Guidelines for Presenters

Abstract Submission Form

Examples of Suitable Abstracts Submissions from Various Departments:

BIOLOGY

Cadmium Chloride and Sodium Arsenate, Environmental Estrogens in Cigarette Smoke, Activate the Estrogen Signaling Pathway to Induce Proliferation in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines

Sarah L. Todd, Alison Bleser, Krista A. Riggs, Susan M. Dougherty, Carolyn M. Klinge

Faculty Sponsor: Mary O. Huff

Of the 65 carcinogens in cigarette smoke, cadmium chloride and sodium arsenate are considered environmental estrogens because they mimic the effect of estrogen in living systems.  Since recent studies support a role for estrogen in the etiology and progression of lung cancer, we wanted to determine if these environmental estrogens could stimulate cellular proliferation in a similar manner.  Treatment of a lung adenocarcinoma cell line, H1793, derived from a female patient, for 4 days with nanomolar concentrations of cadmium chloride or sodium arsenate induced cellular proliferation similar to that seen for estrogen.  Furthermore, blockage of the estrogen signaling pathway with an estrogen receptor inhibitor ICI 180,780 partially reduced the observed proliferation, supporting the involvement of the estrogen receptor signaling pathway.  To determine if these environmental estrogens can directly activate transcription of estrogen responsive genes, a reporter gene was transfected into the same H1793 cell line, which was then treated for 30 hr with estrogen, cadmium chloride or sodium arsenate.  The results indicate that, like estrogen, cadmium chloride and sodium arsenate activate transcription.  To determine the gene responses induced by these environmental estrogens, RNA is being isolated after treatment and the expression of a group of estrogen- responsive genes will be analyzed.

NURSING

The Health Status of the 40204 Area

Scherrie Butler, Sarah Carpenter, Deanna Fetter, Amanda Fort, Jessica Pratt, Rebecca Raasch, and Emily Snyder

Faculty Sponsor: Beverley Holland

Rationale:  The health of a community and its population is dependent on the environment and resources within the community. Objective:  To develop and carry out a descriptive study to identify health issues in the 40204 zip code. Methods: Data will be obtained via various modalities: windshield surveys, market basket price comparisons at local groceries within the zip code, interviews with local health care providers, and from local demographic and statistical databases.  We will be assessing residents’ access to nutrition, health care, and other community resources to determine the area’s health status.  We plan to collect data on community resources regarding the health of the people living in the area. In addition, we will look at the number of parks and recreation facilities in the area, the most common forms of transportation, and the number of health care facilities and hospitals. Results:  The collected data will be evaluated and analyzed to present a picture of health of the 40204 zip code. Conclusions: After assessment and analysis of the collected data, we hope to find a broad variety of services available to the community that promotes the health and wellness of its residents.

PSYCHOLOGY

Parenting Styles’ Effect on Self-Esteem

Ashley Long

Faculty sponsor: Thomas Wilson

The effect of four different parenting styles on an individual’s degree of self-esteem was examined through college students. The students were divided into four different parenting style types, based upon their responses to scenarios provided.  Methodological issues involved responses to a self-esteem survey, parenting style scenarios, as well as a parenting style checklist used to validate the original responses to the scenarios.  Correlation procedures were used to examine the relationship between a particular parenting style’s effects on child self-esteem.  It was hypothesized that analysis of the data would lead to the authoritarian parenting style correlating with lower levels of self esteem, while the authoritative parenting style would correlate with higher levels on the self esteem survey.  Two-way ANOVA analysis was performed in order to access the information collected.

COMMUNICATION

The Ethics of Blurring the Line Between Editorial and Advertising in Print Publications

Kate Hamilton

Faculty sponsor: Gail Henson 

What is the fine line between editorial content and advertising in print publications? Many print publications are willing to satisfy advertisers though promoting their products and services within editorial content. The implications of this practice are that readers cannot tell the difference between what is real news and what is being promoted within editorial content as a result of advertising dollars. Print publications are defending themselves because advertisers are the driving force of their business, and keeping them satisfied is a profitable business move. The opposing position says that it is not ethical to let advertising dollars drive editorial content, because then advertisers have the capability of controlling what makes the news and what does not. Journalism originated as a public service, a means to convey true information and news to people, and seems to be evolving into a sector of public relations. The Journal of Communication Management, by Barbara Baerns, notes, “Editorial advertising tips and product placement have now seemingly become acceptable and the precept of separating advertising and programmer content is increasingly being breached, not only in radio and television. In newspapers and magazines, too, the grey area between editorial text and advertising is spreading.”

HISTORY

A History of Prospect and Harrod’s Creek

Kevin Yates

Faculty sponsor: Eric Roorda                                                                                                                                     

My research showcases the history of Prospect and Harrods Creek throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the tranquil towns of Prospect and Harrods Creek are located on the city limits of Metro Louisville. Until the 1950s, these two small towns were rural areas that seemed much farther than the twelve miles from downtown Louisville. There are families that have lived in the area for generations and mills still standing along creeks. Wildlife still inhabits Prospect and Harrods Creek, representative of their mix of rural and suburban settings. Railroads played an important part in the development of the area. Cattle were transported to the stock yards in Butchertown. Residents of the area commuted downtown for office work via the interurban train, coming home to their gentleman farms in the evening. While there are still estates dating back to the Civil War, much of the area has been converted from family farms to subdivisions. Cattle have been replaced with Cadillacs and the fields paved with asphalt.