26th Student Academic Conference Schedule

 Declining water quality is an environmental issue that has been around for decades now. As pipes decay and waterways become more polluted, these pollutants are becoming more present in water. This region, unlike other places, does not have a problem with water scarcity, but water quality is increasingly problematic. We are focusing on the study, collection, and analysis of Fargo, Moorhead, and the Red River Valley’s water quality throughout the community. This project is a collaboration with local high school students by engaging in modern environmental dilemmas all while creating an in-depth analysis of the water samples taken to see how our water quality may differ in rural vs. urban locations. It is important to note that there have been studies on this area’s water quality in the past and results have shown unique variance of phosphorus concentrations due to agricultural seasons in the Red River Basin. The two high schools participating in this study were Horace High School and Moorhead High School. After presenting to the students what the research entailed, it was their job to go out into the community and find various locations to gather water samples to test. Some sampling was done by the authors to increase the spatial average. The samples will be mailed to the laboratory for processing to look for various pollutants from runoff or faulty pipe systems with an eye out for forever chemicals as well. Most of the samples have been collected, but the chemical analysis and data interpretation have yet to be completed.

This study observes period changes of DY Her, a high amplitude δ Scuti variable star with a period of 0.148631353 days. DY Her has been observed to have a slow overall period change from data gathered over several decades. Using light curve data taken over multiple nights at Paul P. Feder Observatory, observations of DY Her obtained from AAVSO from the past 20 years, and data from prior papers published about DY Her, the observed and calculated maximums were found and an O-C graph was created to observe the period changes. The new observations agree with previous analysis of the period changes and show a gradual decrease in the star’s period. 

This presentation follows the Summer Strong Research Project Coloring the Universe: The Science and Art Behind Astrophotography and Science Imagery. 
Over this past summer, work was done to create a planetarium show detailing the electromagnetic spectrum and how it relates to astronomy and astrophotography. This project utilized different planetarium software, most notably WorldViewer. The show goes into detail about different types of light, the properties of light, and how we use light, while also touching on different types of telescopes and various astronomy methods for the different forms of light. The show was created to be shown to general audiences with no prior knowledge of the subject. 

The Khmer Rouge Regime occupation of Cambodia from 1975–1979 presented many hardships, such as war and political decisions, that devastated the country. What many people do not know is that before the occupation, Cambodia had a thriving film industry, which was wrecked. Cambodia has slowly been transforming its film industry since. Through the creation of a website, our group's presentation tries to expand the accessibility of this information. We studied various literature sources as well as Cambodian films to aid us in its creation. The website will help establish a timeline of Cambodian national cinema as well as how the industry was changed during and after the occupation. The website also uses films as an interactive tool and helps the reader further understand the history of Cambodian cinema.

Finding the right college can be a daunting task for young students, who often spend countless hours searching for the perfect fit for their next academic journey. By using Lean Startup methodology and interviewing 15 potential customers, our project, CollegeXplore, aims to simplify this process for early high school students by providing clear guidelines, including information on majors, campus locations, and scholarship opportunities for prospective colleges. 

Cleft palate and cleft lip with palate occur in every 1,700 and 1,600 births (ASHA, n.d.). Speech-language pathology intervention is often needed by individuals who have had a cleft palate; about 50% of individuals who have had a repaired cleft palate are referred to speech pathology services (Sand et al., 2022). According to Alighieri et al. (2021), there is a lack of clear procedures when administering treatment to individuals with repaired cleft palates. The purpose of this project is to identify best practice for speech therapy interventions for individuals with repaired cleft palates. This project reviews the traditional articulation approach, the linguistic approach, and the use of biofeedback. The research suggests that the traditional articulation and linguistic approaches with biofeedback is considered best practice as they are supported by current level III and IV research (Bessell et al., 2013; Alighieri et al., 2021; Kummer, 2020).

This research project offers a focused examination of Maori cinema, with an emphasis on the contributions of key filmmakers Barry Barclay, Merata Mita, and Taika Waititi. It dives into the concept of fourth cinema, its historical context, impactful films, and additional work of these pioneers, aiming to shed light on how they leverage indigenous storytelling to resonate with global audiences. At the same time, recognizing the importance of digital literacy, the project team used Wix to develop an interactive website. The idea behind it is to enhance our web development as well as our online content writing skills, and provide an engaging platform to present our findings. The website is designed to be interactive, inviting users to explore Maori cinema through various digital means, making the information accessible and engaging to a broad audience. This project bridges academic research with digital innovation to both celebrate and highlight the unique narratives of Maori cinema, encouraging wider recognition and appreciation of its global significance to indigenous cinema and beyond.

   Chickadees are a group of eight small songbird species found across North America. Several of these species overlap in range, raising the question of how such similar species partition resources in the environment to reduce competition. The mountain chickadee, Poeclie gambeli, and the black-capped chickadee, Poecile atricapillus, overlap broadly across the mountain west. We will explore how fitness changes across the species range maps. For fitness, we will use weight divided by the tarsus length as a proxy. We will be using the location data of individual chickadees published in Grabenstein et al. 2022. 

   Sexual selection in fish involves the preference of certain males to mate with. Female Zebrafish will mate with males based upon different factors. One of the possible factors in female choice could be aggression. Some male Zebrafish are more aggressive than other males. Aggressive males may provide better protection to eggs, which would be beneficial to the female Zebrafish. To test this hypothesis we will expose the females to aggressive and non-aggressive males to observe how long females interact with each type of male. We predict that females will spend a longer amount of time with the aggressive males. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes light-duty vehicles as a significant contributor of domestic carbon dioxide emissions, comprising 58 percent of total emissions from the transportation sector in 2021. Despite the private sector introducing battery-electric vehicles (BEV) as a solution and mass production of these vehicles increasing from 2011 to present, electric vehicle sales vary across states. In 2022, BEVs represented approximately one in six new vehicles sold in California compared to one in 128 new vehicles sold in North Dakota (Alliance for Automotive Innovation, 2023). Using an ordinary least squares regression model, this research analyzes the relationship between BEV adoption rates and independent variables (fuel prices, BEV charging infrastructure, and state incentives for BEV) related to consumers' adoption decisions across states. Prior research has been inconsistent on the impact of sociodemographic variables including age, average income, and political affiliation, and due to this, my research further clarifies these factors. An enhanced understanding of consumer electric vehicle purchases could inform policy recommendations focused on maximizing BEV adoption.

Many individuals seek to enter the world of game development and can feel like some systems are overwhelming. To remedy this the idea of game modification, or modding for short, involves adding, expanding, and reworking existing gameplay features and adding them to the game using individual module packages and can be more appealing than full game development. The goal of this project is to assess how novice-friendly developing and implementing mods for niche games can be for a small team. This project will be using a smaller indie game called Vintage Story for the base game to mod. The reasoning for this is because it is similar in gameplay and function to Minecraft with the exception of being programmed from the ground up with 3rd party mod development in mind.. The mod that is being constructed for this project is simple. Its goal is to add a functioning squirrel creature to the game which can be done with tools provided by the game and JSON scripts. Another objective would be to add a custom behavior that does not exist in the game that would allow the squirrel to climb on select objects. The programming work for this project is written by Alex while the other more cosmetic assets are produced by his online friends who wish to go by their online aliases. 

This experiment investigates the effect of anxiety on cognitive functioning, specifically on visual working memory. It is predicted that individuals who report higher levels of trait anxiety will also show deficits in performance of a visual working memory task. Trait anxiety refers to anxiety consistent in someone’s life, compared to state anxiety induced by specific situations. This experiment will include up to 90 participants. Participants will fill out a demographic questionnaire and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. They will then complete a visual working memory task consisting of 15 pairs of frames containing an array of rectangles. The participants will indicate whether they remembered the original frame enough to notice a difference in a second frame. 5 of the frame pairs will have no change, 5 have 1 change, and 5 have 2 changes. This experiment is intended to expand previous research on the extent that anxiety affects cognitive functioning and memory impairments. It is hypothesized that participants who score higher on the anxiety inventory will have a lower accuracy on the visual working memory task. Additionally, it is hypothesized that participants who score higher on the anxiety inventory will have more difficulty on the task, indicated by a higher response time. 

This project is an examination of literature discussing the effects of Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT) on language recovery in patients after stroke. The role of MIT after stroke is to encourage language recovery and promote overall well-being. Nine studies are summarized pertaining to the importance of MIT for individuals after stroke and the generalization of this approach. The existing literature supported MIT as a consistent intervention approach that positively impacted stroke and language recovery. Additionally, this review explored implementation options and the importance of each method. The importance for future research and synthesis is impactful across settings. Overall implications predict that MIT intervention is an important intervention program for individuals who have experienced chronic stroke and need language recovery. 
 
Keywords: aphasia, stroke, music, therapy, treatment, intervention 

Aphasia is an acquired language disorder that impacts an individual’s ability to effectively communicate. Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC) is a form of communication that supplements speech through the use of multiple modes of communication such as gestures, photographs, and high-tech forms of technology. AAC has been shown to provide positive outcomes for individuals with severe aphasia. This review of the literature focused on how visual scene displays and image choice impact the engagement and visual attention patterns of adults with severe aphasia. Visual scene displays can support the communication of people with severe aphasia and allow them to communicate functional messages and stories to loved ones.  

Art and archaeology cross paths in many ways. This can be shown through archaeological illustration conducted during excavations and the career paths available to artists in the field of archaeology. Archaeological illustration uses technical artistic methods to construct a 2D rendering of a site, its artifacts, landscapes, and museum objects. It allows artists to illustrate complex ideas and simplify them into a visually appealing image. In modern times, illustration in archaeology and earth science can go where photography cannot. Through my work in the archaeology department at MSUM, I have been able to explore archaeological illustration through the field school and lab work. This exhibition was a culmination of my research into archaeological illustration and the exploration between art and archaeology. It provided a different perspective to both art and archaeology and displayed a mix of artifacts alongside their respective illustrations, creating an interdisciplinary space. This poster displays the public interaction and behind-the-scenes work of creating this exhibition and the outcomes of it. 

The purpose of this project was to research the positive effects that the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) has on students with disabilities. The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) principle asserts that children with disabilities should be educated to the greatest extent possible alongside their non-disabled peers. Research suggests that placement in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) fosters academic achievement, and promotes social integration, self-esteem, and positive peer interactions. By prioritizing the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), it can significantly improve the quality of learning for students with disabilities, academically, socially, and emotionally. 

Marine pollution is a term used to describe the chemical and plastic waste that is found in the ocean. Marine pollution causes damage to the health of marine organisms, the environment, and the world’s economy. There are many different contributors to marine pollution, but the most common are chemical and trash pollutants. People from everywhere in the world, including inland states, contribute to marine pollution. Our poster will highlight the major contributors of marine pollution as well as their specific pollutants. It will also focus on research on molecular biomarkers and their assistance in monitoring the progression of marine pollution in different marine species. There are many different solutions that can prevent the extent of marine pollution and its effect on the environment.

Bird observations at feeders are a useful tool for studying bird behavior and relationships. Many small birds take advantage of a variety of seeds and suet placed outside by humans every year. Researchers can observe birds at feeders to determine food preferences, interactions with other animals, and foraging techniques. Black-capped Chickadees and White-breasted Nuthatches are common songbirds that can commonly be spotted at feeders in North America. They are both known for foraging in trees where they also build their nests. Chickadees and Nuthatches also cache their food in the bark of trees to save for later. Nuthatches are known for moving up and down the bark of trees with their headfirst and inspect most of a tree for food before moving to the next. On the other hand, chickadees hop from tree to tree, inspecting for food for very brief moments. In this study we are observing the feeder preferences and duration of time spent at a feeder for Black-capped Chickadees and White-breasted Nuthatches. We expect to find that both species will prefer tube feeders as they more closely resemble tree trunks, and that Black-capped Chickadees will spend less time in a trip to the feeder as they are known for hopping from tree to tree quickly.

Software such as Google Maps or flight path routes utilize algorithms which find the most optimal path between two points or locations. These optimal routes are based on existing paths between nodes (locations). These kinds of software have made our lives much more convenient when we want to go somewhere.

However, there are situations in which nodes and their paths have not been established. Nonetheless, there are two points that need to be connected with barriers in between.

The purpose of this project is to tap into a way to create and traverse nodes between two points while refusing to cross barriers represented by mathematical functions. Although people have little inherent use in connecting two points on a graph, this software, or one similar to it, will have the potential of allowing users to find the best path between two places with the only preference of not crossing specified barriers.

In pretend or dramatic play, children make conscious decisions about what will work for the roles they enact. They have power over the play and make decisions that depend on their imagination and resources. Dramatic play occurs in all classroom areas; however, it is also common to have a dramatic play center in the classroom. The dramatic play center is important because it contributes to various areas of growth and development for young children. These areas of development include gross and fine motor, language and literacy, cognitive, social, and emotional. Teachers have a role in facilitating these areas of growth and development in how they design the dramatic play center and interact with students.

This project covers the research and growth of the School of Communication and Journalism social media. Our goal was to increase recruitment to the school of Communication and Journalism through high school students where they are at, which is social media. As a student of Flypaper creative services, I spent my time brainstorming relevant content to reach these students through Facebook and Instagram. We used different methods to reach these students and found that videos work better than still images. We are in our second half of growing the page and reaching those high schoolers. This project is significant because we, as communication department students, are using social media to reach the next generation of students in our department. 

The World Bank classifies the Republic of South Africa as a middle-income, developing economy. Yet, its poverty and unemployment rates align with those of low-income, lesser-developed economies. This research investigates South Africa's unrealized economic potential by considering the relationship between South Africa’s unemployment rate and multiple independent variables [foreign direct investment (FDI), population growth, agricultural landmass, and homicides per capita] within an OLS regression. Despite considerable research on the effects of FDI on economic growth, as well as numerous studies on African poverty and unemployment, this research addresses a gap in the literature regarding the relationship between FDI and unemployment. Findings can provide insights for reducing unemployment within South Africa's economy en route to broader economic prosperity.

This study examined societal expectations of an ideal body image conveyed through mainstream media and how they impact halo effects. A sample of 89 participants was selected from female psychology undergraduate students at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three body image conditions (ideal, non-ideal, and no image control) containing a photograph and description of an individual.  Female participants viewed photographs of one male and one female corresponding to their assigned body image condition, then completed a personal and professional social desirability scale. We hypothesized there would be a traditional halo effect for the ideal body type, which would vary as a function of the photographed individual’s gender. Contrary to predictions, no halo effects were observed for the ideal body image.  However, we did find overall that the female individual was rated higher on personal characteristics than the male.

The politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic is known to have impacted the public perception of the virus and increased hesitancy and resistance toward its vaccine, potentially presenting a significant concern for public health. This study will use content analysis methods to examine the language that various politically leaning media use in their headlines regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. The All Sides website will be used to locate COVID-19 vaccine-related news articles from both left- and right-leaning media outlets. The 30 most recent COVID-19 vaccine-related topics will be selected for coding, yielding a total of 60 specific headlines (30 left-leaning and 30 right-leaning). Variables that will be examined include portrayal of the vaccine, perception of the effectiveness of the vaccine, advocacy, use of fear-inducing language, and mentions of health or political officials and scientific reports, among others. The findings of this analysis have the potential to enhance our understanding of the specific nature of the politicization of COVID-19 in the media.

Differenciate the type of fruits by picture using AI

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a significant global concern. Antibiotics are losing effectiveness, and bacteria are evolving mechanisms to counteract antimicrobial drugs. The utilization of traditional medicine to combat bacterial infections is becoming increasingly prevalent. Various botanical components with phytochemical properties exhibit antibiotic-like attributes. Hibiscus sabdariffa, commonly known as Roselle, is a versatile medicinal plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. It has a rich history of traditional use in both culinary and medicinal applications. It is widely distributed in West Africa, parts of South and North America, and other regions worldwide (Da-Costa-Rocha et al., 2014). This project aims to extract antimicrobial substances in Hibiscus plants using different chemical reagents, such as methanol, ethanol, and water to evaluate their antibacterial efficacy against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria using the Disc Diffusion Assay. The results will be compared with those obtained from commercially available antibiotics. The results of this study will be helpful in the fight against antibiotic resistance and provide a better avenue for future research in AMR bacteria.

With this project, we hope to bring light to the current state of Uganda’s film industry and share its history within world cinema. Through our research, we found that the film industry has not had a chance to thrive before 2005, and it is still in its infancy. With the industry still blossoming, we chose to focus our study on student works from the Maisha Film Lab, a Ugandan film production school, both made within the workshop setting and afterward in the industry. Particularly, we will be textually analyzing the similarities and differences of the cinematography and editing styles between the filmmakers, and making connections to Ugandan history and culture. We will be displaying our findings through a website format and talking our audience through each page. In analyzing our findings in this study, we have found that Ugandan Cinema is still using many Classical Hollywood Cinema stylistic elements in their cinematography and editing. The majority of films the Maisha Film Lab produces are documentaries that contain many of the same Western film elements that were taught to them by the British before their independence in 1962. Despite this, the films display various Ugandan-specific narratives that are very popular with the people, even with only a few films being produced each year due to the limited resources the country has to make them. To combat this, the Maisha Film Lab, Uganda Film Festival, and Pearl Magic Prime are serving as foundational pillars in Uganda’s film industry, trying their best to teach and encourage the production of Ugandan films using techniques taught to them in the past and allowing students to experiment with them to create their filmic expressions.

During my time at MSUM, I have studied the in's and out's of programming. However, game design is not something that was covered in the curicculum and has always been something that has been intriguing to me. For my project, I decided to explore the game development side of python by creating a tower defense game.

In today’s world where artificial intelligence capabilities are advancing the potential for custom, and tailor made chatbots are similarly advancing. Such artificial intelligence chatbots could be particularly useful in many fields from the entertainment industry in the form of video game characters with dynamic dialog that stay true to their characters, to the world of psychology where such chatbots may be useful in helping budding psychologists train and be exposed to a vast array of different personalities that they may not be exposed to. Such artificial intelligence chatbots require however to have a believable and dynamic personality. Personality is a complex issue that contains many different aspects, yet personality is not static, it is a dynamic aspect of a person’s life, and subject to change through interaction with a world. Thus, any chatbot should be capable of changing its personality as well. This presentation will discuss how a chatbot may be given a personality utilizing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) in the Java programing language, utilizing the preeminent ChatGPT Application Programming Interface (API) as a base chatbot, and how that personality may become dynamic and subject to change through interactions with a human component.

Problem or Gap: Numerous studies have shown that AI can be used for diagnosis, problem-solving, identification of key disease features, and treatment planning processes for complex clinical cases1. It is important to note that leaders and managers play a key role in implementing AI methods throughout their organizations, however, there is a dearth of studies that examines attitudes and perceptions of clinical and administrative leaders towards integration of AI in healthcare settings. Furthermore, there is a need for literature that helps in identification of both facilitators that lead to AI adoption and barriers that can hinder AI adoption in healthcare settings. 

Methods: A qualitative research methodology was employed where participants were required to participate in an hour long semi-structured interview. Research participants were selected because of their experiences and role as clinical and/or administrative leaders in healthcare settings. A purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit participants from a variety of healthcare settings (hospitals, long-term care organizations, hospice). The interview guide included open-ended questions that aimed to explore: (1) AI application in the organization (clinical and administrative processes) (2) leaders’ perspective on AI; (3) staff engagement in the implementation process and facilitators that enable adoption: (4) and the challenges faced when implementing AI in healthcare settings. Braun and Clarke’s thematic framework was selected to analyze the collected data. 

Results:  It is important to note that this is an on-going study with a tentative timeline of April, 2024 for completion. We have recruited more than 20 leaders from a variety of healthcare organizations and 24 interviews have been completed. Four themes have emerged from the preliminary analysis of this on-going study (a) AI can play huge role in clinical and administrative processes; (b) need for education to implement AI and AI enabled tools; (c) need for structural support and resources for effective AI integration; (d) need for clear understanding of regulations and patient/resident privacy when AI will be more clearly integrated in day-to-day processes. 

Conclusion: This qualitative study aims to examine attitudes and perceptions of leaders towards use of AI and AI enabled tools in their respective settings. Preliminary data analysis suggests that incorporation of AI in clinical and business processes can lead to significant benefits for patients and providers of services. There is an increased need for time/resource investment, education programs, and training sessions to assist with implementation of AI and build much needed understanding of issues surrounding patient privacy issues and other relevant regulations. 

Bacterial communities in the ocean represent major players in the global biogeochemical cycles, especially carbon, as they utilize these molecules for growth. The cycling of carbon in the ocean constitutes significant effects on the world climate and consequently, the vitality of marine and terrestrial organisms. This project concentrates on a specific marine bacterial lifeform, Ruegeria pomeroyi and investigates the carbon sources it harnesses for growth. With the help of collaborators at the University of Georgia, we were provided with a pooled library containing all mutants of R.pomeroyi , as well as 17 individual mutants of this bacteria, with each having a specific gene inactivated, which is hypothesized to encode for a membrane transporter that enables the organism to utilize a specific carbon source. A total of 126 membrane transporters have been identified in the R.pomeroyi genome, with 18 of them being identified as organic transporters. The goal of this project is to identify carbon sources in which mutants of R.pomeroyi successfully harness for growth and annotate the genes responsible for the transport of said source. The growth of the organism is determined using spectroscopy and at present, six carbon sources have been tested and growth was elucidated in all 17 mutants in the presence of the amino acids, L-Proline and L-Tyrosine. Further testing of organic compounds is ongoing and future directions include the successful annotation of a mutant gene found to exhibit significantly lesser growth compared to other mutants and the pooled library.

Our poster will focus on ocean literacy number four. The ocean is a ecosystem that covers over 70% of the surface of the Earth, and it has many important benefits to humanity, including making it habitable. Without the oceans all the vegetation, plant life and other organismal life would deteriorate, creating a barren landscape. In addition it would completely eliminate all clouds because of how much it contributes to the water cycle. If the water cycle was impacted and we no longer had clouds this would also result in intense climate changes such as: drought, wind based weather patterns, and complete loss of life overall. Along with helping to regulate the Earth’s temperature and weather, the ocean also contains tens of thousands of different species of algae that contribute to the oxygen content in the atmosphere that is used in cellular respiration. Though algae is miniscule it produces over 50% of the world’s oxygen, proving once again that without the ocean life as we know it on Earth would cease to exist.  

Early language intervention affects children’s long-term communicative, cognitive, and academic success. Therefore, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) must identify and implement evidence-based therapy approaches to best serve their clients. A naturalistic, conversation-based language intervention approach, milieu teaching (MT) was designed to help children use more elaborated or new language forms. Strategies of MT include arranging the environment to optimize or tempt communication, providing slightly advanced linguistic models, and using reinforcement to encourage language targets. Variations of milieu teaching include enhanced milieu teaching (EMT) and prelinguistic milieu teaching (PMT). By repeating or expanding utterances, adults use EMT to respond to children’s communication. For children who do not yet use spoken language, PMT aims to increase frequency, maturity, and complexity of nonverbal communication including vocalizations, word approximations, gestures, and eye gaze. Christensen-Sandfort and Whinnery (2013) and Lane et al. (2016) found that MT increased spontaneous conversation in children. In addition to others, Kang and Kim (2023) found that EMT produced positive effects for communication in children. According to Fey et al. (2006), children who received PMT intervention demonstrated increased communication. The existing evidence discussed shows that MT, EMT, and PMT implemented by SLPs, teachers, and caregivers in the home or in the classroom are effective language interventions used to promote language development in children with or without language disorders or other disabilities. 

This presentation details how the success of melodramas in film contributed to Mexico's Golden Age in Cinema from the 1930s to the 1950s. Initially viewed as a Hollywood-imported genre, melodramas quickly became prominent in Mexico because they reaffirmed the country's cultural values. This study utilizes a website to highlight the importance of melodramas in the golden age. Melodramas of the 1930s, for instance, focused on the dichotomy between rural and urban spaces. Rural areas were revered as morally pure and romantic, while urban areas were perceived as polluted with crime and sex.

Coral reefs are a community of organisms that provide shelter and nutrients to other diverse species in their surrounding ecosystem. Coral reefs play a vital part in biodiversity, as well as acting as building blocks in the ocean. These organisms may be impacted by outside forces that threaten their growth and health. When coral becomes exposed to stressors, such as rising temperatures, they expel the algae that reside in their tissue, bleaching them white. Without these zooxanthellae, corals are more susceptible to disease and may perish from lacking a source of nutrients. Without coral reefs, biodiversity would plummet, whole ecosystems and species would become extinct, and coastal and shoreline topography would change, among other factors. Understanding previous temperatures and the associated data is critical to the future of coral reef systems because when predicting a future event, the past is an essential tool. In order to determine how something may happen, previous events display how something has responded before and can be used to compare and determine a future outcome. This research analyzes past temperature changes in the ocean waters and how they have affected coral bleaching rates. Using exploratory data analysis, bleaching and its relation to temperature as a factor are displayed and evaluated using graphs, charts, and data interpretation. 

Often called the “King of Elements,” carbon is the building block for organic life. Carbon is an essential element, ranging from DNA and proteins to parts of the atmosphere and inorganic compounds like salt. Regardless of whether the source is inorganic or organic, all carbon is part of a cycle in nature. In a constant state of motion, carbon cycles through reservoirs, places that store carbon, such as soil, water, vegetation, and the atmosphere. The largest reservoir of carbon on Earth is the ocean. This rapidly cycling reservoir is beneficial to a multitude of organisms, including some using the dissolved carbon for coral reef building. This research examines how the ocean and its life shape the features of the Earth through the carbon cycle in conjunction with principle 2-D of Ocean Literacy.

This study takes factors, such as different levels of education, race, and gender into account for examining the hourly wage gap from the year of 1973 to 2022. The main goal of this study would be to analyze the dataset "wages_by_education" and look out for the present patterns or trends in hourly wages while having the different levels of education, ethnicity, and gender. In addition, this paper will predict the wage disparity for the next 50 years(2022-2072) by employing various machine learning models. The wage gaps are studied visually as part of the data processing and machine learning analysis involving random forest, linear regression, and neural networks. A significant part of the project is the development of a Streamlit web-based application that facilitates the interactive view of the data represented in the tables and images. The paper effectively summarizes the situation with the wage gap in the past, describes how much the current gap is high and will increase in the future. It is evident that in the future, these variations in income will continue. These types of findings are extremely significant not just for lawmakers and leaders in education, but also for students who are attempting to choose a professional route. 

The presentation will lay out the important discoveries made, the way the research was conducted, and of course, what these mean. Thus, the focus will be on the necessity of closing the pay gap in order to create a very equitable economic environment going forward.

The rate of incarceration in the United States is one of the highest in the world and frequently affects members of vulnerable populations. The ineffectiveness of incarceration can be displayed by the following statement, “Prisoners often carry additional deficits of drug and alcohol addictions, mental and physical illnesses, and lack of work preparation or experience” (n.d.). In response, The Grand Challenges for Social Work poses smart decarceration as one solution to address high rates of incarceration. Our findings reveal the effects of decarceration policies on incarcerated persons and the community, as well as the effects of how resources are allocated. Insights on the implementation of decarceration policies from West Central Regional Juvenile Center will be discussed. Using incarceration primarily for incapacitation of the most dangerous is necessary and that detention programs, diversion programs, and other community-based options are needed for effective change to be enacted.

   The purpose of this study is to evaluate the rate of poverty and its direct impact towards younger women. Specifically mothers trying to pursue a degree while also taking care of their children. In 2022, the Fargo-Mooorhead Jeremiah Program campus “served its highest numbers of families within their history, along with celebrating 5 moms as they graduated college with their secondary degrees” (Jeremiah Program, 2024). After volunteering at the campus located in Fargo-Moorhead last semester for groups and teams class and viewing the impact the staff has made in helping young women attend college while also helping care for their kids. Inspiration is sparked in learning how we can make a difference decreasing the poverty rates within our community. The purpose of the study is to bring awareness to the poverty rates among the Fargo-Moorhead area and plans of action we can take in lowering the poverty rate. This study is also organized to educate people on the impacts of poverty and signs to look out for when coming across those directly affected by poverty. 

Work Cited

         Jeremiah Program Fargo-Moorhead. Jeremiah Program. (2024, March 21). https://jeremiahprogram.org/campuses/fargo-moorhead/ 

Ruegeria pomeroyi is an ocean bacterium that is said to play a critical role in the carbon cycle of marine ecosystems. However, there is still much unknown about it.  Growth of R. pomeroyi in a lab setting appears especially sensitive to several variables, including time, shaking speed, and other unknown factors.  At a certain point in its growth, it appears to produce an unknown grey pigment and its growth stops or slows. The aim of our research is to discover more about this grey pigment, exactly when in its growth cycle this pigment is produced, what causes R. pomeroyi to produce it, and why R. pomeroyi seems to stop growing once it is produced. 

For our study, we are looking at competition between male beta fish for female beta fish in terms of reproduction. This led us to our ultimate question of “are they demonstrating aggressive behavior for reproductive purposes?” For our hypothesis, we said “If male beta fish are introduced to female beta fish, they will become more aggressive towards other males to increase their ability to reproduce.” Some behaviors we will be observing will include fin flaring, lunging, and biting between both male pairs and male-female pairs. Methods we would use to observe the beta fish to explore aggression is observing how many aggressive attacks occur in a two-minute period when in the same enclosure. 

Many insects communicate through pheromones. One of the ways that pheromones are used is to signal the presence of danger. Ants release specific pheromones when they die called “death pheromones”. Depending on the species of ant and the pheromone released, different behaviors, such as aggression or fleeing, can be elicited. More dead ants will increase the amount of death pheromone present in the environment and will therefore promote a greater response. We will be observing ant behavior in the presence of different levels of death pheromones and recording their proximity to the pheromone after a set amount of time. We hypothesize the death pheromone will induce a fleeing response and as a result we predict that the ants will have move away from the dead ants in the environment.  

Theory of Mind (ToM) abilities are based on understanding and predicting what others may think or feel and how that may be different than one’s own thoughts and feelings. Prior research has shown that people can get better at using various ToM abilities. However, the methods researchers used were not very easily accessible. This research is going to be focused on the hypothesis that role playing in a tabletop role-playing game, as opposed to doing a watercolor social, will increase the frequency of using ToM abilities the next day. Participants will be 40 adult students at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, and will take a researcher-developed ToM Frequency Scale regarding a social interaction they had that day before and after their assigned event. The participants will be split evenly between two events, one being an activity where people socialize and make abstract watercolor paintings, and the other will be a tabletop role-playing game.

The purpose of this study is to use historical analysis, biology, and linguistics to evaluate the reason one of early humanity’s greatest civilizations fell. 449 BC marked the end of the Greco-Persian War and the crowning of two new dominate city-states in the Mediterranean, Athens and Sparta. The tensions of these two ideologically different civilizations rose for eighteen years before the two clashed in the bloodiest conflict the world had ever seen at the time. Led by the great Pericles, Athens struggled to resist the most powerful land force of the time, causing him to retreat into the city walls. Within those walls, Athens would be destroyed by a plague so deadly, even the Spartans turned and ran. The plague of Athens led to a Spartan victory and dominance over the Mediterranean, changing the course of history. Using the works of Thucydides, DNA analysis, and pathology it can be concluded that the mysterious plague that destroyed Athens and changed the course of history was Typhoid Fever.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is widely known to be one of the fastest growing developmental disabilities in the United States. Due to the ever-increasing prevalence of ASD, it is essential for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) to be educated on how to provide the highest quality of services to this population. This research paper aims to investigate the role of the high school based SLP while working with students with ASD during the transition from high school to vocational settings. Research was collected through compiling data from a variety of peer-reviewed scholarly sources, such as journals, articles, and organizations. Findings from the research designated the skill of self-determination to be one of the most imperative aspects of success for students with ASD to obtain and maintain employment post high school. To improve the skill of self-determination, SLPs must create objectives and structure therapy around four components, which include self-awareness, self-advocacy, goal setting, and decision-making. 

This research paper explores the intersection of quantum computing and cybersecurity, focusing specifically on the implications for encryption strategies. With the advent of quantum computing, traditional cryptographic methods face unprecedented challenges due to the computational power and algorithms unique to quantum systems. I review the fundamental principles of quantum computing and their potential to compromise widely-used encryption protocols such as RSA and ECC. Moreover, I highlight the significance of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems as a promising avenue for securing communication channels against quantum attacks. By leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics, QKD offers a theoretically secure method for key exchange, immune to eavesdropping attempts even by quantum computers. Additionally, the paper discusses the urgency for integrating QKD systems into mainstream cybersecurity practices to bolster resilience against emerging quantum threats. By examining the vulnerabilities and opportunities presented by quantum computing in the realm of encryption, along with the potential of QKD systems, this paper contributes to the discourse on rethinking encryption strategies in the context of cybersecurity in the quantum age.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that is associated with numerous comorbidities, many of which develop later in life. Some of these comorbidities have also been linked to long-term use of stimulant drugs. Considering that prescribing stimulant medications is the most common approach to treating ADHD, there is reason to wonder how much of a role prescription stimulant use might play in increasing the likelihood of developing conditions that ADHD serves as a risk factor for in those who suffer from it. A particularly prevalent condition associated with ADHD is heart disease. Use of stimulant medications has been implicated in elevated heart rate and blood pressure, both of which can contribute to the development of heart disease. Using data compiled from Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys (CPES), 2001-2003 [United States] (ICPSR 20240) we will perform an exploratory data analysis to determine valuable relationships to be studied further between prescription stimulant use in treating ADHD and the development of heart disease. By looking at variables such as stimulant prescription, duration of use, dosage, and rates of comorbidity development, we hope to draw a clearer picture for how risk assessment when deciding on treatment options can be done in a more comprehensive way. 

The designer fashion houses we know today would not be the same without Charles Worth’s (1825-1895) influence on fashion, branding, and quality. The fashion house was established in Paris in 1858, but his career in textiles began in London. He was a pioneer in fashion and developed the blueprint of what would become fast fashion in the 20th century. He innovated new silhouettes for the rich, including Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. This would later impact the silhouette of the commoner, perpetuating fashion trends throughout the mid to late 19th century. These new silhouettes included the lobster tail bustle, “princess line” construction of dresses, and the walking skirt, which had an ankle length hem instead of floor length.  
This paper will look at how the “House of Worth” became one of the most well-known fashion houses at the cusp of modernity. I will be focusing on his influence on contemporary fashion designers, the styles of dress he invented or popularized, and his relationship with the high society of the late 19th century. HIs legacy as the father of “Haute Couture” will also be analyzed as many of his designs and visions became a reality in the 21st century.  

Parents of young children encounter affordability challenges when accessing childcare. Recent data from the National Database of Childcare Prices (NDCP) reveal that childcare prices range from $4,810 ($5,357 in 2022 dollars) for school-age home-based care in small counties to $15,417 ($17,171 in 2022 dollars) for infant center-based care in very large counties. These prices represent between 8% and 19.3% of median family income per child (Landivar). In contrast, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) childcare affordability benchmark assumes that childcare is affordable if it costs families no more than seven percent of their income. The resultant economic pressures are common to U.S. families, irrespective of marital status, race, age, education level, or income (Malik). An isolated analysis of childcare affordability may fail to capture connections between childcare and labor markets. While existing literature recognizes the statistical significance detected between commute times and labor force participation rates of married women in the U.S., the cost of childcare has not been tested alongside commute times in state-level analyses. Using data from publicly available sources, this research examines if the price of childcare for children under the age of six affects the labor force participation rate of married women. Results of this research have implications for state policies focused on increasing labor force participation rates and employing family support policies that likewise favor economic growth.

Making decisions about long distance road trips can be a complex and stressful task when dealing with potentially hazardous weather along the path. My application aims to ease this burden by creating a user-friendly tool which integrates GPS routing data with real-time weather forecasting data. By matching up the predicted locations the user will be at each 15 minute interval along their path with the weather conditions at that specific time and location, the application offers an accurate weather forecast for the user which accounts for the constant changing of their location. My app leverages modern web development tools like Blazor WebAssembly and Microsoft’s Azure Functions in combination with Azure Maps’ routes API and Open-Meteo’s weather API to create a simple and reliable tool. With this tool, a traveler will no longer have to do all the work of manually looking up their route and cross-referencing it with various locations along the way to get a grasp on what to expect. Instead, this application will do all the work for them and provide them with a unified route weather forecast tailored specifically to where they will be at each point in time along their path.

MSUM Student Academic Conference 2024 
Understanding Congestive Heart Failure 
Abstract 
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition in which the heart does not pump blood as efficiently as it should. This can cause pulmonary edema and the buildup of fluids in other parts of the body such as the legs and ankles. This condition is severe and can be terminal. The goal of this presentation is to educate the audience on basic heart anatomy and function, the disease signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, risk factors, treatment, prevention, statistics, and facts, and other current literature. Treatment factors include self-care techniques, medications, and an overview of surgical procedures related to CHF. 

To understand the complex ways that sensory experiences affect and contribute to the development of precise motor control, this research explores the link between fine motor skills and sensory perception. Our poster reflects a summary of research that focuses on the integration of visual, proprioceptive, and sensory input, aims to explain the intricate processes that underlie individuals of all ages' development of fine-motor skills. 

After examination of the Equity Score card for Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) in the Fall of 2023, it was determined that the largest equity gap is among Native American students (which was also representative of the data for the entire state of Minnesota).  This research project used the information from the Campus Climate Survey (collected in Spring 2023) to develop a secondary survey that specifically targets Native American students to further supplement the data from the campus climate survey.  

According to the Minnesota State Equity Scorecard (2023), a 25.4% equity gap among Native American students was identified. This equity gap had widened over the last three years prior to 2023 and the Native American student success rate from fall to fall first year completion was 57. l %. This research project specifically targeted MSUM students who identify as Native American students on the MSUM campus to better identify the needs of this demographic of students. After identifying the needs of the students, we can better support Native American students on campus in hopes of closing the equity gap on campus. Thus, providing a welcoming campus climate and providing pathways to success to native students. 

The survey of indigenous students achieved a 40.3% completion rate of the total population of indigenous students at MSUM.  The findings of this study revealed the academic, cultural, and health needs of the indigenous students who participated in the survey. The data analysis indicated the following results: (1) The indigenous student population predominately identifies as non-traditional and working class; (2) symptoms of anxiety and depression were high with noted perceptions that higher education had a significant influence on individual mental health; (3) indigenous students at MSUM were more likely to note additional education barriers (such as financial, mental health, family obligations, no sense of belonging) that affected their education; (4) students’ self-disclosed terms for their identities varied and included “mixed” or “multiple races” which potentially skews institutional data to not represent the larger number of students with indigenous identity; and (5) the back needs of indigenous students were not being met, which ultimately led to higher instances of students showing signs of trauma.  [JCA1] The results of this study can be used to address the current gaps in the statistics that often “other” the indigenous student voices that have been noted as “lack of sample size.” The voices of this survey can help to further expose why the equity gap is the largest among Native American students, but also help educators/institutions to identify ways they can provide more support.

In the field of speech-language pathology, dysphagia and dementia are prevelant diagnoses that fall within the scope of practice to be assessed and treated. This research aims to identify the correlation between dementia and dysphagia, the ways in which each diagnosis presents itself when they exist as co-morbidities, and the interventions that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) may implement to treat this population of individuals. This research was conducted over several months via literature review of peer reviewed studies/publications and concludes that there is a definite correlation between dementia and dysphagia and that there is substantial evidence to support the implementation of a variety of treatments. However, there is a need for further research to be conducted to establish stronger evidence regarding how these diagnoses are related and how they can be treated more specifically.

According to Lee (2023), 37.9 million Americans are living in poverty. Poverty is associated with deficits in language, communication, and social skills. Language development is a crucial aspect of a child’s development. Children who live in low-socioeconomic households have a higher prevalence of language impairments. This paper will explore the impact that socioeconomic status has on language development in preschool-aged children. It includes becoming knowledgeable on serving individuals that come from different backgrounds, including level of socioeconomic status. It is important for all individuals especially professionals who will serve this population to understand how level of socioeconomic status can affect much more than language development. Speech-language pathologists (SLP) are trained in language facilitation strategies including scaffolding and focused stimulation (Paul & Norbury, 2012), but also can teach other strategies to parents at different abilities and levels of resources. Parent training is also crucial to support language and literacy rich environments for their children. As a professional, SLP’s are encouraged to share additional supports such as online and local community resources for further educational opportunities and organizations that can provide language learning opportunities.

Area patterning is the process in which distinct functional areas of the brain are formed. Up until the early 2000s it was widely believed that extrinsic influences like thalamic input were fully responsible for area patterning. The discovery of transcription factors like Emx2 and Pax6 has shown intrinsic regulation of area patterning. Emx2 controls the identities of cortical areas, particularly posterior-medial ones like V1. Loss of function studies have shown that Emx2 deficiency leads to alterations in the sizes and positioning of cortical areas during the developmental stages. In a previous experiment, altering Emx2 expression specifically in the cortex during embryonic development resulted in proportional changes in the size of cortical visual areas V1. This change happened without further alterations in the development of the visual thalamus during early development. This study utilizes Emx2 deficient mice, looking at behavioral changes that occur due to the loss of a key developmental feature. Plus, any physiological changes in the brain through histological analysis. Understanding brain development and its key features provides valuable insights into neurological function.

      Vaccine hesitancy within a population has been deemed a detrimental threat to global health almost uniformly across the scientific community (Ophir et al. 2023). Said hesitancy is correlated with various harmful public health outcomes such as lower perceived threats from infectious diseases and subsequently decreased vaccine uptake rates (among others), which increases the odds of preventable epidemiological outbreaks (Dubé et al. 2013; Pires 2022). Vaccine hesitancy is particularly prevalent within certain demographical groups (such as ethnic minorities) when compared to others (Ochieng et al. 2021). In this exploratory data analysis, we aimed to investigate what social and physical variables are predictive of vaccine hesitancy among certain demographics within MSUM undergraduates via a campus-wide survey. Such data has the potential to inform more targeted interventions among these at-risk demographics, hence paving the way to reduce these discrepancies, and subsequently protecting our community, state, and global health from its ill effects.

Aspergillus fumigatus is one of many prevalent fungi found within our environment. With constant environmental exposure to this antigen, it is important to understand how A. fumigatus modulates the immune system—in which animal models can assist us in. Previous studies report that repeated pulmonary exposure to live A. fumigatus spores without an adjuvant can cause airway remodeling—which includes increased mucus production, collagen deposition, and epithelial cell hypertrophy. From past findings in our lab, biological sex was an important factor when determining the immune response in mice exposed to A. fumigatus, where females showed higher IgE and IgG_2a titers compared to males throughout the experiment. This study focuses on the role of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) and biological sex on the immune response of male/female TLR-7 knockout mice and male/female wild-type mice to live A. fumigatus treatments on days 1 and 14 post-exposure. Through the analysis of biospecimens following exposures (including BALF and histology samples from lungs and serum blood samples), we now have the potential to determine this immunologic relationship. It is our hope that the data from this murine study will allow for a better understanding of the immune system—specifically that of how biological sex and presence/absence of TLR7s influence an antigenic attack.

The ocean plays an important role in our everyday lives. Unesco’s decade of ocean challenges is striving to change the way we see our oceans. The way they are doing this is by creating an ocean challenge for each year for the next decade (2021-30). The specific Unesco challenge we are focusing on is challenge ten. For this challenge, we have to “change humanity's relationship with the ocean”. As stated before, the ocean plays a massive role in our everyday lives. It allows us to breathe, acts as a massive carbon capture, as well as contributes to our economy. It's important for people to know that we need to take care of our oceans, because they take care of us. If more people knew about the importance of the ocean, then they can take steps in the right direction that would help keep our oceans healthy. 

Ocean literacy among the public is generally low, especially for inland populations. In this presentation we report ocean literacy of youth aged 9-14 located in the center of North America, before and after a 4-day program on ocean literacy hosted at the Minnesota State University Moorhead Oceanarium. The pre-test administered before the workshop showed average pre-knowledge across the seven principles of ocean literacy of 32.1%, which increased to 45.1% by the end of the workshop. The principles of ocean literacy (One big ocean, Ocean influences climate and Ocean is largely unexplored) had the highest rates of pre-knowledge and also the highest rates of learning. This upcoming summer of 2024, we will be conducting another research-based education program that will further strengthen youth's bonds with the ocean.  Over this next workshop, our focus will be to teach our youth about the seven principles of ocean literacy by applying three different question techniques, rote memorization, synthesis, and real world applications. Our goal is to enhance youth engagement in the understanding of ocean-based education and change the youth’s attitude and their resulting behaviours for the future of our oceans.  

We aim to entertain event enthusiasts by allowing fans to choose their music at events. We've developed the "Choose Tunes" music app. Our startup costs are minimal, requiring an investment of less than $5,000 per year for upkeep. Our app operates on a subscription-based model, where higher-ranking users can play their songs first. This concept empowers fans to actively participate in sporting events and fosters a sense of community by removing the stadium's control and increasing fan involvement

This presentation addresses the legal and ethical frameworks surrounding seclusion and restraint. It highlights the importance of adhering to established guidelines and prioritizing dignity and respect. It addresses the potential risks and consequences, including psychological harm, physical harm, and even death. Furthermore, this presentation addresses the dilemma of balancing safety and autonomy.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease that affects thousands of people worldwide. Current drugs are used in clinical settings to treat IPF but these drugs have low efficacy and a high monetary costs. The molecule antipyrine has been identified by colleagues at Mayo Clinic as an early-stage drug candidate for treatment for IPF. The Jasperse group is synthesizing analogs of antipyrine to create a drug library for improved IPF treatment. A novel three step process via a silyl enol ether intermediate has been developed to convert a C-C bond to a C=C bond between C4-C5 in previously modified analogs to better represent antipyrine. This process successfully yielded 14 novel antipyrine analogs with variations in aryl attachments. Product conversion and purity were assessed, and the final samples were around 90% or greater in purity. Relevant procedural details, NMR, GC-MS data, analog structures, and a hypothetical mechanism will be presented.

Living in oceanic communities can be hazardous because of the natural dangers of the sea. Storm systems, water levels, and harmful algae can devastate communities and ecosystems. Natural disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, and flash floods can also wreak havoc on locals’ lives. Better preparing people, and informing the public of these dangers can change the tide of natural events, and allow for a safer life alongside a healthy ocean. The key to this preparation is the application of early warning systems, so when danger approaches, communities have a higher chance of preparing themselves for it. This higher level of preparation will lead to an eventual rise in resilience to the dangers of the ocean. An increase in knowledge and awareness is the saving grace of oceanic communities. Communities must be ready to face the disasters and struggles of living peacefully alongside our oceans. We need to begin moving in the right direction as a culture to save our oceans, and with them, us. 

Dysphagia leads to an increased risk of morbidity and mortality (Alhashemi, 2010), and individuals with severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are at an extremely heightened risk of developing dysphagia. This paper identified the known links between cognition and dysphagia, specifically focusing on adults with severe TBIs. The Rancho Los Amigos Revised Scale (RLAS-R) was found to be the best predictive factor in the presence, severity, and resolution of dysphagia (Terré & Mearin, 2007; Terré & Mearin, 2009; Hansen et al., 2008). This information is vital for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to understand due to their experience and expertise in treating disorders of cognition and swallowing. These two disorders are interconnected, and, thus, therapy must reflect that. 

Ten-eleven translocation 2 (TET2) gene codes for the enzyme Methyl Cytosine Dioxygenase that functions as an epigenetic regulator through catalyzing the conversion of methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethlcytosine. Here we have conducted a literature review on the operation of TET2 in cells and propose using immunocytochemistry as the methodology to study TET2. The use of immunocytochemistry to study TET2 should enable its subcellular localization which can help to uncover its detailed role in the cell. Immunocytochemistry is highlighted for its localization abilities that other methods of studying proteins cannot provide. Recent discoveries show TET2 acts as a tumor suppressor and plays roles in immunity and myelopoiesis. The information from immunocytochemistry can potentially help uncover the mechanisms behind these functions. In conclusion, applying immunocytochemistry to the research of TET2 will explain roles of TET2 within cells and potentially describe its significance in biological processes and diseases. 

Landfills in the United States contribute to 11% of methane emissions in the United States. Mitigation techniques for methane production from landfills are a growing concern as climate change becomes increasingly important. Landfills have implemented mitigation techniques such as flaring the methane for conversion to CO2 and use of methane as an onsite energy source. A strong example of methane mitigation techniques is the Clay County (Minnesota) Sanitary Landfill (CCSL). As a student at Minnesota State University – Moorhead, I completed an internship with CCSL where my main responsibility was analyzing the gas samples from the methane collection wells. I sample the gas wells from cells of varying closure ages. The main mitigation technique at CCSL is the flaring of methane. CCSL utilizes methane as a heating source in the winter only. CCSL is a flagship landfill in terms of understanding its environmental impact. CCSL is very thorough in methane mitigation techniques and water sampling. The improved mitigation and collection of methane from landfills can significantly reduce methane emissions from the solid waste sector. The research associated with this internship is based on the efficiency of flaring of methane to reduce the greenhouse gas impact resulting from the solid waste sector.

Speech-Language Pathologists are required to earn a master’s degree from an accredited program (ASHA, n.d.). Graduate students, typically in their twenties and thirties, are prone to stress that arise while completing their graduate degree such as paying off undergraduate student debt, earning a sustainable income while in school, and working on establishing a professional identity within their career field (Cho & Hayter, 2020). This stress is magnified by the stress associated with earning a graduate education, which negatively impacts their productivity and diminishes their mental and physical well-being (Cho & Hayter, 2020).

Stress can be defined as any change that causes an individual emotional, physical, or psychological strain (WHO, n.d.). When stress levels become too great for an individual it can affect that individual's physical health and cause psychological distress such as anxiety, severe depression, insomnia, and social dysfunction (Beck et. al, 2015). High levels of stress not only impact an individual's health but also the individual's academic productivity including their ability to conduct research, write, and publish (Cho & Hayter, 2020). Due to a lack of academic productivity caused by high levels of stress, students are showing an increase in program dissatisfaction and a higher rate of leaving the academic program they have originally enrolled in. Continued stress may lead to dissatisfaction with an individual's career choice and a decreased level of commitment to the individual's professional career path (Cho & Hayter, 2020).

This study aims to explore how stress impacts individuals enrolled in Minnesota State University Moorhead’s Speech-Language Pathology graduate program. Data will be collected in the form of small focus group interviews that involve individuals who are currently enrolled in their first-year graduate Speech-Language Pathology program at Minnesota State University Moorhead with the possibility of continuing the study into the participants second year. This study will expand on previous research of graduate students enrolled in a speech-language pathology program. Previous studies focused on training students to use mindfulness techniques whereas this study will analyze the mindfulness techniques students engage without prompting from the research team.

This past summer, with funding from the a Strong Summer Scholars Grant, I studied the star EY UMa. This is a variable star located in the constellation of Ursa Major. EY UMa is a type of variable star known as a RR Lyrae variable. My goal with this project was to accurately determine the period of this star. Along with this I was looking and to confirm an effect called the Blazhko Effect, which is sometimes seen in this type of star. 

This past summer, with funding from a Strong Summer Scholars Grant, MJ and Emily worked at the MSUM planetarium, writing and producing shows as well as working as Off The Path Eclipse Ambassadors. Here, they become more proficient with using the planetarium’s current presentation softwares: OpenSpace and Stellarium. They also begin to dive deeper into the Planetarium’s programming software: World Viewer Elumenati, revamping shows that are no longer compatible with the new software or creating new shows. 

This paper is an examination of the factors that benefit and hinder the implementation of push-in therapy for Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) practicing in the school setting. Despite current evidence and legislature supporting SLPs pushing into the mainstream setting to serve students, traditional pull-out therapy remains the dominant service delivery approach. Following a review of current literature; time management, effective collaboration, administrative support, advocacy, and relevant training were identified as key factors impacting successful classroom-based intervention. In order to continue to promote informed service delivery model decision making, SLPs require additional research supporting push-in therapy implementation as well as an increased opportunities for pre-professional and professional trainings on how SLPs can best overcome identified barriers.

Mental health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.” In 2021, an estimated 14.1 million U.S. adults ages 18 or older reported a serious mental illness. Yet only 9.1 million (64.5%) received mental health treatment within the past year [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 2023]. Since these data reflect only those respondents willing to participate in the HHS study, the degree of unmet mental health needs in the U.S. is likely more severe than documented. Using data from academic studies and U.S. federal data sets, this research quantifies the costs of mental health within the domestic economy and identifies opportunities for policymaking responses. The negative effects of mental health extend beyond individuals to society, conveying that greater awareness of mental health impacts could support improvements in labor force participation rates and reductions in absenteeism and presenteeism, health care costs, and crime-related costs. 

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder new to the DSM-5 in its 2013 edition. ARFID was most recently defined as, “avoidance based on sensory aspects of food or eating (e.g., taste, smell, and texture); lack of interest in food or eating; or because of the feared negative consequences (e.g., choking and vomiting) associated with eating” (CBHSQ, 2016). A multidisciplinary team evaluates and treats the current skills in behavioral and structural factors that influence oral intake leading to pediatric feeding disorders (PFDs) (Gosa et al., 2020). The completed literature review aimed to examine and explain the speech-language pathologist's (SLP) role in diagnosing and treating ARFID, specifically. 

U.S. Bank Stadium, the newest stadium in Minnesota, was constructed in 2016 at a cost of $1.37 billion (2024 dollars). Minnesota taxpayers invested $645 million (2024 dollars) toward construction costs and the remainder originated from the Vikings Organization or private entities. Whenever a team initiates a conversation related to building a stadium, a discussion of the economic effects surfaces. Using U.S. Bank Stadium as a case study, this research analyzes Minneapolis' economic experience for years ?2009 to ?2020. With a limited number of professional football teams located among neighboring states, this research represents a unique perspective in the ongoing discussion of economic issues related to stadiums.

Social workers provide a crucial role in preventing, advocating, and providing services to victims of interpersonal violence in relationships within the community.  The presentation will discuss the impact of the Rape Abuse Crisis Center in the Fargo/Moorhead area. There is a need to increase funding for services that could provide victims with adequate programs that can help support those individuals on their path to justice and healing. Presenters will discuss policies that hope to increase funding for prevention and intervention activities that would reduce structural inequalities that perpetuate gender-based violence. The presentation will also highlight research funding through Institutions such as the National Institute of Justice, the National Institutes of Health, and the Administration for Children and Families. Furthermore, Presenters will discuss The Duluth Model as well as other related tools that aim to address common signs and dynamics that a victim might face will also be discussed. This presentation can broaden one’s knowledge on the significance of creating healthy relationships in one’s lives. 

   Antipyrine, a 5-membered heterocyclic ring including two nitrogens and a carbonyl, has been identified by colleagues at Mayo as an early-stage drug candidate for treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).  Our group is synthesizing analogs of antipyrine to better understand and optimize the spatial and polarity dimensions of the drug for improved IPF treatment. 

   Antipyrine has a methyl (CH3) substituent at the N1-position.  I will report studies for the preparation and purification of four novel N1-alkyl analogs, in which the N1-methyl group is replaced by larger hydrophobic groups varying in length.  I have worked out a procedure in which commercially-available edaravone can be alkylated with electrophilic alkyl bromides.  Reactions are run under solvent-free conditions, at variably high temperatures, in pressure-contained vials.  Procedural details, optimization studies, purification procedures, and NMR and GC-MS structural characterization will be presented.  A hypothetical mechanism for these reactions will also be presented.  

 
   I will also report results of a second project, in which four novel C4-vinylated antipyrine analogs are prepared.  Antipyrine has a hydrogen substituent at the C4-position.  I have worked out a procedure in which C4-formyl antipyrine can be coupled with keto- or ester-substituted phosphonates to produce keto- or ester-substituted alkenes.  Procedural details, optimization studies, purification procedures, and NMR and GC-MS structural characterization will be presented.  A hypothetical mechanism for these reactions will also be presented.  

During the summer of 2023, research was conducted to collect data from the focal native plant species Dalea purpurea and Asclepias syriaca to study species morphological variation between urban plantings and restored prairie plantings. In 2022, we established urban plots on Minnesota State University Moorhead campus to prepare plants for full maturity in 2023 for accurate morphological data to be collected and compared to fertilized and restored prairie plots at the Regional Science Center. Soil sample data was also gathered allowing us to compare the nutrient composition and pH between sites, possibly finding links to patterns of morphological variation with consequences for the community of organisms in each environment as well as potential evolutionary implications. Preliminary results have indicated differences in morphological growth between urban and restored prairie plots, suggesting that fertilized and urban environments may be altering native plant growth, form, and success.  

Adults who stutter may be struggling with the psychological or emotional impacts relating to their stutter. This project examines the psychosocial effects of stuttering on adults and addresses the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy to reduce the negative feelings and attitudes towards their stutter. The aspects of cognitive-behavioral therapy and the techniques involved were explored. This therapy approach was found to be beneficial for adults who stutter in reducing anxiety and social avoidance, increasing participation in daily activities, and increasing confidence in speaking situations. The role of the speech-language pathologist was found to include choosing an approach that best fits the client, educating the client and family, changing the program as needed, and discussing the perceptions of stuttering with others. The research suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy administered by a speech-language pathologist can improve the overall quality of life in adults who stutter. 

The urbanization and redesign of Paris, named Haussmannization after its chief engineer Baron Haussmann, caused the landscape of the city to change dramatically along with sharpening the distinctions between social classes. The wealthy had more time to devote to leisure activities, and many started to spend their nights in bars and theaters. Prostitution, once hidden away in brothels, became more exploitative, as dancers and bartenders fell victim to advances from wealthy patrons. This presentation analyzes the relationship between rapid changes to the Paris cityscape, including an abundance of new hobbies for the wealthy, and the use of brothels, nightclubs and theaters. It also will examine the changes in the portrayal of sexual abuse, especially that of young dancers as highlighted in Degas’ and Manet’s work, as well as the attitudes toward the diverse range of class codes represented by prostitutes at the time. 

Rubrics are a good tool for helping students and educators outline learning targets and obtain feedback in higher education. Here we aimed to formulate an aseptic technique rubric and instructional video specific to cell culture in undergraduate labs. The resulting rubric will be added to a larger body of work through the ImmunoReach Research Coordination Network, to be used as a resource for other undergraduate institutions. The rubric and instructional video were assessed by students for accuracy and clarity and aggregated data will be presented. Students will benefit from a more in-depth education that provides them with skills and experiences that prepare them for a future career in biotechnology or pharmaceutical settings. 

CustomGPT is a framework that utilizes advanced natural language processing techniques to generate customized versions of ChatGPT, adapting conversational agents to various contexts, domains, or individual preferences. This project demonstrates how ChatGPT serves as a powerful tool for creating chatbots with actionable features and dynamic mobile games. By showcasing its versatility in empowering users to innovate and drive creative content generation, we highlight ChatGPT's potential to shape the future of interactive mobile experiences.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value that is calculated using a person's height and weight that groups people in to one of four categories: underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. BMI is often a factor in a person's health status; typically, a person who is considered obese by BMI standards will have worse health outcomes than a person who is normal weight. Socioeconomic factors like sex, race and poverty levels have been known to contribute to BMI. Since BMI can be linked to a person's health outcome, we wanted to examine trends for BMI in the United States. We will conduct an exploratory analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to see what the trends are for BMI since the late 1980's and how it relates to the socioeconomic factors stated above. The results of our data exploration could help us determine what populations are most at risk of developing health problems related to a high BMI.

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a disorder of motor planning and programming, or more specifically, a disorder of movement and coarticulation. This literature review focused on how the implementation of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) allows individuals with CAS to communicate more efficiently and effectively. Intervention of CAS has often focused on a motor-speech approach; however, current research supports the transition to utilizing a treatment model that will target both expressive and receptive language abilities. When targeting both domains, AAC can then be incorporated to provide natural auditory bombardment, as well as allowing the individual with CAS to participate in improved communicative interactions. Barriers (e.g., child factors, cost, access, etc.) often exist when introducing AAC, but it is the responsibility of the speech-language pathologist to be aware of them and to make appropriate accommodations when building an intervention plan for children who are impacted by complex communication needs. 

The influence of Japanese Woodblock prints from the Tokugawa period [1603-1898], also known as the Ukiyo-e movement, is often left unacknowledged in art historical discourse on Impressionist Art. These prints, highlighted in the Paris Universal Exposition of 1967, enchanted many artists of late 19th century France. A wave of Japanese appreciation culminated in the Japonisme phenomenon, opening a new artistic direction for the artists of the period. This paper seeks to demonstrate this influence by analyzing the relationship of two artists, Kitagawa Utamaro and Mary Cassatt: One, a highly regarded Japanese printmaker of Edo. The other, an American painter and Impressionist of the eve of modernism. Cassatt’s relationship to Utamaro demonstrates the multifaceted ways in which the Impressionists found kinship and inspiration with the artists from two centuries prior. Specifically, this research will analyze how Cassatt both replicates and translates Utamaro's portrayal of mothers, in his prints.

This is part of a student-led analysis and assessment of the Broom Creek and Amsden Formations in the subsurface of the Williston Basin in west-central North Dakota. The Broom Creek Formation has been selected as a potential carbon storage unit because of the porosity and permeability of aeolian and nearshore sand facies commonly occurring in the middle and upper part of the formation (which currently functions as a saline aquifer). Project Carbon SAFE was an initiative sponsored by the DOE and local and state agencies and carried out by the EERC, and the initiative resulting in the selection of the Broom Creek. The formation occurs over 6000 ft. down in the subsurface and overlies the Amsden Formation (Pennsylvanian) which consists on many similar facies, and is overlain unconformably by the Opeche Formation which consists of a thick interval of reddish siltstones and anhydrite. The Broom Creek has great potential for carbon storage because of its depth, the high porosity and permeability of the aeolian facies, and other interbedded facies functioning as seals (siltstone & anhydrite layers). The Broom Creek lacks detailed stratigraphic assessment as it was never exploited for hydrocarbons. To rectify this lack of knowledge and explore the storage potential of this interval, the EERC supervised the coring of the Broom Creek, the description and analysis of these cores as well as a section of 3D Seismic in Mercer and Oliver Counties in North Dakota (near the potential carbon storage field). The analysis of individual cores combined with analysis of the line of 3D seismic was good for a large-scale assessment of the carbon storage potential of the Broom Creek, but it may fail to recognize and characterize key surfaces that separate genetic packages of facies within the formation. A sequence stratigraphic analysis will recognize these surfaces. Allowing for a high resolution constraint on the vertical and lateral distribution of key facies. This may reveal more about the geologic history of this formation and provide more information about potential storage volumes of interval of interest.

Anadromous fish, like sturgeons and salmonids are species of fish that swim upriver from the ocean to the rivers to spawn. Their decline in population over the years has been attributed to an array of things such as dams, predation, overfishing, and decline in water quality. For example, Chinook salmon in Alaska’s Cook Inlet have been on the decline for over 20 years due to a wide range of human and environmental factors. In order to maintain chinook salmon populations, we need to understand how their populations have changed over time and the factors that have caused those changes. This project will focus on the return rates of chinook salmon and the factors that are influencing the decline of the largest species of pacific salmon. Alaska Fish and Game monitors four rivers in Cook Inlet for chinook salmon with the Ninilchik River (being counted in two separate areas), Kenai River (being monitored for an early and late run return counts), Deep Creek, and Anchor River being the other two. This dataset includes daily counts from May to the end of August with slight variations in time with multiple sonar systems in some rivers. Each river has different escapement goals, the number of fish allowed to escape the fishery and spawn, and varies on the potency of the run, i.e. the number of fish. By visualizing the size of the different runs over time, we can generate hypotheses about the causes for the decline in population by human impacts along with changing environmental factors. With this, there is hope for the future of this ancient and beautiful Alaskan fish.

   Paul Poiret: “The King of Fashion” French Couture 

We have come a long way in the fashion industry, and while there have been many notable people, Paul Poiret in particular has had a significant influence on the field of women's fashion. Poiret was motivated to design trends that highlight people's uniqueness by the straightforward women's fashion trends of the 19th century.  The purpose of my study is to investigate how the designs of Poiret influenced fashion in the 19th century. I would like to take the time to examine his dress designs, as women’s dresses were his specialty. 

With his creative nature, Poiret challenged the norms and trends of fashion in his time. My paper will also address the evolution of Poiret’s career in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With his creative nature, Poiret challenged the norms and trends of fashion of this era because he believed that there should not be a single way a person should dress. His views on individualism have had an impact on the fashion industry, encouraging several other designers to venture beyond their comfort zones and giving people the courage to defy social standards in the fashion industry. Most significantly, he is credited with freeing women from the corset and encouraging the use of brassieres, thereby redefining the silhouette of women's bodies. 

   Polar bears thrive in the icy expanses of the Arctic, using the cold environment to roam in search of sustenance and potential mates. However, the planet's temperature is on the rise due to climate change, resulting in the loss of crucial ice habitats for polar bears. The loss of habitat due to climate change leads Polar bears to face challenges concerning birthrates and hunting success. It is due to these challenges caused by climate change that we explore how carbon emissions have been associated with climate change and how it has affected sea ice loss which puts Polar Bears at risk.  
   We will be using multiple data sets for this project such as The National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Data.gov, and PubMed that contain information on environmental data, but also additional websites that specialize in Polar Bears. We plan to look at how carbon emissions affect the loss of sea ice and how this impacts Polar Bears and their habitats. In conclusion, we hope to explore how carbon emissions have changed over time into the addition with changes of Polar bears have had and whether these changes are associated. 

Male crickets have various ways of demonstrating aggression towards each other both physically and socially. This study aims to investigate the dynamics of aggressive behavior in crickets, focusing on discerning whether winning individuals exhibit a predominance of action-oriented aggression over intimidation tactics. Our central hypothesis in this experiment suggests that male crickets will rely on intimidation rather than physical aggression when faced with a stronger male cricket. Weaker males may use these tactics to deliver aggression and scare their opponents without having to risk contact with the stronger male . To test this hypothesis, pairs of crickets will be introduced into a controlled environment within a plastic bin, and the traits of their behavior will be observed using an ethogram. This experimental setup will be replicated ten times, with crickets positioned at opposite ends of the enclosure for each iteration. Utilizing ethograms the frequency of aggressive actions for both physical and social intimidation will be recorded during five-minute observation periods. Physical aggression can be actions such as biting or locking mandibles. While intimidation can include actions such as spreading mandibles either horizontally or vertically. In instances where the five-minute interval is not over and a clear victor emerges, in which one starts to flee the other, data collection will promptly cease. 

The beginning of the 18th century saw control of the Hudson Bay change colonial hands from the French to the British. By the middle of the 18th century, the French had lost all their inland holdings on the Great Lakes. By using the archeological findings from excavations at early European forts and trade posts in Minnesota, this research examines the material markers of social control and reach of trade goods within Minnesota and the potential changing impacts those goods had on Indigenous communities in Minnesota between the start and end of the 18th century.

Title: TerraForge: A Minecraft Mod

The "TerraForge" Minecraft mod introduces a plethora of enriching features to the game. Players will delve into the realm of steel, a new material offering robust tools and customizable armor with enhanced durability and efficiency, giving a new intermediary tool before reaching the coveted diamond tier. Next, delve into the depths of swamp and lush caves biomes to discover the valuable peat, a unique resource that serves as both a fuel source and a crucial component in crafting raw steel. Enchantments tailored for specific purposes, including night vision for helmets and swiftness for boots, provide players with strategic advantages in their adventures. Alongside these additions, craftable vanilla items such as name tags and saddles expand players' creative possibilities, while not limiting gameplay. Embrace the culinary arts with the introduction of corn, a versatile crop yielding delectable popcorn when cooked. With tweaks to crafting recipes and biome generation, the "TerraForge" mod promises an immersive and exhilarating gameplay experience, inviting players to explore new horizons within the Minecraft universe with more features to come!

   Chronic Heart Defects (CHD) is the leading cause of death among infants at birth. The presentation is driven by the need for education on Congenital Heart Defects (CHD), including characteristics, causes, diagnostic procedures, treatment options, and long-term prognosis. This presentation outlines the anatomy of the heart, along with the electrical cascade associated with the heart to better explain the etiology of Sick Sinus Syndrome and Atrial Septal Defect. In addition is a personal story that connects to the human aspect of chronic heart defect’s and the disease. Chronic heart defect’s are intricate and providers are not able to take a one size fits all approach to treatment, consequently this makes chronic heart defect’s harder to treat and almost impossible to prevent. This information was researched and compiled to provide an extensive overview of chronic heart disease’s, the information used came from various medical organizations and hospital databases. 

Student Academic Conference: Abstract

Title: The Speech Language Pathologists Role in Intervention for Parkinson’s disease

Abstract: This literature review explored the available intervention techniques utilized by Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) when treating individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Parkinson’s disease affects six million people worldwide and is expected to double by the year 2040. Deficits associated with PD manifest themselves into motor and non-motor symptoms that show varying benefit from pharmacological approaches alone. For this reason, SLPs provided comprehensive treatment approaches to address the challenges related to dysarthria, dysphagia, and cognitive linguistic skills. Treatment consisted of behavioral techniques, diet modifications, compensatory strategies, muscle strength training, and restorative training. While some techniques demonstrated benefit to more than one area, others lead to decreased quality of life in certain individuals. Positive SLP treatment outcomes consisted of proper implementation and modification of techniques to ensure the individual’s safety and quality of life throughout the disease progression.  

Tinnitus is referred to as ringing, buzzing, or humming in one or both of one’s ears. Tinnitus is ultimately caused by damaged hairs in the cochlea, irregular blood movement through the carotid artery, temporomandibular joint problems, or issues in the brain and how it processes sound. Caffeine is shown to affect blood flow, which brings up the question, does the amount of caffeine one consumes correlate to experiencing tinnitus from abnormalities of the blood vessels through the carotid artery? We will use a data set on Caffeine and Tinnitus published by Ledesma et al. (2021). We will conduct an exploratory data analysis of the data set, which contains individual-level responses of people exposed to various caffeine treatments. We will use this data to determine if caffeine has an effect on tinnitus. This analysis will provide information on a commonly used drug and what effects it may have on one’s health.

As students prepare to transition from their undergraduate studies to the professional world, they often experience a range of emotions, including anticipation and insecurity. In our presentation, titled "Occupation Exploration," we aim to address these feelings and provide support and guidance to our fellow peers as they transition from college to career life. 
 
Our presentation includes a proposal for a campus event designed to alleviate anxiety and smoothen this transition. This event will feature alumni, community leaders, higher education opportunities, and overall advice for soon-to-be graduates. Through interactive discussions and exercises, we aim to create a supportive environment where students can openly express their fears while collaboratively crafting future plans and exploring possibilities. 

When an individual is unable to communicate using verbal speech, they can be given or introduced to a variety of alternative or augmentative options to help assist in their ability to communicate their wants and needs appropriately. In this paper the focus is on communication from those who have had a partial or total laryngectomy procedure and how the alteration of their means of communicative output affects their psychosocial health and well-being. This literature review breaks down what kind of care is expected for laryngectomees post-operation, options for communicative output following that procedure, how intensive surgeries and artificial voice options affect an individual’s mental health (specifically in the realms of quality of life and sense of self), and further discusses psychological strategies to increase one’s confidence and self-efficacy in communication post-laryngectomy. In conclusion, the content is broken down into areas of support that can be provided to an individual following their procedure including but not limited to social interactions, engagement with family and peers in both home and social settings, occupational adaptations, or alterations to make the workspace conducive to the laryngectomee, and psychoemotional supports. Through analysis of the literature surrounding an individual’s psychosocial well-being following a total laryngectomy, studies discussed the importance of a strong support system and ongoing care. Their care team of family, friends, and professionals should be cognizant of the occupational, familial, social, and psychoemotional support necessary to both support the laryngectomee in their new means of communication and ensure they have a long-lasting, positive quality of life given the large change that has been made to their method of communication. 

This project involved the design and development of a website intended to allow users to create a personal inventory of their purchased media with a primary focus on books. The goal of the project was to create a website that is both user-friendly, convenient, and both personally and professionally useful. The project began with an analysis of existing personal inventory websites and apps which identified many different aspects that are included in the finished website, as well as aspects that fell short. Utilizing Python and Flask, the design includes a number of easy-to-use features, such as the ability to create an account to save a personal library and the ability to use the search engine by manually typing or using a barcode scanner. Through this project, users can expect enhanced organization, tracking, and accessibility of their media collections, promising an enjoyable experience for both casual and avid collectors alike.

Mindfulness meditation and training have recently been recognized as a way of learning to control one’s attention and being present in the moment and without judgment (Norris et al 2018). Recent research has demonstrated the benefits of mindfulness in everyday life (Yakobi et al 2021; Deng et al 2019). The purpose of this study is to establish a physiological measure of mindfulness based on the P300 Event-Related-Potential (ERP) in the visual domain. This study employed an XO oddball paradigm to gauge the effect of a novel stimulus on the P3 ERP in relation to an individual’s level of mindfulness. In a previous condition, it was hypothesized that the participant's P3 amplitude for the novel stimuli would not be significantly different from the P3 amplitudes of the common stimuli. The results of this condition found an insignificant difference in the P3 ERP amplitude when comparing the common (M = 0.034, SD = 0.027) and odd stimuli (M = 0.082, SD = .074); t(10) = -1.951, p = .0796. The current condition of this study recruited 21 participants to compare changes in the P3 ERP waveform component as they performed oddball and meditative breath counting tasks before and after a 4-month mindfulness training course. It was predicted that the P3 amplitudes elicited by the novel stimuli will decrease with training. In addition, it was hypothesized that experienced meditators would have more attentional control compared to novice meditators. 

This research delves into the nocturnal predation strategies of wolf spiders (Lycosidae), focusing on their sensory adaptation to low-light habitats. As solitary and adaptive hunters, wolf spiders’ success hinges on their proficiency in detecting prey within dimly lit environments. The study investigates the spiders’ behavioral responses to varying degrees of artificial illumination, examining the interplay between their visual acuity and light intensity. By analyzing the spiders’ nocturnal activity under different lighting conditions, the research aims to explain the immediate reactions to environmental stimuli, also described as proximate behaviors, that make them more efficient hunters. Ultimately, the study seeks to understand the correlation of light levels with hunting activity. 

The purpose of this study was to gain more understanding of how individuals who work with the juvenile justice population understand language disorders and the scope of speech and language therapy services. In addition, this study explored potential supports for individuals working in this setting. This study consisted of twenty participants working in the juvenile justice system who completed a survey tool that was designed by the researcher to describe the participant's perceptions of speech-language pathology, current procedures, reported challenges, and potential areas in need of support. Participant knowledge of the scope of speech-language pathology varied among participants. The highest reported challenge among participants was youth behavior. The majority of participants believe that social skills and language skills can impact behavior. Ninety percent of the participants indicated a willingness to receive training on communication strategies. The findings of this study suggest that there is a willingness among individuals who work in the juvenile justice setting to receive education on language disorders and communication strategies. The results of this study indicate a need for increased advocacy and awareness in the field of speech-language pathology to increase the population’s understanding of speech-language services in the juvenile justice setting.  

The topic of this poster is how play is seen within the art center. Learning through play means teaching children while they play, and how the art center can enhance the students learning.  In the art center, we as teachers focus on the profound impact of art in early childhood education and its influence on shaping students' futures. By having play in this center we as teachers enhance their thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and so much more that helps to make them better citizens. Our poster discusses strategies for teachers to incorporate art into their lessons in a playful and enjoyable way, fostering creativity and encouraging students to take risks. The research that we have gathered highlights the incorporation of expressive art and its positive impact on students' confidence, social skills, and mood regulation. This applies to both students with disabilities and those without. This poster also discusses how to establish and prepare an art center in an early childhood classroom.

This project will contain valuable information and resources to properly show teachers and students how to use AI in schools and the classroom. It will also describe and show how to properly cite AI and use it ethically in the classroom setting. Examples shared include 1) Using AI for effective lesson planning; 2) Using AI to assist in developing quality assessments; and 3) Using AI to help in grading students. The Research Team presented this project at the 2023 MN SHAPE conference (November 6, 2023) with 42 people in attendance.  During this presentation, the research team will present their experience with AI. In addition, the research team will share how AI can benefit education in teaching, managing classrooms, and strengthening writing skills in planning for their future classrooms. The goal of our presentation is to instruct educators on how to properly incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their curriculum. To further expand, it also enhances student learning and optimizes educator efficiency. This is especially significant in today’s society because technology runs all aspects of our world. AI is extremely relevant coming out of the post-COVID era where life was moved completely online. AI not only saves educators time and energy, but also promotes creativity and diversity for lesson planning, assessments, and grading. For this proposal, we will be citing sources and research from a variety of different resources, including Harry Pickens, Lesson Planning With ChatGPT: An Introductory Guide for High School Educators.

Creativity writing is a way of painting a picture through words. In my creative writing class, we pushed this concept to its limit. One of the assignments was to attempt a month-long project to create a 50,000-word story. The story I wrote is inspired by the things I enjoy and a previous concept from my writing. 35,500 words and 61 pages later, Redeeming A Broken Kingdom was born. This was inspired by a play I had been trying to write for fun.

My presentation will be focused on the process of what I did, what I learned from it and how these lessons can be applied to other classes and topics.

Redeeming a Broken Kingdom is inspired by a play I had been trying to write for fun and The Legend of Zelda series. It follows a young prince trying to recover from a devastating battle that nearly eliminated the entire kingdom and a young girl trying to find her place in the post-destruction world as a knight. With magical items, new friends and allies, romance, an alternate universe, and a vast world, this story has a little bit of everything.

Throughout this project, I learned that writing down ideas and filling in the details later helped to lead the story in the direction that I wanted it to go in. It required many hours of brainstorming and creativity to accomplish.

Our presentation explores how community resources impact the well-being and empowerment of individuals with disabilities. Community resources influence the lives of individuals with disabilities in areas such as access to support services, social inclusion, education, and employment opportunities. Our research highlights the importance of accessible and comprehensive support systems to promote the well-being of individuals with disabilities.

We conducted a study to examine the relationship between mindset and wellbeing when additional factors, ambition and optimism, are accounted for. The goal of the study was to see if a fixed mindset can ever lead to high wellbeing, as the focus in most scientific literature on this matter focuses on the negatives of fixed mindset. Our hypothesis was that fixed mindset individuals can have high wellbeing if they are low on ambition. The theory behind this was those with a fixed mindset may be more inclined to be content with where they are at and not seek to always improve, therefore, they may be more appreciative of the current moment.  
The findings of this study indicate that optimism was the greatest predictor of wellbeing and those with the worst wellbeing were people with a growth mindset and low optimism. One theory for these results is that these individuals believe in their own growth potential, but don’t think positively about the future. This thinking may stem from feeling the future is out of their control due to outside factors. These factors could include belonging to marginalized groups, the state of the world (pandemics, wars, etc.), or feeling stuck on a particular path. Our findings did not indicate our initial predictions about the purpose or benefits of a fixed mindset but did show an important relationship between optimism and all other factors. Overall, optimism was the biggest predictor of wellbeing.  

Abstract: Artificial Intelligence: Unveiling Potential, Navigating Challenges

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed from science fiction to a tangible reality, permeating various aspects of our lives. This report delves into the current state of AI, exploring its foundational concepts, technical advancements, and diverse applications. By analyzing academic literature, industry reports, and real-world case studies, the report sheds light on AI's potential to revolutionize fields like healthcare, scientific research, and entertainment. However, the report also acknowledges the ethical considerations and potential risks associated with advanced AI. By examining areas like safety concerns and responsible development practices, the report aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of AI's impact on society. Ultimately, this report seeks to encourage a thoughtful conversation about how to harness the immense potential of AI while navigating the challenges it presents, ensuring its development aligns with the betterment of humanity.

Clinical experiences are often the preferred learning method for student nurses to gain experience in a manner that allows for critical thinking development and connection of theory to practice (Phillips et al., 2017). During a time when the nursing workforce is experiencing a critical shortage and projected worsening pipeline, providing appropriate, impactful, and meaningful clinical opportunities promotes confidence, professionalism, knowledge and skill acquisition, and practice preparedness for student nurses pursuing their registered nursing degree (American  Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2021; Gallup, 2022; Kavanaugh & Sharpnack, 2021). The process improvement project aims to develop and implement a collaborative ambulatory clinical experience for registered nursing students within the Essentia Health Fargo market, goals to establish feedback pathways, professional pathways, and an improved understanding of ambulatory nursing roles. For this project, Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) will be partners in piloting the innovative clinical experience. AACN’s The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021) will provide guidance for academic and practice standards to meet the ever-changing landscape of nursing (AACN, 2021). The proposed collaborative clinical experience helps student nurses be more adequately prepared for the future of healthcare, where the care setting will shift from inpatient spaces to primary and community settings (AACN, 2021). 

Objectives will include development and implementation of: (1) preclinical preparation guidelines, (2-4) post-clinical evaluation of student by preceptor, preceptor by student, and clinical experience by student, and (5) established learning objectives. Data collection strategies will be established through collaborative exploration between Essentia Health and academic institutions, to ensure ease of completion, collection, and collation. The results of the project will provide a foundation and structure based on best practices and evidence to promote skill acquisition, professionalism, confidence, and practice readiness for student nurses participating in ambulatory clinical experiences at Essentia Health. Results will inform future clinical opportunities, experience adjustments needed based on student outcomes, and advancement of academic practice partnerships. 

Absolutely Not, a video podcast created by Michael Claymore (alias) and Scott Guy, hired MSUM Flypaper Creative Services, a student-run agency, to create an awareness campaign. What began as a COVID-era project between Michael and Scott, Absolutely Not has grown into a widely viewed YouTube channel due to promotions on TikTok and Instagram. 
 
Research: This project began spring 2023 with a three-member team of students enrolled in COMM 379: Ad Agency Practicum, commonly known as MSUM Flypaper Creative Services. The client continued to use our services fall 2023 with Kyle Schmidt (team lead), Morgan Bachelor, Noah Swegarden, and Sheyenne Norberg.  
 
Audience research conducted spring 2023 indicated viewers appreciate “dry humor” and “dark and sarcastic humor”. The research was conducted via an online survey that was promoted on social media and news releases. A majority of the respondents were female (60%) and students of MSUM. The objective for the campaign was to raise awareness about Absolutely Not, in particular on our campus. 
 
Planning: Resources available to the Absolutely Not team include Canva Pro to develop posts and thumbnails, Sprout Social for analytics, Microsoft Teams for sharing, and Zoom for client meetings. Team members met with the clients twice each month. The focus for September 2023 was creating the brand assets, such as the thumbnail template for YouTube and creating the general workflow of getting content posted on a weekly basis. Each team member was given specific tasks that best support their pre-established set of skills.  
 
Execution: At the start of the campaign, the main focus was putting a steady stream of weekly content on YouTube. Once we had enough content released and analyzed video performance, we were able to boost YouTube videos in addition to distributing print flyers on campus. Absolutely Not paid a flat fee of $300 to MSUM Flypaper Creative Services each semester. Using the 80/20 rule, 20% ($60) of the fee was available for advertising. The printing cost for fliers was $15 and we boosted YouTube videos for $20. We are in the process of analyzing the boosted videos and will determine how best to proceed based on the results. 
 
Evaluation: The campaign, which began September 2023, was to reach 500 total views on YouTube by February 15, 2023. This goal was reached with over 1,750 views total. All content was organic and shared by MSUM Flypaper via TikTok and Instagram, directing viewers to follow Absolutely Not on YouTube. As of February 15, 2024, the client had 43 followers on YouTube and is gaining substantial growth on TikTok, garnering over 1,700 views.  

   With an increasing threat of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on the rise, the development of novel antimicrobial compounds is needed to combat this risk. This research is looking to identify an unknown antimicrobial compound from an environmentally isolated bacterial species (B1). This will be done by purifying the environmental bacteria, testing for the presence of antimicrobial compounds, and extracting them using organic solvents. Once the antimicrobial is extracted, testing for bioactivity will be done. After the extracts are shown to be bioactive then purification and identification of the isolated antimicrobial compound will be needed for future research. Our results showed that an antimicrobial compound is extractable from B1 cultures using organic solvents. The results show that the environmentally isolated bacteria does produce an antimicrobial compound that can reduce the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Since the antimicrobial is extractable, the identification of this unknown compound is needed. If the identity is known, then further research can be done to possibly develop this antimicrobial into a medication that can be used against antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections.  

Bacteriophages are microscopic viruses that infect and replicate among different strains of bacteria and are one of the most abundant biological organisms. Marine phages are a large part of the ocean biomass and have an important role in circulating carbon from the atmosphere. The main goal of this project is to gain a more in-depth knowledge of virus-host relationships using bacteriophages. It aims to learn more about how changing DNA can affect the total outcome of a single-celled organism. The marine bacteria, Ruegeria pomeroyi (R. pom), is the host for newly found marine phages. There is minimal information about the relationship between R pom. and phages. This project investigates if bacteriophages can infect R. pom, the phage Mar, and its effects on the mutant strain of R. pom, as well as other phages found in Fall of 2023 and the mutant R. pom’s resistance to them. In addition, it also focuses on collecting and analyzing the DNA structure of both the mutant R. pom and phages to determine a possible cause of phage resistance. 

Past studies have indicated the connection between attachment style and sexist attitudes, but not many have covered how attachment style to one’s caregiver could impact the perception of sexism. The current study explored the influence of childhood attachment style on the formation of sexist attitudes among college students. 92 Minnesota State University Moorhead undergraduate students from psychology classes participated in this study. The Adult Scale of Parent Attachment - Short Form (ASPA-SF) and the Relationship Structures Questionnaire (ECR-RS) were used to determine participants' attachment styles towards their caregivers growing up. Participants also completed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory to predict their hostile and benevolent sexism beliefs. Results showed people who have an anxious attachment style for their caregiver during childhood are likely to hold both benevolent and hostile sexist attitudes. Furthermore, avoidant attachment style predicts endorsement of benevolent, but not hostile, sexism.

Kylie S. Nay, Arina Bratamidjaja, Hailey Hupke, Olivia Goderis

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jenna N. Laurin

Small mammals, when foraging, balance energy expenditure and predatory risk for food. In this case, we will be analyzing the trade-off between safety and energy cost against more lucrative foraging regarding the time spent the mammal travels in food-finding behavior. Our subject species, in this study, will be the Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). We will be analyzing the proximate question on what factors would influence the squirrels’ decision making regarding the proximity to the nest and energy spent while conducting food-finding behavior. More specifically, are the benefits of potentially finding more food, or higher valued food, valued higher than the relative safety of foraging near the nest alongside the low-energy cost of near-nest foraging. It is predicted that the further a squirrel travels from its nest, the higher yield of food it will receive, however, it will also expend more energy during the foraging leading to a decreased likelihood to forage for an increased period. It is also predicted that the further the squirrel travels from its nest will increase the likelihood of mortality due to predation.  This will be analyzed by examining squirrels foraging behavior by tracking them during their foraging and recording the time spent traveling from their nest, and recording the amount of food that they find, while also recording any predation attempts on the squirrels. 

A common challenge faced by young professionals is selecting unique outfits without resorting to excessive consumption and clutter in their closets. To address this, we've developed "Fits" – a digital closet app designed to simplify the process. Drawing insights from 15 customer interviews, our app features a straightforward interface with two main tabs: "Your Closet" and "For You". In the "Your Closet" section, users can access every item of clothing in their collection, conveniently organized by color, frequency of wear, and type. The "For You" tab leverages AI to analyze the user's typical style preferences and suggests stylish outfit combinations from their existing wardrobe. Fits is more than just a styling tool – it's a confidence booster and empowerment tool, helping users curate their personal brand with ease and sophistication.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) was a French painter and illustrator and is regarded as one of the many post-impressionist artists to depict life in Paris during, and after, its reconstruction into a glamorous metropolis. In particular, his works depicted the night life of Paris including dance halls and night clubs. Some of his best-known works include posters he created for prominent Parisian clubs such as the Moulin Rouge and the Moulin de la Galette. Even more importantly, Lautrec’s work has contributed to how poster culture developed throughout the years and persist to this day.

Out of the over 350 posters he made during his short lifetime, Lautrec had a few common muses that are consistently featured. These muses were performers from the cabarets and Lautrec portrayed them in his illustrations to promote their lively, and sometimes controversial performances. In this paper, I will examine two of the most famous performers in his posters: the derisive singer, comedian, and club owner Aristide Bruant, and Moulin Rouge can-can dancer Jane Avril. Both subjects are captured by Lautrec in a stylized and eye-catching fashion, and this paper will explore the visual aspects of his posters and how they reshaped poster design.

Computers and technology continue to grow and expand each year, but so does the vulnerability of these systems. As we try to improve access to information we also expose these systems to malicious access. There needs to be measures to prevent this, while still allowing for the system to function normally. My intent with this study is to create a means to find the vulnerabilities within a system, which will allow IT the opportunity to correct this problem. I'm using Python to code this program, since it is one of the more widely used coding languages, and then I will ensure the code can be translated to work on an Android system. I want to make this an application that can be convenient to use, while still maintaining efficiency. It is my hope that this will provide a reasonable means to help any company protect their systems from a cyber attack.

Early observations (1600s-1800s) concerning the Meshkwaki, a Central Algonquian Indigenous group of the Western Great Lakes and eastern Prairies of the United States, emphasized the perceived primary role of patri-based institutions. This attention was echoed by the anthropologists of the late 1800s and early 1900s, who prioritized and described the role and purpose of patrilineal descent. In 1937 the US Government and its supporters forced the Meshkwaki to adopt a tribal constitution which included the abandonment of their traditional leadership structure and the introduction of patrilineal descent for tribal membership. This poster will begin by contextualizing patri-based institutions within pre-1937 Meshkwaki culture and will discuss pre-1937 internal conceptions of tribal membership. It will then re-examine the circumstances of the 1937 tribal constitution, followed by presenting the subsequent accommodations made in regard to the patrilineal membership rule by the tribal government from inception to the present-day, as well as discuss post-1937 internal conceptions of tribal membership. From this contextualization, the poster will shift towards a stance of decolonizing the post-1937 Meshkwaki tribal membership mandate, discussing the 1937 coercion and post-1937 conflicts concerning that decision, and the adjustments made since 1937 to accommodate matrilineal-only Meshkwaki descendants. Historical data will be integrated with contemporary fieldwork details to explicate our treatment of the problematic Meshkwaki tribal membership requirement.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ([CDC], 2022) has indicated that use of face coverings can be recommended in health care facilities in areas of high levels of COVID transmission. Professional counselors and their clients who meet in such facilities may be required to wear face masks. The current study examines how such masking may affect therapeutic alliances via judgements of trust on the part of both clinician and clients. A 2(trustworthiness) x 5(facial feature visibility) within-subjects factorial design will assess implicit and explicit facial judgements. Using E-prime, undergraduate psychology students will first complete an Affect Misattribution Procedure measuring implicit judgements to target facial images in all levels (Ma et al., 2015; Payne & Lundberg, 2014). Next, participants will provide explicit valence, dominance, and trust responses to the same stimuli set. Both the direction and the speed of all judgements will be recorded. It is predicted that implicit evaluation will be most positive for high-trust targets that are fully visible and lowest for low-trust targets that are fully visible. It is predicted that explicit evaluations of covered low-trust target images will be different than explicit evaluation of fully visible low-trust images. It is predicted that explicit judgements of valence and dominance may differ for each target face, but that a smaller difference will be found between valence and trust ratings.

In 2021, the National Center for Education Statistics found that 7% of today’s college students are over the age of 35. Roughly one in ten U.S. college students are 40 years old or older. Over 70% of them are women. Career change and workplace advancement are among the top reasons for returning to college.  

 Returning to college can be a scary venture for many potential students over 40. There are financial concerns, the challenge of balancing work and family obligations, fears of not fitting in, new technology, and maybe a lack of confidence in one’s ability to be a student. Beneath the fear is also a bit of excitement with the idea that “This could make a difference in my life.” 

I am a “mom” (member of middle age) in classes at MSUM. For the past two years I have attended college as an “older” student taking classes to complete my degree in Communication Studies. In this presentation, I will share the fears, anticipation, struggles and successes of being a “mom” in the classroom. As I discuss my experience, I will also offer some lessons that I learned and suggestions for future students who are considering this adventure. 

An overview of the history, application, and impact of arduino 

This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of existing operating theatre sanitization techniques in reducing carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE). The literature for the study was formatted as a review from the post-COVID era for quality improvement solutions to minimize rates of antibiotic-resistant infections originating in the operating theatre. In the hypothesis of this study, CRE resistant to a 1g/L dose of carbapenem was predicted to be present in all operating theatres. Microbial samples of patient contact surfaces were to be obtained via a random selection of ten of the twelve available operating theatres at a local hospital. However, approval for this study is still pending for legal reasons. Preliminary results of the literature review suggest that ultraviolet sanitization, combined with manual disinfection practices and ongoing genetic sequencing of bacterial strains collected from the operating theatre environment, have great potential to reduce nosocomial infection rates in operating theatres. The findings encourage healthcare systems to standardize sanitation practices while contributing to existing microbiology surveillance databases to help guide needs for the development of antibiotics on a small scale.

Dr Sumali Pandey, Ph. D., Dr Carol Roth, Ph. D., and Tate Nelmark, RN, supported this research.

Adaptive sports are modified competitive activities designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities. These activities promote inclusivity and provide opportunities for enhancing physical and emotional well-being. They focus on adapting rules, equipment, and techniques to ensure that everyone and anyone can enjoy the benefits of sports. This presentation will educate individuals on what adaptive sports are and how they positively impact all the lives that participate. 

Dysphagia can have detrimental effects on one’s physical health as well as their emotional health. To prevent, reduce, and/or eliminate dysphagia and the impact it has, a speech-language pathologist must properly assess and treat the individual. There are several treatment options utilized by SLPs to help rehabilitate swallow function, one of which is neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). This literature review aimed to review the SLP's role in the identification and management of dysphagia as well as to review the literature related to the efficacy of NMES as a stand-alone procedure for the treatment of dysphagia in adults. 

 The ocean makes up over 70% of the Earth’s surface. The environmental systems that take place in and over it have dramatic effects on us and all other life on Earth. Ocean currents transfer large amounts of thermal energy from the equator to the poles allowing for warmer climates. The water cycle draws water from the ocean by evaporation to provide rain over the land to fill lakes and rivers. Animals and plants in the ocean sequester carbon from the atmosphere. With rising temperatures due to climate change we are beginning to see signs of these systems breaking down. Currents are slowing due to warming polls, the winds to move clouds are becoming weaker causing some places to see alarming amounts of precipitation while others see less and less. Knowing and understanding how these systems interact with each other and the ocean is the first step to understanding the effects of climate change. The main focus of this poster is to draw attention to the interaction of these systems within the ocean and how only looking at any individual system in isolation will never show the full picture of the effects of climate change.

Supporters, critics, and art historians have offered many definitions of the late nineteenth-century art movement called “Impressionism.” Despite the wide range, most definitions include a consideration of the artists seeing and therefore painting differently. Some praised This way of seeing as revolutionary and others as having physical or mental defects.  Nevertheless, there is agreement they “saw” in a new way. How did they develop this new way of seeing? 

Painting outdoors existed long before the Impressionists. However many of the impressionists used “en plein air” in an entirely new way. They produced complete or nearly complete works on location. They also benefited from being born at the right time. New tools like the French easel, the paint tube, the brush ferrule, and new pigments made it easier to paint complete works on location.  

Examining what the artists themselves wrote in their own words of what they learned while painting in nature is how we answer this question. How does one develop the use of color, tones, and depiction of light and shadow that was so different and revolutionary from other painters? It is these characteristics that let us recognize an impressionist work when we see it. If we follow the impressionist artists outside, we can find the answer. Stand in their footsteps, see what they saw, and listen to what they write about how they learned to see! 

The dependency on substances can take a toll on an individual's life. Different factors may have led to their use of substances, which can turn into the abuse of substances. This study takes a deep dive into the events that happened in the past that led to dependency. I collected the data from Reddit.com under the r/addiction community, where individuals were vulnerable about their pain in life. The individuals shared stories that explained how they got to the point of substance abuse. Five emerging themes occurred through the evaluation of reddit.com and how individuals explain what led to substance abuse. The five emerging themes were 1. abuse, 2. mental health, 3. self-medication, 4. seeking acceptance, and 5. recreational/just because. Sexual and physical abuse that stemmed from childhood played an influence on self-medication through substances. The neglect from their parents while growing up into young adults led to a disconnect in society. 

Keywords: self-medication, substance abuse, mental health, abuse, trauma

Area patterning in the brain is controlled by genetic mechanisms during embryonic development. In our lab we are studying the effects of Emx2 conditional knockout in mouse models. This knockout causes sweeping changes in the cortex, some of which have been past subjects of research. These previous studies have found a significant shrinkage of the primary visual area (V1) in mice without the Emx2 gene. These results tell us that Emx2 is partly responsible for the size of the visual area of the cortex, and for that reason we call it an area patterning gene. Currently we are looking at the effects the Emx2 knockout has particularly on the thalamus. To explore potential changes in the thalamus, staining of tissue sections collected on slides were used to visualize portions of the thalamus.

I know 80 minutes is a long time for a talk but my content is truly remarkable, the kind of thing everyone will want to listen for over an hour. Plus, I'll sing a song and do a dance.

When it comes to probability in sports, the March Madness bracket is quite a formidable foe. A perfect bracket is something we may never come across, but just how rare is it? We will dive into the process of modeling the probability of selecting any number of correct winners, and thus the accuracy an average participant may expect. 

   There are many reasons why the ocean is important.  In this presentation, we will explain the importance of the ocean and humanity’s effects on its complex ecosystem. We as humans rely on the ocean for food, water, and other abundant resources for our homes, jobs, cultures, and livelihoods. The ocean offers so much to us while we continue to disrespect it with pollution and overexploitation. Since humans and the ocean are so intrinsically connected protecting the ocean is everyone's civic responsibility and duty. The education of ocean literacy principles will help when putting in place laws and policies to protect and conserve our ocean. This poster will focus on what can be done to protect this valuable irreplaceable resource! 

This innovative menu provides a comprehensive selection of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies tailored to elementary students, meticulously aligned with the Minnesota State SEL Learning Goals. These learning goals were selected from the Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning’s (CASEL) framework of five Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies that are important for students to possess: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.  This SEL skills menu was designed to support and empower students to navigate their emotional landscapes, cultivate interpersonal skills, and meet the state's educational objectives with SEL principles. This resource offers a practical and engaging framework for educators and students alike. The menu was created to assist students with selecting a specific target skill that can be incorporated into an individual goal to measure progress as part of their participation with Minnesota State University Moorhead's Infuse Mental Health grant

Existing technologies such as copper etching and screen printing face limitations in resolution and material compatibility. Utilizing high-velocity particle impact for instant bonding, cold spray bypasses thermal post-processing and enables low-temperature deposition on both rigid and flexible substrates. This Senior Project aims to bridge this gap by focusing on direct-write circuit printing, exploring its potential to overcome the limitations of traditional PCB fabrication methods.

The Folies Bergère stands as an emblem of Parisian nightlife and artistic inspiration throughout the Impressionist era. Located in the 9th arrondissement, this landmark was originally built as an opera house. Seen through the eyes of Édouard Manet in his 1882 painting, A Bar at the Folies Bergère, the cabaret was home to many spectacles. Manet was not the only artist taken by Folies Bergère. Also drawn to its charm were artists Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Edgar Degas.

               The goal of this paper is not only to assess the historical status and significance of the Folies Bergère but also to illuminate its role in the impressionist movement and its commitment to portraying scenes of modern urban life. A Bar at the Folies Bergère by Édouard Manet will specifically be considered a window into this period to analyze more than the historical site’s immediate entertainment value. This paper will also discuss the portrayal of gender dynamics, class distinctions, and the commodification of leisure in late 19th-century Paris.

This poster is going to discuss the importance of play and dive deeply into sensory play. Sensory play is a crucial aspect of childhood development. Sensory play allows children to explore and engage with the environment through their senses. Sensory play helps children build cognitive skills, fine and gross motor skills, language skills, social and emotional skills, and problem-solving skills. Sensory play also supports special education and students with sensory processing disorders by providing therapeutic benefits. Overall, sensory play is an essential component of a child's development and should be an essential tool that is prioritized in classrooms.

Social isolation poses a significant threat to both physical and mental health across diverse age groups, with particular concern for the elderly and young children. This project outlines policy recommendations to eradicate social isolation specifically in the Fargo-Moorhead area, emphasizing the importance of quality childcare and age-friendly communities.  

Recommendations include boosting access to quality childcare to foster early social bonds and creating communities that support social connections for older adults. Insights from Community Living Services and the Anne Carlsen Center highlight the importance of inclusive community engagement. Secondary research findings compare approaches across states, noting Hawaii’s successful programs for the elderly and challenges in childcare affordability in Montana and North Dakota. These recommendations aim to foster a more connected and resilient community in Fargo-Moorhead, promoting well-being and social cohesion for all residents. 

Mental health-related concerns for youth continue to rise in the United States. Currently 20% of youth between ages 3 to 17 deal with behavioral health-related issues. These issues can have long-lasting impacts on various aspects of youth’s life. Public policies have historically focused on treating these issues after they have been identified, resulting in high costs for young people, families, and communities. To tackle this issue, policies should support universal preventive interventions to raise awareness about mental health needs, thereby removing barriers for youths seeking treatment. 
 

Ocean literacy is the understanding of how the ocean affects us and how we are
affecting the ocean. The principle of ocean literacy that I will be talking about today is how the
ocean has major effects on the weather and the climate. We know the interaction of oceanic and
atmospheric processes control Earth's weather and climate by running the world's energy, water
and carbon systems.
When we look at weather and climate systems of the world these processes are heavily
affected by the energy that comes from the sun. This energy that comes from the sun is heavily
influenced by the ocean, cloud cover, the topography of the land and many other factors.
Specifically we are looking at how the ocean affects the weather and climate. The ocean
moderates global weather and climate by absorbing solar radiation, this heat cycle with the
ocean and the atmosphere can lead to extreme weather conditions. In addition to this the ocean
absorbs half of the carbon dioxide that enters the atmosphere. There are many connections of
how we can see that our impact in the environment has affected the ocean and in turn the
effects that the ocean can have on the environment and weather systems. We can see this in
the exchange of greenhouse gasses with ocean processes that affect life deforestation, and
burning fossil fuels that lead to increased rates of greenhouse gasses. These increased rates of
greenhouse gasses lead to increased ocean acidity which can be detrimental to marine life.
There are so many different instances that pinpoint us that the effect that we are having
on the ocean is detrimental to all life and earth and all earth's systems as well. Our impact
matters immensely ,and truly knowing the issues of ocean literacy and how the ocean affects
our climate and weather can lead us to solving these issues.

This presentation is about #8, the digital representation of the ocean, of the UNESCO Challenge. More research needs to be done on the ocean to preserve marine life and coastal land. We need the help of large corporations in a collaboration on a digital representation of the ocean. This will help us visualize the oceans' past, current, and possible future. A digital map of the ocean will help with us pollution, help slow down climate change, and help us prepare for environmental disasters. We could create a digital map of the ocean floor by using a multibeam or a side scanner from a ship or a towed transmitter. Underwater cameras and submarines can also explore it. The results of these methods could result in a fully interactive visual presentation of the ocean and with the help of environmental scientists we can create a map of the past, present, and future ocean, marine life, and coastal land. With the results from the map, we can implement changes to pollution, slow down climate changes, and help us prepare for environmental disasters.

This proposal outlines a comprehensive research project focused on the utilization of Virtual Machines (VMs) and containers to establish a home lab environment. The project aims to investigate the effective deployment of VMs and containers, particularly in the context of running multiple services. The research holds significance for the Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) domain, as virtualization and containerization play increasingly vital roles in information technology and software development. The implementation phase will involve creating a home lab using Proxmox hypervisor to manage clusters of VMs and containers. Specific focus will be placed on establishing a Pi-Hole container and exploring the concept of creating development containers for software development. Through this project, the practical applications of VMs and containers for home users and industries will be showcased, contributing valuable insights to the CSIS field and shedding light on potential problem-solving applications within the domain.

Computers have become a necessity of modern life. Everyone uses apps in their daily life. These apps are pieces of software written in programming languages. To have a fuller understanding of these programming languages it is important to understand their history. In this poster I will present a brief overview of how the first programming languages came to be and the major milestones achieved by different languages.

Antibiotics are drugs used to fight infections caused by bacteria. Studies have found that taking antibiotics when not needed can result in bacteria growing resistant to antibiotics. We are exploring the relationship between antibiotic prescription rates and the antibiotic resistance trend across US states. We will be using data sources from CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, especially annual reports for 2021. We will conduct exploratory data analysis comparing prescription rates and antibiotic resistance in the U.S states in 2021. We expect to see that states with higher prescription rates have a higher antibiotic resistance reported. This would shed light on the relationship between prescription rates of antibiotics and the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria.  

This project presents the design and implementation of a smart doorbell system using Python and OpenCV. The aim is to create an intelligent doorbell that can detect and recognize visitors, notify homeowners, and provide a seamless interface for communication. The system utilizes computer vision techniques to detect motion and identify faces in real-time using OpenCV libraries. Upon detection, the system triggers notifications to homeowners via email or mobile application, accompanied by captured images or video feeds. Additionally, it offers features such as visitor tracking, facial recognition for authorized personnel, and integration with IoT devices for remote control of door access. The implementation demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of leveraging Python and OpenCV for creating sophisticated yet accessible smart home solutions.

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other body parts. Moreover, cancer is a genetic disease caused by changes to genes that control how our cells function, especially how they grow and divide. Recent research has indicated that there has been a dramatic increase in reported early-onset cancers by approximately 80%. This alarming number is primarily due to genetics and a general decrease in the quality of lifestyle, which includes a poor diet, obesity, tobacco use, and physical inactivity. The growth in technology, detection methods, and the availability of healthcare have also contributed to these numbers by increasing the number of cancer cases identified. Our group will explore the SEER Stat Databases from the National Cancer Institute to answer how recent incidence and prevalence trends in cancer, such as the ones mentioned above, and the changes in treatment for cancer have affected society over the years. Our exploratory data analysis involves the comparison of numerous variables. For instance, we will provide insight into the difference in cancer rates throughout the years among the US population and genders. We will be doing this for a select few cancer types that are more common. Additionally, we plan to connect this data to treatment efficiency and survival rates.  In conclusion, the project will be able to provide valuable insight into which cancer types science needs to work on and provide effective treatment. 

Turkeys demonstrate a wide array of behaviors, among which are sexual displays crucial to their mating rituals. This study dives into the proximate behavior of turkey courtship, specifically focusing on the strutting behavior. Our attention centers on the eastern wild turkey, a breed found in the Moorhead, Minnesota area. Our hypothesis is that the act of strutting shows the quality of the turkey to the female turkeys. The prediction driving this investigation proposes that eastern wild turkeys will engage in more frequent strutting behaviors in the presence of female counterparts. Using a continuous observation method, we aim to understand the underlying reasons behind this behavior by carefully observing the eastern wild turkeys in their natural habitat in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Several alternative sanitation methods were used against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus to test the efficacy of homemade cleansers compared to commercially purchased cleansers. Tea tree essential oil, baking soda solution, distilled white vinegar, and a combination of baking soda and white vinegar were categorized as homemade cleansers while Extran 300, Mr. Clean, and Clorox wipes were categorized as commercial cleansers. All seven cleansers were tested using a Disc Diffusion Assay with sterile water and antibiotics used as controls. Each bacteria had three replicates for each sanitizer used. All plates were incubated at 35?C for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the zone of inhibition was measured for all replicates. The data was analyzed using GraphPad Prism which utilized the Kruskal Wallis Test. The resulting information found tea tree essential oil to be significantly effective against E. coli and baking soda partially effective. For S. aureus, only the commercial cleansers were effective with Clorox being the most significant. P. aeruginosa was significantly affected by Extran 300 and partially affected by the baking soda and white vinegar combination. 

Oral healthcare services are important for maintaining normal functions like chewing, swallowing, speaking, and the prevention and maintenance of non-oral disease. In the United States, oral health outcomes differ in low-income, middle-income, and high-income groups. The reasons for these differences are not completely understood. This project explores the relationship between oral health conditions and income levels among populations in the United States. We compare the practices and knowledge of oral health between different income levels using the American Dental Association's Oral Health and Well being in the United States data set. We hope that by bringing attention to the disparities of oral health care among differing income populations, policy-makers or physicians will assist in creating programs that will improve oral health across the community.

Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), are becoming increasingly prevalent and are gaining more attention due to their potential long-term consequences. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are increasingly playing a significant role in concussion management due to their expertise in addressing cognitive processing difficulties, attention problems, and focus issues resulting from concussions. SLPs work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients who have suffered a concussion receive comprehensive care that addresses their needs. They are responsible for providing treatment for attention, memory, problem-solving, executive functions, and speech skills. SLPs also assess cognitive and communicative domains, which is crucial in the assessment and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury patients. They play a crucial role in the early identification of concussions, which helps provide the individual with the necessary resources to start the intervention process. SLPs also facilitate academic and occupational reintegration by providing assessment and treatment of cognitive communication that may result from a concussion. They can also work with educators to develop individualized academic plans that support a student's recovery and help them successfully participate in the classroom. Finally, SLPs play a crucial role in promoting overall quality of life by improving communication and cognition that may have been affected by the injury.

Dysphagia is the term used to describe a disordered swallow or difficulty with swallowing that occurs in any of the four phases of a swallow. Dysphagia can greatly impact an individual's daily life, including children and their ability to participate in school. Due to this disruption to a child’s school performance, school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are seeing an increase in the number of clients with dysphagia on their caseload. Understanding the various areas of treatment, training, support, legislation, and ethics related to dysphagia management is necessary to ensure best practices are being followed and that school-based SLPs are confident in their ability to treat dysphagia.

Ocean literacy is all about teaching and learning about the many things and ways the ocean influences everyday life on our planet. The ocean literacy movement is broken into 7 teachable principles. Our poster will focus on principle 7, that the ocean is largely unexplored. The ocean makes up about 71% of our beautiful planet yet only 5% has been explored. New technology is constantly being developed to address the challenges that exploring the ocean is continuously presenting. Ocean exploration needs people working behind the scenes from many different backgrounds; from biologists to computer programmers, geologists to animators, the vastness of the ocean brings together many different backgrounds to help us understand only a fraction more at a time.

 Hitchhiker’s Guide to Differential Equations 
Rollin Lasseter – ID: 15593080, Email: dx4507jw@go.minnstate.edu 
In terms of mathematical modeling of the physical world around us, no field is more prominent than that of differential equations. These types of equations arise in many diverse fields of study, from physics, to biology, and even investments and economy. The goal of this presentation will be to allow an intuitive walk through the land of differential equations, giving visualizations to help people to understand what they are, what they say, and what they do. The hope is that those who have seen them before will walk away with a better intuition about them, and that those who haven’t will walk away with a new, but not overwhelming, idea. To facilitate this, graphs and animations showing the differential equations nature will be presented alongside the equations themselves to give a fuller understanding of the underlying principles that guide each situation. The plan is to have examples from very different areas of study such as finance, physics, ecology, and more.  At the end of it all, we’ll take a step back and see where we came from and where we could go for the future. 

Teacher retention has been an issue for several years however, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the rate of loss leaving several states at critical levels of not only demand for qualified educators but the supply of new individuals pursuing a career in special education.

In an effort to get to the root of the issues surrounding the high rates of attrition among special educators, an open-ended survey was created and delivered to area Minnesota educators to get a sense of what individuals in the field saw as not only the reasons for the high rates of attrition but possible solutions. A qualitative analysis of that data led to the findings being presented.

In today’s educational settings, managing student behavior poses a significant challenge for school staff. Superintendent's report that the behaviors within their school are rising and becoming more difficult to manage (Court et al., 2023). This research project investigates the implementation of a behavior intervention strategy named the Discovery. Empowerment. Positivity. Opportunity. Transformation (DEPOT) room. The intervention is designed to organize school staff and implement a structured approach to behavior management, the intervention seeks to minimize disruptions to instructional time while fostering a positive school climate.

This program attempts to have a high level of data collection and positive behavior intervention to be able to best target the school behavior. It also measures who is being sent to the DEPOT, who sent them, why they were sent, and how long they were there. The school staff are able to use that data when referring students to special education, or while moving them through the tiered interventions the school has in place for behavior. Furthermore, qualitative feedback highlights the perceived benefits of increased staff collaboration and consistency in behavior management practices.

By evaluating the impact of the DEPOT intervention, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding effective behavior management strategies in educational settings. Insights gleaned from this study can inform the development and refinement of evidence-based practices aimed at fostering a positive and productive learning environment for students and educators alike.

Court, B., Rubenstein, G., Schiemer, J., & Walter, P. (2023, April 5). 2023 voice of the Superintendent Survey Executive Brief. Education Technology, Services, and Research. https://pages.eab.com/2023SuperintendentSurveyExecutiveBrief.html 

Abstract: This project aims to design and develop an interactive software application dedicated to educating users in Ghana and around the world about the distinctive Ghanaian naming system. In Ghana, a child's name is traditionally determined by the day of the week they are born, a practice that sets Ghana apart from other cultural naming conventions. Observations of children by Ghanaian parents abroad and other foreigners engaging with learning these names have highlighted the global interest in this unique aspect of Ghanaian culture. Motivated by the potential to enhance and streamline the learning process, this program will offer an engaging, user-friendly platform for individuals of all ages, particularly children, to learn about and familiarize themselves with Ghanaian names in a fun, accessible manner at any given time which will eliminate the stress of being able to retain and recall names. 

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a role-playing game that gives players’ versatility by allowing them to dictate, customize, or create their own experience. There are many different iterations of role-playing games with varying presentations for in-person and online play; table-top role-playing games and video games (Connell, 2024) (Kowal et al, 2021). Through the 3 pillars of play (Exploration, Role-play, and Combat) player are able to customize their own experience to their preference or collective preference of the group. The balance between the 3 frames of play (Player, Game, and Character) optimizes the players role-playing experience (Connell, 2023). D&D is the first table-top role-playing game to be created, and after a history of stigma it’s still being played today in the form of its fifth edition 5 decades later (Dungeons & Dragons, 2021) (Sidhu et al., 2020) (Biskin et al, 2015). D&D can facilitate high levels of creativity and empathy, promoting friendships, feelings of connectedness, exploring varying lifestyle models, balance group needs, and moral reasoning (Henrich & Worthington, 2017). The introduction of a fourth frame of play, psychological theory, has made a base for intertwining counseling and D&D as a new therapeutic intervention (Boccamazzo and Connell, 2020). Play therapy, psychodrama therapy, and narrative therapy are viable counseling approaches for the therapeutic application of D&D. Counselors are also able to insert other therapeutic interventions within the game play of D&D sessions. Counselors have to build competence in therapeutic theory and their understanding of D&D to use this game as a therapeutic invention with their clients (Connell, 2023). 

Keywords: Dungeons and Dragons, creativity, mental health

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is commonly characterized by impairments in social communication, language, and other cognitive skills, behavior and emotional challenges, sensory processing issues, and feeding challenges (ASHA, n.d.). Sensory processing refers to the process of the central nervous system receiving input from the senses and integrating this information to generate an appropriate behavioral response (Kojovic et al., 2019). A highly regulated sensory system is a vital piece that is needed in order to be able to communicate wants, needs, and ideas effectively and appropriately (Sensory Issues, n.d.). The main sensory systems that individuals with ASD may have sensitivities to include visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, vestibular, proprioception, and interoception (Sensory Issues, n.d.). There are multiple ways that individuals with autism respond to sensory stimuli. Kojovic et al. (2019), explained that it may be caused by hyperresponsiveness, hyporesponsiveness, or a combination of both. When the brain has to put all of its resources and effort into processing overwhelming sensory information, the other major functions including speech, social skills, decision-making skills, and information processing may be inhibited (Sensory Issues, n.d.). This often imposes detrimental effects on the individual’s overall communication abilities. Since Piller and Barimo (2019) indicate that 70-96 percent of individuals with ASD have some degree of sensory processing difficulties, it is vital that this is considered when aiming to create a communication-friendly environment for them by implementing various sensory strategies.

According to the National Marine Educators Association, “ocean literacy is the idea of understanding the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean.” The key components of this broad idea are sectioned into seven categories. The category on which we will focus is “the ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.” The diversity of the ocean comprises many organisms of animals, plants, and algae. Those species that call the ocean their home is some of the smallest, largest, and most unique on planet Earth and they support incredibly complex and interesting ecosystems. Those ecosystems help support such a wide variety of life, without them, the tropic cycles, food chains and webs, habitat qualities and species diversities would cease to function. Ocean ecosystems are essential to humans and life on Earth in general. Including coral reefs, which are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Understanding the ocean's diversity of life and ecosystems can lead to the pursuit of a broad understanding of ocean literacy.

This project aims to design and implement a sophisticated helpdesk AI chatbot leveraging cutting-edge techniques in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Large Language Models (LLMs). The proliferation of digital communication platforms has intensified the demand for intelligent chatbots capable of understanding and responding to human queries in natural language.

The proposed chatbot will be built upon a foundation of deep learning algorithms, utilizing state-of-the-art neural network architectures such as transformers. Training data will be sourced from my personal experiences working as an intern on an IT helpdesk.

By combining the latest advancements in AI, ML, and LLMs, this project endeavors to create a chatbot that demonstrates adaptability, scalability, and effectiveness across diverse domains and use cases. The outcomes of this research could potentially be used within my current postion as a helpdesk representative.

Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. It can occur when the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin effectively. There are two types of diabetes: type 1, which is inherited and not attributed to lifestyle or dietary factors, and type 2, which is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance. Individuals with type 1 diabetes typically require insulin injections to manage their insulin levels, while type 2 diabetes is often linked to diet and lifestyle. We will be analyzing data from the National Diabetes Statistics Report to gain more information about the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes, as well as the risk factors for complications. This data will help us examine the percentage of diagnosed diabetes as well as undiagnosed diabetes across different age and gender groups. We will also use data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to look at national data of diabetes and compare major changes in the use of medication in males vs females of ages 18+ years. 

Why does MSU Moorhead have so many sites and apps to help students be successful, but they just end up making it more confusing to be a new student? Dragon Guide works to help resolve this problem by making an all-in-one app for students to provide all of MSUM's tools in one easily accessible place. Through listening to customers, we have found that many freshmen do not even know the tools provided because it is either too confusing or it was lost in translation. Dragon Guide wants to make being a new student as stress free as possible. We want to generate an app that gives new students everything they need with only having to download a single app. Our easy to use app limits stress by condensing all apps and sites into one easy to navigate app.

Abstract

This study explored the memory blocking effect (MBE), contextual change, and a connection to creativity. The memory blocking effect occurs when spelling related study words (e.g., KANGAROO) impair word fragment completion (K_NG_O_S) for a similar target (e.g., KINGDOMS) (Smith & Tindell,1997; Leynes et al., 2008). The current study explored a possible interaction between study word (e.g., competing KANGAROO and positive KINGDOMS) and match/mismatch of contexts between study and test presentations. Higher rates of word fragment completion should occur for positive primed fragments compared to unprimed fragments (i.e., repetition priming). Lower rates of word fragment completion should occur for competing primed fragments compared to unprimed fragments (i.e., MBE).  However, a context x prime type interaction is expected. A correlation between memory blocking rates and K-DOCS creativity scores will also be explored. A significant negative correlation would suggest a connection between adaptive forgetting of fixating information and creativity. 

   A crucial factor in every student’s life is energy. What does this energy come from? Food. Food equals fuel. This is especially relevant if that student is an athlete representing MSUM. Student athletes have extremely busy schedules that allow them a sliver of time to sit down and enjoy a healthy meal while running in between classes, lifting, practice, meetings, work, and study time.  
   In Introduction to Leadership (LEAD 301), we were given an assignment to propose a manageable change. Based on our personal experience of being student athletes, we have focused our presentation on an idea that assists MSUM’s student athletes in gaining additional food services. Something to provide them with the option that guarantees access to a food source at late hours. Nutrition is also a factor when considering athletes have exceptionally long days, which turns into nights of practice and schoolwork when they perform with elevated levels of endurance daily. Additionally, extending the dining hall hours could be a potential idea to help all students, athletes or not, eat at later hours.  

Many children who stutter experience negative emotional and cognitive self-reactions as a result of their communication abilities (Murphy et al., 2007). This poster presentation will discuss what stuttering is, the negative experiences of stuttering in children, treatment strategies, and ways to increase acceptance in children who stutter. Many speech-language pathologists (SLPs) report that they are not comfortable working with aspects of stuttering other than enhancing fluency, however fewer report being comfortable with techniques that help children overcome negative reactions to stuttering (Murphy et al., 2007). Low self-esteem, reduced self-confidence, feelings of shame or embarrassment, avoidance of speaking situations, social anxiety, depression, and bullying play a significant role in the child’s experience of stuttering. These experiences can negatively impact a child’s ability to communicate and interfere with their progress in therapy. These issues need to be addressed within treatment to ensure that children who stutter are receiving effective treatment. This discussion will provide the listener with a better overall understanding of stuttering in children so they can recognize techniques to increase acceptance and prevent negative experiences. 

The purpose of this research was to look at the effectiveness of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) in conjunction with speech therapy to reduce challenging behaviors in children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD is characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction (Dhawan, 2021), intellectual disability, language deficits, and significant changes or challenges in behavior (Donaldson, et al. 2014). Oftentimes, individuals with ASD are unable to communicate feelings and emotions accurately or appropriately, as well as demonstrate the inability to understand other’s perspectives (Dhawan, 2021). Research has shown that teaching children functional ways of communication decreases challenging behaviors and increases communication with their partners. Additionally, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Functional Communication Training (FCT) have been two effective strategies that can limit self-injurious behaviors or aggression and give the individual an outlet for communication (Danov et.al., 2010; Dhwan, 2021). 

Over the course of the summer during 2023, I performed analysis of data of a star field with no known variable stars. The goal was to discover variable stars in the field and report any new variables to the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO). The results of this project were inconclusive as of the end of 2023. New observations done in late Spring 2023 were not scientifically useful due to environmental factors greatly degrading data quality.  

The Walt Disney Corporation has seen great success in its hundred-year history. What does Disney do that makes them stand out from the rest to create a legacy?  

The answer lies in their training programs. Companies around the world have created empires based solely on their training standards. Stemming from a COMM 317 Training and Development presentation, we are analyzing how Disney has created and maintained their excellence among employees to create magical experiences for families worldwide.

The motivation of this research project is to investigate a property of a sodium glass to advance the idea of creating a sodium-ion battery for solar and wind farms. The hypothesis is that the free volume (v) of a specific sodium glass is related to the ionic conductivity (σ) of the glass by the power law ((σ-σ0)/σ0)=((v-v0)/v0)^3. The free volume is the unoccupied space between the particles that make up the glass, and the conductivity is the glass’s ability to conduct electricity. The free volume was computed by a Python program developed with data from Olsen et al.; the molar free volume was approximately 15 cubic centimeters. Then, phosphorus and oxygen ratios were calculated, and the glasses were grouped into categories based on these ratios since there is a belief that the conductivity is related to these ratios. Then, the free volume ratios and conductivity were plotted against each other for each oxygen ratio. At the conclusion of the project, the hypothesis was found to be false. 

As cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations face greater challenges in safeguarding their sensitive information, systems, and assets against malicious actors. Phishing attacks, in particular pose one of the greatest risks to organizations and companies due to their deceptive nature, and exploiting the greatest vulnerability in every organization, humans. This research paper explores the effectiveness of phishing training programs in mitigating cyber risks within organizations. Pulling from scholarly articles, reviews, and research, this paper investigates the hypothesis that increasing levels or methods of phishing training leads to improved risk mitigation. My goal with this paper is to contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of phishing education in enhancing organizational security and mitigating risk. The findings of my research for different phishing training and the importance of ongoing training are outlined in this paper. Overall, this paper spotlights the importance of proactive measures in training the greatest exploitation vector of cyber criminals: human vulnerability.

As more Americans exceed the age of 65, demand for healthcare services increases. From January 2000 to June 2023, U.S. healthcare services exhibited 114.3 percent inflation compared to 80.8 percent for all other goods and services (Rakshit et al., 2023). Within the U.S., individual life expectancies are also increasing. Medical advancements extend life expectancies, triggering overlapping sociodemographic trends that impact both retirees and taxpayers. This research reviews literature from years 2000 to 2024 to investigate trends in the public and private expenditures of healthcare services for a U.S. population with larger cohorts of elderly persons. An understanding of factors such as labor force participation, retirement age, and old-age dependency ratios frames complex decisions faced by individuals and policymakers. 

Research related to gender-affirming care in the field of speech-language pathology began only about 45 years ago resulting in few systematic reviews to centralize findings and recommendations. A lack of intervention protocol results in variation across professionals. This thematic review aimed to find commonalities in current literature regarding evidence-based practice and therapeutic outcomes for individuals receiving gender-affirming voice therapy. Aspects of intervention that were reviewed included: vocal hygiene, pitch, resonance, gestures and intonation, as well as short and long-term outcome measures (both objective and subjective). These aspects were identified as best practices by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. The target intervention outcome measure in many reports related to a person’s gender affirmation, therefore goals and targets may vary by individual. Gender-diverse individuals may be at a higher risk for abnormal stroboscopic findings, meaning overall vocal hygiene and function should be addressed before beginning additional intervention goals. Increased positive outcomes occurred when pitch and resonance were targeted together to increase the listener’s perception of an intended gender presentation. Regardless of numerical or statistical progress, individuals who underwent intervention experienced significant improvements in self-reported/subjective measures. Long-term perceptual characteristics saw a 31.2% increase in perception of intended gender, 15 months after completing 8 weeks of gender-affirming voice therapy.

The rise of E-waste is a growing concern as there are many toxic materials or toxic chemicals created with mishandling of the waste. Even in the school system we see obsolete computers systems laying around in closets collecting dust ready to be sent to the landfill. Our aim is to see if by clustering these old systems together we can give them new life thus reducing the need to add them to the worlds e-waste problem.

Often these obsolete systems have lower powered CPU's which makes them less desirable for computing, if we cluster these systems together we can potentially use one system as a controller and borrow the other systems CPU's to raise the efficacy to a reasonable level. If this is a plausible route it could lead to a new way to reuse obsolete systems in research that requires a lot of computational power in data crunching.

Our process will be to create a cluster on modern Virtual Machines to test our code and load balancing and then transfer that to the old systems. With utilizing a VM cluster we can benchmark a more modern cluster vs the obsolete computer cluster to see if where it stands. Barriers we will most likely face are utilizing newer operating systems on obsolete hardware and networking issues while connecting our cluster together.

This poster discusses intervention approaches for prelinguistic children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Social communication and interaction disorders are significant challenges for individuals with ASD, affecting their collaboration, learning, communication, and behavior. Symptoms include difficulties in forming and maintaining social relationships, joint attention, and reciprocity, as well as difficulties in utilizing verbal and nonverbal communication techniques. Prelinguistic communication, or "joint attention," involves behaviors like eye contact, gesturing, non-word vocalizations, facial expressions, awareness, and imitation. Signs and symptoms of ASD include difficulty communicating and engaging in social interactions, limited or repetitive activities or interests. Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder may also require different modes of learning, movement, or attention. 

Individuals with ASD may exhibit behaviors and interests that distinguish them from conditions associated with difficulties with social communication. Early-stage development can manifest in a variety of ways, such as decreased motivation through social communication and interaction, decreased eye contact, or a lack of awareness. Speech-Language Pathologists play a crucial role in providing intervention services and treatment approaches for prelinguistic children diagnosed with ASD. They may implement a variety of intervention services and treatment approaches to teach new forms of behavior, improve relationships, and promote communication.

In response to the fast decline of biodiversity and damage to ecosystems, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has started the Decade of 10 Challenges. This worldwide effort aims to encourage a global promise to save and restore the Earth's biodiversity. A key part of this mission is to look after ocean ecosystems (challenge two), which are now under huge pressure from environmental, social, and climate changes. This poster outlines our detailed plan to tackle the complex threats to marine biodiversity. We showcase a mix of new monitoring tech, ecosystem management techniques, and ways to revive biodiversity, designed to work well in different global settings. Our method looks at the problem from several angles, using the newest research from ecology, economic studies, and climate science. Results show promising ways to make ecosystems stronger, with big improvements in habitats through restoration work and protective measures. This poster stresses the importance of working together in new ways to protect the oceans. We're calling for countries around the world to join forces, using smart and adaptable strategies to make sure our oceans and their wildlife have a secure future.

The project aimed to develop an advanced stock trading bot using reinforcement learning (RL) methodologies. This bot was designed to operate within the confines of day trading regulations and industry practices detailed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Utilizing the Alpaca API, the bot executed trades, managed the portfolio, and accessed real-time market data, with the added advantage of paper trading capabilities for risk-free testing.

Strategies grounded in trading fundamentals such as simple moving averages (SMAs), mean reversion, and momentum trading, informed by resources from Charles Schwab, CMC Markets, and Investopedia, helped to inform the bot's decision-making processes.

To construct and train the bot, the project leveraged OpenAI's machine learning tools for strategy development and sentiment analysis, Kaggle datasets for historical market data, and the various resources listed in the Awesome Quant GitHub repository. The Python SDK for Alpaca was instrumental in integrating the Python-based RL model with Alpaca's trading services.

To ensure consistency and effective benchmarking, Gymnasium's standard API for RL environments and the specialized Gym Trading Environment provided standardized and tailored training simulations. The project aspired to create a robust, adaptable trading agent that complied with legal requirements, optimized financial strategies, and capitalized on market opportunities through automated trading decisions.

This poster presents results from collected glacial fluvial sediment assemblages of prehistoric molluscan fossils that  were collected from MSUM’s Regional Science Center near Buffalo River State Park.  The assemblages were collected at depths of 10-20 feet. The fossils were processed and identified by our group. From the collected data we will be looking at the species variation of the assemblages to gain insight into environmental factors. This includes the past depositional environment, species diversity, and notable fossil taphonomy. 

The Inner Workings of Drugs Throughout Colombian Film

Colombian cinema has a complex socio-political landscape and often reflects on societal issues and social phenomena including the pervasive presence of drug culture. We will bring awareness to drug-related themes, narratives, and representations through a comprehensive review of the Colombian films. Supplemented by critical analysis and thematic categorization, specifically taking a look at the visual design of these films and how the visual style in these selected films connects to the themes we are exploring. Our project explores the multifaceted manifestations of drug culture in cinematic portrayals. Early depictions of the drug  trade have led people to understand its impact on society and has led to more in depth examinations about drug trafficking, addiction, and violence which continues to be a mainstream problem today. Colombian cinema serves as a lens which examines the complex interplay between drugs and Colombian identity. Furthermore, our project examines how Colombian filmmakers have engaged with ethical considerations and artistic interpretations, starting in the 80s through the 90s. By shedding light on the intricate relationship between drug culture and Colombian cinema, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the ways in which film reflects and shapes the narratives surrounding drug-related issues in Colombia’s society.

The goal of this study is to assess whether having dreams of deceased loved ones is categorized as grieving or mourning. Using thematic analysis of fifty narratives retrieved from Reddit.com, findings show that while dreams are an internal experience, dreams of deceased loved ones push the binary distinction between internal and external. While the experiences of these dreams range in quality, four themes were identified: uniqueness, equanimity, physical effects upon waking, and time. Through these themes and the social interactions dreamers describe having with the deceased, dreams of deceased loved ones are sociologically categorized as mourning.