NC State University Presenters at
2008 ACC Meeting of the Minds, Florida State University
Student Abstracts

Warren D. Hynson

Abstract: The Historical Evolution of Nietzsche’s Religious Consciousness

Friedrich Nietzsche was arguably one of the most influential and provocative German thinkers of the nineteenth century. The sincere passion with which Nietzsche approached religion in both his pious devotions and rigorous criticisms is essentially non-replicable. The intense emotional and intellectual heights to which his feelings and mind arose in his attitude pertaining to Christianity indicate nothing less than his passionate though never haphazard zeal. Although Nietzsche’s religious convictions would radically transform over the course of his life, there is certainly no change in his poignant tone while addressing them. Furthermore, I maintain that Nietzsche’s theological beliefs were continuously subject to influence, growing knowledge and personal circumstance and that it appears the former often correlated and changed with the latter three. Therefore, it is within the intentions of this paper to critically document and explicitly illustrate such developments of Nietzsche’s personal attitude and relationship to Christianity as they evolved over the course of his life.  In conclusion, I would like to acknowledge that this research was supported by an NC State Undergraduate Research Award.

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Catharine Louisa Gensel

Abstract: A Survey of Breeding Bird Population and Territory Distribution in an Urban Landscape

The objective of this project was to assess the avian breeding population in a local patch of hardwood forest surrounded by urban development.  This project is intended to initiate a long-term study of this habitat.  The primary goals were to identify which species are present in this habitat during the breeding season and to determine the approximate territory distributions of these species.  The plot was surveyed using the spot mapping census technique in which birds are identified by sight and/or sound, and their location is recorded on a grid-map of the plot.  This ultimately generates clusters of marks that represent an individual male bird/breeding pair.  This information is combined with observations of counter-singing, counter-calling, pair interactions, and breeding behavior to estimate the territory distributions of each species.  The species present were identified and catalogued, and it was possible to generate approximate maps of territory distributions, particularly for the most detectable species.  This research also revealed the usefulness and limitations of this particular avian census technique, which relies on certain assumptions that may often be violated.  The information gained from this project can be used to initiate a long-term study of the breeding bird population in this location.  The project was supported by an NCSU Undergraduate Research Award.

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Ryan Wayne Going

Abstract: Static Model of an Ellipsoidal Particle in a Highly Non-Uniform Optical Field

Optical sorting is an emerging technology which promises many breakthroughs in biomedical and nanotechnology applications.  The static response of non-spherical particles (e.g. blood cells, nano-rods, etc.) is currently an unanswered question.  Knowledge of the static response of a particle given its geometric and optical properties is a keystone for effectively developing a useful optical sorting system.  We present an analytic model for the static response of ellipsoidal particles in the micro- and nano- size regime in a highly non-uniform optical field, a situation typical of optical sorting.  We derive this model from a first principles approach, beginning with the Maxwell equations, working into expressions for force and torque.  We primarily make use of the Maxwell Stress Tensor expression, which requires an expression for the electric field just outside the edge of the particle.  This requires solving the Laplace equation with ellipsoidal bounds, which we resolve by employing the theory of Ellipsoidal Harmonics.  Combining all of these basic tools, we develop an analytic model for an ellipsoidal particle in a generalized optical field.  This work was supported by a NCSU Undergraduate Research Award.

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Adrienne Mari Wootten

Abstract: The Impact of Emission Utilities Reductions on Ground-level Ozone in Maryland, New Jersey and North Carolina

The Nitrogen Oxides State Implementation Plan Call (NOx SIP Call) was implemented in attempt to control the concentration of ground level ozone in Eastern United States.  Ground level ozone, whose precursors are regulated by the NOx SIP Call, is also greatly affected by spatial and temporal variations in meteorological conditions.  The affect of meteorology makes it difficult to determine the impact of emission utilities reductions.  Therefore we have developed a meteorologically adjusted ozone concentration trend to determine the impact of the NOx SIP Call in the states of Maryland, New Jersey and North Carolina.  Using autoregressive modeling we have determined that the ozone concentration during 1997-2006 in Maryland and North Carolina and 1997-2005 in New Jersey has decreased dramatically since the implementation of the NOx SIP Call.  We have also come across several unexpected results surrounding the ozone trend including a seasonal affect in all three states and a cyclical pattern in the long term ozone trend in New Jersey.

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Carter Walker Reeb

Project Title: Use of Sediment Polarity to Predict Release of Petroleum Contaminants in Vegetated or Non-vegetated Sediment

Abstract:  Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs can enter the environment through anthropogenic sources such as biomass combustion or improper disposal of petroleum products.  PAHs are toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic.  PAHs are also non-polar, which explains why they strongly associate with soils and sediment.  PAHs are extremely persistent in insoluble fractions of sediment.  Prior research has shown that extended exposure of petroleum-contaminated sediment to Phragmites, the common reed plant, significantly reduces PAH concentrations in sediment.  This is due to the increased microbial degradation of the sediment which releases (desorbs) the PAHs.  Vegetated and non-vegetated sediment samples were collected from petroleum waste sites that have naturally re-vegetated.  Sediments were fractionated to chemically and physically separate different sediment carbon pools, and these fractions were analyzed by elemental analysis to determine composition in the form of N, O, H and C.  The polarity was then determined using the equation for polarity indices, (PI) = [(O+N)/C].  This experiment had two purposes, to establish the effectiveness of elemental analysis in determining the composition of the sediment and the polarity indices.  Secondly, it purposed to determine if changes in the ratios of C, O, and N in the sediment organic matrix (SOM) by Phragmites correlates to the enhanced PAH release (desorption).  I hypothesize that if Phragmites sediment desorbs more PAHs than non-vegetated sediments, then Phragmites sediments are more polar and have greater polarity indices (PI) than non-vegetated sediments.  This research was supported with a grant from North Carolina State University’s College of Natural Resources.

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Jennifer Leigh Boyd

Abstract:  Effect of Running Shoe Type on In-shoe Plantar Pressure

Sports biomechanics is a quickly growing field, particularly in the field of injury rehabilitation and prevention.  Gait analysis and plantar pressure analysis are two common methods to complete these types of studies.  I conducted such a study at Duke University’s Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Laboratory.  The project was designed to test whether running shoe type (trainers v. flats) affects in-shoe plantar pressure and maximum force.  Since flats are assumed to be lighter and less-cushioned than trainers, it was predicted the flats’ lack of cushioning would result in plantar pressure concentration or abnormalities in running gait.  Both of these factors have been linked to lower extremity injury; therefore, the study investigated whether there is an increased injury risk when running in flats.

Thirty-seven volunteers (aged 18-29 years, run at least 10 miles a week) participated in the study.  Each subject successfully completed seven trials in each of four combinations of variables (running shoe and running speed).  Analysis with a paired t-test showed significantly higher maximum forces (p=0.001) and plantar pressures (p=0.019) in the racing flats.  These differences were found mostly in the hallux, lesser toes, and forefoot.  Contact area, contact time, and running speed did not significantly differ between running shoe types.

Research was supported by a NCSU Undergraduate Research Award and by a Caldwell Scholars Summer Stipend.