2008 Proceedings - St. Cloud State University

Abstracts
Session G Paper Presentation Competition II South Voyageurs
Web 2.0 and the English Classroom - Warning: Students may Riot
With the advent of Web 2.0 technologies, students today have an expanded ability to write for audiences found outside the classroom
setting. Forms of textual communication, including weblogs and user groups, have become common public outlets for student writing. At
the same time, the original use for many Web 2.0 writing spaces can be found within social networking. With this in mind, students of the
Millennial Generation tend to view Web 2.0 writing spaces as a component of their personal life; a life that exists outside of education.
Even so, in efforts to streamline classroom activities and expand pedagogical opportunities, English instructors are finding curriculum
applications for Web 2.0 technologies. The ability to expand distinctive outlets of textual delivery for students is, after all, a positive
outcome for English composition. However, educators must understand that classroom use of Web 2.0 technologies may be viewed by
Millennial Generation students as an intrusion into personal space. This paper will look at Millennial Generation student responses
concerning the inclusion of Web 2.0 technology within the classroom. Situations when these students found this inclusion useful and
frustrating will be included. Finally, the concept of Underlife, as originally outlined by Robert Brooke, will be modified to offer educators a
window into how student/classroom attitudes are affected by the introduction of Web 2.0 technologies. With an understanding of how
students view classroom use of online writing space, the pedagogical expansion into Web 2.0 technologies will only become a positive
inclusion for English instructors and students alike.
Presentation Index: G2
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Department: English
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Klint, Karl
Heiman, James
E. Coli Loading of Water and Sediment in the Sauk River
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a member of the fecal coliform group of bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract of humans and other
animals. E. coli is associated with various diseases like meningitis, sepsis, and gastroenteritis. E. coli is released to water bodies (lakes
and rivers) through leaking septic systems, feedlot runoff and manure application to fields. While much work has been done to study E. coli
loading in water and the sources of E. coli found in water, the relationship between E. coli loading of water and sediment has not been
studied extensively. The purpose of this study is to determine if a correlation exists between E. coli loading of water and sediment in Sauk
River, Minnesota. Water samples will be collected in triplicate from 17 different sites along the Sauk River once a month from April to
September 2008. Sediment samples will be collected in triplicate from 3 sites once a month from April to September 2008. Water samples
will be analyzed for E. coli using EPA approved membrane filtration technique. Sediment samples will be analyzed for E. coli using multiple
tube fermentation technique and enumerated using most probable number (MPN) method. In addition to bacterial analysis, the samples
will also be analyzed for nutrients (nitrate, phosphorus, and ammonia), pH, conductivity, and suspended and total solids. E.coli data will be
statistically analyzed to determine if a correlation exists between E.coli loading of water and sediment.
Presentation Index: G3
Time: 11:50 a.m.
Department: Environmental and Technological Studies
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Pradhananga, Amit
Bender, Mitch
What Does Janus Tyrosine Kinase (JAK) 3 Inhibitor Do to the T-Cells in Vitro?
T-cells, the cells of the immune system, are the crucial players in autoaggresion against pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells that results
with a development of autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D). There are several different subtypes of T-cells that can express protective (Th2,
Treg) and pathogenic roles (Th1) in the beta cell destruction. These T-cell subtypes can be distinguished by their surface molecular
markers, as well as by the specific cytokine profiles. T-cells express cytoplasmic signal transduction molecule JAK3, which in vivo inhibition
by a specific JAK3 inhibitor WHI-P131 was implied as a protective in development of diabetes in a NOD mouse model of T1D. The goal of
this study is to examine the effects of WHI-P131 on the survival, mechanism of cell death and cytokine secretion of isolated subpopulation
of CD4+ T-cells, in order to get an insight into the possible mechanism of WHI-P131 action. The CD4+ T-cells were isolated from the
spleens of 5-7-wk old prediabetic NOD and control C57BL/6 female mice (bred at our Animal room at SCSU) by positive magnetic
separation. The cells were stimulated by anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 antibodies, exposed to three different concentrations of WHI-P131 (6, 3,
and 1.5 mg/ml) and cultured for the period of three weeks. The apoptotic cell death was determined in cell lysates and cytokine secretion
(IL-10, IL-4, IL-2, IFN-ƒ× and TGF-ƒÒ) was analyzed in cell supernatants post each round of cell culturing (1, 2 and 3 weeks). It is found
that WHI-P131 induces a dose-dependent apoptotic cell death of the CD4+ T cells, clearly confirming that WHI-P131 indeed affects CD4+
T-cells. It is expected that cytokine profiles obtained from the CD4+ cells long-term cultured with addition of WHI-P131 would provide an
insight about the subtypes (protective vs. pathogenic) of CD4+ cells induced/affected by WHI-P131 action.
Presentation Index: G4
Time: 12:10 p.m.
Department: Biological Sciences
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Ghate, Ketaki; Nemkul, Niza; Fast, Patricia; Tsan, Fei chin; Cetkovic-Cvrlje, Marina
Shrestha,Sharad; Perera, Deshani
St. Cloud State University Student Research Colloquium 41
April 22, 2008