2022 Symposium for Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious mental health issue that can affect women who have recently given birth. For that reason, a postpartum depression screening is typically given within the first year of postpartum care. For this research, Edinburgh questionnaire scores from Kids Plus Pediatrics sites in Western Pennsylvania, collected between the years 2018 and 2021 inclusively, are used to determine if temporal pattern of PPD rates were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Time series modelling is utilized to understand overall trend and seasonal patterns of PPD. Preliminary results suggest that rates of PPD were adversely affected by the pandemic.

In recent years, the electrification rate of modern machinery and appliances has shown an increasing trend. This trend caused a shift in focus on battery power, especially as a source of storage power. Lithium-ion batteries are used as an excellent source of sustainable power in many complex engineering systems. From high energy density to their lightweight feature, lithium-ion batteries supersede over other battery types. However, these batteries fail in certain aspects of operation which is a major concern in terms of safety and reliability. In this work, we have studied major failure mechanisms of lithium-ion batteries under different operating conditions. Failure mechanisms were then related to physics-based models to understand the degradation process of batteries in actual operations over a period of time. This understanding enriches the health-monitoring-based prognostic analysis of battery management systems.

Globally, many amphibian populations are in decline and some populations face the potential of extinction. Previous research supports that localized amphibian population declines may be attributed to chemical contaminant exposure. However, the connection between contaminant exposure and changes in individual or population success may be more difficult to discern in the absence of overt toxicity or mortality. We examined the sublethal influence of exposure to a common contaminant of surface waters on metabolic changes in adult African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis). Adult male X. laevis were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of the commonly used neonicotinoid insecticide, imidacloprid, by immersion for 48 days. Following exposure, we determined plasma glucose, glycerol, and triglycerides from samples collected in baseline and handling-stressed conditions. This ongoing research will contribute to our knowledge of the factors influencing amphibian decline by providing insight into sublethal influences of chemical exposure on amphibian metabolism.

Research has clearly shown over time that there are significant social, emotional, and academic benefits to young children who attend quality Pre-Kindergarten programs. The administration at the Grove City Area School District approached our research team to investigate the reasons why less than 50% of children who enter Kindergarten in the district have not attended a PreK program. Our goals for this study were to:Assess PreK options for the Grove City community, Identify the families who have not enrolled their children in PreK and determine the barriers to PreK access, and Collaborate with community partners to propose and enact potential solutions to PreK access. An anonymous survey using Qualtrics was sent to every family in the district with children currently in kindergarten through second grade. Currently, the survey is still active and there have been 74 responses as of February 14, 2022. Results thus far have shown that 80% of the children did attend PreK and 20% did not. As suspected, responses to the survey indicate the biggest barrier to PreK access was that the programs in the community simply didn't have openings. Other identified challenges to access include lack of quality programs in the community, cost, and lack of transportation. Results support an investigation into potential new programs within the Grove City School District or expansion of existing quality programming.

Determining the integrity of two ink strokes in a crossing is an ongoing investigative challenge. While the field has had many technological advancements, current methods of ink dating are highly subjective, primarily dependent upon the experience level of the investigator. The field also lacks a true understanding of how two inks distribute within a crossing. This information, however, may be key evidence for the completion of a civil or criminal investigation. Therefore, this study was completed to objectively observe the actual distribution between inks within the interior of their crossing. Sixteen crossings made from unique combinations of four blue gel pens (Bic Cristal, Uniball Signo, Bic Pro, and Pilot G2) were prepared on white office paper. The perpendicular crossings were cut using a scalpel to expose the depth of the two ink layers. The University of Pittsburgh's Raman Spectrometer equipped with a microscope was used to analyze each sample with a 20X objective and a 473 nm laser. From the sixteen unique ink combinations, multiple drying times between ink layers (horizontal ink and vertical ink) were also analyzed (0, 12, 36, or 48 hours). Experimental conditions were optimized before sample analysis. The Raman microscope mapped the chemical signatures present within each crossing, with a constant approximate value of 300 data points measured. Preliminary data analysis using Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR) method revealed chemical images which show the actual distribution of each ink within the crossing. The intention is to create a model with this information that will help investigators objectively identify the legality of the ink crossing in question.

Nijinska, following Stravinsky's libretto, opted for abstraction. She created a generalized image of human emotion within a ritualistic form (Kisselgoff C13). Bronislava Nijinska, the first and only female to choreograph for Ballet Russes created a work titled Les Noces which first debuted at the Théâtre Gaîte-Lyrîqué in 1923. Les Noces, in English the Wedding explored the status of women in Russia. Nijinska wanted this piece to be a political statement addressing traditional values in The Soviet Union. In the piece, Nijinska uses movement, symbolism, costume, and music to bring this work of art to life. This research will deconstruct Bronislava Nijinska's work titled Les Noces addressing different choreographic tools used by the choreographer to portray conflict. This research is significant in that it explores the history of women throughout a considerable period in Russia. It is important that artists, teachers, performers, and choreographers are educated in past works, and choreographers to have and share knowledge with others. As artists there is a power and responsibility to bring light to prominent issues, we are passionate about.

The tap water in Slippery Rock has an objectionable taste and odor. The unfavorable taste and odor cause many residents to look for other options such as filtrated pitchers or bottled water. These methods can become costly and produce a large amount of unnecessary waste. The aim of this research is to determine different factors that are responsible for the drinking water's inadequate qualities and to inform the community about their drinking water. Another goal is to provide alternative solutions for clean drinking water that will not negatively impact the environment. The tap water in Slippery Rock is derived from an underground aquifer in well fields situated around the region. An aquifer is an underground water-bearing rock layer that has characteristics conducive to storing large amounts of water. These characteristics control how water can easily flow through a rock layer. Water treatment by the Slippery Rock Municipal Authority has been able to reduce some of the constituents present but is not able to eliminate all. Gas chlorination is one method used to reduce levels of harmful microbes. However, some chlorine remains in the water after this process contributing to the odor and bad taste. The average taste threshold concentration for free residual chlorine in water ranges from 0.0075-0.450 mg/L and the lowest concentration of chlorine found in Slippery Rock water in the last 5 years was 0.79 mg/L in 2019, and has ranged as high as 1.46 mg/L. The water also contains high levels of sodium, around 144 mg/L. The range for taste thresholds in this compound is 30-140 mg/L, leading the salinity to also be a possible cause of objectionable taste. Sodium is a naturally derived constituent, just like many of the contaminants found in Slippery Rock water. Further assessment of the water quality data and investigations into the source of the groundwater will allow us to provide a more comprehensive analysis.

The term Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) was coined in 1994 at the same time CASEL (Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning) was founded to focus on the relationships a student has and the skills necessary to identify and manage their feelings. Dr. Scott Edgar researches theimperative connection that music has to social and emotional learning. There are many factors that can affect how effective SEL practices are in the classroom. This study focuses on culture as a factor with the potential to impact students' SEL in a music classroom setting. Cultural approaches to emotions and relationships differ, so the impacts those views might have on the effective implementation of SEL should be explored. This study aimed to answer the questions of: How do different cultures view emotions?, How do those views affect SEL teaching strategies?, and How can music educators implement or adapt SEL teaching strategies to best suit all learners in their classrooms? Participants in this study were selected after responding to an advertisement on social media platforms. Six participants were self-identified teachers of a student population that includes at least 50% Asian, African American, Native American, and/or Hispanic students. 2 participants were self-identified teachers who belong to one of those communities. Participants were interviewed over Zoom using predetermined questions. Transcripts of the interviews were reviewed and edited for clarity, sent for content confirmation by the participants, and analyzed for themes. Themes were compiled and used to create suggestions for music educators to effectively implement SEL into their curriculum. Common themes included learning about the culture, recognizing cultural differences and challenges, and managing the classroom environment. Implications included straying from preconceived notions and biases, finding interests of students and applying them to content being taught, and embracing diversity in the classroom.

With an ever-diversifying population, health care providers must understand that culture has a large impact on their patient's prior perceptions of healthcare, including their trust or mistrust of the provider and what their practices. This impact spreads to an individual's health choices, response to therapy and treatment, and how they seek care. Therefore, intercultural communication plays a significant role in providing the best possible healthcare. Despite this, there is little policy in teaching and enforcing cultural competency for many health care providers, especially physicians. This research aimed to explore how the communicative experiences of Spanish-speaking individuals living in the U.S. with their physicians affected their wellbeing. In this project, a phenomenological approach was used to gain a better understanding of the participant's experiences. A preliminary survey and an in-depth interview were used to gather our data. It was revealed that the cultural value of personalismo, the value of personal relationships, is one of the most important values to Spanish-speaking patients when selecting a physician. A lack of personalismo often results in changing or not seeking medical help. The data also revealed that the participants were unaware of navigating the American health system and general health information, thus making them more prone to health care disparities. The results of this study provide much-needed information on the importance of physicians to understand the cultural background of their patients and learn good cultural competency. The results further bring attention to the continuing complexities of delivering health care to people from diverse cultural backgrounds in the U.S.

This project investigates student performance throughout the stages of remote learning before and during COVID. Student performance in 300 level courses is compared from Fall 2019 through Spring 2021 in STEM versus Non-STEM courses. The goal is to determine if student performance was affected during the stages of remote learning through COVID and to determine if these effects were similar for students in 300 level STEM courses compared to students in 300 level Non-STEM courses. Statistical software is used to conduct a data analysis on course grades from Mathematics, Chemistry, Engineering, Geography/Environmental Studies, Physics, Biology, History, and English. The data are analyzed using statistical methods to compare the findings over the four semesters. Preliminary analysis indicates no significant differences. The statistical analysis continues by using various comparative, categorical analysis methods to explore and compare the distributions. More detailed results will be included in the presentation.