Samantha Warner, Social Work

Kiley Wear*, Psychology

Abstract: Autism diagnoses have been increasing dramatically in recent
years. The cause is still unknown, but there are many different treatments for
these cases. Along with the different treatments, there are multiple theories of
Autism. The questions that the presentation will focus on are the following:
what are the current treatments for Autism and other Autism Spectrum
Disorders? How effective are these treatments? Are there a few treatments that
are more popular than others? The answers to these questions will come from
reviewing peer-reviewed literature on the effectiveness of various treatments.

Michael Weber, Political Science,
Criminal Justice

Abstract: Medical marijuana policies have found the way into Minnesota
legislature yet again this year. The focus of this research is to analyze the
adoption of medical marijuana policies in the American states. By utilizing
various measures of state political characteristics and an assessment of state
medical marijuana policies providing by the Medical Marijuana Project,
(MPP), I analyze variables associated with medical marijuana policy
adoption. Among the key variables associated with more progressive medical
marijuana policies are the percent of the state’s populations with a higher
education, the greater percent in the state that identify as liberals and the
percent of women in the state legislature.

Erik White, Political Science

Abstract: On February 4th, 2009, President Obama signed into law the
reauthorization of the Children Health Insurance Program. The federal
government will now spend 30 billion dollars towards the goal of ensuring
that more children in the United States are insured. I investigate this
particular health care policy and look at the different dynamics that affect
the ultimate goal of universal health insurance for children. Because this
program allows for state flexibility under broad federal guidelines, one is able
to look at individual states, and their particular actions and characteristics, to
determine the best approach to insuring the most children. Findings in my
research establish that social factors such as diversity of a state’s population
play an important role in the number of uninsured children in the
various states.

Greg Wiegand, Biology

Abstract: Trousseau’s syndrome is the formation of unexpected or migratory
clots caused by cancer. Approximately 15- 20 percent of people diagnosed with
cancer have Trousseau’s syndrome. Trousseau’s syndrome is the consequence
of multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms that apparently contribute to the
hypercoagulability associated with cancer. The symptoms of Trousseau’s
disease vary greatly depending on the patient and represent a spectrum of
disorders. In this case study a post mortem examination is described that was
performed on a 68 year old female that had a history of heart disease, but no
history of cancer or pulmonary embolisms. During examination it became
apparent that the cause of death was Trousseau’s syndrome. Described are
the signs and symptoms, recognition, diagnosis and treatment of Trousseau’s
disease. Recognition of Trousseau’s syndrome by a physician is a potentially
life saving diagnosis. A review of pathophysiology and current management
behaviors of Trousseau’s disease is discussed.