2019 Honors Presentations
Honors students are pictured with their mentors April 5.
Honors students presented their research April 5 at The Founders, located on the Southern Wesleyan University campus in Central.
The Honors program at Southern Wesleyan University exists to promote academic excellence by providing its student members with professional mentoring and experience in their chosen discipline through which they can explore, research and create within a challenging yet supportive environment.
The following presentations were given:
Amber Goss – “Reptile Movement and Habitat Preference on the Campus of Southern Wesleyan University, Central, South Carolina.”
The Upstate region of South Carolina has a large diversity of reptiles. The extent of the herpetological community at Southern Wesleyan University, located in the upstate region in Central, S.C., however, is unknown. Therefore, using traditional as well as novel capture techniques, a herpetological survey was conducted to evaluate the community of reptiles present on the campus of Southern Wesleyan University. Determining the presence and/or absence of various herpetological species can be important in understanding the condition and health of an environment as reptiles can be biological indicators. Overall, active searches were found to be the most useful in discovering herpetological species during the research period. The unique techniques of using game cameras to observe habitats and dive pens to mark turtles were also found useful in monitoring reptile activity as well as giving insight on possible attraction of mammalian predators to these artificial habitats.
Savannah Youngblood – “The Impact of Financial Education and Christian Stewardship on Young Adults.”
This research project presents literary evidence showing that new generations such as Millennials and Generation Z are struggling with managing and understanding their personal finances since they are commonly not taught financial principles in practices from a reliable and dependable source. Like other members of society, young adults struggle with personal challenges that may come in the form of misconceptions they have regarding money and/or mistreatments of money. In order to edu-cate young adults in financial principles and practices, a curriculum was written and presented in a work-shop called “Financially Fearless” on the campuses of Southern Wesleyan University and Potter’s Clay Fellowship. This curriculum was unique to others like it because of its heavy focus on Christian Steward-ship and how that impacts the whole of how individuals should manage their personal finances properly. The overall results of this study were positive demonstrating that the workshop was successful in achiev-ing the learning objectives for the individuals who attended.
Jacob Cashour – “Anuran Species Richness and Call Intensity Near Campus of Southern Wesleyan University.”
A study on the presence of amphibians at two separate water sources near the campus of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, S.C. One water source is an established pond that has been on the campus for decades while the other is a newly implemented retention wetland. To accomplish this amphibian survey, automated recording systems were placed on trees adjacent to each of the water bodies. Recordings were taken from February to May 2018 as well as February 2019 at the established pond and were taken from March to May 2018 and February 2019 at the retention wetland. The recording data was then analyzed based on calling intensity and species presence. The call data revealed the presence of 11 species at the established pond and 9 at the retention wetland, with each site being home to unique species. Data analysis of call intensity found that the intensity of calls at the established pond decreased considerably in the month of February 2019 compared to February 2018.
Jennifer Ball – “Determining a Unique Metabolic Profile for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).”
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that demonstrates a variety of phenotypes. There is currently no laboratory test for this disorder. Previous research indicates that tryptophan levels are de-creased in every case of ASD, no matter the phenotype. Therefore, this pathway was investigated further. In this study, two different phenotypes of ASD (phenotype I and non-phenotype I), and controls were compared using Biolog Phenotype Mammalian Microarray (PM-M) 96 well plates. The results of this study show that in terms of metabolomics, there is a distinct profile for phenotype I patients. Not only did this study indicate that there is a unique metabolic profile for phenotype I of ASD, the treatment used on phenotype I cells showed promising results in reference to energy production levels in the presence of specific growth hormones. With this information, it is proposed that a universal blood screening can be produced to identify phenotype I ASD.
Alex M. Kurtz – “Accuracy of the Brzycki Formula for Predicting 1RM Values with Explosive Linear Leg Press Training.”
The one repetition max (1RM) is considered the gold standard for the assessment of maximum strength. Currently this method is used to prescribe strength training programs for individuals. The purpose of this experiment was to examine the relationship between actual 1RM values and predicted 1RM values for explosive linear leg press training. Methods: Seven female softball players (19.3±0.74 yrs.; 73.15±24.88 kg; 164.7±7.58 cm) participated in the study. Participants performed a 1RM test and the next week completed a set of explosive repetitions to failure at 80% of the max loaded weight of their 1RM (plus sled weight of 76kg). Each participant was instructed to lower the weight in a con-trolled manner until 90 degrees of flexion. At flexion they were told to explosively push as hard and as fast as possible, avoiding full knee extension. The number of repetitions to failure were used in the Brzycki formula to predict their 1RMs. Results: The actual 1RMs ranged from 167.3 kg to 341.8 kg and predicted 1RMs from 162.7 kg to 331.5 kg. The predicted 1RMs were strongly associated to the actual 1RMs (r = 0.961, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences found between the actual 1RM and the predicted 1RM (t = 0.196, p = 0.848). Conclusion: These results indicate predicting 1RM from repetitions to failure with explosive training on a linear leg press are highly correlated to the actual 1RM. In addition, prediction of 1RM values could be used to efficiently increase weight load for athletes participating in an explosive training regimen.
Dynestee Fields – “The Voice of the Chicken.”
“The Voice of the Chicken” is a documentary short that explores the shared communicative behaviors of domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and their ancestors, the Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus). The film aims to illuminate the complexity of the birds’ vocalizations and visual displays, to identify components of courtship and reproductive behavior, and to ques-tion the meaning of this information in regard to how domestic chickens are treated in the modern food industry. Eight-point-five billion chickens are raised and slaughtered annually in the United States without being able to fully participate in their natural behaviors. It is time to offer humanity a glimpse into what has been re-moved from these birds’ lives.
Davis Hendricks, Matthew Morgan, and Madison Prater – “Synthesis of Transgenic Plant-Based Edible Vaccines for Adenovirus, Astrovirus, and Rotavirus.”
The production of an edible vaccine for gastroenteric viruses has the potential to impact developing countries through mass production of affordable vaccines. Three viruses were initially chosen for vaccine development- Rotavirus, Adenovirus, and Astrovirus. Development of edible vaccines against these viruses has the potential to improve the cost of production, ease administration, and ease of the storage of vaccines against these viruses while still effectively immunizing against them. Synthesis of these vaccines began with identifying the appropriate epitopes. The epitopes chosen were targeted to the populations of countries and regions most affected by the specific gastrointestinal viruses chosen. The intermediate capsid protein VP6 was picked for the Rotavirus vaccine in order to target the vaccine for the North Gujarat region of India. The epitope NITFSVVY was used for the Adenovirus. This particular epitope is most frequently recognized by the immune systems of the people of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Astrovirus has a significant impact on developing countries and the young population of Vietnam especially. Because the Kinh people are the most dominant ethnic group in Vietnam, the peptide “WQVLNTAVSAAELVT” was chosen since it would be the best at eliciting an appropriate immune response in the target population. This targeting of epitopes should increase the efficacy of the final product in those regions most in need of the vaccine. Following this, the appropriate antigen DNA sequence was inserted into a plasmid by digesting the plasmid vector and ligating. Agrobacterium tumefa-ciens was transformed with the modified plasmid vector using a modified freeze-thaw method. This bacteria is capable of a DNA transfer to plants and is the vector of transformation. The DNA sequences for each epitope were inserted into plasmids and multiple transformation protocols were used to transfer the plasmids into A. tumefaciens cells. Limitations associated with transformation include the original use of elec-trocompetent A. tumefaciens cells rather than a chemically competent cell, which lends itself to the trans-formation protocol utilized. Remaining transformed A. tumefaciens cultures were saved so that future stu-dents can continue this project where it was left off.
Landon Hewell – “Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Its Effect on the Animal Model of Human Rheumatoid Arthritis.”
Developments using collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats may be used to develop treatments for human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Arthritis, in general, is detrimental to the health of the affected individual, and these diseases are relatively frequent across the world. Previous research suggests that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) may be pro-inflammatory, therefore potentially affecting arthritic disease. The purpose of this experiment was to gauge the effects of FSH on inflammation in collagen-induced arthritis. The research showed that there were no changes in joint measurement from Day 5 to Day 1 ( t = 0.41). The averages of the joint differences from Day 1 to Day 3 were 0.128 ± 0.15 mm for the treatment group and 0.183 ± 0.15 mm for the control group. There was a significant increase in joint measurements from Day -5 to Day 3 ( t = 0.0002) and from Day 1 to Day 3 ( t < .0001). These data indicate that arthritis develops later than anticipated when compared to previous work. No differences were observed in joint measurement between treatment and control groups on Day 3 ( t = 0.65). On Day 3, none of the rats had a measurable TNF-alpha concentration value, and there was a significant decrease in TNF-alpha for all rats ( W = 0.98). This research suggests that FSH is not proinflammatory.
Faculty Mentors of the Spring 2019 Student Honors Projects and Presentations were:
Michelle Eller, College of Arts and Sciences
Emily Germain, College of Arts and Sciences
Patty Hovis, College of Arts and Sciences
Staci Johnson, College of Arts and Sciences
Jeff Mohr, College of Arts and Sciences
David Stubblefield, College of Arts and Sciences
Laura Timmerman, School of Business
For more information about Southern Wesleyan University’s Honors Program contact: Dr. April White Pugh, interim Honors Program director, at .
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.
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