The liberal government of Justo Rufino Barrios (1873-1885) embarked on a period of reforms aimed at providing the impetus for the burgeoning coffee economy and the modernization of Guatemala. Many communities in the rural highlands experienced a number of state-sanctioned pressures on their communal autonomy. Chief among these were efforts on their common land, which was threatened by the newly streamlined process of land titling. As these policies reached into the highlands and combined with the population pressures resulting from the seasonal migration of laborers to the coffee piedmont, competition over private holdings heated up, compelling many in the communities to bring their land disputes to the state’s authorities. As the criminal record indicates, in the early part of the twentieth century, women’s land was particularly vulnerable, both to members of their family and to elements outside of their kinship groups. This paper examines several petitions made by women in San Martín Jilotepeque between 1925 and 1935 in an effort to both extract their motives and reveal their agency in a hostile environ. Additionally, this study situates these women’s experiences in the judicial system in the context of Guatemalan state formation and analyzes their significance within this process.

We present initial results of a comparative near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic study of the Themis and Veritas asteroid families. These two families are compositionally primitive (mainly Tholen C-types) and likely formed in the same region of the protoplanetary disk. However, their disruption ages are at opposite extremes: 2.5 Gy and 8.3 My, respectively, providing insight into evolutionary processes since their disruption. Our study was motivated in part by the Nesvorny et al. (2005) detection of visible color trends between young and old asteroids families, with these two families at opposite ends of their trend. Our 0.8 to 2.4 micron spectra of four Themis and six Veritas asteroids were obtained using the SpeX instrument on NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF). We normalized these spectra using solar analog stars; our reflectance spectra do not exhibit any clear absorption features but they do show a range of slopes. The four Themis family members (older surfaces) have "red" (positive) slopes; in contrast, the six Veritas family members (younger surfaces) have significantly "flatter" slopes (this result includes objects with similar radii so it does not appear to be a function of asteroid size). The clustering of the spectra into two groups with statistically distinct average slopes is consistent with space weathering being a significant modifier of the near-infrared spectral shape of primitive asteroids. In other words, space weathering of primitive asteroids surfaces appears to make them "redder" in the NIR (this work) and less red in the visible (Nesvorny et al. 2005).

The multimillion dollar corpse show industry, founded by German Anatomist Gunther von Hagens, has attracted worldwide media attention. Von Hagens claims that his work is for the 'edutainment' of medical laypersons; over 25 million people have viewed his controversial Body Worlds exhibition. However, he and other industry entrepreneurs often use unclaimed cadavers in their exhibitions. This research will explore what rights, if any, a body retains after death, particularly in cases when there is no family to give consent. Is it ever ethical to use unclaimed bodies or body parts for medical, educational and/or entertainment purposes? The research provides an analysis of ethical arguments regarding the use of unconsented bodies and develops a view of human dignity that is inherent even in unclaimed bodies. The analysis condemns use of unclaimed corpses as unethical. Since many of the bodies in these exhibitions come from China and are 'unclaimed' corpses procured by the police, the research also explores Chinese cultural views about death, as well as recent laws regarding unclaimed bodies that have been passed in China and Europe as an attempt to prevent ethical violations. In conclusion, use of cadavers without consent for any purpose should be brought to an end.

Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus are ubiquitous and abundant marine picocyanobacteria dominating the oligotrophic oceans, including regions where low inorganic phosphorus (P) limits growth. Prochlorococcus may have a competitive edge due to its low cellular P requirement and ability to utilize organic P compounds. We have further explored whether Prochlorococcus also have a competitive advantage due to its P uptake system. In the Moore lab, the uptake of P-32 labeled organic (ATP) and inorganic (PO4) P sources and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (APase), an enzyme which cleaves PO4 from organic P sources, were measured in cultures of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus. Both cyanobacteria increased their maximum uptake velocities (Vmax) as the cultures went from P-replete to P-starved conditions, indicating an increase in the number of cell membrane transporters. APase activity increased under the same conditions, presumably due to increasing numbers of APase enzymes in the membrane. These physiological changes are consistent with increasing efficiency in P uptake under conditions of low P concentration. Additionally, we used C-14 labeled ATP to verify that the cells are cleaving the PO4 from the ATP molecule extracellularly and transporting the PO4 molecule rather than incorporating the whole ATP molecule into the cell.

Chronic diseases—such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease directly affect millions of people and their families. Many of these diseases could be prevented with healthier lifestyle habits such as, increased physical activity, nutritious food choices and stress reduction. The growing epidemic of chronic disease has resulted in an increased need for health promotion and prevention education within communities. Encouraging health through preventative strategies and education empowers people enabling them to make healthier lifestyle choices, which decrease the risk of many chronic illnesses. This session will take a look at the ways in which chronic disease affects society negatively and how community health education can create positive changes.

We have created a real-time agent that plays Ms. PacMan. Our program has access to the same visual information and controls that a human player has, and makes split-second decisions based on screen captures from the game, just as a human does. In previous work, our agent was able to achieve scores better than human novices (including the researchers who developed it), using a hand-coded strategy. This agent went on to win a competition at the 2008 IEEE World Congress on Computational Intelligence in Hong Kong, outperforming 11 competitors and scoring 15,970 points. In the work presented here, the goal is to develop an evolutionary computation approach to learning the basic strategy for playing the game as well as learning parameters that affect behavior. We will also conduct experiments to compare the learned versions with the previous hand-coded version. Learning to play the game involves learning different situations to pay attention to, such as that a ghost is nearby, and appropriate actions to take in that situation, such as heading in the opposite direction. Learning parameters involves refinements, such as learning that "nearby" means 3 squares away. Through these experiments, it should be possible for the agent to learn to play the game itself, and possibly, to play better than the human-designed strategy.

This session will focus on how after school care programs both affect the individual lives of children and youth, and impact society as a whole. The Mission Possible Teen Center in Westbrook is an example of a program which provides a secure and comfortable environment for the enrichment of youth in grades 6 through 12. The majority of youth at the Center are looking to interact with others as opposed to going home to an empty house. Interactions with the youth at the Center indicate that this program provides them with a nurturing environment to remain motivated at school, and reduces their susceptibility to drugs and violence. This research will reveal the importance of programs like this one and identify ways in which it provides a stronghold of safety and acceptance.

Marine microbes maintain an integral role in the global ocean ecosystem. Within this community, marine cyanobacterial species, such as the extremely small (< 1 um) yet abundant Prochlorococcus, account for a significant portion of the microbial community. The biogeography (e.g. extent of the latitudinal distribution) of this cyanobacterial genus is still being explored, especially as increases in sea surface temperature due to global climate change may allow these populations to extend further towards the polar regions, beyond the presumed 40° latitude “limit”. In December of 2008, our laboratory participated in a larger oceanographic research cruise in the Patagonian Shelf Upwelling Ecosystem of the Southern Atlantic. To explore the biogeography of microbial picoplankton, samples were collected along a North South transect (from 38° S to 50° S) in highly productive coastal slope water and deeper, nutrient-poor (oligotrophic) waters. Flow cytometry will be used to determine what types of picoplankton are present in these cooler, lower latitude waters. Additionally, on deck incubation experiments were conducted to explore the influence of increased carbon dioxide levels on the picoplankton community. We will present a brief overview of an oceanographic research cruise, as well as the initial biogeographic results.

Increased awareness of carbon emissions and rising fuel prices have encouraged many to consider alternatives to the single-occupancy vehicle, including public transportation. In this study, I conduct a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) network analysis in order to calculate the one-quarter mile service area of Portland, Maine's METRO bus system, for the benefit of city planners. A service area is defined as the total area that can be covered by traveling to or from each bus stop, following the shortest available paths along the network of streets. This method more accurately reflects pedestrian travel patterns than does a straight-line, "as the crow flies" buffering technique. The network model itself is built from the City of Portland's GIS street centerline data. The city's 400-plus bus stops are represented as facilities, or origins and destinations, in the network. GIS software is used to calculate the service area surrounding each bus stop. This service area is then used in combination with GIS-ready data from the city to determine the geographic area, parcels, and individual buildings contained within one-quarter mile (roughly five-minutes' walk) of the METRO system. Census data and city zoning data are used to analyze areas outside the service area in order to identify potential new areas for service.

This study concerns happiness in adults in the United States. The measure of subjective happiness can be correlated with the respondent's life satisfaction. Previous studies have found women to report higher levels of happiness than men. Race and education are also common predictors of happiness. This empirical, quantitative research project will study the relation between one's subjective happiness and gender, income, ethnicity, age, autonomy and education using an anonymous online survey and a convenience sample of adults. The data will be analyzed using SPSS and Wincross using a multiple regression analysis and crosstabulation tables. The expectation is that women will report a higher level of happiness than men.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth are, according to a recent study, three times as likely to report feeling unsafe in schools as compared to non-LGBTQ students. Increased instances of familial rejection, as well as verbal or physical harassment place these youth at higher risk for dropping out of school and ending up on the streets. They are also at risk for substance abuse, and have high rates of attempted and successful suicide. Teachers also speak of a climate of harassment that they encounter and have noted concern for these youth. These concerns are grounds for study and raise the question of how a better school climate can provide for instances of diversity, specifically sexual orientation and gender expression. This session will explore how the implementation of beneficial programming can improve the struggle which LGBTQ youth face.

The Sweetser Crisis and Rehabilitation and Stabilization Unit is a temporary unit where children and adolescents are placed immediately following a mental or behavioral crisis. They often come from unstable environments; with a history of psychosocial trauma accompanied by an array of diagnoses. The unit however, stresses normalcy by encouraging active engagement in chores, games, homework and participating in meals. In this study, I propose to explore why clients are successful within the unit. The focus of this work will be centered on an analysis of each clients crisis management plan and therapeutic stabilization goals, an exploration of the relationships constructed between the staff and clients, an examination of the contrast between the unit and their existing home life (specifically the symbolic familial imitation that the unit represents), and finally, a comparative content analysis of the clients intake paperwork with their follow-up paperwork post-discharge. This setting is intermittent and not a long-term residential mental health institution and as such this study is particularly important because it provides insight into the paradoxical security and safety that clients emote while they reside in the Sweetser Crisis unit.

Erosion has been a common occurrence at Sebago Lake, Maine, the chief water supply for the city of Portland. There are numerous causes for erosion along lake shores and can include agriculture too close to the shoreline, nearby construction site runoff, and higher water levels of the lake itself. Natural causes like wind, wave activity and above average precipitation and storm activity can also cause erosion. Some consequences of erosion are higher siltation levels, sedimentation, and eutrophication, which can be particularly problematic for the ecosystem or if the lake water is used for human consumption. Engineers have use under sluicing, dredging, and internal loading as methods to combat some of these consequences. This research finds that Sebago Lake, Maine had a period of high erosion between 1986 and 1991. Before this time there were no regulations on the water level of the lake. Higher water levels maintained by S.D. Warren and Company throughout this period were a significant reason for the serious erosion. Other factors like severe weather also played a part in the degradation of the lake?s shoreline. The sedimentation of Sebago Lake has risen in the last twenty years along with the eutrophication level of the lake in general. However, one area of the lake, Lower Bay, is showing water quality improvement due to a strict recovery process put in place by the Portland Water District. Measures being implemented to combat erosion, sedimentation, and eutrophication of Sebago Lake and the water quality of the lake are expected to help the long-term health of this ecosystem.

Metal concentrations in the environment are generally low, except in areas of industrial pollution or mining operations where metals may give metal-resistant bacteria an ecological advantage over other microbial species. Bacteria require copper and zinc as micronutrients; however, at high levels both essential and nonessential metals can be toxic to microorganisms. Callahan Mine, a former open-pit copper/zinc mine in coastal Brooksville, Maine, provides a unique environment to study mechanisms of heavy metal resistance in microorganisms; tidal influx functions as a buffer against acid-mine drainage typically occurring at mining sites. In June 2008, water samples from the mine pit and two freshwater seeps were collected for flow-cytometric quantification of bacterial and viral populations, high-throughput culturing (HTC) for isolations, and temperature, chlorophyll, nutrient and metal measurements for characterizing the physical and chemical properties of the water. Samples were taken from the mine pit along a vertical transect at depths ranging from 0 – 60 m. HTC was used to isolate microorganisms from the mine pit surface water and from the two freshwater seeps. Cultures positive for growth are currently being identified through PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, RFLP analysis, and sequencing.

Does personal relevance of discussion topic influence student participation and quality of discussion? This study is the fourth study in a program of research comparing online and face-to-face discussion in college courses. We had previously determined that: (1) higher levels of critical thinking did not occur in online or face-to-face discussion; (2) the addition of a teaching assistant did not affect the quality of discussion in an online course. This study explored the idea that personal relevance of discussion topics might influence student participation and the quality of discussion. At the end of the fall 2008 semester, students in two online courses anonymously responded to a survey that asked questions about personal relevance, trust, professor involvement, comfort in disagreeing, reasons for participating and student involvement. Demographic variables of traditional/nontraditional student and gender were also considered. One course was required of majors and the other an elective. Likert Scale, Multiple Choice, and Essay format questions were used.

It is widely acknowledged that women are less financially stable than men; for every dollar earned by a man, a woman will earn only seventy-seven cents. Over the span of women’s careers, this wage gap amounts to substantial differences in lifetime earnings. The Maine Women’s Fund (MWF), a non-profit organization in Portland, is committed to investing in the future of Maine women and girls to ensure that women can support themselves, their families, and have the capability to make informed decisions. Their grantmaking activity has guaranteed the sustainability of programs that enrich women’s lives, and given them the tools necessary for achieving economic security. This session concentrates on the importance of increasing Maine women’s economic security and literacy and will utilize literature reviews, independent research and experience as an intern at the MWF to demonstrate its importance in Maine and for women in general.

This research project was prompted by the emergence of cultural evidence linking the consumption of chocolate in America to women. Several forms of media were examined, from print to broadcast advertising, and cultural artifacts, such as T-shirts and signage. Questions of biology and health are considered over and against the cultural component. The psychology of food consumption is examined, and the annual sales figures of the commodity itself. The project asks the question, "Is the special relationship between gender and the consumption of chocolate a matter of biology or of cultural conditioning?" The preliminary conclusion favors the latter, and subsequent experience reinforces that conclusion.

The most established theories of individuation in the history of philosophy have all made a huge presupposition in taking as their starting point the product of individuation: the already constituted individual. Applying Gilbert Simondon’s alternative theory of the process of individuation to the perennial philosophical debate between individualism and holism may open the possibility of constructing a new understanding of the individual, society, and philosophy itself. This paper utilizes the work of 20th century philosopher Gilbert Simondon and interpretations of his theory by Paolo Virno, Étienne Balibar, and Gilles Deleuze. Simondon’s theory is also read alongside the work of 17th century philosopher Baruch de Spinoza. Ultimately this method situates Simondon’s theory within the history of philosophy as well as to express how his theory may be used to reinterpret that very history. As such, Simondon’s work may demand that philosophers and theorists complete review the debate between individualism and holism, a debate so significant that it could very well be considered the most fundamental problem of all social and political philosophy.

This presentation analyzes the use of expressionism in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 film, “Vertigo.” Hitchcock’s use of expressionism in the film is an artistic style that demonstrates a profound inner-vision. By analyzing camera movement, lighting, color, and the geometric planes used in “Vertigo,” the author uses the formal principles of film theory to interpret the meaning of the film. On the surface, “Vertigo” is based on a San Francisco detective who is unable to work due to a severe case of acrophobia. The author suggests that Hitchcock uses the concept of vertigo as a synecdoche to express the inner-state of the protagonist. The term synecdoche refers to one part that stands for the whole, and will be used to demonstrate the film’s inner meaning. The process of unearthing metaphorical significance within the film is also conducted through the exploration of alternate meanings of the word vertigo. Furthermore, the author argues that Hitchcock’s use of psychological expressionism uncovers the film’s central theme of identity. “Vertigo” is considered by many to be one of Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest and most personal films. By examining “Vertigo” closely, the author hopes to shed light on the true meaning of the film.

Institutions of higher learning have an obligation, as responsible community members, to recognize the interdependence between institutions and the communities in which they reside as well as to engage students as citizens of their local communities. Through a panel of USM LAC Office of Community Service Learning (OCSL) leaders, we will discuss how institutions develop learning opportunities which challenge the belief that higher education occurs within a vacuum, isolated from the outside world. As the OCSL functions through a unique model of collaborative leadership we will explore how such opportunities develop student leadership while being supported and guided by faculty. In a departure from the expert model, OCSL students have played a key role in building partnerships with community members in order to identify needs from within the community, rather than bestowing service upon it. Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the OCSL is the application of course content to everyday community problems and developing creative solutions to meet the needs of L-A community. The panel discussion will illuminate various OCSL projects resulting as a response to community needs including conversations on diversity in response to acts of discrimination on campus and student involvement in a community food assessment to assess food insecurities in Lewiston.

The goal of this project is to develop an agent to play the first-person shooter game Unreal Tournament 2004, a fast-paced and dynamic environment that demands that the agent must be capable of making decisions quickly. An additional goal of this project is to explore evolutionary computation as a means for learning the rule sets used to control the game-playing agent. The agent's behavior is controlled by a rule-based system, which looks at multiple high-level conditions, such as whether the agent is weak, and determines a single high-level action, such as whether to head for the nearest known healing source. Using an evolutionary computation approach, in which the behavior is evolved over a number of generations, the agent learns increasingly better strategies for its environment. Through the work in this project, we are exploring several research questions including the development of successful vocabulary of high-level conditions and actions for the rule set, the challenges of rapid decision-making, and the trade offs between hand coding a rule set and using the evolutionary process to hone a rule set.

Workers in Maine with family caregiving obligations often face discrimination due to perceptions about how those obligations affect their productivity. This presentation will investigate how caregiver discrimination disproportionately affects women. In particular, the presentation asks how assumptions about mothering and what it means to be a "good mother" influence how women who have family obligations are discriminated against. Finally, I will suggest steps to be taken to create work environments that encourage a balance between work and family obligations. I will draw on my work at the Maine Women's Lobby (MWL), as well as interviews and independent research. The MWL is working on legislation on this issue, and research and literature is available to me through my internship there. Interviews will be solicited via social network sites, i.e. Facebook, Myspace, and Craigslist. Independent research will make use of the USM Glickman Library. Caregiver discrimination is an especially critical issue now, in this economic recession, where workers can ill afford to lose a paying job.

Marine microbes maintain an integral role in the global ocean ecosystem. Within this community, marine cyanobacterial species, such as the extremely small (less than 1um) yet abundant Prochlorococcus, account for a significant portion of the microbial community. The biogeography (e.g. extent of the latitudinal distribution) of this cyanobacterial genus is still being explored; especially as increases in sea surface temperature due to global climate change may allow these populations to extend further towards the polar regions beyond the presumed 40 degree latitude “limit”. In December of 2008, our laboratory participated in a larger oceanographic research cruise in the Patagonian Shelf Upwelling Ecosystem of the Southern Atlantic. To explore the biogeography of microbial picoplankton, samples were collected along a North South transect (from 38S to 50S) in highly productive coastal slope water and deeper, nutrient-poor (oligotrophic) waters. Flow cytometry will be used to determine what types of picoplankton are present in these cooler, lower latitude waters. Additionally, on deck incubation experiments were conducted to explore the influence of increased carbon dioxide levels on the picoplankton community. We will present the experience of participating in an oceanographic research cruise, as well as the preliminary initial biogeographic results.

A look at the work of early Modern artist Sonia Delaunay reveals a catalog bursting with innovation, creativity and a career spanning over six decades. Fascinatingly, the “canvases” she chose for her life's work range in medium from actual canvas to textile and clothing design, porcelain design, bookbinding, designs for theater, home furnishings, a car in 1928, and even more. At the center of the European avant‑garde in the 1910's through 1930's, Sonia Delaunay relentlessly explored simultaneity (a concept of color co-developed with her painter husband, Robert Delaunay). She did so pushing the conventions of “high art media” and joining the ranks of such renowned artists as Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee in the unpopular exploration of so-called “decorative art.” Though it can be argued that Sonia Delaunay made a notable impact on the direction of Modern art as a whole, this perspective is all but missing from the written material discussing her. Rather than viewing her as an artist involved in and influential on the intellectually rich avant‑garde of her time, she is given very limited and somewhat demeaning characterizations instead: as a woman painter subjugated into creating “decorations” in order to support her family; as a “designer,” not to be confused with a real artist; or as a hybrid of the previous two. These characterizations fail to place her life and work in their deserved context, as an integral part of early Modern art.

Workers in Maine with family caregiving obligations often face discrimination due to perceptions about how those obligations affect their productivity. In particular this presentation asks how caregiver discrimination disproportionately affects women, how assumptions about mothering and what it means to be a "good mother" influence how women who have family obligations are discriminated against. Finally, I will suggest steps to be taken to create work environments that encourage a balance between work and family obligations. I will draw on my work at the Maine Women's Lobby (MWL), as well as interviews and independent research. The MWL is working on legislation on this issue, and research and literature is available to me through my internship there. Interviews will be solicited via social network sites, i.e. Facebook, Myspace, and Craigslist. Independent research will make use of the USM Glickman Library. Caregiver discrimination is an especially critical issue now, in this economic recession, where workers can ill afford to lose a paying job.

Between 1815 and 1848, the United States witnessed a dramatic shift from subsistence agriculture to a more mechanized and specialized world of production. Historians have termed this shift a *market revolution,* and it was a moment in which urbanization and a growing population radically reshaped the landscape and the environment. Many writers, intellectuals, and reformers such as Henry David Thoreau resisted this transformation both physically and psychologically. My presentation will look into the writings of Thoreau and others to demonstrate the way in which the market revolution brought about a growing sense of alienation in urban centers along with an almost primitivist desire to reconnect with the land. In such sentiments, we can locate the origin of the modern environmental movement.

This study will examine the ways in which New England, as a regional identity, has been used in presidential campaigns since the late 20th century. Presidential candidates with origins in New England often treat the region differently when constructing and shaping their public images. While John F. Kennedy embraced his Massachusetts roots and even invited Robert Frost to speak at his inauguration, George H. W. Bush largely rejected his identity as a Mainer in favor of being seen as a Texan. To both these Presidents, New England was more than a home; it was a metaphor that spoke about American national identity, and as such, was exaggerated or hidden to fit the political climate of the time.

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In the early nineteenth century, American Protestant missionaries flocked to China in great numbers. To be sure, American missionary involvement in China is well documented; the sheer number of diaries and letters, let alone the political correspondence, has made missionary-history a mainstay in the field of Sino-American relations. Even with the breadth of sources available, however, many still prefer to focus on large events (like the Opium Wars) or on personal relationships between certain (famous) missionaries and their Chinese (bureaucratic) counterparts. While these categories are by no means exhausted, I propose a different way to chart the development of a distinct American identity in China that is most revealing, yet remains virtually unexplored. This paper looks at the development of Chinese cartography in the middle of the nineteenth century and the American missionary contribution to that development. Through evaluating these cultural exchanges via the maps produced, we can chart a number of developments in Sino-American relations. First, how and when the Chinese began to view America as a nation with a distinct national identity and second, how missionaries viewed America's role in China and finally, what these cartographic exchanges meant for the future of Sino-American relations.

Jell-O salad, a once-ubiquitous American dish, provokes emotional responses that run the gamut from horror to adoration. These responses have prompted me to ask: why, today, is there such an extreme range of reaction to the food? Why do Jell-O salad proponents, consumers, and detractors recognize this dish as a distinctly “American” food? What makes it American, and why do many care about it now? I explore the conflicting narratives offered by Kraft, Inc., current holder of the Jell-O brand, as well as cultural critics, asking how is the Jell-O salad as a cultural text “read” by these two types of “readers,” and how do their stories contrast or help constitute “Americanness?” Probing the ways in which proponents and detractors understand Jell-O salad as an American and regional dish tells us something about how “Americanness” is created and why everyday foods matter.

In this project we are computationally searching for candidate functional regions in noncoding DNA (formerly called “junk DNA”), so called because it does not code for genes. Over 95 percent of the approximately 3 billion base pairs composing human DNA is noncoding, but now it is understood that some of the noncoding DNA affects gene expression. Our approach is to look for non-coding DNA regions that appear to have been conserved across evolution; these are good candidates as functional elements. Our results are promising, identifying both previously characterized and novel candidate elements.

This project involves both hardware and software implementation of a PC controlled testing platform for MEMS sensors being developed in our labs at USM. Focus of this project is on capacitance based MEMS sensors for acceleration measurement and for crash detection. The capacitance interface circuit employs an AD7747 capacitance to digital converter made by Analog Devices. This chip stores the sensed capacitance internally and allows access to its internal register contents via an I2C digital interface as the MEMS sensor under test experiences a steady increase of acceleration created by the centrifugal forces as it is rotated in a box at the end of a rotating bar. To measure the acceleration and be a calibrated reference, a commercial acceleration sensor, ADIS16204 is employed. The ADIS16204 is a digital programmable high-g sensor which has a built in MEMS sensor with internal A/D converter and memory to measure and record the acceleration data experienced by the chip. This data can be accessed via the SPI digital interface of the chip. The system designed acts as a translator to facilitate the communication between the PC and the sensor devices connected on both the SPI and the I2C buses. PC is accessed through its USB port. Programs written in Lab View create a completely automated PC controlled testing platform which can readily be modified by the user to customize the test sequence.

The paper describes use of SOI-MEMS fabricated Acceleration Sensors as a real world design experience in a new undergraduate senior level MEMS course in Engineering at U.S.M. In addition to the standard lectures/reading/homeworks/tests routine of a typical coursework students were assigned to design, as individual class term projects, “Impact” or “Crash” Sensors using integrated circuit layout tools and standard Silicon MEMS technologies available and known as “MUMPs” (Multi-User-MEMS-Processes). The Silicon-On-Insulator version of MUMPs which is named “SOI-MUMPs” was chosen. Successfully completed designs were combined to form a multi-project MEMS chip and sent out to be fabricated thanks to the funding received from NASA/MSGC. A test platform has been designed to create centrifugal g-forces up to 20g’s. Currently, in the second offering of the course, students are testing these sensors to correlate the theory, analytical equations used for designs and the experimental results.

The Market Revolution, the transition from a subsistence farming culture to a capitalist market culture, occurred in the United States roughly from 1800-1860. This revolution had wide-ranging effects on the social life, economy, culture, and political norms of those who lived through it. For immigrants, the process was most likely different from that of the native born. I intend to research how Irish and Scottish immigrants, who were already dealing with the loss of familiar surroundings and family, handled the additional burden of surviving a transforming American landscape. In particular, I intend to research how these dual pressures affected these immigrants’ family lives, and if cultural traditions were changed as a result.

The Alzheimer’s Association helpline has delivered information, referral and psychosocial support to informal care providers of persons with dementia for a quarter of a century. However, there has been little research published evaluating the effect of the helpline intervention on the experience of those caring for a person with memory loss or on those who respond to helpline calls. This project, submitted to USM’s IRB, reference number 121708-15, describes an evaluation of the Maine Alzheimer’s Association helpline using quantitative and qualitative data to examine four primary dimensions of the helpline service--information, referral, support, and convenience. A 22-question self-administered confidential survey of 150 callers to the helpline addressed these dimensions as experienced by informal care providers. Follow-up, semi-structured telephone interviews with ten respondents added depth to the understanding gained from the survey. Semi-structured, phone-based interviews with ten volunteers and employees of the Maine Alzheimer’s Association helped understand the perspective of those providing the service. The goal of this program evaluation was to understand what currently works best to support care providers calling the helpline and to identify ways to improve the quality and convenience of the information, referral and support offered by the Maine Alzheimer’s Association helpline.

The increasing prevalence of dementia threatens the well-being of individuals, families, communities, and the entire health-care system. Responding to a need for evidence-based knowledge and community-building efforts to empower those affected by dementia, this study evaluates the Memory Bridge Initiative (MBI), an educational, experiential program pairing high-school students with elderly people who have dementia. Based upon students’ responses to pre and post qualitative questions, we are evaluating MBI by examining students’ feedback about the program as well as changes in their perceptions of elderly people and Alzheimer’s disease. We are also examining pre and post caregiver responses to a standardized quality of life questionnaire to evaluate how MBI affects people who have dementia. This research proposal has been submitted to USM’s Institutional Review Board. It is hypothesized that students will have a positive learning experience, gain appreciation and understanding of their elders who have dementia, and that quality of life scores among the elder participants will improve after participation in MBI. This evaluation informs future service-learning and dementia-care programs.

The nutritional status of newly hospitalized elderly patients or institutionalized elderly is often poor. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether participants of a new resident-centered dining service offered at the Maine Veterans' Homes gain weight and increase their perceived levels of autonomy three months post-introduction of the service compared to baseline levels recorded pre-introduction of the dining service. This program evaluation is a quasi-experimental design and has been approved by USM’s IRB. The weights and perceived levels of autonomy of the participants will be measured three times; before the dining program begins, six weeks later, and finally, six weeks later for an experimental and comparison group. It is hypothesized the participants of resident-centered dining will gain weight and their perceived levels of autonomy will increase post-introduction of the dining service compared to baseline levels. It is anticipated that higher levels of perceived autonomy will be present and no adverse weight fluctuations will be found for participants receiving the new dining service in comparison to those participants who do not receive the service. This evaluation will guide future programming for residents of the Maine Veterans’ Homes.

Riverview Psychiatric Center is the primary inpatient mental health facility for the State of Maine. The most recent initiatives in mental health services in Maine focus on creating effective programs for transitioning mentally ill clients from psychiatric hospitalization to appropriate community clinical treatment services. There has been much progress made in the past five years in creating effective discharge planning services for clients leaving Riverview Psychiatric Center. However, there has been no evaluation of discharge planning services. The purpose of this study is to evaluate discharge planning for clients who have been discharged from Riverview to southern and central Maine from January 2007 to September 2008. Secondary data will be used to analyze the effectiveness of discharge planning services as measured by access and use of community mental health services. In addition, fifteen discharged clients will be interviewed to gain in depth understanding of their experiences with the discharge planning process. The anticipated benefit of this research will provide the social work staff at Riverview with the tools to refine the discharge planning component of hospitalization.

Students will present their service learning projects detailing their work with community partners assisting refugees in Portland.

Students will present their service learning projects detailing their work with community partners assisting refugees in Portland.

Students will present their service learning projects detailing their work with community partners assisting refugees in Portland.

Students will present their service learning projects detailing their work with community partners assisting refugees in Portland.

Students will present their service learning projects detailing their work with community partners assisting refugees in Portland.

This study will examine social worker growth in relation to the experience of secondary trauma in their work. It is hypothesized that social workers who report secondary trauma, also benefit from this exposure in increased resiliency traits. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PGI) created by Tedeschi, and Calhoun and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) created by Hudnall Stamm have both been adapted to measure the perception of growth from working with traumatized populations in relation to secondary trauma. The PGI measures growth from trauma in subjects’ improved sense of relating to others, sense of new possibilities, personal strength, spiritual change, and appreciation of life. ProQOL measures secondary trauma, compassion satisfaction, and burnout. Bivariate analysis will be use to analyze the relationship between secondary trauma and levels of resiliency. The sample will be randomly selected from the Maine State list of licensed social workers. Self-administered anonymous survey will be sent to 150 social workers. This research proposal has been submitted to USM’s IRB. It is anticipated that this research project will increase understanding of the factors that contribute to positive growth in social work practice with at risk and often traumatized populations.

The gap between the health of the general population and the part of our population with mental disabilities is widening, with people diagnosed with mental illness dying an average of 25 years earlier. The goal of this study is to explore the habits around eating, exercise and nicotine intake in people diagnosed with chronic mental illness and their experiences with health promotion education or training. This is an exploratory study that examines the familiarity and compliance with governmental standards on nutrition, exercise and tobacco use of clients diagnosed with mental illness. This study is strictly voluntary and confidential and has been submitted to the institutional review board at the University of Southern Maine. The results of this study will include a description of current health habits and an analysis of the relationship of these habits to participants’ experience with health education. This study hopes to provide information that will help guide wellness programming in the mental health field and will encourage physical health awareness in service delivery.

Studies Related to Summer Treatment Attendance. There is a concern among clinicians that a decrease in attendance during summer months may disrupt the course of traditional clinical therapy resulting in a poor prognosis in clients’ mental health. (Kazdin, 1999) The purpose of this study is to explore the factors that may keep clients away from therapy in the summer months. Factors include a lack of reminder calls, clients’ gender, the comfort of their therapist’s office, how long clients may have waited for their first therapy appointment and flexibility in scheduling. This cross-sectional and descriptive study will use anonymous, self-administered surveys of outpatient clinicians and clients. A non-random, purposive sampling plan will be used to obtain a total sample of 30 participants. Bivariate analyzes will be used to examine the relationship between clinician and client perspectives. This research proposal has been submitted to the University of Southern Maine’s IRB. Findings will guide Tri-County Mental Health Services in their development of summer programming.

This study will compare two kindergarten through second grade schools only one of which has a school-wide behavior plan. A self-administered anonymous survey will be completed by approximately 30 teachers at both schools that examines the types and frequency of classroom behavior problems, school behavior supports, staffing and interventions. The research procedures are under review by USM’s IRB. Bivariate analyzes will be used to compare the responses from the school with school-wide behavior plan with those from the school without a school-wide plan. It is hypothesized that that the school with a school-wide behavior plan will report fewer instances of negative behaviors in the classroom. In addition, the teachers at that school will feel more supported in their behavioral interventions. The study will guide both schools in the assessment of their current behavior plans and guide program improvements.

Within New England there is a juvenile detention facility which has an early release program called Release to Aftercare (RAFT). The RAFT program provides oversight of juveniles who are released to the community before their sentence is finished. Part of the responsibility of the RAFT program is to follow-up with the juveniles at RAFT team meetings regarding goals around preventing recidivism and promoting successful reintegration back to the community. There is a need to examine what current community based services are being utilized to successfully prevent recidivism. Secondary data analysis will be used to analyze client records as a means of examining the relationship between community based services and recidivism. Content analysis will be use to examine the manifest content of the RAFT team review notes. A proposal for this research has been submitted to the University of Southern Maine’s IRB. It is anticipated that utilization of community based services by juvenile offenders will be positively correlated with recidivism. Program Evaluations such as the one presented here are imperative to the refining and enhancing process of providing services to juvenile offenders which effectively reduce recidivism.