1

CONTENTS

Schedule of Events..................................................................................................2

Guest Speaker.........................................................................................................3

Music Performance........................................................................................................4

Poster Abstracts

Fine Arts/Humanities......................................................................................4

Behavioral/Social Sciences.............................................................................5

Natural/Physical Sciences.............................................................................11

Professional/Applied Sciences......................................................................19

Business & Technology......................................................................19

Education...........................................................................................21

Graduate Studies..........................................................................................23

Oral Presentation Schedule...................................................................................29-31

Oral Presentation Abstracts......................................................................32-38

Art Student Award Recipients..............................................................................39-40

Student Participation Index...................................................................................41-42

Sponsored by:Office of Graduate Studies & Research

Research Services CouncilUndergraduate Research Council

2

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Poster Set Up NSU 238

9:00 - 11:00 a.m. Judging NSU 238

Noon - 1:30 p.m. Luncheon NSU 238 A&BGuest Speaker: Chad Cook

1:30- 1:50 p.m. Music Performance NSU 238 C&D

1:30- 3:30 p.m. Oral Presentations NSU 310NSU 312Cedar Room

1:30 - 4:30 p.m. Poster Session Open NSU 238

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Award Reception NSU 238

5:00 p.m. Posters Removed NSU 238

3

Chad CookLuncheon Guest Speaker

Chad graduated summa cum laude from UNK in 2003 with a B.S. in exercisescience and was named the “2003 Exercise Science Student of the Year.”During his tenure at UNK, he was a member of Dr. Kate Heelan’s HumanPerformance Laboratory within the HPERLS department. His time with Dr.Heelan’s group provided an opportunity for active involvement in numerousresearch projects, ultimately leading to a first place finish at UNK’s AnnualStudent Research Day in 2003. Chad continued his educational andresearch pursuits at Kansas State University, graduating with an M.S. inhuman nutrition - emphasis in biochemistry. Currently, Chad is in the middleof his PhD training in nutritional sciences at the University of Wisconsin inMadison. His general research interests include: Metabolic disorders andenergy metabolism in human obesity, and stable isotope techniques for“tracing” macronutrient metabolism. He has gone on to present his researchat national meetings and seminars, and feels that his research opportunitiesat UNK truly ignited his passion for research and teaching. Chad is veryexcited to be coming home to his alma mater to share some thoughts aboutthe importance of student research at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

4

Performance

Music

Michael Walworth ( 1 )COPRESENTORS = Jonathan Flanagan, KelciFulton & Katie LangenfeldADVISOR = Darleen MitchellTransmission

New Music Ensemble performed at the CollegeMusic Society’s National Conference in Salt LakeCity. The topic of the presentation wasimprovisation in an undergraduate ensemble. Thegroup demonstrated various improvisationaltechniques based on a short musical gesture, verbalscores, poetic images and graphic scores. NMEencourages its members to explore their instrument’scapabilities by trying different extended techniquesto extract surprising and non-traditional sounds.These techniques can include anything a person cancreatively think up to do with an instrument or foundobject, but some of the most common are theclicking of keys, playing inside of the piano with thehands or other objects, using violin bows on a hostof objects which are not usually bowed. Duringrehearsals and performances the group focuses onlistening to the other musicians and interacting andresponding in such a way to spontaneously create anentire musical piece.

Fine Arts&

Humanities

Music

Jon Dailey ( 2 )COPRESENTORS = Music Business StudentsADVISOR = James Payne

Researching Music Products

A group of music business majors at the Universityof Nebraska at Kearney desired to learn moreabout the business side of the music industry at the2008 NAMM Show, an international musicproducts trade show and market hosted by theNational Association of Music Merchants, theInternational Music Products Association. At theShow, the students researched their individualinterest areas in several ways. The students visitedvarious exhibits in order to see and perhaps workwith the products, visit with the sales representativesor technical development staff asking questionsconcerning the product or information desired,attend concerts and demonstrations of newproducts, and attend educational sessions given byNAMM or by NAMBI featuring well-knownspeakers and educators in the industry.

Communications

Ismael Torres ( 3 )COPRESENTORS = JMC 420 Ad CampaignsClassADVISOR = Ruth BrownAnalysis of Perceptions Regarding the NebraskaPork Industry: A Campaign to Improve Imageand Develop Trust

The perception that beef is king and corn is queenhas left pork production as the court jester of thelivestock industry in Nebraska. In the mind ofNebraskans, pork production is associated withodor, animal welfare and environmental issues.However, technological advances and a willingnessto change has led to odorless, environmentally-,animal- and neighbor-friendly operations. That’s partof what the JMC Ad Campaigns class learned intheir primary and secondary research. The class isworking with the Nebraska Pork ProducersAssociation in Lincoln to create an integratedmarketing communication campaign to increase: 1)rural Nebraskans’ positive perceptions of the porkindustry, 2) acceptance of the pork industry as avalued and valuable asset to Nebraska, 3) trust inNebraska pork producers so that when issues ariserural Nebraskans are confident based on knowledgeof the industry’s previous track record.

5

Behavioral&

Social Sciences

Criminal Justice

Ana Arroyo ( 4 )ADVISOR = Julie CampbellVariations in Knowledge and Usage of theNebraska Sex Offender Registry: A DemographicAnalysis

Sex offender registries were designed to provideinformation to citizens about the sex offenders wholive in their communities. The sex offender registrycan be accessed through the internet, radio ornewspaper. It offers memebers of the communityinformation such as the name and address of anoffender, a picture of the offender, and a summary ofthe offender’s convictions. Unfortunately, manypeople do not take adavantage of this service,perhaps because they do not know it exists orbecause they don’t know how to access theinformation. The purpose of this study was toassess the interaction citizens had with the sexoffender registry in one Midwestern community.The data was then analyzed with a particularattention paid to demographics such as gender, age,and status as a parent. All three independentvariables appeared correlated with citizen habits inaccessing the registry. These results are important,as all states utilize sex offender registries as a formof community notification and crime prevention, butlittle formal evaluation has been conducted.

JoAnn Englert ( 5 )ADVISOR = Julie CampbellThe Bystander Effect: An Examination ofDemographic and Victim Variables

In 1964, Kitty Genovese was brutally stabbed todeath outside her apartment building in Queens,New York. What perhaps made this crime soshocking was that no less than thirty-eight of herneighbors heard or saw the attack and did nothing.

This phenomenon, the Bystander Effect, occurswhen no one comes to the aid of a person in anemergency or distress. The Bystander Effect is infact real; however, why it occurs has yet to be fullyexplored. This research asks two questions: Docertain human demographics make some peoplemore susceptible to inaction than others? Does itmatter who the victim is and if they are involved intheir own victimization? This research involvedpresenting subjects with scenarios involving threetypes of victims, each with different demographiccharacteristics and ranging levels of culpability. Thedata was then analyzed with particular attentionfocused on the demographics of the subject.

Geography

Brett Beinke ( 6 )ADVISOR = H. Jason CombsThe Distribution of Hunters in Nebraska

My research shows the spatial distribution of in-statehunting licenses issued in Nebraska for a single yearat the county-level. This information portrays thenumber of hunters per county, not taking intoaccount the hunters who file for a permit in a countyother than the one they reside. The number ofpermits is compared to the number of people wholive in each county to find the the areas of highestconcentration.

Nick Brennan ( 7 )ADVISOR = H. Jason CombsA Geographical History of Cabela’s

This article examines Cabela’s company history andthe geography of store locations. Cabela’s initiallyused a reverse hierarchical pattern, where acorporation starts small and then enters largermarkets. The inverse of this is typical for muchlarger corporations who start in big cities andtransfer into smaller cities once the corporation isestablished. This article also delves into the historyof Cabela’s to see why it is based on a reversehierarchical pattern. Throughout this essay thevarious reasons for the distribution of Cabela’s isexplained, along with the economic impact ofhunting and fishing in the United States.

6

Jason Garris ( 8 )ADVISOR = H. Jason CombsLandscape Change Due to Fire and Drought inChadron, Nebraska

The combination of wildfires and drought can have adevastating impact on a landscape’s vegetation.Such is the case after several fires near Chadron,Nebraska in the summer of 2006. A prolongeddrought in western Nebraska provided the perfectconditions to fuel several fires that started in thearea. This research uses both satellite and aerialimagery to determine the changes that fire anddrought had on the vegetative landscape south ofChadron.

Chris Hennessy ( 9 )ADVISOR = H. Jason CombsIs the Great American Desert Coming Back toLife?

The Sand Hills cover 19,300 square miles, themajority of which are located in north centralNebraska. This paper examines the preventativemeasures employed by ranchers and land managersto prevent this region from becoming active sanddunes once again. Range land management andwater conservation are proactive means to preventdesertification. Potentially, the Sand Hills region willbecome active sand dunes even if preventativemeasures are taken. This research assesses themeasures land owners and conservationists areemploying to combat desertification and drought inthe Sand Hills.

Jamie Knuth ( 10 )ADVISOR = Steele Becker, EmaritusInvasive Species in Nebraska’s Harlan CountyReservoir

The Harlan County Reservoir is located in SouthCentral Nebraska, along the Republican River. Dueto the continuity of drought conditions in the pastfew years, the surface-water area of the reservoirhas experienced a shrinking trend. The areaabandoned by the reservoir is now encroached byinvasive species. These species are known to havethe ability to disrupt and destroy a balanced

ecosystem. Some of the invasive species that werefound in Harlan County Reservoir includePhragmities, Saltcedar (Tamarix sp), and RussianOlive (Elaeagnaceae angustifolia L.). CottonwoodTrees (Populus deltoids), which are native toNebraska, have also encroached onto the exposedlakebed. In this study, aerial photographs wereused to monitor the invasive species that haveencroached upon the reservoir land for the periodfrom 2003 to 2006. Field work was conductedduring the summer of 2007 to identify variousinvasive species. Using Geographic InformationSystem (GIS) and image processing, the areaencroached by the invasive species was determinedfor each year during the study period. The size ofthe area ranged from 3,712 (28%) to 5,925 acres(45%). This rate of encroachment has dramaticallyimpacted the regional ecosystem. This study issignificant in building awareness to future problemsassociated with invasive vegetation in the HarlanCounty Reservoir area. Combined with previousstudies performed at the Harlan County Reservoir,opportunities for continued research should besignificantly enhanced.

Jacob McGlade ( 11 )ADVISOR = H. Jason CombsObesity Behind the Wheel

This research paper examines adult obesity rates atthe state-level for the entire United States. Severalcultural traits help explain the distribution of adultobesity rates. These cultural traits include: fast foodrestaurant percentages, vehicle miles traveled, andcommuting statistics. Additionally, states and/orregions with lower adult obesity rates have anumber of common characteristics. Results aredisplayed via chloropleth maps that distinctlydemonstrate the highest and lowest adult obesityrates in the country.

Joel Roos ( 12 )ADVISOR = H. Jason CombsGeography’s Role in the Kosovo Conflict

The late 20th century conflicts between ethnic

7

Albanians and Serbians in Serbia were significantlyinfluenced by geography. The human, historical andpolitical geography of the area fostered anenvironment which made ethnic conflicts inevitable.The demographics of the area, the politicaldissolution of post Cold War Yugoslavia and thehistorical context of the territory all shaped theconflict. This research examines the geographiccontext of the conflicts in order to explain themeffectively.

History

Peter Longo ( 13 )ADVISOR = Mark EllisUNK Football Early Years: The Development ofa Program, 1905-1929

This project examined the development of theUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney’s footballprogram, specifically between the early years of1905-1929. It details the gradual rise of theprogram and its overall impact on UNK’s collegeatmosphere. Additionally, it discusses the successesof each team during this early era, making specialnotice of the effects of the legalization of the forwardpass. Also noted is the eventual stability of theprogram despite numerous early coaching changesand, finally, how the school gradually beganspreading its newfound athletic prowess to otherparts of Nebraska as well as outside the boundariesof the state. Arguably, the success and popularity offootball at UNK played a critical role in establishingthe foundation of UNK’s athletic department.

Political Science

Brooke McGee ( 14 )ADVISOR = Peter LongoAn Analysis of Supreme Court Justice AntoninScalia’s Jurisprudence and Opinions and TheirImplications for Future Justices

The two recent Supreme Court appointments ofRoberts and Alito generated considerable politicaldebate. The civic discourse related to these newJustices centered on often-debated judicialphilosophies. While the debate was healthy for the

Republic, a glimpse of the future can be garneredby a careful examination of the long-sitting Scalia.Uncovering the messages from Scalia’s opinions willoffer an understanding of what a judicial movementto the right will provide. This project analyzedJustice Antonin Scalia’s decisions in substantiveareas including abortion, the environment, andreligion. A thorough assessment of his decisions willserve as a model for potential like-minded justiceswhen they render decisions on controversial policyissues in the future. This project examined thecases directing the balance of power to the states;implications that are drawn from the casesdetermining the balance between national and statepower; and lessons the evidence provides for futurepublic policies.

Liz Petto ( 15 )ADVISOR = Peter LongoThe Changing Constitutional Culture of Japan:Threats in Asia Pacific and the United States-Japan Security Alliance

The United States and Japan’s contrasting militaristicstances become problematic when the issue of theexisting security alliance between the two nations isaddressed. After WWII the United States drafted anew, anti-war constitution for Japan. Article 9 of theJapanese Constitution “…forever renounce[s] waras a sovereign right of the nation and the threat oruse of force as means of settling internationaldisputes.” Conversely, the United States gives alarge amount of deference to the military, maintainingwar as a “sovereign right of the nation.” On apolitical basis the two nations are close allies,however, such constitutional discrepancies accountfor distance between them. In the wake of the 60-year anniversary of Japan’s Constitution and 55years since the alliance with the U.S., Japan isconfronted with challenges to maintain the criticalalliance with America as well as pursue actions andpolicies that remain consistant with Japaneseinterests.

8

Psychology

Brooke Bartak ( 16 )ADVISOR = Krista FritsonThe Effects of Media on Body Image

Several studies suggest that media has a negativeinfluence on body image. Our research hypothesizesthat body satisfaction levels will decrease afterviewing slide shows of fashion models, especially inwomen. As this study did not yield significant results,questions can be generated about possibledesensitization effects to the media.

Keller Batterman ( 17 )ADVISOR = Krista ForrestEvaluating Evidence Ploys in InterrogationTranscripts: A Comparison of Mock and JuryEligible Jurors

Mock jurors and jury eligible individuals read policeinterrogations embedded with evidence ploys or lieslinking the suspect to murder. We compareddeception, coercion, and justifiability ratings acrossparticipants. Although ratings of deception weresimilar, compared to mock jurors, jury eligibleindividuals rated evidence ploys as more coerciveand justifiable.

Sara E. Brady ( 18 )ADVISOR = Richard Miller & Theresa WadkinsImpact of Social Support and Social SupportNetworks on Life Crises

Social support protects people from the adverseeffects of stressors. Expatriates must seek supportfrom other sources if their former network is notavailable. Thirty-two expatriates from Mallorca,Spain answered questions about demographics,perceived family, friends, and community support,individualism/collectivism, and support receivedduring a life crisis. Results are discussed.

Sara E. Brady ( 19 )COPRESENTOR = Kylee J. HoffmasterADVISOR = Joseph BenzPhysical Attractiveness of Natural andCosmetically Altered Female Waist-to-Hip Ratios

In humans, the female secondary sexual trait, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) 0.7 is more attractive than otherWHRs. We investigated the perceptions of naturalversus cosmetically altered body types in either 0.7or 0.9 WHR. Regardless of body alteration, 0.7was rated as significantly more attractive than 0.9WHR.

Dani Butterfield ( 20 )ADVISOR = Richard MillerThe Effects of Mortality Salience on GroupEntitativity

The present experiment focused on how stronglyindividuals felt about their group affiliations afterbeing reminded of death. Participants in theexperimental group were given a mortality saliencemanipulation (MS). Although the experimentshowed no significance of mortality salience onreasons people affiliate with groups, there wereother significant findings.

Rockey Esteraich ( 21 )ADVISOR = Robert RycekElementary School Reform Models

As several major meta-analysis indicate, the mostsuccessful whole-school reform models forelementary schools generally limit the autonomy ofthe teacher and instead provide predetermined,sometimes even entirely scripted lessons forteachers to implement. It was observed that in thecases where such reform-models were consideredto have failed, the reason given was that teacherswere reluctant to “buy in” to the model. Thus, in thisstudy, we sought to examine elementary teachers’perceptions of such models. It was reasoned that ifteachers were generally opposed to such rigidmodels, an attempt at widespread implementationwould inevitably fail. Three distinct reform model

9

representations were constructed in order torepresent three distinct philosophical perspectivesconcerning the teacher’s role in the educationalprocess. Elementary teacher across Nebraska werethen asked to rate each model according to variouscriteria.

Abigail Harris ( 22 )ADVISOR = William WozniakSource Credibility and Belief in a ParanormalPhenomenon

We manipulated the perceived credibility of theauthor of an article concerning a paranormal event,in a 2 (credible vs. not credible) x 2 (young vs. old)design. There were no significant changes in belief inthe phenomenon. We discuss the results in contextof attitude change and paranormal beliefs.

Chris Hein ( 23 )ADVISOR = Richard MillerMusic Performance with Interference

This study adapted and combined two separatestudies, one on speech and selective attention, andanother on music and various types of interference.The purpose of this research was to find out whetheror not the selective attention findings in the study byTreisman (1964) on speech would also have someof the same effects in music performance as well. Inparticular, I focused on the effects of the differenceof voice between an attended channel and anunattended channel. I imitated this study in music byusing a different instrument to act as a different voicefor interference. What was found was a significantmain effect of the interaction between the type ofinterference and the type of instrument used. Thissupports the idea that musicians are better able toignore musicians playing other instruments than theyare to ignore musicians playing the same instrument.

Satoko Hoshino ( 24 )COPRESENTOR = Tahra BrownADVISOR = Robert RycekThe Effect of Parenting Style on Identity

Development in American, Japanese, andHispanic Cultures

This study examines the relationship betweenparenting style and identity status in differentcultures. American parents were more authoritative,whereas Hispanic parents were more authoritarianand Japanese parents were more permissive.Japanese had significantly more achieved identitydevelopment than either American or Hispanicstudents.

Christa A. Linden ( 25 )ADVISOR = William WozniakTesting and Study Tips Effects on Retention

The testing effect is the improved performances on alater retention test arising from an earlier test. Mostresearch on the testing effect has been done withmaterials such as words lists, and the general findinghas been that the benefits of testing are greaterwhen the initial test is a recall (production) testrather than a recognition test. Our experiment wasa replication of the testing effect. Additionally, welooked at how the testing effect may interact withactivities that the student may do before reading textto be remembered. Also, we investigated whetherpretesting or reading study tips may enhance thetesting effect. Our results revealed that the testingeffect had no effect on the overall exam score.Overall, reading a list of facts was more beneficialthan test taking activity prior to the final exam.

Lanay Manker ( 26 )ADVISOR = Joseph BenzWhat Makes Aggressive Humor Funny?: TheRelationship Between Testosterone andAggressive Humor Appreciation

Multiple studies have suggested a link between adultlevels of testosterone and male aggression. Othershave implicated a connection between aggressionand humor preferences in which high-aggressionsubjects rate aggressive cartoons as funnier than lowaggression subjects. No current studies, however,examine how testosterone and humor preferences

10

might work together. Therefore, the purpose of thisstudy is to examine the possible correlation betweentestosterone levels and appreciation of aggressivehumor. It was hypothesized that individuals withhigher levels of testosterone would find aggressivehumor to be funnier than those with lower levels oftestosterone. Participants were asked to provide asaliva sample, watch a brief video clip from themovie Jackass, and answer a questionnaireregarding the clip’s humor content. Salivarytestosterone levels were analyzed and comparedwith individuals’ questionnaire responses. Significantdifferences in humor appreciation were foundbetween sexes; however, the hypothesis was notsupported within sex.

Lanay Manker ( 27 )ADVISOR = Krista FritsonThe Relationship Between Stress and Spiritualityin College Students

Stress can negatively impact both physical andpsychological health. Research has suggested thatbuffers to stress exist, including social supportnetworks, health promoting behaviors, religion, andspirituality. The current study explored the possiblecorrelation between stress and spirituality inundergraduate college students. Participantscompleted a spirituality inventory and a stressinventory. A negative relationship was predicted, inwhich lower levels of stress would be associatedwith higher levels of spirituality, suggesting thatspirituality might be an effective buffer to stress. Asignificant negative relationship was not found,therefore, the results did not support the hypothesis.

Bryan Mueller ( 28 )COPRESENTOR = Andrew TuttleADVISOR = Krista FritsonEffects of Athletic Participation and Motivationon Mood

Exercise and involvement in recreational sport hasconsistently demonstrated reduced levels ofdepression. However, when involvement is in elite

levels of sport (i.e. intercollegiate varsity athletics)we believed that additional pressures would lead tohigher levels of depression than non-athlete peers.Instead, results showed exercise and sport enduredand non-athletes had higher levels of depression.

Lindsay Nielsen ( 29 )ADVISOR = Richard MillerGender Differences in the Perception ofRudeness

This study examined gender differences in theperception of rudeness. Sex of the stimulus personand sex of the rater were manipulated and ratings ofrudeness on several different behaviors, e.g.,spitting, were measured. In several instances menrated men more negatively and women rated otherwomen more negatively.

Sara Ottun ( 30 )ADVISOR = Richard MillerRelationship Between Quality of FamilyMealtimes and Self-Efficacy

The present research explored the possibility offamily mealtimes being a source for modelinginteractions that may promote mastery of somebehavior, such as academic issues. This study wasdeveloped to determine the effect of the quality ofconversation at family mealtimes on general self-efficacy and academic self-efficacy. The hypothesiswas that a significant positive relationship would beevident between quality of family mealtimediscussions and self-efficacy, in general andacademically. The results indicated a significantpositive relationship between quality of familymealtime discussions and academic self-efficacy.Also, significant results were obtained betweenquality of family mealtime discussions and generalself-efficacy. Participant’s who had a positiveperception of their overall family mealtime weremore likely to have higher general and academicself-efficacy. This suggests that family mealtimesmay be an opportunity for parents to enhance theirchildren’s self-efficacy.

11

Tiffanie Pinkal ( 31 )COPRESENTOR = Keller C. BattermanADVISOR = Krista FritsonPersonality Characteristics and Drug Use

This study examined the relationship between theBig Five Personality Characteristics and reporteddrug use. Participants completed a Big FivePersonality survey and a Drug Use Inventory. Thepresent study explored the relationship betweenscores on the neuroticism scale of the Big FivePersonality Test and likely-hood of drug use. Resultsshow that there is no significant relationshipbetween the neuroticism Big Five Personalitycategory and drug use. Upon Further examination, itwas found that none of the Big Five Personalitycharacteristics had any significant relationship withdrug use.

Andrew S. Tuttle ( 32 )ADVISOR = William WozniakEffects of Testimony Admissibility on Memory

In criminal trials, assessment of eyewitness testimonyis crucial. After reading two eyewitness accountsand reading jury instructions concerning admissibilityof testimony, participants recalled items from thetestimonies, and then rated whether each item wasadmissible or inadmissible. Participants wereproficient in recall, but not as successful indetermining admissibility.

Sociology

Jenny L. Northrup ( 33 )ADVISOR = Suzanne MaughanToward a Postmodern Understanding: AnAnalysis of Comic Book Culture

As comic books are pulled from the margins ofsociety and pushed into the light of mass,postmodern pop-culture, their impact on societybecomes increasingly important. The purpose of thisresearch is to illustrate the similarities in culturalthemes found within both facets of comic bookculture: comic books and comic book conventions,and relate those to the focus of postmodernism on

image as a means of gaining knowledge. A contentanalysis and interview were performed as well asattending a comic book convention to find thesethemes. As the themes were shown to be strikinglysimilar, it leads to the assumption that comic bookculture may influence and be influenced by realworld culture as readers may be using the imageswithin comic books to learn or reinforce what theycurrently know about their culture.

Natural&

Physical Sciences

Biology

Michiko Abe ( 34 )ADVISOR = Julie ShafferCharacterization of the Oral Secretion fromNicrophorus marginatus, Nicrophorus carolinus,and Nicrophorus tomentosis

Burying beetles are known to produce oralsecretions containing antimicrobial compounds. Myresearch was to identify and characterize theproteinaceous compounds of the oral secretionsfrom burying beetles. Oral secretions werecollected June and July, 2007 from Nicrophorusmarginatus, Nicrophorus carolinus, andNicrophorus tomentosis. The oral secretions fromthe three collected species were compared forantimicrobial activity using a Microtox Model 500Analyzer. Protein concentrations were identifiedusing a BCA Assay. Dialysis and gel electrophoresiswere used to identify the role peptides might play inantimicrobial activity. All three species produceantimicrobial oral secretion but N. marginatusproduced the highest concentration of protein in itssecretion. After the samples were diluted to equalprotein concentrations, N. tomentosis exhibited thehighest antimicrobial activity. These data alsoshowed that N. carolinus exhibited the greatestvariation in antimicrobial activity. It was also shown

12

that peptides do not seem to be the antimicrobialagent. Antimicrobial activity is most likely due toenzymes present in the secretion, although this willneed to be studied further.

Shusaku Akahane ( 35 )ADVISOR = Julie ShafferEffects of Temperature on the Production ofAntimicrobial Compounds in Nicrophorusmarginatus and Nicrophorus carolinus

Burying beetles are insects that are known toproduce antibacterial compounds in their saliva.Both males and females can produce thecompounds to protect the carcass from microbialattack. This research is designed to examine theeffect of temperature on antimicrobial secretion.The beetles were placed in five different chambersset to 4°C, 10°C, 15°C, 25°C, and 30°C,and their secretions were collected after three days.Secretion protein was quantified using a BCAProtein Assay Kit and antimicrobial activity wasidentified using a Microtox Model 500 Analyzer.The data for Nicrophorus marginatus shows thehighest antibacterial activities at lower temperatures(4-10°C), and Nicrophorus carolinus shows thehighest antibacterial activities at higher temperatures(25°C). The beetles also produced the highestconcentrations of protein at these temperatures.This research is important to identify the optimumtemperature for antimicrobial compounds and toidentify the temperature effect on the activity of N.marginatus and N. carolinus. It tells whichtemperature the Nicrophorus species exhibit thegreatest antimicrobial activity and produce thelargest amount of protein.

Michael Christ ( 36 )ADVISOR = Tamara SmithVariations in Glucocorticoid Levels of Dominant-Aggressive Behavioral Patterns in DomesticHorses

Aggressive behavior has increasingly become anarea of interest to investigators and is currently

being studied in many mammalian species, includinghumans. The aim of this study is to observe thecorrelation between hierarchical dominance andbasal stress hormone levels (cortisol) in a non-reproductive herd of domestic horses. Recentstudies have shown that individual differences instress response reflect differences in hierarchicaldominance in social animals. Animals provided witha way of releasing aggressive behavior (referredaggression) and the most dominant and aggressiveindividuals (under acute stress conditions) oftenpresent the lowest levels of stress hormones undernormal (control) conditions. We tested this throughcontrolled studies in horses. Early findings, bothbehavioral and hormonal (fecal cortisol levels),support the prediction that horses provided with anoutlet for referred aggression, either through naturalsocial structure and/or induced housing/feedingstructure, show lower basal levels of stresshormones.

Kylee Gardner ( 37 )ADVISOR = Kimberly CarlsonDifferential Gene Expression Related toMortality in Large Caged Populations ofDrosophila melanogaster

Aging is characterized by a steady decline in anorganism’s ability to perform life-sustaining tasks.Genetically related populations of organismsundergo aging at a similar rate, but the genesunderlying this process have not been extensivelystudied. Transcriptome analysis via cDNAmicroarrays were performed to determine thedifferentially regulated genes underlying mortality inlarge caged populations of Drosophilamelanogaster. Three cages of 10,000 flies wereestablished and samples were collected at 0(control), 10, 30, 60, and 90% population mortality.Total RNA was extracted from the females andcDNA microarray analyses performed. The resultsindicate 295 significantly changed genes incomparisons to the 0% mortality control. Of these,205 were found to be significantly differentiallyexpressed across all time points. Clustering analysiswas applied to the 205 significant genes to

13

determine their expression patterns over time. Thisresearch will provide insight into the mechanisticregulation of aging across populations.

Jason Gfeller ( 38 )ADVISOR = Wyatt HobackUsing Ladybird Beetles, Hippodamia convergens,for Student Inquiry Experiences

Using Ladybird Beetles, Hippodamia convergens,for Student Inquiry Experiences. Convergentladybird beetles, Hippodamia convergens, areavailable from commercial suppliers and can beused in the classroom for student investigations.We tested three potential laboratory exercises usingthese beetles. In the first, we tested H. convergensability to feed on vestigial wing fruit flies, Drosophilamelanogaster. Under our laboratory conditions, thebeetles did not feed. Second, we examined defensesecretions by these insects. Third, we examined theability of these beetles to flip themselves over afterbeing placed on their backs. In this experiment, H.convergens was readily able to right themselves andthere was no correlation between time to return totheir feet and either mass or length. Theseexperiments can be adopted for classroominvestigations of beetle behavior and can be tied tostate and national education standards for biologyand mathematics.

Monica Horkey ( 39 )ADVISOR = Keith GelusoNatural History of the Big Brown Bat (Eptesicusfuscus) at a Summer Roost in SouthwesternNebraska

In Nebraska, the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus)occurs across the state throughout the year. Todate, little is known about the timing of seasonalmovements between summer and winter roosts. Iexamined seasonal activity of big brown bats at aroost site in southwest Nebraska. Every 3 weeks, Icaptured bats by placing mist nets around the roostsite. I captured a total of 191 bats exiting thebuilding, with the largest numbers in July, August,and September. The majority, 72% of individuals,

were females. At this roost, females were heavierthan the males both before and after hibernation.Body masses were significantly heavier in autumnthan spring for both sexes. I observed that summerroosts are occupied in Nebraska from late April tomid October. Knowing when bats use roosts willreduce the negative conflicts between bats andhumans and aid human in ethically excluding batsfrom buildings.

Lacey M. Keeten ( 40 )ADVISOR = Wyatt HobackBehaviroal Observations of a Female ParasiticWasp (Melittobia digitata) with Melangaster,Virilus, and Sarcophagid Pupa

Melittobia digitata (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) arecommercially sold as “WOWbugs” to be used inclassroom exercises. These wasps are small,stingless, parasitoids with strong sexual dimorphism;they naturally attack wasp and bee pupae. Inclassroom exercises, sarcophagid pupae are oftenused as hosts. We examined host acceptance ofother fly pupae by testing M. digitata with pupae ofthe relatively large Drosophila virilis, and the normallaboratory fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster. Tencultures of each different species of fly wereobserved to determine the number of offspringproduced and their sex ratio. We predicted that asthe host size increases more food is allotted for thelarvae and more offspring are produced. Ourexperiments provide opportunity for a novelclassroom exercise using readily available species.

Austin S. Nuxoll ( 41 )ADVISOR = Paul TwiggGene Expression Assays of Lignin Biosynthesis inSwitchgrass Stems

Switchgrass is characterized as a warm-seasonperennial grass. It is able to tolerate diverseenvironments having a range that extends fromQuebec to Central America. Switchgrass has thepotential to have a great impact on bioenergy. Cellwall lignin presents a problem because it cannot befermented. My project was designed to examine thelevel of lignin biosynthetic gene expression in

14

switchgrass stems, varying in ages and strains, bysemi-quantitative PCR. The levels of caffeic acid-o-methyltransferase, cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase,and cinnamoyl-CoA reductase are all important forthe lignin pathway to continue, and will inform usabout how much lignin is being synthesized. RNAhas been extracted from all of the samples andassays of gene expression are currently beingperformed. This project was supported by NIHgrant P20 RR016469 from the BRIN program ofthe National Center for Research Resources and theUniversity of Nebraska-Kearney Department ofBiology.

Scott Reifschneider ( 42 )ADVISOR = Julie ShafferUsing Sub-Therapeutic Antibiotic Levels toDevelop Antibiotic Resistance in E. coli

Antibiotics, such as tetracycline, are the mosteffective tool used by healthcare professionals tofight microbial disease since their introduction tomodern medicine. However, many bacteria arebecoming resistant to antibiotics due to long termexposure at sub-therapeutic levels. This is a resultof careless healthcare, consumer, and agriculturepractices which apply either unneeded or insufficientantibiotics. Tetracycline can be used in sub-therapeutic levels in media as a stressor to select forthe development of resistant strains of bacteria.This study will test the time needed for a nonresistantbacterial strain to develop resistance to a particularantibiotic. I hypothesize that bacteria will becomeresistance to the bacteriostatic effects of tetracyclineafter only 7 days of culture. This will be analyzedby the Kirby-Bauer method, and quantified byANOVA.

Tyson Spanel ( 43 )ADVISOR = Keith GelusoComposition and Abundance of Small Mammalsin Three Habitats Associated with AgriculturalFields in Central Nebraska

Throughout the last two centuries in the Great Plains,

most native prairies have been converted toagricultural fields. Between fields, other habitatsexist such as roadside ditches and shelterbelts.Species that once inhabited native prairies, includingsmall mammals, have either adapted to theserelatively new environments or become scarce, onlyresiding in small isolated patches of remnant prairie.This study examined the composition and abundanceof small mammalian species in three habitats(cropland, roadside ditches, and shelterbelts)associated with agricultural practices in centralNebraska. I used Sherman live-traps to captureindividuals, with equal numbers of traps in eachhabitat every night of the study. My study resulted inthe capture of eight species; The white-footeddeermouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and NorthAmerican deermouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)were most abundant. The prairie vole (Microtusochrogaster) was a common species in roadsideditches. Other common species captured were thehouse mouse (Mus musculus), the western harvestmouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis), and thenorthern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda). Ialso set traps in 2 different kinds of shelterbelts; onekind made entirely of redcedar and the otherdeciduous (a mixture of hardwood tree species).My study demonstrates that habitats associated withthe periphery of agricultural fields, such as roadsideditches, serve as refuges for some prairie-adaptedspecies, while other habitats, such as woodedshelterbelts, support mammalian species not formallyassociated with native prairies in the Great Plains.

J. Paul Zahller ( 44 )ADVISOR = Tamara SmithCan You Dig It? Foraging Behavior in theWestern Hognose Snake

The western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus)possesses a distinguishing wedge-shaped snout thatis used for digging. Heterodon nasicus also has ahighly evolved chemosensory system to identify andrecover prey. Although prey chemicaldiscrimination and the digging mechanism have beendescribed, no scientific observations have beenmade to determine how H. nasicus use theirfossorial foraging adaptations to pursue prey

15

underground, if at all. This research assessedwhether foraging using burrowing in the H.nasicusoccurs and if it is mediated by the chemical cuesfrom specific prey. To examine this, a variety ofprey were placed at various depths below thesubstrate (sand, soil, combo) and the snakebehaviors were observed and recorded using atime-lapse camera system. These recordings wereused to score a variety of foraging behaviors. Weobserved foraging behavior of snakes in response tochemical concentration and preferential choiceresponse to amphibian prey odor.

Chemistry

James Bird ( 45 )ADVISOR = Frank KovacsSite-Directed Mutation of Switchgrass AscorbatePeroxidase into Monomeric Form: Mutagenesisand Characterization

Ascorbate peroxidase, also known as APX, is anenzyme found in switchgrass. Although APX hasbeen characterized from other plants, theswitchgrass version (sgAPX) remains almostcompletely uncharacterized. Our goal here has beento characterize and alter the oligomeric state ofsgAPX. Other APXs have been shown to functionas a dimer. Here we demonstrate that sgAPX alsofunctions as a dimer in its wild type. Also, using thestructure for the pea APX, we have predictedmutation sites that appear to disrupt the dimerinterface by placing like charges together. We havefound that a mutation of the glutamate 112 to lysinecauses a shift to the monomeric form of sgAPX.

Scott Erickson ( 46 )ADVISOR = Frank KovacsInitial Characterization of SwitchgrassAscorbate Peroxidase Toward AromaticSubstrates

Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, was selected by theUnited States Department of Energy as a crop tobe studied for alternative fuel development. Theuse of switchgrass in this regard has increasedinterest in characterizing the biochemical processes

involved in it’s growth and development.Switchgrass ascorbate peroxidase (sgAPX), anenzyme important in removal of harmful peroxidesformed during O2 metabolism, was the focus of thisstudy. In addition to an ascorbate binding site,sgAPX is believed to have a second binding sitethat binds aromatic substrates for subsequentoxidation. The goal of this study was to characterizethe specific activity of sgAPX and the activitytoward the aromatic substrate 2,2'-azino-di-3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-[6]-sulfonic acid (ABTS).Michaelis- Menten kinetics for ABTS demonstratedthat it will be a useful substrate to probe thestructure/function relationship in the alternate bindingsite.

Matt Ingersoll ( 47)ADVISOR = Christopher ExtromSolid-State Intermediates in the SolvothermalPreparation of Nanocrystalline CuInSe2

For some time, the chalcopyrite semiconductorCuInSe2 (CIS) has been a leading thin-film materialcandidate for incorporation in high-efficiencyphotovoltaic devices. Reported nanocrystalpreparations involve solvothermal processes inwhich constituent elements or their salts are heatedin a solvent. While mechanisms in amine solventshave been proposed, no experimental evidence ofthe reaction pathway or intermediates has beenreported. In concurrent identical reactions, wereacted CuCl2, InCl3, and Se in refluxingtriethylenetetramine, stopping reactions afterdifferent time intervals between 5 minutes and 24hours. Solid-state products were isolated andcharacterized by micro-Raman and X-ray diffraction(XRD) spectroscopy. The observation of multiplesolid-state species has outlined a reaction pathwayfor the solvothermal preparation of CIS. Within afew minutes of reactant mixing, Cu1.8Se(s) formsand over 24 hours, this reacts with a-Se(s) andsoluble In species to form CIS. The sequence ofRaman spectra show: 1) the emergence of a-Se andCu1.8Se signals at 230 and 255 cm-1, respectively;2) the slow disappearance of Cu1.8Se as the CISsignal (172 cm-1) grows; and 3) the shifting of thea-Se signal to lower frequency and its

16

disappearance as the CIS signal grows to itsmaximum intensity. The copper deficiency of theCu1.8Se appears to be crucial for CIS production.CIS could not be prepared under these conditionsfrom reaction of Cu2Se, InCl3, and Se unlessadditional Cl- was present. The rate-determiningstep is likely to be the reaction of the Cu1.8Seintermediate with a soluble In species such asInSe2-. Previous reports had assumed that in thismechanism, copper remained soluble as a[Cu(amine)n]+ complex.

Anatole Mirasano ( 48 )ADVISOR = Christopher ExtromThe Effect of Annealing Process on Cu (In1-x,Gax) Se2 Films Prepared by SolvothermalProcess

CuInSe2 (CIS), Cu(In1-x,Gax)Se2(CIGS) andCu(In1-x,Alx)Se2 (CIAS) are some of the leadingthin film materials presently being heavily researcheddue to their solar cell applications. Today, the CIGSfilms are the most efficient with a record of 19.6%.CIS and CIGS thin films can be prepared using twodifferent methods: the magnetron sputtering of CuInprecursors followed by vacuum selenization in aheating chamber; and by spin coatingnanocrystalline samples previously prepared by asolvothermal process, directly onto a substrate. Theannealing process consists of uniformly heating acompound, This process is done at a temperaturehigh enough to help recrystallizing the compound.Then the temperature can safely be dropped to theroom temperature. In the case of CIGS films theannealing was used to clean the layer from impurity.The annealing process shows in all the samples anincrease of the intensity of CIS, CIGS or CGS andthe reduction or disappearance of CuSe or Cu2Sefrom the layer. So the annealing process not onlyhelped improve the layer, but also eliminated someunwanted compound and helped increase thepresence of CIS, CIGS and CGS.

Kyle Myers ( 49 )ADVISOR = James RoarkDiels-Alder Synthesis of Exo-Norbornene-cis-5,

6-Dicarboxylic Anhydride for Organic ChemistryLaboratory Instruction

A technique for the Diels-Alder synthesis of endo-norbornene-cis-5,6- dicarboxylic anhydride and itsstereoisomer, exo-norbornene-cis-5,6-dicarboxylicanhydride, is explained. To prove thateach stereoisomer was made in the experiment andto distinguish between the two molecules, thecharacteristic long range coupling affects seen in theH1-NMR spectra of bridged six member ringmolecules are used. A method for the separation ofthe two molecules is also explained. This techniquecan be used as a tool to instruct organic chemistrystudents in the Diels-Alder reaction and how to useNMR techniques to prove the stereochemistry of theproducts involved in such reactions.

Danielle Policarpio ( 50 )ADVISOR = Jon ThompsonDevelopment of an Aerosol Albedometer

Aerosol particles suspended in the atmosphere canrange in size from 0.01 - > 10 µm. Aerosols canadversely affect human health, degrade visibility,and potentially alter earth’s radiative balance. Thispresentation will describe development of a newtechnique for the measurement of aerosol albedo at532 nm. Aerosol albedo is the ratio between aerosolscattering coefficient (kscat) and extinction coefficient(kext) and is an important parameter which helpspredict whether a given aerosol cloud will lead towarming or cooling of the atmosphere. In this work,we have explored the use of cavity ring-downspectroscopy (CRDS) for measurement of aerosolextinction coefficient. Simultaneously, the lightscattered from the probe beam was collected by anintegrating sphere and used to determine scatteringcoefficient through calibration with He, air, CO2, and1,1,1,2,- tetrafluoroethane (SUVA or R-134a).This feature of the method is unique, as aerosolscattering and extinction can be measuredsimultaneously on the exact same sample. Thecavity ring-down method offered limits of detectionof 0.7 Mm-1 while detection limits of 2.7 Mm-1 wasachieved on the scatter channel. We have applied

17

this method to the determination of albedo ofseveral polystyrene size standards, laboratorygenerated soot surrogates, and atmosphericparticles at our location. This highly sensitive methodis capable of monitoring particulate pollution,visibility changes, or may find use tracking changesin optical properties of aerosols as they areprocessed chemically in the atmosphere.

Computer Science & InformationSystems

Casey Glatter ( 51 )ADVISOR = Sherri HarmsInvestigation of Data Mining Techniques forDrought Monitoring and Prediction in the GreatPlains Regions

Weather stations throughout the United States havebeen collecting metrics including temperature andhumidity for decades. This historical data can proveuseful in locating patterns of climate conditions incertain parts of the U.S. and in determining howthese patterns might affect weather elsewhere. Forexample, one might want to know if a La Nina weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean is likely toprecede drought in the Great Plains region.Knowing this kind of information can benefit manypeople, especially those in the agriculture industry.The ultimate goal of our research is to develop adata mining and knowledge discovery tool that willenable the prediction of drought conditions andassess the consequential landscape and vegetationresponse at regional scales based on ocean-atmosphere- land interactions and their relationshipswith drought. The first step is to investigate whichdata mining methods work best for droughtprediction. This project looked at severalclassification and regression data mining algorithms,using the Waikato Environment for KnowledgeAnalysis (WEKA) tool. We tested selectedalgorithms on weather station data from seven states(Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota,Colorado, Wyoming, and Kansas), using earlyspring data to predict weather conditions two weekslater. We found that the Nnge algorithm, a nearest-neighbor method for generating rules using non-

nested generalized exemplars, had the best resultsfor classification. The M5Rules algorithm, whichobtains rules from model trees built using the M5’tree inducer algorithm, had the best results forregression. Future work will use these results tocreate an application that will allow a user to inputcurrent climate conditions of a specific area topredict drought/vegetation stress up to two monthsin the future in specific regions of the U.S.

Dustin Lineweber ( 52 )ADVISOR = John HastingsRepresentation and Perception of Visual Data asAudio

Despite massive computing power being readilyavailable in small, handheld forms, there is not yet aproduct to help communicate visual environments tothe blind. The focus of this research was exploringmethods to represent video in audio forms that stillallow the user to interpret them, via headphones, asthe original visual data. Both auditory spatial cluesand frequency ranges were utilized to communicatepixel positions and amplitude conveyed the relativebrightness. A working prototype has beendeveloped to demonstrate one of the envisionedtechniques at a 15 by 15 resolution. In testing, high-contrast, low-resolution data was clearly conveyedvia this method, suggesting that this approach mayhave applications which could benefit the blind incertain situations.

Ry Lowry ( 53 )ADVISOR = John HastingsGame Development: An Approach to PromoteCreativity and Generate Interest

Game development is an exciting and interesting wayfor students to learn about Computer Science. Tohelp students get started, we abstracted thecomplexity of the physics and networking portionsof game development, which makes gamedevelopment easier for new students. The physicsengine makes use of various primitive shapes thathide the complexity of collision detection, thereby

18

allowing students to focus on designing their virtualworld, rather than implementing the complicatedlaws within it. The communications system alsohides the complexity of network communications,and provides students with a simple to use messagepassing system. This allows students to treatnetworking like a conversation, making the processof transferring data over the network more intuitive.By making these aspects of development lessdaunting, our approach allows new students toexperience the creative excitement and satisfactionthat comes with creating games in the ComputerScience field, without overwhelming them.

Cameron Push ( 54 )COPRESENTORS = Brandon McAllister &Kyle WilliamsADVISOR = Sherri HarmsBasketball Playing Robots

This project presents the results of a one-on-onebasketball playing robot competition. The objectivesof this project were 1) understand the interplaybetween the physical design of a robot and themental capacity of the robot in solving a problem; 2)experiment with various physical designs as well asmental, or algorithmic designs; and 3) compare therobotic designs by having them compete against oneanother. For this competition, we designed robotsthat competed against one another in a simulatedbasketball court. The robot that scored the mostpoints during a game won. The tournament wasround-robin based, and the robot that won the mostrounds won the tournament. The robots were builtfrom Lego Mindstorms NXT kits, and wereprogrammed using the Lejos Java-based API. Eachrobot had to fit inside a 10 in by 10 in square (withthe option of expanding after the start of the match)in order to be eligible to compete. The robots hadto be less than 18in tall and could use any Legoparts and Lego Mindstorms NXT sensors. In theend, the outcome of this competition seemed tosuggest that a well designed robot and simplealgorithm were of greatest importance. We willcontinue to experiment with these robots bycompeting in the Midwest Instructional Computing

Symposium (MICS) robotic competition held inLaCrosse, WI, on April 11th.

Matthew Taylor ( 55 )ADVISOR = Xuli LiuDetection of Similar Code Over Multiple BinarySources

Companies in the computer science industry rely onsource code as the primary method of buildingprograms, and disassembly is a key method ofreconstructing lost or unavailable source code.Disassembling binary code into a more readableform such as assembly language is a task easilyaccomplished by a machine, while the interpretationof these instructions requires a human mind due tothe complexity and large number of ways any giventask can be accomplished. This research determinesand outlines a series of techniques which can beused to automatically identify similar sections ofcode between programs, allowing a comparisonbetween a target program and a reference programto highlight similar areas of code. These automatedtechniques allow the user to spend their time moreefficiently, focusing on areas of interest withoutspending a significant amount of time identifyingareas of code which are irrelevant to their currenttask.

Kyle Williams ( 56 )ADVISOR = Sherri HarmsHealth Website

A website for Dr. Heelan in the Health and Sportscenter to showcase programs to make Nebraska amore physically active state. The website uses suchtechnologies as AJAX, PHP, CMS, andJAVASCRIPT.

Physics & Physical Science

Wilfredo Cabrera ( 57 )ADVISOR = Liubov KreminskaSiStudy of Temperature-Concentration Range ofNematic Phase of IR-806

19

Lyotropic chromatic liquid crystals have liquidcrystalline properties in certain range ofconcentrations and temperatures. We investigated atemperature-concentration range for an infrared dyeIR-806, which has a particularly importantapplication in manufacturing efficient light polarizers.We checked the liquid crystal state of the solution ofthe dye using polarizing microscope. Once themixture has liquid crystal properties, we observednematic textures at crossed polarizer and analyzerdue to birefringence. Other wise, a dark field wasobserved. We prepared mixtures of dye IR-806and deionized water in wide range of concentrations.1%-10%. We mapped the range of concentrationsand temperatures when IR- 806 dye has liquidcrystal properties.

Grant Saltzgaber ( 58 )ADVISOR = Michael LarsenRain Distribution

It is commonly accepted that the amount of rainfallmeasured in one place will be the same throughouta close vicinity. This may or may not be true. Totest this idea an array of thirty rain gauges will beplaced on the top of Bruner Hall of Science at theUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney. This array willbe set up in a rectangular form with each gauge fivefeet apart. This data will help in discovering if thisassumption is correct.

Aaron Steele ( 59 )ADVISOR =Michael LarsenLight Propagation Through Clouds Using MonteCarlo

Monte Carlo is a method of simulating physical andmathematical systems, when it is impossible orillogical to compute an exact solution usingtraditional methods. We used a Monte Carlocomputer program, written in Java, to simulate thepropagation of photons as they interact with clouds.The current belief is that the distribution of cloudparticles is perfectly random, yet a level ofuncertainty remains due to the inability to interpret

the results of direct measurements. Our simulationattempts to addresses this problem by means ofsimulating the physical processes that occur whenlight enters a cloud. Using the Beer-Lambert Law,scientists can determine the concentration of thecloud particles, based on the amount of lightobserved at the Earth’s surface, and apply this tovarious tasks, including correction of satellite images.Through manipulation of the Monte Carloalgorithms used to determine the spatial distributionof the particles, and a comparison of the irradiancesproduced, a better understanding can be achievedabout the true distribution of cloud particles andhow they will affect the Beer-Lambert Law.

Professional&

Applied Sciences

Business & Technology

Accounting & Finance

Heather Hansen ( 60 )ADVISOR = Steven HallPredicting Corporate Takeovers in the High-Tech Industry

This research was to determine if accountingnumbers are predictive of corporate takeovers inthe high-tech industry. There was reason to suspectthat the results of previous prediction studies maynot apply to this newer industry. As societybecomes increasingly dependent upon technology, itis important to understand the role of accounting inthe high-tech industry. 192 firms from the high-techindustry were randomly chosen. All commonfinancial ratios were used as independent variables ina backwards- stepwise binary logistic regression.Data from 1996-2005 was used. The result wasthat the regression created a model able to predictthe likelihood of corporate takeovers in the high-tech industry. The most significant predictor of

20

takeovers in this industry is cash flows fromfinancing activities/assets. Cash flow numbers, asopposed to income statement numbers in otherindustries, seem to be more predictive, and furtherstudies must be done to learn more about thisrelationship.

Joselyne Williams ( 61 )ADVISOR = Steven HallAccounting Numbers, Financial Distress andHigh Tech Firms

The purpose of this paper is to determine whetheraccounting numbers are able to predict financialdistress in the high-tech industry. Accountinginformation has been shown to be useful inpredicting financial distress in the past. Some of thereasons to think it might not be useful for high- techfirms: there is considerable volatility of the High-Tech Industry, many firms report no income forseveral years, there is little debt, and what debtthere is is often from a major shareholder or boardmember. Backwards stepwise binary logisticregression was applied to a random sample of twohundred high-tech firms. The model included adependent variable indicating whether or not thereis a going-concern audit opinion in the followingyear and thirty-five independent variables.Regression procedure results in a model with fourvariables ranging in significance from .000 to .068.The quick ratio, change in sales, change in netincome and cash flow were all found to besignificant. The quick ratio is a commonly used ratioin financial analysis. The quick ratio had predictivesignificance in this model of .000. The higher theratio, the lower the probability of receiving a going-concern opinion one year later. The change in salesand change in income prove to be predictive ofdistress in high-tech companies. If sales and incomeincrease in the current year, a going-concernopinion is less likely one year later. The cash flowvariable indicates the firm’s ability to raise cash. Thegreater the cash in one year, the greater thelikelihood of a going-concern opinion one year later.Results indicate that accounting numbers arepredictive of financial distress in the high-techindustry. Although the capital structure is different

and the industry is very volatile this study verifiesthat accounting information is useful in the high-techindustry.

Family Studies & Interior Design

Shayna Fruit ( 62 )ADVISOR = Sylvia AssayThe Winds of Change: Domestic Violence inRomania and Moldova

Domestic violence is a leading cause of injury anddeath to women worldwide (OSCE, 2001).Although much is known about domestic violence inmost countries, there are gaps in the research inEastern Europe. The purpose of this study was toexamine the attitudes of youth within the Evangelicalchurches in Romania and Moldova. This qualitativestudy was conducted using semi-structuredinterviews with 51 youth, ages 19 to 29 who wereactive members in Evangelical churches throughoutRomania and Moldova. Although research findsyounger generations of people in Eastern Europehave more in common with their elders than in thewest (Tilley, 2002), new developments have begunto change the life conditions of young people inpost-communist countries where they are becomingvehicles for social reform (Wallace, 1998). Findingsfrom this study indicate that youth are more vocaland willing to initiate change than the oldergenerations from these countries.

Marketing & ManagementInformation Systems

Sonya Lange ( 63 )COPRESENTOR = Steph JandaADVISOR =Greg BroekemierLevel of Demand for Upscale, Community andFamily Oriented Restaurants in a RuralCommunity

According to PR Newswire (2006), there areapproximately 935,000 restaurants across thenation. The restaurant economy will surpass $1.3trillion in 2007. Restaurants are becoming more

21

creative, ethnic, and exotic. Restaurants are nowoffering exciting culinary experiences while dining,as well as up-to-date technology that enhancespatrons’ experiences. Americans’ currentpreferences are for restaurants that offer more menuoptions with a wider variety. Research on aproposed upscale, community and family orientedrestaurant in a rural Midwestern community, whichwould provide such variety, was conducted by ateam of undergraduate marketing research students.The research client plans to create a new anddifferent approach towards international cuisine.The research study estimates the level of supportfrom the area for the proposed restaurant. Datawere collected by using a telephone survey ofrandomly selected area residents, monitoring anadditional children’s survey, and completing asubset of the study utilizing a judgment sample. Theresults were used to determine support from thecurrent market, the satisfaction of residents with thecurrent restaurant selection in the area, menupreferences, demographics of probable customers,preferences for the atmosphere of the proposedrestaurant, and how to best involve and support thecommunity. A local business client will use theinformation provided to develop a marketing planfor the proposed new restaurant in the area.Results of this study will assist in critical decisionmaking concerning the further development of theclient’s proposed restaurant. The results may alsobe of value to entrepreneurs contemplating theestablishment of new restaurants in similar areas.

Ashley Sadd ( 64 )COPRESENTOR = Stein EltingADVISOR = Greg BroekemierTechnology Store Usage on a College Campus

Although college technology stores in the UnitedStates represent an $11 billion annual retail marketand serve 17 million college students, few empiricalstudies of this segment of the retail industry havebeen reported. Research on technology store usagewas conducted by a team of undergraduatemarketing research students to help address thisissue and aid the local campus technology store in

its marketing efforts. This research studydetermined the level of awareness and knowledgeregarding a technology store held by faculty, staff,and students of a rural Midwestern college campus.Using an electronic survey, data regarding purchasebehaviors, store awareness, and satisfaction levelstoward the technology store were collected from7,235 faculty, staff, and students. An electronicquestionnaire was administered to the ruralMidwestern college campus through theUniversity’s e-mail system using Opinio surveysoftware. The sampling frame for this researchproject was drawn from a rural Midwestern collegecampus e-mail database. From this database,invitations to participate were sent to all students,faculty, and staff to insure that all members of thetarget population were contacted. 1,272 e-mailsurveys were completed while the response rate forthe project was 18% from a total of 7,235 faculty,staff, and students e-mailed. A local collegetechnology store will use this information to developa marketing plan to draw more customers, as wellas measure their success with current customers.Results of this study will aid in critical decision-making regarding future promotional efforts of thetechnology store on the rural Midwestern collegecampus. Other college technology stores may alsofind information from this study of value.

Education

Health, Physical Education,Recreation & Leisure Studies

Alison Glidden ( 65 )ADVISOR = Greg BrownPeptide YY Levels in Young Women: Correlationswith Dietary Macronutrient Intake and BloodGlucose Levels

PYY is a hormone that influences hunger and satietybut the extent to which macronutrient intake, fastingblood glucose and cholesterol concentrations arerelated to PYY concentrations is unknown.Methods: Thirty-one college-aged women with noknown chronic diseases were assessed for body

22

composition, three day dietary intake, bloodglucose, cholesterol, and serum PYYconcentrations. Results: Fasting serum PYYconcentrations were related (P<0.05) to BMI (r = -0.565), % body fat (r = -0.831), fat mass (r = -0.758) dietary energy intake (r = 0.447) proteinintake (r = 0.538), carbohydrate intake (r = 0.466),and fat intake (r = 0.412). Fasting serum PYYconcentrations were not related to LDL cholesterol,triglycerides or fasting plasma glucoseconcentrations. Conclusions: These data suggest thatfasting serum PYY concentrations are inverselyrelated to body composition and positively related todietary macronutrient composition, but are notrelated to fasting plasma glucose or cholesterolconcentrations.

Craig Smith ( 66 )ADVISOR = Greg BrownPeptide YY Levels in Young Women: Correlationswiht Aerobic Fitness & Resting Metabolic Rate

PYY is a hormone that is secreted from theduodenum in response to food intake and low PYYconcentrations are related to obesity. However, therelationship between aerobic fitness, restingmetabolic rate and fasting serum PYYconcentrations are unknown. Thirty-one healthy,college aged women were assessed for bodycomposition, aerobic fitness (VO2max), restingmetabolic rate (RMR), and fasting serum PYYconcentrations. Serum PYY concentrations wereinversely related (P<0.05) to BMI (r = -0.565),percent body fat (r = -0.831), fat mass (r = -0.758)and RMR (kcal/day; r = -0.369). Serum PYYconcentrations were positively related (P<0.05) toVO2max (ml/kg/min; r = 0.655) and RMR whenexpressed relative to body mass (kcal/kg/day; r =0.547). These data suggest that in young womenfasting serum PYY concentrations are inverselyrelated to body composition and resting metabolicrate and positively related aerobic fitness and RMRwhen measured relative to body mass.

Craig Smith ( 67 )ADVISOR = Samuel LopezThe Effects of Ankle Bracing on ProprioceptiveResponses in Healthy, College Athletes DuringSummer Conditioning

The effect of ankle bracing on the functional stabilityof a non- pathological ankle has not been widelyresearched. Research in this area can lead to saferconditioning practices that actually help increaseproprioception levels and limit sports injuries. Thisstudy investigated any differences in proprioceptionlevels when subjects did or didn’t wear anklebracing when tested before and after summerconditioning. Subjects were collegiate footballathletes with non-pathological ankles engaged insummer conditioning. The athletes were assessedusing a functional testing grid and a proprioceptionlevel was assessed. Participants either wore anklebraces or didn’t wear ankle braces. Subjects weretested again for variances five weeks later. Theresults didn’t show any significance between thosewho braced and those who didn’t. Though nodifferences between the groups were found, thedata provides a starting point for research into theeffects of bracing on athletes.

Teacher Education

Anja Eichel ( 68 )ADVISORS = Cheryl Young & DonnaMontgomeryMath Interventions for a Student with Autism

The purpose of this study was to evaluate theeffectiveness of math interventions for a 13-year oldboy diagnosed with autism. The Touch MathCurriculum, a research-based instructional strategyusing touch points and instructions based upon reallife experiences, was implemented over the courseof six weeks. Discrete trial training was used tomark the student’s progress toward independence.The student researcher recorded the level ofassistance needed to accomplish given tasks in theareas of one-to-one correspondence and coinidentification. Results of the study revealed that theintervention consisting of hands-on materialsprovided by Touch Math led to an improvement in

23

one-to-one correspondence. The student’s ability toidentify coins increased more through theimplementation of real-life experiences than the useof Touch Math materials.

Graduate Studies

Biology

Anjeza Pashaj ( 69 )ADVISOR = Kimberly CarlsonChanges in GST Gene Expression in LargeCaged Populations of Drosophila melangoaser

Drosophila melanogaster is a model organism forstudying the genetics of aging, in which the resultsare directly applicable to humans. Multiple theoriesexist concerning the aging process. One of these isthe association of aging with an increase in oxidativestress and free radical production. To circumventthis process, detoxification enzymes are employed.One such family of detoxification enzymes is theglutathione S- transferases (GSTs). GST genes arefound in all organisms, with orthologs in humans andD. melanogaster. The hypothesis for this study isthat aging is the result of a decrease in thetranscription and translation of the GST genes overtime. To test this hypothesis, large cagedpopulations (15,000) of D. melanogaster will besampled over a period of 89 days and the levels ofGST mRNA analyzed. This project will provideinsight into the mechanistic regulation of aging as aresult of GST expression.

John Riens (70 )ADVISOR = Wyatt HobackPopulation Status and Potential Threats to thePlatte River Caddisfly (Ironoquia plattensis)

The Platte River caddisfly, Ironoquia plattensis is anunique trichopteran species endemic of the central

Platte River region of Nebraska. An assessmentwas conducted at six historical locations wherepopulations were known to exist. The six historicallocations were revisited during the period of knownadult emergence (September 20th through October5th). Wet meadow banks were searched for larvalcasings, as well as emerged adults. Whencaddisflies were located, vegetation composition,substrate, bank slopes, and other relevantenvironmental characteristics were recorded. Onlyfive of the six previously known locations containedthis species and four of these sites had lownumbers, and were heavily impacted by habitatalterations including changes in river flow and thepresence of exotic vegetation and exotic fish. Fromcurrent information, the Platte River caddisfly is oneof the rarest insects in the world, and should bestrongly considered for protection under theEndangered Species Act.

Angela Wang ( 71 )ADVISOR = Kimberly CarlsonViruses Endogenous to Populations of D.melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster is a model organism usedin many aging studies and genetic experiments dueto ease of manipulation. Experiments havesuggested various factors affecting D.melanogaster’s longevity. One of those factors is theviruses endogenous to D. melanogaster, and studieshave shown that these viruses affect the longevityand fecundity of D. melanogaster. In this experimentwe investigate whether viruses are contained in thefrass of D. melanogaster and if different populationscontain different viruses. To test this, twopopulations of D. melanogaster are used and theirfrass will be suspended in DI water and put ontofood media for D. melanogaster. D. melanogasterfrom population one will be subjected to its ownfrass and frass from population two to see iflongevity is affected, same with population two. Thiswill provide initial results to whether there issomething in the frass that is affecting longevity ofD. melanogaster

24

Business Administration

Gayatri Kashyap Kocherlakota ( 72 )ADVISOR = David PalmerICICI Bank and Its Services

ICICI (Industrial Credit Investment Corporation ofIndia) was established in the year 1955 as aFinancial Institute to provide loans to the IndianIndustry. It was established with a sole aim toimprove the economy of India. ICICI, at the time ofits set up was not a bank. It acted as a financialInstitute and later on it emerged as ICICI Bank inthe year 1994. From 1990’s ICICI starteddiversifying its products and services. In 1999ICICI became the first Indian company to be listedin NYSE from Non Japan Asia region The bankprovides various products depending on theIndividual needs. They are involved in BankingOperations, Home loans, Credit cards, BusinessLoans etc. In Banking they have different products.There are various accounts like Normal SavingsAccounts, Student Accounts, Power Pay Accounts,NRI (Non resident Indian account), and SeniorCitizen accounts. It is the Second Largest bank inIndia with total assets of Rs. 3446.58 billion(US$79 Billion) on March 31 2007. It is the mostvaluable bank in terms of market capitalization andit is ranked as third amongst all the companies listedin Indian Stock exchanges. ICICI bank has anetwork of 950 branches and 3500 ATM’s in Indiaand in 17 countries. It provides a wide range ofproducts to all the customers through variouschannels and it always tried to be in par with theInternational Standards. The main objective of mypaper is to analyze ICICI bank in terms of itsorganization and services. The paper will bediscussed in four sections. In the first section, theHistory and Origin of the bank is outlined. Thesecond and third sections are devoted to theorganization and services of the bank and itsoperations within India and Internationally. Thefuture of the Bank is presented in the fourth section.

Counseling & School Psychology

Joni Christensen ( 73 )ADVISOR = Max McFarlandA Comparitive Study: U.S. vs. InternationalSchool Psychology Training Programs

Training of school psychologist has evolved greatly.Content has shifted from the beginning of schoolpsychology as a profession to where it is today.More and more international training programs areevolving, which provides an opportunity forconducting a comparative study. It is therefore thepurpose of this study to determine to what extent isschool psychologist training and programs in theUnited States comparative to school psychologytraining and programs internationally. The specificresearch questions to be addressed will include: (a)Are training programs within the United States andInternational programs consistent in content areas?(b) Is there a difference between credit hourrequirements for programs in the United States andInternationally? (c) What type of degree is offered(i.e. masters, specialist, or doctoral)? (d) Are thereprerequisites to the programs such as languageproficiency, a college degree, or an entrance exam?

Jamie Ellsworth ( 74 )COPRESENTOR = Karen WilleADVISOR = Robin SobanskyInvestigation of the Efficacy of an IntensiveSummer School RtI Approach to ImproveReading Skills of Elementary School Students

During summer vacation children identified as at-riskin reading achievement often experience decline inthese important skills. Previous research hasdemonstrated that students who experience the mostdeclines include those that are economicallydisadvantaged and English language learners. Thepurpose of this research project is to investigate theimpact of a research-based intensive summer school(ISS) intervention on the reading performance andsocial adjustment of elementary school childrenidentified at high risk for poor reading achievement.The project will investigate the effectiveness of an

25

RtI approach wherein students are selected toparticipate based on CBM data indicating thepresence of significant delays in basic reading skills.These students will be monitored throughout theensuing academic year to evaluate the impact of theISS and its ongoing benefits toward students’ overallreading progress and social adjustment. Theintervention students will be compared to controlgroup participants at three time points.

Shannon Helgoth ( 75 )ADVISOR = Max McFarlandRoles and Functions of School Psychologists: AGlobal Perspective

There are many benefits for studying and researchinginternational school psychology. Some of thesebenefits are learning from one another, deepeningour cultural views, and expanding the knowledgebase from the research generated. Schoolpsychology has become a profession known allaround the globe and understanding thecharacteristics, training, roles, responsibilities,challenges, and research interests of schoolpsychologists is increasingly important as theprofession continues to develop in many countries(Jimerson, Graydon, Curtis, & Staskal, 2007). Thepurpose of this study is to discuss the findings onpreparation of school psychologists and their roles/functions in 43 countries around the world using ameta-analysis performed on 43 articles compiled inThe Handbook of International School Psychology(Jimerson, Oakland, & Farrell, 2007). There weremany surprising findings. One of these findings wasmore countries (approximately 85%) had entry levelof school psychologists as Master’s Degreecompared with approximately 12% Bachelor’sDegree entry level. Another finding was thatBachelor’s Degree school psychologists assumedsignificantly more roles/functions (M = 6.4)compared with Master’s (M = 4.6), p < .05.Finally, Master’s Degree school psychologistsplaced significantly (p < .05) more emphasis onconsultation and testing/evaluation roles whileBachelor’s Degree school psychologists placedsignificantly (p < .05) more emphasis on counseling,

prevention, and program development.

Catherine Hock ( 76 )COPRESENTORS = Michael Bishop & MiraSabbahADVISOR = David Hof2008 Kent Estes Justice for All Conference

Graduate student members of Chi Sigma Iota, aninternational counseling honor society, and studentsin the Department of Counseling and SchoolPsychology have prepared a poster describing theprocess of planning and executing a statewideadvocacy conference targeted for helpingprofessionals. The poster will describe the resourceshelpful in developing the conference, the process ofsecuring funding sources, people needed forimplementation, and a timeline for developing andimplementing the activity. The goals of the KentEstes Justice for All Conference are to increaseparticipants’ awareness of specific social advocacystrategies in working with underserved populations,help participants learn to empower their clients and/or students, and to help participants applyinformation and experience to their specificprofessional areas by creating an interactiveexperience that allows participants to apply gainedknowledge for use in their own settings.

Abby Huber ( 77 )ADVISOR = Max McFarlandAn Evaluation of the University of Nebraska atKearney School Psychology Training Program

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacyof the UNK School Psychology program basedupon the perceptions of interns and graduates inregards to the eleven School Psychology LeadershipDomains and Functions in schools. This is seen asa necessary replicated evaluation in order tomaintain a proactive training program, keeping theskills and knowledge taught in correlation with boththe expectations of practice and the standards fortraining by NASP.

26

Bethany Hyatt ( 78)ADVISOR = Max McFarlandMeta-Analysis of Early Childhood Mental HealthInterventions

This presentation will include data from a meta-analysis of 24 studies presenting 120 mental healthoutcome measures. The presentation will focus oninformation related to the best target for earlyintervention and the most efficacious site forrelationship between SDC with bone health(McGartland, 2003). The purpose of the currentstudy is to determine the association between SDCand bone mineral density in young women, ages 16-24 years. Sixty-five females, ages 16 to 24, wereassessed for body mass, body height, bodycomposition, bone mineral density, SDC frequency,and average daily SDC. Associations between SDCwith bone health will be analyzed using Pearsoncorrelation coefficients.

Molly Lungrin ( 79 )ADVISOR = Max McFarlandWhat Education Students at UNK Know AboutResponse to Intervention

My research study consists of a survey, which hasbeen administered to upper classmen EducationMajors at the University of Nebraska at Kearney tosee what their level of awareness and perceivedlevel of importance is in regards to the Response toIntervention process being utilized in public schoolsacross Nebraska. I want to see if Response toIntervention is being taught in education classes atUNK, and if future educators feel prepared toparticipate in the Response to Intervention Processwhen they begin teaching.

Jessica Markvicka ( 80 )ADVISOR = Max McFarlandIncreasing Student’s Responsiveness to ReadingAssignments

Researchers have shown that students’ perceptionsof mathematics assignments could be improved byinterspersing additional briefer, easier problems

(e.g., Logan and Skinner, 1998). However, whenthis research was extended to reading tasks,significantly more students selected the controlpassage as requiring less time to read, but nodifferences were found for preference, choice, oreffort selections (Martin, Skinner, & Neddenriep,2001). This research was conducted byinterspersing brief, easy paragraphs within theexperimental reading passage. The purpose of thisstudy was to extend the research by interspersingbrief, easy pages within an experimental readingpassage. Third-grade students read out loud both acontrol passage and a similar experimental passagethat contained additional interspersed brief (i.e., 10words), easy (i.e., first-grade reading level) pages.Students then selected the passage that wouldrequire the least effort and time to read. They alsoindicated which passage they liked most(preference) and the passage they would like to readagain (choice).

Hannah Wegner ( 81 )COPRESENTOR = Krystal PoseyADVISOR = Max McFarlandStudent Perceptions of Bullying in a ColoradoSchool: A Second Year Follow-Up

This study is a second year follow-up whichexamined the efficacy of a bullying preventionprogram. Third, fourth, and fifth grade students in aMidwestern school were assessed prior to and afterthe implementation of the bullying preventionprogram. This study focused on student’sperceived feelings of safety in different schoolsettings in regard in gender and ethnicity. Inaddition, the study compared the perceived feelingsof safety in the pretest to the posttest. Finally, thestudy examined the efficacy of the bullyingprevention program in relation to indicators ofbullying the various methods of bullying beingassessed.

27

Health, Physical Education,Recreations & Leisure Studies

Megan Costello ( 82 )ADVISOR = Kate HeelanAssociation Between Soft Drink Consumptionand Bone Health in Young Females

The U.S. ranks first concerning soft drinkconsumption (SDC). The trend of SDC increasedsince the 1960s surpassing all other kinds ofbeverages; therefore, the health risks associatedwith SDC have become an important public healthissue (Garcia-Contreras, 1999). In recent years, thescientific literature has suggested an inverserelationship between SDC with bone health(McGartland, 2003). The purpose of the currentstudy is to determine the association between SDCand bone mineral density in young women, ages 16-24 years. Sixty-five females, ages 16 to 24, wereassessed for body mass, body height, bodycomposition, bone mineral density, SDC frequency,and average daily SDC. Associations between SDCwith bone health will be analyzed using Pearsoncorrelation coefficients.

Karen DeDonder ( 83 )ADVISOR = Scott UnruhConfidence Levels of Certified Athletic Trainersin Regards to Female Athlete Triad Syndrome

This research deals specifically with the professionof athletic training and how comfortable theprofession is with recognizing, seeking treatmentand educating athletes on the female athlete triadsyndrome. The female athlete triad syndrome isdefined by the interrelation of three individualcomponents: disordered eating, menstrualdysfunction and decreased bone mineral density.This syndrome can potentially be fatal or at leastquality of life threatening. It is very important forcertified athletic trainers to be very skilled andconfident when dealing with the syndrome. Anoriginal instrument was created that inquired aboutthe certified athletic trainer’s personal confidence indealing with each component individually and the

syndrome as a whole. The survey was sent out viaemail to 1,000 certified athletic trainers in theregion. A paper copy was sent to those who did notrespond via email.

Pamela Janulewicz ( 84 )ADVISOR = Kate HeelanReplacement of Chairs with Fitness Balls inElementary School Classrooms to Increase DailyPhysical Activity

The number of overweight youth has increaseddramatically over recent years, with physicalinactivity as a main contributing factor. However, ithas been suggested that implementing fitness balls inreplacement of desk chairs into a classroom settingcan increase muscular strength as well ascardiovascular fitness. The purpose of this study wasto determine whether replacing classroom chairswith fitness balls increases daily physical activityamong 4th grade students. Daily physical activitywas measured using accelerometers for five dayswith 39 children (9.49 ± 0.56 years). Classroomchairs were then replaced with fitness balls for threemonths. During the intervention, daily physicalactivity was measured for another 5 days. Minute-by-minute activity counts were uploaded and timespent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) was determined for total daily physicalactivity as well as physical activity obtained duringthe school day between 8:00am and 3:00pm.Comparisons will be made between physical activitylevels obtained while in classroom chairs and whileusing fitness balls.

Justin Rethorst ( 85 )ADVISOR = Scott UnruhDifferences in Job Satisfaction Among CollegiateAthletic Trainers

The purpose of this study is to determine if anydifferences in job satisfaction exist between athletictrainers employed at the different levels of theNational Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).There is a need for research to determine if jobsatisfaction of athletic trainers is influenced by the

28

level of NCAA competition. A stratified randomsample was to select the athletic trainers(n=384).They were sent an e-mail containing a linkfor completion of an online survey through theUniversity of Nebraska-Kearney OPINIO system.The survey contained 10 demographic informationquestions and the 36 question Job SatisfactionSurvey (JSS). A paper copy of the survey was sentto those who did not complete the survey online.Each participant was scored on overall jobsatisfaction and the nine subscales within the JSS,including satisfaction with pay, chances ofpromotion, supervision, fringe benefits, contingentrewards, operating conditions, co-workers, natureof work, and communication.

29

Oral Presentations – Room 310

Biology

1:30-1:45 Christine GillingADVISOR = Kim CarlsonStability of a Foreign Protein in Chimeric CVB3: PotentialVector for Gene Delivery

1:45-2:00 Ben SwansonADVISOR = Janet SteeleThe Effectiveness of Policosanol as a Dietary Supplementfor Reducing Total Cholesterol in Healthy Males

Chemistry

2:00-2:15 Danielle PolicarpioADVISOR = Jon ThompsonDevelopment of an Aerosol Albedometer

Communication Studies

2:15-2:30 Laura McAteeADVISOR = Rachelle KamrathRhetorical Criticism-Communication Analysis

2:30-2:45 Brandon PettigrewADVISOR = Rachelle KamrathRhetorical Criticism-Communication Analysis

Computer Science & Information Systems

2:45-3:00 Aaron SteeleCOPRESENTOR = Jordan Van WinkleADVISOR = John HastingsScalable Automatic Case Elicitation

3:00-3:15 Mark VavraCOPRESENTORS = Ry Lowry & Jed FongADVISOR = John HastingsRecruiting Program

30

Oral Presentations – Room 312

Marketing

1:30-1:45 Ben AllemannADVISOR = Timothy BurkinkCross Cultural Examiniation of Personal Care ProductsUsage Betwween Czech and Nebraskan College Students

1:45-2:00 Kristan BarleenCOPRESENTOR = Megan MichaudADVISOR = Greg BroekemierBarriers to Becoming a Foster Parent in a Midwest Community

2:00-2:15 Yuki KawakamiADVISOR =Greg BroekemierHome Remodeling

2:15-2:30 Lana M. LueckCOPRESENTORS = Andrea Laituri, Jessica Jones & BenAllemannADVISOR = Greg BroekemierLevel of Awareness and Usage of Organic Products,Homeopathic Products, and Health Supplements in a RuralArea

2:30-2:45 Dana WrightCOPRESENTORS = Hillory Doerr & Samantha OsmotherlyADVISOR = Greg BroekemierDemand for New Casual Fine Dining Restaurant in MediumSized, Midwestern Community

History

2:45-3:00 Bill HayesADVISOR = Vernon VolpeCall to Save the Union: Recruitment in Nebraska TerritoryDuring the Civil War

3:00-3:15 Ross HuxollADVISOR = Mark EllisThe UNK Sports Collection

3:15-3:30 Joshua RiceADVISOR = Mark EllisThe Savage Conundrum: American Christian Missions and thePawnee Indians of Nebraska, 1836-1846

31

Oral Presentations – Cedar Room

History/Women’s Studies

1:30-1:45 Brooke McGeeADVISOR = Linda Van IngenA History of Women Attorneys in Nebraska: AnExamination of Early Attorney Margaret Jane Carns

English

1:45-2:00 Rachel Usasz-KeberADVISOR = John DamonThe Prince and the Pauper: Societal Similarities Betweenthe Silmarillion and Medieval Texts

Political Science/Women’s Studies

2:00-2:15 Brooke McGeeADVISORS = Joan Blauwkamp & Linda Van IngenAn Analysis of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’sJurisprudence and Opinions and Their Implications forEcofeminists and the Environment

Psychology

2:15-2:30 Rachael BroadwellADVISOR = Richard MillerLocus of Control in Individuals with Eating Disorders

2:30-2:45 Chris HeinADVISOR = Richard MillerGender Differences in Reaction to Public Displays of Affection

2:45-3:00 Annastashia MalcolmADVISOR = Joe BenzEffects of Temperament on the Premack Principle andResponse Deprivation Theories of Reinforcement

3:00-3:15 Jayme JacobsenADVISOR = Richard MillerExamining Employee Resistance to the Implementation of aNew Dress Code

3:15-3:30 Annastashia MalcolmADVISOR = Richard MillerFocus of Control and Self-Monitoring Behavior inRelationship to Body Image Satisfaction and Body ImageDistortion

32

ORALPRESENTATIONS

Biology

Christine Gilling ( 86 )ADVISOR = Kimberly CarlsonStability of a Foreign Protein in Chimeric CVB3:Potential Vector for Gene Delivery

Group B, serotype 3 of Coxsackievirus (CVB3) isthe leading cause of myocarditis and pancreatitis.The virus has evolved to form 5’terminal deletionsmaking the virus non-virulent and stable, whichmake it a suitable candidate to be evaluated as apotential vector system for gene therapy delivery.The hypothesis was that a foreign protein could bestably expressed in tissue culture using CVB3 as avector system. cDNA from CVB3/28 and mIL-4were used to construct a chimeric virus that wastransfected into HeLa cells (control) and mouseheart cardiomyocytes (MHC; experimental).Chimeric virus was detected through passage 10 inMHC cells, was non-infectious, and retained theinsert, suggesting this vector system may be aneffective delivery system. HeLa cells deleted theinsert and showed cytopathic effect when infected,suggesting virulent activity in these cells.Constructing CVB3 with gene inserts may contributeto gene therapies for diseases.

Ben Swanson ( 87 )ADVISOR = Janet SteeleThe Effectiveness of Policosanol as a DietarySupplement for Reducing Total Cholesterol inHealthy Males

Policosanol is a natural substance derived fromsugar cane that is advertised for its lipid-loweringeffects as a dietary supplement not evaluated by theFDA. The manufacture’s research suggests that

Policosanol® at doses of 5-40 mg/d haslipoprotein-lowering effects comparable toprescription statin drugs. In this single blind placebocontrolled study, the lipoprotein-lowering effectsPolicosanol will be examined at a dose-dependencyof 20 mg/d with the manufacturer’s claim of 20-25% reduction in low-density cholesterol (LDL-C).Subjects on monitored diets will be administeredPolicosanol® at the suggested dosage for sixweeks. Participant’s cholesterol will be checked viaa CardioChek® blood test system. Base line LDL-C levels will be compared to levels at the end ofeight weeks of Policosanol® administration. Resultsof this research may help determine what dietarysupplements to use and what results to expect fromcholesterol lowering alternatives that are notevaluated by the FDA.

Chemistry

Danielle Policarpio ( 88 )ADVISOR = Jon ThompsonDevelopment of an Aerosol Albedometer

Aerosol particles suspended in the atmosphere canrange in size from 0.01 - > 10 µm. Aerosols canadversely affect human health, degrade visibility,and potentially alter earth’s radiative balance. Thispresentation will describe development of a newtechnique for the measurement of aerosol albedo at532 nm. Aerosol albedo is the ratio between aerosolscattering coefficient (kscat) and extinction coefficient(kext) and is an important parameter which helpspredict whether a given aerosol cloud will lead towarming or cooling of the atmosphere. In this work,we have explored the use of cavity ring-downspectroscopy (CRDS) for measurement of aerosolextinction coefficient. Simultaneously, the lightscattered from the probe beam was collected by anintegrating sphere and used to determine scatteringcoefficient through calibration with He, air, CO2, and1,1,1,2,- tetrafluoroethane (SUVA or R-134a).This feature of the method is unique, as aerosolscattering and extinction can be measuredsimultaneously on the exact same sample. Thecavity ring-down method offered limits of detectionof 0.7 Mm-1 while detection limits of 2.7 Mm-1 was

33

achieved on the scatter channel. We have appliedthis method to the determination of albedo ofseveral polystyrene size standards, laboratorygenerated soot surrogates, and atmosphericparticles at our location. This highly sensitive methodis capable of monitoring particulate pollution,visibility changes, or may find use tracking changesin optical properties of aerosols as they areprocessed chemically in the atmosphere.

Communication Studies

Laura McAtee ( 89 )ADVISOR = Rachelle KamrathRhetorical Criticism-Communication Analysis

For over six decades, 16 miles of meticulous Nazirecords were stored in the small town of BadArolsen, Germany. Information within included theidentity of every holocaust prisoner, humanexperiment records, and death records amongmany other facts. Recently, the 11 nationsoverseeing these tightly guarded records recentlyratified an agreement to hide them no longer. Theserecords have been released for public review,making an even deeper understanding of theholocaust possible. This rheotical criticism researchpresentation uses Dr. Susan Crane’s theory of“Historical Consciousness” to analyze whether theBad Arolsen archives have the potential to clarify allunanswered questions about this period in history.The research explores the compatibility of thetheory, applies it to the Bad Arolsen Archives, anddraws critical and social conclusions about theugliest secrets of the Nazi regime.

Brandon Pettigrew ( 90 )ADVISOR = Rachelle KamrathRhetorical Criticism-Communication Analysis

In July, 2007 the NAACP performed a funeralservice for one of the most taboo words inAmerican culture, “nigger.” Much like their previousburial of “Jim Crow” in 1944, the event wasintended to symbolically eradicate racial language inour culture. The NAACP no longer formally

recognizes the term which poses a dilemma; ifdiscursive space is closed within the AfricanAmerican socio-political landscape, who among ushas the prerogative to discuss the term? This oralpresentation uses Nikki Slocum-Bradley’sInterpretation of Positioning model to analyzewhether the NAACP’s burial of “nigger” will affectdiscourse about the term in the United States.Through articulating Slocum-Bradley’s model,applying it to the symbolic funeral, and drawingcritical and social conclusions, the paper seeks toanswer this question.

Computer Science & InformationSystems

Aaron Steele ( 91 )COPRESENTOR = Jordan Van WinkleADVISOR = John HastingsScalable Automatic Case Elicitation

Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) is an artificialintelligence reasoning approach that appliespreviously acquired knowledge, stored in the formof cases (or prototypical scenarios) to a newproblem. CBR systems are generally comprised ofmanually acquired cases, and are limited to veryspecific domains with resulting domain-dependentparameters. A more robust method of knowledgeacquisition and reasoning is automatic case elicitation(ACE). An ACE reasoner learns from scratch byutilizing a process of trial and error, repeatedlyattempting actions with no specific knowledge aboutthe domain (e.g. rules or strategies), and adding theresults of the chosen action to the knowledge bank.The performance of an ACE reasoner improvesover time as the reasoner becomes more familiarwith its environment. To date, ACE has beenrestricted to reusing cases at the same level of detail(i.e., the same dimensions when discussing space-based environments). Our work improves therobustness of ACE through a novel application ofimage recognition and manipulation techniques in away which allows a reasoner to retrieve and applyknowledge acquired at a smaller, finer level to morecomplicated situations. Our approach when appliedto the domain of Go, a two-dimensional boardgame, demonstrates that the ability to extrapolate

34

onto a larger environment can improve theperformance of ACE by initially decreasing thecomplexity of the search space to a manageablelevel and allowing the reasoner to converge to acompetent knowledge base in a domain for which atrial and error process would otherwise be too timeconsuming.

Mark Vavra ( 92 )COPRESENTORS = Ry Lowry & Jed FongADVISOR = John HastingsRecruiting Program

Several approaches to bringing back enrollment incomputer science (CS) degree programs have beenattempted, including using robots or games.Onesuch attempt is Game Maker, which seeks to attractstudents totechnology by allowing them to createtheir own game without having to know anythingabout programming. Although this environment hasbeen successfully used by high school students, it iscurrently limited to the production of 2D one-playergames and does not address an extremely popularform of gaming among today’s youth, namelynetworked “shooter” games. This researchaddresses the limitations of the Game Makerenvironmentthrough the creation of a new gamedevelopment environment which providesmultiplayer-networked functionality and in futureversions will include 3D graphics. This workdemonstrates a scalable, convenient and speedyapproach to the production of multiplayer shootergames without the requirement that the user be wellversed in computer programming.

English

Rachel Usasz-Keber ( 93 )ADVISOR = John DamonThe Prince and the Pauper: Societal SimilaritiesBetween The Silmarillion and Medieval Texts

“The Prince and the Pauper: Societal SimilaritiesBetween The Silmarillion and Medieval Texts”details the relationship elves and men share withnoble and serf classes in medieval texts. Textualsupport is provided from The Silmarillion and a

variety of medieval texts in the areas ofemployment, recreational pursuits, power andauthority, and kingdom structure.

History

Bill Hayes ( 94 )ADVISOR = Vernon VolpeCall to Save the Union: Recruitment in NebraskaTerritory During the Civil War

This paper will examine the recruitment of the majorunits that served from Nebraska Territory during theCivil War. It will look at how the recruitment wasdone with newspaper advertisements and militiaunits, what the mission of each unit was initially, andany controversies surrounding those units whether itbe where they served or how they were used in theterritory or beyond. It will also study what areas ofthe territory supplied the most troops and if politicshindered any recruitment in certain areas. Thispaper will show how an established territory of theUnited States responded to the Civil War andexamine the efforts made to recruit and train troopsto contribute to the Union war effort.

Ross Huxoll ( 95 )ADVISOR = Mark EllisThe UNK Sports Collection

Donald K. Briggs, Kearney College’s SportsInformation Director for more than thirty years,donated more than 70,000 sports-relatedphotographs to the Calvin T. Ryan Library in 1998.Mr. Briggs’ collection provides an account of allsports-related activities at the institution from theearly 1900s to the 1990s. Many of thesepreviously unviewed photographs are beingdigitized, downloaded, and will eventually beaccessible to the public via the Calvin T. RyanLibrary’s website. This research project willprovide an easily accessible and lasting record of theUniversity’s history of sports.

35

Joshua Rice ( 96 )ADVISOR = Mark EllisThe Savage Conundrum: American ChristianMissions and the Pawnee Indians of Nebraska,1836-1846

The 1830’s-1840’s were trying times for thePawnee Indians. Weakened by hunger and strickenby disease, Pawnee society was wearing thin. Allthe while, white settlers were waiting to gobble upmore Indian land. A critical debate divided manyAmericans. The West would become part of theUS, but what of the Indians? Could NativeAmericans be converted to Christianity andAmericanized, before it was too late? Somemissionaries advocated settling the Indians first,others argued that settlement was a secondaryconcern, and that preaching the Gospel to theIndians was first priority. Thrown into this meleewere John Dunbar and Samuel Allis, missionaries tothe Pawnee. They could follow their mission;charge, civilize, settle, and save the Pawnee, or theycould feed the Pawnee and try to shield them fromthe Lakota, directly challenging the US federalgovernment.

History/Women’s Studies

Brooke McGee ( 97 )ADVISOR = Linda Van IngenA History of Women Attorneys in Nebraska: AnExamination of Early Attorney Margaret JaneCarns

The profession of law is both rigorous andprestigious. Traditionally, men have dominated thelegal profession. However, women have contributedmore to the profession of law than they have beenpreviously credited. Nebraska women havecontributed significantly to the study of law since thelate 19th century, and continue to serve as lawyers,mediators, professors, and judges today. Thispaper has uncovered much of the early work ofthese women attorneys, by focusing on Mrs.Margaret Jane Burke Carns as a case study.Carns, a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, was thefirst woman to be admitted to the American Bar

Association. By examining Carns’ experiences inlaw school, contributions to her community throughnumerous organizations, and analyzing the cases thatshe presided over, a better and more generalunderstanding of how women contributed to theprofession of the law in early Nebraska will be morefully reached.

Marketing

Ben Allemann ( 98 )ADVISOR = Timothy BurkinkCross Cultural Examiniation of Personal CareProducts Usage Betwween Czech and NebraskanCollege Students

This cross-cultural study examines affective,cognitive and behavioral responses towardspersonal care products by consumers in the UnitedStates and the Czech Republic. The researchobjectives included measuring usage patterns,evoked brands, promotion effectiveness andattitudes about personal care products. A surveywas developed and translated into Czech. Thesurveys were administered via personal interviews. ACzech student participated in the Czech Republicinterviews to aid in translation for non-Englishspeaking respondents. Convenience samples ofuniversity students, including 43 Czech collegestudents at Palacky University in Olomouc, CzechRepublic and 49 American students at the Universityof Nebraska at Kearney participated in the study.Respondents were identified from campuscommons areas in the Czech republic and frombusiness classes and Study Abroad participants indifferences between the two age groups.Preliminary results indicate that, compared to Czechstudents, American students use more personalhealth care products, are more brand orientatedand have a larger evoked sets. Implications of thefindings and directions for future research will bediscussed.

36

Kristan Barleen ( 99 )COPRESENTOR = Megan MichaudADVISOR = Greg BroekemierBarriers to Becoming a Foster Parent in aMidwest Community

The need for more foster parents is growing becauseof the increasing number of children in the fostercare system. In the state of Nebraska there are35.9% more children in foster care than there wereten years ago for a total of over 6,200 children. Theproblem lies in the fact that although the number ofchildren is rapidly increasing, the number of peoplewilling to become foster parents is not. This problemis especially seen in the city of Kearney in BuffaloCounty, NE. Nearly 40% of the population fitwithin the target profile for potential foster parents,yet there are approximately only thirty fosterfamilies in the city. To discover reasons for the lackof acceptance in this rural community, and otherslike it, research on the public’s knowledge andattitudes regarding foster care was conducted by ateam of undergraduate marketing students. Using atelephone survey, data regarding willingness to be afoster parent, common deterrents to becoming afoster parent, and perceived need for foster carewithin the area were collected from 250 households.Most people feel that there is a need for morefoster parents but refuse to volunteer themselves.The purpose of the research is to aid a local fostercare organization which will use this information todevelop a marketing plan to attempt to increase thenumber of foster parents in the community andsurrounding areas. Results of this study could alsoaid in critical decision making in determining thetarget market and promotion of foster care in similarcommunities.

Yuki Kawakami ( 100 )ADVISOR = Greg BroekemierHome Remodeling

Today, home remodeling is needed by many homeowners. Vertis Customer Focus 2006 HomeImprovement study found that 56 percent of adultswho are planning on doing a home improvement or

remodel project make the decisions and do thework themselves. This percentage is high and itdepicts remodeling needs are high today. However,specific remodeling needs of consumers are not wellknown in a Midwestern community. A team ofundergraduate marketing research studentsinvestigated remodeling needs in conjunction with akitchen and bathroom remodeling company in aMidwestern community. First, secondary researchwas searched to find information about remodelingthat already exists. After the secondary research, aquestionnaire was developed and a telephone surveyof 250 homeowners, randomly selected from adirectory, was conducted. Data were then analyzedusing SPSS statistical software. Results show thatquality of products is the most important factorwhen people remodel their kitchens or bathrooms.Prices of products and reputation of products werealso important to consumers. Respondents reportedthat when purchasing a home, having a remodeledkitchen and/or bathroom is somewhat important.Based upon these result, the local supplier ofremodeling products can develop a more effectivemarketing strategy. The quality of remodelingproducts is important to people, so this suppliermust clearly communicate the quality of productsoffered in its promotions. It was also discovered thatthe 35 to 49 year old age group would be the bestsegment to target with promotional efforts since thisgroup had the highest percentage saying that theyhad remodeled a home in the past.

Lana M. Lueck ( 101 )COPRESENTORS = Andrea Laituri, JessicaJones & Ben AllemannADVISOR = Greg BroekemierLevel of Awareness and Usage of OrganicProducts, Homeopathic Products, and HealthSupplements in a Rural Area

Health supplements, organic products andhomeopathic products have existed for many years.However, it is relatively recent that they have gainedwidespread popularity. Twenty years ago the FDArecognized that due to increased popularity ofhomeopathic products, more regulations were

37

needed to protect consumers. According toresearch by The Food Marketing Institute (2007),approximately 50% of all people eighteen and olderregularly purchased organic products. Since little hasbeen reported about the use of these products inrural Nebraska, research was conducted by a teamof undergraduate marketing research students toaddress this needed information. This researchstudy determined the level of awareness andattitudes regarding organic products, homeopathicproducts, and health supplements. The resultshelped a local health food store determine thecommunity’s awareness level of these products, thecommunity’s store perception, and the best appealsfor future advertising aimed at these segments.

Dana Wright ( 102 )COPRESENTORS = Hillory Doerr & SamanthaOsmotherlyADVISOR = Greg BroekemierDemand for New Casual Fine DiningRestaurants in Medium-Sized, MidwesternCommunity

Today, consumers are seeking more convenient,health-conscious dining options that provide variety.The restaurant industry is optimistic and growing;however, it is a volatile industry. Sound research is acritical aspect to enhance the likelihood of newventures. Related to these trends in the restaurantindustry, the purpose for this project was to provideassistance to entrepreneurs planning to open a new,casual, fine dining restaurant in a medium-sized,Midwestern community. Survey methodology wasused to collect primary data for this project. Thesampling frame for the research consisted of a list,purchased by the research clients, of householdsmeeting the target market criterion. A questionnairewas created and administered to selectedcommunity residents using a telephone survey. Theobjectives that were researched included:determining the dining habits of consumers in thecommunity, exploring local dining options and thesatisfaction consumers have with those options,determining locals’ perceptions of fine dining,identifying consumers’ levels of comfort with casual

fine dining atmospheres, exploring thecharacteristics necessary to appeal to a professionalaudience, and determining if consumers would haveinterest in using a meeting room for events. SPSSwas used to generate frequencies and percentagesfor the variables of the data collected, as well as totest for significant differences between age groups,various occupations, household types, and incomegroups. The research and conclusions werepresented to the entrepreneurs of the new restaurantin hopes of providing them with the best knowledgepossible to contribute to the success of theirventure. Prospective restaurateurs may also findthis study to be of interest.

Political Science/Women’s Studies

Brooke McGee ( 103 )ADVISORS = Joan Blauwkamp & Linda VanIngenAn Analysis of Supreme Court Justice AntoninScalia’s Jurisprudence and Opinions and TheirImplications for Ecofeminists and theEnvironment

Justice Antonin Scalia, a consistently conservativemember of the Supreme Court, has handed downjudgments on environmental cases, usually resultingin decisions that environmental groups are against.Among these groups are ecofeminists-feminists whoseek to end all oppression, as all oppressions of thenatural world are inherently linked. In order tocombat the system that oppresses the Other,ecofeminists believe that oppression must be foughton all fronts, among those oppressions areenvironmental issues. Using ecofeministjurisprudence as a basis for comparison, this paperwill seek to analyze the opinions of Justice Scalia onfour cases, including Friends of the Earth, Inc. v.Laidlaw Environmental Services, Lujan v.Defenders of Wildlife, Massachusetts v. EPA, andRapanos v. United States. These ecofeminist idealswill seek to criticize Scalia’s opinions in these cases,and ultimately this paper shows how ecofeministsmust continue to work diligently in order to combatScalia’s judgments.

38

Psychology

Rachael Broadwell ( 104 )ADVISOR = Richard MillerLocus of Control in Individuals with EatingDisorders

This literature review examines a possibleconnection between locus of control and thedevelopment of eating disorders in females. Theliterature itself does not focus on locus of controlspecifically but makes reference to characteristics ofthe individuals with eating disorders that mayindicate locus of control.

Chris Hein ( 105 )ADVISOR = Richard MillerGender Differences in Reaction to PublicDisplays of Affection

Male and female participants looked at 36 differentpictures of Caucasian, African-American, andAsian, male-male, male-female, and female-femalecouples hugging, holding hands, or kissing and ratedtheir level of comfort. Contrary to previous finding,females were more uncomfortable than men withsame sex displays of affection.

Jayme Jacobsen ( 106 )ADVISOR = Richard MillerExamining Employee Resistance to theImplementation of a New Dress Code

Employee resistance to change is a problem formany organizations trying to implement changeeffectively. Previous research indicated individualswith certain personality factors, an external locus ofcontrol, and a low openness to experience showedresistance to change. However, previous researchhas failed to look at these variables in terms oforganizational resistance to change. The presentresearch looks at these variables in the context oforganizational change. Participants consisted ofemployees of an organization that recentlyimplemented a new dress code. Significant

correlations were found indicating personality, locusof control, and openness to experience areassociated with resistance to change. Suggestionsfor future research are discussed.

Annastashia Malcolm ( 107 )ADVISOR = Joe BenzEffects of Temperament on the PremackPrinciple and Response Deprivation Theories ofReinforcement

Research in areas of establishing operations led tothe development of theories of reinforcement. ThePremack principle (probability of occurrence ofbehavior) and the Response Deprivation Hypothesis(restriction of occurrence) are two main theories.Temperament affects how an individual developsestablishing operations and thus develops personalreinforcement theories.

Annastashia Malcolm ( 108 )ADVISOR = Richard MillerLocus of Control and Self-Monitoring Behaviorin Relationship to Body Image Satisfaction andBody Image Distortion

This study examined the effects of locus of controland self-monitoring on body image satisfaction anddistortion. The difference between actual andperceived body image of 53 females was calculated.Self-monitoring did not affect body image distortionor satisfaction. Locus of control had a significanteffect on overall body image satisfaction.

39

Department of Art & Art History Awards

UNK Art Society Undergraduate Student Art Exhibition Award Winners

Best of Show Jeremy Eggleston Ambient

On Canvas Gold Jaysie Ross Under My UmbrellaSilver Jeremy Eggleston SpringBronze Amy Erline Exit Sequence

Ceramics Gold Katrina Florell GroomedSilver Katrina Florell 5: StandingBronze Alice Berryman Untitled 1

Glass Gold Mark Halva Slash GroupingSilver Paul Engler Untitled (Blue)Bronze Paul Engler Untitled (Red)

Graphic Design Gold Andrea Trew Monopoly SponsoredHabitat for Humanity Poster

Silver J. Nathan Hansen Student Art ExhibitionPoster 2007

Bronze Anne McGovern Book Cover Spread

On Paper Gold Kami Jorgensen Gray Still LifeSilver Kasey Moon Between Two WorldsBronze Shannon Runge Night Landscape

Sculpture Gold Charles Schluckebier Lily and AshleySilver Natalie Sindelar 4D4M5 RIBBronze Charles Schluckebier Myrah Foam

UNK Art Society Undergraduate Student Participants

Rivkah Addy Blair Bauer Alice Berryman Ashley BrittonDonna Deaton-Thompkins Jeremy Eggleston Paul Engler Amy ErlineNate Eskra Katrtina Florell Jaime Flores Claire FreeburgDrew Gourley Mark Halva J. Nathan Hansen Deonne HinzKami Jorgenson Amber Kosmicki Brian Margheim Anne McGovernKasey Moon Jaysie Ross Shannon Runge Drake SauerCharles Schluckebier Natalie Sindelar Joe Szczepaniak Andrea TrewRachel Vogel Aaron Williams Naomi Yonemoto

40

Students in the Art Department at the University of Nebraska at Kearney recently won a variety of AIGA,ADDY and UNK Art Society awards for studio art and design projects. “These awards represent a greataccomplishment for our UNK art and design students,” said Richard Schuessler, UNK professor. “Thesuccess of receiving these awards from local and professional peers in the areas of studio fine arts, graphicdesign or advertising, not only recognizes the achievements of our students, but also the quality of the ArtPrograms at UNK.”

The America Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) is a professional association for communication design. TheNebraska chapter of AIGA sponsors an annual design competition for practicing artists, designers andstudents. Each year, the Nebraska AIGA chapter selects three design judges from across the United Statesto juror the competition for graphic design professionals and students.

In Fall 2007, the UNK VCD students won 23 AIGA Nebraska awards. Eric Nyffeler (of Columbus)received a gold for his Hydra Black Powder Fireworks poster. Anne McGovern (of Grand Island) took agold award for her book cover illustration, and Brandon Oltman (of Cortland) won gold for his Kung PowPaper Co. paper samples book.

Silver award winners include Eric Nyffeler (of Columbus) for packaging design, Ashley Stuhr (of Kearney)for her paper sample book, Jaime Flores (Kearney) for his direct mail, Brandon Oltman (of Cortland) for aposter, and Anne McGovern (of Grand Island) for poster design.

Bronze award winners include Brook Carpenter (of Alliance), 2 awards for Cassi Ellenwood (Kearney),Nate Hansen, Jennifer Karr, Anne McGovern (of Grand Island), 3 awards for Brandon Oltman (ofCortland), Joe Szczepaniak (of Omaha), 3 awards for Adam Torpin (O’Neil), and 2 awards for AndreaTrew (of Shelton).

The department also received a large number of 2008 Nebraska ADDY awards. The Nebraska Federationof Advertising sponsors the Nebraska- ADDY awards. The annual advertising and design competition isheld for practicing advertisers, copywriters, marketing personnel, photographers, illustrators, designers andstudents. Entries receiving gold awards at the state competition are automatically forwarded to the MidwestDistrict Competition. Gold awards at the district level are then entered in the national competition inWashington, D.C.

In February 2008, the UNK VCD students won 27 awards at the recent Nebraska Addy Awards. EricNyffeler (of Columbus), captured Best of Show plus 2 golds. Brook Carpenter (of Alliance)-silver, CassiEllenwood (Kearney)-silver, Anne McGovern (of Grand Island)-2 silvers, Brandon Oltman (Cortlland)-2golds and 6 silvers, Drake Sauer -silver, Ashley Stuhr (of Kearney)-2 golds and silver, Joe Szczepaniak (ofOmaha)-gold and 3 silvers, Adam Torpin (of O’Neil) won 3 silver awards.

Also in the summer of 2007 Adam Torpin won the Art Department’s first “National Gold Addy” atLouisville, KY. Adam recently graduated in the fall of 2007 and is a graphic designer at oxide design inOmaha, Nebraska.

Department of Art & Art History Awards

41

Abe, Michiko (11)Akahane, Shusaku (12)Allemann, Ben (35, 36, 37)Arroyo, Ana (5)Barleen, Kristan (36)Bartak, Brooke (8)Batterman, Keller (8, 11)Beinke, Brett (5)Bird, James (15)Bishop, Michael (25)Brady, Sara (8)Brennan, Nick (5)Broadwell, Rachael (38)Brown, Tahra (9)Butterfield, Dani (8)Cabrera, Wilfredo (18, 19)Christ, Michael (12)Christensen, Joni (24)Costello, Megan (27)Dailey, Jon (4)DeDonder, Karen (27)Doerr, Hillory (37)Eichel, Anja (22, 23)Ellsworth, Jamie (24)Elting, Stein (21)Englert, JoAnn (5)Erickson, Scott (15)Esteraich, Rocky (8)Flanagan, Jonathan (4)Fong, Jed (34)Fruit, Shayna (20)Fulton, Kelci (4)Gardner, Kylee (12)Garris, Jason (6)Gfeller, Jason (13)Gilling, Christine (32)

Glatter, Casey (17)Glidden, Alison (21, 22)Hansen, Heather (19, 20)Harris, Abigail (9)Hayes, Bill (34)Hein, Chris (9, 38)Helgoth, Shannon (25)Hennessy, Chris (6)Hock, Catherine (25)Hoffmaster, Kylee J. (8)Horkey, Monica (13)Hoshino, Satoko (9)Huber, Abby (25)Huxoll, Ross (34)Hyatt, Bethany (26)Ingersoll, Matt (15, 16)Jacobsen, Jayme (38)Janda, Steph (20, 21)Janulewicz, Pamela (27)Jones, Jessica (36, 37)JMC 420 Ad Campaigns Class (4)Kawakami, Yuki (36)Keeten, Lacey M. (13)Knuth, Jamie (6)Kocherlakota, Gayatri Kashyap (24)Laituri, Andrea (36, 37)Lange, Sonya (20, 21)Langenfeld, Katie (4)Linden, Christa (9)Lineweber, Dustin (17)Longo, Peter C. (7)Lowry, Ry (17, 18, 34)Lueck, Lana (36, 37)Lungrin, Molly (26)Malcolm, Annastashia (38)Manker, Lanay (9, 10)

Student Participation Index

42

Markvicka, Jessica (26)McAllister, Brandon (18)McAtee, Laura (33)McGee, Brooke (7, 35, 37)McGlade, Jacob (6)Michaud, Megan (36)Mirasano, Anatole (16)Mueller, Bryan (10)Music Business Students (4)Myers, Kyle (16)Nielsen, Lindsay (10)Northrup, Jenny (11)Nuxoll, Austin (13, 14)Osmotherly, Samantha (37)Ottun, Sara (10)Pashaj, Anjeza (23)Pettigrew, Brandon (33)Petto, Liz (7)Pinkal, Tiffanie (11)Policarpio, Danielle (16, 17, 32, 33)Posey, Krystal (26)Push, Cameron (18)Reifschneider, Scott (14)Rethorst, Justin (28)Rice, Joshua (35)Riens, John (23)Roos, Joel (6, 7)Sabbah, Mira (25)Sadd, Ashley (21)Saltzgaber, Grant (19)Smith, Craig (22)Spanel, Tyson (14)Steele, Aaron (19, 33, 34)Swanson, Ben (32)Taylor, Matthew (18)Torres, Ismael (4)

Student Participation Index

Tuttle, Andrew (10, 11)Usasz-Keber, Rachel (34)Vavra, Mark (34)Van Winkle, Jordan (33)Walworth, Michael (4)Wang, Angela (23)Wegner, Hannah (26)Wille, Karen (24, 25)Williams, Kyle (18)Williams, Joselyne (20)Wright, Dana (37)Zahller, J. Paul (14, 15)