FIFTH ANNUAL NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS
SPONSORED BY The Academic Advisory Council of The Ins tute for Public Policy & Economic Development
A partnership between Keystone College, King’s College, Luzerne County Community College, Marywood University, Misericordia University, Penn State Wilkes‐Barre, The Commonwealth Medical College, University of Scranton & Wilkes University
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A partnership between Keystone College, King’s College, Luzerne County Community College, Marywood University, Misericordia University, Penn State Wilkes‐Barre, The Commonwealth Medical College, University of Scranton, & Wilkes University
ACADEMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL
Alexander Dawoody, Ph.D. Chairman, Marywood University Terry Clemente, M.B.A. Penn State/Wilkes‐Barre Ted Engel, M.B.A. Wilkes University Daniel Flynn, Ph.D. The Commonwealth Medical College Thea Harrington, Ph.D. Keystone College Steven Jones, Ph.D., University of Scranton Gary Mrozinski, Ph.D. Luzerne County Community College Joseph Rish, J.D. King’s College Bernade e Rushmer, M.B.A. Misericordia University.
Special thanks to: Keynote Speaker: Dr. Samuel Quainoo
Marywood MPA students: Julanne Skinner and Hanof Abozenadah
The workshop leaders: Kurt Bauman, Anne e Fisher, Heather Gazella, Kenny Luck, Bill Miller, and Dr. Joe Polizzi
STAFF
Teri Ooms, Execu ve Director Sherry Tracewski, Research & Policy Analyst Kate Wassel, Research Assistant
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ABOUT THE ACADEMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL OF THE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Academic Advisory Council is comprised of educators from The Ins tute for Public Policy & Eco‐ nomic Development’s nine partner ins tu ons.
The Academic Advisory Council (AAC) convenes quarterly to discuss key academic planning and devel‐ oping, as well as examine economic perspec ves of academic policies and ini a ves. The AAC ac vely analyzes and sponsors research programs and objec ves.
The AAC was formed in 2005 and is incorporated under The Ins tute for Public Policy & Economic De‐ velopment, a collabora ve applied research center.
The mission of The Ins tute is to assist in the revitaliza on of communi es, coun es, states, non‐ profits, and business and industry through the u liza on of our exper se and resources, including member universi es, colleges, and their respec ve faculty and students. The Ins tute provides re‐ search, consulta on, and strategic direc on to clients solving a variety of challenges while harnessing opportuni es.
The 2012 Research symposium was hosted by:
The Ins tute for Public Policy & Economic Development
7 South Main Street 120 Wyoming Avenue Suite 201 Third Floor Wilkes‐Barre, PA 18701 Scranton, PA 18503 t: 570.408.9850 t: 570. 207.0340 f: 570.408.9854 h p://www.ins tutepa.org info@ins tutepa.org
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Speakers and par cipants from the 2012 Symposium
Dr. Kingsley Banya, Misericordia Mindy L. Gordon, MBA, Wilkes University Keynote Speaker, Dr. Samuel Quainoo University
Par cipants from the 2012 Symposium
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Dr. Samuel Quainoo, the keynote speaker, answering ques ons.
Teri Ooms, Execu ve Director of The Ins tute (le ) with Dr. Samuel Quainoo (center) and Dr. Alexander Dawoody, Dr. Moses Prabu, The Commonwealth Medical College, Marywood University. presen ng at the Symposium on April 4th.
Sarah Schmeyer, Marywood University receiving the Award for Best Student/Faculty Paper from Dr. Dawoody
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About the Keynote Speaker: Dr. Samuel Quainoo
Dr. Quainoo is a Professor of Poli cal Science at East Strouds‐ burg University. He previously, taught at Cornell University, Binghamton University, Morgan State University, and Lafa‐ ye e College. He also taught and developed Study Abroad courses in Ghana and Oxford University. He established the Frederick Douglass Ins tute at East Stroudsburg University and was its first director for the first eight years, serving as well on the execu ve board for the Statewide Frederick Douglass Collabora ve. He has published two books; Transi‐ on and Consolida on of Democracy...Global Academic Pub‐ lishing, Binghamton University Press 2000, and Africa Through Ghanaian Lenses, Global Academic Publishing, Binghamton University Press, 2004. Forthcoming books include African‐ isms in the African Diaspora, and Globaliza on and its Im‐ pact on Na onal Policies.
The Award for Best Paper went to Dr. Jun Ling of The Commonwealth Medi‐ cal College. Dr. Ling’s work was en tled “Glucocor coid promotes breast cancer cell survival via func onal interac on with NFkB signaling pathway.”
Best Paper
Awards
Sarah Schmeyer, a student at Maryood University, received the Award for Best Student/Faculty Paper. Sarah ‘s paper was en tled “Healthcare Informa on Technology: Its Effects on Pa ent Outcomes and Care Delivery.”
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ABSTRACTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
When Pigs Fly | A House for Duncan and Nugget By Kate O’Connor ...... 11
360° Feedback: History, Implementa on, Benefits, and Concerns By Dr. Liuzzo and Mindy Gordon...... 12
Reinvent Yourself: A Personal Guide to an Encore Job in Sales; Live a Produc ve Life with Financial Success By Dr. Russell Owens and Joseph Asklar ...... 13
Dissec ng Interna onal Business Decorum for Sales Success By Dr. John N. Mellon ...... 14
The Issue of Quality Assurance in Higher Educa on By Dr. Kingsley Banya ...... 15
The Challenges of Reforming Teacher Educa on Programs: An “Outsider‐Within” Perspec ve By Dr. Kingsley Banya ...... 15
Posi ve Reinforcement to Encourage Behavior Management and Academic Achievement By Linsay Zarick ...... 16
Socializa on to Higher Educa on Administra ve Roles: A Qualita ve Explora on of the Internship in High‐ er Educa on Experience in Preparing Master’s and Doctoral Students for Careers in Higher Educa on By Jamie Valis & Dr. Tonya Saddler ...... 17
Building a Knowledge Base for Online Databases—A Key to Students’ Academic Success By Zhong Geng ...... 18
Improving Wiki Pedagogy in Higher Educa on By Stephen L. Broskoske ...... 19
Construc ng Short‐Term Service Trips Abroad By Megan Boone Valkenburg & Dr. Andrew P. Miller ...... 20
The Sustainability of Leadership Studies Minors: Exploring Course Content By Ma hew Sowcik, Ph.D, Olivia Waszkiewicz, Suzaane Ekstrom, Alexandria Genelow, Angelina Genelow, Kelly Bridger, Nicholas Wesley ...... 21
The Effects of Marcellus Shale Drilling By Ryan Rempe ...... 22
Un tled By Ohud Alkrithy ...... 23
Improving the Pain Levels of Terminally Ill Pa ents Through Hospice Care in Nursing Homes By JoAnne Jakubowski and Dr. Alexander Dawoody ...... 24
Late Effect of Alzheimer’s In Elderly Age 65 and Older By Jintana Steinman and Dr. Alexander Dawoody ...... 25
In Long Term Care Services, How Effec ve Does Assisted Living Provided the Care, Ac vi es, and Medical Support For Alzheimer’s Pa ents in Scranton, PA in 2010 By Andrew Wolak ...... 26
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Needle Exchange Programs and Their Effect on HIV Incidence Rates in Injec on Drug Users By Sarah Smith ...... 27
Healthcare Informa on Technology: Its Effects on Pa ent Outcomes and Care Delivery By Sarah Schmeyer...... 28
Effec veness of Nutri on Educa on Programs in Helping to Prevent and Treat Childhood Overweight and Obesity By Chelsea Natarian ...... 29
Biophysical Studies of Cell‐Trafficking Intermediates of Human Cathepsin D Found in Breast Cancer Tissue By Melissa Keller ...... 30
Over Expression of Inac ve Cathepsin D in Various Mammalian Cell Lines and the Effect of Its Cataly c State of Enzyme Matura on By Shivani Pandya ...... 31
Secondary Structure, Thermal Stability and Binding Characteris cs of Cell‐Trafficking Intermediates of Inac ve Cathepsin D by Luyu Liu ...... 32
Polymorphism in Cathepsin D and Juvenile Demen a—Biophysical Approaches for Novel Clinical Interven on by Jenna Facher ...... 33
Substrate‐Envelope Approach—A Novel Method to Design Highly Specific An ‐HIV Drugs by Dr. Moses Prabu ...... 34
Produc on of Human Cytoskeleton– Associated Protein 4 in Insect Cells Infected with a Baculovirus Expression Factor by Kevin Tuffy & Brandon Golden ...... 35
Binding of An prolifera ve Factor to Cytoskeleton Associated Protein 4 Detected by Surface Plasmon Resonance by Chris na Ma ka ...... 36
Developmental Anaylsis of Muta ons in the Grappa Gene: the Drosophila Ortholog of Human DOT1L bu Greg Shanower ...... 37
ETS‐1 is Required for CTGF/CCN2 Induc on by TGF‐B1 in Primary Osteoblasts By Tom Nowakowski & Dr. John A. Arno ...... 38
Design of a Modular Molecular Decivce for the Delivery of Synapse Modifying Proteins by Victor Francone & Ashlee Dougher ...... 39
Glucocor coid Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Survival via Func onal Interac on with NFKB Signaling Pathway By Jun Ling & Raj Kumar...... 40
Role of Ac n Filament Associated Protein 1 in Mammary Gland Development and Lacta on By Dr. Jess Cunnick, Dr. Youngjin Cho, Dr. Carmine Cerra, and James Hadsell ...... 41
Randomized Trial of Sodium Bicarbonate versus Normal Saline in Preven ng Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery Pa ents By Judith Kristeller, Tiera Hickman, and Theresa Romaldini ...... 42
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Does Ea ng More Frequently Increase Weight Loss During a Behavioral Weight Loss Interven on? By Dr. Jessica Bachman & Hollie Raynor ...... 43
Un tled By Caitlin West ...... 44
Discovering Opera onal Efficiencies: An Evalua on of the Advocacy and Community Mental Health Services Department at the Advocacy Alliance as of 2011 By Bo Hoban ...... 45
Using the PRECEDE‐PROCEED model to assess dietary needs in the Hispanic popula on in Lackawanna County, PA. By Diana Cuy Castellanos, PhD, RD and Ka e Abrahamsen ...... 46
The Effects of Internet Technologies on the Outreach Efforts of Scranton Non‐Profits in 2012 By Viola Henning and Dr. Alexander Dawoody ...... 47
The Affect the Pennsylvania’s Heart and Lung Act Has Had on Municipali es By David Ellio and Dr. Alexander Dawoody ...... 48
Up to Par: The EPA Has Standards for Drinking Water , but is the Quality of the Drinking Water in Dimock, PA being Monitored, Regulated, or Just Contaminated? By Erin M. Visalli and Dr. Alexander Dawoody ...... 49
Board Service: A Discussion By Jus n Matus ...... 50
Determining the Long‐Term Risk of Recidivism and Registra on Failures Among Sexual Offenders By Daniel Freedman ...... 51
The Effects of Structured Orienta on Programs on Job Sa sfac on and Longevity Among Clinical Research Coordinators By Kathleen Uhranowsky ...... 52
Social Work Students Come with Baggage: Past and Present Psychosocial Trauma By Andrea Mease, Dr. Phyllis Black, and Dr. Joanne Wheley ...... 53
Benevolent and Hos le Sexist A tudes Among MSW Students By Karen Rampulla and Dr. Phyllis Black ...... 54
Sense of Belonging and Empowerment Among People with Series Mental Illness By Courtney Connor and Dr. Kimiko Tanaka ...... 55
Present and Future Challenges in Caring for Nursing Home Residents with Advancing Demen a By Dennis Chapman, Melody Collins and Kelly Costello……………………………………………………………………………..…56
Mentoring: A Model for Cul va ng Leadership Competencies in African Women Leaders Jane Wakahiu, Ph.D………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………57
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WHEN PIGS FLY | A HOUSE FOR DUNCAN AND NUGGET
Kate O'Connor, Et al. Marywood University
Kate O’Connor is a designer who strongly believes that archi‐ tects must design responsibly to serve people and their com‐ muni es without imposing arbitrary restric ons. Ul mately, they must create an architecture that understands human needs, serve economic s mula on, social consciousness and embody environmental awareness. She currently works for herself and teaches at Marywood University.
ABSTRACT
By exploring moments of inspira on between designers and ecologists, we can inves gate how both prac ces intersect and remain intertwined pragma cally and philosophically within the s ll emerging field of sustainable design. The goal of sustainable architecture is to holis cally unify art and science in order to find prac cal solu ons to environmental problems while ad‐ dressing the social and economic aspects of sustainability. Exploring how sustainable design benefits a community introduces the no on that architecture is not only an academic disci‐ pline, but also one that serves social consequences. Students from the Marywood University School of Architecture explored the design/build pla orm for a not‐for‐profit animal sanctuary in Mehoopany, Pennsylvania by providing a structure for two growing pigs rescued from slaughter as piglets. The student work examined the capacity of design to the be erment of the farm, and ul mately, community. The process provided the framework for an engaged and comprehensive learning opportunity, developing industry skills and accumula ng material knowledge while emphasizing ci zenship as part of the curricular standards. Emphasizing de‐ sign that values human and local research, students approach learning through crea ve prob‐ lem solving, while the development of skills results in a full understanding of how ideas be‐ come real. We must address the holis c approach to sustainable design as part of curricular standards, especially where the survival of the individual is dependent on the community, and the community profits from the individual.
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“360º FEEDBACK: HISTORY, IMPLEMENTATION, BENEFITS, AND CONCERNS"
Dr. Liuzzo, Director of the MBA and ABBA Programs /Mindy Gordon, student Wilkes University
Anthony L. Liuzzo. J.D., Ph.D. serves as Professor of Business and Eco‐ nomics and as Director of the MBA and ABBA Programs at Wilkes University. An a orney and economist specializing in public policy issues, Dr. Liuzzo is the author of Essen als of Business Law, 8th Edi‐ on, a textbook published by McGraw‐Hill/Irwin.
Mindy L. Gordon, MBA served in the US Navy prior to comple ng a Bachelor’s in nuclear engineering technologies and a Master’s in business with an emphasis in human resource management and or‐ ganiza onal development. Ms. Gordon was the keynote speaker for the Wilkes University Veterans Day ceremony on November 11, 2011.
ABSTRACT
By obtaining the percep ons of supervisors from coworkers through surveys and interviews, and by comparing these to the percep on the supervisor has of himself/herself, discrepancies that oth‐ erwise would not have been brought to light become apparent. The purpose of this paper is to address the 360º feedback process, with special a en on to its history, implementa on, benefits, and concerns. The paper describes the reasons to use 360º feedback – including employee devel‐ opment, performance appraisals, and organiza onal change. Also addressed are how to obtain the data and the frequency of the process, as well as the importance of anonymity and follow‐up train‐ ing. An in‐depth discussion of the 360º feedback process follows – covering the benefits of im‐ proved self‐awareness; enhanced performance; organiza onal change; and the concerns of validi‐ ty, reliability, differences in personality, differences in gender, and differences in culture. By recog‐ nizing the importance of the process, organiza ons in Northeast Pennsylvania can improve the sa sfac on of their employees and the resultant produc vity.
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REINVENT YOURSELF: A PERSONAL GUIDE TO AN ENCORE JOB IN SALES LIVE A PRODUCTIVE LIFE WITH FINANCIAL SUCCESS
Dr. Russell Owens Asst. Professor / Mr. Joseph Asklar Asst. Professor King’s College
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
This book is a compila on of thought provoking stories of wisdom from three people who have transformed their careers out of a desire to bring a deeper meaning to their lives. Their strategies, techniques and secrets will help you begin an encore career in the world of sales. You will learn everything from the basics of the sales industry to the closely held traits and characteris cs of the top 1% of salesmen. You will also learn the secrets of working smart and finding higher qualified prospects to increase your income. This may be the most important book you will ever read. We decided to write this book not only to help you become more knowledgeable about the industry of sales but also to teach you how to deal with the inevitable fact that no ma er how happy or stable you think you are in your current career, there is always going to come a me of uncertainty; a me when you are absolutely lost or confused about what to do next. In these mes, you need to know how to take control and create your own des ny – and sales is the vehicle to do that. We hope you will gain the wisdom and find the path that makes it possible for you to grow, transform and become a stronger and be er person with the knowledge and emo onal resilience to face the most difficult mes of life.
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DISSECTING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DECORUM FOR SALES SUCCESS
Dr. John N. Mellon, Ed.D., Faculty Misericordia University
Jon Mellon teaches Marke ng, Management and Hospitality Manage‐ ment courses, and developed opera onal direc onal marke ng pro‐ cesses, such as “W.O.T.S. U.P.” to increase revenue for hospitality proper es and the commission checks of sales people. He earned an MBA with a hospitality management concentra on from the University of New Haven (CT) and his doctoral degree from The George Washing‐ ton University (Washington, DC) with a concentra on in travel & tour‐ ism administra on.
ABSTRACT
Dissec ng Interna onal Business Decorum for Sales Success Being able to communicate with people concerning, what to do if conduc ng business ac vi es outside of the United States, can be comprehensively integrated into basic sales marke ng and/or sales management courses. To gain a solid understanding of interna onal business decorum, stu‐ dents are presented with 28 Interna onal Ques ons represen ng the 5 areas of Formality, Intro‐ duc ons, Risk, Knowledge and Money, Dining, and Religion. The presenta on will include the BUS 304 Sales and Sales Management opera onal direc onal student research conclusions in the form of easy to reference charts featuring 20 countries referencing the above 5 areas and the elements of arrival me, gi s to avoid, gi s to bring and a re.
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THE ISSUE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION
THE CHALLENGES OF REFORMING TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS: AN "OUTSIDER - WITHIN" PERSPECTIVE
Dr. Kingsley Banya, Chair of the Teacher Educa on Department Misericordia University
Kingsley Banya is Professor & Chair of The Teacher Educa on Department at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA. Prior to coming to Misericordia, he was the Interim Dean and Professor of Curriculum Theory and Compar‐ a ve & Interna onal Educa on at Florida Interna onal University in Mi‐ ami, Florida. He has taught at various universi es in Canada, Europe and Africa. He has wri en extensively about development projects in Sub‐ Saharan Africa and educa onal reform in Africa. His research on NGOs and Higher Educa on in Sub‐Saharan Africa has been published all over the world, in various languages.
ABSTRACT
The Issue of Quality Assurance in Higher Educa on The worldwide growth of private higher educa on in the past twenty years has led to increased discussion about quality assurance. There is a total of 30,555 private higher educa on ins tu ons in the world, with the vast majority located in Asia (18,206) and La n America (7,090); and the least in Africa (434). These in‐ s tu ons enroll 31.36% of the total student popula on of the world, with 36.4% in Asia; 48.6% in La n America, and 14.6% in Africa. The total numbers of students in them are, 18 million in Asia; 7.6 million in La n America and 0.7 million in Africa. Worldwide there are 35 million students enrolled at private ins tu‐ ons (PROPHE, 2010). Most private higher educa on ins tu ons are not‐for‐profit and do not offer de‐ grees depending on their loca ons, for example, in the U.S. the non‐profit sector dominate, 1,127 out of 1,905 ins tu ons based on 2005 data (Kinser, 2010); in Africa, religious mission ins tu ons predominate (Banya, 2010). As ins tu ons of higher educa on have increased in quan ty, the issue of quality assurance has taken on a ma er of urgency. This paper analyzes the source of the issues affec on quality assurance and their impact on ter ary educa on. Sources for this work is based on par cipant observa on of higher educa on on three con nents, Africa, America, and Europe.
The Challenges of Reforming Teacher Educa on Programs: An "outsider ‐ within" Perspec ve In the past two decades or so, there has been persistent calls to assess and evaluate student performance at K‐12 level but more recently the emphasis have shi ed to the 1,400 ins tu ons of higher educa on pro‐ grams that prepare 200,000 future teachers every year (Aldeman, et al 2011; Green berg et al 2011). (con nued on next page) 15
The call to evaluate programs that train k‐12 teachers comes from various dry sources including the Obama administra on, various na onal accredi ng bodies such as NCATE, and private en es such as U.S. News + World Report and NCTQ. Although they differ as to what aspect of teacher educa on needs reforming, all the en es agree that K‐12 student performance outcome should be an essen al part of any evalua on effort. Tying in K‐12 student performance evalua on with the ins tu ons that train their teachers is seem as one way to reform teacher educa on en es and thereby improve quality. Using an “outside – within”, (Collins, 1991) perspec ve, this presenta on argues that such reform may not succeed, unless there is “a cri cal change in the ethos of the university itself where colleges of educa on are located. With increased emphasizes on ranking by Shanghai; Qs world universi es and Europe’s U‐Mul rank project based on re‐ search produc vity, teaching is valued less in the academy, the very essence of colleges of educa on.
POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TO ENCOURAGE BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Linsay Zarick, MPA Student Marywood University
Researcher, Linsay Zarick, graduated from Keystone College with a bachelor degree in criminal jus ce and a minor in psychology. She currently a ends Marywood University, pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administra on. She is employed full‐ me as an intensive case‐manager with Scranton Counseling Center and part‐ me with Marywood University as the graduate assistant to the nursing de‐ partment.
ABSTRACT
Children with behavioral problems, including inappropriate social interac ons ad noncompliance issues, o en mes, do not have the skills necessary to func on on a ra onal level. In order to in‐ crease good behavior and academic success in a classroom, behavioral children need to be taught different coping skills. This research incorporates a qualita ve method to describe behavior man‐ agement and how it is linked to academic achievement. The significance of this research encour‐ ages teachers to u lize posi ve reinforcement methods as a means to manage student behavior and increase academic achievement. The sample will be taken from the fourth and fi h grade stu‐ dent popula on at Children Service Center in Wilkes‐Barre, PA.
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SOCIALIZATION TO HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE ROLES: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF THE INTERNSHIP IN HIGHER EDU- CATION EXPERIENCE IN PREPARING MASTER’S AND DOCTORAL STUDENTS FOR CAREERS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Jamie Valis, student / Dr. Tonya Saddler, Director of Higher Educa on Administra on Marywood University
Jamie Valis, M.S. is a pro‐rata faculty in the Health and Physical Educa on Department at Marywood University. She is currently a doctoral student at Marywood studying human development with a concentra on in health promo on. She earned a B.S. in Health and Physical Educa on from Mary‐ wood University and a M.S. in Special Educa on from the University of Scranton.
Tonya Nicole Saddler, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor and Director of the Higher Edu‐ ca on Administra on program at Marywood University. Her research centers on faculty work‐life issues, including tenure, promo on, and effec ve strategies for recrui ng and retaining faculty members of color. She has presented several pa‐ pers at na onal and regional conferences. She earned a B.S. in Elementary Edu‐ ca on from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a M.S. in Counselor Educa on from NCA&TSU, and a Ph.D. in Educa onal Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech.
ABSTRACT
This qualita ve study explored the socializa on process of master’s and doctoral students to high‐ er educa on administra ve posi ons. Specifically, this study examined master’s and doctoral stu‐ dents’ socializa on through the internship experience to see how that experience prepared them for mid‐level higher educa on administra ve and faculty careers. Findings suggest that graduate student interns developed a deeper understanding of the inner workings in higher educa on. Ad‐ di onally, interns that had current jobs in higher educa on felt that the hour requirements for the internship were too high based on their experience. Lastly, the interns expressed that the rela on‐ ship between the intern and internship site mentor was crucial for the success of the experience. Implica ons for future research and prac ce are discussed in this paper.
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BUILDING A KNOWLEDGE BASE FOR ONLINE DATABASES— A KEY TO STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Zhong Geng, Associate Professor Marywood University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Academic and social ac vi es involve the use of the Internet. At Marywood, students have em‐ braced the informa on technology with passion, and the desire for more. However, the skills al‐ ready acquired by the students, seemingly sufficient, do not appear systema cally organized and, therefore, not suited well for standard academic requirements. The experience in teaching UNIV 100 has enabled me to strengthen the class with a systema c approach by direc ng the students’ a en on to online databases. With the sense of progress, the students feel more confident in achieving their academic goals, and I feel more fulfilled in helping meet the academic standard ex‐ ercised by Marywood University. UNIV 100 is a class designed for mainly freshmen students. Through teaching, I gradually acquired the understanding that students had an unstructured and unevenly developed knowledge base about online databases. For instance, most students knew that they could obtain online informa on from the library; however, they did not know how to ap‐ proach them strategically. To seek a solu on, I prepared a curriculum orien ng the students with essen al concepts and hands‐on experiences. A er a few training sessions, the majority of the stu‐ dents developed a good sense: where and how to look for online informa on. The Google era has made it easier to access online informa on. However, in an academic environment, students and professors are obliged to use scholarly informa on. Thus, simply being skillful in Google search is not enough, and structured training for online databases is essen al. The new skills are par cularly important to students, as they embark on careers a er college, they will be much more produc ve if they can employ online resources skillfully.
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IMPROVING WIKI PEDAGOGY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Oral Stephen L. Broskoske, Ed.D., Faculty Misericordia University
Dr. Stephen L. Broskoske is Associate Professor in the Teacher Educa‐ on Department and Director of Graduate Teacher Educa on at Mis‐ ericordia University. He teaches undergraduate and graduate‐level courses, and specializes in Educa onal Technology. His research fo‐ cuses on how technology can be be er used to improve the class‐ room for students and teachers.
ABSTRACT
Many faculty in higher educa on acknowledge that the wiki holds poten al to serve as an effec ve teaching method that supports Construc vist learning (Walsh, 2010). While this poten al is gener‐ ally accepted, and while a number of faculty have started experimen ng with wikis in their class‐ rooms, higher educa on has only recently begun to explore how to more effec vely use wikis in the classroom to promote more meaning learning (Liu, 2010; Farabaugh, 2007). Li le research has been conducted regarding pedagogy in using wikis, and much of the literature presents anecdotal observa ons from teachers (Walsh). When teaching through a wiki, many faculty make assump‐ ons that students are not only keenly aware of newer technological tools, but that they regularly use them or are comfortable using them. While the wiki is a rela vely easy technology to learn to use at its basic level, it represents a whole new way of teaching and learning, which is fundamen‐ tally different that tradi onal student interac on, one that will prompt development of addi onal skills in faculty and students (Richardson, 2009). The purpose of this session is to add to the limited body of knowledge of wiki pedagogy. The results of a study that explored undergraduate student experiences when par cipa ng in a collabora ve wiki‐based learning ac vity will be presented. Student readiness to par cipate in a wiki‐based learning project and poten al obstacles to student success in using a wiki will be discussed, and prac cal advice that faculty can u lize when imple‐ men ng wikis in their classrooms will be presented.
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CONSTRUCTING SHORT-TERM SERVICE TRIPS ABROAD
Megan Boone Valkenburg / Dr. Andrew P. Miller, Faculty Wilkes University
Megan Boone Valkenburg has been the Civic Engagement Coordinator for six years at Wilkes University. She has directed several experien al educa on trips to rural Kentucky; New Orleans, Louisiana; Monte Chris , Dominican Republic; and Costa Rica. Megan Valkenburg earned her Masters degree in Student Personnel Counseling from Shippensburg University in 2006.
Dr. Andrew P. Miller has taught Compara ve Poli cs and Interna onal Rela ons at Wilkes University for seven years, specializing in La n American development issues. He has taken student groups to Costa Rica, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. Dr. Miller received his PhD in Poli cal Science from Purdue University in 2004.
ABSTRACT
This paper analyzes our effort to create a short‐term interna onal service‐learning experience via the Uni‐ versity’s Alterna ve Spring Break program (ASB). This effort is instruc ve to others who wish to create a similar program as there is very li le in the literature linking coursework with a program such as this. We have found this program to be an excellent entry point for students who want an interna onal experience, but are re cent to study abroad for a semester. In addi on, students who par cipate in the program are much more likely to study abroad a er they have par cipated and a short‐term interna onal service‐ learning experience serves as an excellent gateway to interna onalizing a campus. Our program is also in‐ struc ve to those who want to facilitate a partnership between faculty and staff. This faculty/staff partner‐ ship is a key component of the program because it provides the opportunity for a rigorous academic experi‐ ence while also u lizing the resources of the Student Development Office. The faculty/staff partnership al‐ lows the program to run on two parallel tracks with the faculty member planning the coursework and the staff member planning trip logis cs and reflec ve components. In March 2012, the program will make its third trip to Costa Rica. Since these trips are a constantly evolving and ongoing project seen to frui on, we have learned a number of lessons that have led us to several important recommenda ons for others who want to construct a similar program. The most important planning aspect is to select a topic within the fac‐ ulty member’s area of exper se that is of interest to students. We found that Fair Trade coffee was some‐ thing that was familiar enough to students that they had some level of interest going into the program and that it provided the basis for an interes ng student experience. 20
THE SUSTAINABILITY OF LEADERSHIP STUDIES MINORS: EXPLORING COURSE CONTENT
Ma hew Sowcik, Ph.D, Faculty / Olivia Waszkiewicz, Suzanne Ekstrom, Alexandria Genelow, Angelina Genelow, Kelly Bridger, Nicholas Wesley; Students Wilkes University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Over the past two decades there has been a drama c increase in the number of leadership pro‐ grams offered throughout universi es and colleges in the United States. However, the study of leadership development programs, at the undergraduate level, has received very li le a en on in academic research. As recently as 2003, Riggio, Ciulla, and Sorenson stated, “There are only two studies to date that have inves gated leadership development programs in higher educa on” (p. 202). Increases in curricular based leadership programs have prompted a need for a more com‐ plete understanding of leadership program emergence, sustainability, and outcomes. The purpose of this mul ple case study was to explore the content of 19 undergraduate Leadership Studies mi‐ nors. A cross case analysis was completed on the programs u lizing the Content sec on of the In‐ terna onal Leadership Associa on’s Guiding Ques ons: Guidelines for Leadership Educa on Pro‐ grams. The research findings are organized into content categories and the lens of complexity sci‐ ence is u lized to be er understand Leadership Studies as a complex adap ve system within high‐ er educa on. Findings contribute to the field of leadership studies by iden fying how each of these programs maintains success. While the focus of the present study is limited to the 19 undergradu‐ ate leadership studies programs, the results may be beneficial to the development, delivery, and assessment of leadership studies programs. Finally, the current study a ends to gaps in the cur‐ rent body of knowledge on leadership studies programs and helps to establish leadership studies as a legi mate academic discipline within higher educa on.
21
THE EFFECTS OF MARCELLUS SHALE DRILLING
Ryan Rempe, Student Marywood University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
The drilling of Marcellus Shale for the produc on of natural gas in Fleetville, Pa has brought with it many risks. Many of these risks pertain to the careless disposal of wastewater being let go into our land. These chemicals have an effect on the nutri on value of corn because of the now toxic soil. This study analyses quan ta ve research in that it compares soil mineral sam‐ ples, the ecosystem, and crop nutri on values before and a er drilling was introduced into the region. U lizing graphs showing the change in these three values, we see how mining effects on our land are ever increasing. By looking at these samples and no cing a significant change in the nutri on value of corn, we are able to make proper changes to the regula ons and guide‐ lines that contractors follow for the mining of natural gas. The popula on in this research con‐ sists of approximately 150 farms in the Fleetville area of Pennsylvania. Out of those approxi‐ mately 150 farms, we are sampling 100 of them. By making a list of the farms in alphabe cal order by owner, we are able to select farms using systemic random sampling. By selec ng eve‐ ry two farms and skipping the third, we are le with around 100 farms to conduct this re‐ search. A er the research was preformed, 10 par cipants were chosen to conduct an assess‐ ment as to how these results would affect the consumer. Protein levels showed a significant drop in these ten consumers a er consuming the contaminated agriculture over a one month period.
22
UNTITLED
Ohud Alkrithy, Pursuing a Master of Health Service Administra on Marywood University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Many children are not covered by any kind of health insurance program. Some of those children are eligible to be covered at least by one of the public health insurance programs, Medicaid or State Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). However, those children are s ll not enrolled. This research aims to iden fy the reasons that prevent uninsured children from enrollment in public health programs. It is a mixed methodology research. It u lizes in ‐depth interviews. The target popula on is the parents of the uninsured children in Scran‐ ton, Pennsylvania. The sampling strategy is purposive and simple random sampling.
23
IMPROVING THE PAIN LEVELS OF TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS THROUGH HOSPICE CARE IN NURSING HOMES
JoAnne Jakubowski, Student / Dr. Alexander Dawoody, Faculty Marywood University
JoAnne Jakubowski is comple ng her Master’s Degree in Health Services Administra on at Marywood University. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling and Human Services from the Uni‐ versity of Scranton in 2005. She is an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor at Marywood University.
Other photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
A common factor that links the human race regardless of age, sex, gender, religion or na onality, is the known fact that we will all one day die. It is a fundamental fact of human existence that all who live on this earth will eventually pass from it. Far too many pa ents in hospitals, nursing homes and long term care facili es across the United States remain in discomfort during the final days of life, making the dying process more difficult not only for the pa ent, but for their family and loved ones as well. Hospice care is an alterna ve to life saving treatment. It focuses on pain management and pain reduc on through a variety of methods, making the final days of life com‐ fortable and dignified. Despite hospice care becoming more common across the United States, it con nues to remain an underu lized service for terminally ill pa ents. This study is a collec on of qualita ve data, including both interviews and case studies that examine how various hospice ser‐ vices work together to promote pain management and reduc on. The purpose of this research is to show readers that the pain levels of terminally ill pa ents in nursing homes and long term care facili es decreased when enrolled in hospice care, improving the quality of life in the final days.
24
LATE EFFECT OF ALZHEIMER’S IN ELDERLY AGE 65 AND OLDER
Jintana Steinman, Student / Dr. Alexander Dawoody, Student Marywood University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Allzheimer’s disease is a type of demen a that effect memory, thinking, and behavior. It is catego‐ rized as the most common form of demen a in the United States. Person with Alzheimer’s disease will develop a change in personality, behavior, mood, ac vity level, and social func oning, a er years of ba ling with the disease, pa ent will lose the ability to perform daily tasks; cleaning, or‐ ganizing, meal prepara on, and other household chores. The sign and symptom may not easily be no ced in the beginning when person is effected but when the symptoms become visible and the cogni ve func on, memory, orienta on, language, and judgment are deteriora ng, the person will need extensive assistance and supervision in daily ac vity living. In order to ensure the proper care and maintain safety to those person in need, the family needs to understand and learn to ac‐ cept that Alzheimer’s disease is not reversible, eventually, the person will need a total care and becomes dependent on the family. The person will lose both short and long term memory, the ability to feed self, the mood will become unpredictable. Family needs to educate themselves about the disease progress and learn to prepare and accept the changes. This research will discuss about the late effect of Alzheimer’s disease, sign and symptom at the early and late stage of the disease, the choices family will make for loved one with a good living environment or the op on of placement when the disease becomes unmanageable and pa ent is not safe to live at home any‐ more. Later in the chapter, the author will introduce the Alzheimer’s Unit at Golden Living Center in East Mountain, PA, their program and ac vity specially provided for the elderly age 65 and above who are in the late stage of the Alzheimer’s.
25
IN LONG TERM CARE SERVICES, HOW EFFECTIVE DOES ASSISTED LIVING PROVIDED THE CARE, ACTIVITIES, AND MEDICAL SUPPORT FOR ALZHEIMER’S PATIENTS IN SCRANTON, PA IN 2010
Andrew Wolak, Student Marywood University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Alzheimer’s is the most popular form of demen a. Many people are enrolled into long‐term care facili es that can provide them with the best possible form of quality of care, pharmacological and non‐ pharmacological. Examining these types of medicines and non‐ pharmacological therapy’s that can help ensure their quality of life and reduce their pain along any symptoms is something that assisted living facili es can control. The research design will be quan ta ve research, which will help look at the fieldwork that will get the facts regarding which treatments are best when dealing with their pain levels and memory digression providing the best results. During the quan ‐ ta ve research, using stra fied random sampling, to break the treatments and pain levels during the course of the day into groups, data collec on, and then analysis. The purpose of this study is to see what pharmacological and non‐pharmacological treatments provide the best results. Ensuring the data will help the facili es provide the best possible care. The popula on will be Alzheimer res‐ idents already in assisted living facili es with mild moderate, to severe condi ons in Scranton PA.
26
NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS AND THEIR EFFECT ON HIV INCIDENCE RATES IN INJECTION DRUG USERS
Sarah Smith, Student Marywood University
Sarah Smith is a first year graduate student at Marywood Universi‐ ty in the Health Services Administra on Program. She graduated from Wilkes University in May 2008 with a B.S. in Sociology and Criminology. She currently works at the Social Security Disability office in Wilkes‐Barre, PA.
ABSTRACT
Drug use is prevalent in the United States despite the current “War on Drugs.” A popular way of taking drugs is intravenously. Needles are o en reused by several people. This results in diseas‐ es such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) being spread. This paper looks at the effects needle exchange programs have on HIV incidence rates among injec on drug users in Philadel‐ phia. The type of research used is quan ta ve. It u lizes a cross sec onal study for analysis. The purpose of the study is to learn the effects of needle exchange programs on the rate of contrac‐ on of HIV in intravenous drug users age eighteen and older. The significance of the study is that it shows that a needle exchange program is an effec ve way to lower the contrac on of HIV in intravenous drug users. The popula on is injec on drug users in Philadelphia. The sample would be determined by systema c random sampling.
27
HEALTHCARE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: ITS EFFECTS ON PATIENT OUTCOMES AND CARE DELIVERY
Sarah Schmeyer, Student Marywood University
Sarah Schmeyer currently works as the Assistant Administrator for a local, privately‐owned Medicare‐cer fied home health agency. She is gradua ng from Marywood University in May 2012 with a Masters in Health Services Administra on, concentra on in long‐ term care management. Her hobbies include gardening, jewelry‐ making, and enjoying me with her four dogs outdoors.
ABSTRACT
Informa on technology influences the way in which individuals live their everyday lives. The healthcare sector has only within the last couple decades begun to realize the full benefits offered from the use of informa on technology and the adop on of various technologies such as electron‐ ic health records, telehealth systems, computerized physician order entry, and point‐of‐care devic‐ es contribute to the way we access, employ, and deliver healthcare services in today's society. The purpose of this paper is to explore the rela onship between informa on technology and pa ent‐ centered outcomes, including aspects of the care delivery process. It provides an overview of the current status of informa on technology within the healthcare industry, and a brief literature re‐ view which supports the hypothesis that informa on technology influences improvement in pa‐ ent care processes and healthcare delivery. The paper also reviews the design and results of a study conducted to examine the connec on between informa on technology and aspects of care delivery, including pa ent outcomes. The study u lizes quan ta ve research design and a quasi‐ experimental cross sec onal study for its data collec on method. The sample used consists of in‐ dividuals employed by healthcare providers of both inpa ent and outpa ent se ngs, and par ci‐ pants are of various organiza onal roles. A Lakert‐style survey ques onnaire is u lized to poll par‐ cipants on their organiza ons’ informa on technology usage and the related effects on the care delivery process and outcome. Although the study is focused on a small popula on and a rela ve‐ ly modest sample, it is intended that the results represent the larger picture of health informa cs in today's society.
28
EFFECTIVENESS OF NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN HELPING TO PREVENT AND TREAT CHILDHOOD OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY
Chelsea Natarian, Student Marywood University
Chelsea Natarian will graduate in May 2012 with a B.S. in Nutri on and Diete cs. She has spent the last two years gaining supervised prac ce experience in areas of food service, clinical, and communi‐ ty nutri on. She hopes to work as a clinical die an at a children’s hospital when she graduates.
ABSTRACT
Approximately 17% of United States (US) children and adolescents are obese. Hospital treat‐ ment programs help combat this epidemic; however, there appears to be no systema c way of crea ng the programs and there is a lack of standardized program evalua on. For this study, a brief ques onnaire was developed and sent to hospitals from the US News Best Children’s Hospitals 2011‐2012 (N=25), to examine the characteris cs of pediatric obesity treatment pro‐ grams, par cularly querying components, barriers and outcomes. The results indicated 77.8% of hospitals created their own programs with 35.3% tes ng and approving the program before implementa on and 83.3% including a registered die an as a director or part of the team. Common program elements included nutri on educa on, physical ac vity and behavior modi‐ fica on; however, self‐efficacy and social support were poorly represented components.
29
BIOPHYSICAL STUDIES OF CELL-TRAFFICKING INTERMEDIATES OF HUMAN CATHEPSIN D FOUND IN BREAST CANCER TISSUE
Melissa Keller, Student University of Scranton
Miss Melissa Keller grew up in Taylor, Lackawanna County, PA. She received her undergraduate degree from University of Scranton in Neu‐ roscience. Melissa is currently a second year MA student in Clinical Chemistry and carries out her Master’s thesis research at TCMC to elu‐ cida ng the biophysical relevance of human cathepsin D in the pro‐ gression of breast cancer.
ABSTRACT
Cathepsin D is an enzyme belonging to the aspartyl protease family which is crucial for cellular “house‐keeping” by rou ne lysosomal degrada on. In healthy ssue, cathepsin D is secreted as a 52‐KD precursor enzyme which a ains its final 36‐KD form in the lysosome. In malignant cells how‐ ever, cathepsin D is over expressed, especially the non‐func onal higher molecular weight inter‐ mediates. The key ques ons on the role of cathepsin D in cancer progression are: (a) is the over expression of cathepsin D a direct signaling process of malignancy? (b) Does cathepsin D play an enzyma c role in cancer progression? (c) Or is it a combina on of both? A comprehensible under‐ standing of the molecular changes encountered by cathepsin D during cell trafficking and matura‐ on will elucidate novel insight into its role in cell signaling and enzyma c ac vity that influence cancer progression. Most current biochemical knowledge however, is limited to the non‐ pathological form of the enzyme. Therefore, our laboratory is involved in providing a biophysical basis to elucidate these ques ons. Recombinant protein for the various cell‐trafficking cathepsin D intermediates has been successfully produced. Circular dichroism studies reveal that the secondary structure of the variants could be conserved. Results from thermal denatura on experiments, cat‐ aly c studies using flourogenic substrate pep des and cleavage assays of full‐length substrates for the various intermediates will be presented. This inves ga on will reveal new biophysical charac‐ teris cs that dis nguish the healthy and cancer‐related variants of cathepsin D. The findings of this analysis will assist the design of innova ve diagnos c probes for iden fy cancer.
30
OVER EXPRESSION OF INACTIVE CATHEPSIN D IN VARIOUS MAMMALIAN CELL LINES AND THE EFFECT OF ITS CATALYTIC STATE ON ENZYME MATURATION
Shivani Pandya, Student University of Scranton
Ms Shivani Pandya was raised in the town Anand from the Gujarat State of India. She received her undergraduate degree in Biotechnolo‐ gy from Sardar Patel University, Gujarat, India. Shivani is presently working towards her MS at University of Scranton in the field of Bio‐ chemistry. Apart from her curriculum, Shivani is also pursuing research projects at TCMC in Molecular Biology and Quan ta ve Cell Biology.
ABSTRACT
Cathepsin D is an “house‐keeping” enzyme which is crucial for protein degrada on within the lyso‐ somal compartment. It is produced as a 52 KD preproenzyme in the endoplasmic re culum and via cell‐trafficking it reaches the lysosomes where it a ains matura on. Cathepsin D has been impli‐ cated to be linked with many diseases, including, heart disease, demen a, postpartum depression and breast cancer. In regard to cancer, the key ques ons on its role in the progression of tumor are: (a) is the over expression of cathepsin D a direct signaling process of malignancy? (b) Does ca‐ thepsin D play an enzyma c role in cancer progression? (c) Or is it a combina on of both? Previous experiments done with a cataly cally inac ve variant of cathepsin D in fibroblast cells revealed that matura on of cathepsin D and cancer progression took place independent of the enzyme’s cataly c state. In this study, over expression of ac ve and inac ve (D33N/D231N) cathepsin D vari‐ ants was tested in 293T mammalian cells. The cataly cally ac ve cathepsin D matured into 36 KD form while the inac ve variant only formed the 48 KD intermediate. Our results suggest that the matura on pathway of cathepsin D might be dependent on the cell‐type. Further studies using im‐ mune‐fluorescence and confocal microscopy will also be presented. Plans are also underway to test this hypothesis on other cancer‐free (MCF7) and malignant (T47D) cell lines.
31
SECONDARY STRUCTURE, THERMAL STABILITY AND BINDING CHARACTERISTICS OF CELL-TRAFFICKING INTERMEDIATES OF INACTIVE CATHEPSIN D
Luyu Liu, Student University of Scranton
Miss Luyu Liu is an interna onal exchange student who was raised in Taiyuan city from Shanxi province of China. She received her under‐ graduate degree from Shanxi University with a major in Biological Science. Luyu is presently working towards her MS degree in the Clinical Chemistry program of the University of Scranton. In addi on to other academic programs, Luyu is also involved in laboratory re‐ search at TCMC in biochemical methods in protein chemistry.
ABSTRACT
Cathepsin D is a lysosomal aspartyl protease which is expressed as a 52‐KD precursor preproen‐ zyme and a ains matura on by cell‐trafficking. In healthy ssue, the enzyma c 36‐KD form is found predominantly while cancerous ssue not only over expresses cathepsin D, but also produc‐ es the higher molecular weight intermediates at high levels. Biophysical studies, such as, circular dichroism and tra on calorimetry, require stable protein sample. In this study, inac ve variants of the three prominent cathepsin D variants, Prepro‐cathD (52 KD), Pro‐cathD (48 KD) and Immature‐ cathD (43 KD) were generated by site‐directed mutagenesis. The cataly c aspartate residues were mutated into isosteric asparagines leading to D33N/D231N double mutants. These inac ve cathep‐ sin D variants were expressed in supercompe ant Rose a E. coli cells and isolated by a combina‐ on of French‐press and affinity chromatography. The protein sample thus produced was further purified by gel filtra on techniques using Fast Pressure Liquid Chromatography. Further analysis using circular dichorim to asses the secondary structures and thermal stability of the variants will be presented. Substrate binding of these inac ve variants to pep de substrates will be carried out using isothermal tra on calorimetry.
32
POLYMORPHISM IN CATHEPSIN D AND JUVENILE DEMENTIA – BIOPHYSICAL APPROACHES FOR NOVEL CLINICAL INTERVENTION
Jenna Fancher, Student University of Scranton
Miss Jenna Fancher is a na ve of Kinglsey, Susquehanna County, PA. She majored in Biology for her undergraduate degree which was awarded by Keystone College, La Plume, PA. Jenna is a first year graduate student in the Clinical Chemistry program at University of Scranton. Jenna’s thesis project seeks to elucidate the biophysical basis for the correla on between the natural polymorphism of human cathepsin D and childhood demen a.
ABSTRACT
Cathepsin D, a human lysosomal aspartyl protease, plays a crucial role in rou ne protein degrada‐ on in concert with other enzymes within the vesicle. It is involved in several cellular malfunc ons that link the enzyme with various human diseases including cancers, coronary heart disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Specific polymorphisms of the Cathepsin D gene, CTSD, are implicat‐ ed as risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease‐like neurodegenera ve disorders, especially among juve‐ niles. Some known cathepsin D polymorphisms that lead to childhood demen a are A118T, F165I and W319C. Understanding how these mutants interact with their substrates and consequently comparing them to the ac vity of wild‐type cathepsin D will allow for improved knowledge of the protease’s substrate specificity and ac vity. The data generated from wild‐type and polymorphic cathepsin D will be compared with a structurally homologous aspartyl protease, Plasmodium falci‐ parum Plasmepsin II (PfPMII). In this study, we will use recombinant protein carrying these muta‐ ons to analyze the effect of the modifica on on secondary structure, thermal stability, cataly c efficiency and molecular specificity Structural comparisons of three‐dimensional models per‐ formed by in silico analysis will also be presented in this poster. We predict this this compara ve analysis will aid in enhanced understanding of the effect of polymorphism on ac vity and enzyme func on.
33
SUBSTRATE-ENVELOPE APPROACH - A NOVEL METHOD TO DESIGN HIGHLY SPECIFIC ANTI-HIV DRUGS
Dr. Moses Prabu, Faculty TCMC
Dr. Moses Prabu, PhD., is an Assistant Professor in Molecular Biology at TCMC, Scranton, PA. He majored in Physics with a Solid State Physics spe‐ cialty and was awarded PhD in Biophysics and Macromolecular Crystallog‐ raphy by Indian Ins tute of Science. His postdoctoral research at UMASS Medical School was in developing robust an HIV drugs. Dr. Prabu’s cur‐ rent research interests include breast cancer, malaria, and other aging‐ related diseases.
ABSTRACT
One of the measures to assess the success of a structure‐based drug design opera on is the ability to design chemical compounds that are highly specific to the drug target. In blocking protein‐ protein interac on sites for drug therapy, it is o en common prac ce to u lize several intrinsic molecular features. However, HIV‐1 protease, a crucial viral enzyme that facilitates virulence dur‐ ing HIV AIDS, exhibits promiscuity by recognizing variable sequences with poor similarity. This lack of consensus sequences poses severe challenges to design robust protease inhibitors. We devel‐ oped a new approach elucidate new insights on molecular recogni on, drug resistance and co‐ evolu on of HIV‐1 protease. Through a combina on of X‐ray crystallography and tra on calorim‐ etry, we discovered that the non‐homologous cleavage sequences of HIV‐1 protease adopt a con‐ sensus mo f, called “substrate‐envelope.” We also determined that this substrate‐envelope is re‐ sponsible for molecular specificity, and drugs designed to fit its mo f exhibit remarkable inhibi on profile against several drug‐resistant variants. New drugs designed using this substrate‐envelope approach are currently under advanced clinical trials.
34
PRODUCTION OF HUMAN CYTOSKELETON‐ASSOCIATED PROTEIN 4 IN INSECT CELLS INFECTED WITH A BACULOVIRUS EXPRESSION FACTOR
Kevin Tuffy / Brandon Golden, Students University of Scranton
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Cytoskeleton associated protein 4 (CKAP4) is an epithelial cell surface receptor for an prolifera ve factor (APF), which is secreted by the bladder epithelial cells of individuals with inters al cys s (IC), a bladder disease of unknown e ology. CKAP4 has also been discovered as a substrate of DHHC2, an alleged tumor suppressor. Because of these important roles, we sought to purify full‐ length, human CKAP4 from S. frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells in order to study its func on in isola on. The advantages of using insect versus bacterial cells for protein purifica on is that the protein translated can be further processed to resemble the protein state found in vivo. This includes proper protein folding, amino acid processing, and other post‐transla onal modifica ons that reg‐ ulate the biology of the protein. Using the Bac‐to‐Bac® Baculovirus expression system, cDNA en‐ coding fulllength CKAP4 (residues 1‐602) was generated by PCR and cloned into the pFastBacHTA donor plasmid which was then transformed into DH10Bac competent E. coli containing a parent bacmid. The recombinant bacmid DNA was isolated from posi ve bacterial clones, verified by se‐ quencing, and subsequently transfected into Sf9 insect cells. Budding virus was harvested from the media and used for a viral plaque purifica on assay. High ter viral stock was used to infect Sf9 cells, and baculovirus‐infected cells were then harvested and analyzed for expression of CKAP4. Our results show that Sf9 insect cells infected with the recombinant virus produced significant amounts of CKAP4 protein, and Western blot analysis confirmed that one protein of 63 kilodaltons was detected with CKAP4‐specific an body.
35
BINDING OF ANTIPROLIFERATIVE FACTOR TO CYTOSKELETON ASSOCIATED PROTEIN 4 DETECTED BY SURFACE PLASMON RESONANCE
Chris na Ma ka, Student University of Scranton
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Inters al cys s (IC) is a chronic, debilita ng bladder disease that affects mostly women and is frequently misdiagnosed due to lack of a non‐invasive test to detect the disease. While the cause remains unknown, biomarkers for IC have been described, including an prolifera ve factor (APF), a glycopep de that is detectable in the urine of 95‐97% of IC pa ents vs. normal controls. Valida‐ on of APF as a biomarker and e ologic agent for IC has been hindered by the absence of robust assays to detect and measure its concentra on in pa ent urine. In this study, we evaluated the u lity of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) to detect and measure APF in solu on through binding to its cellular receptor, cytoskeleton associated protein 4 (CKAP4). SPR transpires when polarized light hits a sensor chip and is reflected; this light is then detected using an op cal biosensor like Biacore™. We purified His dine‐tagged CKAP4 (HT‐CKAP4) from E. coli and then immobilized it on a Sensor Chip NTA surface by metal chela on. Robust binding to CKAP4 an body indicated that the purified HT‐CKAP4 was ac ve and in na ve conforma on; moreover, we demonstrated direct bind‐ ing to APF analyte at a level detectable above the background control. Specificity of the HT‐CKAP4/ APF interac on was confirmed by a surface compe on assay demonstra ng tra on of CKAP4 an body binding to HT‐CKAP4 by increasing concentra ons of APF analyte. Future studies will de‐ termine the ability this SPR‐based assay to detect APF in urine from pa ents with IC with the goal of developing a non‐invasive, point‐of‐care diagnos c test for IC.
36
DEVELOPMENTAL ANALYSIS OF MUTATIONS IN THE GRAP- PA GENE: THE DROSOPHILA ORTHOLOG OF HUMAN DOT1L
Greg Shanower et al., Faculty TCMC
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Grappa (gpp) is the Drosophila melanogaster ortholog of Dot1L, a human gene encoding a histone methyltransferase responsible for mono‐, di‐, and tri‐ methyla ng the lysine 79 (K79)residue of Histone H3. This chroma n modifying enzyme is directly linked to ac ve gene transcrip on, maintenance of telomeric silencing, and regula on of cell cycle progression through the G1/S and G2/M interface. However, to date very few studies have examined the role this histone methyl‐ transferase plays in development. To inves gate the role that gpp plays during Drosophila develop‐ ment we performed gene c mosaic analysis u lizing FLP/FRT induced gpp null clones in various ssues. A empts to induce FLP/FRT gpp null clones in soma c ssues, however, has resulted in only rare small clones which completely lack corresponding twin spots. This finding was somewhat surprising in light of the fact that gpp null larvae can con nue development un l the pharate adult stage, long a er the stages where clones were induced. However, mosaic clones can be generat‐ ed within the follicular epithelia covering egg chambers in the adult female ovaries. These follicle cell clones are complex in structure and exhibit a number of interes ng characteris cs. In this study we examine: 1) Whether or not gpp plays a role in normal DNA repair processes 2) What cell signaling pathways are regulated by gpp 3) Does gpp act to help regulate apoptosis in Drosophila.
37
ETS-1 IS REQUIRED FOR CTGF/CCN2 INDUCTION BY TGF-B1 IN PRIMARY OSTEOBLASTS
Tom Nowakowski, Student / Dr. John A. Arno , Faculty TCMC
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Ets‐1 controls osteoblast differen a on and bone development; however, its downstream mecha‐ nism of ac on remains largely undetermined. CCN2 acts as an anabolic growth factor to regulate osteoblast differen a on and func on, is induced by TGF‐β1 and acts as a mediator of TGF‐β1 in‐ duced matrix produc on in osteoblasts, however the mechanisms that control CCN2 induc on are poorly understood. This study inves gated the role of Ets‐1 in CCN2 induc on by TGF‐b1 in primary osteoblasts. We demonstrated that Ets‐1 is expressed and induced by TGF‐b1 treatment and that Ets‐1 over‐expression induces CCN2 protein expression and promoter ac vity at a level similar to TGF‐b1 treatment alone. Addi onally, we found that simultaneous Ets‐1 over‐expression and TGF‐ b1 treatment synergize to enhance CCN2 induc on and that CCN2 induc on by TGF‐b1treatment was impaired using Ets‐1 siRNA, demonstra ng the requirement of Ets‐1 for CCN2 induc on by TGF ‐b1. Mutagenesis of puta ve Ets‐1 mo fs (EBE) in the CCN2 promoter demonstrated that EBE sites are required for CCN2 induc on. In addi on, muta on of EBE sites prevented protein complex binding and this protein complex forma on could also be impaired with addi on of Ets‐1 an body or Smad 3 an body, demonstra ng that protein binding to EBE mo fs as a result of TGF‐b1 treat‐ ment require synergy between Ets‐1 and Smad 3. Taken together, this study demonstrates that Ets ‐1 is an essen al downstream signaling component for CCN2 induc on by TGF‐β1 in osteoblasts and that specific EBE sites in the CCN2 promoter are required for CCN2 promoter transac va on.
38
DESIGN OF A MODULAR MOLECULAR DEVICE FOR THE DELIVERY OF SYNAPSE MODIFYING PROTEINS
Victor Francone, Faculty / Ashlee Dougher, Student TCMC
Dr. Francone obtained his BS and MS in biology and graduated in Physiology and Cell Biology in the University of Barcelona. He has done two Postdoctoral fellow‐ ships at the University of Connec cut. First in oligodendrocyte matura on and the second in the regulatory mechanisms of cor cotrope cells of anterior pituitary.
Ashlee Dougher , is a freshman at the University of Scranton double majoring in Bi‐ ology and Biomathema cs in the Pre‐Med Program, a Research Intern at The Com‐ monwealth Medical College. Ashlee belongs to the Health Profession Organiza on, Biology Club, and Scranton Civic Ballet Company.
ABSTRACT
Regula on of neuronal gene expression occurs in part through transla onal control at the synapse. A fundamental requirement for such local control is the targeted delivery of select neuronal mRNAs and regulatory RNAs to distal dendri c sites. HnRNPA2 interacts with αCaMKII, neurogranin (NG), ARC and PKMζ mRNAs. These mRNAs localize to dendrites and all contain A2RE‐like sequences that bind to hnRNPA2. A2RE sequences are necessary and sufficient for dendri c targe ng of RNA in neurons. HnRNPA2 has also been shown to interact with myelin basic protein (MBP) mRNA at the RNA’s A2RE sequence inducing its transport to the distal processes of oligodendrocytes. To induce regulated trans‐ la on of specific protein in the synapse, we have designed a protein construct containing: RVG, 7R (a seven arginine pep de), and hnRNPA2. It has been shown that RVG (rabies virus glycoprotein) enables the delivery of siRNA to neurons of the CNS. RVG bound to the seven arginine pep de interacts with the acetylcholine receptor on the neuron. Arginine‐rich pep des are short ca onic pep des capable of traversing the plasma membranes of eukaryo c cells. The fusion of hnRNPA2 could allow the binding of our construct to A2RE RNAs. Our modular system would, in the long term, allow the delivery of RNAs and proteins to a specific subset of synapses in a regulated manner. In this poster, we will discuss the design, vector construc on, bacterial protein expression, isola on and purifica on of RVG‐7R‐ hnRNPA2 protein. This new method will enable the planned manipula on of specific synapses in vitro and in vivo. 39
GLUCOCORTICOID PROMOTES BREAST CANCER CELL SURVIVAL VIA FUNCTIONAL INTERACTION WITH NFKB SIGNALING PATHWAY
Jun Ling / Raj Kumar, Faculty TCMC
Jun Ling is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry in the Basic Sciences De‐ partment at TCMC. HIs research focuses on the regula on of cancer devel‐ opment and progression by cell signaling and gene expression, aiming to iden fy new molecular targets to facilitate the development of be er diag‐ nos c techniques and therapeu cs.
Other photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer‐related death among women in the US. The incidence and mortality rates of BC in NEPA remain high and pose a big health burden in this area. As inflamma on is highly associated with BC development, an inflammatory drug glucocor coid (GC) has been used as co‐media on in BC therapies. The problem arisen from the administra on of GC is the promo on of BC cell growth, rather than the inhibitory effect in leukemia and lymphoma. The mechanisms underlying the differen al effects of GC in different cancers are poorly understood. In this study, we focus on the func onal interac on between GR (GC receptor) and NFkB (a major pro‐inflammatory transcrip on factor) to inves gate the mechanisms. It was found that GC did not affect NFkB transcrip onal ac vity in MCF10A cells (control mammary epithelial cell), but increased the NFkB ac vi es in MCF7 and T47D cells (luminal subtype of metasta c BC). Concomitantly no inhibitory effect of GC on BC cell prolifera‐ on was observed. Gene expression studies with real me quan ta ve PCR iden fied that c Myc and Cox‐2, two NFkB responsive genes, are enhanced by GC treatment, implica ng the pro survival role of GC in BC. Co‐immunoprecipita on revealed that GR interacted with p65/RelA NFkB subunit in vivo but was not altered by GC treatment. In addi on, GR was also found to interact with p50/ NFkB1 in response to GC treatment, thus providing a new mechanism to explain the pro‐survival role of GC in breast cancer.
40
ROLE OF ACTIN FILAMENT ASSOCIATED PROTEIN 1 IN MAMMARY GLAND DEVELOPMENT AND LACTATION
Dr. Jess Cunnick, Dr. Youngjin Cho, Dr. Carmine Cerra, James Hadsell, M.S. TCMC
Jess Cunnick is an Assistant Professor of Cell Biology at The Common‐ wealth Medical College in Scranton, PA. He earned his doctoral degree at Kansas State University in the Department of Biochemistry and completed his postdoctoral studies at the Moffi Cancer Center in Tampa, FL.
James Hadsell is a Research Technician in the Basic Science Department at The Commonwealth Medical College in Scranton, PA. He received a Bache‐ lor’s of Science degree in Neuroscience from King’s College in Wilkes‐Barre, PA and a Master’s of Science degree in Biotechnology from Marywood Uni‐ versity in Scranton, PA.
ABSTRACT
Ac n filament associated protein 1 (AFAP1) is a cSrc‐binding partner that ac vates cSrc in response to intracellular signals. AFAP1 and cSrc are overexpressed in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and both proteins play a role in the invasion of breast cancer cells. To inves gate the normal func‐ on of AFAP1, we generated knockout mice, dele ng the AFAP1 gene product from one or both al‐ leles in all ssues, and discovered that dams had a deficit in lacta on. These mice were unable to nurse pups from their first li er with 48% of the pups unable to survive. Of those pups that did sur‐ vive, weight gain was significantly lower when suckled by AFAP1 knockout dams compared to those suckled by wild type mothers. Mammary gland analyses indicated that the terminal differen a on of lobuloalveolar sacs upon parturi on were delayed and the size of the lacta ng lobuloalveolar sac was significantly smaller in AFAP1+/‐ and AFAP1‐/‐ dams compared to wild type AFAP1+/+ dams. These data mirror the phenotypes seen in prolac n receptor (Prl‐R)+/‐ and cSrc‐/‐ female mice. We show that Prl will s mulate tyrosine phosphoryla on of AFAP1 in mammary epithelial cells and this signal directs AFAP1 to bind to a Src family kinase. In addi on, overexpression of AFAP1 enhanced the prolac n s mulated ac va on of STAT5. These data support the hypothesis that AFAP1 plays an important regulatory role in lactogenesis by relaying Prl‐R signaling to cSrc and STAT5 ac va on and that AFAP1 is a regulator of cSrc in both normal breast physiology and breast tumorigenesis. 41
RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF SODIUM BICARBONATE VERSUS NORMAL SALINE IN PREVENTING ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN CARDIAC SURGERY PATIENTS
Judith Kristeller, PharmD, BCPS, Tiera Hickman, PharmD Candidate 2012, Theresa Romaldini, PharmD Candidate 2012, Student/Faculty Wilkes University/ CMC
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Episodes of AKI have been proven to worsen hospitaliza on or surgical outcomes as well as in‐ crease overall morbidity and mortality. Some proven mechanisms for preven on of AKI include hydra on, avoidance of contrast dye and or nephrotoxic medica ons and a proposed mechanism of urinary alkaliza on. The objec ve of this prospec ve, single‐center, randomized, double‐blind, controlled trial was to determine if urinary alkaliza on through use of a sodium bicarbonate(SB) infusion can prevent AKI following cardiac surgery in pa ents with chronic kidney disease. Ninety‐ two pa ents with Stage 3 CKD or higher underwent cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary by‐ pass. Treatment was randomized such that forty‐eight pa ents received a control infusion of so‐ dium chloride (154 mEq/L) and 44 pa ents received the study infusion of SB (150 mEq/L) in 5% dextrose. The infusions were started one hour pre‐opera vely and con nued for six hours follow‐ ing surgery. A er analysis, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the primary outcome of developing any stage of AKI based on the Acute Kidney Injury Network Criteria. Also, there was no significant difference regarding the secondary efficacy outcome which compared changes in the mean peak postopera ve serum crea nine between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the secondary safety outcomes of developing alkalosis, hypokalemia, or hypernatremia. This study shows that an infusion of SB did not prevent kidney injury when compared to NS in cardiac surgery pa ents with CKD and seems to conflict the pro‐ posed mechanism of urinary alkaliza on in the preven on of AKI.
42
DOES EATING MORE FREQUENTLY INCREASE WEIGHT LOSS DURING A BEHAVIORAL WEIGHT LOSS INTERVENTION?
Dr. Jessica Bachman, Faculty / Hollie Raynor, Student Marywood University
Dr. Jessica Bachman is in her first year working as an Assistant Profes‐ sor in the Nutri on and Diete cs Department at Marywood University. Dr. Bachman’s research interests include behavioral weight loss inter‐ ven ons in adults, dietary assessment, Type II Diabetes, and sports nu‐ tri on.
Other photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Ea ng frequency (EF) has been inversely related to body mass index (BMI) but the impact of EF on weight loss is unclear. This randomized controlled trial examined the effect of EF on hunger, ener‐ gy intake (EI), and weight loss during a 6‐month weight loss interven on. Par cipants (51.0 ± 9.9 yrs, BMI: 35.5 ± 4.8 kg/m2, 57.8% female, 94.1% white) were randomized to one of two EF pre‐ scrip ons: 1) Three Meal (n=25): three ea ng bouts/day; or 2) Grazing (n=26): eat at least 100 kcals every 2‐3 hrs. Both groups had iden cal dietary (1200–1500 kcals/day, < 30% kcals from fat) and ac vity (200 minutes/wk) goals. Hunger, diet, and anthropometric data were collected at 0 and 6 months. Using intent‐to‐treat analyses, Grazing reported a greater EF (ea ng bouts when > 25 kcals were eaten) than Three Meal at 6 months (5.8 ± 1.1 ea ng bouts vs. 3.2 ± 0.6 ea ng bouts, p<0.001). Grazing reported significantly less hunger at 6 months as compared to 0 months (47.9 ± 18.5 mm vs. 56.3 ± 15.7 mm, p<0.05), while Three Meal did not report any changes. EI and BMI were significantly (p<0.001) reduced from 0 to 6 months (EI: 2198 ± 692 kcals/day vs. 1266 ± 353 kcals/day; BMI: 35.5 ± 4.8 kg/m2 vs. 30.6 ± 4.9 kg/m2).There were no significant differences in EI or BMI between the groups. An EF of approximately 6 ea ng bouts/day may decrease hunger more so than an EF of 3 meals/day while consuming a low‐kcal diet for weight loss.
43
UNTITLED
Caitlin West, student in the Communica on Arts MA Marywood University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
This paper looks at the impact the loss of state funding has had on the Wayne Pike Adult Literacy Program, based in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and how it has changed the way the program ap‐ proaches fundraising. The research employs a mixed methodology, involving discussions with peo‐ ple involved in the literacy program and financial data from the program’s current and last five fis‐ cal years. The purpose of the study is to show how reliant literacy programs have become on gov‐ ernmental financial support and the resources they have turned to in the absence of that financ‐ ing. The research comes at a significant me for the literacy program as it, like many other non‐ profit organiza ons, struggles for dona ons in a bleak economic climate. The research focuses on the program and its finances and involves speaking with staff members, volunteers, and the board of directors.
44
DISCOVERING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES: AN EVALU- ATION OF THE ADVOCACY AND COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT THE ADVOCACY ALLIANCE AS OF 2011
Bo Hoban , Student in the Masters of Public Administra on Marywood University
Bo Hoban is a Graduate Scholarship Student at Marywood University in Scranton, PA. He received his Bachelor’s degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA. Bo is a proud Board Member of: Meals on Wheels, Treatment Court Advocacy Center, and the Criminal Jus ce Advisory Board of Lackawanna County. Bo also serves as President for Marywood’s Public Policy Club and is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Theta Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Lamb‐ da Honor Society.
ABSTRACT
The evalua on of nonprofit opera ons has las ng benefits for consumers of services, sur‐ rounding community members and those employed within the sector. Due to a reluctant donor and volunteer base; resistance of government agencies to fund ineffec ve programs and or‐ ganiza ons; and overall dire financial circumstances across systems, nonprofits must prove their worth as an effec ve, efficient, and economical vehicle for service delivery. Using qualita‐ ve research by means of in‐depth interviewing, this paper evaluates exis ng opera ons of the Advocacy and Community Mental Health Services department at the Advocacy Alliance. Assis‐ ve human services, produced by nonprofit organiza ons, must be mely, appropriate and meaningful; evalua ng opera ons and systems used to provide these services ensures maxi‐ mum good to consumers, the organiza on and the public. The target popula on for this re‐ search consists of staff and administra on at the Advocacy Alliance and u lizes a purposive sampling strategy.
45
Using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to assess dietary needs in the Hispanic population in Lackawanna County, PA. Diana Cuy Castellanos, PhD, RD/ Ka e Abrahamsen Marywood University
Diana Cuy Castellanos received her PhD in Nutri on from the University of Southern Mississippi in Nutri on and Food Systems in 2011. She is currently an assistant professor of Nutri on and Diete cs at Marywood University and her research includes development and implementa on of culturally‐ appropriate nutri on interven ons, nutri on literacy and community capacity building.
ABSTRACT
Research shows that as Hispanics immigrants spend more me in the US and/or become more as‐ similated to the US culture their diet begins to mimic that of a Western diet which has been linked to diabetes and obesity. With culturally‐appropriate and relevant nutri on interven ons, posi ve nutri on and health outcomes can be accomplished. A dietary needs assessment was conducted in the target popula on of low income, first genera on Hispanics in the greater Scranton, PA. This area has experienced rapid growth in the Hispanic popula on over the past 10 years. The PRE‐ CEDE‐PROCEED model was used to guide the assessment. Interviews with key informants and a focus group as well as demographic and dietary‐related ques onnaires were completed with the target popula on to iden fy health and nutri on needs in the community and factors regarding dietary behaviors, influencing factors and dietary change. The interviews and focus groups were transcribed and the primary researcher and two research assistants analyzed the transcripts using thema c analysis. Descrip ve analysis and mul ple linear regressions were implored to describe and predict dietary behavior. The thema c analysis led to the development of one primary nutri‐ on theme, nutri on quality, and one behavioral and one environmental theme related to nutri‐ on quality. From here, behavioral and environmental objec ves were developed. Lastly, predis‐ posing, reinforcing and enabling (PRE) factors related to the objec ves were iden fied. Using these objec ves and the iden fied influencing PRE factors, a tailored nutri on interven on for the target popula on and evalua on plan was developed
46
THE EFFECTS OF INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES ON THE OUT- REACH EFFORTS OF SCRANTON NON-PROFITS IN 2012
Viola Henning, Student / Dr. Alexander Dawoody Marywood University
Viola Henning is pursuing a Masters in Public Administra on with a concentra on in Non‐Profit Management from Marywood Universi‐ ty; she has been Marywood's Prospect Researcher since 2007. Viola graduated from Long Island University with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Psychological Biology. She has worked in the non‐profit sector since 1998.
ABSTRACT
Each non‐profit must do what it can to secure the finite amount of resources (e.g. funding and volunteers) available. Without adequate resources, an organiza on cannot func on effec vely and may ul mately cease to exist. The internet is a tool that non‐profits may use to conduct out‐ reach to poten al supporters. This study examines the internet technologies available to non‐ profits to help them acquire the resources they need to carry out their missions and achieve their goals. Quan ta ve methodology is used to determine how internet technologies affect non‐ profit outreach efforts, including raising awareness, genera ng volunteers/supporters, and rais‐ ing funds. Quasi‐Experimental Design consis ng of a cross‐sec onal study examines the useful‐ ness of the internet as an outreach tool. The target popula on is non‐profit organiza ons, which vary in size and type. The sample includes respondents from non‐profits located in Scranton, Pennsylvania for which valid contact informa on is available (approximately 700 organiza ons determined through a search of a database of non‐profit organiza ons at GuideStar.org). Through increased awareness of available technologies, results may help Scranton non‐profits in par cular, and other non‐profits in general, increase their outreach efforts and thus increase the resources available to them.
47
THE AFFECT THE PENNSYLVANIA'S HEART AND LUNG ACT HAS HAD ON MUNICIPALITIES
David Ellio , Student / Dr. Alexander Dawoody Marywood University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Police Officers that are temporarily injured in the performance of their du es are en tled to re‐ ceive addi onal benefits of no taxes taken from their salary, medical costs covered and con nue to accrue other benefits as outlined in their collec ve bargaining agreement to protect them due to their high risk jobs. Although the act was intended for the good of the officer, the broad terminolo‐ gy of the Act has caused municipali es to suffer financially due to fraudulent acts by certain offic‐ ers that have no incen ve to return to work in a mely fashion. These fraudulent acts cause over‐ me pay to rise along with the daily manning of departments to fall behind. In addi on morale in most departments suffer as the officers that do report to work on a daily basis see the officers prac cally get away without any consequences. Management’s hands are ed as the officers are protected with their collec ve bargaining agreements, le ers from physicians and an undefined Act from the Pennsylvania Legislature. This research uses a qualita ve method to describe the abuse in the system and how common it is throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Using sta s cal data collec on, interviews and surveys along with par cipant observa on I will be able to explain the basis of the problem. The significance of this research is to develop strategies for legislatures and managers to be er define and enforce this law. Allow for procedures and me frames that can get officers back to work in a more mely fashion along with boos ng morale within the ranks of the department for those that have been taking advantage of the law. A Sam‐ ple will be taken from municipali es throughout the Commonwealth rela ng to agencies that em‐ ploy full me police officers, to get an understanding of how many police officers take advantage of these benefits and how it affects individual municipali es.
48
UP TO PAR: THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAS STANDARDS FOR DRINKING WATER, BUT IS THE QUALITY OF THE DRINKING WATER IN DIMOCK, PA BEING MONITORED, REGULATED OR JUST CONTAMINATED?
Erin M. Visalli, Student / Dr. Alexander Dawoody Marywood University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
The Environmental Protec on Agency (EPA) is an agency of the United States government estab‐ lished for protec ng human health as well as the environment. Included in this agency are federal laws including the Clean Water Act and Safe Water Drinking Act (SWDA) which authorizes the EPA to regulate and enforce water pollu on and drinking water quality to protect public health. Ex‐ perts have iden fied the threat to public health due to the consump on of unsafe or contaminat‐ ed drinking water. The objec ves of this study was to examine the following ques ons, Other than issuing standards for safe drinking water, what is being done to ensure safe drinking water from wells to limit water related environmental health risks?, What is the water quality of the drinking water from wells in Dimock?, and What is the EPA doing to iden fy and limit the sources of drink‐ ing water contamina on that affect public health?. To examine these ques ons through a re‐ search design of mixed methodology, EPA standards and policies, water quality‐repor ng records, water contaminants, and water quality analyses was compared. The current condi ons of the drinking water from wells in Dimock, PA falls short of the EPA’s public health goals. Enforcement of the water pollu on laws and water quality regula on is feeble by state officials and the EPA is not intervening. The policies and standards exist but the EPA is failing to enforce compliance, hold violators responsible and limit exposure to contaminants that pose public health risks.
49
BOARD SERVICE: A DISCUSSION
Jus n Matus, Faculty Wilkes University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
This presenta on will discuss the challenges and rewards of serving on an organiza onal board. Topics to be covered include the roles and responsibili es of boards; board composi on; organiza‐ onal type; board decision making and governance. Discussion will include the individual board member’s perspec ve, reasons for serving, responsibili es, conflicts and role iden ty.
50
"DETERMINING THE LONG-TERM RISK OF RECIDIVISM AND REGISTRATION FAILURES AMONG SEXUAL OFFENDERS"
Dr. Daniel Freedman, Social Work Faculty Member Marywood University
Dr. Daniel Freedman is an assistant professor in the school of social work and administra ve studies at Marywood University. He teaches graduate courses in advanced prac ce, psychopathology, and issues in chemical dependency. In addi on to crime, his research interests in‐ clude mental health, addic ons, and co‐occurring disorders.
ABSTRACT
This research tracks sexual offenders for an average dura on of ten years to determine the amounts of criminal recidivism and registra on failures. Out of the 191 par cipants, 53 (28.5%) had recidivism, and 40 (21.5%) had registra on failures. Most of the recidivism was for non‐sexual crimes (90.17%), and there was a wide range of variability in the types of crimes commi ed. Past research demonstrated mixed results when studying the correla on between criminal recidivism and registra on failures among sexual offenders (Duwe & Donnay, 2010; Levenson, Letourneau, Armstrong, & Zgoba, 2010), however this research found a significant associa on between the out‐ comes. Further, survival analysis revealed that the risk for recidivism was strongest during the ini‐ al two years of tracking, declined slightly but was s ll prominent through year seven, and then fla ened during the final years of tracking. These findings can be framed through a community jus ce perspec ve for reducing recidivism, improving sexual offender legisla on, and improving community safety.
51
THE EFFECTS OF STRUCTURED ORIENTATION PROGRAMS ON JOB SATISFACTION AND LONGEVITY AMONG CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATORS
Kathleen Uhranowsky, Student Marywood University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
This study a empts to find a correla on between the level of ini al training received by newly hired Clinical research Coordinators and their level of job sa sfac on a er becoming proficient in the role. This is a qualita ve study u lizing a focus group consis ng of clinical research coordina‐ tors who belong to the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA). The purpose of the focus group interview is to obtain informa on related to the type, quality, and structure of the ini al ori‐ enta on program and to relate this informa on to current levels of job sa sfac on and tenure in current posi ons. The findings will be significant in this profession in that methods to train and re‐ tain quality research coordinators will be iden fied with the intent of increasing the number of ex‐ perienced research coordinators remaining in the field.
52
SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS COME WITH BAGGAGE: PAST AND PRESENT PSYCHOSOCIAL TRAUMA
Andrea Mease, Student / Dr. Phyllis Black , Faculty / Dr. Joanne Whelley, Faculty Marywood University
Andrea Mease is a graduate of Penn State University with a BS degree. A current MSW student at Marywood University, she is doing a field intern‐ ship in research. She was recently elected into the Alpha Epsilon Lambda Graduate Honor Society. She plans to pursue doctoral study.
ABSTRACT
A study of MSW students revealed a high prevalence (81%) of self‐reported early psychosocial trauma which exceeds the U.S. popula on es mate of 39%1. Most commonly reported adverse events were child abuse, parental substance abuse and chronic physical/mental illness. A some‐ what lower incidence, (64%) of post childhood psychosocial distress was also reported, most prev‐ alent of which was mental illness (32%) compared to 20% es mate in the general popula on2. Less than half of the respondents (47%) sought professional help to address their trauma c experience. Most students (84%) indicated that their personal trauma c history inclined them to a career in social work. The prevalence of past and present psychosocial trauma among social work students raises ques ons about the future of the professional workforce. Will tomorrow's social workers be resilient, competent prac oners with the capacity for enhanced empathy and ability to connect with clients? Or will their distressed backgrounds and current mental health challenges render them "wounded healers" who have entered the field for self‐repara on, and who will be vulnera‐ ble to counter transference issues and vicarious trauma za on? Social Work educators can take steps that may lt the balance in the direc on of promo ng effec ve prac oners. Three educa‐ onal strategies, in combina on, are recommended: 1.Admission policies that assess applicant suitability for the profession. 2.Curricular approaches to promote self‐awareness and coping ap‐ proaches to address the student’s background and current psychological status in rela on to pro‐ fessional performance. 3.A vigilant advisement program, with early detec on of student personal issues and provision of support and referral counseling resources.
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BENEVOLENT AND HOSTILE SEXIST ATTITUDES AMONG MSW STUDENTS
Karen Rampulla, Student/ Dr. Phyllis Black, Faculty Marywood University
Phyllis Black, a Professor at Marywood University School of Social Work and Director of the Lehigh Valley program, earned her doc‐ torate from Catholic University of America. Dr. Black received the Marywood University dis nguished faculty award, a dis nguished alumni award from Catholic University, and a Life me Achieve‐ ment Award from NASW PA.
ABSTRACT
The women’s movement has contributed toward the elimina on of blatant discrimina on against women. Sexism, however, remains alive and well in the 21st century. Sexism can be con‐ ceptualized as composed of two key elements: 1) a tudes which reflect posi ve evalua ons of women in stereotypical roles and, 2) a tudes which reflect antagonis c views of women who try to control men through feminis c ideology. The culturally held beliefs women themselves hold about gender a ributes contribute to this phenomenon. These beliefs affect everyday in‐ terac ons including those interac ons social workers have with clients and fellow prac oners. A convenience sample of MSW students (n = 85) was surveyed using a valid and reliable scoring instrument to determine if sexist a tudes are prevalent among the future social work profes‐ sionals. A tudes were measured for benevolent and hos le sexist a tudes. Higher scores illus‐ trate greater levels of biases on either scale. The central findings suggest that MSW students harbor sexist a tudes with elevated scores on both the benevolent and sexist ends of the scale spectrums. No significance was documented in correla ng demographic, employment or educa‐ on variables, including comple on of women’s issues courses and respondent sexist a tudes. Social work educa on, with its historic commitment to cultural competence, would be well ad‐ vised to consider amendments to curricula to help redress sexist a tudes toward women. Addi‐ onal research should be conducted regarding gender prejudice within the popula on as the data collected from the sample is in the direc on that sexist biases exist among the MSW sam‐ ple.
54
SENSE OF BELONGING AND EMPOWERMENT AMONG PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS
Courtney Connor, Student / Dr. Kimiko Tanaka , Faculty Marywood University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
The objec ve of this study was to inves gate if a rela onship exists between empowerment and sense of belonging among members of clubhouses for psychiatric recovery. Empowerment is con‐ sidered to play a cri cal role in one’s recovery (Rogers, Ralph, & Salzer, 2010). Therefore, inves ‐ ga ng variables that poten ally increase empowerment is cri cal. METHODS: Qualita ve data (N=37) analyzed for this study were derived from a larger study. The Empowerment Scale created by Rogers, Chamberlin, Ellison, & Crean (1997) measured empowerment. The Collec ve Self‐ Esteem Scale created by Luhtanen & Crocker (1992) was used to opera onalize the sense of be‐ longing. RESULTS: Pearson’s correla on indicated that the rela onship between empowerment and sense of belonging is not significant (r(35)=.305, p > .01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the null find‐ ing, the magnitude of the correla on within the sample was not trivial, which warrants future rep‐ lica ons with larger sample sizes. Various factors that influence empowerment among people with mental illness should also be further examined.
55
Present and Future Challenges in Caring for Nursing Home Residents with Advancing Dementia
Dennis Chapman, Melody Collins & Kelly Costello Marywood University
Dennis Chapman is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work & Administra ve Studies at Marywood University. He re‐ ceived his Ph.D. and MSW from the University at Albany (State Uni‐ versity of New York). He received his Bachelors degree in Poli cal Science from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY.
ABSTRACT
Life expectancy in the United States has increased drama cally during the past century. As life ex‐ pectancy reaches historically high levels, demen a and other aging disorders will also increase and, in many cases, require nursing home care. In fact, between 1991 and 1997 the percentage of nurs‐ ing home residents with demen a increased from 35% to 42% (Harrington & Carillo, 1999). This trend is expected to con nue as the number of people with demen a is projected to almost triple from 4.5 to 13.2 million by 2050 (Hebert, Scherr, Bienas, Benne , & Evans, 2003). What kinds of problems and needs will this burgeoning nursing home popula on present? This study begins to answer this ques on through an examina on of the care plans of a select group of residents with demen a living at two New York City nursing homes.
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Mentoring: A Model for Cultivating Leadership Compe- tencies in African Women Leaders
Jane Wakahiu, Ph.D. Marywood University
Photograph and biography not available.
ABSTRACT
Encouraging a planned leadership and technology skills development to actual and poten al African women religious leaders is an essen al strategy to build their confidence to take on leader‐ ship posi ons and execute decisions efficiently in their organiza ons. Using twelve Kenyan women religious par cipants of a three‐year Conrad Hilton Founda on‐Supported, Sisters Leadership Development Ini a ve (SLDI) program, this qualita ve case study describes mentoring as a strate‐ gy to propagate meaningful leadership competencies and transfer of knowledge and skills to their organiza ons. In addi on, the study assesses the best instruc onal prac ces used by both interna‐ onal (USA) and local (African) instructors to deliver instruc ons to facilitate transfer of skills to these women’s organiza ons workplaces. The study is framed by the Diffusion of Innova on theo‐ ry (Rogers, 2003) ideas and innova ons travel through me to bring about organiza onal change. Methodology consisted of on‐site in‐depth interviews, conversa on with the par cipants and observa ons of their skills prac ces. Findings revealed that mentoring is a strategy that could promote meaningful work rela onships, career opportuni es and enhance psychosocial support and improved work performance for both mentors and mentees. Mentoring rela onship generat‐ ed a new level of engagement in the mentors and mentees and in their organiza ons. As a result, par cipants reported a change in their leadership prac ces and increased self‐efficacy and personal and professional growth. Using both interna onal and local (African) faculty to teach in the leadership program enhanced instruc on and provided mul ple leadership perspec ves to the par cipants. The study confirms that providing on the job mentoring programs can be a strategy to encourage women in Kenya to take on leadership posi ons, build their confidence, self‐efficacy and enhance their capacity to respond to complex organiza onal challenges.
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A SPECIAL THANKS
The Academic Advisory Council (AAC) of the Ins tute for Public Policy & Economic Develop‐ ment would like to extend its gra tude to the Marywood University for hos ng this year’s an‐ nual event.
The AAC would also like congratulate all the faculty and students whose hard work made the 2012 Faculty Symposium a success!
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