iDEA Collection: Research Day Posters (COAS)

WTF is CSR?

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:49:26 GMT

Title: WTF is CSR?

Authors: Lynch, Meghan

Abstract: Today’s shopping is driven by selfish priorities that shelter consumers from the global impact of their purchasing behavior. A study conducted during the winter of 2008 questioned 59 Drexel University freshmen on their purchasing decisions. The purpose of the study was to determine whether ethical issues affect Generation Y consumer behavior. The results determined style, fit, and color as the first factors considered when purchasing garments. Price is also an essential factor and often serves as the final determinant in a purchase. Deborah Brosdahl of Kansas State University analyzed diverging consumer ideals between the United States and Europe. She found that in the US, “the consumer ‘wins’ by being able to acquire a lot with practically no money,” whereas in Europe, “the consumer ‘wins’ by buying the most ‘perfect’ object” (p.12). These contrasting ideals redefine the concept of getting more for your money suggesting that in the US more means quantity, but in Europe it means quality. Therefore consumers are driven by reduced prices rather than product quality. Garments are easily disposed of after a single season instead being cherished as an addition to a wardrobe. Consumerism has become a practice of isolationism in which shoppers only consider the personal impact of their purchases.

Inactivation of the IrrA gene in Synechococcus elongatus by means of insertional mutagenisis

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Inactivation of the IrrA gene in Synechococcus elongatus by means of insertional mutagenisis

Authors: Doshi, Viren; Anandan, Shivanthi

Abstract: The cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 is a member of the pico-phytoplankton in freshwater environments. Cyanobacteria are notable for several reasons. First, they carry out plantlike oxygenic photosynthesis for the purpose of producing carbohydrates, and therefore contribute significantly to the primary productivity of their habitat. Cyanobacteria also have functions in Proterozoic oil deposits, various fuels, nitrogen fertilization for crops, and health supplements. During the Archaean and Proterozoic eras, cyanobacteria helped to create a more oxygenatedenvironment. Through genome sequence analysis, it was determined that this organism contains a gene that encodes a putative member of the LysR family of transcriptional regulators (LTTRs), known specifically as the IrrA gene. A hallmark of this family of transcriptional activators is that they control the expression of an adjacent, but divergently transcribed gene. We hypothesize that this IrrA gene regulates the expression of the adjacent and divergently transcribed orfG gene in this organism, which is believed to be a transcriptional growth factor. To verify this, we have created a Synechococcus strain deficient in IrrA functionality by means of insertional mutagenesis via introducing a chloramphenicol antibiotic cassette inside the coding region of the IrrA. This knockout strain will be used to observe possible phenotypic changes in S. elongatus as compared to the wild type organisms in competitive growth assays such as high versus low light conditions as well as temperature variations and nutrient availability to determine various stresses which could playa role in the growth of this organism. Furthermore, the levels of orfG mRNA in this knockout will be used to determine how IrrA and light availability affect the expression of this growth factor. The details of the cloning approach and mutagenesis strategy are presented and discussed in this presentation. The results of this experimentation will help explain the interesting pattern of LTTR regulation in the DNA region of S. elongatus encoding the adjacent yet divergently transcribed IrrA and or Genes.

Development of a Bayesian network model schema that builds on existing FMECAs

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:58:59 GMT

Title: Development of a Bayesian network model schema that builds on existing FMECAs

Authors: Madsen, John; Whitney, Paul; Coles, Garill

Abstract: The Institute of Medicine’s 2000 report entitled 'To Err is Human' states that as many as 98,000 people die each year as a result of medical error in the United States. Subsequent studies indicate that this may be an underestimate. Awareness of the patient safety problem has led to widespread attempts to encourage quality improvement in America, from legislation requiring incident reporting to pay-for-performance programs. Evaluating and improving process design has been recognized as a critical element in improving patient safety. The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) recommends a technique called failure mode effect and criticality analysis (FMECA), which has been widely used in improving the safety of medical processes. This tool's uses are limited because of its inability to examine the possibility of multiple errors occurring in a process. Methods Efforts were centered on the creation of a generalizable schema that could be used in creating models more descriptive of the possibility of multiple errors contributing to undesirable outcomes. For this purpose, we used a Bayesian Network (BN) to incorporate both the process flow diagram and the probabilities/frequencies of various failures and their consequences for a given procedure. Steps from process flow diagrams used in creating FMECAs are categorized into action steps and validation steps, which are organized with potential outcomes and probabilities into a resulting matrix that represents all possible combinations of errors as well as the probability that any given error (or combination of errors) will occur. The model is first used as an influence diagram to determine which possible branches in a chain of steps may be eliminated. Once branches with higher probabilities of error are eliminated, the streamlined BN will indicate the probability that any outcome is reached by any combination of steps with any combination of errors. An existing FMECA completed for blood transfusion is used to illustrate our method. Results The resulting model is useful for several reasons. Decision analysis can be performed to ascertain what potential errors can simply be eliminated from the process. High probability errors are noticeable, but more importantly, dangerous combinations of error are highlighted. Depending on the level of specificity achieved in the initial FMECA, specific health outcomes can be attached to specific errors, creating a diagnostic tool for use in later root-cause analyses. The model can be adjusted readily, so proposed changes in the process can be examined in a hypothetical setting before being tested in an actual health care setting. Conclusion Creation of a BN model increases the value of time intensive labor already performed during FMECAs. This method shares some of the benefits of more sophisticated modeling approaches but builds off of the widely used FMECA framework already recommended by JCAHO. It achieves the goal of determining which combinations of error lead to undesired outcomes.

Utilization of passive sonic telemetry as indicators of movement and nesting of the Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin)

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:25:57 GMT

Title: Utilization of passive sonic telemetry as indicators of movement and nesting of the Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin)

Authors: Winters, J.M.; Avery, H.W.; Spotila, J.R.; Bien, W.F.; Standora, E.A.

Abstract: Numerous anthropogenic factors pose serious threats to estuarine ecosystems and the organisms inhabiting them. Bulkheading (i.e., construction of shoreline walls), dredging, boating, shoreline development, over-harvesting, and pollution are some of the major human impacts to estuaries in North America. The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is an ideal species for determining the effects of human impacts to estuarine wildlife, because their habitat use and behavior uniquely utilize both land and aquatic habitats that comprise estuaries. The objective of this study is to determine the home range and nest site selection of diamondback terrapins in relation to anthropogenic impacts in Barnegat Bay Estuary, New Jersey. We will use passive sonic telemetry technology and multiple Submersible Underwater Receivers (SURs) to remotely track free-ranging terrapins throughout the Bay. We will position SURs in arrays throughout areas of the Bay where we have marked terrapins over the last three years to monitor the movements of individual terrapins. Fifteen terrapins will be outfitted with sonic transmitters per site, which will send signals to the SUR when terrapins are within range. Frequency, date, and time of signal reception will be logged remotely by each SUR. From these data we will determine the individual terrapin whose signal was received, and movements of individuals throughout the monitored areas. Gravid (i.e., egg-bearing) females will be closely monitored to determine the nest site(s) used. Reproductive success of nests will be determined for each monitored female. Wherever possible we will determine the cause(s) of nest failure. Our study will be critical in determining the direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic impacts to terrapins in areas of known high terrapin densities. These findings will aid in management decisions regarding both aquatic (e.g., boat) and land (e.g., beach) uses in relation to ensuring the viability of wildlife resources within the Barnegat Bay Estuary.