Cannabis sativa L. is perhaps one of the most infamous plants worldwide – leading to a history of prohibition. Consequently, little is known about the plant. Cannabis sativa has two main informal groupings: the widely known drug marijuana, and hemp, the psychoactive-free form of Cannabis. With products such as cannabidiol (CBD), hemp seeds, and natural fiber, hemp is exploding in popularity. The demand for these products is increasing, while our knowledge of the plant remains stagnant. While the cultivation of the plant is relatively new to Pennsylvania following the 2017 Farm Bill, farmers are anticipating crop rotation between hemp, corn, and soybeans. In a crop rotation system, there is potential for interaction and transmission of “microbes” or bacteria, fungi, protists, which are collectively known as the microbiome. Recently, the microbiome has been gaining attention for its countless roles in biological systems, ranging from the human intestine to the ocean floor. Microbiota are constantly in flux, and the microbes within them are constantly vying for control. In this project, we aim to quantify the bacterial soil microbiome (rhizosphere) of hemp and compare it to that of corn and soy. Understanding the rhizosphere microbiome allows for the analysis of beneficial and pathogenic rhizobacteria the crops have in common – at the soil level. Understanding the rhizosphere microbial community is key to the successful production of hemp. In this presentation, I will explain the project’s importance, methods, and preliminary results.
It is vital to understand the physical properties of the ground before construction because the properties of the subsurface can lead to slope instability, uneven compaction, and water infiltration of the near-surface rock. These can cause foundation issues, which would result in the failure of the structures. Natural fractures are an important geologic feature because their mechanical and hydrological properties influence the sub surface’s behavior. Fractures within rocks allow for the dispersion of mechanical stresses and the transmission of fluids. Because of this, fractures must be investigated as part of a complicated geotechnical investigation of the ground’s mechanical and hydrologic properties whenever a new construction project begins. Pennsylvania has varying geology, and there is a broadly insufficient understanding of subsurface fracture behavior in the six physiographic provinces found within the state. Research needs to be done in all the state’s provinces to develop a comprehensive understanding of the naturally occurring fractures and their impact on ground properties, like stability and water infiltration. This research intends to attain greater foundational knowledge of the subsurface by analyzing fractures in the near-surface rock in two of Pennsylvania’s physiographic provinces. The research will contain fracture analysis of four drill cores, which will be compared to the rock type and stress regimes of the physiographic provinces in which they are found. The goal of this work is to develop a model to allow for more accurate and efficient geotechnical modeling of the near-surface rock in the future.
Role-playing games (RPGs) are games where the player participants assume the roles of characters and collaboratively create stories. Players determine the actions of their characters based on their characterization and the actions succeed or fail according to a system of rules and guidelines. Keeping in line with the rules of the game, they may improvise freely; their choices shape the outcome and directions of the game. In interactable virtual mediums, such as video games and virtual reality (VR), players assume a virtual avatar and make choices within the bounds of the game to shape their avatar’s characterization. In massively-multiplayer online games (MMOs), it is almost essential for players to interact with other players and push the direction of the game further. While not entirely necessary from a game mechanic point of view, players will adopt virtual personas while interacting with other players as a means to enhance their own immersion within the game. Creating a virtual avatar with in-depth characterization fuels the player’s decisions in the game, and will dictate how the player is able to interact with other players.
Foreign language departments have been decreasing in size in recent years. This study aims to determine how cultural associations affect motivation to, or to not, study German at the college level. The field of psycholinguistics encompasses research that takes a psychological perspective on foreign language learning. Previous studies have delved into motivation within the foreign language classroom, where as this study focuses on cultural associations that potentially affect enrollment in foreign language classes. Americans develop cultural associations from individual exposure to foreign language or culture. The result of which may affects one’s proclivity towards later foreign language learning. The survey gathers information regarding history of foreign language learning before college and has open-ended questions for subjects to express their associations to the German language, German culture, and any potential connection they may perceive towards German language, culture, or German-speaking countries.
Stress is not new to students, especially those who make it to college. Time and time again, students are told to just get through classes and deal with the stress they face. Insight of the widespread stress in students, no one stops and thinks about what stress does to students. Instead, it is normalized. How does stress affect them long term? What kinds of other issues develop as coping mechanisms- drug use, alcohol use? And what can be done to combat this? Through the example of a music major, research, and analysis, the causes and justification of stress will be brought to question; as well as researched and proven ways to combat stress and preventative measures. Stress can directly be related to drug and alcohol usage, as well as the development of mental illnesses. These severe links make the conversation of stress and its impact so important.
The need to create a positive learning environment is critical in all classrooms. Research studies demonstrate that singing in the presence of others is a vulnerable thing to do, thus the importance of creating a safe and encouraging learning environment in the choral classroom is crucial. While wellbeing in the classroom is a widely discussed topic among researchers, educators, and administrators, little has been connected to Edward Deci’s self-determination theory, a macro theory of human motivation and personality that concerns people's inherent growth tendencies and innate psychological needs. This project examines how educators can promote student wellbeing by addressing these three psychological needs, autonomy, competence, and relatedness, in their classroom environment, classroom management, and teaching strategies. Oral history interviews gave vocal music educators the opportunity to reflect on how they contribute to a learning environment that promotes student wellbeing. The implications of these interviews stress the importance for vocal music educators to develop students’ self-confidence, motivation, and connection to others to best promote student wellbeing.
Synesthesia, a neurological condition that effects the senses, allows around four percent of the population to experience the world in seemingly incomprehensible ways. It has been found that artists, such as musicians, may be more likely to have this condition due to their innate aesthetic sensitivity, though very few studies examine how this effected their views on music or how it facilitates or impedes their artistry. By using oral history methodology, a method that allows participants to freely share their own experiences with the condition, several interviews showed many differing relationships between synesthesia and musical backgrounds. It was also discovered that while there seems to be a connection between how synesthesia effects musicians' daily lives and their understanding of music, as well as several connections between the musicians themselves, there is a different response by each musician. Because their personal experiences showed a varied range of reactions, the question remains open.
Stephen Sondheim is often praised as one of the most prolific and exceptional musical theater composers of the 20th Century. In 1981, Stephen Sondheim experienced the biggest failure of his career with his passion project, Merrily We Roll Along. A few years following, he emerged back on the scene with a new writing partner James Lapine to write Sunday in the Park with George. This was a pivotal shift in Sondheim’s career so comparing these two musicals could give lots of insight into Sondheim’s musical development. This project will investigate these two works as equals and reveal Sondheim’s musical and thematic elements within them. I am using musical analysis methodology to allow the music to speak for itself and reveal the connections between the two larger works. Stephen Sondheim is a very unique composer, so a musical analysis has to be performed through many different lenses. While Sondheim employs a lot of common practice techniques when composing, perhaps the most effective way to view his music is through the emotions behind it. Despite these two musicals being written in two different compositional styles, the way that Sondheim is able to convey emotion stays consistent. His use of pedal point, bimodality, effect chords, and voice leading all seem to attempt to convey the emotion of that specific moment. Learning how and why brilliant composers create their work is a key element in the creation of new and exciting art. This project will supply musicians, composers, and educators with a prime example of how an artist was able to express his art freely and effectively.
The research process is a unique experience. It can be methodically planned or change multiple times until a final topic is established. In this case, the project’s research question has been changed and refined multiple times. It is common in the earth sciences to seek data that has already been collected to develop and answer a research question, which is different from other disciplines where the research question is established first, and then data is collected. This project started out as a study of the deep convection events occurring in the Irminger Sea during certain winters and how these events affect the concentration of dissolved oxygen throughout the water column. After finding out the data included other variables that contribute to biological processes in the ocean, the additional variables were to be incorporated into the data analysis. In the process of learning how to graph the data, a whole new data source was discovered that would allow the project to reach areas of the ocean outside of the Irminger Sea. The current state of the project is an exciting endeavor and the current development of the project’s topic would have not been possible without being open to new topics and allowing the research process to be fluid. Keeping an open mind about where the research process will go is especially important when the data available is major factor in determining the research topic.
