Table of Contents
Schedule………...3
Welcome………..…4
Key to Abstract Numbers………...…..5
Abstracts
Business……….…………..7
Education……….…………8
Engineering and Applied Science………...9
Letters, Arts and Sciences………...13
Nursing and Health Sciences………...………..22
Public
Affairs………...….…….25
NISSSC
Institute………26
Index of Authors………30
Featured Speakers………..33
Mountain Lion Research Day 2009 Schedule
Presenter Registration
7:30-8:30 A.M.
Posters are available for
viewing all morning
Poster presentations
8:30-11:30 A.M.
Featured Speaker
9:00-9:15 A.M.
Dr. Andrew Ketsdever
Mechanical & Aerospace
Engineering
Featured Speaker
10:00-10:15 A.M.
Dr. Thomas Wolkow
Biology
Featured Speaker
11:00-11:15 A.M.
Dr. Amy Silva-Smith
Nursing
Luncheon
Welcome
11:45 A.M.
Chancellor Pam
Shockley-Zalabak
Keynote speaker
Dr. Thomas Pyszczynski
Psychology
Sponsored by the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor
for Research and Innovationand El Pomar Institute for
1
stAnnual Mountain Lion Research Day
Dear Friends and Colleagues: Welcome to the 1st annual Mountain Lion Research Day. There are two major objectives for the Mountain Lion Research Day: 1. To allow UCCS faculty to become better acquainted with the research being conducted by colleagues at the University with the hope of stimulating cross‐campus collaborations. 2. To introduce potential partners in the Pikes Peak region to the research happening at UCCS. As a "regional" university, it behooves UCCS researchers to engage with entities in Colorado Springs. UCCS is important to the future growth of Southern Colorado in many ways, not the least of which is by being a vibrant research university providing support for the companies who are already here or who may relocate here. Research Day is a showcase of projects across the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs campus. Thanks to all faculty, students, and staff involved. Let me take this opportunity to greet you. Have a great and productive day. Thank you for participating in Mountain Lion Research Day.Dr. Michael Larson
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and
Innovation
Key to Abstract Numbers Table
Code No.
Category
Discipline
2.01 Business
Accounting
2.02 Business
Business
Administration
2.03 Business
Business
Communication
2.04 Business
Business
Law
2.05 Business
Finance
2.06
Business
Human Resource Management
2.07 Business
Information
Systems
2.08 Business
International
Business
2.09 Business
Management
2.10 Business
Marketing
2.11
Business
Operations & Tech Management
2.12
Business
Professional Golf Management
2.13 Business
Quantitative
Methods
2.14 Business
Sport
Management
3.01
Education
Counseling & Human Services
3.02 Education
Curriculum
3.03 Education
Leadership
3.04 Education
Special
Education
3.05
Education
Professional Teacher Education
4.01
Engineering & Applied Sci
Computer Science
4.02
Engineering & Applied Sci
Computer Security
4.03
Engineering & Applied Sci
Electrical Engineering
4.04
Engineering & Applied Sci
Game Design and Development
4.05
Engineering & Applied Sci
Mechanical Engineering
4.06
Engineering & Applied Sci
Space Operations
5.01
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Anthropology
5.02
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Biology
5.03
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Chemistry
5.04
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Communication
5.05
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Economics
5.06
Letters, Arts & Sciences
English
5.07
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Energy Science
5.08
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Geography & Environmental Studies
5.09
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Geology
5.10
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Gerontology
5.11
Letters, Arts & Sciences
History
5.12
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Journalism
5.13
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Languages and Culture
5.14
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Library Science
5.15
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Mathematics
5.16
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Military Science
5.17
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Physics
Code No.
Category
Discipline
5.18
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Political Science
5.19
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Psychology
5.20
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Sociology
5.21
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Sports & Leisure Studies
5.22
Letters, Arts & Sciences
VAPA-Art
5.23
Letters, Arts & Sciences
VAPA-Theatre
5.24
Letters, Arts & Sciences
VAPA-Music
5.25
Letters, Arts & Sciences
Women’s & Ethnic Studies
6.01
Nursing & Health Sciences
Nursing
6.02
Nursing & Health Sciences Health
Sciences
7.01
School of Public Affairs
Criminal Justice
7.02
School of Public Affairs
Public Administration
8.01
National Institute of Science,
Space, and Security Centers
(NISSSC)
Center for Homeland Security
(CHS)
8.02
National Institute of Science,
Space, and Security Centers
(NISSSC)
Center for Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics
Education (CSTEME/PIPES)
8.03
National Institute of Science,
Space, and Security Centers
(NISSSC)
Center for Space Studies (CSS)
8.04
National Institute of Science,
Space, and Security Centers
(NISSSC)
Trauma, Health and Hazards Center
(THHC)
Business
Accounting 2.01
Business Administration 2.02
Business Communications 2.03
Business Law2.04
Finance 2.05
02.05.01 Forecast Error in the General DDM
Ping Tan, Student, BusinessDr. Gary Klein, Faculty, Business
We tested the forecast error in the stock price by applying the Dividend Discount Model (DDM).
We used the historical dividends to calculate the intrinsic value of the stock in one year and
compared it to the stock’s market price in that year. By changing the abnormal growth period
and adjusting the discounted rate, we aimed to find out the lowest possible error in the stock
price by applying the PDN.
Human Resource Management 2.06
International Business 2.08
Management 2.09
Marketing 2.10
02.10.01 Public-Private Partnerships at the Base of the Pyramid: From Buzzword to Results
Sandra Heller, Student, BusinessTracy Gonzalez-Padron, Faculty, Business
The research takes a critical look at public-private partnerships within the Base of the Pyramid
(BoP) field. Effective public-private partnerships between multinational corporations and
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or governments are considered a crucial part of achieving
success in empowering individuals and improving quality of life for the world’s poor at the base
of the economic pyramid. A categorization of public-private partnerships provides the basis for
ascertaining what key factors enable partnerships to succeed
Operations and Tech Management 2.11
Professional Golf Management 2.12
Quantitative Methods 2.13
Education
Counseling and Human Services 3.01
Special Education 3.04
Curriculum in Education 3.02
Professional Teacher Education 3.05
Leadership 3.03
03.03.01 An Evaluation of an Online Master’s Program for School Leaders
Dr. Al Ramirez, Faculty, Leadership, Research, and FoundationsBrian Burnett, PhD student, Leadership, Research, and Foundations
Jamie McMullen-Garcia, PhD student, Leadership, Research, and Foundations Regina Lewis, PhD student, Leadership, Research, and Foundations
Sandra Meagher, PhD student, Leadership, Research, and Foundations
This research evaluates an online school leadership master’s degree program. Embedded in the
degree program is a standards based state licensure program for school principals. The evaluation
uses a mixed methodology. Program benchmark assessments such as internship data and
portfolio assessments are assessed. Student and faculty perceptions of the value and quality of
the online program were also explored. Results from the evaluation show high levels of
satisfaction among students and some concerns about the program among faculty.
Recommendations for improving the program are included.
Engineering and Applied Science
Computer Science 4.01
04.01.01 Building Resilient Internet Services with Learning and Control
Xiaobo (Joe) Zhou, Faculty, Computer ScienceInternet services are a form of distributed applications in which software components running on networked computers coordinate via ubiquitous communications on the Internet. Due to the dynamic nature and unprecedented scale of the Internet, Internet services pose many challenges including scalability, reliability, and availability to underlying networked systems. This project concentrates on building Internet services that are resilient to those challenges with quality-of-service adaptation, machine learning and feedback control techniques. Internet services build upon multi-tier cluster based computer systems that keep growing in scale and complexity. Such systems become so complicated that it is even a big challenge to get a good understanding of the entire systems dynamic behaviors. Optimizing one component may compromise the other, leading to overall performance degradation. This project proposes to design an autonomous software infrastructure with service differentiation, performance isolation, and adaptive reconfiguration mechanisms on networked systems for building resilient Internet services. It will blend formal modeling and analysis, experimentation, and evaluation. The success will renew understandings of computer system performance from new metrics and guide resource management for building resilient Internet services. It will broaden the research impact by developing a test-bed with toolkits to demonstrate the orchestration of designed techniques for autonomous and adaptive computing.
04.01.02 Improving Rehab Patient Care with Laban Specification and Wireless Sensor Tracking
Edward Chow, Faculty, Computer ScienceFrancisco Torres, Student, Computer Science Jonathan Knight, Student, Computer Science James Carollo, Student, Computer Science Sudhanshu Semwal, Faculty, Computer Science
The design of a system that uses Labnotation to capture rehabilitation exercises, wireless motion
caption sessions to record the patient’s performance, and computer modeling/animation and
comparison techniques to match the rehab exercise and the patient’s performance is proposed to
improve their care and rehabilitation.
04.01.03 Fingerprint Recognition
Abhjit Bendale, Student, Computer Science Faculty Advisor: Dr. Terry BoultWe approach the problem of fingerprint recognition in a new way and with a goal to improve the current state of the art system. We propose a new distance and feature based graph traversal for fingerprint recognition. Along with improving accuracy of the recognition system we also focus on enhancing privacy of finger biometrics.
Computer Security 4.02
Electrical Engineering 4.03
04.03.01 Multirate Digital Phase-Lock Loops with Random Processor Latency
Dr. Mark Wickert, Faculty, ECEA critical function required in most all digital communication systems is synchronization. Three
levels of synchronization include carrier phase, spreading code timing, and symbol timing
estimation. Digital phase phase-locked loops (DPLLs), are often used to implement these
functions. Multirate DPLLs are often found in practice where the timing error detector (TED) or
phase detector (PD) operates at a much higher sampling rate than is required to operate the loop
filter. It is assumed that there is an architecture partition between the TED and loop filter, the
former is in firmware, while the latter runs in software on a real-time operating system (RTOS).
Processor latency, which has a certain randomness to it, introduces time delay in the closed-loop
system. The impact of random processor latency on loop stability and overall DPLL performance
in noise and signal Doppler is described in this poster.
04.03.02 Using Software-Based Animations of Signal Processing Mathematics to Enhance
Learning
Dr. Mark Wickert, Faculty, ECE
In teaching digital signal processing (DSP) and related discrete-time signals and systems topics,
there are instances where improved understanding of the underlying mathematics can be
obtained via a software animation. What makes the use of animation additionally attractive, is
when it is combined with a screen-cast lecture format. The screen-cast is then made available to
the students for after class viewing and even distance learning, via the course Web Site. The
software animations themselves are also made available as stand-alone applications, or
applications that run within a freely available player, e.g., the Mathematica Player6/7. This way
students can replay the lecture video to review the animations in action, and then run the
animations on their own computer. Learning needs to be fun whenever possible, and the
computer today, in many ways replaces the home electronics workbench with proto-boards and
used/homemade test equipment of yesterday.
04.03.03 Low Power FM Radio Design Project Fall 2008
Dr. Mark Wickert, Faculty, ECEAndrew Young, student, ECE Evan Blackney, student, ECE
This poster describes the results of a student design project to design and build a working
prototype of a low-power FM stereo radio. The design was motivated by a contest sponsored by
the IEEE Microwave theory and Techniques Society, for their June 2008 International
Symposium. At the heart of the design is a low-power FM receiver chip, with support circuitry
consisting of high efficiency switching regulators driving a high efficiency headphone amplifier,
a low-power microprocessor, and an LCD display. The core design requirement, was that the FM
stereo radio be able to drive left and right channel 33 ohm headphones to a power level of 4 mw
each. The design accomplished this goal with less than 50 mW input power and also provided a
very functional user interface with four lines of display data. Of special note is the ability to
display RDS information, which includes the station ID and program information, such as the
song artist and title.
04.03.04 Compensating for Residential Phantom Loads
Mr. Bob Kressin, Faculty, ECETaylor Carter, student, ECE Gary Simonson, student, ECE
A “Phantom Load” is any device which consumes electricity despite not being used directly by its owner. Common examples of Phantom Loads in houses include alarm clocks, computers in standby mode, and televisions. Approximately 5% of the average consumer’s electricity bill is due to Phantom Loads. Last semester, a Senior Design Team worked in conjunction with Colorado Springs Utilities to construct a solar-based Phantom Load Compensator solution. The goal of the project was to develop a system that could pay for itself in less than five years time. By using a combination of financial and technical innovations, a system was constructed that met the design requirements. From a financial standpoint, the team sized the solar panel correctly and optimized all parts of the system (battery, charge controller, etc.)
to balance cost and reliability. From a technical standpoint, a novel charge controller was designed to maximize flow of current between solar panel, battery, and the home, including an attempt to supplement the house with solar panel during peak residential usage times. The working prototype will be on display for you to view and ask questions.
04.03.05 Efficient Battery Pack State Estimation Using Bar-Delta-Filtering
Dr. Gregory Plett, Faculty, ECEAccurate state-of-charge (SOC) estimation is critical for xEV applications but involves
considerable computational complexity. We argue that battery-pack SOC is undefined, and that
individual estimates of all cell SOCs are required to compute available power and energy.
Furthermore, it is not feasible to simply replicate a cell-based method for all cells in a pack.
Instead, we propose a new method for pack state estimation that we call “bar-delta filtering” that
takes advantage of similar states among pack cells. It estimates all battery-pack cell
state-of-charge and state-of-health values using only slightly more computation than for a single cell.
Game Design and Development 4.04
Mechanical Engineering 4.05
04.05.01 The Exploration and Space Technology (EaST ) Laboratory
Andrew Ketsdever, Faculty, Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringMechanical and aerospace engineering disciplines have historically provided many of the tools necessary for the exploration of our local “universe”, ranging from space probes to deep submersibles. The Exploration and Space Technology (EaST) Laboratory is designed to introduce students to advanced research in all manner of technologies with applications to astronautic, aeronautic, terranautic and aquanautic exploration. Exploration vehicles, subsystems, and components are enabled by high performance materials, advanced diagnostic development, and progress in the understanding of natural phenomena. A better understanding of complex systems operating in unknown and often extreme environments is required to further human and robotic exploration of our universe. The National Science Foundation (NSF), along with the National Academy of Engineering, has identified the enhancement of exploration as a Grand Challenge in Engineering. Exploration truly embodies the spirit of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The Advanced Propulsion and Exploration (APEx) Laboratory is part of the EaST Lab supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory through an Educational Partnership Agreement with UCCS. The APEx Laboratory investigates low Technology Readiness Level (TRL 1 to 4) propulsion concepts for space access and in-space propulsion and will provide a technology push in an effort to identify key technologies that can be mission enabling. Advanced propulsion concepts will also require advancement in a variety of other areas including high power systems, high density plasma production, and advanced materials. Technologies that can impact exploration missions in the 15 to 50 year timeframe will be investigated through a combination of theoretical, computational, and experimental studies.
04.05.02 Renewable Energy Harvesting Applications
James Stevens, Faculty, Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringLiquid piston Stirling engines are simple devices which use an oscillating liquid column to shift the working fluid back and forth between the heat-input and heat-rejection sides of the engine. A second oscillating liquid column keeps the overall expansion and contraction of the working fluid in the right phase for the device to operate as an engine. The biggest advantage of these devices is extremely low capital cost. With proper design, a small working model can be built with a few pieces of hardware store pipe and tubing. There are no sliding mechanical seals and bearings and no expensive materials or machining required. The overall goal of this engineering research is to improve the achievable
efficiencies of liquid piston Stirling engines so that their low capital cost can be effectively matched with low grade and renewable heat sources for harvesting useful power.
difference between junctions of dissimilar metals.. Ongoing research at UCCS involves using
thermoelectric generators to produce a small (instrumentation scale) amount of electric power from the daily temperature fluctuations that provide an ongoing temperature difference between the air and the ground. Appropriate thermal matching between the thermoelectric generator and the air-side and ground-side heat exchangers is necessary for an optimally functioning device. Other concepts in development involve matching thermoelectric generators with low-power light emitting diodes for portable emergency power or for long term remote light production.
04.05.03 Thermally Optimal Design with the Lattice Boltzmann Method
David Meyer, Student-MAEFaculty Advisor-Dr. Georg Pingen-MAE
The primary objective of the ongoing research is topology optimization of designs under heat transfer considerations. The goal being the optimal design of a flow channel surface in order to maximize heat transfer away from the surface, as needed, for example, in electronic cooling applications. This presentation will illustrate initial results of this work, including a comparative study on the computational cost and accuracy of the two thermal lattice Boltzmann methods (LBM) approaches.
The Lattice Boltzmann method, a kinetic theory based model, approximates the widely used Navier-Stokes equations for fluidic systems. Based on principles of particle transport and particle statistics, macroscopic flow properties can be recovered from the lattice Boltzmann equation. Multiple methodologies exist for thermal lattice Boltzmann models (TLBM) and a direct comparison of two methods will be shown. A passive scalar approach, coupling the macroscopic energy equation with the kinetic hydrodynamic LBM, and a two equation coupled approach that considers mass and thermal transports from a kinetic theory/lattice Boltzmann perspective.
04.05.04 Computational Engineering-Having the Computer do the Design
Dr. Georg Pingen, Faculty, MAEThis poster presentation will focus on recent advances in the area of design optimization – topology optimization of fluids with the kinetic theory based lattice Boltzmann method, in particular. A key question addressed will be: How can we utilize high performance computing to do concept development for non-intuitive design problems? Applications for hydrodynamics, biomedical, and thermal flows will be shown. This includes an example of the conceptual design of a fixed-geometry valve, resulting in an optimal design similar to a Tesla-valve, which is frequently used in micro-fluidic applications. In addition, an overview of current and future work will be provided to motivate collaboration.
Letters, Arts, and Sciences
Anthropology 5.01
Biology 5.02
05.02.01 Advancing Ontology Alignment: New Methods for biomedical Ontology Alignment
using Non Equivalence Relations
Lisa Hines, Faculty, Biology
Jugal Kalita, Faculty, Computer Science Suzette Stoutenberg, PhD candidate Kaily Ewing, MS candidate
Increasingly, ontologies are being developed and exposed on the Web to support a variety of applications, including biological knowledge sharing, enhanced search and discovery, and decision support. This proliferation of new Web knowledge has created the need for integration and enrichment of these sources. To address this need, automated solutions to aligning ontologies are emerging. Although these
approaches show promise, nearly all are limited to relationships of similarity and equivalence, as opposed to applied knowledge in upper ontologies. Furthermore, none to our knowledge have applied Support Vector Machine (SVM) technology. The goal of this research is to advance the state of the art in automated ontology alignment by contributing in three main areas. First, we present new algorithms to extend the information that can be derived in ontology alignment; specifically, new relationships beyond similarity and equivalence. In particular, we present algorithms to align ontologies using hyponymy, hypernymy and generic relations contained within the original ontologies. We show how ontology alignment can be modeled and enhanced by the use of SVM. Second, we contribute new evidence for ontology alignment, showing that the use of semantics in conjunction with upper ontologies and other linguistic resources can enhance the alignment process and specifically contribute to the discovery of new relationships cross-ontology. Finally, we demonstrate new applications of ontology alignment in the biomedical domain that could facilitate in hypothesis generation, streamline the data analysis process and bring to light relationships that might be overlooked if this analysis was done manually.
Chemistry 5.03
05.03.01 Decarboxylation of Alkynecarboxylic Acids
Allen Schoffstall, Faculty, ChemistryThomas A. Hirsch, Student
We have discovered a reaction of alkynyl acids that results in the loss of carbon dioxide under
mild conditions. The reaction is similar in some respects to the Hunsdiecker Reaction, but the
mechanism of the alkynyl acid reaction has yet to be determined. When attempting to synthesize
new isoxazoline and isoxazole derivatives using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with
alkenes and alkynes, we explored the use of alkyne acid derivatives as dipolarophiles. When
alkynyl acids were employed under the conditions for forming the cycloadducts, the acid group
was lost during reaction. Upon analyzing reactions in which the nitrile oxide precursor was
omitted, it was found that the acid group was also lost. Halogenated alkynes and ketones were
observed as products. Results of these reactions will be presented.
05.03.02 The Calculation of Bond Energies and Surface Energies for Metals
James Eberhart, Faculty, ChemistryLattice energy measurements have been employed to calculate the bond energy of
body-centered-cubic (bcc), face-body-centered-cubic (fcc), and hexagonal-closest-packed (hcp) metals. The
bond energies are then used to predict the surface energy and surface tension of these metals for
their most stable or closest-packed crystal plane. Surface and interfacial tensions are important
properties in the understanding of such phenomena as crystal faceting, grain structure, crack
propagation, capillarity-driven mass transport, vacancy formation, wetting, and adhesion. This
approach to surface tension prediction is intended to supplement Materials Science courses and
to provide an illustration of one of the major goal of this subject, namely, the theoretical
connection between interatomic bond strength and the properties of solids. Future plans for this
approach include exploring the use of bond energies for the prediction of the energy of vacancy
formation and the bulk modulus of metals.
Communication 5.04
Economics 5.05
English 5.06
05.06.01 Ancient Near Eastern Mythology in Victorian Literature
Donah Grassman, Student-EnglishFaculty Advisor: Dr. Susan Taylor
I’m looking for evidence in Victorian literature for references to ancient (pre-Islamic) mythology of the Mid-East. During British expansionism travel throughout the British Empire increased greatly among the military, political administrators, businessmen, and their families. Travelers returned to England with tales of the lands and people they’d visited. The increase in travel historically coincides with a great increase in literacy, the popularity of novels, inexpensive publishing methods, and a search for answers to the social problems brought about by industrialization in England. Authors of novels experienced more freedom in fiction to explore and incorporate old mythologies in their search for new social solutions. I’m hoping to find that some of the stories travelers brought home reference Ancient Near Eastern mythology, which might point to some common cultural inheritance that may help us bridge the culture gap in Mid-Eastern and Western socio-political relations today. I’ll be using published archaeological finds, both text and pictorial, to establish a list of search terms, and computer software to search digitized Victorian texts for references to mythological personages, events, and places. On the texts that receive “hits” I’ll use close reading techniques to verify mythological references and their connections in Western literature.
Energy Science 5.07
Geography & Environmental Studies 5.08
05.08.01 What Were They Thinking: Using You Tube to Observe Driver Behavior Crossing
Flooded Roads
Cedar League, Student-Geography & Environmental Science Faculty Advisor: Dr. Eve Gruntfest
Floods are among the most life threatening weather-related hazards to society resulting in nearly one hundred deaths annually in the U.S., of which, over 50 percent are vehicle-related. Despite improved warning systems, public awareness campaigns and penalties for drivers who require rescue on closed roads, vehicle-related fatalities in floods remain an ongoing problem. This thesis aims to observe actual driver behavior to understand what people were thinking when they were crossing flooded roads. An online survey was sent to 100 people who broadcasted themselves crossing flooded roads on YouTube. The survey questions asked the YouTubers why they were driving in flood waters, the purpose of their trip, their awareness of flood dangers and warnings, and what they say it would take to avoid driving in flood waters in the future. Results from 52 respondents show the majority decided to cross flooded roads for fun or to film the flood. For the purposes of this study, they were labeled as “intentional” drivers. The minority of respondents were labeled as “situational” drivers if they had a specific place to get to, such as driving to or returning from work for example. Most respondents, situational and intentional, were males between the ages of 18 and 35 driving trucks or SUVs who say they are not influenced by education campaigns, pay attention to weather warnings to some degree, but would drive again in similar conditions. Respondents indicated a greater presence of emergency officials and/or warning signs in hazardous areas during a flood are more likely to deter them from driving in flooded roads in the future. Respondents also noted they use different sources of weather information depending if there is hazardous weather or not. Lastly, this thesis reveals YouTube is an emerging and useful methodology in
Geography & Environmental Studies 5.08
05.08.02 Leaf Water Repellency as an Adaptation to Tropical Montane Cloud Forest
Environments
Curtis Holder, Faculty, Geography
Fog persistency and high precipitation totals contribute to the unique ecohydrology of tropical
montane cloud forests. The persistence of water droplets on leaf surfaces in cloud forests
inhibits photosynthetic carbon exchange because carbon dioxide diffuses slower in water than
air. Adaptations that reduce water retention on leaf surfaces may increase photosynthetic
capacity of cloud forests. The hypothesis of this study was that 12 cloud forest species from the
Sierra de las Minas, Guatemala have a higher degree of leaf water repellency than 12 species
from tropical dry forests in Chiquimula, Guatemala and 12 species from foothills-grassland
vegetation in Colorado (USA). Leaf water repellency was measured as the contact angle
between the leaf surface and the line tangent to the water droplet passing through the point of
contact between the droplet and the leaf surface. Leaf water repellency was significantly
different between the three study areas; however, leaf water repellency of 12 species in the Sierra
de las Minas was lower than 12 species in Chiquimula and 12 species in Colorado. Leaf water
repellency of abaxial surfaces of all species in the cloud forest was greater than leaf water
repellency of adaxial surfaces. The low values of leaf water repellency in cloud forest species
may be influenced by presence of epiphylls or the loss of epicuticular wax on the leaf surfaces
because of high precipitation totals and longer leaf life-span. High leaf water repellency in dry
climates may be an adaptation to increase hydrological inputs underneath the canopy.
Geology 5.09
Gerontology 5.10
05.10.01 The Palisades at Broadmoor Park: Resident Wellness Program
Sara Qualls, Faculty, PsychologyMary Ann Kluge, Faculty, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences Amy Silva-Smith, Faculty, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences Leilani Feliciano, Faculty, Psychology
Marcia Hacker, Faculty, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences Andrea Hutchins, Faculty, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences Brian Yochim, Faculty, Psychology
Kimberly Hiroto, Student, Psychology Sarah Satrom, Student, Psychology
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) recently partnered with Dunn &
Associates to create the Palisades at Broadmoor Park
www.palisadesatbroadmoor park.com
, a
unique residential experience for older adults. A multidisciplinary team of UCCS faculty from
the psychology department and the Beth El College of Nursing and Health Sciences created the
Aspen Wellness Program, which works collaboratively with Palisades’ residents to maximize
residents’ physical, cognitive, social, and psychological well-being. In addition to the Wellness
Program, Palisades also provides a full health clinic and individualized fitness programs using
state-of-the-art equipment specially designed for older adults and informed by cutting-edge
research. To complement these services, Palisades provides opportunities for community
engagement, which focus on enhancing residents’ quality of life through intergenerational
service and social activities. All of these services are supported by an information technology
infrastructure, which allows for seamless communication between Palisades’ management and
staff, health providers, and residents. Additionally, residents of Palisades have the opportunity to
engage in cutting-edge research that will benefit their lives and the lives of other older adults.
This research de-identifies information gathered when residents’ move in for the purpose of
tracking older adults’ cognitive, psychosocial, health, and physical fitness progress over the
years. The Palisades at Broadmoor Park aims to revolutionize residential facilities for older
adults by focusing on residents’ overall wellness and providing the best-fitting level of support to
allow residents to successfully age in place.
History 5.11
Journalism 5.12
Languages and Cultures 5.13
Library Science 5.14
05.14.01 Politics of Urban Park Design: Monument Valley Park, a Case History
Judith Rice-Jones, Faculty, Kraemer LibraryIn researching the history of Monument Valley Park, a number of different visions for the
Park surfaced. Built by the founder of the City, General William Jackson Palmer, Palmer’s
vision rose from extensive travels in Europe and frequent train trips to New York from 1855 to
1907. General Palmer brought Charles Wellford Leavitt to draw up plans for his Park. Leavitt’s
plan reveals a highly formalized park only portions of which were constructed. In 1904,
Edmond C. Van Diest, manager of the Sangre De Cristo grant in San Luis, became consulting
and construction engineer for the Palmer interests. Van Diest is credited with the laying out of
Monument Valley Park. In 1935 a major flood took out the central portion of the Park. Later in
that decade WPA workers reconstructed the many stone walls and overlooks and cut a deeper
channel lined with dressed local stone. In 1944, the City hired S. R. de Boer, noted Denver
landscape architect, responsible for many of Denver’s parks and parkways, to design a new
master plan for the Park. Mr. DeBoer completed a detailed design for the Park which was never
implemented. In ensuing years, the Park has remained heavily used but generally neglected.
Park priorities changed from the original vision as a place of respite to a current view of making
the Park fit the classification of a ‘community park’ and the needs of a front range trail corridor.
Oversight of the Park has passed from an independent group of leading citizens to a Council
appointed advisory board subject to the political exigencies of local government. The vision of
the founder has been replaced by a formula-driven view of the Park based on its size. With the
successful nomination of the Park to the National Register of Historic Places, several groups
hope to develop a cultural landscape plan for the restoration of the Park while also addressing the
issue of the homeless in the southern portion of the Park. In this process, whose vision should be
followed?
05.14.02 Open About Open Access
Tabatha Farney and David Hodgins, Faculty, Kraemer Library
The session describes the development of the Undergraduate Research Journal at UCCS
(URJ), which is an open access, student research journal hosted by the Kraemer Family Library.
The journal is completely online, making the project fairly inexpensive with the benefit of
reaching a wider audience via the web. The Library has taken the initiative to develop the journal
as
a way for the Library to start digitally collecting student research, making student research
more visible and initiating a campus discussion on open access publishing. Yet, building a
journal does not guarantee success. The authors will discuss the early successes and failures of
the project and the feasibility of pursuing the new role of open access publisher.
Mathematics 5.15
Radu Cascaval, Faculty, Mathematics
We describe a new nonlinear model for the propagation of pressure and flow waves in the
arterial tree. Mathematically, this is based on a Boussinesq-type system, in which the dispersion
effects (amplitude-dependent speed of propagation) as well as nonlinear effects are present. The
prestressed nature of the vessels in which the propagation occurs determines the characteristics
of the transmitted and reflected waves, at terminal ends and at bifurcations. The
peripheral resistance also contributes to the temporal and spatial dynamics of the arterial
pressure. We indicate how our model can explain the effects of various autoregulatory
mechanisms in the cardiovascular system.
Military Science 5.16
Physics 5.17
Political Science 5.18
Psychology 5.19
05.19.01 The Negativity Bias in the Late-Positive Potential (LPP) is Predicted by Executive
Functioning in Older Adults
Shannon Foster-Student, Psychology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michael Kisley Faculty Advisor: Dr. Hasker Davis
Recent electrophysiological studies from our laboratory provide evidence that aging is associated
with decreased brain responding to negative stimuli, and that this contributes to observed
age-related reductions in the so-called negativity bias. It has been argued that older adults
purposefully attend less to negative information in an effort to regulate their emotions. Others
have suggested that decreased processing of negative information results from declining
cognitive abilities. In a study designed to directly compare these two alternatives, we found
evidence in support of the latter model. We studied 66 older adults (mean = 68 yrs) recruited
from a memory clinic. Visual ERPs were recorded in response to affectively positive, negative,
and neutral images during an emotion categorization task. Neuropsychological measures of
attention, memory, and executive functions were collected, as well as a sociocognitive measure
of time perspective. Amplitude of the LPP in response to positive and negative images was
correlated with measures of attention, executive functioning, and time perspective, such that
lesser amplitude was associated with poorer performance and a decreased sense of time left in
the future. Using a standard regression analysis, attention, executive functioning, and time
perspective significantly predicted LPP amplitude for positive images (F[3, 49] = 2.99, p = .04),
accounting for 10.3% of the variance. No individual predictor was significant. On the other hand,
the same variables significantly predicted LPP amplitude for negative images (F[3, 49] = 4.08, p
= .01), accounting for 20.0% of the variance and executive function was a significant predictor.
05.19.02 The Transition into Aging with a Cognitive Disability: Preparing Families for Late Life
Caregiving
Heidi Layton-Student, Psychology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sara Qualls
When adults with cognitive disabilities (CD) leave the school system between the ages of 18 and
21, they have no societal structures to assist them in “launching” into adulthood, navigating the
transitions of adulthood, or facing old age. Families whose children without CD embark on this
transition rely extensively upon colleges and work settings to socialize their children into
adulthood, but families of persons with a disability have no societal structures providing
comparable support. Families may turn to the service delivery system but it is neither designed
nor funded to provide comprehensive support for adult development; any more than it was
designed to do so for child development, a period when the schools play an enormous socializing
role. We propose to develop and field test a four part intervention program, designed to address
this dramatic need, by giving families information about the functional abilities of their loved
one, guidance about how to apply that information in everyday life to maximize independence,
counseling as needed to assist the family in accomplishing developmental tasks, and information
about resources to support their efforts.
05.19.03 Shared Reality of Sexism
Robert Tillery-Student, Psychology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tom PyszczynskiCulture places specific expectations on the individual. Living up to these social expectations
creates a situation in which we verify for others what is expected of them, behaving in ways we
believe are expected of us. The averages of the cultural experience become social belief; these
products of public opinion become a shared reality. A shared reality establishes the groundwork
for shared social existence, instead of constant interpersonal conflict. A shared reality is
transmitted and obtained by each individual through communication. At the core of this
hypothesis is the concept that individuals take on the perspective of others they are
communicating with. This study sought to examine the role shared reality and the expectation of
communication on sexism.
The participants (N = 178) were recruited from the potential juror pool at the Colorado Springs
municipal complex. Participants completed measures of feminism and authoritarianism. An
expectation of communication with either the same or opposite gender was created by statements
that they would discuss concepts of gender relations with the female or male research assistants
collecting the surveys. Sexism was measured using the ambivalent sexism scale, containing
items related to hostile and benevolent sexism. In confirmation of our hypotheses, it was found
that traditional females who expected to communicate with other women significantly endorsed
benevolently sexist statements grater than those females who did not expect to communicate
with anyone. In addition, males who expected to communicate other males showed a significant
increase in hostile sexism from males expecting to talk to women.
05.19.04 Sexism: The Princes and the Hero
Robert Tillery-Student, PsychologyFaculty Advisor: Dr. Tom Pyszczynski
Cultures create social standards based on beliefs widely shared by the people. Ideal standards of
living are customarily illustrated through myths and fantasies. Myths are passed down and retold
as examples or models of desired social behavior. Even before a little girl’s birth, rooms are
decorated with romantic fairy tales, however both men and women are taught the story line. Just
as women are portrayed as dainty, men are taught to be brave and chivalrous. Social Dominance
Theory contends that shared worldview ideologies have a degree of consensuality to which the
myth is shared by both men and women. The consensuality of these beliefs allow for the
communication of a shared and consistent worldview. People hold on to these shared
worldviews. Terror Management Theory holds that this existential anxiety buffering system
known as an individual or cultural worldview reduces mortality salience effects, in addition
living up status quo then becomes the ideal way of obtaining self-esteem.
Participants (N=63) were recruited from the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and
consisted on Olympic athletes, coaches, trainers and center staff. Participants were asked to think
about their own death or a parallel control condition and then were measured on a sexism scale,
developed to gauge their agreement to items of chivalry, gallantry, benevolent sexism and
romantic love. Consistent with our hypothesis after mortality salience women were statistically
more likely to endorse belief in the sexiest ideals of the worldview given as comfort since birth,
indicating the existential anxiety buffer properties of sexism.
05.19.05 Evaluation of the Psychological Effects of Solitary Confinement for Prison Inmates
Kelli Klebe, Faculty, PsychologyThe use of ‘super max’ or administrative segregation in prison systems has increased
dramatically in the past decade. Administrative segregation prisons use long-term solitary
confinement as a management tool for difficult, violent inmates. To date, there is little known
empirical data on the impacts of long-term solitary confinement on psychological well-being.
This project provides crucial information about how this prison management tool may impact
inmate well-being through an evaluation of a Colorado super max prison. In a collaborative
project with the Colorado Department of Corrections, and funded by the National Institute of
Justice, data are collected over time on a variety of psychological well-being measures (e.g.,
depression, self-harm) as well as on inmate behavior to investigate the impact of long term
administrative segregation and to determine if there are differential impacts of such confinement
for inmates who have been classified as having a mental health disorder.
In a longitudinal design, data are collected at five assessment points over a one year
period on inmates in solitary confinement as well as on inmates in relevant comparison groups.
Comparisons will be made between 5 groups of inmates: Offenders with and without mental
illness who are housed in administrative segregation (2 groups); Offenders with and without
mental illness who have had a hearing for solitary confinement but who are placed in the general
prison population (2 groups); and Offenders who have a mental illness and who are placed in a
prison treatment facility. This project is in the data collection phase. Results on group
comparisons at the first data collection point are presented.
05.19.06 Understanding Late-Life Planning in Aging Families of Intellectually Disabled
Individuals
Ashley Williams, Student-Psychology Sheri Gibson, Student-Psychology Christina Vair, Student-Psychology Lindsay Anderson, Student Psychology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sara Qualls
Because individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) continue to live longer lives, their parents are no longer able to care for them until death as was the case in the past (Braddock, Hemp, & Rizzolo, 2004). The number of adults with ID who outlive their parents is growing, and service delivery systems are ill-prepared to meet the needs of these displaced individuals as their parents die (Braddock, et al., 2005). Alternatives to sudden displacement can be arranged with advanced planning, but few families engage in the types of planning that lead to smooth transitions. The costs of insufficient planning are significant for the person with disabilities as well as the family members who are thrust into oversight or caregiving roles. This pilot study focused on how families of midlife adults with ID envision the future, focusing on the period of time when the parent caregivers’ aging causes illness and death, which will alter caregiving arrangements for individuals with ID. Factors such as family structure, family developmental process, and familial response to chronic stress likely influence planning processes in these families. Phenomenologic interviews were conducted to explore these domains of decision-making processes. Over the course of this pilot study, the question of what it means to be in a family of an individual with ID whose parents are entering the later stages of life was addressed. Although multiple themes were derived from this study,
one will be the focus of this presentation: the unique roles of mothers.
05.19.07 Anglo-Americans’ and Japanese Americans’ Help-Seeking Preferences for Alzheimer’s
Disease
Kimberly Hiroto, Student-Psychology Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sara Qualls
Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) typically remain unaware of their cognitive decline,
requiring others to recognize the signs of AD and initiate help-seeking for their family members.
To date, little research has investigated the role of culture in individuals’ help-seeking
preferences for those with AD. Using a vignette methodology depicting a hypothetical mother in
the early- to mid-stages of AD, the present study examined if young (18-40 years old),
middle-aged (41-60 years old), and older adult (61+ years old) Anglo- and Japanese Americans differed
in their help-seeking preferences. All participants read a short vignette and completed
questionnaires including an assessment of help-seeking behaviors. For the purpose of the
following analyses, the help-seeking measure was broken down into passive, medical, and
informal help-seeking, and included a single item assessing no help-seeking. The analyses of
passive (e.g., observe mother; check on her more frequently) and medical help-seeking (e.g., call
the doctor) revealed no significant age or ethnic group differences. Analysis of informal
help-seeking (e.g., talk with family; consult with friends) revealed a main effect of age such that older
adults were less likely to seek help from informal sources compared to young and middle-aged
adults. Finally, the single-item analysis of no help-seeking revealed an age by ethnicity
interaction in which Japanese American older adults were more likely to do nothing than were
Anglo-American older adults. Explanations for these results are discussed including how cultural
and cohort values of aging might contribute to participants’ help-seeking preferences for
Alzheimer’s disease.
05.19.08 Naming Test of Neuropsychological Assessment Battery: Convergent and Discriminant
Validity
Brian Yochim, Faculty, Psychology
This study investigated the convergent and discriminant validity of the Naming subtest of the
Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB), a measure of word-finding. Seventy
community-dwelling adults aged 60+ years completed the NAB Naming test (Form 1 and 2), the
Boston Naming test, and other measures of verbal and visual memory, visuoperceptual skills,
processing speed, and abstraction. The NAB Naming test correlated highly with the Boston
Naming test and with established measures of memory. The Boston Naming test correlated more
strongly with education and with gender. The Boston Naming test correlated significantly more
strongly with a measure of visuoperceptual skills than the NAB Naming test did, suggesting that
visuoperception is more involved in the Boston Naming test. Divergent validity of the NAB
Naming was demonstrated by weak correlations with less-related measures. Findings suggest
that the NAB Naming test possesses convergent and divergent validity as a measure of
word-finding
.05.19.09 Depression and Executive Function as Predictors of Mortality in Nursing Home
Patients: Ethnicity as a Moderator
Brian Yochim, Faculty, Psychology
Past research suggests that cognitive functioning and/or symptoms of depression are related to
mortality among older adults. The purpose of this study is to identify baseline psychological
predictors of mortality at 3 and 12 months after admission into a nursing home. Participants were
194 adults over age 60 in a Midwest urban area nursing home (M age = 77.2, SD = 8.7, 10.5
years of education (SD = 3.3), 60% female, and 52% African Americans and 48% European
American). The Geriatric Depression Scale, Mattis Dementia Rating Scale 2, Animal Naming,
and the Comorbidity Index were administered on an average of 12 days post
05.19.10 A Linear Decrease in the Negativity Bias with Adult Lifespan Development
Mike Kisley, Faculty, Psychology
Studies of young adults have found that negative information generally has a stronger influence than positive information (ie, a "negativity bias") in a number of domains including perceptual processing, decision making, and memory. This is generally not true in older adults, but it remains unclear whether aging is associated with the development of a unique "positivity bias" (Carstensen & Mikels, 2005, Curr Dir Psych Sci, 14:117-121) or simply a gradual reduction in the negativity bias (Wood & Kisley, Psych Aging, in press). Here we provide electrophysiological evidence for the latter interpretation. We studied healthy adults ranging in age from 18 to 80 years. Visual ERPs were recorded in response to affectively neutral, positive and negative images during an evaluative categorization task (after Ito et al., 1998, J Pers Soc Psych, 75:887-900). Participants rated the valence of the images which were taken from the
International Affective Picture System. Amplitude of component LPP (peaking around 500 ms post-stimulus) in response to negative images was found to decrease linearly with advancing age (r=-.32, p<.05). No linear change was found for LPP amplitude evoked by the positive images. In other words, for this particular measure, the neural response to negative information changed across the adult lifespan but the response to positive information did not. This led to a convergence of LPP amplitudes evoked by negative and positive images (i.e., the absence of a "bias") for the oldest adults in the study.
Sociology 5.20
05.20.01 Crime and Brain Abnormalities: to Punish or Not to Punish
Dawn Gilkes, Student, Sociology
Michele Companion, Faculty, Sociology
A survey was constructed and a random, convenience sample was selected to explore the perception of culpability and punishment of criminal behavior that originate from physical brain disorders. As new advances in neuroscience begin to classify the effect brain function has on behavior, the law may be required to reevaluate culpability. The recidivism rate of the mentally impaired may well be dependent upon the public’s understanding of the impact brain function has on criminal behavior. This study corroborates Joshua Green and Jonathan Cohen’s (2004) discovery that socialization mechanisms cause misdirected judgment toward humans that display antisocial behavior. In the findings, 93 per cent of the respondents agreed that the testing of criminals, to determine whether their brain function has something to do with their antisocial behavior, is acceptable. The findings suggested by this research imply that the results of psychological testing of criminals, who display antisocial behavior, may alter the public’s perception of culpability and therefore punishment.
Sports & Leisure Studies 5.21
VAPA-Art 5.22
VAPA-Theatre 5.23
VAPA-Music 5.24
Nursing and Health Sciences
Nursing 6.01
06.01.01 Innovative Strategy for the Treatment of Hypertension: The Hawai’ian Experience
Dr. Kikikipa Kretzer, Faculty, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health SciencesCurrent chronic disease strategies have been marginally successful in reducing mortality and morbidity. Therefore patients and health care delivery systems are looking for new models to improve health. One such model is Self I-dentity through Ho’oponopono (SITH) which has been used as adjunctive therapy in a study for hypertension management. Briefly, Self I-dentity through
Ho’oponopono is a simple to use process that creates balance and well-being for each person. It is a step-by-step problem-solving approach to identity and relieve stress and correct problems.
This is an alternative model which has shown significance in working with patients with hypertension and may be considered for use with other chronic conditions and health concerns. As Nurse Practitioner (NP) educators we owe it to ourselves, the community and health care to introduce innovative and successful strategies, which improve health outcomes of patients to NP students as they emerge in their role as advanced practice nurses.
This presentation will focus on the major constructs of SITH and will briefly discuss the research findings as it relates to hypertension management. The presenter will discuss how to incorporate this into NP education and how to adapt this model to clinical practice
06.01.02 Self-Perception of Aging Successfully in Older Adults
Dr. Amy Silva-Smith, Faculty, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health SciencesDebate is ongoing with regard to the best way to operationally define successful aging. Objective
variables associated with physical and cognitive function have been traditionally used to measure
successful aging. Recently, more emphasis has been placed on older adults’ own perceptions of
whether or not they are aging in a successful manner.
The purpose of this research was to answer the following questions: (1) Which demographic variables are associated with higher scores on the self-report of aging successfully?, (2) Which healthy behaviors predict higher scores on the self-report of aging successfully?, and (3) Do higher scores on the self-perception of aging successfully predict participation in preventive screening and immunizations? By understanding these relationships, health care providers and researchers may be more able to construct interventions that encourage and support older adults’ participation. This study used a survey design. Healthy behaviors and prevention strategies were selected based on research that reported strategies that contribute to healthy aging and current clinical guidelines. Self-perception of aging successfully was measured using two items; one Likert scale and the other interval scale. The sample for this study was 205 adults between the age of 60 and 95 (x=70.51;SD=7.682). Data analyses used were frequencies, descriptive statistics, Pearson r correlation, Spearman rho correlation, ANOVA, and linear regression.
Health Sciences 6.02
06.02.01 Women in Sport: Studies on the Female Athlete Triad at UCCS
Dr. Nanna Meyer, Faculty, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health SciencesThe Female Athlete Triad (TRIAD) is a syndrome of interrelated disorders including low energy availability (energy intake [calories] minus exercise energy expenditure)/disordered eating, menstrual disorders, and compromised bone health. Any one disorder can occur in approximately 20-60 % of active women, and women who present with one or more disorders of the TRIAD are at increased risk for osteoporosis and stress fractures. Participation in sport, however, should provide optimal benefits to women’s health, including skeletal health. The TRIAD has been studied using common tools not
specifically validated for female athletes. Study 1 will focus on the development, validity, and reliability of a screening tool for the TRIAD. This study is a global effort and includes athletes from US Olympic training centers and other countries. Study 2 will expand the literature on the prevalence of the TRIAD
and will focus on race as an underrepresented construct when identifying risk factors for the TRIAD. This study will assess energy availability, eating disorders, menstrual dysfunction, and aeral bone mineral density using dual energy x-ray absoprtiometry. UCCS will collaborate with Oregon State University and Georgia Institute of Technology, and participants will be African Americans and Caucasian athletes and nonathletes. Study 3 is a local project investigating contributors of delayed menarche, commonly referred to as delayed puberty, in gymnasts competing at Denver University. These projects fall under a new research agenda on women in sport at UCCS’ Health Sciences Department.
06.02.02 Staying Upright at Eighty: Results of a Fall Prevention Intervention at the Palisades at
Broadmoor Park
Dr. Mary Ann Kluge, Faculty, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences Ray Martinez, Student, Health Sciences
Marsha Scully, Palisades staff and grad. GERO Certificate program Chelsea Van Zytveld, Student, Health Sciences
This pilot study used multiple research methods (quantitative and qualitative methods) to
determine how a 16-week Balance and Mobility course (BAM) affected lower body strength and
falls efficacy for 9 residents of the Palisades at Brookmoor Park Senior Residence, ages 80-92.
Pre-post data from the Chair Stand (Senior Fitness Test, Rikli & Jones, 2001) was used to
determine changes in lower body strength. Data was collected from the Falls Efficacy Scale
(Rose, 2003) to determine changes in pre-post intervention confidence related to avoiding falls/
“staying upright.” Qualitative data from class observations and focus groups were also collected.
Findings from this research are useful for informing program decisions and inspiring future
research in the area of fall prevention.
06.02.03 The Experience of Let’s Keep Moving, Giving Voice to Dancers of the Third Age
Dr. Mary Ann Kluge, Faculty, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health SciencesMichelle LeCompte, Student, Health Sciences Barbara Willis, Community Partner
This phenomenological case study sought to understand the experiences of 9 women, ages 80-92,
who participated in a 4-week dance class called “Let’s Keep Moving.” Data was collected from
videotaped footage, field notes, focus group interviews, and short stories written by participants.
This research is intended as pilot qualitative research; no attempts were made to experimentally
control variables associated with the program. It is the researchers’ intent to use the findings of
this study to guide future research on older peoples’ perceptions of the impact of movement
exploration/dance therapy on physical function and Quality of Life (QOL).
06.02.05 Physical Activity Among Post-Partum Teens
Jo Bradley, Student, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences Jessica Hildebrand, Student, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health SciencesDr. M S Nannery, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Dr. Tim Behrens, Faculty, Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Research reveals that the majority of women report never or rarely exercising as late as one year post-partum. To our knowledge, no studies have focused on the physical activity of post-partum teens. PURPOSE: Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate physical activity of post-partum teens. METHODS: The sample (N = 20, age: 17.9 ± 0.9 yrs, height: 160.3 ± 7.6 cm, pregnancy weight at birth: 78.1 ± 25.2 kg, pre-pregnancy weight: 67.8 ± 20.7 kg) was 65% Caucasian and the remaining 35% reported Hispanic ethnicity. Participants were recruited from high schools in the Salt Lake valley of Utah. Height and weight were objectively measured using a portable stadiometer and electronic scale. Physical activity was assessed via pedometer and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ). Normal distribution of variables was examined and descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables of interest. RESULTS: The mean difference between pre-pregnancy weight and birth weight
was 10.5 ± 9.3 kg. Average daily step counts were 7976.1 ± 4480.0 steps·d-1. Because IPAQ data were not normally distributed, the median weekly minutes of vigorous and moderate physical activity recorded by participants were 80 min·wk-1 and 75 min·wk-1, respectively. CONCLUSION: Results from this
preliminary investigation indicate that these post-partum teens were insufficiently active and not meeting physical activity recommendations. Future research on this topic is warranted to examine the efficacy of these findings.
