Student Scholarship and Creative Achievement Conference

Abstracts

Presentation Abstracts
Alphabatized By Name

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Title of Work: The Diffusion of Drug Courts across
Minnesota Counties
Presenters, Majors:

Matti Adam, Political Science
Faculty Sponsor: Patrick Donnay
Abstract: The history of Minnesota’s Drug Court system began with the
implementation of these courts in Hennepin County followed by Ramsey,
Stearns, and St. Louis. They diffused sporadically from there across the state.
Comparing demographic profiles of the counties that adopted Drug Courts did
not appear to offer an explanation of what factors led to their implementation.
Informal interviews across Minnesota’s 9th Judicial District led me to believe
that the district judge within a county was crucial in terms of whether or
not a court was implemented. A survey of all Minnesota District Judges was
conducted to determine their connectedness to information sources as well as
to measure attitudes towards Drug Courts. Preliminary results suggest that
the diffusion of Drug Courts across Minnesota Counties follows the traditional
pattern suggested by diffusion theory; ideas and innovation diffuse through
information networks and sources.
Title of Work: Comparisons, Age and Causation of
Perfuming Behavior in Nasua narica,
White-nosed Coatimundi.
Presenters, Majors:

Mackinze Adms, Biology
Faculty Sponsor: Debbie Guelda

Abstract:Perfuming behavior was observed with Nasua narica, the whitenosed
coatimundi. Perfuming was considered to be scratching a scent then
rubbing the tail with the scented paws. What scents caused the behavior and
the approximate age it started were observed and compared to animals in
the same family (Procyonidae), Procyon lotor, the North American Raccoon
and animals with similar behavior, Lemur catta, the Ring-tailed lemur. The
study was conducted at Animal Land, a zoo located in Bemidji, Minnesota due
to the availability of the animals not being native to Minnesota that exhibit
perfuming behavior. The amount of time spent with each scent in minutes
was measured and each behavior was given values (licking =3, perfuming
=10, etc.) to determine the results. Food, animal and chemical scents were
presented to the animals and observed for behavior traits. Coatimundis were
the only animals that were strongly attracted to chemical scents and these
elicited perfuming behaviors. There were some reactions with the other
animals such as sniffing, licking or scratching in the raccoons and lemurs but
no perfuming behavior.

* Honors Program Student
+ Graduate Student

 
 
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