Macbeth, typically focuses on Iago as a single agent and Macbeth as driven by Lady
Macbeth. It is true that, most often, when mentioning Macbeth, the architect of his
earliest murder, Lady Macbeth, comes quickly to mind. With regard to Iago, however,
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his wife, Emilia, barely earns a side note in critical queries. This paper will attempt to
rectify the imbalance that exists with regard to these two key adjuvant characters. I
propose to examine the roles of Emilia and Lady Macbeth as active agents in their
husbands’ machinations, one unwitting, one emphatically intentionally. In doing so, I
hope to challenge common perceptions and provide them both some well-deserved
credit.
~
HACKING HITCHCOCK: A PRESENTATION ON THE ‘TRINITY’ OF HIS FILMS
Andrew H. Drescher
with Professor Robert Von Dassanowsky (Advisor)
Department of Film
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
This presentation offers a theory on the legendary Alfred Hitchcock: his focus on the
elderly, the female and their binding to the dogmatic “MacGuffin”-- a plot device
designed to motivate the psychological emergence of the central characters. By
analyzing three films, I will show how the "MacGuffin” also defines the woman as a
reductive device serving the narrative's development of male identity while the elderly
are used as metaphors for entrapment in archaic social norms.
_____________________
Disharmonic Spirituality
Room: University Center 303A
~
AN EXPLORATION OF NARRATIVE THROUGH BINAURAL SOUNDSCAPE
Britton Ciampa
with Dr. Glen Whitehead (Advisor)
Department of Visual and Performing Arts/Music
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
This project is a collaboration between Dr. Glen Whitehead and Britton Ciamps to
create a concept recording exploring and reinventing the idea of the narrative within
improvised music. With Ciampa on a range of percussion instruments and Whitehead
with several trumpets and trumpet like instruments, this project will employ specialized
inter-spatial binaural recording techniques. These techniques, in conjunction with the
specific elements of the narrative (revolving around the rabies virus), combine to create
a holistic and innovative new recording and listening experience. This recording will aim
to tell the story of a dog infected by the rabies virus. This is both a literal and figurative
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example of disharmonic variation, societal dislocation, and our internal response
systems to environmental change, personal and cultural disruption.
A binaural recording allows the listener to experience recorded sound in such a relation
to their own spatial sense that they feel as though they’re able to pinpoint the actual
location of the sound source, even though the sound exists only in the headphones.
This phenomenon has also been described as 3D stereo sound (2D stereo sound
means simply hearing sound either from the left or right, while binaural 3D stereo adds
the new dimension of ‘front’ and ‘back’ to sound.)
~
MEME – AN ORIGINAL MUSIC COMPOSITION
Brent Wollman
with Glen Whitehead (Advisor)
Department of Visual and Performing Arts/Music
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
This piece was inspired by a short documentary video I saw a long time ago that
described a parasitic organism that uses biomechanical mechanisms to modify the
neurological structure of its host to the extent of dramatically altering its behavior. This
particular parasite caused an ant to climb up a blade of grass, making itself vulnerable
to grazing cattle, which are the parasite’s ultimate destination. I liked the idea of natural
selection harnessing the power of an idea (a pattern of neural activity) to create this
remarkable relationship between two distantly related organisms. What I was trying to
express here was the blossoming of an ominous and unsettlingly beautiful natural
phenomenon. The ant climbs absurdly to the tip of its destruction, unknowingly at the
mercy of a deceitful parasite. Despite the cruelty of this process, there is something
captivating about the way the insect patiently waits, seemingly by its own will, for its own
death. I wanted the unfolding of this piece to evoke feelings of a dark realization gilded
with vicarious wonderment.
~
KIERKEGAARDIAN DIALECTIC IN MODERNIST CLOTHING: GOD, EXISTENCE
AND MUSIC IN SCHOENBERG’S OPERA MOSES UND ARON
Jonathan Gillin
with Glen Whitehead (Advisor)
Department of Visual and Performing Arts/Music
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Arnold Schoenberg’s opera Moses and Aron is work that is imbued with philosophy and
theology. This work speaks volumes about Schoenberg’s own relationship to the Divine
as well as his view of his musical development. Moses in the opera has a direct
encounter with God and is consequently defined by this experience. He knows the
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purpose of his existence through the transparent interaction he has had with God and is
thereby a distinct self, separated from the crowd and called by God. For Schoenberg,
the self is identified through the separation between the transcendent and immanent.
This separation, and consequent definition of self are common themes in the opera. It is
also the central theme in Kierkegaard’s philosophy. Kierkegaard believed that the
development of the self was defined in a dialect leading from the immanent to the
transcendent. In Kierkegaard’s thought the ability for an individual to become a self
rests in his ability to move from the most basic experience of life, the aesthetic, through
the ethical and finally, to a relationship experience with God. It is only here, in an
encounter with God, that Kierkegaard believed a man could truly become a self. The
parallel between Schoenberg’s opera and Kierkegaard’s philosophy of becoming a self
through the transparent God relationship is obvious. This paper seeks to explore the
relationship between the writings of Kierkegaard and Schoenberg’s philosophy of the
individual’s relationship to the Divine as manifest in Moses und Aron.
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